Tax Officials Raid at Houses of Katrina, Priyanka

MUMBAI: Indian income tax officials raided the houses of Bollywood actresses Katrina Kaif and Priyanka Chopra.

According to Indian media reports, both stars are being accused of tax evasion and hiding actual income while filing their income tax returns.

The raids were conducted after the income tax department failed to get a satisfactory response.

Brazil Fashion Week Kicks Off

SAO PAULO: Despite the arrival of some of the biggest names in the fashion and entertainment world, all eyes at the Winter 2011 fashion week that kicks off here are a new runway star: model Lea T.

Representing French brand Givenchy, the Brazilian model has become a rising figure on the global fashion stage thanks to high-profile appearances on the European market in recent months.

Lea T. now returns home to grace the fashion week runway for the first time as a leading figure, promising to be one of the most photographed models at the event in the hands of famed designer Alexandre Herchcovitch.

Latin America's top fashion event, the 30th, twice annual Sao Paulo Fashion Week promises to showcase 31 home brands, and set the stage for next winter's collection.

Among the highlights is the runway appearance walk of top model Gisele Bundchen, the Brazilian beauty who has become the world's top-paid model, who is set to show off the latest creations of the brand Colcci.

Also at the event is US film star Ashton Kutcher, who arrived in the country late Thursday alongwith his actress wife Demi Moore.

"I'm ready for Brazil. Is Brazil is ready for me?" Kutcher wrote on his hugely popular Twitter account ahead of his arrival here.

Billionaire heiress Paris Hilton was also expected to take to the runway to model Brazilian fashion brand Triton, and singer Christina Aguilera was set to attend to promote a new clothing bearing her name.

Sao Paulo, which has held the fashion week since in 1996, has emerged as a key fixture on the fashion calender, showcasing mold-breaking designs from Brazil's top fashion houses Ellus, Colcci, Maria Bonita, and leading designers such as Herchcovitch, Reinaldo Lourenco and Ronaldo Fraga.

Google, Facebook, Twitter Sound Off on Egypt

WASHINGTON: Google, Facebook and Twitter, breaking with the usual practice of corporate silence, are speaking out forcefully against the Internet blockade by the Egyptian authorities.

As Egypt is rocked by continuing protests against President Hosni Mubarak, the three companies spawned by the Internet have criticized the attempt by the authorities to sever the nation of 80 million people from the Web.

While corporate responsibility has been a front-burner issue since companies were pressured into cutting ties with apartheid South Africa decades ago, experts said the statements and moves by the three Web giants were unusual.

"Usually with most corporations the issue is what's going to make profits, not necessarily what's going to do good for the world," said Benjamin Hermalin a finance professor at the University of California, Berkeley's Haas School of Business.

"Particularly given a situation of political uncertainty it would be very strange for companies to take bets on one side because if the other side wins they're in deep trouble," Hermalin said.

The uncertainty in Egypt did not stop Facebook, which had about five million active users in the country before the Internet shutdown, from issuing a statement saying that "no one should be denied access to the Internet."

"Although the turmoil in Egypt is a matter for the Egyptian people and their government to resolve, limiting Internet access for millions of people is a matter of concern for the global community," Facebook spokesman Andrew Noyes said.

Google and Twitter went considerably further than merely expressing concern, jointly creating a tool to allow Egyptians to bypass the Internet closure and post messages to Twitter by making telephone calls.

Google said the "Speak to Tweet" service, which turns voice messages into "tweets," was aimed at "helping people in Egypt stay connected at this very difficult time."

Google-owned YouTube also highlighted videos from Egypt on its news and politics channel, CitizenTube, invited users to submit their own and began streaming live coverage of broadcasts by the Al Jazeera television network.

Google also created a "Crisis Response" page featuring links to the "Speak to Tweet" tool, CitizenTube, emergency telephone numbers and Google Maps of where protests have been occurring in Egypt.

Michael Connor, editor and publisher of the online magazine Business Ethics, noted that Google, whose motto is "Don't Be Evil," has taken stands previously, refusing to censor Internet search results in China, for example.

At the same time, Connor said Google, Facebook and Twitter were also acting out of self-interest.

Australians Flee, Jam Shelters Ahead of “Catastrophic” Cyclone

A girl waits in line to enter an emergency cyclone shelter in a shopping mall in the northern Australian city of Cairns. Catagory five Cyclone Yasi, expected to be the most powerful storm to cross Australia’s heavily populated east coast in generations, is expected to make landfall late on Wednesday night. Thousands of residents fled their homes and crammed into shelters in northeastern Australia as the cyclone with a 650 km wide front barreled toward the coastline. –Reuters Photo/Tim Wimborne

SYDNEY: Thousands of people fled their homes and crammed into shelters in northeastern Australia on Wednesday as the most powerful cyclone in the country’s history barreled toward a string of popular tourist cities lining the coast.
Police were forced to turn away people from some shelters which were already full, and engineers warned that even “cyclone proof” homes could be blown apart by winds expected to reach 300 per hour when it hits later on Wednesday.
“We are facing a storm of catastrophic proportions,” Queensland state premier Anna Bligh said after Cyclone Yasi was upgraded to a maximum-strength category five storm.
More than 400,000 people live in the cyclone’s expected path, which includes the cities of Cairns, Townsville and Mackay. The entire stretch is popular with tourists and includes Australia’s Great Barrier Reef.
Satellite images showed Yasi as a massive storm system covering an area bigger than Italy or New Zealand, with the cyclone predicted to be the strongest ever to hit Australia.
“All aspects of this cyclone are going to be terrifying and potentially very , very damaging,” Bligh said.
The greatest threat to life could come from surges of water of up to seven metres above normal high tide levels along the coast at the town of Cardwell, she said. The storm is due to hit when the tide is high.

Govt Has No Intention of Amending Blasphemy Law, Says PM

Prime Minister Gilani addressing the National Assembly. — Photo by APP

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani on Wednesday categorically said that the government had no intention to amend the blasphemy law, adding that its misuse should be prevented.
“Neither has the government moved a bill nor has any committee been formed to amend the said law as both the treasury and opposition benches are on the same page and are unanimous on this sensitive issue,” Prime Minister Gilani told the National Assembly in response to a point raised by Leader of the Opposition Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan about a policy statement by the prime minister regarding the blasphemy law.
He said that a Muslim cannot have two opinions on the blasphemy law and being a descendant of the Prophet, he cannot even think of amending it.
About Sherry Rehman’s bill regarding the blasphemy law, the prime minister made it clear that it was not a party policy and she had moved the bill in her individual capacity.
Prime Minister Gilani said he had spoken to Sherry Rehman about it and told her that being a sensitive issue it should have been discussed within the party before being moved.
“She agreed with me,” he said.
Gilani said he called an ulema conference on Namoos-i-Risalat and made it clear to them that the government had no intention to amend the law. He invited the ulema to come forward and join hands with the government in its efforts to prevent the misuse of the blasphemy law, adding that if the minorities have any reservations, the law can be made more effective in its functioning.
Prime Minister Gilani informed the House that a majority of the cases under the blasphemy law had so far been registered against Muslims. He said the government respected the ulema and that they were free to take out rallies but it should not be against the government as the government had made it clear that it respected the law.
To another point of Chaudhry Nisar regarding US national Raymond Davis, Prime Minister Gilani said the whole world had focused upon the Pakistani nation’s reaction and wanted to know whether it would be a mature move or not.
He said Pakistan was a sovereign and responsible state with an independent judiciary, free media and a vibrant civil society, and that the government had no intention to take steps which could bring bad name to the country.
He said Raymond Davis’ matter was in court. The government would respect the judiciary and whatever decision it makes would be accepted in letter and spirit, he said.

Obama: Transition in Egypt "Must Begin Now"

President Obama said late Tuesday afternoon that an "orderly transition" in Egypt "must begin now" in the wake of widespread protests that have thrown the country into turmoil.
The comments came on the same day Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak announced that he would not seek re-election in September - a stance that fell short of the demands of protesters, who want their longtime leader to step down immediately.
Mr. Obama said he spoke to the 82-year-old Mubarak following the Egyptian leader's announcement, a conversation that the White House said lasted approximately 30 minutes. A special U.S. envoy had reportedly informed Mubarak earlier that the Obama administration saw Mubarak's presidency -- which has lasted nearly three decades -- as essentially over.
"After his speech tonight, I spoke directly to President Mubarak," Mr. Obama said. "He recognizes that the status quo is not sustainable. And that a change must take place. Indeed, all of us who are privileged to serve in positions of political power do so at the will of our people. Through thousands of years, Egypt has known many moments of transformation, the voices of the Egyptian people tell us that this is one of those moments. This is one of those times."
He continued: "Now, it is not the role of any other country to determine Egypt's leaders. Only the Egyptian people can do that. What is clear, and what I indicated tonight to President Mubarak, is my belief that an orderly transition must be meaningful. It must be peaceful, and it must begin now."

PCO judges: Contempt Notices for Musharraf, Aziz

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court on Wednesday announced its verdict on a law point whether it could initiate contempt proceedings against the judges who took oath under the Provisional Constitution Order (PCO), and whether it could issue contempt notices to generals involved in promulgation of November 3, 2007 emergency in the country in defiance of a seven-member apex court bench's restraining order.

The court rejected the plea and issued contempt of court notices to then COAS and President General Pervez Musharraf, the then Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz, then corps commanders and judges who took oath under the PCO.

The court last week reserved its decision. The top court also rejected the plea on employing the assistance of the Pakistan Bar Council (PBC) and presidents of the provincial bar associations in contempt proceedings against the PCO judges.

A four-member larger bench, comprising Justice Mahmood Akhtar Shahid Siddiqui, Justice Jawwad S Khawaja, Justice Khilji Arif Hussain and Justice Tariq Parvez, heard contempt of court cases against the superior court judges who had taken oath under the PCO in violation of a seven-member bench's restraining order of Nov 3, 2007.

The judges who face contempt of court proceeding include; Justice (R) Iftikhar Hussain Chaudhry, Justice Khurshid Anwar Bhinder, Justice Hamid Ali Shah, Justice Zafar Iqbal Chaudhry, Justice Hasnat Ahmed Khan, Justice Syed Shabbar Raza Rizvi, Justice Yasmin Abbasey, Justice Jehan Zaib Rahim, Justice (R) Abdul Hameed Dogar, Justice Sayed Zahid Hussain, Justice Syed Sajjad Hussain Shah.

The bench fixed 21st February as the date for hearing. The order said: "Let the cases now be fixed for framing of charge against the aforesaid respondents on 21.02.2011. The respondents, if they so desire, appear on that date to enter their plea on the charge(s) framed. In the alternative they may, if they choose, enter their pleas through counsel who are duly instructed."

Toy Story 3' Director on Oscar Nominations

Lee Unkrich was huddled in bed with his wife and 13-year-old daughter on Tuesday morning, their hearts pounding, when he received his first personal Oscar nomination.

The “Toy Story 3” director said, in his 16 years with Pixar, he’s been “lucky to be a part of a lot of great films” - many of which have been nominated.
“I’ve been so happy over the years to see buddies take home Oscars,” Unkrich said, “but there’s nothing quite like being nominated yourself.”
Just as thrilling as the film’s nomination for best animated feature film of the year, he said, is its best picture nod, making “Toy Story 3” the third ever animated feature to be nominated in the category.
“I left Ohio 25 years ago with dreams of making movies and it’s just, I have to pinch myself that I somehow, in this crazy industry, found myself here in this position,” he said.
Unkrich, who was drinking a mimosa during our chat, said he plans to continue celebrating the film’s nominations at the office with his crew and his partners.
While “Toy Story 4” isn’t in the cards, fans can look forward to a series of animated shorts - set to debut before “Cars 2” this summer - featuring the “Toy Story” crew.
“It’s a lot of fun to have ended the story of Andy and his toys in the movies, but still keep the characters alive,” he said.
The film garnered five nominations: Best animated feature film of the year, achievement in music written for motion pictures (original song), best motion picture of the year, achievement in sound editing and adapted screenplay.

Iron and Wine's 'Kiss Each Other Clean'

When Sam Beam stepped into the spotlight on Iron and Wine's 2002 debut, he was a novelty act. That acoustic guitar, that soothingly sweet tenor voice, that flowing mountain-man beard? Pop music hadn't seen anything like it since the heyday of Cat Stevens. But Beam's songs -- sincere folk churners full of backwoods beauty and subtle psychedelia -- had a weird magic all their own.
Since then, indie rock has been overrun by extravagantly bearded, achingly earnest balladeers, but Beam started running away from the pack on 2007's "The Shepherd's Dog," which juiced limpid melodies with dashes of Appalachian folk and West African rock.

LHC Blocks any Move to Hand Over US Gunman

 LAHORE: Lahore High Court Chief Justice Ijaz Ahmed Chaudhry on Tuesday blocked any move to hand over to US authorities an American government employee under investigation for double murder, and put his name on the exit control list.

The United States on Monday again called for the release of Raymond Davis, who was arrested after killing two Pakistani motorcyclists in broad daylight in Lahore, saying that he acted in legitimate self-defence.

But a lawyer petitioned the LHC under public interest laws to block any move to hand Davis over to the United States.

"I am restraining him (from being handed over to US authorities). Whether he has or does not have (diplomatic) immunity will be decided by the court," ruled CJ Ijaz Ahmed Chaudhry.

"An order is issued to put his name on the ECL (exit control list). The case is adjourned for 15 days."

Representing the Pakistani government in court in Lahore, deputy attorney general Naveed Inayat Malik, asked the judge to give "time" to the Pakistani foreign ministry to determine whether Davis has diplomatic immunity or not.

Washington says Davis is a member of the US embassy's "technical administrative staff" and therefore entitled to "full criminal immunity".

"He cannot be lawfully arrested or detained in accordance with the Vienna Convention," US State Department spokesman Philip Crowley told reporters in Washington.

But the Pakistani lawyer who brought the private petition, Saeed Zafar, has argued that under international law, diplomatic immunity can be waived for the most serious crimes.

Khawaja Haris, the advocate general of Punjab -- the chief law officer in the province where Davis shot the motorcyclists -- told the court that the Vienna Convention provides immunity to diplomats "within certain limits."

"The federal government has to give a certificate on whether the man has diplomatic immunity or not and whether his diplomatic status is confirmed or not," Haris said.

"What we hear about him and his immunity is through the press only. Since he is involved in a grave crime, this issue has to be decided by the court."

But Washington is adamant that Davis is being held unlawfully and supports his version of events that he was confronted by two armed men on motorcycles.

Davis "had every reason to believe that the armed men meant him bodily harm. And minutes earlier, the two men, who had criminal records, had robbed money and valuables at gunpoint from a Pakistani citizen," said Crowley.

When asked by visiting US congressmen on Monday to free Davis, Pakistan's President Asif Ali Zardari said: "It would be prudent to wait for the legal course to be completed".

Oil Hits $101 a Barrel as Egypt protests Mount

NEW YORK: Oil prices smashed through $100 a barrel Monday for the first time since the 2008 economic crisis, as traders worried that unrest in Egypt could disrupt oil flows through the Suez Canal. Oil prices surged to $101 a barrel for London's main Brent North Sea crude contract, as protesters gathered for a seventh straight day amid threats of a general strike. Egypt is not a major oil producer, but is home to the vitally important Suez Canal, which carries around 2.4 million barrels of oil a day -- roughly equivalent to the daily output of Iraq or Brazil. Egyptian authorities insist the canal is still working at full capacity, but unrest has caused major shipping giants such as AP Moller-Maersk to halt operations in the country. The threat of delays have prompted some normally reticent oil industry honchos to sound the alarm. OPEC secretary-general Abdalla Salem El-Badri warned "there could be a real shortage" of crude oil passing through Suez. While stressing that the market was still well supplied, El-Badri said "if we see a real shortage, we will need to act."

Jordan King Names Maruf Bakhit as New PM: Palace

AMMAN: King Abdullah II of Jordan named Maruf Bakhit as prime minister on Tuesday with orders to carry out "true political reforms," the palace said, after weeks of opposition protests demanding change.

"King Abdullah II designated Maruf Bakhit to form a new government to replace the government of Samir Rifai," a palace statement said.

"Bakhit's mission is to take practical, quick and tangible steps to launch true political reforms, enhance Jordan's democratic drive and ensure safe and decent living for all Jordanians."

Jordan's powerful opposition said on Monday that it had started a dialogue with the state, saying that unlike the situation in Egypt, it did not seek regime change.

Opposition demands included "the resignation of the government, the amendment of the electoral law and the formation of a national salvation government headed by an elected prime minister," a member of the Islamic Action Front's executive council, Zaki Bani Rsheid, said.

Rifai formed a first government in December 2009, and reshuffled it in November 2010. Bakhit, who was born in 1947, served as prime minister from 2005 to 2007.

Egyptians Gather for Mass March to Oust Mubarak

CAIRO: Crowds gathered in central Cairo on Tuesday for a protest they hoped would swell to a million people demanding an end to the 30-year-rule of President Hosni Mubarak.

Mubarak's newly appointed vice-president, intelligence chief Omar Suleiman, began talks with opposition figures on Monday and promised reforms. The army also promised to hold its fire and declared the protesters demands legitimate.

Pakistan Will Rule The Cricket World?

LONDON: Pakistan have succeeded in reaching the semi-finals of the World Twenty20 Cup 2009 as they won two of the three games in the Super Eights stage. After losing to Sri Lanka, they defeated New Zealand and Ireland to book their place in the semi-finals.

Pakistan captain Younus Khan believes that Pakistan will be crowned World Twenty20 champions. He says that they now have the right mixture of experience and youth to see them through.

Pakistan were runners-up to their bitter rivals India at the 2007 World Twenty20 tournament. This time, cricket lovers cannot see them contest again for the title as Indians have been knocked out of the tournament after being defeated by the West Indies and England in their Super Eights matches.

Punjab Industries Slam Gas Rationing Schedule

LAHORE: Gas rationing in Punjab has created panic in almost all the industrial sectors of the province with pharmaceutical sector fearing shortage of essential drugs, textile entrepreneurs expressing inability to execute export orders and steel product manufacturers warn of abnormal increase in construction cost, industrialists said on Tuesday.

The Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) informed industries in Punjab that there would be no gas supplies to the textile sector for two days a week and for all other industries thrice a week. While industries in other three provinces have been insulated from sharing gas shortages due to stay orders given by their respective high courts, the entire burden of gas shortage in the country has fallen on Punjab.

Other provinces have constitutional right to first use of their natural resource under the constitution, while Punjab does not produce any gas.

Industrialists appealed the government that in the period of acute gas shortage the productive sectors should be given top priority because millions of jobs are linked to sustained production in the industries.

Atif’s Facebook Page has Highest Daily Growth

KARACHI: An unofficial but most popular Facebook blog named “All Facebook“, lists Atif Aslam’s official fan page on the top in a list of fan pages with highest daily growth.

The page now also has over a million fans which is a milestone that has never been achieved by any other Pakistani celebrity.

Atif’s Facebook management reacted in following words: We are very excited to announce that this page, the official page of Atif Aslam on Facebook has been named the “No. 1″ fan page on Facebook based on “Daily Growth”. A website that manages all the statistics of Facebook released its latest scoreboard and our page has been named the number 1 page on the entire Facebook based on daily growth.

Saudi King Expresses Support for Mubarak

 DUBAI: Saudi King Abdullah has expressed support for Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak in the face of massive protests, the official Saudi Press Agency (SPA) said on Saturday.

It said King Abdullah phoned Mubarak after days of massive anti-government protests in which demonstrators called for the Egyptian president to step down.

"No Arab or Muslim can tolerate any meddling in the security and stability of Arab and Muslim Egypt by those who infiltrated the people in the name of freedom of expression, exploiting it to inject their destructive hatred," SPA quoted King Abdullah as saying.

"As they condemn this, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and its people and government declares it stands with all its resources with the government of Egypt and its people," the agency added.

Regional powerhouse Saudi Arabia is the world's largest oil exporter and the birthplace of Islam. Both Saudi Arabia and Egypt are key regional allies of the United States.

The agency said Mubarak assured the elderly king that everything was under control in Egypt.

King Abdullah is recovering from surgery in the United States after a blood clot complicated a slipped disc.

US Calls for Immediate Release of Davis

 ISLAMABAD: The United States on Saturday called for immediate release of the US citizen Raymond Davis, allegedly involved in killing of two local citizens in Lahore, saying he was being nlawfully detained by authorities, according to US embassy in Islamabad.

"When detained, the US diplomat identified himself to police as a diplomat and repeatedly requested immunity under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations," it said in a statement.

It added, "Local police and senior authorities failed to observe their legal obligation to verify his status with either the US consulate general in Lahore or the US embassy in Islamabad".

PCB Set to Retain Afridi as Skipper for World Cup

 

 KARACHI: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Ijaz Butt, in all likelihood, will announce Shahid Afridi as the captain of the Pakistan team for the upcoming World Cup although some players are backing Misbah-ul Haq as the leader.

According to sources, Butt has decided to now stick with Afridi as captain although there is still a divided opinion about the fact that some consider Misbah to be a better choice.

The scales seemed to have heavily tilted in favour of Afridi after the dashing batsman smashed 65 off only 25 deliveries during Pakistan's series levelling win against New Zealand on Saturday.

"Butt has come to the conclusion after discussing the captaincy issue with the team management and others that it would be unwise to change the captain at such a stage and since Afridi has been the ODI captain since late 2009," a source indicated.

He said the board would most likely end the captaincy debate by announcing the captain in next 24 hours.

There was plenty of debate in the cricketing circles after the PCB announced the World Cup squad of 15 players last month but did not name the captain.

Many former players consider Afridi to be too temperamental to be given the responsibility of captaining in the World Cup and others warning against changing the captain at such a late stage.

Former Pakistan captain, Shoaib Malik has also added his voice to the captaincy debate supporting Afridi.

"I don't think it is a good move to change the captain now. Since Afridi has been leading the team for the last year, it makes no sense to change him now," Malik said. "Changing captains frequently has already damaged the team in the past."

Farzana Becomes Faizan After Surgery

RAHIMYAR KHAN: In what has come as a startling story, Farzana, a female aged 18, turned into a male after undergoing a surgery and became Faizan Ali, Geo News reported Monday.

According to details, 18-year old Farzana who is a student of Zahir Pir Madressa, got sick and taken to Shaikh Zaid Hospital where she underwent a minor operation. Later, she had some medical tests done on her which showed positive signs of gender change from female to male.Farzana is now on her way to become Faizan Ali after a final surgery to be carried out on Tuesday.Munir Ahmed, the father of Faizan Ali, earlier had two daughters and three sons. He is now happy to have become father of four sons after one of his two daughters became a male.

A complete list of the 17th Annual Screen Actors Guild winners and nominations:
Best Feature Film Ensemble:
"Black Swan"
"The Fighter"
"The Kids Are All Right"
"The King's Speech" -- WINNER!
"The Social Network"
Lead Actor
Jeff Bridges, "True Grit"
Robert Duvall, "Get Low"
Jesse Eisenberg, "The Social Network"
Colin Firth, "The King's Speech" -- WINNER!
James Franco, "127 Hours"
Lead Actress
Annette Bening, "The Kids Are All Right"
Nicole Kidman, "Rabbit Hole"
Jennifer Lawrence, "Winter's Bone"
Natalie Portman, "Black Swan" -- WINNER!
Supoprting Actor
Christian Bale, "The Fighter" -- WINNER!
John Hawkes, "Winter's Bone"
Jeremy Renner, "The Town"
Mark Ruffalo, "The Kids Are All Right"
Geoffrey Rush, "The King's Speech"
Actress, TV Movie or Miniseries
Claire Danes, "Temple Grandin" -- WINNER!
Catherine O'Hara, "Temple Grandin"
Julia Ormond, "Temple Grandin"
Winona Ryder, "When Love is Not Enough: The Lois Wilson Story"
Susan Sarandon, "You Don't Know Jack"
Actor, TV Movie or Miniseries
John Goodman, "You Don't Know Jack"
Al Pacino, "You Don't Know Jack" -- WINNER!
Dennis Quaid, "The Special Relationship"
Edgar Ramirez, "Carlos"
Patrick Stewart, "Macbeth (Great Performances)"
Comedy Series Ensemble
"30 Rock," NBC
"Glee," FOX
"Hot in Cleveland," TV Land
"Modern Family," ABC -- WINNER!
"The Office," NBC
Actress, Comedy Series
Edie Falco, "Nurse Jackie"
Tina Fey, "30 Rock"
Jane Lynch, "Glee"
Sofia Vergara, "Modern Family"
Betty White, "Hot in Cleveland" -- WINNER!
Actor, Comedy Series
Alec Baldwin, "30 Rock" -- WINNER!
Ty Burell, "Modern Family"
Steve Carell, "The Office"
Chris Colfer, "Glee"
Ed O'Neill, "Modern Family"
Supporting Actress
Amy Adams, "The Fighter"
Helena Bonham Carter, "The King's Speech"
Mila Kunis, "Black Swan"
Melissa Leo, "The Fighter" -- WINNER!
Hailee Steinfeld, "True Grit"
Drama Series Ensemble
"Boardwalk Empire," HBO -- WINNER!
"The Closer, "TNT
"Dexter," Showtime
"The Good Wife," CBS
"Mad Men," AMC
Actress, Drama Series
Glenn Close, "Damages"
Mariska Hargitay, "Law & Order: SVU"
Julianna Margulies, "The Good Wife" -- WINNER!
Elisabeth Moss, "Mad Men"
Kyra Sedgwick, "The Closer"
Actor, Drama Series
Steve Buscemi, "Boardwalk Empire" -- WINNER!
Bryan Cranston, "Breaking Bad"
Michael C. Hall, "Dexter"
Jon Hamm, "Mad Men"
Hugh Laurie, "House"

Read more: http://extratv.warnerbros.com/2011/01/2011_sag_award_winners_list.php#ixzz1CclDTBau

Kim Kardashian Silver Paint on W Magazine

 

This is an old picture of Kim Kardashian in silver paint as she posed for W Magazine cover.

Woods Trails Leader Haas by Five Shots at Torrey Pines

Tiger Woods carded a second straight 69 at the Farmers Insurance Open on Friday to leave the former world number one five shots behind leader Bill Haas.
Woods, a 14-time major winner, is six-under par for the tournament in California after three bogeys on the final nine holes tarnished his score.
The 35-year-old, who is making his seasonal debut at Torrey Pines, where he has won seven times, was still satisfied with his form.
"It's a round that could have easily slipped away, but I got it back at 16 and 18," Woods told the PGA Tour's website.

Jane Espenson: Writer, Sci-fi Thriller, One Nerdy Lady

If Jane Espenson were to write a personal profile for an online dating service, it might read something like this:
Motivated, creative woman who is not afraid to confront complicated issues ranging from imagining ways to kill off threatening vampires to interspecies sexual encounters (hey, I don't judge!) seeking like-minded mate who won't mind sharing me with my other passion, writing.
Old enough to remember "Barney Miller" but young enough to be responsible for identifying a fault with a warp drive that was slowly tearing the time-space continuum, heralding the development a new generation warp drive. Food enthusiast and forward thinker.
It's probably not the kind of ad many of her Midwestern childhood friends would identify with, but it's just the kind of credentials that attract suitors in the world of thrilling television series, where executives need to keep the creative flow of ideas coming in order to feed the demand. Jane Espenson is up to it and then some.

Football in Fracture

 

Sudan is set to split in two but what about its national team? As the independence vote is tallied, the head of Sudan's Football Association talks about what secession will mean for the country's football legacy.

Microcredit Meltdown

 

Indian women in rural areas have used microfinance schemes to get small, cheap loans to develop businesses. Assignment investigates the crisis in the industry and the impact on these women. 

Every Morning, From Monday to Friday, World Update Provides a Comprehensive Briefing on the Stories That are Making the News.

Presented by Dan Damon, the programme speaks to the people at the centre of events to hear first hand accounts, gets detailed analysis from experts and showcases the extensive network of BBC correspondents around the world.
As a programme, we have a particular focus on business and technology stories, making sense of trends in the global markets, and sorting the wheat from the chaff in the digital age.
Broadcasting to over 200 FM stations across the USA, as well as key audiences in East Africa and the Middle East, World Update brings you the stories and people that are setting the agenda around the world.

Is Kevjumba a Heterosexual Bear Wrestler?

Are you wondering why the world is searching for the term “Is Kevjumba a heterosexual bear wrestler” ?
The answer is very simple – internet sensation and former reality star Kev is the man who asked his millions of followers to search for “Is Kevjumba a heterosexual bear wrestler” late on Thursday evening.

Google Offers

Google is preparing to launch Google Offers, the search giant's Groupon competitor, Mashable has learned. We have the documents to prove it.
One of our sources has sent us a confidential fact sheet straight from the Googleplex about the company's new group buying service. "Google Offers is a new product to help potential customers and clientele find great deals in their area through a daily email," the fact sheet says.

Julia Goerges Bikini

Julia Goerges was born in 2nd November 1988 in Bad Oldesloe, Germany she is a right handed tennis player and her height is five feet eleven inches tall. Goerges turned professional in 2005.

Obama Tucson Speech

Per sources, the president worked throughout the night on the speech. Its goal will be to administer to those mourning, honor those impacted by the shootings – including the victims, the heroes, and all those grieving in Tucson and beyond. Another goal will be to lift the nation up in this moment, not sully it with politics, thus shrinking what this moment stands for.

Most recent guidance is the speech will run between 10-15 minutes.

Three branches of the federal government will travel with President Obama on Air Force One to Tucson today:  Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano, who was Arizona’s governor,  Attorney General Eric Holder, Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy, and from the legislative branch Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., along with the Republican members of Arizona’s US House delegation: Reps. Paul Gosar, Jeff Flake, Trent Franks, Ben Quayle, and Dave Schweikert.

Who Is Cory Hardrict, Tia Mowry’s Husband & Soon-To-Be Dad? His Bio & Pictures!

 

So who is Cory Hardrict, the actor husband of Tia Mowry and soon-to-be dad? Chances are you don’t recognize the name, but you might recognize the face – he’s been on everything from “ER” to “Angel” to “Any Day Now, and he even guested on Mowry’s show, “The Game,” when it aired on the CW. Here’s what we know about Cory Hardrict:
–He is 31 years old.
–His first film was “Never Been Kissed” (the forgettable 1999 Drew Barrymore movie that did introduce us to a pre-”Alias” Michael Vartan).
–He and Mowry married in 2008.
–He played Brandy’s love interest in the video “Right Here.”
–He’s going to be a reality star – Tia’s pregnancy will be recorded by the Style Network.
Congrats to the couple and aunt-to-be Tamera Mowry! Wonder if it will be twins?

long Island School Closings

The East Coast is preparing for another snowstorm hammering — New York is anticipated to receive 14 inches of snow and other areas could receive as much as 18 inches.

School Closings: New York City

Understanding the effectiveness of a school closure in limiting social interaction and the economic impact of school closure on households is critical when developing guidelines to prevent spread of pandemic influenza. A New York City survey conducted in June 2009 in 554 households affected by the 2009 pandemic influenza H1N1–related school closures showed that, during closure, 30% of students visited at least 1 locale outside their homes. If all the adults in the home were employed, an ill child was less likely to leave home. In 17% of the households, at least 1 adult missed some work because of the closure. If all adults in the home were employed, someone was more likely to take time off work. If other children were in the household, it was less likely that an adult took time off work. The findings of our study will be important when developing future pandemic school-closure guidance.

New transit facility to open in Ardenwood

Good news for any park and ride users out there who cross the Dumbarton Bridge.  The new park and ride facility will more than triple parking spaces, include real time arrival and departure info, bike lockers and more.

Michael Dyer Wins BCS Championship Game MVP, Caps Performance With Game-Clinching Run

Auburn running back Michael Dyer finished off an outstanding freshman season the best way possible: beating Oregon to win a BCS National Championship and taking home the game’s offensive MVP award. On a night when quarterback Cam Newton didn’t carry the Tigers’ offense as he normally does, the team turned to Dyer, who rushed for 143 yards on 22 carries (6.5 yards per rush).
The biggest carry of those 22 came with time running out in the fourth quarter. Auburn and Oregon were tied at 19, when the Tigers had one last drive to get into field goal position and potentially win the championship. After a 15 yard pass play, Auburn handed off to Dyer, who did this:

Pon Farr on Dilbert Cartoon

A Dilbert cartoon (dilbert.com) resurrected the memories of the Pon Farr again. Pon Farr is a fictional Star Trek universe. It is a psychophysical condition affecting Vulcans, in which Vulcan males and females go into heat every seven years, going into a blood fever, becoming violent, and finally dying if they do not mate with someone with whom they are empathically bonded. Vulcans also mate outside of Pon Farr, and with species other than Vulcan. Read More...

Jade Duell

Let's hope Owen Wilson studied well for his role in Little Fockers - because the actor is about to be a father!
In a terse statement, the actor's rep says he and girlfriend "Jade Duell are happy to be expecting a baby." The couple has been together for about one year.
Wilson, who famously dated Kate Hudson for a long period of time, has a packed 2011 movie schedule. He has parts in Cars 2, Hall Pass, and Woody Allen’s Midnight in Paris.

KSDK School Closings

Due to the impact of winter weather on travel today (January 11, 2011) and tomorrow, the Wake County Public Schools has rescheduled the public hearings on the 2011-12 student assignment proposal that were scheduled for last night and tonight.
The public hearing at Cary High has been postponed until Monday, Jan. 24 and the public hearing at Millbrook Magnet High has been postponed until Wednesday, Jan. 12. The meetings will begin at 6 p.m.
Also, Wake County Public Schools will be closed today, Tuesday, Jan, 11. Parents are encouraged to monitor the Website (wcpss.net) and local newscasts to keep abreast of the situation.