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Sunday, March 03, 2013

Education

Teaching 2.0: Is Tech In The Classroom Worth The Cost?

Students at Westlake High School in Waldorf, Md., participate in an interactive digital conversation with historian Kenneth C. Davis about late 19th and early 20th century American history on Thursday. The school uses a state of the art "telepresence center" for students to connect with experts all over the world.

March 3, 2013 The growth of tech and Internet use in schools has brought one unexpected benefit: Kids can get lectures from high-level scholars via Skype, and interact with them over the Internet. This opens up a larger question, though, of how to measure if the new technologies are improving learning.

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Energy

Turning It Down: Cities Combat Light Pollution By Going Dim

This summer Paris will start dimming its streetlights, though major landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower, will not be affected.

March 3, 2013 Advocates say the developed world's desire to light up the night is having some unintended consequences. This summer, Paris will try dimming its street lights, turning it into the City of [Fewer] Lights.

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The Two-Way

Blast Targets Shiites In Pakistan; Dozens Killed

Pakistanis check the site of a bomb blast in Karachi on Sunday. Pakistani officials say the blast has killed dozens of people in a neighborhood dominated by Shiites.

March 3, 2013 At least 28 people were killed in the blast outside a Shiite mosque as people were leaving evening prayers. Sunday's attack follows an attack on Shiite Hazaras in Quetta last month that killed more than 90 people.

Summary

It's All Politics

In First Post-Election Interview, Romney Calls Race A 'Magnificent' Experience

Former Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney and wife, Ann, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on Dec. 8, 2012, in Las Vegas.

March 3, 2013 In the first interview the Romneys have given since their November loss, they say they're moving on.

Summary

The Two-Way

Britain's Queen Hospitalized With Apparent Stomach Ailment

Britain's Queen Elizabeth II has been taken Sunday to a hospital in central London. She's being treated for symptoms of gastroenteritis.

March 3, 2013 Elizabeth II is being treated for symptoms of gastroenteritis. She is expected to remain under observation for about two days.

Summary

Middle East

Miles From Home, Syrians Vote In Free Elections

As Aleppo residents in the Tariq al-Bab district recover from this week's attack by Syrian regime forces, delegates from the city are in Turkey holding an election for local officials.

March 3, 2013 Aleppo, Syria, is holding the first free elections for 25 city council seats and 26 provincial council seats. This election is far from perfect, but those involved say they want to set an example for other Syrian towns.

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Middle East

Amid Egypt's Divisive Climate, Kerry Urges Economic Action

Secretary of State John Kerry (center, right) meets with members of Egyptian political parties in Cairo on Saturday.

March 3, 2013 Secretary of State John Kerry is meeting with the Egyptian president and opposition leaders to help forge a path through the country's turmoil. Kerry says it is "paramount" that leaders come together to tackle Egypt's financial woes.

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Africa

In Kenya, Political Puppets Give Voice To Satire

In this screengrab, three puppets debate one another on The XYZ Show's presidential debate, which aired in February.

March 3, 2013 One TV show is trying to break down Kenyan politicians' stature ahead of Monday's elections. It uses caricatures to prod for answers and expose corruption. "The XYZ Show has always been trying to show the politicians for who they are," one writer says.

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The Two-Way

Only Syrians Can Tell President When To Go, Assad Says

Syrian President Bashar Assad speaks at the Opera House in Damascus, Syria, on Jan. 6. In an interview with Britain's Sunday Times, Assad said that only the Syrian people can tell him when to  go.

March 3, 2013 The comments were made in an interview with Britain's Sunday Times. The Syrian leader's remarks come less than a week after the U.S. announced more direct aid to rebels battling Bashar Assad's regime.

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The Two-Way

After Delay, SpaceX Dragon Reaches Space Station

The SpaceX Dragon cargo vehicle is grappled by the International Space Station's robotic arm Sunday morning.

March 3, 2013 Mechanical difficulties after Friday's launch pushed back the capture of the unmanned capsule by a day. The Dragon will stay in place until the end of March, after dropping off 1,200 pounds of supplies, and return with more than twice that amount.

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Saturday, March 02, 2013

The Two-Way

Al-Qaida Leader Reportedly Killed In Mali

In this image from video, Mokhtar Belmokhtar claims responsibility for a deadly attack on a BP gas facility in Algeria. The Chadian military reported its forces had killed him in a raid in Mali on Saturday.

March 2, 2013 Mokhtar Belmokhtar is believed to have been behind the attack on an Algerian gas plant in January. The Chadian military said Saturday its forces had killed the senior commander for al-Qaida's wing in North Africa in an attack on a rebel base in Mali.

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All Tech Considered

'Tomb Raider' Makes The Case For Old-Fashioned Console Gaming

The Tomb Raider video game franchise started in 1996. The latest version of the game starring Lara Croft (a character played by Angelina Jolie in film adaptations) is being released Tuesday.

March 2, 2013 Sales of games on the PlayStation 3, Wii and Xbox 360 have dropped precipitously in recent years as mobile gaming has become more popular. Now a familiar champion, Tomb Raider and its heroine Lara Croft, returns to fight the good fight for old-school console gaming.

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The Two-Way

Florida Sinkhole So Dangerous Rescuers Can't Search For Missing Man

After a sinkhole swallowed a man in his bedroom in Seffner, Fla., an engineer tethered with a safety line walks in front of a home on Saturday.

March 2, 2013 Rescuers are back at work outside a central Fla. home, testing the edges of the sinkhole to see if they can get close enough to search for Jeff Bush. He fell inside late Thursday night and is feared dead.

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The Two-Way

Caught For Fins, Sharks Die At Unsustainable Rate, Study Finds

Fresh shark fins dry on the deck of an apprehended fishing boat in a declared shark and manta ray sanctuary located in the eastern region of Indonesia.

March 2, 2013 The study estimates that 100 million sharks are killed globally every year. Shark populations are especially vulnerable because they do not reproduce quickly or early on in life. New protections are up for consideration at an international conference Sunday.

Summary

U.S.

Can Detroit Be Saved?

Michigan is taking over Detroit's finances and will appoint an emergency manager to deal with  the city's massive debt.

March 2, 2013 MRMichigan Gov. Rick Snyder announced Friday that the state would be taking over Detroit's finances. But the intervention might not be enough to pull the city out of a $14 billion hole. It would be the largest municipal bankruptcy in the country, if it happens.

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