Costa Rica Escapes Serious Damage From Big Quake

Costa Rica Escapes Serious Damage From Big Quake

By CESAR BARRANTES and DANICA COTO Associated Press
CANGREJAL, Costa Rica September 5, 2012 (AP)
The bulletins were terrifying: a powerful earthquake had struck off the coast of this Central American country, spawning a tsunami warning and bringing fears of widespread catastrophe.

But Costa Rica suffered remarkably little damage from Wednesday's magnitude-7.6 quake — a few blocked highways, some collapsed houses and one death, of a heart attack caused by fright. Officials credited the relatively deep location of the quake and building codes that Costa Rican officials call as strict as those in California and Japan.

The quake was 25 miles (41 kilometers) below the surface. Tremors that occur deep underground tend to be less damaging, but their shaking can be felt over a wider area.

"If it was a shallower event, it would be a significantly higher hazard," said seismologist Daniel McNamara of the U.S. Geological Survey.

VMAs: World's First Double-Decker Red Carpet Will Make You Say 'Whoa!'

VMAs: World's First Double-Decker Red Carpet Will Make You Say 'Whoa!'

Designer of first-of-its-kind two-story pre-show carpet wants you to say, 'whoa!' when you see it on Thursday at 7 p.m. ET/PT; main show goes live at 8 p.m.
By Gil Kaufman
LOS ANGELES — Before the beautiful ones can take their seats at Staples Center for Thursday's 2012 MTV Video Music Awards, they're going to have to traverse a red carpet that will give them a serious workout.

"The inspiration for the pre-show was a three-story driving range that we saw a picture of from Japan," said David Morong, production designer for the VMAs pre-show. All the action will take place on a three-story red carpet erected between the Nokia Theatre and the site of the big show, Staples Center, that Morong believes is the first-ever multi-level, stacked red carpet arrival set-up. "The idea came that what if rather than driving golf balls out that we actually had talent interviews on these levels looking across to the Staples Center?"

My Boobs Are TOO BIG...

My Boobs Are TOO BIG to Go Running

By tmz.com/2012/09/05

Jessica Simpson has two huge obstacles to overcome on her quest for her old bod ... her giant boobs ... 'cause Jessica says they've gotten so big, she can't go running.

Simpson is finally discussing her tremendous weight gain to People.com, claiming she packed on the pounds during her pregnancy because "It was the first time I was ever pregnant, and I wanted to enjoy it."

One shot dead during Parti Quebecois victory speech Read more: http://www.montrealgazette.com/news/shot+dead+victory+party+with+video/7190079/story.html#ixzz25cJGgPqw

One shot dead during Parti Quebecois victory speech

By Jan Ravensbergen, Christopher Curtis, Monique Muise and Charlie Fidelman, The Gazette September 5, 2012 6
MONTREAL - A 62-year-old suspect is in police custody Wednesday after a shooting late Tuesday night as premier-elect Pauline Marois was giving a victory speech.

Marois was whisked from the stage by bodyguards at the Metropolis theatre and returned a few moments later unharmed.

Montreal police said the man was “quickly apprehended” after approaching the back of Metropolis, penetrating a vestibule and opening fire.

“For us this is a homicide investigation,” Montreal police spokesman Ian Lafrenière said. (Listen to audio clip describing suspect.)

Democratic National Convention Fashion

Democratic National Convention Fashion

September 5, 2012,By WSJ Staff

Frst lady Michelle Obama wore a custom Tracy Reese dress and J.Crew heels during her speech at the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, N.C., Tuesday night.
Michelle Obama wore a custom Tracy Reese sleeveless pink dress with a blue hemline detail to deliver her

McDonald’s Plans First Vegetarian Restaurants

McDonald’s Plans First Vegetarian Restaurants in India

By Malavika Sharma on September 05, 2012

McDonald’s Corp. (MCD) will swap its trademark burgers for potato sandwiches when it opens two vegetarian restaurants in India next year, the first such outlets globally for the world’s biggest restaurant chain.
The fast-food chain will open two new outlets in northern Indian cities that are pilgrimage sites for Hindus and Sikhs, according to Rajesh Kumar Maini, a spokesman for the company’s north and east Indian operations. McDonald’s already keeps beef and pork products off the menu in India where a majority of the

Eagles Have Their Eye on Cowboys-Giants Season Opener: A Fan's Preview

Eagles Have Their Eye on Cowboys-Giants Season Opener: A Fan's Preview
By Robert Dougherty | Yahoo! Contributor Network
2012/9/5
The Philadelphia Eagles don't start their season until Sept. 9 against the Cleveland Browns. Yet Eagles fans like myself know full well that the season really begins on Sept. 5. And unlike most of the other 29 teams still waiting around to kick off, there is extra reason for Philadelphia to pay attention to the year's very first game.
To reach their big goals, the Eagles will probably need to win the NFC East - and to do that, they must dethrone the defending division and Super Bowl champion New York Giants. But Philadelphia also has to hope that the Dallas Cowboys can't overtake New York first. As such, it will be required viewing in Philadelphia to see Dallas and New York meet on opening night on Sept. 5.

2 Chainz Keeps It Loose During 2012 VMA Rehearsals

2 Chainz Keeps It Loose During 2012 VMA Rehearsals
'Sometimes I don't even realize the moment that I'm in because I'm just too damn enjoying myself,' VMA performer tells MTV News.
By Rob Markman (@RobMarkman) , with additional reporting by Sway Calloway (@realsway)

Get More:
2012 VMA, Artists.MTV, Music, 2 Chainz

We ain't never told no lie, though we may have kept a secret or two. Though it was announced on Tuesday (September 4) that 2 Chainz will be taking the stage at the 2012 Video Music Awards, MTV News caught up with Deuce a day earlier as he rehearsed behind closed doors for the big show.

It was killing us to hold it in, and fans will have to wait until Thursday at 8 p.m. ET/PT to see what Chainz has in store, but we can assure you that the Atlanta rap rep has more than a few tricks up his long, lanky sleeves.

Manning no longer in the shadow of big brother Wednesday, September 5, 2012 | Updated: Wednesday, September 5, 2012 7:43am

Manning no longer in the shadow of big brother

Wednesday, September 5, 2012 | Updated: Wednesday, September 5, 2012
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — Eli Manning is no longer living in the shadow of his big brother. Far from it.

The New York Giants quarterback enters the kickoff to the NFL season against the Dallas Cowboys on Wednesday night as a two-time Super Bowl MVP. He's now unquestionably among the league's elite after leading Tom Coughlin's team to two titles in five seasons, and a third title is a distinct possibility with the 31-year-old seemingly getting better coming off a career season.

What's even more impressive is Eli is still Eli. He's hard-working, laid-back and looking for nothing more than doing it better than the year before.

Ex Cowboy Bennett just wants to help Giants win

Ex Cowboy Bennett just wants to help Giants win

2012/9/4

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) – Martellus Bennett tried to be diplomatic about his four seasons with the Dallas Cowboys and did his best to look forward to his new career as the starting tight end for the New York Giants.
There was no boasting about wanting to get back at Dallas in the NFL season opener Wednesday at MetLife Stadium or taking any cheap shots at Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo or owner Jerry Jones.
The free-spirited Bennett kept his thoughts and any lingering bitterness close to the vest, for the most part. The 2008 second-round draft pick says he just wants to help the Giants win this season and show that he can be a dominant player now that he is out of Jason Witten's shadow.
I'm more so just trying to show the Giants what they have," Bennett said Saturday after the Super Bowl champions practiced. "That part of my book is done, it's over. That chapter of my book is over, and I've got new (stuff) to write about. And I'm excited to get to write the new parts of my life. And it's been great so far. I've been enjoying it and I'm happy pretty much

Michael Strahan becomes Kelly Ripa's co-host on "Live! With Kelly"

Michael Strahan becomes Kelly Ripa's co-host on "Live! With Kelly"

Originally published: September 4, 2012
By The Associated Press

Former football star Michael Strahan joined "Live! With Kelly" as permanent co-host on Monday, fulfilling a joking prophecy he made to Regis Philbin more than four years ago.

The gap-toothed former New York Giant jogged onto the morning show set and picked up co-host Kelly Ripa in a bear hug, lifting her off her feet. He replaces Philbin, who left last November. Strahan was the survivor in a series of on-air tryouts of potential co-hosts since Philbin left, and his hiring has been an open secret for the past two weeks.
Strahan appeared relaxed and amiable on his first day and drew "ahhhs" from women in the studio audience when he presented Ripa with a dozen red roses.
"It's so nice to have a co-host literally sweep you off your feet," Ripa said, "and I know that he can bench press me if

Sunshine vitamin 'may help treat tuberculosis'

Sunshine vitamin 'may help treat tuberculosis'

By James Gallagher
Health and science reporter, BBC News
2012/9/4

The body makes vitamin D when it is out in the sun
Vitamin D could help the body fight infections of deadly tuberculosis, according to doctors in London.

Nearly 1.5 million people are killed by the infection every year and there are concerns some cases are becoming untreatable.

A study in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences showed patients recovered more quickly when given both the vitamin and antibiotics.

US Open 2012: Andy Murray serves notice with ‘best match’ against Milos Raonic to reach quarter-finals

US Open 2012: Andy Murray serves notice with ‘best match’ against Milos Raonic to reach quarter-finals

Andy Murray produced his “best match of the tournament” to beat Milos Raonic and book his place in the quarter-finals of the US Open.

By Telegraph Sport2:31PM BST 04 Sep 2012
Murray, through to the last eight at a major for the eighth time in succession, nullified the threat of the young Canadian’s booming serve and produced a serving master class of his own en route to a 6-4 6-4 6-2 victory.
The match had been billed as a test of Murray’s quick hands on return in the face of Raonic’s red-hot

Nokia Music hits US for free streaming audio

Nokia Music hits US for free streaming audio

Chris Davies, Sep 4th 2012

Nokia has launched Nokia Music in the US, giving Lumia owners there the option to listen to unlimited streaming playlists that have been specially curated by the company’s musical experts. Available in Europe for some months now, Nokia Music is a bundled service for Nokia’s Windows Phone handsets: it demands no subscription fees and even no registration. If the curated playlists aren’t to your taste, there’s also the

FBI Agent's Laptop 'Hacked' To Grab 12 Million Apple IDs

FBI Agent's Laptop 'Hacked' To Grab 12 Million Apple IDs

9/04/2012
Parmy Olson, Forbes Staff
Two years ago special agent Christopher Stangl appeared in a video calling on people with computer science degrees to join the Federal Bureau of Investigation, saying they were needed “more than ever.” Last night, hackers with subversive online networks Anonymous and Antisec answered that call with nothing short of irreverence: they published what they claimed were more than 1 milion unique device identifier numbers, (UDID) for Apple devices, stolen from Stangl’s own laptop.

Spain to put another $7.5 bln in bank rescue fund

Spain to put another $7.5 bln in bank rescue fund

By HAROLD HECKLE
Associated Press / September 4, 2012

MADRID (AP) — The Spanish government will inject another €6 billion ($7.5 billion) into its bank rescue fund to cope with growing problems in its financial sector as it awaits a loan from its 16 partner countries in the eurozone.

An official with the Economy Ministry, speaking only on condition of anonymity because of government policy, confirmed the extra cash will raise the capital base of the bank rescue fund to €15 billion.

India, China to Resume Military Exercises

India, China to Resume Military Exercises

Anjana Pasricha
September 04, 2012

NEW DEHLI — India and China will resume military exercises after a gap of four years. The announcement was made during a visit to New Delhi by the Chinese defense minister - the first such visit to India in eight years. New Delhi increases its efforts to reduce mistrust and boost their ties.

The decision to hold bilateral military exercises next year came during a meeting on Tuesday in the Indian capital.

Michael Clarke Duncan: His Five Greatest Roles

Michael Clarke Duncan: His Five Greatest Roles

by Bruna Nessif
2012/9/4/

Michael Clarke Duncan may have been a late bloomer when it came to his Hollywood career, but in a relatively short time, Big Mike made a big impression.
In less than a decade and a half, the prolific 54-year-old actor, who died Sunday from complications of a heart attack, appeared in hit action flicks (Armageddon, The Scorpion King), comedies (Talledega Nights, A Night at the Roxbury) and even animated family fare (Kung Fu Panda, Cats & Dogs, Brother Bear).
But here are the five movies in his filmography that deserve to be called out for special mention.
Michael Clarke Duncan dead at 54

Tracking a Subtle Scent, a Dog May Help Save the Whales

Tracking a Subtle Scent, a Dog May Help Save the Whales

By KIRK JOHNSON Published: September 1, 2012

OFF THE COAST OF SAN JUAN ISLAND, Wash. — A dog named Tucker with a thumping tail and a mysterious past as a stray on the streets of Seattle has become an unexpected star in the realm of canine-assisted science. He is the world’s only working dog, marine biologists say, able to find and track the scent of orca scat, or feces, in open ocean water — up to a mile away, in the smallest of specks.
Through dint of hard work and obsession with an orange ball on a rope, which he gets to play with as a reward after a successful search on the water, Tucker is an ace in finding something that most people, and perhaps most dogs, would just as soon avoid.

Seal clarifies: I wasn't saying Heidi cheated on me

Seal clarifies: I wasn't saying Heidi cheated on me

September 3rd, 2012

By marquee.blogs.cnn.com

Seal wasn't entirely clear on what he meant when he told TMZ that he wished his ex Heidi Klum wouldn't "fornicate with the help," and now the singer has some explaining to do.

TMZ photographers caught up with Seal on Friday and asked him how he felt about the rumors that Klum's now dating her bodyguard following her January split from Seal.

Celebrating All of America's Workers

Celebrating All of America's Workers

 09/03/2012
Marielena HincapiéExecutive director, National Immigration Law Center

Over 100 years ago, Americans began to celebrate Labor Day to honor our nation's working people and the prosperity they contribute to society. We also celebrate the hard-earned rights workers won for all Americans decades ago, including the right to organize at the workplace. Unfortunately, the many labor rights we take for granted today are at risk due to policies that make working people more vulnerable. Given the loss of millions of American jobs, those of us with work feel fortunate. But even if you have a job, workplace problems don't evaporate, and those of us who stand up for our rights are increasingly told that this most American of activities is no longer protected under the law.

U.S. Vehicle Rammed by Suicide Bomber in Pakistan

PESHAWAR, Pakistan — A suicide bomber rammed his explosives-laden vehicle into a sport-utility vehicle belonging to the United States Consulate in the northwestern city of Peshawar on Monday morning, Pakistani and American officials said, in one of the most brazen attacks against Americans in the country in recent years.

U.S. Vehicle Rammed by Suicide Bomber in Pakistan

By ISMAIL KHAN and SALMAN MASOOD
Published: September 3, 2012

There were conflicting reports about the number and nationality of the casualties. Pakistani officials said that at least two people were killed and at least 13 were injured, including two police officers. The United States Embassy in Islamabad confirmed the attack and said in a statement that two Americans and two Pakistani employees of the consulate were injured. It denied early reports that an American had been killed.

Flooding, power outages linger in Isaac's wake

Flooding, power outages linger in Isaac's wake

September 3, 2012

CBS/AP) NEW ORLEANS — Days after Isaac hammered Louisiana and Mississippi with winds and rain, much of a parish southeast of New Orleans was still flooded and thousands are without power.

Thousands of evacuees remained at shelters or bunked with friends or relatives.

"My family is split up," said Angela Serpas, from severely flooded Braithwaite in Plaquemines Parish. Serpas and her daughter were staying with her in-laws while her husband and son were staying in Belle Chasse, a suburban area of the parish.

Wildfire Chases Visitors out of Southern CA Forest

Wildfire Chases Visitors out of Southern CA Forest

GLENDORA, Calif. September 3, 2012 (AP)
A wildfire that broke out in the Angeles National Forest has cut short the Labor Day holiday weekend for thousands of visitors who flock to the popular recreational attraction.

The fire broke out near a campground Sunday afternoon and quickly grew to 3,600 acres, or about 5½ square miles. It sent a huge cloud of smoke that could be seen from the coast to the desert inland.

Campgrounds that typically attract up to 12,000 visitors on the holiday weekend, as well as rehabilitation centers and the private community of Camp Williams Resort above the city of Glendora, were evacuated, forest spokeswoman L'Tanga Watson said.
The forest is heavily used by Southern California residents because it is close