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Latest In Sports
Ping waives settlement on square grooves
(AP)
AP - The 20-year-old Ping wedges with square-shaped grooves will no longer be allowed on the PGA Tour starting March 29 under an agreement reached Monday with Ping executives. NHL GMs set framework for rule on hits to head (AP) AP - NHL general managers have developed the framework for a new rule that punishes hits to the head. Vikings' KWilliams says he discussed positive test (AP) AP - Minnesota Vikings defensive tackle Kevin Williams is acknowledging that he told several people he had tested positive for a banned diuretic before news of the test results leaked to the media in 2008. UFC to show upcoming events in movie theaters (AP) AP - The UFC is headed to the big screen. Riesch tops Vonn in final World Cup downhill (AP)
Halladay shuts down Braves (AP) AP - Roy Halladay pitched three shutout innings and struck out five in his second spring appearance as the Philadelphia Phillies downed the Atlanta Braves, 7-4, on Tuesday. Stephenson leads Cincinnati over Rutgers (AP)
Garon, Blue Jackets beat Ducks 5-2 (AP)
Michael Waltrip to enter Talladega race (AP) AP - Michael Waltrip will enter the Sprint Cup Series race at Talladega Superspeedway with help from a longtime sponsor. Garciaparra retires as member of Boston Red Sox (AP) AP - Nomar Garciaparra has retired as a member of the Boston Red Sox. No. 12 Butler routs Wright St. 70-45 (AP)
Kobe sinks Raptors as Lakers end losing run (Reuters) Reuters - Kobe Bryant delivered yet another game-winning shot to help the Los Angeles Lakers snap a three-game losing streak with a 109-107 victory over the Toronto Raptors on Tuesday. Germany's Gerdemann snatches Tirreno first stage (Reuters) Reuters - Germany's Linus Gerdemann grabbed victory in the first stage of the Tirreno-Adriatico on Wednesday, the first big stage race of the Italian season. Grand jury may get Mayweather friend shooting case (AP) AP - A grand jury may hear evidence against an associate of boxing champion Floyd Mayweather Jr. who's accused of shooting at a vehicle with two men inside last August outside a Las Vegas skating rink. Reebok: progress made in search for Crosby gear (AP) AP - Reebok says its tipline and $10,000 reward for Sidney Crosby's missing Olympic glove and stick are already paying dividends. Payback time for Berbatov as United aim to slay Milan jinx (AFP)
Henin, Clijsters look to shake things up at Indian Wells (AFP)
A-Rod: Lawyers are setting up interview with feds (AP)
NASCAR puts Carl Edwards on probation for 3 races (AP)
Other News
Ten-Year-Old: America's Youngest Fashion Designer Cecilia Cassini may be America's youngest fashion designer and she's one of the most eco-conscious too. She is definitely not your average 10-year-old child. The fifth grader recently founded her own fashion line and is making a profit from selling her unique handmade clothing for kids and teens at Los Angeles boutiques.
How big is the Facebook economy? Investors are pumping more and more money into web services that are heavily reliant on Facebook. So how big is the economy around the world's most popular social network?
What the Credit CARD Act Means for You The Credit CARD Act is good news for consumers and puts a stop to many of the more nefarious practices of the credit card issuers. But it doesn't stop everything, and they are already finding new ways around it.
Real-life Hurt Locker: How Bomb-Proof suits work A fascinating look at how bomb-proof suits actually work
Is Number of Earthquakes on the Rise? (Washington Post) Are the recent earthquakes in Haiti, Chile and Turkey a coincidence or a sign of increases seismic activity?
1 Pixel = 1 Million Dollars (INFOGRAPHIC) Question-Everything/Ked Benson's sobering infographic puts our current economic situation in perspective. All of a sudden 100 Billion doesn't seem like much and Bernie Madoff looks like an angel in comparison (Wow, even the MPAA looks good in comparison!).
FOXNews.com - Senate Staffers Warned to Stay Clear of Drudge Senate Staffers Warned to Stay Clear of Drudge. Maybe responsible for the many viruses?
Gay Porn Actor Dies on Camera After Being Tased By Police Police arrested Andrew Grande (porn name Dustin Michaels) with a bag of weed in his possession, which he apparently tried to swallow. When he resisted arrest, they tased him, and he choked on the bag. A reality cameraman filmed it.
Woman tries to shut down Large Hadron Collider A German woman has failed in a bid to force her country's government to halt experiments at the world's largest atom smasher which she feared would lead to the Earth's destruction.
Robert De Niro to play Vince Lombardi Titled ?Lombardi,? the project is being penned by ?Forrest Gump? writer Eric Roth.
LHC fault forces 2011 shutdown The Large Hadron Collider must be shut down for a year starting in late 2011 to address design flaws, the BBC has learned.
Kucinich willing to be the vote that kills health reform Facing razor-thin margins in the House, Democratic leaders are hoping to convert the sole liberal who opposes their health care bill, but it seems they have their work cut out because he isn't budging.
Orthodox Rabbi Alleged to Sexually Exploit Students Rabbi Mordechai Elon, a popular figure, has not been charged with any crime, and no evidence has emerged that any of the students allegedly involved were under age 18, but the case is rattling the foundations of Israel's Orthodox by casting a focus on topics some would prefer to avoid: sexual harassment by religious leader..
Piracy Rises In France Despite Three Strikes Law In the first few months following the adoption of the three-strikes anti-piracy legislation in France, online piracy has increased significantly. Instead of stopping, file-sharers are seeking alternatives to bypass the new law.
Vitamin D Crucial To Activating Immune Defenses Scientists at the University of Copenhagen have discovered that Vitamin D is crucial to activating our immune defenses and that without sufficient intake of the vitamin, the killer cells of the immune system - T cells - will not be able to react to and fight off serious infections in the body.
Lifelock Dinged $12 Million for Deceptive Business Practices The CEO of Lifelock, Todd Davis, became famous for advertising his Social Security number on television ads and banners painted on trucks promising his $10 monthly service would protect consumers from identity theft.
Obama Sabotages Himself With Pseudo-"Pragmatism" A new Democratic poll claims Democrats are losing the Terrorism/civil liberties debate to Dick Cheney.
Wal-Mart Sells Black Barbie for ½ the Price of White Barbie The store was forced into the admission after a Louisiana-based shopper posted a photo of the diverse dolls?and their respective pricetags?side by side in a Wal-Mart.
Fuel-injection System That Delivers 64 Miles Per Gallon The best hybrid cars of today can only deliver about 48 miles per gallon. By using this newly developed fuel injection system a test vehicle was measured at achieving 64 miles per gallon in highway driving. This is approximately a 50% increase in fuel efficiency in a gasoline engine.
Corey Haim Found Dead Actor Corey Haim died this morning of an apparent overdose, according to LAPD. He was 38. Haim shot to fame in the 80s -- when he co-starred in a number of ...
Publishers fight Apple over striptease iPhone app Shake the phone and the girl loses another item of clothing. Apple wants a German girlie publication to modify its striptease iPhone app so that the girl stays covered by a bikini. Publishers are angry. "Today they censor nipples, tomorrow editorial content," one said.
Continental: Threaten us with fines and we'll cancel flights The Transportation Department next month will begin having the option of fining airlines any time a flight departs more than 3 hours late. An indignant Continental Airlines CEO Jeff Smisek says his company will cancel flights altogether rather than risk such fines... Have a nice day and thank-you for not flying Continental.
Nation Shudders At Large Block Of Uninterrupted Text Dumbfounded citizens from Maine to California gazed helplessly at the frightening chunk of print, unsure of what to do next. Without an illustration, chart, or embedded YouTube video to ease them in, millions were frozen in place, terrified by the sight of one long, unbroken string of English words.
Top 10 Cars That Should Be in U.S. Showrooms, but Aren't The great thing about the Geneva Motor Show is that it provides the perfect venue to witness all of the incredible metal that doesn't normally find its way to our shores. Naturally, though, it's a double-edged sword - once you see it, you want it. And you can't have it. Here are the top 10.
Soldier throws back a grenade to save lives Rifleman James McKie, a 29-year-old British soldier, has been hailed as a hero after saving the lives of two others as he picked up and threw back a grenade which landed near them.
Good Bye Layla Grace: Brave Two-Year-Old - R.I.P. Layla Grace Marsh passed away from Neuroblastoma on Tuesday in Houston. Her parents announced her death to her 42,000 fans on Twitter...............
Actual Homeless Man Inspiring Fashion in China (Pic) Apparently the personal style of a homeless man living in Ningbo, China has sparked the interest of "thousands of online fans".
Better Than Apollo: The Space Program We Almost Had SAN FRANCISCO ? In the late 1950s, American space companies jumped into a headlong race to build an aerospace industry that could launch missiles across the world and rockets above.
Female WWII Pilots: The Original Fly Girls On Wednesday, more than 1,000 women who flew military planes during World War II will be honored with the Congressional Gold Medal. They were known as WASP, Women Airforce Service Pilots, and at the time of their service, they were civilians. They waited three decades to be granted military status. And history nearly forgot them.
No Second chances for sexual predators I am neither sympathetic toward nor inclined to help sexual offenders. But we appear to be piling on, so that those who successfully change their thinking and their behavior might never get going again. When so many politicians, including the governor, exploit an issue such as this, that's when I really get the creeps.
Microsoft researcher wins "Nobel" of computing Chuck Thacker, a technical fellow at Microsoft Research, has won the prestigious A.M. Turing Award -- sometimes called the Nobel of computing -- for a lifetime of contributions to computing. The Association for Computing Machinery recognized Thacker for his work on building Alto, the first modern personal computer, while working for Xerox PARC.
Scientists tease DNA from eggshell of extinct birds In a world first, scientists in Australia announced on Wednesday they had extracted DNA from the fossilised eggshells of extinct birds, including iconic giants such as the moa and elephant bird.
The making of the Terminator's laser-sighted .45 pistol There are multiple iconic weapons in science fiction history, but few are as cool as the Terminator's side arm: the .45 Long Slide with a laser sighting. Ars tracked down the man who created the legendary prop, and we talked about the early days of lasers on weapons.
State-by-State Abortion Rates (Interactive Viewer) ..........
Twitter Routing All Links Through New Anti-Phishing Service Today, we?re launching a new service to protect users that strikes a major blow against phishing and other deceitful attacks.
Tech News
Perceived Security vs. Real Vulnerability: Is Your Data at Risk?
With global organizations depending on the sharing of sensitive information to support everything from financial transactions to patient care records, many believe they are relying on secure methods to exchange data with trusted partners. However, there is often a significant and alarming gap between perceived security and real vulnerability. Atol Delivers Flawless File Management With No Frills Some system utilities do a variety of things well. They come with tools to give users lots of solutions in one package. Other system apps like the Atol File Manager perform a dedicated function flawlessly without adding other specialties. Atol took a while to grow on me, but now this app is one of my most-used Linux tools. New Cisco Router Boasts Breakneck Speeds Cisco Systems announced on Tuesday the CRS-3 Carrier Routing System, a new Internet networking architecture that is designed with the huge growth of video transmission, mobile devices and new online services in mind. The Cisco CRS-3 provides more than 12 times the traffic capacity of the nearest competing system, according to John Chambers, chairman and CEO of Cisco Systems. HP Flashes a Few Slate Details Sometime later this year, HP will release its Slate tablet PC device. What we know now is that it will run Windows 7 as well as Adobe Flash and Air, according to information revealed by an HP executive. However, it appears that the company is attempting to be quite selective about how and when it doles out further details on the device. Two Can Play at the Wired War Game As the United States military increases the use of robots like unmanned drones in battle, it increases the danger that our enemies will take and adapt the technology to use against us, according to Peter Warren Singer, senior fellow and director of the 21st Century Defense Initiative at the Brookings Institution. Valve Opens Pipeline for Mac Gaming Valve one of the largest distributors of online games, has announced that it will make its Steam online gaming service and proprietary gaming engine, Source, available on the Mac. The service, Steamworks for the Mac, comes equipped with Steam Play, a feature that allows play on either a PC or Mac at no additional charge. New Project Puts Open Source Spin on Data Center Design A new industry group hopes to improve the design and construction of data centers through the application of open source principles. Dubbed the "Open Source Data Center Initiative," the group was formed last week by GreenM3 along with the University of Missouri and ARG Investments. The iPad's Cruel Teaser Apple debuted its first TV ads for the iPad during the Academy Awards television broadcast on Sunday, doing what Apple does best: showing us dozens of things we can do with an iPad in just a few seconds, all to the tune of some hip music we've never really listened to before. Yet these ads are like walking into a restaurant where the menu doesn't arrive -- we're hungry and salivating. Energizer Jolts PCs With Malware If you're using Energizer's Duo USB battery charger software to monitor your battery charging status, it's probably a good idea to shut it down and uninstall it pronto. The software designed to work with the Duo contains a backdoor Trojan that lets unauthorized users access a PC remotely, among other things. Security and Privacy? Forget About It As the Obama administration grapples with the thorny issue of beefing up the United States' cybersecurity infrastructure, and as security experts warn of impending cyberwarfare, a debate is raging over how much surveillance is enough. One of the biggest problems about implementing cybersecurity is that it involves a measure of surveillance, and the line between surveillance and snooping is razor thin. Google's Long-Term Prognosis: Death by CEO Last week I was asked to comment on a study of CEOs. It found that young ones do better than old ones do, which kind of pissed me off. At the same time, like a lot of folks in my business, I've been looking back at the lessons learned from Steve Jobs, who is kind of the CEO gold standard, and comparing him to Eric Schmidt, who appears to be the most highly paid empty suit since John Sculley. Microsoft and the Incredible 'Internet Usage Tax' It's not often that Linux Girl is struck speechless by some tidbit of news in the tech world, but every once in a while it happens. Last week, it happened. Amid all the high-level discussion of Internet security at the RSA Conference 2010 in San Francisco, Microsoft's Scott Charney actually suggested a government tax to help the company improve Windows security.
Animals & Pets
Gourmet diners 'may spell extinction' for sea turtle
(AFP)
New Species of Worm Found in Great Barrier Reef (LiveScience.com) LiveScience.com - Four newly identified worm species, including one that sports an unusual green color, have been found wriggling in the sands of the Great Barrier Reef. NJ wildlife council votes in favor of bear hunt (AP) AP - New Jersey residents weary of frequent visits from bears may see a lot less of them come late fall. US-born panda freed from quarantine in China (AP)
Congo group accuses soldiers of killing animals (AP) AP - An environmental group is accusing Congolese soldiers of killing more rare wild animals in a national park in Congo's volatile east. Swiss voters reject giving abused animals a lawyer (AP)
Japan to arrest anti-whaling activist: report (AFP)
Australian police search anti-whaling ships (AP)
Australian police search anti-whaling ships for Japan (AFP)
Energy groups relieved sage grouse won't be listed (AP)
Strange News
Child's play at air traffic tower sparks inquiry
(Reuters)
Reuters - An investigation is underway into why a young child, apparently under an adult's supervision, was allowed to direct air traffic at New York City's John F. Kennedy International Airport, U.S. authorities said on Wednesday. Aussie underwear has gone bananas (Reuters) Reuters - Australian underwear company AussieBum has been monkeying around and the result is a range of men's underwear made with bananas. Seal meat to be on menu at Canadian Parliament (Reuters)
Hamas bans men from women's hair salons in Gaza (Reuters)
Chocolate-powered racecar makes sustainability sexy (Reuters) Reuters - Fueled by leftover chocolate and with components made from carrots, potato starch and flax, the world's first sustainable Formula 3 racing car has a top speed of 135 miles per hour and can go from zero to 60 in 2.5 seconds. Cyprus holds two for theft of ex-leader's corpse (Reuters)
London stage fright: rats, mice and fleas: survey (Reuters) Reuters - Performers in London's West End are having to cope with a different kind of stage fright in the form of mice, rat and flea infestations in theatres, according to a new survey by actors' union Equity. Canada may adopt gender-neutral national anthem (Reuters)
Baby born in traffic jam as leader drives by (Reuters) Reuters - A Pakistani woman gave birth to a baby girl in an auto-rickshaw stuck in a traffic jam when police closed roads to let President Asif Ali Zardari's motorcade drive by. Canada drops plans for politically correct anthem (Reuters) Reuters - Don't mess with a century-old tradition even if it is sexist, Canadians told the Conservative government this week, forcing Ottawa to scrap plans to make the country's national anthem gender-neutral. Residents flee Angolan village invaded by elephants (Reuters) Reuters - Wild elephants rampaged through a southern village in Angola last weekend, destroying farms and dozens of houses and prompting most of its 4,000 residents to flee to neighboring Namibia, a local official said Tuesday. U.S. blacks, Hispanics losing more sleep over worries (Reuters) Reuters - Black and Hispanic Americans are more likely than whites and Asians to lose sleep over job and money worries, a sleep survey released on Monday found. "Hurt Locker" producers sued days before Oscars (Reuters)
Tanks a lot... (Reuters) Reuters - About 100 modern Russian tanks have been discovered abandoned on the side of a road in the country's Ural mountains, footage published Saturday by websites showed. Marriages last longer than living together? (Reuters)
Army nixes raid after Facebook leak? (Reuters)
Man must pay for injury caused in suicide bid (Reuters) Reuters - A court ruled that a Russian man must pay more than 100,000 rubles ($3,330) for medical bills and damages to the parents of a girl he hit when he jumped from a window in a suicide attempt. Chinese youth accused of not being fighting fit (Reuters)
Panda found eating like a pig (Reuters) Reuters - Hunger drove a wild panda to break into a Chinese farmer's pig pen and eat their food, which was meat and bone, rather than bamboo. Pilot with fake licence arrested at airport (Reuters) Reuters - A Swedish pilot with a fake commercial license was arrested in his cockpit at Amsterdam's Schiphol airport as he prepared to fly 101 passengers on a Boeing 737 to Turkey, Dutch police said Wednesday.
Opinions
Obama Foreclosure-Prevention Plan Lagging, New Data Shows (EXCLUSIVE)
(HuffingtonPost.com)
Why Israel jailed me for ‘talking too much’ (The Christian Science Monitor) The Christian Science Monitor - The Palestinian elected leadership is weak. And even with Vice President Joe Biden’s visit to Israel, the West Bank and Jordan this week, the renewed Middle East peace process appears to be little more than a charade. Kucinich's Health Reform Dissents Merit Consideration (The Nation) The Nation - The Nation -- Long before Barack Obama or Nancy Pelosi began talking up health care reform as a top priority for the Democratic Party, Congress and America, Dennis Kucinich was doing so. Indeed, the former Cleveland mayor, Ohio legislator, two-time presidential candidate and now senior U.S. House members has across the past 35 years been one of the country's steadiest proponents of real reform of our broken health-care system. The Obama Way: Bluster, Bully, Bribe (Michelle Malkin) Michelle Malkin - The White House took great offense this week when conservatives suggested President Obama might be trading a judicial appointment for a wavering Democrat's vote on his health care reform plan. "Absurd," a miffed administration official told Politico.com. Wherever could the American people get such an impression? Let us count the ways. Analysis: Greece's crisis could presage America's (AP)
STUDENTS WAKE UP IN CALIFORNIA (Richard Reeves) Richard Reeves - LOS ANGELES -- Thousands of California students, from graduate students to kindergarten kids, walked out of their classrooms last Thursday to peacefully (mostly) demonstrate against the decline of education in the Golden State. Could this be the start of something big? Something bigger than tea bags? In Defense of Deficits (The Nation) The Nation - The Nation -- The Simpson-Bowles Commission, just established by the president, will no doubt deliver an attack on Social Security and Medicare dressed up in the sanctimonious rhetoric of deficit reduction. (Back in his salad days, former Senator Alan Simpson was a regular schemer to cut Social Security.) The Obama spending freeze is another symbolic sacrifice to the deficit gods. SHOULD IT BE ILLEGAL TO BE A JEW IN MASSACHUSETTS? (Maggie Gallagher) Maggie Gallagher - New legislation now being proposed in the Massachusetts state legislature to ban circumcision of any male children, including Jewish children, comes very close to saying, "Yes, it should be a crime." Circumcision of infant males has been a requirement of Jewish faith and identity since the time of Abraham. The Greek debt crisis: how the international community can help (The Christian Science Monitor) The Christian Science Monitor - Greece may be doing all the right things to revive our economy. But not everyone may want us to succeed. To succeed, the international community needs to address the threat of speculation and ill-regulated financial markets – a threat that imperils not only Greece, but the entire global economy. Does the Narrative Behind Kathryn Bigelow's Big Oscar Win Mar the Event's Power as a Feminist Triumph? (HuffingtonPost.com) HuffingtonPost.com - Read Scott Mendelson's other articles on HuffingtonPost.com Navy submarines: What’s really in the way of women serving? (The Christian Science Monitor) The Christian Science Monitor - Defense Secretary Robert Gates notified Congress in a letter Feb. 19 that the Navy intends to repeal the Congressional ban on female personnel on submarines. It’s about time. Protest Friends of IDF Fundraiser (The Nation) The Nation - The Nation -- Tonight, March 9th, The Friends of the Israel Defense Forces, a non-profit organization that provides support and services to members of Israel's national army, will be holding a gala $1,000 a plate fundraiser at the Waldorf Astoria in Manhattan. Chase Refunds $6,200 To Complaining Customer (HuffingtonPost.com)
The Politics of Earthquakes (Joe Conason) Joe Conason - If the earthquakes in Chile and Haiti carry any message for those of us fortunate enough not to live in those places, perhaps it is that government regulation could save your life — while right-wing ideology may kill you someday. OLD PREJUDICES CAN ENDURE EVEN AMONG THE YOUNG (Cynthia Tucker) Cynthia Tucker - WASHINGTON -- Having done my share of sneering at the younger generation over their rap music (I despise the violence and misogyny), their sartorial style ("Pants on the Ground!") and their seeming sense of entitlement (40K a year isn't enough for that first job?), I should acknowledge their continuing contributions to a culture that celebrates diversity and equality. Hoax of the Century (Pat Buchanan) Pat Buchanan - With publication of "On the Origin of Species" in 1859, the hunt was on for the "missing link." Fame and fortune awaited the scientist who found the link proving Darwin right: that man evolved from a monkey. For Some, the Search for What Really Happened on 9/11 Isn't Over (HuffingtonPost.com) HuffingtonPost.com - Read Jesse Ventura's other articles on HuffingtonPost.com If Only Financial Reform Really Were Funny (The Nation) The Nation - The Nation -- This piece is cross-posted from the WashingtonPost.com, where Katrina vanden Heuvel writes a weekly column. A Year of Anti-Religious Bigotry (Brent Bozell III) Brent Bozell III - It's quite striking to see the degree to which traditional Islam has come under ferocious attack from the anti-religious impulse in Hollywood and New York and other bohemian centers in America. It is clearly anti-Islamic religious bigotry. Take a look at just some examples over the past year alone. Immigration reform rests on a national worker ID (The Christian Science Monitor) The Christian Science Monitor - During their day-to-day activities in public, some 10 million people in the United States live a lie. They pretend to be legal residents when they are not.
Science
Evolutionary genetic relationships coming into focus
With the evolutionary tree of life nearly half done for birds and mammals, other vertebrates lag behind Cocktails ward off the bulge Large study links light to moderate drinking with less weight gain in middle-aged women Ancient Norse colonies hit bad climate times Temperatures in Iceland plummeted soon after settlers arrived Chameleon tongues snappy even when cold Elastic collagen tissue provides an edge over other cold-blooded hunters Boys and girls differ in genetic response to what mom eats Placentas of female fetuses more sensitive to maternal diet Gene linked to pain perception Common genetic variant makes some people more sensitive FOR KIDS: Whales may round up squid for dinner Tracking sperm whale movements suggests groups herd to hunt FOR KIDS: Charged cars that would charge Electric vehicles could give power to the grid Country ants make it big in the city Urban life lets odorous house ants build empires with hundreds of queens Mature females key to beluga sturgeon survival Hatchery fish unlikely to restore caviar-producing fish populations Alcohol distills aggression in large men Study supports notion that bigger men are meaner drunks Geophysicists push age of Earth's magnetic field back 250 million years Planetary shield formed soon enough to protect early life forms from harmful solar radiation Arctic seafloor a big source of methane Sediments had been thought to be capped by subsea permafrost Researchers distinguish two different types of blood stem cells Red and white blood cells come from different sources Aluminum superatoms may split water Metal clusters could create hydrogen for fuel, simulations suggest
Space & Astronomy
First American woman in space promotes careers in science
(Reuters)
SpaceX Aborts Test Firing of New Rocket's Engines (SPACE.com) SPACE.com - WASHINGTON – Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) aborted the Falcon 9 medium-class rocket's first static fire test March 9 just as the vehicle's nine main-stage engines were about to ignite for a planned 3.5-second burn. SpaceX aborts rocket engine test (Reuters)
Space shuttle can fly beyond 2010, if money is there: NASA (AFP)
Fastest Orbiting Stars Circle Each Other in Mere Minutes (SPACE.com) SPACE.com - After a decade of mystery, astronomers have now shown that a pair of white dwarf stars spin around each other in just 5.4 minutes, making them the fastest-orbiting and tightest binary star system ever found, the researchers claim. NASA: Money key to more space shuttle flights (AP)
NASA: Space Shuttles Could Fly Longer With Extra Funds (SPACE.com) SPACE.com - WASHINGTON – The chief of NASA's space shuttle program said Tuesday that the agency could technically continue to fly its three aging orbiters beyond their planned 2010 retirement if ordered to do so by President Barack Obama and lawmakers. All it would take would be the extra funding needed to pay for it. Congress tries to alter Obama's plans for NASA (The Christian Science Monitor) The Christian Science Monitor - Pushback on President Obama's plans for NASA's human spaceflight program is moving out of testy congressional hearings and into Capitol Hill's legislative inbox. Space Station Wins Prestigious Collier Trophy (SPACE.com) SPACE.com - The International Space Station program has won a prestigious aviation award — the 2009 Collier Trophy — in recognition of its strides in advancing aeronautics. Buried alive: Half of Earth's life may lie below land, sea (McClatchy Newspapers) McClatchy Newspapers - WASHINGTON — While astronomers scour the skies for signs of life in outer space, biologists are exploring an enormous living world buried below the surface of the Earth. Court to consider NASA employee background checks (Reuters) Reuters - The Supreme Court said on Monday that it would decide whether NASA background investigations, required of scientists, engineers and all other employees at its Jet Propulsion Laboratory in California, violated their privacy rights. Obama to push White House vision for NASA in April (Reuters) Reuters - President Barack Obama will outline his administration's vision for space agency NASA and an eventual trip to Mars during a conference in Florida in April, the White House said on Sunday. Former head of Johnson Space Center dies in Texas (AP) AP - Aaron Cohen, the former director of NASA's Johnson Space Center who helped create the space shuttle program, has died in College Station after a long fight with cancer. He was 79. NASA Uses Fish to Fight Space Sickness (SPACE.com) SPACE.com - Astronauts love doing zero-G stunts on the International Space Station, but only after the urge to vomit from space sickness has faded. Now fish, snails and other animals could help understand whether living in space can create long-term or even permanent damage in the inner ear. NASA Launches New High-Tech Weather Satellite (SPACE.com)
NASA's high-tech GOES-P weather satellite lifts off (AFP)
NASA launches nation's newest weather satellite (AP)
NASA Prepares 'Plan B' for New Space Plan (SPACE.com) SPACE.com - WASHINGTON – NASA chief Charles Bolden is expected to discuss changes to U.S. President Barack Obama's plan to scrap the agency's Constellation program with at least one top lawmaker this week, according to an internal agency e-mail shared with Space News. Hidden Glaciers Are Common on Mars (SPACE.com) SPACE.com - Vast glaciers of ice are common on Mars, but you have to dig below the surface to find them, new radar views from a NASA spacecraft show. Nigeria: 1 of 3 kidnapped journalists escapes (AP) AP - A spokeswoman for an African satellite television network says one of three sports journalists kidnapped by gunmen in the restive Niger Delta has escaped his captors.
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Today's Top Stories
Chrysler sales for 2010 troubling, experts say
2010 has been a difficult year for Chrysler, experts say, with sales off 3 percent and half of those sales to fleet customers, a fact that could hurt the company later. Grads rally for fired teachers Graduates of a Rhode Island school vilified for low performance descended upon campus Tuesday to support the school's fired teachers. They also had a message for President Obama: Don't bash our school. IRS: $1.3 billion unclaimed for '06 Some people who didn't file a federal tax return for 2006 have more than 1 billion reasons to reconsider, but they need to do it fast, according to the Internal Revenue Service. Pa. woman faces terror charges A Pennsylvania woman has been indicted for conspiracy to provide material support to terrorists and kill a person in a foreign country, the Justice Department said. Answers sought in bulldozer death American Rachel Corrie was crushed by an Israeli bulldozer in 2003 as it razed homes in a Palestinian camp. On Wednesday, her parents seek answers in an Israeli court. U.S. hikers held in Iran call home Three U.S. hikers who were detained in Iran have spoken by phone with their relatives for the first time since authorities jailed them more than seven months ago, the hikers' families said Wednesday. Airlines seek exemption to delay rule A runway closure at John F. Kennedy International Airport has prompted JetBlue Airways and Delta Air Lines to ask for a temporary exemption at JFK to a rule designed to keep planeloads of passengers from getting stranded on the tarmac. Actor Corey Haim dies Actor Corey Haim, who appeared in a number of movies during the 1980s, died early Wednesday of a possible drug overdose after being taken to a hospital, Los Angeles police said. Tearful Marie Osmond back on stage With tears in her eyes and her voice shaking at times, Marie Osmond donned her bravest face Tuesday night as she took to the stage for the first time since the death of her son for a show that she dedicated to him.
U.S Economy
Unemployment rises in 30 states in January
(AP)
Wholesale inventories fall while sales increase (AP)
Alabama jobless rate rises to 11.1 percent in Jan. (AP) AP - Alabama's January unemployment rate rose to 11.1 percent, the highest mark in 26 years and a level that may increase again this spring. SC unemployment rate ties record high in January (AP) AP - South Carolina's unemployment rate tied its record high in January at 12.6 percent, and jobless numbers went up in all of the state's 46 counties, according to data released Wednesday. Indiana jobless rate holds at 9.7 percent in Jan. (AP) AP - Indiana's unemployment rate held at 9.7 percent for January as some 327,000 people were looking for work. Nebraska jobless rate 4.6 pct in January (AP) AP - State officials say Nebraska's unemployment rate remained unchanged at 4.6 percent in January, still less than half the national rate of 9.7 percent. Wholesale inventories fall, sales surge (Reuters) Reuters - U.S. wholesale inventories fell modestly in January, while sales rose to their highest level since October 2008, suggesting that inventories would continue to support economic growth in the first quarter. UK's Brown paves way for election with budget date (AP) AP - Britain's economic recovery remains fragile, Prime Minister Gordon Brown warned Wednesday, as he paved the way for a national election by announcing the government's budget would be published in two weeks. Home loan demand nudges higher in latest week (Reuters)
Regulators tell banks to restrict dividends, buybacks: report (Reuters) Reuters - Shareholders may have to wait for months to retrieve capital after U.S. regulators told banks not to increase dividends or buy back shares amid political and economic uncertainty surrounding the financial industry, the Financial Times reported on Wednesday. GDP seen slowing, tying Fed hands on rates (Reuters)
Senate to pass jobless aid, business tax breaks (AP) AP - Legislation blending help for the jobless with popular tax breaks for businesses and individuals is slated to pass the Senate Wednesday over protests from conservatives who say it adds too much to the $12.5 trillion national debt. European stocks edge ahead as investors await data (AFP)
Ahead of the Bell: February budget deficit (AP) AP - Economists believe that the federal budget deficit through the first five months of the budget year is running at a record-breaking pace, with the February imbalance likely to climb to the highest level this fiscal year. German January exports up 0.2 percent on year (AP) AP - Official data shows German January exports improved 0.2 percent compared with January 2009 but declined a sharp 6.3 percent from December. Strong China trade data point to rise in yuan (Reuters)
China plans new trade office as global disputes grow: sources (Reuters) Reuters - China is setting up a new agency to help streamline its trade negotiating bureaucracy as the world's third-largest economy faces a growing number of commercial disputes. Highlights of Senate jobless aid bill (AP) AP - Highlights of Senate legislation extending unemployment insurance and expired tax breaks: Brown says UK to maintain AAA credit rating (Reuters)
Economists trim 2011 U.S. growth forecast (Reuters) Reuters - U.S. economists raised their forecast for economic growth in 2010 in March, the third straight monthly rise, while trimming their growth forecast for 2011, according to a survey released on Wednesday.
World News & Iraq
German Catholics to investigate abuse charges
(AP)
Swedish artist: cartoon murder plot 'low-tech' (AP)
Biden: Palestinians deserve 'viable' state (AP)
Russian drivers forced to act as shield (AP) AP - Russian traffic police are under investigation for ordering civilian motorists to park their cars across a highway — and remain inside — to block a fleeing criminal suspect, prosecutors said Wednesday. Spain: Aid worker in Africa released by militants (AP) AP - A Spanish aid worker who spent 100 days as a hostage of al-Qaida's North African offshoot arrived home tired and grateful after being released Wednesday, and said she hopes two colleagues abducted with her in Mauritania will follow her soon. East Africa's Oil and Gas: Drilling, Exploration Rising (Time.com) Time.com - New drilling in and off countries up the coast of East Africa shows that the region may have massive reserves of natural gas and oil FTSE 100 shares edge higher (AFP)
East Jerusalem lies at core of conflict (AP) AP - Israel's plan to build 1,600 new apartments in contested east Jerusalem has thrown a spotlight on the city at the core of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Disaster experts praise Chile quake response (AP)
Fights between Islamists and Somali gov't kills 17 (AP)
Putin eyes multi-billion dollar deals with old ally India (AFP)
Air Canada learns that hockey trumps flying (Reuters) Reuters - Canada's largest airline has learned it sometimes has to take a back seat to the country's biggest sporting passion, ice hockey, the head of Air Canada said on Tuesday. E.Timor president insists does not want warcrimes tribunal (AFP)
Israel rebuffs Biden by announcing new settlement construction (McClatchy Newspapers)
New wrinkle in Joe Biden agenda: 1,600 units in Israeli settlement (The Christian Science Monitor) The Christian Science Monitor - As Vice President Joe Biden began four days of diplomatic meetings on Iran and the peace process, there was already a sign of uncertainty on the newly renewed Israeli-Palestinian talks. Beyond Sanctions: How to Solve the Iranian Riddle (Time.com) Time.com - Beyond Sanctions: How to Solve the Iranian Riddle Nigeria: More Mass Graves Dug in Jos (OneWorld.net) OneWorld.net - ABUJA, Mar 8 (IRIN) - Hundreds of people in the city of Jos, 350km northeast of Nigeria's capital, Abuja, have been buried in mass graves after machete-wielding intruders attacked residents at 3 a.m. (local time) on 7 March.
Iraq News
In Iraq, the Methboub family waits – and copes
(The Christian Science Monitor)
The Christian Science Monitor - Expectations of good news have rarely been higher in the poor Iraqi household of Karima Selman Methboub, whose son Ali is due in coming weeks to be released from prison after more than 1-1/2 years. Obama keeps U.S. troop withdrawal plan after Iraq poll (Reuters)
Britain begins inquiry into Iraq abuse claims (AP)
Top court to decide on anti-gay protests at military funerals (Reuters) Reuters - The Supreme Court said on Monday it would decide whether constitutional free-speech rights protected anti-gay protests by members of a Kansas church at funerals for U.S. military members killed in Iraq. Iraq PM said to be ahead on eve of vote results (Reuters) Reuters - Initial results from Iraq's national election are likely to be released by Thursday, Iraqi and U.N. officials said on Wednesday, as further signs emerged of a strong showing for Shi'ite Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki. Obama calls Iraq vote an 'important milestone' (AP)
US Iraq commander likes 'Hurt Locker' (AFP)
After Iraq election, fragile democracy faces the real test (The Christian Science Monitor)
Baghdad holds key as Iraq awaits initial vote results (AFP)
US military: 2 soldiers die in Iraq in accident (AP)
Years before US can judge Iraq success: general (AFP)
After Iraq's Elections, Who Will Lead the Country? (Time.com) Time.com - The election is over. But the counting -- and the dealing -- could go on for a while 'The Hurt Locker' rules on historic Oscars night (AFP)
First Iraqi vote results likely on Thursday (AP)
Real Hurt Lockers in Iraq: Life is no movie (AP)
Odierno says US troop withdrawal plan on schedule (AP)
'Months' before Iraq government, says US general (AFP)
US military deaths in Iraq war at 4,382 (AP) AP - As of Tuesday, March 9, 2010, at least 4,382 members of the U.S. military had died in the Iraq war since it began in March 2003, according to an Associated Press count. Britain won respect in Middle East over Iraq: Miliband (AFP)
Iraq election turnout down, likely months before new government (The Christian Science Monitor)
Health News
Gene test claims to show what diet works best
(AP)
AP - Diet not working? Blame your genes. That's the pitch behind a new test that claims to show whether people will do better on a low-fat or a low-carb weight loss plan. Health Tip: What's Behind Childhood Obesity (HealthDay) HealthDay - (HealthDay News) -- Obesity is a major problem in the United States, and children are no exception. Today's kids are spending more hours watching TV, sitting at the computer or playing video games, and less time being active. WHO: over 85M African kids get polio vaccination (AP)
Hoped-for drop in childbirth deaths not happening (AP)
Britain gives one million pounds to S.Africa for condoms (AFP)
Researchers back cancer-fighting properties of papaya (AFP)
Researchers: AIDS virus can hide in bone marrow (AP) AP - The virus that causes AIDS can hide in the bone marrow, avoiding drugs and later awakening to cause illness, according to new research that could point the way toward better treatments for the disease. Clinical Trials Update: March 10, 2010 (HealthDay) HealthDay - (HealthDay News) -- Here are the latest clinical trials, courtesy of ClinicalConnection.com: Texas lottery officials move ahead with bidding (AP) AP - Bidding on a new lucrative Texas lottery contract should move forward because there's no evidence that state consultant Gartner Inc. and the lottery's current operator GTECH Corp. improperly shared information about the process, a lottery official said Tuesday. Youth Baseball Injuries Becoming More Common (HealthDay) HealthDay - WEDNESDAY, March 10 (HealthDay News) -- In the coming weeks, millions of American children will dust off their bats and gloves and head out to the baseball field. Genetic Variant Raises Lung Cancer Risk (HealthDay) HealthDay - TUESDAY, March 9 (HealthDay News) -- People with a particular genetic trait are at much higher risk of developing lung cancer from exposure to secondhand smoke than others, even if they rarely come into contact with it, a new study finds. Asthma Rates Rising Across the U.S. (HealthDay) HealthDay - TUESDAY, March 2 (HealthDay News) -- Asthma rates are increasing across the United States, a new government study shows, but certain states have significantly lower rates of the respiratory disease. As You Age, Better Health Means Better Sex (HealthDay) HealthDay - TUESDAY, March 9 (HealthDay News) -- Better health translates into better sex lives, with healthy people more likely to engage in sex (and good sex at that) and to express an interest in sex, new research finds. Brazil's Silva quits smoking after 50 years (AP)
Jump in Kids' Sports Injuries Due to Overuse (HealthDay) HealthDay - WEDNESDAY, March 10 (HealthDay News) -- Orthopedic surgeons warn that sports injuries in children are rising dramatically, creating a "silent epidemic." Even in Old Age, Men Want Sex More Than Women (Time.com) Time.com - Data suggest that men want sex more, have more sex and enjoy it more than women. That holds true even into their 70s. NY seeks 'fat tax' on sodas to fight rising US obesity (AFP)
Increasing Soda Consumption Fuels Rise in Diabetes, Heart Disease (HealthDay)
Financial News
Treasurys dip ahead of auction Treasurys traded lower Wednesday morning ahead of a government auction of $21 billion in 10-year notes. Can the Toyota Way survive Toyota's ways? In the 1950s, a Toyota engineer named Taiichi Ohno, just back from visiting the United States, where he was wowed by its supermarkets, began to think about how he could use what he saw as a way to run a factory. He obsessed over the idea of eliminating waste, of avoiding inventory buildup, of empowering workers to follow instructions meticulously and of aiming to continually improve. Younger people have trouble getting credit Getting credit? Not easy in this market. But it's even more difficult if you're between the ages of 22 and 34 according to a new survey. Oil spikes as demand rises Oil prices jumped Wednesday, after a closely-watched report showed a smaller than expected increase in oil supplies and a dip in gasoline inventory. State unemployment picture brightens A total of 30 states and Washington, D.C., reported rising unemployment rates in January, down from the number in the previous month, according to a government report released Wednesday. CEO departures highest since Sept. 2008 The number of chief executives who left their posts surged in February to the highest level since September 2008, when the economy was rocked by the financial crisis. Dollar seesaws The dollar was mixed against major currencies Wednesday, rising against the yen and pound but giving up gains versus the euro. Stocks led higher by bank, tech shares Stocks rose Wednesday as strength in the financial services and technology sectors outweighed a pair of mixed economic reports. Forget Toyota. Chrysler's got the most problems. The car company that is off to the worst start of 2010 isn't Toyota. It's Chrysler Group. The wrong way to pick funds Photographer friends tell me that if you're picking out a point-and-shoot camera you shouldn't focus much on the megapixels. That measure of a camera's resolution is hyped by manufacturers, but most cameras on the market give you all the pixels you'll need. BofA to scrap overdraft fees on debit purchases Bank of America said Wednesday that it plans to ditch overdraft fees on debit card purchases this summer. Stocks leaning toward gains U.S. stocks were set for a slightly higher open Wednesday as investors awaited the first major economic readings of the week. Firing the $70 billion man On November 19, 2009 Jeffrey Gundlach was named a finalist for Morningstar's award for bond fund manager of the decade. For Gundlach, the nomination recognized 10 years of stellar results, exceeding even the returns of the legendary king of bonds, Bill Gross. Firing the $70 billion man: Full version On November 19, 2009 Jeffrey Gundlach was named a finalist for Morningstar's award for bond fund manager of the decade. For Gundlach, the nomination recognized 10 years of stellar results, exceeding even the returns of the legendary king of bonds, Bill Gross. Ford shares: Buy or sell? Ford is back. The automaker recently reported its first annual profit in four years; sales are improving; and investors have pushed up its stock 550% in the past year. Green homes face a red light Lots of people, especially those trying to battle high utility bills, believe in energy-efficient homebuilding. LifeLock settles with FTC for $12 million Federal regulators said Tuesday that LifeLock has agreed to pay $12 million to settle charges the company made deceptive claims about its ability to protect customers from identity theft. Budget squeeze sours jobs picture Another big employer is hanging out the "Not Hiring" sign. Cash for Clunkers: Better than we thought The government's Cash for Clunkers program resulted in a far bigger boost to car sales than was previously estimated, even by the government, according to a new analysis by Maritz Research, an automotive market research company. Some execs get 'pity' bonus Maybe you missed your earnings target last year or your stock was crushed. But if you're a corporate executive, that might not necessarily prohibit you from earning a generous bonus.
Stock Markets
SEC sues ex-NY loan trader over alleged kickbacks
(Reuters)
Reuters - A former stock loan trader at Morgan Stanley and Bank of America Corp in New York received well over $100,000 of cash kickbacks by steering orders to other brokerage firms, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission said in a lawsuit filed on Tuesday. China: US assets should not be 'politicized' (AP)
European stocks edge ahead as investors await data (AFP)
A look at global economic developments (AP) AP - A look at economic developments and activity in major stock markets around the world Tuesday: U.S. SEC's chief economist to leave agency March 31 (Reuters) Reuters - The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission's chief economist, James Overdahl, will be leaving at the end of the month, he said on Tuesday. Summary Box: Dollar, stock relationship ending (AP) AP - THE BREAKUP: During last year's big market rally, the dollar consistently fell on days when stocks rose, and vice versa. That hasn't been the case in the past three months. SEC chief economist leaving (AP) AP - The chief economist of the Securities and Exchange Commission, who is an expert on the financial instruments that figured largely in the 2008 crisis, is leaving his position for the private sector. Dow turns lower; S&P, Nasdaq pare gains (Reuters)
World stocks up modestly; pound takes another hit (AP)
A decade later, lessons in the Nasdaq collapse (Reuters) Reuters - Ten years ago today, before the dot-com bubble burst, the Nasdaq composite index hit a record 5,132.52 points -- a peak that the technology-heavy market shows no sign of scaling again any time soon. New York governor rejects reimposing stock transfer tax (Reuters) Reuters - New York state should not reimpose a stock transfer tax as this would make Wall Street firms move to other cities such as New Jersey's Newark, or other states like Connecticut, Governor David Paterson said on Monday. Kroger, Ruby Tuesday, UAL are big movers (AP) AP - Stocks that moved substantially or traded heavily Tuesday on the New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq Stock Market: (AP) AP - Defense Sec. Gates in Afghanistan to meet with military commanders. Fiscal issues hit euro, sterling; stocks flat (Reuters)
FTSE shares inch lower (AFP)
Summary Box: Gains slow after big year for stocks (AP) AP - A YEAR LATER: The Dow Jones industrial average is up 61.4 percent since it closed at a 12-year low of 6,547 on March 9, 2009. On paper, U.S. stocks have gained about $5.7 trillion but are still down about $5.5 trillion from the peak in October 2007. Relationship over? Dollar, stocks break up (AP) AP - The relationship between the dollar and stocks that helped define last year's stock market rally is over. Stocks rise after inventories fall but sales gain (AP)
How the major stock indexes fared on Tuesday (AP) AP - Financial companies led stocks higher Tuesday on the one-year anniversary of the market's hitting a 12-year low. The gain in bank stocks came as traders reacted to rumors that the government might prohibit the trades known as short sales in the stocks of companies it owns. Such a move would be aimed at preventing sharp drops in stocks including Citigroup Inc. and American International Group Inc. FTSE 100 shares edge higher (AFP)
Legal Affairs
Tracing Rumor Of John Roberts' Retirement Rumors of Chief Justice John Roberts' retirement from the Supreme Court spread Thursday like wildfire. The blog Above the Law traced the rumor back to a Georgetown law professor who was trying to teach his students the importance of using reliable sources. David Lat of Above the Law discusses how a simple college lesson spun out of control. Court Weighs Suit Against Former Somali Leader A group of Somali immigrants escaped imprisonment and torture to start new lives in the U.S. While here, they discovered that one of the men who headed the regime responsible for their suffering was also living here. The question before the Supreme Court: Can the Somalis sue their former captors? School's Bid To Punish Off-Campus Acts Draws Suit A New Jersey school district is being sued for disciplining students caught drinking at weekend parties. Opponents say it potentially violates students' constitutional rights to punish them at school for off-campus behavior that does not affect school safety. Producer Admits Trying To Shake Down Letterman Robert "Joe" Halderman pleads guilty to attempted grand larceny in trying to shake down David Letterman over sexual affairs. Halderman's lawyers initially said he was just offering to sell Letterman a thinly veiled screenplay about the comedian's life. In Florida, Gay Adoption May No Longer Be Banned Florida is the only state with an outright ban against adoptions by gay people, but that may not be true for long. State courts have overruled Florida law in three cases and approved gay adoptions. The state, however, has appealed the court rulings and says it will continue to fight to uphold the law. Companies 'Named And Shamed' For Bad Behavior Public humiliation has long been used as a deterrence mechanism for everything from adultery to drunken driving. Now judges in Massachusetts are ordering companies guilty of crimes that harm the community of publicly acknowledge their wrongdoings in newspaper ads. Critics say the practice is more retribution than deterrence, though. Stolen Valor Offensive, But Is It Criminal? The Stolen Valor Act of 2005 makes it a federal crime to claim unearned military honors. Attorney Jonathan Turley agrees that stolen valor is offensive, but argues that it's also constitutionally protected, and cannot be criminalized. U.S. Weighs Military Trials For 9/11 Suspects The Obama administration is close to a decision to try the self-described mastermind of the 9/11 attacks in a military court. That would mark a major switch in policy. Late last year, the Justice Department announced Khalid Sheik Mohammed and four others would be tried in civilian court in New York City. The administration says no decision has been made yet. High Court Will Hear Anti-Gay Funeral Protest Case The Supreme Court has agreed to consider whether the message of anti-gay protesters who show up at military funerals with inflammatory slogans such as "Thank God for dead soldiers" is protected by the First Amendment. Voting Machine Maker Ordered To Sell Some Assets The Justice Department is requiring the nation's largest voting machine company to sell off assets it acquired when it purchased its main competitor. The federal government and nine state attorneys general have filed a lawsuit saying the combination last September of Election Systems & Software and its biggest competitor harms competition. White House Changes Course On Sept. 11 Trial Rumors are swirling, based on reports from the White House, that officials are close to reaching a decision on a new location for admitted 9/11 conspirator Khalid Sheikh Mohammed. Suspect In Airport Security Breach Pleads Guilty Haisong Jiang said he slipped under a rope barrier at Newark Airport to say goodbye to his girlfriend. The Jan. 3 breach led TSA to shut down the terminal for six hours, stranding thousands of passengers and costing airlines millions. Jiang agreed to pay a $500 fine, plus additional court costs, and perform 100 hours of community service. Chicago Handgun Ban In Jeopardy At Supreme Court The justices are weighing a central question: Does the Second Amendment's right to bear arms trump local laws that restrict gun ownership? By the end of Tuesday's argument, it seemed the court would overturn Chicago's law, while still supporting strong gun regulations. Can Torture Victims Sue Their Tormentors? The U.S. Supreme Court hears arguments on Wednesday in a case testing whether torture victims living in the United States may sue their tormentors, who also live here. Moving Sept. 11 Trial May Have Political Implications The Obama administration has long argued that the self-proclaimed mastermind of the 2001 attacks should be tried in a civilian court, but now it is considering bringing Khalid Sheikh Mohammed before a military court. One expert says it's the president's latest communication misstep.
Arts & Stage
Senator Brown snags deal for memoirs
(Reuters)
Phantom sequel a "shadow of the original" (Reuters) Reuters - Comparisons with the original were inevitable when Andrew Lloyd Webber decided to write a sequel to his record-breaking musical "Phantom of the Opera." Paice, Luker, Dvorsky and Petkoff Set for 'Enchanted April' Musical Reading (Playbill) Playbill - Jill Paice, Rebecca Luker, George Dvorsky and Robert Petkoff will take part in a reading of the new musical adaptation of Elizabeth Von Arnim's 1922 novel Enchanted April. Cast Announced for David Ives' "Translaptation" of Corneille's 'The Liar' in DC (Playbill) Playbill - Christian Conn, Adam Green, Erin Partin, Miriam Silverman, Tony Roach, Aubrey Deeker, Colleen Delany and David Sabin will appear in the world premiere of David Ives' translation of Pierre Corneille's comedy, The Liar, for Shakespeare Theatre Company in Washington, DC. PHOTO CALL: Daniels, McTeer, Baker and Liu in 'God of Carnage' (Playbill) Playbill - The third Broadway cast of God of Carnage moved into the Jacobs Theatre March 2. 'Top Secret', Drama of the Pentagon Papers, Opens in NYC; Pine, Bryggman, Strauss and More Star (Playbill) Playbill - Top Secret: The Battle for the Pentagon Papers, the new docudrama about the landmark decision by the Washington Post to publish details about U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War, opens March 9 at New York Theatre Workshop's home in the East Village. Gershwin's 'Porgy and Bess' Will Get Fresh Staging at Chicago's Court Theatre; Season Announced (Playbill) Playbill - Court Theatre in Chicago announced a 2010-11 season that will include an intimate new version of Porgy and Bess, plus works by Shakespeare, Sarah Ruhl and Samm-Art Williams. 'Girls in Trouble,' Controversial Play About Abortion, Gets Extra Week; Talkbacks Announced (Playbill) Playbill - The Flea Theater is extending its production of the abortion drama Girls in Trouble by one week, now through March 21 in downtown Manhattan. 'Bengal Tiger' Will Return to L.A., But in a Bigger Cage — Mark Taper Forum (Playbill) Playbill - Center Theatre Group's acclaimed 2009 production of Rajiv Joseph's Iraq War-inspired Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo will be reconstituted at CTG's Mark Taper Forum in Los Angeles April 14-May 30. Brokaw Directs Premiere of Award-Winning 'Language Archive' in CA; Cast Announced (Playbill) Playbill - Leo Marks, Betsy Brandt, Laura Heisler, Tony Amendola and Linda Gehringer will be featured in the South Coast Repertory world premiere of Julia Cho's The Language Archive, a new romantic comedy about love and miscommunication, March 26-April 25. A Day in the Life of Abigail Breslin (Playbill) Playbill - Abigail Breslin, currently starring as Helen Keller in Broadway's The Miracle Worker, gives Playbill.com a peek at the hours leading up to her first preview. Kander and Ebb's 'Scottsboro Boys' Extended Off-Broadway (Playbill) Playbill - The world premiere of The Scottsboro Boys, the new musical by John Kander, Fred Ebb and David Thompson, will play two extra weeks at Off-Broadway's Vineyard Theatre, now to April 18. Sotheby's raises record sum at Amsterdam auction (Reuters) Reuters - An auction at Sotheby's of more than 160 works of post-war and contemporary art from the Peter Stuyvesant Collection exceeded all expectations on Monday, raising a record 13.6 million euros ($18.6 million). Goodman Musical 'Rooms' Will Get Philly Premiere in April (Playbill) Playbill - 11th Hour Theatre Company will present the Philadelphia premiere of Paul Scott Goodman and Miriam Goodman's Rooms: a rock romance, the musical, April 9-May 2 at the Independence Black Box at the Prince Music Theater. Opening night is April 15. Phantom of Opera sequel opens amid "phan" disquiet (Reuters) Reuters - The sequel to "Phantom of the Opera", one of the biggest musicals of all time, opens in London on Tuesday amid disquiet among die-hard "phans" who have been posting opinions online since previews began two weeks ago. Cutting Costs, Variety Pushes Out Theatre Critic and Editor David Rooney (Playbill) Playbill - The iceberg of serious, informed theatrical criticism lost another chunk March 8 when the entertainment trade paper Variety eliminated the job of chief theatre critic David Rooney. Exclusive: "Secret" Giotto uncovered in Florence chapel (Reuters)
Earley, McDonald, Watson, Nichols, Stock Will Join Gambatese in Goodspeed's 'Annie Get Your Gun' (Playbill) Playbill - Kevin Earley will play Frank Butler opposite Jenn Gambatese as Annie Oakley in Goodspeed Musicals' Annie Get Your Gun April 16-June 27 at the Goodspeed Opera House in East Haddam, CT. Leibovitz agrees loan deal with Colony Capital: report (Reuters) Reuters - Celebrity photographer Annie Leibovitz has arranged a deal with a private equity firm to sort out her debts, the Financial Times reported in its Tuesday edition. Clements Will Usher in 'Salesman, Cabaret,' Bovell, McGrath, Murray-Smith and More at Milwaukee Rep in 2010-11 (Playbill) Playbill - Milwaukee Repertory Theater's first season under new artistic director Mark Clements will include 11 shows on three stages. Cabaret, directed by Clements, will be the season opener, and will be the first musical ever staged in The Rep's Quadracci Powerhouse.
Entertainment Industry
Ex-ITV boss takes over at EMI Music as CEO goes
(Reuters)
Reuters - EMI Music, which is seeking new funds to avoid breaching debt covenants, said Chief Executive Elio Leoni-Sceti would step down shortly, just a month after he was tasked with finding a new business plan. Disney sets March 19 deadline for Miramax bids (Reuters) Reuters - Hollywood's dealmakers have a busy couple of weeks ahead of them. Mexico targets Hollywood with tax incentives (Reuters) Reuters - Mexico has launched a $20-million tax-incentive program in an ambitious move to lure film production from Hollywood and other locales. MGM expected to draw six bids by March 19: source (Reuters) Reuters - Six companies are expected to make binding offers for storied Hollywood studio Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer by a newly set March 19 deadline, a source familiar with the situation said on Tuesday. Bigelow's Oscars will change Hollywood, slowly (Reuters)
Murdoch has ambitions for original Arab content (Reuters) Reuters - Rupert Murdoch's News Corp has ambitions to produce original Arab content to serve the Arab world's 335 million people in the region and abroad, helped by its partnership with Saudi-based media group Rotana. Booksellers fighting Amazon's Canadian bid (Reuters)
Murdoch urges more transparency in Arab media (Reuters) Reuters - Rupert Murdoch urged Arab governments on Tuesday to reject media censorship and open their markets to foreign competition as he opened a high-profile conference aimed at furthering oil-rich Abu Dhabi's ambitions as a cultural hub. Pink Floyd battles EMI in online royalties case (Reuters)
NBC renews "Miss Universe" pageant (Reuters) Reuters - Miss America may be searching for a new home, but NBC said Monday it has renewed its deal with Donald Trump and the Miss Universe organization to televise "Miss Universe" and "Miss USA" for three more years, beginning 2011. Google, Dish testing new TV search service: report (Reuters) Reuters - Google Inc and No. 2 U.S. satellite TV operator Dish Network Corp are jointly testing a television programing search service, the Wall Street Journal reported on Monday, citing people familiar with the matter. Latest Oscar telecast most watched in five years (Reuters)
Bigelow makes Oscar history as war drama triumphs (Reuters)
Cablevision likely winner in ABC dispute: Moody's (Reuters) Reuters - Cablevision Systems Corp was the likely winner in its recent stalemate with ABC's parent, Walt Disney Co, but broadcasters may ultimately win the industry's running debate over fees, Moody's Investors Service said on Monday. Top media head to Abu Dhabi as Dubai still s (Reuters) Reuters - Top global media owners are gathering in Abu Dhabi this week for a summit that marks a new stage in the emirate's ambitions as a cultural hub and in the eagerness of recession-hit media to explore new growth markets. Cablevision gets ABC back in time for Oscars (Reuters) Reuters - Cablevision Systems Corp customers were able to watch the live broadcast of the Oscars on Sunday after the cable company reached a last-minute deal to return WABC-TV to air in a dispute over fees. Part of Wash Post unit in routine review by DoE (Reuters) Reuters - Washington Post Co said in a regulatory filing last week that the Department of Education in September began a "program review" of part of its education unit. The news was earlier reported by Barron's publication.
Television
'Lost Boys' actor Corey Haim dead in Calif. at 38
(AP)
HBO's `The Pacific' joins `Band of Brothers' ranks (AP)
Seinfeld set as guest co-host Thursday on `Live!' (AP)
Osmonds return to stage after death of Marie's son (AP)
Letterman: Case against producer handled properly (AP)
Barker donates $2.5 million to create PETA offices (AP) AP - Bob Barker has donated $2.5 million to help the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals open a new location in Los Angeles. Senator Brown snags deal for memoirs (Reuters)
"Spartacus" halted after star's cancer diagnosis (Reuters)
Charlie Sheen returning to work next Tuesday (Reuters)
Nickelodeon picks up two comedy pilots (Reuters) Reuters - Nickelodeon has ordered two comedy pilots, "Supah Ninja" and "Everyday Kid." "Precious" star officially joins "The Big C" (Reuters) Reuters - Recent Oscar nominee Gabourey Sidibe has officially joined Showtime's upcoming dark comedy series "The Big C" in a recurring capacity. On `Idol,' Bowersox shines, 3 sink in judges' eyes (AP)
Anna Chlumsky playing quint in CBS drama pilot (Reuters) Reuters - Former child actress Anna Chlumsky, who rose to fame as Macaulay Culkin's best friend in the 1991 film "My Girl," has landed a lead role on CBS' drama pilot "Quinn-Tuplets." Keri Russell eyes tree-hugger role in Fox sitcom (Reuters) Reuters - Keri Russell is mulling a return to television. CBS orders second season of "Boss" (Reuters) Reuters - CBS is ordering a second season of its surprise success "Undercover Boss," a reality show in which CEOs toil anonymously among their companies' blue-collar workers. CW's reality shows an affront to female viewers (Reuters) Reuters - The CW is taking its largely female audience into two women-centric worlds with the reality shows "Fly Girls" and "High Society." Letterman's scandal is over, but can he beat Leno? (AP)
History's "Pawn Stars" tops cable shows (Reuters) Reuters - On the heels of notching its best monthly ratings performance in 15 years, History showed no sign of slowing down as the calendar rolled over to March. Fawcett omission from Oscar segment no accident (AP)
`Spartacus' star has non-Hodgkin lymphoma (AP)
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Feds Probe SoCal Runaway Prius
The government sent investigators Tuesday to examine a Prius that sped out of control on a California freeway, and Toyota said it wanted to interview the driver as the besieged automaker dealt with a high-profile new headache that raised questions about the safety of its beloved hybrid. Tech Accused Of Stealing Cocaine From SF Crime Lab The San Francisco Police Department's crime lab will undergo a "comprehensive audit," following an investigation into the possible mishandling of narcotic evidence by a crime lab technician, police said Tuesday. At a Wednesday evening news conference to discuss the investigation, San Francisco Police Chief George Gascon said the crime lab will temporarily suspend its controlled substance testing at the lab. Whitman Shuts Out Press At Her Own Media Event Former eBay CEO Meg Whitman's campaign for California governor hit a roadblock in Oakland Tuesday. A media event took a turn to the bizarre when Whitman refused to answer any questions from the very press corps that she had invited. 3rd Arrest In Richmond Church Shooting Police have arrested a third suspect in a Valentine's Day shooting inside a Richmond church that injured two brothers, police Sgt. Bisa French said. Marcel Buggs was arrested on charges of assault with a deadly weapon, possession of a firearm and a probation violation. San Jose Chili-Finger Woman: 'I Cooked It' Anna Ayala, the Las Vegas woman who gained international infamy for a 2005 incident in which she claimed she found a finger in a bowl of chili at a San Jose Wendy's restuarant, is now out of prison and talked exclusively to CBS 5. In the interview, Ayala admited for the first time ever how she prepared the severed finger of a co-worker in a batch of chili made with a similar recipe to Wendy's chili. "I cooked it," she said of the finger. San Jose Puts Gambling Expansion Measure On Ballot San Jose voters will decide in June whether to allow the city's two card clubs to expand and impose higher taxes on gambling revenue. Deadly Multi-Vehicle Crash Blocks I-80 Emeryville The California Highway Patrol believes speed may have been a factor in a crash on Interstate Highway 80 in Emeryville Tuesday night that killed one person and blocked traffic for more than two hours, a CHP officer said. Bay Area Gas Prices Climbing Bay Area gas prices have increased by 10 cents in the last month amid optimism in a rejuvenated economy, according to AAA of Northern California. 2-Year-Old Oakland Girl's Death Seen As Suspicious Oakland police are treating the death of a 2-year-old girl brought to a local hospital Tuesday as suspicious, police said. SFPD Crime Lab Worker Arrest Prompts Audit The San Francisco Police Department's crime lab will undergo a "comprehensive audit," following an investigation into the possible mishandling of narcotic evidence by a crime lab technician, police said Tuesday.
Authors
Deception And 'The Devil And Sherlock Holmes'
David Grann spent years documenting true stories of obsession and deception. He includes an improbable international impostor and the mysterious death of a Sherlock Holmes scholar in his book, The Devil and Sherlock Holmes. After Financial Ruin, Plotting America's 'Comeback' David M. Walker is the former comptroller general of the United States. His book, Comeback America, details the current financial crisis and offers his ideas on controlling spending and restoring fiscal responsibility in the United States. Sunnis Who Fled Iraq Remain In Exile Since the U.S. invasion of Iraq, about 4 million Iraqis have fled their homes. Another 2 million have fled the country entirely. Throughout the war, NPR's Deborah Amos has spent much of her time with Iraqis who fled to Syria, Jordan and Lebanon. She has a new book out: Eclipse of the Sunnis: Power, Exile and Upheaval in the Middle East. 'Whip Smart': Memoirs Of A Dominatrix Melissa Febos graduated from college with straight A's and a prestigious internship. She also led a secret life as a dominatrix. Her new memoir, Whip Smart, details her time working in a sex dungeon in midtown Manhattan. She describes what it was like to work for four years at the upscale S&M house. Mitt Romney Offers Ideas And 'No Apology' In his new book, former Massachusetts governor and Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney takes President Obama's foreign policy, economic recovery and national security plans to task while articulating his own ideas. Host Liane Hansen speaks with Romney about No Apology: The Case for American Greatness. Trying To Fix A 'Hole' By Digging Deeper In Gabrielle Zevin's novel The Hole We're In, the Pomeroy family is in money trouble, and every move seems to make things worse. Zevin's characters may seem like monsters, but the author says they're just trying to do their best under difficult circumstances. Picking The Poison: The Story Of Forensic Medicine At the start of the 20th century, poisoning was one of the easiest crimes to get away with. Until, that is, Dr. Charles Norris developed an early form of forensic medicine. Author Deborah Blum's new book, The Poisoner's Handbook, follows New York's first trained chief medical examiner as he solves a series of sensational cases. Space Tourist Launches Into Book When Anousheh Ansari was a little girl in Tehran, she used to sleep on her family's balcony and look up at the stars as they twinkled over Mt. Damavand. In 2006, she became the first self-funded woman to fly on the International Space Station. She talks to host Scott Simon about her travels into space and about her new book, My Dream of Stars. Poverty And Chastity For Every Occasion The Rev. James Martin, a Jesuit priest and associate editor of America, the Jesuit magazine, has written a new book for those interested in borrowing from Jesuit tenets to live simpler lives. It's called The Jesuit Guide to Almost Everything: A Spirituality for Real Life. Yucca Mountain As Metaphor in About A Mountain When writer John D'Agata moved his mother to the suburbs of Las Vegas, he began looking at the history of the government?s plan to store nuclear waste deep in Nevada's Yucca Mountain. The resulting boo—-- About a Mountai—-- is a reporter's notebook that reads like poetry.
Religion
Haiti Frees U.S. Missionary Held Over 'Kidnapping'
Charisa Coulter was taken from her jail cell to the airport by U.S. Embassy staff more than a month after she and nine other Americans were arrested for trying to take 33 children out of Haiti after the earthquake. The leader of the Idaho-based missionaries was still being held. Poverty And Chastity For Every Occasion The Rev. James Martin, a Jesuit priest and associate editor of America, the Jesuit magazine, has written a new book for those interested in borrowing from Jesuit tenets to live simpler lives. It's called The Jesuit Guide to Almost Everything: A Spirituality for Real Life. For Gay Catholics, D.C. Marriage Win Bittersweet Gay couples lined up to apply for marriage certificates Wednesday as Washington, D.C.'s gay-marriage law took affect. The law caused the diocese to change its policies so it wouldn't have to give gay spouses benefits or handle adoptions for them. The change may allow the diocese to keep city contracts, but it could also push the faithful away. Matzo Run Marks The Beginning Of Passover The Manischewitz factory in New Jersey prepares 60 percent of its matzo product line in the weeks before Passover. Schmura, or "guarded," matzo is produced under the watchful eyes of a team of rabbis. James Dobson Signs Off At Focus On The Family James Dobson, the founder of Focus on the Family, gives his final radio broadcast for the organization Friday. CNN religion writer Dan Gilgoff talks to Steve Inskeep about how changes at Focus on the Family reflect broader changes in the evangelical movement. Dobson became an overtly political leader. New leadership is seeking to soften the group's message. Tax Status Of Lawmakers' Religious Refuge Disputed The C Street Center is a religious organization based in a townhouse on Capitol Hill. The townhouse has been home to several members of Congress. A group of ministers has filed a complaint with the IRS alleging that the organization is falsely labeling itself a tax-exempt religious establishment. Do You Believe In Miracles? Most Americans Do A survey from the Pew Forum on Religion showed that a vast majority of Americans, nearly 80%, believe in miracles. The results are from a wider study, "Religion Among the Millennials." Greg Smith from the Pew Forum on Religion talks about the widespread belief in miracles. Dalai Lama: Committed To Promoting Human Value Though many around the world revere him, Chinese officials regard the Dalai Lama as a separatist. But the exiled Tibetan spiritual leader says he is committed to the promotion of human value and religious harmony. He shared this and other views with NPR's Renee Montagne on Saturday. D.C. Center Teaches 6th-Graders About Islam Every year, sixth-graders from the Friends School in Baltimore learn about Islam by making a pilgrimage to the Islamic Center in Washington, D.C., with a stop at the Saudi Embassy. Pope Benedict Names Australia's First Saint Mother Mary MacKillop, who died in 1909, founded an order that built dozens of schools for impoverished children across the Australian Outback in the 1800s, as well as orphanages and clinics for the needy. Pope's Apology Rings Hollow To Some U.S. Victims Last weekend, Pope Benedict XVI took 24 Irish bishops to task for the sex abuse crisis in Ireland, calling the scandal a "heinous crime." But some U.S. victims want more action and fewer words. Unification Church Woos A Second Generation Mass weddings have long been a hallmark of the Rev. Sun Myung Moon's Unification Church, but the practice may soon come to an end. Facing dwindling numbers, the church is trying to go more mainstream to appeal to young prospective followers — including letting them choose their own spouses. Photojournalist Captures 'Polygamy In America' Stephanie Sinclair was given rare and intimate access to the men and women of the polygamist Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Sinclair's photos, taken during several periods since April of 2008, appear in National Geographic. Pope Rebukes Irish Bishops Over Abuse Scandal Pope Benedict XVI scolded Irish bishops at the end of a two-day Vatican summit called to discuss the decades of clerics' sexual abuse of minors in Ireland. Despite his condemnation of the abuse, the pope did not address victims' demands for the resignations of some bishops. How Can Outsiders Help Communities In Crisis? Baptists from the U.S. charged with child kidnapping in Haiti say they went to the country to help people in need. Western organizations have long grappled how best to support populations in crisis. Marleine Bastien of Haitian Women of Miami, Father Ken Gavin of the Jesuit Refugee Service USA, and community development expert Steve Corbett discuss providing aid rather than paternalism.
Education
Proposed Set Of Academic Standards Unveiled
The blueprint released by group of governors and school superintendents lays out what students should be learning in math and English every year from kindergarten through high school. The plan is part of a push to iron out the jumble of state standards and raise expectations for American schools. Global University Eliminates Barriers To Education At University of the People, students from across the globe have access to free online classes in business administration and computer science. The school has attracted about 380 students from 81 countries. But in order to survive, the university needs more to enroll, its founder says. Cost Of Medical School Rises In Recession A New Jersey family is struggling to pay for their daughter's medical school education. They know that the average doctor graduates with about $150,000 of student loans, and wonder how they're ever going to pay it. States Weigh Four-Day School Week To Cut Costs Legislation being proposed in many states would change the school week from five days to four. As states fight to balance their budgets amid the recession, they are looking for ways to save money. Mike Griffith, the senior school finance analyst for Education Commission of the States, offers his insight. Students 'Stand And Deliver' For Former Teacher Former students of Jaime Escalante, the math teacher portrayed in the 1988 movie Stand and Deliver, are raising money for the man who worked tirelessly to teach them what he believed was the portal to success. Duncan To Step Up Civil Rights Enforcement The Education Department is launching 38 investigations into possible civil rights violations by schools and colleges in more than 30 states. Secretary Arne Duncan makes the announcement Monday in Selma, Alabama, where he will join civil rights leaders to commemorate the 45th anniversary of one of the bloodiest clashes between protesters and state police. School's Bid To Punish Off-Campus Acts Draws Suit A New Jersey school district is being sued for disciplining students caught drinking at weekend parties. Opponents say it potentially violates students' constitutional rights to punish them at school for off-campus behavior that does not affect school safety. Bringing In Bystanders To Stop Campus Assaults One out of five women will be sexually assaulted during her college years. The University of New Hampshire has a novel approach to prevention: bringing in bystanders, encouraging them to speak up and intervene before an assault. States 'Race' To Adopt Obama's Schools Policies The Obama administration is prodding states to adopt a new set of education policy ideas. And with billions of dollars at its disposal, it's enjoying considerable success — despite some resistance from teachers unions. Myths That Make It Hard To Stop Campus Rape One reason colleges have a hard time stopping sexual assault is a misconception about who is committing these crimes. The assumption is that rapes are often committed by young men whose judgment is impaired by drinking. But one researcher says many rapists are serial predators and intentionally look for vulnerable women. How Far Have We Come Since 'Bloody Sunday'? Since the 2008 election of President Barack Obama, some argue that we are now living in a post-racial America — no more racism, no more color-coded strife. Kumbaya? Not so fast. Teachers Feel Ignored In Education Debate The survey "Primary Sources: America's Teachers on America's Schools" asked some 40,000 U.S. public school teachers for their opinions on testing, merit pay and other issues. The results show many teachers feel ignored in the debate over how to improve America's schools. School Economic Diversity Program May End The school district in Raleigh, N.C., may vote Tuesday to end what is hailed as a national educational model. Administrators use socioeconomic status when assigning students to schools, but that has angered some parents. School Fires Its Teachers In The Name Of Progress Central Falls, Rhode Island, is the smallest city in the smallest state — but it's at the center of one of biggest debates in education. That is: How to turn around failing public schools? As part of a federal initiative, district officials have embarked on a major overhaul of their only high school, and have announced the firing of all teachers. Ole Miss Searches For New Mascot The University of Mississippi has been without a mascot since 2003 when the school stopped using Colonel Reb because it smacked too much of the confederate South. Some students want Admiral Ackbar of Star Wars fame to represent the Rebels of Ole Miss. Others say that's just comic relief.
Top 10 Box Office Movies
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6. The Crazies $7.0M
7. Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief $5.1M
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Environment
Red Carpet Awaits The Star In The 'Eco-Dress'
At the Oscars this year, one star will grace the red carpet with an "eco-dress." Changing Behaviors To Save Energy Energy Star labels and miles-per-gallon vehicle ratings aren't enticing enough consumers toward energy-saving options, according to economist Hunt Allcott. Allcott explains how new research in behavioral economics might help lead consumers to more energy-efficient choices. Can Technology Solve Nuclear's Problems? President Obama has pledged support for nuclear power, but problems including how to dispose of the waste persist. Ira Flatow and guests look at the latest nuclear technology, from microreactors to waste storage, and compare the cost of nuclear to other energy sources. Yucca Mountain As Metaphor in About A Mountain When writer John D'Agata moved his mother to the suburbs of Las Vegas, he began looking at the history of the government?s plan to store nuclear waste deep in Nevada's Yucca Mountain. The resulting boo—-- About a Mountai—-- is a reporter's notebook that reads like poetry. 6.4 Magnitude Earthquake Hits Taiwan The quake Thursday morning caused power outages and buildings to sway hundreds of miles to the north. Local news reports said at least one person was injured. Creatures From A Distant Planet? Right here, right where we live, are creatures so extraordinarily spooky, in landscapes so deeply strange, they might as well be on the Planet Zantar. The New Republic: How Good Is Wal-Mart's Green? It's a fairly big deal that Wal-Mart announced plans to reduce 20 million tons of greenhouse-gas emissions from its suppliers by 2015. But Bradford Plumer wonders if this could really offset the company's damage. New Research Sheds Light On Antarctic Ice Melting There may be no polar bears at the South Pole, but there sure is a lot of ice. In fact, more than 90 percent of the Earth's glacial ice is in Antarctica. Now, new research shows the continent's ice is melting in more places than previously known. Host Guy Raz speaks to scientist Jane Ferrigno of the U.S. Geological Survey about the Antarctic Peninsula's ice retreat. Florida's Deep Freeze Puts The Squeeze On Tomatoes It's been a tough winter for Florida's tomato crop. A devastating freeze last month wiped out production by 70 percent. The state provides almost all of the tomatoes consumed in the U.S. during this time of year. Farmers are struggling, and soon consumers will notice it too. Chile Quake Far Stronger Than That Of Haiti The earthquake that struck Chile Saturday morning unleashed 500 times as much energy as last month's disastrous earthquake in Haiti. More than 100 people have been reported dead after the temblor. NPR's Guy Raz and Richard Harris discuss the scientific mechanics of the quake. Iceberg Threatens 'March Of Penguins' Colony An enormous iceberg in Antarctica plowed into a peninsula made of ice and snapped it off, creating a second gigantic iceberg. The new 48-mile-long floating island of ice could make life difficult for the penguin colony made famous by the movie March of the Penguins. Can Underwater Parks Protect Coral? With global threats like ocean warming and acidification, it's a tough time to be a coral. Marine ecologists John Bruno and Elizabeth Selig analyzed over 8,000 coral surveys from all over the world to see if local management through Marine Protected Areas had any positive effect on coral. Fate Of Offshore Wind Farm In Government's Hands The government is expected to decide next month whether a private developer can build the country's first offshore wind farm off Cape Cod, Mass. The project has been on a winning streak with court victories and state approvals, but it hasn't won the support of local officials or American Indians. Belief In Climate Change Hinges On Worldview When it comes to climate change, some look at the facts presented and see a coming catastrophe, while others see a hoax. This difference in interpretation, social scientists say, has more to do with each individual's existing outlook than with the facts. Natural Gas As A Climate Fix Sparks Friction Some local chapters of environmental groups find themselves battling their national leadership over issues like natural gas. The national groups see natural gas as a less-harmful alternative to coal. But local groups fear the damage that gas production could bring to their fresh water and landscapes.
Food
Israeli Tariff Burdens Supplier Of Gefilte Fish
Israel recently reinstated a large import tax on Asian carp, which has hurt business for one of the largest producers of the fish, Schafer Fisheries in Thomson, Ill. Asian carp is used to make gefilte fish, a Jewish delicacy and staple at many Passover Seders. Salmonella In Flavoring Additive Prompts Food Recalls A contaminated batch of an obscure but ubiquitous flavor enhancer sparked recalls of foods ranging from dips to flavored tofu. The Food and Drug Administration said the recalls are a precaution to prevent illness. Recipes Using Girl Scout Cookies Elizabeth Farry, community relations manager for the Girl Scout Council of Colonial Coast, talks about using Girl Scout Cookies as ingredients in other recipes. Farry has tried many of the recipes on the Girl Scouts' Web site, including fried caramel delights, thin mint brownies and do-si-dos peanut Thai chicken. Girl Scouts Venture Online To Market Their Cookies This year, the Girl Scouts are taking pitches for their $700 million a year business online. That's despite a controversy last year, in which 8-year-old Wild Freeborn of North Carolina put together a YouTube video — and the organization called it a violation of its rules. FDA Faults Food Labels In Warning Blitz The Food and Drug Administration is taking food companies to task for misleading claims. The problems range from unsubstantiated health benefits to contradictory nutritional information. Must Hear: Rules For Eating Here's one thing everyone has in common: We all eat food. And for people fortunate enough to be able to decide what to eat, the ability to choose can breed anxiety. Oyster Stew: Four Ways To Warm Up Cool Nights In a stew, oysters keep the fresh mineral flavors of a raw bar — but with the plump texture of a cooked bivalve. It's a warming way to have the best of both worlds, in a simple and satisfying oyster stew. Here are four interpretations of a classic, with flavors from Japan, Mexico and New Orleans. Florida's Deep Freeze Puts The Squeeze On Tomatoes It's been a tough winter for Florida's tomato crop. A devastating freeze last month wiped out production by 70 percent. The state provides almost all of the tomatoes consumed in the U.S. during this time of year. Farmers are struggling, and soon consumers will notice it too. A Walk On The Wild Side ... Of The Plate It was inevitable that interest in local, sustainable, ethical eating would lead back to hunting. Weekend Edition food commentator Bonny Wolf shares her experience attending a wild-game-friendly dinner party. Grapefruit-Mint Panna Cotta: A Taste of Spring If you're tired of winter, Top Chef finalist Carla Hall has an early taste of spring: smooth, cool grapefruit-mint panna cotta with a tart red wine and pomegranate sauce. Bolivia Pushing Coca That's Good For You Bolivia is the third largest coca-producing country in the world. Although the illegal drug trade has given coca a bad reputation, indigenous people have used it for centuries as medicine, food and a symbol of their culture. Bolivia's president is a former coca farmer, and the country is trying to rebrand the coca leaf and create a legal industry from the controversial crop. America: Land Of Cheeseheads And Chicken Lovers Pizza's popularity is helping drive up cheese consumption. Chicken is on the verge of passing beef as America's favorite meat. A Spice Too Far In Salsa: Pesticide A waitress at a Mexican restaurant outside Kansas City pleaded guilty to conspiring to tamper with some salsa. It was part of an alleged revenge plot against the restaurant owner, federal prosecutors said. Bright Tastes And Colors Of India's Spring: Holi Colorful, sweet and savory Indian treats are a natural when it's time to celebrate the coming of spring. That's what the Hindu holiday of Holi — or the Festival of Colors — is all about. The day calls for bright curries, sweet and savory rice, a mango cannoli, and a special carrot juice. Group Seeks Hot Dog Redesign To Prevent Choking The American Academy of Pediatrics has a message for parents — Hot dogs can be dangerous to young children — and it's calling for a redesign. Eric Hummel, director of marketing at Hummel Brothers Meat Products, has his own message: Cut them up into bite-sized pieces.
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