Europe mulls changes to EU treaty

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23 October 2011 Last updated at 17:48 GMT UK Prime Minister David Cameron and President of the European Parliament Jerzey Buzek arrive in Brussels to discuss the eurozone's debt crisis

Europe's leaders have agreed to change the EU treaty if necessary to help resolve the eurozone's debt crisis and stop the region sinking into recession.

EU president Herman Van Rompuy said after a day of emergency talks in Brussels that members would "explore the possibility of limited change".

UK Prime Minister David Cameron said he had sought assurances to protect Britain's interest if there is change.

Another meeting of all the EU countries will be held on Wednesday.

On Sunday morning the leaders of all the European Union's 27 members held talks about the Greek debt crisis, recapitalising banks, and bolstering the bailout fund.

This was followed in the afternoon by a separate meeting of the 17 nations that use the euro.

Speaking after the meeting, Mr Van Rompuy said that altering the treaty was under discussion. Although no proposed details were given, any change is likely to involve closer fiscal and economic cooperation.

"The aim is deepening our economic convergence and strengthening economic discipline," Mr Van Rompuy said.

He said the words 'limited change' meant "not a general overhaul of the institutional architecture. We also said that we would need the agreement of all the 27 (member states) before we can decide on a treaty change.

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The more closely integrated the eurozone becomes, the greater the British fear will be that decisions will be taken that impacts on their major concerns such as preserving and expanding the single market”

End Quote Gavin Hewitt BBC Europe editor "The most important thing is not to change the treaty, the most important thing is to strengthen economic convergence," he said.

'Safeguard'

Mr Cameron said that he had secured safeguards to ensure that Britain's national interest within the EU was protected as the eurozone nations moved towards greater fiscal and economic integration.

He told a news conference: "This must not be at the expense of Britain's national interest. I have secured a commitment today that we must safeguard the interests of countries that want to stay outside the euro, particularly with respect to the integrity of the single market for all 27 countries of the EU."

The Prime Minister said the EU needed to build on the progress of the work done on Saturday on recapitalising the banks.

"More progress is needed," he said. "I think we are beginning to see the elements of a strong package coming together."

Mr Cameron has cancelled visits to Japan and New Zealand this week in order to attend Wednesday's summit of EU members.

Initially only the 17 countries that use the euro were to meet on Wednesday.

Speaking alongside German Chancellor Angela Merkel at a joint press conference on Sunday afternoon, French President Nicolas Sarkozy said "a quite broad agreement is taking shape on the reinforcement" of the EFSF bailout fund.

Mrs Merkel said a French idea for the fund to acquire a banking licence was dead, leaving a mix of plans to use the EFSF to offer insurance to eurozone bond holders, and moves to create a 'fund within the fund' that would be topped up by some of the main emerging nations.

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If you don't want to be scared, turn away now - Italy needs to borrow €250bn next year just to refinance its existing debts”

End Quote Robert Peston Business editor, BBC News There are also discussions with banks for them to accept a 50% write-off on Greek debt, in exchange for a new bailout by the EU and the International Monetary Fund.

All of the initial proposals reached over the weekend of talks need to be ratified by the 27 member at the full summit on Wednesday.

'Decisive and effective'

Before the start of Sunday's meetings, Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou urged Europe to "act decisively and effectively" to contain the troubles.

"It's been proven now that the crisis is not a Greek crisis," he told reporters. "The crisis is a European crisis. So now is the time that we as Europeans need to act decisively and effectively."

Shortly before the summit began, Italy's Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi held private talks with EU President Herman Van Rompuy, Mrs Merkel, and French President Nicolas Sarkozy.

There is concern that budget cuts passed by the Italian parliament do not go far enough.

On Saturday eurozone finance ministers struck a provisional deal that will see banks raise more than 100bn euros (£87bn) in new capital to shield them against possible losses to indebted countries.

It is conditional on a wider accord, including a write-down of Greek debt.

BBC business editor Robert Peston said the 100bn euros agreed in the deal will be provided to banks by commercial investors, national governments and the EU's bailout fund.

Speaking after the 10-hour meeting on Saturday, Mr Osborne said: "Britain will keep up pressure in the next few days to a comprehensive package to resolve the European crisis and to make sure that we get jobs and growth."

Debt-laden Greece has been bailed out - twice - along with the Irish Republic and Portugal.

The eurozone is working on a third package for Greece, as well as a solution that could help the much bigger economies of Spain and Italy, which are faltering.

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College Board Announces Changes to AP Chemistry Course

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The College Board announced today that it has revised its Advanced Placement Chemistry and Spanish courses. The new courses will go into effect starting fall 2013.

Trevor Packer, senior vice president for the AP program at the organization said in a statement that the courses were redesigned to “represent the best practices in their disciplines.”

For chemistry, that means less of an emphasis on in-class lectures and more time spent doing lab work, something College Board president Gaston Caperton said the nonprofit organization was hoping to do with many of its STEM courses.

“We are in the process of shifting the focus of AP science courses to emphasize not just what students know, but what they can do—the process and practice of science," he said at U.S. News’s Making Science Cool event last month.

[Learn about potential new AP STEM courses.]

The new AP chemistry was redesigned by a group of educators and scientists around the nation and was funded by the National Science Foundation to “promote a balance between developing solid content knowledge and applying that knowledge to the practice of chemistry,” according to the announcement.

“In moving away from the lecture-and-demonstration model toward a more hands-on, interactive approach to studying chemistry,” the announcement says. “The course also enables students to take risks, apply inquiry skills, and direct and monitor their own progress.”

More than 122,000 students at some 8,000 high schools enroll in AP Chemistry, making it the 11th most popular AP course.

A redesigned AP biology course curriculum will go into effect in fall 2012.

Have something to share? Send news and submissions to stem@usnews.com.

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England & Scotland ring changes

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Venue: Eden Park, Auckland Date: Saturday 1 OctoberKick-off: 0830 BST/ 2030 NZCoverage: Scores and reports on BBC website plus live text commentaries on all home nations matches; updates on BBC Radio 5 live; watch live on ITV1/ITV4, live commentary on TalkSport radioManager Martin Johnson says England will go all-out for victory

England have made three changes and Scotland six to their starting line-ups for their crucial World Cup Group B match in Auckland on Saturday.

For England, Delon Armitage replaces Mark Cueto on the left wing with Matt Stevens and Courtney Lawes also picked.

Scotland, who must win for a realistic hope of advancing, recall captain Alastair Kellock at lock and Euan Murray at tight-head prop.

Richie Vernon, Mike Blair, Simon Danielli and Joe Ansbro are also in.

Jim Hamilton, Geoff Cross, Kelly Brown, Rory Lawson, Graeme Morrison and Nick De Luca are the players to make way, while a further positional change sees Sean Lamont move from wing to inside centre.

The England changes, despite the dropping of Cueto who scored a hat-trick as England beat Romania 67-3 in their previous match, had been widely predicted.

We must be positive, says Andy Robinson

Stevens replaces Alex Corbisieroto at loose-head prop having recovered from injury and Lawes takes Tom Palmer's place in the second row after serving a two-match ban.

"We thought Courtney was playing very well," said manager Martin Johnson. "He hasn't played for two weeks but we are confident he will come and perform for us."

Of the decision to pick Armitage over Cueto - who drops out of the 22 - Johnson added: "We've said all the way through if Delon's playing well and with form he's a Test player.

No favourite in this match, says Jonny Wilkinson

"Mark's injury was a factor [he had a back problem earlier in the tournament]. He's probably a game short of being back to where he should be."

However, while England need only a losing bonus point to be all-but certain of progressing, Scotland need a clear victory to guarantee their own place in the quarter-finals, a requirement reflected in coach Andy Robinson's selection.

Kellock is relishing England test

Kellock was omitted from the team to play Argentina, despite being named tournament captain in August, and comes in for Hamilton, who has been struggling with a knee injury.

Now scrum-half Lawson, the captain against Georgia and Argentina, must face up to being outside the matchday 22, with Blair preferred ahead of the Gloucester number nine and Chris Cusiter on the bench.

"It is important to have a running threat at nine," explained head coach Andy Robinson. "We felt Rory moved the ball around well in the games he has played but Mike, and Chris coming off the bench, actually add that running threat. In the way we want to ask questions of England, we need that at nine."

Continue reading the main story Ian Robertson,
Rugby Union Correspondent

"It's a risk but it's a very bold selection by Scotland. What Andy Robinson says is that they have gone for real speed. He has always had this team in mind for the England game knowing he wants to play the game at pace. It is a gamble but Scotland have got to be brave. They've got to win and win by eight points and 1986 was the last time they managed that."

Vernon replaces Brown at number eight and Murray, who performed well against Georgia, is back in for Cross in the front row after being unavailable for last Sunday's match in Wellington because of his religious beliefs.

Behind the scrum Lamont switches from the wing to inside centre, while Danielli takes Lamont's place on the wing, with Ansbro joining the Scarlets back in the midfield.

The permutations for the match are complex but if Scotland lose by more than seven points - hence failing to gain a losing bonus point - they are out of the World Cup.

However Robinson insisted they would still have to play a patient game, adding: "We can't go on the pitch and chase the game, we've got to build ourselves into the game.

"We're not playing Argentina, we're playing England. It's a completely different game.

Continue reading the main story If Scotland lose to England without a losing bonus point they are out of the World CupIf Scotland lose to England with a losing bonus point and Argentina lose against Georgia, Scotland go through If Scotland draw with England, they need Argentina to lose against GeorgiaIf Scotland and Argentina both win without a bonus point, it will come down to points difference between the three teams, though England are way out in frontIf Scotland and Argentina win with bonus points, and England do not earn a losing bonus point, England are out

"We've got to get the scoreboard moving right at the start of the game, but play what's in front of us and not get concerned about the scoreboard."

The meeting will be the first time in 129 matches and 140 years the teams have played on neutral soil.

England team: B Foden; C Ashton, M Tuilagi, M Tindall, D Armitage; J Wilkinson, B Youngs; M Stevens, S Thompson, D Cole, L Deacon, C Lawes, T Croft, L Moody (capt), J Haskell.

Replacements: D Hartley, A Corbisiero, T Palmer, N Easter, R Wigglesworth, T Flood, M Banahan.

Scotland team: C Paterson; M Evans, J Ansbro, S Lamont, S Danielli; R Jackson, M Blair; A Jacobsen, R Ford, E Murray, R Gray, A Kellock (capt), A Strokosch , J Barclay, R Vernon.

Replacements: S Lawson, A Dickinson, N Hines, R Rennie, C Cusiter, D Parks, N De Luca.

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Bachmann Changes GOP Staff, Not Strategy

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After a busy and bumpy weekend, Michele Bachmann's campaign is looking the worse for wear. The congresswoman spent the weekend campaigning in South Carolina, doing a Sunday-morning segment on CBS's Face the Nation, and on Monday night participating in Republican Sen. Jim DeMint's Republican presidential candidate forum. But the campaign arguably grabbed the most attention on Monday night, when it announced that Ed Rollins would step down as campaign manager to the role of senior adviser. Politico reported that Deputy Campaign Manager David Polyansky would be leaving as well. The chairman of Bachmann's Iowa campaign says that he foresees no major strategy changes, but can the Minnesota representative win by simply staying the course?

[Read about the fallout surrounding Bachmann's Hurricane Irene comments.]

The campaign's statement characterizes the shift as a "planned restructuring," with the 68-year-old Rollins leaving for health reasons. Rollins is a veteran of helming Republican campaigns, having worked as campaign director for President Ronald Reagan as well as for former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee in his 2008 run for the presidency. The campaign is clearly downplaying the significance of the shift. Kent Sorenson, Bachmann's campaign chairman in Iowa, says that Rollins was always intended to be focused mainly on the Ames Straw Poll, which Bachmann won last month. And though the campaign says that it is "expanding its focus on winning the Iowa Caucuses and early primary states," Sorenson says that the campaign's overall approach is remaining unchanged.

"I don't see any major strategy changes," says Sorenson, pointing out that the campaign has always been primarily focused on winning states like Iowa and South Carolina, which have early nomination contests.

"I was always under the impression that [Rollins] was never going to run the day-to-day operations," says Sorenson. "He's still a part of the campaign. I can call him any time. [But] this is a young man's sport."

Whether or not the staff shakeup was unexpected, there is no doubt that Bachmann's strength is slipping. Rollins even went to far as to tell CNN on Monday, "The Perry-Romney race is now the story, with us the third candidate." That fact was borne out by an NBC News-Wall Street Journal poll released this morning, showing that the candidate garners only 8 percent of support among Republican primary voters, behind Texas Gov. Rick Perry's 38 percent and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney's 23 percent, and nearly even with Texas Rep. Ron Paul's 9 percent. This is half the amount of support that Bachmann had in the same poll in July.

[See how Perry's candidacy might hurt Bachmann's chances.]

With these signs of stress, it appears to be all the more important that Bachmann perform well in Wednesday night's Republican debate. Many watchers perceived her performance in a June debate as strong. If she can build on that, it may help her regain some of the ground she has lost.

Bachmann may also be able to boost her place in the national spotlight with Congress' return from its August recess. Unlike Perry and Romney, Bachmann (and likewise Paul) has the advantage of being a member of Congress at a time when contentious policy debates are taking place, giving her the opportunity to further advance her campaign's narrative of the congresswoman as being at the forefront of the conservative movement to fight President Obama's policies.

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Let There Be Peace: Ron Artest Officially Changes Name to 'Metta World Peace'

The newly-minted Metta World Peace, formerly known as Ron Artest.
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Time to upgrade your #15 Lakers jersey – it's not the number that's out of date, it's the name “Artest.”
After a slight delay thanks to some unpaid parking tickets, the Los Angeles Lakers forward formerly known as Ron Artest has officially become Metta World Peace.
The three-week holdup was settled Friday, the parking tickets were paid, and after a short court hearing, Mr. World Peace was well on his way to promoting the ideals behind his new name. "Changing my name was meant to inspire and bring youth together all around the world," World Peace said. His first name, Metta, is based on a Buddhist term meaning love and kindness to all.
(LIST: Top 10 Dubious Name Changes)
It's a meaning that could be seen as ironic for some fans, though. That's because the former Ron Artest, as a former Indiana Pacer, is best known for sparking the NBA's most notorious brawl when he jumped into the stands and attacked a Detroit Pistons fan after he was hit with a drink.
But promoting peace in his name perhaps speaks to a larger ideology shift for the basketball star. He's become a recent proponent of mental health legislation and will appear on this season of Dancing with the Stars. And the desire for World Peace is spreading fast. His 8-year-old daughter is reportedly seeking to change her last name to World Peace, as well.
Metta World Peace will go by his new name both personally and professionally – will players and fans be able to take him seriously, though?
Nick Carbone is a reporter at TIME. Find him on Twitter at @nickcarbone. You can also continue the discussion on TIME's Facebook page and on Twitter at @TIME.

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