Italian who fought for votes for emigres dies (AP)

ROME ? Mirko Tremaglia, a right-wing politician who won a decades-long battle for the right of Italian emigres to vote in Italian elections, died on Friday. He was 85.

Italian news agencies and Sky TG24 TV said Tremaglia died at home in Bergamo, northern Italy, after a long illness.

Tremaglia was a co-founder of the Italian Social Movement, a neo-fascist party built on the ashes of Benito Mussolini's political legacy. But he gradually moved toward what is now Italy's center-right ? first as a leader of the National Alliance and then as a prominent member of Silvio Berlusconi's conservatives ? before breaking with the media mogul in 2010 to defect to a new center-right party.

In a condolence message to Tremaglia's family, President Giorgio Napolitano, a former Communist, noted that the late lawmaker and himself had "different experiences" and ideological positions but they shared a "sense of national responsibility."

"Particularly strong remains the mark of his commitment to give voice and representation to Italians abroad," Napolitano said.

Tremaglia campaigned tirelessly in Parliament for rights for millions of Italians who had emigrated, or who were born to emigre parents, to cast ballots in Italian elections. His dream became law in 2001, the same year he became minister for Italians abroad, in one of Berlusconi's governments.

In spring 2006, campaigning for Berlusconi in parliamentary elections, Tremaglia energetically worked the crowds in South America, where many of the 3.5 million Italian voters abroad lived. The law also gave Italian emigres the right, for the first time, to have representation in Parliament.

Tremaglia had served as a lawmaker in Parliament's lower chamber, the Chamber of Deputies, since 1972. Chamber President Gianfranco Fini, himself a former neo-fascist leader and former Berlusconi ally, hailed Tremaglia in a tribute Friday, as a "great political and personal friend."

Fini called Tremaglia a "great protagonist of the Italian right ? a cause to which Tremaglia, right to the end, dedicated himself with coherence and loyalty."

Fini's defection, along with several lawmakers like Tremaglia, from Berlusconi's coalition after nasty bickering in 2010, weakened the premier's government. Berlusconi resigned in November amid criticism over his handling of Italy's financial crisis.

In 2004, as a minister in then-premier Berlusconi's government, Tremaglia caused uproar when he complained about what he called the influence of gays in the European Union and used a pejorative term for homosexuals in remarks carried by Italian media.

Tremaglia was commenting on a European Parliament committee's decision not to endorse an Italian nominee to become EU justice minister after the candidate, a former Christian Democrat with close ties to the Vatican, testified that he considered homosexuality a sin.

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/obits/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20111231/ap_on_re_eu/eu_italy_obit_tremaglia

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Florida State rallies to beat Notre Dame (AP)

ORLANDO, Fla. ? There were moments during the Champs Sports Bowl when Florida State and Notre Dame resembled the dominant programs they were a decade ago.

There also were moments when it was clear that though both have made progress the past two years under their young, eager coaches, it's not time to celebrate their returns just yet.

That sentiment was not lost on Florida State coach Jimbo Fisher after the No. 25 Seminoles rallies to beat the Irish 18-14 on Thursday night.

"This team has been through a lot," Fisher said. "We've had a lot of trials and tribulations with injuries, tightly played games, and a lot of people doubted it. But I said all along this team has a special character to it. It always does. It competes."

He was proud of how his team overcame a dismal first half and 14-point third-quarter deficit.

E.J. Manuel threw two touchdown passes, and Dustin Hopkins made two field goals to help to the Seminoles earn their fourth straight bowl victory and second straight under Fisher.

Florida State receiver Rashad Greene, who caught one of Manuel's touchdown passes and had a team-high five catches for 99 yards, was selected the game's MVP.

It all helped put a happy face on a night when the Seminoles' offensive line surrendered at least five sacks for the second time this year and the offense had a fumble returned for a touchdown.

Due to injuries, Fisher was forced to start four freshmen on the line.

The Seminoles finished the game with 290 yards, went 3 for 14 on third down, and got an efficient night from Manuel. He played behind a young offensive line, but was 20 for 31 passing for 249 yards.

Manuel said none of the early miscues mattered at the end of the game, though.

"We had a very good finish," Manuel said. "We play for each other, not individual stats and performance. We just beat Notre Dame. We're going to feel good for months."

The Irish had three turnovers ? all interceptions by quarterbacks Tommy Rees and Andrew Hendrix ? and gave up four sacks of their own.

Notre Dame shuffled between Rees and Hendrix throughout the game, but both struggled. They were a combined 19 for 35 for 187 yards. The Irish also were a paltry 1 for 3 inside the red zone.

Florida State scored on all four of its red-zone chances.

"We know what we need to do," Irish coach Brian Kelly said. We've already talked about it, and the players that are going to be back for the 2012 football season will be committed to getting that end done."

The Irish also were without their biggest offensive star, with receiver Michael Floyd being forced to the sideline following a third-quarter touchdown catch with what Kelly described as an "upper-body injury."

Floyd returned to the game, but was a non-factor. Kelly, who made Floyd a game captain in his final college game, said he hated to see Floyd in that predicament.

"You remember the guys that overcome, the guys that compete in battle, and he did that today," Kelly said.

One of the guys that the Irish will have back is junior linebacker Manti Te'o. He led Notre Dame with 13 tackles and a got in on one of the sacks. He said fatigue wasn't a factor in the Irish not being able to maintain pressure on Manuel in the fourth quarter.

Though they held Florida State's offense under its season average of 31 points, Te'o said he knows the players coming back weren't please, which is a welcomed sign for next season.

"We still allowed the opposing offense to put points on the board, and that' snot something we want to do, but we just have to keep good enough off of this year," he said. "... We'll start to get better as a team, not only as a defense because we're going to win or lose as a team. It doesn't matter, and we just have to stay together and just focus on the little things."

After some stagnant offense on both sides in the first half, Florida State trailed 14-0 early in the third quarter before finding some momentum through the air.

The Seminoles cut it to 14-9 on Manuel's 18-yard touchdown to Bert Reed to open the fourth quarter, but failed on the 2-point conversion attempt.

Florida State took the lead just 1:32 later after Nigel Bradham intercepted Hendrix's pass inside the Notre Dame 20 to set up Green's 18-yard touchdown reception. The Seminoles failed again on a 2-point try, leaving it 15-14.

The Seminoles added their second field goal of the game a series later.

Notre Dame had one final chance to win after a poor punt by the Seminoles and a facemask penalty on the return gave the Irish the ball on the Florida State 28 with 3:56 to play, but Rees' pass was picked off in the end zone with 2:48 left.

Florida State safety Terrance Brooks, who had the final interception, said belief in themselves is the biggest thing they will carry into next season.

"Just go out there and do it," he said. "You know you've got it in you. We went out there and read our keys and got the job done."

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/sports/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20111230/ap_on_sp_co_ga_su/fbc_t25_champs_sports_bowl

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clarocada: [TNW] No, Argentina isn?t blocking iPhone sales, but the joke is spreading http://t.co/nH18YxJq

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BastiatInst: A Tale of Two Cities: Weimar and Washington - http://t.co/Ka1oQTEE

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ComScore: Google and Apple gain while RIM, Microsoft lose in November

ComScore released it?s November US Smartphone subscriber numbers on Thursday, and though there is some change, the story is pretty much the same.? Google?s Android gained 3.1% marketshare from August to November of this year, ending the period at 46.9% of all smartphones in the US.? Apple?s iOS gained as well, finishing up 104 basis points at 28.7%.? Meanwhile, RIM and Microsoft continued to lose ground, with RIM down over 3 points, finishing at 16.6% and Microsoft off half a point to 5.2%.

On the OEM side, no change in the order, with Samsung holding on to the top spot with 25.6%, LG at #2 with 20.5%, Motorola in third with 13.7%, Apple fourth with 11.2% and RIM in fifth at 6.5%.

Press Release:

comScore Reports November 2011 U.S. Mobile Subscriber Market Share

One-third of Mobile Subscribers Access Social Networking on Mobile Device

RESTON, VA, December 29, 2011 ? comScore, Inc. (NASDAQ: SCOR), a leader in measuring the digital world, today released data from the comScore MobiLens service, reporting key trends in the U.S. mobile phone industry during the three month average period ending November 2011. The study surveyed more than 30,000 U.S. mobile subscribers and found Samsung to be the top handset manufacturer overall with 25.6 percent market share. Google Android continued to capture share in the smartphone market to reach 46.9 percent market share.

OEM Market Share
For the three-month average period ending in November, 234 million Americans age 13 and older used mobile devices. Device manufacturer Samsung ranked as the top OEM with 25.6 percent of U.S. mobile subscribers (up 0.3 percentage points), followed by LG with 20.5 percent share and Motorola with 13.7 percent share. Apple strengthened its position at #4 with 11.2 percent share of total mobile subscribers (up 1.4 percentage points), while RIM rounded out the top five with 6.5 percent share.

Smartphone Platform Market Share
91.4 million people in the U.S. owned smartphones during the three months ending in November, up 8 percent from the preceding three month period. Google Android ranked as the top smartphone platform with 46.9 percent market share, up 3.1 percentage points from the prior three-month period. Apple maintained its #2 position, growing 1.4 percentage point to 28.7 percent of the smartphone market. RIM ranked third with 16.6 percent share, followed by Microsoft (5.2 percent) and Symbian (1.5 percent).

Mobile Content Usage
In November, 72.6 percent of U.S. mobile subscribers used text messaging on their mobile device, up 2.1 percentage points. Downloaded applications were used by 44.9 percent of subscribers (up 3.3 percentage points), while browsers were used by 44.4 percent (up 2.3 percentage points). Accessing of social networking sites or blogs increased 2.1 percentage points to 33.0 percent of mobile subscribers. Game-playing was done by 29.7 percent of the mobile audience (up 1.2 percentage points), while 21.7 percent listened to music on their phones (up 1.0 percentage points).

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Source: http://thecellphonejunkie.com/2011/12/30/comscore-google-and-apple-gain-while-rim-microsoft-lose-in-november/

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Consumer confidence index surges in December (AP)

NEW YORK ? Americans are gaining faith that the economy is on the upswing.

An improving job outlook helped the Consumer Confidence Index soar to the highest level since April and near a post-recession peak, according to a monthly survey by The Conference Board.

The second straight monthly surge coincided with a decent holiday shopping season for retailers, though stores had to heavily discount to attract shoppers.

The rise in confidence jibes with a better outlook for the overall economy. An Associated Press poll of three dozen private, corporate and academic economists projects U.S. economic growth will speed up in 2012, if it isn't derailed by upheavals in Europe.

But confidence is still far below where it is in a healthy economy. And Americans' mood could sour again if the debt crisis in Europe deepens and spreads to the U.S. Shoppers still face big obstacles ? higher costs on household basics and a still-slumping housing market.

"This is encouraging. It's good to be talking about improvement," said Mark Vitner, an economist at Wells Fargo. "But there is still a lot of room for trouble."

The Conference Board, a private research group, said Tuesday that its Consumer Confidence Index rose almost 10 points to 64.5 in December, up from a revised 55.2 in November. Analysts had expected 59. The level is close to the post-recession high of 72, reached in February.

The December surge builds on a big increase in November, when the index rose almost 15 points from October. That month's reading was the lowest since March 2009, the depths of the recession.

One component of the index that measures how shoppers feel now about the economy rose to 46.7 from 38.3 in November. The other barometer, which measures how shoppers feel about the next six months, rose to 76.4 from 66.4.

In particular, shoppers' assessment of the job market improved, according to preliminary results of the survey conducted Dec. 1-14. Those anticipating more jobs in the months ahead increased to 13.3 percent from 12.4 percent while those anticipating fewer jobs declined to 20.2 percent from 23.8 percent.

Economists watch confidence numbers closely because consumer spending ? including items like health care ? accounts for about 70 percent of U.S. economic activity.

Americans have more reason to be optimistic. The economy has produced at least 100,000 new jobs for five months in a row, the longest such streak since 2006. The number of people applying for unemployment benefits has dropped to the lowest level since April 2008.

According to the AP poll of economists, conducted Dec. 14-20, the U.S. economy is expected to grow 2.4 percent next year. In 2011, it likely grew less than 2 percent.

"We're starting to make some progress," said Kathy St. Louis of Atlanta, who was picking up lunch Tuesday at CNN Center. "It could always be better, but we're trying to move in the right direction." She said she spent $700 on holiday presents, up from the $300 she spent last year, even though not much changed with her paralegal job.

Ahlum Beruk, 22, a Greenville, Miss., resident who was visiting Atlanta, was a student last year and worried about finding a job. This year she works for a hotel and spent about $100 on Christmas presents. She spent nothing on gifts last year.

"I do feel better because I have a job now, and I didn't before," she added.

Shoppers still face many hurdles. In fact, while the job market is steadily improving, the unemployment rate is still high at 8.6 percent. And housing remains wobbly. The Standard & Poor's/Case-Shiller index of home prices, also released Tuesday, dropped in October in 19 of the 20 cities it tracks. It was a second straight declining month, further evidence of a bumpy housing recovery

Lynn Franco, director of The Conference Board Consumer Research Center, noted renewed fears about a second recession hurt confidence last summer.

"While consumers are ending the year in a somewhat more upbeat mood, it is too soon to tell if this is a rebound from earlier declines or a sustainable shift in attitudes," Franco said. "Have we rebounded from a summer lull or are we turning the corner?"

In fact, even with the increase in confidence, shoppers have been focused on deals this holiday season. Shoppers, enticed by expanded hours and bargains, packed stores for the start of the holiday season, resulting in discount-fueled record spending. But then they retreated for a few weeks to wait for better deals.

Based on the stronger-than expected start and rising optimism that more spending was to come in the finale, the National Retail Federation earlier this month upgraded its holiday sales growth forecast to 3.8 percent, from the original forecast of 2.8 percent made in September. More data will be released this week that will help quantify the last-minute sales surge.

Still unclear is how the discounting will affect stores' profit margins. It might not be all bad for retailers: Roxanne Meyer, a retail analyst at UBS Investment Research, says post-Christmas markdowns were not as deep as expected, with less than half of retailers she surveyed increasing promotions from last year.

_______

AP Retail Writer Mae Anderson in Atlanta contributed to this report.

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/business/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20111227/ap_on_bi_ge/us_consumer_confidence

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Franklin County community calendar

Tuesday, Dec. 27

Chambersburg

Meeting, Noontime Lions Club, noon, The Orchards, 1580 Orchard Drive.

Shippensburg

Reins of Rhythm Riding and Horsemanship Program, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Fine Line Stable, 470 McCulloch Road; for ages 7 to 11; Anastasia Kissel at 504-3852 or Patience Groomes at 228-8037. Wednesday, Dec. 28

Shippensburg

Blood drive, noon to 6 p.m., Messiah United Methodist Church, 30 S. Penn St.

Thursday, Dec. 29

Chambersburg

Meeting, Chambersburg Rotary, 12:15 p.m., The Orchards, 1580 Orchard Drive.

Greencastle

Blood drive, 1 to 7 p.m., First Assembly of God Church, 525 E. Leitersburg St.

Friday, Dec. 30

Mercersburg

Film, "The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn," 7:30 p.m., Star Theatre, 23 W. Seminary St.; http://www.newstartheatre.com.

Saturday, Dec. 31

Chambersburg

Dinner/concert, with Randy Simpson, New Season, Mercy's Vessel and Cornerstone Quartet, 5:30 p.m. to midnight, Solomon's Evangelical Lutheran Church, 4856 Wayne Road. Tickets at door and Sunnyway Foods in Chambersburg and Greencastle; 264-5138.

Greencastle

Pork and sauerkraut meal, for ages 55 and older, noon, Camp Joy El, 3741 Joy El Drive; free; reservations required, call 369-4539 or e-mail info@joyel.org.

Mercersburg

Film,

"The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn," 7:30 p.m., Star Theatre, 23 W. Seminary St.; http://www.newstartheatre.com.

Carillon recital, Charles Farris, midnight, Mercersburg Academy Chapel, 300 E. Seminary St. Shippensburg

Drop the Anchor, 7 p.m., downtown Shippensburg. Register at http://www.tinyurl.com/ShipNewYears.

2012

Sunday, Jan. 1

Cascade, Md.

Polar Plunge, 1 p.m., Lake Royer at Fort Ritchie; party at noon with bonfire, s'mores, hot chocolate and music; participants must raise money; those younger than 18 must have supervision by parents and a parent signature; (301) 241-5085.

Orrtanna

Pork and sauerkraut dinner, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Buchanan Valley Volunteer Fire Department, 1180 Buchanan Valley Road, Orrtanna; 677-9234.

Monday, Jan. 2

Chambersburg

Open house, noon to 5 p.m., Cumberland Valley Model Railroad Club, 440 Nelson St.; http://www.cvmrrc.com.

Tuesday, Jan. 3

Chambersburg

Breakfast, Chambersburg High School Class of 1959, 8:30 a.m., Johnnie's Family Restaurant, 679 S. Main St.; Brenda Roof at 263-9441.

Friday, Jan. 6

Hagerstown, Md.

Information session, 10 a.m., Elliott Center, Hagerstown Community College, 11400 Robinwood Drive; for active duty military, veterans interested in attending; Kevin Crawford at (240) 500-2412 or klcrawford@hagerstowncc.edu.

Saturday, Jan. 7

Chambersburg

Luncheon, Chambersburg High School Class of 1961, 11 a.m., Texas Lunch, 108 Lincoln Way West.; 261-0600.

Community drum circle, 6:30 p.m., Zion Reformed United Church of Christ, 259 S. Main St.; bring drums; use Liberty Street entrance; donations requested; Jeff Diller at 267-0413.

Dances of Universal Peace, 7:30 p.m., Zion Reformed United Church of Christ, 259 S. Main St.; use Liberty Street entrance; no partner or experience needed, wear comfortable clothing; donations requested; Jeff Diller at 267-0413.

Greencastle

Model railroad open house, 1 to 4 p.m., residence of Leighton Scott, 594 Shannon Drive; 597-3902 or leescottdesign@gmail.com.

Orrtanna

Seafood dinner, 6 p.m., Buchanan Valley Volunteer Fire Department, 1800 Buchanan Valley Road. For tickets, call 677-0870 or 677-9234.

Sunday, Jan 8

Chambersburg

Open house, noon to 5 p.m., Cumberland Valley Model Railroad Club, 440 Nelson St.; http://www.cvmrrc.com. ?

Greencastle

Model railroad open house, 1 to 4 p.m., residence of Leighton Scott, 594 Shannon Drive; 597-3902 or leescottdesign@gmail.com.

Monday, Jan. 9

Chambersburg

Meeting, AARP Chapter 2840, Falling Spring, 1:30 p.m., Bard Hall, Eugene C. Clarke Jr. Community Center, 235 S. Third St.; John Southwood at 263-1594.

Tuesday, Jan. 10

Chambersburg

Blood drive, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Menno Haven's Menno Village, 2075 Scotland Ave.; for appointment, call 261-2507.

Meeting, Noontime Lions Club, noon, The Orchards, 1580 Orchard Drive.

Meeting, Charles Nitterhouse Post 1599 Veterans of Foreign Wars Ladies Auxiliary, 7 p.m., Stoner's Restaurant, 615 Wayne Ave.; refreshments served at 6; Diana Alexiou at 263-3673.

Saturday, Jan. 14

Chambersburg

Breakfast, Chambersburg High School Class of 1962, 8 a.m., Greenvillage Drive-In Family Restaurant, 5440 Philadelphia Ave.

Greencastle

Model railroad open house, 1 to 4 p.m., residence of Leighton Scott, 594 Shannon Drive; 597-3902 or leescottdesign@gmail.com.

Sunday, Jan. 15

Chambersburg

Open house, noon to 5 p.m., Cumberland Valley Model Railroad Club, 440 Nelson St.; http://www.cvmrrc.com.

Greencastle

Model railroad open house, 1 to 4 p.m., residence of Leighton Scott, 594 Shannon Drive; 597-3902 or leescottdesign@gmail.com.

Tuesday, Jan. 17

Chambersburg

Meeting, St. Thomas Area Ruritan, 7 p.m., clubhouse, 3705 Lincoln Way West.

Thursday, Jan. 19

Fayetteville

Relay for Life kickoff, overnight fundraising event, 6 p.m., Norlo Park Community Center, 3050 Lincoln Way East; Jennifer Kessel at 264-6266 or jennifer.kessel@cancer.org.

Saturday, Jan. 21

Chambersburg

Workshop, "Year of the Dragon," 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., rooms 7 and 8, Agricultural Heritage Building, 185 Franklin Farm Lane. To register, call Jennifer Wetzel at 263-9226.

Greencastle

Model railroad open house, 1 to 4 p.m., residence of Leighton Scott, 594 Shannon Drive; 597-3902 or leescottdesign@gmail.com.

Sunday, Jan. 22

Greencastle

Model railroad open house, noon to 3 p.m., residence of Leighton Scott, 594 Shannon Drive; 597-3902 or leescottdesign@gmail.com.

Tuesday, Jan. 24

Chambersburg

Meeting, Noontime Lions Club, noon, The Orchards, 1580 Orchard Drive.

Wednesday, Jan. 25

Hagerstown, Md.

AARP Driver Safety Program, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., The Village of Robinwood, 19800 Tranquility Circle. To register, call Judy Brewer at (301) 790-0275, Ext. 220.

Friday, Jan. 27

Chambersburg

Annual joint meeting, Franklin County Cooperative Extension Association and Franklin County Conservation District, 7 p.m., Solomon's
Evangelical Lutheran Church, 4856 Wayne Road. Buy tickets by Jan. 20; 263-9226 or 264-5499.

Saturday, Jan. 28

Greencastle

Model railroad open house, 1 to 4 p.m., residence of Leighton Scott, 594 Shannon Drive; 597-3902 or leescottdesign@gmail.com.

Sunday, Jan. 29

Greencastle

Model railroad open house, 1 to 4 p.m., residence of Leighton Scott, 594 Shannon Drive; 597-3902 or leescottdesign@gmail.com.

Saturday, Feb. 4

Shippensburg

Soulful Saturday, 8 p.m., Knights of Columbus, 336 E. Garfield St. Register by Jan. 20 to 477-1616.

Saturday, Feb. 11

Chambersburg

Breakfast, Chambersburg High School Class of 1962, 8 a.m., Greenvillage Drive-In Family Restaurant, 5440 Philadelphia Ave.

Sunday, Feb. 12

Greencastle

Model railroad open house, noon to 3 p.m., residence of Leighton Scott, 594 Shannon Drive; 597-3902 or leescottdesign@gmail.com.

Tuesday, Feb. 14

Chambersburg

Meeting, Noontime Lions Club, noon, The Orchards, 1580 Orchard Drive.

Sunday, Feb. 26

Greencastle

Model railroad open house, noon to 3 p.m., residence of Leighton Scott, 594 Shannon Drive; 597-3902 or leescottdesign@gmail.com.

Tuesday, Feb. 28

Chambersburg

Meeting, Noontime Lions Club, noon, The Orchards, 1580 Orchard Drive.

Wilson College World Travel Film Series, "The Silk Road ...," 7 p.m., Thomson Hall's Alumnae Chapel, Wilson College. For tickets, call 262-2003.

Thursday, March 1

Greencastle

Hobo Minstrel show, "When Irish Eyes Are Smiling," 7:30 p.m., Greencastle-Antrim High School auditorium, 300 S. Ridge Ave.

Friday, March 2

Greencastle

Hobo Minstrel show, "When Irish Eyes Are Smiling," 7:30 p.m., Greencastle-Antrim High School auditorium, 300 S. Ridge Ave.

Saturday, March 3

Greencastle

Hobo Minstrel show, "When Irish Eyes Are Smiling," 7:30 p.m., Greencastle-Antrim High School auditorium, 300 S. Ridge Ave.

Saturday, March 10

Breakfast, Chambersburg High School Class of 1962, 8 a.m., Greenvillage Drive-In Family Restaurant, 5440 Philadelphia Ave.

Sunday, March 11

Greencastle

Model railroad open house, noon to 3 p.m., residence of Leighton Scott, 594 Shannon Drive; 597-3902 or leescottdesign@gmail.com.

Tuesday, March 13

Chambersburg

Meeting, Noontime Lions Club, noon, The Orchards, 1580 Orchard Drive.

Sunday, March 25

Greencastle

Model railroad open house, noon to 3 p.m., residence of Leighton Scott, 594 Shannon Drive; 597-3902 or leescottdesign@gmail.com.

Tuesday, March 27

Chambersburg

Meeting, Noontime Lions Club, noon, The Orchards, 1580 Orchard Drive.

Saturday, March 31

Chambersburg

Wilson College Performing Arts Series, Baltimore Mandolin Orchestra, 7:30 p.m., Laird Hall, Wilson College. For tickets, call 262-2003.

Tuesday, April 3

Chambersburg

Wilson College World Travel Film Series, "Discovering the Dutch," 7 p.m., Thomson Hall's Alumnae Chapel, Wilson College. For tickets, 262-2003.

Saturday, April 14

Breakfast, Chambersburg High School Class of 1962, 8 a.m., Greenvillage Drive-In Family Restaurant, 5440 Philadelphia Ave.

Wednesday, April 15

Chambersburg

Van Looy Organ Series: Gordon Turk, 3 p.m., Alumnae Chapel, Thomson Hall, Wilson College. For tickets, call 262-2003 or e-mail specialevents@wilson.edu.

Friday, May 4

Chambersburg

Wilson College Performing Arts Series, J.D. Walter and the Steve Rudolph Trio, 7:30 p.m., Laird Hall, Wilson College. For tickets, call 262-2003.

Saturday, May 12

Breakfast, Chambersburg High School Class of 1962, 8 a.m., Greenvillage Drive-In Family Restaurant, 5440 Philadelphia Ave.

Saturday, June 9

Breakfast, Chambersburg High School Class of 1962, 8 a.m., Greenvillage Drive-In Family Restaurant, 5440 Philadelphia Ave.

Source: http://www.publicopiniononline.com/living/ci_19623093?source=rss

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Cupcake Wars

Possibly, but it would be extremely weak. Several types of liquid explosives can be mixed into a paste-like form and combined with colorant to look something like cupcake frosting. A cupcake wouldn?t be a particularly effective weapon of terror, though. Attackers would likely need several times the weight of frosting on even the most decadent cupcake to threaten a commercial airliner, and it would have to be tightly packed in a container rather than sitting atop a pastry. If a traveler had a full-sheet birthday cake, the TSA would have a somewhat stronger case for confiscation. (The agency is investigating the circumstances surrounding the cupcake incident but has publicly stated that passengers usually are permitted to carry cakes and cupcakes through security checkpoints.)

Source: http://feeds.slate.com/click.phdo?i=9fb4bc68cd03cdde8bfb73d6042ffbcc

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neimanmarcus: If you think Tom Ford Beauty is impossibly glam, look at @KarlaSugar's pretty daytime makeover http://t.co/8de22dGA

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Sears to close 100 stores; Sony splits Samsung venture

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Tom Brokaw: Don???t count out Chris Christie in 2012 [VIDEO] (Daily Caller)

Even though Republican New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie has repeatedly said that he will not run for president in 2012 and has even endorsed former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney for the job, some are not counting him out of the race quite yet.

On the eve of the Iowa caucuses, some are imagining a scenario that would propel Christie into the race. On NBC?s ?Meet the Press? Sunday, former ?Nightly News? anchor Tom Brokaw?explained that if the Republican race for the nomination culminates in a brokered convention, Christie could be goaded to get in.

?Yeah the other thing is [Romney] could draw this out,? Brokaw said. ?And we could get to a brokered convention. I mean, if this gets downstream in the current mode there are a lot of old establishment Republicans who are going to be going to the state house in New Jersey and saying to Gov. [Chris] Christie, you?ve got to get in on this. They?ve got to find somebody else who can be a player, or, I think, outside of that, you?re going to look at a lot of possibilities of third-party candidates jumping in.?

New York Times columnist Tom Friedman questioned how a brokered convention would play out in the modern world.

?David [Gregory], what?s interesting ? will it be brokered on Twitter, or a smoke-filled room?? Friedman asked.

Watch:

Prince Philip in hospital as royals mark Christmas (AP)

LONDON ? Members of Britain's royal family gathered Sunday to celebrate Christmas with one notable absence ? Queen Elizabeth II's husband, who remains hospitalized following a heart procedure.

Prince Philip is recovering from having a coronary stent put in after doctors determined that the heart pains that saw the 90-year-old hospitalized on Friday were caused by a blocked artery.

Buckingham Palace said "he's in good spirits" and family members will visit Philip, also known as the Duke of Edinburgh, in the hospital after lunch.

The palace has said the rest of the family's Christmas schedule will go ahead as planned ? including attendance at a traditional morning service at St. Mary Magdalene Church on the queen's sprawling estate in Norfolk.

Hundreds of people gathered outside the church to catch a glimpse of the family got an early peek when the royals made a quick private visit to the church ahead of the services.

Less than two hours later, they were back ? in different clothes ? for the Christmas service.

The Queen arrived first ? dressed in a lilac-colored coat and hat ? in a royal limousine, leading the way into the church.

Prince Charles and his wife, Camilla, trailed behind.

Prince Harry walked in with his brother William and new sister-in-law Catherine ? now known as the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. Catherine, whose style is closely watched and sends dresses flying off the shelves, wore an eggplant colored coat and matching fascinator.

Among the other royals present was the queen's granddaughter, Zara Philips, who was joined by her new husband Mike Tindall.

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/europe/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20111225/ap_on_re_eu/eu_britain_royal_christmas

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Letter: Economy not GOP?s fault

In William Lyons? Dec. 15 letter, he laments congressional partisanship and implies Republicans are responsible ? plus they blocked the magnitude of the Obama stimulus package.

How? Democrats were in complete control of all branches of government when the stimulus was created.

President Roosevelt did engage in modest deficit spending, but realized financial integrity/security means a balanced budget.

Apparently President Obama rejects this fact and believes that overspending and borrowing more money will end a depression. Why did the Great Depression last so long ? 1929 to 1940? How long will the current depression last?

For both, the answer is ? and was ? end federal intervention. The private sector provides jobs and job creation. Excessive regulations and uncertain tax policies prevent this.

How much longer can President Bush be blamed for the current mess?
Warren G. Harding presided over the 1920-21 Depression. He did nothing but cut federal spending. Unemployment went from 11.7 percent to 6.7 percent to a low of 1.8 percent.

Do we really want to repeat the Great Depression but this time on steroids?
Partisanship is a two-way street. A close look will reveal partisan Democrats and President Obama do not want compromise.

It?s either their misguided way or the highway.

?? Bill Megan, Rockford

Source: http://www.rrstar.com/opinions/whatyouresaying/x1569722195/Letter-Economy-not-GOP-s-fault

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Vandals hit Washington Park light display

Posted at: 12/25/2011 7:45 AM
Updated at: 12/25/2011 6:22 PM
By: WNYT Staff

Print Story? Email to a Friend

ALBANY - Police confirm several light displays at the Hannaford Capital Holiday Lights display in Washington Park were hit by vandals this weekend.

According to Albany Police, graffiti was spray painted on several displays.

Others had their electrical lines cut.

Early estimates put damage in the $25,000 range

Source: http://wnyt.com/article/stories/s2427831.shtml?cat=300

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famegamenews: [Los Angeles Times] 'Flowers of War's' Zhang Yimou: Censorship limits Chinese films: Mentions Zhang Yimou and Ch... http://t.co/KutpiBKt

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Toddlers & Tiaras Smackdown: Isabella Barrett Goes OFF on Paisley Dickey!

Just when you thought you'd seen it all in terms of crazy reality star feuds, a five-year-old Toddlers & Tiaras star is talking smack about a three-year-old co-star.

Isabella Barrett? Not a fan of Paisley Dickey!

Barrett, 5, was leaving a spray tanning session in New York when she went off on Paisley, 3, for allegedly copying her spray tan look and dressing like a ho.

Seriously, this exchange really went down.

Isabella said of Paisley Dickey, a.k.a. mini Pretty Woman, "Last time I was here, Paisley was trying to copy me ... but MY mom doesn't dress me up as a hooker."

Oh, that one hurts.

Barrett was referring to the infamous, controversial Toddlers episode when Paisley dressed up like Julia Roberts / as a prostitute for a beauty pageant.

This nonsense raises any number of questions, but two stand out:

1. How does a five-year-old even know the word "hooker"?
2. What parent would dress their kid up as a hooker ... or teach her five-year-old daughter to tell people that a rival girl dresses like a hooker?

Makes ya think ... and want to stab yourself in the head.

Source: http://www.thehollywoodgossip.com/2011/12/toddlers-and-tiaras-smackdown-isabella-barrett-goes-off-on-paisl/

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Indonesia girl back with family after 2004 tsunami

Fifteen-year-old Wati, second right, poses for a photograph with her father Yusuf, right, mother Yusniar, left, and younger brother Aris at their home in Meulaboh, Aceh province, Indonesia, Friday, Dec. 23, 2011. The girl who was swept away in the Indian Ocean tsunami seven years ago has been reunited with her parents. (AP Photo)

Fifteen-year-old Wati, second right, poses for a photograph with her father Yusuf, right, mother Yusniar, left, and younger brother Aris at their home in Meulaboh, Aceh province, Indonesia, Friday, Dec. 23, 2011. The girl who was swept away in the Indian Ocean tsunami seven years ago has been reunited with her parents. (AP Photo)

BANDA ACEH, Indonesia (AP) ? A girl who was swept away in the Indian Ocean tsunami seven years ago said Friday she broke down in tears this week after tracking down her parents, who had long lost hope of finding her alive.

The 15-year-old showed up in Aceh province's hard-hit town of Meulaboh earlier this week, saying that not long after the wave hit she was "adopted" by a woman who called her Wati and forced her to beg, sometimes beating her and keeping her in the streets until 1 a.m.

When the teen stopped bringing in money, she was told, "Go ahead, leave ... go find your parents then, they're in Meulaboh."

With only patchy memories about her past ? she was only 8 when the tsunami hit, an age where most children don't know their relatives' full names ? Wati began her search, telling people she thought her grandfather was "Ibrahim."

She met a pedicab driver in Meulaboh, who brought her to a man by that name. Though she didn't look familiar, he, in turn, quickly summoned her parents.

"When I saw my mother, I knew it was her," said the wide-eyed girl, her hair cropped close to her head. "I just knew."

The family, who say the girl's original name is Meri Yuranda, is also now convinced.

The Dec. 26, 2004, tsunami that killed 230,000 people in a dozen nations hit Aceh ? closest to the epicenter of the magnitude-9.1 quake that spawned the towering waves ? the hardest.

With tens of thousands of bodies washed to sea in that province alone, many families continue to cling to hope of finding lost loved ones. Reunions, however, are rare. And all announced in the last five years have turned out to be untrue. Even so, some mothers continue to believe a child is theirs even after DNA tests prove otherwise.

Either way, without any challenges to the claims, Wati now has a family.

Yusniar binti Ibrahim Nur, the mother, told The Associated Press she had all the evidence she needed.

"She has her father's face," the 35-year-old woman said by telephone. "And when I saw the scar over her eye and mole on her hip, I was even more sure."

It doesn't worry her, she said, that the girl and her husband have different accounts of what happened on the day the tsunami hit their tiny village of Ujong Baroh just outside of Meulaboh.

Wati remembers her father putting her into a boat with her younger sister, long presumed dead as well, and then getting separated. She says she remembers being surrounded by water and crying.

Her father says he put both of his daughters on the roof of their house hoping they'd be safe.

"Maybe she fell into the boat, maybe someone helped her. I just don't know," said Yusniar.

"I just thank God my prayers have been answered," she said. "For years, I searched everywhere. I'd really given up."

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/cae69a7523db45408eeb2b3a98c0c9c5/Article_2011-12-23-AS-Indonesia-Tsunami-Reunited-Family/id-0fca14e61a6a40ed91da745f2e25872e

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Finland ?finds Patriot missiles? on China-bound ship

Finland ?finds Patriot missiles? on China-bound ship

Home - by BigFurHat - December 22, 2011 - 19:30 America/New_York - 13 Comments

The Thor Liberty is docked in Kotka

The Finnish authorities have impounded an Isle of Man-flagged ship bound for China with undeclared missiles and explosives, officials say.

Police are questioning the crew of the MS Thor Liberty after what were described as 69 Patriot anti-missile missiles were found aboard.

Interior Minister Paivi Rasanen said the missiles were marked ?fireworks?.

The MS Thor Liberty had docked in the Finnish port of Kotka after leaving Germany last week.

Dock workers became suspicious after finding explosives poorly stored on open pallets, and the missiles were then found in containers marked ?fireworks?.

The managing director of the ship?s owner, Thorco Shipping, expressed surprise. Thomas Mikkelsen told AFP news agency from Denmark that he was unaware of the matter.

Another company official, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed the ship had been detained in Finland and said the missiles could have been loaded on to the vessel by mistake, AFP adds.

Police did not confirm Finnish media reports that the ship had also been scheduled to stop in South Korea, Reuters news agency reports.

?Quite unusual?

More

ht. gigi

Source: http://iowntheworld.com/blog/?p=110980

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Video: On the home stretch ?

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Source: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3036697/vp/45757539#45757539

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bensbiz: @chawalte But money is no object in Minor League Baseball, of course.

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@chawalte But money is no object in Minor League Baseball, of course. Il y a environ 11 heures via TweetDeck en r?ponse ? chawalte

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Venezuela honors Simon Bolivar with new coffin (AP)

CARACAS, Venezuela ? Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez paid tribute to 19th century independence leader Simon Bolivar on Saturday by unveiling a new coffin containing Bolivar's remains and adorned with gold, pearls and diamonds.

Soldiers lifted a flag from the mahogany coffin during a ceremony marking the anniversary of Bolivar's death in 1830. Bolivar is both a national hero in Venezuela and the namesake of Chavez's Bolivarian Revolution political movement.

"You live on in us," Chavez said in a speech, standing next to the coffin. "As the years pass, you will be more alive, father Bolivar."

Officials have said Chavez's government is spending 119 million bolivars ($27.7 million) to build a new mausoleum to house Bolivar's remains. The mausoleum is to have a soaring roof, and a metal framework has been partly erected behind the National Pantheon, where Bolivar's remains have long been entombed.

Chavez oversaw the exhumation of Bolivar's remains last year, seeking to confirm his idol's identity and investigate a theory that Bolivar could have been killed. Researchers confirmed Bolivar's identity through DNA tests but were unable to pin down the cause of his death.

The new coffin bears golden stars and the national seal, as well as Bolivar's initials and golden laurels. An announcer said the decorations on the coffin include diamonds and pearls from Venezuela.

Chavez has made Bolivar a central symbol throughout his nearly 13-year-old presidency. He often speaks below a portrait of Bolivar. In 1999, Chavez promoted the approval of a new constitution that changed the country's name to the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/world/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20111217/ap_on_re_la_am_ca/lt_venezuela_chavez

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Shutdown likely averted as tax talks go on (AP)

WASHINGTON ? House Republicans will stick to their insistence that a bill extending a payroll tax cut and jobless benefits include language speeding work on a controversial oil pipeline, Speaker John Boehner said Friday.

The remarks by Boehner added a contentious backdrop to negotiations over a compromise payroll tax cut measure. With President Barack Obama and many congressional Democrats opposed to accelerating work on the proposed Keystone XL pipeline, which would run for 1,700 miles from western Canada to Texas, that conflict has been one of the major hurdles to a bipartisan deal on the payroll tax package.

Meanwhile, the House began debating a $1 trillion spending bill that would avert a partial federal shutdown beginning Saturday. That measure, which would finance dozens of federal agencies through next September, would replace a stopgap spending bill that expires at midnight Friday and is sure to pass.

Negotiations on the payroll tax cut legislation between Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., were continuing Friday. Leaders are hoping that Congress will finish that bill and others and end its work for the year in the next few days.

Reid said Friday that bargainers were making good progress in those talks, a sentiment echoed by McConnell.

"The majority leader and I are making significant progress on reaching agreement on a package that will have bipartisan support, I hope," McConnell said. "I think we're going to get to that place."

With those talks under way, House leaders planned to send their members home after finishing their work Friday, with plans to return when the Senate produces a payroll tax cut measure for the House to vote on.

But Boehner, R-Ohio, struck a combative tone following a closed-door meeting Friday morning of House Republicans.

"I guarantee that the Keystone pipeline will be in there when it goes back to the United States Senate," Boehner said.

This year's 4.2 percent payroll tax rate will jump back to its normal 6.2 percent on Jan. 1 unless action is taken by Congress. Few lawmakers want to be blamed for a tax increase that would affect 160 million people.

Extended benefits for long-term jobless people will also expire Jan. 1 without congressional action.

That same day, a 27 percent cut in Medicare reimbursements to doctors would take effect unless lawmakers act, a reduction that could convince some doctors to stop treating Medicare patients.

Even without the Keystone dispute, bargainers had still not reached agreement on how to extend a payroll tax cut through 2012, with major disputes remaining over how to finance the package.

Because of their ongoing disagreements, Senate leaders have prepared a shorter, two-month extension of the payroll tax cut and jobless benefits to give themselves more time to reach an agreement.

The two-month payroll tax cut bill would also delay the Medicare cuts for two months.

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/topstories/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20111216/ap_on_go_co/us_congress_rdp

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A proposal for Britney: Try some discretion

By Kurt Schlosser

Update: Your fast-moving Internet should have told you by now that, yes, Britney Spears is engaged for real. Access Hollywood has the details over here. We had all this to say before there was all that:

It shouldn't come as a big shock that very few things in our over-sharing culture have the ability to surprise us anymore. We've tweeted and Facebooked ourselves out of anything resembling a secret (keeping)?society. And when it comes to the celebrities we spend so much time obsessing over, this holds doubly true: we know the sex of the babies they haven't had yet; we know where they slept last night; we know what the divorce cost.

David Livingston / Getty Images file

Jason Trawick and Britney Spears.

But it struck us as a little absurd to be reading this morning (on TMZ?and elsewhere) that Britney Spears' boyfriend, Jason Trawick, plans to ask her to marry him tonight in Las Vegas. When did it become normal to leak word of an impending engagement? Call us old fashioned, but beyond Trawick and Spears' father, Jamie, -- who according to the report gave his approval -- no one else should know until Britney knows. When Trawick gets down on one knee and says, "Will you marry me, Britney?" it just seems more meaningful if the pop star didn't see it coming.

If we're to believe RadarOnline.com, we've even "seen" the ring before the bride-to-be. "Don?t expect anything too massive or obnoxious,? a source told the web site exclusively. "This ring will be classy and under 4 carats." Bling! Duh.

We're certainly aware that Spears has led what seems to be a pretty tightly controlled existence?since the days of, well, this. So her family and the people who control her money and movements now weren't going to just let any?yahoo take her to the roof of the Bellagio and put a ring on it. Those days are hopefully over.

And while we didn't expect Trawick to put it on the Jumbotron at a future Lakers game or hire a skywriting plane to spell it out over Southern California, maybe we hoped he'd find a way to surprise a woman who'd seen it all in her hectic 30 years. Or maybe we just hoped he would take her to a quiet dinner or a walk on the beach and say, "Hey, let's do this."

And because there's always another exclusive source around the next corner,?Us says he did just that?Thursday night. And now Britney's Facebook page is teasing what may or may not be the big news:

Oh well. Who knows? Friday in Las Vegas could be the greatest night of Britney's life. Or maybe Thursday night already was. Knowing it was coming may be just how she wanted it and Kevin Federline will be a distant, bloated memory when she says yes to marriage a third time.

We wish Britney well. We hope Trawick is "the one" and they live happily ever after. But who are we kidding? We'll know how she's doing before she does.

Tell us: How did you pop the question or how were you proposed to? Was it a surprise? Share your tales of romance on our Facebook page.

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Source: http://scoop.today.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/12/16/9493945-nothings-sacred-including-britneys-possible-engagement

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Police: Thieves pocket-dial 911, leading to arrest

MADISON, Wis. (AP) ? Police in Wisconsin's capital city barely had to try to catch a pair of unlucky suspected thieves.

Madison police say two men in their late 20s stole DVDs and computer games from a Target store Tuesday and discussed their plans to fence the goods while driving away.

Investigators say the duo didn't realize one of them had accidentally pocket-dialed 911. A dispatcher listened in for nearly an hour as they discussed what they had stolen and where they might sell it. Police say they even described their vehicle.

Madison police spokesman Joel DeSpain says the pair decided to sell their goods at a video store. When they pulled into the store's parking lot, officers surrounded their vehicle with guns drawn.

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/495d344a0d10421e9baa8ee77029cfbd/Article_2011-12-15-Thieves%20Call%20911/id-f87b646d8a3c40de8fe54232cd7a8f73

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Job market brightens as unemployment claims sink

In this Dec. 12, 2011 photo, people wait to talk with potential employers at a job fair sponsored by National Career Fairs, in New York. The number of people seeking unemployment aid dropped to its lowest level since May 2008 last week, a hopeful sign that layoffs are declining and hiring may pick up. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan)

In this Dec. 12, 2011 photo, people wait to talk with potential employers at a job fair sponsored by National Career Fairs, in New York. The number of people seeking unemployment aid dropped to its lowest level since May 2008 last week, a hopeful sign that layoffs are declining and hiring may pick up. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan)

In this Dec. 12, 2011 photo, Stephen Rutkowski, a chiropractor from Greenwich, Conn., waits in line to attend a job fair sponsored by National Career Fairs, in New York. The number of people seeking unemployment aid dropped to its lowest level since May 2008 last week, a hopeful sign that layoffs are declining and hiring may pick up. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan)

WASHINGTON (AP) ? The outlook for the U.S. job market is looking brighter.

Far fewer people are seeking unemployment benefits than just three months ago ? a sign that layoffs are falling sharply.

The number of people applying for benefits fell last week to 366,000, the fewest since May 2008. If the number stayed that low consistently, it would likely signal that hiring is strong enough to lower unemployment.

The unemployment rate is now 8.6 percent. The last time applications were this low, the rate was 5.4 percent.

The big question is whether fewer layoffs will translate into robust hiring. It hasn't happened yet, even though job growth has been rising consistently each month.

The four-week average of weekly unemployment applications, which smooths out fluctuations, dropped last week to 387,750. That's the lowest four-week since July 2008. The four-week average has declined in 10 of the past 12 weeks.

"Labor market conditions have taken a turn for the better in recent weeks," Michael Gapen, an economist at Barclays Capital, said in a note to clients. "Payroll growth should improve in the coming months."

Applications for unemployment benefits are a measure of the pace of layoffs. Job cuts have fallen sharply since the recession. Employers have been hiring at only a modest pace. But when applications fall below 375,000 ? consistently ? that usually signals that hiring is strong enough to lower the unemployment rate.

The downward trend suggests that companies are cutting fewer workers as the economy picks up. It also comes as Congress is wrangling over whether to extend emergency unemployment benefits, which are set to expire at the end of this year.

Growth may top 3 percent in the final three months of this year, according to many economists. That would be up from 2 percent in the July-September quarter.

Other recent reports suggest the job market is improving a bit. In the past three months, net job gains have averaged 143,000 a month. That compares with an average of 84,000 in the previous three months.

In November, employers added 120,000 jobs, and the unemployment rate fell to 8.6 percent from 9 percent. That was the lowest unemployment rate in 2? years. But about half that decline occurred because many of the unemployed gave up looking for work. When people stop looking for a job, they're no longer counted as unemployed.

Employers posted fewer jobs in October than in the previous month, the government said Tuesday, though the decline was modest.

Job openings have risen by about 35 percent since the recession officially ended in June 2009. But they're still about 25 percent below pre-recession levels.

About 6.7 million people are receiving unemployment benefits. About 2 million will lose their benefits by mid-February if the emergency program expires.

Lawmakers differ over how long benefits should last. The House passed a Republican bill Tuesday that would renew emergency aid but reduce the maximum duration to 59 weeks from the current 99 weeks.

Democrats want to keep the full 99 weeks. The measure is part of broader legislation in the Democratic-led Senate that would also extend a Social Security tax cut.

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/3d281c11a96b4ad082fe88aa0db04305/Article_2011-12-15-Unemployment%20Benefits/id-cd4dc1c83a41416aa98b9406305b055e

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Stillbirth Mysteries Revealed in New Studies (LiveScience.com)

Half of all stillbirths result from pregnancy complications, such as a woman going into labor too soon, or abnormalities of the placenta, a new analysis of the causes of stillbirths finds.

On the other hand, a woman's characteristics at the start of her pregnancy, such as her weight, blood sugar levels and smoking habits, did not account for much of her stillbirth risk.

The extent of the risk also differed by ethnic group, the researchers said.

"Stillbirth is more common than people realize, affecting one out of every 160 pregnancies in the United States," said study researcher Dr. Robert Silver, professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Utah School of Medicine.

Still more work is needed to understand why stillbirths happen, the researchers said. More autopsies as well as additional studies of early pregnancy may help pin down its causes, the researchers said.

Stillbirth causes

The new results are based on two studies conducted by The Stillbirth Collaborative Research Network Writing Group, which was established by the National Institutes of Health to find the causes of stillbirth.

In one study, the researchers examined 512 cases of stillbirth (death of a baby at or after the 20th week of pregnancy) at 59 hospitals in five states (Georgia, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Texas and Utah.) Each case underwent a complete evaluation, including autopsy, to determine the cause of death.

A probable cause of death was found in 312 of the stillbirths (60.9 percent) and a possible or probable cause in 390 cases (76.2 percent). Earlier studies, which typically were limited to analyzing medical records, could identify a cause of death in only about 50 percent of cases.

Pregnancy or birth-related complications contributed to the largest proportion of stillbirths: 29 percent.? Such complications can include preterm labor or a premature rupture of the membranes that hold the amniotic fluid.

Other causes identified were abnormalities of the placenta (24 percent of cases), genetic conditions or birth defects (14 percent), infection (13 percent), problems with the umbilical cord (10 percent), maternal high blood pressure (9 percent) and other medical conditions affecting the mother (8 percent).?

The study authors noted that fewer than 50 percent of stillbirths in the United States undergo an autopsy exam. To better understand why stillbirths happen, researchers need more information to be gathered from autopsies, placental exams and examinations of the fetus's chromosomes the researchers said.

Predicting stillbirth

In a second study, researchers compared 614 cases of stillbirth with 1,816 live births in an effort to identify factors present at the start of pregnancy that could indicate an increased risk for stillbirth.

A number of factors were associated with stillbirth, including previous history of stillbirth, pregnancy with twins, black race/ethnicity, diabetes and a history of drug use with addiction.

However, apart from having a previous stillbirth or pregnancy loss, the other risk factors had only a small effect on a mother's risk of stillbirth, the researchers said.

"It is extremely difficult to predict stillbirth risk based on risk factors that can be identified at the start of a pregnancy," Silver said. "The more we learn about causes and risk factors for stillbirth, the better we will become at designing strategies to reduce or prevent stillbirth."

Both studies will be published tomorrow (Dec. 14) in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

Pass it on: Many stillbirths are caused by pregnancy complications and placenta abnormalities, but more work is needed to determine additional predictive factors.

This story was provided by MyHealthNewsDaily, a sister site to LiveScience.

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/science/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/livescience/20111213/sc_livescience/stillbirthmysteriesrevealedinnewstudies

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