entertainment videos

Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Angelina Jolie says she had double mastectomy

FILE- In this Saturday, Dec. 3, 2011 file photo, actress Angelina Jolie poses for a portrait to promote her directorial debut of the film "In the Land of Blood and Honey" in New York. Jolie authored an op-ed for Tuesday?s May 14, 2013 New York Times where she writes that in April she finished three months of surgical procedures to remove both breasts as a preventive measure. She says she?s kept the process private but is writing about it now with hopes she can help other women. (AP Photo/Carlo Allegri, File) ITALY OUT

FILE - Actress Angelina Jolie arrives for the British Gala premiere for the film 'Salt', at a central London cinema, in this Aug. 16, 2010 file photo. Jolie authored an op-ed for Tuesday?s May 14, 2013 New York Times where she writes that in April she finished three months of surgical procedures to remove both breasts as a preventive measure. She says she?s kept the process private but is writing about it now with hopes she can help other women. (AP Photo/Joel Ryan, File)

FILE - This March 8, 2012 file photo shows actress Angelina Jolie at the Women in the World Summit in New York. Jolie authored an op-ed for Tuesday?s May 14, 2013 New York Times where she writes that in April she finished three months of surgical procedures to remove both breasts as a preventive measure. She says she?s kept the process private but is writing about it now with hopes she can help other women. (AP Photo/Evan Agostini, file)

LOS ANGELES (AP) ? Angelina Jolie says that she has had a preventive double mastectomy after learning she carried a gene that made it extremely likely she would get breast cancer.

The Oscar-winning actress and partner to Brad Pitt made the announcement in the form of an op-ed she authored for Tuesday's New York Times (http://nyti.ms/17o4A0f ) under the headline, "My Medical Choice." She writes that between early February and late April she completed three months of surgical procedures to remove both breasts.

Jolie, 37, writes that she made the choice with thoughts of her six children after watching her own mother, actress Marcheline Bertrand, die too young from cancer.

"My mother fought cancer for almost a decade and died at 56," Jolie writes. "She held out long enough to meet the first of her grandchildren and to hold them in her arms. But my other children will never have the chance to know her and experience how loving and gracious she was."

She writes that, "They have asked if the same could happen to me."

Jolie said that after genetic testing she learned she carries the "faulty" BRCA1 gene and had an 87 percent chance of getting the disease herself.

She said she has kept the process private so far, but wrote about it with hopes of helping other women.

"I wanted to write this to tell other women that the decision to have a mastectomy was not easy. But it is one I am very happy that I made," Jolie writes. "My chances of developing breast cancer have dropped from 87 percent to under 5 percent. I can tell my children that they don't need to fear they will lose me to breast cancer."

Phone and email messages left by The Associated Press late Monday night seeking comment from Jolie representatives were not immediately returned.

She is anything but private in the details she provides, giving a description of the procedures.

"My own process began on Feb. 2 with a procedure known as a 'nipple delay,'" she writes, "which rules out disease in the breast ducts behind the nipple and draws extra blood flow to the area."

She then describes the major surgery two weeks later where breast tissue was removed, saying it felt "like a scene out of a science-fiction film," then writes that nine weeks later she had a third surgery to reconstruct the breasts and receive implants."

Many women have chosen preventive mastectomy since genetic screening for breast cancer was developed, but the move and public announcement is unprecedented from a star so young and widely known as Jolie.

She briefly addresses the effects of the surgery on the idealized sexuality and iconic womanhood that have fueled her fame.

"I do not feel any less of a woman," Jolie writes. "I feel empowered that I made a strong choice that in no way diminishes my femininity."

She also wrote that Brad Pitt, her partner of eight years, was at the Pink Lotus Breast Center in Southern California for "every minute of the surgeries."

Bertrand, Jolie's mother, died in January 2007. She had small roles in the movies "Lookin' to Get Out" in 1982 and "The Man Who Loved Women" in 1983. She raised Jolie and her brother after divorcing their father, Oscar-winning actor Jon Voight, when Jolie was a toddler.

Jolie has appeared in dozens of films including 2010's "The Tourist" and "Salt," the "Tomb Raider" films and 1999's "Girl, Interrupted," for which she won an Oscar.

But she has appeared more often in the news in recent years for her relationship with Pitt and her charitable work with refugees as a United Nations ambassador.

Meanwhile, CNN anchor Zoraida Sambolin announced Tuesday that she has breast cancer and is getting a double mastectomy.

Sambolin, who anchors CNN's "Early Start" morning show, talked about her condition on the show Tuesday while discussing Jolie's decision.

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/4e67281c3f754d0696fbfdee0f3f1469/Article_2013-05-14-Angelina%20Jolie-Mastectomy/id-ba6b50a64bc64e4181d67f31f31c06ac

superbowl Ron Jeremy Rudy Gay Jim Nabors The Americans bank of america online banking Adairsville Ga

Your Philips Hue Is About to Get a Whole Lot Smarter

The luminescent chameleon that is the Philips Hue lighting system is pretty sweet as it is but, starting today, it's going to gain a swath of new functions demanded by its users. Here's what's in store for version 1.1.

First off, the timer feature is finally being ported to Android devices. This previously iOS-exclusive allows you to schedule when your lights will turn on and what color they'll be automatically without having to reset the pattern daily. If you're going on vacation, you'll now also be able to randomize the timer so it looks like someone's home. Plus, the new timing feature integrates a geofencing service that recognizes when a specific user is home, automatically turning on the lights to their preferred setting when they arrive and turning the lights off when the user leaves. You don't even need to have your phone out or the app open for this to work.

Switching between scenes (what Philips refers to its color combinations as) is going to become smoother as well. Version 1.0 created a lighting domino effect as the command to change color reverberated through the through the home network. Version 1.1 stores the scene information locally in each bulb, allowing for an instant color change among multiple bulbs.

In addition to the iOS SDK that Philips released last month, the company now has a channel on IFTTT (If This Then That), allowing anyone on the Internet access to the system API and the ability to program bulb behavior based on specific triggers. These triggers can be virtually anything. See, since the Hue system works on the Zigbee standard, it can receive trigger commands from a variety of products, from motion sensors to thermostats as well as websites. Want your lights to flash red when you get an important email, turn green when your stock portfolio jumps, or turn blue when barometric pressure drops? Now you totally can.

Philips is pushing the update out to iOS devices today while the Android and Kindle apps will arrive by the end of the month. The Hue is least expensive at the Apple Store, retailing $200 and $60 for the starter pack and individual bulbs, respectively.

Source: http://gizmodo.com/your-philips-hue-is-about-to-get-a-whole-lot-smarter-499088648

gcb patricia heaton arsenic and old lace dionne warwick leslie varez ward solar storms

Asymptomatic carriage of M. pneumoniae common in children

Wednesday, May 15, 2013

The bacterium M. pneumoniae is carried at high rates in the upper respiratory tracts of healthy children and usual diagnostic tests cannot differentiate between such asymptomatic carriage and actual respiratory tract infection, according to a study by Dutch researchers published in this week's PLOS Medicine.

These findings are important as they suggest that clinicians may need to reconsider the clinical significance of a positive test result for the presence of this bacterium.

The researchers, led by Annemarie van Rossum from Erasmus MC?Sophia in Rotterdam, The Netherlands, reached these conclusions by comparing the upper respiratory tract swabs and blood culture results taken from 321 children (aged 3 months to 16 years) admitted to hospital with a respiratory tract infection with those from 405 healthy children undergoing an elective surgical procedure.

The authors found that the prevalence of M. pneumoniae (as measured using PCR tests) did not differ between the asymptomatic group and the symptomatic group, with a prevalence of 21.2% and 16.2% respectively. There was also no difference in prevalence when diagnosed using blood tests. In addition, a high rate of other bacteria and viruses was found in both asymptomatic and symptomatic children.

The authors also report a wide variation in asymptomatic carriage of M. pneumoniae ranging from 3% during the spring of 2009 to 58% during the summer of 2010. And in 21 children from the asymptomatic group who participated in a follow up study, 15 (71%) tested negative within one month and in the symptomatic group, 19 of 22 children (86%) tested negative after the first visit.

The authors say: "Although our study has limitations, such as a single study site and limited sample size, our data indicate that the presence of M. pneumoniae in the upper respiratory tract is common in asymptomatic children."

They continue: "The current diagnostic tests for M. pneumoniae are unable to differentiate between asymptomatic carriage and symptomatic infection."

The authors add: "Therefore, clinicians may need to readdress the clinical significance of a positive test result."

###

Public Library of Science: http://www.plos.org

Thanks to Public Library of Science for this article.

This press release was posted to serve as a topic for discussion. Please comment below. We try our best to only post press releases that are associated with peer reviewed scientific literature. Critical discussions of the research are appreciated. If you need help finding a link to the original article, please contact us on twitter or via e-mail.

This press release has been viewed 23 time(s).

Source: http://www.labspaces.net/128256/Asymptomatic_carriage_of_M__pneumoniae_common_in_children

padma lakshmi daughtry lakers trade ann arbor news nick young south dakota state long beach state

Tuesday, May 14, 2013

Chris Hadfield, space music video star, back on Earth

Chris Hadfield, the first Canadian to command the International Space Station, landed on Earth. But Chris Hadfield made a bigger splash with his music video.

By Vladimir Isachenkov,?Associated Press / May 14, 2013

A Soyuz space capsule with a three-man crew returning from a five-month mission to the International Space Station landed safely Tuesday on the steppes of Kazakhstan.

Skip to next paragraph

' + google_ads[0].line2 + '
' + google_ads[0].line3 + '

'; } else if (google_ads.length > 1) { ad_unit += ''; } } document.getElementById("ad_unit").innerHTML += ad_unit; google_adnum += google_ads.length; return; } var google_adnum = 0; google_ad_client = "pub-6743622525202572"; google_ad_output = 'js'; google_max_num_ads = '1'; google_feedback = "on"; google_ad_type = "text"; // google_adtest = "on"; google_image_size = '230x105'; google_skip = '0'; // -->

Canadian astronaut Chris?Hadfield, American Thomas Marshburn and Russian Roman Romanenko landed as planned southeast of the town of Dzhezkazgan at 8:31 a.m. local time Tuesday (0231 GMT; 10:31 p.m.?EDT Monday).

Live footage on NASA TV showed the Soyuz TMA-07M capsule slowly descending by parachute onto the sun-drenched steppes under clear skies. Russian search and rescue helicopters hovered over the landing site for a quick recovery effort.

Rescue teams moved quickly to help the crew in their bulky spacesuits exit out of the capsule, charred by the fiery re-entry through the atmosphere. They were then put into reclining chairs to start adjusting to the Earth's gravity after 146 days in space.

The three astronauts smiled as they chatted with space agency officials and doctors who were checking their condition. Hadfield, who served as the space station's commander, gave a thumbs-up sign. They made quick phone calls to family members and friends before being carried to a medical tent for a routine medical check-up prior to being flown home.

NASA spokesman Josh Byerly said on NASA TV by telephone from the landing site that the three returning astronauts were fine. "They look like they are doing pretty well," he said.

Hadfield, 53, an engineer and former test pilot from Milton, Ontario, was Canada's first professional astronaut to live aboard the space station and became the first Canadian in charge of a spacecraft. He relinquished command of the space station on Sunday.

"It's just been an extremely fulfilling and amazing experience end to end," Hadfield told Mission Control on Monday. "From this Canadian to all the rest of them, I offer an enormous debt of thanks." He was referring to all those in the Canadian Space Agency who helped make his flight possible.

Source: http://rss.csmonitor.com/~r/feeds/csm/~3/jP6Da_kc_UU/Chris-Hadfield-space-music-video-star-back-on-Earth

bohemian rhapsody spike lee carson daly heejun han donovan mcnabb donovan mcnabb lottery ticket

'What Would Ryan Lochte Do?" Get A Plaster Mold Made Of His Abs For A Local Bar (VIDEO)

"Family Tools" (ABC)

Series premieres Wed., May 1 at 8:30 p.m. ET. What To Know: Starring J.K. Simmons and Kyle Bornheimer, "Family Tools" centers on a guy who returns home to take over his dad's hardware business when he finds himself jobless.

"MythBusters" (Discovery Channel)

Season 10 premieres Wed., May 1 at 9 p.m. ET. What To Know: This season there will be a "Breaking Bad" themed episode and the crew will tackle myths such as "Are women better than men at multitasking?" and "Which is more sanitary: drying your hands with a hand dryer or a hand towel?"

"The Big Brain Theory" (DSC)

Series premieres Wed., May 1 at 10 p.m. ET. What To Know: Hosted by Kal Penn, this reality competition show will give contestants 30 minutes to solve a daunting engineering challenge.

"Zach Stone Is Gonna Be Famous" (MTV)

Series premieres Thurs., May 2 at 10:30 p.m. ET. What To Know: The series follows Zach (Bo Burnham), who hires a camera crew to film him throughout his daily life as a part of his quest to become an overnight celebrity ? even though he possesses no real talent. From Zach?s attempts to become a celebrity chef or a ring-tone recording artist to purposefully going missing, he?ll try any avenue to get noticed and stop at nothing until he reaches fame.

"The Show With Vinny" (MTV)

Series premieres Thurs., May 2 at 10 p.m. ET. What To Know: For the legions who can't say goodbye to "Jersey Shore" just yet, the legacy continues as we follow GTLer Vinny into his sure-to-be-scintillating home life. The premise has random "celebrities" dropping by his house for impromptu interviews -- and Vinny going to visit their homes, too.

"Newlyweds: The First Year" (Bravo)

Series premieres Mon., May 6 at 10 p.m. ET. What To Know: Bravo's new eight-episode docu-series follows four newlywed couples and their most personal moments, from their wedding day to their first anniversary. There's bi-coastal Christian couple Kimberly and Alaska; domestic partners Jeff and Blair, who are 16 years apart; Indian pop star Tina and her modeled-turned-tech-geek husband Tarz; and suburbanites Kathryn and John.

"Million Dollar Listing: New York" (Bravo)

Season 2 premieres Wed., May 8 at 10 p.m. ET. Where We Left Off: Because we're all so fascinated by real estate that we could never realistically afford, this show is returning for a second season. C'mon, it's fun to live vicariously.

"Wipeout" (ABC)

Season 6 premieres Thurs., May 9 at 8 p.m. ET. Where We Left Off: With Season 5 episodes titled "Hillbilly Wipeout," "Gorillas In Our Midst" and "Hotties vs. Nerds 2.0," there can only be more magic in store for Season 6. Viewers of all stripes love watching people hurt themselves in new and remarkable ways.

"Family Tree" (HBO)

Series premieres Sun., May 12 at 10:30 p.m. ET. What To Know: "Bridesmaids" funnyman Chris O'Dowd stars in Christopher Guest's ("Best in Show") new documentary-style series about a hapless thirtysomething trying to find meaning in his life by tracing his heritage.

"Long Island Medium" (TLC)

Season 4 premieres Sun., May 12 at 9 p.m. ET. Where We Left Off: We were hoping that those nails and that hair would be around for another season -- and our wish came true! Theresa Caputo is back, communicating with the dead, for at least another 30 episodes.

?Breaking Amish: Brave New World? (TLC)

Season 2 premieres Sun., May 12 at10 p.m. ET . Where We Left Off: Speculation and accusations about the show?s ?reality? aside, ?Breaking Amish? was a hit for TLC. Now, the five Amish and Mennonite rebels, who moved to New York City in the show?s first season, are headed south to Florida ... but trouble seems to follow them wherever they go.

"Small Town Security" (AMC)

Season 2 premieres Thurs., May 9 at 10 p.m. ET. Where We Left Off: In Season 1, we met the owners and employees of JJK Security in small-town Ringgold, Georgia, and Season 2 will offer more insight into the unscripted lives of this unusual group, including Dennis' ongoing journey in his gender transition from female to male.

"So You Think You Can Dance" (Fox)

Season 10 premieres Tues., May 14 at 8 p.m. ET. Where We Left Off: After a season of intense competition, Eliana Girard and Chehon Wespi-Tschopp took home first place wins, both for ballet, while Tiffany Maher was the female runner-up for jazz and Cyrus Spencer was the male runner-up for popping/animation.

"Motive" (ABC)

Series premieres Thurs., May 23 at 9 p.m. ET. What To Know: Billed as a unique, original approach to the typical cop drama, "Motive" operates backwards. Each episode starts off showing the victim, and then works its way towards finding the perpetrator and his/her motivations by the end of the episode.

"The Goodwin Games" (Fox)

Series premieres Mon., May 20 at 8:30 p.m. ET. What To Know: The Fox comedy centers on estranged siblings Henry (Scott Foley), Chloe (Becki Newton) and Jimmy (T.J. Miller) as they attempt to "rediscover their lives" with the money their father left them.

"MasterChef" (Fox)

Season 4 premieres Wed., May 22 at 8 p.m. ET. Where We Left Off: The home cook competition crowned its third consecutive female winner last season, Christine Ha. Cool fact: She is legally blind. No telling what twists they'll have this season.

"Rookie Blue" (ABC)

Season 4 premieres Thurs., May 23 at 10 p.m. ET. Where We Left Off: The last time we saw the cops at 15 Division, they were all in the midst of making some serious decisions about their lives -- including career calls, a possible transfer and, for Andy, a major emotional choice.

"Save Me" (NBC)

Series premieres Thurs., May 23 at 8 p.m. ET. What To Know: After a near-death experience, Beth (Anne Heche) is revived only to realize she now has a direct line to God. Of course, her husband Tom (Michael Landes) is skeptical and dismissive -- but when inexplicable things begin to happen, everyone?s beliefs are tested.

"The Bachelorette" (ABC)

Season 9 premieres Mon., May 20 at 9 p.m ET. Where We Left Off: Emily Maynard of North Carolina thought she'd finally found love in Jef Holm, but after only being engaged for a short time, they broke up. Here's to hoping "Bachelor" contestant Desiree Hartsock has better luck!

"Arrested Development" (Netflix)

Season 4 premieres Mon., May 26 at 12:01 a.m. PT. Where We Left Off: The Bluths are finally back, but there's no telling where and how we'll actually find them. One thing we do know: Each of the nine main characters will have their own episode in this season's 15-episode order, chronicling what they've been up to the last seven years. Some may cross over, but they'll all be complementary -- and they're all meant to set up an eventual "AD" movie. Considering the season will all be available the day it premieres, it sounds pretty perfect for a marathon viewing.

"The Glades" (A&E)

Season 4 premieres Mon., May 27 at 9 p.m. ET. Where We Left Off: In the Season 3 finale, Jim (Matt Passmore) proposed to Callie (Kiele Sanchez), even though she passed her board exam and may move to Atlanta. But she didn't respond yet ...

"Longmire" (A&E)

Season 2 premieres Mon., May 27 at 10 p.m. ET. Where We Left Off: Did Walt Longmire murder his wife's killer? Season 1 saw flashbacks of the Sheriff of Absaroka County, Wyoming, that would support the theory, but when the FBI asked him in the Season 1 finale, he simply said, "No."

"Extreme Makeover: Weight Loss Edition" (ABC)

Season 3 premieres Tues., May 28 at 8 p.m. ET. What To Know: As in the seasons before it, "Extreme Makeover: Weight Loss Edition" will center on a group of people losing large amounts of weight over the course of a year through diet and exercise.

"Brooklyn DA" (CBS)

Series premieres Tues., May 28 at 10 p.m. ET. What To Know: The six-part series takes viewers behind the scenes of the Brooklyn District Attorney's office. ADA Kathleen Collins (pictured) is just one of the profiled attorneys. "When you?re on trial, there?s never a day that you really go home and don?t feel stressed," she said.

"The American Baking Competition" (CBS)

Series premieres Wed., May 29 at 8 p.m. ET. What To Know: Based on a popular British reality competition, this new Jeff Foxworthy-hosted show features 10 home cooks vying for the title of best amateur baker in America, as well as a contract to publish their own cookbook and a $250,000 grand prize. Not bad for a couple of pies work, huh?

"Melissa & Joey" (ABC Family)

Season 3 premieres Wed., May 29 at 8 p.m. ET. Where We Left Off: Joe married Russian businesswoman Elena, but then she received a call that prompted her to fly back to Russia to testify for one of her innocent colleagues. The Season 2 finale ended with Mel -- who officiated the wedding -- and Joe toasting to the next "Mrs. Longo," wherever she may be.

"Baby Daddy" (ABC Family)

Season 2 premieres Wed., March 29 at 8:30 p.m. ET. Where We Left Off: Ben and Riley's friend Katie faced some major drama when they found themselves in bed together after a night of partying. The only problem with their little tryst was that Katie was supposed to get married (to someone else) the next day. Luckily, they soon find out that nothing happened, and Riley and Ben share a romantic dance.

"Dancing Fools" (ABC Family)

Series premieres Wed., May 29 at 9 p.m. ET. What To Know: The half-hour comedy clip show, hosted by "Baby Daddy" star Melissa Peterman, features the funniest, most outrageous and memorable dances caught on camera. The dancers from the top two clips of the week compete on stage for a chance to win $10,000.

"The Killing" (AMC)

Season 3 premieres Sun., June 2 at 9 p.m. ET. Where We Left Off: Season 2 ended with Rosie Larsen's Aunt Terry being arrested for her murder. Detectives Linden (Mireille Enos) and Holder (Joel Kinnaman) got a call about a new case, but Linden wanted no part of it. Season 3 picks up a year later, with Holder searching for a runaway girl and discovering a string of murders connected to one of Linden's old cases. Though Linden is no longer a detective, she inevitably gets pulled back in.

"The Real Housewives of New Jersey" (Bravo)

Season 5 premieres Sun., June 2 at 8 p.m. ET. Where We Left Off: The "Housewives" were fractured -- to say the least -- but the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy brings new beginnings for the first ladies of the Garden State. Of course things could certainly go sour yet again.

"Princesses: Long Island" (Bravo)

Series premieres Sun., June 2 at 9 p.m. ET. What To Know: The reality series follows six college-educated women from affluent areas of Long Island who are still living with their families.

?Keeping Up With the Kardashians? (E!)

Season 8 premieres Sun., May 20 at 9 p.m. ET. Where We Left Off: Kim and Kanye?s relationship was just breaking the Internet, and now we?ll see it all on screen -- including their baby drama. Khloe?s fertility issues continue, but new ?castmember? Brody Jenner -- Bruce?s son from a previous marriage who is no stranger to reality TV -- looks to be this season?s biggest diva.

"Mistresses" (ABC)

Series premieres Mon., June 3 at 10 p.m. ET. What To Know: Soapy drama "Mistresses" stars Alyssa Milano, Yunjin Kim, Rochelle Aytes and Jes Macallan as four friends all struggling with different issues in their love lives, with men (including Jason George) and other women complicating matters. And as the title suggests, some of them are flirting with disaster and becoming mistresses themselves.

?The Fosters? (ABC Family)

Series premieres Mon., June 3 at 9 p.m. ET. What To Know: This new one-hour drama from executive producer Jennifer Lopez follows a multi-ethnic, blended family, being raised by two working moms, as they welcome another troubled child into their home.

"Teen Wolf" (MTV)

Season 3 premieres Mon., June 3 at 10 p.m. ET. Where We Left Off: At the end of last season, Allison broke up with Scott, Peter warned Isaac and Derek that a new pack made up entirely of Alpha werewolves was coming, and said Alphas trapped Boyd and Erica in the woods, leaving viewers uncertain of their fate. Season 3 will pick up four months later, and focus on the introduction of the Alpha pack and the havoc they wreak.

"Push Girls" (Sundance Channel)

Season 2 premieres Mon., June 3 at 10 p.m. ET. Where We Left Off: Throughout Sesaon 1 we got to know Auti, Mia, Tiphany and Chelsie, four women living in Hollywood who also happen to all be in wheelchairs. Season 2 will follow the foursome's new loves and new adventures, including 21-year-old Chelsie's decision to move out of her parents' home.

"America's Got Talent" (NBC)

Season 8 premieres Tues., June 4 at 9 p.m. ET Where We Left Off: Last season, traveling dog act Olate Dogs was crowned the winner. This year, a new crop of performers will compete for the $1 million prize. Spice Girl Mel B. and Heidi Klum join the judging panel with Howie Mandel and Howard Stern.

"Burn Notice" (USA)

Season 7 premieres Thursday, June 6 at 9 p.m. ET. Where We Left Off: In an effort to get more information on Riley, Michael sent Bly to tail her to a meeting with the cartel kingpin, but a cartel member disguised as security blew up Bly's car, killing him and destroying the evidence they collected on Riley. Michael later incapacitated Riley and got her to agree to confess. Then, Fiona, Madeline, Sam and Jesse were released from their prison cells. Michael explained he "did what [he] had to do," but Fiona corrected him, saying, "You did what you wanted to do."

?Graceland? (USA)

"Graceland" premieres Thurs., June 6 at 10 p.m. ET. What To Know: This cop drama, starring Daniel Sunjata and Aaron Tveit, follows a special group of law enforcement agents from the FBI, the DEA and U.S. Customs who all live under the same roof in sunny Southern California. Like frat guys (and girls), but with badges.

"The Hero" (TNT)

Series premieres Thurs., June 6 at 8 p.m. ET. What To Know: Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson is producing this competition series to test the strength, courage and integrity of a diverse group of nine individuals. Each week, the contestants will be challenged physically, mentally and morally as they try to prove that they truly deserve the title of "The Hero" and the life-changing grand prize that goes with it.

"72 Hours" (TNT)

Series premieres Thurs., June 6 at 9 p.m. ET. What To Know: Contestants on this "Survivor"-esque reality show are dropped into the wilderness with only a bottle of water and a GPS device on a mission to find a briefcase filled with $100,000.

"Continuum" (Syfy)

Season 2 premieres Fri., June 7 at 10 p.m. ET. Where We Left Off: According to series lead Rachel Nichols, Season 2 is all about responsibility. Kiera, Alec and even the terrorists at Liber8 all have to make intense choices that could change the very fabric of their worlds.

"Dexter" (Showtime)

Season 8 premieres Sun., June 30 at 9 p.m. ET. Where We Left Off: Deb finally learned the truth about Dexter's dark secret, and took a page out of her step-brother's book in the shocking season finale. Can she live with what she did? And can Dexter escape the series without being brought to justice in this final season?

"Being Human" (BBC America)

Season 5 premieres Sat., June 8 at 10 p.m. ET. Where We Left Off: Our favorite supernatural threesome is back from across the pond for their fifth and final season where they'll finally confront the Devil, once and for all. No biggie.

"Sinbad" (Syfy)

Series premiere Sat., June 8 at 9 p.m. ET. What To Know: The 12-episode British series follows the epic sea journey of the flawed hero Sinbad (Elliot Knight), who embarks on a quest to rid himself of a curse and embrace his destiny. Look for "Lost" alum Naveen Andrews as Lord Akbari.

"Primeval: New World" (Syfy)

Series premieres Sat., June 8 at 10 p.m. ET. What To Know: The 13-episode first season follows a team of animal experts and scientists that investigate paranormal events.

"Falling Skies" (TNT)

Season 3 premieres Sun., June 9 at 10 p.m. ET. Where We Left Off: Last season ended with the arrival of a new species of alien, and Anne became pregnant with Tom's child. Season 3 will explore whether the new alien is on the side of the humans or has another dark purpose in mind. We'll also learn what happened to Hal while he was unconscious, and what that might mean for the rebellion.

"Switched At Birth" (ABC Family)

Season 2 summer premiere Mon., June 10 at 8 p.m. ET. Where We Left Off: "Switched At Birth" left on a big cliffhanger: Daphne struggled to keep the Carlton School for the Deaf open, John's campaign for office came to a startling halt and Emmett told Bay about Daphne and Noah's kiss.

"Major Crimes" (TNT)

Season 2 premieres Mon., June 10 at 9 p.m. ET. Where We Left Off: Rusty became a ward of the state to the delight of everybody, and Captain Raydor continued to gain the trust and respect of the Major Crimes unit.

?King & Maxwell? (TNT)

Series premieres Mon., June 10 at 10 p.m. ET. What To Know: Based on author David Baldacci?s bestselling private eye series, Rebecca Romijn and Jon Tenney star as the titular former Secret Service agents now working as private investigators who aren?t always by-the-books.

"Pretty Little Liars" (ABC Family)

Season 4 premieres Tues., June 11 at 8 p.m. ET. Where We Left Off: Red Coat, who looked a whole lot like Ali, saved Emily, Aria, Hanna and Mona from a fire, while Spencer looked on in shock. The first episode of Season 4 is titled "A Is For A-L-I-V-E" and <a href="http://www.eonline.com/news/394204/spoiler-chat-scoop-on-pretty-little-liars-once-upon-a-time-revolution-new-girl-and-more" target="_hplink">E! News reports that viewers will meet Marion, Toby's mother</a>, who was <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jaimie-etkin/pretty-little-liars-recap_b_2673316.html" target="_hplink">revealed to be dead in Season 3, Episode 18, "Dead To Me."</a> "All of the questions fans have will be answered," <a href="http://www.wetpaint.com/pretty-little-liars/articles/pretty-little-liars-star-sasha-pieterse-dishes-on-season-4-questions-will-be-answered-exclusive" target="_hplink">star Sasha Pieterse told Wetpaint Entertainment recently</a> of Season 4.

Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/05/13/ryan-lochte-do-plaster-mold-abs-video_n_3264829.html

nor easter veep los angeles kings timothy leary jonathan frid pujols watchmen

Monday, May 13, 2013

Obama calls GOP focus on Benghazi a 'sideshow'

President Barack Obama gestures during a joint news conference with British Prime Minister David Cameron, Monday, May 13, 2013, in the East Room of the White House in Washington. The president Obama said during the news conference that the Internal Revenue Service's targeting of conservative groups is "outrageous" and anyone involved needs to be "held fully accountable." (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

FILE - In this Sept. 14, 2012 file photo, Libyan military guards check one of the U.S. Consulate's burnt out buildings during a visit by Libyan President Mohammed el-Megarif, not shown, to the U.S. Consulate to express sympathy for the death of the American ambassador, Chris Stevens and his colleagues in the deadly attack on the Consulate in Benghazi, Libya. Senior State Department officials pressed for changes in the talking points that U.N. Ambassador Susan Rice used after the deadly attack on the U.S. diplomatic mission in Libya last September, expressing concerns that Congress might criticize the Obama administration for ignoring warnings of a growing threat in Benghazi. (AP Photo/Mohammad Hannon)

WASHINGTON (AP) ? President Barack Obama on Monday denied Republican criticism that his White House was trying to cover up information about the deadly assault in Benghazi, Libya last year, as undeterred GOP lawmakers pressed ahead with their investigation.

Responding to questions about the talking points used by U.N. Ambassador Susan Rice days after the attack, Obama insisted that the assessment of the cause of the Sept. 11, 2012, attack on the U.S. diplomatic mission matched the information he was receiving in his daily briefings.

Emails disclosed Friday showed that State Department and other senior administration officials pushed for references to prior warnings and al-Qaida be deleted from the talking points in the days before Rice's appearance on the Sunday talk shows, and one suggested that Congress could use those issues as ammunition against the State Department.

Obama told reporters at a White House news conference with British Prime Minister David Cameron that the GOP focus on the talking points was a "sideshow."

"There's no there there," he said.

Ambassador Chris Stevens and three other Americans were killed in the two nighttime attacks. Obama pointed out that he described the assault as an act of terror the day after and a few days after Rice's appearance an administration official said extremists inside Libya carried out the attack.

"Who executes some kind of cover up for three days?" Obama said.

Republicans argue that the administration was trying to mislead Congress and the American people about the attack and its terrorist roots in the weeks prior to the 2012 November presidential election.

On Capitol Hill on Monday, Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Calif., the chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, sent letters to the authors of an independent investigation into the attack, asking veteran diplomat Thomas Pickering and retired Adm. Mike Mullen to meet privately with committee investigators to discuss their review.

But the top Democrat on the panel wants the two men to testify in public about their work.

"If our committee is truly interested in improving the security of American diplomatic personnel overseas, members of our committee and the American public should hear first-hand from the individuals who have done the most exhaustive review of these attacks," Rep. Elijah Cummings of Maryland wrote in a letter to Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Calif., the panel's chairman.

In a Sunday talk show appearance, Issa said he would seek sworn testimony from Pickering Mullen, the former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. The two conducted an independent investigation of the Sept. 11 attack that killed Ambassador Chris Stevens and three other Americans.

Their report was highly critical of the State Department's handling of at the U.S. outpost. Pickering, who also appeared on the Sunday shows, defended his scathing assessment but absolved former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton.

"We knew where the responsibility rested," said Pickering, a career Foreign Service officer.

Issa said he wants to know with whom the pair spoke to reach their conclusions about Clinton. Cummings suggested that they testify in public before the committee on May 22.

"This is a failure, it needs to be investigated. Our committee can investigate. Now, Ambassador Pickering, his people and he refused to come before our committee," Issa said Sunday.

Pickering, sitting next to Issa during an appearance on one Sunday show, disputed the chairman's account and said that he was willing to testify before the committee.

"That is not true," said the former top diplomat, referring to Issa's claim that he refused to appear before the committee.

In a separate interview, Pickering said he asked, via the White House, to appear at last Wednesday's hearing by the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee in which three State Department officials testified. He said he could have answered many of the questions lawmakers raised, such as whether U.S. military forces could have saved Americans had they dispatched F-16 jet fighters to the consulate, some 1,600 miles away from the nearest likely launching point.

"Mike Mullen, who was part of this report and indeed worked very closely with all of us and shared many of the responsibilities directly with me, made it very clear that his view as a former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff that there were nothing within range that could have made a difference," Pickering said.

Republicans and Gregory Hicks, the former deputy chief of mission in Libya, have questioned why the military couldn't move faster to stop the two nighttime attacks over several hours. Hicks, who testified before the House Oversight panel, said a show of U.S. military force might have prevented the second attack on the CIA annex that killed security officers Tyrone Woods and Glen Doherty.

Robert Gates, a former Defense secretary, defended the decisions made at the time, saying: "I think my decisions would have been just as theirs were," adding "getting somebody there in a timely way ? would have been very difficult, if not impossible."

The Accountability Review Board, which Pickering headed with Mullen, did not question Clinton at length about the attacks but concluded last December that the decisions about the consulate were made well below the secretary's level.

In her last formal testimony as secretary of State, Clinton appeared before two congressional committees investigating the Benghazi attacks. She took responsibility for the department's missteps and failures leading up to the assault, but said that requests for more security at the diplomatic mission in Benghazi didn't reach her desk.

Pickering and Mullen's blistering report found that "systematic failures and leadership and management deficiencies at senior levels" of the State Department meant that security was "inadequate for Benghazi and grossly inadequate to deal with the attack that took place."

Issa spoke on NBC's "Meet the Press." Pickering spoke on CNN's "State of the Union," CBS' "Face the Nation" and NBC. Gates appeared on CBS.

Associated Press Writer Philip Elliott contributed to this report.

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/89ae8247abe8493fae24405546e9a1aa/Article_2013-05-13-US--Benghazi%20Investigation/id-31515f4c97914cafb3a053db12e3352f

frozen four miranda kerr Rehtaeh Parsons National Sibling Day march madness Masters Leaderboard 2013 How Animals Eat Their Food

Robert Kuttner: Munich on the Potomac: The Republican Take-No-Prisoners Strategy -- and Obama's Conciliation

Republicans in both Houses of Congress are becoming more and more flagrant in their strategy of holding the governing process hostage for far-right demands not shared by most voters. And the pity is that the strategy is mostly working.

The more that the Obama Administration tries to meet the Republicans half way, the more extreme and implacable their demands become.

In the first ring of the circus, we have the confirmation derby. In the past few days, the Republicans have stonewalled confirmation of three key appointees: Thomas Perez, President Obama's nominee to be Labor Secretary; Gina McCarthy, the president's designee to lead the EPA; and Penny Pritzker to head the Commerce Department. Republicans are threatening a filibuster if Majority Leader Harry Reid moves these nominations to the Senate floor.

At her confirmation hearing, Gina McCarthy was subjected to nearly 1,100 written questions, an unprecedented hazing. Republican senators then boycotted the live hearing itself.

This latest strategy of blockage comes on top of unprecedented stalling on judicial nominations, notwithstanding the administration's practice of checking with Republicans to see which proposed judges might win their approval -- a courtesy that has added to the delay, and one that Republicans have taken as another sign of weakness. The Crucial DC Circuit Court of Appeals has remained in conservative hands, more than four years after Obama's inauguration, because Republicans refuse to confirm an appointee.

Nominees more to the GOP's ideological liking are rewarded with quick confirmation. Treasury Secretary Jack Lew, a friend of Wall Street and of fiscal austerity, sailed through 71-26, with almost half the Republican Senate caucus in support.

Meanwhile, in the next ring of the circus, House Speaker John Boehner is looking forward to the next debt ceiling showdown to see what else he can hold for ransom. According to several authoritative accounts, this time Republicans will not stop with budget cuts, but will also use the debt ceiling to demand changes in the tax code, regulatory rollbacks and pro-industry shifts in energy policy. Details are to be spelled out at a strategy meeting this coming Wednesday.

Obama's term still has more than three and a half years to run and Democrats still have a 55-45 majority in the Senate, but the Republicans are treating him like the lamest of lame ducks. It should be clear by now -- meeting these people halfway only whets their appetite.

And in the third ring of the circus, Republicans are pummeling the administration for intelligence and security lapses at Benghazi. This is a twofer for the GOP, since it whacks the next likely Democratic presidential nominee, Hillary Clinton, as well as the present incumbent. Things will only get more intense when Obama nominates a successor to retiring FBI chief Robert Mueller III, and Republicans will predictably attack the administration for missing warning signs about the Boston Marathon attacks.

This is not to excuse the Republican obstructionism. It has been building for decades. Leave aside, too, the question of whether Obama's policies on everything from fossil fuels to the budget to regulation of Wall Street are too centrist (they are). That doesn't explain or excuse why he is such a pushover as a tactician.

In his remaining days in office, Obama can insist until the cows come home that he has been the president who tried to change the tone in Washington, to find areas of common ground and to show that there is more that unites Americans than divides us. But until he finds some inner toughness, the Republicans will continue to stymie his every move and he will be a feeble president at a moment when we need a resolute one.

Robert Kuttner is co-editor of The American Prospect and a senior Fellow at Demos. His new book is Debtors' Prison: The Politics of Austerity Versus Possibility.

Like Robert Kuttner on Facebook.

Follow Robert Kuttner on Twitter: www.twitter.com/rkuttner

"; var coords = [-5, -72]; // display fb-bubble FloatingPrompt.embed(this, html, undefined, 'top', {fp_intersects:1, timeout_remove:2000,ignore_arrow: true, width:236, add_xy:coords, class_name: 'clear-overlay'}); });

Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/robert-kuttner/munich-on-the-potomac-the_b_3264236.html

sovereign citizen komen chrome for android hatchet leah messer freedom riders 9th circuit court of appeals