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First phase of jury selection for Jackson doctor

The first steps toward the long awaited trial of Michael Jackson's doctor on involuntary manslaughter charges are taking place as 320 prospective jurors converge on a Los Angeles courtroom for the first phase of the screening process.

Houston based cardiologist Conrad Murray is accused of gross negligence in giving Jackson a lethal dose of the drug propofol and other sedatives.

In-person questioning of jury prospects and opening statements won't happen until May but the judge agreed to start the process Thursday with written questionnaires in order to meet the statutory requirement of giving Murray a speedy trial. Once the forms are distributed and filled out, the trial will be deemed to have begun.

While the judge has decided to allow cameras in court for testimony they will not be allowed during jury selection.

Pastor's first job is to screen the prospects on whether they can afford to spend two months on the trial. Many who can serve will be public employees or employees of corporations who are paid for jury duty. Typical juries for long trials also include retirees who don't have job pressures.

Those who pass the time qualification will be given a questionnaire with about 125 questions. The inquiry is likely to cover their knowledge of the case, their tastes in music, their relationships with their own doctors, their knowledge of prescription drugs and whether they have predetermined views about the guilt or innocence of Murray.

Members of Jackson's family and a cadre of loyal Jackson fans are expected to attend most of the trial.

Murray, who also operates a clinic in Las Vegas, has his career on the line. The judge has already suspended his license to practice medicine in California and medical boards in Texas and Nevada could follow suit if he is convicted. It is one reason his lawyers said he wanted a speedy trial.

In a six-day preliminary hearing earlier this year, a portrait emerged of a doctor trying to help his famous client overcome debilitating insomnia with propofol, an anesthetic which is not intended for home use. Jackson had used it before and demanded it, calling it his "milk."

A coroner testified that Jackson, 50, died of a propofol overdose in combination with other drugs on June 25, 2009. His death was classified as a homicide.

Testimony at the trial will include some similar elements to those in the preliminary hearing.

Murray's behavior before and after Jackson stopped breathing was detailed by household staff and paramedics. It was backed up with phone records, e-mails and, most importantly, a transcript of Murray's nearly three-hour interview with police.

Murray said he gave Jackson a low dose of propofol after spending 10 hours trying to get him to sleep using other drugs. When the star appeared to doze off, Murray said he left the room for two minutes to go to the bathroom then returned to find Jackson not breathing.

He delayed calling 911 for between 25 minutes and an hour while he tried to revive him, testimony showed.

The defense team suggested in questioning witnesses that Jackson may have inadvertently killed himself, taking an extra dose of propofol when Murray left his bedroom for a few minutes. They have also recently sought medical records they say will show Jackson was addicted to the sedative demarol. They are expected to claim this was a contributing factor to his demise.

Aid workers praise Myanmar quake response

Aid workers praised Myanmar's regime on Monday for its speedy response to the recent earthquake that killed more than 70, in contrast to the aftermath of previous disasters to strike the country.

The powerful 6.8 magnitude quake struck near the borders with Thailand and Laos late on Thursday leaving an official toll of 75 dead, including one woman in Thailand.

"The government's response was very fast, it must be stressed," said Vincent Hubin, country head of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) based in Yangon.

"They put up considerable resources, as was the case with Cyclone Giri, when they saved many lives," he added, referring to a disaster in the west of the country in October 2010 that killed more than 40 people.

The junta was widely criticised for refusing foreign assistance for weeks after Cyclone Nargis wrought devastation across the Irrawaddy Delta in May 2008, leaving more than 138,000 people either killed or missing.

Chris Herink of charity World Vision, which is working in areas of Shan state affected by the latest quake, also said at the weekend that the government's cooperation had been proactive.

He and Hubin both said a major concern was now clean water supplies.

"It worries us that there might be contamination of water -- this is something that is going to require very careful attention," Hubin told AFP, adding that the government had begun to try cleaning wells with chlorine.

A Myanmar official told AFP that the death toll might reach about 100, but there was as yet no confirmed increase.

"The rescue teams with military members are still trying to help people around these areas," he said, declining to be named.

An unnamed Red Cross worker in Tachileik was quoted by exile news group the Irrawaddy on Sunday saying that at least 150 people had been killed.

Hubin was unable to give any estimates but said rescue teams had not yet reached all the villages, which were also at risk of landslides from current heavy downpours.

"Teams must reach these villages before the rainy season begins," he said. "We are still in the dry season and it's already difficult now."

Springboard Enterprises Launches Its 2011 Global Recruitment

Fast-Tracking Women-Led Businesses into the Equity Investment Pipeline

WASHINGTON, March 28, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- For a decade, venture-catalyst Springboard Enterprises has filled the equity capital deal pipeline with outstanding companies led by women.Last week they launched recruitment for their 2011 venture forum program.The global search is on for the next iRobot, Constant Contact, Zipcar, or 51job to join the 445 drug discovery, therapeutic, consumer internet, and innovative IT companies that are members of the Springboard Portfolio.Deadline to apply: May 2, 2011.

"We fill a void in the market and our track record of connecting great women-led companies to strategic partners and investors who can catapult their businesses is unparalleled," said Kay Koplovitz, Springboard co-founder and Chairman. "It's all about human capital - and this year we're taking that to a whole new level."

Springboardis a crowd-sourced,community-buildingplatformforpromotingwomen-led companies. They have a simple formula for success:recruit innovative women-led businesses; conduct a review by an all-starcastofprominentinvestors,seasonedentrepreneursandindustryexperts;selectthemost promising investment opportunities and match them with a who's-who team of advisors to open doors to new opportunities.

"The Springboard network is vast," says President Amy Millman."We've worked with 445 game-changing innovators, hundreds of investors, and thousands ofindustry experts. The expertise of our Springboard community covers the waterfront from aerospace, drug discovery, to the cloud and beyond."

The Springboard: 2011 Venture Forum is a six-month program that includes in-person and virtual sessions. Springboard is recruiting companies from tech to life sciences that are seeking equity investments. Companies must have a woman in a senior position with an ownership stake, demonstrate a qualifiedandprofitablemarketopportunity,haveatrackrecordofmilestoneachievementandhavea credible management team or the ability to attract one.

To apply or learn more about how to get involved go to .

Springboard is the premier platform where entrepreneurs, investors, and industry experts meet to build great women-led businesses seeking equity capital for expansion. Springboard entrepreneurs are leaders involved in commercializing new innovative technologies, business products and services. The Springboard portfolio has raised $5.5 billion including 7 IPOs and legions of successful M&A transactions.

SpringboardEnterprisesissupportedbyPatrons:AON;CATechnologies;Covington&BurlingLLP;Grant Thornton LLP, Venable LLP, and The George Washington University.

SOURCESpringboard Enterprises

We Pledge Allegience - Various Artists .Various Artists | The Sound of Milano Fashion .Gremlinz and Prime | The Prophecy (3 april 2005) .Explicit Theory - Sonar Sessions EP .Brz vs David Spaans | The Show is Over EP

Growth Hormones Direct Releases Top 5 Most Popular Growth Hormone Aging Related Benefits

Growth Hormones Direct releases Top 5 list of the most popular Growth Hormone aging related benefits.

Phoenix, AZ (Vocus/PRWEB) February 16, 2011

releases top 5 list of the most popular .

Top 5 List of "Favorite" Growth Hormone Aging Benefits:

1. Skin health 2. Bone health3. Increased cognitive/memory function4. Increased energy5. Improved restfulness of sleep

Dr. J. Ronald Willis of Growth Hormones Direct said, "Theaging discussion began with decreased wrinkles and improved skin elasticity. But more and more people are claiming that their favorite health benefits of homeopathic HGH formulas are the improved restfulness of sleep and the increased energy."

Human Growth Hormone supplementation has long been appreciated for its anti-aging benefits, but is also a great source of: general health optimization, ability to maximize physical performance, ability to increase muscle mass/decrease body fat, and for its weight loss advantages.

Growth Hormones Direct urges consumers to watch 'Science Meet Nature' as they reap the benefits of optimizing their hormone levels through proper use of the homeopathic growth hormone formula. Optimal hormone levels allow individuals to enjoy increased general health. Growth Hormones Direct is an Arizona based distributor of quality health foods, supplements, pharmaceuticals and neutraceuticals.

To get further information on Growth Hormones Direct or the benefits of the homeopathic growth hormone formula contact:

Contact: Dr. J. Ronald WillisCompany: Growth Hormones DirectPhone: 480-281-7593

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Dr. J. Ronald WillisGrowth Hormones Direct480-281-7593Email Information

Barbara Bush on George H.W. Bush crying: You could be Speaker of the House

Former President George H.W. Bush lost composure and cried when he recited an old love letter to wife Barbara during an interview with granddaughter Jenna Bush Hager on Monday,MSNBC.

“As children, my sister and I were delighted to find boxes of love letters in both sets of my grandparents’ houses,” Bush Hager said, adding that her grandparents George H.W. and Barbara have been writing each other love letters for years.

During the interview, George H.W. choked up as he read a particular letter from 1994, which was after almost 50 years of marriage.

“Will you marry me? Whoops. I forgot you did that 49 years ago today,” George H.W. said. “I was very happy on that day in 1945, but I’m even happier today. You give me joy that few men know. I’ve climbed perhaps the highest mountain in the world, but even that cannot hold a candle to being Barbara’s husband,” Bush said, his voice cracking. “Mom used to tell me, ‘Now George, don’t walk ahead.’”

“You never listened to your mother,” Barbara said.

“Little did I know I was only trying to keep up with Barbara Pierce from Onondaga Street in Rye, New York. I love you,” George H.W. said.

“Why are we such criers?” Hager Bush asked.

“You know what, you could be Speaker of the House,” Barbara said, looking at George H.W., seeming to reference House Speaker John Boehner.

[WATCH: George H.W. Bush read aloud an old love letter to wife Barbara]

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