NEW YORK, Nov 30 (Reuters) - Merck & Co (MRK.N) president Kenneth Frazier will succeed Richard Clark as the U.S. drugmaker's chief executive officer, effective Jan 1, the company said on Tuesday.
Frazier, 55, initially made his name at Merck as general counsel by steering the company safely through daunting litigation over its withdrawn Vioxx painkiller, and more recently led the company's high-profile global pharmaceuticals division.
His promotion, which also includes a position on the board, has been expected after the company named him president earlier this year. Clark, who in March turns 65, the mandatory company CEO retirement age, will continue as board chairman.
Frazier, who joined Merck in 1992, previously served as president of the company's global pharmaceuticals division starting in 2007 -- an appointment that expanded his responsibilities beyond legal matters.
In this role, according to Merck, Frazier helped design a new sales model and redeployed resources to emerging markets, where the drugmaker is targeting future growth.
Frazier, who also sits on the board of Exxon Mobil Corp (XOM.N), served as the company's general counsel from 1999, a period that included Merck's withdrawal of Vioxx from the market because of an increased risk of heart attack and stroke.
He helped the company fight off thousands of personal injury lawsuits related to the drug's use. Merck eventually settled the litigation for about $4.85 billion, billions less than investors had feared, boosting Frazier's profile within Merck and with Wall Street.
Clark became CEO in 2005, when the company was reeling from the Vioxx withdrawal.
As Merck's head of manufacturing, Clark was a fairly obscure figure when he was picked to replace then-CEO Ray Gilmartin in 2005.
But he emerged as one of the industry's most aggressive CEOs, controlling the Vioxx fallout and leading a cost-cutting and efficiency drive at the drugmaker.
His moves to acquire products outside of Merck's vaunted laboratories culminated in the $41 billion acquisition of rival U.S. drugmaker Schering-Plough Corp last year.
Merck shares were down 6 cents at $34.63 in thin premarket trading.
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Marinette High School Hostage Situation – Wisconsin Student Shoots Himself
CHICAGO — A 15-year-old youth took 23 students and a teacher hostage at a high school in a small Wisconsin town before turning the gun on himself, police said.
The youth was hospitalized with a gunshot wound, with no immediate word on his condition, but the captives were unharmed, according to officials in Marinette, Wisconsin, where the drama unfolded Monday.
Marinette police chief Jeff Skorik said earlier reports on social network sites that students had been injured in the attack were incorrect.
Skorik told a late night press conference the student who had held the hostages shot himself as police approached him after officers had heard three gunshots go off in the classroom.
The male gunman, who was not identified, was transported to a local hospital where his condition or the nature of the injuries was not known late Monday.
"Emergency rescue personnel on stand-by treated the suspect and transported him to Bay Area Medical Center," a police statement said.
The drama came to an end at 8:03 pm (0103 GMT Tuesday) moments after the gunman had released five students to allow them to use the washrooms.
After hearing gunfire, officers who had been in dialogue with the teacher, immediately entered the room, and saw the boy shoot himself.
"The officers breached the door, entered the classroom and saw the suspect in front of the classroom," Skorik said. "At that time the suspect fired one shot, injured himself with a self-inflicted gunshot wound." Skorik did not say where he was shot.
The hostage-taker, an unidentified student, entered the classroom toward the end of the school day, around 3:00 pm (2000 GMT).
Police had been hoping to resolve the drama without violence. "The game plan all along was to have the situation end peacefully," Skorik said.
The youth, a student at Marinette High School, had entered the classroom with two handguns, a .22 caliber semi-automatic and a 9-mm pistol. Cartridge casings found on the scene revealed both weapons had been used, he added.
The motive for the situation remained unclear according to Skorik, who noted the student was not known to local police. One parent told the Milwauke Journal Sentinel that the situation unfolded during a Western Civilization class.
"We have no idea as far as motivations at this point," he said.
The high school will be closed until further notice and grief counselors will be on hand once the decision is made to re-open, said Superintendent Timothy Baneck.
The district had held a drill last fall to practise what to do if a shooter had entered the school, he added.
Marinette is approximately 80 kilometers (50 miles) north of the city of Green Bay. The school has approximately 700 students.
Police had earlier said there were 20 students and one teacher being held hostage.
The youth was hospitalized with a gunshot wound, with no immediate word on his condition, but the captives were unharmed, according to officials in Marinette, Wisconsin, where the drama unfolded Monday.
Marinette police chief Jeff Skorik said earlier reports on social network sites that students had been injured in the attack were incorrect.
Skorik told a late night press conference the student who had held the hostages shot himself as police approached him after officers had heard three gunshots go off in the classroom.
The male gunman, who was not identified, was transported to a local hospital where his condition or the nature of the injuries was not known late Monday.
"Emergency rescue personnel on stand-by treated the suspect and transported him to Bay Area Medical Center," a police statement said.
The drama came to an end at 8:03 pm (0103 GMT Tuesday) moments after the gunman had released five students to allow them to use the washrooms.
After hearing gunfire, officers who had been in dialogue with the teacher, immediately entered the room, and saw the boy shoot himself.
"The officers breached the door, entered the classroom and saw the suspect in front of the classroom," Skorik said. "At that time the suspect fired one shot, injured himself with a self-inflicted gunshot wound." Skorik did not say where he was shot.
The hostage-taker, an unidentified student, entered the classroom toward the end of the school day, around 3:00 pm (2000 GMT).
Police had been hoping to resolve the drama without violence. "The game plan all along was to have the situation end peacefully," Skorik said.
The youth, a student at Marinette High School, had entered the classroom with two handguns, a .22 caliber semi-automatic and a 9-mm pistol. Cartridge casings found on the scene revealed both weapons had been used, he added.
The motive for the situation remained unclear according to Skorik, who noted the student was not known to local police. One parent told the Milwauke Journal Sentinel that the situation unfolded during a Western Civilization class.
"We have no idea as far as motivations at this point," he said.
The high school will be closed until further notice and grief counselors will be on hand once the decision is made to re-open, said Superintendent Timothy Baneck.
The district had held a drill last fall to practise what to do if a shooter had entered the school, he added.
Marinette is approximately 80 kilometers (50 miles) north of the city of Green Bay. The school has approximately 700 students.
Police had earlier said there were 20 students and one teacher being held hostage.
Google Investigated by EU Over Online Ads, Search
BRUSSELS (AP) — European Union regulators will investigate whether Google Inc. has abused its dominant position in the online search market — the first major probe into the online giant's business practices.
The move announced Tuesday follows complaints from rival search engines that Google put them at a disadvantage in both its regular and sponsored search results, by listing links to their sites below references to its own services in an attempt to shut them out of the market.
The EU Commission will also see whether Google prevented advertising partners from placing ads from competitors on their sites. Competitors allegedly shut out include computer and software vendors, the commission said.
If the Commission finds that Google has abused its market position, the company could be fined up to 10 percent of its revenue — that would put it on the line for a $2.4 billion fine based on 2009 earnings figures.
The Commission has shown resolve in confronting U.S. corporations and only last year concluded a long-running antitrust case involving Microsoft Corp. that lead to over $1 billion of fines.
Three companies — U.K.-based price-comparison site Foundem, French legal search engine ejustice.fr and Microsoft-owned shopping site Ciao — lodged complaints against Google with the commission in February.
The investigation does not imply any wrongdoing by Google, which controls about 90 percent of the online search market in Europe, but shows that the antitrust watchdog is taking the complaints seriously enough to launch an in-depth examination of the company's practices.
Google has maintained it is confident that it hasn't done anything wrong.
"Since we started Google we have worked hard to do the right thing by our users and our industry — ensuring that ads are always clearly marked, making it easy for users and advertisers to take their data with them when they switch services, and investing heavily in open source projects," Google said in an emailed statement.
"But there's always going to be room for improvement, and so we'll be working with the Commission to address any concerns," the company said.
The move announced Tuesday follows complaints from rival search engines that Google put them at a disadvantage in both its regular and sponsored search results, by listing links to their sites below references to its own services in an attempt to shut them out of the market.
The EU Commission will also see whether Google prevented advertising partners from placing ads from competitors on their sites. Competitors allegedly shut out include computer and software vendors, the commission said.
If the Commission finds that Google has abused its market position, the company could be fined up to 10 percent of its revenue — that would put it on the line for a $2.4 billion fine based on 2009 earnings figures.
The Commission has shown resolve in confronting U.S. corporations and only last year concluded a long-running antitrust case involving Microsoft Corp. that lead to over $1 billion of fines.
Three companies — U.K.-based price-comparison site Foundem, French legal search engine ejustice.fr and Microsoft-owned shopping site Ciao — lodged complaints against Google with the commission in February.
The investigation does not imply any wrongdoing by Google, which controls about 90 percent of the online search market in Europe, but shows that the antitrust watchdog is taking the complaints seriously enough to launch an in-depth examination of the company's practices.
Google has maintained it is confident that it hasn't done anything wrong.
"Since we started Google we have worked hard to do the right thing by our users and our industry — ensuring that ads are always clearly marked, making it easy for users and advertisers to take their data with them when they switch services, and investing heavily in open source projects," Google said in an emailed statement.
"But there's always going to be room for improvement, and so we'll be working with the Commission to address any concerns," the company said.
Monday, November 29, 2010
Fire Reported At Overland Park, Kansas Club
The fire at the Milburn Golf & Country Club is contained, the Overland Park chief said shortly after 6 p.m. “But we’re in a defensive posture” to make sure it does not spread as high winds whip the fire, Chief Bryan Dehner said.
The large three-alarm fire was reported about 4:30 p.m. Monday.The fire was thought to have started on the clubhouse’s second floor, but authorities said they didn’t know what sparked it.
No injuries were reported, but high westerly winds fanned the flames and made the blaze difficult to control. Heavy smoke blanketed a large area of homes east/southeast of the club.A fire occurred in building earlier Monday, and fire officials were working to find out more about it.
One Milburn staff member was at the club when firefighters arrived, and officials have talked to that person, Dehner said. Some construction work was being done at the club. The club reportedly was closed Monday.
Flames were visible above the roof into the evening. Fire crews extended an aerial bucket over the clubhouse, and firefighters in the bucket poured water on the fire from above.Crews also had to bring water from a long distance because there were no nearby hydrants.
The club is at 7501 W. 69th St. A fire department spokesman urged drivers to avoid the area.Crews from Overland Park, Johnson County Consolidated No. 2, Shawnee, Merriam and Olathe responded to the fire.
Jim Crilly, a homeowner on 69th Street who lives three houses away from the club, said a friend told him that he heard a loud popping noise from the clubhouse before the firefighters arrived.Crilly said he went outside upon hearing the sirens and saw smoke that appeared to come from the west side of the clubhouse.
Smoke blanketed the neighborhoods blocks away from the club Monday night and was visible even against the night sky.
Milburn Golf & Country Club was founded in 1917, according to club’s website said. The course was regularly used by local golfers trying to qualify for the U.S. Open. The club has a fitness center, banquet facilities and other amenities.
Bob Fischgrund, the club’s vice president, said he had no doubt that Milburn will rebuild. He said that while there is bound to be a lot of work ahead, the course itself appeared to be undamaged.
“A club of this nature is about people, and the people are still going to be there,” he said.The club had planned a redecorating project in the clubhouse’s upstairs, including changes to the ballroom.
One of the club’s earliest mentions in The Kansas City Star was on April 1, 1917, when it opened. The club was described as “Kansas City’s first popular priced golf club” because its initiation fee and annual membership dues — $50 and $50 — were less than those of other clubs.
Monday’s fire wasn’t the first at Milburn. Flames destroyed the clubhouse in September 1932, the day before the club’s annual stag party. The estimated cost of the building was $60,000. The fire started in the second-floor apartment of the club manager, B.C. Bonnell, The Star reported. Almost all the furniture and equipment — including a grand piano and 225 sets of golf clubs — were saved by caddies and caretakers. Firefighters only had access to one hydrant, which had low pressure.A new building was open by May 1933.
A smaller fire in April 1960 damaged the club’s kitchen and dining wing, causing $10,000 in damage. The club undertook a $300,000 remodeling project that was mostly completed by that fall.
Art Parchen, a former member who wrote the club’s history, said Monday that the club had regularly held professional golfing events and was the course of choice for many people.
“Boy, I tell you, it’s sad to watch this thing collapse in on itself,” Parchen said. “The club had probably one of the best golf courses in the area.”
Diann McCallum of Mission was among dozens of people who lined Santa Fe Drive on Monday, watching firefighters work to tame the fire. Several people took photos with cell phones or digital cameras.
“You can see it on TV, but you don’t believe it until you actually see it,” McCallum said.McCallum, who graduated from Shawnee Mission North High in 1980, used to sing at the country club with the school choir every Christmas.
“It’s a gorgeous building. It’s really sad to see it go down,” McCallum said.Many people watching the fire recalled memories Christmas parties, wedding receptions, playing in the pool and spending afternoons golfing.
“I grew up being a kid here,” said Brandon McNeely. “It was the thing to do and the place to be.” “Of course I’m biased, but I think it’s the best golf course in Kansas City,” longtime member Frank Kennedy said.
The Strang Line Interurban Railway ran along the east side of the course and was a main stop. Before people had cars, visitors would ride the line to the golf club to caddy or play golf.
“It’s certainly been an important fixture in the city’s history,” said Florent Wagner, the president of the Overland Park Historical Society. “Thousands of people have been married there.”
Wagner said he was confident that Milburn will rebuild again, the same way that businesses in downtown Overland Park rebuilt after a fire in 2006.“This will not be the end of Overland Park,” Wagner said. “They will rise from the ashes and be better than before.”
Diana Jackson worked several jobs at the country club from 1981 to 1986 including bartending.“It’s really sad,” Jackson said as she watched the fire burn. “I have a lot of great memories from there.”Chris Farrell and his twin brother, Greg, grew up playing junior golf at the club.
“The pride of all of those that were part of this club will find a way to begin again,” Chris Farrell said. “They truly will.”
The large three-alarm fire was reported about 4:30 p.m. Monday.The fire was thought to have started on the clubhouse’s second floor, but authorities said they didn’t know what sparked it.
No injuries were reported, but high westerly winds fanned the flames and made the blaze difficult to control. Heavy smoke blanketed a large area of homes east/southeast of the club.A fire occurred in building earlier Monday, and fire officials were working to find out more about it.
One Milburn staff member was at the club when firefighters arrived, and officials have talked to that person, Dehner said. Some construction work was being done at the club. The club reportedly was closed Monday.
Flames were visible above the roof into the evening. Fire crews extended an aerial bucket over the clubhouse, and firefighters in the bucket poured water on the fire from above.Crews also had to bring water from a long distance because there were no nearby hydrants.
The club is at 7501 W. 69th St. A fire department spokesman urged drivers to avoid the area.Crews from Overland Park, Johnson County Consolidated No. 2, Shawnee, Merriam and Olathe responded to the fire.
Jim Crilly, a homeowner on 69th Street who lives three houses away from the club, said a friend told him that he heard a loud popping noise from the clubhouse before the firefighters arrived.Crilly said he went outside upon hearing the sirens and saw smoke that appeared to come from the west side of the clubhouse.
Smoke blanketed the neighborhoods blocks away from the club Monday night and was visible even against the night sky.
Milburn Golf & Country Club was founded in 1917, according to club’s website said. The course was regularly used by local golfers trying to qualify for the U.S. Open. The club has a fitness center, banquet facilities and other amenities.
Bob Fischgrund, the club’s vice president, said he had no doubt that Milburn will rebuild. He said that while there is bound to be a lot of work ahead, the course itself appeared to be undamaged.
“A club of this nature is about people, and the people are still going to be there,” he said.The club had planned a redecorating project in the clubhouse’s upstairs, including changes to the ballroom.
One of the club’s earliest mentions in The Kansas City Star was on April 1, 1917, when it opened. The club was described as “Kansas City’s first popular priced golf club” because its initiation fee and annual membership dues — $50 and $50 — were less than those of other clubs.
Monday’s fire wasn’t the first at Milburn. Flames destroyed the clubhouse in September 1932, the day before the club’s annual stag party. The estimated cost of the building was $60,000. The fire started in the second-floor apartment of the club manager, B.C. Bonnell, The Star reported. Almost all the furniture and equipment — including a grand piano and 225 sets of golf clubs — were saved by caddies and caretakers. Firefighters only had access to one hydrant, which had low pressure.A new building was open by May 1933.
A smaller fire in April 1960 damaged the club’s kitchen and dining wing, causing $10,000 in damage. The club undertook a $300,000 remodeling project that was mostly completed by that fall.
Art Parchen, a former member who wrote the club’s history, said Monday that the club had regularly held professional golfing events and was the course of choice for many people.
“Boy, I tell you, it’s sad to watch this thing collapse in on itself,” Parchen said. “The club had probably one of the best golf courses in the area.”
Diann McCallum of Mission was among dozens of people who lined Santa Fe Drive on Monday, watching firefighters work to tame the fire. Several people took photos with cell phones or digital cameras.
“You can see it on TV, but you don’t believe it until you actually see it,” McCallum said.McCallum, who graduated from Shawnee Mission North High in 1980, used to sing at the country club with the school choir every Christmas.
“It’s a gorgeous building. It’s really sad to see it go down,” McCallum said.Many people watching the fire recalled memories Christmas parties, wedding receptions, playing in the pool and spending afternoons golfing.
“I grew up being a kid here,” said Brandon McNeely. “It was the thing to do and the place to be.” “Of course I’m biased, but I think it’s the best golf course in Kansas City,” longtime member Frank Kennedy said.
The Strang Line Interurban Railway ran along the east side of the course and was a main stop. Before people had cars, visitors would ride the line to the golf club to caddy or play golf.
“It’s certainly been an important fixture in the city’s history,” said Florent Wagner, the president of the Overland Park Historical Society. “Thousands of people have been married there.”
Wagner said he was confident that Milburn will rebuild again, the same way that businesses in downtown Overland Park rebuilt after a fire in 2006.“This will not be the end of Overland Park,” Wagner said. “They will rise from the ashes and be better than before.”
Diana Jackson worked several jobs at the country club from 1981 to 1986 including bartending.“It’s really sad,” Jackson said as she watched the fire burn. “I have a lot of great memories from there.”Chris Farrell and his twin brother, Greg, grew up playing junior golf at the club.
“The pride of all of those that were part of this club will find a way to begin again,” Chris Farrell said. “They truly will.”
Conservatives jump out to strong lead in one byelection and ahead in a second
OTTAWA — The Conservatives have taken a clear lead in one of three byelections Monday night and the other two contests are close races.
In Manitoba’s Dauphin-Swan River-Marquette riding, Tory candidate Robert Sopuck was well ahead of his closest competitors when the first results started coming in around 10 p.m. ET, shortly after the polls closed. He is expected to hold the seat for the Conservatives in what is a stronghold riding for the party.
But in Manitoba’s other byelection in Winnipeg North, the Liberals and the NDP were in the midst of a tough fight. The NDP’s Kevin Chief is considered the front-runner, but Liberal candidate Kevin Lamoureux, a longtime former provincial politician, has a decent shot at taking the riding. As the results came in, Chief was maintaining only a slight lead, just under a two-percentage point of popular vote lead.
In the hottest of the three races, in Ontario’s Vaughan riding, Conservative star candidate Julian Fantino and Liberal Tony Genco were neck and neck as the early results were reported. By about 10:15 ET, Fantino had pulled ahead of Genco by about 380 votes.
Although the riding is a Liberal stronghold — held by Maurizio Bevilacqua for the last 22 years — the Conservatives are counting on their high-profile star candidate to steal it away. Fantino, the former head of several municipal police forces and the Ontario Provincial Police, is a well-known figure, particularly in the riding’s Italian-Canadian community.
Genco also has extensive community experience. The NDP’s candidate Kevin Bordian was nowhere near Fantino and Genco as the votes were tallied.The parties have all campaigned hard in the Vaughan byelection, eager to capture a seat in the Greater Toronto Area.
Making gains in that region is key for the Tories in their quest for a majority government; traditionally, the Liberals have been able to keep the edge over them.If Fantino pulls off a victory, it will give Prime Minister Stephen Harper a tough-talking spokesman to push his law-and-order agenda.
Some have speculated Fantino would be put in cabinet upon his arrival in Ottawa. Harper could easily make some adjustments to the cabinet in the near future, given the recent resignation of his environment minister, former Calgary MP Jim Prentice. Prentice announced a few weeks ago that he had taken a job as vice-chairman of CIBC.
Despite the long Liberal history in Vaughan, the party says it is not taking the riding for granted and is fighting for every vote.If the Liberals lose the seat, the defeat will be compared to the huge upset they suffered in another byelection in 2007 in Montreal’s Outremont riding. Thomas Mulcair’s victory for the NDP there rattled the Liberal party, which had secured that riding since it was created.All three of Monday’s byelections were triggered by MPs who left Ottawa to run in municipal elections this past fall.
In Manitoba’s Dauphin-Swan River-Marquette riding, Tory candidate Robert Sopuck was well ahead of his closest competitors when the first results started coming in around 10 p.m. ET, shortly after the polls closed. He is expected to hold the seat for the Conservatives in what is a stronghold riding for the party.
But in Manitoba’s other byelection in Winnipeg North, the Liberals and the NDP were in the midst of a tough fight. The NDP’s Kevin Chief is considered the front-runner, but Liberal candidate Kevin Lamoureux, a longtime former provincial politician, has a decent shot at taking the riding. As the results came in, Chief was maintaining only a slight lead, just under a two-percentage point of popular vote lead.
In the hottest of the three races, in Ontario’s Vaughan riding, Conservative star candidate Julian Fantino and Liberal Tony Genco were neck and neck as the early results were reported. By about 10:15 ET, Fantino had pulled ahead of Genco by about 380 votes.
Although the riding is a Liberal stronghold — held by Maurizio Bevilacqua for the last 22 years — the Conservatives are counting on their high-profile star candidate to steal it away. Fantino, the former head of several municipal police forces and the Ontario Provincial Police, is a well-known figure, particularly in the riding’s Italian-Canadian community.
Genco also has extensive community experience. The NDP’s candidate Kevin Bordian was nowhere near Fantino and Genco as the votes were tallied.The parties have all campaigned hard in the Vaughan byelection, eager to capture a seat in the Greater Toronto Area.
Making gains in that region is key for the Tories in their quest for a majority government; traditionally, the Liberals have been able to keep the edge over them.If Fantino pulls off a victory, it will give Prime Minister Stephen Harper a tough-talking spokesman to push his law-and-order agenda.
Some have speculated Fantino would be put in cabinet upon his arrival in Ottawa. Harper could easily make some adjustments to the cabinet in the near future, given the recent resignation of his environment minister, former Calgary MP Jim Prentice. Prentice announced a few weeks ago that he had taken a job as vice-chairman of CIBC.
Despite the long Liberal history in Vaughan, the party says it is not taking the riding for granted and is fighting for every vote.If the Liberals lose the seat, the defeat will be compared to the huge upset they suffered in another byelection in 2007 in Montreal’s Outremont riding. Thomas Mulcair’s victory for the NDP there rattled the Liberal party, which had secured that riding since it was created.All three of Monday’s byelections were triggered by MPs who left Ottawa to run in municipal elections this past fall.
Sunday, November 28, 2010
China Moves to Cool Korean Tensions
BEIJING—China engaged in high-level diplomacy to try to cool tensions on the Korean peninsula as the U.S. and South Korea on Sunday started a naval drill that has prompted dire warnings of reprisals from North Korea.
Chinese State Councilor Dai Bingguo met South Korean President Lee Myung-bak on Sunday and said China "opposed any acts that harmed the peace and stability of the Korean Peninsula," China's state news agency Xinhua said.
Mr. Dai said China "has consistently committed itself to peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula, as well as promotion for dialogue," and the two sides agreed in the talks to further develop bilateral ties, Xinhua said.
A U.S. aircraft-carrier battle group started large-scale exercises with the South Korean navy in the Yellow Sea Sunday morning, in a show of strength five days after a North Korean artillery attack on a small South Korean island that killed four people. North Korea has condemned the naval drills and warned that if they go ahead, "no one can predict the ensuing consequences."
Mr. Dai arrived in Seoul on Saturday and discussed the situation on the peninsula with South Korean Foreign Minister Kim Sung-hwan, China's Foreign Ministry said.Wu Dawei, China's special representative for Korean-peninsula affairs, also visited the country, South Korea's foreign ministry said.
Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi also discussed the situation by phone Saturday with Japanese Foreign Minister Seiji Maehara and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, the ministry said.Mr. Yang said "all sides should exert effort together, push for the situation to cool down as quickly as possible, and earnestly avoid conflict happening again," the ministry said.
He also said he "hopes all sides involved will take a rational and practical attitude, and actively create conditions for resumption of the six-party talks" on North Korea's nuclear program, the ministry said.
Mr. Yang on Friday also met with the North Korean ambassador to China and spoke by phone with South Korea's Mr. Kim and U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
Choe Tae Bok, chairman of North Korea's Supreme People's Assembly, will visit China from Nov. 30 to Dec. 4 at Mr. Wu's invitation, Xinhua said Sunday.
China on Friday protested the U.S.-South Korean naval drill. "We oppose any party to take any military actions in our exclusive economic zone without permission," Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said in a statement. China's stance appeared firmer in July, when officials said they opposed any military exercises in the entire Yellow Sea.
The Global Times, a generally nationalistic Chinese newspaper, said "the Chinese people oppose the U.S. aircraft carrier entering the Yellow Sea, and this opposition is resolute and definitely will not just be oral."
"Judging from the current situation, the act by [South Korea and the U.S.] to fully enhance their military alliance will not help ease the hostile sentiment between North Korea and South Korea, and instead it will only further intensify the tense situation on the Korea peninsula," Xinhua said Sunday.
Chinese State Councilor Dai Bingguo met South Korean President Lee Myung-bak on Sunday and said China "opposed any acts that harmed the peace and stability of the Korean Peninsula," China's state news agency Xinhua said.
Mr. Dai said China "has consistently committed itself to peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula, as well as promotion for dialogue," and the two sides agreed in the talks to further develop bilateral ties, Xinhua said.
A U.S. aircraft-carrier battle group started large-scale exercises with the South Korean navy in the Yellow Sea Sunday morning, in a show of strength five days after a North Korean artillery attack on a small South Korean island that killed four people. North Korea has condemned the naval drills and warned that if they go ahead, "no one can predict the ensuing consequences."
Mr. Dai arrived in Seoul on Saturday and discussed the situation on the peninsula with South Korean Foreign Minister Kim Sung-hwan, China's Foreign Ministry said.Wu Dawei, China's special representative for Korean-peninsula affairs, also visited the country, South Korea's foreign ministry said.
Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi also discussed the situation by phone Saturday with Japanese Foreign Minister Seiji Maehara and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, the ministry said.Mr. Yang said "all sides should exert effort together, push for the situation to cool down as quickly as possible, and earnestly avoid conflict happening again," the ministry said.
He also said he "hopes all sides involved will take a rational and practical attitude, and actively create conditions for resumption of the six-party talks" on North Korea's nuclear program, the ministry said.
Mr. Yang on Friday also met with the North Korean ambassador to China and spoke by phone with South Korea's Mr. Kim and U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
Choe Tae Bok, chairman of North Korea's Supreme People's Assembly, will visit China from Nov. 30 to Dec. 4 at Mr. Wu's invitation, Xinhua said Sunday.
China on Friday protested the U.S.-South Korean naval drill. "We oppose any party to take any military actions in our exclusive economic zone without permission," Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said in a statement. China's stance appeared firmer in July, when officials said they opposed any military exercises in the entire Yellow Sea.
The Global Times, a generally nationalistic Chinese newspaper, said "the Chinese people oppose the U.S. aircraft carrier entering the Yellow Sea, and this opposition is resolute and definitely will not just be oral."
"Judging from the current situation, the act by [South Korea and the U.S.] to fully enhance their military alliance will not help ease the hostile sentiment between North Korea and South Korea, and instead it will only further intensify the tense situation on the Korea peninsula," Xinhua said Sunday.
Walmart's Cyber Week of Savings 2010
Walmart is launching Cyber Monday savings early this year, offering six days of sale prices beginning on Sunday and ending on Friday Dec 3rd. More than 150 holiday gifts and other items are available online, while supplies last.
Walmart’s Cyber Week event will give families amazing offers on a wide assortment of holiday gifts from electronics, toys and video games to home furnishings, apparel, beauty products and personalized items with new savings added daily.
Walmart, being the largest department store in the country has been letting everyone feel the great Holiday sale during their Thanksgiving and Black Friday deals. They are not yet done folks, here is their Cyber Monday which is actually happening not only for Monday but for the entire week! They are calling it Cyber Week.
Walmart's Cyber Week sale will include discounts on electronics, toys, video games, home furnishings at Walmart.com beginning on Sunday, November 28 through Friday, December 3. Go ahead and check Walmart.com and begin to scout all the items that you want to buy.
Willie Nelson Arrested Near El Paso
Willie Nelson Arrested – The legendary country music singer known as Willie Nelson was arrested yesterday morning by the Border Police of Sierra Blanca, in the state of Texas for marijuana possession again.
The 77 year old musician who is currently on another U.S. tour had just left California with his tour bus to perform in Austin, when his vehicle was stopped and searched by the authorities.
The police discovered more than six ounces of marijuana conspicuously hidden inside the bus!
Willie Nelson and three members of his entourage were arrested for illegally possessing marijuana but were quickly released after paying their bail of 2,500 dollars.
Mickey Raphael, Nelson's longtime harmonica player, spoke with Rolling Stone magazine regarding the incident and Nelson's release, telling the magazine that "he said he feels great -- he lost six ounces."
"It's kind of surprising, but I mean we treat him like anybody else," West told the El Paso Times. "He could get 180 days in county jail, which if he does, I'm going to make him cook and clean. He can wear the stripy uniforms just like the other ones do."
At the time Nelson was traveling from California to his ranch in Austin, Texas. Because he was released, it is not expected that the arrest would affect his tour, which continues with a concert in Thackerville, Okla., tonight.
Elaine Schock, Nelson's spokeswoman, declined to comment when contacted by The Associated Press.Nelson, a staunch advocate of decriminalization of marijuana, has had his share of drug-related brushes with the law.
In Louisiana in 2006, 1.5 pounds of marijuana and three ounces of hallucinogenic mushrooms were found on his bus. Nelson pleaded guilty in that case and each was sentenced to a $1,024 fine and six months probation.
Back in 1995 Nelson was also arrested in Waco, Texas, and police officers said they saw a joint in his car's ashtray. Nelson had pulled off the road to sleep after an all night poker game. At the time he also confessed that there was small amount of marijuana on the car's floorboard.
The 77 year old musician who is currently on another U.S. tour had just left California with his tour bus to perform in Austin, when his vehicle was stopped and searched by the authorities.
The police discovered more than six ounces of marijuana conspicuously hidden inside the bus!
Willie Nelson and three members of his entourage were arrested for illegally possessing marijuana but were quickly released after paying their bail of 2,500 dollars.
Mickey Raphael, Nelson's longtime harmonica player, spoke with Rolling Stone magazine regarding the incident and Nelson's release, telling the magazine that "he said he feels great -- he lost six ounces."
"It's kind of surprising, but I mean we treat him like anybody else," West told the El Paso Times. "He could get 180 days in county jail, which if he does, I'm going to make him cook and clean. He can wear the stripy uniforms just like the other ones do."
At the time Nelson was traveling from California to his ranch in Austin, Texas. Because he was released, it is not expected that the arrest would affect his tour, which continues with a concert in Thackerville, Okla., tonight.
Elaine Schock, Nelson's spokeswoman, declined to comment when contacted by The Associated Press.Nelson, a staunch advocate of decriminalization of marijuana, has had his share of drug-related brushes with the law.
In Louisiana in 2006, 1.5 pounds of marijuana and three ounces of hallucinogenic mushrooms were found on his bus. Nelson pleaded guilty in that case and each was sentenced to a $1,024 fine and six months probation.
Friday, November 26, 2010
Arthur Abraham vs. Carl Froch will be the best fight of the Super Six
Sergio Martinez might not have many options at middleweight, but super middleweight remains perhaps the most loaded division in boxing.Two of those top 168-pound boxers will attempt to rebound from losses when Carl Froch fights Arthur Abraham on Saturday night in Group Stage 3 of Showtime's "Super Six World Boxing Classic."
The Armenian-born Abraham (31-1, 25 KOs) was disqualified during the 11th round of his March 27 fight against Andre Dirrell (19-1, 13 KOs), whom Abraham hit with a bout-ending punch when Dirrell was on one knee.
England's Froch (26-1, 20 KOs) was very competitive against Mikkel Kessler (43-2, 32 KOs) on April 24, but Kessler won a unanimous decision in his native Denmark.
I'm not trying to disrespect Arthur at all when I say this," Froch said, "but if I was to have gotten beaten as badly as he got beaten for 11 rounds [against Dirrell], then I'd be worried.
"I'd be mentally dejected. Not only did he get beaten and out-classed, but he got beaten and outclassed by a guy that I previously beat. So that's got to have him worried and cause him concern."
The delayed broadcast of the Abraham-Froch fight from Helsinki, Finland, will begin Showtime's doubleheader at 9 p.m.
TRIPLE THREAT: Showtime's strong doubleheader will partially compete with an HBO "World Championship Boxing" tripleheader Saturday night from MGM Grand in Las Vegas.Mexico's Juan Manuel Marquez (51-5-1, 37 KOs) and Australia's Michael Katsidis (27-2, 22 KOs) will square off in the 12-round main event for Marquez's WBA and WBO lightweight titles. The co-featured fight will match Andre Berto (26-0, 21 KOs), of Winter Haven, Fla., against Mexico's Freddy Hernandez (29-1, 20 KOs), the mandatory challenger for Berto's WBC welterweight title.
The tripleheader will begin at 9:45 p.m., with a 10-round featherweight fight that'll pit Panama's Celestino Caballero (34-2, 23 KOs) against Jason Litzau (27-2, 21 KOs), of St. Paul, Minn. MAYWEATHER'S MESS: While we all want to see Manny Pacquiao fight Floyd Mayweather Jr. as soon as possible, maybe Mayweather should take some time to rectify whatever's wrong with his personal life before figuring out if he really wants to test himself against Pacquiao.
It seems as though Mayweather (41-0, 25 KOs), arguably the best pound-for-pound boxer in the world, can't go a week without getting into some sort of trouble. His pattern of self-destructive behavior has become disturbing, especially from a man trying to raise four children.That said, HBO Sports president Ross Greenburg shouldn't concede to Mayweather's inevitable inquiry about fighting someone other than Pacquiao (52-3-2, 38 KOs) early in 2011. Because when Mayweather's money starts running low — and it will once he's finished paying attorneys' fees — he will need to fight again, regardless of whether he wants to do so.
England's Froch (26-1, 20 KOs) was very competitive against Mikkel Kessler (43-2, 32 KOs) on April 24, but Kessler won a unanimous decision in his native Denmark.
I'm not trying to disrespect Arthur at all when I say this," Froch said, "but if I was to have gotten beaten as badly as he got beaten for 11 rounds [against Dirrell], then I'd be worried.
"I'd be mentally dejected. Not only did he get beaten and out-classed, but he got beaten and outclassed by a guy that I previously beat. So that's got to have him worried and cause him concern."
The delayed broadcast of the Abraham-Froch fight from Helsinki, Finland, will begin Showtime's doubleheader at 9 p.m.
TRIPLE THREAT: Showtime's strong doubleheader will partially compete with an HBO "World Championship Boxing" tripleheader Saturday night from MGM Grand in Las Vegas.Mexico's Juan Manuel Marquez (51-5-1, 37 KOs) and Australia's Michael Katsidis (27-2, 22 KOs) will square off in the 12-round main event for Marquez's WBA and WBO lightweight titles. The co-featured fight will match Andre Berto (26-0, 21 KOs), of Winter Haven, Fla., against Mexico's Freddy Hernandez (29-1, 20 KOs), the mandatory challenger for Berto's WBC welterweight title.
The tripleheader will begin at 9:45 p.m., with a 10-round featherweight fight that'll pit Panama's Celestino Caballero (34-2, 23 KOs) against Jason Litzau (27-2, 21 KOs), of St. Paul, Minn. MAYWEATHER'S MESS: While we all want to see Manny Pacquiao fight Floyd Mayweather Jr. as soon as possible, maybe Mayweather should take some time to rectify whatever's wrong with his personal life before figuring out if he really wants to test himself against Pacquiao.
It seems as though Mayweather (41-0, 25 KOs), arguably the best pound-for-pound boxer in the world, can't go a week without getting into some sort of trouble. His pattern of self-destructive behavior has become disturbing, especially from a man trying to raise four children.That said, HBO Sports president Ross Greenburg shouldn't concede to Mayweather's inevitable inquiry about fighting someone other than Pacquiao (52-3-2, 38 KOs) early in 2011. Because when Mayweather's money starts running low — and it will once he's finished paying attorneys' fees — he will need to fight again, regardless of whether he wants to do so.
Markets bet on a Portuguese bailout
Thursday was another punishing day on Europe's bond markets - with relief about a possible bailout of Ireland now firmly replaced by fear that the debt crisis may be spreading.
On Friday the focus is on Lisbon where the government has to get its latest austerity budget safely through its final vote in Parliament. Portugal's deficit and debts may be smaller on a European scale than those of Spain, Greece or Ireland.
However, according to press reports, the European Central Bank and other EU nations are pushing Portugal to seek a bailout to take some pressure off Spain. The yield on Portugal's ten year bond has surged to a new record above 7%.Nigel Cassidy reports.
On Friday the focus is on Lisbon where the government has to get its latest austerity budget safely through its final vote in Parliament. Portugal's deficit and debts may be smaller on a European scale than those of Spain, Greece or Ireland.
However, according to press reports, the European Central Bank and other EU nations are pushing Portugal to seek a bailout to take some pressure off Spain. The yield on Portugal's ten year bond has surged to a new record above 7%.Nigel Cassidy reports.
Bengals vs. Jets: Brad Smith Runs Wild
It was the Brad Smith show at The Meadowlands on Thanksgiving night. The New York Jets’ all-purpose weapon did it all, rushing for a touchdown, returning a kickoff for a touchdown and picking up 200 total yards as the Jets dropped the Cincinnati Bengals, 26-10. Smith’s individual effort proved to be the difference in the game, with the New York defense adding a safety to seal the win and cap a furious second half scoring barrage.
Down 7-3 at the half, it took the Jets all of two plays to regain the lead. Smith took the reverse, making a quick cut upfield and waltzing into the end zone for 55 yards and the score. With the lead in hand, the Jets took off and never looked back, scoring 23 second half points to put the game away.
Mark Sanchez was steady, though not spectacular, under center, throwing for 166 yards, one touchdown and an interception. Shonn Greene’s led the Jets’ running backs with 70 yards on 18 carries. LaDainian Tomlinson had a slow day in the backfield, rushing for 49 yards on 13 carries. Dustin Keller led the New York receivers with four catches for 49 yards, followed closely by Santonio Holmes’ 44 yards and a touchdown in the receiving game.
For the Bengals, costly mistakes practically handed the Jets the game. Two first half Carson Palmer interceptions killed promising drives, a muffed punt in the second half gave the Jets the ball with excellent field position and poor coverage on Smith’s kickoff return gave the Jets all they needed to wrap this game up. Palmer finished the day with just 135 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions on 17 of 39 passing. Chad Ochocinco led the Bengals’ receivers with four catches for 41 yards. Jordan Shipley added 38 yards and a touchdown, the only Cincinnati touchdown of the day.
The Jets improved to 9-2, grabbing a much-needed win before heading to New England to take-on the Patriots on Monday, Dec. 6. Cincinnati fell to 2-9 with the loss. The Bengals host the defending Super Bowl champion New Orleans Saints next Sunday.
Down 7-3 at the half, it took the Jets all of two plays to regain the lead. Smith took the reverse, making a quick cut upfield and waltzing into the end zone for 55 yards and the score. With the lead in hand, the Jets took off and never looked back, scoring 23 second half points to put the game away.
Mark Sanchez was steady, though not spectacular, under center, throwing for 166 yards, one touchdown and an interception. Shonn Greene’s led the Jets’ running backs with 70 yards on 18 carries. LaDainian Tomlinson had a slow day in the backfield, rushing for 49 yards on 13 carries. Dustin Keller led the New York receivers with four catches for 49 yards, followed closely by Santonio Holmes’ 44 yards and a touchdown in the receiving game.
For the Bengals, costly mistakes practically handed the Jets the game. Two first half Carson Palmer interceptions killed promising drives, a muffed punt in the second half gave the Jets the ball with excellent field position and poor coverage on Smith’s kickoff return gave the Jets all they needed to wrap this game up. Palmer finished the day with just 135 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions on 17 of 39 passing. Chad Ochocinco led the Bengals’ receivers with four catches for 41 yards. Jordan Shipley added 38 yards and a touchdown, the only Cincinnati touchdown of the day.
The Jets improved to 9-2, grabbing a much-needed win before heading to New England to take-on the Patriots on Monday, Dec. 6. Cincinnati fell to 2-9 with the loss. The Bengals host the defending Super Bowl champion New Orleans Saints next Sunday.
Orange Movie Review: Telugu Orange Hitting the Screens Today
Review:
Director Bhaskar thought he could make a cerebral film with a romantic touch and give it a colour. He also was lucky enough to get a hero who gave a massive hit in the recent past and so gave him the role of a graffiti artist; instead of giving the artist some clarity about his role, he grabs the colour tin from his hand and splashes colours all over the screen, so much that you cannot distinguish orange from red and red from yellow, the end result is that audience go clueless and colour blind.
The director is clearly reeling with a Bommarillu hangover, in this movie Orange instead of a father-son conflict it is a pair of lovers thrashing out their views and ideologies on love. The point is simple, the hero considers himself the world's greatest lover, is obsessed with his likes and dislikes and keeps falling in love with many girls without promising a commitment.
If 'commitment' is the crux of the story, the director fails in eliciting any kind of expression from Ram Charan that remotely shows his beliefs and even his body language doesn't suggest that he has fallen in love even temporarily. The youth for whom the film is targeted are the first ones who fail to feel or connect with the emotion. Strange and also surprising that he is the same director who made Allu Arjun come out with intense emotions in Parugu despite a static location.
To make the character of the film realize his limitations, he wastes a single line script, converts it into a nonsensical drama compelling the audience to take multiple popcorn breaks, so much that even the comedian in the film Brahmanandam scratches his head and declares that he hates love stories. Not many people can understand beyond three colours and it's significance, how else will the vast Andhra Pradesh populace if at all they watch this film, made to understand that Orange is the first flush of love and it has some connection with the story.
Thankfully, he throws up a surprise, you do keep saying okay..there is Gayatri Rao, there is Avasarala Srinivas, there is Naga Babu, Prakash Raj, Prabhu and Manjula and her husband and a miserable marketing strategy..who serve no purpose at all. To show the predicaments, quandary of the protagonist, the filmmaker needs to engage the viewer first in the first fifteen minutes, here you have the hero yelling and the heroine screeching, yelping and the Telugu goes beyond comprehension.
Genelia does look young, but her expressions aren't, they are worn out. There is no novelty in her work, except her hair style. She plays the daughter of a couple who appear once in a while and smile on the framed pictures on the walls, the mother has no problem revealing that she isn't in love any more..but for godsake why that forlorn expression?
It is a universal truth that an ordinary couple do not on a day to day basis keep cootchie cooing and repeating I love you's on a minute to minute basis, even in the best of love marriages, romance takes a back seat once the child comes of marriageable age. The daughter takes the expression from her mother as a revelation which is indeed a serious aberration. Ram Charan looks disinterested in the role and appears to be just another artist in the drama etched out by Bommarillu Bhaskar. Rest of the characters while away their time as well as the audiences.
One number is worth listening and so is Ram Charan's dance. Dialogues are a yawn, visuals are pleasant and Sydney..must ask Bhaskar how it was, and how it looked like because he had been there twice. Had he been faithful to the original [Bachna Ae Haseeno], some sort of sanity would have been achieved. Finally, stay at home, and peel Nagpur Oranges for the tangy and sweet taste..say no to Oranges that have labels.
Rating: 3.5/5
Director Bhaskar thought he could make a cerebral film with a romantic touch and give it a colour. He also was lucky enough to get a hero who gave a massive hit in the recent past and so gave him the role of a graffiti artist; instead of giving the artist some clarity about his role, he grabs the colour tin from his hand and splashes colours all over the screen, so much that you cannot distinguish orange from red and red from yellow, the end result is that audience go clueless and colour blind.
The director is clearly reeling with a Bommarillu hangover, in this movie Orange instead of a father-son conflict it is a pair of lovers thrashing out their views and ideologies on love. The point is simple, the hero considers himself the world's greatest lover, is obsessed with his likes and dislikes and keeps falling in love with many girls without promising a commitment.
To make the character of the film realize his limitations, he wastes a single line script, converts it into a nonsensical drama compelling the audience to take multiple popcorn breaks, so much that even the comedian in the film Brahmanandam scratches his head and declares that he hates love stories. Not many people can understand beyond three colours and it's significance, how else will the vast Andhra Pradesh populace if at all they watch this film, made to understand that Orange is the first flush of love and it has some connection with the story.
Thankfully, he throws up a surprise, you do keep saying okay..there is Gayatri Rao, there is Avasarala Srinivas, there is Naga Babu, Prakash Raj, Prabhu and Manjula and her husband and a miserable marketing strategy..who serve no purpose at all. To show the predicaments, quandary of the protagonist, the filmmaker needs to engage the viewer first in the first fifteen minutes, here you have the hero yelling and the heroine screeching, yelping and the Telugu goes beyond comprehension.
Genelia does look young, but her expressions aren't, they are worn out. There is no novelty in her work, except her hair style. She plays the daughter of a couple who appear once in a while and smile on the framed pictures on the walls, the mother has no problem revealing that she isn't in love any more..but for godsake why that forlorn expression?
It is a universal truth that an ordinary couple do not on a day to day basis keep cootchie cooing and repeating I love you's on a minute to minute basis, even in the best of love marriages, romance takes a back seat once the child comes of marriageable age. The daughter takes the expression from her mother as a revelation which is indeed a serious aberration. Ram Charan looks disinterested in the role and appears to be just another artist in the drama etched out by Bommarillu Bhaskar. Rest of the characters while away their time as well as the audiences.
One number is worth listening and so is Ram Charan's dance. Dialogues are a yawn, visuals are pleasant and Sydney..must ask Bhaskar how it was, and how it looked like because he had been there twice. Had he been faithful to the original [Bachna Ae Haseeno], some sort of sanity would have been achieved. Finally, stay at home, and peel Nagpur Oranges for the tangy and sweet taste..say no to Oranges that have labels.
Rating: 3.5/5
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Jagan's channel targets Rahul for Bihar debacle
Hyderabad: Intensifying its attack on the top leadership of the Congress, Sakshi TV, owned by late YSR Reddy’s son and party MP Jaganmohan, has now criticised Rahul Gandhi for the Bihar poll debacle.
"A charismatic leader is missing. In its 125-year history, the Congress has never reached a nadir like now." the channel stated in a current affairs programme aired on Thursday night.
Last week, the channel carried stories on the affairs of the Congress criticizing Sonia Gandhi's leadership in the wake of scams in the Commonwealth Games contracts and 2G spectrum allocation.It blamed Sonia Gandhi's "poor leadership" for the party's rout in various states, termed her an "uninspiring speaker".
It also attacked Prime Minister Manmohan Singh describing him as "Sonia Gandhi's rubber stamp".
"A charismatic leader is missing. In its 125-year history, the Congress has never reached a nadir like now." the channel stated in a current affairs programme aired on Thursday night.
Last week, the channel carried stories on the affairs of the Congress criticizing Sonia Gandhi's leadership in the wake of scams in the Commonwealth Games contracts and 2G spectrum allocation.It blamed Sonia Gandhi's "poor leadership" for the party's rout in various states, termed her an "uninspiring speaker".
It also attacked Prime Minister Manmohan Singh describing him as "Sonia Gandhi's rubber stamp".
It also attacked Prime Minister Manmohan Singh describing him as "Sonia Gandhi's rubber stamp".Pro-democracy party becomes big winner in Tonga
Two political reformers have emerged as front-runners to become the first prime minister of Tonga to be elected rather than appointed by the king after a vote that marks an important step in the South Pacific nation's slow path toward democracy.
Of 17 parliamentary seats contested in Thursday's general election, 12 were won by candidates of the Democratic Party of the Friendly Islands and five by independents. Nine other seats are held by the country's aristocratic landowners, who are selected by fellow nobles. (AP)
A Tongan pro-democracy leader has emerged with the biggest bloc of lawmakers after the Pacific nation's historic first vote for a popularly elected parliament.
Akilisi Pohiva, a veteran pro-democracy campaigner, and the leader of the Friendly Islands Human Rights and Democracy party won 12 of the 17 publicly contested seats in Thursday's vote, preliminary results showed. The remaining five publicly contested seats went to independents.
About 42,000 registered voters had cast their ballots to elect 17 of the 26 members of parliament, in an election hailed as marking the country's transition from monarchy to democracy.
However the poll did not reflect full democracy, as the remaining nine seats are reserved for the kingdom's nobility - or aristocratic landowners.
Still, King George Tupou V described the vote as "the greatest and most historic day for our kingdom" in an address to the nation before polling stations opened on Thursday."You will choose your representative to the parliament and thus the first elected government in our country's long history," he said.'Happy mood'Officials said voting was "steady" with a "happy mood" around the polling stations.More than 140 candidates were competing for the seats in the legislature.When the make up of the new parliament is complete, the newly elected representatives will elect a prime minister.
Previously the parliament was dominated by politicians selected by the monarch, who also picked the prime minister and cabinet. Calls for democracy A delegation of 14 observers from Australia and New Zealand were in Tonga to observe the election.
The election comes after Tonga suffered major political unrest in 2006 when rioters demanding democratic change torched the centre of the capital, Nuku'alofa, burning down buildings and killing eight people.The declining economy was seen as the most pressing issue for Tongan voters. The World Bank estimates up to 40 per cent of Tonga's 123,000 people live on or below the poverty line.
"People are saying we're very concerned about what we feed ourselves with, our future, how much we get paid, whether we can have the ability to put our kids to school," Kalafi Moala, a voter, said. "The economy is definitely the priority."
Of 17 parliamentary seats contested in Thursday's general election, 12 were won by candidates of the Democratic Party of the Friendly Islands and five by independents. Nine other seats are held by the country's aristocratic landowners, who are selected by fellow nobles. (AP)
A Tongan pro-democracy leader has emerged with the biggest bloc of lawmakers after the Pacific nation's historic first vote for a popularly elected parliament.
Akilisi Pohiva, a veteran pro-democracy campaigner, and the leader of the Friendly Islands Human Rights and Democracy party won 12 of the 17 publicly contested seats in Thursday's vote, preliminary results showed. The remaining five publicly contested seats went to independents.
About 42,000 registered voters had cast their ballots to elect 17 of the 26 members of parliament, in an election hailed as marking the country's transition from monarchy to democracy.
However the poll did not reflect full democracy, as the remaining nine seats are reserved for the kingdom's nobility - or aristocratic landowners.
Still, King George Tupou V described the vote as "the greatest and most historic day for our kingdom" in an address to the nation before polling stations opened on Thursday."You will choose your representative to the parliament and thus the first elected government in our country's long history," he said.'Happy mood'Officials said voting was "steady" with a "happy mood" around the polling stations.More than 140 candidates were competing for the seats in the legislature.When the make up of the new parliament is complete, the newly elected representatives will elect a prime minister.
Previously the parliament was dominated by politicians selected by the monarch, who also picked the prime minister and cabinet. Calls for democracy A delegation of 14 observers from Australia and New Zealand were in Tonga to observe the election.
The election comes after Tonga suffered major political unrest in 2006 when rioters demanding democratic change torched the centre of the capital, Nuku'alofa, burning down buildings and killing eight people.The declining economy was seen as the most pressing issue for Tongan voters. The World Bank estimates up to 40 per cent of Tonga's 123,000 people live on or below the poverty line.
"People are saying we're very concerned about what we feed ourselves with, our future, how much we get paid, whether we can have the ability to put our kids to school," Kalafi Moala, a voter, said. "The economy is definitely the priority."
Insider-trading investigation
Key targets of the government's crackdown on insider trading on Wall Street are "expert network" firms that funnel valuable insights and business-specific data about companies and sectors to big clients, such as hedge funds, to give them an edge when making investment decisions.
The fact that expert networks are now ensnared in the government's multiyear probe into insider trading was driven home Wednesday. Don Chu, 56, an Asian liaison for the expert network firm Primary Global Research (PGR), was arrested by federal agents for allegedly arranging for the firm's consultants working inside publicly traded companies to pass along "insider information" to the firm's hedge fund clients, who then used the material and non-public information to make profitable trades.
CRACKDOWN: Insider-trading investigation enters 'new phase'
This is the latest development in what is shaping up as a major offensive by the feds on insider trading. The crackdown is on both criminal and civil fronts, with pressure being exerted by Preet Bharara, the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York; the FBI; and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
Major hedge funds, big mutual fund companies and smaller firms that provide research to big institutional investors are under fire. This week the FBI raided three hedge funds, and federal authorities have started asking some big investment firms for trading data and other records pertinent to the inquiry.
Securities lawyers say the government is being aggressive by targeting expert network firms. "The Chu arrest reflects the government's willingness to pursue all participants in the insider-trading scheme," says Jacob Frenkel, a former SEC prosecutor and now partner at Shulman Rogers. "This is the first of what will be many indictments."
The roughly 40 expert network firms had annual revenue near $400 million in 2009, says Sandy Bragg, CEO at Integrity Research Associates. Nearly four of 10 investment management firms use the networks, Bragg says, and expert consultants earn $100 to $500 an hour.
In providing "independent investment research" or "market intelligence," the firms provide a legal service. They typically arrange for clients to meet or communicate with experts who can provide insight on new business strategies, how sales are going and other data points that highlight how a company is faring.
In Chu's case, prosecutors allege the information given to the hedge fund client was non-public and material and, therefore, illegal. The complaint says Chu had relationships with employees at firms including Broadcom, Atheros Communications and Sierra Wireless. Prosecutors say Chu would contact his experts to get information about the companies' financials before they reported the results, then pass the information to Richard Choo-Beng Lee, who as a former employee of the hedge fund would use the information to make a profit.Chu's attorney did not respond to a call for comment Wednesday night.
Lee pleaded guilty to insider-trading charges and has been cooperating with the investigation. In one instance, the complaint alleges that an expert in a phone call gave Lee detailed information on a tech company that included "revenue numbers, average sales prices, unit sales for different product lines, gross margin figures and revenue forecasts."
Expert networks are "a major gray area right now. We're getting into uncharted territory," says Andrew Stoltmann of Stoltmann Law. The distinction between good fundamental research and misuse of material non-public information will need to be clarified.Stringent compliance policies are in place. PGR's policy states that experts are "explicitly instructed to decline to comment on subjects that represent (company) information that is confidential or proprietary."
The fact that expert networks are now ensnared in the government's multiyear probe into insider trading was driven home Wednesday. Don Chu, 56, an Asian liaison for the expert network firm Primary Global Research (PGR), was arrested by federal agents for allegedly arranging for the firm's consultants working inside publicly traded companies to pass along "insider information" to the firm's hedge fund clients, who then used the material and non-public information to make profitable trades.
This is the latest development in what is shaping up as a major offensive by the feds on insider trading. The crackdown is on both criminal and civil fronts, with pressure being exerted by Preet Bharara, the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York; the FBI; and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
Major hedge funds, big mutual fund companies and smaller firms that provide research to big institutional investors are under fire. This week the FBI raided three hedge funds, and federal authorities have started asking some big investment firms for trading data and other records pertinent to the inquiry.
Securities lawyers say the government is being aggressive by targeting expert network firms. "The Chu arrest reflects the government's willingness to pursue all participants in the insider-trading scheme," says Jacob Frenkel, a former SEC prosecutor and now partner at Shulman Rogers. "This is the first of what will be many indictments."
The roughly 40 expert network firms had annual revenue near $400 million in 2009, says Sandy Bragg, CEO at Integrity Research Associates. Nearly four of 10 investment management firms use the networks, Bragg says, and expert consultants earn $100 to $500 an hour.
In providing "independent investment research" or "market intelligence," the firms provide a legal service. They typically arrange for clients to meet or communicate with experts who can provide insight on new business strategies, how sales are going and other data points that highlight how a company is faring.
In Chu's case, prosecutors allege the information given to the hedge fund client was non-public and material and, therefore, illegal. The complaint says Chu had relationships with employees at firms including Broadcom, Atheros Communications and Sierra Wireless. Prosecutors say Chu would contact his experts to get information about the companies' financials before they reported the results, then pass the information to Richard Choo-Beng Lee, who as a former employee of the hedge fund would use the information to make a profit.Chu's attorney did not respond to a call for comment Wednesday night.
Lee pleaded guilty to insider-trading charges and has been cooperating with the investigation. In one instance, the complaint alleges that an expert in a phone call gave Lee detailed information on a tech company that included "revenue numbers, average sales prices, unit sales for different product lines, gross margin figures and revenue forecasts."
Expert networks are "a major gray area right now. We're getting into uncharted territory," says Andrew Stoltmann of Stoltmann Law. The distinction between good fundamental research and misuse of material non-public information will need to be clarified.Stringent compliance policies are in place. PGR's policy states that experts are "explicitly instructed to decline to comment on subjects that represent (company) information that is confidential or proprietary."
Toys “R” Us Black Friday Sales 2010 Offers Free Shipping
Toys R Us Free shipping requires no special code or coupon. Just spend over $49.00 at Toys R Us today until Monday and your shipping is free. If you are a member of “Rewards R Us” you will still get your 10% credit on all purchases. This is supposed to be the biggest sale of all time at Toys R Us and the company is promising plenty of online specials throughout the weekend.
Wal Mart has over 60,000 items available online for free “store to home” shipping. There are tons electronics and computers available online with free shipping and you can still use the free “to Store” shipping option that will ship your item to your nearest store for free. WalMart’s free shipping lasts until late December.Target has gotten into the online fight this year by almost quadrupling its inventory that qualifies for free shipping. No special codes required here as each free shipping item is clearly marked.
Amazon.com is really getting into the online trend this year as the web site said it will beat any free shipping offer online. this only includes a few items though so it won’t cost the company a bundle. Amazon does offer free shipping on all orders over $25.00 this weekend though.
Wal Mart has over 60,000 items available online for free “store to home” shipping. There are tons electronics and computers available online with free shipping and you can still use the free “to Store” shipping option that will ship your item to your nearest store for free. WalMart’s free shipping lasts until late December.Target has gotten into the online fight this year by almost quadrupling its inventory that qualifies for free shipping. No special codes required here as each free shipping item is clearly marked.
Amazon.com is really getting into the online trend this year as the web site said it will beat any free shipping offer online. this only includes a few items though so it won’t cost the company a bundle. Amazon does offer free shipping on all orders over $25.00 this weekend though.
Deepika Promoting Break Ke Baad in London
Deepika Padukone was in London to promote her upcoming film Break Ke Baad which stars Imran Khan (I Hate Luv Storys) and is produced by Kunal Kohli (Hum Tum, Fanaa). They have been on a whirlwind promotional tour: Khan is promoting the film in the US and Deepika took some time out from her Desi Boyz shoot to promote the film in the UK and US. Kunal Kohli has also been part of the promotions but unfortunately he became ill and has been admitted in hospital.
After numerous one-to-one press Interviews, Deepika Padukone made a very short appearance at CHAK89 Restaurant to promote the film. Deepika looked absolutely amazing and it is no wonder that many male fans were waiting for hours to get a glimpse of the beautiful actress.
Deepika Padukone shot a small advertisement/video for "Malik Law Chambers" who sponsored the "Break Ke Baad - UK trip. She said, "I would like to thank Mr Malik and Malik Law Chambers for supporting Break Ke Baad and for inviting us to London. I am looking forward to what you all will have to say once you have seen the film."
However, her visit to CHAK89 was very short because she had to catch a flight but she was able to spend a few minutes at a small meet and greet time where a few people took pictures with the actor. She was driven straight to the airport, where she caught her flight to the New York to promote the film in the States.
Yes, it looks like Break Ke Baad is inspired by Indian celebrities’ love lives. Almost all the celebrities both married and in relationship, have expressed their concern at one point of time or the other over not spending enough time with their spouse or lovers. They spend most of their time shooting abroad or other cities in India. This plays spoil sports to their relationships many a time.
Many Indian celebrities like Ranbir Kapoor-Deepika Padukone, Shahid Kapoor-Priyanka Chopra, Salman Khan-Katrina Kaif and several others have split due to misunderstand. The problem is they don’t have enough time for each other, as they spend most of their time shooting films co-stars lead to break ups.
Very much like celebrities' love lives, Break Ke Baad too deals with the hardships and insecurities that lovers face in a long-distance relationship. The film could be a copy of real life love stories of our own celebrities! abroad.
Break Ke Baad inspired by celebrities’ love lives :
Forget about Hollywood celebrities. There is no dearth of break ups in Bollywood . In fact, ‘on-off on-off’ relationships are rampant among the Indian celebrities. And one of the main reasons for break up has been lack of communication and heavy work schedule. Coincidentally, Break Ke Baad, starring Iman Khan and Deepika Padukone, is also about life after break up and long-distance relationship.Yes, it looks like Break Ke Baad is inspired by Indian celebrities’ love lives. Almost all the celebrities both married and in relationship, have expressed their concern at one point of time or the other over not spending enough time with their spouse or lovers. They spend most of their time shooting abroad or other cities in India. This plays spoil sports to their relationships many a time.
Many Indian celebrities like Ranbir Kapoor-Deepika Padukone, Shahid Kapoor-Priyanka Chopra, Salman Khan-Katrina Kaif and several others have split due to misunderstand. The problem is they don’t have enough time for each other, as they spend most of their time shooting films co-stars lead to break ups.
Very much like celebrities' love lives, Break Ke Baad too deals with the hardships and insecurities that lovers face in a long-distance relationship. The film could be a copy of real life love stories of our own celebrities! abroad.
Walmart Black Friday 2010 Ads and Deals
The Black Friday 2010 is just several hours away. Several shopping stores are currently having their Black Friday Online Sale including Amazon, Target, MacMall and Kohl’s. Shoppers in the United States always treat Walmart as the most amazing store during Black Friday and that is actually correct as Walmart is giving hundreds of deals for great deals for its customers.
But before the Black Friday 2010, the Thanksgiving Day is being celebrated first which is today, November 25, 2010. Walmart Supercenters are open for 24 hours during the Thanksgiving Day and it will continue to be open until the Black Friday shopping day. This time, Walmart Supercenters have an amazing special for shoppers. If customers bring a competitor’s ad, they will match the price with an identical product.
Walmart is having amazing deals and sales for Black Friday in different categories ranging from home appliances and essentials, clothings, movies, electronics, computers, cell phones, laptops and more. The most amazing deals come from the electronics category and the televisions.
For computers, Walmart will have HP Pavilion Desktop PC Tower w/5GB Memory, 1TB Hard Drive with Windows 7 Home Premium for only $498.00 and HP Pavilion Slimline Desktop PC Bundle w/AMD Sempron Processor 3GB Memory, 320GB Hard Drive with Windows 7 Home Premium for $398.00.
The shopping store will also have amazing deals on laptops like the Acer 10.1″ Netbook Bundle for only $248.00 which is now available on their Black Friday online sales. Aside from this, other laptops on sale are Acer Aspire 17.3″ Laptop PC w/Intel Dual Core Processor, 4GB Memory, 320GB Hard Drive, Windows 7 for $498.00, eMachines 15.6″ Laptop w/2GB Memory, 250GB Hard Drive, Windows 7 for $198.00, HP 15.6″ Laptop w/Intel Celeron Processor, 3GB Memory, 250GB Hard Drive, Windows 7 for $298.00 and HP 17.3″ Dual Core Laptop w/Pentium Dual Core Processor, 3GB Memory, 320GB Hard Drive which will be sold for $398.00.
So if you want to buy a new one or replace your current desktop PC or laptop, Walmart is the best place to shop and Black Friday is the best day to grab these items.
IMDB.com Exclusively Streams Band of Horses
SEATTLE & LOS ANGELES, Nov 16, 2010 - Band of Horses and IMDb.com, Inc. (www.imdb.com), the authoritative source of information on movies, TV and celebrities, announced that beginning today the band's surreal biker flick homage "Dilly" will have its world premiere exclusively on IMDb. The unprecedented collaboration is IMDb's first-ever foray into music video premieres. To watch and learn more about Band of Horses' "Dilly" video, visit www.imdb.com/bandofhorses.
"This is the first of our videos to truly capture the essence of what a day in our personal lives is actually like," said Band of Horses singer Ben Bridwell."We couldn't be more proud or more excited to be taking our first step into the realm of music videos with Band of Horses," said Col Needham, founder and CEO of IMDb. "We believe IMDb can serve as a powerful new platform for musicians to introduce compelling, exclusive content to our passionate community of more than 100 million entertainment enthusiasts."
Directed by Philip Andelman, the uninhibited, borderline disturbing music video (runtime 3:30) is a companion to the "Dilly" track off the band's self-financed "Infinite Arms" album (released May 18, 2010 on Brown/Fat Possum/Columbia) that The New York Times refers to as "anthemic and dynamic." Shot entirely on location in the Mojave Desert, the video was inspired by '70s biker films and contains surprising, playful elements, including synchronized dancing and an eclectic cast comprised of actors and bikers. The "Dilly" video reflects the spirit of creativity and freedom that pervades the "Infinite Arms" album, which was written, recorded and inspired by different locales across America, including the Mojave Desert.
Band of Horses is Ben Bridwell, Creighton Barrett, Ryan Monroe, Tyler Ramsey and Bill Reynolds. "Now it's hard to remember it any other way." Band of Horses singer Ben Bridwell's compellingly evasive lyrical style will never let the listener on to the exact intent of this line as it appears in "Neighbor," the expansive "Infinite Arms" album closer, but taken out of the context of the song it becomes a sentiment of currency. The present state of the band is as close to ideal as rock n' roll can be.
Having assembled a true creative and personal collective, designed and signed the record deal of his dreams, and made an album free of any influence other than his onstage brothers in arms, it's hard to imagine that Bridwell cares to dwell on any time but the present. It took nearly two years, virtual bankruptcy, five states and a dead falcon to get there, but "Infinite Arms" is the product of a band doing things on their own terms and finally learning to enjoy the results. The songs on "Infinite Arms" project the essence of the different locales across America that became the setting for the recording and songwriting process behind the album. The serene woods of Northern Minnesota and the band's native Carolinas inspired the songwriting, lending the compositions an air of comfort and familiarity. While those locations helped the songs come to life, the sounds were influenced by the recording settings. The rich musical heritage of Muscle Shoals, Ala., the sublime beauty of Asheville's Blue Ridge Mountains, the glamorous Hollywood Hills, and the vast Mojave desert helped yield the group's most focused and dynamic recordings to date.
"This is the first of our videos to truly capture the essence of what a day in our personal lives is actually like," said Band of Horses singer Ben Bridwell."We couldn't be more proud or more excited to be taking our first step into the realm of music videos with Band of Horses," said Col Needham, founder and CEO of IMDb. "We believe IMDb can serve as a powerful new platform for musicians to introduce compelling, exclusive content to our passionate community of more than 100 million entertainment enthusiasts."
Directed by Philip Andelman, the uninhibited, borderline disturbing music video (runtime 3:30) is a companion to the "Dilly" track off the band's self-financed "Infinite Arms" album (released May 18, 2010 on Brown/Fat Possum/Columbia) that The New York Times refers to as "anthemic and dynamic." Shot entirely on location in the Mojave Desert, the video was inspired by '70s biker films and contains surprising, playful elements, including synchronized dancing and an eclectic cast comprised of actors and bikers. The "Dilly" video reflects the spirit of creativity and freedom that pervades the "Infinite Arms" album, which was written, recorded and inspired by different locales across America, including the Mojave Desert.
Band of Horses is Ben Bridwell, Creighton Barrett, Ryan Monroe, Tyler Ramsey and Bill Reynolds. "Now it's hard to remember it any other way." Band of Horses singer Ben Bridwell's compellingly evasive lyrical style will never let the listener on to the exact intent of this line as it appears in "Neighbor," the expansive "Infinite Arms" album closer, but taken out of the context of the song it becomes a sentiment of currency. The present state of the band is as close to ideal as rock n' roll can be.
Having assembled a true creative and personal collective, designed and signed the record deal of his dreams, and made an album free of any influence other than his onstage brothers in arms, it's hard to imagine that Bridwell cares to dwell on any time but the present. It took nearly two years, virtual bankruptcy, five states and a dead falcon to get there, but "Infinite Arms" is the product of a band doing things on their own terms and finally learning to enjoy the results. The songs on "Infinite Arms" project the essence of the different locales across America that became the setting for the recording and songwriting process behind the album. The serene woods of Northern Minnesota and the band's native Carolinas inspired the songwriting, lending the compositions an air of comfort and familiarity. While those locations helped the songs come to life, the sounds were influenced by the recording settings. The rich musical heritage of Muscle Shoals, Ala., the sublime beauty of Asheville's Blue Ridge Mountains, the glamorous Hollywood Hills, and the vast Mojave desert helped yield the group's most focused and dynamic recordings to date.
Blake Griffin Gettin’ Busy
Griffin's first career points came on a dunk. And it seemed as if every field goal since then was via the same, spectacular fashion. You thought Griffin was about excitement.Both good guesses, but they don't capture his essence.If you really think about it, you'll realize the operative word for Griffin is creation.
We had our first clue in this Clippers website video of Griffin and teammate DeAndre Jordan hitting trick shots all over Griffin's backyard. He banked the ball off a wall; bounced the ball off his upstairs deck, over a fence and through the hoop; and hit a shot from the far side of the yard. He was creative enough to find every way to make a shot on his property.
You can see it in games as well. How many other players would think the best path to a fast-break dunk would be to blaze past a defender, spin into the lane, keep him on your hip, then rise up over him? Most minds don't think that way. Certainly not most minds attached to a 6-foot-10, 250-pound body.
If you combine it all you get someone creating excitement and opportunity from effort and ability. It's an awe-inspiring mix, and could lead to him winning the NBA Rookie of the Year award.
I picked John Wall as the favorite because the Washington Wizards' point guard would have the ball in his hands to start almost every possession. Wall has an advantage that's similar to this Lamar Odom description of Derrick Rose: "He's their first option, and he has the ball first." Griffin was dependent on an ineffective Baron Davis and an inexperienced Eric Bledsoe at point guard. It's also easier to double- team Griffin at the forward spot than it is a point guard on the perimeter.
Except Griffin creates a way to get his own shots: offensive rebounds. Snag one of those things and all of a sudden you're looking at a point-blank shot, often with one or even no defenders around. Griffin averages four offensive rebounds per game, although it seems he sometimes gets that many on a single trip down the floor. But those second chances help him rank second among rookies in field goal attempts per game; and if you round up his 14.7 shots per game and round down Wall's 15.3 they are even.
Going into Wednesday's games they were exactly even in scoring average, at 18.9 per game, the best among rookies. Griffin has the rookie rebounding lead all to himself; his 11 per night are four better than runner-up DeMarcus Cousins.
More impressive than Griffin's stats is what he is doing in the NBA universe. He has created a compelling reason to watch the Clippers. With his frenzied style, on any given play he's a threat to break the rim or break a bone. They should call him Break Griffin. He's a mixture of a young Charles Barkley and Evel Knievel. Did you ever think we'd see that combination?Griffin has created a new basketball paradigm.
We had our first clue in this Clippers website video of Griffin and teammate DeAndre Jordan hitting trick shots all over Griffin's backyard. He banked the ball off a wall; bounced the ball off his upstairs deck, over a fence and through the hoop; and hit a shot from the far side of the yard. He was creative enough to find every way to make a shot on his property.
You can see it in games as well. How many other players would think the best path to a fast-break dunk would be to blaze past a defender, spin into the lane, keep him on your hip, then rise up over him? Most minds don't think that way. Certainly not most minds attached to a 6-foot-10, 250-pound body.
If you combine it all you get someone creating excitement and opportunity from effort and ability. It's an awe-inspiring mix, and could lead to him winning the NBA Rookie of the Year award.
I picked John Wall as the favorite because the Washington Wizards' point guard would have the ball in his hands to start almost every possession. Wall has an advantage that's similar to this Lamar Odom description of Derrick Rose: "He's their first option, and he has the ball first." Griffin was dependent on an ineffective Baron Davis and an inexperienced Eric Bledsoe at point guard. It's also easier to double- team Griffin at the forward spot than it is a point guard on the perimeter.
Except Griffin creates a way to get his own shots: offensive rebounds. Snag one of those things and all of a sudden you're looking at a point-blank shot, often with one or even no defenders around. Griffin averages four offensive rebounds per game, although it seems he sometimes gets that many on a single trip down the floor. But those second chances help him rank second among rookies in field goal attempts per game; and if you round up his 14.7 shots per game and round down Wall's 15.3 they are even.
Going into Wednesday's games they were exactly even in scoring average, at 18.9 per game, the best among rookies. Griffin has the rookie rebounding lead all to himself; his 11 per night are four better than runner-up DeMarcus Cousins.
More impressive than Griffin's stats is what he is doing in the NBA universe. He has created a compelling reason to watch the Clippers. With his frenzied style, on any given play he's a threat to break the rim or break a bone. They should call him Break Griffin. He's a mixture of a young Charles Barkley and Evel Knievel. Did you ever think we'd see that combination?Griffin has created a new basketball paradigm.
Super Bowl Half Time Show Performers
The headliners for the 2011 Super Bowl halftime show have been announced, reports. The Rolling Stone Black Eyed Peas were confirmed as the top performers by a Dallas newspaper.
Super Bowl XLV is being played at Cowboys Stadium in Dallas on February 6, and the Black Eyed Peas are the first urban act to grace the Super Bowl since 2004, when Justin Timberlake and Janet Jackson had their “wardrobe malfunction.” Since then, performers have included Paul McCartney, Tom Petty, Prince, Bruce Springsteen, and The Who.
Super Bowl XLV is being played at Cowboys Stadium in Dallas on February 6, and the Black Eyed Peas are the first urban act to grace the Super Bowl since 2004, when Justin Timberlake and Janet Jackson had their “wardrobe malfunction.” Since then, performers have included Paul McCartney, Tom Petty, Prince, Bruce Springsteen, and The Who.
The Who was actually the reason that the Super Bowl wanted to “go younger.” David Hill, the president of Fox Sports, said that he was watching The Who “and going, ‘Oh no, please.” Hill actually wanted a country act to perform that year, given that the game was in Texas.
The sixth album by the Black Eyed Peas, The Beginning, comes out on November 30.The News also sparked some speculation about what other performers might suit up for the festivities surrounding the big game, including the singing of the national anthem before kickoff. Following up on Carrie Underwood's slot last February and Oscar-winning singer Jennifer Hudson's emotional take in 2009, the paper predicted that doing the honors in 2011 would be "a young, Middle America-appeal singer able to hit the notes, or an Oscar-winning R&B belter ... think Beyoncé." The latter makes a bit of sense, since Beyoncé is from Houston and is in the midst of recording a new album that could see release in 2011. Plus, she handled the job in her hometown in 2004.
As a sequel to Queen Latifah's "America the Beautiful" last year, The News floated another Texas gal, Fort Worth's Kelly Clarkson. "She's got the combo — 'American Idol' champ, budding actress, feet in the pop, R&B and country worlds. And Texas credentials: She's the big-voiced hometown gal from Burleson who recently sang the anthem for the World Series at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington."
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Cambodian stampede kills hundreds
In the Capital city of Cambodia, Phnom Penh, a stampede occurred during a festival killing 339 people, officials said on Monday. In Phnom Penh post, cited information from Prime Minister Hun Sen in a televised address, which said another 329 people were injured in the crush.
There are varying reports that from 2 -4 million people were attending the Water Festival when the stampede happened. It began about 10 p.m. The municipal police chief said, that it likely occurred due to a suspension bridge which was packed with people, as it began to sway, creating panic.
Police trying to get the people to move on, fired water cannons onto the bridge “That just caused complete and utter panic,” Bader said. A number of people were said to had lost consciousness and fell into the water. It has been said by some witnesses that people may have been electrocuted. The government have denied this. An unnamed doctor said the main cause of death was suffocation and electrocution. Police were among the people killed.
The prime minister has ordered an inquiry into the incident, and has declared Thursday a day of mourning.
Video of the scene showed shocking vision of the crush and the aftermath, dozens of people could be seen laying on hospital floors attached to intravenous lines.Each November the three-day festival, is held near the palace to honor a victory by Cambodian naval forces during the 12th-century reign of King Jayvarman VII.
There are varying reports that from 2 -4 million people were attending the Water Festival when the stampede happened. It began about 10 p.m. The municipal police chief said, that it likely occurred due to a suspension bridge which was packed with people, as it began to sway, creating panic.
Police trying to get the people to move on, fired water cannons onto the bridge “That just caused complete and utter panic,” Bader said. A number of people were said to had lost consciousness and fell into the water. It has been said by some witnesses that people may have been electrocuted. The government have denied this. An unnamed doctor said the main cause of death was suffocation and electrocution. Police were among the people killed.
The prime minister has ordered an inquiry into the incident, and has declared Thursday a day of mourning.
Video of the scene showed shocking vision of the crush and the aftermath, dozens of people could be seen laying on hospital floors attached to intravenous lines.Each November the three-day festival, is held near the palace to honor a victory by Cambodian naval forces during the 12th-century reign of King Jayvarman VII.
Happy National Opt-Out Day
It's the day ordinary citizens stand up for their rights, stand up for liberty, and protest the federal government's desire to virtually strip us naked or submit to an "enhanced pat down" that touches people's breasts and genitals in an aggressive manner. You should never have to explain to your children, "Remember that no stranger can touch or see your private area, unless it's a government employee, then it's OK."
The goal of National Opt Out Day is to send a message to our lawmakers that we demand change. We have a right to privacy and buying a plane ticket should not mean that we're guilty until proven innocent. This day is needed because many people do not understand what they consent to when choosing to fly.
The goal of National Opt Out Day is to send a message to our lawmakers that we demand change. We have a right to privacy and buying a plane ticket should not mean that we're guilty until proven innocent. This day is needed because many people do not understand what they consent to when choosing to fly.
The bottom line is that flyers are in a no-win situation: both the naked body scanners and the enhanced pat downs are grossly violative of our privacy rights and dignity, both make you feel like a criminal. At least when you choose a pat down you can look the at the government official eyeball-to-eyeball when you're getting touched, and there are not lingering questions about safety and just what is happening in that back room. Is there really no better way to provide aviation security than an inappropriate touching or a naked body scan?
While passengers fret over getting ogled or groped, Fred Burton, a former CIA and Secret Service agent who now works with the global intelligence firm Stratfor, wonders why so few people are asking why now. "TSA didn't wake up and say let's do full-body pat-downs; they are dealing with a very specific and viable threat that is very serious," he told KXAN in Austin, adding, "Remember, governments are reactionary; very rarely are they proactive." Hmmm, that certainly sounds like the government we know — at least the shrinking-civil-liberties-for-a-looming-unspecified-danger part.
Thanksgiving Day 2010
Thanksgiving is celebrated throughout America as a time for turkey, family gatherings and in a more recent evolution, shopping.And with all the perceived commercialism that has taken over many American holidays, most people can tell you what they're thankful for in this season and kids are no different.
At St. Mary of the Angels school recently, first and second graders in the afterschool club spent some time discussing this week's holiday, most with ideas about food, family and thankfulness, but not much idea why there's a celebration Thursday.
Here are some wonderful Thanksgiving quotes that show you how to count your blessings. How often do we remember to express our gratitude to our friends, family, and God? If you wish to express your deepest gratitude, these thanksgiving quotes will be helpful.
At St. Mary of the Angels school recently, first and second graders in the afterschool club spent some time discussing this week's holiday, most with ideas about food, family and thankfulness, but not much idea why there's a celebration Thursday.
Here are some wonderful Thanksgiving quotes that show you how to count your blessings. How often do we remember to express our gratitude to our friends, family, and God? If you wish to express your deepest gratitude, these thanksgiving quotes will be helpful.
"He who thanks but with the lips
Thanks but in part;
The full, the true Thanksgiving
Comes from the heart."
Thanks but in part;
The full, the true Thanksgiving
Comes from the heart."
-J.A. Shedd
The unthankful heart... discovers no mercies; but let the thankful heart sweep through the day and, as the magnet finds the iron, so it will find, in every hour, some heavenly blessings! -Henry Ward Beecher
Who does not thank for little will not thank for much. -Estonian Proverb
We often take for granted the very things that most deserve our gratitude.
-Cynthia Ozick
Gratitude is the sign of noble souls. - Aesop Fables
We often take for granted the very things that most deserve our gratitude.
-Cynthia Ozick
Gratitude is the sign of noble souls. - Aesop Fables
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