function PhaseInEffect()
{ 
    Show('newsItem1');
    Show('newsItem2');
    Show('newsItem3');
}

function PhaseOutEffect()
{ 
    Hide('newsItem1');
    Hide('newsItem2');
    Hide('newsItem3');
}


function Hide(elementId) { 
  new Effect.Opacity($(elementId),{
    from: 1.0,
    to: 0
  });
}


function Show(elementId) { 
  new Effect.Opacity($(elementId),{
    from: 0,
    to: 1.0
  });
}