PS4 launch review roundup: How are the console and the games?

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><script async="" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js"></script><!-- 2 --><br /><ins class="adsbygoogle" data-ad-client="ca-pub-4973891917352186" data-ad-slot="3079724116" style="display: inline-block; height: 280px; width: 336px;"></ins><script>(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script><br /><div><span style="font-size: large;">PS4 launch review roundup: How are the console and the games?</span></div><div><a href="http://www.latimes.com/">http://www.latimes.com</a></div><div><br /></div><div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 10px; padding: 0px;">he <a class="taxInlineTagLink" href="http://www.latimes.com/topic/services-shopping/video-games/playstation-4-PRDCES00060.topic" id="PRDCES00060" style="color: #666666; text-decoration: none;" title="PlayStation 4">Playstation 4</a> has landed, the midnight releases are over, games are being played, and now the hype turns to critical review. All of the pre-release marketing, as persuasive as it may have been, ends up meaning nothing if the console doesn't please the Playstation faithful and persuade others to buy the console. So is the PS4 worth your $399?</div><div class="p402_premium" style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 10px; padding: 0px;">As with many next-generation consoles, reviewers seem to agree that the PS4’s technical capabilities are sound -- though the system still has plenty of hurdles left ahead if <a class="taxInlineTagLink" href="http://www.latimes.com/topic/economy-business-finance/media-industry/sony-corp.-ORCRP014162.topic" id="ORCRP014162" style="color: #666666; text-decoration: none;" title="Sony Corp.">Sony</a> wants to re-create the massive success of the earlier <a class="taxInlineTagLink" href="http://www.latimes.com/topic/services-shopping/video-games/playstation-PRDCES000000023.topic" id="PRDCES000000023" style="color: #666666; text-decoration: none;" title="PlayStation">PlayStation</a> and PlayStation 2.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 10px; padding: 0px;">Los Angeles Times games critic <a href="http://herocomplex.latimes.com/?p=111667&preview=true#/0" style="color: #2262cc;">Todd Martens praised the console’s appearance</a>, its efforts to integrate social functions, such as recording and sharing gameplay footage with friends, and its ease of installation. But a glaring problem remains.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 10px; padding: 0px;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 10px; padding: 0px;">"Whereas the PS4 was fast and relatively painless to hook up -- the system went from out-of-the-box to operational in about 20 minutes, -- the system lacks must-have content, therefore an initial 'wow' moment," <a href="http://herocomplex.latimes.com/?p=111667&preview=true#/0" style="color: #2262cc; text-decoration: none;">Martens wrote.</a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 10px; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://www.latimes.com/shareitnow/la-sh-ps4-launch-photos-20131115,0,6169671.photogallery" style="color: #2262cc; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><strong>PHOTOS: PlayStation 4 launch, midnight mania</strong></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 10px; padding: 0px;">Others have similar praise, and concerns.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 10px; padding: 0px;">“The PS4 is packed with <a href="http://popwatch.ew.com/2013/11/14/playstation-4-review/" style="color: #2262cc; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">gaming-focused features</a> and brimming with future-looking, community-driven possibilities,” Entertainment Weekly's Matt Cabral said.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 10px; padding: 0px;">“The Playstation 4 has an excellent controller, <a href="http://arstechnica.com/gaming/2013/11/playstation-4-hardware-review-off-to-a-mixed-start/" style="color: #2262cc; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">decently powerful hardware</a>, some intriguing, well-executed new features and an interface that shows belated acknowledgment of some of Sony’s most user-unfriendly past designs,” Ars Technica’s Kyle Orland wrote.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 10px; padding: 0px;">But at the end of the day, it comes down to games, and the PS4’s launch lineup, particularly its exclusives, isn’t exactly wowing critics.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 10px; padding: 0px;">Kotaku’s Stephen Totilo expressed excitement about the console’s potential, but as he wrote in his ongoing review: “<a href="http://kotaku.com/the-playstation-4-the-kotaku-review-in-progress-1463521231" style="color: #2262cc; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">I just wish</a> the launch games were better.”</div><div style="margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 10px; padding: 0px;">Flagship first-person shooter “Killzone: Shadow Fall” has been featured prominently in pre-release promotions, and the game has been widely praised for its visual leap forward. But critics are finding, underneath the sheen, significant problems.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 10px; padding: 0px;">“For all the next-gen bluster of its visuals and the repeated blunt-force attempts to ram a message home, [developer] Guerilla’s first shot on the PS4 <a href="http://www.polygon.com/2013/11/13/5097534/killzone-shadow-fall-review-ps4" style="color: #2262cc; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">retreads shooter cliches</a>, and poorly,” wrote Polygon’s Arthur Gies.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 10px; padding: 0px;">“Knack,” a game geared toward younger audiences, has met with even harsher criticism.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 10px; padding: 0px;">“Whether you’re 5 or 25, Knack is <a href="http://www.gametrailers.com/reviews/oxte8n/knack-review" style="color: #2262cc; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">boring </a>throughout its 10-hour duration,” GameTrailers said in its review.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 10px; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://herocomplex.latimes.com/?p=111667&preview=true#/0" style="color: #2262cc; text-decoration: none;"><strong>REVIEW: Is the PS4 worth your money?</strong></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 10px; padding: 0px;">The PS4’s launch lineup is rife with other high-profile installments in the “Call of Duty,” “Battlefield” and “Assassin’s Creed” series -- but those same titles, barring some graphical differences, are already available, or soon will be, on the <a class="taxInlineTagLink" href="http://www.latimes.com/topic/services-shopping/video-games/playstation-3-PRDCES000000022.topic" id="PRDCES000000022" style="color: #666666; text-decoration: none;" title="PlayStation 3">PS3</a>, <a class="taxInlineTagLink" href="http://www.latimes.com/topic/services-shopping/video-games/xbox-PRDCES000000012.topic" id="PRDCES000000012" style="color: #666666; text-decoration: none;" title="Xbox">Xbox 360</a>, Xbox One and PCs.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 10px; padding: 0px;">The lack of must-play titles is common with new consoles, though some shake off that problem sooner than others. Sony, whose Playstation 3 was plagued by the <a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=ps3+has+no+games&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&channel=fflb" style="color: #2262cc; text-decoration: none;">“PS3 has no games” meme</a> early on in the last generation, appears aware that much of its upcoming fight with Microsoft will be decided by whether it can follow through with top-notch titles.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 10px; padding: 0px;">After all, <a href="http://herocomplex.latimes.com/?p=111667&preview=true#/0" style="color: #2262cc; text-decoration: none;">as Martens wrote</a>: "Followers of the PS3 know that the system’s best games were not among the initial wave, and Sony cemented its deserved game-first reputation in 2013."</div><div style="margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 10px; padding: 0px;">During its launch event Thursday night, Sony teased several titles, some of which will be exclusive to the PS4, including new installments in the popular “Uncharted” and “inFAMOUS” series and exclusive content from “Destiny.”</div><div style="margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 10px; padding: 0px;">Watch the trailers below and see if those titles are enough to persuade you to be an early adopter, or wait a year or two for the PS4 library to grow.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 10px; padding: 0px;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="400" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/_SnJPTkrD7o" width="620"></iframe></div><br /><div style="margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 10px; padding: 0px;"><br /></div></div></div></div><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/CZ6MNSdUZ20" width="560"></iframe></div>

PS4 launch review roundup: How are the console and the games? PS4 launch review roundup: How are the console and the games?

PS4 launch review roundup: How are the console and the games? http://www.latimes.com he  Playstation 4  has landed, the midnight releases ar...

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iPhone 6 rumor rollup for the week ending Nov. 15

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><script async="" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js"></script><!-- 2 --><br /><ins class="adsbygoogle" data-ad-client="ca-pub-4973891917352186" data-ad-slot="3079724116" style="display: inline-block; height: 280px; width: 336px;"></ins><script>(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script><br /><div><span style="font-size: large;">iPhone 6 rumor rollup for the week ending Nov. 15</span></div><div><a href="http://www.networkworld.com/">http://www.networkworld.com</a></div><div><div class="first" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px; padding: 0px;"><span class="article-source" style="color: #999999;">Network World - </span>Fortunately for the iOSphere, Bloomberg found a “person familiar with Apple’s plans” to spill the beans and provide a week’s worth of rumor cud-chewing over the iPhone 6 display.</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px; padding: 0px;">While many iOSpherians are convinced that the iPhone 6 will have a bigger display and a curved display, there is Deep Uncertainty about how big, or which way the curve will, you know, curve.</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px; padding: 0px;">But let’s not quibble. This one source, in a story written by two reporters, was also familiar with Apple’s plans to introduce not one but two Bigger Screened iPhone 6 handsets. Thanksgiving Day has come early this year.</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px; padding: 0px;">You read it here second.</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px; padding: 0px;"><em>“I have absolutely no doubt whatsoever that Apple is investigating curved displays… That doesn't mean, however, that just because Apple looked at something that they're going to release it.”</em></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px; padding: 0px;">Avi Greengart, analyst, Current Analysis</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px; padding: 0px;"><em>“Analyst Debunks Curved Display On iPhone 6 Release Date”</em></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px; padding: 0px;">Kristin Dian Mariano, International Business Times, with the iOSpherian translation of Greengart’s commonsense observation.</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px; padding: 0px;"><strong>iPhone 6 will have two screen sizes, curved “glass,” and maybe pressure sensors</strong></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px; padding: 0px;">Talk about a cornucopia of Innovation, eh?  This abundance of information overflows from a Bloomberg story, “<a href="http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-11-10/apple-said-developing-curved-iphone-screens-enhanced-sensors.html" style="color: #0f7cc2; text-decoration: none;">Apple Said Developing Curved iPhone Screens, New Sensors</a>,” by Tim Culpan and Adam Satariano.</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px; padding: 0px;">And where did it come from you ask? From “a person familiar with the plans.” Or, as experienced iOSpherians like to say, a PFWP.</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px; padding: 0px;">Maybe they caught Tim Cook or Phil Schiller when he was in a chatty mood in an elevator. Or maybe they talked to the drycleaner of the next door neighbor of the best friend of a coworker who has a cousin who plays online games with an engineer who overheard an Apple designer talking to someone before the subway door closed. But somebody who’s not just anybody.</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px; padding: 0px;">[<strong>IPHONEYS:</strong> <a href="http://www.networkworld.com/slideshow/85223/iphoneys-the-iphone-6-and-iphone-5s-edition.html" style="color: #0f7cc2; text-decoration: none;">The iPhone 6 edition</a>]</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px; padding: 0px;">“Two models planned for release in the second half of next year would feature larger displays with glass that curves downward at the edges, said the person, declining to be identified because the details aren’t public. Sensors that can distinguish heavy or light touches on the screen may be incorporated into subsequent models, the person said.</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px; padding: 0px;">BGR’s Zach Epstein a<a href="http://bgr.com/2013/11/11/iphone-6-specs-curved-screens/%20" style="color: #0f7cc2; text-decoration: none;">rgues in his post</a> on the Bloomberg story that the phrasing “with glass that curves downward at the edges” is not a reference to a curved displays “but rather that the glass covering the panels will be curved.” Which doesn’t clarify much: does he mean the display is flat but it’s covered with a convex glass cover? Or that the glass cover is flat but it curves down over the edge of the phone?</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px; padding: 0px;">Curved screens – both convex and concave - have been an obsession with the iOSphere for months, even years, though with little analysis on how or why curving the screen, or the “glass,” actually improves the phone. The obsession has been intensified by Samsung’s Galaxy Round smartphone, which curves upward from the two sides, and the just-announced LG G Flex, which curves upward from the top and bottom.</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px; padding: 0px;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 10px; padding: 0px;">The latter design at least has the sense to mimic traditional wired handset designs going back 70 years, as shown in <a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/74/Alt_Telefon.jpg/698px-Alt_Telefon.jpg" style="color: #0f7cc2; text-decoration: none;">this Wikipedia image</a> of a rotary phone from the 1940s.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 10px; padding: 0px;">The Bloomberg reporters suggest that perhaps it’s a curved BIG screen that’s vital to Apple’s future, because the Galaxy Round is Samsung’s “latest phone in an array of sizes and price points that’s helping keep Samsung ahead of Apple in global market share.” The PFWP says the screens will measure 4.7 and 5.5 inches, which would make them, as Culpan and Satariano astutely point out, “Apple’s largest iPhones,” since the current 5S and 5C measure just 4.0 inches.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 10px; padding: 0px;">It “seems rather curious that Apple would introduce two new displays sizes at the same time,” posted a skeptical John Gruber at his DaringFireball <a href="http://daringfireball.net/linked/2013/11/11/bloomberg-iphone" style="color: #0f7cc2; text-decoration: none;">blog</a>.  “Apple has only introduced one new iPhone display size since 2007, but they’re going to introduce two at the same time next year? That smells fishy to me.”</div><div style="margin-bottom: 10px; padding: 0px;">Bloomberg’s PFWP didn’t have much to say about the new pressure sensors, which apparently are intended to detect how firmly someone is pressing on the screen and then do…well  something very cool and magical as a result.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 10px; padding: 0px;">The PFWP did add “that the company probably would release [the new phones] in the third quarter of next year.” A person familiar not only with plans but probabilities.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 10px; padding: 0px;"><strong>iPhone 6 won’t have a curved display</strong></div><div style="margin-bottom: 10px; padding: 0px;">Or maybe it won’t not have one. It’s hard to tell from reading InternationalBusinessTimes.com.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 10px; padding: 0px;">The headline of Kristin Dian Mariano’s <a href="http://au.ibtimes.com/articles/521852/20131113/iphone-6-release-date-curved-screen-display.htm" style="color: #0f7cc2; text-decoration: none;">post</a> is emphatically assertive: “Analyst Debunks Curved Display On iPhone 6 Release Date”</div><div style="margin-bottom: 10px; padding: 0px;">Yet the post’s first sentence changes that completely: “Apple may not show off a curved display on iPhone 6 release date, according to an analyst.”</div><div style="margin-bottom: 10px; padding: 0px;">The analyst is Avi Greengart, research director for consumer devices at Current Analysis, who is simply making the utterly common sense observation that Apple, like other companies, creates a whole bunch of ideas, tests many of them out, throws most of them out, and finally eventually comes up with improved or new products.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 10px; padding: 0px;">“I have absolutely no doubt whatsoever that Apple is investigating curved displays and any other component coming on to the scenes. That's what Apple does. Apple tests things out internally to see if they make sense,” Greengart is quote in Mariano’s post. “That doesn't mean, however, that just because Apple looked at something that they're going to release it. They probably have watches, glasses, hover boards, and who knows what else just to see what it's like.”</div><div style="margin-bottom: 10px; padding: 0px;">In short, he’s admitting “I have no idea whether they’re planning to have a curved display on iPhone 6.” In Mariano’s skilled hands this becomes “analyst debunks curved display on iPhone 6.”</div><div style="margin-bottom: 10px; padding: 0px;">J<em>ohn Cox covers wireless networking and mobile computing for “Network World.” Twitter:<span style="text-decoration: underline;">http://twitter.com/johnwcoxnww</span>  Email: <span style="text-decoration: underline;">john_cox@nww.com</span></em></div><div style="margin-bottom: 10px; padding: 0px;"><br /></div><div style="margin-bottom: 10px; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://www.networkworld.com/topics/wireless.html" style="color: #0f7cc2; text-decoration: none;" target="blank">Read more about wireless & mobile</a> in Network World's Wireless & Mobile section.</div></div></div>

iPhone 6 rumor rollup for the week ending Nov. 15 iPhone 6 rumor rollup for the week ending Nov. 15

iPhone 6 rumor rollup for the week ending Nov. 15 http://www.networkworld.com Network World -  Fortunately for the iOSphere, Bloomberg found...

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Almost Human May Feel Similar to Fringe, But It's a Very Different Future

<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><img src="http://www.tvguide.com/images/headshots/natalie-abrams.jpg" width="600"/><img src="http://static.phx2.tvgcdn.net/MediaBin/Content/131111/News/5_fri/thumbs/131115almost-human1_300x206.jpg" width="600"/><br /><p>Where 's old sets in Vancouver once housed a fake cow named Gene and rows of jars filled with red vines and other assorted candy, now stands Almost Human's space-age-looking police precinct. But using the same sound stage isn't the only thing the two Fox shows have in common.</p><br /><p>Like Fringe, Almost Human (Sunday, 8/7c) also comes fromproducers J.J. Abrams and J.H. Wyman and is set in the not too distant future. Police officers are partnered with androids as they tackle cases with futuristic elements that border on the fringe. Sound familiar? But apart from those glaring similarities, Abrams insists that the shows are fundamentally different.</p><br />Almost Human tackles the dangers of robots in the future<br /><p>'The Venn diagram of these two [shows] might be that they're pushing the edge of technology and what might be possible in that regard,' he says. '[ Almost Human is] much more of a cop show that you might feel is familiar with a huge wrench thrown into that. It feels very distinct and different from the world of Fringe, which, at its core was a much more serialized show about this dysfunctional father-son [relationship] and romance that went over not just years, but different worlds. This is a show that doesn't quite get into that level of serialized storytelling.'</p><br /><p>On the series, Detective John Kennex ( Karl Urban) wakes from a two-year coma after an incident that claimed the lives of several officers, making him a pariah upon his return to the precinct. Making his transition more difficult is the mandate that officers now must ride with an android. Kennex quickly dispatches his robo-partner because '[he] has always been a little bit reserved when it comes to relying on technology to do a man's job,' Urban explains. As a replacement, he gets a defunct and flawed model named Dorian ( Michael Ealy) that exhibits compassion - something Kennex will not be happy about. Urban notes, 'The wonderful thing about the partnership with Dorian is that it engineers somewhat of a paradigm shift.'</p><br /><p>Kennex and Dorian's partnership highlights another big difference the series has from Fringe in the exploitation of and dependence the future has on technology. Where the former series focused on a desperate group trying to hold on to a semblance of family, Almost Human takes a look at those trying to hold on to humanity. ' Almost Human is about finding your place in a world that is rapidly changing,' Wyman says. 'It's about connection in a time when connection in undervalued. It's about the facility of technology to make us forget what it's like to be human in a moment and connect. It's about people trying to hold on to a humanity that is quickly being left behind. It's about people who deeply care about others who are willing to put their lives on the line in order to maintain peace and order in a world where not all the time do they get the proper credit for.'</p><br />Fringe's J.H. Wyman discusses series finale, teases new series Almost Human<br /><p>It's that desperate need to be human that's actually one of Dorian's biggest flaws because he can never achieve that goal. 'It's one of his more charming qualities, but it's also one of his biggest flaws because he's not happy with who he is,' Ealy says. 'Anyone who's not happy with who they are, obviously that can create problems.'</p><br /><p>In a way, Kennex can relate, which is why they make the perfect partners, even if they don't know it just yet. Following the incident - caused by a mysterious organization called Insyndicate - Kennex has been struggling to find his own way back to normalcy. 'This guy is coming out of a coma and he's been out for two years,' Urban says. 'In that regard, he's kind of like a dinosaur. He's waking to a world that's quite different. It's recognizable, but it's different even in two years. Not only is he trying to find his place in the society, he's also trying to deal with the baggage of the past.'</p><br /><p>The mostly case-of-the-week show will evolve into that of a buddy cop drama, of sorts, once Kennex does finally let himself trust Dorian. Both Ealy and Urban liken their characters' relationship evolution to the one in Midnight Run. 'That's a really good touchstone for the ballpark we want to be in,' Urban says. 'Two characters thrown into a situation that neither of them want to be in. Well, Dorian wants to be in this situation, but Kennex doesn't. Through the course of them spending time, there develops a bond and a friendship and the respect. But they're still getting under each other's skin.'</p><br /><p>But Almost Human will have some serialized aspects, namely in Insyndicate, the aforementioned organization that will cause Kennex and the police department much strife. 'There are many groups that are actually taking advantage of the fact that the [technology] genie is out of the bottle and taking advantage of the fact that they can make money in new ways and they can use people in new ways and they can destroy the world because they want to see it burned in new ways,' Wyman says. 'Insyndicate is one of these many faces that are terrifying.'</p><br /><p>Almost Human debuts with a two-night event starting Sunday at 8/7c on Fox.</p><br /><p>Will you tune in for Almost Human?</p><br /></div>

ENTERTAINMENT Almost Human May Feel Similar to Fringe, But It's a Very Different Future

Where 's old sets in Vancouver once housed a fake cow named Gene and rows of jars filled with red vines and other assorted candy, now st...

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Box Office: 'Best Man Holiday' Surges Friday, Could Cross $33 Million

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><script async="" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js"></script><!-- 2 --><br /><ins class="adsbygoogle" data-ad-client="ca-pub-4973891917352186" data-ad-slot="3079724116" style="display: inline-block; height: 280px; width: 336px;"></ins><script>(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script><br /><div><span style="font-size: large;">Box Office: 'Best Man Holiday' Surges Friday, Could Cross $33 Million</span></div><div><a href="http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/">http://www.hollywoodreporter.com</a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><img alt="The Best Man Holiday Still 1 - H 2013" src="http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/sites/default/files/2013/11/2427_d021_00372r_crop.jpg" /></div><div><h2 class="main_article_deck" style="background-color: white; color: #252525; font-family: 'Vonness Bold Compressed', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 26px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 30px; margin: 15px 0px; padding: 10px 0px 0px;">The African-American comedy could come much closer to "Thor: The Dark World" than expected.</h2><div class="article_body" style="background-color: white; color: #454545; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 16px 0px 0px;"><div style="padding: 0px 0px 12px;"><strong>Malcolm D. Lee</strong>'s sequel <em>The Best Man Holiday</em> -- opening nearly 15 years after the first film -- could approach or cross $33 million in its North American debut, vastly exceeding expectations.</div><div style="padding: 0px 0px 12px;"></div><div style="padding: 0px 0px 12px;"><strong><a href="http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/gallery/25-falls-anticipated-movies-enders-608214" style="color: #e11a1f; text-decoration: none;">PHOTOS: 25 of Fall's Most Anticipated Movies: 'Ender's Game,' 'Catching Fire,' 'The Wolf of Wall Street' and More</a></strong></div><div style="padding: 0px 0px 12px;">The Universal comedy is pacing to gross $13 million or more on Friday, possibly eclipsing <em>Thor: The Dark World</em> for the day, although <em>Thor 2 </em>is still tipped to stay at No. 1 in its second weekend with a gross north of $37 million.</div><div style="padding: 0px 0px 12px;"><em>Thor 2 </em>could approach $450 million in global ticket sales by the end of the weekend -- catching up with the entire gross of the first<em>Thor</em> ($449.3 million) in another major victory for Disney and Marvel Studios' <em>Avengers</em> universe.</div><div style="padding: 0px 0px 12px;"></div><div class="article_body" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px 16px 0px 0px;"><div style="padding: 0px 0px 12px;">From Universal, <em>Best Man Holiday</em> -- projected to top out at $20 million -- sees <strong>Morris Chestnut</strong>, <strong>Taye Diggs</strong>, <strong>Regina Hall</strong>,<strong>Terrence Howard</strong>, <strong>Sanaa Lathan</strong>, <strong>Nia Long</strong>, <strong>Monica Calhoun</strong> and <strong>Melissa De Sousa</strong> reprising their roles. The first film, opening to $9 million in 1999, is credited with helping to usher in the era of aspirational African-American comedies.</div><div style="padding: 0px 0px 12px;">Black films have been making strong gains at the North American box office, with <em>Fruitvale Station</em>,<em>Lee Daniels' The Butler</em> and <em>12 Years a Slave</em> all overperforming. Those movies -- all dramas -- are drawing a mixed audience, while <em>Best Man Holiday </em>is expected to play primarily to African-Americans, similar to <strong>Tyler Perry</strong>'s pics.</div><div style="padding: 0px 0px 12px;">Universal spent a modest $17 million to make the sequel, which Lee produced with <strong>Sean Daniel</strong>.</div><div style="padding: 0px 0px 12px;">This weekend was supposed to have seen the debut of <strong>Martin </strong><strong>Scorsese</strong>'s <em>The Wolf of Wall Street</em>, but Paramount pushed the film to Christmas Day in order for Scorsese to trim the running time.</div><div style="padding: 0px 0px 12px;"><strong><a href="http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/best-man-holiday-cast-reveals-653803" style="color: #e11a1f; text-decoration: none;">STORY: 'Best Man Holiday’ Cast Reveals Favorite Holiday Traditions at Premiere</a></strong></div><div style="padding: 0px 0px 12px;">High-profile openings at the specialty box office include <strong>Alexander Payne</strong>'s awards entry <em>Nebraska</em>, starring <strong>Bruce Dern</strong> and <strong>Will Forte</strong>. Paramount is opening the critically acclaimed film festival darling in New York and Los Angeles.</div><div style="padding: 0px 0px 12px;">Also debuting in select theaters is <em>Charlie Countryman</em>, starring<strong> Shia LaBeouf </strong>opposite <strong>Evan Rachel Wood</strong>. Millennium Films is distributing the movie domestically.</div><div style="padding: 0px 0px 12px;">Fox 2000's <em>The Book Thief,</em> opening last weekend in New York and L.A., expands into an additional seven markets.</div><div style="padding: 0px 0px 12px;"><strong><a href="http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/hunger-games-catching-fire-5-655057" style="color: #e11a1f; text-decoration: none;">STORY: 'Hunger Games: Catching Fire': 5 Most Anticipated Scenes</a></strong></div><div style="padding: 0px 0px 12px;">Next weekend, the 2013 holiday season gets underway in earnest with the release of Lionsgate's <em>The Hunger Games: Catching Fire.</em> The sequel is poised to turn into an instant blockbuster, with bullish box-office observers saying it could open to a mammoth $170 million domestically (the first film debuted to $152.5 million in March 2012).</div><div style="padding: 0px 0px 12px;"><em>Catching Fire</em> is rolling out early in Brazil, where it opens this weekend. It will open in most international markets next weekend, timed to its North American launch.</div></div><div id="prev-next" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 16px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a class="prev-story story-link" href="http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/decked-esquire-network-how-i-656328" style="color: #e11a1f; text-decoration: none;"><span class="icon-prev-next-arrow arrow"></span></a><br /><h4 class="hd-i" style="font-weight: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a class="prev-story story-link" href="http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/decked-esquire-network-how-i-656328" style="color: #e11a1f; text-decoration: none;">Previous Story</a></h4><a class="prev-story story-link" href="http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/decked-esquire-network-how-i-656328" style="color: #e11a1f; text-decoration: none;"><h3 class="hd-j" style="font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Decked Out: Producer Jonas Bell Pasht</h3></a><a class="next-story story-link" href="http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/randy-thom-656254" style="color: #e11a1f; text-decoration: none;"><span class="icon-prev-next-arrow arrow"></span><h4 class="hd-i" style="font-weight: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Next Story</h4><h3 class="hd-j" style="font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Randy Thom</h3></a></div><br /><br /><div style="padding: 0px 0px 12px;"><br /></div></div></div></div>

Box Office: 'Best Man Holiday' Surges Friday Could Cross $33 Million Box Office: 'Best Man Holiday' Surges Friday, Could Cross $33 Million

Box Office: 'Best Man Holiday' Surges Friday, Could Cross $33 Million http://www.hollywoodreporter.com The African-American comedy c...

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Gmail for iOS Gets iPad

<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><img src="http://www3.pcmag.com/media/images/407636-gmail-for-ios-ipad.jpg?thumb=y" width="600"/><br /><p>Google this week released an update to its Gmail for iOS mobile apps, making it easier for iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch users to stay organized.</p><br /><p>The upgrades, however, focus mostly on the tablet version, with its large screen and added room for multitasking.</p><br /><p>'If you hold your iPad in landscape mode, you'll immediately notice the new left hand navigation bar, which allows you to quickly switch between inbox categories, or between multiple accounts, with a single tap,' software engineer Carmen Wilkinson boasted in a blog post.</p><br /><p>By default, the app opens directly to the unread folder, an Inbox subcategory kept separate from the everything folder, where all inbox emails — read or unread — are housed. The iPad version also includes colorful message counters for each category, including inbox, groups, and offers, to help users sort through emails more quickly.</p><br /><p>For a more focused experience, hold the tablet in portrait mode to get a full-screen look at individual messages and message threads.</p><br /><p>Some of the same functions are available to iPhone and iPod users, including the unread and everything folders. Small-screen users, however, will not find the same bright category notifications or the convenient side navigation bar.</p><br /><p>Additional app improvements include scrolling performance and additional space to compose messages in full screen.</p><br /><p>The updated Gmail application is available now for free download in the Apple iTunes Store.</p><br /><p>Earlier this week, Google expanded its quick action button service, and launched the ability to view and save attachments directly to Google Drive. The latter, which allows users to view attachments and save them directly to Google Drive without leaving the app, is also available on the iPad.</p><br /><p>These new features roll out as Google gears up to face wiretapping charges over Gmail scanning.</p><br /><p>For more, see PCMag's review of Gmail for iPhone and the slideshow above.</p><br /></div>

Technology Gmail for iOS Gets iPad

Google this week released an update to its Gmail for iOS mobile apps, making it easier for iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch users to stay organi...

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16-Nov-2013 06:57

China to ease one-child policy: state media - Hindustan Times :: <a href="http://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/china-to-ease-one-child-policy-state-media/article1-1151604.aspx">http://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/china-to-ease-one-child-policy-state-media/article1-1151604.aspx</a><br /><br><br /><br>Mass. Man Charged in Alleged Bulger Victim's Death - ABC News :: <a href="http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/murder-charge-death-potential-bulger-witness-20906006">http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/murder-charge-death-potential-bulger-witness-20906006</a><br /><br><br /><br>Renovated Founders Plaza reopens in time for JFK commemoration - Dallas Morning News :: <a href="http://www.dallasnews.com/news/metro/20131115-renovated-founders-plaza-reopens-in-time-for-jfk-commemoration.ece">http://www.dallasnews.com/news/metro/20131115-renovated-founders-plaza-reopens-in-time-for-jfk-commemoration.ece</a><br /><br><br /><br>Missing California family 'found in shallow graves' - BBC News :: <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-24966693">http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-24966693</a><br /><br><br /><br>Our hero! Batkid saves the day in San Francisco - USA TODAY :: <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/11/15/batkid-san-francisco/3588173/">http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/11/15/batkid-san-francisco/3588173/</a><br /><br><br /><br>LAPD probing reports wounded TSA officer waited 33 minutes for aid - CBS News :: <a href="http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-201_162-57612645/lapd-probing-reports-wounded-tsa-officer-waited-33-minutes-for-aid/">http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-201_162-57612645/lapd-probing-reports-wounded-tsa-officer-waited-33-minutes-for-aid/</a><br /><br><br /><br>Murder Charge in a Shooting on Doorstep - New York Times :: <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/16/us/michigan-homeowner-charged-in-renisha-mcbrides-death.html">http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/16/us/michigan-homeowner-charged-in-renisha-mcbrides-death.html</a><br /><br><br /><br>Toronto council to make Ford mayor in name only - Businessweek :: <a href="http://www.businessweek.com/ap/2013-11-16/toronto-council-to-make-ford-mayor-in-name-only">http://www.businessweek.com/ap/2013-11-16/toronto-council-to-make-ford-mayor-in-name-only</a><br /><br><br /><br>Democrats Defect on Health Rules - Wall Street Journal :: <a href="http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702303789604579199611237337606">http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702303789604579199611237337606</a><br /><br><br /><br>Philippines typhoon: UK commits extra £30m in aid - BBC News :: <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-24970066">http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-24970066</a>

16-Nov-2013 06:57

China to ease one-child policy: state media - Hindustan Times :: http://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/china-to-ease-one-child-policy-st...

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UCLA takes care of business, and Washington, 41

<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><p><img src="http://www.trbimg.com/img-5286bf29/turbine/la-sp-sn-ucla-vs-washington-live-game-updates--001/600" width="600"/> </p><br /><p>Quarterback Brett Hundley, rolling out for a pass against Colorado earlier this season, leads UCLA into a key Pac-12 Conference game vs. Washington on Friday night. (Stephen Dunn / Getty Images / )</p><br /><p>UCLA running back Damien Thigpen, who has been hobbled by an injured ankle, is participating in warm-ups.</p><br /><p>But the Bruins' leader rusher from last week is not with the running backs group.</p><br /><p>No surprise there. In case you missed it, Coach Jim Mora has said about a bazillion and three times in the past few days that Myles Jack 'is a linebacker.'</p><br /><p>Yes coach, we know that. But we still think that if you really want to win tonight's game you might hand him the ball a few times.</p><br /><p>And we know Mora really wants to win tonight's game.</p><br /><p>It's probably not fair to expect Jack to perform as he did last week against Arizona, though. UCLA caught the Wildcats by surprise using a three-back set that included Jack and fellow linebacker Jordan Zumwalt.</p><br /><p>That set won't catch Arizona State by surprise, but you wonder what else UCLA offensive coordinator Noel Mazzone might have up his sleeve.</p><br /><p>Against Arizona, Jack rushed for 120 yards in six carries, including a 66-yard touchdown romp. Zumwalt caught a pass for a 12-yard gain and a key first down.</p><br /><p>---</p><br /><p>With kickoff about an hour away, Los Angeles Times' UCLA beat reporter Chris Foster reminds us that the last time the Bruins played Washington was 2010. Rick Neuheisel was UCLA's coach and Jim Mora was in analyst on television.</p><br /><p>Mora is now on the sidelines and Neuheisel is in the studio.</p><br /><p>The Bruins and Huskies play again tonight at the Rose Bowl under a cloudy sky. UCLA sits one game back of Arizona State in the Pac-12 South Division.</p><br /><p>Washington won the 2010 game, 24-7, in Seattle, but has lost seven consecutive games to UCLA at the Rose Bowl dating back to 1995.</p><br /><strong>ALSO:</strong> Bruins, Huskies look to be among Pac-12 elite UCLA vs. Washington: How the teams match up Nick Pasquale has 0.26 blood alcohol level at time of death</div>

SPORTS UCLA takes care of business, and Washington, 41

Quarterback Brett Hundley, rolling out for a pass against Colorado earlier this season, leads UCLA into a key Pac-12 Conference game vs. Wa...

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Toronto Mayor Rob Ford apologises for oral-sex remarks

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><script async="" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js"></script><!-- 2 --><br /><ins class="adsbygoogle" data-ad-client="ca-pub-4973891917352186" data-ad-slot="3079724116" style="display: inline-block; height: 280px; width: 336px;"></ins><script>(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script><br /><div><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/">http://www.bbc.co.uk</a></div><div><img src="http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/71127000/jpg/_71127257_fordqdfwqf.jpg" /></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="introduction" id="story_continues_1" style="background-color: white; clear: left; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helmet, Freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 1.077em; font-weight: bold; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 18px; padding: 0px; text-rendering: auto;">Troubled Toronto Mayor Rob Ford has apologised for obscene comments he made on live TV while denying he had offered oral sex to a female staff member.</div><div style="background-color: white; clear: left; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helmet, Freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 1.077em; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 18px; padding: 0px; text-rendering: auto;">The Canadian politician used what he called "unforgivable language", in remarks to reporters.</div><div style="background-color: white; clear: left; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helmet, Freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 1.077em; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 18px; padding: 0px; text-rendering: auto;">He also threatened to take legal action against former employees who made claims about his drinking and drug use.</div><div style="background-color: white; clear: left; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helmet, Freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 1.077em; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 18px; padding: 0px; text-rendering: auto;">It is the latest scandal to engulf 44-year-old Mr Ford, who last week admitted smoking crack cocaine.</div><div style="background-color: white; clear: left; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helmet, Freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 1.077em; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 18px; padding: 0px; text-rendering: auto;">Police documents released on Wednesday quoted Ford associates as saying that the mayor had driven drunk, used racially abusive language, threatened staff, consorted with a woman suspected of being a prostitute and made a sexual proposition to a female staff member.</div><div style="background-color: white; clear: left; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helmet, Freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 1.077em; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 18px; padding: 0px; text-rendering: auto;"><span style="color: #505050; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16px;">'Particularly disappointing'</span></div><div style="background-color: white; clear: left; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helmet, Freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 1.077em; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 18px; padding: 0px; text-rendering: auto;"></div><div style="clear: left; font-size: 1.077em; margin-bottom: 18px; padding: 0px; text-rendering: auto;">On Thursday morning, he told reporters the allegations were "outright lies", although he conceded he might have driven after taking alcohol.</div><div style="clear: left; font-size: 1.077em; margin-bottom: 18px; padding: 0px; text-rendering: auto;">However, reporters were left gasping by his profane outburst as he denied having once offered oral sex to a former female employee.</div><div style="clear: left; font-size: 1.077em; margin-bottom: 18px; padding: 0px; text-rendering: auto;">The father of two young children said that he was "happily married" and crudely commented that he enjoyed enough oral sex at home.</div><div style="clear: left; font-size: 1.077em; margin-bottom: 18px; padding: 0px; text-rendering: auto;">Later on Thursday, Mr Ford was flanked by his wife, Renata, as he expressed regret for the "graphic" language, the latest in a string of apologies.</div><div style="clear: left; font-size: 1.077em; margin-bottom: 18px; padding: 0px; text-rendering: auto;">He said his integrity as a father and husband had been attacked, prompting him to "see red".</div><div style="clear: left; font-size: 1.077em; margin-bottom: 18px; padding: 0px; text-rendering: auto;"></div><div id="story_continues_2" style="clear: left; font-size: 1.077em; margin-bottom: 18px; padding: 0px; text-rendering: auto;">"I acted on complete impulse in my remarks," he said.</div><div style="clear: left; font-size: 1.077em; margin-bottom: 18px; padding: 0px; text-rendering: auto;">Mr Ford also announced he was getting help from healthcare professionals.</div><div style="clear: left; font-size: 1.077em; margin-bottom: 18px; padding: 0px; text-rendering: auto;">The erratic mayor was wearing a Toronto Argonauts jersey when he made the sexually charged comments.</div><div style="clear: left; font-size: 1.077em; margin-bottom: 18px; padding: 0px; text-rendering: auto;">The Canadian Football League team said in a statement: "These latest remarks, while wearing our team's jersey, are particularly disappointing."</div><br /></div></div>

Toronto Mayor Rob Ford apologises for oral-sex remarks Toronto Mayor Rob Ford apologises for oral-sex remarks

http://www.bbc.co.uk Troubled Toronto Mayor Rob Ford has apologised for obscene comments he made on live TV while denying he had offered ora...

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Our hero! Batkid saves the day in San Francisco

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><script async="" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js"></script><!-- 2 --><br /><ins class="adsbygoogle" data-ad-client="ca-pub-4973891917352186" data-ad-slot="3079724116" style="display: inline-block; height: 280px; width: 336px;"></ins><script>(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script><br /><div><span style="font-size: large;">Our hero! Batkid saves the day in San Francisco</span></div><div><a href="http://www.usatoday.com/">http://www.usatoday.com</a></div><div><img alt="batkid" src="http://www.gannett-cdn.com/-mm-/33a755a3bab491aa2cc746acff0328c2fffac5ba/c=0-0-4976-3729&r=x404&c=534x401/local/-/media/USATODAY/test/2013/11/15//1384552934000-GTY-188111729.jpg" /></div><div><br /></div><div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 60px;">SAN FRANCISCO — The day dawned blue and warm. Perfect weather for a robbery. Or so the Penguin thought.</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 60px;">Saving the day while raising the spirits of a major U.S. city was pint-sized Miles Scott, 5. Miles is in remission from leukemia, and, thanks to the Make-A-Wish Foundation, managed to turn his obsession with comic book heroes into the real thing. Well, almost. There was no way Penguin was going to get away with anything on Friday.</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 60px;">Thousands of San Franciscans responded to an avalanche of social media blasts, lining the streets wherever Miles and a full-sized Batman swooped into action. At Hyde and Green streets, there was a damsel in distress to rescue, and the bat duo arrived in a Lamborghini with Batman decals. At 550 Montgomery St., a burgled bank vault needed to be liberated. And at Union Square, there was a hamburger to down.</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 60px;"><b>HOLY BIPARTISANSHIP, BATMAN: </b><a href="http://www.usatoday.com/story/onpolitics/2013/11/15/batkid-san-francisco-obama-twitter/3592347/" style="color: #1990e5; text-decoration: none;" title="http://www.usatoday.com/story/onpolitics/2013/11/15/batkid-san-francisco-obama-twitter/3592347/">Obama, politicos root for Batkid to save the day</a></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 60px;">"This just restores your faith in humanity," said Carmen Kiew, 30, a sports blogger who sat on the steps of Union Square with a handmade sign that read "Gotham's Hero."</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 60px;">"I love that this city came together for a little kid who has been so brave," Kiew said. "Between the police and everyday citizens who felt it was important to show their support, it just makes you feel great."</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 60px;">Behind Kiew, thousands of citizens of Gotham-for-the-Day held up camera phones as they awaited the bat-eared duo's arrival. The bat pair took a lunch break inside Macy's before heading to AT&T Park to foil the Penguin once and for all, and then — of course — would show up at City Hall to get the key to the city from San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee.</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 60px;">Every other T-shirt on Friday seemed to sport the famous Batman logo in support of Miles; some were simply hand-drawn with markers, while others were official Batkid tees, which were sold by uniformed police officers at $20 a pop, with all proceeds going to the Make-A-Wish Foundation.</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 60px;"><img alt="View image on Twitter" src="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BZI5PadCMAE0Y55.jpg" /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 60px;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 60px;">"That poor little kid," said Daniela Vilchis-Lent, 18, who came from Oakland with five relatives, some as young as 2, to cheer Batkid on. "If my taking a little time to be here helps him, then I'm glad to do it."</div><div style="margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 60px;">By all accounts, the groundswell of civic support even caught Make-A-Wish by surprise. When a local social marketing company reached out a few weeks ago, asking what the foundation's plan was to spread the word about Miles, "They honestly didn't have a plan and were happy for the help," says Stefania Pomponi, founder of the Clever Girls Collective.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 60px;">Pomponi and her staff promptly contacted Twitter, which provided the <a href="http://twitter.com/SFBatKid" style="color: #1990e5; text-decoration: none;" title="http://twitter.com/SFBatKid">@SFBatKid handle</a>. Then things blew up, in the way that online viruses can.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 60px;">"It wasn't long before we were getting e-mails and tweets from all over the world, people saying that they were so glad they could participate in this event thanks to social media," said Pomponi. "It's been amazing. It's truly developed a life of its own."</div><div style="margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 60px;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 60px;">Miles, who lives in Tulelake in far Northern California, was diagnosed with leukemia when he was 18 months old, ended treatments in June and is now in remission.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 60px;">His father, Nick Scott, thanked the Greater Bay Area Make-A-Wish Foundation and the estimated 7,000 people who were helping make his son's wish come true.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 60px;">"All the doctors, nurses and all the other parents that have to deal with the same thing we're going through. I hope they get a conclusion to their illnesses like we're getting," Nick Scott told KGO-TV.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 60px;">Make-A-Wish has fulfilled similar wishes across the country. In Anaheim, a child became Batman's sidekick, Robin; and in Seattle a child was a secret agent, said Jen Wilson, a spokeswoman for the local organization.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 60px;">By the time Batkid, wearing a movie-ready mini-Caped Crusader costume, showed up at City Hall after saving San Francisco Giants mascot Lou Seal from the clutches of his nemesis, the gathered masses could not contain their excitement. Thousands roared as Scott made his up onto a platform; his even smaller brother was, fittingly, dressed as Robin. Everywhere, nothing but a sea of people with arms raised, cell phones in hand.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 60px;">"Today, November 15, 2013, is Batkid day forever," said Mayor Lee, as Scott chomped away on gum in front of a faux front page of the Gotham City Chronicle, whose headline blared, "Batkid Saves City". "You won our hearts with your story ... it's been a day of magic."</div><div style="margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 60px;">The mayor then cautioned Batkid that even though he'd soon be returning to his home, "we might need to have to signal for your help."</div><div style="margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 60px;">A little recuperation might be in order first. A planned interview with Batkid was scotched at the last minute, with a member of the Batkid retinue explaining that the five-year-old was hitting his wall. It seems even superheroes need a nap.</div><br /></div></div>

Our hero! Batkid saves the day in San Francisco Our hero! Batkid saves the day in San Francisco

Our hero! Batkid saves the day in San Francisco http://www.usatoday.com SAN FRANCISCO — The day dawned blue and warm. Perfect weather for a ...

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What Were They Thinking?

For a while now the entrance to the <a href="http://standardhotels.com/east-village">Standard East Village</a> on the Bowery has been behind plywood, as the hotel renovated its ground floor to move its lobby into the neighboring townhouse and reconfigure the ground floor. I found myself in the area on Friday afternoon and was shocked to see how they modified the base of the tower designed by Carlos Zapata.<br /><br />Here is the before condition, via <a href="http://goo.gl/maps/Bn8Tz">Google Street View</a>:<br /><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMEaRiVMC4-Ot0O51JPCwkXDbr9d_svecx8Tu4WDThEQtD4XYvlGJIClZCLJX45hQMzrnqB986JFZe6oI37B43huUm51ugW3d8gqOXm8dmZu6lUF3EUsr6FJHm6XS3nDvzUzi6U2Y0J85R/s1600/standard-bowery-before.jpg" /><br /><br />And here is the after, via my dumbphone:<br /><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0Jcc-am5HyoEKExwW57PTNtB3T5P2l_E5XLURo0-VZPUYAIeY6Jb00enLmtdtsu4Mqqz1SXrUsnrk_EWLAKomwyr0_0Gd1KTqXdOj_KYtgna7-O5EcSrJd-Q-APBAik1NmAkoQFvUp3R2/s1600/standard-bowery-after.jpg" /><br /><br />So instead of keeping or continuing the language of the tower they purchased, the Standard opted to extend the blue storefront they <a href="http://ny.curbed.com/archives/2013/09/04/inside_the_standard_east_villages_snazzy_new_townhouse.php">pasted onto the townhouse</a> around the old lobby, where it meets a new brick storefront, both appearing to sit in front of the glass walls from above. Beyond the totally odd juxtaposition of the modern tower and the brick and wood storefronts, the renovation covers up the stair that used to provide access to an elevated terrace on the back of the building. (Is the terrace gone? I'm not sure.) Whatever the intention (or the architect/designer, whoever that is), the hotel seems to be focusing on the eye-level experience of hotel guests and restaurant customers, assuming they'll never look up.

What Were They Thinking?

For a while now the entrance to the Standard East Village on the Bowery has been behind plywood, as the hotel renovated its ground floor to...

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FDA says recalled Medtronic guidewires potentially fatal [ BeritaTerkini ]

<div id="yom-ad-LREC" class="yom-ad yom-ad-LREC"> <center> <div id="yom-ad-LREC-iframe" class="yom-ad"></div> </center> </div> <p><br></p> <div class="body-slot-container"> <div class="body-slot-mod"> <div class="yom-remote"> <div class="yom-loading" id="mediacontentrelatedstory_container"></div> </div> </div> </div> <p>(Reuters) – The U.S. Food and Drug Administration believes there is a reasonable probability that use of lots of Medtronic Inc’s medical guidewires that were recalled in October could be fatal, the medical device maker said on Friday.</p> <p>Medtronic spokesperson Joseph McGrath said the company started recalling 14,896 guidewires, or 181 lots, in the week of October 21, after receiving four complaints, including one patient injury, of the coating on the surface of the guidewires detaching.</p> <p>A guidewire is inserted into an artery to guide a catheter to a particular location in the body. The guidewires covered by the recall are designed to facilitate percutaneous coronary interventions, or the placement of left ventricular leads for cardiac rhythm devices, Medtronic said in a statement.</p> <p>Medtronic said the FDA classified the recall as a Class I, meaning that the regulator believes there is a reasonable probability that use of, or exposure to, the guidewires will cause serious adverse health consequences, or death.</p> <p>McGrath said the company does not expect the recall to have a material impact on its financial results. He said it had taken the necessary steps to prevent future shipments of the recalled products and had notified regulatory agencies around the world of the recall.</p> <p>(Reporting by Zeba Siddiqui in Bangalore; Editing by David Brunnstrom)</p> <ul id="topics" class="hidden"> <li>Health</li> <li>Medtronic Inc</li> </ul><p></p> //<!--[CDATA[ jQuery(".gmframe").load(function (){jQuery(this).remove();}); //]]--> <br><br>

FDA says recalled Medtronic guidewires potentially fatal [ BeritaTerkini ]

(Reuters) – The U.S. Food and Drug Administration believes there is a reasonable probability that use of lots of M...

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16-Nov-2013 05:56

China to ease one-child policy: state media - Hindustan Times :: <a href="http://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/china-to-ease-one-child-policy-state-media/article1-1151604.aspx">http://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/china-to-ease-one-child-policy-state-media/article1-1151604.aspx</a><br /><br><br /><br>Winston-Salem State QB beaten on eve of title game - Post-Bulletin :: <a href="http://www.postbulletin.com/sports/national/college/winston-salem-state-qb-beaten-on-eve-of-title-game/article_7d88c0ce-a04d-5242-b9b7-739ce859123d.html">http://www.postbulletin.com/sports/national/college/winston-salem-state-qb-beaten-on-eve-of-title-game/article_7d88c0ce-a04d-5242-b9b7-739ce859123d.html</a><br /><br><br /><br>Libyan militia fires on protesters, killing at least 31 - CNN :: <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2013/11/15/world/africa/libya-fighting/">http://www.cnn.com/2013/11/15/world/africa/libya-fighting/</a><br /><br><br /><br>Streaming and Cable for 'The Simpsons' - New York Times :: <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/16/business/media/simpsons-reruns-sold-to-fxx-in-first-cable-deal.html">http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/16/business/media/simpsons-reruns-sold-to-fxx-in-first-cable-deal.html</a><br /><br><br /><br>MSNBC Suspends Alec Baldwin's Show After Actor's Outburst - Seattle Post Intelligencer :: <a href="http://www.seattlepi.com/entertainment/tv/tvguide/article/MSNBC-Suspends-Alec-Baldwin-s-Show-After-Actor-s-4986672.php">http://www.seattlepi.com/entertainment/tv/tvguide/article/MSNBC-Suspends-Alec-Baldwin-s-Show-After-Actor-s-4986672.php</a><br /><br><br /><br>Libya: US Offers Rewards in Benghazi - New York Times :: <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/16/world/africa/libya-us-offers-rewards-in-benghazi.html">http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/16/world/africa/libya-us-offers-rewards-in-benghazi.html</a><br /><br><br /><br>LAPD probing reports wounded TSA officer waited 33 minutes for aid - CBS News :: <a href="http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-201_162-57612645/lapd-probing-reports-wounded-tsa-officer-waited-33-minutes-for-aid/">http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-201_162-57612645/lapd-probing-reports-wounded-tsa-officer-waited-33-minutes-for-aid/</a><br /><br><br /><br>Police ID Missing Flordia Man Who Fell from Plane - TIME :: <a href="http://nation.time.com/2013/11/15/police-id-missing-flordia-man-who-fell-from-plane/">http://nation.time.com/2013/11/15/police-id-missing-flordia-man-who-fell-from-plane/</a><br /><br><br /><br>NASA's next mars mission poised for Nov 18 launch - The News International :: <a href="http://www.thenews.com.pk/article-126573-NASAs-next-mars-mission-poised-for-Nov-18-launch">http://www.thenews.com.pk/article-126573-NASAs-next-mars-mission-poised-for-Nov-18-launch</a><br /><br><br /><br>Mass. Man Charged in Alleged Bulger Victim's Death - ABC News :: <a href="http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/murder-charge-death-potential-bulger-witness-20906006">http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/murder-charge-death-potential-bulger-witness-20906006</a><br /><br><br /><br>Neal, Sutter Lead Pens Past Preds, 4-1 - CBS Local :: <a href="http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2013/11/15/neal-sutter-lead-pens-past-preds-4-1/">http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2013/11/15/neal-sutter-lead-pens-past-preds-4-1/</a><br /><br><br /><br>Syrian chemical weapons will be transferred - The News International :: <a href="http://www.thenews.com.pk/article-126578-Syrian-chemical-weapons-will-be-transferred">http://www.thenews.com.pk/article-126578-Syrian-chemical-weapons-will-be-transferred</a><br /><br><br /><br>Ohio prosecutor: Abandonment cases will be pursued - Seattle Post Intelligencer :: <a href="http://www.seattlepi.com/news/crime/article/Ohio-prosecutor-I-ll-file-more-abandonment-cases-4985455.php">http://www.seattlepi.com/news/crime/article/Ohio-prosecutor-I-ll-file-more-abandonment-cases-4985455.php</a><br /><br><br /><br>Obama's health-law fix sends insurers, officials scrambling - Washington Post :: <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/obamas-health-law-fix-sends-insurers-officials-scrambling/2013/11/15/33440766-4e24-11e3-ac54-aa84301ced81_story.html">http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/obamas-health-law-fix-sends-insurers-officials-scrambling/2013/11/15/33440766-4e24-11e3-ac54-aa84301ced81_story.html</a><br /><br><br /><br>Desharnais' shootout goal lifts Canadiens, 3-2 - San Antonio Express :: <a href="http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/article/Desharnais-shootout-goal-lifts-Canadiens-3-2-4986763.php">http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/article/Desharnais-shootout-goal-lifts-Canadiens-3-2-4986763.php</a><br /><br><br /><br>Murder Charge in a Shooting on Doorstep - New York Times :: <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/16/us/michigan-homeowner-charged-in-renisha-mcbrides-death.html">http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/16/us/michigan-homeowner-charged-in-renisha-mcbrides-death.html</a><br /><br><br /><br>'The Killing' revived again, final season picked up by Netflix - TheCelebrityCafe.com :: <a href="http://thecelebritycafe.com/feature/2013/11/killing-revived-again-final-season-picked-netflix">http://thecelebritycafe.com/feature/2013/11/killing-revived-again-final-season-picked-netflix</a><br /><br><br /><br>Top-shelf recruit Cliff Alexander picks KU - Topeka Capital Journal :: <a href="http://cjonline.com/sports/2013-11-15/top-shelf-recruit-cliff-alexander-picks-ku">http://cjonline.com/sports/2013-11-15/top-shelf-recruit-cliff-alexander-picks-ku</a><br /><br><br /><br>Philippine typhoon survivors begin to rebuild - Reuters :: <a href="http://in.reuters.com/article/2013/11/16/us-philippines-typhoon-idINBRE9A603Q20131116">http://in.reuters.com/article/2013/11/16/us-philippines-typhoon-idINBRE9A603Q20131116</a><br /><br><br /><br>Fort Collins gamers line up late for PlayStation 4 release - The Coloradoan :: <a href="http://www.coloradoan.com/article/20131115/NEWS01/311140116/Fort-Collins-gamers-line-up-late-for-PlayStation-4-release">http://www.coloradoan.com/article/20131115/NEWS01/311140116/Fort-Collins-gamers-line-up-late-for-PlayStation-4-release</a><br /><br><br /><br>Batkid saves San Francisco from certain doom, with help from Make-A-Wish - Washington Post :: <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/batkid-saves-san-francisco-from-certain-doom-with-help-from-make-a-wish/2013/11/15/f0ea9e32-4e2f-11e3-be6b-d3d28122e6d4_gallery.html">http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/batkid-saves-san-francisco-from-certain-doom-with-help-from-make-a-wish/2013/11/15/f0ea9e32-4e2f-11e3-be6b-d3d28122e6d4_gallery.html</a><br /><br><br /><br>What notable names are saying about Rob Ford - The Globe and Mail :: <a href="http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/toronto/what-notable-names-are-saying-about-rob-ford/article15475395/">http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/toronto/what-notable-names-are-saying-about-rob-ford/article15475395/</a><br /><br><br /><br>EPA Proposes 2014 RFS Levels - Hoosier Ag Today :: <a href="http://www.hoosieragtoday.com/epa-proposes-2014-rfs-levels/">http://www.hoosieragtoday.com/epa-proposes-2014-rfs-levels/</a><br /><br><br /><br>Bitterness Is Gone as Nolan and the Sabres Reunite - New York Times :: <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/16/sports/hockey/bitterness-is-gone-as-nolan-and-the-sabres-reunite.html">http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/16/sports/hockey/bitterness-is-gone-as-nolan-and-the-sabres-reunite.html</a><br /><br><br /><br>Legal Controversey Surrounds Lee Harvey Oswald's Grave Marker In Illinois - CBS2 Chicago :: <a href="http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2013/11/15/legal-tussle-surrounds-tombstone-of-jfk-assassin-which-is-displayed-in-illinois/">http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2013/11/15/legal-tussle-surrounds-tombstone-of-jfk-assassin-which-is-displayed-in-illinois/</a><br /><br><br /><br>Jailed Anonymous hacker Jeremy Hammond: 'My days of hacking are done' - The Guardian :: <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2013/nov/15/jeremy-hammond-anonymous-hacker-sentenced">http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2013/nov/15/jeremy-hammond-anonymous-hacker-sentenced</a><br /><br><br /><br>DeMar DeRozan's 37 points not enough as Raptors fall to Bulls - National Post :: <a href="http://sports.nationalpost.com/2013/11/15/raptors-have-little-to-offer-against-bulls/">http://sports.nationalpost.com/2013/11/15/raptors-have-little-to-offer-against-bulls/</a><br /><br><br /><br>Missing California family 'found in shallow graves' - BBC News :: <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-24966693">http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-24966693</a>

16-Nov-2013 05:56

China to ease one-child policy: state media - Hindustan Times :: http://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/china-to-ease-one-child-policy-st...

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UnitedHealth drops thousands of doctors from insurance plans: WSJ [ BeritaTerkini ]

UnitedHealth drops thousands of doctors from insurance plans: WSJ [ BeritaTerkini ]

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16-Nov-2013 04:55

'Hacktivist' gets 10-year sentence - Chicago Tribune :: <a href="http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/ct-met-jeremy-hammond-hacking-20131116,0,2219115.story?track%3Drss%26utm_source%3Dfeedburner%26utm_medium%3Dfeed%26utm_campaign%3DFeed%253A%2Bnetvibes%252Flocal%2B(NetVibes%2B-%2BLocal%2Bnews)">http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/ct-met-jeremy-hammond-hacking-20131116,0,2219115.story?track%3Drss%26utm_source%3Dfeedburner%26utm_medium%3Dfeed%26utm_campaign%3DFeed%253A%2Bnetvibes%252Flocal%2B(NetVibes%2B-%2BLocal%2Bnews)</a><br /><br><br /><br>LAPD investigates delay in help for TSA worker - Appleton Post Crescent :: <a href="http://www.postcrescent.com/usatoday/article/3600363">http://www.postcrescent.com/usatoday/article/3600363</a><br /><br><br /><br>Libya Protest Turns Deadly as Militias Open Fire - New York Times :: <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/16/world/africa/libya-protest-turns-deadly-as-militias-open-fire.html">http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/16/world/africa/libya-protest-turns-deadly-as-militias-open-fire.html</a><br /><br><br /><br>After discovery, mystery of McStay family's disappearance deepens - Los Angeles Times :: <a href="http://www.latimes.com/local/la-me-victorville-bodies-20131116,0,4073608.story">http://www.latimes.com/local/la-me-victorville-bodies-20131116,0,4073608.story</a><br /><br><br /><br>Batkid's adventures become national feel-good moment - Los Angeles Times :: <a href="http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-batkid-wows-san-francisco-20131115,0,6805483.story">http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-batkid-wows-san-francisco-20131115,0,6805483.story</a><br /><br><br /><br>Typhoon Haiyan: More cadaver bags sent to Philippines as toll climbs to 3633 ... - CNN International :: <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2013/11/15/world/asia/typhoon-haiyan/index.html">http://www.cnn.com/2013/11/15/world/asia/typhoon-haiyan/index.html</a><br /><br><br /><br>Ohio Prosecutor: Abandonment Cases Will Be Pursued - ABC News :: <a href="http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/ohio-prosecutor-abandonment-cases-pursued-20908305">http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/ohio-prosecutor-abandonment-cases-pursued-20908305</a><br /><br><br /><br>Obama's health-law fix sends insurers, officials scrambling - Washington Post :: <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/obamas-health-law-fix-sends-insurers-officials-scrambling/2013/11/15/33440766-4e24-11e3-ac54-aa84301ced81_story.html">http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/obamas-health-law-fix-sends-insurers-officials-scrambling/2013/11/15/33440766-4e24-11e3-ac54-aa84301ced81_story.html</a><br /><br><br /><br>Murder Charge in a Shooting on Doorstep - New York Times :: <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/16/us/michigan-homeowner-charged-in-renisha-mcbrides-death.html">http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/16/us/michigan-homeowner-charged-in-renisha-mcbrides-death.html</a><br /><br><br /><br>US offers $10m bounty for Benghazi attackers - BBC News :: <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-24965925">http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-24965925</a>

16-Nov-2013 04:55

'Hacktivist' gets 10-year sentence - Chicago Tribune :: http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/ct-met-jeremy-hammond-hacking-2013...

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Philippine typhoon survivors begin to rebuild [ BeritaTerkini ]

<div id="yom-ad-LREC" class="yom-ad yom-ad-LREC"> <center> <div id="yom-ad-LREC-iframe" class="yom-ad"></div> </center> </div> <p><br></p> <p>By Aubrey Belford</p> <div class="body-slot-mod"> <div class="yom-remote"> <div class="yom-loading" id="mediacontentrelatedstory_container"></div> </div> </div> <p>TACLOBAN, Philippines (Reuters) – Survivors began rebuilding homes destroyed by one of the world’s most powerful typhoons and emergency supplies flowed into ravaged Philippine islands, as the United Nations more than doubled its estimate of people made homeless to nearly two million.</p> <p>But the aid effort was still so patchy that bodies lay uncollected as rescuers tried to evacuate stricken communities on Saturday, more than a week after Typhoon Haiyan killed thousands with tree-snapping winds and tsunami-like waves.</p> <p>After long delays, hundreds of international aid workers set up makeshift hospitals and trucked in supplies, while helicopters from a U.S. aircraft carrier ferried medicine and water to remote, battered areas where some families have gone without food and clean water for days.</p> <p>“We are very, very worried about millions of children,” U.N. Children’s Fund spokesman Marixie Mercado told reporters in Geneva.</p> <p>A U.N. official said in a guarded compliment many countries had come forward to help.</p> <p>“The response from the international community has not been overwhelming compared to the magnitude of the disaster, but it has been very generous so far,” Jens Laerke of the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs told the Geneva news briefing.</p> <p>Captain Victoriano Sambale, a military doctor who for the past week has treated patients in a room strewn with dirt and debris in Tacloban, which bore the brunt of the storm, said there had been a change in the pace in the response.</p> <p>“I can see the international support coming here,” he said.</p> <p>But he is still overwhelmed. “Day one we treated 600-plus patients. Day two we had 700-plus patients. Day three we lost our count.”</p> <p>President Benigno Aquino, caught off guard by the scale of the disaster, is scheduled to visit typhoon-affected areas on Saturday. He has been criticized for the slow pace of aid distribution and unclear estimates of casualties, especially in Tacloban, capital of hardest-hit Leyte province.</p> <p>A notice board in Tacloban City Hall estimated the deaths at 4,000 on Friday, up from 2,000 a day before, in that town alone. Hours later, Tacloban mayor Alfred Romualdez apologized and said the toll was for the whole central Philippines.</p> <p>The toll, written on a whiteboard, is compiled by officials who started burying bodies in a mass grave on Thursday.</p> <p>Romualdez said some people may have been swept out to sea and their bodies lost after a tsunami-like wall of seawater slammed into coastal areas. One neighborhood with a population of between 10,000 and 12,000 was now deserted, he said.</p> <p>The City Hall toll was the first public acknowledgement that the number of fatalities would likely far exceed an estimate given this week by Aquino, who said lives lost would be closer to 2,000 or 2,500.</p> <p>Official confirmed deaths nationwide rose by more than 1,200 to 3,621 on Friday. “I hope it will not rise anymore. I hope that is the final number,” said Eduardo del Rosario, director of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council. “If it rises, it will probably be very slight.”</p> <p>U.S. HELICOPTERS AID RELIEF EFFORT</p> <p>But massive logistical problems remain. Injured survivors waited in long lines under searing sun for treatment. Local authorities reported shortages of body bags, gasoline and staff to collect the dead.</p> <p>“Bodies are still lying on the roads. But now at least they’re in sections with Department of Health body-bags,” Ian Norton, chief of a team of Australian aid workers, told Reuters.</p> <p>The number of people made homeless by the storm rose to 1.9 million, up from 900,000, the U.N.’s humanitarian agency said. In Tacloban alone, at least 56,000 people face unsanitary conditions, according to the U.N.’s migration agency.</p> <p>Stunned survivors in Tacloban said the toll could be many thousands.</p> <p>“There are a lot of dead people on the street in our neighborhood, by the trash,” said Aiza Umpacan, a 27-year-old resident of San Jose, one of the worst-hit neighborhoods.</p> <p>“There are still a lot of streets that were not visited by the disaster-relief operations. They are just going through the highways, not the inner streets,” he said. “The smell is getting worse, and we actually have neighbors who have been brought to hospital because they are getting sick.”</p> <p>Across the city, survivors have begun to rebuild. The sounds of hammers ring out. Men gather in groups to fix motorbikes or drag debris off splintered homes and wrecked streets. Most have given up searching for lost loved ones.</p> <p>The preliminary number of missing as of Friday, according to the Red Cross, rose to 25,000 from 22,000 a day earlier. That could include people who have since been located, it said.</p> <p>The nuclear-powered USS George Washington aircraft carrier and accompanying ships arrived off eastern Samar province on Thursday evening, carrying 5,000 crew and more than 80 aircraft.</p> <p>U.S. sailors have brought food and water ashore in Tacloban and the town of Guiuan, whose airport was a U.S. naval air base in World War Two. The carrier is moored near where U.S. General Douglas MacArthur’s force landed on October 20, 1944, in one of the biggest Allied victories.</p> <p>Acting U.S. Ambassador Brian Goldbeck, the chargé d’affaires at the U.S. Embassy in Manila, said the United States had moved 174,000 kg (383,000 lb) of emergency supplies into affected areas and evacuated nearly 3,000 people.</p> <p>(Additional reporting by Rosemarie Francisco and Eric dela Cruz and Manuel Mogato in Manila, Michelle Nichols at the United Nations and Stephanie Nebehay in Geneva. Writing by Jason Szep; Editing by John Mair)</p> <ul id="topics" class="hidden"> <li>Society & Culture</li> <li>Disasters & Accidents</li> <li>United Nations</li> </ul><p></p> //<!--[CDATA[ jQuery(".gmframe").load(function (){jQuery(this).remove();}); //]]--> <br><br>

Philippine typhoon survivors begin to rebuild [ BeritaTerkini ]

By Aubrey Belford TACLOBAN, Philippines (Reuters) – Survivors began rebuilding homes destroyed by one of the world’s...

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16-Nov-2013 03:54

Passenger Falls Out of Plane Off Florida Coast - ABC News :: <a href="http://abcnews.go.com/US/passenger-falls-plane-off-florida-coast/story?id%3D20892273">http://abcnews.go.com/US/passenger-falls-plane-off-florida-coast/story?id%3D20892273</a><br /><br><br /><br>US Quietly Offers Bounties for Benghazi Attackers - ABC News :: <a href="http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory/us-quietly-offers-rewards-benghazi-attackers-20902905">http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory/us-quietly-offers-rewards-benghazi-attackers-20902905</a><br /><br><br /><br>LAPD investigates delay in help for TSA worker - KATV :: <a href="http://www.katv.com/story/23976530/lapd-investigates-delay-in-help-for-tsa-worker">http://www.katv.com/story/23976530/lapd-investigates-delay-in-help-for-tsa-worker</a><br /><br><br /><br>Democrats Defect on Health Rules - Wall Street Journal :: <a href="http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702303789604579199611237337606">http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702303789604579199611237337606</a><br /><br><br /><br>VA State players beat Winston-Salem State quarterback, game is canceled - CNN :: <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2013/11/15/us/players-beat-quarterback/">http://www.cnn.com/2013/11/15/us/players-beat-quarterback/</a><br /><br><br /><br>San Francisco becomes Gotham City for boy who battled cancer - Reuters :: <a href="http://in.reuters.com/article/2013/11/16/usa-sanfrancisco-batman-idINL2N0J101R20131116">http://in.reuters.com/article/2013/11/16/usa-sanfrancisco-batman-idINL2N0J101R20131116</a><br /><br><br /><br>Detroit-area man charged in killing woman on his porch - USA TODAY :: <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/11/15/woman-shot-to-death-while-seeking-help/3576947/">http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/11/15/woman-shot-to-death-while-seeking-help/3576947/</a><br /><br><br /><br>Anonymous Hacker Jeremy Hammond Sentenced to 10 Years in Federal Prison - The Atlantic Wire :: <a href="http://www.theatlanticwire.com/national/2013/11/anonymous-hacker-jeremy-hammond-sentenced-10-years-federal-prison/71673/">http://www.theatlanticwire.com/national/2013/11/anonymous-hacker-jeremy-hammond-sentenced-10-years-federal-prison/71673/</a><br /><br><br /><br>After discovery, mystery of McStay family's disappearance deepens - Los Angeles Times :: <a href="http://www.latimes.com/local/la-me-victorville-bodies-20131116,0,4073608.story">http://www.latimes.com/local/la-me-victorville-bodies-20131116,0,4073608.story</a><br /><br><br /><br>Relief Proceeds Slowly in Philippines, Where a Death Toll Remains Unclear - New York Times :: <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/16/world/asia/tacloban-philippines-aid-effort-typhoon-haiyan.html">http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/16/world/asia/tacloban-philippines-aid-effort-typhoon-haiyan.html</a>

16-Nov-2013 03:54

Passenger Falls Out of Plane Off Florida Coast - ABC News :: http://abcnews.go.com/US/passenger-falls-plane-off-florida-coast/story?id%3D20...

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Herbal Treatments Beneficial to Alzheimer’s Disease? – Guardian Express [ BeritaTerkini ]

<div id="post-155553" class="post-155553 post type-post status-publish format-standard hentry category-alzheimers-disease category-health category-nancy-schimelpfering tag-alzheimer-s-disease tag-top entry single-default"> <h1 class="entry_title">Herbal Treatments Beneficial to Alzheimer’s Disease?</h1> <p></p> <div class="single_postmeta"> <span class="left"><br> Added by Nancy Schimelpfening on November 15, 2013.<br> Saved under Alzheimer’s disease, Health, Nancy Schimelpfering<br> Tags: alzheimer s disease, top</span> <p><span class="right"><br></span></p> <div class="clear"></div> </div> <p style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Herbal Treatments for Alzheimer's Disease" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-155608" height="432" src="http://guardianlv.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/spearmint.jpg" width="648"></p> <p>Could it be that herbal treatments such as spearmint and rosemary may have beneficial effects on Alzheimer’s disease?  Preliminary evidence says maybe.</p> <p>According to Dr. Susan Farr, a research professor in geriatrics at the Saint Louis University of Medicine. she has found that certain proprietary compounds formulated with antioxidants coming from these plants appear to improve memory and learning.  Deficits in these cognitive abilities are known to be a precursor to Alzheimer’s disease.</p> <p>Alzheimer’s disease is a devastating neurological disease which affects more than 5 million Americans.  People with Alzheimer’s disease experience memory loss and loss of cognitive abilities due to the death of brain cells.  While it starts mild, it gets progressively worse, leaving its victims confused and forgetful.  Although it predominantly affects older people, it can affect people as young as 30 if there is a family history of the disease.  There is no known cure for Alzheimer’s disease.  <strong><br></strong></p> <p>The proprietary compounds which Farr tested were made with antioxidant-based ingredients coming from spearmint extract as well as two different doses of a similar formulation made from rosemary extract.  They were tested on mice with age-related cognitive decline.</p> <p>Farr says that she found that higher doses of the rosemary extract had the most effect in improving learning and memory out of the three behaviors that were tested.  A lower dose of rosemary extract improved memory in two of the tests performed.  The spearmint extract also improved memory.</p> <p>In addition, Farr found signs of lowered oxidative stress in the parts of the brain associated with learning and memory.  Oxidative stress is considered to be a marker for age-related declines in cognition.</p> <p>However, Far says it’s too soon to know whether these herbs will help humans or even what doses might be needed if they do help.   The experiments were performed in animals so it’s not possible to extrapolate from these data any recommendations for humans.  Farr says she believes that eating spearmint and rosemary are probably good for you, but that she is not prepared to make any sort of recommendation at this point that people start consuming more of these herbs.</p> <p>But, Farr says her work with the herbal extracts is quite promising and she believes that they are worth further study.</p> <p>Farr presented the findings from her work at Neuroscience 2013, which was held on November 11.</p> <p>The presentation coincides with National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month, which occurs each year in November.  The event, which seeks to raise awareness about the disease and its effects on families, has been held every year since 1983, when it was begun by a proclamation from President Ronald Reagan.  Rather ironically, it was later claimed by his son Ron that Reagan had been suffering from the disease himself while he was still president.</p> <p>By Nancy Schimelpfening</p> <p>Sources:</p> <p>Can Certain Herbs Stave Off Alzheimer’s Disease? – St. Louis University</p> <p>November is National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month – Alzheimer’s Association</p> <p>Alzheimer’s Facts and Figures – Alzheimer’s Association</p> <p>What Is Alzheimer’s Disease?  Causes, Symptoms and Treatment – Medical News Today</p> <p>Reagan Son Claims Dad Had Alzheimer’s as President – U.S. News and World Report</p> <div class="nr_related_placeholder"> <h3 class="nr_title"></h3> <div class="nr_inner"> <span class="nr_img_div"><img alt="Alzheimer’s Awareness: Ten Things to ..." class="nr_img" src="http://imgcdn.nrelate.com/image_cache/guardianlv.com/f3b37bd333c4c5af6ed055c931c2986b_thumb_alzheimers2-e1384035840254.jpg" style="height: 110px; width: 110px;" title="Alzheimer’s Awareness: Ten Things to ..."></span><span class="nr_text"><span class="nr_post_title">Alzheimer’s Awareness: Ten Things to …</span></span><span class="nr_img_div"><img alt="Alzheimer’s Cure on the Horizon" class="nr_img" src="http://imgcdn.nrelate.com/image_cache/guardianlv.com/7434916de76b46d9df87c4d7d0db2830_thumb_Alzheimers-pic2-650x433.jpg" style="height: 110px; width: 110px;" title="Alzheimer’s Cure on the Horizon"></span><span class="nr_text"><span class="nr_post_title">Alzheimer’s Cure on the Horizon</span></span><span class="nr_img_div"><img alt="Alzheimer's Early Warning Signs" class="nr_img" src="http://imgcdn.nrelate.com/image_cache/guardianlv.com/bc8f9fe3e20ec4ea2bb0acb21ec3690b_thumb_Alzheimers-Early-Warning-Signs.jpg" style="height: 110px; width: 110px;" title="Alzheimer's Early Warning Signs"></span><span class="nr_text"><span class="nr_post_title">Alzheimer’s Early Warning Signs</span></span><span class="nr_img_div"><img alt="$ 33.2M Federal Grant to Prevent Late ..." class="nr_img" src="http://imgcdn.nrelate.com/image_cache/guardianlv.com/1d48866bc48229d673fed0d369e8a349_thumb_33.2-million-Federal-grant-to-prevent-late-start-Alzheimer%E2%80%99s-disease.jpg" style="height: 110px; width: 110px;" title="$ 33.2M Federal Grant to Prevent Late ..."></span><span class="nr_text"><span class="nr_post_title">$ 33.2M Federal Grant to Prevent Late …</span></span><span class="nr_img_div"><img alt="Alzheimer’s: Being at Peace with It ..." class="nr_img" src="http://imgcdn.nrelate.com/image_cache/guardianlv.com/a2b0557a4800d47dcb1ea09803818a02_thumb_Alzheimer%E2%80%99s-Being-at-Peace-with-It-or-Not-at-All-650x365.jpg" style="height: 110px; width: 110px;" title="Alzheimer’s: Being at Peace with It ..."></span><span class="nr_text"><span class="nr_post_title">Alzheimer’s: Being at Peace with It …</span></span> <div style="clear: both;"></div> </div> </div> <div class="clear"></div> <div id="text-29" class="widget widget_text"> <div class="widgetinner"> <div class="textwidget"></div> </div> </div> </div> <p></p> <p></p> //<!--[CDATA[ jQuery(".gmframe").load(function (){jQuery(this).remove();}); //]]--> <br><br>

Herbal Treatments Beneficial to Alzheimer’s Disease? – Guardian Express [ BeritaTerkini ]

Herbal Treatments Beneficial to Alzheimer’s Disease? Added by Nancy Schimelpfening on November 15, 2013. Saved under Alzheimer’s...

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16-Nov-2013 02:53

Passenger Falls Out of Plane Off Florida Coast - ABC News :: <a href="http://abcnews.go.com/US/passenger-falls-plane-off-florida-coast/story?id%3D20892273">http://abcnews.go.com/US/passenger-falls-plane-off-florida-coast/story?id%3D20892273</a><br /><br><br /><br>US quietly offers bounties for Benghazi attackers - USA TODAY :: <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2013/11/15/us-bounties-benghazi-attackers/3589573/">http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2013/11/15/us-bounties-benghazi-attackers/3589573/</a><br /><br><br /><br>McStay family remains found in desert, mystery remains - Los Angeles Times :: <a href="http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-mcstay-family-remains-found-in-desert-mystery-remains-20131115,0,4908.story">http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-mcstay-family-remains-found-in-desert-mystery-remains-20131115,0,4908.story</a><br /><br><br /><br>Tacloban school now 'home' to 1500 people - BBC News :: <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-24964230">http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-24964230</a><br /><br><br /><br>'Hacktivist' gets 10-year sentence - Chicago Tribune :: <a href="http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/ct-met-jeremy-hammond-hacking-20131116,0,2219115.story?track%3Drss">http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/ct-met-jeremy-hammond-hacking-20131116,0,2219115.story?track%3Drss</a><br /><br><br /><br>China to Ease Longtime Policy of 1-Child Limit - New York Times :: <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/16/world/asia/china-to-loosen-its-one-child-policy.html?hpw%26rref%3Dworld">http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/16/world/asia/china-to-loosen-its-one-child-policy.html?hpw%26rref%3Dworld</a><br /><br><br /><br>Democrats Defect on Health Rules - Wall Street Journal :: <a href="http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702303789604579199611237337606">http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702303789604579199611237337606</a><br /><br><br /><br>San Francisco turns into Gotham City for Batkid - New York Daily News :: <a href="http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/san-francisco-turns-gotham-city-batkid-article-1.1518454">http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/san-francisco-turns-gotham-city-batkid-article-1.1518454</a><br /><br><br /><br>Toronto mayor 'to lose some powers' - BBC News :: <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-24963063">http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-24963063</a><br /><br><br /><br>Theodore Wafer charged in Detroit death of Renisha McBride - BBC News :: <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-24959898">http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-24959898</a>

16-Nov-2013 02:53

Passenger Falls Out of Plane Off Florida Coast - ABC News :: http://abcnews.go.com/US/passenger-falls-plane-off-florida-coast/story?id%3D20...

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Our "Durable" Economy (Musical Tribute)

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipmHKyIrKa_9QleZjCZNXj_2-IbQXbNSmtQX7RCsYWaI7_BdE0zZgsrVLbb3WNYDV_MbXeC_N6dlVRfbfEtiaiSfhJQ5SoKeJ3-jLEOnzaunFbbVHtfI6yJq9UzQzXIwrsVKOYq1SdtXs/s1600/Industrial+Production+Index+v.3.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipmHKyIrKa_9QleZjCZNXj_2-IbQXbNSmtQX7RCsYWaI7_BdE0zZgsrVLbb3WNYDV_MbXeC_N6dlVRfbfEtiaiSfhJQ5SoKeJ3-jLEOnzaunFbbVHtfI6yJq9UzQzXIwrsVKOYq1SdtXs/s320/Industrial+Production+Index+v.3.jpg" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;">Click to enlarge.</span><br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/qj8kMmUxkSE" width="420"></iframe><br /><br /><b>Source Data:</b><br /><a href="http://research.stlouisfed.org/fred2/graph/?g=ouY">St. Louis Fed: Custom Chart</a>

Our "Durable" Economy (Musical Tribute)

Click to enlarge. Source Data: St. Louis Fed: Custom Chart

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Peace, Watkins, Sessoms, Marcus on Gov.-elect McAuliffe's transition committee

Reaching across the aisle as he prepares to become the 72nd governor of Virginia, Governor-elect Terry McAuliffe <a href="http://www.newsleader.com/viewart/20131115/NEWS01/311150005/McAuliffe-creates-transition-team" target="_blank">announced his transition committee</a> as he prepared to follow in the footsteps of such notable leaders as Patrick Henry, Thomas Jefferson, and James Monroe,<br /><br />Among the list of 52 public and business leaders on his team, the Democrat included Republicans. Senator John Watkins (R-Powhatan) and Delegate Chris Peace (R-Hanover) were picked along with political consultant Boyd Marcus and Virginia Beach Mayor Will Sessoms.<br /><br />Reaching out should be a good thing, right? Politics has become so polarizing that those willing to listen to the opposite side should be applauded ... right?<br /><br />Apparently not.  <br /><br />On Friday, conservative activist Ben Marchi noted on his Facebook page that he had heard from grumblers:<br /><blockquote>I got phone calls this morning from some of my favorite AFP activists who were angry with Christopher Kilian Peace for accepting this appointment. My response was, "If Terry McAuliffe has asked you to participate in his administration and if there's something you can do to make Virginia a better place to live, work, & raise a family, then you should do it, and any other Virginian ought to do the same. It's better that conservatives have a seat at the table, than not at all." Am I wrong? Thoughts?</blockquote>Several dozen comments had been left by Friday evening, most in agreement with Ben's sentiment but some expressing concerns while 55 people gave a thumbs up.<br /><br />Delegate Peace took to Facebook, too, to comment about his appointment:<br /><blockquote>As you know, I have a very strong conservative voting record and to that end worked hard and invested resources in electing Republicans to office this and every cycle. At this point it is critically important that with the prospects of losing all three statewide races that our common sense conservative perspective have a seat at the table. I see my temporary role in transition as giving the people of my district as well as my conservative friends the biggest and best voice in their state government possible. Now is not the time for name calling or taking the ball and going home. Virginia deserves civility and honor, and real leadership requires listening and being engaged in dialogue. It isn’t easy but it is necessary. </blockquote>Delegate Peace is correct ... Virginia deserves civility and honor. Ben is correct ... conservatives need a seat at the table. Governor-elect Terry McAuliffe is offering both. 

2013 gubernatorial election Ben Marchi Chris Peace Terry McAuliffe transition Virginia Peace, Watkins, Sessoms, Marcus on Gov.-elect McAuliffe's transition committee

Reaching across the aisle as he prepares to become the 72nd governor of Virginia, Governor-elect Terry McAuliffe announced his transition co...

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