Showbiz is politics and politics is showbiz

Showbiz is politics and politics is showbiz

JOHN DOYLE
Published Thursday, Sep. 06 2012
The Globe and Mail
Executives at MTV have promised that the MTV Video Music Awards will end on time tonight and not overlap with president Barack Obama’s closing speech at the Democratic National Convention.

This news was delivered first not by any media outlet covering the showbiz racket, but by Politico, the U.S. political journalism outfit that covers U.S politics relentlessly. Because it matters, politically and strategically, if the vast audience for MTV Video Music Awards (MuchMusic, 8 p.m.) is distracted from Obama’s speech. And because the Democrats hope that Obama is, to the MTV audience, as charismatic and

OECD says global growth slowed by European crisis; recession ‘taking hold’ in eurozone

OECD says global growth slowed by European crisis; recession ‘taking hold’ in eurozone

By Associated Press, Updated: Thursday, September 6
PARIS — Europe’s debt crisis is pushing the 17-country eurozone toward recession and dragging down the global economy, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development said Thursday.

Even growth in traditional economic powerhouse Germany is slowing, and the OECD’s interim assessment said that Europe’s largest economy could slip into recession by the end of the year.
“The negative elements of the global economy ... stemming mostly from Europe are there and they are somewhat stronger than they used to be a few months ago,” OECD Chief economist Pier Carlo Padoan told reporters.

Robbers in bizarre Bank of America heist on the r

Robbers in bizarre Bank of America heist on the run

September 6, 2012
Authorities are searching for two robbers in a bizarre heist at an East L.A. Bank of America.

A bank manager said she was leaving her Huntington Park home for work Wednesday morning when two masked men snatched her in her garage. They strapped what they told her was an explosive device to her chest and instructed her to drive to her bank and give them money.

Authorities said the manager complied, taking a bag filled with cash to the back of the bank, where the robbers grabbed it and sped away in a car.

Cowboys pass gut check with opening win over Giants

Cowboys pass gut check with opening win over Giants

2012-09-06
By Jarrett Bell, USA TODAY
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – Before heading back to the training room following the Dallas Cowboys' upset victory at MetLife Stadium on Wednesday night, Jason Witten turned to the last couple of reporters remaining from the pack and pointed to a typed quote that he had athletic-taped to his locker.
It was something the All-Pro tight end received during a visit to Navy Seals specialists recently during the Cowboys' summer getaway to California. It spoke volumes about the mindset of a player healing a lacerated spleen — whose status seemed so iffy in the days, hours and minutes before the season opener.
The message read:
I will never quit. I persevere and thrive on adversity. My team expects me to be physically harder and mentally stronger than our competition. If knocked down, I will get back up, every time. I will draw on every remaining ounce of strength to help my team and to achieve our goal. I am never out of the FIGHT.

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.