Report: Myanmar set to ink int'l energy contracts

YANGON, Myanmar (AP) -- Myanmar's state oil firm is set to sign contracts with companies from China, Singapore and South Korea for oil and gas exploration, state media reported Saturday.

The state-run New Light of Myanmar newspaper noted the upcoming deals in a report on a "special projects implementation meeting" headed by President Thein Sein on Friday in the capital, Naypyitaw. The report cited Energy Minister Than Htay saying Myanmar will cooperate with foreign companies for oil and gas exploration.

The newspaper said Myanma Oil and Gas Enterprise will sign contracts with China's North Petro-Chem Corporation Ltd for onshore oil and gas exploration.

4 missing after blast at Czech explosives plant

PRAGUE (AP) -- A huge nitroglycerine explosion occurred at a factory in the Czech Republic on Wednesday, leaving nine people injured and four missing, officials said.

The blast destroyed one building at the plant and smashed windows in a large area around the facility, which makes explosives for customers including the Czech military, said firefighter spokeswoman Vendula Horakova.

Rescue service spokeswoman Helena Skuligova said it was unlikely that the four missing plant employees could have survived the blast.

Rio police fail to catch gang leaders in operation

RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) -- About 200 police entered Rio de Janeiro's largest slum Tuesday, hoping to capture one of the city's most wanted drug kingpins.

Instead, after 12 hours of searching and not firing a single shot, police said they had rounded up 11 suspected foot soldiers for the drug gang that rules the Rocinha slum.

Police found about 3 tons of marijuana and confiscated nearly 60 stolen cars and 17,000 pieces of pirated goods such as movies and software. But they failed to capture any major leaders of the "Amigos dos Amigos," or Friends of the Friends, drug gang in the shantytown where more than 100,000 people live, police said in a statement. Police had been looking in particular for Antonio Lopes, known on the street as "Nem," who controls gang activities in Rocinha.

2 protesters arrested at IMF/World Bank event

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Two protesters have been arrested during weekend demonstrations of the spring meetings of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank.

Jeffrey Light, a lawyer for the activists, says one demonstrator was arrested for alleged destruction of property and the other for disorderly conduct. He says both have been released.

The demonstrators marched around downtown Washington on Saturday afternoon and then attended a concert at night. An additional march was planned for downtown late Saturday into early Sunday morning.

A Consumer's Head to Health Care Overtake

The six-month day of remembrance] of the enactment of the health care overtake, a lot of the law's provisions will be effective. Most consumers, however, will not ensure whatever alterations till later on January 1, once their recently health insurance plan class gets.

Meantime, employees will be having prepare for drops "open registration" point, once they pick their health coverage for the being class. Additionally, folks who purchase their possess health insurance will be searching their selections. Medicare donees will be able to modify their coverage late these class if they want.

Here's a look at how the law affects people who get their coverage at work, buy their own health insurance or are enrolled in Medicare.

Newport Beach Houses - Purchase A New Houses to Live in

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Chirac Trial Postponed Until June

A French court has postponed the trial of former French president Jacques Chirac on charges of embezzling public funds.

Presiding Judge Dominique Pauthe ruled Tuesday that the trial is suspended until June 20 while the Constitutional Court is consulted on whether some of the charges are too old to be admissible.

Chirac is charged with misusing public funds while serving as mayor of Paris, from 1977 to 1995.

The conflict-of-interest charges allege that the 78-year-old former president used City Hall or construction company funds to pay friends and allies for non-existent jobs. He is also charged with using city funds to pay his political aides.

Pakistan Urges Strong Ties With US Despite Tensions

Pakistan's president said on Monday the United States and his country cannot afford a downturn in their strategic relationship.

Asif Ali Zardari told the new U.S. special representative to Pakistan and Afghanistan, Marc Grossman, that both Pakistan and the United States should not be swayed by "misperceptions" and "isolated incidents" that may be used by some to increase tensions and mistrust.

Mr. Zardari issued the statement Monday after meeting with Grossman in Islamabad. He said Pakistan and the U.S. should remain focused on long-term strategic ties.

Britney Spears Strips Down For V Magazine

source : Britney Spears Strips Down For V Magazine
stifling and half-clothed on the cover of V Magazine, Britney Spears announces, "The b***h is back and mode adept than ever!" The rough pop singer, whose seventh studio album, 'Femme Fatale,' lands March 29, dialogue openly closer to her album, boys and fame, bringing that she has moved past the media scrutiny that plagued parts of her career.

"I attempt to blocking it all out and not pay tending to anything they write on me in the magazines or internet. I'm done with that," Spears told V Magazine. "I've determined to ever ramain honest to myself and ne'er allow what others say about me switch who I am. It's a truly crucial lesson that took me a long time to learn."

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Ga.'s trendsetter HOPE scholarship faces deep cuts

ATLANTA (AP) -- Georgia's promise was simple: Get good grades in high school, get a free college education. More than a million students took advantage. Soon, however, it may be offered only to the brightest of the bright.

College costs and enrollment are rising in the state, and the governor is proposing to cut back on the first-in-the-nation HOPE scholarship, reserving the free ride for those with at least a 3.7 GPA, up from 3.0, and a 1200 on the SAT.

The rest would get some tuition help, an amount that could change from year to year.

Choosing Diamond Engagement Rings

When you are Choosing diamond engagement rings, choose carefully as this ring is something that your future wife will hopefully wear for the rest of her life. Not all diamond rings are engagement rings. Diamond engagement rings usually have one diamond larger than the rest or consist of a single diamond. These types of diamond engagement rings are called a solitaire.

Years ago, women wore diamond rings that were called cocktail rings. They were used for fancy dress and not worn all of the time. To the contrary, diamond engagement rings are worn all of the time and many women never remove them. Diamond engagement rings often come with a wedding band as well, as part of a set.

What Buyers should know About Newport Beach Homes?

It is a dream of many Families to own a Newport Beach Home, because we all know Newport Beach is one of the world's best and luxurious cities to live. Newport Beach, incorporated in 1906, is a city in Orange County, California, United States 10 miles (16 km) south of Downtown Santa Ana. Newport Beach is one of the cities with lowest population density as its total population stands out to be 86,252. The city is currently one of the wealthiest communities in the United States and has even been ranked first in some categories. Areas of Newport Beach include Corona del Mar, Balboa Island, Newport Coast, San Joaquin Hills, and Balboa Peninsula.

Obama: Egypt Will Never Be The Same

President Barack Obama said the people of Egypt have inspired the American people through their peaceful 18-day campaign for democracy. Obama said Friday that "today" belongs to Egypt's people, after the resignation of their longtime president, Hosni Mubarak.

The president said the entire world has taken note of the history taking place in Cairo. "The people of Egypt have spoken, their voices have been heard, and Egypt will never be the same."

Obama said a new generation has emerged, and a democratic Egypt can advance its role of responsible leadership in the Middle East and around the world.

Report: Beer Great for Heart Health

When most people think of heart-healthy beverages, they think of red wine. But new evidence from the American Dietetic Association (ADA) shows that beer has a great deal of nutrition and heart benefits as well, according to an article published in ADA Times.

"Red wine enjoys a reputation for sophistication and health benefits, but as interest in artisan brewing gains momentum and emerging research reveals unique nutrition properties, beer is finding redemption not only as a classy libation with deep roots in many cultures, but as a beverage with benefits," said registered dietitian and ADA spokesperson Andrea Giancoli in a news release.

Ohio Gym Teacher Resigns Amid Sex Allegations

A health and gym teacher accused of sexual misconduct with several students at a southwest Ohio high school has resigned after being released from jail.

Warren County Assistant Prosecutor Gary Loxley says a judge released 32-year-old Stacy Schuler of Springboro on Tuesday on the condition that she wear an electronic monitoring device and have no contact with unrelated minors or high school students. She had been in jail since Friday.

Schuler faces 16 counts of sexual battery and three counts of providing alcohol to a minor. The Middletown Journal reports that she resigned Tuesday from Mason High School, where she had worked since 2000.

Moscow Airport Bomber from Russia's Muslim South

Russian news agencies report that the suicide bomber at Moscow's airport was from Ingushetia, one of Russia's three so-called Green Republics, where Islamic extremists seek to impose Sharia law.

Citing security officials, Russian news agencies report that Magomed Yevloyev, 20, a resident of Ingushetia, set off the massive bomb that killed 36 people and wounded 168 at Moscow's busiest airport.

Russian security officials have not publicly released the identity of the suicide bomber. Russian reporters who visited Yevkoyev's home village reported that the young man had disappeared last August. They said that last week security officials interviewed his parents, a school teacher and a retiree, and took DNA samples.

Meg Whitman Spent Fortune to Come in 2nd in California Governor's Race

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Final election reports released Monday show Jerry Brown spent about $36.5 million in his successful bid to become governor, just a fraction of the $178.5 million spent by his Republican opponent, Meg Whitman, in what was the costliest campaign for statewide office in the nation's history.

Brown was buoyed by millions of dollars in spending by union-backed groups. But Whitman, the former eBay CEO, tapped $144 million from her personal fortune and raised the rest from donors in the 2010 California governor's race, including the primary and general election cycles.

She surpassed the previous record for personal spending in a campaign -- the $109 million New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg spent in his quest for a third term.

Winter weather draining blood supply

The American Red Cross says its national blood supply is at the lowest level for January in 10 years because winter storms and resulting travel disruptions caused cancellation of 14,000 donations.

"Winter weather is what has really caused this problem," said Debbie Estes, director of communications for the American Red Cross' southeast region.

The shortage is most severe in the Northeast, which has been hammered with January snow, and in the Southeast, said Estes, who is based in Charlotte. "Typically we do not see a lot of ice and snow, but we've had a good bit of winter weather," she said.

Lady Gaga: ‘Born This Way’

Ready for newly song from Lady Gaga?

The 24-year-old pop star denoted on her Twitter page that "Born This Way" will premiere on February 13, on the record album of as is name showing up May 23! Lady Gaga Born This way

"I'm beautiful in my direction, 'cause God does no errors, I'm on the correctly track baby, I was Born This Way," Gaga teased. "Don't hide yourself in sorrow, just love yourself and you are set. I'm on the correctly track baby, I was Born This Way."

ARE YOU EXCITED to hear Lady Gaga's new tunes?

Maria Menounos: Miami Beach Bikini Babe

Opting to ring in the new year in sunny Florida, Maria Menounos was spotted flaunting her fit and fine beach body in Miami on Friday afternoon (December 31).

Dressed in an oh-so-hot black bikini, the TV personality roughly around the sandy shoreline while partaking in a game of football with "No Ordinary Family" actor Michael Chiklis.Maria Menounos Bikini Beach

Tweeting about the active outing, Miss Menounos wrote, "Beach football today w/@MichaelChiklis…paparazzi had some fun! Hope the bikini shots are flattering!"

Getting more than she hoped for, the brunette beauty ended up offering up a few swimsuit malfunction shots before closing out her beach football festivities and heading back to the hotel to ready for the NYE 2011 parties.

Selena Gómez Take Home "People's Choice Awards"

Selena Gomez cenceitedly shows off her honor for favorite breakout artist at the People's Choice Awards 2011 on Wednesday (January 5) ,The ceremonial detained Wednesday night at the Nokia Center in L.A. Calif., was streamed live on CBS.

The 18-year-old singer and performer picked up the praise following performing "A Year Without Rain" with her band, Selena Gomez & The Scene.

one more Latina Disney sensation who won last night was pop on stage sensation Selena Gómez and her band "The Scene," winners of the "People's Choice Award" as "Favorite Breakout Artist."

On the carpet, Selena wear a one shoulder pink cocktail dress with ruffle detail at shoulder from Paule Ka with Giuseppe Zanotti pumps.

Behind the scnenes, Selena met up with fellow winner Taylor Swift and joked that the country star was taking over the world! Taylor then said the same thing about Selena!