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Ryan Dunn dies in car accident

2011-06-20T15:39:00.001-07:00

Ryan Dunn, one of the stars of MTV's "Jackass" films and TV series, was killed in a fiery car crash on a Pennsylvania highway early Monday, police said.

A passenger in Dunn's 2007 Porsche 911 GT3 was also killed, but investigators have not positively identified the body, according to the police report sent to CNN.

The red-bearded Dunn, 34, was famous for his pranks and dangerous stunts on the show, which evolved into a successful film franchise.

West Goshen, Pennsylvania, police were called to the wreck scene on State Route 322 at 2:30 a.m., the police report said.

"Upon arrival, police located one vehicle off the road and in the woods that was fully engulfed in flames," the report said.

"Speed may have been a contributing factor to the accident," police said, although the investigation is in its preliminary stages.
This photo of Ryan Dunn was posted on his Twitter account about two hours before the accident.
This photo of Ryan Dunn was posted on his Twitter account about two hours before the accident.

Dunn was driving the Porsche, which was registered in his name, police said.

A photo of Dunn was posted on his Twitter account about two hours before the wreck showing him with a drink in his hand. Two men sitting with Dunn in the photo are not identified.

The manager of Barnaby's in West Chester, Pennsylvania, confirmed that the photo was taken in his bar Sunday night. The bar is about a mile away from where Dunn was killed in a car crash.

Manager Jim O'Brien confirmed that Dunn was drinking there.
Ryan Dunn: We're just stupid people

"He didn't seem to be intoxicated at the time he left," O'Brien said. "Ryan was not a hardcore drinker, at least not when he was here."

O'Brien said Dunn was a regular customer and well known to his staff.

"He was a valuable person in our community and his death is a tragedy," O'Brien said. "He will be missed."

MTV issued a short statement through its Twitter account Monday morning: "We're deeply saddened by the passing of a member of the MTV family, Ryan Dunn. Our hearts and thoughts are with his friends and family."

"Jackass" star Johnny Knoxville tweeted his message Monday morning: "Today I lost my brother Ryan Dunn. My heart goes out to his family and his beloved Angie. RIP Ryan, I love you buddy."

Dunn teamed up with "Jackass" co-star Steve-O for an episode of the NBC game show "Minute to Win It" that aired on June 8.

He also hosted "Proving Ground," which premiered on the G4 channel on June 14.

Mark Zuckerberg to Donate Most of His Wealth to Charity

2010-12-09T05:52:00.001-08:00

Mark Zuckerberg to Donate Most of His Wealth to Charity

At only 26 years of age, Mark Zuckerberg is one of the world’s youngest billionaires, but he’s not keeping it all for himself. By signing on to Bill Gates and Warren Buffet’s initiative called the “Giving Pledge,” Mark agreed to give most of his wealth to charity.

This is not Zuckerberg’s first foray into philanthropy; he donated an undisclosed amount to the open social network project Diaspora as well as $100 million to Newark Public Schools. He spoke about the Newark donation on Oprah, explaining his dedication to help fix the public school system.

The Giving Pledge, however, is a completely different ball game. Along with 57 other multi-millionaire and billionaire families and individuals, including Warren Buffet, Bill Gates, Paul Allen and Carl Icahn, by signing the pledge Mark Zuckerberg promised to give more than half of his wealth to charity, either during his lifetime or after his death.

“People wait until late in their career to give back. But why wait when there is so much to be done? With a generation of younger folks who have thrived on the success of their companies, there is a big opportunity for many of us to give back earlier in our lifetime and see the impact of our philanthropic efforts,” said Facebook co-founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg in a statement.

According to Forbes’ estimate, Mark Zuckerberg is worth $6.9 billion, which makes him the 35th most wealthy Americans. Although many consider him to be the world’s youngest billionaire, he recently lost that title to Facebook co-founder Dustin Moskovitz, who is only eight days younger than him and whose worth is currently estimated at $1.4 billion.

Mark Zuckerberg to Donate Most of His Wealth to Charity

2010-12-09T05:52:00.000-08:00

Diego Maradona may coach for Iran

2010-12-06T12:53:00.001-08:00

Diego Maradona may coach for Iran

Argentina's soccer legend Diego Maradona may be the next coach of the Iranian National Football team, Iran's semi-official Mehr news agency reported on Monday.

In a recent ceremony to honor Iran's medal winners at the Asian games, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad confirmed plans to host a visit by Maradona and nodded when asked if the football great was coming to coach the national team, Mehr news reported.

Rumors of Maradona coaching Iran's national football first swirled last month when Iranian football officials announced a planned visit by the former coach of the Argentine national football team.

Ahmadinejad didn't make it clear when Maradona planned to visit Iran.

"Maradona will come to Iran but his visit is delayed," Mehr news quoted the president as saying.

Leslie Nielsen dead at 84

2010-11-29T04:29:00.000-08:00

Leslie Nielsen dead at 84

Iconic Canadian actor Leslie Nielsen has died.

Nielsen appeared in more than 100 movies, with the star shining perhaps most brightly in comedies including Airplane! and The Naked Gun.

He died Sunday afternoon in a hospital near his home in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, from complications of pneumonia. He was 84.

Nielsen’s nephew, Doug Nielsen, who lives in Richmond, B.C., said his uncle had been in the hospital with pneumonia for 12 days, and in the last 48 hours it got worse.

“This afternoon, surrounded by family, his wife and friends, he basically just fell asleep. It was very peaceful,” he said.

“He was truly a nice man. A very caring, naturally funny guy in day-to-day life, not just because someone wrote something on paper for him. He was a very tender-hearted man. He was one of my best friends and I loved him dearly. I’ll miss him greatly.”

His family also released a statement Sunday night.

“We are saddened by the passing of beloved actor Leslie Nielsen, probably best remembered as Lt. Frank Drebin in The Naked Gun series of pictures, but who enjoyed a more than 60 year career in motion pictures and television,” said the statement.

Nielsen’s father was a Mountie and the actor moved around as child, growing up in Regina, Edmonton and towns in northern Canada.

Nielsen once said he was never the class clown. “In those days, I was too busy trying to be Mr. Perfect. You try to be Mr. Perfect so that your parents can find nothing wrong with you. They have a lot of other things to think about like putting food on the table, so you just don’t want to rock the boat.”

However, he began to suspect comedy was in his genes after he discovered some details of his father’s life.

“I remember seeing pictures of my father at RCMP Sports Days, and he was in a clown outfit. He was the regiment clown.”

Nielsen got his foot into the showbiz door through radio, as an engineer, disc jockey and announcer at a Calgary station.

In December 1949, Nielsen broke into the fresh medium of live television. During the ‘60s and ‘70s, Nielsen constantly worked in TV action series, such as Wagon Train, The Fugitive, The Virginian, Cannon and Kojak — at one point he even turned down the iconic role of Gunsmoke’s Matt Dillon.

Throughout his career, he appeared in some of the best-known television programs, including M*A*S*H, Alfred Hitchcock Presents, Hawaii Five-O, Columbo and Murder, She Wrote.

However, he may be most recognizable for his comedic big-screen roles. In Airplane! Nielsen uttered an often-quoted retort to the question: “Surely, you can’t be serious?”

“I am serious . . . and don’t call me Shirley,” he said.

In 2003, Nielsen received both a lifetime achievement award from the Alberta Motion Pictures Industries Association and was presented with an Award of Excellence from the Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists.

He received the Order of Canada in December 2003.

Actor Leslie Nielsen dies of complications from pneumonia

2010-11-29T04:28:00.000-08:00

Actor Leslie Nielsen dies of complications from pneumonia

Leslie Nielsen, whose longtime career as a dramatic actor took a sudden turn into comedy with spoofs like "Airplane!" and "The Naked Gun," has died at age 84, his family said Sunday.

The Canadian-born Nielsen's career reached back into the early days of television, when he made frequent appearances on live drama series like "Goodyear Playhouse." He played the earnest starship captain in the 1956 science fiction classic "Forbidden Planet" and made regular appearances on a wide range of TV dramas into the 1970s.

Much of that changed in 1980, when he was cast as a doctor aboard an endangered jetliner in the gag-a-minute disaster-movie parody "Airplane!" Nielsen's deadpan delivery of lines like "I am serious -- and don't call me Shirley" helped launch a second career.

The film's producers went on to cast him in their short-lived television series "Police Squad!" and had him reprise that show's bumbling lead character, Lt. Frank Drebin, a decade later in three "Naked Gun" movies. Nielsen appeared in several similar but less-acclaimed spoofs following those films.

Nielsen died of complications of pneumonia in a hospital near his home in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, surrounded by family and friends, a family statement said.

The Beatles Sell 2,000,000 Songs in Their First Week on iTunes

2010-11-24T05:28:00.001-08:00

The Beatles Sell 2,000,000 Songs in Their First Week on iTunes

One week ago, the entire Beatles catalogue was made available on Apple’s online music store iTunes. Now, the numbers are in: according to Billboard, the Beatles sold more than 450,000 albums and over two million individual songs in the first week on iTunes.

The best selling album in the U.S. was Abbey Road while the best-selling song was Here Comes the Sun.

The impressive numbers come as no surprise as the Beatles took over the iTunes charts in the first day of availability, with eleven of their albums surging to the iTunes top 25 albums list.

Getting there was no easy task, however. Back in 1978, the Beatles’ corporation Apple Corps sued Apple Inc. (then Apple Computer) for trademark infringement. The suit was settled in 1981, but it dragged on for decades, reaching pinnacle in 2003, with Apple’s launch of iTunes, when Apple Corps once again sued Apple Computer, claiming it has violated the agreement not to distribute music. Finally, on February 2007 the two companies settled their trademark dispute, but it took three more years for the Beatles’ catalog to reach iTunes. Judging by the impressive sales, the long wait paid off for both companies in the end.

iPhone gets UberTwitter client, BlackBerrys have one less reason to exist

2010-11-24T05:27:00.001-08:00

iPhone gets UberTwitter client, BlackBerrys have one less reason to exist

ŰBERTWITTER, WORLD'S #1 TWITTER APPLICATION, BEGINS OPEN BETA OF IPHONE APP, INCLUDING ŰBERVIEW OF EMBEDDED LINKS FOR EASIER TWEET READING

ŰberTwitter, the world's most widely used Twitter app for sending and reading tweets, announced today that a beta version of ŰberTwitter for iPhone is now available as a free download from the Apple App Store. Until now, ŰberTwitter has been exclusive to RIM's BlackBerry devices, where it was one of the first Twitter client apps to be available for the platform and set the standard for features and functionality. Today, more than nine million users have downloaded ŰberTwitter, and they send approximately 10 million tweets a day with the app.

In addition to traditional Twitter client features – such as composing and sending tweets, retweeting, direct messaging and embedded link shortening – ŰberTwitter for iPhone offers an important new feature called ŰberView that makes reading tweets faster and easier. Either by tapping the tweet in portrait mode or turning the phone to landscape mode, users will be able to view and use content from any embedded link (e.g., webpage, photo or video) instantly without leaving the app or opening a new page within it. Over 10,000 people have already downloaded the current beta release and are providing great feedback. The version 1.0 full production release will be available by mid-December, and will incorporate many of the suggestions made by the beta users, as well as a number of other features.

"Given the iPhone's growing dominance among smartphone users, we wanted to extend our product offering to its users while making sure our app offered features that would complement the platform's unique functionality," said Paul McDonald, CEO of ŰberTwitter. "For instance, ŰberView will enhance the way users consume content. As more tweets become vehicle for sharing articles, photos and videos, this feature will become ever more indispensable."

"One of the most important aspects of the new ŰberTwitter for iPhone is ŰberView," said Sean Callihan, CEO of Plixi. "Plixi serves millions of images every month to ŰberTwitter users, and our business is all about creating easier and more intuitive ways for customers to share and view images. With ŰberView, ŰberTwitter has once again demonstrated their leadership in the Twitter client space, this time on the iPhone platform."

Additionally, ŰberTwitter will continue to encourage its users to share their suggestions for new features as it did with its original Blackberry offering. Within the app, there is a button where users can submit their ideas, and the feedback will be used to prioritize development efforts on some of the remaining, popular features of the BlackBerry version that have yet to be added to the iPhone beta version.

For more information, please visit www.ubertwitter.com.

Turn Your Social Feeds Into a Digital Yardsale

2010-11-24T05:25:00.000-08:00

Turn Your Social Feeds Into a Digital Yardsale

Name: Yardsellr

Quick Pitch: Yardsellr is a person-to-person marketplace that connects buyers and sellers using Facebook (Facebook) and Twitter (Twitter).

Genius Idea: There are a ton of shopping and classified sites out there clambering for your attention, a fact that Yardsellr CEO and Founder Daniel Leffel — an eBay alum who launched the service in 2009 with a cadre of other eBay-ers — is well aware of. So, instead of creating yet another online marketplace, Leffel took a less direct route, looking to the social realm.

As people spend more and more time engaging with social sites like Facebook and Twitter, it only seems natural to take advantage of all those eyes and hours — which is exactly what Yardsellr does.

Yardsellr is a social marketplace that was built not to exist as a separate entity, but as a way to utilize your networks to both buy and sell goods from other like-minded folks, which is why Leffel doesn’t agree with a lot of the comparisons to eBay that have been cropping up of late (a natural go-to correlation, considering he used to work at the bidding behemoth).

“eBay is a web destination where users go buy and sell things — and the key there is that it’s a web destination,” he says. “Yardsellr is more of a service that users experience as an extension to the Facebook experience that they interact with in their feed. Users comment on and Like feed stories about the products they love and those products are for sale. Yardsellr is providing a layer of communication and transactional tools on top of the social plumbing in addition to aggregating the communities of users who love these products.”

Yardsellr works, in essence, like a Facebook plugin. Simply visit the site and log in, allowing the service to connect to your Facebook account. From the homepage, you browse a variety of categories of goods, which are organized into what Yardsellr calls “Blocks.”

“The Yardsellr shopping experience is organized around ‘Blocks’ (think yard sale/neighborhood metaphor) instead of categories because categories organize products while Blocks organize people,” Leffel says. “Yardsellr Blocks are really hundreds of micro-communities totalling more than 1.3 million people who are passionate about particular types of products.”

“Liking” a Block on the Yardsellr homepage is the same as Liking a Page on Facebook — that Block is thereby added to your Facebook Newsfeed, allowing you to browse goods on Facebook as you would updates from your favorite bands, celebrities and news outlets.

The service also feeds into Twitter, but it doesn’t look as though you can choose to follow certain Blocks via the website itself — still, if you visit a Block on Facebook, you can find the appropriate Twitter feed in the left-hand column of the Page. (This is kind of annoying — we wish you could directly follow Blocks via the Yardsellr homepage.)

In addition to shopping, you can also sell goods via Yardsellr. Simply click the “Sell” tab at the top of the page, enter a description of your product, and promote via Facebook and Twitter posts to the appropriate Blocks. You can also create a Facebook event and invite all your friends to your digital yardsale.

It’s free to list and sell on Yardsellr, and you can specify your own price and shipping cost. Yardsellr adds a 10% fee to the buyer’s final cost (the fee varies by product). “Sellers can also opt-in to invest in buying extra traffic/exposure for their listings,” Leffel says.

The social aspect of the site reminds us of other services, like Neighborgoods, which allow you to share listings via Facebook and Twitter. Still, this site has a much more dedicated integration to social services than others we have seen.

“There are tons of buy/sell sites on the web and a number of them have built Facebook Applications,” Leffel says. “However, I’m not aware of any that look at themselves fundamentally as living in the feed and that’s our big differentiator. 99% of the activity happens in the feed and if you aren’t there in a big way, you aren’t truly integrated into the social experience.”

This week, Leffel announced that Yardsellr had raised $5 million in a Series A round of funding led by Accel Partners and Harrison Metal, the latter of which furnished seed financing last year for Yardsellr. As for where that money will go, Leffel tells us: “Developing out Yardsellr to its fullest potential is fundamentally an engineering challenge. There are machine learning problems, scale problems, usability problems and much more. The bulk of the money will be used to hire some of the best engineering talent we can find.”

Acer Unveils 7-inch and 10.1-inch Android Tablets and a 4.8-inch Smartphone

2010-11-24T05:24:00.000-08:00

Acer Unveils 7-inch and 10.1-inch Android Tablets and a 4.8-inch Smartphone

Acer is placing its bets behind Android with the announcement of a 7-inch tablet, a 10.1-inch tablet and a 4.8-inch smartphone based off of Google’s mobile OS.

The unnamed tablets sport 3G and Wi-Fi connectivity, an eye-popping 1280×800 screen resolution and 1080p HDMI capacity. The 10.1″ tablet is 13.3mm thick, making it just slightly wider than Apple’s 12.7mm iPad tablet. The larger tablet also boast a 5MP rear camera and a front-facing one. Both devices will go on sale in April 2011.

Acer also took the opportunity today to announce a 4.8″ hybrid smartphone/tablet device. Also yet to be named, the smartphone is similar to the Dell Streak, but is definitely more powerful. It sports a 1024×480 screen resolution (a ridiculous resolution for a phone), a 21:9 aspect ratio, an 8MP camera with an LED Flash, a 1 GHz Snapdragon processor and a Gyroscope/accelerometer combo that makes it ideal as a portable gaming device. It also launches in April 2011.

Beyond ridiculously awesome screen resolutions, all three devices run on Android (Android). Acer did not reveal in its press releases which version each will run, but we’re hoping at least one of these devices will run the Gingerbread OS (Android 2.3) or even Honeycomb (Android 3.0?).

During its media blitz today, Acer also revealed the ICONIA, a hybrid laptop/tablet with a dual-screen running Microsoft’s Windows 7 OS. Instead of using a keyboard, the ICONIA uses a touch-based keyboard and gesture controls. It has 4 GB of RAM, two 14-inch multitouch displays, and an Intel Core i5 CPU.

Prince William & Kate Middleton’s Engagement

2010-11-17T05:14:00.001-08:00

Prince William & Kate Middleton’s Engagement

The UK’s Prince William and Kate Middleton officially announced their engagement today, dashing the hopes of many 20-something would-be princesses around the world.

Curious as to how the social web was reacting to the engagement, we turned to social media measurement platform Trendrr, which has previously helped us gauge the web’s reaction to events such as Christmas, Obama’s inauguration, New York Fashion Week and, most recently, the rescue of the Chilean miners.

As someone who was personally mourning my destroyed chances, I was surprised to learn that reaction was mostly positive (43%) on Twitter (Twitter); another 41% of Twitter users responded neutrally to the news; and just 16% of tweets about the engagement were negative. Around 32% of bloggers reacted positively, while most (63%) conveyed a neutral reaction.

Unsurprisingly, those who discussed the engagement tended to be female (61%) and live in the UK. Most of the buzz on Twitter was generated by users from London (greater London alone accounted for 10% of all tweets), followed by Manchester, Glasgow (Scotland), Cardiff (Wales) and New York City. In terms of countries, the UK produced 36% of engagement-related buzz on Twitter, followed by the U.S., Canada, Scotland, Australia (Australia), India, New Zealand and Ireland.

In a one-hour span in the middle of the day today, 45,000 new news stories were indexed through Google News containing “Prince William.”

Panasonic’s 103-Inch 3D Plasma Could Be Yours for $100,000

2010-11-17T05:13:00.000-08:00

Panasonic’s 103-Inch 3D Plasma Could Be Yours for $100,000

In 2006, Panasonic launched a 103-inch plasma TV, mostly to induce envious looks of the people who couldn’t afford its price of about $71,000. Now, the company has taken the 103-inch screen size to 3D territory with the humongous TH-P103MT2.

It sports full HD resolution, 500 million-to-one contrast and the usual slew of connectors. One particular tidbit of information about the device caught our eye: if you include the stand, it weighs 321 kilograms or 707 pounds. Good luck trying to move it around your house.

The price, unfortunately, is again cringe-worthy: at 8.5 million yen or about $102,000, not many folks will be able to buy themselves this (very large) piece of 3D heaven.

Royal wedding: Prince William to marry Kate Middleton

2010-11-17T05:12:00.000-08:00

Royal wedding: Prince William to marry Kate Middleton

Prince William is to marry long-term girlfriend Kate Middleton next year, Clarence House has announced.

William, second in line to the throne, will marry in London next spring or summer and live in north Wales, where he is serving with the RAF.

"We are both very, very happy," the prince said. He had proposed on holiday in Kenya in October, giving his fiancee his mother's engagement ring.

Miss Middleton said joining the Royal Family was a "daunting prospect".

"Hopefully I'll take it in my stride," she added.

The couple, both 28, met at St Andrews University, Fife.

William said using Diana's ring was "my way of making sure my mother didn't miss out on today and the excitement".

Prince Charles said he was "thrilled, obviously" about the engagement, joking: "They've been practising long enough."

Kate Middleton's parents Michael and Carole said they were "absolutely delighted" and "thrilled" by the news.

Her father said: "We have got to know William really well, we all think he is wonderful and we are extremely fond of him.

"They make a lovely couple, are great fun to be with and we've had a lot of laughs together. We wish them every happiness for the future."

The royal engagement was announced in a brief statement released by Clarence House.

It said: "The Prince of Wales is delighted to announce the engagement of Prince William to Miss Catherine Middleton.

"The wedding will take place in the spring or summer of 2011, in London. Further details about the wedding day will be announced in due course.

"Prince William has informed the Queen and other close members of his family.

"Prince William has also sought the permission of Miss Middleton's father."

The Queen said she was "absolutely delighted" for both Prince William and Kate Middleton.

Prime Minister David Cameron said the engagement marked "a great day for our country" and wished the couple a long and happy life together.

He said he had received the news in a call from Buckingham Palace during a cabinet meeting, and it was greeted with "a great cheer" and "banging of the table" from fellow ministers.

He had slept overnight on the Mall ahead of Diana and Charles' wedding, he added.

Leader of the Labour party Ed Miliband said "the whole country will be wishing them every happiness".

Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond said William and Kate's romance was "a match made in St Andrews" and everyone in Scotland would join him in wishing them well.

Welsh First Minister Carwyn Jones offered his congratulations, saying: "I'm very pleased to hear that they plan to begin their married life in north Wales."

The Countess of Wessex said the royal family was "absolutely thrilled and we all wish them all the luck and love in the world".

James Whittaker, who has reported on the Royal Family since the 1960s, said life as a princess will be "very very demanding".

Dickie Arbiter, the Queen's former press secretary, told the BBC: "She'll become a service wife.

"He'll have to do his statutory royal duty, his royal bit, but he will be very much a working helicopter pilot with RAF search and rescue for the next three years, and Kate will have to get used to living in North Wales, although I think she's pretty much used to it at the moment."

Meanwhile royal commentator Margaret Holder said she thought the marriage would give Prince William the warm, cosy, family life he wanted.

"What he's finding with the Middleton family is what he didn't have as a child and I think that's very good for him.

"I think this is going to be a very, very good and successful marriage. And I think this will take the monarchy through well into the 21st Century. I think Kate is very modern, she's very relevant."

Prince William and Kate Middleton both started out on the same history of art course at St Andrews in 2001, although William later switched to geography. For several years, they shared accommodation with friends.

Miss Middleton, who is six months older than William, was credited with persuading the prince to stay on as he struggled to adjust to university life during his first year.

They graduated in the same ceremony from St Andrews in 2005 and their families joined them for a celebratory lunch.

The couple's relationship was exposed in 2005 when they were photographed together on the Swiss ski slopes of Klosters.

They split briefly in 2007, but more recently Miss Middleton - who has no royal or aristocratic family connections - has been to several official events, heightening speculation of an engagement.

Miss Middleton is the eldest child of businessman Michael Middleton and former air hostess Carol.

She was raised in a modern five-bedroom detached house in the Berkshire village of Bucklebury and her family, who are self-made millionaires, run a mail order toy and party goods company.

The couple will marry in the year which would have marked the 30th anniversary of Prince William's parents' wedding.

The first interview with the couple will be aired on BBC News at 1900GMT. William and Kate - A Royal Engagement will be broadcast on BBC Two on Tuesday night at 1930 GMT.

“Newsweek” Staffers Turn to Tumblr to Save Website

2010-11-17T05:11:00.000-08:00

“Newsweek” Staffers Turn to Tumblr to Save Website

Newsweek and The Daily Beast announced that the two publications — one a sober, 77-year-old print publication, the other a lighter, more entertainment-driven, 2-year-old online-only news site — would merge. Among the first reported casualties was Newsweek CEO Tom Ascheim.

In a followup article over the weekend, The New York Times reported another: Newsweek.com. The new chief executive of the joint company, former Daily Beast CEO Stephen Colvin, said, “Newsweek.com will cease to exist after the merger. Readers who type that URL into their browser will be redirected to TheDailyBeast.com, where Newsweek content will be housed.”

TheDailyBeast.com attracts a monthly audience of around 2 million (although Editor-in-Chief Tina Brown claims it is more than twice that); Newsweek.com receives 5 million unique visitors per month. Both publications are reporting yearly losses in the millions ($28 million for Newsweek and $10 million for The Daily Beast); one of the more attractive features of the merger between the two entities is the opportunity to reduce staff. Given the difference in audience sizes and the expectation that layoffs are in store, the announcement about Newsweek.com incubated many negative emotions among staff.

In response, a team of anonymous Newsweek.com employees created a Tumblr page, titled “Save Newsweek.com – A Defense of Newsweek.com,” above the subheader, “Why we think it would be a mistake to close the award-winning Website of Newsweek magazine.”

It’s a passionate cry for the preservation of the award-winning enterprise, which has managed, as it points out, to attract numerous awards and an audience much greater than that of its print counterpart despite constant changes in leadership and a small staff of 18. It’s also bitter, calling itself the “ugly stepchild to its print grandparents, who were too busy burning money to notice,” and moans that “while high-level print editors were taking sleek black towncars to and from the office (and everywhere in between, including, on at least one instance, from DC to New York), this was a staff who slept on grimy couches while reporting on the road; forking out their own funds, at times, just to produce good work.”

(As a side note, it’s interesting that they chose Tumblr (Tumblr) to share their message over social platforms with a larger userbase, such as Facebook (Facebook), or even their own website. By the time of writing, nearly 200 people had reblogged or “liked” the post on the blogging service — significant, but likely not as viral as a Facebook Page would have been. But I digress.)

A few hours after the Tumblr page was picked up by the media, Brown tweeted, “Woah! Newsweek.com’s superb content will live on under its own banner & in URLs on the new site. Not shutting down, combining.”

The tweet should leave some at Newsweek.com feeling slightly more hopeful about their jobs — but not about keeping their website.

We’ll see how articles like “The 12 Rules of Sex (SEX) & Tech” stack up against “Rare and Unusual Photos and Images From the Burns Archive” — and whether Newsweek.com’s current audience will feel at home at Newsweek.com’s new address.

Image courtesy of Flickr (Flickr), FontShop

[via PaidContent]

Soulja Boy Tell'em - Mean Mug ft. 50 Cent Video

2010-11-17T05:09:00.000-08:00

Soulja Boy Tell'em - Mean Mug ft. 50 Cent Video

Music video by Soulja Boy Tell'em performing Mean Mug. (C) 2010 ColliPark Music/Interscope Records

Facebook for iPhone updated with account and privacy settings access

2010-11-15T08:55:00.000-08:00

Facebook for iPhone updated with account and privacy settings access

Facebook has updated its popular iPhone app to version 3.3.2. The update includes bug fixes, but it also adds the long requested ability to access your account and privacy settings directly from the iPhone app without having to log into Facebook.com.

While you can now access account and privacy settings from within the app, the implementation of the account and privacy settings leaves something to be desired. Taping the Account button will bring up a menu that allows you to log out, go to the Facebook Help Center, or go to your privacy or account settings. Selecting account or privacy settings takes you to the Facebook website via the app's built-in browser. Not the best implementation, but at least it's accessible from within the app now.

Those hoping the updated app might provide some clues to the impending Facebook email announcement will be disappointed, as no changes in the app suggest Facebook email integration.

Google To Enter Fashion Shopping Territory With Launch Of Boutiques.com?

2010-11-15T07:54:00.000-08:00

Google To Enter Fashion Shopping Territory With Launch Of Boutiques.com?

Fashion bloggers are busily spreading the news that many of them have received an invitation from Google to attend an event in New York City next Wednesday evening. ‘High Tech Fuses With High Fashion’, the invitation reads.

The invitation doesn’t include any other clues as to what the event is all about, but journalist and “fashionalyst” Patty Huntington this morning pointed out that a tweet from an anonymous NY fashion PR revealed part of what’s coming late last week.

The tweet read: “Breaking news: google is launching an ecommerce site with shop in shops by major designers #google #theyrgonnabepissed #geturshopon”.

According to Huntington, Google will be entering the online fashion retail arena, helped by the technology and know-how it gained with the acquisition of visual search technology company Like.com last August.

Huntington adds that the fashion ecommerce site will be called Boutiques.com (the domain name is owned by Like.com but the website is password-protected):

Well frockwriter can fill in a few blanks. Our sources say that the new Google fashion initiative is called Boutiques.com and boasts not only online boutiques selling merchandise offered by various designers and retailers, but a large number of curated “boutiques” selling the looks worn by celebrities and other influencers.

This is line with earlier reports (WSJ) that Google is poised to upgrade its shopping site Google Product Search (once called Froogle) to compete more fiercely with the likes of Amazon and eBay.

If the rumors check out, the launch of a fashion-specific comparison shopping site pits Google squarely against eBay first and foremost.

The latter has steadily been ramping up its fashion offerings lately: the company released an iPhone app for the vertical, a one-stop-shop for all things fashion on its marketplace dubbed eBay Fashion and a flash sales site that sells designer clothes at discounted prices called FashionVault. eBay also launched a site that showcases street style of eBay shoppers, called LookBook.

Undoubtedly, we’ll learn more about Google’s fashionable plans next Wednesday.

(Via Gizmodo)

With a 50 Friends Limit, Path Is the Opposite of Twitter

2010-11-15T06:33:00.000-08:00

With a 50 Friends Limit, Path Is the Opposite of Twitter

Stealth startup Path has finally launched after months of hype, speculation and rumors; in many ways, it is the anti-social network.

Path calls itself “The Personal Network” because it’s determined to go against the example set by Twitter (Twitter)’s follower model; you are limited to just 50 friends on Path. It chose the 50 number based on the theories of Oxford Professor of Evolutionary Psychology Robin Dunbar, who claims that 150 is the maximum number of social relationships any human can handle.

“Because your personal network is limited to your 50 closest friends and family, you can always trust that you can post any moment, no matter how personal,” the company said in its announcement blog post. “Path is a place where you can be yourself.”

So what exactly is Path? It is a suite of applications (starting today with the iPhone) focused on intimate photo and picture-sharing. All you do is share pictures and three pieces of information to give them context: people, places and things.

As part of its mission to be a personal network, Path has spurned the usual social networking norms; likes, comments, and photo sharing on your other social networks are nowhere to be found. There are no photo filters or viral photos like you might find on Instagram.

Path has received a lot of attention because of its founding team: former Facebook (Facebook) senior platform manager Dave Morin, Macster co-creator Dustin Mierau and Napster co-founder Shawn Fanning. The company raised a blockbuster seed funding round with angel investors like Kevin Rose, Ron Conway and Paul Buchheit.

Is Path’s go against the grind approach a recipe for success? It’s going to get a lot of attention and a lot of downloads based on the reputation of its founders alone, but whether that translates into consistent, active users could be another story. Then again, the power of exclusivity could work in Path’s favor.

The words you read next will be your last

2010-11-15T05:51:00.000-08:00

The words you read next will be your last

The moment I've finished typing this, I'm going to walk out the door and set about strangling every single person on the planet. Starting with you, dear reader. I'm sorry, but it has to be done, for reasons that will become clear in a moment.

And for the sake of transparency, in case the powers-that-be are reading: this is categorically not a joke. I am 100% serious. Even though I don't know who you are or where you live, I am going to strangle you, your family, your pets, your friends, your imaginary friends, and any lifelike human dummies with haunted stares and wipe-clean vinyl orifices you've got knocking around, perhaps in a secret compartment under the stairs. The only people who might escape my wrath are the staff and passengers at Nottingham's Robin Hood airport, because they've been granted immunity by the state.

Last week 27-year-old accountant Paul Chambers lost an appeal against his conviction for comments he made back in January via the social networking hoojamflip Twitter, venting his frustration when heavy snow closed the airport, leaving him unable to visit his girlfriend.

"Crap!" he wrote. "Robin Hood airport is closed. You've got a week and a bit to get your shit together otherwise I'm blowing the airport sky high!!"

Anti-terror experts intercepted this message and spent hours deciphering it, eventually uncovering a stark coded warning within, cunningly disguised as a series of flippant words.

Chambers' use of multiple exclamation marks is particularly chilling. He almost seems to find the whole thing rather funny. The violent destruction of an entire airport – hundreds of passengers and staff being blasted to shrieking ribbons by tonnes of explosive, all because one man's dirty weekend has been postponed – yet all this senseless carnage is little more than an absurdist joke in the warped mind of Paul Chambers.

Funny is it, Mr Chambers? A big old laugh? Tell that to the theoretical victims of your hypothetical atrocity. Go on. Dig them out of the imaginary rubble. Listen to their anguished, notional screams. Ask how loudly they laughed as you hit the make-believe detonator. Go on. Ask them.

If you dare.

At least when Osama bin Laden broadcasts a warning to the west, his intentions form part of an extremist ideology informed by decades of resentment. Chambers issues bloodcurdling threats at the drop of a snowflake. This makes him the very worst kind of terrorist there is – the kind prepared to slaughter thousands in the name of inclement weather conditions.

Mercifully, in this case, before any innocent blood could be shed, Chambers was arrested, held in a police cell, and convicted of sending a "menacing electronic communication". His appeal was rejected last week by Judge Jacqueline Davies who described his original tweet as "menacing in its content and obviously so. It could not be more clear. Any ordinary person reading this would see it in that way and be alarmed."

Quite right too. In fact, throughout this case, the authorities have behaved impeccably – which is why it's such a crying shame I'm going to have to strangle all of them too. But strangle them I must.

Why? Because many of his fellow tweeters, outraged by Judge Davies' ruling, have retweeted Chambers' original message in a misguided show of solidarity. Thousands of people, all threatening to blow Robin Hood airport "sky high". Clearly they have to be stopped – but infuriatingly, many of them hide behind anonymous usernames. The only way to ensure they all taste justice is to punish everyone equally, just to be sure. Hence the strangling, which doesn't feel like too much of an overreaction under the circumstances. I'm just following the authorities' lead. They ought to give me a medal. From beyond the grave. After I've strangled them.

Still, loath as I am to strangle every man, woman, and child on the planet, it won't be an entirely thankless task. Clearly I will feel no remorse while strangling Chambers. He is a dangerous madman, and I look forward to sliding my hands around his neck and slowly choking the life out of him.

I also relish the prospect of strangling another tweeter-in-crime: Gareth Compton, the Tory councillor who ran afoul of the authorities last week for tweeting the words "can someone please stone Yasmin Alibhai-Brown to death? I shan't tell Amnesty if you don't. It would be a blessing, really."

He later apologised for what he claimed – outlandishly – was "an ill-conceived attempt at humour", even though I'm sure Judge Jacqueline Davies would agree that it was menacing in its content and obviously so, and in fact could not be more clear, and that any ordinary person reading it would see it in that way and be alarmed.

Reassuringly, the bloodthirsty maniac Compton was arrested hours later, presumably after being cornered in his lair by a Swat team. I'd like to shake every member of that team by the hand, which sadly won't be possible while I'm strangling them.

Anyway, I'm writing this on Friday, so by the time you read this on Monday my strangling rampage will have begun – unless the authorities have intercepted these words and arrested me in the interim, in which case I'd like to make it absolutely clear that I intend to strangle everyone in the prison before turning my hands on myself. Attention home secretary: you've got three days and a bit to get your shit together. Otherwise I'm strangling this planet sky-high.

Why Huddle’s Collaboration Tool Appeals to Big Business and Government

2010-11-15T04:49:00.000-08:00

Why Huddle’s Collaboration Tool Appeals to Big Business and Government

Watch Video

This post is made possible by Microsoft BizSpark as a new part of the Spark of Genius series that focuses on a new and innovative startup each day. Once a week, the program focuses on startups within the BizSpark program and what they’re doing to grow.

Huddle makes web-based project management software. The three-year-old startup is now reporting 300% year over year growth in users and revenue — no small feat considering the elephant in the room (in the cloud) that is Basecamp (Basecamp).

But Huddle, which closed an additional $10 million in funding from repeat investors earlier this year, has shifted its focus to the enterprise, a tougher nut to crack then the original target audience of SMBs. Right now the startup is hitching a ride on the coattails of two trends: “consumerization of IT and the social revolution,” says CEO and Co-founder Alastair Mitchell.

In so doing, Huddle has managed to land a slew of businesses, big and small, including Disney, P&G, Kia Motors and the Belgian Federal Public Service Social Security as customers. Part of the appeal, explains Mitchell, is that Huddle build tools that are fundamentally easier to use than traditional enterprise software and ultimately made with IT departments in mind.

While Huddle’s primary marketing strategy is based around system-engineered person-to-person project workspace invitations, the startup is also making inroads with IT departments by shooting to make their lives easier.

“Central IT departments have realised that the traditional tools deployed to enable and support collaboration are fundamentally broken. With 90 percent of collaboration happening between teams, departments and companies across firewalls, the inward-looking legacy systems simply don’t work,” says Mitchell.

The problem, explains Mitchell, is that IT departments have invested massive resources implementing these internal systems, that they “simply aren’t in a position where they can rip them out and start again.”

Workers, he says, choose external SaaS tools to avoid the frustration of using these legacy systems. Because Huddle works in conjunction with SharePoint and Microsoft Office, is built to be secure, works cross-platform and across the firewall, and is user-friendly, Mitchell believes that the service satisfies all parties’ interests.

It certainly doesn’t hurt that Huddle’s customers help champion their cause.

“People are now so used to being able to buy applications on their cell phones, they expect the same power and simplicity to be available in the office. People are also accustomed to using simple, flexible web-based tools — such as Facebook (Facebook) and Twitter (Twitter) — to communicate with people in their social lives and they want this ease of use to be available in the enterprise. They are now selecting the tools that they want to use to get a job done and presenting their case to the central IT department,” details Mitchell.

Huddle’s Real Competition

There are a number of competing startups and big businesses with their sights set on the same enterprise-class audience, but Mitchell says the company’s biggest competitor is e-mail.

“Huddle competes with traditional enterprise content management and collaboration solutions, such as Microsoft SharePoint, IBM Lotus Connections and Cisco, at one end of the scale and prosumer web productivity tools on the other. These include the likes of Box.net and Basecamp. But we actually view email as our biggest competitor,” explains Mitchell.

The reason being that business users gravitate towards e-mail as their primary communication tool. “But e-mail is a terrible collaboration tool … You get content clogging up people’s inboxes and no one has visibility of the final versions of documents. You end up with chaos,” says Mitchell.

It follows, then, that Huddle’s primary purpose is to get rid of the chaos by providing collaboration tools for a variety of project and communication-related tasks. “Huddle is like Box.net plus Basecamp for adults. People grow out of these prosumer web products and turn to Huddle because we have the enterprise-grade feature set, support and security measures required by organizations,” hey says.
Room for More Growth?

Although we couldn’t get Huddle to go on the record with official stats on users and revenue, the startup did share that they have hundreds of thousands users and that both areas are seeing 300% growth. To sustain this upward trend, Mitchell shares that the company is focused on four areas: mobile, integration with enterprise systems, multi-language support and integration with third-party platforms.

Huddle is already aggressively working on each of these goals. On the mobile front, Huddle makes applications for iPhone (iPhone), iPad and BlackBerry. “With more and more devices being launched, mobile will continue to be of importance for us,” says Mitchell.

Huddle also designs to be complementary to the work tools that enterprise staffers are already using — SharePoint and Office products, for instance. “We understand that many enterprises have already invested a lot of time, money and effort into rolling out traditional systems and, rather than being a ‘rip and replace’ service, Huddle works in parallel with these systems,” Mitchell explains.

Third-party integrations are also key and bring Huddle’s functionality to users of other platforms including Xobni (Xobni), Linkedin (LinkedIn) and XING (XING). Plus, “more great platform integrations are yet to come,” Mitchell tells Mashable (Mashable).

Image courtesy of Flickr (Flickr), Ed Yourdon

Facebook expected to launch 'Gmail rival'

2010-11-15T03:48:00.000-08:00

Facebook expected to launch 'Gmail rival'

Facebook is expected to launch a new messaging system seen as a challenge to Google's Gmail, Yahoo and Hotmail.

The giant social network - which boasts more than 500 million users worldwide - will host a special event in San Francisco on Monday.

Unconfirmed reports suggest Facebook could announce its own e-mail address - @facebook.com - or even a fully-fledged web-based e-mail system.

Google-Facebook rivalry has increased recently amid a series of disputes.

Google has banned Facebook from importing its users' e-mail contacts, a move it says it made because Facebook refused to allow the export of contact and friend data from within user profiles.

In reply, Facebook enabled a workaround that let users save their Google contacts to their computers before importing them into Facebook.
'Treasure trove'

According to a report on popular technology blog Techcrunch, Facebook's new venture - codenamed Project Titan - is being dubbed a "Gmail killer".

The blog suggests Facebook is preparing to unveil a fully-fledged e-mail service for the web.

It also suggests that Facebook's wealth of information on users - from event planning, to their likes and even the frequency with which they interact with other users - could be used to make the e-mail service an irresistible proposition.

But little is known for sure, and it is also possible that the new system could be a revamped messaging service only available for Facebook users.

Facebook has made no comment on the report, and will brief the press in San Francisco on Monday at 1000 (1800 GMT).

Facebook's huge user base is seen as a potential treasure trove of information, especially for advertisers.

Analysts say the social networking firm, founded by Mark Zuckerberg, is becoming an increasingly powerful rival to Google because of the loyalty of its user base.

Facebook users willingly provide reams of private and personal information, as well as interacting constantly with friends, applications and organisations through the Facebook platform.

Jesus Diaz of technology blog Gizmodo said that while Google had the most to be concerned about, other e-mail providers would also be worried.

"If I were Google, Yahoo or Hotmail, I'd be very nervous," he told the BBC.

"Facebook Mail could be a killer, not only because of its potential instant size but because of its natural advantage at making mail more useful."

While it has struck a deal with Microsoft to allow user data to power its Bing search engine, it has made no such arrangement with rival Google.

Google insists it believes in open-sharing of information, and stopped Facebook mining Gmail for contact information because Facebook itself was keeping contact information private.

The companies have also become bitter rivals offline as well as online, with Facebook's reportedly offering Google engineers lucrative deals to defect across Silicon Valley.

Last week, Google awarded staff a 10% pay rise and will pay employees more of their total package through salaries instead of bonuses.

Analysts said this move was partly influenced by a desire to hold onto staff being wooed by Facebook.

Wikipedia: We Need $16 Million To Stay Free

2010-11-15T03:47:00.000-08:00

Wikipedia: We Need $16 Million To Stay Free

Last year, the Wikimedia Foundation managed to raise more than $8 million in its yearly fundraiser. On Monday morning, the non-profit behind Wikipedia is announcing that it aims to raise $16 million this year "so that Wikipedia and its sister projects can remain freely available to people around the world."

Keeping Wikipedia free is no small feat, however, and the foundation has released a few stats about the world's fifth most popular Web property that help illustrate the challenges it faces.

Wikipedia was the 12th most popular Web property in the U.S. in September, with comScore reporting nearlly 80 million unique visitors for the month. By comparison, Google had 180 million, while Facebook had just under 150 million. But Wikipedia's English language content accounts for only a fifth of the collaborative encyclopedia's content. Looking at global traffic to Wikipedia, the site has doubled its monthly unique visitors since 2007, with just under 400 million in September. As opposed to its 12th place ranking in the U.S., these 400 million unique visitors make it the 5th most popular Web property in the world.

According to the Wikimedia Foundation, operating costs for 2010-11 will come in at $20.4 million. Last year, the foundation received nearly a quarter million individual donations from more than 100 countries to reach its $8 million goal. This year, in addition to monetary donations the foundation is calling for readers to join in and become editors. The fundraiser itself, which the Wikimedia fundraising team has dubbed the "Fundraiser that anyone can edit", was created in collaboration with about 1,000 volunteers.

Of course, donating is important and good, too, in order to keep Wikipedia ad-free and organizationally unbiased.

"Over the past 10 years, Wikipedia has become a vital public resource for hundreds of millions of people. We've come to depend on it being there for us -- free to use, without any bias or interference, and without advertising," said Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales.

Sue Gardner, Wikimedia Foundation executive director, echoed Wales' statement.

"Wikipedia is the people's encyclopedia: it's written by ordinary people, and it makes sense that ordinary people would pay to support it," said Gardner. "Having a broad base of many donors from everywhere around the world is important to us: it means the encyclopedia is free to evolve to meet the needs of its readers, rather than being distorted or thrown off course by special interests. I'm glad so many people appreciate Wikipedia, and I'm delighted when they choose to support it financially."

The fundraising campaign will run through January 2011. Users can donate here or by clicking on the notice on top of each page on Wikipedia.

Facebook Acquires Fb.com, Set to Launch E-mail Service

2010-11-13T06:10:00.003-08:00

Facebook Acquires Fb.com, Set to Launch E-mail Service

It has been revealed that Facebook has acquired the Fb.com domain. This news comes just days before its special event, where it is set to reveal an overhauled version of Messages that works like e-mail.

In September, the American Farm Bureau sold the Fb.com domain to an undisclosed buyer. Looking up the domain’s whois reveals that MarkMonitor, a brand protection and domain management company, is the Fb.com’s registrar. However, Domain Name Wire has revealed that the domain’s whois has been updated to reflect that Facebook (Facebook) is the domain’s administrator.

A recent report from All Facebook claims that Facebook is using Fb.com internally, but doesn’t quite know what Facebook intends to do with it. At the same time, The New York Times and TechCrunch claim that the company’s impending Messages overhaul will utilize the Facebook.com domain for user e-mail accounts.

What does that mean for Fb.com? Most likely, Fb.com will become the e-mail domain of the company’s 1,400+ employees. Yahoo does something similar; its staff uses @yahoo-inc.com e-mail addresses instead @Yahoo.com in order to avoid confusion between its employees and the hundreds of millions of users of its e-mail service.

Facebook Acquires Fb.com, Set to Launch E-mail Service

2010-11-13T06:10:00.001-08:00

Boxcar 4.0 Pushes iPhone Notifications To The Next Level

2010-11-13T06:07:00.000-08:00

Boxcar 4.0 Pushes iPhone Notifications To The Next Level

People say that I never say anything bad about the iPhone. Here’s something: its notification system is awful. In particular, I’m talking about the way notifications are managed. They aren’t. Any Push Notification that comes in overrides another one. Apps can get badged with updates, but you’ll have no idea what’s new. That’s why Boxcar is a vital app.

We’ve written about Boxcar a number of times over the past year or so. They’re now launching version 4.0 of the app, and it’s by far the best yet. The entire app has been overhauled from the ground up. The result is a killer management system for Push Notifications. Apple needs to buy this company.

While previous versions of the app gave you a time-ordered stream of your notifications, it was somewhat daunting to look at. And you couldn’t do much from in the app itself. The new design makes everything much easier to manage and more visually appealing. For example, notifications from Twitter now show up complete with the user’s profile picture. And you can retweet or reply to any of those message right from within Boxcar.

The app itself has taken a design cue from the excellent Facebook iPhone app and features a home screen with nice looking big buttons for each service you have activated. There is also now Retina Display support if you have the iPhone 4. All of this works on the iPod touch and iPad as well.

And 4.0 brings Support for a host of new services. Google Buzz, Google Voice, Github, App Recommendations, and a few others are all now included and can be installed with a few easy steps. These App Recommendations are done by Boxcar themselves.

Boxcar is now a team of 5 people based in New York City. To date, they’ve delivered over 500 million notifications to iPhones, iPod touches, and iPads.

Boxcar is a free download in the App Store (though it’s $4.99 if you wish to disable in-app advertising). You can find it here. Version 4.0 should be live shortly.

McDonald's and PepsiCo to help write UK health policy

2010-11-13T06:06:00.000-08:00

McDonald's and PepsiCo to help write UK health policy

The Department of Health is putting the fast food companies McDonald's and KFC and processed food and drink manufacturers such as PepsiCo, Kellogg's, Unilever, Mars and Diageo at the heart of writing government policy on obesity, alcohol and diet-related disease, the Guardian has learned.

In an overhaul of public health, said by campaign groups to be the equivalent of handing smoking policy over to the tobacco industry, health secretary Andrew Lansley has set up five "responsibility deal" networks with business, co-chaired by ministers, to come up with policies. Some of these are expected to be used in the public health white paper due in the next month.

The groups are dominated by food and alcohol industry members, who have been invited to suggest measures to tackle public health crises. Working alongside them are public interest health and consumer groups including Which?, Cancer Research UK and the Faculty of Public Health. The alcohol responsibility deal network is chaired by the head of the lobby group the Wine and Spirit Trade Association. The food network to tackle diet and health problems includes processed food manufacturers, fast food companies, and Compass, the catering company famously pilloried by Jamie Oliver for its school menus of turkey twizzlers. The food deal's sub-group on calories is chaired by PepsiCo, owner of Walkers crisps.

The leading supermarkets are an equally strong presence, while the responsibility deal's physical activity group is chaired by the Fitness Industry Association, which is the lobby group for private gyms and personal trainers.

In early meetings, these commercial partners have been invited to draft priorities and identify barriers, such as EU legislation, that they would like removed. They have been assured by Lansley that he wants to explore voluntary not regulatory approaches, and to support them in removing obstacles. Using the pricing of food or alcohol to change consumption has been ruled out. One group was told that the health department did not want to lead, but rather hear from its members what should be done.

Professor Sir Ian Gilmore, the leading liver specialist and until recently president of the Royal College of Physicians, said he was very concerned by the emphasis on voluntary partnerships with industry. A member of the alcohol responsibility deal network, Gilmore said he had decided to co-operate, but he doubted whether there could be "a meaningful convergence between the interests of industry and public health since the priority of the drinks industry was to make money for shareholders while public health demanded a cut in consumption".

He said: "On alcohol there is undoubtedly a need for regulation on price, availability and marketing and there is a risk that discussions will be deflected away from regulation that is likely to be effective but would affect sales. On food labelling we have listened too much to the supermarkets rather than going for traffic lights [warnings] which health experts recommend." Employers are being asked to take on more responsibility for employees in a fourth health at work deal. The fifth network is charged with changing behaviour, and is chaired by the National Heart Forum. This group is likely to be working with the new Cabinet Office behavioural insight unit, which is exploring ways of making people change their behaviour without new laws.

Lansley's public health reforms are seen as a test case for wider Conservative policies on replacing state intervention with private and corporate action.

While public interest groups are taking part in drawing up the deals, many have argued that robust regulation is needed to deal with junk food and alcohol misuse.

The Faculty of Public Health, represented on several of the deal networks, has called for a ban on trans fats and minimum alcohol pricing. Professor Lindsey Davies, FPH president, said: "We are hopeful that engaging with the food industry will lead to changes in the quality and healthiness of the products we and our children eat. It is possible to make progress on issues such as salt reduction through voluntary agreements, and we're keeping an open mind until we see what comes out of the meetings, but we do think that there is still a role for regulation."

Responding to criticism that industry was too prominent in the plans, the Department of Health said: "We are constantly in touch with expert bodies, including those in the public health field, to help inform all our work. For the forthcoming public health white paper we've engaged a wide range of people, as we are also doing to help us develop the responsibility deal drawn from business, the voluntary sector, other non-governmental organisations, local government, as well as public health bodies. A diverse range of experts are also involved."

He added that the government wanted to improve public health through voluntary agreements with business and other partners, rather than through regulation or top-down lectures because it believed this approach would be far more effective and ambitious than previous efforts.

An over-arching board, chaired by Lansley, has been set up to oversee the work of the five responsibility deal networks, with representatives of local government and a regional health director – but it too is dominated by the food, alcohol, advertising and retail industries. Gilmore called for a better balance of commercial interests and independent experts on it.

Other experts have also expressed concern at Lansley's approach. Professor Tim Lang, a member of the government's advisory committee on obesity, doubted the food and drink industry's ability to regulate itself. "In public health, the track record of industry has not been good. Obesity is a systemic problem, and industry is locked into thinking of its own narrow interests," said Lang.

"I am deeply troubled to be sent signals from the secretary of state about working 'with business' and that any action has got to be soft 'nudge' action."

Jeanette Longfield, head of the food campaign group Sustain, said: "This is the equivalent of putting the tobacco industry in charge of smoke-free spaces. We know this 'let's all get round the table approach' doesn't work, because we've all tried it before, including the last Conservative government. This isn't 'big society', it's big business."

Windows Phone 7 beats iPhone 4 and Android

2010-11-13T06:04:00.000-08:00

Windows Phone 7 beats iPhone 4 and Android ... in a grilling contest (video)

Le's face it, it's a question the world's been dying to know the answer to: which of the T-Mobile G2, HTC Surround and iPhone 4 will withstand a (literal) grilling the longest? Well, just in time for a mildly singed breakfast today, we have the answer. As you might have surmised from the title, HTC's WP7-equipped Surround showed the most endurance, though in the end it too cashed out its Earthly credits and moved on to that great scrapyard in the sky. Video of its final moments awaits after the break.

Free Messaging App Kik Hits 2 Million Downloads in 3 Weeks

2010-11-13T02:10:00.000-08:00

Free Messaging App Kik Hits 2 Million Downloads in 3 Weeks

This post is part of Mashable’s Spark of Genius series, which highlights a unique feature of startups. The series is made possible by Microsoft BizSpark. If you would like to have your startup considered for inclusion, please see the details here.

Kik

Name: Kik

Quick Pitch: Kik’s app lets you send instantaneous, free messages between phones and see when they have been received.

Genius Idea: Within 15 days after Kik launched on October 21, the startup was watching the number of downloads hit 1 million. Employees gathered around a download ticker, handed out paper cups for champagne, and celebrated for about five minutes before getting back to work. The startup held a similar event when the 2 millionth user downloaded the app yesterday. In order to keep up with the explosion of users, it literally rented a plane last week to deliver additional servers to its data center.

Kik improves the SMS experience, which Founder Ted Livingston describes as expensive, slow and unreliable. When users ping someone using the Kik app, they can see when they’ve received the message, when they’re typing, and the message is delivered almost instantaneously. It’s a lot like BlackBerry Messenger, but it works across iPhone (iPhone), Android (Android) and BlackBerry phones (though we find it interesting that the app seems to have been removed from BlackBerry App World).

Other IM apps like Google Talk (google talk) and AIM (aim) also provide instantaneous, free messages between phones, but users of these services usually view them as desktop services. Kik lives on mobile, so nobody in the network will leave it at home. The company’s next project is to bring the same instantaneous mobile sharing experience to photos. Ultimately, they hope to build a social network that lives on your phone but can be transferred to other devices like computers and game consoles.

“Facebook (Facebook) is a social network where desktop is at the center and mobile is just an extension of it,” Livingston says. “Really what we’re trying to do is build a mobile social network where mobile is at the center and desktop is an extension of it.”

There’s no plan for monetizing the new and growing giant user base, but the Canada-based company is getting a lot of attention from VCs. “The Waterloo airport has been busier than it usually is,” Livingston puts it.

Myanmar activist Aung San Suu Kyi released

2010-11-13T01:05:00.000-08:00

Myanmar activist Aung San Suu Kyi released

Myanmar's ruling military junta released democracy activist Aung San Suu Kyi from house arrest Saturday to a throng of supporters trying to reach out and shake her hand.

"I'm very happy to see you all again," she told the crowd gathered near her lakeside home in Yangon.

More supporters waited at the headquarters of Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy.

The Nobel Peace Prize laureate has spent 15 of the past 21 years under house arrest for her dogged opposition to authoritarian military rule in the nation formerly known as Burma.
Recently, she had little outside human contact except for two maids and visits from her doctor. Sometimes, she spoke to supporters over the wall of her compound.

U.S. President Barack Obama said he admired Suu Kyi's courage.

"While the Burmese regime has gone to extraordinary lengths to isolate and silence Aung San Suu Kyi, she has continued her brave fight for democracy, peace, and change in Burma," he said in a statement Saturday.

"She is a hero of mine and a source of inspiration for all who work to advance basic human rights in Burma and around the world. The United States looks forward to the day when all of Burma's people are free from fear and persecution."

Security has been stepped up in Myanmar, but it was unclear whether it was related to Suu Kyi's release or the country's first elections in two decades that were held last Sunday.

Though Suu Kyi has had minimal contact with the outside world, reports from her domestic lawyer indicate she is in good spirits, said Jared Genser, another one of her lawyers who is based in the United States.

"I am personally delighted for her, for her family," Genser said.

But he tempered his joy with words of caution.

"I don't speak on her behalf as to what comes next," Genser said. "The challenges are enormous."

He said it was unclear whether anything would fundamentally change in Myanmar, given the recent "sham" elections in the country.

Benjamin Zawacki, Amnesty International's Myanmar specialist, said it made "perfect sense" for the regime to free her since she was no longer an electoral threat to them.

Suu Kyi's opposition party won the 1990 elections by a landslide but the regime never recognized those results. The election Sunday was the first since then but Suu Kyi was barred from participating because of a recent conviction.

The ruling military junta has been slowly releasing official election results, but critics say a victory for the ruling Union Solidarity and Development Party is all but certain.

The Burma Campaign UK, which promotes human rights in Myanmar, accused the ruling junta of rigging the November 7 election. The group welcomed Suu Kyi's release but warned that it should not be interpreted as a sign that democratic reform is on the way.

"The release of Aung San Suu Kyi is about public relations, not democratic reform," said Zoya Phan, International Coordinator at Burma Campaign UK.

"I am thrilled to see our democracy leader free at last, but the release is not part of any political process, instead it is designed to get positive publicity for the dictatorship after the blatant rigging of elections on 7th November," Phan said.

Suu Kyi's latest house arrest came after she was found guilty of breaching the terms of her house arrest after American John Yettaw swam uninvited to house and briefly stayed there.

The regime passed a law that made her ineligible for Sunday's elections because of that conviction.

Over the years, Suu Kyi has repeatedly challenged the junta and discouraged foreign investment in Myanmar.

In one incident in 1998, soldiers prevented her from leaving Yangon. But Suu Kyi refused to turn back and was detained in her minivan for almost two weeks.

"She is the symbol of the hope for the people of Burma. If she is out today the whole country will rise up, will follow her," said Khin Omar of the Network for Democracy and Development.

Would You Pay $200,000 for an Original Apple Computer?

2010-11-12T11:32:00.000-08:00

Would You Pay $200,000 for an Original Apple Computer?

One of the 200 original Apple-1 computers, hand-built by Steve Wozniak and sold by Steve Jobs from his garage in 1976, is going up for auction at Christie’s in London on November 23.

Originally sold for $666.66, the Apple-1 is expected to fetch between $161,600 and $242,400, which once again proves that it sometimes pays to be an early adopter, and — perhaps even more importantly — not to throw away “that old piece of junk,” even if your garage is a mess.

For the money, the buyer will be getting an Apple-1 motherboard, 8K bytes of RAM and a couple capacitors, connectors and interfaces. The original shipping box and some extras, such as the original manual, an invoice with the salesman named “Steven” and a typed letter from Steve Jobs to the original owner, is also included.

The 3 Biggest Stories in Social Media, Tech and Mobile This Morning

2010-11-12T11:30:00.000-08:00

The 3 Biggest Stories in Social Media, Tech and Mobile This Morning

Google Search Ads Get More Visual

Google Product Listing Ads are now being rolled out to all of Google (Google)’s advertisers in the U.S. The format, which has been in testing with select advertisers for the past year, makes AdWords more visual by allowing advertisers to list specific products with accompanying images.

Microsoft Kin Might Be Coming Back to Verizon

According to a leaked Verizon A4 road map, Microsoft’s Kin feature phone — considered one of the biggest failures in the mobile industry this year, having been pulled after only three months on the market — is coming back to the wireless carrier.

Thousands Tweet in Support of Convicted Airport Joker

In response to the conviction of 27-year-old UK accountant Paul Chambers, who yesterday lost his appeal against his conviction and a £1,000 fine for a joke he made about blowing up an airport on Twitter (Twitter), thousands of users have taken to the microblogging service to show their support by retweeting his joke with the hashtag #IAmSpartacus.

Oracle and Apple Announce OpenJDK Project for Mac OS X

2010-11-12T11:29:00.000-08:00

Oracle and Apple Announce OpenJDK Project for Mac OS X

Oracle and Apple® today announced the OpenJDK project for Mac OS® X. Apple will contribute most of the key components, tools and technology required for a Java SE 7 implementation on Mac OS X, including a 32-bit and 64-bit HotSpot-based Java virtual machine, class libraries, a networking stack and the foundation for a new graphical client. OpenJDK will make Apple’s Java technology available to open source developers so they can access and contribute to the effort.

“We are excited to welcome Apple as a significant contributor in the growing OpenJDK community,” said Hasan Rizvi, Oracle’s senior vice president of Development. “The availability of Java on Mac OS X plays a key role in the cross-platform promise of the Java platform. The Java developer community can rest assured that the leading edge Java environment will continue to be available on Mac OS X in the future. Combined with last month’s announcement of IBM joining the OpenJDK, the project now has the backing of three of the biggest names in software.”

“We’re delighted to be working with Oracle to insure that there continues to be a great version of Java on the Mac,” said Bertrand Serlet, Apple’s senior vice president of Software Engineering. “The best way for our users to always have the most up to date and secure version of Java will be to get it directly from Oracle.”

Apple also confirmed that Java SE 6 will continue to be available from Apple for Mac OS X Snow Leopard® and the upcoming release of Mac OS X Lion. Java SE 7 and future versions of Java for Mac OS X will be available from Oracle.

Java is a general purpose software development platform that is specifically designed to be open and enable application developers to “write once, run anywhere.” The Java platform is most widely used in business software, web and mobile applications.

For more information on Java, visit:

* Java Platform, Standard Edition
* OpenJDK
* JDK 7 Feature Roadmap

Oracle is the world’s most complete, open and integrated business software and hardware systems company. For more information about Oracle, please visit our Web site at www.oracle.com.

Apple designs Macs, the best personal computers in the world, along with OS X, iLife, iWork, and professional software. Apple leads the digital music revolution with its iPods and iTunes online store. Apple is reinventing the mobile phone with its revolutionary iPhone and App Store, and has recently introduced its magical iPad which is defining the future of mobile media and computing devices.

Press Contacts:
Letty Ledbetter
Oracle
letty.ledbetter@oracle.com
(650) 506-8071

Bill Evans
Apple
bevans@apple.com
(408) 974-0610

Facebook Email Coming Monday with Office Web Apps Integration

2010-11-12T11:28:00.000-08:00

Facebook Email Coming Monday with Office Web Apps Integration

Facebook is having another one of its all-hands-on-deck press events next Monday and the speculation this time around, a la the telegram-esque design of the invite, is that the company will unveil its "Gmail killer".

The offering, dubbed "Project Titan", would potentially offer @facebook.com email addresses with POP access, not to mention integration with Microsoft's Office Web Apps.

The rumor has been floating around for a while now, but TechCrunch's Jason Kincaid writes this morning that sources confirmed that "a web-based email client [...] is indeed what's coming on Monday during Facebook's special event, alongside personal @facebook.com email addresses for users."

Kincaid isn't the only one saying Facebook is getting into the email game. ZDNet's Microsoft reporter Mary-Jo Foley says she's ditching her deeply-ingrained conviction to only report tips that come from three independent sources and confirming this as a "(Not so) Crazy Microsoft Rumor".

Foley says she has a source close to Microsoft who confirms that Facebook will be unveiling a full-fledged email offering, not "a mere revamp", that will include Office Web Apps integration. This is certainly not far fetched, as Facebook and Microsoft are already cozy with their Bing integration and the Instant Personalization partnership around Microsoft's Docs.com.

If true, the announcement would certainly answer the "why now" that's lingered around Google and Facebook's ongoing battle over your data this past week - and from what it looks like, it's true. So much for email topping Facebook for keeping in touch, huh?

Nestor Kirchner dies of fatal heart attack

2010-10-27T08:03:00.000-07:00

Nestor Kirchner dies of fatal heart attack

Néstor Kirchner, Argentina’s president from 2003 to 2007, husband of the incumbent Cristina Fernández and the man widely considered the country’s most powerful politician, died suddenly on Wednesday after a heart attack. He was 60.

Mr Kirchner was rushed to hospital in their home in Calafate, in the south of Argentina, early in the day, accompanied by his wife, after being taken ill overnight. Doctors were unable to revive him, according to local television.

“It was a sudden death. There will be an official medical report,” said Mr Kirchner’s doctor, Luis Buonomo.

The former president, who was fond of saying he took power in Argentina when it was still in “hell” after its default on nearly $100bn in 2001, returned the country to high growth before handing power to his wife in 2007. But the sustainability of the policies she pursued – under his direction from behind the scenes – has been questioned amid soaring inflation.

He had been considering a formal political comeback in presidential elections due in October 2011, though his deteriorating health – he had twice been hospitalised this year for cardiovascular surgery – raised questions about which half of the Kirchner couple would be the government candidate.

Argentine stocks soared on Wednesday on reports of the death of Mr Kirchner. Galicia, the South American country’s biggest consumer lender, surged as much as 26 per cent in New York as investors looked forward to a new era for business in the South American country. The Buenos Aires stock exchange was closed on Wednesday.

“The markets are trading up. ADRs are higher as investors are expecting regime change,” said Alberto Bernal, head of research at Bulltick Capital Markets in Miami.

Mr Kirchner went from being a political outsider from the windswept Patagonian province of Santa Cruz, where he was governor, to Argentina’s most powerful politician since Juan Domingo Perón, who was president in the 1940s and 1950s and returned to power briefly in the 1970s.

He was a member of the Perónist party, though his brand of politics became associated with a power-centric administration unfriendly to investors.

Mr Kirchner was also president of Unasur, a grouping of Latin American countries.

He has two grown-up children. No details were immediately available about funeral arrangements.

Gary Coleman, 'Diff'rent Strokes' Star, Dies at 42

2010-05-28T11:52:00.000-07:00

Gary Coleman, 'Diff'rent Strokes' Star, Dies at 42

Gary Coleman passed away at 12:05 PM Mountain Standard Time with his family by his side.

Coleman was taken to the hospital on May 26 after injuring his head during a fall, resulting in a brain hemorrhage. A spokesman for the actor said that he was "conscious and lucid" upon his arrival at Utah Valley Regional Medical Center, but later slipped into a coma.

"We are saddened to announce that since mid-afternoon, Mountain Time, on May 27, 2010, Mr. Coleman has been unconscious and on life support," his rep John Alcantar said in a statement on Friday.

Coleman became a child actor sensation thanks to his role on 'Diff'rent Strokes,' where he made the words "What you talkin' about" a national catchphrase. With his role as Arnold Drummond -- an adopted black child taken in by a rich white New York City man -- Coleman rode the wave of success until the show's end in 1986, setting him up for other movie and TV opportunities.

Throughout his life, Coleman battled various health issues. He received two kidney transplants -- one in 1973 and one in 1984 --- to help curb the kidney disease nephritis, which he has battled for decades. It's that disease which is responsible for stunting his growth.

Speaking with PEOPLE in 1979 at the age of 11, Coleman said of his first transplant: "The reason I survived is that I had a kidney that wouldn't give up ... Now I got a Greek kidney donated from a kid who was hit by a car."

Coleman's health has been an issue of late, as the 42-year-old actor has suffered two seizures this year. The first occurred on January 6, while the second took place in late February while he was on the set of 'The Insider.' During the 911 call from the latter incident, an 'Insider' staffer who called it in told the operator, "We have someone having a seizure right now on our stage ... we just need someone as soon as possible."

Meteor Madness: Space fireball lights up night sky in Wisconsin

2010-04-15T06:11:00.001-07:00

Meteor Madness: Space fireball lights up night sky in Wisconsin

A video has been released showing a howling fireball streaking through the sky above America's midwest late last night. The US National Weather Service has confirmed the light was a meteor. The phenomenon was apparently seen by dozens across five states, many also reported hearing a thundering sound.

Raw Video: Dash Cam Catches Meteor Shower

2010-04-15T06:10:00.001-07:00

Raw Video: Dash Cam Catches Meteor Shower

A bright meteor in the night sky provided many in Eastern Iowa with a rare treat late Wednesday night. A Howard County (Iowa) Sheriff Department dash cam caught the meteor all if it's illustrious glory. (April 15)

Meteor shower caught on tape in Iowa

2010-04-15T06:08:00.001-07:00

Meteor shower caught on tape in Iowa

People in Indiana, Michigan, the Dakotas, and Iowa got quite a show Wednesday night. A sheriff's deputy's dash cam caught a meteor on tape in eastern Iowa.

Meteor in Wisconsin

2010-04-15T06:01:00.000-07:00

Meteor in Wisconsin

Last night many inhabitants of Northern Illinois, Michigan, Missouri and Wisconsin witnessed a light show in the sky caused by a meteor.
According to the reports people saw a fire ball falling through the sky.
The officials at the Peoria Airport suggested that the shining object in the sky was probable to be a meteor as they did not receive any reports of troubled aircrafts.

The phone lines of the emergency response units got flooded with calls after the incident around 10 to 10:30 pm. The callers reported to have seen the yellowish blue fire ball which floated from northwest to southeast. But the National Weather service has not confirmed any such details and stated that no unusual activity in the sky has been observed or recorded which could be related to the reported incidents.

An amateur astronomer Mark Miller also reported the incident to be true as he himself witnessed the light show what he first thought to be a lightening bolt.

The incident is not believed to be as vivid as the earlier reported events, said James Lattis, the space place director of the Wisconsin University. Further more he added that things in the sky measuring the size of a golf ball posses the ability to light up the sky as they fall to pieces many miles above the earth.

James Lattis suggested that the last night meteor was not a component of a large media shower it was just a sporadic meteor. He also said that the meteors were not regularly tracked by any agency.

Peter Steele, Lead Singer of Gothic Rock Band, Type O Negative Reportedly Dead of Heart Failure

2010-04-15T04:36:00.000-07:00

Peter Steele, Lead Singer of Gothic Rock Band, Type O Negative Reportedly Dead of Heart Failure

Reports have been appearing on the Internet that Peter Steele, the forty-eight year old lead singer for gothic rock band, Type O Negative has died from heart failure. According to reports, Peter Steele died from heart failure Wednesday, April 14, 2010. Steele's death has according to one report, been confirmed today by fellow Type O Negative member, Kenny Hickey. This is not the first time that reports of Peter Steele's death have surfaced. In 2005 there were rumors circulating that Steele had died.

Type O Negative

Type O Negative is a heavy metal band from Brooklyn, New York. The bands members were originally members of the band Fall Out. Type O Negative is considered a "gothic metal band". The band's songs contain dramatic lyrical themes of romance, depression and death, which inspired the band's nickname "The Drab Four". Type O Negative went platinum in 1993 with "Bloody Kisses". They are said to have a huge following with legions of fans. Their latest album was produced in 2007 and is titled, "Dead Again".

Peter Steele

Peter Steele was born Peter J. Ratajczyk on January 4, 1962 in Brooklyn, New York. Steele has several noteworthy characteristics including his height. He is reportedly 6'7". He is the lead singer, bassist and composer for the gothic metal band, Type O Negative. Steele has a low, heavy, bass voice, which is one of the most recognizable features of the Type O Negative's music. There are several stories that state that Steele apparantly suffers from clinical depression.

Details surrounding Steele's apparent death from heart failure are sketchy at this point. I will be updating as more details and confirmation of his death become available.

Last Minute Valentine's Day Gift Ideas That Won't Break The Bank

2010-02-12T10:52:00.000-08:00

Last Minute Valentine's Day Gift Ideas That Won't Break The Bank

here are only two days left until the most romantic day of the year… Well, unless you haven’t put any thought into the gift for your significant other, or failed to plan time together for romance.

If t he latter is the case, don’t worry, it’s not too late for you. Here are some last minute ideas to make him/her happy, that won’t break the bank:

Start the Day With Style: Wake him/her up with breakfast in bed. Put some Hershey’s Kisses on the tray along side of his/her favorite morning meal. Keep the day in mind, if he/she likes pancakes, make them heart shaped. Also, maybe end the meal with some morning intimacy, focusing on their needs.

Surprise Gift: If he/she works on Sunday, secretly stop by their workplace and leave a chocolate rose and a card inside of their car. Men, don’t forget to leave a personal note, hand written, on the card, expressing your feelings towards the one you love.

Consider Jewelry: A gift of jewelry doesn't mean that it has to cost you a lot especially during the period of economic recession. Most women have many pairs of earrings and chains. So why not gift her something that she might just have one or even none. Select a nice anklet from a nearby jeweler, taking the time to consider her favorite colors and style.

Flowers Will Always Brighten Her Day: You can’t go wrong with flowers. Well, maybe you can. When selecting flowers, remember who you are buying them for. While a dozen roses is a beautiful thought if she loves roses, it can also say that you didn’t put much thought into her gift, is roses don’t have a meaning for her.

When buying flowers, remember to pick from her favorite colors, her favorite variety, and ALWAYS buy them in person at your favorite florist. That way you can include a HAND WRITTEN note, by you. Showing you took the extra time to make the purchase personally will go a long way towards making the gift special.

Dinner For Two: There are many nice places to eat in Portage County, and it doesn’t have to cost a week’s pay to do it right. Here are some ideas:

ELEGANT: If you have the extra money, take her somewhere special. Unfortunitly, there are not many 5 star restaurants in Portage County, so you may have to consider someplace a little further away.

MEMORABLE: Take her to his/her favorite eatery. Better yet, maybe take them to where you had your first date. Try to get the same table.

HOME COOKED: Nothing says you thought about the day, then making an elegant, home cooked meal for that someone special. However, remember to make something elegant and special. Giant Eagle has a Valentine’s Day Special, two boneless strip steaks and two lobster tails for about $30.00.

Soothe her needs: Surprise her by running her a bubble bath, with a warm inviting scent. Put out the candles and some soft romantic background music. Especially with the recent cold weather and snow fall in Portage County, she will appreciate your thought.

Remember the past: Get all dressed up to go nowhere. Instead, rent a copy of the first movie that you two watched together. As the movie plays, reminisce the past… remember the anticipation of your first kiss… the feeling of what it was like when your hands touched… remember the days when you couldn’t bear to be away from each other, even for a minute.

If you do not have a movie that is special for the two of you, consider these great “date movies”: Gone With the Wind, Casablanca, Ghost, Titanic, Dirty Dancing, The Notebook, or any other movie that your partner will enjoy as much as you will.

The gifts above, while are great ideas, nothing substitutes for an idea that you came up with on your own. The best gifts are the ones that do not cost you one penny, but show your love.

How to Pick The Proper Valentine's Day Gift

2010-02-12T10:51:00.001-08:00

How to Pick The Proper Valentine's Day Gift

Do you ever feel stumped when it comes to celebrating Valentine's Day and picking the right gift or card?

Here's what I know...

- Keep in mind that if you are dating someone, you need to acknowledge Valentine's Day in some way. If you try to pull the ol', "Valentine's Day is just a Hallmark holiday and I don't believe in it," you will just end up in the doghouse. Trust me.

- Valentine's Day can be a tricky holiday because you want to do enough so that you get brownie points for effort but you don't want to do too much or go over the top because that could scare someone off or give the wrong message. Doing enough means doing something, anything, even if it's stopping at the Food Emporium Supermarket on the way home and picking up candy and flowers. Doing too much means putting on the full court press for someone you barely know with flowery love cards, and dinner at the most romantic restaurant in the city like One if By Land, Two if By Sea.

- You need to give gifts and cards that are commensurate with the level of your relationship. This means that if you have only been out a few times, you need to pick a Shoebox Greeting card that is more playful, sarcastic and funny rather than mushy gushy. In this instance, mushy gushy will make things awkward and give off the wrong message. Just the same, if you have been dating a long time, you can't get away with a funny card or an impersonal card and you can't get away with just signing your name. If you have been together for awhile, your beau is going to expect a sentimental card, a Hallmark card that has script font and with a handwritten message in it from you.

- Keep in mind that women always compare their Valentine's Day gifts, cards and experiences with their friends and colleagues. The women always do a play by play for each other, so you need to step up. You definitely don't want your gal to be the gal by the water cooler who has nothing to brag about. You need to give her something to cluck over. And the water cooler winners are not always the ones who get the most expensive gift or were taken to the fanciest dinner. The admired woman by the water cooler is always the one who tells the most romantic story about her Valentine's Day evening that is met with the most "Ohhhhhs and Ahhhhs" about how sweet and adorable you were. Can you be that guy?

- Lingerie is a risky gift. A lot of men want to give lingerie to their ladies. First of all, they like seeing their gal in it and secondly, they think this is a good way to signal to their gal that they think she is sexy. However, if you are thinking of buying lingerie, make sure you are at the "lingerie" stage of your dating or the girl might get offended and think it is an inappropriate sexual overture. Equally, make sure that you pick tasteful lingerie- if you pick out a raunchy teddy straight from the pages of Hustler, your girl might think you don't respect her. You can only go with sleazy lingerie if sleazy and edgy is part of your sexual repertoire with your gal; don't use Valentine's Day to change things up.

- Make sure to choose a gift that your beau would like, not just something that you would like. For example, don't get her tickets to a Sixers basketball game rationalizing that it's a night out for the two of you and at least you get to see some basketball. Instead you should get her tickets to a Broadway show like Wicked that SHE would enjoy and you should go along with a big smile on your face. And girls, don't get him a manicure and pedicure for Valentine's Day because you think he has grody feet and you think of it as a "pampering day"; men don't find pampering to be enjoyable. Instead, buy him a day at Skip Barber race track and save the hygiene intervention for another day.

- Make sure you choose a gift that has something romantic and thoughtful about it and isn't just practical. Don't buy her a new blow-dryer because you know she needs one or a gift certificate to her yoga studio. Take the time to pick out a gift she would like and wouldn't buy herself. And think about going to yoga class with her; she will find this to be romantic

- If you can't spend a lot of money, go with a creative and sentimental gift. Some good ideas are things like a handmade gift certificate redeemable for one back massage or a gift certificate redeemable for 5 "non- veto-able" movie choices. Or sprinkle rose pedals and Hershey kisses all over the bedroom and have a bubble bath drawn in a candle lit bathroom. Or make a mix CD of all of your honey's favorite songs but remember it's about his or her favorites, not yours! Gifts don't have to be expensive to be romantic.

Samantha Daniels is a well known Professional Matchmaker, President of Samantha's Table Matchmaking and the author of Matchbook: The Diary of a Modern Day Matchmaker (Simon & Schuster).

Brittany Murphy Autopsy Today: Prescription Drugs To Blame?

2009-12-21T04:13:00.000-08:00

Brittany Murphy Autopsy Today: Prescription Drugs To Blame?

Brittany Murphy – from 8 Mile and Just Married – has died. She was found unconscious in her shower yesterday and pronounced dead shortly afterwards, following what has been described as a ‘full cardiac arrest’.

An autopsy is set to take place on Brittany Murphy’s body as soon as today, and some outlets are already speculating on the cause – with everything from prescription drug abuse to cocaine to eating disorders to diabetes being chucked around. No doubt we’ll be told what killed Brittany Murphy before too long, but it’s never good to be presented with that many potential factors.

The good news is that 2009 is almost over. It’s been a year of almost relentless celebrity death. Michael Jackson died. Farrah Fawcett died. Patrick Swayze died. Bobby Robson died. Wendy Richard. Steven Wells. Tony Hart. Jade Goody. Natasha Richardson. Keith Floyd. Stephen Gately. Maggie Jones. And now, as if applauding the In Memoriam montage at the Oscars next year wasn’t already shaping up to be a near-herculean feat of endurance, we’ve got to add Brittany Murphy to the list as well.

Brittany Murphy died yesterday, aged 32. We’ll let The Boston Herald do the heavy lifting here:

L.A. firefighters responded to a 911 call from the home at about 8 a.m. yesterday. It was Murphy’s mother, Sharon, who discovered her unconscious in the shower… She was pronounced dead at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center shortly after 10 a.m. TMZ reported that Murphy’s husband didn’t want an autopsy performed on her. The Web site also said some prescription drugs were found in her house and foul play is not suspected in her death.

An autopsy is likely to take place today, and that should give some indication of what killed Brittany Murphy although – if the rumours of drug use are true – this would mean waiting for the results of a toxicology test, which could take a number of weeks.

The Sun today reports that Brittany Murphy was hooked on painkillers following a number of cosmetic surgery procedures, so that’s one potential cause. Then there’s her appearance and erratic behaviour to take into consideration as well – at a recent film premiere Brittany was both startlingly thin and unsteady on her feet, plus two months ago she was said to be ‘frantically screaming’ about non-existent gunshots, plus there’s the film that Brittany Murphy was recently fired from for being difficult. Then there are her mother’s claims that she was also diabetic.

It’s knotty, but the truth will come to light before long. For now, at least we have her work to reflect on. Maybe you liked Brittany Murphy in Sin City, or maybe you preferred her earlier work in comedies like Clueless and Just Married. For us, though, we’ll always remember Brittany Murphy as the least appropriate Tinkerbell of all time. Sad.

Actress Brittany Murphy dies in LA at age 32

2009-12-21T04:11:00.000-08:00

Actress Brittany Murphy dies in LA at age 32

The unexpected death of 32-year-old Brittany Murphy, who gained fame in such movies as "8 Mile" and "Just Married," appeared to be from natural causes but police are investigating, officials said.

Murphy died about 10 a.m. Sunday at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, according to the hospital.

She was transported to the medical center after the Fire Department responded to a call at 8 a.m. at the home she shared with her husband, British screenwriter Simon Monjack, in the Hollywood Hills.

Assistant Chief Coroner Ed Winter said Murphy apparently collapsed in the bathroom, and authorities were looking into her medical history.

An official cause of death may not be determined for some time, since toxicology tests will be required, but "it appears to be natural," Winter said. He said an autopsy was planned for Monday or Tuesday.

Los Angeles police have opened an investigation into Murphy's death, Officer Norma Eisenman said. Detectives and coroner's officials were at Murphy and Monjack's home Sunday afternoon but did not talk to reporters. Paparazzi were camped outside the multistory home, located above the Sunset Strip.

Neighbor Clare Staples said she saw firefighters working to resuscitate the actress Sunday morning. She said Murphy was on a stretcher.

Murphy's husband, wearing pajama bottoms and no shoes, appeared "dazed" as firefighters tried to save her, Staples said. "It's just tragic," she added.

Murphy's publicist, Nicole Perna, said in a statement: "In this time of sadness, the family thanks you for your love and support. It is their wish that you respect their privacy."

Messages left for Murphy's manager and agent by The Associated Press were not immediately returned.

Murphy's father, Angelo Bertolotti, said he learned of her death from his son, the actress's brother, and was stunned.

"She was just an absolute doll since she was born," Bertolotti said from his Branford, Fla., home. "Her personality was always outward. Everybody loved her — people that made movies with her, people on a cruise — they all loved her. She was just a regular gal."

He said he hadn't heard much about the circumstances of Murphy's death. Bertolotti divorced her mother when Murphy was young and hadn't seen Murphy in the past few years.

"She was just talented," Bertolotti said. "And I loved her very much."

Born Nov. 10, 1977, in Atlanta, Murphy grew up in New Jersey and later moved with her mother to Los Angeles to pursue acting.

Her career started in the early 1990s with small roles in television series, commercials and movies. She is best known for parts in "Girl, Interrupted," "Clueless" and "8 Mile."

Her on-screen work had lessened of late, but Murphy's voice gave life to numerous animated characters, including Luanne Platter on more than 200 episodes of Fox's "King of the Hill" and Gloria the penguin in the 2006 feature "Happy Feet."

She is due to appear in Sylvester Stallone's upcoming film, "The Expendables," set for release next year.

Her role in "8 Mile" led to more recognition, Murphy told AP in 2003. "That changed a lot," she said. "That was the difference between people knowing my first and last name as opposed to not."

Murphy credited her mother, Sharon, with being a key to her success.

"When I asked my mom to move to California, she sold everything and moved out here for me," Murphy said. "I was really grateful to have grown up in an environment that was conducive to creating and didn't stifle any of that. She always believed in me."

She dated Ashton Kutcher, who costarred with Murphy in 2003's romantic comedy "Just Married."

Kutcher sent a message on Twitter Sunday morning about Murphy's death: "2day the world lost a little piece of sunshine," Kutcher wrote. "My deepest condolences go out 2 Brittany's family, her husband, & her amazing mother Sharon."

Funeral arrangements have not been announced.

AP writers Christopher Weber in Los Angeles and Matt Sedensky in Miami contributed to this report.

Brittany Murphy Mourned By Ashton Kutcher, Lindsay Lohan, More

2009-12-21T04:09:00.000-08:00

Brittany Murphy Mourned By Ashton Kutcher, Lindsay Lohan, More

The sudden and tragic news of 32-year-old actress Brittany Murphy's death Sunday morning (December 20) has clearly touched fans and colleagues alike. While Murphy's friends and family mourn her untimely death in private, many celebrities have taken to Twitter to acknowledge the actress' life and work.

"Today the world lost a little piece of sunshine. My deepest condolences go out 2 Brittany's family, her husband, & her amazing mother Sharon," tweeted Ashton Kutcher, Murphy's "Just Married" co-star and former off-screen boyfriend. "See you on the other side, kid."

Lindsay Lohan wrote: "My deepest condolences go out to all of Brittany Murphy's loved ones and may she rest in peace. ... She was a great talent w/a beautiful soul xo."

"Brittany Murphy was an incredible ray of light to so many people," Jessica Simpson tweeted. "Her smile was contagious. My prayers are with her family and loved ones."

Friend Eliza Dushku said, "My heart aches having just learned of Brittany Murphy's death. We were friends time-to-time thru the yrs. I always admired her pure spirit."

"This is horrible news when anyone passes," Khloe Kardashian wrote on her Twitter. "I'm so sorry for her family. Send prayers out, please!"

"Brittany Murphy and I did a USO Tour together in 2003," Alyssa Milano recalled. "She was a sweet soul, with a lot of talent and heart."

Fred Durst, whose manager Murphy used to date, wrote, "RIP Brittany Murphy. What a sweet human being. My prayers are with her friends and family."

"Am beyond words by the loss of Brittany Murphy," Soleil Moon Frye tweeted. "I was so blessed to know your grace. My heart goes out to your mama+ loved ones."

"Nick and Nora's Infinite Playlist" star Kat Dennings wrote simply, "R.I.P Brittany Murphy. This is so awful."

"Am very shocked to hear of Brittany Murphy's passing," director Edgar Wright tweeted. "Was a fan of her in 'Clueless,' 'Freeway' and 'Sin City.' Very sad to lose someone so young."

Simon Pegg said: "Just heard about Brittany Murphy. How very sad. Met her briefly after Sin City. Seemed a great girl. My sympathy to her friends and family."

And critic Roger Ebert tweeted her praise, writing, "Brittany Murphy, dead at 32. She had a genuine quality."

Brittany Murphy Dead at 32

2009-12-21T03:38:00.000-08:00

Brittany Murphy Dead at 32

Actress Brittany Murphy has died, according to the Los Angeles coroner's office.

The 32-year-old actress, who starred in "Clueless" and with Eminem in "8 Mile," was declared dead at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, according to Selena Barrows, an investigator with the coroner's office.

"We have a preliminary death report of someone with the name of Brittany Murphy," Barrows told TheWrap. The report came from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center at 11 a.m. on Sunday.

The news was first reported by TMZ.com.

TMZ said multiple sources reported that the actress had gone into cardiac arrest and could not be revived on Sunday morning.

Barrows said cardiac arrest could mean any number of things, and was not an indication of the cause of death.

However, Murphy's suspected excessive use of drugs had been the subject of widespread speculation, and was even the subject of a parody sketch on a recent "Saturday Night Live" Weekend Update.

The Los Angeles City Fire Department said a 911 call was made at 8 a.m. from the Los Angeles home of Murphy's husband, Simon Monjack. She was pronounced dead on arrival at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.

Born in Atlanta, Murphy started acting in regional theater at age 9; by age 13, she had signed with a manager and began appearing in television commercials. Her first roles were on TV series such as "Murphy Brown" and "Parker Lewis Can't Lose," which led to her breakthrough film, 1995's "Clueless."

She had five movies currently in production, including "Poor Things," with Rosario Dawson; "Shrinking Charlotte," with Kathleen Turner; and Sylvester Stallone's "The Expendables," with Stallone, Jet Li and Jason Statham.

In 2005, she signed on as the spokesmodel for Jordache Jeans. She has been named to both FHM's 10 Sexiest Women List, and Maxim's Hot 100.

In 2006, she released the single "Faster Kill Pussycat," which became a club hit on Billboard's Hot Dance Club Play chart. She also covered Queen's "Somebody to Love" and Earth, Wind & Fire's "Boogie Wonderland" for the film "Happy Feet."

She married screenwriter Monjack in 2007; before that, she was engaged to talent manager Jeff Kwatinetz, and production assistant Joe Macaluso. In late 2002, she dated Ashton Kutcher, with whom she co-starred in the film "Just Married."

Kutcher late Sunday morning tweeted about Murphy's death: "2day the world lost a little piece of sunshine. My deepest condolences go out 2 Brittany's family, her husband, & her amazing mother Sharon."

Twilight NEW MOON premiere is tonight, and its streaming live on MySpace

2009-11-16T12:33:00.000-08:00

Twilight NEW MOON premiere is tonight, and its streaming live on MySpace

On Monday, November 16, fans of ‘The Twilight Saga: New Moon’ can experience the Los Angeles premiere, exclusively on MySpace. The red carpet arrivals will stream live beginning at 6:00 PM PT.

Click Here for the Premier on MySpace

The Twilight Saga: New Moon Trailer and Premiere Announcement

New Moon Premiere | MySpace Video

Michael Jackson has died in Los Angeles, according to multiple reports

2009-06-25T15:24:00.000-07:00

Michael Jackson has died in Los Angeles, according to multiple reports

Michael Jackson has died after being taken to a hospital on Thursday after suffering cardiac arrest, according to multiple reports including the Los Angeles Times and the Associated Press. CNN has not confirmed his death.

Jackson, 50, had been in a coma at the hospital, sources told CNN.

Brian Oxman, a Jackson family attorney, said he was told by brother Randy Jackson that Michael Jackson collapsed at his home in west Los Angeles Thursday morning.

Family members were told of the situation and were either at the hospital or en route, Oxman said.

Fire Capt. Steve Ruda told CNN a 911 call came in from a west Los Angeles residence at 12:21 p.m.

Ruda said Jackson was treated and transferred to the UCLA Medical Center.

Asked specifics of the patient's condition, he said he could not discuss them because of federal privacy laws.

The music icon from Gary, Indiana, is known as the "King of Pop." Jackson had many No. 1 hits and his "Thriller" is one of the best-selling albums of all time.

Jackson is the seventh of nine children in a well-known musical family. He has three children, Prince Michael I, Paris and Prince Michael II.

At the medical center, every entrance to the emergency room was blocked by security guards. Even hospital staffers were not permitted to enter. A few people stood inside the waiting area, some of them crying.

Michael Jackson dead: TMZ

2009-06-25T15:22:00.001-07:00

Michael Jackson dead: TMZ

Pop superstar Michael Jackson is dead, the web site TMZ is reporting.

The Los Angeles Times and other news outlets are reporting that Jackson was taken to a Los Angeles hospital after suffering a heart attack.

Jackson was given CPR by paramedics in the ambulance that responded to the medical emergency, TMZ reported.

The ambulance responded after receiving a 911 call just after noon at Jackson's Holmby Hills home in L.A.

Joe Jackson, Michael Jackson's father, told an online new service that the family has been informed that the singing star was taken to hospital.

"I am in Las Vegas but, yes, people in Los Angeles called me and are with Michael and tell me he was taken to the hospital," Joe Jackson told E! News. "His mother is on her way to the hospital now to check in on him.

"I am not sure what's wrong. I am waiting to hear back from her."

The Los Angeles Times posted a note on its website saying that Jackson was not breathing when the L.A. Fire Department arrived.

Capt. Steve Ruda said paramedics responded to a call at Jackson's home around 12:26 p.m. He was not breathing when they arrived. The parademics performed CPR and took him to UCLA Medical Centre, Ruda told the Times.

The news comes as Jackson was attempting a comeback after years of tabloid headlines, most notably his trial and acquittal on child molestation charges.

In May, the Times reported that Jackson was living in a Bel-Air mansion and rehearsing for a series of 50 sold-out shows in London's O2 Arena.

Jackson had won the backing of two billionaires to get the so-called "King of Pop" back on stage.

Michael Jackson Dies

2009-06-25T15:21:00.001-07:00

Michael Jackson Dies

We've just learned Michael Jackson has died. He was 50.

Michael suffered a cardiac arrest earlier this afternoon at his Holmby Hills home and paramedics were unable to revive him. We're told when paramedics arrived Jackson had no pulse and they never got a pulse back.

A source tells us Jackson was dead when paramedics arrived. A cardiologist at UCLA tells TMZ Jackson died of cardiac arrest.

Once at the hospital, the staff tried to resuscitate him but he was completely unresponsive.

We're told one of the staff members at Jackson's home called 911.

La Toya ran in the hospital sobbing after Jackson was pronounced dead.

Michael is survived by three children: Michael Joseph Jackson, Jr., Paris Michael Katherine Jackson and Prince "Blanket" Michael Jackson II.

Farrah Fawcett, 62, dies of cancer

2009-06-25T14:23:00.000-07:00

Farrah Fawcett, 62, dies of cancer

Farrah Fawcett, whose luxurious tresses and blinding smile helped redefine sex appeal in the 1970s as one of TV's Charlie's Angels, died Thursday after battling cancer. She was 62.

The pop icon, who in the 1980s set aside the fantasy girl image to tackle serious roles, died Thursday shortly before 12:30 p.m. in a Santa Monica hospital, spokesman Paul Bloch said.

Ryan O'Neal, the long-time companion who had reunited with Fawcett as she fought anal cancer, was at her side, along with close friend Alana Stewart, Bloch said.

"After a long and brave battle with cancer, our beloved Farrah has passed away," O'Neal said. "Although this is an extremely difficult time for her family and friends, we take comfort in the beautiful times that we shared with Farrah over the years and the knowledge that her life brought joy to so many people around the world.''

Said Stewart: "There are no words to express the deep sense of loss that I feel. For 30 years Farrah was much more than a friend, she was my sister, and although I will miss her terribly I know in my heart that she will always be there as that angel on the shoulder of everyone who loved her.''

Other Charlie's Angels stars paid tribute to Fawcett.

"Farrah had courage, she had strength, and she had faith. And now she has peace as she rests with the real angels," Jaclyn Smith said.

Said Cheryl Ladd: "She was incredibly brave, and God will be welcoming her with open arms.''

Fawcett burst on the scene in 1976 as one-third of the crime-fighting trio in TV's Charlie's Angels. A poster of her in a clingy swimsuit sold in the millions.

Her full, layered hairstyle became all the rage, with girls and women across America adopting the look.

She left the show after one season but had a flop on the big screen with Somebody Killed Her Husband. She turned to more serious roles in the 1980s and 1990s, winning praise playing an abused wife in The Burning Bed.

She had been diagnosed with cancer in 2006. As she underwent treatment, she enlisted the help of O'Neal, who was the father of her now 24-year-old son, Redmond.

This month, O'Neal said he asked Fawcett to marry him and she agreed. They would wed "as soon as she can say yes," he said.

Her struggle with painful treatments and dispiriting setbacks was recorded in the television documentary Farrah's Story. Fawcett sought cures in Germany as well as the United States, battling the disease with iron determination even as her body weakened. NBC estimated the May 15, 2009, broadcast drew nearly 9 million viewers.

In the documentary, Fawcett was seen shaving off most of her trademark locks before chemotherapy could claim them. Toward the end, she's seen huddled in bed, barely responding to a visit from her son.

Fawcett, Kate Jackson and Smith made up the original Angels, the sexy, police-trained trio of martial arts experts who took their assignments from a rich, mysterious boss named Charlie (John Forsythe, who was never seen on camera but whose distinctive voice was heard on speaker phone.)

The program debuted in September 1976, the height of what some critics derisively referred to as television's "jiggle show" era, and it gave each of the actresses ample opportunity to show off their figures as they disguised themselves in bathing suits and as hookers and strippers to solve crimes.

Backed by a clever publicity campaign, Fawcett – then billed as Farrah Fawcett-Majors because of her marriage to The Six Million Dollar Man star Lee Majors – quickly became the most popular Angel of all.

"She was an angel on Earth and now an angel forever," Majors said Thursday.

Her face helped sell T-shirts, lunch boxes, shampoo, wigs and even a novelty plumbing device called Farrah's faucet. Her flowing blond hair, pearly white smile and trim, shapely body made her a favourite with male viewers in particular.

A poster of her in a dampened red swimsuit sold millions of copies and became a ubiquitous wall decoration in teenagers' rooms.

Thus the public and the show's producer, Spelling-Goldberg, were shocked when she announced after the series' first season that she was leaving television's No. 5-rated series to star in feature films. (Ladd became the new "Angel" on the series.)

But the movies turned out to be a platform where Fawcett was never able to duplicate her TV success. Her first star vehicle, the comedy-mystery Somebody Killed Her Husband, flopped and Hollywood cynics cracked that it should have been titled Somebody Killed Her Career.

The actress had also been in line to star in Foul Play for Columbia Pictures. But the studio opted for Goldie Hawn instead. ``Spelling-Goldberg warned all the studios that that they would be sued for damages if they employed me," Fawcett told Associated Press in 1979. "The studios wouldn't touch me.''

She finally reached an agreement to appear in three episodes of Charlie's Angels a season, an experience she called ``painful.''

She returned to making movies, including the futuristic thriller Logan's Run, the comedy-thriller Sunburn and the strange sci-fi tale Saturn 3, but none clicked with the public.

Fawcett fared better with television movies such as Murder in Texas, Poor Little Rich Girl and especially as an abused wife in 1984's The Burning Bed. The last earned her an Emmy nomination and the long-denied admission from critics that she really could act.

As further proof of her acting credentials, Fawcett appeared off-Broadway in Extremities as a woman who is raped in her own home. She repeated the role in the 1986 film version.

Not content to continue playing victims, she switched type. She played a murderous mother in the 1989 true-crime story Small Sacrifices and a tough lawyer on the trail of a thief in 1992's Criminal Behavior.

She also starred in biographies of Nazi-hunter Beate Klarsfeld and photographer Margaret Bourke-White.

"I felt that I was doing a disservice to ourselves by portraying only women as victims," she commented in a 1992 interview.

In 1995, at age 50, Fawcett posed partly nude for Playboy magazine. The following year, she starred in a Playboy video, All of Me, in which she was equally unclothed while she sculpted and painted.

She told an interviewer she considered the experience "a renaissance," adding, "I no longer feel ... restrictions emotionally, artistically, creatively or in my everyday life. I don't feel those borders anymore.''

Fawcett's most unfortunate career moment may have been a 1997 appearance on David Letterman's show, when her disjointed, rambling answers led many to speculate that she was on drugs. She denied that, blaming her strange behaviour on questionable advice from her mother to be playful and have a good time.

In September 2006, Fawcett, who at 59 still maintained a strict regimen of tennis and paddleball, began to feel strangely exhausted. She underwent two weeks of tests and was told the devastating news: She had anal cancer.

O'Neal, with whom she had a 17-year relationship, again became her constant companion, escorting her to the hospital for chemotherapy.

"She's so strong," the actor told a reporter. "I love her. I love her all over again.''

She struggled to maintain her privacy, but a UCLA Medical Center employee pleaded guilty in late 2008 to violating federal medical privacy law for commercial purposes for selling records of Fawcett and other celebrities to the National Enquirer.

"It's much easier to go through something and deal with it without being under a microscope," she told the Los Angeles Times in an interview in which she also revealed that she helped set up a sting that led to the hospital worker's arrest.

Her decision to tell her own story through the NBC documentary was meant as an inspiration to others, friends said. The segments showing her cancer treatment, including a trip to Germany for procedures there, were originally shot for a personal, family record, they said. And although weak, she continued to show flashes of grit and good humour in the documentary.

"I do not want to die of this disease. So I say to God, `It is seriously time for a miracle,'" she said at one point.

Born Feb. 2, 1947, in Corpus Christi, Texas, she was named Mary Farrah Leni Fawcett by her mother, who said she added the Farrah because it sounded good with Fawcett. She was less than a month old when she underwent surgery to remove a digestive tract tumour with which she was born.

After attending Roman Catholic grade school and W.B. Ray High School, Fawcett enrolled at the University of Texas at Austin. Fellow students voted her one of the 10 most beautiful people on the campus and her photos were eventually spotted by movie publicist David Mirisch, who suggested she pursue a film career. After overcoming her parents' objections, she agreed.

Soon she was appearing in such TV shows as That Girl, The Flying Nun, I Dream of Jeannie and The Partridge Family.

Majors became both her boyfriend and her adviser on career matters, and they married in 1973. She dropped his last name from hers after they divorced in 1982.

By then she had already begun her long relationship with O'Neal. Both Redmond and Ryan O'Neal have grappled with drug and legal problems in recent years.

Michael Jackson suffers cardiac arrest

2009-06-25T13:29:00.000-07:00

Michael Jackson suffers cardiac arrest

Entertainer Michael Jackson is in a coma after being taken to a hospital on Thursday after suffering cardiac arrest, sources briefed on the situation told CNN.

Paramedics needed to revive Jackson before taking him to the hospital, sources said.

Brian Oxman, a Jackson family attorney, said he was told by brother Randy Jackson that Michael Jackson collapsed at his home in west Los Angeles Thursday morning.

Family members were told of the situation and were either at the hospital or en route, Oxman said.

Fire Capt. Steve Ruda told CNN a 911 call came in from a west Los Angeles residence at 12:21 p.m.

Ruda said Jackson was treated and transferred to the UCLA Medical Center.

Asked specifics of the patient's condition, he said he could not discuss them because of federal privacy laws.

The music icon from Gary, Indiana, is known as the "King of Pop."

Jackson is the seventh of nine children in a well-known musical family.

At the medical center, every entrance to the emergency room was blocked by security guards. Even hospital staffers were not permitted to enter. A few people stood inside the waiting area, some of them crying.

Chrysler Dealer Closing List

2009-05-15T07:20:00.000-07:00

Chrysler Dealer Closing List

Chrysler, the bankrupt automobile maker, said it wants to eliminate 789 of its 3,200 U.S. dealers by June 9. Many of the dealers sell too few cars, according to the automaker. Just more than 50 percent of dealers account for about 90 percent of the company's U.S. sales.

Click Here to see a list of Chrysler Dealer Closing

Actress Natasha Richardson Has Died

2009-03-18T18:00:00.000-07:00

Actress Natasha Richardson Has Died

A spokesman for the family of Natasha Richardson says the actress has died. Richardson died after suffering an apparent head injury from a skiing accident. She was 45.

Video "Thanksgiving - How to make Turkey, Stuffing, Gravy"

2008-11-27T09:44:00.000-08:00

Video "Thanksgiving - How to make Turkey, Stuffing, Gravy"

Heather Johnston, popular food and wine vlogger at SoGood.TV, demonstrates how to dress and cook a whole turkey for a holiday dinner, including how to make gravy using the bones and how to incorporate stuffing. She pairs the delicious final product with a white Cote du Rhone and a red Barbera. Happy Holidays!

"Thanksgiving Sale: Apple gears up for Black Friday sale"

2008-11-27T05:40:00.000-08:00

"Thanksgiving Sale: Apple gears up for Black Friday sale"

Apple Inc, facing a tight U.S. consumer spending environment, is gearing up for a one-day sale on Friday and at least one analyst expects the company to offer discounts of up to 15 percent.

The day after Thanksgiving, known as Black Friday, is the traditional kickoff to the U.S. holiday shopping season and one of the biggest buying days of the year for consumers.

The outlook for the computer and consumer electronics industry is universally grim, with shoppers widely expected to cut back on purchases as a recession looms.

An announcement on Apple's website said the online store is holding a "one-day-only holiday shopping event. You'll find dozens of great iPod, iPhone, and Mac gift ideas."

An Apple spokesman declined to provide details.

Apple products are typically more expensive than those of competitors, and it doesn't offer price reductions very often.

Kaufman Bros analyst Shaw Wu said in a research note that he expects Apple's Black Friday promotions to be "a little more aggressive than usual."

Wu expects Mac computers, iPod digital media players and accessories to be discounted up to 15 percent, but said it was unclear whether the iPhone would also be on sale. In years past, Apple has cut prices by 5 percent to 10 percent.

Retailers, including Best Buy Co Inc and Amazon.com Inc, are already discounting Apple products. The Best Buy website is currently offering $100 to $150 off certain MacBook laptops.

Wu also said many Apple stores are electing to match the price discounts of resellers.

Apple shares rose 2.7 percent to $93.23 on Tuesday, in line with other technology issues on Nasdaq.

"Thanksgiving Sale: Retailers Still Have Some Hope For Black Friday Shopping"

2008-11-27T05:39:00.000-08:00

"Thanksgiving Sale: Retailers Still Have Some Hope For Black Friday Shopping"

While the economic climate is frightful, retailers may end up finding Black Friday somewhat delightful if the right balance is struck.

Pent-up demand, lower gasoline prices and sharply cut projections could produce a better-than-expected holiday shopping weekend.

"Black Friday sales could meet or exceed low expectations," said Daniel Binder, retail analyst at Jefferies & Co. "Consumers may be more willing to fight the crowds this year out of a need to find great value as they try to meet holiday budgets."

With the bad economy, "people are afraid to talk about a silver lining," said Scott Krugman, spokesman for the National Retail Federation. "But the potential is there to surprise because a number of factors are in play."

The NRF projects U.S. 2008 holiday sales will rise a modest 2.2% over last year to $470 billion, with the number of shoppers over the Black Friday weekend expected to fall to 128 million from 135 million last year.

Government data issued Wednesday said consumer spending fell 1% in October, the sharpest decline in seven years. The report jibes with what retailers have been saying in earnings conference calls over the past couple of weeks - conditions have progressively gotten worse coming into the holiday season.

Tiffany & Co. (TIF) said Wednesday that sales at its flagship New York store fell 5% in the third quarter, with the biggest drop coming in the period's final month, October, when the decline was 17%.

There also is negative news from the Web. Internet tracking service ComScore Inc. (SCOR) said for the first 23 days of November, online sales declined 4% to $8.2 billion from $8.5 billion the same time last year. That is the first time e-commerce figures have shown a year-over-year drop.

Retailers will have to walk a fine line to avoid "giving away the store" and seeing their earnings and margins suffer because the season is expected to be so promotional.

Some of the biggest Thanksgiving day and Black Friday discounts seem to be on flat-screen televisions, especially the big ones. Wal-Mart Inc. (WMT) and Best Buy Co. (BBY) each have 50-inch plasma TVs priced about 40% cheaper than similar sets a year earlier.

Comparisons are also working against retailers. This year there are 27 shopping days between Thanksgiving and Christmas, the second shortest possible time span, while last year, there were 32, the most possible days.

"In past seasons, retailers sought to outdo one another by creating elegant window displays designed to convey the warmth and magic of the season," said Stevan Buxbaum, executive vice president of Buxbaum Group, a retail consulting and turnaround investment firm. "This year, sluggish traffic and lackluster sales will force retailers to woo shoppers with all the subtlety of a carnival barker, with store windows done up like a liquidation sale instead of something out of 'Miracle on 34th Street'."

Among the most promotional, Macy's (M), which over the weekend announced deep cuts on items, on Wednesday announced "hundreds" of Black Friday and Cyber Monday specials.

But Nordstrom Inc. (JWN) appears to want to maintain its upper-end status, even when it comes to selling online. The company has begun offering the " Ultimate Gift Collection" for Web buyers, a quartet of gift packages created by fashion designer Tory Burch, casual chic brand Juicy Couture, celebrity photographer Sam Jones and artist Ruben Toledo.

When it comes to categories, discount operators like Wal-Mart Stores Inc. ( WMT) should outperform as consumers continue to trade down, said John Lawrence, retail analyst at Morgan Keegan & Co.

Warehouse clubs like Costco Inc. (COST) are also expected to be among the sector's better performers.

The most vulnerable groups appear to be the more discretionary and specialty retailers, like Abercrombie & Fitch (ANF), J.Crew (JCG), and weak retailers including Circuit City Stores (CC) whose longevity consumers might question.

Department stores including Macy's and J.C. Penney (JCP), fall somewhere in the middle, as does Target Corp. (TGT), whose direct rival is Wal-Mart, analysts said.

While most are not open on Thanksgiving itself, many stores are opening before dawn, at 4 a.m. or earlier on Friday.

Whatever the time, a good deal of North America should see favorable weather conditions during the Thanksgiving weekend, said Planalytics, which tracks weather patterns.

-By Karen Talley, Dow Jones Newswires; 201-938-5106; karen.talley@dowjones.com

(Mary Ellen Lloyd contributed to this article.)

"Thanksgiving Sale: Kmart Customers Get What They Ask for: Savings, Value on Black Friday and All Season Long"

2008-11-27T05:35:00.000-08:00

"Thanksgiving Sale: Kmart Customers Get What They Ask for: Savings, Value on Black Friday and All Season Long"

Kmart stores nationwide reward savvy shoppers who are taking advantage of the 27 shopping days between Thanksgiving and Christmas with Kmart's best values, layaway, double coupons and its extended hours to celebrate 'Black Friday' -- the ceremonial kick-off to the holiday shopping season.

"Throughout the year, families rely on Kmart for great prices on our best products. This holiday season will be no different," said Mark Snyder, Kmart's chief marketing officer. "Kmart's Black Friday deals, double coupons, the layaway program and longer hours mean families can receive the value and savings they're seeking - on Black Friday and all season long."

Kmart's Black Friday deals extend storewide, including:
-- Unbeatable Doorbusters (6 a.m. to 11 a.m. - Nov. 28)
-- 50% savings - Craftsman C3 19.2v drill lights, 1 battery & charger,
sale $39.99, reg. $79.99
-- 50% savings - Kenmore 1.1-cu.-ft. 1,100 watt microwave oven, sale
$54.99, reg. $109.99-$126.49
-- 44% savings - Nextar Q4 navigation system, sale $99.99, reg.
$179.99, after mft.'s $20 mail-in rebate (instant rebate in CT, RI,
and Miami Dade County, FL)
-- 40-57% savings - Jaclyn Smith women's 100 percent cashmere sweaters,
sale $29.99, reg. $49.99 & $69.99
-- 33% savings - Sylvania 20" Class LCD TV, sale $199.99, reg. $299.99
-- Buy two, get two free all Lego sets of equal or lesser value
-- Buy a Nintendo DS and get $25 coupon off next Nintendo purchase
(limited quantities)

-- Amazing Deals (Nov. 28-29)
-- 70% off fine jewelry, 50% off sterling silver and 25% off watches
-- 50% savings - Trim A Home 6.5' pre-lit pine tree, sale $79.99, reg.
$159.99
-- 28% savings - Polaroid T1031 digital camera, sale $99.99, reg.
$139.99
-- 50% off 10" licensed character and 12" Uproar or Dream Journey
Bikes, sale $24.99
-- Buy one, get one free Joe Boxer Women's and kids' sleepwear and
men's 3-pc sets (of equal or lesser value)
-- Buy two, get one free Thomas the Train engine playsets and
accessories (of equal or lesser value)

Kmart and Sony Music partner on Nov. 29 to provide customers with the opportunity to receive a free copy of a Kmart Exclusive Holiday CD entitled, "This Season Shine: Songs of the Season." Available at participating Kmart stores, the CD includes Christmas Songs from popular artists, including Chris Brown, Gavin DeGraw, Heather Headley, Marc Anthony and John Legend. The free CDs will be distributed beginning at 1:00 p.m. in participating stores, while supplies last.
To continue the holiday savings, Kmart's Double Coupon Event keeps cash in shopper's pockets with double the savings. From Nov. 30 to Dec. 6, smart shoppers can bring in manufacturers' coupons and Kmart will double the face value -- up to $2.00. Some restrictions apply. See store for details.
Extended business hours at Kmart locations nationwide start on Thanksgiving Day (Nov. 27) through Christmas Eve (Dec. 24).

-- Open Thanksgiving Day in most markets - 7a.m. to 9 p.m.
-- Friday, Nov. 28 - 6 a.m to 11 p.m.
-- Saturday, Nov. 29 - 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.
-- Nov. 30-Dec. 6 - 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
-- Dec. 7-13 - 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.
-- Dec. 14-23 - 6 a.m. to 12 a.m.
-- Dec. 24 - 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Additionally, shoppers can find the latest Kmart news by visiting Kmart.com to sign up for emails that include updates on special store hours, in-store deals and online only sales to find the best value during their holiday shopping.
About Kmart
Kmart, a wholly owned subsidiary of Sears Holdings Corporation, is a mass merchandising company that offers customers quality products through a portfolio of exclusive brands that include Jaclyn Smith, Joe Boxer, Martha Stewart Everyday and Route 66. For more information visit the company's website at www.kmart.com or the Sears Holdings Corporation website at www.searsholdings.com.
SOURCE Kmart

http://www.kmart.com

"Thanksgiving Sale Black Friday: It has to be big, and bold "

2008-11-27T05:33:00.000-08:00

"Thanksgiving Sale Black Friday: It has to be big, and bold "

Given the severe slump in spending, discounts will be the deepest they've ever been this holiday season as merchants strive to stay alive in 2009.

Merchants know it's all or nothing when the clock strikes 12.01 a.m. Friday.

For many retailers, their survivability depends not only on having the biggest, boldest Black Friday sales they've ever had, but also on making sure that the critical holiday shopping season doesn't begin and end on the day after Thanksgiving.

Industry analysts warn that there's a high risk of that happening, given that many Americans are in a serious spending lockdown that has already pushed several retailers - including electronics merchant Circuit City - into bankruptcy.

"The bad news is that this could be the worst holiday [shopping] season on record," said Marshal Cohen, chief retail analyst with NPD Group.

"People will line up at 5 [a.m.] for the doorbuster deals," he said. "There'll be a little bit of frenzy for the $400 computer. And it will all be over by 10 [a.m]."

Consequently, Cohen predicts that sales for the November-December gift-buying period, which kicks off on Black Friday, could fall 3%.

The day after Thanksgiving is dubbed "Black Friday" because it traditionally marked the day of the year when retailers finally move out of the red, indicating losses, and into the black, representing profits.

Any decline in holiday sales is a dire scenario in an already crippling year for retailers since the two-month period can account for as much as 50% of merchants' annual profits and sales.

Cohen said this is the first time that he's forecasted a decline in holiday sales. And he's not the only one.

Other analysts are even more bearish with their forecasts.

Richard Hastings predicts holiday sales will tumble 6% to 8% this year.

Hastings, a consumer strategist with Global Hunter Securities, cites the "collapse of home equity," "two years of soaring energy prices" and accelerating job losses leading up to the holiday season for his estimates.

Britt Beemer with America's Research Group anticipates holiday sales will slip 1%, his first negative prediction in 23 years.

"This year looks so bad that even normally good signs for retail sales, such as more Americans staying home this Christmas, can't save the season for retailers," Beemer said.

For its part, the National Retail Federation (NRF), the industry's largest trade group, is a bit more hopeful. The NRF expects holiday sales to rise 2.2%, which would still be the weakest gain in 6 years.
Fewer shoppers expected

Not only are consumers expected to retrench on their holiday-related purchases but Black Friday and the Thanksgiving weekend will also likely see fewer Americans hitting stores.

The NRF said its survey indicates that about 128 million people will commence their gift buying this Friday, Saturday or Sunday after Thanksgiving, down from 135 million the previous year.

That said, NPD's Cohen said retailers really have to go all out and make the most of each day.

To his point, department store chain J.C. Penney (JCP, Fortune 500) announced Tuesday that its Black Friday sale will have "the most compelling Black Friday prices ever offered in the Company's history" with more than 400 categories of products featuring deep discounts.

"Given the current economic environment, J.C. Penney understands the issues facing our customers, and we are committed to offering the season's most affordable gifts," said Ken Hicks, president and chief merchandising officer for J.C. Penney.

"[Retailers] have to give people what they want at any price," Cohen said. "Shoppers will see 75% off on Black Friday and all week after that. I've been doing this for 33 years and I've never seen 75% off signs in mid-November."

Some malls are opening for business on Thanksgiving Day this year because their retail tenants don't want to wait until Black Friday to jumpstart sales.

But mall operators, too, are struggling to stay in business after several struggling retail chains shuttered their underperforming mall-based stores.

For the first time in its history, all of the 11 shopping centers owned by Craig Realty will open at 11 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day.

At one of those centers - Los Angeles-based Citadel Outlets - the Old Navy store is opening as early as 9 p.m. Thursday and both the Tommy Hilfiger and Guess stores are opening at 10 p.m., according to spokeswoman Anita Boeker.

"The earliest that we've opened our centers is midnight. But our tenants are much more aggressive this year. They are nervous," she said.

Smart online sellers, who realize that many cost-conscious shoppers will likely shift some of their holiday shopping online this year for better prices and free shipping, are rushing to grab their share of Black Friday dollars.

On Monday, Ebay (EBAY, Fortune 500) introduced "$1 Holiday Doorbusters." The company said 100 gift items, such as digital cameras and GPS devices, and one luxury item, including a brand-new Chevrolet Corvette, will be listed each day until Dec. 8 on eBay.com for a $1 fixed price.

Cohen and Beemer both expect Wal-Mart (WMT, Fortune 500) to pull in big crowds on Black Friday because of its value prices. "But then [shoppers] will go to some specialty stores as well," Cohen said.

"Look, there is pent-up demand among consumers," Cohen said, pointing to the huge demand for the $250 BlackBerry Storm smartphone that launched this week.

"In this environment, it's absolutely necessary for retailers to have compelling merchandise if they want reluctant consumers to spend money," he said. "Otherwise 2009 will be just like this year has been for retailers." To top of page

"Thanksgiving: Bush's turkey pardon takes Pumpkin and Pecan off the menu this Thanksgiving"

2008-11-27T05:31:00.001-08:00

"Thanksgiving: Bush's turkey pardon takes Pumpkin and Pecan off the menu this Thanksgiving"

2008-11-27T05:30:00.000-08:00

"Thanksgiving: Bush's turkey pardon takes Pumpkin and Pecan off the menu this Thanksgiving"

At least two frequent fliers will be getting a good deal on holiday travel and accommodations this Thanksgiving.

Pumpkin and Pecan, the lucky turkeys whose lives were spared by the annual Thanksgiving presidential pardon Wednesday, will fly first-class on United Airlines to Los Angeles, where one of them will be grand marshal in Disneyland's Thanksgiving parade today. The pair will then take up residence in a turkey house in the amusement park's Frontierland.

"In recent weeks, I've talked a lot about sprinting to the finish," said President Bush, surrounded by pumpkins and cornstalks in Wednesday's Rose Garden ceremony. "Yet I've assured these turkeys they will not be trotting to their finish."

The turkey pardon is a White House tradition that dates to the Truman administration. This year's duo received their names after an online vote on the White House website. Runners-up included Roost and Run and Yam and Jam.

"This is an election season," Bush said. "So it is fitting that the names of these two birds were chosen through the democratic process."

Pumpkin and the backup bird, Pecan -- whom the president joked was being held in an "undisclosed location" just in case "the main act chickens out" -- hail from Ellsworth, Iowa. They were chosen from more than 4,500 candidates based on their struts, wattles and personalities.

In years past, the pardoned turkeys were sent to Frying Pan Farm Park, an animal sanctuary in Virginia, after the White House ceremony. Since Disney requested the birds for its 50th anniversary in 2005, however, they have been sent to the Golden State.

Leaders of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals have objected to both locations. This Thanksgiving, PETA President Ingrid Newkirk had a stern reminder for Bush. "You might be a lame duck," she wrote to him, "but you still have the power to help lame turkeys."

Regardless of their ultimate destination, the birds usually do not roost for long -- bred to be eaten, their life spans are often short. But for the moment, Pumpkin and Pecan are perhaps the luckiest birds alive.

Bush left the ceremony after giving thanks to the troops, the American people and his family -- including his mother, former First Lady Barbara Bush, who is doing well at a Houston hospital after surgery for a perforated ulcer.

Bush is expected to spend the long weekend at Camp David, the presidential retreat in Maryland. The menu will include cranberry sauce, buttered mashed potatoes and free-range roast turkey.

"He wasn't pardoning all turkeys; just those two," said White House spokesman Carlton Carroll.

Dizikes is a writer in our Washington bureau.

"NFL games on Thanksgiving"

2008-11-27T05:28:00.000-08:00

"NFL games on Thanksgiving"

Watch NFL Games Online for Free

Tennessee at Detroit
10:30 a.m., Ch. 2, 1320 AM

* Why you should tune in: If you haven't yet seen the Titans, undefeated until Sunday, this will be your best chance before the playoffs.
* Why you shouldn't tune in: Surely, the NFL's schedule makers didn't think the success disparity between the 10-1 Titans and the 0-11 Lions would be this severe for a Thanksgiving game.
* The line: Titans by 11
* The pick: Titans. Level of certainty: 9. The Lions are not a good team. The Titans are.
* About the Titans: Unlikely starting QB Kerry Collins has completed 62 percent of passes for 762 yards, six TDs and only one interception in last three games.
* About the Lions: With a loss, Detroit matches its 0-12 start in 2001. . . . Receiver Calvin Johnson has scored in six of last seven games and leads team with 48 catches and 905 yards.

Seattle at Dallas
2:15 p.m., Ch. 13, 1320 AM
* Why you should tune in: The Cowboys are always entertaining on Thanksgiving, and Tony Romo-Terrell Owens express is back in high gear.
* Why you shouldn't tune in: Pardon the obvious Thanksgiving metaphor, but this will be today's second turkey thanks to the 2-9 Seahawks
* The line: Cowboys by 12 1/2 .
* The pick: Cowboys. Level of certainty: 9. Look on the bright side: If you sit down for your Thanksgiving feast at this time, you likely won't be missing a competitive game.
About the Seahawks: Seattle's passing offense ranks 31st the league. . . . The Seahawks have lost four straight in Mike Holmgren's last season as coach.* About the Cowboys: Tony Romo has thrown 31 touchdown passes to Terrell Owens, most for any quarterback-receiver duo since 2006.

Arizona at Philadelphia
6:15 p.m., NFL Network, 1320 AM

* Why you should tune in: Of today's three games, this might be the only one that's moderately competitive. And the Cardinals' offense, led by Kurt Warner and featuring the NFL's best receiving duo in Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald, is fun to watch.
* Why you shouldn't tune in: The Eagles have struggled mightily the past two weeks, and Donovan McNabb doesn't get the offense going today. Things could get ugly (especially with Philadelphia's fans).
* The line: Eagles by 3.
* The pick: Cardinals. Level of certainty: 4. NFC West-leading Arizona stayed competitive with the Giants on Sunday, and if Philly doesn't break out of its funk, the Cardinals will pull off the upset.
* About the Cardinals: With a victory, Arizona will clinch its first division title since 1975 when the team was in St. Louis and in the NFC East. . . . QB Kurt Warner has five straight 300-yard games.

"Rain expected over much of Texas on Thanksgiving "

2008-11-27T05:27:00.000-08:00

"Rain expected over much of Texas on Thanksgiving "

Texans planning a little after Thanksgiving dinner football may need to take along their rain gear. And they may need the heavy coats for after-Thanksgiving shopping in the Panhandle.

The National Weather Service said there was a 30 percent chance of rain in the Austin area where Texas A&M and Texas will play Thursday night. The rains weren't expected to interfere with the Dallas Cowboys' Thanksgiving Day game, but the Weather Service said there was a 50 percent chance of rain in the Dallas-Fort Worth area during the evening.

The greatest chance of rain was in North Texas and parts of West Texas on Thursday.

For residents of the Panhandle, the forecast was a little more bitter with the possibility of biting wind chills and some winter weather.

The National Weather Service said a storm system approaching from the southwest would bring cooler temperatures, strong winds and some rain that could change over to snow by early Friday morning. Snowfall amounts were expected to be less than an inch with the best chance of accumulation in the northern portion of the Panhandle.

Highs in the Panhandle were expected to be in the 50s, but strong winds would make it feel like the mid-20s to upper 30s.

Temperatures were expected to be mild for the holiday over much of the rest of the state with highs in the 70s and 80s.

In the South Plains, highs in the upper 50s and lows near 40 were expected. A slight chance of rain during the day was expected to increase at night around Lubbock.

In North Texas, rain was forecast to move into the region Thursday night after a day of partly sunny skies. Highs in the 70s and lows in the 40s were expected around Dallas and Fort Worth.

Patches of fog were expected to give way to rain in the morning around Austin and San Antonio. The rain was expected to continue through the evening. Highs in Central Texas were forecast to be near 80 with lows around 60.

The Gulf Coast was predicted to have highs near 80 and lows around 60s near Houston and Galveston. A slight chance of rain was forecast for both areas during after noon and at night.

Highs in the 60s and lows around 40 were forecast for West Texas, where scattered showers and thunderstorms were expected throughout the region under mostly cloudy skies.

"Thanksgiving"

2008-11-27T05:26:00.000-08:00

"Thanksgiving"

Thanksgiving, also known as Thanksgiving Day, is a harvest festival. Traditionally, it is a time to give thanks for the harvest and express gratitude in general. It is primarily a North American holiday which has generally become a national secular holiday with religious origins.

The dates and whereabouts of the first Thanksgiving celebration are a topic of modest contention. Though the earliest attested Thanksgiving celebration was on September 8, 1565 in what is now Saint Augustine, Florida[1][2], the traditional "first Thanksgiving" is venerated as having occurred at the site of Plymouth Plantation, in 1621.

Today, Thanksgiving is celebrated on the second Monday of October in Canada and on the fourth Thursday of November in the United States. Thanksgiving dinner is held on this day, usually as a gathering of family members.

Most people celebrate by gathering at home with family or friends for a holiday feast. Though the holiday's origins can be traced to harvest festivals which have been celebrated in many cultures since ancient times, the American holiday has religious undertones related to the deliverance of the English settlers by Native Americans after the brutal winter at Plymouth, Massachusetts.

The period from Thanksgiving Day to New Year's Day often is called the holiday season.

Watch CBS Thanksgiving Day Parade Live Online Free Video Streaming

2008-11-27T05:25:00.001-08:00

"Watch CBS Thanksgiving Day Parade Live Online Free Video Streaming"

Thursday 11/27
09:00am ET
"CBS Thanksgiving Day Parade Live"

Link

"President-Elect Barack Obama in Chicago"

2008-11-05T10:24:00.001-08:00

"President-Elect Barack Obama in Chicago"

"Obama Sweeps to Victory As First Black President"

2008-11-05T05:05:00.000-08:00

"Obama Sweeps to Victory As First Black President"

Barack Obama wrote his name indelibly into the pages of American history Tuesday, engineering a social and political upheaval to become the country's first black president-elect in a runaway victory over John McCain.

"Barack Obama: We Have a Lot of Work to Do"

2008-11-05T05:04:00.000-08:00

Barack Obama: "We Have a Lot of Work to Do"

We have to work like our futures depend on it this last week. Visit http://my.barackobama.com to help in the final days of the election, or visit http://www.VoteForChange.com to find your polling place on Tuesday.

"US Election: World Response To Obama Win"

2008-11-05T05:03:00.000-08:00

"US Election: World Response To Obama Win"

How will President-elect Barack Obama change the world's opinion of the U.S.? Katie Couric speaks with CBS News chief foreign affairs correspondent Lara Logan about this historic win.

"US Election: Obama Wins Election"

2008-11-04T20:50:00.000-08:00

"US Election: Obama Wins Election"

"Barack Obama Wins Election is the new US President"

2008-11-04T20:49:00.000-08:00

"Barack Obama Wins Election is the new US President"

"Obama becomes first black president in landslide"

2008-11-04T20:28:00.001-08:00

"Obama becomes first black president in landslide"

Barack Obama was elected the nation's first black president Tuesday night in a historic triumph that overcame racial barriers as old as America itself.

The son of a black father from Kenya and a white mother from Kansas, the Democratic senator from Illinois sealed his victory by defeating Republican Sen. John McCain in a string of wins in hard-fought battleground states — Ohio, Florida, Virginia and Iowa.

A huge crowd in Grant Park in Chicago erupted in jubilation at the news of Obama's victory. Some wept.

McCain called his former rival to concede defeat — and the end of his own 10-year quest for the White House. "The American people have spoken, and spoken clearly," McCain told disappointed supporters in Arizona.

Obama and his running mate, Sen. Joseph Biden of Delaware, will take their oaths of office as president and vice president on Jan. 20, 2009.

As the 44th president, Obama will move into the Oval Office as leader of a country that is almost certainly in recession, and fighting two long wars, one in Iraq, the other in Afghanistan.

The popular vote was close, but not the count in the Electoral College, where it mattered most.

There, Obama's audacious decision to contest McCain in states that hadn't gone Democratic in years paid rich dividends.

Obama has said his first order of presidential business will be to tackle the economy. He has also pledged to withdraw most U.S. combat troops from Iraq within 16 months.

Fellow Democrats rode his coattails to larger majorities in both houses of Congress. They defeated incumbent Republicans and won open seats by turn.

The 47-year-old Illinois senator was little known just four years ago. A widely praised speech at the Democratic National Convention, delivered when he was merely a candidate for the Senate, changed that.

Overnight he became a sought-after surrogate campaigner, and he had scarcely settled into his Senate seat when he began preparing for his run for the White House.

A survey of voters leaving polling places on Tuesday showed the economy was by far the top Election Day issue. Six in 10 voters said so, and none of the other top issues — energy, Iraq, terrorism and health care — was picked by more than one in 10.

"May God bless whoever wins tonight," President Bush told dinner guests at the White House, where his tenure runs out on Jan. 20.

The Democratic leaders of Congress celebrated in Washington.

"It is not a mandate for a party or ideology but a mandate for change," said Senate Majority leader Harry reid of Nevada.

Said Speaker Nancy Pelosi of California, "Tonight the American people have called for a new direction. They have called for change in America."

"Barack Obama wins presidential election"

2008-11-04T20:25:00.000-08:00

"Barack Obama wins presidential election"

CNN projects that Barack Obama will be the nation's 44th president.
Obama will address the country from a rally in Chicago, Illinois, later Tuesday night.

The Illinois senator will become the first African-American to win the presidency.

Supporters in Chicago cheering, "Yes, we can" were met with cries of "Yes, we did."

Obama's former rival for the Democratic nomination, Sen. Hillary Clinton said in a statement that "we are celebrating an historic victory for the American people."

"This was a long and hard fought campaign but the result was well worth the wait. Together, under the leadership of President Barack Obama, Vice President Joe Biden, and a Democratic Congress, we will chart a better course to build a new economy and rebuild our leadership in the world."

The Illinois senator is projected to pick up a big win in Virginia, a state that hasn't voted for a Democratic president since 1964.

Obama also is projected to beat Sen. John McCain in Ohio, a battleground state that was considered a must-win for the Republican candidate.

Earlier in the evening, senior McCain aides were growing pessimistic about the Arizona senator's chances.

Going into the election, national polls showed Obama with an 8-point lead.

n addition to the presidential contest, voters were making choices in a number of key House and Senate races that could determine whether the Democrats strengthen their hold on Congress.

Former Gov. Mark Warner, a Democrat, will win a Senate seat in Virginia, CNN projects. He will replace retiring Republican Sen. John Warner.

Incumbent Sen. Elizabeth Dole, a Republican, is projected to lose her North Carolina seat to Democratic challenger Kay Hagan.

Dole is the wife of 1996 Republican presidential candidate Bob Dole.

CNN also projects Democrats will win two other Senate seats currently held by Republicans. In New Hampshire, former Gov. Jeanne Shaheen will win over incumbent John Sununu, and in New Mexico, Democrat Tom Udall will defeat Republican Steve Pearce.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell held onto his seat in Kentucky.

Delaware voters re-elected Obama's running mate, Sen. Joe Biden, to his seventh term.

CNN's Ed Henry said there were lots of long faces in the lobby of the McCain headquarters at the Arizona Biltmore hotel as McCain allies watched returns showing Senate Republicans losing their seats.

Voters expressed excitement and pride in their country after casting their ballots Tuesday in what has proved to be a historic election.

When the ballots are counted, the United States will have elected either its first African-American president or its oldest first-term president and first female vice president.

Poll workers reported high turnout across many parts of the country, and some voters waited hours to cast their ballots.

Reports of minor problems and delays in opening polls began surfacing early Tuesday, shortly after polls opened on the East Coast.

The presidential candidates both voted early in the day before heading out to the campaign trail one last time.

Tuesday also marked the end of the longest presidential campaign season in U.S. history -- 21 months -- and both candidates took the opportunity to make their final pitch to voters.

As McCain and Obama emerged from their parties' conventions, the race was essentially a toss-up, with McCain campaigning on his experience and Obama on the promise of change. But the race was altered by the financial crisis that hit Wall Street in September.

Although most of the attention has been focused on the presidential race, the outcome of congressional elections across the country will determine whether the Democrats increase their clout on Capitol Hill.

Few predict that the Democrats are in danger of losing their control of either the House or the Senate, but all eyes will be on nearly a dozen close Senate races that are key to whether the Democrats get 60 seats in the Senate.

With 60 votes, Democrats could end any Republican filibusters or other legislative moves to block legislation.

Many political observers also predict that the Democrats could expand their majority in the House.

Voters will also weigh in on a number of ballot initiatives across the country, many of them focused on social issues like abortion and affirmative action.

"Economy top concern for US voters"

2008-11-04T16:37:00.000-08:00

"Economy top concern for US voters"

Preliminary results from a national Associated Press exit poll of voters in Tuesday's elections:

THE ECONOMY DOMINATES

Six in 10 voters picked the economy as the most important issue facing the nation, overwhelming other problems named. Barack Obama was doing strongly with this group — nearly six in 10 of those naming the economy were backing the Democrat. None of four other issues on the list — energy, Iraq, terrorism and health care — was picked by more than one in 10.

Further underlining voters' preoccupation with the economy, nine in 10 said it is in bad shape. Nearly six in 10 of this group were backing Obama, too. In addition, almost nine in 10 said they are worried about the economy's direction, and here, too, almost six in 10 were supporting Obama.

NEW VOTERS

About one in 10 voters said this was the first year they have voted — roughly the same proportion of new voters as in 2004. About seven in 10 of them were voting for Obama. Overall, six in 10 new voters were under age 30, one in five were black and another one in five were Hispanic — all far greater than their share of the entire population. All of those groups were voting overwhelmingly for Obama. In addition, half were Democrats and a third were independents — and both were heavily favoring Obama. New voters were making up about one in seven Obama supporters but only about one in 20 of Republican John McCain's.

THE PALIN FACTOR

A third of Republicans and about the same share of conservatives said McCain's choice of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as his running mate was an important factor in deciding who to vote for. Underscoring how well she has fired up the party's base, both of those groups leaned heavily toward McCain. But her choice had the opposite effect on other voters. About a quarter of independents said Palin's selection had an important impact on their decision, and just over half of them were supporting Obama. More than four in 10 moderates also said her choice was a factor — and six in 10 of them were Obama voters.

CANDIDATES' QUALITIES

More than a third of voters said they most wanted a candidate who would bring change to Washington, and they were voting heavily for Obama. Nearly as many said they wanted someone who shares their values, and six in 10 preferred McCain. About one in five were looking most for experience, a group that heavily favored McCain. A smaller portion were seeking a candidate who cares about people like them, and they favored Obama.

DEMOGRAPHICS

Nearly six in 10 women were Obama voters, while men divided their votes about evenly.

Just over half of whites were backing McCain, giving him a slender edge in a group that President Bush carried by 17 percentage points in 2004. White women were about evenly divided between the two candidates, while just over half of white men were supporting McCain.

One group Obama has had trouble with all year — whites who haven't finished college — were leaning solidly toward McCain, almost approaching the 23-point margin by which Bush won them in 2004.

Virtually all blacks were supporting Obama. But while Bush got about one in 10 black votes in 2004, McCain got almost none of their votes this year.

About two-thirds of Hispanics were also behind Obama. That was significantly stronger than the four in 10 who backed Bush four years ago.

More than two-thirds of people under age 30 were backing Obama, while those age 65 and up were tilting slightly toward McCain.

According to the early results, blacks and people under age 30 — two groups Obama heavily courted — were comprising roughly the same portion of all voters as they did in 2004.

PARTY MATTERS

About four in 10 voters were Democrats while about a third were Republicans. Roughly nine in 10 Democrats were backing Obama, and about the same number of Republicans were supporting McCain.

Independents were voting for Obama by a modest margin.

Answering one question that has been lingering since Obama defeated Hillary Rodham Clinton in the Democratic primaries, Obama was doing strongly among Democrats who'd supported the New York senator and former first lady in the primaries. About nine in 10 of them said they were voting for Obama.

OTHER WORRIES

Two-thirds of voters said they were worried about being able to afford the health care they need. Of this group, about six in 10 were supporting Obama. On an issue that had been one of McCain's strengths during the campaign, about seven in 10 voters said they worry that there will be another terrorist attack in the United States. Those voters, though, were about evenly divided between the two candidates.

OTHER ISSUES

Six in 10 voters said future appointments to the Supreme Court were an important factor in their vote. This group leaned slightly toward Obama.

Two-thirds favor drilling for oil offshore in U.S. waters. Six in 10 of them were McCain backers.

More than half oppose the $700 billion government plan to help failing financial companies. These voters were about equally split between McCain and Obama.

___

The results were from exit polling by Edison Media Research and Mitofsky International for The Associated Press and television networks conducted in 300 precincts nationally. The preliminary data was based on 10,747 voters, including telephone polling of 2,407 people who voted early, and has a margin of sampling error of plus or minus 1 percentage point for the entire sample, smaller for subgroups.

Democrats snag Va. Senate seat, seek more gains

2008-11-04T16:36:00.000-08:00

Democrats snag Va. Senate seat, seek more gains

Democratic former Virginia Gov. Mark Warner breezed to victory in his bid for the Senate on Tuesday, snagging a southern seat long held by Republicans and fueling expectations that Democrats would solidify their now-thin leadership grip over the chamber.

Warner beat another former governor, Republican Jim Gilmore, in the race to replace retiring five-term Sen. John W. Warner. The two Warners are not related.

The victory came as Democrats, piggybacking on aggressive Barack Obama voter-registration and get-out-the-vote drives in battleground states, reached for a coveted 60-seat, filibuster-proof Senate majority.

Voters flocked to the polls to fill 35 Senate seats in a year in which both parties said they expected Democratic gains.

In South Carolina, Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham, a close adviser to GOP presidential nominee Sen. John McCain, won a second term, defeating Democrat Bob Conley. Democratic Sen. Jay Rockefeller won his fifth Senate term in West Virginia.

With Warner's victory in Virginia, Democrats now control both Senate seats and the governor's mansion. Virginia usually votes Republican in presidential elections, but this year Democrats viewed it as one of their most promising pick ups.

Despite Democratic optimism, leaders in both parties portrayed a 60-40 Democratic majority as a long shot.

Yet even bringing their numbers to close to 60 would enable Democrats to exercise far more control than they have now, since some Republicans probably would join them in efforts to break Senate logjams on many bills and judicial appointments.

Senate Democrats now have a tenuous 51-49 majority, and only thanks to the support of two independents. But a slumping economy, an unpopular war and voter fatigue after eight years of President Bush could help them bolster that majority, building on the six seats they added in 2006.

That fueled Democrats' optimism that the only two Democratic senators would lose their Senate seats as a result of the national elections: Barack Obama and Joe Biden.

And if the Democratic presidential ticket prevails, Democratic governors in Illinois and Delaware are sure to appoint Democrats to replace them.

Biden is running for re-election as senator from Delaware as well as for vice president. The Senate seats of Obama and GOP presidential candidate John McCain are not on the ballot.

Polls were open nationwide with long lines in many places. North Carolina GOP Sen. Elizabeth Dole, ending a very difficult bid for a second term as she voted in her home district in Salisbury, said she "feels mighty good" about her chances, while acknowledging to reporters that "it's been a tough climate" for Republicans this year.

Democrats had fewer seats to defend than Republicans. Of the 35 races on Tuesday's ballot, 22 are now held by Republicans, 13 by Democrats.

In addition to the Virginia seat won by Warner, Democrats also counted as good prospects the seats of two other retiring GOP senators — in Colorado and New Mexico.

In Colorado, Democratic Rep. Mark Udall, son of the late Arizona Rep. Morris "Mo" Udall, faced former Republican Rep. Bob Schaffer for the seat now held by Republican Wayne Allard. And in New Mexico, Democratic Rep. Tom Udall — a cousin of the Colorado Udall — faced Republican Rep. Steve Pearce to succeed retiring Sen. Pete Domenici.

Both Udalls were comfortably ahead in pre-election polls.

Republicans seeking re-election faced tight contests in five other states — Dole in North Carolina, Ted Stevens in Alaska, Norm Coleman in Minnesota, John Sununu in New Hampshire and Gordon Smith in Oregon.

One route to 60 for Democrats was to win these five states on top of Virginia, Colorado and New Mexico, plus pick up at least one of three other closely contested races in Georgia, Kentucky and Mississippi. And not lose any Democratic seats.

Going into the election, only one incumbent Democrat appeared vulnerable: Sen. Mary Landrieu of Louisiana. Republicans made a spirited run at her, but Democrats saw her seat as a safe one.

In one of the most closely watched races, Alaska's Stevens, at 84, the longest serving Republican in Senate history, sought re-election despite calls from GOP leaders to resign after he was convicted last week of seven counts of lying on Senate financial disclosure forms. He was locked in a tight contest with Democrat Mark Begich, the mayor of Anchorage.

Another closely contested race was in Minnesota, where Republican incumbent Coleman was challenged by Democrat Al Franken, the former "Saturday Night Live" writer and actor. A significant third-party candidate, Independent Dean Barkley, was complicating the race.

Underscoring the closeness of the race, Coleman embarked on an all-night bus tour with overnight stops in St. Cloud, Brainerd, North Branch, and Forest Lake before voting at 9 a.m. CST at the Linwood Recreation Center in St. Paul.

Democrats also took sharp aim at Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, challenged by Democratic businessman Bruce Lunsford in a close and costly race in Kentucky. In North Carolina, a southern state into which the Obama poured heavy resources, Dole, the incumbent, was battling an aggressive challenge by Democratic newcomer Kay Hagan.

Sen. John Ensign, R-Nev., head of the GOP's senatorial campaign committee, acknowledged ahead of the voting that "Democrats are poised to pick up some seats." His Democratic counterpart, Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., predicted "a whole lot of seats" for Democrats, but said reaching a 60-vote majority was unlikely.

Obama wins Vt., McCain takes Ky. as tallies arrive

2008-11-04T16:34:00.000-08:00

"Obama wins Vt, McCain takes Ky as tallies arrive"

ohn McCain carried Kentucky, and Barack Obama countered with a Vermont victory as he bid to become the first black president Tuesday night, first spoils in the race for the White House. Democrats gained a Senate seat, the first of several they had in their sights in a country at war and anything but prosperous.

Interviews with voters suggested that almost six in 10 women were backing Obama, and men leaned his way by a narrow margin. Just over half of whites supported McCain, giving him a slim advantage in a group that President Bush carried overwhelmingly in 2004.

The results of The Associated Press survey were based on a preliminary partial sample of nearly 10,000 voters in Election Day polls and in telephone interviews over the past week for early voters.

The same survey showed the economy was by far the top Election Day issue. Six in 10 voters said so, and none of the other top issues — energy, Iraq, terrorism and health care — was picked by more than one in 10.

The AP made its calls of individual states based on surveys of voters as they left the polls.

The early nationwide popular vote was close. McCain had 52.8 percent, to 46.2 for Obama.

In the Electoral College, where it mattered, Kentucky gave McCain eight and Vermont was good for three for the Democrat.

Obama's hopes rested on securing the states that John Kerry won in 2004, and picking off other battlegrounds where he waged a costly effort.

Indiana, which last voted Democratic 40 years ago, was one of those, and with votes counted in 8 percent of the precincts, the two men were in a virtual tie.

The Senate seat that switched from Republican to Democrat was in Virginia, where former Gov. Mark Warner won his race to replace retiring Republican John Warner. The two men are not related.

"US Election CNN: Kentucky for McCain; Vermont for Obama"

2008-11-04T16:31:00.000-08:00

"US Election CNN: Kentucky for McCain; Vermont for Obama"

As the first results come in on Election Day, CNN projects that Sen. Barack Obama will win Vermont and Sen. John McCain will win Kentucky.

Vermont has three electoral votes and Kentucky has eight.

Going into the election, the latest polls in Kentucky showed McCain up, 51-42 percent.

Vermont polls showed Obama up, 57-36 percent.

Polls also closed in Georgia, Indiana, South Carolina and Virginia, but CNN is not yet projecting a winner in those states.

In addition to the presidential contest, voters were making choices in a number of key House and Senate races that could determine whether the Democrats strengthen their hold on Congress.

McCain and Obama were both expected to be watching the results come in from their home states.

McCain said Tuesday night that he was "looking forward to the election results."

"We had a great ride. We had a great experience. It's full of memories that we will always treasure," he said aboard his election plane.

The first polls closed at 6 p.m. ET in parts of Indiana and Kentucky.

CNN does not project a winner in any state until all polls have closed in that state.

All polls close in Ohio and North Carolina close by 7:30 p.m.

No Republican has won the White House without winning Ohio.

McCain has been campaigning hard in Pennsylvania, a state that voted for the Democratic candidate in the past two presidential elections.

Polls there will be closed by 8 p.m., as will polls in Florida, another key battleground.

The first exit polls out Tuesday reflect what voters have said all along: The economy is by far the top issue on their minds.

Sixty-two percent of voters said the economy was the most important issue. Iraq was the most important for 10 percent, and terrorism and health care were each the top issue for 9 percent of voters.

The economy has dominated the last leg of the campaign trail as Obama and McCain have tried to convince voters that they are the best candidate to handle the financial crisis.

Voters expressed excitement and pride in their country after casting their ballots Tuesday in what has proved to be a historic election.

When the ballots are counted, the United States will have elected either its first African-American president or its oldest first-term president and first female vice president.

Poll workers reported high turnout across many parts of the country, and some voters waited hours to cast their ballots.

Reports of minor problems and delays in opening polls began surfacing early Tuesday, shortly after polls opened on the East Coast.

Among them: Palm Beach, Florida, reported minor sporadic voter machine failures, and wet voters in rainy Chesapeake, Virginia, were being asked to dry off before voting because they were getting their optical-scan ballots wet, according to election officials in those locales.

CNN is asking people to call its Voter Hotline at 1-877-GO-CNN-08 (1-877-462-6608) if they witness any problems or irregularities.

But many said the chance to vote was worth the wait.

"It feels great to be an American today. The best hour and a half of my life," exclaimed Jude Elliot, an eighth-grade social studies teacher in Orangeburg, South Carolina.

Elliot, who has been voting in Orangeburg since 1998, said it usually takes him five minutes to vote, but on Tuesday it took about 90 -- and he arrived at 6:45 a.m.

Rick Garcia's motivation for voting was more personal. His brother was killed August 1 by a roadside bomb in Afghanistan while he served in the Army.

"It's the main reason why I came to vote: in his honor," said Garcia, of West Palm Beach, Florida. "He would have wanted everybody as American citizens to do it."

The presidential candidates both voted early in the day before heading out to the campaign trail one last time.

iReporter Lindsey Miller, 23, votes at the same polling place as Obama. She said Secret Service agents were checking names off a list and using metal-detecting wands on some would-be voters as they entered the polling place. The line was around the block at 6 a.m., she said.

"A lot of people were in pajamas. I know I was; not the time you want to be on national TV," the University of Chicago graduate student said.

Tuesday also marked the end of the longest presidential campaign season in U.S. history -- 21 months -- and both candidates took the opportunity to make their final pitch to voters.

As McCain and Obama emerged from their parties' conventions, the race was essentially a toss-up, with McCain campaigning on his experience and Obama on the promise of change. But the race was altered by the financial crisis that hit Wall Street in September.

Obama began to pull away in the polls nationally as well as in key battleground states. A CNN poll of polls calculated Tuesday showed Obama leading McCain 52 percent to 44 percent, with 4 percent undecided.

Although most of the attention has been focused on the presidential race, the outcome of congressional elections across the country will determine whether the Democrats increase their clout on Capitol Hill.

Few predict that the Democrats are in danger of losing their control of either the House or the Senate, but all eyes will be on nearly a dozen close Senate races that are key to whether the Democrats get 60 seats in the Senate.

With 60 votes, Democrats could end any Republican filibusters or other legislative moves to block legislation.

Many political observers also predict that the Democrats could expand their majority in the House.

Voters will also weigh in on a number of ballot initiatives across the country, many of them focused on social issues like abortion and affirmative action.

"US Election: McCain Rallies Voters in Colorado"

2008-11-04T13:27:00.000-08:00

"US Election: McCain Rallies Voters in Colorado"

" US Election: Chicago Gets Ready for Obama Rally"

2008-11-04T08:44:00.001-08:00

" US Election: Chicago Gets Ready for Obama Rally"

Video Senatorial Elections Map

2008-11-04T07:23:00.000-08:00

Video Senatorial Elections Map

US Election Polls Open to Long Lines in NYC

2008-11-04T05:30:00.000-08:00

US Election Polls Open to Long Lines in NYC

US Election Video: Roadmap To Victory

2008-11-04T05:29:00.000-08:00

US Election Video: Roadmap To Victory

Video: US election: voting begins for Barack Obama and John McCain

2008-11-04T04:00:00.001-08:00

Video: US election: voting begins for Barack Obama and John McCain

US election: voting begins for Barack Obama and John McCain

2008-11-04T03:59:00.001-08:00

US election: voting begins for Barack Obama and John McCain

Officials are anticipating a record turnout of up to 140 million voters after the longest, most expensive campaign for the White House in the country's history.

Opinion polls suggest Mr Obama, the Democratic candidate, is on course for victory, with the Pew Research Centre - which accurately called the 2004 election - predicting the Democrat will attract 52 per cent of the public vote compared with 46 per cent for his Republican rival.

A Gallup poll published on Monday put the gap at 11 points in Mr Obama's favour.

If voting follows the polls, Mr Obama would be the first Democrat to win more than half the popular vote since Jimmy Carter in 1976.

The day's first round of votes went in favour of Mr Obama, who defeated Mr McCain by 15 votes to six - on a 100 per cent turnout - in the town of Dixville Notch, New Hampshire.

Polls opened at midnight in the town, which for 60 years has been the first to have its say.

Hart's Location, another small town in the state, was split by 17 votes to 10 in favour of the Democrat.

Polls opened in the northeastern state of Vermont at 5am local time (10am GMT).

Both senators have returned to their home states to cast their own votes. In an early morning address, Mr McCain insisted in Prescott, Arizona that he would win and "change things in Washington".

On Monday the Republican candidate held a whistle-stop tour of traditionally Republican states that polls suggest he has failed to secure: Florida, Indiana, New Mexico, Nevada and Virginia. Mr McCain also stopped in Pennsylvania, the only state to have voted Democrat in 2004 that pollsters suggest he can win.

Before his return to Illinois, on Monday Mr Obama also made stops in crucial battlegrounds. After stopping in Florida, he spoke to a crowd of supporters in North Carolina, where he wept while paying tribute to his grandmother, Madelyn Dunham, who died of cancer on Monday. Mrs Dunham, who was 86 and the last survivor of the family that raised Mr Obama, brought up the candidate in Hawaii.

Mr Obama vowed to win in order to honour his late grandmother and America's other "quiet heroes."

Addressing 100,000 onlookers in Manassas, Virginia, he told his supporters: "We are one day away from change in America ... You've filled me with new hope for our future and you've reminded me about what makes America so special."

About 30 million Americans have already cast their ballots in early voting before election day, with queues lasting several hours reported in many locations.

Figures suggested an advantage for Mr Obama, with Democrats outnumbering Republicans among early voting in Colorado, Florida, Iowa and North Carolina - all of which voted Republican in 2004.

Polls will begin closing at midnight GMT on Tuesday night, with Georgia, Indiana, Virginia, Kentucky, South Carolina and Vermont first to report back. Analysts suggest that Mr Obama could be on the verge of victory an hour later, when voting ends in 15 states including, crucially, Florida and Pennsylvania.

Alaska, the home state of Mr McCain's running mate, Governor Sarah Palin, will be last to report, with its polls closing at 6am GMT on Wednesday morning.

Video: Barack Obama pays tribute to Madelyn Dunham

2008-11-04T03:58:00.000-08:00

Video: Barack Obama pays tribute to late grandmother Madelyn Dunham

Barack Obama pays tribute to late grandmother Madelyn Dunham

2008-11-04T03:57:00.000-08:00

Barack Obama pays tribute to late grandmother Madelyn Dunham

A tearful Barack Obama has paid a public tribute to his late grandmother, saying Madelyn Dunham was one of America's "quiet heroes".

Speaking to thousands of supporters at his penultimate campaign rally, the presidential candidate delivered an impassioned vow to work for all such heroes if elected to the White House.

Mr Obama became visibly emotional when he talked to the crowd about Mrs Dunham, who died on Monday, aged 86.

Mrs Dunham, who Mr Obama called "Toots", helped raise him during his childhood in Hawaii.

Hours before the election showdown with Republican John McCain, Mr Obama said his grandmother had passed away in her sleep after a long battle with cancer at her Hawaii home, with his half-sister Maya Soetoro-Ng by her side.

His voice thick with grief, the Illinois senator thanked Mr McCain for an "incredibly gracious" statement of condolence and said this was a "bitter-sweet time for me."

"She is going home," he said. "So there is great joy as well as tears."

Mr Obama recounted his grandmother's life from her birth in 1922 and her marriage to his grandfather, their struggles through the Great Depression and with their daughter - his mother - through World War II.

"She was somebody who was a very humble person and a very plain-spoken person," he said.

"She was one of those quiet heroes that we have all across America. They're not famous. Their names aren't in the newspapers.

"But each and every day they work hard. They look after their families. They sacrifice for their children and their grandchildren. They aren't seeking the limelight. All they try to do is just do the right thing.

"And in this crowd there are a lot of quiet heroes like that, mothers and fathers, grandparents who have worked hard and sacrificed all their lives," drawing satisfaction from the hope of a better life for their own offspring.

"That's what America is about," Mr Obama said, his voice rising to a shout.

"That's what we're fighting for. And North Carolina, in just one more day, we have the opportunity to honor all those quiet heroes all across America and all across North Carolina," he said.

"We can bring change to America to make sure that their work and their sacrifice is honored. That's what we're fighting for."

Mr Obama's family had described Mrs Dunham as "the cornerstone of our family".

Mr Obama learned of her death this morning while he was campaigning in Florida. He took a break from his campaign last month to spend time with his grandmother in Hawaii when her condition worsened, but he plans to go ahead with his final campaign appearances.

Polls show that Mr Obama is on course to become the first black president of the United States tomorrow, with a large upset required to hand his Republican rival John McCain the White House.

US Election Video

2008-11-04T03:56:00.000-08:00

US Elections Video

US elections are historic, says Gordon Brown

2008-11-04T03:55:00.000-08:00

US elections are historic, says Gordon Brown

The American election campaign has been "historic" as a result of the involvement of ethnic minority and female candidates, Gordon Brown has said.

Speaking as voters in the United States prepare to go to the polls, the Prime Minister vowed to work closely with either Barack Obama, the Democratic front-runner, or John McCain, his Republican rival.

During an interview with Al-Arabiya television, based in Dubai, on the final day of his tour of the Gulf, Mr Brown also held out the prospect of a "quick" resolution to the Middle East peace process.

The Prime Minister kept his counsel when asked who he hoped would emerge as victor in the presidential poll, saying: "That is for the American people to decide and we will have the result very soon."

He went on: "I think whatever the result of the American election... history has been made in this campaign - the women coming to the fore, a black candidate coming to the fore. But it is for the American people to decide, it is their decision.

"What I do know is that American leadership is going to be very important in the next critical time and I look forward to working with the next president whoever he is."

Turning to the Palestinian peace process, Mr Brown said he was hopeful that a settlement could be negotiated soon.

He went on: "I think that's possible, I think people understand how it can happen. We know that very detailed negotiations have taken place over the last few months.

"We know that the political situation at the moment has made it difficult for this to be brought to a conclusion, but I think that given people understand not only the importance but how a solution would look, I think it's possible with the right circumstances to move quickly to a settlement."

Mr Brown rejected the suggestion that military intervention in Iraq had antagonised the Arab world and would ultimately end in failure.

He said: "What I do accept is that in the whole region it is important to the stability of the region that we have a Middle East peace settlement between Palestinians and Israel … that is key to the future stability of the region and the world."

While peace process needed to remain a "priority" for the international community, Mr Brown said that other issues, in particular reform of the global financial system, were also vital for the region.

During his four-day trip to the Gulf region, Mr Brown has held talks with the rulers of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

US Election: most expensive in history as candidates raise more than $1bn

2008-11-04T03:54:00.000-08:00

US Election: most expensive in history as candidates raise more than $1bn

With the internet being harnessed to amass political donations on a huge scale for the first time, Democratic challenger Barack Obama has managed to smash all previous records – raising $639m (£405m) to date, according to the Federal Election Commission. (FEC)

Rival John McCain, of the Republican party - who has admitted that he does not send email, let alone use the internet regularly - has raised just over half that - $335m.

This is the first election in US history where the two candidates have raised more than $1bn, and this is just one of a myriad of donation records that have been smashed.

Individual donations are at the heart of the American political donation process, with strict limits on who can and cannot donate, and how much one person can donate - $2,300 in case you were wondering.

But in the midst of a lot of talk in the US about personal political empowerment and the number of people who have donated to a Presidential election campaign for the first time, the figures show just how individuals from important certain industries, and certain companies, have been to the fundraising effort.

Unsurprisingly, some $42m has come from the securities and investment industry – ranking third behind retired donors ($103.9m) and lawyers ($84m) – in the US Presidential election race, which includes monies that went to unsuccessful candidates including Hillary Clinton and Mitt Romney.

Of that money, $12.6m has gone to Obama, and $7.9m to McCain, with New York favourites Mrs Clinton and Rudi Giuliani – she being the State’s junior Senator, him being the former Mayor - receiving $6.1m and $5m respectively, even though their campaigns finished months ago.

Taking the 2008 election cycle in full – including all candidates and the races in the House of Representatives and the Senate – and Wall Street has donated in excess of $122m, according to monitoring website OpenSecrets.

Of that money, the most generous firm, based on its employees, is Goldman Sachs, with staff donating $4.59m.

Interestingly, however, the level of Goldman donations is down on 2004, the last Presidential election cycle, by some 39pc, although the proportion of money gifted to Democratic candidates has increased, from 62pc in 2004 to 73pc now.

Looking at other Wall Street firms, donations are also down elsewhere Morgan Stanley’s employees have donated approximately 5pc less, while Credit Suisse’s staff donations are also down.

It may be that there will have been a surge in the final days of the campaign which has yet to show up in the figures, but it may also be that as bankers begin to feel the pinch, so their political inclinations begin to wane.

Interestingly, the who’s who of who has donated and from which firms is somewhat outdated – given the events of the last few months.

Staff from Lehman Brothers – which filed for bankruptcy last September – donated $2.16m, while even those who list themselves as working for Bear Stearns on their donation form gave $1.13m before the firm was subsumed by JP Morgan Chase in March.

Of course, the credit crunch hasn’t stopped the big hitters from getting involved. Henry Kravis, of private equity house KKR, donated his $2,300 for McCain back in August. His cousin, and fellow KKR co-founder, George Roberts did so in June.

Former AIG chairman Hank Greenberg did likewise around the start of McCain’s campaign, last June.

Individual donations for Obama from well-known Wall Street names include $2,300 from former Lehman chairman Dick Fuld, and from ex-Citigroup chairman Chuck Prince.

But whatever the donations, and whoever they have come from, as the polls open across America today, all the time for spending will be over – and it will be the power of the ballot, rather than the power of the dollar, which will provide the final results.

First presidential election results announced

2008-11-04T03:29:00.001-08:00

First presidential election results announced

Well, the first election results for the 2008 presidential election are in.

In Dixville Notch, New Hampshire -- a small community known for being one of the first places to declare its presidential election results -- the numbers were announced shortly after 11 p.m. here (midnight there).

Twenty-one votes were cast. Democrat Barack Obama picked up 15; Republican John McCain got six.

Watch Presidential Election Decision 2008 Live Online Free Video Streaming

2008-11-04T03:26:00.000-08:00

Watch Presidential Election Decision 2008 Live Online Free Video Streaming

Tuesday November 4th
19:00 ET
Presidential Election Decision 2008

CNN - Link
ABC - Link

"Election 2008: Where the Conversation Begins"

2008-11-04T01:45:00.000-08:00

"Election 2008: Where the Conversation Begins"

Madonna Divorce Rumors Resurface

2008-10-15T05:55:00.000-07:00

Madonna Divorce Rumors Resurface

The months-old rumor of an imminent announcement heralding Madonna's divorce from British film director Guy Ritchie is, once again, imminent, CBS News correspondent Richard Roth reports from London.

Wednesday morning it came from Britain's biggest daily newspaper, The Sun, which has a reputation for surprisingly accurate scoops - sometimes.

Madonna's almost-8-year marriage to Ritchie, the paper says, has now really reached the break-up point.

"I think in the last three weeks in particular they've had so many arguments that it's just come to the stage where they've decided to finish with the pretense," said Gordon Smart, The Sun's show business editor. "I think there will be an announcement imminently about their marriage being over."

The singer's London-based spokeswoman wasn't commenting Wednesday morning, which meant there was no official denial, at least not yet. That makes the report slightly different from those last June, when Madonna denied rumors her marriage was on the rocks.

But the celebrity circuit has been abuzz for months that the couple is no longer getting along.

Madonna and Ritchie have three children, several huge houses, hundreds of millions in assets and, reportedly, high-priced attorneys have already been hired.

Watch Presidential Debate Online Free Video Streaming

2008-10-15T05:53:00.001-07:00

Watch Presidential Debate Online Free Video Streaming

Wednesday 10/15
21:00 ET
Presidential Debate

Link 1 Link 2

Hurricane Omar nears Puerto Rico with 75-mph winds

2008-10-15T04:54:00.000-07:00

Hurricane Omar nears Puerto Rico with 75-mph winds

Hurricane Omar churned across the eastern Caribbean early Wednesday on a course that will take it near Puerto Rico, the National Hurricane Center said.

Omar formed Tuesday in the eastern Caribbean and dumped heavy rain on the islands of Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao off the coast of Venezuela. At 5 a.m. ET, its center was about 285 miles (460 kilometers) south-southwest of San Juan, Puerto Rico.

The storm was moving northeast near 7 mph.

Omar's maximum sustained winds were 75 mph (120 kilometers per hour), making it a Category 1 hurricane. Hurricane-force winds extended outward up to 15 miles from Omar's center. Tropical storm-force winds extended 105 miles from Omar's center, forecasters said.

"Omar would move through the northern Leeward Islands tonight and early Thursday," the hurricane center in Miami, Florida, said.

A hurricane watch and a tropical storm warning were in effect Tuesday night for Puerto Rico. Hurricane warnings were in effect for many Caribbean islands.

The five-day storm forecast map shows Omar continuing its trek to the northeast and into the mid-Atlantic Ocean.

The storm is expected to dump up to 8 inches of rain over some areas, with 12 inches possible in some areas, the hurricane center said. Some portions of Puerto Rico could get up to 20 inches of rain and the storm could produce life-threatening flash floods and mudslides, according to the forecast.

Also, the storm could produce large swells affecting the west- and south-facing coasts of the Lesser Antilles, of which the Leeward Islands are a part.

The swells could cause beach erosion and damage coastal structures, the hurricane center said.

Omar is the 15th named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season, which began June 1 and ends November 30.

Bank of America Chicago Marathon

2008-10-11T09:29:00.001-07:00

Bank of America Chicago Marathon

Tomorrow is the Bank of America Chicago Marathon! I'm getting so excited to watch the race, but it will be in a different capacity this year as I'm helping out with race day communications and working at the finish line. Today, when you get down to the Health & Fitness Expo check out the over 175 exhibitors in the new West wing of McCormick Place (easy access parking in Lot A) and bring your friends it's FREE. I'll be at the Main Stage which is way at the back next to the Chicago 2016 booth and food court. Dr. Jeff Brown is a sports psychologist and has 2 great talks on Getting a Head Start and The Competitive Edge, Bart Yasso from Runner's World will be there and you don't want to miss Toni Reavis interviewing Ed Eyestone and Deena Kastor. If you've been following the 8 runners who have been keeping an online diary on the race web site, they will be on a panel at the Main Stage from 10-11 this morning.

Here's some last minute tips for runners:

Read my entry about doing your pre-race homework.

Don't do anything new or different today or tomorrow (repeat to self).

Hydrate appropriately.

Get off your feet.

Review course and start/finish area maps again and know where key points are (porta johns, mile markers, aid stations, medical tents, reunion areas).

Look at weather report, check on the new Event Alert System which signals the race day conditions. As of Friday this was YELLOW / MODERATE meaning conditions are less than ideal and you need to be alert for worsening conditions and adjust your race accordingly. These flags will be at the race start, at each 20 Aid Station and finish area.

On race day, eat your usual pre-race food, even if you are nervous and feel like skipping this---don't---you need this fuel.

Get down to the start EARLY (regular alarm and a back up one is helpful).

Take time to stop - for a quiet moment - and look around at this amazing group of humanity and know we are so fortunate to be together in this great city of Chicago to share this event.

Introduce yourself to the folks next to you in the corral.

When the start horn blares, remember to harness your energy and go out conservatively so you can finish that last mile strong.

When you cross the finish line do a whoohoo and smile for the cameras!

Have a fantastic marathon experience, I hope you achieve your goals!

ATH Chicago Marathon

2008-10-11T09:27:00.000-07:00

ATH Chicago Marathon

As she entered the Bird's Nest stadium in Beijing, Constantina Tomescu-Dita glanced back. Then, it hit her.

The Olympic gold medal was about to be hers, and when she reached the stand, she could hardly contain her emotions.

"I can't believe I have the gold medal in my hands," Tomescu-Dita said. "I was at the podium and I wanted to start crying."

Just seven weeks after becoming the oldest Olympic champion, the 38-year-old Romanian will try to capture her second Chicago Marathon on Sunday. On the men's side, Kenyan Daniel Njenga will attempt to break through after three second and third-place finishes.

And race organizers will simply hope for a relatively uneventful day after wild scenes the past two years.

In 2006, men's champion Robert Cheruiyot of Kenya spent two nights in a hospital with a concussion after he slipped as he crossed the finish line on a rainy day.

Last year, with sweltering humidity and temperatures soaring into the high 80s, the race was stopped after about four hours. Organizers were accused of not supplying enough water, and some 50 people were hospitalized. A 35-year-old man died, although coroners blamed it on a heart condition called mitral valve prolapse and said tests showed no evidence he was dehydrated.

The weather channel was predicting partly cloudy skies with temperatures in the high 70s for Sunday — not ideal, but manageable.

The heat got to Njenga, who hopes to break an odd pattern of second-place finishes in 2002, '04 and '06 and third-place showings last year along with 2003 and '05. Based in Japan, he started training earlier than usual in July and has been working out three times a day.

"I'm hoping Sunday is going to be my year," he said.

He won't have to contend with last year's winner Patrick Ivuti of Kenya or runner-up Jaouad Gharib of Morocco. Ivuti is injured and Gharib is sitting this one out after taking the silver medal at the Olympics, but the field still is deep.

Kenya's William Kipsang won at Rotterdam in April with the fifth-fastest time this year — 2 hours, 5 minutes 49 seconds — and was seventh at Chicago in 2005. Countryman Emmanuel Mutai was fourth at London that month with a 2:06:15, and Japan's Arata Fujiwara (2:08:40) placed second at Tokyo in February.

Tomescu-Dita is looking for another big performance in an already successful year.

She won here in 2004, finishing in 2:23:45, and turned in a personal-best 2:21:30 the following year in Chicago while placing second. Of course, her biggest moment came in Beijing, and it was a bit of a surprise.

A leg injury sidelined her for four months last year and prevented her from running in Chicago. She divorced her husband, who also happens to be her coach, this year yet still managed to become the oldest woman to win an Olympic marathon medal.

Now, she's competing again, but if she's worried about the short layoff, she's doing a good job hiding it.

"I don't have any," said Tomescu-Dita, who lives and trains in Boulder, Colo.

She took a week off after Beijing and then got back to training. Her legs feel fine, and she's eyeing another run for the gold in London in 2012. She even wants to compete in the 2016 Games if they're in Chicago, but there's a more immediate task at hand.

Standing in her way are defending champion Berhane Adere of Ethiopia and runner-up Adriana Pirtea of Romania.

Adere was seventh at the London Marathon but was unable to finish at the Olympics after the Ethiopian federation made her change her training routine. She said all the runners followed the same routine rather than their own, and that hurt her.

Now, she's back in shape and looking to repeat in Chicago, while Pirtea hopes to avoid another meltdown. She had a comfortable 30-second lead after 24.8 miles last year and needed two months to get over that collapse.

Baltimore Marathon. Maryland Baltimore Marathon Baltimore Marathon Winners

2008-10-11T09:26:00.000-07:00

Baltimore Marathon. Maryland Baltimore Marathon. Baltimore Marathon Winners

Baltimore Marathon Date and location:
Mid-October, Baltimore, Maryland

Baltimore Marathon Established:
2001

Baltimore Marathon Record:
2:14:51(M) 2:35:44 (F)

Baltimore Marathon is the flagship race of several races held in
Baltimore, Maryland known collectively as the Baltimore Running Festival.

The 7th annual Baltimore Marathon took place on October 13, 2007 and drew a
record 14,500 participants.

Under Armour, the Baltimore-based athletic apparel company, sponsors the event
Baltimore Marathon.

The event Baltimore Marathon continues to draw record participants every year,
making it one of the fastest growing marathons in the United States.

In 2007 Baltimore Marathon John Itati from Kenya won the men's race with a time
of 2:16:23, the third-best time in race history.

Fellow Kenyan Gladys Asiba won the women's race at Baltimore Marathon with a
time of 2:36:27.

At Baltimore Marathon Itati's time was short of the course record of 2:14:51
he set in 2004.

Asiba's finish time was just less than 45 seconds behind the women's record
set by Rima Dubovik the year before Baltimore Marathon.

Baltimore Marathon at 42.195 kilometres (26.219 mi) begins at the Camden Yards
sports complex and travels through many diverse neighborhoods of Baltimore,
including the scenic Inner Harbor waterfront area, historic Federal Hill, and
Fells Point.

Runners also run through Fort McHenry, birthplace of the Star-Spangled Banner
at Baltimore Marathon.

The race ends at virtually the same point at which it starts at Baltimore Marathon.

The male and female winners of the Baltimore Marathon 2007 race each won $18,000.

Other races at Baltimore Marathon that take place are a half-marathon, team relay race,
5K race, and kids fun run.

Baltimore Marathon Winners since 2004

Baltimore Marathon Men Winners
Baltimore Marathon 2007 John Itati, 2:16:23
Baltimore Marathon 2006 Yirefu Birhanu, 2:16:26
Baltimore Marathon 2005 Mykola Antoneko, 2:15:40
Baltimore Marathon 2004 John Itati, 2:14:51

Baltimore Marathon Women Winners
Baltimore Marathon 2007 Gladys Asiba, 2:36:27
Baltimore Marathon 2006 Rima Dubovik, 2:35:44
Baltimore Marathon 2005 Ramilya Burangulova, 2:42:00
Baltimore Marathon 2004 Ramilya Burangulova, 2:40:21

Economic Terrorism

2008-10-11T09:25:00.000-07:00

Economic Terrorism

I had picked up on the possibility of something like this before but, I was just listening to Huckabee on Fox and he said that he'd heard from sources that there was increasing evidence that the markets are being manipulated to insure their failure to correct under current conditions.

We are looking at one of 2 (or maybe both) efforts:

1) Turn our economy into such a disaster and then convince eveyone that there is a savior - der Obamanfuhrer - who can save us.

2) Create such a crisis that media coverage of this covers up the massive election fraud being perpetrated by ACORN.

Lets face it. There are certain hedge fund managers and money market speculators that can call on the support of cash flush countries and the media that are hostile to us to undo every attempt our government (in accord with others) tries to do to fix this.

George Soros' coven, a couple of Saudi princes, China, Venezuela's cabal, Iran.

They know that they can easily turn this all around after the election. The media is totally behind their goals and will push whatever message they want from DOOOOOOMMMMM!!! to WE ARE SAVED...HAPPY DAYS ARE HERE!!!

Most of the driver here is public perception anyway.

Palin Report Due Out Today

2008-10-10T13:24:00.000-07:00

Palin Report Due Out Today

Sen. John McCain unleashed his harshest attack ad yet today, charging that Sen. Barack Obama "lied" about his relationship to 1960s anti-war terrorist Bill Ayers.

Despite the GOP's televised attack, it was the Republican team of McCain and Gov. Sarah Palin who braced for bad news today.

The Alaska legislature is scheduled to release its conclusions later this afternoon on whether Palin abused her authority as governor and fired the state's top cop because he refused to dismiss Palin's former brother-in-law from his job as a state trooper.

The McCain campaign tried to pre-empt the official report by releasing its own review of "troopergate," which concluded that Palin did nothing wrong and did not break any laws. It found that Palin dismissed former public safety commissioner Walt Monegan for insubordination and budgetary differences, not as part of a Palin family squabble.

At their meeting today, Alaska lawmakers plan to vote to release the estimated 300-page report and some of the 1,000 or more pages of supporting documents. The 14-member legislative panel could recommend that the case be closed, that another committee continue to investigate or that the matter be referred to criminal investigators. Palin is in Ohio today attending several fundraisers but has no public appearances scheduled.

Obama is also in Ohio, blitzing the state where McCain is trailing in the polls and where losing would likely sound a death knell for his presidential hopes.

"Obama has a small but solid lead of a few points in the state of Ohio," ABC News' senior Washington correspondent George Stephanopoulos told "Good Morning America" today. "He's outspending John McCain there by about $500,000 a week.… He wants to lock in the lead. If he locks up Ohio, he's a long way to locking up the race."

McCain, whose standing in the polls has been hurt by the economic crisis, has staked his hopes for a comeback victory by attacking Obama's character and truthfulness, particularly his relationship to Ayers, the co-founder of the radical Vietnam era Weather Underground.

Palin had been carrying out the assault on Obama alone until Thursday, when McCain joined the attack.

The Arizona senator escalated the offensive against Obama's character today with an ad titled "Blind Ambition." In it, the McCain campaign charges, "When convenient, he [Obama] worked with terrorist Bill Ayers. When discovered, he lied. Obama. Blind ambition."

McCain got tripped up when he made similar charges Thursday during an interview with ABC News anchor Charles Gibson. McCain said that Ayers is an "unrepentant terrorist" who said on 9/11 that his only regret was that he hadn't carried out more bombings.

The quote McCain referred to was Ayers telling a newspaper reporter, "I don't regret setting bombs. I feel we didn't do enough," to end the war.

Ayers did not say that on Sept. 11. He said it some days earlier. It happened to appear in The New York Times Sept. 11. Ayers' memoir, "Fugitive Days," had been published the day before, and he'd done a number of interviews, including with the Times, to promote the book.

Obama, speaking today in the GOP stronghold of Chillicothe County, Ohio, suggested McCain was to trying fuel anger and division.

"Nothing's easier than riling up a crowd by stoking anger and division," Obama told the Ohio crowd. "But that's not what we need right now in the United States. The times are too serious."

Obama went on to paint McCain as a candidate who has been running a game of distraction and who often makes "erratic" and "unsteady" leadership decisions. Those traits would be dangerous, Obama suggested, especially in response to the economy's downturn. The Ayers attacks and the suggestions that Obama is untrustworthy may be McCain's "best hope," Stephanopoulos said. "He has to raise doubts about Barack Obama."

It will be a difficult task.

"Sen. McCain's biggest problem right now almost has nothing to do with him. It's the economy. It's the fact that we've had a bear market just in the past two weeks and the campaign dialogue really can't break through that tremendous noise, tremendous pain that so many Americans are feeling," Stephanopoulos said.

"He's got to figure out a way to … convince people that he's got the better plan to solve this financial crisis," Stephanopoulos said. "That's his only real hope for victory."