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Eleven fans were ejected from Melbourne Park for disruptive behavior Monday and another group was denied entry on the first day of the Australian Open.

The incidents recalled ethnic tensions that have marred the tennis tournament in recent years, leading to upgraded security this year.

Victoria Police Superintendent Jock Menzel said the 11 people ejected had been standing on chairs and bothering other spectators during Croatian Ivo Karlovic’s win over 13th-seeded Radek Stepanek of the Czech Republic.

One man was found to be carrying two flares that he had smuggled past security officials searching bags at the venue.

“These people have been removed from the stadium and they’re not welcome to return,” Menzel said.

In a separate incident, a group of Croatian supporters in red and white checked clothing and hooded sweat shirts were denied entry to the
park after setting off a flare outside the grounds.

Australia has a large population of immigrants from the Balkans whose ethnic rivalries are sometimes displayed at sports events.

At last year’s Australian Open, a chair-throwing brawl erupted between supporters of Serbia’s Novak Djokovic and Bosnian-born American
Amer Delic. Several people are facing court charges over that fight.

On the court, former top-ranked Maria Sharapova was a surprise 7-6 (4), 3-6, 6-4 loser Monday to fellow Russian Maria Kirilenko.

Read the original article from Tribune News Services.

Meet Paul Chambers. Like thousands of frustrated passengers, this British finance supervisor thought he wouldn’t be able to travel because of the snow. So frustrated, in fact, that he tweeted an obviously exaggerated threat that got him into jail.

“Crap! Robin Hood airport is closed. You’ve got a week and a bit to get your shit together, otherwise I’m blowing the airport sky high.”

Not long after that—on January 13—the police knocked on his door carrying a copy of the tweet. He tried to explain that he was only venting his frustration on Twitter, but they didn’t even know what Twitter was. The officers arrested, interrogated, and jailed him under the Terrorism Act, only to release him under bail until a February 11 hearing.

In addition to that, the threatening tweet was deleted, and his computers and iPhone was confiscated. I understand that some people are a bit paranoid, but couldn’t have they searched first for connections of this guy with any terrorism group? Or maybe check his house for traces of explosives? But then again, who cares about a proper investigation. Jailing someone because of a tweet just makes so much sense.

The best part: When he tried to explain the whole thing, the only answer he would get from the officer was “it is the world we live in.”

Indeed, it’s the world we live in, giving up on all our civil liberties for a sense of false security, and allowing morons to run the world. [Daily Mail—Thanks AJ!]

Active matrix OLED (AMOLED) was one of the hot technologies at CES this year—the tech’s profile was raised by Google’s launch of the Nexus One, and vendors had 3D and 2D OLED prototype displays of up to 32 inches in size on the CES show floor. With all of the excitement about this display technology, it’s no wonder that the OLED buzz collided with the Apple tablet buzz and gave birth to the 10″ OLED rumor.

Unfortunately, this particular twist on the Apple tablet rumor is almost certainly wrong, at least if the device is to be available this year at price that’s affordable to mere mortals.

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This past week, several users reported visiting Facebook, and, well, seeing the wrong face. Without any action on their part, a number of AT&T smartphone users found themselves logged into the popular social networking site under user accounts other than their own.

The problem was quickly attributed to “misrouting,” a term that suggests that information took a wrong turn somewhere in the network. It’s not completely impossible for individual packets flying across the network to be misdelivered—although there are multiple checksums protecting against that—but misdelivered packets will be uninvited guests at the destination computer, and thus thrown away. What apparently happened here was an unfortunate interaction of some kind between Facebook’s user authentication system and the way AT&T runs its mobile data network.

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MLB.com reports: Jim Edmonds, the long-time Cardinals center fielder who helped the Cubs win the NL Central in 2008, said Sunday he wants to come back and play for St. Louis in 2010.

Edmonds, who hasn’t played since not being re-signed by the Cubs after the ‘08 season, appeared at Tony La Russa’s animal-rescue benefit and said he was “challenging” the Cardinals manager to let him rejoin his old team and would play for the league minimum.

La Russa chastised Edmonds in 2008 for what he believed to be dismissive comments about St. Louis after Edmonds joined the Cubs.

Get the full story: MLB.com

Read the original article from Tribune News Services.

Thought AT&T was going to let Verizon lower their unlimited plans without recourse?  Of course not.  On the heels of Verizon’s announcement Friday regarding changes in their unlimited plan pricing structure, AT&T followed suit and lowered their plans as well. 

The new price plans, which take effect today, look exactly the same as Verizon’s – unlimited talk for $69.99, and unlimited talk and text for $89.99.  Family plans mimick Verizon’s changes as well, with unlimited talk (two lines) for $119.99, and unlimited talk and text (two lines) for $149.99.  Unlimited text messaging remains the same at $20 for individual lines, and $30 for family plans.

Though the requirement only applies to the new unlimited plans (from what I can decipher from this press release), a $20 monthly text or data feature is now requred on individual lines, while a $30 monthly text or data feature is required on family plans.  The good news is that text messaging will cover this – so if you have unlimited text messaging on your individual or family account, you’re good to go.

The full press release is below.  Who’s contemplating a switch?

AT&T Announces New Unlimited Plans

AT&T* today announced new unlimited plans across all devices –including its industry-leading lineup of smartphones — to provide more value and choice for customers who want to talk, text and surf on the nation’s fastest 3G network.

“With more than twice the number of smartphone customers as our nearest competitor, we are committed to offering great value and choice for customers who want to talk, text and surf on the nation’s fastest 3G network,” said Ralph de la Vega, president and CEO, AT&T Mobility and Consumer Markets. “Our new plans reflect customers’ continuing desire to do more with their phones – including talking and browsing the Web at the same time. Plus these new plans make it even more attractive to choose AT&T which already offers customers the best 3G experience and the industry’s most popular and innovative devices.”

The new plans, which will be available beginning Monday, Jan. 18, can be ordered at AT&T’s 2,200 company-owned retail stores and kiosks, through convenient online service at www.att.com, or at one of the thousands of authorized AT&T retail locations.

• Feature Phone customers may choose unlimited talk for $69.99. Family Talk customers (prices assume two lines) may choose unlimited talk for $119.99 per month. Texting plans remain unchanged at $20 for unlimited plans for individuals and $30 for Family Talk plans.
• Quick Messaging Device customers may choose unlimited talk for $69.99 and Family Talk customers may choose unlimited talk for $119.99 per month (for two lines). These plans require a minimum of $20 per month for individual plans and $30 per month for Family Talk plans in texting and/or Web browsing packages for new and upgrading customers.
• All smartphone customers, including iPhone customers, may now buy unlimited voice and data for $99.99. For smartphone customers with Family Talk plans (prices assume 2 smartphones), unlimited voice and data is now available for $179.99. Texting plans remain unchanged at $20 for unlimited plans for individuals, $30 for Family Talk Plans.

Beginning Monday, existing AT&T customers can change to any of the new plans without penalty or contract extension with the online account management tool at www.att.com/wireless.

*AT&T products and services are provided or offered by subsidiaries and affiliates of AT&T Inc. under the AT&T brand and not by AT&T Inc.

The body of a woman was found this morning in the outbound lanes of the Eisenhower Expressway, officials said.

About 7 a.m., a call came in from a Chicago Transit Authority employee reporting the body in an outbound lane on Interstate Highway 290 between Kostner and Laramie avenues, according to a spokesman from the Illinois State Police.

Police said the woman apparently jumped to her death. All outbound lanes were closed between Damen and Kostner avenues while police investigated the scene, but were reopened about 9 a.m.

– Staff report

Read the original article from Tribune News Services.

This weekend, Barron’s published its well-known semi-annual roundtable (sub req’d) featuring the views from folks like Mario Gabelli, Fred Hickey, and Marc Faber.

David Rosenberg’s take? They’re all a bunch of bulls.

He observes:

The emerging consensus is that everything is just going to be fine and that we
should expect nothing more than a second-half economic slowdown, and that if
there is a sharper turndown the monetary and fiscal spigots will be turned on
even harder.  The market is seen no worse than fair-value.  Treasuries remain
the enemy.  This tone was highly evident in the Barron’s Roundtable, and we
offer a few snippets below: 

Felix Zulauf: “Cyclical forces are bullish … the market probably has 10% upside
from here… my next recommendation is to short government bonds.” 

Abby Joseph Cohen: “We think global growth won’t be too bad in 2010 … we’re
forecasting S&P 500 earnings of $75 to $76 this year and $90 next year.” 

Fred Hickey: “The stock market will likely be up this year, unless the dollar
collapses.”

Scott Black: “I figure S&P 500 earnings will be closer to $66, which puts the
market at 17.3 times earnings, about the historic norm.”

Oscar Schafer: “Liquidity and another stimulus package will keep the market
up.”

Marc Faber: “The S&P 500 won’t revisit the March 2009 low of 666 in nominal
terms ever again.”

Meryl Witmer: “Fifteen times earnings seems about right for the market, and
earnings could grow a little this year … fair value isn’t so different from where
the market is now.

Archie MacAllastar: “I’m an optimist, I expect the S&P to earn $75 to $80 this
year.  Public participation will increase.”

Mario Gabelli: “You’ll be up 5% to 10% in the first half of the year … interest
rates at some point will top 4%.”   

Scott Black: “The underpinnings of the economy aren’t quite as bleak as
everyone thinks.”    

Join the conversation about this story »

See Also:

• Citi: Stock Sentiment Collapsing Even As Markets Rise
• David Rosenberg: Good Luck Renting Out Your Home!
• David Rosenberg: "Uh-Oh" It’s A Double Dip In Housing

When rain is afoot, there’s only one tool in Batman’s arsenal that will keep his logo dry: The Batumbrella. [MaxiGlob via SuperPunch via ComicsAlliance via technabob]

Filed under: Europe, Videos, Hatchback, Opel

Opel’s future may still be a little uncertain, so they’re kicking it old school with a new special edition of their Corsa super-mini. Called the Color Race, the appearance package harkens back to the ’60s-era Opel Rallye Kadett B Sprint, pictured in a few of the shots in the gallery below.

Available in yellow, white or red, the Color Race features a black hood and roof, with complimenting checkered-flag decals all over, along with 17-inch wheels to complete the exterior package. Inside the party continues with vents and upholstery stitching matching the exterior, a standard sunroof and leather steering wheel.

The package is available only on the three-door model and can be had with any of the three engines currently offered in the Corsa range: 87 or 100 horsepower 1.4-liter gasoline fours, or a 130-hp 1.7-liter turbodiesel. Conveniently timed to battle with a similar package from Renault, the Opel Corsa Color Race starts at €15,560 (~$22,500). Check out the gallery and the video after the jump.

[Source: CarScoop]

Continue reading Bumblebee’s European Cousin: Opel Corsa Color Race [w/video]

Bumblebee’s European Cousin: Opel Corsa Color Race [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 18 Jan 2010 09:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Convertible, Mercedes-Benz, Luxury

A little over a week ago, our esteemed colleagues over at Inside Line reported that Mercedes was to proceed with plans to build a two-door version of the C-Class sedan. Now that the notion of a C-Class coupe is out in the open, IL is opening it up further with another report that a C-Class cabriolet is set to follow.

Until recently that territory was the exclusive realm of the CLK, but with that model retired in favor of the slightly higher-market E-Class cabrio, there’s room in the Benz line-up for a smaller convertible as well. With an eye on both the BMW 1 Series and 3 Series convertibles, the Mercedes-Benz C-Class cabriolet could be here as early as next year.

Power is tipped to come courtesy of a range of naturally-aspirated and turbocharged V6 engines. An AMG version is possible, with the new 5.5-liter twin-turbo V8 pulling duty. While IL says the coupe version could yield a hybrid, they figure the convertible won’t. For our part, we ask why not? There are plenty of hybrid sedans and sport-utes on the market, and a hybrid convertible – especially one with a three-pointed star on the nose – could do very well in certain markets. (California, we’re looking at you.)

[Source: Inside Line]

Mercedes C-Class cabrio to follow C-Class coupe? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 18 Jan 2010 09:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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A six-year period of waiting for a right hand drive version of the G-Klasse will soon be over, as German carmaker Mercedes plans to start offering such a version in the UK as soon as the end of 2010.

The first off-roader to arrive to the Island will be the G500 petrol V8 which, according to PistonHeads, will wear a price tag of in between 70,000 to 80,000 pounds. The next addition will come in 2011, in the form of the G350 diesel and the G55 Kompressor. The latter will be priced, according t… (read more)

Gov. Pat Quinn today signed into law the Cemetery Oversight Act, which implements many of the reforms and recommendations of the Cemetery Oversight Task Force, which was created by the Governor last summer in response to the tragedy at Burr Oak Cemetery in Alsip.

The legislation creates a unified regulatory structure for the funeral and cemetery industries and provides rigorous oversight and regulation of Illinois’ cemeteries.

“We can never have another tragedy like the one at Burr Oak Cemetery. I want to thank the General Assembly for taking action to protect the families of Illinois and preserve the dignity of their loved ones,” said Gov. Quinn.

“With this new law, bereaved families will have a place to turn if they are not satisfied with the services provided by cemeteries, funeral directors and embalmers.”

Under the new law, all regulatory actions affecting after-death services will be overseen by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR), which already regulates funeral directors and embalmers.

IDFPR currently licenses more than one million professionals in nearly 100 industries and oversees financial institutions with more than $4 trillion in assets. House Bill 1188 was sponsored by Sen. Donne Trotter (D-Chicago) and Representative Monique Davis (D-Chicago).

“Our loved ones must be treated with the same dignity and respect in death as in life. As a member of the Governor’s task force, we put together this comprehensive legislative reform that is consolidating all regulatory responsibilities into one agency, while strengthening consumer protection laws. This is about protecting the memories of those closest to us,” said Representative Davis.

The law also establishes a “Consumer Bill of Rights,” so that grieving families understand what options are available to them, exactly where their loved one will be buried, and what each of the services they select will cost.

The law will also prohibit cemeteries from requiring that consumers pay in cash.

“We cannot legislate morality,” said Senator Trotter.

“But as lawmakers we can set guidelines for those who do business in Illinois to ensure they do so with uniformity and with protections for the consumer. This legislation is a pro-active initiative to bring peace-of-mind to the families that endured the horrendous affair at Burr Oak Cemetery.”

Managers of private, non-religious cemeteries will also now be required to obtain a license through the state. To obtain a license, applicants must pass an exam, provide evidence of character, and comply with continuing education requirements.

Other cemetery workers must also complete a “Worker’s Statement,” which would be filed with IDFPR, detailing his or her work history and other evidence of character.

“This Act will make Illinois one of the leading pro-consumer states with respect to cemetery oversight,” said Joshua Slocum, Executive Director of the Funeral Consumers Alliance.

The act also requires the creation of a statewide database to keep record of every burial. This will assist future generations in finding the location of a loved one’s remains and will help the state discover unlawful re-burials.

It also requires cemeteries to post a sign in their office that contains the IDFPR consumer hotline number and information on how to file a complaint.

If a consumer files a complaint about a cemetery to IDFPR, that cemetery may be subject to disciplinary action, including fines up to $10,000 per violation of the Cemetery Oversight Act.

Prohibited activities include: unprofessional conduct, charging for services not rendered, incompetence and failure to adequately maintain the cemetery grounds.

“The Department wants the public to know that we appreciate the magnitude of this new responsibility and that we will work tirelessly to ensure that the deceased are treated with reverence and care,” said Brent E. Adams, Secretary of Financial and Professional Regulation.

On July 16, 2009, Governor Quinn signed an executive order to form the Cemetery Oversight Task Force.

Chaired by Patricia Brown Holmes, a partner with law firm Schiff Hardin LLP, the task force was charged with bolstering industry regulations and proposing needed consumer protections to ensure rigorous oversight and regulation of Illinois’ for-profit cemeteries. House Bill 1188 includes many of the task force’s recommendations.

Throughout last week, Audi gave us details on the upcoming A1 subcompact’s sales plans and its LED headlight design. Today the Ingolstadt automaker has released information about the exterior design.

Audi says there are two details on the A1’s exterior body that clearly stand out. First, the shoulder line has been modestly designed so that for the first time it encompasses the entire car. Second, the new color-contrasted roof arch gives the silhouette of the A1 an entirely new shape. The combination, matched to the single-frame grille, extends over the front lights to the tail lights and the rear hatch.

“The shoulder line is the most important design element of the A1. The clear separation between the front, side, and rear has been eliminated to produce a holistic sculpture,” says Jurgen Loffler, exterior designer of the Audi A1. “The contrasting roof arch traces the roofline of the A1 when viewed from the side. This is something new that we are doing here for the A1. The windshield is a bit more upright; the rear window, on the other hand, is more inclined and flowing, giving the car a very sporty and dynamic appearance.”

Audi says that A1 customers will be able to order the roof arch in variety of colors, regardless of the body color.

Click through for the video of Loffler talking about exterior design.

2011 Audi A1 (Teasers):

– By: Omar Rana

In perhaps another positive sign that the BlackBerry Tour2 (Essex) 9650 launch is imminent, a Verizon employee snapped a picture of the Cellebrite machine, clearly showing the device listed along with its fellow ‘Berry brethren.

The thing that caught me off guard is the naming in the system – notice that while the Storm, Storm 2, and Tour are all listed by name, it remains the Essex (its original product code name).  Is it possible that the device will be branded as the BlackBerry Essex 9650 at launch?  It’s possible, but I highly doubt it.  Like anything else, Cellebrite machines require regular updates, and my guess is that an update will come just after the 9650’s launch that will change the Essex moniker to the official retail name.

At any rate, it’s nice to see this.  Anyone that works or has worked in the wireless industry knows that seeing a device listed in the Cellebrite machine is usually a sign of an imminent release.  Anyone want to begin speculation of the launch timeframe?

Via BGR