I see potential.
The menu and the content boxes need to be a solid color...or in any case not transparent.
You don't need that affiliates box at the bottom, you won't have too many I would think in the first place so just stick em' on the menu.
The thing at the top with the "short news" is not needed. There most likely won't be that much news as to overflow the main news anyway, I don't see the point of this. Instead make a sweet banner.
But of course thats just what I would do, I can imagine it in my head.
And if you do what i'm saying then you'll have to move some stuff around...go for it bud.