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Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Lenovo Launches Idea Centre B520 3D-Multi Touch PC

On Monday Lenovo India launched the All-in-One Multi Touch 3D Entertainment PC Idea Centre B520.

A powerful 23 inch All-in-One which combines frameless screen with state-of-the-art multi-touch and 3D vision.

This PC is for customers seeking compact, space-saving PC with high-end features that offers entertainment experience.

Lenovo IdeaCentre B520 and Lenovo IdeaCentre B320 will be available at Rs 71,990+ tax and Rs 29,990+ tax, respectively.

The Lenovo IdeaCentre B520 brings movies and games alive with true-to-life audio, thanks to integrated 5.0 channel speakers supporting SRS premium sound.

Equipped with the optional 3-in-1 mouse that doubles up as motion-drive games controller, powerful graphics and the 2nd generation Intel Core i7 processor, the company claimed.

Jesse James and Kat Von D Breaks Up

Jesse James and Kat Von D have called off their engagement and broken up. The couple, who were set to marry this year, got together following James's messy divorce from Sandra Bullock.

James, 42, and the LA Ink star, 29, were engaged in January and had been planning a summer wedding around the one-year anniversary of when they started dating.

I'm so sad because I really love her," the distance between us was just too much. James told.

But posting a message on Twitter yesterday, LA Ink star Von D said: "I am no longer w Jesse, and out of respect for him, his family and myself, thats all the info I'd like to share. Thanks for respecting that."

James was dumped by Bullock amid claims he had cheated on her multiple times with other women.

He is yet to comment on his split from Von D. Von D also sent a message to James's daughter Chandler on Twitter, writing: "Kisses to you both."

Cern Chief Claims That Scientists Discovered the Higgs Boson

The head of Cern has challenged premature claims that his scientists have discovered the most sought after particle in physics: the Higgs boson. Rolf Heuer, director-general of Cern, told the Europhysics conference in Grenoble that data from smashing protons together at the Large Hadron Collider, the world’s most powerful particle accelerator, show “intriguing fluctuations” – but these “hints” should not be interpreted as discovery of the Higgs, the particle that gives matter its mass.

“Maybe the younger scientists need to be a little more patient,” Prof Heuer told the meeting. “I think journalists might also learn a little about patience.” He said it might take until the end of next year for scientists either to confirm the existence of the Higgs particle and nail down its properties or to decide that it does not exist after all.

The Higgs is sometimes called “the God particle” in the media – to the irritation of most physicists – though it is named officially after Peter Higgs of Edinburgh University, who proposed its existence in the 1960s. It is the last unproven prediction of the “standard model” of physics and, if it turns out not to exist, then the whole theoretical framework of physics will have to be rethought.

Discovering a new subatomic particle such as Higgs is a painstaking process of statistical analysis of the seething subatomic debris resulting from billions of collisions. Two of the LHC’s huge subterranean particle detectors, known as Atlas and CMS, have generated patterns that could represent the disintegration of Higgs bosons – and, on the other side of the Atlantic, so has the older and less powerful US Tevatron machine. But the results are not conclusive, either individually or collectively.

“Rolf Heuer is right to be cautious,” said Dave Charlton, a physics professor at Birmingham University and a senior member of the Atlas team. “The fluctuations, or ‘bumps’, in the data are intriguing, but we cannot say they are very conclusive.”

The LHC, which was built in a 27km underground ring at a total cost of $8bn, has far more than Higgs in its sights for the next 20 years of operation. Other potential discoveries beyond the standard model include the existence of hidden dimensions of space, beyond the three in which we live; new families of subatomic “superparticles”; and particles called gravitons that transmit the force of gravity.

Lauren Hill welcomed her sixth child on Saturday

The 36-year-old Ex-Fugees singer Lauren Hill welcomed her sixth child on Saturday while the identity of the father of the newborn remains unknown. The baby born after a 'little scare' where the baby was delivered with the umbilical cord around his neck.

According to a report on the website 'Black Celeb Kids,' which was quickly picked up by media outlets, mother and baby are now doing fine.

Miss Hill 'had a little scare because the baby came out the womb with the umbilical cord wrapped around his neck,' a source told the website. 'All is well now and everyone is happy.

It emerged that the singer was pregnant just two months ago, but her long-time partner and father of her other five children, Rohan Marley, has been confusing fans and the media by hinting that he is not the father.

Today Marley tweeted: 'I'm forwarding all well wishes to Ms. Hill on the birth of her new son. I'm sure she'll appreciate the love being sent to her.'

Michael Philip Jagger Turns 68 Today

Michael Philip Jagger turns 68 today.He is in arguably a survivor and has produced a mind-boggling body of work, some of it brilliant, in his 50-year career. He's produced lots of things, now that we think of it, including seven children by four women - to two of whom, Bianca De Macias and model Jerry Hall, he was actually married. He also has four grandchildren, God bless him.

Controversy has swirled around Mick Jagger for as long as he's been in the public limelight, which is to say virtually continuously since the early 1960s, when The Rolling Stones was formed as a rhythm-and-blues cover band. From the beginning the band appeared to consciously develop and nurture an anti-establishment image, and Jagger embodied and personified that image.

To say he has occasionally behaved badly is an understatement. Over the course of a half-century, he has been nearly as well known for his various drug-related arrests, onstage sexual antics and provocative song lyrics as for his brilliant songwriting. OK, so Jagger is not the role model you want your children to adopt. Not to worry; to them he's an old geezer. Besides, your parents had the same worry. And look how you turned out.

On the other hand, he is titled, having been knighted in 2003 as Sir Michael Jagger by the Prince of Wales for "Services to Music." The knighthood thing, like most everything else in Jagger's life, was rife with controversy. Critics said he didn't deserve the honor because he had done nothing in the way of charitable work or public service. Rolling Stones bandmates Keith Richards and Charlie Watts said he was selling out to the establishment in betrayal of the band's image.

Then there's his work ethic. In between making babies, movies and tabloid headlines, Jagger found time to create 92 singles, 29 studio albums and 10 live albums with the Stones. And, he shows no signs of slowing down. At an age when the only rocking most people want to do is in a chair, Jagger's still doing it his way. In May he announced the formation of a new supergroup, Super Heavy, including himself, Dave Stewart (Eurythmics), Joss Stone and Damian Marley (youngest son of the late Bob).

Super Heavy is working super fast: An album is scheduled for September release, and the first single, "Miracle Worker," is already getting play on alternative radio. Maybe Jagger figures he's working on borrowed time.

Happy birthday, Mick.

Ryan Gosling Offers Emma Stone to Reunite With Him in Gangster Squad

Emma Stone might land a role in "Gangster Squad". The actress, who plays opposite Ryan Gosling in soon-to-be-released romcom "Crazy, Stupid, Love.", reportedly got along so well with him that he offered her to reunite with him in the crime movie.

"From your lips to God's ears! But I don't think anything is official yet," director Ruben Fleischer said of the rumor when being asked by Celebuzz at 2011 San Diego Comic-Con. When talking about the progress of the movie, he said, "We are in pre-production."

"Gangstar Squad" is set in a chaotic and corrupt Los Angeles where gangsters are brazenly engaged in shootouts and drive-by shootings. To keep East Coast Mafia out of the city, LAPD formed an anti squad. Sean Penn, Josh Brolin and Michael Pena are confirmed to join Gosling in the cast ensemble.

While moviegoers have to wait at least until 2012 to see the gangster movie in theaters, it won't be long for them to watch Gosling in his romantic comedy. The movie about the "Blue Valentine" actor dealing with marriage problems will arrive in the U.S. on July 29.

Leighton Meester Mother Says She Sacrificed Her Happiness

Last week the CW star Leighton Meester filed a lawsuit against her mother, Constance Meester, alleging that she diverted money that Leighton had sent for her brother’s care for her own plastic surgery.

Now, Constance has filed her own lawsuit, claiming that she "sacrificed her happiness" to support Leighton's acting career.

Constance claims that she paid out a total of $230,000 over the years for Leighton to attend private school and acting classes.

She also is alleging breach of contract, claiming she had a deal with her daughter to receive $10,000 a month as a "dependent adult" eligible for parental support due to medical issues.

Constance claims her daughter either made the payments late or not at all; as a result, her home is now in foreclosure and she lost her health insurance.

In her own suit, filed Friday, Leighton denied that any such contract existed and is asking a judge to agree with her. The suit also claims that Constance threatened to file a $3 million lawsuit unless Leighton starts paying her.

The actress also claims she sent her mother $7,500 per month to help with her brother’s medical expenses. But the suit states that Constance used the money for cosmetic procedures including plastic surgery, hair extensions and Botox.

Real Housewives of New York City Reunion Preview

The first part of the Real Housewives of New York City reunion aired. It’s an all out war between the ladies. Following a season which was pretty much the Blondes vs. Brunettes, not much as changed between the castmates since filming ended months ago.

In the preview clip below, Ramona Singer and Countess LuAnn de Lesseps go at it over their verbal smack-down during a recent episode. Similar to the delusional and cra cra Kelly Bensimon, the Countess actually believes she is a nice person. Once again Andy Cohen is the voice of reason when he kindly lets her know she ain’t that nice.

The topic of Lulu’s marriage is brought up and shots are fired when Ramona accuses the Countess of having had an open marriage with her ex Count Alex de Lesseps! That would explain all the reports that have the Countess getting wasted in public and trying to make out with random strangers… in front of her then husband. The reunion is super-sized tonight with the first part being 1 hour and 30 minutes long. It airs at 10/9c and immediately following that is a new episode of WWHL.

Meanwhile, Jill Zarin’s daughter Ally Shapiro was featured on a recent episode of the RHONY during which it was revealed she was transferring away from Sarah Lawrence College. According to a new report by Crushable, Ally’s classmates at SLC are revealing why she might have wanted to leave the school while also painting a not so flattering picture of her. “She was standoffish,” one student told Crushable. “She thought she was famous, and nobody cared.”

A second student alleges that Ally was hospitalized earlier this year for alcohol poisoning and had to have her stomach pumped. Wowzers. “They tried to cover it up,” the student said, “but we all knew it was her.” The RHONY was filming then but of course this wasn’t made a part of the show a la the shocking video of LuAnn’s daughter Victoria that also hit the net during filming.

Philadelphia Eagles Removed Transitional Agent Tag From David Akers

Ending David Akers's 12-year career in Philadelphia, the Philadelphia Eagles have removed a transitional agent tag from David Akers. He can now sign with any team. Akers, 36, has been with the team since Andy Reid’s first season as head coach, but the Eagles drafted Alex Henery to be team’s new kicker in April.

Akers is the most-honored kicker in Eagles history, but he also missed two crucial kicks in a playoff loss to Green Bay, and he also reportedly turned down a contract extension last season from the Eagles.

Akers then refused in February to sign the transitional tag offered by the Eagles. One team rumored to have interest in Akers is the Dallas Cowboys, who need a reliable kicker. Akers is a five-time Pro Bowl kicker and he also made the Pro Bowl last season. He led the NFL in scoring last season with 143 points.

Henery finished his career at Nebraska as the most accurate kicker in NCAA history, connecting on 68 of 76 field goals (.895) and he was the first kicker taken as high as the fourth round since 2006.

Amid Sex Case: David Wu Will not Seek Re-Election Next Year

David Wu, the Oregon Democratic Congressman, accused of an unwanted sexual encounter with an 18-year-old woman, will not seek re-election next year, a spokesman for the Oregon Democrat said Monday. In a letter sent Monday, House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi requested an Ethics Committee investigation of the matter.

A few hours after the investigation request, Wu spokesman Erik Dorey told the Associated Press: "He's still determining his political future, but he will not run for re-election. He's fully focused on fulfilling his elected duties and serving his constituents to the best of his duties here in the House."

Wu, in his seventh term, was guaranteed a stiff primary challenge after seven staffers resigned in January because of unusual behavior that included sending a photo of himself in a tiger costume to a staff member and an angry public speech. Wu, 56, attributed those actions to a period of mental health challenges that began in 2008 as marital issues led to separation from his wife.

Those problems paled compared to the potential fallout from the encounter with the young woman. Citing anonymous sources, the Oregonian newspaper reported that Wu told senior aides that the sexual encounter in Southern California was consensual. The paper said the woman is the daughter of a high school friend of Wu's who has donated to the congressman's campaign.

In 2004, Wu won re-election despite acknowledging a decades-old college incident in which he tried to force a former girlfriend to have sex. His opponent in the general election tried to use the report from Wu's undergraduate days at Stanford in 1976 to show Wu wasn't fit to serve. The opponent's tactics were regarded as unseemly, and Wu won re-election handily.

Nearly all the public pressure on Wu to step down was coming from his home state. Potential rivals in the Democratic primary have called on him to resign. Mary Botkin, a former Democratic National Committee member from Portland, added her name Monday to those calling for his resignation. She said she has known Wu since the 1980s but his credibility was "so severely damaged" that he should step down. Botkin said Wu's constituents need a "member of Congress who is fully engaged in the issues. I think my friend is not fully engaged."

Beth Shak, a Professional Poker Player Owns 1,200 Pairs of Designer Shoes

Beth Shak, a Professional Poker Player Owns 1,200 Pairs of Designer ShoesBeth Shak, US-based professional poker player and mother of three owns 1,200 pairs of designer shoes collection, she has developed a very particular pre-game ritual: ahead of almost every competition, she buys a new pair of designer shoes.

Yes. 1,200 pairs. Of designer shoes. In her wardrobe. As in, she could wear a different pair of shoes every day for THREE YEARS AND FOUR MONTHS and never repeat a trick.

As anyone who has ever seen Rounders will know, rituals are important to serious poker players (oreos!). Shoes have become Shak’s signature on the tournament circuit.

‘I wore UGGs [once] and a man said, “Where are your heels?” [My name is ] synonymous with shoes,’ she told WWD.

Her favourite brand? Christian Louboutin. She’s got 700 pairs of shoes by the French designer.

A few more excerpts from the story:

* Lucky pair for a poker game: ‘The pair Walter Steiger made for me because they are the only pair in the world. They are pink pumps with a little spade on them. I wore them to the World Series last year.’
* Organizational strategy: ‘I made [my closet] look like a boutique. In the middle of my island, I bought this display case and I put red encrusted Alexander McQueen [shoes] in there. My shoes are the focal point.’
* Biggest footwear regret: ‘I bought a pair of Louboutin thigh-high boots in suede for $3,500. I wore them once and decided they are the most impractical things. I can never wear them again.’

Green Bay Packers Visits White House Next Month

Green Bay Packers still hope to find a way to celebrate their Super Bowl victory at the White House, next month. In most instances, the event would have taken place in the spring, but the players were locked out by NFL owners until Monday, so the event was postponed.

Packers CEO Mark Murphy said the organization has been working behind the scenes to arrange a visit before the start of the regular season. "We had contact," Murphy said. "Nothing that's been finalized."

Murphy said that the Packers would have to pull off the visit during training camp because once the regular season started there wouldn't be time to do it. It's possible the Packers could arrange it the day after one of their two road preseason games Aug. 13 at Cleveland and Aug. 26 at Indianapolis. "We're trying to find a time in August," Murphy said.

In the meantime, Murphy said the team will go ahead with its annual Lambeau Field preseason practice (Family Night scrimmage), only this time it will not include a full-contact scrimmage. It will be a normal night practice that fans will pay $10 to attend. McCarthy has decided he doesn't want full tackling a week after players report, especially given the players haven't been taking part in football activities since the Super Bowl.

"Really, it's a question with the off-season we've had, really with the players having no off-season workouts and with changes with the collective bargaining agreement, we're better off with a practice than scrimmage," Murphy said of the Aug. 6 event. "From the fans' standpoint, it's going to be great. It's such a unique thing in the NFL. "We'll have all the activities in the stands in terms of contests and entertainment and there will be entertainment in the parking lot, and we'll wrap it all up with the fireworks."

Haywire: First Official Trailer Released

The first official trailer of Gina Carano’s upcoming movie, Haywire released. Famous Hollywood actors like Michael Douglas and Antonio Banderas are starring in the film. For fighter Gina Carano, Haywire is her big screen debut. The movie has a heavy Hollywood cast, which includes Michael Douglas Antonio Banderas, Ewan McGregor, Bill Paxton and Channing Tatum.

The story is about a freelance agent named Mallory Kane (played by Carano) who is double-crossed by her handlers. When she finds out that she has been set up, the whole mission blows up. This starts up a race to an international hunt down. Mallory tries to return to the United States in order to protect her family and get her revenge.

The movie career interrupted Gina Carano’s fighting career. Before 2009, the mixed martial arts fighter was one of the most famous faces in MMA, known for being undefeated. But in 2009, the 29-year-old fighter-turned-actress lost to Cristiane “Cyborg” Santos, thus ending her line of undefeated run in her career.

Since then, there was only one fight set up this year in April. Carano had to challenge Sarah D’Alielo. However, despite the high expectations of the fans and the clearance given by Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, the Strikeforce show which had to take place in Houston was cancelled. Gina Carano’s doctor did not give her the green light and did not share the reasons.

Gina Carano, 29, had other movie appearances before. She starred in the film Ring Girls, based on the true story of five American women going to Vegas and fighting the most famous female fighters in the world. Carano also appeared in the reality show Fight Girls, on NBC’s American Gladiators and in Michael Jai White’s film, Blood and Bone. Haywire was written by Lem Dobbs and directed by Steven Soderbergh. The movie is due to hit theaters in January 2012.

Miami Dolphins Restore Full Salaries of Team Employees

The full salaries of team employees in Miami Dolphins restored, who took pay cuts of 10 to 20 percent during the National Football League lockout. Dolphins Chief Executive Officer Mike Dee announced the pay cuts two months ago, blaming poor season ticket sales resulting from the lockout.

Team executives making more than $75,000 had their salaries slashed 20 percent, while those making less had pay cuts of as much as 15 percent, the Miami Herald said. “Our staff was outstanding, never complained, supported the cause,” Dee said yesterday in a news conference. “We were all in this together and it was great news to deliver to them, to be able to restore compensation back.”

The New York Jets also repaid lost wages to business employees who took unpaid furloughs and coaches who took pay cuts during the lockout, citing an unidentified person familiar with the situation. Jets owner Woody Johnson made the announcement yesterday at a team meeting in Florham Park, New Jersey, AP said.

At least seven NFL teams cut pay or furloughed employees during the four-month shutdown, including the Arizona Cardinals, Buffalo Bills, Detroit Lions, Kansas City Chiefs and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The lockout ended yesterday when the NFL Players Association approved a 10-year labor agreement.

Mississippi State Center Agreed Deal with Chicago Bears

The former Mississippi State center agreed to a deal with the Chicago Bears. The Bay St. Louis native is expected to sign with the Bears in the morning. J.C.Brignone is the first undrafted player from MSU to be picked up by a team after the NFL owners and players agreed Monday to a new collective bargaining agreement, which ended a 4 1/2 month lockout that put the 2011 season in jeopardy.

Brignone believed a one-on-one workout with Bears offensive line coach Mike Tice in the spring helped raise his stock in the free agent market. “I think they really liked how I did things and how I operated within myself,” Brignone said.

The first step for Brignone is earning a roster spot in training camp and during the preseason schedule of games. The knock against Brignone (6-1, 304 pounds) is his height, but the Bears like his style and work ethic. MSU coach Dan Mullen said in April that he wouldn’t be surprised if Brignone was picked up early in free agency and was later added to the roster because of his ability to overcome his perceived physical faults.

“They’re giving me a chance,” Brignone said late Monday night. “People always talk about money but I just want to play football. I’m not a first round guy or a seventh round guy. I just want to play. To make a career of it and to play 15 years like Olin Kreutz would be amazing. Don’t get me wrong, I’d love to play and start as a rookie but I know my place is to learn and play my game behind some great players.”

Kreutz is a 15-year veteran and the Bears’ top priority this week is re-signing the starter, according to The Chicago Tribune. Brignone is expected to battle against at least two other centers for a roster spot in August.

Brignone said he loved the “old school and new school” atmosphere of the Bears, and the first thought that popped in his head upon hearing the Bears’ interest was former teammate Derek Sherrod. Sherrod, a left tackle, was picked up in the first round of the NFL Draft by rival Green Bay.

Brignone, packing his luggage late Monday night to catch an early-morning flight, had already circled the Bears’ trip to Lambeau Field on Christmas Day. “It’s kind of funny I end up at Chicago and Derek ends up at Green Bay,” Brignone said.

Antiques Roadshow: $1 Million Valued Chinese Cups Tops

In PBS's "Antiques Roadshow", a man arrived at the Tulsa Convention Center in Oklahoma Saturday with five Chinese, carved cups and learned the set, made from rhinoceros horn, was valued at more than $1 million, the highest evaluation in the show's history.

"As each one came out of the box, my jaw started to drop a little more," appraiser Lark Mason said Tulsa affiliate KTUL. "They are worth between $1,000,000 and $1,500,000."

Mason is the show's Asian art expert and said the cups are from the late 17th century or early 18th century. The owner, who requested anonymity, told Mason he began collecting cups in the 1970s and had no idea how much the collection was worth.

"We had not had a million-dollar find until last season when we found some jade," host Mark Walberg told KTUL. The previous record was set in 2009 during filming in Raleigh, N.C. A collection of Chinese, carved jade bowls were estimated to be worth as much as $1.07 million.

"I am no longer surprised by what I'm going to find anywhere but, yeah, OK, a little surprised to find it in Tulsa, but delighted," executive producer Marsha Bemko said in an interview with KTUL. The episode will air next year as part of the 16th season of the "Antiques Roadshow."

Bachelorette finale: Ashley Choose Either J.P or Ben

Ashley will choose either J.P., an adorable construction manager from New York City, or Ben, a ruggedly sexy winemaker from California from next week's "Bachelorette" finale.

The landscape of Fiji, complete with turquoise waters and white beaches, served as the backdrop for Monday's episode and the romantic setting for the "fantasy suite" dates. For those of you new to Bachelorette lingo, this is the first time when Ashley has a night alone with her date, and a handwritten note from Chris Harrison gives the couple the dramatic option to "forgo your individual rooms and stay as a couple in the fantasy suite."

Ashley, clearly realizing that something wasn't right started to probe Constantine's feelings. "I don’t feel like you want to hold my hand," she told him. Apparently, he just wasn't that into her but somehow hadn't bothered to tell her until he made it to the final three.

"I would want ideally for me to be madly, head over heels, 100 percent sure, ready to meet your father and say, 'I want to ask for your daughter’s hand in marriage,'" he said. "I don’t have that yet."

In fairness, that actually does sound like one of the most rational statements we've heard this season. "This fantasty suite, I know what it means. And I also know what it implies," he said. "I just want to show you a little bit of respect ... If we’re going to be honest about it, this means the end of the road for me."

Murder Reports of New Zealand Businessman Censored by Fiji's Military Regime

Media reports on the murder of New Zealand businessman Tony Groom in Nadi censored by Fiji's military regime, media sources in Suva say. Media have also been restricted on reporting on missing American businessman Don Nicholas who disappeared last week while surfing near Nadi.

No reason has been given to editors for the tight censoring but those involved believe the military regime is trying to control any news that could impact on the tourist trade. Ministry of Information censors operate in all Fiji newsrooms and nothing can be broadcast or published before they clear it.

Their behaviour on certain stories is often inconsistent between publications, but media sources say the censors on all publications have allowed only basic coverage of the deaths of foreigners.

Groom, 55, a former Greymouth hotelier, was operating a charter boat operation at the tourist marina in Denarau, near Nadi, when he was beaten up on July 8. He collapsed eight days later and died last Friday. His funeral was held yesterday in Nadi.

While police say they are investigating, no arrests have been made and there are no suspects. Fiji media have been allowed to give more extensive coverage of the murder of a local hotel manager, Tevita Tabua, 51, who was savagely beaten near Nadi. Three suspects are being questioned.

Meanwhile Fiji authorities have ended a search for an American CEO, Don Nicholas, who disappeared a week ago while learning to surf at the Intercontinental Hotel at Natadola, south of Nadi. The area was being pounded at the time by high swells which were also hitting New Zealand.

The search was called off over the weekend with no sign of the body. Although an extensive US funded search was heavily reported in Charlotte, North Carolina, where Nicholas was from, it was virtually uncovered in Fiji. Nicholas' girlfriend Litsa Kapantais, who is pregnant, told Charlotte media she was opposed to the way Fiji gave up on looking for the man.

The Oakland Raiders Essentially Gives up on Re-Signing Nnamdi Asomugha

"Everything points to Cowboys, Texans, Lions or Eagles making big offer. The Oakland Raiders have essentially given up on re-signing Nnamdi Asomugha. Raiders have all but moved on.

With Asomugha being heavily pursued by four different teams, there will be some high-stakes bidding on Asomugha in this labor shortened free agent period this week. All four of the teams listed need secondary help and Asomugha is arguably the best cover man in the league.

Asomugha has played his entire career with the Raiders after being drafted in the first round in 2003. He is a four time All-Pro and Pro Bowl slection. Since Asomugha made $15 million each of the past two years with the Radiers, he would command at least that much on the open market, and would likely get more guaranteed money over more years.

Although Asomugha was a personal favorite of Raiders' owner Al Davis, a loop hole in his contract voided the agreement and allowed the cornerback to become a free agent.
Now, Asomugha may command the largest free agent deal this year.

Damien Berry joins the Baltimore Ravens

According to reports the former Miami Hurricane running back Damien Berry will join the Baltimore Ravens. The news was announced late Monday night, and confirmed by Baltimore Ravens beat reporter Aaron Wilson.

Berry enters the NFL on the heels a strong senior campaign in which he rushed for 899 yards and five touchdowns, while earning 2010 All-ACC Second Team honors. He also caught ten passes for 97 yards and a touchdown.

Leading into the draft, Berry was highly regarded, ranking as the 26th best running back out of a class of 160. Listing in at five-foot ten inches, 211 pounds, the Belle Glade native impressed scouts at the NFL combine with a top-rated performance in the 20-yard shuttle run.

According to projections at NFL.com, despite going undrafted Berry could become a significant contributor on the right team.

200 Members of Tea Party Rally to Support John Boehner

Nearly 200 members of area Tea Party chapters rallied on Monday afternoon at the local office of the nation's highest ranking Republican. It was a show of force in support of U.S. House Speaker John Boehner in the showdown over America's debt ceiling and taxes.

Many came to hand letters and messages backing Boehner for his positions in recent weeks for resisting raising the nation's debt limit without spending cuts and opposing tax hikes. More so than any other Congressional leader, Boehner has been the high profile face of opposition in negotiations with President Barack Obama.

Andrew Pappas, president of the Anderson Township Tea Party chapter, said the rally was to let Boehner know fiscal conservatives locally and across the region are backing him fully during the high stakes negotiations.

"I think the pressure on speaker Boehner is tremendous and this show of support may be just what he needs," said Pappas. "And I think it is very important that speaker Boehner not just hear from the tea party, but from all of his constituents who think Washington has a spending problem not an income problem."

Negotiations between the president and congressional leaders broke down over the weekend. Boehner has maintained that spending cuts should be greater than the increase in the debt limit - with no tax increases. Some economists argue that a debt agreement is needed to stave off federal default.

Even as the rally was on, the status of negotiations in the nation's capital remained in flux with both Boehner and Democratic leaders making new proposals Monday afternoon and Obama then announcing he will make a 9 p.m. televised speech on the impasse. Tea Party organizers said they handed over more than 500 letters from supporters to staffers from Boehner's home congressional office.

The rally was organized by the West Chester Tea Party but supporters from throughout Southwest Ohio and Northern Kentucky attended. Jerry and Carol Ling - self-described fiscal conservatives - drove up from their home in Cold Spring, Ky. to support Boehner.

Carol Ling said concerns about burdening the next generation of Americans with suffocating debt drove them to the rally. "We're in this fight for our kids and grandkids," she said.

Debt Crisis: Barack Obama and John Boehner Clashed on Monday Night

Over the cause and cure for the nation's debt crisis, President Barack Obama and House Speaker John Boehner clashed on Monday night. The two men spoke as Congress remained gridlocked on legislation to avert a threatened default after Aug. 2.

Decrying a "partisan three-ring circus" in the nation's capital, Obama assailed a newly minted Republican plan to raise the nation's debt limit as an invitation to another crisis in six months' time. He said congressional leaders must produce a compromise that can reach his desk before the deadline.

"The American people may have voted for divided government, but they didn't vote for a dysfunctional government," the President said in a hastily arranged prime-time speech. He appealed to the public to contact lawmakers and demand "a balanced approach" to reducing federal deficits including tax increases for the wealthy as well as spending cuts.

Responding moments later from a room near the House chamber, Boehner said the "'crisis atmosphere" was of the President's making. "The sad truth is that the President wanted a blank check six months ago, and he wants a blank check today. That is just not going to happen," the speaker said. "The President has often said we need a 'balanced' approach, which in Washington means we spend more, you pay more."

Obama stepped to the microphones in the East Room of the White House a few hours after Republican lawmakers, then his own Democrats, drafted rival emergency legislation to head off a potentially devastating default. The back-to-back speeches did little to suggest that a compromise was in the offing, and the next steps appeared to be votes in the House and Senate on the rival plans by mid-week.

Despite warnings to the contrary, U.S. financial markets have appeared to take the political maneuvering in stride -- so far. Wall Street posted losses Monday but with no indication of panic among investors. Without signed legislation by day's end on Aug. 2, the Treasury will be unable to pay all its bills, possibly triggering an unprecedented default that officials warn could badly harm a national economy still struggling to recover from the worst recession in decades.

Obama wants legislation that will raise the nation's debt limit by at least $2.4 trillion in one vote, enough to avoid a recurrence of the acrimonious current struggle until after the 2012 elections. Republicans want a two-step process that would require a second vote in the midst of the 2012 campaign with control of the White House and both houses of Congress at stake.

Monday night's speeches were a remarkable turn in a 6-month-old era of divided government as first the President, then his principal Republican opponents appealed to the nation in a politically defining struggle. Obama quoted Ronald Reagan -- a hero to many conservatives -- who also spoke of a balanced plan and stressed a need for compromise. Obama stopped well short of threatening a veto of the GOP-drafted legislation that he criticized.

Boehner's remarks seemed aimed at the general public and also at conservatives -- tea party advocates included -- who installed the Republicans in power in the House last fall. There were concessions from both sides embedded in Monday's competing legislation, but they were largely obscured by the partisan rhetoric of the day. With their revised plan, House Republicans backed off an earlier insistence on $6 trillion in spending cuts to raise the debt limit.

And while the President didn't say so, his embrace of legislation unveiled by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid effectively jettisoned his long-standing call for increased government revenues as part of any deficit reduction plan. The measure Boehner and the GOP leadership drafted in the House called for spending cuts and an increase in the debt limit to tide the Treasury over until next year.

Emma Watson is looking at a Career in Fashion Design

Emma Watson, 21-year-old actress will continue her education at Oxford, which will be a change from Brown University in the U.S., where she studied previously.

Emma Watson - Harry Potter Actress

She has been reportedly taking sewing and fabric-cutting classes, according to the news source.

Emma Watson -Wants to be a Fashion Designer

Some of the designers that have inspired her include Georgina Chapman, Joan Miro and Sarah Burton, the media outlet reports.

Emma Watson

Emma Watson Actress

This is different from many other actresses that turn to fashion designers, as she is attempting to get her fashion design degree before plunging into the field. According to CelebsGather, Watson is reportedly obsessed with art and is very eager to challenge herself in this field. She has already started by designing T-shirts but is looking forward to creating custom evening gowns.

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2G Spectrum Scam: Today A Raja Appears in Court for the Second Time

On Tuesday, A Raja, the former Telecom Minister, is set to appear in court for the second time, the question on everybody's mind is who the 2G kingpin will name next.
A Raja's defence on Monday (July 25) in the 2G spectrum scam becomes a nightmare for the UPA government. Dragging in the Prime Minister and former Finance Minister P Chidambaram, he also pointed fingers at the NDA regime.

In a special Delhi court yesterday, Raja for the first time presented his side of the story. Raja claimed innocence and said, "I have implemented only what I have inherited. Unless any of the charges against me are proved I'm innocent as are all others sitting in this court room."

Sparing no one in his defence in court, Raja dragged the PM and the then finance minister P Chidambaram into the 2G spectrum allocation mess. He claimed, "Finance Min P Chidambaram approved the sale of spectrum stake by Unitech & DB Realty in the presence of the PM. Let the Prime Minister deny it."

In court, Raja also named former telecom minister Arun Shourie and partyman Dayanidhi Maran stating, "As Telecom Minster Arun Shourie distributed 26 licenses while Dayanidhi Maran distributed 25 and I distributed 122 licenses. Numbers make no difference, however, it is to be noted that none of them auctioned the spectrum."

Raja had also blamed the Telecom Cartels and the CBI. He claimed that, "CBI is dishonest with the court. They took my custody for Loop Telecom after making a statement before the court that the probe with respect to me is completed."

Also pointing fingers at the NDA regime Raja had added, "If the policy pursued by me was wrong, then all former Telecom Ministers since 1993 should also be jail with me. If I had auctioned spectrum, that would have been a crime, as it was a Union Cabinet decision."

In his defence, Raja has so far said that he was not alone in the scam and everyone right from the PMO was in the know how. After the 2G kingpin's charges, a vicious circle of politics followed. For now, the PMO is mum to what was Raja's desperate attempt. With Raja due in court again today, the government, the opposition and the media will watch closely at his next move.

Telangana Leaders Explain the Necessity to Create Telangana State

During the first round of consultations of the Congress high command with the party’s Telangana leaders in New Delhi, Hyderabad becomes the main focal point of the meeting.

A 14-member delegation comprising five ministers, five MPs, two MLAs and two MLCs met Union health minister and AICC general secretary in charge of the party affairs in Andhra Pradesh Ghulam Nabi Azad in the evening and underlined the need for creation of a separate Telangana state.

During the one-and-a half- hour discussions, the Telangana leaders explained the political necessity to create separate Telangana state in the given circumstances, particularly in the wake of the December 9,2009 statement of the government on the issue.

Azad, on his part, tried to seek information on what had happened after he demited the charge of Andhra Pradesh. He also asked the delegation to explain the developments that took place during the tenures of Digvijay Singh and Veerappa Moily, and if any resolution was passed by the Assembly.

The leaders informed Azad that they would make a PowerPoint presentation on Wednesday highlighting the injustice their region suffered for over five decades in matters of water sharing, employment and others.

When Azad sought the delegation’s reaction to the demand for making Hyderabad the joint capital for some period in the event of state’s division, the Telangana leaders said they would respond on Wednesday. The leaders told Azad that they were anguished and unhappy over the way their resignations were rejected.

Azad remained tightlipped when the leaders spoke of the party’s failure to keep its promise on Telangana made in the election manifesto, common minimum programme, presidential address and the statement made on December 9, 2009. He, however, assured them of taking their views to the notice of Congress leadership.

There was no subjectwise discussion at the meeting. Talking to newsmen later, Telangana Congress Steering Committee chairman and minister K Jana Reddy asserted that they would not go back on their resignations. “We have full confidence in the high command. They are holding discussions with us to resolve the tangle. An issue could be resolved through democratic means and discussions.

We are confident that Telangana state would be formed in accordance with the aspirations of Telangana people. We are committed to our resignations and will reconsider submitting them again,” he said.

Another chairman and MP K Keshava Rao claimed that they had asked Azad about the party’s failure to take a decision on Telangana even after submission of Srikrishna Committee report. “We asked for the reasons for the delay in taking a decision for implementation of the December 9 statement. We asked Azad to hold discussions on the objections raised by Seemandhra leaders to our Telangana demand,” he said.

Besides Jana Reddy and Keshava Rao, Telangana ministers B Saraiah, P Lakshmaiah, J Geeta Reddy, D Sridhar Babu, MPs G Sukhender Reddy, Madhu Yashki, M Jagannadham, G Vivek, K Rajagopal Reddy, MLAs G Venkata Ramana Reddy, R Damodar Reddy, J Krishna Rao and MLC K Yadava Reddy were present.