Source: http://news.feedzilla.com/en_us/stories/politics/top-stories/316190175?client_source=feed&format=rss
Sunday, June 30, 2013
Stylist warned Jackson manager singer might die
LOS ANGELES (AP) ? Michael Jackson's longtime stylist told jurors Friday that she tried to warn the singer's manager that concert promoter AEG Live LLC would look responsible if the singer died because of numerous signs his health was declining.
Hair and makeup artist Karen Faye testified about two emails she sent to Jackson's manager Frank Dileo within the five days before the singer's death that his health was deteriorating. In one of the messages, Faye warned Dileo that he and AEG Live CEO Randy Phillips might become "villains" or "financial victims" if Jackson were to die while preparing or performing a series of comeback shows called "This Is It."
Faye said she struck a dire tone in the messages because she felt that earlier concerns about Jackson's health had been ignored.
Faye sent the warning that Jackson may die in a message on June 20, 2009 ? five days before the singer died of an overdose of the anesthetic propofol. Two days later, on June 22, she sent the warning about Dileo, Phillips and tour director Kenny Ortega being held financially responsible for the entertainer's demise.
"I don't think you, Kenny, or Randy deserve becoming the villains, or the financial victims," her email states. She wrote that the message was "between you and me alone."
She told jurors she was concerned the men "could be responsible for that in some way. Just kind of like where we are right now," she said, referencing Katherine Jackson's ongoing civil case against AEG Live.
Ortega was initially sued by Jackson's mother, but was dismissed from the case.
Faye's emails described Jackson as emaciated, paranoid and unable to perform. She told jurors Friday that while the singer's performances dramatically improved in his final two rehearsals, she was still not convinced he would be able to perform the 50-concert schedule of "This Is It," let alone its premiere.
Katherine Jackson claims AEG executives missed signs about the singer's health and failed to properly investigate the doctor convicted of administering a fatal dose of the anesthetic propofol.
AEG denies it hired Conrad Murray, the former physician convicted of giving Jackson an overdose of the anesthetic propofol. The company also denies it pushed Jackson to rehearse.
Faye told jurors that she was never pressured by AEG executives Randy Phillips or Paul Gongaware to get Jackson to rehearse.
The stylist testified earlier in the trial that she overheard Gongaware tell Jackson's assistant to get him out of a locked bathroom and to a rehearsal. Gongaware denies that conversation ever happened.
___
Anthony McCartney can be reached at http://twitter.com/mccartneyAP. Follow Sarah Parvini on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/parviniparlance.
Source: http://news.yahoo.com/stylist-warned-jackson-manager-singer-might-die-001953418.html
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Saturday, June 29, 2013
As Snapchat Grows Up, It Must Hold On To Its Youth
It has been quite a week for Snapchat. Now, the founders will try to keep their heads down and out of the spotlight as they work to grow the product and company. Snapchat is all about discovery and quickly and intimately sharing brief moments with friends. Everything the company does moving forward will have to hold true to its mission. But this could evolve from simply one-on-one sharing.Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Techcrunch/~3/SXGi03dPDY4/
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Judge scrutinizes Facebook deal to end privacy lawsuit over ads
By Dan Levine
SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Child rights advocates tried to convince a U.S. judge on Friday that a Facebook
Five plaintiffs filed a proposed class action against Facebook in 2011, saying the social networking giant's "Sponsored Stories" program shared user's "likes" of certain advertisers without paying them or allowing them to opt out.
The case has highlighted tension between privacy concerns and Facebook's drive to monetize user content.
Under the terms of a proposed settlement, Facebook will pay $20 million to compensate class members, and promised to give users more control over how their content is shared - changes which plaintiff lawyers estimate to be worth up to $145 million. Facebook charged advertisers nearly $234 million for Sponsored Stories between January 2011 and August 2012, court filings show.
U.S. District Judge Richard Seeborg in San Francisco preliminarily approved the settlement last year, but he still must give it a final sign-off."
At a hearing on Friday, Children's Advocacy Institute attorney Robert Fellmeth told Seeborg that no minors should have their content shared with advertisers. Seeborg did not say how he would rule, but said his role is only to say if the settlement is fair.
"My function here is not to craft the perfect policy for minors," Seeborg said.
Earlier this month, Facebook announced a retooling of its advertising product offerings and eliminated the term "Sponsored Stories," though the company can still share its members likes of different products. Facebook attorney Michael Rhodes said in court on Friday that the legal settlement would still cover those types of advertising practices.
Under the deal, impacted Facebook users can claim a cash payment of around $10 each to be paid from the settlement fund, and plaintiff lawyers are seeking $7.5 million in fees. Any money remaining would then go to charity.
Seeborg called the $145 million valuation of changes to Facebook's site "highly speculative." However, plaintiff lawyer Robert Arns said the changes were very significant. "We think it sets a new standard for all social media sites in the U.S.," Arns said.
The case in U.S. District Court, Northern District of California is Angel Fraley et al., individually and on behalf of all others similarly situated vs. Facebook Inc, 11-cv-1726.
(Reporting By Dan Levine; Editing by Bernard Orr)
Source: http://news.yahoo.com/judge-scrutinizes-facebook-deal-end-privacy-lawsuit-over-210003912.html
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Wednesday, June 26, 2013
McCain says Putin's sheltering of Snowden ?reminiscent? of Cold War
Edward Snowden (Guardian)
Sen. John McCain weighed in on the Edward Snowden saga Tuesday, saying that Russia's actions in the wake of the accused National Security Agency leaker's reported arrival in Moscow harkens back to the Cold War.
"It's reminiscent of the days of the Cold War, when you hear a Russian spokesman saying that [Snowden?s] not in Russia when every shred of evidence indicates that he is,? McCain said on CNN. ?We've got to start dealing with Vladimir Putin in a realistic fashion for what he is. He?s an old KGB colonel apparatchik that dreams of the days of the Russian empire, and he continues to stick his thumb in our eye in a broad variety of ways. Most importantly to me, of course, and should be to the world, is their continued support of [Syrian President] Bashar al Assad and the massacre taking place in Syria."
McCain's comments echoed what fellow U.S. lawmakers said about Putin on Sunday.
"Putin always seems almost eager to stick a finger in the eye of the United States?whether it is Syria, Iran and now of course with Snowden," New York Sen. Charles Schumer said on CNN's "State of the Union." "Allies are supposed to treat each other in decent ways."
"The freedom trail is not exactly China-Russia-Cuba-Venezuela," South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham said on "Fox News Sunday." "So I hope we?ll chase [Snowden] to the ends of the Earth, bring him to justice and let the Russians know there?ll be consequences if they harbor this guy.?
At a news conference in Finland on Tuesday, Putin said Snowden was still in the transit area of Moscow's Sheremetyevo International Airport, and that Russia would not hand him over to the American government.
Putin added that he hoped the Snowden case would not affect Russia's relations with the United States.
"We consider the attempts to accuse Russia of violation of U.S. laws and even some sort of conspiracy, which on top of all that are accompanied by threats, as absolutely ungrounded and unacceptable," Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov said earlier Tuesday. ?There are no legal grounds for such conduct of U.S. officials.?
Speaking in Saudi Arabia, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said, ?We are not looking for a confrontation. We are not ordering anybody. We are simply requesting under a very normal procedure for the transfer of somebody.?
Source: http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/ticket/mccain-putin-snowden-syria-153134808.html
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Monday, June 17, 2013
US Open turns into block party for locals
ARDMORE, Pa. (AP) ? Garry Van Arkel got a taste of what was in store when the U.S. Golf Association commandeered part of his property for parking and turned his tennis court into a security tent worthy of Philadelphia International Airport.
Folks like Van Arkel, who live in the stately homes lining the perimeter of Merion Golf Club, suddenly have 25,000 new best friends for drinks and nibbles and hanging out in genteel surroundings.
Who knew, the block party of the summer could be found on Golf House Road.
Then again, there was little choice.
To pull off the U.S. Open, which hadn't been played at Merion since 1981, club officials needed help from members, many of whom live on properties practically flush against the course. Back then, there may have been a few tents sprinkled here and there. Now, they're everywhere, for merchandise, sponsors and sprawling hospitality villages.
So when the call went out for tennis courts, front yards, and driveways, the neighbors didn't need much time to say yes.
"Hey, it's all part of the deal," said Van Arkel, who works in investment services. "If you want to have the U.S. Open after 32 years, this is what you've got to do."
You've got to look away when your yard starts looking like a Monster Truck rally tore through.
You've got to get used to those giant white tents.
You've got to turn a deaf ear to the air conditioning units and generators now a whisker away from your flower beds.
Van Arkel, a club member who lives on College Avenue, has lost his backyard tennis court for about a month. The oversized "Welcome to the 113th U.S. Open" entrance tent for media and volunteers was plopped on the court, complete with baggage scanners and ID checks.
His yard was fenced in about a month ago and he was recently told he'd probably have to live with it another month before it's removed.
The USGA rented a vacant property near his house and cleared a path for carts to whisk VIPs away.
He refused to disclose how much he was paid for use of his land in one of the priciest areas in suburban Philadelphia. But Van Arkel called estimates of six-figure rent checks absurd.
Not far down the road, Bob and Joanie Hall's driveway just off the 16th tee morphed into Party Central. And every party needs a few good rumors.
The juiciest: Tiger Woods or Phil Mickelson or Rory McIlroy would take over one of the sprawling tent compounds and hang out there.
Nope. Just dozens of fans swigging beers, smoking cigars, and eschewing high-def TV for the real deal just across the street.
And in any case, it's been a bit of a nuisance trying to drive anywhere so residents were issued ID badges so they could move freely around their own neighborhood.
Championship director Hank Thompson said they could expect inconveniences for about another 45 days.
The USGA called Merion a "boutique Open" and the charm is apparent everywhere.
The first hole tee box is next to the clubhouse patio, where the tinkling of glasses rings through the air before the first drive of the day. Wicker baskets, the official symbol of Merion, have replaced flags on greens.
And forget lockers and podiums for post-round interviews. Most are held in the backyard of a home with a pool and a slide as a backdrop.
When the interviews are over, players hop a short shuttle ride to local businessman Tom Gravina's compound, which is now their hospitality area.
"We'll see in the end if everybody would do it again," Van Arkel said. "We would, and I'm guessing the majority of the neighbors would."
Hold on. Not everyone.
Suzanne Goodwin, who has lived on Golf House Road since 1975, can't wait for the circus to leave town.
Reached by telephone when a security guard (provided by the golf club) wouldn't allow a reporter to knock on the door, she said, "''Wait one second! I want to tell you the other side."
She complained of construction noise in the middle of the night and traffic turning her road into the "New Jersey Turnpike."
Goodwin said she didn't mind living through the 1981 Open because the takeover simply involved a few tents and beefed up security.
Now, it's life under the big top.
Goodwin is not a Merion Golf Club member, and claimed that's why the USGA didn't bite on her offer to rent her house.
Officials erected a 6-foot high fence in front of her property ? cutting a hole for her mailbox ? and Goodwin has a 24-hour security detail at the end of her driveway.
"We're basically prisoners in here," she said. "They just have all this nonsense. It's different when you actually live here.
" Now, if they were paying me for that," she conceded, "I wouldn't be so annoyed."
Source: http://news.yahoo.com/us-open-turns-block-party-locals-013205717.html
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Tuesday, June 11, 2013
Defending champion Kings ousted in Western finals
Los Angeles Kings goalie Jonathan Quick (32) congratulates Chicago Blackhawks goalie Corey Crawford (50) for Blackhawks' 4-3 win over Los Angeles Kings in the second overtime period in Game 5 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoffs Western Conference finals, Saturday, June 8, 2013, in Chicago. The Blackhawks advance to the Stanley Cup finals. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Los Angeles Kings goalie Jonathan Quick (32) congratulates Chicago Blackhawks goalie Corey Crawford (50) for Blackhawks' 4-3 win over Los Angeles Kings in the second overtime period in Game 5 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoffs Western Conference finals, Saturday, June 8, 2013, in Chicago. The Blackhawks advance to the Stanley Cup finals. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Chicago Blackhawks right wing Patrick Kane celebrates his goal against the Los Angeles Kings during the second overtime period in Game 5 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoffs Western Conference finals, Saturday, June 8, 2013 in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Chicago Blackhawks right wing Patrick Kane (88) celebrates his goal with center Andrew Shaw (65) during the second overtime period in Game 5 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoffs Western Conference finals against the Los Angeles Kings, Saturday, June 8, 2013, in Chicago. The Blackhawks won 4-3 and advanced to the Stanley Cup finals. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Los Angeles Kings head coach Darryl Sutter reacts after Chicago Blackhawks' 4-3 win over Kings in the second overtime period in Game 5 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoffs Western Conference finals, Saturday, June 8, 2013, in Chicago. The Blackhawks advance to the Stanley Cup finals. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Duncan Keith celebrates his goal against the Los Angeles Kings during the first period in Game 5 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoffs Western Conference finals, Saturday, June 8, 2013, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
CHICAGO (AP) ? The Los Angeles Kings kept playing through a slew of injuries. They kept coming when the Chicago Blackhawks jumped out to an early lead, and they tried everything to force another home game in the Western Conference finals.
They just couldn't find a way this year.
Once Chicago's Patrick Kane found his offensive game, it was all over for the defending Stanley Cup champions.
Anze Kopitar and Mike Richards scored in the third period for Los Angeles, but Kane netted his third goal of the game 11:40 into the second overtime period to lift Chicago to a 4-3 victory on Saturday night and a spot in the Stanley Cup finals against the Boston Bruins.
"You don't take much solace in losing," Kings forward Justin Williams said. "It's a bitter taste. Yeah, we were one of the final four, but that wasn't our goal when we set out to start the season. We're not able to defend what we did last year and that's a frustrating thing."
Los Angeles recovered after trailing 2-0 in the first period and 3-2 late in regulation in the longest game in franchise history. Dwight King had a short-handed goal, and Jonathan Quick finished with 31 saves.
"We got beat in the conference finals by the best team in the conference, at the end of the day," Kings coach Darryl Sutter said. "We accomplished everything. Once you set the bar up there, then that's your bar. So obviously we're disappointed to lose to Chicago, but we're certainly not disappointed in how we played."
It was Richards' first game since he took a big hit from Chicago's Dave Bolland in the series opener, shelving the center with a suspected concussion. But Sutter vaguely alluded to a handful of injuries, and captain Dustin Brown acknowledged that he tore the posterior cruciate ligament in his left knee during Game 6 of Los Angeles' second-round series against San Jose.
Despite the injuries, which Sutter said were typical of a team at this point in the playoffs, the Kings gave themselves a chance.
"We played well in the second and third, and even overtime I think we had a lot of chances," Richards said. "But give them credit, they played well and their goaltender made some big saves."
Corey Crawford made 33 saves, and Duncan Keith scored in his return from a suspension as the top-seeded Blackhawks eliminated the Kings in five games.
Chicago will host the Eastern Conference champion Bruins in Game 1 on Wednesday night. Boston completed a sweep of the Pittsburgh Penguins on Friday night.
"It's a special couple places. The tradition of the Bruins and the Hawks is special," Chicago coach Joel Quenneville said. "I'm sure, you know, the rivalry could return instantly come Game 1. I think it's good for the league. It's good for hockey. Two great hockey markets. We're very excited to be a part of it."
This is the first finals matchup of NHL Original Six franchises since 1979, and it will pit two of the last three champions against each other.
Chicago won the Cup in 2010, ending a 49-year drought. Boston captured the title the following year.
"Every series presents its challenges," forward Patrick Sharp said. "Watching Boston, they're rolling right now. Another tough series ahead of us."
Kane was in the middle of a quiet postseason when he finished off Bryan Bickell's shot for his third playoff goal in Chicago's 3-2 win in Los Angeles on Thursday. The talented forward yelled in relief after that goal and came up with his best performance of the playoffs in Game 5.
After Crawford made a couple of big saves in the first overtime, Jonathan Toews carried the puck up the left side during a 2-on-1 rush in the second extra session. He then made a cross-ice pass to Kane, who one-timed a shot past Quick and into the right side.
"You know, the shift before, actually Jonny had the same play and the puck fumbled on him," Kane said. "I knew he was coming back to me. Just tried to wait for the defenseman to go by me. Tried to get it off as quick as I could in the net."
The rollicking sellout crowd of 22,237 erupted in joy as Kane started the celebration for the Blackhawks. A distraught Quick remained face down on the ice as his teammates emptied the bench for the post-series handshakes.
Chicago was poised to finish off Los Angeles in regulation when the Kings scored the tying goal with 9.4 seconds remaining. Kopitar took a long shot from the right side and Richards managed to tip it by Crawford, leading to a celebration for the Kings while the crowd groaned in disbelief.
"He's a big heart-and-soul guy and comes up with a timely goal to push it to overtime, and we just couldn't find a way to get that extra," Kings center Jarret Stoll said.
Crawford used his glove to deny Williams and Jake Muzzin in rapid succession midway through the first overtime. Bickell had an opportunity to end the game at the other end, but he was unable to corral Kane's pass on a rush to the net.
The lost lead at the end of regulation turned into a minor inconvenience for the Blackhawks when Kane finished his second career postseason hat trick.
Los Angeles' rally began when Williams made strong charge up the left side set up King's short-handed goal at 9:28 of the second. The Kings tied it 2-2 when Kopitar pushed a rebound through Crawford's legs 3? minutes into the third.
It was Kopitar's first point of the series, and he snapped a six-game goal drought. It also was the third power-play goal allowed by the Blackhawks in 58 playoff chances.
The tie held until the Blackhawks took advantage of a bad break for the Kings to go in front again.
Williams had the puck behind the net when he fell, and Bickell made a slick pass to Kane, who beat Quick to give the Blackhawks a 3-2 lead with 3:52 remaining.
"We had some chances but you've got to bury your chances in overtime," Los Angeles defenseman Matt Greene said. "They did a good job. They had a chance, they capitalized and that's it. It's overtime."
NOTES: It was the 38th playoff game in the past two seasons for Los Angeles. ... Toews and Bickell each had two assists. ... The Kings' previous longest game was a 4-3 double-overtime win at Vancouver on May 11, 1993.
___
Jay Cohen can be reached at http://www.twitter.com/jcohenap
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