Jerry Curl

Catching up with Adam Lambert

2012-01-27T16:05:00.006-05:00

Adam Lambert discusses his shady side, “straight-jackets,” nastiness, naked love, party buses, hot Messes, turning 30, finding love & finding his voice.

More at Yahoo! Music here and here.

Matt Bomer to play Darren Criss' brother on Glee

2012-01-27T16:04:00.000-05:00

In perfect casting news comes word that Matt Bomer is in talks to make a guest appearance on Glee as the brother of Darren Criss's character Blaine Anderson, reports TV Line's Michael Ausiello.

Ausiello reveals that the episode that will finally reveal members of the Anderson family will air in April. White Collar star Bomer, who revealed a rich baritone singing voice during the 2010 Kennedy Center Honors, will also appear in Glee co-creator Ryan Murphy's upcoming film The Normal Heart.

(Via The Advocate)

Madison's LGBT community says It Gets Better

2012-01-27T16:03:00.000-05:00

Pick Me Up of the Day

2012-01-27T12:43:00.000-05:00

Diego as featured on DNA.

Twitter to censor Tweets in some countries

2012-01-27T12:26:00.004-05:00

Twitter, according to its official description, promises to offer up the "latest information about what you find interesting." There's now a caveat to that, however: The social media service will offer up the latest information about what you find interesting -- and what your government deems acceptable.

Twitter announced yesterday that the company now has the ability to censor tweets on a country-by-country basis, allowing the popular microblogging site to comply with local governments' request to remove or block certain content.

"Until now, the only way we could take account of those countries' limits was to remove content globally. Starting today, we give ourselves the ability to reactively withhold content from users in a specific country -- while keeping it available in the rest of the world," Twitter wrote in a blog post. "We have also built in a way to communicate transparently to users when content is withheld, and why."

The company noted that it has not yet exercised the option to withhold content from users in specific countries.

Once it does, it will alert its users to censored tweets by replacing the text of the post with a grayed-out tweet that reads, "This Tweet from @username has been withheld in: Country. Learn more." (See screenshot's here.)

In its blog post announcing the changes, Twitter focused on its new ability to remove some tweets. Yet a Twitter Help Center post expanding on this tool noted that the site could also block access to entire accounts. "[I]f you see a grayed-out user in your timeline [...] or elsewhere on Twitter [...] access to that particular account has been withheld in your country," Twitter wrote.

Twitter users have been up in arms about the change, which many see as incompatible with Twitter's professed commitment to openness and a policy that has the potential to undermine Twitter's role in political movements, such as the pro-democracy protests that rocked Egypt last year.

"It's an affront on a free society & could be a PR disaster for Twitter after it's [sic] much praised role in the #Arabspring, tweeted @globalvybe.

Some users are attempting to organize a "#TwitterBlackout" on January 28 and intend to boycott Twitter in protest of the changes.

(Via the HuffPo)

Bette Midler (on Johnny Carson)"Fat As I Am"

2012-01-27T12:22:00.000-05:00

RIP Epstein

2012-01-27T12:15:00.002-05:00

The Clicker reports: Robert Hegyes, who played Juan Luis Pedro Philippo DeHuevos Epstein on 1970s hit Welcome Back, Kotter, has died at 60.

A spokesman at JFK Medical Center in Edison, N.J., told the Star-Ledger newspaper that Hegyes, of Metuchen, arrived at the hospital in the morning in full cardiac arrest and died.

Hegyes' Epstein was one of the Sweathogs, remedial wisecracking students taught by Gabe Kotter (Gabe Kaplan). His character, a Puerto Rican Jew, was known for constantly attempting to pass off notes he would write to try and get out of tests or class, always signing the notes "Epstein's Mother."

Hegyes, already 24 when he started in Kotter in 1975, was just six years younger than Kaplan. Hegyes also worked as a director on the popular show, which ran from 1975-1979 and helped launch co-star John Travolta as a major star.

Hegyes also appeared on numerous TV shows, including The Love Boat, Chico and the Man and NewsRadio, and movies including Bob Roberts and Honeymoon Hotel. He also starred in an award-winning Volkswagen Passat commercial dubbed The Chase.

MDNA teaser: Madonna in the studio with M.I.A. and Martin Solveig

2012-01-27T11:48:00.001-05:00

Towleroad reports: Madonna released a 30-second clip yesterday featuring a studio session with producer/DJ Martin Solveig and MIA, presumably featuring a taste of her upcoming single, "Give Me All Your Luvin", which is out officially next week.

U.S. and France honor Miles Davis and Édith Piaf with stamps

2012-01-27T11:35:00.002-05:00

ArtsBeat reports: Both Miles Davis and Édith Piaf were both maverick, contrarian performers, esteemed even more after their deaths. So it makes sense that they should now be recognized simultaneously with stamps issued in their honor.

The United States and France announced yesterday that both countries would issue separate stamps this year to commemorate the artists and their music.

The stamps show both performers in characteristic poses: Davis, the jazz trumpet player who died in 1991, arched back with his instrument to his lips, and Piaf, the singer who died in 1963, with her hands dramatically extended.

In the United States the stamps will be part of the Forever series, which are equal in value to the prevailing first-class letter rate; as part of the same program the writer O. Henry, the actor José Ferrer, the entertainer Danny Thomas and the magazine publisher John H. Johnson will also be honored this year.

Reaction from admirers of the often-prickly Davis, who is following in the philatelic footsteps of his own hero, Louis Armstrong, could perhaps be summed up with the title of a song that Davis performed in the latter phase of his career: “It’s About That Time.”

Lee Barham, chairman of a jazz celebration committee in Davis’s hometown, Alton, Ill., put it this way: “Before Michael Jackson and Elvis Presley,” both of whom have already been honored with stamps, though not Jackson in the United States, “there was Miles Davis.”

ABBA to release first new song in 18 years

2012-01-27T10:34:00.002-05:00

Rolling Stone reports: ABBA has announced plans to reissue their final album, The Visitors, with a previously unreleased song on April 23rd.

"From a Twinkling Star to a Passing Angel," a demo recorded around the time The Visitors was released in 1981, will be the first new ABBA recording released since the box set Thank You for the Music was issued in 1994.

The new version of The Visitors will also include six previously released bonus tracks and a DVD featuring rare and unreleased footage from the Swedish pop band's archives, including their last-ever live performance on the BBC's Late Late Breakfast Show in December of 1982.

ABBA disbanded in 1982 and have since refused to reunite. The band even declined to get back together for their induction in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2010.

Millions in SOPA lobbying bucks gone to waste

2012-01-27T09:42:00.003-05:00

CNN Money reports: The controversial anti-piracy bills that attracted tens of millions of dollars of lobbying for and against the proposed laws ironically were killed by free publicity.

"Old" media companies spent huge sums of money in support of the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) and the Protect Intellectual Property Act (PIPA). Those opposed -- Internet and "new media" companies -- lobbied hard and spent gobs too, though far less than their more organized rivals.

But Silicon Valley had a trick up its sleeve that trumped the millions of dollars more in lobbying muscle and the more established Washington presence of the old media guard: They reached out directly to their users for free.

Google, Wikipedia and others altered their homepages and websites in opposition of the bills last week, making the issue a topic of popular discussion across the country.

"The Internet really flexed their muscles during this fight, and their infrastructure helped them advocate their positions that others don't have at their disposal," said Michael Beckel, money-in-politics analyst at the Center for Responsive Politics.

It helped that the two bills were an issue that the public cared about. The opposition movement was trending on Twitter, and thousands of protesters joined in New York and San Francisco on Jan. 20 in opposition of the bills.

"When you have an issue that is salient, and the public cares about it, the money matters less," said Lee Drutman, data fellow at the Sunlight Foundation, a nonpartisan research organization. "Money matters more when it's a behind-closed-doors issue that hasn't faced much public scrutiny."

Lobbying analysts also note that it's really hard to change the status quo and pass legislation. Silicon Valley had the advantage of playing defense, which is a much better position to be in, experts said. There are so many hurdles to jump before a bill becomes law, so being on the opposition is always a good start.

It may have been painted as a David vs. Goliath fight initially. But the end result proved that the most money doesn't always win in Washington.

Media companies like Comcast), Viacom, News Corp., and Time Warner led the support of the bills, each spending millions of dollars on the issue.

Media lobbyists, including the motion picture, recording industry, cable, and broadcaster associations, also added millions of dollars to the fight, as did credit card firms Visa, MasterCard) and American Express.

Loads of cash were spent by the opposition as well, but most of that came from Google. After the search giant's millions, there was a steep drop off in lobbying dollars, with Yahoo, eBay, Amazon and Microsoft lobbying in the hundreds of thousands of dollars each.

Lobbying totals are only very rough estimates because companies often include multiple bills and issues in their lobbying reports to Congress. But Washington analysts said SOPA and PIPA were among the hottest issues in the fourth quarter.

A total of 145 companies and organizations lobbied the House of Representatives for and against SOPA, while 157 groups lobbied for and against its sister bill PIPA in the Senate, according to the Center for Responsive Politics.

Despite the big win for new media, experts don't believe that this is the end of lobbying as we know it. The piracy issue was unique in many respects, experts contended. Content providers took a unified stance -- a rarity. And it was an issue that the public rallied behind -- also a rarity.

What's more, Internet companies may need to pick their political battles more carefully going forward. They could risk alienating their users, experts contended.

So even though lobbying wasn't what ultimately did SOPA and PIPA in, it's very much here to stay.

Majority of Americans would vote out every member of Congress

2012-01-27T09:28:00.005-05:00

NBC reports: In a country sharply divided on almost every issue, most Americans agree on one thing: they don’t like Congress.

Fifty-six percent of registered voters say they would vote out every member of Congress if there were a place on the ballot to do so. That’s the highest response in favor of the question since it was first asked in March 2010.

And they say so across the ideological spectrum – with 55% of liberals, 55% of moderates, and 58% of conservatives all feeling the same way.

“We found the one area in which all people in the country agree,” said Republican pollster Bill McInturff, who conducted the survey with Democratic pollster Peter D. Hart.

Combine that with Congress continuing to be at near-record lows in approval at 13% and all members of Congress are at risk, McInturff said.

But there are also warning signs specifically for Republicans.

More people say the GOP has brought the wrong kind of change (31%) in Congress than the right kind (12$). That represents a drop for the GOP from a year ago, right after when they took control of the House as a result of the sweeping 2010 elections. In January 2011, 25% thought Republicans would bring the right kind of change versus 20% who thought they would bring the wrong kind.

Those attitudes are also far worse than right after when Democrats took control of the House in 2006 (42%/15%) and Republicans regained a majority in 1994 (37%/11%).

“People want Congress to get things done, act responsibly and fix the economy,” McInturff said, “and if they don’t,” they could be in trouble. McIntruff added, “These guys are going to be running in a head wind.”

--> This is where the leadership of the two men pictured above has led us; to completely rebuke the inadequate policies and inane bickering of a do-nothing Congress. They've all but guaranteed President Obama's reelection.

Fireworks from Romney and Gingrich in Florida debate

2012-01-27T09:24:00.000-05:00

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Costa offers $14,460 per person for cruise

2012-01-27T09:06:00.004-05:00

Costa Crociere SpA is offering uninjured passengers ($14,460) (11,000 Euros) apiece to compensate them for lost baggage and psychological trauma after its cruise ship ran aground and capsized off Tuscany when the captain deviated from his route.

Costa, a unit of the world's biggest cruise operator, the Miami-based Carnival Corp., also said it would reimburse passengers the full costs of their cruise, their travel expenses and any medical expenses sustained after the grounding.

The agreement was announced today after negotiations between Costa representatives and Italian consumer groups who say they represent 3,206 cruise ship passengers from 61 countries who suffered no physical harm when the Costa Concordia hit a reef on Jan. 13.

The deal does not apply to the hundreds of crew on the ship, the roughly 100 cases of people injured or the families who lost loved ones.

Passengers are free to pursue legal action on their own if they aren't satisfied with the deal. Some consumer groups have already signed on as injured parties in the criminal case against the Concordia's captain, Francesco Schettino, who is accused of manslaughter, causing a shipwreck and abandoning the ship before all passengers were evacuated. He is under house arrest.

In addition, Codacons, one of Italy's best known consumer groups, has engaged two U.S. law firms to launch a class-action lawsuit against Costa and Carnival in Miami, claiming that it expects to get anywhere from $164,000 (125,000 Euros) to $1.3 million (1 million Euros) per passenger.

More at the AP.

More sh*t gay people say

2012-01-26T12:51:00.002-05:00

Sh*t gay guys say to straight guys:

Sh*t Grindr tricks say:

Cee Lo Green and LMFAO rumored to join Madonna at Super Bowl

2012-01-26T12:43:00.005-05:00

Cee Lo Green is rumored to be performing with Madonna at the Super Bowl, MTV reports:

According to sources, the singer has asked The Voice judge to perform with her at the February 5 show. The Insider reports that he's been flying to New York to rehearse with the pop icon. The sources add that he will contribute his signature flair to some of her classic tunes.

MIA and Nicki Minaj have already been floated as possible guest performers.

Meanwhile, will.i.am is reportedly saying that LMFAO is performing with Madonna: "I’m going to the Super Bowl this year to see my group LMFAO perform with Madonna. Check that out, Will.i.am Music Group is pretty freaking two for two. One year the Super Bowl the next year another group part of the Super Bowl in collaboration with Madonna. That’s still happening."

In related news: Madonna joins Anderson Cooper today on his daytime show. A preview of that here.

Aphrodite's Men: Kylie's dancers

2012-01-26T11:00:00.003-05:00

The teasers can be seen here.

Pick Me Up of the Day

2012-01-26T10:43:00.002-05:00

Joshua as featured on DNA.

Fukushima's animals abandoned and left to die

2012-01-26T10:36:00.001-05:00

--> Warning: Some images here are graphic.

NASA releases high definition image of Earth

2012-01-26T10:28:00.003-05:00

NASA "Blue Marble 2012" yesterday, a view of the home planet that the agency calls the "most amazing high definition image of Earth."

Unlike the original Blue Marble -- the iconic 1972 photograph taken by the Apollo 17 crew while they were on their way to the moon -- this composite image is made from data collected by the Suomi NPP satellite.

The Suomi NPP collected the data for the image from multiple passes of the Earth on January 4, 2012. The satellite orbits the planet 14 times per day at an altitude of 512 miles.

NASA says the satellite, which was launched on October 28, will collect data for forecasting weather and help scientists better understand climate change.

(Via HuffPo)

Kim Kardashian raises $50K for Trevor Project

2012-01-26T10:16:00.002-05:00

[Editor's note] I've tried to keep the Curl a Kardashian-free zone. However, this news item can't be overlooked:

Whether out of true selflessness or as a public mea culpa following her disastrous divorce, Kim Kardashian has given $50,000 to the Trevor Project, a suicide hotline for LGBT and questioning youth.

Kardashian chose the Trevor Project as her charity of choice for a fundraising event with Cantor Fitzgerald, the New York investment firm that donates money in the name of employees killed in the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

Kardashian is reportedly so taken with the Trevor Project, she plans to visit one of the call centers. The reality star, who fell out of favor after her short marriage with [hunky] basketball star Kris Humphries was widely perceived as a publicity stunt, has also contributed to the NOH8 campaign, which raises money for marriage equality in California.

(Via the Advocate)

Elizabeth Warren says It Gets Better

2012-01-26T10:06:00.003-05:00

Consumer advocate Elizabeth Warren, who is running against Republican Scott Brown for the U.S. Senate in Massachusetts, also sat down with Jon Stewart to talk about government's role in the private sector and reinvesting in the middle class.

Says Warren: "The people who are sucking up the real resources in this country are the people who can hire the lobbyists, and unfortunately America's middle class doesn't have lobbyists fighting for them."

Watch the Daily Show segments here.

Marriage equality advocates ready for Maine referendum

2012-01-26T10:00:00.002-05:00

The AP reports: Marriage equality advocates in Maine have collected the signatures necessary to bring the issue back to the ballot in 2012 and may announce their decision to do so today.

State lawmakers had passed a marriage bill signed into law by Gov. John Baldacci in June of 2009, but voters narrowly overturned the law a few months later.

EqualityMaine, Maine Civil Liberties Union and the Maine Women's Lobby will announce today whether they plan to deliver the petitions and carry through with a referendum. National gay-rights leaders, for their part, anticipate that a gay marriage campaign will be launched.

Maine is currently the only state in New England that doesn't allow either gay marriage or civil unions.

Starbucks & Google endorse marriage equality in Washington State

2012-01-26T09:59:00.004-05:00

Google and Starbucks have joined a list of companies supporting marriage equality legislation in Washington state, the Belingham Herald reports.

Starbucks said in a statement:

This important legislation is aligned with Starbucks business practices and upholds our belief in the equal treatment of partners. It is core to who we are and what we value as a company. We are proud of our Pride Alliance Partner Network group, which is one of the largest Employer Resource Groups for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) employees in the U.S., helping to raise awareness about issues in the communities where we live and work.

According to Washington United for Marriage, which backs the legislation, Microsoft, Nike and Group Health Plan have already endorsed the legislation.

The marriage equality legislation picked up the 25th and final vote needed in the state Senate for pass the law.

View a list of companies officially supporting the legislation here.

Chuck Prophet"White Night, Big City"

2012-01-26T09:56:00.001-05:00

Towleroad reports: Singer-songwriter Chuck Prophet's new music video is inspired by the riots that ensued after Supervisor Dan White's manslaughter conviction for the assassination of Harvey Milk and Mayor George Moscone following his infamous "Twinkie defense".

The track is the first single from Prophet's new album, Temple Beautiful.

Adele racks up two No.1’s this week

2012-01-26T09:45:00.003-05:00

ArtsBeat reports: If anyone still doubted the commercial appeal of an old-fashioned soul singer who can channel raw emotion into song, Adele has put those doubts to rest. Not since 1993 has an album remained at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart for as long as her album, 21.

That album finished its 17th week atop the sales chart since its release in the United States last February, selling 95,000 copies last week. That’s the best any album has done since The Bodyguard soundtrack, released in 1993, was on top for 20 weeks, Billboard reported.

A single from Adele’s album, “Set Fire to the Rain,” rose to the top of the Billboard Hot 100 song chart, which measures radio airplay and sales, pushing Rihanna’s “We Found Love,” featuring Calvin Harris, out of the top position that it had held for 10 weeks.

“Set Fire to the Rain” is the third single from Adele’s album to reach the top of the songs chart, along with “Rolling in the Deep” last May and “Someone Like You” in September.

The rest of the Top 10 looked familiar. El Camino from the Black Keys remained at No. 3, though its sales slackened by 20%, and Drake was at No. 4 with Take Care. Rihanna’s Talk That Talk rose two slots to No. 5, and Young Jeezy’s TM 103: Hustlerz Ambition remained at No. 6.

More on this weeks music stats can be read here.

Sh*t Miami people say

2012-01-26T09:39:00.000-05:00

--> The only one missed was "That's so cue...!"

Miami is 2nd rudest city in America

2012-01-26T09:38:00.002-05:00

NBC Miami reports: Believe it or not, Miami is the second-rudest city in the country – according to Travel + Leisure.

In new rankings released as part of its “America’s Favorite Cities” survey, the magazine’s readers deemed the Magic City to be quite rude – even more so than the ugly politics of Washington, D.C. (#3), L.A. (#4), and the smart-mouthing and championship-gloating of Boston (#5).

The magazine’s listing for Miami said that people here are “gorgeous, a little wild, and terrible drivers.”

“While bad weather may explain crabbiness in some cities, Miami can’t use that excuse,” Travel + Leisure said. “Voters are willing to shrug it off, though, as long as they are whooping it up in one of the city’s many loud settings, such as its bar scene or its raucous New Year’s Eve.”

The “capital of crabbiness”? New York.

More of the 35 cities listed on this survey can be seen here.

GOP hopefuls scramble for Florida Hispanic votes

2012-01-26T09:25:00.003-05:00

The New York Times reports: The leading Republican candidates were appealing for the votes of South Florida’s Hispanic voters yesterday, with the campaigns of Mitt Romney and Newt Gingrich skirmishing over an advertisement that branded Mr. Romney as anti-immigration.

The Spanish-language radio advertisement by the Gingrich campaign called Mr. Romney “the most anti-immigrant candidate” in the field. That drew a strong condemnation from Senator Marco Rubio, a Cuban-American who is remaining neutral in the race and who said in remarks to The Miami Herald that the advertisement was “inaccurate, inflammatory and doesn’t belong in this campaign.”

And Mr. Romney, addressing the commercial, called himself “pro-immigrant” in remarks before an event sponsored by Univision, the Spanish-language network. “It’s very sad for a candidate to resort to that kind of epithet,” he said.

The Gingrich campaign said it was pulling down the radio advertisement, because, Mr. Gingrich said, “I have great respect for Senator Rubio.” But the back-and-forth highlighted the scramble for votes among Hispanic voters, particularly the Cuban-Americans who are such a force in South Florida’s Republican politics.

People of Hispanic origin make up 22.5% of Florida’s population, compared with 16.3% of the United States population, according to census data from 2010. They tend to vote more with Republicans than elsewhere, although polls from 2008 show that President Obama picked up more than half the Hispanic votes in the state, a contrast to the 2004 election, when a majority sided with George W. Bush.

Mr. Romney, Mr. Gingrich and Rick Santorum all appeared at the Univision event, where Mr. Gingrich faced one of the toughest interviews of his campaign when questioned by Jorge Ramos of the network.

Mr. Ramos noted that in a poll released Wednesday by Univision, ABC News and Latino Decisions, in which Mr. Gingrich was matched against Mr. Obama, a vast majority of Hispanic voters chose Mr. Obama.

“You would lose the general election with these numbers,” he warned.

As the Republicans appealed for votes among Cuban-Americans and other Hispanics, one person who said he was not enamored of the field expressed his distaste: Fidel Castro, the retired Cuban leader whose 1959 takeover prompted the exodus of Cubans to South Florida.

“The selection of a Republican candidate for the presidency of this globalized and expansive empire is — and I mean this seriously — the greatest competition of idiocy and ignorance that has ever been,” he wrote in an opinion piece in state-owned news media. [Ed. note: It's a sad day when Fidel Castro is right on target]

More here.

News roundup

2012-01-26T08:47:00.006-05:00

--> Election 2012: President Barack Obama launched a three-day visit to five battleground states today by pressing State of the Union themes of core American values and having the wealthy pay more taxes.

At an Iowa manufacturing plant that he said represented the kind of job creation needed for the economy, Obama repeatedly drew applause for the apparent central message of his re-election bid -- that the country needs to keep alive equal opportunity for all.

Americans aren't looking for a handout, the president said, but want the security of knowing they can provide for their families, send their kids to college and save for retirement.

"That's all most people want. Folks don't have unrealistic ambitions," he said. "They do believe that if they work hard, they should be able to achieve that small measure of an American dream. That's what this country's about. That's what you deserve."

Later, Obama spoke at a $5 billion factory under construction in Arizona that computer chip maker Intel says will be the most advanced high-volume semiconductor manufacturing plant in the world when completed in 2013.

Standing in front of what's billed as the world's largest land-based crane, Obama called the factory being built "an example of an America that's within our reach" that leads in technology and job creation through investment and innovation.

Obama later heads to Nevada to spend the night. He also will visit Michigan and Colorado on the trip that ends Friday. All five states visited are considered competitive and important to the president's re-election hopes. (Via CNN)

--> Election 2012: President Barack Obama and former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney are neck and neck in Florida, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released today.

The poll showed both Obama and Romney at 45%, just months after Romney held a 47-40 lead back in September, and a 46-43 lead two weeks ago.

Obama holds a strong 50-39% lead over former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, who along with Romney, former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum and Texas U.S. Rep. Ron Paul are battling it out in Florida this week ahead of Tuesday's GOP primary.

Santorum trails Obama 49-40% while Paul trails 47-39 percent, according to the poll. (Via NBC Miami)

--> News: Bodies of more cruise wreck victims ID’d

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

--> Health Issues: The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation will inject $750 million into the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates announced Thursday at the World Economic Forum.

The donation comes in the form of a promissory note, not as cash, which the Gates Foundation said "gives the Global Fund the flexibility and authority to distribute funds efficiently based on immediate needs."

"By supporting the Global Fund, we can help to change the fortunes of the poorest countries in the world," Gates said in a statement. "I can't think of more important work."

At a news conference at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Gates said the funds could be used immediately to "saves lives, whether it is bed nets (to protect against mosquitoes carrying malaria) or TB (tuberculosis) treatment, those are two diseases that don't get perhaps the visibility of the work done in HIV but they are every bit as important."

The investment comes on top of $650 million the Gates Foundation has already contributed since the Global Fund was launched 10 years ago. More at CNN.

Pick Me Up of the Day

2012-01-25T10:55:00.002-05:00

Landon Falgoust as featured on Soul Artist.

Farm boys for Yeo Valley

2012-01-25T10:52:00.001-05:00

Thanks Kristen!

N.J. marriage bill advances, Christie wants referendum

2012-01-25T10:47:00.002-05:00

The Advocate reports: A bill that would legalize same-sex marriage passed the New Jersey senate judiciary committee as expected yesterday afternoon. The 8 to 4 vote cleared the way for the bill to come to the senate floor next month, although Governor Chris Christie renewed his vow to veto the legislation and urged lawmakers to “let the people of New Jersey decide” the issue in a referendum.

Democratic lawmakers introduced the bill two weeks ago with the expectation that it would pass both houses, in contrast with 2010, when the measure died after a 20-14 vote in the senate. Senate President Stephen Sweeney, who abstained from voting two years ago, has since changed his position and become a sponsor of the legislation. He told The Advocate he planned to discuss the legislation with Christie, who could choose to veto the bill or let it become law without his signature, after it passed the senate and general assembly.

However, Christie appeared to foreclose prospects for dialogue when, at the same time as the committee hearing, he announced during a town hall that he planned to veto the bill. The governor said he wanted lawmakers to put the issue before voters in a referendum. A Quinnipiac poll last week showed that a majority (52%) of New Jersey voters support marriage equality for the first time.

"I think this is not an issue that should rest solely in my hands, or the hands of the Senate President or the Speaker or the other 118 members of the Legislature," said the governor, according to the Star-Ledger. "Let's let the people of New Jersey decide what is right for the state."

The remarks represented a departure from Christie’s more open tone of recent weeks. As recently as Monday, a Christie spokesman told The Advocate that the governor planned to allow the legislative process to unfold, and then review it in accordance with a 45-day review period, "just as he would any other piece of legislation.”

Senate President Sweeney responded with a resounding no when a speaker informed the hearing participants of the governor's announcement. His reply appeared to escalate the mounting confrontation between Democratic lawmakers and the Republican governor.

"Civil rights is not to be placed on the ballot," said Sweeney after a speaker interrupted to share the governor's announcement. "It’s to be voted on by the people in this house."

More here.

An etiquette guide to texting while walking

2012-01-25T10:40:00.000-05:00

(Via Towleroad)

Bravo's Andy Cohen to publish memoir

2012-01-25T10:26:00.002-05:00

Fans of Bravo's Andy Cohen will not be surprised to learn that in high school he was voted "most talkative and biggest gossip."

So the title of his new memoir – really a book of stories from his life, he says – is a no-brainer: Most Talkative: Stories From the Front Lines of Pop Culture.

Cohen, the chatty host of Watch What Happens: Live and various Bravo reality reunion shows, gave a very funny dramatic reading from his new book at a promotional lunch in New York Wednesday. Most Talkative is due from Henry Holt on May 8.

He read excerpts that included a childhood car trip from hell (as far as his relatives were concerned, since he didn't shut up for 48 straight hours) and the time a few little lies got in him in hot water with his idol Oprah Winfrey.

Cohen, who grew up gay and loving TV, says his book "begins and ends with Susan Lucci." And he covers his days as a "Jewish go-go dancer," and of course, The Real Housewives franchise.

It's assumed that there will be material from Watch What Happens: Live, where it's fair to say you never know what might happen.

(Via Book Buzz)

D.C. is the most literate city in America

2012-01-25T10:04:00.003-05:00

Book Buzz reports: For the second consecutive year, Washington, D.C. has ranked as the most literate city in the country, according to an annual statistical survey to be released today.

Ranked by Central Connecticut State University President Jack Miller and based on data from number of bookstores, library resources, newspaper circulation and Internet resources, the top 10 for 2011 are as follows:

1. Washington, D.C. (same as in 2010)
2. Seattle (same as in 2010)
3. Minneapolis (same as in 2010)
4. Atlanta (same as in 2010)
5. Boston (up from No. 12 in 2010)
6. Pittsburgh (down from No. 5 in 2010)
7. Cincinnati (up from No. 11 in 2010)
8. St. Louis (up from No 9.5 in 2010)
9. San Francisco (down from No. 6 in 2010)
10. Denver (down from No. 8 in 2010)

Miller says he discovered that "wealthier cites are no more likely to rank highly in literacy than poorer cities."

For example, he notes that Cleveland is ranking second lowest for median family income, data, but based on higher rankings for its library system and newspaper and magazine circulations, it's ranked 13th most literate in the survey.

"On the other hand," he says, "Anchorage, Alaska is ranked 5th in median family income and only 61st in literacy."

He adds that the findings "suggest that, contrary to what many people think, a city's quality of literacy has to do with many decisions that go beyond just how wealthy and highly educated is the population."

Details are posted here.

Apple's $46 billion sales set new tech record

2012-01-25T09:48:00.002-05:00

Apple sold a stunning 37 million iPhones last quarter, twice what it sold in the same period a year ago. iPad sales doubled to a record 15.4 million. Apple moved 5.2 million Macs, the first time Apple sold more than 5 million of its PCs in a quarter. The company also sold 15.4 million iPods during the holiday quarter, which ended Dec. 31.

Apple's stellar quarter generated sales of $46.3 billion, a tech industry record. That's up 73% from a year ago, and it easily topped Wall Street analysts' $38.9 billion median forecast, according to a Thomson Reuters poll.

Apple had $127.8 billion in sales during the 2011 calendar year, putting it neck-and-neck with Hewlett-Packard), the nation's largest tech company. This year, Apple is on pace to become the biggest technology company in the world, measured by revenue, outpacing current global No. 1 Samsung.

The Cupertino, Calif.-based company said its fiscal first quarter profit rose to $13 billion, or $13.87 per share, more than double the profit Apple booked a year earlier.

It was one of the most profitable quarters ever for any U.S. company, trailing only ExxonMobil's record-setting $14.8 billion quarter from the fall of 2008, when oil prices were at an all-time high.

Apple is sitting on most of those profits. It now has $97.6 billion in cash.

More at CNN money.

In related news: Apple is now worth more than Greece.

News roundup

2012-01-25T09:40:00.000-05:00

--> News: In a daring nighttime raid last night, a U.S. Navy SEALs team (the same one that killed Osama bin Laden) rescued two hostages, including one American, who were being held by kidnappers in Somalia.

American Jessica Buchanan, 32, and a 60-year-old Dane, Poul Thisted, were working for the Danish Refugee Council, a Danish relief organization, in northern Somalia when they were kidnapped last October. U.S. officials described their kidnappers as heavily armed common criminals with no known ties to any organized militant group.

The SEALs gathered up Buchanan and Thisted, loaded them onto the helicopters and flew them to safety at an undisclosed location. The two hostages were not injured during the rescue operation and are reported to be in relatively good condition. More at MSNBC.

--> News: Tens of thousands of Egyptians have gathered at Tahrir Square today to mark the first anniversary of the uprising that toppled Hosni Mubarak with some seeking a new revolt against army rule and others celebrating the changes already achieved.

It is a year since protesters inspired by an uprising in Tunisia took to the streets in Egypt and the January 25 anniversary has exposed divisions in the Arab world's most populous country over the pace of democratic change.

Concerned the generals are obstructing reform to protect their interests, the pro-democracy activists behind the "January 25 revolution" plan marches to Tahrir Square to demand the military council that replaced Mubarak hand power to civilians immediately.

But well-organized Islamist parties which dominated Egypt's most democratic election since army officers overthrew the king in 1952 are among those who oppose a new uprising. More at MSNBC.

--> Election 2012: A new poll indicates that since Newt Gingrich's double digit victory in Saturday's South Carolina primary, the former House speaker's surged among people likely to vote in Florida's Republican presidential primary on Tuesday.

According to a Quinnipiac University survey released this morning, Romney is at 36% support, with Gingrich at 34%, former Sen. Rick Santorum of Pennsylvania at 13%, Rep. Ron Paul of Texas at 10%, and 7% undecided. Romney's two point margin is well within the poll's sampling error.

But looking just at Sunday and Monday numbers, after the news of Gingrich's big win in South Carolina, the former House speaker has a 40% to 34% advantage over Romney, with Santorum at 11% and Paul at 6%. (Via CNN)

In related news: The GOP candidates are courting Miami today. Of special note: Gingrich is giving a lecture at Florida International University right now, mere feet from my job.

--> Cosmic news: Solar storm could disrupt power grids

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Pictures of the lights can be seen here.

Giffords gets ovation, president's embrace on eve of resignation

2012-01-25T09:34:00.006-05:00

CNN reports: U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords took a few steps into the House chamber and absorbed a 90-second standing ovation before the State of the Union address last night, the eve of her resignation to focus on recovering from her shooting last year.

Giffords, escorted by colleagues including her friend U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz of Florida, smiled and waved as attendees stood and cheered, with some chanting "Gab-by! Gab-by!"

Her husband, retired Navy captain and former astronaut Mark Kelly, smiled as he watched from his seat near first lady Michelle Obama. As President Barack Obama entered a few minutes later, the president paused at Giffords' seat and gave her a long embrace and a kiss on the cheek.

And when she stood during the speech and applauded Obama's lines, the Arizona Democrat was helped to her feet by a Republican and fellow Arizonan, U.S. Rep. Jeff Flake, who probably wouldn't be standing with Democrats during applause lines otherwise.

"It was the least I could do," Flake told CNN after the address. "It was just an incredible experience to be there with her, particularly after last year, having an empty chair where she should have been. It was just an overwhelming, emotional experience for, I think, all of us."

Giffords plans to submit a final vote on a bill that she and Flake introduced, one that would crack down on drug smuggling at the U.S. border that is conducted by smugglers using ultra-light aircraft.

She will then submit her resignation letter to House Speaker John Boehner on the House floor this morning. According to Giffords' office, Wasserman Schultz will read the letter from the well of the House, and it will end with a statement indicating Giffords will return to public service.

"Every day I am working hard. I will recover and will return and we will work together again for Arizona and all Americans," the letter will say, according to Giffords' office.

UPDATE: Giffords officially resigns from Congress

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

President Obama's State of the Union

2012-01-25T09:02:00.001-05:00

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Disney cruises heading for Miami

2012-01-24T17:54:00.002-05:00

Disney ships will start sailing out of Miami for the first time next year as the cruise line expands its Caribbean offerings.

Disney Cruise Line announced today that the addition of two new ships led to plans for a second port in Florida in 2013. Cruises will depart from the Port of Miami, as well as from Port Canaveral.

Disney said it is also expanding its European offerings next year with destinations such as Venice, Italy, and the Greek Islands. The Disney Magic will sail from Barcelona, Spain, on European cruises ranging from four to 12 nights.

The Disney Fantasy, the fourth ship in the line, sails for the first time in March. The Disney Dream debuted last year.

The new itineraries can be booked starting Thursday.

(Via AP)

Dynasty divas reunite for Snickers ad

2012-01-24T13:42:00.002-05:00

--> You can watch a behind-the-scenes spot here.

The intentionally boring gay agenda

2012-01-24T13:30:00.002-05:00

Towleroad reports: Beef stew, jigsaw puzzles, vacuuming, and sofa cuddling are among the things that make up The Gay Agenda, a performance art piece from Randy Roberts Potts, the gay grandson of famed televangelist Oral Roberts.

Potts writes: "To present a clear image of what gay domesticity looks like, we will set up a 'home' in each town inside a borrowed storefront. Two men or two women will inhabit the space as a couple for several days at a time, the occupants performing routine tasks: vacuuming the carpet, making coffee, reading the paper, playing cards with friends, ordering pizza, watching TV, etc.. No intimacy beyond what might be acceptable for any heterosexual couple in public will be presented; ie, it will be limited to casual contact -- hand-holding, an arm around each other, a casual kiss hello/goodbye, etc. THE GAY AGENDA AS CONCEIVED SHOULD BE INCREDIBLY BORING TO WATCH."

The project's website is here, and Facebook page here. The Gay Agenda is coming to Oklahoma City on February 10.

Watch a promo video for the project below:

Pick Me Up of the Day

2012-01-24T10:51:00.003-05:00

Max Silberman as featured on Soul Artist.

Air Force Academy cadets are 'Sexy and They Know It'

2012-01-24T10:30:00.004-05:00

Air Force Academy cadets say this LMFAO-inspired video was rejected by AF officials as "too inappropriate to play for the cadet wing" as a "spirit" video for their football game this year against Army (which Outsports notes they won 24-14).

(Via Towleroad)

Underwear mechanics work under the hood

2012-01-24T10:26:00.000-05:00

Anthony Gallo and Chris Whelan by Rick Day
(Via Soul Artist)

Adam Lambert Tweets Trespassing album cover

2012-01-24T10:25:00.005-05:00

--> It's finally here! Adam Lambert tweeted his new album cover for Trespassing last night, adding, "In addition to serving as Executive Producer of TRESPASSING, I'm also Creative Director. @leecherry is my Art Director and Photographer".

The album is due on March 20th!

Watch Adam perform "Better Than I Know Myself" on Ellen last week:

Follies closes without turning a profit

2012-01-24T10:07:00.004-05:00

ArtsBeat reports: More than 216,000 people saw the Broadway revival of Follies by the time it ended its five-and-a-half month run on Sunday. And most major theater critics raved about the production, which added three weeks of performances in response to ticket demand. Yet all of this was not enough to recoup the show’s capitalization and turn a profit, according to Michael Kaiser of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, where the Follies revival began last spring.

Some fans of the 1971 musical about old friendships and unhappy marriages, which has a score by Stephen Sondheim and a book by James Goldman, were rooting for this Follies to be the one to make money, given that the original Broadway production was a financial flop and the 2001 Broadway revival (by the nonprofit Roundabout Theater Company) had a brief, critically drubbed run.

In an article published in the Huffington Post yesterday, Mr. Kaiser, the president of the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., wrote that “while the production did not recoup its full investment on Broadway, it did far better financially than I had planned.” Under the headline “The Lesson of Follies,” Mr. Kaiser added about the revival:

“It also brought more visibility to the Kennedy Center than any other single production in the Center’s history. Time will tell if this visibility contributes to the fiscal health of the Kennedy Center. But for me, ‘Follies’ is representative of the large-scale, ambitious, risky project that arts organizations need to produce if they are to capture the imagination of new and diverse funders and audience members. It also demonstrates the benefits of long-term artistic planning. We decided to produce ‘Follies’ in 2006 — a full five years before the production was mounted at the Kennedy Center. This gave us the time needed to assemble an artistic team and a cast. It also gave us time to find a group of donors who would support this large, expensive project.”

Mr. Kaiser did not disclose the cost of capitalizing Follies, but a spokesman said it was $5.5 million. The Broadway production grossed a total of $19.6 million over about 24 weeks of performances, according to the Broadway League database of box office receipts; the revival’s average weekly gross was about $815,000, while the weekly running costs for the show were about $600,000.

Follies will have a brief run in Los Angeles at the Ahmanson Theater starting in May, starring Jan Maxwell (reprising her Broadway performance as Phyllis) and Victoria Clark (replacing Bernadette Peters as Sally).

AMC theaters to offer cool perks for Star Wars screenings

2012-01-24T09:59:00.005-05:00

ComingSoon reports: The first chapter of the Star Wars saga arrives in theatres for the first time ever in 3D starting February 10, and AMC theatres across the country are celebrating the occasion with plans to make opening weekend one for fans and families to remember.

To mark the return of Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace to theatres, now in immersive 3D, kids, collectors and Star Wars fans of all ages will receive an all-new Hasbro Star Wars Fighter Pod with the purchase of each RealD 3D ticket for Episode I, all weekend long, February 10-12 only at AMC theatres.

Additionally, 10 AMC theatres in the United States will host exclusive event screenings in RealD 3D to bring the fun of Star Wars in 3D to life for families and fans. Starting Saturday, Feb. 11 at 11 a.m. local time, select theatres will offer activities, giveaways, and interactive experiences. Fans can expect (while supplies last):

* Exclusive Anakin Skywalker Podracer 3D glasses
* A Hasbro Star Wars Fighter Pods collectible toy
* A LEGO(r) feature area
* Darth Maul face-painting, to reveal your inner Sith Lord!
* Special character appearances for photo opportunities
* Demonstrations of the upcoming Xbox Kinect(tm) Star Wars(tm)

Naturally, none of the 10 participating Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace exclusive event screening theatres are in Florida... See the list here.

Academy Award nominations announced

2012-01-24T09:41:00.005-05:00

Martin Scorsese's Paris adventure Hugo leads the Academy Awards with 11 nominations, among them best picture and the latest director slot for the Oscar-winning filmmaker.

The Artist ran second with 10 nominations, including one for Best Picture

Also nominated for best picture: The Descendants, Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close, The Help, Midnight in Paris, Moneyball, The Tree of Life, and War Horse.

The best actor nominees are George Clooney for The Descendants; Gary Oldman for Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy; Brad Pitt for Moneyball; Jean DuJardin for The Artist; and Demian Bichir for A Better Life. Bichir's nomination all but came out of nowhere, as his film has not been widely seen. [Ed. note: Where's Leonardo DiCaprio's nod?!]

The best actress nominees are: Glenn Close for Albert Nobbs; Viola Davis for The Help; Rooney Mara for The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo; Meryl Streep for The Iron Lady; and Michelle Williams for My Week with Marilyn.

The entire nomination broadcast can be watched here.

The Oscars will be presented Feb. 26 at the Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles, hosted by Billy Crystal and broadcast live on ABC.

News roundup

2012-01-24T08:49:00.007-05:00

--> Election 2012: Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney released tax records yesterday indicating he is paying $6.2 million in taxes on a total of $42.5 million in income over the years 2010 and 2011.

Bowing to increasing political pressure to provide more detail about his vast wealth, the former private equity executive released tax returns indicating he and his wife, Ann, paid an effective tax rate of 13.9% in 2010. They expect to pay a 15.4% rate when they file their returns for 2011.

Romney's 2010 returns show the candidate is among the top 1% of taxpayers. More at NBC News.

--> In related news: Romney took it to Gingrich at last night's Florida debate.

--> News: Crews set to remove oil from Italian wreck

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

--> News: A wave of car bombings hit the Iraq capital today, killing 14 people and wounding more than 70 as violence surges in the country amid an escalating political crisis a month after the U.S. military withdrawal.

At least 170 people have died in attacks since the beginning of the year, many of them Shiite pilgrims attending religious commemorations. The last American soldiers left the country Dec. 18.

Suspected Sunni insurgents have frequently targeted Shiite communities and Iraqi security forces to undermine public confidence in the Shiite-dominated government and its efforts to protect people. More at the AP.

--> Technology Issues: Tablet and e-reader ownership increased by nearly double over the holidays, and more than 1 out of every 4 Americans now has one of the devices, according to a new study.

"The number of Americans owning at least one of these digital reading devices jumped from 18% in December to 29% in January," said the Pew Research Center’s Internet & American Life Project in a new report on tablet and e-reader ownership.

"The share of adults in the United States who own tablet computers nearly doubled from 10% to 19% between mid-December and early January and the same surge in growth also applied to e-book readers," which had the exact same increase.

The increase is more than just a run-of-the-mill stat: "In the time we have been doing surveys about the adoption and use of digital technology, we have never seen growth quite like this," said Lee Rainie, director of the Pew Research Center’s Internet & American Life Project. (Via Technoblog)

Pick Me Up of the Day

2012-01-23T10:00:00.002-05:00

Alejandro Corzo as featured on Major Models.

Think outside the jocks

2012-01-23T09:57:00.001-05:00

--> For your viewing pleasure, Dan Murray on the Australain TV Morning Show in November 2010 showing Sly Underwear 'Think Outside the Jocks'

(Via Kenneth in the 212)

The FunniesElection 2012 Edition

2012-01-23T09:48:00.001-05:00

By Jimmy Margulies

Rick Santorum glitterbombed in South Carolina

2012-01-23T09:40:00.003-05:00

Towleroad reports: Before Rick Santorum departed South Carolina Saturday night, a few Occupy people presented him with parting gifts: glitter and screeches.

As the former senator signed autographs, they glitterbombed him, or almost did (it looks like they might have missed), and were dragged away by security personnel while screaming "occ-u-py, occ-u-py." Santorum was all smiles.

Once the Occufolk were out of the hall -- and well out of Santorum's earshot -- they began chanting "bigot, bigot, bigot."

Video from CBS below:

GLAAD lays off almost a quarter of employees

2012-01-23T09:35:00.003-05:00

The Advocate reports: The Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation laid off 11 of its 45 employees last week.

The cuts come against the backdrop of an economy that still has not fully recovered, and nonprofits everywhere continue to face fund-raising challenges. But employees said they didn't see the changes coming.GLAAD cut 11 people from its staff of 45, and a statement from the group assured that "core programs" remain intact, including National and Local News; Religion, Faith & Values; Entertainment Media; and Spanish-Language Media.

Mike Thompson, GLAAD's interim leader, blames the organization's cash shortfall on last summer's weirdness, which led to the departure of GLAAD's president Jarrett T. Barrios:

"It's no secret that GLAAD experienced some real challenges in 2011," Thompson said in a statement to The Advocate. "While the changes that took place subsequent to last summer's tumult were in many ways healthy for the organization, the reality is that the experience had financial impacts for the organization. Our restructuring is reflective of that."

(Via Towleroad)

Deployed Military in Afghanistan say It Gets Better

2012-01-23T09:29:00.002-05:00

Out Air Force service members SSGT Steven Procter, SSGT Shelise Harmon, AT2 Erin Jones, SPC James Velazquez, SPC Curtis Robinson speak for the It Gets Better project from their deployment in Bagram, Afghanistan.

(Via Towleroad)

Tennessee gay teen took his life because of bullying

2012-01-23T09:21:00.005-05:00

--> These get harder and harder to report on. (Via WSMV)

Heidi Klum and Seal to divorce

2012-01-23T09:03:00.003-05:00

Supermodel and Project Runway host Heidi Klum and singer Seal are officially separating after seven years together.

On Sunday night the pair confirmed the split in a statement to People:

"While we have enjoyed seven very loving, loyal and happy years of marriage, after much soul-searching we have decided to separate. We have had the deepest respect for one another throughout our relationship and continue to love each other very much, but we have grown apart. This is an amicable process and protecting the well-being of our children remains our top priority, especially during this time of transition."

Klum and Seal have three biological children together, and the singer adopted the model's eldest daughter, Leni, from a previous relationship.

(Via Today)

New roundup

2012-01-23T08:18:00.009-05:00

Photo caption: Rep. Giffords leads the crowd in the pledge of allegiance during a vigil on January 8, in Tucson, Arizona, marking one year since a shooting rampage left her and 12 others wounded and six people dead.

--> News: Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, the three-term Democrat grievously injured just over a year ago in an assassination attempt that shook the country, announced Sunday that she intends to resign from Congress this week to concentrate on recovering. You can watch Giffords' video in its entirety here.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

--> News: Francesco Schettino, captain of the cruise liner that capsized off Italy's coast, has told prosecutors the vessel's operators, Costa Cruises, instructed him to perform a maneuvre that brought it too close to shore, according to leaked transcripts of his questioning.

Prosecutors say Schettino steered the vessel, which carried more than 4,200 passengers and crew, within 150 metres of the Tuscan island of Giglio to perform a maneuvre known as a "salute" - a greeting to the islanders.

Costa Cruises have said they were not aware of the dangerous practice of bringing the ship so close to the shore and have suspended the captain, saying he was responsible for the disaster. Costa, a unit of Carnival Corp, says Schettino lied to the company and his own crew about the scale of the emergency.

Schettino also said that the black box on board had been broken for two weeks, and that he had asked for it to be repaired, in vain. (Via HuffPo)

--> In related news: Two more bodies were found over the weekend -- one woman on Saturday and one on Sunday, both wearing life jackets -- bringing the number of confirmed dead to 13. Another 19 are missing, according to CNN.

--> Election 2012: Newt Gingrich was named the projected winner of the South Carolina primary within moments of polls closing in the state Saturday. In the latest sign that the former speaker of the House's large margin of victory was a result of explosive last-minute momentum, exit polls show that many Palmetto State voters hadn't made up their minds until this week.

The AP reports that a majority of South Carolina Republican voters said they decided on a candidate in the last few days, and they favored Gingrich by a double-digit margin. Santorum and Romney were about even for second among this group.

--> (Sports world-related) Death: Joe Paterno, whose tenure as the most successful coach in major college football history ended abruptly in November amid allegations that he failed to respond forcefully enough to a sex abuse scandal involving a former assistant, died Sunday, his family said. He was 85.

The longtime Penn State head coach was diagnosed with what his family had called a treatable form of lung cancer shortly after the university's Board of Trustees voted to fire him. (Via CNN)

--> Sports: Eli Manning and the Giants (12-7) will face Tom Brady and the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl on Feb. 5 in Indianapolis as 3 1/2-point underdogs. The last time the teams met for the NFL title, 2008, the Giants ended the Patriots' bid for a perfect season. (Via AP)

Weekendbox office

2012-01-23T08:09:00.003-05:00

Weekend Top Five:

#1 Underworld: Awakening ($25.4M)
#2 Red Tails ($19.1M)
#3 Contraband ($12.2M)
#4 Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close ($10.5M)
#5 Haywire ($9M)

Coalition of 70+ mayors announce support for marriage equality

2012-01-20T12:20:00.004-05:00

Towleroad reports: More than 70 mayors have formed a coalition with LGBT group Freedom to Marry called 'Mayors for Freedom to Marry' and announced their support for marriage equality this morning at the U.S. Conference of Mayors.

Among the mayors are Michael Bloomberg of New York City, Thomas Menino of Boston, Annise Parker of Houston, Jerry Sanders of San Diego, and Antonio Villaraigosa of L.A..

Local mayors Frank Ortis of Pembroke Pines, Lori Moseley of Miramar, and Craig Cates of Key West, FL have also signed onto the coalition.

Freedom to Marry has released the statement they all signed:

As mayors of great American cities, we proudly stand together in support of the freedom of same-sex couples to marry. We personally know many gay and lesbian people living in our cities who are in committed, loving relationships, who are active participants in the civic life of our communities, and who deserve to be able to marry the person with whom they share their life.

We are proud that at its 2009 annual meeting, the U.S. Conference of Mayors unanimously approved a resolution stating that: “The U.S. Conference of Mayors supports marriage equality for same-sex couples, and the recognition and extension of full equal rights to such unions, including family and medical leave, tax equity, and insurance and retirement benefits, and opposes the enshrinement of discrimination in the federal or state constitutions.”

Our cities derive great strength from their diversity, and gay and lesbian families are a crucial part. Studies have shown what we know through our hands-on experience—that cities that celebrate and cultivate diversity are the places where creativity and ideas thrive. They are the places where today’s entrepreneurs are most likely to choose to build the businesses of tomorrow. Allowing same-sex couples the right to marry enhances our ability to build this kind of environment, which is good for all of us.

We stand for the freedom to marry because it enhances the economic competitiveness of our communities, improves the lives of families that call our cities home, and is simply the right thing to do. We look forward to working to build an America where all people can share in the love and commitment of marriage with the person with whom they share their life.

The full list of participating mayors can be seen here.

President Obama sings some Al Green

2012-01-20T11:47:00.002-05:00

During a campaign appearance ;ast night at the famed Apollo Theater in Harlem, New York, President Barack Obama got the crowd cheering with a tune.

After legendary soul singer Rev. Al Green performed, the Commander-in-Chief took the stage and crooned a few lines of Green's hit song "Let's Stay Together."

The audience cheered loudly and Obama joked that "the Sandman" didn't appear to pull him off stage as is the tradition for acts that bomb during Amateur Night at the Apollo.

(Via the Marquee Blog)

RIP Etta James

2012-01-20T11:41:00.002-05:00

People reports: Etta James, the powerful blues voice behind the chart-topping 1961 evergreen "At Last," has died after a lengthy struggle with leukemia. She was 73.

Her longtime friend and manager, Lupe De Leon, first confirmed the news to CNN. "This is a tremendous loss for the family, her friends and fans around the world," De Leon said. "She was a true original who could sing it all – her music defied category. I worked with Etta for over 30 years. She was my friend and I will miss her always."

Because of her health concerns, James had curtailed her concerts in January 2010 to enter the hospital with a blood infection, among other ailments, including Alzheimer's disease.

The winner of four Grammys and a 1993 inductee to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, James was portrayed in the 2008 movie Cadillac Records by Beyoncé Knowles. Christina Aguilera also cited James as a major influence.

"There's a lot going on in Etta James's voice," Bonnie Raitt once told Rolling Stone, which ranked James 22nd on its list of the 100 Best Singers of All Time. "A lot of pain, a lot of life but, most of all, a lot of strength. She can be so raucous and down one song, and then break your heart with her subtlety and finesse the next. As raw as Etta is, there's a great intelligence and wisdom in her singing."

More on the passing of this legend here.

Pick Me Up of the Day

2012-01-20T11:23:00.000-05:00

Lorenzo Martone as featured on OUT.

C.C. Bloom"Otto Titsling"

2012-01-20T11:15:00.001-05:00

From Beaches.

Theater to host Beaches sing and cry-a-long

2012-01-20T11:05:00.004-05:00

ArtsBeat reports: Behavior that normally would get an audience member kicked out of a screening is welcome at movie sing-a-longs. Throwing rice at The Rocky Horror Picture Show, hand-jiving at Grease, twirling in a dirndl at The Sound of Music are all acceptable forms of fan appreciation.

But later this month something even more unusual will be encouraged at a movie sing-a-long: sobbing. On Jan. 28 the 92nd Street Y TriBeCa will host a Beaches Sing and Cry-a-long! According to the the Y’s Web site, patrons will “experience this tearjerker in an environment where shameless weeping is encouraged.” Tissues will be available.

Beaches directed by Garry Marshall and released in 1988, stars Bette Midler and Barbara Hershey as lifelong friends whose relationship is tested by a love triangle, failed marriages, single parenthood and — enter the tears — a fatal illness. [Ed. note: If you haven't seen it, don't talk to me.]

Cristina Cacioppo, the film programmer at the 92nd Street Y TriBeCa, said Beaches and its cult-like following made it the perfect fit for her as-yet untested teary twist on the sing-along formula.

“‘Beaches’ has songs and and it has emotions,” she said. “I think that’s a good way for me to test out the idea of a cry-along.”

Ms. Cacioppo recently spoke with ArtsBeat about crying at Beaches as a child and feminist moviegoing. Read the interview here.

--> It goes without saying how much I'd LOVE to attend this thing. Unfortunately, nothing cool like this ever happens in Miami.

Lady Gaga launches the Born This Way Foundation

2012-01-20T10:48:00.003-05:00

Born This Way is no longer just Lady Gaga's Grammy-nominated album; now it's also the name of her new foundation.

The pop star announced yesterday that she will launch the Born This Way Foundation (BTWF) at a kickoff event at Harvard University on February 29th. The foundation will "explore the best ways to reach youth and create a new culture of kindness, bravery, acceptance and empowerment," according to a press release. It will in concert with the John D. & Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, the Harvard Graduate School of Education and a number of other organizations.

"BTWF, a non-profit charitable organization, will address issues like self-confidence, well-being, anti-bullying, mentoring and career development and advocacy," the release said. "With a focus on digital mobilization to create positive change, BTWF will lead youth into a braver new society where each individual is accepted and loved as the person they were born to be."

Gaga has long been an advocate of tolerance and has pushed an anti-bullying message through a number of platforms; she spoke out and called for bullying to be made illegal after the suicide of a gay student in September, and sent a moving video message to a teen on an anti-bullying campaign in November. In December, she even spoke with President Obama, sharing her experience and ideas on how to eradicate intolerance amongst the youth of America.

(Via the Huffington Post)

South Carolina joins LGBT license plate party

2012-01-20T10:28:00.002-05:00

Following in the footsteps of Maryland and, recently Indiana, South Carolina will offer pro–LGBT equality license plates.

South Carolina's subtle plates cost $25, with half of that money going to the South Carolina Equality Foundation. Parties in Columbia and Charleston will take place today and Saturday to honor the new plates. Read more here.

Following a protracted battle, Indiana recently began offering LGBT plates, with funds going to support a gay youth organization. Maryland was the first state to offer LGBT-related plates a few years back.

(Via the Advocate)

100,000 Grindr users exposed in hack attack

2012-01-20T10:10:00.002-05:00

Grindr, the the wildly popular mobile app has been compromised by a Sydney hacker, potentially exposing intimate personal chats, explicit photos and private information of users, the Sydney Morning Herald reports.

The hacker discovered a way to log in as another user, impersonate that user, chat and send photos on their behalf.

The vulnerabilities are also present in Blendr, the straight version of the app, according to a security expert who said both apps had "no real security" and were "poorly designed". Fairfax Media is not aware that Blendr has been hacked but the potential was there, according to the security expert.

The founder of the apps, Joel Simkhai, conceded both were vulnerable and he was rushing to release a patch to address the issues. He said he had originally been waiting until new architecture was built "within weeks" but was now releasing an update to both apps "over the next few days".

The hacker site has since come down. Simkhai says protecting user privacy is their highest priority and promised a secure update to the app in days.

With recent statements claiming 3 million users globally, the company has been "pushed into a security crisis that has left its users seriously vulnerable considering the vast amounts fo private information traded thorugh the app -- in many cases naked pictures."

Pretrial hearing set in Tyler Clementi case

2012-01-20T09:47:00.003-05:00

CNN reports: A pretrial hearing is scheduled for today in the case of a former Rutgers University student who allegedly used a web cam to stream footage of his roommate's sexual encounter with another man.

Dharun Ravi faces a 15-count indictment, which includes hate crime charges, in connection with the death of his roommate , Tyler Clementi. Clementi killed himself after the incident, jumping from the George Washington Bridge between New York and New Jersey.

Last month, Ravi turned down a plea deal that would have allowed him to avoid jail time.

"You want to know why he's rejected the plea?" his attorney, Steven Altman, said in December. "Simple principle of law, simple principle of life -- he's innocent. He's not guilty."Ravi is a citizen of India who was studying in the U.S. legally.

The deal offered by Middlesex County prosecutors would have required Ravi, 19, to undergo 600 hours of community service, counseling and to dispose of any information that could identify the man that Clementi was with.

Prosecutors also offered to help Ravi avoid deportation, though they said they could not guarantee it.

A second student charged in the scandal, Molly Wei, 19, reached a plea deal and that requires her testify against Ravi. In May, Wei pleaded not guilty to two counts of invasion of privacy, according to a statement from the Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office.

Feds shut down popular file-sharing website

2012-01-20T09:34:00.002-05:00

The AP reports: One of the world's most popular file-sharing sites was shut down, and its founder and several company officials were accused of facilitating millions of illegal downloads of films, music and other content.

A federal indictment Thursday accused Megaupload.com of costing copyright holders at least $500 million in lost revenue. The indictment was unsealed one day after websites including Wikipedia and Craigslist shut down in protest of two congressional proposals intended to make it easier for authorities to go after sites with pirated material, especially those with overseas headquarters and servers.

The news of the shutdown seemed to bring retaliation from hackers who claimed credit for attacking the Justice Department's website. Federal officials confirmed it was down Thursday evening and that the disruption was being "treated as a malicious act."

A loose affiliation of hackers known as "Anonymous" claimed credit for the attack. Also hacked was the site for the Motion Picture Association of America and perhaps others.

Megaupload is based in Hong Kong, but some of the alleged pirated content was hosted on leased servers in Ashburn, Virginia, which gave federal authorities jurisdiction, the indictment said.

Related: Anonymous says it takes down FBI, DOJ, entertainment sites

The Justice Department said in a statement said that Kim Dotcom, 37, and three other employees were arrested Thursday in New Zealand at the request of U.S. officials. Three other defendants are at large.

The Electronic Frontier Foundation, which defends free speech and digital rights online, said in a statement that, "This kind of application of international criminal procedures to Internet policy issues sets a terrifying precedent. If the United States can seize a Dutch citizen in New Zealand over a copyright claim, what is next?"

Brazilian race car driver hits, kills pedestrian in Miami Beach

2012-01-20T09:22:00.004-05:00

--> It's always worse when they're cute, don't you find it?. More at NBC Miami.

Rick Perry drops out of race, endorses Gingrich

2012-01-19T14:57:00.003-05:00

NBC News reports: Texas Governor Rick Perry announced today that he is dropping out of the presidential race and is endorsing Newt Gingrich for the Republican nomination.

"There is no viable path forward for me," he told supporters today. "I gave fully of myself for a cause worthy of this country," he added. Perry said it was time for him to make a "strategic retreat."

Spokesman Ray Sullivan told reporters after the announcement that money was a factor; that the campaign had gone through "the bulk of our friends." He added that Perry is not yet ruling out running for re-election as governor or making another play for the White House in four years.

Of Gingrich, Perry said, "Newt is not perfect, but who among us is?" Perry continued, "There is forgiveness for those who seek God." He applauded Gingrich as "a conservative visionary who can transform our country."

The former House speaker watched Perry's speech from his campaign bus, parked outside of Beaufort, S.C. He said he was "honored and humbled" by the endorsement. He called Perry a "great patriot."

More on Perry's "strategic retreat" here.

Pick Me Up of the Day

2012-01-19T14:54:00.001-05:00

Akis Hatziiordanou as featured on We Love Guys.

Dolly Parton"Little Sparrow"

2012-01-19T14:52:00.002-05:00

Regarding the Dolly Parton concert in Hollywood

2012-01-19T13:00:00.003-05:00

[Editor's note] I just realized that I never typed up anything about seeing Dolly Parton. I can think of no better occasion than her 66th birthday (and her new film!) to right this wrong.

There are very few performers who have shined as brightly as Dolly Parton. As the charming and adorable country Diva, she wriggled into the cockles of my heart long ago. My memories of Dolly Parton stretch back as far as my childhood. I used to pretend that my mom (who in the 90s looked a lot like her) was Truvy cutting my hair.

Well I was given the rare opportunity of seeing this film and music legend in October for my birthday.

Clad in a hot-pink dress and then a canary-yellow jumper with shorts, Dolly Parton sparkled both from the inside and the outside.

From the very beginning, Dolly was chatty with us. Before each song, she would relate some words of wisdom or a personal story. Of her iconic hit "Jolene", she said that the song was based on truth. When she and her husband were first married and poor, he spent a lot of time at the bank. She joked, "He was looking more for interest, because he had no principle." She closed the intro by saying that when she sees him passed out and drooling she yells, "Jolene, where are you girl?"

After playing some of ~~her~~ my favorites, she took us back in time to her days growing up in Tennessee. With "Tennessee Mountain Home," she talked about having 12 siblings, calling her parents "horny hillbillies." An a cappella version of "Precious Memories" was touching, and when she dedicated "Coat of Many Colors" to her mom and "Appalachian Memories" to her father, I cried like a M'Lynn.

She also covered a few songs, including the Beatles "Help," Collective Soul's "Shine," and a bluegrass version of Led Zeppelin's "Stairway to Heaven". This was perhaps one of my favorite numbers of the night. It was a reinterpretation of a classic song that worked so breath-takingly well for her. Dolly also did a terrifically fun cover of Tina Turner's "Deep River, Mountain High."

Dolly sang some songs off of her newest album, Better Day, too.

Though she had a full band and three backup singers, Dolly brought a variety of instruments with her to play onstage. She played the fiddle, bedazzled guitar, dulcimer, autoharp, recorder, child-sized saxophone (when holding this, she said she was "feeling saxy!"), and even a tiny glittering grand piano. There was even a girl-against-boys dueling banjos with members of her band, which she jokingly called the Saggy Bottom Boys.

And then Dolly Parton rapped.

What started out as potentially the most uncool part of the evening ended in a joke that made the whole thing worth bearing. Dolly and Queen Latifah appear together in the gospel musical called Joyful Noise. The rap was aimed at talking about her costar. Said Dolly of Queen Latifah: "You may be the Queen, but I'm the white trash princess!" She closed by acknowledging that "country mixed with rap is crap!"

As I've mentioned before, I hate going to concerts and not knowing the lyrics to songs. But at the Dolly concert, I didn't mind so much during a particular song. Her haunting and almost spooky version of "Little Sparrow" was incredible.

In short, Dolly Parton remains a singularly delightful musical presence. One that I will not soon forget.

Happy birthday Dolly Parton!

2012-01-19T12:04:00.001-05:00

66 and still making Joyful Noise!

Ryan Seacrest launching TV network

2012-01-19T11:54:00.004-05:00

In a sure-fire sign that the end is near, this news item: Ryan Seacrest is getting his own TV network.

The multi-hyphenate, along with partners AEG and talent agency CAA, have struck a deal with billionaire entrepreneur Mark Cuban to rebrand Cuban's HDNet as AXS TV (pronounced Access) beginning this summer.

The channel’s programming will rely heavily on live lifestyle and live entertainment fare, leveraging the music assets of AEG, a top venue owner and and tour promoter, and the A-list connections and production capabilities of Seacrest.

As part of the rebrand, the network will cater to pop culture and entertainment enthusiasts rather than the younger, heavily male demographic that HDNet historically has targeted. Cuban will continue to lead the channel on behalf of the venture, with Denver-based Philip Garvin still involved as GM of network operations.

Though the parties involved will not comment on financial terms of the deal, one source told The Hollywood Reporter that the venture between Cuban and the others is “virtually” a 50-50 partnership. Seacrest is a stakeholder in the venture, with no plans to contribute as an on-air personality. [Ed. note: Gaycrest shying away from the camera? I don't believe that last bit one bit.]

More on this devasation here.

A pictorial review of Hollywood's hunks

2012-01-19T11:21:00.012-05:00

Michael Fassbender for W Magazine.
And for the Hollywood Reporter. And for Interview magazine.

Ewan McGregor for Menswear.

The Artist star Jean Dujardin for W magazine.

Brad Pitt for W Magazine.

George Clooney for W Magazine.

And Leonardo DiCaprio also for W Magazine.

Glee casts Rachel Berry's dads

2012-01-19T11:00:00.005-05:00

(Picture via @MsLeaMichele)
The Marquee Blog reports: After weathering the disappointment that Elton John reportedly wasn't available to play one of Rachel Berry's dads, Gleeks had a reason to perk up yesterday.

TVLine reports that Tony-winning Broadway star Brian Stokes Mitchell and Jeff Goldblum will portray Hiram and LeRoy Berry, the couple who adopted and raised Lea Michele's character Rachel.

We won't have to wait long to see them in action, either - the Berry dads will make their first appearance in the February 14 episode of Glee, and they're expected to sing.

"So excited that we're finally going to get to meet Rachel's dads!!! So anxious to get to work with both of them!!" Lea Michele tweeted yesterday. "Brian Stokes and I have been friends for ages!!! We worked together on Broadway! So happy he's going to be on the show!!!"

In related news: Glee returned on Tuesday night with reality star NeNe Leakes as the synchronized swim team coach and Helen Mirren serving as the voice of Becky's internal monologue. More on the episode here.

Mariela Castro: Cuba lawmakers to consider same-sex unions

2012-01-19T10:48:00.002-05:00

The AP reports: Cuba’s first daughter says island lawmakers will consider legalizing same-sex civil unions this year.

Mariela Castro is the daughter of President Raul Castro and a prominent gay rights activist. She says a preliminary proposal to modify the country’s Family Code is undergoing legal study and is on the legislative schedule for 2012.

Many gays and transsexuals suffered persecution during the early years after the 1959 revolution, but attitudes have become more tolerant.

Once-banned gay pride parades are now annual events, while the government has led anti-homophobia campaigns and even begun paying for sex change operations.

Mariela Castro’s comments came in an interview published Monday by state-run website Cubadebate.

Neil Patrick Harris & David Burtka on love

2012-01-19T10:30:00.009-05:00

"...Once we started talking, we never stopped."
Neil Patrick Harris writes about his husband, David Burtka, for Out magazine's Love Issue:

There’s something kinetic about him and his being. He’s classically sexy, yet he’s very much a boy in his energy. It’s a great dynamic. When I see people who are equally attractive, they tend to seem more quiet and kind of Marlboro Man-y, and David’s the antithesis of that. He’s more like Tigger. I’m, in turn, very introspective -- the thinker, rather than the doer. I tend to weigh options before making decisions, and David is the polar opposite of that. We’re hyper similar and also incredibly opposite. We share a wardrobe. We have the same shoe size, body size, height, and weight. We’re both Gemini. We both like the idea of family -- not a nuclear family, but a social family. Yet, we’re incredibly opposite in the way we process information.

I initially fell for David harder than he fell for me. I was in love with him before he was comfortable saying it, and I think that speaks to our past experiences. I remember saying, “I think I love you,” and he was like, “That’s really nice,” which is not necessarily what you want to hear. But I appreciated his honesty in not jumping the gun and saying something because he felt obliged to.

David Burtka also weighs in on their relationship:

I wasn’t a big Doogie Howser fan -- I had probably seen it once or twice when I was growing up -- so I gave him a, “Hey, what’s up, nice to meet you,” and that was really it. I thought it would be nice to know him, but I didn’t think in a million years I’d start dating him.

I don’t want people to think we’re a perfect couple. Nothing’s perfect. A relationship is work and it changes. And you go with the changes. It’s more good times than bad times, but it’s not always good. You have to overcome those issues and move on. We have a really great recipe for a wonderful relationship, but we don’t want to be the poster boys for gay relationships. We’re not trying to pretend that we are perfect. We’re just trying -- in a good, positive, loving way -- to live our lives.

GLAAD Media Award nominees announced

2012-01-19T10:18:00.003-05:00

The nominees for the 23rd annual GLAAD Media Awards have been announced.

According to GLAAD, "The awards recognize outstanding images of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community in news coverage and entertainment media. The awards complement and fund GLAAD’s work to share the stories of LGBT people through the media."

There are 151 nominees in a variety of categories. You can see the full list here.

Towleroad, one of my favorite and frequently-cited blogs, is among the nominees for Outstanding Blog. Other blog nominees include Mombian, The New Civil Rights Movement, Bilerico Project, and Rod 2.0.

The awards will be held in New York City on March 24, in Los Angeles on April 21 and in San Francisco on June 2.

We are the lobbyists now

2012-01-19T09:58:00.004-05:00

Photo caption: Anti-piracy legislation protesters gathered to demonstrate against the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) and the Protect Intellectual Property Act (PIPA), which are being considered by Congress, at City Hall in San Francisco yesterday.

Jeff Jarvis writes for the Huffington Post:

The Internet has helped untold publics to form. Yesterday, the Internet became a public. Or rather, millions of people who care about Internet freedom used the net to organize and defend it against efforts to control and harm it.

The SOPA-PIPA blackout got attention in media that previously all but ignored the issue, whether out of conflict of interest or negligence. More important, it got political action as legislators -- especially Republicans -- tripped over themselves to back away from the Hollywood bailout.

In the discussion about the movement yesterday, I heard someone in Washington quoted, saying that these geeks should hire lobbyists like everyone else.

No, we're all lobbyists now, and that's just as it should be. This movement didn't need influence peddlers. It didn't need political commercials. It didn't need media. It needed only citizens who give a shit. Democracy.

I'm delighted that the discussion rose to the level of principles, a discussion I've argued has to take place if we, the internet public, are to protect our tool of publicness.

There's much more going on under this battle: the disruption of media business models, a fundamental change in our view of the value of content, the undercutting of institutions' power, the lowering of national boundaries. But for now, nevermind that and concentrate on what was born yesterday: a political movement, a movement whose cause is freedom.

What else can this movement do? Can it elect candidates? Should it? Or should it continue to hold politicians' feet to the fire? I don't think I want to see the formation of an internet party. I don't want this movement to mimic the way power used to be traded. I don't want it to become an institution. I also don't think it's possible. I prefer to see it continuing to mimic #OccupyWallStreet, organizing without organizations, discerning through interaction its principles and goals.

After yesterday, the powerful are on warning that a public can rise up out of nowhere to protest and pressure, to fight and win. Dell Hell taught companies to behave, to respect and listen to their customers, and better yet to collaborate with them. The SOPA blackout taught politicians to hear citizens directly, without mediators. Now we'll see whether they can learn to collaborate as well.

President Obama releases campaign ad

2012-01-19T09:53:00.001-05:00

President Obama rejects Keystone oil pipeline

2012-01-19T09:35:00.002-05:00

Photo caption: Demonstrators carry a giant mock pipeline while calling for the cancellation of the Keystone XL pipeline during a rally in Washington on November 6, 2011.

NBC News reports: President Barack Obama yesterday rejected a Canadian company's plan to build a U.S.-spanning, 1,700-mile pipeline to carry oil across six U.S. states to Texas refineries, raising the stakes on a bitter election year fight with Republicans.

Though the project promises thousands of temporary jobs for the recovering U.S. economy, Obama said a February deadline set by Congress would not allow for a proper review of potential harm from the $7 billion Keystone XL project.

"As the State Department made clear last month, the rushed and arbitrary deadline insisted on by congressional Republicans prevented a full assessment of the pipeline's impact, especially the health and safety of the American people, as well as our environment," Obama said.

The plan proposed by Calgary-based TransCanada would carry oil from tar sands in western Canada to Texas.

The State Department said the decision was made "without prejudice," meaning TransCanada can submit a new application once a route through environmentally sensitive areas of Nebraska is established.

Russ Girling, TransCanada's president and chief executive officer, said the company plans to do exactly that. If approved, the pipeline could begin operation as soon as 2014, Girling said.

Predictably, Republicans assailed Obama's decision as a job-killer and said the fight was not over.

The Republican leader of the House, Speaker John Boehner, said Obama was breaking his promise to create jobs.

"This is not the end of this fight," said Boehner. He called the pipeline good for the U.S. economy and a major job creator.

The pipeline proposal has forced the White House to make a politically risky choice between two important Democratic constituencies. Many labor unions back the project because of the prospects of new jobs in a fragile economy. Environmental groups fear the pipeline could lead to an oil spill disaster.

Billionaire donates $7.5M for Washington Monument repairs

2012-01-19T09:33:00.003-05:00

A billionaire history buff has stepped forward to donate the $7.5 million matching gift that's needed to start repairing cracks near the top of the Washington Monument from last summer's East Coast earthquake.

Businessman David Rubenstein told The Associated Press he was inspired to help fund the repairs to the 555-foot obelisk when it became clear how severely damaged it was by a 5.8-magnitude quake on Aug. 23. The monument received about 1 million visitors a year before the famous landmark was closed to the public after the quake.

The Park Service hopes to have a contractor begin work by the end of August. The repair work is expected to take a year to complete, likely keeping the monument closed for two years.

Congress allocated $7.5 million in December on the condition that private donations would match that amount. The National Park Service and nonprofit Trust for the National Mall are expected to announce Rubenstein's gift Thursday morning. It will be the largest gift to the nonprofit group, which aims to raise $350 million to restore the mall's grounds and facilities.

The combined $15 million in public and private funds is expected to cover the cost of repairing damage directly caused by the quake, said National Park Service spokeswoman Carol Johnson. Repairing water damage will cost more, as would a seismic study or reinforcements to strengthen the obelisk against future earthquakes, she said.

Kodak files for bankruptcy

2012-01-19T09:28:00.003-05:00

Photo caption: George Eastman, left, founder of the Eastman Kodak Company, is shown with fellow inventor Thomas Edison, in an undated photograph.

Eastman Kodak Co, which invented the handheld camera and helped bring the world the first pictures from the moon, has filed for bankruptcy protection, capping a prolonged plunge for what remains one of America's best-known companies.

The 130-year-old photographic film pioneer, which had tried to restructure to become a seller of consumer products like cameras, said it had also obtained a $950 million, 18-month credit facility from Citigroup to keep it going.

The loan and bankruptcy protection from U.S. trade creditors may give Kodak the time it needs to find buyers for some of its 1,100 digital patents, the key to its remaining value, and to reshape its business while continuing to pay its 17,000 workers.

"The board of directors and the entire senior management team unanimously believe that this is a necessary step and the right thing to do for the future of Kodak," Chairman and Chief Executive Antonio M. Perez said in a statement.

"Now we must complete the transformation by further addressing our cost structure and effectively monetizing non-core intellectual-property assets. We look forward to working with our stakeholders to emerge a lean, world-class, digital imaging and materials science company," he added.

More on the filing and legendary history of Kodak can be read at Reuters.

Costa Concordia captain reportedly fell into lifeboat

2012-01-19T09:18:00.001-05:00

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

In related news: Captain Francesco Schettino has been dubbed 'chicken of the sea'

Jobless claims drop to near 4-year low

2012-01-19T09:13:00.002-05:00

The Bottom Line reports: New applications for unemployment benefits dropped to near a four-year low in the latest week, government data shows today, providing further evidence that the U.S. job market has gained a bit of momentum.

The Labor Department reported that seasonally adjusted jobless claims fell 50,000 in the week ended Jan. 14, to 352,000 from a revised 402,000 the prior week.

The 4-week moving average, considered a better gauge of labor market trends because it smooths out wrinkles in the data, was 379,000, a decrease of 3,500 from the previous week's revised average of 382,500.

Meanwhile the agency also reported that consumer prices were flat for a second straight month in December as gasoline fell and food rose moderately, suggesting scope for further monetary easing should economic growth falter.

Gingrich closes gap with Romney in South Carolina

2012-01-19T08:48:00.003-05:00

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

--> In related news: A new report shows Republican presidential candidate Rick Santorum wound up 34 votes ahead of Mitt Romney in the Iowa caucuses.

Iowa's Des Moines Register newspaper reported today that while Santorum held the 34-vote advantage, results from eight precincts were missing and will never be recovered and certified, and there are "too many holes" in the certified totals to know the victor for certain.

Romney was thought to have won the January 3 caucuses by eight votes, the closest-ever margin of victory in a Republican presidential contest.

Certified results of the caucuses are set to be formally released later this morning.

(Via CNN)

Sh*t Abuela's Say

2012-01-18T13:07:00.002-05:00

--> The ever-expanding catalogue of sh*t people say just went nuclear with these!

If you missed the previous installments, watch here, here, here, and here.

LL Cool J to host the Grammys

2012-01-18T11:40:00.001-05:00

The Grammy Awards has announced that actor/rapper LL Cool J will host this year's 54th annual ceremony. The performer (whose rap initials stand for "Ladies Love Cool James") is a two-time Grammy winner and has hosted the Grammy Nominations Concert since it began in 2008.

LL (whose real name is James Smith) is promising viewers of this year's telecast a big night.

"I'm thrilled to be part of music's biggest night," he said in a statement. “I will always have fond memories of my first Grammy Awards, and to now be hosting the Grammy show, in the company of so many other incredible artists, is a dream come true. Great performances and great music — it's gonna be a great night!"

It's been a few years since the show has had an official host. Queen Latifah hosted the 47th Grammy Awards in 2005, and Jon Stewart hosted the 43rd and 44th telecasts. Other hosts have included Billy Crystal, Ellen DeGeneres and Rosie O'Donnell.

(Via The Marquee Blog)

Adam Lambert performs new single onTonight Show

2012-01-18T11:39:00.000-05:00

--> Apologies for the low quality. Will re-post when something better pops up.

The science behind cuteness

2012-01-18T11:16:00.000-05:00

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Male models of Milan Fashion Week get dirty

2012-01-18T10:08:00.004-05:00

Photographer Luca Finotti had a few items other than clothes for the male models of fashion week to wear in Milan this year.

Taste.IT / The Boys of Milan Fashion Week from models.com on Vimeo.

In order of appearance: Simone Nobili, Leebo Freeman, Samuele Visentin, Diego Fragoso, Ryan Barrett, Jamie Wise, James Smith, Andrea Preti, Sebastian Sauvé, Jeremy Wardlaw, Patrick O’Donnell, Lowell Tautchin, River Viiperi, Jonathan Marquez, Bradley Soileau, Julian Schratter, Jonathan and Kevin Ferreira de Sampaio, and Milo Spijkers.

(Via Towleroad)

Pick Me Up of the Day

2012-01-18T10:05:00.002-05:00

Chris Nogiec as featured on DNA.

The Diary of Zac Efron: Hoop Dreams

2012-01-18T09:48:00.003-05:00

If you missed the previous entries to Zac's Diary, watch here and here.

Nick Jonas talks gays and acceptance

2012-01-18T09:27:00.005-05:00

Pop star Nick Jonas returns to Broadway in How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying and talks to the Advocate about becoming a man, his guest spot on NBC’s Smash, and how his Christian upbringing influenced him on gay issues.

Says the little Jonai:

My upbringing was faith-based, but we believed you should love all others as you want to be loved, because everyone should be treated equally. That’s helped me have an understanding of people on different journeys and in different walks of life. At the end of the day, we’re all the same, because we all want to be loved. As long as love as the key, we’re in good shape.

My thoughts on gay marriage are that everyone has the right to love and be loved, and that’s the position I take.

Gay boybanders and pop idols rarely come out at the height of their popularity. If a Jonas Brother came out, what impact might it have on your career?

The amazing thing about our fans is that they’re incredibly supportive about everything that we do, but I have to separate us from the equation because the three of us aren’t gay. If someone in our position came out, I’d hope that support would carry over and that their fans would love them just the same.

--> Nick, they'd love them thrice over! Especially if said gay ~~was~~ is Joe. That's so obvious that it causes blue balls.

More of the Advocate's interview with Nick can be read here.