Playboy’s Hugh Hefner engaged to 24-year-old former playmate
Playboy’s Hugh Hefner engaged to 24-year-old former playmate Who says May-Miss December romances don’t work? Hugh Hefner, the 84-year-old Viagra-popping founder of Playboy, is tying the knot for the third time. This time the lucky gal is 24-year-old Crystal Harris, December 2009 playmate of the month. “When I gave Crystal the ring, she burst into tears,” Hefner posted on his Twitter account. “This is the happiest Christmas weekend in memory.” “Yes, the ring I gave Crystal is an engagement ring,” he clarified later for those asking if it was merely a Christmas present or a step forward for the couple. Hefner posted that he and Harris spent the night before Christmas watching a movie, then exchanging gifts. Hefner had a few for his girlfriend, which Harris tweeted pictures of, including the legendary diamond Playboy watch.His big gift was the engagement ring. It was a “memorable Christmas Eve together,” Hefner tweeted.
San Francisco airport defends security in wake of pilot’s videos
San Francisco airport defends security in wake of pilot’s videos
(CNN) — The leadership of San Francisco’s airport fired back Saturday at critics who had rallied around a commercial pilot who had posted videos online showing what he described as shortcomings in security. The series of videos featured scenes from inside the San Francisco International Airport (SFO) and were narrated by the pilot, who pointed out the contrast between the passengers, who were heavily scrutinized, and airport employees who just passed through a single door. The footage was posted, and later removed, from the popular video-sharing website YouTube. “A recent YouTube video, posted by a U.S. airline pilot, presents false and misleading information on SFO’s security program,” the airport said in a statement. “The video shows a door with a card swipe and suggests that access is gained to the airfield area through this door. In fact, the door shown in the video provides access only to an employee lunchroom.”
Indian space rocket explodes soon after launch
Indian space rocket explodes soon after launch A space rocket carrying communications equipment exploded soon after takeoff Saturday evening in India, the official national news agency reported. The unmanned rocket strayed from its flight path and broke into pieces, according to the Press Trust of India. Video of the incident showed huge plumes of white and copper-colored smoke streaming across the sky. CNN’s sister network, CNN-IBN, reported that the rocket lifted off from the Satish Dhawan Space Center in Sriharikota. Its launch was originally scheduled for December 20, but had been postponed because of an engine leak, CNN-IBN said.It was not immediately clear what caused the failure, which the Press Trust called a setback to India’s space program.
HP G42-240US 14.Inch Laptop
HP G42-240US 14.Inch Laptop Review The HP G42-240US 14.Inch Laptop Count on a notebook with a clean design and plenty of style. The affordable HP G42-240US Notebook PC looks great with the fingerprint-resistant, textured HP Imprint finish with the prism design in white. This HP laptop is a great choice for productivity, reliability and value. Watch DVDs and view photos easily on the 14.0-inch diagonal High-Definition HP BrightView LED display. Browse the Web from any room and on the go using built-in Wi-Fi, plus video chat using the integrated HP webcam. Have more fun. The HP G42-240US Notebook PC has the right balance of performance and entertainment. Handle everyday tasks effortlessly using the dual-core processor and 4GB of memory. Convenient one-touch keys give you fast access to email, the Web and other common applications. Burn custom labels onto CDs and DVDs using LightScribe Technology. Transfer photos directly from a memory card to your HP laptop, plus manage and share your photos using HP Photo Creations software. At 4.85 pounds, this notebook is light enough to carry with you all day long.
Ancelotti insists Arsenal are scared
Ancelotti insists Arsenal are scared Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti has taunted title rivals Arsenal by insisting the Gunners are scared of facing Didier Drogba. Ancelotti is convinced Arsene Wenger’s defenders won’t relish the prospect of their latest meeting with Drogba when the champions travel to the Emirates Stadium for a crucial London derby on Dec. 27. Drogba has now scored an amazing 13 goals in 13 matches against Arsenal after his fine strike inspired Chelsea’s 2-0 win over Wenger’s team earlier this season. After struggling for several weeks due to malaria, Drogba finally showed off his best form in Chelsea’s 1-1 draw at Tottenham and Ancelotti believes the Ivory Coast striker will once again have a key role to play at Arsenal next week. MILAN, Italy / European soccer champion Inter Milan fired coach Rafael Benitez six months after he was appointed and five days after he led the team to the club World Cup title. Inter said on its website it reached an agreement with Benitez for the early termination of his contract. The 50-year-old Spaniard joined on a two-year deal after he left English Premier League club Liverpool following a six-year stint there.
Leonardo replaces Rafael Benitez as Inter Milan coach
Leonardo replaces Rafael Benitez as Inter Milan coach Inter Milan have appointed 41-year-old former AC Milan boss Leonardo to succeed Rafael Benitez as coach. Brazilian World Cup winner Leonardo will take up the reins on 29 December and his contract runs until June 2012. Benitez was sacked after six months in the job after asking the Inter board to back him in the transfer market. “We believe Leonardo has the class and experience of a champion and his mentality will get the team together to get results,” Inter’s website read. Leonardo’s only previous managerial experience came at Inter’s rivals AC Milan last season. Inter appointed Benitez after former Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho moved to Real Madrid having guided the Nerazzurri to the Champions League, Serie A and Italian Cup Treble. The Italian giants turned to Benitez after his six-year reign as Liverpool manager came to an end in June. But, despite winning the Italian Super Cup and the Fifa Club World Cup this season, the side have not found things as straightforward in the league.
Homicide victim’s husband in Family Court
Homicide victim’s husband in Family Court The The home of a Patchogue woman whose body was dumped in the woods was mostly quiet Thursday, the day after police said her death was the result of a homicide. Nicole Tessa’s body was found Tuesday in a patch of woods near her Prince Street home, two days after her husband, Joseph Jones, reported her missing. Jones and his mother left the home Thursday morning to attend a hearing at Suffolk County Family Court in Riverhead, but the reason for the hearing was not immediately clear. At the hearing, a judge said Jones’ mother has had custody of Tessa and Jones’ son, Aiden, 3, for most of the toddler’s life. Another hearing regarding custody of the child is scheduled for January, the judge said. Read more
Yankees one of three teams pursuing Damon
Yankees one of three teams pursuing Damon The The Yankees clearly are not Johnny Damon’s first choice for 2011 employment, which makes sense. Although they have expressed interest in bringing back Damon for next season, as Newsday reported Wednesday, they don’t have a clear everyday role for him.Yet the Yankees rank as one of Damon’s three top choices at the moment – along with the Rays and Angels, according to an industry source. And given the finances of each team, it’s quite possible the Yankees would be willing to pay Damon more for a part-time position than Tampa Bay would for a full-time job.Tampa Bay, having lost Carl Crawford to the Red Sox through free agency, has youngster Desmond Jennings ready to step in as Crawford’s replacement. But the Rays could use more certainty on offense.
New York named Race to the Top finalist in bid for $700M in government education funds
The state is a finalists for up to $700 million in federal education funds as part of the Race to the Top competition.
The feds announced Tuesday that 18 states and the District of Columbia made the list to be considered for the second round of grants.
That’s up from 16 states last time – and there is no money attached to being a finalist.
The New York State was also a finalist in Round One, but didn’t make the final cut in March, when only Tennessee and Delaware took home the prize.
Four feared dead in military cargo plane crash
ANCHORAGE, Alaska — Four on board a military cargo plane on a training run were most likely dead after their aircraft crashed in flames at an Air Force base near Anchorage on Wednesday, officials said.
