Yep, another Monday, NewsFeeders. Let’s hope that March, as proverbially promised, goes out like a lamb. Here’s what you missed this weekend while you were dreaming of warmer weather.
You’ll notice the usual topics, Japan and Libya, continue to dominate the headlines, though national interests took over this weekend as the nation mourned a political legend. NewsFeed kept our ears to the ground and our TVs turned up all weekend, and we’re always willing to share the news that will drive the conversation this coming week.
Pioneering Politician Passes Away: Geraldine Ferraro, the first woman to run for vice president on a major political ticket, died Saturday at 75 after battling a type of blood cancer known as multiple myeloma. Ferraro shot to fame as Walter Mondale’s running mate in the 1984 election. The Democratic lineup was crushed by Reagan’s Republican ticket, losing 49 out of 50 states, but the feisty New Yorker managed to make a splash on the national scene, paving the way for all women in politics. (via TIME)
Libyan Rebels Regain Ground: The battle between the ragtag rebels and Gaddafi’s powerhouse troops is indeed in civil war mode. Last week the rebels were forced to retreat, but Saturday they reclaimed Ajdabiyah in eastern Libya, and hot off the victory trail continued pushing westward. They’ve since been able to take control of the key oil towns of Ras Lanuf and Brega, with Gaddafi’s hometown of Sert the next to be retaken. This is shaping up to be quite a battle. (via Al Jazeera)
False Alarm in Japan Nuke Crisis: Saturday night the horrifying alert went out: “Radioactive water in 1 reactor unit is 10 million times higher than normal.” Suddenly it appeared the crisis workers had been trying to stave off was in full force. But within half a day TEPCO officials did a volte-face, apologizing for the fear mongering and explaining that the number was only 100,000 times higher than normal. Still doesn’t sound good to us. (via AP)
Monday Must-Read: How do you make carrots cool? When one of the nation’s biggest baby carrot growers noticed a drop-off in sales, they launched an ad campaign for a product that had never before needed it. They launched an innovative campaign to market carrots “the new junk food.” NewsFeed is skeptical about the sticking power of that mantra, but the new vision of a boring product is way cool. (via Fast Company)
In Case You Missed It On NewsFeed: Let’s not beat around the bush any longer: we are so looking forward to warm weather. Summer fashions are emerging on shelves, and swimsuit season is revving its engine. NewsFeed took a look at one bathing suit that takes outlandish to a whole new level – both in cost and in utility. Herve Leger is recommending that wearers of its new $1,050 swimsuit “not wear it in water.” Um, really? Pardon our fashion ignorance, but what’s the point then? (via NewsFeed)
Viral Video: We all love a solid viral animal video, and boy, have we seen some amazing ones in our time. We’ve seen dogs that can jump rope and cats that can talk, but this just might be the most incredible. These pooches are a veritable circus act – and while the conga line is impressive, but is that a dog riding a bike?!
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-S5MXOpIufc&w=450]