Taylor Swift's Ex Joe Jonas Swears 'Never Ever' Is Not About Him

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Taylor Swift's Ex Joe Jonas Swears 'Never Ever' Is Not About Him

Jonas says her latest break-up tune is not about him because they never 'tried another time.'
By Gil Kaufman
2012/8/16
Scratch one name off the list: Joe Jonas. While speculation has run rampant about which one of her former boyfriends Taylor Swift is smacking down in her new hit "We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together,"
 Jonas has stepped forward to say that he's pretty sure the tune is not about him.

"I can say it's not about me, because I don't think we've ever tried another time," Jonas told 94.7 Fresh FM when asked if he thought the fast-selling
 song was about him or another Swift ex, singer John Mayer.
Pressed about the subject, Jonas was adamant, adding with a laugh, "I can tell you it's not about me ... I like the song. That said, I think the song is great ...Taylor does pop music really well and I'm happy for her."

Drought intensifies in Kansas, Nebraska

 Drought intensifies in Kansas, Nebraska

JIM SUHR, AP Business Writer, By JIM SUHR,
Thursday, August 16, 2012
ST. LOUIS (AP) — A new report suggests that while recent rains stabilized the devastating drought gripping Iowa and other key farming states, the dry conditions intensified in Kansas and Nebraska.

The latest U.S. Drought Monitor map released Thursday shows the overall expanse of land across the contiguous U.S. states weathering some form of drought dropped less than 1 percent to 61.8 percent as of Tuesday.

In Iowa, the nation's leader in corn production, the amount of land mired in extreme or exceptional drought — the two worst classifications — dropped 7 percentage points to 62.05 percent over the past week.

Housing Starts In U.S. Fall As Permits Reach Four-Year High

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Housing Starts In U.S. Fall As Permits Reach By Four-Year High

Shobhana Chandra - Aug 16

New-home construction in the U.S. fell in July, while the number of building permits jumped to the highest level in four years, indicating the industry will keep improving in the second half of the year.
Starts fell 1.1 percent to a 746,000 annual rate from June’s 754,000 pace, Commerce Department figures showed today in Washington. The median estimate of 79 economists surveyed by Bloomberg News called for 756,000. Building permits, a proxy for future construction, rose to an 812,000 pace,

Jobless Claims In U.S. Little Changed As Market Stable

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Jobless Claims In U.S. Little Changed As Market By Stable

Michelle Jamrisko and Shobhana Chandra - Aug 16

The number of Americans filing applications for unemployment benefits was little changed last week, bringing the average over the past month to the lowest level since late March, a sign the labor market has stabilized after employment picked up in July.

Jobless claims climbed by 2,000 to 366,000 in the week ended Aug. 11, Labor Department figures showed today in Washington. The median forecast of 45 economists surveyed by Bloomberg News

More than 40 killed in airstrike in Syria Read more: http://www.ctvnews.ca/world/more-than-40-killed-in-airstrike-in-syria-1.916332#ixzz23j2xJAW4

More than 40 killed in airstrike in Syria

The Associated Press
Published Thursday, Aug. 16, 2012

BEIRUT -- Syrian government airstrikes on a residential neighbourhood in a rebel-held town killed over 40 people and wounded at least 100 others including many women and children, international watchdog Human Rights Watch said Thursday.

Priscilla, Lisa Marie Presley surprise Elvis vigil fans

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Priscilla, Lisa Marie Presley surprise Elvis vigil fans

Aug 16, 2012
By Ann Oldenburg, USA TODAY

The thousands of fans who lit candles at Wednesday night's Graceland vigil to mark the 35th anniversary of Elvis Presley's death got quite a surprise.

For the first time, Priscilla Presley and daughter Lisa Marie appeared together at the annual gathering. Elvis died at home in 1977 from a heart attack after battling prescription drug abuse. He was 42.

Perfect game: 'I deserved this,' Felix Hernandez says

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Perfect game: 'I deserved this,' Felix Hernandez says

By John Hickey, Special for USA TODAY
2012/8/16
SEATTLE – You can always tell a Felix Hernandez start at Safeco Field.
A crowd of several hundred, sometimes more, gathers in the left-field corner with one goal in mind — rooting home King Felix, the ace of the Seattle Mariners rotation. They wear yellow "King's Court" T-shirts, screech for strikeouts and bellow when he gets one.
So at that level, Wednesday's game was no different from many other games with Hernandez pitching at home for the Mariners. But as the innings stretched on and the outs piled up, it became apparent that this was going to be a special day, even for the high standards of the 2010 Cy Young Award winner.
MORE: 'King Felix' dominant in sixth no-hitter of season

$337M Powerball drawing: One winning ticket sold

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$337M Powerball drawing: One winning ticket sold

August 16, 2012
(CBS/AP) DETROIT - A lone winning ticket in the $337 million Powerball drawing has been sold at a Michigan gas station but the identity of the lucky owner was still unknown.

The winning numbers in the Wednesday night drawing were 6, 27, 46, 51, 56 and Powerball 21.

"It turns out that it was the third largest Powerball jackpot ever and the seventh largest jackpot in U.S. history. It ... (had a) cash value of $241 million," said Michigan Lottery spokesperson Andi Brancatto.

Bill Gates launches toilet reinvention crusade

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Bill Gates launches toilet reinvention crusade

Billionaire hopes next-generation super bowls will make a splash within 3 years
The Associated Press Posted: Aug 15, 2012

These aren't your typical loos. One uses microwave energy to transform human waste into electricity. Another captures urine and uses it for flushing. And still another turns excrement into charcoal.
They are part of a Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation competition to reinvent the toilet for the 2.5 billion people around the world who don't have access to modern sanitation.

Scientists from around the world have taken up the challenge, and the foundation announced some

Closer Look at Hiroki Kuroda's Performance in Yankees' Shutout of Rangers

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Closer Look at Hiroki Kuroda's Performance in Yankees' Shutout of Rangers

By Ray Monell
2012/8/15

New York Yankees right-hander Hiroki Kuroda (W, 11-8) ran roughshod over the Texas Rangers Tuesday night, throwing a two-hit, 3-0 shutout before 44,533 at Yankee Stadium to clinch the three-game series for his club.
His no-hit bid was broken up by Elvis Andrus' infield leadoff single in the seventh, but Nick Swisher's two-run home run off reliever Alexi Ogando in the bottom of the inning broke a scoreless tie. Mark Teixeira went back-to-back with Swisher, going yard off Ogando to give New York a three-run lead, and Kuroda--who threw 109 pitches (74 strikes)--went on to toss his second complete-game shutout

Rashida Jones Jokes That John Travolta Should Come Out, Apologizes on Twitter

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Rashida Jones Jokes That John Travolta Should Come Out, Apologizes on Twitter

August 15th, 2012 by Free Britney

Rashida Jones is apologizing after giving an interview in which she jokingly suggested that it's time for John Travolta to come out of the closet.

Jones was speaking to the website Spinning Platters ("a community of Bay Area music nerds") about her new film Celeste and Jesse Forever.

The conversation turned to Frank Ocean, the musician who recently announced he's bisexual, and the cultural impact of that surprise admission.

Julia Child Gets Auto-Tuned to Celebrate Her 100th Birthday

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Julia Child Gets Auto-Tuned to Celebrate Her 100th Birthday

08/15/2012 
 By people.com
We knew she could cook – but who knew she could sing?

In honor of the late Julia Child's birthday – she would have turned 100 on Aug. 15 – the folks at PBS have remixed and auto-tuned a series of clips of the celebrated cook roasting, basting and frosting.

The result? A delightful (and very musical) confection that may have you tapping your foot along as Child chops.

In the clip (watch it below), she "sings" about hot chocolate truffles, the key to a healthy and balanced diet and even shares a recipe or two.

Recently, another beloved PBS fixture – Mr. Rogers – got the auto-tune treatment in a funny video.

Child, who is recognized and celebrated for bringing French cooking to America in her debut cookbook Mastering the Art of French Cooking and on

Homebuilder Confidence In U.S. Increases To Five-Year High

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Homebuilder Confidence In U.S. Increases To Five-Year High

By Shobhana Chandra - Aug 15, 2012
Confidence among U.S. homebuilders climbed in August to the highest level in more than five years, affirming the improvement in residential construction.
The National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo builder confidence index rose to 37, higher than projected and the best showing since February 2007, according to figures from the Washington-based group released today. The median forecast in a Bloomberg survey of economists called for no change from July’s 35. Readings below 50 mean more respondents said conditions were poor.
Builders such as PulteGroup Inc. (PHM) are benefiting as less- expensive properties and record-low mortgage rates entice buyers. At the same time, faster hiring and fewer foreclosures are needed to

Riverside County's 3,000-acre Buck fire 15% contained

Riverside County's 3,000-acre Buck fire 15% contained

August 15, 2012

By latimesblogs.latimes.com

Crews made some progress on the 3,000-acre wildfire burning in Riverside County, with officials reporting 15% containment early Wednesday morning, up from 5% the night before.
The so-called Buck fire began just before 1 p.m. Tuesday near the community of Aguanga, a sparsely populated area south of Hemet and east of Temecula. The fire has ripped through dry brush and grasslands, prompting the evacuation of more than 30 homes and seriously injuring one resident, according to Cal Fire.

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NY man suspected of faking own drowning arrested

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NY man suspected of faking own drowning arrested

By By FRANK ELTMAN
AP / August 15, 2012

BABYLON, N.Y. (AP) — A man suspected of faking his own drowning at a New York beach in a scheme to collect on a life insurance policy was arrested Wednesday at the hospital where he was receiving psychiatric treatment.

Raymond Roth arrived at state park police headquarters in handcuffs wearing a blue polo shirt and white pants. He didn’t speak to reporters.

So who goes: Bobby Valentine, or Red Sox players?

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So who goes: Bobby Valentine, or Red Sox players?

Aug 15, 2012
By Gabe Lacques, USA TODAY
Two seasons stick out on Bobby Valentine's managing resume.

His only two postseason appearances came in 1999 and 2000 with the Mets. He's managed three major league franchises and only with the Mets does he have a winning record. Valentine has more winning seasons than not, but never has won a division title.
Right now, making the playoffs is a more difficult challenge than getting over .500 for the Red Sox, but the degree of difficulty for both increased with Tuesday's reports that some players told ownership they couldn't play for him.

MORE: Players vs. Valentine

Manufacturing In New York Area Unexpectedly Shrank In August

Manufacturing In New York Area Unexpectedly Shrank In August

By Caroline Fairchild - Aug 15, 2012
Manufacturing in the New York area unexpectedly contracted in August for the first time in 10 months, indicating U.S. factories are burdened by the global economic slowdown.
The Federal Reserve Bank of New York’s general economic index fell to minus 5.9 this month from 7.4 in July. The median estimate in a Bloomberg survey of economists was 7.0. Readings less than zero signal contraction in the so-called Empire State Index, which covers New York, northern New Jersey and southern Connecticut.

James puts a lighthearted slant on Einstein's genius

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James puts a lighthearted slant on Einstein's genius

August 14, 2012

By thisiscornwall.co.uk

Anyone who found schooling a trial will be encouraged to know that Albert Einstein did too. In fact this German-born Nobel Prize winner, whose name has become synonymous with genius, felt so out of place in an academic institution that he left at 15 with no formal qualifications.

Considered one of the great scientific brains of the modern world, young Albert didn't talk until he was five either – but suddenly burst out into full sentences as if waiting until he had something weighty to say. He did. Einstein's most singular talent was cogitating upon the big questions – time,

Mating with Neanderthals is off-again, on-again

Mating with Neanderthals is off-again, on-again

By JOHN TIMMER
2012/8/14

One of the odd aspects of scientific peer review is that, because it's handled anonymously, you sometimes have no idea someone else is working on the same problem, preparing a paper at the same time. That seems to have been the case with a couple of papers that have appeared online over the last couple of days on the subject of what our ancestors may or may not have done with Neanderthals.

Mutated butterflies found near Fukushima

Mutated butterflies found near Fukushima

20123/8/14

By chron.com

Researchers found dozens of mutated butterflies near the site of the nuclear accident in Fukushima, prompting officials to say it’s the first sign of damage to the ecosystem.

According to NBC News, researcher Joji Otaki of the University of Ryukyus found mutation in roughly 12 percent of 144 commonly-found pale grass blue butterflies collected two months after the March 2011 disaster at the Fukushima nuclear plant.

Even more alarming, researcher said the mutation increased to 28 percent six months later and more than 50 percent of the offspring showed some signs of mutation.

Researchers said the butterflies has disfigured antennas, smaller-sized wings, indented eyes and different color patterns, NBC News reported.

Usain Bolt refuses to race in UK until tax laws are changed

Usain Bolt refuses to race in UK until tax laws are changed

Triple London 2012 Olympic champion Usain Bolt has refused to compete in the UK again until the country changes its tax laws.
By Andrew 14 Aug 2012

The sprinter, who won gold medals in the 100m, 200m and 4x100m relay at the Games in London, objects to a law that sees him taxed on global sponsorship and endorsement earnings as well as any appearance fee - levied at the 50pc higher earning rate - when he competes in Britain.
And despite setting a new world record during the Olympics, the 25 year-old, who earns an estimated