June 22, 2012

Twitter says outage wasn't hackers or Euro 2012, but a software fault




Twitter says outage wasn't hackers or Euro 2012, but a software fault
Two-hour failure in system blamed on 'cascading bug' that tripped up system and caused worldwide lockout, explains senior engineer – while hacking claims are dismissed
Charles Arthur
guardian.co.uk, Friday 22 June 2012
It wasn't hackers, or excitement over Euro 2012, nor avatars using the Gif image format that knocked Twitter over so thoroughly on Thursday that it couldn't even display its famous fail whale, which usually indicates problems at the site.


Bird flu pandemic just "three mutations" away, scientists show




Bird flu pandemic just "three mutations" away, scientists show
A bird flu pandemic may be close to being a real threat after scientists discovered the virus is already just "three mutations" away from evolving into a strain which would be able to pass from human to human.
Bird flu pandemic just By Richard Alleyne, and Nick Collins 22 Jun 2012
Avian H5N1 influenza can currently only be transmitted to humans from birds, meaning it cannot spread quickly through the air between large groups of people.
But a recent study at Cambridge University shows that there are strains already existing which are just "three mutations" away from being passable form one human to another.
It suggests the airborne strain could evolve naturally in the wild – even in one person.
Prof Derek Smith, one of the Cambridge researchers, said the study had shown that the risk – like an

Moody’s Bank Downgrades: Market Says ‘Meh’




Moody’s Bank Downgrades: Market Says ‘Meh’
22 Jun 2012
By: Catherine Boyle
Staff Writer, CNBC.com
ATMThe mass downgrades of major global banks by ratings agency Moody’s Investors Service Thursday night don’t appear to have caused the downwards market movements one might have expected.
While the stocks of the banks affected, including Citigroup, Morgan Stanley, HSBC, and Goldman Sachs, fell slightly across the board yesterday, they didn’t suffer the huge plunges some feared, suggesting that much of the risk of a downgrade was already factored into the price. Some stocks actually rose in after-hours trading.

U.S. banks’ credit spreads were tighter following the downgrade with Morgan Stanley’s bond spreads around 25 basis points tighter — usually a positive sign for the stock’s future.


Ranger plunges to death on Mount Rainier

Ranger plunges to death on Mount Rainier
By the CNN Wire Staff
Fri June 22, 2012
(CNN) -- A national park ranger fell to his death on Mount Rainier Thursday afternoon while assisting in the rescue of four injured climbers.
Climbing Ranger Nick Hall fell about 3,700 feet down the northeast side of the mountain as he helped prepare the other climbers for extrication by helicopter, said Kevin Bacher, a Mount Rainier National Park spokesman.
The climbers from Waco, Texas, had to be rescued after they slipped down the Emmons Glacier after a successful summit of the mountain. All of them were tied together.
Their plunge down the mountainside left two of them dangling in a crevasse. They called for help with

Mexican marines capture man believed to be drug kingpin's son




Mexican marines capture man believed to be drug kingpin's son
Jesus Alfredo Guzman Salazar,26, said to been taking on an increasing leadership role in Mexico's most powerful drug cartel
Associated Press in Mexico City
Jesus Alfredo Guzman Salazarguardian.co.uk, Friday 22 June 2012
Mexican marines have detained a man they believe is one of the sons of Mexico's most-wanted drug kingpin, Joaquin El Chapo Guzman, leader of the powerful Sinaloa cartel.

The presumed son, identified by the navy as Jesus Alfredo Guzman Salazar, 26, was allegedly taking on an increasing leadership role in Mexico's most powerful drug cartel and purportedly served as the administrator of his father's fortune, estimated by Forbes magazine at about $1bn (£640m).


Nintendo Announces Jumbo 3DS With Double the Screen Size, Longer-life Battery



Nintendo Announces Jumbo 3DS With Double the Screen Size, Longer-life Battery
By Jay Alabaster, IDG News Jun 22, 2012 1:10 am

Nintendo will launch a new, jumbo-sized version of its 3DS handheld from next month, with a screen nearly twice the size of the current model, the Japanese company said Friday.

The main screen of the "3DS LL" will be 1.9 times larger than the current version, and a bigger battery will allow up 6.5 hours of playing time when using 3DS games, versus 5 hours on the standard DS. The device also comes with a 4GB SD memory card, double the capacity of the one included currently.

Weekend of secrecy for big GOP donors





Weekend of secrecy for big GOP donors
June 22, 2012
By Brian Montopoli
It's going to be a big weekend in the world of big conservative money: Both Mitt Romney and billionaire industrialist brothers David and Charles Koch are holding hush-hush events with wealthy donors designed to keep the dollars coming in.
Romney's three-day retreat, which is being held at the Deer Valley Resort in Park City, Utah, is an opportunity for about 700 Romney's biggest fundraisers to get some face time with the presumptive Republican presidential nominee. (Many of them are "bundlers" - wealthy and well-connected individuals who call on their family, friends and associates to max out their contributions to Romney

LeBron James, Heat dominate Thunder to win NBA championship





LeBron James, Heat dominate Thunder to win NBA championship
June 22,2012

MIAMI -- Music blared and confetti fell, the only celebration LeBron James really wanted in Miami.

Not that one two summers ago, the welcoming rally where he boasted of multiple titles, perhaps without realizing how hard it would be to win just one.

He dreamed of this moment, with teammates surrounding him and the NBA championship trophy beside him.


June 21, 2012

Believe It Or Not J.C. Penney’s Strategy Is Working, Says Analyst




Believe It Or Not J.C. Penney’s Strategy Is Working, Says Analyst
By Henry Blodget | Daily Ticker
Jun 21, 2012
J.C. Penney's (JCP) stock got clobbered yesterday after the company announced the sudden departure of its president, Michael Francis.
Yesterday's drop only added to the woes of J.C. Penney's shareholders, who have seen the value of the company nearly cut in half over the last three months. The stock has also hit the lowest level it has seen since Apple's former retailing guru, Ron Johnson, joined the company last fall.

China manufacturing weakens further




China manufacturing weakens further: HSBC
By Chris Oliver | MarketWatch
Jun 21, 2012

Reuters Employees process radiator components at a factory in Suining, China.
HONG KONG (MarketWatch) — China’s manufacturing activity deteriorated in June, according to preliminary HSBC data released Thursday that registered a seven-month low, indicating that global problems have taken a mounting toll on China’s export-dependent industries.
The inital, or “flash,” version of the manufacturing Purchasing Managers Index dropped to 48.1 for

Bosses Rein In Banker Who Golfs With Obama




Bosses Rein In Banker Who Golfs With Obama
BY SUSANNE CRAIG
JUNE 20, 2012

One of the biggest banks in the world wants the president’s favorite banker muzzled.
Robert Wolf, left, chairman of UBS in the Americas, is among the leading fund-raisers for President Obama's campaign.
The banker, Robert Wolf, a top UBS executive in New York, is among President Obama’s leading fund-raisers, building more than more than $500,000 for his re-election so far this year.

A regular presence at big campaign fund-raisers, Mr. Wolf, who is 50, golfs and vacations with Mr. Obama and is known for e-mailing friends photos of himself with the president.
While such a close relationship might have been envied by other bankers in 2008, when much of Wall Street was infatuated with Mr. Obama and donated heavily to his presidential bid, it has been making other UBS executives uneasy of late.

At least 9 dead after Indonesian air force plane crashes in capital




At least 9 dead after Indonesian air force plane crashes in capital
Published June 21, 2012 Associated Press
JAKARTA, Indonesia – An Indonesian air force plane slammed into homes and ignited a fireball in the crowded capital while trying to land Thursday, killing at least nine people, a military official said.
The turboprop plane crashed into eight houses, killing at least three people on the ground, said military spokesman Rear Adm. Iskandar Sitompul. Raging orange flames were seen jumping several feet into the air as a huge column of black smoke billowed.
Hendra, a resident in the air force housing complex in eastern Jakarta who uses only one name, said

Say goodbye to the BCS, at least the name




Say goodbye to the BCS, at least the name
By Dennis Dodd | Senior College Football Columnist
June 21, 2012
CHICAGO – As playoff talk continues to grow, be glad that at least the name “BCS” is all but dead.

College football's 14-year old postseason label will go away when the new playoff structure is determined, according to a source intimately involved in the process. While that move was largely expected at some point, the commissioners have been busy first determining the playoff structure itself.
One source indicated that the old name couldn't be attached to a playoff that will “eventually” be

Nationals, Rays trade code war barbs




Nationals, Rays trade code war barbs
By Paul White, USA TODAY
june 21,2012
WASHINGTON – For all of the rhetoric tossed around Nationals Park after Tuesday's ejection of Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Joel Peralta for excessive pine tar on his glove, the definitive comment came from manager Joe Maddon.
"There's also reading between the lines in some situations," Maddon said.
That came in response to Washington Nationals manager Davey Johnson's suggestion that Maddon "read the rulebook" if he has issues with the Nationals asking for an inspection of Peralta's glove as he entered the game in the eighth inning.

Morning TV’s Stepsister Feels the Ratings Heat




Morning TV’s Stepsister Feels the Ratings Heat

By MIKE HALE
Published: June 20, 2012
IT’S a windy May morning on the Rockefeller Center plaza where the stars of NBC’s “Today” periodically gather to perform in the open air, and for some reason Kathie Lee Gifford and Hoda Kotb are wearing hospital gowns, like a latter-day Lucy and Ethel embarked on some crazy scheme. Ms. Gifford’s explanation — it has something to do with a segment on plastic surgery — requires dramatic gestures, and with one of them she knocks a batch of notecards out of the hands of the show’s co-host Ann Curry.

Greek Market Dips After 5-Day Bull Run

Greek Market Dips After 5-Day Bull Run
ATHENS, Greece June 21, 2012
Greek stocks have dipped following nearly a week of gains and a day after conservative leader Antonis Samaras was sworn in the new prime minister, ending protracted political uncertainty.

Samaras, who will head a three-party government with the Socialist PASOK and the smaller Democratic Left party will confer with coalition partners later Thursday.

Check out Emma Stone's 'Amazing' red carpet looks




Check out Emma Stone's 'Amazing' red carpet looks
By Kurt Schlosser
This is a message for Emma Stone: Maybe Jim Carrey, in all his creepy, close-up goodness, was onto something when he called her "all-the-way beautiful" in his YouTube love letter.
The actress has been casting her web of attraction around the world as she helps roll out the much-anticipated "The Amazing Spider-Man." Alongside her onscreen superhero and real life boyfriend Andrew Garfield, we've seen Stone walk the red carpet for premieres in Tokyo, Seoul, Moscow, London, Paris and Berlin so far.



Oil tumbled below $80...




Oil Drops Below $80 to 8-Month Low on U.S. Supply, Europe Crisis
By Grant Smith and Moming Zhou on June 21, 2012

Bloomberg News


Oil Drops Below $80 to 8-Month Low on U.S. Supply, Europe CrisisOil tumbled below $80 a barrel for the first time in eight months as U.S. inventories surged amid concern that the European debt crisis will drag down the global economy, reducing fuel demand.

Futures dropped as much as 1.9 percent in New York to $79.92 a barrel, the lowest intraday level since Oct. 6. Prices have slumped 27 percent from this year’s settlement high as U.S. stockpiles rose to the most in almost 22 years and growth slowed in the U.S., Europe and China. Federal Reserve policy makers lowered the outlook for U.S. economic growth and employment, while an index of Chinese manufacturing by HSBC Holdings Plc and Markit Economics pointed to a contraction for an eighth month.


Who are Iowa's newest millionaires?




Who are Iowa's newest millionaires?
20 co-winners of Powerball jackpot go to court to keep IDs secret
Who are these mystery winners of the $241 million Powerball jackpot?

That was a lingering question on Wednesday after 20 gleeful workers from the Quaker Oats plant in Cedar Rapids claimed the biggest prize in the history of the Iowa Lottery.

Nearly all of them appeared in front of TV cameras at an Iowa Lottery news conference in Des Moines. But they refused to disclose their identities, other than a few who provided their first names.

Samsung Galaxy S3 handset catches fire



Samsung Galaxy S3 handset catches fire

Samsung and Carphone Warehouse are investigating
By Carly Page
Thu Jun 21 2012
Samsung Galaxy S3 fireIT'S NOT GOOD NEWS for Samsung today, as reports have surfaced that one of its flagship Galaxy S3 smartphones caught on fire.
The phone's owner, forum user dillo2k10, said his HSPA+ Samsung Galaxy S3 that he bought from UK retailer Carphone Warehouse caught alight while in an in-car holster - reminiscent of the Iphone catching fire incident in July 2010.
"So I driving along today with my Galaxy S3 in my car mount when suddenly a white flame sparks and a bang came out of the phone," he said. "I pulled in to look at my phone, the phone burned from the inside out. Burned through the plastic and melted my case to my phone. The phone kept working but without any signal."

Obama camp claims $146.6 million in cash






Obama camp claims $146.6 million in cash
By Brian Montopoli
President Obama and Mitt RomneyJune 21, 2012
The Obama campaign has $146.6 million in cash on hand at the start of June, according to newly-released filings with the Federal Election Commission.

The total includes the cash held by Obama for America, the Democratic National Committee, the Obama Victory Fund (a joint fundraising committee) and the Swing State Victory Fund.

One potential cause of concern for the Obama camp: Obama for America spent more money in May ($44.6 million) than it raised ($39.1 million).


June 20, 2012

Obama Education Chief: Complacency Caused U.S. to Slip to 16th in World College Graduation Rates





Obama Education Chief: Complacency Caused U.S. to Slip to 16th in World College Graduation Rates
By The Daily Ticker | Daily Ticker
By David Chalian
Jun 20, 2012


Mitt Romney has said he would like to possibly fold the federal Department of Education into another agency or, at the very least, significantly shrink its size, but that doesn't stop President Barack Obama's Education Secretary form agreeing with Romney that education is the "civil rights issue of our era."

Coitus interruptus: Ancient turtle sex fossilized






Coitus interruptus: Ancient turtle sex fossilized
By Charles Choi, LiveScience Contributor
Published June 19, 2012
mating-turtle-fossilsFossil turtles have been caught having sex, the first known case of animals with backbones found copulating in the fossil record, researchers say.
The mating turtles may have been caught in a death trap as they sank to deeper layers of the lake, where they were having sex nearly 50 million years ago, the researchers speculate. The lake's deep layers may have held deadly volcanic gases or other toxins.
Scientists made their discovery at the Messel Pit in Germany, which once was a deep volcanic crater lake in a wet, tropical environment. The pit was a

Rays' Peralta ejected for pine tar in glove






Rays' Peralta ejected for pine tar in glove
June 20, 2012
By Joy R. Absalon, US PRESSWIRE
Tampa Bay Rays relief pitcher Joel Peralta was ejected from Tuesday night's game against the Washington Nationals before ever throwing a pitch.

Peralta, who entered the game in the eighth inning to relieve David Price, was approached by home plate umpire and crew chief Tim Tschida to examine his glove.

The glove was investigated and confiscated by the umpiring crew and Peralta was immediately ejected from the game.

Tschida said there was a 'significant amount of pine tar' on Peralta's glove.


Obama ads slam Romney on taxes, outsourcing jobs





Jun 20, 2012
Obama ads slam Romney on taxes, outsourcing jobs
By Catalina Camia, USA TODAY


President Obama is out today with two new ads slamming Mitt Romney's record, charging him with raising taxes and shipping jobs overseas while he was governor of Massachusetts.


Alec Baldwin hit him in NYC





Photographer says Alec Baldwin hit him in NYC

By Associated Press
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
NEW YORK — Another anger mismanagement allegation has arisen against Alec Baldwin, this time on his way to the altar.

A newspaper photographer filed a complaint with police on Tuesday accusing the "30 Rock" star of punching him outside a marriage license bureau.
No charges had been filed, and the actor vehemently denied throwing any punches.


Happy Birthday, Edward Cullen! Sparkling Vampire Turns 111






Happy Birthday, Edward Cullen! Sparkling Vampire Turns 111
by TEAM TRUTH
June 20,2012
Robert Pattinson, TwilightIt's been quite the busy year for Edward Cullen. Not only did the bloodsucking babe marry his high school sweetie (that'd be Bella Swan), but he knocked her up, they had a semi-immortal daughter and old Eddie turned his nearly dead newlywed into a vampire too.

Oh yeah, and he personally inspired the raunchiest franchise to hit bookshelves in decades.

Jeez, with Fifty Shades of excitement like all that, you wonder how the Twilight hunk could possibly top it to celebrate his birthday. Because, as you may not know, the sparkling stud turns 111 today!

WATCH NOW: Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart in New 10-Second Breaking Dawn Part 2 Trailer Teaser!


Samsung Galaxy S III





Review: Hands-on with the Samsung Galaxy S III
By Jeremy A. Kaplan
June 20, 2012
Samsung Galaxy S III White side by side.png
The next big Samsung smartphone is here -- and it’s a giant.
The newest version of the wildly popular line -- called the Galaxy S III -- is a gorgeous, complex, amazing device. And it goes on sale as early as Thursday with some major service provider at $199, a price bound to fire up sales.
Samsung, which has sold more than millions of Galaxies to date, is sure to buil on that runaway success with this model: The T-Mobile version of the Galaxy S III features an immense slab of superstrong Gorilla Glass that seems almost too big to fit comfortably in your pocket -- particularly

More wind and heat could hamper Colorado wildfire fight



More wind and heat could hamper Colorado wildfire fight
June 20, 2012
By the CNN Wire Staff
Forecasters are expecting warmer than normal temperatures and gusty winds Tuesday in a northern Colorado area already ravaged by a wildfire, not a good combination for the legion of firefighters trying to extinguish the blaze.

The High Park Fire had consumed 59,500 acres of woodland by Tuesday, but it was about 50% contained, authorities reported.


first day of summer

Weather: Soggy weather kicks off first day of summer

June 20 2012
BY ANDREA ASUAJE

The first day of summer is South Florida will be much more soggy than sunny.

A 100 percent chance of heavy rain is expected Wednesday, with a high in the low 80s, according to the National Weather Service.

The chance of rain will drop to 50 percent Wednesday night and temperatures will also lower to the high-70s.

Wet weather will continue on Thursday through Sunday with a 50 percent chance of rain and thunderstorms during the day and 40 percent chance of rain and storms at night.


win of NBA title



Heat rally from 17 down to 104-98 victory, within one win of NBA title
June 20, 2012|By Ira Winderman, South Florida Sun Sentinel
MIAMI — One more victory. One more victory for validation.

Perhaps Thursday at AmericanAirlines Arena in Game 5 of these NBA Finals, when the celebration would be at its most robust, 20,000 believers along for the ride.
Or perhaps in one of this best-of-seven series' final two games, at Chesapeake Energy Arena, if needed.

But the Miami Heat are on the verge of turning those July 2010 promises of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh into reality.


Rio+20: the Earth Summit diaries, Wednesday 20 June



Rio+20: the Earth Summit diaries, Wednesday 20 June
From Rio de Janeiro, Jo Confino provides behind the scenes insight of all that's going on from a business perspective at the Earth Summit
A tale of two conferences
Jo Confino, in Rio de Janeiro
rio de janeiroGuardian Professional, Wednesday 20 June 2012

Wednesday June 20 07.30am

Would businesses have a better chance of saving the world if they had more fun?

Progressive companies have recognised that it is no longer true that the business of business is not business.

Now they could do with learning that the art of life is to enjoy yourself and not to take everything so seriously. Paradoxically you get far more done if you don't suck lemons all day.

June 19, 2012

Feds Probe Hepatitis C Outbreak in New Hampshire



Feds Probe Hepatitis C Outbreak in New Hampshire
CONCORD, N.H. June 19, 2012 (AP)
The U.S. attorney's office in Concord has joined an investigation into a hepatitis C outbreak at Exeter Hospital in New Hampshire.
A hospital worker and 19 patients at its cardiac catheterization lab have tested positive for the liver-destroying disease since the investigation began last month. State health officials suspect a lab employee's misuse of drugs led to the outbreak.

at Riley wins Chuck Daly Lifetime Achievement Award

Pat Riley wins Chuck Daly Lifetime Achievement Award
By Ben Bolch
Pat RileyJune 19, 2012
MIAMI -- Pat Riley, who won four of his five NBA titles as a coach with the Lakers, received the Chuck Daly Lifetime Achievement Award before Game 4 of the Finals on Tuesday.

“The Lakers years made me,” said Riley, who won 1,210 games in 24 years as a coach with the Lakers, New York Knicks and Miami Heat and is now President of the Heat. “I didn’t know what I was doing in the ‘80s, and they waited for me to become a good coach, and I thank Magic Johnson for that and Jerry West and Jerry Buss. They had tremendous patience with me the first three or four years.”

Johnny Depp, Vanessa Paradis split for real



Johnny Depp, Vanessa Paradis split for real
June 19, 2012
By FRANK LOVECE. Special to Newsday
Johnny Depp, right, and his longtime girlfriend VanessaAfter issuing a denial and lambasting the media last month for reporting that he and partner Vanessa Paradis were splitting after 14 years, Johnny Depp Tuesday confirmed the couple's breakup.
"Johnny Depp and Vanessa Paradis have amicably separated," his publicist said in a statement to "Entertainment Tonight." "Please respect their privacy and, more importantly, the privacy of their children."
In January, People magazine reported Depp, 49, and French actress-singer Paradis, 39 -- the mother of their children Lily-Rose, 13, and Jack, 10 -- were on the verge of breaking up. The couple has not appeared together on a red carpet for more than a year, and Depp has gone solo to several events including the Golden Globe Awards and the Paris premiere of his film "The Rum Diary."
Paradis denied breakup rumors in January, telling the British newspaper The Sun, "Yes, they are false."
The couple began dating in 1998, shortly after Depp, in France shooting Roman Polanski's "The Ninth Gate," saw Paradis in a hotel lobby and the two recalled

Facebook Will Allow App Developers to Offer Subscriptions



Facebook Will Allow App Developers to Offer Subscriptions
By Cameron Scott, IDG News Jun 19, 2012 

Facebook said on Tuesday that it would begin allowing app developers on its platform to charge users for subscriptions but would require them to stop using Facebook Credits for in-app purchases, according to a blog post.


Pro-Romney Super PAC launches new ad wave



Pro-Romney Super PAC launches new ad wave
By Alina Selyukh
WASHINGTON | Wed Jun 20, 2012
U.S. Republican Presidential candidate Mitt Romney shakes hands after speaking at a campaign event at the Bavarian Inn Lodge in Frankenmuth, Michigan, June 19, 2012. REUTERS/Larry Downing(Reuters) - The Super PAC backing Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney said Tuesday it would launch a $7.6 million television ad sweep across nine states, its latest contribution to the growing media presence of outside spending groups in the U.S. election.

The purchase comes after weeks of silence from Restore Our Future, the independent spending group that emerged as the deep-pocketed heavyweight that barraged Romney's Republican competitors in the race to become their party's nominee.


Wiggle Room Emerges in Greece’s Bailout Deal




Wiggle Room Emerges in Greece’s Bailout Deal
By JAMES KANTER and PAUL GEITNER
Published: June 19, 2012
BRUSSELS — As Greece’s political parties maneuvered to form a new government Tuesday, the country’s creditors were signaling a willingness to discuss revised terms for Greece’s bailout package to reflect its rapidly deteriorating economy.
The newfound willingness to talk, while probably requiring Greece to stick to long-range targets for reducing its debt and making structural changes in its economy, follows the elections Sunday in which the center-right party New Democracy, led by Antonis Samaras, won a narrow victory over the hard-left Syriza party. Syriza had demanded a complete renegotiation of the bailout deal Greece struck this year with a trio of international institutions.

The prospect that Mr. Samaras would lead the new government brought a sigh of relief in Brussels, as he had pledged to stick in principle to the bailout deal, averting an imminent and messy Greek exit from the euro zone. But Mr. Samaras has also made it clear that he will seek some concessions on the terms of the €130 billion, or $165 billion, rescue his country secured in March from the so-called troika of the European Union, the European Central Bank and the International Monetary Fund.


Investors eye central banks for help on euro


Investors eye central banks for help on euro
Tue Jun 19, 2012
* Euro rises against the dollar as Fed awaited
* European stocks shrug off weak ZEW index

* Brent crude touches 16-month lows on demand outlook

By Richard Hubbard

LONDON, June 19 (Reuters) - The euro rose against the dollar and shares gained on Tuesday as Europe's worsening debt crisis and its impact on global growth encouraged talk of a policy response by the world's major central banks.

The U.S. Federal Reserve begins a two-day policy setting meeting later in the day, with attention focused on whether it will unveil any more stimulus to support a flagging recovery.

Hamas claims responsibility for firing rockets at Israel



Hamas claims responsibility for firing rockets at Israel
June 19, 2012
JERUSALEM (JTA) -- Hamas has claimed responsibility for firing at least three rockets into southern Israel.

The rockets fired late Monday night landed in Ashkelon, but did not cause any damage or injuries. The Palestinian Ma'an news agency reported that the rockets fired by Hamas's armed wing, Izzaddin al- Kassam, were targeting a nearby military base. Hamas controls the Gaza Strip.

Following the attack, the Israeli Air Force fired early Tuesday morning on what it called a terrorist cell planting explosives near Israel's border with Gaza; Ma'an reported that two 16-year-old boys were killed in the strike.

U.S. seeks to return Tyrannosaurus skeleton to Mongolia




U.S. seeks to return Tyrannosaurus skeleton to Mongolia
June 19, 2012
By Dominique Debucquoy-Dodley, CNN
The U.S. says the skeleton of a Tyrannosaurus bataar was looted from Mongolia's Gobi Desert.
(CNN) -- Federal authorities have filed a civil complaint seeking the forfeiture of a stolen dinosaur skeleton and its return to Mongolia, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.
The skeleton of a Tyrannosaurus bataar was looted from Mongolia's Gobi Desert and brought to the United States illegally, the U.S. Attorney's Office and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement said in a joint statement Monday.

Heat try to tighten grip on Thunder


Heat try to tighten grip on Thunder
The Associated Press Posted: Jun 19, 2012
Chris Bosh and the Heat host the Thunder in Game 4 at AmericanAirlines Arena on Tuesday.LeBron James arrived for practice Monday wearing lime-green sneakers, a highly fluorescent shade.

It was the fashion statement du jour for the NBA's three-time most valuable player, much like the eyeglass frames he's been sporting after games throughout this post-season. But those sneakers probably would have remained tucked away in the drawer beneath his locker during last year's NBA finals since very little about James' game would be considered glowing or luminous during those two weeks.

Different year, different story.


Roundup: Mets’ R.A. Dickey hurls another one-hitter


Roundup: Mets’ R.A. Dickey hurls another one-hitter
FRom bostonglobe.com
Yankees top Braves for 10th straight


ASSOCIATED PRESS JUNE 19, 2012
R.A. Dickey’s impeccable control with that dancing knuckleball has made him the most dominant pitcher in baseball.

Dickey became the first major league pitcher in 24 years to throw consecutive one-hitters and Ike Davis hit a grand slam to lead the New York Mets past the Baltimore Orioles, 5-0, Monday night at Citi Field.

Coming off a one-hitter against the Rays last Wednesday, the knuckleballer struck out a career-high 13 and allowed only Wilson Betemit’s clean single in the fifth inning. He has not permitted an earned run in 42 2/3 innings, the second-longest stretch in club history behind

Mayweather is world's highest-paid athlete: $85M


Mayweather is world's highest-paid athlete: $85M
By Bob Velin, USA TODAY
Jun 18, 2012
Floyd "Money" Mayweather's nickname fits his new title to a tee: The world's highest-paid athlete.

Forbes.com named Mayweather its highest-paid athlete over the last year. Mayweather earned $85 million, knocking golfer Tiger Woods out of the top spot that he has held since 2001. Woods fell to third behind another boxer, Manny Pacquiao, who earned $62 million. Woods took home $59.4 million.

Mayweather, who is currently serving an 87-day jail sentence in Las Vegas, earned his $85 million for a little more than an hour's work in the ring. He knocked out Victor Ortiz in the fourth round last September, earning $40 million, then dispatched Miguel Cotto by a unanimous 12-round decision on May 5, taking home $45 million.

Justin Bieber is growing up

MX iTunes, App Store, iBookstore, and Mac App Store
10 signs that Justin Bieber is growing up
Stratford, Ont.-born superstar releases third album today
By Andre Mayer, CBC News Posted: Jun 19, 2012
Justin Bieber, the Stratford, Ont.-born music superstar, is releasing his third album today. Believe is more than just a collection of frothy tunes — it’s part of his evolution from squeaky-voiced tween idol to adult pop artist.

Here’s a look at some of the milestones that have marked Bieber’s growing “maturity.”

Justin Bieber, beloved by teen girls the world over, has just released Believe, his third album. The 18-year-old singer is trying to transition from tween heartthrob to serious pop artist.1. He’s ditched the Bieber cut.
Gone is the shaggy coif that galvanized hair salons and confounded the parents of teenage sons. In its place is a sculpted up-do that defies gravity and comprehension. (No word yet on whether he’s capable of growing facial hair.)

2. His voice has broken.
Between the release of Bieber’s squeaky 2010 hit Baby and his breathy 2012 single Boyfriend, something big happened. No, not megastardom — puberty.


IBM supercomputer overtakes Fujitsu as world's fastest


IBM supercomputer overtakes Fujitsu as world's fastest
 19June 2012
By Naveena Kottoor
Picture of the team behind IBM's Sequoia.Technology reporter, BBC News
IBM's Sequoia has taken the top spot on the list of the world's fastest supercomputers for the US.

The newly installed system trumped Japan's K Computer made by Fujitsu which fell to second place.

It is the first time the US can claim pole position since it was beaten by China two years ago.

Sequoia will be used to carry out simulations to help extend the life of aging nuclear weapons, avoiding the need for real-world underground tests.

It is installed at the US Department of Energy's Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in California.


Spanish Short-Term Borrowing Costs Rise Sharply


Spanish Short-Term Borrowing Costs Rise Sharply
By STEPHEN CASTLE and RAPHAEL MINDER
June 19, 2012
Spain was forced to pay significantly more to raise short-term money Tuesday, a day after its long-term borrowing costs rose to a record high — increasing fears that the crisis in the euro zone was entering another critical phase.
The Spanish Treasury sold €2.4 billion euros, or $3 billion, of 12-month bills at a yield, or interest rate, of 5.074 percent. compared with 2.985 percent at a similar auction last month. It also sold 640 million euros of 18-month debt with a yield of 5.107, compared with 3.302 percent last month.


Asian immigrants to US...



New Asian immigrants to US now surpass Hispanics
June 19, 2012
From Fox news
WASHINGTON – For the first time, the influx of Asians moving to the U.S. has surpassed that of Hispanics, reflecting a slowdown in illegal immigration while American employers increase their demand for high-skilled workers.
An expansive study by the Pew Research Center details what it describes as "the rise of Asian-Americans," a highly diverse and fast-growing group making up nearly 6 percent of the U.S. population. Mostly foreign-born and naturalized citizens, their numbers have been boosted by increases in visas granted to specialized workers and to wealthy investors as the U.S. economy

Rodney King autopsy concluded...


Rodney King autopsy concluded; results weeks away
June 19, 2012 By ANTHONY McCARTNEY

RIALTO, Calif. — Results from toxicology tests could as long as six weeks to gather before coroner's officials can determine how Rodney King died.
King was pulled from the deep end of his pool early Sunday by police who were called to his home by his fiancee. Investigators conducted an autopsy on his body on Monday.

King became famous after he was severely beaten by Los Angeles police in 1991. The beating was captured on videotape and broadcast worldwide, as were photos of King's bloodied and bruised face. The more than 50 baton blows and kicks inflicted by officers left King with 11 skull fractures, a broken eye socket and facial nerve damage.


Fed Seen Twisting To Risk Management To Spur U.S. Growth



Fed Seen Twisting To Risk Management To Spur U.S. Growth
By Craig Torres - Jun 18, 2012
Federal Reserve officials must choose this week between their best estimates and their worst fears of what will happen to the U.S. economy.
Policy makers will bring new forecasts to their June 19-20 meeting and probably will mark down their April central-tendency estimate for growth of 2.4 percent to 2.9 percent this year. Lurking in the background is the risk of increasing financial stress in Europe and stubbornly high U.S. unemployment that has remained above 8 percent for 40 consecutive months.

All this could prompt them to move away from their outlook for moderate growth and tilt toward a “risk-management” strategy pioneered by former Fed Chairman Alan Greenspan, which puts more emphasis on tracking and containing high-cost threats. Both Janet Yellen, the Fed’s vice chairman, and William C. Dudley, head of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, used the phrase in the past month.