News
| U.S. News
| World News
Breaking News Updates
|
|
|
|
(Feb 5, 2003). Colin Powell, U.S. Secretary of State, addressed
the U.N. Security Council about key evidence that the U.S. has
that Iraq has violated U.N. resolutions. Powell says that no
effort has been made to disarm and that this is further evidence
of their unwillingess to follow resolutions about weapons of
mass destruction. Powell played tapes of discussions between
Iraqi officials about upcoming inspections. The Bush Administration
is expected to seek a new U.N. resolution that will declare Iraq
in violation of Securitry Council Resolution 1441, set a deadline
for compliance, and give the blessing for military action.
Colin Powell's media presentation included video, slides,
and audiotapes from intelligence intercepts. Key points include:
intercepted conversations about evidence concealment and ways
to coach scientists on answering questions, satellite photos
of material being moved from Iraqi sites before U.N. inspector
visits, travel details in and out of Iraq by al Qaeda operatives.
George Tenet, CIA Directors, was along for the political ride
as a personal endorsement of the Secretary of State's argument.
(Feb 4, 2003). An unmanned Russian supply ship, Progress M-47,
docked with the international space station, delivering food
stores and fuel to two U.S. astronauts, Donald Pettit and Ken
Bowersox, and a Russian cosmonaut, Nikolai Budarin, who were
due to return to Earth in March. All future shuttle flights have
been put on hold because of the disaster. The astronauts have
been in space since November. The supplies received can be lived
on until the end of June (three tons of water, food, oxygen,
and food). There is a "lifeboat" attached to station
that astronauts could come back aboard if things got out of hand
in space.
The International Space Station (ISS), worth $95 billion dollars,
is a combined effort of the U.S., Russian, and 14 other countries.
It floats 250 miles above Earth and has been surrounded around
controversy from the beginning. The project was first envisioned
in 1984. The docking of U.S. Atlantis with Russia's Mir station
in 1995 when astronauts met in space marked the beginning of
its assembly. ISS is expected to be the size of a football field,
with a living space the size of a Boeing 747 jumbo jet. Two space
tourists have visited after paying millions for their trips.
A half-acre of solar panels will power it and 52 computers will
run it. It is one of the brightest objects in the night sky.
Upon completion, it will be the brightest and only artificial
celestial body seen by the naked eye.
|
|
(Feb 5, 2003). NASA is set to examine military video by an
Apache helicopter of space shuttle Columbia's loss when it was
re-entering the Earth's atmposphere. Shuttle debris, tiles and
wing material found in California and Arizona, may be vital to
understanding the country's tragic loss of seven astronauts;
however, because of the large debris field, not everyone is getting
the word to leave shuttle parts alone because they may be toxic.
Columbia's nose cone was found in the woods of Texas near Louisiana.
It was still intact. A seat, two tanks, and a syringe from an
on-board experiment have also been recovered. Some large, dense
objects thought to be the engines may also have been secured.
Home video shot in California shows pieces of Columbia falling
of as it re-entered the atmosphere long before its breakup in
Texas. The discovery of debris west can provide valuable evidence
as to what happened. Debris from the early part of the flight
is critical because it would note the start of events
NASA is researching what may have caused insulation foam to
fall from the external fuel tank. This has happened in the past
without flight problems or incident.
A memorial was held for the fallen astronauts: Columbia commander
Rick Husband; pilot William McCool; payload commander Michael
Anderson; mission specialists David Brown, Laurel Clark, and
Kalpana Chawla; and Israel's first astronaut, Ilan Ramon.
Space shuttle Columbia's crew's remains will be military airlifted
to the National Mortuary at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware.
The remains of Ramon have been identified by DNA.
People who find debris are urged to call (281) 483-3388.
|
|
After the space shuttle disintegrated in the skys above Texas
and Russia had to send an unmanned spacecraft to supply the international
space station, some see this as an opportunity for their lagging
space program to take the lead. Even though there were no plans
for Columbia to dock at the space staion, it was scheduled for
five flights to deliver equipment over this year. Now, ISS is
dependent on Russia for delivery of cargo and crews. Russian
rockets carry only three people, 2.5 tons of supplies, and are
not reusable. U.S. shuttles have seven-member crews, 25 tons
of cargo, and three engines that can make the trip in less time
and less cost.
In the past, U.S. shuttles delivered long-term crews, while
Russian craft ferried visiting crews and emergency rockets. ISS
drops 1.5 miles a week from its orbit. U.S. shuttles are needed
to periodically haul it into its original position in order to
keep it in space.
The station drops 1.5 miles a week from its orbit and it needs
the shuttle to periodically haul it into its original position
in order to keep it in space. Scientists argue that unmanned
flights with robots can do the job with less expense and danger.
With robots, you can read the soil and understand the atmosphere
of any planetary body.
(Feb 1, 2003). 40 miles above ground, the space shuttle Columbia
broke apart while re-entering the Earth's atmosphere with 3,000-degree
Fahrenheit temperatures. Debris is scattered over an area the
size of West Virginia, approximately 28,000 miles. Initial inquiries
suggest that the shuttle's demise wer a result of damage to it's
heat-resistant tiles and external fuel tank. Back in January,
80 seconds after liftoff, a piece of foam fell off the external
fuel tank and struck the shuttle's left wing. Sensor readings
in the doomed shuttle's final minutes showed heat spikes and
unexpected drag resistance. NASA is investigated the wings of
space shuttles Atlantis, Discovery, and Endeavour for information
that may aid in understanding what happened and may have caused
the accident.
|
|
(Feb 5, 2003). Scott Peterson, the husband of a pregnant California
woman that has been missing since Christmas Eve, recently sold
her SUV rental vehicle because he cannot afford to keep it and
pay for his replacement truck after the police impounded his
car and boat. Laci Peterson, 27, of Modesto is expected to deliver
a baby boy any day now. Laci was last seen by her husband on
December 24 when he left for a fishing trip. Laci's mother last
talked to her on December 23. According to Scott Peterson, his
wife was going to walk their dog and shop for dinner; however,
a neighbord found the dog, still with its leash on and in the
backyard. The reward for Laci's return is set for $500,000. Her
husband has not been eliminated from the suspect pool.
|
U.S. News
FBI Makes Al Qaeda Arrests in
Oregon and Michigan
(10-4-02) The FBI charged five United States citizens and one
foreigner with belonging to a terrorist cell. According to John
Ashcroft, U.S. Attorney General, "we've neutralized a suspected
terrorist cell within our borders . . . Agents of the Portland
and Detroit Joint Terrorism Task Forces arrested suspected terrorist
cell members charged with engaging in a conspiracy to join al
Qaeda and to join Taliban forces fighting against the United States
and allied soldiers in Afghanistan." The six individuals
according to court documents are Jeffrey Leon Battle, Patrice
Lumumba Ford, Ahmed Ibrahim Bilal, Muhammad Ibrahim Bilal, Habis
Abdullah Al-Saoub, and October Martinique Lewis.
5-Year Old Rilya Wilson Missing a Year Without Being Reported
The authorities in Miami, Florida are trying to understand
how a 5-year-old girl who has been missing since January 2001
was not reported as missing until last week by the Florida agency
who was in charge of her care. An investigation is underway to
determine if the decapitated remains of a girl, "Precious
Doe" found in Kansas City, Missouri a year ago match the
missing Florida girl. Fingerprints and palm prints of Rilya Wilson
are being matched. Sgt. Tony Sanders, a Kansas City Police Department
spokesman, says that "there are some interesting coincidences‹her
age, her race, her size and the fact that no one reported [Precious
Doe] missing. I wouldn't consider it any different than the hundreds
of other leads we have received, but it's still a very good lead
which we are following up on feverishly." Department of Children
and Families in Florida admit to losing track of Wilson after
she was placed in the custody of her grandmother in 1999, who
says she turned the child over to people she believed to be caseworkers
in 2001.
President Bush Wants Swift United Nations Action Against
Iraq
President Bush has set a timetable for U.S. intervention with
the Iraqi situation involving Sadaam Hussein's noncompliant behavior.
He says, "there will be deadlines within the resolution.
We're talking days and weeks, not months and years." Bush
is doubtful that Iraqi President, Saddam Hussein will comply
with the United States' demands. Hussein has had 11 years and
has not complied.
|
|
Terror Alert on Florida's I-75, Possible Terror Plot in Miami
Foiled
A terror alert was issued on September 13, 2002 in Florida.
Law-enforcement stopped two vehicles on a section of I-75 called
"Alligator Alley" in South Florida. The suspects who
are suspected of plotting a terror attack in Miami were detained.
A dog sniffed the cars for bombs. The alert was issued after
a Georgia woman overheard a conversation in a restaurant among
three men who indicated a plan to attack Miami on Friday September
13.
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
Philip Morris Cigarette Maker
Ordered by Judge to Pay $28 Billion to Elderly Woman
(10-4-02) Philip Morris Company has been ordered to pay record
punitive damages to a 64-year-old woman with lung cancer. She
blames her addiction on their not warning her about the risks
of smoking. Philip Morris will appeal. After the news of the jury's
verdict, their stock market shares tumbled.
10-25-02. Prosecutors are discussing what charges to put forth
in the sniper attack case, after two sniper suspects, John Allen
Muhammad and John Lee Malvo were arraigned in Baltimore, Maryland
on unrelated charges. Ten people were murdered over a month-long
killing spree in the D.C. area; three other people were seriously
wounded. On Thursday morning, October 24, two suspects were arrested
while sleeping at a rest stop in their car, which is quoted as
being a "killing machine," with a sniper's nest in the
trunk and a .223-caliber Bushmaster rifle, that ballistics tests
have confirmed were used in eleven of the fourteen shootings.
The car, a dark blue 1990 Chevrolet Caprice, was outfitted with
a scope, tripod, "sniper platform," and two holes in
the truck for the rifle and the scope.
In a press conference before the sniper arrests, Montgomery
County Police Chief Charles Moose said to the sniper, "you
have indicated that you want us to do and say certain things.
You've asked us to say, 'We have caught the sniper like a duck
in a noose.' We understand that hearing us say this is important
to you." This references a Cherokee Indian story about an
arrogant rabbit that was duped by the duck he tried to catch.
Gulf War veternan, 41, who aided in his own capture by calling
the task force hot line and boasting of a past murder in Montgomery,
Alabama. His federal warrant is for firearms violations. His charges
include possession of a .223 caliber weapon and harassment of
his ex-wife and kids, who he was to stay away from because of
a 2000 restraining order. He showed this weapon off to a friend
in Tacoma, Washington, were he used to live. He also is alleged
to have had an AR-15 assault rifle, gun scope, and book on sound
suppressors.
The U.S. Marshals Service connected Muhammad to the car and
license plate because of an October 8 traffic stop in Baltimore
that was on file. The rifle he allegedly used in the killings
is less popular among game hunters; however, it is high-powered
and deadly like the venomous snake it is named after. The semi-automatic
version of the civilian model of the M-16, it is "for those
who want the general feel of a military weapon," according
to Eric Haney, a retired U.S. Army sergeant major. It is a less
expensive model of the semi-automatic rifle and easy to use.
Jamaican, 17, illegally in the United States, whose fingerprints
match the ones on file from a September 21 fatal liquor store
shooting. His court appearance was closed because he is a juvenile.
The letter left at the Ponderosa shooting appears to include Jamaican
colloquialsms, according to sources, as well as a drawing with
five stars that may represent a Jamaican band.
10-21-02 - On the weekend of October 19, a sniper shot another
unsuspecting victim in Virginia. Authorities, at this time, do
not know if this sniper attack relates to the serial sniper who
has been stalking the Washington, D.C. area since the beginning
of the month. A message was left for the police at the last crime
scene. Montgomery County Police Chief Charles Moose says, "to
the person who left a message at the Ponderosa last night, you
gave us a telephone number. We do want to talk to you. Call us
at the number you provided."
Saturday's victim was a 37-year old man who was accompanying
his wife as the left a Ponderosa steak house restaurant in Ashland,
Virginia. He is in critical condition at the Medical College of
Viriginia and expected to undergo at least two more surgeries.
This shooting, if indeed the work of the serial sniper, will be
the first attack to occur on a weekend.
Superintendents in five area school districts closed schools
Monday because of parent and community concern.
The police urge anyone with information to call the sniper
tip hot line at 888-324-9800. There is a $500,000 reward for information
that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons
involved in the sniper shooting attacks. To send tips through
the mail, write to P.O. Box 7875, Gaithersburg, Maryland, 20898-7875.
The reward contribution line is 240-777-9770. The suspected vehicles
involved include a white Chevrolet Astro minivan with a ladder
rack or a Ford Econoloine or a white box-type truck.
Other recent victims: Linda Franklin, 47; Dean Meyers, 53;
and Pascal Charlot, 72. In total, there have been twelve shootings
and nine deaths.
(10-3-02) Police believe a high-powered rifle was used to shoot
five people in the suburbs of Maryland. The murders appear unrelated.
The killer is described as a skilled shooter and the single shots
to each victim were from a distance. The tip line number is 240-777-2600.
There is a $50,000 reward for information leading to the arrest
and conviction of people involved. The suspect's vehicle is white,
box-type, possibly an Isuzu or Mitsubishi, with black lettering
on the side and a damaged rear lift. A profile of the killer has
not been developed yet.
(10-9-02) A tarot card and shell casing were found at the scene
of the last sniper shooting of a school-age boy. Police chief
Charles Moose criticized the media for broadcasting the leak of
the discovery, because there are a lot of things that can hurt
the investigation. Six people have been murdered and two critically
injured. The card, inscribed with "Dear Policeman: I am God,"
may or may not be related to the crime spree. It was found near
the Bowie middle school where the 13-year old was shot on Monday,
October 7. The card may have been left by a prankster.
The 13-year old middle school student who was shot Monday after
his aunt dropped him off at school remains in critical but stable
condition at the Children's National Medical Center.
Forensics evidence links the eight shootings that have happened
over the last week. Each victim was hit once by a rifle from a
long distance.
Five Shot Dead at Random in DC By High-Powered
Rifle
Al-Jazeera Documentary Accounts 9-11 Plot
In a documentary aired by Al-Jazeera, an Arabic TV news network,
al Qaeda terrorists, Ramzi Binalshibh and Khalid Shaikh Mohammad,
give an account of their plan to attack the U.S. on September
11 and the actions of some of the main terrorist hijackers in
their final days before their suicide attacks on the World Trade
Center towers, the Pentagon, and Pennsylvania. Binalshibh is considered
the "coordinator of the September 11 operation," and
Mohammad, on the U.S. "most wanted" terrorist list,
is believed to be one of the primary planners.
U.S. Secretary of State Colin
Powell Talks with U.N. About Iraq Resolution
Colin Powell, U.S. Secretary of State, talked with key leaders
about a United Nations resolution that calls on Iraq to submit
to weapons inspections or risk grave consequences. A few Security
Council members have expressed reservations about military action.
Britain is backing the United States. Russia, France, and China
have the power to veto the resolution.
Former U.S. ambassador to the U.N., Richard Holbrooke, says
"if Russia goes along, the U.S. can get this resolution but
if Russia say no, we won't get it." According to British
Foreign Secretary, Jack Straw, "above all, what President
Bush was saying is that the U.N., the international community,
has to give Saddam Hussein a clear choice - which is compliance
with the resolutions, an end to weapons of mass destruction or
the enforcement of the will of the international community by
other means." A resolution by the Security Council must have
nine votes in favor and no veto from any of its five permanent
members.
According to Powell, "there has to be deadlines this time.
In the absence of deadlines, the Iraqis will string us out, will
try to negotiate away or simply ignore the resolution. Saddam
Hussein has long made an unholy alliance with terrorists. What
is not arguable is that he is in violation of international law."
Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle said, "I don't think that
the case for pre-emptive attack has been made conclusively yet.
That doesn't mean it can't be."
Accused Shoe Bomber Acted Alone
Richard Reid, the accused shoe bomber, who allegedly attempted
to blow up an airliner over the Atlantic Ocean last year says
he acted alone, angered by the treatment of Muslims in Israel
and the United States' role in the Middle East.
A British citizen and convert to Islam, Reid received al Qaeda
training in Afghanistan. Sources contradict Reid by saying he
had accomplices who helped him plan the terror attack and that
he could not have constructed the explosives found in his shoes
alone.
Passengers and crew fought and restrained Reid after he allegedly
tried to ignite a fuse protruding from his shoe. Reid is charged
with attempted murder and attempted destruction of an aircraft.
According to him "the idea of putting a device in his shoes
came to him after he noticed that Israeli security did not check
the inside of his shoes."
U.S. Special Ops Forces In Afghanistan
Are Ordered to Shave
U.S. troops guarding Afghan President, Hamid Karzai, in an
effort to blend in, have been wearing beards and local attire.
They have been ordered to shave and don regular uniforms after
a special operations commander, Major General Geoff Lambert, saw
photos of them.
9-Year Old Girl Jennifer Short's
Remains Found in North Carolina
Jennifer Short disappeared on August 15, the day her parents
were murdered in their Virginia home. Her partial skull and bones
were recovered 30 miles away in North Carolina by a man. According
to Rockingham County Sheriff Sam Page, "the skeletal remains
in Rockingham County have been determined to be a positive match
with the DNA profile of Short and are hers."
World News
- U.S.-Based Academics on Trial in China
for Espionage - Beijing, China has informed the United
States that trials have started for U.S. -based academics, Gao
Zhan and Li Shaomin, accused of espionage.
- Air Force Staff Sergeant Accused of
Raping a Japanese Woman - U.S. Ambassador to Japan, Howard
Baker, is expecting to hand over 24-year old Timothy Woodland,
who is suspected of raping a Japanese Woman in a parking lot
in Okinawa. The incident which occurred on June 29 was witnessed
by other military personnel. Woodland maintains his innocence
and says sexual contact was mutual.
Israeli Forces Began Withdrawal from Palestinian Territories
On March 11, Israeli forces began withdrawal from two dozen
Palestinian villages, however, they have also entered two more
West Bank towns‹Bir Zeit and Daharyeh. U.S. Secretary of
State Colin Powell is still scheduled to arrive in the war-torn
Middle East.
Israel Defense Forces say the operations are part of their
mission to smoke out terrorists and weapons. This followed an
Israeli pullback from 24 West Bank villages on March 10. U.S.
President Bush is pleased with these actions, however, it is still
not consistent with his demand for a full withdrawal. The Israel
Defense Forces say that they are in full control of the Jenin
refugee camp, that had been involved in intense fighting for over
a week. 24 Israeli soliders and 150 Palestinians were killed.
Eight people were killed and 14 wounded earlier in the week
when a morning terrorist attack near Haifa occurred involving
a suicide bomber wearing a belt of explosives aboard an Israeli
commuter bus. The 18-year-old niece of Israel's ambassador to
the United Nations was among those people killed.
U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell to Meet with Israeli
Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and Palestinian Leader Yasser Arafat
Colin Powell is scheduled to travel to Jerusalem to meet with
Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and Palestinian Leader Yasser
Arafat, who has been under siege for two weeks in Ramallah. The
U.N. Security Council supports Powell's diplomatic efforts to
end Middle East violence between the Israelis and the Palestinians.
According to Ariel Sharon, "For us, it is a war of survival.
One must understand that that is our right and responsibility
to defend the lives of our citizens."
Al Qaeda E-mail Warns of Attack
An Arabic-language daily newspaper in London, England, al Hayat,
has published a statement that it claims hails from the al Qaeda
terrorist group. It warns of new terrorist tasks and claims Osama
bin Laden is still alive and well. According to the newspaper,
the statement says, "Osama bin Laden is safe and in good
health and preparing the next steps of his battle." The statement
goes on to say that 18 United States troops had been killed after
being taken prisoner by Taliban forces during the Afghanistan
fighting.
Unusual Coating Found on Anthrax Spores
Scientists have discovered a new chemical in the coating on
the anthrax mailed to journalists and politicians back in the
fall. The discovery was surprising, however, they are familiar
with the unnamed chemical. The coating on the anthrax included
silica which helped the anthrax spores not to clump. The purity,
fineness and potency made it highly unlikely that the sender of
the anthrax mailings made and treated the spores in a makeshift
setting. Government officials caution that this does not mean
a scientist was involved. Five people died of inhalation anthrax
and 13 were treated for cutaneous anthrax infections. Four letters
were recovered and one letter involving the death of a Florida
photo editor was never found. The letters were sent to two Senate
offices, the New York Post, and NBC News.
Features
|
|
|
It is that time of year again. Christmas. Do you know what
is on your child's Christmas wish lists? When you do your Christmas
shopping, do you know the most popular toys? For Christmas 2002,
the most popular toys, the hottest picks, the trends, will be
classic toys, video games, tech toys, and licensed products.
Barbie as Rapunzel leads the pack as the most talked about toy.
For boys, video games and interactive toys and products featuring
popular licenses are the rage. Parents are focusing more on educational
products and PC games as gift options. Playstation 2 still ranks
first in consoles; Nintendo's Game Boy Advance ranks first in
portable units.
More and more families are choosing to stay at home together.
"Cocooning" has caused a surge in popularity for new
games like Cranium and classic games like Monopoly and Risk.
|
|
Mattel's "Barbie as Rapunzel" is the hot pick for
Christmas 2002. It will be the must-have gift for the holiday
season. Barbie has maintained her popularity over the years by
reincarnated herself with different themes each year and remaining
attractive to moms who love their classic appeal -- Barbies make
great collectibles.
|
Best-Selling Toys for Retailers
The 2002 PlayDate retailer survey includes the top picks of
stores like Sears, KB Toys, Toys "R" Us, FAO, eToys,
Electronics Boutique, Gamestop, and Imaginarium, to name a few.
This exclusive annual media event showcases holiday toys and
games.
Overall - Barbie as Rapunzel (Mattel)
Runner-Ups - Bratz Funk "n" Grow, Disney Toddler
Princesses, Dora the Explorer dolls, Harry Potter: Basilisk Playset,
LeapPad Learning System, Rescue Heroes, Spider-Man: Dual Action
Web Blaster, Star Wars Lightsabers, and Yu-Gi-Ho Trading Cards
|
|
Toys That Rank Top for Christmas 2002
|
Toy in Specialty Stores - LeapPad Learning System (LeapFrog
Enterprises)
Runner-Ups - Care Bears, Cranium Cariboo, Dora the Explorer
dolls, LeapStart Learning Table, LEO Star Wars sets, MEGA BLOKS,
Musini, SpectraColor Image Pad, Thomas & Friends
Board Game - Cranium Cariboo (Cranium Inc.)
Runner-Ups - Cranium Cadoo, Cranium, Friends Trivia in a Tin,
I Spy Preschool Game, Lord of the Rings: Risk, MONOPOLY, Rush
Hour, Spell-A-Puzzle, and Trivial Pursuit 20th Anniversary
Video Game Hardware - Playstation 2 (Sony Computer Entertainment
America Inc.)
Runner-Ups - Game Boy Advance, Network Adaptor, NINTENDO GAMECUBE,
PS one, Xbox
Video Game Software - Grand Theft Auto: Vice City (Rockstar
Games)
Runner-Ups - Bond 007: Nightfire, Harry Potter and Chamber
of Secrets, Madden NFL 2003, Metroid Prime, SEGA Sports NBA 2K3,
SEGA Sports NFL 2K3, SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs, Tony Hawk Proskater
4, and WWW Smackdown! Shut Your Mouth.
|
|
Shopping Trends for Christmas
Classic Toys
Parents, the primary purchasers of toys, tend to associate
more with their own childhood classics. They pass this affinity
down to their own kids. Nostalia toy revivals are out in full-force,
thanks to anniversaries.
Dolls, one of the world's oldest toys, is making the biggest
comeback. Mattel's Barbie as Rapunzel has created quite a buzz,
as well as Dora the Explorer, Disney Toddler Princesses, and
Bratz Funk "n" Glow dolls. Dolls accounted for $3 billion
in sales between June 2001 and 2002 and was the best-selling
toy category for 2001 with 14% of all toy sales. Today, doll
marketing is aimed at older girls around age 12 who enjoy fashion.
Dolls look older, which attracts preteens. Cabbage Patch Kids
will boost doll sales even more. Xavier Roberts started selling
the hand-stitched dolls that evolved into scrunched-face dolls
"adopted" by both the young and old nearly twenty years
ago. Roberts has a deal with Toys "R" Us that limits
the sale of a new line.
The strong presence of licensed products in top sales was
also a result of the increased fascination with the past and
nostalgia accounting for 25 percent of first-half sales in 2002,
with classics like Batman, Scooby Doo, Spider-Man, and the Power
Rangers.
Some toys are updated versions of their old selves that are
more edgier and generation-specific. Huffy features an oversized
steel tricycle that is similar to the old plastic Big Wheels.
Sababa Toys has licensed modern versions of the Uno card game
with Spider-man and SpongeBob SquarePants on them. The Magic
8 Ball has been updated to give beauty and fashion tips.
|
PC Game - The Sims Online (Electronic Arts)
Runner-Ups - Age of Mythology, Backyard Sports (various),
Dora the Explorer, Everquest: Planes of Power, Roller Coaster
Tycoon 2, SpongeBob SquarePants Employee of the Month, The Sims:
Unleashed, Unreal II, and Warcraft III
Collectible - Yu-Gi-Oh trading cards (Upper Deck)
Runner-Ups - HeroClix (DC & Marvel), Holiday Celebration Barbie
2002, Mage Knight, Magic: The Gathering, MechWarrior, Muppets,
Pokemon, Spider-Man, and Sports figures
|
|
- Barbies
- Huffy Bikes' Spin Move - tricycle similar to big-wheels of
the 1970's geared toward 8 to 14 year olds
- Care Bears - 20th anniversary, 100th anniversary of the teddy
bear
- Cabbage Patch Kids - from the 1980's
- Bandai's Power Rangers - which are being handed down from
older siblings, 10th anniversary
- Masters of the Univers - action figures
|
Brand Family - Dora the Explorer (Mattel, Infogrames et.
al)
Runner-Ups - Barbie, Disney Princesses, Grand Theft Auto,
LeapFrog, LEGO, Spider-Man, SpongeBob SquarePants, Star Wars,
and Thomas & Friends
|
|
Board Games
Have made a comeback with a modified look and feel, combining
parlor classics like charades, dictionary, and trivia, with new
challenges like sculpting, humming, and spelling. More and more
families are choosing to stay at home together, as a result of
the nesting instinct caused by September 11, 2001. "Cocooning"
has caused a surge in popularity for new games like Cranium and
classic games like Monopoly and Risk.
- Cranium
- Cadoo
- Cariboo - allows 3 to 6 year olds to search for treasure
on an island while learning letters and numbers
|
| |
|
PC Games
- Dora the Explorer
- The Sims Online
|
| |
|
Video Games
Forecasters predict that this will be the best holiday sales
season for video game software. All three manufacturers dropped
the price of their video game consoles back in spring, which
will help video gaming go mainstream. Console play now have expanded
online capabiliites.
- Grand Theft Auto
- Tony Hawk
- WWW: Smackdown
- Football - Madden NFL 2003, SEGA's NFL 2K3
|
| |
|
Tech Toys
Kids are more accustomed to sophisticated toys and inventors
deliver unique playing experiences through creative use of technology.
- LeapPad Learning System - top seller among all toys
- Vtech's Smarty's Workshop
- Neurosmith's Musini
- Irwin Toy's SpectraColor Image Pad
- Uncle Milton's Star Theater 2
|
| |
|
Licensed Products
Includes dolls, PC games, and card games. The strong presence
of licensed products in top sales was also a result of the increased
fascination with the past and nostalgia accounting for 25 percent
of first-half sales in 2002, with classics like Batman, Scooby
Doo, Spider-Man, and the Power Rangers. Licenses are a big hit
right now, because there is no "big hit" -- that one
major toy that everyone has to have.
- Dora the Explorer (TV)
- SpongeBob SquarePants (TV)
- Thomas the Tank Engine (TV)
- Spider-Man (Movies)
- Star Wars (Movies)
- LeapFrog (multiple product categories)
- LEGO (multiple product categories)
- Yu-Gi-Oh! - trading card game based on Japanese animation
that is expected to be popular like Pokemon
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
Click here for more
|
|
Business Network Caters
to Internet
DVC Business Network is
a business to business (B2B) association offering information
technology consulting services with professional offsite user-centered
information and documentation, with specialized services for
technical products and computer software and hardware documentation,
tourism, and the Internet.
Their tailored solutions for targeted business needs are superior
with "information mapping," for traditional Brick-and-Mortar
businesses, e-Businesses (electronic business), brick-and-click
businesses, high-tech industries, and small businesses.
Professional Membership Services range from free to different
levels of paid membership opportunities. Professional
printing, writing, and editing services include technical
writing and editing, graphic
design, typesetting and layout, resume
writing and editing, secretarial,
administrative, high-volume black
and white copying, color copies,
and printing.
The 2001-2002 Business
Marketing Guide features tips on how to market and promote
businesses effectively on the Web and in the Community.
|
Back to Top of DverCITY Magazine
Lifestyles
& Cultures
African-American News
DrumBeats Magazine
Halle Berry, Denzel Washington, and Sidney Poiter
Take Home History-Making Oscars
At the Oscar ceremonies, this year, African Americans took
home the prize in three instances. Denzel Washington won for "Actor
in a Leading Role," for his performance as a corrupt cop
in "Training Day," Halle Berry won for "Actress
in a Leading Role," for her performance as a death row widow
in "Monster's Ball," and Sidney Poitier won his second
Oscar, a "Lifetime Achievement Award."
Halle Berry in her acceptance speech said, "this moment
is so much bigger than meŠ[this is] for all the nameless,
faceless women of color who now stand a chance tonight because
the door has been opened." Berry's Oscar win was the first
time ever that an African American woman had won an Academy Award.
Washington's win watered a dry spell of nearly four decades since
an African American man had one‹Sidney Poiter.
In the 74 year history of the Academy Awards, only 26 African
Americans have been nominated for acting, and only seven have
won. According to Angela Bassett, who was nominated for Best Actress
with her 1994 performance in "What's Love Got to Do With
It, "it is a wonderful milestone, but I don't think it really
changes anything. Often you look at those who win, it doesn't
change their career. Those who always work and do good work continue
to do so. But it doesn't translate the same . . . Look at Louis
Gossett, Jr., he won an Academy Award for 'An Officer and a Gentleman'."
In other news, Berry won best female actor for "Monster's
Ball" at the 8th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards (SAG)
prior to her Oscar win. She was the first African American to
win a SAG award in a leading actor category. Of the 14 previous
SAG award winners in the leading actor categories, 11 received
an Academy Award for the same performance. This was considered
a good indication of Berry winning the Oscar.
The Oscar wins by Berry and Washington may be an opportunity
for filmmakers to continue breaking down racial barriers and increase
diversity in Hollywood.
Back to Top of DverCITY Magazine
Native-American News
National American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage
Month November 2002
History
| Presidential
Proclamations | Activities
for Native American Heritgage Month | Census
2000 Statistics
History of National National
American Indian Heritage Month
At the turn of the century, a lot of effort went into establishing
a day of recognition for American Indians, the first Americans,
and their significant contributions to the establishment and growth
of the U.S. Nation. This has blossomed into a whole month dedicated
to this very purpose. The term "Native American" incorporates
hundreds of different tribes and approximately 250 languages.
Conceived in 1976 as Native American Week, it became National
Native American Heritage Month in 1990 by presidential and congressional
proclamation.
For over 85 years, Indians and non-Indians have been seeking
a special day for recognition of America's first citizens. Over
the years, U.S. legislation has been proposed that designated
the fourth Friday in September as American Indian Day or the fourth
week in September as Native American Awareness Week. None of these
bills were passed by Congress, but, instead led to moder day almanacs
listing the fourth Friday in September as American Indian Day
as a day of observation, not a legal holiday.
One of the first activists for an American Indian Day was Dr.
Arthur C. Parker, a Seneca Indian, who was the Director of the
Museum of Arts and Science in Rochester, New York. He persuaded
the Boy Scouts of America to set aside a day for the "First
Americans." In 1914, Red Fox James, a Blackfeet Indian, rode
horseback from state to state seeking approval for the celebration
of a day in honor of Indians. In 1915, the annual Congress of
the American Indian Association meeting in Lawrence, Kansas, formally
approved a plan. It directed its President, the Rev. Sherman Coolidge,
an Arapahoe, to call upon the country to observe such a day. He
issued a proclamationon September 28, 1915, which delcared the
second Saturday of each May as an American Indian Day and contained
the first formal appeal for recognition of Indians as citizens.
On December 14, 1915, Red Fox James presented the endorsements
of 24 state governments at the White House; however, there is
no record of such a national day being proclaimed.
New York was the first state to declare an American Indian
Day (on the Second Saturday in May 1916). Several states celebrate
the fourth Friday in September. Legislatively, Illinois enacted
the day in 1919. In 1935, Massachuesetts, in accordance with a
law passed, issued a proclamation naming the day that will become
American Indian Day for any given year. Today, several states
designate Columbus day as Native American Day; however, it still
has no recognition as a a legal holiday.
Back to Top of DverCITY Magazine
Latin-American News
Diversidad! Magazine
Kidnappers of Thalia's Sisters Demand $1 Million
Ransom
|
|
|
| (9-27-02) The kidnappers of
Latin pop sensation Thalia have demanded $1 million ransom for
the safe release of her sisters Laura Zapata and Ernestina Sodi.
Thalia's sisters disappeared Sunday after leaving a theater in
Mexico City. Partial fingerprints were recoverd by police from
their car, that was found abandoned on a road. Kidnappings are
a common occurrence in Mexico, but often go unreported. Thalia's
family have not filed a police report. Thalia is married to Sony
Music Chairman Tommy Mottola. |
|
|
| |
|
|
Hispanic Heritage Month, or Latin American Heritage Month is
from September 15 to October 15 and marks the anniversary of independence
for five Hispanic countries (Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala,
Honduras, and Nicaragua), as well as the anniversary of when Mexico
gained independence (September 16), and Chile (September 18).
The U.S. Census Bureau defines a person of Hispanic descent
as someone who originates from a Spanish speaking country or region.
They can be of any race. According to 2000 statistics, the U.S.
Hispanic population is 12.5% (35.3 million), plus 3.8 million
in Puerto Rico. The U.S. Hispanic population increased 58% over
the last decade and accounted for 40% of the nation's total population
increase. Slightly more than half of the nation's 31.1 million
foreign-born residents were born in Latin America, more than one-quarter
of the foregin-born population was from Mexico, and Cuba, the
Dominican Republic, and El Salvador ranked among the top 10 leading
countries of foreign-born in the U.S. 68% of the U.S.'s Hispanic
population in 2000 was either born in another country or had at
least one parent who was. 20.6 million people were of Mexican
orign in 2000, comprising 58% of the nation's Hispanics or Latinos.
The remaining origins were: Puerto Rican (3.4 million), Cuban
(1.2 million), Central American (1.7 million), South American
(1.4 million), Dominican (765,000), Spanish (100,000), and other
Hispanic originas (6.1 million).
About 9-in10 Hispanics live in metropolitan areas, half residing
in central cities. 50% live in California and Texas. About 3-in04
live in seven states with 1 million or more each: California,
Texas, New York, Florida, Illinois, Arizona, and New Jersey. About
42% of New Mexico's population was Hispanic in 2000, the highest
of any state. The Hispanic population has tripled in the last
decade in Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina,
and Tennessee. In 2000, New York City's Hispanic population was
the largest of any city in the U.S. Puerto Ricans were 37% of
the city's Hispanic population, centralized mainly in the Bronx
and Brooklyn. 97% of East Los Angeles, California residents were
of Hispanic origin in 2000, the highest of any place with 100,000
or more population outside Puerto Rico. More than half of Cubans
live in Miami-Dade County, Florida and half of Dominicans live
in New York City.
Top 10 Places of 100,000 or More Hispanic Population in 2000
- East Los Angeles, California (96.8%)
- Laredo, Texas (94.1%)
- Brownsville, Texas (91.3%)
- Hialeah, Florida (90.3%)
- El Paso, Texas (76.6%)
- Santa Ana, California (76.1%
- El Monte, California (72.4%)
- Oxnard, California (66.2%)
- Miami, Florida (65.8)
Asian-American News
Chinese American is Jailed for 5 years
in China
Fong Fuming, an American engineer, was
arrested on February 28, 2000 on charges of bribery and obtaining
state secrets. A Chinese court has sentenced him to five years
in prison, of which two he has already served. Upon serving his
sentence, he will be deported to an unspecified locale. Beijing's
top intermediate court says he obtained 35 secret documents on
behalf of an unnamed foreign company in an effort to win a bid
in China's power industry and that he paid out bribes to Chinese
officials to obtain the bid. Fuming's U.S. lawyer, Jerome Cohen
says that the firm in quesiton was an American power company and
that he was advising foreign companies on how to invest in power
projects in China. He denied that he bribed and that, in fact,
a Chinese power official who supposedly gave him the documents
was trying to extort money from him. Fuming was among several
U.S. citizens and permanent residents charged over the last few
years for obtaining or revealing state secrets. He has been a
U.S. citizen since 1994, along with his wife and two children.
Back to Top of DverCITY Magazine
Daily Sports News
Thursday, September 12, 2002
Anaheim Angels Tie
with Oakland Athletics
|
|
|
| In a baseball game between the
Anaheim Angels and the Oakland Athletics on Thursday, September
12, Anaheim won 7 to 6 when Scott Spiezo scored a two-out RBI
single in the ninth inning. This placed the Angels in a first-place
tie with Oakland in the AL West division. In thepast 14 games,
the Angels have won thirteen times, including three wins out
of a four-game series. Here's a summary: Darin Erstad pinch-hit
in the ninth, Erstad stole third, David Eckstein walked, and
Garret Anderson popped out. According to Spiezio, "when
Erstad came off the bench and got that double, that lifted the
team to another level. And when he stole third, it really makes
you feel good as a team because you're 90 feet away." The
Oakland A's are 3-4 since a 20-game winner's streak that ended
in Minnesota a week ago. Brendan Donnelly, a 31-year-old rookie
playing in the majors for the first time said, "I could
care less about getting the win. I'm just glad that we won." |
|
|
| |
|
|
Masters Golf Tournament Begins at Augusta National
as Tiger Woods Defends His Title
The 66th Masters opened Thursday, April 11 with an honorary
tee shot by 89-year-old Sam Snead, who is recovering from stroke-like
symptoms. Snead, a three-time Masters winner, struck a fan in
the face. They had to receive medical treatment. Charles Coody
and Tommy Aaron, two former champions, followed Snead to the first
tee.
After Tiger Woods won his second Masters last year and completed
an unprecedented sweep of the four biggest golf tournaments, Augusta
National stretched the golf course to nearly 7,300 yards and figures
to provide the 89-man field with the toughest test in tournament
history. Woods, who has proven he can take heavy pressure and
heat from golf's biggest events, is under scrutiny for his ability
to withstand the grand course, which people joke as having been
"Tiger-proofed."
Teenage
Girl Killed by Puck at Professional Hockey Game
Brittanie Cecil, 13, was killed by a hockey puck at a professional
NHL game-the first such death in league history. She died from
damage to an artery that runs from the spine to the brain. This
rare injury, which happened when her head snapped back after her
forehead was struck during a game between the Columbus Blue Jackets
and Calgary Flames, caused clotting of the artery and swelling
of the brain. Franklin County Coroner Brad Lewis states that "the
puck struck her in the forehead, causing a skull fracture and
some bruising of the brain in the area. But that wasn't what led
to her death. It was the snapping back of the head and the damage
to that artery."
Cecil had been sitting 15 rows above the ice, behind the goal,
early in the second period. Columbus center Espen Knutsen, from
Norway, slapped a puck into the stands, after it deflected off
of the stick of Calgary defense man Derrik Morris. It was deflected
off of two other fans before hitting Cecil, then injuring two
others. Knutsen says, "I think about it all the time. I think
about her family because I have family myself. It was just a horrible
accident."
Columbus coach Dave King said "he's really upset about
the whole thing. He was in the act of shooting the puck and it
got deflected over the glass. That kind of thing happens. But,
he's really distressed by it."
The Blue Jackets will honor Cecil by placing her initials on
their helmets for the remaining season and promoting a memorial
fund created by her family in her memory.
Cecil was an eighth-grader at Twin Valley South Middle School
in Ohio. She died at Children's Hospital in Columbus. March 20
would have been her 14th birthday.
Brittanie Cecil's parents released the following statement:
"During our time of grief and bereavement our family is trying
to make some sense of this tragedy. Our loss is overwhelming and
the pain the we are enduring is unbearable. Brittanie was a sweet,
beautiful and loving young girl, who brought joy to all her family,
friends and acquaintances. We all loved her very much and will
miss her dearly. We know she is with God now and we will celebrate
her life and memory forever."
The National Hockey League (NHL) is reviewing arena safety
after Cecil's death. Questions are being raised about the responsibilities
of teams and arenas to protect fans. Frank Brown, NHL spokesman,
said "we believe our buildings are safe and history overwhelmingly
has proven us right. We have entertained hundreds of millions
of spectators over our 85 seasons and we are devastated that this
tragic accident took place."
Break-resistant glass sheets, 8 feet high, surround all National
Hockey League arenas, however, pucks still fly over and cause
injury. Only one arena has netting that provides extra protection.
A disclaimer is placed on the back of each ticket warning about
the dangers. It reads: "Pucks flying into spectator areas
can cause serious injury. Be alert." Many lawyers say this
does not absolve teams or venues. Marcel Jodoin, says "Ninety-nine
times out of 100 here in Canada, it doesn't matter whether or
not there's a disclaimer on the ticket. Because you don't get
the ticket until after you've paid. The courts up here have said
you can't impose new terms into a contract after the contract's
been made."
NBA Star Jayson
Williams Tried to Cover-up Evidence
Jayson Williams, 34, a former New
Jersey Nets basketball player, was charged with second-degree
manslaughter in the February 14 shooting death of a limousine
driver, Costas Christofi, at his mansion. It is now reported that
he may have tried to put the victim's palm print and fingerprints
on the gun. After the shooting, which was reported to authorities
as a suicide initially by Williams' adopted brother, Victor Santiago,
Jayson Williams disposed of bloody clothes he was wearing. The
deceased driver was hired to drive Williams' friends from a Harlem
Globetrotters game in Pennsylvania, to a restaurant, then to his
estate in New Jersey. A dozen other people were at the mansion,
including two children and four members of the Globetrotters.
Christofi was shot in the chest in Williams' bedroom and was found
slumped against a wall.
According to an unidentified witness,
Williams screamed for someone to administer CPR and began pressing
on the driver's chest and feeling for a pulse. During this time,
his guests allegedly saw him and another man try to place Christofi's
palm print and fingerprints on the gun. Two Globetrotters have
been given immunity in exchange for detailed testimony.
Jayson Williams, 6-foot-10, was among
the NBA's best rebounders until leg injuries forced his nine-year
career into retirement in 2000. His last game was April 1, 1999,
when he broke his leg and injured his knee in a collision with
Stephon Marbury. He averaged 7.3 points and 7.5 rebounds for his
career. He played at St. John's, spent his first two NBA seasons
with the Philadelphia 76ers, and was traded to the Nets in 1992.
He was an All-Star in 1997-98.This season, he started working
for NBC Sports as a studio analyst. Williams has a skeet shooting
range and shotguns on his property.
Michelle Kwan to
be New Disney Spokeswoman
Michelle Kwan, 21-year old Olympic bronze
medalist in figure skating, has signed a three-year deal with
The Walt Disney Company to be a spokeswoman. She has starred in
several specials and contributed to several skating books. She
will be featured in marketing campaigns and public service announcements.
Sports Features
2002 NBA Finals Championship Games
NBA Semi-Finals Basketball Teams
NBA Finals Basketball Teams
MVP (Most Valuable Players)
NBA Playoffs - National Basketball Association Championship
Playoff Games - First Round
(4/23/02) - The first round of the National Basketball Association
(NBA) Playoffs has started. The winners will be the best of five.
On Saturday, April 20, Indiana Pacers beat the New Jersey Nets
89 to 83; Sacramento Kings beat the Utah Jazz 89 to 86; San Antonio
Spurs beat the Seattle SuperSonics 110 to 89; and Charlotte Hornets
beat the Orlando Magic 80 to 79. On Sunday, April 21 the Boston
Celtics beat the Philadelphia 76ers 92 to 82; Dallas Mavericks
beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 101 to 94; LA. Lakers beat the
Portland Trailblazers 95 to 87; and Detroit Pistons beat the Toronto
Raptors 85 to 63. On Monday, April 22, the New Jersey Nets beat
the Indiana Pacers 95 to 79 and the Seattle SuperSonics beat the
San Antonio Spurs 98 to 90.
The following is the first round NBA Playoff Schedule for
the rest of the post-season:
April 23 - Orlando Magic at Charlotte Hornets
April 23 - Utah Jazz at Sacramento Kings
April 24 - Toronto Raptors at Detroit Pistons
April 24 - Minnesota Timberwolves at Dallas Mavericks
April 25 - Philadelphia 76ers at Boston Celtics
April 25 - Portland Trail Blazers at L.A. Lakers
April 26 - New Jersey Nets at Indiana Pacers
April 27 - Charlotte Hornets at Orlando Magic
April 27 - Sacramento Kings at Utah Jazz
April 27 - San Antonio Spurs at Seattle SuperSonics
April 27 - Detroit Pistons at Toronto Raptors
April 28 - Boston Celtics at Philadelphia 76ers
April 28 - Dallas Mavericks at Minnesota Timberwolves
April 28 - L.A. Lakers at Portland Trail Blazers
April 29 - Detroit Pistons at Toronto Trail Blazers
April 29 - Sacramento Kings at Utah Jazz
April 30 - Charlotte Hornets at Orlando Magic
April 30 - New Jersey Nets at Indiana Pacers
April 30 - Dallas Mavericks at Minnesota Timberwolves
If necessary:
May 1 - Boston Celtics at Philadelphia 76ers
May 1 - San Antonio Spurs at Seattle Super Sonics
May 1 - L.A. Lakers at Portland Trail Blazers
May 2 - Indiana Pacers at New Jersey Nets
May 2 - Toronto Raptors at Detroit Pistons
May 2 - Minnesota Timberwolves at Dallas Mavericks
May 3 - Philadelphia 76ers at Boston Celtics
May 3 - Orlando Magic at Charlotte Hornets
May 3 - Seattle Super Sonics at San Antonio Spurs
May 3 - Portland Trail Blazers at L.A. Lakers
Directory of NBA Players - Profiles (under construction)
Back to Top of DverCITY Magazine
Entertainment
Music
American Idol Winner Kelly
Clarkson's Single Tops Pop Charts
|
|
|
|
(Sept 2002) - Kelly Clarkson, 20, the recent winner of the
American Idol reality talent show series has jumped to the number
one spot on the Hot 100 singles chart with the song she performed
on the final episode, "A Moment Like This." On a double-A
side record, the song is paired with another single that she
has recently released a music video for, "Before Your Love."
The song was previously at number 52 and has maded the biggest
leapt to number one in the history of the Hot 100.
Her debut sold 236,000 copies in its first week, grabbing
the number one spot from Nelly. According to Geoff Mayfield of
Billboard magazine, "We're in uncharted territory. It's
unusual to have a retail single to begin with, and it's even
more unusual to have one sell decent numbers." Clarkson's
single is the first to sell more than 200,000 copies since 1999.
Her record label is RCA Records.
|
|
|
| |
|
|
Michael Jackson
Invests in Entertainment Company
Michael Jackson's Neverland Entertainment
is investing $20 million in a Montreal, Canada company called
MDP Worldwide Entertainment, Inc., that will operate a new movie
production division. The company will be allowed to produce major
films with Jackson's involvement. According to the chief executive,
Mark Damon, Jackson will be a producer, actor, and director for
the division called Neverland Pictures. Jackson says, "films
have always been a passion for me. There is nothing in the world
like the magic captured forever in a time capsule like motion
picture images."
Pop
Movies
Movie Barbershop Gets Rave
Reviews
|
|
|
| Set in present-day South Side
Chicago, Barbershop stars Ice Cube as the owner in this conservative
comedy. In the style of Soul Food, this movie promotes blue-chip
values where crime does not pay and you treat your women right.
In the movie, Calvin inherits the family business and at first
wants to sell it to a local loan shark. Despite the "wholesomeness"
of the film, it is reminiscent of the airy funkiness of Ice Cube's
earlier comedies, Friday and Next Friday. Also stars Cedric the
Entertainer the barbershops' senior philosopher full of humor,
rapper Eve as the only woman employed at the shop, Sean Patrick
Thomas of Save the Last Dance as a bourgie college student cutting
hair to earn his tuition, and Troy Garity, Jane Fonda's son,
as a white barber who acts black. |
|
|
| |
|
|
Actor Nick Nolte Arrested for Drunken
Driving
Actor Nick Nolte of 48 Hours fame is free on bail after his
arrest for DUI (driving under the influence) in California. Nolte,
61, failed a sobriety test. The police officer that arrested him
had heard squealing tires and saw a Mercedes swerving across the
highway. Nolte has appeared in more than 50 films since the '70s
and was nominated for an Oscar for best actor in 1991.
The Summer 2002 Movie Season is set to begin with Spider-Man
and Star Wars leading the
pack of blockbuster movie anticipation for the nation's box offices.
More than likely, the Star Wars
franchise will win hands down. Despite the online duel between
fans of Spider-Man and
Star Wars, the sequel movie
Men in Black 2 will
probably take the number 2 spot, knocking
Spider-Man to number 3.
|
Directed by George Lucas, Star Wars: Attack of the Clones
will star Golden Globe nominee Hayden Christensen, who will play
Anakin. Other leading performances include Natalie Portman and
Ewan McGregor with supporting casting by Samuel L. Jackson, Anthony
Daniels, Christopher Lee, Kenny Baker, Ian McDiarmid, and Temuera
Morrison. Characters include Anakin Skywalkker, Jar Jar Binks,
Yoda, C-3PO, Obi-Wan Kenobi, and R2-D2. This franchise, written
by George Lucas and Jonathan Hales and produced by Lucasflim,
consists of a trilogy and a prequel that have made over $1 billion
in the U.S. This action/adventure/sci-fi epic movie is set to
release May 16, 2002 and is distributed by 20th Century Fox Film
Corporation. Sequels include Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom
Menace which was released in 1999 and Star Wars: Episode III,
scheduled for release in 2005.
Before Episode I, George Lucas had not directed a film in
twenty-plus years (1977). "There's only one issue for a
filmmaker," Lucas says. "Will this make its money back
so I can make the next one? With Phantom Menace, we didn't know.
It didn't have Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher. It
was not a slam dunk."
In Attack of the Clones, Anakin is 20, a young man of superior
skills and even higher ambitions, chafing under the stern tutelage
of his mentor, Obi-Wan Kenobi, and daring to risk his status
in the Jedi Order, which forbids romantic attachments, by pursuing
a reckless passion for Senator Padme Amidala. They fight with
Senator Palpatine and battle the Jedi rebel Dooku and his droids
with an army cloned from scurvy bounty hunter Jango Fett.
On April 24, Star Wars: Episode II - The Attack of the Clones
merchandise hit the stores in Time Square and 120 Toys "R"
Us stores across the U.S. Highlights of the latest Star Wars
toy line include Jango Fett and his spacecraft and Jedi warriors
(Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker).
|
|
Comic book hero Spider-Man is set to hit the big screen in
movie theaters on May 3, 2002. The leading cast will star Tobey
Maguire, Kirsten Dunst, and Willem Dafoe, with a supporting cast
of Rosemary Harris, J.K. Simmons, James Franco, and Cliff Robertson.
Directed by Sam Raimi and written by David Koepp, Spider-Man
has a PG-13 rating. This adventure/sci-fi comic book adaptation
is distributed by Columbia Pictures and Sony Pictures Entertainment.
Kirsten Dunst, 19, will star as Spider-Man's alter-ego, photographer
Peter Parker's red-headed girlfriend Mary Jane. Previous works
of hers include The Cat's Meow, the Virgin Suicides and Bring
It On.
Willem Dafoe plays the pumpkin-hurling bad guy, Green Goblin.
Minority Report stars Tom Cruise and is directed by Steven
Spielberg. This is based on a short story by the late Phillip
K. Dick. About a futuristic society of clairvoyants who help
stop murderers, Minority Report has 477 special-effects shots.
Other lead performances include Samantha Morton and Colin Farrell
with supporting roles by Peter Stormare and Kathryn Morris. Written
by Scott Frank, this action/sci-fi thriller has a release date
of June 21, 2002 and will be distributed by 20th Century Fox
Film Corporation.
This buddy-cop flick that grossed more than $250 million the
first time around is back. Based on the 1997 movie and a 1992
Malibu Comics Men In Black, MIB has bigger and badder villains
this time around. Lara Flynn Boyle, from The Practice, stars
as the new alien on the block, Serleena, who is a sexy distraction
that takes the form of a Victoria's Secret model. Michael Jackson
will be making a cameo appearance as an undercover Man in Black
on the alien affirmative action program. Will Smith who reportedly
earned only $5 million on part one, will receive a cool $40 million
for part two now that he's a big maxium-gross player (this film
put him on the map).
Coinciding with the release of Men in Black 2, Will Smith
will be releasing a new CD, not yet titled. The first single,
"Nod Ya Head," hits the air waves in mid-June. Smith
says "two weeks in the studio, and I'm up to speed. My slang
is current, I'm hip to the new-style drums, and I'm back in synch.''
In Perdition, Tom Hanks plays a role we're not used to‹a
bad guy, a Mob hitman avenging his wife's death. Based on the
1998 graphic novel by Max Allan Collins, "Road to Perdition,"
Perdition also stars Paul Newman in a leading role opposite Hanks.
Supporting cast include Stanley Tucci, Jude Law, Jennfier Jason
Leigh, Alfred Molina, Daniel Craig, and Tyler Hoechlin. Set for
release on July 12, 2002, this Depression-era drama was directed
by Sam Mendes, written by David Self, and distributed by Dreamworks.
|
|
Mike Myers will be reprising his role as Austin Powers, Dr.
Evil, and Fat Bastard, along with a new character, the enemy,
Goldmember in the upcoming sequel to Austin Powers the Spy Who
Shagged Me. Beyonce Knowles, lead singer of Destiny's Child,
will star as his love interest and undercover spy, Foxxy Cleopatra
and Michael Caine as his spy father, Nigel. The supporting cast
also includes Michael York, Seth Green, Rob Lowe, Robert Wagner,
and Verne Troyer. Based on two previous Austin Powers movies,
James Bond, and British sexy-cool kitsch, Austin Powers in Goldmember
was directed by Jay Roach and written by Mike Myers and Michael
McCullers. This comedy has a release date of July 26, 2002 and
will be distributed by New Line Cinema.
Freddie Prinze, Jr. (Fred), Matthew Lillard (Shaggy), Sarah
Michelle Gellar (Daphne), and Linda Cardellini (Velma) have leading
roals in the upcoming Scooby-Doo movie to be released on June
14, 2002. Supporting cast include Mark McGrath and Rowan Atkinson.
This Warner Brothers comedy was directed by Raja Gosnell and
written by James Gunn and Craig Titley.
|
| |
|
|
Based on Rebecca Well's 1997 novel, Divine Secrets of the
Ya-Ya Sisterhood is based on the theme of ya-ya: friendship,
love, and loyalty. In this southern story about friendship and
family, Thelma and Louise screenwriter Khouri makes her debut
as a film director. Sandra Bullock stars as Sidda Lee, a playwright
who has relationship woes with her mother.
|
|
Based on the stage musical, Chicago, a film about the perversity
of celebrity and the hunger to have the spotlight, is a continuation
of the offbeat musical film recreated by Moulin Rouge. Stars
include Richard Gere, Renee' Zellweger, Catherine Zeta-Jones,
John C. Reilly, Mya, Queen Latifah, and Christine Baranski. This
comedy/crime drama musical is a stage adaptation directed by
Rob Marshall and distributed by Miramax Films. The release date
is December 25, 2002.
|
|
8 Mile, starring Eminem, is a story about a white guy from
Detroit dealing with his demons through rap music. Directed by
Curtis Hanson of L.A. Confidential, 8 Mile is not about Marshall
Mathers, but, rather the Detroit hip-hop scene from which Eminem
came from. The movie's title references a Detroit road that separates
black communities and white communities. Supporting cast include
Mekhi Phifer, Kim Basinger, and Brittany Murphy. Writers include
Scott Silver and Jesse Wigutow. Release Date: November 8, 2002.
Distributor: Universal Pictures.
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
74th Annual
Academy Awards Recap
Oscar Winners
Oscar Nominees
The 74th Annual Academy Awards will be held Sunday, March 24.
The following are the nominees: Actor in
a Leading Role (Russell Crowe, Sean Penn, Will Smith, Denzel
Washington, and Tom Wilkinson), Actor in
a Supporting Role (Jim Broadbent, Ethan Hawke, Ben Kingsley,
Ian McKellen, and Jon Voight), Actress in
a Leading Role (Halle Berry, Judi Dench, Nicole Kidman,
Sissy Spacek, and Renée Zellweger), Actress
in a Supportin Role (Jennifer Connelly, Helen Mirren, Maggie
Smith, Marisa Tomei, Kate Winslet), Animated
Feature Film (Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius, Monsters, Inc.,
and Shrek), Art Direction (Amélie,
Gosford Park, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, The Lord
of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, and Moulin Rouge), Cinematography (Amélie, Black Hawk
Down, The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, The Man
Who Wasn't There, and Moulin Rouge), Costume
Design (The Affair of the Necklace, Gosford Park, Harry
Potter and The Sorcerer's Stone, The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship
of the Ring, and Moulin Rouge), Directing
(A Beautiful Mind, Black Hawk Down, Gosford Park, The Lord of
the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, and Mulholland Drive),
Documentary Feature (Children Underground,
Lalee's Kin: The Legacy of Cotton, Murder on A Sunday Morning,
Promises, and War Photographer), Documentary
Short Subject (Artists And Orphans: A True Drama, Sing!,
and Thoth) Film Editing (A Beautiful
Mind, Black Hawk Down, The Lord of The Rings: The Fellowship of
The Ring, Memento, and Moulin Rouge), Foreign
Language Film (Amélie, Elling, Lagaan, No Man's
Land, and Son of The Bride), Makeup
(A Beautiful Mind, The Lord of The Rings: The Fellowship of The
Ring, and Moulin Rouge,) Music (Score) (A.I.
Artificial Intelligence, A Beautiful Mind,
Harry Potter and The Sorcerer's Stone, The Lord of The Rings:
The Fellowship of The Ring, and Monsters, Inc.) Music
(Song) (Kate & Leopold, The Lord of The Rings: The
Fellowship of The Ring, Monsters, Inc., Pearl Harbor, and Vanilla
Sky), Best Picture (A Beautiful Mind,
Gosford Park, In The Bedroom, The Lord Of The Rings: The Fellowship
of The Ring, and Moulin Rouge), Short Film
-- Animated (Fifty Percent Grey, For The Birds, Give Up
Yer Aul Sins, Strange Invaders, and Stubble Trouble), Short
Film -- Live Action (The Accountant, Copy Sho,
Gregor's Greatest Invention, A Man Thing (Meska Sprawa), and Speed
For Thespians), Sound (Amélie,
Black Hawk Down, The Lord of The Rings: The Fellowship of The
Ring, Moulin Rouge, and Pearl Harbor), Sound
Editing (Monsters, Inc., Pearl Harbor, Visual Effects,
A.I. Artificial Intelligence, The Lord of The Rings: The Fellowship
Of The Ring, Pearl Harbor), Writing (Adapted
Screenplay) (A Beautiful Mind, Ghost World, In The Bedroom,
The Lord Of The Rings: The Fellowship of The Ring, and Shrek),
Writing (Original Screenplay) (Amélie,
Gosford Park
Memento, Monster's Ball, and The Royal Tenenbaums).
Marvin Gaye's Daughter Will Replace Aaliyah's Role in Matrix
2
Nona Gaye, the late Motown legend Marvin Gaye's daughter, starred
in "Ali" in her feature film debut as Belinda Ali, the
champ's second wife and released her own album in 1992, will replace
the role left by Aaliyah upon her tragic death last fall, in the
Warner Bros. Picture's sequels to "The Maxtrix."
Nona Gaye will portray the character Zee in Matrix 2, "The
Matrix Reloaded." Her role will be introduced in the second
film and expanded considerably in the third installment, "The
Maxtrix Revolutions." Gaye is set to begin shooting in Sydney,
Australia the week of April 15.
Before Aaliyah's death, she had completed initial footage in
Los Angeles and was scheduled to wrap principal photography on
both films in early 2002.
"The Matrix Reloaded" is scheduled for release May
23, 2003; the "The Maxtrix Revolutions" November 2003.
Keanu Reeves, Carrie-Anne Moss, and Laurence Fishburne, all
from the original sci-fi action thriller are set to reprise their
roles.
More Aaliyah News
TV
HBO "The Sopranos" Series
Season Premiere
HBO has had a hit series in "The Sopranos" with broadcats
TV-like audience numbers rarely seen in a cable series, especially
a pay service. The fourth-season premiere is set for Sunday at
9 p.m. eastern time. The show stars James Gandolfini as Tony Soprano,
a "bewildered husband and father to one family and calculating
Mafia boss to another."
The show has become such a phenomenon that the primary ad for
the show has no identification of what you are looking at, just
the deate, time, and HBO logo.
Actor Robert Blake Arrested for
the Murder of His Wife Bonny Bakley
Hollywood actor Robert Blake, 68, former star of the 1970s
detective series, "Baretta," was arrested on Thursday,
April 18 for the murder of his wife, Bonny Bakley, a year ago.
Investigators state that they have evidence that Blake killed
his wife outside a North Hollywood restaurant.
According to Los Angeles Police Chief Bernard Parks, Robert
Blake will be charged with two counts of solication of murder
and one count of murder with special circumstances. Captain Jim
Tatreau says "Robert Blake shot Bonny Bakley. We believe
his motive is that Rorbert Blake had contempt for Bonny [Lee]
Bakley. He felt that he was trapped in a marriage that he wanted
no part of." The Blakes had been married only 6 months.
The police believe Blake tried to hire someone to kill his
wife and then decided to do it himself when he failed. Blake's
handyman and bodyguard, Earle Caldwell, was arrested for conspiracy
to commit murder.
The year old murder investigation involved examination of 900
pieces of evidence, followed 150 leads, and led to 20 states.
The murder weapon was discovered days later in a dumpster outside
the restaurant where the late Bakley was shot and killed.
According to Robert Blake, his wife was shot in the head while
he went back into the restaurant to retrieve his gun.
Dragon Ball,
the Japanese Animation Series
Dragon Ball is a Japanese comic series
that was created in 1984 by Akira Toriyama, an artist who has
become famous for his comics in Japan, as well as all world-wide.
His career began when he was 23 with a popular weekly series called
Dr. Slump that lasted about eight years. He created Dragon Ball
for ten years. He also has designed the characters for home video
games like the Dragon Warrior series "Chrono Trigger,"
and Tobal No. 1, Sony Playstation 3-D fighter. Toriyama has two
children
The Dragon Ball comic series consists
of 42 volumes and 519 episodes. Loosely based on a Chinese novel
called "The Monkey King," Dragon Ball was adapted to
Japanese television as animation in 1986. The animation experienced
a name change to Dragon Ball Z, when it stopped production and
then started again, while the comic version was still in print.
The main idea of the Dragon Ball comic
series centers on the story of a young boy, Son Goku, who was
raised by a very talented martial artist. In the series, Son Goku,
along with his buddies, seek out Dragon Balls, a set of pearls
that summon ShenLon, a dragon that grants wishes. Originally,
Goku helped Bulma find the Dragon Balls, because he wanted to
see the dragon. Goku had to search for the Dragon Balls a second
time, because they were scattered after the dragon was summoned.
Many things happen in the story line
before the animation takes place. At an unspecified date, Bibidi
creates Majin Buu, who kills a Kaioushin and absorbs two more.
Bibidi is killed by the remaining Kaioushin after Bibidi seals
Majin Buu. A hundred years later, weather problems occur on Planet
Namek, so Katattsu makes his son move to earth and promised to
follow soon; however, fifty years later, his son gives up waiting
and explores the world. Ten to thirty years later, Piccolo Daimaoh
is created and Katattsu's son locates earth's Kami-sama. After
forcing out his evil side, he becomes the new Kami-sama and creates
the Dragon Balls. Twenty years later, Piccolo Daimaoh is sealed
by Mutaito-sama in a rice cooker. Mutaito-sama sacrifices his
own life to seal Piccolo Daimaoh.
A hundred years later, Kame-sennin makes
his way to the top of the Karin Tower and stays there three years.
Four hundred and thirty-four years later, Bardock and team try
to stop Freeza from trying to destroy Planet Vegeta, while Kakarotto
is sent from there to destroy earth. Vegeta, Nappa, and Raditz
are sent to different planets. Son Gohan discovers Goku, adopts
him, and gets stomped to an instant death by a giant monkey. Goku
falls from a ravine and transforms to a well-mannered child when
he wakes up.
Twelve years later, the Dragon Ball series
begins with Goku meeting Bulma, Woolong, Yamcha, and Pooaru and
stopping Pilaf from becoming the world's leader. Goku is given
the Dragon Radar by Bulma so he can find Gohan's Dragon Balls
and the Kinto Cloud by Kame-senning, who also gives Bulma the
3-star Dragon Ball. Goku and his buddies meet up with Gyuumaoh
and Chichi, who Goku promises to marry. When Goku leaves to train
under the guidance of Kame-sennin, Kuririn and Lunch meet.
A year later, Jackie Chun wins at the
21st Annual Tenkaichi Budoka and the moon blows up when Goku turns
into a were-monkey. With the Red Ribbon Army, Goku searches for
his grandfather's Dragon Ball. He finds the 6-star Dragon Ball
and Colonel Silver destroys the Kinto Cloud with a rocket. Goku
rides a Red Ribbon plane to Muscle Tower and makes a crash landing.
Then, Goku defeats the robot, Sergeant Metallic, the Ninja Murasaki,
and the Buyon Monster.
(to be continued)
Back to Top of DverCITY Magazine
Radio
Video Games
Internet
Arts
Humanities
Business
Business News
Economic News
- Express
Life Insurance Services- http://www.quality-ins.com/
Express Term Life Insurance Quotes in United States and Canada.
Fast and Free quote form. Visit us today!
Business
Features
