http://kunc.org en http://kunc.org/post/top-stories-chinese-dissident-complicates-talks-consumer-spending-cools Good morning.<p>Our early headlines:<p>-- <a href="http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2012/04/30/151677561/china-u-s-rushing-to-resolve-crisis-over-blind-activist-chen">China, U.S. Rushing To Resolve Crisis Over Blind Activist Chen</a>.<p>-- <a href="http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2012/04/30/151678866/after-big-gain-in-february-consumer-spending-rose-less-in-march">After Big Gain In February, Consumer Spending Rose Less In March</a>.<p>-- <a href="http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2012/04/30/151674283/over-pakistani-objections-u-s-resumes-drone-strikes">Over Pakistani Objections, U.S. Mon, 30 Apr 2012 13:18:00 +0000 Mark Memmott 26468 at http://kunc.org http://kunc.org/post/australian-billionaire-says-hes-building-titanic-ii-would-you-go-aboard Saying that "of course it will sink if you put a hole in it," Australia's wealthiest business executive today announced he has contracted with a Chinese shipbuilder to construct a replica of the Titanic.<p>Mining magnate Clive Palmer also, <a href="http://www.smh.com.au/travel/travel-news/clive-palmer-plans-to-build-titanic-ii-luxury-cruise-ship-20120430-1xts2.html" target="_blank">as <em>The Sydney Morning Herald</em> reports</a>, said he's planning to run for a seat in Australia's parliament.<p><a href="http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-04-30/crabb-some-comic-relief-from-the-dispiriting-tug-of Mon, 30 Apr 2012 11:45:00 +0000 Mark Memmott 26462 at http://kunc.org Australian Billionaire Says He's Building 'Titanic II;' Would You Go Aboard? http://kunc.org/post/wealthy-australian-build-21st-century-titanic Clive Palmer says he wants to build Titanic II to sale from London to New York. Like the builder of the original, Palmer says, "It is going to be designed so it won't sink." Mon, 30 Apr 2012 11:23:00 +0000 26461 at http://kunc.org http://kunc.org/post/dispatch-titanic-memorial-cruise <em>One hundred years ago this Sunday, the Titanic struck an iceberg and sank into the Atlantic on its maiden voyage. At that very spot today is another luxury liner, there to mark the centennial of the disaster. Writer Lester Reingold is on board the memorial cruise, and he sends us this report.</em><p>As the Titanic Memorial Cruise began, our ship, the Azamara Journey, pulled away from the pier and headed down the Hudson River. We gazed up at One World Trade Center. Sun, 15 Apr 2012 16:32:00 +0000 25684 at http://kunc.org A Dispatch From The Titanic Memorial Cruise http://kunc.org/post/remembering-titanic-where-it-sank Host Rachel Martin talks with Lester Reingold, a writer and Titanic enthusiast, just after he'll have attended a memorial honoring the 100-year anniversary of the Titanic's sinking from aboard a cruise ship, anchored right where the ship went down. Sun, 15 Apr 2012 12:00:05 +0000 25681 at http://kunc.org