Showing posts with label U.S.. Show all posts
Showing posts with label U.S.. Show all posts

Wednesday, January 2, 2013

US Manufacturing Beats Estimate; Construction Spending Falls

US Manufacturing Beats Estimate; Construction Spending Falls: "U.S. manufacturing expanded slightly in December, while a separate report showed that U.S. construction spending fell in November for the first time in eight months.

The Institute for Supply Management (ISM) said its index of national factory activity rose to 50.7 from 49.5 in November, bouncing back from an unexpected contraction the prior month, according to an industry report released on Wednesday. The reading narrowly beat 50.3, the median expectation of 55 economists polled by Reuters.

A reading above 50 indicates expansion in the sector.

While the index recovered from the 40-month low hit in November, it was well off the 54.1 reading seen in January 2012, suggesting manufacturing was still struggling to regain the momentum it had at the start of last year."

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Iran says it captured 2 more U.S. drones in past

Iran says it captured 2 more U.S. drones in past: "TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — An Iranian navy commander claims Iran captured two small U.S. drones in past missions in addition to at least four others reported earlier.

Adm. Amir Rastgari says the two drones were of the small, low-altitude RQ-11 type, according to the semiofficial Fars news agency. He said one was captured in summer of 2011 and the other Nov. 2012.

Rastgari claimed most of the data from the unmanned aircraft was recovered.

Iran's powerful Revolutionary Guard said last month that it captured a ScanEagle American drone after it entered Iranian airspace over the Persian Gulf. At the same time, Iran claimed it had taken possession of two other simple, small ScanEagles.

In 2011, Iran claimed it brought down a more sophisticated CIA spy drone after it entered Iranian airspace from Afghanistan.

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed."

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Sunday, December 30, 2012

Eli Manning to blame for New York Giants failure in 2012 - ESPN New York

Eli Manning to blame for New York Giants failure in 2012 - ESPN New York: "EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- In his heart of hearts, Eli Manning knows this was a winning season in record only. He knows he had a chance to do something no New York Giants quarterback had ever done, a squandered chance that might haunt him for the balance of his career and beyond.

Out of the playoffs and out of luck, stripped of his shot at being the first Giant to lead his team to back-to-back championships, Manning knows why his 9-7 feels more like 7-9. He's playing against NFL history now, trying to join the ultra-exclusive club of Joe Montana, Terry Bradshaw, Troy Aikman, and Tom Brady as the only men to win at least three Super Bowl rings.

And if he never gets there, if he ends up stuck on two forever, 2012 will be one that keeps him awake at night. No, the career-high five touchdown passes he just threw in a 42-7 rout of the Philadelphia Eagles won't comfort him in the dead of night."

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Charlie Sheen Drops Homophobic Slur at Bar Opening in Mexico | TMZ.com

Charlie Sheen Drops Homophobic Slur at Bar Opening in Mexico | TMZ.com: "Charlie Sheen hosted the splashy opening of his bar at the hippest hotel in Cabo -- El Ganzo -- and it was all fun and games until Charlie hurled a homophobic slur at the audience.

Charlie was introducing several musical acts at the event this weekend, including Slash, who performed for the crowd ... which included the likes of L.A. mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and Dr. Robert Huizenga from "The Biggest Loser." Up to that point, Charlie was the man of the party -- kissing girls, shaking hands, taking pics with everyone.

But during the intro, for some inexplicable reason, he yelled, "How we doing? ... Lying bunch of f**got a**holes, how we doing?"
"

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Comedian Katt Williams arrested in LA on suspicion of stolen gun | Fox News

Comedian Katt Williams arrested in LA on suspicion of stolen gun | Fox News: "LOS ANGELES –  Katt Williams, the comedian who has repeatedly found himself on the wrong side of the law, is out on bail after being arrested in Los Angeles on suspicion of child endangerment and possession of a stolen gun.

Police Officer Norma Eisenman said Williams was taken into custody Friday after the LA County Department of Children and Family Services did a welfare check at his home. Authorities found more than one firearm, one of which had been reported stolen.

Eisenman says the DCFS did not specify how many children lived at the home or whether they were removed.

The 41-year-old Williams was arrested this month on a felony warrant related to a police chase. In November, he was accused of hitting a man on the head with a bottle during a fight."

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Peterson, Vikings Top Pack 37-34 to Make Playoffs - ABC News

Peterson, Vikings Top Pack 37-34 to Make Playoffs - ABC News: "Adrian Peterson picked up the Minnesota Vikings and gave them a ride to the playoffs, where the first stop on this improbable journey is, yes, Green Bay.

Peterson came up 9 yards shy of breaking Eric Dickerson's single-season record, but he still powered the Vikings past the Packers 37-34 Sunday with 199 yards to set up a rematch next weekend in a first-round playoff game.

Peterson sliced through the line for a 27-yard gain in the closing seconds, his career-high 34th carry. That set up Blair Walsh's 29-yard field goal as time expired and put the Vikings (10-6) in the postseason after consecutive last-place finishes.

The division champion Packers (11-5) dropped to the NFC's No. 3 seed."

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Secretary Clinton in hospital with blood clot stemming from concussion | Fox News

Secretary Clinton in hospital with blood clot stemming from concussion | Fox News: "Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has been admitted to a hospital in New York with blood clot stemming from a concussion she sustained earlier this month.

Clinton spokesman Philippe Reines says her doctors discovered the clot during a follow-up exam Sunday. Reines says Clinton is being treated with anti-coagulants.

Clinton was admitted to New York-Presbyterian Hospital so doctors can monitor the medication over the next 48 hours.

Reines says doctors will continue to assess Clinton's condition, "including other issues associated with her concussion."

Doctors will continue to monitor Clinton's condition to determine if further action is necessary."

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Thousands attend funeral of slain N.Y. firefighter | Democrat and Chronicle | democratandchronicle.com

Thousands attend funeral of slain N.Y. firefighter | Democrat and Chronicle | democratandchronicle.com: "WEBSTER, N.Y. -- Thousands of firefighters and police officers from across the United States and Canada came to Webster, N.Y., on Sunday to pay their respects to Webster Police Lt. Michael Chiapperini.

Led by dozens of bagpipers and drums, they processed two abreast into the auditorium of Schroeder High School. They held their hats over their hearts as they passed the flag-draped casket of their fallen brother.

Chiapperini, 43, and Tomasz KacĂ‚­zowka, 19, were fatally shot on Christmas Eve while responding to a fire in Webster. Kaczowka's funeral is scheduled for Monday."

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Obama wants action on gun control within year - The Washington Post

Obama wants action on gun control within year - The Washington Post: "The day a gunman killed 20 schoolchildren in Newtown, Conn was the “worst day of my presidency,” President Obama said on NBC News's "Meet The Press” on Sunday, reaffirming his intention to address the issues of gun control in his second term."

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Hundreds Sickened On 2 Cruise Ships After Virus Outbreak

Hundreds Sickened On 2 Cruise Ships After Virus Outbreak: "Vacationers typically spend cruises working on their tans and hitting up the buffet a comical number of times. Unfortunately for many aboard the Queen Mary 2 and the Emerald Princess this week, they had to add another activity to that itinerary: giving stool samples to the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The trouble began on Christmas Day for those on the Queen Mary 2 and the 22nd for those on the Emerald Princess. Almost two hundred on each ship were sickened with symptoms of stomach pain, nausea and diarrhea. Because the totals on each ship accounted for more than two percent of the total populations on board, each ship contacted the CDC. The organization diagnosed the passengers with having contracted an unknown norovirus, but until they’re able to analyze the stool samples, the specifics of what happened will likely still be unclear. "

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VIDEO: How to Open a Bottle of Champagne - West Ashley, SC Patch

VIDEO: How to Open a Bottle of Champagne - West Ashley, SC Patch: "For something to be so glamorous, it can also be so dangerous.

Opening a bottle of champagne to toast the new year could injure those who don't know proper technique or take adequate measures.

For a safe celebration, follow these EyeSmart tips on how to properly open a bottle of champagne:

Chill sparkling wine and champagne to 45 degrees Fahrenheit or colder before opening. The cork of a warm bottle is more likely to pop unexpectedly.
Don’t shake the bottle. Shaking increases the speed at which the cork leaves the bottle thereby increasing your chances of severe eye injury.
Point the bottle at a 45-degree angle away from yourself and any bystanders and hold down the cork with the palm of your hand while removing the wire hood on the bottle.
Place a towel over the entire top of the bottle and grasp the cork.
Twist the bottle while holding the cork at a 45 degree angle to break the seal. Counter the force of the cork using downward pressure as the cork breaks free from the bottle."

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Rover gets set for Martian road trip - Technology & science - Space | NBC News

Rover gets set for Martian road trip - Technology & science - Space | NBC News: "PASADENA, Calif. — Since captivating the world with its acrobatic landing, the Mars rover Curiosity has fallen into a rhythm: Drive, snap pictures, zap at boulders, scoop up dirt. Repeat.
Topping its to-do list in the new year: Set off toward a Martian mountain — a trek that will take up a good chunk of the year.
The original itinerary called for starting the drive before the Times Square ball drop, but Curiosity lingered longer than planned at a pit stop, delaying the trip."

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Massive comet will shine brighter than the moon, say astronomers | Science Recorder

Massive comet will shine brighter than the moon, say astronomers | Science Recorder: "A massive two-mile-wide comet will be visible from Earth in late 2013, possibly appearing brighter than the moon during November and December, according to astronomers.

The comet, discovered by amateur Russian astronomers Vitali Nevski and Artyom Novichonok, is among the brightest comets ever identified. According to NASA, the comet is currently falling toward the Sun from between the orbits of Jupiter and Saturn. In early 2013 October it will pass near Mars — where NASA’s Mars Curiosity rover will snap a photo.

The recently discovered object, known as comet ISON, will pass within 1.2 million miles (1.9 million km) from the center of the sun on November 28, 2013, according to astronomer Donald Yeomans, head of NASA’s Near Earth Object Program at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California."

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Patriots earn second seed in AFC - New England Patriots Blog - ESPN Boston

Patriots earn second seed in AFC - New England Patriots Blog - ESPN Boston: "FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- The Patriots have earned the second seed in the AFC and a first-round bye in the playoffs after defeating the Dolphins 28-0 in Week 17 to conclude the regular season at 12-4.

After the Texans fell to the Colts earlier in the day, the door was opened for the Patriots to capture a top-two seed in the conference. Because the Broncos defeated the Chiefs today, they will be the top overall seed in the AFC and will have home-field advantage throughout the playoffs after finishing 13-3.

Here's a look at the final AFC playoff standings and the wild-card round matchups, which will be played next weekend (day/time TBD).

1. Denver (13-3, AFC West champion)
2. New England (12-4, AFC East champion)
3. Houston (12-4, AFC South champion)
4. Baltimore (10-6, AFC North champion)
5. Indianapolis (11-5, wild card)
6. Cincinnati (10-6, wild card)

Wild-card round matchups: Cincinnati at Houston; Indianapolis at Baltimore "

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Bills close losing season with a win over Jets - Yahoo! Sports

Bills close losing season with a win over Jets - Yahoo! Sports: "ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) -- Closing the season with a mean-nothing win was of little consolation for Buffalo Bills safety Bryan Scott.
Far too late for the playoffs, Scott wasn't sure if a 28-9 victory over the New York Jets on Sunday would make a difference in determining the status of beleaguered coach Chan Gailey or any other changes that might be coming.
''The chips are going to fall where they may. Obviously, I don't know to what extent,'' said Scott, who scored on a 20-yard interception return. ''This is one game. It's not any consolation as to what we wanted to get done this season.''
Gailey was short on answers about his future.
''Let's talk about today,'' Gailey said, declining to say whether he's met with team owner Ralph Wilson, who was in Buffalo on Friday.
''Not a lot of jubilation,'' he said, referring to the mood of his players. ''They were happy, but not excited.''
At least they had a win to celebrate.
The Jets had nothing but pride to play for, too, and their performance did nothing in addressing questions now facing a turmoil-riddled team also bracing for an uncertain offseason."

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Luck and Chuck! Colts topple Texans from 1 seed - NFL- NBC Sports

Luck and Chuck! Colts topple Texans from 1 seed - NFL- NBC Sports: "INDIANAPOLIS - Chuck Pagano put on his dancing shoes and savored every moment of Sunday's postgame celebration.

He took his customary linebacker stance on the sideline, hands on bended knees. He signaled touchdowns when the Colts scored, patted Deji Karim on the helmet after a 101-yard kickoff return for a game-changing touchdown, and gestured for penalty flags to be thrown.

And after Indianapolis beat AFC South champion Houston 28-16, Pagano even tossed aside the stodgy image of an NFL coach and began jumping around with players, assistant coaches and even team owner Jim Irsay like he was a kid again.

Why not?"

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Tampa Bay ends tough season on high note

Tampa Bay ends tough season on high note: "ATLANTA — Compared to the last five miserable weeks, Tampa Bay rookie running back Doug Martin sensed something different this time.

Martin got all the proof he needed when the Buccaneers, though out of the playoffs for the fifth straight year, needed just 2 minutes to respond to a fourth-quarter touchdown by Atlanta.

"I could see it in everybody's eyes out there," Martin said. "They weren't going to let that happen. Everybody just started to show up."

Martin rushed for 142 yards, Josh Freeman and Mike Williams connected on a short touchdown pass and Tampa Bay snapped a five-game losing streak to end the season with a 22-17 victory Sunday.

Despite falling short of their postseason goals again, the Bucs at least were able to leave the Georgia Dome feeling some self-respect.

That was hardly the case last season, when they suffered a 10th straight loss in a Falcons rout and learned the next day that Raheem Morris had been fired as head coach.

Atlanta, just like this year, was on its way to the playoffs."

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Broncos take top spot with 38-3 win over Chiefs - Yahoo! Sports

Broncos take top spot with 38-3 win over Chiefs - Yahoo! Sports: "DENVER (AP) -- If he wants, Peyton Manning can use all that time at home to crank up the DVD player and watch the highlights.
What a set he put together for himself and his acrobatic receivers on Sunday.
Manning and the Denver Broncos wrapped up home-field advantage through the AFC playoffs with a predictable 38-3 runaway over the Kansas City Chiefs - a win punctuated by a pair of touchdown passes as nifty as any of the 37 Manning threw this year for his new team, which closed the regular season on an 11-game win streak.
Touchdown No. 1 was a ball slightly overthrown to Eric Decker. He brought the ball into his helmet with his left hand, had it pinball against his facemask twice, then cradled it with both hands as he was falling to the ground."

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Spike Lee right about ‘Django,’ but for the wrong reasons - Chicago Sun-Times

Spike Lee right about ‘Django,’ but for the wrong reasons - Chicago Sun-Times: "Spike Lee made me do it. I wasn’t planning to see “Django Unchained,” but my annoyance quotient shot sky-high after Lee trashed the new Quentin Tarantino film about a runaway-slave-turned-bounty-hunter who exacts revenge on his white oppressors.

Days before the movie opened, the iconic and influential filmmaker tweeted: “American Slavery Was Not A Sergio Leone Spaghetti Western. It Was A Holocaust. My Ancestors Are Slaves. Stolen From Africa. I Will Honor Them.”"

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Pregnant Jessica Simpson Shows Off Her Baby Bump in a Bikini | E! Online

Pregnant Jessica Simpson Shows Off Her Baby Bump in a Bikini | E! Online: "There it is!
After seeing Jessica Simpson enjoy some quality time with her hubby-to-be Eric Johnson on the beach—and show off her curves—the singer has finally ditched the tunics and decided to share a photo of her growing baby bump during her vacation in Hawaii.
Jenna Dewan-Tatum also shows off her baby bump in a bikini!
Skipping her signature cowboy hat, Simpson posed for a selfie mirror pic in her bikini to show off her bundle of joy.
Jess wrote on Twitter, "Bumpin' and Proud!"
Simpson revealed her second pregnancy on Christmas Day through a photo on Twitter of her daughter Maxwell Drew sitting in a patch of sand with the words "Big Sis" written in it."

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