(540,'G7 cenbanks in rare currency action after yen surge   (Reuters)','g7-cenbanks-in-rare-currency-action-after-yen-surge-reuters','','<p><a href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/business/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20110318/bs_nm/us_global_economy\"><img src=\"http://d.yimg.com/a/p/afp/20110318/capt.photo_1300409260521-1-0.jpg?x=130&amp;y=97&amp;q=85&amp;sig=KHZNW7zYHNjDWgK9cP_KJw--\" height=\"97\" width=\"130\" alt=\"G7 cenbanks in rare currency action after yen surge   (Reuters)\" style=\"float: left; border: 0px;\" />\n</a>Reuters - A coordinated move by central banks of rich nations to stabilize the yen appeared to be working on Friday, tamping its value down after Japan\'s devastating earthquake and nuclear crisis triggered a yen surge and raised fears about the global economy.</p><br style=\"clear: both;\" />','<div><div class=\"yn-story-content\">\n                <p>TOKYO/NEW YORK (Reuters) – A coordinated move by central banks of rich nations to stabilize the yen appeared to be working on Friday, tamping its value down after Japan\'s devastating earthquake and nuclear crisis triggered a yen surge and raised fears about the global economy.</p>\n                <p>\nThe action by the Group of Seven, in which they poured billions of dollars into markets, was the first joint intervention in currency markets since the G7 came to the aid of the newly launched euro in 2000.</p>\n                <p>\nThe U.S. dollar surged two full yen to as much as 81.98 yen in response, up from a record low of 76.25 hit on Thursday. It dropped back to under 81 yen in early afternoon trade but remained above what some analysts suggested was a psychologically important level of 80 that could heighten chances of more intervention.</p>\n                <p>\nThe G7 move reflected concern that a soaring yen could curb Japan\'s exports and throw the world\'s third largest economy back into recession, slowing global growth and sapping market confidence.</p>\n                <p>\nThe yen\'s surge in the wake of the earthquake and tsunami may have seemed counter-intuitive at first glance, but it reflected, in part, market speculation that Japanese firms and the Japanese government will repatriate money now invested overseas in order to pay insurance claims and the cost of rebuilding.</p>\n                <p>\nTraders on Friday estimated the Bank of Japan alone bought more than $25 billion, paying with yen to effectively weaken the currency\'s value by boosting the supply.</p>\n                <p>\nEvery member of the G7 was involved in Friday\'s market intervention, a massive show of unity designed to brush back speculators who might have been more willing to question the resolve of Japan if it had attempted the effort alone.</p>\n                <p>\nThe U.S. Federal Reserve, Bank of England, Bank of Canada and European Central Bank, which represents all 17 countries that use the euro, each separately confirmed they were intervening to keep the yen\'s value from climbing.</p>\n                <p>\nThe action helped settle equity markets, which had seen heavy selling in volatile trade since the earthquake and tsunami struck Japan last Friday and triggered a crisis at nuclear power plants. Investors have struggled to get a handle on the economic fallout.</p>\n                <p>\nTokyo Electric Power Co on Friday afternoon North American time said it had connected an external power cable to the stricken Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant, a first step toward restarting the plant\'s cooling pumps as it races to prevent a catastrophic radiation leak.</p>\n                <p>\n\"The impact on the Japanese economy in isolation is likely to be contained, but the ripple effects could be substantial, and perhaps long-lasting,\" the Institute of International Finance, which represents global banks, said in a statement.</p>\n                <p>\nJapan\'s deputy finance minister, Fumihiko Igarashi, warned that currency traders shouldn\'t consider the intervention a one-time-only move, pledging that the G7 would \"act decisively\" again if speculators tried to push the yen higher.</p>\n                <p>\n\"G7 countries agreed that if we caved in to such speculators that took advantage of people\'s misfortunes, the Japanese economy would be ruined and the whole world economy would be harmed,\" Igarashi told Reuters in an interview.</p>\n                <p>\n\"Our stance remains unchanged that we will take decisive steps against speculators who act like sneaky thieves at a scene of a fire.</p>\n                <p>\nThe G7, in its statement Thursday night announcing the decision to intervene, said that \"excess volatility and disorderly movements in exchange rates have adverse implications for economic and financial stability.\"</p>\n                <p>\nSHOW OF SOLIDARITY</p>\n                <p>\nNo figures were available for how much the G7 -- Canada, France, Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom, the United States and Japan -- may have spent in total buying dollars, euros and pounds. But analysts said the show of unity was the point.</p>\n                <p>\n\"It\'s going to have a very huge resonating effect on the market,\" said Kathy Lien, director of currency research at GFT in New York. \"Because the only type of intervention that actually works is coordinated intervention and it shows the solidarity of all central banks in terms of the severity of the situation in Japan.\"\n</p><p>\n\nJapan\'s Nikkei share index climbed close to 3 percent, recouping some of the week\'s stinging losses after the earthquake, tsunami and nuclear power plant crisis. In New York, the Dow Jones industrial average finished up 0.7 percent, closing out a volatile week that saw a total loss of 1.5 percent.\n</p><p>\n\nA source told Reuters the BOJ would also leave the yen it sold in the banking system rather than mopping it up, thus adding to the vast amount of liquidity it had already provided to support its domestic markets.\n</p><p>\n\nCentral banks will often issue bonds to soak up any extra cash in the economy that results from currency intervention for fear that the additional liquidity could fuel inflation.\n</p><p>\n\nWIDER CONCERN\n</p><p>\n\nG7 financial leaders may be worried that a surge in yen repatriation could create a crisis of confidence in markets already struggling in the face of Europe\'s debt problems and the impact of unrest in the Middle East.\n</p><p>\n\nAnalysts were watching warily to see whether the impact of intervention will be lasting, cautioning that the maximum benefit from it likely would occur on Friday. U.S. officials were maintaining a stoic silence about any further actions.\n</p><p>\n\n\"Usually with each intervention, you end up seeing a diminishing marginal return. So the first-time round usually has the biggest impact,\" said David Morgan, head of research for the Americas at Standard Chartered in New York.\n</p><p>\n\n\"It\'ll become increasingly difficult for intervention to be successful,\" he added.\n</p><p>\n\nU.S. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner, who heads for Brazil on Friday night with President Barack Obama, spoke with French Finance Minister Christine Lagarde, whose government currently chairs the G7, and Japanese Finance Minister Yoshihiko Noda ahead of Thursday night\'s intervention call.\n</p><p>\n\nGeithner let Obama know ahead that the G7 was embarking on a coordinated intervention.\n</p><p>\n\nThe United States has been at pains to stress its willingness to help stricken Japan overcome the triple disaster of the earthquake, tsunami and nuclear crisis.\n</p><p>\n\nIn a measure of the severity of the situation Tokyo now faces, Japanese engineers conceded on Friday that burying a crippled nuclear plant in sand and concrete may be a last resort to prevent a catastrophic radiation release.\n</p><p>\n\nThat was the method used to seal huge leakages from Chernobyl in 1986 and was taken as a sign that Japan\'s piecemeal actions, such as dumping water from military helicopters or scrambling to restart cooling pumps, may not work.\n</p><p>\n\n(Additional reporting by Wayne Cole, Wanfeng Zhou, and Daniel Flynn; writing by Glenn Somerville; Editing by Leslie Adler)</p>\n            </div></div><p><strong>Read more:</strong> <a class=\"rssreadon\" rel=\"external\" title=\"G7 cenbanks in rare currency action after yen surge   (Reuters)\" href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/business/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20110318/bs_nm/us_global_economy\" target=\"_blank\">http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/business/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20110318/bs_nm/us_global_economy</a></p>',-2,5,0,36,'2011-03-18 16:50:00',62,'','0000-00-00 00:00:00',0,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2011-03-18 16:50:00','2011-04-03 12:16:24','','','show_intro=0',1,0,0,'','',0,0,''),(541,'Nike 3Q net income up but misses expectations   (AP)','nike-3q-net-income-up-but-misses-expectations-ap','','<p><a href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/business/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110317/ap_on_bi_ge/us_earns_nike\"><img src=\"http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20110317/capt.830ff169270949bb809c0333702933f5-830ff169270949bb809c0333702933f5-0.jpg?x=116&amp;y=130&amp;q=85&amp;sig=sNTC4iTYTn1xEVnkUrh5dA--\" height=\"130\" width=\"116\" alt=\"Nike 3Q net income up but misses expectations   (AP)\" style=\"float: left; border: 0px;\" />\n</a>AP - Nike Inc. reported lower net income than expected for its third quarter as the athletic shoe and clothing company struggled with higher costs for materials, labor and freight.</p><br style=\"clear: both;\" />','<div><div class=\"yn-story-content\">\n                <p>PORTLAND, Ore. – Nike Inc. reported lower net income than expected for its third quarter as the athletic shoe and clothing company struggled with higher costs for materials, labor and freight.</p>\n                <p>The news shocked investors, who are used to Nike consistently outperforming Wall Street\'s expectations. The company\'s shares plunged in after-hours trading Thursday.</p>\n                <p>Nike\'s net income rose 5 percent to $523 million, or $1.08 per share, from $497 million, or $1.01 per share, in the same period a year earlier. Its revenue rose 7 percent to $5.08 billion as sales rose in most markets around the globe.</p>\n                <p>The company, which is based in Beaverton, Ore., warned investors in December that rising costs would cut into its profit margins in the second half of the year even as revenue rose. But analysts had anticipated stronger margins. On average, they forecast earnings of $1.12 per share on revenue of $5.17 billion, according to FactSet.</p>\n                <p>Nike executives said higher costs will continue to hurt its profitability into 2012. It plans to raise prices on a broad array of products beginning this spring and control its costs, but those moves may not pay off until much later.</p>\n                <p>\"Whatever may be unknown in the global economy, you can be absolutely certain that we\'ll continue to invest in our single biggest competitive advantage: our fixation on innovation that benefits consumers and shareholders,\" CEO Mark Parker said.</p>\n                <p>Company leaders said sales rose in nearly every market worldwide, in part with the introduction of new products.</p>\n                <p>But that growth was uneven: Revenue rose 9 percent in North America and 21 percent in China but fell 2 percent in Western Europe and 8 percent in Japan. Excluding the impact of currency fluctuations, revenue rose in all markets except Japan, where Nike has long struggled with sluggish sales.</p>\n                <p>Japan is a relatively small market for Nike, however.</p>\n                <p>The company said its employees in Japan all are accounted for, and it extended its sympathies to the country as it struggles with the impact of the earthquake and tsunami. The company said it is working with relief agencies to assist any way it can.</p>\n                <p>Nike said demand would continue to grow around the globe. It said orders for the upcoming season, which many investors look to for insight into the company\'s near-term strength, rose 11 percent.</p>\n                <p>\"While the headwinds we face are the same for everyone, the competitive advantages we have are ours alone,\" Parker said.</p>\n                <p>Shares of the company fell $4.81 — 5.6 percent — to $80.60 in after-hours trading. They had ended regular trading up 59 cents and have traded between $66.34 and $92.49 the past 52 weeks.</p>\n                <p>Nike\'s quarterly earnings haven\'t fallen below analysts\' average forecast for nearly eight years, according to FactSet.</p>\n                <p>\n            </p></div></div><p><strong>Read more:</strong> <a class=\"rssreadon\" rel=\"external\" title=\"Nike 3Q net income up but misses expectations   (AP)\" href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/business/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110317/ap_on_bi_ge/us_earns_nike\" target=\"_blank\">http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/business/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110317/ap_on_bi_ge/us_earns_nike</a></p>',-2,5,0,36,'2011-03-17 19:33:00',62,'','0000-00-00 00:00:00',0,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2011-03-17 19:33:00','2011-04-03 12:16:25','','','show_intro=0',1,0,0,'','',0,0,''),(542,'Several thousand rally against Serbia government   (AP)','several-thousand-rally-against-serbia-government-ap','','AP - Thousands of anti-government protesters have rallied in a central Serbian town to demand the government call early elections over the deep economic crisis.','<div><div class=\"yn-story-content\">\n                <p>CACAK, Serbia – Thousands of anti-government protesters have rallied in a central Serbian town to demand the government call early elections over the deep economic crisis.</p>\n                <p>About 7,000 people gathered Saturday in Cacak. Organizers say similar protests will be held throughout the Balkan country in the coming weeks.</p>\n                <p>Nationalists want the pro-Western government to schedule an early vote for November. They accuse it of corruption and bad economic policies.</p>\n                <p>Opposition leader Tomislav Nikolic says \"the time has come for elections; we will not let Serbia rot.\"</p>\n                <p>Organizers say a major rally will be held on Apr. 16th in the capital Belgrade.</p>\n                <p>\n            </p></div></div><p><strong>Read more:</strong> <a class=\"rssreadon\" rel=\"external\" title=\"Several thousand rally against Serbia government   (AP)\" href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/business/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110319/ap_on_re_eu/eu_serbia_protest\" target=\"_blank\">http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/business/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110319/ap_on_re_eu/eu_serbia_protest</a></p>',-2,5,0,36,'2011-03-19 09:12:00',62,'','0000-00-00 00:00:00',0,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2011-03-19 09:12:00','2011-04-03 12:16:26','','','show_intro=0',1,0,0,'','',0,0,''),(543,'Foolish FAQ: The Fukushima Nuclear Crisis   (The Motley Fool)','foolish-faq-the-fukushima-nuclear-crisis-the-motley-fool','','The Motley Fool - Japan continues to deal with an incredible tragedy right now. The earthquake on March 11 triggered a tsunami that hit the country\'s east coast, killing thousands and decimating the landscape. We mourn the losses and pray for the survivors and relief workers.','<div><div class=\"yn-story-content\">\n                <p>Japan continues to deal with an incredible tragedy right now. The earthquake on March 11 triggered a tsunami that hit the country\'s east coast, killing thousands and decimating the landscape. We mourn the losses and pray for the survivors and relief workers.</p>\n                <p>In the U.S., our attention has now shifted toward the nuclear power generation plants at Fukushima Daiichi, heavily damaged by the quake and tsunami, as operators work tirelessly to fend off nuclear disaster.</p>\n                <p>The struggles at Fukushima have brought many companies into the spotlight, including reactor designer <b>General Electric</b> (NYSE: <a href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/finance/fool/bs_fool/storytext/rx116884/40730224/*http://finance.yahoo.com/q?s=ge&amp;d=t\">GE</a> - <a href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/finance/fool/bs_fool/storytext/rx116884/40730224/*http://finance.yahoo.com/q/h?s=ge\">News</a>) and <b>Exelon</b> (NYSE: <a href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/finance/fool/bs_fool/storytext/rx116884/40730224/*http://finance.yahoo.com/q?s=exc&amp;d=t\">EXC</a> - <a href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/finance/fool/bs_fool/storytext/rx116884/40730224/*http://finance.yahoo.com/q/h?s=exc\">News</a>), the largest nuclear power plant operator in the United States. We\'ve also seen a renewed focus on alternative energy sources from solar power companies such as <b>First Solar</b>, <b>Trina Solar</b>, and <b>Suntech Power</b> and wind energy companies like <b>Broadwind Energy</b>. While we need healthy debate about energy policies in the future, we have the opportunity to learn more about nuclear power today.</p>\n                <p>To get the scoop, I interviewed my father, Butch Meier, who\'s had decades of experience working with nuclear energy. The views he will express are his own, but based on his experience, he\'s got plenty of interesting things to say. We\'ll learn more about the situation at Fukushima, what the workers are trying to prevent, and how you can help. So let\'s get right to it.</p>\n                <p><b>David Meier</b>: I may know about your background, but readers don\'t. What\'s your experience with nuclear energy?</p>\n                <p><b>Butch Meier:</b> I studied reactor theory and design at the United States Naval Academy and in graduate school on an Atomic Energy Commission Fellowship at the University of Arizona. I served in U.S. Navy nuclear submarines for 29 years. Since 1998, I have done consulting work in related fields.</p>\n                <p><b>David:</b> Why is cooling water so important for the situation at Fukushima right now?</p>\n                <p><b>Butch:</b> Keeping things cool is vital.</p>\n                <p>Here\'s the problem the Japanese are trying to overcome: The earthquake, followed by the tsunami, absolutely wiped out their infrastructure, causing the cooling pumps to lose power. They have also experienced fires in the pumps providing cooling water to the spent fuel pools. Without a flow of cooling water, the water in the core or spent fuel pool eventually boils. With no water to remove the decay heat, the temperature of the fuel rises, causing the pressure to increase. In the limit, it can increase to the point that the fuel cell ruptures, which would release radioactive fission products. Chernobyl is the only example where this has happened.</p>\n                <p><i>(Editor\'s note: Tokyo Electric Power is working hard to <a href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/fool/bs_fool/storytext/rx116884/40730224/SIG=11uo41j7t/*http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/mobile/world-asia-pacific-12779512\">restore dedicated power</a> to the reactors in order to get the cooling systems working.)</i></p>\n                <p><b>David:</b> Are the reactors running right now?</p>\n                <p><b>Butch:</b> No. The reactors are shut down, and there is no worry about them restarting. The issue centers on the fission products in the shutdown reactors -- atoms that are produced when uranium atoms split in the fission process.</p>\n                <p><b>David:</b> Speaking of uranium, the fuel used in a nuclear reactor, what goes on inside to create heat and radioactive byproducts?</p>\n                <p><b>Butch:</b> When a uranium atom fissions, or splits, it releases energy as it splits into two other midweight atoms. ... These unstable radioactive atoms decay as they seek a stable state, emitting radiation in the process. Fissions still occur when the reactors are shut down -- just not at the rate when the reactor is \"critical\" or producing power. The shutdown fission rate is 8-10 or more orders of magnitude lower than during reactor operation.</p>\n                <p>Two types of radiation -- gamma rays (think of X-rays) and neutrons -- emitted from these decay products generate heat by mechanical interaction. Some of the neutrons are absorbed in the uranium fuel, causing more fission and more heat. So while the shutdown reactor doesn\'t require anywhere near the cooling needed when it is operating, it still requires cooling. Even the spent fuel removed from the reactors still generates heat. Water is the most prevalent coolant.</p>\n                <p>You may have heard that boric acid or borated water is being pumped into the cores. <i>(Editor\'s note: South Korea has agreed to send some of its <a href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/fool/bs_fool/storytext/rx116884/40730224/SIG=12ma30opm/*http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/03/16/us-japan-quake-boron-idUSTRE72F0KG20110316\">boron reserve</a> to Japan.)</i> Boron has a tremendous affinity for neutrons. It prefers to absorb them rather than the fuel, reducing the heat generated.</p>\n                <p><b>David:</b> There have been reports of explosions at the plant. How do you think those happened?</p>\n                <p><b>Butch:</b> Steam pressure from boiling water in the uncooled core has to be vented, or it could rupture the core vessel and the containment around the core vessel. <i>(Editor\'s note: For a reactor diagram, see \"Inside the Reactors\" <a href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/fool/bs_fool/storytext/rx116884/40730224/SIG=12gptpdp9/*http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703899704576204953044390300.html#articleTabs_interactive%3D%26articleTabs%3Dinteractive\">here</a>.)</i> Hydrogen is also produced in the core. The gas is vented into the containment building around the two inner containments. The vented gas also contains some radioactivity. The explosions that have occurred involve this hydrogen-steam mixture buildup, coupled with the loss of power and the ability to ventilate the containment building.\n</p><p>\n<b>David:</b> News headlines flash that radiation levels are high or rising. That doesn\'t tell the whole story. Break down the types of radiation -- how it can interact with humans or the environment, and how can people protect themselves against radiation?\n</p><p>\n<b>Butch:</b> Radiation is a challenging subject to discuss meaningfully. You can\'t see it, feel it, or taste it. We are not familiar with units, which are millisieverts, unlike a gallon of milk or the yards on a football field. But the effects of the various types of radiation and doses/dose rates -- the intensity and accumulation of radiation -- are well understood and documented. <i>(Editor\'s note: This <a href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/fool/bs_fool/storytext/rx116884/40730224/SIG=12girbt25/*http://thechart.blogs.cnn.com/2011/03/15/what-you-should-know-about-radiation/\">CNN blog entry</a> does a nice job of putting things in perspective.)</i>\n</p><p>\nThere are four types of radiation. Gamma and neutron radiation, discussed above, can penetrate the body and cause long-term health problems under chronic exposure. Exposure to extremely concentrated doses could be immediately fatal. From what I have read, Fukushima is nowhere near exposures that are harmful.\n</p><p>\nTwo others -- alpha and beta -- don\'t penetrate, and are only a problem if you ingest them or absorb them. You mitigate the gamma and neutron radiation by time, distance, and shielding. You mitigate alpha and beta radiation by staying inside or using filters or masks. The contaminations you see and hear about on TV are predominantly alpha and beta. <i>(Editor\'s note: Japanese officials have been ordering people to stay inside and pictures show relief working with masks covering their noses and mouths.)</i>\n</p><p>\nThe release of the fission products in the cores and spent fuel pose the radiation hazard due to large amounts of long-lived penetrating radioactivity. Two fission product isotopes, cesium and strontium, are readily taken up by the body (bones, marrow), plants, food supply, etc. While they are not the most abundant fission products, they are long-lived and are a significant hazard.\n</p><p>\nAnother fission product of concern is iodine, which concentrates in the thyroid. The potassium iodide tablets the government passed out are designed to flood the thyroid so it can\'t take up any more, thus blocking any released radioactive iodine. Note that the government has just made the tablets available  they haven\'t told the people to take them, because they do not presently anticipate fission products released. If they do direct the people to take them, the problem is getting worse.\n</p><p>\n<b>David:</b> Let\'s go back to the beginning. On March 11, there was an earthquake measuring 8.9 on the Richter scale off the northeast coast of Japan. This caused a tsunami to hit the east coast, causing massive damage to homes, land, and infrastructure, including loss of power, reduced communication, and damage to the Fukushima nuclear plant. How well are Japanese officials and workers handling the situation?\n</p><p>\n<b>Butch:</b> Some perspective will help. The 1906 San Francisco earthquake is estimated as an 8 on the Richter scale -- it flattened the city. The 8.9 quake is one of the three or four most powerful ever. For perspective, the energy released in the Japan earthquake is about 30 times that released in San Francisco. Japanese officials have an almost impossible task, but they are doing well in my opinion.\n</p><p>\n<b>David:</b> The troubles at Fukushima conjure images of Three Mile Island for many, Chernobyl for others, and perhaps even Hiroshima and Nagasaki for some. Should operators lose control of the recovery effort in the plant, what would you be most worried about?\n</p><p>\n<b>Butch:</b> The release of the fission products in the cores and spent fuel -- no question.\n</p><p>\n<b>David:</b> We shouldn\'t take the possibility of a nuclear disaster lightly -- and no one is. What do you think is missing from the disaster in Japan?\n</p><p>\n<b>Butch:</b> Essentially the same thing that was missing in the Three Mile Island accident -- useful practical public education of the basics of nuclear power, including the risks, and media reporting that uses the context of technical facts. Our news media is quite driven by hysteria and sensationalism rather than facts and information -- that is not useful.\n</p><p>\n<b>How you can help<br /></b>The tragedy in Japan gives us a great opportunity to learn. I hope that you leave this interview with more knowledge about the challenges at Fukushima.\n</p><p>\nThere\'s also a chance to improve the lives of the survivors over in Japan by donating to the relief efforts. Please consider making a contribution. The story of the struggle at Fukushima has pushed the needs of the tsunami victims off of the front page, but you can read \"<a href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/fool/bs_fool/storytext/rx116884/40730224/SIG=124bcjsu4/*http://www.fool.com/foolanthropy/2011/03/16/donating-to-japan.aspx\">Donating to Japan</a>\" to learn more about how to make a contribution.</p>\n            </div></div><p><strong>Read more:</strong> <a class=\"rssreadon\" rel=\"external\" title=\"Foolish FAQ: The Fukushima Nuclear Crisis   (The Motley Fool)\" href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/business/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/fool/20110318/bs_fool_fool/rx116884\" target=\"_blank\">http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/business/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/fool/20110318/bs_fool_fool/rx116884</a></p>',-2,5,0,36,'2011-03-18 11:55:00',62,'','0000-00-00 00:00:00',0,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2011-03-18 11:55:00','2011-04-03 12:16:27','','','show_intro=0',1,0,0,'','',0,0,''),(544,'After lean times, Greek tourism eyes rebound   (AFP)','after-lean-times-greek-tourism-eyes-rebound-afp','','<p><a href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/business/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20110320/bs_afp/greecetourismtravel\"><img src=\"http://d.yimg.com/a/p/afp/20110320/capt.photo_1300598313276-1-0.jpg?x=130&amp;y=86&amp;q=85&amp;sig=21sV0zVjXISuVOWGouL9bQ--\" height=\"86\" width=\"130\" alt=\"After lean times, Greek tourism eyes rebound   (AFP)\" style=\"float: left; border: 0px;\" />\n</a>AFP - After two lean seasons and a year marred by austerity protests, Greek tourism operators expect a rebound in 2011 with the global economy in recovery and unrest in North Africa turning demand elsewhere.</p><br style=\"clear: both;\" />','<div><div class=\"yn-story-content\">\n                <p>ATHENS (AFP) – After two lean seasons and a year marred by austerity protests, Greek tourism operators expect a rebound in 2011 with the global economy in recovery and unrest in North Africa turning demand elsewhere.</p>\n                <p>\nAnd although visitors avoiding Egypt and Tunisia may not necessarily flock to Greece -- which has troubles of its own from an unpopular economic overhaul -- the extra demand is enough for the entire region, industry representatives said.</p>\n                <p>\n\"As an all-year destination, Spain is most likely to gain Egypt\'s market, followed by Turkey,\" says Yiannis Papadakis, deputy chairman of the Hellenic association of travel and tourist agencies (Hatta).</p>\n                <p>\n\"But we also stand to benefit as there will be a lack of availability. Turkey is already between 80 and 85 percent booked and will be fully booked in about two months,\" he told AFP.</p>\n                <p>\nEarly booking data from key European target markets -- Germany, Britain, France and Russia -- look promising and family travel is shying away from former favourite destinations in North Africa and the Middle East that have been hit with political turmoil.</p>\n                <p>\n\"Bookings from Germany are up eight percent, Britain 12 percent and Russia by over 20 percent while France is also seeing a two-digit rise,\" says Andreas Andreadis, head of the Panhellenic confederation of hoteliers (POX).</p>\n                <p>\n\"They were already rising from January before events in North Africa unfolded as these (European) countries have positive growth rates,\" he added.</p>\n                <p>\n\n\"It\'s a normal rebound. This time last year we were a world news story. Now we no longer feature in negative headlines,\" Andreadis said.</p>\n                <p>\nOfficial data in January showed that foreign arrivals in Greece in the first nine months of 2010 had risen by 1.5 percent despite the country\'s economic woes and waves of frequently violent protests in Athens and Thessaloniki.</p>\n                <p>\nIn May, three people died in an Athens bank that was firebombed during a protest.</p>\n                <p>\n\"Events in May were disastrous, bookings for the entire month were frozen,\" Andreadis said.</p>\n                <p>\n\"We still have two critical months ahead of us, so it\'s still too early to say how the season will play out.\"</p>\n                <p>\nUnions have already held a general strike this year against sweeping wage and pension cuts mandated by the EU and the International Monetary Fund after they rescued Greece from imminent bankruptcy with a 110-billion-euro ($154-billion) loan. Another seven national shutdowns were organised last year.</p>\n                <p>\nSome of last year\'s demonstrations against measures by the Socialist government to deal with an unprecedented debt crisis specifically targeted tourism-related infrastructure including hotels, the main port of Piraeus and the Acropolis, Greece\'s most emblematic monument.</p>\n                <p>\n\nAt the time, the government offered to compensate travellers stranded in the country after the strikes and protests threatened to sink the season.</p>\n                <p>\nResidents of the popular island of Rhodes even took matters into their own hands, banning striking sailors from their harbour and dispatching flower-toting delegations to welcome incoming cruise ship passengers.</p>\n                <p>\nPrice cuts by operators limited the damage but caused a revenue blow.</p>\n                <p>\nThe Bank of Greece has said tourism takings were down by 7.3 percent to 9.45 billion euros ($13.2 billion) in the period to November.\n</p><p>\n\nTo boost flight traffic, the government this week waived fees at all state airports except Athens International Airport from April 1 to December 31.\n</p><p>\n\nTourism generates about 18 percent of Greece\'s gross domestic product.\n</p><p>\n\nHatta\'s Papadakis said operators had been lowering their prices at the last minute for the last two years in order to elicit demand.\n</p><p>\n\nHoteliers in particular saw their takings go down by 13 percent in 2009 and a by another 7 percent in 2010, Andreadis added.\n</p><p>\n\n\"A room priced at 50 euros would be reduced to 30 euros,\" Papadakis said. \"That\'s not going to happen this year\".</p>\n            </div></div><p><strong>Read more:</strong> <a class=\"rssreadon\" rel=\"external\" title=\"After lean times, Greek tourism eyes rebound   (AFP)\" href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/business/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20110320/bs_afp/greecetourismtravel\" target=\"_blank\">http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/business/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20110320/bs_afp/greecetourismtravel</a></p>',-2,5,0,36,'2011-03-20 01:26:00',62,'','0000-00-00 00:00:00',0,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2011-03-20 01:26:00','2011-04-03 12:16:28','','','show_intro=0',1,0,0,'','',0,0,''),(545,'Toys R Us cancels $1.1 billion loan deal: report   (Reuters)','toys-r-us-cancels-11-billion-loan-deal-report-reuters','','Reuters - Privately held toy retailer Toys R Us  has canceled a $1.1 billion loan deal that was intended to refinance its debt and reduce borrowing costs, Bloomberg reported on Monday.','<div><div class=\"yn-story-content\">\n                <p>NEW YORK (Reuters) – Privately held toy retailer Toys R Us (TOY.UL) has canceled a $1.1 billion loan deal that was intended to refinance its debt and reduce borrowing costs, Bloomberg reported on Monday.</p>\n                <p>\nCiting five people familiar with the matter, Bloomberg reported the cancellation but did not say why. Spokespeople for Toys R Us were not immediately available to comment.</p>\n                <p>\nThe company has filed with regulators for an $800 million initial public offering; the relationship of the debt refinancing to the offering was not immediately clear.</p>\n                <p>\nReuters Loan Pricing Corp reported last week that commitments had been due today on the deal.</p>\n                <p>\n(Reporting by Ben Berkowitz; Editing by Steve Orlofsky)</p>\n                <p>\n            </p></div></div><p><strong>Read more:</strong> <a class=\"rssreadon\" rel=\"external\" title=\"Toys R Us cancels $1.1 billion loan deal: report   (Reuters)\" href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/business/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20110314/bs_nm/us_toysrus\" target=\"_blank\">http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/business/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20110314/bs_nm/us_toysrus</a></p>',-2,5,0,36,'2011-03-14 18:51:00',62,'','0000-00-00 00:00:00',0,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2011-03-14 18:51:00','2011-04-03 12:16:29','','','show_intro=0',1,0,0,'','',0,0,''),(546,'4 Ways Your Home Can Pay You   (U.S. News   World Report)','4-ways-your-home-can-pay-you-us-news-world-report','','U.S. News &amp; World Report - Despite being financially stressed and worried about retirement, homeowners, by and large, continue to see their homes as a roof over their head and not a key financial asset that may improve their retirement prospects. According to research by the Society of Actuaries, only about 20 percent of homeowners plan to use their home equity to help finance retirement. Of those who do, few have thought about tapping their home\'s value and simply plan to sell it to generate retirement funds.','<div><div class=\"yn-story-content\">\n                <p>Despite being financially stressed and worried about retirement, homeowners, by and large, continue to see their homes as a roof over their head and not a key financial asset that may improve their retirement prospects. According to research by the Society of Actuaries, only about 20 percent of homeowners plan to use their home equity to help finance retirement. Of those who do, few have thought about tapping their home\'s value and simply plan to sell it to generate retirement funds.</p>\n                <p>\"Even for middle-income and moderately affluent Americans in their critical preretirement years (55-64), non-financial assets, principally home equity, may represent as much as 70 percent of total assets exclusive of pensions and Social Security,\" the report said. Tom Horgan, a Society of Actuaries spokesman and former chief actuary of the Federal Housing Administration, agrees with traditional advice that home equity should only be tapped when necessary, and when it helps achieve a specific retirement objective. In most cases, his best advice for homeowners approaching retirement is to sell their home and downsize into smaller, less-expensive living quarters that also may be closer to shopping and cultural activities. Renting an apartment also eliminates property taxes and most maintenance expenses.</p>\n                <p>[See <a href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/usnews/ts_usnews/storytext/4waysyourhomecanpayyou/40726669/SIG=12n9rhh19/*http://www.usnews.com/money/retirement/slideshows/10-ways-your-home-can-pay-you-money\">10 Ways Your Home Can Pay You Money</a>.]</p>\n                <p>\"Retirees are really not looking at home equity as an attractive option for helping to fund their retirement,\" says another Society of Actuaries spokesman, Steve Siegal. \"I think people tend to look at their houses as an anchoring point, and are kind of reluctant to mess with that. There\'s an emotional attachment there.\" While echoing Horgan\'s emphasis on only accessing home equity after very careful thought, Siegal adds that the study found that people were \"not exploring any of the options. The point is that people should explore options and find out what\'s right for them.\"</p>\n                <p>There were slightly more than 23 million U.S. households in 2009 headed by someone at least 65 years old, according to federal housing statistics. About 80 percent of these households owned their homes, and of these, 65 percent had no mortgage or other home debt. Even with sharp housing price declines, the median value of homes owned by older people was about $150,000--over $100,000 more than they paid for it.</p>\n                <p>The best home-finance solutions, experts agree, tend to be the ones that meet an individual\'s specific needs. The major variables in home equity use include age, health and healthcare expenses, marital and family situation, life expectancy, current and future income streams, family assets, and estate considerations. In short, just about all significant life decisions can come into play in deciding how to deal with your home as a possible retirement asset.</p>\n                <p>[See the <a href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/usnews/ts_usnews/storytext/4waysyourhomecanpayyou/40726669/SIG=13j3f7tp8/*http://money.usnews.com/money/retirement/slideshows/best-places-to-downsize-in-retirement?s_cid=related-links:TOP\">10 Best Places to Downsize in Retirement</a>.]</p>\n                <p>There are four major types of decisions that involve your home and your future: borrowing against the value of your home, generating rental income from your home, taking full advantage of government tax breaks, and moving into a residence that cuts monthly housing expenses and is more aligned with reduced retirement income levels:</p>\n                <p><strong>1. Loans. </strong>Home equity loans and mortgage refinancings are rarely advised for paying basic retirement expenses, but they may make sense for special needs or one-time projects. Usually, borrowers need a reliable income stream to satisfy lenders of their ability to repay the loan. In some cases your retirement income would be enough, but you\'d need to satisfy lenders that you have enough left over after paying your living expenses to service and repay the loan. Reverse mortgages do not require repayment but usually only make sense for people who plan to stay in their homes for a long time and do not intend to sell them and use the proceeds for other retirement needs. If you have a mortgage and are sure you want to downsize to a smaller home in a few years, consider refinancing your mortgage into a five-year adjustable rate mortgage. You will save a lot of money on mortgage payments and can use those savings to pay down your home loan even further. Just make sure you can sell the home before the five-year reset deadline occurs.</p>\n                <p>[See <a href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/usnews/ts_usnews/storytext/4waysyourhomecanpayyou/40726669/SIG=1368p8bju/*http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/the-best-life/2011/03/02/reverse-mortgages-face-another-makeover\">Reverse Mortgages Face Another Makeover</a>.]</p>\n                <p><strong>2. Income.</strong> Consider renting out a room in your home to generate extra income. This may make special sense if you\'re still carrying a mortgage on the property. Most retirees bring home less money in retirement than when they worked, which can make carrying a mortgage very difficult. Rental income can help you pay off the mortgage and take a lot of pressure off of your retirement budget. You could even consider renting our your entire home for a visiting vacationer. It could pay for your own vacation, and tax specialist CCH says if you rent out your home fewer than 15 days a year, you don\'t even have to include the money you receive as gross income on your tax return.</p>\n                <p><strong>3. Taxes.</strong> The mortgage tax break may be reduced or even disappear as Congress wrestles with reforming the tax code and reducing budget deficits. But for now, it\'s the largest single tax break that individuals receive. Interest on home equity loans is usually deductible. There may also be energy credits and other tax breaks that make sense.</p>\n                <p><strong>4. Moving.</strong> Downsizing can be the smartest way to let your home--or in this case, your new home--pay you money. Reduced living expenses, smaller utility bills, and even lower commuting costs should be on your mind as you consider how you will balance the household budget during your retirement years. Moving closer to key shopping and cultural activities can not only save you money, but also make increasing sense as you age and your time behind the wheel of a car grows shorter. Think carefully about whether you want to rent or buy your new home. And don\'t forget that gains on the sale of your current home--up to $500,000 in gains for a couple--are tax-free.</p>\n                <p>\n            </p></div></div><p><strong>Read more:</strong> <a class=\"rssreadon\" rel=\"external\" title=\"4 Ways Your Home Can Pay You   (U.S. News   World Report)\" href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/business/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/usnews/20110318/ts_usnews/4waysyourhomecanpayyou\" target=\"_blank\">http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/business/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/usnews/20110318/ts_usnews/4waysyourhomecanpayyou</a></p>',-2,5,0,36,'2011-03-18 10:27:00',62,'','0000-00-00 00:00:00',0,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2011-03-18 10:27:00','2011-04-03 12:16:30','','','show_intro=0',1,0,0,'','',0,0,''),(547,'\'One killed\' as police fire on Syria protesters   (AFP)','one-killed-as-police-fire-on-syria-protesters-afp','','<p><a href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/business/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20110320/wl_mideast_afp/syriapoliticsunrest\"><img src=\"http://d.yimg.com/a/p/afp/20110320/capt.photo_1300636047288-1-0.jpg?x=130&amp;y=86&amp;q=85&amp;sig=1oEO3S2xgIQ5HEPAgrNx0w--\" height=\"86\" width=\"130\" alt=\"\'One killed\' as police fire on Syria protesters   (AFP)\" style=\"float: left; border: 0px;\" />\n</a>AFP - Syrian security forces fired on thousands of demonstrators Sunday in the town of Daraa, killing one and wounding around 100, two of them critically, a rights activist at the scene said.</p><br style=\"clear: both;\" />','<div><div class=\"yn-story-content\">\n                <p>DAMASCUS (AFP) – Syrian security forces fired on thousands of demonstrators Sunday in the town of Daraa, killing one and wounding around 100, two of them critically, a rights activist at the scene said.</p>\n                <p>\nDaraa, south of the capital Damascus, has turned into a \"volcano\", the witness told AFP by telephone.</p>\n                <p>\n\"A protester was killed today by live bullets. His name is Raed Akrad,\" he said, adding that two others wounded in the head were in critical condition.</p>\n                <p>\nEarlier he reported that more than 100 people were wounded when security forces fired live bullets and tear gas at thousands of demonstrators who gathered in Daraa for a third consecutive day of protests.</p>\n                <p>\n\"The army surrounds the town but it has not intervened,\" he said.</p>\n                <p>\nHe said tensions were very high in Daraa and anger flared as a top-ranking government delegation arrived to pay condolences to families of demonstrators killed by security forces on Friday.</p>\n                <p>\nRights groups have said that four protesters were killed on Friday while two of them were buried Saturday in Daraa.</p>\n                <p>\nSyrian authorities announced on Saturday the establishment of a commission of inquiry on the violence in Daraa.</p>\n                <p>\nThe delegation included deputy foreign minister Faysal Meqdad, Local Administration Minister Tamer al-Hijjeh and senior security officer Rustom Ghazaleh, the activist said.</p>\n                <p>\n\"The came to offer their condolences to the families of the protesters killed on Friday,\" the activist said, adding that protesters seethed with anger when they saw the officials.</p>\n                <p>\n\"The protesters cried out: \'He who strikes his own people is a traitor,\'\" he added.</p>\n                <p>\nThe protest began in the afternoon -- before the officials arrived -- with a march setting off from the Omari mosque, the witness added.</p>\n                <p>\n\"The security forces backed by police fired live rounds at the demonstrators, numbering more than 10,000,\" the witness said.</p>\n                <p>\n\"They are also firing tear gas mixed with toxic products,\" he claimed.</p>\n                <p>\nThe latest casualties were being evacuated to the mosque, which has turned into a \"field hospital,\" the activist said, declining to be named.</p>\n                <p>\n\"There has been shooting in several parts of the city and there are clashes between protesters and security forces,\" backed by plain-clothes police, the witness said.</p>\n                <p>\nHe also reported an unspecified number of arrests.</p>\n                <p>\nOn Saturday security forces arrested dozens of protesters in Daraa, where thousands of people attended the funerals of Akram al-Jawabra and Hussam Abdelwali Ayash, two of the four protesters killed on Friday.\n</p><p>\n\nSporadic demonstrations against President Bashar al-Assad\'s regime have taken place in Syria since last Tuesday after calls on Facebook demanding greater freedom in the country, which has been under emergency law since 1963.\n</p><p>\n\nAs well as Daraa, they erupted on Friday in the capital Damascus, the coastal city of Banias and in Homs north of the capital.\n</p><p>\n\nProtesters have been mainly calling for the release of political prisoners and reforms at a time of popular uprisings across the Middle East.</p>\n            </div></div><p><strong>Read more:</strong> <a class=\"rssreadon\" rel=\"external\" title=\"\'One killed\' as police fire on Syria protesters   (AFP)\" href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/business/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20110320/wl_mideast_afp/syriapoliticsunrest\" target=\"_blank\">http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/business/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20110320/wl_mideast_afp/syriapoliticsunrest</a></p>',-2,5,0,36,'2011-03-20 11:47:00',62,'','0000-00-00 00:00:00',0,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2011-03-20 11:47:00','2011-04-03 12:16:31','','','show_intro=0',1,0,0,'','',0,0,''),(548,'Arkansas prepares for significant tax cuts   (AP)','arkansas-prepares-for-significant-tax-cuts-ap','','AP - Arkansas is poised to become one of the first states in the nation to enact a significant tax cut this year, showing the sentiment for scaling back government even in places where state spending is limited and no fiscal crisis exists.','<div><div class=\"yn-story-content\">\n                <p>LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Arkansas is poised to become one of the first states in the nation to enact a significant tax cut this year, showing the sentiment for scaling back government even in places where state spending is limited and no fiscal crisis exists.</p>\n                <p>State representatives Monday are expected to approve cutting the grocery tax, the centerpiece of a $35 million tax cut package. The action comes days after lawmakers reached an agreement with Democratic Gov. Mike Beebe on reductions of five other taxes likely to be approved later this week.</p>\n                <p>The amount of the cuts doesn\'t compare with the deep reductions proposed in some larger states, especially those with fiscal problems that are trying to attract new businesses. But it shows the far-reaching impact of the anti-spending backlash in the 2010 election that swept more Republicans into office across the nation. The cuts could be enacted so rapidly in Arkansas because the state\'s Democrats, including Gov. Mike Beebe and the majority that control both chambers of the Legislature, are conservative and differ little from Republican lawmakers on most fiscal issues.</p>\n                <p>\"Arkansas is going to cut $35 million in taxes, have a balanced budget and adequately fund education,\" said Sen. Gilbert Baker, the Republican who co-chairs the Joint Budget Committee. \"There isn\'t another state that wouldn\'t love to have that scenario right now.\"</p>\n                <p>Arkansas\' government is already modest in scale; it doesn\'t offer the range of services provided by states such as Wisconsin and New Jersey, where heated battles over spending and employee compensation are under way.  But officials decided to cut more anyway.</p>\n                <p>Beebe, a popular Democrat, handily won re-election last year after promising to continue reducing the state\'s grocery tax. Since he took office in 2007, he\'s successfully pushed for cutting the tax from 6 percent to 2 percent.</p>\n                <p>Although the state\'s residents are accustomed to lean services, Beebe said he is concerned the tax and spending restraints could go too far.</p>\n                <p>State officials estimate that they could face as much as an $80 million shortfall in the state\'s Medicaid trust fund in the fiscal year that begins July 1, 2012. Beebe asked federal officials for permission to overhaul the way Arkansas pays for services in Medicaid to address that danger.</p>\n                <p>\"I\'m not worried about this year,\" Beebe said in an interview last week. \"I mean, we can make some adjustments on the balanced budget this year. I\'m really worried about next year and the year after, because of Medicaid.\"</p>\n                <p>The tax cuts this year may mean that a proposed cost-of-living increase for state workers may be limited to lower-paid employees.</p>\n                <p>About one in five governors are proposing large tax cuts this year, and several are states with a budget shortfall, according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. In many of these states, such as Florida and New Jersey, the tax relief is coupled with calls for cuts in education, health care and employee salaries.</p>\n                <p>Arkansas has escaped the fiscal problems plaguing many other states partly because of the state\'s budgeting system, which requires that spending priorities be linked directly to expected revenues.</p>\n                <p>Aside from the grocery tax cut, lawmakers are expected to approve cutting taxes for manufacturers\' utilities, single parents and used car sales. They\'re also planning to institute an annual back-to-school sales tax \"holiday\" and expand a tourism-related tax exemption.</p>\n                <p>Beebe originally had proposed only cutting the grocery tax but acknowledged that in the current political climate, he couldn\'t hold that line.</p>\n                <p>\"The way this stuff was running through here, it was necessary for me to accede to some additional tax cuts in order to keep (away) even more tax cuts that would exacerbate it or increase it even more than we can afford,\" Beebe said in the interview last week.</p>\n                <p>\n            </p></div></div><p><strong>Read more:</strong> <a class=\"rssreadon\" rel=\"external\" title=\"Arkansas prepares for significant tax cuts   (AP)\" href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/business/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110320/ap_on_re_us/us_tax_cuts_arkansas\" target=\"_blank\">http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/business/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110320/ap_on_re_us/us_tax_cuts_arkansas</a></p>',-2,5,0,36,'2011-03-20 11:23:00',62,'','0000-00-00 00:00:00',0,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2011-03-20 11:23:00','2011-04-03 12:16:32','','','show_intro=0',1,0,0,'','',0,0,''),(549,'GM curtails spending, travel on Japan crisis   (Reuters)','gm-curtails-spending-travel-on-japan-crisis-reuters','','Reuters - General Motors Co  has suspended all nonessential spending and global travel while the automaker assesses the impact of the crisis in Japan on the company, a GM spokesman said on Saturday.','<div><div class=\"yn-story-content\">\n                <p>CHICAGO (Reuters) – General Motors Co (GM.N) has suspended all nonessential spending and global travel while the automaker assesses the impact of the crisis in Japan on the company, a GM spokesman said on Saturday.</p>\n                <p>\nIn addition, GM will suspend production in Zaragoza, Spain, on Monday and cancel two shifts in Eisenach, Germany, on Monday and Tuesday, spokesman Klaus-Peter Martin told Reuters.</p>\n                <p>\nJapan, reeling from a humanitarian and nuclear crisis after a massive earthquake and tsunami, is a key supplier to the global auto and technology sectors, making prolonged disruption a threat to both.</p>\n                <p>\nAutomakers rely on \"just-in-time\" inventory of their supplies to build cars and trucks. Even a small supplier of products that are fed to a bigger supplier that feeds the automaker\'s assembly plants can delay or halt vehicle production.</p>\n                <p>\nElectronic products also are major components used in almost every auto produced in North America.</p>\n                <p>\nAnalysts have said if the supply chain were broken for even a few weeks, the impact could be felt in auto production and higher prices or shortages of gadgets such as Apple Inc\'s (AAPL.O) iPad and other tablets, smartphones and computers for months to come.</p>\n                <p>\nThe Japanese crisis, which has unfolded following a massive earthquake, tsunami and nuclear power plant disruption, hits the auto manufacturer as GM was gaining share in the U.S. market and as all automakers in the U.S. market looked forward to the spring months when sales rise. January and February are historically the lowest months for new vehicle sales in the United States.</p>\n                <p>\nGM is the top-selling automaker in the U.S. market, followed by Ford Motor Co (F.N) and Toyota Motor Corp. (7203.T)</p>\n                <p>\n(Additional reporting by Bernie Woodall and Nick Carey; Editing by Vicki Allen)</p>\n                <p>\n            </p></div></div><p><strong>Read more:</strong> <a class=\"rssreadon\" rel=\"external\" title=\"GM curtails spending, travel on Japan crisis   (Reuters)\" href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/business/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20110319/bs_nm/us_autos_gm_japan\" target=\"_blank\">http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/business/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20110319/bs_nm/us_autos_gm_japan</a></p>',-2,5,0,36,'2011-03-19 18:49:00',62,'','0000-00-00 00:00:00',0,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2011-03-19 18:49:00','2011-04-03 12:16:33','','','show_intro=0',1,0,0,'','',0,0,''),(550,'Are You an Office Hoarder?   (BusinessWeek)','are-you-an-office-hoarder-businessweek','','BusinessWeek - 01. If a colleague swings by your desk for an unexpected visit, he or she might think:','<div><div class=\"yn-story-content\">\n                <p>01. If a colleague swings by your desk for an unexpected visit, he or she might think:</p>\n                <p>A) So that\'s where all the Post-it notes from the supply closet went!</p>\n                <p>B) Those towers of paper can\'t possibly be structurally sound.</p>\n                <p>C) Why is my Lean Cuisine rigatoni stuffed behind the computer monitor when I left it in the break-room fridge?</p>\n                <p>02. The thing you\'re most likely to take home from the office is:</p>\n                <p>A) Twelve linear feet of empty binders, none of which you\'ve ever used.</p>\n                <p>B) Day-old newspapers, Staples catalogs, lots of plastic lids.</p>\n                <p>C) Whatever supplies you need. After all, paper-pushers shouldn\'t have to pay for the paper.</p>\n                <p>03. If someone were to excavate your work bag, what would they dig up?</p>\n                <p>A) Filofax fillers dating to 1988 -- and some weird faded photos of Scott Baio.</p>\n                <p>B) Crumpled receipts, topless ChapStick, dog-eared copy of Eat, Pray, Love.</p>\n                <p>C) Splenda packets from the office pantry. You shouldn\'t be penalized for that cup of coffee on your commute.</p>\n                <p>04. How do you feel about the shared office refrigerator?</p>\n                <p>A) It\'s where you keep leftovers from meetings. That tuna wrap might still taste good tomorrow!</p>\n                <p>B) People really get too worked up about keeping it organized.</p>\n                <p>C) You\'ll replace whatever you take. When you have a chance. Maybe.</p>\n                <p>05. Desk filing cabinets should be used for:</p>\n                <p>A) Storing all the supplies you might use -- you never know when they\'ll come in handy.\n</p><p>\nB) Holding an extra sweater. And comfortable shoes. Maybe a blanket. And a Shake Weight.\n</p><p>\nC) Filing. In fact, you also have a filing cabinet at home, which you\'ve outfitted with folders taken from the supply closet.\n</p><p>\n06. If an organizational expert tried to streamline your desk, you would feel:\n</p><p>\nA) Certain they wouldn\'t understand why you need to keep all those extra rolls of tape.\n</p><p>\nB) Relieved. If they want to face off against a paper tornado, more power to them.\n</p><p>\nC) Excited. As long as you put that stapler into your purse right now. You\'re going to need it, and you don\'t want to pay.\n</p><p>\nIf you answered mostly A\'s...\n</p><p>\nYou\'re a stockpiler. Does the idea of unloading all those Post-its bring on fear? Dr. David Evans, psychology professor at Bucknell University, says hoarders feel \"tremendous anxiety\" at the prospect of purging. If this sounds like you, consider talking to an expert -- and we don\'t mean the supply-closet monitor.\n</p><p>\nIf you answered mostly B\'s...\n</p><p>\nYou\'re a clutterer. Paper piles are O.K., says Evans, noting that some people have \"a system out of this seeming chaos.\" The issue is when a clutterer is distressed by the thought of tossing things out. A rule of thumb: \"If the clutter is getting in the way of job effectiveness, then it is a problem.\"\n</p><p>\nIf you answered mostly C\'s...\n</p><p>\nYou\'re a petty pilferer. Pocketing the occasional office supply is an ethical issue that should be addressed. Lunch stealers, however, raise bigger red flags. \"It is generally more of a compulsion,\" says Evans, \"and there may even be some small mixture of anxiety and thrill associated with it.\" Seek help, pronto.</p>\n            </div></div><p><strong>Read more:</strong> <a class=\"rssreadon\" rel=\"external\" title=\"Are You an Office Hoarder?   (BusinessWeek)\" href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/business/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/bw/20110318/bs_bw/1113b4221093116794\" target=\"_blank\">http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/business/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/bw/20110318/bs_bw/1113b4221093116794</a></p>',-2,5,0,36,'2011-03-18 08:08:00',62,'','0000-00-00 00:00:00',0,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2011-03-18 08:08:00','2011-04-03 12:16:34','','','show_intro=0',1,0,0,'','',0,0,''),(551,'Detroit schools struggle to solve huge budget woes   (AP)','detroit-schools-struggle-to-solve-huge-budget-woes-ap','','<p><a href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/education/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110320/ap_on_re_us/us_detroit_schools_longshot_solutions\"><img src=\"http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20110320/capt.f109f0a05abc492f94126c39f35e4e35-f109f0a05abc492f94126c39f35e4e35-0.jpg?x=130&amp;y=94&amp;q=85&amp;sig=MZc4iNGMxpxK50kVskTsdA--\" height=\"94\" width=\"130\" alt=\"Detroit schools struggle to solve huge budget woes   (AP)\" style=\"float: left; border: 0px;\" />\n</a>AP - Robert Bobb has spent the past two years closing dozens of schools and firing principals in an effort to fix the failing Detroit Public Schools. Yet, he still hasn\'t solved the problem for which he was hired &mdash; erasing a legacy budget deficit that now stands at $327 million.</p><br style=\"clear: both;\" />','<div><div class=\"yn-story-content\">\n                <p>DETROIT – Robert Bobb has spent the past two years closing dozens of schools and firing principals in an effort to fix the failing Detroit Public Schools. Yet, he still hasn\'t solved the problem for which he was hired — erasing a legacy budget deficit that now stands at $327 million.</p>\n                <p>Now, in his final months as the state-appointed emergency financial manager, Bobb is proposing several headline-grabbing ideas — including a radical plan to shut down so many buildings that some high schools could see more than 60 students per class — in an attempt to wipe out the red ink.</p>\n                <p>The state Board of Education wants the budget gap closed sooner than later. Despite reworking vendor contracts to save money, shutting down old, high-maintenance buildings, weeding out numerous cases of fraud and theft, and keeping dozens of teaching and other district jobs unfilled, the deficit hasn\'t gone away. With Bobb\'s contract ending in June, he\'s floating extreme measures to get the job done.</p>\n                <p>\"There are so many competing interests within the Detroit Public Schools, you kind of have to throw a lot of different stuff against the wall to see what sticks,\" says Michael Van Beek, director of education policy at the Mackinac Center for Public Policy, a free-market think tank in Midland, Mich.</p>\n                <p>Bobb\'s latest proposal, announced about a week ago, calls for placing 41 academically poor schools and the 16,000 students attending them in the hands of charter operators.</p>\n                <p>\"Rather than simply closing schools, this plan seeks to transform DPS into one of the nation\'s premier urban school districts by recruiting some of the best, proven school operators to serve Detroit\'s children and remake schools that have been failing them for years,\" Bobb has said of the charter proposal.</p>\n                <p>Another model seeks to take revenue and pay off the district\'s outstanding debt while doing away with the existing school system. A new district with new contracts and staffing levels would be built from the ground up. Existing schools would be moved into the new system.</p>\n                <p>Bobb also has proposed asking the state to continue current funding levels, despite a drop in enrollment, while it chips away at the accumulated deficit over time. But this seems unlikely as Republican Gov. Rick Snyder already is planning cuts to per-pupil funding in his proposed state budget.</p>\n                <p>None are guaranteed to work and most would draw opposition from the teachers\' union and parents who don\'t want to see schools closed and teacher contracts thrown out in favor of charter school operators hiring non-union educators to work in their buildings.</p>\n                <p>But all are preferred to Bobb\'s initial deficit elimination plan that called for closing 70 of Detroit\'s 172 schools and increasing the maximum high school class size to 62. Though that plan was approved in February by state education officials who wanted to see a proposal that would eliminate the deficit quickly, even Bobb says it goes too far.</p>\n                <p>\"He had no choice but to get us down to zero by the 2014 fiscal year,\" said district spokesman Steve Wasko. It \"is not the plan we want, nor is it good for DPS or its students.\"</p>\n                <p>Bobb was appointed by then-Gov. Jennifer Granholm in March 2009 to turnaround the cash-strapped district. He hired an inspector general to look into complaints of financial wrongdoing and within two months was investigating about 50 cases of theft and fraud. Audits of school records revealed some administrators made or received inappropriate personal loans.</p>\n                <p>Along with the school closings, contracts of more than 30 principals were not renewed. Less money also is flowing out of the district as Bobb cut millions of dollars in spending from the budget.</p>\n                <p>But as enrollment drops, less money to pay the bills is coming in. And while seeking answers to the district\'s financial turmoil, Bobb also is fighting other battles.</p>\n                <p>\"He has a school board that has taken him to court — and won; a recalcitrant teachers union that promises to file grievances. Then he has people within Detroit neighborhoods who don\'t want to see schools shuttered,\" Van Beek said.</p>\n                <p>Bobb was given more ammunition when Snyder recently signed a bill that gives broad new powers and tools to financial managers to restructure school districts and communities headed toward insolvency. Under the law, financial managers will be able to toss union contracts to help balance the books, strip power from local elected officials or — in extreme cases — dissolve a town or school district.</p>\n                <p>It\'s unclear how Bobb will use that going forward. For now, he continues to push the charter school plan which is the one receiving the most support in the city at the moment — even from the school board. Under Bobb\'s proposal, Detroit Schools would sponsor the charters and seek out groups to operate them. The district would lease the buildings for an estimated $21 million and receive 3 percent of whatever funding each charter gets from the state.</p>\n                <p>Operating costs are expected to drop by up to $99 million. The district would save about $22 million by not having to secure the closed buildings.\n</p><p>\nBut the teacher\'s union has been fighting Bobb\'s efforts to close schools over the past two years and is \"adamantly opposed\" to adding more charters in Detroit while losing district-run buildings, Detroit Federation of Teachers president Keith Johnson says.\n</p><p>\nCharter schools, even those authorized by the district, are not required to hire displaced Detroit Public Schools teachers or hire teachers under the union contract.\n</p><p>\nThe district\'s track record with charter schools has not been smooth. It has closed two since it began authorizing academies in 1998, according to Wasko.\n</p><p>\nThe Michigan Institute for Construction Trades and Technology was closed in 2002 for among other things failing to abide by and meet its educational goals and meeting generally accepted public sector accounting principles. The New Horizon Academy was also shut down in 2000 for the same reasons.\n</p><p>\nBertha Marsh, who has five grandchildren in Detroit schools, says while most people don\'t want change, the problems with the schools leave them no choice.\n</p><p>\n\"The district knows it has to do something. Mr. Bobb has seen how the finances are doing, and he sees it\'s impossible to make it financially stable unless they do something drastic. It can\'t be the same old same old,\" she said.</p>\n            </div></div><p><strong>Read more:</strong> <a class=\"rssreadon\" rel=\"external\" title=\"Detroit schools struggle to solve huge budget woes   (AP)\" href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/education/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110320/ap_on_re_us/us_detroit_schools_longshot_solutions\" target=\"_blank\">http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/education/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110320/ap_on_re_us/us_detroit_schools_longshot_solutions</a></p>',-2,5,0,37,'2011-03-20 11:24:00',62,'','0000-00-00 00:00:00',0,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2011-03-20 11:24:00','2011-04-03 12:16:35','','','show_intro=0',1,0,0,'','',0,0,''),(552,'No Child Left Behind: Can Obama Revamp the Education Law?   (Time.com)','no-child-left-behind-can-obama-revamp-the-education-law-timecom','','Time.com - Why George W. Bush\'s landmark and contentious education law is proving so hard to revamp','<div><div class=\"yn-story-content\">\n                <p>The Obama Administration is doubling down on its push to overhaul the federal No Child Left Behind Act. Last Wednesday, Secretary of Education Arne Duncan testified before Congress and aggressively urged action to revise the landmark and contentious education law that was passed in 2001. The President began this week with a speech at a northern Virginia middle school urging Congress to act and then spent part of Tuesday cutting several radio interviews prodding Capitol Hill even more.</p>\n                <p>This isn\'t the first time the Administration has implored Congress to change this law: it\'s been a constant drumbeat since 2009 (the law was due to be \"reauthorized,\" Washingtonspeak for tuned up, in 2007 but Congress couldn\'t agree on how to do it) and even during the 2008 campaign. Now, frustrated with the lack of action, Obama and Duncan are trying a new approach: scaring Congress into acting. Both Obama and Duncan are highlighting Department of Education estimates that more than 80% of schools will not meet performance targets this year if the law isn\'t changed. One wag dubbed the new strategy a \"fail wail.\" <span class=\"see\"><a href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/time/us_time/storytext/08599205956200/40726349/SIG=124dqbplp/*http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/0,28757,1838709,00.html\" target=\"_blank\">(See TIME\'s special report on paying for college.)</a></span> </p>\n                <p>Congress didn\'t seem to buy the new 80% figure, or at least didn\'t care. And it\'s not a very credible number to begin with. There are so many escape clauses in the law that it\'s almost impossible to estimate what school performance will look like from one year to the next, and schools have to miss the targets for multiple years before there are any consequences anyway. But Obama doesn\'t have a lot of cards left to play and he does have a basic point worth heeding: the No Child law was never intended to run for nine years without some changes, and it\'s starting to show its age. Rules about school accountability, teacher accountability and how federal funds can be spent all need an update to reflect how much has changed since 2001.</p>\n                <p>But the Administration is clearly thinking about more than just the policy. Part of the push for revamping No Child Left Behind is political. The Race to the Top competition is receding from public view. The dollars from the 2009 economic-stimulus bill are mostly spent. Congress and the Administration are at loggerheads over proposals to better regulate for-profit colleges. And Congress gridlocked on the federal budget. So, bluntly, the Obama Administration wants and needs an education win from overhauling No Child Left Behind. Republicans understand those politics and are seeing what they can extract from the Administration in exchange for passing a bill. This dynamic worries some observers. One civil rights lobbyist, who spoke on the condition of anonymity in order to be candid about the Administration, told me, \"They want a notch in their belts more than good policy\" at this point. <span class=\"see\"><a href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/time/us_time/storytext/08599205956200/40726349/SIG=120cscfs9/*http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,2059562,00.html#comments\" target=\"_blank\">(Comment on this story.)</a></span> </p>\n                <p>That concern is echoed by many supporters of the law\'s emphasis on accountability for traditionally underserved students - especially minority and low-income students - and by some Democratic moderates on Capitol Hill. They worry that the Administration will acquiesce to a gutting of the law\'s accountability rules - especially for suburban schools where the law\'s focus on underserved students has caused the most discomfort - as part of a deal with congressional Republicans who dislike the federal intrusion the law represents. Such a deal would also please the powerful National Education Association, which loathes the law\'s emphasis on accountability.</p>\n                <p><span class=\"see\"><a href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/time/us_time/storytext/08599205956200/40726349/SIG=11v8j95lg/*http://www.time.com/time/photogallery/0,29307,1698621,00.html\" target=\"_blank\">See pictures of a diverse group of American teens.</a></span> </p>\n                <p> <span class=\"see\"><a href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/time/us_time/storytext/08599205956200/40726349/SIG=12743ci85/*http://www.time.com/time/photogallery/0,29307,1854144_1788048,00.html\" target=\"_blank\">See pictures of teens and how they would vote.</a></span> </p>\n                <p>  </p>\n                <p>Despite that odd convergence of interests, the passage of a new education law still seems like a long shot this year. More immediate issues - like budget fights about continuing to fund the federal government - are so far dominating attention on Capitol Hill. At the same time, many new members of Congress are still getting up to speed on No Child Left Behind and are in no hurry to act until they do. After Obama\'s speech on Monday, House Education and Workforce Committee chairman John Kline released a statement basically saying, Thanks, but we\'ll do this on our own timeline.</p>\n                <p>More substantively there are still big areas of disagreement not only between the two parties but within each party, too, and also between the House and the Senate. Differences over how to measure school performance and teacher performance, and how to deal with low-performing schools, are among the thorny issues. <span class=\"see\"><a href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/time/us_time/storytext/08599205956200/40726349/SIG=1200js8eo/*http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,2042166,00.html\" target=\"_blank\">(Read \"States\' Rights and States\' Wrongs on School Reform.\"</a></span> </p>\n                <p>Most problematic, however, is that there is no action-forcing mechanism. Or to put it another way, almost nothing happens if Congress doesn\'t act. Despite all the hysterical rhetoric, No Child Left Behind\'s famous (or infamous) 2014 deadline for student proficiency on state tests isn\'t really a deadline at all. The way the policy works, schools still have several more years after that to meet state performance targets, and even then, if they don\'t, the consequences are not a big deal except for the absolutely lowest-performing schools. Congress, meanwhile, continues to appropriate money for the law regardless of whether it\'s revised or not. These days not a lot happens in Washington absent a meaningful deadline, and there is not one here. <span class=\"see\"><a href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/time/us_time/storytext/08599205956200/40726349/SIG=120cscfs9/*http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,2059562,00.html#comments\" target=\"_blank\">(Comment on this story.)</a></span> </p>\n                <p>The specter of 80% of schools not meeting performance targets garnered a few headlines but did not change the underlying calculus. So despite the Administration\'s efforts this past week, the political math is about the same today as it was a week ago. Not good news for those hoping for fast action to change No Child Left Behind.</p>\n                <p><i>Rotherham, who writes the blog <a href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/time/us_time/storytext/08599205956200/40726349/SIG=10picdhd5/*http://www.eduwonk.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Eduwonk</a>, is a co-founder and partner at Bellwether Education, a nonprofit working to improve educational outcomes for low-income students. School of Thought, his education column for</i> TIME.com<i>, appears every Thursday.</i></p>\n                <p> <span class=\"see\"><a href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/time/us_time/storytext/08599205956200/40726349/SIG=11cm8egb0/*http://www.time.com/time/picturesoftheweek\" target=\"_blank\">See TIME\'s Pictures of the Week.</a></span> </p>\n                <p> <span class=\"see\"><a href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/time/us_time/storytext/08599205956200/40726349/SIG=11cau8b4g/*http://www.time.com/time/cartoonsoftheweek\" target=\"_blank\">See the Cartoons of the Week.</a></span> </p>\n                <p>View this article on <a href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/time/us_time/storytext/08599205956200/40726349/SIG=12pl8a2cg/*http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,2059562,00.html?xid=rss-fullnation-yahoo\">Time.com</a></p>\n                <p></p><p>Most Popular on Time.com:</p><ul><li><a href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/time/us_time/storytext/08599205956200/40726349/SIG=12vm927is/*http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,2060367,00.html?xid=feed-yahoo-full-mostpopular\">How the Bahrain Regime Wants to Erase Its Bad Memories</a></li> <li><a href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/time/us_time/storytext/08599205956200/40726349/SIG=12vq2i20d/*http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,2060366,00.html?xid=feed-yahoo-full-mostpopular\">Ajdabiyah: Assaulted In Spite of Gaddafi\'s \'Cease Fire\'</a></li> <li><a href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/time/us_time/storytext/08599205956200/40726349/SIG=13248ugkj/*http://www.time.com/time/business/article/0,8599,2058114,00.html?xid=feed-yahoo-full-mostpopular\">Data Mining: How Companies Know Your Personal Information</a></li> <li><a href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/time/us_time/storytext/08599205956200/40726349/SIG=1323corc8/*http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,2055188,00.html?xid=feed-yahoo-full-mostpopular\">Change We Can (Almost) Believe In</a></li> <li><a href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/time/us_time/storytext/08599205956200/40726349/SIG=12v45n5jm/*http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,2059563,00.html?xid=feed-yahoo-full-mostpopular\">Spain\'s Stolen Babies: A Nation Confronts Its Dark Past</a></li> </ul><p>\n            </p></div></div><p><strong>Read more:</strong> <a class=\"rssreadon\" rel=\"external\" title=\"No Child Left Behind: Can Obama Revamp the Education Law?   (Time.com)\" href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/education/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/time/20110319/us_time/08599205956200\" target=\"_blank\">http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/education/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/time/20110319/us_time/08599205956200</a></p>',-2,5,0,37,'2011-03-19 03:05:00',62,'','0000-00-00 00:00:00',0,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2011-03-19 03:05:00','2011-04-03 12:16:36','','','show_intro=0',1,0,0,'','',0,0,''),(553,'SAT Head Defends Reality-TV Question   (The Daily Beast)','sat-head-defends-reality-tv-question-the-daily-beast','','The Daily Beast - An essay prompt on this year&rsquo;s test sparked an uproar by asking students to write about the ethics of reality TV. But don&rsquo;t worry, says College Board chief Laurence Bunin&mdash;Snooki is not required reading.','<div><div class=\"yn-story-content\">\n                <p>NEW YORK – <img src=\"http://www.tdbimg.com/files/2011/03/18/img-bs-bottom---bunin-sat-reality-tv_19403464562.jpg\" alt=\"SAT Head Defends Reality-TV Question\" /><b>An essay prompt on this year’s test sparked an uproar by asking students to write about the ethics of reality TV. But don’t worry, says College Board chief Laurence Bunin—Snooki is not required reading.</b></p>\n                <p>\nA surprising amount of time has been spent this past week on <a href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/dailybeast/ts_dailybeast/storytext/13013_satrealitytvquestioncollegeboardchiefdefends/40740732/SIG=12jlo5t8p/*http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/sats-reality-tv-question-sparks-168595\">breathless commentary</a> about why the SAT chose to use a popular-culture reference to <a href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/dailybeast/ts_dailybeast/storytext/13013_satrealitytvquestioncollegeboardchiefdefends/40740732/SIG=11mng1dpu/*http://www.thedailybeast.com/tag/reality+television/\">reality television</a> as an essay prompt in the writing section of the test. The fact that this essay prompt generated so much attention only reinforces the fact that the experts and scholars who develop the test succeeded in choosing an engaging, thought-provoking topic. For the record, this is the prompt:</p>\n                <p>\n<i>Reality-television programs, which feature real people engaged in real activities rather than professional actors performing scripted scenes, are increasingly popular. These shows depict ordinary people competing in everything from singing and dancing to losing weight, or just living their everyday lives. Most people believe that the reality these shows portray is authentic, but they are being misled. How authentic can these shows be when producers design challenges for the participants and then editors alter filmed scenes?</i></p>\n                <p>\n\n<i>Do people benefit from forms of entertainment that show so-called reality, or are such forms of entertainment harmful?</i></p>\n                <p>\nThe central task of the SAT essay—any SAT essay—is to take one side of an issue and develop an argument to support that position. Questions raised about the so-called reality-show prompt miss this basic point entirely and confuse the literal topic with the task of writing the essay. Everything a student needs to write a successful essay is included in the prompt itself; one need not have spent any time watching a “reality” television program to write a strong essay.</p>\n                <p>\nIf the topic had been about balancing the risk of climbing a mountain with the reward of reaching the summit, for example, you could write that essay without ever having done so. It’s about the balance, not the mountain climbing. Students tell us that they can relate to popular-culture references. Using such references is not only appropriate, but potentially even more engaging for students.</p>\n                <p>\nAs a nation, we should do all we can to encourage students to become better writers. The ability to write is critical to compete and succeed in the 21st-century economy. Sparking the interest of students is an important part of that process. Any teacher who has ever worked hard to motivate and connect with students can attest to that.</p>\n                <p>\nTo be clear, each SAT essay prompt undergoes extensive pretesting before appearing on an actual SAT. Hundreds of sample essays are written by students from diverse backgrounds and are evaluated by high school and college faculty members to determine each prompt’s validity. Our pretesting of the essay prompt gave us confidence that the prompt would be accessible to test-takers and would generate a variety of responses articulating different positions on the issue. Indeed, we found this prompt to be extremely engaging to students.</p>\n                <p>\n</p><p>We acknowledge that not all students spend valuable hours watching reality-television shows, nor are we recommending that students watch these programs.</p>\n                <p>\nWe acknowledge that not all students spend valuable hours watching reality-television shows, nor are we recommending that students watch these programs. However, we have found from our pretesting that students not only grasp but are quite interested in the underlying issues covered in the prompt: the effect of television on society; the desire for fame and celebrity on the part of “ordinary people”; and the authenticity and value of various “realistic” representations—an issue central to the study of painting, film, drama, and literature.</p>\n                <p>\nIn our test-development process, we attempt to present issues of particular relevance to students’ lives rather than complex abstractions that inhibit expression. This is a writing test, and our primary goal is to develop prompts that generate strong student writing. However, we also recognize that students’ experiences vary widely, and thus strive to present issues that are wide-ranging enough so that students will have relevant reading, study, experience, or observation from which to draw. We found from our pretesting that the larger issues implicit in the prompt were wide-ranging enough to engage all students, even those who lacked familiarity with particular reality-television programs.</p>\n                <p>\nGiven the vast array of reality shows found on television today, and the impact their popularity has on magazine and newspaper sales, it might be difficult for some news organizations to resist the temptation of trying to link the SAT to a particular television program—as some news outlets have attempted to do. But doing so only results in a disservice to students and families, and a gross distortion of the SAT essay section in the process.</p>\n                <p>\n<i>Laurence Bunin is senior vice president, College Connection &amp; Success, at The College Board. He is responsible for leading, developing and managing the College Board\'s programs, activities, products, and services to help students connect with and successfully complete a high-quality college education. </i></p>\n                <p>\n</p><p>Like <a href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/dailybeast/ts_dailybeast/storytext/13013_satrealitytvquestioncollegeboardchiefdefends/40740732/SIG=117dcqoq1/*http://www.facebook.com/thedailybeast\">The Daily Beast on Facebook</a> and <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"follow\">follow us on Twitter</a> for updates all day long.</p>\n                <p>\n</p><p>For inquiries, please contact The Daily Beast at <a href=\"editorial@thedailybeast.commailto:editorial@thedailybeast.com\">editorial@thedailybeast.com</a>.</p>\n                <p>\n            </p></div></div><p><strong>Read more:</strong> <a class=\"rssreadon\" rel=\"external\" title=\"SAT Head Defends Reality-TV Question   (The Daily Beast)\" href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/education/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/dailybeast/20110319/ts_dailybeast/13013_satrealitytvquestioncollegeboardchiefdefends\" target=\"_blank\">http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/education/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/dailybeast/20110319/ts_dailybeast/13013_satrealitytvquestioncollegeboardchiefdefends</a></p>',-2,5,0,37,'2011-03-18 22:28:00',62,'','0000-00-00 00:00:00',0,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2011-03-18 22:28:00','2011-04-03 12:16:37','','','show_intro=0',1,0,0,'','',0,0,''),(554,'US student quits over \'appalling\' Japan rant   (AFP)','us-student-quits-over-appalling-japan-rant-afp','','<p><a href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/education/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20110319/ts_alt_afp/useducationjapanquakeasiansinternetyoutube\"><img src=\"http://d.yimg.com/a/p/afp/20110319/capt.photo_1300501480606-1-0.jpg?x=130&amp;y=87&amp;q=85&amp;sig=REPlN6P.4e1wvJjYeYAYXg--\" height=\"87\" width=\"130\" alt=\"A US student whose\" style=\"float: left; border: 0px;\" />\n</a>AFP - A US student whose \"appalling\" anti-Asian and anti-Japanese rant went viral on YouTube announced she was quitting college, after receiving death threats.</p><br style=\"clear: both;\" />','<div><div class=\"yn-story-content\">\n                <p>LOS ANGELES (AFP) – A US student whose \"appalling\" anti-Asian and anti-Japanese rant went viral on YouTube announced she was quitting college, after receiving death threats.</p>\n                <p>\nThe University of California in Los Angeles (UCLA) undergraduate said the video had led to \"the harassment of my family ... death threats and being ostracized from an entire community.</p>\n                <p>\n\"Accordingly, for personal safety reasons, I have chosen to no longer attend classes at UCLA,\" added the student, in her third year studying political science, in a letter to campus newspaper The Daily Bruin.</p>\n                <p>\nIn the YouTube clip she lashed out at the \"hordes of Asian people\" at UCLA. Speaking in a fake Asian language -- \"Ohhhh. Ching chong ling long ting tong\" -- she chastised them notably for talking on their cellphones in the library.</p>\n                <p>\n\"In America, we do not talk on our cell phones in the library,\" she said in the three-minute clip, adding: \"If you\'re gonna come to UCLA, then use American manners.\"</p>\n                <p>\nShe continued: \"I swear they\'re going through their whole families, just checking on everybody from the tsunami thing. I mean, I know, that sounds horrible. I feel sorry for all the people affected by the tsunami.</p>\n                <p>\n\"But if you\'re going to go call your address book, like you might as well go outside, because, if something is wrong, you might really freak out and you\'re in the libary, and everybody\'s quiet.</p>\n                <p>\nUCLA chancellor Gene Block condemned the comments earlier in the week as \"appalling\" and said the video did not represent the views of the university community.</p>\n                <p>\nIn her letter to the Daily Bruin Friday, the student said she was \"trying to produce a humorous YouTube video,\" but instead \"offended the UCLA community and the entire Asian culture.\"</p>\n                <p>\n\"I am truly sorry for the hurtful words I said and the pain it caused to anyone who watched the video,\" she wrote.</p>\n                <p>\n\"Especially in the wake of the ongoing disaster in Japan, I would do anything to take back my insensitive words. I could write apology letters all day and night, but I know they wouldn\'t erase the video from your memory.\"</p>\n                <p>\n            </p></div></div><p><strong>Read more:</strong> <a class=\"rssreadon\" rel=\"external\" title=\"US student quits over \'appalling\' Japan rant   (AFP)\" href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/education/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20110319/ts_alt_afp/useducationjapanquakeasiansinternetyoutube\" target=\"_blank\">http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/education/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20110319/ts_alt_afp/useducationjapanquakeasiansinternetyoutube</a></p>',-2,5,0,37,'2011-03-18 22:25:00',62,'','0000-00-00 00:00:00',0,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2011-03-18 22:25:00','2011-04-03 12:16:38','','','show_intro=0',1,0,0,'','',0,0,''),(555,'Civil rights agency shelves college bias probe   (AP)','civil-rights-agency-shelves-college-bias-probe-ap','','AP - The U.S. Commission on Civil Rights has shelved a yearlong investigation into possible gender discrimination in college admissions.','<div><div class=\"yn-story-content\">\n                <p>PHILADELPHIA – The U.S. Commission on Civil Rights has shelved a yearlong investigation into possible gender discrimination in college admissions.</p>\n                <p>The commission voted 4-3 to suspend the probe because of disagreements over the quality and quantity of data subpoenaed from 19 colleges.</p>\n                <p>The probe began in December 2009 based on news accounts and anecdotal evidence that colleges discriminated against women to promote a better gender mix. Women outnumber men nearly 60 to 40 percent in higher education nationally.</p>\n                <p>Minutes from the commission\'s meeting March 11 indicate members also disagreed about the data\'s implications for the nation as a whole. The group could only subpoena data from colleges within 100 miles of Washington, D.C.</p>\n                <p>Data was sought from institutions in Maryland; Pennsylvania; Washington, D.C.; Virginia; Delaware and West Virginia.</p>\n                <p>\n            </p></div></div><p><strong>Read more:</strong> <a class=\"rssreadon\" rel=\"external\" title=\"Civil rights agency shelves college bias probe   (AP)\" href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/education/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110318/ap_on_re_us/us_colleges_discrimination\" target=\"_blank\">http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/education/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110318/ap_on_re_us/us_colleges_discrimination</a></p>',-2,5,0,37,'2011-03-18 13:38:00',62,'','0000-00-00 00:00:00',0,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2011-03-18 13:38:00','2011-04-03 12:16:39','','','show_intro=0',1,0,0,'','',0,0,''),(556,'NJ elementary school named for Obama will close   (AP)','nj-elementary-school-named-for-obama-will-close-ap','','AP - A central New Jersey elementary school that was renamed in honor of President Barack Obama last year will soon be closed.','<div><div class=\"yn-story-content\">\n                <p>ASBURY PARK, N.J. – A central New Jersey elementary school that was renamed in honor of President Barack Obama last year will soon be closed.</p>\n                <p>The state monitor who oversees financial operations for the Asbury Park School District cited declining enrollment for the decision announced Thursday.</p>\n                <p>Monitor Bruce Rodman told the Asbury Park Press newspaper the Barack H. Obama elementary school will be closed July 1.</p>\n                <p>The school was built more than a century ago and formerly was known as the Bangs Avenue School.</p>\n                <p>Students who now attend classes there will be reassigned to the district\'s two other elementary schools for the next school year.</p>\n                <p>The state\'s Schools Development Authority had planned to build a new school to replace the historic building, but those plans recently were canceled.</p>\n                <p>___</p>\n                <p>Information from: Asbury Park Press, <a href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/ap/ap_on_re_us/storytext/us_obama_school_closing/40719768/SIG=10k70j25i/*http://www.app.com\">http://www.app.com</a></p>\n                <p>\n            </p></div></div><p><strong>Read more:</strong> <a class=\"rssreadon\" rel=\"external\" title=\"NJ elementary school named for Obama will close   (AP)\" href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/education/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110318/ap_on_re_us/us_obama_school_closing\" target=\"_blank\">http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/education/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110318/ap_on_re_us/us_obama_school_closing</a></p>',-2,5,0,37,'2011-03-17 21:13:00',62,'','0000-00-00 00:00:00',0,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2011-03-17 21:13:00','2011-04-03 12:16:40','','','show_intro=0',1,0,0,'','',0,0,''),(557,'Will Smith helps Philly school replace computers   (AP)','will-smith-helps-philly-school-replace-computers-ap','','AP - Will Smith is donating replacements for 30 stolen computers to a high school in West Philadelphia, where he was born and raised.','<div><div class=\"yn-story-content\">\n                <p>PHILADELPHIA – Will Smith is donating replacements for 30 stolen computers to a high school in West Philadelphia, where he was born and raised.</p>\n                <p>The Will and Jada Smith Family Foundation and the Charlie Mack Cares philanthropic organizations are giving 29 Apple laptops and one desktop to West Philadelphia High School.</p>\n                <p>Local community activist Charlie Mack is a longtime assistant and friend of Smith, the music, TV and film superstar.</p>\n                <p>Mack says he plans to deliver the new computers to the school Friday. Smith is working elsewhere and can\'t make it.</p>\n                <p>Two students have been charged with stealing 60 computers from the school last month. Police recovered half of them, but the rest remain unaccounted for.</p>\n                <p>\n            </p></div></div><p><strong>Read more:</strong> <a class=\"rssreadon\" rel=\"external\" title=\"Will Smith helps Philly school replace computers   (AP)\" href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/education/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110317/ap_en_ot/us_philly_schools_computers_stolen\" target=\"_blank\">http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/education/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110317/ap_en_ot/us_philly_schools_computers_stolen</a></p>',-2,5,0,37,'2011-03-17 18:01:00',62,'','0000-00-00 00:00:00',0,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2011-03-17 18:01:00','2011-04-03 12:16:42','','','show_intro=0',1,0,0,'','',0,0,''),(558,'New York governor hits school districts, defends education cut   (Reuters)','new-york-governor-hits-school-districts-defends-education-cut-reuters','','Reuters - Claiming local school districts are playing \"political games,\" New York\'s governor on Thursday defended his $1.5 billion cut to education spending.','<div><div class=\"yn-story-content\">\n                <p>ALBANY, New York (Reuters) – Claiming local school districts are playing \"political games,\" New York\'s governor on Thursday defended his $1.5 billion cut to education spending.</p>\n                <p>\nGovernor Andrew Cuomo\'s proposed cut in state aid to schools -- the largest in history -- is aimed at closing a $10 billion budget gap for the next fiscal year.</p>\n                <p>\nCuomo told reporters on Thursday that his cuts average 2.7 percent per school district, and could be offset by rooting out inefficiencies, using reserve funds and lowering the salaries of superintendents.</p>\n                <p>\n\"I know there is waste and abuse in the school districts; 2.7 percent in waste and abuse,\" Cuomo said after a private meeting with legislative leaders. \"Districts say \'we don\'t have any.\' I don\'t believe it.\"</p>\n                <p>\nTeachers\' unions and school officials have attacked Cuomo\'s plan, saying that they\'ve already made steep cuts in recent years, and that unfunded state mandates are driving up costs. Aid was cut by $1.4 billion in 2010 after being frozen in 2009. School districts have also assailed the governor\'s proposal to cap property tax increases.</p>\n                <p>\nCuomo\'s comments came only hours after State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli released a report that found most school districts across the state could use their reserves to offset the proposed cuts. But he warned that the practice is a \"one-time fix\" and would only cover year-to-year cuts and not rising costs.</p>\n                <p>\n\"Many school districts are going to have to tighten their belts another notch next year and beyond,\" DiNapoli said in a statement.</p>\n                <p>\nPAY CAPS AND MILLIONAIRE\'S TAX</p>\n                <p>\nIn addition to the cuts in aid, Cuomo has proposed a salary cap for school superintendents that would be based on total district enrollment, with a maximum salary of $175,000 per year. The highest-paid superintendent in New York currently makes about $386,000. The superintendent of the Buffalo School District told a reporter earlier this month that he would quit if the cap passes.</p>\n                <p>\n\"This is not about teachers in a classroom. It is about less bureaucracy, less administrative overhead, less superintendent salary,\" Cuomo said. \"The days where government can just throw money at the problem, raise more taxes and throw more money at the problem, are over.\"</p>\n                <p>\nThe state Assembly is seeking a tax surcharge on New Yorkers who earn more than $1 million a year in order to restore $200 million to schools. The state Senate wants to put an additional $260 million toward school aid, in part by rejecting a Cuomo proposal to create $500 million in competitive grant programs for schools. Cuomo has said that he will not back the tax and that the grants are \"essential.\"</p>\n                <p>\nAssembly Speaker Sheldon Silver deflected questions from reporters on Thursday, saying only that \"what\'s important is that we all come to an agreement in the next two weeks,\" in time for the April 1 budget deadline.</p>\n                <p>\nBilly Easton, the executive director of the Alliance for Quality Education, a nonprofit group backed by teachers\' unions, said that the governor\'s comments are insensitive to the plight of school districts faced with substantial cuts.</p>\n                <p>\n\"Local schools are slashing programs and preparing pink slips for teachers; it\'s in the headlines of every paper statewide,\" he said. \"Governor Cuomo is in denial when he says he can cut $1.5 billion from schools without hurting kids.\"</p>\n                <p>\n(Editing by Jan Paschal)</p>\n                <p>\n            </p></div></div><p><strong>Read more:</strong> <a class=\"rssreadon\" rel=\"external\" title=\"New York governor hits school districts, defends education cut   (Reuters)\" href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/education/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20110317/us_nm/us_newyork_schools\" target=\"_blank\">http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/education/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20110317/us_nm/us_newyork_schools</a></p>',-2,5,0,37,'2011-03-17 15:26:00',62,'','0000-00-00 00:00:00',0,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2011-03-17 15:26:00','2011-04-03 12:16:43','','','show_intro=0',1,0,0,'','',0,0,''),(559,'ABA May Revise Law School Job Reporting   (U.S. News   World Report)','aba-may-revise-law-school-job-reporting-us-news-world-report','','U.S. News &amp; World Report - The American Bar Association\'s Subcommittee on Consumer Information  has issued a proposal, \"Revised Standard Regarding Employment Data,\" on  how law schools should report employment and salary data for new  graduates. The proposed new  reporting standards can be seen here. The proposal calls for law  schools to calculate their nine-month after graduation rates based on  the entire graduating class--something that U.S. News is now  doing in our Best  Law Schools rankings.','<div><div class=\"yn-story-content\">\n                <p>The American Bar Association\'s Subcommittee on Consumer Information  has issued a proposal, \"Revised Standard Regarding Employment Data,\" on  how law schools should report employment and salary data for new  graduates. The proposed <a href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/usnews/ts_usnews/storytext/abamayreviselawschooljobreporting/40714263/SIG=1539rdg8r/*http://apps.americanbar.org/legaled/committees/Standards%20Review%20documents/April%202011%20Meeting/Report%20of%20Subcommittee%20on%20Consumer%20Information.pdf\">new  reporting standards can be seen here</a>. The proposal calls for law  schools to calculate their nine-month after graduation rates based on  the entire graduating class--something that <i>U.S. News</i> is now  doing in our <a href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/usnews/ts_usnews/storytext/abamayreviselawschooljobreporting/40714263/SIG=12pd8m39j/*http://grad-schools.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-law-schools\">Best  Law Schools</a> rankings.</p>\n                <p>The new standards  would also require law schools to report many different employment rates  based on disaggregated data that would separate out full-time and  part-time jobs where bar passage is required and a J.D. is preferred;  other professional and non-professional jobs; and whether the job is  law-school funded. This would be in sharp contrast to the one aggregated  employment rate for both full and part-time legal and non-legal jobs  that is currently used. It would also require schools to report salary  data by many job types, which would be more detailed than the one  overall salary figure for private and public sector jobs that is  currently available.</p>\n                <p>Dean David Yellen of the Loyola University Chicago <a href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/usnews/ts_usnews/storytext/abamayreviselawschooljobreporting/40714263/SIG=13pkgp7eu/*http://grad-schools.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-law-schools/loyola-university-chicago-03048\">School  of Law</a>, one the members of the standards committee, told <i>U.S.  News</i> that there were still a few more procedural steps that need to  happen before this proposal can be adopted. However, Yellen thought  there was a good chance that at least some  of the new standards would  be implemented by fall 2011 for reporting on 2010 J.D. graduates.</p>\n                <p>[See how <i>U.S. News</i> is <a href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/usnews/ts_usnews/storytext/abamayreviselawschooljobreporting/40714263/SIG=142dni27r/*http://www.usnews.com/education/blogs/college-rankings-blog/2011/03/09/us-news-urges-law-school-deans-to-improve-employment-data\">urging  law deans to improve job data</a>.]</p>\n                <p>If any of  the new employment standards are implemented in fall 2011, <i>U.S.  News</i> would collect the more detailed employment and salary data and  incorporate it in the next edition of our law school rankings  methodology. <i>U.S. News </i>believes that while this proposal does  not solve all employment data issues, it would make significant   improvements to the current rules. <i>U.S. News</i> urges the ABA to  take action.</p>\n                <p>In the most recently published new  Best Law Schools rankings, <i>U.S. News</i> <a href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/usnews/ts_usnews/storytext/abamayreviselawschooljobreporting/40714263/SIG=13ggj86ir/*http://www.usnews.com/education/best-graduate-schools/articles/2011/03/14/law-school-rankings-methodology-2012\">changed  the methodology</a> for how we compute J.D. employment rates for 2009  graduates, in an initial effort to publish employment data that is more  reflective of the job market for new J.D. graduates compared to our  previous calculation method. In the past, new J.D.s counted as employed  at graduation and at nine months out if they were working full or part  time in a legal or non-legal job or pursuing additional graduate school  education after their J.D.; so did 25 percent of those whose status was  \"unknown.\"</p>\n                <p>Now, both the at-graduation and  nine months after employment rates are figured solely based on the  number of grads working full or part time in a legal or non-legal job  divided by the total number of J.D. graduates. Also, those who are not  seeking employment are now counted in the calculation as part of the  total number of J.D. graduates; previously, they were excluded from the  size of the graduating class and the calculation. Those in graduate  school don\'t count as employed in this year\'s calculation.</p>\n                <p><i>U.S. News</i> believes that this calculation is a more  realistic presentation of the employment data that is currently  available to us.</p>\n                <p><i>Searching for a  law firm? Get our <a href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/usnews/ts_usnews/storytext/abamayreviselawschooljobreporting/40714263/SIG=111hmv6gh/*http://bestlawfirms.usnews.com/\">complete rankings</a> of  Best Law Firms.</i></p>\n                <p>\n            </p></div></div><p><strong>Read more:</strong> <a class=\"rssreadon\" rel=\"external\" title=\"ABA May Revise Law School Job Reporting   (U.S. News   World Report)\" href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/education/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/usnews/20110317/ts_usnews/abamayreviselawschooljobreporting\" target=\"_blank\">http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/education/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/usnews/20110317/ts_usnews/abamayreviselawschooljobreporting</a></p>',-2,5,0,37,'2011-03-17 15:02:00',62,'','0000-00-00 00:00:00',0,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2011-03-17 15:02:00','2011-04-03 12:16:44','','','show_intro=0',1,0,0,'','',0,0,'');
INSERT INTO `jos_content` VALUES (560,'Feds eye anti-Semitism claims at Calif. university   (AP)','feds-eye-anti-semitism-claims-at-calif-university-ap','','AP - The U.S. Department of Education is investigating a faculty member\'s complaint that a series of pro-Palestinian events at a California university crossed the line into anti-Semitism and created a hostile environment for Jewish students.','<div><div class=\"yn-story-content\">\n                <p>SAN FRANCISCO – The U.S. Department of Education is investigating a faculty member\'s complaint that a series of pro-Palestinian events at a California university crossed the line into anti-Semitism and created a hostile environment for Jewish students.</p>\n                <p>The department\'s Office for Civil Rights notified the University of California, Santa Cruz, last week that it planned to look into allegations made by Hebrew lecturer Tammi Rossman-Benjamin dating back to 2001.</p>\n                <p>The probe \"in no way implies that OCR has made a determination with regard to their merits,\" Arthur Zeidman, director of the San Francisco office, said in a letter to the instructor and campus officials.</p>\n                <p>In her June 2009 complaint, Rossman-Benjamin said administrators repeatedly failed to address concerns voiced by her and several students about academic departments and residential colleges at Santa Cruz sponsoring \"viciously anti-Israel\" speakers and film screenings with campus funds.</p>\n                <p>She also alleged that some professors have used their classes to promote an anti-Israel political agenda and failed to intervene or joined in when students were verbally attacked for defending the Jewish state.</p>\n                <p>\"The impact of the academic and university-sponsored Israel-bashing on students has been enormous,\" she said. \"There are students who have felt emotionally and intellectually harassed and intimidated, to the point they are reluctant or afraid to express a view that is not anti-Israel.\"</p>\n                <p>Campus counsel Carole Rossi said the university will cooperate with the federal investigation.</p>\n                <p>\"We not only look forward to fully participating in OCR\'s review of the matter, we are confident that the agency will determine that the allegations are unfounded,\" Rossi said in a written statement. \"Our campus is absolutely committed to the enforcement of policies that protect every individual from unlawful discrimination and harassment — and that value and support an atmosphere of personal and intellectual freedom.\"</p>\n                <p>Kenneth Marcus, who used to direct the education department\'s civil rights office and now heads the anti-Semitism initiative at the Institute for Jewish and Community Research in San Francisco, said the department typically launches more than 1,000 investigations a year, most of them involving individual students with learning disabilities.</p>\n                <p>Investigations based on anti-Semitism bias are rare, Marcus said, in part because the Department of Education did not have regulations until 2004 allowing it to handle such cases as violations of the 1964 Civil Rights Act.</p>\n                <p>The regulations were suspended in the last years of the Bush administration, but revived and clarified in October, he said.</p>\n                <p>\"Investigations are very common, but this is anything but the usual case,\" he said about the probe in Santa Cruz. \"What they are investigating is the atmosphere throughout the university and raises very subtle questions about the definition of discrimination, the meaning of anti-Semitism and where the lines are between harassment and the First Amendment.\"</p>\n                <p>UC Santa Cruz, a liberal, 16,000-student school known for idyllic setting amid coastal redwoods, counter-culture vibe and Grateful Dead memorabilia collection, is not the first public university in California where heated discussions about the Middle East have devolved into polarizing debates about academic freedom and alleged anti-Semitism.</p>\n                <p>A former University of California, Berkeley, student who was co-president of the Zionist student group Tikvah sued the university in federal court earlier this month over her alleged March 2010 assault by the campus leader of Students for Justice in Palestine.</p>\n                <p>The student, Jessica Felber, claims she was injured when the other student leader rammed a shopping cart into her as she was holding a placard reading, \"Israel Wants Peace.\" She claimed the confrontation was the latest episode of harassment, intimidation, incitement and violence directed at vocal supporters of Israel and to which university officials had turned a blind eye.</p>\n                <p>The university has denied the allegations.</p>\n                <p>Meanwhile, tensions between Jewish and Muslim students have run high at the university system\'s Irvine campus for several years, and the campus chapter of Muslim Student Union was suspended for four months last year after a group of students interrupted a speech by the Israeli ambassador to the United States.</p>\n                <p>In 2005, the Zionist Organization of America complained to the Department of Education about Jewish students at Irvine being subjected to slurs and discrimination at events similar to those at Santa Cruz.\n</p><p>\nThe civil rights office concluded after a two-year investigation that \"although offensive to the Jewish students, the speeches, articles, marches, symbols and other events at issue were not based on the national origin of the Jewish students, but rather based on opposition to the policies of Israel.\"\n</p><p>\nLast year, the Zionist Organization of America encouraged potential Jewish students and donors to take their money elsewhere.</p>\n            </div></div><p><strong>Read more:</strong> <a class=\"rssreadon\" rel=\"external\" title=\"Feds eye anti-Semitism claims at Calif. university   (AP)\" href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/education/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110317/ap_on_re_us/us_campus_anti_semitism\" target=\"_blank\">http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/education/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110317/ap_on_re_us/us_campus_anti_semitism</a></p>',-2,5,0,37,'2011-03-16 22:23:00',62,'','0000-00-00 00:00:00',0,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2011-03-16 22:23:00','2011-04-03 12:16:45','','','show_intro=0',1,0,0,'','',0,0,''),(561,'Shooter in 1997 school attack testifies at hearing   (AP)','shooter-in-1997-school-attack-testifies-at-hearing-ap','','<p><a href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/education/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110316/ap_on_re_us/us_school_shooting\"><img src=\"http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20110119/capt.bdbb1b92df4e4dc3860197af1db52a05-bdbb1b92df4e4dc3860197af1db52a05-0.jpg?x=130&amp;y=86&amp;q=85&amp;sig=bcFc_aOTCrSj7shJKKuT0A--\" height=\"86\" width=\"130\" alt=\"Shooter in 1997 school attack testifies at hearing   (AP)\" style=\"float: left; border: 0px;\" />\n</a>AP - A man serving a life prison sentence for killing three classmates in a Kentucky high school shooting that shocked the nation in 1997 testified Wednesday that he was commanded to attack by delusions in the form of voices he called \"the danes.\"</p><br style=\"clear: both;\" />','<div><div class=\"yn-story-content\">\n                <p>PADUCAH, Ky. – A man serving a life prison sentence for killing three classmates in a Kentucky high school shooting that shocked the nation in 1997 testified Wednesday that he was commanded to attack by delusions in the form of voices he called \"the danes.\"</p>\n                <p>Michael Adam Carneal, now 27, testified in court about his long-running delusions and hallucinations, saying \"the danes\" threatened to kill him if he didn\'t carry out the assault Dec. 1, 1997, on a school prayer meeting that also wounded five other classmates.</p>\n                <p>Carneal testified on the third day of a hearing about his mental state at the time of the attack and when he pleaded guilty, but mentally ill in 1998. Carneal now claims his mental illness rendered him not responsible for the shooting and made him incompetent to plead guilty. Attorneys for Carneal argued he was mentally unstable at the time of his plea and are bidding to clear a legal path to withdraw that plea and possibly take the case to trial.</p>\n                <p>U.S. District Judge Thomas B. Russell has not set a deadline for ruling. Hearing testimony focused on whether Carneal was too mentally ill to challenge his plea in the years immediately after he went to prison.</p>\n                <p>The hearing also marked the first time many of the victims\' families had heard Carneal speak about the shootings at Heath High School near Paducah in western Kentucky when Carneal was 14.</p>\n                <p>Prompted by Kentucky Assistant Attorney General Ken Riggs, Carneal apologized to the families seated in the gallery Wednesday.</p>\n                <p>\"I apologize. I\'m sorry,\" Carneal said in a flat tone.</p>\n                <p>For the families of 17-year-old Jessica James, 15-year-old Kayce Steger and 14-year-old Nicole Hadley, Carneal\'s explanations and apology fell short.</p>\n                <p>Joe James, the father of Jessica, said Carneal\'s apology did not seem sincere, adding \"It seemed very rehearsed, like he had a lot of time to figure out what he was going to say.\"</p>\n                <p>Steger\'s mother, Sabrina Steger, said hearing Carneal\'s testimony was difficult to listen to.</p>\n                <p>Much of Carneal\'s five hours of testimony focused on his hallucinations and delusions. He described  \"the danes\" as adult male voices and men wearing one-piece white work uniforms. Carneal said, during one running commentary from the delusions, that a voice he heard sounded like ESPN basketball announcer Dick Vitale.</p>\n                <p>Carneal said the danes worked for the CIA and would harm him and his family if he did not comply with their commands. Carneal said an angelic figure he called \"Goose\" revealed the existence of \"the danes\" to him, and that he was the only living person who was aware of them.</p>\n                <p>Carneal also described the day of the shooting, saying the voices told him, \"Do it for yourself.\"</p>\n                <p>Upon arriving at school, Carneal said he got out of his sister\'s car and headed toward the entrance when the voices spoke to him. After his sister had gone into the school, he went back to the car, retrieved guns he had left in the trunk and made his way to the school lobby, where the prayer group was meeting.</p>\n                <p>Carneal said he went through with the shooting because \"the danes\" had threatened to kill his family.</p>\n                <p>\"I don\'t understand it,\" he said. \"It made sense at the time. It was just something I had to do to save myself and my family.\"</p>\n                <p>Carneal said he doesn\'t remember actually pulling the trigger, but stopped firing after a few seconds when he saw a bullet hole in the wall and his head cleared. At that point, Carneal said, he realized what he had done and he saw one victim on the ground.</p>\n                <p>\"I still have nightmares about it,\" he said. \"I did these things to all these people. I wish I could take it back, but I don\'t know how. I don\'t know how to change things in the past.\"\n</p><p>\nCarneal said the last time the voices spoke to him was Tuesday, as his father, John Carneal, testified. Michael Carneal said the voices taunted him as his father spoke of trying to help his son in prison.</p>\n            </div></div><p><strong>Read more:</strong> <a class=\"rssreadon\" rel=\"external\" title=\"Shooter in 1997 school attack testifies at hearing   (AP)\" href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/education/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110316/ap_on_re_us/us_school_shooting\" target=\"_blank\">http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/education/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110316/ap_on_re_us/us_school_shooting</a></p>',-2,5,0,37,'2011-03-16 19:15:00',62,'','0000-00-00 00:00:00',0,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2011-03-16 19:15:00','2011-04-03 12:16:46','','','show_intro=0',1,0,0,'','',0,0,''),(562,'Graduate School Stafford Loan FAQs   (U.S. News   World Report)','graduate-school-stafford-loan-faqs-us-news-world-report','','U.S. News &amp; World Report - Graduate students who are U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents, haven\'t defaulted on other federal student loans, and attend school at least half time are eligible','<div><div class=\"yn-story-content\">\n                <p><strong>Who can get Stafford loans?</strong></p>\n                <p>Graduate students who are U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents, haven\'t defaulted on other federal student loans, and attend school at least half time are eligible</p>\n                <p><strong>How much can I borrow from the Stafford program? </strong></p>\n                <p>Graduate students can borrow up to $20,5000 for each nine-month academic year. Those attending 12-month programs can borrow up to $26,667. But the government won\'t make any additional Stafford loans to students who hit the cumulative graduate Stafford debt cap of $138,500.</p>\n                <p>Medical students have higher maximums. They can borrow up to $40,500 a year  and up to $224,000 in total through the Stafford program.</p>\n                <p><strong>How much do Stafford loans cost?</strong></p>\n                <p>Staffords charge a maximum fixed rate of 6.8 percent, plus up-front fees of up to 1 percent of the amount borrowed, for a total annual percentage rate of 7.1 percent.</p>\n                <p>Students who qualify as \"needy\" in the 2011 academic year can get \"subsidized\" Stafford loans of up to $8,500 that don\'t charge any interest while they are in school. The subsidized Stafford loan program for graduates has been targeted for cuts, however, and may be eliminated in 2012.</p>\n                <p><strong>How do I get a Stafford loan?</strong></p>\n                <p>You must fill out a <a href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/usnews/ts_usnews/storytext/graduateschoolstaffordloanfaqs/40695241/SIG=10qa3n5vh/*http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/\">FAFSA</a>.</p>\n                <p>[Find out how a <a href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/usnews/ts_usnews/storytext/graduateschoolstaffordloanfaqs/40695241/SIG=134sjhgm7/*http://www.usnews.com/education/blogs/college-cash-101/2011/01/04/fafsa-web-videos-are-fun-helpful\">sock puppet can help you fill out the FAFSA</a>.]</p>\n                <p><strong>Does every grad student get approved for a Stafford loan?</strong></p>\n                <p>No. Students who have defaulted on other college loans, who are not U.S. citizens, or who are attending school only part time do not qualify.</p>\n                <p><strong>What if I have bad credit?</strong></p>\n                <p>You can get a Stafford loan if you\'ve defaulted on a mortgage, car, credit card, or medical bills. The federal government does not do a regular credit check for Stafford loans. It only rejects applicants who have defaulted on other federal education loans.</p>\n                <p><strong>What if I need more money than the Stafford maximums?</strong></p>\n                <p>You can borrow up to your full cost of attendance from the federal Graduate PLUS program. But those have higher fees and interest and are not awarded to students with bad credit.</p>\n                <p>[Read <a href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/usnews/ts_usnews/storytext/graduateschoolstaffordloanfaqs/40695241/SIG=13vh9ddcp/*http://www.usnews.com/education/best-graduate-schools/top-graduate-schools/paying/articles/2011/03/16/graduate-plus-loan-faqs\">FAQs about Grad PLUS loans</a>.]\n</p><p>\n<strong>How is the credit crunch affecting Stafford loans?</strong>\n</p><p>\nStafford loans are funded and made entirely by the federal government. So they remain available to all qualified students.\n</p><p>\n<strong>Are Stafford loan payments tax deductible?</strong>\n</p><p>\nIt depends on your income when you start repaying. Generally, for a single person, education loan interest is deductible only if you earn less than $70,000.\n</p><p>\n<strong>When do I have to start repaying my Stafford loan?</strong>\n</p><p>\nThe first bill comes due six months after you\'ve left school, whether that\'s after graduation or after you\'ve dropped out.\n</p><p>\n<strong>What happens if I lose my job or get into other financial trouble?</strong>\n</p><p>\nCall the Department of Education and sign up for <a href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/usnews/ts_usnews/storytext/graduateschoolstaffordloanfaqs/40695241/SIG=13m6e2afd/*http://www.usnews.com/education/blogs/college-cash-101/2009/07/01/pay-off-your-student-loan-with-help-from-uncle-sam\">Income-Based Repayment</a>. If that doesn\'t bring your payments down to an affordable level, you can also ask for either \"deferral\" or \"forbearance\" of your payments. The <a href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/usnews/ts_usnews/storytext/graduateschoolstaffordloanfaqs/40695241/SIG=11f0rc3ta/*http://www.studentloanborrowerassistance.org/\">National Consumer Law Center</a> also has some good advice.\n</p><p>\n<strong>What are the advantages of a Stafford loan?</strong>\n</p><p>\nStafford loans have a comparatively low fixed interest rate, so the size of your payment won\'t increase if interest rates rise. Through <a href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/usnews/ts_usnews/storytext/graduateschoolstaffordloanfaqs/40695241/SIG=13m846lnv/*http://www.usnews.com/education/blogs/student-loan-ranger/2010/12/15/manage-student-loans-via-income-based-repayment\">Income-Based Repayment</a>, Stafford borrowers can ask to have their payments capped at 15 percent of their disposable income. And public servants who make 10 years worth of income-based repayments can have their remaining Stafford debts forgiven.\n</p><p>\n[Learn the <a href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/usnews/ts_usnews/storytext/graduateschoolstaffordloanfaqs/40695241/SIG=14h7ktm0q/*http://www.usnews.com/education/best-colleges/paying-for-college/student-loan/articles/2010/05/10/11-steps-to-relief-from-federal-student-loans\">11 steps to relief from student loans</a>.]\n</p><p>\n<strong>What are the downsides of Stafford loans?</strong>\n</p><p>\nUnlike credit card debt and mortgages, which can be canceled if you file for bankruptcy, education loans of all types--whether federal or private--must be paid. Most bankruptcy courts will not cancel them unless your situation is extremely dire.\n</p><p>\n<i>Searching for a grad school? Get our <a href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/usnews/ts_usnews/storytext/graduateschoolstaffordloanfaqs/40695241/SIG=11sncaqlh/*http://www.usnews.com/usnews/store/grad_school_compass.htm\">complete rankings</a> of Best Graduate Schools.</i></p>\n            </div></div><p><strong>Read more:</strong> <a class=\"rssreadon\" rel=\"external\" title=\"Graduate School Stafford Loan FAQs   (U.S. News   World Report)\" href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/education/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/usnews/20110316/ts_usnews/graduateschoolstaffordloanfaqs\" target=\"_blank\">http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/education/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/usnews/20110316/ts_usnews/graduateschoolstaffordloanfaqs</a></p>',-2,5,0,37,'2011-03-16 11:55:00',62,'','0000-00-00 00:00:00',0,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2011-03-16 11:55:00','2011-04-03 12:16:47','','','show_intro=0',1,0,0,'','',0,0,''),(563,'Repay Student Loans Based on Your Income   (U.S. News   World Report)','repay-student-loans-based-on-your-income-us-news-world-report','','U.S. News &amp; World Report - The College Cost Reduction and Access Act (CCRAA) has been a  breakthrough for everyone looking to afford a higher education. There  are two distinct components related to loan repayment: The first,  discussed below, is Income-Based  Repayment (IBR) that allows graduates to pay back their federal  loans on a sliding scale based on their income. The second, discussed in  last week\'s blog, is Public  Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF), which provides forgiveness on  federal educational loans for people who work in the public service  sector for 10 years.','<div><div class=\"yn-story-content\">\n                <p>The College Cost Reduction and Access Act (CCRAA) has been a  breakthrough for everyone looking to afford a higher education. There  are two distinct components related to loan repayment: The first,  discussed below, is <a href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/usnews/ts_usnews/storytext/repaystudentloansbasedonyourincome/40695070/SIG=13m846lnv/*http://www.usnews.com/education/blogs/student-loan-ranger/2010/12/15/manage-student-loans-via-income-based-repayment\">Income-Based  Repayment</a> (IBR) that allows graduates to pay back their federal  loans on a sliding scale based on their income. The second, discussed in  last week\'s blog, is <a href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/usnews/ts_usnews/storytext/repaystudentloansbasedonyourincome/40695070/SIG=13qr011n1/*http://www.usnews.com/education/blogs/student-loan-ranger/2011/03/09/help-available-for-public-servants-drowning-in-debt\">Public  Service Loan Forgiveness</a> (PSLF), which provides forgiveness on  federal educational loans for people who work in the public service  sector for 10 years.</p>\n                <p>It is very important that  readers understand that these two provisions in CCRAA are not dependent  on one another. Someone can participate in IBR without also  participating in PSLF. In fact, IBR provides help to a much larger group  of people than PSLF, because IBR does not have a \"qualifying  employment\" element.</p>\n                <p>Income-Based Repayment is available to everyone with federal student  loans--not just those who are working in the public service sector.  Working for a small private employer? Have a low-paying job at a fast  food restaurant? IBR might help you. IBR has the potential to help  hundreds of thousands of federal student loan borrowers make their  payments more manageable.</p>\n                <p>[Learn how to <a href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/usnews/ts_usnews/storytext/repaystudentloansbasedonyourincome/40695070/SIG=132o64dgq/*http://www.usnews.com/articles/education/paying/2011/03/16/how-can-i-borrow-for-grad-school.html\">borrow  for grad school</a>.]</p>\n                <p>IBR payments are based  on income and family size. Typically, borrowers who earn less than they  owe in federal student loans will be eligible to choose IBR. For most  borrowers, payments will be less than 10 percent of their income.</p>\n                <p>Here\'s an example for the average borrower: Say you  have $100,000 in federal student loans at an interest rate of 6.8  percent, with a repayment term of 15 years. Your monthly payment would  be $887. With IBR, if you are a family of one, earning an adjusted gross  income of $50,000, then your monthly payment amount could be reduced to  $422. If you are a family of three, your monthly payment could drop to  $282. Obviously, if your salary is lower, your payments will also be  lower.</p>\n                <p>There is one catch: The lower payments  are based in part on a longer repayment period--25 years versus 15 years.  However, if you participate in IBR and are still carrying some debt  after 25 years, the remaining balance may be canceled if you meet  certain requirements.</p>\n                <p>So with IBR, regardless  of your debt amount, you pay an amount that you can afford based on your  income. As your income grows, your payments grow. But you can afford  those payments because you are making more money. Throughout the entire  repayment period, most borrowers will pay 10 percent of their adjusted  gross income toward educational debts. That\'s reasonable because  payments are always pegged to income.</p>\n                <p>And  remember, if you are working in the public service sector, you can take  advantage of both IBR and PSLF, so that you have lower monthly payments <i>and  </i>loan forgiveness after only 10 years. That\'s a great deal!</p>\n                <p>[Know where to find <a href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/usnews/ts_usnews/storytext/repaystudentloansbasedonyourincome/40695070/SIG=13ep8v4k4/*http://www.usnews.com/articles/education/2011/03/16/know-where-to-find-graduate-school-loan-forgiveness.html\">grad  school loan forgiveness</a>.]</p>\n                <p>Keep in mind  that IBR is based on adjusted gross income, not wages. Adjusted gross  income includes wages plus certain other income (like interest income)  but minus specific deductions (like the student loan interest deduction  and IRA contribution deduction).</p>\n                <p>In general,  to qualify for IBR, you must have high debt relative to your income, and  you must have federal loans--commercial and alternative loans are never  eligible.</p>\n                <p>According to <a href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/usnews/ts_usnews/storytext/repaystudentloansbasedonyourincome/40695070/SIG=10p2cqp9d/*http://www.ibrinfo.org/\">IBRinfo.org</a>, more than  232,000 federal student loan borrowers have already enrolled in  Income-Based Repayment. This is a great start, but so many more people  can benefit.</p>\n                <p>IBR can be confusing, but there  are many resources available to help you navigate the process. You  should begin by using the U.S. Department of Education\'s <a href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/usnews/ts_usnews/storytext/repaystudentloansbasedonyourincome/40695070/SIG=125jhsegl/*http://studentaid.ed.gov/PORTALSWebApp/students/english/IBRPlan.jsp\">IBR  calculator</a> to estimate whether you would likely qualify for the IBR  plan. The Equal Justice Works <a href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/usnews/ts_usnews/storytext/repaystudentloansbasedonyourincome/40695070/SIG=128f0nd0c/*http://www.equaljusticeworks.org/resources/student-debt-relief/default\">resource  page</a> also provides a complete list of resources and tools that will  help you determine eligibility and next steps for qualifying.</p>\n                <p><i>David Stern has worked for Equal Justice  Works since 1992 and has served as the executive director for the past  15 years. He graduated from <a href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/usnews/ts_usnews/storytext/repaystudentloansbasedonyourincome/40695070/SIG=13a3s3fee/*http://grad-schools.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-law-schools/law-center-03032\">Georgetown  University Law Center</a> in 1985. In 2008, Stern was recognized by  Legal Times as one of the \"Greatest Washington Lawyers in the Past 30  Years.\"</i></p>\n                <p>\n            </p></div></div><p><strong>Read more:</strong> <a class=\"rssreadon\" rel=\"external\" title=\"Repay Student Loans Based on Your Income   (U.S. News   World Report)\" href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/education/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/usnews/20110316/ts_usnews/repaystudentloansbasedonyourincome\" target=\"_blank\">http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/education/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/usnews/20110316/ts_usnews/repaystudentloansbasedonyourincome</a></p>',-2,5,0,37,'2011-03-16 11:41:00',62,'','0000-00-00 00:00:00',0,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2011-03-16 11:41:00','2011-04-03 12:16:48','','','show_intro=0',1,0,0,'','',0,0,''),(564,'Home schooling\'s appeal spreads to mainstream   (Reuters)','home-schoolings-appeal-spreads-to-mainstream-reuters','','Reuters - Studying at Harvard, meeting for group French lessons, volunteering at a hospital and spending a day in the wilderness are just a glimpse into a typical day of home schooling, which looks dramatically different today from just a mere decade ago.','<div><div class=\"yn-story-content\">\n                <p>BOSTON (Reuters) – Studying at Harvard, meeting for group French lessons, volunteering at a hospital and spending a day in the wilderness are just a glimpse into a typical day of home schooling, which looks dramatically different today from just a mere decade ago.</p>\n                <p>\nOnce considered distinctly Christian, the movement is deepening its mainstream roots, experts say.</p>\n                <p>\nWhile a majority of home school parents still cite religion or values as a top reason for keeping their children out of public schools, home-school education has been increasingly appealing to a broader audience.</p>\n                <p>\nThe ranks of home-schooled students swelled to more than 2 million last year, by some research estimates, compared with about 850,000 home schooled a decade ago.</p>\n                <p>\n\"It\'s a mainstream option now for most Americans,\" said Brian Ray, president of the National Home Education Research Institute, which compiled the latest home school data.</p>\n                <p>\nHome-school families include varied religions, members across the political spectrum, a range of income brackets and parents with different levels of education, Ray said.</p>\n                <p>\nHome schooling is no longer \"seen as fringe at all,\" he said.</p>\n                <p>\nAmong the reasons for choosing home education cited by secular parents are strengthening family ties, providing more time for children\'s interests and developing individualized curricula -- reasons that resonate with religious families pursuing home education as well.</p>\n                <p>\nThey too cite concern about public school environments, family ties and academic standards as reasons to home school, research shows.</p>\n                <p>\nHome school is more visible than it once was, with museums catering to home-school groups, home schoolers performing in concerts and local theaters and students earning college credits while still in their early teens.</p>\n                <p>\nSuch accomplished students include Sophia Sayigh\'s son, now 21 and on his own playing in a band, teaching music classes and working to get a studio off the ground.</p>\n                <p>\nClasses that he took at Harvard Extension School while growing up in the Boston suburbs translated into college credits, and he graduated from Berklee College of Music in just two-and-a-half years, his mother said.</p>\n                <p>\nNeither Sayigh\'s son or daughter, 18 and pursuing a nursing degree, ever went to public school, a choice their mother said stemmed from anxiety she felt sending them into a world of grades, tests and stifling structure.</p>\n                <p>\nOn a typical Wednesday in Pamela Victor\'s home classroom, her 14-year-old son works on structured academics while her 12-year-old daughter heads out to a wilderness program to learn to track animals, find edible plants and build a fire.</p>\n                <p>\nAn extended family trip to Florida will let her daughter pursue her interest in marine biology, Victor said.</p>\n                <p>\n\"Home schooling has had the benefit of making our family unit much stronger than what it ever would have been,\" she said.</p>\n                <p>\nThe trend could grow exponentially, according to NHERI research that shows about three-quarters of a sample of home-educated students who are now adults raising their own children are opting to home school.</p>\n                <p>\n(Editing by Ellen Wulfhorst and Jerry Norton)</p>\n            </div></div><p><strong>Read more:</strong> <a class=\"rssreadon\" rel=\"external\" title=\"Home schooling\'s appeal spreads to mainstream   (Reuters)\" href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/education/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20110316/lf_nm_life/us_education_homeschooling\" target=\"_blank\">http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/education/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20110316/lf_nm_life/us_education_homeschooling</a></p>',-2,5,0,37,'2011-03-16 10:15:00',62,'','0000-00-00 00:00:00',0,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2011-03-16 10:15:00','2011-04-03 12:16:49','','','show_intro=0',1,0,0,'','',0,0,''),(565,'FACT CHECK: Are 82 percent of schools \'failing\'?   (AP)','fact-check-are-82-percent-of-schools-failing-ap','','<p><a href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/education/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110316/ap_on_re_us/us_obama_education_fact_check\"><img src=\"http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20110315/capt.e7a6e88f816b46438644bd9775a4e350-e7a6e88f816b46438644bd9775a4e350-0.jpg?x=130&amp;y=79&amp;q=85&amp;sig=02RgkVEfjop7cRBvmY9ccg--\" height=\"79\" width=\"130\" alt=\"FACT CHECK: Are 82 percent of schools \'failing\'?   (AP)\" style=\"float: left; border: 0px;\" />\n</a>AP - President Barack Obama declared this week that four of five public schools could be labeled as \"failing\" this year under the No Child Left Behind Act if Congress does not take action to rewrite the law.</p><br style=\"clear: both;\" />','<div><div class=\"yn-story-content\">\n                <p>President Barack Obama declared this week that four of five public schools could be labeled as \"failing\" this year under the No Child Left Behind Act if Congress does not take action to rewrite the law.</p>\n                <p>\"That\'s an astonishing number,\" he said Monday at a Virginia middle school. \"We know that four out of five schools in this country aren\'t failing.\"</p>\n                <p>Obama\'s terminology wasn\'t quite right, though. There is no \"failing\" label in the No Child Left Behind Act. And schools that do not meet growth targets — aimed at getting 100 percent of students proficient in math, reading and science by 2014 — for one year are not subject to any intervention.</p>\n                <p>Those unable to do so for two or more consecutive years are considered \"in need of improvement.\" The consequences then become stiffer each year, starting with offering students an opportunity to attend another school, and escalating if the targets remain unmet.</p>\n                <p>For those schools, there\'s at least the implication of failure, and that\'s one reason Obama says the 2001 law needs to be changed. There are many ways for a school to fall short of its requirements, even if most of its students are improving and succeeding. A school where all but one group of students are considered proficient in reading, science and math would be lumped into the same category as schools where no students are proficient in those subjects.</p>\n                <p>The Department of Education says the number of schools that fail to meet the annual proficiency goals could jump from 37 to 82 percent this year. That would include schools that have not met the requirements for just one year.</p>\n                <p>\"Everyone knew this day was coming,\" Education Department spokesman Justin Hamilton said. \"Now that it is upon us, we need to have an open, honest debate about the consequences of a law that could label four out of five schools as failing.\"</p>\n                <p>Education experts interviewed by The Associated Press said it was reasonable to expect some increase as the 2014 proficiency deadline nears, but that it\'s misleading for the administration to say the law would label all these schools as \"failing.\" They also question the magnitude of the projected jump, saying it seems too large.</p>\n                <p>\"That\'s a huge difference,\" said Tom Loveless, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution. \"Over the history of NCLB, that percentage has not moved so much. So why would it suddenly more than double?\"</p>\n                <p>Officials say part of the increase is driven by states that waited to raise their student proficiency levels until the final years before 2014. Loveless said there is merit to that claim, but he questioned why the Department of Education doesn\'t back up its assertion by releasing a spreadsheet showing, state by state, how often and to what degree that has occurred.</p>\n                <p>\"Even then, they are making assumptions about how the kids are going to score this year and they haven\'t taken the test,\" he said.</p>\n                <p>Patrick McGuinn, an education professor at Drew University, said it is reasonable to project an increase in schools not making adequate yearly progress, but that it would be difficult to project by how much.</p>\n                <p>He noted that schools have a safe harbor provision that allows them to be held out of the \"needs improvement\" category if they are showing progress, and they also could ask for waivers. Hamilton said that provision was taken into consideration in the department\'s calculation.</p>\n                <p>Granting the waivers, however, would take pressure off Congress to do a full reauthorization this year. McGuinn suspects there are political purposes behind the administration\'s dire tone.</p>\n                <p>\"They\'re really trying to highlight this and use it as a prod for Congress to get moving,\" McGuinn said.</p>\n                <p>Former Education Secretary Margaret Spellings, who served under President George W. Bush when the federal law was implemented, said she estimated half of schools would fail to meet federal standards this year, and she suggested all the conjecturing was demoralizing to educators.</p>\n                <p>\"It\'s obviously a political tactic,\" she said.</p>\n                <p>\n            </p></div></div><p><strong>Read more:</strong> <a class=\"rssreadon\" rel=\"external\" title=\"FACT CHECK: Are 82 percent of schools \'failing\'?   (AP)\" href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/education/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110316/ap_on_re_us/us_obama_education_fact_check\" target=\"_blank\">http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/education/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110316/ap_on_re_us/us_obama_education_fact_check</a></p>',-2,5,0,37,'2011-03-16 03:02:00',62,'','0000-00-00 00:00:00',0,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2011-03-16 03:02:00','2011-04-03 12:16:50','','','show_intro=0',1,0,0,'','',0,0,''),(566,'Obama presses Congress on rewriting education law   (AP)','obama-presses-congress-on-rewriting-education-law-ap','','AP - President Barack Obama is making fresh arguments for a rewrite of the No Child Left Behind law while paying tribute to student finalists in a special science competition.','<div><div class=\"yn-story-content\">\n                <p>WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama is making fresh arguments for a rewrite of the No Child Left Behind law while paying tribute to student finalists in a special science competition.</p>\n                <p>A day after Obama gave a speech urging Congress to act on an overhaul of the leading federal law on educational standards, he\'s doing interviews from the White House with broadcast stations in Albuquerque, N.M., Pittsburgh and Hampton Roads, Va. The president on Monday told a middle-school audience in Virginia that he wants legislative action on the No Child Left Behind law before the start of another school year this fall.</p>\n                <p>Later Tuesday, he\'ll meet privately with Vice President Joe Biden and Defense Secretary Robert Gates and then host a dinner with first lady Michelle Obama for U.S. military commanders.</p>\n                <p>\n            </p></div></div><p><strong>Read more:</strong> <a class=\"rssreadon\" rel=\"external\" title=\"Obama presses Congress on rewriting education law   (AP)\" href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/education/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110315/ap_on_re_us/us_obama_preview\" target=\"_blank\">http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/education/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110315/ap_on_re_us/us_obama_preview</a></p>',-2,5,0,37,'2011-03-15 06:30:00',62,'','0000-00-00 00:00:00',0,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2011-03-15 06:30:00','2011-04-03 12:16:51','','','show_intro=0',1,0,0,'','',0,0,''),(567,'Police: Moose attacked 6-year-old boy in Alaska   (AP)','police-moose-attacked-6-year-old-boy-in-alaska-ap','','AP - Alaska authorities say a moose attacked a 6-year-old Anchorage boy as he walked home after getting off a school bus.','<div><div class=\"yn-story-content\">\n                <p>ANCHORAGE, Alaska – Alaska authorities say a moose attacked a 6-year-old Anchorage boy as he walked home after getting off a school bus.</p>\n                <p>KTUU-TV reports that the large animal kicked Michael Barnes in the head. Witnesses say the moose knocked him unconscious, but he was awake and crying when emergency crews took him to a hospital.</p>\n                <p>The boy\'s grandfather told KTUU that the boy was sedated Monday night and his family won\'t know his condition until he awakens.</p>\n                <p>A neighbor, Thais Holladay, says she thinks the moose was spooked by a loose dog.</p>\n                <p>___</p>\n                <p>Information from: KTUU-TV, <a href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/ap/ap_on_re_us/storytext/us_moose_attacks_boy/40673775/SIG=10ljun88l/*http://www.ktuu.com\">http://www.ktuu.com</a></p>\n                <p>\n            </p></div></div><p><strong>Read more:</strong> <a class=\"rssreadon\" rel=\"external\" title=\"Police: Moose attacked 6-year-old boy in Alaska   (AP)\" href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/education/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110315/ap_on_re_us/us_moose_attacks_boy\" target=\"_blank\">http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/education/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110315/ap_on_re_us/us_moose_attacks_boy</a></p>',-2,5,0,37,'2011-03-15 03:33:00',62,'','0000-00-00 00:00:00',0,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2011-03-15 03:33:00','2011-04-03 12:16:52','','','show_intro=0',1,0,0,'','',0,0,''),(568,'Get Paid to Teach Anything With New Online Education Platform   (Mashable)','get-paid-to-teach-anything-with-new-online-education-platform-mashable','','Mashable - The Spark of Genius Series highlights a unique feature of startups and is made possible by Microsoft BizSpark. If you would like to have your startup considered for inclusion, please see the details here.','<div><div class=\"yn-story-content\">\n                <p><em>The <a href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/mashable/tc_mashable/storytext/get_paid_to_teach_anything_with_new_online_education_platform/40673522/SIG=112bk4f22/*http://mashable.com/tag/bizspark\">Spark of Genius Series</a> highlights a unique feature of startups and is made possible by <a href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/mashable/tc_mashable/storytext/get_paid_to_teach_anything_with_new_online_education_platform/40673522/SIG=131useebq/*http://www.microsoftstartupzone.com/BizSpark/Pages/At_a_Glance.aspx?WT.mc_id=MSZ_Mashable_posts\">Microsoft BizSpark</a>. If you would like to have your startup considered for inclusion, please see the details <a href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/mashable/tc_mashable/storytext/get_paid_to_teach_anything_with_new_online_education_platform/40673522/SIG=10v2d1bnb/*http://mashable.com/bizspark/\">here</a>.</em></p>\n                <p>\n<strong>Name:</strong> <a href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/mashable/tc_mashable/storytext/get_paid_to_teach_anything_with_new_online_education_platform/40673522/SIG=10rr044pv/*http://www.learnable.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Learnable</a></p>\n                <p>\n<strong>Quick Pitch:</strong> Learnable allows anyone to create and charge for online courses.</p>\n                <p>\n<strong>Genius Idea:</strong> Many schools have started to take online education seriously. By 2006, <a href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/mashable/tc_mashable/storytext/get_paid_to_teach_anything_with_new_online_education_platform/40673522/SIG=11phvmcu9/*http://nces.ed.gov/pubsearch/pubsinfo.asp?pubid=2009044\" target=\"_blank\">66% of postsecondary learning institutions</a> included in federal financial aid programs were already reporting that they offered some form of Internet learning, and a <a href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/mashable/tc_mashable/storytext/get_paid_to_teach_anything_with_new_online_education_platform/40673522/SIG=11ui89rqh/*http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/opepd/ppss/reports.html\" target=\"_blank\">2009 report</a> from the U.S. Department of education found that those students who studied in online learning environments performed modelstly better than peers who were receiving face-to-face instruction.</p>\n                <p>\nThis is great news for people who are looking to work toward a college degree, but there are few affordable parallels for people who just want to pick up a skill. Where does one go for affordable online lessons on homepage design? Javascript programming? Guitar? the Irish Whistle?</p>\n                <p>\nFor many, the answers can be found on YouTube. But these \"lessons\" are usually one-off demonstrations rather than consecutive instruction. They lack a community component, and provide no revenue to reward the teacher.</p>\n                <p>\nLearnable aims to create what YouTube lacks as an education platform. Anybody can create a course by bundling articles, documents and videos into consecutive lessons that students work through at their own pace. A Q&amp;A section attached to each course becomes its forum, and users can see who else is enrolled in the course.</p>\n                <p>\nLike a similar online learning platform called <a href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/mashable/tc_mashable/storytext/get_paid_to_teach_anything_with_new_online_education_platform/40673522/SIG=10nvmgqca/*http://www.udemy.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Udemy</a>, Learnable offers an option for teachers to charge their students for lessons. Most lessons are priced around $20, and Learnable collects 50% of each student\'s fee. Students can see an outline of course content and a bio of the instructor before they purchase a course, and all courses are approved by the company before they launch.</p>\n                <p>\nLearnable was spun off from <a href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/mashable/tc_mashable/storytext/get_paid_to_teach_anything_with_new_online_education_platform/40673522/SIG=10rhhli5c/*http://www.sitepoint.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Sitepoint.com</a>, a resource for web developers that hosts forums, blogs, and, yes, courses on web topics. But the new site, which enjoys many of the same investors but is a separate entity, aims to be more universal than the site it sprung from. Only about a quarter of the 70 courses currently being offered relate to programming or web design (and yes, the <a href=\"https://learnable.com/courses/irish-whistle-jig-ornamentation-25\" target=\"_blank\">Irish Whistle</a> is represented).</p>\n                <p>\nWhether or not students will find courses like Learnable\'s worth paying for, continue to rely on old how-to standbys like YouTube, or instead migrate to new (but free) learning platforms like <a href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/mashable/tc_mashable/storytext/get_paid_to_teach_anything_with_new_online_education_platform/40673522/SIG=118gj8q1f/*http://mashable.com/2011/03/09/sophia/\" target=\"_blank\">Sophia</a>, is what will make or break the new platform. It may also shape how people learn from each other each other in the future.</p>\n                <p>\n<em>Image courtesy of <a href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/mashable/tc_mashable/storytext/get_paid_to_teach_anything_with_new_online_education_platform/40673522/SIG=11ee52d7r/*http://www.istockphoto.com/mashableoffer.php\">iStockphoto</a>, <a href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/mashable/tc_mashable/storytext/get_paid_to_teach_anything_with_new_online_education_platform/40673522/SIG=11kujvc9f/*http://www.istockphoto.com/user_view.php?id=351711\">sjlocke</a></em></p>\n                <p>\n</p><hr /><strong>Series Supported by Microsoft BizSpark</strong>\n                <p>\n</p><hr /><a href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/mashable/tc_mashable/storytext/get_paid_to_teach_anything_with_new_online_education_platform/40673522/SIG=131useebq/*http://www.microsoftstartupzone.com/BizSpark/Pages/At_a_Glance.aspx?WT.mc_id=MSZ_Mashable_posts\">\n                \n<em>The </em></a><a href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/mashable/tc_mashable/storytext/get_paid_to_teach_anything_with_new_online_education_platform/40673522/SIG=112bk4f22/*http://mashable.com/tag/bizspark\">Spark of Genius Series</a> highlights a unique feature of startups and is made possible by <a href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/mashable/tc_mashable/storytext/get_paid_to_teach_anything_with_new_online_education_platform/40673522/SIG=131useebq/*http://www.microsoftstartupzone.com/BizSpark/Pages/At_a_Glance.aspx?WT.mc_id=MSZ_Mashable_posts\">Microsoft BizSpark</a>, a startup program that gives you three-year access to the latest Microsoft development tools, as well as connecting you to a nationwide network of investors and incubators. There are no upfront costs, so if your business is privately owned, less than three years old, and generates less than U.S.$1 million in annual revenue, you can <a href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/mashable/tc_mashable/storytext/get_paid_to_teach_anything_with_new_online_education_platform/40673522/SIG=10uf4fn3p/*http://mashable.com/bizspark\">sign up today</a>. \n                <p>\n            </p></div></div><p><strong>Read more:</strong> <a class=\"rssreadon\" rel=\"external\" title=\"Get Paid to Teach Anything With New Online Education Platform   (Mashable)\" href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/education/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/mashable/20110315/tc_mashable/get_paid_to_teach_anything_with_new_online_education_platform\" target=\"_blank\">http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/education/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/mashable/20110315/tc_mashable/get_paid_to_teach_anything_with_new_online_education_platform</a></p>',-2,5,0,37,'2011-03-14 22:59:00',62,'','0000-00-00 00:00:00',0,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2011-03-14 22:59:00','2011-04-03 12:16:54','','','show_intro=0',1,0,0,'','',0,0,''),(569,'No Child Left Behind: Why Congress will struggle to hit Obama\'s deadline   (The Christian Science Monitor)','no-child-left-behind-why-congress-will-struggle-to-hit-obamas-deadline-the-christian-science-monitor','','The Christian Science Monitor - President Obamaâ€™s call to Congress to significantly revise the nationâ€™s top education law, No Child Left Behind, by the first day of the new school year faces tough headwinds on Capitol Hill, despite broad agreement on needed fixes.','<div><div class=\"yn-story-content\">\n                <p>Washington – President Obama’s call to Congress to significantly revise the nation’s top education law, No Child Left Behind, by the first day of the new school year faces tough headwinds on Capitol Hill, despite broad agreement on needed fixes.</p>\n                <p>Both Republicans and Democrats agree that NCLB\'s achievement standards are too rigid. The Department of Education estimates that, according to those standards, more than 80 percent of the national K-12 schools may be labeled as failing this year â€“ up from 37 percent last year. </p>\n                <p>But Mr. Obama\'s plans to reform NCLB come to a Congress preoccupied by budget matters and to House Republicans eager to reduce federal influence in education. With the current year\'s budget still living week to week on stopgap funding measures – followed by battles over the fiscal year 2012 budget and a highly controversial measure to raise the national debt ceiling – an education deal on the president’s timetable looks unlikely.</p>\n                <p>RELATED: No Child Left Behind overhaul: five key things that would change</p>\n                <p>The Obama administration\'s proposed fixes include: improving standards and assessments, giving high-performing schools more flexibility and the lowest-performing schools more help, and recruiting better teachers and rewarding them for how effectively they improve student performance. </p>\n                <p>Senate vs. HouseThe Senate has been working toward a bipartisan agreement on education reform for more than a year and hopes to complete work on the reauthorization of NCLB this spring. But the House is just getting started â€“ and the mantra of the new majority House Republicans is: We\'re broke, so we can\'t afford it. They aim to scale back education spending and the federal role in local schools. </p>\n                <p>“Although we have our different approaches, everyone agrees current law is broken and in need of repair,” said US House Education and the Workforce Committee chairman John Kline (R) of Minnesota and subcommittee chair Duncan Hunter (R) of California in a statement on Monday. “The status quo is failing both students and tax payers; it is time we reconsidered the role of the federal government in our schools.\"</p>\n                <p>On Monday, Obama rebuked this suggestion. “Let me make it plain: We cannot cut education,” he said. </p>\n                <p>A telling sticking point is whether to renew funding for President Obamaâ€™s signature Race to the Top grants. In an unprecedented move, the Democrat-controlled Congress gave the Education Secretary Arne Duncan a $4 billion fund to use at his discretion to leverage education reform. The Obama administration calls Race to the Top the most effective program in the departmentâ€™s history and is proposing $1.4 billion to fund the program for the balance of the fiscal year.</p>\n                <p>But the Republican-controlled House last month voted to zero out funding for the program. “The federal role in education is a history of underperformance, hype, and false promises,” said Rep. Peter Roscam (R) of Illinois, the chief deputy whip, at a press briefing on Feb. 28.</p>\n                <p>Federal standards: a brief historyThe move to involve the federal government in standards-based reform has been a priority of the last four presidents. Despite opposition from GOP conservatives, President George H. W. Bush launched the concept with the support of top business groups. President Clinton, who campaigned to become “the education president,” won legislation that used federal aid to leverage more accountability for results. </p>\n                <p>With the support of then-Sen. Edward Kennedy (D) of Massachusetts and Rep. John Boehner (R) of Ohio, President George W. Bush passed NCLB, which gave Washington a heightened role in the nation’s classrooms. It set up rules to measure whether schools were demonstrating “adequate yearly progress” in reading and math, including a goal that all children should reach proficiency in these fields by 2014. </p>\n                <p>Republican conservatives went along during the NCLB debates. But with the federal deficit at $1.6 trillion, House conservatives – especially many in the 87-member GOP freshmen class – are now pushing back.</p>\n                <p>“There’s a strong element in the Republican caucus that wants to do away with a federal role in education,” says Jack Jennings, president of the Center on Education Policy. “The prospects of getting reauthorization are improving because of the president and Senate leadership, but the main obstacle will be the tea party in the House.”</p>\n                <p>Sharp cuts in federal education funding could threaten implementation of several reforms, such as common core standards in English and math already adopted by 43 states. Another possible casualty would be systems to measure the effectiveness of teachers – a key to the reform goal of rewarding teachers according to their ability to raise student achievement. </p>\n                <p>Says Mr. Jennings: “The reforms may be stillborn because there won’t be the money to put them in place.</p>\n                <p>RELATED: No Child Left Behind overhaul: five key things that would change</p>\n                <p>\n            </p></div></div><p><strong>Read more:</strong> <a class=\"rssreadon\" rel=\"external\" title=\"No Child Left Behind: Why Congress will struggle to hit Obama\'s deadline   (The Christian Science Monitor)\" href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/education/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/csm/20110315/ts_csm/369632\" target=\"_blank\">http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/education/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/csm/20110315/ts_csm/369632</a></p>',-2,5,0,37,'2011-03-14 22:10:00',62,'','0000-00-00 00:00:00',0,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2011-03-14 22:10:00','2011-04-03 12:16:55','','','show_intro=0',1,0,0,'','',0,0,''),(570,'Maine student hostage-taker sentenced to 35 years   (AP)','maine-student-hostage-taker-sentenced-to-35-years-ap','','AP - A Maine man convicted of taking a fifth-grade class hostage at gunpoint has been sentenced to 35 years in prison.','<div><div class=\"yn-story-content\">\n                <p>BELFAST, Maine – A Maine man convicted of taking a fifth-grade class hostage at gunpoint has been sentenced to 35 years in prison.</p>\n                <p>The sentence was handed down Monday after Randall Hofland spent two hours seeking a lighter prison term. He said he\'ll appeal.</p>\n                <p>Hofland represented himself during his trial, in which jurors rejected an insanity defense. They found him guilty of 39 charges, including kidnapping and criminal threatening and restraint.</p>\n                <p>The Searsport man was accused of holding 11 children at gunpoint on Oct. 31, 2008. He was eventually tackled by a state police trooper. No children were hurt.</p>\n                <p>\n            </p></div></div><p><strong>Read more:</strong> <a class=\"rssreadon\" rel=\"external\" title=\"Maine student hostage-taker sentenced to 35 years   (AP)\" href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/education/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110314/ap_on_re_us/us_school_gunman\" target=\"_blank\">http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/education/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110314/ap_on_re_us/us_school_gunman</a></p>',-2,5,0,37,'2011-03-14 18:23:00',62,'','0000-00-00 00:00:00',0,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2011-03-14 18:23:00','2011-04-03 12:16:56','','','show_intro=0',1,0,0,'','',0,0,''),(571,'Economy stalling as quakes hit','economy-stalling-as-quakes-hit','','The economic recovery stalled in the second half of last year, with official figures due out this week expected to show the December quarter barely growing or tipping back into recession, economists say.','<div><div id=\"left_col\">\n\n\n \n\n \n<h2>\n\n</h2>\n<span class=\"storycredit\">\n\n        JAMES WEIR\n\n</span>\n\n<div id=\"toolbox\">\n    \n    \n    <div class=\"toolbox_date\">Last updated 05:00 21/03/2011</div>\n    \n    \n    \n\n</div>\n\n<div id=\"story_features_empty\">\n\n  <div id=\"adRELEVANTOFFER1\">\n  \n  \n\n</div>\n\n</div>\n\n\n\n    \n\n\n\n  <p>\n\n    The economic recovery stalled in the second half of last year, with official figures due out this week expected to show the December quarter barely growing or tipping back into recession, economists say.\n  </p>\n\n  <p>\n\n    The economy is expected to remain in limbo in the first half of 2011 because of the February 22 quake in Christchurch and the quake, tsunami and nuclear power plant crisis in Japan.\n  </p>\n\n  <p>\n\n    The economy contracted 0.2 per cent in the September quarter last year, so another fall in the December quarter would push New Zealand into a double-dip recession. But it may be by the smallest of margins, with a market median forecast of just 0.2 per cent growth.\n  </p>\n\n  <p>\n\n    Westpac Bank economists estimate growth of 0.4 per cent in the December quarter, with a boost from manufacturing, a rebound in food production after last year\'s drought and a jump in forestry offsetting a downturn in retail sales.\n  </p>\n\n  <p>\n\n    ASB Bank expected a contraction of just 0.1 per cent, though it said there was more uncertainty than usual, after an early 2010 recovery stalled.\n  </p>\n\n  <p>\n\n    There would be a lift in manufacturing, wholesale trade and building in the December quarter, ASB said, but that would be offset by weak demand in other sectors, especially retailing. ASB estimated retail sales fell 2.3 per cent in the December quarter.\n  </p>\n\n  <p>\n\n    The tiny contractions in both the September and December quarters meant a technical recession, but the economy was really moving sideways rather than backwards, ASB said.\n  </p>\n\n  <p>\n\n    However, the February 22 quake in Christchurch meant the economy was expected to fall back again in the March quarter 2011, ASB said, with retail, hospitality, business services and building all affected. Beyond that, economic recovery would be slow, with rebuilding in Canterbury likely to be delayed till 2012, ASB said. Spending was expected to remain subdued, especially with high petrol prices and rising food prices.\n  </p>\n\n  <p>\n\n    When the Reserve Bank cut official interest rates to 2.5 per cent on March 10, to shore up confidence in the wake of the Christchurch earthquake, it forecast no growth at all in the December quarter. The central bank slashed rates to emergency levels because of fears the latest quake could derail the recovery this year.\n  </p>\n\n  <p>\n\n    So even if the economy fell back into recession in the December quarter, it was unlikely to see the Reserve Bank cut rates even further, economists said. A rate rise is not expected till 2012.\n  </p>\n\n  <p>\n\n    ANZ Bank economists expected the economy to remain in \"limbo\" for the first half of 2011, till rebuilding in Christchurch picked up and a tourism boost from the Rugby World Cup later in the year.\n  </p>\n\n   \n\n<p>\n\n    Westpac expected growth of 0.4 per cent in the December 2010 quarter, not because of any underlying strength, but because of the easy gains expected in some sectors after a depressed September quarter last year.\n  </p>\n\n  <p>\n\n    Drought and the first quake in Christchurch affected the June and then September quarters last year, but were likely to wash out in the December period, Westpac said.\n  </p>\n\n  <p>\n\n    Manufacturing accounts for about 12 per cent of the economy and it was expected to be one of the biggest \"swing\" factors boosting growth in the December quarter.\n  </p>\n\n  <p>\n\n    Agriculture and food production also got a boost from better growing conditions after the autumn drought and September snow storms, with a strong rebound in meat and dairy exports in the December quarter.\n  </p>\n\n  <p>\n\n    Forestry export volumes raced up 11 per cent in the final three months of 2010, so were also likely to be a big plus for growth.\n  </p>\n\n    <p><strong> - The Dominion Post</strong></p>\n\n\n\n\n\n<div class=\"sponsored_links\" id=\"adsponsored_links_box\">\n    <div class=\"sponsored_links_inner\">\n        <h2>Sponsored links</h2>\n\n        <span id=\"adSPONSOREDLINK1\" class=\"hidden_ad\">\n\n</span>\n\n        <span id=\"adSPONSOREDLINK2\" class=\"hidden_ad\">\n\n</span>\n\n        <span id=\"adSPONSOREDLINK3\" class=\"hidden_ad\">\n\n</span>\n\n        <span id=\"adSPONSOREDLINK4\" class=\"hidden_ad\">\n\n</span>\n\n        <span id=\"adSPONSOREDLINK5\" class=\"hidden_ad\">\n\n</span>\n\n        <span id=\"adSPONSOREDLINK6\" class=\"hidden_ad\">\n\n</span>\n\n        <span id=\"adSPONSOREDLINK7\" class=\"hidden_ad\">\n\n</span>\n\n        <span id=\"adSPONSOREDLINK8\" class=\"hidden_ad\">\n\n</span>\n\n    </div>\n</div>\n\n\n\n\n\n  </div></div><p><strong>Read more:</strong> <a class=\"rssreadon\" rel=\"external\" title=\"Economy stalling as quakes hit\" href=\"http://www.stuff.co.nz/marlborough-express/business/4789771/Economy-stalling-as-quakes-hit\" target=\"_blank\">http://www.stuff.co.nz/marlborough-express/business/4789771/Economy-stalling-as-quakes-hit</a></p>',-2,5,0,38,'2011-03-20 12:03:00',62,'','0000-00-00 00:00:00',0,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2011-03-20 12:03:00','2011-04-03 12:16:59','','','show_intro=0',1,0,0,'','',0,0,''),(572,'Plan delays \'constrain\' economy','plan-delays-constrain-economy','','A leading oil industry figure says planning delays are putting constraints on the Aberdeen and north east economy.','<div><div class=\"story-body\">    	&#13;\n        		  <span class=\"story-date\">&#13;\n    <span class=\"date\">20 March 2011</span>&#13;\n<span class=\"time-text\">Last updated at </span><span class=\"time\">09:23 ET</span>  &#13;\n</span>&#13;\n&#13;\n	&#13;\n&#13;\n    &#13;\n     &#13;\n         &#13;\n &#13;\n        		&#13;\n		        &#13;\n        <div class=\"caption body-narrow-width\">&#13;\n  <img src=\"http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/51755000/jpg/_51755713_005674131-1.jpg\" width=\"304\" height=\"171\" alt=\"Aberdeen\" /><span>Mr Keillor said a quicker planning process could help the economy of Aberdeen to fare even better</span>&#13;\n  </div>&#13;\n	&#13;\n                      <p class=\"introduction\" id=\"story_continues_1\">A leading oil businessman has told the BBC planning delays are placing constraints on the Aberdeen economy.</p>&#13;\n        <p>Bob Keillor got clearance recently for the sale to Wood Group of PSN, the company he built up to a value of more than £600m.</p>&#13;\n        <p>He is staying with the Wood Group after the deal and is also chairman of Scotland\'s Entrepreneurial Exchange.</p>&#13;\n        <p>He told Business Scotland he was concerned objectors to any development had a \"disproportionate voice\".</p>&#13;\n        <p>He said there was significant interest at the moment in economic expansion in the north east of Scotland.</p>&#13;\n        <p>\"The oil price being relatively high means that people are willing to invest in the development of existing and new oil and gas resources,\" he said.</p>&#13;\n        <p>\"When people invest in these resources it leads to activity, activity in turn leads to jobs and many of these jobs are based and supported here from Aberdeen.</p>&#13;\n        <p>\"That\'s not just jobs here in the UK, of course, that\'s jobs internationally.\"</p>&#13;\n        <p>He said it meant there was a \"relative health\" in the economy not seen in other parts of the country.</p>&#13;\n        <p>\"Certainly the income, the economic benefit of oil and gas has a great benefit for the whole of the north east economy and beyond,\" he said.</p>&#13;\n  <span class=\"cross-head\">\'Continued frustration\'</span>&#13;\n	      <p>However, Mr Keillor said there were other steps which could be taken which would increase the growth of the economy.</p>&#13;\n        <p>\"I don\'t think it\'s quite booming yet but its confidence is improving, people are being more optimistic,\" he said.</p>&#13;\n        <p>\"There are still things that could happen that could lead to even greater confidence.\"</p>&#13;\n        <p>He said there was \"continued frustration\" in the business community about the fact that work had not started on a Western Peripheral Road around Aberdeen.</p>&#13;\n        <p>He also urged quicker action over a runway extension at Aberdeen airport and city centre improvements.</p>&#13;\n        <p>\"I think the process we have set up over the years, to my mind, gives a disproportionate voice to objectors to any developments,\" he said.</p>&#13;\n        <p>\"In a democracy everybody has the right to object or support a development.</p>&#13;\n        <p>\"But once a decision has been made I\'d love to see, as a businessman, a project plan being put in place, a budget being put in place and people just getting on with it.\"</p>&#13;\n        <p>He said that would help to attract even more people to live and work in Aberdeen.</p>&#13;\n             &#13;\n	&#13;\n	</div></div><p><strong>Read more:</strong> <a class=\"rssreadon\" rel=\"external\" title=\"Plan delays \'constrain\' economy\" href=\"http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/uk-scotland-north-east-orkney-shetland-12799315\" target=\"_blank\">http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/uk-scotland-north-east-orkney-shetland-12799315</a></p>',-2,5,0,38,'2011-03-20 09:29:00',62,'','0000-00-00 00:00:00',0,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2011-03-20 09:29:00','2011-04-03 12:17:00','','','show_intro=0',1,0,0,'','',0,0,''),(573,'FedEx delivers good news for economy','fedex-delivers-good-news-for-economy','','Is the economy of the United States in better shape than many people think?','<div><div class=\"storytext\">    <img src=\"http://i2.cdn.turner.com/money/2011/03/17/news/economy/thebuzz/chart_ws_stock_dowjonestransportationaverage.top.png\" alt=\"chart_ws_stock_dowjonestransportationaverage.top.png\" width=\"475\" height=\"280\" class=\"cnnstoryImageFull\" style=\"border: 0px;\" /><span id=\"fb-recommend\">\n<span class=\"storybyline\">By <a href=\"mailto:paul.lamonica@turner.com\">Paul R. La Monica</a>, assistant managing editor</span><span class=\"storytimestamp\">March 17, 2011: 3:03 PM ET</span><br style=\"clear: both;\" />NEW YORK (CNNMoney) -- Is the economy of the United States in better shape than many people think?If you look at the latest earnings forecast from FedEx, the answer would appear to be yes.</span></div><div class=\"IErow\">    <img src=\"http://i2.cdn.turner.com/money/2011/03/17/news/economy/thebuzz/paul_lamonica_morning_buzz2.jpg\" alt=\"paul_lamonica_morning_buzz2.jpg\" width=\"220\" height=\"165\" style=\"border: 0px;\" /></div></div><p>It\'s tough to find a company that is more economically sensitive than FedEx. To use a well-known George Carlin-ism, FedEx doesn\'t do well if people aren\'t buying or making \"stuff.\" That\'s because FedEx ships all that \"stuff.\"</p><p>FedEx reported results for the quarter that ended in February on Thursday morning. And while earnings were down about 3% from a year ago, sales were up 11%. CEO Frederick Smith said in a statement that the gains were driven by \"continued growth in the global economy.\"</p><p>Now a cynic might argue that FedEx won\'t be able to keep growing this quarter. After all, the turmoil in the Middle East and Northern Africa doesn\'t appear to be getting better. And on top of that, there\'s the nuclear crisis in Japan following last week\'s devastating earthquake and tsunami.</p><p>But FedEx did explicitly state in its outlook for the current quarter, which ends in May, that \"earnings could be affected by the impact of the ongoing political turmoil in the Middle East and North Africa on fuel prices and the economy.\"</p><p>FedEx added that the impact of Japan on costs, shipping patterns and the global economy is \"uncertain.\" The U-word is one of Wall Street\'s least favorite. So you\'d think that FedEx would slash its guidance and its stock would tank, right? </p><p>Nope. Despite the abundance of caution in its report, FedEx said it expects a profit this quarter of between $1.66 and $1.83 a share. Analysts had been expecting a profit of $1.68. So the $1.75 or so midpoint of FedEx\'s outlook is a pleasant surprise.</p><p>FedEx (<a href=\"http://money.cnn.com/quote/quote.html?symb=FDX&amp;source=story_quote_link\">FDX</a>, <a href=\"http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/fortune500/2010/snapshots/2067.html?source=story_f500_link\">Fortune 500</a>) shares rose more than 5% on the news. Rival UPS (<a href=\"http://money.cnn.com/quote/quote.html?symb=UPS&amp;source=story_quote_link\">UPS</a>, <a href=\"http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/fortune500/2010/snapshots/2071.html?source=story_f500_link\">Fortune 500</a>) was up 3%, and the Dow Jones Transportation Average (<a href=\"http://money.cnn.com/quote/quote.html?symb=DJT&amp;source=story_quote_link\">DJT</a>), of which both companies are members, gained 2%.</p><p>Doug Cote, chief market strategist with ING Investment Management in New York, said FedEx\'s forecast is an example of why investors should not underestimate the U.S. consumer and economic recovery.</p><p>\"The major story of 2011 will continue to be the resilience of the U.S. economy and markets,\" he said. \"The events in Japan have simply separated the bulls from the wobbly bulls. Earnings remain strong.\" </p><p>That makes sense. As long as FedEx isn\'t setting the bar too high and ignoring the possible impact of higher oil prices and an ever worsening situation in Japan, good earnings news for FedEx is good news for the economy. </p><p>\"FedEx\'s results do reflect an ongoing global rebound. The crisis in Japan and events in Libya and the Middle East are something to be wary of but they are not a curtain call for the global economic recovery,\"  said Sean Snaith, director of the Institute for Economic Competitiveness at the University of Central Florida in Orlando. </p><p>Snaith, who is also a participant in <a href=\"/news/economy/storysupplement/economist_survey/\">CNNMoney\'s exclusive economist survey</a>, said that he was not surprised by FedEx\'s upbeat outlook. He said that, so far, it does not appear as if U.S. consumer demand is waning due to the events taking place around the world. </p><p>He thinks the biggest risk for companies is that commodity prices continue to spike higher. That could hurt profits. </p><p>However, Snaith said he thinks businesses are in better position to withstand a sudden rise in expenses as opposed to a sharp drop in demand because many companies got really lean and mean during the recession.</p><p>\"Firms have gotten efficient and raised productivity. So they are in a good place to handle rising cost of commodities. This is not a demand issue yet,\" he said. </p><p>FedEx\'s bullish outlook looks even better when you factor in the recent rebound in copper.</p><p>I wrote a column last week about how the <a href=\"/2011/03/10/markets/thebuzz/index.htm\">price of copper</a> and the performance in transportation stocks usually tracked each other. Copper is used in a large variety of \"stuff.\" So copper, like the transport stocks, is also viewed as an important economic bellwether. </p><p>Some have been worried that up until recently, copper prices had been falling even as transportation stocks held up relatively well. But this week, even with the horrific news out of Japan, copper prices have risen nearly 4%.</p><p>Paul Dietrich, CEO of Foxhall Capital Management, an investment firm in Orange, Conn., said that he expects the copper comeback to continue. As long as emerging markets continue to grow and build up infrastructure, it\'s almost impossible for copper to not keep rising.</p><p>\"You don\'t have to be a brain surgeon to understand that demand from China, India and Brazil should keep copper prices up,\" he said. </p><p>Cote added that\'s a good sign for all big U.S. companies and the U.S. economy at large.</p><p>\"People are missing the extraordinary impact of developing markets on U.S. businesses. What FedEx showed is that there is still continued growth in the global economy,\" he said. \"Emerging markets are not emerging anymore. They\'ve already emerged.\"</p><p><b>Reader comment of the week and March Stock Mania update!</b> I am out tomorrow. The Buzz will be back on Monday. So here\'s an early shout-out to my favorite Twitter feedback.</p><p>I tweeted <a href=\"http://twitter.com/LaMonicaBuzz\" target=\"new\">earlier this week</a> about how HP (<a href=\"http://money.cnn.com/quote/quote.html?symb=HPQ&amp;source=story_quote_link\">HPQ</a>, <a href=\"http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/fortune500/2010/snapshots/206.html?source=story_f500_link\">Fortune 500</a>) shares were falling even though new CEO Leo Apotheker was making the media rounds to talk up the company\'s dividend increase and new strategy. </p><p>Apotheker was not perceived to be the best choice to replace Mark Hurd, who many credit for getting HP back on track after the Compaq deal hit some speed bumps and cost Carly Fiorina her job. </p><p>But one Twitter follower thinks that Hurd, who left HP amidst a scandal and subsequently joined Oracle (<a href=\"http://money.cnn.com/quote/quote.html?symb=ORCL&amp;source=story_quote_link\">ORCL</a>, <a href=\"http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/fortune500/2010/snapshots/3057.html?source=story_f500_link\">Fortune 500</a>), actually left Apotheker in a tough position because of the acquisition spree he engineered. </p><p>\"I\'m not sure anyone can fix the mess Hurd cobbled together,\" wrote <a href=\"http://twitter.com/Contrahour\" target=\"new\">@Contrahour</a>. Interesting. Fiorina got slammed for Compaq. But under Hurd\'s watch, HP shelled out nearly $25 billion for Mercury Interactive, Opsware, EDS, 3Com and Palm. </p><p>Finally, we\'re almost down to the finals in <a href=\"/markets/march_stock_mania/2011/poll/\">CNNMoney\'s March Stock Mania</a> bracket. It looks like Ford will take on Apple based on the current votes. Come back Friday to vote in the final and again on Monday to see who will take the crown as your favorite stock!</p><p><i>-- The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of Paul R. La Monica. Other than Time Warner, the parent of CNNMoney, and Abbott Laboratories, La Monica does not own positions in any individual stocks.</i>  <a href=\"#TOP\"><img src=\"http://i.cdn.turner.com/money/images/bug.gif\" alt=\"To top of page\" width=\"7\" height=\"7\" style=\"border: 0px;\" /></a></p><div id=\"quigo628\"><div id=\"ad-434888\" style=\"margin: auto;\"></div>&#13;\n</div><p><strong>Read more:</strong> <a class=\"rssreadon\" rel=\"external\" title=\"FedEx delivers good news for economy\" href=\"http://money.cnn.com/rssclick/2011/03/17/news/economy/thebuzz/index.htm?section=money_latest\" target=\"_blank\">http://money.cnn.com/rssclick/2011/03/17/news/economy/thebuzz/index.htm?section=money_latest</a></p>',-2,5,0,38,'2011-03-17 15:03:00',62,'','0000-00-00 00:00:00',0,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2011-03-17 15:03:00','2011-04-03 12:17:01','','','show_intro=0',1,0,0,'','',0,0,''),(574,'Economy Causing Later Retirement for Americans?','economy-causing-later-retirement-for-americans','','Economy Causing Later Retirement for Americans? Lynchburg, VA - A recent survey says American workers are less comfortable about retirement than they have been in decades.','<div><div id=\"WNStoryBody\" class=\"\"><p><span>Reporter: Sarah Bloom</span></p>&#13;\n<p>Lynchburg, VA - A recent survey says American workers are less comfortable about retirement than they have been in decades.</p>&#13;\n<p>The survey found that more than a quarter of workers say they are \"not at all confident\" about retirement.</p>&#13;\n<p>Many admit to dipping into their savings to pay expenses in this challenging economy. Many seniors say it\'s a reality that has them working longer.</p>&#13;\n<p>When it comes to planning for retirement, Bruce Harman knows he can\'t afford to screw around.</p>&#13;\n<p> \"Right now with gas prices going up, food prices going up, with the economy being so-so, I don\'t think it pays to jump off and going to a fixed income thinking that you\'ll make it,\" said  Harman, who is considering delaying retirement.</p>&#13;\n<p>He says he knows continuing to work, while he\'s able, will be key to financial security.</p>&#13;\n<p>\"That way I\'m not locked into a certain income. If I work more hours, I make more pay,\" said Harman.</p>&#13;\n<p>Experts say that attitude is a growing trend among seniors.</p>&#13;\n<p>\"The interest rates are down, their investments are low at this point. Uh, the uncertainty in the economy is forcing seniors to wait longer to retire,\" said Brenda Lipscomb, with the Central Virginia Area Agency on Aging.</p>&#13;\n<p>William Matthews did retire early, but counts on part-time work to build his income.</p>&#13;\n<p>\"It helps a lot, because you know social security don\'t pay all that much,\" said William Matthews, who works part time. He says the extra income, helps with basic needs: \"You know, it helps pay the bills, like your light bill and everything.\"</p>&#13;\n<p>\"Until the economy gets on an upswing I think people are just going to stay where they are for as long as they can,\" said Lipscomb.</p>&#13;\n<p>If you are ready to retire, the <strong><a title=\"AARP Retirement Confidence Report\" href=\"http://www.aarp.org/work/retirement-planning/info-03-2011/retirement-confidence-sinks-to-record-low.html\" target=\"_blank\">AARP</a></strong> does have some tips for preparing for a smart financial retirement.</p>&#13;\n<p>Read the survey results <strong><a href=\"http://www.ebri.org/pdf/surveys/rcs/2011/PR914_15Mar11_RCS.pdf\" target=\"_blank\">here</a>. </strong></p></div></div><p><strong>Read more:</strong> <a class=\"rssreadon\" rel=\"external\" title=\"Economy Causing Later Retirement for Americans?\" href=\"http://www.wset.com/Global/story.asp?S=14280154\" target=\"_blank\">http://www.wset.com/Global/story.asp?S=14280154</a></p>',-2,5,0,38,'2011-03-18 18:59:00',62,'','0000-00-00 00:00:00',0,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2011-03-18 18:59:00','2011-04-03 12:17:01','','','show_intro=0',1,0,0,'','',0,0,''),(575,'Midwest, Plains bankers: Rural economy will grow','midwest-plains-bankers-rural-economy-will-grow','','The economy in rural areas of 10 Midwest and Plains states will continue growing in the next few months, according to a new monthly survey of bankers released Thursday.','<div><div id=\"y-article-bd\">&#13;\n                        &#13;\n                        &#13;\n                        	&#13;\n											<div>&#13;\n													&#13;\n													                               \n\n&#13;\n													                               \n\n&#13;\n											</div>&#13;\n                        <div class=\"mod provider-attribution\">\n    	<span class=\"datetime\">On Thursday March 17, 2011, 7:14 pm EDT</span>\n	</div>&#13;\n                        <p>OMAHA, Neb. (AP) -- The economy in rural areas of 10 Midwest and Plains states will continue growing in the next few months, according to a new monthly survey of bankers released Thursday.</p><p>The overall Rural Mainstreet economic index increased to an optimistic 56.7 in March from February\'s 55.3. Anytime the index, which ranges from 0 to 100, is over 50, it suggests the economy will expand over the next six months.</p><p>Creighton University economics professor Ernie Goss, who oversees the survey, said growth in the overall economy is helping the region, and farming remains strong.</p><p>Bankers in rural parts of Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wyoming are surveyed.</p><p>Goss said the farm equipment sales index jumped to 75.9 in March from February\'s already-high 63.5. And the farmland price index registered at 75 in March, down slightly from February\'s 75.9.</p><p>\"Farm implement producers and dealers are experiencing a banner year as farmers spend their higher income,\" Goss said.</p><p>But Cameron Mathis, of the Tilden Bank in Creighton, Neb., is concerned that this year\'s escalating fuel prices will cut into farm income.</p><p>For the fourth month in a row, the region\'s jobs index remained in positive territory in March at 56.2, so companies are hiring. That\'s up from February\'s 52.5.</p><p>\"Rural areas are clearly outpacing the urban areas in terms of job growth,\" Goss said. But the region still has about 206,000 fewer jobs than it did before the Great Recession.</p><p>The bankers appear quite confident about the economy. The confidence index declined slightly to 65.2 in March from February\'s 70.9.</p><p>The March home sales index increased to 52.3 from 44 in February.</p><p>The loan volume index grew to 47.1 in March from February\'s 39. The checking deposit index increased to 68.7 in March from February\'s 67.8.</p><p>And the index for savings instruments declined to 45.5 in March from February\'s 50.8.</p><p>Online:</p><p>Creighton University economic surveys: <a href=\"http://us.lrd.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0wNcxt.KIZN20oB2Ufeba9_;_ylu=X3oDMTE2NWtkYXVlBHBvcwMxBHNlYwNuZXdzYXJ0Ym9keQRzbGsDaHR0cHd3dzJjcmVp/SIG=11nv8k794/**http%3A//www2.creighton.edu/business/economicoutlook\">http://www2.creighton.edu/business/economicoutlook</a></p>\n\n\n \n&#13;\n                        		\n&#13;\n                        &#13;\n                        &#13;\n                        \n\n&#13;\n                    </div></div><p><strong>Read more:</strong> <a class=\"rssreadon\" rel=\"external\" title=\"Midwest, Plains bankers: Rural economy will grow\" href=\"http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/110317/ne_bankers_survey.html?.v=1\" target=\"_blank\">http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/110317/ne_bankers_survey.html?.v=1</a></p>',-2,5,0,38,'2011-03-17 19:14:00',62,'','0000-00-00 00:00:00',0,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2011-03-17 19:14:00','2011-04-03 12:17:02','','','show_intro=0',1,0,0,'','',0,0,''),(576,'Japan crisis spells jitters for global economy','japan-crisis-spells-jitters-for-global-economy','','Experts are cautiously optimistic that the still-brittle global economy can absorb the shock of Japan\'s triple disaster, but major risks still loom as the crisis unfolds.','<div><div class=\"yn-story-content\">\n                <p>WASHINGTON (AFP) – Experts are cautiously optimistic that the still-brittle global economy can absorb the shock of Japan\'s triple disaster, but major risks still loom as the crisis unfolds.</p>\n                <p>\nAs Japan has been ravaged by an earthquake, tsunami and nuclear emergency, economists have appeared confident the world\'s third largest economy will bounce back and that damage to the global economy will be limited.</p>\n                <p>\nMany, like Nariman Behravesh, an economist at US-based IHS, predicts a \"large, but -- probably -- temporary impact on the Japanese economy,\" and a \"small impact on the rest of the world.\"</p>\n                <p>\nUsing previous catastrophes like the 1995 Kobe earthquake as a reference, they expect quake-struck businesses to eventually reopen.</p>\n                <p>\nMeanwhile tens of billions of dollars will be spent rebuilding homes, factories and infrastructure, sparking a recovery boom.</p>\n                <p>\nThat process, they hope, will be replicated in Japan\'s links with the world.</p>\n                <p>\n\n\"Japan\'s most important trading partners -- Australia, China -- will see both the most important near-term drag, and the largest medium-term benefit,\" said Societe Generale\'s Michala Marcussen.</p>\n                <p>\nThe prospect of quick economic recovery will be little consolation for the millions whose lives have been turned upside down by the disaster, but will offer some solace for those across the globe who are already worried by high unemployment and rising prices.</p>\n                <p>\nBut as the crisis rumbles on, there are increasing warnings about how spillovers could be felt by consumers and economies across the globe, even without a catastrophic nuclear meltdown.</p>\n                <p>\nThe most immediate problems are being felt in the manufacturing sector.</p>\n                <p>\nJapan has long ceased to be the world\'s factory -- surpassed by China, Indonesia and a host of other emerging countries -- but it is still a crucial part of the global supply chain for everything from cars and computer parts.</p>\n                <p>\nWith 11 nuclear plants shuttered and blackouts predicted until the end of April, a slowdown in Japanese production could quickly turn into a manufacturing bottleneck.</p>\n                <p>\n\"People will be surprised by how fast prices will rise,\" Jesse Toprak, an auto analyst with TrueCar.com told AFP.</p>\n                <p>\nToprak predicted that shuttered production could push up the cost of Japanese cars by around $1,000 dollars for some US-sold models by next week, as dealers cut discounts in the face dwindling supply.</p>\n                <p>\n\n\"A lot of this inventory won\'t last more than a few weeks, if that,\" Toprak said, citing already high demand for fuel-efficient Japanese vehicles like the Toyota Prius.</p>\n                <p>\nMeanwhile production on non-Japanese cars could be slowed by a parts shortage.</p>\n                <p>\n\"Most vehicles that are made the United States have at least one component if not more that comes from Japan,\" he said.</p>\n                <p>\nRising oil prices are seen as another conduit for the crisis spreading.\n</p><p>\n\nAlthough crude costs have fluctuated in recent days as traders weighted lower short-term demand in Japan, a protracted nuclear crisis could raise demand for oil.\n</p><p>\n\nOn Wednesday oil prices rose by 80 cents a barrel in New York and $2.10 in London, although tension in the Middle East and North Africa also played a role.\n</p><p>\n\n\"An oil price shock would lower (global) growth substantially, but probably not cause an outright recession,\" said analysts at Swiss Re.\n</p><p>\n\nPolicymakers, still chastened by the recent economic downturn, are also focused on preventing fallout in the financial markets -- a now familiar conduit for crises.\n</p><p>\n\nJapan\'s central bank has pumped $62 billion into the economy, while the Federal Reserve continued to unfurl a $600 billion in stimulus spending despite a rosier economic outlook at home.\n</p><p>\n\n\nWhen the yen hit a post-war high against the dollar on Wednesday, speculation raged that central banks could intervene to stop a crippling rise in the price of Japan\'s exports.\n</p><p>\n\nStill, the major stock markets -- a quick and quantifiable, if frequently imperfect, barometer of the crisis -- have fallen sharply in the last few days.\n</p><p>\n\nAmong other concerns, traders worry that Japanese investors could repatriate cash to Japan, destabilizing markets from Brazil and the United States.\n</p><p>\n\nJapanese investors have poured cash into Latin America\'s largest markets, with retail investors estimated to hold around $35 billion in assets in Brazil alone.\n</p><p>\n\nUS bond holders meanwhile have fretted that Japan -- the second largest holder of US debt -- might trim back its $886 billion holdings to pay for rebuilding costs.\n</p><p>\n\nAny decision to sell US bonds could force the price of borrowing up for the already cash-strapped United States, bring the country a step closer to a fully blown fiscal crisis.\n</p><p>\n\nFor now few economists are making bold predictions about how events will develop without significant caveats.\n</p><p>\n\n\"It is still too early to tell what the full impact of the March 11 earthquake, tsunami and growing nuclear crisis on Japan\'s infrastructure, industrial base and economic growth will be -- let alone the broader global impacts,\" said Behravesh of IHS.</p>\n            </div></div><p><strong>Read more:</strong> <a class=\"rssreadon\" rel=\"external\" title=\"Japan crisis spells jitters for global economy\" href=\"http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20110317/wl_asia_afp/japanquakeworldeconomy_20110317022630\" target=\"_blank\">http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20110317/wl_asia_afp/japanquakeworldeconomy_20110317022630</a></p>',-2,5,0,38,'2011-03-16 22:22:00',62,'','0000-00-00 00:00:00',0,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2011-03-16 22:22:00','2011-04-03 12:17:03','','','show_intro=0',1,0,0,'','',0,0,''),(577,'Economy likely to improve this year, but not quickly','economy-likely-to-improve-this-year-but-not-quickly','','The Charlotte region ended 2010 in a state of transition, stuck in an economic recovery that didn\'t feel like one, and in many ways, this year will deliver more of the same, economists say.','<div><div>Sorry, readability was unable to parse this page for content.</div></div><p><strong>Read more:</strong> <a class=\"rssreadon\" rel=\"external\" title=\"Economy likely to improve this year, but not quickly\" href=\"http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2011/03/20/2152712/economy-likely-to-improve-this.html\" target=\"_blank\">http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2011/03/20/2152712/economy-likely-to-improve-this.html</a></p>',-2,5,0,38,'2011-03-20 00:05:00',62,'','0000-00-00 00:00:00',0,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2011-03-20 00:05:00','2011-04-03 12:17:03','','','show_intro=0',1,0,0,'','',0,0,''),(578,'China\'s Economy at an Inflection Point','chinas-economy-at-an-inflection-point','','The world\'s second-largest economy is now at a strategic inflection point. China\'s National People\'s Congress, the country\'s legislature, on Mar. 14 approved the latest five-year plan.','<div><div id=\"storyBody\">\n\n\n\n<h2>\n\nUnder its new five-year plan, China\'s economy will shift away from reliance on export growth, write columnists Anil Gupta and Haiyan Wang\n\n</h2>\n<p class=\"byline\">By\n<a href=\"../../../bios/Anil_Gupta_and_Haiyan_Wang.htm\">Anil Gupta and Haiyan Wang</a>\n</p>\n<div id=\"inset\">\n<div id=\"insetContent\">\n\n&#13;\n		&#13;\n&#13;\n&#13;\n&#13;\n&#13;\n	\n</div>\n</div>\n\n\n<p>\n</p><p>The world\'s second-largest economy is now at a strategic inflection point. China\'s National People\'s Congress, the country\'s legislature, on Mar. 14 approved the latest five-year plan. That will just add more momentum to the ongoing structural changes in China\'s economy, which will almost certainly grow at a slower pace in the next five years than it has during the past five. In his recent statements, Premier Wen Jiabao signaled the expected slowdown by noting that the official target for annual GDP growth during the next five years will be 7 percent, down from the target of 7.5 percent in the previous five-year plan. Our analysis suggests that, unlike earlier five-year periods, when the actual growth rate far exceeded official targets, the coming five years are likely to see a much closer alignment between the two.</p> <p>There are several reasons for this. No. 1, there will be a sharp slowdown in the rate of growth in exports from China. With an average annual growth rate of about 20 percent over the past 10 years, China\'s share of world exports increased from 3.5 percent in 2000 to more than 9 percent in 2010, making it the largest exporter in the world. Continued growth at this rate would increase China\'s share to 25 percent by 2020, a political impossibility. A sharp slowdown in export growth rate is therefore inevitable.</p> <p>Furthermore, over the past 10 years China dramatically boosted its investment in infrastructure and real estate as well as feeder industries such as steel and cement. While we expect China to continue building out its infrastructure as well as providing housing to more of its citizens, the growth rate in these investments will be sharply lower during the coming decade than over the past one. Demographic trends will also take their toll. The proportion of China\'s population that is of working age (i.e., between 15 and 64 years) has been growing since 1980 and reached a peak in 2010. This proportion is now declining and will continue to act as a drag on GDP growth.</p> <h3>Stronger Social Safety Net</h3><p>A second major change is also underway. As part of a serious drive to reduce growing economic inequities in the society, China is strengthening the social safety net for its citizens. This change is being implemented through several measures. The government has set up a rural pension scheme that provides a basic monthly pension of 60 yuan to 300 yuan to every enrollee. In addition, reforms are under way in the urban pension system—such as portability of pensions across provinces. The government has also launched a comprehensive reform of the health-care system to ensure that the entire population will be able to receive reliable and affordable health care by 2020. Importantly too, during 2010, a large number of provinces have increased the mandatory minimum wage 20 percent or more; along with the enactment and enforcement of a new labor law, workers now have much greater protection from abuses by employers. The new five-year plan is also likely to raise the threshold for taxes on personal income. The combined effect of all of these reforms will be to reduce the imperative to save and to boost consumption by the vast low- and middle-income segments of China\'s population.</p> <p>Third, China is emerging as one of the world\'s leaders in its commitment to become more energy efficient and reduce the carbon intensity of its economy. The new five-year plan proposes to cap the country\'s energy use at 4 billion tons of coal equivalent a year by 2015 (up from 3.25 billion in 2010). This target will result in a very aggressive push in such areas as electric cars and green buildings. The new plan also proposes that nonfossil fuels will account for 11 percent of primary energy consumption by 2015 and 15 percent by 2020 (up from 8 percent last year). Even though China already has the world\'s largest installed capacity for wind power, massive investments can be expected to boost energy capacity in all nonfossil areas, including wind power, solar power, hydropower, biomass, and geothermal power.\n</p>\n\n</div></div><p><strong>Read more:</strong> <a class=\"rssreadon\" rel=\"external\" title=\"China\'s Economy at an Inflection Point\" href=\"http://www.businessweek.com/globalbiz/content/mar2011/gb20110317_990327.htm?campaign_id=rss_topStories\" target=\"_blank\">http://www.businessweek.com/globalbiz/content/mar2011/gb20110317_990327.htm?campaign_id=rss_topStories</a></p>',-2,5,0,38,'2011-03-17 11:51:00',62,'','0000-00-00 00:00:00',0,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2011-03-17 11:51:00','2011-04-03 12:17:03','','','show_intro=0',1,0,0,'','',0,0,''),(579,'Global economy faced with a new recession','global-economy-faced-with-a-new-recession','','Just when the world looked as if it was on the path to recovery, a handful of crises may set the stage for another financial meltdown','<div><div class=\"articlecopy s6of12 fl\">\n<p>Japan’s struggle to avert a nuclear disaster and prepare for a reconstruction of epic proportions is one more risk for a global economy already grappling with mounting risks.</p><p>The threats to the fragile recovery were already rising before the devastating earthquake and tsunami brought the world’s third-largest industrial economy to its knees.</p><span class=\"hdivider\">\nMore related to this story<a href=\"http://www.theglobeandmail.com/authors/mark-mackinnon/\" name=\"&amp;lpos=Inline Article Related Links&amp;lid=top - 1\">Live from Japan: Mark MacKinnon</a>\n<a href=\"http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/asia-pacific/japan-detects-small-amount-of-radiation-in-food-water-near-nuclear-plants/article1948435/\" name=\"&amp;lpos=Inline Article Related Links&amp;lid=top - 2\">Japan detects small amount of radiation in food, water near nuclear plants</a>\n<a href=\"http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/economy/currencies/g7-takes-on-the-yen-speculators/article1947341/\" name=\"&amp;lpos=Inline Article Related Links&amp;lid=top - 3\">G7 takes on the yen speculators </a>\n<span class=\"hdivider revhdivider\">\n\nAnd they span the globe – from conflict and oil disruptions in the Middle East and rising inflation in China and other high-growth emerging economies to continuing debt woes in Europe and persistent weakness in U.S. housing and employment, whose recovery is essential to any sustained U.S. rebound.Adding to the wall of worry, governments have pulled the plug on massive stimulus programs, which played a crucial role in turning around economic fortunes in the wake of the 2008 financial meltdown and ensuing recession.In their place have come a wave of austerity measures and tighter monetary policies, forced by financial circumstance, political pressure or, in the case of China and India, fears of runaway inflation.Put it all together and “there is no logical reason” why the global economy will not slow markedly this year, warns Robert Kessler, head of Kessler Investment Advisors in Denver, who advises large corporations and institutions around the world on U.S. Treasury bond investments.The green shoots of recovery that sparked optimistic forecasts last summer have been buried by a dark winter of growing geopolitical and economic discontent.“Some time in the next few months, we will be seeing brown shoots again,” Mr. Kessler says. “You have a world that is going through a tremendous amount of turmoil.”Unrest in Libya and the Middle East has sent oil prices soaring, triggering concerns about high costs hurting a host of industrial sectors. “Persistent high oil prices around $100 a barrel will weaken the global economic recovery,” hitting the auto industry, agriculture, airlines and travel in particular, said a report Friday by Moody’s Investors Service.Since exiting the recession, the global economy has relied in no small part on China’s roaring growth, but worries about continued rapid expansion are increasing. The country is taking steps such as raising interest rates and cooling lending to tackle inflation and slow the economy, setting a long-term growth target of 7 per cent. That’s still strong, but a far cry from the 11 per cent range seen in recent years.In the U.S., recent signs point to an economy on a firmer footing. But a recent dismal showing for U.S. housing starts this week showed how serious trouble spots remain that could send the rebound off course.“It is hard to believe, looking at the housing data and understanding the sector’s importance in driving growth for the entire economy … that we can end up having much of a recovery during periods where there is scant government stimulus,” David Rosenberg, bearish chief economist and strategist with Gluskin Sheff + Associates Inc., says in his latest note to clients.“A sharp slowing in global GDP in the second half of the year cannot be ruled out.”The long-troubled Japanese economy accounts for about 6 per cent of global GDP. The economy shrank in the fourth quarter, and analysts now calculate that the crisis will translate into at least two more quarters of contraction, after which massive spending on reconstruction should kick in.Whether Japan’s disaster becomes the straw that breaks the struggling camel’s back depends on Tokyo’s ability to contain the nuclear crisis. One worst-case analysis pegs potential economic losses from the nuclear fallout at ¥7.4-trillion ($92.1-billion), just under half the conservative estimates of the damage caused by the earthquake and tsunami. Estimated reconstruction costs run anywhere from ¥10-trillion to ¥20-trillion – about 4.2 per cent of the economy.\n</span></span></div></div><p><strong>Read more:</strong> <a class=\"rssreadon\" rel=\"external\" title=\"Global economy faced with a new recession\" href=\"http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/economy/global-economy-faced-with-a-new-recession/article1948173/?utm_medium=Feeds:%20RSS/Atom&amp;utm_source=Home&amp;utm_content=1948173\" target=\"_blank\">http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/economy/global-economy-faced-with-a-new-recession/article1948173/?utm_medium=Feeds:%20RSS/Atom&amp;utm_source=Home&amp;utm_content=1948173</a></p>',-2,5,0,38,'2011-03-18 19:40:00',62,'','0000-00-00 00:00:00',0,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2011-03-18 19:40:00','2011-04-03 12:17:04','','','show_intro=0',1,0,0,'','',0,0,''),(580,'Japan ’s impact on the economy','japan-s-impact-on-the-economy','','QHow will the devastation in Japan impact the global economy, the markets, and my financial future?A. This is a question I’ve received many times in the past few days. While acknowledging that it’s more than a bit cynical to even ask the question in the midst of all the horror and suffering in Japan , we must also acknowledge that the global markets are responding to that question every day.The ...','<div><div class=\"story-box\">&#13;\n          <div class=\"story-details\">&#13;\n                <h3>&#13;\n                                Japan’s impact on the economy&#13;\n                                &#13;\n            </h3>&#13;\n            &#13;\n                <p class=\"by-line\">&#13;\n                        &#13;\n                        Terry Savage\n savage@suntimes.com&#13;\n                    &#13;\n                        &#13;\n						&#13;\n&#13;\n&#13;\n&lt;![CDATA[\r\n.hideTime {\r\n  display:none;\r\n  }\r\n]]&gt;<span class=\"date-time\">Mar 18, 2011 <span class=\"jqueryTime\">11:52AM</span></span>&#13;\n&#13;\n&#13;\n&#13;\n&#13;\n&#13;\n                </p>&#13;\n            &#13;\n&#13;\n          </div> &#13;\n		  	 &#13;\n				<ul class=\"share\"><li><a class=\"addthis_button_tweet\"></a></li>\n					 <li><a class=\"addthis_button_facebook_like\"></a></li>\n					 <li><a class=\"addthis_counter addthis_pill_style\"></a></li>\n					 <li><a href=\"/csp/cms/sites/STM/templates/forms/emailtofriend.csp\" target=\"_self\" class=\"e-mail\">E-Mail</a></li>\n                     <li><a href=\"?print=true\" class=\"print\" title=\"Print This Story\">Print</a></li>\n        		</ul><div class=\"article-image-container\">&#13;\n                              &#13;\n                              &#13;\n								  <img id=\"imgWidth\" alt=\"Story Image\" src=\"/csp/cms/sites/dt.common.streams.StreamServer.cls?STREAMOID=mCpRyQNxMODE38x8RT9U6c$daE2N3K4ZzOUsqbU5sYt0UegfYwi1TdJV61usYwBpWCsjLu883Ygn4B49Lvm9bPe2QeMKQdVeZmXF$9l$4uCZ8QDXhaHEp3rvzXRJFdy0KqPHLoMevcTLo3h8xh70Y6N_U_CryOsw6FTOdKL_jpQ-&amp;CONTENTTYPE=image/jpeg\" /><p class=\"image-description\">People queue outside a supermarket in downtown Sendai, Japan, Thursday, March 17, 2011. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)</p>&#13;\n									   &#13;\n								</div>&#13;\n								<div id=\"internal-side-bar\">&#13;\n&#13;\n                          &#13;\n				&#13;\n				  &#13;\n				  &#13;\n				&#13;\n				  &#13;\n				  	<div class=\"section-container\">&#13;\n						<div class=\"factbox\">&#13;\n						<p class=\"breakout.head\">How you can pick Terry’s brain</p>\n<p class=\"head.bold\"> In this column, I’ll respond to your most frequently asked questions regularly. Of course, you always can submit individual questions on my Sun-Times blog, reached on the home page at www.TerrySavage.com.</p>	&#13;\n						</div>				&#13;\n					 </div>&#13;\n				  &#13;\n							&#13;\n				&#13;\n				&#13;\n			  						  &#13;\n               &#13;\n                &#13;\n               &#13;\n                &#13;\n               &#13;\n                &#13;\n               &#13;\n                &#13;\n               &#13;\n                &#13;\n               &#13;\n                &#13;\n               &#13;\n                &#13;\n               &#13;\n                &#13;\n               &#13;\n                &#13;\n               &#13;\n                &#13;\n               &#13;\n                &#13;\n               &#13;\n                &#13;\n               &#13;\n                &#13;\n               &#13;\n                &#13;\n               &#13;\n                &#13;\n               &#13;\n                &#13;\n               &#13;\n                					&#13;\n                &#13;\n                    								 &#13;\n                &#13;\n               &#13;\n                &#13;\n               &#13;\n                &#13;\n               &#13;\n                &#13;\n               &#13;\n                &#13;\n               &#13;\n                &#13;\n               &#13;\n                &#13;\n              						 &#13;\n              				&#13;\n                &#13;\n              &#13;\n            &#13;\n              &#13;\n              &#13;\n           &#13;\n&#13;\n              &#13;\n&#13;\n			  &#13;\n			  &#13;\n              &#13;\n&#13;\n                    &#13;\n&#13;\n                    &#13;\n&#13;\n&#13;\n&#13;\n &#13;\n&#13;\n&#13;\n  &#13;\n&#13;\n&#13;\n&#13;\n&#13;\n              &#13;\n&#13;\n&#13;\n              &#13;\n     &#13;\n            &#13;\n						&#13;\n            &#13;\n            &#13;\n            &#13;\n            &#13;\n            &#13;\n            &#13;\n&#13;\n            &#13;\n                &#13;\n                 &#13;\n                                             &#13;\n            &#13;\n            &#13;\n&#13;\n              &#13;\n             &#13;\n            &#13;\n          </div>&#13;\n&#13;\n          &#13;\n          &#13;\n		  	&#13;\n&#13;\n          &#13;\n            <p class=\"body.dropcap\">QHow will the devastation in Japan impact the global economy, the markets, and my financial future? </p>\n<p class=\"body.textrr\">  </p>\n<p class=\"body.text\"> <span class=\"body.sans.bold\">A.</span> This is a question I’ve received many times in the past few days. While acknowledging that it’s more than a bit cynical to even ask the question in the midst of all the horror and suffering in Japan, we must also acknowledge that the global markets are responding to that question every day. </p>\n<p class=\"body.text\">The markets were poised to take the earthquake, and even the tsunami, in stride. But the potential meltdown of three nuclear reactors is something that engenders panic in even the most stalwart bulls. That’s the emotional component of the market that always pushes prices to extremes — especially in the absence of hard, quantifiable measurements of the extent of the disaster.</p>\n<p class=\"subhead\"> Economic, financial issues</p>\n<p class=\"body.text\">  Japan is the world’s third-largest economy — and the impact on global growth is the key ingredient in the markets’ downfall.  It’s wise to keep in mind, though, that eventually Japan will turn to rebuilding its economy, increasing global demand for raw materials, cement, and oil.</p>\n<p class=\"body.text\"> But in the near term, prices of those commodities are lower because the slowdown will reduce demand. Notably gold, which usually rises during fearful times, has fallen sharply — some say because the Japanese central bank may be selling its gold holdings to get yen that will be needed to finance the recovery. That is tempered by Wednesday’s report of a sharp rise in producer prices, especially for food and energy — a sign of incipient inflation.</p>\n<p class=\"body.text\">  Japan is also the second-largest holder of  U.S. debt securities. If it has to sell dollars to bring yen home for the rebuilding process, that could put some upward pressure on U.S. interest rates. That has been offset by scared money moving into the U.S. Treasury debt market, pushing rates down. However the yen has traded below 80 — a new high value for the decade against the dollar.</p>\n<p class=\"subhead\"> Global energy needs</p>\n<p class=\"body.text\"> The events in Japan are seen as a setback for nuclear energy, reminding us that the dangers of a meltdown are dramatic.  Much as a plane crash makes everyone a bit queasy about flying the next day, these events must be taken in context.  Earthquakes of that magnitude are extreme events, and the reactors in question faced a double shock — from the quakes and from the resultant loss of power because of the tsunami.  </p>\n<p class=\"body.text\"> If the United States, or the rest of the world, were to rule out the use of nuclear power for electricity it would put huge demands on the oil and coal markets, long before enough solar or wind power could be relied upon to make up the loss of nuclear power. Uranium stocks have fallen sharply, with some down as much as 30 percent in the past two days, while shares of coal producers are higher.  </p>\n<p class=\"subhead\"> The stock market</p>\n<p class=\"body.text\"> The U.S. stock market has dropped sharply following the earthquake — and certainly some U. S. companies will be negatively impacted. But others may find increased business — either substituting their products for some that were imported from Japan (think automobiles, auto parts, consumer electronics, and chips) or by helping in the rebuilding process. But global companies that do business in Japan ( Coca-Cola, McDonald’s) could see a loss of revenues, causing losses in those stocks.</p>\n<p class=\"body.text\"> Earth-moving equipment and replacement parts for factories may now be shipped from the United States to Japan, as demand grows. Or Japanese companies that are unable to recover quickly, may move production to other countries, including the U.S.  Increased production here of everything from computer chips to cars here could create jobs, and rebuild our own industry. Yet tech stocks have been losers on fears of supply disruptions.</p>\n<p class=\"body.text\">Where will this all end? It’s impossible to predict. Japan is a strong country, but one with an aging population and a huge government debt relative to its economic output. However, since Japan represents only about 10 percent of the global economy, there is no reason for American consumers — or investors — to panic.</p>\n<p class=\"body.text\">The best emotions we can have right now are a profound sense of respect for the things in the world that we cannot control, along with an appreciation for the American spirit of generosity that has helped so many people and countries recover from adversity. And that’s the Savage Truth. </p>&#13;\n          &#13;\n		  &#13;\n		   </div></div><p><strong>Read more:</strong> <a class=\"rssreadon\" rel=\"external\" title=\"Japan ’s impact on the economy\" href=\"http://www.suntimes.com/business/4351535-452/japans-impact-on-the-economy.html\" target=\"_blank\">http://www.suntimes.com/business/4351535-452/japans-impact-on-the-economy.html</a></p>',-2,5,0,38,'2011-03-18 12:52:00',62,'','0000-00-00 00:00:00',0,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2011-03-18 12:52:00','2011-04-03 12:17:05','','','show_intro=0',1,0,0,'','',0,0,''),(581,'Spokesman: Wyclef Jean shot in hand in Haiti   (AP)','spokesman-wyclef-jean-shot-in-hand-in-haiti-ap','','<p><a href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/entertainment/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110320/ap_en_mu/cb_haiti_wyclef_jean_shot\"><img src=\"http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20110320/capt.887c95ca627144ec84a8f8576d9139c4-c6c65ffadd5e4e7396de80f7bb02026c-0.jpg?x=130&amp;y=82&amp;q=85&amp;sig=544m7B6E5eiuAtHBiGe_dg--\" height=\"82\" width=\"130\" alt=\"Spokesman: Wyclef Jean shot in hand in Haiti   (AP)\" style=\"float: left; border: 0px;\" />\n</a>AP - Hip-hop star Wyclef Jean was recovering Sunday after receiving a gunshot wound to the hand while campaigning for a fellow performer who is running for president.</p><br style=\"clear: both;\" />','<div><div class=\"yn-story-content\">\n                <p>PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti – Hip-hop star Wyclef Jean was recovering Sunday after receiving a gunshot wound to the hand while campaigning for a fellow performer who is running for president.</p>\n                <p>The shooting happened in the Delmas section of the capital, Port-au-Prince, after 11 p.m. local time Saturday (11 p.m. EDT; 0300 Sunday GMT) said Joe Mignon, senior program director for Jean\'s Yele Foundation. Jean was treated at a hospital and later released, Mignon said.</p>\n                <p>Jean\'s brother, Samuel, confirmed the musician was shot. Neither he nor Mignon had additional details, and a spokesman for the Haitian National Police could not be reached immediately for comment.</p>\n                <p>Jean, a native of Haiti who rocketed to fame as a member of the hip-hop trio The Fugees, is in his home country to support fellow musician and friend Michel \"Sweet Micky\" Martelly, one of two presidential candidates in a run-off vote taking place Sunday.</p>\n                <p>Last week, Jean participated in a Martelly concert in downtown Port-au-Prince that sought to win over voters.</p>\n                <p>\"We are happy that Wyclef is okay but we continue to pray for him and for a peaceful and fair election today in Haiti,\" the Rev. Al Sharpton, who has worked with Jean on educational issues and bringing aid to Haiti after the devastating January 2010 earthquake, said in a statement.</p>\n                <p>The statement also quoted Jimmy Rosemond, who it said was accompanying Jean on his current trip to Haiti.</p>\n                <p>\"It is clear that enemies of progressive change in Haiti are behind the shooting of Wyclef — those that don\'t want to accept that a monumental change is inevitable for the betterment of the Haitian people,\" Rosemond said. \"This incident will not deter those of us that see the election as crucial to the country\'s future.\"</p>\n                <p>\n            </p></div></div><p><strong>Read more:</strong> <a class=\"rssreadon\" rel=\"external\" title=\"Spokesman: Wyclef Jean shot in hand in Haiti   (AP)\" href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/entertainment/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110320/ap_en_mu/cb_haiti_wyclef_jean_shot\" target=\"_blank\">http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/entertainment/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110320/ap_en_mu/cb_haiti_wyclef_jean_shot</a></p>',-2,5,0,40,'2011-03-20 11:48:00',62,'','0000-00-00 00:00:00',0,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2011-03-20 11:48:00','2011-04-03 12:17:06','','','show_intro=0',1,0,0,'','',0,0,''),(582,'Ricky Martin, \'30 Rock\' among GLAAD media winners   (AP)','ricky-martin-30-rock-among-glaad-media-winners-ap','','<p><a href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/entertainment/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110320/ap_en_ot/us_glaad_media_awards\"><img src=\"http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20110320/capt.0ad34862c24541908f0d01a3b0271500-0ad34862c24541908f0d01a3b0271500-0.jpg?x=86&amp;y=130&amp;q=85&amp;sig=x0adHvQ8bn_WoGq2XLQK4g--\" height=\"130\" width=\"86\" alt=\"Ricky Martin, \'30 Rock\' among GLAAD media winners   (AP)\" style=\"float: left; border: 0px;\" />\n</a>AP - Russell Simmons, Ricky Martin and the HBO drama series \"True Blood\" are among this year\'s recipients of media awards from the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation.</p><br style=\"clear: both;\" />','<div><div class=\"yn-story-content\">\n                <p>NEW YORK – Russell Simmons, Ricky Martin and the HBO drama series \"True Blood\" are among this year\'s recipients of media awards from the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation.</p>\n                <p>Other winners of the 22nd Annual GLAAD Media Awards, presented Saturday in New York, include the NBC comedy \"30 Rock\" and CNN\'s \"Anderson Cooper 360\" for its series on gay teen suicides.</p>\n                <p>Music mogul Simmons received the Excellence in Media Award.</p>\n                <p>Martin was cited for an appearance on \"The Oprah Winfrey Show\" in which the pop singer discussed raising twin boys and his decision to come out as gay.</p>\n                <p>Spanish-language networks Univision and Telemundo were also recognized.</p>\n                <p>Scissor Sisters were named outstanding music artists for the album \"Night Work.\" The website Essence.com was saluted for outstanding digital journalism.</p>\n                <p>Nonelectronic media winners include The New York Times columnist Frank Rich and Peter David for his Marvel comic book \"X-Factor.\"</p>\n                <p>The GLAAD Media Awards recognize fair, accurate and inclusive representation of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community and the issues that affect their lives in the media.</p>\n                <p>Winners were announced in 25 of this year\'s total of 32 media categories. The remaining awards will be presented at ceremonies to be held in Los Angeles and San Francisco in April and May, respectively.</p>\n                <p>___</p>\n                <p>Online:</p>\n                <p><a href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/ap/ap_en_ot/storytext/us_glaad_media_awards/40747644/SIG=10m05rrgc/*http://www.glaad.org\">http://www.glaad.org</a></p>\n                <p>\n            </p></div></div><p><strong>Read more:</strong> <a class=\"rssreadon\" rel=\"external\" title=\"Ricky Martin, \'30 Rock\' among GLAAD media winners   (AP)\" href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/entertainment/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110320/ap_en_ot/us_glaad_media_awards\" target=\"_blank\">http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/entertainment/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110320/ap_en_ot/us_glaad_media_awards</a></p>',-2,5,0,40,'2011-03-19 22:06:00',62,'','0000-00-00 00:00:00',0,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2011-03-19 22:06:00','2011-04-03 12:17:07','','','show_intro=0',1,0,0,'','',0,0,''),(583,'L.A. Reid joins Simon Cowell as `X Factor\' judge   (AP)','la-reid-joins-simon-cowell-as-x-factor-judge-ap','','AP - Grammy-winning music executive and producer Antonio \"L.A.\" Reid is turning TV star for Simon Cowell\'s \"The X Factor.\"','<div><div class=\"yn-story-content\">\n                <p>LOS ANGELES – Grammy-winning music executive and producer Antonio \"L.A.\" Reid is turning TV star for Simon Cowell\'s \"The X Factor.\"</p>\n                <p>Reid is stepping down as chairman of Island Def Jam Music Group and will join Cowell on the judging panel of Fox\'s new singing contest set to debut this fall. The series is based on Cowell\'s hit British show.</p>\n                <p>In a statement released Friday by Fox, Cowell said Reid was his No. 1 choice. Others reported as possible judges on what Cowell has said will be a four-member panel include Paula Abdul, who teamed with Cowell on Fox\'s \"American Idol,\" and Cheryl Cole of the U.K. \"X Factor.\"</p>\n                <p>\"The X Factor\" is open to solo singers and vocal groups age 12 and up, with auditions starting March 27 in Los Angeles. The winner gets a $5 million record contract.</p>\n                <p>\n            </p></div></div><p><strong>Read more:</strong> <a class=\"rssreadon\" rel=\"external\" title=\"L.A. Reid joins Simon Cowell as `X Factor\' judge   (AP)\" href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/entertainment/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110318/ap_en_ot/tv_x_factor_judge\" target=\"_blank\">http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/entertainment/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110318/ap_en_ot/tv_x_factor_judge</a></p>',-2,5,0,40,'2011-03-18 17:50:00',62,'','0000-00-00 00:00:00',0,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2011-03-18 17:50:00','2011-04-03 12:17:08','','','show_intro=0',1,0,0,'','',0,0,''),(584,'Prince William, Kate Middleton Considering Australian Honeymoon   (omg!)','prince-william-kate-middleton-considering-australian-honeymoon-omg','','omg! - \"I love scuba diving,\" William says of the exotic locale','<div><div class=\"body\">\n					<div class=\"photo&#10;&#9;&#9;&#9;&#9;&#9;&#9;&#9;\"><img src=\"http://l.yimg.com/a/i/us/omg/assets/images/omg-spacer-1.0.0.gif\" alt=\"Story photo: Prince William, Kate Middleton Considering Australian Honeymoon\" class=\"hidden-bg\" /><cite><em>Indigo/Getty Images</em>Us Magazine\n								</cite>\n						</div><p><strong><a href=\"http://omg.yahoo.com/celebs/prince/91;_ylt=A0wNdGmFKIZN25cAShJ7pxx.;_ylv=3\">Prince</a></strong> <strong>William</strong> may be headed Down Under after he ties the knot with <strong><a href=\"http://omg.yahoo.com/celebs/kate-middleton/183;_ylt=A0wNdGmFKIZN25cASxJ7pxx.;_ylv=3\">Kate Middleton</a></strong> at London\'s Westminster Abbey on April 29.</p>\n<p>While visiting the areas of Australia affected by last month\'s Cyclone Yasi, the 28-year-old tossed the idea around with reporters.<a href=\"http://us.lrd.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0wNdGmFKIZN25cATBJ7pxx.;_ylv=0/SIG=13f9c0lek/EXP=1301847429/**http%3A//www.usmagazine.com/healthylifestyle/photos/william-and-kates-royal-romance-20101611/\" target=\"_self\"></a></p>\n<p><a href=\"http://us.lrd.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0wNdGmFKIZN25cATRJ7pxx.;_ylv=0/SIG=13f9c0lek/EXP=1301847429/**http%3A//www.usmagazine.com/healthylifestyle/photos/william-and-kates-royal-romance-20101611/\" target=\"_self\">PHOTOS: William and Kate\'s road to romance</a></p>\n<p>\"It\'s much nicer down here; the weather at home is dreadful,\" William said Saturday (via <a href=\"http://us.lrd.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0wNdGmFKIZN25cAThJ7pxx.;_ylv=0/SIG=139djeivk/EXP=1301847429/**http%3A//www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/royal-wedding/prince-william/8392565/%3Cahref=\">Prince</a></p>-William-Maybe-well-have-a-honeymoon-in-Australia.html\" target=\"_blank\"&gt;<em>The Telegraph</em>). \"I will have to come back. Maybe we\'ll have a honeymoon in Cairns?\"\n<p>After all, William added, \"I love scuba diving. I have always wanted to dive the Great] Barrier Reef.\"<a href=\"http://us.lrd.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0wNdGmFKIZN25cATxJ7pxx.;_ylv=0/SIG=13aghlh0n/EXP=1301847429/**http%3A//www.usmagazine.com/stylebeauty/photos/kate-middletons-style-evolution-20101711/\" target=\"_self\"></a></p>\n<p><a href=\"http://us.lrd.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0wNdGmFKIZN25cAUBJ7pxx.;_ylv=0/SIG=13aghlh0n/EXP=1301847429/**http%3A//www.usmagazine.com/stylebeauty/photos/kate-middletons-style-evolution-20101711/\" target=\"_self\">PHOTOS: See how Kate\'s style has evolved<br /></a></p>\n<p>William spent the afternoon greeting locals after attending a function to thank the 600 volunteers who contributed to the Cyclone Yasi relief efforts; he even invited them to attend the royal wedding.</p>\n<p>\"I expect to see you all there,\" he told them. \"I want to see lots of Aussie flags outside the Abbey.\"<a href=\"http://us.lrd.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0wNdGmFKIZN25cAURJ7pxx.;_ylv=0/SIG=13kn6ed4v/EXP=1301847429/**http%3A//www.usmagazine.com/stylebeauty/photos/royal-flashback-princess-dianas-wedding-day-2011163\" target=\"_blank\"></a></p>\n<p><a href=\"http://us.lrd.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0wNdGmFKIZN25cAUhJ7pxx.;_ylv=0/SIG=13kn6ed4v/EXP=1301847429/**http%3A//www.usmagazine.com/stylebeauty/photos/royal-flashback-princess-dianas-wedding-day-2011163\" target=\"_blank\">PHOTOS: Flashback! Princess Diana\'s wedding day</a></p>\n<p><a href=\"http://us.lrd.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0wNdGmFKIZN25cAUxJ7pxx.;_ylv=0/SIG=13kn6ed4v/EXP=1301847429/**http%3A//www.usmagazine.com/stylebeauty/photos/royal-flashback-princess-dianas-wedding-day-2011163\" target=\"_blank\">If he and Middleton, 29, should decide to honeymoon elsewhere, William vowed to return with the princess in several weeks time.</a></p>\n<p><a href=\"http://us.lrd.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0wNdGmFKIZN25cAVBJ7pxx.;_ylv=0/SIG=13sbgltkg/EXP=1301847429/**http%3A//www.usmagazine.com/healthylifestyle/photos/william-and-kates-post-engagement-engagements-2011163/\" target=\"_blank\">PHOTOS: William and Kate\'s official outings</a></p>\n<p>William\'s three-day tour of Australia continues with a trip to south-east Queensland, where he will visit towns affected by flash floods that killed more than 20 people in January. On Monday, he will visit flood-ravaged parts of rural Victoria before returning home to Middleton.<em></em></p>\n<p><em>For more on the Royal Wedding, including rare photos, interviews     with family and friends, details on Kate\'s new life as a princess and a     tour of their lavish homes, order a copy of <strong>Us Weekly</strong>\'s<a href=\"http://us.lrd.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0wNdGmFKIZN25cAVRJ7pxx.;_ylv=0/SIG=12t1vpkc1/EXP=1301847429/**http%3A//gifts.barnesandnoble.com/Us-Weekly-Royals-Special/e/9780594016670/\" target=\"_blank\"> Will &amp; Kate: The Royal Wedding</a><a href=\"http://us.lrd.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0wNdGmFKIZN25cAVhJ7pxx.;_ylv=0/SIG=12e006vga/EXP=1301847429/**http%3A//www.usmagazine.com/stylebeauty/news/bn.com/usroyals\" target=\"_blank\"> </a>now.</em></p> <p><strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Get more Us!</span></strong> Follow us on <a href=\"http://us.lrd.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0wNdGmFKIZN25cAVxJ7pxx.;_ylv=0/SIG=11fserrcn/EXP=1301847429/**http%3A//twitter.com/UsWeekly\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Twitter</span></a>, <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Friend us on Facebook</span></span>, <a href=\"https://us.lrd.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0wNdGmFKIZN25cAWBJ7pxx.;_ylv=0/SIG=11pgcu4f6/EXP=1301847429/**https%3A//w1.buysub.com/loc/USW/text_l1\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Subscribe to Us Weekly</span></a></p></div></div><p><strong>Read more:</strong> <a class=\"rssreadon\" rel=\"external\" title=\"Prince William, Kate Middleton Considering Australian Honeymoon   (omg!)\" href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/entertainment/*http%3A//us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/external/omg_rss/rss_omg_en/http___omg_yahoo_com_news58799/40752726/*http%3A//omg.yahoo.com/news/prince-william-kate-middleton-considering-australian-honeymoon/58799\" target=\"_blank\">http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/entertainment/*http%3A//us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/external/omg_rss/rss_omg_en/http___omg_yahoo_com_news58799/40752726/*http%3A//omg.yahoo.com/news/prince-william-kate-middleton-considering-australian-honeymoon/58799</a></p>',-2,5,0,40,'2011-03-20 11:03:00',62,'','0000-00-00 00:00:00',0,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2011-03-20 11:03:00','2011-04-03 12:17:09','','','show_intro=0',1,0,0,'','',0,0,''),(585,'Wyclef Jean Treated for Gunshot Wound   (omg!)','wyclef-jean-treated-for-gunshot-wound-omg','','omg! - The entertainer was briefly hospitalized after being injured in Haiti','<div><div class=\"body\">\n					<div class=\"photo&#10;&#9;&#9;&#9;&#9;&#9;&#9;&#9;\"><img src=\"http://l.yimg.com/a/i/us/omg/assets/images/omg-spacer-1.0.0.gif\" alt=\"Story photo: Wyclef Jean Treated for Gunshot Wound\" class=\"hidden-bg\" /><cite><em>Henry S. Dziekan III/Getty Images</em>Us Magazine\n								</cite>\n						</div><p><strong>Wyclef</strong> <strong>Jean</strong> is on the mend.</p>\n<p>The 41-year-old singer was shot in the hand after 11 p.m. in Delmas, Haiti on Saturday.<a href=\"http://us.lrd.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0wNdGWGKIZNxvsA2Qx7pxx.;_ylv=0/SIG=12svh5ijv/EXP=1301847430/**http%3A//www.usmagazine.com/moviestvmusic/photos/stars-good-deeds-20091612\" target=\"_blank\"></a></p>\n<p><a href=\"http://us.lrd.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0wNdGWGKIZNxvsA2gx7pxx.;_ylv=0/SIG=12svh5ijv/EXP=1301847430/**http%3A//www.usmagazine.com/moviestvmusic/photos/stars-good-deeds-20091612\" target=\"_blank\">PHOTOS: Do-gooder celebs</a></p>\n<p>\"I have confirmed from Wyclef that he was immediately taken to the hospital, treated for a minor graze to his hand and released,\" his spokesperson tells <a href=\"http://us.lrd.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0wNdGWGKIZNxvsA2wx7pxx.;_ylv=0/SIG=11e2ejde6/EXP=1301847430/**http%3A//www.usmagazine.com/\" target=\"_blank\">UsMagazine.com</a> in a statement. \"He is fine.\"<a href=\"http://us.lrd.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0wNdGWGKIZNxvsA3Ax7pxx.;_ylv=0/SIG=12ocabik2/EXP=1301847430/**http%3A//www.usmagazine.com/celebritynews/photos/capitol-celebs-201046\" target=\"_blank\"></a></p>\n<p><a href=\"http://us.lrd.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0wNdGWGKIZNxvsA3Qx7pxx.;_ylv=0/SIG=12ocabik2/EXP=1301847430/**http%3A//www.usmagazine.com/celebritynews/photos/capitol-celebs-201046\" target=\"_blank\">PHOTOS: Stars get political</a></p>\n<p>The shooting comes on the eve of the presidential elections in his native country; Jean is supporting fellow musician <strong>Michel</strong> <strong>Martelly</strong>.<a href=\"http://us.lrd.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0wNdGWGKIZNxvsA3gx7pxx.;_ylv=0/SIG=13aobleg8/EXP=1301847430/**http%3A//www.usmagazine.com/index.php/celebritynews/photos/angelina-humanitarian-201064/\" target=\"_blank\"></a></p>\n<p><a href=\"http://us.lrd.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0wNdGWGKIZNxvsA3wx7pxx.;_ylv=0/SIG=13aobleg8/EXP=1301847430/**http%3A//www.usmagazine.com/index.php/celebritynews/photos/angelina-humanitarian-201064/\" target=\"_blank\">PHOTOS: Another celeb goes on a humanitarian trip</a></p>\n<p>\"Wyclef\'s commitment to his native country and to his people is unparalleled,\" his rep adds. \"He is therefore undeterred by this incident.\"</p> <p><strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Get more Us!</span></strong> Follow us on <a href=\"http://us.lrd.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0wNdGWGKIZNxvsA4Ax7pxx.;_ylv=0/SIG=11fbla9lj/EXP=1301847430/**http%3A//twitter.com/UsWeekly\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Twitter</span></a>, <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Friend us on Facebook</span></span>, <a href=\"https://us.lrd.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0wNdGWGKIZNxvsA4Qx7pxx.;_ylv=0/SIG=11ptl7f9s/EXP=1301847430/**https%3A//w1.buysub.com/loc/USW/text_l1\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Subscribe to Us Weekly</span></a></p></div></div><p><strong>Read more:</strong> <a class=\"rssreadon\" rel=\"external\" title=\"Wyclef Jean Treated for Gunshot Wound   (omg!)\" href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/entertainment/*http%3A//us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/external/omg_rss/rss_omg_en/http___omg_yahoo_com_news58798/40752577/*http%3A//omg.yahoo.com/news/wyclef-jean-treated-for-gunshot-wound/58798\" target=\"_blank\">http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/entertainment/*http%3A//us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/external/omg_rss/rss_omg_en/http___omg_yahoo_com_news58798/40752577/*http%3A//omg.yahoo.com/news/wyclef-jean-treated-for-gunshot-wound/58798</a></p>',-2,5,0,40,'2011-03-20 11:00:00',62,'','0000-00-00 00:00:00',0,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2011-03-20 11:00:00','2011-04-03 12:17:09','','','show_intro=0',1,0,0,'','',0,0,''),(586,'Wyclef Jean Shot in Hand in Haiti   (omg!)','wyclef-jean-shot-in-hand-in-haiti-omg','','omg! - <p>Wyclef Jean has been released from the hospital after being treated for a gunshot wound to his hand, his spokesman told The Associated Press.</p> <p>Jean, 41, was shot in the hand after 11 p.m. Saturday in....</p>','<div><div class=\"body\">\n					<div class=\"photo&#10;&#9;&#9;&#9;&#9;&#9;&#9;&#9;\"><img src=\"http://l.yimg.com/a/i/us/omg/assets/images/omg-spacer-1.0.0.gif\" alt=\"Story photo: Wyclef Jean Shot in Hand in Haiti\" class=\"hidden-bg\" /><cite><em>Wyclef Jean | Photo Credits: Gilbert Carrasquillo/FilmMagic.com</em>TV Guide\n								</cite>\n						</div><p></p><p><a href=\"http://us.lrd.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0wNdGGGKIZNzHoAtDt7pxx.;_ylv=0/SIG=13qn5mi43/EXP=1301847430/**http%3A//www.tvguide.com/celebrities/wyclef-jean/197253%3Frss=keywords%26partnerid=yahoo%26profileid=omg\">Wyclef Jean</a> has been released from the hospital after being treated for a gunshot wound to his hand, his spokesman told <a href=\"http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110320/ap_en_mu/cb_haiti_wyclef_jean_shot;_ylt=A0wNdGGGKIZNzHoAtTt7pxx.\" target=\"_blank\">The Associated Press</a>.</p>\n<p>Jean, 41, was shot in the hand after 11 p.m. Saturday in Delmas — a city just outside Port-au-<a href=\"http://omg.yahoo.com/celebs/prince/91;_ylt=A0wNdGGGKIZNzHoAtjt7pxx.;_ylv=3\">Prince</a> — according to Joe Mignon, the senior program director for Jean\'s Yele Foundation. He offered no further details.</p>\n<p><a href=\"http://us.lrd.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0wNdGGGKIZNzHoAtzt7pxx.;_ylv=0/SIG=1477hisj0/EXP=1301847430/**http%3A//www.tvguide.com/news/wyclef-disqualified-haiti-1022095.aspx%3Frss=keywords%26partnerid=yahoo%26profileid=omg\">Wyclef Jean disqualified from presidency run</a></p>\n<p>The shooting came the night before the presidential elections in Haiti. Jean is supporting Michel Martelly.</p>\n<p>Jean attempted to run for the president of Haiti last year, but his bid for candidacy was rejected because he failed to meet the residency requirement.</p><br /><p><b><b>Related Articles on TVGuide.com</b></b></p><ul><li><a href=\"http://us.lrd.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0wNdGGGKIZNzHoAuDt7pxx.;_ylv=0/SIG=1477hisj0/EXP=1301847430/**http%3A//www.tvguide.com/News/Wyclef-Disqualified-Haiti-1022095.aspx%3Frss=keywords%26partnerid=yahoo%26profileid=omg\">Haiti\'s Election Officials Disqualify Wyclef Jean\'s Run for Presidency</a></li>\n</ul></div></div><p><strong>Read more:</strong> <a class=\"rssreadon\" rel=\"external\" title=\"Wyclef Jean Shot in Hand in Haiti   (omg!)\" href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/entertainment/*http%3A//us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/external/omg_rss/rss_omg_en/http___omg_yahoo_com_news58797/40752578/*http%3A//omg.yahoo.com/news/wyclef-jean-shot-in-hand-in-haiti/58797\" target=\"_blank\">http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/entertainment/*http%3A//us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/external/omg_rss/rss_omg_en/http___omg_yahoo_com_news58797/40752578/*http%3A//omg.yahoo.com/news/wyclef-jean-shot-in-hand-in-haiti/58797</a></p>',-2,5,0,40,'2011-03-20 10:54:00',62,'','0000-00-00 00:00:00',0,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2011-03-20 10:54:00','2011-04-03 12:17:10','','','show_intro=0',1,0,0,'','',0,0,''),(587,'Spokesman: Wyclef Jean shot in hand in Haiti   (omg!)','spokesman-wyclef-jean-shot-in-hand-in-haiti-omg','','omg! - AP - A spokesman for Wyclef Jean says the hip-hop star has been released from a hospital after being treated for a gunshot wound to his hand.','<div><div class=\"body\">\n					<div class=\"photo&#10;&#9;&#9;&#9;&#9;&#9;&#9;&#9;\"><img src=\"http://l.yimg.com/a/i/us/omg/assets/images/omg-spacer-1.0.0.gif\" alt=\"Story photo: Spokesman: Wyclef Jean shot in hand in Haiti\" class=\"hidden-bg\" /><cite><em>FILE - Haitian-American singer Wyclef Jean, whose bid for president ended with an August disqualification, speaks during a press conference in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, in this Nov. 29, 2010 file photo. Joe Mignon, senior program director for Jean\'s Yele Foundation, says Jean was shot in the hand after 11 p.m. local time Saturday March 19, 2011 in the city of Delmas, just outside Port-au-Prince. (AP Photo/Guillermo Arias, File)</em>Associated Press\n								</cite>\n						</div><p>\nPORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti - A spokesman for <a href=\"http://omg.yahoo.com/celebs/wyclef-jean/729;_ylt=A0wNdGqHKIZNYpgAFDl7pxx.;_ylv=3\">Wyclef Jean</a> says the hip-hop star has been released from a hospital after being treated for a gunshot wound to his hand.</p>\n<p>Joe Mignon, senior program director for Jean\'s Yele Foundation, says Jean was shot in the hand after 11 p.m. local time Saturday in the city of Delmas, just outside Port-au-<a href=\"http://omg.yahoo.com/celebs/prince/91;_ylt=A0wNdGqHKIZNYpgAFTl7pxx.;_ylv=3\">Prince</a>.</p>\n<p>Jean\'s brother, Samuel, confirmed the musician was shot. Neither he nor Mignon had additional details.</p>\n<p>The shooting comes on the eve of presidential elections in Haiti. Jean is supporting fellow musician Michel Martelly.</p>\n<p>A spokesman for the Haitian National Police could not be immediately reached for comment.</p>\n<p></p></div></div><p><strong>Read more:</strong> <a class=\"rssreadon\" rel=\"external\" title=\"Spokesman: Wyclef Jean shot in hand in Haiti   (omg!)\" href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/entertainment/*http%3A//us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/external/omg_rss/rss_omg_en/http___omg_yahoo_com_news58796/40751398/*http%3A//omg.yahoo.com/news/spokesman-wyclef-jean-shot-in-hand-in-haiti/58796\" target=\"_blank\">http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/entertainment/*http%3A//us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/external/omg_rss/rss_omg_en/http___omg_yahoo_com_news58796/40751398/*http%3A//omg.yahoo.com/news/spokesman-wyclef-jean-shot-in-hand-in-haiti/58796</a></p>',-2,5,0,40,'2011-03-20 08:35:00',62,'','0000-00-00 00:00:00',0,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2011-03-20 08:35:00','2011-04-03 12:17:10','','','show_intro=0',1,0,0,'','',0,0,''),(588,'Ricky Martin gets top award by GLAAD   (omg!)','ricky-martin-gets-top-award-by-glaad-omg','','omg! - Reuters - Latin pop star Ricky Martin was honored by media group GLAAD for his work as a role model at a gala held on Saturday where he urged people to spread gay rights throughout Latin America.','<div><div class=\"body\">\n					<p>\nNEW YORK (Reuters) - Latin pop star <a href=\"http://omg.yahoo.com/celebs/ricky-martin/257;_ylt=A0wNdGmHKIZN25cA5hJ7pxx.;_ylv=3\">Ricky Martin</a> was honored by media group GLAAD for his work as a role model at a gala held on Saturday where he urged people to spread gay rights throughout Latin America.</p>\n<p>\n\"I just want to be free. I can say, today I am free,\" the Puerto Rican singer said at New York\'s Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) Media Awards, which recognize the best portrayals of gay community members in film, television, radio, music, newspapers and blogs.</p>\n<p>\nMartin, the 39 year-old singer of hits such as his 1999 single \"Livin\' la Vida Loca\" who has sold more than 60 million albums worldwide, revealed he was gay in 2010 after more than a decade in the international spotlight.</p>\n<p>\nHis coming-out included a TV interview with <a href=\"http://omg.yahoo.com/celebs/oprah-winfrey/259;_ylt=A0wNdGmHKIZN25cA5xJ7pxx.;_ylv=3\">Oprah Winfrey</a> and since then, he has been heralded as a gay role model, especially for Latin Americans.</p>\n<p>\nMartin thanked his parents and boyfriend before urged the audience to \"let\'s go Latin America and let\'s share the love.\"</p>\n<p>\nU.S. comedian <a href=\"http://omg.yahoo.com/celebs/tina-fey/615;_ylt=A0wNdGmHKIZN25cA6BJ7pxx.;_ylv=3\">Tina Fey</a> accepted the outstanding individual episode award for a program on her TV show \"30 Rock,\" and music mogul <a href=\"http://omg.yahoo.com/celebs/russell-simmons/817;_ylt=A0wNdGmHKIZN25cA6RJ7pxx.;_ylv=3\">Russell Simmons</a> received an excellence award for breaking boundaries in the world of hip-hop music.</p>\n<p>\nVampire TV show \"True Blood\" won outstanding drama series, while \"The <a href=\"http://omg.yahoo.com/celebs/oprah-winfrey/259;_ylt=A0wNdGmHKIZN25cA6hJ7pxx.;_ylv=3\">Oprah Winfrey</a> Show\" claimed best talk show episode for \"<a href=\"http://omg.yahoo.com/celebs/ricky-martin/257;_ylt=A0wNdGmHKIZN25cA6xJ7pxx.;_ylv=3\">Ricky Martin</a> Coming Out as a Gay Man and a New Dad.\"</p>\n<p>\nMartin, who became the father of twin boys with a surrogate mother in 2008, was given the Vito Russo Award, named for the late gay activist and film historian.</p>\n<p>\nAmong other winners were U.S. band Scissor Sisters and stage play \"The Pride.\" CNN\'s <a href=\"http://omg.yahoo.com/celebs/anderson-cooper/1643;_ylt=A0wNdGmHKIZN25cA7BJ7pxx.;_ylv=3\">Anderson Cooper</a>, newspapers The Star-Ledger and The Denver Post and online magazine Essence.com were singled out for their coverage of gay and lesbian issues.</p>\n<p>\nGLAAD, which promotes positive images of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in the media, will present additional media awards in Los Angeles on April 10 and San Francisco in May 14.</p>\n<p>\n(Reporting by Christine Kearney, editing by Bob Tourtellotte)</p>\n<p></p></div></div><p><strong>Read more:</strong> <a class=\"rssreadon\" rel=\"external\" title=\"Ricky Martin gets top award by GLAAD   (omg!)\" href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/entertainment/*http%3A//us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/external/omg_rss/rss_omg_en/http___omg_yahoo_com_news58795/40748926/*http%3A//omg.yahoo.com/news/ricky-martin-gets-top-award-by-glaad/58795\" target=\"_blank\">http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/entertainment/*http%3A//us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/external/omg_rss/rss_omg_en/http___omg_yahoo_com_news58795/40748926/*http%3A//omg.yahoo.com/news/ricky-martin-gets-top-award-by-glaad/58795</a></p>',-2,5,0,40,'2011-03-20 00:41:00',62,'','0000-00-00 00:00:00',0,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2011-03-20 00:41:00','2011-04-03 12:17:11','','','show_intro=0',1,0,0,'','',0,0,''),(589,'Teen Rebecca Black Responds To \'Friday\' Music Video Backlash; Finds Unlikely Fan In Simon Cowell   (omg!)','teen-rebecca-black-responds-to-friday-music-video-backlash-finds-unlikely-fan-in-simon-cowell-omg','','omg! - <p><strong>LOS ANGELES, Calif.</strong> -- Anyone on Facebook or Twitter has likely already seen 13-year-old Rebecca Black\'s amateur music video for \"Friday\" -- and chances are, it was accompanied by some sort of derogatory caption.</p> <p>While Rebecca\'s auto-tuned ditty is being hailed as the \"worst song ever\" by online outlets and social media users (and has garnered notoriety for all of the wrong reasons), the teen\'s viral video has caught the attention of music master Simon Cowell, who is intrigued by the public\'s apparently overwhelming disdain to the would-be singer.</p>','<div><div class=\"body\">\n					<div class=\"photo&#10;&#9;&#9;&#9;&#9;&#9;&#9;&#9;\"><img src=\"http://l.yimg.com/a/i/us/omg/assets/images/omg-spacer-1.0.0.gif\" alt=\"Story photo: Teen Rebecca Black Responds To \'Friday\' Music Video Backlash; Finds Unlikely Fan In Simon Cowell\" class=\"hidden-bg\" /><cite><em>Rebecca Black as seen in her \"Friday\" music video posted on YouTube in February 2011YouTube</em>Access Hollywood\n								</cite>\n						</div><p><strong>LOS ANGELES, Calif.</strong> -- Anyone on Facebook or Twitter has likely already seen 13-year-old Rebecca Black\'s amateur music video for \"Friday\" -- and chances are, it was accompanied by some sort of derogatory caption.</p> <p>While Rebecca\'s auto-tuned ditty is being hailed as the \"worst song ever\" by online outlets and social media users (and has garnered notoriety for all of the wrong reasons), the teen\'s viral video has caught the attention of music master <a href=\"http://omg.yahoo.com/celebs/simon-cowell/238;_ylt=A0wNdGmIKIZNhHsAUDd7pxx.;_ylv=3\">Simon Cowell</a>, who is intrigued by the public\'s apparently overwhelming disdain to the would-be singer.</p><p><a href=\"http://us.lrd.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0wNdGmIKIZNhHsAUTd7pxx.;_ylv=0/SIG=13uoaqe5r/EXP=1301847432/**http%3A//www.accesshollywood.com/meet-lady-gagas-mini-me-youtubes-new-sensation_video_1297031%3F__source=omg\"> PLAY IT NOW: Meet Lady Gaga\'s Mini-Me: YouTube\'s New Sensation! </a></p> <p>\"I love [Rebecca] [and] the fact that she\'s gotten so much publicity,\" Simon told <a href=\"http://us.lrd.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0wNdGmIKIZNhHsAUjd7pxx.;_ylv=0/SIG=12c3pvn5k/EXP=1301847432/**http%3A//www.people.com/people/article/0,,20475031,00.html\">People</a> on Friday. \"People are so upset about the song, but I think it\'s hysterical. I want to meet her.\"</p> <p>He added, \"Anyone who can create this much controversy within a week, I want to meet. I love people like that.\"</p><p><a href=\"http://us.lrd.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0wNdGmIKIZNhHsAUzd7pxx.;_ylv=0/SIG=138hnl7k5/EXP=1301847432/**http%3A//www.accesshollywood.com/the-latest-star-sightings_gallery_1259%3F__source=omg\"> VIEW THE PHOTOS: The Latest Star Sightings\n </a></p> <p>Rebecca, an aspiring eighth-grade singer from Anaheim Hills, Calif., debuted \"Friday\" on YouTube after her parents paid $2,000 to Ark Music Factory record label for the pre-written song and the production of the accompanying video.</p> <p><a href=\"http://us.lrd.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0wNdGmIKIZNhHsAVDd7pxx.;_ylv=0/SIG=12qsdj3i9/EXP=1301847432/**http%3A//www.youtube.com/watch%3Fv=CD2LRROpph0%26feature=player_embedded\">Click HERE</a> to watch \"Friday\"!</p> <p>Since its initial posting on YouTube on February 10, the video has been viewed upwards of 23 million times and spawned numerous parodies and vicious comments, including a remark that asks Rebecca to \"cut herself, get an eating disorder and die.\"</p><p><a href=\"http://us.lrd.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0wNdGmIKIZNhHsAVTd7pxx.;_ylv=0/SIG=143th20k0/EXP=1301847432/**http%3A//www.accesshollywood.com/overnight-celebrities-from-unknown-to-household-name_gallery_2770%3F__source=omg\"> VIEW THE PHOTOS: Overnight Celebrities: From Unknown To Household Name\n </a></p> <p>The young songstress appeared on \"Good Morning America\" on, appropriately, Friday to address the hurtful comments, and admitted she was moved to tears when she saw the viewer comment backlash to her prized musical endeavor.</p> <p>\"When I first saw all these nasty comments I did cry,\" she told \"GMA\" on Friday. \"I felt like this was my fault and I shouldn\'t have done this and this is all because of me. Now I don\'t feel that way.\"</p><p><a href=\"http://us.lrd.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0wNdGmIKIZNhHsAVjd7pxx.;_ylv=0/SIG=13uj8754k/EXP=1301847432/**http%3A//www.accesshollywood.com/anything-but-dreadful-hot-shots-of-simon-cowell_gallery_1656%3F__source=omg\"> VIEW THE PHOTOS: Anything But Dreadful! Hot Shots Of Simon Cowell!\n </a></p> <p>The young brunette proceeded to sing a couple of lines from the national anthem (sans musical accompaniment) to prove she can carry a tune, before admitting she doesn\'t consider herself to be an exceptional vocalist.</p> <p>\"I think I have talent on some level,\" Rebecca told the morning show. \"I don\'t think I\'m the worst singer, but I don\'t think I\'m the best singer.\"</p> <p>Despite all of the crushing negativity, Rebecca\'s \"worst song ever\" quickly earned a spot on iTunes\' Top 100 song list and is currently at #29 - outperforming tunes by <a href=\"http://omg.yahoo.com/celebs/kanye-west/93;_ylt=A0wNdGmIKIZNhHsAVzd7pxx.;_ylv=3\">Kanye West</a>, the cast of \"Glee\" and Rebecca\'s idol/crush, <a href=\"http://omg.yahoo.com/celebs/justin-bieber/1872;_ylt=A0wNdGmIKIZNhHsAWDd7pxx.;_ylv=3\">Justin Bieber</a>.</p> <p>Related Content from AccessHollywood.com:<br /><a href=\"http://us.lrd.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0wNdGmIKIZNhHsAWTd7pxx.;_ylv=0/SIG=13kiamjc5/EXP=1301847432/**http%3A//www.accesshollywood.com/12-teen-stars-who-rock-the-red-carpet_gallery_1577%3F__source=omg\">VIEW THE PHOTOS: 12 Teen Stars Who Rock The Red Carpet</a><br /><a href=\"http://us.lrd.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0wNdGmIKIZNhHsAWjd7pxx.;_ylv=0/SIG=14m2pemkg/EXP=1301847432/**http%3A//www.accesshollywood.com/youtube-star-proves-her-chops-on-the-americas-got-talents-results-show_video_1243965%3F__source=omg\">PLAY IT NOW: YouTube Star Proves Her Chops On The \'America\'s Got Talent\'s\' Results Show</a><br /></p><p>MORE ACCESS ON THESE TOPICS: <a href=\"http://us.lrd.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0wNdGmIKIZNhHsAWzd7pxx.;_ylv=0/SIG=12e3bpk9o/EXP=1301847432/**http%3A//www.accesshollywood.com/simon-cowell%3F__source=omg\">Simon Cowell</a> - <a href=\"http://us.lrd.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0wNdGmIKIZNhHsAXDd7pxx.;_ylv=0/SIG=12d8ighph/EXP=1301847432/**http%3A//www.accesshollywood.com/music-video%3F__source=omg\">Music Video</a> - <a href=\"http://us.lrd.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0wNdGmIKIZNhHsAXTd7pxx.;_ylv=0/SIG=1293jjqs7/EXP=1301847432/**http%3A//www.accesshollywood.com/youtube%3F__source=omg\">YouTube</a> - <a href=\"http://us.lrd.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0wNdGmIKIZNhHsAXjd7pxx.;_ylv=0/SIG=12fmh3kuj/EXP=1301847432/**http%3A//www.accesshollywood.com/justin-bieber%3F__source=omg\">Justin Bieber</a> - <a href=\"http://us.lrd.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0wNdGmIKIZNhHsAXzd7pxx.;_ylv=0/SIG=12mp88pf0/EXP=1301847432/**http%3A//www.accesshollywood.com/good-morning-america%3F__source=omg\">Good Morning America</a><br /></p></div></div><p><strong>Read more:</strong> <a class=\"rssreadon\" rel=\"external\" title=\"Teen Rebecca Black Responds To \'Friday\' Music Video Backlash; Finds Unlikely Fan In Simon Cowell   (omg!)\" href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/entertainment/*http%3A//us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/external/omg_rss/rss_omg_en/http___omg_yahoo_com_news58794/40748159/*http%3A//omg.yahoo.com/news/teen-rebecca-black-responds-to-friday-music-video-backlash-finds-unlikely-fan-in-simon-cowell/58794\" target=\"_blank\">http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/entertainment/*http%3A//us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/external/omg_rss/rss_omg_en/http___omg_yahoo_com_news58794/40748159/*http%3A//omg.yahoo.com/news/teen-rebecca-black-responds-to-friday-music-video-backlash-finds-unlikely-fan-in-simon-cowell/58794</a></p>',-2,5,0,40,'2011-03-19 22:53:00',62,'','0000-00-00 00:00:00',0,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2011-03-19 22:53:00','2011-04-03 12:17:11','','','show_intro=0',1,0,0,'','',0,0,''),(590,'True Blood, 30 Rock Snag GLAAD Awards   (omg!)','true-blood-30-rock-snag-glaad-awards-omg','','omg! - <p>Vampires and comedy writers took top honors at the Gay &amp; Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) Media Award in New York Saturday.</p> <p>HBO\'s supernatural hit True Blood won for Outstanding Drama Series. The show features numerous gay characters &mdash; some are human (Nelsan Ellis\' Lafayette) and others are vampires, like Russell Edgington, the vampire king of Mississippi. Denis O\'Hare, who plays Russell, was on hand to accept the award.</p>','<div><div class=\"body\">\n					<div class=\"photo&#10;&#9;&#9;&#9;&#9;&#9;&#9;&#9;\"><img src=\"http://l.yimg.com/a/i/us/omg/assets/images/omg-spacer-1.0.0.gif\" alt=\"Story photo: True Blood, 30 Rock Snag GLAAD Awards\" class=\"hidden-bg\" /><cite><em>Nelsan Ellis, Tina Fey | Photo Credits: Doug Hyun/HBO; Art Streiber/NBC</em>TV Guide\n								</cite>\n						</div><p></p><p>Vampires and comedy writers took top honors at the Gay &amp; Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) Media Award in New York Saturday.</p>\n<p>HBO\'s supernatural hit <em><a href=\"http://us.lrd.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0wNdGuIKIZNmiIBtyF7pxx.;_ylv=0/SIG=13lokga5q/EXP=1301847432/**http%3A//www.tvguide.com/tvshows/true-blood/294732%3Frss=keywords%26partnerid=yahoo%26profileid=omg\">True Blood</a></em> won for Outstanding Drama Series. The show features numerous gay characters — some are human (<a href=\"http://us.lrd.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0wNdGuIKIZNmiIBuCF7pxx.;_ylv=0/SIG=13rbo43de/EXP=1301847432/**http%3A//www.tvguide.com/celebrities/nelsan-ellis/193787%3Frss=keywords%26partnerid=yahoo%26profileid=omg\">Nelsan Ellis\'</a> Lafayette) and others are vampires, like Russell Edgington, the vampire king of Mississippi. <a href=\"http://us.lrd.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0wNdGuIKIZNmiIBuSF7pxx.;_ylv=0/SIG=13qfgmc5s/EXP=1301847432/**http%3A//www.tvguide.com/celebrities/denis-ohare/198183%3Frss=keywords%26partnerid=yahoo%26profileid=omg\">Denis O\'Hare</a>, who plays Russell, was on hand to accept the award.</p>\n<p><a href=\"http://us.lrd.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0wNdGuIKIZNmiIBuiF7pxx.;_ylv=0/SIG=144fva7v4/EXP=1301847432/**http%3A//www.tvguide.com/news/glaad-martin-chenoweth-1029027.aspx%3Frss=keywords%26partnerid=yahoo%26profileid=omg\">GLAAD to honor Ricky Martin, Kristin Chenoweth</a></p>\n<p><em><a href=\"http://us.lrd.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0wNdGuIKIZNmiIBuyF7pxx.;_ylv=0/SIG=13ike9kbd/EXP=1301847432/**http%3A//www.tvguide.com/tvshows/30-rock/281135%3Frss=keywords%26partnerid=yahoo%26profileid=omg\">30 Rock</a></em> creator <a href=\"http://us.lrd.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0wNdGuIKIZNmiIBvCF7pxx.;_ylv=0/SIG=13n2h7mrb/EXP=1301847432/**http%3A//www.tvguide.com/celebrities/tina-fey/197171%3Frss=keywords%26partnerid=yahoo%26profileid=omg\">Tina Fey</a> accepted the award for her NBC sitcom, which won the Outstanding Individual Episode (in a series without a regular LGBT character) category. In the Season 4 episode \"Klaus &amp; Greta,\" Liz Lemon (Fey) accidentally outs her cousin Randy (Jeffrey Self) during a visit home, so he packs up and moves in with her temporarily. The episode also featured a guest-starring role by <a href=\"http://us.lrd.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0wNdGuIKIZNmiIBvSF7pxx.;_ylv=0/SIG=13rnp01u8/EXP=1301847432/**http%3A//www.tvguide.com/celebrities/james-franco/155402%3Frss=keywords%26partnerid=yahoo%26profileid=omg\">James Franco</a>, who spoofed himself.</p>\n<p>Other winners included singer <a href=\"http://us.lrd.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0wNdGuIKIZNmiIBviF7pxx.;_ylv=0/SIG=13rt1o399/EXP=1301847432/**http%3A//www.tvguide.com/celebrities/ricky-martin/212133%3Frss=keywords%26partnerid=yahoo%26profileid=omg\">Ricky Martin</a>, who nabbed the Vito Russo Award and <a href=\"http://us.lrd.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0wNdGuIKIZNmiIBvyF7pxx.;_ylv=0/SIG=13ulup8mk/EXP=1301847432/**http%3A//www.tvguide.com/celebrities/russell-simmons/192214%3Frss=keywords%26partnerid=yahoo%26profileid=omg\">Russell Simmons</a>, who took home the Excellence in Media Award. Martin also helped <a href=\"http://us.lrd.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0wNdGuIKIZNmiIBwCF7pxx.;_ylv=0/SIG=13sttmf6t/EXP=1301847432/**http%3A//www.tvguide.com/celebrities/oprah-winfrey/168611%3Frss=keywords%26partnerid=yahoo%26profileid=omg\">Oprah Winfrey</a> win a GLAAD award for an episode of her talk show that focused on his coming out. Over on CNN, <em><a href=\"http://us.lrd.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0wNdGuIKIZNmiIBwSF7pxx.;_ylv=0/SIG=13u9b1n8f/EXP=1301847432/**http%3A//www.tvguide.com/tvshows/anderson-cooper-360/297475%3Frss=keywords%26partnerid=yahoo%26profileid=omg\">Anderson Cooper 360</a></em>\'s feature on \"Gay Teen Suicides\" won for Outstanding TV Journalism.</p>\n<p>For the full list of winners, check out <a href=\"http://us.lrd.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0wNdGuIKIZNmiIBwiF7pxx.;_ylv=0/SIG=119l3inqn/EXP=1301847432/**http%3A//www.glaad.org/\" target=\"_blank\">GLAAD\'s website</a>. Additional awards will be presented in Los Angeles on April 10 and in San Francisco on May 14.</p>\n<p><br /></p><p><b><b>Related Articles on TVGuide.com</b></b></p><ul><li><a href=\"http://us.lrd.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0wNdGuIKIZNmiIBwyF7pxx.;_ylv=0/SIG=144fva7v4/EXP=1301847432/**http%3A//www.tvguide.com/News/GLAAD-Martin-Chenoweth-1029027.aspx%3Frss=keywords%26partnerid=yahoo%26profileid=omg\">GLAAD to honor Ricky Martin, Kristin Chenoweth</a></li>\n</ul></div></div><p><strong>Read more:</strong> <a class=\"rssreadon\" rel=\"external\" title=\"True Blood, 30 Rock Snag GLAAD Awards   (omg!)\" href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/entertainment/*http%3A//us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/external/omg_rss/rss_omg_en/http___omg_yahoo_com_news58793/40747772/*http%3A//omg.yahoo.com/news/true-blood-30-rock-snag-glaad-awards/58793\" target=\"_blank\">http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/entertainment/*http%3A//us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/external/omg_rss/rss_omg_en/http___omg_yahoo_com_news58793/40747772/*http%3A//omg.yahoo.com/news/true-blood-30-rock-snag-glaad-awards/58793</a></p>',-2,5,0,40,'2011-03-19 22:00:00',62,'','0000-00-00 00:00:00',0,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2011-03-19 22:00:00','2011-04-03 12:17:12','','','show_intro=0',1,0,0,'','',0,0,''),(591,'Trace Adkins passes \'Lincoln Lawyer\' screen test   (AP)','trace-adkins-passes-lincoln-lawyer-screen-test-ap','','<p><a href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/entertainment/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110318/ap_en_ot/us_people_trace_adkins\"><img src=\"http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20110316/capt.fca389f688a6459cae9a81c3b309ac0c-fca389f688a6459cae9a81c3b309ac0c-0.jpg?x=130&amp;y=92&amp;q=85&amp;sig=43_YNW_L9Kms2cQSAukYYw--\" height=\"92\" width=\"130\" alt=\"Trace Adkins passes \'Lincoln Lawyer\' screen test   (AP)\" style=\"float: left; border: 0px;\" />\n</a>AP - Trace Adkins summed up his role in the new film \"The Lincoln Lawyer\" in his own succinct way when he gathered friends and media for a screening of it recently.</p><br style=\"clear: both;\" />','<div><div class=\"yn-story-content\">\n                <p>NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Trace Adkins summed up his role in the new film \"The Lincoln Lawyer\" in his own succinct way when he gathered friends and media for a screening of it recently.</p>\n                <p>\"I\'m in it at the beginning and the end and there\'s a buncha crap in the middle,\" Adkins said with a smile of the movie, which opened Friday.</p>\n                <p>He\'s on screen about 3 minutes, but it\'s another solid step in the country singer\'s second career with a handful of parts slated for later this year.</p>\n                <p>While short, Adkins\' scenes are humorous, memorable and key character development moments for star Matthew McConaughey\'s character, a defense attorney who operates his practice out of a Lincoln. Adkins plays a biker in the film who has engaged McConaughey to represent a member of his gang.</p>\n                <p>McConaughey, a country music fan, invited him to try out for the role, but it wasn\'t given to him.</p>\n                <p>\"I had to go read for it,\" Adkins said last week. \"And I really appreciate the fact that the director Brad Furman told me, `I didn\'t know who you were. You got the part because you won the part.\' I appreciated that. But it kind of hurt my feelings at the same time. I thought I was a bigger deal than that. What do you mean you don\'t know who I am?\'\"</p>\n                <p>Once he got the part, Adkins said McConaughey made sure he was able to make the best of it.</p>\n                <p>\"He was very generous and he went to rehearse with me before we did the scenes,\" Adkins said. \"I went over to his trailer and he said, `Let\'s rehearse these scenes, let\'s do this and let\'s do that.\' I thought it was very gracious to do that. Here\'s an old guy that don\'t know what I\'m doing. He took me under his wing and helped me out.\"</p>\n                <p>___</p>\n                <p>Online:</p>\n                <p><a href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/ap/ap_en_ot/storytext/us_people_trace_adkins/40728587/SIG=10sjnor1g/*http://www.traceadkins.com\">http://www.traceadkins.com</a></p>\n                <p>\n            </p></div></div><p><strong>Read more:</strong> <a class=\"rssreadon\" rel=\"external\" title=\"Trace Adkins passes \'Lincoln Lawyer\' screen test   (AP)\" href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/entertainment/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110318/ap_en_ot/us_people_trace_adkins\" target=\"_blank\">http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/entertainment/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110318/ap_en_ot/us_people_trace_adkins</a></p>',-2,5,0,40,'2011-03-18 12:42:00',62,'','0000-00-00 00:00:00',0,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2011-03-18 12:42:00','2011-04-03 12:17:13','','','show_intro=0',1,0,0,'','',0,0,''),(592,'Thornton hopes documentary will be lasting tribute   (AP)','thornton-hopes-documentary-will-be-lasting-tribute-ap','','AP - Billy Bob Thornton thought a documentary tribute to Willie Nelson was long overdue. So he made one himself.','<div><div class=\"yn-story-content\">\n                <p>AUSTIN, Texas – Billy Bob Thornton thought a documentary tribute to Willie Nelson was long overdue. So he made one himself.</p>\n                <p>Thornton\'s \"The King of Luck\" premiered Saturday in Austin, the final film to premiere as part of the South by Southwest Film Festival.</p>\n                <p>\"We just wanted to do an accurate and loving tribute to Willie,\" Thornton said from the red carpet, shortly before the start of the premiere. \"He\'s a guy that\'s been a legend, especially in these parts, for a long time and we thought he deserved kind of a full-length documentary.\"</p>\n                <p>Thornton started shooting the documentary while on the road touring with Nelson. The title is a reference to Nelson\'s Austin-area ranch, which he named Luck, Texas.</p>\n                <p>\"His crew and his band and Willie, they\'re all such laid back and nice people,\" said Thornton, whose mother turned him onto Nelson\'s music as a kid. \"It\'s a real easy thing, they have no ego about them.\"</p>\n                <p>Like a lot of folks, Thornton said, he can\'t quite remember the first time he met Nelson.</p>\n                <p>\"I can\'t remember it, it just happened,\" he said chuckling. \"But it was a long time ago.\"</p>\n                <p>Fittingly, Nelson was on the road again and did not attend the premiere. Several of Nelson\'s contemporaries, like entertainer Kinky Friedman, musician Ray Benson of Asleep at the Wheel and Jimmie Dale Gilmore, were in attendance. Late night talk show host Jimmy Kimmel also attended the premiere, as did U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett, who introduced the film.</p>\n                <p>\"This is really a movie that\'s told by the people around him, who love him and we thought he deserved it,\" Thornton said.</p>\n                <p>\n            </p></div></div><p><strong>Read more:</strong> <a class=\"rssreadon\" rel=\"external\" title=\"Thornton hopes documentary will be lasting tribute   (AP)\" href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/entertainment/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110320/ap_en_ot/us_film_sxsw_the_king_of_luck\" target=\"_blank\">http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/entertainment/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110320/ap_en_ot/us_film_sxsw_the_king_of_luck</a></p>',-2,5,0,40,'2011-03-19 22:38:00',62,'','0000-00-00 00:00:00',0,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2011-03-19 22:38:00','2011-04-03 12:17:15','','','show_intro=0',1,0,0,'','',0,0,''),(593,'Cooper dazzles in `Limitless\'   (AP)','cooper-dazzles-in-limitless-ap','','<p><a href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/entertainment/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110319/ap_en_mo/us_film_review_limitless\"><img src=\"http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20110318/capt.5f2f47144522487883bec82e60d252d0-d6c1ca3f20df4ed2b9869ded86078019-0.jpg?x=130&amp;y=86&amp;q=85&amp;sig=KIKT95_Mngt.HQgDXIEb9w--\" height=\"86\" width=\"130\" alt=\"Cooper dazzles in `Limitless\'   (AP)\" style=\"float: left; border: 0px;\" />\n</a>AP - Bradley Cooper shows he can truly act, truly command a screen &mdash; and not just swagger and preen and flash that sexy smile &mdash; in \"Limitless,\" and his performance goes a long way toward making this sci-fi thriller more entertaining, and more plausible, than it probably should be.</p><br style=\"clear: both;\" />','<div><div class=\"yn-story-content\">\n                <p>Bradley Cooper shows he can truly act, truly command a screen — and not just swagger and preen and flash that sexy smile — in \"Limitless,\" and his performance goes a long way toward making this sci-fi thriller more entertaining, and more plausible, than it probably should be.</p>\n                <p>Cooper stars as Eddie Morra, a struggling and depressed New York writer living in a cluttered, rundown apartment. He\'s already divorced and his latest girlfriend, Lindy (Abbie Cornish), has just dumped him. These early scenes, in which he stumbles around the city in a shlubby, stubbly haze, reveal a depth we hadn\'t seen from Cooper in his previous films, like \"The Hangover,\" \"The A-Team\" and \"He\'s Just Not That Into You.\" And that makes them just about as exciting in their own way as the ones featuring the amped-up version of Eddie we\'ll see later on.</p>\n                <p>One day, he runs into his former brother-in-law, Vernon (Johnny Whitworth), on the street. Turns out Vernon is a pharmaceutical rep with a new wonder drug called NZT, which allows you to tap into your full brain potential. Eddie thinks, why not? He\'s got nothing to lose.</p>\n                <p>Suddenly, he\'s not only pounding out chapters on his long-languishing novel, he\'s cleaning up, picking up new interests, learning new languages and wowing everyone he meets. He loses weight, gets a haircut, buys some stylish new clothes and looks like ... well, he looks like Bradley Cooper. More importantly and more realistically, though, he does the thing we\'d all do with frighteningly expanded brain power: He turns it into a way to make millions of dollars. Fast.</p>\n                <p>Director Neil Burger, whose first feature was the intriguing \"Interview With the Assassin\" from 2002, moves the story forward with an infectious energy. \"Limitless\" recognizes the insanity of Eddie\'s predicament and has a little fun with it — that he\'s seemingly unstoppable, even as he sinks deeper into addiction and discovers some troubling side effects. Burger didn\'t need to rely on some of the visual tricks he employs, though — words dropping from the ceiling to indicate a break in Eddie\'s writer\'s block, or multiple Eddies accomplishing tasks around the house. The fact that Eddie\'s world is brighter, faster and more sensory is enough.</p>\n                <p>Still, Cooper is surprisingly good as the down-and-out version of his character in the beginning, and as the wildly improved version of himself on NZT. Robert De Niro is quietly fierce (and does some of his best work in a while) as the financial guru who\'s fascinated by Eddie, and has a couple of scenes with Cooper in which he reminds you of just how formidable he can be. Cornish, meanwhile, probably doesn\'t get enough to do as Eddie\'s on-again, off-again girlfriend, who\'s skeptical of the new him.</p>\n                <p>You could probably scour the film for deeper themes: an indictment of the pharmaceutical industry, or our need to have it all and have it now. You could pick the script apart for impossibilities. But why bother? It\'s much more enjoyable to shut your brain off and have a good time.</p>\n                <p>\"Limitless,\" a Relativity Media release, is rated PG-13 for thematic material involving a drug, violence including disturbing images, sexuality and language. Running time: 105 min. Three stars out of four.</p>\n                <p>___</p>\n                <p>Motion Picture Association of America rating definitions:</p>\n                <p>G — General audiences. All ages admitted.</p>\n                <p>PG — Parental guidance suggested. Some material may not be suitable for children.</p>\n                <p>PG-13 — Special parental guidance strongly suggested for children under 13. Some material may be inappropriate for young children.</p>\n                <p>R — Restricted. Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.</p>\n                <p>NC-17 — No one under 17 admitted.</p>\n                <p>\n            </p></div></div><p><strong>Read more:</strong> <a class=\"rssreadon\" rel=\"external\" title=\"Cooper dazzles in `Limitless\'   (AP)\" href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/entertainment/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110319/ap_en_mo/us_film_review_limitless\" target=\"_blank\">http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/entertainment/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110319/ap_en_mo/us_film_review_limitless</a></p>',-2,5,0,40,'2011-03-19 00:49:00',62,'','0000-00-00 00:00:00',0,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2011-03-19 00:49:00','2011-04-03 12:17:16','','','show_intro=0',1,0,0,'','',0,0,''),(594,'Review: `Paul\' brings alien life down to Earth   (AP)','review-paul-brings-alien-life-down-to-earth-ap','','<p><a href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/entertainment/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110319/ap_en_re/us_film_review_paul\"><img src=\"http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20110318/capt.dc8284998efb41bcb130b18f551a4ab6-6e00aec50e58468ea9ba567d1ee0ea90-0.jpg?x=130&amp;y=86&amp;q=85&amp;sig=7AL1BjqxnYm0ZCjEqUkkGA--\" height=\"86\" width=\"130\" alt=\"Review: `Paul\' brings alien life down to Earth   (AP)\" style=\"float: left; border: 0px;\" />\n</a>AP - Even among the countless variations of extraterrestrial species encountered in decades of sci-fi moviegoing, an alien who, when moved to depart, says, \"Let\'s bounce,\" is a new breed.</p><br style=\"clear: both;\" />','<div><div class=\"yn-story-content\">\n                <p>Even among the countless variations of extraterrestrial species encountered in decades of sci-fi moviegoing, an alien who, when moved to depart, says, \"Let\'s bounce,\" is a new breed.</p>\n                <p>Paul, the title character of Simon Pegg and Nick Frost\'s latest genre comedy, is a sarcastic stoner steeped in pop culture and busting with well-timed, crude observations. In short, he is Seth Rogen.</p>\n                <p>Rogen is the voice of Paul — a CGI-created alien with green skin and big, glassy eyes — and it\'s difficult to ever forget that. Though Paul has powers of healing, invisibility and thought transfer, his defining characteristics aren\'t his exoticism, but his normalcy. He wears cargo shorts and digs Marvin Gaye.</p>\n                <p>Two vacationing, unabashedly nerdy Brits, Graeme Willy (Pegg) and Clive Gollings (Frost), stumble upon Paul in their tour of Southwest America. Having started at Comic-Con, they continue in a rented RV to Area 51 and other fabled sites of paranoia.</p>\n                <p>Disheveled and adorned in \"The Empire Strikes Back\" T-shirts and the like, Graeme and Clive are fanboys to the tilt. Clive eagerly brandishes the sci-fi novel he wrote, with a cover featuring a woman with, well, a multiplied anatomy. Sitting in a hotel room in white robes, they remark on their maturity before the bellhop\'s arrival makes them squeal \"Pizza!\"</p>\n                <p>On the desert highway, a car comes careening past them, crashes and Paul stumbles out. Brought face-to-face with the genuine article of their make-believe ardor, Graeme and Clive are thrown (\"We\'re on a tight schedule,\" one first replies), but take Paul in.</p>\n                <p>Trailing him are a handful of agents (Jason Bateman, Bill Hader, Joe Lo Truglio), with a higher-up (sci-fi queen Sigourney Weaver) sending commands from some unknown location. Paul, as he explains, has been on Earth for decades, allowing him to absorb culture and help it along, too.</p>\n                <p>In one scene, he\'s shown giving Steven Spielberg advice over the phone for \"E.T.\" If it wasn\'t already clear, \"Paul\" is brimming with loving references to sci-fi films, from \"Predator\" to \"Close Encounters of the Third Kind.\" The height of these winks comes when the gang stumbles into a dive bar, where a country band is playing the Cantina Band song from \"Star Wars.\"</p>\n                <p>Along the way, they encounter a Bible-thumping, gun-toting trailer-park nut (John Carroll Lynch) and his equally religious one-eyed daughter Ruth (the wonderful Kristen Wiig). The existence of an alien is an obvious blow to, as Paul describes it, \"one world theologies\" and this gives way to an interesting — and surely polarizing — subplot to the movie.</p>\n                <p>Religion is satirized with only fanatical, one-dimensional characters (Ruth wears a T-shirt of Jesus shooting Darwin and the tag line `Evolve this!\'). A police officer is baffled by the thought of British police going without guns. Aggressive rednecks (David Koechner, Jesse Plemons) are compared to those from \"Deliverance.\"</p>\n                <p>As much as America deserves parody on those scores, there\'s an unmistakable smugness that\'s crept into the humor. It\'s a notable misstep in the film, otherwise guided by the light touch of director Greg Mottola (\"Superbad,\" \"Adventureland\"). His skill in finding comedy in the quieter moments is all the more obvious in a big production such as this.</p>\n                <p>It\'s the first time Pegg and Frost, who also wrote the film, have set a film in America or worked with Mottola (Edgar Wright helmed the previous films). The result is an interesting mix of British and American comedy (Jeffrey Tambor and Jane Lynch also make cameos) that mostly comes off amiably and consistently funny.</p>\n                <p>Such has been the stock in trade of Pegg and Frost, whose \"Shaun of the Dead\" and \"Hot Fuzz\" both memorably satirized their genres (zombie and action films, respectively) while simultaneously celebrating them.</p>\n                <p>\"Paul\" does that for science-fiction, but falls closer to mere spoof than something of its own, too.</p>\n                <p>Still, after the soulless shoot-\'em-up \"Battle: Los Angeles,\" it\'s nice to find a sci-fi adventure where aliens aren\'t feared, but are just like us: Foul-mouthed, sex-obsessed and helpless when it comes to Marvin Gaye.</p>\n                <p>\"Paul,\" a Universal Studios release, is rated R for language including sexual references, and some drug use. Running time: 104 minutes. Two and a half stars out of four.</p>\n                <p>___</p>\n                <p>Motion Picture Association of America rating definitions:\n</p><p>\nG — General audiences. All ages admitted.\n</p><p>\nPG — Parental guidance suggested. Some material may not be suitable for children.\n</p><p>\nPG-13 — Special parental guidance strongly suggested for children under 13. Some material may be inappropriate for young children.\n</p><p>\nR — Restricted. Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.\n</p><p>\nNC-17 — No one under 17 admitted.</p>\n            </div></div><p><strong>Read more:</strong> <a class=\"rssreadon\" rel=\"external\" title=\"Review: `Paul\' brings alien life down to Earth   (AP)\" href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/entertainment/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110319/ap_en_re/us_film_review_paul\" target=\"_blank\">http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/entertainment/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110319/ap_en_re/us_film_review_paul</a></p>',-2,5,0,40,'2011-03-19 00:47:00',62,'','0000-00-00 00:00:00',0,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2011-03-19 00:47:00','2011-04-03 12:17:17','','','show_intro=0',1,0,0,'','',0,0,''),(595,'Ricky Martin gets top award by GLAAD   (Reuters)','ricky-martin-gets-top-award-by-glaad-reuters','','Reuters - Latin pop star Ricky Martin was honored by media group GLAAD for his work as a role model at a gala held on Saturday where he urged people to spread gay rights throughout Latin America.','<div><div class=\"yn-story-content\">\n                <p>NEW YORK (Reuters) – Latin pop star Ricky Martin was honored by media group GLAAD for his work as a role model at a gala held on Saturday where he urged people to spread gay rights throughout Latin America.</p>\n                <p>\n\"I just want to be free. I can say, today I am free,\" the Puerto Rican singer said at New York\'s Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) Media Awards, which recognize the best portrayals of gay community members in film, television, radio, music, newspapers and blogs.</p>\n                <p>\nMartin, the 39 year-old singer of hits such as his 1999 single \"Livin\' la Vida Loca\" who has sold more than 60 million albums worldwide, revealed he was gay in 2010 after more than a decade in the international spotlight.</p>\n                <p>\nHis coming-out included a TV interview with Oprah Winfrey and since then, he has been heralded as a gay role model, especially for Latin Americans.</p>\n                <p>\nMartin thanked his parents and boyfriend before urged the audience to \"let\'s go Latin America and let\'s share the love.\"</p>\n                <p>\nU.S. comedian Tina Fey accepted the outstanding individual episode award for a program on her TV show \"30 Rock,\" and music mogul Russell Simmons received an excellence award for breaking boundaries in the world of hip-hop music.</p>\n                <p>\nVampire TV show \"True Blood\" won outstanding drama series, while \"The Oprah Winfrey Show\" claimed best talk show episode for \"Ricky Martin Coming Out as a Gay Man and a New Dad.\"</p>\n                <p>\nMartin, who became the father of twin boys with a surrogate mother in 2008, was given the Vito Russo Award, named for the late gay activist and film historian.</p>\n                <p>\nAmong other winners were U.S. band Scissor Sisters and stage play \"The Pride.\" CNN\'s Anderson Cooper, newspapers The Star-Ledger and The Denver Post and online magazine Essence.com were singled out for their coverage of gay and lesbian issues.</p>\n                <p>\nGLAAD, which promotes positive images of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in the media, will present additional media awards in Los Angeles on April 10 and San Francisco in May 14.</p>\n                <p>\n(Reporting by Christine Kearney, editing by Bob Tourtellotte)</p>\n                <p>\n            </p></div></div><p><strong>Read more:</strong> <a class=\"rssreadon\" rel=\"external\" title=\"Ricky Martin gets top award by GLAAD   (Reuters)\" href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/entertainment/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20110320/tv_nm/us_rickymartin_glaad\" target=\"_blank\">http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/entertainment/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20110320/tv_nm/us_rickymartin_glaad</a></p>',-2,5,0,40,'2011-03-20 00:41:00',62,'','0000-00-00 00:00:00',0,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2011-03-20 00:41:00','2011-04-03 12:17:18','','','show_intro=0',1,0,0,'','',0,0,''),(596,'`Limitless\' tops box office with $19M   (AP)','limitless-tops-box-office-with-19m-ap','','<p><a href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/entertainment/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110320/ap_on_en_mo/us_box_office\"><img src=\"http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20110318/capt.24bebafe6df2497e9601462e6184acc4-c2f6c91cd5b74a71aca39786752778b5-0.jpg?x=130&amp;y=86&amp;q=85&amp;sig=IbLQW536nlvlc2iWqoBUkg--\" height=\"86\" width=\"130\" alt=\"`Limitless\' tops box office with $19M   (AP)\" style=\"float: left; border: 0px;\" />\n</a>AP - There was no stopping \"Limitless\" at the box office.</p><br style=\"clear: both;\" />','<div><div class=\"yn-story-content\">\n                <p>LOS ANGELES – There was no stopping \"Limitless\" at the box office.</p>\n                <p>The sci-fi thriller opened at No. 1 this weekend with $19 million, according to studio estimates Sunday.</p>\n                <p>The film from Relativity Media stars Bradley Cooper as a struggling writer who takes a magical pill that allows him to tap into his maximum brain potential. Suddenly he\'s cleaned up, making millions and wowing everyone he meets.</p>\n                <p>Robert De Niro co-stars as a financial guru who\'s fascinated by him, with Abbie Cornish as Cooper\'s skeptical girlfriend.</p>\n                <p>\n            </p></div></div><p><strong>Read more:</strong> <a class=\"rssreadon\" rel=\"external\" title=\"`Limitless\' tops box office with $19M   (AP)\" href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/entertainment/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110320/ap_on_en_mo/us_box_office\" target=\"_blank\">http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/entertainment/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110320/ap_on_en_mo/us_box_office</a></p>',-2,5,0,40,'2011-03-20 11:33:00',62,'','0000-00-00 00:00:00',0,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2011-03-20 11:33:00','2011-04-03 12:17:19','','','show_intro=0',1,0,0,'','',0,0,''),(597,'Spokesman: Wyclef Jean shot in hand in Haiti   (AP)','spokesman-wyclef-jean-shot-in-hand-in-haiti-ap','','<p><a href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/entertainment/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110320/ap_en_mu/cb_haiti_wyclef_jean_shot\"><img src=\"http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20110320/capt.887c95ca627144ec84a8f8576d9139c4-c6c65ffadd5e4e7396de80f7bb02026c-0.jpg?x=130&amp;y=82&amp;q=85&amp;sig=544m7B6E5eiuAtHBiGe_dg--\" height=\"82\" width=\"130\" alt=\"Spokesman: Wyclef Jean shot in hand in Haiti   (AP)\" style=\"float: left; border: 0px;\" />\n</a>AP - Hip-hop star Wyclef Jean was recovering Sunday after receiving a gunshot wound to the hand while campaigning for a fellow performer who is running for president.</p><br style=\"clear: both;\" />','<div><div class=\"yn-story-content\">\n                <p>PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti – Hip-hop star Wyclef Jean was recovering Sunday after receiving a gunshot wound to the hand while campaigning for a fellow performer who is running for president.</p>\n                <p>The shooting happened in the Delmas section of the capital, Port-au-Prince, after 11 p.m. local time Saturday (11 p.m. EDT; 0300 Sunday GMT) said Joe Mignon, senior program director for Jean\'s Yele Foundation. Jean was treated at a hospital and later released, Mignon said.</p>\n                <p>Jean\'s brother, Samuel, confirmed the musician was shot. Neither he nor Mignon had additional details, and a spokesman for the Haitian National Police could not be reached immediately for comment.</p>\n                <p>Jean, a native of Haiti who rocketed to fame as a member of the hip-hop trio The Fugees, is in his home country to support fellow musician and friend Michel \"Sweet Micky\" Martelly, one of two presidential candidates in a run-off vote taking place Sunday.</p>\n                <p>Last week, Jean participated in a Martelly concert in downtown Port-au-Prince that sought to win over voters.</p>\n                <p>\"We are happy that Wyclef is okay but we continue to pray for him and for a peaceful and fair election today in Haiti,\" the Rev. Al Sharpton, who has worked with Jean on educational issues and bringing aid to Haiti after the devastating January 2010 earthquake, said in a statement.</p>\n                <p>The statement also quoted Jimmy Rosemond, who it said was accompanying Jean on his current trip to Haiti.</p>\n                <p>\"It is clear that enemies of progressive change in Haiti are behind the shooting of Wyclef — those that don\'t want to accept that a monumental change is inevitable for the betterment of the Haitian people,\" Rosemond said. \"This incident will not deter those of us that see the election as crucial to the country\'s future.\"</p>\n                <p>\n            </p></div></div><p><strong>Read more:</strong> <a class=\"rssreadon\" rel=\"external\" title=\"Spokesman: Wyclef Jean shot in hand in Haiti   (AP)\" href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/entertainment/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110320/ap_en_mu/cb_haiti_wyclef_jean_shot\" target=\"_blank\">http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/entertainment/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110320/ap_en_mu/cb_haiti_wyclef_jean_shot</a></p>',-2,5,0,40,'2011-03-20 11:48:00',62,'','0000-00-00 00:00:00',0,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2011-03-20 11:48:00','2011-04-03 12:17:20','','','show_intro=0',1,0,0,'','',0,0,''),(598,'Ricky Martin gets top award by GLAAD   (Reuters)','ricky-martin-gets-top-award-by-glaad-reuters','','Reuters - Latin pop star Ricky Martin was honored by media group GLAAD for his work as a role model at a gala held on Saturday where he urged people to spread gay rights throughout Latin America.','<div><div class=\"yn-story-content\">\n                <p>NEW YORK (Reuters) – Latin pop star Ricky Martin was honored by media group GLAAD for his work as a role model at a gala held on Saturday where he urged people to spread gay rights throughout Latin America.</p>\n                <p>\n\"I just want to be free. I can say, today I am free,\" the Puerto Rican singer said at New York\'s Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) Media Awards, which recognize the best portrayals of gay community members in film, television, radio, music, newspapers and blogs.</p>\n                <p>\nMartin, the 39 year-old singer of hits such as his 1999 single \"Livin\' la Vida Loca\" who has sold more than 60 million albums worldwide, revealed he was gay in 2010 after more than a decade in the international spotlight.</p>\n                <p>\nHis coming-out included a TV interview with Oprah Winfrey and since then, he has been heralded as a gay role model, especially for Latin Americans.</p>\n                <p>\nMartin thanked his parents and boyfriend before urged the audience to \"let\'s go Latin America and let\'s share the love.\"</p>\n                <p>\nU.S. comedian Tina Fey accepted the outstanding individual episode award for a program on her TV show \"30 Rock,\" and music mogul Russell Simmons received an excellence award for breaking boundaries in the world of hip-hop music.</p>\n                <p>\nVampire TV show \"True Blood\" won outstanding drama series, while \"The Oprah Winfrey Show\" claimed best talk show episode for \"Ricky Martin Coming Out as a Gay Man and a New Dad.\"</p>\n                <p>\nMartin, who became the father of twin boys with a surrogate mother in 2008, was given the Vito Russo Award, named for the late gay activist and film historian.</p>\n                <p>\nAmong other winners were U.S. band Scissor Sisters and stage play \"The Pride.\" CNN\'s Anderson Cooper, newspapers The Star-Ledger and The Denver Post and online magazine Essence.com were singled out for their coverage of gay and lesbian issues.</p>\n                <p>\nGLAAD, which promotes positive images of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in the media, will present additional media awards in Los Angeles on April 10 and San Francisco in May 14.</p>\n                <p>\n(Reporting by Christine Kearney, editing by Bob Tourtellotte)</p>\n                <p>\n            </p></div></div><p><strong>Read more:</strong> <a class=\"rssreadon\" rel=\"external\" title=\"Ricky Martin gets top award by GLAAD   (Reuters)\" href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/entertainment/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20110320/media_nm/us_rickymartin_glaad\" target=\"_blank\">http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/entertainment/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20110320/media_nm/us_rickymartin_glaad</a></p>',-2,5,0,40,'2011-03-20 00:41:00',62,'','0000-00-00 00:00:00',0,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2011-03-20 00:41:00','2011-04-03 12:17:21','','','show_intro=0',1,0,0,'','',0,0,''),(599,'\'A Little Night Music, Hesperia, The Real Thing\' and Pinter Punctuate IL Writers\' Theatre Season   (Playbill)','a-little-night-music-hesperia-the-real-thing-and-pinter-punctuate-il-writers-theatre-season-playbill','','Playbill - <p>\n	Writers\' Theatre, the Glencoe, IL, company that first produced the new musical <i>A Minister\'s Wife,</i> now in rehearsal for an Off-Broadway production at Lincoln Center Theater, announced its 20th season, to include works by Randall Colburn, Stephen Sondheim, Tom Stoppard and Harold Pinter.</p>','<div><div class=\"yn-story-content\">\n                <p>\n	Writers\' Theatre, the Glencoe, IL, company that first produced the new musical <i>A Minister\'s Wife,</i> now in rehearsal for an Off-Broadway production at Lincoln Center Theater, announced its 20th season, to include works by Randall Colburn, Stephen Sondheim, Tom Stoppard and Harold Pinter.</p>\n                <p>\n	Writers\' Theatre, led by artistic director Michael Halberstam and executive director Kathryn M. Lipuma, performs in two performance spaces in Glencoe: its 50-seat venue at Books on Vernon, 664 Vernon Ave, and its 108-seat theatre at 325 Tudor Court in the Woman\'s Library Club.</p>\n                <p>\n	The Writers\' 20th anniversary season is:</p>\n                <p>\n	<b><i>The Real Thing</i><br />\n	By Tom Stoppard<br />\n	Directed by Artistic Director Michael Halberstam<br />\n	Sept. 13-Nov. 20<br />\n	Performed at 325 Tudor Court</b><br />\n	\"A married playwright blurs the line between reality and his dramas on the stage as his personal life unravels before his very eyes. Deeply moving and bitingly funny, Tom Stoppard\'s razor sharp drama brilliantly examines the complex nature of love, art and reality. Artistic Director Michael Halberstam directs this multi-award winning modern classic.\"</p>\n                <p>\n	<b><i>The Caretaker</i><br />\n	By Harold Pinter<br />\n	Directed by Ron OJ Parson<br />\n	Nov. 8, 2011-March 25, 2012<br />\n	Performed at 664 Vernon Avenue</b><br />\n	\"Aston brings Davies, a fast talking tramp, to his cramped home full of odds and ends — best characterized as junk — offering him a bed and a much needed place to get on his feet. Davies quickly realizes that Aston and his brother Mick have a different take on the world around them. From Aston\'s constant puttering and half finished fix-it jobs to Mick\'s grand plans for the future, the three become an unlikely trio desperately trying to connect to one another but always missing the mark.\"</p>\n                <p>\n	<b><i>Hesperia</i><br />\n	By Randall Colburn<br />\n	Directed by Associate Artistic Director Stuart Carden<br />\n	Jan. 24-March 18, 2012<br />\n	Performed at 325 Tudor Court</b><br />\n	\"When Claudia left Ian and her old life in adult entertainment to return to her small-town roots, she found more than just a new start — she met her soon-to-be husband Trevor, the local youth minister and a man of god. But when Ian shows up on her doorstep just weeks before her wedding, their past together comes roaring back to life bringing doubts to Claudia\'s now moral and well-ordered existence. In this honest exploration, playwright Randall Colburn brings an original voice to the complicated topics of love, sexuality and religion.\"</p>\n                <p>\n	<b><i>A Little Night Music</i><br />\n	Music and Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim<br />\n	Book by Hugh Wheeler<br />\n	Directed by William Brown<br />\n	May 1–July 8, 2012<br />\n	Performed at 325 Tudor Court</b><br />\n	\"Set in turn of the century Sweden, <i>A Little Night Music</i> is a sumptuous musical celebration of love. Desirée Armfeldt has always captured the hearts of men. When both of her lovers — and their wives — show up for a weekend in the country, the boundless possibilities of an old romance and newly awakened passions bring endless surprises.\"</p>\n                <p>\n	<b><i>The Blonde, the Brunette and the Vengeful Redhead</i><br />\n	By Robert Hewett<br />\n	Directed by TBD<br />\n	A Limited Engagement Production<br />\n	May 22–July 29, 2012<br />\n	Performed at 664 Vernon Avenue</b><br />\n	\"Thwarted housewife Rhonda Russell loses herself in a heated moment of passion, setting into motion an unbelievable series of events that ripple through the lives of everyone around her. One performer intricately weaves together the many different sides of Rhonda\'s story with engrossing narrative, wit and compassion. An international hit, <i>The Blonde, the Brunette and the Vengeful Redhead</i> is a surprising and touching tale of loss and ultimate redemption.\"</p>\n                <p>\n	(<i>The Blonde, the Brunette and the Vengeful Redhead</i> is currently only available to Writers\' Theatre subscribers and members.)</p>\n                <p>\n	For more information, visit writerstheatre.org.</p>\n                <p>\n            </p></div></div><p><strong>Read more:</strong> <a class=\"rssreadon\" rel=\"external\" title=\"\'A Little Night Music, Hesperia, The Real Thing\' and Pinter Punctuate IL Writers\' Theatre Season   (Playbill)\" href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/entertainment/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/playbill/20110317/en_playbill/148869\" target=\"_blank\">http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/entertainment/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/playbill/20110317/en_playbill/148869</a></p>',-2,5,0,40,'2011-03-17 18:09:00',62,'','0000-00-00 00:00:00',0,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2011-03-17 18:09:00','2011-04-03 12:17:22','','','show_intro=0',1,0,0,'','',0,0,''),(600,'Spokesman: Wyclef Jean shot in hand in Haiti   (AP)','spokesman-wyclef-jean-shot-in-hand-in-haiti-ap','','<p><a href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/entertainment/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110320/ap_en_ce/cb_haiti_wyclef_jean_shot\"><img src=\"http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20110320/capt.887c95ca627144ec84a8f8576d9139c4-c6c65ffadd5e4e7396de80f7bb02026c-0.jpg?x=130&amp;y=82&amp;q=85&amp;sig=544m7B6E5eiuAtHBiGe_dg--\" height=\"82\" width=\"130\" alt=\"Spokesman: Wyclef Jean shot in hand in Haiti   (AP)\" style=\"float: left; border: 0px;\" />\n</a>AP - A spokesman for Wyclef Jean says the hip-hop star has been released from a hospital after being treated for a gunshot wound to his hand.</p><br style=\"clear: both;\" />','<div><div class=\"yn-story-content\">\n                <p>PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti – A spokesman for Wyclef Jean says the hip-hop star has been released from a hospital after being treated for a gunshot wound to his hand.</p>\n                <p>Joe Mignon, senior program director for Jean\'s Yele Foundation, says Jean was shot in the hand after 11 p.m. local time Saturday in the city of Delmas, just outside Port-au-Prince.</p>\n                <p>Jean\'s brother, Samuel, confirmed the musician was shot. Neither he nor Mignon had additional details.</p>\n                <p>The shooting comes on the eve of presidential elections in Haiti. Jean is supporting fellow musician Michel Martelly.</p>\n                <p>A spokesman for the Haitian National Police could not be immediately reached for comment.</p>\n                <p>\n            </p></div></div><p><strong>Read more:</strong> <a class=\"rssreadon\" rel=\"external\" title=\"Spokesman: Wyclef Jean shot in hand in Haiti   (AP)\" href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/entertainment/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110320/ap_en_ce/cb_haiti_wyclef_jean_shot\" target=\"_blank\">http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/entertainment/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110320/ap_en_ce/cb_haiti_wyclef_jean_shot</a></p>',-2,5,0,40,'2011-03-20 08:35:00',62,'','0000-00-00 00:00:00',0,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2011-03-20 08:35:00','2011-04-03 12:17:23','','','show_intro=0',1,0,0,'','',0,0,''),(601,'Upset special: Butler beats Pittsburgh 71-70   (AP)','upset-special-butler-beats-pittsburgh-71-70-ap','','<p><a href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/sports/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110320/ap_on_sp_co_ga_su/bkc_ncaa_butler_pittsburgh\"><img src=\"http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20110320/capt.d43342401b87480c9f095799d83b4e8d-d43342401b87480c9f095799d83b4e8d-0.jpg?x=130&amp;y=80&amp;q=85&amp;sig=Fnl7PY6RZq5_qzeiLwXnTA--\" height=\"80\" width=\"130\" alt=\"Upset special: Butler beats Pittsburgh 71-70   (AP)\" style=\"float: left; border: 0px;\" />\n</a>AP - The players in the Butler locker room celebrated their latest stunning upset in the NCAA tournament by screaming, exchanging high fives and hugging each other.</p><br style=\"clear: both;\" />','<div><div class=\"yn-story-content\">\n                <p>WASHINGTON – The players in the Butler locker room celebrated their latest stunning upset in the NCAA tournament by screaming, exchanging high fives and hugging each other.</p>\n                <p>Across the arena, Pittsburgh forward Nasir Robinson sat in front of his locker with his shoulders slumped. His voice was barely audible.</p>\n                <p>\"I take the blame, man. I take the blame for the loss,\" Robinson said, referring to the pivotal play in Butler\'s 71-70 victory over the top-seeded Panthers on Saturday night.</p>\n                <p>Matt Howard made one free throw with 0.8 seconds left to cap a wild final sequence that enabled No. 8 seed Butler (25-9) to advance to the round of 16 and deal Pittsburgh its latest painful exit from the NCAAs.</p>\n                <p>Each team had a chance to win it from the foul line in the last 2 seconds. After Butler\'s Shelvin Mack inexplicably fouled Gilbert Brown near midcourt with 1.4 seconds left, Brown made the first try to tie it.</p>\n                <p>He missed the second, and Howard was fouled by Robinson while grabbing the rebound — a foul even more unnecessary than the one that preceded it.</p>\n                <p>\"I\'ve been playing basketball my whole life and I know I shouldn\'t have done that. It was a stupid play,\" Robinson said. \"It wasn\'t the ref\'s fault. It was my fault.\"</p>\n                <p>Robinson tried to answer another question, but got choked up and just shook his head side to side before putting a towel over his head.</p>\n                <p>When Howard grabbed the rebound of Brown\'s miss, it appeared the game was headed to overtime because the Bulldogs were out of timeouts. Then Robinson stuck his arm into the fray.</p>\n                <p>\"I was really surprised,\" Howard said. \"I felt his arm come across mine, so I just threw the ball to the rim.\"</p>\n                <p>Howard made the first shot, then intentionally banged the second attempt off the rim.</p>\n                <p>And soon after that, Butler was rejoicing at midcourt.</p>\n                <p>Mack scored 30 for the Bulldogs (25-9), who used a string of upsets to reach the championship game last year. Butler has won 11 straight overall and is 7-1 in its last eight NCAA tournament games.</p>\n                <p>The 30 points were two short of Mack\'s career high and a Butler tournament record. He went 10 for 16, including 7 of 12 from 3-point range.</p>\n                <p>Unlike Robinson, he got to laugh about a foul that never should have happened.</p>\n                <p>\"It was the dumbest mistake of my life,\" he acknowledged.</p>\n                <p>The Bulldogs will next face Wisconsin in the Southeast regional semifinals. No matter what happens, it will almost certainly be tame compared to what Butler went through in Washington.</p>\n                <p>\"You win two games by three points, it\'s going to be pretty crazy,\" Howard said.\n</p><p>\nIn their tournament opener, the Bulldogs used a tip-in by Howard to beat Old Dominion at the buzzer. Then came this one, in which Butler blew a 12-point lead and had to rally from a five-point deficit over the final 10:37.\n</p><p>\n\"We\'re not better than Old Dominion. We\'re not better than Pittsburgh,\" Butler coach Brad Stevens said. \"We just had the ball last.\"\n</p><p>\nPittsburgh (28-6) was seeking to reach the round of 16 for the sixth time in 10 years. Instead, the Panthers became just another victim of Butler magic.\n</p><p>\nPitt has made the NCAA tournament in 10 straight seasons but never gotten past the round of eight. This team loses four seniors, including Brown, center Gary McGhee and guard Brad Wanamaker.\n</p><p>\n\"Anytime we\'ve lost in the tournament, there\'s been no good losses,\" coach Jamie Dixon said. \"We\'ve just got to keep working harder and keep having great years and keep putting ourselves in a position that we\'re in.\"\n</p><p>\nBrown finished with 24 points, but he will forever remember the missed free throw.\n</p><p>\n\"Everything could have been avoided if I make a free throw and Nasir doesn\'t foul,\" he said.\n</p><p>\nRobinson will probably never remember he scored 16 points on 7-for-9 shooting. He blamed himself for the loss, but his teammates did not.\n</p><p>\n\"It\'s not he did it intentionally or anything,\" Brown said. \"He\'s a hard worker. He\'s a hustler. He was just trying to make a play out there, trying to help the team win.\"\n</p><p>\nThe outcome might not have come down to that if the Panthers didn\'t have a shot-clock violation with 10 seconds left. That was one their 12 turnovers, compared to six by Butler.\n</p><p>\nPittsburgh trailed 41-32 before Brown drilled a 3-pointer, Wanamaker made a layup and Robinson sank two straight layups to tie it with 15:24 left.\n</p><p>\nAfter a timeout, Wanamaker hit a jumper to cap the 11-0 run and give the Panthers their first lead since 4-2.\n</p><p>\nSoon after that, Pittsburgh reeled off seven straight points to go up 53-48.\n</p><p>\nTo no one\'s surprise, Butler wouldn\'t go away.\n</p><p>\nIf Mack was nervous about playing the Big East regular-season champions, it wasn\'t evident by his demeanor during the Star Spangled Banner: He yawned.\n</p><p>\nOnce the game started, however, the junior guard played with intensity and poise. Mack scored 16 points in the first half, sinking four 3-pointers, and the Bulldogs committed only two turnovers in taking a 38-30 lead at the break.\n</p><p>\nBecause the 6-foot-11 McGhee clogged the lane when Butler had the ball, the Bulldogs opted to take their chances from the outside. Howard hit a pair of 3-pointers, Mack and Shawn Vanzant also scored from beyond the arc, and Butler went 8 for 11 from the field in opening up a 20-14 lead.\n</p><p>\nMinutes later, Bulldogs reserve guard Zach Hahn connected from long range, Khyle Marshall jammed home a follow shot and Mack hit a 3 to start a 10-2 spurt that made it 30-18.\n</p><p>\nBrown then scored five points in an 11-0 Pittsburgh run that ended when Mack popped a 3-pointer from the top of the key.</p>\n            </div></div><p><strong>Read more:</strong> <a class=\"rssreadon\" rel=\"external\" title=\"Upset special: Butler beats Pittsburgh 71-70   (AP)\" href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/sports/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110320/ap_on_sp_co_ga_su/bkc_ncaa_butler_pittsburgh\" target=\"_blank\">http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/sports/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110320/ap_on_sp_co_ga_su/bkc_ncaa_butler_pittsburgh</a></p>',-2,5,0,39,'2011-03-20 06:25:00',62,'','0000-00-00 00:00:00',0,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2011-03-20 06:25:00','2011-04-03 12:17:24','','','show_intro=0',1,0,0,'','',0,0,''),(602,'Butler rekindles NCAA hope in America\'s heartland   (AP)','butler-rekindles-ncaa-hope-in-americas-heartland-ap','','<p><a href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/sports/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110320/ap_on_sp_co_ne/bkc_ncaa_butler_s_bounce\"><img src=\"http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20110320/capt.51d25dc6f3504425be056d8bbd3617e7-51d25dc6f3504425be056d8bbd3617e7-0.jpg?x=130&amp;y=128&amp;q=85&amp;sig=8eAJHIw7_dQLRYw4ytmh2Q--\" height=\"128\" width=\"130\" alt=\"Butler rekindles NCAA hope in America\'s heartland   (AP)\" style=\"float: left; border: 0px;\" />\n</a>AP - Butler\'s NCAA tournament run is starting to look a lot like last year.</p><br style=\"clear: both;\" />','<div><div class=\"yn-story-content\">\n                <p>INDIANAPOLIS – Butler\'s NCAA tournament run is starting to look a lot like last year.</p>\n                <p>That No. 1 seed they weren\'t supposed to beat is now history. The Bulldogs are just two wins away from a second straight Final Four appearance. And after one of the most implausible finishes in NCAA tourney history Saturday night, they\'re starting to win back the hearts and minds of America\'s college basketball fans, too.</p>\n                <p>It wasn\'t supposed to go this way after Butler lost three straight games in late January and early February. But the Bulldogs have never let conventional wisdom get in the way of their success.</p>\n                <p>Instead, Butler is heading to its third regional semifinal in five years with a script made for Hollywood.</p>\n                <p>\n            </p></div></div><p><strong>Read more:</strong> <a class=\"rssreadon\" rel=\"external\" title=\"Butler rekindles NCAA hope in America\'s heartland   (AP)\" href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/sports/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110320/ap_on_sp_co_ne/bkc_ncaa_butler_s_bounce\" target=\"_blank\">http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/sports/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110320/ap_on_sp_co_ne/bkc_ncaa_butler_s_bounce</a></p>',-2,5,0,39,'2011-03-20 11:25:00',62,'','0000-00-00 00:00:00',0,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2011-03-20 11:25:00','2011-04-03 12:17:26','','','show_intro=0',1,0,0,'','',0,0,''),(603,'White, Leonard lead Aztecs past Temple in 2 OTs   (AP)','white-leonard-lead-aztecs-past-temple-in-2-ots-ap','','<p><a href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/sports/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110320/ap_on_sp_co_ga_su/bkc_ncaa_temple_san_diego_st\"><img src=\"http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20110320/capt.5a83cd0b5a7c438e9e056dd82a7c0f47-5a83cd0b5a7c438e9e056dd82a7c0f47-0.jpg?x=95&amp;y=130&amp;q=85&amp;sig=B6TDvdZecaLtE84Np.9V3Q--\" height=\"130\" width=\"95\" alt=\"White, Leonard lead Aztecs past Temple in 2 OTs   (AP)\" style=\"float: left; border: 0px;\" />\n</a>AP - One last burst of magnificent athleticism finally did it for San Diego State.</p><br style=\"clear: both;\" />','<div><div class=\"yn-story-content\">\n                <p>TUCSON, Ariz. – One last burst of magnificent athleticism finally did it for San Diego State.</p>\n                <p>Billy White had 16 points and 13 rebounds, and Kawhi Leonard sealed San Diego State\'s exhausting, 71-64 double-overtime victory against Temple with a steal and a slam dunk in a third-round NCAA tournament thriller on Saturday.</p>\n                <p>White sank the go-ahead jumper and Leonard made two free throws as the second-seeded Aztecs (34-2) finally put away the pesky Owls (26-7).</p>\n                <p>Ramone Moore scored 17 for No. 7 seed Temple, which was coming off a 66-64 last-second victory over Penn State in the second round. San Diego State, never an NCAA tournament winner before this season, advanced to the West regional semifinals Thursday in Anaheim, Calif., against No. 3 seed Connecticut.</p>\n                <p>Chase Tapley matched his career best with four 3-pointers — in five attempts — but it was the soaring ability of coach Steve Fisher\'s team that finally made the difference.</p>\n                <p>San Diego State blocked six shots, four by Malcolm Thomas, none bigger than his soaring rejection of Lavoy Allen\'s inside attempt in the final minute with the Aztecs clinging to a 67-64 lead.</p>\n                <p>Leonard\'s two free throws with 30.4 seconds to play put San Diego State ahead 69-64, then he stole the ball from Khalif Wyatt in Temple\'s backcourt, racing uncontested for the slam that sent the Aztecs\' faithful into one last frenzy.</p>\n                <p>The Aztecs, held to a season-low 18 second-half points as the patient Owls clawed back into it, had not played a double-overtime game in seven years. When they had the last shot at the end of regulation and the first overtime and failed to score, the loud throng that made the trek east on Interstate 8 could see their dream season headed toward a possible inglorious, premature conclusion.</p>\n                <p>After a brief exhibition of its fast-break prowess gave San Diego State an 11-point first-half lead, the game slowed to the methodical pace so preferred by Temple. A series of missed shots at point-blank range — by both teams — and some untimely Aztecs turnovers transformed the game into one of those NCAA wild ones.</p>\n                <p>Juan Fernandez, the hero of the win over Penn State, scored 14 for the Owls but was just 5 of 16 shooting — 1 of 10 INSIDE 3-point range. Wyatt also scored 14 and Lavoy Allen had 12 points and 11 rebounds.</p>\n                <p>Thomas scored 14 for the Aztecs to help Fisher advance to a regional semifinal for the fifth time. The first four were with Michigan, the last in 1994.</p>\n                <p>San Diego shot just 43 percent, but Temple was worse at 38 percent.</p>\n                <p>The Aztecs led from the early minutes and were up 54-49 after Leonard\'s jumper in the lane with 2:11 left in regulation. But Wyatt made a 3-pointer with 1:49 to play, then after a San Diego State turnover Allen sank a 7-footer with 51 seconds left to tie it at 54.</p>\n                <p>Tapley\'s baseline runner at the end of regulation was far off the mark. In the first overtime, Fernandez opened with a 3-pointer but Thomas\' three-point play with 2 minutes to play tied it at 61. Both teams had chances after that, with Thomas\' forced jumper misfiring at the buzzer to send it to the second overtime.</p>\n                <p>\n            </p></div></div><p><strong>Read more:</strong> <a class=\"rssreadon\" rel=\"external\" title=\"White, Leonard lead Aztecs past Temple in 2 OTs   (AP)\" href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/sports/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110320/ap_on_sp_co_ga_su/bkc_ncaa_temple_san_diego_st\" target=\"_blank\">http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/sports/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110320/ap_on_sp_co_ga_su/bkc_ncaa_temple_san_diego_st</a></p>',-2,5,0,39,'2011-03-20 00:10:00',62,'','0000-00-00 00:00:00',0,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2011-03-20 00:10:00','2011-04-03 12:17:27','','','show_intro=0',1,0,0,'','',0,0,''),(604,'Kuyt scores penalty in Liverpool win at Sunderland   (AFP)','kuyt-scores-penalty-in-liverpool-win-at-sunderland-afp','','<p><a href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/sports/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20110320/sp_soccer_afp/fblengpr\"><img src=\"http://d.yimg.com/a/p/afp/20110320/capt.photo_1300635180664-1-0.jpg?x=130&amp;y=85&amp;q=85&amp;sig=X3Kg6.je9CCWv9Glr01T3w--\" height=\"85\" width=\"130\" alt=\"Kuyt scores penalty in Liverpool win at Sunderland   (AFP)\" style=\"float: left; border: 0px;\" />\n</a>AFP - Dirk Kuyt scored a controversial penalty as Liverpool bounced back from their Europa League exit with a 2-0 win at 10-man Sunderland on Sunday.</p><br style=\"clear: both;\" />','<div><div class=\"yn-story-content\">\n                <p>LONDON (AFP) – Dirk Kuyt scored a controversial penalty as Liverpool bounced back from their Europa League exit with a 2-0 win at 10-man Sunderland on Sunday.</p>\n                <p>\nLiverpool were beaten at Sunderland in dubious circumstances last season when Darren Bent scored with a goal that deflected in off a beachball which had been thrown onto the pitch.</p>\n                <p>\nBut Kenny Dalglish\'s side enjoyed their own moment of good fortune at the Stadium of Light this time as Kuyt netted a first half penalty awarded for a tackle by John Mensah that took place outside the area.</p>\n                <p>\nReplays showed Mensah\'s challenge made contact with Jay Spearing before the midfielder fell in the area and referee Kevin Friend initially gave a free-kick, only to change his decision to a penalty on the advice of a linesman.</p>\n                <p>\nSunderland were furious and Kuyt rubbed salt into their wounds as he drove home the spot-kick.</p>\n                <p>\nLuis Suarez scored Liverpool\'s second goal from what seemed an impossibly tight angle in the 77th minute to help erase the memory of his team\'s lacklustre midweek defeat against Braga in the Europa League and lift the Reds within four points of fifth placed Tottenham.</p>\n                <p>\nMensah\'s miserable day was completed when the Ghana defender was sent off for a professional foul on Suarez in the closing stages.</p>\n                <p>\nIn Sunday\'s late game, Chelsea face Manchester City at Stamford Bridge with the hosts looking for a win that would take them above their opponents into third place.</p>\n                <p>\n            </p></div></div><p><strong>Read more:</strong> <a class=\"rssreadon\" rel=\"external\" title=\"Kuyt scores penalty in Liverpool win at Sunderland   (AFP)\" href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/sports/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20110320/sp_soccer_afp/fblengpr\" target=\"_blank\">http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/sports/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20110320/sp_soccer_afp/fblengpr</a></p>',-2,5,0,39,'2011-03-20 11:35:00',62,'','0000-00-00 00:00:00',0,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2011-03-20 11:35:00','2011-04-03 12:17:28','','','show_intro=0',1,0,0,'','',0,0,''),(605,'Yankees tinker with Gardner as leadoff hitter   (AP)','yankees-tinker-with-gardner-as-leadoff-hitter-ap','','<p><a href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/sports/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110320/ap_on_sp_ba_ne/bba_yankees_leadoff_hitter\"><img src=\"http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20110318/capt.6b99383c0fa44b4a8ab6467e8dbf7f37-6b99383c0fa44b4a8ab6467e8dbf7f37-0.jpg?x=90&amp;y=130&amp;q=85&amp;sig=LOYZqn.waXaYG18YhSBUNw--\" height=\"130\" width=\"90\" alt=\"Yankees tinker with Gardner as leadoff hitter   (AP)\" style=\"float: left; border: 0px;\" />\n</a>AP - The New York Yankees keep tinkering with their leadoff hitter.</p><br style=\"clear: both;\" />','<div><div class=\"yn-story-content\">\n                <p>CLEARWATER, Fla. – The New York Yankees keep tinkering with their leadoff hitter.</p>\n                <p>Brett Gardner hit first, with Derek Jeter No. 2, for the second time during spring training in Sunday\'s road game against Philadelphia.</p>\n                <p>Jeter was the leadoff hitter 137 times last season, and the Yankees captain hit second on 18 occasions.</p>\n                <p>\"The fans are into everything,\" Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. \"You\'re talking about Derek Jeter. Anytime his name is mentioned it\'s going to be a big story.\"</p>\n                <p>Gardner was first in the lineup in 25 games during 2010. The outfielder got most appearances (56) in the ninth position.</p>\n                <p>\"The interesting thing is how they work together,\" Girardi said. \"With Gardy on and running, Jeter hitting to the right side a lot. It can open up holes. You can do it 9-1 (in the lineup) as well.\"</p>\n                <p>Moving Gardner to the top spot could mean 50 or more additional at-bats for the left fielder. But Girardi says there\'s added value in having Gardner hit ninth.</p>\n                <p>\"Just because he is going to come up before the big boys,\" Girardi said.</p>\n                <p>Nick Swisher\'s solid performance at No. 2 could also impact the look of the opening day lineup.</p>\n                <p>\"We have other options we can do,\" Girardi said. \"Swish did a very good job in that role. It\'s something we have to decide.\"</p>\n                <p>The manager expects no changes when it comes to Mark Teixeira, Alex Rodriguez and Robinson Cano hitting in the 3-4-5 spots.</p>\n                <p>Notes: Yankees spring training instructor Reggie Jackson arrived in camp. The Hall of Famer had back surgery during the winter. ... RHP Joba Chamberlain (upper-body muscle soreness) and LHP Pedro Feliciano (left arm tightness) said they felt fine one day after throwing off a bullpen mound.</p>\n                <p>\n            </p></div></div><p><strong>Read more:</strong> <a class=\"rssreadon\" rel=\"external\" title=\"Yankees tinker with Gardner as leadoff hitter   (AP)\" href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/sports/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110320/ap_on_sp_ba_ne/bba_yankees_leadoff_hitter\" target=\"_blank\">http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/sports/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110320/ap_on_sp_ba_ne/bba_yankees_leadoff_hitter</a></p>',-2,5,0,39,'2011-03-20 11:35:00',62,'','0000-00-00 00:00:00',0,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2011-03-20 11:35:00','2011-04-03 12:17:29','','','show_intro=0',1,0,0,'','',0,0,''),(606,'Walker scores 33 as UConn tops Cincinnati 69-58   (AP)','walker-scores-33-as-uconn-tops-cincinnati-69-58-ap','','<p><a href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/sports/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110320/ap_on_sp_co_ga_su/bkc_ncaa_cincinnati_connecticut\"><img src=\"http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20110320/capt.2f838a78b720463399487d99bf5ffc47-2f838a78b720463399487d99bf5ffc47-0.jpg?x=81&amp;y=130&amp;q=85&amp;sig=qtAP745D1HiR1eLJO0XO9g--\" height=\"130\" width=\"81\" alt=\"Walker scores 33 as UConn tops Cincinnati 69-58   (AP)\" style=\"float: left; border: 0px;\" />\n</a>AP - The Big East finally found a way to get a team into the round of 16 &mdash; by beating up on itself.</p><br style=\"clear: both;\" />','<div><div class=\"yn-story-content\">\n                <p>WASHINGTON – The Big East finally found a way to get a team into the round of 16 — by beating up on itself.</p>\n                <p>Kemba Walker scored 33 points and the conference that was supposedly so powerful at last put a member into the NCAA tournament\'s regional semifinals Saturday night when Connecticut knocked off league foe Cincinnati 69-58.</p>\n                <p>Walker, despite a wrist injury that had him shaking his hand repeatedly late in the first half, scored 16 points over the final 10 minutes. The score was tied at 45 before UConn ended the game with a 24-13 run. One of the highlights: Walker\'s steal and assist to set up Roscoe Smith\'s dunk that pushed the lead to eight with 1:35 to play.</p>\n                <p>Walker finished 8 for 20 from the field and 14 of 14 at the free throw line in his 10th 30-point game of the season.</p>\n                <p>UConn (28-9), the No. 3 seed in the West regional, advanced to play second-seeded San Diego State in Anaheim, Calif., on Thursday.</p>\n                <p>Rashad Bishop scored 22 points for Cincinnati (26-9), which become the seventh of the Big East\'s record 11 NCAA tournament teams to be eliminated. Another one will exit Sunday when Marquette plays Syracuse in the East regional.</p>\n                <p>UConn will join the Marquette-Syracuse winner and possibly Notre Dame (which plays Florida State on Sunday) as the conference\'s only teams to advance to the round of 16.</p>\n                <p>The loss brought to a close a Cincinnati season in which the school completed a long road to return to the NCAAs six years after the messy departure of longtime coach Bob Huggins. The Bearcats won their opening NCAA game against Missouri on Thursday.</p>\n                <p>UConn has won seven straight, including an unprecedented five victories in five days to win the Big East tournament. The Huskies beat Bucknell in their opening NCAA game on Thursday.</p>\n                <p>Alex Oriakhi had 11 rebounds for the Huskies, who outrebounded the Bearcats 35-25. Jeremy Lamb added 14 points.</p>\n                <p>It was the first time in NCAA history two teams from the same conference have met this early in the tournament — a necessity because so many Big East teams made the field — and the familiar foes put on a competitive show, led by Walker and Bishop.</p>\n                <p>Walker had an adventurous game, to say the least. He scored the first six points in a 15-3 run that gave UConn a 24-20 lead, then he was sent crashing to the floor by Justin Jackson while attempting a fast-break layup.</p>\n                <p>Walker landed on his right side and immediately began shaking his right wrist, while Jackson was called for an intentional foul. Walker kept shaking his wrist throughout the rest of the first half and had the wrist taped when he emerged after the halftime break. He took the tape off during an early second-half timeout and showed no ill effects as he sank a smooth pull-up baseline jumper for the Huskies\' first points of the second half.</p>\n                <p>Walker also came up with a slight limp after getting fouled with 9:43 to play in the game with the score tied at 45. He stayed in the game to make both free throws, then hit a 3-pointer on the next possession to put UConn ahead by five. He later split a double team and sliced through a crowded paint for a layup that made it 52-47.</p>\n                <p>Cincinnati starter Ibrahima Thomas fouled out with 8:36 to play.</p>\n                <p>\n            </p></div></div><p><strong>Read more:</strong> <a class=\"rssreadon\" rel=\"external\" title=\"Walker scores 33 as UConn tops Cincinnati 69-58   (AP)\" href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/sports/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110320/ap_on_sp_co_ga_su/bkc_ncaa_cincinnati_connecticut\" target=\"_blank\">http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/sports/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110320/ap_on_sp_co_ga_su/bkc_ncaa_cincinnati_connecticut</a></p>',-2,5,0,39,'2011-03-20 00:24:00',62,'','0000-00-00 00:00:00',0,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2011-03-20 00:24:00','2011-04-03 12:17:30','','','show_intro=0',1,0,0,'','',0,0,''),(607,'Nadal, Djokovic to meet in Indian Wells final   (AP)','nadal-djokovic-to-meet-in-indian-wells-final-ap','','<p><a href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/sports/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110320/ap_on_sp_te_ga_su/ten_indian_wells\"><img src=\"http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20110319/capt.50e04f17b4154c1a8c3747ea5db1e1bc-50e04f17b4154c1a8c3747ea5db1e1bc-0.jpg?x=130&amp;y=79&amp;q=85&amp;sig=1rm4QQ7YDQITeTzKzG5lVQ--\" height=\"79\" width=\"130\" alt=\"Nadal, Djokovic to meet in Indian Wells final   (AP)\" style=\"float: left; border: 0px;\" />\n</a>AP - Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic outlasted Roger Federer 6-3, 3-6, 6-2 to stay undefeated this season and reach the BNP Paribas Open final while knocking the Swiss star from the No. 2 spot in the world on Saturday.</p><br style=\"clear: both;\" />','<div><div class=\"yn-story-content\">\n                <p>INDIAN WELLS, Calif. – Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic outlasted Roger Federer 6-3, 3-6, 6-2 to stay undefeated this season and reach the BNP Paribas Open final while knocking the Swiss star from the No. 2 spot in the world on Saturday.</p>\n                <p>Djokovic and Federer will switch spots when the latest rankings are released on Monday, with the Serbian moving up to No. 2 and Federer slipping to third with an 18-3 mark this season. All three of his losses have been against Djokovic, who is 17-0.</p>\n                <p>\"It\'s the crown for my achievements this year. I think I deserve it,\" Djokovic said. \"I\'ve played the best tennis of my life in the last three months. I have been very dedicated, very professional, and I want to keep on going.\"</p>\n                <p>Neither of them had lost a set in reaching the semifinals, although Federer had a tougher time, dropping 29 games in eight sets, while Djokovic had lost just 12 games in eight sets — the fewest games lost in four matches in an ATP Masters 1000 tournament since 1990.</p>\n                <p>Djokovic will play top-ranked Rafael Nadal in Sunday\'s final. Nadal rallied from a 3-0 deficit in the first set to beat Juan Martin del Potro 6-4, 6-4, ending a three-match losing streak to him.</p>\n                <p>Nadal improved to 31-4 all-time at Indian Wells, where he won titles in 2007 and \'09.</p>\n                <p>It was the third time in the tournament\'s 25 years that the world\'s top three men reached the semifinals.</p>\n                <p>On the women\'s side, top-ranked Caroline Wozniacki plays 15th-seeded Marion Bartoli in Sunday\'s final.</p>\n                <p>Sania Mirza of India and Russian Elena Vesnina defeated eighth-seeded Americans Bethanie Mattek-Sands and Meghann Shaughnessy 6-0, 7-5 to win the women\'s doubles title in their third tournament together. The winners will split $237,000.</p>\n                <p>Federer became just the fourth player to take a set off Djokovic this year when he won the second. Federer lost to him in straight sets in the Australian Open semifinals and in the Dubai final earlier this year.</p>\n                <p>\"My approach to the matches against Roger is maybe different than it was in the past two years. Right now I kind of have more self-belief when I step on the court against him,\" Djokovic said. \"Before it was, `Let\'s hope that I can play well.\'\"</p>\n                <p>Djokovic broke Federer to open the third set, then staved off two break points and hit a forehand winner that kissed the sideline to hold for 2-0.</p>\n                <p>Federer broke back when Djokovic double-faulted at love-40 to tie the set at 2-all. But Federer double-faulted to lose the next game as the Serb won the final four games to close out the win. Djokovic reeled off 11 straight points in that stretch, breaking Federer once more on a forehand winner in the corner.</p>\n                <p>\"It\'s really important to get the upper hand in some part of the match against an opponent like Roger,\" he said. \"When you have the chance, you better use it because he can come back easily. I could feel that.\"</p>\n                <p>With Djokovic serving on his second match point, Federer sent his forehand return long. Djokovic pounded his heart with his right fist, delighting his Serbian flag-waving female fans who screamed for him.</p>\n                <p>\"I had my chances. I know I wasn\'t far away at all because I really had him going,\" Federer said. \"I guess he escaped. I guess confidence is a big thing for him at the moment.\"</p>\n                <p>Alexandr Dolgopolov of Ukraine and Belgian Xavier Malisse defeated Federer and Stanislas Wawrinka 6-4, 6-7 (5), 10-7 in the men\'s doubles final.</p>\n                <p>Del Potro, formerly No. 4 in the world, has been on a roll the last month, when his ranking surged from 484th to No. 90 with strong showings in the United States. The Argentine reached the semifinals in San Jose and Memphis, and then won the title in Delray Beach, Fla.\n</p><p>\nAt Indian Wells, he beat three seeded players to reach the quarterfinals, then caught a break when injured Tommy Robredo withdrew, leaving him fresher to face Nadal and try to become only the second player to beat the Spainard four consecutive times in his career.\n</p><p>\nNadal needed a third-set tiebreaker to beat Ivo Karlovic in the quarters.\n</p><p>\nAgainst Del Potro, Nadal started out slowly on a mostly cloudy day in the desert, with the temperature dipping to 70 degrees — 20 degrees cooler than earlier in the week. He got broken on his forehand error in the second game and Del Potro held for a 3-0 lead.\n</p><p>\nDel Potro held again for a 4-1 lead before Nadal won the final five games, including an ace down the middle in the 10th game that gave him the first set.\n</p><p>\n\"After that, I started to put more balls inside, play higher to his backhand, and trying to get the right rhythm,\" Nadal said. \"I did well. I played a few good games. He had a few more mistakes than usual. That helped me a little bit.\"\n</p><p>\nTied 2-2 in the second, Nadal earned the set\'s lone break after two deuces to go up 3-2. He closed out the match by serving a 40-love game, punctuated by Del Potro\'s backhand service return error on match point.\n</p><p>\n\"Of course, in the beginning I felt really good, but that means nothing. Against Rafa, you have to play in the beginning until the last point very nice tennis,\" Del Potro said. \"If you don\'t take your opportunities, you will lose. He broke me twice: one in the first, one in the second set, and that\'s it. The match is over.\"</p>\n            </div></div><p><strong>Read more:</strong> <a class=\"rssreadon\" rel=\"external\" title=\"Nadal, Djokovic to meet in Indian Wells final   (AP)\" href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/sports/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110320/ap_on_sp_te_ga_su/ten_indian_wells\" target=\"_blank\">http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/sports/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110320/ap_on_sp_te_ga_su/ten_indian_wells</a></p>',-2,5,0,39,'2011-03-20 00:20:00',62,'','0000-00-00 00:00:00',0,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2011-03-20 00:20:00','2011-04-03 12:17:32','','','show_intro=0',1,0,0,'','',0,0,''),(608,'Vick visits prison and vows to continue outreach   (AP)','vick-visits-prison-and-vows-to-continue-outreach-ap','','AP - Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Michael Vick will be active this fall, whether there is football or not.','<div><div class=\"yn-story-content\">\n                <p>TAMPA, Fla. – Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Michael Vick will be active this fall, whether there is football or not.</p>\n                <p>He was joined on Saturday by former NFL coach Tony Dungy and 35 volunteers from Tampa-area Abe Brown Ministries in visiting about 1,000 inmates at a prison in Avon Park, Fla.</p>\n                <p>Vick says it was his first visit to a correctional facility since he served a 23-month sentence in federal prison for bankrolling a dogfighting ring.</p>\n                <p>He is optimistic that there will be football next season. But even if there isn\'t, Vick plans to continue to follow his Christian faith and give back to communities by visiting prisons with Dungy and on his own.</p>\n                <p>\n            </p></div></div><p><strong>Read more:</strong> <a class=\"rssreadon\" rel=\"external\" title=\"Vick visits prison and vows to continue outreach   (AP)\" href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/sports/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110320/ap_on_sp_fo_ne/fbn_vick_banquet\" target=\"_blank\">http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/sports/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110320/ap_on_sp_fo_ne/fbn_vick_banquet</a></p>',-2,5,0,39,'2011-03-19 21:36:00',62,'','0000-00-00 00:00:00',0,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2011-03-19 21:36:00','2011-04-03 12:17:33','','','show_intro=0',1,0,0,'','',0,0,''),(609,'Giants closer Wilson to have tests on strained muscle   (Reuters)','giants-closer-wilson-to-have-tests-on-strained-muscle-reuters','','Reuters - San Francisco Giants closer Brian Wilson has strained his left oblique and will undergo tests Monday to evaluate the extent of the injury, the World Series champions said Saturday.','<div><div class=\"yn-story-content\">\n                <p>NEW YORK (Reuters) – San Francisco Giants closer Brian Wilson has strained his left oblique and will undergo tests Monday to evaluate the extent of the injury, the World Series champions said Saturday.</p>\n                <p>\nGiants manager Bruce Bochy described the injury as mild, and Wilson said he would be ready for the start of the regular season on March 31, Major League Baseball website mlb.com reported.</p>\n                <p>\nWilson, who began a scruffy trend on the team when he grew a bushy black beard last season, led the major leagues with 48 saves during the 2010 campaign that ended with San Francisco\'s Fall Classic triumph over the Texas Rangers.</p>\n                <p>\nEarlier this spring, Wilson was bothered by a stiff lower back that held him out of spring training activities in Arizona until March 6.</p>\n                <p>\n(Writing by Larry Fine, Editing by Greg Stutchbury)</p>\n                <p>\n            </p></div></div><p><strong>Read more:</strong> <a class=\"rssreadon\" rel=\"external\" title=\"Giants closer Wilson to have tests on strained muscle   (Reuters)\" href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/sports/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20110320/sp_nm/us_baseball_giants_wilson\" target=\"_blank\">http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/sports/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20110320/sp_nm/us_baseball_giants_wilson</a></p>',-2,5,0,39,'2011-03-19 21:54:00',62,'','0000-00-00 00:00:00',0,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2011-03-19 21:54:00','2011-04-03 12:17:34','','','show_intro=0',1,0,0,'','',0,0,''),(610,'Matthews powers Portland past Philadelphia   (AP)','matthews-powers-portland-past-philadelphia-ap','','<p><a href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/sports/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110320/ap_on_sp_bk_ga_su/bkn76ers_trail_blazers\"><img src=\"http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20110320/capt.e5c6d36bf3f949e8b3c651cd166df69d-e5c6d36bf3f949e8b3c651cd166df69d-0.jpg?x=91&amp;y=130&amp;q=85&amp;sig=z4aJLD6e0SsVYcTFrccMZw--\" height=\"130\" width=\"91\" alt=\"Matthews powers Portland past Philadelphia   (AP)\" style=\"float: left; border: 0px;\" />\n</a>AP - Wesley Matthews had 17 of his 28 points in the first quarter, helping the Portland Trail Blazers beat the Philadelphia 76ers 110-101 Saturday night.</p><br style=\"clear: both;\" />','<div><div class=\"yn-story-content\">\n                <p>PORTLAND, Ore. – Wesley Matthews had 17 of his 28 points in the first quarter, helping the Portland Trail Blazers beat the Philadelphia 76ers 110-101 Saturday night.</p>\n                <p>Gerald Wallace added 25 points and a season-high eight assists for the Blazers (40-29), who won for the seventh time in nine games to move within a half-game of Denver for the fifth playoff spot in the Western Conference. LaMarcus Aldridge had 18 points and Nicolas Batum finished with 16.</p>\n                <p>Lou Williams had 24 points, part of a 59-point night for Philadelphia\'s reserves. Thaddeus Young had 19 points and Jodie Meeks added 17.</p>\n                <p>The Sixers (36-34) played without Andre Igoudala, who has been bothered by knee tendinitis. Leading scorer Elton Brand was held to 10 points.</p>\n                <p>The Blazers led the whole way. Philadelphia was as close as 92-89 with 9:11 remaining after Brand hit three straight shots, but Portland responded with a 9-0 run.</p>\n                <p>Philadelphia was coming off a 102-80 victory at Sacramento on Friday night and wrapping up a five-game road trip. But the Sixers showed little fatigue, shooting 50 percent from the field and playing aggressive in transition.</p>\n                <p>The Blazers, who beat Cleveland 111-70 on Thursday night, led 62-54 at halftime. Matthews had 20 points at the break after hitting six 3-pointers and seven of his eight shots.</p>\n                <p>Wallace converted a three-point play to increase Portland\'s lead to 83-73, but Philadelphia closed the third with a 10-4 surge. Williams capped the spurt with a 3-pointer.</p>\n                <p>The Blazers shot 51 percent from the field.</p>\n                <p>NOTES: The Blazers made 25 of 29 free throws, hitting their first 16 through three quarters. ... The Sixers had beaten Portland in seven of their last 10 meetings at the Rose Garden. ... Philadelphia leads the NBA in bench scoring with a 39.8 average.</p>\n                <p>\n            </p></div></div><p><strong>Read more:</strong> <a class=\"rssreadon\" rel=\"external\" title=\"Matthews powers Portland past Philadelphia   (AP)\" href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/sports/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110320/ap_on_sp_bk_ga_su/bkn76ers_trail_blazers\" target=\"_blank\">http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/sports/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110320/ap_on_sp_bk_ga_su/bkn76ers_trail_blazers</a></p>',-2,5,0,39,'2011-03-20 00:54:00',62,'','0000-00-00 00:00:00',0,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2011-03-20 00:54:00','2011-04-03 12:17:35','','','show_intro=0',1,0,0,'','',0,0,''),(611,'Perplexed Pitt left to ponder again   (AP)','perplexed-pitt-left-to-ponder-again-ap','','AP - Another tremendous regular season, another failed postseason for Pitt coach Jamie Dixon and the Panthers.','<div><div class=\"yn-story-content\">\n                <p>PITTSBURGH – Another tremendous regular season, another failed postseason for Pitt coach Jamie Dixon and the Panthers.</p>\n                <p>A No. 1 seed for the second time in three seasons, Pitt lost two of its last three games, with only a victory over a No. 16 seed to show for its postseason run.</p>\n                <p>The Panthers, with three senior leaders showing the way, went 28-6 and won the Big East regular-season title with a 15-3 mark. They advanced to the NCAA tournament for the 10th consecutive time. But a Final Four in this new era of Pitt Basketball still eludes them.</p>\n                <p>\"It\'s very tough. I thought this was the year,\" Pitt junior guard Ashton Gibbs said. \"I was confident. It\'s tough for it to end like this.\"</p>\n                <p>A week after losing to UConn 76-74 in the Big East tournament, the Panthers opened up the NCAA convincingly enough with a 74-51 victory over N.C. Asheville. On Saturday, though, their season came to a stunning end, with a 71-70 loss to Butler.</p>\n                <p>\"We\'ve had a few losses this year, not a lot, but they\'ve all been disappointing. This is a disappointing loss for us,\" Dixon said. \"We got down and made a number of plays to put ourselves in position, had a lead, and just were not able to close it.\"</p>\n                <p>And that\'s become quite a March epidemic for the Panthers. Last year, they lost to Xavier 71-68 in the second round. In 2008, they lost to Michigan State 65-54, also in the second round. And in this 10-year run, the furthest they\'ve made it is the Elite Eight, where they lost to Villanova 78-76 in 2009.</p>\n                <p>\"Well, I think everybody remembers the losses. We\'ve won a number of the games in the tournament as well,\" Dixon said. \"I think we\'ve been consistently good every year, so everybody looks to us. Other teams have had dropoffs in the regular season, and people get written off. But I think we\'re about as consistent as anybody in the country.\"</p>\n                <p>That\'s certainly true in the regular season. In the past 10 years, Pitt has been ranked for at least 10 weeks of every season, and was ranked in 20 weeks twice. The Panthers were the No. 1 team in the nation at times in both 2009 and this year. And in that same run of 10 years, the Panthers have played in seven Big East championship games, winning two of them.</p>\n                <p>\"Anytime we\'ve lost in the tournament, there\'s been no good losses,\" Dixon said. \"We just gotta keep working harder and keep having great years and keep putting ourselves in the position that we\'re in. We just gotta keep doing that. That\'s what we\'ll do and that\'s what we have done. And teams would love to be in our situation.\"</p>\n                <p>Which is true. But this loss signaled the end of the road for senior forward Gilbert Brown, center Gary McGhee, and guard Brad Wanamaker.</p>\n                <p>\"A loss is a loss, regardless of the outcome,\" Brown said. \"It comes down to the plays that we didn\'t make in the game, whether it be on buzzer-beater or the free throw at the end. It hurts all same. And it hurts even more because it\'s our last game. We know we\'ll never be able to put the jersey on again and go out there and play with our teammates. Everybody on the team is like family, so this being the last game is really an emotional blow to us.\"</p>\n                <p>But, indeed, successful programs are built for the long term, and that\'s what Pitt will cling to this offseason. Next year\'s recruiting class, after all, will include Khem Birch, a 6-foot-9, 210-pound center from Notre Dame Prep in Massachusetts. He is rated as the nation\'s top center by many recruiting services and is No. 11 overall on ESPN\'s Top 100.</p>\n                <p>\"Nothing really surprises me as far as what can happen,\" Dixon said. \"You gotta be prepared for everything.\"</p>\n                <p>It\'s time to start preparing for next season.</p>\n                <p>\n            </p></div></div><p><strong>Read more:</strong> <a class=\"rssreadon\" rel=\"external\" title=\"Perplexed Pitt left to ponder again   (AP)\" href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/sports/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110320/ap_on_sp_co_ne/bkc_ncaa_pitt_wrapup\" target=\"_blank\">http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/sports/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110320/ap_on_sp_co_ne/bkc_ncaa_pitt_wrapup</a></p>',-2,5,0,39,'2011-03-20 11:28:00',62,'','0000-00-00 00:00:00',0,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2011-03-20 11:28:00','2011-04-03 12:17:36','','','show_intro=0',1,0,0,'','',0,0,''),(612,'Contador wary of Tour of Catalonia challenge   (AFP)','contador-wary-of-tour-of-catalonia-challenge-afp','','<p><a href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/sports/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20110320/sp_wl_afp/cyclingesp\"><img src=\"http://d.yimg.com/a/p/afp/20110320/capt.photo_1300636350099-1-0.jpg?x=130&amp;y=86&amp;q=85&amp;sig=NnMEZuJROQnJBZBk7BIPMw--\" height=\"86\" width=\"130\" alt=\"Contador wary of Tour of Catalonia challenge   (AFP)\" style=\"float: left; border: 0px;\" />\n</a>AFP - Spain\'s three-time Tour de France winner Alberto Contador will have a lot on his mind when he begins his challenge on Monday to be crowned champion of the Tour of Catalonia which is celebrating its centenary.</p><br style=\"clear: both;\" />','<div><div class=\"yn-story-content\">\n                <p>MADRID (AFP) – Spain\'s three-time Tour de France winner Alberto Contador will have a lot on his mind when he begins his challenge on Monday to be crowned champion of the Tour of Catalonia which is celebrating its centenary.</p>\n                <p>\nThe 28-year-old has been in good form this season finishing fourth in the Tour of the Algarve and winning the Tour of Murcia.</p>\n                <p>\nHowever, his mental strength as well as his physical strength will be tested as aside from competing against a strong field he will also learn whether the International Cycling Union intends to appeal the decision by his national federation to exonerate him over a positive doping test.</p>\n                <p>\nContador, though, was more focussed in the riders that will be competing for the title.</p>\n                <p>\n\"The riders who are here are some of my main rivals for the Tour de France,\" said the Saxo Bank rider.</p>\n                <p>\n\"There will be Cadel Evans (the crack Australian recent winner of the Tirreno-Adriatico), Ivan Basso (two-time Tour of Italy winner), Dennis Menchov (Russia\'s two-time Tour of Spain champion), Michele Scarponi (fourth in last year\'s Tour of Italy) and others I forget,\" he said.</p>\n                <p>\n\"They will be very difficult adversaries. They have begun the season in very good form and that is going to be clear in this race.\"</p>\n                <p>\nContador, whose positive test came at last year\'s Tour de France where he claims it emanated from a piece of contaminated meat he ate, pinpointed Wednesday\'s mountainous third stage as the pivotal one.</p>\n                <p>\n\"The third stage will be the key day, with the finish in Andorra, but the other days will be complicated as well,\" he said.</p>\n                <p>\nContador\'s first major objective this year is the Tour of Italy, which runs from May 7 to 29.</p>\n                <p>\n            </p></div></div><p><strong>Read more:</strong> <a class=\"rssreadon\" rel=\"external\" title=\"Contador wary of Tour of Catalonia challenge   (AFP)\" href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/sports/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20110320/sp_wl_afp/cyclingesp\" target=\"_blank\">http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/sports/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20110320/sp_wl_afp/cyclingesp</a></p>',-2,5,0,39,'2011-03-20 11:52:00',62,'','0000-00-00 00:00:00',0,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2011-03-20 11:52:00','2011-04-03 12:17:37','','','show_intro=0',1,0,0,'','',0,0,''),(613,'Pavelski\'s 3 points lead Sharks past Blues 5-3   (AP)','pavelskis-3-points-lead-sharks-past-blues-5-3-ap','','<p><a href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/sports/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110320/ap_on_sp_ho_ga_su/hkn_blues_sharks\"><img src=\"http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20110320/capt.ae7dc200995c4b549c09e03dd90c47a3-ae7dc200995c4b549c09e03dd90c47a3-0.jpg?x=89&amp;y=130&amp;q=85&amp;sig=JSN0R47qqW3y8HPqhZhwQQ--\" height=\"130\" width=\"89\" alt=\"Pavelski\'s 3 points lead Sharks past Blues 5-3   (AP)\" style=\"float: left; border: 0px;\" />\n</a>AP - Joe Pavelski had two goals and an assist Saturday and the San Jose Sharks beat the St. Louis Blues 5-3 on a night they might have lost one of their top scorers to an injury.</p><br style=\"clear: both;\" />','<div><div class=\"yn-story-content\">\n                <p>SAN JOSE, Calif. – Joe Pavelski had two goals and an assist Saturday and the San Jose Sharks beat the St. Louis Blues 5-3 on a night they might have lost one of their top scorers to an injury.</p>\n                <p>San Jose jumped out to a 3-0 lead less than 8 minutes in and thoroughly dominated the Blues. But there was more of a cause for concern than celebration when rookie Logan Couture had to be helped to the locker room early in the second period with an apparent right leg injury.</p>\n                <p>Couture is listed as day to day. He was unable to put any weight on his leg as teammates Ryane Clowe and Ben Eager helped him off the ice after his skate slammed into the end boards 1:04 into the second.</p>\n                <p>Torry Mitchell, Patrick Marleau and Devin Setoguchi also scored and Antti Niemi made 42 saves for the Sharks, who have won three straight following a three-game losing streak to move within two points of Detroit for second place in the Western Conference.</p>\n                <p>T.J. Hensick scored his first goal in more than 16 months and David Backes and Andy McDonald added third-period scores for the Blues, who had won four of six.</p>\n                <p>Much of the energy left the Shark Tank after Couture\'s injury. He has been one of San Jose\'s most consistent performers all season, with a franchise rookie record 27 goals, including eight game-winners.</p>\n                <p>Niemi and Pavelski helped make sure the Sharks didn\'t lose the game as well as Couture after Hensick got credit for his first goal since Nov. 8, 2009, when he kicked a puck off Douglas Murray\'s skate to cut San Jose\'s lead to 3-1.</p>\n                <p>Niemi came out with a couple of tough saves, and Marc-Edouard Vlasic cleared a puck off the goal line to preserve the two-goal lead. Setoguchi restored the three-goal advantage when his shot deflected off Blues defender Roman Polak and past Ty Conklin to make it 4-1.</p>\n                <p>Pavelski iced the game when he deflected Dan Boyle\'s shot into the net for his second goal of the night with 5.3 seconds remaining in the second period. Pavelski has three goals and eight assists in his last four games.</p>\n                <p>He almost had his first career hat trick, but a third goal was taken away after the game when officials ruled he didn\'t deflect Marleau\'s first-period shot.</p>\n                <p>The Sharks played without coach Todd McLellan, who was in Saskatchewan for his brother-in-law\'s funeral. Assistant Trent Yawney ran the team in McLellan\'s absence.</p>\n                <p>San Jose got off to a fast start against a team looking to play spoiler in the Western Conference. The Sharks scored three goals in a span of less than 4 minutes in the opening period to knock out Jaroslav Halak two nights after he shut out another playoff contender in a 4-0 win at Los Angeles.</p>\n                <p>The Sharks\' energetic third line got things started when Mitchell did a good job keeping the puck alive and then found himself in perfect position to knock a rebound of Pavelski\'s shot over a sprawling Halak to make it 1-0.</p>\n                <p>Halak was called for delay of game 31 seconds later and San Jose took advantage immediately. Pavelski won the draw and the puck worked its way back to Marleau, whose shot from inside the blue line beat Halak 11 seconds into the man advantage.</p>\n                <p>Pavelski finished the first-period onslaught with his own blast from the point on San Jose\'s second power play, ending Halak\'s night after less than 8 minutes of work.</p>\n                <p>Notes: San Jose won the season series 3-1. ... The Sharks have scored at least one power-play goal in a season-high seven straight games. ... Referee Dennis Larue was honored before the game for working his 1,000th regular-season game as an official.</p>\n                <p>\n            </p></div></div><p><strong>Read more:</strong> <a class=\"rssreadon\" rel=\"external\" title=\"Pavelski\'s 3 points lead Sharks past Blues 5-3   (AP)\" href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/sports/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110320/ap_on_sp_ho_ga_su/hkn_blues_sharks\" target=\"_blank\">http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/sports/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110320/ap_on_sp_ho_ga_su/hkn_blues_sharks</a></p>',-2,5,0,39,'2011-03-20 01:52:00',62,'','0000-00-00 00:00:00',0,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2011-03-20 01:52:00','2011-04-03 12:17:38','','','show_intro=0',1,0,0,'','',0,0,''),(614,'Djokovic beats Federer to take number two ranking   (AFP)','djokovic-beats-federer-to-take-number-two-ranking-afp','','<p><a href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/sports/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20110320/sp_afp/tennisatpwtausamen\"><img src=\"http://d.yimg.com/a/p/afp/20110320/capt.photo_1300579934895-1-0.jpg?x=130&amp;y=95&amp;q=85&amp;sig=ZcNceIuLfxh38SL6zdVdWA--\" height=\"95\" width=\"130\" alt=\"Djokovic beats Federer to take number two ranking   (AFP)\" style=\"float: left; border: 0px;\" />\n</a>AFP - Serbia\'s Novak Djokovic continued his blistering pace this season by beating Roger Federer to reach the Indian Wells final and snatch the Swiss star\'s world number two ranking.</p><br style=\"clear: both;\" />','<div><div class=\"yn-story-content\">\n                <p>INDIAN WELLS, California (AFP) – Serbia\'s Novak Djokovic continued his blistering pace this season by beating Roger Federer to reach the Indian Wells final and snatch the Swiss star\'s world number two ranking.</p>\n                <p>\nDjokovic reached Sunday\'s title match at the $4.5 million ATP Masters 1000 event, where he will take on Rafael Nadal, by defeating Federer 6-3, 3-6, 6-2 Saturday to extend his match winning streak this season to 17.</p>\n                <p>\n\"I am playing the best tennis of my life,\" said Djokovic, who won the Australian Open in January.</p>\n                <p>\nDjokovic, who won here in 2008, won 11 consecutive points in the third set to break open the match and post his third victory over 16-time major winner Federer in the past three months. </p>\n                <p>\n\"My approach to matches against Roger is maybe different than it was in the past two years,\" Djokovic said of Federer, who still leads their overall series 13-9.</p>\n                <p>\n\"Right now I have more self-belief when I step on the court against him. Before it was, \'Let\'s hope that I can play well.\'\"</p>\n                <p>\nDjokovic, who is the first player to start the season with 17 wins in a row since Pete Sampras in 1997, moves to Sunday\'s final, where he will face world number one Nadal, who beat Juan Martin del Potro 6-4, 6-4.</p>\n                <p>\n\n\"I have played Nadal many times,\" Djokovic said. \"I want this trophy as much as he wants it.\"</p>\n                <p>\nFederer is now 18-3 on the season with all three defeats coming at the hands of Djokovic, who clinched Saturday\'s victory on a second match point when the Swiss fired a forehand service return long.</p>\n                <p>\nWith the win, Djokovic moved into the second ranking spot, dropping Federer to third.</p>\n                <p>\n\"It makes me feel very happy. It\'s the crown for my achievements this year,\" he said.</p>\n                <p>\nDjokovic, 23, hammered three aces in the two-hour, six-minute match in front of a near-capacity crowd of about 15,000 on the main stadium court.</p>\n                <p>\nThe turning point in the match was when Djokovic blitzed Federer for 11 consecutive points in the middle of the third set to turn a 2-2 deadlock into a 5-2 lead.</p>\n                <p>\n\nDjokovic broke Federer\'s serve three times in the final set after Federer won the second set.</p>\n                <p>\n\"He was going for the shots more today,\" Djokovic said. \"The surface is slower than it was in Dubai when we played the last time and he was trying to use that kick serve. So we were testing each other.\"</p>\n                <p>\nFormer three-time Indian Wells champion Federer also made some terrible errors, like when he double faulted on the last point of the fifth game in the third set.</p>\n                <p>\nHe was up 40-15 with a chance to hold serve and make it 3-2 in his favor but instead the double fault cost him the game and gave Djokovic a 3-2 lead as he went on to win the final four games of the deciding set.</p>\n                <p>\nFederer, who also lost the doubles final with Swiss compatriot Stanislas Wawrinka against Alexandr Dolgopolov and Xavier Malisse, said he would get over the setback of losing to Djokovic again.\n</p><p>\n\n\"I\'m not a guy who\'s disappointed for a long time,\" Federer said.\n</p><p>\n\n\n\"What is important is I know that I gave 100 percent out there. If I feel like the effort I put in wasn\'t the best, or if I could have done so many things differently and I didn\'t use them, then it would be very frustrating and disappointing. But it\'s not the case anymore for me.\"\n</p><p>\n\nNadal reached the final by snapping a three-match losing run to Argentina\'s del Potro.\n</p><p>\n\n\"I think I did well. I played a few good games,\" Nadal said. \"I think he had a few more mistakes than usual. That helped me a little bit.\n</p><p>\n\n\"But in general, I think I played my best match in Indian Wells this year by far.\"</p>\n            </div></div><p><strong>Read more:</strong> <a class=\"rssreadon\" rel=\"external\" title=\"Djokovic beats Federer to take number two ranking   (AFP)\" href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/sports/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20110320/sp_afp/tennisatpwtausamen\" target=\"_blank\">http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/sports/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20110320/sp_afp/tennisatpwtausamen</a></p>',-2,5,0,39,'2011-03-20 04:30:00',62,'','0000-00-00 00:00:00',0,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2011-03-20 04:30:00','2011-04-03 12:17:39','','','show_intro=0',1,0,0,'','',0,0,''),(615,'Angela Stanford leads LPGA Founders Cup   (AP)','angela-stanford-leads-lpga-founders-cup-ap','','AP - Angela Stanford plays for keeps no matter the stakes.','<div><div class=\"yn-story-content\">\n                <p>PHOENIX – Angela Stanford plays for keeps no matter the stakes.</p>\n                <p>\"I play with the guys at Shady Oaks in the 1 o\'clock and I\'m out there trying to beat them — and they\'re out there to enjoy the weekend,\" the 33-year-old Texan said Saturday after opening a three-stroke lead in the play-for-free LPGA Founders Cup.</p>\n                <p>\"It always matters to me.\"</p>\n                <p>Instead of paying the players, the tournament honoring the 13 tour founders is donating $1 million to charity — half to The LPGA Foundation and its LPGA-USGA Girls Golf program and half to the top-10 finishers\' designated charities.</p>\n                <p>Stanford is playing for her own foundation.</p>\n                <p>\"I don\'t care if it\'s for money,\" she said. \"I don\'t care if it\'s for money for my charity or for the LPGA Foundation. I don\'t care what\'s it\'s for. If you tell me it\'s official and I have a chance to compete to win something, I\'m going to show up.\"</p>\n                <p>Her foundation provides scholarships for children from families affected by cancer. The winner will receive $200,000 to donate.</p>\n                <p>\"It would do wonders for my foundation,\" said Stanford, a four-time winner in 10 full seasons on the tour. \"We could help a lot of kids a lot faster than I thought we would. There\'s a lot on the line in that respect.\"</p>\n                <p>She shot her second straight 6-under 66, playing in the morning before the wind picked up a bit on the partly cloudy, 80-degree day at Desert Ridge.</p>\n                <p>\"Surprised, to be perfectly honest,\" Stanford said about her low score. \"I didn\'t feel quite right this morning. I had kind of a weird warmup session.\"</p>\n                <p>Long-hitting Brittany Lincicome was second. She followed her opening 67 with a 68, holing an 8-foot par putt on No. 18 just before dark.</p>\n                <p>\"I just putted lights out,\" said Lincicome, Stanford\'s U.S. Solheim Cup teammate. \"My driver let me down today, but my putter saved me.\"</p>\n                <p>The three-time tour winner was frustrated by the pace of play in the round that took about 5 1/2 hours to finish.</p>\n                <p>\"I\'ve never waited that much in my life,\" she said. \"We waited about 20 minutes on every tee shot.\"</p>\n                <p>Mindy Kim was third at 8 under after a 67. She birdied the first five holes.</p>\n                <p>Cristie Kerr, also a U.S. Solheim Cup player, was another stroke back after a 68. She rallied to beat Stanford twice in 2006, overcoming a four-stroke deficit in the final round in Tennessee and an eight-stroke margin in the Canadian Women\'s Open.</p>\n                <p>\"Anything can happen on Sunday,\" Kerr said. \"It\'s a different feel when you\'re playing in the last group, especially with the lead, because you tighten up and try to protect it. And I can stick with my game plan. It depends on the pins and the conditions tomorrow, but sure anything five and in is doable.\"</p>\n                <p>In 2006 at London Hunt in Ontario, Kerr closed with a 7-under 65, while Stanford bogeyed the final two holes — three-putting the last — for a 74. Stanford began that round with a four-stroke lead over Meena Lee.\n</p><p>\n\"I learned a lot in those two losses. People say you learn more in a loss than a victory,\" Stanford said. \"Not that I played scared, but if there was pin tucked left, the first day you\'re probably going at it. Well, if you have a five-, six- or seven-shot lead on the final day, you may go at the middle of the green. For me, I learned that when I did that, it wasn\'t very successful.\n</p><p>\n\"I learned that I have to keep hitting golf shots. You can\'t just say, `I\'m going to go out and make 18 pars and hope I win.\' I think I was still maturing as a player at the time and I didn\'t know what it took to win.\"\n</p><p>\nWhile many players struggled to adjust for their approach shots releasing on the firm greens, Stanford is right at home on the sun-baked layout. She grew up near Fort Worth, played at TCU and still lives in the area.\n</p><p>\n\"Fortunately for me, I\'ve always played release,\" Stanford said. \"I\'m not one that spins the ball a whole lot. So, it doesn\'t bother me if it releases 5 or 25 feet. I think for me that\'s good because I expect it already. ... I\'ve seen it my whole life.\"\n</p><p>\nHall of Famer Karrie Webb, the winner three weeks ago in Singapore, shot a 67 in the afternoon to match Seon Hwa Lee (69) and Mina Harigae (70) at 6 under. Webb won the last Phoenix event in 2009 at Papago and also won in 1999 at Moon Valley.\n</p><p>\nTop-ranked Yani Tseng, the winner of the season-opening LPGA Thailand and three other worldwide events this year, had her second straight 73 to make the cut by a stroke at 2 over. No. 2 Jiyai Shin was 2 under after a 70.\n</p><p>\nDIVOTS: Stanford is 6 under on the four par 5s, birdieing Nos. 2, 5 and 15 both days. ... Kerr is playing for her own Birdies For Breast Cancer foundation and the Muhammad Ali Parkinson Center. On Saturday night at Desert Ridge, she received the Muhammad Ali Athlete of the Year award. ... Second-place is worth $100,000 for the player\'s charity, third $55,000, fourth $40,000, down to $5,000 for 10th.</p>\n            </div></div><p><strong>Read more:</strong> <a class=\"rssreadon\" rel=\"external\" title=\"Angela Stanford leads LPGA Founders Cup   (AP)\" href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/sports/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110320/ap_on_sp_go_su/glf_lpga_tour\" target=\"_blank\">http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/sports/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110320/ap_on_sp_go_su/glf_lpga_tour</a></p>',-2,5,0,39,'2011-03-20 01:17:00',62,'','0000-00-00 00:00:00',0,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2011-03-20 01:17:00','2011-04-03 12:17:41','','','show_intro=0',1,0,0,'','',0,0,''),(616,'Lucian Bute stops Brian Magee to keep IBF title   (AP)','lucian-bute-stops-brian-magee-to-keep-ibf-title-ap','','<p><a href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/sports/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110320/ap_on_sp_bo_st/box_bute_magee\"><img src=\"http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20110320/capt.0121866ddbcd426f937e7fc84550baf0-0121866ddbcd426f937e7fc84550baf0-0.jpg?x=130&amp;y=95&amp;q=85&amp;sig=xRfedwvXUx1UaoCgQbOfPg--\" height=\"95\" width=\"130\" alt=\"Lucian Bute stops Brian Magee to keep IBF title   (AP)\" style=\"float: left; border: 0px;\" />\n</a>AP - Hometown favorite Lucian Bute stopped Brian Magee with an uppercut to the chin at 2:04 of the 10th round Saturday night to retain his IBF super-middleweight title.</p><br style=\"clear: both;\" />','<div><div class=\"yn-story-content\">\n                <p>MONTREAL – Hometown favorite Lucian Bute stopped Brian Magee with an uppercut to the chin at 2:04 of the 10th round Saturday night to retain his IBF super-middleweight title.</p>\n                <p>It was the third time that Bute (28-0) knocked down Magee (34-4-1), having dropped the 35-year-old Irishman in the sixth and seventh rounds of the scheduled 12-round bout between southpaws.</p>\n                <p>The Montreal fighter defended the IBF belt he won in 2007 for the seventh time. Magee failed to go the distance for only the second time in his career.</p>\n                <p>Both fighters tried to establish the jab in a fight that took place almost entirely in the center of the ring. The first five rounds were mostly even, but there was a sense that the taller, quicker Bute had another move up his sleeve.</p>\n                <p>It came out in the sixth when a quick left to the midsection put Magee down. The same thing happened in the seventh and then it was matter of time before the knockout blow came.</p>\n                <p>As Magee winced and fell in the 10th, referee Pete Podgorski of Chicago immediately signaled the end of the fight before 12,219 fans at the Bell Centre.</p>\n                <p>In the co-feature, hard-hitting Pier Olivier Cote of Quebec City stopped Michael Lozada of Mexico with three knockdowns in the first round to win his light welterweight bout.</p>\n                <p>A crushing right to the ear at 2:50 of the first gave Cote (15-0) an impressive victory over Lozada (37-8-1) and a second straight one-round win.</p>\n                <p>\"I thought he\'d be more aggressive, but I saw he was backing up,\" said Cote, one of Canada\'s most promising young fighters along with middleweight David Lemieux. \"I got him with a shot, he lost his legs and it was pretty much over from that point.\"</p>\n                <p>The victory assured Cote of a spot on the undercard of the Manny Pacquiao-Shane Mosley fight May 7 in Las Vegas against an opponent yet to be announced. However, Cote said his top priority is to fight for a North American title and would take that over a non-title bout, even in Las Vegas.</p>\n                <p>The 26-year-old Cote was born in Cali, Colombia, but at 18 months old was adopted by Rejean Cote and Christiane Pleau of Charlesbourg, Quebec.</p>\n                <p>He started boxing at 20 and was Canadian amateur champion within two years. He turned pro in 2008 and has impressed many with his devastating right-hand shots.</p>\n                <p>Carl Moretti of promoter Top Rank this week called Cote a \"special talent.\"</p>\n                <p>In another co-feature, Armenian-born Vanes Martirosyan (29-0) dropped Bladimir Hernandez (18-5) of Mexico just 57 seconds into the second round of a scheduled eight-round light middleweight bout.</p>\n                <p>Martirosyan was using the fight to shake off rust after a subpar win by decision in his last appearance in June against Joe Greene.</p>\n                <p>Bute, a 31-year-old Romanian-born Canadian, was the heavy favorite over the 35-year-old European champion who was in his first world title fight.</p>\n                <p>At ringside was former world champ Mikkel Kessler of Denmark, a likely future opponent for Bute once he recovers from the eye injury that forced him out of Showtime\'s Super Six tournament of top super-middleweights.</p>\n                <p>Bute is expected to take on the Super Six winner early next year if he keeps winning.\n</p><p>\nOn the undercard, Benoit Gaudet (24-2) of Canada scored a unanimous decision over Adrian Verdugo (14-4-1) of Mexico when the super featherweight bout went to the scorecards after six rounds due to an accidental head butt.\n</p><p>\nViorel Simeon (13-0), a 29-year-old Romanian, made an entertaining debut with Montreal promoter InterBox. The rapid-fire puncher got up twice from the canvas in the second round to earn a split decision over Pedro Navarrete (25-11-3) of Mexico.\n</p><p>\nNewcomer Schiller Hyppolite (1-0) knocked down journeyman Patrick Tessier (4-13-2) with an overhand right in the second and got the four-round unanimous decision in a light heavyweight bout between local fighters.\n</p><p>\nSebastien Gauthier (20-2) of Canada knocked out Jovanny Soto-Ramirez (29-13-1) of Mexico in the second round of a bantamweight bout.\n</p><p>\nLight heavyweight Colin McFadden of Canada was scheduled to make his pro debut but it was canceled when opponent Mike Bucannan didn\'t pass the pre-fight physical.</p>\n            </div></div><p><strong>Read more:</strong> <a class=\"rssreadon\" rel=\"external\" title=\"Lucian Bute stops Brian Magee to keep IBF title   (AP)\" href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/sports/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110320/ap_on_sp_bo_st/box_bute_magee\" target=\"_blank\">http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/sports/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110320/ap_on_sp_bo_st/box_bute_magee</a></p>',-2,5,0,39,'2011-03-20 01:47:00',62,'','0000-00-00 00:00:00',0,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2011-03-20 01:47:00','2011-04-03 12:17:42','','','show_intro=0',1,0,0,'','',0,0,''),(617,'Busch wins at Bristol, again   (AP)','busch-wins-at-bristol-again-ap','','<p><a href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/sports/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110319/ap_on_sp_au_ra_ra_su/car_nascar_bristol_nationwide\"><img src=\"http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20110319/capt.3e55a0bc146a45ccb7ecbf0f5684e6d7-3e55a0bc146a45ccb7ecbf0f5684e6d7-0.jpg?x=130&amp;y=85&amp;q=85&amp;sig=s1g3pvBZSvRYMcLTD5.ocQ--\" height=\"85\" width=\"130\" alt=\"Busch wins at Bristol, again   (AP)\" style=\"float: left; border: 0px;\" />\n</a>AP - Kyle Busch continued his march through NASCAR\'s record books with yet another victory at Bristol Motor Speedway.</p><br style=\"clear: both;\" />','<div><div class=\"yn-story-content\">\n                <p>BRISTOL, Tenn. – Kyle Busch continued his march through NASCAR\'s record books with yet another victory at Bristol Motor Speedway.</p>\n                <p>His dominating win Saturday was the 46th of his career in the second-tier Nationwide Series, which puts him three back from tying Mark Martin\'s record. But in leading 266 of the 300 laps, he became the first driver in series history to lead more than 10,000 laps.</p>\n                <p>Busch has led a total of 10,035 laps in the Nationwide Series.</p>\n                <p>And at Bristol? His win Saturday was his 10th spanning all three of NASCAR\'s national series, and he\'s led a whopping 2,349 laps on the Tennessee bullring.</p>\n                <p>\"Nobody gets around this place better than he does,\" crew chief Jason Ratcliffe said.</p>\n                <p>Busch has won the last four races at Bristol, dating back to August when he had a three-race weekend sweep. He\'s got four career Bristol wins in the elite Sprint Cup Series, three in Nationwide and three in the Truck Series.</p>\n                <p>The Nationwide win moved him closer in his pursuit of Martin\'s all-time mark. Martin grabbed a win two weeks ago in Las Vegas, but conceded that Busch would break the mark by this summer. Busch said Martin probably texted him immediately after the race in what\'s become good-natured ribbing between the two.</p>\n                <p>\"Mark and I have a little fun egging it on,\" he said. \"He told me after Las Vegas time is on my side, not his side.\"</p>\n                <p>Kasey Kahne finished second and was followed by Dale Earnhardt Jr., Elliott Sadler and Joey Logano. Kevin Harvick was sixth, Carl Edwards seventh and Jason Leffler, Brad Keselowski and Aric Almirola rounded out the top 10.</p>\n                <p>As Busch pulled away from the field, the real drama was back in traffic and even in the garage.</p>\n                <p>Danica Patrick tangled with Ryan Truex on the track, and waited for him to pass by after the accident, arms in the air as if to say `Why did you wreck me?\'</p>\n                <p>Truex wasn\'t sure what he\'d done wrong, and received affirmation from an unidentified team member over his in-car radio.</p>\n                <p>\"She\'s never been wrong about anything a day in her life,\" Truex was told. \"I wouldn\'t worry about it.\"</p>\n                <p>Patrick, who was coming off a career-best finish of fourth at Las Vegas, was running inside the top 20 at the time of the accident. She finished 33rd in her final race before she resumes her IndyCar schedule.</p>\n                <p>Patrick is not scheduled to run another Nationwide event until June at Chicago.</p>\n                <p>\"He just runs hard, he\'s run hard every time I\'ve been around him and it just feels like overkill,\" she said of the incident with Truex. \"I felt like this was actually a pretty decent run at Bristol for the first time. It\'s disappointing to leave for a couple of months, to leave with this kind of thing, but that\'s Bristol, it gets the best of you.\"</p>\n                <p>Meanwhile, Jennifer Jo Cobb had pre-race drama when she refused to race because team owner Rick Russell told her he wanted to start then park the car. She said Russell told her 10 minutes before the start of the race, after she\'d already bought tires for the event.</p>\n                <p>\"I have made a commitment to my sponsors, my fans and NASCAR that I\'m not a start-and-park driver,\" she said. \"I\'m really serious about this. I have to work hard to prove to people that I\'m serious about this. It was a blow both to my principles and my finances.\"\n</p><p>\nCobb also said she had a five-race deal with Russell, but he told her to save the car for next week\'s race at California and she\'d be replaced in that race.\n</p><p>\n\"In that moment, I just made a decision that I don\'t think I will ever regret,\" she said. \"This isn\'t a case of me being a brat and just wanting to walk off the job and leave someone high and dry. There were several promises made and broken and he really tried to back me into a corner.\n</p><p>\n\"I weighed all the risks and consequences and decided that integrity and principle meant more.\"\n</p><p>\nCharles Lewandowski said he was approached right before the race and asked to drive the car, but didn\'t have his safety equipment with him. Chris Lawson then started the race and ran four laps before parking the car.\n</p><p>\nRussell disputed Cobb\'s version, saying the entire team was informed Friday of his desire to park the car. He also said Cobb has been in breach of her contract because she failed to provide engines at Las Vegas and Bristol.</p>\n            </div></div><p><strong>Read more:</strong> <a class=\"rssreadon\" rel=\"external\" title=\"Busch wins at Bristol, again   (AP)\" href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/sports/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110319/ap_on_sp_au_ra_ra_su/car_nascar_bristol_nationwide\" target=\"_blank\">http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/sports/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110319/ap_on_sp_au_ra_ra_su/car_nascar_bristol_nationwide</a></p>',-2,5,0,39,'2011-03-19 17:24:00',62,'','0000-00-00 00:00:00',0,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2011-03-19 17:24:00','2011-04-03 12:17:43','','','show_intro=0',1,0,0,'','',0,0,''),(618,'Sports Minister: Doping could undermine 2012 Games   (AP)','sports-minister-doping-could-undermine-2012-games-ap','','<p><a href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/sports/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110317/ap_on_sp_ol/oly_london_doping\"><img src=\"http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20110315/capt.d84cf9c4f9a444d6b4b28945c741f465-d84cf9c4f9a444d6b4b28945c741f465-0.jpg?x=130&amp;y=87&amp;q=85&amp;sig=oKq9MOFiHNiy3bJlfZVpfg--\" height=\"87\" width=\"130\" alt=\"Sports Minister: Doping could undermine 2012 Games   (AP)\" style=\"float: left; border: 0px;\" />\n</a>AP - Britain\'s sports minister warns that doping poses the biggest threat to the integrity of the London Olympics.</p><br style=\"clear: both;\" />','<div><div class=\"yn-story-content\">\n                <p>TWICKENHAM, England – Britain\'s sports minister warns that doping poses the biggest threat to the integrity of the London Olympics.</p>\n                <p>Hugh Robertson says spectators must be able to trust that what they are seeing next year is a \"fair contest.\" If they don\'t, he adds, the \"integrity of the games will be lost.\"</p>\n                <p>Officials expect to conduct 5,000 doping tests at the London Games, compared with 4,500 at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.</p>\n                <p>\n            </p></div></div><p><strong>Read more:</strong> <a class=\"rssreadon\" rel=\"external\" title=\"Sports Minister: Doping could undermine 2012 Games   (AP)\" href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/sports/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110317/ap_on_sp_ol/oly_london_doping\" target=\"_blank\">http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/sports/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110317/ap_on_sp_ol/oly_london_doping</a></p>',-2,5,0,39,'2011-03-17 12:49:00',62,'','0000-00-00 00:00:00',0,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2011-03-17 12:49:00','2011-04-03 12:17:44','','','show_intro=0',1,0,0,'','',0,0,''),(619,'Domain \'.xxx\' approved for Web porn sites   (AP)','domain-xxx-approved-for-web-porn-sites-ap','','AP - You\'ve heard of \".com\" and \".org.\" Joining them soon will be their bawdy cousin: \".xxx.\"','<div><div class=\"yn-story-content\">\n                <p>SAN FRANCISCO – You\'ve heard of \".com\" and \".org.\" Joining them soon will be their bawdy cousin: \".xxx.\"</p>\n                <p>On Friday, the board of directors of the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers, which oversees the Internet\'s naming system, approved the creation of a red-light district online for pornographic websites. It follows a decade-long battle over such a name.</p>\n                <p>The uproar over the idea has brought together unlikely bedfellows.</p>\n                <p>Religious groups argue that giving adult websites their own corner of the Internet legitimizes the content.</p>\n                <p>Pornographers worry it will ghettoize their sites. Although it\'s meant to be voluntary, they fear governments could try to mandate the domain\'s use, so that pornographic content is more easily blocked.</p>\n                <p>Diane Duke, executive director of the adult entertainment industry\'s Free Speech Coalition, said in a statement that ICANN has \"disregarded overwhelming outpouring of opposition from the adult entertainment industry — the supposed sponsorship community\" and dismissed the \"interests of free speech on the Internet.\"</p>\n                <p>Supporters have maintained that approving the domain is in keeping with the principle of openness that has fueled the Internet\'s growth.</p>\n                <p>While the idea of \".xxx\" has provoked a philosophical debate, for the U.S. company that submitted the application for the domain, the issue is little more than a matter of dollars and cents.</p>\n                <p>ICM Registry and its CEO, Stuart Lawley, who has led the fight for ICANN\'s approval of \".xxx,\" stand to profit handsomely from the rollout of \".xxx\" websites — because he will be in charge of collecting fees for the use of the new domains.</p>\n                <p>Lawley plans to charge registrars $60 per year for the domain names. He estimates that he could sell as many as 500,000 by the time he rolls them out this summer.</p>\n                <p>\"This was always going to be a very lucrative arrangement,\" he said in an interview Friday.</p>\n                <p>Lawley\'s prices have been a critical issue for opponents to his plan, since domain names typically sell for a fraction of what Lawley plans to charge. They often sell for $10 or less.</p>\n                <p>ICANN had repeatedly rejected Lawley\'s application since 2000, under pressure from Christian groups and governments unhappy with the spread of online porn. Lawley has pitched the suffix as a way for parents to more easily block access to the content. He argues it will be easier for Web filtering software to block \".xxx\" sites since they are clearly labeled as porn.</p>\n                <p>\n            </p></div></div><p><strong>Read more:</strong> <a class=\"rssreadon\" rel=\"external\" title=\"Domain \'.xxx\' approved for Web porn sites   (AP)\" href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/tech/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110319/ap_on_hi_te/us_tec_internet_pornography\" target=\"_blank\">http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/tech/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110319/ap_on_hi_te/us_tec_internet_pornography</a></p>',-2,5,0,44,'2011-03-18 20:21:00',62,'','0000-00-00 00:00:00',0,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2011-03-18 20:21:00','2011-04-03 12:17:45','','','show_intro=0',1,0,0,'','',0,0,''),(620,'EMC\'s anti-hacking division hacked   (AP)','emcs-anti-hacking-division-hacked-ap','','AP - The world\'s biggest maker of data storage computers on Thursday said that its security division has been hacked, and that the intruders compromised a widely used technology for preventing computer break-ins.','<div><div class=\"yn-story-content\">\n                <p>SAN FRANCISCO – The world\'s biggest maker of data storage computers on Thursday said that its security division has been hacked, and that the intruders compromised a widely used technology for preventing computer break-ins.</p>\n                <p>The breach is an embarrassment for EMC Corp., also a premier security vendor, and potentially threatens highly sensitive computer systems.</p>\n                <p>The incident is a rare public acknowledgement by a security company that its internal anti-hacking technologies have been hacked. It is especially troubling because the technology sold by EMC\'s security division, RSA, plays an important role in making sure unauthorized people aren\'t allowed to log into heavily guarded networks.</p>\n                <p>The scope of the attack wasn\'t immediately known, but the potential fallout could be widespread. RSA\'s customers include the military, governments, various banks and medical facilities and health insurance outfits. EMC, which is based Hopkinton, Mass., itself is an RSA customer.</p>\n                <p>EMC said in a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission that RSA was the victim of what is known as an \"advanced persistent threat,\" industry jargon for a sophisticated computer attack. The term is often associated with corporate espionage, nation-state attacks, or high-level cybercriminal gangs.</p>\n                <p>EMC didn\'t offer clues about the suspected origin of the attack. It said it recently discovered an \"extremely sophisticated\" attack in progress against its networks and discovered that the infiltrators had made off with confidential data on RSA\'s SecurID products. The technology underpins the ubiquitous RSA-branded keychain \"dongles\" and other products that blanket important computer networks with an additional layer of protection.</p>\n                <p>The products make it harder for someone to break into a computer even if a password is stolen, for example. The RSA device, working in concert with back-end software, generates an additional password that only the holder of the device would know. But if a criminal can figure out how those additional passwords are generated, the system is at risk.</p>\n                <p>RSA is one of the best-known names for this type of \"two-factor authentication\" technology.</p>\n                <p>RSA declined to comment on what type, or how much, information was stolen.</p>\n                <p>Richard Stiennon, a security analyst with the IT-Harvest firm, said there would be \"tremendous repercussions\" if the criminals were able to silently tap into critical systems using the stolen information.</p>\n                <p>\"You\'d never have a sign that you\'ve been breached,\" he said.</p>\n                <p>In its SEC filing, RSA said that it is \"confident that the information extracted does not enable a successful direct attack on any of our RSA SecurID customers.\" However, it warned that \"this information could potentially be used to reduce the effectiveness of a current two-factor authentication implementation as part of a broader attack.\"</p>\n                <p>\"We have no evidence that customer security related to other RSA products has been similarly impacted,\" said the company\'s executive chairman, Art Coviello. \"We are also confident that no other EMC products were impacted by this attack. It is important to note that we do not believe that either customer or employee personally identifiable information was compromised as a result of this incident.\"</p>\n                <p>The company said it is providing \"immediate remediation steps\" for customers. It didn\'t specify what those are. It outlined some generic security tips that offer clues about how its customers might be targeted with the information stolen from RSA, such as closely monitoring the use of social networking websites by people with access to critical networks and the need to educate employees on the danger of clicking on links or attachments in suspicious e-mails.</p>\n                <p>EMC said it doesn\'t expect the breach to have a meaningful impact on its financial results.</p>\n                <p>Its shares slipped 8 cents to $25.58 in extended trading Thursday. They ended the regular session up 25 cents at $25.56.</p>\n                <p>\n            </p></div></div><p><strong>Read more:</strong> <a class=\"rssreadon\" rel=\"external\" title=\"EMC\'s anti-hacking division hacked   (AP)\" href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/tech/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110318/ap_on_hi_te/us_emc_rsa_breach\" target=\"_blank\">http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/tech/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110318/ap_on_hi_te/us_emc_rsa_breach</a></p>',-2,5,0,44,'2011-03-17 20:42:00',62,'','0000-00-00 00:00:00',0,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2011-03-17 20:42:00','2011-04-03 12:17:46','','','show_intro=0',1,0,0,'','',0,0,''),(621,'New York Times\' website moving from free to fees   (AP)','new-york-times-website-moving-from-free-to-fees-ap','','AP - The New York Times will start charging people for unlimited access to its website and mobile services this month, ending the free usage that online readers of the third-largest U.S. newspaper have enjoyed for most of the past 15 years.','<div><div class=\"yn-story-content\">\n                <p>NEW YORK – The New York Times will start charging people for unlimited access to its website and mobile services this month, ending the free usage that online readers of the third-largest U.S. newspaper have enjoyed for most of the past 15 years.</p>\n                <p>The Times will charge $15 every four weeks, or $195 annually, to read more than 20 articles per month on its website. That fee also covers a subscription on the newspaper\'s software for smart phones. Readers who want unlimited access on the website and the Times\' software for Apple Inc.\'s iPad tablet computer will have to pay $20 every four weeks, or $260 annually. A digital pass covering the website and both mobile options will cost $35 every four weeks, or $455 annually.</p>\n                <p>Subscribers to the Times\' print edition will still get digital access for free while other readers will be limited to 20 free articles on the website each month. People using mobile applications will get the \"top news\" section free.</p>\n                <p>The long-awaited pricing system was announced Thursday as The New York Times Co. tries to counter a steep drop in print advertising. The publisher\'s annual revenue fell 27 percent from $3.3 billion in 2006 to $2.4 billion last year even as higher prices for its print editions have brought in more revenue from readers. While growing, digital ad revenue hasn\'t been large enough to offset losses in print advertising.</p>\n                <p>The newspaper is hoping to bring in more revenue from readers without triggering a backlash that diminishes its Web traffic and slows its rapidly growing sales of Internet ads.</p>\n                <p>Finding that balance is the primary reason the Times spent more than a year studying the way readers use its website and talking to them about what they might be willing to pay. The newspaper began testing the fees Thursday in Canada and will impose them everywhere else beginning March 28.</p>\n                <p>Other newspaper publishers will be monitoring the Times\' effort as they try to decide whether to charge online readers, too. The Times becomes the second major U.S. daily this month to introduce online fees, joining The Dallas Morning News, which is owned by A.H. Belo Corp.</p>\n                <p>\"This is a big moment for newspapers,\" said Rob Grimshaw, managing director for FT.com, which introduced fees for unlimited digital access to The Financial Times in 2007. \"I think this will show that people are willing to pay for high-quality, original reporting.\"</p>\n                <p>After the 20 free articles, craftier Web surfers will still be able to read an unlimited number for free if they can find them through search engines run by Microsoft Corp.\'s Bing and Yahoo Inc. or through links posted on content-sharing sites such as Facebook and Twitter. The Times is imposing a daily limit of five articles for traffic coming from Google, which processes about two-thirds of all Internet queries.</p>\n                <p>The digital fees reflect the Times\' confidence in the quality of its newspaper, which has won more than 100 Pulitzer Prizes. Executives are betting that the Times coverage is distinctive enough to persuade readers to pay instead settling for news available on hundreds of websites, including some that crib information from the Times and other newspapers.</p>\n                <p>The Times\' digital fees seemed too high to newspaper analyst Ken Doctor of Outsell Inc. He expected a $10-per-month option to reduce the chances of alienating a generation of younger readers who have grown up thinking online news should be free. \"They need to be cultivating readers who are going to be their customers,\" he said.</p>\n                <p>A recent survey of 755 U.S. adult Internet users by Pew Internet &amp; American Life Project last fall underscores Doctor\'s concerns. The typical user paid an average of $10 per month for online content, with people ages 30 to 49 most likely to do so. Overall, just 18 percent of the respondents had paid for a digital newspaper, magazine or article. One-third had bought digital music or software online.</p>\n                <p>The Times has introduced digital subscription fees twice before, only to rescind them because they weren\'t bringing in enough revenue.</p>\n                <p>Without providing details, the Times said it will offer introductory discounts to ease the transition to digital fees.</p>\n                <p>Shares of the Times Co. rose 3 cents to close Thursday at $8.89.</p>\n                <p>\n            </p></div></div><p><strong>Read more:</strong> <a class=\"rssreadon\" rel=\"external\" title=\"New York Times\' website moving from free to fees   (AP)\" href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/tech/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110317/ap_on_hi_te/us_tec_new_york_times_online_fees\" target=\"_blank\">http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/tech/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110317/ap_on_hi_te/us_tec_new_york_times_online_fees</a></p>',-2,5,0,44,'2011-03-17 19:08:00',62,'','0000-00-00 00:00:00',0,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2011-03-17 19:08:00','2011-04-03 12:17:47','','','show_intro=0',1,0,0,'','',0,0,''),(622,'Facebook Acquires Snaptu to Bring Social Networking to Feature Phones   (Mashable)','facebook-acquires-snaptu-to-bring-social-networking-to-feature-phones-mashable','','Mashable - Facebook has acquired Israeli startup Snaptu, a creator of simple mobile applications for feature phones, for an estimated $70 million.','<div><div class=\"yn-story-content\">\n                <p>Facebook has acquired Israeli startup Snaptu, a creator of simple mobile applications for feature phones, for an estimated $70 million.</p>\n                <p>\nSnaptu\'s technology is designed to bring web service such as Facebook, Twitter &amp; LinkedIn to almost any phone through a series of applications it has designed.  The company\'s Java-based apps replicate many of the features of smartphone apps, but make them accessible to the millions of people that don\'t own a smartphone.</p>\n                <p>\nIn fact, Facebook tapped Snaptu earlier this year  <a href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/mashable/tc_mashable/storytext/facebook_acquires_snaptu_to_bring_social_networking_to_feature_phones/40752634/SIG=11tich2j8/*http://mashable.com/2011/01/19/facebook-app-feature-phones/\">to create its feature phone app</a>, which provides an almost smartphone-like experience that includes contact syncing and a homescreen that will be familiar to users of the social network\'s iPhone and Android applications.  One of the reasons Facebook chose Snaptu is because its technology works on more than 2,500 different mobile devices.</p>\n                <p>\n\"We soon decided that working as part of the Facebook team offered the best opportunity to keep accelerating the pace of our product development,\" Snaptu said in <a href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/mashable/tc_mashable/storytext/facebook_acquires_snaptu_to_bring_social_networking_to_feature_phones/40752634/SIG=10v3qo0t2/*http://blog.snaptu.com/?p=224\" target=\"_blank\">blog post</a>.  \"And joining Facebook means we can make an even bigger impact on the world.\"</p>\n                <p>\nThe deal, which will close in the next few weeks, was first reported in several <a href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/mashable/tc_mashable/storytext/facebook_acquires_snaptu_to_bring_social_networking_to_feature_phones/40752634/SIG=15n6il8jk/*http://translate.google.com/translate?js=n&amp;prev=_t&amp;hl=en&amp;ie=UTF-8&amp;layout=2&amp;eotf=1&amp;sl=auto&amp;tl=en&amp;u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.themarker.com%2Ftmc%2Farticle.jhtml%3FElementId%3Dgg20110320_58096\" target=\"_blank\">Israeli</a> <a href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/mashable/tc_mashable/storytext/facebook_acquires_snaptu_to_bring_social_networking_to_feature_phones/40752634/SIG=163c2a097/*http://translate.google.com/translate?js=n&amp;prev=_t&amp;hl=en&amp;ie=UTF-8&amp;layout=2&amp;eotf=1&amp;sl=auto&amp;tl=en&amp;u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.calcalist.co.il%2Finternet%2Farticles%2F0%2C7340%2CL-3511994%2C00.html&amp;act=url\" target=\"_blank\">publications</a>.  Snaptu was founded in 2007 as Mobilca and has raised funding from Sequioa Capital and Carmel Ventures. </p>\n                <p>\n            </p></div></div><p><strong>Read more:</strong> <a class=\"rssreadon\" rel=\"external\" title=\"Facebook Acquires Snaptu to Bring Social Networking to Feature Phones   (Mashable)\" href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/tech/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/mashable/20110320/tc_mashable/facebook_acquires_snaptu_to_bring_social_networking_to_feature_phones\" target=\"_blank\">http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/tech/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/mashable/20110320/tc_mashable/facebook_acquires_snaptu_to_bring_social_networking_to_feature_phones</a></p>',-2,5,0,44,'2011-03-20 07:14:00',62,'','0000-00-00 00:00:00',0,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2011-03-20 07:14:00','2011-04-03 12:17:49','','','show_intro=0',1,0,0,'','',0,0,''),(623,'AT&amp;T, Where\'s the Pooled Data Plan with Rollover Megabytes?   (PC World)','ataampt-wheres-the-pooled-data-plan-with-rollover-megabytes-pc-world','','PC World - AT&amp;T has pulled the plug on unlimited data for its home DSL and Uverse customers. The move to capped data comes only nine months after AT&amp;T ended unlimited access for its mobile data plans, and sets a concerning precedent. For me, though, it just begs the question of why AT&amp;T can\'t bundle those things up for a better deal.','<div><div class=\"yn-story-content\">\n                <p>AT&amp;T has pulled the plug on unlimited data for its home DSL and Uverse customers. The move to capped data comes only nine months after AT&amp;T ended unlimited access for its mobile data plans, and <a href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/pcworld/tc_pcworld/storytext/attwheresthepooleddataplanwithrollovermegabytes/40743841/SIG=135il1a9v/*http://www.pcworld.com/article/222039/atandts_uverse_and_dsl_data_caps_good_deal_bad_precedent.html\">sets a concerning precedent</a>. For me, though, it just begs the question of why AT&amp;T can\'t bundle those things up for a better deal.</p>\n                <p>\n\n		\nAT&amp;T residential customers have enjoyed unlimited data up to now, but--according to AT&amp;T--the vast majority of its customers only use about 18GB per month. AT&amp;T claims that only two percent of its customers will come close to exceeding the 150GB cap for DSL, or the 250GB cap on Uverse data. The AT&amp;T statistics are similar to the numbers <a href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/pcworld/tc_pcworld/storytext/attwheresthepooleddataplanwithrollovermegabytes/40743841/SIG=1377iv3ee/*http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/197799/which_new_atandt_data_plan_is_right_for_you.html\">AT&amp;T shared about mobile data consumption</a>--where supposedly only two percent of the AT&amp;T wireless customers need more than 2GB per month of data.</p>\n                <p>\n\n		\n I switched two of the three smartphones on my AT&amp;T family plan to the 200MB data plan when AT&amp;T switched things up. They weren\'t using that much anyway, so switching plans allowed me to save $15 a month on each device. After <a href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/pcworld/tc_pcworld/storytext/attwheresthepooleddataplanwithrollovermegabytes/40743841/SIG=133uhrgmi/*http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/219036/keeping_track_of_your_iphone_data_usage.html\">exceeding the 200MB cap</a> a couple times, I eventually upgraded one of the two to the 2GB plan--plenty of data and still $5 less than I was paying for unlimited.</p>\n                <p>\n\n		\nBut, now I am paying $30 for unlimited data on one phone, $25 for 2GB of data on the second, and $15 for 200MB of data on the third, plus $45 a month for 12Mbps data through Uverse which is now capped at 250GB. Assume for a minute that I changed my unlimited plan to the 2GB plan--I would be paying $110 per month for a combined total of 254.2GB of data. But, according to AT&amp;T, odds are good that I only really need less than 20GB between all of the devices combined.</p>\n                <p>\n\n		\nOf course, I haven\'t yet taken into account that I am also paying an additional $30 a month for unlimited text messaging on the wireless family plan. A text message is just data--and, in fact, AT&amp;T reports text message usage within the data usage when viewing account data--so I am not really sure why I have to pay for it separate from the data I am already paying for. Add that in, and we\'re looking at $140 per month for massive data capacity that I am using only a fraction of.</p>\n                <p>\n\n		\nThen, there are the additional fees for tethering. AT&amp;T is now offering a $45 data plan that includes the 2GB plan plus an additional 2GB for a <a href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/pcworld/tc_pcworld/storytext/attwheresthepooleddataplanwithrollovermegabytes/40743841/SIG=13ddd3442/*http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/218551/atandt_announces_mobile_hotspot_expands_tethering.html\">combined total of 4Gb of data capacity</a> that can be shared across <a href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/pcworld/tc_pcworld/storytext/attwheresthepooleddataplanwithrollovermegabytes/40743841/SIG=13jcib9gm/*http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/221347/activate_atandt_iphone_personal_hotspot_plan_on_the_fly.html\">multiple devices using the Wi-Fi hotspot</a> functionality in phones like the iPhone 4. But, what if I don\'t need any additional data capacity? Why can\'t I just turn on the hotspot and share my base 2GB with other devices without paying more money?</p>\n                <p>\n\n		\nI think AT&amp;T is on to something, though, with the rollover minutes it offers on the voice plans. I have a pool of minutes that are shared between all of my mobile phones, and the minutes we don\'t use carry over to the next month. So, AT&amp;T--when can we drop the pretense of treating residential and wireless data separately, or paying for each device individually, and get something similar for data plans?</p>\n                <p>\n\n		\nHow about a pooled data plan? Give me some tiered options--say 50GB, 150GB, and 250GB--and let me buy a combined data plan that is shared between my home and mobile devices, and let my unused megabytes rollover to the next month.</p>\n                <p>\n\n		\nOh, and stop pretending that a text message isn\'t just another form of data.</p>\n                <p>\n            </p></div></div><p><strong>Read more:</strong> <a class=\"rssreadon\" rel=\"external\" title=\"AT&amp;T, Where\'s the Pooled Data Plan with Rollover Megabytes?   (PC World)\" href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/tech/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/pcworld/20110319/tc_pcworld/attwheresthepooleddataplanwithrollovermegabytes\" target=\"_blank\">http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/tech/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/pcworld/20110319/tc_pcworld/attwheresthepooleddataplanwithrollovermegabytes</a></p>',-2,5,0,44,'2011-03-19 13:17:00',62,'','0000-00-00 00:00:00',0,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2011-03-19 13:17:00','2011-04-03 12:17:49','','','show_intro=0',1,0,0,'','',0,0,''),(691,'Wall Street weighed by banks and home builders   (Reuters)','wall-street-weighed-by-banks-and-home-builders-reuters','','<div><div class=\"yn-story-content\">\n                <p>NEW YORK (Reuters) – Wall Street stocks fell on Wednesday after disappointing new home sales data and a Federal Reserve rejection of a dividend plan by Bank of America weighed on banks and home building shares.</p>\n                </div></div>','<p>\nU.S. new home sales fell in February to a record low and prices were the lowest since December 2003, suggesting the housing market slide was deepening. For details, see STORY:</p>\n                <p>\nBank of America Corp (BAC.N) shares were down 2.2 percent at $13.59, weighing the most on the Dow index, after the Fed objected to the bank\'s plans to boost dividends in the second half of 2011 and told the bank to revise its proposal.</p>\n                <p>\nThe KBW bank index (.BKX) fell 1.4 percent. Citigroup Inc (C.N) shares dropped 1.4 percent at $4.36 and JPMorgan Chase &amp; Co (JPM.N) fell 1.1 percent to $44.96.</p>\n                <p>\nAmong home builders, Toll Brothers Inc (TOL.N) fell 1.6 percent to $20.16 and D.R. Horton Inc (DHI.N) lost 1.4 percent to $11.68.</p>\n                <p>\n\"What\'s been happening now for the past 18 months or so is we\'ve seen a relative low in a lot of housing stocks, meaning they\'re bouncing along the bottom. That\'s typically a good sign since they tend to lead the housing market by three to nine months,\" said Adam Sarhan, chief executive of Sarhan Capital in New York. \"As long as the recent lows aren\'t taken out, we\'d expect some sort of stabilization to occur.\"</p>\n                <p>\nThe Dow Jones industrial average (.DJI) was down 41.74 points, or 0.35 percent, at 11,976.89. The Standard &amp; Poor\'s 500 Index (.SPX) was down 9.03 points, or 0.70 percent, at 1,284.74. The Nasdaq Composite Index (.IXIC) was down 17.46 points, or 0.65 percent, at 2,666.41.</p>\n                <p>\n(Reporting by Angela Moon; Editing by Padraic Cassidy)</p>\n                <p>\n            </p>',-2,5,0,36,'2011-03-23 10:38:00',62,'','0000-00-00 00:00:00',0,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2011-03-23 10:38:00','2011-03-24 11:28:15','','','',1,0,0,'','',0,1,''),(624,'Dutch government seeks to allow online gambling   (Reuters)','dutch-government-seeks-to-allow-online-gambling-reuters','','Reuters - The Dutch government said on Saturday it wanted to grant licenses for Internet gambling services in the Netherlands and lift restrictions that hundreds of thousands of Dutch ignore every year.','<div><div class=\"yn-story-content\">\n                <p>AMSTERDAM (Reuters) – The Dutch government said on Saturday it wanted to grant licenses for Internet gambling services in the Netherlands and lift restrictions that hundreds of thousands of Dutch ignore every year.</p>\n                <p>\nThe proposal, by a new coalition government that took over last October, represents a major policy overhaul for the Netherlands, which has defended an online gambling ban all the way to the European Union\'s highest court.</p>\n                <p>\n\"It is a big shift (in policy), but this is a new government with a more liberal approach,\" said Jaap Oosterveer, a spokesman for the Dutch ministry of public safety and justice.</p>\n                <p>\nIn a letter sent to the Dutch parliament on Saturday, Fredrik Teeven, state secretary of security and justice, wrote that hundreds of thousands of Dutch defied a ban by gambling online, and so a change in the law would allow more oversight.</p>\n                <p>\nSeveral European countries such as France, Italy, Austria, Britain and Sweden already regulate online gambling, and the Netherlands should also be offering licenses for online games such as poker, bingo and sports betting, Teeven wrote.</p>\n                <p>\nA number of online gambling companies have launched legal challenges against several European countries in an effort to break into lucrative markets but have found the going tough.</p>\n                <p>\nLadbrokes, Britain\'s biggest bookmaker, and Betfair, the world\'s largest online gaming exchange, both challenged Dutch gambling policy unsuccessfully last year at the European Union Court of Justice.</p>\n                <p>\nIn his letter, Teeven wrote that consumers should have an appropriate and attractive range of gambling options but that it was very important that there are safeguards against risks such as gambling addiction and fraud.</p>\n                <p>\nThe licensing system for lotteries in the Netherlands should become more transparent, while competition in the gaming industry, which is dominated by state monopoly casino operator Holland Casino, should also be explored, Teeven added.</p>\n                <p>\nThe Dutch government expects the auctioning of Internet gambling and lottery licenses to generate at least 10 million euros ($14.1 million) per year for its coffers starting from 2012, Teeven wrote.</p>\n                <p>\n(Reporting by Greg Roumeliotis, editing by Jane Baird)</p>\n                <p>\n            </p></div></div><p><strong>Read more:</strong> <a class=\"rssreadon\" rel=\"external\" title=\"Dutch government seeks to allow online gambling   (Reuters)\" href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/tech/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20110319/wr_nm/us_netherlands_gambling\" target=\"_blank\">http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/tech/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20110319/wr_nm/us_netherlands_gambling</a></p>',-2,5,0,44,'2011-03-19 08:45:00',62,'','0000-00-00 00:00:00',0,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2011-03-19 08:45:00','2011-04-03 12:17:50','','','show_intro=0',1,0,0,'','',0,0,''),(625,'South Carolina bill targets prisoners on Facebook   (AP)','south-carolina-bill-targets-prisoners-on-facebook-ap','','<p><a href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/tech/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110320/ap_on_re_us/us_facebook_prisoners\"><img src=\"http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20110320/capt.1e65b65321964a9bbe14001b6da69830-1e65b65321964a9bbe14001b6da69830-0.jpg?x=130&amp;y=65&amp;q=85&amp;sig=Xt.0YXQXs.0tcDDcK3nVhw--\" height=\"65\" width=\"130\" alt=\"South Carolina bill targets prisoners on Facebook   (AP)\" style=\"float: left; border: 0px;\" />\n</a>AP - Islam Dunn updates his Facebook page with a phone like so many other 19-year-olds, only he must hide the device so the prison guards don\'t notice.</p><br style=\"clear: both;\" />','<div><div>Sorry, readability was unable to parse this page for content.</div></div><p><strong>Read more:</strong> <a class=\"rssreadon\" rel=\"external\" title=\"South Carolina bill targets prisoners on Facebook   (AP)\" href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/tech/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110320/ap_on_re_us/us_facebook_prisoners\" target=\"_blank\">http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/tech/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110320/ap_on_re_us/us_facebook_prisoners</a></p>',-2,5,0,44,'2011-03-20 12:01:00',62,'','0000-00-00 00:00:00',0,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2011-03-20 12:01:00','2011-04-03 12:17:51','','','show_intro=0',1,0,0,'','',0,0,''),(626,'CTIA rumor: Sprint to launch HTC EVO 3D, EVO View 4G tablet   (Digital Trends)','ctia-rumor-sprint-to-launch-htc-evo-3d-evo-view-4g-tablet-digital-trends','','Digital Trends - A wealth of alleged details about Sprintâ€™s upcoming handset lineup has emerged prior to the wireless carrierâ€™s official announcement at the CTIA Wireless 2011 conference, which (pre-)kicks off on Monday, March 21, in Orlando, Florida.','<div><div class=\"yn-story-content\">\n                <p><a href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/digitaltrends/tc_digitaltrends/storytext/ctiarumorsprinttolaunchhtcevo3devoview4gtablet/40746036/SIG=13u1kmosl/*http://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/ctia-rumor-sprint-to-launch-htc-evo-3d-evo-view-4g-tablet/attachment/sprint-ctia-htc-3d/\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-289354 alignright\" title=\"Sprint-CTIA-HTC-3D-smartphone\" src=\"http://www.digitaltrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/Sprint-CTIA-HTC-3D-258x300.jpg\" alt=\"Sprint-CTIA-HTC-3D-smartphone\" width=\"258\" height=\"300\" style=\"float: right;\" /></a>A wealth of alleged details about Sprint’s upcoming handset lineup has emerged prior to the wireless carrier’s official announcement at the CTIA Wireless 2011 conference, which (pre-)kicks off on Monday, March 21, in Orlando, Florida. </p>\n                <p>\nAccording to <a href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/digitaltrends/tc_digitaltrends/storytext/ctiarumorsprinttolaunchhtcevo3devoview4gtablet/40746036/SIG=13ekr1861/*http://www.bgr.com/2011/03/18/sprints-ctia-announcements-htc-evo-3d-htc-evo-view-4g-motorola-xoom-much-more/\">a source who spoke with <em>BRG</em></a>: </p>\n                <p>\nThe first big unveil for Sprint “most certainly will be” the HTC EVO 3D smartphone, the successor to the EVO 4G. It will run on Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) with the HTC Sense user interface.</p>\n                <p>\nMeasuring 4.3-inches, the EVO 3D sports a 960×450 resolution touchscreen with Autostereoscopic 3D display capabilities — the newfangled type that doesn’t require the use of glasses. </p>\n                <p>\nThe guts of the device, which runs on Android 2.3 (Gingerbread), include a 1.2GHz dual-core Qualcomm 8660 Snapdragon processor and a 1730mAh battery. (The device probably has 1GB of RAM and 4GB of ROM memory, but BRG says its source switched the numbers around when he gave the specs.)</p>\n                <p>\nIn front  the EVO 3D has a 1.3-megapixel camera for video chat. On the back are two 5-megapixel cameras, which enabled users to shoot footage in 3D. It can also output regular ol’ two-dimensional video at 1080p, or 3D video at 720p high-resolution, via an HDMI port. The device will also have access to both YouTube 3D and Blockbuster 3D on-demand apps.</p>\n                <p>\nIn addition to the EVO 3D, Sprint will allegedly add the HTC EVO View 4G tablet to its roster. The 7-inch device is said to be “much like the <a href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/digitaltrends/tc_digitaltrends/storytext/ctiarumorsprinttolaunchhtcevo3devoview4gtablet/40746036/SIG=11n3b9jfs/*http://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/htc-flyer-onlive/\">HTC Flyer</a> tablet” that debuted at <a href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/digitaltrends/tc_digitaltrends/storytext/ctiarumorsprinttolaunchhtcevo3devoview4gtablet/40746036/SIG=11ol091vr/*http://www.digitaltrends.com/tag/mobile-world-congress\">Mobile World Congress 2011</a>. It has a 1024×600 display, aluminum unibody design, and HTC Scribe for optional pen usage. </p>\n                <p>\nLike the EVO 3D, the View 4G runs on Android 2.3 Gingerbread, with a HTC Sense UI that’s optimized for tablets. It has a 5MP camera in back and a 1.3MP camera in the front. The phone also has a 4000mAh battery, DLNA and HDMI output. </p>\n                <p>\nOutside of the CTIA timeframe, Sprint is said to launch three additional tablets: The Motorola Xoom, and two versions of the BlackBerry Playbook (one Wi-Fi-only, the Wi-Fi/WiMax 4G). </p>\n                <p>\n            </p></div></div><p><strong>Read more:</strong> <a class=\"rssreadon\" rel=\"external\" title=\"CTIA rumor: Sprint to launch HTC EVO 3D, EVO View 4G tablet   (Digital Trends)\" href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/tech/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/digitaltrends/20110319/tc_digitaltrends/ctiarumorsprinttolaunchhtcevo3devoview4gtablet\" target=\"_blank\">http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/tech/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/digitaltrends/20110319/tc_digitaltrends/ctiarumorsprinttolaunchhtcevo3devoview4gtablet</a></p>',-2,5,0,44,'2011-03-19 18:50:00',62,'','0000-00-00 00:00:00',0,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2011-03-19 18:50:00','2011-04-03 12:17:52','','','show_intro=0',1,0,0,'','',0,0,''),(627,'Best Celebrity Twitter Pictures   (The Daily Beast)','best-celebrity-twitter-pictures-the-daily-beast','','The Daily Beast - Justin Bieber meets his look-alike, Charlie Sheen and his girlfriends wear &ldquo;winning&rdquo; t-shirts, and Ellen gives Snuggies to the Sister Wives cast. See pictures of stars&rsquo; Twitter photos.','<div><div class=\"yn-story-content\">\n                <p>NEW YORK – <img src=\"http://www.tdbimg.com/files/2011/03/17/img-bs-bottom---twitpics-0320_12532781325.jpg\" alt=\"Best Celebrity Twitter Pictures\" /><b>Justin Bieber meets his look-alike, Charlie Sheen and his girlfriends wear “winning” t-shirts, and Ellen gives Snuggies to the Sister Wives cast. See pictures of stars’ Twitter photos. </b></p>\n                <p>\n</p><p class=\"non-feed\">Gallery: <a href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/dailybeast/ts_dailybeast/storytext/12988_kathygriffincharliesheenellendegeneresmorecelebritytwitterphotos/40747379/SIG=11gqp0hog/*http://www.thedailybeast.com/galleries/2722/1/\">Best Celebrity Twit Pics</a></p>\n                <p>\n<b>Plus:</b> <a href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/dailybeast/ts_dailybeast/storytext/12988_kathygriffincharliesheenellendegeneresmorecelebritytwitterphotos/40747379/SIG=11i2tq654/*http://www.thedailybeast.com/newsmaker/sexybeast\">Check out more of the latest entertainment, fashion, and culture coverage on Sexy Beast—photos, videos, features, and Tweets</a>.</p>\n                <p>\n</p><p>Like <a href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/dailybeast/ts_dailybeast/storytext/12988_kathygriffincharliesheenellendegeneresmorecelebritytwitterphotos/40747379/SIG=117dcqoq1/*http://www.facebook.com/thedailybeast\">The Daily Beast on Facebook</a> and <a href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/dailybeast/ts_dailybeast/storytext/12988_kathygriffincharliesheenellendegeneresmorecelebritytwitterphotos/40747379/SIG=112m5eo3t/*http://twitter.com/thedailybeast\">follow us on Twitter</a> for updates all day long.</p>\n                <p>\n</p><p>For inquiries, please contact The Daily Beast at <a href=\"mailto:editorial@thedailybeast.com\">editorial@thedailybeast.com</a>.</p>\n                <p>\n            </p></div></div><p><strong>Read more:</strong> <a class=\"rssreadon\" rel=\"external\" title=\"Best Celebrity Twitter Pictures   (The Daily Beast)\" href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/tech/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/dailybeast/20110320/ts_dailybeast/12988_kathygriffincharliesheenellendegeneresmorecelebritytwitterphotos\" target=\"_blank\">http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/tech/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/dailybeast/20110320/ts_dailybeast/12988_kathygriffincharliesheenellendegeneresmorecelebritytwitterphotos</a></p>',-2,5,0,44,'2011-03-19 20:56:00',62,'','0000-00-00 00:00:00',0,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2011-03-19 20:56:00','2011-04-03 12:17:52','','','show_intro=0',1,0,0,'','',0,0,''),(628,'Archos reveals upcoming Gen 9 tablets for summer 2011 release   (Digital Trends)','archos-reveals-upcoming-gen-9-tablets-for-summer-2011-release-digital-trends','','Digital Trends - Archos has been in the portable media player game for just about the same amount of time as Apple, boasting touchscreen interfaces and tablet-like features in its devices well before the iPhone was even announced. The French company has already gotten in on the ongoing tablet tablet race that is presently unfolding, with the release last year of a line of Android-powered tablets.','<div><div class=\"yn-story-content\">\n                <p><a href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/digitaltrends/tc_digitaltrends/storytext/archosrevealsupcominggen9tabletsforsummer2011release/40752836/SIG=145amth7s/*http://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/devices/archos-reveals-upcoming-gen-9-tablets-for-summer-2011-release/attachment/archosgen9640/\"><img src=\"http://www.digitaltrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/archosgen9640.jpg\" alt=\"archosgen9details\" title=\"archosgen9details\" width=\"640\" height=\"427\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-289361\" /></a></p>\n                <p>\n<a href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/digitaltrends/tc_digitaltrends/storytext/archosrevealsupcominggen9tabletsforsummer2011release/40752836/SIG=119nchg0h/*http://www.digitaltrends.com/tag/archos\">Archos</a> has been in the portable media player game for just about the same amount of time as <a href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/digitaltrends/tc_digitaltrends/storytext/archosrevealsupcominggen9tabletsforsummer2011release/40752836/SIG=11874ju0q/*http://www.digitaltrends.com/tag/apple\">Apple</a>, boasting touchscreen interfaces and tablet-like features in its devices well before the <a href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/digitaltrends/tc_digitaltrends/storytext/archosrevealsupcominggen9tabletsforsummer2011release/40752836/SIG=119hgp1ru/*http://www.digitaltrends.com/tag/iphone\">iPhone</a> was even announced. The French company has already gotten in on the ongoing tablet tablet race that is presently unfolding, with the release last year of a line of <a href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/digitaltrends/tc_digitaltrends/storytext/archosrevealsupcominggen9tabletsforsummer2011release/40752836/SIG=12ph6h1bh/*http://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/archos-now-shipping-4-3-and-7-inch-android-tablets/\">Android-powered tablets</a>.</p>\n                <p>\nWith the <a href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/digitaltrends/tc_digitaltrends/storytext/archosrevealsupcominggen9tabletsforsummer2011release/40752836/SIG=1198hbg02/*http://www.digitaltrends.com/tag/ipad-2\">iPad 2</a> now out, Archos is looking to step up the competition with the release of its Gen 9 tablets later this year. German tech site <a href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/digitaltrends/tc_digitaltrends/storytext/archosrevealsupcominggen9tabletsforsummer2011release/40752836/SIG=17bd5g15h/*http://translate.google.com/translate?js=n&amp;prev=_t&amp;hl=en&amp;ie=UTF-8&amp;layout=2&amp;eotf=1&amp;sl=auto&amp;tl=en&amp;u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tabletblog.de%2F2011%2F03%2Farchos-highend-tablet-serie-wird-zur-ifa-in-berlin-angekundigt-bleiben-trotzdem-gunstig%2F\" rel=\"nofollow\">tabletblog.de</a> previously reported (via <a href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/digitaltrends/tc_digitaltrends/storytext/archosrevealsupcominggen9tabletsforsummer2011release/40752836/SIG=13542uob4/*http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/20/sneak-peek-at-archos-gen-9-tablets-1-6-ghz-dual-core-a9-process/\" rel=\"nofollow\">Engadget</a>) that the company would unveil high-end 7- and 10-inch tablets at September’s IFA trade show in Germany. Now French website <a href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/digitaltrends/tc_digitaltrends/storytext/archosrevealsupcominggen9tabletsforsummer2011release/40752836/SIG=11m2pq8jg/*http://www.journaldugeek.com/2011/03/18/archos-gen9/\" rel=\"nofollow\">Le Journal du Geek</a> reports that Archos let details fly on the new tablets during a recent earnings presentation, along with word that an official announcement and launch is coming in June.</p>\n                <p>\nWe won’t know if it can compete with the latest iPad, or the <a href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/digitaltrends/tc_digitaltrends/storytext/archosrevealsupcominggen9tabletsforsummer2011release/40752836/SIG=1175178r5/*http://www.digitaltrends.com/tag/xoom\">Xoom</a> and other top-shelf tablets until there’s time to play around with it, but the specs certainly suggest that the Gen 9 is a beast. The tablet will contain a powerful 1.6GHz ARM A9 dual-core CPU and up to either a 250GB HDD or 32GB SSD (solid-state drive, more durable), which it seems will be comparably priced. The device will also sport a patent-pending “disruptive 3G modem” as well as an <a href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/digitaltrends/tc_digitaltrends/storytext/archosrevealsupcominggen9tabletsforsummer2011release/40752836/SIG=11arl7om3/*http://www.digitaltrends.com/tag/android\">Android</a> <a href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/digitaltrends/tc_digitaltrends/storytext/archosrevealsupcominggen9tabletsforsummer2011release/40752836/SIG=11c05imml/*http://www.digitaltrends.com/tag/honeycomb\">Honeycomb</a> operating system from <a href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/digitaltrends/tc_digitaltrends/storytext/archosrevealsupcominggen9tabletsforsummer2011release/40752836/SIG=119rt9s25/*http://www.digitaltrends.com/tag/google\">Google</a>.</p>\n                <p>\nWe’ll have to wait until June for the full details from Archos, but it looks like the company will be shooting for a price tag that tops out at around €400 (roughly $566). With the 3G modem included, that would make the Gen 9 a cheaper bet — with potentially more storage space as well — than Apple’s $629 16GB iPad 2.</p>\n                <p>\n            </p></div></div><p><strong>Read more:</strong> <a class=\"rssreadon\" rel=\"external\" title=\"Archos reveals upcoming Gen 9 tablets for summer 2011 release   (Digital Trends)\" href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/tech/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/digitaltrends/20110320/tc_digitaltrends/archosrevealsupcominggen9tabletsforsummer2011release\" target=\"_blank\">http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/tech/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/digitaltrends/20110320/tc_digitaltrends/archosrevealsupcominggen9tabletsforsummer2011release</a></p>',-2,5,0,44,'2011-03-20 11:38:00',62,'','0000-00-00 00:00:00',0,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2011-03-20 11:38:00','2011-04-03 12:17:53','','','show_intro=0',1,0,0,'','',0,0,''),(629,'Security Flaw Found in Tumblr, Company Says It\'s Now Fixed   (Mashable)','security-flaw-found-in-tumblr-company-says-its-now-fixed-mashable','','Mashable - It started with a tweet Saturday morning, sounding an alarm of a security breach in the popular microblogging platform Tumblr. \"OMGâ€¦ The Tumbeasts are spitting out passwords!,\" it warned.','<div><div class=\"yn-story-content\">\n                <p>It started with a tweet Saturday morning, sounding an alarm of a security breach in the popular microblogging platform <a href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/mashable/tc_mashable/storytext/security_flaw_found_in_tumblr_company_says_its_now_fixed/40745382/SIG=111bf7bti/*http://mashable.com/tag/tumblr/\">Tumblr</a>. \"OMG… The Tumbeasts are spitting out passwords!,\" it warned.</p>\n                <p>\n<a href=\"https://twitter.com/#!/j2labs/status/49098522871599104\" target=\"_blank\">That tweet</a> spread like wildfire, notifying the world of a coding error that opened a security hole with the potential of revealing users\' passwords, server IP addresses, API keys and personal information. </p>\n                <p>\nFortunately, Tumbler reacted, fixing the problem and then issuing this official message about 5 to 6 hours after the flaw was discovered:</p>\n                <p>\n\"A human error caused some sensitive server configuration information to be exposed this morning. Our technicians took immediate measures to protect from any issues that may come as a result.</p>\n                <p>\nWe’re triple checking everything and bringing in outside auditors to confirm, but we have no reason to believe that anything was compromised. We’re certain that none of your personal information (passwords, etc.) was exposed, and your blog is backed up and safe as always. This was an embarrassing error, but something we were prepared for.</p>\n                <p>\nThe fact that this occurred at all is still unacceptable, and weâ€™ll be seriously evaluating and adjusting our processes to ensure an error like this can never happen again.</p>\n                <p>\nPlease let us know if you have absolutely any questions.\"</p>\n                <p>\nWhat caused the error? That\'s still under intense discussion at <em><a href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/mashable/tc_mashable/storytext/security_flaw_found_in_tumblr_company_says_its_now_fixed/40745382/SIG=12f7ia7j1/*http://www.thehackernews.com/2011/03/tumblr-security-flaw-server-ips-api.html\" target=\"_blank\">The Hacker News</a></em> and <a href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/mashable/tc_mashable/storytext/security_flaw_found_in_tumblr_company_says_its_now_fixed/40745382/SIG=12ln929b7/*http://thenextweb.com/apps/2011/03/19/security-hole-spotted-in-tumblr-this-morning/\" target=\"_blank\">elsewhere</a> in the hacker community, but many think the culprit was a errant piece of PHP code. Obviously, spelling counts.</p>\n                <p>\nLet us know in the comments if you think those who discovered the security flaw were more eager to broadcast its existence than notify the Tumbler coders who might have been in a position to quickly fix it. </p>\n                <p>\n            </p></div></div><p><strong>Read more:</strong> <a class=\"rssreadon\" rel=\"external\" title=\"Security Flaw Found in Tumblr, Company Says It\'s Now Fixed   (Mashable)\" href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/tech/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/mashable/20110319/tc_mashable/security_flaw_found_in_tumblr_company_says_its_now_fixed\" target=\"_blank\">http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/tech/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/mashable/20110319/tc_mashable/security_flaw_found_in_tumblr_company_says_its_now_fixed</a></p>',-2,5,0,44,'2011-03-19 13:41:00',62,'','0000-00-00 00:00:00',0,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2011-03-19 13:41:00','2011-04-03 12:17:54','','','show_intro=0',1,0,0,'','',0,0,''),(630,'Great apps for work and play on the iPhone, iPad and Mac   (Appolicious)','great-apps-for-work-and-play-on-the-iphone-ipad-and-mac-appolicious','','Appolicious - While consumers are clamoring to get their hands on a new iPad 2 and developers are optimizing apps to take advantage of the tablet’s new speed and features, we shouldn’t neglect great titles that are available to download right now on the small screen (iPhone and iPod touch), 9.7-inch screen (iPad and iPad 2) and larger screen (Macs in all varieties).','<div><div id=\"article_body\" class=\"clearfix\">\n    			\n    			<p>While consumers are clamoring to get their hands on a new iPad 2 and developers are optimizing apps to take advantage of the tablet’s new speed and features, we shouldn’t neglect great titles that are available to download right now on the small screen (iPhone and iPod touch), 9.7-inch screen (iPad and iPad 2) and larger screen (Macs in all varieties).</p>&#13;\n<p>So what are the best multi-platform Apple apps worth downloading right now?</p>&#13;\n<h2>Apple apps for getting things done</h2>&#13;\n<p><a href=\"/finance/apps/48164-evernote-evernote\">Evernote</a> <strong>(free across all platforms)</strong></p>&#13;\n<p><a href=\"/finance/apps/48164-evernote-evernote\"><img src=\"http://c1345842.cdn.cloudfiles.rackspacecloud.com/assets/apps/icons/000/048/164/original.png?1299238046\" alt=\"\" width=\"75\" height=\"75\" /></a>This is the gold standard among free productivity apps for iOS and Apple devices. Users who are addicted to this cloud-based note-taking app on their mobile devices couldn’t wait to download a version of the app to the Mac.</p>&#13;\n<p>On January 6, the first day of the Mac App Store, the Evernote Mac app generated more than 40,000 downloads. The beauty of the cross-platform Evernote app is that it gives users the ability to tap in notes on one device and reference later on another.</p>&#13;\n<p><a href=\"/finance/apps/46350-things-cultured-code-gmbh-co-kg\">Things </a><strong>($9.99 for iPhone, $19.99 for <a href=\"/finance/apps/200977-things-for-ipad-cultured-code-gmbh-co-kg\">iPad</a>, $49.99 for the Mac App Store)</strong></p>&#13;\n<p><a href=\"/finance/apps/46350-things-cultured-code-gmbh-co-kg\"><img class=\"right\" src=\"http://c1345842.cdn.cloudfiles.rackspacecloud.com/assets/apps/icons/000/046/350/original.png?1268520123\" alt=\"\" width=\"75\" height=\"75\" /></a>This is the productivity app worth paying for on any device. Like most Getting Things Done apps available across platforms, the beauty with having Things on your desktop as well as on the go is that tasks are shared and synced between any device you use. The color-coded checklists translate well however you interface with the app. Even with the graduated price points, if you use Things on the iPhone and/or iPad, it is a worthy investment to make on the Mac as well.</p>&#13;\n<p><a href=\"/finance/apps/46932-omnifocus-the-omni-group\">OmniFocus</a> <strong>($19.99 for iPhone, $39.99 for <a href=\"/finance/apps/278842-omnifocus-for-ipad-the-omni-group\">iPad</a>, $79.99 for the Mac App Store) </strong></p>&#13;\n<p><a href=\"/finance/apps/46932-omnifocus-the-omni-group\"><img src=\"http://c1345842.cdn.cloudfiles.rackspacecloud.com/assets/apps/icons/000/046/932/original.png?1267379124\" alt=\"\" width=\"75\" height=\"75\" /></a>This personal task manager really means business. And for the hardcore users, getting everything done is all about context. This pioneering app, which was recognized in the early days of the iTunes App Store for its utility and design, lets you categorize tasks by function so you can blitz through calls you need to make, groceries you need to pick up, or apps that you need to download. If you are addicted to this app on the iPhone and iPad, it pays to invest in the mother ship version and enjoy access from your Mac.</p>&#13;\n<h2>Apps for play in every way</h2>&#13;\n<p>Because the iPhone and iPad are revolutionizing mobile gaming, it is easy to forget how powerful (and fun) the Mac platform can be for games and entertainment. Here are three titles available on all three platforms.</p>&#13;\n<p><a href=\"/games/apps/123673-angry-birds-clickgamer-com\"><img class=\"right\" src=\"http://c1345842.cdn.cloudfiles.rackspacecloud.com/assets/apps/icons/000/123/673/original.png?1280157458\" alt=\"\" width=\"75\" height=\"75\" /></a><a href=\"/games/apps/123673-angry-birds-clickgamer-com\">Angry Birds </a><strong>(99 cents for iPhone, $4.99 for <a href=\"/games/apps/201987-angry-birds-hd-chillingo-ltd\">iPad</a> and Mac App Store)</strong></p>&#13;\n<p>A hit on any platform, Angry Birds is just as addictive whether you are playing it while waiting for the bus on your iPhone, sitting on the couch with your iPad or at a desktop on your Mac. Now you can feed your addiction wherever you are.</p>&#13;\n<p><a href=\"/games/apps/282532-osmos-hemisphere-games\"><img src=\"http://c1345842.cdn.cloudfiles.rackspacecloud.com/assets/apps/icons/000/282/532/original.png?1300372176\" alt=\"\" width=\"75\" height=\"75\" /></a><a href=\"/games/apps/282532-osmos-hemisphere-games\">Osmos</a> <strong>(99 cents for iPhone, $4.99 for <a href=\"/games/apps/263196-osmos-for-ipad-hemisphere-games\">iPad</a>, $9.99 for Mac App Store) </strong></p>&#13;\n<p>This hall-of-fame physics game features new dimensions no matter what device you are playing. On the Mac, the funky soundtrack and state-of-the-art graphics really stand out.</p>&#13;\n<p><a href=\"/games/apps/335678-the-incident-big-bucket-software\"><img class=\"right\" src=\"http://c1345842.cdn.cloudfiles.rackspacecloud.com/assets/apps/icons/000/335/678/original.png?1281541447\" alt=\"\" width=\"75\" height=\"75\" /></a><a href=\"/games/apps/335678-the-incident-big-bucket-software\">The Incident</a> <strong>($1.99 universal iOS app for iPhone and iPad, $2.99 for the Mac App Store) </strong></p>&#13;\n<p>While this action game is all about being Retro, its tone, graphics and sensibility make it a more compelling option to Oregon Trail. And it’s hard to beat the price.</p>\n    			\n    			</div></div><p><strong>Read more:</strong> <a class=\"rssreadon\" rel=\"external\" title=\"Great apps for work and play on the iPhone, iPad and Mac   (Appolicious)\" href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/tech/*http%3A//us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/external/appolicious_rss/rss_appolicious_tc/http___www_appolicious_com_articles7176_great_apps_for_work_and_play_on_the_iphone_ipad_and_mac/40750764/SIG=137lsp77g/*http%3A//www.appolicious.com/tech/articles/7176-great-apps-for-work-and-play-on-the-iphone-ipad-and-mac\" target=\"_blank\">http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/tech/*http%3A//us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/external/appolicious_rss/rss_appolicious_tc/http___www_appolicious_com_articles7176_great_apps_for_work_and_play_on_the_iphone_ipad_and_mac/40750764/SIG=137lsp77g/*http%3A//www.appolicious.com/tech/articles/7176-great-apps-for-work-and-play-on-the-iphone-ipad-and-mac</a></p>',-2,5,0,44,'2011-03-20 07:00:00',62,'','0000-00-00 00:00:00',0,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2011-03-20 07:00:00','2011-04-03 12:17:54','','','show_intro=0',1,0,0,'','',0,0,''),(631,'AT&amp;T Tethering Police Crack Down on iPhone Users   (NewsFactor)','ataampt-tethering-police-crack-down-on-iphone-users-newsfactor','','NewsFactor - Are you one of those iPhone users who sits in a Wi-Fi-less diner and tethers an phone to a laptop to get on the Internet? If so, the AT&amp;T tethering police may come knocking at your virtual door -- if they haven\'t already.','<div><div class=\"yn-story-content\">\n                <p>Are you one of those iPhone users who sits in a Wi-Fi-less diner and tethers an phone to a laptop to get on the Internet? If so, the AT&amp;T tethering police may come knocking at your virtual door -- if they haven\'t already.&#13;\n</p>\n                <p>&#13;\nAT&amp;T has launched an official crackdown on smartphone users who have been tethering to their laptops illegally, using up precious bandwidth that generates revenue from paying customers. AT&amp;T sells tethering plans and the company expects smartphone users to pay if they want to connect mobile devices.&#13;\n</p>\n                <p>&#13;\n<b>&#13;\nAT&amp;T\'s E-Bust&#13;\n</b>&#13;\n</p>\n                <p>&#13;\nAT&amp;T first sent text messages to customers illegally tethering. One of the messages reads, \"AT&amp;T Free Msg: Did you know tethering your Smartphone to a computer requires a tethering plan? Pls call 888-860-6789 for details or visit att.com/dataplans.\"&#13;\n</p>\n                <p>&#13;\nThose simple text messages were followed by e-mails with a more serious tone. The bottom line is this: If AT&amp;T customers don\'t stop illegal tethering, AT&amp;T is going to stop it for them. The wireless carrier will start auto-charging customers, beginning March 27.&#13;\n</p>\n                <p>&#13;\n\"Many AT&amp;T customers use their smartphones as a broadband connection for other devices, like laptops, netbooks or other smartphones -- a practice commonly known as tethering. Tethering can be an efficient way for our customers to enjoy the benefits of AT&amp;T\'s mobile broadband network and use more than one device to stay in touch with important people and information,\" reads AT&amp;T\'s e-mail. &#13;\n</p>\n                <p>&#13;\n\"Our records show that you use this capability, but are not subscribed to our tethering plan ... if we don\'t hear from you, we\'ll plan to automatically enroll you into DataPro 4GB after March 27, 2011. The new plan -- whether you sign up on your own or we automatically enroll you -- will replace your current smartphone data plan, including if you are on an unlimited data plan.\"&#13;\n</p>\n                <p>&#13;\n<b>&#13;\nHow Does AT&amp;T Know?&#13;\n</b>&#13;\n</p>\n                <p>&#13;\nWhether you\'ve been busted or you just want to sign up for a tethering plan, you\'ll pay $20 a month on top of your monthly smartphone data plan. That means tethering on top of your normal mobile broadband usage will ultimately cost you either $35 a month or $55 a month. &#13;\n</p>\n                <p>&#13;\nFor that rate, you\'ll be able to tap into the smartphone\'s 3G capabilities to power your laptop for 4GB of data. The DataPro 4GB Tethering Plan AT&amp;T is automatically assigning to noncompliant, trespassing customers runs $45 a month and includes the standard data plan.&#13;\n</p>\n                <p>&#13;\nThe AT&amp;T crackdown could cut down on Apple iPhone jailbreaks, since jailbreaking the phone is usually driven by the desire for illegal tethering. iPhone users were turning to an app Cydia developed called MyWi, which allows the illegal tethering. At $19.99, MyWi is a bargain compared to the additional monthly fees. It\'s not clear how AT&amp;T has determined which customers have been illegally tethering, but there are no reports so far of customers receiving the warning message erroneously.</p>\n                <p>\n            </p></div></div><p><strong>Read more:</strong> <a class=\"rssreadon\" rel=\"external\" title=\"AT&amp;T Tethering Police Crack Down on iPhone Users   (NewsFactor)\" href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/tech/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/nf/20110318/bs_nf/77772\" target=\"_blank\">http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/tech/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/nf/20110318/bs_nf/77772</a></p>',-2,5,0,44,'2011-03-18 17:27:00',62,'','0000-00-00 00:00:00',0,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2011-03-18 17:27:00','2011-04-03 12:17:55','','','show_intro=0',1,0,0,'','',0,0,''),(632,'Tonight\'s \'super perigee moon\' will not cause a natural disaster, says NASA   (Digital Trends)','tonights-super-perigee-moon-will-not-cause-a-natural-disaster-says-nasa-digital-trends','','Digital Trends - Do not worry: Tonightâ€™s supermoon, which will appear larger than any moon in the North American night sky since 1992, will not cause any natural disasters, NASA reassured everyone today. Theyâ€™ve even go so far as to produce a YouTube video to explain the super moonâ€™s effects.','<div><div class=\"yn-story-content\">\n                <p></p><p><a href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/digitaltrends/tc_digitaltrends/storytext/tonightssuperperigeemoonwillnotcauseanaturaldisastersaysnasa/40746561/SIG=14l3pc16g/*http://www.digitaltrends.com/international/tonights-super-perigee-moon-will-not-cause-a-natural-disaster-says-nasa/attachment/lunar_perigee_apogee/\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-289356 aligncenter\" title=\"Lunar_perigee_apogee-moon\" src=\"http://www.digitaltrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/Lunar_perigee_apogee-650x394.png\" alt=\"Lunar_perigee_apogee-moon\" width=\"650\" height=\"394\" /></a></p>\n                <p>\nDo not worry: Tonight’s supermoon, which will <a href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/digitaltrends/tc_digitaltrends/storytext/tonightssuperperigeemoonwillnotcauseanaturaldisastersaysnasa/40746561/SIG=13ul3el4u/*http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-1367956/Super-moon-Amazing-pictures-lunar-planet--nearest-Earth-20-years.html\">appear larger than any moon</a> in the North American night sky since 1992, will not cause any natural disasters, NASA reassured everyone today. They’ve even go so far as to produce a YouTube video to explain the super moon’s effects.</p>\n                <p>\nNASA<a href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/digitaltrends/tc_digitaltrends/storytext/tonightssuperperigeemoonwillnotcauseanaturaldisastersaysnasa/40746561/SIG=122a21n54/*http://www.space.com/11163-supermoon-biggest-full-moon-2011.html\"> predicts</a> the ‘super perigee moon’ will appear 15 to 30 percent larger than normal. Optimal viewing time, experts say, is just after sunset, when the glowing orb hangs just above the horizon, creating an optical illusion that makes its size appear even greater (an effect known as the “moon illusion”).</p>\n                <p>\nThe moon, which measures a constant 3,474 kilometers across, isn’t actually changing size. Instead, the moon appears so large because it is at the “perigee” point in its orbit around earth, the closest point in the orbit’s ellipses.</p>\n                <p>\nThe moon became perigee at roughly 3pm EST today, at which point the moon was a mere 221,565 miles from our planet, about 31,000 miles closer than its furthest distance, know as “apogee.” In addition, the moon became officially a full moon just an hour before hitting becoming perigee — a rare event that creates a stunning visual.</p>\n                <p>\n“The full Moon of March 19th occurs less than one hour away from perigee,” says Geoff Chester of the U.S. Naval Observatory in Washington, D.C, “a near-perfect coincidence that happens only every 18 years or so.”</p>\n                <p>\nWhile the close proximity off the moon does increase the its gravitational effects on the oceans to bring about “perigeean tides,” or tides that have a greater range between high and low, the changes are relatively small  — about 6 inches more than normal.</p>\n                <p>\nSo grab your cameras, or binoculars, get outside, and enjoy this magnificent heavenly event — it will be quite some time before you’ll see it again.</p>\n                <p>\nWatch NASA’s video about the super perigee moon:</p>\n                <p>\n\n </p>\n                <p>\n            </p></div></div><p><strong>Read more:</strong> <a class=\"rssreadon\" rel=\"external\" title=\"Tonight\'s \'super perigee moon\' will not cause a natural disaster, says NASA   (Digital Trends)\" href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/tech/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/digitaltrends/20110319/tc_digitaltrends/tonightssuperperigeemoonwillnotcauseanaturaldisastersaysnasa\" target=\"_blank\">http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/tech/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/digitaltrends/20110319/tc_digitaltrends/tonightssuperperigeemoonwillnotcauseanaturaldisastersaysnasa</a></p>',-2,5,0,44,'2011-03-19 19:55:00',62,'','0000-00-00 00:00:00',0,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2011-03-19 19:55:00','2011-04-03 12:17:56','','','show_intro=0',1,0,0,'','',0,0,''),(633,'The Week in iPad Cases: The iPad 2 has landed   (Macworld)','the-week-in-ipad-cases-the-ipad-2-has-landed-macworld','','Macworld - The iPad 2 is finally here, in all its greatness and glory! That, however, is not the only reason for celebratingâ€”many a vendor has also announced that it\'s in the process of creating and producing protective accessories specifically for the newest magical device. In the best Scandinavian tradition of buffet eating, tuck in and help yourself at this veritable feast of fashionable protection covers. It\'s all in this week\'s iPad case roundup.','<div><div class=\"yn-story-content\">\n                <p>The iPad 2 is finally here, in all its greatness and glory! That, however, is not the only reason for celebratingâ€”many a vendor has also announced that it\'s in the process of creating and producing protective accessories specifically for the newest magical device. In the best Scandinavian tradition of buffet eating, tuck in and help yourself at this veritable feast of fashionable protection covers. It\'s all in this week\'s iPad case roundup.</p>\n                <p>\n		<strong>Beiza Cases</strong>: Straight from Europe, Beiza brings us the <a href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/macworld/tc_macworld/storytext/theweekinipadcasestheipad2haslanded/40742112/SIG=123ir9c6c/*http://www.beyzacases.com/pd-apple-ipad-2-wave-series-sleeves.cfm\">Wave</a> (iPad 2), a luxurious sleeve series that takes its name from its unique wavy design. Made entirely of genuine leather and soft canvas, and available in sixteen different configurations, the Wave usually retails for €140, but is on sale for €105 for a limited time.</p>\n                <p>\n		<strong>Blackbox Case</strong>: This company\'s <a href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/macworld/tc_macworld/storytext/theweekinipadcasestheipad2haslanded/40742112/SIG=1224onshc/*http://www.blackboxcase.com/collections/all/products/ipad-2-case\">iPad 2 Case</a> ($99) is handmade in Colorado from solid oak, combining tough protection with a killer old-world look.</p>\n                <p>\n		<strong>CleverWraps</strong>: When a case is a beautiful (and expensive) work of art, it becomes unsuitable for <em>some</em> uses. It\'s one thing to take your leather accessory to work, and quite another to take it to the beach, for example, where it\'s unlikely to provide much in the way of protection from sand and seawater anyway. Luckily, that\'s where CleverWraps comes into play with its line of <a href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/macworld/tc_macworld/storytext/theweekinipadcasestheipad2haslanded/40742112/SIG=11ror940i/*http://www.cleverwraps.com/iPad/cleverwraps-for-ipad.html\">disposable iPad 2 sleeves</a> (three for $15). These waterproof, plastic wrappers keep moisture and dirt out of the way without preventing you from fully enjoying your device (although you <em>will</em> lose access to the iPad\'s ports and jacks). Best of all—or perhaps worst of all, for those of us concerned about the environment—when you\'re done, you simply throw them away.</p>\n                <p>\n		<strong>Gelaskins</strong>:: This manufacturer is bringing its popular line of <a href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/macworld/tc_macworld/storytext/theweekinipadcasestheipad2haslanded/40742112/SIG=11u9604u9/*http://gelaskins.com/store/skins/tablets_and_ereaders/iPad_2\">printed protective films</a> ($30) to the iPad 2. Each of the several hundreds styles of skins is imprinted with a unique design and provides protection for both the back of the device and the bezel around the screen. The company even provides for download a matching custom background picture for a seamless, all-over look.</p>\n                <p>\n		<strong>Griffin Technology</strong>: The <a href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/macworld/tc_macworld/storytext/theweekinipadcasestheipad2haslanded/40742112/SIG=11qmhic2s/*http://www.griffintechnology.com/products/powerdock-dual\">Powerdock Dual</a> is a clever charging dock that accommodates two devices simultaneously: an iPad or iPad 2 along with an iPhone or dock-connector iPod. As a bonus, this $60 stand includes a valet area where you can conveniently store your keys and pocket change.</p>\n                <p>\n		Griffin\'s <a href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/macworld/tc_macworld/storytext/theweekinipadcasestheipad2haslanded/40742112/SIG=11s8ia2c7/*http://www.griffintechnology.com/products/cinemaseat-ipad2\">Cinema Seat 2</a> ($40; iPad 2) allows you to strap an iPad 2 to the headrest of a car seat for handsfree viewing. It also features a webbed pocked for accessories and cables and openings for each of the tablet\'s controls and connectors.</p>\n                <p>\n		Finally, the <a href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/macworld/tc_macworld/storytext/theweekinipadcasestheipad2haslanded/40742112/SIG=11rmu0j9d/*http://www.griffintechnology.com/products/elan-folio-slim\">Elan Folio Slim</a> ($40; iPad 2) can be used both as a case and as a stand. It comes in black and features openings in all the right places to ensure that you maintain access to the iPad 2\'s various controls.</p>\n                <p>\n		<strong>Gumdrop</strong>: I don\'t know if it\'s on purpose, but judging from the amount of engineering that has gone into its design and construction, the <a href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/macworld/tc_macworld/storytext/theweekinipadcasestheipad2haslanded/40742112/SIG=11mi0gk6e/*http://gumdropcases.com/drop-series-ipad-2-case.html\">Drop Series</a> ($60; iPad 2) may be very aptly named, because it looks like it could protect your iPad from anything short of the Apocalypse. Luckily, safety doesn\'t come at the cost of style, and the case is available in black/red, black/black, pink/white, or white/black.</p>\n                <p>\n		The more traditional-looking <a href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/macworld/tc_macworld/storytext/theweekinipadcasestheipad2haslanded/40742112/SIG=11rjq5mk8/*http://gumdropcases.com/surf-convertible-ipad-2-case.html\">Surf Convertible</a> ($45; iPad 2) features an animal-friendly, faux-leather exterior and combines the protection of a cover with the convenience of a stand. It comes in black, blue, or red.</p>\n                <p>\n		<strong>iSkin</strong>: The iPad accessories in the company\'s <a href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/macworld/tc_macworld/storytext/theweekinipadcasestheipad2haslanded/40742112/SIG=10tp0kq85/*http://www.iskin.com/qwest/\">Q.West collection</a>, which combines protection with style in a number of rather unique sleeve and bag designs, are now compatible with the iPad 2.</p>\n                <p>\n		The <a href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/macworld/tc_macworld/storytext/theweekinipadcasestheipad2haslanded/40742112/SIG=11nfqj4nm/*http://www.iskin.com/qwest/?category=2&amp;sku_group=SLNG\">Sling</a> ($125) is a handy bag that, in addition to being waterproof, can accommodate a variety of devices, including the MacBook Air. It comes in black, blue, green, violet, or red, and features plenty of extra space for accessories.</p>\n                <p>\n		If protection is your thing, you may want to check out the <a href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/macworld/tc_macworld/storytext/theweekinipadcasestheipad2haslanded/40742112/SIG=11otokgh9/*http://www.iskin.com/qwest/?category=2&amp;sku_group=SUMIT\">Summit</a>, which is probably what the landing airbag of the Mars Pathfinder would look like if Jean-Paul Gautier had designed it. It\'s shiny; it\'s puffy; it comes in black, red, teal, green, purple, or white; and it costs $95.</p>\n                <p>\n		Speaking of fluffy, the <a href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/macworld/tc_macworld/storytext/theweekinipadcasestheipad2haslanded/40742112/SIG=11oedpgkd/*http://www.iskin.com/qwest/?category=2&amp;sku_group=3DGRE\">3 Degree</a> ($80) is not quite as shiny as the Summit, but packs plenty of padding to keep your iPad 2 safe and sound. It comes in black, teal, red, purple, or green.</p>\n                <p>\n		The <a href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/macworld/tc_macworld/storytext/theweekinipadcasestheipad2haslanded/40742112/SIG=11o10ap96/*http://www.iskin.com/qwest/?category=2&amp;sku_group=BLSTC\">Ballistic</a>, as its name subtly implies, is made entirely out of ballistic nylon for tough and durable protection. It also features a small external pocket—ideal for a sync cable—and comes in black or gray for $90.</p>\n                <p>\n		For a stylish and thin look, the <a href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/macworld/tc_macworld/storytext/theweekinipadcasestheipad2haslanded/40742112/SIG=11nid6rqj/*http://www.iskin.com/qwest/?category=2&amp;sku_group=MNTY\">Monty</a> ($50) features leather construction, a microfiber interior, and two straps for easy closure to keep everything safely in place. Available in black, it\'s not as flashy as its companions, making it ideal for a business-oriented setting (unless you\'re Lady Gaga).</p>\n                <p>\n		Finally, the <a href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/macworld/tc_macworld/storytext/theweekinipadcasestheipad2haslanded/40742112/SIG=11nmdb0is/*http://www.iskin.com/qwest/?category=2&amp;sku_group=MEMO\">Memo</a> is a sleek leather sleeve that uses a strong elastic band to hold its closure in place. Its minimalistic but luxurious looks—available in black, blue, ping, gray, or white—will set you back a cool $110.</p>\n                <p>\n		<strong>iStyle</strong>: Like Gelaskins, iStyles sells <a href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/macworld/tc_macworld/storytext/theweekinipadcasestheipad2haslanded/40742112/SIG=1217th7ej/*http://www.istyles.com/apple-ipad-apple-ipad-c-506_894_895.html\">vinyl skins</a> in a great variety of styles and designs; the company also makes available matching wallpapers for each design. iStyle\'s skins cost $20, with an optional matte/satin coating available for an extra $5. Versions of the coverings are now available with the iPad and iPad 2.\n</p><p>\n\n		<strong>Macally</strong>: In addition to an unpronounceable name, Macally\'s <a href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/macworld/tc_macworld/storytext/theweekinipadcasestheipad2haslanded/40742112/SIG=121r604rj/*http://www.macally.com/EN/Product/ArticleShow.asp?ArticleID=387\">Bookstand2BL Microfiber Cover &amp; Stand</a> ($30; iPad 2) features all-around protection and a Smart Cover-like flip design that makes it work both as a stand and a typing platform. The blue/orange color makes for a warm, welcoming contrast, and the price is reasonable.\n</p><p>\n\n		<strong>Marware</strong>: The <a href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/macworld/tc_macworld/storytext/theweekinipadcasestheipad2haslanded/40742112/SIG=12p2tppe6/*http://www.marware.com/ipad-kindle-cases-and-covers/ipad-2-cases/microshell-ipad-2-case\">Microshell</a> ($40; iPad 2) is made of thin but sturdy rubberized plastic. It preserves the aesthetic lines of the iPad 2 without skimping on protection, and it can be used in combination with a Smart Cover.\n</p><p>\n\n		<strong>Orbino</strong>: The hand-stitched <a href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/macworld/tc_macworld/storytext/theweekinipadcasestheipad2haslanded/40742112/SIG=11h7cu9f8/*http://www.orbino.com/store/index.php?cPath=193\">Padova Due</a> ($209 to $689) looks exactly like what one would expect from the union of luxury and convenience. It comes in a variety of Italian leathers and exotic materials such as crocodile or ostrich skin, and it features a removable metal stand and flipcover that allow the Due to work as a stand in either landscape or portrait orientation, or as a typing platform. The company is currently taking pre-orders, with delivery expected in five to seven weeks.\n</p><p>\n\n		<strong>Skinit</strong>: As yet another \"skin\" alternative, Skinit now offers completely customizable vinyl-film coverings for the iPad 2. You can choose from a wide variety of professional designs, or even upload an image to create your own. The skins are priced starting at $30, with an optional screen protector currently available on sale for $12 (regular $26).\n</p><p>\n\n		<strong>Speck</strong>: Let\'s start with my favorite from Speck: the <a href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/macworld/tc_macworld/storytext/theweekinipadcasestheipad2haslanded/40742112/SIG=12ns49v8a/*http://www.speckproducts.com/tablet-ipad-cases/ipad-2-cases/iguy-ipad-cover-blue.html\">iGuy Standing Cover</a> ($40; iPad &amp; iPad 2). Speck markets it as \"the funnest iPad cover available,\" hinting that it\'s designed to be child-friendly; I suspect, however, that many an adult will find it terminally adorable.\n</p><p>\n\n		Getting back to more traditional products, the <a href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/macworld/tc_macworld/storytext/theweekinipadcasestheipad2haslanded/40742112/SIG=1349l6el1/*http://www.speckproducts.com/tablet-ipad-cases/ipad-2-cases/pixelskin-hd-wrap-ipad-case-black.html\">PixelSkin HD Wrap</a> ($50; iPad 2) is a wraparound hardshell case with a front cover that looks—and functions—much like Apple\'s own Smart Cover. The cover can be folded back to be used as a stand or as a typing platform, and the case provides complete protection to both the front and back of the device.\n</p><p>\n\n		The <a href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/macworld/tc_macworld/storytext/theweekinipadcasestheipad2haslanded/40742112/SIG=12vd9muqh/*http://www.speckproducts.com/tablet-ipad-cases/ipad-2-cases/pixelsleeve10-netbook-sleeve.html\">PixelSleeve</a> ($30; iPad &amp; iPad 2) is a stretchy, neoprene sleeve with a soft interior. The sleeve is lightweight but impact resistant; comes in black, purple, or pink; and features a convenient handle for easy carrying.\n</p><p>\n\n		The <a href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/macworld/tc_macworld/storytext/theweekinipadcasestheipad2haslanded/40742112/SIG=12v65forg/*http://www.speckproducts.com/tablet-ipad-cases/ipad-2-cases/portpack-10-netbook-ipad-bag.html\">PortPack 10</a> and the <a href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/macworld/tc_macworld/storytext/theweekinipadcasestheipad2haslanded/40742112/SIG=12vrugg02/*http://www.speckproducts.com/tablet-ipad-cases/ipad-2-cases/corepack-10-netbook-ipad-bag.html\">CorePack 10</a> ($50 each; iPad &amp; iPad 2) are convenient carrying bags that fit any device up to 10 inches in size. They offer a number of extra compartments and plenty of padding.\n</p><p>\n\n		Speaking of bags, Speck also offers the <a href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/macworld/tc_macworld/storytext/theweekinipadcasestheipad2haslanded/40742112/SIG=130a17st9/*http://www.speckproducts.com/tablet-ipad-cases/ipad-2-cases/a-line-netbook-ipad-bag-black.html\">A-Line</a> ($60; iPad &amp; iPad 2), which is available in black/gray, gray/purple, or brown/red. Its stylish construction features lots of space, plenty of padding, and fits both iPad models as well as other devices up to ten inches in size.\n</p><p>\n\n		<strong>USBFever</strong>: The <a href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/macworld/tc_macworld/storytext/theweekinipadcasestheipad2haslanded/40742112/SIG=122t2du7q/*http://www.usbfever.com/index_eproduct_view.php?products_id=2260\">Soft-Silicone Case</a> costs just $10 and offers snap-on protection for your iPad 2. It comes in smoky black, blue, crystal clear, purple, or frost white.\n</p><p>\n\n		USBFever\'s <a href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/macworld/tc_macworld/storytext/theweekinipadcasestheipad2haslanded/40742112/SIG=1225jb6g7/*http://www.usbfever.com/index_eproduct_view.php?products_id=2259\">Crystal Case</a>, which will also set you back $10, is a hardshell, snap-on case that provides protection without adding too much bulk. It comes in smoky black, crystal clear, blue, or rose red.\n</p><p>\n\n		USBFever also offers a range of screen protectors for the iPad 2, including the <a href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/macworld/tc_macworld/storytext/theweekinipadcasestheipad2haslanded/40742112/SIG=122iodh7q/*http://www.usbfever.com/index_eproduct_view.php?products_id=2261\">Anti Glare Protector</a> ($13) and the <a href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/macworld/tc_macworld/storytext/theweekinipadcasestheipad2haslanded/40742112/SIG=122jo3ie6/*http://www.usbfever.com/index_eproduct_view.php?products_id=2262\">Ultra Clear Protector</a> ($14).\n</p><p>\n\n		<strong>Waterfield Designs</strong>: Waterfield is introducing seven—count them, <em>seven</em>—cases, starting with the <a href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/macworld/tc_macworld/storytext/theweekinipadcasestheipad2haslanded/40742112/SIG=11nnh09s6/*http://sfbags.com/products/ipad-cases/wallet-ipad.php\">iPad Wallet</a> ($79; iPad &amp; iPad 2). Available in six different colors (green, red, brown, teal, gray, or black), the iPad Wallet is a travel case for your iPad that features a separate pocket for a Bluetooth keyboard as well as room for a few other accessories. Its iPad pocket has enough room to accommodate a Smart Cover.\n</p><p>\n\n		The <a href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/macworld/tc_macworld/storytext/theweekinipadcasestheipad2haslanded/40742112/SIG=11qre00as/*http://sfbags.com/products/ipad-cases/smartcase-ipad.php\">Smart Case</a> ($59; iPad &amp; iPad 2) comes in the same choice of colors and also provides an extra pocket for a keyboard, but it cuts down on the storage space in the name of compactness. (Though it still offers several layers of padding and a scratch-free liner.) The lack of any visible stitching keeps the case looking smooth and sleek.\n</p><p>\n\n		The <a href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/macworld/tc_macworld/storytext/theweekinipadcasestheipad2haslanded/40742112/SIG=12tqeh3gk/*http://www.macworld.com/product/502793/waterfield_designs_ultimate_sleevecase.html?p=review\">Ultimate SleeveCase</a> ($55 to $60; iPad &amp; iPad 2) features a thin design that doesn\'t compromise the safety of your iPad. It\'s available in lead indium or brown leather and can be fitted with an optional shoulder strap ($5–$22) and pouch ($25–$27).\n</p><p>\n\n		The <a href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/macworld/tc_macworld/storytext/theweekinipadcasestheipad2haslanded/40742112/SIG=12omr3fus/*http://www.macworld.com/product/502791/waterfield_designs_ipad_slip_case.html?p=review\">iPad Slip Case</a> ($29; iPad &amp; iPad 2) features a simple but elegant construction and a minimalist look. It comes in black, blue, green, brown, or pink and can accommodate a Smart Case.\n</p><p>\n\n		For an even more minimalistic look, you may want to check out the <a href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/macworld/tc_macworld/storytext/theweekinipadcasestheipad2haslanded/40742112/SIG=12rfu4g1n/*http://www.macworld.com/product/502792/waterfield_designs_ipad_suede_jacket.html?p=review\">iPad Suede Jacket</a> ($19–$25; iPad &amp; iPad 2), which is as simple as simple can get—and thin to boot. Its stretch-memory construction ensures a snug fit every time, and the optional pocket gives you some extra space for cables and keyboards.\n</p><p>\n\n		Finally, the <a href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/macworld/tc_macworld/storytext/theweekinipadcasestheipad2haslanded/40742112/SIG=12hs9nnbt/*http://www.macworld.com/product/587897/waterfield_designs_muzetto.html?p=review\">Muzetto</a> is an all-purpose shoulder bag that comes in a variety of sizes, including one that fits both the original iPad and iPad 2 for $199. The Muzetto\'s construction is all leather with one of six accent colors; in addition to a comfortable fit for your device, this bag includes a generous number of pockets and extra compartments for everything from documents to extra accessories.\n</p><p>\n\n		<strong>Wrapsol</strong>: The <a href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/macworld/tc_macworld/storytext/theweekinipadcasestheipad2haslanded/40742112/SIG=12iv07934/*http://www.wrapsol.com/en_US/Home+Page/Products/ipad+_+tablets/apple/iPad+2.aspx\">Wrapsol Ultra</a> screen-protection film is now offered in a version for the iPad 2. It comes in both dry- or wet-application versions and in front-only or front-and-back film combinations (but, curiously, not in the back-only configuration that would be ideal for an iPad with a Smart Cover). Prices start at $30.\n</p><p>\n\n		<strong>X-Gear</strong>: The <a href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/macworld/tc_macworld/storytext/theweekinipadcasestheipad2haslanded/40742112/SIG=13ckstlhf/*http://www.xgearlive.com/products/new-products/360-shield-folio-polycarbonate-swivel-case-for-apple-ipad-2\">360 Shield</a> (price unavailable) is a polycarbonate cover that features a unique design to both protect the iPad 2 from damage and act as a stand and a typing platform. The product, available either in white or black, will be available for preorder at the end of March.</p>\n            </div></div><p><strong>Read more:</strong> <a class=\"rssreadon\" rel=\"external\" title=\"The Week in iPad Cases: The iPad 2 has landed   (Macworld)\" href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/tech/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/macworld/20110319/tc_macworld/theweekinipadcasestheipad2haslanded\" target=\"_blank\">http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/tech/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/macworld/20110319/tc_macworld/theweekinipadcasestheipad2haslanded</a></p>',-2,5,0,44,'2011-03-19 10:15:00',62,'','0000-00-00 00:00:00',0,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2011-03-19 10:15:00','2011-04-03 12:17:57','','','show_intro=0',1,0,0,'','',0,0,''),(634,'Microsoft, Feds Take Down Major Spam Network   (NewsFactor)','microsoft-feds-take-down-major-spam-network-newsfactor','','NewsFactor - A major spam network has been taken down by federal agents and Microsoft. Raids were launched Wednesday across the U.S. against the Rustock botnet, which used computers hijacked with malicious software to send out billions of e-mails.','<div><div class=\"yn-story-content\">\n                <p>A major spam network has been taken down by federal agents and Microsoft. Raids were launched Wednesday across the U.S. against the Rustock botnet, which used computers hijacked with malicious software to send out billions of e-mails.&#13;\n</p>\n                <p>&#13;\nThe raids are related to Microsoft\'s civil lawsuit, filed in Seattle federal court last month, against the unnamed operators of the botnet. The company said the spam network impacts its products and reputation, such as adversely affecting users of Windows and Office, adding traffic loads to Hotmail, and exploiting vulnerabilities in Windows. Microsoft also said spammers using Rustock are violating its trademarks with e-mails that purport to be Microsoft lotteries. On Thursday, the lawsuit was unsealed at Microsoft\'s request.&#13;\n</p>\n                <p>&#13;\n<b>&#13;\nRustock Ceased&#13;\n</b>&#13;\n</p>\n                <p>&#13;\nThe raids involved U.S. marshals joining employees from the software giant\'s digital-crimes unit, who went into hosting services in Kansas City, Mo.; Columbus, Ohio; Scranton, Pa.; Denver; Dallas; Chicago and Seattle.&#13;\n</p>\n                <p>&#13;\nThe raiders brought a copy of the federal order allowing Microsoft to seize computers thought to have been taken over by the spam network, and that were relaying instructions to a million or more computers in the U.S. and elsewhere. Hard drives and computers were seized in the raids at the hosting providers. Much of the equipment had been leased by companies in other countries, according to Microsoft.&#13;\n</p>\n                <p>&#13;\nThe intent was to remove the central command for the spam network, which is reportedly the largest in the world, and it may have worked -- at least temporarily. On its company blog, security firm Symantec reported Thursday that the Rustock botnet may have stopped spamming. &#13;\n</p>\n                <p>&#13;\nSymantec Malware data analyst Mat Nisbet wrote that, on Wednesday, \"the botnet known as Rustock ceased sending spam.\" He added that, over the last year or so, Rustock has been \"the dominant source of spam in the world,\" accounting for as much as 47.5 percent of all spam by the end of last year.&#13;\n</p>\n                <p>&#13;\n<b>&#13;\n\'Much More Complicated\'&#13;\n</b>&#13;\n</p>\n                <p>&#13;\nNisbet wrote that other botnets are increasing their output and could make up the difference even if Rustock doesn\'t reemerge. But, he noted, as of Friday \"there was a noticeable drop in mail volume since Rustock has dropped offline.\"&#13;\n</p>\n                <p>&#13;\nA year ago, Microsoft successfully took down the botnet Waledac. On Microsoft\'s TechNet blog, Senior Attorney Richard Boscovich of the company\'s digital-crimes unit wrote that the knowledge from that action led to successfully taking down Rustock, which he described as \"larger, more notorious and complex.\"&#13;\n</p>\n                <p>&#13;\nHe noted that Rustock\'s infrastructure was \"much more complicated\" that Waledac\'s, and taking affected servers from the hosting providers was needed to make sure the botnet \"could not be quickly shifted to new infrastructure.\" Boscovich added that Microsoft is working with ISPs and community emergency response teams worldwide to help \"affected computer owners clean Rustock malware off their computers.\"</p>\n                <p>\n            </p></div></div><p><strong>Read more:</strong> <a class=\"rssreadon\" rel=\"external\" title=\"Microsoft, Feds Take Down Major Spam Network   (NewsFactor)\" href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/tech/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/nf/20110318/tc_nf/77774\" target=\"_blank\">http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/tech/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/nf/20110318/tc_nf/77774</a></p>',-2,5,0,44,'2011-03-18 17:27:00',62,'','0000-00-00 00:00:00',0,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2011-03-18 17:27:00','2011-04-03 12:17:58','','','show_intro=0',1,0,0,'','',0,0,''),(635,'Learning from Microsoftâ€™s six biggest blunders   (Digital Trends)','learning-from-microsoftas-six-biggest-blunders-digital-trends','','Digital Trends - Iâ€™ve been following Microsoft for over two decades, have cataloged a number of major mistakes and ranked them over time. Against most of them, I have names of people who mostly are no longer with the company. One of my major aggravations in the 1990s was that many of Microsoftâ€™s mistakes were first made by IBM, and last decade it was Microsoft mistakes that were made by Google. For an analyst, this kind of gets old â€“ like watching a bad movie multiple times. In contrast, Intel this week demonstrated they actually could avoid a Microsoft mistake, and I think that too is worth talking about.','<div><div class=\"yn-story-content\">\n                <p><a href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/digitaltrends/tc_digitaltrends/storytext/learningfrommicrosoftssixbiggestblunders/40739154/SIG=13fbnm5p4/*http://www.digitaltrends.com/computing/learning-from-microsofts-six-biggest-blunders/attachment/windows-fire/\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-289350\" title=\"Windows fire\" src=\"http://www.digitaltrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/windows-fire-650x520.jpg\" alt=\"Windows fire\" width=\"650\" height=\"520\" /></a></p>\n                <p>\nI’ve been following Microsoft for over two decades, have cataloged a number of major mistakes and ranked them over time. Against most of them, I have names of people who mostly are no longer with the company. One of my major aggravations in the 1990s was that many of Microsoft’s mistakes were first made by IBM, and last decade it was Microsoft mistakes that were made by Google. For an analyst, this kind of gets old – like watching a bad movie multiple times. In contrast, Intel this week demonstrated they actually could avoid a Microsoft mistake, and I think that too is worth talking about.<span id=\"more-289344\"></span></p>\n                <p>\n</p><h3>Microsoft’s six biggest mistakes</h3>\n<strong>1)</strong> The first major mistake Microsoft made was after Windows 95 launched, and that was to drop anyone who called in for support after they exceeded the three-minute wait time. This upset hundreds of thousands of people, and turned the company’s biggest success into what was arguably its biggest disaster.\n                <p>\n<strong>2)</strong> The second major mistake was “<a href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/digitaltrends/tc_digitaltrends/storytext/learningfrommicrosoftssixbiggestblunders/40739154/SIG=12ae2un2d/*http://news.cnet.com/Scalability-Day-falls-short/2100-1001_3-279928.html\">scalability day</a>” a major event surrounding Windows NT that was supposed to showcase how it could perform as well as UNIX, or even a mainframe. It couldn’t, and Microsoft bled credibility.</p>\n                <p>\n<strong>3)</strong> The third biggest mistake <a href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/digitaltrends/tc_digitaltrends/storytext/learningfrommicrosoftssixbiggestblunders/40739154/SIG=12odl1mj4/*http://imaginecorporation.blogspot.com/2009/07/microsoft-antitrust-violation-case.html\">was taking on the US Department of Justice</a> and <a href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/digitaltrends/tc_digitaltrends/storytext/learningfrommicrosoftssixbiggestblunders/40739154/SIG=13elgvh8p/*http://www.zdnet.co.uk/news/systems-management/2006/03/28/tech-firms-go-on-a-legislative-offensive-39259812/\">making it personal with the then US Attorney General</a>. After they lost more than the case, Microsoft lost its image of being invulnerable and everyone, including the EU, jumped on the anti-Microsoft bandwagon.</p>\n                <p>\n<strong>4)</strong> The fourth biggest mistake was decoupling Office from Windows. Office had, up until Office 9, been the primary first application to showcase the new features of an OS, but once it was decoupled, Microsoft lost one of the biggest drivers to get people to upgrade. Then came Vista.</p>\n                <p>\n<strong>5)</strong> The fifth biggest mistake was to require the guy who owned quality for Windows Vista to ship the product <a href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/digitaltrends/tc_digitaltrends/storytext/learningfrommicrosoftssixbiggestblunders/40739154/SIG=13icu9l9b/*http://news.softpedia.com/news/Brian-Valentine-Moves-from-Microsoft-to-Amazon-in-Search-of-Adventure-34829.shtml\">before he would be allowed to leave and go to work for Amazon</a>. Getting it out became more important than getting it right and Windows Vista became infamous.</p>\n                <p>\n<strong>6)</strong> The sixth biggest mistake was to over-focus on the enterprise market, and lose any ability to deliver success to the consumer market (except the Xbox). This led to a long string of failures (PlaysforSure, Media Center, Windows Home Server, Zune, Origami, Tablets, Spot Watch, WebTV, Portable Media Center, Windows Mobile, Pocket PC, Microsoft Phone, Mira, the list goes on) through much of the last decade. In most cases, Microsoft both failed to complete the products, and failed to generate demand for them. In some cases they were simply horrid products. This is the mistake of tossing out unfinished products and crap without marketing, and it’s the same mistake Google most often makes.</p>\n                <p>\nI get tired of seeing the same mistakes over and over again, so it was nice to see Intel come through this week with an explanation of a plan to avoid one of them.</p>\n                <p>\n</p><h3>Intel and McAfee have been paying attention</h3>\nWhen Intel and McAfee <a href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/digitaltrends/tc_digitaltrends/storytext/learningfrommicrosoftssixbiggestblunders/40739154/SIG=133lj7904/*http://www.bizjournals.com/mobile/austin/news/2011/03/01/intel-closes-77b-mcafee-acquisition.html\">announced their merger was done this week</a>, they also spoke about a new reason why this acquisition was done. That explanation gave me hope that the duo had learned to avoid Microsoft’s fourth mistake.\n                <p>\nIntel has the same problem that Microsoft now has after decoupling Office from Windows. How do you get people excited about new features in a new processor? Developers – particularly security developers – don’t like to write for something unless it has huge numbers in the market. It can take up to several years or more to get major software products into market after Intel has enabled a new capability.</p>\n                <p>\nThis is particularly troubling for security because Intel can take up to two years to develop a new feature in response to a threat. Now add up to seven years to make use of that feature, and you have an abysmal response time for a threat of up to nine years. You wouldn’t just call that bad, you’d call that negligent.</p>\n                <p>\nBut the only way to change this is to buy or fund a company to fix it earlier; because that company can’t be initially assured there will be enough revenue to pay for the effort. However, by assuring there will be security software at launch that will take advantage of a new chip security feature, Intel can get companies to buy more processors, and McAfee can be more successful at selling related new products. This is the Windows 95 model, and Windows 95 is the only version of Windows that had sustained lines at launch like an Apple product.</p>\n                <p>\nNow, I’m not suggesting this will cause lines for Intel products, because it is a security- and business-oriented solution, but it will, if executed well, increase initial demand for a new processor and for security software.</p>\n                <p>\nThe benefit for us is that our hardware should become vastly more secure than it currently is.</p>\n                <p>\n</p><h3>Watch and learn</h3>\nIt kind of amazes me that companies generally seem to like to repeat the mistakes of others rather than learn from them. Google, for instance, seems to be going down a list of Microsoft mistakes, from bringing out incomplete products to upsetting governments, as if they have a to-do list. It is kind of nice to see Intel and McAfee hook up to use a lesson from a Microsoft mistake, rather than repeat one for once. In the end, the idea of a more secure future is likely something we can all get behind. \n                <p>\n            </p></div></div><p><strong>Read more:</strong> <a class=\"rssreadon\" rel=\"external\" title=\"Learning from Microsoftâ€™s six biggest blunders   (Digital Trends)\" href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/tech/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/digitaltrends/20110319/tc_digitaltrends/learningfrommicrosoftssixbiggestblunders\" target=\"_blank\">http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/tech/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/digitaltrends/20110319/tc_digitaltrends/learningfrommicrosoftssixbiggestblunders</a></p>',-2,5,0,44,'2011-03-19 07:00:00',62,'','0000-00-00 00:00:00',0,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2011-03-19 07:00:00','2011-04-03 12:17:59','','','show_intro=0',1,0,0,'','',0,0,''),(636,'The Gadget Hound bids farewell   (Ben Patterson)','the-gadget-hound-bids-farewell-ben-patterson','','Ben Patterson - Four years, 3,000+ posts, and more gadgets than you could shake a stick atâ€”it\'s been a great run. And just think: when I first started blogging as Yahoo!\'s resident Gadget Hound back in March of 2007, there were no Kindles, …','<div><div class=\"yn-story-content\">\n                <p>Four years, 3,000+ posts, and more gadgets than you could shake a stick at—it\'s been a great run.</p>\n                <p>And just think: when I first started blogging as Yahoo!\'s resident Gadget Hound back in March of 2007, there were no Kindles, iPod Touches, Android phones, and yes, no tweets (well, not unless you count those from sparrows). Google was already huge, but Facebook wasn\'t—not yet, anyway. And Windows Vista was barely two months old.</p>\n                <p>Believe me, writing about tech for Yahoo! has been a blast and an honor, and I\'m proud to have been part of such an all-star team.</p>\n                <p>But change is good, and about a month ago, I informed my super smart, tireless, and always supportive editors that I\'d decided to move on. So this, dear readers, will be my last post as a full-time blogger for Yahoo! News.</p>\n                <p>For those of you who followed my Gadget Hound blog regularly, thank you. I\'m grateful to everyone who took the time to read my posts, e-mail a question or leave a comment. Your feedback, encouragement, and tough love has been inspiring and motivational, and I truly appreciate it.</p>\n                <p>So, what\'s next for me? Well, vacation, for starters. After that, it\'s back to work as a freelance writer. And I\'ve already got a project or two in the pipeline—and if you\'re interested, I\'d love to tell you about them. So stay tuned to <a href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/yblog_technews/tc_yblog_technews/storytext/the-gadget-hound-bids-farewell/40626778/SIG=10s2cgs67/*http://twitter.com/benpatt\">my Twitter feed</a> and <a href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/yblog_technews/tc_yblog_technews/storytext/the-gadget-hound-bids-farewell/40626778/SIG=10vlru98a/*http://tech.benpatterson.net/\">my personal Web site</a> (<a href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/yblog_technews/tc_yblog_technews/storytext/the-gadget-hound-bids-farewell/40626778/SIG=11iskk9bu/*http://tech.benpatterson.net/feeds/posts/default\">here\'s the RSS link</a>), and feel free <a href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/yblog_technews/tc_yblog_technews/storytext/the-gadget-hound-bids-farewell/40626778/SIG=10ptb4e5l/*http://about.me/benpatt\">to contact me directly</a>.</p>\n                <p>There are many people to thank. First, thanks to the current team here at Yahoo! News: Richard Vega, Jamie Mottram, Andrew Golis, Sam Silverstein, Leah Hitchings, Alex Romanelli, Mia Zuckerkandel, Oliver Libaw, Phat Chiem, Richard Eisenberg, Becky Worley, Daniel Garza, and Anna Robertson. Special thanks to Jennifer Karmon and David Caplan for their copy-editing skills over the past year. On the business side of things, thanks to Yahoo!\'s Chris Hunter and my agent, Ted Weinstein.</p>\n                <p>Then there\'s the original Yahoo! Tech crew, which welcomed me with open arms and immediately made me feel right at home: Pat Houston, Annette Cardwell, Laura Lindhe, Roger Hibbert, Alexander Yoon, Gina Hughes, Dory Devlin, Robin Raskin, Erica Smith, and James Hamilton. Thank you. I\'d also like to tip my hat to Yahoo! Tech\'s first Gadget Hound, Tom Samiljan.</p>\n                <p>And last but not least, many thanks to my former partner in tech-blogging crime, Christopher Null, who e-mailed me more than four years ago to see if I\'d be interested in writing for Yahoo!. He promised I\'d have a ball, and you know, he was right.</p>\n                <p>Thanks again for reading, and keep in touch.</p>\n                <p><strong>Note:</strong> My departure from Yahoo! seems like (very) small potatoes compared to the <a href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/news/yblog_technews/tc_yblog_technews/storytext/the-gadget-hound-bids-farewell/40626778/*http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/as_japan_earthquake\">terrible tragedy unfolding in Japan</a>. \"Today we are all Japanese,\" <a href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/yblog_technews/tc_yblog_technews/storytext/the-gadget-hound-bids-farewell/40626778/SIG=11prnu31s/*http://twitter.com/GeorgeTakei/status/46220495179354113\">tweets George Takai</a>, who urges us all to make a donation for disaster relief <a href=\"https://american.redcross.org/site/Donation2?idb=271680001&amp;df_id=4993&amp;4993.donation=form1\">through the American Red Cross</a>.</p>\n                <p>— Ben Patterson is a technology blogger for Yahoo! News.</p>\n                <p><a href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/yblog_technews/tc_yblog_technews/storytext/the-gadget-hound-bids-farewell/40626778/SIG=10s2cgs67/*http://twitter.com/benpatt\">Follow me on Twitter!</a></p>\n                <p>\n            </p></div></div><p><strong>Read more:</strong> <a class=\"rssreadon\" rel=\"external\" title=\"The Gadget Hound bids farewell   (Ben Patterson)\" href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/tech/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/yblog_technews/20110311/tc_yblog_technews/the-gadget-hound-bids-farewell\" target=\"_blank\">http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/tech/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/yblog_technews/20110311/tc_yblog_technews/the-gadget-hound-bids-farewell</a></p>',-2,5,0,44,'2011-03-11 11:11:00',62,'','0000-00-00 00:00:00',0,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2011-03-11 11:11:00','2011-04-03 12:18:00','','','show_intro=0',1,0,0,'','',0,0,''),(637,'Ice cream seller accused of dealing drugs   (Reuters)','ice-cream-seller-accused-of-dealing-drugs-reuters','','Reuters - A New York man has been arrested for allegedly selling illegal prescription drugs from his ice cream truck, making more than $1 million in a year, prosecutors said.','<div><div class=\"yn-story-content\">\n                <p>NEW YORK (Reuters) – A New York man has been arrested for allegedly selling illegal prescription drugs from his ice cream truck, making more than $1 million in a year, prosecutors said.</p>\n                <p>\nLouis Scala sold ice cream to children from his \"Lickity Split\" truck and would allegedly make stops at prearranged spots where customers knew they could buy pills, according to the New York Office of the Special Narcotics Prosecutor.</p>\n                <p>\nScala, 40, is accused of selling more than 40,000 prescription oxycodone pills from his ice cream truck in the borough of Staten Island and heading up a 30-person drug ring that included more than two dozen runners to fill fake prescriptions, prosecutors said.</p>\n                <p>\nAnother suspect, Nancy Wilkins, is accused of using her position as an assistant at a Manhattan orthopedic office to steal blank prescription pads and allegedly sell them for $100 a page, prosecutors said.</p>\n                <p>\nThe phony prescriptions would be filled by runners who would be paid in cash or in pills, they said.</p>\n                <p>\nThe ring earned more than $1 million in the past year, sometimes charging up to $20 for a single pill.</p>\n                <p>\n\"This narcotics organization was as predatory as any I have ever seen -- in its structure and distribution practices,\" Special Narcotics Prosecutor Bridget Brennan said.</p>\n                <p>\n\"Most of the individuals recruited to fill bogus prescriptions were among society\'s most vulnerable -- young, financially desperate and addicted to oxycodone,\" she said.</p>\n                <p>\n(Reporting by Bernd Debusmann Jr., editing by Ellen Wulfhorst and Peter Bohan)</p>\n                <p>\n            </p></div></div><p><strong>Read more:</strong> <a class=\"rssreadon\" rel=\"external\" title=\"Ice cream seller accused of dealing drugs   (Reuters)\" href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/oddlyenough/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20110318/od_nm/us_icecreamtruck\" target=\"_blank\">http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/oddlyenough/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20110318/od_nm/us_icecreamtruck</a></p>',-2,5,0,46,'2011-03-18 10:53:00',62,'','0000-00-00 00:00:00',0,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2011-03-18 10:53:00','2011-04-03 12:18:01','','','show_intro=0',1,0,0,'','',0,0,''),(638,'No script. All riff. Sheen tour details trickle out   (Reuters)','no-script-all-riff-sheen-tour-details-trickle-out-reuters','','Reuters - Charlie Sheen plans to \"riff like an artist\" from memory rather than use a script on  his 21-date \"Torpedo of Truth\" tour next month, delivering a mostly spoken word performance of about 80 minutes, according to one of the show\'s producers.','<div><div class=\"yn-story-content\">\n                <p>LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – Charlie Sheen plans to \"riff like an artist\" from memory rather than use a script on  his 21-date \"Torpedo of Truth\" tour next month, delivering a mostly spoken word performance of about 80 minutes, according to one of the show\'s producers.</p>\n                <p>\nJoey Scoleri told E! News in an interview on Friday that audiences would also get to ask questions of the fired \"Two and a Half Men\" actor, and he promised a \"wild ride of highs and lows and dark and light and laughter and being surprised.\"</p>\n                <p>\nFew details have so far been released of the tour, which sold out quickly in several U.S. cities after the massive publicity enjoyed by Sheen\'s bizarre rants and his exit from the most-watched comedy on television.</p>\n                <p>\nThe description on the Ticketmaster website for \"Charlie Sheen\'s Violent Torpedo of Truth Defeat Is Not an Option\" show reads merely; \"\"Will there be surprises? Will there be guests? Will there be mayhem? Will you laugh? Will you scream? Will you know the truth? WILL THERE BE MORE?!?! This IS where you will hear the REAL story from the Warlock. Bring it. I dare you to keep up with me.\"</p>\n                <p>\nScoleri told E! News that Sheen was not using any writers.</p>\n                <p>\n\"It\'s all Charlie. I don\'t think it\'s a script, as much as he is going to riff like an artist...He will probably do most of it from memory, he\'s that talented.\"</p>\n                <p>\n\"There will be some multimedia, but largely just him and a microphone and he\'s going to talk, and having heard some of the stuff he is going to say, people are going to be pleasantly surprised. There will be some things that are shocking and provoking, but you\'re going to laugh,\" he added.</p>\n                <p>\nSheen, who has been in and out of drug and alcohol rehab in the past year, was the highest paid actor on U.S. television before he was fired on March 7 because of what executives called his \"dangerously self-destructive conduct\".</p>\n                <p>\nSheen fired back with a $100 million lawsuit against Warner Bros. Television and the show\'s producer Chuck Lorre claiming he was wrongfully terminated.</p>\n                <p>\nScoleri said Sheen could make \"several hundred thousand\" dollars from each of his live shows but declined to give precise figures.</p>\n                <p>\nCelebrity website TMZ on Friday estimated he could rake in $7 million from ticket sales, merchandising and after-parties -- the equivalent of his salary for about four episodes for playing a skirt-chasing bachelor on \"Two and A Half Men.\"</p>\n                <p>\n(Reporting by Jill Serjeant; Editing by Bob Tourtellotte)</p>\n                <p>\n            </p></div></div><p><strong>Read more:</strong> <a class=\"rssreadon\" rel=\"external\" title=\"No script. All riff. Sheen tour details trickle out   (Reuters)\" href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/oddlyenough/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20110319/od_nm/us_charliesheen\" target=\"_blank\">http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/oddlyenough/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20110319/od_nm/us_charliesheen</a></p>',-2,5,0,46,'2011-03-18 20:00:00',62,'','0000-00-00 00:00:00',0,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2011-03-18 20:00:00','2011-04-03 12:18:02','','','show_intro=0',1,0,0,'','',0,0,''),(639,'St Patrick\'s diet similar to today\'s health foods   (Reuters)','st-patricks-diet-similar-to-todays-health-foods-reuters','','<p><a href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/oddlyenough/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20110317/od_nm/us_ireland_patrick\"><img src=\"http://d.yimg.com/a/p/rids/20110317/i/r2232981418.jpg?x=130&amp;y=90&amp;q=85&amp;sig=8iLmR66mA_01Xcacn1FqTQ--\" height=\"90\" width=\"130\" alt=\"St Patrick\'s diet similar to today\'s health foods   (Reuters)\" style=\"float: left; border: 0px;\" />\n</a>Reuters - Saint Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, probably ate fare similar to today\'s pricey health foods such as cereal, fish and seaweed, according to a researcher who has studied the country\'s 5th century diet.</p><br style=\"clear: both;\" />','<div><div class=\"yn-story-content\">\n                <p>LONDON (Reuters) – Saint Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, probably ate fare similar to today\'s pricey health foods such as cereal, fish and seaweed, according to a researcher who has studied the country\'s 5th century diet.</p>\n                <p>\nFood historian Regina Sexton said records kept by monks showed that Patrick, who is credited with ridding Ireland of snakes and spreading the Christian message, most likely drew his sustenance from cereals and dairy produce such as sour milk, flavored curd mixtures and a variety of soft and hard cheeses.</p>\n                <p>\n\"It is safe to say that obesity was not a problem in those days, and that the fare was seasonal, wholesome and modest by today\'s standards,\" said Sexton of University College Cork.</p>\n                <p>\nHaving arrived in Ireland as a slave after what was probably a cold and hungry journey from Britain, the future saint most likely snacked on wet preparations like porridge, gruel and meal pastes.</p>\n                <p>\nOther culinary delights he could choose from included hen and goose eggs, honey, curds, seaweeds and apples, which he could garnish with a dash of wild garlic or watercress.</p>\n                <p>\nFish like salmon, trout and eel or meats like hand-cured pork were also on 5th century Irish menus, while flat breads made from oats, barley, a little rye and some of the altogether more exclusive wheat, added some bulk.</p>\n                <p>\n\"Ironically, much of the food available then is what we call \'health food\' now, which comes of course, at a premium price,\" Sexton said.</p>\n                <p>\nSt Patrick\'s Day is celebrated every 17 March, with revelers sporting green attire, drinking Dublin\'s famous black brew Guinness, listening to traditional music and attending parades in honor of the saint who played an important role in converting Ireland to Christianity.</p>\n                <p>\n(Editing by Steve Addison)</p>\n                <p>\n            </p></div></div><p><strong>Read more:</strong> <a class=\"rssreadon\" rel=\"external\" title=\"St Patrick\'s diet similar to today\'s health foods   (Reuters)\" href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/oddlyenough/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20110317/od_nm/us_ireland_patrick\" target=\"_blank\">http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/oddlyenough/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20110317/od_nm/us_ireland_patrick</a></p>',-2,5,0,46,'2011-03-17 17:08:00',62,'','0000-00-00 00:00:00',0,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2011-03-17 17:08:00','2011-04-03 12:18:03','','','show_intro=0',1,0,0,'','',0,0,''),(640,'Stop hoarding salt, China tells radiation-scared shoppers   (Reuters)','stop-hoarding-salt-china-tells-radiation-scared-shoppers-reuters','','Reuters - China\'s economic agency told shoppers Thursday to stop panic buying salt, blaming baseless rumors that the iodine in it can stop radiation sickness.','<div><div class=\"yn-story-content\">\n                <p>BEIJING (Reuters) – China\'s economic agency told shoppers Thursday to stop panic buying salt, blaming baseless rumors that the iodine in it can stop radiation sickness.</p>\n                <p>\nThe Chinese government has repeatedly said the country\'s residents will not be exposed to radiation from a nuclear plant in northeastern Japan which engineers are frantically trying to bring under control after it was damaged by last Friday\'s earthquake and tsunami.</p>\n                <p>\nBut in a sign of increasing public worries about the risks, people across much of China have been buying large amounts of iodized salt, emptying markets of the usually cheap and plentiful product.</p>\n                <p>\nThe National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), the country\'s economic policy agency, said price regulators could investigate and punish price gouging.</p>\n                <p>\n\"In recent days, some areas have been affected by rumors that have sparked intensive buying of salt, and some lawless merchants have leapt at the opportunity to raise prices,\" said the NDRC in an emailed statement.</p>\n                <p>\n\"Don\'t believe rumors, don\'t spread rumors, and don\'t panic buy,\" said the notice.</p>\n                <p>\nThe spike in demand may be born of a misunderstanding of reports noting that the thyroid gland is susceptible to radioactive iodine -- just one of several types of radiation that could be produced by the crippled reactors -- and that potassium iodide tablets can block the radioactive iodine if taken before exposure.</p>\n                <p>\nSalt containing iodine, however, would not shield against the radiation, medical experts said in newspaper reports on Thursday, adding there was no reason for alarm in China, which is thousands of kilometers away from the reactors.</p>\n                <p>\nStill, some Chinese residents formed long lines to buy salt, and the state distribution company has vowed to speed up supply.</p>\n                <p>\nAt a Hua Pu Supermarket in Beijing, shoppers bought salt faster than the staff could stock shelves with it.</p>\n                <p>\nOne woman carrying a package of salt was stopped and asked by others where she got it.</p>\n                <p>\n\"This bag of salt was given to me by my friend who bought it this morning,\" said the woman, who declined to give her name. \"I heard they queued for a long time, and each person was only allowed to buy five bags.\"</p>\n                <p>\n(Reporting by Zhou Xin and Chris Buckley and Sabrina Mao; Editing by Ken Wills and Daniel Magnowski)</p>\n                <p>\n            </p></div></div><p><strong>Read more:</strong> <a class=\"rssreadon\" rel=\"external\" title=\"Stop hoarding salt, China tells radiation-scared shoppers   (Reuters)\" href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/oddlyenough/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20110317/od_nm/us_economy_salt\" target=\"_blank\">http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/oddlyenough/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20110317/od_nm/us_economy_salt</a></p>',-2,5,0,46,'2011-03-17 13:34:00',62,'','0000-00-00 00:00:00',0,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2011-03-17 13:34:00','2011-04-03 12:18:05','','','show_intro=0',1,0,0,'','',0,0,''),(641,'Gottfried, ex-Aflac voice, apologizes for tweets   (Reuters)','gottfried-ex-aflac-voice-apologizes-for-tweets-reuters','','<p><a href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/oddlyenough/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20110316/od_nm/us_aflac_gottfried_odds\"><img src=\"http://d.yimg.com/a/p/rids/20110316/i/r3630464593.jpg?x=130&amp;y=86&amp;q=85&amp;sig=9L1K4NjTdXs1HXlNjInwpw--\" height=\"86\" width=\"130\" alt=\"Gottfried, ex-Aflac voice, apologizes for tweets   (Reuters)\" style=\"float: left; border: 0px;\" />\n</a>Reuters - NEW YORK (Reuters)- Comedian Gilbert Gottfried apologized on Tuesday for a series of jokes made on Twitter about the Japanese earthquake and tsunami, comments which got him fired as the voice of insurer Aflac.</p><br style=\"clear: both;\" />','<div><div class=\"yn-story-content\">\n                <p>NEW YORK (Reuters)- Comedian Gilbert Gottfried apologized on Tuesday for a series of jokes made on Twitter about the Japanese earthquake and tsunami, comments which got him fired as the voice of insurer Aflac.</p>\n                <p>\n\"I sincerely apologize to anyone who was offended by my attempt at humor regarding the tragedy in Japan. I meant no disrespect, and my thoughts are with the victims and their families,\" Gottfried said in a statement.</p>\n                <p>\nSince 2000, the comedian had been the voice of the quacking duck in Aflac\'s commercials, shouting \"Af-LAC!\" at opportune moments.</p>\n                <p>\nBut the company was quick to dismiss him after a dozen jokes made on his Twitter account last weekend, many of them crude and sexual riffs on the effects of the disaster.</p>\n                <p>\nAflac made its name selling cancer expense policies in Japan in the 1970s and still derives about three-quarters of its revenue there.</p>\n                <p>\n(Reporting by Ben Berkowitz, editing by Dave Zimmerman)</p>\n                <p>\n            </p></div></div><p><strong>Read more:</strong> <a class=\"rssreadon\" rel=\"external\" title=\"Gottfried, ex-Aflac voice, apologizes for tweets   (Reuters)\" href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/oddlyenough/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20110316/od_nm/us_aflac_gottfried_odds\" target=\"_blank\">http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/oddlyenough/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20110316/od_nm/us_aflac_gottfried_odds</a></p>',-2,5,0,46,'2011-03-16 12:31:00',62,'','0000-00-00 00:00:00',0,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2011-03-16 12:31:00','2011-04-03 12:18:06','','','show_intro=0',1,0,0,'','',0,0,''),(642,'Medical marijuana growers accused of trafficking   (Reuters)','medical-marijuana-growers-accused-of-trafficking-reuters','','Reuters - A medical marijuana law in the state of Montana is being used for large-scale drug trafficking, federal prosecutors said, days after the U.S. government raided facilities across the state.','<div><div class=\"yn-story-content\">\n                <p>HELENA, Mont (Reuters) – A medical marijuana law in the state of Montana is being used for large-scale drug trafficking, federal prosecutors said, days after the U.S. government raided facilities across the state.</p>\n                <p>\nThe raids on Monday capped an 18-month investigation of marijuana trafficking statewide, the U.S. Attorney for Montana, Michael Cotter, said in a statement.</p>\n                <p>\nSeizures also were carried out at financial institutions in three Montana cities under civil warrants seeking up to $4 million in connection with the alleged drug trade, he said.</p>\n                <p>\nThe sweep prompted an outcry from medical marijuana advocates, who accused the government of cracking down on growers and distributors who were operating legally under the state\'s seven-year-old medical marijuana law.</p>\n                <p>\nBut Cotter said in his statement that the raids were conducted \"where there is probable cause that the premises were involved in illegal and large-scale trafficking of marijuana.\"</p>\n                <p>\n\"When criminal networks violate federal laws, those involved will be prosecuted,\" he said.</p>\n                <p>\nAlthough cannabis is still considered an illegal narcotic under federal law, 15 states and the District of Columbia have statutes legalizing pot for medical use, according to the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws.</p>\n                <p>\nIn a shift from the Bush administration\'s position, the administration of President Barack Obama said in October 2009 it would no longer prosecute patients who use medical marijuana, or dispensaries that distribute it, in states where marijuana has been approved for such purposes.</p>\n                <p>\nA Justice Department spokeswoman in Washington, Tracy Schmaler, denied the Montana raids were at odds with the Obama administration\'s policy pronouncement.</p>\n                <p>\n\"We are not going to look the other way while significant drug trafficking organizations try and shield their illegal efforts ... through the pretense that they are medical dispensaries,\" she said on Tuesday.</p>\n                <p>\nFederal agents seized some 1,700 pot plants at one facility, Montana Cannabis, said co-owner Chris Williams. He said the plants were the source of legitimate medicine for nearly 300 patients.</p>\n                <p>\nMontana law allows up to six marijuana plants to be grown for each patient.</p>\n                <p>\nFormer Montana Cannabis owner Tom Daubert, who helped write the state\'s medical marijuana statute, condemned the raids as heavy-handed. \"I have every reason to believe the locations that were targeted were striving to be legal under state law.\"</p>\n                <p>\n(Additional reporting by Jeremy Pelofsky in Washington; Writing by Steve Gorman; Editing by Greg McCune and Todd Eastham)</p>\n                <p>\n            </p></div></div><p><strong>Read more:</strong> <a class=\"rssreadon\" rel=\"external\" title=\"Medical marijuana growers accused of trafficking   (Reuters)\" href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/oddlyenough/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20110316/od_nm/us_montana_marijuana_odds\" target=\"_blank\">http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/oddlyenough/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20110316/od_nm/us_montana_marijuana_odds</a></p>',-2,5,0,46,'2011-03-16 12:29:00',62,'','0000-00-00 00:00:00',0,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2011-03-16 12:29:00','2011-04-03 12:18:07','','','show_intro=0',1,0,0,'','',0,0,''),(643,'Comic Gilbert Gottfried in Aflac duck ads fired over tweets   (Reuters)','comic-gilbert-gottfried-in-aflac-duck-ads-fired-over-tweets-reuters','','<p><a href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/oddlyenough/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20110315/od_nm/us_aflac_tweets_odds\"><img src=\"http://d.yimg.com/a/p/rids/20110315/i/r2520766551.jpg?x=130&amp;y=86&amp;q=85&amp;sig=ZyuIbe0PNRZ7qjRvwveF.w--\" height=\"86\" width=\"130\" alt=\"Comic Gilbert Gottfried in Aflac duck ads fired over tweets   (Reuters)\" style=\"float: left; border: 0px;\" />\n</a>Reuters - Disability insurer Aflac Inc fired comedian Gilbert Gottfried as the voice of its iconic duck on Monday after a series of Twitter jokes about the earthquake in Japan, the company\'s most important market.</p><br style=\"clear: both;\" />','<div><div class=\"yn-story-content\">\n                <p>NEW YORK (Reuters) – Disability insurer Aflac Inc fired comedian Gilbert Gottfried as the voice of its iconic duck on Monday after a series of Twitter jokes about the earthquake in Japan, the company\'s most important market.</p>\n                <p>\nSince 2000, Gottfried has voiced the duck in the insurer\'s TV ad campaign in the United States, quacking \"Af-LAC!\" in the comedian\'s famously abrasive voice.</p>\n                <p>\nGottfried fired off a dozen jokes on the social media service over the weekend, all riffing in one way or another on the devastating earthquake and subsequent tsunami.</p>\n                <p>\nBut the company said his comments \"were lacking in humor and certainly do not represent the thoughts and feelings of anyone at Aflac.\"</p>\n                <p>\nAflac said it would start a nationwide casting call to find a new voice -- and noted that it was already using a different voice in the Japanese market, where it is the No. 1 foreign insurer.</p>\n                <p>\nThe company made its name selling cancer expense policies in Japan in the 1970s, and still derives about three-quarters of its revenue in the country.</p>\n                <p>\n(Reporting by Ben Berkowitz; Editing by Richard Chang)</p>\n                <p>\n            </p></div></div><p><strong>Read more:</strong> <a class=\"rssreadon\" rel=\"external\" title=\"Comic Gilbert Gottfried in Aflac duck ads fired over tweets   (Reuters)\" href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/oddlyenough/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20110315/od_nm/us_aflac_tweets_odds\" target=\"_blank\">http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/oddlyenough/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20110315/od_nm/us_aflac_tweets_odds</a></p>',-2,5,0,46,'2011-03-15 15:48:00',62,'','0000-00-00 00:00:00',0,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2011-03-15 15:48:00','2011-04-03 12:18:08','','','show_intro=0',1,0,0,'','',0,0,''),(644,'Kuyt penalty leads to Liverpool win over Sunderland   (AFP)','kuyt-penalty-leads-to-liverpool-win-over-sunderland-afp','','<p><a href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/world/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20110320/wl_uk_afp/fblengprsunderlandliverpool\"><img src=\"http://d.yimg.com/a/p/afp/20110320/capt.photo_1300635180664-1-0.jpg?x=130&amp;y=85&amp;q=85&amp;sig=X3Kg6.je9CCWv9Glr01T3w--\" height=\"85\" width=\"130\" alt=\"Kuyt penalty leads to Liverpool win over Sunderland   (AFP)\" style=\"float: left; border: 0px;\" />\n</a>AFP - Liverpool kept alive their hopes of qualifying for Europe with a controversial 2-0 Premier League win over 10-man Sunderland on Sunday.</p><br style=\"clear: both;\" />','<div><div class=\"yn-story-content\">\n                <p>SUNDERLAND (AFP) – Liverpool kept alive their hopes of qualifying for Europe with a controversial 2-0 Premier League win over 10-man Sunderland on Sunday.</p>\n                <p>\nKenny Dalglish\'s sixth placed side need to catch fifth placed Tottenham to avoid missing out on a place in Europe and they were given a helping hand by the officials at the Stadium of Light.</p>\n                <p>\nReferee Kevin Friend and his linesman played an important part in the win, with a hotly-disputed decision allowing Dirk Kuyt to break the deadlock with a penalty before Luis Suarez sealed the victory.</p>\n                <p>\nFriend made his error when he allowed the linesman to persuade him to give a penalty for John Mensah\'s challenge on Jay Spearing even though he had initially given a free-kick.</p>\n                <p>\n\nReplays showed the tackle was outside the area but Kuyt scored the penalty to set Liverpool on the way, while Friend sent off Sunderland defender Mensah late in the match for a professional foul on Suarez.</p>\n                <p>\nThe early stages were notable only for Sunderland\'s injury problems - Sulley Muntari and Kieran Richardson both limped off injured and Phil Bardsley might have followed if it had not meant using their last substitute already - until Friend intervened.</p>\n                <p>\nOn Liverpool\'s last trip to the Stadium of Light, Sunderland\'s winning goal went in off a discarded beachball. This time the Reds got lucky.</p>\n                <p>\nFaced with a routine long ball, Ghana captain Mensah made a mess of chesting it down and allowed Spearing to pounce onto the loose ball.</p>\n                <p>\nThe midfielder was heading for the penalty area when Mensah brought him down.</p>\n                <p>\nFriend stood on the spot outside the area where he thought the foul had taken place, but linesman Billy Smallwood disagreed, signaling for a penalty.</p>\n                <p>\n\nAlthough television replays proved Friend correct, he was persuaded by the linesman and Kuyt drilled the penalty to Simon Mignolet\'s left.</p>\n                <p>\nMensah had escaped with a booking, but received a red card after 82 minutes for a professional foul on Suarez.</p>\n                <p>\nThe Belgian goalkeeper\'s first save of note came after 37 minutes when he stretched to keep out Suarez\'s effort from a brilliant Spearing pass.</p>\n                <p>\nUntil then Andy Carroll had been Sunderland\'s only real concern. The former Newcastle United forward was his usual dominant self in the air, and although he discomforted the home defenders on his Premier League debut, his side had little to show for it until he forced substitute Lee Cattermole to cleared off the line at a 51st-minute corner.</p>\n                <p>\nMignolet made a great diving save from Spearing in the 74th minute, but was badly beaten at his near post minutes later. Suarez beat Cattermole, then the goalkeeper, from a near impossible angle.</p>\n                <p>\nAsamoah Gyan was fortunate to escape a red card for poking Martin Skrtel\'s nose but seconds later his international team-mate Mensah was dismissed for pulling down Uruguay forward Suarez as he bore down on goal.</p>\n                <p>\nSunderland were poor throughout and it was not until the 86th minute that Liverpool goalkeeper Jose Reina was forced into a save, keeping out Cattermole\'s long-range effort.</p>\n                <p>\n            </p></div></div><p><strong>Read more:</strong> <a class=\"rssreadon\" rel=\"external\" title=\"Kuyt penalty leads to Liverpool win over Sunderland   (AFP)\" href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/world/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20110320/wl_uk_afp/fblengprsunderlandliverpool\" target=\"_blank\">http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/world/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20110320/wl_uk_afp/fblengprsunderlandliverpool</a></p>',-2,5,0,43,'2011-03-20 12:13:00',62,'','0000-00-00 00:00:00',0,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2011-03-20 12:13:00','2011-04-03 12:34:17','','','show_intro=0',1,0,0,'','',0,1,''),(645,'Latest developments in Arab world\'s unrest   (AP)','latest-developments-in-arab-worlds-unrest-ap','','AP - A defiant Moammar Gadhafi vows a \"long war\" after the U.S. and European militaries blast his forces with airstrikes and over 100 cruise missiles, hitting air defenses and at least two major air bases and shaking the Libyan capital with explosions and anti-aircraft fire.','<div><div class=\"yn-story-content\">\n                <p>___</p>\n                <p>LIBYA</p>\n                <p>A defiant Moammar Gadhafi vows a \"long war\" after the U.S. and European militaries blast his forces with airstrikes and over 100 cruise missiles, hitting air defenses and at least two major air bases and shaking the Libyan capital with explosions and anti-aircraft fire.</p>\n                <p>____</p>\n                <p>EGYPT</p>\n                <p>Partial results from a third of Egypt\'s provinces show massive turnout and a vote overwhelmingly in favor of constitutional changes that eliminate restrictions on political rights and civil liberties. Opponents fear the referendum\'s passage would allow the highly organized Muslim Brotherhood to dominate Egypt\'s dozens of new political parties in an upcoming presidential and parliamentary vote.</p>\n                <p>___</p>\n                <p>YEMEN:</p>\n                <p>Tens of thousands of people join a funeral procession for protesters killed by government gunmen and the Yemeni president\'s own tribe calls on him to step down, robbing the embattled U.S.-backed leader of vital support.</p>\n                <p>___</p>\n                <p>SYRIA:</p>\n                <p>Thousands of Syrians rally for a third consecutive day in a tense southern city where security forces killed at least five protesters, signaling that unrest in yet another Arab country is taking root, a witness and activists say.</p>\n                <p>___</p>\n                <p>IRAN</p>\n                <p>Ailing Iranian dissident Ebrahim Yazdi resigns as the leader of a liberal political party, the Freedom Movement of Iran, hours after being released from prison.</p>\n                <p>\n            </p></div></div><p><strong>Read more:</strong> <a class=\"rssreadon\" rel=\"external\" title=\"Latest developments in Arab world\'s unrest   (AP)\" href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/world/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110320/ap_on_re_mi_ea/ml_mideast_protests_glance\" target=\"_blank\">http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/world/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110320/ap_on_re_mi_ea/ml_mideast_protests_glance</a></p>',-2,5,0,43,'2011-03-20 12:12:00',62,'','0000-00-00 00:00:00',0,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2011-03-20 12:12:00','2011-04-03 12:34:18','','','show_intro=0',1,0,0,'','',0,1,''),(646,'3 foreign reporters missing in Libya   (AP)','3-foreign-reporters-missing-in-libya-ap','','AP - A French news agency says two of its journalists and a photographer traveling with them are missing in Libya.','<div><div class=\"yn-story-content\">\n                <p>BENGHAZI, Libya – A French news agency says two of its journalists and a photographer traveling with them are missing in Libya.</p>\n                <p>Agence France-Presse says the journalists went missing Saturday morning while working near the eastern city of Tobruk, not far from the border with Egypt.</p>\n                <p>The AFP journalists are reporter Dave Clark and photographer Roberto Schmidt. They were accompanied by a photographer for Getty Images, Joe Raedle, who is also missing.</p>\n                <p>AFP said Sunday the journalists planned to meet opponents of Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi and interview people fleeing the fighting between Gadhafi\'s forces and rebels.</p>\n                <p>Several foreign journalists have been arrested by Libyan authorities during the uprising that began Feb. 15. An Al-Jazeera cameraman and a Libyan journalist have been killed.</p>\n                <p>\n            </p></div></div><p><strong>Read more:</strong> <a class=\"rssreadon\" rel=\"external\" title=\"3 foreign reporters missing in Libya   (AP)\" href=\"http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/world/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110320/ap_on_re_af/af_libya_media\" target=\"_blank\">http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/world/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110320/ap_on_re_af/af_libya_media</a></p>',-2,5,0,43,'2011-03-20 12:19:00',62,'','0000-00-00 00:00:00',0,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2011-03-20 12:19:00','2011-04-03 12:34:18','','','show_intro=0',1,0,0,'','',0,1,''),