4/7 Yahoo! Buzz: Top Stories

Please add updates@feedmyinbox.com to your address book to make sure you receive these messages in the future. Yahoo! Buzz: Top Stories Surprise visit to Iraq April 7, 2009 at 9:53 am On a trip shrouded in secrecy, Obama arrives in Iraq for his first visit as president. Dancing with the Stars' Gilles -- Would Your Man Look Hot in Lace & Sparkles? April 7, 2009 at 9:41 am Gilles Marini of "Dancing with the Stars" didn't quite score a perfect 30 from the judges last night for his Paso Doble, but he definitely made hearts scream "Olé!" Stolen Canadian plane escorted by U.S. fighter jets April 7, 2009 at 8:13 am A man suspected of stealing a plane from Canada, flying erratically over three states and attracting U.S. fighter escorts was ... President Makes Surprise Visit to Iraq April 7, 2009 at 8:03 am BAGHDAD, April 7 -- President Obama arrived in Baghdad Tuesday afternoon, making his first trip to Iraq as commander in chief as the war here enters its seventh year. In Turkey, Obama Presses for Mideast Accord April 7, 2009 at 5:22 am Before leaving for Iraq, President Obama called for Israelis and Palestinians to make compromises. VA colonoscopy scandal tied to HIV case? April 7, 2009 at 4:24 am The Veterans Affairs Department is investigating whether its failure to sanitize hospital colonoscopy equipment is responsible for infecting one veteran with the virus that causes AIDS and 16 others with hepatitis. More than 10,000 veterans were urged in letters last month to seek out free testing to determine whether they were infected by equipment that was not serviced or sterilized according to the manufacturer's guidelines. In a statement released late Friday, the VA revealed that the first batch of test results showed that one veteran tested positive for HIV. "These results do not indicate that there is any relationship between ... Email Judge: Stevens prosecution worst in 25-year career (AP) April 7, 2009 at 3:22 am AP - A federal judge criticized the government's handling of the Ted Stevens corruption trial Tuesday as he considered whether to dismiss the conviction that ended the Alaska Republican's 40-year career in the U.S. Senate. Body of missing Northern California girl, 8, found (AP) April 7, 2009 at 2:26 am AP - A few miles from the irrigation pond where the body of 8-year-old Sandra Cantu was discovered in a suitcase, authorities roped off the mobile home park where she was last seen searching for clues to her death. Indian Auto Company Bajaj to Launch World's Most Fuel Efficient Car April 7, 2009 at 1:49 am India's leading two-wheeler maker, Bajaj Auto Ltd., is planning to launch a small car in 2011 which it promises would be very affordable and world's most fuel efficient car running on gasoline. Bajaj Auto has partnered with Nissan and Renault as it seeks to compete with the recently launched Tata Nano. During an interview given to CNBC-TV18, Bajaj Auto's Managing Director, Rajiv Bajaj, said that the project was on schedule and was not suffering from any financial constraints. He also said that the company is utilizing its experience in manufacturing two-wheelers in this project which has made the project highly cost-efficient.  Rajiv Bajaj refused to give out a specific date for the launch of the car but shared some specifics regarding the car's mileage and carbon output.  Read more of this story » Mexico arrests US man accused of raping 19 women (AP) April 7, 2009 at 1:32 am AP - A Texas man has been arrested for allegedly raping 19 women across the border in the northern Mexican city of Ciudad Juarez, authorities said Monday. Pittsburgh prepares to bury fallen heroes of police department April 7, 2009 at 12:28 am As Pittsburgh police and city officials made plans Monday to honor and bury three officers killed in the line of duty, law enforcement began booking area hotel rooms for several days of mourning. Foreign Graduate Applications to U.S. Slow April 7, 2009 at 12:14 am The number of students from China and the Mideast applying to U.S. graduate programs surged, while applications from India and South Korea fell. Michigan St. 72, North Carolina 89 April 7, 2009 at 12:06 am Tyler Hansbrough grabbed the T-shirt, the one that said "National Champions," with as much authority as any rebound that had ever come his way. Some teams win championships by catching fire during a magic spell in March. Others win them simply because they're better than everyone else. North Carolina was that kind of team. Dave Batista Is Back On Raw April 7, 2009 at 12:04 am On tonight's Raw, President and CEO of the WWE, placed himself in a match against Randy Orton that was to take place as the main event, only after Vince made a match pinning hisself, Triple H and Shane McMahon in a six man tag team match at Backlash with Orton, Rhodes and Dibiase as their opponents. As the main event started it seemed like Vince was going to do some damage to Randy, but to my dismay, it was short lived. Orton was punishing Vince and Of course Orton thought he was going to punt Mr. McMahon in the head again but much to his surprise, Shane McMahon jumped in before Randy could do anymore damage. Soon after, Orton's sidekicks Cody Rhodes and Ted Dibiase JR, weren't far behind Shane. Triple H, headed for the ring as well. All hell broke loose after that. The three amigos ganged up on Triple H and started pummeling him. Out of nowhere, a familiar song plays and everyone is in shock as Dave Batista comes out. Randy's jaw dropped to the floor. For once, he was speechless. The crowd goes crazy as he jumps into the squared circle and spears Orton. Bodies are flung everywhere and Rhodes is left in the ring alone with Batista. The Batista Bomb is inevitable. Rhodes can't escape and gets what is coming to him. Mr. McMahon makes an announcement and says that he won't be making it to Backlash but, in his place will be Dave Batista. Maybe at Backlash, Triple H, Shane and Batista will finally shut Randy Orton's and his little posse known as Legacy's mouths shut for good. I know, that many fans, I for one, have no love for Orton, but he is a good wrestler, but I honestly think he's finally going to get a punishment that is long over due. You would think that he would've learned a lesson after the beat down he recieved from Triple H at Wrestlemania 25. What's it going to take or rather who is it going to take to close the legend killer's mouth? In my opinion, it'll be Batista. Sandra Cantu Found Dead In Tracy Pond April 7, 2009 at 12:02 am Authorities grimly announced Monday evening that they have conclusively identified the remains found sealed into a suitcase that was dumped into a Tracy pond as missing eight-year-old Sandra Cantu, news that stunned the local community. GM, Segway to Make Vehicle April 6, 2009 at 11:44 pm GM and Segway have teamed to build a two-wheeled "PUMA" vehicle designed for urban use. A prototype is set to debut Tuesday. Authorities say man claimed plot to kill Obama (AP) April 6, 2009 at 11:26 pm AP - Turkish police have arrested a man who claimed he was plotting to kill President Barack Obama during his visit to Turkey. U.S. SEC to consider about 4 short sale proposals (Reuters) April 6, 2009 at 9:42 pm Reuters - U.S. securities regulators will consider about 4 proposals to restrict short selling, a type of investing blamed for accelerating the severe downturn in financial services stocks. Divorce filings accuse Nevada governor of affairs (AP) April 6, 2009 at 8:52 pm AP - First lady Dawn Gibbons accuses Gov. Jim Gibbons in divorce papers of having extramarital affairs with a former Playboy magazine model and another woman to whom he sent hundreds of text messages last year. The Republican governor has been untruthful about his "infidelity" with the two women, his estranged wife says in a divorce filing, which was unsealed Monday by a court order in Washoe County Family Court. Study finds 1 in 5 obese among 4-year-olds (AP) April 6, 2009 at 8:38 pm AP - A striking new study says almost 1 in 5 American 4-year-olds is obese, and the rate is alarmingly higher among American Indian children, with nearly a third of them obese. Researchers were surprised to see differences by race at so early an age. Rescue workers in Italy search for survivors after quake kills over 150 (AP) April 6, 2009 at 8:32 pm AP - Rescue workers using bare hands and buckets searched frantically for students believed buried in a wrecked dormitory after Italy's deadliest quake in nearly three decades struck this medieval city before dawn Monday, killing more than 150 people, injuring 1,500 and leaving tens of thousands homeless. NY gunman's rambling, paranoid letter blames cops (AP) April 6, 2009 at 8:20 pm AP - Suspected gunman Jiverly Wong felt tormented by police. They snuck into his room and touched him while he was sleeping, he thought. They stole $20 from his wallet. Because of them, he lost his job. Because of them, he was poor and his life was a mess. CC, Teixeira fizzle in Yankees debuts (AP) April 6, 2009 at 8:13 pm CC Sabathia and Mark Teixeira won't soon forget their debut with the New York Yankees -- no matter how hard they try. Sabathia failed to get out of the fifth inning Monday in a 10-5 loss to the Baltimore Orioles, and Mark couldn't buy a hit with that $180 million the Yankees heaped upon him during the offseason. Japan is Outraged Over North Korean Missile April 6, 2009 at 7:54 pm Tokyo's frenzied response to North Korea's missile launch may have helped Kim Jong Il. Big cuts seen for F-22, other big weapon programs (AP) April 6, 2009 at 7:23 pm The nation should stop pouring billions into futuristic, super-expensive F-22 jet fighters, pull the plug on new presidential helicopters and put the money into systems U.S. soldiers can use against actual foes, Defense Secretary Robert Gates declared Monday. Academy Of Country Music Awards Red Carpet Beauties April 6, 2009 at 7:10 pm Nicole Kidman, Miley Cyrus and Carrie Underwood looking lovely The 44th Annual Academy Of Country Music Awards was held last night in Las Vegas, Nevada and brought out the stars of country music. The red carpet was beaming with beauties. The younger gals - Miley Cyrus, Taylor Swift, Carrie Underwood - looked great as usual. Matthew McConaughey and Camila Alves were also there. Camila was looking hot in her short white dress. But, it was Nicole Kidman who would have won for most daring dress. She was looking fabulous in black, showing off her back and having a great time with hubby Keith Urban. Happiness agrees with her! How do these young mothers stay looking so hot? I once heard Nicole Kidman say in an interview when asked how she stays thin, "Well remember, I am six foot one". Well, that's not a workout secret I can take advantage of, but it's an honest answer reminding the rest of us who aren't 6'1" to not worry that we don't look exactly like Nicole. Chris Brown back in Court April 6, 2009 at 7:10 pm And we are sure the drama will continue. Things have been quiet on the rumor front with regard to Rihanna and Chris Brown. Chris has staying out of trouble while working, going to counseling and playing b-ball, while we told you last week that Rihanna landed in Hawaii and has been also working and just keeping to herself. Now, we expect things to heat up again. The 19 year old singer will be back in a Los Angeles courtroom to enter his plea this afternoon. As you recall, Chris was charged with two felonies - assault and making criminal threats - in the alleged beating of girlfriend Rihanna on Grammy Night (Feb. 8).We expect he will enter a plea of not-guilty. Is that an honest plea or a tactic for the defense? Yes, we still aren't 100% sure what actually happened and will have to wait and see how the court rules. Maybe Rihanna will come out and tell us what actually happened. Is she protecting him or just keeping private matters private? Well, according to People Magazine, a source is saying that the pair have remained in contact but are taking a break from their relationship. We say, "Good for you Rihanna". Stay strong and away from anyone who even thinks of laying a hand on you. Clinton pressing UN on North Korean launch (AP) April 6, 2009 at 6:24 pm AP - Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton says she is lobbying key members of the U.N. Security Council to respond to North Korea's missile launch. Clinton said Monday that she spoke with the foreign ministers from the four other countries that have been involved in negotiations with North Korea to end its nuclear activities. They include Russia and China, which hold veto power in the Security Council. Arianna Huffington: The Obama Economic Team's Flawed Cosmology: Still Believing the Universe Revolves Around the Banks April 6, 2009 at 5:44 pm A series of recent meetings with members of Barack Obama's economic team (including running into Larry Summers on my way to an appointment in the West Wing, leading to a spirited back-and-forth that made me feel like I was back at Cambridge, debating the smarted kid in the class), left me with a pair of indelible impressions: 1) These are all good people, many of them brilliant, working incredibly hard with the best of intentions to solve the country's financial crisis. 2) They are operating on the basis of an outdated cosmology that places banks at the center of the economic universe. Talking about our financial crisis with them is like beaming back to the 2nd century and discussing astronomy with Ptolemy. Just as Ptolemy was convinced we live in a geocentric universe -- and made the math work to "prove" his flawed theories -- Obama's senior economic team is convinced we live in a bank-centric universe, and keeps offering its versions of "epicycles" and "eccentric circles" to rationalize their approach to the bailout. And because, like Ptolemy, they are really smart, they are really good at rationalizing. It's easy to get lost debating the complexity of each new iteration of each new bailout, but the devil here is not in the details -- but in the obsolete cosmology. If you believe the universe is revolving around the earth -- when, in fact, it isn't -- all the good intentions in the world, and all the endless nights spent coming up with plans like Tim Geithner's Public-Private Investment Program will be for naught. The successive bailout plans have been frustrating to many observers (yours truly included), but when you realize how fully the economic team is mired in a bank-centric universe, all the moves suddenly make perfect sense. Here is one example. Everybody agrees on the paramount importance of freeing up credit for individuals and businesses. In a bank-centric universe, the solution was a bailout plan giving hundreds of billions to banks. It failed because, instead of using the money to make loans, the banks "are keeping it in the bank because their balance sheets had gotten so bad," as the president himself acknowledged on Jay Leno. As a result, the administration, again according to the president, had to "set up a securitized market for student loans and auto loans outside of the banking system" in order to "get credit flowing again." But think of all the time we wasted while the first scheme predictably failed. And how much better off we'd now be if we had provided credit directly through credit unions or small healthy community banks or, as happened during the Depression, through a new entity like the Reconstruction Finance Corporation. Luckily, there is a plethora of economic Galileos out there who recognize that the old bank-centric cosmology is just plain wrong. But while Joseph Stiglitz, Simon Johnson, Jeffrey Sachs, Nassim Taleb, Niall Ferguson, Paul Krugman, etc. are not being imprisoned for life for their heretical views -- they are also not being listened to. Which is really surprising for an administration that has prided itself on a "team of rivals" approach. Worse, as the fundamental flaw in the administration's cosmology becomes more and more evident, the economic team around the president is closing ranks. Even David Axelrod, once the administration's champion of a more skeptical view of a bank-centric universe, appears to be peering through the Geithner-Summers telescope. Back in February, he crossed swords with Geithner, arguing for executive pay caps. But there he was on Sunday, whiffing on a pro-populist softball offered up by Fox News' Chris Wallace, who asked: "When taxpayers are putting up most of the money and taking more of the risk, why would the Obama administration allow some of these executives to get even richer?" Axelrod's answer? "On some of these programs, we're asking financial companies to come in and help solve this problem by providing more lending, by buying up toxic assets and so on. We don't want to create disincentives and undermine the program." "Asking" them? Aren't we, in fact, bribing them with massive capital infusions and loan guarantees? That's what being surrounded by a group of modern day Ptolemys will do to a person. Of course, it's less of a surprise that Geithner and Summers believe in bank-centrism -- they're both creatures of it. Which is why it wasn't a shock when it was reported this weekend that Summers had received $5.2 million for advising a hedge fund last year, or that he received hundreds of thousands of dollars in speaking fees from some of the very banks -- including J.P. Morgan, Citigroup, and Goldman Sachs -- that have been on the receiving end of billions in taxpayers money. Billions that have come with very few strings attached -- and almost no transparency. I am in no way suggesting there is anything corrupt about this or any quid pro quo involved. It's just that in a bank-centric universe, funneling no-strings-attached money to too-big-to-fail banks is the logical thing to do. So is arguing that the banking crisis is just a liquidity problem rather than an insolvency one, as Geithner continues to do (and if the stress tests come back declaring Citi solvent, it will be high time to start stress testing the stress testers). In a bank-centric universe, it's also no surprise that "mark-to-market" accounting rules, in which banks have to calculate and report their assets based on what those assets are actually worth, instead of what they'd like them to be worth, are being abandoned. A good name for the reworked accounting standards would be mark-to-fantasy, because that's basically what balance sheets will be under these new rules. Of course, to a true believer in bank-centrism, the problem with mark-to-market is that it's not good for the banks. It's the accounting equivalent of Galileo's telescope. Last week at the G-20 meeting, Gordon Brown proclaimed that "the old Washington consensus is over." But when it comes to attacking the financial crisis, the zombie Wall Street/Washington consensus that has everything in America orbiting around the banks is still the order of the day. The longer bank-centrism is the dominant cosmology in the Obama administration -- and the longer it takes to switch to a plan that reflects a cosmology in which the American people are the center of the universe and are deemed too-big-to-fail -- the greater the risk that the economic crisis will be more prolonged than necessary. And the greater the suffering the crisis will continue to cause. There is an enormous human cost to this bank-centric dogma. Unemployment, already at levels not seen since 1983, is skyrocketing. In many places in the country, it's approaching 20 percent (and in Detroit it's 22 percent). Writing about the "grand book" that is the universe, Galileo declared that it "cannot be understood unless one first learns to comprehend the language and interpret the characters in which it is written... without these, one is wandering about in a dark labyrinth." That's where we find ourselves today, wandering about in a dark financial labyrinth -- being led by good men blinded by an obsolete view of the world. President Obama needs to open his inner economic circle to those untethered to this flawed way of thinking and acknowledge that navigating our economic crisis using maps based on a cosmology that places banks at the center of the universe can only lead to our being lost at sea for years to come. Please join me on Twitter and Facebook. Get Ready to Rumble: Wrestlemania XXV April 6, 2009 at 5:38 pm Mickey Rourke, Kid Rock, and Nicole Scherzinger join forces with WWE's biggest stars for Wrestlemania XXV at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Texas. Colin Powell to appear on home makeover show (AP) April 6, 2009 at 3:44 pm AP - Former U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell will appear on prime time to thank a disabled Gulf War veteran for his service. Keith livid about Rolling Stone story by Hawke (AP) April 6, 2009 at 3:44 pm AP - Ethan Hawke might want to avoid crossing paths with Toby Keith in the near future. Defense chief proposes weapons cuts (AP) April 6, 2009 at 3:22 pm Defense Secretary Robert Gates on Monday recommended halting production of the F-22 fighter jet and scrapping a new helicopter for the president as he outlined deep cuts to many of the military's biggest weapons programs. Could MacHeist Prompt Apple into an App Store for Macs? April 6, 2009 at 2:28 pm Fast Company takes a look at MacHeist, a fast growing bundle sale and charity drive event in the Mac community. They've raised over $500,000 for charity in under two weeks, and wonders if Apple can take some hints and create a successful App Store for Mac software. Neb. family that had been missing now in custody (AP) April 6, 2009 at 2:25 pm AP - A couple who disappeared with their children, leading to a search of the South Dakota wilderness, turned themselves in to authorities near their Nebraska home on Monday, a sheriff said. Fawcett's cancer worsens April 6, 2009 at 2:17 pm Farrah Fawcett's cancer has spread to her liver, according to a producer on her documentary. Fund manager hit with civil charge in Madoff fraud (AP) April 6, 2009 at 1:51 pm New York's attorney general filed civil fraud charges Monday against a hedge fund manager who funneled $2.4 billion to Wall Street swindler Bernard Madoff without telling clients where their money was going. Defense secretary proposes budget that cuts weapons April 6, 2009 at 1:49 pm Defense Secretary Robert Gates on Monday released a $534 billion budget proposal that "reshapes the priorities of America's defense ... VOTE: Michelle Obama's Bow?! April 6, 2009 at 1:46 pm The First Lady has been knocking it out of the international park with her fashion choices on the Obamas' world tour, but what about her latest bow ensemble? Was it questionable? Vote! Obama Making Costly Mistake by Ignoring "Populist" Rage April 6, 2009 at 1:38 pm ... Ambassador Susan Rice: 'We're Very Concerned' About Detained Current TV Journalists April 6, 2009 at 12:55 pm Laura Ling and Euna Lee will be tried for 'illegal entry and hostile acts'; parents of American journalist Roxana Saberi finally get to visit daughter in Iran's Evin Prison 2009 Academy of Country Music Awards Fashion: Best and Worst Dressed April 6, 2009 at 12:47 pm At the 44th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards, our southern friends proved to us that although they may have grown up in trailer parks, they can wash up real nice like. And don't worry, we're not going easy on them just because they sing with a twang and prefer turquoise jewelry. Most of the stars knocked our boots off when they captured current trends like one-shouldered dresses, but there were a few that preferred to stick with the country stereotype. See all the red carpet looks. Here's… Italy muzzled scientist who predicted quake April 6, 2009 at 12:26 pm An Italian scientist predicted a major earthquake around L'Aquila weeks before disaster struck the city on Monday, killing more than 90 people, but was reported to authorities for spreading panic. Arctic sea ice thinnest ever going into spring (AP) April 6, 2009 at 11:57 am AP - The Arctic is treading on thinner ice than ever before. Researchers say that as spring begins, more than 90 percent of the sea ice in the Arctic is only 1 or 2 years old. That makes it thinner and more vulnerable than at anytime in the past three decades, according to researchers with NASA and the National Snow and Ice Data Center in Colorado. Carrie Underwood big winner at ACM Awards April 6, 2009 at 11:49 am Carrie Underwood was named entertainer of the year and top female vocalist at Sunday's Academy of Country Music Awards. Other winners included Taylor Swift, Brad Paisley and Julianne Hough. (April 6) Supreme Court won't hear appeals from Navy chaplains April 6, 2009 at 11:47 am The Supreme Court has refused to get in the middle of a fight between the Navy and some of its chaplains over complaints that ... 2009 ACMA Red Carpet April 6, 2009 at 11:10 am Nashville's biggest stars, including Carrie Underwood and Taylor Swift, arrive at the 44th annual Academy of Country Music Awards in Las Vegas, Nevada. Earthquake Warning Was Removed From Internet April 6, 2009 at 8:58 am As the Italian town of L'Aquila searches for survivors in the rubble of a deadly earthquake, a seismologist says that his warning that the quake was coming was dismissed by the authorities. Fawcett treated for cancer's spread to liver (AP) April 6, 2009 at 8:44 am AP - Farrah Fawcett is being treated for anal cancer that has spread to her liver and has been hospitalized for a complication from a routine treatment, a producer who worked with the actress and her doctor said Monday. Sallie Mae to add 2,000 jobs to US in 18 months (AP) April 6, 2009 at 8:43 am AP - Sallie Mae gave some hope to the unemployed Monday, announcing it will bring 2,000 jobs to the U.S. within the next 18 months as it shifts call center and other operations from overseas.   This email was sent to sabak.shinobi@gmail.com.  Manage Your Account Don't want to receive this feed any longer? Unsubscribe here.