Stocks rise on strong auto sales, factory orders

The Dow Jones industrial average touched another record high Tuesday after reports on auto sales and factory orders provided the latest evidence that the U.S. economy is strengthening. Traders plowed money back into European stocks on optimism that the financial situation in Cyprus has stabilized after a tense, four-day holiday weekend.

The Dow rose as much as 112 points late Thursday morning. The Standard & Poor's 500 index approached its own record high.

Health insurance companies powered the gains, a day after the government released revised Medicare Advantage rates that suggest funding cuts will be less severe than analysts and companies had feared.

The Dow was up 96 points, or 0.7 percent, at 14,669 as of 12:12 p.m. Eastern time. It had risen as high as 14,684 in the late morning.

The Standard & Poor's 500 index rose 11 points, or 0.7 percent, to 1,572. It is just a few points shy of its record trading high of 1,576, reached in October 2007.

The Nasdaq composite rose 27, or 0.8 percent, to 3,265.

European markets closed sharply higher on the first trading day after a tense, four-day holiday weekend. Paris' CAC-40 gained 2 percent, London's FTSE 100 1.2 percent and Frankfurt's DAX 1.9 percent.

The gains in Europe markets boosted confidence among U.S. investors, who had feared that bad news over the weekend would cause a sell-off as European markets reopened, Peter Tchir, who runs the hedge fund TF Market Advisors. That concern also weighed on U.S. stocks Monday, he said.

Instead, Europe rose strongly after U.S. markets opened Tuesday, feeding a virtuous cycle that sent stocks higher on both sides of the Atlantic, Tchir said.

"Everyone was waiting to see if Europe had problems from Cyprus," he said. "Instead, we got the all-clear signal."

The trading day began with solid March sales reports from U.S. automakers. Chrysler said it sold more cars and trucks than in any month since the Great Recession began, an increase of 5 percent. Sales for General Motors and Ford rose 6 percent.

Orders to U.S. factories rose 3 percent in February, the best gain in five months, the government said after trading began. The increase was driven by a surge in demand for commercial aircraft, an especially volatile category.

Health insurance companies rose the most of the 10 sectors in the S&P 500 index, more than 1 percent. The sector is up more than 16 percent this year.

Traders were relieved about the companies' prospects after Monday's news about Medicare Advantage rates. Preliminary data released in February had raised fears that companies offering the plans would be forced to cut benefits, increase customers' premiums or abandon some markets. This week's data suggest that may not be necessary.

UnitedHealth was the biggest gainer in the Dow. Humana Inc. led the S&P 500 higher. Also among the S&P 500's top 15 gainers were DaVita HealthCare Partners Inc., Cigna Corp., WellPoint Inc. and Aetna Inc.

Among health insurance companies, UnitedHealth rose $3.41, or 6 percent, to $62.38. Humana gained $5.48, or 7 percent, to $80.50. DaVita HealthCare Partners rose $7.14, or 6 percent, to $127.05. Cigna added $2.53, or 4 percent, to $65.44. WellPoint increased $1.98, or 3 percent, to $69.42. Aetna rose $2.18, or 4 percent, to $54.56.

Some other companies making big moves:

? Hewlett-Packard plunged after a Goldman Sachs analyst downgraded the stock, predicting the company's earnings will be weak. Shares fell $1.42, or 6 percent, to $21.89.

? Urban Outfitters climbed a day after the clothing and accessories company said sales at stores open at least a year have grown in the high single digits in the first two months of the fiscal quarter started Feb. 1. Sales at stores open at least a year is a key gauge of a retailer's health because it excludes results from stores recently opened or closed. The stock rose $1.48, or 4 percent, to $39.89.

? Actavis Inc. rose after a U.S. court declared a rival's patent invalid, clearing the way for Actavis to sell a generic asthma inhaler. The stock added $4, or 4 percent, to $96.46.

___

Daniel Wagner can be reached at www.twitter.com/wagnerreports.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/stocks-rise-strong-auto-sales-factory-orders-144304537--finance.html

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Michigan into Final Four with victory over Florida

Michigan's Trey Burke (3) grabs a rebound as Florida's Casey Prather (24) defends during the second half of a regional final game in the NCAA college basketball tournament, Sunday, March 31, 2013, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Michigan's Trey Burke (3) grabs a rebound as Florida's Casey Prather (24) defends during the second half of a regional final game in the NCAA college basketball tournament, Sunday, March 31, 2013, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Michigan head coach John Beilein reacts after cutting down the net after a regional final game against Florida in the NCAA college basketball tournament, Sunday, March 31, 2013, in Arlington, Texas. Michigan won 79-59 to advance to the Final Four. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

Michigan's Trey Burke (3) passes the ball to Tim Hardaway Jr. (10) in front of Florida's Casey Prather (24) during the second half of a regional final game in the NCAA college basketball tournament, Sunday, March 31, 2013, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Florida's Scottie Wilbekin, right, shoots as Michigan's Glenn Robinson III (1) and Nik Stauskas (11) defend during the first half of a regional final game in the NCAA college basketball tournament, Sunday, March 31, 2013, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Michigan's Nik Stauskas (11) misses the pass as, Florida's Casey Prather defends during the second half of a regional final game in the NCAA college basketball tournament, Sunday, March 31, 2013, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) ? Trey Burke grew up in the shadow of another Big Ten university. Mitch McGary was more of a baseball fan as a kid, and still dreams of a World Series for the Chicago Cubs.

They are now part of a new generation of fabulous young Wolverines going to the Final Four, the first for Michigan since the Fab Five two decades ago, after a dominating performance Sunday in the South Regional final.

Michigan scored the game's first 13 points and led by double figures the rest of the way in a 79-59 rout of Florida, the Southeastern Conference regular-season champion with a senior-filled roster and playing its third consecutive regional final.

"I'm sure the Fab Five is proud of us. We still have some work to do. We're not done," said McGary, who scored eight points and had six rebounds in that opening spurt and is one of three freshman starters.

That fast start was much different than two days earlier against top-seeded Kansas, when the No. 4 Wolverines (30-7) had to wipe out a 14-point deficit in the final 7 minutes. They forced overtime on Burke's long 3-pointer just to get to their first regional final in 19 years.

"We felt today the key was to come out and throw the first punch," said Burke, the sophomore from Columbus, Ohio, where he cheered for Buckeyes football and Duke basketball.

Florida (29-8) was quickly staggering and never recovered, ending another season one victory shy of the Final Four. Coach Billy Donovan's Gators haven't been there since winning consecutive national titles in 2006 and 2007.

"We've almost become numb to it now. Been here before," Gators junior center Patric Young said. "I just really wish we were out there cutting the nets down."

Nik Stauskas scored 22 points while making all six of his 3-point attempts for Michigan. Burke, the South Region's most outstanding player and Big Ten player of the year as a sophomore, scored 15 points even while dealing with some spasms in his upper back. McGary finished with 11 points and nine rebounds.

Michigan hadn't reached the Final Four since consecutive national championship game appearances in 1992 and 1993, the freshman and sophomore seasons of the Fab Five: Chris Webber, Jalen Rose, Juwan Howard, Ray Jackson and Jimmy King.

Webber was gone before that team's 1994 regional final loss to Arkansas played in the now-demolished Reunion Arena in Dallas, with Rose and Howard following him to the NBA after that.

With four wins in this NCAA tourney, the Wolverines already have more tournament victories than their combined three from the end of the Fab Five era to this season. After winning a first-round game in 1998, they didn't even make the field again until 2009.

Now they're back in the Final Four with another young group.

"It's crazy. Coming into this, I knew we could be a great team, I knew we could do some things," said Glenn Robinson III, another of the starting freshmen. "But I never knew it would lead to all this."

The Gators, meanwhile, are the first team to make it to three consecutive regional finals without winning at least one of them, according to STATS. Wyoming lost in the round of eight from 1947-49, but that stretch ended two years before the NCAA tournament expanded to more than eight teams.

"I feel more upset for Boynton, (Mike) Rosario and Murphy, who don't get a chance and have come so close," Donovan said. "This one, we didn't play well enough or deserve to win."

Kenny Boynton and Will Yeguete had 13 points apiece for the Gators, who missed their first seven shots.

Erik Murphy, a senior like Boynton who arrived in Gainesville four years ago with hopes of getting a title of his own, was 0-for-11 shooting and had his first scoreless game since his sophomore season. He did have eight rebounds.

The Gators were able to recover from an early deficit against Florida Gulf Coast for a 62-50 win Friday night on the raised court at Cowboys Stadium.

Against Big Blue, it was another story.

After McGary started the scoring with a layup, Stauskas made a behind-the-back pass to McGary for a slam before making his first 3-pointer less than a half-minute after that.

Burke passed to McGary for a layup before driving for one of his own. McGary's jumper made it 13-0 only 3:05 into the game.

Stauskas, who was 2 of 12 from 3-point range the first three games of this NCAA tourney, was on target against the Gators.

"He found so many open shots in that corner and knocked them down," Robinson said. "Half of them, he wasn't even that open. He created that space."

The 6-foot-6 guard from Canada put the Wolverines up by 24 points with 4 minutes left in the first half after two consecutive 3s from the left corner in a span of 27 seconds.

Like he did on all of his makes, Stauskas came back down the court with a smile on his face, sharing the moment with the Wolverines fans who made the trip to North Texas.

"I can't even explain the feeling. I was having so much fun," said Stauskas, who matched his season high for points, first set four months ago. "I've been working and dreaming my whole life about something like this. To finally have it, I have a smile on my face and I'm enjoying the moment."

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/347875155d53465d95cec892aeb06419/Article_2013-04-01-BKC-NCAA-Michigan-Florida-Folo/id-80251e2743fc4f098b7d26847e778f25

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This Gorillapod Is Your Selfie-Improving Deal of the Day

Earlier today I found out it's totally gauche to post more than two selfies in a month. But here's one loophole—if you're taking the photos with a self-timer, they're not selfies anymore, they're self-portraits. Bordering on art. Totally acceptable. Post as many as you want. But to take a really stellar self-portrait, you need a sturdy tripod. More »

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/yQdFqgRCgiY/this-gorillapod-is-your-selfie+improving-deal-of-the-day

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Shooting at Ohio church after Easter mass

ASHTABULA, Ohio (AP) ? Police in northeast Ohio are investigating a shooting outside a church that a parishioner says left one man dead after an Easter service.

Ashtabula police would not immediately confirm the fatality; an officer answering the telephone would say only that authorities were investigating.

A member of the Hiawatha Church of God in Christ said the man was shot soon after Easter services ended, around 1:15 p.m. Sunday. Joan Crockett said the man knew the shooter, and that a suspect was taken into custody. She said the wounded man died.

The Plain Dealer newspaper in Cleveland reported that the church's pastor said congregants were leaving when they heard a gunshot.

"People pushed me into a back office and said, 'Somebody's here with a gun,'" said the Rev. David Howard Jr. "The guy was outside hollering and acting crazy."

There were no immediate reports of any other injuries.

Howard said the church has about 175 members. He said people at the church didn't know what led up to the shooting.

"It's such a tragic loss," Crockett said.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/shooting-reported-outside-northeast-ohio-church-233920543.html

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True Color of Dinosaur Feathers Debated

The discovery of microscopic color-making structures in fossilized feathers has recently made it possible for scientists to picture dinosaurs and ancient birds in their natural hues.

But a group of researchers warns we might not be able to paint a Microraptor shimmery black or give the giant ancient penguin a maroon and gray coat just yet.

To reconstruct the elusive color of feathered dinosaurs, scientists have zeroed in on melanosomes, melanin-loaded organelles typically present in the cells of the skin, hair and feathers whose colors (which range from black to brown to reddish) are each associated with a specific geometry. Though the visible color of melanosomes often degrades over time, their preserved size, shape and arrangement can give some hints about their original color.

But the melanosomes encased in feather fossils today could have a distorted shape that leads scientists to the wrong conclusion about their true color, according to the new study.

Since scientists don't have hundreds of millions of years to watch how feather fossilization takes place from start to finish, Maria McNamara, of the University of Bristol, and her colleagues simulated a long burial by popping bird feathers into an autoclave, subjecting them to temperatures up to 482 degrees Fahrenheit (250 degrees Celsius) and intense pressure, about 250 times that of the atmosphere. The researchers found that the melanosomes shrank under these harsh conditions. [In Photos: Reconstructing Microraptor's Black Feathers]

Some scientists who have studied the color of fossilized feathers say they took this shrinkage into consideration and don't believe revisions are in order.

Ryan Carney, a researcher at Brown University, worked on a study of the feathers of Archaeopteryx, a species once considered to be the earliest bird that lived about 150 million years ago in what is now Bavaria in Germany. Carney and his colleagues, who published their findings last year, concluded that Archaeopteryx had a black plumage based on an electron microscope-view of hundreds of melanosomes found within a fossil.

Carney told LiveScience that although the melanosomes shrink over time, their original shape leaves an imprint in the rock.

"In the Archaeopteryx feather for example, we found that length and width of melanosomes were significantly smaller compared to those of imprints, and the shrinkage was actually quite similar to that of the McNamara et al. experiment," Carney wrote in an email.

Another researcher, Jakob Vinther, of the University of Bristol, who worked on the Archaeopteryx study ? as well as feather-color reconstructions for the giant penguin Inkayacu paracasensis and the Microraptor ? echoed Carney's remarks in comments to the journal Nature.

Even so, McNamara said another important finding of her study was that melanosomes survive fossilization even after the disappearance other non-melanin color traces, such as carotenoids, which can create brilliant shades of orange. Yellow, red, green and blue feathers all turned black during the experiments because their non-melanin pigments were destroyed and only the melanosomes survived, McNamara told LiveScience. So finding melanosomes might not necessarily mean the feathers were originally black, brown, or reddish, she added.

"The bottom line is that until we understand how the fossilisation process affects these colour-producing chemicals and structures, and until we know how to look for evidence of these in fossils, there's really no point in attempting to reconstruct colour of feathers based on melanosomes alone," McNamara wrote in an email.

The goal of figuring out the true color of dinosaur feathers goes beyond achieving better paleo-art; colors could offer a rare glimpse into the behavior of long-gone creatures.

As modern animals use their plumage in mating signals, warning signs and camouflage, body color "could yield unique insights into how ancient animals communicated with each other, and how the communication strategies used by modern animals have evolved," McNamara said.

Carney added that color could even give clues about the development of dinosaur flight.

"For example, the melanin in the Archaeopteryx wing feather would not only have provided black coloration, but also increased structural integrity that would have been advantageous during this early evolutionary stage of dinosaur flight," he wrote.

McNamara's results were published March 27 in the journal Biology Letters.

Follow Megan Gannon on Twitter and Google+. Follow us @livescience, Facebook & Google+. Original article on LiveScience.com.

Copyright 2013 LiveScience, a TechMediaNetwork company. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/true-color-dinosaur-feathers-debated-182622868.html

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Riding in style: The evolution of the popemobile

Alessandro Di Meo / EPA

Images of the automobiles that have transported popes over the years.

By Elizabeth Chuck, Staff Writer, NBC News

Comes outfitted in protective bullet-proof glass. Draws a crowd wherever it goes. A driver is included; gold trim is optional.

Popemobiles also include such amenities as a handrail to let the pope easily stand and wave while in motion, a built-in stereo and arctic-cool air conditioning.

Eight popes have had their own set of holy wheels since Pope Pius XI got a stretch 460 Nurburg edition Mercedes-Benz in 1930, but the eighth, Pope Francis -- known for?taking the bus to work?before he was named pope -- may not want all the frills and custom built-ins that popemobiles offer.?

By retiring, Benedict XVI has passed along a white armored Mercedes SUV, which has a white leather interior with gold trim and a white leather turret that can be raised by hydraulic lift high enough for crowds to see the pope, if he wants to sit. (For longer trips around Italy, Benedict enjoyed his own helicopter.) Bullet-proof?Plexiglas?that's strong enough to withstand explosions surrounds the turret on three sides. There's an emergency oxygen supply built in, according to?The Telegraph.?

---

"The pope must feel comfortable. People must be able to see him. People have traveled very far; they want to be able to get a good look at him," said Christoph Horn, Director of Global Communications of Mercedes-Benz, from Stuttgart, Germany. "This is about creating a comfortable and safe environment for the pope to travel in and be seen in.?

The pre-mobile
Popes didn't have to wait for the invention of automobiles to be mobile. For centuries, popes traveled by throne when going out on local outings. The popes were carried by 12 bearers (representing the 12 disciples of the church) as they moved through crowds, Ronald Rychlak, a University of Mississippi law school professor who has written numerous books on religion,?said.

Daimler

The first car used by a pope.

All that changed when Pope Pius XI got his Benz. The limousine was a gift from the car company, which would provide vehicles for many popes after that.

"Usually more than one vehicle was provided, especially for the popes in the 1930s," Horn said. "They were traveling a lot, so many popemobiles were built for them."

Back then, popes traveled in limousines with open tops, he said. Over the years, more than 12 different models of cars and trucks would be provided for popes. Pope John XXIII ushered in a new era of pope cars in 1960 with a Mercedes 300D Landaulet, which had a throne that rose high in the back, The New York Times reported. His successor switched to a 1964 Lincoln model before he went back to the preferred Mercedes brand a year later.

But don't call it 'popemobile'
When popes travel abroad for state visits, it's not always possible for the vehicles they use at home to make the journey with them. Instead, customized cars are prepared ahead of the visit, submitted for Vatican approval from the country he will visit.

"The primary level of security is assigned to the host nation,"?Rychlak said. "If they want to have something like a popemobile for a major parade, let's say they're doing Mass at Yankee stadium or something like that, they would have to make arrangements to ship something over, or that's the kind of situation where there may be a gift made to the pope" by a major car company.

That was how the car that officially became known for the first time as the "popemobile" came into existence: Pope John Paul II had visited Ireland in 1979, and a boxy yellow Ford Transit van awaited him as his chariot. Last November, The Telegraph reported an Irish businessman had acquired the van from the Dublin Wax Museum, where it had been since the papal visit, and was transforming it into a party bus.

Many other popemobiles have stayed in the countries they were used in. In 2008, Newsweek got a peek at the popemobile Benedict used for his U.S. tour, describing it as "by far the fanciest and sleekest papal car ever built ... The papal handlers can shift their passenger from zero to 60 in less than eight seconds, but the drivers probably won't exceed 10 mph along the parade routes."

In 2002, John Paul II asked the media to stop using the term "popemobile," insisting it sounded "undignified."

A clear need for better security
John Paul II survived an assassination attempt in 1981 while in St. Peter's Square. A Turkish man was later convicted of firing the shots, which punctured the pope's car and struck him four times. John Paul II survived, but it was clear his wide-open truck wouldn't suffice to protect him. From then on, bulletproof glass has encased popemobiles, although popes have occasionally ridden around without covering for brief periods.

Arturo Mari / AP

A 1981 assassination attempt on Pope John Paul II in St. Peter's Square.

Since adding bulletproof glass, popemobiles have added other necessary features, including ultra-powerful air conditioning to cool down the glass dome that popes sit in, reports The Telegraph.

Other protection measures include heavy-metal reinforcement on the bottom of the vehicle as well as the other sides, and the driver is always a trusted longtime Vatican employee. There's no partition between the pope and his driver; a microphone enables him to broadcast messages to crowds through speakers outside the popemobile.

The current weighs five tons and was just presented to Benedict last December by Mercedes-Benz.

"We work with the members of the Vatican and with the people in charge of the garages of the Vatican," Horn said. "These are all individual vehicles that are built to specifications."

The new pope's desire to get up close and personal with his faithful has presented challenges for his security detail.

"The pope's going to want to be up close hugging and touching and meeting people and that's going to be a tremendous concern for his security people,"?Rychlak said. "His security forces have taken him aside, or probably already have, and are going to say, 'Holy Father, you're putting us in a horrible situation if you don't go along with these things.'"

They're used to having to say that, though: Benedict didn't always like the feeling of a "shield between him and the people,"?Rychlak said. Most popemobiles are designed so the glass can be lowered, though.

This story was originally published on Sun Mar 31, 2013 4:36 AM EDT

Source: http://feeds.nbcnews.com/c/35002/f/653387/s/2a2d2254/l/0Lworldnews0Bnbcnews0N0C0Inews0C20A130C0A30C310C175184590Eriding0Ein0Estyle0Ethe0Eevolution0Eof0Ethe0Epopemobile0Dlite/story01.htm

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Pats 'don't need Ed Reed' with Wilson

AP

From time to time over the past few years, former Patriots safety Rodney Harrison has explained that his former teams needs to add a player like, well, him.

Finally, he thinks they have in Adrian Wilson, who was signed by New England after being cut by the Cardinals.

?Adding him, the veteran leadership, the presence, the respect factor, he?s a guy that?s a terrific blitzer, and a physical presence,? Harrison told Karen Guregian of the Boston Herald.? ?I think he can come in especially during nickel and dime situations, and come down [close to the line] and play that second linebacker position like I did.? He?s physical enough to help out in the run game, but he can also cover tight ends. So he can be that guy next to [Jerod] Mayo who can come in and really make a difference in that nickel and dime package. .?.?. It?s a fantastic move.? I think he?ll help the Patriots immediately.? I think he?ll hold people accountable.?

But what about Ed Reed?? Many believed that Pats coach Bill Belichick would make a beeline for the now-former Raven, who signed with the Texans.?For what the Patriots need, they don?t need Ed Reed.? They need an Adrian Wilson,? Harrison said.? ?They don?t need a free safety that can intercept balls.? They have that.? Devin McCourty is that Ed Reed [role].? He doesn?t have that name behind him.? But he is developing into a young safety.? They need a guy like Adrian Wilson who can really give them versatility in those nickel and dime packages.? He?ll help that secondary right away.?

Harrison recognizes that Wilson has lost a step, but he?s at a point in his career where every player loses a step.

?The one question he?ll have to answer, will he be a full-time, every down safety?? Harrison said.? ?Can he cover in open space?? Will he be able to cover the deep half of the field?? That?s a lot of questions.? But I?ll say it again, I think this is a good move for the Patriots.?

For a team with an offense that has been good enough in recent years to win another Super Bowl, Wilson could be the guy who helps make the difference on the defensive side of the ball.

Source: http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/03/31/rodney-harrison-thinks-pats-got-it-right-with-adrian-wilson/related

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