• Der Spiegel: Whistleblowers suffer more under Obama
• Japan finds radiation traces in harpooned whales, says still safe to eat
• Illegal immigration reentry cases surge

• Obama a 'No' on Osama death photos
• Questions arise over killing of bin Laden (here we go)
• Details on U.S. mistrust of Pakistan's ISI spies

• Japan ups nuclear zone enforcement
• First step, STOP killing people: Putin vows $32 billion on Russian life expectancy increase
• Hate crime charge in Rutger's suicide case

In the wake of the tragedy in Japan, Austin's food community has sprung into action to help the victims abroad. This Saturday, April 2, some of Austin's best bake shops and home bakers are donating their time and tasty talents to raise money for AmeriCares relief efforts in Japan. Kathryn Hutchison, creator of AustinGastronomist.com, is bringing together bloggers, foodies, and local businesses for a good, old-fashioned bake sale called Austin Bakes for Japan. more ›

• China highlights 'fierce' military competition
• C.I.A operations in Libya may or may not be happening
• Microsoft cries antitrust at Google, or pot calling kettle...

• Gaddafi retakes Brega, Libyan rebels flee
• Japan reactors may take three decades to decommission
• Poll: President Obama's approval hits new low

• All of a sudden Moammar Gaddafi cares about the civilians?
• According to the International Nuclear Events Scale, Chernobyl was a 7 and Japan's is a 5.
• House of Reps votes to cut NPR funding.

• Japan: Cooling efforts stepped up at Fukushima Daiichi plant
• U.S. to citizens, 'Leave Japan'
• Pakistan CIA operative released on $1 million 'blood money'

• Shock and anger in Japan, nearly one week later
• Stocks sink for third day on Japan fears
• IAEA Head: Japan's nuclear situation is "very serious"

• A Japanese TV personality who has lived in Austin wants SXSW attendees to help with Japanese disaster relief.
• Takeway from SXSWi: social media is revolutionary…just like rock ‘n’ roll in 1968.
• An infographic of what SXSW brings to the Austin economy.

• Meltdown alert at Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant in Japan.
• Footage from the ground of the tsunami hitting a town in Japan.
• UK PM Cameron backs military intervention in Libya.

• 8.9 magnitude earthquake hits Japan.
• Earthquake triggers tsunami warnings for Pacific coastal states.
• Google sets up Person Finder tool for people involved in earthquake/tsunami.

• Obama's Asian trip will cost taxpayers $200 Gazillion a day!
• News Fact: The service that prostitution provides allows politicians, like David Vitter, to focus on the issues.
• Does everyone remember how Japan was preparing for war with Russia during WWII?

• Deadly crash at California off-road race stirs debate over safety
• China surpasses Japan as the world’s second-largest economy
• Pakistan floods described as "disaster of mind-blowing proportions"

The genre of romantic comedy is not everyone's favorite; indeed, the lead character Momoko in Happy Ending deplores romantic comedies, preferring the slasher genre instead. But then Momoko finds herself in a series of meet-cute scenarios with an attractive patron of her library. Her video store-owner friend Kuroda suggests that perhaps her "life is actually a movie." This adds another layer to the film; if Momoko knows she is in a film, is she aware we are watching her? Still, when she thinks her life has become a rom-com cliche, no one really doubts her. more ›

• Regime change in Japan...
• U.S. to see post-bailout profit?
• US business economists: No need for a second stimulus package?

Every once in a while a band manages to completely surpass the local initiation, breaking out into the national or international scene seemingly out of the blue. Though it's often the case that these bands -- despite well-educated marketing teams by their side -- fling themselves out into the wilds of pop fancy only to be thrown back home to local audiences who have never heard of them, it's not necessarily the rule. more ›

• A Straight Dope message board member attempted to waterboard himself, then shared all the details. It's as close to feeling tortured as most of us will ever experience.
• A hundred years after Freud, one man may have figured out why we dream. You'll never think the same way about nightmares again.
• Exhaustive Sesame Street video archive makes searching for your favorite old clips easier than ever. Oh, and maybe your kid will be into it.

Image from Drafthouse website Army of Darkness Quote-AlongNovember 29; December 6Alamo Drafthouse Downtown (320 E 6th Street)$10, 7:15 PM[info] | [tickets] The Campbell man would really like what's about to go down on Thursday at the Alamo Drafthouse Downtown: an "Army of Darkness" quote-along. This is the third film in the "Evil Dead" trilogy, which was directed by Sam Raimi before he kinda sold out. Way before Rose McGowan got fitted with a machine gun... more ›

Alamo Drafthouse Micro Roadshow Presents: TampopoSaturday, November 17thLocation TBA $60, includes movie, dinner and beverages[info] | [tickets]There is a fine line between loving your food and loving your food. Well, actually no, it's a big, fat freakin' line, one which the Japanese are not afraid to catapult themselves over with gusto filled oyster/face licking, giving pork slices the ole' bedroom eyes and even some egg yolk fellatio. (Yes, the school yard taunt "Go suck... more ›

We remember Austin Tinius over a year ago, peddling his Burger and Friends line at Circa 77, a boutique in Denton, Texas. Everything was made with a light-hearted, punk-rock sense of humor—from acid colored T-shirts silkscreened with line-drawings of Playboy models posing with a grizzly bear, to Star Wars-inspired wallets and purses. We knew he was on to something. Sure enough, Burger and Friends (finally) got some attention shortly after last year's Stitch. Austin... more ›

Once upon a time, in a gallery just up the road, 14 female artists gathered their works together to be viewed by all in the land. There were paintings, and photographs, moving images and performances. There were Indian princesses, people with bunny rabbit faces, and clowns riding rocket ships. Ok, enough cutesy talk, but you get our drift. Fairytales, myths, legends, and fantasies are celebrated in the new exhibit, Femme Fantastique, at Volitant Gallery. The... more ›

An earthquake in Indonesia brings fears of possible tsunami in Indian Ocean. One year into serving as Japan's Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe is resigning. Another government shakeup: Putin is dissolving Russia's current government in preparation for upcoming elections. Aviator Fossett still lost, but six other lost planes have been found in the search for his plane. US Senate will hold hearing on toy safety today. Doesn't Oscar-winner Jennifer Hudson deserve better than playing Carrie... more ›

Mars Restaurant & Bar (Asian Fusion) Location: 1400 South Congress Avenue (map) Phone: (512) 472-3901 Cost: Brunch plates $4-6 dollars Atmosphere: Sleek, modern décor; airy and sunlit; nice people-watching from the spacious deck; attentive waitstaff Food: This just in: if you wake up on the weekend with a craving for a la carte Chinese hors d’ouevres, you no longer have to travel north of the river to get them! Mars, South Congress’ newest culinary addition,... more ›

Given that Amy Winehouse's "Rehab" has become resolutely unfunny over the past month (even before she canceled), the title of "band with that one hit song that everyone loves" at ACL has fallen squarely on the shoulders of Sweden's Peter, Bjorn, and John. The group have been plugging away at their charming blend of pop, rock, and indie since 1999, and are anything but an overnight sensation. Their breakthrough hit "Young Folks" is actually... more ›

日本語を話すか? Parlez-Vous Francais? No? Well, unless you are highly skilled in the art of deciphering body language and deducing plot lines from contextual clues, you should definitely be prepared to do some heavy reading this week as the Paramount brings you classics from the foreign lands of France and Japan. Unsentimental love stories, vengeful Samurai and punk kids make you want to spar, pout and spar some more! more ›

If you happened to be downtown two weekends ago, you might have found yourself startled, amused, or even aroused (it’s okay, you’ll be totally accepted at some clubs in Japan) by the sight of four human forms wandering the streets in golden, skin-tight zentai suits. There must be something in the way head-to-toe spandex outfits cling to one’s body, because clubbers all over downtown were completely enamored with the mysterious beings - perhaps it... more ›

When we first heard about literary movie night, we naturally assumed that the film would be Hellraiser. We mean, how many other book-turned-films have so thoroughly and entertainingly explored sadomasochism and moral confusion? Not many, we think. more ›

Lady Bird joins LBJ, but her legacy lives on. Take a lap around Town Lake for her, and be sure to stop and smell the flowers. Pray for rain--in Alabama. Lord knows we've had enough of it here, and we may even get more. While you're at it, pray for grocery stores--Detroit doesn't have any. Maybe Whole Foods could move in if Mackey weren't so busy online. Feeling broke? Head to Japan, where they... more ›

Austin native Rebecca Rosenberg has been living in South Korea teaching English, and she wants to share her experiences abroad with all of Austin. Austinist believes that we could all use some Korean culture. After nine months away from Austin, working as an English teacher in South Korea, I most miss lying on the grass with a margarita, relaxing at the meat market that is Barton Springs, with a Shady Thing pilfered from the... more ›