Friday, January 20, 2012

African Union troops reach outskirts of Mogadishu (AP)

MOGADISHU, Somalia ? Heavy fighting broke out in Somalia's capital on Friday as the African Union peacekeeping force encountered resistance as it pushed to Mogadishu's outskirts for the first time, the latest move in an offensive against Islamist insurgents.

Hundreds of residents fled a northern Mogadishu neighborhood after waking to the sound of mortars and gunfire. AU troops have largely pushed al-Shabab militants out of the city over the last year, but pockets of resistance remain.

Resident Abdirahman Ahmed said he was awakened by "noisy mortars" on Friday, said that al-Shabab fighters appeared to be moving back into the northern neighborhood of Heliwa.

"We want to flee now," he said, adding: "People are nervous."

Lt. Col. Paddy Ankunda, the spokesman for the AU force that is known as AMISOM, said Friday was the first time that AU forces moved outside of Mogadishu.

"We are moving out of the city now so we can defend the city from outside now. Our troops have captured strategic bases from al-Shabab," Ankunda said.

The nearly 10,000-strong AU force was confined in previous years to small slices of Mogadishu, but the push to expand their zones of control over the last year have been largely successful. The AU force is working side by side with Somali troops, but most of the gains have been made by the better trained and equipped troops from Uganda and Burundi.

Al-Shabab is also being pressured by Kenyan military forces in Somalia's south and Ethiopian forces in the west.

Militants continue to carry out suicide and roadside bomb attacks in Mogadishu. At least six bombs were found or exploded in the capital since Wednesday, including a blast on Thursday that killed six people.

Meanwhile, the AU force commander, Maj. Gen. Fred Mugisha, said that around 3,000 Somali troops had not received their wages for the past four months. The AU is supposed to pay them with money donated by Italy, but Mugisha said the Italians had not yet sent the cash. The delay in payment had caused some soldiers to desert their posts, he said.

"It will have an impact on morale," he said.

Around 7,000 other Somali soldiers are paid by the U.S. through a separate program.

Somalia hasn't had a functioning government in more than 20 years. The current transitional government, whose mandate ends in August, is paralyzed by political infighting. The U.N. is pressing government leaders to resolve their differences and expand the areas in the country the government provides services to.

Somalia has also been dealing with a famine the last six months that is estimated to have killed between 50,000 and 100,000 people. Friday was the six-month mark since the U.N. declared famine in Somalia on July 20.

___

Associated Press reporter Katharine Houreld contributed to this report.

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/africa/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20120120/ap_on_re_af/af_somalia

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Do We Need A ?GarageBand For Books??

Screen Shot 2012-01-17 at 12.50.44 PMMy Dad used to take me to Long's Bookstore on the OSU campus when I was young - I'd say this was during the 1980s and very early 1990s although in my mind these afternoons spent on campus are tinged with a 1970s wash out of color, as if I were remembering my time in Kansas before Oz. We'd rumble through the stacks, picking out used titles from the basement that were beaten and worn by years of the students' buy/read/return-for-a-pittance cycle so common at universities. Most of the books there were, obviously, but Long's stocked quite a bit of ephemera including my favorite Mad Magazine digests and sci-fi. Long's is now a Barnes & Noble, its handsome neon sign taken down during a massive restructuring of OSU's student core. Most of the old book stores are gone. The local head shop, Monkey's Retreat, turned into a Taoist center. Long's and its competitor, the University Book Exchange, are gone. Even Larry's, where I went to poetry readings as a petulant high-schooler is gone. To paraphrase Joni Mitchell, they paved paradise and put up a Quizno's.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Techcrunch/~3/ktwF743cmu4/

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Saturday, January 14, 2012

Plan to scrap kindergarten program spurs protest (AP)

SAN FRANCISCO ? California educators and childcare advocates are protesting Gov. Jerry Brown's proposal to scrap a new program for children who are no longer old enough for kindergarten.

The governor's budget plan for 2012-2013 doesn't provide funding for "transitional kindergarten," a new grade level created when Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed legislation that raised the starting age for kindergarten.

That law, signed in 2010, pushes back the date by which children must turn 5 to enter kindergarten from Dec. 2 to Sept. 1. The change will be phased in one month at a time over three years starting this fall.

The legislation established transitional kindergarten for kids who don't make the new cutoff date. The program is to be taught by credentialed teachers and tailored to children who would turn 5 in September, October and November.

An estimated 40,000 children are expected to be eligible for transitional kindergarten this fall. About 120,000 kids are expected to qualify when the law takes full effect in fall 2014.

Brown is seeking to close an estimated $9.2 billion budget deficit with a mix of temporary tax increases and spending cuts to social services and education.

The Democratic governor wants to save an estimated $224 million in 2012-13 by not requiring districts to offer transitional kindergarten. That savings would increase to $672 million in 2014-2015 when the law takes full effect.

"Given the fiscal situation the state is in, we should not embark on this type of a program expansion at this time," said H.D. Palmer, Brown's finance spokesman. "This is one of the difficult decisions that was necessary to close a budget gap of $9 billion."

But preschool advocates say the plan will shut thousands of children out of public education and create financial hardship for families that can't afford an extra year of childcare or preschool.

A coalition of California educators, preschool advocates and lawmakers are vowing to fight Brown's kindergarten proposal.

"This is a nonstarter," said Catherine Atkin, executive director of the advocacy group Preschool California. "This is not the time to move backward in providing access to public education."

State Sen. Joe Simitian, who authored the 2010 law, and preschool advocates plan to speak out against the governor's proposal Friday at the annual gathering of the California Kindergarten Association in Santa Clara.

California currently has one of the country's latest cutoff dates ? about one-fourth of students are 4 years old when they start kindergarten. Most U.S. states require students to be 5 to enroll.

Raising the kindergarten age could lead to stronger academic performance, higher graduation rates and fewer students needing to repeat grades or take special ed classes, supporters say.

Many families hold their children back a year to give them more time to prepare for kindergarten, which has become more academically intensive in recent years, but that isn't an option for low-income families, Atkin said.

Parents who believe their kids are ready for kindergarten or can't afford another year of childcare can petition their districts to allow their children to start school early, said Susan Burr, executive director of the state Board of Education.

The proposal to eliminate the mandate for transitional kindergarten is part of the governor's plan to give school districts more discretion over how they spend state education funds, she said.

"These decisions are best made at the local level," said Burr, who serves as Brown's education policy advisor.

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/us/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20120113/ap_on_re_us/us_california_budget_kindergarten

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Friday, January 13, 2012

Woman defends Ohio mom guilty of denying son care (AP)

CLEVELAND ? The daughter of an Ohio woman facing prison for denying her 8-year-old son medical treatment says the family had repeatedly tried to get help before the boy died of complications from cancer in 2008.

Lillian Hussing says her mother, Monica, had been denied government assistance for health care in Trumbull County and couldn't afford a $180 fee at a free clinic, so they moved to Cleveland in hopes of finding help for young Willie Robinson. But he died within two weeks.

Prosecutors say the boy had begged his parents to take him to see a doctor but was rejected.

Monica Hussing and the boy's father both pleaded guilty Monday to attempted involuntary manslaughter.

The coroner ruled that the boy died from pneumonia due to Hodgkin lymphoma, a highly treatable cancer.

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/crime/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20120111/ap_on_re_us/us_cancer_death_plea

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BREAKING: Atlantic Beach Mayor Retha Pierce Arrested for DUI

HORRY COUNTY, SC (WMBF) - WMBF News has learned that Atlantic Beach Mayor Retha Pierce Sturdivant?is currently behind bars Monday morning for Driving Under the Influence.

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According to J. Reuben Long Detention Center,?Sturdivant was booked at 9:21 p.m. Sunday night.

?

A police source says Pierce was arrested by Conway Police and we're told?her bond?hearing is set for?Monday morning?at 9 a.m.

In 2009,?Sturdivant was arrested on suspicion of DUI by a trooper with the South Carolina Highway Patrol after finding her taking a nap inside her car in a parking lot off Highway 76 while she was still in office. She was released from jail on a personal recognizance bond.

Since her arrest,?Sturdivant was removed from office and later reinstated?to her post. The State?dropped that DUI charge against Pierce back in May.

Copyright 2012 WMBF News. All rights reserved.

Source: http://www.wmbfnews.com/story/16474159/breaking-atlantic-beach-mayor-retha

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Thursday, January 12, 2012

WWE NXT results: Bitter rivalries explode

WWE NXT Redemption: Jan. 11, 2012 results:?

  • Alicia Fox def. Maxine (PHOTOS | WATCH)
  • Trent Barreta def. Tyler Reks (PHOTOS | WATCH)
  • The Usos def. Tyson Kidd & JTG (PHOTOS | WATCH)
  • Johnny Curtis def. Alex Riley (PHOTOS | WATCH)
  • Matt Striker announces Darren Young vs. Titus O'Neil in a No Disqualification Match next week on WWE NXT's 100th episode!

?

NXT Rookie records:

  • Derrick Bateman: Win/loss record: 9-10, Redemption Points: 0
  • Darren Young: Win/loss record 13-16, Redemption Points: 7
  • Titus O?Neil: Win/loss 19-13, Redemption Points: 45

?

WWE Universe, watch WWE NXT highlights and the complete episode each Wednesday on WWE.com. The complete episode is also available Wednesdays on YouTube.com/wwe ?and ?Hulu.com.

Source: http://www.wwe.com/shows/wwenxt/2012-01-11/results

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Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Darren Criss Ignites 'How To Succeed' Box Office

'Glee' star's first-week ticket sales for Broadway musical reportedly outpacing those of 'Harry Potter' actor Daniel Radcliffe.
By Jocelyn Vena


Darren Criss in 'How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying'
Photo: Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images

Darren Criss is very much succeeding in the business of starring in a hit Broadway musical. The "Glee" star is reportedly bringing in big numbers for "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying."

Criss joined the show last week after "Harry Potter" actor Daniel Radcliffe wrapped up his shift, and EW.com reports that in his first week, he's already managed to nab $1.4 million in profits and fill 99.8 percent of seats at Al Hirschfeld Theatre. While Radcliffe brought in $1.9 million in profits in his final week in the show, Criss' take beats out Radcliffe's previous eight performances.

Once Criss finishes his stint, Nick Jonas will take over the lead role of J. Pierrepont Finch. When Radcliffe stopped by the MTV News offices recently, he shared that he had reached out to his successors.

"We have met. I can confirm, we have met," Radcliffe said about meeting Criss. "Somebody showed me a very-doctored photograph of our meeting; there were no photographs at our meeting, so if that's what people are interested in, they're going to be disappointed.

"But no, I had a lovely chat with him, talked about the show. I don't really deign to give advice, but I gave him my number and same with Nick Jonas and said, 'Contact me if you've got anything to ask. I'm always around.' "

Who would you most like to see star in "How to Succeed"? Sound off below!

Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1676997/darren-crisis-how-to-succeed-in-business.jhtml

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Thursday, January 5, 2012

Sports Nadir (Powerlineblog)

Share With Friends: Share on FacebookTweet ThisPost to Google-BuzzSend on GmailPost to Linked-InSubscribe to This Feed | Rss To Twitter | Politics - Top Stories News, RSS and RSS Feed via Feedzilla.

Source: http://news.feedzilla.com/en_us/stories/politics/top-stories/182149912?client_source=feed&format=rss

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Video: Romney tops Santorum in Iowa by 8 votes



>> with savannah guthrie . good morning.

>> reporter: good morning to you, ann. the first votes cast at this 2012 race, iowa voters provided a photo finish reflecting a divided republican electriorelectorate. romney and rick santorum at one point were within four votes of each ear. an afterthought as one week ago --

>> rk rick santorum !

>> reporter: former rick santorum consolidated the support of iowa 's social conservatives .

>> thank you so much, iowa .

>> reporter: promising he would go to distance.

>> if we have someone to go out to western pennsylvania and ohio and indiana and wisconsin and iowa and missouri and appeal to the voters left behind by a democratic party that wants to make them dependent instead of valuing their work, we will win this election. we are off to new hampshire . because the message i shared with you tonight is not an iowa message or an iowa and south carolina message. it is a message that will resonate across this land.

>> the next president of the united states . .

>> reporter: mitt romney captured about 25% of the iowa voters, approximately the same he got in 2008 .

>> we're going to change the white house and get america back on track. on to new hampshire . let's get that job done. come visit us there. we got some work ahead.

>> freedom is popular.

>> reporter: finish be third, ron paul demonstrated a core of support that continues to make him a factor in the race while one-time front-runner, newt gingrich , griping about the barrage of negative ads that were his undoing in iowa , set a shot across the bough to romney phasing a more aggressive campaign.

>> we are not going to go out and run nasty ads, but i do reserve the right to tell the truth. and if the truth seems negative, that may be more of a comment on his record than it is on politics.

>> reporter: texas governor rick perry underperforming, despite investing vast resources here, signals he may drop out.

>> i've decided to return to texas, assess the results of tonight's caucus, determine whether there is a path forward for myself in this race.

>> reporter: but for michele bachmann , finishing at the bottom of the pack, the dance goes on for now.

>> there will be another occupant in the white house . who knows, maybe even another michele in the white house .

>> in some sense there were two surprise winners, sbrick santorum, sure, but also mitt romney who spent a fraction of the time and resources he did four years ago and yet ends up at the top of the polls. as for rick santorum , romney advisers continue to doubt whether or not he will be able to compete as this race goes forward. as one put it to me he basically ran for governor of iowa . they doubt this will resonate going forward. john mccain will endorse mitt romney in new hampshire today.

>> savannah, normally when we talk about a vote separated by just eight people we talk instant recount. explain to our viewers why that's not the case out there.

>> reporter: there's no provision in iowa law in this caucus setting for an automatic recount, even for a vote as close as this. as a practical matter it would be impossible. a lot of votes came on slips of paper in caucus precincts, impossible to track, impossible to do a recount even if the law provided for one.

>> savannah guthrie in iowa , thank you very much.

Source: http://video.today.msnbc.msn.com/today/45868357/

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Tuesday, January 3, 2012

Andruw Jones stays with New York Yankees

updated 10:35 a.m. ET Jan. 1, 2012

NEW YORK - Andruw Jones is staying with the New York Yankees, agreeing to a $2 million, one-year contract that allows him to earn another $1.45 million in performance bonuses.

The deal, agreed to Friday, is subject to a physical.

Jones signed with the Yankees last winter to provide a right-handed bat off the bench and hit .247 with 13 homers and 33 RBIs in 222 plate appearances. A five-time All-Star and 10-time Gold Glove, he played 39 games in left, 19 in right and 16 at designated hitter,

In addition to his base salary, Jones can earn $45,000 each for 100 and 125 plate appearances, $70,000 apiece for 150, 175, 200 and 225, $170,000 each for 250 and 275, $220,000 apiece for 300 and 325 and $300,000 for 350.

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.


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Smoke, mirrors and Fielder rumors

??CSN: Could the Nationals sign Prince Fielder? Sure. They've got the resources to do that. Having the ability to lock up the biggest name remaining on the free-agent market, however, doesn't always lead to actually acquiring said player. Nor does it always make such a blockbuster move the right one.

Getty Images

Source: http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/45840050/ns/sports-baseball/

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Gray whale greets scuba divers off California coast

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Pacific gray whale sightings have begun to surge off Southern California, just in time for today's official start to the whale-watching season. But marine mammal enthusiasts are still excited about a sighting logged more than a week ago by scuba divers who captured rare underwater footage of a juvenile gray whale off Shaw's Cove in Laguna Beach, Calif. (The video, filmed by Rebecca Ziegler, is posted above).

If you look closely at the footage you can see barnacles and lice?the telltale markings of a gray whale?on the young whale's head.

About 20,000 Pacific gray whales migrate each fall and winter from Arctic feeding grounds to lagoons along Baja California, where calving and nursing occurs.

The whale in the video appeared to have been curious about the bubble-blowing divers. Juvenile gray whales often travel by themselves and can be more adventurous than adult male and pregnant females, who are trying simply to reach the lagoons as quicly as possible.

Alisa Schulman-Janiger, director of the ACS-LA Gray Whale Census and Behavior Project at Point Vicente on the Palos Verdes Peninsula, said this could be a record December in terms of gray whale sightings.

Source: http://www.petethomasoutdoors.com/2011/12/gray-whale-greets-scuba-divers-off-laguna-beach-video-.html

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