function makeNews(c,l)
{
 this.copy = c;
 this.link = l;
 this.write = writeNews;
}

function writeNews()
{
 var str = '';
 str = '<a href="' + this.link + '">' + this.copy + '</a>';
 return str;
}

var newsArray = new Array();
var nIndex = 0;
var fadingBarTimerID = null;

function rotateNews()
{
	var cont = document.getElementById('stories');
	if(cont == null)
		return;

	var len = newsArray.length - 1;
	if(nIndex >= len) nIndex = -1;
	new Effect.Fade(document.getElementById('stories'), 
	{
		afterFinish: function() {
			document.getElementById('stories').innerHTML = newsArray[nIndex];
  			new Effect.Appear('stories'); 
		}
	});

	nIndex++;
	fadingBarTimerID = setTimeout('rotateNews()',6000);
}

function pauseNews() 
{
	if (fadingBarTimerID != null) 
	{
		clearTimeout(fadingBarTimerID);
		fadingBarTimerID = null;
	}
}

function playNews() 
{
	if (fadingBarTimerID == null) 
	{
		fadingBarTimerID = setTimeout('rotateNews()', 1000);
	}
}