US – Wednesday, March 17

Masters are stage for Tiger’s return

Tiger Woods will start trying to restore a reputation battered by marital infidelities at next month’s U.S. Masters, the tournament which helped him become the world’s most marketable sportsman.

‘JihadJane’ isn’t the only one logging in

Colleen LaRose, made infamous by her Internet alias “JihadJane,” will appear in federal court tomorrow on charges that she allegedly plotted to kill a Swedish cartoonist, turning to social networking sites like YouTube for recruitment.

Today’s celebrity babies and breakups

It seems like a stork (probably an arrogant, drunk, yet hilarious, stork) stopped by Paddy’s Bar and knocked up Sweet Dee with Mac’s baby.

‘Going to get an earful’

The SXSW Music Conference, in which thousands of bands from all over the world cram themselves into every venue possible in Austin, TX, begins today. It is five days of beautiful musical mayhem and Metro will be reporting each day about our finds there. There are so many choices of what to see and hear that it can become daunting, but one way to maintain your own quality control while there is to check out the showcases put together by such esteemed musical tastemakers as National Public Radio, Pitchfork.com, Rolling Stone and Spin Magazine.

‘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.

Boston’s Back Bay is ‘on fire’

Boston real estate brokers are saying the Back Bay market is “on fire,” with 69 sales since January with an average price of $1.4 million. “Many buyers feel the recession is ancient history,” says John Ford, owner of Ford Realty on Charles and Tremont streets. “Last year at this time, peoples’ investment portfolios were losing money. They’ve gained the losses from 2009. Now they are using their recouped losses, and have more confidence in purchasing luxury condos.”

Published 01:23, November the 20th, 2009

Reports: Rudy backs off gov. race

NEW YORK. According to reports released Thursday, former Mayor Rudolph Giuliani is backing away from a run for governor, after months of speculation, but is leaving the door open to a challenge of Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, who has been perceived as vulnerable in polls. A gubernatorial run could have pitted Giuliani against Attorney General Andrew Cuomo, who — even though undeclared — is seen as the leading Democrat contender for the seat.

METRO

The March MMMpod features conversation and music from Surfer Blood and The Allman Brothers Band (There's a double-bill you're not too likely to see. However, Gregg Allman does mention Hannah Montana!). We also speak with Vampire Weekend and the Dropkick Murphys.

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