Lobby groups oppose plans for EU copyright extension
Tuesday, February 26, 2008 The European Commission currently has proposals on the table to extend performers’ copyright terms. Described by Professor Martin Kretschmer as the “Beatles Extension Act”, the proposed measure would extend copyright from 50 to 95 years after recording. A vast number of classical tracks are at stake;Continue Reading
Jawbone found in Aruba is not Natalee Holloway’s
Thursday, November 25, 2010 A jawbone found in Aruba is not that of missing American Natalee Holloway, who was a recent high school-graduate at the time of her disappearance. Officials confirmed the news after Dutch scientists completed tests on the bone. The jawbone, which also had a wisdom tooth withContinue Reading
India: Maharashtra plastic ban comes into force
Monday, June 25, 2018 On Saturday, the plastic ban in the Indian state of Maharashtra came into force. In an attempt to minimise pollution, the state government has introduced a ban on single-use plastics. The leader of the Yuya Sena political party, Aaditya Thackeray, said on Twitter, “The ban onContinue Reading
FDA issues proposed rules requiring calorie content on menus
Sunday, April 3, 2011 The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued proposed calorie labeling rules requiring most retail food vendors to display the calorie counts in items on their menus and menu boards. The proposed rules, issued Friday and expected to be finalized in 2012, would apply toContinue Reading
Interview with gay marriage movement founder Evan Wolfson
Sunday, September 30, 2007 Evan Wolfson, the founder of the modern gay marriage movement, tells the waiter he would like an iced decaf and “the usual.” Wolfson, one of Time Magazine’s Most Influential People in the World, is a man who unflinchingly knows what he wants and stays his course,Continue Reading
Australians need bigger toilets
Tuesday, March 7, 2006 Standards Australia, the non-government standards setting organisation in Australia has indicated that it is reviewing the weight limit for toilet seats as they need to accommodate the “increasing size of humans”. Obesity levels have been rising for years in Australia. Australian Bureau of Statistics data showsContinue Reading
Wikinews Shorts: August 8, 2009
A compilation of brief news reports for Saturday, August 8, 2009. Contents 1 Leader of Pakistan Taliban may have been killed in drone attack 2 Hillary Clinton arrives in South Africa 3 Anniversary of Georgian War marked by mutual accusations 4 Police in the United Kingdom ordered to review policing ofContinue Reading
McCain and Obama face off in U.S. presidential candidate debate
Sunday, September 28, 2008 The two major party presidential candidates in the US, Democrat Barack Obama and Republican John McCain, faced each other yesterday in the first TV debate. Despite that McCain had asked to postpone the debate, both were present at the University of Mississippi. The debate, which wasContinue Reading
New Jersey officials: Stimulus bill hurting Atlantic City casinos
Sunday, March 29, 2009 A New Jersey congressman says restrictions on federal stimulus money are hurting gaming destinations like Atlantic City, and he is seeking to repeal a provision banning the use of funds for casinos or other gaming establishments. HAVE YOUR SAY Is Ken Calemmo right to suggest thatContinue Reading
Florida man charged with stealing Wi-Fi
Update since publication This article mentions that Wi-Fi stands for “Wireless Fidelity”, although this is disputed. Thursday, July 7, 2005 A Florida man is being charged with 3rd degree felony for logging into a private Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity) Internet access point without permission. Benjamin Smith III, 41, is set forContinue Reading