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Thursday, February 7, 2013

Separated at Birth? Celebrities Who Look Alike



Steve Carell & Alice Cooper

When he's not decked out in scary black makeup, rocker Alice Cooper bears a striking resemblance to funnyman Steve Carell -- especially when they're both flashing those toothy grins!



Scarlett Johansson & Amber Heard

Sexy starlets Scarlett Johansson and Amber Heard take the term "blond bombshell" to the next level!



Nina Dobrev & Emmanuelle Chriqui

Ryan Gosling isn't the only hot Canadian! Vampire Diaries star Nina Dobrev and Entourage actress Emmanuelle Chriqui are both brown-eyed girls who grew up in Canada.



Zac Efron & Ian Somerhalder

With their smoldering stares and tousled hair, former High School Musical star Zac Efron and Vampire Diaries actor Ian Somerhalder both drive teen girls (and adult women!) wild.



Russell Crowe & Benjamin McKenzie

Actor Benjamin McKenzie (best known for his starring role on The O.C.) looks like a younger -- and slightly less talented -- version of Oscar winner Russell Crowe.




Seth MacFarlane & Christopher Knight

Is Family Guy creator Seth MacFarlane the missing member of The Brady Bunch? The scruffy-faced comedian looks an awful lot like Christopher Knight, the actor who played Peter Brady on the hit '70s sitcom.



Michelle Williams & Carey Mulligan

With their porcelain skin and blond pixie cuts, actresses Michelle Williams and Carey Mulligan sport strikingly similar looks (and equally excellent acting chops). The only thing that sets them apart is Carey's British accent!



Taylor Lautner & Kris Humphries

With their dark features and handsome faces, Twilight hunk Taylor Lautner and NBA player Kris Humphries share a surprising resemblance. And while Humphries is about a foot taller, Lautner definitely wins in the abs department!



Javier Bardem & Jeffrey Dean Morgan

Sexy Spaniard Javier Bardem looks so much like Jeffrey Dean Morgan (who played Denny Duquette on Grey's Anatomy) that even his wife Penelope Cruz might get confused!

Wednesday, February 6, 2013

YouTube Launching Paid Subscription Channels


Coming this spring, YouTube will be adding experimental, premium subscription channels which viewers will pay for. The subscription fees will initially range from $1 to $5 a month. YouTube has called on a group of unconfirmed channel producers to create purchasable channels for viewers. For those of you who are nervous or skeptical about this idea, rest assured, you will not be paying for your regular YouTube account. There will simply be additional channels that will become optional.



The Process

This new path within YouTube’s video platform is an attempt to entice their audience to switch from cable companies to a more a la carte style of viewing. You all know how costly cable and satellite subscriptions can become. Often, the viewer desires specific channels that will significantly increase the cost. For example, sports fans may only be interested in the sports package, but will also have to purchase a long list of other channels in order to get their favorite games. This also pertains to movie channels and other special networks. This new paid subscription option will allow you to pay for what you want to watch, and nothing more. Youtube will bring you specialized channels at a much lower cost than satellite and cable companies, since you won’t be receiving a bulk of unwanted channels.

The Application

While YouTube is still considering this as an experimental project, the idea is not a new one for this video platform. Last year at AllThingsD media conference, YouTube CEO Salar Kamanger, discussed the potential of poaching lesser cable networks that find it difficult to accumulate a large audience on cable TV. Taking these types of channels online could create a direct line for their committed viewers, with a much lower fee.

At this point it is unclear which channels will be included in the launch of the paid programs; however it is speculated that YouTube may be leaning towards developers such as Machinima, Maker Studios, and Full Screen.  All of which have proved the ability to draw large followings in the video realm. The exact launch date for the new paid channels have yet to be announced, but it’s been said they may be introduced sometime in April.

As the consumer, what are your opinions on paying for premium YouTube channels?

[Image via bgr]



Twitter Attacked By Hackers



Social media giant Twitter is the latest victim of an internet security attack.
The San Francisco-based company now joins the likes of the New York Times and Wall Street Journal, which have also reported breaches of their systems within the last two weeks.

The Most Outrageous Grammy Awards Fashion of All Time!



Madonna: 1999

Madonna rocked this look a full decade before the vampire craze caught on -- but she could easily pass for an extra in the Twilight films! Sporting pale makeup and black hair, the superstar showed her dark side in this blood-red ensemble in 1999.




Lady Gaga: 2010

After all her theatrics, Lady Gaga can no longer shock us with her crazy looks. But we can definitely still marvel at them! The singer looked out of this world in a celestial-themed getup at the 2010 Grammys.



Jennifer Lopez: 2000

Jennifer Lopez turned heads at the 2000 Grammys in this eye-catching Versace dress, one of the most famous red-carpet looks of all time. Leaving little to the imagination, the emerald gown was held in place with a broach, double-sided tape and a whole lot of confidence!



Fergie: 2012

Forget visible panty lines -- Fergie had all-out visible panties in this daring dress! The singer took a major risk in her bright-orange, see-through lace gown, which put her black undergarments on display.



Cher: 1974

Is Cher wearing a bikini to music's most formal affair? The iconic singer showed off her bronzed abs in a white bandeau top adorned with a sparkly butterfly in 1974.



Christina Aguilera: 2001

Did Christina Aguilera just get back from a Jamaican vacation? The singer walked the red carpet in 2001 sporting tiny cornrows in her blonde locks and an ultra-revealing pink dress.



Nicki Minaj: 2011

Meow! Nicki Minaj took the animal-print trend a little too far in 2011. The look left us speechless, but the singer had plenty to say about it to Ryan Seacrest: "It's lioness meets her cub, meets fierce-osity, meets fabulosity, meets fashionista, meets runway, meets everything, darling."



Toni Braxton: 2001

Is Toni Braxton headed to the beach, the bedroom or the red carpet? The singer showed way too much of her fit figure (and her booty!) in 2001, wearing a dress made up of just a few strips of strategically placed white fabric.



Dolly Parton: 1977

With her voluminous blonde hair, curvy figure and hot-pink ensemble, Dolly Parton looked like Country Barbie at the 1977 Grammys!



Rihanna: 2011

Rihanna left very little to the imagination in this daring creation! With her stripes of bare skin, the risk-taking singer went a little too sexy for the 2011 Grammys.



Britney Spears: 2002

The sexy, slinky red dress that Britney Spearswore in 2002 is certainly memorable -- but it's her wild curls that landed her on this list! With spirals like that, Brit-Brit looked just like Mariah Carey circa 1990!



Pink: 2003

Pink's style has certainly come a long way! The singer channeled her inner goth girl in 2003, showing off her leg tattoo in a shredded black dress and witchy lace-up booties.



Destiny's Child: 2001

No offense to Beyonce's mom (who served as the group's stylist), but we're definitely glad these matchy-matchy looks are in the past! The ladies of Destiny's Child boldly wore skin-baring green creations for the awards show in 2001.



Cyndi Lauper: 1984

Girls just wanna have fun -- and this outfit is certainly that! From her fingerless glove to her wild skirt, Cyndi Lauper brought color and chaos to her 1984 ensemble.


M.I.A.: 2009

Here's one mama who's certainly not hiding her baby bump! Rapper M.I.A. flaunted her pregnancy in 2009, sporting a sheer getup with black-and-white polka dots on her boobs and belly.



Robyn: 2012

We can't decide what's worse about the unfortunate look that Robyn wore to the 2012 Grammys: the fact that it's way too short and way too tight -- or that she paired the dress with sky-high platform work boots. And did the singer realize that she was missing an earring?

Surprising Foods That Flatten Your Belly

Deflate that spare tire with these fruits and herbs that naturally trim belly fat

Samsung Galaxy Note Explodes, Burns Customers Leg



A South Korean man was injured over the weekend when his Samsung Galaxy Note exploded.


The man was carrying the smartphone in his pocket when it exploded. The 55-year-old cell phone user was left with second-degree burns on his inner-thigh.

According to South Korean publication Chosun Ilbo the phones spare battery ruptured, leading to the man’s burns and damage to his clothing.


The explosion was bad enough to attract an emergency visit from the Bupyeong Fire Station in Incheon.

Despite the explosion the customer chose not to report any damage to his body or clothing to the team at Samsung. After hearing about the Galaxy Note explosion a company spokesperson at Samsung noted:

“Lithium ion batteries can catch fire due to external pressure or sudden changes in temperature, so we’re trying to understand what really happened.”
Samsung has had several other issues with its Galaxy S2 and Galaxy S II Skyrocket smartphones. In the case of the S2 the customer was also carrying their smartphone in their pocket. Samsung is by far not the only smartphone manufacturer to receive reports of exploding phones. Apple, HTC, Motorola, Nokia and other manufacturers have all dealt with claims of battery and phone failures, some of which led to injury.

In what might be the most odd case of phone failure, a man in Ireland claimed his phone was the victim of spontaneous combustion. It was later discovered that the customer tried to microwave his wet phone in a failed attempt to dry the device.

To avoid smartphone explosions it is recommended that customers purchase OEM (original equipment manufacturer) batteries and remove their smartphones from warm areas in extreme heat, including pockets and the inside of vehicles.

[Image via broadbandgenie]

Dr. Oz's Best Flat Belly Tips


1: Add These Flat Belly Foods To Your Shopping List 

Proteins: Chicken, Turkey, Eggs
Complex Carbs: Sweet Potato, Brown Rice Cakes, Oatmeal, Leafy Greens (broccoli, spinach, asparagus, lettuce, kale, chard etc.)
Simple Carbs: Apples, Berries
Fat: Raw Nuts, Nut Butter (almonds, cashews, walnuts, almond butter, peanut butter)
Bonus Food: Beans. Legumes are a great source of protein, carbs, good fats and fiber.



2: Try this Anti-Bloat Breakfast Smoothie 

Start your day off with this anti-bloat smoothie. It’s high in fiber, which prevents constipation. Additionally, it contains natural digestive enzymes that help to breakdown hard-to-digest foods that can cause bloating. 

Ingredients
3/4 cup papaya
3/4 cup pineapple
1/2 pear, sliced
1 tsp ginger, fresh
1 tbsp flaxseed, ground
2 mint leaves (garnish)
1 cup water
1/2 cup ice

Directions
Blend all ingredients. Drink with probiotic straws to maximize the benefits of a healthy diet and support normal absorption and assimilation of nutrients in the gut. 



3: Do This 5-Minute Flat Belly Workout

Get the abs of your dreams in only five minutes a day! Weight-loss guru Brett Hoebel’s miracle workout makes it possible. Consult this breakdown below for modifications appropriate for your fitness level appropriate for you. Then break a sweat to start flattening your belly in no time. 

1. Balança and Ginga (1 min)
This is a figure-8 squat and then rocking lunge. 
Easier: Don't go as low in your lunges.
Harder: Go faster!

2. Moving Plank (1 min) 
Easier: Stay still or go down to your knees.
Harder: Lift one hand up when changing directions. 

3. Push Kick Sit-Up (1 min) 
Easier: Keep your feet on the floor and use hands on back of thighs to help you sit up.
Harder: Add a twist as you push kick. 

4. Sit-Up Mountain Climbers (1 min) 
Easier: Walk your legs and tap your toes during the mountain climbers. Harder: Add a push up during or after the mountain climbers. 

5. Cardio Boxing (1 min) Left jab, 8 times; double left jab, 8 times; backhand right job, 8 times. Switch sides.
Easier: Go slower.
Harder: Punch harder and go faster.



4: Eat More Fat To Lose Belly Fat

Concentrate on a diet of monounsaturated fats, which increase fat-burning and flatten your stomach. Start eating olive oil, peanut oil, canola oil, avocados, nuts and seeds. (Click here to quiz yourself on which foods will help to flatten your belly.) You also want to concentrate on eating whole grains and fiber. Studies show that whole grains help to trim fat from waistlines, and fiber will help with metabolism. 

Eat three 300-400 calorie meals that include whole grains and 2 fiber-rich snacks. 



5: Skip These Foods To Keep Your Belly Flat
Packaged foods, partially hydrogenated oils and enriched flours are not your friends. Above all, remember this one word: transfats. Avoid it at all costs. Researchers have found that the transfats found in margarine, packaged cookies, crackers and pasta increase fat in your midsection, and can actually redistribute fat from other parts of the body to the belly. For more flat-belly foods, click here. 



6: Slim Your Belly With Less Sodium
Sodium causes the body to retain fluid – a common cause of bloating. The American Heart Association suggests that only 1,500-2,300 milligrams of sodium should be consumed per day, but the average American takes in nearly 3,400 milligrams. Before you reach for the saltshaker, consider swapping your snacks for a healthier option. Rather than munching on a bag of potato chips, stick to fresh fruit and veggies. Avoid buying frozen dinners and processed foods, as they are often overloaded with salt. 

A great all-natural alternative to table salt is Spike, Salt-Free Magic. Spike contains 37 herbs and spices. It doesn’t contain any salt so it will not result in water retention. You can find it at your local grocery store for $3. 



7: Beware of Belly-Bloating Starches

Starches are carbohydrates that are sometimes difficult for the stomach to digest. Heavy starches such as bread, potatoes and pasta can cause water retention. Any food products made from flour, especially whole-wheat flour, form gas when broken down in the large intestine. Beware of eating these types of food before bedtime to avoid feeling inflated in the morning.



8: Steer Clear of Artificial Sweeteners
Artificial sweeteners are frequently found in many reduced-calorie foods, processed products and diet or decaffeinated drinks. They contain chemical compounds called sucralose, aspartame and cyclamate that the digestive tract cannot break down easily. Sweeteners, which can be up to 300 times sweeter than natural sugar, are known to increase appetite and result in overeating. Be on the lookout for artificial sweeteners, and when possible, steer clear of them. 

Carbonated drinks, like soda, cause air bubbles to form and expand in your abdomen. When they burst, carbon dioxide particles are dispersed in the stomach. They fill up your belly and cause bloating.

Tuesday, February 5, 2013

Memo sets rationale to kill Qaida-linked citizens



WASHINGTON (AP) — An internal Justice Department memo says it is legal for the government to kill U.S. citizens abroad if it believes they are senior al-Qaida leaders continually engaged in operations aimed at killing Americans.
The document, reported Monday night by NBC News, provides a legal rationale behind the Obama administration's use of drone strikes against al-Qaida suspects.
The 16-page document says it is lawful to target al-Qaida linked U.S. citizens if they pose an "imminent" threat of violent attack against Americans, and that delaying action against such people would create an unacceptably high risk. Such circumstances may necessitate expanding the concept of imminent threat, the memo says.
"The threat posed by al-Qaida and its associated forces demands a broader concept of imminence in judging when a person continually planning terror attacks presents an imminent threat," the document added.
A September 2011 drone strike in Yemen killed Anwar al-Awlaki and Samir Khan, both U.S. citizens.
The memo does not require the U.S. to have information about a specific imminent attack against the U.S. But it does require that capture of a terrorist suspect not be feasible and that any such lethal operation by the United States targeting a person comply with fundamental law-of-war principles.
"A decision maker determining whether an al-Qaida operational leader presents an imminent threat of violent attack against the United States must take into account that certain members of Al-Qaida ... are continually plotting attacks against the United States" and that "al-Qaida would engage in such attacks regularly to the extent it were able to do so," says the document.
The document also says that a decision maker must take into account that "the U.S. government may not be aware of all al-Qaida plots as they are developing and thus cannot be confident that none is about to occur; and that ... the nation may have a limited window of opportunity within which to strike in a manner that both has a high likelihood of success and reduces the probability of American casualties."
With this understanding, the document added, a high-level official could conclude, for example, that an individual poses an imminent threat of violent attack against the United States where he is anoperational leader of al-Qaida or an associated force and is personally and continually involved in planning terrorist attacks against the United States.
The American Civil Liberties Union said the document is "profoundly disturbing."
"It's hard to believe that it was produced in a democracy built on a system of checks and balances," the ACLU said.
The document says that the use of lethal force would not violate the Fourth Amendment of the Constitution when a targeted person is an operational leader of an enemy force and an informed, high-level government official has determined that he poses an imminent threat of violent attack against the U.S.
The document said the courts have no role to play in the matter.
"Under the circumstances described in this paper, there exists no appropriate judicial forum to evaluate these constitutional considerations. It is well established that 'matters intimately related to foreign policy, and national security are rarely proper subjects for judicial intervention,'" the white paper said.