CBS NEWS Coverage of Breaking Space News: Update: Updated at 06:20 PM EDT, 04/30/11: Thermostats fail to respond in initial low-temperature tests; more troubleshooting planned

-- Posted at 03:24 PM EDT, 04/30/11: Engineers troubleshoot electrical glitch
-- Updated at 06:20 PM EDT, 04/30/11: Thermostats fail to respond in initial low-temperature tests; more troubleshooting planned

By WILLIAM HARWOOD
CBS News

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FL--Engineers troubleshooting an electrical glitch that grounded the shuttle Endeavour Friday have verified that a cockpit fuse panel is working normally, officials said Saturday, indicating the problem likely is either an open circuit in a hydraulic system fuel line heater thermostat or trouble inside an avionics box in the shuttle's aft engine compartment.

Initial thermostat tests were consistent with a problem in the avionics box, but engineers could not immediately rule out a connector problem or some other wiring issue elsewhere in the system.

If the problem can be isolated to an open circuit in a suspect thermostat, a replacement possibly could be installed in time to support a second launch attempt Monday, at 2:34:00 p.m. EDT (GMT-4). But if the problem is traced to the aft load control assembly -- ALCA-2 -- avionics box that routes power to the heaters, launch likely would be delayed until at least May 8, after the planned May 6 launch of an Atlas rocket carrying an Air Force missile early warning satellite.

And that assumes the problem can be traced to a fault in ALC-2.

The problem cropped up Friday during the final hours of Endeavour's countdown to launch on its 25th and final mission. Telemetry showed that multiple fuel line heaters used by auxiliary power unit No. 1 were not activating normally. The heaters are needed to keep the lines from freezing and possibly rupturing in flight.

The shuttle is equipped with three APUs, providing the hydraulic muscle to move the ship's engine nozzles, wing elevons, rudder, tail fin speed brake, body flap, landing gear brakes and nose wheel steering system. The shuttle can safely fly with a single APU, but flight rules require full redundancy for a countdown to proceed. Likewise, each of the shuttle's three APUs is equipped with redundant heater "strings" and only one channel is required for normal operation. But again, the flight rules require redundancy to protect against a subsequent failure that could knock the system out of action.

To find out if a faulty thermostat was to blame, engineers working in Endeavour's cramped engine compartment Saturday afternoon sprayed compressed air on APU No. 1's B-channel heater thermostats to lower their temperature enough to find out whether they would cycle on or not. The initially tested thermostats did not respond, but that could be the result of a wiring problem or a bad connector. Additional tests were planned overnight.

If no obvious culprits are found -- and engineers were not optimistic -- the problem likely is the result of a fault in ALCA-2, a box that contains multiple electronic switches for a variety of subsystems. Replacing ALCA-2 is a complex job requiring extensive retest.

NASA managers and engineers plan to review the troubleshooting Sunday morning to determine a course of action. But without an obvious "smoking gun," the chances of a launching Monday appear slim.

Endeavour's countdown currently is holding at the T-minus 11-hour mark. If a Monday launch is possible, the countdown would resume at 10:07 p.m. Sunday. Fueling would begin at 5:09 a.m. Monday and the crew would begin strapping in at 11:14 a.m. to await launch at 2:34:00 p.m.

The Spaceflight Meteorology Group at the Johnson Space Center is predicting scattered clouds at 3,000 feet and winds out of 100 degrees at 14 knots with gusts to 20, violating NASA's crosswind limits for an emergency landing.

The forecast for Tuesday calls for acceptable weather while the outlook for Wednesday calls for high crosswinds and a chance of showers within 20 nautical miles of the runway.

=================================

CBS News Space Updates:
http://ct.cbsnews.com/clicks?t=794425402-b1f5763a1bcc876b4d45ba4c9a0973ce-bf&brand=CBSNEWS&s=5

NASA Shuttle Web:
http://ct.cbsnews.com/clicks?t=794425403-b1f5763a1bcc876b4d45ba4c9a0973ce-bf&brand=CBSNEWS&s=5

NASA Station Web:
http://ct.cbsnews.com/clicks?t=794425404-b1f5763a1bcc876b4d45ba4c9a0973ce-bf&brand=CBSNEWS&s=5

Spaceflight Now:
http://ct.cbsnews.com/clicks?t=794425405-b1f5763a1bcc876b4d45ba4c9a0973ce-bf&brand=CBSNEWS&s=5

GoogleSatTrack:
http://ct.cbsnews.com/clicks?t=794425406-b1f5763a1bcc876b4d45ba4c9a0973ce-bf&brand=CBSNEWS&s=5

CBS NEWS Coverage of Breaking Space News: 03:40 PM EDT, 04/30/11: Shuttle engineers troubleshoot electrical glitch

03:40 PM EDT, 04/30/11: Shuttle engineers troubleshoot electrical glitch

By WILLIAM HARWOOD
CBS News

Engineers troubleshooting an electrical glitch that grounded the shuttle Endeavour Friday have verified that a cockpit fuse panel is working normally, officials said Saturday, indicating the problem likely is either an open circuit in a hydraulic system fuel line heater thermostat or a controller assembly in the shuttle's aft engine compartment.

If the problem can be isolated to an open circuit in a suspect thermostat, a replacement likely could be installed in time to support a second launch attempt Monday, at 2:34:00 p.m. EDT (GMT-4). If the problem is traced to the aft load control assembly -- ALC-2 -- avionics box that routes power to the heaters, launch likely would be delayed until at least May 8, after the planned May 6 launch of an Atlas rocket carrying an Air Force missile early warning satellite.

And that assumes the problem can be traced to a fault in ALC-2.

The problem cropped up Friday during the final hours of Endeavour's countdown to launch on its 25th and final mission. Telemetry showed that multiple fuel line heaters used by auxiliary power unit No. 1 were not activating normally. The heaters are needed to keep the lines from freezing and possibly rupturing in flight.

The shuttle is equipped with three APUs, providing the hydraulic muscle to move the ship's engine nozzles, wing elevons, rudder, tail fin speed brake, body flap, landing gear brakes and nose wheel steering system. The shuttle can safely fly with a single APU, but flight rules require full redundancy for a countdown to proceed.

Likewise, each of the shuttle's three APUs is equipped with redundant heater "strings" and only one channel is required for normal operation. But again, the flight rules require redundancy to protect against a subsequent failure that could knock the system out of action.

To find out if a faulty thermostat was to blame, engineers working in Endeavour's cramped engine compartment planned to spray compressed air on the thermostats in APU No. 1's B-channel heater string to lower their temperature. If a thermostat is working normally, the lower temperature should cause it to activate.

If not, the problem likely is the result of a fault in ALC-2, a box that contains multiple electronic switches for a variety of subsystems. Replacing ALC-2 is a complex job requiring extensive retest.

NASA managers and engineers plan to review the troubleshooting Sunday morning to determine a course of action.

Endeavour's countdown currently is holding at the T-minus 11-hour mark. If a Monday launch is possible, the countdown would resume at 10:07 p.m. Sunday. Fueling would begin at 5:09 a.m. Monday and the crew would begin strapping in at 11:14 a.m. to await launch at 2:34:00 p.m.

The Spaceflight Meteorology Group at the Johnson Space Center is predicting scattered clouds at 3,000 feet and winds out of 100 degrees at 14 knots with gusts to 20, violating NASA's crosswind limits for an emergency landing.

The forecast for Tuesday calls for acceptable weather while the outlook for Wednesday calls for high crosswinds and a chance of showers within 20 nautical miles of the runway.

=================================

CBS News Space Updates:
http://ct.cbsnews.com/clicks?t=794220223-b1f5763a1bcc876b4d45ba4c9a0973ce-bf&brand=CBSNEWS&s=5

NASA Shuttle Web:
http://ct.cbsnews.com/clicks?t=794220224-b1f5763a1bcc876b4d45ba4c9a0973ce-bf&brand=CBSNEWS&s=5

NASA Station Web:
http://ct.cbsnews.com/clicks?t=794220225-b1f5763a1bcc876b4d45ba4c9a0973ce-bf&brand=CBSNEWS&s=5

Spaceflight Now:
http://ct.cbsnews.com/clicks?t=794220226-b1f5763a1bcc876b4d45ba4c9a0973ce-bf&brand=CBSNEWS&s=5

GoogleSatTrack:
http://ct.cbsnews.com/clicks?t=794220227-b1f5763a1bcc876b4d45ba4c9a0973ce-bf&brand=CBSNEWS&s=5

MarketWatch | Weekly Roundup: The week's Top 10 Videos.

Weekly Roundup

APRIL 30, 2011

The week's top 10 videos on MarketWatch

By MarketWatch

In case you missed them here are the most popular videos that appeared on MarketWatch for the week of April 25-29:

IMF sees China topping U.S. in 2016

According to the latest IMF official forecasts, China's economy will surpass that of America in real terms in 2016 - just five years from now. Brett Arends looks at the implications for the U.S. dollar and the treasury market.
 Watch Video Report.

The near-mythical white iPhone

Analysts are paid to parse, reparse and revel in every incremental detail of all things Apple. So of course, they're talking about the near-mythical white iPhone. Here's what they have to say, Matt Phillips tells digits.
 Watch Video Report.

Silver prices: too hot to rationalize buying

Silver's "almost vertical ascent" is just one of many signals suggesting the metal's rally is reaching a top, says Richard Ross, chief technical strategist at Auerbach Grayson. Gold, or better yet, copper, offer better value. Laura Mandaro reports from San Francisco.
 Watch Video Report.

Tornados strike Virginia

See dramatic home footage of massive tornadoes touching down in Virginia.
 Watch Video Report.

Wedding manners: No tweeting in front of the queen

Royal wedding guests have been asked not to tweet and take cellphone photos during the wedding, which is an issue that all brides come up against, Darcy Miller and Elva Ramirez report on the WSJ Royally After Show.
 Watch Video Report.

The royal flush: a $6,400 toilet

Kohler has created what it hopes to be a best-in-class toilet that costs $6400. Andy Jordan gives the smart-toilet a whirl.
 Watch Video Report.

Cloud growing into a bubble

Investors hear a lot about the cloud, but how can they play it? As more content and communications go across the Internet and enterprise business grows, billions will be spent on making the cloud work, according to Cody Willard. Stacey Delo reports.
 Watch Video Report.

Rex on Techs: Apple's white iPhone not all hype

Rex Crum looks at the desire for the white iPhone and how it could put Apple even deeper into the black.
 Watch Video Report.

Sell in May? Not so fast

Sell in May? Not so fast. Steve Quirk, head of the Trader Group at TD Ameritrade, says large-cap stocks hold appeal, and suggests buying portfolio insurance while it's cheap.
 Watch Video Report.

Dollar rally may not kill gold

Gold and the dollar have moved in opposite directions this year. But over a longer period, the dollar has accounted for only a quarter of gold's moves, says Mark Hulbert, who notes gold's record run may have more to do with global currencies losing value. Laura Mandaro reports.
 Watch Video Report.

NYT Today's Headlines: Top News | Quotation of The Day | U.S.| Opinion | World | U.S. Politics | Business | Technology | Sports | Arts | New York Region | Editorials | OP - ED | On This Day

Today's Headlines

April 30, 2011

TOP NEWS U.S. Moves Cautiously Against Syrian Leaders By MARK LANDLER The divergent American responses to the crises in Libya and Syria illustrate the starkly different calculations that the United States faces in these countries. Parties Seeking to Blame Each Other's Policies for Gas Prices By JOHN M. BRODER Democrats and Republicans are hoping to capitalize on growing public ire when Congress returns next week to a flaring brawl over oil profits and tax breaks. Groups Form to Aid Democrats With Anonymous Money By JIM RUTENBERG An outside effort to help President Obama and Congressional Democrats will use the very sort of anonymous, unlimited donations that the president has so deplored. • NYTimes.com Home Page » QUOTATION OF THE DAY "I am a royalist for the day." KATHY GUNN, 54, watching the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton on a screen at a London cafe.

Being fashionable, ethically Also in T Magazine » Fight for your rights Paris's tiniest kitchen U.S. Interactive Feature: Before and After Satellite Images Show Path of Tornado's Destruction Compare before and after satellite images of tornado damage in Alabama. Opinion Opinionator | The Thread Don't Stop Believing By PETER CATAPANO Will ongoing conspiracy theories make Donald Trump and the birthers look even sillier?

WORLD Libyan Forces Chase Rebel Convoy Into Tunisia, a Rebel Fighter Says By C. J. CHIVERS and SCOTT SAYARE The fighting in Libya spilled into Tunisia when troops loyal to Col. Muammar el-Qaddafi forced rebels from a border crossing and pursued them into a Tunisian town. Syrian Forces Shoot at Protesters in Dara'a Siege By ANTHONY SHADID At least 16 protesters carrying olive branches and seeking to break a military siege were killed on Friday. Yemen's Saleh Due to Sign Transition Deal By REUTERS Vast crowds of Yemenis took to the streets Friday to demand the immediate departure of President Ali Abdullah Saleh. • More World News » U.S. Memories Lost to a Whirlwind Alight on Facebook to Be Claimed By AMY HARMON A page on Facebook posts pictures and other keepsakes that fell from the sky after the violent storms that tore through the South. Storms' Toll Rises as Scale of Damage Becomes Clear By CAMPBELL ROBERTSON and KIM SEVERSON As President Obama visited Alabama, power remained out for hundreds of thousands and the death toll reached 333. Video: President Obama Tours Storm Damage Photographs | Videos Map of the Tornadoes In Mississippi, Little Town Is Staggered by a Tornado's Direct Hit By LIZETTE ALVAREZ In a town of about 1,000 in Mississippi, three-quarters of the homes are damaged or destroyed, and more than three dozen people are dead or missing. • More U.S. News » POLITICS For G.O.P., One Ticket Stands Out By ABBY GOODNOUGH Every Republican weighing a run for president seems eager to meet and greet at the home of Ovide Lamontagne, a conservative lawyer. Soft Drink Industry Fights Proposed Food Stamp Ban By ROBERT PEAR An array of food companies and antihunger groups are lobbying against a request by New York City to ban the use of food stamps to buy "sugar-sweetened beverages." Beliefs 'Christian Economics' Meets the Antiunion Movement By MARK OPPENHEIMER Gary North, a prolific writer who applies biblical principles to economic issues and the free market, is an influential figure on the American far right. • More Political News » BUSINESS In Florida, G.O.P. Help for Unions By STEVEN GREENHOUSE Public employee unions in Florida, reminding the G.O.P. of past support, have persuaded some Republicans to oppose a bill meant to weaken unions. Massachusetts House Seeks to Limit Collective Bargaining By ABBY GOODNOUGH The proposal would allow local officials to set health insurance co-payments and deductibles for their employees to save cities and towns about $100 million. Gift to M.I.T. from Bose Founder Raises Tax Questions By STEPHANIE STROM Amar G. Bose has donated the majority of his high-end audio products company to his alma mater, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. • More Business News » TECHNOLOGY PC Sales Off, Games Buoy Microsoft By VERNE G. KOPYTOFF A slowdown in personal computer sales at Microsoft was overshadowed by strong sales of its Kinect and Xbox video game products. Sleep Can Wait. The Birds Are Angry. By RICK MARIN Games like Angry Birds are crossing the generational divide more easily than ever, pitting father against sons in the quest for "achievement." App City Commuter Reports From, Well, Commuters By JOSHUA BRUSTEIN Roadify, an application that started as a Park Slope text-message group on available parking, has expanded to include information for public transit riders. • More Technology News » SPORTS Working the Perimeter of the Recruiting Game By PETE THAMEL Central Florida landed three top recruits thanks, at least in part, to the help of a Chicago man with a lengthy criminal record. Blue Jays 5, Yankees 3 In Position to Put Away Blue Jays, Yankees Throw Away Their Chance By BEN SHPIGEL On a night the Yankees struggled to score, reliever Dave Robertson turned a one-run deficit into three after a throwing error on a pickoff attempt in the sixth. Box Score | Inning by Inning Girardi Shuffles Order Against Blue Jays' Romero, Leaving Out Posada Phillies 10, Mets 3 Who's on the Mound Matters Little in Rout By DAVID WALDSTEIN Mike Pelfrey and Dillon Gee gave up costly home runs to Ryan Howard as the Phillies cruised to victory. Box Score | Inning by Inning Facing Game's Top Arms, and Hoping for the Best • More Sports News » ARTS Bringing Heavy Metal to the Met's Roof By KEN JOHNSON Five of Anthony Caro's large metal sculptures are on view on the Met's roof, but only one from his playful 1960s period. The TV Watch Passion Versus Pageantry in Royal Wedding Reports By ALESSANDRA STANLEY Networks struck narratives of country and continuity or passion and fairy tales, and many sought comparisons to that other royal wedding. Complete Coverage of the Royal Wedding » Slide Show | Interactive Feature Bride's Dress Is a Flawless Success Readying (or Not) for the End of 'Intent' By BRIAN STELTER A New York-based "Law & Order" spinoff films its final episodes. Or does it? Video • More Arts News » NEW YORK / REGION Upper East Side Journal Landmarks Are Called a Hardship, Setting Off a Fight By JOSEPH BERGER A company wants to tear down two buildings on the Upper East Side, but the tenants say no buildings declared landmarks in the city would be safe if it succeeds. Crime Scene As the Careless Order a Latte, Thieves Grab Something to Go By MICHAEL WILSON Starbucks shops are prime hunting ground for thieves who prey on customers distracted by laptops or iPads or, well, standing in line, to extract their valuables. New Jersey Must Return $271 Million Spent on Hudson Tunnel, U.S. Insists By PATRICK McGEEHAN The Transportation Department rejected the state's arguments for not repaying money used on the canceled rail project. • More New York / Region News » TRAVEL In a Quiet Corner of Italy... Trieste By ADAM BEGLEY On Italy's northeastern shore, Trieste doesn't preen for tourists. Yet it is possessed of an odd magic, one that echoes its literary past. Slide Show: The Quiet One In Virginia, Touring Lesser-Known Civil War Sites By JONATHAN VATNER For the 150th anniversary of the beginning of the Civil War, don't limit yourself to Fredericksburg and other major sites. Some of the more obscure battlefields are just as significant and better preserved. Slide Show: Off the Civil War's Beaten Paths 36 Hours in Singapore By ONDINE COHANE Singapore is booming, with new casinos and hotels, museums and galleries opening their doors, and, best of all, lounges and rooftop bars are helping the city-state shake off its formerly staid image. Slide Show: A Weekend in Singapore • More Travel News » EDITORIALS Editorial Dithering on Redistricting In Albany, there's been a lot of talk but no action to end gerrymandering. Editorial Not a Political Tool The United States should lead in providing food aid to North Korea even if South Korea balks. Editorial Co-Victims Against the Death Penalty Connecticut's Judiciary Committee has approved legislation that would repeal the death penalty, with the support of victims' families. The state should pass the bill. Editorial Learning to be a 'Country Boy' The Fresh Air Fund hopes to reach 10,000 New York City children this year. You can help. • More Opinion » OP-ED Op-Ed Contributor What the Wind Carried Away By JAMES BRAZIEL Debris floats down in the aftermath of the ruthless tornado that battered Alabama. Op-Ed Columnist Silliness and Sleight of Hand By CHARLES M. BLOW Suspicions of the president have moved from the theoretical to the theological. Columnist Page Introducing the Things of Spring By GAIL COLLINS Official state rocks and birds and flowers are nice distractions for legislatures, but naming a state gun is pretty creepy. Columnist Page Op-Ed Columnist The Party's Over for Buffett By JOE NOCERA There will be no more free ride for The World's Greatest Investor, who will be facing the music in Omaha. Columnist Page • More Opinion » ON THIS DAY On April 30, 1975, the South Vietnamese capital of Saigon fell to Communist forces. • See This Front Page • Buy This Front Page

The WashingtonPost Today's Headlines: Today's Highlights | Politics | Style | Sports | World | Live Discussions | Business

TODAY'S HIGHLIGHTS
‘I’ve never seen devastation like this’
President Obama visited storm-battered Tuscaloosa, Ala., on Friday and promised federal assistance.
(By Stephanie McCrummen, Perry Bacon Jr. and Michael E. Ruane)

U.S. freezes Syrian intelligence assets
The measures come amid reports of dozens more deaths across the country as Syrians rallied in several cities on “Day of Rage.”
(By Joby Warrick and Liz Sly)

A new era in the monarchy, sealed with a kiss
Thirty years after the weeding of Charles and Diana, their son Prince William and his new bride made their own bit of history.
(By Anthony Faiola)

Pentagon reports ‘tangible progress’ in Afghanistan
The Pentagon painted a guardedly optimistic picture Friday of the war in Afghanistan in a new report.
(By Craig Whitlock)

Endeavour launch delayed
NASA officials on Friday scrubbed the planned launch of the space shuttle Endeavour for at least 72 hours because of mechanical problems.
(By Manuel Roig-Franzia and Brian Vastag)

POLITICS
Sarah Palin clearly wants to be part of the conversation, but what about the campaign?
WASHINGTON — Sarah Palin has had a sliding spring.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)

In New Hampshire appearance, GOP contenders criticize Obama's agenda, not each other
MANCHESTER, N.H. — The Republican presidential contest executed a soft launch this weekend, with eager but unofficial contenders focusing all their criticisms on President Barack Obama at a New Hampshire dinner — and none on each other.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)

GOP hopefuls court primary voters in N.H.
It lacked the showbiz-style pizazz of a Donald Trump entrance, but a Republican forum in Manchester Friday night featured something else — top-tier political figures sharing the billing, signaling to grass-roots activists that this was the kickoff of the party’s 2012 race for the White House.
( by Nia-Malika Henderson and Dan Balz , The Washington Post)

The Week in 2012
Haley Barbour threw in the towel, Donald Trump continued to dominate discussion of GOP hopefuls and attention gradually turned to next week’s Republican debate in South Carolina.
( by Nia-Malika Henderson , The Washington Post)

Huntsman returning to US this weekend amid speculation about GOP presidential bid
WASHINGTON — U.S. Ambassador to China Jon Huntsman is returning to the United States this weekend amid speculation that he could be mounting a Republican campaign for the White House.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)

---

STYLE
Date Lab
He’s a Big Brother, she’s a Big Sister. But will shared interests be enough?
(, The Washington Post)

Whatever Happened To ... the struggle to graduate?
Jonathan Lewis struggled to graduate from Calvin Coolodge High School, and his struggles have continued since then.
(, The Washington Post)

First Person Singular: Richard Lee
A liquor store manager talks about various ways customers behave in his store and his desire to make the store everyone can feel good about having in the neighborhood.
(, The Washington Post)

Editor’s Query
Tell us about a time when you were able to “pay it forward.”
(, The Washington Post)

Scattered: Women and ADHD
ADHD is commonly linked to young boys, but increasingly, women are receiving diagnoses of the disorder in significant numbers. But are they simply experiencing the stress of modern life?
(, The Washington Post)

---

SPORTS
Friday's Sports in Brief
EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. — The on-again, off-again NFL lockout is on again.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)

Orlando Magic's offseason should be busy after disappointing early exit from the postseason
ORLANDO, Fla. — This was supposed to be a defining season for the Orlando Magic.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)

Braves deal with double trouble
The Braves have been staggered by pitching coach Roger McDowell’s incident with fans and the arrest of pitcher Derek Lowe on DUI charges.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)

Dodgers owner McCourt meets with MLB-appointed monitor for first time, says he has uphill road
LOS ANGELES — Los Angeles Dodgers owner Frank McCourt kept silent as his divorce trial with former team CEO Jamie McCourt played out like a bad soap opera for all of baseball to see.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)

Randolph scores 17 points in 4th, helping Grizzlies finish Spurs, advance to semifinals
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The Memphis Grizzlies have learned when Zach Randolph wants the ball, get him the ball.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)

---

WORLD
Official says bomb hits minibus in northwest Pakistan, killing 2 passengers
PARACHINAR, Pakistan — A Pakistani official says a roadside bomb has hit a minibus in a northwestern tribal region, killing two passengers and wounding nine others.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)

Taliban announce start of spring military offensive; US-led coalition says insurgency weakened
KABUL, Afghanistan — The Taliban on Saturday announced the beginning of their spring military offensive against the U.S.-led coalition, a day after a new Pentagon report claimed that the militants’ fighting spirit was low after sustaining heavy losses on the battlefield.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)

Criticism of Japanese government's handling of nuclear crisis grows as adviser quits
TOKYO — Criticism of the Japanese government’s handling of the crisis at a radiation-spewing nuclear power plant increased Saturday, with a new poll indicating three-quarters of people disapprove and a key adviser quitting in protest.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)

Pentagon reports ‘tangible progress’ in Afghanistan
The Pentagon painted a guardedly optimistic picture Friday of the war in Afghanistan in a new report.
( by Craig Whitlock , The Washington Post)

Fighting shifting to edges of Libyan city turns small village clinics into trauma centers
ZAWIYAT AL-MAHJOUB, Libya — The wail of an ambulance signaled the start of what one doctor at the small village clinic called the “gush.”
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)

---

LIVE DISCUSSIONS
Eric Schlosser: Why being a foodie isn't 'elitist'
Join Eric Schlosser for a discussion with Washington Post readers about his Outlook piece on "Why being a foodie isn't 'elitist'".
(, vForum)

Carolyn Hax Live: Godless addiction help, courtesy flush, bored at work, MomZilla, too much of a good nanny and more
Advice Columnist Carolyn Hax takes your questions and comments about the strange train we call life.
(, vForum)

Royal wedding after-party
Post photographer Linda Davidson will chat about the royal wedding through the eyes of a photographer.
(, vForum)

Lisa de Moraes on the Royal Wedding, The Voice debut, and all things TV
Post TV columnist Lisa de Moraes will talk about the Royal Wedding, The Voice, Couric leaving 'CBS Evening News,' Jericho out on 'Dancing,' and who got the Idol boot this week. Plus: other drama, comedy and heartbreak of the world of television -- both onscreen and behind-the-scenes!
(, vForum)

Capitals - Lightning Game 1 preview
Washington Post sports reporter Katie Carrera discussed the Capitals' Round 2 series against the Tampa Bay Lightning, which starts tonight at the Verizon Center.
(, vForum)

---

BUSINESS
Toyota Will Face Acceleration Loss Claims If Order Becomes Final
A federal judge overseeing lawsuits against Toyota Motor Corp. said in a tentative ruling that the automaker must face economic loss claims over unintended acceleration allegations.
( by Margaret Cronin Fisk and Bill Callahan Bloomberg News , Bloomberg)

China sentences 14 to prison for producing or selling melamine-tainted milk
BEIJING — Chinese courts have sentenced 14 people to prison terms ranging up to life for producing or selling melamine-tainted milk powder.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)

Struggling to cool inflation, Beijing turns to last-ditch tool of allowing stronger yuan
BEIJING — Surging inflation that helped trigger protests in Shanghai is prompting China’s leaders to turn to a tool they long resisted: speeding up the rise of the country’s tightly controlled currency.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)

Yahoo CEO's 2010 compensation plunges 75 percent to $11.9M as value of stock awards plummets
SAN FRANCISCO — Yahoo Inc. cut CEO Carol Bartz’s compensation by 75 percent to $11.9 million last year as the Internet company struggled to revive its revenue growth, regulatory documents filed Friday show.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)

Chinese coal producer Shenhua Energy says profit up 16.6 percent on strong demand
BEIJING — China Shenhua Energy Co., the country’s biggest coal producer, said Saturday that its first-quarter profit jumped 16.6 percent over a year ago as China’s rapid economic growth drove strong energy demand.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)

NYT: ALERT FGC BOLSA - FGC FINANCIAL MARKETS : Foreign Exchange Swaps to Be Exempt From New Rules

Alert Name: FGC BOLSA - FGC FINA
April 30, 2011 

BUSINESS DAY

Foreign Exchange Swaps to Be Exempt From New Rules

By REUTERS (NYT)

The Treasury Department said that forcing these derivatives through clearinghouses and onto exchanges was not necessary because of existing procedures in the foreign exchange market.

More Articles On This Topic »

The Economist: Selected New Articles: Babbage | Banyan | Democracy in America | Free Exchange | Clausewitz | Prospero | Auidio | Daily Chart | Online Debate

Babbage looks at the spy in your pocket

Banyan says China is likely to be the first country to grow old before it gets rich

Democracy in America defends liberals who argue against market-based health-care reform

Free exchange wonders if the Federal Reserve is willing to tolerate some inflation

Clausewitz parses the changes in Barack Obama's national-security team

Prospero talks with Mark Rylance, star of the play "Jerusalam"

Audio: We discuss what will happen next week

Daily Chart: Prince William and Catherine Middleton are indicative of a broader trend in British society

Online debate: The house is evenly split on Britain's alternative vote. What do you think?

From The Desk of Nick Nicolaas: Mining Interactive: Tasman Board Approves Expansion of Phase 3 Drilling Program at Norra Karr Heavy Rare Earth Element and Zirconium Project

TASMAN METALS LTD.

TSXv - TSM; Frankfurt - T61 (WKN A0Y GN1); Pinksheets – TASXF

‘The Tasman Metals Rare Earth Story’

NORRA KARR, SWEDEN

TASMAN BOARD APPROVES EXPANSION OF PHASE 3 DRILLING PROGRAM AT NORRA KARR HEAVY RARE EARTH ELEMENT AND ZIRCONIUM PROJECT

Following the encouraging results achieved thus far in the Phase 3 drilling program at Norra Karr, the Board of Directors has approved an extension to the program with an additional 11 holes for a total of 33 drillholes.

• This additional drilling will be used to better define internal boundaries to mineralization, plus deepen holes that were finished in mineralization during the Phase 1 and 2 programs completed in 2009/2010. The data from the Phase 3 program will contribute to a re-calculation of mineral resources at Norra Karr, with the aim of raising resources from inferred to indicated status, and defining further resources at depth.

Mark Saxon, Tasman Metals President & CEO: "The positive results reported thus far from the Phase 3 drilling program, and the thick intersections of mineralized intrusion we are seeing in drill core have encouraged our technical team to propose a continuation to the drilling program.  A request to local authorities to modify our drilling permit was met positively, and we will therefore continue drilling for approximately 6 weeks.”

Read the full Tasman news release here

Dear Friends,
As stated in this News Release, “The Norra Karr project is characterized by containing the highest proportion of the high value HREO of all advanced projects in the Western World, as evaluated by independent industry analysts at Technology Metals Research LLC (www.techmetalsresearch.com), with HREO as a percentage of TREO exceeding 50%. Of particular note are the high contribution of Y2O3 (yttrium oxide) and Dy2O3 (dysprosium oxide), both metals with strong demand and few potential sources outside of China.

The project keeps on moving along with lightening speed.

So, Stay Tuned - - for the next Chapter in the Tasman Metals Rare Earth Story!!!

Regards from Amsterdam,

Nick L. Nicolaas

Mining Interactive "Ahead of the Pack"

Acronyms used:

REE rare earth elements, lanthanum to lutetium by atomic weight plus yttrium
LREE light rare earth elements, lanthanum to samarium by atomic weight
HREE heavy rare earth elements, europium to lutetium plus yttrium
TREO rare earth elements, calculated as oxides, including lanthanum to
            lutetium plus yttrium
HREO heavy rare earth elements, as per HREE above, calculated as oxides
LREO light rare earth elements, as per LREE above, calculated as oxides

Strategic Metals, Including Rare Earth Elements and their common usage: