Guam mulls going its own way (AFP)

HAGATNA, Guam (AFP) – Almost 70 years after US Marines freed Guam from Japanese forces during World War II, political leaders on the Pacific island are again seeking liberty -- this time from Washington.

The Marines who took Guam in a bloody 1944 battle reinstated the island as a "non-governing US territory", meaning its 180,000 population enjoys US citizenship but cannot vote in US presidential elections.

Now, with plans to increase the US military presence in Guam by moving in 8,000 troops from Japan's Okinawa, fears the native Chamorro population will be swamped by outsiders has given new impetus to calls for self-determination.

Governor Edward Calvo successfully campaigned on the issue in a January election and pursued it in his State of the Island address in March.

"I highly doubt the 1,744 Marines and soldiers who gave their lives in the Battle of Guam died so that the people they liberated could be colonised for eternity," he said.

"Because we are still an unincorporated territory (of the US) we have not reached our full potential. We should be able to determine where we want to go to as a community."

Guam, whose economy depends largely on US military spending and tourism, first came under US control when Spain ceded it to Washington in 1898 after the Spanish-American War.

It is one of only 16 places classified by the United Nations as non-self-governing territories, or colonies, remaining in the world.

Calvo has said he wants to hold a plebiscite on self-determination in 2012 but that need not mean cutting ties with Washington. Voters would be able to express their preference for one of three options -- US statehood, independence or "free association" with Washington.

Free association, a status accorded to neighbouring Pacific states the Marshall Islands, Palau and Micronesia, would give Guam recognition as a sovereign nation but it would retain close ties with the United States.

University of Guam president Robert Underwood said the time was ripe to revive the quest for home rule after three attempts between 2000 and 2004 stumbled because of a bureaucratic hurdle over voter registration.

He said Guam's local population needed to assert itself before the impending US military expansion, scheduled to take place in 2014.

"A society that is unfulfilled politically will always allow uncertainty to affect its development. It is important to resolve this issue now," Underwood said.

He said that while the island was always likely to remain economically dependent on the United States, that did not mean it was politically unable to rule itself, adding: "Most people in the world today are interdependent."

Guam's population has become increasingly multi-ethnic since World War II, currently comprising about 40 percent indigenous Chamorro, 27 percent Filipino, 12 percent from other Pacific islands and the remainder Caucasian or others.

Local scholar and cultural activist Jonathan Diaz said the Chamorro, who first settled on the island about 4,000 years ago, deserved to determine how their native land was governed.

"I think the diversity and composition of Guam's population may hamper the effort but, in actuality, if outsiders know and understand the story of the Chamorro people, they will let us vote," he said.

Yahoo! News

"Margaritaville" going 3D as Buffett launches Facebook game (Reuters)

RALEIGH, North Carolina (Billboard) – Jimmy Buffett has partnered with THQ to bring "Margaritaville Online" to Facebook and iOS devices (iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch) this fall, but attendees of E3 in Los Angeles will get a first look at the game. The casual online video game is targeting Buffett's devoted followers, known as Parrotheads, along with the 45 million Facebook gamers who play FarmVille.

Buffett, who is currently touring, will be at E3 at the THQ booth to promote the new game. "The Margaritaville laid back state of mind is inherently social, and THQ has captured the spirit of that lifestyle in this game," said Buffett. "With Margaritaville Online, fans across the globe can party together any time and any place."

Developed by Exploding Barrel Games, the 3D open world features tropical environments and a full catalog of Buffett's music. Players will be able to create their own island resort, play mini-games and interact with characters from Buffett's songs and literary works including Captain Tony and Joe Merchant. They'll even be able to create their own band.

Hollywood producer Frank Marshall is responsible for bringing Margaritaville to gamers, according to Danny Bilson, THQ's executive vice president of core games. While THQ was developing games based on M. Night Shyamalin's "The Last Airbender," Marshall, who is close with Buffett, explained the vision of what has become "Margaritaville Online" to the game publisher.

"Frank Marshall is essentially one of the producers on the game," said Bilson. "He and Jimmy work very closely with us on every element in the game. Everything in the game is based on ideas from the songs and books." Bilson said this Facebook game will stand out from games like Zynga's CityVille because Margaritaville Online is an immersive 3D world. At the same time, it has all the great core tenets of a Facebook social game where players can build a unique island resort, embark on adventures and socialize with friends.

This is the second social game from THQ, which released UFC Undisputed Fight Nation last year. Bilson said a third social game will be announced after E3.

"We think social games are a big part of our future," said Bilson. "In the social gaming space it's important to have an ecosystem of games to make the whole thing work, so that people can share and go from one world to the next. You're going to see THQ focusing some energies around that in the next year."

Buffett is the first musician to completely embrace the booming casual online gaming space. Artists like Lady Gaga and Dr. Dre have partnered with Zynga to connect with fans in games like CityVille and Mafia Wars, but those have focused on promoting music. Just as he has with his Cheeseburger in Paradise restaurant chain, Margaritaville Online will allow fans to connect with Buffett in a unique way.

Yahoo! News

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NHL player's brain going to research

New York Rangers player Derek Boogaard was found dead Friday in his apartment.The cause of the death of Derek Boogaard has not been determinedBoogaard was found dead Friday in his Minneapolis apartment The 28-year-old hockey player joined the New York Rangers in July

(CNN) -- The parents of a New York Rangers player found dead in his apartment have decided to donate his brain to Boston University researchers studying the effects of concussion in athletes, a medical examiner's office said Sunday.

New York Rangers enforcer Derek Boogaard was found dead Friday in his Minneapolis apartment.

An autopsy was conducted Saturday, according to the Hennepin County Medical Examiner's office in Minnesota, which confirmed that Boogaard's parents signed papers to donate Boogaard's brain.

The office has not released a cause of death, saying it was waiting for toxicology test results that might not be determined for several weeks.

Dr. Robert Stern, co-director for Boston University's Center for the Study of Traumatic Encephalopathy, confirmed Sunday that the family has donated Boogard's brain to the VA CSTE Brain Bank for study. The center has a donation registry for athletes to study effects of trauma on the brain and spinal cord.

Boogaard, 28, began his NHL career with the Minnesota Wild.

The Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, native joined the Rangers last July and appeared in 22 games during the 2010-11 season.

"Derek was an extremely kind and caring individual," New York Rangers President Glen Sather said on the team's website.

"He was a very thoughtful person, who will be dearly missed by all those who knew him. We extend our deepest sympathies to his family, friends and teammates during this difficult time."

Boogaard supported the Defending the Blue Line Foundation, a nonprofit that ensures the children of military personnel get the opportunity to play hockey.

While with the Rangers, he created "Boogaard's Booguardians," which hosted military families at home games, according to the website.

CNN's Stephanie Smith contributed to this report.

CNN

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Mom: 'We're all going to die together'

Mother drives kids into riverSTORY HIGHLIGHTSThe mother allegedly expressed second thoughts about killing herself and her childrenPolice discovered the bodies of the mother, an 11-month-old girl, and boys ages 2 and 5 The mother's 10-year-old son escaped after the minivan plunged into Hudson RiverShe allegedly told children: "If I am going to die, we're all going to die together"Hear from Meave Ryan, the woman who found the 10-year-old boy who survived drowning, on HLN's "Prime News" and "Issues With Jane Velez-Mitchell" at 6 and 7 p.m. ET Thursday.

New York (CNN) -- Moments after the mother of four young children allegedly plunged her minivan into the Hudson River, she expressed second thoughts about killing herself and the children, according to the woman's 10-year-old son, police said Thursday.

The 10-year-old, Lashaun Armstrong, escaped the sinking minivan Tuesday and was the sole survivor in an incident that left his mother and her three other children dead.

Hoisting himself out of the van's driver-side window, Armstrong swam to shore and was picked up by a passer-by who took him to a nearby fire station in Newburgh, New York, 60 miles north of New York City, Fire Chief Michael Vatter said.

The boy said that as the vehicle sank in the Hudson's murky waters, his mother began to have second thoughts, according to Police Lt. Pat Arnold.

He apparently said the same thing to Meave Ryan, the woman who first found him.

Ryan, who was driving by when she spotted the wet and shivering boy, said he told her that his mom was frantic and very upset because her boyfriend was cheating on her.

Armstrong said the mother climbed into the back seat of the minivan, embraced her four children and repeated several times, "If I am going to die, we're all going to die together."

But when the van plunged into the water and began to sink, his mother tried to climb into the vehicle's front seat, saying, "Oh, God, I've made a mistake," Armstrong said Thursday.

Police divers later discovered the bodies of Lashanda Armstrong, 25, an 11-month-old girl, a 2-year-old boy and a 5-year-old boy 25 yards off shore.

A police investigation into the incident suggests that the mother intentionally drove the vehicle into the water, according to Newburgh Police Chief Michael Ferrara.

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Consumer Spending Rises in March, Added Money Going Toward Gas

Associated Press

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WASHINGTON -- Consumers spent more in March, but most of the added money went toward higher gas prices. 

Retail sales increased 0.4 percent last month, the ninth consecutive gain, the Commerce Department reported Wednesday. The increase shrank to a slight 0.1 percent when sales at gasoline stations were excluded. 

The biggest decline in auto sales in more than a year also pulled down overall sales. When taking out sales at gas station and of autos, retail sales rose 0.6 percent. 

Economists are hoping that a payroll tax cut and brighter outlook for job growth will keep consumers shopping this year. Consumer spending accounts for 70 percent of economic activity. 

But analysts worry that the recent spike in energy prices will not leave shoppers with much left over to spend on other goods and services. The nationwide average for regular gasoline is now $3.80 a gallon, up from $3.56 a month ago, according to the motor club AAA. 

For March, sales of autos dropped a sharp 1.7 percent, the biggest decline since February 2010. 

However, some of the weakness was because General Motors scaled back incentive offers. 

Economists believe the outlook for auto sales for the rest of this year remains bright, given improving job prospects. 

Shoppers did spend 3.6 percent more at furniture stores. Sales were also rose at appliance stores and specialty clothing stores. Sales at general merchandise stores, the category that includes big retailers such as Wal-Mart, rose 0.4 percent. 

However, sales at just department stores such as Macy's saw a 0.2 percent drop in March. A survey of major retailers from Costco to Victoria's Secret had reported surprisingly good sales for March. Analysts said the gains would have been better but for the fact that Easter does not come until late April this year.

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