For those who must know first
AP – Russia’s state gas monopoly said it would cut off all natural gas supplies to Ukraine early Thursday after the two sides failed to agree on how much Ukraine would pay in 2009.
Read More: Gazprom: Russia to cut gas supplies to Ukraine
(AP)
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AP – Air New Zealand has tested a passenger jet powered partially with oil from a plum-sized fruit known as jatropha, in efforts to reduce its carbon footprint and cut its fuel bill.
Read More: NZ airline flies jetliner partly run on biofuel
(AP)
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E! Online – Heather Locklear is a wanted woman.
Read More: Will Heather Locklear Move Back to Melrose Place?
(E! Online)
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E! Online – As cohost of TNT’s NBA coverage, Charles Barkley is always ready with a salty quip. And he’s still adept at giving a play-by-play when necessary.
Read More: Charles Barkley's Need for Speed Propelled by…Um…
(E! Online)
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Reuters – Howard Bragman is a Hollywood spin doctor with a message for everyday Joes and Josephines — shape your public image.
Read More: Hollywood publicity agent earning "15 minutes"
(Reuters)
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Reuters – U.S. album sales slid for a seventh time in eight years in 2008 as growth in the digital arena, one of the few bright spots in the ailing music industry, slowed, according to data issued on Wednesday.
Read More: Music album sales tumble further in 2008
(Reuters)
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Reuters – The prevalence of allergies among children with chronic constipation is not significantly different from that of the general population — and an allergy to cow’s milk does not seem to be involved, researchers report in the Archives of Disease in Childhood.
Read More: Allergies unrelated to constipation in children
(Reuters)
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AP – Happy New Year from Microsoft Corp.: Your Zune is dead.
Read More: Microsoft's Zune players freeze on New Year's Eve
(AP)
Read the First Comment
AP – Before he steps down as chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, Kevin Martin still hopes to win approval for his plan to auction off a slice of the airwaves for a free nationwide wireless broadband network.
Read More: FCC head drops filtering from free broadband plan
(AP)
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AP – For her college interview, Avery Cullinan put on her best outfit but didn’t bother with shoes. She sat in her living room, smiled into her computer’s webcam and told an admissions officer more than 800 miles away that Wake Forest University was right for her.
Read More: No shoes? No problem for this college interview
(AP)
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 Times Online |
Asia Welcomes New Year, Bids Farewell to Rocky 2008
Voice of America - By VOA News At least 1.5 million people crammed into Sydney Harbor in Australia as most residents across the Asian region joined worldwide celebrations to mark New Year's Day 2009. Baltimore's New Years Fireworks Postponed New Year celebrations begin |
Read More: Asia Welcomes New Year, Bids Farewell to Rocky 2008 – Voice of America
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 BBC News |
British Defy Court on Iraqi Suspects
New York Times - By AP LONDON (AP) – Two men accused of killing British soldiers have been turned over to the Iraqi authorities in defiance of the European Court of Human Rights, Britain’s defense secretary said Wednesday. British Transfer Accused Iraqis to Iraq Authorities, AFP Says Two Men Accused of Murdering Uk Troops Handed Over to Iraq |
Read More: British Defy Court on Iraqi Suspects – New York Times
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 The Oregonian – OregonLive.com |
City reverses salt policy for snowy roads
Seattle Post Intelligencer - By KATHY MULADY The next time a serious snowstorm hits Seattle, the city will bring out the salt, reversing a decade-old practice put in place to protect salmon. Under criticism, Seattle mayor adds salt to snow response Seattle City Council wannabes will have to stick to the basics |
Read More: City reverses salt policy for snowy roads – Seattle Post Intelligencer
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 Women on the Web |
Sheekey: Only Caroline Backed Obama
New York Daily News - Deputy Mayor Kevin Sheekey insisted this morning that, contrary to multiple media reports, he has not backed off his efforts to help his "friend" Caroline Kennedy in her quest for Hillary Clinton's US Senate seat. Caroline Kennedy's Trial by Press Continues Helen Thomas: Give Caroline Kennedy a chance |
Read More: Sheekey: Only Caroline Backed Obama – New York Daily News
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 Washington Post |
Calculus seen in appointing Illinois senator
San Jose Mercury News - By Monica Davey and Rachel L. Swarns CHICAGO – Since his arrest on corruption charges Dec. 9, Gov. Rod Blagojevich of Illinois wavered several times on whether to appoint a new senator to fill the seat vacated by President-elect Barack Obama, … Video: Burris Defiant On Senate Seat Burris Adds to Drama Facing Senate |
Read More: Calculus seen in appointing Illinois senator – San Jose Mercury News
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 News Channel 7 |
Macy's customers might be overcharged
Bizjournals.com - Macy’s Inc. is warning that some of its shoppers who purchased items Dec. 20 might have been charged more than once. The Cincinnati-based retailer said a system error caused some debit cards to be charged multiple times, according to the published … 'Double-debit' hits some Macy's Christmas shoppers Some Macy's Shoppers Charged Twice — Or More |
Read More: Macy's customers might be overcharged – Bizjournals.com
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LyondellBasell Considers Bankruptcy as Takeover Sours
Bloomberg - By Pierre Paulden and Rob Delaney Dec. 31 (Bloomberg) — LyondellBasell Industries AF, the chemicals maker controlled by billionaire Len Blavatnik, is considering filing for bankruptcy as a way to restructure debt that financed its $12.7 billion merger … Chemical Giant Mulls Bankruptcy Dutch chemical firm to add jobs in Delaware |
Read More: LyondellBasell Considers Bankruptcy as Takeover Sours – Bloomberg
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 The Age |
Facebook faces ire of 85000 mums
Straits Times - WASHINGTON: Facebook has become the target of protest by more than 80000 irate mothers, after the social networking website banned overly revealing breastfeeding photographs from online profiles. Video: Breastfeeding Photos Pulled Facebook Opposes Breastfeeding Photos |
Read More: Facebook faces ire of 85000 mums – Straits Times
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 Turn to 10.com |
New Year's Eve to be cold, windy in NYC
United Press International - NEW YORK, Dec. 31 (UPI) — It's going to be a cold, snowy New Year's Eve for those who ring in the New Year in New York's Times Square, forecasters said Wednesday. Northeast sees snow, winds on New Year's Eve Snow Totals: New Year's Eve Storm |
Read More: New Year's Eve to be cold, windy in NYC – United Press International
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 Which? |
LG Blu-ray box to offer CinemaNow and YouTube videos
CNET News - LG Electronics will add video streaming features from CinemaNow and YouTube to its 2009 lineup of networked Blu-ray players, the company said Tuesday. Sony BDP-S350 Blu-ray Player Wins Greentech Kudos LG Teams with YouTube, CinemaNow |
Read More: LG Blu-ray box to offer CinemaNow and YouTube videos – CNET News
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No. 23 Michigan hosts Wisconsin in Big Ten lidlifter
Sports Network - Ann Arbor, MI (Sports Network) – Crisler Arena in Ann Arbor is the site of today's Big Ten battle between the Wisconsin Badgers and the 23rd-ranked Michigan Wolverines, who have been much better than many expected. |
Read More: No. 23 Michigan hosts Wisconsin in Big Ten lidlifter – Sports Network
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 Washington Post |
Charles Barkley admitted he was looking for sex during DUI arrest
New York Daily News - BY DAVE GOLDINER Courtesy of AP Hoops legend Charles Barkley was busted for suspected drunken driving Wednesday – and made things worse by admitting he was rushing to pick up a woman for a sex act. Barkley's bizarre offer doesn't impress cop in DUI Sports Briefing | Pro Basketball DUI Arrest for Barkley |
Read More: Charles Barkley admitted he was looking for sex during DUI arrest – New York Daily News
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AP – You can call it a case of creative drug-dealing. Athens police have a 38-year-old man in custody for allegedly accepting gift cards for payment for crack cocaine and prescription drugs. Police Captain Marty Bruce, a spokesman, said the man was arrested Monday night. He was charged with possession of a controlled substance.
Read More: Police say alleged drug dealer accepted gift cards
(AP)
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AP – The Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office said an 88-year-old woman fended off a naked intruder by grabbing the man’s crotch and squeezing. Deputy Paul McRedmond said the man got into the house Tuesday through a sliding door. He backed the woman into her living room and pushed her face down onto a chair.
Read More: Ore. woman, 88, gives naked intruder the 'squeeze'
(AP)
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AP – After some debate and a trade, the Cleveland Indians have decided not to shift their infield.
Read More: Indians acquire INF Mark DeRosa to play third
(AP)
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AP – Jeff Green scored 26 points, Kevin Durant added 25 and the Oklahoma City Thunder beat the Golden State Warriors 107-100 on Wednesday night for just their fourth victory of the season.
Read More: Thunder top Warriors for 4th victory of the season
(AP)
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AP – Chad Pennington has mastered NFL quarterbacking. And personal comebacks. For the second time in three years, Pennington is The Associated Press 2008 NFL Comeback Player of the Year. The Miami Dolphins star is the first player in the 11 seasons of the award to win it twice.
Read More: Miami QB Pennington wins 2nd Comeback Player award
(AP)
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Reuters – U.S. crude oil rose 14 percent on the final trading day of 2008 in thin pre-holiday trade on Wednesday, tracking a jump in gasoline as a slowdown in domestic refinery activity sparked fears of tightening fuel supply this winter.
Read More: Oil jumps 14 percent, products up
(Reuters)
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Reuters – U.S. weekly jobless claims plummeted last week but the improvement was probably a seasonal quirk rather than a turning point for the recession-ravaged labor market.
Read More: Jobless claims dive while mortgage rates ease again
(Reuters)
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If you hit the malls this weekend you saw that desperate retailers were slashing prices in an effort to move inventory and push shoppers to open their wallets … but will it be enough to turn business around?
Read More: Retailers Struggle To Boost Sales
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While the “one president” philosophy has kept Obama mum on emerging foreign policy crises, he has abandoned it when it comes to the economy, talking at great length about his plans for the nation’s financial recovery, the Washington Post reports.
Read More: Obama's "One President" Gambit
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The weather plays a part in how Israel pursues its campaign and also in how Hamas counterattacks
Read More: Attacking Gaza: The Fog — and Rain — of War
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A TIME correspondent on the Watergate hunt recalls the frenzy over the scandal and the obsession over the identity of Woodward and Bernstein’s critical source
Read More: The Man Who Was Deep Throat: Chasing Mark Felt
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Federal prosecutors are urging an appeals court to proceed with Representative William Jefferson’s corruption trial
Read More: Prosecutors: Get On with Jefferson Trial
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The holiday that long stood in Christmas’ shadow has a growing pop-cultural profile of its own
Read More: Pop Culture Hanukkah
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A virtual shopping centre based on London’s famous Oxford Street and West End consumer hotspots is currently in development, set to open its (virtual) doors in time for Christmas shopping in 2009.
“Hell is other people,” famously wrote Jean-Paul Sartre, which, were he a Londoner he might well have added, “on Oxford Street in the January sales!”
The group that represents West End traders is, according to The Times this week, “creating a unique internet world where shoppers will be able to wander down computer simulations of London streets, click their way into exact replicas of well-known stores, and thumb through goods stacked on virtual shelves.”
Of course, such virtual shopping malls are already in existence (witness the latest UK venture online at Mallplace, for a good example) but nothing has been created so far that is based on real world locations such as the West End.
Be Broadband support
The aim of the virtual Oxford Street venture is to bring over 600 West End traders from Bond Street, Oxford Street and Regent Street online.
The £8m scheme has been masterminded by Alex Wrottesley from Near software who has teamed up with Be Broadband to bring a ‘Second Life’ style Oxford Street to (virtual) life.
“This is the first time that someone has tried to recreate a city just as you’d find it in real life,” Wrottesley told The Times.
The virtual weather in Wrottesley’s “Near London” is set to change according to live Met Office data and shoppers can ping their mates on Facebook or MySpace to go off on joint virtual shopping jaunts together.
Great news for scrooges
“Near London” is set to open for business by October 2009, just in time for next year’s Christmas blitz. Great news for couch-based shoppers and miserable, misanthropic Christmas-hating scrooges everywhere!
Whether or not this virtual West End will encourage or discourage shoppers and tourists from visiting the honeypot that is Oxford Circus next winter is still to be seen.
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AFP – A record crowd of up to 1.5 million Australians and tourists kicked off global New Year celebrations at Sydney’s biggest-ever fireworks display by the city’s world-famous Opera House Thursday.
Read More: Record Sydney crowd gets New Year party started
(AFP)
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AP – Israel resisted mounting international pressure Wednesday to suspend its devastating air offensive against militants in Hamas-ruled Gaza, sending more troops and tanks to the border as signs of an impending ground invasion multiplied. A long column of tanks and other army vehicles, two and three abreast, was strung out along an access road to Gaza. Dozens of tanks were parked in a rain-sodden field on the frontier.
Read More: Israel rejects truce call, pursues bombing Gaza
(AP)
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E! Online – Doug Wilson only wishes he could trade spaces about now.
Read More: Trading Spaces Decorator Doug Designs DUI Bust
(E! Online)
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Reuters – A slew of quality movies and higher ticket prices helped Hollywood hold its own in 2008 despite recession, while 2009 promises more 3-D pictures and some big blockbusters to keep audiences coming in.
Read More: Good movies, prices help Hollywood in recession
(Reuters)
Read the First Comment
AP – Actor Matt Dillon was charged with driving at an excessive speed for allegedly going 106 mph on an interstate highway, Vermont State Police said.
Read More: Actor Matt Dillon charged with speeding in Vermont
(AP)
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AP – The half brother of comedian Dane Cook has pleaded not guilty to embezzling millions from the comedian and ordered held on $3 million bail.
Read More: Brother accused of embezzling from Dane Cook
(AP)
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Fashion Wire Daily – On the red carpet Tuesday night for his new drama “Seven Pounds,” Will Smith admitted that, like “The Pursuit of Happyness” that went before, the film is “a chick flick for guys.” That characterization of the serious story of a man who tries to atone for a terrible mistake may not exactly drive men into theaters, but the bona fide biggest star on the planet isn’t too worried about that.
Read More: Will Smith, Seriously
(Fashion Wire Daily)
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Time.com – Scientists say a rare sleep disorder may be a precursor to the eventual onset of severe symptoms of the disease
Read More: Can a Sleep Disorder Predict Parkinson's?
(Time.com)
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Reuters – Are photographs of a mother breast-feeding her child indecent? The social networking site Facebook has sparked a massive online debate — and protests — after removing photos that expose too much of a mother’s breast.
Read More: Facebook ban of breast-feeding photos sparks protests
(Reuters)
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AP – Of all the threats to scientific research Wesley Sizemore has stymied over the years, satellites and cell phone towers don’t stick in his memory quite like the possessive old hound and its treasured heating pad.
Read More: Shhh! Gadget racket threatens pulsar research
(AP)
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AFP – China on Wednesday agreed to start awarding long-awaited third-generation mobile phone licences, state media reported, in a move that was expected to help battle an economic slowdown.
Read More: China to start awarding 3G mobile phone licences: state media
(AFP)
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PC World – A court in Shenzhen, China, sentenced 11 members of a software counterfeiting operation Wednesday, with the defendants getting between one and a half and six and half years in prison, according to Microsoft.
Read More: 11 in China Sentenced for Software Piracy
(PC World)
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 Straits Times |
Thai Prime Minister Urges Political Unity to Face Economic Crisis
Washington Post - By Tim Johnston BANGKOK, Dec. 30 — Thailand's new prime minister used his delayed maiden policy speech to lawmakers Tuesday to warn that the stalled economy is unlikely to recover as long as the country is held hostage by political conflict. Thailand's New Prime Minister Calls for National Unity, Economic … Thai prime minister inaugurates government despite protesters |
Read More: Thai Prime Minister Urges Political Unity to Face Economic Crisis – Washington Post
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 CTV.ca |
AU chief urges Somali stakeholders to appoint new president
Xinhua - ADDIS ABABA, Dec. 30 (Xinhua) — Chairperson of the Commission of the African Union (AU) Jean Ping on Tuesday urged the Somali stakeholders and in particular, the Transitional Federal Parliament, to take all necessary steps for the early appointment of … Somalia: Fresh Shelling Kills Civilians in Mogadishu In Somalia, A Transitional President Is Out |
Read More: AU chief urges Somali stakeholders to appoint new president – Xinhua
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