US – Tuesday, February 9
National
Plant blast under investigation
Federal investigators headed to Connecticut yesterday to determine the cause of an explosion at an unfinished power plant that killed at least five workers and hospitalized dozens of others.
 
International
Pressure grows for sanctions
International pressure for new sanctions against Iran grew yesterday after Tehran announced plans to make higher-enriched uranium and add 10 nuclear sites in a year, raising Western fears it wants to develop atom bombs.
 
The Word
Stern: I’d do ‘Idol’ for $100M
Howard Stern took to his radio show yesterday to address the rumors that he’s a possible replacement for Simon Cowell for the next season of “American Idol.” To sum it up? He’s not going for it.
 
New York Arts
Dancing while the skinny lady sings
You’ve heard of the jukebox musical? David Parsons and singers AnnMarie Milazzo and Tyley Ross of the East Village Opera Co. offer a jukebox opera, playing nightly at the Joyce. Eleven Parsons dancers share the stage with Milazzo and Ross, who clutch microphones cranked to 11 and stroll through the action. On the recorded soundtrack, three drummers create a wall of sound so loud you — well, I — want to hide under the seat. Digital video of abstract patterns, natural landscapes and stunning architecture change for each song.
 
Business
‘Free’ ad leads to fraud suit
NEW YORK. A Wisconsin college student is suing credit firm Experian — the brains behind the ubiquitous FreeCreditReport.com jingles — for fraudulent advertising after she inadvertently signed up for a monthly $14.95 monitoring service.
 
My Wellbeing
Let me count the ways ...
‘Tis the season for writing love letters. But that can be a daunting endeavor, especially when you’re not sure where to start. Should you put it in verse, use flowery language, get erotic? As with almost anything in life, the simpler you keep it, the easier (and often better) it will be. It doesn’t sound that romantic, but think of your love letter as a laundry list of the reasons why you adore your sweetheart. It’s kinda like Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s Sonnet 43: “How do you love your partner? Count the ways!” Here’s how to do it without rhyming or pulling out a thesaurus:
 
Updated 01:13, February the 9th, 2009
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America’s most miserable cities

 Forbes has released its annual list of most-miserable U.S. cities. Crime, tax rate and weather conditions all rated heavy in Forbes’ rankings.

1. Stockton, Calif.: With only 15 percent of adults having achieved a college degree, and the likelihood of unemployment hitting 15 percent by 2010, there’s not much to envy in Stockton.

2. Memphis, Tenn.: A sales tax of 9.3 percent is enough to launch Memphis into the top 3 on Forbes’ misery index.

3. Chicago: The Windy City’s highest-of-all tax rate — 10.3 percent — was its downfall.

4. Cleveland: With more snow than any major metro center aside from Denver (which is actually very nice), Cleveland’s sidewalk-shoveling necessity helped it make the list.

5. Modesto, Calif.: The United States’ highest car theft rate isn’t the only thing weighing down Modesto. It’s also got an unemployment level expected to top 16 percent by the end of 2009.

6. Flint, Mich.: Most people remember Flint from Michael Moore’s “Roger and Me.” Not much has changed for the better.

7. Detroit: Government corruption isn’t unique to Detroit. But its highest-in-the-country violent crimes rate is. Additionally, the collapse of the auto industry is a real downer.

8. Buffalo, N.Y. : Buffalo gets about 90 inches of snow a year.

9. Miami: The lovely weather couldn’t save this Southern son: According to Moody’s, approximately 26 percent of mortgages are either delinquent or in danger.

10. St. Louis: The Gateway City just scored overall low ratings in all categories. No standout stats, but all around miserable.                                    

Metro/ Forbes magazine