Race to the Top on Steroids

EDUCATION: Race to the Top on Steroids

After 10 years, it’s time to revisit former President George W. Bush’s signature domestic policy achievement, No Child Left Behind. President Obama on Tuesday asked for a rewrite of the revolutionary standards-based law. He wants to set a high bar for states and school districts and give local governments more flexibility for achieving those goals.
There’s just one problem. Obama is modeling his education proposal after the current Race to the Top grant program, which is unpopular with Republicans on Capitol Hill. “Race to the Top should be the approach we follow this year as we replace No Child Left Behind with a law that is more flexible and focused on what’s best for our kids,” Obama said in his State of the Union address, according to the written version of his speech.
Yet GOP lawmakers in charge of this year’s spending bills are looking to eliminate funding for the Education Department’s competitive grant program, which rewards extra money to states that demonstrate innovative ways to boost student achievement. Republicans and other critics of Race to the Top say the government isn’t clear about how it doles out the money and that it is is too dictatorial about the award criteria.
Nonetheless, no one disputes that No Child Left Behind needs some attention. At the very least, lawmakers need to tinker with the fast-approaching 2014 deadline when all states must demonstrate 100 percent proficiency in K-12 education standards. Without any change, school districts across the country will face punitive measures in a few years.
House Education and the Workforce Committee Chairman John Kline, R-Minn., has said he wants to tackle No Child Left Behind in pieces, preferring to steer clear of a massive, unwieldy rewrite of the law. “My goal is to pull back federal involvement in the day-to-day operation of our classrooms so the innovation and accountability being driven by states and local schools has a chance to succeed, and I hope we can find agreement in Washington to allow that to happen,” Kline said on Tuesday.
Obama is sensitive to critiques about an overbearing federal government, but the administration is unlikely to relax its achievement criteria for the sake of giving more power to states. Still, Obama made sure to state that education reform isn’t “just a top-down mandate, but the work of local teachers and principals, school boards, and communities.” 

Assam BJP committed to develop Varun Gandhi

BJP committed to develop Assam: Varun Gandhi

BJP MP Varun Gandhi today asserted that his party was committed to the development of the poor in Assam.

"Assam cannot progress unless and until the condition of the poor improves. If the problems of the poor are not addressed, other odds of the society cannot be wiped out," Gandhi told a rally at Siphajhar in Darrang district.

The state was plagued by many problems and the time had come to create a new Assam which the BJP is committed to provide, he said.

"BJP is taking the forthcoming assembly elections in the state very seriously and is contesting to form a new government at Dispur (the state secretariat)," Gandhi said.

News From: www.dnaindia.com

Amanda Knox appeals trial Experts to review evidence

Experts to review evidence at Amanda Knox appeals trial

Independent forensic experts will have 90 days starting next month to review crucial evidence linking American student Amanda Knox to the murder of her British roommate, an appeals court said Saturday.

Knox was convicted in 2009 of sexually assaulting and murdering Meredith Kercher, and sentenced to 26 years in prison. Her co-defendant and ex-boyfriend Raffaele Sollecito was also convicted and sentenced to 25 years. Both have denied wrongdoing.

Their lawyers have disputed DNA traces used to back up their convictions and obtained an independent review at the start of the appeals trial.

The experts appointed by the appeals court, Stefano Conti and Carla Vecchiotti from Rome's Sapienza University, were formally sworn in at a hearing Saturday, the first of the new year. They will begin their review on Feb. 9 at a university lab, conclude by May 9 and report their findings to the court on May 21.

Kercher was stabbed to death the night of Nov. 1, 2007. Her body was found in a pool of blood the following day in the apartment the 21-year-old shared with Knox. They were both exchange students in Perugia, a university town in central Italy.

Prosecutors maintained in the first trial that Knox's DNA was found on the handle of a kitchen knife they believe to be the murder weapon, and that Kercher's DNA was found on the blade. They say Sollecito's DNA was found on the clasp of Kercher's bra.

The defense says those DNA traces were inconclusive and that they might have been contaminated when they were collected and analyzed.

The two independent experts can either make new analyses on the DNA traces that were found, or, if that isn't possible, review the analyses that had been carried out by previous forensic experts and assess whether they are reliable. Experts appointed by both the prosecution and the defense will be present during the review.

While the evidence review is being carried out, the trial will continue with witnesses sought by the defense aimed at challenging the reliability of a key prosecution witness who said he had seen Knox and Sollecito by the house the night of the murder. Knox and Sollecito insist they were at Sollecito's house.

The next hearing is on March 12.

News From: www.kansascity.com

Medium TV Series Finale

Medium series finale Farewell to one of TV best families

Medium never got the love and attention it deserved, and after seven psychic seasons on two different networks, the series comes to a close tonight. The gory crime-solving and supernatural elements of the show were fun, but the best part of the show was always its realistic portrayal of a stable, happy family, squabbles and all.

Joe and Allison DuBois are a close second to Eric and Tami Taylor for my favorite married couple on TV — playful, loving, expressive, and they’re terrific parents, too. Before Modern Family was getting all the (totally deserved!) credit for its realistic, not-at-all annoying kid actors, Medium‘s trio of blond munchkins were tearing it up. (Especially Maria Lark.) The DuBois women might be able to communicate with the dead, but they also argue over spelling tests, or who might need glasses, or who finished the cereal or passed her driving test. More Info

Speaking to the Public

The King’s Speech had the unfortunate luck of being labeled as an Oscar-hungry film quite early, dating back to the hysterically enthusiastic reaction that followed its initial screening at the Toronto Film Festival last year. Reviews have been almost exclusively positive, lauding Colin Firth’s role as the stammering King George VI as career-defining, a performance so inexpressibly perfect that you will be reduced to a blubbery, buttery heap of tears by the time the credits roll.

Rather than refute these claims, it would be much more productive to qualify the aspects of The King’s Speech that seem to have audiences so sheepishly smitten. The film follows Firth as the second-born son of King George V, a gruff and baritone Michael Gambon unwilling to accept his son’s speech impediment. World War II is coming to England, and Firth’s formidable stammer is forced into the public eye after his elder brother (Guy Pearce) abdicates the throne to marry one of those goddamn Americans. Following his wife’s counsel (Helena Bonham-Carter as the queen, charming and cheek-boned as ever), the new king starts unorthodox speech therapy with Australian Lionel Logue (Geoffrey Rush). The two men’s relationship provides the dramatic crux of the film, artfully balancing bits of humor and drama as Logue’s therapy sways from shaking jowls to childhood trauma.

The king’s stammer sets the stage for the necessary moments of painful tension as Firth’s desperate chokes and coughs invoke despair, courage and eventual exultation. The opening scene forces the poor prince in front of a microphone to read his father’s statement to the entire British Empire via radio, and from then on our sympathies are forever his. Yet the main reason for the broad success of The King’s Speech is not its approach to what is basically an underdog story, but rather its sheer, unabashed Britishness. The film was orchestrated by a largely British administration, set in a time of heady British significance, and embodies the sort of stout, dignified resilience so often associated with our neighbors across the pond. Every room is prim and proper regardless of the royal presence, and the arbitrary social monarchy so often associated with Britain acts as the film’s entire skeleton. Rather than let that stuffy dignity seep into the film’s juicy bits, however, director Tom Hopper maintains a detached, airy humor to the whole affair, from Derek Jacobi’s perfectly preposterous Archbishop to Rush’s Dr. Logue, who seems entirely unimpressed with the aristocratic posturing, but is willing to put up with it for the sake of his friend. The English style of sharp, clean regality appeals as much to an aging American public fed up with 3-D as it does to native Brits, and has profited immensely as a result.

While The King’s Speech hardly makes any mistakes, it seems unwilling to risk anything worth losing. The relationship between Firth and Rush drives the film at the cost of developing any of the other characters’ intimacy, reducing them instead to charged moments and lockedstares that ultimately reflect back on Firth alone. Unfortunately, that doesn’t stop Hopper from trying, and Firth’s connections with his wife, brother and father cannot move beyond one dimension. Once Hopper establishes the brother as cruel, the father as rough and the wife as supportive, their roles plateau and become little more than material through which the two central characters may work. This safe mentality extends to the dialogue, full of witty little quips and sly retorts that had the matured crowd in my theater tittering relentlessly, reaching for their oxygen masks in hopes of relief.

That said, however, The King’s Speech has turned something that could have been unforgivably boring into a sharply engaging film. It has joined This Is England and Wallace and Gromit in the pantheon of supremely British films that are actually accessible to the American viewer, and will probably get Colin Firth an Oscar in the process. Geared towards an older audience more appreciative of the subtle aspects of character and connection, The King’s Speech is an example of how filmmaking need not rely on the bells and whistles of a digitized era to simultaneously entertain and share a message with its audience.






News From: www.cornellsun.com

Trade Vernon Wells to Angels for Mike Napoli

Ken Rosenthal Jays Trade Vernon Wells to Angels for Mike Napoli.

The Angels, largely dormant for much of the offseason, are on the verge of landing Blue Jays center fielder Vernon Wells in a blockbuster trade, according to major-league sources.

The Angels would get Wells and cash and send catcher Mike Napoli and outfielder Juan Rivera to the Blue Jays, sources said.

Wells was in Anaheim for a physical on Friday. Napoli and others in the deal must also pass physicals.

The addition of Wells, who enjoyed a comeback season in 2010, would reduce the sting of a difficult offseason for the Angels, who failed in bids for free-agent outfielder Carl Crawford and third baseman Adrian Beltre.

Wells, 32, is waiving his no-trade clause. He is owed $86 million over the next four seasons. The Angels likely would use him in center, with Torii Hunter remaining in right and Bobby Abreu in left.

The Angels had been trying to move Napoli and Juan Rivera, who will earn $5.25 million next season.

The Jays likely would use Napoli as a catcher, first baseman and DH.
His arrival likely would preclude them from adding Manny Ramirez or another free-agent hitter.

The Angels also had been talking to free-agent outfielder Scott Podsednik and DH Vladimir Guerrero about one-year contracts. Either is still a possibility. Guerrero would be the DH if signed. If they were to sign Podsednik instead, he would fill the Angels' need at leadoff and Abreu would likely move to DH.

Wells last season produced his best offensive numbers since 2006, batted .273/.331/.515 last season with 31 home runs and 88 RBIs. He also made the All-Star team, re-establishing himself as one of the best center fielders in the game.

Napoli, 29, requested $6.1 million in arbitration. The Angels offered
$5.3 million. The Jays would control him for two more seasons before he became a free agent.

Napoli declined to .238/.316/.468 last season, but hit a career-high
26 home runs in 453 at-bats, getting much of his playing time at first base after Kendry Morales suffered a broken leg.

The Angels prefer Jeff Mathis, a superior defender, at catcher. Bobby Wilson is considered a capable backup, Hank Conger a highly regarded catching prospect.

News From: msn.foxsports.com

Betelgeuse supernova explode in 2012

Betelgeuse supernova not likely to explode in 2012

* Cold water poured on twin sun dreams
* Nobody can say for sure, though...
* More like full moon than Tatooine sun

THE super-giant red star Betelgeuse in Orion's nebula is destined to explode, but maybe not next year as some recent news reports have suggested and will not be as bright as some predicted.

FoxNews.com reported Betelgeuse has already become a red giant, which indicates it will explode and become a supernova.

But experts say it is not likely to happen soon and it will happen far enough away that it will not hurt Earth.

US astronomer Phil Plait noted on his blog that a supernova would have to be no farther than 25 light years away to "fry us with light or anything else and Betelgeuse is 25 times that distance".

The story at www.news.com.au predicted that a giant explosion will occur, tens of millions of times brighter than the sun, and suggested the event could happen before 2012.

The story quoted a physics lecturer at the University of Southern Queensland, Brad Carter, who predicted that when Betelgeuse blows, night time will turn to day for several weeks on Earth.

“This is the final hurrah for the star,” Dr Carter told www.news.com.au.

“It goes bang, it explodes, it lights up - we’ll have incredible brightness for a brief period of time for a couple of weeks and then over the coming months it begins to fade and then eventually it will be very hard to see at all.”

That story is helping fuel internet rumors and doomsday theories by confounding the impending supernova with the Mayan calendar's conclusion in 2012 - which some believe is a prediction of the end of the world.

But there's no reason to think Betelgeuse will blow in 2012, Mr Plait explained, or even this millennium.

"It's hard to know just when a star will explode when you're on the outside," he said.

"Betelgeuse might go up tonight, or it might not be for 100,000 years. We're just not sure."

Dr Carter followed up his comments today, saying he knew of no scientific basis to suggest the star would go supernova in time to satisfy doomsday followers' predictions.

He instead pointed to a New Scientist article that quoted Nobel prize winner Charles Townes as saying there was no way of knowing how red giants behave at the end of their life cycle.

He said that while it will shine with "incredible brightness" it would be more like a full moon, rather than Tatooine's second sun.

News From: www.news.com.au

Vernon Wells traded to Angels

Reports: Vernon Wells traded to Angels

The Toronto Blue Jays are close to trading all-star centre-fielder Vernon Wells to the Los Angeles Angels for catcher Mike Napoli, according to a report on FoxSports.com.

The blockbuster deal was still pending physicals, the report said citing unidentifed sources.

Wells still has four years remaining on the $126-million (all currency U.S.), seven-year contract and it's unclear if any money was changing hands in the deal.

His potential departure would remove one of the franchise's cornerstones and open space for a new leadership structure to emerge in the clubhouse.

Napoli is headed for salary arbitration, seeking a salary of $6.1 million, while the Angels countered at $5.3 million.

His potential addition would give the Blue Jays a veteran presence behind the plate as they try to integrate rookie J.P. Arencibia on to the big-league club.

Napoli could also play some first base and DH.


News From: www.theglobeandmail.com

Oprah promises to spill family secret

Oprah promises to spill family secret Monday

Oprah Winfrey has staged many a family reunion on her talk show. But on Monday's episode, she promises, the drama will be about her.

Winfrey told viewers Thursday that she will have a reunion of her own on "The Oprah Winfrey Show." She wouldn't say with whom -- only that it involves something she's learned about recently and is known to only a few people close to her.

"I thought I'd seen it all. But this, my friends, is the miracle of all miracles," Winfrey says in a promotional spot for the show. The word "miracle" appears on screen, reinforcing her pronouncement.

"I was given some news that literally shook me to my core. This time, I'm the one being reunited," she said. "I was keeping a family secret for months, and on Monday you're going to hear it straight from me."

Her production company, Harpo, declined to provide further details Friday.

Given Winfrey's tangled family history, the possibilities for her reunion are many.

She was born to unmarried teenagers, Vernon Winfrey and Vernita Lee, and raised at various times by a grandmother, her mother, and her father and stepmother in Mississippi, Wisconsin and Tennessee, according to Winfrey and various biographies.

However, Kitty Kelley's unauthorized 2010 biography of Winfrey alleges that Vernon Winfrey isn't Oprah's biological father. Kelley also claims that she discovered the actual father's identity but was keeping it secret until Winfrey learns the truth herself.

As a teenager, Oprah Winfrey gave birth to a son who died shortly afterward. That chapter of her life was revealed after a family member sold the story to a tabloid in 1990, and Winfrey was said to have felt betrayed.

Using her Chicago-based show to disclose a new wrinkle in her personal history allows her to keep other media from getting hold of it first.

Winfrey has proved herself a master at milking family reunion drama, celebrity and otherwise, on her syndicated talk show that's in its 25th and final season. This month, she launched a cable channel, OWN.

She reunited more than 100 members of the Osmonds. She brought together both the screen family from "The Sound of Music" and descendants of the real-life members of the musical Von Trapp family portrayed in the film. After decades apart, singer Seal and his foster sister were reunited on Winfrey's show.

There was also the memorable reunion involving Clemantine and Claire Wamariya, sisters who escaped the Rwandan genocide and later immigrated to America without knowing if their parents had survived. They learned they had, but it wasn't until they were onstage with Winfrey that the sisters saw their mother and father again.


News From: www.ctv.ca

Haiti to probe Jean-Claude Duvalier abuses

HAITI will probe crimes against humanity committed during the 15-year rule of ousted strongman Jean-Claude Duvalier who recently returned from exile.

"We welcome with satisfaction the beginning of investigations on crimes against humanity," Gerardo Ducos, Haiti researcher Amnesty International, said.

"It's an important moment for fighting impunity."

Amnesty handed over to Haitian prosecutors more than 100 documents and files relating to abuses and violations, which had been published by the group from 1976 to 1986, he said.

Amnesty highlighted cases of torture, enforced disappearances and extrajudicial crimes committed during the 15-year rule of the ousted dictator, known as "Baby Doc" Duvalier.

"Victims have a right to reparations, not only financial reparation but also the revival of collective memory," Mr Ducos said.

"Bringing the perpetrators of these crimes to justice is one of the state's obligations."

"Impunity breeds a climate where human rights abuses carry on. We have to break this cycle of impunity."

Duvalier, ousted in a popular uprising that ended his 1971-1986 rule, shocked many Haitians by returning to his homeland last weekend after a quarter-century in exile.

He has said he wants to help the country after last year's devastating earthquake that killed more than 220,000 people, but his exact motives remain unclear, stirring fears he could be seeking to profit from Haiti's current political turmoil.

Duvalier however has already been hit with a series of legal challenges.

On Tuesday, he was charged with corruption, embezzlement of public funds and criminal association during his rule; in a separate legal challenge, four Haitians filed lawsuits alleging crimes against humanity.

On Thursday, a judge barred the 59-year-old Duvalier from leaving Haiti because of a court order against him.

Ducos denied claims made by Duvalier's lawyers that he cannot be charged with any crimes because the statute of limitations had expired after 10 years, and the ousted leader was in exile for 25 years in France.

"There is no statute of limitation for crimes against humanity," Mr Ducos insisted.

News: www.news.com.au

Jared Kushner Donald Reacts to Baby News

Ivanka Trump is Pregnant! Donald Reacts to Baby News

Ivanka Trump is pregnant!

“The Apprentice” star (and daughter of Donald) and her husband Jared Kushner are expecting their first child.

“I have been wanting to share some amazing news with you all for some time… I’m pregnant!” tweeted Trump.

“We’re very excited,” Kushner tells Gossip Cop.

Proud grandfather-to-be Donald Trump also tells us, “I am very happy for Ivanka and Jared. They are wonderful young people!”

The couple wed in October 2009.


News From: www.gossipcop.com

Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, Kyle Richards Upgrade

Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, Kyle Richards Upgrades to Larger Crib

Kyle Richards, star of 'The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills,' and her husband Mauricio Umansky are the proud new owners of a Bel-Air estate, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

The reality TV stars closed on the $3 million plus dollar abode on Thursday. The family of six outgrew their 4,200 square-foot home, which was featured on the premiere season of 'Housewives of Beverly Hills.' Kyle and her four daughters (three with Mauricio and one from a previous relationship), and the sole man of the house, Mauricio, will enjoy the added space in their new 6,500 square-foot crib.

The mansion boasts a whopping seven bedrooms. It comes along with a pool, sports court, theater, and billiards room. The family is not packing boxes and luggage just yet. A remodel is expected to take approximately three months.

Mauricio, a real estate agent by trade, repped himself in the purchase. "We are going to convert it into kind of a Ralph Lauren comfortable, casual and traditional home," he told The Hollywood Reporter. "It'll have a bit of an East Coast charm."

Their old home was sold for an undisclosed amount, but was listed at $2.395 million. "The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" will return to Bravo on Thursday night for a special reunion episode, which promises lots of drama from the ladies of the most famous zip code in America, 90210.

Kim Richards rehab

Kim Richards going to rehab kim richards net worth

After a season of drama, fights and heartbreak the Real Housewives Of Beverly Hills season finale was by far the most shocking episode yet.

In a crazy turn of events an explosive fight between sisters Kyle and Kim Richards resulted in Kim's family checking her into rehab.

What began as a friendly party to celebrate Taylor's birthday turned into a group fight amongst the women while the husbands stood around in shock.

The fight initially began between Taylor and Kim, who was clearly intoxicated, after Taylor confronted her about what happened between the women in New York, causing Kyle to fight with Camille.

Kim clearly felt backed into a corner and told Taylor that her sister Kyle has fallen for her charms but she hadn't.

'She is faked by you,' she tells her. When Kyle intervenes and Lisa follows Kim tells them: 'I don't really enjoy any of your company.'

Kyle asked her who she was talking about and Kim pointed at her and told her to 'watch her step.'

The sisters begin fighting and Kim tells her she thinks Taylor and Lisa 'stir up all the s**t,' leading to Kyle walking away from her and Kim leaving the party in tears.

Kyle later follows Kim to the limo where Adrienne is trying to placate an upset Kim but rather than fix the situation between the sisters, it actually escalated further with Kyle calling Kim 'an alcoholic,' 'delusional' and 'demented' before saying 'mom had to die and leave this on my shoulders.'

Kyle stormed out of the limo telling Kim: 'We are done. You're on your own now Kim.'

A written banner then announced that the following week Kim was checked into rehab by her family - before checking herself out a week later - and that the sisters have not spoken since the incident.

While the Richards sisters fought the show also showed the heartbreak begin felt by Camille Grammer who opted to skip the party saying she 'felt sick to my stomach, the pain was too much and just couldn't face it.'

She meanwhile talked to a friend about what happened with her husband Kelsey in New York and what led up to her deciding to file for divorce - all while still wearing her wedding ring.

'We have been married for almost 13 years. Who is this woman,' she cried to her friend before revealing that the door man for their New York apartment building didn''t recognise her as Mrs Grammer and she had to show id to get in.

'I was reduced to nothing, crying and begging him to reconsider. I begged him to try and work it out for the kids.'

'It was a difficult decision for me to file for divorce. But ultimately he was already gone.'

The show also highlighted the problems in Taylor's marriage revealing that the couple had decided to take a trip to Mexico to try and hash out their problems and decide how to move forward.

'It is obvious that Russell and i have been having a tough time. We need to make some changes,' Taylor said.

'I do my best to always think for the best and not think about what it would be like if Russell and i don't make it.'

Meanwhile Lisa and Ken finally give their permanent house guest Cedric the heave-ho and after much discussion and excuses he finally agrees to go.

At the end of the episode they reveal that Lisa and Cedric had an explosive fight as he was in the process of moving out and have not spoken since.

The episode was clearly an emotional rollercoaster for all the ladies and they have obviously left things very open for the possibility of a new season.

Kyle Richards previously admitted she was 'dreading' watching the finale of the show as the fight between her and her sister formed the basis of the episode.

'All I can say is this is what I've been dreading the whole season,' Richards told People magazine.

'What's coming up created an enormous amount of anxiety for me and it's a very emotional and very difficult episode to see.'

Since the scenes were filmed the sisters have attempted to heal their relationship.

'We're working on it,' Kyle said. 'You don't see what goes on in the rest of our lives. We love each other a lot.'

Following the finale E! will screen a reunion episode, where the housemates get the opportunity to address the behaviour of their fellow stars, having seen the whole season of the show.

This includes the private comments made to the camera by the stars.

Kyle is set to have a run-in with Camille Grammer in the reunion, addressing what she considers to be her behaviour.

'Kyle wasn’t going to sit there and not address what Camille had done,' a production source told Life and Style. 'She called Camille out on a lot.'

The source added: 'Once Kyle had viewed all the episodes in their entirety - and saw for herself all the nasty things Camille had said about her behind her back - she was livid.'

Camille was also angry, accusing Kyle of 'bullying' her.

The reunion show also shows another row between Kyle and Kim, and ends with all of the cast members in tears - except Camille.

News From: www.dailymail.co.uk

Adam Housley Engaged to Tamera Mowry

Tamera Mowry Engaged to Adam Housley…Since July!

Tamera Mowry is chuckling a little that the world is just now finding out she is engaged. PEOPLE reported today that she is engaged to Adam Housley, a Fox News correspondent, but Tamera and Adam actually got engaged in July of 2010…and she posted the news on her Twitter feed then. People is a little behind the times, but that’s okay…it’s still great news and we’re happy for the “Sister, Sister” star!

Tamara shared a photo of her engagement ring on Twitter too, and People reports that it is by Viraggio. No word on when the happy day will be, but it must be getting close as Tamara is looking forward to a dress fitting for her bridesmaids this Sunday.

Housley has been reporting for Fox News since 2001. He is based out of Los Angeles but does a lot of international reporting from South America and the Middle East.

Malcolm Mitchell Commits Live From Valdosta

Malcolm Mitchell Commits To Georgia Over Alabama, Live From Valdosta

Valdosta WR/CB Malcolm Mitchell, a Rivals four-star, verbally committed to the Georgia Bulldogs over the Alabama Crimson Tide at a crowded hibachi restaurant in his hometown Thursday night as his mother looked on in a Florida Gators hat (?). Mitchell eventually placed the hat on the table next to Georgia and Alabama hats, delaying the announcement for over 40 minutes and actually personally calling for a commercial break at one point. Congrats, Dawgs, you’re getting a drama queen.

Jay Rome was also in attendance — both he and Mitchell were decked out in red and black.

The announcement was also supposed to broadcast live on talk921.com, but seriously, you guys just invited every Bama fan at once onto your website and you’re surprised it crashed? ROLE TAAAAHD.

Mitchell, like Rome before him, narrowed his list down to the Dawgs and Tide, but this one was actually a battle. While Rome had been thought of as in the bag for Georgia for weeks, the race for Mitchell came down to the wire, with coaches from both teams paying him visits up until today.

The six-foot-one, 187-pound speedster also received offers from four other SEC schools plus the Clemson Tigers. He’s ranked by Rivals as the nation’s top cornerback and the No. 15 player from the state of Georgia. Quick and lengthy with 4.4 speed, he’s been talked about as a potential return man.

Malcolm Mitchell Commits Live From Valdosta Video

Malcolm Mitchell leads available WRs

With national signing day (Feb. 2) around the corner, here is a look at the top uncommitted wide receivers.

 

Malcolm Mitchell (Valodsta, Ga.)

Player rank: 45 | Position rank:7 | Grade: 81 | Stars: 4
Height: 6-0 | Weight: 185 pounds | Evaluation
Considering

Why they want him: You won't find many athletes in this class rangier and faster than Mitchell, a legit two-way prospect who will have offensive and defensive coordinators fighting over his services at the next level. His blend of speed, ball skills and athleticism are off the charts. He is explosive off the line and can quickly get defensive backs on their heels. Shows he can quickly stretch a defense and get behind coverage.
Recruiting update: Mitchell will announce tomorrow between Alabama and Georgia. He visited the Dawgs last month and the Crimson Tide this past weekend. It's too close to call.

 News From: sports.espn.go.com

IIFA Awards Move to Toronto for 2011

Amitabh Bachchan is out and Anil Kapoor is in — that’s the latest from the International Indian Film Academy Awards, whose venue and dates have just been announced.

Kapoor arrived in Toronto Jan. 17 to promote the gala awards, soon to be followed by Preity Zinta.

This year’s IIFA Weekend will take place June 23-25 and will feature star-studded premieres, fashion events and one of Indian cinema’s glitziest award shows.

A prominent local politician, Mississauga-Erindale provincial Parliament member Harinder Takhar, said, “As a one-of-a-kind multicultural city and one of the top financial centers in the world, Toronto is a perfect destination for showcasing the film industry of a country which is fast making its presence felt on a global platform.”

Bachchan, a founder of the awards and its public face as recently as 2009, told the Times of India in a Jan. 17 article, “IIFA says my services are not required ... It’s not me. It’s the organizers of IIFA that do not want me in Toronto. Sri Lanka [June 2010] was the same.”

IIFA and Wizcraft director Sabbas Joseph told India-West in a statement, “Mr. Bachchan’s reason for non-participation is best known to him. IIFA and Mr. Bachchan are inseparable. We will continue to pursue his participation for this year too …

“Keeping in mind the huge respect that Wizcraft and IIFA have for Mr. Bachchan and the deep relationship that we’ve always shared, we are not having anyone replace Mr. Bachchan.”

Joseph has also responded to a Jan. 11 Hindustan Times article that claimed that IIFA participants had run up Rs. 100 million rupees of debt during last June’s event in Sri Lanka. Calling the HT story “completely baseless,” Joseph said, “IIFA has cleared payments and made full settlements for all charges pertaining to the Cinnamon Grand and other hotels that have hosted any IIFA guests and events. The International Indian Film Academy and Wizcraft are not liable to pay any extra charges. All claims in this respect lack credibility.”


News From: www.indiawest.com

CPT Result December 2010: ICAI Results

ICAI Results CPT Result December 2010 is Going to be Announced ToDay on 21st Jan

India (DLN): Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) is going to announce CPT Results 2010 for Nov/Dec Exam. CA Results will be announced tomorrow on 21st Jan 2011 as per information available at the official website of ICAI.

Candidates can register yourself to receive the results in your mail box. Direct link is given below here to register.

The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) is a statutory body. It is the 2nd largest accounting body in the world after AICPA. In India, it is the only licensing cum regulating body of the audit and accountancy. It is a founder member of IFAC, SAFA and CAPA.
More Info

news From: www.dailylatestresults.com

Yankees and Andruw Jones Agree Deal

Yankees and Andruw Jones Agree to a One-Year Deal

The Yankees and the free agent Andruw Jones agreed to terms on a one-year, $2 million contract Thursday, all but eliminating the possibility of Johnny Damon’s return to the team. Jones, a right-handed hitter once considered the most gifted center fielder in baseball, will serve as a backup outfielder.

The Yankees were searching for a right-handed-hitting outfielder to replace Marcus Thames, who signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers last week. Curtis Granderson and Brett Gardner bat left-handed, as does Damon, making him less desirable to the Yankees.

On Wednesday, Yankees General Manager Brian Cashman met with Scott Boras, the agent for Jones, after the news conference to introduce another Boras client the Yankees had signed, relief pitcher Rafael Soriano. A deal was worked out pending a physical. Boras also represents Damon.

Jones, who had 19 home runs and 48 runs batted in in 328 plate appearances for the Chicago White Sox last year, was looking to be a starter but had to settle for being the Yankees’ fourth outfielder. He will turn 34 on April 23.

Jones is a five-time All-Star and has won 10 Gold Gloves during his 15-year career, the first 12 of which were with the Atlanta Braves. Jones has 407 home runs and a .256 batting average. In 2005, he hit 51 home runs with 128 R.B.I. and finished second in the voting for National League most valuable player.

News From: www.nytimes.com

Suspected Mobsters to Be Arrested

Massive Take Down: 100+ Suspected Mobsters to Be Arrested in N.Y., N.J.

Charges Expected to Range From Murder to Racketeering and Extortion
Arrests began today in what is being called one of the largest ever round-ups of organized crime in New York and New Jersey.

More than 100 suspected mobsters are expected to be cuffed by the end of the day. The suspects are reputed members of six New York and New Jersey mob families, according to a report by ABC News' New York affiliate WABC.

The take down was a coordinated effort between federal and local authorities, including the FBI, U.S. Marshals, the NYPD and New York State Police.

The charges, to come down later today, are expected to range from racketeering and extortion to murder.

One FBI official told ABC News the arrests could amount to the largest take down in the Bureau's history.
U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder called a press conference for 11 a.m. today to "discuss law enforcement actions against organized crime members and associates."

News From: abcnews.go.com

Kennedy Center take over Washington National Opera

Kennedy Center to take over Washington National Opera

It's official. In a move that had been discussed for months and openly rumored as long ago as last summer, the Kennedy Center announced Thursday that it is officially taking over the Washington National Opera.

The "affiliation," as the agreement was termed in a Kennedy Center press release, was unanimously approved by the Kennedy Center's board at a meeting Wednesday. It will take effect July 1.

"Over the past few years," WNO president Kenneth R. Feinberg said Wednesday, "the financial uncertainty surrounding the opera has threatened not only its viability but its ability to … maintain a level of artistic excellence. This is a critical step designed to assure the long-term artistic and financial success of the company."

Translation: Without this merger, the Washington National Opera, financially strapped, without strong leadership, reduced to a mere five operas a year, was doomed.

The affiliation means that WNO is following in the footsteps of the National Symphony Orchestra, which became an affiliate of the Kennedy Center in 1986. It is notable that neither of the leading classical music organizations in the nation's capital has been able to maintain its complete financial and administrative independence without being taken into the Kennedy Center fold.

The opera and the Kennedy Center have discussed a possible merger for at least a year, conditional - from the Kennedy Center's side - on WNO's ability to pay off its debts and arrive unencumbered. One obstacle, as reported last summer, was the resistance of one of the opera's principal benefactors, Betty Brown Casey, who had stated that if WNO ever merged with the Kennedy Center, she would withdraw her donations, including the company's $30 million endowment, and give the money to the Metropolitan Opera, instead.

Casey recently came to the realization that there was no other option if opera in Washington was to survive, according to someone familiar with the negotiation who spoke on condition of anonymity. Indeed, Casey offered a matching donation to enable the company to pay off its debt and come to the Kennedy Center with its endowment - an impressive dowry - intact.

The affiliation will mean considerable changes for WNO. While the company will retain its board, some key staffers and its identity, the Kennedy Center will take over the opera's administrative and business functions, which will entail considerable streamlining and inevitably a number of job cuts. "Staffing remains to be worked out completely," said Feinberg, who also is the TARP "Pay Czar" and is overseeing restitution for the gulf oil spill.

WNO's artistic leadership, including the new music director of the Kennedy Center Opera House Orchestra, Philippe Auguin, will now work together with Michael Kaiser, the president of the Kennedy Center. Kaiser comes from an opera background: His first role in the arts was as a board member of the then-Washington Opera (the "National" came in in 2004) from 1983 to 1985. He later ran the Royal Opera House at Covent Garden in London for "two years, one month, and nine days," he said.

Kaiser fully intends to hire an artistic leader to replace the outgoing general director, Plácido Domingo, who announced in September that he would not renew his contract when it expires at the end of the current season.

But Kaiser has his own vision for changes at the opera. While next season is already set - WNO will announce it Feb. 1 - he hopes that there will be some new elements in place by 2012-13. In addition to presenting opera in the opera house, he envisions using some of the Kennedy Center's other performance spaces for smaller or newer operas that may not easily sell as many tickets. And he would like to expand the Kennedy Center's curatorial role by presenting the work of some other companies.

"I would like to bring in some really good avant-garde opera from abroad," Kaiser said. "There's some really good … work being done that we are not currently seeing in this country."

News From: www.washingtonpost.com