Florida court to hear arguments in anthrax death lawsuit
The Florida Supreme Court is taking up key issues in a lawsuit over the anthrax death of a photo editor for a supermarket tabloid publisher.
Robert Stevens died Oct. 5, 2001 after being exposed to the deadly substance. It was in an envelope mailed to the offices of American Media Inc., which publishes the National Enquirer, Sun and Globe newspapers.
His wife sued the federal government and a private laboratory, claiming they both had a duty to protect the public from anthrax. The court is hearing arguments on Monday in the case. Read more
Republican Convention may require protest permits
"Before, we had no real motivation to forward. We hadn't had any big demonstrations."
In anticipation of the 2008 Republican National Convention, this city about 12 miles from the convention site is considering a new requirement that protesters get a city permit before holding a demonstration in ... via Rocky Mountain Collegian
Star Tribune Disputes 'Brink Of Bankruptcy' Claim
The Star Tribune has hired a private equity firm to advise it but disputed a published report that said it's "on the brink of bankruptcy."
"The facts are that the Star Tribune currently has sufficient liquidity and is current on all its debt payment obligations," Publisher and Chairman Chris Harte said in a statement Sunday evening.
Harte was responding to a New York Post story Sunday that said the Minneapolis newspaper had hired the Blackstone Group of New York to restructure its balance sheet after failing to meet its debt obligations. The Post attributed that to unnamed "people familiar with the company." Read more
The World Must be Pro-Initiative! Iron Man Soars to 10th Biggest Opening of All Time
Internationally, the film has also earned an incredible $96.7 million in 57 countries since it began opening Wednesday, putting its worldwide total at $201 million after just five days! The comic book ... via Silver Bullet Comics
Top editor leaves Stamford, Greenwich papers
"Obviously as we rebuild and restaff the newsrooms, Joe's experience will be missed"
Joseph F. Pisani, who ushered The Stamford Advocate and Greenwich Time into the digital age while wearing bow ties and surrounding himself with vintage typewriters, has left as editor of the newspapers. via Free Republic
Q: How is it that online advertisers seem to know that I'm thinking of buying a car or planning a big vacation? I find that creepy. via Asbury Park Press Online
ECB to stay on high alert until inflation fades: analysts
"Despite a raft of weaker economic data, the ECB will maintain its benchmark rates given persistent dangers of inflation"
The European Central Bank will stay on high alert for many more months while keeping its main lending rates stable, analysts believe, as inflation poses a bigger threat than signs of an impending slowdown in ... via Raw Story
Pearl necklace brings back memories of mother for NC woman
When Jan Tevepaugh thinks of her mother, she doesn't picture her wearing pearls. via Myrtle Beach Online
Viacom's Profit Increases 33% With Help From a Video Game
Viacom, the media company controlled by Sumner M. Redstone, said on Friday that its first-quarter profit rose 33 percent on sales of the video game Rock Band and higher ratings at its cable channels. via HendersonvilleNews.com
NY lawsuit seeks damages for use of Rockwell illustration
The owner of Norman Rockwell's "Bottom of the 6th" - showing three umpires looking skyward as first raindrops fall - is steaming over the use of the classic illustration in the television series "The Bronx is ... via WJLA-TV Arlington
Google's biggest challenge today is mobile advertising. Although the company will continue to make money on standard online advertising, mobile advertising is expected to be more effective and possibly more ... via TechNewsWorld
DiMA Says More ASCAP Court Action Possible
The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York ruled late Wednesday that AOL, Yahoo and RealNetworks must pay higher licensing fees to ASCAP. via Hypebot
More Bloomberg Claimants Found
The number of claimants in a discrimination suit in New York City against news service Bloomberg LP has grown to 58, an employment commission said Friday. via The Post Chronicle
"I am at home right now taking it easy. I have been sick this whole tour, and now I have lost my voice. I have never canceled a show in my whole career and just had to for the first time ever. This sux (sic)!"
Avril Lavigne poses with the Most Addictive Track and Solo Artist of 2007 awards in the Awards Room during the MTV Europe Music Awards 2007 at the Olympiahalle on November 1, 2007 in Munich, Germany. via WWTI
Chevron 1Q profit rises 10 percent on higher oil prices
Coming off four straight years of record earnings, Chevron Corp. cashed in on soaring oil prices to begin 2008 with the most profitable first quarter in its history. via The Florida Times-Union
MTV owner Viacom reports 33 pct 1Q profit rise
Strong sales of the video game "Rock Band" helped lift first-quarter earnings 33 percent at the entertainment company Viacom Inc., a major cable network operator which owns MTV and Nickelodeon. via The Modesto Bee
`American Idol': Paula Abdul Isn't Going Anywhere
"That decision happened during the live broadcast. It was at the very last minute, so Paula wasn't planning on doing any judging."
For starters, Paula Abdul isn't going anywhere. "Why would we get rid of Paula?" wonders Cecile Frot-Coutaz matter-of-factly, when questioned about possibly nixing the wacky "American Idol" judge now infamous ... via News Max
Ziff Davis Names Weedfald President
Troubled technology and video game magazine publisher Ziff Davis Media named Peter Weedfald as president, a new position, as it strives to emerge from bankruptcy by June. via Media Week
Journal boosts stock repurchases after buyback proposal defeated
The Business Journal of Milwaukee - by Rich Kirchen Less than four hours after the conclusion of its annual meeting where stock buybacks were a controversial topic, the Journal Communications Inc. via The Business Journal of Milwaukee
Apple's new Hollywood deal: Death of the DVD?
"So it's about a three-to-one trade."
The news that Time Warner CEO Jeff Bewkes let slip in a conference call on Wednesday - that from now on Warner Bros. via Fortune
More women charge Bloomberg LP with discrimination
"Last month, the U.S. District Court in New Jersey dismissed an employment discrimination suit by four current and former employees, finding that the plaintiffs' allegations were baseless"
The number of pregnant women at news and financial data company Bloomberg LP who claim to have suffered sex discrimination has grown to 58 from three, an attorney for the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity ... via Reuters
Pentagon Used Military Analysts to Deliver Message
A two-year investigation by The New York Times found that the Pentagon has orchestrated war analysis offered by military experts. What role did the news networks play in making the Pentagon's plan possible?
Source : www.npr.org | 01-mai-2008 23:05
Disney takes over Disney Stores from Children's Place
"For The Children's Place, we can once again focus exclusively on building our core namesake brand and driving the business forward"
Walt Disney Co. said Thursday it has taken over the Disney Store chain in North America from Children's Place Retail Stores, and will close about 98 stores U.S. and two in Canada.
Specific financial terms weren't disclosed, but Secaucus, N.J.-based Children's Place said it will cost the company $50 million to exit the operations, at the bottom of its estimated range of $50 million to $100 million.
Walt Disney acquired about 220 Disney Stores in the U.S. and Canada. The deal was completed in conjunction with the bankruptcy proceedings Children's Place subsidiaries Hoop Retail Stores and Hoop Canada, which ran the Disney Store chain. The companies filed for Chapter 11 protection in March. Read more
Costs, weaker economy drive Las Vegas Sands to 1Q net loss
"I think we're speaking to welcome ears when we're suggesting that you got to have to have a certain percent of exhibition space, convention center, shopping space."
Las Vegas Sands Corp. said Wednesday it lost $11.2 million in the first quarter as resort construction costs escalated, the U.S. economy weakened and competition intensified in the Chinese gambling enclave of Macau.
Shares of the casino company run by billionaire Sheldon Adelson fell 9 percent in after-hours electronic trading.
The company's quarterly loss equaled 3 cents per share, compared with a profit of $90.9 million, or 26 cents per share, a year earlier.
Excluding items such as losses on sold assets and expenses related to opening new casinos, adjusted earnings totaled $23.6 million, or 7 cents a share for the period ended March 31. That was down from $114.6 million, or 32 cents per share, a year earlier. Read more
Talking to Fox's O'Reilly, Clinton Keeps Her Cool
NPR's David Folkenflik says Sen. Hillary Clinton fared well during a much-hyped appearance opposite her long-time nemesis Bill O'Reilly on the Fox News Channel's flagship interview program, The O'Reilly Factor.
Source : www.npr.org | 01-mai-2008 14:41
'New Yorker' Writer Could Win With First Piece
The National Magazine Awards are announced Thursday. Nominees include Raffi Khatchadourian, a New Yorker writer who discusses his story on Adam Gadahn, an American-born al-Qaeda operative.
Source : www.npr.org | 01-mai-2008 13:00
Federal court establishes formula for Internet royalties owed music composers, publishers
"This historic decision, for the first time, provides a clear framework for how the online use of musical works should be appropriately valued"
SAN FRANCISCO : A federal court established a formula for determining the Internet royalties owed to thousands of music composers, writers and publishers by three major online services - Yahoo Inc., AOL and ... via International Herald Tribune
TMZ identifies 14-year-old alleged sex crime victim
"They think, `Good for this boy, when any young boy has sex with an older woman it's not a crime'"
Breaking with standards widely followed by the mainstream news media, the celebrity Web site TMZ posted a story Wednesday about a 14-year-old who's a movie star's son and an alleged sex crime victim, and it ran the boy's picture.
The story said the boy was in a relationship with a 22-year-old woman, whose ex-boyfriend tipped off police that she was having sex with a minor. Police have opened an investigation, the story said.
Almost all news organizations refrain from identifying sex crime victims, let alone show their picture, because of the stigma often attached to it, said Kelly McBride, ethics group leader at the journalism think tank Poynter Institute. The Associated Press' policy is not to identify people in such cases. Read more
Cher says she dated Tom Cruise when he was a 'shy boy'
"Really. I lived in his apartment."
Cher says she dated Tom Cruise when he was just a "shy boy." The singer-actress discussed the relationship on an episode of "The Oprah Winfrey Show" taped Saturday in Las Vegas before a crowd of 4,000 people, ... via Fort Worth Star-Telegram
The Flash outruns death! 23 years later, running again
"We can do anything with them, and we can make them come back and make them defy death"
He's so fast, he can even outrun death: Barry Allen, aka The Flash, is speeding back to life 23 years after being killed off.
Allen was the second man _ though not the last _ to don the trademark red costume decorated with a lightning bolt as DC Comics' 'Fastest Man Alive.'
His death in 1985 became legendary among comic book fans: He was vaporized preserving the universe.
Now he joins the tradition of super-heroes like Captain America and Superman who have died only to be resurrected later on. Read more
California Brothers Run Afghan TV Network
Four brothers under the age of 35 are running a 24-hour Afghan TV station out of a warehouse in Hayward, Calif. Since July 2007, the Yousefzai brothers have brought a mix of drama, music, education and cooking shows to their audience.
Source : www.npr.org | 30-avr.-2008 22:00
On the Web, Is Everyone a Critic?
Web sites such as Metacritic and Rotten Tomatoes are creating serious competition for professional critics. The sites distill and aggregate professional reviews and provide a forum for users to submit their own comments and ratings. Guests discuss how online reviews are redefining the role of the critic.
Source : www.npr.org | 30-avr.-2008 19:47
Spectacular blaze erupts in nightclub at Hollywood and Vine
"We just have small spot fires that keep popping up."
A fire at the storied corner of Hollywood and Vine spit flames 40 feet into the air Wednesday, burning close to landmarks like the Capitol Records building and the Pantages Theater. via Log Cabin Democrat
10 Cars Offering Cool For Under $18K
"Manufacturers are finding ways to nicely equip their entry-level vehicles while still keeping the price reasonably low, and consumers are reaping the benefits more and more each year."
Inexpensive cars don't often get labeled as fun, but a new list from Kelley Blue Book picks 10 cars that may set the bar for how inexpensive cars get looked at. via WMUR
XM, Sirius delay annual meetings, pending buyout news
XM Satellite Radio Holdings Inc. and Sirius Satellite Radio Inc. on Tuesday postponed their annual shareholder meetings, pending further information about the timing of the planned combination of the two ... via New York Business.com
Gemstar-TV Guide shareholders OK takeover by Macrovision
Gemstar-TV Guide International Inc. says more than 90% of its shareholders have approved its takeover by technology company Macrovision Corp. via CBS 2
Media co. Cox eyes online ad growth, buys startup for $300M
"If you look at Cox's history, we've not necessarily been the first into a space. ... But we've prided ourselves in the course of history in being early investors."
Media conglomerate Cox Enterprises Inc., betting its future on Internet advertising as newspaper and television audiences shrink, plans to spend $300 million to buy a startup that helps Web sites pool their ad ... via Physics Org
Latest 'Grand Theft Auto' Hits Stores
Grand Theft Auto Four — one of the most highly anticipated video games ever — comes out Tuesday. The story is set in Liberty City and concerns an Eastern European immigrant who gets caught up in a seedy criminal underworld.
Source : www.npr.org | 29-avr.-2008 23:34
Yahoo to outsource Messenger phone calls to Jajah
Yahoo Inc. is outsourcing the Internet telephone functions of its instant messaging program to the startup Jajah.
Jajah will connect the calls to and from users of Yahoo Messenger and handle billing and customer care, the startup said Tuesday. Terms of the deal where not announced. No employees are moving over to Jajah.
The deal is a big score for Jajah, which has grown explosively since it was founded in 2005 in Austria. It is now based in Mountain View, Calif., and boasts 10 million customers. Read more
Steal a Car, Tune In to NPR
In the new video game Grand Theft Auto IV, right after you've hijacked a car, you can turn on the car radio and pick from a variety of stations — one of which might sound familiar to public radio listeners.
Source : www.npr.org | 29-avr.-2008 22:00
Madison Paper Kills Print Edition
Madison, Wisconsin's afternoon newspaper, The Capital Times, has stopped printing after 90 years. But the newsroom isn't closing. Instead, it's taken the daily news operation entirely online.
Source : www.npr.org | 29-avr.-2008 19:00
CBS profits rise 14 percent in 1Q on boost from syndication
CBS Corp. reported a 14 percent gain in first quarter profit Tuesday, aided by a new international TV syndication agreement for its 'CSI' franchise.
The company, which also owns Simon & Schuster and a large radio broadcaster, earned $244.3 million in the first three months of the year, up from $213.5 million the year before.
Per-share earnings rose to 36 cents from 28 cents, ahead of analysts estimates of 33 cents, as compiled by Thomson Financial. Per-share results were also boosted by a lower outstanding share count due to a stock repurchase program. Read more
Warner Bros. pushes shows online with 2 new Web sites
"It's not so late that it doesn't matter"
Warner Bros. is launching two Web sites to capture new ad revenue and a younger generation of viewers, the company said Monday. via The Oregonian
SEC charges of stock option abuse loom for former Pixar CFO
"Ms. Mather acted diligently and responsibly at all times in her position as CFO at Pixar"
The former chief financial officer of hit movie maker Pixar Animation Studios is facing a possible legal battle with securities regulators for alleged mishandling of stock options, according to documents filed Monday.
Ann Mather's looming trouble with the Securities and Exchange Commission was disclosed by Google Inc., where she is a member of the Internet search leader's board of directors.
Google said the SEC told Mather last week that the agency's Los Angeles staff will recommend a civil complaint be filed against her for alleged stock option abuses that occurred during her five-year stint overseeing Pixar's books. Read more
Miley Cyrus photo 'scandals' reveal teen phenom's growing pains
"She began as a caterpillar, and made a lot of money that way, but now she doesn't know which way to go. She's thinking, soon I've got to be a butterfly."
"You get the best of both worlds," Miley Cyrus sings in the theme song of her hugely popular Disney Channel show, "Hannah Montana." It's a reference to her character's secret double life as both a rock star AND ... via Slam Sports
Circulation off at most top newspapers, including Star Tribune
Circulation off at most top newspapers, including Star Tribune A newspaper industry group says in a new report that circulation fell sharply at most top U.S. newspapers, and the Star Tribune was no exception. via KARE 11 TV