Six reasons Mitt Romney won the first debate

Six reasons Mitt Romney won the first debate

Posted by Aaron Blake on October 4, 2012
Most everyone agrees: Mitt Romney won the first debate of the 2012 presidential election on Wednesday.
A CNN/Opinion Research poll released after the debate showed 67 percent of viewers thought Romney won, while just 25 percent said the same of President Obama. And a CBS poll showed 46 percent of undecided voters said Romney won, compared to 22 percent who said Obama won.
While Romney’s workman-like performance may have lacked one single big moment, there were a lot of reasons he came out ahead.
Below, we expound upon six of them:

1. He controlled the format: For better or worse, moderator Jim Lehrer largely let the candidates sort out the debate themselves, essentially broaching broad topics and letting the candidates duke it out on their own terms — with almost-endless rebuttals. This format favored Romney. Romney’s campaign went into the debate with an attack mindset (as most candidates who are behind do), and by allowing all those rebuttals, Lehrer gave Romney a chance to execute. He did. Obama wasn’t as focused on attacking, which works less

Leap Left in Lurch as MetroPCS Picks T-Mobile Merger

Leap Left in Lurch as MetroPCS Picks T-Mobile Merger

By Tara Lachapelle and Olga Kharif - Oct 3, 2012
Leap Wireless International Inc. (LEAP) is now left to fend for itself as the combination of MetroPCS Communications Inc. and T-Mobile USA damps takeover prospects for the unprofitable wireless carrier.
Leap, which Chief Financial Officer Jerry Elliott said in August was considering options including a sale, has lost money every year since 2006 and analysts estimate it will keep posting deficits until 2016, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. Investors are giving little value to its operations, pushing Leap’s price-sales ratio to 0.15, the lowest among similar-sized U.S. wireless carriers, the data show.

Deutsche Telekom AG (DTE)’s deal to merge T-Mobile USA with MetroPCS to create a bigger No. 4 player in the U.S. wireless market drove Leap down 18 percent yesterday. Sanford C. Bernstein & Co. said Leap is left without a buyer right now because the most logical acquirer was MetroPCS, which also targets prepaid customers using the same network technology. A deal is unlikely soon because T-Mobile will need time to integrate the new assets and Leap’s $3.2 billion in long-term debt may deter Sprint Nextel Corp. (S), JPMorgan Chase & Co. said.

Apple Suppliers Begin Mass Production on Smaller Tablet

Apple Suppliers Begin Mass Production on Smaller Tablet

October 3, 2012
By LORRAINE LUK
TAIPEI—Apple Inc.'s AAPL +0.29% Asian component suppliers have started mass production of a new tablet computer smaller than the current iPad, people with knowledge of the situation said, as the Silicon Valley company tries to stay competitive against rivals such as Google Inc. GOOG -0.63% and Amazon.com Inc. AMZN -0.56% that are offering smaller, less-expensive alternatives to the iPad.

Two of the people said the smaller tablet will have a 7.85-inch liquid-crystal display with a lower resolution compared with the latest iPad model that came out in March.

South Korea's LG Display Co. 034220.SE +0.88% and Taiwan's AU Optronics Corp. 2409.TW -0.47% last month began mass production of the LCD screens for the new device, they said.

MP Bob Katter calls for starfish bounty to save Great Barrier Reef

MP Bob Katter calls for starfish bounty to save Great Barrier Reef

• Townsville Bulletin
• October 03, 2012

CROWN-of-thorns starfish beware: Bob Katter wants to place a bounty on your head. The Kennedy MP has called for scuba divers to be paid $10 for every pest starfish they kill.

It comes after a report found coral cover throughout the Great Barrier Reef has been declining rapidly each year, with the starfish accounting for 42 per cent of the damage.

Federal Environment Minister Tony Burke, however, says there is no way he would place a bounty on the coral-consuming creatures, whose poisonous spines pose a danger to divers. He said the way to control the starfish was through further research and government-assisted culling programs.

New Mumford & Sons album Babel is fastest seller of 2012 in UK and US

New Mumford & Sons album Babel is fastest seller of 2012 in UK and US

Band also smash Spotify streaming record, confounding critics of the service

Guardian music
guardian.co.uk, Wednesday 3 October 2012
Fast folk ... Mumford & Sons' second album, Babel, has stormed to the top of the UK and US charts. Photograph: Matt Kent/WireImage
Mumford & Sons' Babel has become the fastest selling album of the year in both the UK and the US.

The group's second album sold 159,000 copies in its first week in the UK to hit No 1 on Sunday, and 600,000 copies in the US to secure them their first US chart topper.

Euro Steady as Expectations of Spanish Aid Deal Persist

Euro Steady as Expectations of Spanish Aid Deal Persist

Published: Wednesday, 3 Oct 2012
By: Reuters

The euro steadied against the dollar on Wednesday and was underpinned by the belief that Spain will eventually request financial aid, helping soothe concerns around the biggest hotspot in the euro zone's debt crisis.
Such a move would be likely to spark demand for perceived riskier currencies, although on Tuesday Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy quashed speculation the country could apply for a bailout as soon as this weekend.

Strategists said while Rajoy's words had knocked demand for the euro, losses were limited by expectations Spain will ask for international assistance at some point in coming weeks. That would allow the European Central Bank to activate its bond-buying program and bring down Madrid's borrowing costs.

The single currency was close to flat at $1.2920, but remained above the three-week low of $1.28035 hit on Monday.

Iran to enrich uranium to 60 percent if nuclear talks fail

Iran to enrich uranium to 60 percent if nuclear talks fail

DUBAI | Tue Oct 2, 2012
(Reuters) - Iran would enrich uranium up to 60 percent purity if negotiations with major powers over its nuclear program fail, an Iranian lawmaker said on Tuesday, in comments that may add to Western alarm about Iranian intentions.

Mansour Haqiqatpour, deputy head of parliament's Foreign Policy and National Security Committee, said 60 percent enrichment would be to yield fuel for nuclear submarines, which often require uranium refined to high levels.

But it would also take Iran another significant step closer to the 90 percent enrichment level needed to make atomic bombs, which the West suspects is the Islamic state's ultimate aim. Iran says its nuclear program is for peaceful energy only.

Raul Ibanez delivers when it matters most in Yankees' 4-3 win vs. Red Sox

Raul Ibanez delivers when it matters most in Yankees' 4-3 win vs. Red Sox

Ibanez merely delivered the biggest hit of the season, a game-tying, two-run home run in the ninth inning against the Red Sox when the Yankees were about to fall back into a first-place tie with the Orioles.
NEW YORK DAILY NEWS

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2012

Way back in spring training, I was making the case to Yankees GM Brian Cashman that he had signed the wrong guy to be the Yankees’ DH.
Raul Ibanez? But what about Johnny Damon? He was the one who had proven he could deliver in October for the Yankees, and really, isn’t that all that counts for this ballclub?
Cashman said he preferred the 40-year-old Ibanez in part for his defense, believing he would need him to play some outfield this season. But then he added the clincher:

Gold Is Seen Advancing as Bernanke Renews Stimulus Pledge

Gold Is Seen Advancing as Bernanke Renews Stimulus Pledge

By Nicholas Larkin on October 02, 2012
Gold was seen falling in New York on speculation some investors will sell the metal and physical demand will slow after prices climbed to a 10-month high.

Gold rallied last month as central banks from Europe to Japan pledged more action and as miners went on strike in South Africa. The Fed will continue record stimulus even after economic expansion gains strength, Bernanke said in Indianapolis yesterday. It will publish on Oct. 4 minutes of its Sept. 13 meeting when it announced a third round of quantitative easing.

“Bullion investors might take a breather here,” Andrey Kryuchenkov, an analyst at VTB Capital in London, wrote today in a report. “Investors will be overly cautious about committing to new longs at highs for the year, while physical demand at these levels will only remerge on price dips.” Long positions are bets on higher prices.

Taylor Swift: John Mayer's so 'presumptuous'

Taylor Swift: John Mayer's so 'presumptuous'

7:48AM EST October 2. 2012 - Taylor Swift doesn't mind singing about romance and its heartache. But ask her to 'fess up about her beaus, current and former, and you get bupkis.

ABC's Cynthia McFadden did double duty as she interviewed Swift for Glamour mag and Nightline.

McFadden brought up Swift's Dear John song, saying the singer never identified who it was about, but John Mayer recently told Rolling Stone that it was him.

Thieves armed with pickaxes rob California museum of $2 million in precious gems

AP/ October 2, 2012, 6:26 AM

Thieves armed with pickaxes rob California museum of $2 million in precious gems

SAN FRANCISCO, CA. California investigators searched Monday for thieves who made off with an estimated $2 million in precious gems and gold from a mining museum in the Sierra Nevada foothills during a brazen daytime robbery.

But they didn't get away with the biggest prize of all - the nearly 14-pound Fricot Nugget, a giant crystalline gold mass unearthed in the Gold Rush era.

During their attempt to grab the massive nugget, the robbers triggered an alarm that alerted authorities who swarmed the museum but were unable to nab the thieves.

Rooftop pool, wine bar: Hotels building in Africa

Rooftop pool, wine bar: Hotels building in Africa

By JASON STRAZIUSO

Associated Press / October 1, 2012

NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — The rooftop pool at Nairobi’s newest high-rise hotel juts out over the edge so swimmers can peer through the glass bottom eight stories down. A new champagne bar sits nearby. IPads with detailed wine descriptions serve as menus.

This is the face of new, high-end hotels in Africa. Nairobi has seen the construction of several upscale properties in recent years, as developers eye an increase in business travel to a continent with rising business prospects.

American Airlines inspecting jets for loose seats

American Airlines inspecting jets for loose seats

By DAVID KOENIG
AP Airlines Writer / October 1, 2012

DALLAS (AP) — The federal government is examining two separate incidents in which passenger seats came loose midflight on American Airlines planes in the last three days.

American said Monday that it would inspect those and six other Boeing 757 jets overnight.

The Federal Aviation Administration said both planes had recently undergone maintenance work that required seats to be removed and reinstalled. American spokeswoman Andrea Huguely said an initial review found that there could be a problem with the way the seats fit into tracks on the floor.

5 great travel deals in ‘next door’ cities

5 great travel deals in ‘next door’ cities

Save up to $71 a night by lodging outside a city you’re visiting
October 01, 2012|Charles Passy

For travelers headed to any number of major U.S. cities, it’s a tempting offer: a hotel room for up to 40% off the regular rate, no coupon or loyalty-club membership required.

The only catch? The room isn’t exactly in the heart of the city. In fact, it’s not in the city at all. Think Marietta, Ga., instead of Atlanta. Or Tacoma, Wash., instead of Seattle. Even New Jersey in place of New York.

Schwarzenegger kept many secrets from wife Maria

Schwarzenegger kept many secrets from wife Maria

October 1, 2012

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Arnold Schwarzenegger says his lifelong penchant for secrecy and ability to put his emotions "on deep freeze" led him to keep many secrets from his wife Maria Shriver, eventually causing the dissolution of their marriage when he was forced to admit he fathered a child with the family's housekeeper years earlier.

Throughout their strained 25-year marriage, Schwarzenegger says he did not want to tell Shriver about crucial life decisions such as major heart surgery and running for California governor because he feared she would overreact and tell her well-connected family and friends.

Justin Bieber threw up on stage during concert

Justin Bieber threw up on stage during concert

IANS | Oct 1, 2012

Teen sensation Justin Bieber has apologised to fans after he threw up on stage while performing.

He was performing in Glendale, Arizona, on the first stop of his Believe tour, Saturday night. He ran off the stage while dancers and a DJ continued to perform, before re-emerging and apologising to the audience.

"I am sorry, I am going to slow things down," digitalspy.co.uk quoted Bieber, 18, as saying.

European Stocks Advance After Spanish Stress-Test Results

European Stocks Advance After Spanish Stress-Test Results

Bloomberg News
By Tom Stoukas on October 01, 2012
European stocks advanced the most in two weeks as test results showed the stress to the Spanish banking system was less than estimated, outweighing weakening economic data from Asia. U.S. index futures climbed, while Asian shares fell.

Credit Agricole SA (ACA) rose 3.7 percent after starting talks to sell its unprofitable Greek unit. International Consolidated Airlines Group SA (IAG) climbed 1.7 percent after the International Air Transport Association raised its 2012 global airline-profit forecast. Banco Popular Espanol SA slumped the most in almost 15 years after announcing a capital-increase plan.

The Stoxx Europe 600 Index (SXXP) gained 0.9 percent to 270.85 at 11:35 a.m. in London. The benchmark gauge rallied 6.9 percent in the quarter ended Sept. 30 as the Federal Reserve and European Central Bank started bond-buying programs. The measure slid 1.2 percent on Sept. 28. Standard & Poor’s 500 Index futures added 0.4 percent today, while the MSCI Asia Pacific Index retreated 0.4 percent.

Lindsay Lohan scuffles with man in New York hotel

Lindsay Lohan scuffles with man in New York hotel

Sun Sep 30, 2012

(Reuters) - Actress Lindsay Lohan was involved in a scuffle with a man at a New York hotel on Sunday, police said, over what media reports described as her demand that photos of her be deleted from his cellphone.

Investigators took reports from both Lohan, 26, and the man, but charges appeared unlikely, said a spokeswoman for the New York City Police Department. A misdemeanor assault charge filed earlier in the day against the man was dropped, the spokeswoman said.

Police declined to confirm local media reports identifying the man as Christian LaBella, 25, of California, a staffer with Congressman John Shimkus, an Illinois Republican.

"Nobody's been arrested, there's no assault," the police spokeswoman told Reuters. "Reports were taken and both parties were able to give their account of what took place."

European media hail ‘Miracle of Medinah’ after historic Ryder Cup win

European media hail ‘Miracle of Medinah’ after historic Ryder Cup win

By Associated Press, Updated: Monday, October 1
LONDON — The Miracle of Medinah.

That summed up the reaction in the European media to Europe’s improbable victory in the Ryder Cup.
Europe’s historic comeback to beat the United States 14½-13½ at Medinah was celebrated on the front and back pages of European newspapers on Monday.

Nowhere was the win more special than in Spain, the home of European captain Jose Maria Olazabal and the late Ryder Cup stalwart Seve Ballesteros.

Spanish sports daily Marca ran a front-page headline: “This one is for you, Seve.”

New Travel Channel show goes behind the scenes at Miami International Airport

New Travel Channel show goes behind the scenes at Miami International Airport

By Associated Press, Published: September 30,2012

MIAMI — The Travel Channel has spent years telling stories about where people go, but now they’re doing a show on how people get there.

“Airport 24/7: Miami” offers viewers a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to move more than 100,000 travelers each day through Miami International Airport.

“We host a Super Bowl every day at MIA,” security director Lauren Stover said, comparing the number of travelers to attendance at the championship football game.

With thousands of employees running what can easily be compared to a small city, the show follows workers as they deal with terrorist threats, intercept drug smugglers, attend to medical emergencies, repair aircraft and secure an Air Force One landing, all the while trying to get the passengers to their flights and the planes in the sky on time.

Evidence tossed at start of papal butler's trial

Evidence tossed at start of papal butler's trial

By NICOLE WINFIELD, Associated Press

VATICAN CITY (AP) — The pope's once-trusted butler went on trial Saturday for allegedly stealing papal documents and passing them off to a journalist in the worst security breach of the Vatican's recent history — a case that embarrassed the Vatican and may shed some light on the discreet, internal workings of the papal household.
In its first hearing in the case, the three-judge tribunal threw out some evidence gathered during the investigation of butler Paolo Gabriele, who is charged with aggravated theft. It also decided to separate Gabriele's trial from that of his co-defendant, a computer expert charged with aiding and abetting the crime.
Gabriele is accused of taking the pope's correspondences, photocopying the documents and handing them off to Italian journalist Gianluigi Nuzzi, whose book "His Holiness: The secret papers of Pope Benedict XVI," was published to great fanfare in May.
Nuzzi has said his source, code-named "Maria" in the book, wanted to shed light on the secrets of the church that were damaging it. Taken as a whole, the documents seem aimed primarily at discrediting Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, the Vatican secretary of state and Benedict's longtime trusted deputy. Bertone, 77, a canon lawyer and soccer enthusiast, has frequently been criticized for perceived shortcomings in running the Vatican.

Rihanna, at Barclays Center opening, says she'll be pulling for Jay-Z's Nets

Rihanna, at Barclays Center opening, says she'll be pulling for Jay-Z's Nets

Adele's titanic '21' went with the demo versions; Ashley Greene shares a Wilde moment
NEW YORK DAILY NEWS

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2012

Sorry, Knicks — Rihanna has switched sides!
At the star-studded opening of Jay-Z’s 40/40 Club in the billion-dollar Barclays Center, the “We Found Love Singer” revealed her loyalties are now in Brooklyn.
With her mentor’s Brooklyn Nets.
“I have to support the Nets, they’re part of my clique!” she told Confidenti@l Thursday night.
Rihanna, who hours earlier flew in from London, looked stunning, as always, in a pajama-style, currency-inspired Acne Studios ensemble.
As “Birthday Cake,” her duet with ex-boyfriend Chris Brown, played in the background, she revealed she’d be appearing on stage with Jay during his sold-out run — and that there’s no place she rather be.
“When [Jay-Z] calls, I go,” Rihanna told us.
Jay looked pretty sharp, too — dressed in a black tux and bow tie. But he was missing his most fabulous accessory, wife Béyoncé. Earlier in the week, Hova denied reports she may be pregnant again.
Jay spent the night glad-handing the stadium’s investors on the eve of Friday’s night first show.
Among those congratulating him were New York Police Commissioner Ray Kelly and former Warner Group music executive Lyor Cohen, who noted that Manhattan’s elite once wouldn’t dream of traveling to Brooklyn.

Martin hits 3-run HR, Yankees beat Blue Jays 11-4

Martin hits 3-run HR, Yankees beat Blue Jays 11-4

 Sep 29, 2012 

TORONTO (AP) -- Fired up by a furious playoff race, Yankees catcher Russell Martin is finishing the season strong.

Martin hit a three-run homer, Eric Chavez added a two-run shot and New York maintained its one-game lead atop the AL East by beating the Toronto Blue Jays 11-4 on Friday night.
The victory let New York keep its slim lead over second-place Baltimore, which used six first-inning runs to beat Boston 9-1.
Martin, who has six home runs and 16 RBIs this month, said he's feeding off New York's battle with Baltimore.

China leaders stage show of unity after expelling Bo

China leaders stage show of unity after expelling Bo

By Chris Buckley
BEIJING | Sat Sep 29, 2012
(Reuters) - China's leaders put on a show of unity on Saturday after their damning accusations against disgraced politician Bo Xilai, whose expulsion from the Communist Party drew an outcry from leftist supporters in a sign of the rifts his prosecution could inflame.

Once a charismatic yet divisive star who stood out on China's stolid political stage, Bo is almost sure to face trial and jail after the ruling Communist Party announced his expulsion on Friday and issued a list of allegations: bending the law to hush up a murder, taking huge bribes and engaging in "improper sexual relations with multiple women".

The party buried Bo under the accusations at the same time that it announced a November 8 date for a congress that will anoint a new generation of top leaders - a lineup that Bo held barely disguised ambitions to join.

Reese Witherspoon gives birth to baby boy

Reese Witherspoon gives birth to baby boy

London, September 28, 2012
Reese Witherspoon and her husband Jim Toth welcomed their first child - a baby boy, on September 27, the actress’ representative has confirmed.

The couple have named the baby boy, Tennessee James, the Mirror reported. “Reese Witherspoon and husband Jim Toth welcomed Tennessee James into their family today,”


the representative told People magazine in a statement. “Both mom and baby are healthy and the entire family is thrilled,” the statement read.

Ke$ha: I Had Sex With A Ghost, Then Wrote A Song About It!

Ke$ha: I Had Sex With A Ghost, Then Wrote A Song About It!

Thursday, September 27th 2012

Besides that one time she shaved the side of her head and replaced the bald spot with metal studs (and that other time when she took a piss in the middle of the street), we haven’t heard too much from Ke$ha.

So we KNOW you’ve been wondering, “Hey … what’s up with Ke$ha? Where has she been? What has she been doing?”


Well, she’s been busy making music … and having sex with ghosts, which Ke$ha credits as the inspiration for her new song “Supernatural.”

When asked about her new song, Ke$ha explained to Ryan Seacrest on his KIIS FM morning radio show, “There are so many weird topics on this record from having sexy time with a ghost to getting hypnotized and going into past lives. I just really wanted the theme of this record to be the magic of life.”

 

Longoria homers in ninth to give Rays eighth straight win

Longoria homers in ninth to give Rays eighth straight win

By ROGER MOONEY | The Tampa Tribune
Published: September 27, 2012
Updated: September 28, 2012 - 7:10 AM

CHICAGO --
The offense, what little of it there was Thursday night, disappeared after the fifth inning. For those familiar with the script used by the Tampa Bay Rays earlier this season, that was a bad sign.

Fashion shows travel continents and eras in rich day at Paris Fashion week

Fashion shows travel continents and eras in rich day at Paris Fashion week

By Associated Press, Published: September 27,2012

PARIS — Paris fashion has no boundaries and no borders.

Thursday’s cultural melting pot of spring-summer 2013 shows was proof enough.
Curious designers, thirsty for new inspiration, ventured across the globe to bring new ideas and exotic cultures back to the catwalk.

Manish Arora traveled to northwestern India’s Rajasthan to bring Paris a vibrant infusion of traditional Indian dress and lavish regal jewelry.

Balmain’s creative nomad Olivier Rousteing, meanwhile, replaced last season’s muse — the Russian Empire’s Faberge Egg — to travel to the artisanal wicker-weavers of Cuba to give his summer collection a unique panache with its hints of in-vogue black.

Barbara Bui, who also opened with black, joined the expedition with geometric American Indian prints and tribal-looking dresses and foulards.

Taking another tack, Nina Ricci, forever a romantic Parisian gamine, traveled decades back in time to produce a nostalgic show with a modern twist.

Friday’s collections include Roland Mouret and Issey Miyake, as well as the debut ready-to-wear show for new Christian Dior designer Raf Simons.

Grown-ups line up for J.K. Rowling novel

Grown-ups line up for J.K. Rowling novel

New saga is far from Harry Potter fare, serving up doses of sex, satire and swearing

By Jill Lawless, The Associated Press September 28, 2012

British bookshops opened their doors early Thursday and some grown-up Harry Potter fans lined up overnight as J.K. Rowling launched her long-anticipated first book for adults, The Casual Vacancy.

The lines were shorter and the wizard costumes missing, but the book was published to some of the same fanfare that greeted each Potter tome, with stores wheeling out crates of the books precisely at 8 a.m. as part of a finely honed marketing strategy.

Published five years after the release of the last book in the boy wizard saga, The Casual Vacancy is already at No. 1 on Amazon's U.S. chart, and bookmaker William Hill put 2/1 odds on it outselling Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, which shifted 2.6 million copies in Britain on its first day.

Many of the early buyers were Harry Potter fans who, like the author, have moved on to more adult fare.

"I just like how much excitement there is about a book," said 23-yearold Grace Proctor, a "massive" Potter fan who was first to buy the book at one London store.

Facebook Lets Users Buy Real Things for Friends

Facebook Lets Users Buy Real Things for Friends

By SOMINI SENGUPTA
SEPTEMBER 27, 2012

Facebook on Thursday announced a new tool that offers users the opportunity to buy gifts for one another. It is the company’s latest test of whether users are willing to spend money on the social network – and it remains to be seen whether it will make money for the company.

The gifts range from cupcakes to sunglasses. Facebook will earn a slice of the proceeds from each transaction; a company spokesman declined to say how much but said each partner company had a different revenue-sharing arrangement.

Nicki Minaj Dishes On Feud Rumors With Mariah Carey On American Idol

Nicki Minaj Dishes On Feud Rumors With Mariah Carey On American Idol

September 25, 2012

LOS ANGELES, CALIF-Despite reports claiming a brewing storm between “American Idol” judges Nicki Minaj and Mariah Carey, the hip hop star tells Access Hollywood she’s done with her “diva-ness.”

Access Hollywood’s Michelle Beadle sat down with Nicki at the launch of her Pink Friday fragrance at Macy’s Herald Square in New York City on Monday where she dished about the reported drama with her fellow “Idol” judge.

“This season will be like you’ve never seen it before and I have to honestly say that,” she said of the FOX reality competition debuting this winter.

First and foremost, Nicki said she has the utmost respect for her fellow judge.

“Mariah’s a legend and I just want to say that… I’m sitting next to woman who’ve I looked up to since I can remember enjoying music. My mother and I bonded to Mariah and I told her that, before even ‘American Idol,’” she explained. “It’s obvious that we both have strong personalities, but ultimately, there’s respect there and I think if nothing else, it’ll make for really great TV.”

U.S. Economy Expanded Less Than Forecast in Second Quarter

U.S. Economy Expanded Less Than Forecast in Second Quarter

By Alex Kowalski - Sep 27, 2012
The economy in the U.S. grew less than previously forecast in the second quarter, reflecting slower gains in consumer spending and farm inventories.

The world’s largest economy expanded at a 1.3 percent pace from April through June after growing at a 2 percent rate in the first quarter. The revision compared with a prior estimate of 1.7 percent and the Bloomberg survey’s 1.7 percent median forecast.
Household purchases, which account for about 70 percent of the economy, rose at a 1.5 percent annual pace last quarter, the slowest in a year after a previously reported 1.7 percent gain. Purchases advanced at a 2.4 percent rate in the prior three- month period.
“Consumption is not good,” said Thomas Simons, an economist at Jefferies Group Inc. in New York. “Consumers are still driving GDP but only at a very modest pace.”

Which college grads score the best salaries

Which college grads score the best salaries

By Blake Ellis | CNNMoney.com

While many college graduates are struggling to find jobs, alumni from certain schools are regularly pulling in six-figure salaries.
For the second year in a row, Princeton University's students have been pulling in the biggest paychecks, according to new data from salary research site PayScale.com. This year, Princeton graduates with at least 10 years of experience in their field of work are earning an average salary of $137,000.
Rounding out the top 10, are Harvey Mudd College, California Institute of Technology, the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis, the United States Military Academy at West Point, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Lehigh University, the Polytechnic Institute of New York University, Babson College and Stanford College.
Graduates from these schools earned an average mid-career salary of $122,500 -- up 5% from last year. This year's increase follows three years of declines, according to PayScale.
The schools with the highest-paid graduates typically fall into one of two categories: They're either engineering schools, since engineering is the highest-paid major, or they're very prestigious, so companies tend to recruit these grads first -- and pay them handsomely -- when making hiring decisions.

Tentative deal reached ending NFL lockout

Tentative deal reached ending NFL lockout

September 27, 2012


(CBS/AP) NEW YORK — The National Football League and the referees' union reached a tentative contract agreement at midnight Thursday, ending an impasse that began in June when the league locked out the officials and used replacements instead.

"Our officials will be back on the field starting tomorrow (Thursday) night" for the Cleveland Browns-Baltimore Ravens game, Commissioner Roger Goodell said. "We appreciate the commitment of the NFLRA (National Football League Referees Association) in working through the issues to reach this important agreement."

With Goodell at the table, the sides concluded two days of talks with the announcement of a tentative 8-year deal, which must be ratified by 51 percent of the union's 121 members. They plan to vote Friday and Saturday.

TUI Travel sees encouraging winter holiday sales

TUI Travel sees encouraging winter holiday sales

LONDON | Thu Sep 27, 2012

(Reuters) - TUI Travel, the world's biggest tour operator, said it had sold more summer holidays this year than a year ago and that early sales of winter getaways had been encouraging.
The group, which owns Thomson and First Choice, on Thursday said it now had fewer holidays left to sell than at this stage last year. It said year-on-year summer holiday sales were up 6 percent in Northern Europe, 5 percent higher in central Europe and 2 percent up in Western Europe.

Large quakes can trigger others around the globe

Large quakes can trigger others around the globe

Posted on September 27, 2012 by Kate Taylor

Very large earthquakes like last April's Sumatra quake can set off others around the world for at least a week, including one as far away as Baja California.
The Sumatra quake, a magnitude 8.6 temblor, did little damage, but was the tenth largest in the last 100 years. Like some other recent large quakes, it triggered small quakes during the three hours it took for seismic waves to travel through the Earth's crust.

But according to seismologists from the University of California, Berkeley, and the US Geological Survey (USGS), it had longer-term effects too, triffering some faults to break up six days later.

Madonna: Calling Obama a Muslim meant to be "ironic"

September 26, 2012

Madonna: Calling Obama a Muslim meant to be "ironic"

By Stephanie Condon Topics Campaign 2012
(CBS News) Madonna has clarified that when she referred to President Obama as a Muslim during a performance Monday night, it was just part of her act.

At a concert in Washington, D.C. on Monday, the pop star told her audience, "Y'all better vote for f******g Obama, OK? For better or for worse, we have a black Muslim in the White House. That's some amazing s**t. It means there is hope in this country."

All Cars Will Be Driverless

All Cars Will Be Driverless in 20 Years: Bob Lutz

By Morgan Korn | Daily Ticker

Driverless cars are no longer science fiction — they're reality.
California became the second state (the first was Nevada) to approve autonomous, self-driving cars on the road. Jerry Brown, governor of California, signed the bill at Google's (GOOG) headquarters in Mountain View, Calif., on Tuesday.
Google has trumpeted its computer-controlled cars and claims that its modified, driverless Toyota (TM) Priuses and Lexus RX 450h cars have logged more than 300,000 miles on busy highways and roads without an accident. (Google did say that one of its Priuses was involved in a minor accident last year).

Yahoo CFO to make up to $18 million over four years

Yahoo CFO to make up to $18 million over four years

Wed Sep 26, 2012

(Reuters) - Yahoo Inc Chief Financial Officer Ken Goldman will receive up to $18 million in salary, bonuses, restricted stock and stock options over the next four years, according to a regulatory filing.

Goldman will get $1.1 million in salary and bonus, and receive restricted stock units and performance-based stock options worth as much as $12 million that will vest over four years.

Japan, China top diplomats discuss island dispute

Japan, China top diplomats discuss island dispute

By Matthew Pennington on September 26, 2012

NEW YORK (AP) — The top diplomats of China and Japan went a little way to patching up ties frayed by an island dispute that has sparked violent anti-Japan demonstrations but appeared no closer to resolving their conflicting claims.

China's Yang Jiechi and his Japanese counterpart Koichiro Gemba met Tuesday for about one hour on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly to discuss tensions over the uninhabited islands that are administered by Japan but also claimed by China.

Global travel and tourism ’fairly optimistic’

Global travel and tourism ’fairly optimistic’

September 26 2012
The state of travel and tourism globally looks fairly “optimistic”‚ especially amidst the global economic slowdown‚ SA’s Tourism Minister Marthinus van Schalkwyk said on Wednesday.

The minister was speaking at The World Tourism Day business breakfast in East London‚ Eastern Cape.

According to Minister Van Schalkwyk‚ globally‚ tourism was a leading export sector‚ accounting for 30% of the world’s services exports‚ estimated at US$1-trillion a year.

“It now also constitutes 45% of the total services exports in developing countries and makes a significant source of export revenue for our country. In 2011‚ travel and tourism exports constituted 67.9% of all services exports from our country‚” the minister said.

Green Bay Packers stunned by final call in 14-12 loss to Seattle Seahawks

Green Bay Packers stunned by final call in 14-12 loss to Seattle Seahawks

September 25, 2012 ( SEATTLE) -- M.D. Jennings was convinced he had the ball pinned to his chest the entire time and would be awarded an interception to cap Green Bay's comeback victory.
A crew of replacement officials had other views - the ones that counted.

The result is a bizarre ending that gave the Seattle Seahawks a 14-12 victory Monday night that capped a tough weekend for the replacement refs.

"I was very shocked," Jennings said. "But, the refs got the last say, so it is what it is."

Russell Wilson threw a disputed 24-yard touchdown pass to Golden Tate on the final play of the game, a game that finally ended 10 minutes later when both teams were brought back on the field for the extra point.

Apple supplier’s factory in China resumes production after brawl highlights labor tensions

Apple supplier’s factory in China resumes production after brawl highlights labor tensions

By Associated Press, Published: September 25,2012

BEIJING — A factory in China owned by the manufacturer of Apple’s iPhones resumed production Tuesday after a brawl by workers highlighted tensions that labor groups say were worsened by the pressure of a new iPhone launch.

Foxconn Technology Group and police said the cause of the unrest Sunday night was under investigation, but labor activists said the rollout of the iPhone 5 has led to longer working hours and more pressure on workers. Foxconn and police said as many as 2,000 employees were involved in the brawl and 40 people were reported injured.
The iPhone 5 debuted last week in the United States and eight other countries and Apple has a three- to four-week backlog of online orders. Foxconn has declined to say whether its one-day suspension of production Monday in Taiyuan might affect supplies. It did not respond to a request for comment on the labor groups’ claims.

Increasing bank fees make free checking accounts increasingly harder to find

Increasing bank fees make free checking accounts increasingly harder to find

By Associated Press, Published: September 24/2012

CHICAGO — Truly free checking accounts are becoming rarer as banks add more fees to boost their profits.

Only 39 percent of non-interest checking accounts are free to all customers, according to survey results released Monday by financial data publisher Bankrate.com. That’s down from 45 percent last year and 76 percent in 2009.
Among other fees, the average monthly service fee on checking accounts is a record $5.48, up 25 percent from the Bankrate survey a year ago. Also, the average fee charged by an ATM operator to a non-customer rose 4 percent to a record $2.50, Bankrate said.

Agencies optimistic for stronger profits in 2012 and 2013

Agencies optimistic for stronger profits in 2012 and 2013

Lina Rokou - 25 September 2012
For the first time in several years, the percentage of corporate agencies seeing a decrease in performance was less than leisure agencies. Whereas many corporate agencies reported increased performance for revenue and transactions, most failed to see an increase in their client list, suggesting that the revenue increase is not related to an increased clientele.

Alexandria, VA –In response to a recent survey, ASTA found that that most agencies saw stronger revenue and transaction volume in the first half of 2012 as compared to 2011. Further, the survey found agencies expect to see a stronger profit in 2012 and 2013, returning to pre-2009 profit levels.

Bank of America Ramps Up Job Cuts

Bank of America Ramps Up Job Cuts

By DAN FITZPATRICK
September 20, 2012
Bank of America Corp. BAC +1.41% is accelerating a broad cost-cutting plan and has set a target of shedding 16,000 jobs by year's end—cuts that would see the company relinquish its title as U.S. banking's largest employer.
The reductions for the final six months of the year, outlined in a document given to top management, are part of a larger effort to retool Bank of America into a leaner and more focused enterprise. The plan is designed to make the company take less risk, generate more revenue out of existing customers and use an investment banking operation inherited from Merrill Lynch & Co. to become a major deal maker around the world.
On Main Street, the refocused company will have fewer branches and a smaller mortgage operation, the document shows.

Singer Fiona Apple Arrested on Drug Charges

Singer Fiona Apple Arrested on Drug Charges

Fiona Apple, the Grammy-winning singer, was arrested on Wednesday at a border checkpoint in Texas on a felony drug possession charge. The arrest came after a search of her tour bus, and she spent the night in jail in Sierra Blanca.

The small west Texas town of Sierra Blanca has gained quite a reputation in nabbing celebrities, with previous occasions involving Arnie Hammer, the “Social Network” actor, singer Willie Nelson, and rapper Snoop Dogg – all being on drug charges.

Top 10 Biergartens around the world

Top 10 Biergartens around the world

Fri Sep 21, 2012

LONDON, Sept 21 (Reuters) - NEW YORK, Sept 21 (Reuters) -
Bavaria's King Max Joseph I decreed in 1812 that beer could be
drunk where it was brewed and food could be served there too,
giving birth to the Biergarten (Beer garden) 200 years ago. This
weekend Oktoberfest begins in Munich, so to mark the
bicentennial of the Biergarten and the start of Bavaria's most
famous festival online travel consultants Cheapflights.com
(www.cheapflights.com) have created a list of the top 10 beer
gardens around the world.

1. Hirschgarten, Munich, Germany

Universal expects significant income from EMI asset sales

Universal expects significant income from EMI asset sales

BRUSSELS, Sept 21 | Fri Sep 21, 2012

(Reuters) - Universal Music expects to make significant income from the sale of a package of assets ordered by EU regulators to secure clearance for its $1.9 billion buy of EMI's recorded music business, the music group said on Friday.

Vivendi-owned Universal said the value of the assets amounted to 30 percent of EMI's global revenues or 10 percent of the combined entity's turnover.