California will avoid deep spending cuts to public schools and universities, and be able to pull out of the fiscal swamp without slashing other services further, after voters handed Gov. Jerry Brown's signature tax measure a decisive victory Tuesday. Proposition 30 had an 8 percentage point lead Wednesday morning, with 99 percent of precincts reporting.

Seventy-two percent of voters handily rejected a rival measure, Proposition 38. Brown's tax measure has been his central focus since his election two years ago and will have major implications for the state's finances. If it had been defeated, nearly $6 billion in automatic spending cuts, falling almost entirely on public schools, would have been automatically enacted under the budget approved by lawmakers earlier this year.

Prop. 30 will raise the sales tax by one penny for every $4 spent for four years, while increasing the income tax on the state's highest earners for seven years. It would generate about $6 billion per year in new revenue. The sales tax hike will go into effect Jan. 1, while the personal income tax increase is retroactive to the beginning of this year.

At an election night event at a hotel near the Capitol, a few hundred backers of Prop. 30 were in a celebratory mood. Brown, who took the stage soon after the measure gained majority support for the first time, expressed confidence that it would pass.

"I know some people had some doubts, had some questions - can you really go to people and ask them to raise their tax?" Brown said. He added that he believes California is the only state where voters said, "Let's raise our taxes for students, for our schools, for our California dream."

The measure enjoyed strong support in coastal counties like San Francisco, where voters approved it by a 3-1 margin, but was defeated in more conservative areas. Opponents had argued that state leaders should reform what No on 30 spokesman Aaron McLear called a "broken system," prior to "asking voters for a $50 billion bailout the politicians can spend on anything they want."

Voters easily defeated Prop. 38, which would have increased the income tax rate on nearly all Californians for 12 years, generating about $10 billion per year. Nearly all of that money would have gone to public schools, though some of it also would have been spent to pay down the state's debt.

Finally getting a public vote on his tax measure has been Brown's top policy goal, and he had hoped it would be the only tax measure on the state ballot. The governor melded his measure with another being pushed by the California Federation of Teachers, but he was unable to persuade civil rights attorney Molly Munger, who has bankrolled Prop. 38, to drop her effort.

Munger conceded Tuesday night. "A powerful coalition has begun coming together and a strong movement has been formed," she said. "As we continue this fight, we can and will build on all the good work that has been done."

For Brown, the vote will finally answer the question of how to proceed with restoring California's finances.

The governor ran for office on a pledge that he would not increase taxes without a vote by the people - and told voters he knew best how to right California's fiscal ship. Soon after he was sworn in, he began efforts to put such a measure before the people.

Brown had hoped for such a vote in May 2011, before the enactment of his first budget, but he was unable to win the backing of enough Republicans in the Legislature.

That experience also earned him criticism for not realizing that the politics of the state had changed dramatically since he was last in the governor's office, and that it would take something short of a miracle for Republicans to agree to even put a tax measure on the ballot, let alone vote for it.

But the governor has been dogged in his determination to hold such a public vote, and started a signature-gathering effort to place the measure on the ballot. He has spent the past few weeks barnstorming the state on the issue, sometimes visiting multiple cities a day, and was assisted by a strong union push.The measure's passage was a huge win for the governor. But a loss wouldn't have tarnished his legacy, said Barbara O'Connor, emeritus professor of communications and director of the Institute for the Study of Politics and Media at Sacramento State University.

Had it lost Brown would say, " 'The people have spoken, we'll deal with this in the normal course of our budgeting,' " she said. "That's his legacy: Be straight with people, and try to get the best deal."

Whether the governor was being straight with voters was the focus of much of the campaign against the ballot measure. Opponents hammered Brown for saying that all the new money would go to education, when in fact much of it would benefit other parts of the state budget.

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What did it change? Very little actually. Not that system updates are normally incredible, but you like to see something change.

According to Microsoft’s Major Nelson, it is simply a routine maintenance update and no apparent new features are being added. His statement below:

Sometime during the early morning hours tomorrow (Pacific Time, Tuesday, October 11th) we are pushing out a mandatory system update. If you are signed into LIVE already, you may be signed out. Once the update has been completed, you’ll be able to sign-in again and back online in a few moments. This is a general system maintenance update and there are no new features that will show up once your system has been updated.

Don’t get too down about it. There are no doubt new things in the works down the road.

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Tonight’s Republican debate comes amid persistent gloom about the prospects for the U.S. — and the global — economy. Here are 10 questions we’d like to hear the candidates answer:

1. The unemployment rate is stuck at 9.1%. The U.S. isn’t adding enough jobs to keep up with the growth of the labor force. What’s done is done — the fiscal stimulus, the Federal Reserve’s quantitative easing, etc. What specific policies would you adopt today to quicken the pace of economic growth and hiring?

2. If raising taxes would be bad for the economy, how would cutting spending and eliminating government jobs now be good for the economy?

3. Housing remains a major drag on the U.S. economy. About one in five Americans with a mortgage owes more than the value of his or her house. More than half Americans with equity in their home have a mortgage with an interest rate above 5%, but hasn’t refinanced. Home-building is at historic lows. Can government policy do more to rescue housing? If so, what?

4. Several of you have expressed displeasure with Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke. Who would you prefer to see in that job?

5. Will the middle class have to bear some of the burden — either in higher taxes or fewer government benefits — to bring the federal deficit under control?

6. Are there any tax increases of any kind that you would accept over the next decade?

7. What’s the best way to slow the growth of health care costs in the U.S. over the next quarter-century?

8. Mitt Romney backs the imposition of U.S. tariffs on Chinese imports if China doesn’t allow its currency to float freely on international markets. The Senate is taking up similar legislation. Do you support the pending Senate bill?

9. The living standards of our children and our grandchildren’s generation depend on investments we make today that pay off in future productivity later. What, if anything, should the government spend money on today with that objective in mind?

10. How specifically, if at all, should government policy respond to the persistent widening of the gap between winners and losers in the U.S. economy?

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Moribito: Guardian of the Spirit (Seirei no Moribito?) is the first in the ten volume Guardian (Moribito?) series of Japanese fantasy novels, written by Nahoko Uehashi. It has since been adapted into numerous media, including radio, manga and anime adaptations. Scholastic released the first novel in English in June, 2008. Media Blasters has confirmed that they acquired the rights to the anime. The series premiered on Cartoon Network's Adult Swim programming block in the U.S. at 1:30 a.m. on August 24, 2008 EST, but was dropped from the schedule without warning or explanation on January 15, 2009 after two runs of the first ten episodes. It has returned to [Adult Swim] during Summer 2009 for the entire series run.

Balsa the spearwoman is a wandering warrior, who takes on the task of saving lives in atonement for a past sin. On her journey, she happens to save a prince and is tasked with becoming his bodyguard. And he is going to need one, for his own father, the emperor, wants him dead. Balsa, the spear wielder and bodyguard, is visiting the New Yogo Empire. She is hired to protect the Second Prince, Chagum, who is endangered because he is possessed by a being despised by his father, the Emperor, who ordered his assasination. The two go on a perilous adventure for the survival of the prince. Throughout the story, Balsa's past will come to light and they will uncover mysteries about Chagum's condition while developing a family-like relationship with each other and others.

Guardian Of The Spirit (Moribito)

Moribito: Guardian of the Spirit Volumes 3 & 4 (2-Pack)

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rich franklin vs wanderlei silva fight video

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Lucy In The Sky With DiamondsLyrics.

Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds Lyrics - The Beatles

{VERSE 1}

Picture yourself in a boat on a river,
With tangerine trees and marmalade skies.
Somebody calls you, you answer quite slowly,
A girl with kaleidoscope eyes.

Cellophane flowers of yellow and green,
Towering over your head.
Look for the girl with the sun in her eyes,
And she's gone.

{CHORUS}
Lucy in the sky with diamonds,
Lucy in the sky with diamonds,
Lucy in the sky with diamonds,
Ah... Ah...

{VERSE 2}
Follow her down to a bridge by a fountain,
Where rocking horse people eat marshmallow pies.
Everyone smiles as you drift past the flowers,
That grow so incredibly high.

Newspaper taxis appear on the shore,
Waiting to take you away.
Climb in the back with your head in the clouds,
And you're gone.

{CHORUS}

Picture yourself on a train in a station,
With plasticine porters with looking glass ties.
Suddenly someone is there at the turnstile,
The girl with kaleidoscope eyes.

{CHORUS REPEATED AND FADED}

The Beatles Sgt Pepper Lonely Hearts charcoal T-Shirt offset logo

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Victorious American and Vanquished Virginian “Grant and Lee: Victorious American and Vanquished Virginian” is a book published by author Edward H. Bonekemper III that was released in 2007. Victorious American and Vanquished Virginian 460 pages has been receiving good reviews from readers and newspaper columnists. It is controversial in nature and full of facts about the Civil War.

“This careful, thoughtful examination of the wartime careers of Generals Ulysses S. Grant and Robert E. Lee is a testimonial to a scholar at the height of his powers. In this brilliant extension of his 2004 book on the generalship of Grant (A Victor, Not a Butcher, CH, May'05, 42-5456), Bonekemper convincingly demolishes the long-held belief by many writers that Grant was a butcher of men, that he carelessly and heartlessly threw away his soldiers in an almost mindless series of battles from Shiloh to his relentless campaign against Lee's Army of Northern Virginia in the closing months of war. The author carefully examines the campaigns of both men, looking at casualty rates and results, and provides a clear context for his observations. Both men were aggressive, but Lee's narrow vision of the war and reckless expenditure of men made him the real butcher and ultimately cost the South any hope of victory. The last chapter comparing the strengths and weaknesses of Grant and Lee is alone worth the price of the book. A remarkable addition to the literature on the Civil War that will endure for years to come. Essential. All levels/libraries.”

Choice

“Bonekemper has pulled together an impressive narrative. He writes easily and readers will no doubt enjoy his barbed analysis throughout.”

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David Carradine Death Scene Photo. The Professional Forensics hired by David Carradine's family has concluded that the "Kung Fu" actor did not commit suicide, but said that more information was needed from Thai investigators before the cause of death could be determined.

Forensic pathologist Dr. Michael Baden, a former chief medical examiner for New York City, who was hired by David Carradine's family, has released the results of his forensic examination. He has determined that David Carradine's death was not a suicide,

Dr. Michael Baden said the following in a statement released to The Associated Press through David Carradine's brothers, Keith and Robert Carradine:

"To reach a final determination as to the cause and the manner of death we must wait for further information from Thailand, as to the scene findings and the completion of the crime laboratory and toxicology studies that are still being performed."

David Carradine had been found in his Bangkok hotel room last week by a maid. David Carradine body was hanging in the closet of his room. A Thai tabloid, Thai Rath, published a graphic of David Carradine death scene photo that police have said appears to be a leaked forensics image. David Carradine's family was incensed when the photo was released, and promised legal action if it appeared in any U.S.-based media.

Speculation in David Carradine's death ranged from suicide to accidental death while engaged in auto-erotic asphyxiation.

David Carradine starred in the 1970s TV series “Kung Fu.” His was a controversial choice, made when network executives felt that the starring role in the series could not be carried by their first choice, Asian actor Bruce Lee.

In the series, David Carradine played Kwai Chang Caine, a Shaolin monk who travels through the American Old West armed only with his skill in martial arts. David Carradine actually had no knowledge of martial arts prior to starring in the series, but developed an interest in it after this experience and became an avid practitioner.

Despite the controversy, the series was pretty successful, at least for a time, and spawned a TV movie and sequels. It also became clear that despite eschewing Bruce Lee as the star, the series was quite provided many acting roles for Asian actors.

David Carradine also had a notable movie career, including, of late, a role in the series of movies, Kill Bill. Of late, he has also done a significant number of voiceovers for animated features.

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Jamie Czerniawski is a former 'Wife Swap' TV contestant. Jamie Czerniawski is accused of stabbing her husband with a kitchen knife. Jamie Czerniawski tells The New York Post it was self-defense. Jamie Czerniawski husband's lawyer denies that.

Jamie Czerniawski says that her husband became jealous and angry after Jamie Czerniawski recieved a phone call from a mutual male friend. Jamie Czerniawski is charged in Monmouth County with aggravated assault and is free on $75,000 bail.

The former Miss Teen New Jersey, Jamie Czerniawski used a kitchen knife to slash her husband, Charles, in their Freehold home on Memorial Day weekend.

Jamie Czerniawski and Charles were featured on "Wife Swap" in 2006. The suspect swapped places with a mom from Arizona who is a tattooed freak show performer.
jamie czerniawski wiki

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Johnny Palermo, 27, dies in a car accident in North Hollywood, California.

Actor Johnny Palermo, who appeared in more than 30 television shows in his brief career, died June 8 in an early morning.

Johnny Palermo's girlfriend, Alessandra Giangrande, who was driving at the time, also was killed, and her brother suffered serious injuries.

Johnny Palermo and Alessandra Giangrande were pronounced dead at the scene.

Johnny Palermo was a regular on the Nickelodeon series ‘Just for Kicks’ and appeared in three episodes of the CW`s ‘Everybody Hates Chris’ as Frank DiPaolo, Chris` overgrown classmate.

Johnny Palermo also appeared in ‘Cold Case,’ ‘General Hospital,’ ‘CSI: Miami,’ ‘Rules of Engagement,’ ‘How I Met Your Mother’ and ‘CSI: NY.’ This fall, the native of Rochester, NY, can be seen in the indie film ‘Pizza With Bullets.’

Look at this Blackberry Pitch Black Leather Vertical Pouch With Belt Clip For Pearl 8100 and Investigating CSI: An Unauthorized Look Inside the Crime Labs of Las Vegas, Miami and New York, its on sale.

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Carrie Prejean Playboy photo has been distributed worldwide. Miss California, Carrie Perjean has been fired today. why Carrie Prejean been fired? Because Carrie Prejean posing for Playboy and this time Donald Trump couldn’t have anything to do for her. Carrie Prejean can’t hold the crown not any more. Carrie Prejean's crown now officially taken by Miss Malibu Tami Farrell.

Yesterday it was announced that the Miss California, Carrie Prejean who survived a scandal over semi-naked photos and her controversial stand on same-sex marriage, will be fired.

Carrie Prejean claims pageant honcho Keith Lewis actually asked her last month if she would take two gigs appearing on “I’m a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here!” and Playboy. Carrie Prejean says Lewis told her Playboy offered $140,000 for Carrie Prejean pose semi-nude. Carrie Prejean rejected both offers.

Carrie Prejean said they wanted me out and they got what they wanted. A few minutes ago we talked to Lewis who said he was not pushing her to take either gig — but merely passing the offers along. Lewis said Carrie Prejean had insisted they not turn anything down without running it by her.

Carrie Prejean, who told us she was “shocked” at the news she was fired and learned about it only after we broke the story — tells us she has been more than cooperative with pageant officials.

Carrie Prejean says, “What’s behind this I think is a political debate. They don’t agree with the stance that I took on Prop 8. Shanna [Moakler] is trying to bash me. They don’t like me. From day one they wanted me out and they got what they wanted.”

Carrie Prejean also told us she couldn’t believe Donald Trump would say she treated people in the pageant “like s**t.” For the record, Trump did tell Harvey Levin that on the phone earlier today. Carrie Prejean said if Trump really feels that way she’s sorry, adding: “I’ve shown respect for every party involved, even when they haven’t shown it back.”

Carrie Prejean went on: “I was very respectful of people even when they slandered me and humiliated me. I have not once stooped down to their level.”

Carrie Prejean got talent for working with Playboy. Carrie Prejean Playboy photo is very hot and sexy.

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Sidney Greenbush's husband, William “Rocky” Foster, a horse breeder, ended his own life behind he and Greenbush's Visalia on May 5. Sidney Greenbush also popular in Little House on the Prairie.

Sidney Greenbush was married to horse breeder William "Rocky" Foster for nine years and two days before the suicide, Sidney Greenbush had told him she wanted a divorce. Then, on May 5th, William Foster called Sidney Greenbush to inform her of his plan and promptly shot himself in the head after their conversation. Then Sidney Greenbush also committed suicide.

Sidney Greenbushlives in central California. In addition to acting, Sidney Greenbush is staying active with her love of horses, having entered her horses in many various local and statewide competitions. Sidney Greenbush has also put together a line of original designer jewelry that Sidney Greenbush sells to her fans which can be seen on the official fan website.

Tale a look at this Sidney Greenbush's CollectionsLittle House on the Prairie: The Complete Television Series and Little House on the Prairie - Christmas its on sale. Grab Now.

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Miss Malibu, Tami Farrell now be taking over as the newly crowned Miss California. Former Miss CA Carrie Prejean lost her title today, after month’s of controversy and “breach of contract” issues.

Originally from Phoenix Oregon, Tami Farrell, the 24 year-old won her first Miss Teen Oregon title in 2002 as apart of the Miss USA Teen Pageant. In 2003, (Miss Malibu) Tami Farrell captured the Miss Teen USA title and was also awarded Miss Congeniality that same year.

Tami Farrell (often misspelled Ferrell) later relocated to Los Angeles to further her career in entertainment. In 2005, Tami Farrell moved to NY to attend the New York School for Film and Television. One of her many career highlights is making a guest appearance on the NBC soap opera Passions.

After relocating to Los Angeles, CA and pursuing a career in the entertainment industry, Tami Farrell ended up winning Miss Malibu USA 2009. Tami Farrell fell short of Prejean in the Miss California contest and came in 2nd.

The rumor is that Carrie will lose her crown today and it will be handed over to Miss Malibu Tami Farrell.

Not even Donald Trump can save Miss California now! We hear Carrie Prejean is getting fired from her position today, and will lose her crown.

All of that nonsense for nothing! You’d think Carrie would learn her lesson after Donald Trump came to her rescue and defended her. Some people just can’t handle responsibility.

Take a look at this set Miraclesuit Adelaide Malibu Tankini Top and Miraclesuit Brisbane Malibu Tankini Top. Grab now, its on sale.

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James Von Brunn is reported to be the shooter at the National Holocaust Museum in Washington, D.C. It is believed that he is a White Supremist. Police have confirmed the identity of the shooter as James Von Brunn. James Von Brunn, 89, is a military veteran - either of the Korean War or World War II.

Surprisingly, for a man of his asserted racial views and apparent conspiratorial bent, James Von Brunn does not appear to be a party in any federal case captured in the PACER system. Too bad, for those seeking a quick peek inside his psyche.

But in excerpts from James Von Brunn autobiography, James Von Brunn recounts his strong feelings about a few Supreme Court justices. For instance, James Von Brunn wrote about his 1968 birthday, when he was at a bar. As Von Brunn recounts"

"Suddenly, the TV was interrupted by "an Important Announcement.' The voice-over excitedly reported that President Lyndon Johnson had nominated Abe Fortas, JEW, to Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. Johnson, a clod totally controlled by the Illuminati, had lied about the Tonkin Bay "torpedo attack" to embroil us in Viet Nam, ostensibly to halt the spread of Communism, yet James Von Brunn patrons were almost all Marxist/Liberal/Jews bankers. I commented to my next door neighbor that Fortas was a crook."

Suffice it to say, hassles ensued. By James Von Brunn's account, James Von Brunn ended up slugging a rural Maryland sheriff and serving four months in jail. James Von Brunn wrote:

"The things that went on in the Cambridge jail would make a book. But I have no time for that."

More adventures and misadventures ensued, before the 1981 Federal Reserve episode, which James Von Brunn called a "caper." James Von Brunn contended that following his arrest he was "contacted by a U.S. Senator (who must remain nameless), who offered me a plea bargain If I would plead guilty to one count of gun violation." Declining, James Von Brunn said he then tried without success to subpoena Federal Reserve Board Chairman Paul Volker and former national security adviser Zbigniew Brzezinksi in his defense.

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Duke Bainum is Honolulu City Councilman. Duke Bainum served in the state House of Representatives from 1990 to 1994. After serving in the House, Duke Bainum was a city council member from 1995 to 2003. Duke Bainum was elected to city council again in 2008.

A special election will have to be held to fill his seat. City council recently held a special election following the death of council member Barbara Marshall earlier this year. Ikaika Anderson won that election.

Duke Bainum ran for mayor in 2004, but lost to Mufi Hannemann. Duke Bainum is survived by his wife, Jennifer, and two sons, Z and Kona. A press release was sent out in Arkansas, where Duke Bainum was a managing director of a bank there.

It said the Duke Bainum died from an aortic aneurism, but the details are still coming in. Duke Bainum made an unsuccessful bid for Honolulu mayor in 2004 and was just re-elected to the City Council. Duke Bainum along with the other council members were to convene today to vote on the city budget.

Duke Bainum wiki

Duke Bainum, formally Mark Edmund Duke Bainum (July 21, 1952- June 9, 2009), is an American politician and physician. Duke Bainum served in the Hawaii State House of Representatives as a member of the Hawaii Democratic Party and was elected in a nonpartisan race to the Honolulu City Council and held various committee chairmanships during his tenure. In 2004, Duke Bainum ran for Mayor of Honolulu in the state of Hawaii, but lost to former White House Aide Mufi Hannemann. Duke Bainum is married to Jennifer Toma Bainum.

Duke Bainum born in Maryland suburbs of Washington, DC and raised in Arkansas by Irvin and Evea Bainum, Duke Bainum attended Southern College in Collegedale, Tennessee where Duke Bainum obtained his bachelor of science degree in 1974. Duke Bainum went on to study at the medical school of the University of Maryland at Baltimore where Duke Bainum became a medical doctor. In 1980, Duke Bainum moved to Honolulu, Hawaii to attend the University of Hawaii Surgical Residency Program at the John A. Burns School of Medicine, completing his internship in 1982.

Duke Bainum entered elected politics assuming a seat on the McCully-Moiliili Neighborhood Board where Duke Bainum became its chairman from 1989 to 1990. Duke Bainum ran for the Hawaii State Legislature and won a seat in the Hawaii State House of Representatives, an office he served from 1990 to 1994. From 1995 to 2003, Duke Bainum became one of the most vocal members of the Honolulu City Council where Duke Bainum was appointed chairman of the Budget, Customer Service, Health and Safety, Policy, Public Works, Transportation and Zoning Committees.

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Holocaust Museum Shooting - Washington — An elderly gunman opened fire with a rifle inside the crowded U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum on Wednesday, gravely wounding a security guard before two other officers returned fire. The assailant and his victim were both hospitalized.

The shooting appears to have occurred near the museum entrance and the victims are a male shooter and a male security guard.

Both men were seriously wounded in the gunfire exchange, they were taken to George Washington University Hospital. A third person suffered minor injury during the Holocaust Museum shooting, possibly from breaking glass.

City police Police Sgt. David Schlosser said the gunman walked into the building carrying "a long gun." The extent of the injuries was not immediately known.

Nor did authorities immediately provide the name or any other biographical information about the assailant, who they said used a "long gun" in the shooting.

Update: Shooter IDed as James W. von Brunn. Apparently, anti-Semite white supremacist.

The episode unfolded inside the Holocaust Museum, which maintains a heavy security presence, with guards positioned inside and out. All visitors are required to pass through metal detectors at the entrance, and bags are screened.

It was not immediately known whether the gunman made it through the detectors before opening fire.

Holocaust Museum, across the street from the National Mall, and within sight of the Washington Monument, was closed for the day after the shooting. Nearby streets were cordoned off by police.

In a statement, Holocaust Museum spokesman Andrew Hollinger said an assailant shot a Holocaust Museum security officer and "two Holocaust Museum security officers returned fire, hitting the assailant."

At the White House, press secretary Robert Gibbs said he informed President Barack Obama of the events and said the chief executive was "obviously saddened by what has happened."

Holocaust Museum houses exhibits and records relating to the Holocaust more than a half century ago in which more than six million Jews were killed by the Nazis.

Mark Lippert of LaSalle, Ill., who was in the Holocaust Museum, said he heard several loud pops and saw several schoolchildren running toward him, three with horrified looks on their faces.

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An Horse is made up of the tiny Kate Cooper and Damon Cox, who met while working at an independent record store. Bound by their shared love of music, they soon started playing together in 2007 and set up a PA in the store to rehearse after hours. After a lot of rehearsing, they decided to unleash their sound places other than the small store and started the difficult task of gigging.

Kate Cooper, on vocals and guitar and Damon Cox on drums, have a unique and mesmerizing sound. They make melodic hook-ridden pop their own; their songs are energetic, tight and infectious. They do all this and still manage to capture a sense of vulnerability in their lyrics.

Almost unheard of, with a just handful of gigs under their belt, An Horse landed a fantastic opportunity. Tegan and Sara met An Horse while touring in Australia and offered an opening act slot on their 2008 Out Of Hibernation tour across America. And so began a phenomenal year ahead for Kate Cooper and Damon Cox. The band’s popularity sky rocketed and they were given another opening spot for Death Cab for Cutie’s Australian tour in August of last year. And the icing on the cake was having their track, Postcards (off their first EP, Not Really Scared) used in a television commercial for the Mercedes Benz CLC Class.

This year, An Horse have moved over to the US to focus on their music and touring. Their second EP, Rearrange Beds was produced by ARIA award winning producer, Magoo (Midnight Oil, Regurgitator) at Applewood studios in Queensland. The duo made their first television appearance on The Late Show with David Letterman where they performed their hit, Camp Out. This whirlwind success is showing no signs of slowing, with a tour planned with Appleseed Cast later this year.

Completely blown away by Australian duo An Horse is one way to describe how I felt after the band’s show in Chicago last Sunday night. I honestly had no idea that two voices and two instruments could sound so good live! With Kate Cooper showing off some impressive guitar skills and Damon Cox rocking out on his drum kit, I fell in love with my now new favorite band An Horse and their insanely catchy indie pop songs.

The band kicked off their U.S. tour opening for Telekinesis at Schuba’s Tavern starting their set with “Camp Out,” the first song from debut record Rearrange Beds. Near the end of An Horse’s set, Kate Cooper and Damon Cox gave in to the crowd’s requests to play “Postcards,” which was used in a Mercedes-Benz TV ad last year.

I looked up the commercial on YouTube and I have to say, the song was the perfect choice for this car spot. Although the lyrics to “Postcards” do not necessarily relate to the Mercedes-Benz ad’s tagline, the music matches the trendy vibe for sure. If I had the money, I would want to buy that car.

I wish I could have seen An Horse perform with former tourmates Tegan and Sara, as well as Death Cab For Cutie. Those would have been great shows and unfortunately I missed out on them. Make sure you catch Aussie duo An Horse in a city near you on their current U.S. tour. Trust me, one day Kate Cooper and Damon Cox will be playing festivals like Lollapalooza and Austin City Limits. They are the next big thing, so take a listen and enjoy!

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Palau Island has agreed to accept an American offer to absorb 17 trained Al-Qaeda members in exchange for some US$200 million. According to the AP, Palau Island will accept a group of Chinese Muslims who have been detained for years in Guantanamo Bay.

Palau President Johnson Toribiong said on Wednesday his country will temporarily accept the Chinese in a gesture for the Obama administration.

It should be noted that the Palau island consists of some 200 islands located in the western Pacific Ocean, 650 km southeast of the Philippines. Just less than 10 islands are permanently inhabited.

Mr. Toribiong agreed to Washington's request to accept the Uighurs after talks with U.S. diplomat Daniel Fried, who is leading the U.S. State Department's effort to resettle the Guantanamo detainees. U.S. President Barack Obama has ordered Guantanamo to be shut down by January of next year.

The Bush administration refused to designate the Uighurs as "enemy combatants." It was in late 2008 when a U.S. federal judge ordered the men to be released into the United States. That ruling was eventually overturned by an appeals court.

Palau's minister of state, Sandra Pierantozzi said "If they want to settle in Palau Island we would welcome them," Pierantozzi said. "This is very much in line with the culture of Palau Island, where people who drift in and who needs settlement and place are welcome to our shores and our tradition will take care of them and insert them into our society."

The Uighurs are from China's western Xinjiang province. Beijing has accused the Uighurs, who dominate the province, as separatists who want to create an independent "East Turkestan." Washington is refusing to send the Uighurs back to China, fearing they would be persecuted.

Palau Island, a former U.S. trust territory until achieving independence in 1994, maintains diplomatic relations with Taiwan, China's longtime rival, rather than Beijing. Pierantozzi says her nation is not concerned over China's likely displeasure over the resettlement of the Uighurs.

In 2006, Albania accepted five Uighur detainees from Guantanamo but has since balked at taking others, partly for fear of diplomatic repercussions from China. Palau Island is one of a handful of mainly Pacific island, Latin American and African countries that does not recognize China and maintains diplomatic relations with Taiwan.

The State Department said last week that Daniel Fried, the career diplomat who was named earlier this year by Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton to oversee Guantanamo’s closure, had visited Palau Island but offered no details on his mission. Fried has been negotiating with third countries to accept many of the Guantanamo detainees.

State Department spokesman P.J. Crowley said Fried had visited Australia and Palau as part of a tour of the Pacific. The three officials said Fried had been discussing the disposition of Uighurs.

Australia has already twice rejected U.S. appeals to resettle the Uighurs, but its foreign minister said late last month it would consider a new request to take in 10 Uighurs. The previous requests were turned down on immigration and security grounds and it is not clear if a new Australian review of the Uighurs would have different results.

Justice Department spokesman Matt Miller declined to comment and an official at the Embassy of Palau in Washington said he had no information about the negotiations.

A former U.S. trust territory in the Pacific, Palau Island has retained close ties with the United States since independence in 1994 when it signed a Free Compact of Association with the United States.

While it is independent, it relies heavily on U.S. aid and is dependent on the United States for its defense. Native-born Palauans are allowed to enter the United States without passports or visas.

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Actress Megan Fox wear black dress attending the "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen" South Korea Premiere at Yongsan CGV on June 9, 2009 in Seoul, South Korea. The film will open on June 24 in South Korea

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With their first-round pick, the Red Sox selected outfielder Reymond Fuentes, a high schooler from Puerto Rico. Fuentes is the cousin of Mets centerfielder Carlos Beltran, meaning that the Sox have taken a player with big-league bloodlines with their top pick for the second straight year, following Casey Kelly’s selection in the first round last year. Reymond Fuentes is considered a player whose natural abilities — with tremendous speed and raw power — make him a high-upside selection.

Reymond Fuentes, 18, listed at 6-foot-1, and weighing 165 pounds - is described as raw in his offensive approach, with a need to improve his plate discipline. The Sox have not shied from such players with their top overall picks, most notably when they took Clay Buchholz in the sandwich round of the 2005 draft and Jason Place with their first pick in the 2006 draft.

Reymond Fuentes is drawing comparisons in many corners to Johnny Damon. So that would make two top Red Sox picks in the last five drafts — Fuentes and Jacoby Ellsbury — who have drawn that comparison.

This marks the third straight year that the Sox have taken a player in the draft out of Puerto Rico, following shortstop Kenneth Roque (20th round, 2007) and Christian Vazquez (9th round, 2008). Prior to Roque’s selection, the Sox hadn’t taken a player out of Puerto Rico since 1997. Reymond Fuentes is the first first-rounder out of Puerto Rico since 2000, when the Jays took Miguel Negron with the 18th overall selection.

Here is what Baseball America had to say about Reymond Fuentes:

“A relative of Mets center fielder Carlos Beltran, Fuentes is an electric, game-changing player. The (5-foot-10), (165)-pound center fielder is slender, but has wiry strength and can put a change in a ball during batting practice. Like a ticking clock, Reymond Fuentes hits line drives from foul pole to foul pole with his lefthanded swing. Reymond Fuentes also an elite runner, clocking in at just under 6.3 seconds in the 60-yard dash at Puerto Rico’s annual Excellence Tournament in early May. In game situations, Reymond Fuentes stays within himself, goes with a contact-oriented approach and lets his plus speed play to his advantage. These tools make Fuentes an ideal leadoff hitter. Defensively, Reymond Fuentes range will allow him to stay in center field as a professional. Right down to his below-average arm, he’s a similar player to the Yankees’ Johnny Damon.”

The Sox were true to their promised approach of selecting the best player available, rather than focusing on need. The Sox have a number of young athletic outfielders in the lower levels of the minors — including players such as Ryan Kalish, Ryan Westmoreland, Pete Hissey, Che-Hsuan Lin and Jason Place. Reymond Fuentes adds to that well-populated group.

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