5 States to Increase Class Time in Some Schools

Longer school hours. Good...or bad? It was announced just a few hours ago that 5 states; Tennessee, New York, Massachusetts, Colorado, Connecticut, will increase school hours by at least 300 hours starting in some schools buy 2013. This will affect almost 20,000 students in 40 schools. "Spending more time in the classroom...will give students access to a more well-rounded curriculum that includes arts and music, individualized help for students who fall behind and opportunities to reinforce critical math and science skills."
For some people, like Education Secretary Erne Duncan "more classroom time has long been a priority for [him], who warned a congressional committee in May 2009 — just months after becoming education secretary — that American students were at a disadvantage compared to their peers in India and China. That same year, he suggested schools should be open six or seven days per week and should run 11 or 12 months out of the year."
The National School Board Association's Center for Public Education on the other hand, doesn't agree with the notion of 'American schools have fallen behind in classroom time,' they pointed out that high-performing countries like Finland, South Kora and Japan accuatully spend less time in school than most  U.S. students.

For the full story go to http://news.yahoo.com/5-states-increase-class-time-schools-221441177.html

Tiger Cubs Find An Unusual New Mommy!

 Shortly after their birth mother deserted them three tiger cubs have been taken in by a dog. These cubs were a bit skeptical at first but soon their new mother had won the hearts over. The tigers were born in Russia and their birth mother had done the same thing earlier this year with a different litter.










All Sources Are Found At:  http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/sideshow/dog-adopts-tiger-cubs-191930062.html

No So Normal Wednesday For These Two.

Wednesday may have been just another day for America, but for two lucky winners, it changed their life forever! Two lucky people from Missouri and Arizona had the lucky winning tickets that will land them about $192 million! -after taxes.

The lucky numbers were: 5, 16, 22, 23,29 and the powerball was 6. The $587.5 million prize was the 'second-largest jackpot in U.S. history, and the largest for Powerball.'

The largest was the Mega Million drawing that took place in March that was worth $656 million, the largest lottery payout ever, and three lucky people won and shared.

For the full story: http://news.yahoo.com/mo-powerball-winner-verified-ariz-mystery-000635586--finance.html

Obama and Romney get together.

On November 29th, Obama and Romney got together for a little lunch. This had been the first encounter the two had since the bitter election day. Romney had arrived to the White House at 12:30pm and left at 1:43 pm. The two had discussed the role as the global leaders. Also they discussed how either one of them ran the risk of destroying the economy even more. Obama is interested in some of Romney's ideas and hopes they can keep in touch. While departing the White House Romney told Obama "wished him well over the next four years."





All Sources Found At: http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/ticket/romney-obama-swap-campaign-stories-white-house-200830199--politics.html

5 Tourist Traps You Don't Want to Miss!

1. Great Wall of China
Why is it a must? "It's an astonishing testament to human ambition, ingenuity, and xenophobia, not to mention the fact that its size is astounding—it drapes the mountains in sections for 1,500 miles, from the Yellow Sea to its curiously abrupt conclusion in the middle of the far-west Gobi Desert."

2. Eiffel Tower

Eiffel  Tower
(Courtesy lavenderdays/myBudgetTravel)

Why is it a must? "Yes, Paris' appeal goes well beyond classic images, but there's also something to be said for paying your respects to the most visited landmark on the planet—and the quintessential symbol of Paris."

3. Pisa
Why is it a must? "Because there is nothing else like it in the world. Go in knowing that you're there for the obligatory picture of you pushing or leaning on the tower."

4. Uluru (Ayers Rocks) in the Australian Outback

Uluru
(Courtesy loua71/myBudgetTravel)

Why is it a must? "It's the world's largest monolith and one of Australia's most famous natural landmarks. If that's not enough, Archaeologist work suggests there were humans in this area over 20,000 years ago."

5. Venice
Why is it a must? "It's one of the most unique cities in the world, not only for its breathtaking architecture, but for its frailty. Visit now, while you still have the opportunity."

For the full list go to: http://travel.yahoo.com/ideas/tourist-traps-you-don-t-want-to-miss.html

Cursed!

 

"Cursed!" is what Charlie Sheen is calling the hit sitcom "Two and A Half Men." Angus T. Jones the "nephew" of Charlie Sheen when he was on the show has recently decided to walk a path of God. Having said this he also stated the show was "filth." He doesn't like show not having to do with God or even wanting to have God involved in the show. Angus also stated he doesn't even want to be on the show. Angus's is held in the contract for another year, and a recently new twist has been put in his contract where he makes about $350,000 a show.








All Sources Found At: http://www.ontheredcarpet.com/Charlie-Sheen-says-Men-show-cursed--cites-Jones-Hale-Bopp-like-meltdown/8900284&rss=rss-kabc-ent_story-8900284

Wrong Turn for Texas Trucker

Jabin Bogan

      In April, a Texas Trucker, Jabin Bogan, was driving to Phoenix to deliver a load of ammunition to a gun shop when he made a wrong turn and ended up in Mexico. When he figured out he crossed the boarder he immediately tried to turn around but was forced into the truck inspection lane.

     Mexico has strict firearm laws that are enforced.There he was charged with ammunition trafficking and facing up to 30 years in a Mexican prison but the charge was reduced to possession when prosecutors claimed he had 268,000 bullets under floorboards. "Mexican prosecutors alleged he tried to clandestinely smuggle bullets commonly used by drug cartels."

     After paying a fine by his mother. He was finally released after 7 months in prison. If he was convicted he would have face more than 25 years in prison.

http://news.yahoo.com/trucker-made-wrong-turn-freed-mexican-prison-172615544--abc-news-topstories.html