Democrats defend Obama administration over bungled gun sting (Reuters)

WASHINGTON (Reuters) ? Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives on Tuesday sought to blunt political attacks on the Obama administration over a botched gun sting operation, finding that the idea of allowing weapons to go across the border to Mexico came from field agents and prosecutors.

Democrats issued the report just two days before Republicans on the same panel plan to grill Attorney General Eric Holder about the most recent operation, dubbed "Fast and Furious" in which as many as 2,000 guns may have been trafficked to Mexican drug cartels.

President Barack Obama's fellow Democrats issued an 89-page report that said the operations and strategies dated back to the Bush administration and were the brainchild of field agents and prosecutors, not officials at the upper levels of government.

"Unfortunately this strategy failed to include sufficient operational controls to stop these dangerous weapons from getting into the hands of violent criminals, creating a danger to public safety on both sides of the border," Representative Elijah Cummings, the senior Democrat on the House Oversight Committee, said in a letter accompanying the report.

Two guns from the Fast and Furious operation were found at the scene where a U.S. Border Patrol agent, Brian Terry, was killed during a shootout with illegal immigrants. It was not clear, however, if those weapons fired the fatal shots.

That operation ran from late 2009 to early 2011 out of the Phoenix offices of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the U.S. Attorney. The goal was to try to track guns being smuggled from the initial purchaser to senior drug cartel members.

However, in most cases ATF agents did not follow the guns beyond the initial buyer. Republicans have questioned who in the administration knew about and approved the operation and its tactics and when. They have issued subpoenas for documents and for witnesses to testify.

Mexican authorities have complained about the flood of weapons coming into their country from the United States and contributing to the deadly war with the drug cartels.

OFFICIALS SAY THEY DID NOT KNOW

The Obama administration has admitted that the operation and its tactics were unacceptable, but senior Justice Department and ATF officials have denied that they knew of the specific tactics until early 2011 - after it was over.

Republicans have expressed doubts about those assertions and some have demanded Holder's resignation as well as that of his senior aide, Assistant Attorney General Lanny Breuer, who runs the Justice Department's criminal division.

"Contrary to repeated claims by some, the committee has obtained no evidence that Operation Fast and Furious was a politically-motivated operation conceived and directed by high-level Obama Administration political appointees at the Department of Justice," Cummings said.

Republican Senator Charles Grassley, who has been spearheading a probe in the Senate, said that Obama officials did not have "clean hands" and that it "will take a lot more than a knee-jerk defense from their political allies in Congress to restore public trust in the leadership of the Justice Department."

Republicans have been particularly incensed about the Justice Department providing incorrect information a year ago to the House Oversight Committee when officials initially asserted that guns were not allowed to be smuggled to Mexico.

"Fast and Furious" has claimed the jobs of several high-ranking officials, including the senior federal prosecutor in Arizona, Dennis Burke, who resigned. Several senior ATF officials have been either sidelined or re-assigned.

The report said that during "Fast and Furious", agents first sought to bring charges for smaller cases involving the gun buyers, known as straw purchasers, but that senior prosecutors wanted to wait to see if they could bring bigger cases.

It also revealed that authorities in the United States and Mexico had recovered 567 weapons from the botched operation as of January 2011, almost two-thirds of which were found in the United States.

(Editing by Mohammad Zargham)

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/obama/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20120131/pl_nm/us_usa_mexico_guns

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Gossip Girl Wedding Day Aftermath! Scoop on Everything That Happens Next (omg!)

[WARNING: The following story contains major spoilers from Monday's episode for Gossip Girl, "The Princess Bride." Read at your own risk.]

She did it. She got married and became a princess. And now the avalanche of questions...

Is Gossip Girl really going to make Dan and Blair happen? Did new media magnate Nate just fall for another pretty girl (who happens to be the real Charlie Rhodes)? Would the reformed Chuck have sent that video to Gossip Girl? Will he and Serena decide to put themselves out of their misery when they find out Blair ran off with LonelyBoy? Did the royal lapdog Prince Louis actually grow a pair? Is Georgina the real Dread Pirate Roberts Gossip Girl?

Ed Westwick tired of "lovesick puppy" Chuck, ready for Gossip Girl to end

So many burning questions lingering about Monday's 100^th episode of Gossip Girl, written by executive producer Josh Safran and fittingly titled, "The Princess Bride." Fortunately, Safran and fellow series boss Stephanie Savage were on hand last week to tease and tantalize reporters who got an early peek at the episode about everything that is to come. Get cozy ? they had a lot to say! (And for the record, we're so sticking with the theory that Georgina is not Gossip Girl.)

Are you really going to cave to fans who want Dan and Blair together?
Josh Safran: Cave to fans -- I don't think we view it as caving to fans but you know that story is going to go in an interesting direction, sure.

Is it a story you weren't planning to tell until you saw the fan reaction to the two of them?
Stephanie Savage: No. I think from the beginning we always felt like there was a really strong connection between the two of them. Actually, the first episode Josh ever wrote for us had one of my favorite scenes of the series that was a Dan-Blair scene where she's confiding in [him] her feelings about her mother and [there was] the idea that these two people who -- one is Queen B, one LonelyBoy -- actually have a lot in common. Compared to their other friends, they had this sense of intellectual curiosity, they were interested in things outside their own world... We always knew they were going to become friends, but there was a question if there was ever going to be more than that.
Safran: And I think that question still remains, but we definitely are going with that story. We knew last year, too, when we got them connected in a new way. We knew we were going to plan to come back to that connection... It was always like, that's a weird thing to do, to go to that place you thought you'd never go with kind of at one point your sworn enemy. I think that's why they pulled back but they still have been thinking about it ever since.

What are Blair's feelings toward Dan at this point ? she just found out he wrote these vows and yet she keeps calling him any time anything goes wrong in her life.
Safran: I think Dan probably feels the same way you think he does, and at a certain point he probably won't be able to stand feeling that anymore and force Blair to not treat him that way ? or not treat him at all, basically.

Where did Dan and Blair go? She's fled the country before...
Safran: You will learn that at the top of the next episode... They go some place we've never shot before, but have always wanted to shoot and it was really complicated but a super-fun, big, great set piece. And it also has, in my mind, some of the best comedy we've ever done. The next episode is very funny.

What does this mean for Chuck and Blair?
Safran: Chuck and Blair are never over. There's always been a thorn in the side of Chuck somewhere, maybe it'll be Dan, maybe it'll be someone else.

But how much can a man take? Chuck should walk away at some point, right?
Safran: I don't know if it's "how much can a man take?" It's a very tortured relationship for both of them. And I think in a weird way some people love that torture and sometimes people can't stand that torture. That's gonna be sort of the balance for what happens [next].

Will Chuck become a bad boy again?
Safran: Anytime anyone reforms, it's tested. But we were very conscious to make sure that Chuck did not slide back after Episode 12. We do believe that Chuck has learned, and is still continuing to learn, that his evolution is real, that it's not so easily lost or so easily gained. Although he will continue to be tested, I definitely think he approaches these tests now from, "I really don't want to slide back," as opposed to, "Oh, it's so easy to slide back, I'm just going to go do it."

6 things to expect from the Gossip Girl wedding

Can you talk about Chuck and Serena's reactions to Blair and Dan running off together? What's their next step?
Safran: The next episode is a direct pick-up and is the same night. The reactions are very much immediate... You're going to see them learn, you're going to see what they do about it, how it impacts them. Definitely the story of that next episode is Chuck and Serena together dealing with Blair and Dan together.

What's going to happen now that Serena has professed her love for Dan?
Safran: Obviously, it's going to rankle Serena when she discovers what's happening between Blair and Dan. But also these characters are growing up; you don't necessarily go to Defcon 4 when you find these things out. You try to deal with them maybe in more of a rational, direct, honest manner. But that doesn't mean you can't also go to Defcon 4 after that.

Given Serena's dream in the beginning of the episode, seeing Dan choose Blair, did she already know on some level that Dan didn't love her back?
Safran: I wouldn't say it's about Dan not loving her back, but I would say Serena feels like she might be losing things in her world right now to other things. If in your dreams everything isn't exactly representational, just the idea that the ground is shifting under Serena...

Louis just became really interesting! Did you know you wanted him to take this turn?
Safran: No, but we knew Blair was going to test him -- just being Blair would test anyone.
Savage: And him being in our Upper East Side world would test him.
Safran: We definitely always knew it would be him getting darker because the closer you're around to all this scheming, all these people, the more it starts to infect you. What we liked was that Blair and Louis were ultimately able to reconnect and look at each other from a good place and yet, this was just the final straw... For her to go to that place on their wedding day, it was just too much.

Is Blair still moving forward with being concerned over this pact with God now that Louie has turned on her?
Safran: In the next episode, that will be answered.

How will Blair's parents help out now, since they were such a big part of this episode?
Safran: They're definitely involved in her story. They're dealing also with what's happened and in future episodes Blair seeks the counsel of her parents.

So Georgina is behind this new Gossip Girl site ? are we going to see retaliation from the original Gossip Girl?
Safran: Georgina is behind this new Gossip Girl site -- is it a new Gossip Girl site? I don't know how to answer that question, sorry. How can I say if it's the old Gossip Girl if Georgina is Gossip Girl? We will not answer that question.

Georgina, whether or not she's the old or new Gossip Girl, is going to try and take over this role then?
Safran: I mean, she has this role! Now that you see she has this role you're invited into this process that for years you haven't seen. Seeing that process of just how Gossip Girl gets her tips and what she does to get her tips I think is really fun.
Savage: You get to go behind the curtain with the wizard and see.

Did Georgina upload the video of Blair?
Safran: That is a major plot point that runs for a couple [of episodes].

Is she the one who texted with Nate in previous episodes?
Safran: I'm not going to answer that question.

Who will Georgina target next?
Safran: Georgina will set her sights on everybody always. Georgina would take herself down if it got the biggest explosion.

Gossip Girl "End of the Affair" postmortem: Burning questions answered!

Are you nervous about fan reaction to Georgina being Gossip Girl?
Safran: Totally. You're always nervous, but we still feel confident about that.
Savage: And where the story is going.
Safran: Like Stephanie said, the curtain has been lifted so now you're going to see more. When you see more, the picture will become clearer.

What are Georgina's motives? Is she just evil?
Savage: More entertainment than evil. Entertaining herself.
Safran: Maximum damage just makes her laugh, so the more she can laugh, the better.

Are Nate and Serena still going after Gossip Girl?
Safran: The Gossip Girl storyline continues the whole year. A plot with Gossip Girl will continue [next season], but whether this arc with Gossip Girl concludes or not, I will not say.

Are you going to develop more for the real Charlie Rhodes?
Safran: Absolutely.

Where is Ivy hiding?
Safran: That's a really good question and the fact that you asked that question, there's an answer in that.

Does Nate have yet another new love on the horizon?
Safran: Nate has had so many problems with his family that when he meets somebody else who is probably dealing with similar things, he's actually in a position where he can help them and use what he's learned... The love on the horizon is a really interesting story for him and really allows him to emotionally mature.

What can you say about the return of Elizabeth Hurley?
Safran: Elizabeth is coming back. She comes back in a very delicious fashion. She'll give us sort of ? the way she always does ? a shot in the arm in the last third of the season. When she comes back, the Chuck Bass story and the Nate story will converge with Diana.

What about Jack Bass?
Safran: He comes back also in service of that same story.

Did you think about bringing Eric back for the 100^th episode?
Safran: It's hard with Connor because his show shoots in Los Angeles and he's a regular. As much as we'd love to, there were so many moving pieces for a 100^th episode that took place at a wedding, with hundreds of extras. To fit in another moving piece like that would be very difficult. Taylor is on tour. We had so many logistics to overcome, that that would've just added even more.

Speaking of Little J, do you still think of storylines involving Jenny or Vanessa?
Savage: Those characters are still very much out in the universe doing things. We still have a great relationship with both of those actresses. It would just be a matter of figuring out what the story is and then how to get them here. Literally, when we were talking about having Jenny come to Blair's wedding, Taylor was opening for Guns 'N Roses in Iceland.
Safran: We also know, as writers, where they are. We could tell you right now where Jenny is. We keep alive the story of what they're doing. If we were able to get Taylor, maybe she would've made Blair's dress instead of Vera Wang. We would've had to know that months earlier. She's at fashion school in London.
Savage: She's doing great.
Safran: You'll hear where Eric is coming up.

Have you had conversations with The CW about whether you'll be doing another season of Gossip Girl?
Savage: Well, we're not writing a series finale this year.

Has the network actually said you're safe, or are you just hoping?
Savage: We've checked in with our bosses to make sure we're not shooting ourselves in the foot.
Safran: They know we're not writing a series finale.

What does reaching 100 episodes mean to you?
Savage: It's a big deal. It's emotional. It's very, very hard to get to 100 episodes. The O.C. got to 93 episodes, Chuck got to a heartbreaking 91 episodes. One hundred episodes in our industry is considered the standard of success, of achievement. To be able to get there, especially on a serial drama, especially on a show about young people, especially on a cycle where there was a writers strike, it's a big deal.
Safran: I kept saying from Day 1, we're going to get to 100. This will totally make it there.

Additional reporting by Natalie Abrams.

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/entertainment/*http%3A//us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/external/omg_rss/rss_omg_en/news_gossip_girl_wedding_day_aftermath_scoop_everything_happens050000266/44360935/*http%3A//omg.yahoo.com/news/gossip-girl-wedding-day-aftermath-scoop-everything-happens-050000266.html

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Video: Art Cashin's Take on the Markets

Sharing his view on the markets, with Arthur Cashin, UBS Financial Services director Of floor operations.

Related Links:

Business & financial news headlines from msnbc.com

Top of page

Source: http://video.msnbc.msn.com/cnbc/46191121/

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Santorum cancels trip to Fla. while daughter ill

Republican presidential candidate, former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum exits the airport, Friday, Jan. 27, 2012, after speaking with members of the news media upon arriving at the Chester County Airport in Downingtown, Pa. (AP Photo/ Joseph Kaczmarek)

Republican presidential candidate, former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum exits the airport, Friday, Jan. 27, 2012, after speaking with members of the news media upon arriving at the Chester County Airport in Downingtown, Pa. (AP Photo/ Joseph Kaczmarek)

Republican presidential candidate, former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum speaks to members of the news media, Friday, Jan. 27, 2012, after arriving at the Chester County Airport in Downingtown, Pa. (AP Photo/ Joseph Kaczmarek)

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) ? Republican Rick Santorum is staying home in Philadelphia to be with this hospitalized daughter and is canceling campaign stops in Florida.

Santorum's campaign says the former senator will stay in Pennsylvania with 3-year-old Bella, who has a genetic condition known as Trisomy 18. The condition typically proves fatal and Santorum often says his daughter wasn't expected to live past 12 months.

Spokesman Hogan Gidley says Santorum hopes to return to a campaign schedule soon.

Santorum canceled his appearance on NBC's "Meet the Press" and a stop at a Miami church.

Santorum is sending his 20-year-old daughter Elizabeth to Sarasota and Punta Gorda for campaign appearances on later Sunday.

Florida's presidential primary is on Tuesday.

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/89ae8247abe8493fae24405546e9a1aa/Article_2012-01-29-Santorum-Daughter/id-184752ec505142b5a9ee4389eac5393e

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UN Security Council discusses Syrian crisis (AP)

UNITED NATIONS ? The Security Council began closed-door negotiations Friday on a new Arab-European draft resolution aimed at resolving the crisis in Syria, but Russia's envoy said he could not back the current language as it stands.

Ambassador Vitaly Churkin told reporters afterward that the text introduced by new Arab Security Council member Morocco has "red lines" for Moscow, but he's willing to "engage" with the resolution's sponsors.

Churkin said those lines include any indication of sanctions, including an arms embargo. "We need to concentrate on establishing political dialogue," he said.

British Ambassador Mark Lyall Grant later insisted that the text based on the Arab League's recent recommendations for Syria contains no mention of an arms embargo or any other sanctions, and that it received broad support from other council members. "A lot of straw men are being put up," he said.

"We want, as do the Arabs, an unanimous resolution," Lyall Grant said. "Frankly, the time has come where we should be supporting the Arab League efforts."

The U.N. says at least 5,400 people have been killed in a monthslong Syrian government crackdown on civilian protests.

European diplomats have been meeting this week with diplomats from Arab countries, including Morocco and Qatar, on a resolution that would strongly back an Arab League bid to end the crisis.

French Ambassador Gerard Araud told reporters he expected that a "very determined negotiation process" on the text would start at the ambassador level on Wednesday, one day after the Arab League secretary-general and Qatar's prime minister brief the council on the situation in Syria.

"There is now a chance that the Security Council will finally take a clear stand on Syria. That is long overdue," German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle said Friday at the General Affairs Council in Brussels. The comments were provided by the German mission to journalists at the U.N.

"We hope now that council members will seize this new window of opportunity and find common ground," German Ambassador Peter Wittig said before the council met behind closed doors.

But, as Churkin indicated, eventual approval is far from guaranteed.

Permanent council members Russia and China used their veto powers last fall to block an earlier European resolution on Syria. On Friday, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Gennady Gatilov was quoted by the ITAR-Tass news agency as saying Moscow will oppose the new draft U.N. resolution on Syria because it fails to take Kremlin's concerns into account.

South African Ambassador Baso Sangqu said it was important that supporters of the resolution assure other countries, including his, that the draft was not a plan for regime change.

Russia and some other countries believe NATO misused last year's Security Council's resolutions on Libya as a pretext for regime change in that nation.

Syria's U.N. Ambassador Bashar Ja'afari expressed his country's opposition to the new draft resolution saying that "Syria will not be Libya."

Russia has been a strong ally of Syria since Soviet times, when the country was led by the president's father Hafez Assad, and has long supplied Syria with aircraft, missiles, tanks and other modern weapons.

The new Arab-European draft resolution on Syria, obtained by The Associated Press, expresses support of the Arab League's Jan. 22 decision "to facilitate a political transition leading to a democratic, plural political system."

The draft does not explicitly mention sanctions, but calls for the adoption of unspecified "further measures, in consultation with the League of Arab States," if Syria does not comply within 15 days.

The draft also condemns the "continued widespread and gross violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms by the Syrian authorities" and demands that the Syrian government immediately stop all human rights violations.

The Arab League earlier this month sent observers to Syria, but the mission was widely criticized for failing to stop the violence. Gulf states led by Saudi Arabia pulled out of the mission Tuesday, asking the Security Council to intervene because the Syrian government has not halted its crackdown.

The head of Arab League observers in Syria said in a statement that violence in the country has spiked over the past few days. Sudanese Gen. Mohammed Ahmed al-Dabi said the cities of Homs, Hama and Idlib have all witnessed a "very high escalation" in violence since Tuesday.

___

Associated Press writer Zeina Karam in Beirut contributed to this report.

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/un/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20120127/ap_on_re_us/un_un_syria

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Four Appliance Giants Have Turned To Snatch Automotive Cake ...

Skyworth , Konka, Haier , TCL as well as other enterprises have turned to a big sector possibilities

Automotive Business Equipment giants ?dream car? throbbing once more, Skyworth, Konka and Haier have shot automotive electronics business.

Yesterday (Might possibly 23), Skyworth Motor vehicle Electronics Co., Ltd Liu Xuepeng to the ?Daily Economic News? reporter unveiled that a large number of firms have fought through in the domestic automotive business, and devices sector, Skyworth is functioning with

Chery Motor approached the very first to interrupt to the top notch would like to install in the market pronostic pmu prospects. Are being actively detected as well as other preparations. Liuxue Peng explained the 2nd half of this 12 months there?ll be preliminary final results.

Skyworth?s ?city rivals? Konka appears to be to consonance. In its 25-year-old birthday celebration, Konka announced a comprehensive Sharu automotive electronics business, not just to automotive audio and video collection, and can gradually extend to the motor management as well as other fields.

On the very same time, Konka, president-designate Song Yung Konka long run original public elaborated a comprehensive map of electronic expertise business, house, automotive and handheld electronic enjoyment programs will undoubtedly be Konka?s three ?sword.?

Reality, not just is Skyworth, and Konka, Haier, TCL, as well as other enterprises have also been attracted from the significant sector possibilities.

It will be comprehended that in engineered nations, just about every new car or truck, the automotive car or truck expenditures to the typical appeal of 26.two, but China is only seven or so.

Additional high-end cars and trucks, the more obvious tendencies in digital or exceeded the repairer the price of significantly more than half.

Additional importantly, Liu Xuepeng unveiled that at present, the gross margin of automotive electronics business is as higher as 50%. Struggling in the little revenue margins internet your home appliance giants change to car electronics business, isn?t stunning.

Liuxue Peng explained the modern in 2012, Skyworth will emphasis on automotive audio and video devices, the present has attained just one million units of yearly ability. But this really is only the very first action to the automotive electronics business. Sooner or later, Skyworth will more Sharu core automotive areas like as chassis management devices in the field, the previous completely engaged

Automotive Business . Liu Xuepeng previous added: ?Everyone wants to intervene in the automotive business, but is quite explicit about easy methods to intervene, soon after all, house electrical appliance enterprises ?fees? not white cross.?

Not lengthy ago, claiming the financing will undoubtedly be in 5 a long time, 8.0 billion to build 450,000 cars and trucks every year scale

Oaks Only a 12 months afterwards had to withdraw from a weighty coronary heart. ninety million yuan into Oaks Vehicle impulse need to pay out the price.

Coincidentally, the U.S. group?s ?dream car? is now a ?heart? automotive venture remaining centralized in a very little appliance-based Xinhua, under Group, the future fate of a elegance no longer ready to speak about and subject.

Nonetheless, the house electrical appliance enterprises curve tactic however faces sizeable dangers.

Remind Song Tsinghua College Center for Automotive Homework, ?Daily Economic News? Reporter: First you may need to get enough cash to assist car or truck manufacturers are no less than six months of the cash utilized chance; Secondly, the core of the automotive electronics business component manufacturing, technological obstacles, particularly demanding computer software.

Song Jian explained the up-to-date perform of the vehicle and automotive digital components 90% of all foreign immediate import and domestic assembly.

At long last, trade obstacles shouldn?t be overlooked. Beijing Automotive has become the introduction of the modern day head to make use of the specific services supporting whom, to grow and carry to Beijing

Components Business. Are often modern day right here, the matching shift the initial plant has also introduced, at preferred, several of them dominated the newest joint enterprise factory.

In engineered nations, just about every new automotive

SAIC Motor vehicle Electronics expenditures to the typical appeal of 26.two car or truck, but China is only seven or so.

Additional high-end cars and trucks, the more obvious tendencies in digital or exceeded the repairer the price of significantly more than half. At present, the automotive electronics business, gross margin as higher as 50%.

Source: http://www.builtfromskratch.com/2012/01/four-appliance-giants-have-turned-to-snatch-automotive-cake/

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Readers bid farewell to 'Kotter's' Juan Epstein

By Anna Chan

Frazer Harrison / Getty Images

Forget the usual goofy reality TV stories that often top our list of most popular posts in The Clicker for the week.

No, this time, readers said goodbye to a bit of their TV past with the death of Robert Hegyes on Thursday. The actor, who played Juan Epstein on "Welcome Back, Kotter," passed away on Thursday at the age of 60. He had suffered a heart attack.

"This really bites. I never missed an episode during its run. The acting world has lost a great talent. RIP Robert," Leanna M. Bowker wrote on our Facebook page.

"The death notice was signed 'Epstein's Mother,' " reader Michael M. Wiseman chimed in.

More tragic news came in No. 2 this week. "Teen Mom 2" star Leah Messer's fiance revealed in the new issue of OK! magazine that the young mother had miscarried the couple's child. "It's a devastating experience, but all I can do is support Leah and take things day by day," Jeremy Calvert told the mag.

Though readers are usually quick to bash the young ladies on the show, many sympathized with Messer's loss.

"Very sad - regardless of her personal life and problems she may or may not be having...a miscarriage is never easy," Kim Fitch Solecki wrote on our Facebook page.

"Even though I don't agree with her choices here, it's her life, and I would like to tell her that I am truly sorry that she has to go through the pain of losing her children with a miscarriage," wrote Heather Burns. "I feel for her and I hope she is supported through this difficult time in her life."

But it wasn't just depressing stories getting the majority of readers' attention. Some goofy fun snuck into the No. 3 spot when "Wheel of Fortune" host Pat Sajak admitted that he and letter turner Vanna White had hosted the game show drunk on numerous occasions during the '80s. The game-show host admitted in an interview that he and the lovely lady would often go to a nearby restaurant during their dinner break for a little drink.

"They served great margaritas," he recalled. "So Vanna and I would go across and have two or three or six and then come and do the last shows and have trouble recognizing the alphabet. They're really good tapes to get a hold of."

"They looked loaded back then...no wonder he kept tripping on his words so much...and that red nose he had," reader Suzanne Anderson recalled on our Facebook page.

"I find that really hysterical. Who knew? it was a stupid format. It is amazing it survived that," Janice Todd said.

Which TV stories brought a smile to your face this week? Share your thoughts on our Facebook page.

?

Want more details of these top three stories? Read them!

More top stories in The Clicker this past week:

Source: http://theclicker.today.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/01/27/10254087-readers-bid-farewell-to-kotters-juan-epstein

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Q4 GDP MISSES EXPECTATIONS AT 2.8 ... - Business Insider

There were high hopes heading into this morning's Q4 'Advance' GDP report, and though the number was a solid improvement from last quarter's 1.8% growth, the numbers certainly leave a lot to be desired, especially if you're bullish.

Headline growth of 2.8% came in below expectations of 3.0%.

Personal consumption growth of 2.0% were below expectations of 2.4%.

The GDP price index only grew by 0.4%, well below expectations of 1.9%.

Again, not a disaster, just disappointing.

Markets have turned notably negative on the news, and the dollar has fallen as well, as the odds of more easing just went up.

The full announcement is here.

Here are some key components from the BEA.

Final sales of computers added 0.18 percentage point to the fourth-quarter change in real GDP
after adding 0.22 percentage point to the third-quarter change.? Motor vehicle output added 0.30
percentage point to the fourth-quarter change in real GDP after adding 0.12 percentage point to the
third-quarter change.

????? The price index for gross domestic purchases, which measures prices paid by U.S. residents,
increased 0.8 percent in the fourth quarter, compared with an increase of 2.0 percent in the third.
Excluding food and energy prices, the price index for gross domestic purchases increased 1.0 percent in the fourth quarter, compared with an increase of 1.8 percent in the third.

????? Real personal consumption expenditures increased 2.0 percent in the fourth quarter, compared
with an increase of 1.7 percent in the third.? Durable goods increased 14.8 percent, compared with an
increase of 5.7 percent.? Nondurable goods increased 1.7 percent, in contrast to a decrease of 0.5
percent.? Services increased 0.2 percent, compared with an increase of 1.9 percent.

????? Real nonresidential fixed investment increased 1.7 percent in the fourth quarter, compared with
an increase of 15.7 percent in the third.? Nonresidential structures decreased 7.2 percent, in contrast to an increase of 14.4 percent.? Equipment and software increased 5.2 percent, compared with an increase of 16.2 percent.? Real residential fixed investment increased 10.9 percent, compared with an increase of 1.3 percent.

????? Real exports of goods and services increased 4.7 percent in the fourth quarter, the same increase
as in the third.? Real imports of goods and services increased 4.4 percent in the fourth quarter, compared with an increase of 1.2 percent in the third.

????? Real federal government consumption expenditures and gross investment decreased 7.3 percent
in the fourth quarter, in contrast to an increase of 2.1 percent in the third.? National defense decreased 12.5 percent, in contrast to an increase of 5.0 percent.? Nondefense increased 4.2 percent, in contrast to a decrease of 3.8 percent.? Real state and local government consumption expenditures and gross investment decreased 2.6 percent, compared with a decrease of 1.6 percent.

????? The change in real private inventories added 1.94 percentage points to the fourth-quarter change
in real GDP after subtracting 1.35 percentage points from the third-quarter change.? Private businesses increased inventories $56.0 billion in the fourth quarter, following a decrease of $2.0 billion in the third quarter and an increase of $39.1 billion in the second.

Meanwhile, the QE3 chatter is set to begin soon, as we explain here, thanks to mediocre inflation.

Source: http://www.businessinsider.com/q4-gdp-2012-1

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Routine follow-up scans can detect head and neck cancer recurrences earlier

Public release date: 26-Jan-2012
[ | E-mail | Share ]

Contact: Nicole Napoli
nicolen@astro.org
703-839-7336
American Society for Radiation Oncology

Routine use of positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) scans in head and neck cancer patient follow-up can detect local recurrences before they become clinically apparent and may improve the outcome of subsequent salvage therapy, according to a study presented at the Multidisciplinary Head and Neck Cancer Symposium, sponsored by AHNS, ASCO, ASTRO and SNM.

PET scan is a relatively new test and its use as a routine follow up for head and neck cancer patients is controversial. Most head and neck cancer follow-up studies use Fluorodeoxyglucose-PET (FDG-PET) scans when recurrence is suspected, but few studies have been conducted to determine the value of PET scans in fixed intervals post-treatment.

Researchers in this study reviewed 234 head and neck cancer cases treated with chemoradiation between 2006 and 2010 that also had a post-therapy PET/CT scan. The scans identified 15 patients with abnormalities requiring further evaluation, and biopsies showed malignancies in eight of the 15 cases. The other seven cases were false positives.

All of the patients who had negative PET/CT scans remained disease free in subsequent follow-ups.

"With malignancies found in 53 percent of abnormal scans in this study, our research proves that PET/CT scans are valuable as routine follow-up and as a surveillance method for head and neck cancer patients," Yasir Rudha, MD, MBChB, lead author of the study and a researcher at St. John Hospital/Van elslander Cancer Center in Grosse Pointe Woods, Mich., said. "However, since the rate of false positives was 46 percent, caution should be shown when ordering biopsies after abnormal scans to prevent excessive unnecessary biopsies."

###

The abstract, "The value of PET scan in the routine follow up of patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck," will be presented as a poster viewing. To speak with one of the study authors, contact Beth Bukata or Nicole Napoli on January 26-27, 2012, in the press room at the Arizona Biltmore at 602-912-7854 or 703-839-7336. You may also email them at bethb@astro.org or nicolen@astro.org.

About the American Head and Neck Society

The American Head and Neck Society (AHNS) is the single largest organization in North America for the advancement of research and education in head and neck oncology. The purpose of the AHNS is to promote and advance the knowledge of prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of neoplasms and other diseases of the head and neck; to promote and advance research in diseases of the head and neck; and to promote and advance the highest professional and ethical standards.

About the American Society of Clinical Oncology

The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) is the world's leading professional organization representing physicians who care for people with cancer. With more than 30,000 members, ASCO is committed to improving cancer care through scientific meetings, educational programs and peer-reviewed journals. ASCO is supported by its affiliate organization, the Conquer Cancer Foundation, which funds ground-breaking research and programs that make a tangible difference in the lives of people with cancer. For ASCO information and resources, visit http://www.asco.org. Patient-oriented cancer information is available at http://www.cancer.net.

About the American Society for Radiation Oncology

The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) is the largest radiation oncology society in the world, with more than 10,000 members who specialize in treating patients with radiation therapies. As the leading organization in radiation oncology, biology and physics, the Society is dedicated to improving patient care through education, clinical practice, advancement of science and advocacy. For more information on radiation therapy, visit http://www.rtanswers.org. To learn more about ASTRO, visit http://www.astro.org.

About SNMAdvancing Molecular Imaging and Therapy

SNM is an international scientific and medical organization dedicated to raising public awareness about what molecular imaging is and how it can help provide patients with the best health care possible. SNM members specialize in molecular imaging, a vital element of today's medical practice that adds an additional dimension to diagnosis, changing the way common and devastating diseases are understood and treated.

---

[ | E-mail | Share ]

?

AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert! system.

Public release date: 26-Jan-2012
[ | E-mail | Share ]

Contact: Nicole Napoli
nicolen@astro.org
703-839-7336
American Society for Radiation Oncology

Routine use of positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) scans in head and neck cancer patient follow-up can detect local recurrences before they become clinically apparent and may improve the outcome of subsequent salvage therapy, according to a study presented at the Multidisciplinary Head and Neck Cancer Symposium, sponsored by AHNS, ASCO, ASTRO and SNM.

PET scan is a relatively new test and its use as a routine follow up for head and neck cancer patients is controversial. Most head and neck cancer follow-up studies use Fluorodeoxyglucose-PET (FDG-PET) scans when recurrence is suspected, but few studies have been conducted to determine the value of PET scans in fixed intervals post-treatment.

Researchers in this study reviewed 234 head and neck cancer cases treated with chemoradiation between 2006 and 2010 that also had a post-therapy PET/CT scan. The scans identified 15 patients with abnormalities requiring further evaluation, and biopsies showed malignancies in eight of the 15 cases. The other seven cases were false positives.

All of the patients who had negative PET/CT scans remained disease free in subsequent follow-ups.

"With malignancies found in 53 percent of abnormal scans in this study, our research proves that PET/CT scans are valuable as routine follow-up and as a surveillance method for head and neck cancer patients," Yasir Rudha, MD, MBChB, lead author of the study and a researcher at St. John Hospital/Van elslander Cancer Center in Grosse Pointe Woods, Mich., said. "However, since the rate of false positives was 46 percent, caution should be shown when ordering biopsies after abnormal scans to prevent excessive unnecessary biopsies."

###

The abstract, "The value of PET scan in the routine follow up of patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck," will be presented as a poster viewing. To speak with one of the study authors, contact Beth Bukata or Nicole Napoli on January 26-27, 2012, in the press room at the Arizona Biltmore at 602-912-7854 or 703-839-7336. You may also email them at bethb@astro.org or nicolen@astro.org.

About the American Head and Neck Society

The American Head and Neck Society (AHNS) is the single largest organization in North America for the advancement of research and education in head and neck oncology. The purpose of the AHNS is to promote and advance the knowledge of prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of neoplasms and other diseases of the head and neck; to promote and advance research in diseases of the head and neck; and to promote and advance the highest professional and ethical standards.

About the American Society of Clinical Oncology

The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) is the world's leading professional organization representing physicians who care for people with cancer. With more than 30,000 members, ASCO is committed to improving cancer care through scientific meetings, educational programs and peer-reviewed journals. ASCO is supported by its affiliate organization, the Conquer Cancer Foundation, which funds ground-breaking research and programs that make a tangible difference in the lives of people with cancer. For ASCO information and resources, visit http://www.asco.org. Patient-oriented cancer information is available at http://www.cancer.net.

About the American Society for Radiation Oncology

The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) is the largest radiation oncology society in the world, with more than 10,000 members who specialize in treating patients with radiation therapies. As the leading organization in radiation oncology, biology and physics, the Society is dedicated to improving patient care through education, clinical practice, advancement of science and advocacy. For more information on radiation therapy, visit http://www.rtanswers.org. To learn more about ASTRO, visit http://www.astro.org.

About SNMAdvancing Molecular Imaging and Therapy

SNM is an international scientific and medical organization dedicated to raising public awareness about what molecular imaging is and how it can help provide patients with the best health care possible. SNM members specialize in molecular imaging, a vital element of today's medical practice that adds an additional dimension to diagnosis, changing the way common and devastating diseases are understood and treated.

---

[ | E-mail | Share ]

?

AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert! system.

Source: http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2012-01/asfr-rfs012412.php

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Building collapses in center of Rio de Janeiro

A firefighter searches for survivors in a building that collapsed in downtown Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2012. (AP Photo/Victor R. Caivano)

A firefighter searches for survivors in a building that collapsed in downtown Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2012. (AP Photo/Victor R. Caivano)

Rescue worker remove a car after a building collapsed in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Wednesday Jan. 25, 2012. There is no official word on deaths, but Globo television cites unidentified Brazilian authorities as saying two bodies have been found so far. (AP Photo/Felipe Dana)

A firefighter searches for survivors in a building that collapsed in downtown Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2012. (AP Photo/Victor R. Caivano)

Rescue workers search for victims after a building collapsed in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Wednesday Jan. 25, 2012. A multistory building in Rio de Janeiro collapsed after a possible natural gas explosion. There is no official word on deaths, but Globo television cites unidentified Brazilian authorities as saying two bodies have been found so far. (AP Photo/Felipe Dana)

Rescue workers carry an injured victim after a building collapsed in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Wednesday Jan. 25, 2012. A multistory building in Rio de Janeiro collapsed after a possible natural gas explosion. There is no official word on deaths, but Globo television cites unidentified Brazilian authorities as saying two bodies have been found so far. (AP Photo/Felipe Dana)

RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) ? A multistory building collapsed in Rio's center Wednesday evening, leaving rubble strewn over a wide area but confusion about the number of possible victims and the cause.

Thick layers of debris covered cars and motorcycles. A neighboring building sustained serious damage, and television showed at least two people on its roof apparently awaiting help from firefighters.

There were differing reports about possible deaths.

A spokeswoman from the city's Civil Defense department said two people were confirmed dead, but officials from City Hall and the municipal health department later disputed that, saying no deaths had been confirmed by early Thursday. It was not clear how many people were injured.

Searchers were still picking through the rubble hours after the collapse.

There was a strong smell of natural gas in the area, but Rio's mayor said there were doubts that a gas leak caused the accident.

"There apparently was not an explosion. The collapse occurred because of structural damages," he said. "I don't think there was a gas leak."

Witnesses had reported hearing a loud explosion-like sound just before the building fell, and a strong odor of gas hung over the scene.

It was not immediately clear how big the damaged buildings were. The one nearly destroyed was at least five stories high. It sat near Rio's historic Teatro Municipal and the Fine Arts Museum, both of which appeared undamaged.

The Civil Defense official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said she believed the collapsed building was for commercial use and not residential. The explosion happened after 8 p.m. and there were hopes that would minimize the number of people who might have been in the area.

Police cordoned off the area and electricity to the street was cut off for safety reasons.

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/cae69a7523db45408eeb2b3a98c0c9c5/Article_2012-01-25-LT-Brazil-Building-Collapse/id-94a0e47eb12a483aba77a2af72939275

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Blackstone's new real estate fund passes $6 billion (Reuters)

NEW YORK (Reuters) ? Blackstone Group LP (BX.N) has raised more than $6 billion for a real estate opportunity fund, which eventually could match its current $11 billion fund, a source familiar with the matter said on Tuesday.

An opportunity fund invests in properties that yield the highest returns as a reward for carrying the greatest risk.

In today's low-interest environment, opportunistic investments yield returns in the high teens, although that is not necessarily the parameters of Blackstone's funds.

A representative from Blackstone could not be reached for immediate comment.

Fundraising for many new private equity funds has been difficult after the real estate downturn destroyed the returns that some institutional investors had counted on to reinvest. Many investors have been steering their money to veteran investors with proven track records, such as Blackstone.

On Monday, developer Related Companies said it closed its first distressed real estate asset fund, raising $825 million, or $75 million more than its target goal.

In the past, Blackstone's real estate arm, Blackstone Real Estate Advisors, has raised opportunistic funds used to buy distressed debt and non-distressed properties such as its landmark 2007 buyout of Equity Office Properties.

The story was first reported by Bloomberg.

Blackstone Real Estate Partners VII fund, is expected to close its fundraising in February 2013, the source said. Most of Blackstone Real Estate Partners VI fund was invested in U.S. properties such as mall owner General Growth Properties Inc (GGP.N) and Extended Stay hotels.

(Reporting by Ilaina Jonas; Editing by Gary Hill)

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/business/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20120125/bs_nm/us_blackstone_fund

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Alliance Kamdem Restraining Order Request Against Gabriel Aubry: Denied!

While Halle Berry attempts to deny Gabriel Aubry access to daughter Nahla - following a report that claims he shoved the child's nanny while she was holding the three-year old - a Los Angeles judge has granted this model one tiny victory in court.

Alliance Kamdem, the nanny in question, had applied for a restraining order against her former employer on grounds that he has abused her physically and emotionally, twice pushing her out of doorways; sometimes violently snatching his child out of her arms; and once even saying she was a "spy."

But a judge referred to Kamdem's petition today as "insufficient and speculative." He said she should take her complaint to family court.

Alliance quit her position after the most recent incident and has also filed a police report against Aubry.

[Photo: WENN.com]

Source: http://www.thehollywoodgossip.com/2012/01/alliance-kamdem-restraining-order-request-against-gabriel-aubry/

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Presidential contest shifts to Florida after Gingrich SC victory scrambles race (Star Tribune)

Share With Friends: | | Politics - Top Stories News, RSS and RSS Feed via Feedzilla.

Source: http://news.feedzilla.com/en_us/stories/politics/top-stories/189930019?client_source=feed&format=rss

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States are all over the map on health overhaul (AP)

A list of states and their uninsured population, grouped according to the progress they have made in establishing health insurance exchanges, a linchpin for expanding coverage under President Barack Obama's health care overhaul law.

ADOPTED A PLAN

State Uninsured Population (Est.)

California 7,471,382

Colorado 817,264

Connecticut 390,862

Washington, D.C. 65,253

Hawaii 102,115

Maryland 734,044

Massachusetts 214,894

Nevada 555,193

Oregon 677,599

Rhode Island 121,675

Utah 424,220

Vermont 61,152

Washington 812,012

West Virginia 265,677

SUBSTANTIAL PROGRESS

State Uninsured Population (Est.)

Alabama 696,118

Arizona 1,305,846

Delaware 114,609

Illinois 1,794,685

Indiana 855,635

Iowa 291,718

Maine 146,161

Michigan 1,336,484

Minnesota 453,310

Mississippi 529,703

Nebraska 225,830

New Jersey 1,333,880

New Mexico 506,466

New York 2,780,202

North Carolina 1,583,235

Pennsylvania 1,319,094

Virginia 1,023,247

OUTLOOK UNCLEAR

State Uninsured Population (Est.)

Alaska 128,074

Georgia 1,992,002

Idaho 239,073

Kansas 361,310

Kentucky 726,674

Missouri 780,077

Montana 178,785

North Dakota 74,092

Ohio 1,578,061

Oklahoma 596,817

South Carolina 753,650

South Dakota 108,011

Tennessee 981,670

Texas 6,654,183

Wisconsin 562,376

Wyoming 83,587

NO SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS

State Uninsured Population (Est.)

Arkansas 545,192

Florida 3,951,924

Louisiana 810,894

New Hampshire 136,023

___

Sources: Associated Press, Urban Institute

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/obama/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20120122/ap_on_re_us/us_health_overhaul_states_list

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6waves Lolapps Buys Mobile Games Developer Escalation Studios

Social gaming company 6waves Lolapps (6L) this morning announced its acquisition of Dallas-based Escalation Studios, a mobile games development firm. Three months ago, 6L already moved to buy Beijing-based social gaming company Smartron5, but apparently they felt there was still some mobile gaming expertise missing.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Techcrunch/~3/gKwUvQEqaNg/

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$400 Adapter Lets Your Sony NEX Gaze Through Canon Lenses [Photography]

The number of lenses available for mirrorless pro compact snappers is dwarfed by those available for Canon SLRs. But there's no reason to feel inferior now that Conurus' Canon EF lens adapter for Sony's NEX cameras is finally available. More »

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/OjFo6lqARUM/400-adapter-lets-your-sony-nex-gaze-through-canon-lenses

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ARROWS ? F-07D: Fujitsu?s Android Phone Is Waterproof And 6.7mm Thin, Comes With 4-Inch OLED

The Infobar C01 from yesterday was a bit too much for you? Not to worry, Japan still produces "ordinary" Android phones: Fujitsu's ARROWS ? F-07D [JP], which mobile carrier NTT Docomo plans to start selling this Friday, is the newest example. It doesn't look as unique as the Infobar, but the list of specs is long and pretty impressive.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Techcrunch/~3/zjDhZ2RTHQI/

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The Times Does Geography (Powerlineblog)

Share With Friends: | | Politics - Top Stories Stories, RSS Feeds and Widgets via Feedzilla.

Source: http://news.feedzilla.com/en_us/stories/politics/top-stories/186894111?client_source=feed&format=rss

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Dressed-up stars arrive for glitzy Golden Globes (AP)

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. ? Ricky Gervais, who is prone to ruffle feathers with sharp wisecracks aimed at celebrities, made an early arrival Sunday on the Golden Globes red carpet, along with such stars as George Clooney, Sarah Michelle Gellar and the dog from "The Artist."

Clooney, who come to the awards armed with nominations for two movies, was braced for the tart-tongued Gervais, who will once again be host. "I find him very funny and I think he'll probably tee off on everybody," Clooney said.

The Globes have equally good comedy and drama masks this year. Alongside heavyweight dramas, the category for best musical or comedy at the Globes usually is more of a lark, with nominees rarely emerging with best-picture prospects for Hollywood's top prize, the Academy Awards.

Yet Sunday's musical or comedy contenders make up a strong bunch that could give their best-drama cousins at the Globes a run for their money come Oscar time.

Expected to make the most noise at the Globes ceremony, to be carried live on NBC from 8-11 p.m. EST, is the silent film "The Artist," with six nominations, including best musical or comedy, directing and writing honors for Michel Hazanavicius, and acting slots for Jean Dujardin and Berenice Bejo.

Tied for second with five nominations each are the Deep South tale "The Help" and Clooney's Hawaiian family story "The Descendants," both of them among best-drama contenders.

One of the stars Sunday arriving for the ceremony was definitely well-behaved and well-dressed ? Uggie the dog from "The Artist" did tricks on the red carpet: Standing up and rolling over to play dead. After one of the tricks, his handler adjusted his black bow tie.

With the Oscars choosing up to 10 best-picture contenders when nominations come out Jan. 24, "The Artist" could have some other lighter fare as company there. Globe musical or comedy nominees "Midnight in Paris" and "Bridesmaids" have solid Oscar nomination prospects, along with the weighty dramas academy voters historically prefer.

On the carpet, Sarah Michelle Gellar was spotted without husband Freddie Prinze Jr. "He's watching football," she told E! "This is the worst date night I could possibly think of." Nominee Sofia Vergara from "Modern Family" was in a Vera Wang gown and was asked why she liked the designer. "She sends me dresses that zip, and they close," she told E!

Red carpet interviews don't always involve words. "The Artist" actor James Cromwell was asked to describe how he felt about being at the Globe awards without talking. Wide-eyed and flashing a smile, he clapped his hands and looked skyward.

Most years, the musical or comedy category is filled with nominees that have little or no chance at the Oscars, such as last year's Globe nominees "The Tourist" and "Burlesque." The last time a musical or comedy Globe winner earned the best-picture Oscar was nine years ago, when "Chicago" triumphed at both shows.

This time, the dual categories at the Globes could create an Oscar showdown between the dramatic and musical-comedy winners.

Along with "The Artist," Kristen Wiig's wedding romp "Bridesmaids" and Woody Allen's romantic fantasy "Midnight in Paris," Globe nominees for best musical or comedy are Joseph Gordon-Levitt's cancer tale "50/50" and Michelle Williams' Marilyn Monroe story "My Week With Marilyn."

Besides "The Descendants" and "The Help," best-drama contenders are Martin Scorsese's Paris adventure "Hugo," Clooney's political thriller "The Ides of March," Brad Pitt's sports tale "Moneyball" and Steven Spielberg's World War I epic "War Horse."

Presented by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, a group of 89 entertainment reporters for overseas outlets, the Globes used to have a strong record predicting the films that would go on to win best-picture at the Oscars. But lately, a best-picture win at the Globes has not translated into victory on Oscar night.

Over the last seven years, only one Globe best-picture winner ? 2008's "Slumdog Millionaire" ? has gone on to claim the top Oscar trophy. Before that stretch, the Globes had been on an eight-year streak in which one of its two best-picture recipients also won the main prize at the Academy Awards.

Last year, "The Social Network" won best-drama at the Globes and looked like the early Oscar favorite. But momentum later swung to eventual Oscar best-picture winner "The King's Speech." The year before, "Avatar" was named best drama at the Globes, while "The Hurt Locker" took best picture at the Oscars.

The Globes have a better track record predicting who will win Oscars for acting. A year ago, all four actors who won Oscars earned Globes first ? lead players Colin Firth for "The King's Speech" and Natalie Portman for "Black Swan" and "The Fighter" supporting stars Christian Bale and Melissa Leo.

This time, "The Help" leads the acting categories with three nominations, for Viola Davis, Octavia Spencer and Jessica Chastain. Along with Clooney, Pitt and Williams, other nominees include Meryl Streep for the Margaret Thatcher story "The Iron Lady," Leonardo DiCaprio for the J. Edgar Hoover biography "J. Edgar," Christopher Plummer for the father-son tale "Beginners" and Glenn Close and Janet McTeer for the Irish drama "Albert Nobbs."

Ryan Gosling has two nominations, as dramatic actor for "The Ides of March" and actor in a musical or comedy for the romance "Crazy, Stupid, Love."

Morgan Freeman will receive the Globes' Cecil B. DeMille award for lifetime achievement at Sunday's Beverly Hilton Hotel ceremony.

Gervais has returned to host the Globes for the third-straight time. If the caustic comedian decides to again bite the hand that feeds him, a case working its way through federal court in Los Angeles might provide some of his material: the HFPA is fighting for the right to dump longtime Globes broadcaster NBC if it can get a better deal with another network.

___

Entertainment reporters Anthony McCartney and Derrik J. Lang contributed to this report.

___

Online:

http://www.goldenglobes.org

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/movies/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20120116/ap_en_mo/us_golden_globes

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