‘Journey,’ ‘Assassin’s Creed III’ among Spike Video Game Awards nominees

LOS ANGELES, Calif. – The artsy downloadable game “Journey” leads the pack of nominees for this year’s Spike Video Game Awards.

The PlayStation 3 game received seven nods in such categories as best graphics, independent game, original score and game of the year.

Other game of the year nominees are “Assassin’s Creed III,” ”Dishonoured,” ”Mass Effect 3″ and “The Walking Dead: The Game.”

The nominees in the best shooter category are “Borderlands 2,” ”Call of Duty: Black Ops II,” ”Halo 4″ and “Max Payne 3.”

The 10th annual ceremony on Dec. 7 will be hosted by Samuel L. Jackson and broadcast live on Spike.

The show will feature debut footage from such upcoming games as “The Last of Us” and “Gears of War: Judgment,” as well as musical performances by Linkin Park and Tenacious D.

Gaming News Headlines – Yahoo! News

Read More..

New Global Fund head targets killer diseases with cash

WASHINGTON, Nov 15 (TrustLaw) – The Global Fund‘s new executive director, Mark Dybul, said he will move quickly to raise fresh money and release funding to combat the killer diseases AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis.

New scientific research shows that these diseases can be contained and his mission will be to achieve that in partnership with hard-hit countries, Dybul said in an interview on Thursday shortly after his appointment to head the epidemic-fighting agency based in Geneva.

“We are going to move aggressively to get money out of the door,” said Dybul, a former U.S. global AIDS coordinator. “We will be working to increase the resources of the Fund and its contributions. We will be very aggressive.”

“We have the scientific knowledge to completely control these diseases, and we want to have the resources,” Dybul added, although he did not set time frames nor financial goals.

Since its founding in 2002, the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria has approved $ 22.9 billion in funding for more than 1,000 programs in 151 countries. Its programs have helped treat 3.6 million people with AIDS, 9.3 million with anti-TB treatments and delivered 270 million insecticide-treated mosquito nets to prevent malaria, it said.

Dybul joins the Global Fund after a turbulent year for the public-private organization.

Set up a decade ago to combat the three epidemics, it was forced to halt new program funding in face of a revenue shortfall after the start of the global financial crisis. The Global Fund also faced criticism over misuse of funds, prompting its head, Michel Kazatchkine of France, to step down in January.

Its chief auditor, John Parson, was fired on Thursday after the board deemed his performance “unsatisfactory.”

Dybul, an AIDS clinician with a specialty in immunology who held leading posts under former U.S. President George W. Bush at the President’s Emergency Program for AIDS Relief and as an ambassador for AIDS, brushed aside any concern about the recent upheavals at the Fund.

“It is on a very strong forward trajectory,” he said. “It is in a very strong position and has a very strong emphasis on value for money and focus on the three killer diseases.”

He said the recent challenges demonstrate that the Fund is a “learning institution that reflects, reviews and reacts.”

The Fund’s board also on Thursday approved a new funding model, starting in 2013, that is designed to be simpler, more flexible and have greater impact in conquering the diseases.

The new system relies upon closer discussions with the recipient countries, along with other donor groups and experts, over the design of their disease-fighting programs, it said.

Funding also will focus on addressing the needs of the poorest countries with the highest number of infections, it said. Additionally, grant cycles will be flexible instead of falling in set time periods, so that they can be coordinated better with a country’s budgetary cycle, it said.

Medecins Sans Frontieres said in a news release that the first priority for the new executive director “should be making sure funding for new proposals gets out the door to accelerate much-needed treatment of HIV and drug-resistant tuberculosis, and raising the necessary funds to do so.”

Dybul said he will seek to build strong partnerships with countries in the design of comprehensive programs to control the epidemics, and work with other organizations in obtaining financing.

Health News Headlines – Yahoo! News

Read More..

Billy Joel, Rihanna fight Pandora over compensation

(Reuters) – Some of music’s most notable names including Billy Joel, Rihanna and Missy Elliott have signed an open letter to Pandora Media Inc opposing the online music company‘s push to change how artists are compensated.

Pandora is currently lobbying lawmakers in U.S. Congress to pass the “Internet Radio Fairness Act,” which would change regulation of how royalties are paid to artists.

A group of 125 musicians who say they are fans of Pandora argue the bill would cut by 85 percent the amount of money an artist receives when his or her songs are played over the Internet.

“Why is the company asking Congress once again to step in and gut the royalties that thousands of musicians rely upon? That’s not fair and that’s not how partners work together,” said the letter, to be published this weekend in Billboard, the influential music industry magazine.

A statement with an advance copy of the letter was released on Wednesday by musicFirst, a coalition of musicians and business people, and SoundExchange, a nonprofit organization that collects royalties set by Congress on behalf of musicians.

“Internet radio and the artists whose music is played and listened to on the Internet are indeed all in this together,” Tim Westergren, Pandora’s founder and chief strategy officer, said in a statement.

“A sustainable Internet radio industry will benefit all artists, big and small.”

FLASHPOINT

The issue of how musicians are paid for Internet streaming of their songs has been a flashpoint for Pandora.

Pandora is a mostly advertising-supported online music company, founded more than a decade ago, that streams songs through the Internet. In October, it said its share of total U.S. radio listening was almost 7 percent, up from about 4 percent during the same period last year.

Pandora’s success has been double-edged – the more customers it gains, the more money it has to pay overall for rights to stream music.

So far, that rate is set until 2015.

Pandora, along with other music services such as Clear Channel Communications, is supporting the bill on grounds that different providers, such as satellite and cable, pay different rates.

“The current law penalizes new media and is astonishingly unfair to Internet radio,” Pandora said on its website.

“We are asking for our listeners’ support to help end the discrimination against internet radio. It’s time for Congress to stop picking winners, level the playing field and establish a technology-neutral standard.”

The Internet Radio Fairness Act is a bipartisan bill sponsored by U.S. representatives Jason Chaffetz and Jared Polis along with Sen. Ron Wyden.

Shares of Pandora closed 4.6 percent lower at $ 7.31 on the New York Stock Exchange on Wednesday.

(Reporting by Jennifer Saba in New York; editing by Matthew Lewis)

Music News Headlines – Yahoo! News

Read More..

FBI veteran started Petraeus email probe

The FBI agent who investigated harassing emails to a Florida socialite, a probe that set off a chain of events leading to the resignation of CIA director David Petraeus over an extramarital affair, was a veteran investigator who has worked on high-profile terrorism cases.

The agent was identified as Frederick Humphries by a former federal agent, a source familiar with the Petraeus investigation and Humphries' attorney, Lawrence Berger.

Humphries, 47, received the initial complaint from Jill Kelley, 37, a Tampa, Fla., socialite, about "harassing" emails that an investigation traced back to Paula Broadwell, a 40-year-old author who co-wrote a biography of Petraeus, 60.

The investigation ultimately uncovered evidence of an affair between Broadwell and Petraeus, prompting Petraeus to resign last week.

Berger said his client's family "knew the Kelley family socially for several years." Jill Kelley asked Humphries for advice on what she perceived to be threatening e-mails and he "referred the matter to the bureau as appropriate."

Berger said his client has been wrongly characterized as a "whistleblower," but there is "no action pending against him, nor does he anticipate any future action."

Humphries "referred the matter to the FBI in accordance to proper protocol," Berger added, and the FBI investigation is taking its course.

Berger flatly declined to confirm or provide any details at all regarding Humphries' alleged contacts with the offices of either Rep. Dave Reichert, R-Wash., or House Majority Leader Rep. Eric Cantor, R-Va.

According to the New York Times, Humphries was allegedly concerned the case had been stalled for political reasons, and in late October contacted Reichert, whom he knew from his time working in Washington. The Times reported that Reichert put him in touch with Cantor, who then passed the message to FBI director, Robert Mueller.

An associate of Humphries told ABC News that it was hard to believe that Humphries had contacted elected officials about the case because "everyone knows that's professional suicide" and Humphries is "top notch."

Humphries has worked as a supervisor on Joint Terrorism Task Force in Tampa and has worked on high-profile terrorism cases.

In Seattle, Humphries worked the so-called Millenium terror plot in 1999, which prevented an Algerian al Qaeda member from bombing Los Angeles International Airport.

More recently, he testified in Florida in a terrorism case of Florida student Youssef Megahed and his associates.

In that case, back in 2007, a sheriff's deputy with the Berkeley County Sherriff's Office in South Carolina became suspicious when University of South Florida student Ahmed Mohamed and his companion, fellow USF student Megahed, did not initially stop when they were pulled over for speeding. The officer said he saw Megahed disconnect a power cord from a laptop computer as he approached the car. The deputy searched the vehicle. According to court records, he found safety fuses, several sections of cut PVC piping containing a potassium nitrate explosive mixture and containers filled with gasoline.

The pair was arrested that night for transporting explosives. Following the arrest, the FBI in Tampa and South Carolina began an investigation with the Joint Terrorism Task Force.

Regarding a "shirtless" photo that Humphries reportedly sent to Jill Kelley, Berger told ABC News that several years ago, Humphries sent a "joke picture" of himself to the Kelley family showing Humphries "posing shirtless between two shooting range dummies."

"There was absolutely no romantic involvement or relationship whatsoever between Agent Humphries and Jill Kelley," said Berger.

According to Berger, sharing funny photos was part of the family's relationship.

Berger objected to unattributed comments in the New York Times that his client was "obsessed" with pursuing the matter.

"Is he a dogged, professional, passionate law enforcement officer? Yes," Berger told ABC News. But it would be "incorrect to describe him as obsessed" with this case, said Berger.

According to Berger, Humphries "reported what he knew according to FBI protocol and then let the investigation take its course."

Also Read

Read More..

Egypt recalls envoy to Israel after Gaza strike

CAIRO (AP) — Egypt has recalled its ambassador to Israel after an Israeli airstrike killed the military commander of Gaza‘s ruling Hamas.

In a statement read on state TV late Wednesday, spokesman Yasser Ali said that President Mohammed Morsi recalled the ambassador and asked the Arab League‘s Secretary General to convene an emergency ministerial meeting in the wake of the Gaza violence.

Morsi also called for an immediate cease fire between Israel and Hamas, an offshoot of Morsi’s Muslim Brotherhood. Israel says it struck in response to rocket attacks from Gaza.

Hours earlier, Morsi’s Muslim Brotherhood group denounced the Israeli airstrike as a “crime that requires a quick Arab and international response to stem these massacres.”

Relations between Israel and Egypt have deteriorated since longtime President Hosni Mubarak was ousted last year.

Middle East News Headlines – Yahoo! News

Read More..

RIM offers free voice calls over Wi-Fi with BBM

TORONTO (AP) — BlackBerry users will be able to make free voice calls over a Wi-Fi network using the popular BBM messaging service.

Research In Motion Ltd. announced Wednesday that it’s adding the feature to BBM. Users will be able to switch back and forth from a text chat to a voice call. A split-screen option will let them talk and text at the same time.

The new feature is a free update for existing customers and comes months before RIM introduces its new BlackBerry 10 smartphones, which are seen critical to RIM’s survival.

RIM surprised analysts in September when it announced that the number of BlackBerry subscribers grew, thanks in part to emerging markets and its popular BBM service. It’s struggling in North America as customers migrate to flashier iPhones and Android phone.

RIM stopped short of offering the BBM voice feature over wireless carriers’ own cellular networks. Doing so would have potentially created more congestion on cellular data networks and deprive carriers of revenue for voice calls. With the new feature, the free calls are limited to times and places where Wi-Fi is available.

The Canadian company said the BBM voice feature is especially attractive for developing markets. Unlike regular texts, BBM messages are not charged on a per-text basis.

Although RIM is struggling in North America, the BlackBerry continues to sell well in such markets as South Africa, Nigeria and Indonesia.

The BBM service has long been a reason for BlackBerry users to not defect to other smartphones but there are rival messaging services. There are more than 60 million BBM users worldwide.

RIM said the BBM voice update is currently available for BlackBerry smartphones running the BlackBerry 6 operating system or higher, with plans for BlackBerry 5 later. RIM’s latest phones run the 7 operating system. The next version, BlackBerry 10, will come soon after a Jan. 30 launch event.

Gadgets News Headlines – Yahoo! News

Read More..

Merck KGaA lifts outlook on drugs, screen chemicals

DARMSTADT, Germany (Reuters) – Merck KGaA lifted its 2012 outlook on Thursday and beat expectations for third-quarter results as it capitalized on its strong position in the market for chemicals for flat screens.

Family-controlled Merck, which traces its roots to a 17th century pharmacy, now expects adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) this year of 2.90-2.95 billion euros ($ 3.7-$ 3.75 billion).

That is the upper half of its previous target range and compares with 2.9 billion euros expected on average by analysts.

Merck also benefited from continue price increases in the U.S. for multiple sclerosis drugs, where the company sells its established Rebif injection, and from an ongoing cost cutting program.

Third-quarter adjusted EBITDA rose 15.6 percent to 754 million euros, above a forecast for 740 million in a Reuters poll. Revenues also exceeded expectations.

Merck’s dominant position in the market for liquid crystals for flat-panel displays allows it to hold its own even as economic uncertainty puts consumers off big-ticket purchases such as pricey flat-screen TVs. Soaring tablet computer sales also help Merck.

The company is slashing costs and jobs after a number of setbacks in drugs development left it without any significant pharmaceuticals in its late-stage development pipeline.

(Reporting by Ludwig Burger)

Health News Headlines – Yahoo! News

Read More..

Rolling Stones add fifth date to anniversary tour

LONDON (Reuters) – The Rolling Stones have added a fifth date to their 50th anniversary tour later this year, the band announced on its website.

In between two shows at London‘s O2 Arena starting on November 25 and two more at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ opening on December 13 the veteran quartet will play the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY on December 8.

Tickets for the fifth concert go on sale on Monday, November 19. The first four gigs quickly sold out despite complaints from many fans over high ticket prices ranging between around 95 pounds ($ 150) and 950 pounds for a VIP seat in London.

On auction website eBay, a pair of ticket with a face value of 406 pounds is on offer for as much as 1,500 pounds.

“You might say, ‘The tickets are too expensive’,” singer Mick Jagger told Billboard magazine in a recent interview.

“Well, it’s a very expensive show to put on, just to do four shows, because normally you do a hundred shows and you’d have the same expenses.”

He added that he did not agree with the secondary ticket market and stressed that the Rolling Stones did not profit from tickets changing hands at inflated prices.

The concerts celebrating 50 years of the band behind hits like “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction” and “Honky Tonk Women” are part of a series of events marking the milestone including a new documentary, a photograph book and a greatest hits album.

The music press has been rife with speculation that the Stones could launch a full world tour next year including a set at the Glastonbury music festival.

(Reporting by Mike Collett-White, editing by Paul Casciato)

Music News Headlines – Yahoo! News

Read More..

Who's who in the Petraeus scandal

What started out as a leisurely stroll through the Philadelphia Museum of Art on Nov. 11 with his girlfriend, quickly turned into quite a surreal experience for Max Galuppo, 20, of Bloomsbury, N.J. Galuppo, a Temple University student, found his doppelganger in a 16th century...

Read More..

General investigated for emails to Petraeus friend

PERTH, Australia (AP) — In a new twist to the Gen. David Petraeus sex scandal, the Pentagon said Tuesday that the top American commander in Afghanistan, Gen. John Allen, is under investigation for alleged “inappropriate communications” with a woman who is said to have received threatening emails from Paula Broadwell, the woman with whom Petraeus had an extramarital affair.

Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said in a written statement issued to reporters aboard his aircraft, en route from Honolulu to Perth, Australia, that the FBI referred the matter to the Pentagon on Sunday.

Panetta said that he ordered a Pentagon investigation of Allen on Monday.

A senior defense official traveling with Panetta said Allen’s communications were with Jill Kelley, who has been described as an unpaid social liaison at MacDill Air Force Base, Fla., which is headquarters to the U.S. Central Command. She is not a U.S. government employee.

Kelley is said to have received threatening emails from Broadwell, who is Petraeus’ biographer and who had an extramarital affair with Petraeus that reportedly began after he became CIA director in September 2011.

Petraeus resigned as CIA director on Friday.

Allen, a four-star Marine general, succeeded Petraeus as the top American commander in Afghanistan in July 2011.

The senior official, who discussed the matter only on condition of anonymity because it is under investigation, said Panetta believed it was prudent to launch a Pentagon investigation, although the official would not explain the nature of Allen’s problematic communications.

The official said 20,000 to 30,000 pages of emails and other documents from Allen’s communications with Kelley between 2010 and 2012 are under review. He would not say whether they involved sexual matters or whether they are thought to include unauthorized disclosures of classified information. He said he did not know whether Petraeus is mentioned in the emails.

“Gen. Allen disputes that he has engaged in any wrongdoing in this matter,” the official said. He said Allen currently is in Washington.

Panetta said that while the matter is being investigated by the Defense Department Inspector General, Allen will remain in his post as commander of the International Security Assistance Force, based in Kabul. He praised Allen as having been instrumental in making progress in the war.

The FBI’s decision to refer the Allen matter to the Pentagon rather than keep it itself, combined with Panetta’s decision to allow Allen to continue as Afghanistan commander without a suspension, suggested strongly that officials viewed whatever happened as a possible infraction of military rules rather than a violation of federal criminal law.

Allen was Deputy Commander of Central Command, based in Tampa, prior to taking over in Afghanistan. He also is a veteran of the Iraq war.

In the meantime, Panetta said, Allen’s nomination to be the next commander of U.S. European Command and the commander of NATO forces in Europe has been put on hold “until the relevant facts are determined.” He had been expected to take that new post in early 2013, if confirmed by the Senate, as had been widely expected.

Panetta said President Barack Obama was consulted and agreed that Allen’s nomination should be put on hold. Allen was to testify at his confirmation hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee on Thursday. Panetta said he asked committee leaders to delay that hearing.

NATO officials had no comment about the delay in Allen’s appointment.

“We have seen Secretary Panetta‘s statement,” NATO spokeswoman Carmen Romero said in Brussels. “It is a U.S. investigation.”

Panetta also said he wants the Senate Armed Services Committee to act promptly on Obama’s nomination of Gen. Joseph Dunford to succeed Allen as commander in Afghanistan. That nomination was made several weeks ago. Dunford’s hearing is also scheduled for Thursday.

___

Associated Press writer Slobodan Lekic in Kabul, Afghanistan, contributed to this report.

Asia News Headlines – Yahoo! News

Read More..