Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Still waiting on an ADN invite? Well third time's the charm! As in 300!

Want to try out App.net for free? Here's 200 invitations!

We keep giving away App.net (ADN) invites and you keep gobbling them up faster and faster. The last 200 went in what felt like 2 minutes, so this time we've got 300 to give you. If you're still not familiar with ADN free accounts, they're a great way to try out the many services ADN offers, including the Twitter-like microblogging platform, the better-than-DM messaging service, and the cloud storage offering. ADN is a complex, chocked-full-of-potential service, and it's smart to let people try it out for themselves and get a feel for it before deciding to go all-in on a paid account.

If you're still looking for an invite, hopefully 3rd time will be the charm! And if you're fine, tell your friends. Tell all your friends. But fair warning, they'll go fast. So, if you want want one, grab it now!

By using an invitation, you'll automatically follow iMore. (Since you're here, we're hoping you don't mind, but you can promptly unfollow us if you like, and while we'll be sad, we'll understand!)

You can also find the iMore staff on ADN via accounts below. You should follow us. We'd love to hear what you think!

    


Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheIphoneBlog/~3/Jhz9Us_IWFw/story01.htm

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Dell says cannot disclose more information to Icahn yet

(Reuters) - Dell Inc said in a letter to suitors Carl Icahn and Southeastern Asset Management that the company would not provide more information about itself unless the board determined that their proposal was "superior" to founder Michael Dell's.

Earlier this month, Icahn and Southeastern offered $12 in cash per share or additional shares to existing investors as an alternative to Michael Dell's $24.4 billion bid to take the company private.

Dell's special committee of the board of directors said in a letter on Monday that Icahn's affiliates and representatives had made a number of requests for information, including a request for data room access for a potential lender.

"Please understand that unless we receive information that is responsive to our May 13 letter, we are not in a position to evaluate whether your proposal meets that standard," the special committee said.

The committee had on May 13 asked Icahn and his ally Southeastern for more details on their proposed offer.

It had said it was not clear Icahn intended to make "an actual acquisition proposal that the Board could evaluate" or if he intended his offer as an alternative in the event the pending sale to Silver Lake and Michael Dell is not approved.

Dell reported a 79 percent slide in quarterly profit last week as personal computer sales continued to shrink.

(Reporting by Sayantani Ghosh in Bangalore; Editing by Roshni Menon)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/dell-tells-icahn-cannot-disclose-more-information-yet-111832925.html

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Justin Bieber To "Take Some Time"

Source:

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Nigerian Manufacturing Company Chellarams Plc Launches New ...

Posted on Monday, May 20th, 2013 at 11:29 AM

By BellaNaija.com

Challarams Plc Real Activ Malt Drink Launch - May 2013 - BellaNaija019As part of their initiative to meet the needs of its Nigerian customers, Chellarams Plc has introduced a new Malt drink ? Real Activ Malted Food drink. ?The drink was unveiled last Sunday 12th May 2013 at a ceremony at the Golden Tulip Hotel, Lagos.

The event was attended by Chellarams Chief Executive Officer Aditya Chellaram, the Group Chief Information Officer Harbhajan Batth, Group Chief Operating Officer (Industrial Division) Virenda Jakhar, Product Manager Raj Totlani, key customers and the print and electronic media. Speaking on the new product Chief Operating Officer (Brands Division), Chellarams Plc Sanjay Pradham described the malt drink as the product to offer a tastier and nutritious alternative to existing brands of malted and chocolate food drinks in the Nigerian market. The representatives of the foreign partners from Irish dairy Board were also present during the launch.

After his remarks the product was then put to the test as guests were given the opportunity to sample and comment on the product.Majority of them spoke positively about the package aesthetics and the quality of its ingredients. Commenting on the quality of the product, the company?s group chief information officer, Dr. Batth, emphasized on the ISO 9001: 2008 certified hygienic conditions under which the Real Activ malted drink is produced.
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Tags: Aditya Chellaram, Chellarams Plc, Harbhajan Batth, Raj Totlani, Real Activ, Sanjay Pradham, Virenda Jakhar

Source: http://www.bellanaija.com/2013/05/20/nigerian-manufacturing-company-chellarams-plc-launches-new-malt-food-drink-real-activ-photos/

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Monday, May 20, 2013

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Source: http://manualnygaro6250.myworkathomehq.com/562/web-portal-designing-company-in-india/

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Accelerate Business with Search Engine ... - SEO Submission


In this busy business environment, every business owner at some point wants to grab a position of top leaders. They want to manage everything from operations, executions, development, strategy development, sales goals, to marketing, and much more. It is important to tackle direct or indirect marketing in a professional way to promote products in a worthy manner. This will directly influence the business productivity and minimize loss of customers. Organizations are looking for agile marketing approaches. It will also streamline collaboration, drive transparency, and engage customers. Today, one of the most powerful ways of brand marketing is search engine optimization.?

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It is the first and foremost part of on-page optimization and involves finding relevant search terms for a specific business. In fact, it is the backbone of search engine optimization and if done in the right direction produce great results. Researchers research keywords and phrases that highly popular in the industry and can represent your business. Making Website Accessible

It is an essential part of search engine optimization and deals in making your website accessible for both users and search engines. For this, SEO professionals design sitemaps and XML sitemaps so that your website becomes visible.

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If you want to gain more insight into SEO and its techniques, then you need to consult with an intent marketing expert.

For More Information:-

Source: http://easysubmission.blogspot.com/2013/05/accelerate-business-with-search-engine.html

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Honeybees trained in Croatia to find land mines

(AP) ? Mirjana Filipovic is still haunted by the land mine blast that killed her boyfriend and blew off her left leg while on a fishing trip nearly a decade ago. It happened in a field that was supposedly de-mined.

Now, unlikely heroes may be coming to the rescue to prevent similar tragedies: sugar-craving honeybees. Croatian researchers are training them to find unexploded mines littering their country and the rest of the Balkans.

When Croatia joins the European Union on July 1, in addition to the beauty of its aquamarine Adriatic sea, deep blue mountain lakes and lush green forests, it will also bring numerous un-cleared minefields to the bloc's territory. About 750 square kilometers (466 square miles) are still suspected to be filled with mines from the Balkan wars in the 1990s.

Nikola Kezic, an expert on the behavior of honeybees, sat quietly together with a group of young researchers on a recent day in a large net tent filled with the buzzing insects on a grass field lined with acacia trees. The professor at Zagreb University outlined the idea for the experiment: Bees have a perfect sense of smell that can quickly detect the scent of the explosives. They are being trained to identify their food with the scent of TNT.

"Our basic conclusion is that the bees can clearly detect this target, and we are very satisfied," said Kezic, who leads a part of a larger multimillion-euro program, called "Tiramisu," sponsored by the EU to detect land mines on the continent.

Several feeding points were set up on the ground around the tent, but only a few have TNT particles in them. The method of training the bees by authenticating the scent of explosives with the food they eat appears to work: bees gather mainly at the pots containing a sugar solution mixed with TNT, and not the ones that have a different smell.

Kezic said the feeding points containing the TNT traces offer "a sugar solution as a reward, so they can find the food in the middle."

"It is not a problem for a bee to learn the smell of an explosive, which it can then search," Kezic said. "You can train a bee, but training their colony of thousands becomes a problem."

Croatian officials estimate that since the beginning of the Balkan wars in 1991, about 2,500 people have died from land mine explosions. During the four-year war, around 90,000 land mines were placed across the entire country, mostly at random and without any plan or existing maps.

Dijana Plestina, the head of the Croatian government's de-mining bureau, said the suspected devices represent a large obstacle for the country's population and industry, including agriculture and tourism. In the nearly two decades since the end of the war, land mines have taken the lives of 316 people, including 66 de-miners, she said.

"While this exists, we are living in a kind of terror, at least for the people who are living in areas suspected to have mines," she said. "And of course, that is unacceptable. We will not be a country in peace until this problem is solved."

In 2004, Filipovic and her boyfriend were on a fishing trip that took them to a river between Croatia and Bosnia.

"As we were returning hand-in-hand, my boyfriend stepped on a mine," the 41-year-old Filipovic said. "It was an awful, deafening explosion ... thousands of shrapnel parts went flying, hundreds ending up in my body. He was found dead several meters away, while I remained in a pool of blood sitting on the ground."

She sued the Croatian government, saying the area wasn't clearly marked as a former minefield.

"At first I thought I was asleep," she recalled. "Then I heard the voice of my father. I opened my eyes, and saw nothing. I thought I lost my eyes."

The government admitted guilt in the case for failing to keep the minefield sign, but the court has yet to determine financial compensation.

It may be a while before the honeybees hit real minefields, Kezic said. First, they will conduct controlled tests, with real mines but which are marked.

Kezic said American researchers have in the past experimented with mine-searching bees, but TNT ? the most common explosive used in the Balkan wars ? wasn't part of their experiment because its smell evaporates quickly, and only small traces remain after time. Rats and dogs are also used to detect explosives worldwide, but unlike bees, they could set off blasts on the minefields because of their weight.

Even after the de-miners have done their job in an area, some land mines are missed and remain in the soil, and they are most often the cause of deadly explosions. Once the experiment with bees proves scientifically reliable, the idea is to use them in the areas that have already been de-mined, where their movement would be followed with heat-seeking cameras, Kezic said.

"We are not saying that we will discover all the mines on a minefield, but the fact is that it should be checked if a minefield is really de-mined," he said. "It has been scientifically proven that there are never zero mines on a de-mined field, and that's where bees could come in."

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/cae69a7523db45408eeb2b3a98c0c9c5/Article_2013-05-19-Croatia-Bees%20Vs%20Mines/id-119142d8429f4f7ea0d9ee004f147d98

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Jury gets first glimpse of defense in Jackson case

LOS ANGELES (AP) ? A look at key moments this past week in the wrongful death trial in Los Angeles between Michael Jackson's mother, Katherine Jackson, and concert giant AEG Live LLC, and what is expected at court in the week ahead:

THE CASE

Jackson's mother wants a jury to determine that the promoter of Jackson's planned comeback concerts didn't properly investigate Dr. Conrad Murray, who a criminal jury convicted of involuntary manslaughter for Jackson's June 2009 death. AEG's attorney says the case is about personal choice, namely Jackson's decision to have Murray serve as his doctor and give him doses of a powerful anesthetic as a sleep aid. Millions, possibly billions, of dollars are at stake.

WHAT HAPPENED

? Jurors heard from AEG Live's first two witnesses, a pair of choreographers who worked on Jackson's ill-fated "This Is It" shows. Stacy Walker told the panel she never saw any signs Jackson was impaired or ill during rehearsals. Her colleague Travis Payne, who rehearsed one-on-one with Jackson, acknowledged he couldn't say how many times the pair actually rehearsed and said he was concerned the singer was under the influence of prescription medications in the weeks before his death.

? An AEG accounting executive testified about the budget for "This Is It," which was planning on paying Murray up to $1.5 million for the first few months of the shows. The former cardiologist was never paid because Jackson died before signing his contract.

WHAT THE JURY SAW

? Payne shift from a composed, sometimes-smiling witness to one who fought back tears toward the end of his day-and-a-half of testimony. His devotion to Jackson was evident from his wardrobe, which included a black blazer with an emblem stitched onto each sleeve containing the letters "MJ" and golden wings.

? Lots of courthouse hallways and downtown Los Angeles. Friday's session featured a four-hour lunch break due to witness availability issues. The trial's third week featured only three days of live testimony and the jury was kept waiting or sent out of the room numerous times while attorneys argued legal issues.

QUOTABLE MOMENTS

? "Sometimes in rehearsal, Michael would appear just a little loopy," Payne said of Jackson's demeanor after visiting his longtime dermatologist Dr. Arnold Klein, who is not a party to the case.

? "I just never in a million years thought he would leave us, or pass away," choreographer Stacy Walker said of Jackson. Walker testified for AEG and said she never saw signs Jackson was under the influence of medications or was ill.

OUTSIDE THE COURTROOM

? A state attorney urged a court to reject an appeal by Jackson's former doctor, Conrad Murray, stating there were no legal errors by a trial judge and the physician's own attorneys failed to raise issues at the appropriate time. Murray has shown no remorse for playing "Russian roulette" with Jackson's life.

WHAT'S NEXT

? A corporate attorney for AEG Live will testify, reflecting a shift in the trial focus away from Jackson and toward a central issue in the case ? whether Murray was hired by the concert promoter.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/jury-gets-first-glimpse-defense-jackson-case-161342821.html

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Sunday, May 19, 2013

Out To Sea: New South America land adventures enhance ...

Ft. Lauderdale, FL -- Silversea Expeditions has introduced new multiple-day land excursions to complement voyages to the Gal?pagos Islands aboard Silver Galapagos, the luxury expedition ship set to debut in late September, featuring 50 ocean-view suites (many with private balconies), gourmet cuisine, and the personalized service of a butler. Silversea guests who have the opportunity to explore the remarkable natural wonders of the Gal?pagos Islands - from their base of luxury aboard Silver Galapagos -- may now enhance their expedition cruise experience with extraordinary journeys to South America.

"Because the Gal?pagos Islands are such a unique destination and on most everyone's list of must-see places, we wanted to make sure our pre- and post-cruise land programs would add as rich an experience," said Darius Mehta, Silversea's vice president of air and land programs. "These land extensions have been carefully curated to showcase the breathtaking landscapes and intriguing cultures of the Andes and the Amazon, while delivering the signature comfort and style that Silversea guests expect."

The following land adventures feature deluxe accommodations, all transportation, transfers, guided sightseeing and some meals. Prices are per person, based on double occupancy.

Amazon Explorer -- Travelers on this unique journey to Peru's Amazon basin may witness pygmy marmosets, howler monkeys, colorful toucans and other exotic wildlife that inhabit the region's lowland forests. Participants will cruise the Amazon in all-suite luxury aboard m/v Aqua, dining on perhaps the finest Amazonian-Peruvian gourmet cuisine on the river. Expert naturalists will be on hand to share insights about this amazing and fragile ecosystem. This six-night, post-cruise program departs from Lima and is priced from $6,259.

Puno & Lake Titicaca -- The magnificent Andes and Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable lake in the world, are the setting for this pre-cruise adventure from Lima. Highlights include a visit to the Sillustani tombs, a cruise to the floating reed islands of the Uros people with their centuries-old way of life, and a visit to Taquile Island to admire ancient weaving traditions. This four-night program is priced from $3,469.

Machu Picchu Explorer -- Set high in the Peruvian Andes, amid craggy peaks and billowing clouds, is the glorious Lost City of the Incas, Machu Picchu. In addition to exploring this spectacular monument of human achievement, participants will enjoy a scenic roundtrip journey in Peru's Vistadome train. Departing from Lima, the program is available as a pre- or post-cruise option of 3 or 4 nights. Prices start from $3,299.

Machu Picchu Grande Explorer -- Similar to Machu Picchu Explorer, this three- or four-night land program features a journey to Machu Picchu aboard the legendary Hiram Bingham, one of the world's top ten rail journeys. Travelers will enjoy brunch with live music as they journey through the dramatic Andean scenery. Also included is an overnight stay at the famed Sanctuary Lodge, the only hotel just steps away from the ancient Inca citadel. Departing from Lima, the program is available as a pre- or post-cruise option. Prices start from $4,299.

Silver Galapagos sails Saturday to Saturday on seven-day roundtrip voyages from Baltra Island, following either a western or north central route. These expedition cruises offer adventurous travelers the life-enriching chance to discover a wild, pristine paradise that has long been regarded as a natural laboratory of evolution. On complimentary expeditions ashore guided by an experienced expedition team (certified by the Gal?pagos National Park Service), Silversea's guests may experience up-close encounters with an abundance of wildlife that includes sun-basking land iguanas, giant tortoises, blue- and red-footed boobies, colorful marine iguanas, sea lions, penguins and Darwin's famous finches. About Silversea Cruises
Silversea Cruises, which is chaired by Manfredi Lefebvre d'Ovidio, is recognized as an innovator in the luxury cruise line industry, offering guests large-ship amenities aboard its intimate, all-suite vessels: Silver Cloud, Silver Wind, Silver Shadow, Silver Whisper and Silver Spirit ? all designed to offer an atmosphere of conviviality and casual elegance. With the inclusion of the expedition ships Silver Explorer and Silver Galapagos (debuting late 2013), Silversea Cruises' itineraries encompass all seven continents and feature worldwide luxury cruises to the Mediterranean, Caribbean, both polar regions and over 500 fascinating destinations in between.

In the U.S., Silversea has been voted "World's Best" by the readers of Cond? Nast Traveler (nine times) and Travel + Leisure (seven times), and awarded "Best Luxury Cruise Line" by CruiseReport.com (2012). International awards include "Five Star Diamond Award" from the American Academy of Hospitality Sciences (2013); "Best Small Ship Cruise Line" in the Readers' Choice survey conducted by Britain's Cond? Nast Traveller magazine (2012); "Best Luxury Cruise Line" by Australia's Cruise Passenger magazine (2012); "Best Small Luxury Cruise Line" by China's Travel + Leisure (2012); and "Best Luxury Cruise Company" according to the Scottish Passenger Agents' Association (2012).

# # #

?

For more information on Silversea Cruises, please contact a travel agent.

For a complimentary brochure, please call toll-free (877) 215-9986 or visit www.silversea.com.

Source: http://outtoseatravel.blogspot.com/2013/05/new-south-america-land-adventures.html

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Chargers, Freeney agree to 2-year deal

SAN DIEGO (AP) ? The San Diego Chargers agreed Saturday to a two-year deal with aging star pass rusher Dwight Freeney that could be worth $13.35 million.

The deal to bring Freeney to the Chargers came four days after outside linebacker Melvin Ingram tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee in a padless practice.

The addition of Freeney also helps cushion the loss of outside linebackers Antwan Barnes and Shaun Phillips to free agency.

"It's great to add a solid veteran who brings valuable experience to our defense," Chargers coach Mike McCoy said in the release announcing the deal. "His proven pass-rush ability is a perfect fit for our defense."

Freeney is 33 and entering his 12th season. He will make $5.25 million this season.

He was Indianapolis' career sacks leader with 107 ? but the Colts decided not to re-sign him in the offseason. After recording 13 ? sacks in 2009, his totals declined each of the past three years. He had five in 2012.

Freeney, a seven-time Pro Bowler, never seemed comfortable after moving from a 4-3 defensive end, where he spent his first 10 NFL seasons, to a 3-4 outside linebacker. The Chargers run a 3-4 defense.

Freeney was the 11th overall selection in the 2002 draft. During his time with the Colts, he combined with Robert Mathis to form one of the most fearsome pass-rush tandems in the league. His 44 forced fumbles are the most by any NFL player since 2002 and he was one of 13 players in Colts' history to participate in more than 100 victories.

Freeney led the NFL with 16 sacks in 2004.

Chargers rookie general manager Tom Telesco was with the Colts before being hired by San Diego in January.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/chargers-freeney-agree-2-deal-172151298.html

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Conn. commuter trains collide; 60 go to hospitals

FAIRFIELD, Conn. (AP) ? Two commuter trains serving New York City collided in Connecticut during Friday's evening rush hour, sending 60 people to the hospital, including five with critical injuries, Gov. Dannel Malloy said.

About 700 people were on board the Metro-North trains when one heading east from New York City's Grand Central Station to New Haven derailed about 6:10 p.m. just outside Bridgeport, MTA and Bridgeport officials said.

The train was hit by a train heading west from New Haven to Grand Central on an adjacent track, MTA spokesman Aaron Donovan said. Some cars on the second train also derailed as a result of the collision.

Amtrak, which uses the same rails, suspended service indefinitely between New York and Boston.

Lola Oliver, 49, of Bridgeport, was riding one of the trains when the crash threw her from her seat.

"All I know was I was in the air, hitting seats, bouncing around, flying down the aisle and finally I came to a stop on one seat. And I just gripped it because I felt the train sliding," Oliver told The Associated Press. "It happened so fast I had no idea what was going on. All I know is we crashed."

Oliver, a cardiology technician at Stamford Hospital, was treated at a hospital for cuts and bruises and released.

Investigators Friday night did not know what caused the first train to derail. Malloy said there was no reason to believe it was anything other than an accident. The National Transportation Safety Board was sending a team to investigate.

"We're most concerned about the injured and ultimately reopening the system," Malloy said from the scene about three hours after the crash.

The governor said that most people were not seriously hurt. Among those critically injured, he said, one's injuries were "very critical."

Passenger Bradley Agar of Westport, Conn., said he was in the first car of the westbound train when he heard screaming and the window smash behind him.

"I saw the first hit, the bump, bump, bump all the way down," he said.

Agar had returned to work this week for the first time since breaking his shoulder in January. And since he was still healing, he thought it would be safer to take the train than drive.

The Metro-North Railroad, a commuter line serving the northern suburbs, described it as a "major derailment." Photos showed a train car askew on the rails, with its end smashed up and brushing against another train.

Malloy said there was extensive damage to the train cars and the track, and it could take until Monday for normal service to be restored. He said the accident will have a "big impact on the Northeast Corridor."

Bridgeport Mayor Bill Finch said extra buses will be deployed, but the disruption caused by the train accident could cost the region's economy millions of dollars.

"A lot of people rely on this, and we've got to get this reconnected as soon as possible," Finch said.

The area where the accident happened was already down to two tracks because of repair work, Malloy said. Crews have been working for a long time on the electric lines above the tracks, the power source for the trains. He said Connecticut has an old system and no other alternate tracks.

By late evening, Bridgeport Police Chief Joseph Gaudett said everybody who needed treatment had been attended to, and authorities were beginning to turn their attention to investigating the cause.

"Everybody seemed pretty calm," he said. "Everybody was thankful they didn't get seriously hurt. They were anxious to get home to their families."

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority operates the Metro-North Railroad, the second-largest commuter railroad in the nation. The Metro-North main lines ? the Hudson, Harlem, and New Haven ? run northward from New York City's Grand Central Terminal into suburban New York and Connecticut.

___

Associated Press writer Michael Melia contributed to this report from Hartford, Conn.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/conn-commuter-trains-collide-60-hospitals-015217741.html

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Seen and heard at the Cannes Film Festival

CANNES, France (AP) ? Associated Press journalists open their notebooks at the 2013 Cannes Film Festival:

A DIFFERENT TUNE FOR TIMBERLAKE

In the Coen brothers' "Inside Llewyn Davis," Justin Timberlake sings music set to a very different beat than "Suit and Tie."

Timberlake plays a bearded pop folkie in the film, which was to premiere Sunday night at the Cannes Film Festival, about the music scene of early 1960s Greenwich Village. Oscar Isaac stars as a more serious but less successful folk musician than Timberlake's smiley Jim Berkey.

Speaking to reporters Sunday, Timberlake called Berkey "part of the transition that is sort of the underbelly of the time." The film summons the period of New York folk just before Bob Dylan arrived in the early '60.

"Obviously, it's on the surface, a different style from the music that I make in real life," said Timberlake. "But listen, man. I grew up in Tennessee, the home of the blues, the birthplace of rock 'n' roll ? Memphis ? and a lot of country music. So my first musical lessons were given to me by my grandfather an old Gibson guitar. He taught me how to fingerpick."

Timberlake helped write the music to the film's most comical song, "Please, Mr. Kennedy," which he sings with Isaac and Adam Driver of "Girls." The oft-repeated chorus goes: "Please, Mr. Kennedy, don't shoot me into outer space."

Timberlake got reflective about the curious mix of talent, luck and timing that goes into a music act breaking out. In contrast to the success Timberlake has had in music and acting, the characters of "Llewyn Davis" are those for whom things never click.

"I've been in the right place and met the wrong people, and I've been in the wrong place and met the right people," the former boy band singer said. "Usually, the second one ends up being the thing that can catapult someone's career."

Timberlake suggested disregarding how one's work is received.

"There's a lot of analysis now, a lot of analytics on what might be success and what might be failure," he said. "I don't know that I would measure the success or failure of it by how it's perceived because once it's done, it's sort of out there. You have to let it live in the ether."

? Jake Coyle, http://twitter.com/jake_coyle

Young British actor George MacKay is making a splash at Cannes ? literally, amid the weekend's torrential downpours ? with his compelling central performance in mythic maritime drama "For Those In Peril."

Set in a fishing town on the stark Scottish coast, Paul Wright's debut feature stars 21-year-old MacKay as sole survivor of a boat accident that killed five others, including his elder brother. MacKay carries the intense and poetic film as a young man struggling to cope with loss, even as his survival alienates him from his bereaved neighbors.

"You got our film and our weather, too," MacKay joked, sitting in a wind-whipped beachside cafe during interviews for the film in Cannes.

Playing in Cannes' Critics' Week competition, the movie has garnered strong reviews for its exploration of guilt, masculinity and mythology.

It's a mature and meaty role for MacKay, who got his movie start aged 10 as one of the Lost Boys in P.J. Hogan's 2003 adaptation of "Peter Pan," shot at Warner Bros' studios on Australia's Gold Coast.

"It was mad. They built a pirate ship ? it was extraordinary. I think, the fact that we were 10, I don't think we realized how ridiculous the scale (was)," said MacKay, who also appeared alongside Clive Owen in 2009 family drama "The Boys Are Back."

"For Those in Peril" was a much smaller-scale operation, shot over six weeks in a small town in northeast Scotland ? and, for several key sequences, in the cold North Sea.

The boundlessly enthusiastic MacKay says even the frigid water scenes were made bearable by "lots of cups of tea ... lots of towels, lots of food."

"We were kept safe," he said. "We were out in the middle of the ocean doing it and we had the water safety guys come ? very dramatic ? shooting across in their little (boat), whack you out and wrap you in towels. It was all good."

And the town had a bonus: "Best fish and chips you've ever had."

?Jill Lawless, http://Twitter.com/JillLawless

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/seen-heard-cannes-film-festival-105240729.html

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With $1.5M Led By Winklevoss Capital, BitInstant Aims To Be The Go-To Site To Buy And Sell Bitcoins

BitInstantCameron and Tyler Winklevoss, the twin Harvard graduates who famously sparred with Mark Zuckerberg over the founding of Facebook and are now working as tech investors through Winklevoss Capital, are part of the growing group of venture capitalists who have taken a keen interest in Bitcoins. Last month, it was revealed that they personally own roughly one percent of the currency, a stake worth the equivalent of some $11 million. And now, the Winklevosses tell TechCrunch they have invested in Bitcoin in another meaningful way -- by leading a funding round for a startup in the space. BitInstant, a New York City based startup that operates an online platform for buying and selling Bitcoins, has raised $1.5 million in a seed funding round led by Winklevoss Capital with the participation of other strategic investors including money services veteran David Azar. The investment was closed this past fall, but the Winklevosses are just now publicly announcing it in the lead-up to the Bitcoin Foundation's 2013 Conference being held in Silicon Valley this weekend.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Techcrunch/~3/JW1jPmicdws/

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Genetic risk for schizophrenia is connected to reduced IQ

Friday, May 17, 2013

The relationship between the heritable risk for schizophrenia and low intelligence (IQ) has not been clear. Schizophrenia is commonly associated with cognitive impairments that may cause functional disability. There are clues that reduced IQ may be linked to the risk for developing schizophrenia. For example, reduced cognitive ability may precede the onset of schizophrenia symptoms. Also, these deficits may be present in healthy relatives of people diagnosed with schizophrenia.

In a remarkable new study published in Biological Psychiatry, Dr. Andrew McIntosh and his colleagues at the University of Edinburgh provide new evidence that the genetic risk for schizophrenia is associated with lower IQ among people who do not develop this disorder.

The authors analyzed data from 937 individuals in Scotland who first completed IQ testing in 1947, at age 11. Around age 70, they were retested and their DNA was analyzed to estimate their genetic risk for schizophrenia.

The researchers found that individuals with a higher genetic risk for schizophrenia had a lower IQ at age 70 but not at age 11. Having more schizophrenia risk-related gene variants was also associated with a greater decline in lifelong cognitive ability.

"If nature has loaded a person's genes towards schizophrenia, then there is a slight but detectable worsening in cognitive function between childhood and old age. With further research into how these genes affect the brain, it could become possible to understand how genes linked to schizophrenia affect people's cognitive function," said McIntosh.

These findings suggest that common genetic variants may underlie both cognitive aging and risk of schizophrenia.

"While this study does not show that these common gene variants produce schizophrenia per se, it elegantly suggests that these variants may contribute to declines in intelligence, a clinical feature associated with schizophrenia," commented Dr. John Krystal, Editor of Biological Psychiatry. "However, we have yet to understand the development of cognitive impairments that produce disability in young adulthood, the period when schizophrenia develops for many affected people."

Clearly, more research is necessary, but this new study adds to the growing and substantial effort to understand how the gene variants that contribute to the development of schizophrenia give rise to the cognitive disability commonly associated with it.

###

Elsevier: http://www.elsevier.com

Thanks to Elsevier for this article.

This press release was posted to serve as a topic for discussion. Please comment below. We try our best to only post press releases that are associated with peer reviewed scientific literature. Critical discussions of the research are appreciated. If you need help finding a link to the original article, please contact us on twitter or via e-mail.

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Source: http://www.labspaces.net/128295/Genetic_risk_for_schizophrenia_is_connected_to_reduced_IQ

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Saturday, May 18, 2013

Enraged by kidnapping, Egyptian police block Gaza border

CAIRO (Reuters) - Egyptian police angered by the kidnapping of seven colleagues by Islamist gunmen kept a crossing into the Gaza Strip closed again on Saturday, stranding hundreds of Palestinian travelers, witnesses said.

The protest began on Friday when police strung barbed wire across the Rafah border post and chained up the gates, local residents said, a day after the abductions.

Gunmen demanding the release of jailed Islamist militants had seized seven policemen and soldiers on a road between the Sinai towns of el-Arish and Rafah. Three of those abducted had worked at the Rafah border crossing, locals said.

"We will not open the crossing until the kidnapped soldiers are freed and the interior minister arrives to listen to our demands so that these attacks on us are not repeated," one of the protesting policemen said on Saturday.

Hardline Islamist groups in North Sinai have exploited the collapse of state authority after the overthrow of former President Hosni Mubarak in 2011 to launch attacks across the border into Israel and on Egyptian targets.

The protesting policemen called on Egyptian President Mohamed Mursi, who belongs to the Muslim Brotherhood, to help free their colleagues.

Security sources said on Saturday all seven hostages remained missing, retracting their report the previous day that one policeman had been released.

A spokesman for the Palestinian Islamist Hamas movement, which runs the Gaza Strip, criticized the Egyptian police action and said contacts were under way to resolve the standoff.

"There are promises to follow up on the matter, but in spite of these promises the suffering is still building up. We consider the continued closure of the crossing unjustified and incomprehensible," Sami Abu Zuhri told Al Jazeera television.

(Reporting by Yousri Mohamed and Omar Fahmy; Writing by Shaimaa Fayed; Editing by Alistair Lyon)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/enraged-kidnapping-egyptian-police-block-gaza-border-135457201.html

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OJ's ex-lawyer contradicts his testimony on guns

Defense attorney Patricia Palm, left, and O.J. Simpson appear at an evidentiary hearing in Clark County District Court on May 17, 2013 in Las Vegas. Simpson, who is currently serving a nine-to-33-year sentence in state prison as a result of his October 2008 conviction for armed robbery and kidnapping charges, is using a writ of habeas corpus to seek a new trial, claiming he had such bad representation that his conviction should be reversed. (AP Photo/Ethan Miller, Pool)

Defense attorney Patricia Palm, left, and O.J. Simpson appear at an evidentiary hearing in Clark County District Court on May 17, 2013 in Las Vegas. Simpson, who is currently serving a nine-to-33-year sentence in state prison as a result of his October 2008 conviction for armed robbery and kidnapping charges, is using a writ of habeas corpus to seek a new trial, claiming he had such bad representation that his conviction should be reversed. (AP Photo/Ethan Miller, Pool)

Former O.J. Simpson defense attorney Yale Galanter testifies during an evidentiary hearing for Simpson in Clark County District Court on May 17, 2013 in Las Vegas. Simpson, who is currently serving a nine-to-33-year sentence in state prison as a result of his October 2008 conviction for armed robbery and kidnapping charges, is using a writ of habeas corpus to seek a new trial, claiming he had such bad representation that his conviction should be reversed. (AP Photo/Ethan Miller, Pool)

O.J. Simpson looks over at his lawyer Tom Pitaro during an evidentiary hearing in Clark County District Court on May 17, 2013 in Las Vegas. Simpson, who is currently serving a nine-to-33-year sentence in state prison as a result of his October 2008 conviction for armed robbery and kidnapping charges, is using a writ of habeas corpus to seek a new trial, claiming he had such bad representation that his conviction should be reversed. (AP Photo/Ethan Miller, Pool)

Former O.J. Simpson defense attorney Yale Galanter laughs as he testifies during an evidentiary hearing for Simpson in Clark County District Court on May 17, 2013 in Las Vegas. Simpson, who is currently serving a nine-to-33-year sentence in state prison as a result of his October 2008 conviction for armed robbery and kidnapping charges, is using a writ of habeas corpus to seek a new trial, claiming he had such bad representation that his conviction should be reversed. (AP Photo/Ethan Miller, Pool)

Former O.J. Simpson defense attorney Yale Galanter appears on the witness stand during an evidentiary hearing for Simpson in Clark County District Court on May 17, 2013 in Las Vegas. Simpson, who is currently serving a nine-to-33-year sentence in state prison as a result of his October 2008 conviction for armed robbery and kidnapping charges, is using a writ of habeas corpus to seek a new trial, claiming he had such bad representation that his conviction should be reversed. (AP Photo/Ethan Miller, Pool)

(AP) ? O.J. Simpson's former lawyer defended himself point-by-point Friday against allegations he botched the former football star's armed-robbery trial, after giving damaging testimony that Simpson actually knew his buddies had guns when they went to a hotel room together to reclaim some sports memorabilia.

Miami-based attorney Yale Galanter quickly found himself under withering cross-examination from a Simpson lawyer intent on proving that Galanter's word couldn't be trusted ? that he knew ahead of time of Simpson's plan and spent more effort covering up his involvement than representing Simpson.

The weeklong hearing concluded late Friday with Clark County District Judge Linda Marie Bell telling attorneys she will issue her decision in writing. She didn't specify a date.

Simpson was returned to prison custody. His attorneys, Patricia Palm and Ozzie Fumo, said they were optimistic that the judge would grant a new trial.

"I just think the evidence of his claims is overwhelming," Palm said.

Galanter took the stand as the state's star witness in a hearing on Simpson's claim that he was so badly represented at trial and on appeal that his conviction should be thrown out.

He spent most of the day on the defensive, with Simpson lawyer Tom Pitaro grilling him with accusations and pointed questions.

"Mr. Simpson never told me he was going to go to the Palace (Station) hotel with a bunch of thugs, kidnap people and take property by force," Galanter said at one point. "To insinuate I, as his lawyer, would have blessed it is insane."

Galanter conceded at one point that Simpson's conviction was his responsibility.

At another point, he conceded that he "misspoke" when he told the trial judge, Jackie Glass, that crucial audio recordings had been carefully analyzed by experts.

"Clearly I misspoke," Galanter said as Pitaro bored in. "I would never, ever ... I would just never intentionally mislead a judicial officer or a lawyer. I'm falling on that sword."

Galanter denied giving Simpson the go-ahead to retrieve the photos and footballs he believed had been stolen from him. He denied keeping Simpson in the dark about offers of plea deals that carried only a few years in prison. He said his client agreed all along with the decision not to put him on the stand to testify at his trial.

And he disputed Simpson's testimony from earlier this week when the former NFL star said he didn't know anyone in the hotel room had guns.

"When you look at the entire trial, I don't think I could have fought harder, done more," Galanter said. "I put every ounce of blood, sweat and soul into it."

At another point, he said: "Simpson brought a lot of baggage into the courtroom. It's not like the 12 jurors didn't know he was accused of murder and acquitted."

Simpson, 65, was found guilty in 2008 of kidnapping and armed robbery over the hotel room episode and was sentenced to nine to 33 years in prison. The conviction came 13 years to the day after his "trial of the century" acquittal in Los Angeles in the murders of his ex-wife and a friend of hers.

Galanter testified that Simpson confided to him that he had asked two men to bring guns to the hotel room in September 2007, and "he knew he screwed up."

On the stand, Galanter brought up the guns only after he paused and was reminded that Simpson had waived attorney-client privilege. "I'm very uncomfortable doing this," he said.

Testifying about events leading up to the incident, Galanter said he was surprised when Simpson told him over dinner in Las Vegas that he and several other men were planning a "sting" the next morning to take back the mementos.

Galanter said he advised Simpson not to take matters into his own hands: "I said, 'O.J., you've got to call the police.'"

Simpson testified that Galanter advised him that he was within his rights to retrieve the items, told him not to testify at the trial, and failed to tell him prosecutors had offered plea bargains.

During questioning about how much Galanter was paid for the case, the judge asked Pitaro where he was going with his questions.

"What Mr. Galanter has done is, this man has received over a half-million dollars and has put his interest, his financial interest, above the interest of his client," Pitaro said.

Galanter insisted he told Simpson at least three times that prosecutors discussed plea bargains. He said Simpson rejected them.

Simpson said, "No deal. No way," to an offer from the district attorney of five to seven years in prison, Galanter said. Later, during the trial, Simpson turned down a better offer, Galanter said.

"I went out in the hall and said to O.J., 'There is an offer of two to five.' He said, 'See if they will take a year,'" Galanter testified. "I discussed a year with them, and they said no and the trial went on."

If Simpson succeeds in getting his conviction thrown out, prosecutors will have to decide whether to retry him or offer a plea bargain. If he loses, he will be sent back to prison and will probably appeal. He will be 70 before he is eligible for parole.

___

Find Ken Ritter at http://twitter.com/krttr .

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/3d281c11a96b4ad082fe88aa0db04305/Article_2013-05-18-OJ%20Simpson/id-373e1c4471924d75b5c2a75f03abdaf1

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Woodward's 'Watergate' comparison: on, or off-target?

Bob Woodward compared Benghazi to Watergate during a Friday morning appearance on MSNBC?s ?Morning Joe.?

The famous Washington Post reporter and former antagonist of President Richard Nixon said the US government?s editing of talking points used by public officials in the aftermath of the Sept. 11, 2012, attacks in Benghazi, Libya, is ?a very serious issue.?

?I would not dismiss Benghazi,? Mr. Woodward said.

Woodward?s own main talking point was that he believed there are similarities between the process used to produce the Benghazi talking points and Nixon?s release of edited transcripts of the White House tapes.

RECOMMENDED: War with Iran? 5 ways events overseas could shape Obama's second term.

Citing the lengthy e-mail chain detailing the production of the talking points, released by the Obama administration earlier this week, the Watergate press hero said that in the wake of the Libyan tragedy ?everyone in the government is saying, ?Oh, let?s not tell the public that terrorists were involved, people connected to Al Qaeda. Let?s not tell the public that there were warnings.? ?

Forty years ago, Nixon went line by line through his tape transcripts and made his own edits.

?He personally went through them and said, ?Let?s not tell this, let?s not show this,? ? said Woodward on ?Morning Joe."

Want your top political issues explained? Get customized DC Decoder updates.

Nixon, of course, was trying to deflate the increasing public and congressional pressure for him to release the tapes themselves. He wasn?t successful. The tapes revealed the extent of his involvement with the Watergate break-in and subsequent cover up.

As to Benghazi, Woodward concluded that the edits ?show the hydraulic pressure that was in the system not to tell the truth.?

Is Woodward right to make this comparison? After all, he is the media?s official arbiter of all things Watergate, and his words here carry special weight.

Well, it?s certainly possible that he?s hit upon the reason the talking points got changed around. But having read the 100 pages of e-mails on the editing process ourselves, we?d say it?s also possible that he?s jumping to conclusions. For at least some of the officials involved in the process, the reason to take out references to terrorists and Al Qaeda was not to hide the truth, but because they did not know what the truth was.

For instance, early in the editing process Stephen Preston, the CIA?s general counsel, e-mailed talking-point participants that ?in light of the criminal investigation, we are not to generate statements with statements as to who did this, etc. ? even internally, not to mention for public release.?

And the scrubbed ?warnings? Woodward referred to were fairly vague references to past CIA internal statements. The Post journalist may be right that the public should have heard about them. State Department officials, though, were transparently annoyed that the spy agency was trying to cover its rear end at their expense.

Look, things don?t have to be as bad as Watergate to be important malfeasance. Political scientist Jonathan Bernstein made that point earlier this week on his A Plain Blog About Politics.

But loosely comparing current scandals with Watergate is to forget the full extent of the Nixon-era scandal, wrote Mr. Bernstein in a post titled, ?You Call That a Cover-Up??

In Watergate the cover-up was essentially personally directed by the president, overseen by the White House chief of staff, and run by the White House counsel, Bernstein writes. They concocted a false story, destroyed important evidence, and raised hush money used to attempt to buy the silence of underlings who were facing jail time.

Oh, and the president of the United States ordered the CIA to falsely tell the FBI that national security was involved in the Watergate mess, so the FBI needed to pull back its investigation.

By the way, the Watergate hearings began 40 years ago on this date. Bernstein has been writing a fascinating series of pieces outlining the unfolding of the Watergate scandal day by day, as if it were occurring in real time. You can read that to catch up on the bad old days and decide if today compares.

RECOMMENDED: War with Iran? 5 ways events overseas could shape Obama's second term.

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Source: http://news.yahoo.com/bob-woodward-compares-benghazi-watergate-153412076.html

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Denmark favorite to win Eurovision Song Contest

MALMO, Sweden (AP) ? An ethno-inspired flute and drum tune from Denmark is the bookmakers' favorite to win this year's Eurovision Song Contest on Saturday, which also features a bizarre opera pop number from Romania and an Armenian rock song written by the guitarist of Black Sabbath.

Yes, it's that time of the year again.

The televised pan-European extravaganza, known for its kitschy shows, bad taste and bizarre offerings, is still expected to be seen by about 125 million television viewers worldwide.

This year's contest is being hosted in Malmo, southern Sweden, following the victory of the Nordic country's contestant Loreen with "Euphoria" last year.

According to bookmakers, the hippie-chic Emmelie De Forest of Denmark is the favorite to win, driving the song "Only Teardrops" with her deep, Shakira-like voice. Her main challenge comes from the clean-cut techno pop tune "I Feed You My Love" by Norway's Margaret Berger, who rose to fame at home after becoming the runner-up in Norway's version of Pop Idol in 2004.

"I will be nervous before going on stage," De Forest said Friday. "I think we have a really good song that can take us far, but let's see, anything can happen."

Finland's Krista Siegfrid provided this year's controversy, ending her bouncy bubble-gum pop number "Marry Me" with a girl-on-girl kiss that some have interpreted as a stance promoting gay marriage. While the show will not raise eyebrows in most parts of Western Europe ? where Eurovision has long been a bastion of gay culture ? the act may jar sensitivities in parts of eastern and southern Europe.

"The fact is that Finland is the only country in the Nordic countries where gay marriage is not allowed, and I think that's wrong," Siegfrid told The Associated Press. "It's 2013 now and ... I can kiss anyone I want to. It shouldn't be a problem."

Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt, who arrived in Malmo to watch the competition Saturday, said it is a unique event that unites Europe.

"We see the old Yugoslavia, now independent states, after a decade of war they always vote for each other in Eurovision, " Bildt said. "That I think is fun."

This year's competition also sees the return to the international stage of two seasoned European stars. "Total Eclipse of the Heart" singer Bonnie Tyler is representing Britain with "Believe In Me" while Anouk, whose song "Nobody's Wife" was a big hit in Europe in the 1990s, is singing the song "Birds" for The Netherlands.

Among the more notable performances is the Ukraine's Zlata Ognevich with her song "Gravity." Ognevich is carried onstage by the tallest man in the U.S. ? Ukrainian-born Igor Vovkovinskiy. Vovkovinskiy ? who stands 7 feet, 8 inches (234 centimeters) ?wobbles onstage in a fur and feathers, placing the fairy-like Ognevich on a rock where she stands for the rest of the performance.

There is also Armenian rock group Dorians, whose gloomy song "Lonely Planet" has been written by Black Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi.

Romania's Cezar, who resembles a Dracula reborn as a high-pitched vocalist, is apparently a reputable opera singer, but is attempting a crossover opera pop number with techno beats and pyrotechnics. Three muscular male dancers in red body paint are delivered out of a large red cape.

Two semifinals this week have whittled down the contestants from 40 to 26. The winner is picked by juries and television viewers across the continent, and the winning nation will stage next year's event.

Having won five times, most famously with ABBA's Waterloo in 1974, Sweden is a veteran of Eurovision. This weekend it is taking the opportunity to showcase some of its big music acts. The opening of the competition is set to feature a song especially composed by Swedish super DJ Aviici, together with ABBA members Bjorn Ulveaus and Benny Andersson.

Yet the event ? with a price tag of around 153.5 million Swedish kronor ($23 million) ? won't measure up to last year's lavish competition hosted by oil-rich Azerbaijan in its capital, Baku.

"We have attempted to host Eurovision with less money to show that it is possible to do this without it being too painful for the host country," said Jan-Erik Westman, a spokesman of host broadcaster SVT.

The festive atmosphere was visible throughout the city of Malmo on Saturday, where residents and visitors blended on the streets waving the flags of their favorite countries.

___

Associated Press television producer David MacDougall and Associated Press reporter Jan Olsen contributed to this report.

___

Follow Malin Rising on Twitter: https://twitter.com/malinrising

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/denmark-favorite-win-eurovision-song-contest-074453213.html

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'Idol' Champs vs. Runners-Up: Who's Actually Winning?

As Candice Glover is crowned the new American Idol winner, see which previous winners have been eclipsed by those who came in second.

Source: http://www.ivillage.com/american-idol-winners-and-runners/1-b-73646?dst=iv%3AiVillage%3Aamerican-idol-winners-and-runners-73646

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Friday, May 17, 2013

Hudson joins Glover on 'American Idol' finale

LOS ANGELES (AP) ? Despite winning a Grammy and an Oscar, Jennifer Hudson is inseparable from "American Idol."

The former finalist returned to the "Idol" stage for Thursday's finale to duet with current contender Candice Glover on Natalie Cole's "Inseparable."

The vocal powerhouse or country crooner Kree Harrison will be revealed Thursday night as the 12th season champion of "American Idol."

"Either way, we're gonna celebrate tonight," Harrison said at the beginning of Thursday's finale.

Glover admitted the pair were "out of it" following the finale whirlwind.

The winning finalist of the Fox singing competition will be awarded a record deal and could follow in the footsteps of such chart-topping winners as Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood ? or less successful champs like Lee DeWyze and Kris Allen.

Whatever happens, Harrison and Glover both advanced further on "Idol" than Hudson. She was the sixth eliminated contestant during the third season.

Hudson was among the guest stars helping to fill out the two-hour finale show, including Psy, Frankie Valli, Emeli Sande and Jessie J. Current "Idol" judges Keith Urban, Mariah Carey ? along with Randy Jackson on bass ? also performed.

During Wednesday's final performance round, Harrison, the soulful 22-year-old country singer originally from Woodville, Texas, sang Sarah McLaughlan's "Angel," Patty Griffin's "Up to the Mountain" and potential future single "All Cried Out."

"I think all three of your performances showcased your beautiful voice and your beautiful soul," judge Nicki Minaj beamed to Harrison.

Glover, the booming 23-year-old R&B vocalist from St. Helena Island, S.C., performed Adele's "Chasing Pavements," Ben E. King's "I (Who Have Nothing)" and potential future single "I Am Beautiful."

"It fits her like a Glover," joked Keith Urban of Glover's empowerment ballad.

Randy Jackson declared the finale a dead heat after Harrison and Glover performed their tunes.

"Dude, this is so close," said Jackson, who announced last week that he's leaving the show after this season.

Thursday's finale could also serve as a send-off for Minaj, Urban and Mariah Carey after reports surfaced last week that the entire judging panel would be replaced following a season overshadowed by rancor and ratings issues.

___

Fox is a unit of News Corp.

___

Follow AP Entertainment Writer Derrik J. Lang on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/derrikjlang .

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/hudson-joins-glover-american-idol-finale-012844098.html

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