Perhaps not specifically what you're looking for, but I've always found Wikipedia's current events portal to be a good source for info on major events.
> I run my own mail server, create a unique address for each vendor and ban the address if it is abused
I do the same and it's immensely useful!
I find it's also a great indicator of how well that vendor protects my info... if there's a sudden surge of spam to an address only that vendor knows, there's a chance they leaked/sold my info and I know it's time to change passwords and/or reassess my relationship with the vendor.
It's hard to tell from images available online, but it may have been anthracite or bituminous coal, which are both surprisingly hard - more like a brittle rock than, say, the charcoal you'd use in a BBQ.
Would you please elaborate on this?