President-elect of national surgeons group resigns over editorial seen as demeaning to women

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. (AP) -- The world's largest organization of surgeons has accepted the resignation of its president-elect after he wrote a Valentine's Day column for the group's newspaper that some members found demeaning to women.

Dr. Lazar J. Greenfield, a renowned surgeon and professor emeritus at the University of Michigan Medical School, said Monday he had stepped down from his leadership post with the American College of Surgeons after the association's board rejected his attempts to make amends.

SUPREME COURT NOTEBOOK: Kagan absences no big deal

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Justice Elena Kagan's leather-backed chair was empty this week for the 26th and final time this term while the other Supreme Court justices listened to arguments in an obscure dispute between the government and an Indian tribe.

When President Barack Obama nominated Kagan for the Supreme Court last year, some court observers worried that her work as solicitor general would force her from enough cases to pose a serious problem for the high court.

Google's rapidly rising expenses crimp 1Q earnings

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) -- Google is helping the economy and hurting its stock. The company is hiring so many employees for projects outside its thriving search advertising business that its expenses are growing much faster than its revenue.

The strategy came into sharper focus in Google Inc.'s first-quarter earnings report released Thursday. Higher costs spooked investors who are already nervous about a new CEO who detests Wall Street's fixation on short-term results.

Health Insurance Plans Advantages

Health insurance plans could seem like an added expenses that you might not actually need. Nevertheless, health insurance might be helpful for a number of reasons. You can research through health insurance plans to find the best one for you, whether it is something that only covers the a few and far-between doctor's visits you may need throughout the year, or disability coverage that takes into account any serious health issues that you may have. Health insurance, if it is the right plan, can serve as a hugely beneficial part of keeping you healthy.

Giants LHP Zito injured early against Arizona

PHOENIX (AP) -- San Francisco Giants pitcher Barry Zito left his start Saturday against the Arizona Diamondbacks in the second inning because of a sprained right foot.

The left-hander was hurt while making a lunging catch of a bunt by Diamondbacks pitcher Joe Saunders. The Giants said X-rays were negative.

Arizona scored two runs earlier in the inning to tie the game.

Zito said his foot came down at an odd angle as he made the catch.

A Consumer's Head to Health Care Overtake

The six-month capable age 26 on your health plan if he or she can not get coverage done a job. New policies can't deny coverage for children up to age 19 based on pre-existing medical circumstances. "Grandfathered" plans can, even so, they as well can determine annual dollar circumscribes on coverage and ask patients to aid pay for a few cautionary avails.

Nearly people in the private market are awaited to move to recently plans by 2014. Analysts tell nearly plans in the group market will belike have misplaced their "grandfathered" condition because of alterations prepared to it.

Police open investigation of hit by Bruins player

BOSTON (AP) -- Montreal police started a criminal investigation Thursday into the on-ice hit by Boston's Zdeno Chara that left the Canadiens' Max Pacioretty with a severe concussion and cracked vertebra.

Police said they are acting on a request by Quebec's director of criminal and penal prosecutions, Louis Dionne. After evidence is collected, it will be determined if there are grounds for prosecution, they said.

Makeityourring Diamond Engagement Rings

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The foremostinitiative matter which you mustiness see if you would like to give a perfect diamond engagement ring to your beloved is the size of her ring finger. Always remember if you'll give her a ring of a perfect size then you will make her flavour that she is the most-pleased woman on the earth.

China lowers its economic growth target a tad

BEIJING (AP) -- China is slightly lowering its annual economic growth target, to 7 percent from 8 percent, the premier said Sunday, in a move that signals a shift in government priorities to put the breakneck economy on a more sustainable footing.

The tweak to the growth rate, announced by Premier Wen Jiabao in an online chat with Chinese citizens, is largely symbolic. Economic growth has exceeded the 8 percent target each of the past six years that it has been a fixture of government plans. Last year, growth reached 10.3 percent, making China the world's fastest-expanding major economy.

Diamond Engagement Rings : Endless Love

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Egyptian Military Takes Control

A body of Egyptian military leaders took control on Friday of the country following the resignation of President Hosni Mubarak.

Egypt's Supreme Council of the Armed Forces represents the heads of the various branches of the armed forces, as well as the chief of staff and the mininster of defense.

Here are some key members:

Defense Minister Mohamed Hussein Tantawi

Head of the Supreme Council, Tantawi was appointed minister of defense and commander-in-chief of the armed forces In 1991. During recent protests, he was also promoted to deputy prime minister, while retaining his title as minister of defense.

Metro & state: Wayne State women's hockey loses to Mercyhurst

Women's hockey: Meghan Agosta scored three goals as host Mercyhurst (23-5) beat Wayne State, 6-2. Lauren Coxon and Jaclyn Stapleton scored for the Warriors (8-16-1).

OHL: Tyler Randell scored two goals to lead the host Kitchener Rangers past the Whalers, 6-3. Mitchell Heard had a goal and an assist for Plymouth (28-19-1-3). Mike Morrison made 26 saves for Kitchener (29-14-3-2).

Oscar-Winning 'James Bond' Composer John Barry Dead at 77

Five-time Oscar-winning composer John Barry, who wrote music for a dozen James Bond films, including "You Only Live Twice" and "Goldfinger" and developed the twanging guitar riff in the suave spy's theme music, has died. He was 77.

Barry died in New York, where he had lived for some time, on Sunday, his family said. The family did not release the cause of death.

Though his work on the Bond films is among his most famous, the English-born composer wrote a long list of scores, including for "Midnight Cowboy," "Dances with Wolves" and "Body Heat." He was proud of writing both for big action blockbusters and smaller films.

Pentagon discusses steps toward ending 'don't ask, don't tell'

Washington (CNN) -- The Pentagon gave fresh signals Friday that it is moving quickly to end its ban on gays and lesbians serving openly in the military, with the goal of eliminating the policy by year's end if not before.

Defense Secretary Robert Gates ordered that a full plan be on his desk by next Friday, February 4, a "tool kit" for how the department will train and educate the military about the change.

In a memo released Friday, Gates also called the repeal of the policy -- known as "don't ask-don't tell" -- "a milestone event," and said that when the change comes it will be done across the military, at the same time in every branch.

Menounos Bikini Babe

Opt to sphere in the new year in sunny Florida, Maria Menounos was dotted magnificent her athletic and excelent beach body in Miami on Friday afternoon (December 31).

Clothed in an oh-so-hot black bikini, the TV personality romped around the sandy seashore while involvement in a match of football with "No Ordinary Family" actor Michael Chiklis.Maria Menounos Bikini Beach

Tweeting about the active outing, Miss Menounos wrote, "Beach football today w/@MichaelChiklis…paparazzi had some fun! Wish the bikini shots are smooth"

Getting more than she hoped for, the brunette beauty ruined up offering up a few bikini malfunction shots before concluding out her beach football festivities and heading back to the hotel to ready for the NYE 2011 party.

Selena Gomez: PCAs Favorite Breakout Artist!

Selena Gomez pompously shows off her prize for favorite breakout artist at the People's Choice Awards 2011 on Wednesday (January 5) ,The ceremonial detained Wednesday night at the Nokia Center in L.A. Calif., was streamed live on CBS.

The 18-year-old singer and artist picked up the honor following performing "A Year Without Rain" with her band, Selena Gomez & The Scene.

Another Latina Disney prodigy who won last night was pop singing sensation Selena Gómez and her band "The Scene," winners of the "People's Choice Award" as "Favorite Breakout Artist."

On the carpet, Selena wore a one shoulder pink cocktail dress with ruffle detail at shoulder from Paule Ka with Giuseppe Zanotti pumps.

Backstage, Selena met up with fellow winner Taylor Swift and joked that the country star was taking over the world! Taylor then said the same thing about Selena!

Petra Nemcova Engaged

Czech fashion model Petra Nemcova is set to merry British actor Jamie Belman who she has been dating for close to eight months. They fitted last year after being introduced by mutual friends and the stars spent the holidays together with both of their families.

British Vogue magazine now reports Petra Nemcova Engaged to Jamie Belman after Belman recently proposed. In the past, Nemcova, 31, has been romantically associated to Oscar winner Sean Penn and singer James Blunt. She lost her previous fiance, Simon Atlee, in December 2004 when he was killed in the catastrophic Asian tsunami. The model was a survivor of the disaster.

Since the tragic event, She has dedicated herself to aiding others affected by the tsunami, and is now President and Chairwoman of the euphoric Hearts Foundation which works with the children who survived the disaster. "When the tsunami happened, I wanted to aid in any possible way," she said.