Mexico health sec: Swine flu way up after low year

A woman gets a voluntary swine flu vaccination from a nurse at a subway station in Mexico City, Tuesday Jan. 31, 2012. Federal Health Secretary Salomon Chertorivski Woldenberg said Tuesday there have been 1,623 cases of all strains of flu in Mexico so far in January, 90 percent of them H1N1. Despite the spike, Chertorivski said the cases are within normal range for a flu season. (AP Photo/Eduardo Verdugo)

A woman gets a voluntary swine flu vaccination from a nurse at a subway station in Mexico City, Tuesday Jan. 31, 2012. Federal Health Secretary Salomon Chertorivski Woldenberg said Tuesday there have been 1,623 cases of all strains of flu in Mexico so far in January, 90 percent of them H1N1. Despite the spike, Chertorivski said the cases are within normal range for a flu season. (AP Photo/Eduardo Verdugo)

A nurse prepares a swine flu vaccination to administer to people who volunteer to get it at a subway station in Mexico City, Tuesday Jan. 31, 2012. Federal Health Secretary Salomon Chertorivski Woldenberg said Tuesday there have been 1,623 cases of all strains of flu in Mexico so far in January, 90 percent of them H1N1. That's the version that originally was called swine flu when it caused pandemic that started in Mexico in 2009. (AP Photo/Eduardo Verdugo)

A man gets a voluntary swine flu vaccination from a nurse at a subway station in Mexico City, Tuesday Jan. 31, 2012. Federal Health Secretary Salomon Chertorivski Woldenberg said Tuesday there have been 1,623 cases of all strains of flu in Mexico so far in January, 90 percent of them H1N1. Despite the spike, Chertorivski said the cases are within normal range for a flu season. (AP Photo/Eduardo Verdugo)

MEXICO CITY (AP) ? Swine flu is back in Mexico, the epicenter of a world pandemic three years ago that panicked people around the globe.

The country registered more cases of all types of flu and more incidents of the H1N1 strain, originally called swine flu, in January than in all of 2011, federal health officials said Tuesday.

Despite the spike, the number of cases is well within a normal flu season for Mexico, which can see from 5,000 to 11,000 incidents of all strains, Health Secretary Salomon Chertorivski Woldenberg said.

"Last year, H1N1 barely circulated in the country or in the world," Chertorivski said to explain the dramatic jump in cases in January.

There have been 1,623 cases of all strains of flu in Mexico recorded so far for January, 90 percent of them H1N1, Chertorivski told reporters. Thirty-two people died from flu, all but three of them from H1N1, he said.

That compares with about 1,000 flu cases in Mexico during all of last year, with 35 deaths from all strains. About 250 cases in 2011 were swine flu.

The low appearance of the H1N1 virus the past two years is one reason it's drawing so much media attention in Mexico. People have been lining up in hospitals and at school nurses for checks. A handful of private schools decided to close last week, and pharmacies reported shortages in antiviral drugs.

Chertorivski said there are plenty of doses of antiviral drugs in the country, but pharmacies initially were understocked after the low incidence of last year. He said the problem had been corrected.

Public nervousness about H1N1 has been high since the first outbreak in spring 2009, when the virus initially appeared to have a high mortality rate and Mexican authorities closed restaurants, schools, museums, libraries and theaters to stop its spread.

"Since 2009, we've remained more sensitive to the issue of flu," Chertorivski said. "2009 made us more conscientious and increased the number of tests and confirmations."

Chertorivski said the virus first reappeared this year in Chile and the Andean region of South America, where the flu season has now passed. He said the initial cases in Mexico were in southern and central states.

Health officials expect the cases to migrate north through Mexico and into the U.S., where incidents of H1N1 have increased in recent weeks, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Both the CDC and the Pan-American Health Organization also say that H1N1 cases this year are within the normal range.

The World Health Organization in 2009 declared swine flu the first global flu pandemic in 40 years.

Initial reports then suggested H1N1 was killing as many as one in 15 of those infected ? a death rate that would have been more than three times higher than the devastating flu pandemic of 1918-19. Later investigation, however, showed that many cases hadn't been reported by people who experienced mild symptoms and that the strain was lethal mostly to those with complicating circumstances. It is now considered a seasonal flu and included in the flu vaccine.

By July 2010, the Mexican government reported nearly 76,000 cases of H1N1 and more than 1,300 deaths, the most recent accumulated statistics on its website.

The World Health Organizations estimates that flu causes 3 million to 5 million cases of severe illness around the globe every year. It says about 250,000 to 500,000 deaths result, primarily among the elderly and the chronically ill.

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/bbd825583c8542898e6fa7d440b9febc/Article_2012-01-31-LT-Mexico-Swine-Flu/id-4afae535a8344b4b8a635a98debc5ad9

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Paula Abdul exits 'X Factor'; third to leave show

FILE - In this Dec. 22, 2011 file photo, singer Paula Abdul poses on the red carpet at The X Factor Finale show in Los Angeles. Abdul said she's leaving "The X Factor" after one season as judge. (AP Photo/Dan Steinberg, file)

FILE - In this Dec. 22, 2011 file photo, singer Paula Abdul poses on the red carpet at The X Factor Finale show in Los Angeles. Abdul said she's leaving "The X Factor" after one season as judge. (AP Photo/Dan Steinberg, file)

FILE - In this Sept. 14, 2011 file photo, host Steve Jones poses with judge Nicole Scherzinger at a world premiere screening event for the new television series, "The X Factor," in Los Angeles. Both Jones and Scherzinger will not be returning to the popular singing competition series for a second season. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello, file)

LOS ANGELES (AP) ? Paula Abdul joined the exodus from Fox's disappointing "The X Factor," attributing her departure to business trumping all else.

Abdul said Tuesday she won't return to "dear friend" Simon Cowell's singing contest when it begins its second season later this year. Her announcement followed Monday's exits of fellow judge Nicole Scherzinger and host Steve Jones.

"I've learned through my longevity in this industry that business decisions often times override personal considerations," Abdul said in a measured statement. She and others involved with the show understand the situation, she said, adding, "Simon is, and will remain a dear friend of mine and I've treasured" working on "X Factor."

In a separate statement, Cowell didn't address the reason for the changes but thanked the exiting trio "for everything they did last year."

Cowell and Antonio "L.A." Reid remained on the judging panel. There was no immediate word from producers on who might fill the open seats.

Cowell returned Abdul's good wishes and said he expected he and his former "American Idol" teammate would work on another project in the near future.

Despite respectable ratings, "X Factor" has failed to achieve popularity similar to Fox's "American Idol," which Cowell left to import "X Factor" from the U.K. to the U.S. He had predicted his new show would be a blockbuster.

___

Online:

http://www.thexfactorusa.com

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/4e67281c3f754d0696fbfdee0f3f1469/Article_2012-01-31-TV-X%20Factor-Abdul/id-37df5e9b3f994bc49e2cf2f34186c8af

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SAG Awards Fashion Face-Off: Brangelina vs. Klooney

It takes a lot to topple Brangelina.

But, let's face it, if one man were up for the job, it would be George Clooney.

That's the mission facing this wildly popular actor below, as he and girlfriend Stacy Keibler have teamed up to take on Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie in a SAG Awards-based Fashion Face-Off. Which couple looks hottest? Vote now:

Among other match-ups from last night's star-packed event:

• Emma Stone is up against Michelle Williams.
• Meryl Streep has challenged Viola Davis.
• Lea Michele is posing down fellow Glee star Dianna Agron.

Source: http://www.thehollywoodgossip.com/2012/01/sag-awards-fashion-face-off-brangelina-vs-klooney/

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Occupy Oakland damage assessed after protesters break into City Hall

Officials assessed damage to City Hall caused by Occupy Oakland?protesters while leaders of the movement claimed Sunday that police acted illegally in arresting hundreds of demonstrators.

Officials assessed damage to City Hall caused by Occupy Oakland?protesters while leaders of the movement claimed Sunday that police acted illegally in arresting hundreds of demonstrators and could face a lawsuit.

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Mayor Jean Quan was among those inspecting damage caused after dozens of people broke into City Hall on Saturday, smashing glass display cases, spray-painting graffiti, and burning an American flag.

That break-in culminated a day of clashes between protesters and police. Interim Police Chief Howard Jordan said nearly 400 people were arrested on charges ranging from failure to disperse to vandalism. At least three officers and one protester were injured.

RECOMMENDED:?What's next for Occupy Wall Street? Activists target foreclosure crisis.

In a news release Sunday, the Occupy Oakland Media Committee criticized the police conduct, saying that most of the arrests were made illegally because police failed to allow protesters to disperse.

"Contrary to their own policy, the OPD gave no option of leaving or instruction on how to depart. These arrests are completely illegal, and this will probably result in another class action lawsuit against the OPD, who have already cost Oakland $58 million in lawsuits over the past 10 years," the release said.

The scene around City Hall was mostly quiet Sunday morning, and it was unclear whether protesters would mount another large-scale demonstration.

Dozens of officers remained present inside and outside City Hall after maintaining guard overnight. Occupy Oakland demonstrators broke into the historic building and burned a U.S. flag, as officers earlier fired tear gas to disperse people throwing rocks and tearing down fencing at a convention center.

"They were never able to occupy a building outside of City Hall," Jordan said Sunday. "We suspect they will try to go to the convention center again. They will get not get in"

Saturday's protests ? the most turbulent since Oakland police forcefully dismantled an Occupy encampment in November ? came just days after the group said it planned to use a vacant convention center building as a social center and political hub and threatened to try to shut down the Port of Oakland for a third time, occupy the airport and take over City Hall.

Quan, who faced heavy criticism for the police action last fall, on Saturday called on the Occupy movement to "stop using Oakland as its playground."

"People in the community and people in the Occupy movement have to stop making excuses for this behavior," Quan said.

On Sunday, Quan said she is tired of the protesters' repeated actions.

"I'm mostly frustrated because it appears that most of them constantly come from outside of Oakland," Quan said. "I think a lot of the young people who come to these demonstrations think they're being revolutionary when they're really hurting the people they claim that they are representing."

Saturday's events began late Saturday morning, when a group assembled outside City Hall and marched through the streets, disrupting traffic as they threatened to take over the vacant Henry Kaiser Convention Center.

The protesters then walked to the convention center, where some started tearing down perimeter fencing and "destroying construction equipment" shortly before 3 p.m., police said.

Police said they issued a dispersal order and used smoke and tear gas after some protesters pelted them with bottles, rocks, burning flares and other objects.

Source: http://rss.csmonitor.com/~r/feeds/csm/~3/bsTjnvnCMGY/Occupy-Oakland-damage-assessed-after-protesters-break-into-City-Hall

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College Tuition Controversy Highlights Challenges (ContributorNetwork)

COMMENTARY | According to the Associated Press, President Barack Obama is upset with colleges and universities that have been raising their tuition rates, forcing an increasing number of students into debt as college degrees are worth less in a down economy. He has threatened to cut federal dollars for these schools and transfer the money to schools that offer good education for a reasonable price.

That rising tuition is a problem is undeniable. With the weak job market oversaturated with college graduates, degrees are worth less and less while remaining indispensable -- twentysomethings cannot hope for a shot at a middle class lifestyle unless they nab a diploma. Knowing that high school graduates cannot hope for middle class security without a term of stay at college, colleges have teens by the short hairs: They can charge more each semester, and everyone has no choice but to pay.

And if all colleges raise their prices similarly, it makes no point to contemplate a transfer. Students might as well grin and bear it as they write checks, grimly hoping the economy improves and their degree is worth something by the time they walk across the graduation stage.

Despite being able to engage in abusive tuition-raising at will, institutions of higher education are consistently protected by the fact that hurting schools will hurt students. Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., a critic of Obama's tough talk, said shifting federal dollars from universities hurts the students it is meant to help.

Aye, the old rock-and-a-hard-place dilemma: You can't put the squeeze on universities today to get them to change their tuition-raising ways so nothing changes tomorrow. Every time you get ready to teach a well-deserved lesson to those in corrupt ivory towers, you are lambasted as a tyrant who is harming innocent kids. To avoid looking like an anti-education Neanderthal you must spare the fiscal rod and spoil the college president child.

The catch-22 scenario afflicting attempts to rein in tuition abuse at colleges and universities is also seen in other areas, particularly military spending. If you try to cut military spending you risk being attacked as an unpatriotic coward who is risking the lives of brave American soldiers by denying young men sufficient body armor and weaponry. Therefore, you can never deny the Pentagon the funds it desires, lest you be seen as willing to send young Americans to their deaths.

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/obama/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ac/20120129/pl_ac/10898175_college_tuition_controversy_highlights_challenges

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Cell Therapeutics withdraws cancer drug application (Reuters)

(Reuters) ? Cell Therapeutics Inc said on Monday it has voluntarily withdrawn the marketing application for its cancer drug, sending its shares down 17 percent before the bell.

The company said it withdrew the application as it needed additional time to prepare for the review of the drug, Pixuvri, designed as a treatment for relapsed or refractory aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in patients who failed two or more lines of prior therapy.

Cell Therapeutics said it had requested the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to reschedule the drug's review date prior to the withdrawal, but the health regulator was unable to accommodate the request.

The company plans to resubmit the application later this year.

Shares of the Seattle-based company were down 17 percent at $1.13 in premarket trade. They closed at $1.33 on Friday on the Nasdaq.

(Reporting by Kavyanjali Kaushik in Bangalore; Editing by Supriya Kurane)

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/diseases/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20120130/hl_nm/us_celltherapeutics

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Huge asteroid may be packed with water ice

The surface of Vesta ? the second-largest object in the main asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter ? appears to be quite dry. But water ice may lurk underground over roughly half of the huge space rock's area, particularly near the poles, researchers said.

The giant asteroid Vesta may contain a vast supply of water ice, a supply that has sat frozen for billions of years, a new study reveals.

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The?surface of Vesta?? the second-largest object in the main asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter ? appears to be quite dry. But water ice may lurk underground over roughly half of the huge space rock's area, particularly near the poles, researchers said. And it may have been there for billions of years.

"Near the north and south poles, the conditions appear to be favorable for?water ice?to exist beneath the surface," study co-author Timothy Stubbs,? of NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md., said in a statement.

Asteroid ice underground?

Vesta has an average diameter of about 330 miles (530 kilometers). It probably doesn't have any permanently shadowed craters where water ice could stay frozen at the surface, researchers said. [NASA Photos of Asteroid Vesta]

That's because the asteroid is tilted on its axis at about 27 degrees,?giving Vesta seasons?akin to the ones we experience on Earth. So every part of the space rock's surface likely sees the sun at some point during a Vestan year.

However, the research team ? using models based on data gathered by NASA's Hubble Space Telescope and other instruments ? determined that average annual temperatures near Vesta's poles are probably less than minus 200 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 129 degrees Celsius). Below this threshhold, water ice is thought to be able to survive in the top 10 feet (3 meters) or so of Vestan soil, or regolith.

The average temperatures near Vesta's equator, however, are roughly minus 190 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 123 Celsius), according to the study ? too high to allow water to remain within a few meters of the surface.

This band of relatively warm temperatures extends from the equator to about 27 degrees north and south latitude, researchers said.

"On average, it's colder at Vesta's poles than near its equator, so in that sense, they are good places to sustain water ice," Stubbs said. "But they also see sunlight for long periods of time during the summer seasons, which isn't so good for sustaining ice. So if water ice exists in those regions, it may be buried beneath a relatively deep layer of dry regolith."

Water ice might be stable at the bottom of some craters for much of the Vestan year (about 3.6 Earth years), the study found. But at some point during the summer, sunlight would probably drive it off the surface, either to be lost into space or redeposited somewhere else on the asteroid.

A spacecraft's view of Vesta

Modeling results such as those presented in the new study could soon be vetted by a robotic visitor to Vesta.

NASA's Dawn spacecraft?entered into orbit around the huge space rock in July 2011 and has been studying it ever since. Part of the probe's work involves searching for water with its gamma ray and neutron detector (GRaND) spectrometer, and Dawn recently spiraled close enough to Vesta to get a good look.

"The Dawn mission gives researchers a rare opportunity to observe Vesta for an extended period of time, the equivalent of about one season on Vesta," Stubbs said. "Hopefully, we'll know in the next few months whether the GRaND spectrometer sees evidence for water ice in Vesta's regolith."

Dawn will stay at Vesta until July, when it will depart and journey to Ceres, the largest object in the?asteroid belt. It should arrive there in February 2015.

Both Vesta and Ceres are so large that scientists consider them protoplanets ? baby planets whose growth was interrupted when Jupiter formed. Scientists hope Dawn's observations shed light on the role water has played in the evolution of planets.

"Our perceptions of Vesta have been transformed in a few months as the Dawn spacecraft has entered orbit and spiraled closer to its surface," said Lucy McFadden, a planetary scientist at NASA Goddard and a Dawn mission co-investigator. "More importantly, our new views of Vesta tell us about the early processes of solar system formation. If we can detect evidence for water beneath the surface, the next question will be is it very old or very young, and that would be exciting to ponder."

Follow SPACE.com for the latest in space science and exploration news on Twitter?@Spacedotcom?and on?Facebook.

Source: http://rss.csmonitor.com/~r/feeds/science/~3/v32_LX3SZ44/Huge-asteroid-may-be-packed-with-water-ice

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Kuwait Finance House organizes global economic real estate forum ...

International Real Estate Department Manager Ali Al-Ghannam said that this step serves to underline KFH's leading role in the real estate investment field worldwide; especially in the United States and Canada, where its investments reached USD 1 billion. In addition, KFH represents the Middle East in its partnership with AFIRE.

Al-Ghannam asserted that the forum will allow the participants to meet and discuss global developments in the real estate field worldwide, which can positively impact KFH's performance.
It is worth noting that Brown, who holds a PhD in History, used to work as a lecturer at the beginning of his career, and was one of the first experts who called for global action to face global economic crisis. In addition to Brown, Robert Kagan, who is one of the most famous 100 intellectuals worldwide, will take part in the discussions.

Furthermore, Al-Ghannam revealed that other experts will take part in the event, such as Raymond Torto, Andrew Yendal, Tim O'Neil, Richard Price, and Eyan Reed.

Source: http://www.ameinfo.com/288226.html

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Missing Maine toddler's relatives take polygraphs (AP)

PORTLAND, Maine ? A website devoted to a Maine toddler who vanished six weeks ago says her uncle and maternal grandmother have taken polygraph tests as part of the police investigation.

Police are investigating the disappearance of Ayla Reynolds, who was reported missing from her father's Waterville home Dec. 17.

The website aylareynolds.com says Ayla's uncle passed a polygraph Thursday and her grandmother took one Friday but couldn't complete it because her prescription medication interfered.

State police spokesman Steve McCausland says investigators aren't commenting on details such as polygraph tests.

Ayla's father told police she wasn't in her bed when he checked on her the morning of Dec. 17.

The 1-year-old was wearing pajamas with the words "Daddy's Princess" on them and had a cast on her broken left arm before she vanished. Her mother lives in Portland.

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/crime/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20120127/ap_on_re_us/us_missing_toddler

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Tropical depression hits Mozambique (AP)

MAPUTO, Mozambique ? Mozambique's meteorological service says the second tropical depression to hit the southern part of the country in two weeks has destroyed thousands of homes.

Sergio Buque says that heavy rains, accompanied by strong winds have affected more than 250,000 families since the storms began last week. He says the newest tropical depression moved from the central province of Sofala, where it hit Wednesday night, to the southern Inhambane province.

State radio reported Thursday that two more people were killed by heavy rains in the northern province of Cabo Delgado, bringing the total death toll of the storms across Mozambique to 26.

The rains have also inflicted heavy losses in the Montepuez district, where more than 22,200 acres (9,000 hectares) of crops, including the country's staple food maize, are under water.

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/africa/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20120126/ap_on_re_af/af_mozambique_flooding

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Video: January 26, 2012

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Source: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/46146922#46146922

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AUTOMOTIVE - DRIVEN: Two Gems From South Korea

The South Korean automakers ? Hyundai and its sibling Kia ? have made tremendous strides in the past few years, delivering interesting and distinctive vehicles that drive well and look good.

They?ve really come a long way from their former role of marketing cars and SUVs that were purchased solely by people who couldn?t afford anything better. Now they are building desirable vehicles in their own right, while still offering very competitive pricing and highly persuasive warranties.

The automakers? double-digit U.S. sales gains during 2010 and 2011 tell the tale.

Here are a couple of sharp little cars, one from Hyundai and one from Kia, that show how far they?ve come and how good they are:

Veloster features one door on the driver side and two on the passenger side. (Photo: Hyundai) Most young people want to be different, distinctive and daring. I know I did, although it?s a distant memory. Hyundai Veloster targets that adolescent notion with a neat little hatchback with all the flares and spoilers you could ever desire, along with a three-door configuration that makes it interestingly asymmetrical.

The third door is hidden behind the front passenger door with a handle that looks like part of the coupe trim. It allows improved access to the rear seat so that your friends, small as they might be, won?t have to crunch too much when they?re getting in.

This is not the first three-door car I?ve driven? the late, lamented Saturn built one before its demise. The Saturn had a clamshell setup on the driver?s side that was hinged in the rear, also giving their little coupe some extra access. The best thing about it was how easily the driver could stow or retrieve items from the back seat, always a downside for a regular coupe.

While it seems to make sense that an extra rear door should be on the passenger side, I favor the driver-side setup, like the Saturn had. For a little car like this in which a rear-seat passenger would be a rarity, the easy access by the driver seems to be more usable on a regular basis. There?s also a hatch in back for added versatility.

The Veloster's interior is appropriately sporty. (Photo: Hyundai) The Veloster (and I keep calling it velociraptor from the movie Jurassic Park) is a new entry for Hyundai and it seems to have hit the spot, following up on the successful revisions of the compact Elantra and Accent.

Handling and drivability are quite good, and the little 1.6-liter four-banger makes decent power ? 138 horsepower at 6,300 rpm and 123 pounds-feet of torque at 4,850 rpm ? especially when equipped with the six-speed manual, as was the test car. The shifter?s throws are short and precise, another huge improvement for Hyundai.

A big plus is Veloster?s fuel mileage, which rates at 29 mpg city and the magic number of 40 mpg on the highway. That?s some rarified territory occupied by only a few subcompact competitors and hybrid cars.

Veloster comes in just one base model with optional upgrades. The interior is roomy and accommodating and seems higher grade than the price tag would indicate.

Pricing starts at $17,300 for the well-equipped stickshift base model, and the test car had about $4,000 worth of options, including leather seats and accents, 18-inch alloys and performance tires, panoramic sunroof, sporty alloy pedals, premium sound system, navigation, backup camera, and keyless entry and start.

The total of $21,300 including shipping was a decent bottom line for a distinctive little three-door hatchback.

Source: http://automotive.speedtv.com/article/driven-two-gems-from-south-korea/

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Pride, Frustration and Determination as Egyptians Celebrate Their Revolution (Time.com)

Tens of thousands of Egyptians packed shoulder to shoulder into Cairo's Tahrir Square on Wednesday to mark the one-year anniversary of the uprising that ousted President Hosni Mubarak. Some, particularly Islamist supporters of the Muslim Brotherhood's Freedom and Justice Party and the ultra-Islamist Salafis' Nour party, came out to celebrate their victories after a year of political discovery.

Between them, the Islamist parties won a combined 72% of available seats in the lower house of parliament in the country's first democratic election in more than a half century. "We are here to celebrate what we've achieved, and reiterate what we haven't achieved," said Mohamed Abdel Ghafar, a 40-year-old teacher sporting a Freedom and Justice Party hat. "We achieved the elections and the ousting of Mubarak, putting the symbols of corruption on trial, setting a date for the transition of authority, and lifting the emergency law," he added. Nearby, a speaker on the Brotherhood's stage trumpeted congratulations to Egypt's heroes -- that would be everyone who came out to help overthrow the president.

But thousands of those on Tahrir Square, Wednesday, also came out to protest. While many express satisfactin with the election result, frustration over economic woes, endemic corruption, and the slow pace of reform has deepened in the year since Mubarak's fall. The focus of much of that anger has been the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF), the junta that took over from Mubarak last February and has shown little interest in ceding complete executive authority to a civilian government. (MORE: Egyptians Mark Their Revolution's Anniversary with Mixed Feelings)

Men, women, and families thronged beneath banners demanding an end to military rule and justice for those killed and injured by security forces during the uprising and protests since. Liberal youth activists even chanted for the execution of SCAF chief Field Marshall Hussein Tantawi, hoisting posters depicting faces of Mubarak officials, as well as Tantawi and leaders of the Muslim Brotherhood.

"We believe that SCAF lost its legitimacy in August and now it's ruling the country with force," said Mohamed al-Essawy, 24, who held a large stencil depicting the faces of Tantawi and the Brotherhood's speaker of parliament hovering over bodies of slain activists. "They're playing chess with the revolution," he explained. "Anything supervised by SCAF is illegitimate, ranging from the parliament to the constitution."

Liberals, youth activists, and political analysts have increasingly alleged that a conspiracy exists between the Brotherhood and the junta, pointing to the former's seeming compliance with military-drafted rules and declarations. However, the majority of Egyptians seem to disagree. (PHOTOS: Revolution in Egypt: 18 Days That Shook the World)

On January 24th, Tantawi announced the termination of the country's emergency law on national television, in a move aimed at currying favor with the protesters ahead of the one year anniversary of the uprising. For Brotherhood supporters, and many others in Tahrir on Wednesday, the concession seemed like an additional victory. But an exemption decreed by Tantawi, which allows the emergency law's provisions to be applied in cases of "thuggery", had human rights groups crying foul -- the imprecise term has been widely used by the military to prosecute activists over the past year. Human Rights Watch warned that the exception would "invite abuse."

Demonstrators poured into the downtown square throughout the day, many marching the same routes they had taken a year ago to start the historic rebellion. That day was fraught with tension and violence, as protesters broke through police lines and braved volleys of tear gas, astounded and emboldened by the power of their collective action. There were no police lines to cross to get to Tahrir for the anniversary event, and the crowd was far larger this time than it had been a year ago. But nostalgia ran high. Tahrir pulsed with the national pride that had characterized the 18-days that brought down Mubarak. And the crowd's diversity stirred the familiar debate and exchange of ideas that many Egyptians had reveled in a year ago, as men and women from across the country and its social classes first camped in the square, united by the common goal of ousting Mubarak. (PHOTOS: Police and Protesters Clash in Cairo)

"We were not divided back then," remembered Mohamed Farghaly, a university student. "On January 25th 2011, we were unified. We came down to call for the fall of the regime, and at the time, we thought that Mubarak was the regime," he said. "Then we found out that he wasn't." Farghaly admits that his realization hasn't been shared by everyone. "The majority is staying at home," he added, claiming they had been swayed by the "liars" on state TV. "That's the division, and it's one of the biggest challenges."

Indeed, how the numbers fall on either side of that division will impact Tahrir's dynamic in the days ahead. Already, many say they will camp in the square as long as it takes to force the military from power. Some have predicted a repeat of the violent clashes between protesters and security forces that characterized a series of demonstrations in November and December, particularly if large numbers remain in Tahrir and the military moves to clear it. "Some of the people think that we need to stay until SCAF leaves," said one Brotherhood supporter, Mohamed Said. "As Muslim Brotherhood, we don't believe that. We are here to deliver a message." That doesn't mean the revolution is over, he added, but Egyptians can make their voices heard in other ways.

With reporting by Sharaf al-Hourani / Cairo

MORE: How Democracy Can Work in the Middle East

VIDEO: Why They Protest: Egypt, Libya and Syria

View this article on Time.com

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Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/world/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/time/20120125/wl_time/08599210538400

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A slim race for best original song at the Oscars (AP)

NEW YORK ? The race for the best original song Oscar is a slim one with two songs up for the honor, a first for the Academy Awards.

Sergio Mendes' "Real In Rio" from the animated adventure "Rio" will compete with Bret McKenzie's "Man or Muppet" from "The Muppets," despite having songs from a bevy of all-star musicians like Elton John, Mary J. Blige, will.i.am and Pink in contention for nomination.

Charles Bernstein, the former chairman of the Academy Awards' music branch, says he "personally was surprised" that only two songs are up for the honor.

In the past, the number of nominees for best original song has ranged from three to 14. Only up to five songs are eligible for nomination.

"I personally felt that there may have been more than two that I personally would have championed," he said in an interview after the Oscars nominations were announced Tuesday. "But it is a majority vote situation."

This year, 39 songs were eligible for nomination for best original song, including tracks from Brad Paisley, Robbie Williams, The National, Zooey Deschanel, Zac Brown, Chris Cornell and others.

Members of the music branch can rank songs using 10, 9.5, 9, 8.5, 8, 7.5, 7, 6.5 or 6, and a song must have at least an average score of 8.25 to be nominated. If only one song gets that score, it and the song receiving the next highest score will be the two nominees.

Since two songs were nominated, it could mean that voters were unimpressed with this year's contenders.

"Each person is voting on a subjective impression ... so you'd have to go into the head of each individual voter to kind of know what it was that made them feel that any given song was or wasn't award-worthy," Bernstein said.

Bernstein also stressed that the songs "have to be written for the picture, and the judgment of its quality has a great deal to do with how it functions in the movie as well as how well written it is."

Bernstein, who did vote in the category, wouldn't say how many people voted this year, but did say that the rules for each Academy Award are carefully observed each year. He says the music branch will most likely take a closer look at the requirements for best original song after this year's results.

"It's very likely because there were two this year that the rules committee will probably take another look at it next year and make sure it wants to continue the same rules," he said.

Madonna's "Masterpiece," which won the Golden Globe for best original song and is from her directorial effort "W.E.," was not eligible for an Academy Award because "the song does not occur either in the body of the film, or as the first song at the end of the film," Bernstein said.

Mendes, who shares his nomination with Siedah Garrett and Carlinhos Brown, says "Rio" director Carlos Saldanha delivered the good news to him.

"I don't know much about the voting process really. I'm not an expert in that, but I'm so happy about me being nominated," Mendes said Tuesday afternoon. "I don't really know the criteria, but I can only think about celebrating."

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Online:

http://oscar.go.com/

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Mesfin Fekadu covers entertainment for The Associated Press. Follow him on Twitter at http://twitter.com/musicmesfin

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/music/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20120125/ap_en_mu/us_oscar_nominations_best_original_song

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Legal Aid cutting back to cope with budget cuts | Arkansas Blog

Hard times mean more people are unable to afford legal services. But hard times also mean a reduction in support for Legal Aid of Arkansas, a Jonesboro-based agency that provides legal assistance in civil cases for those unable to pay in 31 counties.

Offices and staff are going to be cut back and work reorganized to cope, Legal Aid of Arkansas has announced. Its release follows.

NEWS RELEASE

JONESBORO, Ark. ? Facing steep funding cuts, Legal Aid of Arkansas has reorganized its service delivery system to continue to provide quality legal service to low income individuals and families in Arkansas.

A 14.9 percent federal funding cut to the Legal Services Corporation in 2012 and a four percent cut in 2011 equates to a loss of more than $300,000 for Legal Aid. The organization will likely face an additional 10 percent cut in 2013. Legal Services Corporation is Legal Aid?s largest funding source.

Adding to the problem, Arkansas? State Administration of Justice Fund, Legal Aid?s second largest funding source, has recently decreased by 18 percent.

?Because of the reductions in funding, we are going to have to be more strategic about how we allocate our limited resources,? said Lee Richardson, Executive Director of Legal Aid.

Legal Aid already laid off three staff attorneys and three support staff in 2011 in anticipation of funding cuts. Four attorney positions, three paralegal positions and three support positions will be cut in 2012.

Legal Aid?s delivery system is also getting an overhaul. The new system is based on four substantive law workgroups, which will focus on domestic violence, consumer matters, housing issues and economic justice. Management will also be consolidated into four regions: Northwest, Ozark, Northeast and Delta.

The Mountain View office will be closed and Legal Aid management will look to relocate other offices to smaller physical plants. Donated space will be used to ensure continued local access to Legal Aid services.

These cuts come in the face of an economic downturn that has seen more and more people in need of legal assistance. Legal Aid closed more than 7,000 cases in 2011, and for every client the organization provided assistance, another client was turned away because a lack of resources.

?The cornerstone of fairness in this country is based on the idea that the most humble among us should be the peer of the most affluent when seeking justice,? Richardson said. ?Unfortunately, this concept cannot be a reality unless both sides to an issue have legal counsel. Legal Aid is the only game in town for individuals with civil issues without resources to pay an attorney.?

Despite cuts, Legal Aid remains the place for low-income Arkansans to seek legal assistance.

In an effort to maximize scarce resources, Legal Aid has developed Medical Legal Partnerships with Arkansas Children?s Hospital and Walmart Corporate Legal Department and with Federally Qualified Health Clinics in Lee and Monroe County. Legal Aid also introduced the Justice for Arkansans AmeriCorps program, placing eight public interest attorneys throughout the state to tackle various civil legal issues.

?We will work tirelessly to develop new resources and partnerships to advance the cause of social justice,? Richardson said.

In addition to these new developments, Legal Aid continues its Equal Access to Justice and Arkansas Volunteer Lawyers for the Elderly Panels, which maintain more than 700 private attorneys who volunteer to represent clients referred by Legal Aid for free.

Legal Aid of Arkansas is a nonprofit organization that provides free legal services to low-income persons with civil legal problems in 31 counties from Benton County in Northwest Arkansas to Phillips County in the Mississippi River Delta. If you need legal advice or representation, call 100-9-LAW-AID (1800-952-9243) to apply for services. Visit www.arlegalaid.org to learn more about services and volunteer opportunities.

Source: http://www.arktimes.com/ArkansasBlog/archives/2012/01/23/legal-aid-cutting-back-to-cope-with-budget-cuts

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Public memorial set for Joe Paterno at Penn State

The flag in front of Old Main on the Penn State University campus is lowered to half-staff on Monday, Jan. 23, 2012 in State College, Pa., in honor of legendary Penn State football coach Joe Paterno. Paterno, a sainted figure at Penn State for almost half a century but scarred forever by the scandal involving his one-time heir apparent, died Sunday, Jan. 22, 2012 in State College. He was 85. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

The flag in front of Old Main on the Penn State University campus is lowered to half-staff on Monday, Jan. 23, 2012 in State College, Pa., in honor of legendary Penn State football coach Joe Paterno. Paterno, a sainted figure at Penn State for almost half a century but scarred forever by the scandal involving his one-time heir apparent, died Sunday, Jan. 22, 2012 in State College. He was 85. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

A mural is shown on the side of a student bookstore with a likeness of legendary Penn State coach Joe Paterno on it wearing a halo that was added, Monday, Jan 23, 2012 in State College, Pa.. Paterno, a sainted figure at Penn State for almost half a century but scarred forever by the scandal involving his one-time heir apparent, died Sunday, Jan. 22, 2012 in State College. He was 85. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

A newspaper with the headline re-written, is left in remembrance around a statue of Penn State football coach Joe Paterno, outside Beaver Stadium on the Penn State campus Monday, Jan. 23, 2012 in State College, Pa. Paterno died Sunday morning. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Margaret Bigham, left, and Jake Bigham, from near Charleston, S.C., pause ion remembrance around a statue of Penn State football coach Joe Paterno, outside Beaver Stadium on the Penn State campus Monday, Jan. 23, 2012 in State College, Pa. Paterno died Sunday morning. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Samantha Maceil of Pittsburgh, places a Bear Bryant style hat on a statue of legendary former Penn State football coach Joe Paterno on Monday, Jan. 23, 2012, in State College, Pa. Paterno died Sunday at age 85, less than three months after being diagnosed with lung cancer. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (AP) ? Joe Paterno's family said Monday the legendary football coach will get a two-day viewing and a public memorial this week on the Penn State campus, two months after the university summarily fired him over the phone.

The family gave no details on who might be invited or asked to speak at the memorial Thursday at the basketball arena, which can hold 16,000 people. Penn State spokeswoman Lisa Powers said the specifics were still being worked out with the Paternos.

But many alumni and students say Paterno was treated shabbily by the Board of Trustees in November, and trustees and other members of the administration might not be made to feel welcome at the memorial for the 85-year-old coach, who died Sunday of lung cancer.

"I don't think it's going to be heavily laden with administration and trustees," said trustee Linda Strumpf, who lives in New York and will not attend. "This is something the family is putting together and not the university. I don't think the university wants to be in a position to tell them what a memorial service looks like."

But trustee Al Clemens said he will be there to honor a man he described as a good friend.

"This is really a family thing, and so we're just going to go as individuals," Clemens said. "Joe's a great guy. No matter was the situation was in the last two months, it doesn't take away from what he's done through history for so many people. He's just been tremendous."

The viewing will be held Tuesday and Wednesday at a campus spiritual center, followed by a private funeral Wednesday afternoon. The public memorial will be at the Jordan Center and is expected to draw thousands.

Michael Day, a 1973 Penn State graduate from Hagerstown, Md., whose father taught there and whose four children all have Penn State degrees, said the trustees were wrong to fire Paterno and he believes they will ultimately be replaced. He said he hopes they don't attend.

"I think the Penn State community is separate from the Penn State Board of Trustees," he said. "The Board of Trustees has separated itself from the Penn State community, and the Penn State community loves Joe Paterno and always will. So it's appropriate for the Penn State community to honor Joe Paterno in this service."

Paterno was fired Nov. 9 after he was criticized over his handling of child sex-abuse allegations leveled against former assistant Jerry Sandusky in 2002. Pennsylvania's state police commissioner said that in not going to the police, Paterno may have met his legal duty but not his moral one.

Bitterness over Paterno's removal has turned up in many forms, from online postings to a note placed next to Paterno's statue at the football stadium blaming the trustees for his death. A newspaper headline that read "FIRED" was crossed out and made to read, "Killed by Trustees." Lanny Davis, lawyer for the board, said threats have been made against the trustees.

Janice Hume, a journalism professor at the University of Georgia, said that staging an appropriate memorial creates a dilemma similar to the one faced by Paterno's obituary writers: how to address the scandal without letting it negate his entire career.

"I think it's probably very difficult to strike the right balance," she said.

Clemens said the board will later consider more lasting tributes to Paterno, including scholarships in his name. Because of his generosity to the school, his family name is already on the library and a spiritual center.

There has also been a movement over the past few years to change the name of Beaver Stadium, the football team's home field, to Joe Paterno Field at Beaver Stadium, and on Monday the man behind it, Warren W. Armstrong, a 1960 graduate and retired Allentown advertising executive, said he would renew his efforts. Some are suggesting renaming the street leading to the stadium Paterno Way.

A family spokesman said the Paternos' focus this week is on the viewing and funeral plans and they do want to weigh in on any ideas for a permanent memorial right now. But "I would say the family would welcome a conversation on that," Dan McGinn said.

___

AP writers Kathy Matheson and Patrick Mairs in Philadelphia and Michael Rubinkam in Allentown contributed to this story.

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/apdefault/386c25518f464186bf7a2ac026580ce7/Article_2012-01-23-FBC-Paterno-Services/id-45aa65fe12764046a04fbf98b0cb76d8

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Guest lineups for the Sunday news shows (omg!)

WASHINGTON (AP) ? Guest lineups for the Sunday TV news shows:

ABC's "This Week" ? 2012 GOP presidential candidate Rick Santorum.

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NBC's "Meet the Press" ? 2012 GOP presidential candidate Newt Gingrich; Gov. Chris Christie, R-N.J.

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CBS' "Face the Nation" ? Gingrich; former Gov. Haley Barbour, R-Miss., and Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C.

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CNN's "State of the Union" ? Gingrich; Santorum; Sen. Jim DeMint, R-S.C., and Rep. James Clyburn, D-S.C.

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"Fox News Sunday" ? House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio; Stuart Stevens, campaign strategist for 2012 GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney.

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/entertainment/*http%3A//us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/external/omg_rss/rss_omg_en/news_guest_lineups_sunday_news_shows141409024/44252379/*http%3A//omg.yahoo.com/news/guest-lineups-sunday-news-shows-141409024.html

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No simple explanation in AF Academy sex crime data (AP)

DENVER ? Nine years after a sexual assault scandal at the Air Force Academy sent shock waves across the military, the Defense Department last month announced a spike in reported assaults at the school ? and days later the Air Force filed sex-crime charges against three cadets.

It isn't clear whether the disturbing news means sexual predation is on the rise at the academy, experts and school officials say. It could reflect the academy's efforts to encourage cadets to report any kind of unwanted sexual contact.

"I don't think anybody knows how to read that data," said Lory Manning, director of the Women in the Military Project at the Women's Research & Education Institute in Washington and a retired Navy captain.

The number of assaults reported at the academy since the 2005-06 school year, when comprehensive record-keeping began, has varied widely. From 10 in the first year, the totals rose to 24 two years later, plummeted to eight in 2008-09 and then rose again, to 20 in 2009-10 and 33 last year. Nearly 80 percent of the academy's approximately 4,600 cadets are male.

Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said Wednesday nearly 3,200 sexual assaults were reported across the military last year, but he said the real number is probably closer to 19,000 because so few victims report the crime.

Panetta said the Pentagon would prepare initiatives to reduce the number of assaults.

It's a battle the Air Force Academy outside Colorado Springs, Colo., has been waging since 2003.

In January of that year, female cadets came forward to say that when they reported being sexually assaulted, they were punished for minor infractions as drinking. Some went to a local rape crisis clinic instead of academy officers, saying they feared their military careers would be damaged if they spoke with commanders.

Top leaders at the academy were replaced and programs put in place to prevent sexual abuse and to encourage cadets to report incidents.

It's impossible to measure how many crimes the training may have prevented, said Teresa Beasley, the academy's sexual assault coordinator. "How do you measure prevention?" she said.

"The number of reports have gone up," said Col. Reni Renner, vice commandant of cadets for climate and culture. "But it's hard to draw a correlation between the number of incidents and the number of reports."

Beasley and Renner say they believe the school is making headway. They point to a growing number of cadets coming to Beasley's office after speaking with cadets who came forward and were treated well.

Other cadets ask for help with repercussions from an assault that occurred before they enrolled. The academy said five of the 33 incidents reported in the 2010-11 school year occurred before the victim entered the military.

"My sense ... is that we really are seeing an increase in trust in our system," Renner said.

Manning said she has no doubt the academy is sincere in its efforts.

"As to the effectiveness, well, they've got three guys charged now," Manning said.

The academy announced on Jan. 5 that three male cadets had been charged with sex crimes stemming from unrelated incidents between February 2010 and May 2011. Academy officials said the three cases were announced together because the investigations happened to end at about the same time.

Robert M. Evenson Jr. is charged with rape, Stephan H. Claxton with abusive sexual assault and Kyle A. Cressy with aggravated assault. Evenson and Claxton face other, non-sex-related counts.

Cressy's civilian lawyer, Richard Stevens, did not immediately return a phone call. Claxton's military attorney, Capt. Nicole Torres, declined comment. The academy said Evenson's civilian lawyer asked not to be identified.

Hearings are expected to begin next week. Air Force attorneys haven't yet calculated sentencing ranges for any convictions, said academy spokesman Meade Warthen.

It's unclear what effect prosecutions have on encouraging victims to come forward. Beasley said she believes that in general, prosecutions reassure victims that they'll be taken seriously. But a sex-crime court-martial at the academy in the 2008-2009 school year led to an acquittal, and reports of sexual assaults plummeted that year, from 24 to eight.

The academy's sex assault prevention campaign starts before freshman studies begin. Among other things, cadets are told the Department of Defense definition of sexual assault includes "intentional sexual contact ... when the victim does not or cannot consent."

The breadth of the definition comes as a surprise to some.

"When they come in at basic, you see the `deer-in-the-headlight' look ? `Wow, I didn't realize I'd been assaulted,'" Beasley said.

By the time cadets are seniors, the training includes what their roles as officers will be, including what to do when someone brings a sex-assault complaint.

Manning said academy officials are "trying their level best."

"I think it's a problem we won't totally solve ever. But I think there's room for one less this year, two less next year," she said.

Rep. Jackie Speier, a California Democrat, said in an interview the day of Panetta's announcement that the military culture has "run amok" and the rules for handling sexual abuse need an overhaul. She has introduced a bill that would create a separate system within the military to investigate and prosecute sex crimes.

Currently, a victim's commander might be part of the decision-making process. That creates a conflict of interest; the commander could suffer career damage if a subordinate is victimized; the commander could be a friend of the suspect; or the commander could be the suspect, Speier said.

"We've got to do something fairly dramatic to get the academies back on track and the military back on track," she said.

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/crime/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20120122/ap_on_re_us/us_sex_assaults_air_force_academy

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Razzies worst-movie awards shift to April Fool's (AP)

LOS ANGELES ? Hollywood's award season is going to linger on through April Fool's Day this year.

Organizers of the Razzies have changed the schedule for their nominations and prize ceremony. The spoof on the Academy Awards picks the year's worst films.

The Razzies used to announce contenders the night before the Oscar nominations, which are coming Tuesday.

Razzies founder John Wilson announced Sunday that nominations this season will be released Feb. 25, the eve of the Oscar ceremony. Winners of the Razzies will be announced on April 1.

Wilson says Razzies organizers have long wanted to have their awards coincide with April Fool's Day.

A news release announcing the change also notes that it will give the 600 Razzies voters "additional time to see the dreck they will eventually nominate."

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/movies/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20120122/ap_en_mo/us_oscars_razzies

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Fundamental malaria discovery: How parasites target proteins to surface of red blood cells

ScienceDaily (Jan. 20, 2012) ? A team of researchers led by Kasturi Haldar and Souvik Bhattacharjee of the University of Notre Dame's Center for Rare and Neglected Diseases has made a fundamental discovery in understanding how malaria parasites cause deadly disease.

The researchers show how parasites target proteins to the surface of the red blood cell that enables sticking to and blocking blood vessels. Strategies that prevent this host-targeting process will block disease.

The research findings appear in the Jan. 20 edition of the journal Cell. The study was supported by the National Institutes of Health.

Malaria is a blood disease that kills nearly 1 million people each year. It is caused by a parasite that infects red cells in the blood. Once inside the cell, the parasite exports proteins beyond its own plasma membrane border into the blood cell. These proteins function as adhesins that help the infected red blood cells stick to the walls of blood vessels in the brain and cause cerebral malaria, a deadly form of the disease that kills over half a million children each year.

In all cells, proteins are made in a specialized cell compartment called the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) from where they are delivered to other parts of the cell. Haldar and Bhattacharjee and collaborators Robert Stahelin at the Indiana University School of Medicine-South Bend (who also is an adjunct faculty member in Notre Dame's Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry), and David and Kaye Speicher at the University of Pennsylvania's Wistar Institute discovered that for host-targeted malaria proteins the very first step is binding to the lipid phosphatidylinositol 3-phosphate, PIP, in the ER.

This was surprising for two reasons. Previous studies suggested an enzyme called Plasmepsin V that released the proteins into the ER was also the export mechanism. However, Haldar, Bhattacharjee and colleagues discovered that binding to PIP lipid which occurs first is the gate keeper to control export and that export can occur without Plasmepsin V action. Further, in higher eukaryotic cells (such as in humans), the lipid PIP is not usually found within the ER membrane but rather is exposed to the cellular cytoplasm.

Haldar and Bhattacharjee are experts in malaria parasite biology and pathogenesis. Stahelin is an expert in PIP lipid biology, and David and Kaye Speicher are experts in proteomics and a method called mass spectrometry.

Their interdisciplinary collaboration reveals a fundamental, novel cellular function, whose disruption can provide new therapies that are urgently needed for malaria.

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Story Source:

The above story is reprinted from materials provided by University of Notre Dame. The original article was written by Pamela Tamez and William Gilroy.

Note: Materials may be edited for content and length. For further information, please contact the source cited above.

---

Journal Reference:

1. Souvik Bhattacharjee, Robert?V. Stahelin, Kaye?D. Speicher, David?W. Speicher, Kasturi Haldar. Endoplasmic Reticulum PI(3)P Lipid Binding Targets Malaria Proteins to the Host Cell. Cell, 2012; 148 (1-2): 201 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2011.10.051

Note: If no author is given, the source is cited instead.

Disclaimer: This article is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Views expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of ScienceDaily or its staff.

Source: http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/0ITSbQ2FgwQ/120120184532.htm

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Paul McCartney hints at role in 2012 Olympics (AP)

LONDON ? Paul McCartney says he is in talks to play a role in the London 2012 Olympic celebrations.

The former Beatle says he "might be doing something" in the Olympics but is not sure what role he may play in the events.

Speaking at a promotional event for his new album on Thursday, McCartney said he will go to a meeting about the Games on Friday where he expects to learn more about "something they want me to do."

McCartney also said he might be involved in another massive British celebration this year: Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee.

Describing himself as a "big fan of the queen," McCartney said he "could easily" participate in festivities if he is asked.

The Olympic Games take place July 27 to Aug. 12.

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/britain/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20120119/ap_on_re_eu/eu_britain_paul_mccartney

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Stocks edge higher as unemployment claims fall (AP)

NEW YORK ? Stocks rose in midday trading Thursday after a decline in applications for unemployment benefits and strong earnings reports from Bank of America and Morgan Stanley.

The Dow Jones industrial average rose 35 points to 12,613 shortly after noon.

The number of people seeking unemployment benefits plunged last week to the lowest level since April 2008, the latest sign that the job market is strengthening. France and Spain also held successful bond auctions, easing worries about that region's two-year-old debt crisis.

Utilities companies were among the few industries to fall, an indication that investors are becoming more comfortable owning riskier stocks. Utilities, which were the best-performing industry last year, tend to pay higher dividends and fluctuate less than companies like Caterpillar Inc. and FedEx Corp., whose fortunes are more closely tied to the economic cycle. Financial technology companies each rose 1 percent, the most of the 10 industries tracked by the S&P 500 index.

In another sign that investors are shedding low-risk assets, the dollar and Treasury prices fell. The yield on the benchmark 10-year Treasury note rose to 1.97 percent from 1.90 percent late Wednesday.

Bank of America and Morgan Stanley each rose 5 percent after reporting results that were better than analysts had expected. BofA returned to profit in the fourth quarter while Morgan Stanley's loss was much less than forecast, thanks largely to better stock trading results.

Investors also drove up shares of Renewable Energy Group Inc., the nation's largest producer of biodiesel, in its market debut. The stock rose 1 percent after pricing below what the Iowa company had initially expected. It was the first initial public offering of the year.

Trading was halted in shares of photography icon Eastman Kodak after the company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. The ailing company failed to find a buyer for its trove of 1,100 digital imaging patents.

In other trading, the Standard & Poor's 500 rose 7 points, or 0.5 percent, to 1,315. The Nasdaq composite rose 23 points, or 0.9 percent, to 2,793.

Among other stocks making large moves:

? eBay Inc. rose more than 4 percent after the online auction company beat analysts' earnings forecasts and provided a healthy outlook for the year.

? Southwest Airlines Co. rose nearly 4 percent after it said its fourth-quarter net income and revenue jumped. Southwest said it expects strong revenue in the first quarter too, based on passenger-booking trends.

? Johnson Controls Inc., an auto parts and building equipment maker, fell 7 percent. The Milwaukee-based company reported earnings and revenue that fell short of Wall Street's forecasts. It also cut its estimate for its fiscal year earnings, blaming weaker auto production in Europe, a lower euro and poor demand for batteries.

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/earnings/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20120119/ap_on_bi_st_ma_re/us_wall_street

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Actor Wahlberg apologizes for 9/11 comments (AP)

NEW YORK ? Actor Mark Wahlberg has apologized for asserting that he would have stopped terrorists from flying an airliner into New York's World Trade Center on Sept. 11 if he had been on the plane.

The star of the film "Contraband" issued his apology Wednesday after comments he made to Men's Journal drew criticism.

He told an interviewer in the February issue that had he been on American Airlines Flight 11 with his children "it wouldn't have went down like it did." Terrorists flew the plane with 92 people aboard into the north tower on Sept. 11, 2001.

In his apology, Wahlberg said to speculate was "ridiculous to begin with." He said that to suggest he "would have done anything differently than the passengers on that plane was irresponsible."

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/topstories/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20120119/ap_on_en_mo/us_people_mark_wahlberg

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Wikipedia editors question site's planned blackout (AP)

NEW YORK ? Can the world live without Wikipedia for a day? The shutdown of one of the Internet's most-visited sites is not sitting well with some of its volunteer editors, who say the protest of anti-piracy legislation could threaten the credibility of their work.

"My main concern is that it puts the organization in the role of advocacy, and that's a slippery slope," said editor Robert Lawton, a Michigan computer consultant who would prefer that the encyclopedia stick to being a neutral repository of knowledge. "Before we know it, we're blacked out because we want to save the whales."

Wikipedia's English-language site shut down at midnight Eastern Standard Time Tuesday and the organization said it would stay down for 24 hours.

Instead of encyclopedia articles, visitors to the site saw a stark black-and-white page with the message: "Imagine a world without free knowledge." It carried a link to information about the two congressional bills and details about how to reach lawmakers.

It is the first time the English site has been blacked out. Wikipedia's Italian site came down once briefly in protest to an Internet censorship bill put forward by the Berlusconi government. The bill did not advance.

The shutdown adds to a growing body of critics who are speaking out against the legislation. But some editors are so uneasy with the move that they have blacked out their own user profile pages or resigned their administrative rights on the site to protest. Some likened the site's decision to fighting censorship with censorship.

One of the site's own "five pillars" of conduct says that Wikipedia "is written from a neutral point of view." The site strives to "avoid advocacy, and we characterize information and issues rather than debate them."

Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales argues that the site can maintain neutrality in content even as it takes public positions on issues.

"The encyclopedia will always be neutral. The community need not be, not when the encyclopedia is threatened," he tweeted.

The Wikimedia Foundation, which administers the site, announced the blackout late Monday, after polling its community of volunteer contributors and editors and getting responses from 1,800 of them. The protest is aimed at the Stop Online Piracy Act in the House and the Protect Intellectual Property Act under consideration in the Senate.

"If passed, this legislation will harm the free and open Internet and bring about new tools for censorship of international websites inside the United States," the foundation said.

Both bills are designed to crack down on sales of pirated American products overseas, and they have the support of the film and music industry. Among the opponents are many Internet companies such as Google, Facebook, Yahoo, Twitter, eBay and AOL. They say the bills would hurt the industry and infringe on free-speech rights.

Social news website Reddit.com is shutting down for 12 hours on Wednesday, but most companies are staying up. Google Inc.'s home page linked to a petition urging Congress: "Don't censor the Web."

Dick Costollo, CEO of Twitter, said he opposes the legislation as well, but shutting down the service was out of the question.

"Closing a global business in reaction to single-issue national politics is foolish," Costollo tweeted.

Since Wikimedia depends on a small army of volunteers who create and update articles, it's particularly concerned about a lack of exemptions in the bills for sites where users might contribute copyrighted content. Today, it has no obligation under U.S. law except removing that content if a copyright holder complains. But under the House version of the bill, it could be shut down unless it polices its own pages.

The plans for the protest were moving forward even though the bill's prospects appeared to be dimming. On Saturday, Rep. Darrell Issa, a California Republican, said the bill would not move to the House floor for a vote unless consensus is reached. However, Lamar Smith, a Texas Republican, said work on the bill would resume next month.

The White House raised concerns over the weekend, pledging to work with Congress to battle piracy and counterfeiting while defending free expression, privacy and innovation in the Internet. The administration signaled it might use its veto power, if necessary.

That the bill seems unlikely to pass is another reason Lawton opposes the blackout.

"I think there are far more important things for the organization to focus aside from legislation that isn't likely to pass anyway," he said. He's been contributing to Wikipedia for eight years.

Danny Chia, another contributor to the site, said he had mixed feelings about the blackout. The neutrality applies to the content, but a lot of people interpret it as being about the site as a whole, said the Los Altos, Calif., software engineer.

In an online discussion, others raised the same point about the blackout: Appearances matter, and if the audience sees Wikipedia taking a stand, it might not believe the articles are objective, either.

Wikipedia has seen a small decline in participation, from a peak of 100,000 active editors a year ago to about 90,000 now. Wikimedia Foundation blames this mainly on outdated editing tools, and believes it can get the number growing again with software upgrades.

___

AP Technology Writer Mike Liedtke contributed to this report.

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/internet/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20120118/ap_on_hi_te/us_wikipedia_credibility

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Good Samaritan shot trying to thwart robbery

By NbcLosAngeles.com

LOS ANGELES -- Jorge Alvarado, a Good Samaritan shot in the back of the head while trying to stop a robbery in Lynwood, is clinging to life, relatives said Monday.

The incident happened Sunday afternoon at Crystal Produce and Meat Market in the 11800 block of Atlantic Avenue.

"He is a strong man. He works hard for us," said the victim's daughter, 10-year-old Lizzet, adding that her father worked two jobs to support her and her three siblings, ages 10-16.

For more, visit NBCLosAngeles.com

During the alleged robbery, a female cashier ran next door to a restaurant where her brother-in-law Francisco Rojas worked.

Rojas and Alvarado ran into the market to confront the alleged robber.

"He was saving the cashier because she was a girl," Lizzet said.

Rojas, 39, spoke to NBC LA in his native Spanish language. He said he took a knife he had been using to cut food and stabbed the suspect in the neck, dodging a bullet in the process.

The alleged gunman kept firing even with the knife blade stuck in his neck, Rojas said. One of the bullets hit Alvarado in the back of the head. Rojas said his right hand was injured by glass that shattered from one of three gun shots. The suspect then fled in a white vehicle waiting for him in the alley behind the store, Rojas said.

Five years ago, both Rojas and Alvarado attempted to foil a robbery at the same store. In that case, Rojas suffered only minor injuries, he said.

Detectives from the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department combed the area Monday morning, closing down parts of the Freeway 105 looking for a white Chevrolet Astro Van and three suspects.

The alleged shooter Kyle Henderson, 30, was detained at Arcadia Hospital where he had been dropped off for his injury hours after the robbery, according to investigators.

Henderson and 47-year-old Terrance Fair, both parolees, and Ischa Criner, 42, are being charged with murder and held without bail.

Fair was the alleged driver of the getaway car; Criner is believed to be an accomplice in the crime. All three suspects are Lynwood residents.

The murder charges are due to the fact the victim is not expected to survive, according to the sheriff's office.

Lizzet and her family are praying that her father can recover.

"God needs to send him an angel so he can be better because he is doing bad right now. He is not breathing well. The doctors say there is nothing they can do for him," Lizzet said.

More content from msnbc.com and NBC News:

Source: http://usnews.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/01/17/10173864-good-samaritan-shot-trying-to-thwart-robbery

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