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Exxon Mobil won't be able to bid in the next round of Iraqi oil exploration contracts because of a deal it has signed with the Kurdish regional government. BAGHDAD (CNNMoney) -- Exxon Mobil is being shut out of bidding on the next round of oil and gas exploration contracts in Iraq because of its decision to sign an exploration deal with Kurdistan's regional government in the northern part of that country. Iraq's decision, confirmed by a spokesman for Deputy Prime Minster for Energy Hussein al... Read Full Story

They have a new movie titled "Wanderlust" set to hit theaters on February 24th, and Jennifer Aniston and Paul Rudd have teamed up to cover the March 2012 issue of GQ magazine. The good-looking duo posed for a playful Terry Richardson spread while chatting about topics such as shooting their film in a small town in Georgia and Miss Aniston;s endless dealings with baby rumors. Highlights from Miss Aniston's interview are as follows. For more, be sure to visit GQ! On on whether she dreams of... Read Full Story

She’s no stranger to airports, and last night (February 12) Lindsay Lohan was spotted at LAX along with her sister Ali . The “Georgia Rule” actress looked studious in a pair of thick-rimmed spectacles along with a black jacket and burnt orange bell bottoms. In related news, LiLo is calling foul on a furniture moving employee who she claims photographed her belongings while packing up her stuff. Lindsay says the man sold the pictures to fans and is even leaking the location of her storage... Read Full Story

Last year she underwent vocal cord surgery, and tonight (February 12) Adele gave her first live performance since going under the knife. The much-loved British songbird treated the packed Staples Center venue and viewers at home to a stirring rendition of "Rolling In The Deep" - after which she received a much-deserved standing ovation. Though she already won four GRAMMYs with more expected to be on the way, prior to the gig the 23-year-old shared her nervousness over singing at such a huge... Read Full Story

Last year she underwent vocal cord surgery, and tonight (February 12) Adele gave her first live performance since going under the knife. The much-loved British songbird treated the packed Staples Center venue and viewers at home to a stirring rendition of "Rolling In The Deep" - after which she received a much-deserved standing ovation. Though she already won four GRAMMYs with more expected to be on the way, prior to the gig the 23-year-old shared her nervousness over singing at such a huge... Read Full Story

(CNN) -- Beyond skateboards, Silicon Valley and hippies, California has a trendsetting streak of a different kind. The state has been first to pass major public health initiatives that have spread throughout the country. California was first to require smog checks for clean air, pass anti-tobacco initiatives and bike helmets laws. While these laws were met with skepticism and ridicule, they've often become standard practice in other states. The Golden State was first to ban smoking in... Read Full Story

(CNN) -- The sudden death of singer Whitney Houston at age 48 shocked fans and musicians all over the world. The outpouring of grief was immediate, with one common refrain: The world had lost one of its greatest singers. Nearly all of the trends on Twitter worldwide were shortly associated with the singer's death: R.I.P Whitney Houston, #DearWhitney, #IWillAlwaysLoveYou, The Bodyguard, Bobby Brown and Wanna Dance With Somebody. "The first full hour after the news broke saw 2,481,652 tweets... Read Full Story

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops denounced President Barack Obama's compromise over whether to require religiously affiliated institutions to provide contraception to female employees, saying the proposal raises "serious moral concerns," according to a statement posted on its website late Friday. "Today's proposal continues to involve needless government intrusion in the internal governance of religious institutions, and to threaten government coercion of religious people and groups to... Read Full Story

Certainly the place to be seen, the 2012 Pre-Grammy Gala and Salute To Industry Icons drew out a handful of showbiz stars in Beverly Hills, California on Saturday night (February 11). Taking place at the Beverly Hilton, Britney Spears turned up with fiance Jason Trawick to partake in the fete honoring Richard Branson. Rounding out the guest list were Adam Lambert, Adam Lambert and Blake Shelton, Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson, Michelle Trachtenberg and Darren Criss. The Beverly Hilton event comes... Read Full Story

(CNN) -- A Syrian general was gunned down in the heart of the capital on Saturday, according to state media, as fresh violence flared in several cities and world powers mulled a way to halt the government's bloody offensive against civilians. An "armed terrorist group" assassinated Brig. Gen. Issa al-Kholi, a military physician who was the director of Hamish Hospital, in front of his Damascus house Saturday morning, the state-run Syrian Arab News Agency said. Three gunmen shot him to death... Read Full Story