Feds deny reports Boston suspect is arrested

Investigators comb through the post finish line area of the Boston Marathon at Boylston Street, two days after two bombs exploded just before the finish line, Wednesday, April 17, 2013, in Boston. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

Investigators comb through the post finish line area of the Boston Marathon at Boylston Street, two days after two bombs exploded just before the finish line, Wednesday, April 17, 2013, in Boston. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

Investigators comb through Boylston Street just beyond the finish line of the Boston Marathon, two days after two bombs exploded, Wednesday, April 17, 2013, in Boston. Authorities investigating the deadly bombings have recovered a piece of circuit board that they believe was part of one of the explosive devices, and also found the lid of a pressure cooker that apparently was catapulted onto the roof of a nearby building, an official said Wednesday.(AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

Jillian Blenis, 30, of Boston, reacts while stopping at a makeshift memorial, Wednesday, April 17, 2013, in Boston. The city continues to cope following Monday's explosions near the finish line of the Boston Marathon. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

Cailly Carroll reads signs posted on a barricade, Wednesday, April 17, 2013, in Boston. The city continues to cope following Monday's explosions near the finish line of the Boston Marathon. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

Robert Bakoian, 38, of Boston, reflects near a makeshift memorial on Boylston Street, Wednesday, April 17, 2013, in Boston. The city continues to cope following Monday's explosions near the finish line of the Boston Marathon. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

BOSTON (AP) ? Police and reporters converged on the federal courthouse in Boston on Wednesday amid conflicting reports of whether a suspect was in custody in the marathon bombings that killed three people and wounded more than 170.

Several media outlets reported earlier in the day that a suspect had been identified from surveillance video taken at a Lord & Taylor store between the sites of the two bomb blasts.

A law enforcement official briefed on the investigation told The Associated Press that a suspect was in custody. The official, who was not authorized to divulge details of the investigation, said the suspect was expected in federal court.

But FBI and the U.S. attorney's office in Boston said no arrests had been made.

"Contrary to widespread reporting, there have been no arrests made in connection with the Boston Marathon attack," the FBI said in a statement. "Over the past day and a half, there have been a number of press reports based on information from unofficial sources that has been inaccurate. Since these stories often have unintended consequences, we ask the media, particularly at this early stage of the investigation, to exercise caution and attempt to verify information through appropriate official channels before reporting."

The official who spoke to the AP did so on condition of anonymity and stood by the information even after it was disputed. A news briefing was scheduled later Wednesday.

Law enforcement agencies had earlier pleaded for the public to come forward with photos, videos or any information that might help them solve the twin bombings. Police also gathered surveillance video from businesses around the finish line.

The bombs were made from ordinary kitchen pressure cookers packed with explosives, nails and ball bearings to inflict maximum carnage, investigators and others close to the case said. But the FBI said nobody had claimed responsibility.

Investigators in white jumpsuits had fanned out across the streets, rooftops and awnings around the blast site in search of clues on Wednesday. They combed through debris amid the toppled orange sports drink dispensers, trash cans and sleeves of plastic cups strewn across the street at the marathon's finish line.

President Barack Obama branded the attack an act of terrorism. Obama plans to attend an interfaith service Thursday in the victims' honor in Boston.

Scores of victims of the Boston bombing remained in hospitals, many with grievous injuries. Doctors who treated the wounded corroborated reports that the bombs were packed with shrapnel intended to cause mayhem. In addition to the 5-year-old child, a 9-year-old girl and 10-year-old boy were among 17 victims listed in critical condition.

The trauma surgery chief at Boston Medical Center says most of the injuries his hospital treated after the marathon bombings were to the legs.

"We have a lot of lower extremity injuries, so I think the damage was low to the ground and wasn't up," Dr. Peter Burke said. "The patients who do have head injuries were blown into things or were hit by fragments that went up."

Dozens of patients have been released from hospitals around the Boston area.

At Massachusetts General Hospital, all four amputations performed there were above the knee, with no hope of saving more of the legs, said Dr. George Velmahos, chief of trauma surgery.

"It wasn't a hard decision to make," he said Tuesday. "We just completed the ugly job that the bomb did."

The bombs exploded 10 or more seconds apart, tearing off victims' limbs and spattering streets with blood. The blasts near the finish line instantly turned the festive race into a hellish scene of confusion, horror and heroics.

The blasts killed 8-year-old Martin Richard, of Boston, and 29-year-old Krystle Campbell, of Medford. The Shenyang Evening News, a state-run Chinese newspaper, identified the third victim as Lu Lingzi. She was a graduate student at Boston University.

___

Associated Press writers Jay Lindsay, Pat Eaton-Robb, Steve LeBlanc, Bridget Murphy, Rodrique Ngowi and Meghan Barr in Boston; Eileen Sullivan, Julie Pace and Lara Jakes in Washington; Paisley Dodds in London; Lee Keath in Cairo; and Marilynn Marchione in Milwaukee contributed to this report along with investigative researcher Randy Herschaft in New York.

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/386c25518f464186bf7a2ac026580ce7/Article_2013-04-17-Boston%20Marathon-Explosions/id-28bc32c18f7c4c7d9e45c96486815b04

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Australians rejoice after Scott's Masters victory

Adam Scott, left, of Australia, is congratulated by Angel Cabrera, of Argentina, after making a birdie putt on the second playoff hole to win the Masters golf tournament Sunday, April 14, 2013, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Adam Scott, left, of Australia, is congratulated by Angel Cabrera, of Argentina, after making a birdie putt on the second playoff hole to win the Masters golf tournament Sunday, April 14, 2013, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Adam Scott and his caddie Steve Williams reacts to his putt dropping on the second hole of a playoff to win the Masters golf tournament, Sunday, April 14, 2013, in Augusta. Runner-up Angel Cabrera watches in the background. Scott became the first Australian to win the Masters. (AP Photo/Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Curtis Compton) MARIETTA DAILY OUT; GWINNETT DAILY POST OUT; LOCAL TV OUT; WXIA-TV OUT; WGCL-TV OUT

Jason Day, of Australia, reacts after missing a birdie putt on the 18th hole during the fourth round of the Masters golf tournament Sunday, April 14, 2013, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Marc Leishman, of Australia, hits out of a bunker on the second hole during the fourth round of the Masters golf tournament Sunday, April 14, 2013, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/David Goldman)

Bubba Watson, left, helps Adam Scott, of Australia, put on his green jacket after winning the Masters golf tournament Sunday, April 14, 2013, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

BRISBANE, Australia (AP) ? The roar that followed Adam Scott's Masters-winning putt at Augusta National could only be heard on the television broadcast so many thousand miles away on Australia's east coast.

But distance doesn't really matter Down Under.

Within seconds of Scott's 12-foot putt finding the cup on the second playoff hole at Augusta, fans who had been awake since dawn Monday and were either on their way ? or purposely late ? to work did a lot of celebrating on their own.

Commuters cheered on buses, and car horns tooted. Even a radio interview with the prime minister on the national broadcaster was interrupted to give updates on the Masters ? well before the result was known.

Golf fans everywhere in this sports-mad country rejoiced.

Shopkeepers at Peregian Beach, near a resort course designed by Adam's father, Phil Scott, spoke of the pride of having a Masters champion from their neck of the woods.

No Australian had ever won the green jacket, although a lot had come close at Augusta. The 32-year-old Scott tied for second with fellow Australian Jason Day two years ago.

It almost seemed as though it wouldn't happen and Greg Norman, himself on the receiving end of so many painful Masters memories, wondered if the heavens had decreed that an Australian would never win at Augusta.

Scott thought he had the Masters, and his first major title, clinched when he made a 20-foot birdie putt on the 72nd hole of regulation and was sitting in the scoring room waiting for Angel Cabrera to finish off his round in the final group Sunday.

But Cabrera produced a great shot of his own, a 7-iron to 3 feet for birdie on 18 to force a playoff.

"The golf gods can't be this cruel to Australia," Norman said in a text to friends who were watching nervously.

The preparations for a possible Australian win began overnight Sunday on social media, hours before Scott, Day and fellow Australian Mark Leishman began the day as three of the top five on the leaderboard.

Aussie golf fans even developed their own Twitter hashtag: itsourtime. And Scott obviously thought it was, too.

Tom Watson, who missed the cut at Augusta this year, tweeted: "You showed great courage Adam ... and resiliency from last year's disappointment at Lytham." Scott bogeyed the last four holes last year to lose the British Open by a shot to Ernie Els.

Jarrod Lyle, an Australian golfer recovering from leukemia, posted: "you (censored) beauty Scotty. Great win well deserved."

Jessica Korda, a member of the LPGA tour who won last year's Women's Australian Open, tweeted: "Adam Scott!!!!!!!!!!!!!! A million girls just fell in love."

Scott and Day came close to winning in 2011 at Augusta, but were left stranded by South African champion Charl Schwartzel's late run of four consecutive birdies.

Another Australian, 2006 U.S. Open champion Geoff Ogilvy, was also in the hunt that year, but finished tied for fourth, four shots behind. Surprisingly, Ogilvy didn't qualify this year.

Norman made an art form out of not winning at Augusta. In 1986, Jack Nicklaus shot a 30 on the back nine to take the green jacket from him. In 1987, Larry Mize chipped in from 140 feet during a playoff to leave Norman second. In 1996, a six-shot lead over Nick Faldo wasn't enough when Norman shot a final-round 78.

In his victory speech Sunday night, Scott was gracious in thanking his mentor: "Greg Norman has been incredible to me and all the young golfers in Australia. Part of this definitely belongs to him."

Reached at his home in south Florida, Norman told The Associated Press: "I'm over the moon. Sitting there watching Adam, I had a tear in my eye. That's what it was all about. It was Adam doing it for himself, and for the country."

Norman was so nervous watching TV that he said he went to the gym when the final group made the turn. He headed home for the last four holes and was texting with friends as his emotions shifted with every putt.

"I can only imagine how everyone else felt when I was playing," Norman said.

Australian politicians quickly got in on the act, with Prime Minister Julia Gillard saying: "By any measure this is a historic day for Australian sport." Sports Minister Kate Lundy said the high-profile win would inspire other Australians to take up the sport as golf returns to the Olympics at Rio in 2016.

Keith Urban, the Nashville-based country music star who grew up in Queensland state not far from Scott, tweeted: "ADAM SCOTT!!!! You are the man! Congrats mate. -KU."

A lot of Urban's mates appeared to agree, with nearly 400 congratulatory Scott retweets sent out. A tweet from British boy band One Direction member Niall Horan was retweeted 12,000 times in less than three hours.

"Yeaaahhhh Adam Scott ya legend! Doin it for the Aussies!" Horan said.

The win seemed to transcend all sports in Australia, with former star cricketer Shane Warne describing Scott's winning putt as "absolutely awesome." Rugby union international Quade Cooper hashtagged "fistpump" and said Scott's new piece of wardrobe was the "coolest green jacket going around."

There was a minor faux pas Monday from the sport's national governing body, the PGA of Australia. Late in the final round, it sent out a tweet saying: "We need a mistake from the big hitting Argentine down 13."

A few minutes later, the PGA was criticized by a California follower: "Really? (hash)badsportsmanship."

The PGA of Australia quickly tweeted a reply: "We shouldn't wish bad luck for anyone and the previous tweet was bad sportsmanship Clearly let our enthusiasm get in the way."

Cabrera hit into the creek on the 13th and later bogeyed the hole to fall out of the lead.

Social media was set to be the haven for suggestions for next year's champions dinner at Augusta, with Scott getting to call the shots on the menu.

Will it be crocodile canap?s, emu burgers, kangaroo steaks or even koala-shaped cupcakes for dessert? Whatever, it should probably be pretty interesting after waiting all these years.

___

AP Golf Writer Doug Ferguson contributed to this story from Augusta, Georgia.

___

Follow Dennis Passa on Twitter: http://twitter.com/DennisPassa

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/347875155d53465d95cec892aeb06419/Article_2013-04-15-GLF-Masters-Australian-Reaction/id-021861c69f504b398d22b0aa602fcd9b

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TSX posts year's biggest jump on upbeat China data

By John Tilak

TORONTO (Reuters) - Canada's main stock index recorded its biggest one-day percentage jump in more than four months on Tuesday as positive economic data from China fueled hopes for a global economic recovery and drove gains in the material and energy sectors.

The sharpest reaction came from gold producers, which were buoyed by a rise in the price of bullion and jumped 3.4 percent.

China's annual consumer inflation cooled in March as food prices eased from nine-month highs and producer price deflation deepened.

The data further lifted other commodity prices such as oil and put the resource-heavy Toronto market, which is sensitive to developments in China, in positive territory for the second straight day after a five-day losing streak in which it lost 3.3 percent.

The benchmark Canadian index also turned positive on the year after slipping into negative territory last week.

"The news about China's inflation being subdued means the monetary policy out there will continue to be easy and the Chinese economy continues to do well," said Elvis Picardo, strategist and vice president of research at Global Securities in Vancouver.

"Anything that gives us some indication that the Chinese economy is on solid footing should be positive for the TSX," he added.

The Toronto Stock Exchange's S&P/TSX composite index <.gsptse> closed up 139.49 points, or 1.13 percent, at 12,484.05. That was the index's biggest one-day jump since November 19, 2012.

"This is a very welcome bounce in the TSX, but I'm not sure how long it will last," Picardo said.

He said seasonal volatility and profit-taking in May were likely to weigh on the market.

The benchmark Canadian index has badly lagged the rallies of its U.S. peers. Its 0.4 percent rise this year pales in comparison with an almost 10 percent jump in the S&P 500.

Nine of the 10 main sectors on the index were higher on Tuesday.

The materials sector, which includes mining stocks, advanced 2.4 percent.

Gold stocks, down 20 percent since the start of the year, provided support. Goldcorp Inc added 3.3 percent to C$32.97 and Barrick Gold Corp rose 1.5 percent to C$27.16.

Agrium Inc shares fell about 3 percent after the fertilizer maker said its entire slate of directors had been elected to its board, defeating a rival slate nominated by dissident U.S. shareholder Jana Partners.

Energy shares were up 2.4 percent as the price of oil made its biggest gain since late December. Suncor Energy Inc rose 3.1 percent to C$29.84 and played the biggest role of any single stock in leading the market higher.

Financials, the index's weightiest sector, gained 0.7 percent.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/tsx-may-open-higher-chinese-data-u-earnings-122616582--sector.html

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Blame it on the rain (from Saturn's rings): More charged water particles fall than thought

Apr. 10, 2013 ? A new study tracks the "rain" of charged water particles into the atmosphere of Saturn and finds there is more of it and it falls across larger areas of the planet than previously thought. The study, whose observations were funded by NASA and whose analysis was led by the University of Leicester, England, reveals that the rain influences the composition and temperature structure of parts of Saturn's upper atmosphere.

The paper appears in this week's issue of the journal Nature.

"Saturn is the first planet to show significant interaction between its atmosphere and ring system," said James O'Donoghue, the paper's lead author and a postgraduate researcher at Leicester. "The main effect of ring rain is that it acts to 'quench' the ionosphere of Saturn. In other words, this rain severely reduces the electron densities in regions in which it falls."

O'Donoghue explains that the ring's effect on electron densities is important because it explains why, for many decades, observations have shown those densities to be unusually low at certain latitudes on Saturn. The study also helps scientists better understand the origin and evolution of Saturn's ring system and changes in the planet's atmosphere.

"It turns out that a major driver of Saturn's ionospheric environment and climate across vast reaches of the planet are ring particles located some 36,000 miles [60,000 kilometers] overhead," said Kevin Baines, a co-author on the paper, based at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif. "The ring particles affect both what species of particles are in this part of the atmosphere and where it is warm or cool."

In the early 1980s, images from NASA's Voyager spacecraft showed two to three dark bands on Saturn, and scientists theorized that water could have been showering down into those bands from the rings. Those bands were not seen again until this team observed the planet in near-infrared wavelengths with the W.M Keck Observatory on Mauna Kea, in Hawaii, in April 2011. The effect was difficult to discern because it involves looking for a subtle emission from bright parts of Saturn. It required an instrument like that on Keck, which can split up a large range of light.

The ring rain's effect occurs in Saturn's ionosphere, where charged particles are produced when the otherwise neutral atmosphere is exposed to a flow of energetic particles or solar radiation. When the scientists tracked the pattern of emissions of a particular hydrogen ion with three protons (triatomic hydrogen), they expected to see a uniform planet-wide infrared glow. What they observed instead was a series of light and dark bands -- with areas of reduced emission corresponding to water-dense portions of Saturn's rings and areas of high emission corresponding to gaps in the rings.

They surmised that charged water particles from the planet's rings were being drawn towards the planet along Saturn's magnetic field lines and were neutralizing the glowing triatomic hydrogen ions. This leaves large "shadows" in what would otherwise be a planet-wide infrared glow. These shadows cover some 30 to 43 percent of the planet's upper atmosphere surface from around 25 to 55 degrees latitude. This is a significantly larger area than suggested by images from NASA's Voyager mission.

Both Earth and Jupiter have an equatorial region that glows very uniformly. Scientists expected this pattern at Saturn, too, but they instead saw dramatic differences at different latitudes.

"Where Jupiter is glowing evenly across its equatorial regions, Saturn has dark bands where the water is falling in, darkening the ionosphere," said Tom Stallard, a paper co-author at Leicester. "We're now also trying to investigate these features with an instrument on NASA's Cassini spacecraft. If we're successful, Cassini may allow us to view in more detail the way that water is removing ionized particles, such as any changes in the altitude or effects that come with the time of day."

Keck observing time was funded by NASA, with a letter of support from the Cassini mission to Saturn. The Cassini-Huygens mission is a cooperative project of NASA, the European Space Agency, and the Italian Space Agency. The mission is managed by JPL for NASA's Science Mission Directorate, Washington. JPL is a division of the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena, Calif.

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The above story is reprinted from materials provided by NASA.

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

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Journal Reference:

1. J. O?Donoghue, T. S. Stallard, H. Melin, G. H. Jones, S. W. H. Cowley, S. Miller, K. H. Baines, J. S. D. Blake. The domination of Saturn?s low-latitude ionosphere by ring ?rain?. Nature, 2013; 496 (7444): 193 DOI: 10.1038/nature12049

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

Disclaimer: Views expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect those of ScienceDaily or its staff.

Source: http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/top_news/top_science/~3/AETAq5Ayll0/130410202315.htm

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Chrome Beta for Android adds fullscreen for phones, tab history on tablets

Chrome Beta for Android just hit version 27 today, delivering with it a few nice enhancements to what is already arguably the best mobile browser on the market. The two biggest tweaks are the ability to view your tab history on the tablet version by holding down the browser back button and the addition of a fullscreen mode on the phone. Scrolling down to make the address bar disappear on a handset is a extremely welcome change. A lack of fullscreen browsing was one of the few quirks of Chrome that occasionally had us contemplating a return to the stock Android browser. There are a couple of other, less notable, tweaks such as support for client side certificates. The Omnibar will also now continue to display any search terms you enter, instead of the URL for the results. You can see the full change log at the source and download Chrome Beta for Android at the more coverage link.

Filed under: Internet, Software, Mobile, Google

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Source: Chrome Releases

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/04/10/chrome-beta-adds-fullscreen-mode/

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United Airlines plans earlier flights with Boeing 787

(Reuters) - United Airlines said on Tuesday that it planned to begin flying Boeing's 787 Dreamliner five days sooner than previously expected, a sign of confidence in the jet's return to service after regulators grounded it in January over safety concerns.

United, a unit of United Continental Holdings Inc , said it planned to use Boeing's newest jet on its Denver-Houston route starting May 31 and on the Denver-Tokyo's Narita route beginning on June 10.

The airline will make additional schedule changes as the timeline for certification and modification work becomes clearer, spokeswoman Christen David said.

David could not provide further details or say why the airline moved up its scheduled use of the jet. She also did not say would happen if the jet is not ready for use by May 31.

In February, United dropped the Dreamliner from its schedule through June 5, except for a Denver-Tokyo route tentatively scheduled for May. Many of the eight other airlines that own the jet also dropped it from their schedules.

Regulators banned the Dreamliner from flight on January 16 after lithium-ion batteries overheated on two jets that month. The jet has not flown commercial service since.

The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration gave Boeing permission for a single "ferry" flight on February 7 and on March 12 allowed the company to conduct a body of tests designed to show its redesigned battery system was safe.

On Friday, Boeing made a test flight with the modified system, completing initial testing of it.

The FAA said on Monday that it expected formal data from Boeing's tests to arrive shortly. Boeing declined to say whether it had submitted the data.

"While testing is completed, we are engaged with the FAA to reply to additional requests and continue dialog to ensure we have met all of their expectations," Boeing spokesman Marc Birtel said.

It was not clear if other airlines are scheduling 787 service.

LOT Polish Airways said it would not fly the jet until October. The airline could not be reached for comment.

A spokesman for Qatar Airways said the airline was waiting for the FAA to clear the 787 for flight before disclosing plans.

Japan's All Nippon Airways , the largest 787 owner, said late last month that it also was taking reservations for flights on the jet for June, but might decide to use different planes. A spokeswoman for Japan Airlines referred questions to Tokyo.

Shares of United Continental were up 0.1 percent at $30.10 in midday trading, while Boeing fell 0.4 percent to $86.40.

(Reporting by Nivedita Bhattacharjee in Chicago; Editing by Alwyn Scott, Lisa Von Ahn and Eric Walsh)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/united-airlines-plans-fly-boeing-787-dreamliner-early-162307600--finance.html

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Local High School student wins ECCB Business Innovation Contest ...

A fifth form student from the Montserrat Secondary School (MSS) has captured the top spot in a sub-regional competition.

Gas prices fall to $3 a gallon in some markets

Paul A. Eisenstein , The Detroit Bureau ? ? ? 11 hrs.

If your wallet is still hurting from the painfully high fuel prices much of the country experienced over the winter there?s some good news next time you head to the pump.

The average price of a gallon of regular unleaded gas has dipped to just $3.58, a three-cent dip since late last week, 15 cents from a month ago, and 36 cents off of what the typical American motorist was spending this time in 2012.

That?s a sharp turnaround from February when some states saw gas surge to near or all-time records, particularly along the West Coast.

The Detroit Bureau: Are Wagons Ready for Revival?

Buyers are still paying an average $4.359 in Hawaii and $4.027 in Washington, D.C., but California is back under the $4 mark, at $3.998, according to GasBuddy.com, a fuel price tracking service. And it?s down to $3.286 in Montana ? where motorists are paying just $3.261 in Billings.

Some reports indicate that the price has dropped below the $3 mark in a few Rocky Mountain communities near major refineries. And GasBuddy is forecasting still ?more markets? will dip under that break point in the coming days.

The Detroit Bureau: Fisker Fiasco Worsens

While crude prices posted some gains in early Monday trading, petroleum futures have been in sharp decline for several weeks. One key reason, reports the federal Energy Information Administration is that the country?s inventories are now at a 22-year peak.

The U.S. has been rapidly ramping up oil production for several years and is expected to actually be a larger producer than Saudi Arabia and other OPEC providers by mid-decade. That doesn't necessarily translate into lower prices, as petroleum is traded as a global commodity. But despite concerns about Mideast instability ? notably reductions in production in war-torn Syria ? there appears to be a good supply, if not a glut of the black gold now available around the world.

The Detroit Bureau: Germans May Give UAW Breakthrough Chance to Unionize VW "Transplant"

According to Tom Kloza, chief analyst with the Oil Price Information Service, only a major ?disruption in the Mideast? would likely provoke a sharp spike in fuel prices around the world.

That said, analysts warn that Americans can?t be complacent. Traders continue trying to push up the price of crude. And as U.S. motorists have been seeing, regional spikes are becoming more common. That can follow the changeover from summer to winter fuel blends designed to reduce regional air pollution problems. It can also result from maintenance and other issues, such as those that affected large swaths of the Midwest and Pacific Coast over the last year.

Even in areas where prices top the national charts today, the figures are significantly down from year-ago levels ? when California stood at $4.28 a gallon, for example.

The Detroit Bureau: Ford Reveals Alternatives for F-150

The sudden decline in gas prices may be fueling a shift in the U.S. new car market, meanwhile. Sales of pickups, in particular, surged during March and light trucks outsold passenger cars on the whole, despite recent trends moving in the opposite direction.

Copyright ? 2009-2013, The Detroit Bureau

Source: http://feeds.nbcnews.com/c/35002/f/653351/s/2a7a3c1d/l/0L0Snbcnews0N0Cbusiness0Cgas0Eprices0Efall0E30Egallon0Esome0Emarkets0E1C9255115/story01.htm

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Monday in politics: Obama takes gun violence campaign to Conn., and more

President Barack Obama heads to Connecticut on Monday to continue his push for ?common-sense measures to reduce gun violence.?

Obama will speak at the University of Hartford, and he?ll also meet with families affected by the deadly shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown last December.

[Gun control fight in focus for President Obama]

The Senate could take up gun-control legislation this week, but it is unclear if Republicans will let it come to a vote. Sens. Rand Paul, Mike Lee and Ted Cruz have threatened to filibuster legislation that would ?infringe on the American people's constitutional right to bear arms, or on their ability to exercise this right without being subjected to government surveillance."

Also worth noting on Monday: Secretary of State John Kerry continues a three-day visit to Israel and the West Bank aimed at restarting peace talks; Secretary of the Treasury Jack Lew begins a two-day visit to Europe for discussions on economic developments in the region; and the Senate returns after its Easter recess.

Immigration also will be a top topic in Washington this week. Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said Sunday he thinks the bipartisan Gang of Eight will have its immigration plan completed by the end of the week.

[Immigration plan will be ready this week, Sen. Chuck Schumer says]

The other big topic this week: Obama?s 2014 fiscal budget, which White House senior adviser Dan Pfeiffer said Sunday will not make Republicans or Democrats entirely happy. Meanwhile, reporters are invited Monday to watch copies of the budget running on binding lines at the Government Printing Office, and they?ll get an early look at the mobile web app for the budget.

[Obama aide: Budget will make both parties unhappy]

And then there is this: Former President Bill Clinton makes his first appearance on ?The Colbert Report? at 11:30 p.m. ET Monday.

Sources: Yahoo News? The Ticket, ABC News, Associated Press and Reuters.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/ticket/monday-politics-obama-takes-gun-violence-campaign-conn-095729873--election.html

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Senate nears gun debate, background checks pivotal

WASHINGTON (AP) ? Congress returns Monday from a two-week spring recess with gun control and immigration high on the Senate's agenda.

Senators could start debating Democratic-written gun legislation before week's end. But leaders also might decide to give negotiators more time to seek a deal on expanding background checks for firearms buyers.

Passing the expanded background checks would be viewed as a victory for gun-control advocates after Democratic leaders made it clear that supporters were nowhere close to getting a majority of votes in favor of reinstituting an assault weapons ban.

Both measures have been a priority for President Barack Obama since the Dec. 14 shooting at an elementary school in Newtown, Conn. On Monday Obama travels to Connecticut to again make the case for gun legislation, with a speech at the University of Hartford.

"He's been working with both sides to try to get the strongest bill we can that has enforceable background checks," White House senior adviser Dan Pfeiffer said Sunday on ABC's "This Week."

The National Rifle Association opposes both the assault weapons ban and the expanded background checks.

Short of unanimous support in their own party, Democratic senators have been unable to strike a deal with Republicans for the votes they would need to push background check legislation through the chamber. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., might delay debate to give bargainers more time, underscoring how crucial the proposal is to the gun control drive.

"If we go to the floor, I'm still hopeful that what I call the sweet spot ? background checks ? can succeed," Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said Sunday, referring to the start of debate by the full Senate. "We're working hard there."

Dan Gross, president of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, called the measure "the most pivotal piece" of Democrats' gun legislation.

Also high on Congress' agenda is immigration, where a decisive moment is approaching.

Bipartisan groups in the House and Senate are expected to present legislation as early as this week aimed at securing the U.S. border, fixing legal immigration and granting legal status to millions who are in the United States without authorization. That will open months of debate on the politically combustible issue, with votes by the Senate Judiciary Committee expected later this month.

The House is looking at a busy, if more low-profile agenda in the coming weeks.

In its first week back, the House will consider a bill that would prevent the National Labor Relations Board from issuing rules until a dispute over administration appointees is resolved.

Among the bills that could see action in later weeks is a measure requiring the Treasury to pay principle and interest on debt held by the public if the nation's borrowing limit is reached but not extended.

Other measures would prioritize pediatric research to assist children with autism and give workers greater flexibility to choose paid time off instead of overtime pay.

Lawmakers will devote much time to the 2014 budget proposal that Obama plans to release on Wednesday. It calls for both new tax increases, which Republicans oppose, and smaller annual increases in Social Security and other government benefit programs, over the objections of many of the president's fellow Democrats.

Even with a background check deal, Senate debate on gun legislation may begin at a slow crawl with some conservatives promising delays and forced procedural votes. Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., on Sunday urged fellow Republicans to allow debate to go forward, even as he declined to express support for a background check bill.

"I don't understand it. The purpose of the United States Senate is to debate and to vote and to let the people know where we stand," McCain said, appearing alongside Schumer on CBS' "Face the Nation."

There's a strong chance the first votes won't occur until at least mid-April.

Until Democrats come out with the final shape of their background check measure, gun control advocates nervously are tracking the private negotiations, worried their allies might cut a deal that goes too far.

"We want a vote on the issues, we don't want them watered down so they're unrecognizable," said Joshua Horwitz, executive director of the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence. "If they can't vote for it, let the American people judge them on that. Don't let a dumbed-down bill be the outcome of this."

The Senate gun legislation would toughen federal laws against illegal firearms sales, including against straw purchasers, or those who buy firearms for criminals or others barred from owning them. The legislation also would provide $40 million a year, a modest increase from current levels of $30 million, for a federal program that helps schools take safety measures such as reinforcing classroom doors.

Omitted from the bill are bans on assault weapons and high capacity ammunition magazines, both factors in the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School. Those bans were approved last month by the Senate Judiciary panel. Reid has said he will allow both to be offered as amendments by their sponsor, Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., but neither seems likely to survive.

Many experts agree that the proposal with the widest potential reach is a broadening of background checks, now required only for transactions by the roughly 55,000 federally licensed firearms dealers. Proponents want to cover private sales, such as those between individuals at gun shows or online.

One major hang-up has been Democrats' insistence on retaining records of private sales, which they say is the best way to ensure background checks are actually conducted. Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Okla., a leader of conservatives in the talks, has rejected that as excessive government intrusiveness.

The system is aimed at preventing guns from going to criminals, people with severe mental problems, some drug abusers and others.

The National Rifle Association and other critics say the checks are ignored by criminals, and they fear that expanding the system could be a prelude to the government maintaining files on gun owners. Current law forbids that. The government must destroy records of the checks within a day, though gun dealers must retain information on the transactions for 20 years.

"We remain committed in our opposition to expanding a broken system," said NRA lobbyist Chris W. Cox.

Justice Department figures show that from 1994 when the system began through 2010, 118 million would-be gun buyers were checked and 2.1 million were denied firearms. Defenders say the data proves the checks prevent many dangerous people from getting weapons.

The current background check measure, by Schumer, would expand the system to cover nearly all gun transactions, with narrow exceptions that include sales involving immediate relatives such as parents and children. Even without a bipartisan deal, Schumer is expected to expand the exemptions to more relatives, people with permits to carry concealed weapons and others.

Schumer and Sens. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., and Mark Kirk, R-Ill., have been shopping alternatives in an effort for more GOP support. Democrats are sure to need 60 votes in the 100-member chamber to win, but there are just 53 Democratic senators plus two Democratic-leaning independents.

Democrats have considered requiring background checks for all gun show and online sales, but exempt face-to-face transactions between private individuals who do not run commercial gun enterprises.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/senate-nears-gun-debate-background-checks-pivotal-135943889--politics.html

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Sony unveils 30-and 56-inch professional 4K OLED monitor prototypes

The 56-inch OLED TV Sony trotted out at CES may not be headed to the consumer market, but it is becoming a reality, at least in the professional sector. The company showcased a pair of 4K OLED prototypes at NAB 2013, outing a 4,096 x 2,160 30-inch model as well as a 3,840 x 2160 56-inch display. Both panels boast of wide viewing angles and low color shift, promising accurate signal reproduction for industry professionals working with 4K content. No word yet on pricing, but professionals can look forward to upgrading sometime in next year. Sony also announced a refresh for its existing line of professional OLED displays. The A series will replace seven older skus, again promising better viewing angles and color shift than the previous generation. Hit the break for the official press release, item skus, and a quick break down of what products the A series will be replacing.

Update: The 30-inch 4K OLED prototype is looking at a 2014 release date, while the A series monitors will be available in May.

Filed under: Displays, HD, Sony

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Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/vivd1Cp-CIk/

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WinMania Sweepstakes Rules

WORLD WRESTLING ENTERTAINMENT, INC.

WRESTLEMANIA 30 ? 30 TRIP GIVEAWAY SWEEPSTAKES

OFFICIAL RULES

NO PAYMENT, ENTRY FEE OR PURCHASE REQUIRED.?

OPEN TO RESIDENTS OF THE FIFTY (50) UNITED STATES, THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA AND CANADA, EXCLUDING QUEBEC.? ENTRANTS MUST BE AT LEAST EIGHTEEN (18) YEARS OLD AT TIME OF ENTRY AND MUST BE ASSIGNED A MOBILE TELEPHONE NUMBER AS OF APRIL 7, 2013. ?VOID WHERE PROHIBITED.

HOW TO ENTER:? The WrestleMania 30 ? 30 Trip Giveaway Sweepstakes (the ?Sweepstakes?) sponsored by World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. (?WWE? or ?Sponsor?) begins at 12:00:01 a.m. ET on April 7, 2013 and ends at 11:59:59 p.m. ET on April 21, 2013 (the ?Sweepstakes Period?). There are two (2) ways to enter the Sweepstakes:

Text Message Entry: ?During the Sweepstakes Period, send the word ?MANIA30? to 59907 from your 2-way text messaging capable wireless phone. Once you send the text message, you will be automatically entered into the Sweepstakes. All entrants must have a two-way text messaging capable handset in order to enter the Sweepstakes using the text messaging method. Entrants will be charged their text messaging rate for each text message sent or received through their handset according to the terms in their wireless calling/data plan. Text messaging and wireless service are not available in all areas. Please use caution and do not drive while entering the Sweepstakes.?Entrants may text STOP at any time to quit and no longer receive text messages from this short code.

Online Entry: To enter without purchase, during the Sweepstakes Period, complete and submit the online entry form, which can be found by visiting http://www.wwe.com/winmania. Entry requires that you submit your name, address, mobile telephone number, contact phone number, email address (if any) and birth date.

All entries must be received during the Sweepstakes Period. Limit one (1) entry per person/mobile telephone number per day of the Sweepstakes Period regardless of method of entry.? Incomplete, duplicate, mechanically reproduced or automated entries are not permitted and will be deemed void. These Official Rules are posted at http://www.wwe.com/winmania.

In the event of a dispute as to the identity of an entrant, an entry will be declared made by the authorized account holder who submitted the entry.? ?Authorized account holder? is defined as the natural person who is assigned to a mobile telephone number/email address by a telephone company, wireless service provider, Internet access provider, Internet service provider or other organization (e.g., business, educational, institution, etc.) that is responsible for assigning email addresses, telephone numbers or wireless phone numbers for the telephone exchange associated with the submitted telephone number/email address or the domain associated with the submitted telephone, as applicable. ?A selected winner may be requested to provide Sponsor with proof that the selected winner is the authorized account holder of the e-mail address/telephone number associated with the winning entry.? If a dispute cannot be resolved, the entry will be deemed ineligible.?NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. A purchase will not increase your chance of winning.

ELIGIBILITY:? Sweepstakes open only to legal residents of the fifty (50) United States, the District of Columbia and Canada, excluding Quebec, who (i) are at least eighteen (18) years old when they enter the Sweepstakes, and (ii) are assigned a mobile telephone number as of April 7, 2013.? Employees, officers and directors of WWE (including WWE performing talent), Vibes Media, LLC (?Administrator?) and each of their respective parent companies, subsidiaries, affiliates (i.e., entities controlling, controlled by or under common control with, WWE or Administrator), promotion and advertising agencies and anyone involved in the Sweepstakes? development or execution, and the immediate family members (meaning spouses, parents, siblings, children and their respective spouses) and members of the households of such employees, officers and directors are not eligible. By taking part in this Sweepstakes, participants agree to be bound by these Official Rules.? WWE reserves the right to permanently disqualify from this Sweepstakes any person it believes has intentionally violated these Rules. Sweepstakes subject to all federal, state, provincial, territorial and local laws. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED.

DRAWING: The Prize Winners will be selected at random from among all eligible entries on or about April 22, 2013by Administrator. The names of the potential Prize Winners may be announced by Sponsor during its television programming. In addition, the Prize Winners will be notified by telephone and/or e-mail within one (1) week of being randomly selected.? In order to be confirmed a Prize Winner, the potential Prize Winners may be required to provide additional information to confirm identity and eligibility and will be required to complete and sign an Affidavit of Eligibility, a Liability Release and, where legal, a Publicity Release, and any other documentation that WWE may require, including without limitation, an IRS Form W-9 (if from U.S.), and to see to it that WWE is in receipt of such information and documents within thirty (30) days of being requested to provide the same.?

All potential prize winners must be confirmed a winner in accordance with, and must meet all of the requirements of, these Official Rules in order to claim a prize. If a potential winner does not comply with any of the requirements of these Official Rules, even if such person?s name has already been announced on television, on the Internet (e.g., on WWE?s website, on social media sites, etc.), or by any other means, the prize will be forfeited and an alternate winner will be randomly selected and confirmed in accordance with these Official Rules.?

If a selected Prize Winner is a minor in his or her state, province or territory of residence at the time he or she is asked to sign any documents, the minor?s parent or legal guardian also will be required to sign the documents. In all cases, WWE reserves the right to request proof of identity, residency, age and parenthood or guardianship, and a winner will be deemed to have forfeited the prize if WWE, in its sole discretion, finds that the proof is unsatisfactory. If the entrant selected to win a Prize is a resident of Canada, then he/she, in addition to all other requirements set out in these Official Rules, also must first correctly answer, without assistance of any kind, a time-limited mathematical skill-testing question to be administered at a pre-arranged time by telephone.

The prize will be forfeited and an alternate winner will be selected at random from the remaining eligible entries and confirmed in accordance with these Official Rules (i) if a potential Prize Winner does not timely provide the requisite information or return the requisite documents, or cannot be reached within five (5) days from initial notification attempt, (ii) if prize notification is returned as non-deliverable, (iii) in the event of non-compliance with any of the requirements of these Official Rules, and/or (iv) if a selected entrant for the Prize is a resident of Canada who fails to correctly answer the time-limited mathematical skill-testing question.

PRIZES: ?Thirty (30) Prize Winners will each receive a trip for Prize Winner and one (1) guest to WrestleMania 30 scheduled to take place on April 6, 2014 at The Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, LA. Each prize trip consists of roundtrip coach class air transportation for the winner and one (1) guest from the major U.S. gateway airport nearest winner?s home to a New Orleans metropolitan area airport; two (2) nights? hotel accommodations (one (1) standard room, double occupancy); and two (2) tickets to WrestleMania 30 (seating location subject to WWE?s discretion). ?

Approximate retail value (?ARV?) of Prize: $2,000 USD, each. ?Actual value may vary depending on airport of departure. Any difference between the actual value of the prize and the approximate retail value set forth in these Official Rules may not be claimed and will not be awarded. ARV of all prizes: $60,000 USD.

Sponsor reserves the right to substitute ground transportation for air transportation in the event a Prize Winner resides within one hundred (100) miles of New Orleans, LA.? Each Prize Winner is solely responsible for all expenses and incidental travel costs not expressly stated in the prize description herein, including but not limited to taxes, including but not limited to, any applicable sales and income taxes, insurance, ground transportation (except as expressly provided for above), tolls, gasoline, parking, meals and beverages, gratuities, travel upgrades, baggage fees, concession items, souvenirs and personal incidentals and any other expenses not specified herein.

Each Prize Winner and his/her guest must take air travel on same itinerary and must travel on dates specified by WWE. Lost or stolen tickets, travel vouchers or certificates will not be replaced. Once booked, no change, extension, or substitution of trip dates is permitted, except by WWE in its sole discretion. If a Prize Winner is from a jurisdiction that deems him/her to be a minor, he/she must be accompanied during all aspects of the Prize trip by his/her parent/legal guardian, and such person must pay his/her own expenses unless deemed to be the allotted guest. If a Prize Winner is at least twenty-one (21) years old, such Prize Winner may be accompanied during the Prize trip by a guest who is under the age of majority if: (a) the parent or legal guardian of the guest has executed an Authorization Form, giving consent, a Liability Release and, where legal, a Publicity Release, on the guest?s behalf; and (b) WWE, in its sole discretion, has granted its approval. In all cases, each Prize Winner?s guest or the parent/legal guardian of any guest who is a minor in his or her state, province or territory of residence will be required to sign a Liability and Publicity Release (except where prohibited by law).? WWE reserves the right to request proof of guest?s age, parenthood or guardianship, and a Prize Winner will be deemed to have forfeited the Prize if WWE, in its sole discretion, finds that the proof is unsatisfactory.? Each Prize Winner and guest are responsible for obtaining all necessary and required travel documents, including, in the case of a Prize Winner who resides in Canada, any documents necessary for travel to and from the United States.

Prize may not be substituted, transferred or redeemed for cash, except by WWE, who reserves the right to substitute similar prize of comparable or greater value in its sole discretion.

ODDS OF WINNING: Odds of winning depend on the number of eligible entries received.

GENERAL CONDITIONS: Sweepstakes entrants agree to be bound by the terms of these Official Rules and decisions of WWE and Administrator which are final and binding on all matters relating to this Sweepstakes and not subject to appeal. By entering, entrants (and parent/legal guardian if entrant is a minor) release and hold harmless WWE, Administrator and each of their respective parent companies, subsidiaries, affiliates, representatives, promotion, advertising and online technology agencies, prize suppliers and all others associated with the development or execution of this Sweepstakes, and each of their respective owners, shareholders, directors, officers, employees, contractors and agents (the ?Releasees?) from any and all liability or any injuries, loss or damage of any kind arising from or in connection with participation in this Sweepstakes or acceptance, use, misuse or nonuse of any prize or parts thereof, including, without limitation, liability for death, personal injury, damage or loss of any kind, and from liability to any other persons relating to or resulting from entering or downloading materials or software in connection with this Sweepstakes. The Releasees do not make any warranty, representation or guarantee, express or implied, in fact or in law, relative to the use of any prize, including, without limitation, quality, merchantability, and fitness for a particular purpose. Further, no responsibilities are accepted for any additional expenses, omissions, delays, re-routing, or acts of any government or authority.? WWE reserves the right to modify this Sweepstakes in any way it deems necessary or appropriate. Entry constitutes permission for WWE and its designees to use winner?s name, likeness, performance, hometown and state, province or territory for advertising and promotional purposes in any and all media at the discretion of WWE without additional compensation unless prohibited by law.

INTERNET: The use of any automated launching or entry software or any other mechanical or electronic means that permits the participant to automatically enter and/or enter repeatedly is prohibited. If for any reason this Sweepstakes is not capable of running as planned due to infection by computer virus, bugs, tampering, unauthorized intervention, fraud, technical failures, or any other causes which corrupt or affect the administration, security, fairness, integrity, or proper conduct of this Sweepstakes, Sponsor reserves the right at its sole discretion, to disqualify any individual who tampers with the entry process, and to cancel, terminate, modify or suspend the Sweepstakes. Should this Sweepstakes be terminated, Sponsor reserves the right to select the Prize Winners in a random drawing from among all eligible, non-suspect entries received as of the action requiring such termination. Releasees assume no responsibility for any error, omission, interruption, deletion, defect, delay in operation or transmission, communications line failure, theft or destruction or unauthorized access to, or alteration of entries.? Releasees are not responsible for lost, late, garbled, misdirected, incomplete, illegible, unintelligible or postage due entries or mail or for inaccurate entry information, or for any problems or technical malfunction of any telephone network or telephone lines, computer on-line systems, servers, or providers, computer equipment, software, failure of any entry to be received by Sponsor on account of technical problems, human error or traffic congestion on the Internet or at any website, or any combination thereof, including any injury or damage to participant?s or any other person?s computer relating to or resulting from participation in this Sweepstakes or downloading any materials in this Sweepstakes. CAUTION: ANY ATTEMPT TO DELIBERATELY DAMAGE ANY WEBSITE OR UNDERMINE THE LEGITIMATE OPERATION OF THE SWEEPSTAKES IS A VIOLATION OF CRIMINAL AND CIVIL LAWS AND SHOULD SUCH AN ATTEMPT BE MADE, SPONSOR RESERVES THE RIGHT TO SEEK DAMAGES OR OTHER REMEDIES FROM ANY SUCH PERSON(S) RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ATTEMPT TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW.

DATA COLLECTION:?WWE collects personal information from you when you enter the Sweepstakes.? See WWE?s privacy policy at http://www.wwe.com/help/generalfaq/privacypolicy for information about how personal information may be used.

LIST OF WINNERS:? For a list of the Sweepstakes winners, send a self-addressed stamped envelope to:? WrestleMania 30 ? 30 Trip Giveaway Sweepstakes, WWE Sweepstakes Fulfillment, 1241 East Main Street, Stamford, CT 06902.? Requests must be received by August 1, 2013.

MISCELLANEOUS:? Participants agree that this Sweepstakes is governed solely by the laws of the United States.? Any claims arising out of the Sweepstakes shall be governed solely by United States law and may be brought only in a federal or state court in Connecticut. ?If any provisions of these Rules are held to be invalid or unenforceable, all remaining provisions hereof will remain in full force and effect.

SPONSOR; ADMINISTRATOR: ?This Sweepstakes is sponsored by World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc., 1241 East Main Street, Stamford, CT 06902.? This Sweepstakes is administered by Vibes Media, LLC, 300 West Adams Street, 7th Floor, Chicago, IL 60606.

? World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc.? All rights reserved.

Source: http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/winmania-30-rules

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Robert Remini, Andrew Jackson scholar, dies at 91

Robert V. Remini, an award-winning scholar of Andrew Jackson and 19th century politics who viewed Washington firsthand in the 21st century when he became the official historian for the U.S. House of Representatives, has died. He was 91.

Remini, who retired from the House in 2010, died March 28 at Evanston Hospital after suffering a stroke, the University of Illinois at Chicago announced in a news release. Remini was a professor emeritus at the school.

Learned, readable and productive, Remini wrote and co-authored more than 20 books, starting in 1959 with "Martin Van Buren and the Making of the Democratic Party." On Jackson alone, he completed at least 10 books, including an influential trilogy of which the finale won the National Book Award in 1984. Benjamin Walker, star of the Broadway musical "Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson," has said he read Remini as part of his research.

Rep. Dennis Hastert, a fellow Illinois resident and then-Speaker, appointed Remini historian of the House in 2005. Three years earlier, Remini had been asked by Librarian of Congress James H. Billington to write a Congressional history, "The House," for which Remini interviewed legislators and sat in on Congressional proceedings, was published in 2006.

Remini also wrote biographies of President John Quincy Adams, the celebrated orator Daniel Webster and Mormon founder Joseph Smith. He was openly unhappy with the recent divisions in Congress and wrote often about the days when deals among enemies could be reached, including the pre-Civil War history "At the Edge of the Precipice: Henry Clay and the Compromise that Saved the Union," published in 2010.

Remini himself was willing to take sides. In "A Short History of the United States," which came out in 2008, he wrote that the Bush administration had been "itching to start a war with Iraq" and faulted the conflict as futile, poorly managed and expensive. Remini also criticized Bush as indifferent to civil liberties and for successfully pushing through tax cuts that favored the rich.

A steady admirer of Jackson, who was among the country's most idolized and divisive presidents, Remini celebrated him as a self-made man, patriot and populist who opened up American society and government and resisted his fellow Southerners' desire to secede. Remini noted Jackson's harsh positions on slavery and the treatment of Indians, but still found that Jackson "profoundly assisted" the country's "rise to greatness" and "proved for all time the reality and splendor of the American dream."

Historian Andrew R.L. Cayton would declare that Remini was "as tenacious a champion as any president could ever hope to have." Remini came of age when scholars followed the "great man" theory of history, history as determined by individuals with power. He was tougher on Jackson than previous biographers, notably Arthur M. Schlesinger, Jr., but was still criticized on occasion as too close to his subject.

"He has mastered in all their complex detail the many issues and events of Jackson's private and public life, but in doing so he has come to see the world too much from Jackson's point of view," historian John William Ward wrote in The New York Times in 1981 as he reviewed the trilogy's second volume.

"If ... we want to know more about Andrew Jackson, there is no better place to turn than this book. If, however, we wish to know more about the shaping of our society, which has entered into the shaping of ourselves, then we will have to turn somewhere else."

A native of New York, Remini was born in 1921. He grew up during the Great Depression, but thanks to his winning a scholarship from the Mothers Club of Long Island, he became the first of his family to attend college. He was an undergraduate at Fordham University, received a master's and Ph.D from Columbia University and spent much of his academic career in the history department of the University of Illinois in Chicago.

During World War II, he served in the Navy. He had planned to become a lawyer, but found himself reading history during idle times at sea. At Columbia after the war, he studied for his master's degree under Richard Hofstadter, then a new faculty member, but eventually an influential and popular historian who helped set Remini's scholarly path.

Remini had wanted to write his thesis on John Purroy Mitchell, a New York City mayor in the early 20th century. But Hofstadter told him that Mitchell's papers were not available and suggested Remini try Van Buren ? a 19th century New Yorker, the country's eighth president and an architect of the modern party system. Hofstadter's idea was not spontaneous: Columbia had received a grant to acquire microfilm copies of New York history documents, Van Buren's papers would be obtained first and the school needed a graduate student to review them.

Throughout his research on Van Buren, Remini was drawn to Jackson, a close ally of Van Buren's whose life was "demanding" the attention of the young scholar. After his Van Buren book was published, Remini wrote his first Jackson biography, "The Election of Andrew Jackson," and continued his research through the decades.

By the 1990s, he was sure he knew everything of worth about Jackson only to learn that a document had been discovered in Italy revealing that as a young man Jackson had sworn allegiance to the King of Spain.

"That information came as quite a blow," Remini wrote. "I was staggered. I couldn't believe it. But the facts were indisputable."

Remini married Ruth T. Kuhner in 1948. They had three children.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/robert-remini-andrew-jackson-scholar-dies-91-052218216.html

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Judge making morning-after pill available to all

WASHINGTON (AP) ? The morning-after pill might become as easy to buy as aspirin.

In a scathing rebuke accusing the Obama administration of letting election-year politics trump science, a federal judge ruled Friday that women of any age should be able to buy emergency contraception without a doctor's prescription.

Today, women can do that only if they prove at the pharmacy that they're 17 or older; everyone else must see a doctor first. U.S. District Judge Edward Korman of New York blasted the government's decision on age limits as "arbitrary, capricious and unreasonable," and ordered an end to the restrictions within 30 days.

The Justice Department was evaluating whether to appeal, and spokeswoman Allison Price said there would be a prompt decision.

President Barack Obama had supported the 2011 decision setting age limits, and White House spokesman Jay Carney said Friday the president hasn't changed his position. "He believes it was the right common-sense approach to this issue," Carney said.

If the court order stands, Plan B One-Step and its generic versions could move from behind pharmacy counters out to drugstore shelves ? ending a decade-plus struggle by women's groups for easier access to these pills, which can prevent pregnancy if taken soon enough after unprotected sex.

Saying the sales restrictions can make it hard for women of any age to buy the pills, Korman described the administration's decision, in the year before the 2012 presidential and congressional elections, as "politically motivated, scientifically unjustified and contrary to agency precedent."

Women's health specialists hailed the ruling.

"It has been clear for a long time that the medical and scientific community think this should be fully over the counter and is safe for women of all ages to use," said Dr. Susan Wood, who resigned as FDA's women's health chief in 2005 to protest Bush administration foot-dragging over Plan B.

Half the nation's pregnancies every year are unintended. Doctors' groups say more access to morning-after pills ? by putting them near the condoms and spermicides so people can learn about them and buy them quickly ? could cut those numbers. They see little risk in overuse, as the pills cost $40 to $50 apiece.

"The fact that it's over the counter does not make people have sex," said Dr. Angela Diaz, director of New York's Mount Sinai Adolescent Health Center. "Sixty percent of young people are sexually active by 12th grade, and the more tools we have to help them be responsible, the better."

Social conservatives criticized the ruling.

"There is a real danger that Plan B may be given to young girls, under coercion or without their consent," said Anna Higgins of the Family Research Council. "The involvement of parents and medical professionals acts as a safeguard for these young girls. However, today's ruling removes these common-sense protections."

Deirdre McQuade, spokeswoman for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, said: "Plan B does not prevent or treat any disease, but makes young adolescent girls more available to sexual predators. The court's action undermines parents' ability to protect their daughters from such exploitation and from the adverse effects of the drug itself."

The morning-after pill contains a higher dose of the female progestin hormone than is in regular birth control pills. Taking it within 72 hours of rape, condom failure or just forgetting regular contraception can cut the chances of pregnancy by up to 89 percent. But it works best within the first 24 hours.

If a woman already is pregnant, the pill has no effect. It prevents ovulation or fertilization of an egg. According to the medical definition, pregnancy doesn't begin until a fertilized egg implants itself into the wall of the uterus. Still, some critics say Plan B is the equivalent of an abortion pill because it may also be able to prevent a fertilized egg from attaching to the uterus, a contention that many scientists ? and Korman, in his ruling ? said has been discredited.

The Food and Drug Administration actually was preparing to allow over-the-counter sale of Plan B One-Step with no age limits in late 2011 when Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, in an unprecedented move, overruled her own scientists. Sebelius said some girls as young as 11 are physically capable of bearing children but shouldn't be able to buy the pregnancy-preventing pill on their own.

The federal judge dismissed that argument.

"This case is not about the potential misuse of Plan B by 11-year-olds," said Korman, who called the pills safe for girls but said the number using them "is likely to be minuscule" as less than 3 percent of girls under age 13 are sexually active.

He cited the Administrative Procedure Act as granting a judge the authority to set aside an agency's rulings "if they are 'arbitrary, capricious, an abuse of discretion or otherwise not in accordance with law.'"

Korman said regulation requires that when the FDA allows nonprescription drug sales, "the standards are the same for aspirin and for contraceptives" ? and he ultimately determined that the government violated those standards in the case of Plan B.

"The decision that the agency was forced to make, contrary to its own policies and judgment, is not entitled to any deference," Korman concluded. "Indeed, it is hardly clear that the secretary had the power to issue the order, and if she did have that authority, her decision was arbitrary, capricious, and unreasonable."

It was the judge's latest ruling in a lawsuit filed by the Center for Reproductive Rights and dating back to 2005 that pushed for unfettered over-the-counter access to Plan B.

Korman didn't spare the FDA from criticism, citing "a strong showing of bad faith and improper political influence" going back to the Bush administration, when the center filed a citizen's petition to try to get the agency to act. That was followed by the lawsuit.

"More than twelve years have passed since the citizen petition was filed and eight years since this lawsuit commenced," Korman wrote in a decision dated Thursday and released Friday. "The FDA has engaged in intolerable delays in processing the petition. Indeed, it could accurately be described as an administrative agency filibuster."

The judge said the FDA decided after 11 months, 47,000 public comments and hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of dollars spent, that it did not need rulemaking on the subject.

"The plaintiffs should not be forced to endure, nor should the agency's misconduct be rewarded by, an exercise that permits the FDA to engage in further delay and obstruction," he wrote.

Four years ago, Korman was highly critical of the Bush administration's initial handling of the issue when he ordered the FDA to let 17-year-olds obtain the medication, instead of setting the age at 18. At the time, he accused the government of letting "political considerations, delays and implausible justifications for decision-making" cloud the approval process.

__

Neumeister reported from New York. Associated Press writer Ricardo Alonso-Zaldivar contributed to this report.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/judge-making-morning-pill-available-204902870--politics.html

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Philippines may allow U.S. greater military access: minister

By Manuel Mogato

MANILA | Fri Apr 5, 2013 4:13am EDT

MANILA (Reuters) - The Philippines is ready to help the United States as it aligns its defenses against threatened attacks by North Korea, the foreign minister said, hinting at the possibility of opening more Philippine bases to the U.S. military.

U.S. forces have previously used military bases and civilian airports in the Philippines to repair and refuel aircraft and warships deployed in wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The U.S. has ships in Subic, the former home of the U.S. 7th Fleet, and aircraft at the nearby Clark airfield, another former U.S. base on the main island of Luzon.

"I think as treaty allies, if there is an attack, we should help one another, which is what the treaty alliance is all about," Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario told journalists at a main army base in Manila on Friday.

Manila signed a Mutual Defence Treaty with Washington in 1951, one of the key links in the chain of security alliances the United States has with Asia-Pacific states, including Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Thailand and Australia.

On Friday the two countries began a fortnight of scheduled joint military exercises known as Balikatan ('shoulder to shoulder') which come amid high tensions on the Korean peninsula and in the South China Sea, where the Philippines is embroiled in a long territorial dispute with China.

"Balikatan with its complex and comprehensive set of exercises is an important contribution not only in preparing both our armed forces to work together but also in building my country's own capacity to defend itself," del Rosario said.

About 8,000 American and Filipino soldiers are taking part in this year's exercises, staging mock battles and simulating disaster responses. Nearly a dozen Asian and Pacific states are also taking part in a drill that examines how to handle vessel collisions in a busy shipping lane such as the South China Sea.

(Reporting By Manuel Mogato; Editing by Daniel Magnowski)

Source: http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/04/05/us-philippines-usa-military-idUSBRE93407620130405?feedType=RSS&feedName=worldNews

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George Soros On Bank Of Japan - Business Insider

CNBC World

CNBC's Bernie Lo interviews George Soros

Legendary investor George Soros is in Hong Kong for the INET conference.

He took a few minutes to speak with CNBC's Bernie Lo.

"Reports say you made a billion dollar shorting the yen," Lo said.? "What are you trying to do? Break the Bank of Japan?"

"I think the Bank of Japan is eager to have people do that," joked Soros.

On Thursday, the BoJ's Haruhiko Kuroda announced extremely aggressive monetary policy, an effort to stimulate Japan's stagnant economy.

"It is a sensation because he broke some of the monetary taboos," said Soros about Kuroda.? "It's a very daring undertaking."

He continued by discussing how to fight deflation.

"In the conditions of deflation that Japan has been in in the last 25 years, one way to break that is to have monetary policy, which buys in the market government bonds and the government providing fiscal stimulus so that it effectively doesn't increase the debt outstanding," explained Soros.? "Because what the government sells in bonds on one hand, the bank buys with the other hand.? The government owns the bank. That doesn't increase the debt."

"But if it stimulates the economy, using unused resources, then the economy grows," he said.? "If you go to Japan, you will find people are quite excited."

Soros, however, warned that Japan's efforts to devalue the yen is risky.

"What Japan is doing right now is actually quite dangerous because they are doing it after 25 years of just simply accumulating deficits and not getting the economy growing," he explained.? "So if what they're doing gets something started, they might not be able to stop it.? If the yen starts to fall, which it has done, then people in Japan think it's liable to continue, and will want to put their money abroad.? The fall may become like an avalanche.? You can start it.? [But you may not be able to stop it.]"

Lo followed up by asking if that could actually happen because the Japanese may think that they've already missed their opportunity to invest abroad.

Soros explained that people really aren't convinced that the yen sell-off is over.

"Nobody believed Kuroda would have the courage to do what he did," he said.? "The amount of quantitative easing that he's introducing is the same as in the United States, but Japan is only one-third the size.? So it's three time more powerful than what's happening in the U.S."

Soros later noted that it was interesting what Europe was doing.

"The fascinating thing is that in Europe, the austerity program, is leading them into the same policy that Japan is now trying to escape after 25 years," he said.

Click here to watch the video >

Source: http://www.businessinsider.com/george-soros-on-bank-of-japan-2013-4

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