World News Report

Iceland Volcano Satellite Images

2010-04-16T07:51:00.000-07:00

Volcanic ash has blanketed large parts of rural Iceland and grounded thousands of flights across Europe since the first eruption on Wednesday.
Delays are predicted to continue into Saturday as the latest images show the ash could move south and east towards Europe.
Aviation experts have called it one of the worst disruptions Europe has ever seen.

The ash cloud, invisible from the ground, has left thousands stranded and blocked the main flight path between the US east coast and Europe.

The Met Office said the cloud is expected to blow down from the north, bringing ash across parts of Britain.
Professor Jon Davidson of the Department of Earth Sciences at Durham University in England believes that the cloud may disperse, but it could also fall to earth or simply be blown elsewhere.

Iceland volcano: Airline shares hit by ash disruption

2010-04-16T07:40:00.000-07:00

Shares in major European airlines have fallen as most UK flights remain grounded for a second day because of the volcanic ash in the atmosphere.

In London, British Airways shares were down 1.1% by noon on Friday, with investors concerned at the long-term impact of the stoppages.

Meanwhile Germany's flag carrier Lufthansa was down 2.1% and Air France-KLM shares fell 1.7%.

Many German and French airports have been closed by authorities.

The cloud of ash from Iceland is drifting south and east across Europe.

Peter Steele dead

2010-04-15T09:37:00.000-07:00

LOS ANGELES (GaeaTimes.com)- The death rumor of Peter Steele, the lead singer and bassist of the Gothic metal band “Type O Negative” spread on internet on early Wednesday, Apr 14. The rumors claimed that the singer has passed away following a cardiac arrest. However, no official news release confirming the news has been made by “Type O Negative” band management as of yet.

The rumors of the Peter Steele death became all the more strong when Mistress Juliya of “Fuse TV” tweeted on Web that she had confirmed the rumor of Peter Steele’s death from Kenny Hickey, the guitarist of the metal band “Type O Negative”. Another notable person who tweeted on web about the death rumor of the Peter Steele is Brandon Geist, the editor-in-chief of “Revolver” magazine who wrote that he has heard of the rumor but wishes that it does not turn out to be true.

Not only people close to Peter Steele, but also fans of the singer have started searching the web for the fact. However, as of yet no confirmed declaration has been made by many sources. This is not the first time that the death rumor of Peter Steele has spread over the internet. In 2005 people were shocked to find the gravestone engraved with the message “Peter Steele -1962 -2005 ….Free At Last” in the website of the band. Though it was meant as a joke, rumors spread that Peter Steele has expired. The reason for the death ranged from AIDS to Cancer and even suicide. Many other sources said that Peter Steele was suffering from disease for a long period and that had died of the illness. The rumor at that time was proven untrue.

Benjamin Hooks Died at the Age of 85

2010-04-15T09:33:00.001-07:00

Benjamin L. Hooks, a golden-tongued orator who led of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People for 16 years, died Thursday at the age of 85.

State Representative Ulysses Jones, a member of the church where Mr. Hooks was pastor, said he died at his home in Memphis after a long illness, The Associated Press reported.

While best known for leading the nation’s oldest and largest civil rights group, Mr. Hooks had a varied career that bridged the often disparate worlds of black and white America. He was a Baptist minister who headed two churches. He was a lawyer and a criminal court judge — the first black to be appointed to the bench in his native Tennessee. He was the first of his race to be named to the five-member Federal Communications Commission. And he was a businessman who years ago owned several fried chicken franchises in Memphis.

Meteor in Wisconsin!

2010-04-15T09:29:00.000-07:00

PHOTO! Here is a picture of that meteor in Wisconsin. But was this meteor in Wisconsin … a meteor?

The meteor struck from outer space right after American Idol results last night were released. Coincidence?

The event was described as a giant green fireball that struck around 10 p.m. CDT.

The National Weather Service says it was probably a meteorite:

“Several reports of a prolonged sonic boom were received from areas north of Highway 20, along with shaking of homes, trees and various other objects including wind chimes.”

Witnesses say it struck “as if a full moon just peeked out from a cloud.”

Tax Day Freebies 2010: Tax Day Freebies – April 15, 2010

2010-04-15T09:26:00.000-07:00

Tax Day Freebies 2010 – April 15th is the last day to file taxes. Some people hate April 15th and some are not because April 15th is Tax Day Freebies. Eat and drink away the pain of writing a check to Uncle Sam with these amazing freebies and discounts. The Starbucks is giving away free coffee to everyone just bring a reusable mug to any of their locations.

Below are various Tax Day Freebies 2010.

Taco del Mar is giving away free tacos.
Hydromassage is giving away free massages with a coupon – You have to get your massage sometime between April 15 and April 18.
Cinnabon is giving away free cupcakes.
Chinese restaurant PF Changs is giving all customers 15% off in their “no frills no papers to sign” tax day promotion.
Dairy Queen’s tax day freebies.

STEVEN SEAGAL ACCUSED OF KEEPING RUSSIAN SEX SLAVES!!

2010-04-14T14:29:00.000-07:00

Never mind whether Steven Seagal did what alleged would-be sex slave Kayden Nguyen said he did. Seagal's lawyers insist Nguyen had no right to allege it in the first place.
According to a letter from attorney to the stars and the Out for Justice star's point man, Marty Singer, Nguyen's lawsuit "is in direct violation of the terms of the confidentiality agreement" she signed back in February, when she entered Seagal's employ.

That means, if she chooses to go forth with her unauthorized disclosure of private information (that is, pursue the lawsuit), Seagal's team vows to take her to the cleaners, seeking attorneys fees, costs and sanctions.
She has 48 hours to comply, but Seagal & Co. shouldn't hold their breath.
In a letter back to Singer, Nguyen's attorney, William Waldo, wrote the following:
"I read the letter you e-mailed last night. Please tell Steven Seagal two things. First, the cheap shot threats that might have intimidated other victims and their lawyers don't phase me. Save your ink.
"Second, Ms. Nguyen's claims are not going away. Five other victims called me yesterday."
In other words, hold on. It's going to be a bumpy ride.

Tiger Woods Divorce: Media reports it is almost final

2010-04-14T14:18:00.000-07:00

The Tiger Woods Divorce that people thought would never happen is almost upon us. After quietly leaving The Masters (not a winner) the golf pro has once again slipped back into the darkness of the night with no word on what is going on with his forthcoming career.

On the personal side of life, several entertainment shows are saying that Elin and Tiger Woods will be divorced once the arrangement is agreed upon by attorneys. In addition is it reported that the two are no longer on speaking terms and will not be communicating in the future.

Elin was seen boarding a plane to visit her mom who is reportedly ailing. However, this couldn't be confirmed and the celebrity media and paparazzi have been kept at a distance from the

Beige Book shows improving US economy

2010-04-14T14:12:00.000-07:00

The US economy is continuing to show signs of health, with manufacturing, residential real estate and consumer spending improving during the last six weeks, the Federal Reserve said on Wednesday.

In its latest Beige Book survey, the Fed said that overall economic activity had “increased somewhat” in 11 of the 12 districts it tracks. Although St. Louis lagged behind, most regions saw greater tourism traffic, renewed consumer demand and fresh indications of hiring.

Ashley Dupre Playboy Pictures & Hot Photos

2010-04-14T14:00:00.001-07:00

Ashley Dupre has been in and out of news for her beauty, her style, her charisma, her call girl status as well as now the famous Ashley Dupre is in the news for the Ashley Dupre Playboy pictures

Ashley Dupre told the media that it’s always a model’s glee to shoot for “Playboy” Magazine and that she wasn’t any exception. She also added that “Playboy” magazine is perhaps the only one which gave her a chance to drop her clothes in front of good looking man which was an added bonus for her in the photo shoot

Did David Carradine Die From Sex Act?

2009-06-05T13:26:00.000-07:00

Did David Carradine pull a Michael Hutchence?

Like the INXS singer, whose mysterious 1997 death in a Sydney hotel was believed to have been related to a sex act gone wrong, police in Thailand are focusing on the possibility that the star of Kung Fu and Kill Bill may have accidentally killed himself while engaging in autoerotic asphyxiation.

Autoerotic asphyxiation is a practice whereby a person intentionally cuts off oxygen to the brain for the purpose of sexual arousal.

A representative for the Bangkok Swissotel's Nai Lert Park hotel told E! News that a maid found the 72-year-old actor's naked body hanging in a closet in his luxury suite. Now, investigators quoted in the Thai news site the Nation are revealing that there was also a rope tied around his genitals.

"The two ropes were tied together," Police Lt. Gen. Worapong Chewprecha told reporters. "It is unclear whether he committed suicide or not, or he died of suffocation or heart failure."

A coroner completed an autopsy earlier today, but authorities say the results will not be released for at least three weeks, per standard procedure given the "unusual circumstances" surrounding Carradine's death and pending toxicology results.

Thai officials initially announced the erstwhile Grasshopper apparently committed suicide, but that theory was categorically shot down by Carradine's reps and shocked members of his family yesterday.

"I know for a fact that he did not commit suicide," comanager Tiffany Smith told E! News.

Her partner, Chuck Binder, wondered whether foul play may have played a part.

"I heard from a producer in Bangkok that his hands were tied behind his back and that it's being covered up," Binder said. "How do you get a rope around your neck and around your genitals and do all this by yourself?"

He continued: "The more I talk to people the more I think there's no way he killed himself. My take is there was definitely foul-play. There’s a lot of weird stuff that happens in Bangkok. This isn't L.A. or New York."

Fans of the prolific character actor should take comfort in knowing that Carradine had at least a half-dozen projects in the can at the time of his death. First up is a guest shot on Tuesday's episode of Mental.

PATH train service between N.J. and N.Y. halted by Journal Square fire

2009-06-05T13:14:00.000-07:00

JERSEY CITY -- PATH train service between New Jersey and New York has been suspended due to an electrical fire in the PATH'S main control center in Jersey City's Journal Square, according to Port Authority spokesman Steve Coleman said.

Coleman said it was unclear how long it would take to get the trains rolling again. NJ Transit is honoring PATH tickets between New York and Hoboken during the outage. Service was stopped at 1:20 p.m. after the fire started in wiring at PATH's control center in Jersey City.

All trains on the tracks have been brought into the nearest station, according to a report in the Jersey Journal. Fire trucks were outside the building and the damage was being assessed, according to Coleman.

No injuries have been reported.

PATH, the Port Authority Trans-Hudson, is a rapid transit railroad linking Manhattan with New Jersey, and providing service to Jersey City, Hoboken, Harrison, and Newark. It is operated by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.

PATH has an average weekday ridership of about 250,000.

Source: NJ.com

Jet America Airlines To Fly For 9 Dollars

2009-05-27T08:07:00.000-07:00

(Jetamerica.com)Low cost airlines start to fly in the travelers' radar as Jet America Airlines introduces 9 dollar fares and will start operations on July 13. One wonders how is Jet America going to make money with 9 dollar fares? Or is this only to create some initial buzz?

Jet America Airlines 9 dollar fares will get the discount travelers from Newark, NJ to Toledo. There will be only nine seats in each flight that will cost nine dollars each. According to Tampabay Jet America Airlines will make money from additional fees, just like other low cost airlines.

Jet America Airlines opens for business today and some aspects of its business is modeled by other low cost successful European airlines such as Ryanair. Tampabay.com writes that "Jet America will charge an additional $20 for a round-trip with an assigned seat, $20 to buy a ticket by phone and $10 to book on the Web site (www.jetamerica.com). The airline will begin with one leased jet and grow to four planes in a year, said chief executive John Weikle, former boss at now-defunct Skybus. The four initial cities — Toledo, Ohio, South Bend, Ind., Lansing, Mich., and Melbourne on Florida's east coast — are subsidizing Jet America by waiving airport fees and helping with marketing and advertising."

According to Jaunted.com Jet Ameria Airlines is on track to deliver passengers on July 13 in a Boeing 737-800 jet from Toledo to Newark, N.J., Melbourne, Fla., Lansing, Mich., and South Bend, Ind.

By the way, don't confuse Jet America Airlines with the private jet service Jet America LTD. The later's website is Jetamerica.net while the website of Jet America Airlines is Jetamerica.com, which we could not access at this point. Probably many travelers are trying to book a flight.

Source: huliq.com

Mike Tyson's Daughter Dies

2009-05-27T07:43:00.000-07:00

A rep for the Phoenix Police Department has just released the following statement regarding Mike Tyson's 4-year-old daughter:

I was just advised by investigators that Exodus Tyson was pronounced deceased at 11:45 AM today at the hospital. Our sympathies go out to the family.

Paramedics were called to Tyson's Phoenix home at around 10:30 Monday morning when his 7-year-old son found the young girl hanging from a treadmill by its power cable.

UPDATE: Tyson's family just released this statement:

There are no words to describe the tragic loss of our beloved Exodus. We ask you now to please respect our need at this very difficult time for privacy to grieve and try to help each other heal.

Source: tmz.com

Credit Card Reform Leaves Out Small Entrepreneurs

2009-05-26T13:47:00.000-07:00

The new law reining in the penalties that banks can levy on their riskiest borrowers doesn't apply to small businesses.

Though U.S. consumers can look forward to some relief under the credit card reform bill signed into law last week by President Obama, small-business owners may not be so lucky.

Congress is reining in the penalties that banks can levy on their riskiest borrowers. Card issuers stand to lose billions in revenue. They may seek to make it up from other plastic-wielding customers by raising interest rates, scaling back rewards and imposing annual fees. Small-business cardholders could be prime targets.

"It's no secret that [banks] are hurting and looking for any source" of revenue, said Molly Brogan, spokeswoman for the National Small Business Assn., based in Washington.

The new law, which shields consumers from predatory fees and sudden rate hikes, doesn't include customers holding credit cards backed by their companies. An amendment that would have extended the protections to cardholders whose businesses have fewer than 50 employees was killed before the final bill was voted on.

Amendment author Sen. Mary L. Landrieu (D-La.), chairwoman of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, hasn't given up on winning the changes for small firms.

"We will look into other legislative vehicles," said Scott Schneider, committee spokesman.

Many small firms rely on credit cards to pay for everything from paper clips to equipment. Even more are doing so as the recession has limited access to other credit. Some are already feeling the sting of higher rates.

Article Source: www.latimes.com

2009 NBA Playoffs: Lakers-Nuggets Game 4

2009-05-26T13:44:00.000-07:00

Denver Nuggets 120, Los Angeles Lakers 101

The Nuggets normally use a barrage of points and timely defense to blowout their opponent in the second or third quarter and hold their big lead for the remainder of the game. This game wasn't that type of win for the Nuggets. Denver didn't destroy the Lakers over a twelve-minute stretch in the first three quarters, yet they still held an eleven point lead heading into the fourth. This game was their "Stairway to Heaven." Their lead was slowly building throughout the game. They showed their greatness throughout putting together a near-perfect performance across the board. Smith played the role of John Bonham with his back-to-back threes like crashing cymbals to close out the final crescendo.

The Lakers' supporting cast played about as poorly as a group of eight guys can play. Kobe Bryant (almost went a whole Lakers recap without mentioning him) put together a pretty good game, but he was almost forced to shoot too much with how bad Lamar Odom, Trevor Ariza, Derek Fisher and the Lakers' bench played. Bryant having double-digit three-point attempts could mean he is on fire from deep, the defense isn't allowing him to get to the lane, or he feels the need to take ill-advised shots to make up for the rest of his team. This was a combination of the last two. Odom, Ariza and Fisher combined for 13 points on 4 of 19 shooting which only puts more pressure on the rest of the team (read: Kobe) to cover their lack of production. The Lakers can't win with three of their top six basically taking the night off.

The Nuggets have turned this into a best of three, but they'll need to win game five to have a realistic shot at winning the series. They have the momentum after an absolutely dominating performance tonight. The Lakers don't react too kindly when they get beat as badly as they did in game four. They followed up double-digit losses to the Rockets in the previous round with blowout wins in each of the next games. Los Angeles will need a better showing from their role players and will need to stop the Nuggets from repeatedly getting into the key.
Prediction: Lakers win convincingly.

source: TALKHOOPS.NET

Mike Tyson's Daughter Remains in Critical Condition

2009-05-26T13:07:00.000-07:00

The boxing bad boy's 4-year-old daughter, Exodus Tyson, is currently on life support after getting her neck tangled in a cord from a treadmill in her Phoenix home Monday.

Police say Exodus was playing on the exercise machine at the time of the mishap. Her 7-year-old brother discovered her and called for his mother, who was cleaning in a separate room at the moment of the accident. She called 911, and the child was taken to St. Joseph's Hospital. (Police have not released the mother's name.)

Tyson, 42, was in Las Vegas at the time, but has since arrived in Phoenix to be by his daughter's side.

"The Tyson family would like to extend our deepest and most heartfelt thanks for all your prayers and support, and we ask that we be allowed our privacy at this difficult time," the boxer's rep said in a statement.

The child is described as in "extremely critical condition."

Meanwhile, Tyson's ex-wife of 20 years ago, actress Robin Givens, is being targeted by the feds for nearly $300,000 in unpaid taxes.

According to Forbes, the 44-year-old Family That Preys star owes $292,000 in back taxes, interest and penalties reaching as far back as 1996. A lawsuit was filed last week in Tampa requesting a formal judgment against the actress.

Obama Taps Sonia Sotomayor for High Court

2009-05-26T08:32:00.000-07:00

President Obama announced Tuesday morning the nomination of federal court judge Sonia Sotomayor, who grew up in a Bronx housing project, as the first Hispanic to serve on the Supreme Court.

Sotomayor, 54, will succeed retiring Associate Justice David Souter if she is confirmed by the Senate.

The first President Bush, a Republican, appointed Sotomayor to Manhattan Federal Court in 1992. President Clinton, a Democrat, elevated her to the Second Circuit Court of Appeals in 1998.

Sotomayor's nomination process could be rocky. Within days of Souter announcing his retirement, a video surfaced in which Sotomayor was caught saying the courts are the place where "policy is made" - an activist viewpoint sure to rankle conservatives.

She quickly added, "And I know this is on tape and I should never say that, because we don't make law. I know."

In an interview with the Daily News in 1998, Sotomayor, a diehard Yankees fan, said she long believed she would rise to the top of her profession.

Kathy Coleman returns to ‘Land of the Lost’ TV Show

2009-05-25T14:45:00.000-07:00

Kathy Coleman will play a cameo role in ‘Land of the Lost’ movie slated to release on June 5th. Kathy is a child actress who is known for playing Holly Marshall in the original 1974 TV series on which this movie is based. The film is directed by Brad Silberling and stars Will Ferrell.

The ‘Land of the Lost’ film follows "a disgraced paleontologist, his assistant, and a macho tour guide who find themselves in a strange, alternate world inhabited by dinosaurs, monkey people and reptilian Sleestaks."

Land of the Lost TV series was created and produced by Sid and Marty Krofft. During its original run, it was broadcast on the NBC television network. It was not, however, a prime-time series. It has since become a cult classic and is now available on DVD. It was shot in Los Angeles, California.

Kathy Coleman will play a cameo role in ‘Land of the Lost’ movie slated to release on June 5th. Kathy is a child actress who is known for playing Holly Marshall in the original 1974 TV series on which this movie is based. The film is directed by Brad Silberling and stars Will Ferrell.

Susan Boyle 2nd Performance Video

2009-05-25T14:32:00.000-07:00

Susan Boyle 2nd Performance - As you know yesterday was the turn for Susan Boyle to make her 2nd performance at “Britain’s got Talent!”. Again she demonstrated the great voice we all love to hear.

Even after all the media attention she has gotten, she still feel nervous in stage, and on this second performance with the song “Memory” one could tell that at the beginning. But we understand, she must feel enormous pressure right now!

Check out the Susan Boyle 2nd performance video:

George Boiardi - Force Behid Cornell Success

2009-05-25T14:14:00.000-07:00

Mario St. George Boiardi, Jr. (July 30, 1981 - March 17, 2004) was a lacrosse player for Cornell University. He was also the great grandson of food icon Ettore Boiardi, founder of Chef Boyardee.

Bioardi was the Cornell lacrosse team's rookie of the year as a freshman, and, as a senior, its co-captain. He was an 11-time letter winner at prep school Landon in Bethesda, Maryland: 4 in lacrosse; 4 in hockey; 3 in football. The Washington Post named him to its All-Metropolitan football team in 1998 and 1999.

In the fourth quarter of a game against Binghamton University, Boiardi stepped in front of a ball that had been fired by a Binghamton player, and was struck in the chest. He collapsed, and was rushed to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Due to family request, an official cause of death was never released. In several similar cases, fatal injuries are caused by a rare syndrome known as commotio cordis, in which cardiac arrest is induced by a blunt, non-penetrating blow to the chest. It is not known whether this, or a different cause, led to this tragedy. Since 1999, four other players have died under similar circumstances. His death has stirred calls for improved safety measures.