In an interview to air tonight on CBS's 60 Minutes, President Barack Obama will refer to Israel's concern over Iran's march toward a nuclear program as "noise."

"When it comes to our national security decisions -- any pressure that I feel is simply to do what's right for the American people. And I am going to block out -- any noise that's out there," Obama says, according to AFP.

 STEVE KROFT: "How much pressure have you been getting from Prime Minister Netanyahu to make up your mind to use military force in Iran?"

PRESIDENT OBAMA: "Well—look, I have conversations with Prime Minister Netanyahu all the time. And I understand and share Prime Minister Netanyahu's insistence that Iran should not obtain a nuclear weapon, because it would threaten us, it would threaten Israel, and it would threaten the world and kick off a nuclear arms race."

STEVE KROFT:  "You’re saying, you don't feel any pressure from Prime Minister Netanyahu in the middle of a campaign to try and get you to change your policy and draw a line in the sand? You don’t feel any pressure?"

PRESIDENT OBAMA: "When it comes to our national security decisions—any pressure that I feel is simply to do what's right for the American people. And I am going to block out—any noise that's out there. Now I feel an obligation, not pressure but obligation, to make sure that we're in close consultation with the Israelis—on these issues. Because it affects them deeply. They're one of our closest allies in the region. And we’ve got an Iranian regime that has said horrible things that directly threaten Israel’s existence."

Debt collectors and district attorneys are teaming up to bully bad-check writers into paying their debt, including a California woman who bounced a $48 check to Walmart and was threatened with jail time.

In a practice that has spread to more than 300 prosecutors' offices, collection companies are sending signed letters on D.A. letterhead that threaten jail time unless the check writers settle up and pay for a "financial accountability" class, reported the New York Times.

Even petty amounts owed can invite harsh treatment. Single mom Angela Yartz told the paper she was unaware that a $47.95 check she had written to Walmart had bounced. She later received a letter signed by the Alameda County (Calif.) district attorney that she better fork over $280.05 or face up to a year behind bars.

Intimidation tactics are nothing new on the bill collection front, of course. Even hospitals are accused of using them. The University of Minnesota Medical Center in Minneapolis is now being probed for allegedly harassing very sick patients into paying up or risk losing medical care.

Debt collection is a $12 billion-a-year business, and 30 million people are now in the cross-hairs of bill collectors, reported the Los Angeles Times. So it should be no surprise that firms are stepping up their strong-arm tactics.

Last year, the Federal Trade Commission received 180,928 complaints about the debt recovery biz, the LAT said.

In the arrangement between debt collectors and district attorneys, the agencies secure their share plus the class fee and the district attorneys get paid by the agencies or receive a share of the money collected, reported the Times.

Above the Law pointed out the potential conundrum of threatening someone with imprisonment on prosecutor letterhead before a lawyer has even considered the case. District attorneys explained to the Times that the letters reduce their caseload, and that only those who ignore merchant warnings are contacted.

Yartz, the Walmart customer, noticed that part of her jacked-up settlement bill from the D.A. included $180 for the budgeting class. The Times said she eventually paid $100.05 to cover the bounced check and penalties, and took her chances with the rest.

A Michigan appeals court ruled this week that a Walmart employee with an inoperable brain tumor and cancer was not wrongfully fired over medical marijuana use.

Upholding a decision by a federal judge in Grand Rapids, Mich., last year, the appeals court said that "Michigan law doesn't stop employers from firing people who use medical marijuana," the Associated Press reports.

Joseph Casias was an inventory-control manager at a Walmart in Battle Creek, Mich., until he was fired after he tested positive for marijuana in 2009.

According to a 2010 report by the Associated Press, Casias uses medical marijuana to treat symptoms of an inoperable brain tumor and cancer. The married father of two has been in remission for several years, but the medical condition causes him pain and interferes with his ability to speak.

His oncologist had prescribed the treatment after Michigan voters approved medical marijuana use in 2008.

"No patient should be forced to choose between adequate pain relief and gainful employment, and no employer should be allowed to intrude upon private medical choices made by employees in consultation with their doctors," said Scott Michelman, a staff attorney with the American Civil Liberties Union, in 2010. The ACLU and its Michigan branch, along with attorney Daniel W. Grow, represented Casias in the lawsuit against Walmart.

"For some people, working at Walmart is just a job, but for me, it was a way of life," Casias said in a statement released in 2010. "I came to Walmart for a better opportunity for my family, and I worked hard and proved myself. I just want the opportunity to continue my work."

Addressing the case, Walmart said that marijuana use "conflicts with its safety policy in stores."

"The doctor prescribed treatment was not the relevant issue. The issue is about the ability of our associates to do their jobs safely," the company said in 2010.

ACLU insists that Casius complied with "all applicable state laws and never once smoked marijuana at work or came to work under its influence."

Nonetheless, a federal appeals court said Wednesday that the "state medical marijuana law provides some immunity in criminal cases, but it doesn't offer protection to people in the workplace," according to the Associated Press.

Ever wonder what it would look like if Charlie Sheen and Lindsay Lohan were photographed in bed together? Wonder no more, you masochist! The Weinstein Company and Dimension Films have released a first still from "Scary Movie 5" to Coming Soon, and it features your favorite tabloid fixtures in what could be viewed as a post-coitus moment. (Sorry.)

Lohan and Sheen are set to appear in the film -- though only briefly. It is widely assumed the characters they play will get brutally murdered, as is the custom of the "Scary Movie" franchise, which spoofs the "Scream" franchise, which is a horror spoof in its own right. Earlier this month, Page Six reported that Lohan was balking at the film's script because it cast her in a negative light. She eventually reported to the set after Dimension allegedly threatened legal action, but many were still concerned with her ability to perform.

"Even Charlie Sheen worried she might not be able to do the scene,” a source told Page Six.

Check out the new still below. "Scary Movie 5" -- also starring Ashley Tisdale, Erica Ash, Terry Crews, Heather Locklear, Molly Shannon and Kate Walsh -- hits theaters on April 19, 2013.

Tim Pawlenty quit as co-chair of Mitt Romney's presidential campaign on Thursday to become one of Wall Street's top lobbyists in Washington. Pawlenty, a former governor of Minnesota, will lead the Financial Services Roundtable.

The move came with Romney's campaign struggling to find its stride with just seven weeks left before Election Day. Polls show the former Massachusetts governor running neck and neck with President Barack Obama in a contest both sides predict will be very close. But Romney's campaign has been grappling with a video showing him seemingly writing off Obama supporters as having a "victim" mindset and being reliant on government handouts. And Republicans outside the campaign have been grumbling that the campaign needs a shot in the arm.

"It is an honor to call Mitt and Ann my friends," Pawlenty said in a written statement released by the Romney campaign. "As the campaign moves into the home stretch, he has my full support and continued faith in his vision and his policies."

"Tim Pawlenty is a dear friend," Romney said in the same statement. "He's brought energy, intelligence and tireless dedication to every enterprise in which he's ever been engaged, and that certainly includes my presidential campaign.

"While I regret he cannot continue as co-chair of my campaign, his new position advancing the integrity of our financial system is vital to the future of our country," Romney said. "I congratulate him."

Romney passed over Pawlenty in his search for a vice presidential candidate, eventually settling on Congressman Paul Ryan. Pawlenty had been discussed as a possible running mate for Sen. John McCain in 2008, but the veteran lawmaker picked Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin instead.

In June Apple announced it would stop using Google Maps in favour of its own system, created using data from navigation specialist TomTom.

Apple is yet to comment on the complaints about the software, which comes already installed on the new iPhone.

TomTom said it provided only data and was not responsible for how it worked.

The software is packaged with iOS6, the latest version of Apple's operating system, which runs on the iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch.

Previously, the system had an app running mapping software from Google.

But users are now forced to use Apple's new maps once they upgrade or buy the latest iPhone - which goes on sale on Friday.

There is not currently a Google Maps app available in Apple's App Store, although Google's system is still accessible via the phone's web browser.
Museum in river

Among the user complaints regarding Apple's maps sent to the BBC were:
Screenshots of satellite coverage in Dingwall Users have complained about the quality of satellite images in the new software (bottom)

    Some towns appear to be missing, such as Stratford-upon-Avon and Solihull.
    Others, like Uckfield in East Sussex, are in the wrong location.
    Satellite images of various locations, particularly in Scotland, are obscured by cloud.
    A search for Manchester United Football Club directs users to Sale United Football Club, a community team for ages five and above.
    Users also reported missing local places, such as schools, or strange locations. Another screenshot showed a furniture museum that was apparently located in a river.

The Twitter account which posted the screenshot, @fake_iOS6maps, has since been suspended.

TomTom, which also licenses data to a range of other mobile manufacturers, defended its involvement.

A spokesman told the BBC that its maps provided only a "foundation" to the service.

"The user experience is determined by adding additional features to the map application such as visual imagery," a spokesman said.

HTC has just announced its flagship Windows Phone handset, the Windows Phone 8X. The ‘X’ in the name makes it clear that this handset is the Taiwanese maker’s hero WP8 handset. Externally, the WP8X is made up of poly-carbonate plastic and will be available in bright colors like Nokia’s Lumia series. Frankly, the 8X looks too similar to Nokia’s Lumia handsets, and Nokia might just sue HTC for this.

    “Pairing HTC’s beautiful new Windows Phone 8X and 8S with our brand is a big milestone for both companies,” said Steve Ballmer, CEO of Microsoft. “Together we are offering customers a clear choice and a truly unique experience. I’m thrilled to take our longstanding partnership to the next level.”

Internally, the WP8X packs in the same internals as any other high-end WP8 handset. This includes a dual-core Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Krait processor clocked at 1.5GHz, 1GB of RAM, 16GB of internal memory, quad-band GSM support, LTE support, a 4.3-inch 720p (1280×720) S-LCD2 display, NFC and an inbuilt 1800mAh battery. The 8MP snapper at the back of the handset sports the same ImageSense technology as found on the One X, along with an f/2.0 lens, aided by a single LED flash. The front 2.1MP camera has an ultra-wide 88 degree lens. The 8X will also be the first Windows Phone from HTC to sport the Beats Audio logo. HTC also states that the handset has “an enhanced amp” for improved audio quality. Quite a far cry from the poor audio quality of their Android handsets.

Like the One series, HTC has taken great efforts to make the 8X. Each of the 245 speaker grilles at the back of the phone is individually drilled showing how dedicated the company is.

Like Nokia, HTC did not announce a specific shipping date except a vague November on over 150 carriers worldwide at an unknown price.

A new doctoral thesis from the University of Gothenburg, Sweden, shows that, in contrast to traditional scholarly claims, Dionysian cultic activities may very well have occurred in archaic Rome in the decades around 500 BC.

Maenad playing a tambourine, satyr blowing pipes, and the young god with his panther dance. From the Villa Quintiliana on the Appian Way.Roman, 100 CE A strong scholarly tradition rooted in the 19th century denies the presence of Dionysian ecstatic rites, cults, and satyr plays in Roman society. Although people in nearby societies evidently engaged in such behaviour around the same time in history, the Romans simply did not, according to early scholars. British scholars often stressed how much their people had in common with the Romans, not least as statesmen and colonists.

'They even claimed that they had the same mentality. This perception is reflected in modern research on the Roman society and religion as well', says the author of the thesis Carina Hakansson.

Religious research has also been influenced by the Christian tradition. For example Dionysian cults have had problems gaining acceptance as a 'real' religion since the possibility that religion could ever be connected with bawdy behaviour and drunkenness has generally been rejected. This argument alone was enough to make early scholars neglect and reject the thought of Dionysian cult as religion proper.
Alternative interpretations

Our modern secularised view of the world offers alternative interpretations, and this is something Hakansson is eager to stress.

'However, there is no doubt that this secularised perspective will sooner or later be criticised and questioned that's the nature of research', says Hakansson.

While Dionysos is associated mainly with the Greek region, various forms of wine gods were worshipped across the entire region of Greece-Etruria-Rome. Hakansson therefore uses findings from the Greek and Etruscan areas for comparative purposes.

Satyrs are strongly linked to the Dionysian cult, and Hakansson shows that satyrs presumably were present in archaic Rome, and furthermore formed a link between ritual and theatre/performance. Hakansson concludes that the Dionysian sphere in Rome may very well constitute the seed of the subsequent Roman dramatic tradition.