Technology Slice Blog

Chris Brown Blonde Hair - The singer will see if blondes have more fun, or if blondes sell more records, the hair change comes at a time when Brown is set to release his latest album : FAME, due in stores March 22. We’ll see, Brown hasn’t been back to his full chart-topping self since his fan fallout when he was accused of assaulting partner, Rihanna. He is on his way back, Brown was recently nominated for three, GRAMMY Award’s. Chris Brown Blonde Hair

Oscar 2011 Swag Bag - The 2011 Oscars have been the center of attention as the event draws closer. One thing that has taken public attention over the past day has not been about the stars however. Word has got out that the swag bags given out to attendees will contain $75,000 worth of goods for the celebrities and film crews to use and enjoy. The Oscars are known for having some expensive fashion items such as celebrity dresses costing in the tens of thousands of dollars. Often celebrities are able to simply pick and choose any of the items they want in the hotels that host the event. Some of the items in this year’s swag bag include cookies by joey, Nulo natural and surprisingly nutritious pet food, Kiwaii True Spring Water, and a Virgin Galactic limited edition sub-orbital space craft scale model. Needless to say, some of the celebrities in attendance will be not walking away empty handed. Oscar 2011 Swag Bag

Ashley Cole Air Rifle - Football star Ashley Cole shot and wounded a work experience student while messing around with an air rifle at Chelsea FC's training ground. The controversial left back, 30, was joking with teammates when he fired the powerful .22 air gun. The pellet hit the 21-year-old student who was just five feet away. Injured Tom Cowan was left writhing in agony with blood pouring from his side. The incident happened last Sunday when Cole brought the weapon into Chelsea's training centre at Cobham, Surrey, and started larking about with it in the changing room. Cole accidentally fired a lead pellet that pierced the Loughborough University sports science student's clothing and skin. Chelsea medics went to his aid. He wasn't taken to hospital and police were not called. Tom's father Ronald, a 51-year-old quantity surveyor, was said to be furious about his son's treatment and went to the training ground for a heated meeting with Chelsea offic...

Spirit Awards 2011 Winners - The 26th annual Independent Spirit Awards ceremony air on IFC at 7 p.m. ET on IFC on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2011. The Independent Spirit Awards honor the year's independent films, specifically focusing on movies produced for less than $20 million. "Winter's Bone" had seven nominations at this year's awards but "Black Swan" was the evening's big winner, taking home awards for best feature, best director, best female lead and best cinematography. Spirit Awards 2011 Winners Darren Aronofsky, who won best director "Black Swan" spoke of his surprise at the film's success. "It's really exciting," Aronofsky said. "The word I keep hearing is 'fun'- it's the best compliment you can receive as a filmmaker. This one was fun. It worked out." The ceremony was hosted by "Community" star Joel McHale and were held at the Santa Monica beach, returning the awards to its lon...

Texas has White Men Only Scholarships - Texas white men scholarships are available to those who do not fit into certain prescribed categories or into any targeted ethnic group. Many say it’s a response similar to the controversial affirmative action laws created for blacks and other minorities. Creators say its creation is only meant to help an unrepresented group. During Black History Month, it is somewhat of a paradox to have a conversation about whites not being represented in entitlement programs or other programs that provide some form of assistance to a certain group. Caucasian Americans have been part of the so-called majority since the beginning of this country's history. It's been part of the status quo, or the accepted way of things in everyday life. However, a non-profit group says that Texas white men scholarships are being created for Caucasians who are now in the so-called minority group of American citizens. Reportedly, a newly-formed not-for-profit gr...

Charlie Sheen Interview with ABC News - Charlie Sheen talks with ABC News' Andrea Canning on a special one-hour edition of "20/20" to air Tuesday, March 1 at 10 p.m. ET. Canning questions Sheen on his controversial remarks and his public feud with the CBS comedy's creator, Chuck Lorre, which resulted in the hit show's suspension, as well as his notorious headline-making actions. Portions of the interview will air on "Good Morning America" on Monday and Tuesday, and throughout ABC News platforms. "Two and a Half Men" had been on hiatus since January after Sheen entered rehab. CBS announced Thursday night that it had canceled the rest of the season after the actor's scathing rant against Lorre on the radio program "Alex Jones Show." In that interview, Sheen said of Lorre that he must have embarrassed him "in front of his children and the world by healing at a pace that his un-evolved mind cannot process." Charli...

UN Sanctions on Libya - The UN Security Council has unanimously imposed travel bans and asset freezes on Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, members of his family and inner circle. Saturday's resolution adopted by the 15-nation council also called for the immediate referral of the deadly crackdown against anti-government demonstrators in Libya to the International Criminal Court in The Hague for investigation and possible prosecution of anyone responsible for killing civilians. The council demanded an "immediate end to the violence and for steps to address the legitimate demands of the population" in Libya. It called for Libyan authorities to act "with restraint, respect human rights and international humanitarian law," and facilitate immediate access for international human rights monitors. The council called for an immediate lifting of restrictions "on all forms of media" and for the safety of foreign nationals to be assured and their departure f...

Empty Nest's Kristy McNichol makes Appearance - It's easy to forget about "Empty Nest." The "Golden Girls" spin-off hasn't exactly thrived in syndication like so many of its contemporaries. But The Hallmark Channel resuscitates the '80s/'90s comedy -- about a doctor whose two grown daughters move home -- with a Feb. 26 marathon. Starring Richard Mulligan (R.I.P.), Dinah Manoff and Kristy McNichol, the show is perhaps best known for McNichol's sudden departure during the 1992. So what happened to her? At the time, McNichol was becoming notorious for bad attendance and erratic behavior on the set of the show and several movies and she was diagnosed with bipolar disorder and retired from acting altogether. She returned for the series' finale in 1995, and it marked her last ever screen appearance -- though she did some voice work in the late '90s. Empty Nest's Kristy McNichol makes Appearance

Redbox DVD Kiosks - The rising popularity of movie rental kiosks such as Redbox represents a significant shift in consumer behavior, according to Serdar Durmusoglu, a University of Dayton assistant professor of marketing. According to a study from the NPD Group, the share of videos rented from standalone kiosks increased 10 percent year-over-year during the third quarter of 2010, while the percentage of videos rented from traditional retail stores declined 13 percent and subscription rental share increased just 2 percent. Redbox, a subsidiary of Coinstar, has more than 26,000 kiosks nationwide and in September celebrated its one billionth rental, according to Kate Brennan, a company spokeswoman. “Each Redbox kiosk features up to 200 titles and 630 movies, making it a fully automated video rental store contained in 12 square feet of retail space,” Brennan said. Jodi Tobe, a Sinclair Community College student from Fort Recovery, used to rent from Blockbuster stores before discov...

Disney Buys a Social Network - The Walt Disney Company has just acquired Togetherville, a social-networking site aimed at 6- to 10-year-old children. When I first wrote about Togetherville, just before it launched in May 2010, I was impressed because it was one of the few sites aimed at preteens that shared Facebook's idea of a "real-name culture." The site requires children and their adult family members to say who they are. Unlike another Disney online children's property, Club Penguin, it's not about avatars and virtual worlds but about the child's real identity. The site lets kids connect with their friends and family members under the watchful eyes of their parents and offers games and videos for the younger set. Parents must be Facebook members to sign their kids up on Togetherville, and this makes it easy for them to start building their child's "online neighborhood" from people they and their children already know. Parents log in wit...

Justin Tennison Deadliest Catch - Almost one year after Phil Harris, captain of the Cornelia fishing boat on "Deadliest Catch," died after suffering a stroke, the Discovery Channel show endured an another loss: Thirty-three-year-old crew member Justin Tennison was found dead Tuesday in an Alaska hotel room. Tennison died of unknown causes, and an autopsy is to be performed Wednesday afternoon, said Lt. Randy Rosencrans, according to The Associated Press. TMZ reports that law enforcement officials found marijuana and a bottle of alcohol in the room where Tennison's body was found. "It is with great sadness that the Time Bandit family announces the death of crew member Justin Tennison. Justin died peacefully in his sleep the night of Feb. 21, 2011," "Deadliest Catch's" Capt. Andy Hillstrand posted on Facebook. "Justin was tough as a bull and was an all-around good hand. The captains and crew appreciated his hard work and many contribution...

Libya's Muammar Gaddafi Remains Defiant - Militiamen loyal to Muammar Gaddafi clamped down in Tripoli on Wednesday, but cracks in his regime spread elsewhere across the nation as the rebellion controlling much of eastern Libya claimed new gains closer to the capital. Two pilots let their warplane crash in the desert and parachuted to safety rather than bomb an opposition-held city. The opposition said it had taken over Misrata, which would be the largest city in the western half of the country to fall into its hands. Clashes broke out over the past two days in the town of Sabratha, west of the capital, where the army and militiamen were trying to put down protesters who overwhelmed security headquarters and government buildings, a news website close to the government reported. The two air force pilots jumped from parachutes from their Russian-made Sukhoi fighter jet and let it crash rather than carry out orders to bomb opposition-held Benghazi, Libya’s second largest city,...

Deron Williams Trade - In part, Jerry Sloan walked away from his longstanding Utah Jazz gig because of these players today. It's unfair to pin it specifically on All-Star point guard Deron Williams, but clashes between Sloan and Williams—the team's franchise player—suddenly took on a new significance. Sloan's abrupt resignation was a huge blow to the organization, heck, even the state. It also, in effect, meant that Williams had to go at some point. Unless Williams, and truthfully, the entire team, proved absolutely faultless for years to come, at some point, the Sloan firing would come back to bite him. It was as inevitable as Melo to the Knicks, and yet somehow no one saw it coming. Salt Lake City's David Locke tweeted that, "Deron Williams told me it was not his choice. He is stunned. Declined to do interview until he figures out what it all means." Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/how-the-jazz-won-this-deal-2011-2#ixzz1EpVc5eQQ Deron Wi...

Buffalo Beast Prank Call - It's rare, if not unheard of, for a celebrity or a politician to get a prank phone call. One that is recorded and released to the press, that is. Today breaks the cycle though, because that's exactly what happened in the case of the online news site Buffalo Beast and "David Koch" vs. Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker. Morning radio shows prank unsuspecting losers all the time -- the DJ pretends to be an incompetent delivery man, a teacher at their kids' school, or a persistent salesperson checking up on a recently purchased stove. It's always a high-strung parent (usually the mom) or fiery Uncle Angelo ("No, deliver the roses to my secretary, not my wife!!") who gets pranked, and then we all cringe and feel really bad for laughing. But in the heat of an ongoing debate over the possible elimination of Wisconsin state workers' collective bargaining rights, did this prank call add fuel to the fire ... or water? Here...

Melissa Molinaro Kim Kardashian Look-Alike - Have you seen the new Old Navy “Super C-U-T-E” commercial? Well, the Internet was buzzing because people were wondering who the Kim Kardashian look alike was. The clone is Canadian pop singer and model Melissa Molinaro. It is hard to imagine people mistaking Molinaro for the reality television star, but people wanted to know the identity of the girl singing and dancing throughout the Old Navy commercial. Melissa Molinaro Kim Kardashian Look-Alike

Defense of Marriage Act - The Obama administration's decision to no longer defend the Defense of Marriage Act in court is "very disappointing," former Arkansas governor and Republican presidential candidate Mike Huckabee said Wednesday. In an interview with CBS News political consultant John Dickerson, Huckabee said the decision could "destroy" President Obama, though not marriage itself. "It may destroy him [Obama], may destroy his credibility, may destroy his campaign and candidacy and ultimately his term in office," Huckabee said. "It takes more than one president to destroy marriage." In his new book, "A Simple Government," the ordained minister writes that traditional families - those grounded in a marriage between a man and a woman - promote economic stability. "[Marriage] is the foundational form of government," Huckabee told CBS News. Huckabee could not remember any major Democratic candidate opposing DO...

Justin Tennison Found Dead - A crew member fDiscovery Channel’s hit show “Deadliest Catch” was found dead Tuesday afternoon. Justin Tennison, 34, worked on the boat F/V Time Bandit. He was found Tuesday in a motel room in Homer, Alaska by a member of the cleaning staff. Police said they also found alcohol and about a quarter ounce of marijuana in the room, but it is unclear if they played any role in his death. An autopsy was scheduled for Wednesday, but foul play was ruled out. Discovery Channel released a statement: “Discovery Channel is saddened by the passing of Time Bandit crew member Justin Tennison. We send our sympathies to his entire family and fellow crew members during this most difficult time.” Tennison has a son and a daughter. According to Capt. Andy Hillstrand, he joined the Time Bandit crew as a deckhand fishing the Red King 2010 and Opilio 2011 seasons. Justin Tennison Found Dead

HCG Diet for Weight Loss - HCG Diet plan claims to help you lose 1-2 pounds per day on a strict 500 calorie diet plan. HCG is a hormone that is produced in pregnancy and used by male athletes to increase testosterone production in the testes. Dr. Simeons made the use of HCG for weight loss popular with his manuscript “Pounds & Inches”. Where he combines its use with an extremely low calorie diet. The diet is a low-calorie, low-fat, high protein diet. In order to get pure HCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) you have to go to a Doctor and get it through injection, but you can get HCG drops online. Dr. Emma, a HCG weight loss specialist, says that HCG drops don’t have a high enough concentration of HCG to be very effective. That you should get injections to see real results. Today, on the Dr. Oz show, many guest users on a HCG weight loss plan, said that drops 3 times per day worked for them. Dr. Oz doesn’t recommend the drops either because there is inconclusive evidence t...

Rush Limbaugh and Michelle Obama Weight - Now talk show host Rush Limbaugh is watching Michelle Obama's weight for her -- not that the first lady asked. He says she's a hypocrite for eating ribs and should stick to nuts and berries as part of her healthy eating initiative. Mrs. Obama, on a skiing trip to Colorado this past weekend with daughters Sasha and Malia, enjoyed a meal of ancho chili short ribs, pickled pumpkin salad and kale, the Vail Daily reported. That was way too much for Limbaugh, who, like fellow conservatives Sarah Palin and Rep. Michele Bachmann, is on Mrs. Obama's case for her healthy kids/anti-obesity campaign, which some right-wingers see as a sign of a nanny state. "The problem is, and I dare say this, it doesn't look like Michelle Obama follows her own nutritionary, dietary advice," Limbaugh said Monday on his syndicated radio program. "And then we hear that she's out eating ribs at 1,500 calories a serving and 141 grams o...

Carmelo Anthony Knicks Jersey - Carmelo Anthony is New York bound after the Knicks and Denver Nuggets finalized a mega-trade on Monday evening. Once in New York, however, Anthony will have to find a new jersey. The No. 15 he wore in his time with the Nuggets was retired by the Knicks, honoring Dick McGuire, elected to the Knicks Hall of Fame in 1993. We've seen one Photoshop attempt at Anthony in a Knicks jersey already, but what other options does he have. In high school, Anthony wore No. 22. Unfortunately, that number, worn by Dave DeBusschere, was also retired by the Knicks in 1983. Seeing as how 22 and 15 were the only two numbers he wore -- 22 in high school, 15 at Syracuse and in Denver -- it looks like Anthony will be branching out when he gets to New York. Luckily, with almost half of the Knicks' roster leaving town after the trade, at least Anthony will have his pick of available numbers without having to fight a returning veteran. Carmelo Anthony Knicks Jersey

New Zealand Earthquake Magnitude 6.3 - For the second time in five months, New Zealand's south island city of Christchurch was rocked by a major earthquake on Tuesday afternoon local time. Initial reports from Reuters news agency indicated that there were no reports of casualties, from the magnitude 6.3 temblor. But the New Zealand Herald is reporting casualties and major damage to downtown buildings, including the Christchurch Cathedral. In it's live blog, the Herald reports phone lines down, water running through the streets, and several buildings with serious damage. One blog entry says New Zealand's TV3 is reporting the Pyne Gould financial services building has collapsed. Another, unsubstantiated report claims that the cathedral has collapsed.The New Zealand Press Association reported that the TVNZ building in Christchurch had collapsed. And there's an entry that a facade of a building in downtown Christchurch has collapsed on a bus, injuring passengers. N...

Did Tony Soprano Die in the Last Episode - According to Alessandra Stanley, writing in the New York Times during the final season of The Sopranos: “The series lowered the bar on permissible violence, sex and profanity at the same time that it elevated viewers’ taste, cultivating an appetite for complexity, wit and cinematic stylishness on a serial drama in which psychological themes flickered and built and faded and reappeared. The best episodes had equal amounts of high and low appeal, an alchemy of artistry and gutter-level blood and gore, all of it leavened with humor.” As Stanley recounts, critics and pop-culture observers were often hyperbolic in their praise for the show, calling it Dickensian or Shakespearian; the author Norman Mailer, for one, called The Sopranos the closest thing to the Great American Novel in today’s culture. Fans loved it as well: The show’s audience reached a peak of some 18 million viewers during its fourth season. The show’s breakout success, along with ...

Mark Jackson's Brother Dead - Troy Jackson, brother of Mark Jackson, is dead at 35. Troy Jackson died Saturday while visiting for NBA All Star Weekend in Los Angeles. Jackson’s cause of death is still unknown; an autopsy has been scheduled. Troy “Escalade” Jackson was a member of 2002’s “And 1 Mixtape Tour”. The Queens native that stood at 6′10” and 400 lbs had previously entertained fans on the streetball tour that brought Jackson across the country. He later joined the Harlem Globetrotters. Jackson had lost his older brother to AIDS nearly twenty years earlier; he drew attention to the fight against AIDS with a 2005 Sports Illustrated Cover. His nephew, Mark Jackson Jr, a walk-on with the Cardinals, tweeted the following message this weekend. “2day we lost a great man of God in my Uncle @Escalade53 but it consoles my heart to know that he is in a better place WE WILL ALL MISS YOU!” Shaquille O’Neal also tweeted “My heart goes out to Mark Jackson and his family who lost his...

Rihanna at NBA All Star Game - Over the weekend Justin Bieber was spotted sitting courtside with singer Rihanna at the 2011 NBA All-Star Game in Los Angeles, California. The duo looked like they had a great, relaxed time together at the game. They were seen joking with each other and sharing excitement over plays in the game. We all know Justin has a crush on Rihanna! We wonder if his rumored girlfriend Selena Gomez minds? Rihanna at NBA All Star Game

Kurt Cobain Film Feb 20 - The film Kurt Cobain: About A Son will make its television on the Documentary Channel this Sunday, February 20 at 8 p.m. on what would have been the late Nirvana frontman's 44th birthday. The film is made up of audio interviews with Cobain conducted by Micahel Azerrad for his book, Come As You Are: The Story of Nirvana. Directed by AJ Schnack, the film combines the audio of Cobain discussing his life with footage of the Northwestern part of the US where the singer grew up. In addition, the documentary will be made available in its entirety online in DOC’s screening room (www.documentarychannel.com) and be available on Dish Network and Directv video-on-demand simultaneously with the network’s evening premiere. Documentary Channel is primarily available through satellite television services Dish Network (Channel 197) and Directv (Channel 267). The documentary debuted at the 2006 Toronto International Film Festival and was nominated for the 2007 Inde...

Gwen Stefani and Son at Kingston Fashion Show - The Gwen Stefani production, which kicked off way late Thursday, but was worth the wait, was more of a theater show than a runway show. The Fashion Week finale featured models grouped by race—black, white, Asian and well, platinum blonde babes that looked like Gwenbots—stomping out single file to a militaristic march. "There were so many looks, that was like six fashion shows," said celeb stylist Robert Verdi, who sat front row right near a seat reserved for one major A-lister who didn't show. So who bailed on Gwen? And how did 4-year-old Kingston steal the spotlight? There were two seats reserved for Matt Damon and wife Luciana Barroso, but the True Grit star pulled out last minute when his name began causing chaos. It was not clear if Damon was in the building, but one backstage source said security was told the star was there. And when photographers and other press began causing a near riot around his seat, everyone ...

Kardashians made $65 Million - While some people may dismiss their credentials for being famous, the Kardashian family has proven they do one thing well: make money. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the reality TV family earned $65 million last year, raking in more than Angelina Jolie, Sandra Bullock and Tom Cruise combined. Paid endorsement deals, appearance fees and their E! hit, "Keeping Up With the Kardashians" and its subsequent spinoff shows are the big moneymakers for the family. "It has changed the face of E!" Lisa Berger, the network's programming exec, said of the show. "We were a place to report on celebrity; we weren't a place to break and make celebrity, which is now the whole idea of the E! brand." And mom Kris Jenner reveals she has no immediate plans to end the series. "My fantasy is to have 'Keeping Up With Kardashians, Season 26,'" Kris tells THR. "Who knew it would be this profitable? I shoul...

Serene Branson had Migraine not Stroke - KCBS 2 television reporter Serene Branson's garbled speech during a live Grammy broadcast last Sunday was not the result of a small stroke as many have speculated but was instead a symptom of a "complex migraine," according to her physician, Dr. Neil Martin, chief of neurosurgery at the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center. Martin received permission from Branson to discuss her condition publicly. Branson appeared fine when she appeared on air following the awards show, but her words made no sense, and the show's producers immediately cut away from her and paramedics were called. She recovered quickly and was taken home. A complex migraine can mimic the symptoms of a stroke, with weakness, loss of vision and difficulty speaking, in addition to a headache. It is often mistaken for a stroke. Serene Branson had Migraine not Stroke

Former Meet the Press Host Bill Monroe Dies - Bill Monroe, who hosted the long-running Washington political television show "Meet the Press" for nearly a decade, died Thursday at a Washington-area nursing home. Monroe, 90, was the NBC show's fourth moderator, from 1975 to 1984, and interviewed prominent political figures ranging from President Jimmy Carter to U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger. Tim Russert, the best known host of "Meet the Press," assumed the host's chair in 1991 after a series of short stints by others following Monroe's departure. Monroe's daughter, Lee Monroe, said her father had taken a fall in December that put him in a nursing home and he had not been well since. Bill Monroe was born in New Orleans on July 17, 1920. He graduated from Tulane University, served in World War II and later began his career in television journalism at the New Orleans NBC affiliate, WDSU. In 1961 he moved to Washington, where he became N...

King Tut's Father Statue Found - Egyptian antiquities officials say a small limestone statue of the father of King Tutankhamun that went missing from Cairo's famed Egyptian Museum during recent turmoil has been found. Antiquities Minister Zahi Hawass had reported a total of 18 missing museum artifacts, three of which were found on the museum grounds, possibly abandoned by looters making their escape. The most important missing object was the limestone statue of the Pharaoh Akhenaten, which depicts the standing king with a blue crown, and holding an offering table in his hands. The Antiquities Ministry said Thursday that an anti-government protester had found the statue beside a trash can, and his family contacted officials to arrange its return. King Tut's Father Statue Found

Christian Slater and Lindsay Lohan - Lindsay Lohan is getting advice from all sorts of famous people. Charlie Sheen told Dan Patrick he had some words of wisdom for her, telling her to "think things through a little bit before you do them." Now Christian Slater, who says he just celebrated five years of sobriety, has offered his help to the star. In an interview with Details, Slater talks about his struggles with addiction. "Addiction is not pretty, and you don't fully understand it unless you're dealing with it head-on. That's why when I see other kids struggling, I will sometimes reach out to them — a call or an e-mail." And he did that with Lohan? "Sure, of course. I appreciated the people who reached out to me. It's a brutal position to be in. You feel alone and confused over where your life went and how you got yourself in this situation." Christian Slater and Lindsay Lohan

Wrestler Joel Northup Refuses to Face Cassy Herkelman - Cassy Herkelman didn't get a chance to wrestle her opponent to the ground, but she made history anyway. The Cedar Falls, Iowa, teen became the first girl ever to win the state wrestling match after her competitor forfeited rather than face a female opponent. Joel Northrup, a high school sophomore who entered the tournament 35-4 and was favored to win, refused to face the 112-pound Cassy today. "I have a tremendous amount of respect for Cassy and [Megan Black, the second girl who qualified] and their accomplishments. However, wrestling is a combat sport and it can get violent at times. As a matter of conscience and my faith, I do not believe that is appropriate for a boy to engage a girl in this manner," he said in a statement to reporters. "It is unfortunate that I have been placed in a situation not seen in most other high school sports in Iowa." Wrestler Joel Northup Refuses to Face Cassy Herkelm...

Facebook Adds Civil Union Relationship Status - Amidst some of the more alarmist news revolving around Facebook (Privacy settings! News feed changes! Hackers!), there's good news for same-sex couples looking to validate their relationships on the site. Facebook quietly added two new options -- "in a civil union" and "in a domestic partnership" -- as relationship statuses. Word of the change started spreading virally through tweets and status updates this afternoon. Why is it significant? For same-sex couples living in a state where gay marriage isn't recognized, something as small as a Facebook relationship status can symbolize the various types of relationships its users are in. Before, it had been narrowed to "single," "in an open relationship," "in a relationship," "married," "divorced," "widowed" or "separated." Facebook Adds Civil Union Relationship Status

Sarah Jessica Parker and Third Sex and the City - aspiring Manhattanites and fashionistas everywhere by killing rumors that she'd be stepping into a young Carrie Bradshaw's stilettos in an adaptation of "The Carrie Diaries," but Carrie herself is reminding fans that she is still ready and willing to work it out on the big screen. "I would go back," Sarah Jessica Parker told the L.A. Times' 24 Frames, while filming her newest project "I Don't Know How She Does It"—another adaptation of a successful novel—in New York. "I think there's one more story to tell. I know there is," she said. But whether she wants to step into Carrie's Manolos again is one thing, and whether we're willing to sit through another two hours of lavish spending and somewhat tired characters is another. Fact: The series itself is untouchable; it's the gold standard when it comes to stories of single friends and their attempts at love, but af...

Aretha Franklin to Return to Stage - Singer Aretha Franklin has announced she is to return to the stage in May, months after being admitted to hospital for an undisclosed ailment. The 68-year-old - who also has plans to release a new album - will perform at the Seneca Niagara Casino in Buffalo, New York on 28 May. Last November Franklin cancelled all concerts and public appearances for six months under doctor's orders. The following month she had what she described as "more than minor surgery". Since then the "queen of soul" has revamped her diet and lost weight. "I want to not only maintain the weight I am at now, but better it by one dress size," she told the Associated Press news agency. In January she told US magazine Jet that she was "feeling great" and her medical condition had been resolved. Aretha Franklin to Return to Stage

South Park Shake Weight Episode Quotes - Here are some quotes from the South Park shake weight episode. Shake Weight: I just needed help going to sleep... mode. Sharon: Shake Weight, you're not really work out equipment, are you? Shake Weight: Your work out is finished. Here is some cab fare. Now going to sleep mode. South Park Shake Weight Episode Quotes

Janet Jackson Diet at 11 - Janet Jackson has revealed the pressure on famous women to look good and stay slim is so intense, some stars eat tissue to stop hunger pangs. The singer is open about her own longstanding issues with food and her weight, insisting she is an emotional eater whose problems with self-esteem stem from her time as a child actor on hit TV show Good Times. During a candid interview with CNN's Piers Morgan, Jackson admits famous females are falling victim to the pressure of looking perfect all the time due to constant scrutiny, and insists some of her peers push their body to the limits to maintain their figure. She tells the newsman, "It's crazy, it's crazy. That's why I think a lot of the women today swing in the opposite direction. They're under eating. Some of the stories I hear... I'm not going to name names (but) this is the worst. Eating tissue, Kleenex, so it fills the stomach. So you're full. So you don't want anot...

Cracked Windshield Replacement - A cracked windshield doesn't have to be a difficult job, nor does it have to be expensive. You can do it yourself if you're good with your hands and have some time to spare. First thing to do though, is to check whether the crack can be repaired without replacing the whole windshield. If it cannot then replacement is the only option. You first need to remove the rear view mirror from the windshield. Then run a knife along the rubber edge of the windshield to free it from the body of the car. Once this is done, simply pull out the windshield (remember to lift the wipers first or risk breaking them). Once the windshield is free and clear clean off the remains of the gasket from the body of the car. Now you need to add some liquid gasket to the frame of the car, then place the new windshield in it's place. Carefully add more of the rubber gasket along the outside of the windshield making sure to fill any hole between the body and the winds...

Indoor Soccer Shoes for Turf - Indoor soccer shoes are different to regular soccer shoes or runners. They are specially made to provide maximum grip and flexibility when running on turf. When choosing indoor soccer shoes, it's important to make sure they are the right fit with all other gear. For example, it's best to wear your shin-pads when trying them on as you will be wearing shin-pads whenever you wear the shoes. Some shin-pads can interfere with the fit of a shoe. Price should not be the deciding factor. An expensive shoe may not be the best option for you. On the other hand, choosing a cheaper shoe that is not the right fit may cause you blisters, or even serious injury. Once you buy the shoes, remember to break them in during practice before a game. This will ensure they are softer and more flexible, making them more comfortable. Indoor Soccer Shoes for Turf

Rick Santorum - Richard John “Rick” Santorum was a former United States Senator from Pennsylvania.He is a member of the republican party and was the chairman of the Senate Republican Conference.Currently, Santorum is considering running for the presidential office in 2012. He attended Pennsylvania State University,University Of Pittsburgh, and The Dickinson School of Law. Recently, Santorum became a new sexual neologism word which means the “frothy mixture of lube,fecal matter and occasionally blood that is sometimes the byproduct of anal sex.”This word was first used by American humorist and sex-advice columnist Dan Savage in 2003. This sparked a Google bomb that made the definition website above the US Republican Senator’s website. Rick Santorum

Borders Store Closing After Bankruptcy - Borders has announced the closing of 200 of its stores across the United States due to poor performance by some of its locations. The announcement came along with Borders’ filing for bankruptcy due to $1.29 billion worth of debt the company has accrued. The closings reflect a 30 percent downsizing from Borders’ more than 600 locations nationwide. According to the bankruptcy filing, Borders owes millions to several publishers. Borders, a Michigan-based company, listed a $1.29 billion debt in it’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing. The company’s assets were listed as $1.28 billion. Borders Store Closing After Bankruptcy

Gas Prices 28 Month High - Gasoline pump prices reached a 28-month high Wednesday even though oil and gas supplies in the U.S. continue to grow and demand for gas is weak. The national average for regular gasoline rose to $3.133 a gallon. That's about $1.20 more than the price at the pump two years ago, according to AAA, Wright Express and the Oil Price Information Service. Just eight states have average prices less than $3 a gallon. The cheapest is $2.94 a gallon is in Missouri. Hawaii has the highest average of $3.746 a gallon. Tom Kloza, OPIS chief oil analyst, predicted gas prices will range from $3.50 to $3.75 a gallon this spring and then drift lower, to between $3 and $3.40 a gallon. "I do believe that this year is front-end loaded," Kloza said. "I think that perhaps the first third of the year sees higher retail prices for gasoline and diesel . than the middle or final thirds." Gas Prices 28 Month High

Lindsay Lohan to Read David Letterman Top 10 - Lindsay Lohan will read the Top 10 list on CBS’ Late Show With David Letterman Thursday. Her fifth appearance on the show - via satellite - comes days after the late night host made a joke about her at the Feb. 13 Grammys. (He included her on his Top 10 Grammy Surprises list: Lindsay Lohan seen leaving Staples Center with Grammy-shaped bulge in her jacket.) The joke was in reference to Lohan being charged with grand theft Feb. 9 for allegedly stealing a $2,500 necklace from a Los Angeles jeweler. She is due in court for another hearing Feb. 23. If convicted, she faces up to three years in state prison. Lindsay Lohan to Read David Letterman Top 10

Mickey Rooney Restraining Order Against Stepson - Mickey Rooney has obtained a temporary restraining order against his stepson, who is accused in court documents of allegedly abusing the actor and meddling in his finances. Lawyers for Rooney obtained a restraining order requiring stepson Chris Aber to stay 100 yards award from the 90-year-old and his home. Court documents allege Aber has prevented Rooney from leaving the house, forced the actor to sign documents without reading them and has been withholding food and medicine. The filing describes Aber as making Rooney a "prisoner in his own home". The actor's lawyers also obtained a temporary conservatorship for Rooney to protect his personal and financial interests. The order allows his legal team to secure Rooney's financials assets and obtain control of his website and any financial documents in Aber's possession. Rooney is described in a news release about the case as still being sharp-witted. M...

Nancy Kerrigan's Brother Back in Jail - A Massachusetts judge put Mark Kerrigan back in jail Monday after he failed a mandatory sobriety test on Saturday. The judge ordered Kerrigan, brother of figure skater Nancy Kerrigan, held without bail. Kerrigan had been free on $25,000 bail after being charged with manslaughter in the death of his father in early 2010. Prosecutors say Daniel Kerrigan, 70, died after having an argument with his intoxicated son. A medical examiner had found that Daniel Kerrigan's death came from cardiac dysrhythmia triggered by the brawl, which resulted in a larynx injury. Previously, Kerrigan's family members said Daniel Kerrigan had a heart condition. Nancy Kerrigan's Brother Back in Jail

Debbie Reynolds Visits Oprah - The unsinkable Debbie Reynolds will join her daughter, the wonderfully caustic Carrie Fisher, on Tuesday’s edition of “The Oprah Winfrey Show.” Carrie will talk about her substance abuse and mental breakdown. Debbie will discuss the Elizabeth Taylor-Eddie Fisher scandal. Reynolds, Taylor and Fisher were the Jennifer Aniston-Angelina Jolie-Brad Pitt of the late 1950s. Here’s hoping the women discuss their movies: Carrie zoomed to stardom in “Star Wars.” And Debbie’s output includes the beloved “Singin’ in the Rain” and “The Unsinkable Molly Brown.” Debbie Reynolds Visits Oprah

General David Petraeus to Leave Afghanistan Campaign - The Times of London reports that "General David Petraeus, the most celebrated American soldier of his generation, is to leave his post as commander of U.S. and NATO forces in Afghanistan." "The Times can reveal that the Pentagon aims to replace General Petraeus, who was appointed less than eight months ago, by the end of the year," it adds. A Petraeus departure might raise serious questions about continued support for President Obama's Afghan plans, as well as rekindle speculation about a possible 2012 presidential run for General Petraeus (though if he were to stay on until the end of 2011, that would obviously be impossible). While this may seem shocking, Petreaus' departure has been hinted at -- and it's possible Petraeus may be looking at a promotion. General David Petraeus to Leave Afghanistan Campaign

ICE Agents Shot in Mexico - Two US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) special agents were shot in Mexico Tuesday afternoon. The agents, who had been assigned to the ICE Attache office in Mexico City, were shot while driving between Mexico City and Monterrey by unknown assailants, ICE said in a statement. The condition of the officers was unclear. "ICE is working with the US State Department, Mexican authorities and other US law enforcement partners to investigate the shooting," the agency said. ICE Agents Shot in Mexico

Lara Logan Sexual Assault - CBS News correspondent Lara Logan was assaulted and sexually abused by an Egyptian crowd last week during the celebration of President Hosni Mubarak's decision to step aside. Logan, a veteran foreign correspondent, was covering the jubilation in Tahrir Square for "60 Minutes" on Feb. 11 when "she and her team and their security were surrounded by a dangerous element amidst the celebration," CBS News said in a statement published on their website today. "In the crush of the mob, she was separated from her crew. She was surrounded and suffered a brutal and sustained sexual assault and beating before being saved by a group of women and an estimated 20 Egyptian soldiers," read the statement. Thousands of Egyptians swarmed Tahrir Square, the epicenter of the protests that night, and the crowds were generally peaceful. Soon after the assault Logan reconnected with her crew, "returned to her hotel and returned to the ...

Jeopardy Champ Ken Jennings Faces IBM Computer - Ken Jennings is used to feeling confident behind the "Jeopardy!" podium. That changed when he squared off against a computer the size of an RV. In matches set to air next week, the Seattle-area game-show whiz and his fellow "Jeopardy!" champion Brad Rutter played against Watson, an IBM computer built specifically to rival a human's ability to answer questions in natural language. Watson demonstrated the wonders of artificial intelligence as a formidable competitor against mere humans. Except when it made a goofy mistake. Asked what grasshoppers eat, Watson responded: "kosher," Jennings said. When asked for goodbye in Russian, it responded "cholesterol." "Occasionally the curtain will part, and you'll see that what it's doing under the hood is not as sophisticated as what the human brain can do," Jennings said. Jeopardy Champ Ken Jennings Faces IBM Computer

BHP Billiton Record Half Year Profit - The world's biggest mining firm BHP Billiton has made record half-year profits, and is promising to give back $10bn (£6.25bn) to shareholders. First-half profits nearly doubled to $10.5bn as the boom in demand for commodities boosted prices of its iron ore and copper products. The Anglo-Australian company said it expected demand to continue to rise. BHP, which was forced to call off a merger with Canada's giant Potash Corp, benefits hugely from Chinese demand. The company's chief executive, Marius Kloppers, said in a statement: "While we expect a slowdown in the growth rate of global commodity demand in calendar year 2011, the economic environment still underpins a robust near term outlook for our products." BHP has virtually no debt, and with the failure of the recent Potash merger has no obvious target for a new major tie-up. Potash was the latest significant potential deal to founder in the past three years. ...

Peltz Offer to Buy Family Dollar - Activist investor Nelson Peltz, famous for his big bets on restaurant chains including Wendy's, disclosed in a filing that he's offering to buy discount retailer Family Dollar Stores Inc. for between $55 and $60 a share in cash. At $60 a share, a Family Dollar buyout would be worth $7.6 billion. Charlotte, N.C.-based Family Dollar was up 13 cents at $43.96 in 4 p.m. trading on the New York Stock Exchange. Shares jumped 30% to $57.20 in after-hours trading. Mr. Peltz said in a regulatory filing that he also offered Howard Levine, the Family Dollar CEO, an opportunity to participate in a company buyout. Mr. Peltz's New York-based investment firm, Trian Partners, "also advised Mr. Levine that in their view, the ultimate decision of whether the Issuer should be sold should be determined by the Issuer's shareholders," according to the regulatory filing. Trian owns nearly 8% of Family Dollar's shares, according to to...

CBS Reporter Lara Logan Suffered Sexual Assault in Egypt - CBS News announced Tuesday that correspondent Lara Logan — who was on location in Egypt covering the protests against now former President Hosni Mubarak – was beaten and sexually assaulted after being mobbed Feb. 11. According to CBS, after President Mubarak vacated his seat, Logan was separated from her crew when a group of over 200 protesters erupted into celebration. “She was surrounded and suffered a brutal and sustained sexual assault and beating before being saved by a group of women and an estimated 20 Egyptian soldiers,” CBS News wrote on their website. The reporter returned to the U.S. the following day, and is currently recovering in a hospital. “There will be no further comment from CBS News and Correspondent Logan and her family respectfully request privacy at this time,” CBS News wrote. Logan is not the only journalist to have been injured while in Egypt; during the protests, CNN’s Anderson Cooper was attacked b...

Elycia Turnbow Frankie Muniz Brawl - Just days before Valentine's Day, Frankie Muniz and his longtime girlfriend, Elycia Marie Turnbow, had an explosive fight during which the actor allegedly put a gun to his head. According to a police report obtained by TMZ.com, Muniz called the cops to his Phoenix home hours after the initial argument began on Friday, because "he was scared that this was getting out of control." It was Turnbow, however, who told the police about the incident with the gun, admitting she was worried the 25-year-old was going to harm himself. Turnbow said they were in the midst of an "intense" fight about past relationships when Muniz allegedly "grabbed a gun and held it to his head, possibly with the intent of committing suicide," the police report said. She further explained that she called one of Muniz's You Hang Up bandmates to take him to the hospital. When he returned later that day, the argument continued. The for...

Bonnaroo Lineup 2011 - With Coachella already set to go and a handful of Lollapalooza acts already leaking out, the summer festival season is already shaping up to be one of the biggest and best of all time. But what of Bonnaroo, the rural Tennessee camping adventure that began as a gathering of jam band obsessives but has evolved into one of the best music events in the world? On Tuesday morning (February 15), the Bonnaroo lineup was unveiled, with Eminem, Lil Wayne and Arcade Fire serving as the big headliners at this year's model (which will run June 9-12 in Manchester, Tennessee). The top line is rounded out by the likes of the Strokes, the Black Keys, My Morning Jacket, Florence and the Machine and a reuniting Buffalo Springfield (making their only festival appearance). That's an eclectic lineup, for sure (there's more hip-hop on the bill than ever before, especially in the headlining spots), but there's still plenty for the Bonnaroo purists. No matter who you a...

Lara Logan Sexual Assault in Egypt - CBS News released a statement today regarding the condition of Lara Logan, its chief foreign affairs correspondent. According to CBS, Logan was separated from her crew, beaten and sexually assaulted by a mob in Cairo's Tahrir Square on the day that Hosni Mubarak stepped down as president of Egypt. In the crush of the mob, she was separated from her crew. She was surrounded and suffered a brutal and sustained sexual assault and beating before being saved by a group of women and an estimated 20 Egyptian soldiers. She reconnected with the CBS team, returned to her hotel and returned to the United States on the first flight the next morning. She is currently in the hospital recovering. The 39-year-old Logan has often found herself in dangerous situations throughout her reporting career, covering the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, where she often ventured off beyond areas deemed safe by the U.S. military. In 2008, I had the pleasure of intervie...

Roseanne Barr and Lifetime Unscripted Show - Lifetime announced on Monday afternoon that it has ordered 16 episodes of a new, unscripted series from the 58-year-old former "Roseanne" star. The series will follow Barr as she attempts to run a macadamia and livestock farm in Hawaii. The as-yet-untitled series, which will also feature Barr's writer-musician boyfriend Johnny Argent and son Jake, will debut later this year. “Roseanne Barr is an undeniable force of nature and the idea of following her in this unique premise excited us from the get-go,” Nancy Dubuc, Lifetime Networks’ President and General Manager, said in a statement. “Roseanne is funny and brutally-honest, and our audience will relate to her decision to go on this adventure and create an entirely new life for herself." Roseanne Barr and Lifetime Unscripted Show

Tatum O'Neal Memoir - Tatum O'Neal has not finished telling her life story. The Academy Award-winning actress has a second memoir, "Found," scheduled to come out in June. The book, published by HarperCollins, is a follow-up to "A Paper Life," which was released in 2004. HarperCollins announced Monday that the new book will be "part memoir, part Hollywood tell-all, part personal journal." The 47-year-old O'Neal was 10 years old when she won an Oscar for "Paper Moon," but she has since struggled with substance abuse. She also was estranged for years from her father and "Paper Moon" co-star, Ryan O'Neal. "Found" will coincide with the airing of "Ryan and Tatum: The O'Neals," a reality show on OWN about O'Neal and her father. Read more: http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/02/14/2066605/tatum-oneal-releasing-second-memoir.html#ixzz1E0wbSnCu Tatum O'Neal Memoir

Sheen Morality Clause - How much trouble is Charlie Sheen worth? It's a question that CBS can't escape lately, as the star of the network's most-watched sitcom racks up legal issues and personal scandals. On Monday, Sheen gave CBS a fresh reason to worry. During a highly erratic interview on the syndicated sports talk radio program "The Dan Patrick Show," the 45-year-old actor, who's on hiatus from his show "Two and a Half Men" until he completes an in-home rehab, told host Dan Patrick that he was ready to work. Though he admitted that his sobriety has been "off and on," Sheen suggested that he'd already returned to the set, and was "banging on the stage door" but no one would let him in. (CBS declined to comment.) While Sheen continued to talk in a raspy voice ("I sound like Demi Moore in her 80s," he joked), swinging from topic to topic, Patrick asked if he's heard from any of his handlers yet during this ...

Darren Criss and Out Magazine Cover - From Entertainment Weekly to Prestige, breakout Glee star Darren Criss is all over newsstands these days. For his latest photo shoot, Criss decided to unveil his sexy side by showing some skin for the latest issue of Out magazine. Drenched and dripping, the "Teenage Dream" singer posed for a series of sizzling shots while discussing his career and role as Glee's openly gay teenager Blaine. "I just like playing music and hanging out. You want me to play songs for you? Great! You know how inherently gratifying that is?" the actor said of performing. Criss also commented on Blaine's future with friend (and possible boyfriend?) Kurt (Chris Colfer). "The most important thing to convey to those watching is for Kurt to have someone he can relate to," Criss said. "This is the first time he has a young out male friend, a support system, to show that that’s possible." Fans of the onscreen duo will have to ...

Romance Publisher Patent the Kiss - Harlequin Enterprises, renowned publisher of pulp romance novels, has applied for a patent on the romantic kiss. The application, if granted, leaves open the possibility that we may one day have to pay a licensing fee to lock lips with the ones we covet. Don't start worrying yet. Harlequin, which releases 110 novels a month and publishes in 115 countries around the world, said it would keep any patented kisses in the public domain. "Should this patent be approved and registered by the U.S. Patent Office," the Toronto publisher announced in its seven-page patent application, "we will immediately make the method freely available to all persons everywhere in the interests of enhancing romantic love and generally making the world a better place." News, Michelle Renaud, senior manager of public relations for Harlequin, emphasized that Harlequin hadn't considered charging for kisses. When asked whether the company's...

Blake Shelton Miranda Lambert No Romance - Blake Shelton says Valentine's Day with fiancée Miranda Lambert probably won't be too passionate this year – and it has nothing to do with her forgetting to thank him at the Grammy Awards. "The Grammys have kind of screwed up Valentine's Day for everybody here," the country singer, 34, told PEOPLE at the music-awards show on Sunday. "We're all going to get wasted tonight. I mean, we are. And we're going to feel like crap. The last thing we're going to want to do tomorrow is touch each other." For her part, Lambert, 27 – who won Best Female Country Vocal Performance for "The House That Built Me" – said she's still expecting Shelton to step up today. "We're going to be exhausted and traveling home all night long. So, we'll probably just be chill," she said. "But I'm not going to let him use that as a cop-out, definitely." Hopefully, he won't ho...

Ashlee Simpson Moves in with Jessica - Last week, Ashlee Simpson and Pete Wentz shocked fans when they announced that they were divorcing. While the couple had been plagued by marital woes for a good chunk of their nearly three years as a couple, they put on a brave face publicly. New details about the split are now surfacing. According to an In Touch source, Simpson sought comfort in her family, specifically older sister Jessica, when she and her rocker husband were on the rocks. "Leaving Pete was tough for Ashlee and she needed to be with her family," the source said. "Jessica told her she and Bronx were welcome to stay with them until she was ready to find a place of her own." Simpson has been staying with Jessica and her fiancé, Eric Johnson, during the difficult time. Ashlee and Pete's son, Bronx, has also been with her. "There have been a lot of family dinners and lots of praying," the source further explained. "Ashlee couldn't ha...

David Beckham Loses in Touch Lawsuit - After a months-long court battle against In Touch Magazine, David Beckham's lawsuit has been dismissed by a U.S. district judge, according to RadarOnline.com. Beckham sued the gossip magazine last year after a cover story featuring former "high-class call girl" Irma Nici alleged that she slept with the soccer player on more than one occasion. The superstar athlete, 35, had his attorneys file lawsuits in Germany and the United States last September, arguing the magazine's publisher, Delaware-based Bauer Publishing Company LP, was guilty of libel, slander and intentional infliction of emotional distress. In U.S. court declarations, Beckham went on to swear he “never met Nici, let alone committed adultery or paid her for sex." Bauer, however, argued that they did “nothing more than report what it believed was absolutely true … based on the firsthand recollections of Irma Nici as confirmed by" other sources. Read...

Prince William Middleton Ask for Charitable Donations - What can you give the couple who has everything? That's likely the question many of Prince William and Kate Middleton's wedding guests are asking themselves ahead of the big day. Luckily for guests, Prince William and Middleton aren't expecting gifts. Instead, the royal couple wants guests and well-wishers to make donations to various charities. "When the invitations are issued, they will have some kind of instruction on how to make a donation to a charity chosen by the couple," a senior royal aide told U.K. newspaper The Telegraph. "They are still considering whether it will be just the foundation, or whether they will also pick individual charities and projects which they are linked with," the official added. Prince William has been actively involved with a number of charities over the years thanks to the influence of his mother, Princess Diana. He's a known supporter of 28 charitie...

Darren Criss and Out Magazine - Glee newcomer Darren Criss flaunts his impressive six-pack abs inside Out Magazine's annual Hollywood Issue (on stands February 22) -- but that's not all the 24-year-old actor is revealing. The March cover boy -- whose cover of Katy Perry's "Teenage Dream" shot to the top of the iTunes charts last year -- also opens up about why he came out as straight after landing the role of Blaine Anderson, an openly gay high school student, during Glee's second season. "I think it's more empowering to everybody, including myself, if I'm articulate about identifying myself as a straight male playing a gay character," the San Francisco native reasons. "Ultimately, that's more powerful for both communities." Not that his fans should be too surprised -- the University of Michigan alum grew up surrounded by members of the gay community. As a child actor, Criss performed in local musicals (including Les Mise...

Farm Animals New Diseases - A growing number of livestock, such as cows and pigs, are fuelling new animal epidemics worldwide and posing more severe problems in developing countries as it threatens their food security, according to a report released on Friday. Epidemics in recent years, such as SARS and the H1N1 swine flu, are estimated to have caused billions of dollars in economic costs. Some 700 million people keep farm animals in developing countries and these animals generate up to 40 percent of household income, the report by the International Livestock Research Institute said. "Wealthy countries are effectively dealing with livestock diseases, but in Africa and Asia, the capacity of veterinary services to track and control outbreaks is lagging dangerously behind livestock intensification," John McDermott and Delia Grace at the Nairobi-based institute said in a statement on the report. "This lack of capacity is particularly dangerous because many poor peop...

Giffords Brain Rewiring - Compared to a sleek new laptop, that three-pound mass of fatty tissue called the brain may not look like much. But when it's injured, it adapts and rewires its circuits in new ways. That's the kind of flexibility that doctors and rehabilitation specialists hope to encourage in Gabrielle Giffords, the brain-injured Arizona congresswoman. Details about her recovery have been thin. But members of her staff say she recently began speaking for the first time since the Jan. 8 attack by a gunman in Tucson. Brain injury patients who regain speech typically begin to do that about four to six weeks after the injury, experts say. Still, recovery for the 40-year-old Giffords will be a long, tough journey, as it is for anyone with a significant brain injury. Patients can make remarkable progress. But experts caution that they shouldn't expect to return to exactly the way they were before. Giffords Brain Rewiring

Energy Drinks Kids Teens - Your daily Red Bull fix could soon be regulated as stringently as tobacco, alcohol and prescription medications. A new report in the Medical Journal of Pediatrics says energy drinks are under-studied, over-used and can be dangerous for children and teens. The dangers include heart palpitations, seizures, strokes and even sudden death. The report says energy drinks should be regulated. Registered Dietitian and Boston University nutrition professor Joan Salge Blake has more on the study. Energy Drinks Kids Teens

MTSU Campus Shooting - One man has been shot in a shooting that took place Monday at Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU). Police have a suspect in custody. The shooting at the Murfreesboro campus was reported just before noon from the Business and Aerospace Building. The shooting occurred during a fight between two men on the campus. The victim is being treated for an injured thumb but there are no serious injuries reported. The MTSU campus was put on lockdown as SWAT teams and U.S. Marshals combed the campus looking for the suspect, whose name has not yet been released. MTSU Campus Shooting

Bachelor Pads More Germs - Turns out some pearls of wisdom are laced into Beyonce's hit song: “All the single ladies. All the single ladies. Now put your hands up. ...” Seriously, if you are in bachelor’s home, follow her advice and put your hands up — now. Or put them in your pockets. Better yet, put on mittens. And from now on pack some antibacterial spray along with your can of mace. New research has just confirmed the old suspicion that the residences of single men are among the most foul in the land. But things are far grungier than random socks dangling from lampshades or towers of crusty dishes teetering in sinks. After testing for germs on four common surfaces — TV remotes, coffee tables, nightstands and doorknobs — scientists learned that bachelor pads contain 15 times the amount of bacteria than do the homes of bachelorettes. Ready to really get down and dirty in the singles scene? Seven of every 10 coffee tables checked at the guys’ places harbored coliforms — a v...

Nearly 800K Dorel Car Seats Recalled - Nearly 800,000 child safety seats produced by Dorel Juvenile Group are being recalled due to safety harness problems, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced Monday. The recall covers booster, convertible and infant seats made by DJG of Columbus, Ind. At issue is the harness locking and release button, which does not always return to its locked position. This can allow the harness adjustment strap to slip back through the adjuster as a child moves around in the seat and results in a loose harness, increasing the risk of being injured in a crash. DJG said the problem involves certain restraint systems manufactured from May 1, 2008, through April 30, 2009, which have a "Center Front Adjuster" for the harness. Nearly 800K Dorel Car Seats Recalled

Katie Holmes Horror Movie - FilmDistrict and Miramax have announced a partnership for the U.S. distribution of Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark, set for theatrical release on August 12. The release date for the horror remake, produced and co-written by Guillermo Del Toro, had been delayed in October, when Disney was in the process of unloading Miramax. Directed by Troy Nixey and based on a 1973 made-for-TV movie (which producer Del Toro has said is among the scariest ever made), the plot revolves around a young girl (Bailee Madison), who hears voices coming from the hidden cellar of the ancient Rhode Island home she’s moved to with her dad (Guy Pearce) and his new girlfriend (Katie Holmes). Katie Holmes Horror Movie

New York City Launches Mobile Phone App for Free Condoms - "We want New York City to be the safest city in the world to have sex," said Dr. Monica Sweeney, the city's assistant health commissioner "A lot of people come here for that, so we want them to practice safer sex." The application, available for download on the iPhone and Android phones, taps into the city's database of over 1,000 different locations in the area which offer free condoms. The app uses GPS technology or an address input to give users directions to the nearest five places in the city that are giving out free condoms. The city is rolling out the application on Valentine's Day, which also happens to be National Condom Awareness Day. For the past five years, the city has been giving out free condoms at an average of 3 million a month. New York City has come under criticism in the past for its condom distribution program, especially from parents of younger children who claim th...

Katharine Mcphee and Spielberg Musical - "American Idol" runner-up Katharine McPhee has signed up for the Steven Spielberg TV musical drama "Smash". The pilot for U.S. network NBC revolves around a cross section of characters who come together to mount a Broadway musical inspired by silver screen icon Marilyn Monroe. Playwright Theresa Rebeck wrote the pilot; Michael Mayer ("Spring Awakening") will direct. Spielberg, Darryl Frank and Justin Falvey are executive producers with "Hairspray"'s Craig Zadan and Neil Meron, while Tony-winning songwriters Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman will write original songs. Debra Messing and Jack Davenport ("FlashForward") have been cast as the lyricist and choreographer, respectively. "Smash" is an ambitious project for broadcast television. Until Fox's "Glee", TV musicals had not exactly had a successful track record, with experiments including the Hugh Jackman-headli...

100-ft-Long Drug Submarine Found in Colombia - A submarine capable of transporting eight tons of cocaine has been seized by authorities on Colombia's southwest Pacific coast, EFE reported Monday. The submersible was reportedly ready to embark upon its maiden voyage and would have been able to travel as far as Mexico had it not been intercepted Sunday in rural Timbiqui, Cauca. "It is the first submersible to be seized in the country," said General Jaime Herazo. Semi-submersible vessels, which cannot go fully underwater, have been in use by Colombian drug traffickers for some years. The captured vessel "can travel up to nine meters underwater," added Herazo, saying that the ship was made of fibreglass and contained all the necessary technology to submerse itself fully. Costing an estimated $2.12 million, with the capacity for four crew members, Herazo believes that the ship belongs to "narco-traffickers coupled with narco-terrorists, who received a h...

Breastfeeding Supplies Deductible - Mothers can now claim tax deductions on breast pumps and other feeding supplies for their babies, the Internal Revenue Service said on Thursday. The tax breaks, which apply for expenditures in 2010 and for tax filings due this April, allow nursing mothers and families to use pre-tax flexible health spending account money for breastfeeding supplies like breast pumps. However, medical expenses are still only deductible if they collectively account for more than 7.5 percent of adjusted gross income. The IRS reversal in policy comes after the agency concluded that “breast pumps and supplies that assist lactation are medical care” as defined in the Internal Revenue Code, and affect a lactating mother’s body. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) hailed the IRS announcement as “an important victory for the health of women and children across the country by making breastfeeding a more practical option for new and working mothers.” Breastfeedin...

Nasal Stem Cells and Hearing Problems - Australian scientists have shown for the first time in mice that nasal stem cells injected into the inner ear have the potential to reverse or restore hearing during early onset sensorineural hearing loss. Sensorineural hearing loss occurs when hearing cells in the cochlea lose their function. Frequently inherited, and usually starting during infancy and early childhood, the condition can slow a child's development and lead to speech and language problems. Drs Jeremy Sullivan, Sonali Pandit and Sharon Oleskevich from Sydney's Garvan Institute of Medical Research, found that stem cells appear to release 'factors', or chemical substances, that help preserve the function of cochlear hearing cells, without the stem cells becoming part of the tissue of the inner ear. Their findings are published in Stem Cells, now online. "We are exploring the potential of stem cells to prevent or restore hearing loss in people," said ...

Financial Signs of a Cheating Spouse - Most of us are blissfully unaware our spouse is cheating on us, but there are financial signs we can pick up if we look for them. Credit card statements for jewelry, flowers or gifts are a give away. That is unless you have received the girts yourself. Large sums of money being withdrawn from joint accounts is also suspect. Just be careful when questioning him/her about it as the money may be for something else. Frequent ATM withdrawals are also suspect. Seeing the things listed above doesn't guarantee your spouse is cheating on you, but if you do see them, it's worth following it up. Financial Signs of a Cheating Spouse

Victoria Beckham "I Do Not Know the Sex of My Baby" - Victoria and David Beckham already their hands full with three sons: Brooklyn Joseph, 11, Romeo James, 8, and Cruz David, 5½. Will their fourth child be their latest addition to the boys’ club? “I can go on the record and say contrary to rumors, I do not know the sex of my baby!” the expectant mom, 36, told USA Today at the launch of her latest fashion show in N.Y.C. And despite the likely anticipation over whether the couple will have their first girl, they still haven’t decided whether or not to eventually find out the sex. The fashionista says she and her soccer star husband, 35, simply “feel so lucky and blessed” to be adding on to their family. Plus, there’s the obvious benefit to one more son. “We know what to do with boys,” she quips, adding that Brooklyn, Romeo and Cruz are “excited about having a little brother to teach how to play soccer.” Victoria Beckham "I Do Not Know the Sex of My Baby"

Arcade Fire Wins - Arcade Fire captured the album of the year award at Sunday night's Grammy Awards for the "The Suburbs," a surprise win that left Eminem shut out in all the top categories. It was the group's only win of the night; they had been nominated for two other awards. They beat out Lady Antebellum's "Need You Now," Katy Perry's "Teenage Dream," "The Fame Monster" by Lady Gaga and Eminem's "Recovery" - 2010's best selling album - to take home the trophy. This is now the third time Eminem has lost the best album trophy. He led all nominees with 10 heading into the night, but won just two awards: best rap album and best rap solo performance. Lady Antebellum took home five awards, including record and song of the year for its crossover smash "Need You Now," during a ceremony short on trophies but heavy on spectacle performances. The night also had a huge upset, as Esperanza Spalding beat...

UK Scouts Royal Kidnap Game - The scouts' annual "quest" in the small English town of Amersham, west of London, last week involved watching an actress playing Kate Middleton being kidnapped by a team of balaclava-clad men, according to a local newspaper. An actor playing Prince William then appealed to the 300 scouts, aged 11 to 13, to help him find his princess. Most of the scouts spent about eight hours hiking around the area looking for clues to the location of the missing Middleton, according to the Buckinghamshire Advertiser. The paper quoted event organizer Brian Shelley as saying he did not see anything inappropriate in the rescue-the-princess-themed outing. "I don't think it was inappropriate," Shelley was quoted as saying. "The scouts loved it and found it very amusing. Nobody raised any concerns on the day, so I'm surprised to hear if there were any." News of the game angered some local councilors and led to national media co...

Christina Aguilera Stumbles Grammy Stage - Christina Aguilera almost pulled off her Grammy appearance without a problem. She opened the Grammy show as part of a group of divas paying tribute to Aretha Franklin. Aguilera, Jennifer Hudson, Martina McBride, Yolanda Adams and Florence Welch took turns belting out Franklin hits. Afterward, the Queen of Soul appeared, speaking from her Detroit home, and looked noticeably thinner after being hospitalized late last year with an undisclosed illness. Franklin thanked fans and friends for their support and said, "I wish that I could have been with you all tonight, but since I couldn't -- next year." All seemed well and the crowd gave the ladies a standing ovation. But as they took their bows, Aguilera nearly took a spill! Luckily, she caught herself by holding on to the microphone stand. Christina Aguilera Stumbles Grammy Stage

Criminals Caught on Tape - Most criminals try to stay out of the spotlight, but now some are posting their bad deeds on the Internet for everyone to see -- including the police. In Florida, a 15-year-old girl is being charged with a vicious beating of another girl. Police found her when she posted the video of the beating on Myspace. Kentucky police arrested 18-year-old Charles Jeremy Brown this week for a violent rampage in which he allegedly busted church windows and harassed people at a drive-through window. He posted it on YouTube. It turns out that all criminals aren't necessarily masterminds. According to Leland Gregory, author of "The Stupid Crook Book," criminals' downfall may actually be their own pride. "I have actually done something, and I am extremely proud of it even though it is extremely stupid. I want to show as many people as I can," Gregory said of what they might be thinking. Michael Darnell allegedly broke into a camera su...

Emma Watson Six-Figure Lancome Deal - Emma Watson will soon sign a "a six-figure deal to become the latest ambassador for Lancome," reports the UK Daily Mail. She will work with "celebrated fashion photographer Mario Testino next month," and the company photos and campaign, "will feature Emma as the face of the French beauty brand in posters and TV advertising," the paper reports. The British actress has signed up to one of her first roles since Harry Potter and will star in The Perks of Being A Wallflower. The 20-year-old has thrown herself into shaping out a film career beyond the wizarding franchise, despite still being a student at US Brown University. The flick has just gained funding from Summit Entertainment, which also owns the Twilight franchise. Emma Watson Six-Figure Lancome Deal

Nicki Minaj Grammy Awards 2011 in Leopard Print - If only a What Were They Thinking category existed, rapper Nicki Minaj would surely take home the trophy for her eccentric leopard-lady look on the 2011 Grammy Awards red carpet. Minaj went animal print head-to-toe, boasting a mile-high 'do that was a little bit leopard, a little bit Bride of Frankenstein, with one thick black stripe running up the side of the monstrous platinum-blond wig. Leopard-print fringe and face-framing cropped layers completed her mane. But the feline accents didn't end there. Minaj's makeup artist got in on the act with cat eyes and lengthy lashes. For her pout? Oh, just a swipe of bright-pink lipstick, you know, to make this otherwise subtle look pop. Of course, we'll never know if Minaj outdid her outrageous-style competitor Lady GaGa, who arrived on the carpet concealed in a pod carried by an entourage of scantily clad model types. Nicki Minaj Grammy Awards 2011 in Leopard Print

Snooki, The Situation on the Red Carpet - Snooki showed up to the Grammy Awards in LA this evening in a very sparkly silver ensemble. The Jersey Shore star paired the look with equally metallic shoes, earrings, bracelets, and a clutch. Silver everywhere! The reality star teamed up with MTV this evening to host her own red carpet interviews. Apparently Lady Gaga didn't give Snooki an exclusive interview, but she did acknowledge the reality star. "Lady Gaga just arrived on the carpet inside a futuristic egg being carried by servants," MTV correspondent James Montgomery said . "When she spied Snooki from inside the egg, she pressed her hands against the glass and waved." Snooki, The Situation on the Red Carpet

Top-Performing Mutual Funds 2011 - Even though the U.S. bond market holds great attraction for investors, it has figured only infrequently among top-performing markets worldwide in the recent past. Investing in foreign bonds, therefore, enhances prospects of exposure to the best-performing foreign markets. Foreign bonds also help to diversify currency exposure and provide protection against a long-term secular decline in the dollar. Mutual funds are a convenient way to give one’s portfolio the desired international fixed-income exposure. MainStay Global High Income A (MGHAX) invests the majority of its assets in foreign high-yield debt securities. It invests in such securities issued by governments, their agencies as well as companies located in at least three different countries, focusing on emerging markets. The international bond mutual fund is non-diversified and has a ten year annualized return of 12.48%. The Fund Manager is Gary Goodenough and he has managed this internation...

Should Kids Pay for their Own College - Students whose parents earn more than that but are not willing or able to contribute to college costs can get federal need-based grants only if they file successful appeals with their colleges. But many private colleges have higher income cutoffs and will award scholarships to students from families with incomes in the low six figures. And many states and colleges award scholarships to students based solely on grades, test scores or other nonfinancial qualifications. Public Agenda, a nonpartisan research organization, surveyed hundreds of students, recent graduates and dropouts. It found that 63% of people who graduated from college said they had received some financial help from their families. Only 42% of those whose parents did not help them managed to graduate from college. Some college financial aid officers say finances alone might not explain the difference in graduation rates. Many parents cut off students who are already on their ...

Loughner Murder Charges Dropped - In what prosecutors are calling a "procedural motion," two murder charges were dropped against Arizona shooting suspect Jared Lee Loughner, although authorities intend to refile them in a superseding indictment. The motion to dismiss the charges was filed Friday. "It was a procedural motion to keep them off the books in order to bring them back under a superseding indictment," said Robbie Sherwood, spokesman for the U.S. attorney's office in Phoenix. Loughner, 22, is accused of shooting U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords in the head at a "Congress on Your Corner" event at a Tucson, Arizona, grocery store, then shooting 18 other people, six of them fatally. The dead included Giffords staffer Gabe Zimmerman and U.S. District Judge John Roll. Giffords is currently recovering in a Houston rehabilitation hospital. The initial complaint filed against Loughner had five counts -- one count of attempting to assassinate Giffo...

3NET February 13 - DirecTV has announced it will launch 3net, the first round-the-clock 3-D channel, to its subscribers this Sunday, Feb. 13 at 8:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. Sunday's lineup includes hour long premieres of "China Revealed" produced by Natural History New Zealand, "Forgotten Planet" from Flight 33 Productions, and "Into the Deep 3-D" from IMAX. 3net will broadcast on channel 107. Throughout February, the network will rollout original 3-D TV series and movies, debuting a new program every night at 9:00 p.m. ET. Based on last month's announcement, viewers can expect to see "Attack of the Giant Jellyfish," Sony Pictures' "Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs," "Magnificent Desolation: Walking on the Moon 3D," and "The Haunted." At this point, 3net will present a revolving schedule to fill its 24 hour daily programming. 3net is a joint venture television network between Sony Corporation,...

Franco Art Exhibit - James Franco took time out of preparing for the Oscars – where he'll be doing double duty as both host and best actor nominee for 127 Hours– to open the first European exhibition of his artwork in Berlin. "I've been spending most weekends in L.A. shooting pre-taped stuff for the Oscars and this is the first weekend I wasn't doing that," Franco told The Hollywood Reporter at the Peres Projects gallery opening of The Dangerous Book Four Boys on Saturday night. Franco first displayed his photographs, films and installation pieces at a New York show last year. He said the work – which includes a direct-to-camera video of him talking with a rubber penis on his nose and mocking the process of film making – allowed him to explore other aspects of acting not available to him in his Hollywood roles. "If, in a commercial film, if I am acting that draws attention to the fact I am acting, you'd probably say that was bad acting," Fran...