IMPACT OF SEQUESTER WOULDN'T BE FELT
effects if the $85 billion in sweeping cuts goes into effect on Friday. Republicans counter that Obama is exaggerating, and that all the president needs to do, according to House Speaker John Boehner, is agree to the Republicans' plan of spending cuts alone to head off the sequester. Obama acknowledged in a meeting with the nation's governors at the White House
yesterday that the dire consequences will unfold over time, but still warned about them, saying, "These impacts will not all be felt on day one. But rest assured the uncertainty is already having an effect."
ITALY FACES STALEMATE AFTER ELECTION STUNNER: Italy is facing political stalemate today (February 26th) amid an economic situation that can ill afford it, after a stunning election result in which no group emerged with a clear majority in parliament, but the
outside Five-Star Movement of comedian Beppe Grillo became the strongest party in the country. The center-left coalition led by Pier Luigi Bersani won the lower house, where it will have a majority, but in the upper house, it looked like the coalition would have just a 119-117 seat advantage over the center-right party of former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who's mounted a political comeback effort. There are 158 seats needed to govern, however, and neither Grillo nor the center-right have shown any immediate willingness to negotiate. Grillo's party got 25.5 percent of the lower house, just ahead of the 25.4 percent for Bersani's Democratic Party, which ran in a coalition with the leftist SEL party, and it won almost 8.7 million votes overall, more than any other single party. Commentators said Grillo's adversaries underestimated the appeal of a grassroots movement that called itself a "non-party," particularly among young Italians who can't find jobs.
19 TOURISTS KILLED IN EGYPTIAN
severely hobbled tourism industry two years after the 2011 uprising that ousted former President Hosni Mubarak.
2010
to the British oil company having to pay billions of dollars more in damages for the 2010 spill in the
U.S. IDENTITY THEFTS AT THREE-YEAR HIGH: A new survey has found that identity theft in the U.S. rose to a three-year high in 2012, with more than five percent of the adult population falling victim to it, up from 4.9 percent in 2011 and 4.35 percent in 2010. The
study from Javelin Strategy and Research found, however, that not all breaches of data that can lead to identity theft are the same, with people whose Social Security numbers become compromised being five times more likely to be a victim than an average person. TechNewsDaily offers some common sense tips to help avoid identity fraud, among them: shred your financial documents; only share credit card information online via a secure connection, which is indicated by a URL that begins with "https" or a locked-padlock icon
in the URL address bar; and when you're asked for sensitive information,
question why it's needed and what will be done with it.
AMID MISCONDUCT ALLEGATIONS, BRITISH CARDINAL TO SKIP PAPAL CONCLAVE: Cardinal Keith O'Brien, Britain's highest-ranking Catholic leader, has announced in the wake of misconduct allegations that he's resigning as archbishop of Saint Andrews and Edinburgh
and will not attend the upcoming conclave to elect a successor to Pope Benedict the 16th because he doesn't want media attention focused on him during the event. Experts say such a move is unprecedented, as a cardinal has never before missed a conclave because of a personal scandal. O'Brien's resignation was officially accepted because of his age -- he'll be turning 75 in March, the normal retirement age for bishops -- and he said that he is in,
quote, "indifferent health." However, the cardinal said that he's contesting allegations made in a British newspaper Sunday (February 24th) that three priests and a former priest have alleged to the
- The O'Brien accusations come amid a campaign to keep Los Angeles Cardinal Roger Mahoney out of the conclave because he covered up sexual abuse by priests.
SOTOMAYOR DENOUNCES PROSECUTOR'S RACIAL QUESTION: Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor took the relatively unusual step Monday (February 25th) of writing a statement to accompany the court's announcement that it wouldn't take up a criminal case,
condemning racially-charged language used by a federal prosecutor in
on, Ponder told him, "You've got African-Americans, you've got Hispanics, you've got a bag full of money. Doesn't that tell you -- a light bulb doesn't go off in your head and say, 'This is a drug deal?'" Sotomayor, the first Hispanic Supreme Court justice, wrote that Ponder had, quote, "tapped a deep and sorry vein of racial prejudice that has run through the history of the criminal justice system in our nation." She also called the question, quote, "pernicious in its attempt to substitute racial stereotype for evidence." Justice Stephen Breyer
signed on to Sotomayor's statement.
FORMER SURGEON GENERAL C. EVERETT KOOP DEAD AT 96: C. Everett Koop,
who served as
AP:
Quarterback Tom Brady agreed on Monday (February 25th) to a three-year contract extension with the New England Patriots worth about $27 million, the Associated Press reported. The extension, under which Brady would be paid less than his current four-year, $72 million
deal, will free up $15 million in salary cap room. Sports Illustrated first reported the extension, which will have the 35-year-old two-time league MVP and three-time Super Bowl champion signed up to play with the Pats until he's 40.
METALLICA UNVEILS LINEUP FOR 2013 ‘ORION’ FESTIVAL: Metallica has unveiled the lineup for the 2nd annual Orion Music + More festival, which will take place this year at Belle
Isle in Detroit on June 8th and 9th. Metallica will once again headline both days, while the more than 30 other acts appearing on the weekend will include the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Rise Against, Deftones, the Silversun Pickups, Bassnectar, Gogol Bordello, Foals, Tomahawk, The Joy Formidable, The Bronx, Dropkick Murphys and more.
- Drummer Lars Ulrich said in a statement, "Last year's Orion Music + More
Festival was hands down the highlight of the Metallica calendar. A great time was had by all, especially the band members. The fact that it also resonated with enough of our fans and friends that it warrants another go-around in '13 is beyond exciting. I can think of no better place than the - This year's Orion show will also see the return from last year of James
Hetfield's Custom Car & Motorcycle Show, Kirk Hammett's Crypt, Lars
Ulrich's Hit the Lights Film Tent and Robert Trujillo's Vans Vert Ramp alongside the - The inaugural Orion Music + More was held last June in Atlantic City, New Jersey and featured acts like Arctic Monkeys, Avenged Sevenfold, Modest Mouse, The Gaslight Anthem, Cage The Elephant and others.
- Metallica headlined both nights, playing 1991's self-titled "black album" in its entirety one night and 1984's Ride The Lightning the other.
- Tickets for the general public go on sale this Friday (March 1st ) at
CHECK IT OUT: Visit www.orionmusicandmore.com to buy tickets
WATCH: The Orion Music + More 2013 Lineup:
TRENT REZNOR OFFICIALLY RELAUNCHING NINE INCH NAILS WITH WORLD TOUR: Trent Reznor is officially resurrecting Nine Inch Nails after a four-year break for an extended tour that will kick off this summer, according to Billboard. Although no dates have been revealed yet, sources have indicated that one of the group's stops will be at this August's Lollapalooza festival in
He added that the band's new lineup will be comprised of ex-King Crimson guitarist Adrian Belew, former Jane's Addiction bassist Eric Avery, multi-instrumentalist Alessandro Cortini, drummer Ilan Rubin and Telefon Tel Aviv's Josh Eustis. Both Cortini and Rubin played in the last version of NIN that Reznor retired four years ago, saying that he wasn't sure if the group would ever perform live again.
- Reznor said in a statement, "I was working with Adrian Belew on some musical ideas, which led to some discussion on performing, which led to some beard-scratching, which (many steps later) led to the decision to re-think the idea of what Nine Inch Nails could be, and the idea of playing a show. Calls were made to some friends, lots of new ideas were discussed, and a show was booked -- which led to another,
which somehow led to a lot of shows." - The first NIN shows will take place this summer, followed by a full
- Reznor officially put Nine Inch Nails on hiatus after the final shows by the last version of the group in September 2009.
- Since then, Reznor and collaborator Atticus Ross have scored two films, including The Social Network, for which they won a Golden Globe and an Academy Award in 2010.
- Along with Reznor's wife, singer Mariqueen Maandig, they also launched a new band called How To Destroy Angels, whose debut disc Welcome Oblivion is due out March 5th.
- Reznor did not say in his statement whether he would be releasing a new Nine Inch Nails album, although he has hinted in the past year that he was writing new songs for the band.
CHECK IT OUT: Read the entire statement from Reznor at http://tinyurl.com/aplcpn7
TOOL ISSUING DELUXE EDITION OF DEBUT EP: Tool will release a 21st anniversary limited edition reissue of its 1992 debut EP, Opiate, on March 26th. According to the band's
publicist, the handcrafted package is limited to 5,000 copies and features art direction by guitarist Adam Jones along with illustrations and designs from several artists who have collaborated with Tool on the spectacular packaging for albums 10,000 Days and Lateralus.
There will be five sets of 1,000 copies, with each set featuring a variation of the
exterior graphics. Bonus items will include a new stereoscopic image for fans to use with their 3D glasses from the 10,000 Days packaging.
- Drummer Danny Carey told Pulse of Radio a while back that Tool's album designs were inspired by a previous generation of rock artists: "We all grew up, I think, listening to bands like Pink Floyd and Yes and, you know, the art-rock bands that always tried to create this fantasy thing that was larger than life, you know, and that was a big inspiration for sure."
- The new version of Opiate will only be available at Tool's website, starting on March 26th. and there will be no pre-orders. Fans will be limited to buying three of the packages. More details will be announced soon.
- Tool is supposedly working on a new album, although depending on who you ask, the band has either half the songs ready to record or doesn't have any actual tracks completed.
CHECK IT OUT: Go to www.toolband.com for more info on the Opiate set.
DID PUDDLE OF MUDD FRONTMAN STEAL EX-WIFE’S CAR? The ex-wife of Puddle Of Mudd frontman Wes Scantlin is claiming that Scantlin stole her car last week, according to TMZ. Jessica Scantlin says that she woke up last Monday morning (February 18th) and found that her Honda Pilot was missing from her home. Although we're not sure how she deduced that Wes had taken it, Jessica texted his manager and demanded her car back. The manager texted back several hours later with the location of the vehicle, adding "Wes didn't
take your car."
- After the car was returned, police impounded it to test for fingerprints.
- Jessica later said she was "100 percent sure" her ex had taken the car because no windows were broken and it's possible that Wes had a spare key. It did, however, come back with some bumper damage and a missing side view mirror.
- Jessica kept the car as part of the Scantlins' divorce agreement, which was finalized last summer.
- She also claims that Wes sent her threatening texts after the car was returned, leading her lawyer to file a request to have the singer/guitarist held in contempt of court.
- These incidents may be the latest legal headaches for Wes, who was arrested in January 2012 and found to be in possession of cocaine while driving.
- He was also charged with public intoxication last year after being thrown off a JetBlue flight from
there was "insufficient evidence" to prosecute the singer. - Wes has also had problems with back tax payments in addition to last year's ugly divorce battle with Jessica.
STONE SOUR
change):
April 2 - Portland, ME - State Theatre
April 3 - Boston, MA - House Of Blues
April 5 - Montclair, NJ - Wellmont Theater
April 6 - Atlantic City, NJ - House Of Blues
April 7 - Lancaster, PA - Freedom Hall
April 10 - Huntington, NY - The Paramount
April 11 - Silver Springs, MD - The Fillmore
April 17 - Atlanta, GA - Masquerade Music Park
April 24 - Nashville, TN - Marathon Music Works (Loudwire)
TLC RENEWS 'BREAKING AMISH': TLC has announced plans to bring Breaking Amish back for a second season in May. The new season will feature the same cast relocated from
BALLOON RELEASE LEADS TO ARREST
STUDY FINDS MANY AMERICANS DRINK TO EXCESS: A new study published in the Journal of the
things. They found that 64-percent of men and 79-percent of women said they
drank no alcohol at all that day, and 18-percent of men and 10-percent of woman
drank within the recommended amounts. Eight-percent of men were considered
heavy drinkers, having five or more drinks, and three-percent of women fell
into the same category by drinking four or more drinks. One study author says
the results show that the rates of unhealthy alcohol use in the
SURVEY FINDS WHAT ITEMS PEOPLE THINK
participants said they would think nothing of taking hotel shampoo or other hotel items, 88-percent said they'd definitely use unsecured internet, and 55-percent said they'd pocket restaurant condiments. Additionally, 37-percent said they'd steal beer glasses from a bar, and eight-percent said they feel fine taking pens from stores such as IKEA. (Daily Mail)
STUDY FINDS
aspects of life. Researchers distributed a survey that was 48-items long, and
asked participants to rate how much work kept them from doing each item. Over
three-thousand people took the survey, and researchers found that work
interference with education was the best predictor of low job satisfaction and
intention to leave a job. They also found that women experienced more work
interference with life, reporting that work got in the way of health, leisure,
household management, frienships, and romantic relationships more severely than
men reported. (Buzzfeed)
POSITIVE TV IMPROVES KIDS' BEHAVIOR: New research finds that showing your kid positive TV shows could encourage them to behave. The study comes from the
"positive" programming, and the other half were coached on getting their kids to eat healthier. The results were fairly weak, both groups of kids showed behavior improvement with the positive-TV-viewing kids doing slightly better than the healthy-food-eating group. Researchers said low-income boys had the best short-term behavior benefit, though the benefits faded over time. (Mashable)
MICRO-CONTINENT FOUND IN THE
C-SECTION BABIES MORE LIKELY TO HAVE ALLERGIES: Results of a new study presented at the annual meeting of the
allergies. Researchers theorize that babies who do not travel through the birth canal avoid exposure to their mother's bacteria, which could affect allergy development. For the study, lead researcher Dr. Christine Cole Johnson and her team studied about 1,200-newborn babies and assessed them at one-month, six-months, one-year and two-years old. They found that by age two, babies born via C-section were much more likely to have developed allergies to triggers in the home such as doppings from dust mites, and dander shed by dogs and cats.
Johnson says, "This further advances the hygiene hypothesis that early childhood exposure to micro-organisms affects the immune system's development and onset of allergies." (Daily Mail)
HUMAN SWEAT COMPOUND COULD BE USED IN ANTIBIOTICS? Researchers say a chemical found in human sweat could be the key in creating a powerful, new antibiotic.
The chemical is called dermcidin and rips the cell walls of harmful microbes, eventually killing them. Scientists explain that dermcidin is an antimicrobial peptide --which are more effective than traditional antibiotics as germs are not able to develop resistance to them quickly. Scientists say the compound is effective against the hospital superbug Staphlyococcus aureus as well as tuberculosis.
