NEW YORK (AP) - Wall Street rebounded fitfully Wednesday from the previous session's 416-point plunge in the Dow industrials as investors took comfort from comments by Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke, but still showed signs of unease about the economy ... A recovery in some overseas markets following a worldwide sell-off Tuesday also lent some support to U.S stocks, but the advance lacked some conviction - the major indexes fluctuated through the morning and into the afternoon, with the Dow rising as much as 137 points before pulling back and then advancing again. The Fed chairman allayed some of the fears about a slowdown in the U.S. and Chinese economies that fed Tuesday's drop; remarks earlier in the week from former Fed Chairman Alan Greenspan … contributed to Tuesday's declines.
ON CAMPUS Alfred P. Sloan Research Fellowship awarded to BC prof. The Alfred P. Sloan Foundation announced on Tuesday that 118 outstanding young scientists, mathematicians, and economists have been selected to receive the prestigious Alfred P. Sloan Research Fellowship. One recipient was Boston College's assistant professor of mathematics, Benjamin Howard. The new Alfred P. Sloan Research Fellows are engaged in research at the frontiers of various scientific and mathematical fields, and are faculty members at 52 colleges and universities in the United States and Canada.
UNIVERSITIES New bill aims to help increase student loans, decrease debt According to a U-Wire report, senators and representatives from both major parties have come together supporting the Student Aid Reward Act, a bill that is aimed at making college more affordable for lower-income students. The bill, nicknamed the STAR Act, was introduced earlier this month and would encourage student loans to be provided by the U.S. Treasury rather than by subsidized loans from private companies. By eliminating the need for the government to underwrite student loans from banks, the STAR Act would generate $13 billion in savings without any additional cost to the taxpayer, according to the Congressional Budget Office. The bill was introduced by four senators, two of whom are Democrats and two of whom are Republicans.
VTech study finds that college students are glued to phones A U-Wire story has reported that the average college student engages in at least 11 cell phone calls a day, according to a new study from Virginia Tech University. Those calls are often split evenly between immediate family members and a significant other or friends. Most of the 568 Virginia Tech students of mixed backgrounds cited security and the increased ability to contact friends and family as reasons for frequent cell phone use, said Peggy Meszaros, professor of human development and director of the Center for Information Technology Impacts at Virginia Tech. This is the largest study of its kind ever done, Meszaros said. According to a summary of the report, most calls were made after 6 p.m., when calls on most service plans are cheaper.
LOCAL BRA to allow for flashier lights and signs in certain city areas According to The Boston Globe, the Boston Redevelopment Authority has announced its plans to amend the city's zoning code so flashier, glitzier electronic signs may be displayed. It has been more than 30 years since big flashing signs were outlawed everywhere but the seediest parts of the city, but now the BRA wishes to shed some light on the parts of town that seem too dark. Saying that they want colorful electronic marquees to create an atmosphere similar to that of Times Square in New York, the BRA will be applying the new rules to the Theater District, the South Boston waterfront near the Convention Center, and Lansdowne Street near Fenway Park.
Teachers' demands for higher pay met after year's negotiation On Tuesday night, Boston teachers and the school system came to a tentative contract agreement to raise teachers' pay so long as they help stifle the rising price of health insurance. The agreement came after more than a year of negotiations and a threat from teachers to strike for one day. According to a Boston Globe article, the contract would raise teachers' salaries between 13 and 14 percent over previously agreed-upon salary increases between September 2006 and August 2010. At the same time, teachers would need to increase their contributions to health insurance premiums from 10 to 15 percent. The agreement also allows for greater autonomy at 20 low-performing schools.
NATIONAL 1995 ban on killing elephants may be lifted ADDO ELEPHANT PARK, South Africa (AP) - ... Throughout South Africa ... the elephant population has catapulted from near extinction to explosion - prompting the government to reconsider its ban on killing the ... beasts. Environment Minister Marthinus van Schalkwyk said Wednesday that South Africa might have to resume slaughtering elephants as part of a package of measures that also includes contraception and relocation to try to prevent the world's mightiest mammal from wreaking havoc on more delicate animal and plant species. The idea of reversing a 1995 ban on killing elephants ... is especially striking given that populations in other countries are low, and that, globally, the elephant is classed as "vulnerable."
UNDER REPORTED Businessman wants stand-in to take beatings from his wife When a Chinese businessman's wife found out that he had a mistress, he advertised online for a stand-in to be beaten up by his wife in order to protect his real mistress. "When the woman found out her husband had a mistress, she insisted on beating her up," the Beijing Youth Daily reported, citing the advertisement that was posted on an online jobs forum on www.sina.com. The newspaper said that more than 10 people had applied for the job, and the "successful" candidate would be 35 and from northeast China. She would be paid 3,000 yuan (about $400 dollars) for every 10 minutes of abuse.
is a member of the 
Be the first to comment on this article!