Film star Tony Curtis dies at 85

The Oscar-nominated actor, who starred in Some Like it Hot opposite Marilyn Monroe, passed away peacefully in bed, a family spokesman said.
The star received an Oscar nod in 1959 for The Defiant Ones, in which he starred with Sidney Poitier.

His career spanned six decades and he made more than 120 films including Trapeze, Spartacus and The Vikings.

Clark County coroner Mike Murphy told the Associated Press that the actor died at 2125 local time on Wednesday.
Born Bernard Schwartz on 3 June 1925 in New York, the actor served in World War II before taking on the name Tony Curtis when he began his film career in 1949.
He began his career as a heart-throb, but became a respected actor after starring in more substantial roles, starting in 1957 with harrowing showbusiness tale Sweet Smell of Success.
He went on to appear in The Defiant Ones as an escaped racist convict handcuffed to a black escapee.
But he became best known for his role in Billy Wilder's acclaimed comedy Some Like It Hot, where he donned women's clothing.
After his star faded in the late 1960s, Curtis shifted to lesser roles and fell into drug and alcohol addiction.
In the 1970s he turned to television, starring in a number of TV series including The Persuaders! opposite Sir Roger Moore, and Michael Mann's Vegas.
Sir Roger led the tributes to the actor, calling him "a fine actor".
"We had a lot of laughs together for about 15 months, working together every day. He was great fun to work with, a great sense of humour and wonderful ad libs. We had the best of times."

Book Says Obama Administration Divided On Afghan Strategy

A new book says U.S. President Barack Obama's top advisers have had stronger disagreements on the Afghan war strategy than previously acknowledged.  Some high-ranking officials are said to have questioned whether the plan will succeed.

Bob Woodward, an associate editor at the Washington Post, interviewed President Obama and his advisers about the process of deciding on a policy for the Afghan war.

Woodward's book Obama's Wars is to be released next Monday.  Excerpts were printed Wednesday in the Post and The New York Times.

The excerpts say Mr. Obama was calling for an exit strategy in Afghanistan, with no long-term nation-building.  They say military leaders only offered plans for deploying larger numbers of U.S. troops.

The president decided to send an additional 30,000 troops to Afghanistan, fewer than the military had requested, and announced a deadline to begin withdrawing U.S. forces in July, 2011.

The U.S. special representative to Afghanistan and Pakistan, Richard Holbrooke, was quoted as saying the strategy would not work.

The excerpted accounts also detail deep personal differences between some administration officials.

White House press secretary Robert Gibbs spoke with reporters aboard the presidential plane Wednesday.  He downplayed the divisions revealed in the excerpts.

"I think that the book portrays a thoughtful, vigorous policy process that led us to a strategy to get the best chance of achieving our objectives and goals in Afghanistan," said  Robert Gibbs.

Over several months, Mr. Obama held numerous meetings with his national security advisers to discuss possible Afghan strategies.

Gibbs said the fact that the advisers had disagreements should not be a surprise.

"I cannot imagine that any option that the president looked at would not have engendered some debate," he said. "That is the nature of this process.  The process was, over the course of 12 or 13 meetings, a pretty public one."

A Pentagon spokesman said he had not read the book, and would not comment on press accounts.  He said, however, the Defense Department is fully focused on implementing the president's strategy in Afghanistan.

According to the Washington Post, the book also reports that the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency has a 3,000-member paramilitary army consisting mostly of Afghans.  U.S. officials Wednesday confirmed the existence of that force.

The Associated Press quotes a spokesman for Afghanistan's President Hamid Karzai as denying an allegation in another excerpt that the Afghan leader has been diagnosed with manic depression.

Headline News – Urgent Swine FLu Update!!

Please check out my website at www.yourtubenews.ning.com Leading Croatian Priest Don’t get the H1N1 Vaccine Saturday, 14 November 2009 Controversy in Croatia after famous Croatian priest Miroslav Bustruk appealed to Croatians not to get vaccinated against the Swine flu vaccine. In a church ceremony dedicated to St Martin, father’s Bustruk statement caused an avalanche of reactions in Croatia. What is it that he said? “I appeal to you, to not get vaccinated for the so called Swine Flu under any circumstance. There is a plan for massive destruction of humanity worldwide. For this purpose we will see new diseases springing up everywhere” reports Croatian daily “Jutarnji List”, quoting father Bustruk. “The H1N1 vaccine itself is a very sophisticated weapon whose implanted microchip will control the health of the human being” added the Croatian priest which prompted a great deal of disagreement by Croatian officials. In defense of his colleague stood Don Jure Zubovik who said father Bustruk’s statement only defended the Church, adding – “certain people who have spoken out or warned against the vaccine are already in jail”. More will be known in few weeks when the Vatican is expted to issue a press release addressing all World’s Governments. Link to story .. macedoniaonline.eu

News Update: Novartis Gains FDA Approval For Multiple-Sclerosis Drug Gilenya

Shares of Swiss pharmaceutical firm Novartis AG (NYSE:NVS) may trade higher today after the company said the FDA approved its multiple-sclerosis drug Gilenya, which is the first oral treatment indicated for relapsing forms of the disease available in the US. Gilenya reduces the frequency of MS relapses, or flare-ups, and helps slow the build-up of some of the issues that the disease creates. Nicholas LaRocca from the National Multiple Sclerosis Society said in a statement, "A new treatment option that offers significant efficacy in the convenience of a capsule is a welcome alternative to frequent injections for individuals living with this chronic disease." SmarTrend is bullish on shares of Novartis and our subscribers were alerted to buy on June 10, 2010 at $47.16. The stock has risen 19.7% since the alert was issued.

Horse Racing

Horse Racing is the "The Sport of Kings". Historically horse racing was reserved for the wealthy. However today Horse Racing and betting online has become the commoners Sport, largely due the internet and television making it more accessible, even ownership is possible through syndicates. Betting on Horse Racing and placing bets on line have opened the flood gates to everyone.

Our recommended bookmakers cover Horse racing in with excellent coverage of Horse Racing Form guides, Race results, Commentary, Horse racing Odds and horse racing Ante Post betting markets.
Betting Choice boasts some of the best horse racing tips for both flat racing and National Hunt. We cover races from all over the globe, but keep our eyes firmly fixed on the UK racing scene. We have tips and commentary even if you're a seasoned pro who is on a first-name basis with the trainers or jockeys. If you're new to horse racing, you can count on our tips and selections for all the big races, including the English Classics.

We've got a very tough battle for the favourites spot in the Ayr Gold Cup, which kicks off tomorrow at 3:20 at its namesake racecourse. 

ENGLAND VS. PAKISTAN- CRICKET NEWS, ODDS AND TIPS

If it were not for the controversy that has wholeheartedly destroyed the spirit of this series, tomorrow's Rose Bowl decider between England and Pakistan would surely be seen as a fitting finale to a classic series.
Heading into the fifth game the series is tied 2-2, with everything resting on the decider.
With England 2-0 up, and the entire series descending into a farce, the Pakistani team, bar politics on the side has done well to rebound.
One would think that despite the above, that tomorrow’s final match will surely be of the highest standard.
Following on from Ijaz Butt's childish actions relating to England prior to the fourth ODI, the tour has proved that Pakistan's cricketers have been more able than England in their quest to maintain focus amid some rather tense and exciting match ups.
While England have somewhat spiralled under the increasing pressure of a marred series, Pakistan have done surprisingly well to rise to the challenge through brilliant performances by the likes of Umar Gul and  stalwart Shoaib Akhtar who has defied age, and injury, with a string of high quality performances .
England in comparison has looked lethargic, and will undoubtedly be glad to see the backs of the Pakistani team at Heathrow.
That being said, England have to win this to restore some sense of sanity to a cricketing world that is calling for the banning of Pakistan altogether, pending a review of their ability to host contests not marred by betting controversy.
Blue Square is offering England as favourites to clinch the decider at 8/15, with Pakistan at 6/4
Andrew Strauss, who has been England most solid batsman this summer, is favoured to top score for the home side at 11/4, with Surrey wicketkeeper/batsman Steve Davies next best at 4/1
Kamran Akmal, another Pakistani who has risen to the occasion and shaken off his Test match poor form, is odds on at 15/4, with a surprise next up with Mohammad Yousuf at 4/1
On the bowling front, Graeme Swann is favoured at 5/2, however if bowling second expect Jimmy Anderson to clean up at 10/3. Late night dew + reverse swing= wickets
If you are going to play the Pakistan bowling odds...there is only one way to go- Mr. Reliable Umar Gul at 11/4
For a series that will be remembered for all the wrong reasons, this decider will be a highly charged event, and hopefully some entertaining cricket.
England, you feel, will be equally compelled to rise to the occasion and wrap this one up in order to take momentum into what is very likely going to be the most important Ashes series in a long, long time

Obama's Wars: Scorecard for the Inside Game

But seeing it in black and white is sure to sting anyway. Bob Woodward’s new book depicts in unnerving detail the personal sniping among the president’s senior staff as they debated the administration’s policy in Afghanistan in the past year-and-a-half.
The book, “Obama’s Wars,” comes out Monday, but it is already generating plenty of buzz on the Internet after the Times acquired an early copy on Tuesday. The Washington Post headline today reads: “Obama Aides Split Over War.” ABC’s George Stephanopoulos tags it as one of his “must reads,” calling it an “explosive new Woodward book.”
The picture that emerges is of an administration grappling with tough questions of war and peace, but doing so amid the palace intrigue of who’s up, who’s down and who’s not on speaking terms. It’s standard fare from Mr. Woodward, who has trained the same withering lens on previous presidents and their circle of advisers.
Some of the headline-grabbing passages from the 441-page book are already detailed in an account today by my colleague, Peter Baker. But The Caucus would like to offer few more tidbits, culled by the staff at the Times:

Gen. James L. Jones, national security adviser: Resented the president’s political aides including Rahm Emanuel, chief of staff; David Axelrod, senior adviser; Robert Gibbs, press secretary; and Denis McDonough and Mark Lippert, National Security Council officials. Called them “the water bugs,” “the Politburo,” the “Mafia” or “the campaign set.” At one point, almost threatened to quit when he was denied access to the president. Ultimately pressured Mr. Lippert to leave.

If the 2010 Pakistan Flood Had Hit Portland Instead

The BBC microsite How Big Really? has created an application to put the size of this disaster into geographic context relative to anywhere else in the world. Had this massive disaster hit Portland, the affected area would’ve stretched from the Bay Area nearly to Calgary, Alberta:
I don’t know which relief charity is best, but please make a donation of any kind however you can. This might be the worst catastrophe of our lifetimes, including this year’s Haitian earthquake or even the 2004 Indonesian tsunami. Hurricane Katrina was a light shower compared to this. The number of deceased and displaced children is an unfathomable tragedy.

Senior Farc rebel leader 'killed' in Colombia

The Colombian armed forces say they have killed a senior commander of the Farc rebel group.

They said the guerrilla leader Sixto Cabana was among 27 rebels killed in an attack on a camp near the Ecuadorean border on Sunday.
Mr Cabana, 55, was wanted in the US for alleged cocaine trafficking and was on the Farc's ruling general staff.
The US had offered a reward of $2.5m (£1.6m) for information leading to his arrest.
The Colombian Defence Minister, Rodrigo Rivera, said it was the most grievous blow to the left-wing rebel group in recent years.
The fighting in the Putumayo region happened near the town of San Miguel, where eight policemen died in a rebel ambush earlier this month.
Police commandos were dropped by helicopter after air force planes bombed a rebel camp in the jungle.
Cocaine mastermind The police said one of the dead rebels had been identified as Sixto Cabana, alias "Domingo Biojo," the commander of the 48th front of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc).

They said he had been a member of the rebel group for 25 years and was involved in failed peace negotiations with the government a decade ago.

Glenn Beck Launches The Blaze

Ok, before all of you Glenn Beck haters come rushing in to hurl hate filled epithets…just go ahead and save your breath, or rather your typing skills. If you don’t like what he has to say, then just don’t visit the site. It’s that simple.

I don’t like what Rachel Maddow has to say so I simply don’t go there. Well except for the occasional guilty pleasure of snickering and using her for blog fodder. But I NEVER leave any venomous comments.




That being said, Beckamania seems to be building into a full fledged media empire. On Monday, Glenn Beck added a website called The Blaze to his media empire. I guess having a radio and talk show and hugely successful Restoring Honor Rally weren’t enough.
So he premiered The Blaze. a website that he says will be “a place where you can find breaking news, original reporting, insightful opinions and engaging videos about the stories that matter most.”

In 2009, Beck is reported to have earned $32 million through a mix of books, radio, TV, digital media, and speaking fees.

The Blaze will be edited by Scott Baker, formerly of Breitbart TV, who told Mediaite that the site plans “news and information… commentary and opinion stories we’re interested in that are being under-covered or not covered.”

BP Says Gulf Oil Leak Permanently Sealed, [Live video Feed] Oil Spill Disaster Over Saturday

The head honchos over at British Petroleum have made an announcement today citing the cessation of any more oil into the Gulf of Mexico. The final seal is set for Saturday, the 17th. The oil has been gushing into the delicate eco-sphere of the Gulf since April 20, 2010.

Every day the oil was pumping it’s poisonous sludge into the water, the people of the Gulf states have been in an uproar over the seemingly uncaring BP corporate executives spokespersons, and our own government’s slow response.

In New Orleans, where the slick was felt the most in its wetlands, the damage is beyond repair, say many of the residents who have felt the enormous effects of the Their livelihood has been curtailed by the giant oil plumes, killing off many fisheries, and the shell fish industry has been dealt a severe blow as well. The folks who make their living off of the Gulf have yet to be compensated completely, as it will be difficult to determine just how much it has affected them and their future.