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Dr David Waterhouse, assistant curator of Natural History at Norfolk Museums and Archaeology Service, could not resist the Monty Python associations after the discovery of a fossil which he says is the oldest parrot ever found. The dead parrot in the classic sketch was a Norwegian Blue, but the one which Dr Waterhouse has been studying was found on the isle of Morse in the northwest of Denmark... Officially named Mopsitta tanta, the bird has already been nicknamed the Danish Blue, and like John Cleese in the sketch, his first task was to establish it actually was a parrot. He...

A South American parrot which died in quarantine in the UK had avian flu, it has been revealed. The parrot, which was imported from Suriname in mid-September, was infected with the H5 strain of the virus. The Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) insists there is no cause for alarm. Chief Veterinary Officer Debby Reynolds said: "The confirmed case does not affect the UK's official disease free status." That was because "the disease has been identified in imported birds during quarantine."She said further tests were needed to see if the parrot had picked up the deadly HN51 strain...

Two of my ministers have regularly conducted “mini-sermons” for the children in the church. When they do that, they demonstrate a universal truth. No one really understands a subject until he can explain it in plain English to a ten year old. I think the question of appointing new Justices to the Supreme Court cries out for that treatment. The Fry Cook Rule may provide the answer. One member of the Supreme Court has already resigned, Justice O’Connor. Three others may not be long behind her, Chief Justice Rehnquist, and Justices Ginsburg and Stevens. I won’t repeat what I’ve said...

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If nobody expects the Spanish Inquisition, then how about Monty Python's surreal humour brought to a London stage, in French, with English surtitles? That is exactly what a French troupe has done in the first and only authorised stage version of the television series that earned Monty Python international cult status. "It is like we have been adopted as knights of Camelot," said producer Remy Renoux, referring to "Monty Python and the Holy Grail" in which French soldiers taunt King Arthur and his companions with insults like "Your mother was a hamster!" "If Python fans are a little anxious they...

GREAT FALLS -- About a dozen pagans gathered at Town Hall on Monday to show support for Great Falls resident Darla Wynne. Last week, Wynne returned home from dinner with a friend and discovered one of her parrots had been beheaded and his heart cut out, she said. A note attached to the back of Little One, Wynne's 8-year-old African gray parrot, said, "You're next!" "I was frantic looking for his little head, and later I did find his heart," Wynne said tearfully. "They want me to leave this town. I feel so responsible for this. I shouldn't have gone...

Guysen Israel News is running an unconfirmed report that Yasser Arafat has kicked the bucket!

CASPER -- A man accused of breaking into a home and trying to steal a macaw valued at $10,000 faces charges of burglary and interfering with a police officer. Frank Duke Hoffman, 43, allegedly entered the home of macaw owner Suzy DiVita on Monday but was frightened off. DiVita said later that Hoffman called her and told her he had the bird and it was dead, according to police. Divita said her children found the bird wrapped in a towel inside a washing machine. The bird, named Rocky, was unharmed. Police said they went to Hoffman's home and he allegedly...

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<p>Is this thing on? Plug in that cord over there. Yes that one. NO NOT INTO THAT PLUG yes that one. Thanks. Testing 1 2 3.</p> <p>Hi everyone. Your friendly neighborhood AM here.</p> <p>Keywords. You've seen them. You love them. Maybe you have even abused them.</p> <p>Please don't abuse keywords. There are children in China doing without keywords.</p> <p>1) Having who added what keyword be revealed at the whim of sadistic moderators, such as myself.</p>