Actors Imran Khan and Katrina Kaif were at the studio of Radio Mirchi 98.3 FM

Bill Paxton Joins Kevin Costner in History Miniseries 'The Hatfields and McCoys'

today Kevin Reynolds has been tapped to direct the Paxton-Costner star vehicle as History pushes into the miniseries genre.History miniseries The Hatfields and McCoys adds Golden Globe nominee Bill Paxton to its cast.The actor, who is set to play Randall McCoy, will join Oscar winner Kevin Costner who was tapped in May to produce and star as "Devil" Anse Hatfield. Kevin Reynolds (Red Dawn, The Count of Monte Cristo, Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves) is attached to direct.The project, which will center on the bloody hostilities between two clans that escalated to the point of near war between two states, will air next year, the 150th anniversary of the country's most infamous family feud.It is part of the largely unscripted cable network's push to move into the potentially brand-enhancing miniseries space. Despite an early misfire with The Kennedys, which ultimately aired on the ReelzChannel, History is also readying efforts including The Bible, a mini from Mark Burnett.Paxton, whose past projects include Big Love, Apollo13 and Titanic, is repped by WME.

upcoming Toronto Film Festival 2011: Nicole Kidman, Clive Owen, Robert De Niro, Jennifer Hudson Added to Lineup

TIFF programmers book world premieres for the latest films by Nick Murphy, Gary McKendry, Joel Schumacher, Gianni Amelio, Agnieszka Holland, Juan Carlos Fresnadillo, Anne Fontaine and Geoffrey Fletcher.
TORONTO  Robert De Niro, Jason Statham, Clive Owen, Ralph Fiennes, Nicolas Cage, Nicole Kidman and James Gandolfini.Hare’s spy thriller stars Bill Nighy, Rachel Weisz, Michael Gambon, Ralph Fiennes and Judy Davis.As Toronto continued Tuesday to set its Roy Thomson lineup with another eight galas unveiled, French director Christophe Honoré’s The Beloved was given a high-profile gala here after a Cannes bow for the 1960s Paris and contemporary London drama that stars the real-life mother and daughter Catherine Deneuve and Chiara Mastroianni.And Jennifer Hudson and Terence Howard will walk the red carpet with director Darrell J. Roodt into Roy Thomson Hall for a world premiere of Winnie, the Canada/South African co-produced biopic about Winnie Mandela, the wife of Nelson Mandela.Toronto also booked Roy Thomson Hall slots for The Awakening, from British director Nick Murphy, a psychological thriller that stars Rebecca Hall, Dominic West and Imelda Staunton, and director Tanya Wexler’s Hysteria, a romantic comedy top-lined by Maggie Gyllenhaal, Hugh Dancy, Jonathan Pryce, Rupert Everett and Felicity Jones.There’s also star-driven world debuts for Gary McKendry’s Killer Elite, a globe-trotting action film starring Jason Statham, Robert De Niro and Clive Owen set for a September 23 theatrical release; Marc Forster’s Machine Gun Preacher, which stars Gerard Butler in the true-life role of criminal-turned-kidnapped child saver Sam Childers; and Joel Schumacher’s Trespass, which stars Nicolas Cage and Nicole Kidman.FitzGibbon’s Death of a Superhero, which stars Andy Serkis and Thomas Brodie-Sangster and is based on Anthony McCarten's novel.There’s also world bows for The First Man, by Italian director Gianni Amelio, an adaptation of Albert Camus' autobiographical last novel; Agnieszka Holland’s In Darkness, a Holocaust drama starring Robert Wieçkiewicz and Benno Fürmann already picked up by Sony Pictures Classics; and Intruders, by Spanish director Juan Carlos Fresnadillo and starring Clive Owen.Toronto also booked a North American premiere in the Special Presentations sidebar for Hong Kong director Johnnie To’s Life Without Principle, a drama about three characters in desperate need of money that will screen in competition in Venice.Also Toronto-bound for a North American debut is Low Life, by French directors Nicolas Klotz and Elisabeth Perceval, which just screened in Locarno, while there’s a world premiere for Indian director Pankaj Kapur’s Mausam (Seasons of Love), a turbulent love story starring Shahid Kapur, Sonam A Kapoor and Anupam Kher.Other world premieres: Anne Fontaine’s My Worst Nightmare, starring Isabelle Huppert; fellow French director Mathieu Kassovitz’ Rebellion, and U.S. director Geoffrey Fletcher’s Violet & Daisy, a film about two girls and some guns that stars Saoirse Ronan, Alexis Bledel and James Gandolfini.
Toronto also booked North American bows for Hong Kong director Ann Hui’s A Simple Life, which reunites Asian screen star Andy Lau with his godmother Deanie Ip as they perform together in front of the movie camera for the first time in 23 years, and Australian director Julia Leigh’s Sleeping Beauty, which stars Emily Browning and Rachael Blake.Fest programmers also gave an international premiere to Terraferma, from Italian director Emanuele Crialese; and North American bows to Philippe Garrel’s That Summer, which stars Monica Belluci and the French director’s son, Louis Garrel; the epic film Warriors of the Rainbow: Seediq Bale, from Taiwanese director Wei Te-Sheng; and Andrea Arnold’s Wuthering Heights, which stars James Howson and Kaya Scodelario.Toronto’s Contemporary World Cinema section added another 51 titles, including world bows for the latest films by Nancy Savoca, Xiaolu Guo and Nacho Vigalondo.
And there’s North American bows for new films by directors Andrey Zvyagintsev, Gerardo Naranjo, Sono Sion, Asghar Farhadi, Karim Ainouz, Ole Christian Madsen and Cristián Jiménez.U.S. director Joshua Marston will bring The Forgiveness of Blood, an Albanian family feud drama to Toronto after a Berlin bow; and French director Vincent Garenq will bring the justice drama Presume Coupable (Guilty) after a Venice debut.And there’s world premieres for Italian director Stefano Chiantini’s Islands; Juan of the Dead, by director Alejandro Brugués, about a zombie outbreak in Cuba; Always Brando, by Tunisian director Ridha Béhi, and Blood of my Blood, by Portuguese director João Canijo.The Future Projections sidebar of moving image installation includes a collaboration by James Franco and Gus Van Sant, entitled Memories of Idaho (1991; 2010 and 2011), and artworks by Peter Lynch, Nicholas and Sheila Pye, Mr. Brainwash and David Lamelas.The Toronto International Film Festival is set to run from September 8 to 18.

recently Emma Watson shares passionate kiss with Hollywood star Johnny simmons

Emma, 21 – who plays Hogwarts swot Hermione Granger in the blockbuster film series – has found love with pin-up Johnny Simmons after they met on the set of her new movie.
Our exclusive pictures show the couple sharing a passionate kiss before having a romantic lunch together in Santa Monica, California this week.
US actor Johnny, 24, had clearly cast a spell over Emma, who stood on tiptoe in her flip-flops and bright patchwork-style maxi skirt to kiss him.
An onlooker said: “They arrived outside   the   restaur­ant  and  they immediately shared  a  very ­tender kiss.
“They weren’t at   all shy about it and obviously didn’t mind who saw. Emma reached up to kiss him and gazed at him adoringly before he pulled her in for a tender embrace.
“They spent a few seconds staring into each other’s eyes and it seemed obvious they were a couple. After one or two minutes they walked into the restaurant and had lunch.”
The pair were previously snapped together in May, looking happy and relaxed in jogging gear as they strolled in a park in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania where they were filming The Perks of Being a Wallflower, out later this year.
At the time Emma denied they were an item, and her agent dismissed any such claims as “complete fiction”. Johnny is Emma’s first love interest since she split from One Night Only singer George Craig after a brief fling last year. Before that she had an on-and-off two-year relationship with British financier Jay Ba.
In an interview earlier this year she said: “‘I say to my friends, ‘Why hasn’t X called me? Why doesn’t anyone ever pursue me?’ They’re like, ‘Probably because they’re intimidated’.
“It must be the fame wall. It must be the circus that goes around me. Me, as a person, I find   it hard   to ­believe I’d be intimidating.”
In another inter­view Emma – who snogs Rupert Grint’s character Ron ­Weasley in the final ­Potter film, Deathly Hallows Part 2 – told how she and Harry star Daniel Radcliffe often used to share relationship advice as they waited for their scenes on film sets.
She said: “We’d help each other compose texts to our most recent flames.”
Johnny has become Hollywood hot property, with his boyish good looks and floppy hair often leading to comparisons to the late River Phoenix. He was the envy of men across the planet when he kissed Megan Fox in 2009 comedy horror film Jennifer’s Body.
But his path to stardom has not been completely smooth. In May 2006 he was stopped for speeding at 80mph in a 65mph zone.
Just two days later he was arrested for underage possession of alcohol. He pleaded guilty and was fined $500.
In The Perks of Being a Wallflower Emma plays Sam, who leads her shy student friend Charlie (played by Logan Lerman) into a world of sexand drugs. Johnny plays all-American sports star Brad.
Known as a “good ol’ boy” from the American South, he was born in ­Montgomery, Alabama, and raised in Dallas, Texas. He starred in his first sex scene with Mamma Mia! star Amanda Seyfried in Jennifer’s Body – and was embarrassed to tell his parents.
He said: “I told my Mom and Dad not to go see it. My Mom especially. I think it was eating at my conscience for a while, and I just had to go tell her.”
Johnny is now understood to live in a sought-after area in the Hollywood Hills, where he shares a house with glamorous.

Hollywood actress Taylor Swift and Selena Gomez won the Teen Choice Awards 2011

Taylor Swift and Selena Gome















The Teen Choice Awards returned on Sunday (August 7) to hand out brightly colored surfboards for everything from best summer jam to favorite on-screen kiss.Teen Choice host and “Big Bang Theory” star Kaley Cuoco hit the stage with a high-energy opening monologue in high-shine skinny trousers, getting all up close and personal with some of the “typical” teens in the audience, like MTV’s “Teen Wolf” heartthrob Tyler Posey.
Selena Gomez conjured 5 wins at the Teen Choice Awards 2011– one more than boyfriend Justin Bieber. The star of “Wizards of Waverly Place” was selected as choice TV actress, female hottie and music group with her band The Scene. Selena Gomez and her ensemble were also awarded the choice single trophy for “Who Says” and love song for “Love You Like a Love Song,” which the 19-year-old actress-singer performed at Sunday’s freewheeling fan-favorite ceremony. “This is for all of you guys,” Selena Gomez told the screeching crowd. “This isn’t mine.” Justtin Bieber, Selena Gomez’s 17-year-old actor-singer boyfriend, picked up four surfboard-shaped trophies as choice male music artist, male hottie, twit and TV villain for his “CSI” guest starring role. Other multiple winners included “Glee,” “The Vampire Diaries,” “The Twilight Saga,” “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows,” Robert Pattinson and Taylor Swift. “I feel like it’s been a long time since I was a teenager, like, 2 years,” Taylor Swift joked. Swift tied Selena Gomez with 5 awards: choice female music artist, country female artist, female red carpet fashion icon, country single for “Mean” and break-up song for “Back to December.” The 21-year-old crooner was also honored for her contributions to entertainment with the Ultimate Choice Award, the show’s version of a lifetime achievement award. “The Big Bang Theory” leading lady Kaley Cuoco hosted the 13th annual extravaganza at Universal Studios Hollywood’s.
Gibson Amphitheatre. Between dispensing awards like candy, Cuoco battled “Chuck” star Zachary Levi in table tennis, danced alongside “America’s Best Dance Crew” winners Poreotix and jokingly quizzed teenagers about current affairs.

recently very nice Comedy Football highlights video

latest news of Norway PM to politicians: Think before you speak

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  FILE - In this July 25, 2011 file photo, Norway's twin terror attacks suspect Anders …

OSLO, Norway (AP) — Norway's prime minister on Monday called on political leaders to show restraint in what they say as the country emerges from mourning the 77 victims of a bombing and youth camp massacre by an anti-Muslim extremist.

Jens Stoltenberg didn't single out anyone but seemed to be referring to sometimes harsh discussions on immigration when he told Parliament that the July 22 attacks gave reason to reflect on "what we have thought, said and written."

"We all have something to learn from the tragedy," he told lawmakers at a ceremony honoring the victims. "We can all have a need to say 'I was wrong,' and be respected for it."

That goes for politicians and newsroom editors, in everyday conversations and on the Internet, the prime minister said.

"Our promise is that we take with us the spirit of July 22 when political work resumes. We will behave with the same wisdom and respect as the Norwegian people," Stoltenberg said.

Norway's political parties have agreed to postpone campaigning for local elections in September until mid-August, as the nation mourns the eighth people killed in the Oslo bombing and the 69 victims of the shooting spree at an annual summer retreat held by the youth wing of the prime minister's Labor Party.

Confessed killer Anders Behring Breivik says his attacks were an attempt at cultural revolution, aimed at purging Europe of Muslims and punishing politicians that have embraced multiculturalism.

The attacks were unprecedented in peaceful Norway. But Breivik's anti-Muslim rants on political blogs didn't attract much attention before the attacks, showing how common such views have become.

Norway's Progress Party, the country's biggest mainstream voice against immigration, has confirmed that Breivik used to be a member of the party. It strongly condemned his actions and voiced its sympaties for the Labor Party in the aftermath of the attacks.

In his manifesto, Breivik said he left the Progress Party because they were too moderate and he no longer believed in stopping immigration of Muslims by democratic means.

At the ceremony Monday, Parliament speaker Dag Terje Andersen read the names of the victims as lawmakers, Cabinet ministers, King Harald and Crown Prince Haakon stood in silence.

Stoltenberg said Aug. 21 would be a national memorial day to commemorate the victims.

hollywood Tearful angelina Jolie gets Sarajevo film festival award of 2011

                nice jolie

• Angelina Jolie poses with Heart of Sarajevo award which she received during 17th …

Hollywood actress Angelina Jolie was close to tears as she received a special award during an unannounced visit to Sarajevo's film festival Saturday with partner Brad Pitt.

Jolie chose Bosnia's 1992-95 war as the setting for her first film as a director. "In the Land of Blood and Honey" is due to be released in December.
She has also visited Bosnia as a goodwill ambassador for the U.N.'s refugee agency UNHCR and funded the construction of several houses for returnees in eastern Bosnia.
Festival director Mirsad Purivatra presented Jolie with a heart-shaped award when she appeared at the closing ceremony.
"Tonight we are giving the honorary Heart of Sarajevo to a great artist, not only for the great impact she has in the world of cinema but also for persisting and her active engagement in the complexities of the real world we live in," Purivatra said.
Jolie, dressed in a long peach dress, stood on stage with eyes full of tears waiting for the clapping to die down.
"I told Brad in the car I was afraid I was going to cry," she said, her voice breaking.
Jolie's film tells the story of a love affair between a Bosniak (Bosnian Muslim) woman and a Serb, who were on opposite warring sides during the conflict.
"I am so honored to be here at this festival," Jolie said after receiving the award. "There is no greater example of the strengths of the artists and the festival that began during the war and grew stronger every year."
Jolie presented Austrian actor Thomas Schubert with the award for the best actor for his role in the film "Atmen," directed by Karl Markovics.
Romanian actress Ada Condeascu won the prize for best actress for her role in the film "Loverboy."

Today Activists of Syrian army kills 62 in attacks

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  In this photo released by the Syrian official news agency SANA, workers pump oil …
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  In this photo released by the Syrian official news agency SANA, Syrian pro-government …         Syrian security forces killed at least 62 people Sunday in an escalation of the crackdown on protests ahead of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, activists and residents said. Most died in raids on the flashpoint city of Hama, where a barrage of shelling and gunfire left bodies scattered in the streets.Demonstrations calling for President Bashar Assad's ouster are expected to swell during Ramadan, which starts Monday, in Syria. Security forces appeared to be racing against time as they stormed and raided cities and small villages across the country in an attempt to crush a remarkably resilient uprising that began in mid-March.Having sealed off the main roads into the opposition stronghold of Hama almost a month ago, army troops in tanks pushed into the city from four sides before daybreak Sunday in a coordinated assault. Residents shouted "God is great!" and threw firebombs, stones and sticks at the tanks. The crackle of gunfire and thud of tank shells echoed across the city, and clouds of black smoke drifted over rooftops."It's a massacre. They want to break Hama before the month of Ramadan," an eyewitness who identified himself by his first name, Ahmed, told The Associated Press by telephone from Hama, where at least 49 people were killed Sunday.Hospitals were overwhelmed with casualties and were seeking blood donations, he said.British Foreign Secretary William Hague said the attacks against civilians were "all the more shocking" on the eve of Ramadan and appeared to be part of a "coordinated effort to deter Syrians" from protesting during Ramadan."President Bashar is mistaken if he believes that oppression and military force will end the crisis in his country. He should stop this assault on his own people now," Hague said in London.During Ramadan, Muslims throng mosques for special night prayers after breaking their daily dawn-to-dusk fast.Other raids were reported in southern Syria and in the suburbs of the capital Damascus. In the neighborhood of al-Joura in the eastern city of Deir el-Zour, soldiers in tanks fired machine guns, killing at least seven people, activists said.In the village of al-Hirak in the southern province of Daraa, residents said security forces killed four people early Sunday after opening fire on residents as people ventured into the streets to buy bread.A resident who gave his name as Abu Mohammed said more than 40 were wounded and 170 detained in house-to-house arrests.He said some soldiers defected to the protesters after having refused orders to shoot at civilians.The reports could not be independently verified because Syria has banned most foreign media and restricted coverage.A spokesman for The Local Coordination Committees, which organizes and monitors anti-government protests in Syria, said the group had the names of 49 civilians who died in Sunday's onslaught on Hama.Rami Abdul-Rahman, director of The London-based Observatory for Human Rights, quoting hospital officials in Hama, confirmed that death toll and said two more people were killed in Souran in the Hama countryside, in security forces' fire.An activist and Hama resident who identified himself as Saleh Abu Yaman said some soldiers had defected and were fighting against troops loyal to the regime. He said snipers had taken up position on the rooftops of government buildings in the city.Another resident said the city had been expecting an assault after security troops and pro-government thugs started streaming into the city overnight.Residents set up sand and stone barricades to try and keep troops out, and set fire to tires.An estimated 1,600 civilians have died in the crackdown on the largely peaceful protests against President Bashar Assad's regime since the uprising began. Most were killed in shootings by security forces on anti-government rallies.The government has sought to discredit those behind the protests by saying they are terrorists and foreign extremists, not true reform-seekers.State-run news agency SANA on Sunday said gunmen in Hama and Deir el-Zour had erected barricades and sand barriers in the streets, and that extremists in Hama torched police stations, destroyed public and private property and fired from rooftops. It said two policemen, an officer and two soldiers were killed.Hama, about 130 miles (210 kilometers) north of the capital Damascus, has become one of the hottest centers of the demonstrations, with hundreds of thousands protesting every week in its central Assi Square.In early June, security forces shot dead 65 people there. Since then it has fallen out of government control, with protesters holding the streets and government forces ringing the city and conducting overnight raids.The city has a history of dissent against the Assad dynasty. In 1982, Assad's late father, Hafez Assad, ordered his brother to quell a rebellion by Syrian members of the conservative Muslim Brotherhood movement. The city was sealed off and bombs dropped from above smashed swaths of the city and killed between 10,000 and 25,000 people, rights groups say.

BMW create new two models of rolls out electric i3 and i8 models

• An i3 electric car by German car maker BMW Group is presented in Frankfurt, western .An i8 electric car by German car maker BMW Group is presented in Frankfurt, western…
• German luxury carmaker BMW presented two electric models on Friday, signalling its arrival to a segment that is key to the industry's fortunes.The all-electric i3 is aimed at the urban car market and should hit dealerships in 2012. The hybrid i8 is due for delivery in 2014 and is more geared towards high-performance auto enthusiasts."This is an important new milestone in BMW's history," chief executive Norbert Reithofer declared as the vehicles were shown to media."As the leading premium auto manufacturer in the world, we wanted to offer clients automobiles that were made to order, with an electric motor," he added.The i8 combines electric and gas-powered engines to allow for long-distance travel, while the compact i3 is clearly designed for city use.Both have a lightweight aluminium chassis and a reinforced carbon-fibre body to compensate for the weight of the batteries.The cars are to be made at a plant in Leipzig where the company plans to invest some 400 million euros ($575 million) and create 800 jobs by 2013.German automakers, known mainly for powerful vehicles, are trying to catch up with companies like Toyota that got an early start with hybrid cars.The companies must also meet stricter European Union emissions levels starting from next year.BMW did not provide details on how much the cars would cost or how many would be made, but the company reiterated that premium car owners were targeted.German media reports have spoken of 30,000 vehicles per year, which would be well below full-scale production levels. BMW finance director Friedrich Eichiner pledged however that the models presented Friday would "make a contribution" to the group's earnings.

latest news of Libya and Syria offering US no easy answers

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  FILE - In this April 10, 2011, file photo Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi gestures …
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  FILE - In this June 20, 2011, file photo released by the Syrian official news agency …

Five months after President Barack Obama told him to leave Libya, Moammar Gadhafi is pressing on against NATO-backed rebel forces, flaunting his remaining power in the face of Western nations fearful of combatting him with greater force. And four months after Obama offered Syria's leader an ultimatum to lead reform or leave, Bashar Assad's crackdown on dissent rages on.Through intervention or engagement, the U.S. is stuck with inconclusive results in both countries. And while American officials are loath to compare the civil war in Libya to the civil unrest in Syria, they say neither conflict makes for easy solutions. The unclear endgame in each is constraining the actions of everyone involved — including the United States.Coming out with guns blazing failed to deliver an early knockout punch to Gadhafi, who seems determined to prolong four decades of crafty and often cynical rule that has seen him crush all previous attempts at liberalization. Engagement has proved similarly ineffectual directed toward Assad, who has mixed promises of reform and symbolic steps toward greater democracy with fierce repression, leaving much of his country in a state of siege.

Libya's war has become a quagmire. On Thursday, rebel commander Abdel-Fattah Younis was shot and killed under mysterious circumstances, just before arriving for questioning by opposition authorities over alleged family links to the Gadhafi regime. His death raised the specter of a troubling split within the rebel movement at a time when their forces have failed to make battlefield gains despite NATO's pounding airstrikes on Gadhafi's military.The killing also underlined the uncertainty of the war. The United States and several dozen other nations have recognized the rebel leadership as Libya's legitimate rulers, but Gadhafi had held onto a large part of the country. The government's grip on the capital, Tripoli, seems secure.

Younis' death is unlikely to lead the U.S. and its allies into any abrupt change in their decision to throw their weight behind the rebels in Libya's civil war. It could, however, show signs that the movement is imploding or turning against its own, with much of the work of ousting Gadhafi still unachieved. And it casts doubt on the repeated claims in Western capitals that the rebels have proved themselves worthy national leaders and that Gadhafi's regime is on the verge of collapse.For the U.S., policy options are limited. It has already played its military card, leading the early stages of NATO's intervention by bombing Gadhafi's air defense capabilities. Since then it has played a more auxiliary role in the alliance, pitching in with plane refueling, reconnaissance and some drone strikes. And there is fierce resistance from Congress to ramping up U.S. aerial attacks anew.

Politically, meanwhile, the oft-repeated U.S. demand that Gadhafi must leave power and leave Libya has left the Obama administration with little wiggle room for a creative diplomatic solution.American officials met with Gadhafi representatives earlier this month, but insisted that they didn't hold a negotiating session. Instead, officials said they pressed the administration's commitment to seeing Libya's leader end his rule. The meeting apparently produced no concrete results and officials said they had no plans to meet with regime officials again.In Syria, the president and Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton have hardened their rhetoric in recent months.Obama has promised to use "all the diplomatic, economic and strategic tools" available to support democratic transition. Yet it's unclear what effect the pressure is having, or how big a toolbox is at the administration's disposal. The president specifically left out any military options.Activists say more than 1,600 civilians have died since protests erupted in mid-March and daily reports of deaths in demonstrations are adding to the Syrian toll. The government blames the unrest on terrorists and foreign extremists, and shows little signs of backing down.Testifying this week before a House foreign affairs subcommittee, the State Department's top human rights official, Michael Posner, repeated the administration's mantra that Assad has acted barbarically, lost legitimacy and placed himself on the wrong side of history. But pressed by lawmakers to explicitly call for regime change in Syria, he demurred.Jeffrey Feltman, the top U.S. diplomat for the Middle East, added that the U.S. was limited in what economic force it could apply. "We start from the reality that Syria is one of the most sanctioned countries in the world when it comes to trade and relations with the United States," he noted, saying officials were asking European nations to enact oil, gas and other sanctions against Assad's regime.And as for the limited engagement with Syria's regime that remains, the administration has struggled to say how it has tempered the government crackdown or accelerated an end to the repression. The U.S. has little capacity to threaten further isolation or economic punishment of Assad's often anti-American and pro-Iranian government — unlike in Egypt, where Obama was able to help usher long-time ally Hosni Mubarak out of power.Posner said the U.S. ambassador to Syria, Robert Ford, was "greeted as a hero" when he went to the restive city of Hama earlier this month, a trip designed to demonstrate U.S. solidarity with demonstrator.

american Polygamist leader, Warren Jeffs said that, in court outburst, says is persecuted

Recently Polygamist leader Warren Jeffs interrupted his Texas child sexual assault trial on Friday, shouting that his religious rights were being violated and warning the court it was stomping on "sacred ground".
"This is not a fly-by-night religious organization,
"You are stomping on sacred ground. You are treading on a people of peace. This religion deserves protection. The government of the United States has no right to infringe on the right of a peaceful people.
Jeffs, who is representing himself at the trial, is charged with child sexual assault and aggravated child sexual assault in connection with his "spiritual marriages" to two girls, ages 12 and 14, at the remote Yearning for Zion Ranch in Texas.
Jeffs, 55, is considered the spiritual leader of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, which experts estimate has 10,000 followers in North America.
The sect is accused of promoting marriages between older men and girls, and has been condemned by the mainstream Mormon Church.
The outburst happened when Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric Nichols called FBI Agent John Broadway to the stand to ask him about the so-called "Bishop's List," which details the men at the ranch and their multiple wives.
Jeffs, who had previously sat quietly with his hands in his lap, sprang from his seat at the defense table, yelling "I object!"
Jeffs, the self-proclaimed "prophet" of his church, paced excitedly in front of the jury box as he pumped his fist, extended his arms, and cut the air with his hands.
"God has entered me upon the people of Earth as a living prophet," Jeffs told the jurors.
Jeffs frequently returned to what he sees as this case being a part of continued government persecution of the FLDS, which was created by Mormons who left the mainstream church after a Mormon declaration in 1890 outlawing polygamy.
The sect teaches that for a man to be among the select in heaven, he must have at least three wives.
"This is a sacred trust delivered to religious leadership, not to be touched by government agencies, no matter what," Jeffs thundered, referring to plural marriage. "We maintain the right of a free religion. You are now treading on sacred ground."
Jeffs' outburst and subsequent interruptions of other attorneys in the case led State District Judge Barbara Walther to dismiss the jurors and adjourn the court session until at least Friday afternoon.
Jeffs repeatedly said a special hearing, outside the presence of the jury, should be held to determine whether the Bishop's List should be introduced as evidence.
The list was collected during a raid on the ranch that was prompted by a phone call later determined to be a false report, which some attorneys have argued should negate its use in court.

latest news about Google, Citi, MasterCard, First Data and Sprint Team up to Make Your Phone Your Wallet

Google Wallet will enable consumers to tap, pay and save with their phonesAt an event today, Google, Citi, MasterCard, First Data and Sprint announced and demonstrated Google Wallet, an app that will make your phone your wallet so you can tap, pay and save money and time while you shop. For businesses, Google Wallet is an opportunity to strengthen customer relationships by offering a faster, easier shopping experience with relevant deals, promotions and loyalty rewards.

“Today, we’ve joined with leaders in the industry to build the next generation of mobile commerce,” said Stephanie Tilenius, vice president, commerce and payments, Google. “With Citi, MasterCard, First Data and Sprint we’re building an open commerce ecosystem that for the first time will make it possible for you to pay with an NFC wallet and redeem consumer promotions all in one tap, while shopping offline.”

Next Step in Mobile Payments
At commercial launch, Google Wallet will support payments with two payment solutions: a PayPass eligible Citi MasterCard and a virtual Google Prepaid card. Most people who already have a PayPass eligible Citi MasterCard can simply add it to Google Wallet over the air, using First Data’s trusted service manager service. Or, they can fund the Google Prepaid card with any payment card.
Google Wallet uses near field communication (NFC) to make secure payments fast and convenient by simply tapping the phone on any PayPass-enabled terminal at checkout.

“Citi’s role as the lead bank in Google Wallet is the latest demonstration of how we are committed to becoming the world’s digital bank, providing to customers the tools they need to manage their everyday finances with convenience and value,” said Paul Galant, CEO, Citi Global Enterprise Payments. “Today’s announcement and our active collaboration with Google will be looked at as the inflection point for how mobile payments are evolving from concept to mass utilization.”
Accepted in Stores Nationwide
Google Wallet is built to work with the fast growing MasterCard PayPass network—a merchant point of sale service that enables consumers to tap to pay. As a result, Google Wallet will immediately be accepted at more than 124,000 PayPass-enabled merchants nationally and more than 311,000 globally.
“MasterCard has pioneered mobile payments with our PayPass technology and we’re proud that it is at the heart of Google Wallet,” said Ed McLaughlin, chief emerging payments officer, Master card.
Google is also working with point of sale systems companies and top retail brands to create a new SingleTap shopping experience. Consumers will be able to pay for an item using a credit card or gift card, redeem promotions and earn loyalty points—all with a single tap of their Google Wallet. Google is working with VeriFone, Hypercom, Ingenico, VIVOTech and others to develop these next generation point of sale systems. Retailers participating in the new SingleTap experience include: American Eagle Outfitters, Bloomingdale’s, Champs Sports, The Container Store, Duane Reade, Einstein Bros. Bagels, Foot Locker, Guess, Jamba Juice, Macy’s, Noah’s Bagels, Peet’s Coffee & Tea, RadioShack, Subway, Toys“R”Us and Walgreens.
“Google Wallet allows us to harness the power of mobile technology to enhance our in-store shopping experience and helps bridge the gap between our online and in-store consumer interactions,” said Martine Reardon, executive vice-president of marketing and advertising, Macy’s. “Macy’s is always looking for cutting-edge technology that will deliver value and engage our customers in personal ways. Google Wallet delivers this unique interaction across channels.”
The first Google Wallet field tests are focused in New York and San Francisco, where many retailers, Coca-Cola vending machines and even taxis are PayPass-enabled, including major outlets such as CVS, Jack in the Box, Sports Authority and Sunoco. First Data, a global leader in electronic commerce and payment processing, is actively recruiting thousands of new merchants in these areas and will soon expand those efforts to deploy more contactless merchant terminals across the country.
“The payments industry has known for some time that it was not a question of if, but when true mobile commerce would become a reality. We believe today is the day that mobile meets payments,” said Ed Labry, president, North America, First Data. “We’re proud to play a central role in Google Wallet and to bring innovative technology such as Trusted Service Management and contactless acceptance to our clients.”
Saving Made Simple
Google has also been testing a variety of consumer deals that can range from a 20-percent discount on a new pair of boots discovered on a Google search advertisement; to a $5 off check-in offer received upon entering a store; to a “deal of the day” offering a $20 lunch for $10 at a local restaurant. Whenever you buy or save an offer, you will be able to automatically sync it to Google Wallet.
At most stores you will be able to use Google Wallet to show your offer at the register, where the cashier will either scan it or manually type it in. At participating Google SingleTap merchants, you will be able to pay and redeem an offer with one tap of your mobile device.
Because Google Wallet is a mobile app, it will eventually be able to do more than a regular wallet ever could—but without the bulk. Google Wallet will start with offers, loyalty and gift cards but some day items like receipts, boarding passes and tickets will all be seamlessly synced to your Google Wallet.
Open Commerce Ecosystem = Consumer Choice and Innovation
Google Wallet will make it possible to integrate numerous types of partners, and Google, Citi, MasterCard, First Data and Sprint invite the banking community, mobile carriers, handset manufacturers, merchants and others to work with Google Wallet.
“We are delighted to be the first carrier to sign on as a partner with Google to deliver Google Wallet,” said Fared Adib, senior vice president of product development, Sprint. “As a leading innovator and proponent of “open,” we are proud that Nexus S 4G is the first smartphone with Google Wallet and we look forward to deploying Google Wallet on many of our upcoming Android phones.”
The first release of Google Wallet is expected to be released on the Nexus S 4G on the Sprint network. Additional devices with NFC capabilities will follow. Sign up to be notified about the release at google.com/wallet.

About Google Inc.

Google (NASDAQ: GOOG) is a global technology leader focused on improving the ways people connect with information. Google’s innovations in web search and advertising have made its website a top internet property and its brand one of the most recognized in the world. For more information, visit www.google.com/about.html.

About Citi

Citi, the leading global financial services company, has approximately 200 million customer accounts and does business in more than 160 countries and jurisdictions. Through Citicorp and Citi Holdings, Citi provides consumers, corporations, governments and institutions with a broad range of financial products and services, including consumer banking and credit, corporate and investment banking, securities brokerage, transaction services and wealth management. Additional information may be found at www.citigroup.com.

About MasterCard

As a leading global payments company, MasterCard (NYSE: MA) serves as a franchisor, processor and advisor to the payments industry, and makes commerce happen by providing a critical economic link among financial institutions, governments, businesses, merchants and cardholders worldwide in more than 210 countries and territories. For more information, please visit us at www.mastercard.com. Follow us on Twitter: @mastercardnews.

About First Data

Around the world, every second of every day, First Data makes payment transactions secure, fast and easy for merchants, financial institutions and their customers. First Data leverages its vast product portfolio and expertise to drive customer revenue and profitability. Whether the choice of payment is by debit or credit card, gift card, check or mobile phone, online or at the checkout counter, First Data takes every opportunity to go beyond the transaction.

About Sprint

Sprint Nextel offers a comprehensive range of wireless and wireline communications services bringing the freedom of mobility to consumers, businesses and government users. Sprint Nextel served more than 51 million customers at the end of 1Q 2011 and is widely recognized for developing, engineering and deploying innovative technologies, including the first wireless 4G service from a national carrier in the United States; offering industry-leading mobile data services, leading prepaid brands including Virgin Mobile USA, Boost Mobile and Assurance Wireless; instant national and international push-to-talk capabilities; and a global Tier 1 Internet backbone.You can learn more and visit Sprint at www.sprint.com or www.facebook.com/sprint and www.twitter.com/sprint.