Michael Jackson at 50: `The best is yet to come'NEW YORK - Michael Jackson celebrated his 50th birthday Friday, but he's still young at heartI'll just have a little cake with my children and we'll probably watch some cartoons," the pop star said in an interview with ABC News' "Good Morning America." Jackson talked by phone with ABC on Thursday.Jackson, a twice-divorced father of three, said he aims to provide a normal life for his children."I am letting... Read Full Story
Stars over the moon about Obama's speechDENVER - First word on Barack Obama's historic nomination acceptance speech from a bevy of celebrities in attendance was decidedly partisan: "It was excellent," Black Eyed Peas singer Fergie said. "It was amazing." "Incredible," said Jessica Alba simply, before joining Fergie, Rosario Dawson, Wilmer Valderrama and Kerry Washington at a private exit from Invesco Field. Alba was at the speech with husband Cash Warren.... Read Full Story
Simple fertilizer technique promises to feed Africa's hungryWASHINGTON (AFP) - A simple and cheap technique of applying fertilizer in small doses at the right time can double wheat crop yields in sub-Saharan Africa and feed millions of people, agronomists said in a report.A four-year experiment with the technique in Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger has boosted sorghum and millet production by 44 to 120 percent, and family incomes by 50 to 130 percent, said an International Crops Research Inst... Read Full Story
Ofcom seeks help on mobile rulesThe good and bad aspects of the UK's mobile phone networks are being sought by Ofcom.The telecoms regulator wants help from consumers and industry on areas that need more regulation or where the rules can be loosened.It is also looking for ideas on how best to extend mobile networks across the entire nation.It said rule changes might be necessary given the rapid pace of technological change in the industry.Strong signalThe consultation has been prompted by ... Read Full Story
Split feared in Pakistan's coalition over judges issueISLAMABAD (AFP) — Pakistan's fragile coalition government is facing a Monday deadline on reinstating judges sacked by former president Pervez Musharraf that could determine whether its major parties split.Political infighting has weakened the ability to focus on militant violence -- almost 100 people were killed in bombings in the past week -- and leave the government in disarray ahead of the September 6 presidential election.Seven... Read Full Story
Techblog: Verizon and Google in search deal?Report: Verizon and Google in search dealVerizon and Google apparently are working on a deal to make Google the default search provider for mobile devices and perhaps more.The Wall Street Journal reported that Verizon Communications is close to announcing a deal that would create a one-stop shop for mobile searches powered by Google. The deal would help Verizon Wireless pull in more mobile ad revenue, which has been generally anemic. Ultimately, Ver... Read Full Story
Canada Links a 3rd Death to BacteriaOTTAWA — Canadian health officials, coping with a national outbreak of a bacterial illness, confirmed a third death on Friday apparently linked to tainted cold cuts from Canada’s largest meat processor.The bacterial illness, listeriosis, is often fatal to the elderly, the infirm and those with weak immune systems. The three deaths were all elderly women in Ontario.The meat processor, Maple Leaf Foods, this week recalled more than 1.2 million pounds of lunch... Read Full Story
Black hole star mystery 'solved'Astronomers have shed light on how stars can form around a massive black hole, defying conventional wisdom.Scientists have long wondered how stars develop in such extreme conditions.Molecular clouds - the normal birth places of stars - would be ripped apart by the immense gravity, a team explains in Science magazine.But the researchers say stars can form from elliptical discs - the relics of giant gas clouds torn apart by encounters with black holes.The... Read Full Story
Jane Seymour part of sweet formula in 'Dear Prudence'Dear Prudence" may combine more proven TV elements than any movie in recent memory: a warm, beautiful workaholic who needs to pause long enough to find romance, the tough rural cop who turns out be a sensitive romantic, the amateur sleuths who turn out to have incredible investigative instincts and the phony cad who's trying to wreck an entire town to feed his own greed.It also has Jane Seymour and Jamey Sheridan, who are b... Read Full Story
Keri Russell: Caught in the RainCaught out without an umbrella, Keri Russell was spotted making a dash down the street yesterday (August 11) in New York City.The "Felicity" hottie came out of a deli shop after lunch and jumped inside a YMCA gymnasium to take shelter for a bit. But after a minute or so, she became impatient and decided to brave the weather.And according to a report, the "Waitress" babe is getting geared up to lend her voice to the new "Wonder Woman&quo... Read Full Story
