Julian Assange to appear on 'The Simpsons'

Fox

Homer and Marge meet their new neighbor Julian Assange (guest voice as himself) in "At Long Last Leave," the show's 500th episode, airing Feb. 19.

By Anna Chan

"The Simpsons" is making some big headlines, and not just because its 500th episode is just around the corner.

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange is set to appear on the animated show's landmark episode on Feb. 19.?EW.com reports?that?Assange -- who is still under house arrest -- recorded his lines for the guest spot over the summer from a location unknown to "The Simpsons" producers.

"I was just given a number to call," executive producer Al Jean told EW of directing Assange remotely.

That 500th episode, titled "At Long Last Leave," the Simpsons family are evicted from Springfield, according to Fox. It is in their rugged new community where they meet their new neighbor played by Assange, Jean told EW. "He invites them over for a home movie and it's an Afghan wedding being bombed," Jean revealed to the magazine.

The WikiLeaks founder is accused of sexual assault?on two of the website's volunteers. U.S. officials are also debating whether to bring any charges against him, possibly under the Espionage Act, for publishing U.S. diplomatic cables online.

"The Simpsons" airs at 8 p.m. Sundays on Fox.

What do you think of Assange guesting on "The Simpsons"? Share your thoughts on our Facebook page.

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Source: http://theclicker.today.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/01/30/10273772-julian-assange-to-appear-on-the-simpsons

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MS drug prevented fatal heart condition in lab study

Monday, January 30, 2012

A drug used to treat multiple sclerosis may also be effective at preventing and reversing the leading cause of heart attack, a new study has found.

Scientists found that Gilenya, a drug recently approved in the US for treating MS, was effective at reversing the symptoms of ventricular hypertrophy in mice.

Ventricular hypertrophy is a fatal cardiac disorder that can result in an abnormal heart rhythm (arrhythmia) and cardiac arrest. It is caused by sustained pressure on the heart due to stresses or diseases, such as hypertension (high blood pressure), valvular heart disease or myocardial infarction (heart attack), and is the leading cause of sudden cardiac death worldwide.

Researchers from The University of Manchester and the University of Illinois at Chicago have discovered that enhancing the activity of an enzyme molecule called Pak1 that is found naturally in our bodies using Gilenya produced remarkable results in mice with ventricular hypertrophy.

Study co-author Dr Xin Wang, a Lecturer in Molecular Cardiology in Manchester's Faculty of Life Sciences, said: "Cardiac hypertrophy is the pathological state to respond to sustained stresses on the heart resulting in increases in ventricular wall thickness and muscle mass of the heart. The condition is often associated with fatal complications, such as, heart failure and rhythm disorders, such as ventricular arrhythmias, leading to millions of deaths worldwide each year.

"Our research had previously identified the effect of Pak1 in preventing tissue damage caused by reduced blood flow to the heart, known as cardiac ischemic injury. This latest study used mice with a genetic modification of the Pak1 gene to show how the enzyme, when stimulated by Gilenya, prevented and even reversed the symptoms of ventricular hypertrophy."

The research, led in Manchester by Dr Ming Lei, Dr Xin Wang and Dr Elizabeth Cartwright, and in Chicago by Professor John Solaro and Dr Yunbo Ke, is published in the leading cardiovascular journal, Circulation.

Dr Lei, who is based in Manchester's Faculty of Medical and Human Sciences, added: "In recent years, escalating costs, risks, and uncertainty associated with drug development for treating cardiovascular diseases have posed daunting challenges to the pharmaceutical industry. Our discovery opens up fresh avenues for developing a new class of drug for treating several fatal heart conditions. The novel effect of this existing drug means that we have the potential to accelerate the availability of a new therapy for patients with these heart conditions."

###

'Pak1 as a Novel Therapeutic Target for Antihypertrophic Treatment in the Heart,' published in Circulation, (doi: 10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.111.048785)

University of Manchester: http://www.manchester.ac.uk

Thanks to University of Manchester for this article.

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Source: http://www.labspaces.net/117177/MS_drug_prevented_fatal_heart_condition_in_lab_study

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Webmail Giants Team Up To Stop Phishing Scams [Security]

Cooperation is a rare thing in the cut-throat world of technology, but some of the world's biggest email providers are teaming up to help cut the incidence of phishing scams. More »

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FedEx employee charged for bomb joke on Army base (AP)

SALT LAKE CITY ? Prosecutors in Utah charged a FedEx driver with a threat of terrorism count over allegations he joked that a package he was delivering to a Utah Army base was likely a bomb.

Charges filed Wednesday in Salt Lake City show the deliveryman was dropping off a package on Sept. 20 addressed to an Army Corps of Engineers employee at Camp Williams.

Prosecutors say that when a woman asked him what it was, he replied that it was probably a bomb. Military police then evacuated 215 people from the building and the surrounding area.

The Deseret News identified the driver as 27-year-old Kevin Coleman.

Police say the man later told them his comment was a mistake.

He's charged with a third-degree felony count of threat of terrorism.

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/usmilitary/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20120126/ap_on_re_us/us_bomb_joke_gone_wrong

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Adele Remembers Etta James As 'The Ultimate Original'

'It's an honour every time I hear her voice,' Adele writes of the late singer.
By Jocelyn Vena

Adele
Photo: Andreas Rentz/ Getty Images

Days after legendary songstress Etta James passed away from complications of leukemia, Adele took to her blog to recall the great influence the singer has had on her.

"What a lady Etta James was. She was the ultimate original," she said, recalling her own encounter with the icon. "Her voice was breath taking and her songs are reflections we all recognise in some way or another. It's an honour every time I hear her voice. I saw her at BB Kings in New York a few years ago, and it was something I will remember forever. Thank you to Etta James. And I send all my love to her family and friends."

Since the news broke of James' death, many big-voiced divas have opened up about the influence she had on them. "Etta James was a force to be reckoned with. A true gift to music and a woman of great spirit and courage. Her raw tone and the passion she put forth on a record spoke to me at a very young age and has continued to influence and inspire me throughout my career," Christina Aguilera said in a statement. "She will NEVER be forgotten, her voice will forever live on and she will inspire talent for generations to come."

Beyoncé also remembered the "At Last" singer within hours of learning of her passing. She was one in a long line of pop stars who paid their last respects to James, including Hayley Williams, will.i.am and Flo Rida.

"This is a huge loss. Etta James was one of the greatest vocalists of our time. I am so fortunate to have met such a queen," Beyoncé wrote on her blog. "Her musical contributions will last a lifetime. Playing Etta James taught me so much about myself, and singing her music inspired me to be a stronger artist. When she effortlessly opened her mouth, you could hear her pain and triumph. Her deeply emotional way of delivering a song told her story with no filter. She was fearless, and had guts. She will be missed."

Share your condolences with Etta James' friends and family on our Facebook page.

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• Remembering Etta James

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1677761/adele-etta-james.jhtml

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Costa Concordia: As Hope Fades for More Survivors, Finger-Pointing Begins (Time.com)

As hope fades for the successful rescue of the 20 people still missing a week after the wreck of the Costa Concordia cruise ship, the focus of operations on the Italian island of Giglio is shifting towards the prevention of future catastrophe and the allocation of blame for that which has already occurred. With some 500,000 gallons of fuel oil still sloshing around in the hull of the ship, "We need to prevent an environmental disaster," says Franco Gabrielli, the head of Italy's civil protection agency, who is coordinating the emergency response. He added that while the agency wasn't giving up rescue attempts, the risk of rupture of the ship's fuel tanks was becoming an increasingly important worry.

Rescuers have been investigating whether the ship can be chained to the rocks on which it capsized last week, to halt its slow slippage towards deep waters, which would dramatically complicate further salvage efforts. The consequences of an oil spill would be disastrous. The mayor of Giglio has called the ship an "ecological time bomb." The potential for pollution puts at risk not only the area around the tiny Mediterranean island, but also the entirety of the nearby coast of Tuscany, one of the engines of Italian tourism. On Saturday, light oil was discovered floating near the Concordia, but rescue workers speculated it may have been diesel from rescue boats or lubricant from some of the on board machinery, not the heavy engine oil that could spell environmental devastation. (Photos: The Sinking of the Costa Concordia)

The plan is to extract the fuel oil and replace it with water, to avoid destabilizing the ship. Experts estimate that draining even those tanks closest to the outside of the hull could take as much as month -- providing storms don't cause delays -- and that the inner tanks could prove harder to reach. Still, "there is a very good chance that the fuel oil can be removed," says Paul Wright, associate director of the Marine Institute at Britain's Plymouth University. Contamination from the kitchen oils, chemicals, sewage, and personal belongings of the crew and passengers are likely to be contained using booms. What could prove more challenging is the salvage operation of the $450 million ship itself. "I would be very surprised if she is righted and floated off," says Wright. "The most likely solution is that she will be cut up and dismantled in position." It's an operation that could take months.

Meanwhile, the legal process is gearing up as Italian authorities work to establish the criminal liability for what some experts predict will produce the most expensive insurance claims in maritime history. As of Saturday, the death toll for the accident stands at 12 and is likely to rise; the Costa Concordia's captain, Francesco Schettino, is under house arrest and facing charges of manslaughter. At the heart of the investigation will be determining what happened in the 70 minutes between the moment the ship tore itself open on the rocks and Schettino's first formal call for help. In the interval, the coast guard was misinformed by a member of the Concordia's crew about the condition of ship, even as it was taking on water. And passengers were told by an apparently confused or oblivious crew that the problem had been resolved and that they should return to their rooms. (History's Greatest Cruise Ship Disasters)

Lawyers for civil plaintiffs will be eager to show that responsibility for the tragedy extends beyond the incompetence of the captain. "You have an incentive to find the deep pockets," says Luca Melchionna, a professor at St. John's University School of Law. Was the Costa Concordia's dangerous approach to the island part of a pattern that the cruise company had previously sanctioned or tolerated? To what extent did company policy contribute to the disarray in the early minutes when lives could have been saved? How well prepared were the crew for the event of an emergency?

For now, the cruise company has joined the criminal case against the captain as a civil party, formally putting itself among the injured and (not coincidentally) forestalling civil action in Italy while the criminal trial plays out, something that could take months of years. "It's a strategic legal move that protects them, at least for a while," says Melchionna. But such maneuvers won't protect the company in other jurisdictions. While lawyers for potential plaintiffs have complained that the waivers their clients were asked to sign have ruthlessly limited the cruise line's liability, at least two law firms have announced they plan to file a class action lawsuit in the U.S. next week. Meanwhile, several passengers have already sought representation with the British law firm Irwin Mitchell. "With thousands of passengers and crew on board this huge vessel, their safety should have been the first and only priority," Clive Garner, the head of the firm's international law team, said in a statement. "Tragically, it seems that this was not the case and passengers and their families have paid a very heavy price."

Transcript: 'Go On Board!' Coast Guard Tells Cruise Ship Captain

WATCH: Crew Tells Passengers, 'Return to Your Cabin'

View this article on Time.com

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Compression garments reduce muscle fatigue

COMPRESSION garments worn by athletes to keep muscles warm may improve performance by reducing muscle fatigue.

Dale Lovell and colleagues at the University of the Sunshine Coast in Queensland, Australia, measured lactate levels in 25 rugby players after they'd exercised wearing either spandex-like compression garments or regular shorts.

Lactate levels were significantly lower in players kitted out in the compression garments, possibly because they stimulate blood flow that clears the substance. Lactate is associated with muscle fatigue, quick removal may improve performance (Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, DOI: 10.1519/JSC.0b013e31821764f8).

If you would like to reuse any content from New Scientist, either in print or online, please contact the syndication department first for permission. New Scientist does not own rights to photos, but there are a variety of licensing options available for use of articles and graphics we own the copyright to.

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Turkish hospital performs triple limb transplant

ANKARA, Turkey (AP) ? A hospital in southern Turkey on Saturday performed the world's first triple limb transplant, attaching two arms and one leg to a 34-year-old man, an official said.

At the same time, a team of doctors at Akdeniz University Hospital, in the Mediterranean coastal city of Antalya, transplanted the face of the same donor onto another patient ? a 19-year-old man. It was Turkey's first face transplant.

"Today, we have put our signature on a world success," Dr. Israfil Kurtcephe, the university hospital's rector, told reporters after the two operations. "For the first time a hospital has transplanted two arms and a leg on one patient."

Dr. Omer Ozkan, who headed a 25-member team, said both patients were being cared for in the intensive care unit and were "doing well."

"We have a critical 10-15-day period ahead of us for both operations, but if we pull through this period we will be making history," Ozkan said.

The full face transplant lasted some nine hours, while the limb transplants took 12 hours.

The state-run Anadolu news agency said Atilla Kavdir, the 34-year-old receiving the limbs, lost his arms and right leg when he was 11 after he hit power lines outside his home with an iron rod to scare away pigeons and received an electric shock.

The teenage face transplant recipient was burned in a house fire when he was a baby.

The limbs and face became available early on Saturday and the hospital began the operation at 3:15 a.m., Anadolu said.

The world's first double arm transplant was in Germany in 2008, while the first double leg transplant took place in Spain in July 2011.

More than a dozen face transplants have been carried out around the world, starting in November 2005 with a French woman who was mauled by her dog. The first face transplant in the U.S. was in December 2008.

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/cae69a7523db45408eeb2b3a98c0c9c5/Article_2012-01-21-EU-Turkey-Multiple-Transplants/id-4e13521ca4684024adf72d9231ee3c3c

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Rep. Giffords to resign from Congress this week (AP)

WASHINGTON ? Rep. Gabrielle Giffords of Arizona announced Sunday she intends to resign from Congress this week to concentrate on recovering from wounds suffered in an assassination attempt a little more than a year ago that shook the country.

"I don't remember much from that horrible day, but I will never forget the trust you placed in me to be your voice," the Democratic lawmaker said on a video posted without prior notice on her Facebook page.

"I'm getting better. Every day my spirit is high," she said. "I have more work to do on my recovery. So to do what's best for Arizona, I will step down this week."

Giffords was shot in the head and grievously wounded last January as she was meeting with constituents outside a supermarket in Tucson, Ariz. Her progress had seemed remarkable, to the point that she was able to walk dramatically into the House chamber last August to cast a vote.

Her shooting prompted an agonizing national debate about super-charged rhetoric in political campaigns, although the man charged in the shooting later turned out to be mentally ill.

In Washington, members of Congress were told to pay more attention to their physical security. Legislation was introduced to ban high-capacity ammunition clips, although it never advanced.

Under state law, Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer must call a special election to fill out the remainder of Giffords' term, which ends at the end of 2012.

President Barack Obama on Sunday called Giffords "the very best of what public service should be."

"Gabby's cheerful presence will be missed in Washington," Obama said. "But she will remain an inspiration to all whose lives she touched ? myself included. And I'm confident that we haven't seen the last of this extraordinary American."

House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, said he saluted Giffords "for her service and for the courage and perseverance she has shown in the face of tragedy. She will be missed."

In a statement, House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi of California said that "since the tragic events one year ago, Gabby has been an inspiring symbol of determination and courage to millions of Americans."

Democratic officials had held out hope for months that the congresswoman might recover sufficiently to run for re-election or even become a candidate to replace retiring Republican Sen. Jon Kyl.

The shooting on Jan. 8, 2011, left six people dead, a federal judge and a Giffords aide among them. Twelve others were wounded.

A 23-year-old man, Jared Lee Loughner, has pleaded not guilty to 49 charges in the shooting. He has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, and is being forcibly medicated at a Missouri prison facility in an effort by authorities to make him mentally ready for trial.

In the months since she was shot, Giffords, 41, has been treated in Houston as well as Arizona as she re-learned how to walk and speak.

She made a dramatic appearance on the House floor Aug. 2, when she unexpectedly walked in to vote for an increase in the debt limit. Lawmakers from both parties cheered her presence, and she was enveloped in hugs.

More recently, she participated in an observance of the anniversary of the shooting in Arizona.

In "Gabby: A Story of Courage and Hope," a book released last year that she wrote with her husband, the astronaut Mark Kelly, she spoke of how much she wanted to get better, regain what she lost and return to Congress.

She delivers the last chapter in her own voice, saying in a single page of short sentences and phrases that everything she does reminds her of that horrible day and that she was grateful to survive.

"I will get stronger. I will return," she wrote.

Giffords was shot in the left side of the brain, the part that controls speech and communication.

Kelly commanded the space shuttle Endeavour on its last mission in May. She watched the launch from Cape Canaveral, Fla.

Kelly, who became a NASA astronaut in 1996 and made four trips into space aboard the space shuttle, retired in October.

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/topstories/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20120122/ap_on_go_co/us_giffords_resign

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Dominant Serena into 4th round at Australian Open

Serena Williams of the United States plays a shot against Hungary's Greta Arn on her way to winning their third round match at the Australian Open tennis championship, in Melbourne, Australia, Saturday, Jan. 21, 2012. (AP Photo/Andrew Brownbill)

Serena Williams of the United States plays a shot against Hungary's Greta Arn on her way to winning their third round match at the Australian Open tennis championship, in Melbourne, Australia, Saturday, Jan. 21, 2012. (AP Photo/Andrew Brownbill)

Serena Williams of the United States plays a shot against Hungary's Greta Arn on her way to winning their third round match at the Australian Open tennis championship, in Melbourne, Australia, Saturday, Jan. 21, 2012. (AP Photo/Andrew Brownbill)

Serena Williams of the United States, runs to plays a shot against Hungary's Greta Arn on her way to winning their third round match at the Australian Open tennis championship, in Melbourne, Australia, Saturday, Jan. 21, 2012. (AP Photo/Andrew Brownbill)

Serena Williams of the United States, left, shakes hands with Hungary's Greta Arn after winning their third round match at the Australian Open tennis championship, in Melbourne, Australia, Saturday, Jan. 21, 2012. (AP Photo/Andrew Brownbill)

Serena Williams of the US reacts after winning a point against Hungary's Greta Arn during their third round match at the Australian Open tennis championship, in Melbourne, Australia, Saturday, Jan. 21, 2012. (AP Photo/John Donegan)

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) ? Just before she walked on court, Greta Arn said she was looking forward to the "privilege" of playing her first match against Serena Williams.

Some privilege.

The 13-time Grand Slam champion overpowered Arn 6-1, 6-1 in 59 minutes Saturday for her 17th straight win at the Australian Open.

The mismatch was so great that the crowd was muted, rousing themselves only when Arn won her two games and when Williams completed her third-round victory.

Arn double-faulted twice to end the match. As the players shook hands at the net, Williams looked briefly taken back and smiled.

"I told her it was an honor to play against you," the 32-year-old Arn said. "And she told me, 'Oh, you are so sweet.' I'm a big fan of hers. She's the real No. 1."

Williams, who racked up her 501st career match win, is hoping to become the second woman over age 30 to win the Australian title in the Open era.

"It makes me feel really good," she said of her Hungarian opponent's remarks. "I'm really proud of the work that I've been doing for so many years, all the hard work."

Vania King's loss to Ana Ivanovic left Williams as the only American player left in either singles draw. John Isner lost Friday, the last American man to exit.

Coming off an injury-ravaged 18 months, Williams is seeded 12th in Melbourne. She hasn't held the top ranking since 2010, the year she won the last of her Grand Slam titles.

On Saturday, she spoke expansively about her off-court activities: She's taking courses in kinesiology and management and preparing for an appearance in a "pretty big" TV show.

Arn says "everybody knows" if Williams hits top form she will win the Australian Open, where she hasn't lost since 2008. She won back-to-back titles in 2009 and 2010 and was unable to defend her title last year while she recovered from two foot surgeries.

Because of her ranking, Williams can't take the No. 1 spot with a win at Melbourne. However, No. 2 Petra Kvitova, No. 3 Victoria Azarenka and No. 4 Maria Sharapova could walk away with the top ranking if they win the tournament.

Azarenka was an early winner on Sunday, beating Iveta Benesova 6-2, 6-2 to become the first player to reach the quarterfinals.

Next up for Williams is unseeded Russian Ekaterina Makarova. After that, things are likely to get a lot tougher. Sharapova is a potential quarterfinal opponent, and Wimbledon champion Kvitova may await in the semifinals.

"I'm nowhere near where I want to be," said Williams, who came into the tournament nursing a sprained left ankle. "I'm just trying to play through it. A little rusty, just trying to play through my rust."

Sharapova and Kvitova joined Williams in advancing to the fourth round on Saturday. Between the three of them, they lost six games.

Kvitova was leading 6-0, 1-0 when Russian opponent Maria Kirilenko retired. Sharapova, who won her first two matches 6-0, 6-1, was tested for the first time and still came out with a 6-1, 6-2 win over U.S. Open semifinalist Angelique Kerber.

Like Williams, Sharapova came into the tournament short of matches. The three-time Grand Slam champion hurt her left ankle late last season and didn't play a tuneup event before the Australian Open.

"Whether it's a Grand Slam or anywhere else in the world, if you're committed to playing that tournament you have to be ready from the first match," Sharapova said.

It was a day of lopsided scorelines on Rod Laver Arena.

No. 1-ranked Novak Djokovic routed Nicolas Mahut 6-0, 6-1, 6-1 in 1 hour, 14 minutes to give the Frenchman a lousy 30th birthday present.

Mahut, who lost the longest Grand Slam match in history at 11 hours, 5 minutes at Wimbledon in 2010, was hampered by a left leg injury, but said he played because the previous matches on Rod Laver Arena were over so quickly.

"I wish him happy birthday and hopefully tonight he can enjoy it," Djokovic said.

The defending champion has won 24 straight sets at the Australian Open, and has lost 10 games in his first three matches this time.

"I always played well in Australia. This is the only Grand Slam I won twice," he said. "The conditions are great. They're very suitable to my style of the game, day and night. I'm really looking forward to next week."

Djokovic likely gets an evening slot for his fourth-round match against Lleyton Hewitt. The 30-year-old Australian downed promising Canadian Milos Raonic 4-6, 6-3, 7-6 (5), 6-3 in Saturday's final match of the day before a raucous home crowd.

Playing in his 16th straight Australian Open, Hewitt needed three match points in the final game to close out the win and become the first wild card entry to reach the fourth round in Melbourne since Mats Wilander in 1994.

"It's just a game," Hewitt said. "But it's a bloody big game."

No. 2-ranked Rafael Nadal and No. 3 Roger Federer are back on court in a Sunday schedule that features a repeat of the 2011 women's final between Kim Clijsters and Li Na. Federer is up against Australian teenager Bernard Tomic. Nadal faces fellow Spaniard Felicano Lopez.

No. 4-ranked Andy Murray, beaten in the last two Australian finals, brushed aside Michael Llodra 6-4, 6-2, 6-0 Saturday to leave France with two players in the draw, having started the day with six.

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga was the other Frenchman to advance. The 2008 finalist beat Frederico Gil of Portugal 6-2, 6-2, 6-2.

He will play Kei Nishikori, the first Japanese man to reach the fourth round in Melbourne in the Open era. Mikhail Kukushkin, who beat an ailing Gael Monfils in five sets, will be the first man from Kazakhstan to play a round of 16 match at a Grand Slam when he faces Murray.

Williams is frequently the only American left in a tournament, and it doesn't bother her.

"I really don't think when I go out there that I'm the last American," she said. "I just think I'm trying to come in here and win this match, play this girl. That's all I really think about."

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/347875155d53465d95cec892aeb06419/Article_2012-01-21-TEN-Australian-Open/id-7d8bb05712454befb73eae90033b7516

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Video: Press Pass with Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter and Washington D.C. Mayor Vincent Gray

High stakes in South Carolina, where Republicans there have picked the party?s eventual nominee for the last 32 years. We?ll have complete analysis of the crucial contest and breakdown the results, including what they will mean for the road ahead. Joining us: Host of MSNBC?s ?Morning Joe,? Joe Scarborough, Republican strategist Mike Murphy, the BBC?s Katty Kay, and NBC News Political Director Chuck Todd.

Source: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3032608/vp/46064556#46064556

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Is pork safe? High levels of MRSA bacteria in U.S. retail meat products, study suggests

ScienceDaily (Jan. 20, 2012) ? Retail pork products in the U.S. have a higher prevalence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus bacteria (MRSA) than previously identified, according to new research by the University of Iowa College of Public Health and the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy.

MRSA can occur in the environment and in raw meat products, and is estimated to cause around 185,000 cases of food poisoning each year. The bacteria can also cause serious, life-threatening infections of the bloodstream, skin, lungs and other organs. MRSA is resistant to a number of antibiotics.

The study, published Jan. 19 in the online science journal PLoS ONE, represents the largest sampling of raw meat products for MRSA contamination to date in the U.S. The researchers collected 395 raw pork samples from 36 stores in Iowa, Minnesota and New Jersey. Of these samples, 26 -- or about 7 percent -- carried MRSA.

"This study shows that the meat we buy in our grocery stores has a higher prevalence of staph than we originally thought," says lead study author Tara Smith, Ph.D., interim director of the UI Center for Emerging and Infectious Diseases and assistant professor of epidemiology. "With this knowledge, we can start to recommend safer ways to handle raw meat products to make it safer for the consumer."

The study also found no significant difference in MRSA contamination between conventional pork products and those raised without antibiotics or antibiotic growth promotants.

"We were surprised to see no significant difference in antibiotic-free and conventionally produced pork," Smith says. "Though it's possible that this finding has more to do with the handling of the raw meat at the plant than the way the animals were raised, it's certainly worth exploring further."

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Journal Reference:

1. Ashley M. O'Brien, Blake M. Hanson, Sarah A. Farina, James Y. Wu, Jacob E. Simmering, Shylo E. Wardyn, Brett M. Forshey, Marie E. Kulick, David B. Wallinga, Tara C. Smith. MRSA in Conventional and Alternative Retail Pork Products. PLoS ONE, 2012; 7 (1): e30092 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0030092

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://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120120182427.htm

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Verizon's Droid RAZR gets violet coat of paint, price tumbles to $200 on contract

Motorola has already unveiled the RAZR's bigger, battery-savvy brother, the Maxx, but it's not yet done with the original kevlar-skinned smartphone. Yes, the RAZR will get a color palette refresh for the new year, with Verizon readying a metallic purple edition for just under $200 -- that's a hundred bucks less than what Big Red hopes you'll lay down for the newer Maxx. Like its white and black siblings, it will shed the 16GB SD card that arrived with the first issue RAZR, leaving 16GB of built-in storage. You'll be able to ogle at that puce wafer-thin profile when it arrives on January 23rd. Verizon's self-congratulatory fanfare is after the break.

Continue reading Verizon's Droid RAZR gets violet coat of paint, price tumbles to $200 on contract

Verizon's Droid RAZR gets violet coat of paint, price tumbles to $200 on contract originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 19 Jan 2012 20:47:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/19/verizons-droid-razr-gets-violet-coat-of-paint-price-tumbles-to/

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Apple announces free iBooks Author OS X app for publishing books to the App Store

We're here at Apple's education-themed event at the Guggenheim museum in New York City, and the company's just followed up its long-awaited textbook announcement with something unexpected: iBooks Author, a free OS X program for creating books. The intent is really for teachers and other educators to produce educational materials, but Apple says the format can apply to any genre. Aside from the free part, the real story here is ease of use, with the ability to drag and drop photos, videos and even Microsoft Word files into various templates. If you use Apple's own suite of office apps, in particular, you can drag and drop a Keynote presentation into the doc, and it'll live on as an interactive widget. (You can whip up other widgets, too, though you'll need to know Javascript or HTML.)

Moving beyond the main text, authors can also arrange glossaries by highlighting and clicking words, and clicking again to add a definition. In a surprise move, Apple also said authors can publish straight to the store, though we're waiting for clarification that textbook writers and other scribes are actually exempt from Cupertino's notorious approval process. In any case, the app is available now in the App Store (for OS X Lion only, sadly) so you can cracking on that definitive Kurt Vonnegut glossary you never knew you had in you.

Update: We've got our hands-on up!
Update 2: Apple has confirmed some key approval and revenue-sharing details. First, authors will be subject to the same App Store approval process as developers. Writers can offer their books for free, or for as much as $14.99 -- the same price cap for textbooks sold in the store. And, like developers, authors must agree to a 70/30 revenue split, with writers pocketing 70 percent after Apple takes its share.

Gallery: iBooks Author

Continue reading Apple announces free iBooks Author OS X app for publishing books to the App Store

Apple announces free iBooks Author OS X app for publishing books to the App Store originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 19 Jan 2012 10:21:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/19/apple-announces-ibooks-author-app-for-os-x/

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Factory strength propels economy into 2012 (Reuters)

WASHINGTON (Reuters) ? U.S. factory output in December grew at the fastest pace in a year and homebuilder sentiment improved this month, further evidence the economy entered the new year on firmer footing.

Inflationary pressures also remained in check as wholesale prices slipped last month, which could give the Federal Reserve leeway to respond to an anticipated slowdown in growth in the first half of 2012.

Factories boosted output by 0.9 percent last month, pushing total industrial production 0.4 percent higher, the Federal Reserve said.

"Manufacturing really outperformed. That shows a good ramp-up in terms of industrial production, which is good news," said Eric Green, an economist at TD Securities in New York.

Manufacturing has been one of the main drivers of growth since the end of the 2007-09 recession, and the latest data add to a picture of an economy expected to have expanded at around a 3 percent annual pace in the fourth quarter.

Last year, the economy added the most manufacturing jobs since 1997.

Higher industrial production came despite a 2.7 percent plunge in utilities. In an unseasonably warm winter, it was the fifth consecutive month of declines for utilities.

The U.S. stock market largely ignored the data but shares rose on optimism the International Monetary Fund would raise more funds to fight Europe's debt crisis and after Goldman Sachs' earnings beat estimates. Prices for U.S. government debt declined.

In a separate report, U.S. homebuilder sentiment unexpectedly rose in January to its highest level in four and a half years, suggesting the nation's downtrodden housing market is starting to heal. The NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing Market index climbed to 25 from 21 in December.

The index has been improving since October, reinforcing optimism the housing market is finding a bottom and might even contribute to economic growth this year.

"I would be hardpressed to see a strong recovery, but the worst is behind us," said Josh Feinman, an economist at DB Advisors in New York.

SLOWDOWN EYED

Still, a recession widely seen to have taken hold in the euro zone and gradual fiscal tightening at home are expected to slow economic growth in the United States during the first half of this year. The Fed has left the door open to provide further support for an economy still suffering from an 8.5 percent unemployment rate.

Tame wholesale inflation would give them maneuvering room. The Labor Department said prices received by farms, factories and refineries unexpectedly fell in December, down 0.1 percent from the prior month.

Core producer prices, which exclude food and energy, rose 0.3 percent in December, lifted by higher prices for light trucks. It was the largest gain since July, but labor market weakness will make it harder for firms to pass higher costs on to consumers.

"Inflation is not on the Fed's radar screen," said Brian Dolan, chief currency strategist at Forex.com in Bedminster, New Jersey. "The Fed is more concerned about the slowness of the recovery and lack of job creation."

Energy costs for businesses fell 0.8 percent last month, with gasoline down 2.3 percent. Food prices fell 0.8 percent.

That brought the 12-month reading for producer price inflation down to 4.8 percent, a bigger drop than expected.

Nearly a third of the month-on-month gain in core prices was due to an increase in prices for light motor trucks, the Labor Department said.

(Additional reporting by Lucia Mutikani in Washington and Emily Flitter, Julie Haviv and Richard Leong in New York; Editing by Andrea Ricci)

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/economy/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20120118/bs_nm/us_usa_economy

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Hollywood Golden Age a hot look at Golden Globes (Reuters)

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) ? Timeless elegance, fitted bodices and mermaid trains ruled the Golden Globes' red carpet on Sunday as A-list celebrities channeled old-style Hollywood glamour.

Angelina Jolie looked like Grace Kelly in her white-satin Atelier Versace gown with a twist of Marlene Dietrich thanks to a red fold over collar, matching red lips and red clutch. "Modern Family" actress Sofia Vergara seemed Jayne Mansfield-esque in her strapless teal Vera Wang gown, ruffled train and Harry Winston jewels.

Charlize Theron could have passed for Lana Turner back in her heyday in Dior Couture with a plunging neckline and thigh-high slit dress, while Evan Rachel Wood was a modern-day Joan Crawford in her sparkling green Gucci Premiere gown, also with a plunging neckline.

"It's old Hollywood glamour. We've never seen this many 40s-style fit and flare dresses," said style expert and TV host Sam Saboura. "It's all about the mermaid shape, the hour-glass shape."

Saboura cited Jolie, Theron, Wood, Vergara, Reese Witherspoon, Kate Beckinsale, Rooney Mara, Salma Hayek, Elle McPherson and Debra Messing as just a handful of actresses who opted for some sort of "fit and flare" dress, many with embellished fishtails of ruffles, tules or feathers.

"So many women wore pink! " said designer Rachel Pally, referring to the likes of Theron, McPherson, Mary J. Blige, Octavia Spencer, Natalie Portman, Sarah Paulson and Heidi Klum.

"Pink is a tricky color to pull off because it can often come across as too cute or too young. But it was great to see different shades of pink, like soft blushes and pastels. They were pretty without being too sweet," Pally said.

PASTEL TO PURPLE

Saboura said pastels will be big in fashion this coming spring, as seen in the soft pinks and lavenders, but he noted that many fashion-forward stars were already skipping to fall 2012 on the red carpet, choosing to wear dark, rich colors.

Vergara, Freida Pinto, French actress Berenice Bejo, Tilda Swinton, Helen Mirren and Madeleine Stowe opted for dark blues or peacock tones. Burgundys and rich purples were favored by Michelle Williams, Viola Davis, Juliana Margulies, Emma Stone and Tina Fey, while greens were seen on Melissa McCarthy, Laura Dern and Kelly Macdonald.

"Headbands were also a trend, whether you like them or not," observed Saboura of the accessory worn by Theron and Williams. "With films like 'The Artist' and the forthcoming 'The Great Gatsby,' this is just the beginning of this type of '20s style that we're going to see."

But the consensus among experts seemed to be that Jolie's red fold over collar and matching red lips and clutch purse was among the most stunning looks of the night.

"She looked amazing," said celebrity designer Bruno Schiavi. "The top of the dress was very structured -- I bet it had some corsetry inside -- with a small train at the bottom that was not too over done. She wanted people to look at that red accent with the color red being daring, dangerous and sexy. She was very much 'Mr. & Mrs. Smith,' but not too overdone because she's still a mum."

(Reporting by Zorianna Kit; Editing by Bob Tourtellotte and Sandra Maler)

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/celebrity/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20120116/en_nm/us_goldenglobes_fashion

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PM warns violence could destabilize Romania (AP)

BUCHAREST, Romania ? More than 1,000 demonstrators jeered government austerity measures in downtown Bucharest on Monday as Romania's prime minister warned that violent clashes like those that left 59 injured over the weekend could jeopardize stability and economic growth.

Protesters who gathered in freezing temperatures for a fifth day of demonstrations chanted "Freedom!" and held banners saying "Hunger and poverty have gripped Romania!" They waved flags with the center ripped out, a symbol of the 1989 uprising against former Communist dictator Nicolae Ceausescu. A car parked in the vicinity was set on fire but firefighters put out the blaze.

There were no reports of injuries.

There were smaller protests in another dozen Romanians cities, but it was not clear how many people had gathered around the country.

On Sunday, police clashed with a small contingent of around 1,000 protesters in the capital. Tear gas and flares were used to repel demonstrators hurling stones and firebombs.

Interior minister Traian Igas said Monday that around 8,700 people attended weekend demonstrations, but only in Bucharest did the protests turn violent, when ? according to interior ministry officials ? fans of football clubs infiltrated the demonstrations and wreaked havoc in the city.

Bucharest Mayor Sorin Oprescu said the windows of shops, banks and bus stations were smashed, and street lights vandalized.

Prime Minister Emil Boc on Monday called the violence "unacceptable" and said it "cannot be tolerated." He promised, however, that a controversial health law allowing for some privatization of emergency services will be redrafted.

Boc urged Romanians to understand that tough austerity measures are needed to avoid a default. "We understand the hardships Romanians are facing. ... The crisis has been harsher than we imagined," he said.

But Monday's protesters were not convinced that the austerity measures were necessary.

"We are staying here, even though it is freezing cold," said one protester who identified himself only as Radu, wrapped in a thick coat, scarf and hat as snow fell. "We have a real backbone not like the government which turned its back on us."

The protesters included TV engineer Adrian Sobaru, who become a symbol for anti-government demonstrations after he dove from a balcony onto the floor of Romania's parliament in December 2010 to criticize austerity measures.

He said he had come to support Health Ministry official Raed Arafat ? a Palestinian with Romanian citizenship ? who resigned last week after opposing the government health care plans that sparked the current protests. "He is a moral beacon for us," Sobaru told Antena 3 TV. "He makes us proud that he is Romanian."

In 2009, Romania took a two-year euro20 billion ($27.5 billion) loan from the International Monetary Fund, the European Union and the World Bank as its economy shrank by 7.1 percent. It imposed harsh austerity measures under the agreement, reducing public wages by 25 percent and increasing taxes.

Anger has mounted over the wage cuts, slashed benefits, higher taxes and widespread corruption.

Alis Grasu of Bucharest's ambulance services said 59 people have suffered injuries during the disturbances, 23 were briefly hospitalized and three are still in the hospital. Police official Aurel Moise said about 250 people were fined for their conduct and 36 will be investigated.

Authorities urged peaceful protesters to distance themselves from troublemakers at future marches.

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/europe/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20120116/ap_on_bi_ge/eu_romania_protests

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D. Boerse, NYSE stress European nature of deal in EU letter (Reuters)

FRANKFURT (Reuters) ? Top executives at Deutsche Boerse (DB1Gne.DE) and NYSE Euronext (NYX.N) sent a letter to European Commissioners emphasizing the "European" nature of a combined company, in a bid to salvage their deal after antitrust regulators threatened to block it.

The letter was sent by NYSE Euronext Chief Executive Duncan Niederauer and Deutsche Boerse chief Reto Francioni on January 13, and was addressed to European Union Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso and also copied to the remaining 26 commissioners, a copy of the letter seen by Reuters shows.

In it, executives from Deutsche Boerse and NYSE Euronext expressed "profound concern" that blocking the takeover "would represent a serious missed opportunity at a critical juncture for Europe."

Earlier this month, European Commission antitrust regulators signaled they would recommend blocking a merger over concerns about creating a dominant player in derivatives, a source told Reuters.

Deutsche Boerse and NYSE have now focused their efforts to convince the so-called college of 27 commissioners that EU antitrust commissioner Joaquin Almunia's conclusions are wrong, and that approving the deal would help advance EU interests.

"The transaction will facilitate the effective implementation of European Union financial services regulation and offer a unique opportunity to deepen regulatory cooperation and reduce the risk of regulatory arbitrage," the letter said.

"If this combination is prohibited by the College of commissioners, the global consolidation of exchanges might very well shift the balance towards countries favoring 'light touch' regulation, which would severely endanger the European Commission's agenda," the letter continued.

In the letter Deutsche Boerse Chief Reto Francioni and NYSE Euronext head Duncan Niederauer said the new company would be domiciled in the European Union and be strictly under European supervision.

Furthermore, 80 percent of the governance of the company and

70 percent of the revenues would be generated within the European Union, the letter said.

"The new company would accelerate the integration of Europe's capital markets, and serve as the vanguard for the implementation of European Union and G20 regulatory reforms," the letter said.

The college of commissioners will give a formal ruling by February 9.

Both executives again emphasized that a review of the deal should look at the derivatives market from a global, rather than just European perspective, and should include the over-the-counter market.

"Contrary to the views expressed by the Directorate General for Competition, effective competition will continue to exist, in particular due to over-the-counter trading, the global nature of the derivatives market, and our strong global rivals.

"For instance, CME, the largest derivatives exchange in the world, competes with us directly in Europe, has more employees in Europe than NYSE Liffe and a larger interest rate derivative portfolio than our combined businesses."

The letter said Europe would be disadvantaged given that the U.S. had approved the merger of Chicago Mercantile Exchange with the Chicago Board of Trade in 2007 to create CME.

The European Commission has demanded Deutsche Boerse and NYSE sell either the Eurex derivatives arm or Liffe, a move that both exchanges have ruled out so far.

German union representatives on Wednesday said they would be pleased if the European authorities blocked the deal. "We had feared there would be grave consequences for Frankfurt as a financial centre if the deal succeeded."

(Reporting By Foo Yun Chee in Brussels; writing by Edward Taylor; Editing by Helen Massy-Beresford)

(This story is corrected in the second paragraph to reflect number of commissioners to 26, from 27)

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/stocks/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20120116/bs_nm/us_deutscheboerse_nyse

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Goodell: NFL to consider some full-time officials (AP)

BALTIMORE ? Aiming to ensure NFL rules are enforced the same way from game to game, the league will consider making about 10 officials full-time employees next season. As of now, all game officials are part-time employees.

Responding to a question about consistency in officiating while speaking to a group of about 75 fans before Sunday's playoff game between the Baltimore Ravens and Houston Texans, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said the proposal would bring a group of officials to the league offices in New York to help review game films and evaluate the calls.

They then would be spread out among the crews at games.

"Consistency is exactly what every club wants, and I think every fan wants. You want consistency in the way rules are applied," Goodell said. "We are contemplating this offseason taking some of those officials from the field who are now part time ? they have other jobs ? and making a certain number of them, let's say 10, full time."

Goodell also told the fans the rules committee will examine whether teams should be allowed to hire assistant coaches who left other teams during the same season, as happened with New England and Josh McDaniels. He returned to the Patriots in time for the playoffs after spending the regular season with the St. Louis Rams.

"We've talked to several club executives. I'm not getting a lot of reaction from the other clubs that this is unfair. They don't seem to think it's a big issue," Goodell said. "But it's something we'll talk about."

Among other topics Goodell addressed with fans, and later while speaking to reporters:

_He hopes the league and the players' union will be able to settle their differences on testing for human growth hormone before next season, but he wouldn't say he's confident that'll happen.

"There's certainly enough time. We had a meeting just on Friday between the two parties to try to address those issues," Goodell said. "We understand the issues they've raised. We've answered those questions. ... All of the scientists agree that this test is valid. So we think we have a valid test. It's been proven on a global basis. We hope to get it implemented as quickly as possible."

The new labor contract that ended the NFL lockout in August included a provision for HGH testing as soon as this season ? but only once the NFLPA approved the process. That hasn't happened, in part because the NFLPA says it needs more information about the test itself.

Asked by a reporter whether he's confident of getting a test in place for 2012, Goodell paused, then replied: "I'll tell you: Sure going to work as hard as we can to get it done, because I think it's important, not just for the game, but also for the players."

_He called the latest tweaks to concussion protocols ? including putting certified athletic trainers in booths at games to keep an eye out for possible head injuries, and adding video feeds on sidelines ? "significant improvements" and "two very positive steps."

_The new kickoff rules "achieved our objective" by reducing injuries, Goodell said.

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/sports/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20120115/ap_on_sp_fo_ne/fbn_goodell

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Video: Justice for Bonnie, Part 5

Dateline NBC

'Dateline NBC,' the signature broadcast for NBC News in primetime, premiered in 1992. Since then, it has been pioneering a new approach to primetime news programming. The multi-night franchise, supplemented by frequent specials, allows NBC to consistently and comprehensively present the highest-quality reporting, investigative features, breaking news coverage and newsmaker profiles.

Source: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3032600/vp/45991315#45991315

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Android Central Editors' app picks for Jan 14, 2012

Guess who's back?! Sorry about last week folks, we know you want your apps and all but we were busy getting ourselves ramped up for CES 2012. Either way we are back in action this week so let's hit the break together and check some out!

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Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/androidcentral/~3/A20bwmkM4ig/story01.htm

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School Has Right to Disallow High School Senior's 'Sexy' Photo (ContributorNetwork)

COMMENTARY | According to ABC News, a high school senior in Durango, Colo., has become newsworthy in the aftermath of her school's rejection of her proposed senior yearbook photo. Sydney Spies feels that her freedom of expression is being denied and has, with her family, planned to retain an attorney.

She has little ground to stand on, I think.

First of all, a high school yearbook is under no obligation to publish one's freedom of expression. If you want your photo in the book you must submit one that conforms to expectations. If you refuse to do that, you can publish your photo elsewhere: Social media, blogs, fliers about town, or even make your own yearbook.

Secondly, the yearbook allowed Spies to submit a different photo for publication in the same section of the yearbook. Spies' original photo did not get her banned from the senior photo pages. She is not, therefore, being punished in any way -- no life, liberty or property was taken from her. She is still entitled to the same few square inches under Spies, Sydney that had been granted originally.

Third, the "racy" photo in question was not destroyed or confiscated. The yearbook is allowing that same photo to be published in the yearbook ... just not under the senior pictures section. Spies' expression, in the form of her original photo, is not being altered. Only the venue has been changed, and not in a drastic way. It is the equivalent of peaceful protesters being moved two blocks from their original protest location -- annoying, yes, but not necessarily unconstitutional.

Finally, there is good reason to disallow high school seniors from testing the waters in terms of their senior photo submissions: Letting a few "racy" or "revealing" photos slip through one year could mean a multitude of questionable photos the following autumn, with each rejection eliciting outrage. Angry students and parents would descend upon district offices in a collective huff.

And aside from creating an inevitable showdown with teens who wanted more "free" poses and outfits in their senior photos, a further conflict arises with teens and parents who want modest, conservative photos. Should a conservative, modest teen have to cringe every time he or she shows his or her yearbook to parents, grandparents, and other relatives, angry that the pages are strewn with wild, wacky, and near-inappropriate photos?

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/oped/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ac/20120113/cm_ac/10816005_school_has_right_to_disallow_high_school_seniors_sexy_photo

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BeyondPod updated to include better support for ICS

Over the next little while we're slowly going to see Android 4.0 ICS rolled out to a number of devices and for some -- that may cause some havoc when it comes to app compatibility. One of the more popular podcast apps on Android, BeyondPod has now been updated to include not only better support for Ice Cream Sandwich but correct a few other issues within the app as well:

• Better support for Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich.
• BeyondPod has a new launcher icon.
• On devices running Android 2.3 and later, you can now switch between posts in the post view by swiping left or right.
• Small "face lift" of the player screen.
• Added a new option that allows videos to be automatically included in the playlist the same way audio episodes are.
• Added a new setting that allows video playback to continue when the screen is manually turned off.
• Many bug fixes.

Whether you're an already existing BeyondPod user or just looking for an ICS compatible podcast app, BeyondPod may be just what you're looking for. There is a lite and paid version available, with the lite being free and the paid version around $7. Download can be found past the break for you -- once you're done, make sure you add the best damn Android podcast in the world!

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Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/androidcentral/~3/g8YUNYHzsN8/story01.htm

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Lockedonsports: Just got off phone with NBA Scout - about the Jazz "They guys are having fun, they like playing with each other, the ball is moving .(cont)

Just got off phone with NBA Scout - about the Jazz "They guys are having fun, they like playing with each other, the ball is moving .(cont) Il y a environ 5 heures via TweetDeck

Source: http://twitter.com/Lockedonsports/statuses/156600425318072320

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