Sirius

• Thousands of Iraqi troops battled Shia militias in heavy fighting that has been raging in the southern city of Basra. At least 12 people have died in the conflict, one day after Iraqi PM Nouri Maliki vowed to "re-impose law." Some of the most brutal fighting was with the Mehdi Army, supporters of radical Shia cleric Moqtada Sadr. The city of Basra with its wealth of oil makes the area ripe for warring. Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari said, "Militias have taken over almost the city and law and order has collapsed, although it is not a hopeless case because the government is taking measures to reverse the situation. Remember, Basra is the lifeline of Iraq. Most of Iraq's oil exports go through Basra." Those oil exports provide most of Iraq's revenues.



• Democratic voter registration in Pennsylvania has hit a record of more than four million voters. Yesterday was the deadline for Pennsylvanians to register ahead of the April primary. In addition to more than 120,000 new voters registered this year, more than 86,000 others switched from other parties to register as Democrats. Only 12,000 switched registration to become Republicans, perhaps signaling the desire of Keystone voters to participate in the tight Democratic contest.
• Sirius Satellite Radio won US antitrust clearance in their proposed purchase of XM Satellite Radio. The deal would create a single US satellite-radio provider. The Justice Department approved the deal and said the combined company won't amount to a monopoly because of competition from other types of audio entertainment like broadcast radio and MP3 players. The Justice Department's antitrust chief said, "we just simply found the evidence did not support a challenge to the transaction under the antitrust laws."

You're asking and I'm answering...
Dear Fit,
I am interested in possibly getting an iPod or something similar to use when I work out. I never jumped on the whole iPod train in the first place because the idea of having to pick out songs doesn't appeal to me, since I don't really know what to pick. That's why I like Sirius satellite radio. It exposes me to new music and I don't have to do anything but turn it on. I'd definitely get an iPod to work out with IF there was some sort easy way to download suggested playlists for working out.
—In Need of Tunes Tara

To see what I have to say on the matter, just read more

Jane Pratt, founder of women's magazines Sassy and Jane, is set to launch a weekly radio show on Sirius satellite radio this fall. Called "Jane Radio," the three-hour live program will feature everything from current events and discussions on popular music to a segment called "Jane Needs Help" in which Pratt solicits the advice of her listeners.

According to the press release, Pratt wants this show to be like a girlfriend dish session, in which women can speak candidly as though no men are listening. She immediately goes on to say, however, that she hopes men will be listening — and will learn a thing or two.

I had a near-religious devotion to Sassy, and I still have fond memories of the early issues of Jane so I'll probably tune in for Pratt's show. For more details, read more

• In totally awesome radio news, satellite providers XM and Sirius are merging, reports Variety.
• Aaron Eckhart will play a villain in the sequel to Batman Begins, writes the Hollywood Reporter.
• The Washington Post breaks down a week in the life of an "American Idol" contestant.
• Nascar and Harlequin partner for a series of romance novels, says the New York Times.
• Pitchfork reports that actress Jena Malone (Donnie Darko) is recording an indie album.
• The Associated Press remembers Robert Adler, co-inventor of the remote control.
• The creator of "Nip/Tuck" has signed a deal for three more years with FX, according to the Hollywood Reporter.
• NME reports that The Jam will reunite — without Paul Weller.
• NBC is tinkering with its schedule by putting "Crossing Jordan" on Wednesdays and "Deal or No Deal" on Sundays and moving "The Apprentice" to 9 p.m., reports Zap2it.
• Spike TV will start broadcasting competitive eating events, according to the Futon Critic.
• On Variety's Oscar buzz front, Children of Men wins the cinematographers' society award and the costume designers chose Curse of the Golden Flower.

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