Beyonce defends using Challenger disaster audio in song

Singer Beyonce has justified her use of audio footage from the 1986 Challenger space shuttle disaster in a track from her recently released "surprise" album.

The pop star has faced criticism for incorporating a recording of an ex-Nasa public affairs officer on her XO track.
"My heart goes out to the families of those lost in the Challenger disaster," the singer said in a statement.
The song, she continued, "was recorded with the sincerest intention to help heal those who have lost loved ones".
The use of the footage, she said, was intended "to remind us that unexpected things happen, so love and appreciate every minute that you have with those who mean the most to you.
"The songwriters included the audio in tribute to the unselfish work of the Challenger crew with hope that they will never be forgotten."
XO, one of the 14 songs on Beyonce's self-titled new album, was written and produced by Ryan Tedder and Terius Nash.
Seven astronauts died on 28 January 1986 when the space shuttle Challenger disintegrated 73 seconds after launch.
The XO track begins with a recording of Nasa's former public affairs officer Steve Nesbitt referring to "a major malfunction" on the day of the tragedy.
June Scobee Rodgers, the widow of Challenger commander Dick Scobee, told ABC News she was "disappointed" that footage from an "emotionally difficult moment" had been used in the song.
Retired Nasa astronaut Clayton Anderson was also critical of the singer, calling the sample "simply insensitive, at the very least".
The former Destiny's Child member was born in 1981 in Houston, home to America's National Aeronautics and Space Administration.
In 2011, she recorded a special greeting for the Atlantis shuttle crew, telling them they "inspire all of us to dare to live our dreams".

Anderson Silva asked doctors 'when can I train?' just hours after surgery

Anderson Silva remains hospitalized on Monday after surgery to repair a fractured tibia and fibula suffered during his fight at UFC 168 on Saturday while delivering a kick to opponent Chris Weidman.
Silva's surgeon, Dr. Steven Sanders of Las Vegas, detailed the nature of the injury and subsequent operation to repair the damage during a conference call held on Monday.
According to Dr. Sanders, Silva's leg was actually stabilized and realigned inside the Octagon, which may explain the tormented look the fighter had on his face as he was carried via stretcher from the cage to the MGM Grand's examination room.

Nicolas Anelka and West Bromwich Albion must apologise now over quenelle gesture

France striker must receive a long ban and West Brom, the player and the FA are facing a test of credibilityNicolas Anelka is far too intelligent an individual for us to take seriously his claim that the ‘reverse Nazi’ salute la quenelle is an innocent, inoffensive gesture. He deserves a suspension substantially beyond the five-game Football Association minimum.As ever with such controversies, the ramifications are widespread, not simply focusing on yet more lunacy by a high-profile footballer but also going to the very heart of a club’s relationship with a star employee and to the FA’s own credibility as a governing force under Greg Dyke.Club first. West Bromwich Albion’s sporting and technical director, Richard Garlick, held talks with Anelka yesterday to ascertain why he made such a “show of solidarity” with a friend, the comedian Dieudonné M’bala M’bala, whose association with anti-Semitism is notorious in France.Anelka “strongly denied intending to cause offence”, according to the club, has “agreed” with their request “not to perform the gesture again” and “will remain under consideration for first-team selection whilst the FA and club continue their enquiries”. So a player who triggered outrage continues to represent the club. West Brom concede Anelka’s quenelle “caused offence in some quarters”.Some? Many. West Brom’s weak statement suggests they haven not learnt from the mistakes made by Liverpool over Luis Suárez and Chelsea over John Terry in their racism storms. Some contrition would be a start. From Anelka too.

Marching on and moving out! Khloe Kardashian selling $4m marital home

Just weeks ago she finally filed for divorce.
But it seems Khloe Kardashian is already moving on from Lamar Odom after it emerged she is selling their marital home.
The news comes as it was also revealed the reality television personality is once again speaking to her husband of the last four years.
An insider told E!: 'Khloe and Lamar are still speaking on the phone. Not a lot but every so often
'They are still working out some logistics and things are friendly between them. They will always have a deep affection for one another.'
And top of their list of topics for discussion was selling off their $4 million mansion in the posh Tarzana area of Los Angeles.

Beyonce criticized for using Challenger disaster audio in song

One of today's biggest pop stars is being criticized for using an audio clip of an American tragedy.
A track from Beyonce's latest album brings back the memory of the Space Shuttle Challenger explosion.
It's a clip lasting just six seconds at the top of Beyonce's new song "XO," but the words themselves have been heard countless times since January 1986.
The NASA commentator says, "Flight controllers here looking very carefully at the situation. Obviously a major malfunction."
That's when Shuttle Challenger exploded seconds after lifting off from the Kennedy Space Center, killing all seven who were on board.
"I think it relatively tasteless as a matter of fact," said former astronaut Bob Springer.
Bob Springer is a veteran of two Space Shuttle flights.
He says he can see how the use of the clip could be insensitive to the victims' families.
"Most of the people who really have a sensitivity to the whole Challenger accident probably aren't listening to Beyonce. And those listening to Beyonce probably don't remember the Challenger," said Springer.
In a statement, Dr. June Scobee Rodgers, the widow of Challenger Commander Dick Scobee, told us "We were disappointed to learn that an audio clip from the day we lost our heroic Challenger crew was used in the song 'XO.'"
The moment included in this song is an emotionally difficult one for the challenger families, colleagues and friends."
Dr. Scobee Rodgers is the founding chair of the Washington DC based Challenger Center for Space Science Education.
NASA also released a statement saying in part, "The Challenger accident is an important part of our history; A tragic reminder that space exploration is risky and should never be trivialized."
Beyonce released a statement to ABC News, saying the song was recorded to quote, "help heal those who have lost loved ones."

Second Blast in Russia Stokes Olympic Security Fears

MOSCOW—A suicide bomber struck in the southwest Russian city of Volgograd on Monday, killing at least 16 people in the city’s second terrorist attack in less than 24 hours and stoking security fears in the country ahead of the Winter Olympics.
Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered security to be tightened around the country after the second attack, which comes less than six weeks before the games are set to start in the Black Sea resort of Sochi. The repeated bombings, and risk of additional violence, threaten to tarnish an event on which Mr. Putin has staked his personal pride and the country has spent $50 billion to stage.
Russia’s hosting of the games has already weathered heavy criticism abroad because of the recent passage of a controversial law banning gay “propaganda,” which has led to calls for a boycott among gay-rights groups.

Six high-paying careers you haven't considered

 
So you want a high-paying career, eh? Instead of going the typical doctor, lawyer, or Wall Street broker route, where competition is steep, a good strategy might be looking in unexpected places for careers with high salaries. But you'll still want to choose a career that interests you, so the 9 to 5 doesn't feel like drudgery. According to Stan Kimer, founder and president of Total Engagement Consulting by Kimer, a diversity and career development consultancy, striking that balance between a highly-skilled job and a high-level of personal enjoyment is what leads to career success in the first place. "In any field if you are extremely passionate about what you do and do it very well, you will rise to the top and make more," says Kimer.

First Transparent Tablet Lets You Touch From Both Sides

 
Transparent tablets may sound like something straight from science fiction, but it may not be long before translucent slates hit the market. Grippity claims to be the world's first see-through tablet to come with two-sided touch controls.

Robin Roberts Comes Out on Facebook

"Good Morning America's" Robin Roberts shared a very personal detail in her Facebook year-end post Sunday, December 29.

The longtime ABC news anchor, 53, addressed her sexuality publicly for the first time, naming girlfriend Amber Laign in a reflective post on her Facebook page.

Five Companies That May Not Survive Past 2014

Wall Street is a sucker for a good comeback story, and it got plenty of them in 2013. Best Buy (BBY) shares, for example, have zoomed nearly 250 percent higher this year. Hewlett-Packard (HPQ), the worst performer in the Dow Jones industrial average in 2012, has nearly doubled this year. Companies like E-Trade Financial (ETFC), GameStop (GME), Rite Aid (RAD) and Yahoo (YHOO) have all seen their share prices soar 100 percent or more – sometimes much more – as investors bought into their turnaround tales.

Shark photobomb? Family photo captures big fish lurking just feet from family

Can there be such thing as a shark photobomb?

That’s what many are calling an eerie and eye-catching photo inadvertently snapped by a California mother that appears to show a large shark, or maybe a dolphin, swimming near her two children.

"It was quite a shock to see” the photo, June Emerson told KTLA about her photo, which captured the outline of a large fish swimming underneath a breaking wave close to the shore on Manhattan Beach.

Top 20 Highest Earning Movies in 2013

Iron Man 3 was the highest-earning movie globally this year, it has been revealed.

The superhero threequel took a whopping $1,215,439,994 worldwide - comfortably ahead of Despicable Me 2 on $918,573,535.

Fast & Furious 6 proved that the street racing movie franchise is still roaring ahead by clocking in third with $788,679,850 in takings.

And if the Avengers movie is counted, Iron Man's combined cinematic adventures now make him the highest-earning superhero in celluloid history.

The three Iron Man movies and the Avengers ensemble film took a combined total of $3.8bn at the box office.The combined total for all the Batman films is a shade lower at 

Crystal Palace midfielder: Everyone at Manchester City wrote us off

CRYSTAL Palace midfielder Stuart O’Keefe has warned Premier League clubs to write the Eagles off at their peril.
The club have been revitalised since Tony Pulis’ arrival in November, picking up four wins out of their last eight games and moving out of the relegation zone.
And following an impressive display against a Manchester City side that are extremely strong at home, O’Keefe believes everyone at the Etihad Stadium was expecting a drubbing before kick-off.
“Everyone wrote us off and I think that played into our favour,” he exclusively told the Advertiser.
“Everyone at City, from their staff, fans, players even – the way we set up, we were never going to lose six, seven or eight nil.
“We had a couple of good chances to get a point which, if we had taken them, it would not have been undeserved.
“Coming to places like Manchester City, you know you’re not going to have much of the ball – and we didn’t – but it’s what you do with it.
“We used it quite well and confidently. For Joe Hart to get man of the match says it all really.
“We were solid, we never really got cut open and everyone did their jobs well.
“Everyone was really pleased and we can take it into the Norwich game and our good run of form.”

Why Jose Mourinho’s comments on Luis Suarez have exposed the Chelsea boss as just a silly hypocrite

The Chelsea manager waved his arms to gesture more noise from his team’s supporters in stoppage time at Stamford Bridge.
Indeed, Mourinho was so pleased with the victory that he even interrupted a TV interview involving David Luiz and Eden Hazard to hug them.
Now, before anyone accuses me of having red spectacles on I’d like to say that Chelsea deserved the victory against a good Liverpool side.
Yes Brendan Rodgers’s side took an early lead but the Blues turned it round before half-time with goals from Hazard and Samuel Eto’o.
In many ways the game featured a similar pattern to the Manchester City match on Boxing Day which Liverpool also led.
Yet although Chelsea deserved the victory, Liverpool should have had a late penalty when goal scorer Eto’o upended Luis Suarez

Arsene Wenger backs Arsenal to win Premier League title

Arsene Wenger insists his boys have grown into men after backing English Premier League leader Arsenal to maintain its impressive title challenge in the new year.
Wenger's team has 42 points at the halfway point of the season and returned to the top of the table following a hard-fought 1-0 victory against Newcastle United at St James' Park on Sunday.

Iheanacho urged to join City

 
The father of Kelechi Iheanacho says he is trying persuade the Nigeria Under-17 star to reconsider joining Manchester City instead of FC Porto.

DROID Maxx, Ultra, and Mini KitKat update reportedly bricking devices, rollout halted

The Android 4.4 KitKat update for Verizon’s DROID Ultra, DROID Maxx, and DROID Mini started rolling out on December 19th, but fast forward to today, and it seems most users are yet to receive the update on their devices. An official word hasn’t been handed out, but the update has reportedly been pulled from circulation due to some serious issues, including one that is bricking phones for some users.

BlackBerry Ltd (BBRY) Drops Twitter Update Owing To User Complains

BlackBerry Ltd (NASDAQ:BBRY) (TSE:BB) reflected on another disappointment when it terminated the latest update to the Twitter app for BlackBerry 10. The struggling Canadian handset maker is in a fix to turnaround the company, and has been delivering row of bad news from quite some time now.

Five Android apps for NYE

New Year's Eve parties (and the festive season in general) can be a raucous time, but there are a few apps that will help make your life easier.
We pick some apps you should keep stored on your device for New Year's Eve (and other parties).

Top Nigerian Celebrities Who Walked Down the Aisle In 2013

 
More than other years gone by, 2013 has been a splendid year for our celebrities. The entertainment industry which has been known to house too many singles who were scared of marriage, suddenly took a new turn, as quite a number of them did say “yes I do” in the year.

Kanye West Sued for Sampling…Again!

As busy as rapper Kanye West has been with his recently born daughter, North, and his socialite fiancé, Kim Kardashian (and her family), Kanye has another problem on his hands. West is being sued for sampling a vocal track of soul singer, Ricky Spicer from The Ponderosa Twins Plus One, in his track “Bound 2.”  The suit is seeking “an injunction and damages for alleged violations of New York civil right of publicity law (section 51), unjust enrichment and common law copyright infringement.”

MISS NIGERIA LOSES OUT ON EXQUISITE FACE OF THE UNIVERSE CROWN

Tomi Lydia Salami, the Nigerian contestant for the Exquisite Face Of The Universe world finals lost out on the crown and $10,000 cash prize at the grand finale event, which took place recently at Eko Hotels & Suite.

The Kwara State indigene made it to the top five finalists after the national costume, swimwear and evening gown rounds but failed to make it to the final three. She however carted away two awards for Best National Costume and Most Eloquent.

Obasanjo’s Letter To President Jonathan: A Problem Of The Message Or Messenger?

In my first letter to you last November my dear Dan, I told you I had a feeling my letter would surprise you not only because you certainly do not know the writer but also because you would not have expected to receive a ‘personal’ letter such as this through this open medium. I then proceeded to introduce myself as an Edo man from the Central Senatorial District (CSD) but resident and working in Bayelsa State. Let me assure you that I am not one of the many Edo people who live outside the state and have willingly relinquished their attachment to their origins.

Nigeria: Jonathan - 'Media Using My Speeches Against Me'

President Goodluck Jonathan has again blasted the media in the country, accusing them of always using his speeches against him.
Jonathan, who spoke yesterday during a Sunday Service at Apostolic Faith Church, Jabi, Abuja, said these days were not the best of days to make speeches as the media were out to paint any statements made.

Saturn, moons appear ‘dressed and dazzling’ in stunning end-of-the-year photos

According to a news release from NASA, the space agency’s Cassini spacecraft has captured stunning end-of-the-year photos of Saturn and two of the ringed planet’s moons, Titan and Enceladus. The planet and its moons are “dressed and dazzling.”

Manchester City 1 Crystal Palace 0: match report

Edin Dzeko's 50th Manchester City goal proved enough to see off a dogged Crystal Palace outfit and send the Blues top of the Premier League.

The Bosnian steered home Jesus Navas' cut-back midway through the second period to give City their 10th successive victory at the Etihad Stadium

Miley Cyrus hosts wild party after Britney Spears’ Las Vegas concert

After watching Britney Spears kick off her Las Vegas residency with a bang-erz, Miley Cyrus went on to host quite the party.
The 21-year-old "Adore You" singer hit up Sin City to support Spears during the opening night of her "Piece of Me" show at Planet Hollywood and immediately following the concert, she helped unveil the brand new Beacher's Madhouse at the MGM Grand Hotel & Casino.

1.3 million to lose unemployment benefits as Obama pushes for aid extension

The nation's long-term unemployed will be cut off from federal unemployment benefits on Saturday, even as President Obama offers his support to two senators proposing to extend expiring federal jobless aid.  
Republican Sen. Dean Heller of Nevada and Democratic Sen. Jack Reed of Rhode Island have proposed extending for three months benefits that more than 1 million Americans will lose. Obama called the two senators separately on Friday, describing it as an urgent economic priority.  

Facebook “dead and buried” for Europe’s teenagers, says new report

An extensive European study has revealed that teenagers are abandoning Facebook in their droves, with the presence of their parents on the network one of the key factors. The Global Social Media Impact Study found that younger users are shifting to alternative platforms such as Snapchat, WhatsApp, Instagram and Twitter for their social media fix.

Home> Entertainment Britney Spears' Las Vegas Residency a Departure

Justin Bieber's 3D concert movie Believe was released in Stateside cinemas earlier this month. He also released his new album, 'Journals' on December 23. In the run up to the album Bieber had been releasing a new track from the record each week under the umbrella of his Music Mondays series, including his collaboration with Chance The Rapper, 'Confident'.
Read more at http://www.nme.com/news/justin-bieber/74623#CCkBxgyx7m8ucUul.99

Britney Spears has begun her early retirement in Las Vegas with a show that looks strikingly like the eye-popping Cirque du Soleil productions found elsewhere on the Strip.

The debut of Spears' long-term casino gig Friday kept an audience of about 4,500 on their feet for 90 minutes.

The young-for-Vegas crowd was there for the danceable hits and the spectacle, which included acrobatics, a ring of fire, confetti, a live band, frenetic costume changes and a frequently airborne Spears.

Sony And Panasonic End OLED Partnership

OLED manufacturing has proven problematic pretty much from the get-go. From the ultra-clean room environment it requires, to the need for a perfect seal on the diodes to prevent oxidation and failure. Nikkei explains some of the problems Sony and Panasonic likely had integrating their tech:

Nokia Silently Removes HERE Maps From Apple App Store Citing Recent Changes In iOS7

Nokia has silently pulled down its GPS navigational HERE Maps from Apple App Store, owing to some recent changes made to the iOS7 that harm user experience.
Launched November 2012, Nokia has pulled down its HERE Maps from Apple App Store, redirecting users to the web version of the maps at m.here.com when a download is attempted.

Kim Kardashian shows off Kanye West's Christmas present - a massive Hermes bag painted with nudes

What do you buy the woman who has everything?
We imagine Kristmas shopping for a Kardashian is hard enough if you aren't Kanye West, so feel sorry for the fellow who had to think of the perfect gift for his missus - while his every move was watched by Kris Jenner the world.
Luckily Kanye has got bucket loads of culture and is incredibly wise, check out this interview where he explains just why he is a better person than we could ever understand, so the Yeezus rapper transcends popping down to Superdrug on Christmas Eve.
So what did he get the love of his life?

Touching tongues for Miley Cyrus and Cara Delevingne as they get ready to make out in sexy snap

If ever proof were needed that twerking is one of the most time consuming activites on the planet then look no further than Miley Cyrus.
The original twerker cosied up to supermodel Cara Delevingne way back in November in an Amsterdam coffee shop and she's only just got around to getting the pictures developed.

Beyonce - Beyonce Reigns Supreme On Billboard 200 Album Chart For Christmas

Beyonce celebrated Christmas by spending a second week at the top of America's Billboard 200 chart with her new, self-titled album.
The Crazy in Love hitmaker released the surprise project exclusively on iTunes.com with no announcement or promotion on 13 December (13).

Blackout Mars Christmas Celebration in Lagos

Many residents of Lagos State, especially in the Mainland, had their Christmas celebration without electricity.
Vanguard gathered that most of the areas affected were Ojota, Ketu, Mile 12, Palmgrove, Onipanu, Maryland, Bariga, Oshodi/Isolo, Mushin and Iyana Oworo, where residents said they have been having blackout since December 25.

Ukrainian woman goes topless for the Pope

A leader of the Ukrainian feminist group Femen bared herself near St Peter’s Square on Thursday shouting “Christmas is cancelled!” in a protest against the Catholic Church’s stance on abortion.
Inna Shevchenko, 23, went topless and ran towards the square but was stopped by some 20 police officers.
She had “Christmas is Cancelled ” written across her chest.
The police quickly formed a barrier around the activist to prevent media from documenting the event.

The Headies 2013 _ RESULTS

On boxing day, Thursday 26th December 2013, the black carpet was rolled out at the Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos for the biggest names in the Nigerian entertainment industry for The Headies 2013.

Hosted by Mavin Records artiste Tiwa Savage and Dr Sid, awards were presented to a selected few who simply ruled the music charts and had us swaying in all directions to their songs.

Olamide was the king of the night; picking up 3 awards for himself plus an award for collaborating with Phyno on Ghost Mode. Afro pop star Sean Tizzle won the Next Rated award which came with a Hyundai Tucson SUV.