Hamilton outruns Vettel for Chinese GP win
McLaren's Lewis Hamilton overcame a pre- race fueling issue and then passed Sebastian Vettel from Red Bull with less than five laps remaining to win Sunday's Chinese Grand Prix. Hamilton experienced a fuel leak prior to the start of the race. His team corrected the fuel-line problem by changing the engine air filter in his car. Hamilton was then able to make his warm-up lap in time to line up third on thestarting grid. Vettel made just two pit stops compared to three for Hamilton in the 56-lap affair at Shanghai International Circuit. Hamilton, with fresher tires in the late-stages of the race, chased down Vettel and then overtook him on lap 52. Hamilton crossed the finish line 5.2 seconds ahead of Vettel for his 15th career F1 win. His most recent grand prix victory came last August in Belgium.
“Girl Next Door” has much to love
They have been best friends for years. She trusts him completely and he is deeply in love with her. But she has a boyfriend— and no clue. "Girl Next Door" entertained audiences at Southwestern College's Mayan Hall as part of theFestival of New Student Plays. Written by SWC student Diana Aguila, the clever 45-minute play held the audience's attention through to the end. Francisco Ramirez played the memorable character of David, the pizza delivery guy who professes his love to his next-door neighbor Stacey (Eva Flores) after she tells him she left her boyfriend. But when David finds out Stacey is moving in three weeks, he drifted into hopelessness. Ramirez shone throughout the play he delivered an empathetic performance. Flores created a cute Stacey that was a friendly "girl next door. " Her performance was steady but lacked needed emotion at times. One disappointing moment camewhen David wrote an anonymouslove letter to Stacey that she believed came from her ex-boyfriend. Stacey's reaction was less than believable when David revealed that he was the author of the note. A poignant moment was lost. George Adkins played Andy, David's quirky friend who loves toeat and adds a comedic element to the tension-filled story. Aguila wrote a lot of witty lines for the character and Adkins responded with a laughter-provoking performance. Coming in and out of scenes withencouraging lines for David, Adkins sometimes underplayed moments but his comedic clumsiness was a success at making the crowd burst into laughter when he bumped into walls and tripped over his own feet. People who paid the $8-$10 to watch the "Girl Next Door" left satisfied. This charming play made crowd members reminisce about that ever-so-enchanting moment when they first uttered the words "I love you."
Are Big Banks In More Hot Water? (BAC, C, UBS)
U.S. regulators are now investigating whether some major banks manipulated Libor leading up to the financial crisis and throughout it . Regulators arenarrowing in on Bank of America (NYSE: BAC ), Citigroup (NYSE: C ), UBS (NYSE: UBS ) and others for allegedly colluding to manipulateLibor for the purpose of improving the appearance of their credit quality. Gone are the days when the word‘cartel' made people think of drugs and oil. Now some of the biggest banks in the world are being accused of creating a global cartel to control Libor, which would affect how banks report their borrowing costs, according to the article. The Securities and Exchange Commission and U.S. Justice Department are investigating whether the banks understated their borrowing costs which in effect, makes their balance sheets and liquidity look better than they actually are. Because loans and derivatives areclosely tied to Libor, this could have affected trillions of dollars. The implications? Derivative contracts may be mispriced, trustin the markets will continue to be tainted, and the banks involved will receive more bad press.
N.C. projects waste millions
RALEIGH, N.C. -- State programs intended to offset environmentaldamage from development have spent roughly $140 million on work that is failing, needs significant repair or is too far away from distressed sources of drinking water.
Dozens of projects launched by the state Ecosystem Enhancement Program and its predecessors have not produced the expected improvements for streams and wetlands, which filter water on its way to lakes and reservoirs.
Some projects have damaged water quality by dumping sediment into waterways, a McClatchy investigation shows. The state also has lost track of some projects. And it paid twice for one, spending almost$700,000 extra.
Dozens of projects launched by the state Ecosystem Enhancement Program and its predecessors have not produced the expected improvements for streams and wetlands, which filter water on its way to lakes and reservoirs.
Some projects have damaged water quality by dumping sediment into waterways, a McClatchy investigation shows. The state also has lost track of some projects. And it paid twice for one, spending almost$700,000 extra.
Verizon iPhone Boosts iOS Ads vs. Android: Millennial
Verizon Wireless' iPhone 4 helpedApple iOS gain ad impression share versus Google's Android platform for March, according to Millennial Media.
Verizon Wireless's iPhone 4 helped boost ad impressions for Apple's iOS to 31 percent throughMarch from 27 percent in February. iOS' gain helped trim Google's Android ad share lead from 51 percent to 48 percent for the same period, according to the latest mobile ad impression figures from Millennial Media .
This should be no surprise; 14 of the current top 20 devices run Android. Apple accounted for 32 percent ofthe top 15 manufacturers impression share in March, a 14 percent boost from February..Apple iOS grew ad share 11 percent month-over-month, thanks to the uptick in sales for the Verizon iPhone, which accounted for 8.2 percent of iPhone impressions in March.
Overall, the iPhone saw ad impressions rise 17 percent month-over-month, underscoringhow a device paired with a majorcarrier can rev ad impressions in a short period of time. While Android is still the overwhelming mobile ad platform purveyor, iOS apps still dominant app revenue with 47 percent share compared to Android's 36 percent plot. Apple CEO Steve Jobs said in Marchthat Apple iOS developers earned$3 billion from selling their programs in Apple's iTunes App Store. Jeff Huber , Google's new senior vice president for local and commerce, said on the company's first quarter earnings call April 14 that more than 3 billion applications were downloaded from Google's Android Market since its launch in2008. He did not specify what percentage of those were paid apps; it's clear Apple iOS is still the chief revenue driver for mobile apps developers. Interestingly, Millennial said ad impressions for connected devices such as Apple's iPad, iPod touch, Samsung's Galaxy Tab and the Motorola Xoom comprise 17 percent of device impression share, up 21 percent from February. Connected device share should overtake feature phone ad impression share, which is 19 percent, next month. Smartphones accounted for the remaining 64 percent share for March.
Verizon Wireless's iPhone 4 helped boost ad impressions for Apple's iOS to 31 percent throughMarch from 27 percent in February. iOS' gain helped trim Google's Android ad share lead from 51 percent to 48 percent for the same period, according to the latest mobile ad impression figures from Millennial Media .
This should be no surprise; 14 of the current top 20 devices run Android. Apple accounted for 32 percent ofthe top 15 manufacturers impression share in March, a 14 percent boost from February..Apple iOS grew ad share 11 percent month-over-month, thanks to the uptick in sales for the Verizon iPhone, which accounted for 8.2 percent of iPhone impressions in March.
Overall, the iPhone saw ad impressions rise 17 percent month-over-month, underscoringhow a device paired with a majorcarrier can rev ad impressions in a short period of time. While Android is still the overwhelming mobile ad platform purveyor, iOS apps still dominant app revenue with 47 percent share compared to Android's 36 percent plot. Apple CEO Steve Jobs said in Marchthat Apple iOS developers earned$3 billion from selling their programs in Apple's iTunes App Store. Jeff Huber , Google's new senior vice president for local and commerce, said on the company's first quarter earnings call April 14 that more than 3 billion applications were downloaded from Google's Android Market since its launch in2008. He did not specify what percentage of those were paid apps; it's clear Apple iOS is still the chief revenue driver for mobile apps developers. Interestingly, Millennial said ad impressions for connected devices such as Apple's iPad, iPod touch, Samsung's Galaxy Tab and the Motorola Xoom comprise 17 percent of device impression share, up 21 percent from February. Connected device share should overtake feature phone ad impression share, which is 19 percent, next month. Smartphones accounted for the remaining 64 percent share for March.
SHANNYN MOORE COMMENT - I was 'gate raped' by my government
SHANNYN MOORE commented at http://www.adn.com/2011/04/16/1813827/i-was-gate-raped-by-my-government.html
I don't like it, but with 80 percentof our communities off the road system, flying is a necessary part of our lives. Last month, Rep. Sharon Cissna, asurvivor of both physical abuse and breast cancer, refused an invasive TSA pat-down at SeaTac. Instead of flying, she returned to Juneau by ferry. I reported her story on my radio show with a lump in my throat. She's an Alaska hero. I am not. I recently returned from Washington, D.C., where I'd celebrated Bristol Bay salmon, met Erin Brockovich, attended a reception with Justice Sandra DayO'Connor, bore witness to the blooming cherry blossoms and visited family. On departure day, I got to ReaganInternational early and made my way through security. Nudie Scanners. Not the old metal detectors, but the new graphic x-ray scanners. Lines were full of willing, compliant passengers; legs spread, arms in the air, photographed by our government. Recently, thousandsof scans were anonymously posted on the Internet. A man barked directions as I displayed my ticket and ID. He didn't look at me. He scribbled onmy ticket and I moved through. I braced myself. I watched childrenpass through the scanner. If a teacher was caught with those pictures on his computer, he'd bearrested. But here, it's legalized porn; the TSA's in charge. Finally, it was my turn. I requested the old-school machine. You'd have thought I'd screamed, "I have a bomb in my shoe and another in my panties!" "We need a female assist," a manboomed while he grabbed my arm and walked me through. I was told I couldn't touch my belongings. A woman walked toward me, pulling on her gloves.The male supervisor stood behind me. People gathered theirbelongings and walked past, staring. I'm not sure when I started to shake. I explained I wasn't comfortable being touched. The man laughed. I said in a smaller voice than normal, "I don't want you to touch me." The woman said she would be the one touching. She told me to extend my arms. She inspected my hair and neck first. I started to cry. I wanted so much to be brave. I was told I could be escorted out of the airport. "I live in Alaska," I said. Like that would explain something. As though he would know that flying isn't optional forus and shoo me though. They seemed angry at me. The search continued. My shoulders. My arms. My back. "Put your hands out, ma'am." They were over my face, and I was sobbing. People were watching. "Let's move her to a private room." They gathered my things and another woman accompanied us to a small room. "I don't want you to touch me," Isaid again. It didn't matter. Latex fingers feltunder my bra, inside my waistband, all with a Southern accent narrating. "Now I'll touch your breasts. Now your stomach." It went on. "Now turn around." When she touched the part of myleg where it meets my torso, I heaved. They offered me a Kleenex. I could not stand properly from the shaking, nausea and sobbing. "OK, we need this room," the supervisor said. "Time to finish up." I was now deemed safe enough to fly the friendly skies. I looked at the second woman who had searched me. She looked away. "I've been raped," I said. I wasn't speaking figuratively. A lot of Alaska women have suffered rape. I'm one of them. Someone once told me, "They got20 minutes; don't give them the rest of your life." I took that to heart. I became an advocate for abused women. I made love withthe lights on and didn't date menwith beards. I moved myself fromthe "rape victim" to "rape survivor" column. A couple who had been behind me in line waited 20 minutes for me to come through. She asked ifI was OK. Could they help me to my gate? I was still crying. I handed her my ticket. He took mybag. I didn't look at either one of them. She said she understood. No one should have to choose between invasive visual procedures or sexual assault. TSA agents are not sworn officers; they are civilians. Were another traveler to grab your crotch at the airport, you could prosecute him. We pay these people to do it. I don't want special treatment. I don't need a special pass. I don't want privilege. The Fourth Amendment should be sufficient. No American, no Alaskan should have to be molested to fly on an airplane. It's been almost 10 years since 9/11. I was "gate raped" by my government, and Osama Bin Laden is still at large. I guess he can unfurl the "MissionAccomplished" banner now. Shannyn Moore is host of "The Shannyn Moore Show" on KOAN radio, and the television show"Moore Up North" on KYES.
I don't like it, but with 80 percentof our communities off the road system, flying is a necessary part of our lives. Last month, Rep. Sharon Cissna, asurvivor of both physical abuse and breast cancer, refused an invasive TSA pat-down at SeaTac. Instead of flying, she returned to Juneau by ferry. I reported her story on my radio show with a lump in my throat. She's an Alaska hero. I am not. I recently returned from Washington, D.C., where I'd celebrated Bristol Bay salmon, met Erin Brockovich, attended a reception with Justice Sandra DayO'Connor, bore witness to the blooming cherry blossoms and visited family. On departure day, I got to ReaganInternational early and made my way through security. Nudie Scanners. Not the old metal detectors, but the new graphic x-ray scanners. Lines were full of willing, compliant passengers; legs spread, arms in the air, photographed by our government. Recently, thousandsof scans were anonymously posted on the Internet. A man barked directions as I displayed my ticket and ID. He didn't look at me. He scribbled onmy ticket and I moved through. I braced myself. I watched childrenpass through the scanner. If a teacher was caught with those pictures on his computer, he'd bearrested. But here, it's legalized porn; the TSA's in charge. Finally, it was my turn. I requested the old-school machine. You'd have thought I'd screamed, "I have a bomb in my shoe and another in my panties!" "We need a female assist," a manboomed while he grabbed my arm and walked me through. I was told I couldn't touch my belongings. A woman walked toward me, pulling on her gloves.The male supervisor stood behind me. People gathered theirbelongings and walked past, staring. I'm not sure when I started to shake. I explained I wasn't comfortable being touched. The man laughed. I said in a smaller voice than normal, "I don't want you to touch me." The woman said she would be the one touching. She told me to extend my arms. She inspected my hair and neck first. I started to cry. I wanted so much to be brave. I was told I could be escorted out of the airport. "I live in Alaska," I said. Like that would explain something. As though he would know that flying isn't optional forus and shoo me though. They seemed angry at me. The search continued. My shoulders. My arms. My back. "Put your hands out, ma'am." They were over my face, and I was sobbing. People were watching. "Let's move her to a private room." They gathered my things and another woman accompanied us to a small room. "I don't want you to touch me," Isaid again. It didn't matter. Latex fingers feltunder my bra, inside my waistband, all with a Southern accent narrating. "Now I'll touch your breasts. Now your stomach." It went on. "Now turn around." When she touched the part of myleg where it meets my torso, I heaved. They offered me a Kleenex. I could not stand properly from the shaking, nausea and sobbing. "OK, we need this room," the supervisor said. "Time to finish up." I was now deemed safe enough to fly the friendly skies. I looked at the second woman who had searched me. She looked away. "I've been raped," I said. I wasn't speaking figuratively. A lot of Alaska women have suffered rape. I'm one of them. Someone once told me, "They got20 minutes; don't give them the rest of your life." I took that to heart. I became an advocate for abused women. I made love withthe lights on and didn't date menwith beards. I moved myself fromthe "rape victim" to "rape survivor" column. A couple who had been behind me in line waited 20 minutes for me to come through. She asked ifI was OK. Could they help me to my gate? I was still crying. I handed her my ticket. He took mybag. I didn't look at either one of them. She said she understood. No one should have to choose between invasive visual procedures or sexual assault. TSA agents are not sworn officers; they are civilians. Were another traveler to grab your crotch at the airport, you could prosecute him. We pay these people to do it. I don't want special treatment. I don't need a special pass. I don't want privilege. The Fourth Amendment should be sufficient. No American, no Alaskan should have to be molested to fly on an airplane. It's been almost 10 years since 9/11. I was "gate raped" by my government, and Osama Bin Laden is still at large. I guess he can unfurl the "MissionAccomplished" banner now. Shannyn Moore is host of "The Shannyn Moore Show" on KOAN radio, and the television show"Moore Up North" on KYES.
Cee Lo Green is abruptly cut offat this year's Coachella
Famous musician Cee Lo Green was to perform yesterday, April 15, at the opening day of Coachella.
Many of his fans had waited eagerly for him to sing some of his classics. Unfortunately for the fans, Green was not able to perform with ease. Arriving late to the concert due to poor planning on the promoters' parts, he implored the crowd to stick with him as hearrived 20 minutes late to the stage.
Despite his late arrival, fans were still eager for him to start singing. And sing he did. He managed to get through five of his hit songs, "F**k You" and"Crazy" just to list a few. Just as he was making his way through his cover of Journey's "Don't Stop Believing," his music was cut off abruptly. Fans were confused by this lack of music, believing it to be a technical difficulty as Green stormed off the stage, followed by his band. It was only later that fans would learn that he was cut off in order to keep the schedule on time andflowing smoothly. The crowds, originally angry at the singer for arriving late, were later seen to be livid at the promoters of the concert.
Many of his fans had waited eagerly for him to sing some of his classics. Unfortunately for the fans, Green was not able to perform with ease. Arriving late to the concert due to poor planning on the promoters' parts, he implored the crowd to stick with him as hearrived 20 minutes late to the stage.
Despite his late arrival, fans were still eager for him to start singing. And sing he did. He managed to get through five of his hit songs, "F**k You" and"Crazy" just to list a few. Just as he was making his way through his cover of Journey's "Don't Stop Believing," his music was cut off abruptly. Fans were confused by this lack of music, believing it to be a technical difficulty as Green stormed off the stage, followed by his band. It was only later that fans would learn that he was cut off in order to keep the schedule on time andflowing smoothly. The crowds, originally angry at the singer for arriving late, were later seen to be livid at the promoters of the concert.
Christians mark Palm Sunday inJerusalem
Jerusalem - Millions of Christians worldwide, and several thousandin Jerusalem, marked Palm Sunday - the day Jesus rode into Jerusalem some 2,000 years ago, in what they believe was his last week on earth before his crucifixion and resurrection.
Thousands of pilgrims gathered in and outside the walled, historic Old City, for an early afternoon procession, reenactingthat entry.
The procession sets off from the Mount of Olives overlooking the Old City, through what is now called Lion's Gate. According to the New Testament,Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey and was greeted by a crowd who placed palm branches before him.
Palm Sunday opens Holy Week, with Christians marking his crucifixion on Good Friday and hiswaking from the dead on Easter Sunday next week. This year, the Orthodox calendar date coincides with that of Catholic and Protestant Christians, meaning the different branches of the faith celebrate together. The Israeli Tourism Ministry said it expected some 250,000 touristsand pilgrims to visit Jerusalem and holy sites in Israel and the Palestinian territories during the Easter season alone.
Holy Week also overlaps this year with the Jewish Pesach (Passover) holiday, which begins Monday after sunset with a festive meal on Seder night, with some 15 million Jews around the world celebrating the Jews' liberation from slavery in ancient Egypt. Israel toughened restrictions on the movement of Palestinians forthe Pesach week, shut down road blocks in the West Bank to avoid attacks by militants in crowded areas. In 2002, a Palestinian suicide bomber killed 30 Israelis as they set down for the Seder dinner at a hotel in Netanya, north of Tel Aviv.
Thousands of pilgrims gathered in and outside the walled, historic Old City, for an early afternoon procession, reenactingthat entry.
The procession sets off from the Mount of Olives overlooking the Old City, through what is now called Lion's Gate. According to the New Testament,Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey and was greeted by a crowd who placed palm branches before him.
Palm Sunday opens Holy Week, with Christians marking his crucifixion on Good Friday and hiswaking from the dead on Easter Sunday next week. This year, the Orthodox calendar date coincides with that of Catholic and Protestant Christians, meaning the different branches of the faith celebrate together. The Israeli Tourism Ministry said it expected some 250,000 touristsand pilgrims to visit Jerusalem and holy sites in Israel and the Palestinian territories during the Easter season alone.
Holy Week also overlaps this year with the Jewish Pesach (Passover) holiday, which begins Monday after sunset with a festive meal on Seder night, with some 15 million Jews around the world celebrating the Jews' liberation from slavery in ancient Egypt. Israel toughened restrictions on the movement of Palestinians forthe Pesach week, shut down road blocks in the West Bank to avoid attacks by militants in crowded areas. In 2002, a Palestinian suicide bomber killed 30 Israelis as they set down for the Seder dinner at a hotel in Netanya, north of Tel Aviv.
'The Celebrity Apprentice': Mark McGrath gets run over by a Busey
It came down to team leader Mark McGrath and Gary Busey in the firing room on 'Celebrity Apprentice' this week. ( NBC )
We're sure that when Gary Busey walks back into the TV room after surviving Sunday's (April 10) boardroom on "The Celebrity Apprentice," the men's team will have a collective stroke. Not only have they lost pop-rocker Mark McGrath, one of their best players, but now they still have who they perceive to be their worst player still around. To quickly recap, the teams were asked to create an outside attraction using a glass box and its surroundings to market Australian Gold sunscreen products. The men did their usualrisky take on the challenge by going with a pirate theme and the idea of found treasure. The women also went with their usual M.O. and translated the company's marketing theme literally and in line with the company's current advertising with several outdoors scenes, their Koala Bear mascot and bikini-clad girls in gold. The company liked the men's ingenuity, but didn't feel their marketing message was used much in their display. So, the women took the challenge win and project leader, La Toya Jackson, won herself another week. By the way, La Toya may not be the most decisive leader, but she has proven herself to be quite the fighter. In the final boardroom, it was down to Gary and project leader Mark. Gary had been purposely given tasks that would keep him out of the other guys' way, but several spoken snafus to the executives didn't sit well with them or his teammates. Yet, Marksealed his fate when he said that if the team lost he would take all the responsibility. Later, when the men found out that they indeed lost, Mark's story changed: He would take all the responsibility if the theme was the reason he lost. Regardless, the first rule of"Apprentice" is to never admit that you're at fault especially if you're the project manager. It's agiven that the first finger will be pointed at the leader, so it's theirjob to get it pointing to someoneelse.
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