(Image source: The New York Times)

BY LOGAN TITTLE

Facebook is painting a pretty picture for an artist who previously painted its’ headquarter walls.

According to the Daily Mail—35 year-old artist David Choe was asked to paint the social media’s office space back in 2005.  After the job was done he had a choice of how to get paid.  A few thousand dollars cash for his creativity—or a share in Facebook stock. 

Christian Science Monitor tells us— “He eventually decided on the stock option, even figured his choice was ‘ridiculous and pointless.’ Fast forward a few years, and Choe is poised to become a multimillionaire.”

But he’s not alone. The New York Times reports he and many others who helped out Facebook in those early years will receive between 0.1 to 0.25 percent of the company. Might not sound like much—but it is.

“…a stake that size is worth hundreds of millions of dollars, based on a market value of $100 billion. Mr. Choe’s payment is valued at roughly $200 million, according to a number of people who know Mr. Choe and Facebook executives.”

Even Facebook is setting itself up for new heights.

The Wall Street Journal reports the company’s initial public offering--

“…would top rival Google Inc.'s…record for the largest U.S. Internet IPO...raising $1.9 billion…Facebook said it is seeking to raise $5 billion, but that figure is a placeholder and will likely grow.”

So when can we expect to see the social site soaring? ABC News says—if all goes as planned, the company will likely be trading publicly in May.

(Image Source: The New York Daily News)

BY TOM MARTIN

Yankees GM Brian Cashman is used to dealing with money -- the Yankees’ money, and how it’s spent on Yankees players. Now he may end up in court in a case to protect his own pockets. 

Here’s News 12:

“This is the woman accused of stalking --and blackmailing Yankees General Manager Brian Cashman. Prosecutors say Louise Neathway extorted $6,000 from Cashman - then tried to get another $15,000 bucks.”

Neathway -- who also goes by “Meanwell” -- says Cashman’s story is skewed. She says the two had a healthy relationship that ended when Cashman wouldn’t leave his wife. She spilled more details to Deadspin’s AJ Daulerio:

“[Neathway] told me that Cashman had given her $6,200 to help pay for the lease on her apartment … She showed me a deposit slip … Both [Neathway] and apparently Cashman agree that a large amount of money changed hands on more than one occasion. The difference is that Cashman calls this extortion; [Neathway] calls this rent money.”



As WABC reports, the case has another “big difference:” Cashman’s record is clean. Neathway’s isn’t.

“She’s currently on probation for a New Jersey stalking case that was dropped in the end to a trespassing charge. But according to the district attorney, that case involved multiple years of stalking.”



Says baseball blog Big League Stew: Forget how the case ends: should the Yankees care it ever began?

“The Yankees have declined comment, but they don't seem to be worried that Cashman's involvement … will affect how he runs the team. That is the bottom line as far as baseball is concerned, isn't it?”



Hardball Talk wonders why this should be anyone’s business.

“On the one hand … it has nothing to do with baseball. On the other hand, Cashman and a handful of other larger baseball figures are routinely covered … for non-baseball things … this is a balancing yin to all of that yang … Deep down we all like gossip and let’s not pretend we don’t.”

(Image Source: BBC News)

(Image Source: Wikimedia Commons)

BY ELIZABETH RINEHART

ANCHOR ZACH TOOMBS

Ever wonder what the two biggest intelligence agencies in the world talk about with each other?

"’Do you want to talk about cheese?’

‘Cheese?!’

‘What about the McDonalds in the Pentagon?’

‘I tell so many people, no one believes me!’” (Source: Youtube.com/Soundmigration)

On Friday, hackers posted a conversation between the FBI and Scotland Yard to YouTube. WCBS reports -- the talk focused on more than fast food. 

“The group, known as Anonymous somehow recorded the 15-minute call and then posted it on the Internet. They also bragged about it on Twitter. Ironically, the agents were discussing ways to catch the hackers.”

From the sublime to the serious. What’s been released includes some in-depth discussions -- that got very specific.

The Telegraph has some of that.

“The conversation covered updates to on-going court cases, the recent arrest of a 15-year-old for hacking his school website …. (and) the on-going court case against Ryan Cleary, arrested last June for his alleged role in the group LulzSec, and reveals legally sensitive information.”

The BBC reports that the FBI confirmed the validity of the call. The Guardian touts the move as a smart one for Anonymous, saying....

“For Anonymous, the posting on YouTube of the 18-minute audio from the call was a particular triumph, indicating that it can worm its way even into the most powerful organisations in the land. ‘The FBI might be curious how we're able to continuously read their internal comms for some time now,’ said one account controlled by the group on Twitter.”

You would think -- someone would find that curious. According to ABC News, Anonymous says it was able to dial into the call through an email sent to a personal account.

Cleary’s lawyer tells ZDNet...

“‘I think it's astonishing that the FBI and the e-Crime unit don't have secure email ...'”

Now, the FBI is investigating the evesdroppers as well. TechWorldNews notes, this brings up what could become a problem for firms everywhere.

“The odds are that cybersecurity at the FBI and Scotland Yard is on par with, or superior to, security at most corporations, [...]This means it's extremely difficult to trust the supply chain for defense contractors, and also that corporations are probably pretty porous to industrial cyberespionage."

(Image source: Business Insider)

BY LAURA JANVIER

ANCHOR LOGAN TITTLE

The Huffington Post is making the move to TV. The new media giant announced Thursday its plans for an online news channel. KUVE has the details.  

“A new television network -- on the web. The Huffington Post says this summer it will begin providing 12 hours each weekday of live original programming. The content will be similar to the Huffington Post website.”

They’re calling it the Huffington Post Streaming Network, or HPSN. Arianna Huffington, editor-in-chief of the Huffington Post Media, told Beet.TV what makes the product unique is that it will be interactive.

“And it is much more the way my children, my two daughters who are in college watch television, which is they open up different windows: their Facebook, their Twitter feeds, their email.”

The idea is to create a network where viewers can interact with the anchors through social media. Demo clips showed commenters being invited on the show via Skype to speak directly with journalists about their stories. A writer for Forbes says this could be a glimpse into the future of television.

“All of this is probably what every cable network will be doing more of as viewership shifts from one-way television sets to internet-enabled devices. But if AOL can get there first, the opportunity could be large.”

But the opportunity won’t come cheap. A writer for DigiDay outlines just how big of a project this is.

“The service itself is ambitious, but even more so is the investment AOL is putting behind it: $30 million, according to an AOL source. HuffPo plans to create all the video itself. It will dedicate 100 employees to the operation. The scale of the effort would put it on track to be one of the largest producers of original for the Web video around.”

Venture Beat says even though this is a big investment, AOL stands to make big returns if it’s successful.

“The choice to transform the Huffington Post into a video network also makes a lot of sense. [AOL Chief Executive Tim] Armstrong said 70 percent of Huffington Post articles contain embedded videos. So, by producing the bulk of those videos in-house, AOL will be able to gain more leverage on advertising.”

The service is planned for this summer and they plan to extend content to 16 hours a day by 2013.

(Image source: The Australian)

BY CELIA MURRAY

Ever since Julia Gillard successfully took leadership of the labor party from Kevin Rudd in 2010, Australian media have speculated when he would return the favor. Now, as the new parliamentary year starts up, pundits say it’s just a matter of time.

Here’s ABC Australia.

“Leadership rumblings are continuing to dog the Prime Minister as MPs prepare to return to Canberra for the year’s first sitting of parliament. There’s been a renewed focus on the leadership including speculation of a challenge before the end of March.

If Rudd’s challenge is successful, he will retake the Prime Minister position. The Australian outlines Rudd’s chances.

“Strategists from both camps believe the Foreign Minister can afford to lose a first leadership ballot if he were to secure a reasonable level of support, whereas they believe Ms Gillard must win a ballot comprehensively to see off the possibility of a second Rudd challenge.”

Labor’s power brokers are trying to warn Rudd off the challenge. Several MPs have announced they would step down to the backbenches with “suicide” resignations should Kevin Rudd win back his position.

Former Labor leader Simon Crean tells SBS Rudd isn’t a team player:

I think that part of the reason he lost the leadership was that he wasn’t. There’s no point having a band of prima donnas unless they operate as a team.

In a recent article on The Punch, Adelaide Advertiser’s political editor says it’s not about Rudd’s popularity within the party -- it’s about staving off the opposition.

If it were, he would have no chance now and would not have been leader the first time around. Then, as now, his potential attractiveness is about voter appeal. MPs will be asking, can we win with Kevin or at least avert annihilation? If enough conclude that the answer is yes, then it’s game-over for Ms Gillard.

Gillard hasn’t publicly acknowledged the chance of a Rudd challenge, saying he’s doing a great job as Minister of Foreign Affairs. But a writer for The New Zealand Herald believes things may be more tense behind the scenes.

This will be a long, cold autumn for Prime Minister Julia Gillard. With polling at rock bottom, an appalling run of bad press, blunders and deep rumblings among her backbenchers, the sound of knives on whetstones is growing louder.

(Image Source: JAMA)

BY GILLIAN STEDMAN

ANCHOR ANA COMPAIN-ROMERO


A new report reveals the chances of developing ADHD is said to double for children who are exposed to two or more anesthetics before the age of two.
CBS reports…
 

“Doctors say anesthesia can actually change the way the brain develops so that could be how it’s linked to ADHD.  For now though doctors say parents need to do what’s best for their child.”


This research stemmed from similar experiments involving young animals.  Dr. David Warner, lead researcher and pediatric anesthesiologist at Mayo Clinic spoke to Fox News...
 

“There started to be some papers published that suggested if you administered anesthesia to animals during development, it would cause some of the nerve cells in the brain to die, which would then lead to later changes in learning and behavior,”

Following this, the Mayo Clinic researched these effects on humans. But Peter J. Davis, anesthesiologist-in-chief at the Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh says the new findings should not discourage necessary surgery.
CNN reports…
 

“There is no data to suggest that kids who require surgery shouldn’t have it…The issues of surgery and anesthesia really can’t be separated in all this.”


Researchers have stressed that this study does not prove a link between anesthesia and ADHD, just that the two are associated. But Dr. Roderick Eckenhoff, a practising anesthesiologist from Philidelphia spoke to ABC news…


“I think parents should take this very seriously, although we don’t know the mechanism whether it’s the drug or the procedure - to the parents it doesn’t matter because we have to do both.”


The FDA has started an initiative called ‘Smart Tots’ to raise money to fund further research into this area.











 

(Image Source: ABC News Australia)

BY LUKE LEONARD

ANCHOR CHRISTIAN BRYANT

Australia’s southern Queensland has been declared a natural disaster zone. Record breaking floods are forcing residents out of their homes. 

Towns of northern New South Wales are also preparing themselves as the swollen Mehi River’s banks are close to bursting.

Australia’s ABC News has more details...

“Hundreds of people are in evacuation centers after being forced from their homes. Three quarters of the town of Mitchell is underwater ... while tonight Roma is bracing for the worst with 200 homes under threat.” 

After having barely recovered from devastating floods in March 2010 and Novermber 2011, many people in the area are unfortunately familiar with the situation. An opinion writer for the National Times Australia suggests--  a disaster fund should be in place given the recurring events. 

“...unlike standing emergency services, infrastructure and co-ordination, governments' financial responses to disasters are, almost always, ad hoc. ...throwing cash where the need is greatest...”

Queensland Premier Anna Bligh said the evacuation center in Mitchell, used in previous years, worked without incident. However this year the center has been left vulnerable by more intense flooding. Despite the vulnerability of the center, residents are otherwise responding well to emergency services. Ten News spoke to New South Wales state services... 

“The good news is many have taken our advice and have left early, gone to friend’s places and relatives’ places, those sorts of things. But a lot of people are registering at the evacuation centers as well as other small townships around the Moree area.”

As reported by the The Sydney Morning Herald, forecasters are predicting the Balonne River in the town of St George will exceed 13 meters deep. This will make it the third year in a row the town has been swamped by 13 meter flood waters. 

Editor of the local Moree newspaper, Cady Andersen, suggests that although prevention and rescue efforts are better this time, nature was going to win no matter what. Sydney Morning Herald has that quote...

“At least this time we were more prepared...Having said that, after … getting off a chopper, so many residents have been inundated and would have been no matter how much preparation there was.”

Over 17,000 residents remain isolated by the floods.

(Image source: The New York Times)

BY LIAM KEEGAN

Violence in Egypt spilled over into a second day as police squared off against protesters. The catalyst for the latest unrest was Wednesday night’s deadly soccer riots. ESPN has more.

“Anger over the soccer riot that left 74 dead yesterday led to a protest outside the Interior Ministry by as many as 10,000 people who accuse police of failing to stop the assaults.”

Protesters say the match, between the teams Al-Ahly and Al-Masry, suffered from a lack of security. An analyst tells CNN police have steered clear of the stadiums for some time.

“The fans would fight the police every weekend, from 2007 really when these fan movements started coming into existence. So since then, a lot of the police have not been going to the grounds because they’re so hated, and you see a power vacuum...”

Over the last two days police have shot two protesters dead, one soldier was killed outside the interior ministry, and two more protesters died yesterday from tear gas inhalation. On PBS News Hour, Matt Bradley of the Wall Street Journal explains what’s driving the protests.

“A lot of the protesters, a lot of the activists are saying this was a deliberate effort by the military regime, or the Ministry of the Interior, to cause violence.”

The protesters say police wanted the violence to break out so they would have an excuse to reinstate Egypt’s Emergency Law, giving police broad powers. But not everyone pointed the finger at police. The National Post reports.

“The Muslim Brotherhood’s Freedom and Justice Party blamed pro-Mubarak forces, saying it was orchestrated by Mubarak’s sons from their prison cells, and discerned the ever-popular influence of ‘foreign fingers’ as also being responsible.”

NBC News correspondent Ayman Mohyeldin put the responsibility for the violence on Egypt as a whole..

“Those responsible for the violence at Wednesday’s game were Egyptians. Period.
Now, they could have been instigated, motivated and, even more sinisterly, hired to carry out these attacks on each other. But in the end, they were all fellow countrymen...”

(Image Source: WhiteHouse.gov)

BY TATIANA DARIE

ANCHOR JIM FLINK

President Obama’s views on religion seem to always draw attention.                                                                His latest foray into faith is no different. At the National Prayer Breakfast on Thursday, the President said his religious beliefs are helping to shape his policy proposals. Most recently -- his call for higher taxes for the wealthy. Fox News has the president’s explanation.

"For me as a Christian, it also coincides with Jesus's teaching that for unto whom much is given, much shall be required..."

No sooner had he uttered the words, than some media outlets reacted. In the New York Post, a writer sarcastically quips...

“Like Moses descending from Mount Sinai, Obama had a list of policies that God himself would endorse. Obama extolled the virtues of his Wall Street reforms, ObamaCare laws that stop insurance companies from ‘discriminating against those who are already sick,’ and proposed rules to crack down on mortgage lenders.”

Other media outlets asked -- what does the Bible say about taxes? Lexington Theological Seminary biblical scholar O. Wesley Allen tells CNN -- he thinks some commonly cited Bible passages about taxes are frequently misinterpreted.

“...there are many passages throughout the Bible that mandate the poor and widowed should be cared for. But it doesn't dictate the policies that should be pursued to accomplish that.”

Other media outlets believe the president's comments are an indirect jab at GOP frontrunner Mitt Romney, in response to remarks Romney made on Wednesday. The New York Daily News writes...

“... while Obama never uttered Romney’s name, the President’s stance stood in stark contrast to the Republican’s utterance to CNN the previous day that he was ‘not very concerned about the very poor."

And that observation is echoed by some conservative leaders who say the president politicized the event. Ralph Reed of the Faith and Freedom Coalition tells The Washington Post...

“I felt like it was over the line and not the best use of the forum. It showed insufficient level of respect for what the office of the president has historically brought to that moment.”

The Post also has a retort from a writer who identifies himself from the religious left saying the President hit the mark.

“...his speech quietly drove home many of the core-beliefs of the ever-mobilizing, ever-regrouping, ever-coming-in-second-place American Religious Left. Listening carefully to Obama’s sedate address, one could detect a rather tenacious, albeit sometimes disheveled, defense of the principles that Progressives of Faith live by...”

(Image source: Dallas Morning News)

(Image source: VeriSign)

BY EVAN THOMAS

ANCHOR LAUREN GORES

If you’re an Internet company, when do you tell your users you were hacked? Internet infrastructure company VeriSign reported in a quarterly SEC filing that hackers breached its security and made off with unspecified information multiple times-- back in 2010.

The biggest concern is that hackers could have compromised the domain name system, or DNS. The DNS directs Internet traffic to the correct IP addresses -- so when you enter Google.com, you go to Google’s website, and not Amazon’s or Facebook’s.

Verisign maintains two of thirteen DNS servers for .com and .net web domains -- more than 100 million addresses. Wired explains -- a hacker could reroute the DNS, and users wouldn’t know a thing.

“A breach of the DNS network could allow attackers to redirect users to malicious web pages or redirect and intercept e-mail communications.”

PC Magazine says Verisign’s security team knew about the breaches, and didn’t say anything.

“...while the hacks occurred in 2010, VeriSign's information security group did not tell management about the attacks until September 2011. VeriSign said it has since changed its reporting policies to make sure the same thing doesn't happen again.”

But those changes came too late. The IT community is condemning VeriSign’s lack of immediate action, saying it put individual web users and entire companies at risk. PCWorld elaborates.

“The million dollar question right now is ‘at risk of what?,’ or perhaps ‘how much risk?’ … The risks involved are a function of exactly what was hacked, or what information was compromised, and we don’t have those details.”

In its SEC filing, VeriSign says there’s no indication the DNS was compromised. But it also says a hack like this could happen again.

“...given the nature of such attacks, we cannot assure that our remedial actions will be sufficient to thwart future attacks or prevent the future loss of information.”

Despite that, MSNBC says we probably shouldn’t panic.

“That's terrible, but it's not new. Virus writers have been compromising certificate issuers with abandon for the past 18 months. … structures are in place to deal with fraudulent certificates.”

Structures like the other eleven DNS servers. MSNBC notes the companies that maintain them would likely work together to restore control and stop any attack.

(Image source: Act For America) 

BY MALLORY PERRYMAN

An editorial post claims U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta believes Israel will attack Iran soon-- and the media ran with the story.

“U.S. officials now fear Israel might attack Iran’s nuclear facilities sooner than later.” (NBC)

“A report that Israel may be getting ready to launch an attack this spring.” (Fox News)

“...U.S. officials worry that Israel could actually attack Iran as early as this spring.” (KTTV)

That news came from this editorial piece by David Ignatius in The Washington Post.

“Panetta believes there is a strong likelihood that Israel will strike Iran in April, May or June...”

But Politico’s Tim Mak points out--

“Ignatius does not characterize the source behind his claim...Indeed, the writer does not indicate whether his source is Panetta himself, top aides to the secretary, or someone else.”

When asked about the article-- Panetta told the Associated Press-- he’s not commenting on the story.

But CNN’s Barbara Starr says she confirmed the timetable with a senior Pentagon official. She explains, Israeli officials believe this spring is their last chance to reach Iran’s nuclear facilities with Israel’s own weapons.

Barbara Starr: “After that, they believe Iran would have made enough progress that Israeli weapons can not get to Iran’s nuclear effort, it would only be U.S. weapons.”

If Israel goes ahead with the strike, the U.S. may have to get involved. And NBC’s David Gregory says, that’s the worst-case scenario for the American military.

David Gregory: “... depending upon the nature of the strike it will be destabilizing for the region if not lethal for parts of Israel should something like this happen and the reverberations both in terms of nuclear proliferation and U.S. interests...”

And according to The National Post’s Matt Gurney-- Israel isn’t thrilled about leaving it up to the U.S. either. So will Israel actually strike? Gurney says-- the latest reports sound like deja vu.

“Another year, another report saying that U.S. officials are concerned that Israel may be on the verge of launching a pre-emptive strike...Time will tell, of course.”

On Thursday-- Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak said publicly-- time is running out to stop Iran from developing its nuclear program.




 

(Image source: Life SiteNews)

BY LOGAN TITTLE

After three days of backlash, America’s largest breast cancer advocacy group announced it is reconsidering previous plans to cut Planned Parenthood funding. Here’s CNN—

“The Susan G. Komen Foundation is in fact going to restore funding to Planned Parenthood…(FLASH)… They’re only going to withhold funding…(FLASH)… if an organization has been found guilty of criminal investigation."

The Financial Times reports the Komen foundation had withdrawn $680,000 in grants for breast cancer screening. A group of U.S. senators sent a signed letter urging the foundation to reconsider, saying—

“It would be tragic if any woman – let alone thousands of women – lost access to these potentially life-saving screenings because of a politically motivated attack”.

Komen CEO Nancy Brinker released a statement on the foundation’s website—

“We want to apologize to the American public for recent decisions that cast doubt upon our commitment to our mission of saving women's lives. The events of this week have been deeply unsettling for our supporters, partners and friends and all of us at Susan G. Komen.”

Planned Parenthood’s president, Cecile Richards posted a positive response to the charity’s turn around.

"We are enormously grateful that the Komen Foundation has clarified its grantmaking criteria.. What these past few days have demonstrated is the deep resolve all Americans share in the fight against cancer, and we honor those who are at the helm of this battle."

The Guardian notes—Though the tie between the two foundations has been restored, the legitimacy of future funding is still weary.

“Though it says that existing funding for Planned Parenthood will be reinstated, it puts a question mark over future funding by saying only that the group will continue to have ‘eligibility to apply for future grants’.”

(Image source: Indianapolis Star/Matt Kryger)

(Image source: Engadget)

BY LOGAN TITTLE

Google has a new guardian. The company announced a new security system for Android users called “Bouncer,” checking out every app at the door.

PhoneDog.com explains—

“…the tool automatically scans the Android Market for any suspicious software that could harm your handset. The Bouncer analyzes new apps as well as existing ones, and it even scans developer accounts to make sure malicious devs aren't able to put their wares in the Market.”

(video source: Android Tips)

Great! So—when can we see it? Apparently we already have. Vice President of engineering for Android tells Computerworld—the company has been bouncing bad apps for a number of months.

"The interesting thing is that no one really noticed. It didn't disrupt the end user's experience [in the Android Market] or disrupt the developers. They didn't have to think about it at all."

According to PC Mag, the former director of public policy at Google says the company isn’t just trying to help users—but also avid app developers.

“We don't generally go back and try to make sure that every app does what it says it's going to do. [Google is] really trying to maximize the ability of small app developers to get online."

But what if a safe app accidentally gets axed? A blogger for Androidcommunity.com says not to worry—Google is packing enough man-power for backup.

“… once an application is flagged Google’s team will manually investigate the application to make sure before wrongly pulling an app or game.”

The company isn’t claiming perfection—but progress. Google reported a 250% increase in activity for the Android market last year and a 40% decrease in the number of deceptive downloads.

(Image Source: Conservative Daily News)

BY JIM FLINK

ANCHOR MEGAN MURPHY

Euphoria.

With a healthy dose -- of skepticism.

That’s the reaction to the latest unemployment numbers.

The New York Times has the headline from the Labor Department.

“The private sector remained the engine of new job gains. While federal agencies and local governments continued to lay off workers, private-sector employers added 257,000 jobs in January. The industries with the biggest gains were manufacturing, professional and business services, and leisure and hospitality.”

The jobless rate fell to 8.3 percent -- its lowest rate in three years.

It’s also the fifth straight monthly decline in unemployment -- giving some analysts hope -- this is a sustained economic recovery.

An analyst for Bloomberg says, other numbers tell an even bigger story.

“But we had an enormous increase in the number of people who got jobs in the household survey -- 847 thousand people where unemployment fell by 339 thousand.”

Of course, skeptics will point to the fact, these numbers often get revised.  And -- need more analysis to truly comprehend.

Some CNBC analysts wonder -- if U.S. employers are simply turning a blind eye to the elephant in the room -- the European economy -- which is still in dire straights.

“An now, I don’t even know what we think about Europe after this.”

“No, it’s still in recession.”

“Europe’s got problems.”

“Yeah.”

“But it doesn’t matter to us.”

“Well, Q4’s negative, and Q1’s negative.”

“No, the thing is, there’s no spillover.”

Still -- it should be noted -- the sobriety of some numbers still resonates through the economy.

“There are still 12.8 million people out of work, though that is the fewest since the recession ended. An additional 11 million are either working part-time but would prefer full-time work, or have stopped searching for jobs. When all those groups are combined, nearly 24 million are considered “underemployed.” (The Washington Post)

(Image Source: Wikimedia Commons)
 

BY XIAONAN WANG

ANCHOR ANA COMPAIN-ROMERO 

The tiff between novelist Paul Auster and Turkey’s Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan got started earlier this week. At issue: the 70 Turkish journalists that the group Set Turkish Journalists Free says are in prison there.

Auster told a Turkish newspaper that he refused to visit Turkey to publicize his new book  because they jailed journalists.  

The prime minister called Auster, who is Jewish, “an arrogant man”.  Erdogan says Paul has a double standard because he visited Israel in spite of its bombing Gaza. The prime minister also mocked the noted writer, saying he is just not interested in his visit.

“As if we need you! Who cares if you come or not? Would Turkey lose any grandeur?”

Paul picked up the fight. He defended himself Wednesday in his latest statement:

“Whatever the Prime Minister might think about the state of Israel, the fact is that free speech exists there and no writers or journalists are in jail. ”

Paul’s stand is applauded by Jewish Journal.  The Journal’s Shmuel Rosner says the author is admired for taking on this fight with Turkey’s P.M.    Rosner also speaks out against Erdogen for dragging down Israel.

“Suppose Israel is a terrible country, does it make Turkey better? Does it make Turkey’s imprisonment of journalists more justified?”

However, a blog post on Mondoweiss echoes Erdogan’s accusation against Paul. It quoted a letter to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in January:

“the Committee to Protect Journalists expressed alarm over ongoing attacks on and detention of journalists in Occupied Palestinian Territory as well as over a recent series of developments that restrict freedom of the press in Israel.”

No matter where this ends up, a Wall Street Journal article points out that Auster will benefit by it.   

“......he certainly got some publicity for his latest book — “Winter Journal” — published in Turkey last month, ahead of the U.S. edition.”

(Image Source: Wikimedia Commons)

BY MEREDITH BALDWIN

Economic recovery is slow. Spending levels are unsustainable. And the fed is sticking to its current policies of low interest rates. Those are the three main points that Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke’s focused on in his testimony to the House Budget Committee on Thursday. C-SPAN has a clip.

“Although we cannot expect our economy to grow it’s way out of our fiscal imbalances, a more productive economy will ease the trade offs that we face and increase the likelihood that we leave a healthy economy to our children and grandchildren.”

In short, he is urging Congress to not cut deficits too quickly or it will be a mess.  But market analysts aren’t so quick to back Bernanke. An economic correspondent for the Wall Street Journal said he’s not quite sure what Bernanke’s thinking.

“You know, it looks like the economy’s on a more solid track, and yet the Fed is saying ‘we’re going to hold off on raising interest rates even longer than we said before.’ There’s a certain incoherency about this.”

A guest speaker for FOX Business said Bernanke’s take on the market isn’t just incoherent, but wrong.

“He’s trying to pretend that interest rates are rising because the economy’s improving. That’s not the case.”

Bloomberg points out that if interest rates stay low, budget deficits could reach an unprecedented high in the next ten years.

“The deficit would reach $1.5 trillion by 2022, CBO estimated, and the debt would rise to levels unseen since the government was paying off its World War II expenses.”
 

(Image Source: euronews)

BY HARUMENDHAH HELMY

ANCHOR JIM FLINK

This is Newsy Now and here are your latest headlines.

In world news, extreme cold weather in Europe has claimed more than 100 lives in the past week. The death toll in Ukraine alone is 101. euronews says the country is experiencing its coldest winter in six years, with temperatures dropping as low as 33 degree celcius below freezing.
 

“The country’s Emergencies Ministry has set up around 3,000 heated tents to provide shelter for the homeless. Some 64 of the dead were found on the streets.”

 

Still in world news, a former Khmer Rouge official has been sentenced to life in prison after appealing his previous 30-year sentence. The official, better known as Duch, oversaw the deaths of some 15,000 people during Cambodia’s Khmer Rouge regime. Al Jazeera has more details.
 

“Duch’s crimes, the court said, were an affront to all humanity and the Cambodian people in particular. He was in charge of the factory of death at the S-21 torture center, known as Tuol Sleng.”

 

In U.S. news, in a rare act of bipartisanship, the U.S. Senate has passed a bill which would ban insider trading by members of Congress. The bill would also require lawmakers and thousands of executive branch officials to promptly disclose any stock tradings. HLN has more.
 

“One sponsor though said, this means that lawmakers will be subject to the same rules when it comes to stocks, as everybody else.”
 

Still in the U.S., burglars have stolen gold nuggets from a historic collection in a Northern California courthouse. The entire collection is estimated at $3 million — authorities are still figuring out how much was actually stolen. The county has deep gold rush roots, and KTVU talks to one resident who says he’s offended by the crime.
 

“We’ve been violated. All the people. It’s not really the county or the... thing. It’s the people that were violated today.”

Stay with Newsy for more analysis of news thoughout the day.  For newsy now, I’m Jim Flink, highlighting the day’s top headlines, making you smarter, faster.

(Image source: Gizmodo)

BY EVAN THOMAS

ANCHOR JIM FLINK

Is Windows Phone ready to take on its iPhone and Android competition? Details about the upcoming Windows Phone 8 software have surfaced in a leaked video intended for Nokia -- and it’s making waves.

The video has since disappeared, but PocketNow managed to dissect some of its details. Windows Phone 8 will sport NFC capability, closer integration with the desktop version of Windows 8, baked-in Skype and cache servers to speed up mobile web service.

CNET says it is all good news -- namely, Microsoft has relaxed some of its requirements for developers and phonemakers.

“The version, codenamed Apollo, will allow vendors more choice with how they build their phone... That allows the handset manufacturers to better compete and stand apart from each other with varying levels of specs.”

And the benefits could reach well beyond the latest gadget. Business Insider says this overlap will be good for Microsoft’s full product line.

“This makes sense. Now that Microsoft has bet on Windows 8 as its operating system for tablets, there's no business reason to maintain a separate platform for smartphones.”

Microsoft’s plan is to bring technical specs closer to parity with competitors from Apple and Android. TechCrunch says -- it’s about time.

“In my opinion, Windows Phone Mango is a solid platform that’s quicker and smoother than anything I’ve seen on Android. Still, when looking at devices from Microsoft, Apple, and Google side-by-side, the Windows Phone always seems to lose in the spec department.”

It’s not known which phones will get an eventual update to Apollo. As it is, the latest Windows phones from HTC, Samsung and Nokia especially have been pulling down critical acclaim for a while now. GigaOM says popular devices, coupled with software that fills lots of performance gaps, could signal the start of some serious momentum for the platform.

“...the improved hardware potential will be welcome and should make a fast operating system even faster. ...Microsoft should see more people thinking twice before leaving a store with the iPhone or an Android device once Apollo hits.”

Microsoft, meanwhile, has declined to comment on the leak.  So, Apollo must not quite be ready -- for liftoff.
 

(Image Source: Wikimedia Commons)

BY ANDREW CARTER

Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban is back! No, he’s not celebrating another NBA Championship. After his Mavs lost Wednesday night Cuban is taking heat for complaining about referees... again. The Washington Post has his statement.

“All I’m saying is some of these guys are bad. Let me rephrase that. Some of these guys are having really bad nights, and it’s having an impact.”

The NBA is playing a shortened season after the summer’s lockout. And Yahoo! Sports’ Kelly Dwyer writes -- that might be partly to blame for the ‘questionable’ refereeing.

“For one, scores of veteran referees retired before the 2011-12 season even started, creating an influx of younger referees. ... Secondly, the sheer amount of games that the NBA has greedily mashed together is forcing the referees to officiate even more games than the players are playing.”

And NBC Sports says -- for that -- Mark Cuban has no one to blame but himself.

“Here’s the thing — this is on Cuban and the owners. They locked everyone out and then pushed for a condensed 66-game schedule so they could make their money back.”

Cuban has been fined more than $1 million since he bought the Mavs -- largely for negative comments towards referees.

In an ESPN poll -- 79% of fans believe Cuban will once again be fined by the league.

The referees working the game Wednesday were veteran referees, but analysts on ESPN say- Cuban may have a point.

“The standard that I am accustomed to seeing these same officials perform year after year after year, they seem a bit rusty this year. Can we agree on that? I’ll agree on that. Alright fine, then that’s good.”

The high stress of a condensed season may be taking its toll on coaches too.

Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle was ejected from Wednesday’s game after kicking the basketball into the stands. Carlisle said he was aiming for the referees, but added he is not a good kicker.

BY BRIAN LEWIS

ANCHOR CHRISTIAN BRYANT

(Image Source: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Honda-Civic-hybrid.jpg)

It was a big day in small claims court this week when a California Honda owner won her case against the automaker. CNN has the story.

“Heather Peters was awarded just under $10,000 yesterday. She claims she was misled by Honda’s claim that its Civic hybrid could get 50 miles per gallon.”

To go it alone in small claims court, the Honda owner, who’s a former attorney, had to opt out of a large class action suit against the automaker. Time’s Moneyland blog breaks down the settlement she rejected.

“In a proposed class-action settlement against Honda, Civic Hybrid owners would receive $100 to $200, plus a $1,000 credit toward the purchase of a new car. Trial lawyers, on the other hand, stand to pull in $8.5 million.”

Jalopnik offers one reason why this court victory is unique – no lawyers were involved.

“Unlike a class-action lawsuit, small claims court usually allows an individual to file a complaint without having to hire an attorney. In the case of L.A. County, for instance, even Honda wasn't allowed to use a lawyer in court.”

Law blog Above the Law covered the story when the suit was filed, and offered kudos to Peters for taking the fight away from the lawyers.

“Sounds like a typical class action to me. Fat stacks for counsel, peanuts for the plaintiffs. … It will be interesting to see if Peters’s case is at all effective. Will it blow the lid off a new method of suing large companies?”

If this is the start of a trend, a former prosecutor tells CBS it could become a huge bleed on the auto industry.

“It starts with this one ten thousand dollar judgment. But when others file and hundreds of thousands of people file, it could end up in the billions of dollars.”

Honda plans to appeal in a court where they are allowed to use lawyers. They argue the Environmental Protection Agency comes up with the mileage estimates, not the auto company.

(Image source: SpaceX)

BY STEVEN SPARKMAN

ANCHOR CHRISTIAN BRYANT

Space Exploration Technologies, or SpaceX, is taking another step toward the stars. The company released video of a successful test of its SuperDraco engine.

The tests included full throttle and full duration burns. The engine is designed to reach full thrust within 100 milliseconds of an astronaut flipping the switch. (Video source: SpaceX)

There’s a lot of talk among space bloggers about the engine.

Its main purpose is to let astronauts abandon their rocket if something goes wrong during launch. But a writer for Forbes explains, SpaceX designed SuperDraco to do way more than that. (Video source: NASA)

“The purpose of the SuperDraco is to allow for powerful, but pinpoint control for precision maneuvers. … They also give a spacecraft the ability to land propulsively, like you see in movies. They’re also reusable...”

The eventual plan is for the Dragon space capsule to ditch the old parachute reentry system and simply hover back down to the launch pad it lifted off from. Sound a little sci-fi? A writer for CNET thinks so.

“In a sense, SuperDracos are the closest thing we've seen yet to ‘Star Trek’-style on-demand thrusters that can be restarted multiple times...”

SpaceX hopes to be the first private company to send a spacecraft to the International Space Station. On its website, the company took the opportunity to brag about the latest achievement.

“NASA’s Commercial Crew Program awarded SpaceX $75 million in April of last year to begin work developing the escape system in order to prepare the Dragon spacecraft to carry astronauts. Less than nine months later, SpaceX engineers have designed, built and tested the engine.”

But a writer for Geek.com points out, it hasn’t all been smooth sailing for the company.

“Originally the Dragon was to make its maiden voyage last November, but that got pushed back to this February. Unfortunately, the launch has been delayed again due to further engineering work being required. No new launch date has been set yet.”

(Image Source: Pinterest)

BY JIM FLINK

Heard of Pinterest? If not, you might be missing out on the next Facebook. Or at least -- so says a poster on Pinterest -- now making the rounds.

It asks -- is Pinterest the next social commerce game changer? There seems to be evidence it could be.
Interest in Pinterest rose 429 percent from September to December 2011. Same store referral traffic to five specific retailers rose 389 percent. And, in December, Pinterest was second only to Google -- in retail referral traffic.

So, all of a sudden, people with absolutely no clue about Pinterest -- are indeed -- taking an interest. The site works like a virtual scrapbook, letting users share images of whatever they find interesting.
Mashable notes -- growth seems to be the six-letter word driving interest in Pinterest.

“The darling network of brides-to-be, fashionistas and budding bakers now beats YouTube, Reddit, Google+, LinkedIn and MySpace for percentage of total referral traffic in January... Pinterest’s traffic increased more than fourfold between September 2011 and December 2011, bringing in 7.51 million unique visitors in December alone....”

But Mashable also points out, there is scant data for true conversion between referrals and buyers.
Still, Forbes notes, Pinterest wants its users to do three things -- consume, create and share.
The faster that happens -- the more Pinterest seems to grow.

“Pinterest has what I call an ‘obvious secret,’ the kind of insight that creates breakaway non-consensus companies. An obvious secret is when a startup has discovered a deep insight about its users, which is not obvious to the outside world, but is the key to the business’s success. However, to those who do not know this insight, the company appears to be little more than a novelty.”

Pinterest does have some competition in the pinning game -- GimmieBar, for example, has features Pinterest doesn’t.
And Search Engine Journal notes -- there are things that aren’t intuitive when it comes to pinning.

“You can’t pin anything from a Flash site, which is still a favorite of many high end retailers, so that is a completely missed opportunity. More subtle problems arise with product sites that offer nifty image preview tools. If you are a savvy user, you can click on ‘switch to JPG view’ and be able to pin that image, but most people will not know to take that extra step.”

Once over some of those hurdles, Pinterest is pretty simple to use, so long as you’re not averse to its requirements. Aced Magazine was -- at first.

“There isn’t much thinking involved, as Pinterest immediately sets up followers based on what categories appeal to you (ie: fitness, technology, photography, etc.). I initially did not like the idea of following Pinterest-ers whom I knew nothing about, but then I realized the goal of the network is to find IDEAS from others that inspire your own.”

The Wall Street Journal has called Pinterest -- one of the hottest new media sites on the web.
The Toronto Star asks Pinterest veteran and retail consultant Christina Martinez if that presents a problem.

“The danger is that if it is overtaken by corporate interests, it may lose its charm, much of which is based upon the gentle tone and DIY projects... But Martinez says, Facebook and Twitter have survived corporate invasion and she thinks Pinterest will too.”

(Image source: Wikimedia Commons)

BY KEVIN DUBOUIS

ANCHOR LAUREN GORES

For the fifth time in nearly two decades, Israelis elected Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu leader of the right wing Likud party.

The Telegraph reports Tuesday wasn’t just any win — he got 3/4s of the vote.

“The size of his victory will boost Mr Netanyahu, who has faced criticism from some within his traditionally hawkish party for accepting the notion of Palestinian statehood. Senior party officials were quoted as saying that he is contemplating calling an election in October, taking advantage of a strong showing in opinion polls and signs of disarray in some opposition parties.”

Israel’s general election normally wouldn’t take place until late 2013. According to the Jerusalem Post, Netanyahu denied setting an earlier date for the general elections. But euronews points out another challenge in Netanyahu’s political agenda — the upcoming American presidential election.

The Israeli leader has clashed with President Obama on Middle East peace issues, and some analysts suggest Mr. Obama will be more determined in pressuring Israel for concessions if he is re-elected for a second term.

“It is thought he wants a strengthened mandate to be better placed to deal with Barack Obama on Middle East peacemaking, should the U.S. president himself be re-elected.”

The primary comes under the backdrop of international pressure on Israel to resume peace talks with the Palestinians. The New York Times reports United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon arrived in Jerusalem the day after Likud’s primary to call for good-will gestures toward the Palestinians from Israel.

“The secretary general said he hoped that the exploratory talks between Israeli and Palestinian officials that took place last month in Jordan, the first direct contacts in more than a year, could be sustained.”

The Israeli channel Infolive.tv has Israeli prime minister’s response.

“Netanyahu has said is willing to make such gestures, but only if he is given guarantees that the Palestinians will not walk away from the negotiating table a few weeks later.”

And Haaretz reports Palestinian Authority president Mahmoud Abbas’ pessimism about peace talks.

“ ... Abbas said that during the talks in Jordan, Israel did not present ‘any encouraging proposal that we could advance with.’ He also said ‘Israel continues to establish facts on the ground, to build settlements and take control of lands in Jerusalem and the West Bank. This is something we cannot accept, not today and not tomorrow.’ …”

Those settlements remain a sticking point in peace talks. But as the Middle East Monitor points out -- with Netanyahu staying at the helm of Likud -- that isn’t likely to change.

“Benjamin Netanyahu has confirmed his commitment to his country's illegal settlement policy in the occupied Palestinian territories. ... the Israeli prime minister said that the settlements are a ‘key element’ of the state's future.”

According to the Jerusalem Post — Netanyahu told Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon he’s willing to talk to Palestinians about Israeli settlements, but that a freeze can’t be a precondition of those negotiations.

(Image Source: Herald Sun)

BY EMILY ALLEN

ANCHOR EMILY SPAIN

A ferry capsizes during rough weather off the coast of Papua New Guinea.  The vessel was carrying mostly students and teachers on it’s way to the mainland of Lae.  Here is KTRK.

“Officials say the ferry sent out a distress signal overnight, capsized in choppy waters then sank several hours later.”

Rescue crews have a problem.  The Australian Broadcasting Corporation says the shipping agency will not confirm the number of passengers on board.

“That is frustrating the local police and the search and rescue effort that, as far as they can’t tell how many more people may be out there.”

But the Sydney Morning Herald thinks there is a reason the company is staying mum about the numbers.

“Local people said there had long been concern about overcrowding on the ferry, owned by the brother of PNG's National Maritime Safety Authority chairman.”

A TV New Zealand reporter says this accident doesn’t come as a surprise following two similar disasters in recent years.

“There first two, incompetence.  And the ferry owners, the people who are running this got away with it because they could and it’s people’s lives here that are at risk.”

News of the wreck prompted the country’s Prime Minister to issue a call to action.  Here is the Guardian.

“We need to bring some safety measures back into this industry.  We cannot afford to continue to lose our people’s lives.  And sea transport is one of the most important forms of transportation in the country.”

Herald Sun reports bad light and poor weather are hampering rescue efforts.  It says this shipwreck has been described as the worst-ever shipping disaster in the country’s history.
 

(Image Source: The New York Times)

BY GINA COOK

Well, Trump is getting the media’s attention...again.  He chose to endorse Romney at a news conference in Las Vegas Thursday.  This comes after reports on Wednesday that he was going to endorse Gingrich.

A New York Times columnist says,

“when it comes to pure political comedy, he’s the best there is. Today, we had The Endorsement, a new reality show starring Mr. Trump.”



Trump went on Wolf Blitzer’s Situation Room Thursday where Wolf grilled Trump about the accusations he’s made about Romney in the past.

Wolf: “And this notion that when he was running Bain Capital and having all these firms there was a lot of outsourcing going to China and other companies that’s not a big deal anymore?
Trump: “Well he’s really saved a lot of companies though.”

Some reports say this endorsement might not be what Romney needs at this point especially after recent controversy surrounding a statement Romney made about the poor.


An article in the San Francisco Chroncile says it’s bad timing but also says,

“Coming off a win in Florida, his campaign is gathering traction even as he faces increasing criticism that [he] may be out of touch with the lives and problems of everyday Americans.”



The Democratic National Committee has already come out with an ad criticizing the endorsement.


Trump: “You’re fired.” “You’re fired.”
Romney: “I like being able to fire people that provide services to me.”



One question being asked though...Does Trump’s endorsement even matter?


USA Today cites a Pew Research Center poll that

“showed 64% of Republican and GOP-leaning voters said his backing would make no difference in how they vote in the presidential election.”


 

(Image Source: Wikimedia Commons)

BY ALYSSA CARTEE
ANCHOR LAUREN GORES

It was a move that divided two women’s health giants and their supporters. News broke Tuesday that cancer research and awareness organization Susan G. Komen pulled its grant funding from Planned Parenthood.

Late Wednesday night the organization’s Founder Nancy Brinker posted a video on YouTube defending the decision.

“Recently, we implemented new granting strategies and criteria that some have regrettably mischaracterized.”

Brinker explains, Komen’s policy includes not providing money to organizations under investigation.
Planned Parenthood has been under investigation since September by a Florida Republican Representative about the organization’s use of taxpayer dollars.

But many are criticizing Komen’s move as purely political. CBS reports a recent hire at Komen has some of those critics asking more questions.

“Komen’s new Vice President for policy is a politician from Georgia who has run in the past on an anti-abortion platform and that leads some to wonder whether her hiring explains the timing of this move.”

MSNBC spoke with a Democratic Congresswoman who says the policy Komen created will hurt the cancer awareness organization in the long run.

REP. JACKIE SPIERER: “Where Susan G. Komen is going is a very slippery slope. Because for instance NIH is called to Congress often to explain certain things when investigations are done. Komen gives a million dollars to the NIH. Are they going to cut back that funding?”

But a Fox News analyst says the decision is Komen’s to make whether people like it or not.

“I think that organizations in America, charitable foundations, health organizations, they have the right to make a determination about how and where they’re giving money.”

A blogger for the Washington Post points out Komen’ position seems to have helped Planned Parenthood.

“Planned Parenthood … has reportedly already raised $250,000 on news of Komen’s decision. And it will likely end up recouping its losses quickly.”

Planned Parenthood says it received $680,000 in Komen grants last year.

(Image: SlashGear)

BY EVAN THOMAS AND JJ BAILEY

ANCHOR MEGAN MURPHY

Sir Howard Stringer, CEO of Sony, is on his way out; to be replaced by the head of Sony Entertainment America Kazuo Hirai. Effective April 1st. But an analyst tells Bloomberg Hirai has his work cut out for him. Sony is having trouble finding winners in its product lineup.

“It’s nowhere in tablets, it’s just had to buy back its share of Sony Ericsson to try to get back into phones ... TVs, its onetime glamor area, is the business losing all the money.”

Barron’s Senior Editor Tiernan Ray tells The Wall Street Journal, Hirai is a good first step. He has a different leadership style from Sir Howard Stringer.

“I think he may be seen more as someone-- Kaz Hirai-- as someone who likes to get into the nitty-gritty of how do they move units.”

According to Business Insider, Sony’s stock is nearing a 20-year low, and the company is on its way to it’s fourth straight year of losses.

But electronics companies have been down and out before, and Electronista says Hirai will likely be taking his cues from a similar story.

“Hirai has and will present a more absolutist structure like that at a rival such as Apple, where management dictates the overall strategy and divisions are there to make that vision real.”

And listening to an interview Hirai gave the Journal on February 1st, his plan seems to be echoing that of Apple’s founder and visionary, Steve Jobs. He says Sony needs...

“...to become a company that provides a very unique and compelling user experience, as opposed to just a company that provides great hardware products.”

Stringer, meanwhile, has been appointed as chairman of Sony’s board of directors.

Image: National Geographic

(Image Source: BBC)

BY BLAKE HANSON

NATO’s primary combat role in Afghanistan could come to an end in 2013. Top U.S. and NATO officials echoed each other Thursday -- discussing what would be an accelerated draw down in troops. NBC’s Today Show has the story...

“Defense Secretary, Leon Panetta, said the U.S. military hopes to end its formal combat mission there some time in 2013.”

“The Pentagon says the U.S. will be open to teaming up with the Afghan army in the ongoing fight against the Taliban, and will stay on the ground through 2014.”

The Associated Press reports this is the first time NATO has hinted combat operations would end before 2014. A Sky News reporter says the move gives the Taliban a timetable.

“In some areas, in particular, the Taliban have decided to sit on their hands, let NATO go so they can then fight an easier foe in the form of the Afghan government.”

A writer for the National Post explains why there’s so little trust the Afghan government will be able to handle the job.

“No one even pretends that these troops will be coming home as victors. Instead, the job will be left to the Afghan military, which is decently trained and equipped, but has low morale and … is shot through with Taliban sympathizers.”

CNN’s Pentagon correspondent says support for the war from other NATO countries is dwindling, which could explain the accelerated timeline.

“Everybody agrees this war is not going to be sustainable much longer. Every source we speak with tells us that. So this is now a question of when, not if.”

Finally, the Christian Science Monitor asks -- what does this mean for the troops?

“Are they likely to be safer? To see less fighting? In practical terms, probably not … The move away from a ‘combat role’ into … an ‘advise and assist role’ is replete with some murky military definitions.”

(Image Source: USA Today)

BY ORLA O MUIRI

ANCHOR MEGAN MURPHY

He never threw a punch -- but he was known across the boxing world as one of its all-time greats. He coached one of the greatest fighter’s ever -- Muhammad Ali. The iconic trainer Angelo Dundee died this week. ESPN has more on the legendary man in the corner.
 

“He was a teacher, trainer and tactition. He motivated men like Ali, George Foreman and Sugar Ray Leonard. In fact Leonard said about Dundee, quote; “in the heat of a fight there is no one better to have in your corner than Angelo.”

Dundee was best known for his relationship with Ali- a three time heavyweight champion. According to theage.com....
 

“Ali signed with Dundee in 1960 after culminating his amateur career with the light-heavyweight gold medal at that year's Olympic Games in Rome. Four years later, Ali became the second-youngest heavyweight champion, beating Sonny Liston.”

Dundee was Ali’s coach and trainer for some of boxing’s biggest fights ever -- the ‘Thrilla in Manila’ and the ‘Rumble in the Jungle.’ WLKY notes, as high profile as those two fights were, it was behind the scenes where Dundee really came to life...
 

“His visibility on the major stages were minute compared to where he did his real work.
In cold, empty boxing rings -- away from the cameras and commentators -- Dundee worked to not only train his boxers to be the best, he convinced them they could be.”

Dundee was 90 years old -- his career lasted six decades. In an interview before his death with the BBC, Dundee wanted to help boxing flourish, just as it did when he was ringside.
 

“You can’t live on the memory, you live for today.... boxing is a great sport and I want to see it flourish like it did when I had a great time with Muhammad and Ray Leonard.”

(Image Source: Residence in Phoenix Airport)

BY BLAKE HANSON

A new report out from the Associated Press reveals the U.S. no-fly list has more than doubled in the past year -- and that’s got media outlets asking: how’d that happen? Fox News Radio has more...

“The secret list of suspected terrorists banned from flying in the U.S. has more than doubled in the past year, jumping from 10,000 names to about 21,000.”

So why’d it double? Newser points to December 2009...

“The list has been growing at a quick clip ever since the failed Christmas 2009 ‘underwear bomber’ plot, after which the government lowered the standards required to place people on the list. The new standards would have ensured that would-be bomber Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab was on the list…”

So how’s all this play into the so-called “War on Terror”? The Global Post writes...

“The news comes despite the Obama administration’s claims that it is close to beating Al Qaeda.  
However, according to the AP story the government ‘believes the current terror threat extends well beyond the group responsible for the September 2001 attacks.’”

Meanwhile, KCRA has reaction from some travelers -- and a not-so-happy American Civil Liberties Union...

TRAVELER: “There’s a lot of stuff the government does to keep us safe, we may disagree at certain times but some of this stuff is kind of necessary.”
REPORTER: “The ACLU is not happy about the growing list, they believe more rights are being violated because anyone’s name could be placed on the list without an explanation.”

As of Thursday morning, the TSA had not responded to the AP report -- but on its website calls the No Fly list a quote “essential element of the aviation security.” 

(Image source: The White House)

BY ZACH TOOMBS

It’s been talked about for months, but Wednesday marked the official Capitol Hill introduction for a proposed Buffett Rule — a law that would require millionaires to pay at least a 30 percent tax rate. Democratic Rhode Island Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse proposed the bill.

“With all the advantages that do come an enormous income, paying a lower tax rate than regular working families should not be one of those advantages.”

Investor Warren Buffett breathed life into the concept of a millionaire surtax last fall. But the bill’s official name, the Paying a Fair Share Act, borrows not too subtly from President Obama’s own language — much of it coming from last week’s State of the Union address.


“Fair shot...”

“Fair share...”

“Fair share of taxes...”

“Fair play...”

“Fair share of taxes...”

Republican Representative Paul Ryan provided a response to the president’s call for higher taxes on millionaires on Fox News Sunday, telling Chris Wallace the so-called Buffett Rule would only make a small dent in reducing the federal deficit.

“Let’s just look at the math. All these tax increases that the president’s talking about? They only cover 8 percent of his proposed spending increases. The other 92 percent of the nation’s spending increases are borrowed money.”

POLITICO notes, even if the bill doesn’t pass, it still highlights economic inequality — an issue that is sure to be an election year talking point for Democrats.

“Whitehouse’s legislation is almost certain to go nowhere in this Congress: Republicans generally abhor higher taxes and the Senate was unable to clear bills containing a millionaire’s surtax multiple times last year. But the bill could be a messaging tool for Democrats in this election year – particularly amid revelations that former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney paid an effective tax rate of 14 percent in 2010.”

But on CNN’s Out Front, Sen. Whitehouse says the bill was not a political maneuver, but rather a piece of legislation that has a chance of passing through Congress.

“If it has difficulty passing on its own, bear in mind that at the end of this year all of the Bush tax cuts expire, and that’s going to motivate everyone in Washington to rethink tax policy.”

On the Senate floor Wednesday, Whitehouse also noted that Americans making between $1 million and $2 million annually would be phased in to the 30 percent tax rate to avoid what he called “a tax cliff.” As of yet, no date is set for a vote on the legislation.

Image Source: Giga OM

BY MADISON MACK


The speculation and rumors can end, at least for now. Right on queue, Facebook has officially filed for its initial public offering. Here’s Bloomberg.

“The eight year old company looking to raise five billion dollars in the most anticipated IPO in years. The prospectus is jammed pack with numbers and facts on Facebook’s business.”

Engadget takes a look at some of those mind-boggling numbers.

“…the service has 845 million active users each month, nearly half of which log in and actuate 2.7 billion likes and comments each day. It also shed light on the company’s prior revenue and earnings … with profits of $229 million and $606 million in 2009 and 2010, respectively -- easily bested by a whopping $1 billion in 2011.”

The Verge points out – CEO Mark Zuckerberg owns 28 percent of the company but as for his salary -- probably not what you’d think.

“He’s got a base salary of $500,000, peanuts for a man who ranks as one of the wealthiest on the planet … As you can imagine, those figures don't tell the full story once you factor in stock benefits … As of January of next year, Zuckerberg's annual salary will drop to just $1, a common practice among wealthy chief executives with a lot of skin in the game.”

The stock won’t hit the open market for a few months – after the SEC has reviewed all the paperwork. And buried in that paperwork is a passionate letter from Zuckerberg which GigaOM notes – gives some insight into Zuckerberg’s vision for his company’s future.

“There is a huge need and a huge opportunity to get everyone in the world connected, to give everyone a voice and to help transform society for the future.  The scale of the technology and infrastructure that must be built is unprecedented, and we believe this is the most important problem we can focus on.”

The company is currently valued at $100 billion and has applied to trade under the ticker symbol FB.





 

(Image source: Diet in Details)

BY ZAKIYYAH WAHAB

ANCHOR LAUREN ZIMA

Three professors from the University of California in San Francisco say sugar is toxic and should be regulated.  According to SkyNews, the professors propose...

“...adding taxes to processed foods that contain any form of added sugar...”

Other measures they suggest include:

“....controlling access ... such as age limits for purchase of sugary drinks, and tightening controls on vending machines and snack bars in schools and workplaces...”

Dr. Robert Lustig is one of the researchers calling for regulation.  He says has obese patients as young as six months old and says this is not because of a lack of exercise. As he tells UCSF News,

“...sugar has very specific effects that drive these phenomenon, that drive in some resistance, that drive excessive consumption...”

According to Nature.com, per Capita, Americans eat more sugar than just about anyone in the world.  More than 600 calories per day.

And according to the researchers’ findings, 

“Health problems due to excessive alcohol consumption such as hypertension and pancreatitis are also found in excessive sugar consumption.”

Not everyone agrees.  The Guardian reports that in response to the researchers’ suggestions, a spokesperson from Sugar Nutrition UK says,

“...expert committees, including … the European Food Safety Authority and the World Health Organisation …  have concluded that ... available evidence does not implicate sugar at the level currently consumed in any of the ‘lifestyle diseases’ such as obesity...”

Australian health experts also do not completely agree with the toxic sugar findings. Life Hacker reports, that,

“... casting sugar as the ultimate villain and calling for regulation is misleading, unfounded and unnecessary.”

But back in states, the San Francisco sugar researchers disagree.  They hope the U.S. Food and Drug Administration will consider removing sugar from its “generally regarded as safe list.”

(Image source: eBay)

BY DAVID EARL

President Obama has Air Force One, Marine One -- and Limo One. But what about a car he used to tool around in before becoming commander-in-chief? That’s a different kind of one.

“The price for history is not cheap...if you’re interested, it’ll cost you $1 million dollars. What?”

The car is up on eBay and the seller claims he’s got the title to back up the *first* owner. CNN reports Mr. Obama’s old car isn’t necessarily a beater...

“It’s a top-of-the-line Chrysler 300C with a powerful V8 engine. Basically what it is … it’s like a luxury hot rod.”

But a blogger for the Wall Street Journal isn’t impressed.

“Even with confirmation, the car doesn’t seem particularly attractive in part because there is no great story behind it. Obama is not known to be a car guy, so it is unlikely that he spent long hours in the garage changing the oil or modifying the Hemi engine for more horsepower.”

As a matter of fact, Right This Minute points out, Mr. Obama didn’t even like it enough to buy it...

“He leased the car when it had just 2 miles on it in July of 2004 and drove it until 2007, shortly before he was elected President of the United States.”

And it looks like, for a million bucks, no one else likes it enough to buy it either. There hasn’t been a single bid for the car. But the Chicago Tribune points out a princely price tag isn’t necessarily unprecedented.

“To assert that the ‘$1 million asking price is not a joke,’ the listing cites the $8 million once fetched for Adolf Hitler's Mercedes, the $690,000 for Pope John Paul II's 1975 Ford Escort and the $113,000 for the ‘Bartman baseball’ at the center of the Cubs 2003 playoff collapse against the Florida Marlins.”

Chrysler sold more than 140,000 300s in model year 2005, and the Kelly Blue Book Value for a 2005 Chrysler 300C? Between $14,000 and $17,000.
 

(Image Source: WPEC)

BY LAUREN ZIMA

In a move a judge calls “unprecedented” and “a legal twilight zone,” a wealthy Florida man is being accused of adopting his girlfriend to protect his money.

48-year-old John Goodman, founder of the International Polo Club Palm Beach, is accused of running a stop sign and hitting 23-year-old Scott Wilson’s car in 2010. Wilson later died from those injuries, and his family is suing Goodman for wrongful death. The civil trial is set for March.

But now -- a new complaint from Wilson’s family. WPTV reports.

“Goodman has adopted his 42-year-old girlfriend, Heather Hutchins. The six-page document says Goodman made the move to divert a portion of his assets.”

The New York Daily News explains …

“[Goodman] filed the paperwork to adopt … Hutchins in October, legally entitling her to a third of the assets in a trust fund he set up for his two biological children.”

The Palm Beach Post explains because she is over 35, Hutchins is entitled to her share of that trust immediately. The paper also has Goodman’s side.

“ … Goodman’s civil attorney ... said Hutchins’ adoption was done to ensure the future stability of his children and family investments. ‘It has nothing to do with the lawsuit currently pending against him’ …”

So, will the adoption hold? WPEC spoke with an adoption attorney -- who says the move is ...

“Both awful and brilliant. ... This was an effort to carve out some of that money to be able to be used by him and his girlfriend to support their lifestyle.”

Fox News panelists debate -- calling the adoption “despicable” -- but smart.

“Morally despicable.”
“Repugnant.”
“It’s horrible, but you now have to remember -- we’re lawyers.”

Authorities say Goodman was driving with a blood-alcohol level two times above the legal limit the night of the accident. He also faces a criminal trial in March on charges of vehicular homicide, DUI manslaughter and leaving the scene of a crime. Goodman has pleaded not guilty.

(Image Source: Flickr/Eddie S)

BY HARUMENDHAH HELMY

ANCHOR JIM FLINK

In world news, public anger in Egypt after more than 70 people die in a soccer tragedy. Some Egyptians are blaming government security forces for failing to protect civilians.  Eyewitnesses say they saw police officers standing idly by as the violent clashes broke out. One NBC correspondent says the incident highlights one of Egypt’s biggest problems.
 

“...many people have lost confidence in the police and the security forces in being able to keep any kind of law and order. And when they try to do that, it often turns violent and angers and fuels more protests, so it is a very precarious situation.”
 

Still in world news, a ferry sinks off Papua New Guinea’s east coast with as many as 350 people on board. Rescuers have recovered more than 200 survivors. Reports say most of the passengers were students and teachers’ trainees. Here’s KING.
 

“This picture shows ships and helicopters are on the scene. So far officials say 238 people have been rescued. Right now it's unclear what caused the ferry to sink.”
 

In U.S. news, Mitt Romney’s Wednesday morning gaffe on CNN is still getting backlash. In an interview with Soledad O’Brien, the GOP presidential hopeful says he was, quote - ‘not concerned about the very poor.’ He has since clarified the remarks -- but his opponents aren’t missing the opportunity to attack. Here’s CNN, with Newt Gingrich on the campaign trail.

Gingrich: “I am running to be the president of all the American people, and I am concerned about all of the American people.”
 

Still in U.S. news, it’s Groundhog Day! Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow, and according to folklore, that means there will be six more weeks of winter. Fox News has that clip - with some in the audience booing the groundhog for a prediction he can’t even help! Come on guys - it’s not Phil’s fault.
 

Punxsutawney gentleman: “...many shadows do I see -- six more weeks of winter it must be.”
Audience: [cheering and booing]


Stay with Newsy for more analysis on news throughout the day.  For Newsy Now, I’m Jim Flink, highlighting the day’s top headlines to make you smarter, faster.
 

(Image source: Microsoft)

BY EVAN THOMAS

ANCHOR CHRISTINA HARTMAN

Microsoft is looking to grab some market share using a decidedly low-tech method-- the software giant is smearing Google’s new privacy policy in print ad campaign.

Microsoft has taken out full-page print ads in the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal and USA Today. The ads claim Google’s new policies are aimed at making users more valuable to advertisers, rather than improving Google’s own services. In a blog post, Microsoft explains:

“The changes Google announced make it harder, not easier, for people to stay in control of their own information. … if the news about Google has you feeling frustrated, or concerned, or both, we have some great, award-winning alternatives...”

It sounds good on paper, but Microsoft hasn’t made any changes to its offerings. According to VentureBeat, Microsoft is simply saying, “We exist!”

“Microsoft ... is making ‘come to papa’ gestures... There’s no new launch to announce, just a new angle to pitch — and the angle is ‘We’re not Google.’”

But Marketing Land says-- that might be enough.

“If Microsoft had tried this type of campaign a month ago, I think plenty of people would have laughed off the idea that Microsoft was somehow looking out for its customers more than Google. Maybe that will still happen today. But Google’s in a weaker position now.”

PC Magazine points out-- there’s precedent for this sort of behavior. Remember Apple?

“Years ago, long before Apple was the most valuable company on the planet, the company waged exactly the same type of war against Microsoft with its ‘Switch’ campaign. That multi-million dollar war of PC propaganda eventually gave rise to the ‘I’m a Mac’ television commercial series...”

Whether the ads work, ReadWriteWeb says to call them what they are-- a jab.

“This is just a shady PR attack by Microsoft, and the press is buying it. Microsoft doesn’t deign to inform its readers about Google’s policy. It uses a few kumbaya words up front and then gets straight to the point: it’s BAAAAD. But we’ve seen less spun talking points in the Republican presidential debates.”

Google’s new privacy policy won’t go into effect until March 1st. Microsoft’s ads will run in the papers through Friday.

(Image Source - CBS)
 

BY JOSHUA LANDER

ANCHOR LAUREN ZIMA

Riots in Port Said, Egypt left 73 dead and hundreds more injured Wednesday morning.  It had nothing to do with politics.  It was all because of a soccer match.
 
Fans from home team Al-Masry stormed the field and began hurling stones and fireworks at fans and players of the opposing team from Cairo.  Many of the reported dead were security officers who were beaten to death while trying to bring order.

The New Zealand Herald quoted Al-Ahly player Mohamed Abo Treika as saying...

"This is not football. This is a war and people are dying in front of us. There [was] no movement and no security and no ambulances."

Another player said..

"The players' room has turned into a morgue." 

Soccer related violence has increased dramatically in Egypt since the country’s revolution last year.  One CNN expert says the riot was most likely not spontaneous. 

"There’s a small group of fanatical fans called the Ultras who often times go to these games with the specific intent of getting into fights with fans from the opposing team."

According to Voice of America, the riots have forced the hand of Egyptian officials. 

"Egypt's state prosecutor has ordered an immediate investigation into the violence and the country's football association called for an indefinite suspension of the annual championship."

While the riot does not appear to coincide with Egypt’s political unrest in the past year, it does raise the continued issue of the state police’s ability to deal with violent crowds.  CBS News recorded the incident as...

"...the deadliest incident of soccer violence since Oct. 16, 1996, when at least 78 people died and 180 others were injured in a stampede at a stadium in Guatemala City..."

(Image Source: Wikimedia Commons) 

BY VICTORIA CRAIG 

You're watching multisource video news analysis from Newsy. 

The reports are out, and the results are in. The Federal Election Commission’s end-of-year fundraising reports for all 2012 presidential contenders came out Tuesday. MSNBC has a rundown of what those numbers show. 

“Mitt Romney raised $24 million in the fourth quarter. Ron Paul was second, Newt Gingrich third, and then Rick Santorum. ... President Obama raised a whopping $68 million in the fourth quarter.”

Many of the president’s campaign bundlers donated their cash late last year. Fox News explains how those A-listers - including stars like Eva Longoria - are helping the president’s reelection campaign.

“Bundlers are wealthy donors who give the legal maximum to the campaign, then get their friends and family and others to do the same thing.”

But the extra cash flow could begin to slow for the Obama team. Bloomberg reports Wall Street investors who donated to Obama in 2008, pulled back at the end of 2011...and fled to his Republican rival, Mitt Romney.

“Mitt Romney’s investment background, criticized by some of his Republican presidential rivals, is helping him build a financial advantage over them....After Obama championed new regulations designed to curb abuses blamed for the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression, Wall Street put its money elsewhere.”

The Wall Street Journal adds, corporate donors could be the key to winning the race in 2012.

“The data show the super PACs have been funded primarily by a small group of wealthy donors, some of whom have donated $500,000 or more. The new data are the most dramatic evidence yet of the influence that wealthy donors can have on the 2012 campaign as a result of recent court decisions on campaign-finance law, superseding the efforts of established party and candidate organizations.”

But even though the president has raised more funds overall than Romney and Gingrich combined-- the National Journal says super PAC’s may give the GOP candidates more of a boost further down the line.

“This year, it's the Republicans' adept and aggressive use of super PACs to even the financial playing field, blunting the often-massive money advantages that an incumbent president has at his disposal.”

(Image Source: The Daily Mail)

BY JENNIFER LONG

A California man is stunned by a new leash law in a national park – literally. KCBS explains.

“The man who was tasered by a ranger with the national service has been identified as Gary Hesterberg of Montara. The confrontation apparently began because Hesterberg had one of his dogs off leash.”

The park was privately owned until last December and residents say they were used to walking their dogs off leash there. The Belmont Patch has a statement from the Golden Gate National Recreation area saying the incident …

“...began as a ‘routine educational contact’ on the rules regarding dog walking but grew into a more serious situation when the dog walker provided false information to the ranger and refused the ranger's repeated orders to remain at the scene while his identity was confirmed.”

The ranger then stunned Hesterberg in the back as he walked away. But was a Taser stun gun an appropriate use of force in the incident? Founder of the local Montara Dog Blog says …

"There is total outrage about this. Everyone thinks this is a total excessive use of force … I hope this guy hires an attorney because I think he's got a strong case.”

And The Daily Mail breaks down the powers of a park ranger.

“Any park ranger is considered a peace officer just like any police officer, corrections officer or officer of any court with full law enforcement powers. … Enforcement Rangers suffer the most number of felonious assaults, and the highest number of homicides of all federal law enforcement officers.”

A writer for Examiner concludes both parties were probably at fault.

“Walking two small dogs off leash hardly equates with someone walking up a park trail with a loaded firearm, but how well one passes the ‘personality test’ if approached by a ranger could make a lot of difference in the long run. … in San Francisco, both parties failed the test.”

The ranger remains on duty while the National Park Service conducts an investigation.

(Image Source: Wikimedia Commons)

BY NIELS SCHACK NORGAARD

Mitt Romney was forced to clarify a controversial remark Wednesday morning.

First -- to the remark. Speaking to CNN’s Soledad O’Brien Wednesday morning, Romney said he isn’t concerned with very poor Americans.

“I’m in this race because I care about Americans. I’m not concerned about the very poor. We have a safety net there. If it needs repair I’ll fix it. I’m not concerned about the very rich. They are doing just fine.”

Only the night before, Romney won a crucial state -- Florida -- with 46 percent of the vote, beating rival Newt Gingrich by 14 points. But Wednesday morning, he was having to explain his remarks. Speaking with reporters while on a flight, The LA Times quotes him as saying:
 

”The area that I think is the greatest challenge that the country faces right now is not to focus our effort on how we help the poor, as much as to focus our effort on how to help the middle class in America, and get more people in the middle class, and get people out of being poor and becoming middle income.”


Even with the clarification -- The Hill’s A.B. Stoddard tells MSNBC Romney’s initial statement shows a big disconnect with most Americans.


”They will find all of this very hard to understand. It doesn’t mean he doesn’t want to do the right thing for the middle class and create more opportunities for economic growth. It just sounds like he doesn’t care about them at all.”


Yet Romney was defended by Derek Thompson, a senior editor at The Atlantic:


”Democrats are squealing in delight that the fabulously rich GOP frontrunner has ostensibly admitted ... he doesn't care about the poor. The line is tailor-made to be taken out of context, but if you read closely, Romney is absolutely not saying he has no regard for the very poor. He's saying he believes that the safety net we have is sufficient to protect them.”


And as Romney prepares for Saturday’s caucus in Nevada, Fox News’ political correspondent Carl Cameron predicts even though Romney explained himself, the issue will stick.

”It plays to the notion that he is a rich, out-of-touch Wall Street businessman elitist. And the Romney campaign and the Governor himself worked hard on the airplane to try to knock that down but he will deal with it for some time.”
 

(Image source: CNNMoney)

BY DAVID EARL

ANCHOR CHRISTINA HARTMAN

The deal that would have forged the world’s largest stock exchange is officially dead. Euronews has the headline.

“Competition regulators in Brussels have blocked a merger that would have created the world’s biggest stock exchange. Deutsche Boerse and NYSE Euronext say they will now unwind the deal.”

Leading up to Wednesday’s announcement, the head of EU’s Competition Commission told Bloomberg the deal between US-based NYSE and German exchange Deutsche Boerse was anything but done...

“My conclusion is that some problems of competition will not be solved by this merger, but will be aggravated.”

In fact, Fox Business quotes EU officials coming out with some pretty harsh antitrust descriptions for the deal. According to one of them...

“The merger between Deutsche Boerse and NYSE Euronext would have led to a near-monopoly in European financial derivatives worldwide. These markets are at the heart of the financial system and it is crucial for the whole European economy that they remain competitive.”

You can guess the head of Germany’s flagship exchange wasn’t too pleased to hear the news. A German TV station has the soundbite...

“This is a black day for Europe and its future competitiveness on world financial markets.”

And a financial reporter for the BBC seems to agree.

“Where are these stock exchanges going to go? There’s a feeling that when you’re talking about a global market you have to be globally competitive and you have to be big.”

At least one person on the US-side of the pond likes the deal’s death. The familiar name in national politics, big-city real estate, and prime-time reality TV talks to CNBC....

Donald Trump: “The New York Stock Exchange should be this country...I’m very happy to see it, Becky, I think it’s a good thing for the country.”

This is the latest merger to fall through for America’s oldest exchange. Back in April, rival NASDAQ attempted and failed at a hostile takeover of the NYSE.

(Image source: UC Berkeley)

BY STEVEN SPARKMAN

ANCHOR LAUREN ZIMA

Researchers are one step closer to hacking into the human brain. New techniques from UC Berkeley let a computer listen to a conversation -- by scanning the brain. KPIX explains.

“They’re decoding the electrical activity that happens when a patient hears a certain word. … Researchers then attempt to reverse the process: take the brain activity and then have a computer model say the word.”

The researchers read patients lists of words while measuring how the brain lights up. After the program learned its way around a particular brain, it could reproduce the sounds patients were hearing, even if the program hadn’t learned that word before.

(Computer sounds) (Video source: UC Berkeley)

The sound was muddled, but analysts say it’s a proof of concept, and shows that scientists are getting ever closer to decoding the brain.

Last year, researchers did something similar with vision. Based on the brain’s signals, a computer model was able to reconstruct rough images of what a person was seeing. (Video credit: Gallant Lab)

So where is all this going? Scientists think the same thing happens in the brain when a person hears a word as when a person thinks of a word. A writer for Popular Science explains, if that idea holds up, these techniques could give a new voice to those who have lost theirs.

“[T]here are some practical, medically motivated reasons to do these things, like communicating with locked-in patients, or those who have lost the ability to speak because of a stroke or a degenerative muscle disease.”

The researchers caution it’ll be decades before devices that can translate thought to speech exist. And what about people tapping into your brain without an invitation? The researchers say that’s even more remote. An analyst on BBC says the program needs your help to work at all.

“There’s no need to go out and buy a tinfoil hat just yet. Again, this is very invasive, this required a willing participant to sort of teach the computer model how their particular brain gives up the signals and so on.”

(Image source: Chrysler)

BY CELIA MURRAY

ANCHOR CHRISTINA HARTMAN

Chrysler has posted its first annual net income since 1997. This-- just a few years after filing for bankruptcy-- and getting bailed out by the federal government. KENS has the details.

“An automaker that was bailed out by tax payers is now making a profit. Chrysler reported today it raked in $183 million last year...”

So what’s behind the comeback?  Experts believe the sales spike may be due in part to a more modern image for the brand. According to CBC:

“Chrysler spent much of 2010 designing new vehicles and trying to spruce up an archaic lineup that wasn't selling well.”

And as USA Today reports-- it looks like Chrysler is ready to ride the wave-- announcing last month -- it’s hiring thousands of new employees to help with its Jeep Cherokee line.

“Chrysler Group...will hire another 1,100 workers at its Jefferson North Assembly Plant in Detroit to build the diesel and boost production of the Jeep and the mechanically similar Dodge Durango. That will bring employment at JNAP to about 4,000.”

But as good as things are now-- Bloomberg reports automakers, including Chrysler, may lose market share this year despite growth.

“GM, Ford Motor Co. and Chrysler Group LLC, coming off a year in which all three added share for the first time since 1988, may drop a combined 1.3 percent of U.S. market share in 2012...”

What’s on tap for 2012 that could cause Chrysler to dip? The Wall Street Journal explains.

“The company now faces dual challenges to maintaining its sales momentum this year with fewer new models to stir consumers and the return to full production by Japanese auto makers such as Toyota Motor Corp. that were hurt by natural disasters last year.”

The Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne is calling 2012 the ‘transition year’, while the ‘real story’ will unfold in 2013.

(Image source: Reality TV Magazine)

BY CHRISTINE KARSTEN

ANCHOR MEGAN MURPHY

MTV’s Jersey Shore has had its share of drama -- now a new spin-off with Snooki and JWoww is making headlines. The mayor of Hoboken, New Jersey, has denied the show a permit to film in her town. The Jersey Journal reports:

“ … Hoboken Mayor Dawn Zimmer wrote, ‘Based on protecting public safety and quality of life concerns for Hoboken residents, the city has denied a film permit for a spin-off of the Jersey Shore to be filmed in public locations.’”

The Jersey Journal reports the show planned to film about 700 hours for every hour of actual programming. Perez Hilton wonders if, with all that filming, Zimmer is denying her town some income …

“We understand why the city would have mixed feelings about this, BUT it would bring looooooots of tourism!”

But TMZ understands Zimmer’s ‘quality of life’ concerns -- saying they outweigh economic stimulation.

“Causing traffic, creating large noisy crowds, and completely disrupting day-to-day life.

 Of course, Snooki can also stimulate a local economy -- so is banning her really worth it? Probably.”

But will this stop the show altogether? E! Online notes the production company has seen these problems before.In September, Governor Chris Christie denied ‘Jersey Shore’ a $420,000 tax credit for the show to film in the state, saying he would not pay for a project that would, quote, “perpetuate misconceptions about the state and its citizens.”

So -- what’s next for JWoww and Snooki’s spinoff? E! says ...

“ ... if you think this will stop these two from doing their show, think again. Snooki posted on Facebook earlier today, ‘NYC for lots of press with my girl Jwowwzers ! love my booboo! Can't wait for our spinoff!!’ The show must go on …”

And any word on when the show might hit the airwaves? As of this January 3rd interview with Hollywood Reporter, JWoww wasn’t too sure.

“It’s starting soon. I think it will hit the air after, um, Jeez I don’t know. (Laugh)”

495 Productions can appeal the decision to the Hoboken City Council.

(Image Source: Planned Parenthood) 
 

BY GILLIAN STEDMAN


Well-known breast cancer charity the Susan G. Komen Foundation, is racing away from Planned Parenthood. WFAA in Dallas says...

“Susan G. Komen and Planned Parenthood are cutting ties.  Last year Komen donated $680,000 for breast cancer screenings, but the charity has a new policy barring grants to organizations under investigation.”

A recently formed congressional committee is investigating Planned Parenthood on how it spends funds. But Planned Parenthood isn’t buying the Komen foundation’s reasoning. KMSP reports ...

“Officials with Planned Parenthood argued the move is connected to the hot button debate over abortion.”

CBS News quotes Planned Parenthood President Cecile Richards.

“We are alarmed and saddened that the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation appeared to have succumbed to political pressure. Our greatest desire is to reconsider this policy and recommit to the partnership on which so many women count.”

And WRAL has a statement from Komen.

“While it is regrettable when changes in priorities and policies affect any of our grantees, such as a long-standing partner like Planned Parenthood, we must continue to evolve to best meet the needs of the women we serve and most fully advance our mission.”

The Komen cuts are in effect, and will Planned Parenthood be hurt financially? The Hill reported Wednesday -- maybe not -- an online campaign in wake of the Komen news raised $400,000 for Planned Parenthood in 24 hours.

“More than 6,000 people have donated, Planned Parenthood said. … ‘People respond powerfully when they see politics interfering with women’s health’ …”
 

(Image Source: LALate)

BY LAUREN ZIMA

Don Cornelius -- the creator of ‘Soul Train’ -- died Wednesday at the age of 75 after an apparent suicide. WFAA reports.

“Los Angeles police say he shot himself at his home on Mulholland Drive. Soul Train began in 1970 as a local show in Chicago and was syndicated nationally for three decades. No word on what might have prompted the suicide.”

KDFW says Cornelius hosted the show until 1993, and ‘Soul Train’ stopped filming in 2006. But, the station reports, Cornelius seemed to have plans for the future.

“Cornelius recently announced he was working on a movie project focusing on things that really happened on the show and exploring the program’s creation.”

Celebrity reactions poured in after the news hit. WSVN has a few:

“Reverend Al Sharpton saying, ‘I’m shocked and grief-stricken by the reported suicide of Don Cornelius of Soul Train. I’ve known him since I was 19 years old.’ Ice Cube Tweets, ‘Rest in peace. Love & Soul ... Don Cornelius.’”

And media are posting in-memoriams, too. Most wrote of Cornelius and the show as one and the same -- the show’s impact was his, and vice-versa. The Washington Post says of Soul Train ...

“It was a highlight of the week. And it’s all thanks to Don Cornelius, who introduced us to the latest music and fashion.”

And The New York Daily News says the show was “his show.”

“Don Cornelius brought color to American television — in every sense of the term. … ‘Soul Train’ made as deep, and beloved, an impression on audiences for what it looked like as what it sounded like.”

Though media reports indicate the death appears to be a suicide-- The Los Angeles Times explains, police are still investigating.

“Officials said it probably will take several days to make a final determination about the death … they stressed it will take days to fully investigate, including interviewing friends and family and examining evidence …”

(Image source: Wikimedia Commons)

BY CODY LAGROW & CHRISTINA HARTMAN

ANCHOR CHRISTINA HARTMAN

Ron Paul is out to conquer the wild, wild west after coming in fourth with 7 percent of the vote in Florida’s primary. ABC has the next step.

“Both contenders have been campaigning in Colorado, which hold its caucuses a week from today. And both are hosting campaign events in Nevada tonight.”

Paul is looking to take the gold in the silver state this year. The Texas congressman took second behind Mitt Romney in Nevada in 2008. But The LA Times quotes University of Nevada political science professor Eric Herzik who says this time, Paul has a chance to pull a “W.”

“Let’s face it, we’re built on gambling. The bars never close. We have legalized prostitution. We’re not a big government state. Ron Paul has a kind of built-in base here.”

Paul didn’t really compete in Florida, aiming for caucus states that rely more heavily on an enthusiastic and committed following. Compared to primaries -- caucuses are typically a longer time commitment, and therefore have historically lower, but more energetic, turnouts. 

Paul touched on the importance of caucuses to his campaign in a speech after his Florida loss Tuesday night.

PAUL: “We will spend our time in the caucus states because if you have an irate, tireless minority, you do very well in the caucus states.”

And since Florida was a winner-take-all state -- it’s no surprise Paul didn’t invest much of his resources there. With the caucus states, Paul’s got a better shot at the delegate-collection game. And US News and World Report says -- that’s one advantage he has over Romney.

“The number of ‘Paulists’ may not be as large as the armies supporting the front-runner Mitt Romney, but Paul’s backers are passionate, and that means a lot in caucus states, where organization is vital.”

Then again, the article also notes: “Paul's problem is that Romney also has a strong base of Mormons and other conservatives in Nevada.”

(Image Source: Newsy Staff)
 

BY XIAONAN WANG

ANCHOR CHRISTINA HARTMAN

Mitt Romney’s win in the Florida primary gives him a solid lead in the GOP race. But his heavy spending on attack ads drew criticism.

On Fox News -- Sarah Palin describes an uphill battle for Romney’s opponents.

Palin: “It was very, very difficult for Newt Gingrich and the other candidates to counter that bombardment of advertisements.”

It wasn’t just Romney that ran aggressive ads. The New York Times reported nearly all of the ads run in Florida leading up to the primary were negative. An op-ed writer for the Digital Journal says this is a regrettable new norm.

“Romney had outspent Gingrich by $16 million in attack ads, proving that lies, viciousness and negativity works more to manipulate the average American voter than what the candidate simply has to offer. ”

On MSNBC, former Republican National Committee chairman Michael Steele says the negative ads might be a useful tactic in the short run, but they don’t actually add anything to Romney’s campaign.

“16 million dollars on negative advertising, not about promoting a positive message for the future of the country, what he is gonna do as a president, but what he is gonna do to take down Newt Gingrich.”

But it wasn’t just advertising that won the race. An analyst tells CNN Gingrich wasn’t expecting a bolder Romney at the debate podium.

“He expected a Mitt Romney to come who was the same Mitt Romney. Mitt Romney finally decided in Florida to play to win and not play to lose.”

Amid the criticism, conservative pundit Rush Limbaugh says attack ads are here to stay -- and he’s sick of hearing people whine about it.

Rush: “What in the world is POLITICS! What is it, if not this. ”

The next stop of the campaign is Nevada and Maine. Romney won both states in the 2008 contests.

(Image source: FeministsForChoice.com)

BY MEREDITH BALDWIN

ANCHOR MEGAN MURPHY

Pharmaceutical company Pfizer is recalling more than a million packs of birth control. Here’s Bloomberg:

 “Good Morning! And if you’ve been taking birth control pills you might want to go buy a pregnancy test instead.”

The pill order is mixed up in the packs -- and The Today Show talked with a doctor who explains.

“What has happened is there has been a mix up so that some of the inactive pills have been placed where the active pills are and vice a versa -- they’re not quite sure.”

The company is telling women affected it’s crucial they start using a non-hormonal type of contraceptive protection immediately. Pfizer blames a packaging problem --- saying that even though the pills are safe, they aren’t effective in preventing pregnancy. WPTV explains which pills are problematic.

 “The problem affects 14 lots of Lo-Orval and 14 lots of the generic Norgestrel and Ethinyl Estradiol tablets.”

The Pfizer recall comes just months after another major recall affecting birth control packaging. Here’s TIME on what happened then:

 “This is the second major contraceptive recall in less than six months. In September, Qualitest Pharmaceuticals recalled 1.4 million birth control pills because of a different packaging error.”

But Jezebel points out one plus side of the Pfizer name being behind the recall.

 “So instead of calling them ‘birth control pills,’ it might be more accurate to refer to them as ‘one-a-day useless hormone candy.’ … lucky for you, Pfizer also makes pregnancy tests.”

(Image Source: Wikimedia Commons)

BY KEVIN DONNELLAN ANDMALLORY PERRYMAN

ANCHOR LAUREN GORES

An 80s rock band is turning down the volume on Newt Gingrich’s pump-up campaign tune.
 

Gingrich has been using ‘Rocky’ theme ‘Eye of the Tiger’ by the band ‘Survivor’ when he comes on stage for campaign appearances.

Now Houston’s KRIV reports-- the band is suing Gingrich for copyright infringement.

“A federal lawsuit filed Monday claims Gingrich has used the song since 2009 without permission from its authors. The suit asks for Gingrich to stop using the song and pay damages and attorneys fees.”

Frankie Sullivan, co-writer of the song, has been keen to stress this isn’t about politics. He’s quoted in the LA Times saying--
 

“ … it is strictly an artist protecting their copyright."

But The Washington Post adds-- it’s not about the moolah either.
 

“What’s at stake here? Probably pride more than money. Survivor rakes in thousands by licensing the song for movies or ads. But simply playing oldies to pump up a crowd only costs a host a few pennies per attendee if they’ve got a proper license from the music publisher...”

This isn’t the first time a musical artist has taken issue with a campaign-trail tune. NBC explains, the issue came up recently when Michelle Bachmann used Tom Petty’s song ‘American Girl.’ Petty asked the campaign to stop using it.  
 

“They also asked George W. Bush not to use any of his music but Hillary Clinton did use ‘American Girl.’”

So does Gingrich have to stop blasting his beat? The New York Times reports-- use of a song for public appearances falls into a legal gray area. The Times notes-- several cases where candidates used songs in their TV ads have been settled out of court-- but when it comes to political rallies...
 

“The courts still have not provided firm guidance on whether or not playing a song at a political gathering might amount to copyright infringement.”

So far-- the Gingrich campaign hasn’t responded to the suit.

(Image Source: Scrape TV)

BY CODY LAGROW

ANCHOR LAUREN GORES

What would you do to win a game show like Fear Factor? Or what wouldn’t you do? NBC pulled an episode that showed twins Brynne and Claire Odioso drinking a whole mug of donkey semen. The two explained their experience with the Cowhead Radio Show.

“You got 15 minutes and if you vomited you would have to start over. What I ended up doing was just vomited in my glass and just drank that.”

Sad you missed it? NBC is not.  Inside TV reports what the network had to say.

“NBC entertainment president Robert Greenblatt released this statement: ‘I reviewed the episode late last week and decided it wasn’t a segment we should air.’”

Fear Factor host Joe Rogan hinted at the semen swallowing stunt months ago to the Huffington Post and said the network expressed doubt then.

“NBC’s still looking at the footage and going, ‘Uhhhh, can we do that?’ There’s gonna be a lot of people that are going to be upset---it really is ridiculous. It’s just completely foul and offensive.”

Foul or just fun and games? Yidio says some critics compare the stunt with another genre.

“As some harsher critics apparently do, consider the stunt ‘porn’ or ‘bestiality.’

TMZ caught up with the Odioso twins to discuss the donkey drink. The duo would not talk about the episode with TMZ—but did speak out on their new pornstar labels.

“What’s the difference between that and porn?” “Uhh…Obviously a large difference, are you serious?” “No sexual acts involved.”

Here’s something to hee haw about: The twins say the taste of donkey semen has “a hint of hay” and that they’d probably do it again. 

(Image Source: Wikimedia Commons) 

BY VICTORIA CRAIG 

You're watching multisource video news analysis from Newsy. 

A Congressional Budget Office report says the U.S. is on track to rack up a $1.1 trillion deficit. Sounds like a hefty bill-- but the number isn’t as high as last year’s deficit figures. Minneapolis’ KMSP takes us through the trend.

“The government is on track to run a $1.1 trillion deficit this fiscal year. It will be the fourth year in a row the US spends at least a trillion dollars more than it brings in.”

That $1.1 trillion is less than the $1.3 trillion deficit the U.S. ran last fiscal year-- but lawmakers agree-- those numbers need to shrink. According to The New York Times, the solution comes down to politics.

“Republicans said [the CBO report] showed that President Obama’s policies were not working, as evidenced by the high deficit, the rapidly increasing debt and continued high unemployment. However, Democrats said the report confirmed their argument that new revenue, as well as spending cuts, would be needed to solve the nation’s fiscal problems, and that a stronger economy was the best way to reduce the deficit.”

So what are the proposed solutions?  Houston’s KTRK explains one of the Congressional Budget Office’s ideas.

“It’s for Congress to do nothing at all. Those Bush-era tax cuts are set to expire at the end of this year and the CBO says if Congress lets the tax cuts expire, the deficit will go way down.”

But Fox Business’ Stuart Varney explains what inaction from Congress, and allowing tax cuts to expire--  could mean for the U.S.

“Yes, you get the deficit down to about $600 billion a year. Down to $600 billion a year. But, you mess up the economy. You reduce growth to one percent and you get nine percent unemployment.”

BusinessWeek expands on that point, saying tax increases are a short-term fix, likely to turn disastrous in the long-run.

“If all of the scheduled tax increases and spending cuts are allowed to take effect, CBO said, the deficit would shrink to $200 billion by 2018. The agency said that would be a blow to the economy that would drive the jobless rate to 9.2 percent...”

While lawmakers work to figure out a solution to the nation’s fiscal woes, one thing is for sure: The decision likely won’t come easy. The Wall Street Journal sums up the long-term effects of both popular options.

“...With Bush-era tax cuts and other measures allowed to expire at the end of this year and the spending cuts left in place— the total federal debt would grow by roughly $3.1 trillion over the next 10 years...But under the second scenario—with tax increases and spending cuts reversed and other temporary policy measures continued—the debt would grow by $11 trillion over that time span.”

Lawmakers are expected to decide whether they’ll renew the Bush-era tax cuts by the end of this fiscal year, which ends September 30th.

(Image Source: New York Times)

(Image Source: Sandia National Laboratory)

BY JIM FLINK

ANCHOR MEGAN MURPHY
 

Is it the literal silver bullet?

A self-guided projectile -- capable of hitting a target from more than a mile away.

Two researchers at Sandia National Labs have invented just such a projectile.

Here’s the video Sandia labs released to YouTube, and while it doesn’t necessarily enact the entire path - you get the idea.

So, how does it work?

Sandia says, the bullet spins much slower than a traditional projectile, and uses fins to adjust its flight path.

CBS says -- if true -- it would be a massive improvement over the accuracy of traditional firearms.

“...according to a patent application Sandia filed, the new bullet could hit within eight inches of its target at a firing distance of a mile. That compares to a standard rifle-fired bullet, which tends to miss a target by about 29 feet after traveling a mile.”

And it could redefine -- the definition of “point-blank range.”

Because -- in this case, i09 reports -- the farther the distance of the target, the more accurate this bullet becomes.  At least to a point...

“What's more, preliminary tests suggest that increasing a target's distance actually improves the the projectile's accuracy by giving it more time to adjust its flight path.”

A senior fellow at the Royal United Services Institute tells the BBC, a bullet like this would be very well-received by the military, and cited the Libya campaign.

“97% of Nato's weapons hit their target to within about 2m (6.5ft). But that was achieved through air munitions. This would be a revolution for ground forces, and may help further cut down on civilian casualties in future conflicts.”

Wired says -- this discovery changes everything.

From war -- to target shooting.

What is now possible -- was literally impossible heretofore.

“For a little more perspective, consider the world record in shooting accuracy: It currently belongs to British Army sniper Corporal Craig Harrison, who shot two Taliban operatives from a mile-and-a-half away. And Harrison performed that feat under ‘perfect’ conditions.”

(Image Source: Flickr/jam_90s)

BY HARUMENDHAH HELMY

ANCHOR JIM FLINK

This is Newsy Now, and here are your latest headlines.
 

In world news, four British nationals have admitted to plotting al-Qaeda-inspired bomb attacks on the U.S. embassy and the Stock Exchange in London. The men were arrested in December 2010, after being put under surveillance. The BBC reports on one damning piece of evidence that was found in one of the men’s apartments: a handwritten list.

“On that list were the names and addresses of the Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, and two rabbis. As well as the words ‘American embassy’ and the initials LXC.”
 

In U.S. news, GOP presidential hopeful Mitt Romney won what some have called a ‘resounding victory’ in the Florida primary Tuesday night. He had 46 percent of the votes, while runner-up Newt Gingrich had just 32 percent. On CNN, Florida Governor Rick Scott offers his analysis on why Romney came out on top.
 

“What Florida voters want, is they want a president that’s going to focus on reducing taxes, reducing regulations and gear our economy back to work. And last night, Governor Romney was that candidate.”
 

In tech news, sources familiar with the topic say Facebook could file for IPO as early as this morning. The company reportedly will file plans to raise $5 billion. It has picked Morgan Stanley to lead the process. Bloomberg talks to a venture capitalist who says once the documents are released, he’ll be looking for data on Facebook’s monetization per user.
 

“Because Facebook has an immense amount of traffic. Over 10 percent of the Internet traffic now, but how quickly that continues to grow as they grow their user base. They are already at 800 million people, and there are so many people on the planet...”
 

Finally, in health news, Pfizer is recalling one million packets of birth control pills. The company says the pills might not contain enough contraceptive to prevent pregnancy. KNXV has the details.
 

“The problem affects Lo/Ovral-28, and generic Norgestrel, and also Ethinyl Estradiol. ... the affected packets have expiration dates between July 31, 2013 to March 31, 2014.”



Stay with Newsy for more news analyses throughout the day. For Newsy Now, I’m ___, highlighting the top headlines making you smarter, faster.

BY SCOTT MACDONALD

ANCHOR LAUREN ZIMA

Authorities in Los Angeles County say a teacher bound and molested dozens of young students at a Los Angeles elementary school. Here’s KABC.

“61-year-old Mark Berndt was arrested today on 23 counts of child molestation, accused of gagging children, putting live cockroaches on some of their faces, and posing in photos with them ...”

Forty such photos were turned over to police by a film-processing employee in January 2011. Although Berndt was immediately removed from his job, it took a year before the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department was able to arrest and charge him. The Washington Post has more on the evidence.

“Sheriff’s Lt. Carlos Marquez of the Special Victims Bureau said it was determined the children were given semen on a spoon or on a cookie. A blue plastic spoon and container found in [the] trash in Berndt’s classroom tested positive for semen, the sheriff’s statement said.

KCAL reports Berndt may have been pretending to “play a game” with the students -- and that police say no student ever reported abuse.

“Police say Berndt worked at Miramonte for 30 years, and that he committed the acts on at least 23 students ages 7 to 10 between 2008 and 2010.”

The Los Angeles Times reports several parents spoke of Berndt as a teacher they trusted and befriended.

“Parents had so much trust in Berndt, a fixture at the school, that they invited him to birthday parties and stayed in touch long after their children left his class. He was the sort of teacher who’d be invited to quinceañeras — coming-of-age parties for girls, a tradition in the Latino community.”

Both Martin Sandoval, the school principal, and John Deasy, the district superintendent, spoke out today. The two had been prevented by police from commenting until charges were filed. Here’s Deasy on KNX 1070 radio.

“It’s despicable. I’m not his lawyer, nor am I a lawyer, so I don’t have to watch what I say — I find it absolutely despicable. It’s why I removed him instantly.”

According to the warrant released by the Sheriff’s Department, Mark Berndt faces 15 years to life for each of the 23 charges.

 

(Image Source: Peter Alfred Hess)

BY LEAH BECERRA

ANCHOR ZACH TOOMBS

Apple’s hired a new guy to head up its retail arm. That guy is John Browett. His most recent job was leading Europe’s second largest electronics retailer, Dixons. CNBC brings us up to speed.

“David, I was trying to explain to my colleagues earlier on an answer to their question what Dixons was, and I know it owns Currys and a number of other retail chains, but the best I could come up with was that it was a poor man’s Best Buy.”

But tech analysts are at odds over whether Browett is the right man for the job. Apple CEO Tim Cook says he hired the Dixons CEO because of his commitment to customer service, but a Computerworld blogger notes-- Browett’s record in that area doesn’t look so great.

“According to Trustpilot, a customer review website, Dixons garnered a score of 4 out of 10, while Currys rated a 4.5...Apple, meanwhile, scored an 8...”

And besides customer reviews-- a Forbes blogger says Apple should be concerned with Dixons’ poor stock performance under Browett’s leadership.

“Dixons Retail stock and performance have not exactly been triumphant...Is this the first misstep, the post-Jobs vulnerability some feared, and for which others – speculators and Apple-bashers alike – hoped?”

But for all the speculation about Browett’s chances at success-- a reporter for The Guardian says-- the hire isn’t as “jaw-dropping” as some analysts seem to think it is.

“If you don't stare too long at the share price, Dixons' tale is one of survival in hellish trading conditions and in the midst of an online assault led by Amazon. Best Buy, the US invader, was seen off, an achievement that may have brought Browett to the notice of Apple's bigwigs."

Browett will begin his new job as the Senior VP of Retail for Apple in April.

(Image Source: Post Crescent)

BY DAVID EARL

One World Trade Center. It’s the new anchor of lower Manhattan and a national icon -- rising from the ashes of 9/11. When it’s completed, it’ll be the tallest building in the United States.  But The Wall Street Journal reports the tower once named Freedom, is adding $700 million to its price tag....

“...which brings it to about $3.8 billion, which would make it by far the world’s most expensive office tower. More than the Burj Dubai.”

But The Huffington Post points out -- there are some key differences between the building costs of One World Trade Center and the Burj Dubai.

“ [The Burj Dubai] was built with migrant labor and without nearly as many security concerns.”

The tower has signed some A-list tenants -- like Conde Nast and international law firm Chadbourne & Parke. But WCBS says they might not be able to move into their new digs when their lease begins at the Port Authority owned building.

“Now the Port Authority has discovered that the loading docks underneath the building won’t be ready in time for its tenants, and will have to spend millions more on temporary ones.”

With costs ballooning, the New York Post says an audit is on the way.  

“1 WTC is a project with a purpose: to provide state-of-the-art office facilities in a city desperately in need of them. But news of a rushed change in plans as the tower nears its 104-story height is the last thing the embattled [Port Authority], facing a scathing audit, needs.”

At least one person doesn’t find the skyrocketing skyscraper costs surprising.  Former New York City Mayor Rudy Guiliani tells Fox News the World Trade Center had a history of being a burden on budgets.

“It was rarely ever full, and it was operating on a hundred million dollar -- basically -- New York City tax subsidy.”

1 World Trade Center is expected to open in 2013.

(Image source: The Boston Globe)

BY ZACH TOOMBS

A bill put forward by Republican Massachusetts Sen. Scott Brown aims to stop insider trading in Congress and the executive branch. And the proposal is finding few opponents on either side of the aisle.

Brown explained the need for his bill Monday on the Senate floor.

“With the bill before us today, we can take a small step to re-establishing the trust between the American people and Congress.”

Brown says it was a CBS 60 Minutes investigation last fall that prompted him to propose the new measure, called the Stop Trading on Congressional Knowledge, or STOCK, Act.

“If you are a member of Congress, and you are on the Defense Committee, you are free to trade defense stock as much as you want to. If you are on the Senate Banking Committee, you can trade bank stock as much as you want. And that regularly goes on.”

Brown introduced the proposal two months ago, but it wasn’t until President Obama highlighted Congressional insider trading in his State of the Union address that the bill gained traction. An exchange between Brown and Obama caught on camera after the speech might explain why.

BROWN: “The Insider Trading Bill is on Harry (Reid)’s desk right now. Tell him to get it ready. It’s already there.”

OBAMA: “I’m going to tell him. I’m going to tell him to get it done.”

But the bill’s effects are complicated. The use of insider information in making financial decisions is already illegal -- but laws focus on the private sector, not information gained through Congressional matters. CNN’s John King tells us what’s in the bill.

“Any member of Congress or their staff must report transactions within 30 days. Make sure insider trading laws apply to members of Congress. That’s the most ‘big duh’ to most people, but OK. And bars the use of non-public information for personal gain.”

The Huffington Post writes the measure would allow regulatory agencies and the Justice Department to prosecute any member of Congress who violates it. Despite broad bi-partisan support for the bill, Brown’s critics aren’t entirely pleased with his proposal. The Boston Globe writes:

“One of Brown’s Democratic opponents in this year’s US Senate race, Elizabeth Warren, has voiced support for a proposed Democratic amendment that would go even further, banning members of Congress form owning any stocks in the industries over which they have jurisdiction, citing Brown’s investments in Exxon-Mobil and Bank of America.”

This week, Brown boasted the bill might have set a legislative speed record -- it was introduced Nov. 15, and the Senate chose to move to a full vote Monday. As of yet, no date is set for a vote in the House.

(Image source: technorati.com)

BY LIAM KEEGAN

ANA COMPAIN-ROMERO


Apple is under intense media scrutiny over working conditions in its FoxConn factories in China.


That’s after a couple of high profile exposés -- especially this piece from The New York Times titled “In China, human costs are built into the iPad”. The article says FoxConn employees work …

“…excessive overtime, in some cases seven days a week, and live in crowded dorms. Some say they stand so long that their legs swell until they can hardly walk… and under-age workers have helped build Apple products.”

The story is stirring chatter about Apple’s responsibility to the workers.  Bloomberg writer Andrew Winston says the company should be doing more to improve working conditions in factories worldwide.

“Combine Apple's incredible earnings with the reality of life in its supply chain, and it's clear that the tech giant could afford to do much better by workers. It's not sustainable for any company to continue relying on people with such limited rights and life prospects ...”

And tech writer Dan Lyons tells CNN--  it’s up to Apple users to demand change.

“Our entire way of life is being brought about on the backs of people who are being treated in ways that we would never allow ourselves or our countrymen to be treated.”

But Peter Nowak for Canadian Business looks at it from another angle-- saying the media is blowing the story out of perspective. Nowak says the Times article doesn’t provide enough context -- and adds-- other outlets have been too quick to condemn something they know little about.


“... the real question media should be asking is whether Chinese workers are better off for those factories being there in the first place … There’s certainly room for improvement, but when it comes to things such as labour conditions and pollution, it’s hypocritical for Western governments and media to play the blame-and-shame game with China … ”

A communication worker in Washington D.C, has set up an online petition to put pressure on tech giants over working conditions in China. As of Tuesday afternoon, the petition has more than 150,000 signatures on Change.org.

(SOC)

(Image Source: ITN)

BY EMILY ALLEN

ANCHOR ANA COMPAIN-ROMERO

Doctors at Peru’s Las Mercedes Hospital made a peculiar diagnosis recently for a three year old toddler with a bellyache.   It turns out the child’s twin brother was in his stomach.  Here is KSTP.

“The partially formed fetus weighs 1.5 pounds, nine inches, I think long. Has a brain, heart and lungs but they never developed. It does have hair, eyes and apparently some bones as well.”

The condition is called fetus-in-fetu. Medical Daily explains it’s ...

“ … a rare condition when a fetus absorbs his twin sibling inside the womb when an egg fails to fully separate, and happens approximately once out of every 500,000 live births …”

ITN reports the fetus was removed Monday. 

“And even though it doesn’t have a heart, brain or lungs, it does have a backbone and its living off Isbac’s blood.”

But, ABC talked to a neonatologist and his comments dispute ITN’s report. He says conjoined twins can live as parasites …

“But for fetus-in-fetu, the body of one twin envelops the other during development.
‘In this kind of situation, because it was inside the other boy, it wasn’t able to survive,’ [he] said.”

And Inquisitr notes there are benefits to studying the toddler’s condition.

“Parasitic twins are the link between conjoined twins and healthy twins and should be studied further.  In knowing how their formation process occurs it may be possible to limit the occurrence in the womb and avoid the complication to the healthy twin after birth.”

International Business News said it took doctors more than three hours to remove the fetus.   Doctors say the toddler is expected to live a normal life.

 

(Image Source: WikiCommons)

BY BRIAN LEWIS

ANCHOR LAUREN ZIMA

Mitt Romney may be the frontrunner in Florida, but he’s strictly backup vocals when compared to President Obama.  At least that’s what the pundits are saying after this video of the Republican hopeful singing “America the Beautiful” surfaced Monday.
 

Mitt Romney: “Oh, beautiful for spacious skies for amber waves of grain. For purple mountains majesty...” (Video source: C-SPAN)

Gawker media blog Jezebel had this to say about Mitt’s performance:

“Have you ever wondered what it looks like to lose a presidential election in two minutes or less? This video is your answer.”

The Washington Post’s Opinions blog echoed that sentiment:

“If the November election were a sing-off, the Obamas wouldn’t have to bother hunting for moving boxes.”

Why are the media being so hard on Romney for his musical abilities -- or lack thereof? After all he’s a politician-- not a singer. Well, the answer may be that he’s competing against this:

President Obama: “And then to know that Reverand Al Green was here.  … I'm so in love with you…those guys didn’t think I would do it.”
 

(Video Source: CBS)

Still, Romney can at least carry a tune, which is more than you can say for other political figures the world over. Take Venezuela's Hugo Chavez, who often sings during his marathon TV appearances in that country.

Chavez: Translation - “I’m not loved by Hillary Clinton and I don’t love her either.”

(Video Source: BBC)

Or Vladimir Putin singing Blueberry Hill on TV:

Putin: “I found my thrills on blueberry hill.  On blueberry hill.  When I found you.  The moon stood still, on blueberry hill.”

(Video Source: RT.com)

All of whom could learn a thing or two from former Attorney General and Singing Senator John Ashcroft, who’ll take us out:

Ashcroft: “Let the eagle soar…like she’s never soared before…From rocky coast to golden shore, let the mighty eagle soar.”

(Video Source: WBTV)

image source: Facebook

More developments in Facebook’s IPO preparations. Mutterings on Wall Street say the company could start its IPO process as early as this morning.

All Things Digital is citing unnamed sources close to Facebook who say an IPO is imminent. The company is expected to file a preliminary prospectus for $5 billion -- lower than investor estimates.

ZDNet explains -- there’s a reasoning behind the smaller offering.

“A smaller IPO will increase demand for Facebook shares and therefore its valuation. It will also give Facebook options to increase the number of shares available prior to the IPO while still keeping a tight hold over pricing.”

Portfolio manager Larry Haverty tells CNBC-- demand won’t be a problem. Everyone wants a piece of Facebook’s stock.

“I think it’s going to be a fantastic feeding frenzy, Melissa. Every growth investor on the planet will be involved. Tremendous public demand. It’s obviously going to go up in the first two days of trading.”

VentureBeat reports Facebook has hired five investment banks to handle the IPO process.

“Facebook has selected five bookrunners to help get its offering processing, and it has put Morgan Stanley in the lead-left role. Goldman Sachs, Bank of America/Merrill Lynch, Barclays Capital, and JP Morgan will also help with the deal.”

Meanwhile, NASDAQ and the New York Stock Exchange are fighting over Facebook’s listing. The Wall Street Journal reports Facebook is waiting for its best deal.

“It’s just a negotiating ploy. The longer they wait here, the better the chances that they’re going to negotiate better terms for themselves.... what it seems like they’re going to do, is just wait as long as they can before making a final decision.”

Facebook won’t be tradeable until its paperwork passes SEC muster, which could take a few months. But in the meantime the company has reserved ‘FB’ as its ticker symbol.
 

(Image source: Venturebeat)

BY DAVID EARL

ANCHOR LAUREN ZIMA

There’s bad financial news for electronics retailer RadioShack. Dividend.com has the details...

“Late Monday [RadioShack] warned that its fourth quarter earnings would fall well below Wall Street expectations, sending its shares plummeting in aftermarket trading.”

Shares plummeted even more Tuesday, falling 30 percent. But a columnist for Fox Business thinks RadioShack’s problem isn’t so much a numbers game, it’s a little more basic: it’s having an identity crisis.

“RadioShack’s problem is that nobody knows what it is. Is it the 7-Eleven of electronics retailers? Is it just another strip-center shop selling mobile phones? Or is it … a place for all your radio-controlled toy car needs?”

And if it’s the place that just sells you cell phones … the Wall Street Journal says it’s running into stiff competition.

“Lately there have been some signs of cracks in the mobile strategy...Everyone is getting into these mobile device sales now in a bigger way. Best Buy and all the other retailers want to get a piece of that growth.”

But financial blog, The Motley Fool, doesn’t see RadioShack’s bad data as a death blow...they’re just calling it a big fat mess.

“RadioShack isn't going away anytime soon. The company's still flush with cash. Its credit facility remains largely untapped … However, there are signs that RadioShack's contracting margins are here to stay. [It’s] in preservation mode now.”

But CNBC’s Mad Money man Jim Cramer saw today coming and says this stock won’t bounce back any time soon...

“And why is that? It’s all courtesy of secular competition from Internet based retailers like Amazon that are pantsing the brick and mortar guys.”

RadioShack’s 30-percent hit in stock price on the last day in January comes close to describing its performance last year. For 2011, the stock price saw a 47-percent decline.

(Image source: Wikimedia Commons)

BY KEVIN DUBOUIS

ANCHOR LAUREN GORES

Starbucks announced plans to bring its coffee shops to India through an $80 million joint venture with Tata Global Beverages. The company expects to open 50 outlets by year’s end. Bloomberg has comments from Starbucks’ China and Asia Pacific president John Culver.

“What they provide to us is the opportunity to build up this business in the right way. They have local knowledge, they have local infrastructure, we have a grand iconic brand.”

The Seattle Times reports Starbucks has been eyeing the Indian market for several years but the economic situation there had delayed any business agreements.

“The chain first planned to launch in India in 2007, when it still bragged it would reach 40,000 stores worldwide. The recession and Starbucks' overexpansion ended that talk. An overhauled Starbucks, at 17,250 stores worldwide, also plans less robust growth.”

India’s Daily News and Analysis says Starbucks and Tata eventually agreed on a 50:50 partnership.

“For Starbucks, Tata’s retail stores will help it sell its packaged coffees and other products. There will also be a co-branded premium tea that the two companies will work together on. Under a separate agreement between Starbucks Coffee Company and TataCoffee Ltd, the latter will roast coffee at its upcoming facility in South India for the whole of Starbucks India operations and to export to the Starbucks globally.”

The Indian business newspaper The Economic Times has comments from Tata Global Beverages’ Vice-chairman who sees the partnership with Starbucks as a development ...

“…‘that fits into the specific architecture of Tata Global Beverages which is to go into more valuated, superior category of the market place...’”

The New York Times reports India’s finance minister -- Pranab Mukherjee -- said coffee is becoming more popular in India, where tea had been the traditional drink of choice.

“ ... ‘India presents opportunity at this moment that cannot be ignored,’ Mr. Mukherjee said … India, long a country of tea drinkers, has experienced an explosion in cafes and restaurants over the last decade because of its growing middle class and a large youth population.”

And The Financial Times reports on Starbucks’ challenges.

“Starbucks will face competition from a handful of incumbent coffee chains… Starbucks is seeking to reduce the dominance of the US in its operations. More than 12,000 of its 17,000-plus stores are in its home market. The Americas region – including a few hundred stores in Canada and Latin America – accounts for three-quarters of its revenue.”

(Image source: U.S. Geological Survey)

BY STEVEN SPARKMAN

ANCHOR LAUREN ZIMA

There’s a big slithery threat in the Florida everglades. A pet shop favorite is wreaking havoc on the local wildlife. ABC’s Good Morning America has the story.

“Too many pythons. Pythons that big. … A new study actually says that those big guys and gals are now wiping out raccoon, opossum, other mammal populations...”

Researchers first started noticing the snakes in the wild around 12 years ago. They suspect most of the snakes come from pet owners who got tired of their giant snakes. Researchers set out to gauge the snakes’ environmental impact with a census. Discover Magazine has the findings.

“Their roadside census showed that since 2003, when the python populations really took off, raccoon sightings have fallen by 99.3 per cent. Opossum numbers have fallen by 98.9 per cent. There are 87.5 per cent fewer bobcats. They didn’t see a single rabbit.”

The problem is -- pythons are big, they eat nearly everything and they don’t have any natural predators in the everglades. National Geographic reports, it’s still not known how much damage they will eventually cause.

“Also worrisome is what could be happening to species that were already rare -- and thus more difficult to research … For instance, it's unknown whether the snakes are putting the squeeze on the Florida panther, a subspecies of cougar deemed endangered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.”

The federal government recently banned the importation and interstate trade of four species of giant constrictor snakes. But a writer for the National Review has a less-subtle solution: He half-jokingly suggests the government should put a bounty on the snakes.

“Give me five thousand Ted Nugent fans and all the weapons they can carry and the waters of the everglades will run red with Burmese snake blood.”

The study’s lead researcher tells the Tampa Bay Times it’s probably too late to restore the everglades. But by keeping a close eye on the situation, they can hopefully keep the species from spreading.

“The pythons are going to be here long after we’re gone. I guess my hope is that we will learn enough about what has happened here with the Burmese pythons to hopefully prevent similar situations from occurring in the future.”

(Image Source: Wikimedia Commons)  

BY VICTORIA CRAIG

You're watching multi-source video news analysis from Newsy. 

U.S. banks tried to keep lending low in the last part of 2011, but a Federal Reserve survey says loan requests are on the rise. Bloomberg explains why banks are hanging onto their money.

“Domestic American banks say commercial and industrial, and commercial real estate loan demand is up. Small business demand increased by the most in any quarter since 2005 But lending standards were little changed.”  

And Bloomberg notes -- standards for lending didn’t change much. So, what’s the reason behind the tightened standards and increased desire to borrow money? 24/7 Wall Street explains. 

"The rise in funding was due to inventory restocking, covering accounts receivable, and mergers and acquisitions. For banks where lending fell, the chief reason was less need for capital investment." 

A senior economics reporter for CNBC says the results of the Fed’s latest survey could be a sign of good things to come.

“A bunch of good stuff there that I think was something that we’ve been waiting to see in this recovery here, Bill, but haven’t seen too much which is loan demand and of course, it was a reversal of the prior quarter but we’ll see if this continues.”

Dow Jones notes -- Europe’s financial troubles could be helping U.S. banks see less competition from their European counterparts. But the Wall Street Journal takes that analysis one step further, highlighting the possible downside to less investment.

“Banks in the U.S. started to tighten credit in the second half of 2011 as Europe's debt crisis worsened, following almost two years of easier standards on business loans. The tighter credit conditions could hurt the fragile U.S. recovery, which has recently shown signs of improvement.”

While banks aren’t too keen on easing their lending standards for commercial and industrial loans, CNBC reports some banks are easing standards on credit cards and other consumer loans.

(Image source: SeattlePI)

(Image Source: The X Factor)

BY LAUREN ZIMA

Judges Paula Abdul and Nicole Scherzinger along with host Steve Jones have all been cut from the American version of ‘The X Factor’ -- but why, and what’s the plan for Simon Cowell’s competition show?

The word ‘bloodbath’ was a popular one Tuesday as reports hit that the three had gotten the ax from X. This leaves only LA Reid and Cowell as judges. The New York Daily News says the shocker is Abdul’s dismissal.

“While Scherzinger and Jones had both gotten mixed reviews … there seemed to be a consensus that Abdul was just what Cowell thought he'd hired.”

And Deadline reports “none of the three left on their own accord.” 

But E!’s telling a different story, saying it was Scherzinger’s choice to leave.  She wants to focus on her music career. 

Fox News points to ratings, reporting Cowell is upset the show only drew 12 to 13 million viewers per episode.

“The show had very good ratings … but came up short against ... ‘American Idol.' Cowell's former talent competition pulls in about 20 million viewers, and Cowell had said that if he didn't beat that number, he would consider the 'X Factor' a failure.”

But will the changes get Cowell the ratings he wants? Deadline speculates Cowell could see backlash from cutting Abdul, but EW writes …

“It’s clearly a smart move … Not only has the series gotten rid of its weaknesses, but it’s also made a move to keep the show in headlines for the next few months.”

So who could replace Scherzinger and Abdul? Media are guessing Mariah Carey --- Cowell has mentioned her in the past, and MSNBC applauds the possibility of new women on the show.

“Haven’t we seen enough of women playing the ‘It's too HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARD’ role on these shows? Could ‘X Factor’ really not find women more capable of being critical … and throwing elbows at the men on the panel?”
 

(Image source: The Asian Age)

BY JING LIU

ANCHOR LAUREN GORES

Yor're watching multisource global video news analysis from Newsy.

Italian rescue officials called off the search for bodies on the Costa Concordia cruise ship Tuesday. Italy's Civil Protection agency announced Tuesday the hull is too deformed for rescuers to navigate within the ship safely.

More than two weeks have passed since the cruise ship grounded off the coast of Italy. Seventeen bodies have been recovered, with 15 people still missing.(video: The Telegraph)

What’s next for the ship? KIRO reports -- a half million gallons of fuel must be extracted.

“There it is. They were able to blast a hole on the underwater compartment. That would allow them to unload fuel once the ship is stable."

But according to MSNBC, cleanup and removal are not that easy, and could take up to 10 months.

“Inclement weather over the weekend shut down search and salvage efforts at the site of the ship wreck off the Tuscan coast. High winds and rough seas delayed plans to begin pumping 500,000 gallons of fuel off the Concordia.”

Fuel removal is expected to continue later this week. But that’s not the only difficulty the cruise’s US parent company -- Carnival -- is facing. Tuscan islanders are threatening to sue Carnival over potential environmental pollution. The Daily Mail quotes one fisherman:

“‘Let's hope we are able to solve everything without pollution … That's the main worry.’”

And another resident says…

“‘The damage to the environment is strong. If I think of just one cabin, it's like throwing a whole bar into the sea. That alone, I think, can pollute with just what it contains. Imagine a floating town!’”

According to The Wall Street Journal, Carnival Corp. estimated Monday the Costa Concordia crash will lower net income by as much as $175 million in fiscal year 2012.

(Image Source: Chaaps)

BY LAURA JANVIER

You're watching multisource global video news analysis from Newsy

Apple is trying to keep its pro editing community happy by launching a minor update to its professional video editing software, Final Cut Pro X. Apple Insider reports.

“Today Apple announced the release of the 3rd major upgrade of Final Cut Pro X, a significant update to its new professional video editing application that attempts to address some of the gripes customers had with the initial makeover of the product less than a year ago.”

A blogger form The Next Web explains why people were unhappy.  

“…it quickly became apparent that the new version of Final Cut Pro X wasn’t meeting user expectations; support for older file-types was no longer available, functions became difficult to find and audio markers no longer worked ‘the way they used to’.”

Apple received 1-star ratings and lengthy negative reviews on the Mac App Store because people were so underwhelmed with the product. So in response, they’ve continued to tweak the program.

“Final Cut Pro will X dramatically improve how you work, help you get stunning results faster and give you more creative freedom than ever before.”

A writer for Ars Technica explains what they changed.

“The three major features that Apple is touting as part of this update are multicam editing capabilities, advanced chroma keying, and improved XML support for ‘a richer interchange with third party apps and plug-ins that support the fast growing Final Cut Pro X ecosystem.’”

Even though Apple has received a lot criticism, tech analyst Jefferson Graham of USA TODAY is a big fan of the new updates.

“For me everything moves much faster you don’t have to render, its not as slow like the old Final Cut, I think its fantastic for short videos.”

Finally, a writer for Slashgear explains how customers can try out the new updated Final Cut Pro X for themselves.

“Existing owners of Final Cut Pro X can download v10.0.3 as a free update. Those new to the app can try a 30-day trial, available through the Mac App Store. Whether the upgrade will satisfy those power-users frustrated by Apple’s apparent ‘consumerization’ of its video editing platform remains to be seen.

(Image source: Wired)

BY JESSICA SIBERT
ANCHOR CHRISTINA HARTMAN

What may have been one of the worst-kept secrets in Washington is now out in the open after President Obama’s Monday night online town hall.

During the Google+ Hangout, Obama admitted to the use of “covert” drone strikes in Pakistan -- but also made a point to note the precision and caution that go along with each mission. (Video source: ABC)

“I think there’s this perception somehow that we’re sending in a bunch of strikes willy-nilly. This is a targeted, focused effort at people who are on a list of active terrorists.”

A blogger for CNN says it was an unusual discussion about the CIA’s very secretive drone program, even if the American drones were made pretty obvious to the public.

“U.S. officials rarely admit publicly to the active use of drones to hunt down Al Qaeda and Taliban in Pakistan. One reason is out of deference to the Pakistan, whose government relents to the drone flights even while publicly condemning it because the Pakistani populace is so against the strikes.”

But a blogger for the Telegraph says Mr. Obama’s admission of the obvious was probably not made with Pakistan in mind.

“The new openness is probably the result of a strike last year that killed Anwar al-Awlaki, the US citizen who rose to fame as an online propagandist for al-Qaeda. It left Obama with an awkward legal question about the rights and wrongs of killing Americans overseas and last night's admission may well be part of a new policy.”

In the Google+ town hall -- President Obama said drone strikes haven’t caused a quote “huge number of civilian casualties. But according to The New America Foundation -- drone strikes in Pakistan have actually killed as many as 2,700 people in the past eight years.

Still --  a BBC reporter based in Islamabad tells the The Takeaway Mr. Obama is more or less right -- he says the Pakistani government is just looking for excuses to form an opposition.

“I think it’s become a suitable policy option for the Pakistani security establishment as well to prop up some type of voice that would oppose these strikes.”

Following President Obama’s remarks, a Pakistani Foreign Ministry spokesman said the attacks are “unlawful, counterproductive, and hence unacceptable...”

(Image Source: Wikimedia Commons)

BY BRIAN BONDUS

ANCHOR LAUREN GORES

You're watching multisource global video news analysis from Newsy

This might be a short NBA season, but the highlight reel looks like it could be long. Sunday night Lebron James’ ally-oop dunk against the Bulls made headlines. But Monday night the Clippers’ Blake Griffin reminded everyone who the “King” of Lob City is. CNN has the slam.

“Here he comes and he goes right over Kendrick Perkins. I mean the guy is six foot ten and he actually throws the ball down over Kendrick Perkins. It’s worth multiple looks. I don’t get tired of watching this.”

The dunk was replayed on multiple networks and many NBA players went to Twitter to compliment. Golden State’s David Lee was one of many players to hit the social networks.

“I never tweet about opponents highlight plays but that Blake Griffin dunk was crazy, definitely worth mentioning...”

King James also complimented the dunk.

“Dunk of the Year!! @blakegriffin just dunked on Kendrick Perkins so hard!! Wow!! I guess I'm #2 now. Move over #6”

And NBA legend Magic Johnson put the dunk in perspective.

“The @blakegriffin dunk tonight over Perkins made me realize that he's one of the best in-game dunkers in @NBA history.”

But Griffin didn’t take all the credit. The Chicago Sun Times reports he loved Chris Paul’s pass.

“‘CP commands so much attention out there. He came off the pick-and-roll and he hit me in stride,’ Paul added: ‘I told Blake after the game, ‘Thanks for letting me be part of that.’”

But another key component of that play was not so happy to be in the picture. USA Today has Kendrick Perkins’ stand.

"‘It happens,’ Perkins said. ‘At the end of the day if you're a shot blocker, you're going to get dunked on. It was a great play that he made. Obviously I wish I wasn't in it, but it was a great play that he made.’”

The dunk helped the Clippers beat the Thunder 112-100 and extended the Clippers’ winning streak to three games.

(Image Source: Mirror)

BY ALYSSA CARTEE

ANCHOR LAUREN GORES

For two young Brits, it was a holiday gone wrong. 26-year-old Leigh Van Bryan and 24-year-old Emily Bunting arrived in LA just to be sent home after being detained for more than 12 hours.

And it was all because of some tweets.  

According to the Huffington Post, Van Bryan tweeted he was going to quote “destroy America.” Another tweet said the pair had plans to go “diggin’ Marilyn Monroe up.”

But The Daily Mail reports, he insists the tweets in question were a joke, explaining “destroy” is British slang for party and “diggin’ Marilyn Monroe up” is a Family Guy reference.

An anchor for Chicago’s WFLD brings up the big question.

“Should I be impressed that the folks at Homeland Security are going through tweets like that or should I be concerned?”

But a blogger for Bloomberg says monitoring social media isn’t taking security too far.

“To me, it makes perfect sense for security officials to be monitoring social networks and even blogs. This is all public information that could contain useful signals about real terrorism or threats to national security of some kind...”

A New York Times blogger says if this is the direction Homeland Security will take, they need to consider context.

“As American security agencies increasingly take to Twitter, Facebook and other social networking sites in search of potential threats, two European travelers say the system lacks one important quality: a sense of humor.”

While an anchor for San Diego’s KGTV suggests the pair should’ve known better.

“You can just envision it’s a couple of people on this crazy trip, you know thinking they’re really hip in their tweeting -- ‘destroy America.’ You can’t talk that way.”

Van Bryan has since made his Twitter account private. 

(Image source: Comedy Central)

BY BLAKE HANSON

It appears the “Definitely Not Coordinating with Stephen Colbert Super PAC” is definitely coordinating again. The satirist took back control from Jon Stewart on his show last night...

Colbert magically takes back Super PAC
COLBERT: “Super PAC!”

While you might’ve chuckled over the skit -- the money the Super PAC raised was no joke. It reported raising more than $1 million.

“ … Colbert noted that he had gotten his money back just in time for the Jan. 31 deadline for super PACS to release donor information … Yes, you got it – he’s making fun there. That’s why he’s got a super PAC, to comically illuminate the faults and absurdities of the US campaign finance world.”

Some notable donors: former West Wing star Bradley Whitford & the Lieutenant Governor of California, Gavin Newsom. But now comes the question many in the media are asking, including the New York Observer...

“While we’re glad to have gotten a lesson on how super PACs work, we’re wondering where that million plus bucks is going now that it’s back in Colbert’s control.”

When posed with that question, a writer for ology isn’t laughing, writing...

“Colbert’s PAC risks angering voters, both Democratic and Republican, who do not appreciate the shenanigans that the comedian is playing with the presidential race. … emotions will run hot and the stakes will be high – people do take this stuff seriously, even if Colbert and his fans do not.”

So, will the Super PAC play a role in the campaign process? A panelist on CNN doesn’t think so...

“I don’t think Colbert is going to have a big effect on the campaign. The people he’s talking to really are people who are already checked out.”
“I really hope he can at least shame the other campaigns into behaving less badly.”

And take a look at some of the official filing to the Federal Election Commission. Politico has a portion written by the Super PAC Treasurer, Shauna Polk...

“‘Stephen Colbert, President of ABTT, has asked that I quote him as saying, ‘Yeah! How you like me now, F.E.C? I’m rolling seven digits deep! I got 99 problems but a non-connected independent-expenditure only committee ain’t one!’’ Polk wrote, adding, ‘I would like it noted for the record that I advised Mr. Colbert against including that quote.’”
 

(Image Source: MSNBC) 

BY VICTORIA CRAIG 

You're watching multi-source video political news analysis from Newsy. 

Social networking sites aren’t just for posting pictures and casual conversation anymore. Now it’s a campaign tool. President Obama took to Google Plus Monday night to talk with a handful of voters. KMSP in Minneapolis highlights some of last night’s conversation.

"He said his most important job right now is to grow the economy. He wants to do that by changing tax codes to benefit companies that keep jobs right here in the US.”

The president’s hangout wasn’t just an exclusive for those who participated. The video chat was also streamed on YouTube, and more than 130,000 questions were submitted for the president’s 45 minute chat. But as Fox Business explains, one part of the conversation is getting the most media attention: The president’s remarks to a woman whose husband can’t find work.

“He looks like he’s trying to rebuild the economy one job at a time. Because he was asking one of the questioners to send him her husband’s resume”

But CNBC wonders just how much follow-through there will be on the president’s end.

“Well, I want to know what they think of his resume, has she sent it in, are they going to help?...I’m guessing the president is a fairly well-connected man and he might be able to, when you hand someone your CV, you’re asking them to put it in front of other people.”

The Fox and Friends morning crew says while it might be a nice gesture, there could be some unintended consequences for the White House mail room... and some high expectations from more Americans.

“The president is now going to give people jobs individually? I mean, I think it’s a fantastic political move but beware, you’re going to have a huge pack of mail coming because there’s a lot of people unemployed.”

The use of social media isn’t new for the president or his campaign. The National Journal explains how the motivation from the 2008 election carried through to Monday night.

“Taking questions on Google+ is part of the White House strategy to reach out to young Americans in particular. The president has previously done a Twitter town hall, and taken other questions on Facebook and YouTube.”

But as Real Clear Politics explains, there are other reasons behind the president’s interest to “hang out.”

“The event was billed in advance as a citizen interview with the president -- the kind of leap-over-the-news-media discussion favored by the president since his 2008 campaign. The Q&A provided a business plug for Google, attracted plenty of attention in the mainstream and other media, and was designed to enhance Obama’s image of transparency and populism.”

The president discussed more than just employment with his new friends. Topics ranged from serious to silly and included the United States’ use of drones, the use of comedy to influence the election, SOPA.... and lighter questions like how the president plans to spend his 20th wedding anniversary.

(Image Source: CQ Roll Call Group)

BY BLAKE HANSON

Missouri, Missouri, Missouri. GOP Presidential Candidate Rick Santorum is skipping the Sunshine State in favor of the Show-Me-State. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch has more...

“Eight days before the Missouri presidential primary, Rick Santorum brought his campaign Monday to Republican-dominated St. Charles County,[Missouri,] emphasizing his proposals to improve the competitiveness of American manufacturers.”

The change in strategy came just days before the Tuesday night Florida primary. So, why is Santorum changing tactics now? Politico’s James Hohmann offers some insight, writing...

“...the ex-senator is expected to focus on smaller, cheaper states that hold caucuses … He is focusing particular attention on Missouri because Newt Gingrich is not on the ballot and it offers Santorum a coveted chance to go head to head with Mitt Romney.”

Missouri’s primary is set for February 7th BUT many analysts call it little more than a “public opinion poll.” That’s because it’s non-binding, meaning delegates won’t actually be dealt until Missouri’s GOP caucus, which is set for March 17. Editor-in-Chief of the National Journal’s Hotline, Reid Wilson, finds Santorum’s tactics odd.

“Their primary next week doesn’t actually allocate any delegates. So, it’s sort of like competing in a contest that doesn’t matter, none of the other candidates are competing there, it’s curious why Santorum has decided to move there. Hard to see where his next big win comes.”

KTVI spoke with a pollster who says Santorum could nab votes from at least one group.

"Santorum wants to campaign to make a showing in order to influence the party elite in Missouri who will vote in the caucus.  Gingrich just ignored it …”

But before Missouri -- there’s Nevada and Maine’s caucuses -- set to start on Saturday.
 

(Image Source: Wikimedia Commons)

BY HARUMENDHAH HELMY

ANCHOR MEGAN MURPHY

This is Newsy Now and here are your latest headlines.
 

In U.S. news, it’s Florida primary day. The state is breaking presidential primary rules by jumping ahead of the schedule set by the national GOP. Washington Post says officials want to make sure the state remains a relevant voice in the race to the nomination. No matter who wins there -- Fox News explains --- the move is costing Florida half its delegates to the national convention.
 

“It’s being punished. 101 delegates, or, 100 cut down to 50. So the total winner-take-all today is 50 delegates.”
 

Still in the U.S., Occupy D.C. tents are still up in the city’s McPherson Square, despite passing yesterday’s deadline, which would make it illegal to camp in the city’s parks. WTTG explains the new rules.
 

“The tents may remain in place as a symbol of the protest, but they must be free of any gear that would allow folks to sleep here overnight. That is the no camping rule that they are beginning to enforce.”
 

In world news, the head of the Arab League is set to address the UN Security Council on the Syria situation. The UN hopes to draft a resolution to push President Bashar al-Assad out of the way. One problem though - Russia will most likely veto it. CNN says the violence on the ground will not cease until Russia agrees to a resolution.
 

“Because at least in that case, the Syrian government will be getting a signal that its long time international ally Russia might be beginning to change its position.”
 

Still in world news, Italian officials have permanently called off the search and rescue effort on the submerged parts of the Costa Concordia. KIRO has the details.

“They’re calling of the search due to the dangers to rescue workers. Sixteen people are still listed as missing, 17 bodies are recovered.”


Stay with Newsy for more news analyses throughout the day. For Newsy Now, I’m Megan Murphy, highlighting the top headlines making you smarter, faster.  

(Image Source: Wikimedia Commons)

BY SAMANTHA KUBOTA

ANCHOR ANA COMPAIN-ROMERO

It ain’t easy being green, especially when you’ve caught the eye of Fox Business. After being accused in December by the network of being anti-oil, the Muppets held a press conference last week to address those claims.

KERMIT: “It’s a funny thing- they were concerned about us having some prejudice against oil companies and that I can tell you is categorically not true. And besides if we had a problem with oil companies why would we drive in around the whole film in a gas-guzzling Rolls Royce?”

And Time Magazine reports “Miss Piggy chimed in too, though a bit more confrontational, deeming the allegations ‘almost as laughable as accusing Fox News of being … news.’”

In the movie, the Muppets are up against an oil giant. All the drama started back in December, when FOX Business gave its take ...


“Let’s point this out, the oil rich giant man is called ‘Tex Richman.’”
 

“Yeah, it’s amazing how far the Left will go to just to stoop to you know, you’ll manipulate your kids to convince them, give the anti corporate message..."

So why all the fuss now? MSNBC reports the Muppets Movie is set to be released in the UK next month, hence the promotional conference.

And as the Atlantic Wire puts it -- the Muppets, are quote, “never ones to forget a slight.”

(Image Source: The Indianapolis Star)

BY TOM MARTIN

You know the story. Boy likes girl. Boy wants to marry girl. Then things go south. In one case, really south.

Deadspin has the details:

“Jason Elia, a television writer living in Nashville, went to the trouble of getting Super Bowl tickets for himself and his girlfriend and was even going to propose to her … He was diagnosed with bladder cancer and upon hearing the news, his girlfriend apparently dumped him on the spot.”
 

Believe it or not -- the girlfriend still wants the tickets. Elia explains his pickle to Houston’s ESPN 97.5:

Elia: “Her argument is simple: I bought them with her in mind, she should get them, you know. Screw the break-up, you know.”
Hosts: “WOW.”

Let’s say Elia’s ex decides to lawyer up. FOX News asks: Does she have a case?

Mark: Heck no. End of story. No merit.
Host: Why not?
Kimberly: ‘Cause no judge or no jury is gonna go for her. She loses big time in the court of public opinion. One word: Cancer.



Elia still has the tickets, but according to the Huffington Post, he won’t for long -- Elia is giving the tickets away.

“What's a man to do? Take your problems to Twitter, of course. Elia held an online contest, promising to give his tickets to the person who can get him the most followers.”



Elia will announce his Twitter contest winner Tuesday night.

(Image source: Wired)

 

BY EVAN THOMAS

ANCHOR NATHAN BYRNE

You're watching multisource video news analysis from Newsy.

The Fire is spreading. Analysts are saying Amazon’s Kindle Fire sold as many as six million units in the fourth quarter.

Stifel Nicolaus analyst Jordan Rohan is upping his estimates just in time for Amazon’s Tuesday earnings call. All Things Digital quotes Rohan on Amazon’s successful business model.

“Kindle Fire has staked out an important market position due to its loyal Amazon customer base and attractive (low) device pricing.”

That price -- $199 -- undercuts similar offerings from Apple and Samsung by as much as $300. The Fire doesn’t have the same sort of hardware muscle as its competition, but analysts say -- its instant access to Amazon’s vast library of digital content is what makes the Fire a winner.

Amazon is mum on actual sales figures, but AppleInsider notes Amazon has traditionally played information like this close to the chest.

“Amazon has never formally provided sales figures for any of its Kindle-branded hardware products... While that practice is expected to remain intact, the online retailer may provide some additional color on the success of Fire when it reports fourth quarter results on Tuesday.”

But according to CNET, the numbers speak for themselves. The Fire is a big chunk of the Android market.

“If Rohan's estimates are true, that would mean Amazon's Kindle Fire accounted for over half of all Android tablet shipments last quarter.”

Flurry Analytics compiled the numbers -- The Fire ate a third of the Android tablet market, just over the holiday season. Flurry says this is likely due to Amazon’s content and experience-first approach, similar to the way Apple markets the iPad.

The strategies may be similar, but the Fire is still cold compared to the iPad. Apple reported in its earnings call last week that it sold more than 15 million tablets on the quarter.

 
(Image Source: Beliefnet)
 

BY ALEX OLGIN

ANCHOR ANA COMPAIN-ROMERO

The Occupy movement isn’t dead yet -- in fact there has been a resurgence in controversy between protesters and police. First to DC, where CNN reports law makers wanted camping protesters cleared out by noon on Monday.

GREG BLACK“A congressional hearing last week questioned whether it was legal for protesters to sleep overnight on city grounds.
REP. JOHN ISSA: “Stay awake, stay vertical. Don’t be camping here.”

The noon deadline came and went, with protesters’ tents unmoved. In a press release, Delaware congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton urged protesters to reconsider, so they don’t damage their credibility.

“If some resist the enforcement of the camping ban, they could reinforce critics who see them as young people on an adventure and could destroy the unity of their message against income inequality, which has captured the country and changed the conversation in Washington.”


So far no arrests have been made for camping in D.C. Arrests have been made in Oakland, California, though. Over the weekend, police arrested more than 400 people after they took to the streets in search of a new camp site.

Protesters burned American flags and threw rocks at police officers as they attempted to take over a public building. An Oakland Police official tells Fox News the city needs to take a stand.

BARRY DOLEMAN: “I hope city leaders stand up, provide a plan and a mandate and step up to protect the citizens of Oakland so this stops.”

But a Huffington Post writer argues this recent surge in violence may mark the beginning of the end of the movement.

“I guess it's hard to conclude anything other than the fact that the movement -- in an act that makes no sense -- must have decided to torch itself.”


 

(Image source: Chicagoist)

BY MICHAEL COLLINS AND BRICE SANDER

With less than a week to go until the Super Bowl, corporate giants are set to roll out some of their most expensive ad campaigns.

To kick off the launch of the 2012 CR-V, Honda took it back to the ‘80s- creating a ‘Ferris Bueller’ send-up with original star Matthew Broderick. (Honda)

A 10-second teaser for the spot racked up more than 4 million views before the full length commercial went up online Monday. While some find the ad a little disappointing- Broderick plays himself, not Ferris- the Chicago Sun Times says job well done.

“ ... you have to give kudos to Honda for making such a big splash prior to Super Bowl Sunday, when we’ll no doubt once again see a bunch of ads featuring talking or comic animals, men suffering blows to the crotch, people you wouldn’t expect to listen to hip-hop listening to hip-hop and women getting wet and/or doing something in slow motion.”

And Honda’s not the only car company releasing a movie-themed ad.

Twilight fans can also expect some blood-sucking fun from Audi. The auto maker takes inspiration from the hit franchise with a vampire-themed commercial for the new S7. (Audi)

Entertainment Weekly explains why companies are keen on borrowing from Hollywood this year.

“Super Bowl commercial aficionados will recall that last year’s Star Wars-themed Volkswagen commercial — in which a little boy in a Darth Vader costume uses Jedi mind tricks to start his dad’s Passat — became a web sensation, with 8 million people watching the ad online before it actually aired during the game.”

Coca-Cola gets in on the nostalgia game, too- bringing back its iconic polar bears. And USA Today says they’re going high tech.

“The bears, appearing to watch the game, will respond in real time to the real game's action, such as touchdowns, turnovers, bad calls and even commercials for other brands.”

ABC explains why other advertisers, like GoDaddy.com and Dorito’s, are joining Coke in integrating social media into their ads.

DAVID MUIR: “The ads this year will try to reach out to your technology, because it’s estimated 60% of viewers will have a second screen in their hand- their smart phone.”


That’s just a preview of all the ads you’ll see Sunday. Average cost for a 30-second spot? $3.5 million.

(Image Source: Wikimedia Commons)

(Image Source: Wikimedia Commons/Amazon)

BY LAUREN ZIMA

A new book from a former Marine promises to reveal Hollywood secrets. 88-year-old Scotty Bowers’ new memoir details his alleged sexual exploits with some of Hollywood’s golden-era elite. He name-drops Cary Grant and Katharine Hepburn, to name a couple.

“Full Service: My Adventures in Hollywood and the Secret Sex Lives of the Stars” is out in February. In the memoir, Bowers tells how he was paid for sex by some stars, and served as a matchmaker for others. The New York Times reports …

“ ... a lot of what Mr. Bowers has to say is pretty shocking. He claims … to have set Hepburn up with ‘over 150 different women.’ Other stories … involve Spencer Tracy, Cole Porter, the Duke and Duchess of Windsor … he also gained a following among heterosexual actors like Desi Arnaz, who used him as a type of matchmaking service.”

And The Daily Mail describes …

“The book is as explicit as it is bawdy. … an era of 'amazing, intoxicating days, wildly erotic and carefree,' he writes … He describes … having 'really hot sex' …”

And PinkPaper reports on how it all began.

“Bowers … said it all started in 1946, when he was 23. He claims that, post-military service, he got a job in a petrol station near the Hollywood film studios. One day, [actor] Walter Pidgeon is said to have propositioned him with a $20 bill ...”

Bowers says he kept quiet until now because he didn’t want to hurt former clients. But how did no one else ever hear of these stories? The Wrap reports …

“Younger readers -- at least those raised in the Internet and TMZ age -- may find nearly as shocking the fact that the stories were squelched by studio publicists and remained largely under wraps back in the day.”

Bowers says he got out of the game in the ‘80s because of the onset of AIDS, and he’s been married to his wife, Lois, for 27 years.

(Image Source: SlashGear)

BY ZAKIYYAH WAHAB
ANCHOR LAUREN ZIMA

The Samsung Galaxy Note will be available in-store at AT&T February 19th. The device will be selling for $300 with a two-year contract. And it’s not just any smartphone. According to USA Today...

“...it is much larger than the standard smartphone ... [and] feels like a mini-tablet.”

How much larger? The note’s screen is 5 inches. Placing right in the middle of smartphones and tablets. The phone, as ComputerWorld describes, is

“...designed to replace multiple devices that users often carry...”

(VO)
The Examiner reports that the Galaxy Note also has...

“...a highly advanced tool called the S Pen, which delivers fast, responsive and precise control to create fine lines and detail... much like an ink pen and pad of paper …”

Samsung shows how the S Pen works.

The S Pen is a built-in stylus. Korea Times reports that while late former Apple CEO Steve Jobs opposed styluses,...

“...the android drew huge attention for the built-in stylus … [and] industry analysts point out that the stylus pen contribute most to its success”

But the Note has its drawbacks. Techland reports,

“You can fit it in your pocket - although you’ll feel it with every step - and make phone calls on it, but using it with one hand is out of the question”

Pre-orders are also available at AT&T’s online store from February 5th, with deliveries on the 17th. The smartphone will be available in carbon blue and ceramic white.
 

(Image Source: BBC)

BY LAUREN ZIMA

A British man named Steve Hornsby has blue balls -- blue balls of mysterious jelly, that is, in his yard. But what are they -- and how did they get there? The Guardian has his story:

“Hornsby, an aircraft engineer, said: ‘ … the sky went very dark and then a strange yellow colour. There was then a short, sharp hail storm that lasted for about 20 seconds. … then I spotted something on the lawn and it looked like broken glass.”

What Hornsby found covering his lawn were about 20 gelatinous, blue spheres. He says they were definitely not there before the storm. Hornsby says they have a hard exterior and a softer inside -- they don’t smell, they don’t float. He has one idea about what the balls could be.

“I think it might be some kind of atmospheric pollution that’s been caught up in the hail stones and it’s solidified. ... It’s almost impossible to pick up -- you have to scoop it up, really, and it just falls to pieces.”

But, the BBC reports the Met Office says the balls are, quote, “not meteorological.” The Sun has other speculation.

“A scientist at his local university suggested they may be eggs that were taken from the sea by a bird that dropped them over Steve's house in the hail storm. But this seems unlikely as they are transparent and there are no signs of eggs or an embryo inside.”

So, that idea might be out too. Doubtful News has one more theory -- that the balls are ‘hydrogel balls’ used for planting.

“ … these are described as ‘Crystal Soil’ – a new type of green environmental material, rich in nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium … can absorb water up to 50-100times of its original weight, and after expansion it looks colorful and brilliant.”

The gel has been sent to a university for testing.

(Image source: Stereotude)

BY BRICE SANDER

It’s Elton versus Madonna, round … well, who can keep count anymore?

After telling ABC he would never, ever do the Super Bowl halftime show, Elton John gave some sarcastic advice to this year’s performer - frenemy Madonna.

ELTON JOHN: “Make sure you lip sync good.”

This is the latest bitter banter between the music legends. Gawker provides a history lesson on the superstar spat.  

“Oh, snap, girl. Their feud started way back in 2004 when John publicly accused Madonna of lip-syncing in her concerts at an awards show … If he keeps this up, I know one not-so-delicate flower Madonna is going to hate more than hydrangeas.”

John reignited the feud at January’s Golden Globes when he said Madonna didn’t have a, quote, “f-ing chance” of beating him for best original song. After she did, John’s husband -- David Furnish -- ranted about Madonna’s “embarrassing” win on Facebook. (Video: E!)

So far, the blogosphere is siding with Madonna on this one. An iVilliage contributor applauds her for taking the high road - for now.

“Madonna has been mum on the subject. But she does have a big week ahead of her.”

And Crushable suggests it’s time to grow up, Elton.

“As a father Elton might want to learn to let bygones be bygones. Otherwise he’ll end up teaching his son Zachary, ‘If you don’t have something nice to say, don’t say anything at all, unless it’s about Madonna. That hack needs be taken down a few pegs.’”

Plus, Slate says Elton doesn’t have much room to talk.  

“Elton might not have much room to make jokes about lip-syncing; he and X Factor winner Melanie Amaro plan to pimp out Pepsi for a Super Bowl commercial. That’s about as far from a live performance as you can get.”

(Image Source: egyptianflag.org)

BY NIELS SCHACK NORGAARD'

ANCHOR ANA COMPAIN-ROMERO

Egyptian military leaders have barred a group of Americans from leaving Egypt --

...among the reported 10 Americans  -- the son of US Secretary of Transportation, Ray LaHood. White House press secretary Jay Carney told Fox News in a press conference:

“ ... in our discussions with the staff, the supreme council of the armed forces we've made clear our concerns about this issue, and our disappointment that these several citizens are not being allowed to depart Egypt. (...) We continue to work with the Egyptian authorities to resolve this issue”

The Washington Post reports that Egyptian authorities last month raided the offices of several U.S.-funded organizations, who promote transparency in governance, including the International Republican Institute. These organizations have for years operated openly, but unofficially, because the government has not allowed them to register as NGOs.

“A former IRI official who has followed the case closely said Sunday that his former colleagues had indicated they would take shelter at the embassy only as a last resort, if they had reason to believe their arrest might be imminent.”

According to the White House, a handful of Americans have taken refuge at the US Embassy in Cairo. Joby Warrick, Middle East writer for the Washington Post, tells MSNBC there’s a real possibility the Americans could be sent to jail. Warrick says President Obama has been on the phone with Egypt to send a clear message.

“The message that's being sent is this is not sustainable if you're going to want money from the U.S. We give them a billion dollars in military aid a year. If you want this to continue, this behavior has to stop.”

The dispute comes a year after the removal of former dictator Hosni Mubarak. New York Times’ correspondent in Cairo, David Kirkpatrick, writes the Egyptian government suspects American-funded organizations to be destabilizing the country.

“The military-led government … has often suggested that the United States was funding nonprofit groups that were behind street protests meant to destabilize Egypt or bring down the state, and generals on the ruling military council have said the investigation into the American-backed nonprofits would shed light on the origins of those protests.”
 

(Image Source: KIMA TV)

BY GARY GRIGSBY

ANA COMPAIN-ROMERO

Fighting continues in the streets of the Damascus suburbs.  Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s troops have moved in attempting to regain control from the Free Syrian Army.  In just the last five days, more than 190 have been killed.  The Guardian notes there is a reason for the spike in violence.

“They say the aim of the weekend forays was to demonstrate the capital was no longer an impregnable regime stronghold, but buffeted from the escalating violence rife in many of Syria’s other towns and cities.”

More amateur footage collected by The Telegraph shows dozens of Army tanks moving in to Douma, just outside the city center, later accompanied by thousands of soldiers.

Ayman Mohyeldin reports on the affects of the violence after Syrian soldiers passed through Zabadani, just outside Damascus...

“The residents in this house have been showing us the damage caused by the Syrian soldiers. They also say the Syrian Army set up here a sniper’s nest from which they were overlooking the village and attacking the residents below.”

CNN says potential solutions to the violence are being evaluated.

“The U.N. Security Council is considering a draft resolution that would call on president Bashar al-Assad to step down and transfer power.”

The Security Council is expected to take up that resolution Tuesday.

(Image source: Cosmos Magazine)

BY STACEY WELSH

ANCHOR LAUREN ZIMA

Sperm zapping-- is it the new form of birth control for men?  Scientists believe zapping testicles with ultrasound waves is an effective way to kill sperm.  Researchers at the University of North Carolina tried out the treatment on rats. The BBC reports the findings…

“…showed that sound waves could be used to reduce sperm counts to levels that would cause infertility in humans.”

Scientists found two 15-minute zaps delivered two days apart produced the most effective results. Fox News explains different sessions…

“…reduced the rat's sperm count to an index of zero, or an extremely low number of motile sperm. They also looked inside and saw that the rats had fewer sperm-making cells.”

This isn’t the first time scientists have tried out the zapping technique. According to CBS, a researcher tested the idea back in the 1970s- but as CBS reports, since then--

“...doctors had tried and failed to replicate [the original researcher’s] findings, even when turning up the ultrasound so high that it caused skin burns.”

Four decades later-- new technology has allowed scientists to revisit sperm zapping. But as one researcher tells Live Science-- this method of birth control isn’t quite ready for public use.

"Further studies are required to determine how long the contraceptive effect lasts and if it is safe to use multiple times."

But if the procedure does work out-- one blogger for The Mark explains what it will mean for the average guy.

“...if the procedure is found to be safe not just on rats but also humans, then we can hope to never have to consider a vasectomy ever again.”

But how will guys react to the idea of having their sperm zapped? The anchors at WPBF may give us an idea.

PAUL: I’m gonna need a moment here. Hold on.

ANCHOR: Zap! Paul’s like, “Ow!” I’m like, “Really?”

SHELLI: He’s a little uncomfortable.

PAUL: Alright… Well, you know. We’ll see where that goes.

SHELLI: Oh, we know where it goes! We just don’t know if it works!

A grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation funded the study.

(Image Source: MegaUpload)

BY CODY LAGROW

ANCHOR LAUREN ZIMA

If you don’t pay the bills, then you can’t turn on the lights. And since the feds froze MegaUpload’s bank accounts -- CNET reports user data could be history as soon as Thursday.

"Data from MegaUpload could be erased as early as this Thursday, a report says—a disturbing prospect for those who might have used the recently shut-down cyberlocker for legitimate purposes such as backing up business files."

The Justice Department shut down the site on January 19 -- saying the file sharing spot was a hub for online piracy. MegaUpload paid Carpathia Hosting and Cogent Communications to store data for the file-sharing site. BBC says deleting data means a loss for millions.

"MegaUpload ... had about 150 million registered users, making it one the most popular file-sharing services in the world."

Is it legal for the government to take over? Bloomberg Law weighs in.

"To go after and seize the assets and seize the people without a full trial, or an anticipation of trial, was a very aggressive and expansive move."

The Digital Millennium Copyright Act, or DMCA, is a law designed to balance the interests of content owners and technology companies.

The San Francisco Chronicle says, "According to the law, Internet companies get ‘safe harbor’ and aren’t liable for any copyright infringement that takes place on their sites, as long as they don’t know about it and quickly take down copyrighted material once rights-holders ask them to."

But the Register adds--it may be hard to prove that founder Kim Dotcom operated under “safe harbor.”

"Dotcom’s efforts---whether genuine or merely cosmetic---to prove compliance with ‘safe harbor’ under the DMCA might fail in a civil trial, but this isn’t a civil matter. US authorities decided to escalate the accusations to the criminal courts precisely so they could extradite the accused to America."

Operating under safe harbor or not, CNN confirms that MegaUpload costs copyright holders a pretty penny.

"But officials say MegaUpload was also a popular hub for illegally downloaded movies, shows and music. costing copyright holders more than $500 million in revenue."

MegaUpload officials say they are “cautiously optimistic” they will reach an agreement to protect user data -- saying the US and MegaUpload have a common desire to protect consumers.