Foot and mouth
An internet chat session begins on the rd1.com website at 1.30 pm for New Zealand farmers wanting information about the foot-and-mouth outbreak in Europe. The session will be hosted by Matthew Stone, the programme coordinator for exotic disease response at MAF's Biosecurity Authority. Any questions about the
disease and other potential threats may be discussed. The site will provide links to other related sites for farmers who want to keep a weather eye on the outbreak.
Fire ants
Following the fire ant scare at Auckland International Airport, MAF has set up a freephone line (0800 809 966) for people who discover ant nests or who think they have been stung by a fire ant. The ants are a uniform golden to reddish brown, are up to 6mm long and create nests in large mounds of soil. Red ant stings form a white pustule that can last several days.
Cricket test
It's make or break time for Stephen Fleming and the Black Caps. The second cricket test against Pakistan starts at Jade Stadium in Christchurch at 10.30 am. Live coverage on TV3 and Radio Sport.
Roadworks
The State Highway 20 Onehunga onramp, southbound, will be closed from 9.30 pm to 5 am for resealing work. If it rains the work will be done tomorrow night.
Learning from sheep
Why do people count sheep? Joe Citizen does it to get a good night's sleep, but scientists do it to keep tabs on the environment and animal management processes. All will become clear when Professor George Seber, emeritus professor at the University of Auckland, gives a public lecture on animal statistics in the Atrium Auditorium, Atrium Building, Massey University, Albany Campus at 6 pm.
Another day ...
The full might of the Los Angeles Police Department came down on radio station KHJ today in 1972 after complaints that DJ Robert Morgan had played Donny Osmond's Puppy Love continuously for 12 1/2 hours. Listeners feared he had collapsed or was being held at gunpoint, but it turned out he just liked the song. Sick puppy.
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