Free Republic

.Despite the document's questionable authorship and anonymous sourcing, its claims that Hunter Biden has a problematic connection to the Communist Party of China have been used by people who oppose the Chinese government, as well as by far-right influencers, to baselessly accuse candidate Joe Biden of being beholden to the Chinese government...

R&B singer Brandy cut short a gig in South Africa on Saturday after she was left playing to an empty stadium. The star had been booked to appear at the First National Bank (FNB) Stadium in Johannesburg as part of the celebrations of Nelson Mandela Sport and Culture Day, which included soccer and rugby games as well as live music. However, Brandy was left playing to a tiny crowd of around 40 people in the 90,000-capacity arena after taking to the stage at the end of the event, and she reportedly performed just two songs before walking off. Reports suggest...

Emergency responders raced to CBS Television City studios late Friday after a white powder substance was found by a member of the Dancing with the Stars staff... Fortunately, the FBI reported it appears to be mere talcum powder after "initial field screening was negative for hazardous substances." An investigation continues. The powder was contained in a piece of fan mail addressed to Bristol Palin.

Scotch whisky meant to warm Antarctic explorers retrieved after century locked in ice Associated Press WELLINGTON, New Zealand - This Scotch has been on the rocks for a century. Five crates of Scotch whisky and two of brandy have been recovered by a team restoring an Antarctic hut used more than 100 years ago by famed polar explorer Ernest Shackleton. Ice cracked some of the bottles that had been left there in 1909, but the restorers said Friday they are confident the five crates contain intact bottles "given liquid can be heard when the crates are moved." New Zealand Antarctic...

A Los Angeles Superior Court official has confirmed to The Showbuzz that a wrongful death suit has been filed against singer Brandy Norwood by the parents of a woman who died in a car crash involving the singer last month. The parents of Awatef Aboudihaj are claiming both compensatory and punitive damages in the amount of $50 million. The California Highway Patrol recommended Monday that the actress-singer, who goes by her first name professionally, be charged with misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter in the freeway crash that killed Aboudihaj last month, a city attorney's spokesman said.

Black civil rights leaders in Los Angeles claim the California Highway Patrol has made singer/actress Brandy Norwood "a political trophy." The Los Angeles City Attorney is deciding whether to file misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter charges against Brandy, whose Land Rover slammed into a Toyota on the 405 Freeway killing the driver. Today, Najee Ali, leader of Project Islamic HOPE, said the CHP's recommendation to file charges against the singer "is unfairly targeting her for prosecution because of her celebrity." Ali told TMZ he is organizing an e-mail campaign in the African American community to put pressure on City Attorney Rocky Delgadillo...

LOS ANGELES — The California Highway Patrol recommended Monday that actress-singer Brandy be charged with misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter in a freeway crash that killed a woman motorist last month, a city attorney's spokesman said. The CHP referred the matter to the city attorney's office for review, said spokesman Nick Velasquez. "The office is currently reviewing the case and determining whether the evidence warrants the filing of a misdemeanor charge of vehicular manslaughter," Velasquez said. A message seeking comment from Brandy's publicist, Courtney Barnes, was not immediately returned. Brandy, whose real name is Brandy Norwood, has publicly expressed condolences to the...

Moderate drinking 'may not be good for you' By Nic Fleming, Science Correspondent (Filed: 02/12/2005) Drinking in moderation may not be good for you after all, scientists said yesterday. Previous research has suggested that light to moderate alcohol consumption protects the heart. One study suggested drinking the equivalent of up to two pints of ordinary strength beer or three glasses of wine can reduce heart attack risk by a quarter. However, writing in today's issue of The Lancet, Dr Rod Jackson and colleagues from the University of Auckland in New Zealand, suggest the apparent protective effect of alcohol may be...