Chad Johnson Arrested - Dolphins' Chad Johnson arrested on domestic violence charge, Miami Dolphins wide receiver Chad Johnson was arrested on a misdemeanor domestic violence charge Saturday night, Davie (Fla.) Police Cpt. Dale Engle told NFL.com and NFL Network.
Police said Johnson head-butted his newlywed wife, "Basketball Wives" star Evelyn Lozada, in the forehead during an argument that started while they were driving home from dinner around 8:30 p.m. ET. Lozada was treated at the scene for a "pretty good-sized" laceration, Engle said, and she later was taken to the hospital. Johnson told police that he and his wife accidentally knocked heads, according to Engle, who said the "heated argument" started over a receipt for condoms found in the car. Engle originally told NFL.com and NFL Network that Johnson had found the receipt, but he later clarified it indeed was Lozada who found it and then confronted her husband.
The Johnsons live in Davie, where the Dolphins' practice facility is located, and a neighbor called police about the incident, Engle said. Johnson was charged with simple battery/domestic violence.
"We are aware of the situation and are in the process of gathering all of the relevant information," a Dolphins spokesman said in a statement given to NFL.com and NFL Network's Jeff Darlington.
Johnson's agent, Drew Rosenhaus, had no comment about his client's arrest when reached by NFL.com and NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.
Johnson remains in custody at Broward County Jail and won't be eligible for release until a bail hearing is set, which could be as late as Monday, Engle said. The Dolphins have a practice scheduled for Sunday afternoon.
Johnson and Lozada were married on the Fourth of July. He changed his last name from Ochocinco, a playful reference to his No. 85 jersey, back to Johnson so his wife would take it as her last name. Johnson, 34, had never been arrested during his 12-year NFL career, but according to the South Florida Sun Sentinel, he was arrested in a domestic dispute during college. Johnson signed with Dolphins this offseason after spending last season with the New England Patriots. Johnson started in the Dolphins' preseason opener Friday night. He didn't have a catch and was targeted only once in the 20-7 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Eminem Thanks Fans - For help during dark times, Eminem, who battled an addiction to prescription drugs, thanked his fans at a New York concert for helping him get through dark times. The 39-year-old told hundreds Thursday night that he "wouldn't have gotten out of that dark place without y'all" before he performed the Grammy-winning song "Not Afraid." He said the performance was "dedicated to anybody tonight who's been through personal struggles." Eminem's addiction and climb to sobriety is detailed in his 2010 album "Recovery." It was that year's best-selling album. At the Hammerstein Ballroom the rapper performed more than a dozen songs at an event for the watch brand G-Shock, including the hits "Lose Yourself," "Love the Way You Lie" and "The Real Slim Shady." Hip-hop foursome Slaughterhouse opened for the Detroit-born rapper.
Orlando Mermaid Convention - Mermaid convention makes a splash at Orlando hotel, Situated on a faux rock, three beautiful mermaids wearing colorful tails and seashell bras greeted each guest who walked into the Wyndham Orlando convention hall Saturday.
Across the room at Merpalooza, a gathering of mermaid and mermen enthusiasts going on in Orlando this weekend, more of the mythical beasts posed for pictures, fans eyed mermaid art and vendors sold custom-made tails with $1,500 price tags. "I don't have a tail, but I would really, really like one," said Sloane Shaffer, a 24-year-old Orlando woman who attended the convention Saturday. "I don't think it's in my budget right now."
Shaffer said she's loved mermaids ever since wearing out two VHS copies of "The Little Mermaid."
The two-day event, which includes a pool party and mermaid pageant, is one of the few conventions in the country that celebrate the half-human, half-fish creatures made popular by films and television shows.
Humans have been in awe of mermaids for thousands of years, said Merpalooza organizer Stephanie Sims.
"It's been in the culture forever and ever," Sims said, noting examples from ancient folklore.
And the women at Weeki Wachee Springs State Park have been keeping the myth alive since 1947. The Old Florida attraction near Tampa celebrated its 65th anniversary with a mermaid reunion in July.
A month earlier, in a response to the Animal Planet channel documentary "Mermaids: The Body Found," the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration announced that there is no evidence mermaids are real.
But the 1984 movie "Splash," starring Tom Hanks and Darryl Hannah, pushed mermading hobby into another realm, Sims said. And, like vampires and zombies before them, the recent media attention may help mermaids become the next big pop-culture craze.
"They're very en vogue," Sims said.
Mermaids R Us, an outfitter of tails, tops and accessories, has been in business for a little more than a year, said owner Sandy Hoaglin. The Hernando Beach mother of a Weeki Wachee mermaid had a booth at Merpalooza.
Hoaglin makes custom-fit silicon tails in a variety of colors for those looking to transform into a mermaid and merman. Each take about a week to construct and go for $1,250 on her website. The fabric tails cost $150. She's created tails for Jimmy Buffett's most recent concert tour, talk-show host Chelsea Handler and a farmer in Nebraska. "You never can tell," she said. Enid Montalvo took three hours to prepare for Saturday's convention. The 17-year old from Kissimmee wore bluish eye make-up, rhinestones near her temples, a hair accessory decorated with shells and T-shirt featuring Ariel from "The Little Mermaid." "Mermaids have been my obsession since I can remember," she said. "They're like free-spirited, and they're fun and they're beautiful and I've always wanted to be one." Enid admitted she's never seen a real mermaid but said she "saw a documentary the other day and they could exist. Who knows?"
Air Force sex scandal - A sex scandal at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas has led to the dismissal of the top commander overseeing basic training for every new American airman, officials said Friday.
Col. Glenn Palmer was commander of basic training for the 737th Training Group at the base near San Antonio, where more than a dozen military instructors in the last year have been charged with or investigated on suspicion of sexually assaulting recruits. On Friday, officials confirmed reports by the Associated Press that Palmer had been relieved of duty by Col. Eric Axelbank, commander of the 37th training wing at Lackland.
“Col. Palmer was relieved because Col. Eric Axelbank lost confidence in his ability to maintain a safe and secure training environment for our newest airmen,” Collen McGee, spokeswoman for the 37th Training Wing, told the Los Angeles Times. Axelbank decided that, for the 737th group, “a new leader is required to meet the current needs,” she said.
But, McGee added, “Col. Palmer did not create the environment that resulted in the misconduct.”
No replacement had been announced, she said.
Palmer isn’t the first Lackland commander removed since the scandal erupted last year.
In June, Axelbank relieved Col. Mike Paquette, commander of the 331st Training Squadron, for what a military attorney described as a loss of confidence in his leadership.
Axelbank is also expected to change command next month, a move Air Force officials said predated the sex scandal, according to the AP.
Lackland has about 475 military training instructors, the Air Force equivalent of drill sergeants. So far, six instructors have been charged with offenses ranging from rape to adultery, and investigators believe that more than three dozen female trainees have been victimized.
Last month, Staff Sgt. Luis Walker, the first Lackland instructor investigated last year in connection with the scandal, was sentenced to 20 years in prison after being convicted of raping a female recruit and sexually assaulting several others.
Dime Sells For 1.6 Million - Bid auctions for coins are rather non-news, but when a rare 1873 Liberty dime sells for $1.6 million, it makes headlines. That's what happened Thursday in Carson City, Nev. when a group of coin bidders were jockeying for the Battle Born Collection item.
ABC News reported the story Friday about the one-day-auction that attracted some eager bidders, who wanted to get their hands on the piece of numismatic treasure. One bidder at the coin auction, who wished not to be identified, took home a rare 1873-CC "No Arrows" Liberty Seated dime from Stack's Bowers Galleries in Carson City.
Chris Napolitano, the president of the coin auction house said this about the Battle Born Collection rare dime that sold for $1.6 million:
"Generally speaking, in the coin auction business, you might get a couple of people fighting each other as they bid. On this one, we had four or five buyers over a million dollars. We had a fair amount of buyers pursuing it."
The Battle Born Collection is known for having one of every coin that was struck during 1873 in Carson City before the mint closed 20 years later.
Other than the rare dime that sold for $1.6 million, 111 other pieces were auctioned off on bid totaling $10 million. Of course 15% of that was taken out as part of a buyer's fee.
jennifer lawrence orange bra, Jennifer Lawrence's Hot Orange Bra Pops Out Of Her Top Jennifer Lawrence tends to keep it low-key in the fashion department, so we were a little surprised to see the "Hunger Games" actress sporting a relatively brazen look yesterday.While out and about in Hollywood, Jennifer rocked a skimpy onesie -- not exactly the t-shirts and workout gear we're accustomed to seeing the 21-year-old wear during her off-hours. The unavoidable centerpiece of her outfit? A neon orange bra that she completely flashed. It seems that bras are having a moment lately as celebrities are willingly flaunting their brightly-colored undergarments in broad daylight. But is this a wardrobe malfunction or just a matter of taste? Check out the photo and tell us what you think of Jennifer's revealing ensemble.Girl on fire! Jennifer Lawrence sets temperatures soaring as she flashes her lacy orange braShe plays Katniss Everdeen, ‘The Girl on Fire’ in the Hunger Games saga.
And Jennifer Lawrence was certainly setting temperatures soaring when she stepped out in North Hollywood today.
The 21-year-old actress showed a good deal of her lacy orange bra by wearing it under a very low-cut black backless playsuit.
As well as displaying her racy lingerie, Jennifer also showed off her slender legs in the short garment.To complete her sexy outfit she sported simple sandals, oversized sunglasses, and carried a crocheted bag.
Jennifer swept her flowing honey blonde locks into a bun to help her beat the heat, and with her hair out of the way her visible bra became even more apparent.
The hot young Hollywood star was seen arriving at the Costume Rentals Corporation and was glued to her mobile phone as she stepped out of her car, also clutching a coffee.Perhaps she was there for a fitting for the second instalment of the Hunger Games film series, Catching Fire, for which production is due to kick off next month.
Jennifer has reportedly inked a $10million deal for the movie – a whopping $9.5million payrise from the first film.
However her leading men Liam Hemsworth and Josh Hutcherson are rumoured to be driving a hard bargain after they were offered $2million each.According to Radar Online, the actors are allegedly demanding $5million apiece and threatening to walk if their requests are not met. Jennifer has signed a contract to appear in all four Hunger Games movies - Catching Fire and the adaptation of the final book Mockingjay, which is set to be split into two films. The first movie was a box office smash, and took a staggering $673m in ticket sales worldwide.
gisele baby bump boston,Fond farewell: Gisele Bundchen hauls her luggage and growing baby bump out of Boston after visiting husband Tom BradyAnd after Gisele Bündchen's picturesque visit with her NFL quarterback husband Tom Brady, who's in the midst of practice with the New England Patriots, the pregnant supermodel left Boston today with the children. Though she has yet to confirm her second pregnancy, it was obvious the 32-year-old supermodel was expecting today as she hauled luggage in a beige- coloured t-shirt, which accentuated her growing baby bump, tucked into loose-fitting white pants.As the gorgeous ombre-haired Brazilian waited for the baggage to be placed in the car, Brady's son with Bridget Moynahan, Jack, was seen playfully riding the hotel luggage trolly. The energetic four-year-old wore a pair of tropical-printed shorts with a plain white polo shirt and sneakers. Once they arrived at the airport, Bündchen was seen loading luggage onto a carrier as her son Benjamin stood close by.The adorable two-year-old suffered what appeared to be a broken arm while in Boston this week, but the toddler seemed to have a wonderful time playing on the jungle gym with his doting father after the injury. Brady also had plenty of time for his eldest son, who turns five later this month. The five-foot-eleven stunner was also in Beantown to help her husband of three years celebrate his 35th birthday, and the pair certainly have plenty to celebrate these days.On top of being named the world's highest-paid celebrity couple by Forbes, the attractive pair moved into their $20million Brentwood mansion and they have another baby on the way. Earlier this week, Gisele cheered her handsome footballer on as he practiced against the New Orleans Saints in Foxboro. She even stole a kiss when the hunky athlete was on a quick break.He then played with the boys, with both of the parents offering them piggybacks and Tom playfully tossing Jack over his shoulder. Her new minimal makeup campaign for high-end jewellery company David Yurman was released this week, featuring Bündchen cavorting with a black stallion on Malibu beach. It was first reported back in May that Gisele and her American football player husband Tom were expecting another baby.Gisele, who grew up with five sisters, said previously that she would like to have a big family with Tom, who has three sisters. 'I'd be lying if I said "no" to wanting a lot of kids,' she said in 2007. The busy model has won new contracts with Versace, Givenchy, the Bank of Brazil and Salvatore Ferragamo in 2012 alone.
10 Best-Selling Products Ever - Enduring success, Some products sell well when introduced. Many more fail miserably. Very few sell so well that they fundamentally affect American culture. These 10 products did just that. While each of these products is in a different industry, there are clear similarities. Each was innovative at the time of release, and several prompted unprecedented consumer behavior. Before "Star Wars," people never camped out in front of a movie theater to see a midnight debut. "Harry Potter" was the first major fantasy-book series geared toward "tweens."
Many products are successful because they are franchises. Though both the iPod and iPad were instantaneous successes for Apple (AAPL), they have continued to benefit from the release of new versions. Similarly, the Mario video-game franchise has turned out 31 titles.
To develop this list, the website 24/7 Wall St. reviewed product categories that generate widespread attention and command lasting loyalty. It then identified individual products that had the highest sales in those categories.
Toys, consumer electronics, books and movies can be passing interests; however, the most successful of these are among the best-selling products of all time. Click through the following slide show, published Aug. 6, for a closer look at the top 10 best-sellers.
Rubik's Cube Category: Toy
Units sold: 350 million
Parent company: Seven Towns
Ernő Rubik created the prototype of the Magic Cube in 1974, in Budapest, Hungary. An American toy manufacturer acquired the license to the product and renamed it the Rubik's Cube, in 1980.
The device went on to become an international sensation. At the height of the toy's popularity, in the mid-1980s, the company estimates that as many as one-fifth of the world's population had tried solving the Rubik's Cube.
With its eye-catching colors, affordability and level of difficulty, the Rubik's Cube remains popular.
iPhone Category: Smartphone
Units sold: 250 million
Parent company: Apple (AAPL)
Launched five years ago, the iPhone is the top-selling smartphone to date. Strategy Analytics, a research company, estimates that the iPhone has generated about $150 billion in revenue for Apple.
There are five generations of the iPhone -- the original, 3G, 3GS, 4 and 4S. With newer generations often more popular than previous ones, Apple's iPhone sales are likely to continue to grow at a healthy pace.
Harry Potter book series Category: Books
Units sold: 450 million
Parent company: Scholastic (SCHL) (Publisher in the United States)
The first book in the Harry Potter series was released in the United States in 1998 under the name "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" and was an instant success. Each new installment has been similarly received. The final installment, "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows," is one of the fastest-selling books of all time; more than 11 million copies were sold within 24 hours of its release.
To date, the series has generated an estimated $7.7 billion in sales, making author J.K. Rowling one of the highest-paid authors in the world. A movie series based on the books was also a smash hit.
Michael Jackson's 'Thriller' Category: Album
Units sold: 110 million
Parent company: Epic Records
The 30th anniversary of the release of Michael Jackson's groundbreaking album "Thriller" is coming in November. One of the first albums to use music videos as a promotional tool, "Thriller" became the best-selling album of all time in just over a year on the market.
The album garnered eight Grammy Awards in 1984, including Album of the Year. Seven of the songs on the album were Billboard top 10 hits. To put the King of Pop's album sales in perspective, Justin Bieber's "My World" (parts 1 and 2) collectively sold just 3.2 million units.
Mario video game franchise Category: Video games
Units sold: 262 million
Parent company: Nintendo (NTDOY)
The Mario character debuted in 1981 in the first video game of the "Donkey Kong" series. Since then, the Italian plumber has appeared in dozens of titles, including at least 31 titles that each topped 1 million in unit sales.
The Super Mario subfranchise alone has sold more than 262 million units.
iPad Category: Tablets
Units sold: 67 million
Parent company: Apple (AAPL)
The first iPad was released in April 2010 and quickly became the first commercially successful tablet computer. Apple recently introduced the third generation of its iPad.
According to researcher IDG Connect, 12% of those who use an iPad on the job no longer use their personal computers at work.
'Star Wars' film series Category: Movies
Sales revenue: $4.5 billion
Parent company: 20th Century Fox
James Cameron's 2009 film "Avatar" is the highest-grossing U.S. movie ever, although, on an inflation-adjusted basis, the 1939 classic "Gone With the Wind" remains the highest-grossing film, according to Box Office Mojo.
In terms of a film franchise, however, nothing approaches the moneymaking record of "Star Wars". The original in George Lucas' series debuted in 1977 and grossed more than $1.4 billion. Five films followed, ending with "Episode III: Revenge of the Sith" in 2005.
Toyota Corolla Category: Automobiles
Units sold: 39 million
Parent company: Toyota Motor (TM)
The Corolla has been selling for more than four decades, with the model evolving over 11 generations. Toyota has sold one Corolla every 40 seconds since the sedan was introduced.
The Corolla was the first car Toyota assembled in the United States. The vehicle has been available in the U.S. since 1968.
Lipitor Category: Pharmaceuticals
Sales revenue: $125 billion
Parent company: Pfizer (PFE)
Like other statins, Lipitor is designed to lower the level of LDL (low-density lipoprotein) -- the so-called bad cholesterol -- in the blood. It was developed by Warner-Lambert, which later merged with Pfizer. Lipitor was approved for sale by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 1997.
Lipitor was not the first drug in its class to hit the market, but its ability to reduce cholesterol, combined with a significant advertising budget, helped propel sales. Lipitor was introduced the same year that the FDA began to allow direct-to-consumer advertising of prescription drugs.
By 2008, drug companies were spending $4.5 billion to promote U.S. sales of their medicines. In 2009, no drug was more heavily marketed than Lipitor, a drug that has contributed between 20% of 25% of Pfizer's revenue since its introduction.
In November, Pfizer lost patent exclusivity on Lipitor, paving the way for sales of less-expensive generic versions of the drug in the United States.
PlayStation Category: Video game consoles
Units sold: 300 million
Parent company: Sony (SNE)
The first edition of the PlayStation was launched in 1994. The brand consists of three home consoles as well as various portable devices, an online service and a PlayStation store.
Brazil Volleyball Women - Destinee wasn't enough. Brazil denied the United States its first Olympic gold medal in women's volleyball Saturday in a 3-1 upset that had the Brazilians turning somersaults on the court and some American players sobbing.
It was the first loss for the U.S. at the tournament and the second straight gold medal for Brazil. American star Destinee Hooker, the second-best scorer at the London Olympics, was held to 14 points.
Jaqueline Carvalho had 18 points to help Brazil overcome a disastrous first set and win 11-25, 25-17, 25-20, 25-17. "We felt we lost control in the first set, but we never lost sight of our objectives, and that was to win gold," Carvalho said. "We knew the U.S. is a great team, that the game would be tough. But we managed to turn it around."
The Americans were favored and started their captain, Lindsey Berg, despite a left Achilles strain earlier in the competition. She had been listed as day-to-day but promised to play in the final.
The U.S. took an 11-4 lead on Hooker's ace. Brazilian coach Jose Roberto Guimaraes shouted at his players to calm down during a timeout, but two straight kills from Hooker and Foluke Akinradewo's block made it 19-7. Jordan Larson spiked for the set.
In the second set, Brazil bounced back to take an 11-6 lead Fernanda Rodrigues' kill, sparking a thunderous ovation from the fans at Earls Court. Logan Tom's spike tied it at 12, but Brazil scored six straight and took the set.
The Brazilians celebrated wildly after taking a 6-2 lead in the third. The United States narrowed it to 21-19 on Hooker's kill, but it was as close as they came, and Castro's With momentum now on the side of the Brazilians, Claudino's kill gave them a 13-9 in the fourth. Thaisa Menezes extended it to 23-14 before Rodrigues' match-winning kill.
Castro and Claudino leapt into the official's chair, and Brazil's coaches rushed to pile on the other players. Later, the Brazilians danced into the medal ceremony.
Brazil became the third team to repeat as gold medalist. The Soviet Union won in 1968 and 1972, while Cuba won three straight starting with the 1992 Barcelona Games. Brazil also won bronze in 1996 and 2000.
"I'm proud of these girls. We worked really hard, we came into this final game undefeated. You can't get any better than that," Hooker said. "I think Brazil kicked it up a notch after the first set. A wonderful win for them." It was the third silver for the U.S. women. The others were in 1984 and 2008. The loss in London was a disappointing finish for U.S. coach Hugh McCutcheon and kept him from the distinction of steering both the American men's and women's teams to gold medals. He came over to the women's side after leading the men on an undefeated run through the 2008 Beijing Olympics. On the day before the opening ceremony, McCutcheon's father-in-law was stabbed to death at a Chinese tourist attraction. McCutcheon will coach the women's volleyball team at Minnesota starting this fall. "Yeah, listen, they played better today," McCutcheon said. "I still believe that team is one of the best, if not the best in the world, and we weren't that today. That's what it comes down to. We train for four years, we come here for two weeks, and it comes down to two hours. I don't think we played poorly tonight, I think Brazil played really well." The U.S. men, playing under coach Alan Knipe, were not as successful in London, losing in straight sets to Italy in the quarterfinals. On the women's side, the bronze medal went to Japan, which defeated South Korea earlier Saturday.
Olympics Closing Ceremony 2012 - It may not be as big of a spectacle as the opening ceremony, and it certainly doesn't bring with it the same amount of excitement, but Sunday's closing ceremony for the London 2012 Olympics is something you certainly won't want to miss.
There is no doubt that the opening ceremony offered a nice cornucopia of British music, but it was more about aesthetics to some degree. According to the Associated Press, though, the closing ceremony is designed to be the world's biggest after party and will feature countless British musical icons performing for the crowd in attendance and those watching around the world.
Whereas the opening ceremony was, and often is, rooted in artistry, the closing ceremony aims to get everyone involved rather than being in awe of what is happening around them. Perhaps no nation in the world has a greater musical history than the United Kingdom, so the closing ceremony will be a sight to behold.
Here is everything you need to know about when and where to watch the closing ceremony, as well as what to expect in terms of performers and other features of the event.
Where: Olympic Stadium in London, England
When: Sunday, Aug. 12 at 7 p.m. ET
Watch: NBC
Potential Performers (via Associated Press)
Pet Shop Boys
Annie Lennox
Fatboy Slim
The Who
George Michael
Muse
Ed Sheeran
The Spice Girls
Queen
Ray Davies
Paul McCartney
Tinie Tempah
Jessie J
Emeli Sande
Kaiser Chiefs
Olympic Traditions to Watch
Marching of Athletes
The athlete march during the opening ceremony is one of the most entertaining and feel-good moments in all of sports, but the marching of athletes during the closing ceremony isn't far behind.
As has been tradition since the 1956 games in Melbourne, the flag bearers of each nation will enter the stadium first and will then be followed by all athletes emerging as one group. While the opening ceremony is about showcasing each individual nation ahead of the Olympic competition, the closing ceremony brings them all together in a symbol of world unity. Considering how much fighting is going on in the world currently, there is no question that the marching of athletes at the closing ceremony provides hope and a vision toward which we can strive as a collective entity. The raising of the flags is a surreal moment during the closing ceremony, as it essentially marks the end of one Olympics and begins the next one. As the originator of the Olympics, Greece will have its flag raised first, followed by the flag of Great Britain and finally the flag of Brazil. The national anthem of each will be played, and then the flags will be lowered. The mayor of London will give International Olympic Committee president Jacques Rogge the Olympic flag back before it is presented to the mayor of Rio de Janeiro, which will host the 2016 Games. Rogge will then announce the end of the London Olympics, and the wait for Rio will begin.
Zuckerberg Topless Photo - Mark Zuckerberg's topless photo stirs emotions, If there's one thing Vladimir Putin has shown the world, it's that a topless photo can add truth to power. It can make a man seem more of a man, more 5'4" than 5'3". Perhaps Mark Zuckerberg also feels the need to appear a little taller, stronger, and manlier. For a photograph has emerged of Facebook's CEO topless. My deeply religious reading of TMZ suddenly revealed yesterday the sight of Zuckerberg with his right hand on his bare chest, as if to say: "Sexy? Moi?" It is impossible to know why Zuckerberg, and, indeed, all the men at this gathering, were half-disrobed. Instinctively, one imagined that he might be interviewing for Chippendales. However, Gawker helpfully reveals that the picture was taken at the wedding of Facebook product manager Justin Shaffer to Annabel Teal a mere 7 days ago. It is not totally clear how the topless pose briefly saw the light. Gawker explains that it was uploaded to Imgur and that it had been "accidentally" uploaded onto Facebook for all the world to gawk by Andrew Bosworth, Facebook's director of engineering. Many might already be shivering at the idea that Facebook's director of engineering has no idea how to use the site's privacy controls. I am shivering because of all the symbolic possibilities that might surround the picture's "accidental" uploading. The simplistic will immediately pounce on the notion that this image was artistically suggesting that if you invest in Facebook, you will lose your shirt. However, perhaps I am not alone in being surprised at Zuckerberg's chest. I had imagined that it would be as smooth as his baby-bottom face. Instead, it is manly. It seems to enjoy as much hair as Seth Rogan's head. The meaning of this picture might well be that we should all beware of Zuckerberg's nerdy countenance. Beneath that bluff lies a jungle warrior who will eat your young, his young, and Young Frankenstein, should he wander into the neighborhood. The delicate way in which his hand is placed on his chest reinforces this view. It is as if he is saying to someone off-camera: "See my manliness, feel my manliness, beware my manliness." It may well be that this photograph may set a trend in these directionless times. I can certainly see a topless photo emerging of Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan, posed against a large Midwestern sky, offering the promise of a new, stronger tomorrow. Equally, I can see Barack Obama and Joe Biden following the same route, but perhaps posing in a doctor's surgery (rather than, say, windsurfing), the picture of caring health. Before long, male CEOs, concert pianists, and, perhaps, even religious leaders will have come to understand that, without a fine, manly topless shot, you cannot ooze authority.
Neil Diamond Walk Of Fame - Legendary singer-songwriter Neil Diamond received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Friday, honoring a nearly five-decade career as one of the most popular recording artists and live performers of all time.
"He is one of those people, rare in entertainment, who America loves," said winger-songwriter Randy Newman, who spoke at the morning ceremony in front of the Capitol Records building on Vine Street. "There have been less than 10 in the century, people like Bing Crosby and Judy Garland." That was evident by the large turnout of fans at the ceremony. Diamond said L.A. has always been supportive.
Diamond said he wanted to "thank Los Angeles for taking this kid from Brooklyn to their hearts and for being so wonderful to me. I thank you all so much."
During his career, Diamond sold more than 125 million albums worldwide and had 37 top 10 singles. His greatest hits include "Cherry, Cherry," "Kentucky Woman," "Sweet Caroline," "Love on the Rocks" and "Heartlight." Diamond's star - the 2,475th one awarded - coincides with his return to the Greek Theatre 40 years after he recorded "Hot August Night." He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2011.
Romney Introduces Ryan As Next President - Oops! Mitt Romney introduces V.P. running mate Paul Ryan as 'the next president of the United States', Mitt Romney’s rivals didn’t have to wait long for the first gaffe of the new GOP ticket. Romney gave his new running mate an accidental promotion on Saturday, introducing Paul Ryan at a massive Virginia rally as “the next PRESIDENT of the United States."
After realizing he accidentally promoted his VP pick to commander-in-chief, Romney returned to the podium and slung an arm around Ryan. "Every now and then I'm known to make a mistake,” Romney said. “I did not make a mistake with this guy.” He then gave his intro another try, correcting himself to say Ryan will be “the next VICE president of the United States.” ROMNEY MAKES IT OFFICAL, ANNOUNCES RYAN FOR V.P. The gaffe prompted a flurry of jokes on Twitter, but some noted that Romney wasn’t the first White House contender to make that mistake. When announcing Joe Biden as his running make in 2008, then-candidate Barack Obama also introduced him as the next president before quickly correcting himself.
Mars Rover Brain Transplant - NASA's Mars rover Curiosity will begin a "brain transplant" tomorrow (Aug. 11), a four-day operation that will bring a temporary halt to the robot's science activities.
Curiosity is getting a major update, switching over from software optimized for entry, descent and landing to programs designed to help the robot roam and study Red Planet rocks and soil, mission team members said. The transition will involve both Curiosity's main and backup computers, and it should take four Martian days — or Sols, in mission lingo — to complete.
"This is primarily an engineering activity," Curiosity lead flight software engineer Ben Cichy, of NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, Calif., told reporters today (Aug. 10). "So we are mostly focusing on just getting done with the engineering and doing the installation, and standing down on science for the next four Sols."
Curiosity, the centerpiece of NASA's $2.5 billion Mars Science Laboratory mission (MSL), touched down inside the Red Planet's huge Gale Crater late Sunday night (Aug. 5). It pulled off an unprecedented landing, during which a rocket-powered sky crane lowered the 1-ton rover to the surface on cables.
The MSL team calls the flight software that guided this daring touchdown R9. With Curiosity now safely on the surface, it's time to switch over to R10, which was uploaded during the rover's eight-month interplanetary cruise.
R10 will allow Curiosity to get the full use out of its 10 science instruments and its 7-foot-long (2.1 meters), drill-equipped robotic arm, Cichy said. And the software upgrade will let the six-wheeled robot roam — more or less autonomously, if its handlers wish — around the Gale Crater area.
"Curiosity was born to drive," Cichy said. "The R10 software includes the capability for Curiosity to really get out and stretch her wheels on the surface of Mars."
Software upgrades like this one are necessary in part because Curiosity's computing power is relatively low compared with what we're used to on Earth, a consequence of the tradeoffs required to toughen the rover up for the rigors of launch, flight, landing and Mars surface operations.
For example, Curiosity's two processors — one each in its main and backup computers — run at 133 megahertz, Cichy said. That's about 10 times slower than the processors found in typical smartphones. And the rover has about 4 gigabytes of storage capacity, compared with 64 gigs or so for a smartphone.
Transitioning to R10 frees up this limited computing power by taking the landing package out of the mix.
"It's like closing a few applications on your computer, and 'Wow, the whole thing runs faster, and now I can drive,'" Cichy said.
Taylor Lautner Ashley Benson Dating - They're both young, attractive and available. So when stars Taylor Lautner and Ashley Benson were seen at a night spot in LA, it naturally raised a few curious eyebrows. Keeping their attire casual - perhaps in a bid to detract attention - the Twilight heart throb and the Pretty Little Liars actress got together for a laid-back night on the town. Their joint appearance might well have sparked a few whispers, but the pair are thought to be just good friends. They were thought to have been among a larger group of friends who were dining at the Red O Mexican Restaurant in LA. Dressed down in jeans, t-shirts and caps, the pair seemed at ease in each other's company as they stood outside the venue after dinner. They left separately, in different vehicles. Taylor drove off in his new Fisker sports car while Ashley waited for hers at the valet booth. Despite drawing a crowd, the pair did not seem to mind the attention as passersby started taking their picture. They were unfazed by the cameras and kept smiling as they waited for their cars. Taylor has dated some of the most beautiful starlets in Hollywood including Taylor Swift, Selena Gomez and - more recently - Lily Collins. However, he is currently thought to be single. Back in May he was also spotted out with his high school sweetheart Sara Hicks. Although the pair split long ago, they are still thought to be friends.
Kristen Stewart Pool Shoot - It was reported on August 10, 2012, that new pictures of Kristen Stewart have emerged in which she looks carefree and relaxed in a cool photoshoot taken in a roof-top swimming pool in a France's Five Star Hotel.
The photos were reportedly shot a couple of months before her fling with Rupert Sanders.
View slideshow: Kristen Stewart photos in swimming pool Krishten is seen wearing black cut-off shorts and a Blondie T-shirt while standing clothed in a pool. In a second photos, Stewart poses with her "On The Road" co-stars Garrett Hedlund and Sam Riley.
The Dailymail reported, "The shoot was taken during the Cannes Film Festival back in May and appears in the September issue of U.S. Marie Claire.
"Kristen does not give an interview as part of the feature, but appears alongside the likes of actress Sarah Gadon and model Isabeli Fontana in an article headlined Hot Shots
"Stewart attended the world premiere of On The Road at Cannes.
"But earlier this week it was reported she has pulled out of the London premiere next week because she is apparently too ashamed to show her face in public."
Tiger Woods PGA - The major known as "Glory's Last Shot" turned into one last chance for Tiger Woods.
On the toughest scoring day in PGA Championship history, Woods made putts from one end of Kiawah Island to the other Friday for a 1-under 71 that gave him a share of the lead with Vijay Singh and Carl Pettersson going into the weekend.
"It was tough out there - wow," Woods said.
Wow, indeed. In a relentless wind that began at sunrise and whipped up the Atlantic waters with 30 mph gusts, par never looked better in this championship. There were more rounds in the 90s - two of them by club pros - than in the 60s. More than 30 players failed to break 80, including Rickie Fowler, Matt Kuchar and Hunter Mahan.
Singh, a three-time major champion who hasn't won in nearly four years, scratched out five birdies in a remarkable round of 3-under 69. Only three other players managed to break par in the second round - Michael Hoey of Northern Ireland at 70, and Woods, Phil Mickelson and Ian Poulter at 71.
It's the second time this year that Woods has had a share of the lead in a major going into the weekend. He missed one chance at Olympic Club in the U.S. Open, when he stumbled to a 75-73 to tie for 21st. He was in the penultimate group at the British Open until a triple bogey on the sixth hole of the final round took him out of the mix.
One last major, one last shot.
"I've been in this position many times over my career," he said. "Again, we're just at the halfway point. We have a long way to go."
50 Cent Kim Kardashian DIS - 50 Cent has slammed Kanye West's choice in dating Kim Kardashian.
The rapper - whose real name is Curtis Jackson - has always been a musical rival of Kanye's but now he may have ignited a bigger feud after suggesting his girlfriend is ''trash''.
Referring to Kanye's new song 'Perfect Bitch', which he said is about Kim, 50 Cent reminded readers that the reality TV star is only perfect in her partner's eyes.
He told XXL magazine: ''I mean ... if that man feel like she's perfect, then she's perfect. He could mean it and you'll end up singing the words to it because he's Kanye.''
The rapper continued to say that what one man considers beautiful could be seen as ugly by another.
He added: ''You know how it is? One man's trash is another man's treasure.''
The artist - who used to date talk show host Chelsea Handler - then said he didn't know if there was such a thing as a perfect woman.
He continued: ''I'm not sure. The smartest guys I know have lost being a bad judge of character in that area.''
Pamela Anderson Shark Fin - Pamela Anderson has set her vegan eyes on banning shark fin soup from restaurant menus in Canada. Calling the practice of killing the fish just for the expensive delicacy indefensible, the sexy star is urging city officials to take action.
"Hooking sharks, pulling them from the water, cutting off their fins while they are still alive, then dumping them back into the ocean to suffer and die is appalling," Pamela Anderson told Global Toronto, describing the way sharks are maimed.
"To do so for a bowl of soup is indefensible." Toronto voted to ban shark fin soup last year, and now the 45-year-old wants cities Richmond and Langley to do the same — though that's not to say she's entirely happy with Canada's largest city.
"It’s clear to me that marine parks, including the Toronto aquarium, are in no way educational," Pamela Anderson told GlobalToronto.com, ripping Ripley's Aquarium of Canada, which is set to open next year.
"Confining marine animals to tanks and separating them from their families and their natural surroundings, just so people can watch them swim in endless circles, teaches us far more about humans than it does about animals — and the lesson is not a flattering one."
It's all in a day's work for Pamela Anderson, who says her two teenage sons with ex-husband Tommy Lee know little of her scandalous past. Speaking of 16-year-old Brandon and 13-year-old Dylan, the former Playboy model and infamous sex-tape star explained to ContactMusic recently, "They know that Daddy's a rock star and Mommy rescues animals."
Iran Earthquake 2012 - Two strong earthquakes leveled villages and damaged homes in northwestern Iran on Saturday, killing at least 180 people and injuring more than 1,350 others, state TV reported. Thousands of people spent the night outdoors as aftershocks rattled the area.
The U.S. Geological Survey reported that Saturday's first quake at 4:53 p.m. (1223 GMT) had a magnitude of 6.4 and struck 37 miles (60 kilometers) northeast of the city of Tabriz at a depth of 9.9 kilometers (6.2 miles). Its epicenter was a region between the towns of Ahar and Haris, about 200 miles (500 kilometers) northwest of the capital Tehran, according to Khalil Saei, local Crisis Committee chief, the TV report said. The second quake with a magnitude of 6.3 struck 11 minutes later, the U.S.G.S. reported. Its epicenter was 29 miles (48 kilometers) northeast of Tabriz at a depth of 6.1 miles (9.8 kilometers).
The quakes hit the towns of Ahar, Haris and Varzaqan in East Azerbaijan province, the TV report said. At least six villages were totally leveled, and 60 others sustained damage ranging from 50 to 80 percent, it said.
At least 10 aftershocks jolted the same area and were felt in a wide region near the Caspian Sea, causing panic among the population. Saei urged people in the quake region to stay outdoors and spend the night at parks and open spaces in anticipation of more aftershocks. Authorities feared the death toll could rise as rescuers were still trying to reach people trapped under rubble and had not yet reacher some more remote villages. Iran is located on seismic fault lines and is prone to earthquakes. It experiences at least one earthquake every day on average, although the vast majority are so small they go unnoticed. In 2003, some 26,000 people were killed by a magnitude 6.6 quake that flattened the historic southeastern city of Bam.
Brandon Routh And Courtney Ford Baby - "Superman Returns" star Brandon Routh and his wife, "Parenthood" actress Courtney Ford are expecting their first child, the actor's rep confirmed to OnTheRedCarpet.com on March 14.
The pair met in 2003 when Routh was working as a bartender at Lucky Strike in Hollywood. They got married in November 2007.
Following his big break portraying Clark Kent and his superhero alter ego in "Superman Returns," the 32-year-old actor appeared in films like "Zack and Miri Make a Porno," "Unthinkable" and "Scott Pilgrim vs. the World." He also appeared in several episodes of "Chuck" and is currently filming the CBS pilot "Partners."
"It's been so hard keeping the news to ourselves," Routh told People magazine. "Everyone on set keeps asking, 'Do you have kids?' and I've had to say, 'Well... not yet!' It's the truth. The baby hasn't been born yet!"
Ford, 33, also had trouble keeping the news to herself while filming a six episode arc on NBC's "Parenthood." "It started getting difficult to hide what was happening," Ford told People. "Flu and food poisoning excuses only work for so long, and by the last episode I could no longer button my pants! I just tried to joke that I had a big lunch!" Ford is known for her roles on "Dexter" and "True Blood," where she portrayed Portia Bellefleur. The actress also appeared in films like "Alien Raiders" and "The Good Doctor."
