Unrest in north africa

Three people were killed in clashes between Tunisian security forces and youths rioting in central Tunis Saturday, an Interior Ministry official told Reuters.

The official, who declined to be named, said another 12 had been injured in the clashes, which he said occurred after a riot orchestrated by loyalists of ousted President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali. He said about 100 people had been arrested.

"Those who were arrested have admitted they were pushed by former Ben Ali officials," he said. "Others said they were paid to do it."

A Reuters witness had earlier seen Tunisian soldiers fire into the air and use tear gas in an effort to disperse dozens of youths, many carrying sticks, who were breaking shop windows near Tunis's Barcelona Station.

The North African state's crime rates have soared since a popular uprising toppled Ben Ali on January 14, and security officials often say his supporters are trying to destabilize the country.

The clash followed a large protest late Friday against the make-up of the post-Ben Ali interim government. During that, security forces fired in the air to disperse protesters who burned tyres and threw rocks.

Prime Minister Mohamed Ghannouchi told Al Jazeera television police seized a car and its driver with $60,000 in cash which he said was being distributed to thugs.

"We have been facing a lot of difficulties lately, as if there is a ploy to destabilize the interim government ... Next week will be decisive in bringing about a road map" for a transition to democratic government, he said.

Cam Newton: Icon

Though most quarterbacks spoke with reporters Friday, Cam Newton took questions Saturday afternoon.

Though most draft prospects are announced just as they sit down at one of several round tables, Newton got an announcement five minutes before he arrived - as well as a sound check and an introduction from former Cowboys executive and draft guru Gil Brandt at the head podium.

Though the pending lockout and all the big-money contracts the Raiders gave out are the stories of the NFL combine, Newton is the star.

Most of the record 715 media on hand hung on his every word, much as coaches and executives have for the past four days.

The Heisman Trophy winner from Auburn left school early for days like these, as did Missouri quarterback Blaine Gabbert.

The 49ers pick seventh in the April NFL draft and are desperate for a quarterback, and there is an ever-increasing chance that neither Newton nor Gabbert will still be available then.

"You're looking at the top 15 teams, and potentially 10 teams could use a quarterback," Gabbert said. "I know every quarterback in this draft looked at that, not only me. That's kind of why I decided to come out."

More on Gabbert later. Newton had the floor Saturday, and the first thing he tried to do was clear up that "icon" business. In an interview before the combine, Newton said he saw himself "not only as a football player, but an entertainer and icon."

He said Saturday that he understood the negative reaction, and the "icon" quote came in the context of his endorsement deal with Under Armour. He took being an ambassador for the product a little too seriously.

"First and foremost," Newton said, "I understand that my obligation is to be the best possible football player I can be. I know and believe that."

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'Two and a Half Men' to Resume Production Feb. 28

he CBS comedy has been on hiatus since Charlie Sheen entered rehab Jan. 28, a day after being admitted to a hospital because of abdominal pain.
Up to $250 million in domestic syndication deals -- as well as millions more in ad revenue -- were in jeopardy because of the shutdown. Sheen reportedly offered to cover one-third of the salaries of the Two and a Half Men crew during the shutdown if CBS and Warner Bros. TV would pay the rest.
Late last month, CBS ordered ordered two additional episodes of Monday sitcoms Mike and Molly and Rules of Engagement to help cope with scheduling issues arising from Sheen's absence.
During the hiatus, Sheen has generated a slew of headlines with a series of erratic comments.
On Friday, he gave an impromptu anti-drug speech to the UCLA baseball team, telling them to "stay off the crack."
He also at one point compared himself to Errol Flynn, "who had to put down his sword on occasion," while thanking his fellow cast members and crew, who were affected by the shutdown.
On Monday in an interview on The Dan Patrick Show, Sheen criticized unnamed CBS and Warner Bros. execs for not allowing him to return to work.
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Cardinals deal for Pujols

JUPITER, Fla. – Over the last week or so, as it became more apparent the chasm between Albert Pujols(notes) and the St. Louis Cardinals in contract negotiations was wide as ever, fans started to take sides. And in a city where team trumps individual, it’s no surprise the overwhelming majority of Missourians pledged loyalty to the Cardinals and pox on the star.

The news that Pujols had rejected the Cardinals’ earlier offer for an extension did not sit well with his base. He’s greedy, they intoned. He’s all about money, they griped. He doesn’t want to be a Cardinal, they bleated. Pujols as punching bag was just starting, and it was bound to get ugly until something happened Wednesday afternoon.

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10 Companies Running Out Of American Customers: 24/7 Wall St

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