Stuff from Today's Show

Largest Python Ever Caught In Florida Captured By Jason Leon, Miami Man

2013-05-22T16:49:00Z

A Miami man has captured, killed, and reported the largest Burmese python ever caught in Florida, according to Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officials.

Jason Leon was driving in a rural section of southwest Miami-Dade on May 11 when he and his passengers spotted a large snake in the road.

Leon pulled over to investigate the reptile, then only sticking out three feet from a bush. As he began to drag the animal out from the foliage, the Burmese python began to wrap itself around Leon's leg.

His friends inside the car then jumped out and used a knife to kill the python, which turned out to be a18-foot, 8-inch female, as later identified by University of Florida experts.

(Story continues after photo.)

FWC officials says that Leon, whom Local 10 identified as living in Hialeah, once owned a Burmese python himself and knew how to handle the 128-pound snake, which is an invasive species credited with hurting the Everglades ecosystem and its native wildlife.

Leon's snake is a whole foot longer than the previous record-holding snake of 17-feet, 7-inches, captured last August in the Everglades.

"The FWC is grateful to him both for safely removing such a large Burmese python and for reporting its capture,” said Kristen Sommers, FWC's Exotic Species Coordination Section Leader.

“This event highlights how the Exotic Species hotline allows the public to help us obtain more information about Burmese pythons, so we can improve management of this invasive species. It also reflects the cooperative efforts of the FWC and its partners to address python sightings by the public.”

National Confectioners Association Study Says Eating Candy Won't Make You Fat: 4 Studies That Contradict Findings

2013-05-22T13:53:00Z

Candy lovers may be excited to hear of a new study that found that eating candy doesn't have negative health risks. For full disclosure, the study was funded by the National Confectioners Association, a trade group that represents the candy, chocolate, and gum industry.

"Limited information is available regarding the impact of candy consumption on health," write the authors of the National Confectioners Association study. "The purpose of this study was to investigate associations between typical frequency of candy consumption and body weight status and select cardiovascular risk factors among adults in the United States."

The National Confectioners Association study found that candy consumption has no association with obesity, increased waist circumference, elevated skinfold thickness, blood pressure, low density lipoprotein (LDL) or high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, triglycerides, or insulin resistance. Additionally, the study found that increased candy consumption was not related to cardiovascular risk factors.

"We did not find an association between frequency of candy intake and BMI or cardiovascular risk factors among adults," shares lead author Mary M. Murphy, MS, RD of Exponent®, Inc., Center for Chemical Regulation & Food Safety, in a statement.

"In contrast to what is often assumed, the present study showed that increased frequency of candy consumption was not associated with obesity or cardiovascular risk factors including blood pressure, lipid profile, and insulin sensitivity," write the authors in their discussion.

That said, the National Confectioners Association study did find a correlation between increased candy consumption and "higher energy intakes and higher energy adjusted intakes of carbohydrates, total sugars and added sugars, total fat, saturated fatty acids and monounsaturated fatty acids, and lower adjusted intakes of protein and cholesterol."

"There is a place for little pleasures, such as candy, in life. A little treat in moderation can have a positive impact on mood and satisfaction, and as emerging research suggests, minimal impact on diet and health risk," said Laura Shumow, MHS, Director of Scientific and Regulatory Affairs, National Confectioners Association, in a statement.

The National Confectioners Association study may seem hard to believe, but a previous candy study mimicks their findings: A 2011 study from the Louisiana State University Agricultural Center found thatpeople who consume candy and chocolates have smaller waists, weigh less and have a lower body mass index (BMI) than their counterparts who do not indulge in candy and chocolates.

That said, the National Confectioners Association study should be taken with a grain of salt, as other studies have found many risks with consuming too much chocolate and candies. Here are four studies that contradict the findings of the National Confectioners Association study:

1. Sugar's role in cavity formation in teeth has been a long accepted fact, but a recent study found that sour candies do just as much damage, if not more, when it comes to your teeth. Sour candies are acidic and as such, they create a greater risk of dental erosion.

2. A 2010 University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill study found that snacking (including candy) is a major cause of childhood obesity.

3. A key component of candy is sugar, and new studies suggest that sugar is toxic. Researchers from the University California-Davis have found that excess consumption of high fructose corn syrup increases bad cholesterol, which puts people at risk of heart disease.

4. A recent study from Stanford University has found that obesity isn't responsible for increased rates in diabetes, but instead, sugar is.

Pot Smokers Have Smaller Waists Than Non-Smokers, Study Finds

2013-05-22T13:14:00Z

Hunger is a well-known side effect smoking marijuana, and all those burritos, ice cream, and Bagel Bites have to take a toll on your waistline, right? Well, according to new research published in the The American Journal of Medicine, cannabis enthusiasts may very well be overweight, but weed isn't to blame.

Researchers found that people who regularly smoke marijuana actually have lower levels of fasting insulin and are less likely to be insulin resistant. What's more, the study found that current marijuana smokers are likely to have smaller waist circumferences than non-smokers. All of these are factors in diabetes risk, with pot smoking lowering that risk.

Looking at data from over 4,600 patients—roughly 45 percent of which had never smoked or ingested pot, 43 percent had smoked pot in the past but didn't currently, and 12 percent were regular smokers—the study found that those people who had smoked in the past month had 16 percent lower fasting insulin levels than people who had never smoked pot. They also had lower levels of HOMA-IR (insulin resistance), along with higher levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ("good" cholesterol).

As for the part about smaller waists, this research found similar results to previous research that has found that even though regular marijuana users have, on average, higher levels of caloric intake—yes, if you didn't already know, the stereotype is backed up with research—there is an association with smoking pot and lower body mass index.

The researchers note that all the data on frequency of marijuana use is self-reported, which may mean that people underestimate their use of pot or deny using it at all, but underestimation would tend to skew the results toward a lower association between more pot use and lower fasting insulin levels.

It is possible that the inverse association in fasting insulin levels and insulin resistance seen among current marijuana users could be in part due to changes in usage patterns among those with a diagnosis of diabetes. However, after we excluded those subjects with a diagnosis of diabetes, the associations between marijuana use and insulin levels, HOMA-IR, waist circumference, and HDL-C were similar and remained statistically significant.

In other recent pot-isn't-nearly-as-bad-for-you-as-you-were-told news, The Oncology Report writes that a new survey of pot smokers in the US, Canada, UK, and New Zealand shows that regular marijuana smokers "are no more likely to develop lung cancer than are more likely to develop lung cancer than are people who indulge occasionally."

Furthermore,

In an analysis of marijuana smokers that excluded tobacco smokers, there were no significant differences in any of the comparisons, including habitual versus non-habitual use; number of joints smoked per day; duration of up to 20 years or a duration of more than 20 years.

That said, one of the report's authors, Dr Michael Alberts, reminds us that smoking anything isn't particularly good for the respiratory system. And before you start to argue that smoking weed is a viable diet plan, be forewarned that a combination of a good diet and regular exercise is probably a better idea.

Oklahoma City tornado survivor finds dog alive under rubble of house

2013-05-21T17:09:00Z

The woman was talking to a reporter from CBS affiliate KWTV about her devastation at the loss of her home and her dog, when a member of the film crew spotted the animal crawling out of the ruins of the house in the flattened suburb of Moore.

"Well I thought God just answered one prayer to let me be OK, but he answered both of them, because this was my second prayer," the woman cried as she hugged her pet.

The news is one positive story to come out of an otherwise tragic turn of events, which has seen entire neighbourhoods wiped out by the ferocity of one of the most powerful tornadoes ever recorded in the US.

At least 24 people, including several children, are believed to have died so far and President Barack Obama has declared a major disaster in Oklahoma.

Fecal Contamination Found In 58% Of Public Pool Samples, CDC Finds

2013-05-21T15:12:00Z

There's a lot of grossness going on in public pools.

A new Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report shows that more than half of public pool samples contain E. Coli bacteria -- a sign of fecal contamination. That's right, poop bacteria.

How exactly does this bacteria get in the pool? Well, one way is exactly how you think it does -- when people have a "fecal incident" in the pool. Another common way is when someone enters the pool without showering first, and the bacteria sheds off the body and into the water.

The report is based on 161 water samples taken from metro-Atlanta public pools last summer. Researchers tested the samples for all sorts of bacteria, including E. coli, which was found in 58 percent of the pool water samples, and P. aeruginosa, which was found in 59 percent of the samples.

"Although this study focused on microbial DNA in filters (not on illnesses), these findings indicate the need for swimmers to help prevent introduction of pathogens(e.g., taking a pre-swim shower and not swimming when ill with diarrhea), aquatics staff to maintain disinfectant level and pH according to public health standards to inactivate pathogens, and state and local environmental health specialists to enforce such standards," the researchers wrote in the report.

Recently, a study from the Water Quality and Health Council found that one in five people say they've relieved themselves in a public pool, Blisstree reported. And seven in 10 people say they don't shower before getting into a public pool.

Florida girl, 18, arrested and expelled after relationship with 15-year-old female classmate

2013-05-21T14:54:00Z

An 18-year-old Florida student’s senior year has become a nightmare — all because she was in a same-sex relationship with a 15-year-old, her family says.

Kaitlyn Hunt was arrested Feb. 16 for having a physical relationship with a younger classmate, who was her girlfriend at the time, mom Kelley Hunt Smith wrote on Facebook.

Under Florida law, Hunt could see up to 15 years in prison and must register as a sex offender. A plea deal, however, remains on the table that would give Hunt two years' house arrest and one year of probation, her family said.

“Does my daughter deserve to lose her life for 15 years, or 3 years, or to have no life, because of one choice she made in high school, absolutely not!!” Hunt Smith wrote Friday, adding, “This is a mother’s nightmare.”

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Hunt could see up to 15 years in prison and have to register as a sex offender.

The distraught mom and her family has launched an online campaign asking supporters to petition the State Attorney’s office in Indian River County and have them reconsider the charges.

“The (assistant) state attorney, Brian Workman needs to use taxpayers money to prosecute REAL criminals, not a high school student who has never been in trouble a day in her young life, all because she had a mutual consenting relationship with someone who has bigoted parents,” wrote Hunt Smith, who didn’t immediately return a call seeking comment Sunday.

Hunt’s uncle, Andrew Gay, told the Daily News that the girls were in the same social circle at Sebastian River High School and played together on the basketball team.

COURTESY KELLEY HUNT

Kaitlyn Hunt, 18, with mom Kelley Hunt Smith, who is defending her daughter after she was arrested for having a relationship with a 15-year-old female student. The age of consent in Florida is 18.

In September, after Hunt turned 18, she and the other girl, a freshman, began dating and expressed their relationship in “intimate ways,” the family said.

But when the basketball coach found out about their relationship, Hunt was thrown off the team and the other girl’s parents were notified.

The parents then told police, and a phone call was recorded between their daughter and Hunt in which the girls discussed their relationship, Gay said.

The age of consent in Florida is 18.

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Both Hunt and her girlfriend played on the basketball team. After the coach learned of their relationship, Hunt was thrown off the team and her girlfriend's parents notified. Eventually, Hunt was arrested on two counts of felony lewd and lascivious battery on a child ages 12 to 16.

Hunt was arrested on two counts of felony lewd and lascivious battery on a child ages 12 to 16, jail records show.

Her family was devastated.

“We certainly aren’t saying that all 18-year olds anywhere should be able to date all 15-year olds,” Gay said. “But this is a situation where these two girls were in the same social circle, on the same basketball team. I just don’t think Kaitlyn looked at this girl and thought, 'She’s a certain age, so she’s off limits to me.'”

A Change.org petition wants supporters to as prosecutors to ‘stop the hate’ and rescind felony charges against Kaitlyn Hunt.

Hunt Smith claims the other family was upset because their daughter was in a same-sex relationship and believed that Hunt had somehow “made” their daughter gay.

“Of course I see it 100% different,” Hunt Smith wrote. “I don’t see or label these girls as gay. They are teenagers in high school experimenting with their sexuality, all teens do it in one form or another. ... And even if their daughter is gay, who cares, she is still their daughter.”

Hunt was expelled from the high school and agreed to have no contact with the other girl. She also transferred to an alternative high school.

Although she’ll be allowed to walk with the graduating class at Sebastian River High School, her final year — and future — has been tainted by scandal.

“Should the girls have made better choices, YES. I agree," Hunt Smith said, "but is this criminal, no."

The State Attorney’s Office in Indian River County couldn’t immediately be reached for comment.

Regardless of whether the family takes the plea, Gay said, a felony child abuse charge will ruin his niece’s future and her dream of one day becoming a nurse.

“She’s been a great student, so bright and not troubled at all,” Gay said. “She was voted ‘most school spirit.’ What’s happened to her now is ridiculous.”

Ray Manzarek dead at 74; The Doors keyboardist death follows cancer battle

2013-05-21T13:21:00Z

Ray Manzarek, a founding member of the 1960s rock group The Doors whose versatile and often haunting keyboards complemented Jim Morrison's gloomy baritone and helped set the mood for some of rock's most enduring songs, has died. He was 74.

Manzarek died Monday in Rosenheim, Germany, surrounded by his family, said publicist Heidi Robinson-Fitzgerald. She said the musician's manager, Tom Vitorino, confirmed Manzarek died after being stricken with bile duct cancer.

The Doors' original lineup, which also included drummer John Densmore and guitarist Robbie Krieger, was only together for a few years and they only made six studio albums. But the band has retained a large and obsessive following decades after Morrison's 1971 death. The Doors have sold more than 100 million records and songs such as "Light My Fire" and "Riders On the Storm" are still "classic" rock favorites. For Doors admirers, the band symbolized the darker side of the Los Angeles lifestyle, what happened to the city after the sun went down and the Beach Boys fans headed home.

Next to Morrison, Manzarek was the most distinctive-looking band member, his glasses and wavy blond hair making him resemble a young English professor more than a rock star, a contrast to Morrison's Dionysian glamour - his sensuous mouth and long, dark hair. Musically, Manzarek's spidery organ on "Light My Fire" is one of the most instantly recognizable sounds in rock history.

But he seemed up to finding the right touch for a wide range of songs - the sleepy, lounge-style keyboards on "Riders On the Storm"; the liquid strains for "The Crystal Ship"; the barrelhouse romps on "Roadhouse Blues." The Doors always considered themselves "more" than a rock band and Manzarek, Densmore and Krieger often managed a flowing rapport that blended rock, blues and jazz behind Morrison's self-consciously poetic lyrics.

"There was no keyboard player on the planet more appropriate to support Jim Morrison's words," Densmore said in a statement. "Ray, I felt totally in sync with you musically. It was like we were of one mind, holding down the foundation for Robby and Jim to float on top of. I will miss my musical brother."

The Doors were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1993. Their records have been reissued frequently and the band was the subject of a 1991 Oliver Stone movie, "The Doors," starring Val Kilmer as Morrison and Kyle MacLachlan as Manzarek, who complained that the film stereotyped Morrison as a hopeless drunk and also omitted calmer, more humorous times.

The Doors' fame has hardly faded even though they're one of the few groups not to allow their music to be used for commercials, a source of great tension among surviving members. Manzarek and Krieger reportedly supported licensing the songs, and Densmore has resisted. The group also feuded when Krieger and Manzarek formed a new group, Doors of the 21st Century. Densmore objected, and Krieger and Manzarek performed under various names.

Other Doors albums included "The Soft Parade," ''Waiting for the Sun" and their last record with Morrison, "L.A. Woman."

Manzarek briefly tried to hold the band together on the albums "Other Voices" and "Full Circle," neither of which had critical or commercial success. He played in other bands over the years, working with X and Iggy Pop among others. He also wrote a memoir, "Light My Fire," and a novel, "The Poet In Exile," in which he imagines receiving messages from a Morrison-like artist who had supposedly died.

He produced four albums for X, including another landmark album "Los Angeles," and played off and on with the band for three decades. Doe said Manzarek enjoyed his place in rock 'n' roll history.

"He enjoyed people's company greatly. He was always interested in what had been going on with you and he was an incredible teller of stories, a sort of raconteur of spiritualism and wild moments - 'weird scenes inside the gold mine,'" he said referencing a lyric from "The End."

"Ray loved to talk about and sort of mythologize, but it was all based in truth."

Born and raised in Chicago, Manzarek studied piano as a child and briefly considered a career in basketball. After graduating from DePauw University, he headed west to study film at UCLA. A few months after graduation, he and Morrison met in 1965 on Venice Beach in California. As Manzarek would often recall, Morrison read him some lyrics - Let's swim to the moon/Let's climb through the tide/Penetrate the evening that the/City sleeps to hide" - that became the start of "Moonlight Drive."

"I'd never heard lyrics to a rock song like that before," Manzarek told Billboard in 1967. "We talked a while before we decided to get a group together and make a million dollars."

By 1966, they had been joined by Krieger and Densmore and were a sensation live, especially during the theatrical, Oedipal epic, "The End." They were the house band at the famed Whisky a Go Go in Los Angeles before being signed by Elektra Records and releasing a self-titled album in 1967, one of the most talked-about debuts in rock history.

"Well, to me, my God, for anybody who was there it means it was a fantastic time," Manzarek told The Republican in Massachusetts during an interview last year. "We thought we could actually change the world - to make it a more Christian, Islamic, Judaic, Buddhist, Hindu, loving world. We thought we could. The children of the '50s post-war generation were actually in love with life and had opened the doors of perception. And we were in love with being alive and wanted to spread that love around the planet and make peace, love and harmony prevail upon earth, while getting stoned, dancing madly and having as much sex as you could possibly have."

Manzarek is survived by his wife, Dorothy; his son Pablo and two brothers, Rick and James. Funeral arrangements are pending.

DONATE: Red Cross helping tornado victims across the Midwest

2013-05-21T13:10:00Z

Click here: http://www.redcross.org/support/donating-fundraising/donations/text-messaging

Elementary School Girl Threatens Classmates and Claims She is Part of the Illuminati

2013-05-20T16:44:00Z

Whether provoked by TV and music or dealing with a disturbed state of mind, what would cause a 5th grader to grab a pair of scissors and threaten his or her classmates? This is what happened in a combined 5th and 6th grade classroom at John Sloat Elementary School within the Sacramento City Unified School District, where one student told peers that she wanted to sell her soul to the Devil. To make matters worse, students say the girl claimed to be a member of the Illuminati – the secret society that is usually associated with adults.

Making bizarre statements is not the only thing an elementary school student allegedly did this past week – in addition to making odd threats in a classroom and in a bathroom, she also drew symbols related to the Illuminati as well as '666' on the bathroom wall. Sent to the office after making the threats, school officials did not notify parents of the incident until after classes were finished, and this has caused a stir. Some parents claimed to have picked up their children at the end of the day, and they were in tears.

One parent told CBS that the girl said that she had sold her soul to the Devil, and that she had made a list with the names of kids she wished to kill. The parent said that the list contained the name of her son. The grandmother of a 6-year-old girl who had been hiding in a bathroom during the 5th grader's rants says that the girl exclaimed: "I’m the devil and he’s the devil too. We here to kill people."

Students say that the girl went on with her outburst for at least an hour, where the teacher instructed the class to ignore her rant, and dismissed it as an attempt to gain attention. Students recall their classmates crying because they were scared that they would die on that day. Others were disturbed by her claims that she wanted to sell her soul to the Devil.

The girl eventually got violent as witnesses say that she grabbed a pair of scissors, and attacked a student. A 5th grader who was at the scene said that he had seen the girl try to cut herself and draw blood, but then decided to get up and attempt to stab another girl who was one seat away from her. The girl was then taken to the office. The calls to parents went out on Thursday evening, followed by a letter being sent out to parents offering the school official's version of events.

However, the students present during the incident have a different story to tell. The statement released by the school stated that the incident involved no weapon, but a pair of scissors was involved, and the exclusion of this detail has parents upset and shocked with officials for spreading false statements. They are also upset because the girl had not been removed from the classroom sooner. Yet, she remained amongst students and continued to scare her peers.

No one is sure what caused the young girl to display such an outburst, but it is certainly disturbing to know that someone at that age would speak of selling their soul to the Devil, and claiming they belong to the Illuminati.

African country prohibits witches from flying higher than 150 meters

2013-05-20T15:20:00Z

In the country of Swaziland, witches are no longer allowed to fly higher than 150 meters in the air, lest they be subject to arrest and heavy fines.

According to a report by the Civil Aviation Authority, broomsticks are considered similar to heavier-than-air transportation devices, and therefore are subject to this regulation.

“A witch on a broomstick should not fly above the [150-metre] limit,” Civil Aviation Authority marketing and corporate affairs director Sabelo Dlamini said.

The rule also applies to toy helicopters and kites to forbid them from flying too high into the sky.

The people of Swaziland take witches seriously, as many of them believe in witchcraft.

Recently, a private detective was arrested for operating a remote-control helicopter. The detective’s helicopter was equipped with video surveillance technology to gather information in a manner similar to the way drones operate.

The man was ”charged with operating an unregistered aircraft and for failing to appear before his chief to be questioned by traditional authorities about his toy drone, the first of its kind in Swaziland,” AfricanSpotlight.com notes.

This arrest prompted Dlamini to explain in further detail the country’s aviation policies.

“Swazi brooms are short bundles of sticks tied together and do not have handles. Swazi witches are known to use them to fling potions about homesteads — but not for transport,” AfricanSpotlight.com says.

Witches on broomsticks flying below 150 meters remain legal.

John Legend's Fiance Calls Out Teen Mom's Farrah Abraham And Is Accused Of "Slut Shaming;" Plus Farrah's "Home Movie" Bikini For Sale On EBay!

2013-05-20T13:53:00Z

Teen Mom Farrah Abraham has gotten her wish times ten…all the media she could ever hope to have! Farrah Superstar: Backdoor Teen Mom has catapulted her into the tabloid realm for months to come, and something tells me she wouldn't have it any other way.

As much as Farrah claims that her privacy has been violated, I can't help but wonder if she's got the paparazzi on speed dial, and I'm not the only who thinks so. Model Chrissy Teigen, who is engaged to my beloved John Legend, isn't holding her tongue when it comes to the reality star.

Chrissy tweeted, "Farrah Abraham now thinks she is pregnant from her sex tape. In other news you're a whore and everyone hates you. Whoops not other news, sorry."

Of course, the Sports Illustrated model received plenty of backlash from her comments to which she responded, "Wow. Amazed to see the outrage behind calling a staged leaked sex tape chick from Teen Mom exactly what she is. Go on with your bad selves."

After several followers accused Chrissy of "slut shaming," she wrote, "Ok, so what I have learned today is slut shaming is a thing like bullying. Do NOT bully sluts, guys. We have a real problem here. People are really defending backdoor teem mom hardcore [porn] . . . Are we really gonna pretend like this girl just had an accidentally leaked sex tape? Seriously?? What the f–k is wrong with you?"

As you can imagine, it didn't end there, and Chrissy continued to face her Twitter critics, posting, "Does calling this 'slut shaming' make you feel better? Like pulling the bully card? Ladies: you aren't a super feminist for okaying super whores. You don't need to defend EVERYone with a vagina."

Of the Farrah debacle, she continues, "I believe in strong women. F–k, I love women, but a spade is a spade. And we can do better," adding, "We just have two completely different definitions of 'slut shaming. I think of the word 'slut' as being negative, and you do not . . . How is calling out a willing (lied-as-leaked) sex tape participant who hired paps to photo her buying preg tests this AM slut shaming?" Ouch.

If that isn't enough in the world of Farrah, her "iconic" bikini from the cover of her "movie" is available on eBay according to TMZ. Vivid, the porn studio who brought us Farrah's gem of a movie, has placed said bedazzled bikini on the auction block.

Grab your credit cards or paypal accounts, because the bidding starts at $500, and the bathing suit is described as "Straight off Farrah's body and into your hands." Keepin' it classy!

Zephyrhills, Florida Residents Wonder if Powerball Winner Is One of Their Own

2013-05-20T13:05:00Z

Residents of the small town of Zephyrhills, Fla., are buzzing with excitement today that the lucky holder of a Powerball ticket worth $590.5 million could be a neighbor, after the announcement that winner was sold at a grocery store there.

"I think that's awesome. I can't wait to see who it is. I hope it's somebody I know. I think it would be great," resident Martha Bennett said.

The central Florida town, with a population of 13,337, was best known as a skydiving destination before lottery officials revealed today that a Publix supermarket in Zephyrhills had sold the winning ticket for the record Powerball jackpot.

The winning numbers in Saturday's drawing were 10, 13, 14, 22, 52 and a Powerball of 11.

The lucky person or group holding the ticket has not yet come forward, according to lottery officials, however under Florida law, the winner's name, age and hometown will be made public.

Chuck Strutt, executive director of the Multi-State Lottery Association, urged the person holding the ticket to sign it immediately.

"If it were me, I'd put that in an envelope and duct tape it to my chest. I'd be known as the Powerball millionaire with a nasty rash," he said.

While the residents of Zephyrhills wait to find out if the winner is one of their own, whoever is holding the ticket will have a big decision to make after coming forward.

The winner will have to decide whether to take the annuity or a lump sum, which comes out to $370,896,780.54.

Earlier estimates had put the jackpot at $600 million, however the Powerball website reflected at adjusted total of $590.5 million, still the largest jackpot in the game's history.

The previous record for a Powerball jackpot was $587.5 million on Nov. 28, 2012, and was split between two winning tickets.

The odds of winning the top jackpot was 1 in 175.2 million.

While there was only one grand prize winner, 31 tickets matched all five numbers, earning those lucky ticket holders a prize of $1 million each. Two tickets sold in New York and South Carolina were Power Play winners worth $2 million each, according to Powerball officials.

In the one month since California joined the list of 42 states, the District of Columbia and the U.S. Virgin Islands in playing, Powerball fever has swept across the Golden State and played a part in helping the jackpot swell to a record level, lottery officials said.

The country's most populous state became one of the top ticket sellers, alongside Florida and New York. Lottery officials said total ticket sales had hit $464 million for Saturday's historic drawing.

Virginia Man Wins Lottery for Fourth Time

2013-05-17T15:43:00Z

A Virginia man recently won the lottery. Again.

As in, for the fourth time.

Melvyn Wilson, of Woodbridge, just won $500,000 in the Virginia Lottery's Millionaire Mania scratch-off game. In 2005, he won $1 million in a scratch-off game, and the same year he collected a $500,000 check.

A year earlier he won $25,000. He's now won a total of $2,025,000.

Unsurprisingly, Wilson has earned a nickname for his lottery loot: "Mr. Lucky." But he has a different strategy than other lottery winners. Wilson plays scratch-off games, not the giant-jackpot Mega Millions or Powerball games that are grabbing attention this week.

Asked to explain his luck, Wilson said he is just in the right place at the right time.

And just what IS that place? He said he buys from different locations, but in the latest win Wilson bought the winning ticket at Handy Dandy Market at 13316 Occoquan Road.

Wilson retired from the postal service in 2007, two years after his 2005 wins. When lottery officials asked what he does with the money, he had a suitably winning response:

"I invest in Melvyn," he said.

For those of you with your eye on a bigger prize, the Powerball jackpot was up to an estimated $360 million jackpot as of Wednesday morning. But that number is sure to rise as purchases are made throughout the day. Ticket sales end at 10 p.m. Wednesday, with the drawing at 11 p.m.

The odds of taking home the grand prize are one in 175,223,510, according to the Virginia Lottery.

The Mega Millions jackpot was up to $190 million. That drawing will be held Friday.

Butcher Feeds Marijuana To Pigs To Create True High-Quality Meat

2013-05-17T14:38:00Z

This is what they meant by pot-bellied pig!

We're getting high on the hog of BB Ranch butcher William von Schneidau, who feeds marijuana to his pigs and sells them at Seattle's Pike Place Market. SeattleMet reports that Schneidau adds "weed to the feed" -- yes, the stems, stalks and seeds -- to give his meat a more savory flavor.

The "pot pigs" are partly a celebration of Washington voters passing a pot-legalization initiative late last year, MSN reports. But they're also a real culinary experiment. Schneidau says the pot plants add fiber to the pigs' diets, which makes the meat taste delicious, man.

No, you won't get high from the meat. But the pigs get high from the weed, SeattleMet reports:

Apparently, not all mammals can process THC, but most have cannabinoid receptors. Cannabinoids are the other chemicals in marijuana, often linked to the medicinal properties, which help with pain and discomfort. Pigs have these receptors, and the four that ate this enhanced feed gained more weight and likely felt way more mellow than their non-ganja feeding friends.

If you're disappointed that ganja pigs won't produce ganja bacon, do it the Schneidau way. Halfway through a recent tasting, one of his guests rounded up 75 percent of the room and "got baked."

Virginia Maiden, McDonald's Drive-Thru Worker, Allegedly Catches Katherine York In Stolen Car

2013-05-17T14:05:00Z

Well, it was almost a happy steal.

But hours after Virginia Maiden reported her SUV stolen, she watched it pull up to the Kennewick, Wash., McDonald's drive-thru window she was working.

Maiden called authorities, and the driver, Katherine York, 22, was charged with possession of a stolen vehicle on Tuesday, KEPRTV.com reported. A male passenger was in the car, too, but he was not arrested.

York allegedly took the unlocked 1995 Toyota 4 Runner from Maiden's apartment complex parking lot that morning, according to the Tri-City Herald.

Police also found clothes with security tags still on them in the SUV, Kennewick police told the paper.

KNDO reported that the items were from JC Penny and Sears.

According to Benton County Jail records, York remains in custody with no bail set.

Charles Ramsey Hamburger inspired by Cleveland kidnap hero

2013-05-17T13:22:00Z

Cleveland's lovin’ it.

Charles Ramsey, the Cleveland neighbor who helped rescue three captive women, may find that in the future, more lofty honors and thankful praise will descend upon him.

As of now, though, there's the Charles Ramsey Hamburger.

Never mind the Big Mac or the Whopper; this burger's loaded: an 8-ounce patty slathered with "secret sauce," lettuce, cheddar cheese, bread and butter pickles on a toasted sesame seed bun. A bargain at $12.

Now there’s a sandwich truly worthy of being called a hero. The Ramsey burger is an 8-ounce patty with secret sauce, lettuce, cheddar cheese, bread and butter pickles on a toasted sesame seed bun. It costs $12.

"It's delicious — very good very good," said Melissa Rush of Lakewood.

As for Ramsey's exploits, she said. "Oh, I'm obsessed. I've been following it. I think the guy is great. I'm really proud to know that he's from Cleveland."

The Ramsey Burger flowed from the fertile brain of Chris Hodgson, a pioneer of Cleveland's food truck cuisine and chef at Hodge's Restaurant on Euclid Ave. (Hodgson's mobile eateries were called "Hodge Podge" and "Dim and Dem Sum").

It's no coincidence that Ramsey, 43, works as a dishwasher at the restaurant.

Hodge’s says Charles Ramsey, who helped rescue Michelle Knight, Gina DeJesus and Amanda Berry from captivity, is still employed there. A worker said she wasn’t sure when he’d be back, though.

In a call to the restaurant Thursday, a woman who answered the phone said that Ramsey was still employed there, but wasn't there at that time, "and we don't know when he'll be back."

Ramsey was off from work last Monday, the day that he helped rescue Michelle Knight, Gina DeJesus and Amanda Berry from a neighboring house where police say they were captive for 10 years.

If you can't get to Cleveland for the burger, Hodge's will mail you a "Cleveland Hero-Charles Ramsey" T-shirt for $20, and the restaurant says it will donate all profits to the families of the kidnapping victims. There's also a Charles Ramsey tattoo and an action figure that talks for $39.95.

Somewhat coincidentally, McDonald's indicated in a tweet that it would reach out to embrace Ramsey and possibly use him as a marketing tool after he told reporters in Cleveland that he was eating a McDonald’s meal when he heard the screams of the victims and called 911.

Nevada Teacher Arrested For 'Kissing And Spooning' Relationship With 15-Year-Old Student

2013-05-16T16:07:00Z

Amanda Brennan teaches English at Foothills High School in Henderson, NV.

[She] told police that she knew it was wrong to carry on a relationship with a teenager, but she loved the boy and did it anyway, according to an arrest report.

The educator was arrested last Friday on two counts of luring a child and one count of contributing to the delinquency of a minor…

He told authorities that he and Brennan loved each other and had kissed twice, although they’d only cuddled in the back of her car on the night he went out without his parents’ permission.

Officials also found 1,000 text messages between the boy and Brennan’s number during a nine-day period before her arrest.

Ga. High School Teens Suspended for Getting Pierced in Girl's Locker Room

2013-05-16T14:23:00Z

Four teenage girls at an Atlanta high school were suspended after they snuck away to the gym locker room to endure amateur tongue, navel, and lip piercings during school hours.

Reon Grinage, 14, told ABC Atlanta affiliate WSB-TV that a friend of hers came to Cross Keys High School with a piercing kit she ordered off the Internet.

One day after gym class, the two teenagers, as well as two other girls, waited in the locker room. But instead of changing from their gym clothes to their school clothes to go to lunch, the four hung back to get pierced.

"She was like, 'Do you want to do it?' I was like, 'Sure.' And she had the whole kit and everything," Grinage told WSB-TV.

Grinage got a stud through her tongue, as well as her belly button. The friend with the piercing kit charged each of the girls $5 per piercing, WSB-TV reported."She used the same needle on that one girl that she did on the other girl," Grinage said.

One of the teens even suffered a lip infection following the unsafe piercing practices, Grinage said.

Once one of the girls' mothers found out about the "piercing party," she alerted school administrators. The girls were suspended for 10 days, WSB-TV reported.

Grinage's aunt, Lena Harrison, told WSB-TV that she was surprised none of her niece's teachers noticed her piercing.

"She saw four other teachers after this. Not one of them said, 'Is something going on with you that you can't talk?' Harrison told WSB-TV. "How did nobody hear girls in the bathroom getting pierced? Because I know it was quite an adventure."

School officials told WSB-TV that the locker room was unsupervised at the time of the piercing incident, and their policy for such supervision was under review.

According to the Cross Keys High School website, the school has a dress code, under which students are expected to "observe high standards of neatness and cleanliness."

"A student's appearance can positively or negatively impact the climate of a school," the dress code states.

While the school's code does not address piercings, it does say "male and female students may wear conservative jewelry in a reasonable amount."

Hipster Glasses Banned At Brooklyn School

2013-05-16T13:06:00Z

These are so not OK.

Looking like a nerd has gotten too cool, so an Orthodox Jewish school in Brooklyn has gone and banned your Tina Fey glasses.

According to the New York Post, Borough Park’s Bobover Yeshiva B’Nei Zion recently wrote to parents and asked them to only buy their students simple frameless or wire-frame glasses, because thick-framed glasses of any variety are no longer allowed, whether they’re being worn by hipsters or nerds or just fourth graders.

“What we have to commit ourselves to is we have to stand on top of this and not tolerate the new modernism,” said the school, which has students from grades 4 through 12.

Apparently the students had taken to wearing glasses with relatively thick frames, some of them colorful. And while the school says keeping track of what type of glasses are becoming cool at any given moment is nearly impossible, it’s figured out enough to crack down on “immodest” thick frames, which the school says “give the child a very coarse look.”

“It doesn’t matter what age — a student cannot come to yeshiva with these glasses,” the school said. Parents were told to consider the cost of buying new glasses to replace the now-banned frames as an educational expense.

“Style is not a sin, but the culture is to stay away from new things and to keep them the way they were,” said Nafle Frank, a student at the school who said he didn’t have a problem with the nerd-frame ban.

Eyeglass shops in the area say they’ve been seeing tons of exchanges since the missive went out. One said it had exchanged 30 pairs of glasses in two weeks, and another said school officials actually dropped by to inspect the glasses it was carrying and declare which ones were acceptable and which ones were not.

“They basically said these are the Hasidic ones — and those are not,” a shop employee said.

The school-accepted ones now live in their own private little display case, far away from the immodest nerd glasses.

Woman Fakes Son's 'Cancer,' Scams Donations From Friends And Family

2013-05-15T16:00:00Z

A woman is facing charges after police say she defrauded friends and family by pretending that her son has cancer.

Susan Stillwaggon of Pennsauken collected hundreds of dollars from friends and family who believed that her son had developed life-threatening cancer. The 35-year-old was ultimately caught in her lie when police received tips and questioned her about her son’s health.

She admitted to police a six-month plot to collect donations from her friends and family. When she was caught, she had already raised $1,000 in the hoax.

According to authorities, she even convinced her son that he had cancer. However, her husband was apparently unaware of it.

The big question is, as always: Why?

The answer was unclear to authorities and family, but Stillwaggon is currently being treated at a local hospital for unknown reasons. Her mother was interviewed by Fox 29, and admitted that she had no idea what was going on, but hinted that she might know why.

“What I will tell you is my daughter had a form of a breakdown,” Stillwaggon’s mother said. “She is in a psychiatric unit, being taken care of. That’s all I have to say.”

She also said that the cancer hoax “totally blew us away.”

Stillwaggon is facing the following charges: Theft by deception, forgery and child endangerment.

This is hardly the first case in which an individual sought to manipulate the charity and goodwill of others. In April of last year, a Phoenix woman was sentenced to a year of jail and three years probation after confessing to friends and family that she had cancer and organizing fundraisers to help her meet her medical costs.

She raised over $8,000, but didn’t have cancer. Instead, she used the money to pay for breast implants.

Florida man dials 911 demanding 'Kool-Aid, burgers and weed'

2013-05-15T15:56:00Z

Police in St. Petersburg, Florida arrested arrested a man for making nuisance 911 calls on Sunday. According to the Associated Press, 34-year-old Jarvis Sutton dialed 911 about 80 times on Sunday.

A St. Petersburg Police spokesperson told the AP that Sutton wanted “Kool-Aid, burgers and weed to be delivered to him.”

Police dispatched a vehicle to Sutton’s address and took him into custody. Police say that Sutton chewed the foam around the bars of the squad car’s protective caging.

As of Wednesday morning, Sutton was still incarcerated at the Pinellas County Jail.

Reginald Cruz Allegedly Told Boy Scout Lies In Foot Fetish Scheme

2013-05-15T15:54:00Z

A man from Polk County, Fla., allegedly told women he was a Boy Scout trying to earn a community service badge so they would let him massage, kiss, and sometimes suck on their toes.

Reginald Cruz, 23, was arrested on Wednesday after allegedly asking a 10-year-old girl if he could touch her feet, apparently for sexual gratification, The Tampa Tribune reported. The child's mother called authorities after she ran inside.

Authorities charged Cruz with lewd conduct on a minor, obtaining property by fraud and battery.

The 23-year-old told authorities that he's been approaching women since he was 6-years-old, according to a Polk County Sheriff Office news release. Cops said his victims were usually dark-skinned and have ranged from 10 to 32 years old.

Detectives said Cruz has changed his background story as he's aged. Most recently, he allegedly claimed to be a medical student conducting an experiment, according to WFLA.

Authorities believe Cruz has victimized more than 100 females, including children.

'I force-feed myself 5,000 calories a day through a funnel': Meet the 23-year-old desperate to reach 30st - so that men with a fat fetish will PAY to watch her eat

2013-05-15T14:56:00Z

Lots of young women are thinking about gym visits or diets right now to prepare their bikini bodies for the summer months ahead.

But one 23-year-old is doing the complete opposite and force feeding herself - often through a funnel - in a bid to become as fat as possible.

Tammy Jung was once a healthy eight-stone teenager who wore skinny jeans, loved playing volleyball and going out with friends.

But in a bizarre reversal of a crash diet, Tammy has decided that she wants to put on a lot of weight as quickly as possible, and spends her days indoors eating buckets of fried chicken, boxes of doughnuts and whole blocks of cheese.

Scroll down for video

Before and after: Tammy, from Los Angeles, California, used to be a slim pretty teenager but bizarrely made the decision to go on a reverse crash diet, trying to gain weight as quickly as possible, for the sake of online fame

She even allows boyfriend Johan Ubermen, 28, to pour ice cream milkshakes down her throat in an attempt to ingest 5,000 calories a day.

Tammy's frightening diet has seen her weight soar by over 3st every six months, and she now weighs over 16st - just over halfway to her goal weight.

The once svelte young woman is piling on the pounds to earn money as a Big Beautiful Woman on internet websites and hopes to one day top 30st.

Tammy, who already has fat-loving male fans from around the world, has been warned she is putting her health at risk and shortening her life.

SUPER SIZE Tammy force feeds to reach her 30st goal

Big decision: Tammy made the decision to go on a reverse crash diet, trying to gain weight as quickly as possible, for the sake of online fame

But the determined young 'gainer' celebrates every pound she adds and insists she doesn't care about damaging her body.

She said: 'I've never been happier than I am working to put on weight - nothing will stop me achieving my dream.

'I know it's controversial but it's no one else's business - eating makes me happy.

'I'm making lots of money doing what I love - and I want to make even more.

'As far as I'm concerned there is no such thing as too big.'

Slimmer days: As a teenager, Tammy played volley ball and soccer and weighed a healthy eight stone, but felt insecure despite her healthy frame

Aided by her 'feeder' boyfriend Johan, Tammy's daily diet includes up to 30 doughnuts as well as stacks of pancakes and waffles.

The couple can spend up to £70 a day on takeaways and junk food to fuel Tammy's mammoth appetite.

Tammy said: 'I start the day with a huge breakfast of waffles, cream cheese, bacon and sausage then head to McDonalds for a few burgers in the afternoon.

'I can snack on cheese all day, a couple of blocks is no problem, then for dinner I'll either eat pizzas or make Mexican food.

'At the end of the day I make a weight gain shake from heavy whipped cream and a whole tub of ice cream, which Yohan feeds me through a funnel.

'The funnel forces me to drink the shake even when I'm full after a day of eating.'

As a teenager, Tammy played volley ball and football and weighed a healthy eight stone, but felt insecure despite her healthy frame.

Large appetite: Aided by her feeder boyfriend Johan, Tammy eats up to 30 doughnuts a day and stacks of pancakes and waffles

Bigger is better: With a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 45, 5ft 2" Tammy is almost twice the average for a woman her size

Encouragement: She is being encouraged to gain weight by her feeder boyfriend Johan Ubermen, 28, who helps her by buying £70 of junk food per day and making thick ice-cream milkshakes which he feeds to her

Short life span: Tammy doesn't care that she is putting her life at risk

She said: 'I used to be self-conscious about my appearance. I always thought I was fat and had low self esteem.

'After I gave up sports, I began putting on weight. At first I was in denial. But one day I looked in the mirror and realised I was fat - and I felt great about it.

'My body looks so sexy and I feel more womanly the heavier I get.'

With a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 45, 5ft 2" Tammy is almost twice the average for a woman her size.

Tammy even films herself eating on camera for her army of online fans.

Binge eater: She starts the day with a huge breakfast of waffles, cream cheese, bacon and sausage then heads to McDonalds for a few burgers in the afternoon

Funnel fed: Tammy weighs 16.5 stone but scoffs up to 5,000 calories each day by feasting on fried chicken, dozens of doughnuts and blocks of cheese through a funnel

She said: 'I get a lot of requests to eat and weigh myself on camera. Some guys even send me scripts so I know what to say.

'I can make up to £1,000 a month if I work at it, and I'm hoping to earn more the bigger I get.'

Johan, her boyfriend of eight months, doesn't worry about the attention from other men.

He said: 'I noticed early on that she really likes to eat and was eating more than me when we went for dinner - I was impressed.

'I would love her no matter what she looked like.'

Incredibly, Tammy's family have no idea what she does for a living - or that her weight gain is deliberate.

She said: 'My family have noticed that I am putting on weight but they still don't know I'm doing it on purpose.

'They probably wouldn't agree with it but I'm making a living and supporting myself.'

Dr Claude Matar, of the Pasadena Weight Loss Center, said: 'It's very straightforward, she is causing her life to be shorter. She is taking the risk of dying early.'

Just the way he likes her: 'My body looks so sexy and I feel more womanly the heavier I get' said Tammy, and her boyfriend doesn't mind that she gets attention from other men

TAMMY'S DAILY DIET

Breakfast of waffles, cream cheese, bacon and sausage followed by McDonalds for a few burgers in the afternoon

Snacks on cheese all day

For dinner it's pizzas or Mexican food

At the end of the day she makes a weight gain shake from heavy whipped cream and a whole tub of ice cream

Put more insects on your table: UN pushes edible ones as good for nutrition, environment

2013-05-15T13:22:00Z

The U.N. has new weapons to fight hunger, boost nutrition and reduce pollution, and they might be crawling or flying near you right now: edible insects.

The Food and Agriculture Organization on Monday hailed the likes of grasshoppers, ants and other members of the insect world as an underutilized food for people, livestock and pets.

A 200-page report, released at a news conference at the U.N. agency's Rome headquarters, says 2 billion people worldwide already supplement their diets with insects, which are high in protein and minerals, and have environmental benefits.

Insects are "extremely efficient" in converting feed into edible meat, the agency said. On average, they can convert 2 kilograms (4.4 pounds) of feed into 1 kilogram (2.2 pounds) of insect mass. In comparison, cattle require 8 kilograms (17.6 pounds) of feed to produce a kilo of meat.

Most insects are likely to produce fewer environmentally harmful greenhouse gases, and also feed on human and food waste, compost and animal slurry, with the products being used for agricultural feed, the agency said.

Currently, most edible insects are gathered in forests and what insect farming does take place is often family-run and serves niche markets. But the U.N. says mechanization can ratchet up insect farming production. The fish bait industry, for example, has long farmed insects.

Insect farming is "one of the many ways to address food and feed security," the food agency said.

"Insects are everywhere and they reproduce quickly," the agency said, adding they leave a "low environmental footprint." They provide high-quality protein and nutrients when compared with meat and fish and are "particularly important as a food supplement for undernourished children," it said.

Insects can also be rich in copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, selenium and zinc, and are a source of fiber.

The agency noted that its Edible Insect Program is also examining the potential of arachnids, such as spiders and scorpions, although they are not strictly speaking insects.

University biologists have analyzed the nutritional value of edible insects, and some of them, such as certain beetles, ants, crickets and grasshoppers, come close to lean red meat or broiled fish in terms of protein per gram (ounce).

But are they tasty?

The report noted that some caterpillars in southern Africa and weaver ant eggs in Southeast Asia are considered delicacies and command high prices.

And some people who might not entertain the thought of consuming insects might already be eating them. Many insects are ingested inadvertently.

Deputies: Man caught masturbating near girls at school bus stop

2013-05-14T16:22:00Z

A Fort Myers man who was masturbating in front of three young girls was chased down and held by one of their fathers until deputies arrive to arrest him, Lee County Sheriff's Office reports show.

Luis Fernando Rolon, 30, of the 100 block of Zenith Circle, Fort Myers, was arrested Tuesday by Lee deputies and is facing charges of lewd lascivious behavior in the presence of individuals less than 16 years of age.

According to Lee County Sheriff's Office reports, one of the victims accompanied her daughter to the school bus stop Aug. 17 when she observed a man standing in some bushes directly across the street from them, masturbating while he stared at her.

The woman says his attention eventually was drawn to three young girls, all sisters, who were also at the bus stop. She yelled for the girls to come to her, and when they reached her, one of them said, " Did you see what that man was doing?"

The mother then watched as the man walked off, according to reports.

The following day, out of concern for her children, the mother of the three young girls decided to accompany them to the bus stop, deputies said. While leaving their home, two of the sisters pointed to a man they saw walking in front of the house, and yelled, "That's him!" The woman went inside, called 911, and woke her husband, who chased down Rolon and held him down until deputies arrived, reports show.

The location of the bus stop was not released.

US man mistakes brain leak for runny nose for 18 months

2013-05-14T14:40:00Z

A man from Arizona, who visited the doctor for running nose was shocked to learn that it was his brain that was leaking.

Joe Nagy put up with liquid leaking from his nose for around 18 months before he started seeking a doctor for help.

Doctors in Phoenix, found that the membrane surrounding Nagy’s brain had a hole in it and his “snot” was actually brain fluid that was leaking out, the Mirror reported.

Nagy said that it first started when he sat up in bed one morning and a clear liquid dribbled out of his nose like tears out of eyes.

Within months the leaking became constant but the final straw was when he was unable to reach his tissues in time as he picked up blueprints for his beloved model airplanes.

Neurosurgeon Peter Nakaji, who performed the surgery, said that the leaking is one of the more common conditions to be missed for a long time, as so many people suffer from running nose.

He said that they fixed the leak in Nagy’s brain with a needle and glue before the body took over to properly heal the hole.

Duke University hikes student fees to pay for sex-change surgeries

2013-05-14T13:56:00Z

Duke University is hiking student fees in order to cover the cost of sex-change surgery in its insurance plan.

“The addition of sexual reassignment surgery with a $50,000 cap makes Duke’s student health care plan one of the most, if not the most, transgender-inclusive plans in the country,” said Sunny Frothingham, the outreach chair for Blue Devils United, said in the Duke Chronicle.

The fee increase on students amounts to 0.3 percent, Campus Reform reported.

The announcement follows a March resolution passed by the student government that advocated for Duke to pay for sex-change operations.

Duke, located in North Carolina, now joins 37 colleges around the nation that cover sex-change surgeries, Campus Reform reported.

Angelina Jolie's Preventative Double Mastectomy: Stars Show Support

2013-05-14T13:23:00Z

Angelina Jolie made the brave and bold decision to get a preventative double mastectomy earlier this year, the Oscar-winning actress revealed in a New York Times article published Monday, May 13. The 37-year-old mother of six explained that genetic tests showed she carries the BRCA1 gene, which increases her risk of developing breast and ovarian cancer.

The Maleficent actress had her first surgery in February and completed her final follow-up procedure on Apr. 27. She chronicled her experience in an op-ed piece called "My Medical Choice."

PHOTOS: How Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie built a life together

"I started with the breasts, as my risk of breast cancer is higher than my risk of ovarian cancer, and the surgery is more complex," Jolie explained. "My chances of developing breast cancer have dropped from 87 percent to under 5 percent. I can tell my children that they don't need to fear they will lose me to breast cancer."

VIDEO: How Angelina Jolie avoided leading a "shallow" life

The engaged In the Land of Blood and Honey director added, "I am fortunate to have a partner, Brad Pitt, who is so loving and supportive. So to anyone who has a wife or girlfriend going through this, know that you are a very important part of the transition. Brad was at the Pink Lotus Breast Center, where I was treated, for every minute of the surgeries. We managed to find moments to laugh together. We knew this was the right thing to do for our family and that it would bring us closer. And it has."

Shortly after the article was published, dozens of celebrities offered messages of support via Twitter. Sheryl Crow and Giuliana Rancic -- both of whom are breast cancer survivors -- were among the first to thank the Tomb Raider star for sharing her story with the world.

"I commend Angelina Jolie for her courage and thoughtfulness in sharing her story today regarding her mastectomy. So brave!" tweeted Crow, who has been cancer-free since 2006. "Ladies, please check out Angelina Jolie's story today, especially if you have breast cancer in your family history."

PHOTOS: Angelina Jolie's word travels

Rancic, who underwent a double mastectomy in December 2011, tweeted, "Angelina Jolie reveals double mastectomy. Proud of her for using her incredible platform to educate women."

The Hunger Games' Elizabeth Banks also commended the Salt star, writing, "Much respect & for sharing in classy way: Angelina Jolie on why she had a double mastectomy & how it can save lives." Kristen Bell, meanwhile, tweeted a link to the article and added, "An admirable op ed by Angelina Jolie."

Other celebrities who voiced their support for the star included Mindy Kaling, Emmanuelle Chriqui, Nia Vardalos, Marlee Matlin, Amanda de Cadenet and David Krumholtz.

Study: Carry a guitar to get more phone numbers

2013-05-13T16:15:00Z

Researchers at the University of South Brittany in New Zealand have found that carrying a guitar can increase a man's chance of getting a woman's phone number by nearly a third.

One News reports that behavioral sciences Professor Nicolas Gueguen hired a 20-year-old actor to approach 300 women who appeared to be aged 18 to 22 in a shopping center.

For the first 100 women he held a sports bag, for the next 100 women he held a guitar case and to approach the final 100 women he carried nothing.

The sports bag was the least favorite among the women, with only 9 percent giving the actor their numbers. When he carried nothing, the actor got phone numbers from 14 percent of the women.

The guitar case, at a 31 percent success rate, was the runaway favorite of the New Zealand shoppers.

Barbara Walters Announces 2014 Retirement

2013-05-13T15:10:00Z

The legendary newscaster will leave TV journalism next summer

For decades, Barbara Walters has inspired millions with her groundbreaking interviews — but after 37 years with ABC News, the newscaster is announcing on “The View” Monday that next summer, she will retire from TV journalism. Until then, she will continue to anchor and report for ABC News, appear on “The View,” and anchor specials throughout the year including a “20 Years of 10 Most Fascinating People” special in December, an Oscars special, and a May career retrospective.

Walters will remain Executive Producer of “The View,” the show she created in 1997.

“I am very happy with my decision and look forward to a wonderful and special year ahead both on ‘The View’ and with ABC News,” she said. “I created ‘The View’ and am delighted it will last beyond my leaving it.”

Walters began her career in 1961 at NBC’s “Today Show,” where she eventually became a co-host.

“No one was more surprised than I,” she says of her on-air career. “I wasn’t beautiful, like many of the women on the program before me, [and] I had trouble pronouncing my r’s. I still do!”

ABC/Donna Svennevik

Still, in 1976, Walters found a new home at ABC “Evening News,” where she became the first female anchor on an evening news program. Three years later, she became a co-host of “20/20.”

At ABC, her interviews were wide-ranging and her access to public figures, unparalleled; Walters crossed the Bay of Pigs with Fidel Castro, conducted the first joint interview with Egyptian President Anwar Sadat and Israel’s Prime Minister Menachem Begin. She also developed a reputation for asking tough questions. In one instance, “I asked Vladimir Putin if he ever ordered anyone to be killed,” she recalls. “For the record, he said no.”

But there were lighter interviews too. Walters hosts a “Most Fascinating People” special in December, which has afforded her the opportunity to chat with stars from Angelina Jolie to Tom Cruise. She has also interviewed every U.S. president and first lady from the Nixons to the current administration. But perhaps one of her favorite contribution to the network has been “The View.”

“There’s only one Barbara Walters,” says ABC News President Ben Sherwood. “And we look forward to making her final year on television as remarkable, path-breaking and news-making as Barbara herself. Barbara will always have a home at ABC News and we look forward to a year befitting her brilliant career, filled with exclusive interviews, great adventures and indelible memories.”

Meanwhile, Walters, who has one daughter, Jacqueline, is looking forward to taking a break — and seeing what the next generation of journalists has to offer.

“I do not want to appear on another program or climb another mountain,” she says. “I want instead to sit on a sunny field and admire the very gifted women — and OK, some men too — who will be taking my place.”

Saudi Woman Convinces Fiancé To Marry Her Two Best Friends As Well

2013-05-13T13:59:00Z

Here’s a twist on polygamy for you. A Saudi woman told her fiancé that she would marry him on the condition that he would also marry her two best friends, who happened to be her coworkers at the school she taught at. At first the man thought it was a joke, but the woman was dead serious and she refused to get hitched unless he agreed to the offer.

“He realized that she was not joking when she insisted on her demand … after mediation efforts by relatives, he agreed to marry the three school teachers,” reported the Saudi Arabic language daily Alyoum in a report from the western town of Taif. After the man wed the three friends, he rented them all their own apartments and the husband takes turns rotating between their places. According to the report, the arrangement has not spoiled their friendship and they still spend a lot of time at each other’s places hanging out and doing housework. No word on when their reality show, “My Three Brides,” is set to air.

It you’re gonna go polygamous, being able to barter your best friends into the deal makes things a lot more appealing. I’m not particularly into the idea of my husband screwing my friends, but I would be down for a whole platonic sister wives situation, meaning I was the only one who was the wife in the biblical sense. If I do ever get married, maybe I’ll demand that my husband marry all The Frisky editors and we can all live in a giant beach hut/blogging compound together. Hmmmm. I’m responding positively to that idea.

Suri Cruise follows in mom's footsteps, set to launch fashion line

2013-05-13T13:40:00Z

Suri Cruise is bringing out her very own fashion line – at just seven years old.

The daughter of Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes has just inked a multi-million dollar deal and her label has reportedly been named Suri.

The fashion-conscious schoolgirl, who regularly tops lists of most stylish celebrity child, will launch her first collection for young girls this fall in a New York department store.

If successful, the Suri brand will be rolled out in shops across North America next year.

A source said: “Suri is only seven but she is incredibly interested in clothes."

“She has been through a very difficult year and adapted amazingly to her new life in New York, including the upheaval of starting normal school.

Forget Beatles... now he's all about the grasshoppers! Paul McCartney's stage is invaded by insects during Brazilian show

2013-05-10T16:48:00Z

His band The Beatles are arguably the most famous musical group of all time.

But on Tuesday night, Paul McCartney was more about the grasshoppers as he found his stage invaded by a swarm of the insects during a concert in Goiania, Brazil.

The 70-year-old musician was forced to complete his three-hour performance as clouds of the Esperanca Grilo creatures buzzed around him.

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The Beatle and the grasshopper! Sir Paul McCartney' stage was invaded by swarms of grasshoppers as he performed in Brazil on Tuesday night

However, animal-lover Macca appeared unfazed by the stage intrusion as he pushed through and delighted the 47,000 crowd with his songs.

Sir Paul even introduced one of the little grasshoppers as Harold during a performance of hit song Hey Jude.

As he sang the track, Sir Paul turned to Harold as he sang the words 'the movement you need is on your shoulder', adding 'it certainly is now'.

VIDEO Stage invasion! See Macca play on through swarm of insects

Forget the Beatles! Paul McCartney's joined the grasshoppers

Meet Harold! Macca even named one of the little creatures and introduced it to the eager crowd

Swarming: Sir Paul was unfazed by the unwanted guests, and completed his three-hour set

Also during the show, Sir Paul was seen inviting a young woman up onto the stage so he could sign the Beatles tattoo she has on her ribcage.

And it appears the fans certainly appreciated Sir Paul pushing through the infestation - holding up banners thanking him for the concert.

Sir Paul had kicked off his Out There! tour in Brazil earlier this week, and will be travelling to countries including Poland, Italy and Austria as well as various venues in America before the tour draws to a close in Seattle on July 19th.

His set lists have included rarely performed songs such as Being For The Benefit Of Mr Kite, All Together Now and Eight Days A Week, which he played live only once before the tour began, with The Beatles in 1965.

Making his mark: Macca invited a young woman onto the stage to sign her Beatles tattoo

Excited: Sir Paul kicked off his Out There! tour in Brazil earlier this week

Top 10 Baby Names

2013-05-10T16:06:00Z

Rank	Male name	Female name
1	Jacob	Sophia
2	Mason	Emma
3	Ethan	Isabella
4	Noah	Olivia
5	William	Ava
6	Liam	Emily
7	Jayden	Abigail
8	Michael	Mia
9	Alexander	Madison
10	Aiden	Elizabeth

School Shootings: Masked Men Fire On Unsuspecting Teachers in Oregon School Drill

2013-05-10T14:14:00Z

Halfway, Oregon: a town of under 300 people that came to fame 13 years ago for being the world's first "Internet City," and briefly changed its name to Half.com for $73,000. Just like in many towns across America, people in Halfway are worried about the issue of gun violence in schools. And so, on Friday last week an astonishing drill was conducted at Pine Eagle Charter School in this tiny rural community to test the preparation of Pine Eagle's teachers for active shooter scenarios. With students at home for the day, two masked men with handguns burst into a meeting room full of teachers and started opening fire.

Although the exercise was just a drill, it raises questions about whether active shooter scenarios with unsuspecting staff are good way to prepare people for the real thing or whether they are excessive, unnecessary, and potentially dangerous.

The few seconds it took for people to realise that the bullets were just blanks and the exercise was just a drill left teachers scared and shaken up. Elementary teacher Morgan Gover, 31, said "I'll tell you, the whole situation was horrible. I got a couple in the front and a couple in the back." Of the 15 teachers in the room, Principal Cammie DeCastro says that if the attack had been real, "not many" would have survived.

While staff had received training in active shooter scenarios from the Union County Sheriff's Office, they were not aware that the drill was going to take place (except for the masked men, who were both teachers at the school). According to Principal DeCastro, the point of the drill was to test how people would react to such a scenario so that better emergency plans could be designed. The district's Safety Committee and the School Board will now evaluate the results of the drill and the policies and procedures in place before deciding what to do next.

Despite the drill being criticised by some in Halfway, DeCastro argues that its value lies in giving teachers an idea of how they would respond to the real thing and the chance to analyze their response. "For us not to know how we were going to respond is leaving us open," she said.

Gover and another elementary teacher, Donnie Beck, 54, both agree. According to Beck, the drill made her aware that in the event of a real attack she would not have even recognised the sounds of gunfire and would have "would have blown it off as kids' sounds in the hall." For Beck, the drill reinforced the need to remain calm in an emergency, given that she is in charge of the safety of the young kids in her classroom. For Gover, the drill made her "analyze as a teacher what my role is for these babies" and highlighted the inadequacy of her previous plan for such a situation.

According to DeCastro, possible outcomes of the drill include armed teachers, armed volunteers from the community watching over the school in shifts, as well as better locks and tougher doors. Staff, according to Gover, tend to favor having armed teachers in the building at all times.

The active shooter scenario appears to have had the intended effect in terms of giving teachers a better idea of how they would react. But does this mean they a good idea and should they be used more widely? Or is scaring teachers by having guns fired at them excessive and unnecessary? Would the teachers have reacted differently had kids been present during the drill? What could have gone wrong with the drill? As some of the people responding to the story wondered, what if one of the teachers had had a concealed weapon, had tried to take down one of the attackers, or had a heart attack from the shock?

American Idol Dumping Their Judges?

2013-05-10T13:36:00Z

Randy Jackson confirmed on Thursday that he is leaving American Idol at the end of this season. The announcement comes amid reports that the show's producers are firing all four judges after the show saw ratings drop this season.

Jackson had this to say about leaving the show, "Yo! Yo! Yo! To put all of the speculation to rest, after 12 years of judging on 'American Idol' I have decided it is time to leave after this season."

"I am very proud of how we forever changed television and the music industry. It's been a life changing opportunity but I am looking forward to focusing on my company Dream Merchant 21 and other business ventures."

And it appears that Randy might not be the only judge leaving the show, all four may be on the chopping block. Radio.com reports that a new report indicates that after this season of American Idol viewers can expect a clean slate — the show will reportedly let all four judges go, including Randy Jackson who has been with the show since its launch.

According to The Wrap, the high profile judges that came with sizable salaries, have not given the ratings boost the network was looking for. The network paid big bucks to land Mariah Carey (reportedly $18 million for one season), Nicki Minaj (reportedly $12 million) and Keith Urban (reportedly between $3-5 million), but hasn't seen a big ratings turn around to justify the high price tags. Ratings are down 22% this season and hit their lowest ratings ever the week of April 29, 2013.

Also reportedly getting the boot is longtime show producer Nigel Lythgoe, who helped launch Idol. The reality singing competition has been steadily bested by newcomer The Voice — which is not only beating Idol's ratings but stole the show's nomination for Outstanding Reality Competition at the Emmys.

Woman Eaten By Vultures In France Within 45 Minutes Of Hiking Accident

2013-05-09T16:48:00Z

Woman eaten by vultures: A woman has been eaten by vultures after falling to her death from a cliff in France. The woman, 52, was hiking in the Pyrenees with friends when she fell to her death. She fell for over 1,000 feet from the hiking trail. And in the 45 minutes it took rescue workers to find her, Griffon vultures had consumed her entire body.

Rescue workers were quickly alerted after the fall and combed the area for about 45 minutes to locate her body. By the time they reached it, however, it was too late to even recover the body. MSNreported that all that could be found was the woman's shoes, clothes, and a few bones.

Aggressive Griffon vultures are now increasingly problematic in France. In the past, they fed on livestock carcasses left by French farmers. In modern times, though, health regulations have changed, and it's currently illegal to leave animal carcasses out on the land. Therefore, the scavenging vultures have trouble finding food.

New regulations currently force farmers to burn any animals that die on farms. The authorities think this may contribute to why the 52-year-old woman was eaten by the vultures so quickly.

Major Didier Pericou told reporters that the rescue workers had noticed the vultures, but never considered that the birds would find the woman first. Vultures have now been the alleged source of many attacks that have killed livestock - over 40 farmers have now filed claims for government reimbursement of livestock the vultures have killed. The farmers aren't allowed to kill the bird because vultures are a protected species. But they're causing serious problems for French farmers and residents because their food sources are so depleted.

Some are calling for farmers to be allowed to shoot the aggressive vultures or be able to leave carcasses on their land rather than burning animals that die. This is the first verified report of a human being actually being eaten by vultures.

Rat meat sold as mutton: Crackdown sparks dozens of arrests in China

2013-05-09T16:42:00Z

Chinese police have broken a crime ring that passed off more than $1 million in rat and small-mammal meat as mutton in a food safety crackdown that coincides with a bird flu outbreak and other environmental pressures, authorities said.

Authorities have arrested 904 suspects since the end of January for allegedly selling and producing fake or tainted meat products, the Ministry of Public Security said in a statement posted on its website on Thursday.

Health officials in Taiwan are on guard after one of its citizens contracted the deadly strain of bird flu while on a business trip in China. NBC's Ian Williams reports.

During the crackdown, police discovered one suspect who had used additives to spice up and sell rat, fox and mink meat at markets in Shanghai and Jiangsu province.

Police arrested 63 suspects connected to the crime ring in a case valued at more than 10 million yuan, or $1.6 million, in sales since 2009.

Despite persistent efforts by police, "food safety crimes are still prominent, and new situations are emerging with new characteristics," the ministry's statement said, citing "responsible officials."

Police confiscated more than 22 tons of fake or inferior meat products after breaking up illegal food plants during the nationwide operation, the ministry said.

Food safety and environmental pollution are chronic problems in China, and public anxiety over cases of fake or toxic food often spreads quickly.

More than 1,000 dead ducks have been fished out of a river Sichuan, China. The discovery comes as the country deals with anger over the dumping of over 16,000 pigs elsewhere in China. NBCNews.com's Dara Brown reports.

In April, many consumers lost their appetite for poultry as an outbreak of the H7N9 bird flu virus spread in China. Sales dropped by 80 percent in eastern China, where the virus has been most prevalent, although experts stress that cooked chicken is perfectly safe.

In March, more than 16,000 rotting pigs were found floating in one of Shanghai's main water sources, triggering a public outcry. Overcrowding at pig farms was probably behind the die-off and the pigs' disposal in the Huangpu River.

The public security ministry said police had confiscated more than 15 metric tons of tainted pork in Anhui province, although as much as 60 metric tons had been sold in Anhui and Fujian provinces since mid-2012.

But it was the rodent meat in particular that people couldn't stomach, with Internet users turning to the popular microblogging site Sina Weibo to vent their outrage.

"Rats? How disgusting. Everything we eat is poison," one user wrote.

Ted Bundy, 'Creepy John' referenced in math homework assignment

2013-05-09T14:50:00Z

A homework assignment upsets a mother in Tulsa, Okla. She thinks the topics are not appropriate for teenagers.

When Christina Mattaliano looked over her son's geometry homework last night, she got quite the surprise when she came across two questions on two different hand-written assignments.

"And it references to serial killer Ted Bundy and some guy named Creepy John that watched his neighbors with a telescope," said Mattaliano.

The homework was handed out by a substitute teacher at Nathan Hale High School. The question that references Ted Bundy asks students to determine how far up a tree Bundy's ladder reaches.

The question about a guy named Creepy John wants students to figure out how far Creepy John's apartment is from the neighbors he's spying on.

Reporter: "First thing that popped into your mind?"

"The first thing that popped into my mind was just, it's creepy," said Mattaliano.

Creepy and uncalled for, she says.

"I don't know if he's trying to be humorous. If maybe that's some of his personal interest. He could have basically did the problem without the references," said Mattaliano.

The principal of Nathan Hale confirms a substitute made the assignment. The principal says the substitute wanted to engage students by getting their attention with colorful questions.

Nevertheless, the principal says the substitute will not be back in class and will no longer sub at Nathan Hale. As for Mattaliano, she says her son didn't even know who Ted Bundy was until she told him.

"I mean he's a teenager. He wasn't really too worried about it," said Mattaliano.

She says that's her job as a mother? Looking out for her son.

Jodi Arias says she prefers death penalty

2013-05-09T13:26:00Z

Jodi Arias spent 18 days on the stand sharing intimate, emotional and oftentimes X-rated details of her life before a rapt television and online audience. She had hoped it all might convince a jury that she killed her one-time boyfriend in self-defense.

But the eight men and four women on the panel didn't buy it, convicting Arias of first-degree murder after only about 15 hours of deliberations. Jurors will return to court Thursday to begin the next phase of the trial that could set the stage for Arias receiving a death sentence.

It's a punishment that Arias herself says she wants, telling a TV station minutes after her conviction that she would "prefer to die sooner than later."

"Longevity runs in my family, and I don't want to spend the rest of my natural life in one place," a tearful Arias told Fox affiliate KSAZ. "I believe death is the ultimate freedom and I'd rather have my freedom as soon as I can get it."

The case elevated the unknown waitress and aspiring photographer to a household name, with a real-life story of love, betrayal and murder far more alluring than any made-for-TV movie. The crime itself was enough to grab headlines: Arias, a 32-year-old high school dropout, shot Travis Alexander in the forehead, stabbed him nearly 30 times and slit his throat from ear to ear, leaving the motivational speaker and businessman nearly decapitated.

She claimed he attacked her and she fought for her life. Prosecutors said she killed out of jealous rage after Alexander wanted to end their affair and planned to take a trip to Mexico with another woman.

Arias' four-month trial quickly became a media sensation — ratings gold for cable networks that could broadcast from inside the courtroom and feed an insatiable public appetite for true-crime drama delivered live and up-close. It was, for many, the horrible train wreck they just couldn't turn away from, even though they know they should.

Arias fought back tears as the verdict was announced Wednesday in the hushed, packed courtroom, while Alexander's family members wept and hugged each other. They wore blue ribbons and wristbands with the words "Justice For Travis." The family thanked prosecutor Juan Martinez and a key witness and said it appreciated the outpouring of support from the public.

Outside, a huge crowd that had gathered on the courthouse steps screamed, whistled and cheered the news in a case that has attracted fans from across the country who traveled to Phoenix to be close to the proceedings.

Alexander's friend Chris Hughes said he was happy with the verdict, pointing out a bold proclamation that Arias made in one of her jailhouse interviews that she wouldn't be found guilty.

"She said, 'No jury would convict me. Mark my words.' This jury convicted her," Hughes said. "Luckily we had 12 smart jurors. They nailed it."

When asked about Alexander's family, Arias told the station (http://bit.ly/15qG7aP), "I just hope that now that a verdict has been rendered, that they'll be able to find peace."

The Maricopa County Sheriff's Office said no more media interviews with Arias would be granted. She has been placed on suicide watch.

Testimony in Arias' trial began in early January. The trial quickly snowballed into a made-for-the-tabloids drama, garnering daily coverage from cable news networks and spawning a virtual cottage industry for talk shows, legal experts and even Arias, who used her notoriety to sell artwork she made in jail.

The trial now moves into the so-called aggravation phase during which prosecutors will argue the killing was committed in an especially cruel, heinous and depraved manner that should allow jurors to consider the death penalty. Both sides may call witnesses and show evidence. If the panel finds the aggravating factors exist, the trial then moves into the final penalty phase during which jurors will recommend either life in prison or death.

Despite her comments about wanting to die, it's up to the jury to decide whether to recommend death.

Authorities said Alexander fought for his life as Arias attacked him in a blitz, but he soon grew too weak to defend himself.

"Mr. Alexander did not die calmly," Martinez told jurors in opening statements.

Arias said she recalled Alexander attacking her in a fury after a day of sex. She said Alexander came at her "like a linebacker," body-slamming her to the tile floor. She managed to wriggle free and ran into his closet to retrieve a gun he kept on a shelf. She said she fired in self-defense but had no memory of stabbing him.

She acknowledged trying to clean the scene of the killing, dumping the gun in the desert and working on an alibi to avoid suspicion. She said she was too scared and ashamed to tell the truth. However, none of Arias' allegations that Alexander had physically abused her in the months before his death, that he owned a gun and had sexual desires for young boys, were corroborated by witnesses or evidence during the trial. She acknowledged lying repeatedly before and after her arrest but insisted she was telling the truth in court.

Arias spent 18 days on the witness stand describing an abusive childhood, cheating boyfriends, dead-end jobs, a shocking sexual relationship with Alexander, and her contention that he had grown physically violent.

A defense expert later testified that Arias suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder and dissociative amnesia, which explained why she couldn't recall much from the day of the killing. Another defense witness concluded that Arias was a battered woman.

Martinez worked feverishly to attack the credibility of the defense experts, accusing them of having sympathy for Arias and offering biased opinions.

Aside from her lies, Arias had another formidable obstacle to overcome.

Her grandparents had reported a .25-caliber handgun stolen from their Northern California home about a week before Alexander's death — the same caliber used to shoot him — but Arias insisted she didn't take it. Authorities believe she brought it with her to kill him. The coincidence of the same caliber gun stolen from the home also being used to shoot Alexander was never resolved.

Meanwhile, the entire case devolved into a circus-like spectacle attracting dozens of enthusiast each day to the courthouse as they lined up for a chance to score just a few open public seats in the gallery. One trial regular sold her spot in line to another person for $200. Both got reprimands from the court, and the money was returned.

Many people also gathered outside after trial for a chance to see Martinez, who had gained celebrity-like status for his firebrand tactics and unapologetically intimidating style of cross-examining defense witnesses.

The case grew into a worldwide sensation as thousands followed the trial via a live, unedited Web feed. Twitter filled with comments as spectators expressed their opinions on everything from Arias' wardrobe to Martinez's angry demeanor. For its fans, the Arias trial became a live daytime soap opera.

'Teen Mom' Farrah Abraham: Fans Are Saying My XXX Is Better Than Kim Kardashian And Paris Hilton's Tapes!

2013-05-08T15:40:00Z

Farrah Abraham is in elite company: the porn producer behind her XXX flick is the same organization that previously releasedKim Kardashian, Paris Hilton and Kendra Wilkinson‘s notorious sex tapes.

But according to the XXX Teen Mom, her fans have already delivered the ultimate review — after just the first day of the tape’s release.

PHOTOS: From Teen Mom To Porn Star: Farrah’s Evolution

“I’ve gotten a lot of compliments from men and women telling me this is the best sex tape they’ve ever seen from a celebrity so I’m humbled,” the 21-year-old mother-of-one told RadarOnline.com exclusively.

On Monday, the MTV star also took to Twitter to reveal that she won’t be watching the 70-minute feature titled Farrah Superstar: Backdoor Teen Mom.

When asked why, the mother of four-year-old Sophia said: “I’ve made my business deal and now they hold the rights and can edit and alter the movie in whatever way they wish. That might make it more pornographic in order to suit their adult entertainment fans. Therefore, I’d rather stick to watching my version because that is what I had control over. I am happy with it as a keepsake.”

As RadarOnline.com previously reported, Farrah pocketed $1.5 million for the sale to Vivid Entertainment and later defended her decision to do it in a video message to fans.

that Francis brought them to his place and a physical altercation ensued. "(He) grabbed one of the women by the throat and hair and slammed her head into the tile floor four times."

Afterward, Francis let the women go with a warning not to call police -- but they didn't listen.

Noted City Attorney Carmen Trutanich, "Whether a celebrity or not, you will be held accountable for your misdeeds. The victims in this case should be commended for their courage in stepping forward and reporting these attacks, and for not being intimidated from seeing this matter through the justice system."

Francis has been in trouble with the law before for allegedly assaulting women, but charges have not stuck. In 2012, a car collision in Beverly Hills turned physical, and Playboy model Jayde Nicole also accused him of assault at a nightclub. And last September, he was ordered to pay another $20 million in damages to Steve Wynn for claiming the casino owner threatened to kill him.

A sentencing hearing is scheduled for Wednesday.

'Girls Gone Wild's' Joe Francis convicted of assault

2013-05-08T15:34:00Z

The creator of the "Girls Gone Wild" DVD franchise Joe Francis may spend as much as five years in jail after being convicted of assaulting a woman in 2011, according to L.A. Weekly.

The Los Angeles City Attorney's office said on Monday that Francis was convicted of three counts of false imprisonment, one count of "dissuading a witness from reporting" and one count of assault, which caused great bodily injury.

The prosecutors said that the 40-year-old Francis had invited three women into his limo, parked outside the restaurant/bar Supperclub in Hollywood, Calif. two years ago; two of the women said later that they thought they were just being taken to a parked car nearby. But as the City Attorney's spokesman noted in 2011, the limo's driver brandished a sheriff's badge and refused to let them exit the limo.

The City Attorney's office also said that Francis brought them to his place and a physical altercation ensued. "(He) grabbed one of the women by the throat and hair and slammed her head into the tile floor four times."

Afterward, Francis let the women go with a warning not to call police -- but they didn't listen.

A sentencing hearing is scheduled for Wednesday.

Police acknowledge little focus on finding Michelle Knight, the third missing Cleveland woman

2013-05-08T13:54:00Z

Police continued to say little Tuesday about Michelle Knight, the third woman found in a Cleveland home this week after she disappeared more than 10 years ago.

Knight, 32, walked out of the house Monday on Seymour Avenue along with Gina DeJesus after Amanda Berry broke through a locked door with the assistance of a neighbor, Cleveland police said at a news conference Tuesday. All three women were described as being in "fairly good health."

The disappearances of Berry in 2003 and DeJesus in 2004 generated widespread attention and searches over the past decade, but Knight's case drew little notice. No photos of her have been released.

Deputy Police Chief Ed Tomba acknowledged Tuesday that most of the investigation over the past decade had been "geared toward" Berry and DeJesus. Knight, he said, "was the focus of very few tips."

He and other authorities would say little else about Knight, except that she had been missing since Aug 22, 2002. Even her age is uncertain; it has been reported as anywhere from 30 to 32, although public records indicate that she was born in April 1981, which would have made her 21 when she disappeared — an adult with the right to leave home if she wanted.

Tomba did promise that eventually, Knight's story "is going to come out."

Police didn't look widely for Knight after they and social workers concluded that she ran off on her own because she was angry she had lost custody of her son, Deborah Knight, her grandmother, told the Plain Dealer of Cleveland on Monday.

Knight's mother, Barbara Knight, told the newspaper that Michelle vanished shortly after she was scheduled for a court appearance in the custody case.

Barbara Knight said she never bought the story that her daughter had run away and tirelessly kept searching for years. Even now, she told the newspaper, all she knows is coming from news reports, and she has doubts that the woman found Monday really is her daughter.

Full coverage of the Cleveland kidnappings

"I'm praying that if it is her, she will come back with me, so I can help her recover from what she has been through," Barbara Knight said. "So much has happened in these 10 years. She has a younger sister she still has not met."

Judy Martin, founder of the Cleveland advocacy group Survivors/ Victims of Tragedy, told NBC News that Knight simply "slipped through the cracks."

"If it hadn't been for the families in these two cases, nothing would have been done," said Martin, who was active in the campaign to find DeJesus.

Barbara Knight described a decade-long period of frustration with Cleveland police, with whom she filed a missing persons report and a photo years ago, only to see the information left out of news reports while the disappearances of Berry and DeJesus were widely covered.

Barbara Knight said Michelle was the victim of an assault at school when she was 17. She said her daughter reported the incident to police but didn't think she was taken seriously. Soon after, Michelle got pregnant and dropped out of school, her mother said.

Barbara Knight said she believed she saw her daughter once a few years ago at a Cleveland shopping center, being pulled by the arm by an older man. She told the Plain Dealer that she yelled Michelle's name, but the woman didn't respond.

"I really miss her," she told the newspaper. "She was my daughter, but she was also my friend. She tried to make the best of her life and wanted to finish school. She never got the chance to go back."

Tiger Woods gets tipsy, embarrasses galpal Lindsey Vonn at Met Gala

2013-05-08T13:10:00Z

Tiger Woods still knows how to party.

Or not.

On his first big public date with Lindsey Vonn at Monday's big Met Gala in New York City, Woods seemingly got falling-down loaded.

No, really. He fell down.

According to Us Weekly, after walking the red carpet amid a sea of celebrities for the annual Costume Institute Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the couple went to the star-studded after party at the Boom Boom Room, held at the top of the Standard Hotel.

The blond skier reportedly steered Woods through a crowd that included Leonardo DiCaprio, Anne Hathaway, Amanda Seyfried, Chris Brown, Solange Knowles and Kate Upton, among others.

"Tiger looked uncomfortable," an onlooker said. At their table they chatted, drank, held hands and kissed for much the night. At one point, Woods got up to dance awkwardly, according to US Weekly, bopping from side to side and grabbing Vonn's rear end affectionately.

Then the fun started.

Around 2 a.m., a seemingly tipsy Woods fell while walking up a small flight of stairs. He reportedly didn't move until Vonn, clenching her teeth and looking embarrassed, helped him up and guided him -- swaying -- to the exit.

"Lindsey and I have been friends for some time, but over the last few months we have become very close and are now dating," Woods wrote when he and Vonn announced their relationship on Facebook in March.

Elderly couple blasts Iron Maiden in neighbor revenge

2013-05-07T15:54:00Z

An elderly couple have been charged with harassment for playing Iron Maiden songs at top volume toward their neighbors' home, Swedish police said.

The couple was taking revenge on their new neighbors in the Stockholm area, who they said were too loud, Aftonbladet Daily reported Sunday.

The 71-year-old woman, whose name was not reported, said the new neighbors were so loud, she had to take sleeping pills in order to sleep.

"We wanted to give a taste of their own medicine," her 81-year-old husband said.

The couple set up a music system on their balcony facing their neighbor's home, police said.

The elderly couple allegedly played the music until as late as 4 a.m. throughout the winter, The Local.se reported.

"The harassment has just carried on, I am completely broken down. How can I keep living here," the neighbors told police.

Fungi found in Capri Sun drinks generally not harmful

2013-05-07T15:05:00Z

Five types of fungus have been identified in the popular kids’ juice drink Capri Sun, researchers say.

The study was spurred by reports of consumers finding mold — mats of fungus consisting of millions of cells — in the drink.

While the findings have an “ick” factor, the fungi probably aren’t harmful to most people, said study researcher Kathleen Dannelly, associate professor microbiology at Indiana State University. Fungi are all around us — in the soil, air, and even on our skin and inside our digestive tract — but they are generally kept in check by our immune systems.

“Probably, those of us with healthy immune systems, we could even eat that, and that wouldn’t be a problem,” Dannelly said, referring to the fungal mats in Capri Sun.

However, for people with compromised immune systems, such as those with AIDS, leukemia or cystic fibrosis, fungus exposure may be a health concern, Dannelly said.

For instance, the fungus Aspergillus is found in air, and most people breathe it in without problems. But for those with compromised immune systems, the fungus can cause lung and other infections.

Kraft, which manufactures Capri Sun, acknowledges that mold can grow in the drink, but says such reports are not common.

“Since there are no preservatives in our drinks, mold can grow, especially in a leaking pouch,” Kraft says on its Capri Sun frequently asked questions website.

During the manufacturing process, the drinks are heated to temperatures that exceed those used for pasteurization. But punctures in the products’ package — even microscopic ones — can allow air inside the package, and mold to grow, Kraft says. Fungi need oxygen to grow, Dannelly said.

Capri Sun packages have a shelf life of about a year. The company urges consumers to discard leaking or damaged packages.

In the new study, the researchers filtered Capri Sun through filter paper, and then checked whether any microorganisms were left behind on the paper. The juice contained just a few fungal cells, which grew in laboratory dishes.

Dannelly said if this experiment was done on any juice after it was opened and left in the refrigerator, she would expect both fungus and bacteria to grow.

In a second experiment, the researchers, including Leah Horn, an undergraduate biology major, punctured Capri Sun packages with a sterile needle to mimic damage to the product. When left in a sterile environment for three weeks, fungal mats grew in the juice.

A problem with Capri Sun is that the packages are not see-through, so unlike mold on bread or cheese, consumers can’t tell when Capri Sun goes bad.

Kraft said it tried creating clear packages for Capri Sun, but stopped making the packages after it created manufacturing problems.

The company said it will not add preservatives to the product because their customers don’t want this. Preservatives give food a longer shelf life, but some, such as the preservative nitrite, have been linked to an increased risk of certain cancers.

Dannelly said there are some natural preservatives, such as citric acid, which are not harmful and could be added to the product (although it would make the product more acidic).

“If you’re going to have a package you can’t see through, I think you need to do something,” Dannelly said.

The study has not yet been published in a peer reviewed journal, but the researchers plan to submit the work for publication.

TV show renewals and cancellations spring of 2013

2013-05-07T14:43:00Z

Each spring we anxiously await the news from the TV networks to see if our favorite shows will live for another season or are being chopped. Listed below are the renewals and cancellations that have been announced so far. We will be updating these lists as more information is released.

ABC Unofficial TV Renewals 2013/2014

Castle
The Bachelor
The Bachelorette
The Middle
Once Upon a Time
Modern Family
Grey’s Anatomy
Dancing with the Stars
Revenge
Scandal
Shark Tank

View slideshow: TV Show Renewals and Cancellations CBS, ABC, NBC, CW, FOX

ABC Official TV Cancellations 2013/2014

666 Park Avenue
Last Resort
Private Practice
Zero Hour

CBS Official TV Renewals 2013/2014

2 Broke Girls
The Amazing Race
Big Bang Theory
Blue Bloods
Criminal Minds
CSI
Elementary
The Good Wife
Hawaii Five-0
How I Met Your Mother
The Mentalist
Mike & Molly
NCIS
NCIS: Los Angeles
Person of Interest
Survivor
Undercover Boss

Made In Jersey
Partners

The only show NBC has official renewed so far is "The Voice" through season 5.

NBC Probably Renewed TV Shows 2013/2014

Parenthood
Revolution
Grimm
Go On
Parks and Recreation
Chicago Fire
Celebrity Apprentice
The Biggest Loser
Betty White’s Off Their Rockers

NBC Cancelled TV Shows 2013/2014

Animal Practice
Do No Harm
The Office, series finale to air May 16, 2013.

CW Renewed TV Shows 2013/2014

Supernatural
The Vampire Diaries
Arrow

CW Cancelled TV Shows 2013/2014

Gossip Girl
90210 - series finale airs May 13, 2013.
Emily Owens, M.D.

FOX Renewed TV Shows 2013/2014

New Girl
The Mindy Project
American Dad
Bob’s Burgers
Bones
Family Guy
The Following
Glee – Renewed through Season 6
Raising Hope
The Simpsons
The X Factor

FOX Cancelled TV Shows 2013/2014

Ben & Kate
The Mob Doctor
Fringe

3 Missing Ohio Women Found Alive

2013-05-07T13:04:00Z

The three women who disappeared a decade ago in Cleveland and were found alive are out of the hospital.

Metro Health Medical Center says all three were released Tuesday morning.

A frantic 911 call led police to a house near downtown Cleveland, where the three women were found Monday.

Police Chief Michael McGrath says Amanda Berry, Gina DeJesus and Michelle Knight were tied up at the house and held there since they were in their teens or early 20s.

Three brothers were arrested. Authorities released no names and gave no information about them or what charges they might face.

Officials have scheduled a news conference for Tuesday morning.

'Earth-Like' Planets Discovered By NASA's Kepler Telescope Could Host Liquid Water, Agency Says

2013-05-06T16:04:00Z

NASA's Kepler space telescope has discovered three exoplanets that may be capable of supporting life, and one of them is perhaps the most Earth-like alien world spotted to date, scientists announced (April 18).

That most intriguing one is called Kepler-62f, a rocky world just 1.4 times bigger than Earth that circles a star smaller and dimmer than the sun. Kepler-62f's newfound neighbor, Kepler-62e, is just 1.6 times larger than Earth, making the pair among the smallest exoplanets yet found in their star's habitable zone — the just-right range of distances where liquid water can exist on a world's surface.

Kepler-62e and f, which are part of a newly discovered five-planet system, "look very good as possibilities for looking for life," said Kepler science principal investigator Bill Borucki, of NASA's Ames Research Center in Moffett Field, Calif. [9 Exoplanets That Could Host Alien Life]

This diagram compares the planets of the inner solar system to Kepler-62, a newfound five-planet system with two potentially habitable worlds. Kepler-62 lies about 1,200 light-years from Earth, in the constellation Lyra.

The third potentially habitable planet, called Kepler-69c, is 1.7 times bigger than Earth and orbits a star similar to our own. It's the smallest world ever found in the habitable zone of a sunlike star, researchers said, and represents a big step toward discovering the first-ever "alien Earth."

"We're moving very rapidly toward finding an Earth analogue around a star like the sun," Borucki told SPACE.com.

Researchers announced these newfound planets — all three of which are "super-Earths," or worlds slightly larger than our own — today at a NASA news conference. The Kepler-62 discovery paper, led by Borucki, was also published today in the journal Science.

The three potentially habitable worlds are part of a larger haul. All told, the scientists rolled out seven new exoplanets today — five in the Kepler-62 system and two in Kepler-69.

Alien water worlds?

The five newfound planets in the Kepler-62 system, which is located about 1,200 light-years away in the constellation Lyra, range from 0.54 to 1.95 times the size of Earth. Only Kepler-62e and f are potentially habitable; the other three zip around the star at close range, making them too hot to support life as we know it, researchers said.

Kepler-62e and f take 122 and 267 days, respectively, to complete one orbit around their star, which is just 20 percent as bright as the sun. While nobody knows what the two exoplanets look like, a separate modeling study suggests they're both probably water worlds covered by endless, uninterrupted global oceans. [Two Habitable Alien Water Worlds? (Video)]

The artist's concept depicts Kepler-69c, a planet 1.7 times the size of Earth that orbits in the habitable zone of a star like our sun, located about 2,700 light-years from Earth in the constellation Cygnus.

"There may be life there, but could it be technology-based like ours? Life on these worlds would be under water with no easy access to metals, to electricity, or fire for metallurgy," lead author Lisa Kaltenegger, of the Max Planck Institute for Astronomy and the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, said in a statement.

"Nonetheless, these worlds will still be beautiful blue planets circling an orange star — and maybe life’s inventiveness to get to a technology stage will surprise us," she added.

Not surprisingly, Kepler-62e should be warmer than its more distantly orbiting neighbor. In fact, Kepler-62f may require a greenhouse effect to keep its ocean from freezing over, researchers said.

“Kepler-62e probably has a very cloudy sky and is warm and humid all the way to the polar regions," co-author Dimitar Sasselov of Harvard said in a statement. "Kepler-62f would be cooler, but still potentially life-friendly."

The new modeling study has been accepted for publication in The Astrophysical Journal.

Searching for Earth's twin

The $600 million Kepler observatory launched in March 2009 to hunt for Earth-size exoplanets in the habitable zone of their parent stars. Kepler finds alien worlds by detecting the tiny brightness dips caused when they transit, or cross the face of, their stars from the instrument's perspective.

Kepler has used this technique to great effect, spotting more than 2,700 potential planets since its March 2009 launch. While just 120 or so of these candidates have been confirmed to date, mission scientists estimate that more than 90 percent will end up being the real deal.

While Kepler has yet to discover a true Earth twin, it's getting closer and closer, Borucki said, pointing to the confirmation of Kepler-69c as an example. (That planet lies 2,700 light-years away, in the constellation Cygnus. Kepler-69c's neighbor Kepler-69b, which is about twice the size of Earth and too hot to host life, was also announced today.)

"I think we're making excellent progress in that direction," Borucki said. "We have a number of candidates that look good."

Such steady progress makes sense, since Kepler will of course spot more transits the longer it looks. The telescope needs to observe three transits to flag a planet candidate, so detecting a potentially habitable world in a relatively distant orbit can take several years.

Kepler cannot search for signs of life on worlds like Kepler-62e, Kepler-62f and Kepler-69c, but the telescope is paving the way for future missions that should do just that, Borucki said.

"This is one of the early steps, but there's no mistake — we are on our way to explore the galaxy, to learn about life in the galaxy," he said.

Researchers: Jamestown settlers resorted to cannibalism

2013-05-06T15:05:00Z

The winter of 1609 to 1610 was treacherous for early American settlers. Some 240 of the 300 colonists at Jamestown, in Virginia, died during this period, called the "Starving Time," when they were under siege and had no way to get food.

Desperate times led to desperate measures. New evidence suggests that includes eating the flesh of fellow colonists who had already died.

Archaeologists revealed Wednesday their analysis of 17th century skeletal remains suggesting that settlers practiced cannibalism to survive.

Researchers unearthed an incomplete human skull and tibia (shin bone) in 2012 that contain several features suggesting that this particular person had been cannibalized. The remains come from a 14-year-old girl of English origin, whom historians are calling "Jane."Photos: Cannibalism evidence

There are about half a dozen accounts that mention cannibalistic behaviors at that time, although the record is limited, said Douglas Owsley, division head of physical anthropology at the Smithsonian National Museum of National History.

The newly analyzed remains support these accounts, providing the first forensic evidence of cannibalism in the American colonies.

What we know from the bones

Jane's remains were found in a 17th-century trash deposit at the former site of James Fort. William Kelso, chief archaeologist at the Jamestown Rediscovery Project said at a briefing Wednesday that the fort was built in 1607, but has been washed away. Kelso and colleagues began digging in 1994 and have been excavating the site on Jamestown Island ever since.

Owsley and colleagues can tell quite a bit about what happened to Jane when at least one starving settler in the fort apparently tried to feed off of her.
If it's any consolation, it appears that she was already dead at the time.

Researchers say it looks like someone had tried, but failed to open the skull with four shallow chops to the forehead.

The back of the skull contains markings that could have been made by a small hatchet or cleaver striking it. The cranium cracked open from the last hit. Forensic experts say it appears the person striking the skull was right-handed.

The skull's mandible contains cuts all over it and inside, which experts say reflect an attempt to take tissue off of the face and throat with a tool such as a knife. The cheek area reflects a "sawing action" of a tool going back and forth, Owsley said. There are also sharp passages of a knife.

At some point in the process, the head was removed, Owsley said.

The damage done to these remains indicates that whoever inflicted it was not a skilled butcher, he said.

"Instead, what we see is hesitancy, trial, tentativeness and an absolute total lack of experience."

The shin bone that archaeologists recovered also appeared to have been chopped, but in a way that more resembles classic butchering techniques, Owsley said.

"The person doing this was clearly interested in, based on what would have been accepted cuisine in the 17th century, in cheek meat, muscles of the face -- that area -- and tongue, and also in terms of 17th century traditional cuts, would also include the brain," he said.

It is possible that more than one person was involved in this, given the disparity in butchering practices seen in the head compared to the shin bone.

What we know about the colonists

In the summer of 1609, the settlers experienced two significant setbacks, said James Horn, vice president of research and historical interpretation at Colonial Williamsburg.

The first was that a large fleet bringing supplies and settlers to Virginia was scattered. It had been carrying 500 settlers from Plymouth along with provisions.

"The fleet represented a new beginning for Jamestown, which had struggled over the previous two years," Horn said.

A hurricane scattered the ships a week before they were supposed to arrive. The flagship with the leaders of this pack ended up in Bermuda. Shakespeare's play "The Tempest" takes its inspiration from this event.

Six ships reached Jamestown in August 1609, with spoiled or depleted food, and many settlers in poor health. "On one of those ships was Jane," Horn said.

At the same time, the relationship between the Jamestown colonists and the native Powhatan Indians had broken down. The existing settlers were already experiencing disease and a shortage of food, and the demands they made on the Powhatans strained their relations.

That was the environment into which 300 additional settlers arrived at the James Fort.

One of the leaders of the group, Captain John Smith -- the same one who was famously friends with Pocahontas -- returned to England in October 1609 because he was injured, Owsley said, leaving a leadership vacuum.

In the fall, the Powhatans waged war against these colonists, and launched a siege against the fort.

With no way to get food from the outside, the colonists resorted to eating horses, dogs, cats, rats, mice and snakes, Horn said, according to the accounts of George Percy, who was the president of Jamestown during this time. There are even accounts of people eating their shoes and any other leather that could be found. Anyone who left to try to scrounge for roots in the woods was killed by the Powhatans.

Percy wrote, according to the Smithsonian, "thatt notheinge was Spared to mainteyne Lyfe and to doe those things which seame incredible, as to digge upp deade corpes outt of graves and to eate them. And some have Licked upp the Bloode which hathe fallen from their weake fellowes." In other words, cannibalism.

It's not clear how many deceased colonists were cannibalized. Only 60 of 300 of the original colonists survived, described as "looking like skeletons," Horn said.

In May of 1610, the settlers finally arrived who had been shipwrecked in Bermuda, effectively saving the colony. Lord Delaware brought even more colonists and enough provisions to last a year.

There are still more pits at the fort to be excavated, and only 10% of Jane's body has been recovered, Owsley said.

"I think there's going to be other examples," Owsley said. "Whether that will be found -- with archeology you never know what's going to be under the next shovel."

A special exhibition will begin at the Smithsonian about Jamestown and Jane's story on Friday.

300 Gallons Of Urine Found In Man's Connecticut House

2013-05-06T14:19:00Z

If pee stories are your persuasion, urine luck!

Authorities in Newtown, Conn. said they found a home filled with as many as 300 one-gallon jugs of urine on Friday, according to the Danbury News Times.

The state's Department of Energy and Environmental Protection stumbled upon the discovery after local health officials asked the agency to investigate.

DEEP condemned the house and the owner could face charges, though that's unlikely, according to WTNH.

Dennis Schain of DEEP, said he was confident the urine belonged to the owner, whose name has not been released.

"From our conversation, it seemed that he was responsible for putting the containers there," Schain said. "It's most unusual. Our crews have been out over the years, and they are having a hard time recalling something like this."

Guyism suspects the worst motivations for the man's penchant for pee storage:

Hoarding gallons upon gallons in your house for an unknown cause seems like a fairly supervillainous thing to do. Maybe not a good supervillain, but a supervillain all the same.

Mama June and Sugar Bear Exchange Vows

2013-05-06T13:13:00Z

They had vows, a cake, a camouflage gown and all their family and friends present, butHere Comes Honey Boo Boo stars Mama June (June Shannon, 33) and Sugar Bear, 41, won't say whether they've actually gotten married – or just recommitted to each other.

On Sunday, friends and family, including Honey Boo Boo (Alana Thompson, 7) and big sisters Pumpkin, Chickadee and Chubbs, joined the duo in their Georgia backyard for a ceremony to celebrate their love, followed by a rowdy family barbecue on what happens to be Cinco de Mayo.

"The day was very special mostly because my girls were able to take part in it," says June. "I felt like it was important for them to see this moment and celebrate my love for Sugar Bear."

The fun-loving family, whose series returns to TLC July 17, didn't go over the top with the celebration.

Alana "Honey Boo Boo" Thompson

"My sister baked the cake, and we spent most of the money on barbecue," says June. "We stayed true to our roots and made the focus on the family and my commitment to Sugar Bear. You can definitely plan an event on a budget!"

And whether or not they're actually married, June says she's found the secret to keeping her relationship strong.

"Never settle for a man who doesn't treat you right," she says. "If a guy doesn't love everything about you, move on! There are plenty of other fish in the sea."

"I give this advice to my daughters," she adds, "because I always want them to be themselves and surround themselves with people who love them for them."

Metal community mourns Slayer guitarist Jeff Hanneman, 49, who died three years after contracting flesh-eating disease from spider bite

2013-05-03T15:51:00Z

American thrash metal guitarist Jeff Hanneman, a member of the seminal heavy metal band Slayer, has died aged 49 from liver failure in Southern California.

Hanneman, who wrote songs “Raining Blood” and “Angel of Death”, had spent most of 2011 battling a flesh-eating disease contracted after he was bitten by a spider.

His death yesterday morning was confirmed in a statement on the band’s Facebook page: “Slayer is devastated to inform that their bandmate and brother, Jeff Hanneman, passed away at about 11am this morning near his Southern California home.”

“Hanneman was in an area hospital when he suffered liver failure.”

Click here or on "View Images" for Jeff Hanneman a life in pictures

He is survived by his wife Kathy, his sister Kathy and his brothers Michael and Larry.

Hanneman founded Slayer with fellow guitarist Kerry King in the early 1980s. The group was among the “big four” thrash metal groups of the era alongside Megadeth, Metallica and Anthrax.

Hanneman’s life changed considerably after he was bitten by a spider three years ago. An open letter published on the band’s website in 2011 described the devastating physical impact the bite had on him.

It said: “As you know, Jeff was bitten by a spider more than a year ago, but what you may not have known was that for a couple of days after he went to the ER, things were touch-and-go. There was talk that he might have to have his arm amputated, and we didn't know if he was going to pull through at all.”

“He was in a medically-induced coma for a few days and had several operations to remove the dead and dying tissue from his arm. So, understand, he was in really, really bad shape. It's been about a year since he got out of the hospital, and since then, he had to learn to walk again, he's had several painful skin grafts, he's been in rehab doing exercises to regain the strength in his arm; but best of all, he's been playing guitar.”

Hanneman had since been making progress with physiotherapy and had been writing songs with Slayer in anticipation of recording a new album this year.

Since news of his death broke the internet and social networking sites have been awash with tributes to Hanneman, especially from big names within the metal community.

Dave Ellefson of Megadeth said: “My condolences to Slayer and the Jeff Hanneman family today.”

A statement from Metallica simply read: "R.I.P Jeff Hanneman".

Guns N’Roses guitarist Slash tweeted: "Tragic and shocking news about Jeff Hanneman. He is going to missed by so many. What a sad day for Metal. RIP man".

Black Stone Cherry's official Twitter page said: “RIP Jeff Hanneman of Slayer, we lost a good one.”

Hammerfall paid tribute to him, saying: "How tragic, Jeff Hanneman has passed away! Slayer, believe it or not, has been quite instrumental in shaping the HF attitude, and we will miss him and his musical contributions to the world dearly. R.I.P., Jeff!"

The Recording Academy described Hanneman as "true trailblazer". A statement from president Neil Portnow called him "an intense and powerful guitarist and a force to be reckoned with on stage", adding: "The music industry has lost a true trailblazer, and our deepest sympathies go out to his family, his bandmates and fans around the world who mourn his untimely passing."

Papa Roach also paid tribute: “We’re saddened by the death of Slayer guitarist, Jeff Hanneman. Our prayers and best wishes to Slayer and Jeff’s family.”

Hatebreed said: “We are extremely saddened by the news of Jeff Hanneman’s passing. Our deepest condolences to his family, friends, fans and the entire Slayer camp and their road crew. We would not be the band we are today without him and Slayer. Rest in peace, Jeff!”

Slayer have a large number of upcoming tour dates including playing several festivals in Europe in June and August and a South American tour in September.

REESE WITHERSPOON ARREST DASH CAM VIDEO Crazier Than You Thought!

2013-05-03T13:55:00Z

Reese Witherspoon wasn't kidding when she told GMA she was "saying all kinds of crazy things" ... and TMZ has obtained the entire, unbelievably entertaining dash cam video.

The footage, obtained from law enforcement sources, shows the officer arresting Reese's husband Jim Toth for DUI in the early morning hours of April 19.

Reese -- who since admitted she was hammered at the time -- decided to butt in during the arrest ... and the officer obviously wasn't having it and cartoonishly enforced the law with a vengeance.

In fact, the cop warned Reese several times to sit down and be quiet so he could focus on Jim -- Witherspoon didn't exactly comply.

Instead, Reese got in the officer's face ... and annoyed him to the point that he arrested her for disorderly conduct. Here are some of Reese's finest quotes during the incident:

Reese: "Do you know my name sir?"
Officer: "Don't need to know."
Reese "You don't NEED to know my name?"
Officer: "Not quite yet."
Reese: "YOU'RE ABOUT TO FIND OUT WHO I AM!"

Reese: "I have done nothing against the law."
Officer: "Yes you did, you didn't obey my orders."
Reese: "I HAVE TO OBEY YOUR ORDERS??"

Reese: "I'm now being arrested and handcuffed??"

Reese: "I'm an American citizen ... I'm allowed to stand on American ground."

Reese: "You better not arrest me."

Reese: "I'm being anti-American?"
Officer: "Yes, please sit down."
Reese: "Wow!"

Reese: "You're harassing me as an American citizen"

And the best line -- "I'm obstructing your justice?"

After Reese's tirade, Jim actually told the cop, "I'm sorry, I had nothing to do with that!"

During the arrest, Reese also told the cop she was pregnant and needed to pee. She later confessed on "GMA" that she panicked and said "crazy things" because her husband was being arrested.

Funny moment during the bust ... the officer instructs Toth to blow hard during a breathalyzer test -- coaching him along the way, "Blow! blow! blow! blow! blow! blow! blow!"

But Toth blew TOO HARD ... and the cop had to do the whole thing all over again.

We broke the story ... Reese pled no contest to Physical Obstruction of Another and Jim pled guilty to DUI.

Formerly obese dachshund Obie gets surgery to remove excess skin

2013-05-03T13:25:00Z

Obie, a dachshund who made headlines after he reached 77 pounds, has recently underwent reconstructive surgery after his 40-pound weight loss.

Pet weight loss contest: Before and after

Veterinarians at Oregon Expert Vets in Tualatin, Oreg. removed 2.5 pounds of loose skin from the formerly obese dog. He weighed 37 pounds and 4 ounces at the time of his surgery on Tuesday, according to his official Facebook page, Biggest Loser Doxie Edition.

"I don't know that this surgery has ever been performed on a dog before after a significant weight loss but it will be similar to doing a mass removal procedure," owner Nora Vanatta wrote.

Doctors show off Obie's excess skin. The dog lost 44 pounds.

He now weighs about 35 pounds and Vanatta wants him to lose about 5 more, the Associated Press reported.

Yesterday, Vanatta wrote that Obie was doing very well post-procedure, and was able to sleep. He was able to eat breakfast and use the bathroom, and is at home recovering. Obie isn't up to regular walks and play yet, but he is expected to be at his usual energy levels soon.

Ideally, Vanatta said that Obie should weigh between 28 to 30 pounds so he has a little longer to go on his weight loss journey.

Beard Study Shows Heavy Stubble Makes Men Especially Attractive To Women

2013-05-02T15:54:00Z

Talk about cutting-edge science. A new study conducted by researchers in Australia shows that women prefer men with heavy stubble over clean-shaven guys and guys sporting light stubble or full beards.

And what sort of men's facial hair do straight guys think is preferable among their peers? In the study, published in the May issue of the journal Evolution & Human Behavior, full beards and heavy stubble edged out light stubble and the clean-shaven look.

For their research, University of New South Wales professors Barnaby J. Dixson and Rob C. Brooks presented photos of 10 smiling men to 177 heterosexual men and 351 women, according to MedicalXpress. Each man in the photos was shown in four ways -- clean-shaven, with five days of beard growth (light stubble), 10 days of growth (heavy stubble), and with a full beard.

The researchers then asked the women and men to rate the men in the photos according to their attractiveness, finding heavy stubble to be the clear winner among women.

What explains the hankering for heavy stubble?

"Our findings confirm that beardedness affects judgments of male socio-sexual attributes and suggest that an intermediate level of beardedness is most attractive while full-bearded men may be perceived as better fathers who could protect and invest in offspring," the researchers concluded in the abstract of their study.

Dixson and Brooks hypothesize that facial hair makes men seem more mature and masculine but also more dominant and aggressive, the website of the Australia edition of Men's Health reported. "Men, judging other men, might be sensitive to the overall level of masculine threat and aggression signaled through full beards," the researchers wrote, according to the website. "Women, by contrast, may balance...a competitive masculine partner against the costs of mating with a too-masculine partner."

As to why light stubble loses out to heavy stubble, the researchers believe that there's "a threshold of density and distribution may be necessary for beards to function as an attractive signal," Science magazine reported. In other words, it's just too patchy.

Male Teachers Get Longer Sentences For Sexually Abusing Students Than Female Teachers

2013-05-02T14:11:00Z

A Star-Ledger investigation has found that male teachers receive harsher punishments than female teachers when they are convicted of crimes involving sexual relationships with students. Experts credit the disparity to societal perceptions that young girls must be protected and are much more vulnerable than their underage male counterparts.

The sample, which followed cases in New Jersey, found that 54 percent of male defendants went to prison, while only 44 percent of women did time after they were found to have conducted inappropriate sexual activities. The longest jail term for a male teacher was 10 years, compared with 7 for a female. Interestingly, that 7 year sentence was the result of a female coach having relations with a female player.

"There’s a general societal disposition that does continue to treat women as the gentler sex, so typically the threshold for sending women to prison is higher," Martin Horn, director of the New York State Sentencing Commission and a professor at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice, told the Star-Ledger.

Cases that highlight the disparity in sentencing include a Bergen County female teacher who was only sentenced to one year probation for a relationship with a 14-year-old boy, while a male teacher received a nine-year sentence after a relationship with a 16-year-old girl.

Prosecutors noted that each case has its own particular corroborating evidence and circumstances that influence plea deals, or, in the case of a trial, verdicts and sentences.

Martha Stewart's Match.com Dating Profile Revealed!

2013-05-02T13:37:00Z

Martha Stewart's Match.com profile.

Go ahead, leave Martha Stewart a "wink" on Match.com! As recently teased on TODAY, the once-divorced homemaking mogul, 71, is looking for love -- and has dipped her famous toes in the online dating pool, with her recently created Match.com profile now revealed.

Wearing an unbuttoned white shirt, Stewart -- whose screen name is "thegoodlonglife" -- gives a serene, close-mouthed smile for her profile shot. Looking for men aged 55-70 in the NYC area, the doyenne gets the obvious out in the open first. "You may recognize me from my pictures. Yes, it's really me," she writes.

Plugging her new book, Living the Good Long Life, the author and TV star explains of her leap into online dating: "I was reminded how central good relationships are to happiness and longevity. Also, I’ve always been a big believer that technology, if used well, can enhance one’s life. So here I am, looking to enhance my dating life."

(The multimillionaire divorced Andrew Stewart, father to her daughter Alexis, now 47, back in 1987 after 26 years together. Her ex boyfriends include actor Sir Anthony Hopkins and computer exec Charles Simonyl.)

Calling herself "Curious about everything. Love learning. An adventurous spirit," Stewart muses, "I'm told that I'm a specific person, and that the efficiency of online dating might be a good way for me to find that needle in the haystack." While she says she loves "to be surprised," the entrepreneur describes her ideal man:

"Someone who's intelligent, established, and curious; and who relishes adventure and new experiences as much as I do. Someone who can teach me new things. A lover of animals, grandchildren, and the outdoors. Young at heart."

Recently telling Matt Lauer she still hasn't "found the next Mr. Right," Stewart said she initially "started to laugh" while signing up for Match.com. "It was, like, impossible."

Chris Kelly of 1990s rap duo Kris Kross dies

2013-05-02T13:23:00Z

Chris Kelly, half of the 1990s kid rap duo behind one of the decade's most memorable songs, "Jump," has died at anAtlanta hospital of an apparent drug overdose, authorities said. He was 34.

Kelly, known as "Mac Daddy," and Chris Smith, known as "Daddy Mac," made up the rap group Kris Kross, who were known for wearing their clothes backwards as they rhymed.

"It appears it may have been a possible drug overdose," said Cpl.Kay Lester, a spokeswoman for the Fulton County police. Lester said that was based on statements received at the scene as well as evidence turned up at Kelly's home in south Atlanta.

According to Lester, police were called to Kelly's home at around 4:30 p.m. Wednesday. He was then transported to the south campus of the Atlanta Medical Center.

Investigator Betty Honey of the Fulton County Medical Examiner's office said Kelly was pronounced dead at the hospital at around 5 p.m. Wednesday.

No official cause of death has been determined, pending an autopsy.

Kris Kross was introduced to the music world in 1992 by music producer and rapper Jermaine Dupriafter he discovered the pair at Greenbriar Mall in southwest Atlanta.

"To the world Chris was Mac Daddy but to me, he was a son I never had..." Dupri said in a statement Thursday.

"When I think about it, I spent more time with Chris and Chris than damn near anybody in my whole life, so you can imagine how bad this hurts," Dupri added. "I will always love you Chris, and I will never let the world forget you, may God bless your soul."

The duo wore their clothes backwards as a gimmick, but they won over fans with their raps.

Their first, and by far most successful song, was "Jump." The hit, off their multiplatinum 1992 debut album "Totally Krossed Out," featured the two trading verses and rapping the refrain, the song's title. The duo had surprising maturity in their rap delivery, though the song was written by Dupri. It would become a No. 1 smash in the United States and globally, and one of the most popular of that year.

Their success led to instant fame: They toured with Michael Jackson, appeared on TV shows, and even had their own video game.

The group was never able to match the tremendous success of their first song, though they had other hits like "Warm It Up," and "Tonite's tha Night."

In 2009, after photos surfaced that showed him with bald spots on his head, there were rumors that he had cancer. But in an interview posted on YouTube by Straight from the A TV, he said he suffered from alopecia, a condition in which people lose their hair.

"My health is good, I just got alopecia, I don't have cancer, not other sort of diseases," he said.

Earlier this year, the group performed together to celebrate the anniversary of Durpri's label, So So Def.

Farrah Abraham Brings Dad, Daughter Sophia, 3, to Sex Tape Negotiation

2013-05-01T17:43:00Z

Farrah Abraham brought her 3-year-old daughter Sophia (pictured above) and her dad, Michael, to a meeting with porn company honcho Steve Hirsch to discuss her sex tape.Credit: PacificCoastNews.com

Maybe she couldn't get a babysitter? As Us Weekly reported earlier, Teen Mom's Farrah Abraham is currently considering offers from porn companies that want to buy her sex tape with adult film star James Deen. So on Sunday, April 21, she sat down with Steve Hirsch, founder of porn studio Vivid Entertainment. But she didn't take the meeting alone; also along for the ride were her dad, Michael, and her 3-year-old daughter, Sophia.

TMZ caught the Teen Mom star and her family as they were leaving Vivid's headquarters in L.A. Asked whether he was part of the negotiation process, dad Michael replied that he was just there to "support" his daughter. "She's just trying to figure out what's going on," he said.

"My dad's just very supportive," Abraham, 22, piped in. "And like any business person, I need to handle this situation the best way for my future...My dad's just here helping me out, and I wanted to bring Soph out here as well. I'm just getting a couple different offers for two other companies, and I think it's just smart that I'm hearing what each company has to say and really hearing out everything so I can process it."

"I've only gotten great feedback from the other companies that they were personally impressed," she added. "In terms of every field of work that I've worked in, I'm always wanting to hear good feedback, whether it's shows or it's my book or other things. And I've only gotten great feedback about this. And that's why maybe I'm looking into the option of releasing it. If I heard otherwise, I wouldn't even be releasing it."

Abraham first confirmed the existence of said tape two weeks ago, after Deen talked about it to TMZ. He characterized the shoot as a professionally shot porno rather than a casual "sex tape" -- but his costar in the XXX-rated flick disagreed.

"After seeing James speaking about my personal video as a porn and not even contacting me before running his mouth, I have to say I am very disappointed," Abraham told Us Weekly on Wednesday, April 10. "I personally will never have anything to do with James. I'm a great woman, mother, and entrepreneur. As for the company who has a copy of my personal video, my lawyer is taking care of that matter."

Indeed, Abraham's attorneys sent a cease and desist letter to Hirsch just a few days later. But in the new issue of Us Weekly, a Deen source says that the single mother planned to leak the tape all along. "It was a complete setup," the insider tells Us. "Farrah lied."

In any case, Abraham now hopes to use the tape to her advantage. "I will not be settling for anything less then a couple million," she told Us, adding that the video's value to her was more than just financial. "I wanted my own personal video made and photos taken for myself. When I am older I will have my best year to look back on. I'm happy to see my 21st year be done."

FDA: Morning-after pill to move over the counter

2013-05-01T15:58:00Z

The government is moving the morning-after pill over the counter but only those 15 and older can buy it — an attempt to find middle ground just days before a court-imposed deadline to lift all age restrictions on the emergency contraceptive.

Today, Plan B One-Step is sold behind pharmacy counters, and buyers must prove they're 17 or older to buy it without a prescription. Tuesday's decision by the Food and Drug Administration lowers the age limit and will allow the pill to sit on drugstore shelves next to spermicides or other women's health products and condoms — but anyone who wants to buy it must prove their age at the cash register.

Some contraceptive advocates called the move promising.

"This decision is a step in the right direction for increased access to a product that is a safe and effective method of preventing unintended pregnancies," said Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash. "It's also a decision that moves us closer to these critical availability decisions being based on science, not politics."

But earlier this month, U.S. District Judge Edward Korman of New York blasted the Obama administration for imposing the age-17 limit, saying it had let election-year politics trump science and was making it hard for women of any age to obtain the emergency contraception in time. He ordered an end to the age restrictions by Monday.

The women's group that sued over the age limits said Tuesday's action is not enough, and it will continue the court fight.

Lowering the age limit "may reduce delays for some young women but it does nothing to address the significant barriers that far too many women of all ages will still find if they arrive at the drugstore without identification," said Nancy Northup, president of the Center for Reproductive Rights.

The FDA said the Plan B One-Step will be packaged with a product code that prompts the cashier to verify a customer's age. Anyone who can't provide such proof as a driver's license, birth certificate or passport wouldn't be allowed to complete the purchase.

"These are daunting and sometimes insurmountable hoops women are forced to jump through in time-sensitive circumstances, and we will continue our battle in court to remove these arbitrary restrictions on emergency contraception for all women," Northup said.

Half the nation's pregnancies every year are unintended, and doctors' groups say more access to morning-after pills could cut those numbers. The pills contain higher doses of regular contraceptives, and if taken within 72 hours of unprotected sex, can cut the chances of pregnancy by up to 89 percent.

The FDA had been poised to lift all age limits and let Plan B sell over-the-counter in late 2011, when Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, in an unprecedented move, overruled her own scientists. Sebelius said some girls as young as 11 are physically capable of bearing children, but shouldn't be able to buy the pregnancy-preventing pill on their own.

President Barack Obama supported Sebelius' move and a spokesman said earlier this month that the president's position hadn't changed.

The FDA said Tuesday's decision was independent of the court case. Instead, after the Obama administration's 2011 action, Plan B maker Teva Women's Health had filed a new application with the age-15 compromise.

Swedish High School Debuts Gender Neutral Locker Room

2013-05-01T14:53:00Z

Students at a Swedish high school have requested and received a gender neutral changing room as part of the school’s locker room for any student that wants to use it. Soedra Latins upper secondary school already has male and female locker rooms, but students proposed last year that they have an additional space for studentsnot defined by gender. Trans folks (and gay folks) all around the world are discriminated against by people who assume they use opposite-gender bathrooms just to leer; it’s particularly hard on trans kids who are, in many cases, already susceptible to bullying. A gender neutral space gives those bigots no excuse. This Stockholm suburb is the same place that discourages preschoolers from calling each other “him”/”her”/”boy”/”girl” and instead identify each other as “friends.” Between your progressive ideas about gender and your IKEA meatballs, you’re not doing anything to make me not love you, Sweden.

Boston Red Sox invite Jason Collins to throw out first pitch

2013-05-01T13:11:00Z

Jason Collins may have spent just 32 games of his 14-year NBA career in a Boston uniform, but the city is stepping up to support the former Celtics center who made a historic announcement Monday.

In an interview with Sports Illustrated, Collins revealed that he is gay, thus becoming the first active male athlete in a major American sport to come out of the closet.

Collins has been receiving an overwhelming amount of support from the athletic community, including this tweet from the Boston Red Sox:

We salute you, @jasoncollins34 for your courage and leadership. Any time you want to throw out a first pitch at Fenway Park, let us know.

— Boston Red Sox (@RedSox) April 29, 2013

Collins signed with the Celtics as a free agent last summer and averaged 10.3 minutes, 1.2 points and 1.6 rebounds a game before being traded to the Washington Wizards with Leandro Barbosa forJordan Crawford in February.

So while he may not yet know where — or if — he will be playing basketball again, Collins knows he's welcome on the mound at Fenway if he chooses to take the Red Sox up on their offer.

Where do cheaters take their dates? Morton's Steakhouse named top dining destination for adulterers

2013-04-30T15:53:00Z

Adulterers looking for a discreet location to cheat on their partner have named Morton’s the Steakhouse as their restaurant of choice.

A survey by dating website for married people AshleyMadison.com has shown that the Chicago based steakhouse is a favourite for cheaters as they are dimly lit and often found in business districts close to hotels.

The website asked 42,890 of their members who stayed in major American cities to choose their top 10 venues.

Favourite: Morton's the Steakhouse topped the list as the adulterer's choice of restaurant

Classic: members of infidelity website Ashley Madison prefer dimly lit steakhouses that are at least 20 miles from their home

The Huffington Post reported that members chose chain restaurants such as Red Lobster and the Cheesecake Factory.

But the members noted that it had to be located at least 20 miles from their homes.

Ashley Madison founder and CEO Noel Biderman said: ‘Chain restaurants are larger and less conspicuous.

Risky: STOCK IMAGE Ashley Madison asked 42,890 of their members to find out the top 10 restaurants

ADULTERER'S TOP TEN VENUES

10. Fleming's

9. Red Lobster

8. Outback Steakhouse

7. Chili’s

6. Del Fuisco’s

5. Cheesecake Factory

4. P.F Chang's

3. Houston’s

2. Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse

1. Morton’s the Steakhouse

'Steak houses are always a popular affair destination since they’re not only dimly lit but also commonly found in business districts, close to hotels where these type of dates typically end.’

Morton’s the Steakhouse was founded in 1978 by Hard Rock Café co-founder, Arnold Morton and businessman Klaus Fritsch.

They now have locations in United States, Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Hong Kong, Macau, Shanghai and Singapore.

Ashley Madison is the world’s leading dating service for married people with more than 18,715,000 anonymous members.

Joseph L. Robertson's Marijuana Will Be Returned By Cops Who Seized It, Judge Orders

2013-04-30T15:21:00Z

Police in Tacoma could soon be in real trouble over pot.

The department could be found in contempt if they continue to refuse to return a small amount of marijuana seized from a man after a traffic stop. Municipal Court Judge Jack Emery repeated an order to police Thursday to return the drug to Joseph L. Robertson within seven days or they could be found in contempt.

"Appeal or comply," Emery told assistant city attorney John Walker. "Or next week, show up, and I would advise you to bring counsel."

The judge first ordered police to return the drug on Feb. 28, but they have refused, The News Tribune reported Friday (http://bit.ly/10hwiD9).

It was seized in May of last year when an officer pulled over the Tacoma man for speeding. He was cited for driving without a license and misdemeanor marijuana possession. Prosecutors dismissed the drug charge in December, after state voters decided to legalize small amounts of the drug.

Robertson then asked for his pot back, and provided proof of medical marijuana authorization. The city refused, which led to Emery's Feb. 28 order. If the matter is not settled by the May 2 hearing, it could go to higher courts.

The pot is now in the possession of the Pierce County sheriff's department, which operates the property room for seized evidence. Deputies won't give it to Robertson.

"It's Tacoma's case," said sheriff's spokesman Ed Troyer. "If they want it, they can come and get it."

Although the judge said he thinks "there's contemptuous behavior here," Emery added that the case was "a quagmire," due to the conflicting provisions of state and federal law.

Naked UF Student Asks Cops to Cut His Penis Off (Oh, He Was on LSD)

2013-04-30T14:54:00Z

During a confrontation with police, 19-year-old University of Florida student Michael Silecchia begged the officers not to cut his penis off. Then he seemingly had an abrupt change of mind and started asking police to in fact go ahead and cut his manhood off.

We should probably mention that he was stark naked at the time and tripping on LSD.

According to The Florida Independent Alligator, Gainesville Police were called in the early hours of Saturday morning to a student apartment complex near campus. Silecchia was disturbing his neighbors by running through the halls.

When officers arrive the student decided to strip naked and also informed police that he was both "God" and "straight."

He then asked police not to cut his penis off, before asking them to do so. When you're already tripping your balls off, that sort of logic kind of makes sense.

Police tried to subdue Silecchia but he turned and struck a female officer in the head.

Eventually the student was Tasered six times, hand-cuffed, and taken to a university hospital. At the hospital he also allegedly spit in an employees face. After a three-day stay, he was booked into jail on charges of battery on an officer and resisting arrest.

Jason Collins announces that he is gay, altering the landscape of sports

2013-04-30T13:10:00Z

Jason Collins is a free agent. He’s a skilled center that can provide stout defense off of the bench, and he’s a veteran presence. He’s also just become the first openly gay athlete in professional North American team sports.

Throughout his 12-year NBA career, the journeyman center has been known for leaving an indelible imprint on every game he plays without putting up major numbers. He’d defend the league’s best big men expertly, changing the course of both regular season and major playoff games with his work on that end, while barely adding points or rebounds to the box score. If you weren’t watching, you wouldn’t know he was there; much less what sort of impact he made.

Now, after a game-changing interview with Sports Illustrated, Jason Collins has made a sports-altering impact. The free agent center, who played with both Boston and Washington in 2012-13, has announced he is gay. And the calmness and confidence in his revelation befits a man who was always just fine with playing a style of game that left him unnoticed by all but those who were paying close attention.

From Collins’ column in SI:

No one wants to live in fear. I've always been scared of saying the wrong thing. I don't sleep well. I never have. But each time I tell another person, I feel stronger and sleep a little more soundly. It takes an enormous amount of energy to guard such a big secret. I've endured years of misery and gone to enormous lengths to live a lie. I was certain that my world would fall apart if anyone knew. And yet when I acknowledged my sexuality I felt whole for the first time. I still had the same sense of humor, I still had the same mannerisms and my friends still had my back.

[…]

Loyalty to my team is the real reason I didn't come out sooner. When I signed a free-agent contract with Boston last July, I decided to commit myself to the Celtics and not let my personal life become a distraction. When I was traded to the Wizards, the political significance of coming out sunk in. I was ready to open up to the press, but I had to wait until the season was over.

A college classmate tried to persuade me to come out then and there. But I couldn't yet. My one small gesture of solidarity was to wear jersey number 98 with the Celtics and then the Wizards. The number has great significance to the gay community. One of the most notorious antigay hate crimes occurred in 1998. Matthew Shepard, a University of Wyoming student, was kidnapped, tortured and lashed to a prairie fence. He died five days after he was finally found. That same year the Trevor Project was founded. This amazing organization provides crisis intervention and suicide prevention to kids struggling with their sexual identity. Trust me, I know that struggle. I've struggled with some insane logic. When I put on my jersey I was making a statement to myself, my family and my friends.

[…]

I'm glad I'm coming out in 2013 rather than 2003. The climate has shifted; public opinion has shifted. And yet we still have so much farther to go. Everyone is terrified of the unknown, but most of us don't want to return to a time when minorities were openly discriminated against. I'm impressed with the straight pro athletes who have spoken up so far -- Chris Kluwe, Brendon Ayanbadejo. The more people who speak out, the better, gay or straight. It starts with President Obama's mentioning the 1969 Stonewall riots, which launched the gay rights movement, during his second inaugural address. And it extends to the grade-school teacher who encourages her students to accept the things that make us different.

Collins has always been a unique player. He was drafted into this league with a twin brother Jarron, a major rarity, while helping initialize a new era of NBA center -- one that is often asked to treat an opponent like a guard and alter the shot, instead of hoarding blocks and rebounds and other showy stats.

Now, he’s the most unique player in sports. An openly gay and active player working in North American team sports. Collins isn’t the only gay man currently drawing a paycheck from the big four major sports leagues, but as of right now he’s the only active gay player open about his sexuality that could head into next season’s training camp.

Because of Collins’ bravery and influence, it’s very likely that he won’t be the only open player doing as much by the time the 2013-14 NBA training camp starts. Kudos to Jason Collins, a history-changing trail blazer, for that.

'Iron Man 3' rules world, 'Pain & Gain' takes US

2013-04-29T17:03:00Z

"Iron Man 3" was the heavy-lifter at theaters with a colossal overseas debut that overshadowed a gang of mercenary bodybuilders in a sleepy pre-summer weekend at the domestic box office.

The Marvel Studios superhero sequel starring Robert Downey Jr. got a head-start on its domestic launch next Friday with a $195.3 million opening in 42 overseas markets, distributor Disney reported Sunday.

That topped the $185.1 million start for Marvel's "The Avengers," which opened in 39 markets over the same weekend last year a week ahead of its record-breaking domestic debut of $207.4 million.

"You don't know that you could ever repeat the kind of experience we had a year ago, and here the Marvel team brought together another incredible movie," said Dave Hollis, head of distribution for Disney. "We've had this as a pattern for Marvel films to kind of let momentum internationally help signal to the domestic audience that the film is coming, something big is coming."

Director Michael Bay's "Pain & Gain," a true-crime tale of bodybuilders on the make, muscled into first-place domestically with a $20 million debut.

The Paramount release starring Mark Wahlberg, Dwayne Johnson and Anthony Mackie knocked off Tom Cruise's sci-fi adventure "Oblivion" after a week in the No. 1 spot. Universal's "Oblivion" slipped to second-place with $17.4 million, raising its domestic total to $64.7 million.

Lionsgate's all-star nuptial comedy "The Big Wedding" tanked at No. 4 with just $7.5 million. The ensemble cast includes Robert De Niro, Diane Keaton, Robin Williams, Susan Sarandon and Katherine Heigl, but the movie was almost universally trashed by critics and held little interest for audiences.

Paramount, which distributed the earlier "Iron Man" movies and still has a financial stake in the comic-book flicks after Disney bought Marvel, had a small-scale success with "Pain & Gain."

A passion project for Bay, who has made Paramount a fortune with his "Transformers" franchise, "Pain & Gain" was shot for a modest $26 million, spare change compared to the director's usual budgets.

The movie has the director taking a breather from his usual sci-fi action spectacles for a story based on a kidnapping-extortion caper carried out by bodybuilders in the 1990s. Yet "Pain & Gain" still has Bay's usual visual flair, and the reviews generally were better than what he's used to.

"With that kind of budget, to open to $20 million the first weekend is a very strong opening," said Don Harris, Paramount's head of distribution. "You see what a director really in his prime, at the top of his game, can do with a small budget, what he can make a movie look like."

"Oblivion" was down a fairly steep 53 percent from the movie's $37.1 million domestic debut the previous weekend.

Overseas, "Oblivion" took in $12.8 million to lift its international haul to $134.1 million and worldwide total to just under $200 million.

Hollywood's domestic downturn continued, with revenues totaling $90 million, off 18.5 percent from the same weekend last year, when "Think Like a Man" led with $17.6 million, according to box-office tracker Hollywood.com.

Receipts have trailed 2012's for most of the year, with 2013 domestic ticket sales running at $2.9 billion, nearly 12 percent behind last year's.

That pattern could continue as Hollywood opens its summer season domestically this coming weekend. Despite a huge haul expected for "Iron Man 3," the film will be competing against that gigantic start over the same weekend last year for "The Avengers," the only movie to open with more than $200 million domestically.

"Iron Man 2" debuted with $128.1 million over the first weekend in May 2010. Hollywood.com analyst Paul Dergarabedian has been pegging the "Iron Man 3" potential at $125 million-plus, though the mammoth international start could fire up domestic prospects even higher.

"This ups the ante in a big way for "Iron Man 3," Dergarabedian said. "It just raises the profile of the film. It raises expectations. But to expect something in the realm of $207.4 million? Well, the fact that we're even talking about it is really amazing."

Said Disney's Hollis: "I wouldn't even want to get ahead of ourselves on something like that. But to say we're encouraged by the results this weekend would be a gross understatement."

Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to Hollywood.com. Where available, latest international numbers are also included. Final domestic figures will be released Monday.

1. "Pain & Gain," $20 million.

2. "Oblivion," $17.4 million ($12.8 million international).

3. "42," $10.7 million.

4. "The Big Wedding," $7.5 million.

5. "The Croods," $6.6 million ($13.1 million international).

6. "G.I. Joe: Retaliation," $3.6 million ($10.2 million international).

7. "Scary Movie 5," $3.5 million ($6.7 million international).

8. "Olympus Has Fallen," $2.8 million ($4.2 million international).

9. "The Place Beyond the Pines," $2.7 million ($1.1 million international).

10. "Jurassic Park" in 3-D, $2.3 million ($410,000 international).

___

Estimated weekend ticket sales at international theaters (excluding the U.S. and Canada) for films distributed overseas by Hollywood studios, according to Rentrak:

1. "Iron Man 3," $195.3 million.

2. "The Croods," $13.1 million.

3. "Oblivion," $12.8 million.

4. "G.I. Joe: Retaliation," $10.2 million.

5. "Scary Movie 5," $6.7 million.

6. "Olympus Has Fallen," $4.2 million,

7. "Les Profs," $3.8 million.

8 (tie). "Evil Dead," $1.1 million.

8 (tie). "The Place Beyond the Pines," $1.1 million.

10. "Jurassic Park" in 3-D, $410,000.

Promiscuous women cause earthquakes, Iran cleric says

2013-04-29T15:07:00Z

Women who dress provocatively and tempt people into promiscuity are to blame for earthquakes, a leading Iranian hard-line cleric has apparently said.

The prayer leader, Hojatoleslam Kazim Sadeghi, says women and girls who "don't dress appropriately" spread "promiscuity in society."

"When promiscuity spreads, earthquakes increase," he says in a video posted Monday on YouTube, apparently of him leading Friday prayers in Tehran, Iran, last week.

"There is no way other than taking refuge in religion and adapting ourselves to Islamic behavior," he adds in the video.

The video was posted by YouTube user "electionlies," who appears to be anti-regime. The account features wallpaper of a blindfolded woman apparently weeping blood and the slogan, "The green movement is alive."

Green was the color of anti-regime protesters in last year's demonstrations in several cities across Iran. The protesters were marching against the country's election results, which gave President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad a second term in office.

Sadeghi is a senior cleric who was appointed last year by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei as a substitute Friday prayer leader in Tehran, an extremely influential position.

Khamenei himself is Tehran's official Friday prayer leader.

Iran suffers regular earthquakes, including a devastating one that destroyed the ancient city of Bam in 2003, killing tens of thousands.

Sadeghi is not the only religious leader to have linkedearthquakes with human behavior this year.

American televangelist Pat Robertson suggested that January's devastating earthquake in Haiti was because of a pact Haitians made with the devil in order to throw off French rule in the 18th century.

A spokesman for Robertson said he was referring to a widely discussed Haitian legend, but University of Miami researcher Kate Ramsey said the legend was "utterly a fabrication, and it's an extremely offensive one."

McDonald's hamburger looks the same after 14 years

2013-04-29T14:09:00Z

David Whipple, from Utah, had originally planned to keep the burger for two months in order to show friends how its preservatives would maintain its appearance.

But, after accidentally leaving the product in his pocket for two years, Mr Whipple decided to keep the burger for even longer to see how long it could continue looking normal.

"It wasn't on purpose," Mr Whipple told US television show The Doctors.

"I was showing some people how enzymes work and I thought a hamburger would be a good idea. And I used it for a month and then forgot about it.

"It ended up in a paper sack in the original sack with the receipt in my coat tossed in the back of my truck and it sat there for, I don't know, two or three months."

"My wife didn't discover it until at least a year or two after that. And we pulled it out and said 'oh my gosh, I can't believe it looks the same way."

Doctors on the CBS show noted that aside from the pickle disintegrating, the burger showed no signs of mould, fungus or even a strange odour.

Mr Whipple admitted that at one point he had considered selling the burger via online auction site eBay.

But, despite bids reaching close to $2,000 (£1,300), he and his family decided to keep the product for educational use.

He now admits he uses the burger to convince his grandchildren not to eat junk food from restaurants such as McDonalds.

"It's great for the grandkids to see. To see what happens with fast food," he said.

Ashton Kutcher got into fight at music fest

2013-04-29T13:04:00Z

Ashton Kutcher reportedly got into a violent confrontation with a security guard at Stagecoach, a country music festival, in Indio. Eyewitness says that the actor was not aggressive, it was the security personnel who was “out of line”.

Tmz.com reports that eyewitnesses said that Kutcher was in the VIP area near the stage to check out Nick 13 and Dwight Yoakam, when a woman approached him to say, 'Hi' and shake his hand. When Kutcher went to greet the woman, security intervened and shoved the two of them and chaos ensued.

Kutcher and the security guard went at it, each violently shoving the other. The actor's friends had to restrain him.

The guard demanded that Kutcher be ejected, but the celebrity left on his own.

Eyewitnesses said that Kutcher was not the aggressor. They said the security guard was overzealous and out of line.

When contacted Kutcher's representative for comment, so far, no comment.

'Beloved' music teacher busted for child porn also recorded moments he stuck his fingers in students' mouths as he locked them in classroom

2013-04-26T16:41:00Z

A popular music teacher with a 27-year career, is under investigation for keeping child pornography on his computer, some of which includes disturbing pictures of his own students in their classrooms.

Lawrence Joynes, 54, a teacher for 10 years at New Hampshire Estates Elementary School in Montgomery County, Maryland, was arrested in February after police traced emails between him and a suspected child porn producer.

A collection of disturbing photographs, recovered by police show Joynes sticking his finger into the mouths of 'approximately seven' students and putting a peppermint stick into a young girl's mouth.

Bad man: Lawrence Joynes, 57, a music teacher in Maryland, is in jail after police discoevred child pornography on his computer along with inappropriate photographs and videos of his own students

Last June he sent one such video to producer, Gerald Roberts in South Carolina, with an accompanying message that read: 'Try some pics like these.'

Since his arrest, Mr Joynes has also confessed that, having fantasised about one 7-year-old in particular, he gave her a 'horsey' ride on his lap and got a tattoo of her name on his right shoulder.

'When you put it all together it’s extremely disturbing,' Lisa Dever, a Baltimore County prosecutor told the Washington Post. 'He had access to kids. Every year, a new batch of kids.'

Parents and staff are angry with school authorities for not having taken more seriously the various complaints of inappropriate behaviour that were lodged prior to his arrest, based on student testimony.

One child said Joynes had asked to be called 'daddy' and another said Joynes made comments about drug addiction.

Two former teachers at New Hampshire - a pre-kindergarten to second grade school - admitted they had reported him for locking his classroom door when inside with the children.

Mary Silverman said she reported Joynes for this as well as for hugging a young girl between his legs as he sat on a stool.

Ms Silverman's colleague, Ellen Holder, told the principal that a child had told her Joynes had been tickling her in one class.

Though there was nothing 'criminal' about either accusation, parents feel that the complaints should have raised alarm bells.

Too little too late? Parents and teachers at New Hampshire Estates Elementary School, Montgomery County, are upset that student's previous complaints of disturbing behaviour did not sound alarm bells for school authorities

'It's hard to imagine how he remained in place teaching such young children for so long, given the string of complaints,' said Luis Clemens, the parent of a former student

In response, community superintendent for the county, Bronda Mills, assured worried parents and staff that the school system would be reviewing how the case was handled.

At a meeting of 75 parents including principal of the school for the past three years, Marinda Thomas Evans, Ms Mills insisted: 'I assure you that when I have the evidence and the pattern, I move it to the next level.'

Joynes has taught at 11 Montgomery public schools in total, including Eastern Middle, Francis Scott Key Middle and Cannon Road Elementary.

A spokesman for the school system, Dana Tofig, backed up Ms Mills' reaction, explaining that a school investigation would be led after the criminal investigation was complete.

'We have - and will continue - to take swift action if we become aware of inappropriate conduct by a member of our staff,' she said. 'We expect our staff to act in the best interest of students at all times, and the vast majority do.'

Regarding previous complaints against Joynes she added: 'Never have I received information that this teacher was taking inappropriate pictures of children... or anything that would make me believe I needed to report something to the police.'

For now, police are talking to the students and former pupils who were involved in some of Joynes' questionable activities.

Lt. Bob Carter, acting commander of the Family Crimes Division, noted: 'In retrospect, they now realize they'd been put in a horrible position by someone they trusted. This is painful for them.'

Joynes is being held in Baltimore County on $1 million bond

Burrito Bomber Attacks Hunger With Drone-Delivered Mexican Food

2013-04-26T14:21:00Z

Sometimes, drones rain down bullets or missiles from the skies, sometimes they conduct surveillance, sometimes they host computer servers—and sometimes they deliver burritos.

Meet the Burrito Bomber, a fully automated Mexican food delivery system designed by Darwin Aerospace—a research lab run by Yelp engineers—and made to attack hunger from the sky.

The Burrito Bomber is just the latest in Mexican food drone delivery technology; its creators said they got the idea from the Taco Copter, a taco-delivery drone idea that went viral on the Internet earlier this year. Both Darwin Aerospace and the team behind Taco Copter are based in San Francisco.

[PHOTOS: A Quick Guide to Jaw-Dropping Drones]

"We have claims we're the first [food delivery drone] because we never saw anything real from taco copter," says Yoni De Beule, one of Burrito Bomber's creators. "We were talking about the idea and thought it was a waste because they didn't actually build anything."

In a video posted on YouTube, one of Darwin Aerospace's engineers sets a location for the Burrito Bomber to drop its payload and another loads a burrito into a drop canister (with a parachute, of course). Within minutes, the bomber flies to the GPS-set location and drops the burrito, where its happy recipient opens the canister and takes a bite of beef and bean goodness.

The team says they put the whole project together over the course of about two and a half weeks.

"We chose burritos because Mexican food is really popular, and the name Burrito Bomber is excellent," says John Boiles, another engineer. "Plus, burritos are kind of bomb-shaped."

[READ: FAA Releases List of Domestic Drone Operators]

Unfortunately, before the Burrito Bomber can become a commercially-viable product (perhaps for newly liberated stoners in Colorado or Washington?), the FAA will have to set regulations for commercial drones, which it is expected to do sometime in 2015. Until then the unmanned aerial Mexican food delivery wars will remain on hold.

"I met one of the founders of TacoCopter last night—it was a fun conversation, but from what I can tell, they're not seriously pursuing it as a business model," Boiles says.

But what about the commercial viability of the Burrito Bomber?

"It's probably too early to tell," he says. "For now, it's largely to do PR for Yelp. But we build stuff because we love to build stuff."

Ronald Clark, New Zealand Man, Went To Prison For Cartoons Of Elves And Pixies Having Sex

2013-04-25T14:56:00Z

A man in New Zealand spent three months in prison and is facing an additional 10 years of penalties for possessing cartoon drawings of young-looking elves and pixies having sex.

Ronald Clark's drawings were deemed by a court to be "underage," making the pictures child pornography under New Zealand law -- even though they were animated images, not photographs. Clark now faces a decade-long supervision order that would prevent him from going near certain areas where children might be, Clark's lawyer, Roger Bowden, told The Huffington Post.

The law in New Zealand takes a protective stance when it comes to child pornography, saying that any image that "promotes the exploitation of children or young persons for sexual purposes" is illegal -- and punishable by up to 10 years in prison.

Clark had been convicted 24 years ago of indecently assaulting a teenage boy, a crime for which he also spent time in jail, Bowden said. He went through intensive rehabilitation after his release and has not re-offended since, Bowden noted.

In the U.S., the Supreme Court ruled in 2002 that an earlier law outlawing non-photographic child pornography was unconstitutional. However, former President George W. Bush signed legislation the following year outlawing sexually offensive computer-generated images, drawings and even sculptures of minors.

Specifically, if a comic book depiction of a minor (or a statue of a cherub in your garden) could be considered sexually offensive by "community standards," and that comic or sculpture has no literary, political, scientific or artistic value, you could get five years in jail for owning it (or 10 years for selling or distributing it).

The law, known as the PROTECT Act of 2003, is more than just theoretical.

"It gets used as a blunt object to force plea deals out of individuals," Charles Brownstein, the executive director of the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund, told HuffPost.

Take the case of Christopher Handley, for example. Handley, a 39-year-old computer programmer from western Iowa, pleaded guilty in 2009 to mail-ordering Japanese comics that depicted young girls having sex with older men and animals. He was sentenced to six months in jail followed by five years of probation, the Iowa Independent reported. Without a plea deal, Handley could have gone to jail for 15 years and faced six-figure fines.

French bus drivers to go on strike in protest over their new uniform because the trousers are too TIGHT

2013-04-25T14:09:00Z

French bus drivers in Marseille are to strike because their new uniform trousers are too tight.

The 1,600 workers at the RTM public transport company have announced their plans for a 24-hour walkout in June over the quality, colour and fit of the trousers.

The colour of their work shirts has also changed from yellow to lavender, but union leaders are angered by the close-fitting bottoms.

The 1,600 drivers at the state-run RTM in Marseille are to walk out in June over their new uniforms

Bernard Gargiolo, leader of the CGT transport union, said: 'We reject the bottom half of this new uniform, which is the same colour as the Gendarmes [French police] wear.

'The employees don't want to wear a uniform that was chosen unilaterally by the management, without taking into account the views of our clothing committee.'

And one bus driver told the city's La Provence newspaper: 'I won't be wearing them. They make us look like we work for the Speedy! car repair company.

'The shirts are alright, but these trousers are far too tight.'

The new uniform's designer Jonathan Charles defended his creation, adding: 'People are saying they look like clowns. Well, that was already the case with the old outfits.'

France has the most strikes in Europe, though former president Nicolas Sarkozy decreed that public transport workers must give a 48-hour warning before a walkout or face sanctions.

Unions say this is to suppress the strike from gaining momentum among other workers by making them wait to join in, and makes it easier for employers to keep watch over employees.

Between 2005 and 2009, the country lost 132 days per 1,000 workers to strike action.

Around the world, only Canada and South Africa outdo the French in their willingness to walk out.

"Newspaper Reporter" Ranks as Nation's Worst Job, Says CareerCast's 2013 Jobs Rated Report

2013-04-25T13:49:00Z

Newspaper reporter, a job that traditionally has attracted many aspiring writers, been romanticized in movies and helped bring down corrupt presidents, has been named the worst job in the nation, according to the new 2013 CareerCast.com Jobs Rated Report, which has ranked the best and worst U.S. jobs for 25 years.

Ranked at job number 126 when the first Jobs Rated Report was published in 1988, newspaper reporters have fared poorly in the report for years due to the job's high stress and tight deadlines, low pay and requirement to work in all conditions to get the story. Ever-shrinking newsrooms, dwindling budgets and Internet competition have created a very difficult environment, driving the position to dead last on this year's Jobs Rated Report. But journalism is not a dying art, nor is reporting a profession without prospects. Rethinking the industry has made reporters adapt.

"People who love to write can consider working for online publications or transition to advertising or public relations," says Tony Lee, publisher, CareerCast.com. "Many jobs in communications offer better hours, greater stability, a work/life balance and a healthier hiring outlook than being a newspaper reporter."

Technological advancements hurt other professions ranked among the worst jobs of 2013, including meter reader, which is often done digitally and mail carrier.

High pay, low stress, a robust hiring outlook, a healthy work environment and minimal physical exertion combine to make actuary the top job for 2013. Biomedical engineer, software engineer, audiologist and financial planner round out the top five.

"The best jobs offer the ultimate career goal -- personal fulfillment," says Lee. "They also offer a bright outlook and job opportunities for years to come."

Best Jobs in 2013

   1.    Actuary 
   2.    Biomedical Engineer 
   3.    Software Engineer 
   4.    Audiologist 
   5.    Financial Planner 
   6.    Dental Hygienist 
   7.    Occupational Therapist 
   8.    Optometrist 
   9.    Physical Therapist 
   10.   Computer Systems Analyst

Worst Jobs in 2013

200. Newspaper Reporter

199. Lumberjack

198. Enlisted Military Personnel

197. Actor

196. Oil Rig Worker

195. Dairy Farmer

194. Meter Reader

193. Mail Carrier

192. Roofer

191. Flight Attendant

To see the full rankings of all 200 jobs and the report's methodology, go to http://www.careercast.com/jobs-rated/worst-jobs-2013

"Newspaper Reporter" Ranks as Nation's Worst Job, Says CareerCast's 2013 Jobs Rated Report

2013-04-24T16:40:00Z

Technological advancements hurt other professions ranked among the worst jobs of 2013, including meter reader, which is often done digitally and mail carrier.

"The best jobs offer the ultimate career goal -- personal fulfillment," says Lee. "They also offer a bright outlook and job opportunities for years to come."

Best Jobs in 2013

   1.    Actuary 
   2.    Biomedical Engineer 
   3.    Software Engineer 
   4.    Audiologist 
   5.    Financial Planner 
   6.    Dental Hygienist 
   7.    Occupational Therapist 
   8.    Optometrist 
   9.    Physical Therapist 
   10.   Computer Systems Analyst

Worst Jobs in 2013

200. Newspaper Reporter

199. Lumberjack

198. Enlisted Military Personnel

197. Actor

196. Oil Rig Worker

195. Dairy Farmer

194. Meter Reader

193. Mail Carrier

192. Roofer

191. Flight Attendant

To see the full rankings of all 200 jobs and the report's methodology, go to http://www.careercast.com/jobs-rated/worst-jobs-2013

Ben Affleck to live on $1.50 per day to raise global poverty awareness

2013-04-24T16:28:00Z

Actor Ben Affleck will live on a very modest sum for five days as part of poverty awareness campaign.

Ben Affleck is a Hollywood high-roller, but for five days the Oscar-winner has committed to living on a food budget that would be skimpy for a vending machine run.

As part of the "Live Below the Line" poverty awareness campaign, Affleck will feed himself on $1.50 per day for five consecutive days-the U.S. equivalent of living below the extreme poverty line.

"1.4 billion people live on less than $1.50/day. I'm joining Live Below the Line on behalf of Eastern Congo. Will you?" the "Argo" star tweeted on Monday.

After a busy day Garner joined her husband and kids for a family shopping at the Country Mart.

"Live Below the Line" is a program from the Global Poverty Project, a nonprofit that aims to illustrate the real challenges of international hunger.

Other stars that have joined the initiative include singer Josh Groban,"Entourage" star Debi Mazar, and "One Tree Hill" actress Sophia Bush. Hunter Biden, son of Vice President Joe Biden, has also pledged to join the campaign.

The initiative begins April 29 and ends May 3, and includes participants from Australia, the US and the UK.

Man allegedly crawls naked through neighbor's dog door, seeks sex

2013-04-24T14:25:00Z

A Perris man pleaded not guilty to charges of burglary and indecent exposure after he was accused of crawling naked through a neighbor's dog door and demanding sex with the woman who lived there.

The woman told authorities she was getting ready for bed about 9:30 p.m. April 10 when she heard a knock on the bedroom door, the Press-Enterprise reported. The woman said her husband had already left their home, near A Street and Alpine Drive, for work.

The woman opened the bedroom door and found her neighbor, Philip John Garcia, "completely naked," the newspaper reported.

The 41-year-old then said he was there to have sex with her, sheriff's Sgt. Glenn Williams told the paper. The woman yelled at Garcia to leave and called the police.

Garcia left, but deputies looked in a window at his home and saw him laying in his own bed -- still naked, Williams said. The deputies ordered him to put clothes on and come out of the house, and Garcia complied.

Garcia might have been intoxicated at the time of the incident, Williams told the Press-Enterprise.

The deputies found a .22 caliber rifle under Garcia's bed, and he was also charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm, the newspaper said. He pleaded not guilty.

'It's like something from a Hitchcock film': Elderly couple too scared to leave own home after being terrorised by an angry pheasant

2013-04-24T14:16:00Z

Vandalising cars, attacking the elderly and head-butting windows, Phil has become notorious in his home village.

The yob in question? Not a feral teen but a very territorial pheasant.

Residents of Wentnor in Shropshire spoke of their despair yesterday at the bird’s behaviour, with some saying they can’t leave their home for fear of being pecked and chased.

Sally-Ann Hudson, 44 has been protecting her elderly parents from the angry bird for four months

Sally-Ann now keeps a badminton racquet close by when she walks round her garden to fend off the 2ft pheasant

The 2ft tall pheasant, nicknamed Phil, lurks by the home of Sally-Ann Hudson, 44, and her parents Ann, 77, and Ben, 79.

He waits throughout the day and night and swoops when the family dares to emerge.

When they are inside, he head-butts the windows and has even tried to break into the front door.

The attacks have got so bad Miss Hudson is scared of leaving home without gloves and a badminton racquet to fend him off.

Real-life angry bird! Pheasant named Phil terrorises village

Sally-Ann said she has tried to befriend the bird by feeding him crumbs of corn bread but the attacks have continued regardless

She claims to have been stalked for the past four months, with the bird specifically targeting her family.

Experts said this is probably because Phil has become confused, seeing her as a rival male pheasant.

Miss Hudson, a medical secretary, said: ‘Sometimes I go from one room into another, and he will run round the outside of the house following my movements.

'He even tries to get into the house – it’s like something from a Hitchcock film.

Sally-Ann Hudson faces up to her feathery rival with her defence weapon of choice- a badminton racquet

‘Often when we get in the car, he will appear from nowhere and either jump on the car or start pecking it.

'He runs alongside as we drive away, pecking and head-butting the wheels.’

The family has resorted to leaving out food for Phil in the hope he might stop seeing them as enemies.

Tippi Hedren and Rod Taylor in Alfred Hitchcock's The Birds. Hedren was told mechanical birds would be used for the violent attack scenes. Instead, she endured five solid days of being pecked by live gulls, ravens and crows

Ouch: The bird's sharp beak pecks Sally-Ann Hudson

‘A couple of times in the last two weeks I have tried to befriend him, feeding him crumbs of corn bread, which he loves,’ Miss Hudson added. ‘

But he has no gratitude and is always ready to attack. Pheasants are normally just rather dopey birds –but this one is a nutter.’

Paul North, from the World Pheasant Association, said the bird was displaying typical mating season behaviour. ‘He obviously sees her as a rival male,’ he added.

Family fun? Long Island mom accused of taking teens on BB shooting spree

2013-04-23T16:09:00Z

A Long Island woman was arrested after police say she drove around with her 13-year-old son, her 15-year-old daughter and another 15-year-old boy, encouraging them to shoot out car windows with a BB gun that she bought for them.

Some kids just have the coolest moms!

According to CBS New York, Susan Becker, 43, of East Northport, was charged Saturday in connection with over 60 reported incidents of car windows being shot out in Commack, Hauppauge, and Islandia, all in Suffolk County, over the past two weeks.

One woman told WCBS 880 she had not one, but two vehicles damaged.

"I'm actually stunned to hear that a mom drove her children around to do such harm to others," she said.

A man told WCBS one BB shot missed his SUV, and instead broke the window on his garage.

"Crazy mom," he said. "What mom would instruct their children to do that? It's crazy."

Becker was arrested late Friday afternoon, and charged with multiple counts of criminal mischief and endangering the welfare of a child. She was arraigned in Suffolk County First District Court on Saturday, with bail set at $30,000.

Eyeball Shaving: Liu Deyuan Uses Knife To Clean Eyes In China

2013-04-23T14:59:00Z

Maybe the Clear Eyes guy can be this man's pupil.

Liu Deyan, 53, deftly washes his customers' eyes -- with a knife.

For seven years, he's run an eye-cleaning stand in Chengdu, China, according to ShortList.com.

(Story Continues Below)

The process, taking about five minutes, involves pulling the eyelid back, cleansing the eyeball and then shaving and scraping its surface, Chengdu Business Daily reported.

To Americans, the whole ordeal may seem horrifying, but in China, it used to be the norm. Today, though, Deyan is one of the few that still practices the trade.

According to Chengdu Business Daily, doctors warn that eyeball shaving was abandoned because it risks cross-infection.

That would be the least of our worries.

The Heidi and Frank Show on Instagram

2013-04-23T13:59:00Z

http://instagram.com/heidiandfrank

Cub owner says man who took samples was serial sample hogger

2013-04-23T13:51:00Z

A retiree suing over his arrest in a supermarket had been warned before by store managers that he was helping himself to too many free samples, a defendant in the suit says.

Among the things a store manager had scolded Erwin Lingitz about: He had filled produce bags with up to 20 cookies from the "kids' cookie club tray," defendant Supervalu Inc. claims in its answer to the Gem Lake man's federal lawsuit.

Lingitz is suing Supervalu, Ramsey County, its sheriff's office, three deputies and a private security company over an April 2010 incident at a Cub Foods in White Bear Township.

The 68-year-old former laboratory machinist claims he was roughed up and his civil rights were violated by a security guard and then sheriff's deputies after he was confronted and accused of helping himself to too many free samples of lunch meat.

But in an answer to Lingitz's suit, Supervalu attorney Robyn Johnson says the company shouldn't even be a defendant because it doesn't own the supermarket in question.

The supermarket is owned by Kowalski Cos., which runs it "under the Cub Foods name as a franchisee of Supervalu," Johnson wrote in the reply. As such, she said, there's no reason Supervalu should be named as a defendant.

Jeff Swanson, a spokesman for Supervalu, said 67 supermarkets carry the Cub Food name and 44 of them are owned by Supervalu. The remainder, including the store in White Bear Township, are franchise stores.

Lingitz, 68, sued in U.S. District Court last month, claiming that when he went into the Cub supermarket on Meadowlands Drive to pick up a prescription, he stopped at a display offering free samples of lunch meat and helped himself.

He claims Cub employees told him he could take some to his wife, who was waiting in the couple's car.

As he left, a security guard confronted him; Lingitz protested and the fracas escalated. He eventually was arrested and jailed.

After the suit was filed, a spokesman for Supervalu said Lingitz violated "societal norms" by taking more than customers are expected to. In her answer, Johnson inventoried what she claims deputies found in the man's pockets after he was handcuffed.

"Plaintiff had approximately 14-16 packets of soy sauce along with one plastic produce bag containing 0.61 pounds for (sic) summer sausage and another plastic produce bag containing 0.85 pounds of beef stick in his pockets," she wrote. "Near the end of aisle 10 on the day in question, Cub Foods had two un-hosted sample platters, one containing beef stick and one containing summer sausage."

The lawyer wrote that Frank Patterson, a security guard for Twin City Lawmen Inc., which handles security at the store, saw Lingitz "putting items in his pockets," followed him out of the store and asked him to remove the items from his pockets. Lingitz refused.

The store's general manager "repeatedly asked plaintiff just to remove the items from his pockets and plaintiff refused," Johnson wrote.

Robert Gardner, the attorney representing Lingitz, did not immediately return a call for comment.

In her answer, Johnson wrote that store personnel had spoken to Lingitz "at various times," and that Steve Martin, a weekend manager, had seen the man "taking excessive amounts of food from various un-hosted sample platters and from the store's cookie club for kids."

"On these occasions, Mr. Martin observed plaintiff filling plastic produce bags with the samples or with 10-20 cookies from the kids' cookie club tray, which specifically limits the offer to one free cookie per child," Supervalu's response says.

"Mr. Martin told plaintiff that the samples were for everyone, that only one or two should be taken, that plaintiff should not fill bags with samples in the future and that the cookie club was for children only," Johnson wrote.

The company also denied "that store personnel regularly solicited plaintiff to take multiple samples."

In its answer, Ramsey County said Deputy Daniel Eggers used appropriate force when he arrived at the store and took Lingitz into custody.

Eggers was in plain clothes and driving an unmarked squad car, but identified himself to Lingitz as a deputy and showed his badge, Assistant Ramsey County Attorney Robert Roche wrote in the county's answer to the suit.

Roche said that Eggers handcuffed Lingitz's left wrist, but that the man became uncooperative when Eggers went to put the cuffs on the other wrist.

"As a result, plaintiff had a handcuff secured on his left wrist with the other cuff hanging loose and open, presenting a safety threat," Roche wrote. Eggers used "reasonable and lawful force to gain control" over the man, he said.

In an interview at the time he filed the suit, Gardner said the force used against his client was unnecessary because he wasn't engaged in a felony. "The situation, even under a worst-case scenario, didn't rise to the level of a need for this kind of force," the attorney said.

Lingitz claimed in his suit that Eggers and others contrived their stories. He said he feared he was having a heart attack, and he was taken to Regions Hospital for treatment and then booked into the Ramsey County jail.

On April 26, 2010, two days after the incident, Lingitz was charged with disorderly conduct, interfering with the officers and shoplifting.

A judge continued Lingitz's criminal case for dismissal in February 2011. Under terms of the agreement, if he remained law-abiding for a year, the charges would be dismissed. They were dismissed last year.

Donald Jones, New Mexico Man, Accused Of Trading McDonald's For Sex

2013-04-23T13:04:00Z

Maybe she wanted to try the new McWraps?

Donald Jones, 58, is accused of trying to trade McDonald's for sex with a prostitute in Albuquerque, N.M., on Friday night, according to KOB.

The woman, who was not arrested, told investigating officers she planned to fornicate with Jones in exchange for a meal from the home of Happy Meals. Jones was not charged with any prostitution-related charges, but was booked on a drug possession charge.

For more information on how cops caught up to Jones, read more at KOB.com.

Grub Street warns that McDonald's menu items might become currency in the near future:

In a vaguely post-apocalyptic world filled with big-box stores and fast-food franchises, where Tide detergent has supplanted cash as a base unit of the drug trade, is it that much of a stretch to think that an increasing number of people are exchanging sex for Fish McBites and Big Macs?

Grub Street might be on to something. In January, police arrested a woman outside a McDonald's in Burbank, Calif. after she allegedly offered sex to a customer in exchange for his chicken McNuggets.

Budweiser Bow Tie Can To Debut On May 6

2013-04-22T16:10:00Z

Why drink beer out of a cylindrical can when you can drink it out of a bow tie-shaped can? That's what Budweiser is positing, at least. On May 6 (though some stores might have it earlier), the beer giant is releasing a new can that looks like this:

"This can is incomparable, like nothing you've ever seen before," said Pat McGauley, vice president of innovation for Anheuser-Busch, in a press release. "The world's most iconic beer brand deserves the world's most unique and innovative can. I think we have it here."

The bow tie can -- which is not replacing the traditional Budweiser can -- has been in development since 2010, though the idea was formed a couple of years prior. The bow tie has been associated with the Budweiser brand since a national advertising campaign in 1956.

It took the company a few years to develop the unique shape, McGauley told The Huffington Post. It is molded at Anheuser-Busch’s metal container facility 90 miles north of New York City.

This three-year undertaking involved some significant changes both at the can-making facilities and on the packaging lines. Creating the can requires a 16-step process: ten steps to form the bottom half, with an additional six to form the top. According to the release, the physical limitations of aluminum required the angles of the bow tie to be very precise.

The bow tie can actually uses twice the amount of aluminum compared to a traditional can and it costs the company more to manufacture. However, there is slightly less beer in each -- 11.3 ounces, compared to the traditional 12 ounces. Each bowtie can holds about 137 calories, which is about 8.5 fewer calories than in a 12-ounce can.

The bow tie will be available in an eight-pack rather than a six-pack. This was a strategic decision to get the new shape noticed on shelves. "We look for innovation within our brands, and we look for renovation within our brands," McGauley explained. The move toward a new shape and new packaging focused on the latter.

The slightly odd shape of the can isn't the only new development on which Budweiser has been working. In 10 states, the company is test-marketing a 25-ounce can, which gives consumers one more ounce of beer than the traditional 24-ounce can. Sales of this can will begin over the summer. While McGauley had no other news to report at this time, he stressed that packaging was an important aspect in Budweiser's ongoing plans to innovate.

More than 10 million cans have already been produced for the spring launch, with another 8 million currently being manufactured this month.

The can will be available May 6 in grocery stores, supermarkets, convenience stores and packaged liquor stores.

Jamie Kennedy's CW show: Oh Sit!

2013-04-22T15:16:00Z

For more information on CW's Oh Sit!, click the following link: http://www.cwtv.com/shows/oh-sit

Reese Witherspoon arrested for disorderly conduct when husband gets DUI

2013-04-22T14:26:00Z

"Do you know my name?"

Those are the words actress Reese Witherspoon wishes she could take back.

Witherspoon said she was "deeply embarrassed" about what she said to police officers during her husband's arrest in Atlanta.

The Oscar-winning actress released a statement late Sunday apologizing for her behavior to police that began when her husband, Hollywood agent Jim Toth, was arrested early Friday for driving under the influence of alcohol.

"I clearly had one drink too many and I am deeply embarrassed about the things I said," Witherspoon said. "It was definitely a scary situation and I was frightened for my husband, but that is no excuse. I was disrespectful to the officer who was just doing his job. I have nothing but respect for the police and I'm very sorry for my behavior."

Her publicist, Meredith O'Sullivan Wasson, offered no other details.

Witherspoon, 37, was arrested on a municipal charge of disorderly conduct early Friday after a state trooper said she wouldn't stay in the car while Toth was given a field sobriety test. She was released from jail after the Friday morning arrest and was in New York on Sunday night for the premiere of her new film, "Mud." She posed for cameras on the red carpet but did not stop to talk to reporters.

The trooper noticed the car driven by her husband wasn't staying in its lane early Friday morning, so he initiated a traffic stop. He reported that Toth had droopy eyelids, watery, bloodshot eyes, and his breath smelled strongly of alcohol.

Toth told the trooper he'd had a drink, which Witherspoon said was consumed at a restaurant two hours before the traffic stop, the trooper writes.

Before the field sobriety test began, Witherspoon got out of the car, was told to get back in and obeyed, the report said. After the "Walk the Line" star got out a second time, the trooper said he warned her that she would be arrested if she left the car again.

As the sobriety test continued, "Mrs. Witherspoon began to hang out the window and say that she did not believe that I was a real police officer. I told Mrs. Witherspoon to sit on her butt and be quiet," Trooper First Class J. Pyland writes.

Toth, 42, was then placed under arrest. He was charged with driving under the influence and failure to maintain the lane.

At that point, the report says, Witherspoon got out and asked the trooper what was going on. After being told to return to the car, she "stated that she was a `US Citizen' and that she was allowed to `stand on American ground,"' the report states.

Indeed.

The trooper then began to arrest Witherspoon. The report says Witherspoon was resistant at first but was calmed down by her husband.

The officer wrote in his report: “Mrs. Witherspoon asked, “Do you know my name?” I answered, “No, I don’t need to know your name.” I then added, “right now.” Mrs. Witherspoon stated, “You’re about to find out who I am.

“Mrs. Witherspoon also stated, ‘You are going to be on national news,"" the officer's report stated. "I advised Mrs. Witherspoon that was fine."

Toth and Witherspoon were then taken to jail.

News of the arrest broke shortly before Witherspoon arrived on the "Mud" red carpet.

"I can't say anything because I don't know," said director Jeff Nichols. "I literally -- the first guy on the press line to say something was the first time I heard about it so I gotta go figure it out."

Matthew McConaughey, who plays the lead role in "Mud" and is represented by Toth, said "I'm not going to comment on that because it's too fresh."

Woman Unknowingly Transports Marijuana Across Border

2013-04-22T13:56:00Z

San Diego narcotics detectives are investigating an incident in which a woman may have unknowingly transported a large quantity of marijuana across the border.

According to investigators, a 33-year-old woman who lives in Mexico and works in downtown San Diego crossed the border in her personal vehicle on Friday at around 3 a.m.

She arrived at work early and was seated inside her car when, at about 4 a.m., two unknown males approached her parked vehicle and began removing items from the undercarriage.

Investigators say the woman startled the men, and they ran to a black sedan nearby and took off.

The woman contacted police officers who discovered six packages had been secured to the undercarriage of the woman’s vehicle with strong magnets.

Inside the packages officers found more around 30 pounds of marijuana (pictured above).

Investigators believe the woman unknowingly transported the drugs across the border. At this point, it is unclear who actually strapped the marijuana to her car.

No arrests have been made, and police say the investigation is ongoing.

Narcotics detectives want to remind drivers to check their vehicle before crossing the border to ensure it’s free of contraband, illegal items or unknown items.

Ohio police chief accidentally eats pot-laced cake

2013-04-22T13:22:00Z

An Ohio police chief says he ate cake left in his kitchen without realizing it was laced with cannabis oil.

Laurelville Chief Mike Berkemeier says he fell ill after eating the cake a couple of weeks ago and couldn't figure out what was wrong. He says he drove a few blocks to the police station, where medics took him for medical testing.

The Logan Daily News reports Berkemeier was hospitalized for more than a day. While there, a phone call with his daughter revealed the cake had been laced with an oil form of the psychoactive chemical component that causes a high from marijuana.

Berkemeier tells WBNS-TV one of his daughter's friends took the cake to his home, about 35 miles southeast of Columbus.

There's no word of criminal charges.

'Sexsomnia' Sleep Disorder Gets Denmark Man Acquitted Of Molestation Charges

2013-04-19T16:18:00Z

COPENHAGEN, Denmark -- A Danish man has been acquitted of molesting two 17-year-old girls after he was found to suffer from a rare sleep disorder known as "sexsomnia."

The Glostrup court said Wednesday that the man fondled the teenagers while sleeping in his suburban Copenhagen apartment after a party in 2011.

The girls awoke and interrupted the man, and later reported him to police.

But the court cleared the 31-year-old of sex crimes charges, saying medical tests show he suffers from "sexsomnia" in which a person engages in sexual activity while asleep.

Michael Laub, a Danish sleep specialist who wasn't involved in the case, said it's a rare but widely recognized sleep disorder.

The defendant said he had no recollection of what happened.

Prosecutor Martin von Buelow said he wouldn't appeal the ruling.

Porn film permits sharply decline in L.A. County

2013-04-19T14:30:00Z

Film permits issued for X-rated films in Los Angeles County have dropped this year to almost zero in the wake of a law requiring condom use during porn shoots.

Only two permits have been issued for pornographic filming so far this year, far off pace for an industry that typically gets about 500 permits annually, said Paul Audley, president of FilmLA, a nonprofit that oversees permitting throughout L.A. County.

"It's a steep drop," Audley said, adding that "both of those applications came in January."

Coupled with an apparent increase in adult films being shot in nearby Ventura County — where one politician says residents have complained about "moans and groans" echoing from film sets — the permitting decrease has been seized on by porn producers who have long claimed condom regulation would cause them to leave, harming the Los Angeles economy.

"We're not surprised by this," said Diane Duke, chief executive of the Free Speech Coalition, a porn industry trade group. "Movie companies are beginning to look for other areas" outside of the San Fernando Valley, the longtime base for most of the industry.

Duke said that Measure B, an ordinance passed by L.A. County voters in November that mandated condom use during film productions, has created hardship for the industry because most consumers want to see scenes without condoms. She added that many porn studios are delaying production as they wait on a lawsuit expected to be heard this year in U.S. District Court that challenges the measure on free speech grounds.

Michael Weinstein, president of the Aids Healthcare Foundation, which like many other public health groups advocated for the condom law, said porn studios in Los Angeles simply need to bend to the will of voters. The industry's prediction of a filming exodus that would create a deep economic hole was "heard by the voters in L.A. County, and 57% voted for Measure B," Weinstein said. "We live in a democracy."

Weinstein added that there was no evidence that the industry has started filming elsewhere, nor was their evidence that nearby states such as Nevada were keen to host X-rated filming.

The industry doesn't appear to be moving to Orange County.

"It's not something that has come up," said Shawn Nelson, who heads the Orange County Board of Supervisors. And it's not "something I care about," he said, explaining that regulating movie-making doesn't square with his limited-government beliefs.

But parts of Ventura County are clearly grappling with a reaction to the law.

Last last month, Camarillo placed a 45-day moratorium on the issuance of new permits for adult films, a move meant to give the city's leadership time to consider adoption of some form of condom regulations. "This happened after we received three phone calls in March inquiring about permits, and one asked if we had a condom ordinance," said Camarillo City Atty. Brian Pierik, who added that the city hasn't had porn filming in the past.

In an unincorporated area of Ventura County not far from Camarillo, residents were recently surprised to find a porn shoot at a hillside home on a normally quiet street.

"It's really disturbing," said Tim Gray, a 56-year-old father of four. "We were eating dinner and we heard these loud sounds outside, like something really bad had happened. I went outside and heard, well, the typical sounds you'd hear in a porn movie. It was echoing all over the neighborhood. Later I asked my daughter if she heard it. She said 'yeah, I was doing my homework and I just turned up the music to drown it out.' "

Ventura County Supervisor Linda Parks said that since Measure B passed she has been getting emails and phone calls from constituents upset by an uptick in porn shoots. She said the constituents aren't just hearing "moans and groans" from nearby houses, they're "seeing naked people."

Parks, who represents communities in the southeast corner of Ventura County near Los Angeles, said she was planning to introduce countywide legislation modeled on Measure B.

Meantime, Assemblyman Isadore Hall III (D-Compton) has proposed an Assembly bill similar to Measure B that would cover all of California.

The decline in permits was first reported by the Daily News.

'American Pie' actor 911: Eddie Kay Thomas has knife pulled on him

2013-04-19T13:16:00Z

Eddie Kay Thomas is known for playing in the movie "American Pie." On April 17, TMZ reported that he called 911 to say a woman who was there with him threatened to kill him with a knife. He played Finch in the hit movie.

He ran outside to call 911 after she threatened him with a kitchen knife. The police did end up in a stand-off with the woman but that is now over and she is in police custody. Luckily Eddie was not hurt at all in the altercation. They had to negotiate with her to get her to surrender according to Ace Show Biz. The woman finally came out of the home unharmed as well.

She did destroy property at the house. This woman stayed the night there and when asked to leave the next morning did not want to go anywhere. It sounds like a one night stand gone wrong even though they are not confirming that at this time.

Boston bombing manhunt for suspect No. 2 prompts lockdown; No. 1 killed

2013-04-19T13:08:00Z

One suspect in this week's deadly Boston Marathon bombing was killed after a police shootout, and a second suspect, identified by officials as Dzhokhar Tsarnaev remains at large and the subject of a manhunt, police said early this morning.

Law enforcement sources said the two suspects, deemed Suspect 1 and 2 in the marathon bomb investigation Thursday, are brothers of Chechen ethnicity from Russia. Tsarnaev, 19, who has now been on the run from authorities for more than 10 hours, is believed to be armed with an assault-style rifle and an assortment of other weapons, including bombs, a senior federal law enforcement official said.

The city of Boston is on lockdown and a "massive manhunt" is underway, Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick said.

"We believe this is a terrorist, we believe this is a man that's come here to kill people," Boston Police Commissioner Ed Davis said early this morning.

Tsarnaev's brother was killed after exchanging gunfire with police officers early Friday. Multiple explosive devices were detonated during the firefight, police said.

Officials at Beth Israel Hospital reported they received one patient who later died, but would not confirm it was the first suspect. That patient came in under guard and had suffered blast, shrapnel and so many gunshot wounds that caregivers were "unable to count" them.

One police officer was also injured in the firefight and is in critical condition at a hospital. Authorities said the suspects were also responsible for the death of an MIT police officer Thursday night.

Due to the skill with which the suspects engaged police, federal law enforcement sources said they believe the men likely had para-military training.

PHOTOS: Boston PD on the Hunt for Alleged Bomber

A neighbor of Tsarnaev's said he has been in the country at least since he was 7. A school friend of Tsarnaev's, Sierra Schwartz, told "Good Morning America" the young man "never seemed suspicious or weird or anything."

READ: FBI Releases Images of Suspects in Boston Marathon Bombing

Boston officials said that all public transportation and taxi service has been suspended amid the manhunt, and Mayor Patrick issued a city-wide "shelter in place" order as the investigation unfolds.

"Please understand we have an armed and dangerous person(s) still at large and police actively pursuing every lead in this active emergency event," the order said.

Police said the violent ordeal began around 10:30 p.m. Thursday evening when a 7-Eleven convenience store was robbed in Cambridge, Mass., shortly before the MIT officer was shot. The brothers then hijacked a Mercedes and drove to Watertown, Mass. Police pursued the duo into a residential area of Watertown, a suburb of Boston. The chase ended in a firefight that left Tsarnaev's brother dead, while he managed to slip away as police surround the area with multiple police cars, ambulances and fire trucks. Federal law enforcement sources told ABC News the suspects admitted their role in the Boston Marathon bombing to the carjacking victim.

Earlier in the day Massachusetts state police have tweeted guidance for Watertown residents to stay in their residences and not answer their doors unless it is for an identified police officer. Police were "going door by door, street by street, in and around Watertown. Police will be clearly identified. It is a fluid situation," according to the state police tweet.

The Monday bombing near the finish line of the Boston Marathon killed three people and injured more than 170 more. The FBI released images Thursday evening of the two suspects in the case.

Robot Sex Poll Reveals Americans' Attitudes About Robotic Lovers, Servants, Soldiers

2013-04-18T14:14:00Z

A provocative new poll shows that Americans have little trouble imagining a future full of personal service robots -- at least when it comes to robots tasked with cleaning our homes, driving our cars, and even helping fight our wars.

But the HuffPost/YouGov poll shows that we're a bit squeamish about bots in especially personal roles, such as caring for elderly people or replacing a human sex partner. These findings are consistent with research conducted by Stanford University's Dr. Leila Takayama, an expert in robot-human relationships.

"We've been finding that people prefer the idea of working with robots instead of having robots work in place of people," Takayama told The Huffington Post in an email.

In the poll, 58 percent of Americans said that robots will be cleaning our homes by 2030. But only 33 percent said that they'd like a robot servant. Forty-two percent indicated that they wouldn't want one. Those between 40 and 44 years of age were themost likely to say they would like a robot servant, while adults age 65 or older were the least likely.

The idea of having robots care for elderly people raised even bigger qualms. Only 25 percent indicated that they think such robots will be available by 2030, and even fewer (22 percent) said that they would let a robot care for an aging friend or relative. Fifty-eight percent said they wouldn't let a robot do that.

Forty-six percent of respondents to the survey say that robots will be able to drive cars by the year 2030. The idea doesn't seem so outlandish given that Google is already developing a self-driving car, with managers of the project saying that the technology could be on sale to consumers in as little as three years.

In fact, two states (Nevada and California) already have laws on the books permitting driverless vehicles, though both require an actual human to be in the car and prepared to take the wheel if necessary.

Forty-eight percent of respondents indicated that they believed robots will be able to fight in the military by 2030.

And what about robotic sex partners?

Eighteen percent of respondents indicated that they believed sexbots will be available by 2030. Nine percent indicated that they would have sex with a robot if they could (though perhaps they wouldn't have been keen on admitting that if they could).

Sex with a robot raises some thorny ethical questions -- including whether a married person who hooked up with a robot would be guilty of infidelity. What did the poll find? Forty-two percent of Americans indicated that such a dalliance would constitute cheating. Another 31 percent said it wouldn't, and 26 percent said they were unsure. Respondents under age 30 were almost as likely to say it wouldn't be cheating (34 percent) as that it would (36 percent). Americans over age 65 were far more likely to say that it would, by a 52 percent to 24 percent margin.

The poll was conducted Feb. 20-21 among 1,000 U.S. adults. It used a sample selected from YouGov's opt-in online panel to match the demographics and other characteristics of the adult U.S. population. Factors considered include age, race, gender, education, employment, income, marital status, number of children, voter registration, time and location of Internet access, interest in politics, religion and church attendance.

The Huffington Post has teamed up with YouGov to conduct daily opinion polls. You can learn more about this project and take part in YouGov's nationally representative opinion polling.

Elementary school forbids student from body-farting in talent show

2013-04-18T13:04:00Z

First grader Erich Henze wants to perform his special act for the Violet Elementary School talent show in the Detroit suburb of St. Clair Shores, but, according to a breaking report from WJBK Fox 2, the principal and superintendent won’t allow it. They believe body farts are “inappropriate.”

Emily Henze, Erich’s mother, signed the permission slip for the seven-year old to blast off on stage, despite the school telling her that “bodily noises [are] inappropriate and would not be acceptable in the talent show.”

Despite the school’s discouragement, Emily continues to champion her son’s talent and wisenheimers just like him across America. She believes denying a child to tear faux ass is telling a child to “not to be yourself … Everybody takes things so serious. We’re talking about a seven-year-old and armpit farts. There could be so many other worse things, and I don’t agree with [the school's] decision, and I think I have hundreds and hundreds of people that stand behind the way I think.”

Hundreds? Tens of thousands, Emily! Just tell us where the Million Man Armpit Fart March is taking place, and we’re there. Again, kudos to the Detroit Fox affiliate for highlighting Erich’s skill set:

Letter sent to Obama tests positive for ricin, officials say

2013-04-17T16:34:00Z

A letter addressed to President Barack Obama tested positive for the poison ricin and was from the same sender who mailed a letter to a senator that also tested positive, officials told NBC News on Wednesday.

The letter to Obama was intercepted at an off-site White House mail facility Tuesday and was being tested further, a Secret Service official told NBC News. A federal law enforcement official said that the letter was “very similar” to one addressed to Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Miss.

Federal officials told NBC News that they believe they know who sent the letters, but no arrest was made because authorities were waiting for further test results.

Ricin is made from castor beans and can kill within 36 hours. There is no antidote. Some threatening letters simply contain ground castor beans, resulting in a positive field test for ricin without the concentrated poison. Results from full laboratory tests are expected in the next 24 to 48 hours.

Filters at a second government mail screening facility also tested positive for ricin in preliminary screening Wednesday.

An FBI official told NBC News that the agency did not initially believe the letters were related to the attack on the Boston Marathon on Monday.

Authorities cleared the atrium of a Senate office building Wednesday and were investigating a suspicious package there. Capitol police were also investigating a suspicious package at the office of Sen. Richard Shelby, R-Ala. Shelby’s staff had not been evacuated.

The FBI confirmed the preliminary positive test on the Wicker letter Tuesday. That letter was intercepted at a postal facility in Maryland that screens mail sent to Congress, and never reached Wicker’s office. The senator thanked law enforcement and said an investigation was underway but did not elaborate.

Other senators were made aware of the Wicker letter during a briefing Tuesday evening on the bombing in Boston. Sen. Claire McCaskill, D-Mo., said that the person who sent Wicker the letter writes often to elected officials.

The Wicker letter was postmarked Memphis, Tenn., and had no return address.

People can be exposed to ricin by touching a ricin-laced letter or by inhaling particles that enter the air when the envelope is opened. Touching ricin can cause a rash but is not usually fatal. Inhaling it can cause trouble breathing, fever and other symptoms, and can be fatal.

Field tests are conducted anytime suspicious powder is found in a mail facility. That and other preliminary tests can produce inconsistent results. When tests show the possibility of a biological agent, the material is sent to a laboratory for more analysis.

Only a full analysis performed at an accredited laboratory can determine the presence of a biological agent such as ricin. Those tests are currently being conducted and generally take a day or two.

Research: Games Are Therapeutic to Patients With Chronic Illnesses

2013-04-17T15:29:00Z

A new research paper from University of Utah Professor Carol Bruggers comes to the conclusion that video games can be therapeutic to patients suffering from a variety of illnesses including cancer, diabetes, asthma, depression, autism and Parkinson's disease. The new research paper, "Patient-Empowerment Interactive Technologies," has been published within the pages of the September 19 issue of the Science Translational Medicine journal. Carol Bruggers is a professor at the University of Utah's Department of Pediatrics and physician at Primary Children's Medical Center.

Other contributors to the research included faculty from the University of Utah's Department of Pediatrics, the Brain Institute, College of Fine Arts, College of Pharmacy, School of Computing, Pierre Lassonde Entrepreneur Center, recent graduates from the Entertainment Arts and Engineering (EAE) Master's program, and a current medical student.

The research details the affects of using therapeutic video games, including the team's own Patient Empowerment Exercise Video Game to promote improving resilience, creating empowerment, and fostering a fighting spirit in pediatric oncology patients. Researchers also looked at other games that have proven to provide some benefits to patients with chronic diseases.

Researchers analyzed clinical data on "health-related games," including sedentary games and "exergames" available on Wii, Xbox 360 (using Kinect), and PlayStation 3 (we assume using either the EyeToy or Move).

Bruggers claims that a number of published studies are showing promising data on how games can enhance health-related behavioral changes and self-management of obesity, neurological disorders, cancer or asthma.

"We envision interactive exergames designed to enhance patient empowerment, compliance and clinical outcomes for specific disease categories," she said.

The Utah researchers also say that video games can serve as an enhancement to traditional therapies that involve medication in changing behavior. Ultimately games engage patients and give them motivation against whatever illness they might be fighting.

Grzegorz Bulaj, an associate professor of medicinal chemistry at the University of Utah, adds that playing games may have an impact because of the chemicals they can produce in the brain of a patient:

"Research shows that playing video games increases levels of dopamine in the brain, but whether interactive technologies can mimic actions of pharmacological drugs remains unknown. Nonetheless, our study points towards video games becoming a part of personalized medicine, helping and bringing smiles to individual patients, doctors, nurses and physical therapists. Our paper shows these games offer great promise, but we also looked at the challenges of delivering safe, efficacious and fun-loaded therapeutic games."

Study: People Consume More Calories When Drinking Alcohol

2013-04-17T15:16:00Z

If you feel like you’re eating more when you drink alcohol, you’re probably right.

According to a study by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, people consume more calories on days they drink than on days when they don’t imbibe.

The study surveyed more than 1,800 people about their dietary intake over two days – one when they were drinking and one when they abstained from alcohol.

The team found that on days when the participants weren’t drinking, men consumed about 2,400 calories and women ate around 1,700, but on “drinking days,” both sexes consumed more calories. Men took in an additional 400, and women consumed about 300 more calories on average.

And while the study’s authors say that the women’s additional caloric intake could be explained by the consumption of the alcohol alone, men consumed at least 100-200 more calories from food.

Similarly, a previous study showed that both men and women consumed more fat and men were more likely to eat more meat and white potatoes during a boozy night out than on a day without alcohol.

So, what does all this mean for moderate drinkers?

The next time you consider downing a cheeseburger and fries with your beer or combating that hangover at the local greasy spoon, you might want to think again.

Westboro to picket Boston Marathon funerals

2013-04-17T13:11:00Z

Westboro Baptist Church members protest the funeral of Sgt. 1st Class Johnny Walls on November 30, 2007. The Westboro Baptists Church from Topeka, gained notoriety by demonstrating at military funerals across the country, claiming God is killing troops in Iraq and Afghanistan to punish the United States for tolerating homosexuality. Walls died on November 2 from wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his unit with small-arms fire while serving in Afghanistan. (File/UPI Photo/Jim Bryant)

Westboro Baptist Church, famous for their anti-gay rhetoric and funeral protests, issued a press release and posted it to Twitter. Westboro thanked god for the attack and announced their plan to picket victims' funerals.

“The federal government is classifying the bombs as a terrorist attack, but say it’s unclear if it’s of a domestic or foreign nature. Here’s a hint -- GOD SENT THE BOMBS! How many more terrifying ways will you have the LORD injure and kill your fellow countrymen because you insist on nation-dooming filthy fag marriage?!”

A “We the People” petition on the White House website asking that the church be banned from demonstrating at victims’ funerals had over 4,000 signatures by Tuesday morning.

Westboro's December plan to picket the funerals of Newtown victims was thwarted after a group of motorcyclists formed a perimeter around the funeral area. The location of a Motel 6 where church members were staying was revealed and community protesters arrived to block church members.

Earlier this month, Westboro announced plans to picket the funeral of movie critic Roger Ebert, calling him a “fag enabler.”

Bob Seger fan, 79, gets wish spoken after 5-year coma: to dance at concert

2013-04-16T16:41:00Z

The first words of a 79-year-old Michigan woman as she emerged from a five-year semi-coma were, "I want to go to a Bob Seger concert."

And now her wish has come true.

The Flint Journal reports that Evie Branan cheered, threw her hands in the air and danced during Seger's concert Thursday night at The Palace of Auburn Hills. She also met Seger and his family, talked with crew and band members and received VIP treatment.

Branan is from Flint Township. She called the night "the happiest I've been in a long time."

But the best part wasn't the concert itself, because it's not Branan's first Seger concert. In fact, it's her fifth. It's the journey that got Branan there that is special.

Branan's just happy to be alive for the concert. Others call her story a miracle.

Six years ago, Branan suffered a massive stroke. She went from living a healthy, independent life to becoming a resident of Flint Township's Willowbrook Manor in the long-term care unit.

She couldn't speak, move or eat on her own, and the staff members were doing everything for her. That's how it was for more than five years, until she came out of a coma on May 7, 2011.

Her story since then was an inspiration to the staff, said Michelle Cross, administrator at Willowbrook Manor. So when Cross found out Seger was coming to Auburn Hills, she did all she could to make it a very memorable time for Branan.

Cross bought the tickets for Branan, herself and Jennifer Hickey, one of Branan's aides. She then made some calls to the company that manages Seger and rented a limo for the night.

Ann Tenbrusch, executive assistant for Punch Enterprises that manages Bob Seger, said when she heard Branan's story, she knew she wanted to do something to help make the night special. She spoke with the owner of the company, Punch Andrews, and, she said, he was just as enthusiastic about it.

"(Her story) was definitely nothing I had heard before," Tenbrusch said. "I always want to try to help out with stories like that because Bob loves his fans. It's such a cool story I just wanted to help out in any way I could."

"When you meet (Branan), you'll never forget her. ... I tell her, 'You are a miracle. Things like this just don't happen,'" Cross said. "Every time I talk about her I light up. ... I want to get out to people that there is hope (for stroke patients). This story is truly amazing."

Cross said Branan could have awakened bitter and angry, but she didn't. Branan was described as very vocal, kind, witty, funny, full of spirit and a "cool, hip chick."

Cross said it's hard to tell she's 79. And she was very lively in her younger years.

Branan has her speech back and her memory is slowly returning. Although most of the time, she is moved throughout Willowbrook in her wheelchair, through physical therapy, she takes up to 150 steps a day with the help of a walker.

And just in time, Branan received new hearing aids two days before the concert.

Eventually I will get up on my own because I won't give up," Branan said. "Hopefully, people who have had a stroke read this and won't give up."

Time Machine From Inventor In Iran Predicts Your Future Life, Two Percent Maybe Not

2013-04-16T16:20:00Z

A time machine from an Iranian inventor promises to predict your future life.

As previously reported by The Inquisitr, there was a claim of an actual time traveler based upon a 1938 photo showing a woman holding a cell phone. Conspiracy theorists cited the woman time traveler photo as proof, but the actual story is about as interesting as someone having access to a time machine.

Ali Razeghi, an Iranian scientist from Tehran, is calling his time machine device “The Aryayek Time Traveling Machine.” Razeghi claims his time machine can predict the future in a print out after taking readings from the touch of a user.

Razeghi is the managing director of Iran’s Centre for Strategic Inventions, and he has 179 other inventions under his belt, so perhaps he can be taken somewhat seriously. The Iranian inventor says his time machine can ”predict five to eight years of the future life of any individual, with 98 percent accuracy”.

Razeghi explains what he did to invent this time machine:

“I have been working on this project for the last 10 years. My invention easily fits into the size of a personal computer case and can predict details of the next 5-8 years of the life of its users. It will not take you into the future, it will bring the future to you.”

So it’s much smaller than a hot tub or a DeLorean.

Razeghi see his time machine playing a role in the Iran nuclear weapons crisis:

“Naturally a government that can see five years into the future would be able to prepare itself for challenges that might destabilize it. As such we expect to market this invention among states as well as individuals once we reach a mass production stage.”

The inventor from Iran said his time machine project has been criticized for “trying to play God.” He disagrees and says “the Americans” are trying to create a similar time machine. He also says he’s holding back on commercially launching his time machine too early because “the Chinese will steal the idea and produce it in millions overnight.”

Do you think this time machine from an Iranian inventor might actually work?

Peru Pushes Guinea Pigs As Food

2013-04-16T14:53:00Z

After 34 years of patient tinkering, researchers at Peru's most prestigious agrarian university have bred a new culinary export they hope will scamper onto dinner plates throughout the world: the super guinea pig.

The animal is a cuddly companion for millions of children. But in Peru, the rodent's birthplace, it remains a vital source of protein in rural communities, a mainstay of Andean folk medicine and a common religious sacrifice.

"It is well known that Peruvians eat guinea pig. Foreigners are more reluctant to eat it as they see the animal as a pet," said Gloria Palacios, director of La Molina National University's project to promote guinea pig exports.

"I think if they become familiar with the cuisine, maybe suddenly they'll give in and be tempted to try it," she said. "It is really delicious."

Peruvians consume an estimated 65 million guinea pigs each year. It is a dining experience that normally requires two hands to pick scant, sinewy meat from a bony carcass — often with the head staring up from the plate.

But earlier this year, La Molina University started exporting the "Peruvian Breed" — faster growing, plumper, tastier guinea pigs — to the United States, Japan and several European nations that have large Peruvian immigrant populations.

The 1,000 guinea pigs shipped out weekly — mostly to the United States — each weigh nearly 2? pounds, said Dr. Lilia Chauca, head researcher of the breeding project.

In comparison, she said, the guinea pigs raised on alfalfa and vegetable peels in 98 percent of rural households in the Peruvian Andes weigh up to 1.5 pounds.

The meat is high in protein and low in fat and cholesterol and has a distinctive flavor, similar to rabbit. Chauca and her team of researchers at La Molina's National Institute of Agrarian Investigation started the super-size guinea pig project in 1970.

Archaeological evidence shows guinea pigs were domesticated in Peru as far back as 2500 B.C., and had deep cultural and religious significance. Guinea pigs are still a common tool of ritual healers, or "curanderos," who use the animals to diagnose illnesses.

A 17th century native chronicler, Guaman Poma de Ayala, wrote that the Incas sacrificed 1,000 white guinea pigs along with 100 llamas in Cuzco's main plaza each July "so that neither the sun nor the waters would harm the food and the fields."

From the beginning of the Spanish colonization, the Catholic Church brutally suppressed Indian religious icons. But the guinea pig was spared.

Geronimo de Loayza, the first bishop of Lima from 1545 to 1575, refused a request by Spanish priests to order the mass extermination of the rodents, fearing it would spark a rebellion.

The Spanish colonizers made Indian artists paint, weave and carve items with Catholic themes to decorate churches and evangelize the natives. The artists copied prints imported from Europe, but added Peruvian touches.

Today, churches in Lima and Cuzco still display Indian depictions of the Last Supper with Jesus and the 12 disciples eating roasted guinea pig.

Microphones Replaced With Cats

2013-04-16T14:10:00Z

Move over, "Sports Balls Replaced With Cats!" Your favorite music icons singing into cats! Originated here, on The Heidi & Frank Show on 95.5KLOS!

MICK JAGGER:

ARETHA FRANKLIN:

BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN:

LISTENER SUBMITTED:

@chabes_yoda - Five Finger Death Punch:

@chabes_yoda - The Who:

Boston Marathon bombing kills 3, injures over 140

2013-04-16T13:10:00Z

Two bombs exploded in the crowded streets near the finish line of the Boston Marathon on Monday, killing at least three people and injuring more than 140 in a bloody scene of shattered glass and severed limbs that raised alarms that terrorists might have struck again in the U.S.

A White House official speaking on condition of anonymity because the investigation was still unfolding said the attack was being treated as an act of terrorism.

President Barack Obama vowed that those responsible will "feel the full weight of justice."

As many as two unexploded bombs were also found near the end of the 26.2-mile course as part of what appeared to be a well-coordinated attack, but they were safely disarmed, according to a senior U.S. intelligence official, who also spoke on condition of anonymity because of the continuing investigation.

The fiery twin blasts took place about 10 seconds and about 100 yards apart, knocking spectators and at least one runner off their feet, shattering windows and sending dense plumes of smoke rising over the street and through the fluttering national flags lining the route. Blood stained the pavement, and huge shards were missing from window panes as high as three stories.

"They just started bringing people in with no limbs," said runner Tim Davey of Richmond, Va. He said he and his wife, Lisa, tried to shield their children's eyes from the gruesome scene inside a medical tent that had been set up to care for fatigued runners, but "they saw a lot."

"They just kept filling up with more and more casualties," Lisa Davey said. "Most everybody was conscious. They were very dazed."

As the FBI took charge of the investigation, authorities shed no light on a motive or who may have carried out the bombings, and police said they had no suspects in custody. Officials in Washington said there was no immediate claim of responsibility.

WBZ-TV reported late Monday that law enforcement officers were searching an apartment in the Boston suburb of Revere. Massachusetts State Police confirmed that a search warrant related to the investigation into the explosions was served Monday night in Revere but provided no further details.

Some investigators were seen leaving the Revere house early Tuesday carrying brown paper bags, plastic trash bags and a duffel bag.

Police said three people were killed. An 8-year-old boy was among the dead, according to a person who talked to a friend of the family and spoke on condition of anonymity. The person said the boy's mother and sister were also injured as they waited for his father to finish the race.

Hospitals reported at least 144 people injured, at least 17 of them critically. The victims' injuries included broken bones, shrapnel wounds and ruptured eardrums.

At Massachusetts General Hospital, Alasdair Conn, chief of emergency services, said: "This is something I've never seen in my 25 years here ... this amount of carnage in the civilian population. This is what we expect from war."

Some 23,000 runners took part in the race, one of the world's oldest and most prestigious marathons.

One of Boston's biggest annual events, the race winds up near Copley Square, not far from the landmark Prudential Center and the Boston Public Library. It is held on Patriots Day, which commemorates the first battles of the American Revolution, at Concord and Lexington in 1775.

Boston Police Commissioner Edward Davis asked people to stay indoors or go back to their hotel rooms and avoid crowds as bomb squads methodically checked parcels and bags left along the race route. He said investigators didn't know whether the bombs were hidden in mailboxes or trash cans.

He said authorities had received "no specific intelligence that anything was going to happen" at the race.

The Federal Aviation Administration barred low-flying aircraft within 3.5 miles of the site.

"We still don't know who did this or why," Obama said at the White House, adding, "Make no mistake: We will get to the bottom of this."

With scant official information to guide them, members of Congress said there was little or no doubt it was an act of terrorism.

"We just don't know whether it's foreign or domestic," said Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Texas, chairman of the House Committee on Homeland Security.

A few miles away from the finish line and around the same time, a fire broke out at the John F. Kennedy Library. The police commissioner said that it may have been caused by an incendiary device but that it was not clear whether it was related to the bombings.

The first explosion occurred on the north side of Boylston Street, just before the finish line, and some people initially thought it was a celebratory cannon blast.

When the second bomb went off, spectators' cheers turned to screams. As sirens blared, emergency workers and National Guardsmen who had been assigned to the race for crowd control began climbing over and tearing down temporary fences to get to the blast site.

The bombings occurred about four hours into the race and two hours after the men's winner crossed the finish line. By that point, more than 17,000 of the athletes had finished the marathon, but thousands more were still running.

The attack may have been timed for maximum carnage: The four-hour mark is typically a crowded time near the finish line because of the slow-but-steady recreational runners completing the race and because of all the friends and relatives clustered around to cheer them on.

Runners in the medical tent for treatment of dehydration or other race-related ills were pushed out to make room for victims of the bombing.

A woman who was a few feet from the second bomb, Brighid Wall, 35, of Duxbury, said that when it exploded, runners and spectators froze, unsure of what to do. Her husband threw their children to the ground, lay on top of them and another man lay on top of them and said, "Don't get up, don't get up."

After a minute or so without another explosion, Wall said, she and her family headed to a Starbucks and out the back door through an alley. Around them, the windows of the bars and restaurants were blown out.

She said she saw six to eight people bleeding profusely, including one man who was kneeling, dazed, with blood trickling down his head. Another person was on the ground covered in blood and not moving.

"My ears are zinging. Their ears are zinging," Wall said. "It was so forceful. It knocked us to the ground."

Competitors and race volunteers were crying as they fled the chaos. Authorities went onto the course to carry away the injured, while race stragglers were rerouted away from the smoking site.

Roupen Bastajian, a state trooper from Smithfield, R.I., had just finished the race when he heard the blasts.

"I started running toward the blast. And there were people all over the floor," he said. "We started grabbing tourniquets and started tying legs. A lot of people amputated. ... At least 25 to 30 people have at least one leg missing, or an ankle missing, or two legs missing."

The race honored the victims of the Newtown, Conn., shooting with a special mile marker in Monday's race.

Boston Athletic Association president Joanne Flaminio previously said there was "special significance" to the fact that the race is 26.2 miles long and 26 people died at Sandy Hook Elementary School.

A Woman Robbed a Bank with a Can of Spaghetti Sauce

2013-04-15T16:44:00Z

Of all the food related items or household goods that you could use to pretend to be a bomb, spaghetti sauce has to be pretty low on the list. Not to a 60-year-old woman near Detroit though, she used spaghetti sauce to rob an entire bank. And she got away.

Don't worry for humanity, it wasn't as if the spaghetti sauce robber was waving a can of Ragu threatening to paint the bank red with marinara unless everyone gave her all their money. Instead, the woman simply placed a cloth bag (with the can of spaghetti sauce) on the counter of Fifth Third Bank in Clinton Township, Michigan and demanded money from the bank teller saying there was a bomb inside the bag. The police said:

"It did look like there was a hard object in there. But it was folded over so you couldn't see what was inside. It turned out that it was a couple of cans of spaghetti sauce inside the bag"

Of course if someone claims to have a bomb, it's good practice to act as if they have a bomb. It's better to not get blown up than be tricked with a can of tomato sauce, you know? The police have no idea how much money the bank robber got away with or where she is now, only saying they have a pretty good lead on the suspect. (they should probably look for someone buying more spaghetti sauce)

Indian girl with swollen head needs 'miracle': parents

2013-04-15T15:31:00Z

A desperate Indian father whose young child suffers from a condition that caused her head to swell up to an enormous size said Saturday he is praying for a "miracle" to save her life.

Eighteen-month-old Roona Begum was diagnosed with hydrocephalus, in which cerebrospinal fluid builds up in the brain, just weeks after her birth in a government-run hospital in remote Tripura state in northeast India.

The potentially fatal illness has caused Roona's head to swell to a circumference of 91-centimetres (36-inches), putting pressure on her brain.

Her father, Abdul Rahman, 18, who lives in a mud hut with his family in the village of Jirania Khola, told AFP he prays for "a miracle" that will save his only child.

"Day by day, I saw her head growing too big after she was born," said the illiterate labourer who works in a brick-making factory.

Doctors told him to go to a specialist hospital in a big city such as Kolkata in eastern India to get medical help but Rahman, who earns 150 rupees ($2.75) a day working in the brick plant, said he does not have the money to take her.

"It's very difficult to watch her in pain. I pray several times a day for a miracle -- for something to make my child better," he said.

The US government's National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke estimates about one in every 500 children suffers from hydrocephalus.

The most common treatment involves the surgical insertion of a shunt system to drain cerebrospinal fluid away from the brain and towards another part of the body where it can be easily absorbed into the bloodstream.

Cases like Roona's, where the head has doubled in size in a relatively short span of time, are extremely rare, according to leading Indian neurosurgeon Sandeep Vaishya.

"It's difficult to assess the situation without seeing the patient, but a surgery, even at this late stage, would give her brain the best chance it has to grow and develop normally," Vaishya told AFP.

Vaishya, who is the head of neurosurgery at the privately run Fortis flagship hospital in Gurgaon, a satellite city of the national capital Delhi, said that surgeries to treat hydrocephalus cases are "not particularly risky".

Although the cost differs from case to case, he estimated that a complex surgery like this one would cost about 125,000 rupees ($2,300) and require a three-day hospital stay.

Roona now is confined to her bed and unable to move her head but she is a playful child, quick to smile and giggle and is able to move her limbs, according to her father.

She has outlived an initial prognosis by doctors that she would survive only two months.

But her mother, Fatema Khatun, 25, says the little girl's health is getting worse and that she urgently needs help.

"She is deteriorating. She eats less and less, vomits often and I can see that she is getting thinner," Khatun told AFP.

Mass vomiting breaks out at baby shop

2013-04-15T15:18:00Z

Authorities don't know what has caused 15 people to suffer headaches and vomiting at a store that sells items for babies.

Nine employees at Buy Buy Baby and six customers fell ill on Saturday afternoon. The Fort Worth fire department said that when the initial call came in, two people were reporting symptoms. The scene was cleared and business resumed. Then, about an hour later, the number who had fallen ill had risen. The store was cleared and fans were brought in to clear the air inside the facility.

A fire department spokesman said carbon monoxide had been ruled out as the cause of the illnesses.

Some of those who fell ill were taken to hospitals for further examination.

Man suspected of sleeping with corpse of dead girlfriend

2013-04-15T13:45:00Z

A man is accused of concealing his girlfriend's death, and deputies say he even slept in the same bed with the corpse for several days. The woman's mother says she called authorities after realizing her daughter was dead.

Randall Johnson of Williamston, NC is charged with felony concealing a death from law enforcement.

Deputies say on Saturday they responded to a home on Ballard Road for a possible dead body. Once there deputies say it was evident that Carla Baggett had been dead for several days.

Their investigation shows the woman was last seen alive Wednesday evening and that her body had started to decompose in the bedroom. The body was sent to the Medical Examiner's Office in Greenville and while the cause of death is still pending, deputies say there's no evidence of foul play.

Deputies say the victim's mother and sister, along with the dead woman's grandson, also lived in the single-wide trailer.

Phyllis King, the woman's mother, told WITN that Johnson said her daughter had overdosed on Xanax, but was okay.

"I asked him, I said, Randy, is she okay? And he said yes, she's okay, and I said well she's been sleeping a long time," said King. "I went back in there that night, she was still sleeping. I went back in there the next morning--she was still sleeping. I said I'm going to call 911, she's got to wake up, she's been in here too long, and he said no, no, she's okay."

King says on Saturday she went inside the bedroom, and crawled over Johnson. "When I went in there I made my mind up, I'm going to crawl over there, I want my daughter awake. When I felt her she was dead." That's when King called 911.

The 44-year-old Johnson was jailed on a $100,000 secured bond. He has an April 17th court date.

She's a Rebel rouser: Wilson's not one but two award boobs with 'double nip slip'

2013-04-15T13:19:00Z

Double nip slip ... Rebel Wilson

REBEL Wilson showed she knows the meaning of a gong show – exposing her audience at the MTV Movie Awards to a double nip slip.

The Bridesmaid actress, 27, pulled down one half of her dress top to reveal a fake boob with two nipples while talking about body image.

The gag echoed Janet Jackson’s infamous Super Bowl nip slip in 2004 when one of her breasts was left showing at the half-time show.

Show host ... Rebel at MTV Movie Awards

The cheeky wardrobe malfunction was not the star’s only interesting stage surprise though.

She also wowed her crowd by gyrating in a dominatrix-style leather outfit.

Rebel’s opening routine began with James Franco trekking to her native Australia.

BRIDESMAID star's opening show went off with a bang as she danced among pyrotechnic effects

The Oz: The Great And Powerful actor found her sitting outside a tent in the outback where he told her she had been “chosen” to host the awards.

He also poked fun at his own Oscars hosting disasters, joking: “Hosting is a blast. You are not gonna regret it for a second... Trust me, nobody will ever say anything bad about you. It’ll be totally fun, cool, yes.”

Opening routine ... Rebel in leather outfit

Wilson then stepped into an Iron Man suit Franco called Iron Man-gina and “jetted off” to the Sony Pictures lot in Los Angeles for the ceremony, where she fell from the rafters and announced: “I don’t know if I can do this”, before breaking into song and performing a parody of Eminem’s Lose Yourself and a mash-up of Macklemore & Ryan Lewis’ Thrift Shop and Alicia Keys’ Girl on Fire.

Rebel also revealed she was stunned to be asked to host the show, saying: “I’m a bit surprised that they asked me to host — and so is MTV. They thought I was Adele.”

Rebel, who stepped on to the stage in a pink tracksuit during her performance, later showed off another tracksuit when she picked up Golden Popcorn trophies for Breakthrough Performance and Best Musical Moment.

Winner ... with her two awards

Ten crazy things your taxpayer dollars paid for

2013-04-11T16:50:00Z

Have you ever thought about what exactly your hard earned taxpayer dollars pay for?

Sure you know it pays the presidents salary, but have you ever wondered about the ‘extreme, crazy’ things you pay for?

We’ll, here are ten crazy things your taxpayer dollars went to.

Museum Of Neon Signs:

In Las Vegas, Nevada, $1.8 million went to build a ‘museum of neon signs.’ The purpose of the museum is to preserve old neon signs that are no longer in use.

‘Recession Themed’ Video Game:

At Dartmouth University in New Hampshire, $137,530 went to a professor to create a video game that simulated a recession.

“Green energy updates” To A Building That Has Not Been Used In A Decade:

At a park in California, a building received $440,000 in federal funds to add, “Green energy upgrades.” However, the building hasn’t been used in over a decade.

Video Game Research:

Researchers at the University of California were granted $3 million so they could play video games such as World of Warcraft, to “study emerging forms of communication, including multiplayer computer games and online virtual worlds such as World of Warcraft and Second Life can help organizations collaborate and compete more effectively in the global marketplace.”

Cows Belching and Flatulence:

Associated Press

The U.S. Department of Agriculture granted the University of New Hampshire $700,000 to study the methane gas emissions from cow flatulence and belching.

Why Americans Voted The Way They Did In The Presidential Election:

$2.3 million were awarded to the University of Michigan and Stanford University to answer the question, “Why did America vote as it did on Election Day.”

They were also awarded a grant to conduct the same study after the 2012 election.

Studying Monkey’s Business:

The National Science Foundation granted $168,766 in federal funds to Columbia University in New York, to study the sexual behavior of wild blue monkeys by analyzing their feces in Africa.

This isn’t the first time it has been awarded federal funding for this project. In 2006, the university was awarded $276,219 for the same study.

Congressional Records Printed Daily:

This year, Congress spent $28.5 million to print paper versions of the Congressional Record. These records are printed everyday and are rarely used.

The Government Printing Office has said that 4,551 records are printed daily and most of the records go straight to the trashcan.

Shrimp Treadmills:

Three million dollars went to a study to see if sick shrimp had the same endurance as healthy shrimp on a treadmill.

A Census Commercial:

$2.5 million tax payer dollars paid for a census commercial during the 2011 Super Bowl in January.

If you add up all of the above, it costs $42,822,515 to the taxpayer.

School Bans Girls From Wearing Skinny Jeans Because They're 'Distracting' for Boys

2013-04-11T16:16:00Z

Today in everything that's wrong with the way kids are being raised in America: ajunior high school in California has banned wearing skinny jeans, leggings, and yoga pants. Well, actually just girls are banned from wearing tight pants.

The boys? The boys can wear whatever they want ... the new dress code at Kenilworth Junior High is really just about keeping girls from "distracting" those hormonal teenage boys with their tempting gams.

THIS!

THIS is the kind of thing that makes me want to lock my daughter up in her bedroom and throw away the key.

Not her luscious legs, but the fact that it's still OK to teach a bunch of teenage boys that they just can't help themselves for drooling all over the girls ... and girls are still being taught that it's their jobs to keep the boys in line.

That's really the message that's being sent by the ridiculous dress code at the Petaluma junior high, isn't it? Girls can't wear tight pants not because they've done anything wrong, but because their male classmates are acting like immature little jerks.

You'll have to pardon me for thinking here (after all, I'm just a girl, what do I know?), but wouldn't it be a whole lot easier to sit the boys down for a talk and tell them to cool it? Not only would it save the parents of every girl in the district from having to revamp their kids' wardrobes, but it would prepare the boys for what will happen when they walk out into a dress code-free world where women walk around flaunting bare ankles and even, gulp, showing their knees!

I don't have a son; I have a daughter. In my house, she's being taught to wear clothing that makes her feel comfortable and is "classy," but that's as far as we will go. We aren't going to teach her that she needs to change herself to keep boys in line because, frankly, that's not her job.

That's the boys' jobs ... and more importantly the jobs of the boys' parents. If you have a son, I need you to step up and teach him right from wrong. I need you to teach him to respect women, to teach him that it's not a girl's job to "cover up" so he doesn't get horny ... it's his job to get his hormones under control.

It will make for a much nicer world beyond junior high if you do ...

Unemployed Man Spent $140,000 on Phone Sex Before He Realized They Would Actually Bill Him

2013-04-11T15:40:00Z

People who can get laid or are not wholly pathetic individuals know that phone sex is stupid and $3 per minute can add the fuck up. That's a worse bang-for-your-buck than like every porn pay-site in the world. However, that didn't stop one listless sap from racking up the most eye-popping bill imaginable. Kevin Waldrum, 45, from the UK sought comfort on a phone sex hot line and spent up to 22 hours per after his girlfriend canned his ass. And the kicker is the fucking moron didn't realize these people would actually bill him the $3 per minute.

According to The Sun:

Kevin Waldrum, 45, spent up to 22 HOURS a day on the £2-a-minute lines after splitting from his girlfriend.

He said last night: “Chatlines are worse than drugs. I’m not a weirdo. I was just a normal guy with a normal chat who got hooked in and taken for an idiot.”

They would wave back, talk about life and dish out advice — including what fast food to eat.

Kevin said: “I told one girl how I’d go to KFC and McDonald’s and she’d tell me, ‘Get this, it’s more healthy’. But 95 per cent of their chat is bull****.

“Another girl Hannah had just split from her boyfriend. She got me on Twitter and said we’d meet but it never happened. It’s all lies.”

He said: “You get 20 minutes a call and they warn you near the end. I’d just phone straight back.

“These girls pretend to be your best friend but they’re all there to make a lot of money out of you.”

Vodafone has offered to cut his bill to £29,083 but ex-security guard Kevin says he can’t pay that as he’s still out of work. He said: “I admit it’s partly my fault but the line should have gone dead earlier.

No, Kevin, a $200 bill after you forgot to hang up the phone might be partly your fault, but spending up to 22 hours a day and amassing a $140,000 bill is ALL YOUR FAULT. What makes me sick is that he could have rented 140 pretty decent hookers for all that coin. Wasteful.

When it comes to 'ladyscaping' the Brazilian and the Hollywood are old news as it is revealed that men prefer a more natural look

2013-04-11T13:37:00Z

For years women have been convinced that porn star style waxing and vajazzles are the quickest way to impress their other halves in bed, with nearly two thirds saying that their look down below is calculated to please their man.

But it appears that it's time to wave goodbye to painful waxing for good, after a new survey found that men actually prefer a natural look.

According to the poll, which canvassed 1,000 men, the most popular look is is 'trimmed and tidy' – a far cry from the Hollywood, which involves having all hair removed.

Au naturel: Contrary to what the majority of women believe, men prefer a natural approach to grooming

Nearly half (43 per cent) of those who took part in the survey, which was commissioned by waxing brand, Nads, said they preferred their women to look as natural as possible but with a 'Bermuda triangle' - trimmed hair and waxed edges leaving no bikini hair overspill.

17 per cent plumped for the Brazilian, a landing strip of pubic hair, while 15 per cent liked the heart shaped 'Heart Breaker'.

Just 12 per cent chose the full Hollywood, with most men saying they preferred their women to have some hair 'down there'.

The style that men hated the most was the 'G Wax' – a closely trimmed small square of hair that most felt looked a bit silly and a bit of a turn off.

Among the men who took part in the poll was Sidcup father of two, Mark Tailworth, who said: 'I’d hate my wife not to have some hair, I much prefer her to be well trimmed than sporting some ridiculous, unsexy design.'

Ouch! The bejewelled vajazzle was popularised by Amy Childs, star of The Only Way is Essex

Others, including 27-year-old Daniel Smith from Essex, said that they did enjoy seeing the odd Hollywood or vajazzle on their girlfriends.

'I like it interesting - like unwrapping a present and finding a surprise,' said Daniel. 'I do prefer some hair so a design like the landing strip or heart shape is good for me and no surprise, vajazzling is popular in our town.'

Nads CEO Sue Ismiel said: 'Pubic hair styles are fast becoming just as important as the hair on your head.

'Popular designs for women and it seems men are the landing strip, heart shape and triangle patch indicating some hair is sexier to sport than "the all-off". But make sure you know what you’re doing as once styling begins there is no turning back.'

Teen: I Was Raped by 4 200-Pound Women

2013-04-10T16:10:00Z

Police say four women weighing about 200 pounds each raped a Toronto man last month after offering him a lift home, the Toronto Star reports. Word is he met them at a downtown nightclub and accepted a ride—but they drove him only a few blocks in an SUV before turning into a parking lot and assaulting him. Police describe the women as being about 5'4" and in their early thirties; one had a British accent and a tattoo of wings on the back of her neck, the National Post reports.

Sexual assaults by females on males are not unheard of in Toronto, a detective tells the Post. A Canadian Centre for Justice Statistics Report found in 2003 that 8% of sexual assault complainants were male, and male victims were just as likely as females to report the crime. Like women, men are often stigmatized for seeking help: "Other men will say for example, 'Oh, he’s so lucky,' like that was actually a positive thing when it wasn’t," says a rape crisis expert. "I think that that just feeds into the myth that sexual violence is something the victim wants."

Cops: Woman, 23, Assaulted Boyfriend Because He Would Not Stop Singing That Catchy "Thrift Shop" Song

2013-04-10T15:42:00Z

Angered that her boyfriend would not stop singing that catchy “Thrift Shop” song by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, a Colorado woman allegedly choked and pushed her beau during a confrontation late Saturday.

Samantha Malson, 23, was arrested by the Longmont Police Department for harassment and domestic violence, according to a Boulder County Sheriff’s Office booking sheet.

According to a police report, Malson and her boyfriend, Lars Hansen--who celebrated his 26th birthday Saturday--were both inebriated when officers arrived at their apartment around midnight. Malson, a certified nursing assistant, told cops that the couple had been “fighting all evening over the fact that Hansen accused Malson of consuming all the alcohol in the house.”

After Malson briefly left the residence, she returned and “began to listen to Macklemore’s song ‘Thrift Shop,’ which Hansen was singing while laying on the couch.” Malson, pictured in the above mug shot, told cops that Hansen sang the lyrics "over and over," and that she asked him to stop "25 times" before the fracas began.

“He just annoyed me,” Malson told police. She also reportedly confessed that, “I grabbed him around the throat” and “I did it for intimidation.”

Free on bond, Malson does not include Macklemore & Lewis among her musical “likes” on Facebook. Macklemore (real name: Ben Haggerty) is seen below in a still from the “Thrift Shop” video. The 3:55 hit, which includes a catchy hook sung by Michael “Wanz” Wansley, has topped the Billboard 100 chart and its video has been viewed in excess of 225 million times on YouTube.

Alaska city mulls outlawing walking the streets while intoxicated

2013-04-10T14:18:00Z

It could soon be against the law to mere walk the streets of a remote Alaska city while drunk.

Bethel, in the western part of the state, is reportedly considering changes to its public decency laws, including one that would ban walking on city streets while intoxicated.

The ordinance, which was recently introduced by the Bethel City Council, would also ban public excretion within city limits and add language to existing law against littering, defacing property, shoplifting and selling tobacco to minors, KYUK.org reports.

“Our Bethel Municipal Code doesn’t have a lot of teeth in it,” Councilmember Sharon Sigmund said. “It’s like my dog. He has very few teeth left and if he bites you, you probably wouldn’t even know it.”

Walking while intoxicated on the community’s ice roads would also be banned under the amendment.

“It’s not geared to prohibit the intoxication as much as it’s geared to keep these areas of our community safe,” Sigmund continued. “Public streets and roads, ice roads or highways, are very dangerous areas. They have a lot of fast-moving, big vehicles. A lot of foot traffic as well. To have an intoxicated person in those particular areas makes for an exponentially greater risk of harm not only to the person who’s intoxicated, but anyone who’s traveling on those roadways.”

Not all local lawmakers support the potential changes. Councilmember Rick Robb said he backed most of the ordinance, but had concerns with the public intoxication component.

“I can’t support that particular section,” Robb told the website. “I understand people can be a menace, but there’s other ways to handle it than outlawing drunk walking.”

Bethel, roughly 400 west of Anchorage, is the largest community in western Alaska and was reportedly named America’s taxicab capital in 2007. Although the town has just one single paved road that stretches roughly 10 miles, Bethel had 93 taxi drivers at the time, or roughly one cab for every 62 residents. That's by far more taxi drivers per capita than anywhere else in the country, according to Alfred LaGasse, executive vice president of the Taxicab, Limousine & Paratransit Association.

Lakers Beat Hornets 104-96 to Stay in Hunt

2013-04-10T13:34:00Z

Kobe Bryant looked around, drew in a breath and gathered himself. Time for one of the game's best closers to get to work with the score tied to start the fourth quarter.

He fueled a desperate rally with 23 of his 30 points in the last 12 minutes, and the Los Angeles Lakers beat the New Orleans Hornets 104-96 on Tuesday night to keep their playoff hopes alive.

"Aw ... I got to go in again and I really didn't want to," Bryant said he was thinking. "It's about conserving energy. The more I can kind of lag in the weeds the better."

But that depends on his teammates.

"If you're making shots, I can sit back," Bryant said. "If you're playing (bad), I can't."

No Laker but Bryant made a shot in the first seven minutes of the fourth. He had just four points at halftime.

"It is really just about me making shots. It is not really the defense," said Bryant, who had ice on his left shoulder and both knees after the game. "They keyed in on my penetration, but I know I could range over the defense and get the shot. So, with games like this, when the jumper is falling, you have fourth quarters like I had."

Pau Gasol had 22 points and 11 rebounds, and Dwight Howard added 19 points to help the Lakers move a half-game ahead of Utah for the eighth and final Western Conference playoff spot. The Jazz lost to Oklahoma City 90-80 earlier in the evening, but they hold the tiebreaker over the Lakers.

"We were pretty effective wearing down their bigs, especially late in the game," Howard said. "We just needed this game. It was intense. We got four games left. We control our own destiny."

Bryant urged Gasol to position himself down low where he's most effective and stay put.

"I haven't gotten to the post as much as I did tonight all year long," he said. "My teammates looked for me."

Eric Gordon scored 22 points, making 10 of 11 free throws, before fouling out in the final seconds to lead five Hornets in double figures. Anthony Davis added 18 points and 14 rebounds, Ryan Anderson had 14 points, and Greivis Vasquez had 11 points and 11 assists.

Metta World Peace returned for the Lakers less than two weeks after undergoing left knee surgery and had four points in 15 minutes as they won their third in a row at home.

Bryant put on his usual show in the fourth quarter that began with the teams tied at 70-all. He scored the Lakers' first seven points for a 77-70 lead, drawing chants of "Kobe! Kobe!"

"I knew I needed to be aggressive," he said. "Our energy had been down all game."

The Hornets ran off six in a row to take an 82-80 lead. Bryant answered with two straight jumpers before Davis' basket tied the game for the last time at 84-all.

From there, the Hornets were outscored 20-12.

"We had multiple guys doubling him and he just made smart plays," Anderson said of Bryant.

Hornets coach Monty Williams said, "You could put Saran Wrap on Kobe and I don't know if that's going to change anything."

Antawn Jamison, who finished with 13 points, scored five in a row for an 89-84 lead. But Bryant kept the Lakers going with another five straight, including a steal of Gordon that he capped with a fast-break driving finger roll.

"He had a lot of tough shots to get him going," Gordon said of Bryant. "Whenever you hit a few in a row it's almost hard to stop. He had a lot of tough shots and when he gets to the free throw line, it's a whole different ballgame."

The Hornets led by six early in a back-and-forth third that ended in a 70-all tie. Gasol scored six straight points to pull the Lakers into the first tie of the quarter. Davis picked up his fourth foul for the Hornets, and Howard got called for his fourth late in the third.

Jamison and Bryant hit back-to-back 3-pointers for the Lakers only to have Brian Roberts tie it up on a running finger roll.

The Lakers led by 10 points in the second quarter when the Hornets closed on a 17-2 run, including 14 in a row, to lead 50-45 at the break. Gordon scored 13 of their points, including the first six.

NOTES: Lakers F Earl Clark was in a car accident after morning shootaround, but he wasn't hurt and didn't want to discuss it before the game. ... The Lakers have swept the last three season series with the Hornets, and have won the last five season series overall. ... The Lakers play at Portland on Wednesday. They are 5-10 in the second game of back-to-backs this season, and have yet to go 2-0 in a set of back-to-backs. ... The Hornets are 1-3 on their five-game Western trip that ends on Wednesday at Sacramento. ... Lakers G Steve Nash missed his fourth straight game with a hamstring injury. ... Former Laker Gary Payton, who made the basketball Hall of Fame this week, attended the game.

Floyd Mayweather's Theory On Women Is Genius

2013-04-09T16:22:00Z

While we may not always agree with Floyd Mayweather and his outrageous behavior, he recently made some remarks that are truly worth mentioning.

In his new documentary series on Showtime, 30 Days In May, which counts down the final 30 days before serving his jail sentence, he said some real sh*t.

While there are many highlights of the star athlete living lavishly, it was his comments on his woman management that really resonated. He broke it down in a elementary way that truly every man can understand and appreciate. By comparing them to a fleet of cars of course.

“When it comes to females, even though you can’t drive 10 cars at one time, but, you got people that got 10 cars.”

“So you’re able to keep maintenance up on 10 cars. So I feel that as far as it comes to females, that same thing should apply. If you’re able to take care of 20 then you should have 20.”

Well put Floyd. But don’t you have a fiancée? I don’t think Shantel Jacksonwill be too happy to know about your sheisty methods. However apparently she does as she had this to say about it:

“I’m not the jealous type.”

“I know who I am and I know where we stand. I just feel like when you have that type of relationship where you can be open and honest, I just think it helps the trust and it helps keep things new and fresh.”

“So it doesn’t bother me and it’s never bothered me. I just think when you let a man be him, he will respect you that much to not disrespect you.”

Damn, Floyd is living! His wifey, who is already bad, doesn’t even mind if he sleeps around with other women as long as he keeps it real with her. This is how it is, however, for many high-profile relationships. Especially with athletes who are always on the road looking for love.

Most wives and girlfriends know the deal and as long as they are getting that credit card to go out shopping, they are Gucci. The show even shows Floyd and his crew hitting the town and getting it in with some strippers. It’s clear he’s not even trying to hide anything at this point.

In fact there were even points where the girls were all just completely naked in the hotel room. I’m talking tits and coochie! This all went down while Floyd was in the cut of course. When asked about this wild lifestyle, Mayweather didn’t seem to think much of it.

“I don’t know, man, it’s just my life. Strip clubs is what it is. We was born naked, so let the girls party naked.”

Hate it or love it, Floyd is that dude. At the end of the day he’s just going to keep balling out and f*cking groupies.

Are you brave enough to try a semen cocktail?

2013-04-09T15:41:00Z

Next big thing? Semenology was released last month (Picture: Lance Jackson)

An unorthodox mixologist is attempting to shake-up the drinks industry with his new creation – the semen cocktail.

Sperm enthusiast Paul ‘Fotie’ Photenhauer has just released his latest paperback, Semenology: The Semen Bartender’s Handbook.

Available to buy on Amazon, the cocktail guide teaches bartenders how create unusual cocktails using sperm.

‘This is the ultimate handbook for mixologists looking for ingredients that go beyond exotic fruit juices and rare spirits,’ an online description of the book explains.

‘Driven by a commitment and passion for the freshly harvested ingredient, Semenology pushes the limits of classic bartending.

Cocktail with a twist (Picture: File)

‘Semen is often freshly available behind most bar counters and adds a personal touch to any cocktail.

‘The connoisseur will appreciate learning how to mix selected spirits to enhance the delicate flavors of semen.’

Featuring recipes for cocktails including Slightly Saltier Caviar and Special ‘S’ Barbecue Sauce, the book’s author sees semen as inexpensive ingredient to produce and widely available.

‘If you want your partner to swallow, you should be willing to eat your own semen – I mean, it’s your semen,’ he told sfweekly.

‘The question is, why is eating semen so much weirder than having a yogurt?’

Semenology is the follow-up to his 2008 release, Natural Harvest: A collection of semen-based recipes.

Cheap Toy Poodles Purchased in Argentinian Bazaar Turn Out to Be 'Ferrets on Steroids'

2013-04-09T15:10:00Z

A man in Argentina was either ripped off or not depending on your view of paying for a toy poodle and getting a giant ferret instead.

According to a news story that aired locally last year but only began making international rounds over the weekend, an unidentified man who visited La Salada bazaar in Buenos Aires thought he was getting a bargain on a pair of thousand-dollar toy poodles, but instead wound up with 150 dollars worth of ferret.

Known colloquially as "Brazilian rats," the fluffy white ferrets are pumped full of steroids from birth in order to bulk up their appearance so they can be sold as dogs.

Long thought to be an urban legend, the news story which aired last June is thought to have exposed the unethical practice to sunlight.

Others came forward with similar stories of having purchased pure-bred chihuahuas, only to end up with misshapen rodents andother dog-like animals.

The man whose cautionary tale triggered the news piece says he had no idea he was in possession of a beefed-up ferret until he brought the animal to the vet for shots.

The Daily Mail offers this helpful tip for anyone who thinks they may have fallen victim to a similar scam: "They weigh around three pounds and have a lifespan of 7 to 10 years...Toy poodle have long lifespans and have been known to live as long as 20-years."

So if your pet poodle is still alive after 10 years, congrats: It's not a ferret.

Women In Indonesian Province Have Been Banned From Farting

2013-04-09T14:18:00Z

Update: The Wadiyan is an online satire newspaper that publishes fictional news reports with the intention of providing pure humour. And I did not know that. Never before have I been so pleased to report that this news item is a piece of satire. Let the farting resume!

According to a new law, the women in the Indonesian province of Aceh will now have to hold in their farts or face punishment, which may include 20 lashes for small farts and up to three months in prison for bigger bouts of flatulence. The mayor of the city, Sayyid Yahia, said the ban against female gas passing was necessary to save peoples’ morals and behaviors:

“Muslim women are not allowed to fart with sound, it’s against Islamic teachings … When you see woman fart loud, she appears like a man. But if she sit sideways and pass it quietly, she looks like a woman.”

The ban will not extend to “quiet” farts or gas passed in the home. “It will be the responsibility of the husband to make sure that his wife upholds Islamic values at home,” Yahia explained.

Medical doctors, scholars and anyone who has one lick of logic have spoken publicly against the law, saying that farting has little to do with modesty and everything to do with digestive health. The Indonesian Feminists Association told local media that they will fight for their right to fart as they please.

I will stand beside them, in the fight for digestive freedom. I’m getting beans for lunch and plan to fart loudly in public in protest. But seriously, I can’t believe we live in a world that would try to control womens’ autonomic nervous systems. That is absolute insanity.[

Thatcher Twitter hashtag kills off Cher

2013-04-09T13:04:00Z

Cher: Still very much alive.

Margaret Thatcher's death caused paroxysms of confusion on Twitter where some users were apparently left with the impression that the singer Cher had died.

Members began posting comments on the microblogging site with the hashtag #nowthatchersdead soon after the news was announced.

But it was apparently misinterpreted and led to a flurry of tweets suggesting it had upset the pop star's fans.

Comedian Ricky Gervais attempted to set the record straight, writing: "Some people are in a frenzy over the hashtag #nowthatchersdead.

"It's 'Now Thatcher's dead'.

"Not, 'Now that Cher's dead'."

Other Twitter users sought to reassure followers. One wrote: "It's OK people, @cher is still very much alive".

Sex Assault Hotline Printed On Lake County Sheriff's Flyer Is Phone Sex Number

2013-04-08T16:12:00Z

When a domestic violence victim in Lake County, Fla., called a sexual assault and domestic abuse hotline number she'd seen on a Sheriff's Office flyer, the automated message startled her.

"Welcome to America's hottest talk line," the recording said. "Ladies, talk to interesting and exciting guys, free, press one now. Guys, hot ladies are waiting to talk to you."

It turns out, Lake County Sheriff's Office accidentally listed a sex hotline as a sexual abuse hotline, WKMG reported. Sgt. Jim Vachon told the station that a victim made them aware of the mistake on Tuesday.

The 800 number -- on thousands of flyers -- was supposed to connect callers to the Haven, a victim's advocacy group.

Sgt. Jim Vachon told the station that a victim made them aware of the mistake on Tuesday.

WFTV 9 reported that the mixup occurred because the Sheriff's Office simply prints what it's given, and that was the number listed. A spokesperson told the station that they eventually traced the sex hotline number to an address of a former rape crisis center that Haven now runs.

But Haven has not used that address for nearly 20 years, according to Kelly Smallridge, the group's Executive Director.

"I was shocked and stunned. I had never seen that number before," she told the station. "As long as I've worked with this agency we haven't had a 1-800 number."

The Sheriff's Office has since corrected the error and distributed new flyers and pamphlets.

The incident mirrors that of Florida govenor Rick Scott, who, in 2010, mistakenly sent constituents seeking information on a fungal meningitis outbreak to a phone sex hotline.

The correct 24-hour hotline to the Haven of Lake and Sumter Counties is 352-753-5800 for domestic violence, or 352-787-1379 for sexual assault.

Police Respond To Call About 'Man Screaming For Help' - And Here's The Surprise They Found

2013-04-08T15:37:00Z

The Putnam County Sheriff’s Office in Tennessee responded to a call last week from a resident concerned that they heard a man yelling for help. What the officers found instead might surprise you — it was actually a goat.

UPI reported even police dispatchers hearing the screams over the phone. And when deputies Will Page and Gary Davis headed to the area where the sound was coming from and got out of their cruiser, they too heard what sounded like yelling."

The Herald Citizen (via UPI) reported even police dispatchers hearing the screams over the phone. And when deputies Will Page and Gary Davis headed to the area where the sound was coming from and got out of their cruiser, they too heard what sounded like yelling.

“We could hear what appeared to be a man screaming for help in the direction of a residence on Jackson Passage north of Edwards Lane,” Page told the Herald Citizen.

Following the screams, the deputies found a goat tied to the fence. They told the concerned caller everything was alright.

Watch this report from WPIX about the incident with some examples of goat screams:

This isn’t the first time a call has been made over such screams only for authorities to find a goat instead. The Herald Citizen reported last year though that the goat making all the noise really did need help as it was tangled in the woods.

Videos of goats yelling have recently been going viral. There are countless videos of goats screaming like humans posted on YouTube and it even became popular to include the screams as a joke in songs as well.

Here’s a compilation video of screams posted last month that has more than 15 million views:

As an example of a song with the goat scream included in place of human screaming, check out this version of Taylor Swift’s “I Knew You Were Trouble” with nearly 2 million views:

This story has been updated to include a different picture as it came to our attention through a Blaze reader that we had featured a sheep instead of a goat.

Homeless man wins lottery but wants to stay in his tent

2013-04-08T14:59:00Z

Dennis Mahurin has been homeless since around 1978, living in his tent. And he plans to stay there despite having won a $50,000 lottery off a scratch card ticket.

"I scratched it off right here in my tent,” Mahurin told CINewsNow.

However, the Bloomington, Indiana native does have a plan for how he’ll spend the money: dental work, visiting his son and putting away some of the winnings into savings.

He’s also considering an upgrade to a new tent, saying he’s “happy as can be in my nature,” with no desire to move into a more traditional home.

After taxes, he’ll take home about $35,000. A jackpot total that relatively small would not normally make international headlines. But it’s Mahurin’s plan to give away some of his cash that has roused the most attention.

"With all the other homeless people around here, I've made up my mind,” he said. “I'm gonna give them each $100."

Mahurin says he has eight fellow homeless men in mind that he plans to give $100 to, but he jokingly says he is leaving open the possibility of donating more with all of the new “friends” he’s likely to make as his story spreads.

Tales of generosity are not uncommon when it comes to freshly minted lottery winners. But Mahurin’s truly humble lifestyle, and his insistence on sharing the relatively small lottery winnings, reflect his kind spirit according to locals who know him.

"He’s a very, very nice guy. He's one of the sweetest people I've ever met,” said Emmarie Cross an employee at the Circle K where Mahurin bought his winning ticket. “I've been telling everybody, this couldn't have happened to a nicer guy."

'Pregnant man' to appeal divorce decision

2013-04-08T14:17:00Z

Thomas Beatie was living as a man when he married Nancy in Hawaii in 2003.

Born female, Beatie had been taking hormones but had yet to undergo gender reassignment surgery when Nancy Beatie learned she could not have children. So Thomas Beatie, through artificial insemination and donated sperm, carried and birthed their three children.

Now living in Arizona, the Beaties decided to split. But a judge, citing state law that does not recognize same-sex marriage, refused to grant the divorce on the grounds that Thomas Beatie lacked sufficient evidence to prove he was legally a man at the time of his marriage.

Maricopa County Family Court Judge Douglas Gerlach cited the break in Thomas Beatie's hormone treatments while he was pregnant.

"Parties have failed to show that the word 'man' in the state constitution means anything different from its plain, ordinary meaning, which by any generally accepted definition or reputable dictionary excludes people capable of giving birth," Gerlach wrote in his ruling dismissing the case.

But lawyers for Thomas Beatie say he had legal documents identifying him as a man at the time of the marriage. He had already undergone chest reconstruction surgery to remove his breasts and begun hormone treatment, which he halted after Nancy Beatie learned she could not conceive.

Under current federal and Arizona law, which does not recognize same-sex marriage, a gay couple would have to reestablish residency in a state that does in order to be granted a divorce. And according to both Arizona and Hawaii law, a person must undergo gender reassignment surgery qualify to qualify to alter his or her sex on a birth certificate.

Although the Beaties consider their marriage to be a man-woman union, Hawaii does recognize same-sex marriages.

"It's hard for him," said Beatie's attorney, David Cantor. "He feels he is being targeted saying, 'Look, if you had kept it to yourself and didn't use your reproductive organs, we wouldn't be here."

"This obviously is not Beatie versus Beatie," Thomas Beatie said after the ruling. "This is the state of Arizona versus transgender people, human reproductive rights and fairness under law."

In fact, Nancy Beatie may join with her estranged husband in his appeal, either at the State Court of Appeals or the State Supreme Court.

"The decision is a two edged sword for Nancy," said Nancy Beatie's attorney, David Higgins. "Obviously she is very disappointed the judge did not find the marriage to be valid. She understood herself to be married, believed Thomas to be a man, and we will probably join Thomas in moving forward with an appeal in that regard."

Thomas Beatie gained a measure of fame in 2008, during his first pregnancy, and became known as the "Pregnant man." He appeared on talk shows and released a book called "Labor of Love: The Story of One Man's Extraordinary Pregnancy."

Thomas and Nancy Beatie's children are aged 2, 3 and 4.

Police: Florida man linked to up to 1 million child porn videos, images

2013-04-08T13:55:00Z

A 51-year-old man had between 500,000 and 1 million full-length child pornography videos and images inside his central Florida apartment, said authorities, who accused him of downloading and sharing the illicit materials.

John Edward Shearen of Leesburg, Florida, was arrested Thursday on 15 counts of possession of child pornography and 15 counts of distribution of child pornography, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement announced.

He was later booked, without bond, into Lake County Jail.

His arrest came after FDLE agents executed a search warrant at his residence in Leesburg's Lakeside Pointe apartment complex, about 45 miles northwest of Orlando. They found the illicit videos and images on computers and "mass media storage devices," the state agency said.

Steve Arthur, an FDLE spokesman, said pieces of children's clothing were also found inside the apartment.

Asked what Shearen would have done with the clothes, FDLE Special Agent Jeff Duncan told CNN affiliate WFTV, "He (told us) that he utilizes them himself, but it's virtually impossible."

According to Arthur, more videos and images were found in Thursday's raid than in any other in state history.

Donna Rice-Hughes, an Internet safety advocate, said it's hard to tell definitively how the Leesburg discovery compares to others around Florida, the United States and the world, noting that child porn is alarmingly and sometimes easily viewed and shared online.

Two arrested in child porn cases after request for public's health

Every time an image or video is seen, the child featured in it is victimized once again, she stressed. On the other side, a law enforcement initiative like Thursday's in Florida gives authorities more clues to track down those who produce the videos and images.

"Pedophiles trade porn for other child porn. They often times barter or sell it," said Rice-Hughes, president of the advocacy group Enough is Enough.

"Taking someone out of the market is important, because it's another person who may be a former or current predator."

Actor Wesley Snipes released from prison

2013-04-08T13:06:00Z

Actor Wesley Snipes has been released from a federal prison where he was serving a three-year sentence after being convicted on tax charges in February 2010.

The release to a supervised residential location in New York occurred Tuesday, the Federal Bureau of Prisons told CNN.

Snipes, 50, who starred in the "Blade" action movies and "White Men Can't Jump," had been serving time at a federal prison in Pennsylvania. A jury convicted him of willfully failing to file tax returns for 1999, 2000 and 2001. Snipes was acquitted of felony tax fraud and conspiracy charges.

In June 2011, the U.S. Supreme Court refused to hear an appeal of his sentence, which he had argued was too harsh for a misdemeanor conviction.

Outrage from animal lovers as man tattoos his own pet DOG

2013-04-05T15:44:00Z

A North Carolina man has created huge controversy among animal lovers after tattooing Duchess - his own pet dog.

Ernesto Rodriguez, who is a tattoo artist and Army veteran, inked the 5-month-old purebred American Pit Bull on the underbelly at his basement parlor in Pinnacle, NC, on Wednesday.

When Rodriguez posted pictures of the emblem on Facebook he received fierce criticism from all over the U.S. But the man claims the tattoo can be used for identification and compares it to branding farm animals.

Controversy: This tattoo on a dog's belly has caused a storm between a North Carolina tattoo artist and animal lovers all over the U.S.

Duchess: Ernesto Rodriguez inked the 5-month-old purebred American Pit Bull at his basement parlor in North Carolina

Rodriguez says that the design of the tattoo is related to Duchess's pedigree bloodline, according to WXII12. He claims that his pet was anesthetized and 'didn’t feel anything.'

'She got up and she’s been fine,' Rodriguez added.

But as soon as the tattoo artist put a photo of his pet's stomach on his Planet Ink Facebook page, it stimulated complaints and accusations of animal cruelty.

'This is so sad. There is not a dog in the world who deserves to go through this type of cruelty. I feel terrible for any dog in your care. I wish they would take them all away and find safe, loving homes for them,' said one animal lover.

One Facebook user added: 'Please... do us all a favor... don't ever have children... I would hate to see what you would to your children if you ever got bored with them in the house.'

Another commenter posted: 'Receiving a tattoo requires consent. Your dog cannot consent. Please be respectful to those who cannot consent. Be respectful to your dog.'

Justification: Rodriguez said the tattoo can be used for identification and compares it to branding farm animals.

An angrier person said: 'I hope that you rot in hell for the torture you made that dog endure.. you are a sick creature.. and a cruel human.. no better than someone who makes their dogs fight!!'

But Rodriguez told WXII12 that he didn't see a problem with his actions.

'What do they do when they brand animals and tattoo horses on their ear and brand their cow? You’re not abusing them. You’re just protecting them so they don’t get lost,' Rodriguez said.

'If you go on Google and type up dog tattoos, you'll get a thousand images of dogs tattooed. This has been going on for years,' the man added said.

On Facebook he responded with: 'Here is the final result for you haters out there... Animal control came looked at my beautiful dog and left.... wow... what a waste of tax payers money... so im still gonna tattoo my dogs when ever i feel like it... good try haters thanks for all the advertisement.'

No criminal charges have been filed in this case but investigations are continuing.

The local health department has since issued Rodriguez a cease and desist order. This requires that he stops tattooing until he receives proper zoning permits.

The tattoo artist (right) claims his dog didn't suffer during the process of getting the ink done (left). She 'didn’t feel anything,' Rodriguez said

Dr. Ken Wheeler, an investigator with the state veterinary medical board, explained to WXII12 that tattooing a pet is not illegal unless it can be construed as animal cruelty.

The definition of cruelty in this case takes in the dog feeling pain, or being hurt or maimed. Rodriguez maintains that the dog was asleep the whole time.

His opponents are raising concerns about the legal use of anesthetics.

Crystal McVea, Author, Says She Smelled God During Near-Death Experience In Surgery

2013-04-05T13:44:00Z

A woman who said she saw, heard, spoke with and even smelled God during a near-death experience in 2009 recounted her experiences on an episode of Fox News' "Fox and Friends" on Tuesday.

Crystal McVea, an Oklahoma native, said she spent time in heaven when she went into full respiratory arrest after a medical procedure on Dec. 10, 2009. She said the experience renewed her faith in Christianity.

Speaking with Fox's Gretchen Carlson, McVea said the moment she closed her eyes in the hospital, she opened them in heaven.

"I had angels, I had God, and I fell to my knees in front of him," she said.

After Carlson asked her to describe God, McVea answered that while "human words" failed to describe what heaven looked like, she could describe God as “an immense brightness –- a brightness I could feel, taste, touch, hear, smell –- that infused me. Not like I had five senses, but maybe like I had 500 senses.”

Twice, McVea said God asked her if she wanted to return back to Earth, and twice McVea said she chose to stay.

"All my life, I was a doubter," McVea said. She had heard the stories and gone to church, but wasn't completely convinced. "And so, to close my eyes and open them and be standing in front of the creator of not only the universe, but of me, i never wanted to leave that."

Despite her objections, McVea said God sent her back to her body after "freeing" her from her shame and guilt.

McVea has written about her experience in a book titled Waking Up In Heaven.

According to Scientific American, 3 percent of the U.S. population reported having a near-death experience. For some, these events may be accompanied by an out-of-body experience, a light at the end of the tunnel or something similar.

However, "many of the phenomena associated with near-death experiences can be biologically explained," neuroscientist Dean Mobbs, from the University of Cambridge's Medical Research Council Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit, told the outlet. Some say neurotransmitter problems or side effects of medicinal and recreational drugs can explain the occurrences.

Still, Eben Alexander, a respected Harvard neurosurgeon, changed his mind about the phenomenon after experiencing his own brush with the otherworldly. Thoroughly convinced, Alexander wrote a book about the experience titled, Proof of Heaven.

Famed movie critic Roger Ebert dies

2013-04-05T13:03:00Z

The balcony is closed.

For years, the team of Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert would end their movie-review show, Sneak Previews, by closing the balcony. Now, with Ebert's death Thursday from cancer, the man who helped bring the joy of movies to the masses has left the theater.

APPRECIATION: Roger Ebert, forever at the movies

Ebert, 70, won a Pulitzer Prize for his criticism and became the most influential and recognizable critic in the USA, especially after the weekly movie review TV series that popularized the "thumbs up" phrase.

Ebert, longtime movie critic at the Chicago Sun-Times, continued the show after Siskel's death in 1999 with fellow Sun-Times columnist Richard Roeper.

Gene Siskel, left, and Roger Ebert are shown in a 1994 file photo.(Photo: Associated Press)

Ebert had been battling cancer for a decade, but remained a fixture on the film scene, continuing to attend festivals and covering the Academy Awards ceremony for the Sun-Times.

President Obama saluted the critic in a statement: "For a generation of Americans — and especially Chicagoans — Roger was the movies. When he didn't like a film, he was honest; when he did, he was effusive — capturing the unique power of the movies to take us somewhere magical. Even amidst his own battles with cancer, Roger was as productive as he was resilient — continuing to share his passion and perspective with the world. The movies won't be the same without Roger."

When Ebert appeared in 2007 at the opening night of the Roger Ebert Overlooked Film Festival in Champaign, Ill. — his first public appearance after suffering complications from cancer surgery in 2006 — a sold-out auditorium of festival fans gave him two standing ovations. Though he could not speak as a result of surgery, Ebert used a computer program on his Mac that translated his typing into speech. "This is not the voice of HAL the computer," Ebert's Mac said, and the audience laughed.

Ebert started as film critic at theSun-Times in 1967 and won the Pulitzer Prize in 1975. He authored more than a dozen books and wrote screenplays, includingBeyond the Valley of the Dolls.

On the air, he and Siskel brought renewed attention to classic films such as Citizen Kane and Touch of Evil, as well as giving exposure to noteworthy foreign films and new cinematic talent.

In print, Ebert wrote scholarly essays on film and criticism, but he also could unleash a sarcastic wit. Of the 1994 flop North, Ebert wrote: "I hated this movie. Hated hated hated hated hated this movie. Hated it. Hated every simpering stupid vacant audience-insulting moment of it. Hated the sensibility that thought anyone would like it. Hated the implied insult to the audience by its belief that anyone would be entertained by it."

But it was his mid-1970s pairing with Siskel of the rival Chicago Tribune that made him a household name. The two sparred on air and off but always as equals and not without respect.

The animosity was no act. "When we seemed annoyed, it was because we were annoyed," Ebert once said. Some disagreements were legendary. "Gene didn't likeApocalypse Now, and I was appalled. I liked Cop and a Half, and Gene was appalled."

The two were often perceived as more populist and less esteemed than critics in New York and Los Angeles. But no critics before them — or since — can boast a trademark phrase that has endured as part of the cultural lexicon.

They were even parodied in film and on TV. In 1998's Godzilla, actor Michael Lerner played "Mayor Ebert," whose right-hand man was named Gene.

Although some detractors winced as Siskel and Ebert became celebrities, both critics were at the top of a short list of movie critics who the public recognized and trusted. And Ebert continued to enjoy that status, even as the Siskel spark never materialized with Roeper.

Said Ebert in 1999: "Our show founded the genre of battling opinions. We did it for so long, we would disregard the camera. Gene always said he had an audience of one — me."

DeSean Jackson's Instagram Rules For Men

2013-04-04T16:42:00Z

Self-help via Instagram is developing into a niche these days. Last month it was Knicks guard J.R. Smith posting his list of rules for dating an athlete. Today it’s Eagles wide receiver DeSean Jackson with the Instagram rules for men. Now you can safeguard your privacy from trifling women in six easy steps!

instagram.com/jaccpot10

Ah, nothing better than a little guy code. To refresh:

• Women watch EVERYTHING you do on IG.

• All pics you like appear in the “Following” section. AKA the section Women look at to Spy on your activity.

• Be mindful of the type of Women you follow and the amount of Women you follow. She’s watching you.

• Make sure all photos are cropped to remove extra Food, Plates, Utensils, Phones & Limbs to avoid Questions.

• Comments you post don’t appear in the Following section. They can see when you Like a pic, NOT when you comment.

• Women read all comments other Women make on your pics to determine that nature of her relationship with you or her level of interest in you.

Our favorite parts: The attention to detail, the use of the term “limbs” and the liberal deployment of uppercase letters.

Men Believe Brunettes Make Better Wives Than Blonds, Says Study

2013-04-04T15:30:00Z

It seems that gentlemen don't prefer blonds after all.

A new study conducted by Superdrug discovered that men believe that brunettes make better wives and girlfriends than their blond counterparts.

Researchers surveyed 1,000 men and the results showed that 54 per cent would choose a brunette to be their wife, while 16 per cent would prefer to marry golden-haired ladies and another 30 per cent said they had no preference.

But what do they think about redheads? The study didn't mention what percentage of men have a preference for ginger-haired women.

According to the Telegraph, the study also reveals that men think that dark-haired women are "deeper" and "more sensible" than their lighter-haired sisters.

They also think that brunettes take more care of their appearance, are great cooks and are better at house work.

The real clincher? Men believe that brunettes are more experimental in bed.

But when it comes down to what men really find attractive in women, good teeth is more important than hair. (Also, they like their women dressed in red.)

So will more women be dyeing their hair a shade darker to catch a man? Not very likely, says the study.

"Our sales tell us that when it comes to hair dye women are more likely to change their shade when they see a celebrity switch shade than any other reason," a spokesperson for Superdrug says.

So guys, don't expect your girlfriend or spouse to dye their hair unless you show them a photo of Anne Hathaway.

Fake Craigslist 'Casual Encounters' ad lands revenge-minded Virginia prankster, 61, in jail

2013-04-04T14:11:00Z

The mean-spirited ad on the Craigslist caused sex-hungry men from all over to descend upon one lady’s Virginia home.

A 64-year-old Virginia woman fretfully peers through her window blinds. Yet another strange man comes sauntering up her driveway looking for sex.

The unwelcome advances are the result of her ex-boyfriend's malicious revenge prank involving a series of deceitful "Casual Encounters" classifieds on Craigslist.com, police say.

Kenneth Kuban, a 61-year-old Library of Congress worker, allegedly sent emails with his ex-girlfriend's picture and home address in Marshall, Va. to men who responded to the following ad and several others like it:

"I'm a senior lady who is looking for some fun And adventure in my life!! Would like to meet a gentleman in his 50's that is Hung and that can give me some pleasuring."

Kuban had a restraining order placed against him but apparently still found a way to harass the woman well after the collapse of their six-month relationship in 2011, reported The Smoking Gun.

At first, she was shocked to find sex-hungry strangers — often from other states — appearing at her front door, but soon enough started taking precautions.

The lady told federal investigators that she had to install security cameras "as a result of the constant flow of people showing up at her address."

She said that she has "multiple signs posted on her fence and gates indicating that people who are there in response to ads on Craigslist were un-invited and are trespassing."

But these clearly do not do the trick because she resorts to calling police "frequently, often several times a day, to chase away the men who have been enticed by these personal ads," according to the arrest affidavit.

Kuban was arrested Friday and charged with felony stalking and his hearing is scheduled for April 1. He could face up to five years in prison.

Man Beat Girlfriend To Death with X-Box Because She's a Taurus

2013-04-04T13:12:00Z

A Florida man beat his girlfriend with his X-box and stabbed her to death as she slept because "she was the wrong star sign," police have said.

Darrius Johnson, 22, seen below, is accused of "sacrificing" his 23-year-old lover, Monica Gooden, on Sunday at the home they shared in Lauderhill after believing she was a Taurus.

Cops say he initially planned to kill his grandfather, who was indeed born under the bull zodiac sign, but couldn't carry out the crime as he lived too far away, in Florida City. Officers later revealed that Gooden, who was found in a back bedroom with stab wounds to her face, neck and stomach, was actually born in November. So the Broward College art student wasn't even a Taurus, the sign of people born between April 20 and May 20.

Lauderhill Police say Johnson allegedly killed Gooden, seen below, as she slept, then walked to a nearby apartment building and started to attack an elderly woman. He was stopped only when her nephew fought back and stabbed him. After he fled, cops tracked him down to his home, where he was arrested.

Johnson is now being held at Broward County jail after being charged with first-degree murder.
What do you think?

Heidi Klum Saves Son Henry From Drowning: "We Were Able to Get Everyone Out Safely"

2013-04-03T16:24:00Z

Heidi Klum is counting her blessings. While vacationing in Oahu, Hawaii, March 31, the German supermodel's 7-year-old son, Henry, was swept away in a large riptide along with two nannies. Klum, 39, and her bodyguard boyfriend Martin Kirsten sprang to action and saved the trio from drowning.

"We got pulled into the ocean by a big wave. Of course, as a mother, I was very scared for my child and everyone else in the water," the Project Runway host tells Us Weekly in an exclusive statement. "Henry is a strong swimmer and was able to swim back to land. We were able to get everyone out safely."

Before the incident, Klum tweeted a picture of colorful eggs hidden along the shoreline. "Happy Easter!" she wrote in the photo caption. Klum and her family -- including children Leni, 8, Johan, 6, and Lou, 3 -- kicked off their getaway in Honolulu on March 24.

Earlier this month, Klum was named the fourth judge on America's Got Talent. She joins fellow newcomer Mel B, plus veterans Howie Mandel and Howard Stern. "I'm really excited to join the panel of AGT to see it all -- from the ridiculous to the fantastic!" the blonde beauty said in a statement. "I love the surprise element of the show and not knowing what we'll see next and who will wow us."

11 Foods That Could Be Killing Your Sex Life

2013-04-03T15:32:00Z

Soda

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) just released a study that links soda with depression. “Oh but I drink diet soda,” you say. Turns out the risk is even greater for those on the artificial sweeteners. Ever hear of the depressed guy who had the libido of a stallion? Yeah, we haven’t either.

In another study involving more than 21,000 individuals published in The New England Journal of Medicine, it was concluded that consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages can interfere with genes that affect weight increasing a person’s risk for diabetes.. “Dental cavities, diabetes, obesity, dehydration, and bone loss are just a few of the negative consequences of drinking too much of this beverage”, says Rachel Fiske, Certified Nutrition Consultant and Owner of Madrona Wellness in San Francisco. Sexy, right?

Artificial Sweeteners

There have been an abundance of health complaints reported from users of aspartame since its introduction to the modern food supply. If you’re striving for weight loss and choosing diet products (sodas and sweets), chances are you’ve been consuming this substance. Fiske says, “Aspartame can inhibit serotonin and could cause headaches, depression, irritability, anxiety attacks, insomnia. Serotonin is considered a “feel good” hormone and without sufficient supplies of this, mood and libido could suffer.” It is proven that aspartame can affect the neurotransmitter dopamine, which is necessary in the proper amounts for normal sexual behavior. Stick to small amounts of natural sweeteners instead -- just don’t over indulge!

Canned soup

Full of sodium, substandard meat products, and a handful of artificial additives, canned soups should be reserved for your emergency kits only. Excessive dietary sodium and low potassium intake could lead to hypertension (or high blood pressure) which could result in diminished blood flow to certain parts of the body, including sexual organs. For both men and women, during times of arousal, adequate blood flow is necessary to ensure that sexual organs can function properly and optimally during sex. Cut back on excessive sodium and make a healthier soup from scratch.

Coffee

Habitual coffee drinkers are at risk for harming their adrenal glands, which are responsible for producing certain stress hormones. Fiske says, “Over time, if the adrenals normal functioning declines, other hormones in the body, like sex and thyroid hormones, can be affected as well.” So don’t overdo it -- consider switching your 2nd cup to an herbal tea instead.

MSG

Monosodium glutamate, or MSG, is used as a food additive in packaged foods and at restaurants to impart a certain flavor and taste profile. Though it may contribute towards a desirable taste in some savory foods, it is also known to cause some undesirable health effects. Fiske says, “MSG consumption could cause: headaches, respiratory issues, depression and cognitive issues and cardiovascular concerns.” Poor brain health and depression can cause a decline in libido and overall sexual satisfaction. Be vigilant -- read labels and patron restaurants that do not use this detrimental flavor enhancer.

Processed-soy foods

While whole, unprocessed soybeans and even fermented soy (such as natto, miso and tempeh) possess some health attributes, many soy products are highly processed, stripping their beneficial compounds away and leaving only the protein. Fiske says, “Soy contains phytoestrogen compounds (naturally occurring plant substances that mimic the hormone estrogen) that could potentially disrupt normal endocrine function, affecting hormone balance in both men and women.” Hormonal disruptions = low libido, and general fatigue.

Potato chips and crackers

Even with the more natural, “healthier” alternatives offered today, many of these snacks are deep-fried in bad oils that may potentially create carcinogenic compounds. Fiske says, “If it isn’t trans-fats that are used in chips and crackers, other highly rancid and cheaper oils are used, and to make matters worse, they are heated at destructive temperatures. This combination of bad fats with high heat will lead to oxidative damage to the tissues and cells of the human body,” interfering with hormone regulation (including the sex hormones), skin health and weight maintenance.

Cheese

Most commercially bought cheeses come from cow’s milk treated with antibiotics and other growth hormones. “Over-consumption of dairy products will increase the exposure of these toxins (hormones) in our bodies, interfering with our bodies natural production of hormones, including sex hormones (estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone). Too much accumulation of xenoestrogens (“bad” estrogens from the environment and food) could contribute to sexual dysfunction and mood issues,” says Fiske. If you can’t part ways with your dairy, at least make sure to choose cheese that is not from cow’s milk treated with antibiotics or hormones.

Alcohol

"While alcohol can lower psychological inhibitions and increase the desire for sex, as alcohol acts as a depressant it can inhibit physiological symptoms and hinder the body’s ability for sexual activity, despite perhaps the presence of desire,” says clinical psychologist Dr. Julie M. Mullany. Chronic alcohol consumption can be particularly detrimental to men as it decreases testosterone production. Don’t think this is all a guy thing either. “Testosterone in both women and men in the proper amount helps support a healthy libido,” says Fiske. So you might have the guts to hit on someone but...there won’t be much other action.

Pizza

This convenient comfort food promotes insulin surges. Fiske says, “Excessive insulin can impair ovarian function thus leading to reproductive issues and difficulty in conceiving.” If you see a family in your future, lay off the pie.

Likewise, poor oils can be bad for those trying to conceive as well. Dietary fats come in many forms and while some are beneficial, others should be avoided if possible. “Poor quality oils such as canola and other processed vegetable oils are prone to oxidation, causing free radicals in the body. Reducing oxidative stress by eliminating these fats is also key in protecting a woman’s reproductive system and increasing conception ability,” says Fiske. Choose to cook with more stable oils like coconut oil or ghee and stick with extra virgin olive oil for salad dressings.

Sheriff's Office: Man rode bicycle naked past two minors

2013-04-03T14:49:00Z

A registered sex offender has been arrested after two boys reported seeing him riding a bicycle naked.

The boys, 13 and 14 years old were playing at Oak Tree Nature Park in Mary Esther on Sunday when Kenneth Ray Poore apparently pedaled by them, according to the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office.

A sheriff’s deputy called to the scene arrested Poore after finding him on a park bench, still exposed from the waist down, a news release from the Sheriff’s Office said.

“When he asked Poore what he was doing, he just shrugged,” the news release said.

He was charged with lascivious exhibition in the presence of a minor under 16 years old.

Poore, 58, who lives on Patrick Drive in Fort Walton Beach, spent 60 days in the county jail last year after he pleaded no contest to charges of indecent exposure and video voyeurism.

The deputy reported in that case that a man and his son each had an uncomfortable encounter with Poore in the bathroom at Beasley Park on Okaloosa Island.

One of the victims said he saw Poore peaking at him through a hole in a bathroom stall. The other reported Poore exposed himself a short time later through the same hole.

Poore also was arrested in 2000 for sexual assault involving an unlawful act with a minor. Fort Walton Beach police charged Poore with the crime after he reportedly fondled a sleeping girl in a motel room on Brooks Street. The report also said the girl had in oral sex with Poore.

According to Okaloosa County Clerk of Court records, Poore received a probated sentence after he pleaded no contest to the sexual assault charge. He later was ordered to spend 14.7 months in state prison for violating his probation.

Court records do not indicate when Poore was declared a sexual offender.

Florida DJs May Face Felony for April Fools' Water Joke Worse Than Rubio's

2013-04-03T13:17:00Z

Florida country radio morning-show hosts Val St. John and Scott Fish are currently serving indefinite suspensions and possibly worse over a successful April Fools' Day prank. They told their listeners that "dihydrogen monoxide" was coming out of the taps throughout the Fort Myers area. Dihydrogen monoxide is water.

The popular deejays are mainly in all this trouble (potentially of a felony level) because their listeners panicked so much — about the molecular makeup of their drinking water, however unwittingly — that Lee County utility officials had to issue a county-wide statement calming the fears of chemistry challenged Floridians.

Audio evidence of exactly how St. John and Fish executed this bad joke remains scarce, as they were pulled off the air around 8:30 a.m. — about three and half hours into their Val and Scott in the Morning show on WWGR/Gator Country 101.9 FM, which airs across a big region of Southwest Florida. That was enough time for listeners to begin calling the water company. Here's the official statement from Lee County utility issued Monday after fielding many calls about the "dihydrogen monoxide" scare:

"They were joking that 'dihydrogen monoxide' was coming out of Lee County residents' taps,"reports Florida's WPTV, though it also remains unclear just how much the two hosts stoked the joke, and whether they actually told people to stop drinking the "dihydrogen monoxide" coming out of their taps. The WWGR station's manager did have to issue a retraction — or at least a constant on-air admission that the gag was, in fact, a joke — even though St. John and Fish were technically correct that dihydrogen monoxide was, indeed, coming out of their taps.

"Every break we have we're telling listeners it was a goof, a bad joke," Tony Renda, general manager at WWGR radio told WTSP-TV. And apparently, the station, the water works, and perhaps the authorities are still trying to figure out if the two hosts could face felony charges for, again, reporting that the scientific name of water was coming out of the pipes. "My understanding is it is a felony to call in a false water quality issue," Diane Holm, a public information officer for Lee County, told WTSP, while Renda stood firm about his deejays: "They will have to deal with the circumstances."

St. John and Fish are currently off the air, and maybe someone should tell their Senator, Marco Rubio — he of the unending water joke — or conservative lawmakers across the land: Our CPAC correspondent Elspeth Reeve tells us that the whole water-is-a-chemical-called-"dihydrogen oxide" bit was a really hit at the annual conference's panel entitled "How I Learned to Stop Worrying & Love Plastic Water Bottles, Fracking, Genetically Modified Food, & Big Gulp Sodas."

Update 4:36 p.m. Eastern: We noticed that the station seems to be enjoying this controversy, despite the very real concerns expressed to the Lee County utility. There's a poll on the Gator Country website asking when the two DJs should return to air, with (at the time we viewed the results) 78 percent of those voting "never."

Rihanna & Chris Brown 'Will Get Married Soon' In Secret Ceremony, Says Source

2013-04-02T16:28:00Z

Rihanna, 24, and Chris Brown, 22, have never stopped loving each other, and now they’re ready to exchange vows and make it official, Star reports.

“The will get married very soon,” an insider says.

“He proposed in November, but she said she wasn’t ready,” another source adds. “But she finally accepted his proposal in late February. She’s not wearing a ring until they can announce it at an engagement party, but Rihanna’s already telling her family she’s engaged.”

So when’s the big day?

Rihanna’s former nanny, Sharon Bellamy-Thompson, believes it’ll be in late March. “Rihanna called for me personally,” she says. “I’m coming into LA for a special occasion. I have a ticket.”

Sharon added that despite Chris beating Rihanna in 2009, she and RiRi’s fam have forgiven the Grammy-winning bad boy and love him dearly. Sounds just like Rihanna.

“Rihanna has always been in love with Chris, and she wants to spend the rest of her life with him,” a source says.

And multiple sources have revealed RiRi wants to start popping babies with Chris asap. “They’re planning to go house hunting in LA soon, and they’re even talking baby names,” one insider revealed.

Unfortunately, the star-crossed lovers have an uphill battle to climb when it comes to the support of their friends — and that includes Jay-Z, who manages Rihanna under his Roc Nation label.

“He cannot believe that Rihanna is back with Chris,” says a source. “He thinks this is a bad move.”

And rumor has it that Jay is so upset with her that he’s even given a song to protégée Rita Orathat he originally promised to her.

“There’s even talk RiRi might leave Roc Nation, but she doesn’t care what Jay-Z thinks,” concluded a source.

Sounds like a bad case of “love is blind” if you ask us.

Study: Sex Can Make You Smarter

2013-04-02T15:45:00Z

Results of a study recently conducted at the University of Amsterdam show that those who are sexually aroused performed better in critical thinking tests than those who did not – that sex essentially makes you smarter.

The biological benefits of sexual activity are chronicled in detail, with stress reduction and the release of happiness-inducing hormones high on the list of pros.

Evidence gathered by Dr. Jens Forster and other researchers at the University for Amsterdam reportedly found that the release offered by sexual gratification can also promote brain growth, MSN Living reported.

In the study, subjects were given sets of problems that required participants to employ critical thinking in order to solve them. Researchers allegedly observed better performances from those who were thinking about sex than from those participants who were not.

The fashion, relationship and beauty advice website additionally noted a similar study completed at Princeton University in New Jersey that supported the findings of Forster’s team.

In those experiments, scientists reportedly discovered accelerated brain cell growth in sexually active lab rats, when compared to their virgin counterparts.

Lindsay Lohan Wants Adderall In Rehab Plea Deal

2013-04-02T14:58:00Z

Lindsay Lohan is allegedly willing to go to rehabilitation on one condition: Her Adderall goes with her.

Lohan reportedly wants permission to continue taking Adderall -- a substance used to treat attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy that increases attention and decreases restlessness -- in rehab, according to TMZ. The 26-year-old wants this clause attached to her plea deal or else she will take her chances at trial.

Last month, Lohan was sentenced to 90 days in "locked in" rehab after pleading no contest to reckless driving and lying to police following a June 2012 car accident on the Pacific Coast Highway. She must also complete community service and psychotherapy.

This is not the first time the "Canyons" star has been sentenced to rehab. Back in 2010, Lohan completed her fifth rehab stint at the Betty Ford Center in Rancho Mirage, Calif.

TMZ notes that in 2010 Lohan was prescribed Adderall while in jail for her ADHD. However, doctors at the UCLA rehab facility believed she was misdiagnosed.

Michael Lohan previously discussed Lindsay's use of Adderall and other medications, according to Us Weekly. "[I]t's toxic," he said. "When I left [rehab facility] Cirque Lodge [in October 2007], I thought she was in a good place, but she left with a bucket of medication. I was disgusted."

Although some recent reports claim the "Liz & Dick" actress -- who was most recently photographed partying at clubs in Sao Paulo -- continues to drink and use drugs, her lawyer, Mark Heller, says she is a victim.

“She does not need rehab,” Heller told CNN reporters in March. He added, “Lindsay doesn’t have a problem with alcohol and drugs. Lindsay has other types of issues that are being dealt with.”

Mila Kunis Pregnant With Ashton Kutcher's Baby?! Nope, Just Another April Fools' Joke!

2013-04-02T14:25:00Z

Facebook, REX USA

We're seriously bummed there's no truth to the latest April Fools' hoax.

This morning, Mila Kunis apparently made the announcement she is expecting a child with BF Ashton Kutcher on her Facebook fan page, much to the delight of devotees of the former TV couple turned real-life lovebirds.

"As you all probably know, I'm pregnant and I've decided to take the next 9 months off with Ashton Kutcher in Hawaii," the Black Swan beauty seemingly wrote in a post. "Don't worry, my manager will be posting pictures everyday as usual so you can all see the progress and news. :) I'm so happy. Any ideas for the baby's name? I love you all and thank you for the support. :)xx."

But hold your That '70s Show squeals, because the viral baby rumor is just another April Fools' prank—orchestrated by the actress's adoring fans, as the Facebook page is not run by Mila or her team.

The prankster did show some serious dedication to the joke, posting a pic of two positive pregnancy tests and captioning the shot with a smile emoticon, before finally 'fessing up to the trick.

Talk about a serious letdown! Looks like we got punk'd indeed.

Hernando deputies arrest Wendy Brock for making false 911 calls

2013-04-01T16:49:00Z

A woman is facing charges for allegedly making false complaints in several calls to 911.

The Hernando County Sheriff's Office says 54-year-old Wendy Brock called the emergency phone number three times on Thursday. The first time she claimed "large cats" were sneaking through her yard, then that ex-roommates were crawling in her back yard and harassing her, then finally that someone had left a hammer at her front door.

After a deputy arrived to investigate the third call, Brock allegedly tried calling 911 again, this time to complain that the Sheriff's Office wasn't taking her seriously.

The deputy told Brock not to call 911 for that, but she continued to dial. That's when the deputy took Brock into custody and charged her with misuse of 911.

Check out Christopher Titus' New Stand-Up Special

2013-04-01T16:03:00Z

Check out Christopher Titus' new stand-up special, "The Voice in My Head" at www.christophertitus.com.

Google Nose April Fools' Day Prank: Practical Joke Promises 'Sharpest Olfactory Experience Available'

2013-04-01T14:40:00Z

Ever wish you could search Google by smell? Now you can.

APRIL FOOLS!

Google, as per tradition, is out with their latest April Fools' Day prank to celebrate the practical joke-based holiday.

Google Nose BETA, the company's new fictional product, promises "to offer the sharpest olfactory experience available."

A video introducing Google Nose (viewable above) explains that the feature allows users to "search for smells." Seems complicated, right? Well that's because it is (it's also fake). The product intersects "photons with infrasound waves" and "temporarily aligns molecules to emulate a particular scent." The "mobile aroma indexing program" at the heart of the product has amassed a "15 million scentibyte database of smells from around the world."

But what about mobile? Well, Google has you covered. Their "Android Ambient Odor Detection" allows you to collect smells on your phone.

It all sounds so great. But your nose will have to wait, because this incredible technology only exists in a fictional universe. Check out Google's 2011 and 2012 April Fools' Day pranks here and here.

Man Beaten for Drawing Genitalia on Roommate's Face

2013-04-01T14:22:00Z

A prank turned violent in the Lyon Village neighborhood on Saturday (March 23) when a man reportedly was beaten for drawing a penis on his roommate’s face.

The alleged incident happened on the 3100 block of 17th Street N. According to Arlington County Police, 31-year-old James Watson fell asleep on his couch after a night of drinking. He woke up around 5:30 a.m. and became furious when he discovered the permanent marker drawings on his face, police said.

Police say that Watson, suspecting his roommate, ran upstairs to where the roommate was sleeping and jumped on top of him, repeatedly punching him in the face. The commotion awakened a third roommate, who managed to separate the two.

The victim reportedly waited about an hour and a half to call the police while deciding whether or not to press charges. He did end up calling for help and police charged Watson with malicious wounding. The injured man’s eye was swollen shut and bleeding, so the third roommate drove him to the hospital for treatment, according to police.

Cops say the roommates admitted they sometimes play pranks on each other while intoxicated.

April Fools Day Around the World

2013-04-01T13:08:00Z

April Fools Day is celebrated in many countries, regions and religions. Not always celebrated on April first, this holiday is known as All Fools Day in some places. There are other names for April Fools Day as well. The history of April Fools Day is varied, dependent on the region and who you ask.

In the United States people play tricks on each other. The general idea is to make a fool out of the other person, thus the name, April Fools Day. For example, one year for April Fools Day someone taped down the lever of my sink faucet sprayer. When I turned on the water to get a drink I got a little more water than intended.

The French celebrate April Fools Day by trying to pin paper fish to someone's back without them being aware of it. When the victim finds the fish, the prankster calls out Poisson d' avril, or April fish. In France the candy shops all sell chocolate fish for the April Fools Day holiday. French friends send each other anonymous fish post cards with silly thoughts and sayings.

Scotland celebrates April Fools Day for two days. The first day involves "hunting the gowk", looking for and playing a trick on the fool. The second day consists of playing pranks involving the rear end. This would include kick me signs and the like. This second April Fools Day is known as Taily Day.

In Portugal, the Portuguese take advantage of April Fools Day by throwing flour at each other. They celebrate April Fools Day on the Sunday and Monday prior to lent.

In England, April Fools Day is known as Noddy Day or All Fools Day. April Fools Day tricks are supposed to be played there by noon. A fool is referred to as a noddy or noodle. Those playing tricks after noon are also considered to be a noodle.

Spain and Mexico celebrate the equivalent of April Fools day on December 28. This holiday was originally a sad celebration which commemorated the slaughter of innocent children by King Herod. It has now evolved into a day of innocent, child like trick playing.

The Indian Hindu festival of the Holi is their equivalent to April Fools Day. Festival participants throw colored powder and water at each other. On the fifth day of the festival, March 31st, celebrants are sent to run foolish errands.

At one time in Finland it was customary to send a package of rotten fish for April Fools Day. Modern Fins are more likely to place bogus news ads to be retracted at a later date. TV and radio hosts sometimes advertise false events to see who will attend them. These are also retracted after April Fools Day.

Pennsylvania woman killed after saving husband of 42 years from being run down by driver

2013-03-29T15:39:00Z

Teresa Marquard, 58, of Philadelphia pushed her husband out of the way of a drunk driver whle on her weekly Sunday morning stroll but was killed when the car slammed into her.

She gave her life so that her husband might live.

Out for their regular Sunday morning stroll in Wissinoming, Pa., Teresa and Albert Marquard were suddenly staring down death.

A suspected drunk driver had lost control of his minivan and had suddenly swerved over the curb, and came speeding right at that couple.

Teresa, 58, had just enough time to push her husband of 42 years out of the way of the oncoming vehicle, but was struck and killed.

Teresa Marquard's daughters (l. to r.) Monica, Denise and Teresa speak after their mom was killed after pushing their father out of the way of a drunk driver.

“She pushed my dad out of the way,” Denise Hirschman, one of the Marquards’ daughters told Action News. “She saved my dad. That was what she cared about. She cared about us more than anything.”

Albert Marquard was unharmed in the incident, while the driver of the minivan, identified as 33-year-old Eric Luciano, remains in critical condition at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. Police say Luciano was drunk at the time of the accident.

Jimmy Berry, one of the Marquards’ neighbors, said he was not surprised to learn of Teresa’s selfless actions.

Police say Eric Luciano, 33, was drunk at the time of the accident, and remains in critical condition at a local hospital.

“She gave up herself for him,” Berry told Action News. “It’s amazing. It goes to show you what kind of woman she was.”

After being diagnosed with heart disease 15 years ago, Teresa had taken a job at family court to help support her family, KYW News reported.

The couple began dating when they were just 14 years old.

“She said he was the only one for her,” Monica Marquard, another of the couples’ daughters told KYW. “My mom, she’s a hero,” Monica added. “And I’m very glad she saved my dad for us, because we’d be lost without both of them.”

Funeral services will be held for Teresa Marquard on Friday morning.

Study: Parents Often Lie to Get Kids to Get Them to Behave

2013-03-29T14:50:00Z

Do you ever lie to your children? Before you answer, think carefully.

A new study published in the International Journal of Psychology, found that while most parents teach their children that lying is wrong, 84 percent of U.S. moms and dads lie to their kids so they'll behave.

The study, conducted by Gail Heyman of the University of California-San Diego, followed parents in the U.S. and China. Chinese parents lied to their kids 98 percent of the time to get them to behave, but otherwise, the rate for other types of lies were similar. Researchers speculate that "Chinese parents are more likely than in the U.S. to demand compliance from their kids, and will go to greater lengths to make it happen," according to a press release.

Lies told by parents from both countries include:

the existence of fantasy characters like the Tooth Fairy
ones designed to influence their children's eating habits
dissuade children's pleas for toys or treats when shopping
specific lies, such as a false threat to abandon a child who refuses to follow the parent while away from home

The study cautions that parents should think twice before lying to their kids.

"Previous studies have shown that when young children are deciding whom to trust they are sensitive to people's history of being honest or dishonest with them personally, so when parents lie to their children it may undermine the child's sense of trust. These findings suggest parents should choose their battles wisely: is it really that important for them to finish all their peas? Alternative ways to encourage children to behave -- such as a system of rewards -- might have less risk of confusing them with conflicting ideas about honesty. Above all this study shows the need to stimulate debate about the acceptability of lying under different circumstances, and how children should be best raised to understand the value of honesty."

Do you ever lie to your children?

Child Swallows 42 Magnets That Were On Refrigerator In Russia

2013-03-29T14:33:00Z

All babies are beautiful but this one is damn attractive.

When a Russian mother noticed a "large shortage" of magnets from her refrigerator, she pinned her 16-month-old son as the culprit. Except the boy hadn't just taken the magnets off the kitchen fridge-- he'd swallowed them, according to the Austrian Times

Doctors had to surgically remove an alarming 42 toy magnets from the baby's stomach on Tuesday, said spokesman Olga Terekhina in a Chelyabinsk Oblast Children's Hospital announcement.

The mother rushed her son to a local clinic, where an ultrasound revealed dozens of marble-sized magnets filling up his abdomen, according to the Daily Mail. He went straight to the operating room, and was reportedly in recovery on Tuesday.

Pediatric surgeon Nikolai Mikhailovich said he's extracted as many as two dozen magnets or foreign objects at one time, but 42 pieces was a "record" for him, according to the release.

(Story Continues Below)

The surgeon also urged parents to keep small objects away from young children, as instances like this aren't exactly rare.

Last March, a 3-year-old Oregon girl underwent invasive surgery after the37 magnets she'd swallowed ripped holes in her lower intestine and stomach. That August, federal consumer safety officials filed complaints to force a company to take their desktop magnet toys off the market, claiming that nearly a dozen children had swallowed them since 2009.

The problem extends to household pets. In November, a hamster named Smurf swallowed a magnet and subsequently got stuck to his metal cage.

Iceland's porn ban 'conflicts with the idea of a free society', say critics

2013-03-29T13:32:00Z

Anti-censorship campaigners have called on Iceland to ditch its proposals to ban pornography online and in print, labelling the plans "an affront to the basic principles of society".

An open letter co-ordinated by Iceland's International Modern Media Institute, signed by activists and academics from 19 countries, claimed the proposals have "already jeopardised longstanding efforts to prevent censorship in totalitarian regimes worldwide". The International Modern Media Institute is chaired by Icelandic MP Birgitta Jónsdóttir, the former WikiLeaks activist.

Writing to Iceland's interior minister Ögmundur Jónasson, campaigners including the Electronic Frontier Foundation in the US, the Netherlands' Open Source Working Group and Tunisian activist Rafik Dammak dissect the plans, pointing out that they suggest no specific technology or definition of what to block, and claim it is not possible to censor content without monitoring all telecommunications.

"Everything must be examined automatically by unsupervised machines which make the final decision on whether to allow the content to continue or not. This level of government surveillance directly conflicts with the idea of a free society," they said.

Such censorship would require technology similar to that employed by China and North Korea, implicitly justifying the censorship of those regimes, the letter stated.

The plans for web censorship are seemingly at odds with Iceland's liberal culture and the crowdsourced constitution currently working its way through the Icelandic parliament.

Its motivations, however, lie in tackling sexual violence, particularly children's exposure to explicit and violent sexual material. Research shows the average age of first exposure to online porn is 11.

Jónasson's adviser Halla Gunnarsdóttir told the Guardian this week that the country is "not anti-sex, but anti-violence", and that "what is under discussion is the welfare of our children and their rights to grow and develop in a non-violent environment".

The draft legislation follows laws passed in 2009 and 2010 that criminalised customers rather than sex workers and closed strip clubs.

Thursday's letter, however, suggests that sexual violence should be tackled in schools and at home.

"The internet is not the source of violence, it is merely a medium by which violence is made apparent," the activists wrote. "Iceland has positioned itself as a model democratic state in global context when dealing with freedom of the press, the open process of drafting a new constitution and open review of information regulation.

"Therefore, we implore you to reject censorship as a viable option and seek more effective means of improving society, both in Iceland and abroad."

Justin Bieber being investigated for battery after fight with neighbor, report says

2013-03-28T16:57:00Z

Justin Bieber’s temper may have gotten him into trouble again. The pop superstar is being investigated for battery, according to TMZ.

A neighbor accused the Biebs of battery and police responded by heading over to the “Baby” singer’s home in California to investigate the matter further, TMZ reported.

Los Angeles County Sherriff's Department spokesman Steve Whitmore says authorities were called to the scene in Calabasas just after 9 a.m. Tuesday.

Whitmore says it's unclear who called authorities, and whether there have been previous complaints about problems between the 19-year-old crooner and neighbors.

Whitmore says there has been no arrest and the situation remains under investigation.

Sources told TMZ that Bieber and the neighbor got into an argument regarding the neighbor’s complaints that Bieber’s house was noisy and packed with partiers while the singer was touring in Europe.

The sources added that despite the neighbor’s claims, Bieber did not have physical contact with him. The singer’s security team reportedly escorted the neighbor off of Bieber’s property.

Online schedules indicate the "Baby" singer is in the midst of a European tour and performed a show in Poland on Monday night.

A representative of Beiber did not immediately return a request for comment from the Associated Press.

Earlier this month, Bieber was caught on camera cursing at a paparazzo and trying to hit him as his security held him back.

Back in January, a former bodyguard for The Biebs sued the pop superstar, claiming he was repeatedly struck by the singer during an October confrontation.

Bieber posted on his verified Twitter account on Tuesday but made no mention of the alleged altercation with his neighbor. He, instead, announced his plans to tour Germany and Russia in the coming months.

'Duck Dynasty' Stars Demanding More Money, Could Hold Up Production On Season Four

2013-03-28T16:39:00Z

The stars of Duck Dynasty want to cash in off the show’s growing popularity, asking A&E for a big pay increase to match the show’s huge ratings.

Sources said that members of the Robertson family, including Si and his brother Phil and Phil’s sons, are looking to get more than $200,000 per episode from production company Gurney Productions in order to come back for the fourth season. The family has already seen their Duck Commander outdoor empire boom as a result of the show, and A&E has seen the benefits as well.

During season three Duck Dynasty drew 8.6 million viewers and a sterling 3.9 rating among the key 18-to-49 demographic, second only to AMC’s The Walking Dead of all cable shows. Duck Dynasty also consistently finished on top in the 10 pm Wednesday slot.

Duck Dynasty has even been able to take on a reality show juggernaut. In early March a study of social media hits found that the A&E show beat out American Idol, and in terms of ratings topped even many network shows.

In fact, Duck Dynasty’s audience for its season three premiere was about 3 million more people than tuned in to ABC’s Good Morning America the previous week to watch the much-hyped return of co-host Robin Roberts, who had been on medical leave from the show for several months after undergoing a bone-marrow transplant.

The salary demand of the Robertson family, star of the reality show that features their duck call business, are reportedly holding up production on the show’s fourth season.

Salary disputes are not uncommon among reality shows. In 2010 the cast of MTV’s Jersey Shore held out for a 200 percent salary increase, and the cast of Discovery’s Deadliest Catch quit in 2010 amid a pay dispute, returning once the matter was resolved.

Because of the popularity of Duck Dynasty and the audience it has brought to A&E, a source close to the negotiation said the dispute should be resolved in time to avoid missing shooting, noting, “It’ll all get worked out.”

Oregon's Grant High School Creates Gender-Neutral Restrooms For Transgender Students

2013-03-28T14:09:00Z

An Oregon high school is being praised after creating gender-neutral restrooms for its transgender students and staff.

As The Oregonian is reporting, Portland's Ulysses S. Grant High School has opted to distinguish six of its restrooms (four for students, and two for staff) for the five to 10 transgender students at the school.

"We just need to make sure that all students are safe and comfortable here, and that they have their needs met," Kristyn Westphal, Grant High's vice principal, told the publication. "If they feel unsafe using the bathroom, that's a problem."

Echoing those sentiments was 17-year-old Scott Morrison, a transgender senior at the school who said he was "not comfortable" either the women's or the men's restroom. "You don't even have to think about it, and that's great," Morrison is quoted as saying.

Restroom use has been at the focus of a number of recent controversies involving transgender people, particularly youth. Jeremy and Kathryn Mathis of Fountain, Colo. are currently embroiled in a legal battle with their local school district after officials decided their 6-year-old daughter Coy, who is transgender, would have to use the boys' restroom, the staff restroom or the one in the school nurse's office.

"They’re creating a giant divide and that’s a huge loss for the school because they have a really good opportunity for their students," Kathryn told Fox 31 KDVR.com. "They’re using it as a way to discriminate instead."

Jon Hamm says 'lay off' his private parts: 'Mad Men' star sought out by underwear companies

2013-03-28T13:08:00Z

Underwear companies Fruit of the Loom and Jockey are apparently also lusting after Jon Hamm’s private parts. They want him to endorse their brands.

Jon Hamm covers the April issue of Rolling Stone.

Ladies aren't the only ones mesmerized by Jon Hamm's junk - it appears underwear companies want him as well.

Both Fruit of the Loom and Jockey have reportedly reached out to Hamm, 42, after he became the talk of the town for going commando during a "Mad Men" season six shoot involving tight pants.

He was reportedly ‘asked politely’ to wear underwear on ‘Mad Men’ set.

"Jockey would like to offer our support for Jon Hamm in the form of a lifetime supply of Jockey underwear," a rep for Jockey told TMZ.

Fruit of the Loom offered a more humorous proposition.

Hamm stars as ‘Mad Men’ character Don Draper. The popular AMC show is set to return for season 6 on April 7.

"We want people to be themselves. And if going Commando makes you happy, we say go for it. But in case you change your mind, we got you covered."

The Daily News learned Hamm was "politely asked" to wear underwear while shooting his 'Mad Men' scenes after his private parts were causing a stir on set. Although everyone else seems amused by Hamm's total package predicament, Don Draper himself isn't too excited.

The actor told Rolling Stone magazine that he’s tired of all of the buzz about his private parts. ‘They’re called ‘privates’ for a reason.’

"Most of it's tongue-in-cheek," Hamm told Rolling Stone. "But it is a little rude. It just speaks to a broader freedom that people feel like they have - a prurience."

"They're called 'privates' for a reason," he added.

"I'm wearing pants, for f---'s sake. Lay off. I mean, it's not like I'm a f---ing lead miner. There are harder jobs in the world. But when people feel the freedom to create Tumblr accounts about my c---, I feel like that wasn't part of the deal ... But whatever. I guess it's better than being called out for the opposite."

Public Prostitution Could Become Legal In Paris If Proposal To Repeal Solicitation Law Passes

2013-03-27T16:31:00Z

Sexual solicitation may be illegal in France's capital city, but it might not stay that way for long.

If a proposal to repeal a 10-year-old solicitation law passes the French Senate latter this month, public prostitution could become legal in Paris, the Local notes.

Proposed by Sen. Esther Benbassa, a member of the French Green Party, the legislation seeks to overturn a lawintroduced in 2003 by then-Interior Minister Nicolas Sarkozy that made it illegal for sex workers to wear revealing attire and solicit customers in a public place.

As the Economist notes, prostitution is not currently illegal in France, but many of the activities associated with the trade, such as solicitation and brothels, are against the law.

Explaining her motives behind the proposal during a protest Saturday, Benbassa said that the law has only served to isolate workers, rather than dismantle prostitution networks, Huffington Post France reports. If it had achieved the later, she would be in favor of the law; however, Benbassa said, the legislation has achieved the opposite effect.

About 250 people gathered for a demonstration in Paris over the weekend -- one of several rallies that has taken place since the law was first enacted -- to demand that the law be repealed. STRASS, the trade union for sex workers, claims the existing legislation leads to increased violence and reduced rates, according to HuffPost France.

The proposed repeal will likely pass the French Senate when it is brought up for discussion on March 28, since it has received support from both President François Hollande and Najat Vallaud-Belkacem, who serves as France's minister of women's rights.

Hollande first expressed his interest in eliminating Sarkozy's law during his bid for the French presidency last March. In an interview with French-language blog Seronet.info, Hollande said the law "ultimately translates into less health care access and social services for prostitutes."

While Vallaud-Belkacem initially told Le Journal du Dimanche she wanted to "see prostitution disappear" when she was first appointed to her post in June, she has since changed her tune and confirmed that Hollande's campaign pledge will be executed.

Speaking to Le Parisien, Vallaud-Belkacem revealed that a repeal of the solicitation law will be required as part of her plan to develop more comprehensive legislation to govern prostitution and sex trafficking.

The nation's parliament moved to ban prostitution across the board in 2011, but the measure was unsuccessful.

Irish Town Passes Motion to Allow Drinking and Driving

2013-03-27T15:28:00Z

The Irish town of Kilgarvan passed a motion this winter calling for some members of its community to be allowed to drink and drive.

Proposed by local pub owner and politician Danny Healy-Rae, the motion calls for the minister of justice to allow police to decide whether to "issue permits" for people who live in country areas to be able to have two or three drinks before they drive home, The New York Times reported. Healy-Rae told the Times he thinks the measure will help preserve pub culture, lower the risk of suicide and attack isolation in the small town.

The Huffington Post noted at the time that Irish road and alcohol safety organizations slammed the proposed plan, while Ireland has strict lawsand to combat drunk driving and has stepped upenforcement efforts.

Amid governmental and local backlash to the Kilgarvan measure, Healy-Rae says it isn’t supposed to apply to everyone, mainly "elderly people who live in very remote places."

"What is the alternative for them where no public or other transport is available? Staying at home lonely, staring at the four walls?” Healy-Rae told The Times.

Some local politicians are still shocked that the motion was passed, including one Kerry County council member who was absent when it passed because her child was sick, according to the Times.

Editor's Note:

An earlier version of this article incorrectly said the town passed a new law that allows drinking and driving in some cases. The town's local council passed a motion calling for the minister of justice to allow police to decide whether to "issue permits" to allow people in isolated areas to drive home from the nearest pub after drinking, given certain restrictions.

Pennsylvania woman ordered kids to pepper spray store employees

2013-03-27T14:38:00Z

A Pennsylvania woman returned to a dollar store she had been banned from and pepper sprayed employees as they attempted to escort her out before encouraging her children to do the same, according to police.

Authorities say Delaina Garling, 27, went to a Family Dollar Store outside Philadelphia, Pa. on Monday where she had been banned from for alleged theft. Surveillance video shows the woman, accompanied by her two children, attempting to douse employees with pepper spray as they tried to remove her from the store.

Upper Darby Police Superintendent Michael Chitwood told NBC Philadelphia that the manager of the store then got in a fight with Garling during which the pepper spray fell to the ground. She then yelled at her kids to continue the fight.

"The woman is hollering to her daughter, 'Get it, spray it. Get it, spray it,'" said Chitwood.

The 7-year-old girl picked up the canister, but another employee quickly grabbed it from the girl.

Chitwood said that marijuana and pills were also found in Garling's bag upon arrest. Charges against her include assault, harassment, and drug possession, and is being held on $30,000 bail, according to court documents.

Garling pleaded guilty to retail theft in 2008 and 2010, according to court records.

“These poor kids never got a shot with a mother like that,” Chitwood said.

Wisconsin limits use of nude beach to cut down on sex, drugs

2013-03-27T13:10:00Z

Wisconsin authorities announced Tuesday they will shut down one of nation's most popular nude beaches on weekdays after struggling for years to curtail sex and drugs on the sandbar and surrounding woods.

Nudists from around the country have been traveling to the public beach on the Wisconsin River near Mazomanie, about 25 miles northwest of Madison, for decades as word spread that prosecutors in ultra-liberal Dane County wouldn't go after anyone for showing skin. But visitors haven't stopped at just stripping down. They've been slipping off into the woods for trysts and drugs.

Authorities say that's crossing the line, but they haven't been able to stop the shenanigans. Their frustration reached a tipping point Tuesday, when the state Department of Natural Resources announced it will close the beach, the islands immediately off it and the surrounding woods to the public on weekdays, when wardens say troublemakers tend to operate unseen. The closures begin immediately. The area will remain open on weekends, though.

Bob Morton, executive director of the Austin, Tex.-based Naturist Action Committee, which lobbies on behalf of nudists, has visited the beach several times. He criticized the DNR for not consulting with beachgoers before closing the area.

"Honestly, we're on their side when it comes to enforcing things that are lewd and lascivious," Morton said. "There's something to be said about consulting the users of the place. There's got to be more to this somewhere."

Nate Kroeplin, who supervises DNR law enforcement in Dane County, said wardens reviewed data on citations and determined most violations happen on weekdays, when fewer people are around to police each other's behavior. Of the 92 citations wardens issued for disorderly conduct or drugs in the beach area between 2008 and 2012, 83 were given on weekdays, he said.

"Obviously we're disappointed when we have to shut any portion of our property down," he said. "But our ultimate goal is to have a safe place anybody can feel comfortable using. And with the current activity going on down there, that's just not the case."

The beach has been a problem for wardens for years. The DNR purchased the area in 1949 in an effort to open up more land for public hunting, fishing and recreation. Droves of nudists claimed the beach as their own, though, emboldened by local prosecutors' indifference. Wisconsin law makes exposing one's genitals a misdemeanor, but a long line of Dane County district attorneys have said naked people must cause some kind of disturbance before they can be prosecuted. The DNR estimates as many as 70,000 people, some from as far away as Florida, have visited the beach some summers.

With all the skin has come sex and drugs. Warden arrest reports tell graphic stories of oral sex and mutual masturbation.

The agency closed the area at night and banned beach camping in the late 1990s. Authorities also installed a gate blocking vehicles in hopes of stopping people from driving down to the beach in search of quick sex.

In 2007, wardens closed off parts of the woods around the beach to discourage sex in the underbrush and cut down brush around the beach to eliminate cover. But arrests for sex and drugs around the beach still hit a five-year high in 2011; wardens arrested 26 people for sex and 16 people for drugs in just nine days of surveillance.

The DNR closed another 70 acres around the beach last spring, but Kroeplin said it hasn't stopped people from cruising the beach parking lot on weekdays, when relatively few people are around to complain. Last summer, wardens issued 19 citations for sex and three for drugs over five or six days of surveillance, Kroeplin said; 16 citations were issued on weekdays compared with six on weekends.

"It's pretty incredible to see the amount of traffic that pulls onto the property," Kroeplin said. "Everything we've done has not made any difference."

A most beautiful age: Many women feel most attractive in their early 30s, study reveals

2013-03-26T16:41:00Z

Looking like a fresh-faced twenty-something is, apparently, not all it’s cracked up to be.

Research reveals four out of ten women feel at their most beautiful at the age of 32.

The survey of British women aged between 40 and 60 found a fifth picked 40 as the age they felt happiest with their looks.

32 this year: Miss Gellar, left, and Miss Tyler, right

The 38 per cent who said they felt most attractive in their early thirties attributed it to the confidence gained from experience, an active love life and eating and drinking sensibly.

Celebrities who will be blowing out 32 candles this year – and no doubt feeling quite relaxed about their appearance – include model Sophie Dahl and actresses Liv Tyler and Sarah Michelle Gellar.

Psychologist Dr Sandra Wheatley said the findings were a ‘very encouraging’ sign women valued their achievements as well as their looks.

She added: ‘It sounds to me like women are becoming much more swayed by personality.

‘It’s a sign that we are valued for who we are and what we are capable of, not just what is on the surface.

‘Feeling beautiful is tied in with confidence and life experience.

‘At 32, a woman has been through and survived more experiences and achieved more than at 22.

‘Women can be their own worst enemy, scrutinising each other’s weight and wrinkles.

‘But this is a really encouraging study that beauty is more than skin deep.’

The online survey of 1,500 women was carried out by Willow Water, the bottled water brand which claims to improve the skin’s appearance.

Lindsay Lohan Told Her Attorney To Keep Her Out Of Rehab Until AFTER Coachella Music Festival!

2013-03-26T14:44:00Z

During the last minute plea talks between Lindsay Lohan‘s attorney, Mark Heller, and prosecutors handling her lying to cops case, the wayward actress told him to keep her out of rehab until AFTER the Coachella music festival so she could attend, RadarOnline.com is exclusively reporting.

“Lindsay was adamant that she not be forced to go to rehab until after the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in the Palm Springs area on successive weekends in April. Lindsay LOVES going to the musical festival, and she’s determined to go this year. She didn’t want a little thing like rehab to get in her way of attending. Linds refused to sign off on any deal that would have prevented her from going to Coachella, period. Yes, it’s that important to her, for some strange reason,” a source told RadarOnline.com exclusively.

Perhaps Lilo’s new romance with musician and club promoter, Avi Snow, has made the Mean Girls star,26, even more resolute in her determination to go to the concerts.

Lohan has attended the Coachella music festival in 2010, 2011, and 2012. This year’s festivities take place on April 12, 14, 19, 21, and the line-up includes the Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Lumineers, Moby, and the Airborne Toxic Event.

Avi was said to be on the Mr. Pink private jet that flew Lindsay to Los Angeles early Tuesday morning for her day in court.

And after Lindsay posed for her latest mug shot, she hot-footed it to City of the Sun’s show at private club 41 Ocean in Santa Monica.

As we previously reported, during a plea deal that Lohan reached last week in her lying to cops case, the actress was ordered to enroll in a rehab facility, by no later than mid-May. This will be Lohan’s SIXTH trip to rehab since 2007, and she’s spent a total of 250 days getting treatment for alcohol and prescription drug abuse.

“Lindsay will be treated for prescription drug and alcohol addiction during her stay,” a source previously told Radar. “Lindsay’s prescription drugs of choice are Adderall and Xanax, and in addition, she consumes large amounts of alcohol — specifically, vodka.

“The main problem when it comes to Lindsay ever getting sober is her absolute denial that she has any substance abuse issues. Once again, she is only going to rehab purely because it’s a slightly more attractive alternative than going to jail. Of course, there is hope that once Lindsay is undergoing treatment she will recognize that she does in fact have a problem — but given her history, it’s very doubtful.”

The saddest aspect of “Lindsay’s criminal history, is that it’s all traced back to her addiction issues. Everyone around Lindsay has tried to get her sober — her father Michael, three judges, two prosecutors, and two criminal defense attorneys. She is in absolute denial about her addiction issues and doesn’t want to get sober. It’s just not a lifestyle she wants,” the insider told us.

You May Now Kiss the Computer Screen

2013-03-26T14:30:00Z

Niko J. Kallianiotis for The New York Times

Punam Chowdhury at the New York Qazi Office in Queens last month as she used a video chat service to marry Tanvir Ahmmed, who was in Bangladesh.

Ms. Chowdhury, an American citizen, was wedding a man from Bangladesh she had met in person only once.

Just then, the Internet connection cut out, and the wedding was abruptly over.

Normally one of the most intimate moments two people can share, the marriage had taken place from opposite ends of the globe over the video chat program Skype, with Ms. Chowdhury, an American citizen, in a mosque in Jackson Heights, Queens, and her new husband, Tanvir Ahmmed, in his living room with a Shariah judge in his native Bangladesh.

Their courtship, like so many others, had taken place almost entirely over the Internet — they had met in person only once, years earlier, in passing. But in a twist that underscores technology’s ability to upend traditional notions about romance, people are not just finding their match online, but also saying “I do” there.

These are called proxy marriages, a legal arrangement that allows a couple to wed even in the absence of one or both spouses. They date back centuries: one of the most famous examples was between Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette, who were first married in her native Austria in his absence, before she was shipped to meet him in France. Proxy marriages via telegraph have also been documented.

The procedure had been used infrequently in the United States, usually by deployed members of the military worried about being killed and leaving loved ones without benefits. But it is increasingly being used in immigrant communities, where people are seeking to marry partners from their homelands without the expense of matchmaking trips abroad.

Such convenience has also raised concerns that it will facilitate marriage fraud — already a challenge for immigration authorities — as well as make it easier to ensnare vulnerable women in trafficking networks.

The practice is so new that some immigration authorities said they were unaware it was even happening and did not typically provide extra scrutiny to ensure these types of marriages were not misused to secure citizenship. But even those who conduct or arrange these ceremonies have expressed reservations as the practice has grown more widespread.

The imam Mohd A. Qayyoom, who runs the New York Qazi Office in Jackson Heights and officiated Ms. Chowdhury’s wedding in February, said he had turned away people seeking to marry cousins in Southeast Asia in order to get them to the United States. Mazeda A. Uddin, a community activist from Queens, who often plays matchmaker, said she stopped organizing proxy weddings after witnessing people being married and left brokenhearted by unscrupulous foreigners seeking a green card, not a life partner.

“Part of the reason for having the two people come and appear before a priest or a judge is to make sure it is a freely chosen thing,” said Adam Candeub, a professor at Michigan State University College of Law who has studied proxy marriage. “There are some problems with willy-nilly allowing anyone around the world to marry.”

Technically, the Chowdhury-Ahmmed marriage “took place” in Bangladesh, where it was legally registered, not New York, where the practice is not allowed. Only a few states permit proxy marriages, and most require one partner to be in the military. But the United States generally recognizes foreign marriages as long as they are legally conducted abroad and do not break any laws here.

George Andrews, the operations manager for Proxy Marriage Now, a company in Fayetteville, N.C., that facilitates such unions worldwide for a fee, said technology, like Skype, was driving the growth of proxy marriages. In the seven years the company has been in existence, business has increased by 12 percent to 15 percent annually to between 400 and 500 weddings a year. The share not involving someone in the military has grown to 40 percent.

Some of those couples are trying to circumvent restrictive local laws, like those in Israeland other countries, which recognize mixed-religion marriages but will not perform them, he said. Others who live in different countries seek marriage to pave the way to be together, a first step to attaining a visa or citizenship for a spouse, he said. Couples usually dial in to a ceremony in El Salvador, which has comparatively little red tape surrounding the process.

All people applying for American citizenship through marriage must first be interviewed by officials from the Homeland Security or State Department who are charged with rooting out fraud. Officials said that if the spouses were to explain they had been married thousands of miles apart over the Internet, it would quite likely raise a red flag.

And yet, while the agencies ask interviewees for details of their wedding during the immigration interviews, they do not specifically inquire whether it occurred by proxy.

Archi Pyati, the deputy director of the Immigration Intervention Project at the Sanctuary for Families, an organization that helps battered women, said the center frequently saw ways in which proxy marriage was abused. Some cases involve women, many from West Africa, who were married by proxy without their consent, or as children.

Other cases have involved proxy marriage used to bring women into the country who then find themselves pressed into sex work by traffickers.

The practice of proxy marriage is particularly widespread in Islamic countries where the Koran has long been interpreted to explicitly endorse it.

“After all these advancements in technology and all kinds of telecommunication tools, scholars came to the conclusion that it is acceptable,” said the imam Shamsi Ali, of the Jamaica Muslim Center in Queens.

“Skype is making it easier,” he added. “These days you have Google Hangout, too.”

There are those who oppose the practice for traditional reasons.

“It seems strange; I just feel like a wedding begins your new life together, not apart,” said Angela Troia, who owns the Wedding Company, a shop in Manhasset, N.Y., on Long Island, that sells invitations and offers planning guidance for many Queens couples. “I think it takes away from the meaning of it.”

But for Ms. Chowdhury, 21, and Mr. Ahmmed, 31, the giggling pair pretending to feed each other wedding dessert by holding forkfuls of cake to their computer screens that day, it felt full of the gravity of any other wedding. Ms. Chowdhury noted that her aunt had married similarly, long before the Internet age — by telephone.

Peering from the screen of a laptop, Mr. Ahmmed agreed. “This is my lawful wife,” he said.

At the last word, his bride squealed with joy.

More than 40% of DVR content never viewed

2013-03-26T13:31:00Z

If you have a backlog of shows on your DVR, then this study shouldn’t come as any surprise: Motorola Mobility says that 41% of the content recorded on DVRs in the U.S. is never watched.

More than 77% of those surveyed said they use their DVRs because there are other shows airing at the same time, according to a report in Variety. But the fact they aren’t watching is significant, especially at a time when the broadcast nets want Nielsen to measure live-plus-7 days of viewing to help entice advertisers.

DVR usage is better than ever: The season began with 46% homes in the U.S. owning a digital recording device, up from over 30% the year before. That has helped to boost TV watching. At 23 hours, the U.S. watches the most TV in the world. Sweden and Japan have the lowest at 15 hours.

Motorola Mobility, which is owned by Google, interviewed 9,500 consumers in 17 countries for its report.

Wisconsin man banned from 'all the libraries on the face of the earth' as condition of $1,000 bond

2013-03-25T16:54:00Z

A 20-year-old Racine man who's accused of engaging in lewd behavior in a library has been banned from "all the libraries on the face of the earth."

Tyree S. Carter is charged with misdemeanor counts of lewd behavior and disorderly conduct. He's due in court next month for a pre-trial conference.

A Journal Times of Racine report says Carter is accused of openly masturbating in the Racine Public Library last week. A witness told investigators Carter was out in the open, not trying to conceal his act.

The criminal complaint says he apologized to responding police officers.

His signature bond was set at $1,000. Court records say as a condition of his bond, he was told to "stay out of all the libraries on the face of the earth.

Lindsay Lohan film a huge flop

2013-03-25T15:38:00Z

Lindsay Lohan's flailing career has taken another hit - her latest movie release is a huge flop.

The embattled actress, who was sentenced to serve 90 days in lockdown rehab last week after a Los Angeles judge ruled she had violated her probation by lying to cops about a car crash last summer, has struggled to get her film career back on track amid her legal and financial woes in recent years - and now she has another unintentional disaster on her resume.

InAPPropriate Comedy has become one of the worst box office debuts in the U.S. ever - the film, which stars Adrien Brody and Rob Schneider and is directed by Vince Offer — a.k.a. the ShamWow/Slap Chop infomercial pitchman -- has made just $172,000 at 275 theatres since it opened on Friday, according to Entertainment Weekly.

According to its IMDb description, the film is about “a computer tablet full of the world’s most hilariously offensive apps breaks through the borders of political correctness, stirring up cultural anarchy.”

Ex-NFL cheerleader, 42, 'fondled boy, 12, at party after following him to the bathroom - because she thought he was a man'

2013-03-25T15:11:00Z

A former NFL cheerleader is accused of following a 12-year-old boy into a bathroom, fondling his penis and offering to perform oral sex on him but she claims she's innocent because she 'thought he was a man.'

Elizabeth 'Leigh' Garner from Nashville, Tennessee, was charged last week with sexual battery and solicitation of a minor for child rape in the February incident.

According to Murfreesboro police, the married 42-year-old, who cheered three seasons for the Tennessee Titans until 2008, was at a party when she tried to seduce the boy, who is understood to be the son of the host.

Accused: Elizabeth 'Leigh' Garner, pictured, from Nashville, Tennessee, was charged last week with sexual battery and solicitation of a minor for child rape in the February incident

The boy told police that Garner asked him whether he'd 'ever been with a woman' before she tried to pull down him pants.

He then bolted from the bathroom and told his mother what happened, who reported her friend to police.

Garner later told sex crimes detectives the alleged assault was all a misunderstanding, 'that she was drunk that evening and she got the boy confused with a man' who was also at the residence.

Allegations: The former NFL cheerleader, pictured, is accused of following a 12-year-old boy into a bathroom, fondling his penis and offering to perform oral sex

Cheer: The married 42-year-old, pictured, cheered three seasons for the Tennessee Titans until 2008

'That's just absolutely no excuse for sexual assaulting a child,' said officer Kyle Evans. 'If you can't tell the difference between a 12-year-old and an adult then there are problems.'

According to WTVF, Garner gained a measure of fame while she was in the Titans' cheer squad because, at 38-year-old, she was considerably older than her fellow cheerleaders who were generally in their 20s.

Numerous health and fitness blogs featured the busty blonde and her secrets to staying in shape when she made the team.

Garner was released on a $30,000 bond and faces more than eight years' prison if she's convicted.

Posing: The boy told police that Garner, pictured, asked him whether he'd 'ever been with a woman' before she tried to pull down his pants

Jail: Garner was booked into Rutherford County Jail, pictured, where she was released on $30,000 bond

The Titans said she hasn't had anything to do with the team for several years.

Garner and her husband, who she said on blog Chrissy Fitness in 2008 proposed to her during cheer-leading training with a dozen roses, seem to be sticking together through the allegations and defense that she thought the boy was another man.

They spoke with WTVF together, to proclaim her innocence.

In the interview with Chrissy Fitness, the 5' 2" tall 110 pound woman said maintaining her cheerleader-worthy body was hard work.

She said she hit the gym daily to maintain her envied physique, doing spins and turbo kicks and twice a week she factored in strength training with weights to sculpt her muscles.

When it came to her diet, she explained in the 2008 article that she stuck to 1700 calories a day and ate mainly vegetables.

'I've never been one to eat a lot of junk food,' she explained.

Tennessee Woman May Have Blown Her Chance At Getting A Better Deal On A Cadillac

2013-03-25T13:24:00Z

Meet Crystal Frantzen.

The 28-year-old Tennessean was arrested and charged with prostitution after law enforcement received calls yesterday around noon about a woman performing oral sex on a man in the parking lot of a busy BP gas station.

After the Cadillac they were traveling in was pulled over about a mile from the service station, Frantzen told Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office deputies that she performed the sex act on the man in the car, Gary Tipton, "in exchange for a better deal" on the vehicle she intended to buy from the 58-year-old.

According to a sheriff’s spokesperson, neither Tipton--who does not appear to be affiliated with an authorized Cadillac dealership--nor Frantzen indicated what the 90's model Cadillac's asking price was or what discount Frantzen would be receiving for pleasuring the seller.

Tipton, pictured in the mug shot at left, was charged with patronizing a prostitute and drug possession after cops found pills without a prescription in his pocket. He bonded out of the county jail this morning after posting $2000 bond. Pictured above, Frantzen was arraigned today and released after posting $1000 bond.

Patrick Campbell, Homeless Man, Pretended To Be A Doctor, 'Lived' In Louisville's Norton Hospital: Police

2013-03-22T18:10:00Z

Police in Louisville, Ky., say they discovered a homeless man living at the city's Norton Hospital Monday morning. He avoided detection by pretending to be a doctor.

The man, Patrick Campbell, was wearing scrubs, a lab coat and a surgical mask at the time of his discovery, working on a computer. According to WAVE, a doctor at the hospital had logged Campbell onto the computer, believing he was a colleague.

A police report, provided to the Courier-Journal, indicated the computer "contained highly sensitive personal information on hospital staff and patients." Hospital spokeswoman Courtney Bisig countered that, saying the man had only used the computer to visit various websites.

According to WRDB, Campbell spent at least one night in a secure area of the hospital. He has been charged with criminal trespassing and unlawful access to a computer.

Of course, Campbell isn't alone in having found unique lodging. In 2012, police said a man in Florida was caught sneaking into luxury hotel rooms after the original occupants left, then charging extended stays to the credit cards the hotel kept on file.

Extinct Frog Cloned: Amphibian Embryos From 'Mouth-Birthing' Species Grown In Lab

2013-03-22T15:32:00Z

A bizarre species of frog that went extinct decades ago has been brought back to life.

In an effort known as the Lazarus Project, scientists at the University of New South Wales in Sydney, Australia cloned Rheobatrachus silus, which is believed to have died out in the mid-1980s.

And if you think cloning is weird, the creature itself is even weirder. The little amphibian delivers frog babies straight from its mouth by swallowing its own fertilized eggs and then regurgitating fully formed froglets from its stomach. Dr. Mike Archer, a professor at the university and a Lazarus researcher, detailed the species' 'gastric brooding' during a presentation at TedxDeExtinction on March 15 in Washington, D.C.

“We are watching Lazarus arise from the dead, step by exciting step,” Archer said in a written statement released by the university. “We’ve reactivated dead cells into living ones and revived the extinct frog’s genome in the process. Now we have fresh cryo-preserved cells of the extinct frog to use in future cloning experiments. We’re increasingly confident that the hurdles ahead are technological and not biological and that we will succeed. Importantly, we’ve demonstrated already the great promise this technology has as a conservation tool when hundreds of the world’s amphibian species are in catastrophic decline.”

The researchers created fresh embryos using tissue samples taken from R. silus specimens prior to the species' extinction. Cell nuclei from the samples were embedded in eggs from another frog species, Mixophyes fasciolatus, at which pointsome of the eggs began to spontaneously divide and grow into a basic embryo.

"This is the first time this technique has been achieved for an extinct species," Michael Mahony, a Lazarus researcher and life sciences professor at Australia's Newcastle University, told the Sydney Morning Herald.

"We’ve done the first cross-species cloning in frogs," Archer told The Huffington Post in an email, "and as far as I know are the first to have revitalized a totally ‘dead’ non-cryopreserved genome of an extinct species. That's vitally important in the direction of helping to conserve so many endangered frogs tipping over the edge at the moment."

For those keeping score, the Pyrenean ibex, an extinct species of wild Spanish goat, was also briefly brought back from extinction via cloning in 2009.

Following announcement of the ibex's birth, environmentalists cautioned that de-extinction via cloning is far from an ideal solution for reintroducing populations of endangered animals to the world.

Speaking of the ibex clone to National Geographic in 2010, David Wildt, a senior scientist at the Smithsonian's National Zoological Park in Washington, D.C., said there are "vastly more effective and logical approaches" to preserving threatened species.

Namely, helping ensure they don't go extinct in the first place.

Taco Bell's Doritos Locos so popular fast-food giant added 15,000 jobs last year

2013-03-22T15:12:00Z

DON EMMERT/AFP/GETTY IMAGES

Taco Bell CEO Greg Creed says, “We believe we can add 2,000 new restaurants in the next 10 years, because what we have is proprietary and exclusive. Nobody else can make a Cool Ranch Doritos taco. And that’s just in the U.S.”

Taco Bell’s wildly popular Doritos Locos taco helped the fast-food chain company create 15,000 jobs this year.

The release of the tasty snack, a normal Taco Bell taco with a crunchy tortilla shell made from Doritos’ Nacho Cheese chips, was so successful that it literally created thousands of jobs.

The Tex-Mex restaurant chain, known for its cheap food and late hours, sold more than 375 million of the Doritos Locos tacos in 2012, which equates to about one million sold per day, according to the Daily Beast,

By comparison, it took McDonald’s, which started in 1958, nearly 18 years to sell just 100 million of its flagship hamburgers.

“It has been the biggest launch in Taco Bell history,” Taco Bell CEO Greg Creed told the Daily Beast. “Last year, we added 15,000 people to handle the growth,” he added.

TACO BELL/AP

Doritos Locos Tacos shells in all their glory accounted for huge growth of jobs for the fast-food chain.

And Taco Bell sees more growth ahead.

“We believe we can add 2,000 new restaurants in the next 10 years, because what we have is proprietary and exclusive. Nobody else can make a Cool Ranch Doritos taco. And that’s just in the U.S.,” Creed told the Daily Beast.

The chain recently launched an intuitive follow-up to its first Doritos Loco taco — a Cool Ranch Doritos Locos taco, with a shell made from the chip of the same name.

While the national unemployment rate fell modestly in February to 7.7 percent, the exciting calorie-packed news out of Taco Bell could be an indication that the country’s job picture is improving even more than thought.

The taco also represents a glowingly bright spot for Taco Bell as well, which, in recent years, has seen a string of bad publicity missteps, from a false-advertising lawsuit alleging the company is improperly labeling what it calls “ground beef” to the discovery of traces of horsemeat at three of its U.K. franchises.

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$4M worth of pot found on Santa Barbara beach

2013-03-22T13:33:00Z

Deputies found nearly 2,000 pounds of marijuana and a panga style fishing boat on Arroya Camada Beach in Santa Barbara Sunday.

The Santa Barbara Sheriff's Office was summoned to the area, located north of Refugio State Beach, to investigate a 30-foot panga style fishing boat. Suspected marijuana bales were also discovered strewn around the area.

Authorities found several hidden compartments onboard the abandoned boat and located a significant amount of evidence consistent with marijuana smuggling activities around the area. The panga style fishing boat had two outboard engines and more than 20 fuel containers on board.

Fifty plastic-wrapped bales of marijuana were found partially hidden within bushes adjacently located on the roadway leading to and from the beach. According to authorities, the contraband weighed approximately 2,000 pounds and has an estimated street value of $4 million.

Santa Barbara Sheriff's Narcotics detectives seized the marijuana and evidence left behind by the smugglers.

The evidence will undergo further examination as part of the ongoing investigation and will also be related to Homeland Security.

Sheriff's K9 unit searched the immediate area for any associated suspects to no avail.

Panga boats are often used to smuggle people, narcotics, and or other contraband from Mexico to California.

There were more than 20 drug smuggling boats intercepted last year off Santa Barbara County's coastline, according to investigators.

Young woman in northern India takes turns sleeping with five husbands, who are all brothers l

2013-03-21T16:31:00Z

Brothers Sant Ram Verma, Bajju Verma, Gopal Verma, Guddu Verma and Dinesh Verma with their wife Rajo Verma and her 18-month-old son. She is unsure which brother is the father.

A young woman in northern India is taking brotherly love to a new level.

Rajo Verma has five husbands who are all brothers – and she sleeps with a different one every night.

“Initially it felt a bit awkward,” she told the Sun newspaper. “But I don’t favor one over the other.”

Rajo Verma shares one room with her five husbands.

The 21-year-old Verma is also not sure which one fathered her now 18-month-old son.

Verma and first husband Guddu were united in an arranged Hindu marriage four years ago, but she has since married Baiju, Sant Ram, Gopal and Dinesh. Baiju is the oldest at 32, while Dinesh is the youngest at 19. The seven of them live in one room in Dehradun.

“We all have sex with her but I’m not jealous," first husband Guddu told the newspaper. "We’re one big happy family.”

Rajo Verma married Guddu first and later married the others, in accordance with ancient customs.

Verma married the four brothers in support of an ancient tradition called polyandry, according to the Sun.

“My mother was also married to three brothers so when I got wed I knew I had to accept all of them as my husbands," she said. “I sleep with them in turn. We don’t have beds, just lots of blankets on the floor.

“I get a lot more attention and love than most wives.”

Researchers Study Sex and Pregnancy in Space, Say it Will be Hard

2013-03-21T14:55:00Z

James Bond and Dr. Goodhead perform zero-g docking manuevers in the movie "Moonraker"

Space sex has a long way to go before it gets off the ground.

Looking to penetrate deep into realms where scientists seldom explore, NASA biophysicist Tore Straume [profile] (Ames Research Center), radiation expert and particle physicist Steve Blattnig (Langley Research Center), and Cary Zeitlin [profile] (Lawrence Berkley National Laboratory), explored the logistics of sex and procreation in space. Their conclusions? It would be hard -- very hard.

Would-be space colonists looking to procreate in space would have it very rough, according to the report. One of the biggest dangers would be from cosmic rays.

The high-energy protons encountered in deep space could harm male sperm. They would also likely sterilize any human fetuses conceived in space. The embryo would likely die during the second half of the pregnancy from these rays.

The only solution would be to adopt better protection, but mankind doesn't currently have a sufficient technology. States Dr. Straume, "The present shielding capabilities would probably preclude having a pregnancy transited to Mars."

An even greater danger would be solar flares. Solar flares are giant squirts of matter and energy from the sun during periods of intensely hot solar activity. These solar events would likely bombard the space explorers with even more radiation, raising their risk of miscarriage and infertility.

Also dangerous are high-energy cosmic rays that can travel millions of light years and carry tremendous energy. Without a way to block these damaging particles, they would likely pass through the spaceship, further damaging the astronauts’ gonads.

When it comes to solar shielding, it appears scientists still have trouble getting it up to speed.

It is unclear whether anyone has ever had sex in space. NASA and the Soviety space agency never revealed whether they conducted tests into orbital procreation. They have what is commonly referred to as "relationships of trust" when it comes to relations between astronauts. One astronaut husband and wife -- Jan Davis and Mark Lee -- did share a flight together, but NASA and the astronauts would not reveal whether they got their stellar groove on.

Aside from the radiation dangers, given how hard it is to move in space, it might be hard to perform sex in a traditional manner. But mankind has never had problems getting creative in the sack, so surely life would find a way.

The research is significant as many prominent scientific luminaries, like Steven Hawking, believe that without colonizing other worlds, mankind will likely go extinct within a few million years.

New Orleans taxi company launches backseat vending

2013-03-21T14:07:00Z

When customers get into some New Orleans taxis, they'll now have the chance to buy a cold beverage during the drive to their destination.

New Orleans Carriage Cab launched backseat vending machines Tuesday inside its 250-car fleet that also includes the Yellow-Checker Cab brands.

The latest innovation comes after the city's entire taxi fleet of about 1,600 cars was forced to modernize. Now vehicles must be equipped with air conditioning, surveillance cameras, credit card machines and global positioning devices. The vehicles also will need to be no older than 11 years, with that age limit reduced even further to seven years in 2014.

New Orleans Carriage Cab owner Simon Garber said his 14-year-old son, Shaun, pitched the idea to offer passengers soft drinks back in 2007 but Garber said he was doubtful it could work. After continued prodding from his son, Garber said he found a patent attorney and technical experts who brought the idea to fruition. The idea took four years to develop.

"We're launching here, in New Orleans, because this is a great tourist city, with great hospitality and opportunity for everybody," said Garber, who operates more than 1,200 taxis nationwide.

Mark Romig, head of the New Orleans Tourism Marketing Corp., said the concept reinforces the city's lock on hospitality.

"We pride ourselves on being No. 1 in hospitality," he said. "It's yet another example of how we can foster economic growth through tourism."

"This is another way of how we're growing and getting better every day," said Councilwoman Latoya Cantrell, whose district includes Garber's business.

The dispenser and touch-screen technology, created at the cost of just under a $1 million, has been tested for the past six months. Future roll outs are being planned for Chicago and New York.

Passengers, with a swipe of a credit or debit card, will have a choice of five different Coca-Cola products that cost 99 cents apiece. Each vending machine refrigerator holds 36 drinks and used cans are recycled.

"Passengers across the country will appreciate knowing they can have a cold beverage on the go at an affordable price. They will not have to make an extra stop to get a drink," Garber said.

Currently, the dispensers are available in about 40 cabs. The rest of the fleet will get them in the next three to four months, he said. In addition, he said vending machines will be available for purchase by competing cab companies.

Taxi driver Nicholaus Rome said whether the machine goes into his cab will be up to Yellow Cab, which owns his vehicle. He said its usefulness depends on how many soft drinks are sold.

"There aren't many long rides in New Orleans. One of the attractive things about our city is it's such a compact city and all of the bars and restaurants allow you to carry your drinks out," he said.

He also said the size of the machine could be a drawback for drivers who get much of their income from rides to and from the airport. "The refrigerator takes up almost a whole trunk. It limits how many (people) you can take to the airport."

But Garber said the machines are fitted in such a way to minimize such an impact.

Jon Hamm's Penis Is So Big, They Have to Photoshop It

2013-03-21T13:09:00Z

Jon Hamm's giant penis strikes again: An "AMC insider" tells awkwardly named New York Daily News gossip column "Confidenti@l" that Hamm's famously huge salami requires special penis-reduction Photoshop techniques.

Our insider says that during seasons one and two, AMC’s marketing team even had to do some Photoshop magic on promotional booklets that went out to press in order to make his privates more, well, private.

“Imagine how distracting that would be on the side of a bus or building,” laughed our source. “When the promotional pictures came back the first few seasons, we had to work with them. Everyone was concerned about too much Christina Hendricks boob, but it’s Jon that has the most to show. It’s a good problem to have.”

Is it workplace harassment every time an AMC employee talks about Hamm's bone? Apparently Hamm isn't into us talking about his penis all the time, because his publicist told "C%nf!#t*@l", "It is ridiculous and not really funny at all. I’d appreciate you taking the high road and not resorting to something childish like this that’s been blogged about 1000 times." Thus concludes your 1,001st reminder that Jon Hamm has a large penis.

Rare condition causes woman to see everything upside down

2013-03-20T17:44:00Z

A woman whose world has literally been turned upside down has baffled scientists studying her rare condition.

Council worker Bojana Danilovic, 28, sees everything upside down because of an abnormal connection in the way her brain processes images.

Danilovic has to have a special upside down computer screen and keyboard and reads papers from the bottom up. She even has special topsy-turvy official forms to fill in for her job at the Uzice town hall in Serbia.

At home, she watches one TV balanced on its top while the rest of the family watch another.

“It may look incredible to other people but to me it’s completely normal," Danilovic said. "I was born that way. It’s just the way I see the world."

Neurological experts at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University say she is suffering from a condition called ’spatial orientation phenomenon.’

“They say my eyes see the images the right way up but my brain changes them," Danilovic said. “But they don’t really seem to know exactly how it happens, just that it does and where it happens in my brain."

Sofia Vergara's Breasts: 32F Bra Size Makes It Hard To Get Dressed

2013-03-20T16:33:00Z

This star definitely has a feminine figure that’s hard to ignore — and she knows how to dress the best for her body type! See the star, (along with her voluptuous curves), in the April issue of ‘Vogue,’ where she opens up about her hourglass figure — and her all natural chest!

Sofia Vergara, is not shy at all when it comes to her hot bod. However, the 40-year-old actress recently admitted that finding the perfect fit for her curves is not an easy task — especially when it comes to getting glam on the red carpet! Despite her wardrobe hardships, she looks elegant on the April Shape issue of Voguemagazine.

Sofia Vergara’s Bra Size Makes Getting Dressed Difficult

In an interview with the mag Sofia candidly speaks about the challenges she faces in the fitting room. “The key for my body is tailoring,” she explains. Ever since she was young, she’s had some difficulty finding clothes that would fit both her tiny waist and her generous chest. When she was growing up she had a seamstress that tweaked her styles and now that she’s a household name her stylists know exactly how to dress the star. “I mean, a normal girl will just put the dress on and leave. I need them to be like an armory. My dresses are like a work of art inside because, you know, I am 40 years old, I had a baby, and I am a 32F boob,” says Sofia. Yup, you read that right, 32F — and it’s all natural! “And they are real still. When they are fake, you take the bra off and they are still there, perfect! Me—no, so I have to bring them up! I have to build the dresses up to here so that the bras—ach, it’s a whole, der—ugh—tchah!”

As a skinny physique is often the body type that designers design for, Sofia finds that she has to stray from some of our fave designers, because she simply can’t fit into them. Since finding the perfect pieces seems to be few and far between, she usually has to create her very own looks when attending events. “All the dresses that I wear for the red carpet, I have to build them inside,” she says. The more support, the better! The stunner shares that Dolce and Gabbana is usually a pretty safe bet when she doesn’t have time for altercations, and when in doubt, she opts for anything black that can stretch — and it certainly seems to be working for her!

ABC's 'Splash' features Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Katherine Webb, Louie Anderson and more taking the dive for TV

2013-03-20T14:10:00Z

ABC’s Splash premiered last night and TV executives will be interested to see if audiences across the country are really as interested in seeing celebrities dive as they are seeing them dance. The cast includes professional athletes, models and some celebs you probably wouldn’t expect to see in a bathing suit. One of those is comedian Louie Anderson.

“Of course, every fat person does not want to put on a bathing suit,” Anderson told USA Today. “On Twitter, people say I can't wait to see Louie in a Speedo.”

Anderson notes that he didn’t learn to swim until he turned 55 and this is the first time he’s dived in his life. “I'm doing it for every fat person or every person who's afraid to do it. I represent all the people on the couch,” he said. “Seven weeks ago, I was on a couch watching TV. I want to inspire people who are on their couch and laying in bed to find their pool or their Splash or their thing. I've never been more active in my life.”

Four-time Olympic champion Greg Louganis was recruited to mentor the celebrities, reports ESPN.

“Each diver is on their own personal journey. It's like a metaphor for life,” Louganis said. “They are taking their own leap of faith.”

“This should be fun,” adds Anderson. “Whoever would think they'd make a show where you dive and that they would pick me as one of the celebrities?”

Splash was first called Stars in Danger, an appropriate title since Chelsea Lately sidekick Chuy Bravo broke his heel last week. Soccer star Brandi Chastain will dive in his place.

The rest of Splash’s cast includes:
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, basketball legend
Ndamukong Suh, Detroit Lions
Rory Bushfield, action sports star
Drake Bell, actor
Nicole Eggert, actress
Katherine Webb, Miss Alabam
Kendra Wilkinson, TV host

Splash premiered last night before Dancing with the Stars at 8 p.m.

Katy Perry and John Mayer reportedly split again

2013-03-20T13:06:00Z

Katy Perry and John Mayer have flipped their on-off switch to off once again, according to reports out Tuesday saying the couple have split.

Though multiple sources fueled Us Weekly's story, and People had a source of its own, those voices seem to be saying the breakup might not be as final as all that.

"She's leaving the window open," a source told Us. "They have both been so focused on work."

Indeed, it appears to be work that drove the split, as Mayer's been readying for a tour after struggling with vocal problems for the better part of two years and the former Mrs. Russell Brand has been working on her third studio album. The two had been dating for about seven months since a brief break in August, People said. They'd dated casually for a bit before that.

Perry tweeted happily about an outing with her man at the beginning of the month, saying, "My boyfriend is taking me to a kitten shelter in his truck. I can't think of a more perfect Saturday."

"I don't feel like I'm in a celebrity relationship," Mayer told CBS in an interview that aired in February. "For the first time in my life I don't feel like I'm in a celebrity relationship. I really don't. ... I'm saying for me it feels like something that's very human."

And hey, it's only human for a boy to give a girl somethingheart-shaped and sparkly around Valentine's Day, right? Thing is, when you're a high-profile duo, the exchange of a ring of any kind tends to get captured in pictures, which tend to spark engagement rumors, as happened with Perry and Mayer last month.

They were, clearly, not engaged — at least not for now.

6th-grader hands out cash from backpack holding $20,000

2013-03-19T16:08:00Z

School officials became aware that a 12-year-old suburban Detroit girl had taken a backpack to school filled with $20,000 in cash after she started giving away hundreds of dollars to friends.

The backpack was found Monday at Sixth Grade Academy in Taylor. According to Chief of Police Mary Sclabassi, the student apparently got the money from a child who lives near her and neighbors claimed the money. An investigation is ongoing.

“The principal became aware of it when she heard the student was giving money away,” Sclabassi told The Detroit News.

Police said they secured the backpack and retrieved the money that the girl had given away, including $100 bills. Sclabassi said the girl gave some students as much as $500 and that officials were concerned about her safety.

“Had word gotten out to maybe someone other than some other 12-year-olds, it could have put her in a dangerous position,” Sclabassi said.

Police aren’t identifying the student, her family or the neighbors. The student was back at school on Tuesday, WDIV-TV reported.

Teresa D. Winnie, an assistant superintendent at the Taylor School District, said in a statement that there was no threat to the students at the school. “The situation … was truly an unusual one,” the statement said. “We do not have a specific protocol for this type of situation.”

The same might be said for police. Sclabassi, the police chief, said: “This is a real first for me.”

Matt Forte: Rule change 'absurd'

2013-03-19T14:50:00Z

Bears running back Matt Forte called the NFL's proposed rule change that would penalize ball carriers who lower their heads to deliver a blow "absurd" in a series of messages he posted on his official Twitter account Sunday morning.

The new rule would penalize a runner 15-yards if he initiates contact with the crown of his helmet outside of the tackle box. Incidental contact with the crown of the helmet would not be a penalty.

"The proposed rule change for running backs might be the most absurd suggestion of a rule change I've ever heard of," Forte wrote. "In order to lower ur shoulder u obviously have to lower ur head. It's a way of protecting ur self from a tackler and a way to break tackles."

Forte believes players would be unable to adjust if the new rule is put into place.

"U can't change the instinctive nature of running the football," Forte added.

NFL competition committee chairman Rich McKay cited player safety as the motivation behind the possible rule change during an interview last week with the Associated Press.

"This is pure and simple a player safety rule," McKay said. "The time has come we need to address the situation. You can't duck your head and deliver a forcible blow with your helmet."

"We're looking for the obvious fouls on this one. We realize this is a major change for players and coaches."

Forte, a 2011 Pro Bowl selection, is the fourth leading rusher in Bears' history with 5,327 yards in just 75 games. His 7,652 yards from scrimmage are the fourth highest total of any player since Forte's rookie season of 2008.

Why four years, four months is the ideal age gap

2013-03-19T13:22:00Z

Women may prefer an older man – but are less financially prepared in the event of being left on their own

Four years and four months is the ideal age difference for a relationship – as long as the man is older than the woman, according to new research by Confused.com life insurance experts.

More than 2,000 adults were asked what makes the ideal age gap for a couple – and while just under half DON’T feel there is such a thing, the most popular answer was the man being 52 months older.

In fact around a third (30%) of women say they would be content in a relationship with a man up to SEVEN years older, while a similar number would also happily look for a prospective life partner in the 55-70 male age bracket. However, women are more financially dependent than men, with over half (55%) saying they couldn’t pay the rent or mortgage if they were left on their own, compared to less than a quarter (24%) of men.

As part of the same research, Hollywood couple Michael Douglas, 68, and Catherine Zeta-Jones, 43 – who have an age gap of TWENTY-FIVE years, came first in a Top 10 Most Successful Age Gap Celebrity Couple:
1. Actor Michael Douglas and actress Catherine Zeta-Jones (man 25 years older)
2. Film-maker Sam Taylor-Wood and actor Aaron Johnson (woman 23 years)
3. Actor Harrison Ford and actress Calista Flockhart (man 22 years)
4. Actor Jason Statham and model Rosie Huntington-Whiteley (man 20 years)
5. Banker Olivier Sarkozy and actress Mary-Kate Olsen (man 17 years)
6. Actor Brian Austin Green and actress Megan Fox (man 13 years)
7. Rapper Jay-Z and singer Beyoncé Knowles (man 12 years)
8. Actress Joan Collins and theatrical company manager Percy Gibson (woman 32 years)
9. Actress Deborah Lee Furness and actor Hugh Jackman (woman 13 years)
10. Actress Anne-Marie Duff and actor James McEvoy (woman eight years)

Other celebrity couples mentioned include actress Melanie Griffiths and actor husband Antonio Banderas, who is three years her junior - but one couple NOT included was Playboy founder Hugh Heffner, 86, and glamour model Crystal Harris, 26, who married in December with an age gap of SIXTY years.

TV relationship commentator and counsellor Julia Cole said: “Age gap relationships are becoming more and more common because of the greater acceptance of the diversity of couples and families. Couples can make loving relationships across ages and genders, but age gap relationships can bring with them issues that are not often considered when the couple first start seeing each other.

“If the age gap is fairly wide – more than ten years - and the relationship grows into a commitment, it is important to talk about attitudes to money, expectations of family life and what parents, siblings and friends will think about an older partner in their life as well as yours.”

The Confused.com research also reveals that over a third (35%) of women who see a couple with a much older man assume he must be “very rich”, and around one in five (18%) admit they think “it won’t last”. And a quarter (24%) of women admit they view a woman with an older man as a ‘gold digger’.

Women with a ‘toy boy’ partner, where she is much older, are viewed by almost a third (28%) of other members of the same sex as a ‘cougar’, the slang term for a woman ‘who seeks sexual relations with a considerably younger man’. In fact just one in a hundred women think the ideal relationship is with a younger man (compared to two in a hundred men).

More than one in ten women (11%) think the ideal age gap is between seven and ten years – while main reasons people are in favour of an age gap is the fact that ‘you can learn from the different perspective of the other partner’ (identified by 46% of people), and ‘the youthfulness of the younger partner rubs off on the older partner’ (41%).

However, many people opt for an older partner for practical reasons, with more than a third saying that they believe ‘the younger partner can benefit from the older partner’s financial security’ (34%). Yet while nearly two thirds (60%) of women say their partner could afford to pay the mortgage or rent if they were unable to contribute, less than a third (34%) of men said the same about their partner.

Matt Lloyd, Head of Life Insurance at Confused.com, added: “It might feel uncomfortable having conversations with your partner about finances and the future but for those couples with a larger age gap it may be even more important to get their finances sorted.”

“Brits are certainly marrying later in life now than ever before, and this may imply that people are putting off making decisions about their finances. According to our research, far more women than men would be financially worse off if left alone – and as age gaps in relationships become more readily accepted than ever before, it’s vital to look to the future and talk with your partner about life insurance.

“It may seem unromantic, but it may pay dividends in the future.”

Maine lottery scratch tickets may get new controversial name

2013-03-19T13:14:00Z

The Maine State Lottery may soon give a name to its scratch tickets for the first time, but the name isn't sitting well with everyone. A few weeks ago, the Maine State Lottery sent a pamphlet out to its 1,300 retailers, saying it plans to name the tickets "Kwikies." "I thought that's going to be real uncomfortable for my girls behind the register to have guys come in and say 'Hey, give me a Kwikie,'" said David Welch, owner of Village Market in Fairfield. In slang terms, a quickie is a short sexual encounter. "[My cashiers] are very upset about it," said Welch. "A couple of customers hanging around were really upset." Gerry Reid, director of the Maine Bureau Alcoholic Beverages and Lottery Operations, said it's not the state's intent to be provocative. "I fully understand that when someone saw this word in isolation, they thought, 'Oh, these guys are getting a bit racy,'" said Reid. "We're actually doing everything we can possibly do to not lead you to that place in your mind." Reid said that the bureau has been active for the past three to four months in trying to land on a name to encompass all of its scratch tickets. They went through 50 or 60 names before landing on Kwikies. "The benefit of buying this ticket is that it's quick, easy and fun," said Reid. "That's what an instant ticket is." Welch wasn't alone in being critical of the name. Bob Duran, owner of C&K Variety in Hermon, said he wouldn't ask his customers if they wanted a Kwikie. "It's not the best name, no," said Duran. Tom Borden, a cashier at Fox Brook Variety in Dover-Foxcroft, said he tried asking customers if they would like a Kwikie. "I tried that on a couple of women. It didn't go over very well," Borden said. "They said, 'Why don't you just call them scratch tickets?' I'm not sure [the Lottery] thought that through." Reid said the lottery thought quite hard about the name. "Our instant game business is roughly two-thirds of the lottery business," said Reid. "It has no name. It's just instant tickets. It's not like the draw games like Powerball. That's a brand. It has an identity. It's an image. People know what to ask for. What we're struggling to do is come up with an identity [for the instant scratch tickets]. We do almost no marketing for it. Our job is to make money for the state." The way the lottery is looking to make money is coming at the expense of his cashiers, said Welch. "Selling tickets is great, but it's the girls behind the counters who have to sell these things," he said. "I don't need them to be emotionally upset. It's not worth it for what we make off a ticket." One of Welch's cashiers agreed. "I think it's highly inappropriate," said Kaylee Constable. "[Customers have] come in and joked around with me and say, 'Can I get a Kwikie?' I'm only 19 years old and I have 40- and 50-year-old men saying sexual remarks to me." Reid said the term "quickie" is used by a number of business in many different spellings, specifically convenience stores and oil change locations. The cartoon "The Simpsons" has a convenience store in its fictional universe called Kwik-E-Mart. Television commercials have already been produced, but haven't yet been released, said Reid. The name hasn't been officially implemented and cashiers won't be required to ask customers if they want a Kwikie, said Reid. The name change may come in a month or more after public opinion is weighed. After it's all said and done, he said, the lottery may not use the name at all. "It's not our decision to offend anybody. If we see that's where it's going, we won't do it," said Reid.

Kmart Shark Dies After Being Placed Into L.A. Pool For Commercial

2013-03-18T16:01:00Z

A white tip shark shipped from New York and placed into an outdoor pool for a Kmart commercial in Los Angeles died after showing signs of distress, an official from the animal welfare group that monitored the production said on Thursday.

The American Humane Association (AHA), which certifies film and TV productions with animals, had a representative at the scene of the shoot on March 6 and it says everything possible was done to ensure the 5-foot (1.5 meter) shark's safety.

The shark's death follows longstanding criticism of the use of animals in Hollywood productions. Last year, the horse-racing show "Luck" on HBO was axed after the deaths of three horses used in the drama series.

The animal rights group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), which said it received details on the shark's death from two on-set whistleblowers, criticized the American Humane Association in a letter to the group over the shark's death.

"Sharks are sensitive animals who, in captivity, require a highly specialized and controlled environment," the PETA letter read. "Given the delicate nature of this species, why would the AHA approve the transport and use of this animal?"

The shark was placed into a 60,000 gallon (227 liter) outdoor tank in the Van Nuys suburb of Los Angeles, said Karen Rosa, senior adviser for the film and television unit of the American Humane Association. She added that was a good amount of water for the fish.

"We honestly don't know why the animal died. It was not being mistreated. It was not being harmed," Rosa said.

Early in the day, the shark seemed to be in good condition, but at one point the association representative noticed it showed signs of distress, Rosa said.

"As far as I know, it was immediately insisted upon that the animal receive specialized aquatic veterinarian care," she said.

Oxygen was pumped into the tank and the shark was given a shot of adrenaline to try to stabilize it before it was transferred to an aquatic compound for care, where it died the same day, Rosa said.

The shoot was for a Kmart commercial, but a representative for the retailer could not disclose the concept behind the television spot.

"We take this matter seriously and safety is always our paramount concern," Howard Riefs, a spokesman for Kmart owner Sears Holdings, said in a statement.

Weekend Report: 'Oz' Leads, 'Call' Exceeds, 'Burt' Bombs

2013-03-18T15:21:00Z

Coming off an excellent opening, Oz The Great and Powerful easily hung on to first place this weekend. Among the newcomers, The Call exceeded expectations, while The Incredible Burt Wonderstone was far from incredible.

Overall, the Top 12 earned an estimated $97.3 million this weekend, which is about even with the same period last year.

Oz added $42.2 million in its second outing for a 10-day total of $145 million. That's a 47 percent drop from last weekend, which is about on par with Alice in Wonderland's 46 percent decline at the same point. If Ozplays out at the same pace as Alice, it could be in line for a final tally over $230 million.

The Call took second place with an estimated $17.1 million. That's way above 2007 Halle Berry thriller Perfect Stranger ($11.2 million), and also higher than similar titles Untraceable ($11.4 million) and Lakeview Terrace ($15 million). It was a bit off from Berry's 2003 thriller Gothika ($19.3 million), though that had a more intense marketing effort and came at the peak of Berry's popularity.

The Call was a recent acquisition for Sony—they didn't put it on their release schedule until the beginning of 2013—but the studio invested in an aggressive marketing effort nonetheless. After the trailer and early commercials established the premise and built awareness, recent marketing took Berry's character out of the call center and in to the action, proving the movie had the kind of thrills audiences are looking for.

Unsurprisingly, the audience skewed female (61 percent) and older (53 percent over the age of 30). They gave the movie a "B+" CinemaScore, suggesting that anecdotal reports of a baffling third act aren't really affecting overall sentiment. Based on these statistics, there's a legitimate chance that The Call winds up with over $45 million, which would be a solid success for Sony.

In third place, The Incredible Burt Wonderstone tanked with just $10.3 million from 3,160 locations. That's one of the worst debuts ever for stars Steve Carell and Jim Carrey, and it's less than one-third of Blades of Glory's $33 million start around the same time in 2007. It's even noticeably lower than Will Ferrell bomb Semi-Pro ($15.1 million), which is a fairly damning statistic.

Star power will only go so far for comedies: generally speaking, for a comedy to open well its previews need to present a unique premise and deliver some solid laughs. Wonderstone did okay with the premise, though the conflict between Carell and Carrey's dueling magicians wasn't always completely clear. More importantly, the advertisements were overly reliant on shrill gags like Carrey on a bed of coals and Carell trapped in a glass box, and as a result the laughs were few and far between.

Comedies often hold well, though that might not be the case for Wonderstone: with a "C+" CinemaScore and a 38 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes, it's likely the movie disappears at a comparatively rapid rate.

After plummeting in its second outing, Jack the Giant Slayer eased 37 percent to $6.2 million in its third weekend. To date, the movie has earned $53.9 million.

Identity Thief rounded out the Top Five with an estimated $4.5 million this weekend (a light 29 percent drop). The movie has now earned a stellar $123.7 million.

At three locations—two in New York and one in Los Angeles—Harmony Korine's Spring Breakers scored an impressive $270,000 this weekend. That's a $90,000 per-theater average, which ranks 22nd all-time. Among recent movies, that's above Lincoln ($85,846) and Zero Dark Thirty ($83,430), though both were playing in more theaters. Starring James Franco, Selena Gomez and Vanessa Hudgens, Spring Breakers is expected to expand nationwide in to over 1,000 venues next weekend.

I predicted the new Pope... in my sleep: Spanish man 'had premonition next Pontiff would be called Francis I before Benedict quit'

2013-03-18T14:04:00Z

Almost as if it was a sign from God, a man claims to have woken up last month knowing Pope Benedict XVI would resign and be replaced by a Pontiff called Francis.

Alejandro Rodriguez de Cabo's strange premonition apparently happened just hours before the former Pope Benedict resigned.

The 22-year-old's girlfriend, Yolanda De Mena, from Madrid, Spain, even sent out a tweet on February 11 claiming that earlier that morning her boyfriend had awoken with the prediction.

Alejandro Rodriguez de Cabo and his girlfriend Yolanda De Mena, from Madrid, Spain, who tweeted about his Pope prediction

She tweeted: 'My boyfriend woke up last night at 4am saying he had dreamed of a new pope called 'Francis I' and Benedict resigned today.'

It was around the same time that news of Pope Benedict's shock resignation pronouncement began circulating around the globe.

Then, this week, the second half of Rodriguez's remarkable 'dream' came true, as the papal conclave selected Jorge Mario Bergoglio, now known as Pope Francis.

Since then the remarkable prediction has since become a media and viral sensation, and by Saturday morning, the message had been re-tweeted 83,000 times.

Pope Francis I appears on the central balcony of Saint Peter's Basilica on March 13

Premonition? De Mena's tweet clearly timestamped 12.06pm on February 11, 2013

The tweet is clearly timestamped at 12.06pm on February 11, 2013 - and does not appear to have been faked.

The Daily Dot's Kris Holt said: 'There's no way to have altered the tweet to add Francis's name. It was either a lucky guess, or a prophetic dream about the new pope.'

Several media outlets in Spanish and South America picked up on the 'spoiler' and Rodriguez de Cabo has been thrust to international fame.

LINDSAY LOHAN CUTTING IT REAL CLOSE

2013-03-18T13:18:00Z

Lindsay Lohan's court hearing is less than three hours away and she still has not arrived in Los Angeles ...

As TMZ first reported, LiLo hopped off her scheduled flight from New York to Los Angeles just before take off last night because she felt the plane was unsafe.

Lindsay eventually found a flight, tweeting at around 4:00 AM PT and thanking Mr. Pink -- an energy drink company -- for lending her a private jet.

According to our sources, the flight won't land in Los Angeles until around 6:30-7:00 AM PT ... meaning Lindsay has roughly 1.5 hours to make it to court, which starts at 8:30 AM PT. It might be enough time, but you have to factor in that Lindsay needs to make herself "camera ready."

And then there's this ... we know Lindsay's plane is set to land at the airport in Van Nuys. That means she has to travel around 20 miles to get to the hearing today at the Airport Courthouse. And it's gonna be rush hour!

According to our sources, Lindsay is not alone on the flight. She's traveling with her ex-assistant Gavin. He was the one who rolled on Lindsay and told the cops she was driving the car (despite her claims otherwise). The incident played a major role in their decision to charge her with lying to police.

Lindsay could have avoided all of this if she stayed on her original flight to LA. Even though it took off an hour late and was diverted to Las Vegas ... it still arrived in Los Angeles last night at 11:30 PM.

But if Lindsay made smart decisions, we wouldn't be in this mess in the first place.

Canadian woman holds 'lying cheating sale,' and advertises it on Craigslist, while husband is away with his mistress

2013-03-15T18:11:00Z

She said her husband left her for a “piece of trash,” so she kicked his stuff to the curb and put it all up for sale.

A Canadian woman got revenge on her husband of 10 years, while he was gallivanting about with his mistress, by cleaning house.

The scorned woman posted a colorful ad on Craigslist inviting bargain hunters and potential homebuyers to her “lying cheating sale.”

“Husband left us for a piece of trash. Selling everything while he is gone this weekend with his floozie,” the woman wrote in the ad.

The plan, as outlined in the ad, was to have everything out of the house before he returned on March 11. She said in the ad that she would be putting the house itself up for sale the next week.

CRAIGSLIST

A revenge-seeking woman advertised on Craigslist that she was selling off her cheating husband’s possessions while he was away with his mistress.

The woman advertised that she was selling everything from household appliances to speakers — to the tools that her husband “didn’t have a clue how to use.” Her husband’s favorite red leather theater-seating reclining sofas would also be up for sale.

The wife cautioned potential customers not to show up looking for clothes, as she planned to set them ablaze in the driveway before the sale.

“However, you can see the ashes of his clothes that he is going to see, for no additional charge,” she wrote in the ad.

The sale was held at the woman’s ocean-view home on March 9 and 10.

“Don't come too early (like he did) because I will be thoroughly enjoying some wine with my girlfriends this evening as we clean out all this stuff and likely be nursing hangovers in the morning. So please speak softly to the ladies wearing the sunglasses,” the woman wrote.

The Province said they swung by the sale on March 9, and it was indeed happening. The lady running it, however, would not speak to them on the record.

Julianne Hough robbed of jewelry worth $100,000

2013-03-15T14:19:00Z

Poor Julianne Hough!

TMZ is reporting the star was robbed of jewelry worth $100,000. And it's jewelry sweetie Ryan Seacrest gave her, says the story.

It happened Friday night in Hollywood, as Julianne was visiting a friend in an apartment complex.

TMZ reports that law enforcement sources say she parked her Mercedes in the lot, leaving three pieces of jewelry inside the car. When she returned, the car door was wide open and the inside ransacked.

Among the items missing was a $50,000 watch, says TMZ.

Meanwhile, Julianne hasn't mentioned the incident on Twitter. She has been too busy having root-canal surgery. "I've got chipmunk cheeks and Botox looking lips! Ha!" she shared, along with a photo.

Charlie Sheen calls on fans to bring rotten eggs, dog waste to daughter's former school

2013-03-15T13:14:00Z

Actor Charlie Sheen arrives at the Hollywood FX Summer Comedies Party in Los Angeles, California June 26, 2012. (Reuters)

Charlie Sheen is at it again.

The “Anger Management” actor, who has managed to stay out of news headlines lately, is back to his ranting ways. But this time, his drama is directed at his daughter’s former school.

In a series of posts on Twitter, Sheen calls on his fans to bombard the former school with “rotten egg, a roll of toilet paper” and dog waste. The actor, according to TMZ, claims his 9-year-old daughter Sam was bullied by a student at the school and that the administration did not do their part to alleviate the situation.

"I urge you to deliver it with 'extreme prejudice' to the campus…” he posted, referring to the Viewpoint School in Calabasas, Calif.

Now the school is responding to Sheen’s harsh words, telling the LA Times the actor may have put the school's safety at risk.

"Like all responsible schools across our nation, we are concerned when any individual uses a social media forum to encourage actions that may risk the safety and security of any school," the school told the newspaper.

Sheen told TMZ the school "...should be ashamed of itself for allowing the bullying to go on and try to hide it."

But administrators from Viewpoint insist they handled the alleged bullying to the best of their ability.

"Our administrators addressed the issue appropriately at that time. Our school takes accusations of bullying very seriously," the school added in a statement.

The Los Angeles County’s Sherriff’s office reportedly sent deputies to the school, and they found no issues there.

Jeanette Ellis Arrested For Allegedly Selling VHS Pornography Tapes Door-To-Door

2013-03-14T17:06:00Z

Ding-dong!

Police arrested a woman from Gaffney, S.C., after they caught her going door-to-door selling porn -- on VHS.

Jeanette Ellis, 52, told FOX Carolina that she was just trying to make a quick buck byselling pornography tapes she found in a box down the street.

"I watched some of them," she told the station, but ultimately decided there was money to be made.

"I was going to get like $5 for them," she said.

One neighbor who refused to come to the door when Ellis knocked called authorities. In a report, police say they found the 52-year-old with 12 VHS tapes, according to the Smoking Gun.

Ellis was charged with not having a permit, according to WWYF. The tapes were seized for evidence.

Egg White Delight McMuffin: McDonald's To Roll-Out Breakfast Item Nationally

2013-03-14T16:35:00Z

McDonald's is rolling out a yolk-free version of its Egg McMuffin this spring.

The world's biggest hamburger chain says the "Egg White Delight" will be made with a whole grain muffin, Canadian bacon and white cheddar cheese. It will be available nationally April 22 and clock in at 250 calories, compared with 300 calories for a regular Egg McMuffin.

The Oak Brook, Ill.-based chain says the egg whites will be cooked on the grill with a spatula. Customers can request the egg whites for other breakfast sandwiches as well. When asked whether there would be an extra charge for the egg white substitutes, McDonald's spokeswoman Ofelia Casillas said in an email that the company doesn't stipulate pricing to franchisees.

McDonald's had announced last year that it was testing the breakfast sandwich. It was revealed as part of the company's announcement that it would begin posting calorie counts on menu nationwide ahead of a new federal regulation.

The move was also intended to address criticism that fast-food chains such as McDonald's Corp. contribute to rising obesity rates and appeal to customers looking for healthier menu options.

The launch date was reported earlier by The Daily Meal, a website that covers food news.

Nicki Minaj late for live Idol show

2013-03-14T14:06:00Z

Nicki Minaj arrived late for the first live American Idol show on Wednesday night.

The Super Bass star blamed her 13-minute delayed entrance on bad traffic, with host Ryan Seacrest and the rest of the judges teasing the rapper about her excuse.

"We are coming to you live and on time. Say hello to three of your four judges who have made it here on time," he told audiences as the show started.

Presenter Ryan then took to Nicki's chair and chatted with judges Randy Jackson, Keith Urban and Mariah Carey.

"So this is where Nicki… I hear she is seven minutes out and there is some congestion on the 405 [Freeway], she should be here momentarily," he said before Randy joked:

"I heard it was the 101 [Freeway]."

The live episode started without Nicki, with Ryan continuing: "Well the show must go on so let's get the party started," while Mariah looked noticeably irritated and shook her head.

Ryan continued to make fun of Nicki's absence, asking her fellow judges: "Which one of you gave Nicki the wrong directions today? Which one of you drained the fuel from her car?"

Nicki arrived 13 minutes later - after missing the first live act - wearing a black hooded top and looking a little sheepish.

The international superstar had taken to Twitter on her way into the show, posting: "Stuck in traffic *sighs*. F**k u Malibu!!!!!!!!!!!! *moves to Beverly Hills* (sic)."

The rest of the judges stayed quiet about the incident on the social networking site, with Mariah simply writing after the end of the first live episode: "great show tonight.. now it's time to vote America! (sic)."

New Pontiff Is Pope Francis of Argentina

2013-03-14T13:04:00Z

The new leader of the Catholic Church is the Argentine Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio who has taken the name of Pope Francis.

Bergoglio, 76, is a Jesuit from Buenos Aires and is the first pope from South America. He is also the first pope to take the name of Francis.

The new pontiff stepped onto the Vatican balcony dressed in white to address the roaring crowd in St. Peter's Square where he humbly and calmly asked for the peoples' prayers.

"Let's pray always for each other. Let's pray for the whole world. May there be a great brotherhood," Pope Francis said in Italian.

He wished that the "voyage with the church that we begin today" be "successful in spreading the gospel."

A hush fell over the crowd when the pope said, "Let us pray silently in this prayer for me," and bowed his head.

Pope Francis recited the Lords' Prayer and the Hail Mary before making the sign of the cross to bless the crowd estimated to be more than 100,000 people.

"Brothers and sisters, I leave you. Thank you so much for the warm welcome. Pray for me and we'll see each other soon. Tomorrow I want to go pray to the Madonna. And I want to wish to all of Rome. Goodnight and good rest," Pope Francis said with a laugh and a wave before leaving the balcony among cheers and bells ringing.

Click here for a profile of the new pope

Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images
Newly elected Pope Francis I appears on the...

Francis, First Latin American Pope: Why It's Significant Watch Video

New Pope: What's Next for the Catholic Church Watch Video

Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio Named New Pope Watch Video

The cardinals who elected the new pope looked out from surrounding balconies above the elated crowd.

French Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran, the senior cardinal in the order of the deacons, stepped onto the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica to announce, "habemus papam," Latin for "We have a pope."

Tauran then revealed the pontiff's birth name and the name he has chosen for himself as pope.

Vatican spokesman Father Lombardi said Pope Francis called Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI and will probably meet with him soon. On Thursday, Pope Francis will say mass in the Sistine Chapel.

"I don't know what to say. I was completely in shock," Lombardi at a briefing in the Vatican press room. "I was taken by the election of a South American. The church there has been waiting."

Latin Americans are rejoicing at the selection.

"It's incredible!" Martha Ruiz, 60, told the Associated Press in Buenos Aires. A tearful Ruiz said that she has been in many meetings with the former cardinal. "He is a man who transmits great serenity."

"It's a huge gift for all of Latin America. We waited 20 centuries. It was worth the wait," Franciscan friar Jose Antonio Cruz told the AP in the Old San Juan district in Puerto Rico. "Everyone from Canada down to Patagonia is going to feel blessed. This is an event."

President Obama and Michelle Obama extended their well wishes to the new pontiff.

Obama said that the selection of the first pope from the Americas "also speaks to the strength and vitality of a region that is increasingly shaping our world, and alongside millions of Hispanic Americans, those of us in the United States share the joy of this historic day."

The appearance of the new pontiff triggered the second roar from more than 100,000 people jammed into St. Peter's Square. The first was when the faithful, standing in a cold rain, spotted white smoke wafting over the Vatican, signaling the election was over. Moments later the bells of St. Peter's Basilica rang out, soon joined by church bells all over Rome.

The election was over quickly, coming on the second day of the conclave. The Associated Press reported that the election was sealed on the fifth ballot.

The newly elected 266th pope was moved into the Room of Tears where he was outfitted with his new papal vestments before proceeding to a scarlet-draped balcony to greet the world's 1.2 billion Catholics watching around the world.

Francis, First Latin American Pope: Why It's Significant Watch Video

New Pope: What's Next for the Catholic Church Watch Video

Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio Named New Pope Watch Video

The Vatican band and Swiss Guard marched into St. Peter's Square ahead of the new leader who they have been sworn to protect for centuries.

Pope Francis will celebrate his installation mass on Tuesday at St. Peter's Basilica.

The 115 cardinal electors began the conclave on Tuesday following the resignation of Benedict XVI, the first pontiff to resign in 600 years. At least a two-thirds majority -- 77 votes -- was required to elect the next pope.

The new pope is then expected to step onto the balcony to greet the crowd gathered below in St. Peter's Square.

Surgeons Leave Objects in Patients 6K Times a Year

2013-03-13T15:26:00Z

Leaving sponges and other objects in patients after surgery is supposed to never happen—but it does, with surprising frequency. More than a dozen objects are mistakenly left inside surgical patients every day in America, or around 4,500 to 6,000 times a year, reports USA Today. That's double government estimates. The mistakes happen in about 1 in 5,500 or 7,000 surgeries, but with 32 million surgeries a year, they quickly add up, often resulting in infections, serious complications, and even death. "It's a recurrent, persistent and nearly totally avoidable problem," says one Harvard public health professor and surgeon.

What angers experts is that the problem is nearly completely solvable with cheap tracking technologies. Nearly 70% of incidents involve surgical sponges, and sponge tracking adds just $8 to $12 per operation, far less than the $150,000 cost of the average malpractice suit. However, the technology is used by only 15% of hospitals. One problem is that the symptoms of a forgotten object may not appear for months, plus hospital accounting procedures mean the savings from avoiding lawsuits don't show up in the bottom line. "At first, we had some skeptics (about the technology), but now people here would never want to do a surgery without it," said the director of operations at an Indianapolis hospital.

Feds Spend $1.5 Million to Study Why Lesbians Are Fat

2013-03-13T14:10:00Z

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has awarded $1.5 million to study biological and social factors for why “three-quarters” of lesbians are obese and why gay males are not, calling it an issue of “high public-health significance."

Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, Mass., has received two grants administered by NIH’s Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) to study the relationship between sexual orientation and obesity.

“Obesity is one of the most critical public health issues affecting the U.S. today,” the description of the grant reads. “Racial and socioeconomic disparities in the determinants, distribution, and consequences of obesity are receiving increasing attention.”

“[H]owever, one area that is only beginning to be recognized is the striking interplay of gender and sexual orientation in obesity disparities,” it states. “It is now well-established that women of minority sexual orientation are disproportionately affected by the obesity epidemic, with it continues.

“In stark contrast, among men, heterosexual males have nearly double the risk of obesity compared to gay males.”

The investigators say there has been “almost no” research devoted to this disparity, and they have set out to find the biological, psychological, and social factors behind it.

The project is being led by S. Bryn Austin, Director of Fellowship Research Training in the Division of Adolescent and Young Adult Medicine at Boston Children’s Hospital. Austin is also an Associate Professor in the Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences at the Harvard School of Public Health, and an Associate Epidemiologist at Brigham and Women's Hospital (BWH), which is a teaching hospital of Harvard Medical School.

BWH first received a $778,622 grant for the study in 2011, followed by a $741,378 grant in 2012, totaling $1,520,000. The project has the potential to be a five-year study.

The grants list a “project end date” and a “budget end date” of June 30, 2016.The researchers said the subject is one of “high public-health significance.”

However, the NICHD said the future of the project is uncertain because of the sequester--automatic spending cuts that took effect on March 1.

"The NIH is currently assessing the impact on funding due to sequestration," said Robert Bock, Press Officer for the NICHD. "It is not possible to say how this (or any other NIH grant) will be affected in the long term beyond the 90 percent funding levels already in place."

"Obesity is a serious public health problem affecting a large proportion of the U.S. population," Bock said. "The study is examining reasons why the risk of obesity varies according to sexual orientation, in order to inform the development of future strategies to prevent obesity."

The researchers said the subject is one of “high public-health significance.”

“It will be impossible to develop evidence-based preventive interventions unless we first answer basic questions about causal pathways, as we plan to do,” they said. “Our study has high potential for public health impact not only for sexual minorities but also for heterosexuals, as we seek to uncover how processes of gender socialization may exacerbate obesity risk in both sexual minority females and heterosexual males.”

Heavy drinkers get extra brain fuel from alcohol

2013-03-13T14:02:00Z

Alcohol may give heavy drinkers more than just a buzz. It can also fuel their brains, a new study suggests.

Long-term booze use boosts brain levels of acetate, an energy-rich by-product of alcohol metabolism, researchers report online March 8 in the Journal of Clinical Investigation. In the study, people who downed at least eight drinks per week also sucked more energy from acetate than their light-drinking counterparts.

The extra energy may give heavy drinkers more incentive to imbibe, says study coauthor Graeme Mason of Yale University. And the caloric perk might help explain why alcohol withdrawal is so hard.

“I think it's a very good hypothesis,” says biochemical geneticist Ting-Kai Li of Duke University. Scientists had suspected that heavy drinkers absorb and burn more acetate, but, he adds, “Graeme Mason showed that this is actually happening.”

Acetate is best known as a chemical in vinegar. But when people drink a glass of wine or drain a can of beer, their liver breaks down the alcohol and pumps out acetate as leftovers. The bloodstream then delivers acetate throughout the body, including to the brain.

Human brains typically run on sugar. But with enough acetate in the blood, Mason thought, brains might crank up their ability to burn it too. To find out if his suspicion was correct, Mason and his colleagues peered into the brains of seven heavy drinkers and seven light drinkers, who quaffed fewer than two drinks per week.

The team injected sober volunteers with a form of acetate that was tagged with a traceable atom. Then the volunteers lay on their backs for two hours in a magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI, machine while Mason’s group tracked the tagged acetate.

The scientists shot brief bursts of radio waves into the participants’ brains that delivered tiny bits of energy to the tagged atoms and jostled out a return signal. The return signal varied slightly in frequency if the brain had burned acetate, so Mason’s team could measure not only how much acetate was there but also how much fuel the participants were using.

Heavy drinkers transported more acetate to their brains and burned the chemical about twice as fast as light drinkers, Mason’s group found. Like a car that can switch to ethanol when it runs out of gasoline, heavy drinkers’ brains could tap energy from an alternate fuel source.

When Mason first saw the results, he says, “I jumped out of my chair and threw my fist in the air.” He had suspected that people with high blood acetate levels would be better at wringing energy from the chemical, but he says, “the effect was way bigger than I thought.”

For many years, scientists thought that the brain could use only sugar as a source of energy, says Nora Volkow, director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse in Bethesda, Md. But that’s changing, she says: Mason and colleagues’ study contributes to the shifting view of the brain because “they showed a huge effect.”

Next, Mason wants to figure out whether taking acetate would ease alcohol addicts’ withdrawal symptoms. But he cautions, “I don’t want people to start chugging vinegar.” Because the liver is very good at turning alcohol into acetate, he says, people would have to ingest quarts of vinegar to get as much acetate as they do from drinking alcohol.

Taylor Swift's Unopened Fan Mail Found in Dumpster

2013-03-13T13:07:00Z

Is Taylor Swift "mean" to her millions of adoring fans? The 23-year-old Grammy winner receives countless pieces of fan mail each week from around the world -- but over the weekend, a huge stockpile of said mail was discovered, unopened, laying in a dumpster in Swift's hometown of Nashville, Tenn. Local Kaylee Francescan discovered the motherlode of ignored letters "covered with pictures, hearts and sparkles" while throwing out the trash.

"There were like hundreds of letters in there to Taylor Swift and I'm like, 'Oh my gosh!' I didn't know if they were stolen [or] discarded, so I threw them in a box," Francescan told ABC Nashville station WKRN. "And I'm like, 'Somebody needs to let Taylor know,' It did bother me [because] I know how much her fans mean to her."

The fan mail is typically sent to a P.O. Box at a Nashville strip mall, with a member of the chart-topper's team fetching the mail regularly. Thankfully, it was simply a clerical error, Swift's rep tells Us Weekly.

"A small batch of mail that was supposed to be delivered to Taylor was accidentally put with letters headed for the recycling center," the rep explains.

Indeed, Swift's gratitude towards her fans is well known. "It blows me away how thoughtful and organized they are," Swift has said. "Sometimes they'll give me a scrapbook or a project that was made by hundreds of fans from around the world."

This article originally appeared on Usmagazine.com: Taylor Swift's Unopened Fan Mail Found in Dumpster

Celebrities Hacked: Jay-Z, Beyonce, Kim Kardashian And Others Victims Of 'Doxxing'

2013-03-12T14:51:00Z

UPDATE: Jay-Z, Beyonce, Kim Kardashian and the other celebrities and officials whose financial information ended up online are reportedly victims of a new prankster trend called "doxxing."

Unlike "swatting," the Hollywood trend by which pranksters place 911 calls to alert authorities about fake home invasions in celebrities' homes, "doxxing" is a cyber crime. More specifically, it's the process of obtaining or deducing information about a person based on a limited set of initial information, the FBI told Yahoo.

Since the story broke yesterday, the list of high profile victims has grown to includeMichelle Obama, Sarah Palin, and Britney Spears, according to ABCNews. The Department of Justice told ABC they are investigating the site and its content.

LAPD Chief Charlie Beck is also among the dozen "doxxed," and the LAPD issued the following statement last night (Mar. 11): "LAPD detectives are investigating the recent disclosure of Chief Beck's personal information. Apparently this is not necessarily a hacking incident. It is called 'doxxing.' This has happened to the Chief on two other occasions prior to this in a similar nature post Occupy LA. We are not at liberty to discuss the others mentioned in the web post. There will be no further comments or press conference on this matter."

EARLIER:

TMZ exclusively reports that as many as 12 celebrities and political figures have been hacked and their financial information has ended up on an undisclosed website. Among these prominent figures are are Jay-Z and Beyonce, Kim Kardashian, Paris Hilton, Mel Gibson and Ashton Kutcher.

Hillary Clinton and Joe Biden were also victims of the hacker, but the information gathered on the two of them is reportedly incomplete. Even LAPD Chief Charlie Beck was hacked.

The information, which was posted publicly but we are now unable to trace, includes social security numbers, mortgage amounts, credit card info, car loans and banking information.

According to TMZ, the LAPD is investigating and the FBI is looking into it as well.

Exactly one year ago, Christopher Chaney, 35, of Jacksonville, Fla.pleaded guilty to hacking into the email accounts of more than 50 people in the entertainment industry. The authorities dubbed the investigation and his subsequent arrest "Operation Hackerazzi."

Christina Aguilera, Mila Kunis, and Scarlett Johansson fell victim to Chaney's hacking, and some very compromising photos even ended up online.

Johansson later explained that her leaked nude shots were meant for her then husband, Ryan Reynolds. Justin Timberlake also got dragged into it when the photos off of Kunis' phones were linked to him, including a compromising crotch shot.Timberlake denied having anything to do with the photos or being the one photographed.

Once again, it seems as though there's no job too big for a persistent hacker.

Requests for comment made to the reps of Jay-Z, Kim Kardashian, Paris Hilton, Mel Gibson, and Ashton Kutcher were not immediately answered. Beyonce's publicist declined to comment.

The LAPD told HuffPost Celebrity that they are currently looking into the matter.

Woman arrested after planting condom on her 5-year-old daughter

2013-03-12T13:54:00Z

Preparations are already underway for Michelle Obama's big 50th birthday next January, and two of music's biggest acts have reportedly been booked for the occasion.A woman was arrested and charged with assault related charges after she planted a condom on her little daughter in order to frame her former husband, according to police reports in Missouri.

The woman who attempt to sabotage the new relationship of her former husband backfired, when as part of her strange tactics she put a condom inside her 5-year-old daughter's underwear.

Investigators said that the 26-year-old mother from Saint Louis, Missouri, instructed the child to hide the condom somewhere in the house of her father, so his new girlfriend should think that her boyfriend had been unfaithful.

The woman allegedly made the condom seem to have been used by placing it against the skin of her daughter and near the vaginal area.

St. Charles County court records showed that the incident occurred last spring. Police were called because the girl was distraught when she returned to his father'shouse. Authorities said that she hid behind a shower curtain, while describing condoms as disgusting.

Last month, her mother was charged with third-degree assault because she gave the child a condom knowing that it would be considered offensive or provocative.

It is unclear why it has taken nearly a year for the mother to be charged.
The mother has not been identified to protect the identity of the child.

Adele And Beyonce For Michelle Obama: Singers Reportedly Booked For First Lady's Birthday

2013-03-12T13:05:00Z

Preparations are already underway for Michelle Obama's big 50th birthday next January, and two of music's biggest acts have reportedly been booked for the occasion.

An unnamed (and potentially questionable) source told the UK's Daily Mail that the first lady has asked Beyonce and Adele to perform at her party.

"America’s first lady will be holding a huge celebrity-packed party for her birthday at the White House next year and, as she adores Adele and Beyonce, she has asked them both to sing," an unnamed source told The Daily Mail. "Adele has graciously accepted and waived her usual fee for the high-profile private performance. She will sing a selection of her most-loved hits for the first lady and her friends."

Beyonce has a long-standing relationship with the Obamas. The singer famously performed at President Obama's inauguration earlier this year, and, along with her husband Jay-Z, was a major supporter of Obama during his run for presidency and reelection. Beyonce also wrote the first lady a birthday card earlier this year for her 49th. "Michelle, thank you so much for every single thing that [you] do for us,"Beyonce wrote. "I am proud to have my daughter grow up in a world where she has people like you to look up to."

Michelle Obama will turn 50 on January 17, 2014.

Bee Venom Kills HIV: Nanoparticles Carrying Toxin Shown To Destroy Human Immunodeficiency Virus

2013-03-11T15:36:00Z

A new study has shown that bee venom can kill the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have demonstrated that a toxin called melittin found in bee venom can destroy HIV by poking holes in the envelope surrounding the virus, according to a news release sent out by Washington University.

Nanoparticles smaller than HIV were infused with the bee venom toxin, explains U.S. News & World Report. A "protective bumper" was added to the nanoparticle's surface, allowing it to bounce off normal cells and leave them intact. Normal cells are larger than HIV, so the nanoparticles target HIV, which is so small it fits between the bumpers.

“Melittin on the nanoparticles fuses with the viral envelope,” said research instructor Joshua L. Hood, MD, PhD, via the news release. “The melittin forms little pore-like attack complexes and ruptures the envelope, stripping it off the virus.” Adding, “We are attacking an inherent physical property of HIV. Theoretically, there isn’t any way for the virus to adapt to that. The virus has to have a protective coat, a double-layered membrane that covers the virus.”

This revelation can lead to the development of a vaginal gel to prevent the spread of HIV and, it seems, an intravenous treatment to help those already infected. “Our hope is that in places where HIV is running rampant, people could use this gel as a preventive measure to stop the initial infection,” said Hood.

The bee venom HIV study was published on Thursday in the journal Antiviral Therapy, according to U.S. News & World Report.

This study comes on the heels of news that a Mississippi baby with HIV has apparently been cured. The mother was diagnosed with HIV during labor and the baby received a three-drug treatment just 30 hours after birth, before tests confirmed the infant was infected. The child, now 2 years old, has been off medication for about a year and shows no sign of infection.

More than 34 million people are living with HIV/AIDS worldwide, according to amFAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research. Of these, 3.3 million are under the age of 15 years old. Each day, almost 7,000 people contract HIV around the globe.

British man reportedly arrested for 'frying hamster'

2013-03-11T14:52:00Z

A male student was arrested after allegedly cooking a live hamster at his apartment in northern England.

Police and the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) were investigating Monday after law enforcement officers found the creature lying dead in a frying pan in the man's kitchen, in the city of York.

They made the grim discovery after the unnamed 20 year old was detained for being drunk and disorderly -- and officers inspected his student apartment.

The man was arrested on suspicion of a further offense of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal, The York Press reported.

The dead pet belonged to the man's roommate, a foreign student who was said to be "distraught" by the alleged incident.

"This is a horrific and tragic incident for both the poor hamster and the owner concerned," Denise Young, a spokeswoman for the animal welfare charity Blue Cross, said. "We hope that this case is taken as seriously as it deserves to be by the relevant authorities."

The suspect was released on bail while police and the RSPCA continue their enquiries, and was due back in court March 6.

Holly Madison Defends Baby Name 'Rainbow'

2013-03-11T14:03:00Z

Holly Madison doesn't really care if you don't like the name "Rainbow."

The former Playboy Playmate, who gave birth to a baby girl on March 5 in Las Vegas, chose a very colorful name for her daughter, but not everyone liked it. After hearing all the insults, she fired back. On Friday, Madison took to her blog to defend naming her baby Rainbow, People magazine notes.

"There are a lot of smug haters out there who bag on my choice of a name, but I don’t care about what they think," Madison wrote on her blog. "I want my daughter to be proud of who she is and learn to speak up and stand up for herself at a young age. I spent most of my life being a people-pleaser who worried about what other people thought or thought was cool and I don’t want that for her."

Of course, the "Peepshow" star isn't alone in her affinity for uniqueness. Blue Ivy, Audio Science, Ocean, Birdie, Tennessee, Apple and Happy are just a few of the more unusual baby names chosen by celebrity parents.

In her blog post, Madison also revealed the meaning behind the name Rainbow.

"There was a girl in my school a few years younger than me named Rainbow and I was so envious of her name because it was so pretty and unusual," she explained. "She was a perfectly normal, well-adjusted, sporty girl, by the way, so I’m not worried about my daughter being 'traumatized' by having an unusual name."

This is the first child for Madison and her beau, Pasquale Rotella, a party promoter and founder of the neon-tastic rave Electric Daisy Carnival.

Rotella was thrilled to welcome his baby girl.

"I've never been more in love than I am today as, after months of waiting, I finally was able to hold my daughter for the first time," he told In Touch. "Holly and I are looking forward to spending some quiet time with our baby and enjoying our new family. I'm truly the luckiest man in the world."

According to E! News, the two are planning a late-summer wedding.

Oz Reaps a Wizardly Weekend

2013-03-11T13:04:00Z

People finally went back to the movies — or, rather, a movie. Sam Raimi’s Oz the Great and Powerful earned $80.3 million at the North American box office, according to the preliminary estimate of its relieved sponsors at Disney. The 3-D, PG-rated prequel to the 1939 MGM classic musical The Wizard of Oz dominated the weekend, accounting for 58% of the total domestic revenue. The year’s first blockbuster provided a crucial infusion of cash after six weeks of lagging ticket sales, when Hollywood might have been offering customers root-canal surgery instead of big-screen entertainment.

Costing about $225 million to produce, and another $100 million or so to promote, Oz scored the fourth highest Jan.-Mar. opening in movie history, after The Hunger Games ($152.5 million last year), Disney’s Alice in Wonderland ($116.1 million in 2010) and The Passion of the Christ ($84.6 million in 2004) — though, in real dollars, the $70.9 million earned in 2007 by the Spartan epic 300 would be higher (about $83 million). The Oz numbers were also below the first-weekend grosses for any of the three Spider-Man films that Raimi directed: $114.8 for the 2002 original, $88.2 for the second chapter in 2004 and $151.1 million for the 2007 conclusion. Oz also cadged a sturdy $69.9 million from 46 overseas markets, for a worldwide weekend grab of $150.2 million. So the early results, if not quite great and powerful, are good and hopeful.

The studio’s interest in the books of L. Frank Baum dates back to the mid-1930s, when Walt Disney hoped to make an animated feature of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. In 1985 the Mouse House produced a visually rich, emotionally dour sequel, Return to Oz, which never approached the Yellow Brick Road of profitability. The latest incarnation meant a big risk for Disney, especially after Robert Downey, Jr., and then Johnny Depp — bona-fide stars whose presence could have guaranteed a healthy box-office — dropped out of talks to play the Wizard. In the end, Raimi opted for Franco, who had played Peter Parker’s rival in the Spider-Manmovies, and cast the roles of the Oz witches with a trio of art-house damsels: Michelle Williams, Rachel Weisz and Mila Kunis.

The demographic breakdown issued by Disney was broad and odd. As The Wrap reported: “Couples accounted for 43 percent of the audience, families 41 percent and teens 16.” Since those percentages add up to 100, we may assume that single people over the age of 20 bought exactly zero tickets. The Wrap also noted that of the 3,912 theaters playing Oz, “Around 3,055 of those screened it in 3D and … [t]heaters screening it in 3D provided 53 percent of the overall haul.” So 78% of theaters charged a 3-D premium, yet accounted for just over half of the weekend take? (What’s more likely is that multiplexes showed Oz in 3-D on some screens and in the old-fashioned flat format on others.) The solid but not sterling B-plus rating given to Oz in the CinemaScore poll of first-nighters suggests that the movie will be hard pressed to equal or top the $334.2-million domestic trove of Alice in Wonderland, let alone the $1.024 billion that the Depp film earned worldwide.

That the movie’s weekend figures were more than double the take of the year’s previous best opening (Identity Thief at $34.6 million four weeks ago) says less about the power of Oz than about the sorry state of the 2013 box office. January’s total theatrical gross of $319.9 million was the lowest since 2007; the Feb. total, $473.2 million, was the worst since 2002. The Oz opening helped total 2013 revenue inch past the billion-dollar mark, to $1.023 billion; but that number is far below the $1.516-billion gross in the same period of 2012, when business was booming, and $1.341 billion of 2010, when Alice and Avatar buoyed the numbers. Even the $1.156 billion tallied in the first 10 weeks of 2011 — when box-office income dipped below the poverty line and moguls were crying, “Recession!” — was 13% higher than this year.

Want more bad news? The 2013 box office, such as it is, was stoked largely by movies released late last year. Of the nine films nominated for the Best Picture Academy Award, eight (Zero Dark Thirty, Django Unchained, Silver Linings Playbook, Les Misérables, Lincoln, Life of Pi, Argo and Amour) continued to play in theaters through the pre-Oscar season, and grossed a cumulative $467.2 million — nearly half of the 2013 revenue to date. In early 2012, the eight Best Picture finalists had earned just $186 million, or 12% of the total. That means that the new films of 2012 pulled in an impressive $1.33 billion, and the new films of 2013 a paltry $555.5 million. With the Oscar films nearly played out, Hollywood is going to have to produce new movies to attract an audience.

This weekend, any film not named Oz could hardly muster a quorum. The dark thriller Dead Man Down, starring Colin Farrell and Noomi Rapace, showed few signs of life: $5.35 million in a wide release. Emperor, a historical drama with Tommy Lee Jones as Gen. Douglas Mac Arthur, commandeered just over $1 million on 260 screens. The Mumblecore rom-com Somebody Out There Likes Me, starring Parks and Recreation dude Nick Offerman, did well ($38,495) at one Chicago theater. But the Cannes prize-winner Beyond the Hills, from the Romanian director of the acclaimed 2007 film 4 Months, 3 Weeks & 2 Days, managed just $18,000 at three venues.

The inhabitants of Oz aren’t the only ones in desperate need of benevolent sorcery. Somebody get Hollywood, and indie cinema too, a magic wand. The Wicked Witch of Audience Apathy has moviegoers under her spell.

Here are the Sunday estimates of this weekend’s top-grossing pictures in North American theaters, as reported by Box Office Mojo:

1. Oz the Great and Powerful, $80.3 million, first weekend
2. Jack the Giant Slayer, $10 million; $43.8 million, second week
3. Identity Thief, $6.3 million; $116.5 million, fifth week
4. Dead Man Down, $5.35 million, first weekend
5. Snitch, $5.1 million; $31.9 million, third week
6. 21 and Over, $5.1 million; $16.8 million, second week
7. Safe Haven, $3.8 million; $62.9 million, fourth week
8. Silver Linings Playbook, $3.7 million; $120.7 million, 17th week
9. Escape from Planet Earth, $3.2 million; $47.8 million, fourth week
10. The Last Exorcism Part II, $3.1 million; $12.1 million, second week

Oregon Gay Couple's Pink Poodle Allegedly Provokes Stranger's Wrench Attack

2013-03-08T18:50:00Z

A gay Oregon man was allegedly struck in the head with what's been described as wrench or other "bolt-cutting tool" by a passerby angered by the sight of his dog's dyed-pink fur.

The Oregonian reports that 26-year-old David Beltier was walking his poodle alongside boyfriend Jeremy Mark when the suspect, who has since been identified as 22-year-old George Mason, Jr. pulled over in an SUV.

"He was saying, "Your poodle is a weird color and that's just un-American" and "f**k you, you fags" and shouting," Mark says Mason yelled at the pair, according to theNew York Daily News.

Mason is then charged with hitting Beltier once in the shoulder, and then behind his left ear, with a wrench. Beltier did not require medical attention, the Associated Press reports.

"Honestly I'm devastated by it," Beltier told KVTB. "He could've gone more at it and killed me on that sidewalk."

Added Mark: "I'm just thankful he didn't have a more serious weapon like a gun and pull it out,"

Mason, who is reportedly homeless, has since been arrested and is under investigation for second-degree intimidation, second-degree assault, unlawful use of a weapon and reckless driving.

In February, five arrests were made in what was allegedly an anti-gay hate crime in Gresham, Ore.

"I thought I was going to die," 22-year-old Adam Salnardi told KOMO News. "Once I saw the gun, I thought I was going to die."

Lion Allegedly Kills Zimbabwe Woman Having Sex In Bush

2013-03-08T18:49:00Z

A lion reportedly attacked a man and woman having sex in a bush in Africa, killing the woman.

News website My Zimbabwe reports that Sharai Mawera and an unidentified male were having sex in a bushy area of a Zimbabwe village when a lion attacked them.

"Unfortunately the woman, who was also known as Mai Desire, was mauled to death by the lion, but her boyfriend managed to escape naked and he was only wearing a condom," a source reportedly told the outlet. "The two were having their quality time near Mahombekombe Primary School."

The man eventually notified police who, along with officials from the Zimbabwe Parks & Wildlife Management Authority, accompanied him to the scene where they allegedly found the woman's mauled body, according to the report.

The Huffington Post reached out to the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management to confirm details of the attack but did not immediately receive a response.

The story of the deadly sex -- picked up by the Telegraph, the New York Post and theHerald Sun -- may seem quite unbelievable. It is worth noting that a similar incident with an almost identical outcome was reported by the BBC in 2002.

In August 2002, the news outlet reported that a man and woman were attacked by a lion when they were having sex in a bush near their Tanzanian village. The ferocious feline attacked the woman, but the man escaped. When he returned later with other villagers, the lion had disappeared and all that was left was the woman's mauled remains.

Still, the Associated Press is reporting that the National Parks and Wildlife Authority is warning Zimbabweans living near Harare to be cautious after rogue lions mauled two people to death on the shores of Lake Kariba.

On Tuesday, a lion is reported to have attacked a man and a woman in the area, according to the AP. The man was able to escape, but the woman was killed and most of her corpse was eaten.

The AP does not offer details on the circumstances surrounding the attack.

Although wild lion populations have drastically reduced in Africa over the past decades, lion attacks are not uncommon. In Tanzania alone, lions have been known to kill 100 people each year, according to the Smithsonian.

A 2005 study by the National Science Foundation discovered that 39 percent of lion attacks occur between March and May during the harvest season, when farmers often sleep outside to protect their livestock.

High school coach Marion Adams impaled by parking lot gate in freak accident

2013-03-08T14:41:00Z

Marion Adams, the multimedia teacher and track-and-field coach for Rio Linda High School in Sacramento County, Calif., died the morning after a freak accident on his bicycle ride home, the Sacramento Bee reported.

Adams, 59, left Monday's track practice on his bike and was waving goodbye to a student when he crashed into the thick metal arm of a parking-lot barrier. Adams died at the hospital after two surgeries were unable to save him from severe internal injuries.

David Adams, Marion's brother, said that he had been resuscitated twice, but doctors couldn't stop the bleeding.

"Doctors told us that most people would die right away from an injury like that," David said. "But Marion was a fighter, and they twice resuscitated him. They opened his chest to massage his heart, and thought he had a chance. But they could never stop the bleeding. It was too much."

Adams, a former Rio Linda High School student, had returned to coach and teach at his alma mater.

"Marion was the most popular and nicest man on campus; just a great guy," said Rio Linda's athletic director and football coach. "It's a huge loss, devastating to our community."

Adams is survived by his wife, Kathy, two children and two grand-children.

“He was a great dad, always wanted me to do my best, tried to help everybody he could,” his son Joe told CBS Sacramento.

Zeng Lin, Chinese Student, Allegedly Mistakes Bottled Sperm For Moisturizer

2013-03-08T14:17:00Z

In her defense, who could've seen this coming?

A Chinese student was allegedly horrified to realize a bottle of moisturizer she'd received from a secret admirer actually contained sperm. But she'd already rubbed it on her face.

Zeng Lin, 19, had smoothed half of the bottle's contents over her skin before noticing an odd smell, the Sun reported. Her roommate confirmed that the white substance was actually semen.

As the tale goes, Gou Wen, 22, sent Lin the bottle, and now must pay a costly compensation. He has apparently apologized for his actions, saying, "I did that thinking it was the ultimate way to show love."

The Sun's story has since gone internationally viral, appearing on sites like Gawker,and the UK's International Business Times.

But to confirm the sticky story, the Huffington Post contacted Sun reporter, Jack Losh, author of the original post. Through email, Losh said that the paper received the information from the Central European News service.

Lin can potentially rest assured, though. Former Cosmopolitan magazine editor, Helen Gurley Brown, famously promoted the "semen facial" in her memoir, I'm Wild Again.

"Spread semen over your face," she advised. "[It's] probably full of protein as sperm can eventually become babies."

Other nausea-inducing beauty treatments from past years include a bull semen hair mask, bird poop and placenta facials, and som

Fans outraged as Taco Bell delays Cool Ranch Doritos tacos

2013-03-07T17:29:00Z

Some Taco Bell fans are angry after a delay in the launch of new tacos made with Cool Ranch Doritos shells.

The fast-food chain had announced this week that it would release its highly-anticipated Cool Ranch Doritos Locos Tacos on Wednesday, a day earlier than planned. But then some fans began posting on the chain's Facebook page complaining their local restaurants didn't have them yet. They said they were told by local employees that the tacos wouldn't be available until Thursday.

"VERY disappointed!" one fan wrote. "Boo to you," wrote another. One fan posted a letter to the chain online, detailing how he and a friend made a trip to their local Taco Bell after midnight Wednesday to get their first taste of the new tacos. He said they ended up getting the regular Doritos Locos Tacos because they were "basically committed anyway."

Taco Bell, which is owned by Yum Brands Inc. of Louisville, Ky., apologized in a statement. A spokeswoman noted that the early launch was at participating restaurants but noted the complaints could be fairly isolated issues. She said customers should call ahead to verify their locations had the tacos.

Meanwhile, other posts on Taco Bell's Facebook page mocked those who were complaining. "Oh my god all of you shut up, it's just a taco," one person wrote.

Taco Bell introduced its Doritos Locos Tacos in Nachos Cheese flavor a year ago. CEO Greg Creed has said the tacos have been a runaway hit, accounting for about a quarter of all taco sales. The chain plans to keep rolling out new flavors, including a spicy "Flamas" flavor later this year.

'Beer goggles' a myth, says brain expert

2013-03-07T16:52:00Z

'Beer goggles' is a myth and men and women do not see each other any differently after alcohol, a brain expert has revealed.

The area of the brain that makes people want to mate keeps functioning, no matter how much they drink, meaning that people can still assess how visually-appealing others, according to Dr Amanda Ellison, senior lecturer in the Department of Psychology at Durham University.

"We still see others basically as they are. There is no imagined physical transformation - just more desire," the Telegraph quoted her as saying.

In her book, Getting Your Head Around the Brain, Dr Ellison argues that people do not appear more attractive to both sexes after alcohol.

Hangovers are caused by dehydration - the brain shrinks and tugs on the meninges, which causes the headache, she explained.

But before that, alcohol switches off the rational and decision making areas of the brain while leaving the areas to do with sexual desire relatively intact, and so this explains beer goggles, she said

Dr Ellison said that while evolution had made women more choosy about who they go to bed with, both sexes are looking for a soul mate - and personality is just as important as looks in selecting a partner.

However, all this goes out of the window when we drink because of the sequence in which alcohol acts on areas of the brain.

Women claim they don't get beer goggles, but Dr Ellison said, "they do".

With better contraception and more binge drinking women are more likely to get beer goggles, she said.

"Beer goggles depend on our ability to make rational decisions," she added. (

Playboy magazine launches Hebrew language edition

2013-03-07T16:24:00Z

JERUSALEM - Israelis can now read Playboy `for the articles' as a Hebrew language edition came to the holy land Tuesday.

Playboy has been widely available in Israel for years but this marks the first local edition of the magazine. It features Israeli models and articles by Israeli writers.

Owner and publisher Daniel Pomerantz launched Playboy Israel in Tel Aviv on Tuesday at a press conference, standing next to a tall model wearing the trademark ears and tail of a Playboy bunny.

"Our target is men who want a taste of the good life and also women who are curious about the tastes of the men in their lives," Pomerantz said. "I believe that the special formula that has brought Playboy to a rare level of success throughout the world will continue to succeed in my new home Israel."

Cover girl Nataly Dadon posed next to a big cut-out of the magazine featuring her on the cover topless in lacy underwear. She said she was happy and excited to be in the first edition of Playboy Israel.

It's not clear how well the magazine will be received in the holy land where religious sensitivities are always simmering under the surface and observant Jews and Muslims live by strict modesty rules. Religious zealots have frequently burned down bus stops with ads of fully dressed women and have prompted major advertisers not to use female models regardless of how modestly they are covered up.

Erotica is freely available but not with local talent in Hebrew. The Israeli edition of Penthouse, the traditional and more daring rival of Playboy, flopped when it debuted here in 1989.

Pomerantz said he got the idea for the Hebrew Playboy while working as a lawyer in Chicago where the magazine's headquarters used to be and where he became friends with Playboy lawyers. At the same time he was making visits to Israel where he decided he wanted to live. It was during a trip to Israel that he noticed the country was lacking a Hebrew edition and so the adventure began.

Pomerantz is confident the magazine will succeed. "Israel is a very complicated country with tradition and modernity and also with serious things and fun fashionable things and that is exactly the character of Playboy. It is a complicated and beautiful magazine for a complicated and beautiful country," he said.

"People will see just from the words Playboy Israel that we are a normal country, fashionable, modern, people who work every day with a passion and if you read Playboy magazine you see that it's not just beauty and fashion but it's also depth and politics and issues, people who care and think about the world they live in," he said.

Even in the online age, Playboy's appeal has outlasted many competitors and imitators, selling a lifestyle along with gorgeous models and influential writers.

An interview with Israel's former internal security service chief, Avi Dichter, appears in this month's edition.

Hugh Hefner launched Playboy in 1953 with the iconic Marilyn Monroe as its first centerfold.

It is hailed by some as playing a big role in the sexual liberation movement of the 1960's and advancing women's rights while detractors charge it objectifies women.

It peaked in popularity in the 1970's. Circulation has declined since the rise of adult Internet sites.

'I Believe In Love': Selena Gomez Admits Following Justin Bieber Break Up

2013-03-07T15:04:00Z

Selena Gomez's recent break up with Justin Bieber has been hitting the headlines since they reportedly split in late December last year. But despite the heartbreak of splitting in the spotlight the 'Spring Breakers' star claims she still “believes in love.”

The 20 year-old dated Bieber for two years before they finally split in December. Since the break-up Selena has been looking better than ever, partying up a storm at the Golden Globes and Oscar after-parties and has seen her career go from strength to strength with the release of indie flick 'Spring Breakers'.

Speaking to Harper's Bazaar about her feelings towards love, in an interview following her break up she said: “I believe in love - yes, I’m one of those girls,”

Claiming Katy Perry as an inspiration, she said: “Most of my friends believe in love. I went out with Katy Perry last night. She’s so fun and awesome, but it’s cool to see someone older believe in love too.

“She is all about it, and that’s how I will always be. I believe in stories like, “Oh, I met him in Starbucks.”’

Selena Gomez and Justin Bieber: One of the planets most photographed couples (WENN)

Speaking about the difficultly of her high profile romance with Justin she admitted the public scrutiny made the relationship harder.

“It was, but that’s not a factor for me because unfortunately you can’t control that,” she said.

“To me, love is normal. Of course, you see Jay and Beyoncé and you’re like, 'Oh, my gosh, they’re perfect for each other,' but at the end of the day their love is just like everybody else’s love.”

Charlie Askew Butchers American Idol Auditon, Breaks Down on Stage

2013-03-07T14:13:00Z

Poor Charlie Askew.

The American Idol hopeful auditioned live for the first time tonight, choosing the track "Mama" by Genesis. Which is about a prostitute.

But things got even weirder from there: Askew donned a ponytail. And a grungy shirt. And screeched throughout the performance, drawing outright laughter from the judges.

Charlie Askew - "Mama"

"What happened?" Nicki Minaj asked. "I don’t want to see your arms. I don’t want you working out. I don’t want to see that ponytail. I don't want to see that earring. Lose the mustache immediately. I feel like someone stole my kid. I want my cute, cuddly Charlie back!"

After hearing harsh critiques from the panel, Askew broke down alongside Ryan Seacrest.

“All I can say is, I needed to vent a little bit," Charlie said when asked about the audition. "A lot of people think I’m a very happy boy, and the only reason I smile so much is because I feel like I have to."

Wow. Sad, profound stuff.

Seacrest handled the situation like a pro, telling Askew: “You’ve got some friends here. We appreciate your courage and your honesty, and there’s nothing easy about having those feelings inside and standing up here and having to do that tonight.”

And now the vote is in your hands, America: Will Askew advance to the Top 10? Or will this be the end of the road for a seemingly troubled young man? We'll find out tomorrow night.

Sex secrets of happily married couples revealed

2013-03-06T16:41:00Z

Women's top turn-on is 'feelings of love' for their partner, followed by 'when your partner takes initiative,' while men's top turn-on is 'seeing your partner in sexy clothes,' followed by 'feelings of love,' a new survey has revealed.

According to sex secrets of married couples from a recent iVillage survey, it turns out 68 per cent of men tied the knot with their best sexual partner. Only 45 per cent of women said the same, the Huffington Post reported.

When asked how many sexual partners they have had, the most common response among men was 6 to 10 (25 per cent chose this answer).

The most common response among women was 2 to 5 (31 per cent chose this answer).

Yet, 19 per cent of both men and women reported having just one sexual partner.

Although 42 per cent of women said their spouse never watches online porn, only 21 per cent of men agreed. 63 per cent of women said that they never watch porn.

It seems that we often don't really know what our partner thinks about our sex life. Though 79 per cent of men think their wives are happy with their sex lives, only 61 per cent of women said they are.

And though 55 per cent of women think their husbands are happy with their sex lives, 79 per cent said they are.

Babies may be a blessing, but they might not help your sex life. 52 per cent of women and 49 per cent of men said that they had better sex before they had kids.

The most popular desire on men's 'sex wish list' was that their partner would initiate sex more often (42 per cent).

More oral sex was next (41 per cent), followed by anal sex (30 per cent).

According to the survey women want more foreplay (35 per cent) in bed, to hear more loving things (32 per cent), for their husband to last longer (28 per cent) and oral sex (22 per cent).

Men admit to cheating more than women (28 per cent vs. 13 per cent), and are more likely than women to say they'd have an affair if there was zero per cent chance they'd get caught (32 per cent vs. 13 per cent).

At the same time, 34 per cent of men say they've checked their wife's phone for evidence of cheating, compared to 20 per cent of women.

Among men, 21 per cent said a celebrity and 20 per cent said a friend's spouse. Among women, 39 per cent said an old flame and 24 per cent said a casual acquaintance.

On average, a majority of people reported being happy with their sex lives, though there was a noticeable gender gap -- 61 per cent of women and 80 per cent of men said they were satisfied.

China imprisons four men for 'ghost marriage' corpse bride trafficking

2013-03-06T16:33:00Z

A county court in central China has sentenced four men to prison for digging up and selling corpses on the black market to enable "ghost marriages", a millennia-old custom of burying deceased bachelors alongside newly deceased wives so that they will not grow lonely in the afterlife.

On Saturday, the Xi'an Evening News reported that the Yanchuan county court in Yan'an City, Shanxi province, sentenced each of the men to more than two years in prison for stealing 10 female corpses, cleaning them up and counterfeiting their medical records to boost their prices, and selling them on the black market for a total of £25,000.

Ritual ghost marriages, which may date back to the 17th century BC, are increasingly rare in contemporary China – Mao Zedong tried to eliminate them when he assumed power in 1949 – but they are still practised in rural parts of Shaanxi, Shanxi, Henan, Hebei and Guangdong provinces. Families often employ a matchmaker to help find a suitable spouse for their deceased loved ones.

The four men, with surnames Pang, Bai, He and Zhang, exhumed the corpses in the winter of 2011 from a smattering of arid, coal-rich counties in Shanxi and Shaanxi provinces.

The state-run Global Times newspaper reported in 2011 that an influx of coal money to parts of northern Shaanxi province bolstered the area's underground corpse trade, with a newly wealthy but superstitious demographic suddenly being able to afford high prices for desirable postmortem mates. Some are known to purchase their corpse brides straight from hospitals, where they cut deals with grieving families.

This is not the first time that ghost marriage intermediaries have fallen on the wrong side of the law. One woman died over the lunar new year in February 2012 and was sold by her family to the family of a recently deceased young man for about £3,700; soon afterwards, police caught a graverobber selling her twice-exhumed body to another family for slightly less.

In 2009, a grieving father in Xianyang City, also in Shaanxi province, paid a team of graverobbers £2,700 to find a suitable bride for his son, who had died in a car crash. They were arrested for exhuming the remains of a teenage girl who had killed herself not long after failing her college entrance exams.

According to the Global Times, less affluent families who desire ghost marriages may use a non-human proxy for the corpse bride, such as a silver statuette or a doughy human-shaped biscuit with black beans for eyes. Some may buy an old, rotten corpse at a discounted price, dress it in clothing and reinforce its skeleton with steel wire.

The tradition has its own set of customs and rituals, including postmortem marriages with sumptuous feasts and dowries, according to the report.

Fresh Prince Theme Song Confused For School Shooting Threat! Entire Pennsylvania Town Goes Into Lockdown!

2013-03-06T15:48:00Z

WOW! Talk about an OOPSIE DAISY!

But hey! At least we now know the town of Ambridge, Pennsylvania hosts a community full of incredibly fast-moving, vigilant individuals!

Even if they all have somehow been under a rock for the past 20-something years!

Confused?! Allow us to explain:

Apparently, the town's High School had one serious scare earlier in the week after a student's cell phone's voicemail, which featured him rapping a few lines of the now-iconic Fresh Prince of Bel Air theme song, was confused by a medical receptionist calling to confirm an optometrist appointment to be a THREAT to shoot down the entire student body…and resulted in a mass lock-down of the district and set police into a FRENZY!

Yes, the poor kid rapping "Shooting some b-ball outside of the school" sounded more like "Shooting some PEOPLE outside of the school," and as the sad reality of such scenarios have proven time and time again, those kind of threats just simply CANNOT be taken lightly anymore!

Of course, we can't imagine how the student in question OR the town's law enforcement must have been feeling when after swarming his location in class and tense interrogation, everyone realized it was not so much a declaration of murder, but simply the smooth, whimsical rhymes of a teenaged Will Smith!

But hey! Like we said, it's pretty impressive to see such fast-acting, effective protocol in place for these kinds of scenarios, and frankly, we're much happier reporting on a miscommunication like this then the terrifying, bone-chilling alternative!

However, we'd like to urge the people of Ambridge to turn on Nick at Nite every once in a while!

Or at least watch the Fresh Prince theme song to get caught up on pop culture references from 1990!

Hawaii Senate Passes Steven Tyler Act on Privacy

2013-03-06T14:08:00Z

The Hawaii state Senate passed the so-called Steven Tyler Act Tuesday, a bill that seeks to protect celebrities from overeager paparazzi by creating a civil violation if people take unwanted photos or videos of others in their private moments.

The Aerosmith frontman from Massachusetts asked Sen. Kalani English to sponsor the legislation after unwanted photos were taken of him and his girlfriend last December and published in a national magazine, causing family drama.

Tyler owns a multimillion dollar home in Maui, which is part of English's district. English said the proposal could help increase celebrity tourism in Hawaii.

Twenty-three of the state's 25 Senate members voted in favor of the bill, which now goes to the House for consideration.

Sen. Sam Slom, the body's only Republican, opposed the measure.

"We have been the butt of many editorials and jokes across the country for this proposed legislation," he said.

FILE - This Feb. 8, 2013 file photo shows... View Full Caption

Slom said senators had fun with the bill, but Hawaii has adequate laws protecting privacy and this proposal is an attack on First Amendment rights.

"My final remarks to Steven Tyler as he sang so eloquently are, 'Dream on, dream on,'" Slom joked.

Sen. Les Ihara also voted against the measure.

Besides Tyler, other celebrities have supported the bill, including Britney Spears, Mick Fleetwood and the Osborne family.

They say intrusive paparazzi make it difficult to enjoy simple activities with family and friends.

But national media organizations worry about the proposal's impact on freedom of the press. The National Press Photographers Association and the Society of Professional Journalists were some of several national media organizations that submitted testimony opposing the bill.

The Senate Judiciary Committee responded to criticism of the measure's vague language by replacing the original version with the text of an existing California anti-paparazzi statute.

But longtime media lawyer Jeff Portnoy said the bill is still problematic.

"It's better, but it doesn't change its fatal flaws," he said. The measure's language is still ambiguous and it is unnecessary, given Hawaii's existing laws, Portnoy said.

"Our only chance to get some sanity into this is in the House," he said.

Actually, That 'Mom Crowdsources Baby Name for $5,000′ Story Was a Giant Hoax

2013-03-05T17:48:00Z

Last week, the story of 26-year-old mom to be Natasha Hill went viral, appearing on sites from BuzzFeed to CNET to Today, and even earning an SNL spoof. The Los Angeles based Ms. Hill was supposedly chosen from a pool of 80 applicants to be paid $5,000 by the baby-naming site Baby Ballot for letting the Internet choose her child’s name. The list of names was supposed to be chosen by Belly Ballot and several advertisers, and the final names would be voted on in an online poll.

Now, Today reveals that the whole thing was actually just a big publicity hoax.

Natasha Hill is actually Natasha Lloyd, and she’s an actress who’s not even pregnant. Belly Ballot never reviewed applications, and explicitly hired Ms. Lloyd to pretend to be pregnant. ”We came up with the idea for the contest and we knew it would be controversial,” Ms. Moler told Today. “But we’re a start-up and we wanted to control the situation.”

In order to do so, they just made the whole thing up.

“We never thought it would get this big,” said Ms. Moler, who has apparently never visited the Internet before.

Dog Saves Missing Girl in Poland: Heroic Stray Pup Czarue Cuddles 3-year-old 'Best Friend' in Freezing Forest Until Rescuers Arrive

2013-03-05T16:21:00Z

(Photo : Reuters) Stray pup Czarue lauded as a hero after saving a young missing girl's life in Poland.

Reports confirm that a stray dog named Czarue who roams the streets of Pierzwin, Poland is now being hailed a hero after saving a young girl's life who went missing in the deep, cold forests near the town on Friday (March 1). Little three-year-old Julia wandered into freezing marshlands with the adorable pup late Friday, and as the sun (and temperatures) continued to drop the pair of "best friends" inevitably got lost. The young girl's grandmother promptly alerted authorities, and an avid search quickly commenced. Rescuers finally located Julia Saturday morning, who was discovered huddled up close to Czarue, frostbitten and crying for her mother. If not for the dog's warmth and comfort, young Julia most likely would not have survived.

After Julia's grandmother Danuta Balak realized that her granddaughter was missing, she alerted town authorities who quickly triggered a major search operation as the temperatures dropped below approximately 20 degrees. Police and fire-fighters claim that damp soil and marshes in the surrounding forests made the search especially difficult for the use of search dogs. A police helicopter was unable to find any trace of the girl on the ground.

After a long night of searching with no leads, rescuers finally stumbled across the young girl and the stray pup early Saturday (March 2). She was wet from lying on the cold, moist ground, but still alive thanks to Czarue's warming fur. The duo had wandered four miles from the grandmother's home.

Fireman Grzegorz Szymonowski said in a statement, "This dog is the most important part of this story, he is a hero. It is thanks to this dog that the girl survived the night. We ran around 500 meters, and there was silence. We stood to listen further and we heard the dog and later the crying of a child. We went in the direction and saw the child lying in the shrubs, she was wet because there was water in the forest."

According to the grandmother, young Julia and the stray pup had recently become the best of friends - "She was with this dog all the time. She didn't go anywhere without it," Balak said. "When she was with me, when I was looking after her, she constantly said, 'Granny, the dog needs to come in the house.' And she told me to cut bread and she fed it all the time."

Julia was promptly transported to a local hospital and was treated for minor symptoms of frostbite. Other than that, she's completely healthy - "The only unusual symptoms are swollen hands and feet, probably from the frost. A surgeon inspected this and prescribed ointments. The next few days will show if there is some deeper frostbite, or just surface changes," head of the pediatric ward in Zielona Gora hospital Kazimiera Barczyk said. "This dog which was with her most probably kept her warm. It lay down next to her when she fell asleep. She was walking and walking, and fell asleep when she got tired. The child was brought just before eight o'clock, at the beginning she was scared of people, and she was in shock. At the moment her mother is going through a lot of stress."

Little Czarue is now being hailed as a modern-day Lassie, and a protector of the smal Polish town.

Chicago Passes Sex-Ed for Kindergartners

2013-03-05T15:23:00Z

While most U.S. public schools start sex education in the fifth grade, sex education will be coming to Chicago kindergartners within two years as part of an overhaul of the Chicago public schools sexual health program.

The new policy, which the Chicago Board of Education passed Wednesday, mandates that a set amount of time be spent on sex education in every grade, beginning in kindergarten. Chicago has the third-largest public school system in the country, with 431,000 students.

“It is important that we provide students of all ages with accurate and appropriate information so they can make healthy choices in regards to their social interactions, behaviors and relationships,” Barbara Byrd-Bennett, the CEO of the Chicago Public School System, said in a statement. “By implementing a new sexual health education policy, we will be helping them to build a foundation of knowledge that can guide them not just in the preadolescent and adolescent years, but throughout their lives.”

Under the new policy, the youngest students – the kindergartners — will learn the basics about anatomy, reproduction, healthy relationships and personal safety. Through the third grade, the sex-ed lessons will focus on the family, feelings and appropriate and inappropriate touching. In the fourth grade, students will start learning about puberty, and HIV. Discussions will emphasize that the virus cannot be transmitted through everyday contact such as shaking hands or sharing food.

From the fifth through the 12^th grade, the emphasis will be on reproduction, the transmission and prevention of HIV/AIDS, and other sexually-transmitted diseases, bullying and contraception, including abstinence.

For the first time in Chicago, sex-ed instruction will cover sexual orientation and gender identity. Students will be introduced to terms and definitions associated with sexual identity, including those related to heterosexual and LGBT populations, in an effort to bring awareness, promote tolerance and prevent bullying, said the school board.

Parents or guardians of students can opt out of the sexual health education program if they so choose.

Developed by the Chicago Public Schools Office of Student Health and Wellness last year, the policy was designed to align the Chicago public school system with the standards in President Obama’s national HIV/AIDS strategy.

La Toya Jackson 'signs Michael's children up to her talent agency... and plans a $10m reality show about their lives'

2013-03-05T14:08:00Z

As a former child star she knows as well as anyone the pressures of finding fame at a young age.

But that hasn't stopped LaToya Jackson from planning a life of stardom for the children of her late brother Michael.

The older sister of the tragic singer has signed his three orphaned children up to her new talent agency and is acting as their manager.

His first job: Prince Jackson made his debut as Entertainment Tonight's special correspondent last week; the move comes after he signed up with LaToya Jackson's new talent agency

Mastermind: LaToya took Prince to Mr Chow in Beverly Hills for lunch after filming his ET slot

According to the New York Post, Prince, 16, Paris, 15, and ten-year-old Blanket are the only clients of Ja-Tail Enterprises, with LaToya taking 15per cent of royalties.

And insiders tell the paper LaToya is hawking a proposed reality show featuring the trio, with bidding led by Oprah Winfrey's OWN network at $10million.

'Toya’s working it. It’s because [her mother and the children's guardian Katherine] can’t say no to her,' the insider said.

New role: Aunt LaToya dines at Spago Restaurant in Beverly Hills last week; as the children's manager she takes 15% of their earnings as commission

The 56-year-old was at his side as Prince made his debut as Entertainment Tonight's 'special correspondent' last week, and has also signed him up to guest star in 90210.

And his sister is slated to shoot her first movie later this year in London.

LaToya's involvement in her niece and nephew's lives comes after many members of her extended family were barred from the Calabasas home of the trio last year.

Close: LaToya was the late Michael Jackson's big sister

Amid a flurry of media interest the children claimed their grandmother had been 'kidnapped', as various family members sought control of Michael's huge fortune.

LaToya was not involved. But after the split in the family she made sure to spend plenty of time with the children, talking to them about making a move into showbusiness.

'She told them how she knew [Michael] better than anybody else, and she knew he’d want them to follow their dreams; and because they were his children, they could be media and entertainment moguls,' reported the NYP.

'She had a blueprint. She sold it, and they bought it.'

Her clients: Prince, 16, Paris, 15, and ten-year-old Blanket are the only clients of Ja-Tail Enterprises, with LaToya taking 15per cent of royalties

The Big Bang Theory's king of geeks Jim Parsons gets chic makeover for GQ magazine

2013-03-04T17:26:00Z

He's know for playing geeky scientist Sheldon Cooper on The Big Bang Theory, but Jim Parsons really stepped up his fashion game to appear in the March issue of GQ magazine.

In contrasting looks, the 39-year-old comedian showed his fashionable side and some of menswear's hottest new trends, such as the laceless loafer.

Donning a fitted, plaid button-down and ankle-length grey slacks, the Emmy award winner amped up his signature look with a tan, suede option of spring's stylish footwear.

Ignoring the old rule that accessories have to match, Jim paired his pieces with a skinny dark brown leather belt, thin black tie, and black leather wrist watch as he pointed at the camera, mid-step.

Geek to chic: The Big Bang Theory's Jim Parsons dressed to impress for the March issue of GQ magazine

The Broadway actor switched it up for another snapshot, wearing a red-collared polo and cuffed denim pants, but kept with a similar theme by wearing patent leather loafers and a red watch around his wrist.

Sitting with his right cheek resting on his hand, he covered his eyes with trendy jet black shades and flashed a modest smirk.

Behind the scenes, Jim explained his views on award show etiquette in a video Q&A segment titled And The Winner Is...Not You.

Giving his two sense on what not to wear, he stated: 'A guy should never wear a T-shirt to an awards show.

Award show tips: The Emmy winner gave his two sense on awards etiquette for a behind-the-scenes video with GQ

'Then again, if that's what you’re in to… disrespecting your peers, your elders, and those that you work with, go for it.'

On the worst thing you can do at an awards show, he quipped: 'Well, I want to say would be to fall down but I don't think you should vomit or sh*t yourself, either.'

About how to be a gracious loser, he explained: 'When the award is being announced and you’re not winning it, the camera is within 8 inches to a foot of your face the whole time.

'I would smile, and you maybe nod like ‘Oh, that’s a good choice,’ and clap, you know. I don't know what other people feel like.

'My face is trembling by the end [from] just smiling the whole time. I always want to take a long nap after that.'

More photos from the full feature can be seen on GQ.com.

In character: Jim Parsons shows his geeky style as Sheldon Cooper in The Big Bang Theory

NBC reportedly looking to replace Leno with Jimmy Fallon in latenight

2013-03-04T17:02:00Z

Here we go again with reports that NBC is looking to ditch Jay Leno. But this time, the ditching makes eminent sense.

The Hollywood Reporter, citing unnamed sources, says NBC is putting the pieces in place to announce in May that Leno will be replaced in latenight at the end of the 2013-2014 season by Jimmy Fallon.

Why not? Leno, whose contract is up in 2014, is yesterday – and then some. He can still draw overall ratings, but you can't sell overall ratings the way you can sell the 18 to 49 or even 25-54 demographics.

What network wouldn’t take a second or third place finish overall in late night with a comedian young people talk about online and on the radio in the morning? And that’s Fallon, not Leno.

It fact, it's really not even David Letterman any more on CBS. There is a real opening here for the next generation of latenight hosts and NBC needs to keep Fallon happy to be part of that hunt. And it would be crazy not for the network to be telling its late latenight host the Leno slot is his come 2014.

Fallon has buzz, edge and young viewers. And with ABC having recently moved Jimmy Kimmel moved into its 11:35 time slot by bumping “Nightline” back, NBC needs to get younger.

But what really makes Fallon so valuable – and separates him from, say, Conan O’Brien, is his keen cultural instinct. That’s what great latenight success really comes down to: plugging into the current of pop culture energy in the country. The great hosts, like Johnny Carson, when they were on a roll, could even occasionally drive the culture itself.

Fallon mostly does it with music as when he got President Obama to slow jam the news with him last April during a show at the University of North Carolina. The edgy fusion of music, politics and Obama’s media identity became the kind of moment viewers talked about for days and analysts couldn’t stop writing about.

That’s latenight buzz, and Leno will never have it. He’s scripted- old-old-school: joke, joke, yuk, yuk, thank you and sleep warm, folks.

But you do have to ask: Has any performer ever been treated worse by a network and stuck around longer than Leno? NBC took his time period away, and then, gave it back when things didn’t work out. Last year, they cut his staff and his $30 million salary.

This isn’t an employer-employee relationship, it’s S & M.

Woman's NFL tryout lasts all of two kicks

2013-03-04T16:11:00Z

Lauren Silberman's NFL tryout lasted all of two kicks, neither of which traveled 20 yards.

Silberman became the first woman to compete at an NFL regional scouting combine on Sunday, but left the New York Jets' practice field after re-injuring her quadriceps. She tried two kickoffs, the first going 19 yards and the second about 13 yards, and then asked to see a trainer.

As more than two dozen media, including E! Entertainment network, watched her every move, the 28-year-old Silberman was examined off to the side of the practice field. About 30 minutes later, while 36 other kickers continued their workouts, she called the scene "surreal" and thanked the NFL for "this tremendous opportunity."

A former club soccer player at Wisconsin, Silberman took no warmup kicks until she attempted her first kickoff and even appeared to have some trouble keeping the football on the kicking tee.

"I've always been an athlete, and I've always been a gamer," she said while fighting back tears. "When I had the opportunity to be in the NFL, one of the world's most competitive leagues, I absolutely had to take the chance."

Silberman said she suffered a quadriceps injury while preparing for the tryout earlier in the week, and attributed her struggles to that.

"I tried staying off it and waited for today," she said. "I didn't even take kicks in warmups, and, it's pretty hard to know that you'll be in pain and I

wanted to work through it and I certainly tried to, but I just couldn't do it today."

Silberman, who spoke to the media for 3 minutes after the tryout, insisted she can "do more" and "it's too bad that this happened." She also said she "did the right thing" and anticipates trying to kick again in the future.

Silberman appeared to be favoring her right leg when she left the complex soon after that.

"I would certainly be very, very excited and happy if I had the opportunity to try again," she said, "but it's not up to me. It's up to the scouts."

The regional combines debuted in 2011, and include players who weren't among the 333 invited to the main combine in Indianapolis. The NFL is holding these sessions in 10 cities this offseason, with the most impressive players advancing to a super-regional in April in Dallas.

WEEKEND BOX OFFICE REPORT: 'JACK THE GIANT SLAYER' BOMBS

2013-03-04T14:42:00Z

‘Jack the Giant Slayer‘ may have taken the number one spot at the box office, but no one is celebrating — it may sit at the top, but it sits at the top of one of the weakest box office weekends since, well, last weekend.

	Film	Weekend	Per Screen
1	Jack the Giant Slayer	$28,010,000	$7,946	$28,010,000
2	Identity Thief	$9,706,000 (-30.8)	$3,005	$107,433,000
3	21 and Over	$9,000,000	$3,248	$9,000,000
4	The Last Exorcism Part II	$8,030,000	$2,974	$8,030,000
5	Snitch	$7,700,000 (-41.5)	$3,067	$24,410,000
6	Escape From Planet Earth	$6,726,000 (-37.0)	$2,163	$43,213,000
7	Safe Haven	$6,300,000 (-39.7)	$2,135	$57,093,000
8	Silver Linings Playbook	$5,941,000 (+3.3)	$3,236	$115,521,000
9	A Good Day to Die Hard	$4,500,000 (-55.7)	$1,738	$59,624,000
10	Dark Skies	$3,556,000 (-56.6)	$1,537	$13,453,000

With a budget of over $200 million, ‘Jack the Giant Slayer’ needed an opening weekend significantly larger than $28 million if it wanted to even begin to make its money back. The combination of numerous delays, dire marketing and less than enthusiastic reviews have made this the first giant box office bomb of 2013, this year’s ‘John Carter,’ if you will. Director Bryan Singer is pretty fortunate that he’s already signed on the dotted line for ‘X-Men: Days of Future Past.’

After dominating the box office for the past few weeks, ‘Identity Thief‘ slipped to the number two spot with $9.7 million and a current total of $107 million. In other words, it’s one of the few movies in the top ten that even remotely looks like a hit at the moment.

‘21 and Over‘ opened in the third spot with $9 million, which is pretty good for a movie that cost as little as it did but pretty bad for a movie that was being positioned as a teen friendly ‘Hangover.’ Similarly, the $8 million opening for ‘The Last Exorcism Part II‘ isn’t great (especially since the first one was a pretty big hit a few years ago), but with a budget of only $5 million, it’s not the disaster it may appear to be, just a disappointment.

In fifth place, ‘Snitch‘ took a heavy drop for a $7.7 million gross and a $24 million total. You can be The Rock has his fingers crossed that ‘G.I. Joe: Retaliation’ is a hit later this month. Right under it, ‘Escape From Planet Earth‘ continued to perform solidly but not spectacularly, taking advantage of the fact that it’s the only kid-friendly movie out there right now. In seventh place, ‘Safe Haven‘ grossed $6.3 million for a total of $57 million, good numbers for a Nicholas Sparks movie, even if it’s nowhere near ‘The Notebook.’

And then we hit the only other true hit in the top ten: ‘Silver Linings Playbook,’ which rode its Oscar success to another $5.9 million and a $115 million gross. A few other films outside of the top ten also had a small Oscar bump, including ‘Life of Pi’ and ‘Argo.’

The top ten is rounded out with ‘A Good Day to Die Hard‘ and ‘Dark Skies.’ ‘Dark Skies’ is cheap enough that it’s low gross isn’t that big of a deal, but ‘A Good Day to Die Hard’ looks like it won’t even outgross the original ‘Die Hard’ (before inflation).

Next week sees the release of ‘Oz The Great and Powerful,’ which will hopefully rescue the box office from its slump.

Heidi Klum Joins America's Got Talent

2013-03-04T14:05:00Z

Heidi Klum is joining the NBC reality show as a judge, the network announced Monday morning.

Klum told PEOPLE: "I just arrived in New Orleans, and it was hard to go to sleep last night. I'm not sure who will be more nervous though – me or the contestants!"

Speaking about her fellow judge on the show, Klum added: "I've always wanted to work with Howard Stern. I think he's so funny, charming, handsome and smart. And, yes, he did tell me to say this."

Paul Telegdy, president of NBC alternative and late-night programming said in a statement: "Heidi has an amazing career across multiple media platforms, and has built a brand that is a force in the entertainment business. She has achieved superstardom while balancing being a businesswoman and hard-working mom, bringing a huge amount of experience, discernment and taste to the panel."

He also said, "The contestants will benefit from Heidi's international sensibility and understanding of what works in today's global entertainment industry."

The model-turned-host, 39, will join fellow judges Howie Mandel, Howard Stern and Mel B.

Klum is no stranger to televised competition – in addition to hosting Project Runway, she also hosts Germany's Next Top Model.

Mission impossible? Get rid of 10 things every day for a year

2013-03-01T17:49:00Z

In a way, the fire that turned her house and all her possessions into ashes was a blessing. It taught Vivienne Palmer about freedom. And she wants to be free again.

Short of setting her house on fire, that is.

She looks around her Boulder home and wonders how it got so full in the 10 years since a house fire in the middle of the day on Nov. 20, 2003.

"I thought it would be horrible -- but I really felt euphoric," Palmer says, thinking back. "After getting over the shock, which happened pretty fast, I was at this point where I would think about a certain thing I had and think, 'It's gone,' and let go of it. It felt amazingly freeing to do that. It's not a bad thing to let go of things."

Now, she has committed to let go of 10 things every day for a year.

She is calling it Project 3650, for the number of objects she aims to purge from her house by December.

At least 10 things. Every day.

A friend warned her: Don't set yourself up for failure; that's a lot of stuff.

But with two young boys, Palmer says it might not be enough.

"It is so easy. This house is full of stuff. I've already done almost 2,000 items, and I'm going to keep it going for a whole year. It will probably end up being 10,000 things when it's all said and done," she says. "You just get on a roll."

On Feb. 7, it's a Davey Crocket "un-coon" skin cap for kids. Bags of plastic bags. Four random cloth napkins, six bandanas, two tablecloths. Not one but two "nightmare-inducing," cymbal-clapping toy monkeys. And a toy dog -- made of real animal fur. OK, the husband wants to keep that one. He thinks it's cool. Palmer thinks it's disgusting. It's tabled, in the purging purgatory -- for now.

To keep herself accountable, Palmer posts them on her Process of Elimination blog, processofeliminationblog.com. She gives away many things for free. Others, such as designer handbags, she sells on eBay or Craigslist -- made easier by her husband's full-time job running an eBay business.

That's part of what led to the clutter, Palmer admits.

The ("very large") warehouse where he kept his stock, mostly vintage clothing, was sold, so guess where the inventory had to go?

"One day in December, I said, 'This is driving me nuts. I need to make a change. There's stuff everywhere,' " Palmer says. "Whereas I can't do anything about his stuff -- it's a good business -- I can do something about my own stuff."

Her husband's only resistance was worrying whether she was going to embarrass him on her blog. OK, and sometimes he and the children dig through the go-pile and dispute, Palmer says. But they're getting used to it.

"I honestly get a little endorphin high, a rush, like a shopper's high from getting rid of stuff," she says. "And that has replaced my desire for that actual shopper's high."

She says she has no desire to buy anything anymore because she asks herself, "Is this $10 thing something I'm just going to give away in a year? And do I want to give away 10 bucks?"

To immortalize things with stories or sentimental value, such as her grandfather's shirt, she takes a picture and posts it online with the story.

"I still have the picture. It's not gone forever. That makes it easier to get rid of stuff," Palmer says.

The hardest work is keeping her project eco-friendly and finding homes for everything possible. Because once she makes a pile, she has to wait for people to pick things up or take special trips to donate it to the First Presbyterian Church Deacon's Closet. She's waiting for several designer handbags to sell on eBay, but until then, they remain in the pile.

Beyond peace of mind and room to breathe, there's another motivator: Palmer hopes to raise enough money to fund a family vacation to Southeast Asia. So far, she's made $500. If she commits to more eBay selling, she thinks it's realistic to raise $15,000.

"Everything is swirling around: There's the writing, the trip, me wanting to get rid of stuff, me wanting to make money, me wanting to create a new good habit," Palmer says. "It's a really giant project that encompasses all of these areas in my life, and that's why I call it the process of elimination. It's a huge process, but it's energizing. And I can't think of anything I'd rather do more."

Homeless New Yorker sues parents for making him feel 'unloved and beaten by the world'

2013-03-01T16:37:00Z

A homeless New York man is suing his parents for $200,000 for allegedly not loving him enough.

“They aren’t supportive, they’re emotionally abusive, verbally abusive,” 32-year-old Bernard Beytold WINS-FM. “We don’t have a family bond that a family should have.”

Bey’s suit calls for his stepfather and mother, Bernard and Vickie Manley, to mortgage their home in Bedford-Stuyvesant in order to open a Domino’s Pizza franchise.

According to WNBC-TV, Bey’s lawsuit, filed on Thursday in Kings County in Brooklyn, accuses his parents of subjecting him to mental anguish and making him feel “unloved and beaten by the world.”

Bey told WNBC he has been in and out of homeless shelters since he was 16 years old, and that the money he is seeking from the suit would be used “to pass down for generations, so we don’t have to live like this.”

The couple said that because their brownstone is public housing, they only had partial ownership of the home. Bernard Manley also denounced his stepson’s allegations to WNBC.

“I think it’s nuts. I think something’s wrong with the guy,” Manley said. “To order the parents to give him money. Really? Grow up.”

10 Dating Rules That Have Changed Since You Were Married & Divorced

2013-03-01T14:48:00Z

Dating after divorce sucks -- plain and simple. I am not speaking from personal experience, mind you. But at this point in my life, I have several close friends who are searching for The One yet again and they all have one common complaint. "Going out with a guy is so different than it used to be." Indeed. If you've been married and out of the dating game for the last seven to 10 years, it's an entirely different world these days, and I'm not just talking about texting, sexting, or tweeting play-by-plays throughout the night. You have changed too. You may communicate differently, have evolved your values, and are consumed by things a single man just can't relate to. All that makes for a very awkward first date if you are not careful. As one girlfriend put it, "I always seem to say something that freaks them out." Adds another, "Dating is so bad it makes me miss my a**h*** ex." Fear not, ladies. We're here to help. Here are 10 tips on dating -- successfully -- after divorce.

Ask him out. Some women still refuse to do this, but it's the post-millennium, folks. If you are interested in a guy, go for it.
Don't just assume he's paying -- even though he damn well should. It's a whole new ball game these days. I have a friend whose date actually expected her to foot the entire bill because she made significantly more. Your best bet is to plan to go dutch from the get-go. This will avoid that tense moment when the bill arrives and you both eye it unsure of what to do next.
Don't bring up your "no sex on the first date" rule at the start of the evening. I have a friend who makes a point of mentioning this before even ordering. Each time, she says her date seemed offended by her assumption. You may want to make it clear that you are not easy, but find some way to approach it later in a flirty, non-abrupt way.
Don't even think about bringing up your ex. Yes, he was a huge part of your life and there is a lot you still want to get off your chest about him. But just pretend he doesn't exist for the night. Even if your date asks, just change the subject. You don't want to be remembered as the date that whined about their ex all night.
Along the same lines, don't complain about your kids. It used to be that complaining about your roommates was cute and funny. The same doesn't go for bitching about your kids. It's a big downer. It screams, "I have a bunch of problems I am going to dump on you immediately." Of course you want him to get to know you, but don't scare him off.
No comparisons. If a guy admits he isn't handy or can't cook, don't tell him what a culinary genius/Mr. Fix-It your ex, father, or son is. Sure guys like a little macho competition, but this is just annoying.
Don't limit dates to the weekend. These days, people are more open to meeting up whenever.
Ditch the "I want more babies" talk. If you love being a mom, it's easy to lapse into endless conversation about them and gush about wanting more. But a first or second date is just too soon.
Experiment with flirty texts and pictures. The last time you were on the market, this didn't exist and it may seem silly at first. Try it out. It's a sexy way to keep up interest and intrigue. Just no nude pics please!
Talk about politics and religion. A lot of dating advice books say this is a no-no on the first date, but what are you waiting for? If his stance on the right to choose is a deal breaker, why not get it out of the way? You don't want to waste his time or yours.

Forrest Fenn, Multimillionaire, Buries Treasure Worth Millions In Order To Encourage People To Go Outdoors

2013-03-01T14:07:00Z

Forrest Fenn has hidden a treasure chest worth millions of dollars in the hope that Americans will get off the couch to find it.

Three years ago, the 82-year-old multimillionaire hid a chest filled with gold coins, diamonds and emeralds, hoping to encourage people to explore trails and scenery instead of their TV screens. He's gained an international following that surged again this week following a Wednesday appearance on TODAY.

"Get your kids out in the countryside, take them fishing and get them away from their little hand-held machines," he tells TODAY in the video above.

Fenn has received nearly 7,500 emails -- some thanking him for encouraging people to get outdoors and others asking for guidance in finding the treasure, according to the show. His self-published memoir The Thrill Of The Chase includes a poem with nine clues he says will lead to a 40-pound chest containing the haul.

As I have gone alone in there

And with my treasures bold,

I can keep my secret where,

And hint of riches new and old.

Begin it where warm waters halt

And take it in the canyon down,

Not far, but too far to walk.

Put in below the home of Brown.

From there it’s no place for the meek,

The end is drawing ever nigh;

There’ll be no paddle up your creek,

Just heavy loads and water high.

If you’ve been wise and found the blaze,

Look quickly down, your quest to cease

But tarry scant with marvel gaze,

Just take the chest and go in peace.

So why is it that I must go

And leave my trove for all to seek?

The answers I already know

I’ve done it tired, and now I’m weak

So hear me all and listen good,

Your effort will be worth the cold.

If you are brave and in the wood

I give you title to the gold.

For much of his life, Fenn has been a treasure hunter himself.

As an Air Force pilot in the Vietnam War, in which he got shot down twice in South Vietnam and Laos, he would search for artifacts in between missions.

He returned home to Santa Fe in the 1970s and opened a gallery, launching a successful career as an art dealer. Nearly 20 years later, however, an advanced kidney cancer diagnosis changed his outlook.

Because doctors had given Fenn only a 20 percent chance of making it through the next three years, he created the the treasure hunt to help leave a legacy.

"A big part of me is in that treasure chest," Fenn told TODAY. "I felt it go in as I closed the lid for the last time."

A legion of followers have tried to find the treasure -- unsuccessfully, so far. Some of their exploits have been documented on YouTube.

At the very least, they've fulfilled the goal of getting outside.

So what are you waiting for?

Seth MacFarlane's 'We Saw Your Boobs' Song Outraged Women In Hollywood

2013-02-28T16:39:00Z

Despite solid ratings for Sunday's 85th annual Academy Awards, host Seth MacFarlane is catching a lot of flak for his crude jokes about women, Jews, Abraham Lincoln and most notably, actresses' boobs.

In a musical number titled "We Saw Your Boobs," MacFarlane pointed out actresses who have bared all on-screen — often during emotionally-charged or rape scenes.

Women both in the audience and watching at home were offended by the song, calling it crass and inappropriate.

We spoke with Elizabeth Cantillon, film producer and executive vice president of production at Sony who was in the audience at the Dolby Theater Sunday night, who tells us she and her colleagues were outraged:

I was with a number of women in the movie business who were shocked that that's what the Academy Awards chose to emphasize when really what we should be doing is promoting growth to our business and what's great about our business.

You're talking about the great American actresses, you're talking about Angelina Jolie and Meryl Streep. People who have had long and successful careers, have won awards, and objectifying them and it's not right — even if you're trying to be humorous it's identifying a select group and picking on them for ridicule. Which I would think, with the history of the Academy and people who are contributors in Hollywood, that wouldn't be okay.

Even if it had been hilariously funny, I don't know that that should be the source of comedy on a show that is meant to promote our business around the world. These women are international stars, that's their business, they're important businesswomen as well as artists and that's key to success in our business and appreciating them.

Tabloids can do what they do, that's the cross of the business, but not the Oscars. I would be surprised if there was any woman in the movie business who was at the Oscars or watched the Oscars who wasn't offended by that.

As for whether or not any of Cantillon's colleagues have spoken to the Academy about the offensive song and dance number, she says she's not sure, "but the head of the Academy is a woman, so that was also surprising."

Meanwhile, the Academy is defending MacFarlane.

“If the Oscars are about anything, they’re about creative freedom," an Academy spokeswoman said in a statement to TheWrap. "We think the show's producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron, and host Seth MacFarlane did a great job and we hope our worldwide audience found the show entertaining.”

Here are some other reactions to the song:

“Among the women I’ve talked to today I would say I haven’t heard from any who thought it was in good taste,” Cathy Schulman, a producer who won a best picture Oscar in the past for “Crash” and is currently the president of the industry group Women in Film, tells The NY Times.
"MacFarlane's opening musical number, "We Saw Your Boobs," might as well have been a siren blaring, "This isn't for you" ... Actual gender equality is a ways away, but I'd settle for one four-hour ceremony where women aren't being actively degraded." — Vulture's Margaret Lyons in "Why Seth MacFarlane’s Misogyny Matters."
“It’s one thing to be topless and to have that in the context of the film, for a purpose in a particular scene for a particular reason. It’s another to take it out of context and just focus on women’s breasts.” — Feminist lawyer Gloria Allred told The Daily Beast.
“I loved the boob song, I thought [Seth MacFarlane] was great!” — Best Actress winner Jennifer Lawrence.

And at least two other actresses weren't offended by the song, either.

"Three of the actresses he sang about were evidently in cahoots with MacFarlane at some level, as they agreed to pre-record footage of their "reactions" to their shout-outs, which was then spliced in during the show, according to The Cut's Charlotte Cowles.

Watch the pre-recorded reactions of the actresses "in cahoots" with MacFarlane below:

"Meryl Streep we saw your boobs in 'Silkwood,' Naomi Watts we saw in 'Mulholland Drive.'"

"Kristen Stewart we saw your boobs in 'On The Road,' and in 'Monster' we saw Charlize Theron's."

TheCut

"Halle Berry we saw them in 'Monster's Ball,' Nicole Kidman in 'Eyes Wide Shut,' Marisa Tomei in 'The Wrestler' but we haven't seen Jennifer Lawrence's boobs at all."

TheCut

Now watch the musical number in its entirety and judge for yourself:

Pennsylvania woman killed after saving husband of 42 years from being run down by driver

2013-02-28T16:04:00Z