Dumb Criminals 2011

 2011 Dumbest Criminals

10 War Films You Need to See

10 War Films You Need to See

With 'War Horse' galloping into theaters this Christmas, we look at classic films of the genre that have set the standard Steven Spielberg's latest film is aiming for

Bookstore sorry about Hitler gaffe

Bookstore sorry about Hitler gaffe

Bookstore sorry about Hitler gaffe,A bookstore chain in Britain reportedly recommended that holiday gift-givers put a book by Hitler on their recommended lists. The chain has issued an apology after one of its stores reportedly recommended the book as "the perfect present."Very occasionally in Real Work I get to the end of the financial year with leave to burn. The ‘selling it back’ option is at such a piss-poor rate I might as well just take the time off. In this particularly circumstance, it was like finding a tenner down the sofa as I could have sworn I’d already taken all my leave when I was suddenly told I had to use up two whole days before the end of March. Yo!

Madonna fan arrested in leak

Madonna fan arrested in leak

Madonna fan arrested in leak, A Madonna fan is accused of leaking a demo track from her 12th album , which is reportedly due out next spring. The unidentified fan of the pop superstar, who was upset by the leak , was arrested in Zaragoza, Spain Things just got real for a 31 year-old man who is suspected of leaking a demo version of Madonna’s new single. According to Reuters, a Spanish man, who was only identified by his initials J.M.R., has been arrested in Zaragoza, Spain, for leaking a demo version of Madonna’s new single “Gimme All Your Luvin”. The “Madonnaleaks” investigation began after lawyers working for Madonna traced the leak to Spain.

Woman drinks bowling ball

Woman turns down drinks, hit by bowling ball

Woman turns down drinks, hit by bowling ball, A South Carolina man angry that a woman refused his offer to buy her drinks threw a bowling ball at her, cops say . The woman was released from the hospital after getting stitches ROCK HILL, SC (AP) Authorities say a Chester man was charged with attempted murder after he threw a bowling ball at a woman who refused his offer to buy her a drink at a Rock Hill bowling alley

Roy Kronk sues Casey Anthony

Meter reader sues Casey Anthony

Meter reader sues Casey Anthony, The meter reader who found Caylee Anthony's body is suing her mother, Casey Anthony for defamation. The man specifically points to statements by Anthony's defense team, including descriptions of him as a "child snatcher" and "morally bankrupt."Casey Anthony might want to send that gray $50 Walmart suit to the cleaners, because she might be needing to wear it for court again soon!

Kris Humphries booed

Kris Humphries booed

Kris Humphries booed, Kris Humphries thought he had it bad when Kim Kardashian decided to no longer be his wife. Then Humphries returned to the NBA , and he discovered just how tarnished his image had become. Kris Humphries wants to move on following his high-profile split from Kim Kardashian. But it seems some NBA fans prefer to dwell on it.

'Prometheus' trailer out

Prometheus' trailer out

Prometheus' trailer out, The trailer for "Prometheus," "Alien" director Ridley Scott's long-awaited return to sci-fi , is out. Some fans are saying that the movie A few days before the trailer for "Prometheus" makes its debut, 20th Century Fox hypes up the anticipation by releasing two previews. Both sneak peeks offer few glimpses at some horror scenes taking place in the extraterrestrial settings. They also give a look at some behind-the-scene footage with director Ridley Scott talking about what to expect from the thriller.
In "Prometheus", Scott creates a groundbreaking mythology, in which a team of explorers discover a clue to the origins of mankind on Earth. The discovery leads them to a thrilling journey to the darkest corners of the universe. There, they must fight a terrifying battle to save the future of the human race.

Unclaimed 77 million lottery ticket

Unclaimed $77-million lottery ticket set to expire

Unclaimed $77-million lottery ticket set to expire, An unclaimed $77-million Powerball ticket is set to expire Monday unless someone hurries up and claims it . The ticket was sold June 29 Someone will be out $77 million if they do not claim their winning Powerball ticket purchased in Georgia.
According to the Georgia Lottery, the Powerball ticket was sold at the Pilot Travel Center on Georgia Highway 100 in Tallapoosa on June 29.

Wine with that White Castle burger?

Wine with that White Castle burger?

Wine with that White Castle burger?, White Castle, the iconic hamburger chain , is testing beer and wine at its Lafayette, Ind., store. The alcoholic beverages are joining another experiment on that restaurant’s menu.
How about Some White Castle Wine?

Girl swept away by 2004 tsunami found

Girl swept away by 2004 tsunami found

Girl swept away by 2004 tsunami found. Girl taken by 2004 tsunami returns? A girl, known only as Wati, who was swept away in a 2004 tsunami, reportedly has returned home fter seven years. The girl was 8 when she disappeared as her mother tried to get her and her siblings to safety.

Ice cream vendor assaulted?

Ice cream vendor assaulted?

Ice cream vendor assaulted? An ice cream truck driver in Utah was assaulted by a woman carrying a spray bottle, police say. Andrea Chavez, 65, is charged with assault and other misdemeanors.

Homeless get one-way tickets

Homeless get one-way tickets

Homeless get one-way tickets. Fort Lauderdale, Fla., has decided to buy one-way tickets out of town for homeless people. 814 homeless given a ticket out The city says people who use the program, which will be funded by money seized from criminals, must have family willing to take them in.

Wrong-way puffin

Wrong-way puffin

Wrong-way puffin, An Atlantic puffin got a little lost on the way to its nest. The seabird reportedly crash-landed in downtown Montreal about 1,000 kilometers from its likely home, and it was rescued by a veterinary technician. The puffin is being housed in a bathtub and getting two meals a day, before it goes back out into the wild.

Medieval knights PTSD

Medieval knights PTSD

Medieval knights PTSD, Medieval knights had PTSD? They jousted, were constantly sleep-deprived and had to brave the elements. Now, at least one medieval scholar says knights may have suffered from PTSD. In movies, medieval knights are portrayed as courageous and loyal heroes who will fight to the death without fear or regret.

Ashton Kutcher nightclub three women

Ashton Kutcher nightclub three women

Kutcher leaves club with three women, Pictures have surfaced showing Ashton Kutcher with a blonde woman who resembles his alleged lover Sara Leal three months before their reported nightclub ‘fling’.

HBO renews Enlightened

HBO renews Enlightened

HBO renews Enlightened. HBO still 'Enlightened', HBO has renewed "Enlightened," a show about a self-destructive executive trying to rebuild her life. Other shows, including "Hung," "Bored to Death" and "How to Make It in America," weren't as fortunate. 

American cable network HBO is renewing its Golden Globes-nominated freshman series Enlightened, but is axing three other series.

Hung and Bored to Death will not return for a fourth season, nor will How to Make it in America be back for a third cycle, the network said on Tuesday.

Enlightened, which ended its first season earlier this month, last week earned a Golden Globe nomination for Best Comedy or Musical Series, as well as a nomination for its star, Laura Dern. On the show, Dern plays an unstable career woman who wants to be a social activist.

HBO will premiere six new series in 2012. They include Luck, an untitled drama series created by Aaron Sorkin, Veep, Girls, Life's Too Short and Angry Boys, which debuts on New Year's Day.

Utah man smashes Lamborghini he won

Utah man smashes Lamborghini he won

Utah man smashes Lamborghini he won. US man David Dopp wins Lamborghini in contest, crashes it within hours. A Utah man reportedly crashed the Lamborghini he won only six hours after he took possession of it. David Dopp of Santaquin learned that he had won the "Joe Schmo to Lambo" contest during a football game.

A MAN won a $378,000 Lamborghini in a contest and crashed it just six hours later.

Vatican xxx domain name

Vatican xxx domain name

 Vatican xxx domain name, Mystery buyer snags 'vatican.xxx' domain, A mystery buyer has purchased the domain name 'vatican.xxx,' though the Vatican itself wasn't the buyer, a spokesman said. The .xxx extension is brand new. Some groups have purchased .xxx domains to prevent others from using them arlier this year, the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) had approved the use of the .xxx suffix for pornographic websites.

 Later on, 4,000 celebrity names ranging from Angelina Jolie to Donald Trump had been blocked by the ICM Registry regarding their usage as it could tarnish a person’s or brands identity.

Registrations to acquire these domain names had started earlier on this month and it appears that an unlikely brand has been registered with this porn-only related suffix – the Vatican. What could be one of the funniest cases of identity theft, Reuters reports that a spokesman from the Vatican, Father Federico Lombardi said on the Vatican radio that an unknown buyer had purchased the Internet address, Vatican.xxx. Lombardi had rubbished Italian media’s allegations, stating that they themselves had purchased this domain name to prevent it from being misused by anyone else. However, as per a report by TechCrunch, it maybe the case of confusion on the part of Lombardi or the Vatican’s IT department as the website read ‘Reserved from Registration.’ This means that their site cannot be registered by a third party and be misused for adult related content.

However, it is still unknown whether the person who registered the site is from the Vatican or not. But this certainly serves as a warning to celebrities, brands, organizations, etc. that they should get their name blocked from this pornographic suffix. To find and buy your .xxx suffix,

Melted crayons Jesus

Melted crayons Jesus

Melted crayons Jesus, Woman melts crayons, sees Jesus, A Missouri mother who melted her son's crayons for an art project says she sees something strange in the colourful glob: Jesus.

Jesus In Crayons: Tara Gomez, Missouri Woman, Says Christ's Image Appeared In Son's Melted Crayons (VIDEO)

Christmas classics' financial advice

Christmas classics' financial advice

12 money tips from holiday 'experts'
Every holiday season, we revisit the prophetic words of Charles Dickens.

No, not the life lessons Ebenezer Scrooge learned from Jacob Marley, Tiny Tim and some time-traveling spirits in "A Christmas Carol." Instead, many of us find that the holidays offer the best of times and the worst of times.

But you won't have to struggle with a tale of two  holiday financial disasters if you follow the advice of some celebrated Christmas characters.

We've taken a look at a dozen seasonal classics. Each embodies a valuable message about money to make the days merry and bright. Click ahead to share financial wisdom of the season.

2011 MSN Autos Editors' Choice Awards

2011 MSN Autos Editors' Choice Awards

2011 MSN AUTOS EDITORS' CHOICE AWARDS

2012 Ferrari 458 Spider

A convertible version of the 458 had always been in the game plan, and Ferrari's first midengine retractable-hardtop convertible is incredible. It combines the brilliant operability of the Ferrari California's disappearing hardtop with the superstar handling and performance of the 458 Italia. It is devilishly quick and amazingly agile, with a ravishing wail from its V8 powerplant. Yet, it has a civilized ride and road demeanor. "If anything, it is even more brilliant, impressive and desirable than its hard-edged coupe sibling," contributor Marc Lachapelle says.

Cocaine on most changing tables

Cocaine on most changing tables

Cocaine on most changing tables, A team of journalists in the U.K. reportedly tested public baby changing tables, and they found most of them had traces of cocaine. The study reportedly was inspired by the news that the U.K. is a cocaine capital. Britain Is Europe’s Cocaine ‘League’ Leader
Many people are already aware that marijuana is now legal in some states in the US with a medical prescription.

The Best Celebrity Bodies of 2011

The Best Celebrity Bodies of 2011

The Best Celebrity Bodies of 2011, Did someone turn on the heat in here, or is it just this slideshow radiating hotness? While the following 20 superstars might be famous for their on-screen appearances or other accomplishments, their toned muscles, flawless good looks, and enviable physiques are what really get people talking. In 2011, you couldn’t go to a movie, switch on the TV, or open a magazine without laying eyes on one of their sizzling bodies, but can you guess who we chose as the hottest of the year? Read on and see if you can recognize these celebs by their famously fit bodies. Here are some hints about what to expect:

Tom Brady Gisele Mansion mansion

Tom Brady Gisele Mansion mansion

Tom Brady Gisele Mansion mansion. Brady, Bundchen build $20 million house, NFL star Tom Brady, 34, and his supermodel wife, Gisele Bundchen, 31, will soon be able to move into their new $20 million mansion (in what posh L.A. neighborhood?). The house checks in at 22,000 square feet. Patriots star Tom Brady, supermodel wife Gisele Bundchen build $20M dream home in Brentwood, Calif.

X Factor host axed?

X Factor host axed?

'X Factor' host axed? Steve Jones, host of "The X Factor," Steve Jones Set To Be Axed From X Factor USA

Gerard Butler close call

Gerard Butler close call

Gerard Butler's close call, Gerard Butler Recovering After Surfing Incident Actor Gerard Butler, who starred in "300," had a close call while filming surfing scenes for his next movie. The actor, who recently announced Golden Globe nominees, was clobbered by giant waves at the Mavericks, west of Half Moon Bay, Calif
. After he was rescued, he was taken to a hospital for observation. Gerard Butler is on the mend after a scary incident involving his latest movie, Of Men and Mavericks.

Trump Gaga break

Trump Gaga break

The Biggest Health Food Scams of 2011

The Biggest Health Food Scams of 2011

You might think you’re doing a good thing for your body when you buy the following 15 trendy foods. But do any actually live up to the hype?

Food marketing is a powerful thing. The right buzzword on a label or a convincing ad campaign can be enough to cause a run on acai berries, almond milk, or whatever else they’re selling. Because it’s natural! And fresh! And gluten-free! And delicious! And packed with fiber! And made with honey! You get the idea. The scary thing is that these claims sometimes work better than we think. In a recent study, participants who were asked to compare conventional and organic foods described organic cookies, potato chips, and yogurt as being tastier, higher in fiber, and lower in calories and fat, even though the foods in the two groups were identical. This “halo effect” (what is this?) that leads consumers to blindly believe a food is more nutritious than others is all too common, and it was in full force this year. From “fresh” fast food to all-natural Fritos, there were plenty of misleading “health foods” on the market in 2011, but no amount of spin can change the fact that these edibles are anything but wholesome. Here’s a look at 15 of the most deceiving items in stores and restaurants, and the facts about what’s really being sold.

Movies 2011: Hits and Misses

As 2011 draws to a close, it brings a lot of questions for fans of "geek" movies, the films that fall into the sci-fi, horror, fantasy, heightened action and comic book genres. From the mixed bag of success we saw in the past 12 months  it seems as if the public is undecided on a lot of things: how many comic books heroes it wants to see, how much it really likes 3-D, and how far big stars and spectacular effects can go in making a film into a tentpole.

For example, what was one of the biggest success stories of the year? "Insidious," a little horror movie that cost less than $2 million and made more than $50 million, all because it did exactly what it set out to do: Scare the hell out of you without dismembering people at the same time. To be sure, some of our favorites of 2011 were not hits like that  while some of the worst pictures of the year were. But with the exception of the eternally dumb "Pirates" and "Transformers" franchises, smarter and less "packaged" seemed the better way to go this year.

Nothing in 2011 came close to the anticipation or expected massiveness of the behemoths we face next year -- "The Dark Knight Rises," "The Amazing Spider-Man," "The Avengers" and "Prometheus" -- but when a geek film worked in 2011, it really worked. And when it didn't ... well, keep reading for our list of misses, along with the hits and "almosts" of 2011.

EXPENSIVE CELEB DIVORCES

EXPENSIVE CELEB DIVORCES

Breaking up is hard to do, especially when it involves splitting obscenely large amounts of money. Check out the celebri-couples who endured some of the costliest divorces on record.

Tiger Wood's affairs cost him eight figures in his divorce from Elin Nordegren, but can you believe that it's not even in the top three all-time most expensive splits?

BING: See just how much Tiger had to pay for stepping outside his marriage

FIND: See photos of the couple

SEARCH: One of Tiger's admitted dalliances was with a neighbor's daughter

10 job search tips for 2012

10 job search tips for 2012

10 job search tips for 2012, It's 2012, and with the new year comes a revitalized spirit, gusto and determination to enact your plans and make your dreams happen. With the evolution of career search over the last few years, it's good to take stock of what will make the biggest impact in landing a job this year.

Some things haven't changed. It's still tough out there. There are still many people competing for few opportunities. But with the right tools, you can improve your search, broaden your networking opportunities and align yourself with a career that fits your skills.

Here are 10 tips for a successful job search in 2012:

1. Create a job search strategy. Employers hate receiving applications from candidates who are not qualified for positions. So it's time to stop using the shotgun approach to your job search. You're wasting your time, and you're wasting the recruiter's time. Carefully read job postings and determine whether you could do a majority of the tasks required if you started tomorrow. A recent CareerBuilder job forecast reported that employers are not finding qualified candidates for their open positions, so learn how to tailor your existing skills to a job's requirements and spend time preparing better résumés and cover letters instead of just blasting a generic one to every single posting.

2. Define your goals and your brand. It can be challenging to stop and ask yourself, "What do I really want out of a job?" Answers as simple as a paycheck or benefits may be a reality, but the fact is that you do want more out of your job than just cash. Your career needs to satisfy you in more ways than just your pocketbook. By defining what you want out of a job and what you offer up as a job seeker, you become better at applying for jobs that are aligned with your overall career goals. By taking the time to define your brand as a job seeker, you can figure out what your best selling points are and the most valuable skills you have to sell to an employer. Make sure your social media accounts are professional if used as part of your search. And if they aren't, keep them under lock and key, since more and more employers are screening applicants via social profiles.

3. Diversify your search. While employers still utilize sites like CareerBuilder, many are branching out in multiple ways to connect with job seekers. You should be readily available in each of those channels. Whether it's through social media or local networking events, utilize today's technology to further spread the message about your brand. Today's job search can be summed up in one word: hustle. The more you switch up your efforts, the more opportunities you'll come across and the more you place yourself ahead of the pack. Also, know your industry and what trends are happening. Manufacturing companies may still have you apply in-person, whereas digital advertising agencies may expect a much more elaborate electronic portfolio available via the Internet.

4. Evaluate your skills and add more. Perhaps your skills aren't up-to-date with most of the jobs you are seeing in the market, or perhaps they are a little rusty. Brush up on your underutilized skills with online courses or community classes. You could also consider going back to school. Government funding and other programs are available for out-of-work job seekers who want to enroll in training or continue their education to better position themselves in the current workforce.

5. Be unique. You already know that defining your brand can help set you apart from the competition. When an employer asks, "Why should I hire you?" you will already have a list of your best qualities. As you come across jobs that you feel confident about, do something that will help you stand out and be memorable to the recruiter or Human Resources manager. Dig around, and before applying, find out the name of the hiring manager or someone who heads up the department the position is in, and contact him directly. Utilize the information on LinkedIn to your benefit. Reach out with a brief introduction, and let him know you've applied for the position and you hope to be in touch. After applying, it never hurts to follow up with a company via social media to share your excitement about the position.

6. Proactively listen. Searching for a job can be tedious, and you can get so focused that sometimes it's easy to forget to listen, research or monitor conversations. Pay attention to how employers are communicating about jobs via social media and through their websites and how you can speak to them in their own language. Connect with other job seekers or career experts, and see what methods you can adopt from their job search strategies. Join Twitter chats and online career fairs to connect with more employers and broaden your network. Just be sure that while you're out selling your brand, you take the time to listen to how others are finding success in their search.

7. Set goals. The overall goal may be either get a job or get a new one, but when you break that big goal down into smaller goals, you set yourself up for more success and less frustration. When you only look toward that big goal, it can be disheartening when it takes a long time to achieve it. Choose monthly goals like joining professional organizations or volunteering at a nonprofit that will allow you to flex and utilize your skills. When you are able to create a to-do list and hold yourself accountable for achieving these goals, you'll feel better about yourself. That self-initiation can be shown off in your job search and interviews as a great example of your character. By forcing yourself to focus on small goals, you continue networking with new individuals that can assist you in your job search.

8. Prepare for anything. You can't always predict when you may get called for an in-person or phone interview, so you should always be ready. You should go into an interview with at least five examples that demonstrate your best qualities. When they want examples of real-life successes or things you'd do different, have them prepared. If you volunteered or taught yourself a new set of skills, be sure to mention this. Rehearse for interviews with mentors or friends so you won't 'wing it,' which can diminish your chances of portraying yourself in the best way. Leave the interviewer with phone numbers of references who will back you up with recommendations.

9. Positive thinking can lead to positive results. Use your career search as a time to see every situation as a learning opportunity. Of course every job hunt will have moments of frustration and hopelessness. But don't give up on yourself or on the belief that the right job is out there. Use the time to re-evaluate your career path, which could lead you to a more fulfilling career. A positive attitude is also contagious, and the more positive you are, the more likely others will be willing to go out of their way to help you.

10. Stay balanced. Job searching can take a lot out of you. Create a schedule or routine for yourself, so you don't burn out. Make sure you get plenty of rest, talk to friends and family, stay active and allow yourself those moments to do things you enjoy. Take the time to play a video game, go for a jog or play with your pets -- do whatever it takes to get you back to you.

Finding the perfect job is attainable, but you have to put in the work and effort and have faith that you'll reach your destination. By being proactive, connecting with others and having a can-do attitude, you'll be able to tackle some of the biggest job search hurdles in 2012.

Justin Thompson is a writer and blogger for CareerBuilder.com and its job blog, The Work Buzz. He researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues.

Copyright 2011 CareerBuilder. All rights reserved. The information contained in this article may not be published, broadcast or otherwise distributed without prior written authority

Golf cart runs wild after football game

Golf cart runs wild after football game

Golf cart runs wild after football game, Golf cart goes astray after football game. Patrons at the 5A Division II State High School Championship football game in Texas witnessed the unexpected Saturday night when a golf cart got loose and ran over a group of people near midfield. A worker stopped the cart before it did more damage.

Reindeer meat sells out

Reindeer meat sells out

Reindeer meat sells out, Reindeer meat sells out after protest. Despite outrage from activists, tinned Reindeer meat sold out last week at a London-based store that sells high-class foodstuffs. The pricey snack is described on the tins as an 'indulgent winter treat' coming from a 'farm-raised relative of Rudolph'.For the best smoked reindeer meat in Mittädalen in northern Sweden look up Lars Gunnar Thomasson, 59. Lars is a Sami, one of the indigenous people living in Finland, Norway, Sweden and Russia who have been herding reindeer and producing reindeer meat since the 16th century.

Therapy dog helps law students

Therapy dog helps law students

Therapy dog eases law students' stress, Therapy dog Zoe works the crowd of law students at UC Irvine, looking for someone to lavish attention upon. The group PAWS, brought therapy dogs to campus Tuesday to de-stress harried students who are studying for final exams starting Friday.

Penn St. QB hospitalized

Penn St. QB hospitalized

Penn St. QB hospitalized, Penn State QB hospitalized after fight. Penn State starting quarterback Matt McGloin injured in an alleged fight with wide receiver Curtis Drake. Just when it seemed the situation at Penn State couldn't get any worse, starting quarterback Matt McGloin was hospitalized Saturday after being injured in a fight with a teammate. McGloin was treated and released the same day.

30 Great made-in-USA Gifts

30 Great made-in-USA Gifts

30 great made-in-USA gifts, There's no shortage of gift ideas when you stick to American brands this holiday shopping season, for prices that range from under $30 to under $1,000.

Buy American
Take advantage of some of the best gifts the nation's brands have to offer this holiday season. With ideas that range from frugal to flashy, you can support craftsmen from coast to coast as you whittle down your gift list.

Christian Bale attacked in China

Christian Bale attacked in China

Christian Bale attacked in China BEIJING — The actor Christian Bale was assaulted by government-backed guards on Thursday when he tried to visit a blind lawyer who has been illegally confined to his home in eastern Shandong Province.The lawyer, Chen Guangcheng, has emerged as a cause célèbre among the country’s rights advocates, dozens of whom have been similarly roughed up when they tried to break through the cordon that local officials have placed around Mr. Chen’s village.

The encounter, captured by a CNN camera crew who accompanied him on the eight-hour drive from Beijing to Dongshigu village, promises to become a public relations debacle for China, which has been eagerly promoting Mr. Bale’s latest movie, “The Flowers of War,” which premiered last Sunday at the one of the capital’s most important government buildings.

Directed by Zhang Yimou, the movie was partly financed by loans from a state-owned bank and it is the country’s foreign film submission for the Academy Awards. At $94 million, it is also said to be the most expensive Chinese-made film ever. Officials here have expressed hope that it might earn China its first Oscar.

The footage of Mr. Bale’s attempted visit is dramatic. In it, he is seen pleading with the men who guard Dongshigu’s entry points and then retreating as they push and punch him. “Why can I not visit this free man?” he asks repeatedly. The men, dressed in thick green winter coats respond with shouts of “Go away.” Even after they have retreated into their car, the group, which included a translator, was chased for 40 minutes by men in a gray van.

“What I really wanted to do was to meet the man, shake his hand and say what an inspiration he is,” Mr. Bale said.

In recent months, scores of Chinese activists have had similar experiences, although some have endured far more violence, sometimes at the hands of uniformed police who the victims had called for assistance.

None of the journalists, diplomats or rights lawyers who have made the journey to Dongshigu have succeeded in meeting Mr. Chen, 40, who has been imprisoned in his home, along with his wife and child, since his release from prison in September 2010.

A self-taught lawyer, Mr. Chen crossed the line from celebrated lawyer to persecuted dissident after he took on the case of thousands of local women who had been the victims of an aggressive family planning campaign that included forced sterilizations and abortions. In 2006, he was sentenced to four-and-a-half years during a trial that his legal defenders described as farcical. The charges included destroying property and organizing a crowd to block traffic, crimes allegedly orchestrated while he was under house arrest.

Mr. Bale’s encounter with China’s authoritarian system is sure to complicate efforts to publicize the film, part of a government campaign to bolster the country’s so-called soft power. The film, which premieres on Dec. 23 in the United States and Europe, opens this week in China on 8,000 screens and has been accompanied by a herculean publicity effort.

Speaking to reporters after the film’s premiere on Sunday, Mr. Bale — whose credits include “Batman Begins” and “The Fighter” — defended “The Flowers of War” against accusations that it was overly propagandistic. The film depicts Japanese atrocities during their 1937 occupation of Nanjing, a highly emotional topic that is often used by the Communist Party to stir up nationalistic sentiment among ordinary Chinese.

Mr. Bale plays an American mortician who dons the vestments of a Catholic priest in his effort to save young Chinese women who have taken refuge in a Catholic boarding school during the Japanese invasion. By some estimates, 300,000 people died during the ensuing orgy of murder and rape.

“I think that would be a bit of a knee-jerk reaction,” he said of suggestions made by critics that it excessively demonizes the Japanese. “I don’t think they’re looking closely enough at the movie.”

The government has yet to officially react to news of Mr. Bale’s tussle, although it was largely blocked from the Internet on Friday. CNN featured the video on its homepage but the video could not be opened.

It is not the first time that Hollywood, eager to gain a foothold in China’s fast-growing film industry, has found itself entangled in Chinese domestic politics. Last October, a group of American producers shooting a comedy in the county where Mr. Chen is being held were criticized for their partnership with the local Communist Party officials who have orchestrated his detention.

Pink Bibles uproar Planned Parenthood

Pink Bibles uproar Planned Parenthood

Pink Bibles uproar Planned Parenthood.  LifeWay Christian Resources has decided to pull pink breast cancer awareness Bibles off the shelves of major retailers.

For every pink Bible purchased, one dollar went to the Susan G. Komen Foundation which donates to Planned Parenthood. Last year alone the Komen Foundation gave over half a million dollars in funding to the abortion provider, according to The Blaze.

The Christian Post was emailed a letter Wednesday written by LifeWay President and CEO Thom S. Rainer regarding the matter. It states: “As this project has developed, we realized it was a mistake.”

Rainer goes on to say, “When our leadership discovered the overwhelming concern that some of Komen's affiliates were giving funds to Planned Parenthood, we began the arduous process of withdrawing this Bible from the market.”

LifeWay did say that Komen has assured them that the funding is only used for breast cancer screening and awareness. But the Christian resource company said the partnership with Komen “is not in keeping with LifeWay’s core values to have even an indirect relationship with Planned Parenthood.”

The Komen Foundation issued a statement saying they were sorry to hear LifeWay had decided to end the sale of the Bibles. They also said “LifeWay is a first-year partner that pledged $25,000 to Susan G. Komen for the Cure from sales of the pink-covered 'Here’s Hope Breast Cancer Awareness Bible.' LifeWay and Komen for the Cure entered the partnership with the mutual hope that this Bible would have special meaning for women and their families during breast cancer treatment and recovery."LifeWay became aware of the concern over the Bible last week after seeing comments on online pro-life advocacy blogs. They also received numerous emails and phone calls from individuals concerned about the pink version of the Holman Christian Standard Bible.

The Bibles were published by B&H Publishing, which is a division of LifeWay Resources. And LifeWay is part of the Southern Baptist Convention. All of these organizations are heavy hitters in the Christian market, which leaves many wondering how such large Christian organizations missed the Komen-Planned Parenthood connection.

When CP asked Martin King, director of Communications for LifeWay Christian Resources, if LifeWay was aware of the Planned Parenthood connection before the Bible was published, he said he was not sure.

The Here’s Hope Breast Cancer Awareness Bibles have been on the shelves of major retailers like Walmart, Kmart and Target since October. They were released during Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

King told CP that the Bibles were being sold in bigger retailers and not sold in LifeWay stores because the “the intent of this was to reach people who probably would not frequent our stores.”

The pink Bibles are currently still on the store shelves. King said LifeWay has “not had the opportunity to meet with the retailers.”

King was unable to comment on the number of Bibles that have been sold already, or how much has gone to the Komen foundation. He did say that LifeWay is “obligated by the packaging around the Bible to give a dollar per Bible sale to Komen,” at least while it is still on the shelf.

Once the Bibles are pulled, LifeWay still plans to put them to good use and is working on a plan for how to do that, King noted. He said he is unsure as to whether or not they will be sold again, but if they are they “won’t be sold with Komen packaging and dollar commitment.”

Susan Tyrrell from Lifenews.com writes, “If you want to give hope to a person with breast cancer, buy her a Bible, buy her a book of inspirational stories to go along with it, but don’t buy her the Komen version of the Bible. The text might be the same, but the funding isn’t.”

Dog back to life before buried

Dog back to life before buried

Dog back to life before buried.  His eyes were fixed, he wasn't breathing and he was covered in blood.
There was just only thing left to say - Scamp was dead.
The terrier-Shih Tzu puppy had been hit by a car and apparently so badly injured that he had died on the road.His owner Paul McKinlay wrapped him a blanket and put him under a wheelbarrow to keep other animals away until they could arrange a proper burial in the back garden.
He and wife Rita then sat down with her grandchildren and told them their beloved pet had gone to heaven.
Until the next day, when Scamp woke up.

Mr McKinlay went out to bury his body only to find him sitting where he had been left, staring up and him and and wagging his tail.
They rushed the eight-month-old to the vet and after spending $3,000 on checks to make sure he was OK, they have now brought him home.

Mrs McKinlay said she has told her grandchildren that Scamp is in fact still alive and that his Lazarus-like return from the grave is a special Christmas present for them all.
She claimed that it was the freezing conditions outside their home in Yelm, Washington, which could have caused his body to slow down and keep him alive.
Mr McKinlay said that Scamp escaped when he 'wasn't paying attention'.
He said: 'The next thing I heard a car. I figured he was gone, I figured he had passed away'.
The next morning Scamp was up and fine, despite the fact his eyes had been fixed and he wasn't breathing and he was covered in blood. Tests showed he's okay, and he's back with the family
He went outside, wrapped him in a blanket and brought him indoors.

Mrs McKinlay said: 'It was real sad to watch them (her grandchildren) crying over their dog. We were trying not to cry'.
When her husband rushed in the next day to tell her Scamp was alive, she shouted: 'Oh my gosh'.
She added that the freezing temperatures may have been the reason why the dog survived.
She said: 'It could have slowed down his body functions and made his brain work slow, that's what the vet said, that's what saved his life.
'Christmas is about kids, about miracles, as long as family are together and Scamp is part of our family.'

Man date steals car

Man date steals car

Man date steals car. Perhaps she was looking to give someone the key to her heart, but instead on a recent date a Florida woman gave her paramour the keys to her car during a movie. He ended up stealing the vehicle, and when she called him, he laughed about it. Talk about a dating horror story.

Michael Pratt, a 27-year-old resident of New Port Richey, was on a date with an unidentified 35-year-old woman from Zephryhills, according to the St. Pete Times. The two were watching a movie when Pratt asked for her car keys. He had left something in the car he needed to fetch, he explained.

Pratt never came back.

The woman called him. His reply: "I stole your car." He laughed and hung up.

>The 2012 Ford Focus she had been driving was actually a rental, and the woman continued to try to reach Pratt for two more days before finally contacting police.

Four days later, he finally let her know he had abandoned the car in a New Port Richey Walmart parking lot. Police found and arrested Pratt, who had previously served time in prison for grand theft auto.

No word on what movie the two had been seeing, but our money is on a double bill of Gone in 60 Seconds and He's Just Not That Into You.

Teacher stupid student face

Teacher stupid student face

Teacher stupid student face. A Tennessee teacher suspended earlier this month for allegedly writing the word "stupid" on a student's forehead is now being investigated for other instances of inappropriate behavior, the county school director said today.

"We're trying to get anyone who's witnessed other things," said Matt Eldridge, director of Overton County Schools, adding that the school district is talking with teachers and other faculty members. "At that point we're going to turn it in to our attorneys. They'll come back with what's warranted with [regard to] charges, and what's not."

He refused to describe the nature of the most recent allegations but said they involved "unprofessional conduct."Eldridge would not identify the teacher other than to say that this was his first teaching job out of college and that the teacher had been an instructor at Allons Elementary School in Livingston, Tenn., since August.

Local news outlets have reported the teacher's name is Alex Boles. He could not be reached by phone, and it is unclear whether he has retained lawyer.

During the initial incident, which allegedly occurred Dec. 6, the teacher admitted to writing the word "stupid" on an eighth-grader's forehead after Eldridge confronted him Dec. 8. Boles had written the word backwards, Eldridge said, so that it would be reflected back to the student when the boy looked into a mirror.

Although the word had been written in permanent marker, Eldridge said "the child has hair over his forehead and that's probably why [his parents] didn't see it."

The teacher told Eldridge he was trying to play a joke.

"It was during class and, of course, that's not the appropriate way to joke with any of them," Eldridge said.

He found out about the incident from an employee at another school within the rural district, which serves 3,500 students.

"I did a little investigation," he said. "And someone told me they heard that was true so that next morning I contacted the principal [at the elementary school] and he investigated and found out it was true."

PETA New Year's opossum drop

PETA New Year's opossum drop

PETA New Year's opossum drop. BRASSTOWN, N.C. – A national animal rights group wants a North Carolina man to abandon his famous New Year's Eve Opossum Drop.The Washington-based People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals on Thursday said that Clay Logan's event is "cruel and illegal."
Logan, owner of Clay's Corner near the Georgia state line, hosts the parody of the Times Square Ball Drop as a family-friendly and alcohol-free New Year's Eve party.
The opossum is not actually dropped. It's lowered while inside a Plexiglas box.
Logan was undeterred after hearing about PETA's allegation. He's been down this road before.
In 2005, the group threatened to sue him for not having proper permits to keep a wild animal so he placed a dead opossum in the box and raised it up the pole outside his gas station. The opossum was road-kill.
The crowd, which can number as high as 3,000 with good weather, was not pleased that year and neither was Logan.
"People didn't like it at all," he said. "I got scolded heavy but I said 'Hey, I can't afford to be sued.'"
Logan said he has all his permits, though PETA disagrees.
He said an inspector with the U.S. Department of Agriculture visited him this week and approved of his care for this year's opossum. He names all of them OP.
"At 10 o'clock we bring the guests in and we will raise him up and he sits there for two hours and looks down on everybody — including PETA — and after it's over with we release him," he said.
Logan said the opossum are not harmed.
Some, he said, even hesitate to leave because they've enjoyed the two weeks of dog food and a dry place to sleep that come with being selected for the party.
He picks his opossum after treeing two or three with a hunting dog. He likes the ones with a lot of white in their fur. He said they tend to be gentle compared to the darker opossums.
Opossums have a natural defense called sulling, which is playing dead. He said none of his opossums have ever played dead during the event.
PETA says Logan doesn't have the proper North Carolina permits to keep an animal captive. It has asked the state Wildlife Resources Commission to stop the event.
An official with the agency didn't immediately return a message on Thursday.
PETA said the opossum "suffers through a barrage of terrifying stimuli" such as fireworks and gunfire.
"Ignorance of the law is not a defense, and cruelty to animals is indefensible," PETA Director Delcianna Winders said in a written statement. "Using a captive opossum as the centerpiece of a raucous party is cruel and illegal."
The party, which is free, includes a church choir, a blessing and a tribute to soldiers.
"We do the Lord's work the first half and then we turn the Devil loose the second half," Logan said
The Devil's part comes with men dressed as women for a beauty contest, he said. Logan's quick to point out the men are not in drag.
"They are southern gentlemen dressed up as southern ladies," he said. "I don't like it to be wrote up as men in drag because these guys will whup you over that."
He said a PETA representative visited him and asked him to use a toy opossum but he declined because of the way the group has treated him in the past.
Logan said he has no plans to cancel.
"It's a New Year's Eve party that you will remember what you done no matter how much fun you have," he said.

witherspoon devils knot

witherspoon devils knot

witherspoon devils knot. Reese Witherspoon has joined the cast of crime drama 'Devil's Knot', which is based on reporter Mara Levitt's 2003 book, 'Devil's Knot: The True Story of the West Memphis Three'.
Reese Witherspoon has joined the cast of 'Devil's Knot'.
The Oscar-winning actress has signed up to appear in the crime drama, which is to be directed by Atom Egoyan and is based on reporter Mara Levitt's 2003 book, 'Devil's Knot: The True Story of the West Memphis Three', according to Variety.
In the book, Levitt followed the prolonged murder trial of Damien Echols, Jason Baldwin and Jessie Misskelley Jr., who served 17 years in prison before being released this past August. They were accused of killing three eight-year-old cub scouts found in a wooded area of Arkansas called Robin Hood Hills.
Witherspoon will play Pam Hobbs, the mother of one of the victims.
Initially Hobbs was convinced Echols, Baldwin and Misskelley had killed her son but as the case dragged on, she began to believe the trio were innocent. In November 2007, Hobbs claimed that new evidence had eventually changed her mind.
The production of the movie is expected to begin next summer and as well as Egoyan and Witherspoon on board, Scott Derrickson and Paul Boardman will serve as the screenwriters.

50 Sweaters Under

50 Sweaters Under

From cashmeres & cardigans to polka dots & patterns, here is proof that you & yours can get through the winter warmly, stylishly & affordably.

Best sports tweets of 2011

Best sports tweets of 2011

What a tweet Tweets from sports figures have been hilarious, offensive or inspiring -- and then some -- this year. Here are our favorites from 2011

Hidden costs of homeownership

Hidden costs of homeownership

Ready for repairs?
Leaky roofs, burst pipes and pest infestations -- all on your own dime. Though homeownership has many perks, there are some extra expenses to watch out for.

Maintaining and repairing a home can be daunting, especially if you're learning these skills for the first time as a homeowner.
Repair costs can make any first-time homeowner long for the "good old" renting days. Each of the major systems in your home, like the plumbing, electrical and roofing, serves a vital purpose and must be kept in good working order to protect your investment and keep life running smoothly.