Jones, Scherzinger, Abdul shown door in "X Factor" shake-up (omg!)

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Simon Cowell gave his talent show "The X Factor" a major shake-up, showing the door to host Steve Jones, judge Nicole Scherzinger, and old friend Paula Abdul after a lackluster first season on U.S. television.

Broadcaster Fox confirmed on Tuesday that British host Jones, and former Pussycat Dolls singer Scherzinger would not be returning for the second season of the show in September.

And sources close to the show said that Abdul -- Cowell's old "American Idol" sparring partner -- had also been voted off in what some industry watchers called a bloodbath.

Jones broke the news on Twitter.

"I won't be hosting next seasons 'X Factor' which is a shame but I can't complain as I've had a great time. Good luck to everyone on the show" he wrote late on Monday.

The shake-up leaves only Cowell, the "X Factor" creator and acerbic judge, and record producer Antonio "L.A." Reid left on the panel of the singing contest, which arrived on U.S. television amid much hype last fall, but disappointing ratings.

The ouster of Jones, seen as wooden and flustered in the live shows, was expected. Scherzinger had also drawn criticism from audiences and TV critics for bland comments.

But the reported exit of Abdul -- whom Cowell had courted assiduously for the show -- was greeted with shock. Fox executives could not immediately confirm on Tuesday that Abdul was also leaving.

There was no word on Tuesday on who would replace the three.

Cowell launched "The X Factor" in the United States boasting that it would beat "American Idol" as the nation's most-watched TV show. But it drew less than 13 million viewers -- about half those who tune into "Idol" -- and many TV critics found it over-produced and too similar to "American Idol".

Cowell admitted in December that he had been "a little too cocky" when he told brought the show over to the United States after years of success in Britain.

But he also told reporters that it would improve in its second season and Fox executives said in January that Cowell was planning "tweaks" for the second season.

(Reporting By Jill Serjeant; editing by Patricia Reaney)

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/entertainment/*http%3A//us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/external/omg_rss/rss_omg_en/news_jones_scherzinger_abdul_shown_door_x_factor_shake173421762/44366388/*http%3A//omg.yahoo.com/news/jones-scherzinger-abdul-shown-door-x-factor-shake-173421762.html

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Can Newt Gingrich Regain Momentum with Cain Endorsement? (ContributorNetwork)

COMMENTARY | According to Reuters, former Republican candidate Herman Cain has endorsed former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich for the GOP nomination for president.

While Gingrich's surge in Florida has tapered off ahead of the state's highly anticipated Republican primary, the endorsement of dark horse phenom Cain might provide a much-needed second wind. Cain was the original come-from-behind surge king, with legions of self-proclaimed "Cainiacs" touting his "9-9-9" tax plan and allying themselves with his "nonpolitician" image.

Cain, known for his days as the CEO of Godfather's Pizza, argued his business savvy made him the candidate to support as the Great Recession kept unemployment frustratingly high and sapped economic growth. His rapid undoing came in the form of multiple allegations of extramarital affairs, which crippled his surprisingly high poll numbers.

While critics and comedians might point out the coincidence of an accused philanderer endorsing an admitted philanderer for president, many Cain supporters who have shifted listlessly among the remaining Republican candidates might sweep toward Gingrich's campaign in droves after this endorsement.

Just how much support Gingrich might garner from Cain's endorsement is difficult to ascertain. Cain was the first Republican candidate to drop from the race, meaning many of his supporters have since scattered to the wind and taken shelter with supporters of many other candidates, some of whom have also abandoned the primary. Any Cainiacs who threw their support to Rick Perry, Michele Bachmann or Jon Huntsman are now looking for their third candidate.

The number of remaining Cainiacs might be disguised by the several months that have intervened between his candidacy and the Florida primary. Will they heed the call of their guru? Have they lost the faith, or will they trust Cain's choice of successor?

I think Cain's endorsement could be a game-changer, but if you would like to disagree we can argue about it over a slice of Godfather's Pizza .

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/gop/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ac/20120129/pl_ac/10900277_can_newt_gingrich_regain_momentum_with_cain_endorsement

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Palin's Swipe at Republican Establishment 'Cannibals' Part of a Strategy (ContributorNetwork)

COMMENTARY | The pile on Newt Gingrich by the Republican establishment, as well as some conservative writers, has drawn the ire of Sarah Palin, who decried the attacks of "Cannibals in GOP Establishment" in a recent Facebook post.

Palin has not formally endorsed Gingrich, though she did offer him support in the South Carolina primary. Palin's rebuke is not so much a defense of Gingrich than it is an assertion of tea party power and ideas, which she believes should be the driving force in the effort to replace President Barack Obama. Right now, Gingrich represents the best expression of the tea party approach.

Palin is also continuing her strategy of making sure the primary contest does not end too soon, on the theory that whoever comes out the nominee, Mitt Romney or Gingrich, will be the stronger for having competed.

Palin's expression of support might be too late to save Gingrich in Florida. The Real Clear Politics average has Romney ahead comfortably. But Gingrich is still ahead in the national polls, according to RCP.

Palin has again shown a certain adroitness that most of her critics cannot credit. If she can single handedly keep the Republican primary process going, she will have solidified her status as a Republican "gray eminence," albeit not a member of holy orders. If Gingrich is the nominee, he will be beholden to her. If Romney is the nominee, then he will be obliged to appease her to gain the support of tea party conservatives he will need to win the general election.

How that influence will redound to Palin's benefit is unknown. Gingrich has hinted she might be in line for the vice presidency or a Cabinet post in his potential administration. Romney would be advised to keep her in mind for some office of trust as well. He will also have to have her blessing where it concerns his positions and his future plans as president.

A lot of people were disappointed when Palin chose not to run. But it looks like she knew what she was doing. As a presidential candidate, she would have been just one among many. As Sarah Palin, private citizen, she is the Mama Grizzly, to be courted and appeased and to be crossed at ones peril.

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/gop/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ac/20120128/pl_ac/10896339_palins_swipe_at_republican_establishment_cannibals_part_of_a_strategy

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Colicky Edinburgh Zoo pandas removed from display (AP)

LONDON ? Two giant pandas on loan to a Scottish zoo have been removed from display while being treated for colic.

Edinburgh Zoo officials say female panda Tian Tian was treated by a veterinarian for the illness on Saturday, just as her male companion Yang Guang is recovering from a bout diagnosed earlier this month.

Officials say the illness is not serious, but can cause discomfort and requires medication.

The zoo said Tian Tian would be allowed "to relax privately away from public view" over the weekend.

Yang Guang is expected to be back on view Monday.

The 8-year-old pair are the first pandas to live in Britain in nearly two decades. They arrived from China in December and are expected to draw huge crowds of visitors to the zoo.

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/europe/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20120128/ap_on_re_eu/eu_britain_sick_pandas

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Newt Gingrich promises to build a moon colony by 2020; make it a U.S. state (Yahoo! News)

The plan is bold, but it could run afoul of international treaties

The?race for the Republican presidential nomination is about to blast off into outer space: Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich announced that, if elected, he'd?establish a colony on the moon by 2020.

In a speech to supporters on the Florida space coast, Gingrich called for a "grandiose" effort to colonize?space. "It's the second great launch of the adventure John F. Kennedy started," said Gingrich.

Gingrich opened up the possibility of the moon becoming the 51st state, something he believes could happen once a permanent settlement reaches a population of 13,000 Americans.?While a 1967 United Nations document says that no one country can claim sovereignty over the moon, the U.S., Russia, and China failed to sign a more recent U.N. treaty to settle the question of?who owns the moon.

The bold move hopes to boost the former speaker's presidential campaign in the Sunshine State, where space exploration remains a big industry. Florida will hold its GOP presidential primary vote on Tuesday, January 31.?Polls show the race is close.

[Image credit:?Steve Jurvetson]

(Source)

This article was written by Fox Van Allen and originally appeared on Tecca

More from Tecca:

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An Amazing High Resolution Photo of the Earth from NASA's New Polar Satellite (Little green footballs)

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Summary Box: Ireland returns to debt markets (AP)

IRISH RETURN: Ireland tapped the bond markets Wednesday for the first time since September 2010, when bond yields surged above 6 percent.

WHAT HAPPENED: Bondholders swapped $4.6 billion in bonds due in January 2014 for new bonds due in February 2015, delaying some of the country's debt obligations.

CONTEXT: The European Union and International Monetary Fund had to rescue Ireland out with cheap loans in November 2010 because of massive budget deficits stemming from the huge costs of bailing out the country's indebted banks.

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/eurobiz/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20120125/ap_on_bi_ge/eu_ireland_financial_crisis_summary_box

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Mary Mary's Erica Campbell gives birth to girl (AP)

NEW YORK ? Erica Campbell of the Grammy-winning sister duo Mary Mary has given birth to a new daughter.

Campbell's representative says Zaya Monique was born Tuesday. The baby weighed 6 pounds, 12 ounces.

Erica and her sister Tina comprise the gospel duo.

It's the third child for Campbell and her husband, producer-songwriter Warryn Campbell. The singer said she was blessed by the baby's birth and said the family "couldn't be more happy than we are today."

Campbell will be taking a few weeks off, but she'll soon have to return to work. Mary Mary, known for hits like "Shackles" and "God in Me," have a self-titled reality show that debuts March 29 on We TV.

___

Online:

http://www.mary-mary.com/us/home

http://www.wetv.com/

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/music/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20120125/ap_en_mu/us_people_mary_mary

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European Commission unveils new online privacy rules, aims to protect consumer data

As SOPA's aftershocks continue to ripple across the US, a slightly different brand of techno-political drama is unfolding over in Europe, where the European Commission today announced a new set of online privacy regulations. The new legislation, unveiled this morning, was crafted with the intent of giving consumers more control over their online data, and places more pressure upon private companies to protect user information. According to Reuters, offending firms could be fined at rates of up to two percent of their yearly turnover. The laws, designed to overhaul the 1995 Data Protection Directive, will also make it easier for users to access their data, giving them the power to demand that their personal information be deleted, as long as there are no "legitimate reasons" for a company to store it. Companies, meanwhile, will be required to inform authorities of a data breach as soon as possible, "if feasible, within 24 hours."

Though the rules have raised some concerns among web companies, EC privacy commissioner Viviane Reding wasted no time in heralding them as the foundation of a safer and more prosperous digital environment. "The protection of personal data is a fundamental right for all Europeans, but citizens do not always feel in full control of their personal data," Reding explained. "A strong, clear and uniform legal framework at EU level will help to unleash the potential of the digital single market and foster economic growth, innovation and job creation." If approved by the European Parliament and all EU member states, the laws would probably go into effect toward the end of 2013.

European Commission unveils new online privacy rules, aims to protect consumer data originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 25 Jan 2012 07:30:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mitch Daniels State of the Union rebuttal makes GOP wonder: 'What if?'

Mitch Daniels was seen as a potential challenger to President Obama until he opted out of running last year. After his rebuttal of Obama's State of the Union address Tuesday, some GOP elites are openly longing for a Mitch Daniels candidacy.

Mitch Daniels, Republican presidential nominee?

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Once upon a time, that was a key Republican Party strategy to win back the White House from President Obama. The two-term Indiana governor decided early last year to not seek the party's nomination, but the wishful thinking has only deepened after Mr. Daniels' concise and reasoned GOP rebuttal Tuesday night to Mr. Obama's State of the Union address.

?I could hear sighs all over the country from Republicans [about] what might have been,? conservative columnist Charles Krauthammer told Fox News late Tuesday. ?That was one of the best speeches I?ve heard ? and I think it was one of the best presentations of the conservative idea against the larger government of Obama.?

Such accolades have not yet been heaped upon the two front-runners in the Republican presidential race: former House speaker Newt Gingrich and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney.?

The first three GOP contests have not produced a definitive winner, and the Republican leadership, in picking Daniels to deliver the party's rebuttal on Tuesday, may be circling back to someone they perceive as able to ?bridge the gap? between the far right faction of their party and the more doctrinaire establishment, says Bruce Buchanan, who teaches presidential politics and public policy at the University of Texas in Austin.

Daniels ?strikes people clearly as a grownup ? [and] the fact [that the Republican Party] invited Daniels and he accepted most likely indicates some hopes of attracting him,? Mr. Buchanan says.

Mr. Romney, who has a record as a moderate governor and whose Mormon faith is worrisome to evangelical Christian conservatives, and Mr. Gingrich, who resigned as speaker and whose marital infidelities are no secret, are perceived in some quarters as flawed. Compared with them, Daniels is largely free of controversy, and he has a record of working with both parties and of taking pragmatic positions on fiscal and social issues. He is also ?more comfortable in his own skin? and ?pretty unflappable,? which makes him less prone to gaffes than Romney or Gingrich, says Buchanan.

Daniels also spent time in Washington, as director of the White House Office of Management and Budget in the George W. Bush administration.

The national Republican Party courted Daniels for the 2012 race, but he bowed out last spring. His wife, Cheri Daniels, is reported to have vetoed the idea, citing privacy concerns. Mrs. Daniels and her husband divorced in 1993 and remarried four years later. In the interim, she married and divorced another man in California and was subsequently criticized for not sharing the responsibility of raising the four daughters with Daniels, a charge the governor publically said was false.

Source: http://rss.csmonitor.com/~r/feeds/csm/~3/dmXoqxxDsc0/Mitch-Daniels-State-of-the-Union-rebuttal-makes-GOP-wonder-What-if

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All 2011 unemployment insurance benefits taxable (AP)

The jobless rate is dipping, but millions of people are still out of work. And that could have implications when they file their income tax returns.

Collecting unemployment insurance benefits? All that you received in 2011 is taxed as income. Unless you requested that federal taxes be withheld, you could be in for a big surprise when you calculate taxes owed.

"People tend to believe unemployment benefits are still not taxable," said Bob Meighan, a vice president at TurboTax. That was the case in 2009, for the first $2,400 in unemployment benefits. But that provision was not renewed by Congress.

If it's any consolation, you may find yourself in a lower tax bracket because of reduced income, even counting the unemployment benefits. And you might also be eligible for tax breaks that you didn't qualify for before.

"If you have major household changes, say you lost your job in 2011, we encourage people to take a close look at things like the earned income credit," Internal Revenue Service spokesman Terry Lemons said.

He said people should go ahead and file their taxes even if they don't have the money to pay any taxes that are due. "There are more options there than many people realize," he said, including installment agreements.

The aftermath of the Great Recession, which gripped the nation from 2007 to 2009, is still being felt across America. Employers still worried about the state of the economy are hesitant to bring on new workers. And many of the more than 13 million unemployed people have stopped looking for jobs.

For those who spent part or all of 2011 searching for work, there are tax breaks.

"All of those job search expenses are deductible ? the stationery, the long-distance phone calls, the hotels, anything you can relate to the job search," said Jeff Schnepper, author of "How to Pay Zero Taxes" (McGraw-Hill, 2011).

To qualify for this deduction, you have to be looking for a job in the same field or profession as your previous one. Expenses incurred trying to get your first job are not deductible. "Until you start working, you don't have a profession," Schnepper said.

You also have to itemize. And the cost of preparing your resume, working with job search services, mileage and other job search expenses has to exceed 2 percent of your adjusted gross income if you are to benefit, according to Greg Rosica, tax partner with Ernst & Young.

Make sure you save your receipts. "You have to be able to substantiate," he said.

Those out of work may find the jobs have dried up in their cities or towns. "Many people are picking up and moving to where the jobs are," Meighan said.

If you land a job across town or across the country, you might be eligible to take a deduction for moving expenses. "It's an above-the-line deduction, dollar for dollar a reduction in your income," Schnepper said. In this case, unlike job-search expenses, you don't have to itemize to take advantage of the deduction.

To qualify, there's a distance test that has to be met: Your new job has to be at least 50 miles farther from your old house than your former job was.

Also unlike the job-search deduction, you can deduct moving expenses even if this is your first job, provided your workplace is at least 50 miles from your former home. Same if you're returning to work after being unemployed, the IRS says.

And there's a requirement that you work at least 39 weeks in the new location over the first 12 months in the new area. You can take the deduction even if you started your job late in the year and won't meet the time test in 2011. But if you fail to meet it in 2012, you'll either have to file an amended return or report the deduction as income when you do your 2012 taxes.

What's deductible?

The IRS says expenses that are "reasonable for the circumstances of your move." That includes the cost of moving yourself and members of your household, as well as your household goods and personal effects. Shipping a car or the family pet is covered.

If you drove to your new home during the first half of 2011, the mileage rate is 19 cents per mile. The rate for July through December is 23.5 cents a mile. Or, the IRS gives you the option of deducting the actual cost of gas and oil for the car. But if the car broke down on the move, you cannot deduct the cost of the repair.

The cost of lodging on the way to your new home is deductible, but not the meals you eat on the road.

These days, "moving can be hard to do," especially if you can't sell your house in the depressed housing market, said Mark Steber, chief tax officer for Jackson Hewitt Tax Services. If you decide to commute to the new job instead of relocating, those commuting expenses are not deductible.

To claim the moving expense deduction, file Form 3903 with your tax. IRS publication 521 provides more information.

If you went back to school to train for a new job, you may qualify for the American Opportunity Credit, which is partially refundable, or another education tax break.

Looking ahead to 2012, if you're still on unemployment you can use Form W-4V to voluntarily request that a flat 10 percent tax be withheld.

"Withholding on these payments is voluntary," the IRS said. "However, choosing this option may help avoid a surprise year-end tax bill or a possible penalty for having paid too little tax during the year."

___

Carole Feldman can be followed on Twitter at http://twitter.com/CaroleFeldman

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/personalfinance/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20120123/ap_on_go_ot/us_taxes_out_of_work

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Study finds tablet, e-book ownership soared

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) ? Tablets and e-readers were a popular gift over the holidays, so much so that the number of people who own them nearly doubled between mid-December and January, a new study finds.

A report from the Pew Internet and American Life Project, released on Monday, found that 29 percent of Americans owned at least one tablet or e-reader as of the beginning of this month. That's up from 18 percent who said the same in December.

The iPad from Apple Inc. is perhaps the best-known example of these gadgets, along with Amazon.com's various Kindle devices and the Nook from Barnes and Noble. The iPad put tablets on the map and the cheaper Kindle Fire and Nook devices helped get them in the hands of more people.

The percentage of people who own a tablet jumped to 19 from 10 between mid-December and early January. E-book reader ownership also rose to 19 percent from 10 percent of U.S. adults.

Men and women were equally likely to own tablets, and the likelihood of tablet ownership was higher for people with higher household incomes, the report found. Those with higher levels of education were also more likely to own tablets than those who completed fewer years of school.

E-readers, meanwhile, were slightly more common among women.

The figures are from ongoing surveys conducted by Pew about tablet and e-reader ownership. They were conducted between November 2011 and January 2012. The first, pre-holiday survey was conducted among 2,986 Americans 16 and older. Two post-holiday surveys were conducted among about 2,000 adults in January.

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/f70471f764144b2fab526d39972d37b3/Article_2012-01-23-Pew-Tablets/id-1eca92449b16457fb1b2049ff7d22c01

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Federer through to Australian Open quarterfinals

Roger Federer of Switzerland serves to Australia's Bernard Tomic during their fourth round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Sunday, Jan. 22, 2012. (AP Photo/Andrew Brownbill)

Roger Federer of Switzerland serves to Australia's Bernard Tomic during their fourth round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Sunday, Jan. 22, 2012. (AP Photo/Andrew Brownbill)

Australia's Bernard Tomic makes a forehand return to Switzerland's Roger Federer during their fourth round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Sunday, Jan. 22, 2012. (AP Photo/Andrew Brownbill)

Roger Federer of Switzerland chases down a ball as he plays Australia's Bernard Tomic during their fourth round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Sunday, Jan. 22, 2012. (AP Photo/John Donegan)

Australia's Bernard Tomic makes a forehand return to Roger Federer of Switzerland during their fourth round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Sunday, Jan. 22, 2012. (AP Photo/Andrew Brownbill)

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) ? Roger Federer put on a tennis clinic against Bernard Tomic, using deft drops, lobs, booming backhands and 13 aces to beat the 19-year-old Australian 6-4, 6-2, 6-2 and advance to the Australian Open quarterfinals for the eighth straight year.

Tomic came into the match following an upset third-round win over 13th-seeded Alexandr Dolgopolov, using slices and a variety of offbeat shots from the back of the court to beat the Ukrainian player.

But four-time Australian champion Federer was having none of that on Sunday night before a packed house of 15,000 at Rod Laver Arena. He stepped up his game when he needed to, breaking the Australian at 4-4 in the opening set and again to open the third.

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/347875155d53465d95cec892aeb06419/Article_2012-01-22-TEN-Australian-Open-Federer/id-1d3e140ecebd4aff8701c1d5405221a0

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[OOC] John

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It's complicated: Romney struggles to talk wealth (AP)

WASHINGTON ? Mitt Romney is no natural when it comes to "common man" politics.

He bets a Republican rival $10,000 on an impulse. He dismisses $373,000 in speaking fees as "not very much." And he slow-walks the release of his income tax returns but then blurts out a key fact: He pays about 15 percent of his income in taxes because he lives mostly on investment income and not a paycheck.

Such commissions of candor suggest a presidential candidate who is far from an everyman ? and who may have a tin ear for how he sounds to those who are. That could pose a special challenge to Romney in hard-hit Florida, and beyond. In a general election, Romney, who had a privileged upbringing and made millions as a venture capitalist, would be fighting for the votes of average Americans against a president whose mother at times drew food stamps and who worked his way through Harvard Law School to the pinnacle of power.

"When Barack Obama talks about paying off student loans and struggling, people believe him and it resonates," said Barbara Perry, a senior fellow at the University of Virginia's Miller Center. Historically, "the common people have to believe that the president knows them and knows their situation and knows their lives."

Republicans hope that in 2012, American voters struggling to get jobs and pay bills are looking past the candidates' personal stories and to their proposals for stabilizing the economy and cutting the nation's staggering debt.

"Barack Obama had an incredible emotional connection with the American people in 2008," said South Carolina Republican consultant Jim Dyke. In the worst economy since the Great Depression, "that connection has dissipated," he added. "The American people may be more interested in a credible plan to address our problems."

The ranks of presidential candidates, and presidents, throughout history are full of American aristocrats, from George Washington to the Roosevelts, Rockefellers, Kennedys and Bushes. Some won by using policy and rhetoric to win support from lower-income voters, a practice that became known as the politics of the common man after Andrew Jackson's 1828 campaign. He won in part by portraying the nation's central bank as an institution that mostly made rich people richer.

So it's possible to run for president, and even win, while wealthy. Indeed, polls suggest that Americans don't begrudge Romney's family fortune or his own success in the private sector. In an AP-GfK survey last month, for example, about half of the respondents said Romney "understands the problems of ordinary Americans." Roughly the same percentage felt that way about Obama.

And efforts to portray Romney as a "vulture capitalist" fat cat at Bain Capital may have backfired against Newt Gingrich and Rick Perry, the Republican rivals who launched them. Perry dropped out of the contest on Thursday.

There's evidence that Romney himself is learning to edit out offhand remarks that may be genuine yet jarring to average voters. In a debate Thursday night, Romney referred to having his tax returns "carefully managed," but mostly stayed clear of lifestyle details.

Instead, he equated his wealth with all-American achievement and upward mobility ? the opposite of coasting on his father's success as head of American Motor Corp., Michigan governor and federal housing secretary.

"What I have, I earned. I worked hard, the American way," Romney said to cheers and applause. "I'm not going to apologize for being successful."

It was a refinement of the way Romney has handled the central challenge of his campaign: winning over people struggling to keep their houses and find work when his own background is so far removed. Making it tougher is that the 2012 contest is happening against a backdrop of anger over income disparity, with "99 percenters" protesting policies that help the wealthiest 1 percent of Americans ? including Romney.

And where the Roosevelts and Kennedys won over ordinary people with social policies like the New Deal, Romney is campaigning on a plan to stabilize the economy through investments and tax breaks for "job creators," including the wealthiest individuals.

"Wealthy Democrats can get away with being wealthy so long as they espouse policies favorable to ordinary folks. Wealthy Republicans, by contrast, take a hit when their policies seem to favor the wealthy," said presidential historian H.W. Brands of the University of Texas. "It's the policies that really matter. The personal history is fluff."

Still, Romney has struggled to strike the right note with the masses.

In New Hampshire last month, he suggested that he's feared job setbacks at various points in his career.

"I know what it's like to worry about whether you're going to get fired. A couple of times I wondered if I was going to get a pink slip," Romney said during a campaign stop in Rochester, NH.

But it's highly unlikely he's ever felt the fear of being let go, or of being unable to find work, without a family fortune to fall back on.

Romney's refusal to release his tax forms put a fine point on the issue.

He grudgingly acknowledged that he might, for the first time, release them. But only one year's worth, and not until April, if he is the GOP's presidential nominee. He did reveal that he pays an effective tax rate of 15 percent, lower than what he would pay if he earned a regular pay check. He then disclosed that he earned speaking fees, "but not very much." The amount turned out to be $373,327.62 from 2010-2011.

In New Hampshire, a day after the pink slip remark, he spoke of the importance of having a choice of health insurance companies and declared, "I like being able to fire people who provide services to me."

And in a heated debate last month, Romney bet Perry "10,000 bucks," apparently on impulse, when he could have wagered a symbolic dollar, or a beer.

Romney will soon get some practice honing his personal story in a state where he would need to be a master of it in the general election. After the South Carolina primary on Saturday, Romney and the GOP field move to Florida, a massive swing state familiar with the toxic cycle of high unemployment, unpaid bills, home foreclosures and despair.

It's no coincidence that Obama announced a new economic initiative there Thursday. The state suffers from 10 percent unemployment, and more than half of its homeowners owe more on their mortgages than their properties are worth.

In Florida and beyond, Romney may find that sometimes it's best to keep his thoughts to himself.

"Don't try to stop the foreclosure process," he told the Las Vegas Review Journal in October, describing ways to improve the housing market. "Let it run its course and hit the bottom."

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/topstories/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20120120/ap_on_el_pr/us_romney_common_man

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Clijsters overcomes injury to beat Li in 3 sets

Belgium's Kim Clijsters falls over during her fourth round match against China's Li Na at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Sunday, Jan. 22, 2012. (AP Photo/John Donegan)

Belgium's Kim Clijsters falls over during her fourth round match against China's Li Na at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Sunday, Jan. 22, 2012. (AP Photo/John Donegan)

Belgium's Kim Clijsters receives treatment from a trainer during her fourth round match against China's Li Na at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Sunday, Jan. 22, 2012. (AP Photo/John Donegan)

China's Li Na makes a forehand return to Belgium's Kim Clijsters during their fourth round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Sunday, Jan. 22, 2012. (AP Photo/John Donegan)

Belgium's Kim Clijsters makes a forehand return to China's Li Na during their fourth round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Sunday, Jan. 22, 2012. (AP Photo/John Donegan)

China's Li Na takes a ice towel during a break in her fourth round match against Belgium's Kim Clijsters at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Sunday, Jan. 22, 2012. (AP Photo/Andrew Brownbill)

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) ? Down four match points and hobbling on her injured left ankle, defending champion Kim Clijsters somehow rallied for a dramatic 4-6, 7-6 (6), 6-4 win over Li Na at the Australian Open on Sunday.

Clijsters was in pain from the ankle she twisted in the seventh game. Li was just a bundle of nerves. The French Open champion failed to serve out the fourth-round match at 5-4 in the second set, but then led 6-2 in the tiebreaker. Again Clijsters refused to yield.

"I said in my mind, keep fighting," Clijsters said. "You never know what happens on the other side of the court."

Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer stayed on course for a semifinal meeting in matches either side of Clijsters's win at Rod Laver Arena. Federer ended the run of Australian teenager Bernard Tomic 6-4, 6-2, 6-2, while Nadal won in straight sets too, beating fellow Spaniard Feliciano Lopez 6-4, 6-4, 6-2.

Top-seeded Caroline Wozniacki and Jelena Jankovic were playing later Sunday, with the winner to face Clijsters.

Li's best chance to win the match ? and gain revenge for her three-set loss to Clijsters in last year's final ? came on her fourth match point.

Clijsters played a poor drop shot, giving her opponent the chance to put the ball into the open court. Instead, Li tentatively hit the ball almost straight back to Clijsters, who sent up a perfect lob that dropped just inside the baseline.

"Of course I was nervous," Li said. "If you're nervous, you could not think too much, right?"

Clijsters won six straight points to take the tiebreaker and the first four games of the deciding set.

"I'm not saying that that forehand drop shot was a good choice, but you make decisions. Luckily, that one turned out OK," Clijsters said. "I think she was a little bit lost or maybe a little bit confused at that time."

Clijsters then overcame a wobble of her own, losing her serve at 5-2 in the third set, before finally closing out the fourth-round match on her second match point.

Li broke down in tears at the end of her post-match news conference.

"Maybe 6-2 up in the tiebreak I was a little bit shocking," she said.

Clijsters was hurt in the first set while serving at 3-all and 30-all. As she hit a forehand, her left foot got stuck on the surface and the ankle twisted awkwardly.

She got up to finish the point but then immediately called for the trainer and had the injury strapped.

Clijsters' movement was clearly slowed when she resumed but, playing in her last Australian Open before quitting tennis at the end of the season, she said she didn't want to bow out in Melbourne with a retirement.

"I knew if I could just try to let the medication sink in or if I could get through the first 20 minutes, half hour, I think the pain would go away a little bit and then maybe with the adrenaline I could just fly through it."

The injury seemed to affect Li just as much. The 29-year-old, who won last year's French Open to become the first player from China to win a Grand Slam singles title, looked increasingly stressed as the match progressed.

After 2 hours, 23 minutes, she netted a backhand to put Clijsters through to the quarterfinals. The Belgian said she was hopeful her ankle would hold up after ice treatment.

Federer hasn't lost to a teenager since 2006 and that run continued Sunday as he disappointed the home crowd with a comprehensive win over the 19-year-old Tomic.

Tomic had beaten seeded players Fernando Verdasco and Alexandr Dolgopolov in earlier rounds, but Federer was a step-up in class. The 16-time Grand Slam champion broke six times as he set up a quarterfinal against 11th-seeded Argentine Juan Martin del Potro.

"I thought I played a really good match," said Federer, through to his 31st straight Grand Slam quarterfinal. "I knew I had to. Anything else wouldn't have done the job tonight."

Nadal was almost as convincing in his win over Lopez. The 2009 champion had his right knee heavily strapped and had his left ankle taped after three games of the first set but afterward said he was "fine."

Nadal plays Tomas Berdych next, hoping to avoid a third straight quarterfinal loss in Melbourne. Defending the title in 2010, the Spaniard retired with a knee injury against Andy Murray. A year ago, he was hampered by a hamstring problem in a straight-sets loss to David Ferrer.

"Hopefully not happen this time," Nadal said. "I had a bad experience last two years here. It's tough have to go out of a tournament like Australia in quarterfinals."

Berdych beat Nicolas Almagro of Spain 4-6, 7-6 (5), 7-6 (3), 7-6 (2). Former U.S. Open champion Del Potro easily defeated Philipp Kohlschreiber of Germany 6-4, 6-2, 6-1.

Victoria Azarenka was the first player to reach the quarterfinals when she beat Iveta Benesova 6-2, 6-2. The third-seeded Belarusian is yet to drop a set at the tournament and will next meet eighth-seeded Agnieszka Radwanska.

With the win, 22-year-old Azarenka stayed in the hunt for the No. 1 ranking. Petra Kvitova and Maria Sharapova can also claim the top spot from Wozniacki.

"I would be a liar if I said I didn't care about it," Azarenka said.

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/3d281c11a96b4ad082fe88aa0db04305/Article_2012-01-22-TEN-Australian-Open/id-f18e333db92a424fa8d6c86c953cb04f

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Calling All Entrepreneurs: Twilio Expands APIs To 6 European Nations

A new wave of European entrepreneurs are about to start revolutionizing how we use our phones. Today, the Twilio voice API becomes available in Austria, Denmark, France, Ireland and Poland. Additionally, Twilio's SMS API now supports UK phone numbers. These APIs allow developers to build apps that can programatically send and receive calls and texts.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Techcrunch/~3/PoJKpKPC_-c/

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Killer whales endanger sea lions by eating pups

Killer whales and other ocean predators are targeting and killing the pups of a threatened northern sea lion species at an increasingly high rate, scientists warned this week.

Without a reduction in predators, the sea lion population will have difficulty recovering, the researchers added.

Endangered eared seals
The researchers focused on the endangered western population of the Steller sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus), which is the largest member of the eared seals family. The population has declined by 80 percent from its peak about four decades ago.

They monitored 36 juveniles in the Kenai Fjords and Prince William Sound region of the Gulf of Alaska from 2005 to 2011. The pups had tags implanted in their abdomens to record body temperature, surrounding light levels and other conditions during the sea lions' lives.

After each sea lion's death, the tag data was transmitted to satellites and then analyzed by the researchers. This technology allowed scientists to determine the manner in which the sea lions died, because traumatic deaths and non-traumatic deaths left different "signatures" on the recorders.

"The transmitters are amazing recorders of the life history of the animals, and can tell us in most cases how they died," study researcher Markus Horning, a marine mammal expert at Oregon State University's Hatfield Marine Science Center in Newport, Ore., said in a statement.

Temperature and light can reveal how long it took the tags to become dislodged from the pup or reach the water's surface; this information can then indicate the type of death suffered by the pup.

"Gradual cooling and delayed extrusion are signs of a non-traumatic death, say disease or starvation, or of entanglement, drowning or shooting," Horning said. "When the sensors record precipitous drops in ambient temperature along with immediate sensing of light and the onset of data transmission, it is indicative of acute death by massive trauma ? usually associated with dismemberment by predators."

All 11 pup deaths recorded indicated predation as the cause, the researchers said. These results along with a computer model on survival rates "suggest predation on juvenile sea lions as the largest impediment to recovery of the species in the eastern Gulf of Alaska region," the researchers wrote online Jan. 17 in the journal PLoS ONE.

The findings also suggest that predators are increasingly targeting younger Steller sea lions, reducing the number of potential mates.

"The focus of predators on juveniles has the end result of heavily capping female recruitment ? or the number of females that survive until they are old enough to have pups," Horning said.

Why the pups?
Because young sea lions spend more time close to shore, where they are suckled by their mothers, predators can find them more predictably than they can locate and target older animals, according to the researchers. The pups' worst enemy may be so-called transient killer whales, or orcas, which most commonly predate the sea lions; other predators include salmon sharks and Pacific sleeper sharks. (Past research has suggested, to meet their caloric needs, an adult killer whale would have to consume two to three Stellar sea lion pups per day or one adult female sea lion every two to three days.)

Researchers warn that there are not enough Steller sea lions being born each year to rejuvenate their population, which is alarming news considering that the marine mammal's population, which has declined by 80 percent over the past four decades, is continuing to decrease.

"As the density of more 'profitable' adults declines, more juveniles may be targeted and never grow to adulthood, which makes rebuilding their populations problematic," Horning said.

You can follow LiveScience writer Remy Melina on Twitter @remymelina. Follow LiveScience for the latest in science news and discoveries on Twitter @livescience? and on Facebook.

? 2012 LiveScience.com. All rights reserved.

Source: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/46058491/ns/technology_and_science-science/

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Mariposa Communications adds Wanderlust + Co to Roster | PR ...

[unable to retrieve full-text content]Mariposa Communications, a New-York based fashion PR agency headed up by Liz Anthony, has added fashion blogger favorite Wanderlust + Co to its roster. The.

Source: http://www.prcouture.com/2012/01/18/mariposa-communications-adds-wanderlust-co-to-roster/

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Siri's role is about to get even more intelligent

Patently Apple

Patently Apple says this diagram, part of Apple's patent app shows "several different types of clients and modes of operation which interestingly includes future use with car navigation systems, voice control systems and in-car entertainment systems."

By Suzanne Choney

Siri is going to become even more seriously useful in the future, including letting users order goods from online sites, and expand her presence from just the iPhone 4S to other Apple devices, including the iPad, its computers and even that much-rumored Apple iTV.

The company filed a new patent Thursday for transforming its virtual assistant into an "Intelligent Automated Assistant," one that would become even more indispensable than some iPhone users say she already is.

Right now, Siri doesn't let users "complete transactions with online stores. The voice-driven personal assistant software will respond with 'Sorry, I can't purchase that.'" said Apple Insider. "But Apple's latest patent filing specifically highlights e-commerce as a key function of its 'Intelligent Automated Assistant' The application notes that Siri could be used for 'online purchases of items such as books, DVDs, music and the like.'"

Patently Apple, a website that writes in depth about the company's patent applications, said that "it's clear that?Apple's breakthrough technology is destined to go far beyond the iPhone and into devices like the iMac and a future HDTV."

The patent "shows us that Siri will be able to be configured to work with various new scenarios and even act as an instructor when we purchase future devices," the website said. "Forget using a manual?? as Siri will simply teach us what we'll?want to know about our?new devices when we're?ready to ask it a question about a new function or feature."

Patently Apple notes:

Apple's patent application lists a great number of devices beyond the iPhone that Siri may service in the future. They include the iPod Touch (a personal digital assistant), iMac (desktop computer), MacBook (laptop computer), iPad (tablet computer), consumer electronic devices, consumer entertainment devices; iPod (music player); camera; television; Apple TV (set-top box); electronic gaming unit; kiosk or the like.

And that coincides nicely with Apple's Thursday announcement that it is "reinventing the textbook" using the iPad, say some observers.

"Imagine a day in the not-too-distant future when a student will simply ask Siri a question about what their?lesson is about and get an answer or tutorial to make that lesson?more real and relevant to the student," wrote?Patently Apple's?Jack Purcher.

That could prove to be a real boon ? or boondoggle ? in the world of education.

Related stories:

Check out Technolog, Gadgetbox, Digital Life and In-Game on?Facebook,?and on Twitter, follow Suzanne Choney.

Source: http://technolog.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/01/19/10192395-siris-role-is-about-to-get-even-more-intelligent

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Analysis: Spain should temper austerity, look to growth (Reuters)

MADRID (Reuters) ? Meeting Spain's draconian austerity targets would cost every worker more than 2,000 euros this year, and even unforgiving markets sense it may be time for the government to moderate the pain and try to bolster a stagnant economy.

New Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy insists he can slash Spain's deficit to 4.4 percent of economic output by December.

But that would mean estimated cuts of 40 billion euros, ushering in a deep recession that would undermine an EU drive to stimulate growth and likely raise the country's chronically high unemployment rate further beyond 20 percent.

Underlying Rajoy's pledge are well-founded concerns that, after missing its deficit target in 2011, Spain would be punished further by investors if it rowed back on this year's budget goals, potentially leaving it unable to pay back its debts.

But some market players now believe he would be better off setting a more manageable goal of a deficit around 5.5-6 percent of GDP compared with last year's 8 percent-plus, freeing up funds for much-needed labor reforms and a banking sector crippled by soured property loans.

"(A cut to 4.4 percent) is not going to happen, but if you look at it positively and dilute the targets then this would be welcomed as more realistic by markets," said Silvio Peruzzo, economist at RBS.

Spaniards have reluctantly accepted a first round of austerity worth around 15 billion euros, but 25 billion euros more would likely mean cuts to the country's prized welfare state.

That might well eat into the popularity of a government elected by a landslide in November.

But as yet there is no sign that Rajoy, under instructions to hit an EU deficit target of 3 percent next year and having seen Spain's debt yields drop sharply this month in comparison with fellow euro zone struggler Italy, is ready to rein in the austerity.

An analyst with ratings agency Moody's, Kathrin Muehlbronner, summed up the dilemma this week.

Spain was already heading for a slump, she said, and further credit pressures were likely while markets remained volatile, which "complicates the government's fiscal consolidation efforts."

SQUARING THE CIRCLE

Economy Minister Luis de Guindos has said growth could be negative this year and many analysts think Spain has already entered a recession.

Deutsche Bank believes an extra 25 billion euros of cuts would cause a contraction of 2.0 percent compared with its current forecast of -0.9 percent.

Steeper cuts might also sit badly with fellow EU leaders, who are expected to focus on growth and jobs initiatives at a summit at the end of January.

"The government is going to keep on prioritizing the deficit reduction, but I don't think it will take more measures that will hurt growth," Santiago Sanchez, economist at the Carlos III University in Madrid, said.

Squaring that circle is made more difficult by the state of the country's banks, which need to put aside billions of euros in provisions for bad loans, and its 17 autonomous regions, which account for around half of public spending.

The government reckons the regions overspent by 15 billion euros in 2011 and Rajoy wants to force them to give Madrid oversight of their budgets in future.

But controls are not yet in place and he may face a backlash from economically powerful regions such as Catalonia.

"The ability to control the regions is still up in the air," said Harvinder Sian, debt strategist at RBS.

The biggest task of all may be cleaning up the banks.

They are struggling with regulatory demands for more capital to cushion against unsellable real estate following a collapse of the property market, as well as soured loans to bankrupt developers and rising rates of loan default.

De Guindos has said the sector may have to set aside 50 billion euros in provisions and the government has ruled out a bad bank to deal with non-performing property assets at state level.

"Ultimately the market's view of Spain is unlikely to improve markedly before we have clarity on the banking system," said Gilles Moec, economist at Deutsche Bank.

(Additional reporting Manolo Ruiz; Editing by John Stonestreet)

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/economy/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20120113/bs_nm/us_spain_economy

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57 killed in tribal revenge attack in South Sudan (AP)

JUBA, South Sudan ? Hundreds of armed attackers from a South Sudanese tribe that suffered a devastating assault last month charged into three villages, burned them to the ground and killed 57 people, an official said Friday, an act that perpetuates a cycle of revenge attacks in the world's newest nation.

Some 400 men from the Murle ethnic group attacked the Lou Nuer villages on Wednesday, said Simon Hoth, a county commissioner in Jonglei state, the site of devastating violence the last three weeks. Hoth, a member of the Lou Nuer, said 57 were killed and 40 people were missing and likely abducted.

Twenty-five women and 23 children were among those killed in the Uror county attack, Hoth said. Fifty-two people were wounded.

"They have butchered these people," he said. There was no immediate independent confirmation of Hoth's figures.

Murle fighters were accused of killing 22 people in similar attacks in neighboring Akobo county on Sunday.

Uror was the scene of a larger Murle attack in August in which an estimated 600 Lou Nuer were killed. Those attacks prompted a series of retaliatory raids by the Lou Nuer in Pibor county beginning Dec. 23. One Murle official has said that 3,000 Murle died in those attacks. Neither the central government or the U.N. has confirmed that figure, but scores are feared to have died.

The government of South Sudan recently declared Jonglei state a disaster area. The U.N. mission in South Sudan estimates at least 60,000 people have been affected by the ongoing violence. The UN operation says it has launched one of the most "complex and expensive" humanitarian operations since the end of the Sudanese civil war in 2005.

South Sudan became the world's newest country last year after decades of war with Sudan, but it is now experiencing massive internal violence.

But with retaliation attacks occurring more and more frequently, there is little hope for an end to these clashes. Cattle raiding is at the heart of the tribal clashes. The Lou Nuer are said to have stolen tens of thousands of cattle from the Murle in the December attack.

"Arms are still in the hands of the civilian population," said Jonglei Gov. Kual Manyang Juuk. "And these attacks will continue, definitely."

Juuk said the government is sending police to patrol the area, but Jonglei's extreme underdevelopment makes securing the area difficult. "This is a challenge for the government. They don't live in formal towns," he said.

Hoth said Uror's residents have little hope of being kept safe. "People are now living in fear because the whole county has no security. The U.N. is not there and the (South Sudan military) is not there."

The area is also desperately short of health care to treat those hurt in the fighting.

Heather Whelan, a spokeswoman for humanitarian group Doctors Without Borders, said the group airlifted 12 seriously wounded patients from its clinic in Yuai to receive surgical treatment in neighboring Upper Nile state. Whelan said five of the victims were women and "six were children under 5, with beating or gunshot wounds."

The International Organization for Migration said Friday that an IOM convoy of four trucks carrying kits that include kitchen utensils, soap, jerry cans, blankets, plastic sheeting and mosquito nets is en route to Pibor town in Jonglei. The convoy ? the first by road since the recent violence began ? will be delivered to about 7,500 people.

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/africa/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20120113/ap_on_re_af/af_south_sudan_violence

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Showtime announces Dick Cheney documentary, "Big C" returns (Reuters)

NEW YORK (TheWrap.com) ? Showtime announced a Dick Cheney documentary from "The War Room" filmmaker R.J. Cutler and that "Nurse Jackie," "The Big C" and "The Borgias" will all return on Sunday, April 8.

The network made the announcements Thursday at the Television Critics Association winter press tour.

In "The World According to Dick Cheney," Cutler will offer what Showtime describes as a "measured, layered profile of the polarizing, controversial former vice president. Cheney's life and career will be deeply analyzed from his days as Gerald Ford's 34-year-old chief-of-staff to his eight-year reign as the most powerful vice president this country has ever known."

"Jackie" will be back for its fourth season at 9 p.m. on April 8; "Big C" will return for its third season at 9:30, and "The Borgias" will return for its second season at 10.

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/tv/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20120112/tv_nm/us_dickcheney

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OdessaAmerican: Iran has rolled out its troops and arsenals in an unprecedented display of military readiness. http://t.co/eWZLTHIH

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Iran has rolled out its troops and arsenals in an unprecedented display of military readiness. fb.me/1w2U7dBcd Il y a environ 12 heures via Facebook

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