//================ EDIT THIS TO ADD NEWS ITEMS ================

    var news_items;

    function getNewsItems(){

        //new Date(year,month,day)
        //for month Jan=0, Feb=1 March=2 etc.

        var news_items = new Array(
			new Object({
                                    id:         "20100810",
                                    date:       new Date(2010,7,10),
                                    thumb:      true,
                                    archive:    false,
                                    home:       true,
                                    blurb:      "Otis’ energy-efficient solutions chosen for the world’s busiest airport"
                                }), 
  
         		new Object({
                                    id:         "20100428",
                                    date:       new Date(2010,3,28),
                                    thumb:      true,
                                    archive:    false,
                                    home:       true,
                                    blurb:      "Otis selected as largest elevator supplier for World Expo 2010 "
                                }),             
			new Object({
                                    id:         "20100106",
                                    date:       new Date(2010,0,06),
                                    thumb:      true,
                                    archive:    false,
                                    home:       true,
                                    blurb:      "Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building inaugurated "
                                }),             
			
			new Object({
                                    id:         "20091208",
                                    date:       new Date(2009,11,08),
                                    thumb:      true,
                                    archive:    true,
                                    home:       true,
                                    blurb:      "Otis subsidiary to provide more than a thousand elevators for Singapore public housing estates "
                                }),
			new Object({
                                    id:         "20091028",
                                    date:       new Date(2009,09,28),
                                    thumb:      true,
                                    archive:    true,
                                    home:       true,
                                    blurb:      "Otis’ energy-efficient elevators selected for Longtan City Industry Zone "
                                }),
			new Object({
                                    id:         "20091020",
                                    date:       new Date(2009,09,20),
                                    thumb:      true,
                                    archive:    true,
                                    home:       true,
                                    blurb:      "Otis wins contract for landmark development in Seoul "
                                }),
			new Object({
                                    id:         "20090707",
                                    date:       new Date(2009,06,07),
                                    thumb:      false,
                                    archive:    true,
                                    home:       false,
                                    blurb:      "Leading developer selects energy-efficient Otis products for projects across China "
                                }),
			new Object({
                                    id:         "20090623",
                                    date:       new Date(2009,05,23),
                                    thumb:      true,
                                    archive:    true,
                                    home:       false,
                                    blurb:      "Otis lifts vehicles to 94th floor of tallest building on Chinese mainland "
                                }),
			new Object({
                                    id:         "20090610",
                                    date:       new Date(2009,05,10),
                                    thumb:      true,
                                    archive:    true,
                                    home:       false,
                                    blurb:      "Otis Elevator Company recognized for leadership in environmental sustainability "
                                }),
                       new Object({
                                    id:         "20090407",
                                    date:       new Date(2009,03,07),
                                    thumb:      true,
                                    archive:    true,
                                    home:       false,
                                    blurb:      "Otis recognized as a leading service provider in China "
                                }),
			new Object({
                                    id:         "20081119",
                                    date:       new Date(2008,10,19),
                                    thumb:      false,
                                    archive:    true,
                                    home:       false,
                                    blurb:      "Otis Elevator Company’s Isabel Hovey named to Academy of Women Leaders "
                                }),
			new Object({
                                    id:         "20080822",
                                    date:       new Date(2008,07,22),
                                    thumb:      true,
                                    archive:    true,
                                    home:       false,
                                    blurb:      "Otis a major player in the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games "
                                }),
			new Object({
                                    id:         "20080519",
                                    date:       new Date(2008,04,19),
                                    thumb:      true,
                                    archive:    true,
                                    home:       false,
                                    blurb:      "Otis introduces new country Web sites "
                                }),
			new Object({
                                    id:         "20080512",
                                    date:       new Date(2008,4,12),
                                    thumb:      true,
                                    archive:    true,
                                    home:       false,
                                    blurb:      "UTC appoints Ari Bousbib President, Commercial Companies, and Corporate Executive Vice President; Didier Michaud becomes Otis President ",
                                    url:        "http://www.utc.com/utc/News/News_Details/2008/2008-5-12.html?page=3&year=0"
                                }),
			new Object({
                                    id:         "20080422",
                                    date:       new Date(2008,03,22),
                                    thumb:      true,
                                    archive:    true,
                                    home:       false,
                                    blurb:      "Otis high-speed, energy-efficient elevators selected for landmark China tower "
                                }),
			new Object({
                                    id:         "20080409",
                                    date:       new Date(2008,3,09),
                                    thumb:      false,
                                    archive:    true,
                                    home:       false,
                                    blurb:      "UTC elects Chênevert Chief Executive Officer; David to continue as Board Chairman ",
                                    url:        "http://www.utc.com/press/releases/2008-04-09.htm"
                                }),
			new Object({
                                    id:         "20080326",
                                    date:       new Date(2008,02,26),
                                    thumb:      false,
                                    archive:    true,
                                    home:       false,
                                    blurb:      "Otis recognized as leader in service quality in China "
                                }),
			new Object({
                                    id:         "20080319",
                                    date:       new Date(2008,02,19),
                                    thumb:      false,
                                    archive:    true,
                                    home:       false,
                                    blurb:      "Otis wins landmark Trump tower in Toronto "
                                }),
			new Object({
                                    id:         "20080311",
                                    date:       new Date(2008,02,11),
                                    thumb:      true,
                                    archive:    true,
                                    home:       false,
                                    blurb:      "Otis wins record award in Europe "
                                }),
			new Object({
                                    id:         "20080111",
                                    date:       new Date(2008,0,11),
                                    thumb:      false,
                                    archive:    true,
                                    home:       false,
                                    blurb:      "USA Today features Otis’ involvement with 2008 Beijing Olympic Games ",
                                    url:        "http://www.usatoday.com/money/advertising/2007-11-14-olympics-marketing_N.htm?csp=34"
                                }),
			new Object({
                                    id:         "20080111-2",
                                    date:       new Date(2008,0,11),
                                    thumb:      false,
                                    archive:    true,
                                    home:       false,
                                    blurb:      "Fast Company lists Otis among top 50 green businesses ",
                                    url:        "http://www.fastcompany.com/magazine/120/50-ways-to-green-your-business.html"
                                }),
			new Object({
                                    id:         "20071204",
                                    date:       new Date(2007,11,04),
                                    thumb:      false,
                                    archive:    true,
                                    home:       false,
                                    blurb:      "Otis wins record order for its ‘green’ technology elevator system "
                                }),
			new Object({
                                    id:         "20071127",
                                    date:       new Date(2007,10,27),
                                    thumb:      true,
                                    archive:    true,
                                    home:       false,
                                    blurb:      "Otis’ ‘green’ elevators included in landmark Calgary tower "
                                }),
			new Object({
                                    id:         "20071120",
                                    date:       new Date(2007,10,20),
                                    thumb:      false,
                                    archive:    true,
                                    home:       false,
                                    blurb:      "Otis’ Yvonne M. Martin named to Academy of Women Leaders "
                                }),
			new Object({
                                    id:         "20071113",
                                    date:       new Date(2007,10,13),
                                    thumb:      false,
                                    archive:    true,
                                    home:       false,
                                    blurb:      "2010 World Expo to include Otis’ innovative ‘green’ technology "
                                }),
			new Object({
                                    id:         "20071030",
                                    date:       new Date(2007,09,30),
                                    thumb:      false,
                                    archive:    true,
                                    home:       false,
                                    blurb:      "Otis’ leading technology in prestigious Abu Dhabi towers "
                                }),
			new Object({
                                    id:         "20071024",
                                    date:       new Date(2007,09,24),
                                    thumb:      false,
                                    archive:    true,
                                    home:       false,
                                    blurb:      "Otis recognized as a top service provider in China "
                                }),
			new Object({
                                    id:         "20071016",
                                    date:       new Date(2007,09,16),
                                    thumb:      true,
                                    archive:    true,
                                    home:       false,
                                    blurb:      "Otis’ flagship product reaches 100,000 order milestone "
                                }),
			new Object({
                                    id:         "20070918",
                                    date:       new Date(2007,08,18),
                                    thumb:      true,
                                    archive:    true,
                                    home:       false,
                                    blurb:      "Otis’ ‘green’ elevators selected for luxury housing in China "
                                }),
			new Object({
                                    id:         "20070731",
                                    date:       new Date(2007,06,31),
                                    thumb:      false,
                                    archive:    true,
                                    home:       false,
                                    blurb:      "Otis products selected for landmark ‘green’ tower in Brisbane "
                                }),
			new Object({
                                    id:         "20070718",
                                    date:       new Date(2007,06,18),
                                    thumb:      true,
                                    archive:    true,
                                    home:       false,
                                    blurb:      "Otis President inaugurates first ‘green’ elevator factory in the world "
                                }),			
			new Object({
                                    id:         "20070711",
                                    date:       new Date(2007,06,11),
                                    thumb:      false,
                                    archive:    true,
                                    home:       false,
                                    blurb:      "Otis’ ‘green’ elevators selected for prominent commercial developments in Russia "
                                }),
			new Object({
                                    id:         "20070626",
                                    date:       new Date(2007,05,26),
                                    thumb:      false,
                                    archive:    true,
                                    home:       false,
                                    blurb:      "Contractor selects Otis for luxury Sao Paulo complex "
                                }),
			new Object({
                                    id:         "20070530",
                                    date:       new Date(2007,04,30),
                                    thumb:      false,
                                    archive:    true,
                                    home:       false,
                                    blurb:      "Otis awarded sixth tower in premier Chicago development "
                                }),
			new Object({
                                    id:         "20070522",
                                    date:       new Date(2007,04,22),
                                    thumb:      true,
                                    archive:    true,
                                    home:       false,
                                    blurb:      "Leading developer selects Otis for largest mall in Bahrain "
                                }),
			new Object({
                                    id:         "20070515",
                                    date:       new Date(2007,04,15),
                                    thumb:      false,
                                    archive:    true,
                                    home:       false,
                                    blurb:      "New York Mets select Otis’ Gen2 elevators for new stadium "
                                }),
			new Object({
                                    id:         "20070509",
                                    date:       new Date(2007,04,09),
                                    thumb:      false,
                                    archive:    true,
                                    home:       false,
                                    blurb:      "Otis elevators chosen for first residential project in New Songdo City, world’s largest private real estate development "
                                }),
			new Object({
                                    id:         "20070418",
                                    date:       new Date(2007,03,18),
                                    thumb:      true,
                                    archive:    true,
                                    home:       false,
                                    blurb:      "Otis selected for Philippines’ tallest residential towers "
                                }),
			new Object({
                                    id:         "20070313",
                                    date:       new Date(2007,02,13),
                                    thumb:      false,
                                    archive:    true,
                                    home:       false,
                                    blurb:      "Otis wins another Olympic contract "
                                }),
			new Object({
                                    id:         "20070312",
                                    date:       new Date(2007,02,12),
                                    thumb:      false,
                                    archive:    true,
                                    home:       false,
                                    blurb:      "Otis Elevator Company pursues growth in Vietnam "
                                }),
			new Object({
                                    id:         "20070227",
                                    date:       new Date(2007,01,27),
                                    thumb:      false,
                                    archive:    true,
                                    home:       false,
                                    blurb:      "Otis among top 30 'Most Influential Foreign Corporations in China' "
                                }),
			new Object({
                                    id:         "20070226",
                                    date:       new Date(2007,01,26),
                                    thumb:      false,
                                    archive:    true,
                                    home:       false,
                                    blurb:      "Otis global transportation wins total nearly one-quarter of a billion dollars "
                                }),    
			new Object({
                                    id:         "20070226-2",
                                    date:       new Date(2007,01,26),
                                    thumb:      false,
                                    archive:    true,
                                    home:       false,
                                    blurb:      "Banner year for Otis in the casino resort industry "
                                }),
			new Object({
                                    id:         "20061212",
                                    date:       new Date(2006,11,12),
                                    thumb:      false,
                                    archive:    true,
                                    home:       false,
                                    blurb:      "Otis Elevator Company’s Robin Fiala named to Academy of Women Leaders "
                                }),
			new Object({
                                    id:         "20061206",
                                    date:       new Date(2006,11,6),
                                    thumb:      false,
                                    archive:    true,
                                    home:       false,
                                    blurb:      "Otis again recognized for commitment to environment "
                                }),
			    
			    new Object({
			            id:         "20061011",
			            date:       new Date(2006,9,11),
			            thumb:      true,
			            archive:    true,
			            home:       false,
			            blurb:      "Record wins for Otis in India "
                                }),
			    new Object({
			            id:         "20061010",
			            date:       new Date(2006,9,10),
			            thumb:      true,
			            archive:    true,
			            home:       false,
			            blurb:      "Otis’ Gen2 elevator lauded again for environmental benefits "
                                }),
			    new Object({
                                    id:         "20061005",
                                    date:       new Date(2006,9,5),
                                    thumb:      false,
                                    archive:    true,
                                    home:       false,
                                    blurb:      "Record Otis win in Denmark "
                                }),
				    new Object({
                                    id:         "20061004",
                                    date:       new Date(2006,9,4),
                                    thumb:      false,
                                    archive:    true,
                                    home:       false,
                                    blurb:      "Otis featured on Dubai’s Palm Jumeirah Island "
                                }),
				    new Object({
                                    id:         "20060913",
                                    date:       new Date(2006,8,13),
                                    thumb:      false,
                                    archive:    true,
                                    home:       false,
                                    blurb:      "Otis wins record order in Kuwait "
                                }),
                            new Object({
                                    id:         "20060912",
                                    date:       new Date(2006,8,12),
                                    thumb:      true,
                                    archive:    true,
                                    home:       false,
                                    blurb:      "Another Olympic Win for Otis "
                                }),
                            new Object({
                                    id:         "20060613",
                                    date:       new Date(2006,5,13),
                                    thumb:      false,
                                    archive:    true,
                                    home:       false,
                                    blurb:      "Otis Elevator Company Named Top 50 Best Employer in China for Third Consecutive Year "
                                }),
                            new Object({
                                    id:         "20060612",
                                    date:       new Date(2006,5,12),
                                    thumb:      true,
                                    archive:    true,
                                    home:       false,
                                    blurb:      "World’s largest casino selects Otis Elevator Company "
                                }),
                            new Object({
                                    id:         "20060420",
                                    date:       new Date(2006,3,20),
                                    thumb:      true,
                                    archive:    true,
                                    home:       false,
                                    blurb:      "Otis to design one-of-a-kind 100-passenger elevators for world’s first interactive museum of news "
                                }),
                            new Object({
                                    id:         "20060418",
                                    date:       new Date(2006,3,18),
                                    thumb:      false,
                                    archive:    true,
                                    home:       false,
                                    blurb:      "Otis wins major Madrid metro contract "
                                }),
                            new Object({
                                    id:         "20060411",
                                    date:       new Date(2006,3,11),
                                    thumb:      false,
                                    archive:    true,
                                    home:       false,
                                    blurb:      "Otis wins China’s top science and technology award "
                                }),
                            new Object({
                                    id:         "20060410",
                                    date:       new Date(2006,3,10),
                                    thumb:      false,
                                    archive:    true,
                                    home:       false,
                                    blurb:      "Otis Gen2 Comfort elevator among 100 best ideas of 2005 "
                                }),
                            new Object({
                                    id:         "20060313",
                                    date:       new Date(2006,2,13),
                                    thumb:      true,
                                    archive:    true,
                                    home:       false,
                                    blurb:      "Otis wins record order in China’s Zhejiang Province "
                                }),
                            new Object({
                                    id:         "20060307",
                                    date:       new Date(2006,2,7),
                                    thumb:      true,
                                    archive:    true,
                                    home:       false,
                                    blurb:      "Otis wins record order in Kuwait "
                                }),
                            new Object({
                                    id:         "20060201",
                                    date:       new Date(2006,1,1),
                                    thumb:      true,
                                    archive:    true,
                                    home:       false,
                                    blurb:      "Landmark win for Otis in London’s historic Square Mile "
                                }),
                            new Object({
                                    id:         "20060125",
                                    date:       new Date(2006,0,25),
                                    thumb:      true,
                                    archive:    true,
                                    home:       false,
                                    blurb:      "Otis technology selected for large scale South London revitalization development "
                                }),
                            new Object({
                                    id:         "20051213",
                                    date:       new Date(2005,11,13),
                                    thumb:      false,
                                    archive:    true,
                                    home:       false,
                                    blurb:      "Otis lands record order for residential elevators in China "
                                }),
                            new Object({
                                    id:         "20051212",
                                    date:       new Date(2005,11,12),
                                    thumb:      true,
                                    archive:    true,
                                    home:       false,
                                    blurb:      "Otis wins landmark US$36 million contract for Burj Dubai, world’s tallest building "
                                }),
                            new Object({
                                    id:         "20051207",
                                    date:       new Date(2005,11,7),
                                    thumb:      false,
                                    archive:    true,
                                    home:       false,
                                    blurb:      "Otis wins US $8 million contract for new exhibition and business center in Rome "
                                }),
                            new Object({
                                    id:         "20051201",
                                    date:       new Date(2005,11,1),
                                    thumb:      false,
                                    archive:    true,
                                    home:       false,
                                    blurb:      "Otis wins US $11 million in contracts for major Norway hospital and one of Sweden’s largest shopping malls "
                                }),
                            new Object({
                                    id:         "20051115",
                                    date:       new Date(2005,10,15),
                                    thumb:      false,
                                    archive:    true,
                                    home:       false,
                                    blurb:      "Otis’ Imelda Suit named to Academy of Women Leaders "
                                }),
                            new Object({
                                    id:         "20051114",
                                    date:       new Date(2005,10,14),
                                    thumb:      true,
                                    archive:    true,
                                    home:       false,
                                    blurb:      "Otis wins record US $14 million contract for Munich subway escalators and upgrades "
                                }),
                            new Object({
                                    id:         "20051107",
                                    date:       new Date(2005,10,7),
                                    thumb:      false,
                                    archive:    true,
                                    home:       false,
                                    blurb:      "Otis earns prestigious award for excellence in service quality, management, innovation and technology "
                                }),
                            new Object({
                                    id:         "20050906",
                                    date:       new Date(2005,8,6),
                                    thumb:      true,
                                    archive:    true,
                                    home:       false,
                                    blurb:      "Otis wins two landmark projects in India "
                                }),
                            new Object({
                                    id:         "20050831",
                                    date:       new Date(2005,7,31),
                                    thumb:      false,
                                    archive:    true,
                                    home:       false,
                                    blurb:      "China Environmental Protection Foundation recognizes Otis as environmentally responsible company, Gen2 as ‘green machine’ "
                                }),
                            new Object({
                                    id:         "20050831-2",
                                    date:       new Date(2005,7,31),
                                    thumb:      false,
                                    archive:    true,
                                    home:       false,
                                    blurb:      "Otis to supply energy-efficient elevators for Beijing Fortune Plaza Phase 2 "
                                }),
                            new Object({
                                    id:         "20050615",
                                    date:       new Date(2005,5,15),
                                    thumb:      true,
                                    archive:    true,
                                    home:       false,
                                    blurb:      "Leading mall developer selects Otis for shopping center expansions in Austria, Eastern Europe "
                                }),
                            new Object({
                                    id:         "20050613",
                                    date:       new Date(2005,5,13),
                                    thumb:      true,
                                    archive:    true,
                                    home:       false,
                                    blurb:      "Otis wins USD 27 million in contracts in Paris’ La Défense "
                                }),
                            new Object({
                                    id:         "20050608",
                                    date:       new Date(2005,5,8),
                                    thumb:      false,
                                    archive:    true,
                                    home:       false,
                                    blurb:      "Gen2—the elevator reinvented "
                                }),
                            new Object({
                                    id:         "20050202",
                                    date:       new Date(2005,1,2),
                                    thumb:      true,
                                    archive:    true,
                                    home:       false,
                                    blurb:      "Otis wins $23 million in contracts for Seoul’s Incheon Airport "
                                }),
                            new Object({
                                    id:         "20050124",
                                    date:       new Date(2005,0,24),
                                    thumb:      false,
                                    archive:    true,
                                    home:       false,
                                    blurb:      "Otis wins four major contract awards in China totaling nearly $60 million, including world’s tallest building in Shanghai "
                                }),
                            new Object({
                                    id:         "20041220",
                                    date:       new Date(2004,11,20),
                                    thumb:      false,
                                    archive:    true,
                                    home:       false,
                                    blurb:      "Otis to feature super double-deck elevators in world’s tallest building, Shanghai World Financial Center "
                                }),
                            new Object({
                                    id:         "20041210",
                                    date:       new Date(2004,11,10),
                                    thumb:      true,
                                    archive:    true,
                                    home:       false,
                                    blurb:      "Otis to supply and service elevators for Spain’s tallest building, Torre Repsol "
                                }),
                            new Object({
                                    id:         "20041022",
                                    date:       new Date(2004,9,22),
                                    thumb:      true,
                                    archive:    true,
                                    home:       false,
                                    blurb:      "Otis responds quickly to customers in aftermath of hurricanes "
                                }),
                            new Object({
                                    id:         "20040909",
                                    date:       new Date(2004,8,9),
                                    thumb:      false,
                                    archive:    true,
                                    home:       false,
                                    blurb:      "Otis Provides Grant to University of Hartford "
                                }),
                            new Object({
                                    id:         "20040811",
                                    date:       new Date(2004,7,11),
                                    thumb:      false,
                                    archive:    true,
                                    home:       false,
                                    blurb:      "Otis To Modernize Elevators In Madrid’s Torre Picasso "
                                }),
                            new Object({
                                    id:         "20040805",
                                    date:       new Date(2004,7,5),
                                    thumb:      false,
                                    archive:    true,
                                    home:       false,
                                    blurb:      "Otis Elevators, Escalators To Shuttle Athletes And Spectators At The 2004 Olympic Games In Athens "
                                }),
                            new Object({
                                    id:         "20040805-2",
                                    date:       new Date(2004,7,5),
                                    thumb:      true,
                                    archive:    true,
                                    home:       false,
                                    blurb:      "China: Why Otis is in on the ground floor "
                                }),
                            new Object({
                                    id:         "20040804",
                                    date:       new Date(2004,7,4),
                                    thumb:      false,
                                    archive:    true,
                                    home:       false,
                                    blurb:      "Mr. Elevator lifts market "
                                }),
                            new Object({
                                    id:         "20040512",
                                    date:       new Date(2004,4,12),
                                    thumb:      true,
                                    archive:    true,
                                    home:       false,
                                    blurb:      "Otis To Supply Elevators, Escalators, Moving Walkways For Multi-Use Mall In The United Arab Emirates "
                                }),
                            new Object({
                                    id:         "20040503",
                                    date:       new Date(2004,4,3),
                                    thumb:      false,
                                    archive:    true,
                                    home:       false,
                                    blurb:      "Otis Rolls Up $25 Million In Elevator, Escalator Contracts For Prestigious Projects In Australia "
                                }),
                            new Object({
                                    id:         "20040420",
                                    date:       new Date(2004,3,20),
                                    thumb:      false,
                                    archive:    true,
                                    home:       false,
                                    blurb:      "Otis To Supply Elevators, Escalators For Innovative New Subway Line In Turin, Host City For 2006 Winter Olympics "
                                }),
                            new Object({
                                    id:         "20040317",
                                    date:       new Date(2004,2,17),
                                    thumb:      true,
                                    archive:    true,
                                    home:       false,
                                    blurb:      "Otis To Supply 61 Units For Poland's Largest Shopping Mall "
                                }),
                            new Object({
                                    id:         "20040317-2",
                                    date:       new Date(2004,2,17),
                                    thumb:      false,
                                    archive:    true,
                                    home:       false,
                                    blurb:      "Otis Wins Elevators, Escalators Contract For Soccer Stadium at 2008 Olympic Games in China "
                                }),
                            new Object({
                                    id:         "20040316",
                                    date:       new Date(2004,2,16),
                                    thumb:      true,
                                    archive:    true,
                                    home:       false,
                                    blurb:      "Otis Secures $10 Million Contract For Taiwan Transit Project "
                                }),
                            new Object({
                                    id:         "20040211",
                                    date:       new Date(2004,1,11),
                                    thumb:      false,
                                    archive:    true,
                                    home:       false,
                                    blurb:      "Otis Wins Elevator, Escalator Projects In Egypt "
                                }),
                            new Object({
                                    id:         "20030923",
                                    date:       new Date(2003,8,23),
                                    thumb:      false,
                                    archive:    true,
                                    home:       false,
                                    blurb:      "Otis to Provide Elevators, Escalators for Landmark Projects in Burgeoning Markets of Russia and the Ukraine "
                                }),
                            new Object({
                                    id:         "20030908",
                                    date:       new Date(2003,8,8),
                                    thumb:      false,
                                    archive:    true,
                                    home:       false,
                                    blurb:      "Otis Teams Fast, Resourceful in Major Blackout "
                                }),
                            new Object({
                                    id:         "20030815",
                                    date:       new Date(2003,7,15),
                                    thumb:      false,
                                    archive:    true,
                                    home:       false,
                                    blurb:      "Otis Acquires Amtech Elevator Services "
                                }),
                            new Object({
                                    id:         "20030804",
                                    date:       new Date(2003,7,4),
                                    thumb:      true,
                                    archive:    true,
                                    home:       false,
                                    blurb:      "Self-adjusting double deck Otis elevators highlight transport at Japanese skyscraper "
                                }),
                            new Object({
                                    id:         "20030804-2",
                                    date:       new Date(2003,7,4),
                                    thumb:      true,
                                    archive:    true,
                                    home:       false,
                                    blurb:      "Otis to supply 54 of its newest elevators, 56 escalators for Tianjin, China subway "
                                }),
                            new Object({
                                    id:         "20030715",
                                    date:       new Date(2003,6,15),
                                    thumb:      false,
                                    archive:    true,
                                    home:       false,
                                    blurb:      "Otis wins contract for 7 World Trade Center "
                                }),
                            new Object({
                                    id:         "20030618",
                                    date:       new Date(2003,5,18),
                                    thumb:      false,
                                    archive:    true,
                                    home:       false,
                                    blurb:      "Otis Elevator Company Wins Contract for Largest Mall In Asia "
                                }),
                            new Object({
                                    id:         "20030508",
                                    date:       new Date(2003,4,8),
                                    thumb:      true,
                                    archive:    true,
                                    home:       false,
                                    blurb:      "Otis Elevator Company Brings Gen2™ Elevator System to North American markets "
                                }),
                            new Object({
                                    id:         "20030401",
                                    date:       new Date(2003,3,1),
                                    thumb:      true,
                                    archive:    true,
                                    home:       false,
                                    blurb:      "Otis Marks 150th Anniversary of the Modern Elevator "
                                }),
                            
                            new Object({
                                    id:         "20021022",
                                    date:       new Date(2002,9,22),
                                    thumb:      false,
                                    archive:    true,
                                    home:       false,
                                    blurb:      "Otis to Supply Equipment for 2008 Olympics in China "
                                }),
                            new Object({
                                    id:         "20021001",
                                    date:       new Date(2002,9,1),
                                    thumb:      true,
                                    archive:    true,
                                    home:       false,
                                    blurb:      "Face To Face With Creatures Of “The Deep” — In An Otis Elevator "
                                }),
                            new Object({
                                    id:         "20020514",
                                    date:       new Date(2002,4,14),
                                    thumb:      true,
                                    archive:    true,
                                    home:       false,
                                    blurb:      "Watching technology on the move "
                                }),
                            new Object({
                                    id:         "20020513",
                                    date:       new Date(2002,4,13),
                                    thumb:      false,
                                    archive:    true,
                                    home:       false,
                                    blurb:      "Otis makes donation to install elevator to former President Jimmy Carter’s hometown "
                                }),
                            new Object({
                                    id:         "20020501",
                                    date:       new Date(2002,4,1),
                                    thumb:      true,
                                    archive:    true,
                                    home:       false,
                                    blurb:      "From Zero To 300 In 60 Seconds: Otis High-Speed Elevator Systems Selected "
                                }),
                            new Object({
                                    id:         "20020430",
                                    date:       new Date(2002,3,30),
                                    thumb:      false,
                                    archive:    true,
                                    home:       false,
                                    blurb:      "Otis Elevator Acquires Majority Interest In United Arab Emirates Elevator Distributor "
                                }),
                            new Object({
                                    id:         "20020410",
                                    date:       new Date(2002,3,10),
                                    thumb:      false,
                                    archive:    true,
                                    home:       false,
                                    blurb:      "UTC Elects Page Vice Chairman And Director; Bousbib Becomes President, Otis Elevator "
                                }),
                            new Object({
                                    id:         "20020409",
                                    date:       new Date(2002,3,9),
                                    thumb:      false,
                                    archive:    true,
                                    home:       false,
                                    blurb:      "Otis Elevator Wins Contracts To Modernize Elevator Systems In Paris’ La Défense Business District "
                                }),
                            new Object({
                                    id:         "20020306",
                                    date:       new Date(2002,2,6),
                                    thumb:      true,
                                    archive:    true,
                                    home:       false,
                                    blurb:      "Otis Elevator Company’s Express Trams Unveiled in Northwest Airlines’ New Terminal "
                                }),
                            new Object({
                                    id:         "20020227",
                                    date:       new Date(2002,1,27),
                                    thumb:      false,
                                    archive:    true,
                                    home:       false,
                                    blurb:      "Otis Elevator Company wins major Frankfurt hi-rise projects "
                                }),
                            new Object({
                                    id:         "20011211",
                                    date:       new Date(2001,11,11),
                                    thumb:      false,
                                    archive:    true,
                                    home:       false,
                                    blurb:      "Christ the Redeemer Fact Sheet "
                                }),
                            new Object({
                                    id:         "20011211-2",
                                    date:       new Date(2001,11,11),
                                    thumb:      false,
                                    archive:    true,
                                    home:       false,
                                    blurb:      "Otis adds world-famous Brazilian landmark to its elevator, escalator portfolio "
                                }),
                            new Object({
                                    id:         "20011206",
                                    date:       new Date(2001,11,6),
                                    thumb:      false,
                                    archive:    true,
                                    home:       false,
                                    blurb:      "Otis Elevator Company Wins Major New York City Contracts "
                                }),
                            new Object({
                                    id:         "20011115",
                                    date:       new Date(2001,10,15),
                                    thumb:      false,
                                    archive:    true,
                                    home:       false,
                                    blurb:      "Otis hits $40 Million mark in Metropolitan Chicago "
                                }),
                            new Object({
                                    id:         "20011115-2",
                                    date:       new Date(2001,10,15),
                                    thumb:      false,
                                    archive:    true,
                                    home:       false,
                                    blurb:      "Elizabeth Boniecki Blinderman named to Academy of Women Achievers "
                                }),
                            new Object({
                                    id:         "20011107",
                                    date:       new Date(2001,10,7),
                                    thumb:      false,
                                    archive:    true,
                                    home:       false,
                                    blurb:      "Otis Elevator Company wins 2001 Connecticut Innovation Prize for advanced technology "
                                }), 
                            new Object({
                                    id:         "20010808",
                                    date:       new Date(2001,7,8),
                                    thumb:      false,
                                    archive:    true,
                                    home:       false,
                                    blurb:      "Otis increases stake to 80% in Otis Elevator (India) "
                                }),
                            new Object({
                                    id:         "20010803",
                                    date:       new Date(2001,7,3),
                                    thumb:      false,
                                    archive:    true,
                                    home:       false,
                                    blurb:      "Otis Elevator Co. works with customers to address growing energy concerns "
                                }),
                            new Object({
                                    id:         "20010712",
                                    date:       new Date(2001,6,12),
                                    thumb:      false,
                                    archive:    true,
                                    home:       false,
                                    blurb:      "Finalists selected in international architectural student design competition "
                                }),
                            new Object({
                                    id:         "20010424",
                                    date:       new Date(2001,3,24),
                                    thumb:      false,
                                    archive:    true,
                                    home:       false,
                                    blurb:      "Otis wins multimillion-dollar St. Louis contract "
                                }),
                            new Object({
                                    id:         "20010323",
                                    date:       new Date(2001,2,23),
                                    thumb:      false,
                                    archive:    true,
                                    home:       false,
                                    blurb:      "Otis Elevator Reinvents Its Approach to World Markets Via Web Site That Spans The Globe "
                                }),
                            new Object({
                                    id:         "20010313",
                                    date:       new Date(2001,2,13),
                                    thumb:      false,
                                    archive:    true,
                                    home:       false,
                                    blurb:      "Otis Seattle rises to challenge of earthquake; Advanced planning and preparation are keys "
                                }),
                            new Object({
                                    id:         "20010213",
                                    date:       new Date(2001,1,13),
                                    thumb:      false,
                                    archive:    true,
                                    home:       false,
                                    blurb:      "Otis Elevator's commercially successful Gen2™ system wins technology award "
                                }),
                            new Object({
                                    id:         "20001219",
                                    date:       new Date(2000,11,19),
                                    thumb:      false,
                                    archive:    true,
                                    home:       false,
                                    blurb:      "Otis Secures China's First Platform Screen Door Installation Guangzhou Metro Line 2 Is First Project By Otis-Westinghouse Brakes Alliance "
                                }),
                            new Object({
                                    id:         "20001219-2",
                                    date:       new Date(2000,11,19),
                                    thumb:      false,
                                    archive:    true,
                                    home:       false,
                                    blurb:      "Guangzhou Metro Line2 - Project Details "
                                }),
                            new Object({
                                    id:         "20001211",
                                    date:       new Date(2000,11,11),
                                    thumb:      false,
                                    archive:    true,
                                    home:       false,
                                    blurb:      "Otis launches new feature to design and plan projects on Otis.com "
                                }),
                            new Object({
                                    id:         "20001031",
                                    date:       new Date(2000,9,31),
                                    thumb:      false,
                                    archive:    true,
                                    home:       false,
                                    blurb:      "Gen2™ Elevator: Its Features & Benefits (Summary) "
                                }),
                            new Object({
                                    id:         "20001031-2",
                                    date:       new Date(2000,9,31),
                                    thumb:      false,
                                    archive:    true,
                                    home:       false,
                                    blurb:      "Otis Transfers New Generation Elevator Technology to China "
                                }),
                            new Object({
                                    id:         "20001030",
                                    date:       new Date(2000,9,30),
                                    thumb:      false,
                                    archive:    true,
                                    home:       false,
                                    blurb:      "Twinkle, twinkle, little star, was that an elevator car? Industry leader Otis calls NASA elevator to orbit feasible "
                                }),
                            new Object({
                                    id:         "20001029",
                                    date:       new Date(2000,9,29),
                                    thumb:      false,
                                    archive:    true,
                                    home:       false,
                                    blurb:      "Midfield Terminal Express Tram System Inserted into Place "
                                }),
                            new Object({
                                    id:         "20001024",
                                    date:       new Date(2000,9,24),
                                    thumb:      false,
                                    archive:    true,
                                    home:       false,
                                    blurb:      "Otis Germany to Contribute to German World War II Humanitarian Fund "
                                }), 
                            new Object({
                                    id:         "20000925",
                                    date:       new Date(2000,8,25),
                                    thumb:      false,
                                    archive:    true,
                                    home:       false,
                                    blurb:      "Otis Wins Contract For High-Speed Elevators In Hong Kong's Tallest Building "
                                }),
                            new Object({
                                    id:         "20000818",
                                    date:       new Date(2000,7,18),
                                    thumb:      false,
                                    archive:    true,
                                    home:       false,
                                    blurb:      "LG-Otis receives South Korean government Presidential Award for Inchon International Airport project "
                                }),
                            new Object({
                                    id:         "20000811",
                                    date:       new Date(2000,7,11),
                                    thumb:      false,
                                    archive:    true,
                                    home:       false,
                                    blurb:      "Otis secures latest Canary Wharf contract In UK "
                                }),
                            new Object({
                                    id:         "20000719",
                                    date:       new Date(2000,6,19),
                                    thumb:      false,
                                    archive:    true,
                                    home:       false,
                                    blurb:      "Otis Elevator Company Marks 250th Charter Anniversary of Founder's Birthplace "
                                }),
                            new Object({
                                    id:         "20000627-2",
                                    date:       new Date(2000,5,27),
                                    thumb:      false,
                                    archive:    true,
                                    home:       false,
                                    blurb:      "Otis Unveils New Gen2 System, e*Business Products & Services In China "
                                }),
                            new Object({
                                    id:         "20000612",
                                    date:       new Date(2000,5,12),
                                    thumb:      false,
                                    archive:    true,
                                    home:       false,
                                    blurb:      "Indian Team Wins Grand Prize in Otis-ACSA International Student Design Competition "
                                }),
                            new Object({
                                    id:         "20000607",
                                    date:       new Date(2000,5,7),
                                    thumb:      false,
                                    archive:    true,
                                    home:       false,
                                    blurb:      "Otis Engineers Honored for Coated Steel Belt Innovation "
                                }),
                            new Object({
                                    id:         "20000601",
                                    date:       new Date(2000,5,1),
                                    thumb:      false,
                                    archive:    true,
                                    home:       false,
                                    blurb:      "Otis Expands Australasia Portfolio With Contract Wins from Westfield Holdings "
                                }),
                            new Object({
                                    id:         "20000502",
                                    date:       new Date(2000,5,2),
                                    thumb:      false,
                                    archive:    true,
                                    home:       false,
                                    blurb:      "Trammell Crow Selects Otis for 48-story Hearst Tower in Charlotte "
                                }),
                            new Object({
                                    id:         "20000502-2",
                                    date:       new Date(2000,5,2),
                                    thumb:      false,
                                    archive:    true,
                                    home:       false,
                                    blurb:      "500th Gen2™ Elevator System On Order; Fastest Selling New Product in Otis History "
                                }),
                            new Object({
                                    id:         "20000424",
                                    date:       new Date(2000,3,24),
                                    thumb:      false,
                                    archive:    true,
                                    home:       false,
                                    blurb:      "POMA-Otis Shuttle Car 'Takes Off' for Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport "
                                }),
                            new Object({
                                    id:         "20000419",
                                    date:       new Date(2000,3,19),
                                    thumb:      false,
                                    archive:    true,
                                    home:       false,
                                    blurb:      "Otis.Com Passes Two Million Hits; Company Web Site Expands to 23 Countries "
                                }),
                            new Object({
                                    id:         "20000412",
                                    date:       new Date(2000,3,12),
                                    thumb:      false,
                                    archive:    true,
                                    home:       false,
                                    blurb:      "Otis Wins $11.5 million High-Rise Job in Chicago "
                                }),
                            new Object({
                                    id:         "20000406",
                                    date:       new Date(2000,3,6),
                                    thumb:      false,
                                    archive:    true,
                                    home:       false,
                                    blurb:      "Otis Awarded $9 Million Contract For Mohegan Sun Expansion in Connecticut "
                                }),
                            new Object({
                                    id:         "20000331",
                                    date:       new Date(2000,2,31),
                                    thumb:      false,
                                    archive:    true,
                                    home:       false,
                                    blurb:      "Otis to Install 28 Gen2™ Elevator Systems at Apartment Complex in Austria "
                                }),
                            new Object({
                                    id:         "20000323",
                                    date:       new Date(2000,2,23),
                                    thumb:      false,
                                    archive:    true,
                                    home:       false,
                                    blurb:      "Otis Signs Milestone Global Agreement With Retail Giant Carrefour "
                                }),
                            new Object({
                                    id:         "20000322",
                                    date:       new Date(2000,2,22),
                                    thumb:      false,
                                    archive:    true,
                                    home:       false,
                                    blurb:      "Otis.com Expands to 13 Countries on Four Continents; Ron Beaver Appointed Vice President, E-Business "
                                }),  
                            new Object({
                                    id:         "20000320",
                                    date:       new Date(2000,2,20),
                                    thumb:      false,
                                    archive:    true,
                                    home:       false,
                                    blurb:      "Otis to Provide More Than $12 Million in Equipment for Airports in Israel and Germany "
                                }),
                            new Object({
                                    id:         "20000202",
                                    date:       new Date(2000,1,2),
                                    thumb:      false,
                                    archive:    true,
                                    home:       false,
                                    blurb:      "Otis Elevator Unveils Industry's First Major Lift Technology Advance In More Than A Century "
                                }),
                            new Object({
                                    id:         "19991202",
                                    date:       new Date(1999,11,2),
                                    thumb:      false,
                                    archive:    true,
                                    home:       false,
                                    blurb:      "Poma-Otis to install people movers in Alabama, Minnesota in contracts valued at $25 million "
                                }),
                            new Object({
                                    id:         "19991115",
                                    date:       new Date(1999,10,15),
                                    thumb:      false,
                                    archive:    true,
                                    home:       false,
                                    blurb:      "Otis Austria wins $3.3 million gasometers pact in Vienna "
                                }),
                            new Object({
                                    id:         "19991103",
                                    date:       new Date(1999,10,3),
                                    thumb:      false,
                                    archive:    true,
                                    home:       false,
                                    blurb:      "United Technologies Corp. Announces Joint Venture Between its Otis Elevator Co. and South Korea's LG Electronics "
                                }),
                            new Object({
                                    id:         "19991028",
                                    date:       new Date(1999,9,28),
                                    thumb:      false,
                                    archive:    true,
                                    home:       false,
                                    blurb:      "Otis Elevator acquires majority interest in India subsidiary from Mahindra Group "
                                }),
                            new Object({
                                    id:         "19991025",
                                    date:       new Date(1999,9,25),
                                    thumb:      false,
                                    archive:    true,
                                    home:       false,
                                    blurb:      "Ellen McGroary Named to Academy of Women Achievers "
                                })                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
                             );

        return news_items;
    }


//================ DON'T EDIT FROM HERE DOWN ================

//===========================================
//news item side navigation

    //===========================================
    //news feature

        function getNewsFeature(id){
            
            var item = getItem(id);
            var thumb = "";
            var onclick = "";

            if(item.url != null){
                onclick = "launchExternalNews('"+ item.url +"');";
            } else if(item.archive){
                onclick = "parent.document.location='b4-newsarchdet.html?item=" + id + "';";
            } else {
                onclick = "parent.document.location='b2-newsrec.html?item=" + id + "';";
            }

            if(item.thumb){ thumb = '<img src="news/img/' + id + '-thumb.jpg"/>'; }

            var html = '<div class="news_feature" onclick="'+ onclick +'">';
            html += thumb;
            html += '<p class="news_feature_txt">';
            html += dateToString(item.date) + '<br/>';
            html += item.blurb;
            html += '<br/>See more <img src="img/more-w.gif" class="more_arrow"/>';
            html += '</p></div>';

            return html;
        }

    //===========================================
    //wrappers to filter items for specific pages

        function getHomePageSidebar(){

            var num     = 4;
            var items   = getNewsItems();
            var filtered  = new Array();

            for(var i=0; i<items.length; i++){
                if(i<3 || (items[i].home == true)){
                    filtered.push(items[i]);
                }
            }

            var html = getNewsSidebar(filtered,false);
            return html;
        }

        function getNewsRecSidebar(current_item){
            var items = getRecentNewsItems(current_item);
            var html = getNewsSidebar(items,true,"newsrec");
            return html;
        }

        function getNewsArchSidebar(current_item){
            var item_id         = current_item.id;
            var item_year       = current_item.date.getFullYear();
            var archive_list    = new Array();
            var items           = getNewsItems();

            for(var i=0; i<items.length; i++){
                var current_id = items[i].id;
                var current_year = items[i].date.getFullYear();

                if(current_id != item_id && current_year == item_year && items[i].archive == true){
                    archive_list.push(items[i]);
                }
            }

            var html = getNewsSidebar(archive_list,true,"arch");
            return html;
        }

    //===========================================
    //the side navigation builder

        function getNewsSidebar(items,dates,where){

            var html    = "";
            //var url     = (where == "newsrec")? "b2-newsrec.html" : "b4-newsarchdet.html";

            for(var i=0; i<items.length; i++){
                var item    = items[i];
                var id      = item.id;
                var onclick = "";
                
                if(item.url != null){
                    onclick = "launchExternalNews('"+ item.url +"');";
                } else if(item.archive){
                    onclick = "parent.document.location='b4-newsarchdet.html?item=" + id + "';";
                } else {
                    onclick = "parent.document.location='b2-newsrec.html?item=" + id + "';";
                }

                html += '<div class="news_divider"><img src="img/dots_150.gif"/></div>';
                html += '<div onmouseover="this.style.cursor=\'pointer\'\;" onclick="'+ onclick +'">';
                html += '<div class="news_snippit">';

                if(item.thumb){ html += '<img src="news/img/' + id + '-thumb.jpg"/><br/>'; }
                if(dates){ html += dateToString(item.date) + '<br/>'; }

                html += item.blurb + '<img src="img/more.gif" class="more_arrow"/>';
                html += '</div></div>';
            }

            return html;
        }

//===========================================
//news item table

    //===========================================
    //wrappers to filter items for specific pages

        function getRecentNewsTable(){
            var items   = getRecentNewsItems();
            var html    = getNewsTable(items,"newsrec");
            return html;
        }

    //===========================================
    //the table builder

        function getNewsTable(items,where){

            var link    = (where == "newsrec")? 'b2-newsrec.html' : 'b4-newsarchdet.html';
            var html    = "";
            var color   = false;

            html += '<table cellpladding="0" cellspacing="0" border="0" width="100%">';

            for(var i=0; i<items.length; i++){

                var item        = items[i];
                var cell_style  = "";
                var href        = "";

                if(color){
                    cell_style = "tcell_color";
                    color = false;
                } else {
                    cell_style = "tcell_white";
                    color = true;
                }
                
                if(item.url != null){
                    href = 'href="'+ item.url +'" target="_blank"';
                } else if(where == "newsrec"){
                    href = 'href="b2-newsrec.html?item=' + item.id +'"';
                } else {
                    href = 'href="b4-newsarchdet.html?item=' + item.id +'"';
                }

                html += '<tr>';
                html += '<td class="' + cell_style + '">';
                html +=     '<a '+ href +'>';
                html +=         dateToString(item.date) + '<br/>';
                html +=         item.blurb + '<img src="img/more.gif" class="more_arrow"/>';
                html +=     '</a>';
                html += '</td>';
                html += '</tr>';
            }

            html += '</table>';
            return html;
        }

//===========================================
//news archives

    function getArchiveTable(year){
        
        //build the tabs
        var items = getArchivedNewsItems(true);
        var row_1 = '<tr><td></td>'; //highlight caps
        var row_2 = '<tr><td style="border-bottom:1px solid #cccccc;"><img src="img/spacer.gif" height="26" width="4"/></td>'; //labels
        var selected_index = 0;

        for(var i=0; i<items.length; i++){
            var current_index = (year == items[i].year)? i : 2000;
            if(current_index != 2000){ selected_index = current_index; }
            if(year == null){ current_index = 0; }

            var cap = (i == current_index)? "tabs_cap_on" : "tabs_cap_off";
            var nav = (i == current_index)? "tabs_on" : "tabs_off";
            var jsc = (i == current_index)? "" : 'onMouseOver="onArchiveOver(this.id);" onMouseOut="onArchiveOut(this.id);" onClick="javascript:getArchiveTable(\'' + items[i].year + '\');"';
            var bend = (i == items.length - 1)? 'style="border-right:1px solid #cccccc;" ' : '';

            row_1   += '<td id="cap_' + items[i].year + '" class="' + cap + '"><img src="img/spacer.gif" height="5"/></td>';
            row_2   += '<td id="nav_' + items[i].year + '" class="' + nav + '" ' + bend + jsc + '><span class="tabs_txt">' + items[i].year + '</span></td>';
        }

        row_1 += '<td style="width:100%;"><img src="img/spacer.gif"/></td></tr>';
        row_2 += '<td style="width:100%;border-bottom:1px solid #cccccc;"><img src="img/spacer.gif"/></td></tr>';

        var row_3 = '<tr><td></td><td colspan="' + (items.length * 2) + '"><img src="img/spacer.gif"/></td></tr>';

        var html = '<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" border="0" width="100%">' + row_1 + row_2 + row_3 + '</table>';

        //now get the table
        html += getNewsTable(items[selected_index].items,"arch");

        //write it all to the page
        var divhandle = document.getElementById("archives");
        divhandle.innerHTML = html;
    }

    function onArchiveOver(nav_id){
        var index = nav_id.split("_");
        var cell = document.getElementById("cap_" + index[1]);
        cell.className = "cap_on"; 
    }

    function onArchiveOut(nav_id){
        var index = nav_id.split("_");
        var cell = document.getElementById("cap_" + index[1]);
        cell.className = "cap_off"; 
    }

//===========================================
//utility functions

function getArchivedNewsItems(by_year){

    var items = getNewsItems();
    var results;
    
    var archived_items = new Array();
    for(var i=0; i<items.length; i++){
        if(items[i].archive){ archived_items.push(items[i]); }
    }

    if(by_year){
        var by_years    = new Array();
        var last_year   = 0;
        var last_index  = 0;

        for(var j=0; j<archived_items.length; j++){
            var current_year = archived_items[j].date.getFullYear();
            if(last_year != current_year){
                last_year = current_year;
                var info = new Object({year:current_year.toString(),items:new Array()});
                by_years.push(info);
                last_index = by_years.length - 1;
            }

            by_years[last_index].items.push(archived_items[j]);
        }
        
        results = by_years;
    } else {
        results = archived_items;
    }

    return results;
}

function getRecentNewsItems(skip_item){

    var items = getNewsItems();
    var recent_items = new Array();

    if(skip_item != null){

        var skip_id = skip_item.id;

        for(var i=0; i<items.length; i++){
            var item_id = items[i].id;

            if((item_id != skip_id) && (items[i].archive == false)){
                recent_items.push(items[i]);
            }
        }       

    } else {

        for(var i=0; i<items.length; i++){
            if(!(items[i].archive)){ recent_items.push(items[i]); }
        }

    }//if(current_item != null)
    
    return recent_items;
}

function getItem(item_id){

    var items = getNewsItems();
    var item = null;

    if(item_id == null){
        item = getInternalItem(0,items);
    } else {

        for(var i=0; i<items.length; i++){
            var current_id = items[i].id;
            if(current_id == item_id){
                item = getInternalItem(i,items);
                break;
            }
        }

    }//if(item_id == null)

    return item;
}

//don't allow external links to try and load a page
//return an item that has an internal page link
function getInternalItem(indx,items){
    var item = items[indx];
    if(item.url != null){
        indx++;
        item = getInternalItem(indx,items);
    }
    return item;
}

function dateToString(item_date){
    var date_string = convertMonth(item_date.getMonth()) + ' ' + item_date.getDate() + ', ' +  item_date.getFullYear();
    return date_string;
}

function convertMonth(month_num){

    var month = "";

    if(month_num == 0){ month = "Jan."; } else
    if(month_num == 1){ month = "Feb."; } else
    if(month_num == 2){ month = "March"; } else
    if(month_num == 3){ month = "April"; } else
    if(month_num == 4){ month = "May"; } else
    if(month_num == 5){ month = "June"; } else
    if(month_num == 6){ month = "July"; } else
    if(month_num == 7){ month = "Aug."; } else
    if(month_num == 8){ month = "Sept."; } else
    if(month_num == 9){ month = "Oct."; } else
    if(month_num == 10){ month = "Nov."; } else
    if(month_num == 11){ month = "Dec."; } else
    { month = "NAM."; }

    return month;
}

function getWrapper(news_item){
    if(parent.id == null){
        if(news_item.archive){
            document.location = "../b4-newsarchdet.html?item=" + news_item.id;
        } else {
            document.location = "../b2-newsrec.html?item=" + news_item.id;
        }
    }
}

function launchExternalNews(url){
    var nwin = window.open(url,'enews');
    nwin.focus();
}