Free Republic

NEW YORK - Sirius Satellite Radio Inc. reported Tuesday that its first quarter loss more than doubled, due largely to expenses of $225 million in stock-based compensation to its star shock jock Howard Stern. Revenue nearly tripled as the company expanded its subscriber base. Sirius reported a net loss of $458.5 million, or 33 cents a share, for the January-March period compared with a loss of $193.6 million, or 15 cents a share, a year ago. By far the largest factor affecting the results was costs for stock-based compensation, which all companies had to begin recording this year under new...

Reacting to the impending deal, Catholic League President Bill Donohue released a statement, "After I lashed out against Opie and Anthony for providing an on-air account of a sexual stunt in St. Patrick’s Cathedral in 2002, they were fired by Infinity Broadcasting, the CBS Radio outlet. Once they were dumped, I withdrew the complaint that I had filed with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and asked the FCC to drop its investigation. On August 5, 2004, I issued a news release about the decision of XM Satellite Radio to pick up the duo beginning October 4. At that time I...

As the elected leader of the newly-designated Roman Catholic State of Israel, Airel Sharon has assumed the position of Cardinal of the Israeli Diocese.   JERUSALEM —In an effort to confuse Palestinian bombers, the entire nation of Israel converted to Catholicism today. As the Knesset met yesterday, Shlomo Benizri submitted legislation that would formally change the official religion of Israel to Christianity in general and Roman Catholicism in particular. Speaking outside the Knesset chamber, Benizri told reporters, "If we just change religions, maybe the Palestinians won't really notice us any more."   The measure passed overwhelmingly.    Alex Plotzker, of the...