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It wouldn’t be a complete day without a second look at the news. I’m Valentina Taylor with more headlines. Not only is 2008 the year of the rat, it may also shape up to be the year of cutting edge holographic technology. US researchers have developed a high tech polymer that can create holographs in literally minutes. In addition to looking seriously cool, it should have some applications as well. One of which is they are used during surgery to help guide surgeons. Another team of researchers invented a 20 inch square device known as the holocube which delivers 3D images just like you’d see in Star Trek. There plan is to begin using it for advertising purposes. A new United Nations report says internet access and mobile phones are actually narrowing the gap between rich and poor countries. They’re literally boosting the economy of developing nations by allowing residents and business to move money and information quickly.

Now to South America where the country of Bolivia has declared a national emergency after wide spread flooding. Heavy rains have caused massive damage leading to food shortages and displacing more than 40,000 people. Authorities blame the high water level on global warming. President Avo Morales toured the worst hit regions and personally helped coordinate relief efforts. Neighboring countries like Brazil are helping out too. As the government distributes tents, clean water and medical supplies. This is the second straight year Bolivia has experienced heavy flooding.

To Vienna, Austria next which is hosting the first major conference on UN trafficking.

Time for more headlines. Welcome back to the newsroom. I’m Valentina Taylor. So is all powerful media tycoon Rupert Murdock planning to thwart Microsoft plans to take over Yahoo. Well it depends who you talk to. Recent reports have suggested that the new court chief is willing to pony up huge money to outbid Microsoft’s $44.6 billion offer. Though Murdock himself says he has absolutely no plans to throw his hat in the ring. That said he has left the door slightly open noting that quote “we’re just not interested at this stage.” Some analysts speculate the cost of such a takeover would simply be too high but when it’s Rupert Murdock you’re talking about, you never know.

Meanwhile it’s nature versus the Navy in the US with this round going to nature. Much to the chagrin of President Bush, a federal judge has ordered the Navy to obey a law curbing the use of strong sonar off the California coast.

Hey there one and all. They call me Valentina Taylor but you can call me entertainment queen. Since the ongoing writers strike is doing a serious number on network bank accounts, NBC head honcho Jeff Zucker has come up with a new plan to save money. Good bye pilots. No I’m not talking the guys that fly the corporate jets. I’m betting they stay. I’m talking expensive pilot episodes for new TV shows.

Thanks April. Late 2007 was more than a little impressive for the folks at Apple. In fact it was the best quarters in the company’s entire history. With profits up to a jaw dropping 57% and surprise, surprise, a lot of that has to do with the 2.3 million I-Phones sold since the red hot gadget hit the American shelves last summer but let’s not overlook Apple’s other big sellers. The Macintosh computer line sold a very impressive 2.3 million units last year and of course a little think called the Ipod which had 22 million units snatched up by consumers.

Meanwhile in Europe, Jose Manuel Boroso, the president of the European commission has unveiled his road map to combating the effects of climate change.