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.