These fish migrate to stay off the menu

Niklas Liljeback

In the winter, thousands upon thousands of the common roach fish migrate to nearby streams throughout Europe.

By Joseph Castro
LiveScience

From birds to crustaceans, numerous animal species migrate each year to find more food, pleasant weather or the perfect place to breed. But at least one species ??a freshwater fish called the common roach ??migrates to avoid getting eaten, new research suggests.

Researchers used identifier tags to track the seasonal movements of the common roach (Rutilus rutilus) for four years. These fish live in freshwater lakes throughout Europe and are partially migratory ??that is, during winter, up to 80 percent of the fish migrate to nearby streams, while the rest stay put.

"It's a bit of an overwhelming sight to come across these streams in wintertime, and you suddenly realize that there are thousands upon thousands of fish in this restricting area," said lead researcher Christian Skov, a fish ecologist at the Technical University of Denmark.

Cormorant birds (Phalacrocorax carbo) are known to prey on roach living in both lakes and streams. However, 92.5 percent of the tags retrieved from cormorant pellets came from roach that last swam in lakes specifically, the researchers found. Moreover, the longer the fish stayed out of the lakes, the more likely they were to escape becoming bird food, suggesting that the fish reduce their predation risk from the birds by migrating into streams. [The 10 Most Incredible Animal Journeys]

Jes Dolby

Researchers attached passive integrated transponder tags to more than 2,200 roach fish living in two lakes in Denmark. Then they set up antennas (shown here) to pick up signals from the tags.

Lakes vs. streams
The idea that some animals migrate to escape predation isn't new, but evidence for this behavior is hard to come by. In 2010, scientists discovered predation was partially involved in the breeding migrations of Arctic shorebirds: birds that traveled farther north were less likely to have their nests ravaged by foxes and other predators. But little other evidence for this kind of phenomena exists.

In the new study, Skov, along with colleagues from Sweden and Switzerland, attached passive integrated transponder (PIT) tags to more than 2,200 roach living in two lakes in Denmark. Every tag had a unique identifier code, allowing the team to distinguish each individual fish. At the inlets and outlets of each stream, the researchers set up antennas, which picked up signals from the PIT tags. "We knew the position of all of these tagged fish, allowing us to calculate how many days they spent in the stream and how much time they spent in the lake," Skov told LiveScience.

The researchers also knew cormorants roosted and bred near the lakes, while preying on roach, among other fish. With a device not so different from a minesweeper, they combed the cormorants' habitat, searching for tags that were pooped out. [The 10 Weirdest Animal Discoveries]

Analyzing the data from the tags, they saw a large variation in the amount of time the fish spent out of the lakes. Some fish spent five months in the streams, while others would visit the streams four or five times in a single winter. "But there was a consistent pattern," Skov said. "The longer (the fish) spent in the stream, the smaller their probability of predation."

For example, in 2008, small fish that stayed in Lake Loldrup the entire winter had about a 20 percent chance of getting eaten, but this probability dropped to about 10 percent if they stayed out of the lake for 100 days. Large roach (around 10 inches, or 25 centimeters, in length or more) showed the same trend, but overall were more likely to get eaten than small fish ??they had a 40 percent chance of being preyed upon if they stayed in Lake Loldrup for the full 2008 winter.

Interestingly, the choice to migrate wasn't risk free. During winter food becomes scarce in the lakes, but there's practically nothing to eat in the streams, Skov said.

Why some, but not all?
Given how much safer the streams appear to be during the chilly months, one can't help but wonder why some roach stay behind in the lakes. The researchers don't have the full picture yet, but their previous research has uncovered clues.

In one study they found that physically fit fish were more likely to migrate than those in poor physical condition. The researchers also found that the fish's personality matters, as bold fish?are more likely to migrate than shy fish. "So it's pretty complicated why some fish stay behind," Skov said.

Skov thinks the research will help scientists understand what drives migration and how different migrations evolve. "Here's support for one of the most underexplored ideas as to why animals migrate," he said, adding that he's interested in seeing how adaptive the roach's behavior is and if the fish would continue to migrate when there's no cormorant threat.

Future research may even show that other animals migrate to escape predators. "I could easily imagine that's the case," Skov said.

The research was detailed online Tuesday?in the journal Biology Letters.

Follow LiveScience on Twitter?@livescience. We're also on Facebook?and Google+.

Copyright 2013 LiveScience, a TechMediaNetwork company. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Source: http://science.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/02/27/17118241-these-fish-migrate-to-try-to-stay-off-the-menu-of-predators?lite

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Pilot badger culls to go ahead

27 February 2013 Last updated at 08:26 ET

Badger culls are set to go ahead later this year after final licence conditions were met, Environment Secretary Owen Paterson has said.

The pilot culls, in Gloucestershire and West Somerset, were postponed amid fears they could not be carried out effectively last autumn.

Ministers want to hold a pilot badger cull to halt the spread of tuberculosis to cattle.

Opponents, including the RSPCA, say it is inhumane.

Mr Paterson confirmed the cull at the National Farmers Union (NFU) annual conference.

He also announced a reserve pilot will also be prepared in Dorset.

Under the plans, badgers will be shot in the open without first being trapped in cages, which is current practice.

'?1bn' cost

"I am determined that there are no further delays this year," Mr Paterson said.

"That is why we have taken the sensible step with the farming industry to elect a reserve area that can be called upon should anything happen to prevent culling in Somerset or Gloucester."

Continue reading the main story

Analysis

By Helen Briggs, BBC News

Badger culls in England were postponed at the last minute in the autumn, when it came to light that the number of badgers in the pilot areas had been vastly underestimated.

Targets have now been set - farmers are allowed to shoot up to 5,094 badgers in West Gloucestershire and West Somerset over a six-week period starting as early as the summer.

Ministers have also announced a reserve area - Dorset - in case of unforeseen problems. They have commissioned a new national survey of badger numbers - the first for more than a decade - which is due to report in July or August.

Greater certainty over the number of badgers that can be killed without the threat of removing the local population - and the issuing of full licenses to farmers - clear some of the obstacles that led to last year's delays.

However, there are still many potential conflicts. The policy of free shooting badgers has not proved popular with either the public or the majority of independent scientists.

Opponents of the badger cull have promised to continue their action, with new protests already under way.

Mr Paterson added that tackling the spread of bovine TB had cost ?500m in the past 10 years and that figure could rise to ?1bn if action was not taken.

The authorisation from Natural England states that culling can take place from 1 June and will last for six weeks. It will be repeated annually for four years.

The pilot will be independently checked to ensure it is removing enough badgers in a humane way, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) said.

Labour's shadow environment secretary, Mary Creagh, said scientists had branded the cull an "untested and risky approach" while more than 150,000 members of the public had signed a petition opposing it.

She said: "As incompetent Defra ministers stagger from one crisis to the next, the policing costs, paid by the taxpayer, will balloon to ?4m while bovine TB will increase in the next two years as the shooting displaces badgers.

"Ministers should listen to the public and the scientists and drop this cull before any more public money is wasted."

Ian Johnston, of the NFU, said: "Last year the conditions weren't right. We need to do this properly in a very particular way and that's why the NFU asked for it to be postponed.

"When you have 30,000 cattle going to their death prematurely and farm businesses being destroyed... then doing nothing is not an option. So you've got to do it."

NFU president Peter Kendall also backed the cull and called for a full roll-out in 2014.

He described the 35,000 cattle that had to be slaughtered because of the disease as a "scandalous waste".

Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-21602753#sa-ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source=PublicRSS20-sa

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Brandi Glanville Book to Become Tell-All MOVIE?

Source: http://www.thehollywoodgossip.com/2013/02/brandi-glanville-book-to-become-tell-all-movie/

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Actor Dale Robertson dies in California hospital

FILE - In this April 11, 1964 photo, television actor Dale Robertson, who is in town for a rodeo, stops by to watch the Southwestern Relays in Lafayette, La. Dale Robertson, an Oklahoma native who became a star of television and movie Westerns during the genre's heyday, died Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2013. He was 89. (AP Photo, File)

FILE - In this April 11, 1964 photo, television actor Dale Robertson, who is in town for a rodeo, stops by to watch the Southwestern Relays in Lafayette, La. Dale Robertson, an Oklahoma native who became a star of television and movie Westerns during the genre's heyday, died Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2013. He was 89. (AP Photo, File)

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) ? Dale Robertson, an Oklahoma native who became a star of television and movie Westerns during the genre's heyday, died Tuesday. He was 89.

Robertson's niece, Nancy Robertson, said her uncle died at Scripps Memorial Hospital in La Jolla, Calif., following a brief illness.

Dale Robertson had bit parts in films including "The Boy with the Green Hair" and the Joan Crawford vehicle "Flamingo Road" before landing more high-profile roles such as Jesse James in "Fighting Man of the Plains."

In the 1950s, he moved into television, starring in series such as "Tales of Wells Fargo" (1957-62), "Iron Horse" (1966) and "Death Valley Days" (1968-70).

Robertson continued to work in TV in the 1970s, and in the 1980s he landed roles in the popular night-time soap operas "Dallas" and "Dynasty."

In 1993, he took what would be his final role, as Zeke in the show "Harts of the West," before retiring from acting to spend more time at his ranch in Yukon, Okla., where he lived until moving to the San Diego area in recent months, Nancy Robertson said.

Dale Robertson would want to be remembered as a father, a grandfather and an Oklahoman, she said.

"He came back a lot when he was in Hollywood, and he came back (to Oklahoma) after retiring," she said.

"I remember him as a larger-than-life fellow," she said. "When he was in town it was always very exciting. It always meant something magical was going to happen," such as another actor or performing artist accompanying him on his visits.

Born Dayle Lymoine Robertson to Melvin and Vervel Robertson in Harrah, on July 14, 1923, Robertson attended Oklahoma Military College at 17 and boxed in professional prize fights to earn money.

He joined the U.S. Army and fought in North Africa and Europe during World War II. Robertson was wounded twice and awarded the Bronze and Silver Stars and the Purple Heart.

While stationed at San Luis Obispo, Calif., he had a photograph taken for his mother. A copy of the photo displayed in the photo shop window attracted movie scouts, and the 6-foot-tall, 180-pound Robertson soon was on his way to Hollywood.

Will Rogers Jr., son of fellow Oklahoma-born actor and writer Will Rogers, once told Robertson to avoid formal training and keep his own persona.

Robertson received the Golden Boot Award in 1985, and was inducted into the Hall of Great Western Performers and the Cowboy Hall of Fame in Oklahoma City.

He was married several times, most recently in 1980 to Susan Robbins, who survives him along with two children.

Nancy Robertson said her uncle will be cremated and that a memorial service will be held in a few weeks.

_____

Former Associated Press writer Rochelle Hines contributed to this report.

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/4e67281c3f754d0696fbfdee0f3f1469/Article_2013-02-27-US-Obit-Robertson/id-93313519b64d4f41b610442feb5305e3

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Tadpoles with eyes in their tails see the light

Transplanted organs can distinguish between colors

By Tina Hesman Saey

Web edition: February 28, 2013

Enlarge

SEEING WITHOUT EYES

A tadpole with no eyes in its head can nonetheless see from an eye transplanted to its tail, provided that nerves from the eye wire into the spinal cord.

Credit: D. Blackiston and M. Levin/Tufts University

If someone shouts ?look behind you,? tadpoles in Michael Levin?s laboratory may be ready. The tadpoles can see out of eyes growing from their tails, even though the organs aren?t directly wired to the animals? brains, Levin and Douglas Blackiston, both of Tufts University in Medford, Mass., report online February 27 in the Journal of Experimental Biology.

Levin and Blackiston?s findings may help scientists better understand how the brain and body communicate, including in humans, and could be important for regenerative medicine or designing prosthetic devices to replace missing body parts, says G?nther Zupanc, a neuroscientist at Northeastern University in Boston.

Researchers have transplanted frog eyes to other body parts for decades, but until now, no one had shown that those oddly placed eyes (called ?ectopic? eyes) actually worked. Ectopic eyes on tadpoles? tails allow the animals to distinguish blue light from red light, the Tufts team found.

Levin wanted to know whether the brain is hardwired to get visual information only from eyes in the head, or whether the brain could use data coming from elsewhere. To find out, he and Blackiston started with African clawed frog tadpoles (Xenopus laevis) and removed the normal eyes. They then transplanted cells that would grow into eyes onto the animals? tails.

The experiment seemed like a natural to test how well the brain can adapt, Levin says. ?There?s no way the tadpole?s brain is expecting an eye on its tail.?

Expected or not, some of the tadpoles managed to detect red and blue light from their tail eyes. The researchers placed tadpoles with transplanted eyes in chambers in which half of the chamber was illuminated in blue light and the other half in red light. A mild electric shock zapped the tadpole when it was in one half of the dish so that the animal learned to associate the color with the shock. The researchers periodically switched the colors in the chamber so that the tadpoles didn?t learn that staying still would save them.

Tadpoles in which nerves from the tail eye had grown to connect to the spinal column were able to learn the color-shock association and swim away from the light that accompanied a shock. Tadpoles whose tail eyes had connected to the stomach or some other part of the body did not learn the association. Neither did tadpoles with no eyes. The finding suggests that visual information from the eye travels up the spinal cord to the brain, which can process it, Levin says.

That result was a surprise, Zupanc says, because previous research had suggested eyes need to be directly connected to the brain to transmit visual information. Somehow the brain is able to distinguish the color messages from other data travelling through the spinal cord. All of those messages arrive as electrical signals that look alike to the experimenters, but Levin and Blackiston?s study suggests the brain can tell the difference.

Learning how the brain sorts visual information from other types of data may be important, Levin suggests, in designing artificial eyes or correcting some forms of blindness in which the brain doesn?t process visual information correctly.

Source: http://www.sciencenews.org/view/generic/id/348633/title/Tadpoles_with_eyes_in_their_tails_see_the_light

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Have you forgotten? World Trade Center bombing, 20 years later (Michellemalkin)

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Kerry says looking at ways to speed up Syrian transition | Morocco ...

27 February, 2013 (AFP)

US Secretary of State John Kerry said Wednesday the United States and France were mulling ways to speed up political transition in war-torn Syria, which would be discussed in a ?Friends of Syria? meeting in Rome.

?We are examining ways to accelerate the political transition,?, Kerry said, addressing a joint press conference with French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius. He said this would be discussed at the Rome meeting Thursday.

Kerry also signalled that Washington could be mulling increased aid to the Syrian opposition, saying: ?The opposition needs more help.

?We think it?s very important that more of our assistance gets to areas that have been liberated from the regime,? he said.

Citing US and European officials, the Washington Post newspaper said the White House is mulling a major policy shift on Syria and is toying with the idea of supplying rebels with direct aid like body armour, armoured vehicles and even military training.

Source: http://www.moroccoworldnews.com/2013/02/80268/kerry-says-looking-at-ways-to-speed-up-syrian-transition/

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Powers wait to hear Iran response to nuclear offer

ALMATY (Reuters) - World powers hope Iran will respond positively on Wednesday to their new offer to lift some sanctions if Tehran scales back nuclear activity the West fears could be used to build bombs.

The United States, France, Germany, Britain, China and Russia presented the offer when their first meeting with Iran in eight months began in Almaty on Tuesday and the Islamic state was considering it, the powers' spokesman said.

Western officials described the first day of talks as "useful". One said Iran discussed specific aspects of the powers' ideas in bilateral talks with three of them - Russia, Germany and Britain - but gave no indication how Tehran viewed them.

Iranian state television described the atmosphere in the discussions as "very serious".

The outcome of the two-day meeting in the Kazakh city will be closely watched in Israel, which has strongly hinted that it could attack Iran's nuclear sites if diplomacy and sanctions fail to stop the uranium enrichment program.

Iran says Israel's assumed nuclear arsenal is the main threat to peace and denies Western allegations it is seeking to develop the capability to make atomic bombs. It says it is only aiming to produce nuclear energy so that it can export more oil.

In their latest attempt to break years of deadlock in the dispute, the powers are offering Iran a relaxation of some of the sanctions that are taking a heavy toll on its economy.

"Hopefully the Iranians will be able to reflect overnight and will come back and view our proposal positively," the spokesman for European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton, who represents the powers in the talks, said.

"The ball is in their court," Michael Mann added after the first day of discussions on Tuesday.

He did not give details of the offer, but other Western officials have confirmed it includes some limited sanctions easing if Iran closes a underground site where it carries out its most controversial uranium enrichment work.

Diplomats and analysts see scant chances of a conclusive deal with Iran before a June presidential election, with the political elite preoccupied with domestic issues.

Wednesday's talks are due to start at around 11 a.m. (0500 GMT).

IRANIAN COUNTERPROPOSAL

Iran would put forward its own proposal "of the same weight" as that of the other side, a source close to the Iranian negotiating team said on Tuesday, but Western officials said it had not done so during the first day of negotiations.

Iran, whose chief negotiator Saeed Jalili is close to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and is a veteran of Iran's 1980s war against Iraq and the Western powers that backed it, has shown no sign of willingness to scale back its nuclear work.

It argues that has a sovereign right to carry out nuclear enrichment for peaceful energy purposes, and in particular refuses to close its underground Fordow enrichment plant, a condition the powers have set for any sanctions relief.

Tightening Western sanctions on Iran over the last 14 months are hurting Iran's economy and slashing oil revenue. Its currency has more than halved in value, which in turn has pushed up inflation.

But analysts say the sanctions are not close to having the crippling effect envisaged by Washington and - so far at least - they have not prompted a change in Iran's nuclear course.

Western officials said the powers' offer would include an easing of restrictions on trade in gold and other precious metals if Tehran closes Fordow.

The facility is used for enriching uranium to 20 percent fissile purity, a short technical step from weapons grade.

Western officials acknowledge an easing of U.S. and EU sanctions on trade in gold represents a relatively modest step. But gold could be used as part of barter transactions that might allow Iran to circumvent financial sanctions.

Iran's foreign ministry spokesman last week dismissed the reported incentive as insufficient and a senior Iranian lawmaker has ruled out closing Fordow, close to the holy city of Qom.

(Additional reporting by Yeganeh Torbati in Almaty and Zahra Hosseinian in Zurich; Editing by Robin Pomeroy)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/powers-offer-iran-sanctions-relief-nuclear-talks-055616179.html

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Lil Wayne Shoots Back After Pitbull's 'Dade County' Dis Track

'Dam pit bull bro I thought u was kool,' Wayne tweets in response to the Miami rapper's dis.
By Nadeska Alexis

Lil Wayne and Pitbull
Photo: Getty Images

Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1702720/lil-wayne-response-pitbull-dade-country.jhtml

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Militia official: 6 killed in bomb in north Mali

BAMAKO, Mali (AP) ? An official with a militia group fighting with the Malian army says that a suicide car bomber killed six fighters in the northern city of Kidal.

Ag Alghabas Intalla, a leader of the Islamic Movement of Azawad, or MIA, said the suicide bomber exploded his car Tuesday evening at a checkpoint at an entrance to Kidal. He said he counted six dead and others wounded. The MIA group is fighting with the Malian army and French troops against Islamic extremists.

The suicide attack has not been claimed, but it is suspected to be the work of the Movement for Oneness and Jihad in West Africa, or MUJAO.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/militia-official-6-killed-bomb-north-mali-094200919.html

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Science Jobs Newsletter: Biology Jobs: Issue 1 (20 posts)

Old Road Campus, Headington, Oxford

Grade 7: ?29,541 - ?36,298 p.a.

An opportunity has arisen for a Postdoctoral Researcher in the Gray Institute for Radiation Oncology and Biology. This post will join Dr Vincenzo DAngiolella?s research team, which focuses on the maintenance of genome stability in normal and cancer cells.

The successful candidate will undertake state-of-the-art molecular, cell biological and biochemical techniques ...

Read online.

Source: http://biojobs.blogspot.com/2013/02/biology-jobs-issue-1-20-posts.html

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Officially authorised ? the open bookcases of Wrest Park | Christian ...

The ladies who lived at Wrest Park were prolific readers, as can be seen by the open bookcases lining the walls of the two exquisitely decorated libraries. Throughout March, English Heritage will be honouring this tradition with a series of lectures given by some of Britain?s top female history writers.

The original mediaeval Wrest Park mansion is long gone, torn down by Thomas de Grey in the 1830s and replaced by the opulent Chateau-style dwelling which now stands. The last surviving member of the de Grey family died in 1923, following which the house and gardens fell into neglect until being rescued by English Heritage which ? in a joint project with the Wolfson Foundation ? has restored the mansion and its 18th century gardens to their former glory.

Today, it is possible for visitors from Lancashire to see the open bookcases that would have been used by Lady Henrietta and her daughters, and view Victorian dining chairs and antique desks comparable with the ones that were here when the opulent Louis XV-style rooms were first decorated. Those wanting to learn more about the lives of the de Grey family can do so with a new interactive display. Better still, they can attend Sara Sheridan?s lecture ?How To Be A Lady?, one of several literary events in March, in which top-selling historical novelists share their research and knowledge to bring the stately home and its owners back to life.

People in the Ribble Valley can find Victorian balloon backed dining chairs and antique desks, like those used by Lady Henrietta and her descendants, by visiting their local antiques dealer.

No comments yet.

Source: http://blog.christiandaviesantiques.co.uk/officially-authorised-the-open-bookcases-of-wrest-park-3046.html

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The Onion apologizes for offensive Quvenzhan? Wallis tweet

Frederic J. Brown / AFP - Getty Images

Best actress nominee 9-year-old Quvenzhan? Wallis is carrying a puppy purse, which she has shown off on a few red carpets.

By Wilson Rothman

Not all humor is for everyone (just read reviews of Seth MacFarlane's Oscar night hosting job), but some jokes cause everyone to agree that a line has been crossed. Such was the case Sunday night when, for nearly an hour, a tweet by the Onion applied the c-word to 9-year-old "Beasts of the Southern Wild" star?Quvenzhan? Wallis. On Monday, The Onion CEO?Steve Hannah apologized and promised disciplinary action for "those individuals responsible."

Here's the bulk of Hannah's message, posted on Facebook and on the satire news site:

On behalf of The Onion, I offer my personal apology to Quvenzhan? Wallis and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for the tweet that was circulated last night during the Oscars. It was crude and offensive ? not to mention inconsistent with The Onion?s commitment to parody and satire, however biting.

No person should be subjected to such a senseless, humorless comment masquerading as satire.

The tweet was taken down within an hour of publication. We have instituted new and tighter Twitter procedures to ensure that this kind of mistake does not occur again.

In addition, we are taking immediate steps to discipline those individuals responsible.

Miss Wallis, you are young and talented and deserve better. All of us at The Onion are deeply sorry.

It's key that Hannah says the attempted joke was "inconsistent with The Onion's commitment to parody and satire." This is a group that has deftly responded to the country's worst tragedies with humor that helps us cope, from 9/11 ("Hugging Up 76,000 Percent"; "U.S. Vows to Defeat Whoever It Is We're At War With") to the Sandy Hook massacre ("F*** Everything, Nation Reports ... Just F*** It All To Hell").

While it wasn't the first time that The Onion's Twitter feed landed it in hot water, the crass, throwaway tweet about an amazing little actress didn't just seem in poor taste, but not very Onion-y at all.

Wilson Rothman is the Technology & Science?editor at NBC News Digital. Catch up with him on Twitter at @wjrothman, and join our conversation on Facebook.

?

Source: http://digitallife.today.com/_news/2013/02/25/17088491-the-onion-apologizes-for-offensive-quvenzhan-wallis-tweet?lite

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State senators to talk Sunday liquor store sales in Minnesota (Star Tribune)

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Niels Arden Oplev Directing Flatliners Remake

The first hour or so of Flatliners is one of the coolest horror movies of the '90s. It's a tight, creative, bristling thriller that really digs into the mind of academia gone wrong. After that things get a little wonky, but when it's Kevin Bacon, Kiefer Sutherland, Julia Roberts, William Bladwin and Oliver Platt pushing the boundaries of science (and common sense) by intentionally killing (and then reviving) one another for the pursuit of ultimate enlightenment, it's fantastic. That room for improvement is why news of a Flatliners remake isn't as disheartening to hear as, say, news of another Kevin Bacon horror movie from 1990 would be.

Bloody Disgusting brings news of the remake, which?its source says is set to be directed by original The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo director Niels Arden Oplev. And if that news wasn't intriguing enough, the script will be written by Source Code scribe Ben Ripley. A fine thriller director and a fine sci-fi?writer working on a remake of a fine sci-fi thriller? Flatiners is off to a, uh, good start.

The people behind the camera and typewriter isn't quite as important to the success of Flatliners as those who will end up in front of it. The original has an utterly perfect cast, so we don't envy the casting director who has to top that ensemble. But we're certainly curious to see them try. Who would you like to see in a new generation's Flatliners?

Source: http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/1926918/news/1926918/

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Qualcomm bolsters AllJoyn functionality, demos LTE carrier aggregation with 150Mbps peak transfers

Peak transfers of 150Mbps, you say? We're listening. Here at Mobile World Congress, Qualcomm's newest Gobi chipsets (the MDM9225 and MDM9625) are the first to support LTE carrier aggregation and LTE Category 4 with peak data rates of up to 150Mbps. The reveal marks the introduction of the outfit's third-generation 4G LTE embedded chip, and if all goes well, we should see the hardware slipping into phones, tablets and potentially laptops in the second half of 2013. To make it all seem more realistic, it partnered with Sierra Wireless and Ericsson here in Barcelona in order to prove the figures. For those unaware, LTE carrier aggregation combines radio channels within and across bands to increase user data rates and reduce latency -- in other words, it allows LTE to be even faster.

In related news, Qually also announced that it'll be extending the AllJoyn software development project with "new core interoperable services." As of now, we're simply told that the new services will be available on devices with different operating systems and from different vendors, theoretically enabling an "Internet of Everything" by the time they're upstreamed into the AllJoyn open source project by May 2013. We'll be swinging by the company's booth to see what exactly there is to visualize -- for now, feel free to pursue the press releases linked below.

Filed under: Wireless, Mobile

Comments

Source: Qualcomm (1), (2), (3)

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/02/25/qualcomm-alljoyn-functionality-demo-lte-mwc/

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Snooki Selling Car From Jersey Shore on eBay

Source: http://www.thehollywoodgossip.com/2013/02/snooki-selling-car-from-jersey-shore-on-ebay/

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Jenelle Evans: Back in Rehab For Heroin Addiction!?

Source: http://www.thehollywoodgossip.com/2013/02/jenelle-evans-back-in-rehab-for-heroin-addiction/

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BlackBerry Z10 for Verizon swings past the FCC

When the BlackBerry Z10 previously reached the FCC, we hadn't yet received the common courtesies of a product name or official carrier plans. Now that it's a known quantity, the device's latest FCC go-round presents a simpler picture. The RFA91LW you see here is clearly the Z10, and the inclusions of CDMA and upper-range 700MHz LTE spectrum leave little doubt that this iteration is headed to Verizon. We also see the expected GSM roaming and NFC. About the only riddle left is the Z10's release date on the network, which isn't yet forthcoming; with FCC approval, though, there's one less thing to hold back a launch on Big Red.

Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, Verizon, Blackberry

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Source: FCC

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/02/25/blackberry-z10-for-verizon-swings-past-the-fcc/

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Why it's So F*ing Hard to Be a Freelance Writer

• 

With all the useful tips on how to be a freelance writer I?ve posted on this blog, you?d think I could sign off and be done. I just checked, and there are nearly 500 posts on here!

Yet, each week I hear from writers with new questions. Why?

It?s not easy becoming a freelance writer.

Writers are always asking me:

What is the one best, cheapest, low-cost, fastest way for me to market my writing and find great pay?

But there isn?t one single, simple answer to that.

What we?re trying to do isn?t easy ? to find a place for ourselves in a rapidly evolving freelance marketplace.

The challenges of freelancing

Here are some of the common obstacles freelance writers encounter:

• Your friends and family may not understand or support your decision to freelance.
• The marketplace is diverse, highly fragmented, and confusing.
• There are many different possible starting points.
• Successful marketing usually requires a lot of experimentation. What works for one writer may not work for you.
• Rates are all over the place, so it?s hard to know what to charge.
• There are many types of potential business clients, and types of publications, too.
• You have to face rejection.
• It can feel scary, and you?ll have to confront those fears to move forward.
• You need confidence.
• You need to be enterprising and know how to find information, from credible experts to editors? email addresses.
• If you write for long, you will make mistakes, it will be embarrassing, and you?ll have to suck it up and carry on.
• Not everyone will like what you write, and you?ll have to face criticism.
• A lot of the more ?fun? types of writing ? poetry, creative nonfiction, short stories, personal essays ? generally don?t pay well.
• Some editors will butcher your work.
• You may need specialized training for higher-paying writing niches such as direct mail copywriting or technical writing.
• It?s highly competitive to get in at the great-paying magazines, or to land the lucrative copywriting gigs.
• Some clients are flaky and end up stiffing you.
• Some clients are boundary-pushers and want to suck up all your time.
• You?ll need to find a way to differentiate your writing services and stand out from the crowd.
• There are a lot of scam writing ?offers? on the Internet you could fall for.
• Plenty of writing markets that pay little or nothing. It?s up to you to find the better-paying markets.
• The drive to succeed has to come from you. There?s no boss looking over your shoulder.
• You need to learn how to negotiate, how to manage your costs?in short, how to run a business.
• Whenever you think you have the hang of it, changes come and you have to learn more skills.

There is one advantage to the complex world of freelancing ? if it were easy, everyone would be doing it.

So that cuts the herd a bit for those of us who have the cunning, the tenacity, and the gumption to make freelance writing our living.

What do you think is the hardest thing about being a freelance writer? Add your reason to the comments.

?

Tags: new writers, writing challenges

This entry was posted on Monday, February 25th, 2013 at 3:00 am and is filed under Blog. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

Source: http://www.makealivingwriting.com/2013/02/25/fing-hard-freelance-writer/

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Stocks edge lower; Barnes & Noble, Hertz jump

NEW YORK (AP) ? Stocks edged lower on Wall Street Monday, erasing an early rally, following signs that Italy could be headed for political gridlock.

The Dow Jones industrial average was down 33 points, or 0.2 percent, to 13,967 as of 12:40 p.m. EST. It had been up as much as 81 points. The Standard & Poor's 500 fell four points, or 0.3 percent, to 1,510 and the Nasdaq composite dropped 1, or 0.04 percent, to 3,158.

Stocks rallied in the early going as exit polls showed that a center-left coalition in Italy that favored economic reforms in the euro region's third-largest economy was leading in the polls. That gain evaporated after another poll showed that the elections appear to be heading toward gridlock. Stocks slumped last year on concern that Italy would become engulfed in the European government debt crisis.

"The Italian elections have implications for the credit markets," said Quincy Krosby, chief market strategist at Prudential. "The ultimate worry is that the credit markets start reacting."

The yield on Italy's 10-year government bond edged up to 4.43 percent from 4.40 percent as investors sold them. The country's benchmark stock index, the FSTE MIB, rose 0.7 percent, giving up an early gain of 4 percent.

On the New York Stock Exchange, Barnes & Noble rose $1.33, or 10 percent, to $14.85 after founder and chairman Leonard Riggio told the bookseller he is going to try to buy the company's retail business. Hertz advanced $1.15 to $19.87, despite posting a fourth-quarter loss, after the rental car company said that pricing improved, volume rose and it cut costs.

Stocks gained even with the threat of across-the-board automatic government spending cuts less than a week away. Some $85 billion in cuts will occur over the next seven months starting March 1, with more in following years if lawmakers can't come to an agreement on how to reduce spending in a more measured and targeted manner.

The Standard & Poor's 500 had its first weekly decline of the year last week. Investors sent stocks plunging after minutes from the Federal Reserve's latest policy meeting revealed disagreement over how long to keep buying bonds in an effort to boost the economy.

Many analysts say the Fed's bond-buying program and the resulting low interest rates have been a big driver behind this year's stock rally, which lifted indexes to their highest levels since 2007.

Japanese stocks surged on reports that the prime minister's pick for central bank governor will be a strong advocate of loose monetary policy aimed at reviving the moribund economy. The Nikkei 225 gained 2.4 percent to end at 11,662.52

European stocks also advanced, but gave back much of their early gains. Benchmark indexes were up 0.4 percent in France, 1.5 percent in Germany and 0.8 percent in Spain. Britain's index was up just 0.3 percent after Moody's stripped the country late Friday of its triple-A credit rating.

The yield on the U.S. 10-year Treasury note, which moves inversely to its price, fell two basis points to 1.93 percent.

Among other stocks making big moves:

? Drugmaker Affymax plunged $14, or 85 percent, to $2.43 after the company recalled its anemia drug following severe allergic reactions and the deaths of some kidney dialysis patients.

?Mead Johnson fell $2.54 to $76.45 after the company said that a new regulation in Hong Kong could affect the company's sales there as well as in mainland China.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/stocks-edge-lower-barnes-noble-hertz-jump-172734343--finance.html

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Te'o finally gets chance to focus on football

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) ? Manti Te'o's first appearance on a football field since the BCS championship game didn't go as well as planned Monday.

The Notre Dame star and Heisman Trophy runner-up was clocked at 4.82 seconds in the 40-yard dash. NFL Network draft analyst Mike Mayock had said Sunday anything faster than 4.7 would be "phenomenal." Anything 4.8 or over would be a "concern."

The workout came more than a month after Te'o's highly-publicized online romance with a girlfriend was exposed as a hoax and that he was a victim of the hoax.

Since then, he's done a handful of 1-on-1 interviews and took questions Saturday in one of the craziest scenes in NFL scouting combine history. Reporters crowded around the podium, lining up eight deep to hear Te'o talk one more time about what happened.

Some have wondered if the embarrassing story was a distraction leading into the national championship game, in which Te'o and his Notre Dame teammates played poorly in a blowout loss to Alabama.

The linebacker said Saturday the hoax had no impact on that game. And he insists it has not affected his preparation for the combine, either.

But instead of putting those concerns to rest with a good showing Monday, Te'o fell short of his goals again ? and not just in the 40.

Te'o participated in five of the seven drills, opting out of the bench press and 60-yard shuttle, and did not finish ranked among the top five at his position in any of them.

His vertical jump was 33 inches, far below Southern Mississippi's Jamie Collins' positional best of 41?. Te'o jumped 113 inches in the broad jump. He finished the three-cone drill in 7.13 seconds, well off the pace set by Missouri's Zaviar Gooden (6.71). Te'o completed the 20-yard shuttle in 4.27 seconds, again behind Gooden's 4.18.

After the workouts, which were closed to the media, Te'o told NFL Network that he could have done better ? and that he will at next month's Pro Day at Notre Dame.

Scouts also have been curious to see how former LSU cornerback Tyrann Mathieu would perform in Indy after getting kicked off his college team last summer and took the entire season off.

Mathieu didn't do well Monday, either. He did only four reps on the 225-pound bench press, tied with Appalachian State's Demetrius McCray for the lowest among all defensive backs.

The defensive backs will complete their workouts Tuesday, the final day of the combine.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/teo-finally-gets-chance-focus-football-042700916--nfl.html

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The real estate market is rebounding in Carmel Valley | Homestx.net

There are signs that the real estate market is rebounding in Carmel Valley. With less inventory, fewer foreclosures, low interest rates and buyers looking for deals, the market is returning to a more normal market. Here is a market snapshot to give you an insight into what is happening currently in the Carmel Valley real estate market:

Stats

According to Trulia the median sales price for the period November 13, 2012 to January 13, 2013 was $635,500, up 3.1% over the same period last year.? The number of homes sales remained about the same. There are currently 71 resale and new homes for sale as well as 39 homes in some stage of foreclosure. The average listing price for a Carmel Valley home during the week ending February 13, 2013, was $1,659,905, reflecting an increase of 1.6% compared to the week before.? So all in all, market trends indicate that 2013 will continue to be a strong real estate market.

Popular Carmel Valley communities

Carmel Country Highlands offers residents some of the area?s finest living with great schools, parks, breathtaking views and ocean breezes, golf courses, nature trails and so much more. You will find other great new home neighborhoods such as Carriage Run and The Ridge at Saratoga, Brightwater, Watermark at Pacific Highlands Ranch and Terramar at Torrey Highlands.

Fairbanks Ranch

Rich in history, in the early 20^th century, silent film star Douglas Fairbanks purchased 3,000 acres in this area referred to as Rancho Zorro. The only real estate was his home.? Today, ?Fairbanks Ranch is one of Carmel Valley?s premier neighborhoods located near the coast where you can find exclusive estate homes. With nearly 100 acres of natural and beautiful surroundings, you won?t be disappointed in this gated community.

With so many fabulous Carmel Valley communities to choose from, it is no wonder why this area has become one of the most sought after and desirable places to live and own real estate. If you are thinking about buying or selling Carmel Valley real estate, now is a great time. Motivated sellers with well-priced homes are finding their homes selling quicker now. Buyers can still take advantage of the affordable Carmel Valley home prices and low interest rates. Working with a Carmel Valley Realtor is recommended to help you with your buying and selling needs. A local Realtor understands how unique the Carmel Valley real estate market is and can save you time and money.

Article contributed by?San Diego Home Sales on the?Carmel Valley real estate market

Source: http://www.homestx.net/the-real-estate-market-is-rebounding-in-carmel-valley/

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Video Marketing Services Promote And Enhance Your Website With ...

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Available online at www.WLmarketing.com, you will be able to discover video marketing services, press release and article distribution, blog writing and so much more. With their video marketing services, however, they will create an innovative and effective video for you, and submit it to a wide variety of websites that host videos, including YouTube. This is an excellent white hat opportunity to increase the exposure of your website, your business, your services and more, but it also highlights the best aspects of your company.

With millions of potential visitors to your website, by having an entertaining and informative video available for them to view, will not only allow them to see the finest features of your website and your company, but will also boost your SEO rankings on all of the major search engines. Whether you would like to use your own video or have one created for you, WL Marketing is available to help you in every aspect of your search engine optimization needs. With any video marketing service from them, they will take some of the excellent pages from your website, including captions that are highly relevant and add a vibrant and exciting soundtrack, and create a 60-second video featuring your website.

Not only is this highly effective and efficient, it is also very inexpensive to have a video created to highlight your website across all of the major video hosting sites available today. No matter how many video creations and submissions that you would like, you can quickly and easily have them done, submitted, promoted and much more, all for one low fee. WL Marketing prides themselves on being the best value as Seo services available on the Internet today, and this includes video marketing, link building, website promotion, creation and so much more.

WL Marketing is here to help you in every aspect of your website, as they can provide you with completely off page Seo link building, one-way links and so much more, and the only thing you need to do is provide a URL. With video marketing creations, yellow page submissions, social networking, keyword research and so much more, you are sure to improve the visibility as the ranking of your website, with this expert, innovative and effective video marketing and other SEO strategies. To find out more about how WL Marketing can boost your traffic, search engine ranking, visibility, promotion and much more at the lowest prices available online today, be sure to visit them at www.WLmarketing.com, or contact them via telephone, toll-free at 888-723-0990.

Discover how innovative and effective Video Marketing can be to promote your website, with a unique and highly targeted video that will be created, distributed, marketed and more, for your website.

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Source: http://www.briefingwire.com/pr/video-marketing-services-promote-and-enhance-your-website-with-ease

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SHOW BITS: A bump in the night for Kim K.

Jennifer Lawrence stumbles as she walks on stage to accept the award for best actress in a leading role for "Silver Linings Playbook" during the Oscars at the Dolby Theatre on Sunday Feb. 24, 2013, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

Jennifer Lawrence stumbles as she walks on stage to accept the award for best actress in a leading role for "Silver Linings Playbook" during the Oscars at the Dolby Theatre on Sunday Feb. 24, 2013, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

Daniel Day-Lewis, with his award for best actor in a leading role for "Lincoln", left, and presenter Meryl Streep pose during the Oscars at the Dolby Theatre on Sunday Feb. 24, 2013, in Los Angeles. (Photo by John Shearer/Invision/AP)

Presenters Robert Downey Jr., left, and Jeremy Renner pose during the Oscars at the Dolby Theatre on Sunday Feb. 24, 2013, in Los Angeles. (Photo by John Shearer/Invision/AP)

Director Quentin Tarantino, right, hugs Christoph Waltz, left, after Waltz is announced as the winner of the award for best actor in a supporting role for "Django Unchained" during the Oscars at the Dolby Theatre on Sunday Feb. 24, 2013, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

Actress Kristen Stewart arrives with crutches at the Oscars at the Dolby Theatre on Sunday Feb. 24, 2013, in Los Angeles. (Photo by John Shearer/Invision/AP)

Show Bits brings you the 85th annual Academy Awards in Los Angeles through the eyes of Associated Press journalists. Follow them on Twitter where available with the handles listed after each item.

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PARTY TIME FOR PREGNANT KIM KARDASHIAN

Kim Kardashian didn't just step out at the Elton John AIDS Foundation's Oscar after-party in West Hollywood dressed to impress. She rocked her pregnancy bump like a glam accessory.

The reality TV starlet wore a white, cleavage-baring Donna Karan dress that showed off every curve without self-consciousness.

Kardashian and her sister Khloe, both without their respective loves, Kanye West, and Lamar Odom, chatted up party guest Chris Brown, who was at the party without his girlfriend, Rihanna.

Kim Kardashian added she was also looking forward to catching the show by the night's featured performer, soulful Scottish singer Emeli Sande.

"I love her!" she exclaimed.

Asked how late she would stay up celebrating, given her pregnancy, Kardashian considered the question for a moment.

"I don't know, hmmm," she told The Associated Press.

Then she added, "I always end up going to bed early!"

? Solvej Schou ? Twitter http://www.twitter.com/Solvej_Schou

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QUICKQUOTE: ANG LEE

"I think sometimes this disadvantage can be an advantage. The fact that I come from another culture makes me special."? Ang Lee, encouraging Asian and other non-American filmmakers to take on Hollywood after he won the directing Oscar for "Life of Pi."

? Hannah Dreier ? Twitter http://twitter.com/hannahdreier

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CARVING IT UP AT OSCAR AFTER-PARTY

The first stop on the party circuit for Oscar night winners is almost always the Governor's Ball.

Oh sure, the fancy food Wolfgang Puck lays out there is part of the attraction. But it's also the place to go to get your name engraved on your new toy.

"You trading that in?", lead actress winner Jennifer Lawrence asked Ben Affleck when she saw him show up with his best picture statuette.

"What can I get for this award?", Affleck joked.

Anne Hathaway arrived with her Oscar in one hand and a glass of champagne in the other.

She covered her mouth in awe when the engraver showed her the nameplate, then helped attach it to her trophy's base. Her husband, Adam Shulman, recorded the moment for posterity on his iPhone.

After spending a moment checking out his Oscar, Affleck stood up to a round of applause from those in the room.

"Thank you! I love it," he said.

? Sandy Cohen ? www.twitter.com/apsandy

___

OSCAR IS TRIP FOR LAWRENCE

Jennifer Lawrence's performance in "Silver Linings Playbook" was flawless enough to capture the best actress Oscar. She wasn't so adroit in claiming the trophy.

Lawrence stumbled as she took the steps to the Oscar stage, falling to her knees in her flowing Dior gown. That drew a sympathetic ovation from the auditorium.

She remained endearingly flustered during her acceptance speech, thanking her family, those who worked with her on the film and wishing a "Happy Birthday" to a fellow nominee, Emmanuelle Riva of "Amour," who turned 86.

"Look at this dress. I tried to walk up stairs in this dress," Lawrence said of her white, floor-length gown. "I think I stepped on the fabric and they wax the stairs."

Lawrence said she thought of a "bad word" to say when she tumbled but kept it to herself.

She had already been bleeped by ABC when she let loose with a four-letter word while joking with Kristin Chenoweth on the red carpet.

Asked how she got ready for the day, Lawrence said it was "chaotic" from the start, with her family taking over the house to prepare for the big evening.

After fumbling for a more descriptive answer, she apologized: "I'm sorry. I did a shot."

? Lynn Elber ? Twitter http://twitter.com/lynnelber

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QUICKQUOTE: BEN AFFLECK

"I want to thank you for working on our marriage for 10 Christmases. It's good, it is work, but it's the best kind of work. There's no one I'd rather work with." ? Ben Affleck, thanking his wife, Jennifer Garner, as he accepted the best picture Oscar for "Argo."

? Christina Hoag.

___

ACTING GODS, TOGETHER

For a moment, it looked the Oscar stage had turned into the Mount Olympus of acting.

There stood the two reigning gods of the art, the man and the woman generally considered to be at the very top in the field today: Daniel Day-Lewis and Meryl Streep.

Though he's not known for comedy, Day-Lewis got a big laugh when he turned to Streep, who had just presented him his third best-actor trophy, and said he'd actually originally been slated to play Margaret Thatcher, the role Streep won the Oscar for last year in "The Iron Lady."

And, he added, Streep had actually been director Steven Spielberg's original choice for Abraham Lincoln.

"I'd like to see that version," Day-Lewis quipped.

With his win for "Lincoln," Day-Lewis became the first person to win three best-actor Oscars. Streep has won three Oscars too, one of them as supporting actress.

? Jocelyn Noveck ? Twitter http://twitter.com/JocelynNoveckAP

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QUICKQUOTE: DANIEL DAY-LEWIS

"I love it when people are completely inarticulate giving speeches because it says the same thing in a different way"? Daniel Day-Lewis backstage, discussing the unpolished thank you's he gave after winning the lead actor award for "Lincoln."

? Hannah Dreier ? http://www.twitter.com/hannahdreier

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ONION CRITICIZED FOR JOKE

A tweet from The Onion about the 9-year-old star of "Beasts of the Southern Wild" is drawing criticism for being tasteless, even amid the constant social media satire of the Oscars.

The satirical newspaper called Quvenzhane (kwuh-VEHN'-juh-nay) Wallis an expletive intended to denigrate women. The joke was meant to parody how beloved Quvenzhane is, but many thought the language inappropriate for discussing a child.

The Onion deleted the tweet about an hour after it was posted. Still, that was enough time to create a firestorm online, with many saying the remark crossed a line.

A spokeswoman for The Onion didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.

Not everyone thought the tweet went too far: It was retweeted more than 500 times and favorited by some 400 before being deleted.

? Jake Coyle ? http://twitter.com/jake_coyle

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MASTER-FUL EXIT

In recent years, everyone would head for the door as soon as the best picture winner ? the last Oscar category in the show ? was announced, leaving the winner with an empty room to thank.

This year, organizers hoped to get attendees to stick around until the end of the show for a closing performance from Seth MacFarlane and Kristin Chenoweth, which was dedicated to all the evening's Oscar losers.

"Ladies and gentleman, we ask that you remain in your seats after the last award for a very special closing number," a female announcer calmly announced during the show's final commercial break.

Well, one pair of "losers" weren't interested. "The Master" stars Joaquin Phoenix and Philip Seymour Hoffman bolted for the door at the beginning of the song.

? Derrik J. Lang ? Twitter http://twitter.com/derrikjlang

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THANKING THE 'MOVIE GOD'

Ang Lee had his priorities in order when he gave one of his first thank you's to the "movie god."

The Taiwanese director pulled off a huge upset when he won an Academy Award for directing "Life of Pi." He beat out front-runner and two-time Oscar winner Steven Spielberg.

Lee also gave a shoutout to the shipwreck story's lead actor, Suraj Sharma, but didn't thank the rest of the cast by name.

"I cannot waste this time talking about them," he said sheepishly.

He did slip in a quick mention of his agent, his lawyer and of course his wife.

"I have to do that," he said.

? Hannah Dreier ? Twitter http://twitter.com/hannahdreier

___

THE AVENGERS REUNITE

Just like the superheroes they played in the movie, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Evans, Robert Downey Jr., Jeremy Renner and Samuel L. Jackson huddled together backstage to get a plan together and of course joke around.

Downey suggested the stars of "The Avengers" bow as they headed onstage to make Oscar presentations. Or perhaps curtsy.

When a show worker asked Jackson to stand still so he could be wired with a microphone, the actor faced a backstage wall and pretended he was being frisked by police.

To pass the time, the superheroes watched Melissa McCarthy and Paul Rudd from a backstage monitor.

Suddenly Ruffalo asked, "Did we miss our cue?"

"You want to go out there with them?" asked Jackson.

After presenting two awards, the actors returned backstage, where Downey quipped, "Avengers disassemble."

? Sandy Cohen ? http://www.twitter.com/apsandy

___

QUICKQUOTE: QUENTIN TARANTINO

"I'm not an American filmmaker. I'm American and I'm a filmmaker, but I make movies for planet Earth"? Quentin Tarantino, tie loosened, talking with his hands and, at one point, drifting into an Australian accent while speaking with reporters backstage after winning the Oscar for original screenplay for "Django Unchained."

? Hannah Dreier ? http://www.twitter.com/hannahdreier

___

KRISTEN STEWART HOBBLED

Kristen Stewart ditched her crutches to hobble onstage as an Oscar presenter, appearing bored and disheveled in the process.

She and Daniel Radcliffe handled one of the less glamorous awards for production design. Stewart read her lines with a slouchy insouciance.

Just before going on, Stewart left a pair of crutches in the wings and apparently the backstage hairstylists didn't get ahold of her for a brushing. Her long brunette hair looked stringy.

The reaction on Twitter was swift and severe.

"Kristen stewart are you ok? And by that I mean where were the hash brownies before u got hit by bus (hash)bruise (hash)limp," tweeted comedian-actor David Spade.

Actor Joel McHale tweeted, "Kristen Stewart is limping because she sprained her ankle from being excessively disinterested."

Backstage, Stewart ran into supporting actress winner Anne Hathaway, who noted her crutches.

"I know, I'm an idiot," Stewart replied. "But congratulations!"

"Please tell me you're going on stage with those," Hathaway said, pointing to the crutches.

"Nope. I'm gonna hobble," said Stewart, explaining that she had stepped on glass.

? Beth Harris ? http://www.twitter.com/bethharrisap

___

TONYS OR OSCARS?

Did the Oscars intentionally turn into the Tonys?

All those song-and-dance numbers weren't lost on Twitter.

"Sucks for the actors at the Oscars who can't sing ... (hash)TONYS? (hash)HollywoodGoesBroadway," Nylon magazine tweeted after a tribute to the musical "Chicago."

"Am I watching the (hash)Oscars or the (hash)Tonys? Either way I'm happy:) lol," tweeted a belter herself, Lea Michele.

? Leanne Italie ? Twitter http://twitter.com/litalie

___

NOT A MOMENT TOO SOON

As soon as Adele stepped off the stage after singing the Oscar-winning theme from "Skyfall," she kicked off her sparkly Louboutin platforms.

"I'm sorry. (Forget) that," she said, flinging the shoes onto the floor. A stagehand quickly swooped them up.

"I'd pick them up but I can't bend over," she said, motioning toward her tight beaded dress.

? Sandy Cohen ? http://www.twitter.com/APSandy .

___

CELEBRITY SCHMOOZING

It was maybe the next best thing to being there.

Down the road from the Academy Awards, musicians and models found common schmoozing ground at the Elton John AIDS Foundation's Oscar viewing dinner in West Hollywood.

Lithe supermodel Naomi Campbell sat next to music mogul Quincy Jones then gripped hands and chatted with Steven Tyler and the party host himself, Elton John.

Bono, wearing his customary tinted shades, gleefully kissed Jones on the top of his head, then hugged statuesque model Petra Nemcova.

"Elton's a warrior on the HIV, AIDS scourge, since before anyone can remember," Bono told The Associated Press. "Like Bruce Springsteen is 'the Boss', Quincy is 'the President.' He is so unique. And Elton is both 'the king' AND 'the queen.'"

? Solvej Schou ? Twitter http://www.twitter.com/Solvej_Schou

___

BASSEY HITS IT OUTTA THE PARK

For all the sparkling young starlets and the edgy new host, it was none other than Dame Shirley Bassey who truly set the joint on fire early in the Oscar telecast.

The 76-year-old singer's rendition of the theme from "Goldfinger" ? or, as she sang so memorably, "GoldfinGAH" ? was a feel-good moment that won what was at the time the biggest ovation of the night.

Bassey, who recorded the song in the '60s to great acclaim, reprised it as part of the Academy's 50th anniversary tribute to the James Bond franchise.

On social networks, as people were debating vigorously how the telecast was going, there was no question as to how Bassey did: She was an unqualified hit.

Minutes after the performance, the singer and her song were trending on Twitter.

? Jocelyn Noveck ? Twitter http://twitter.com/JocelynNoveckAP

___

QUICKQUOTE: CHRISTOPH WALTZ

"Quentin writes poetry and I like poetry." ? Supporting actor winner Christoph Waltz of "Django Unchained" about working with writer-director Quentin Tarantino.

? Beth Harris ? http://www.twitter.com/bethharrisap

___

MAYBE IT LOOKED EASY ...

Charlize Theron, Channing Tatum, Daniel Radcliffe and Joseph Gordon-Levitt were one big bundle of nerves before they took the stage for their opening song-and-dance numbers.

Radcliffe danced by himself. Theron dabbed at her eyes and Gordon-Levitt stood silently as Oscar host Seth MacFarlane delivered the Oscar show's opening monologue.

Then it was time to hit the stage.

"Thank God!" Theron said afterward as she let out a sigh of relief.

"You stepped on my dress," she told Tatum.

Radcliffe and Gordon-Levitt bear-hugged after their dance routine.

"We did all right! We did all right," they told each other.

"It felt good! How did it look?" Gordon-Levitt asked.

"Well done," Radcliffe told him.

? Sandy Cohen ? http://www.twittermcom/APSandy

___

AMY ADAMS SITTING PRETTY

To slide, plop or shimmy?

That's the dilemma that faced Amy Adams in her flowing Oscar de la Renta gown when she approached her front-row seat inside the Dolby Theatre before the Oscars began.

After greeting fellow nominee Phillip Seymour Hoffman in the row behind her with a big hug, "The Master" co-star tilted to her right side and sort of shimmied down into her seat.

While Jennifer Aniston and Samuel L. Jackson mingled with attendees nearby, Adams held court in her fluffy dove grey fabric cloud.

Across the aisle, Bradley Cooper rushed his mother to meet Jean Dujardin, who took home the best actor Oscar last year.

? Derrik J. Lang ? Twitter http://twitter.com/derrikjlang

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/386c25518f464186bf7a2ac026580ce7/Article_2013-02-25-Oscars-Show%20Bits-Package/id-cab85721b91f4385b68f4a0907264b58

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