5 Questions Kathleen Sebelius Must Answer

Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius is likely to have a very long day when she testifies before Congress about the Affordable Care Act website problems.

Mark Wilson/Getty Images

Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius is likely to have a very long day when she testifies before Congress about the Affordable Care Act website problems.

Mark Wilson/Getty Images

The hottest hot seat in Washington is the one occupied by Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, whose office confirmed Monday she'll testify about the Internet disaster that is HealthCare.gov, the Affordable Care Act website.

It's not yet clear when she'll go before Congress, but it won't be soon enough for the Republicans who are calling for her resignation. Sebelius originally declined to appear before the House Energy and Commerce Committee Thursday, saying she had a scheduling conflict.

Many Democrats are also fuming at the shambolic roll out of the federal health exchange website, which isn't just an embarrassment to the administration but a threat to President Obama's legacy.

When she does testify, here are five questions Sebelius will almost certainly get:

What did she know and when did she know it?

This is a Washington classic, a staple of any investigatory effort. Rep. Fred Upton, R-Mich., chairman of the House committee holding Thursday's hearing, has signaled that he wants to know why Sebelius and others told lawmakers the federal government would be ready to go on Oct. 1 when that was far from true.

"Top administration officials repeatedly testified everything was on track, but the broad technological failures reveal that was not the case," Upton said in a news release. "Either the administration was not ready for launch, or it was not up to the job."

How many people have actually "enrolled" in health insurance through the health exchanges?

HHS on Sunday said there were "nearly a half million applications for coverage." But that's a vague number, as is the definition of enrollment. To some, it means submitting an application; to others, it means actually paying for insurance. The administration has been notably reticent about providing details. Which is why the Republican National Committee is trying to pry them out through a Freedom of Information Act request. Expect plenty of questions from House Republicans seeking hard numbers.

How can anyone trust that the problems will be fixed in time when past Obama administration assurances proved so wrong?

The Affordable Care Act's open enrollment period is scheduled to end Dec. 15. In a speech Monday that defended the law while also expressing frustration with the website, Obama said: "We are doing everything we can possibly do to get the websites working better, faster, sooner. We got people working overtime, 24/7, to boost capacity and address the problems."

Still, experts question whether the website can be made to function as well as it needs to in the remaining time. Expect much skepticism about any assurances Sebelius gives.

Do the problems with Obamacare support delaying the individual mandate for a year?

This is likely to be a major line of questioning for Sebelius from Republicans. Obama previewed her likely response when he said that Obamacare is "not just a website" — his point being that the law itself is working just fine, and the flaws of one component aren't enough to delay it. Sebelius is likely to be forced to repeatedly push back against this line of questioning.

Given the scope of the problem, shouldn't she resign?

This is also likely to be a recurring theme during the hearing. Sen. Pat Roberts, R-Kan., a longtime acquaintance, has called for her resignation, as have Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, and several House members.

Sebelius has shown no signs that she is considering stepping down and was prominently seated in the front row for Obama's Monday speech. If Sebelius, a holdover from the first term, did step down, it would not only give Obamacare's Republican opponents their biggest trophy yet but would also create more turbulence at a critical moment for the law. So it's unlikely to happen. But that won't stop Republicans from repeatedly posing the question.

Source: http://www.npr.org/blogs/itsallpolitics/2013/10/21/239269074/5-questions-kathleen-sebelius-must-answer?ft=1&f=1003
Similar Articles: TSLA   obama speech   Nokia   Yosemite Fire   usher  

"The Streets Are Hollow": What's It Like to Be an Archaeologist in NYC?

This summer, as workers labored away at a construction site at the southern tip of Manhattan, a team of archaeologists following their progress made an amazing discovery: Booze—or more specifically, the bottles it came in—from the late 1700s. Right underneath our feet.

Read more...

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/bvYWp6PINuc/the-streets-are-hollow-on-the-job-with-an-archaeolog-1447810128
Related Topics: james franco   act   Miley Cyrus Vma 2013   whitney houston   National Ice Cream Day  

Jon Fitch hopes Marcelo Alfaya fight sets up Josh Burkman rematch

Finally, all the madness has settled down in Jon Fitch's life.

From his upset loss to Demian Maia, to his controversial cut from the UFC roster, to his submission loss in under a minute to Josh Burkman in his World Series of Fighting debut, 2013 has been memorable for the American Kickboxing Academy veteran, but not always for the best reasons.

But on Monday's edition of The MMA Hour, Fitch said that's all in the past. And not a moment too soon: He returns to action Saturday night at WSOF 6 in Coral Gables, Fla., where he meets unheralded Marcelo Alfaya in a welterweight main-card bout.

"I have my stuff together much more for this training camp," Fitch said. "Much more focused for this training camp. A lot of the dust has settled and gone by from all the stuff that happened in the last year. Being released from the UFC and the loss to Demian Maia, I put all that stuff behind me also. It's been much more focused for this training camp and this fight."

The move from the UFC to WSOF hasn't been the only change in Fitch's career. He's relocated from the Bay Area to Syracuse, N.Y., to help run the Pacific Health Club in nearby Liverpool, a full-service gym which will include MMA training. Fitch, however, will continue to base his training camps with AKA when he's preparing for a fight.

"I'll be coming back and training with AKA," Fitch said. "It's in the contract that I come back out for training in California. I'm trying to build something out there, we don't quite have the bodies around for me to be able to do that. [If in] 3-5 years if I'm still in the area, maybe it's something I'd consider. But we have such a huge group of guys at AKA that it would be stupid not to be there training with them."

Two of those AKA guys, of course, were in the news over the weekend. Cain Velasaquez, the UFC heavyweight champion, defended his crown with a brutal victory over Junior dos Santos in a trilogy fight. Meanwhile, his main training partner, Daniel Cormier, handily defeated Roy Nelson in what is expected to be his last fight at heavyweight before dropping down to 205.

When pressed on who would win a head-to-head battle, Fitch said the tie goes to the guy with the size.

"[Cormier] is not a true heavyweight," Fitch said. He might be 225, 230 soaking wet. He's not a heavyweight. He's so good as an athlete and a fighter that he can get away with beating  heavyweights up, but he's not a true heavyweight. Just based on size, you have two guys who are equally skilled, equal work ethic, equal punching power, equal everything, you're going to put your money on the guy who weighs more."

That's conjecture, of course. But Fitch's fight with Alfaya is reality. The American Top Team fighter has been competing since 2002, but went nearly two years without competing following a knockout loss to Jake Ellenberger in Bellator in 2009. He returned in 2009, however, and has won three straight, including a 25-second knockout win in his last fight in January.

"He's a tough guy," Fitch said. "Good jiu-jitsu, heavy-handed. He hasn't had a super-active career in the last three years, but he had some good wins. He had a 30-second knockout in last fight. He's a serious threat so I have to take him as a serious threat and do whatever I can to put him away as fast as I can."

And while he's focused on Saturday's bout, Fitch has to admit he has his eyes on a rematch with Burkman, who choked him out in 41 seconds in June. Burkman meets Carl on Saturday in the main event, which will determine the first WSOF welterweight champ.

"That would work out best for everyone involved," said Fitch, who has three fights left on his WSOF deal. "I think the fans, the organization and me and Josh would be a big fight, there would be a lot of eyeballs on it. We both have to take care of business this weekend."

Source: http://www.mmafighting.com/2013/10/21/4863138/jon-fitch-hopes-marcelo-alfaya-fight-sets-up-josh-burkman-rematch
Similar Articles: torrie wilson   Lane Kiffin  

Candidates make their pitch for Ward 12 council seat (Star Tribune)

Share With Friends: | | Politics - Top Stories Stories, News Feeds and News via Feedzilla.

Source: http://news.feedzilla.com/en_us/stories/politics/top-stories/335298736?client_source=feed&format=rss
Related Topics: christopher columbus   kenya   yom kippur   Raz B   mick jagger  

Dollar, shares gain on expected delay to Fed tapering

By Herbert Lash

NEW YORK (Reuters) - The dollar gained and global equity markets traded at five-year highs on Monday, buoyed by a benign outlook for stocks as investors awaited a backlog of U.S. economic data that may yield clues on when the Federal Reserve will begin to pare its stimulus program.

Wall Street traded near break-even on the realization the U.S. fiscal impasse that was resolved last week by pushing decisions into early next year will likely keep the Fed's bond-buying in place well into 2014, which would be good for stocks.

The United States is enjoying moderate growth with tame inflation, a Goldilocks economic climate that is neither too hot nor too cold but has been distorted by the Fed's intervention.

"I wouldn't bet against the market in the short term. Investors as a group seem to have decided that the Fed is on board for the foreseeable future," said Brad McMillan, chief investment officer at Commonwealth Financial in Waltham, Massachusetts. "It's Goldilocks's evil twin."

MSCI's world equity index <.miwd00000pus>, which tracks shares in 45 countries, was up as much as 0.7 percent before flattening, while the FTSEurofirst 300 index <.fteu3> of leading European shares rose 0.23 percent to close at a provisional 1,280.66.

Solid corporate earnings from the likes of Philips , whose shares jumped 6.5 percent after the Dutch maker of healthcare equipment and energy-efficient lighting reported a near tripling of its third-quarter net profit, lifted European shares.

The S&P 500 hit a record high early in the session, boosted by gains in Apple after a bullish research note, but lackluster results from McDonald's Corp. weighed on the Dow and S&P, which reversed gains to trade slightly lower.

The Dow Jones industrial average <.dji> was down 12.54 points, or 0.08 percent, at 15,387.11. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index <.spx> was down 0.72 points, or 0.04 percent, at 1,743.78. The Nasdaq Composite Index <.ixic> was up 6.72 points, or 0.17 percent, at 3,921.00.

The day's U.S. economic data supported views of modest growth and combined with the prospect of renewed political gridlock at the beginning of 2014, the Fed's stimulus program may stay intact for months, if not more.

"This is a weird case, I acknowledge, but as long as things don't get too good, it's actually better. We want to grow a little bit but not fast enough to pull the stimulus back," McMillan said.

U.S. home resales fell in September and prices rose at their slowest pace in five months, the latest signs higher mortgage rates were taking some edge off the housing market recovery.

The National Association of Realtors said on Monday that home sales fell 1.9 percent in September to an annual rate of 5.29 million units. August's sales pace was revised down to 5.39 million units from the previously reported 5.48 million units.

U.S. Treasuries prices dipped ahead of Tuesday's release of employment data for September, after the partial U.S. government shutdown for more than two weeks delayed economic releases and increased concerns that the closures will weigh on growth.

"The (data) expectations are probably that it has a better chance of being stronger because it was pre-government shutdown," said Charles Comiskey, head of Treasuries trading at Bank of Nova Scotia in New York.

The benchmark 10-year U.S. Treasury note fell 5/32 in price to yield 2.605 percent.

The dollar climbed against the yen and the Swiss franc as a few investors positioned for an expected strong U.S. jobs data reading on Tuesday, which will provide new fodder for the debate over when the Fed will begin to scale back monetary stimulus.

Economists polled by Reuters expect jobs growth of around 180,000 and an unemployment rate steady at 7.3 percent.

"For now, all eyes will turn to U.S. nonfarm payrolls data tomorrow, with markets anticipating a print near the 180K level," said Boris Schlossberg, managing director of FX strategy at BK Asset Management in New York. "If the numbers are close to expectations, the greenback could see a relief rebound as the week proceeds."

The dollar rose 0.44 percent against the yen to 98.13 yen, inching toward a near three-week high of 99.00 yen set last Thursday. Against the Swiss franc, the dollar was up 0.03 percent at 0.9020 franc.

The dollar index was up 0.09 percent at 79.726 <.dxy>.

U.S. crude slipped below $100 per barrel on pressure from strong supply, but losses were limited by hopes the Fed will delay curbing its money-printing program until next year.

Stocks of U.S. crude oil gained 4.0 million barrels, almost double the forecast for a build of 2.2 million barrels, according to the Energy Information Administration.

Brent crude futures for December delivery slipped 24 cents to $109.70 a barrel.

U.S. crude oil futures for November delivery fell by $1.05 to $99.76 a barrel.

(Additional reporting by Richard Hubbard in London; Editing by Dan Grebler and Leslie Adler)

• Finance
• Investment & Company Information

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/aussie-shares-hit-five-high-dollar-near-eight-010057117--finance.html
Category: Hiroshi Yamauchi   harry potter   tracy mcgrady   ben affleck   Lady Gaga Applause  

'Fifty Shades': Charlie Hunnam's Script Showdown and the Chaotic Final Days

In the wake of Charlie Hunnam's abrupt departure from "Fifty Shades of Grey," the studio is left to scramble desperately for another actor to star opposite Dakota Johnson.

This story first appeared in the Oct. 25 issue of The Hollywood Reporter magazine.

Universal Pictures and Focus Features haven't yet resorted to posting a woman-seeking-man personal ad on Craigslist. But in the wake of Charlie Hunnam's abrupt departure from Fifty Shades of Grey -- after what sources say was increasing conflict with the high-profile film's creative team -- the studio is left to scramble desperately for another actor to star opposite Dakota Johnson in the role of billionaire S&M fan Christian Grey so the project can meet a looming Nov. 1 start date.

PHOTOS: Stars Misaligned: Charlie Hunnam Quits 'Fifty Shades' and 15 Other Casting Near-Misses 

Universal chairman Donna Langley, producers Michael De Luca and Dana Brunetti, director Sam Taylor-Johnson and author EL James are said to have drafted a list of four men they want to read for the role. Although the list is being kept under NSA-level secrecy, THR.com revealed Oct. 13 that British TV stars Jamie Dornan, 31, and Christian Cooke, 26, are among the targets. Both actors came close to capturing the part the first time around but lost to Hunnam because the Sons of Anarchy star is a bigger name. (True Blood's Alexander Skarsgard also is being considered.)

Dornan could be emerging as a front-runner. Born in Northern Ireland, he's a former Calvin Klein model, dated Keira Knightley for two years and played Sheriff Graham on the first season of ABC's Once Upon a Time. According to a source, Dornan was contacted by Langley even before Hunnam officially dropped out Oct. 12. But a Dornan confidant says no overtures had been made at press time to the actor, who stars in British series The Fall, on which he plays a killer terrorizing Belfast. The fact that Dornan's wife, actress-singer Amelia Warner, is pregnant also could complicate matters.

PHOTOS: Top 10 Fan Favorites for the Cast of 'Fifty Shades of Grey' 

The last thing Universal wants is another actor to emerge as its Fifty Shades protagonist only to waffle. The studio is reeling over Hunnam's exit less than three weeks before the start of production. Sources say his discomfort with the hoopla around the project had been mounting for at least four weeks before he bailed, which officially was blamed on his Sons schedule not allowing him time to prepare (the FX series wraps production Oct. 21). After signing Sept. 2, Hunnam faced a public frenzy on social media sites, where fans of the book congregated to fawn over and complain about his casting. Universal was forced to hire bodyguards for the actor at a recent Sons premiere, and two appearances to promote the show were canceled -- one at Goulet Motosports in Hawkesbury, Ontario, on Sept. 14, and one at Rocky's Harley-Davidson in London, Ontario, on Oct. 13.

In addition, Hunnam, who also is a writer (he penned the gothic horror screenplay Vlad for Brad Pitt's Plan B and Summit Entertainment), is said to have submitted his own very detailed script notes on Kelly Marcel's adaptation of the runaway best-seller. The notes were well received, according to sources, but that only led to Hunnam seeking further script approval, which was denied. "That's Charlie, that's who he is. He's particular," says one source.

STORY: Charlie Hunnam Drops Out of 'Fifty Shades of Grey' Movie 

According to another source, Hunnam, who was to be paid about $125,000 for the film, began butting heads with the creative team, including Taylor-Johnson. The conflict reached a fever pitch in early October, though everyone involved thought the issues had been resolved. But the discord spiked again Oct. 11. Hunnam's team at CAA and Brillstein Entertainment Partners strongly advised him to stay on the project for fear that his exit would embarrass Langley -- new to the chairman job -- and burn a bridge with one of the major studios. That same day, Universal hired writer Patrick Marber -- no stranger to taboo sex themes with his Oscar-nominated screenplay Notes on a Scandal -- to do a polish and bolster the characters. But by then, Hunnam, whose heart it seems never was in the project, had decided to decamp. The next morning, the studio announced his departure, and James tweeted, "I wish Charlie all the best." Universal and CAA declined comment.

Hunnam isn't the first actor to have doubts about playing the dungeon-loving Christian Grey. James' first choice, Robert Pattinson, never engaged with producers. Garrett Hedlund was heavily courted this summer and even received an informal offer, but the Tron: Legacy star passed in July because he couldn't connect with the character. Now he is in Australia to shoot the Angelina Jolie-directed Unbroken.

EXCLUSIVE: 'Fifty Shades' Movie Hires Writer for Script Work

Fortunately for Universal, its leading lady, Johnson, 24, remains firmly in place, ready to take on the virgin-turned-sexpert Anastasia Steele, a role that has greater dimension than the Grey character. But with the clock ticking, the start of production likely will need to be pushed back at least a week. Still, the studio says it remains committed to making its Aug. 1, 2014, release date.

For her part, the ever-involved James (she has approval rights on cast) is in Los Angeles the week of Oct. 14 as the hunt for a new Christian Grey continues. As the author writes no fewer than 44 times in Fifty Shades: "Oh my."

Borys Kit contributed to this report.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/thr/news/~3/sUPVRc7sw5M/fifty-shades-charlie-hunnams-script-648778
Similar Articles: The Walking Dead Season 4   Kwame Kilpatrick   breast cancer awareness   tesla model s   lindsay lohan  

AFI Fest Will Include 'Lone Survivor' World Premiere

The 2013 AFI Fest will include the world premiere of Peter Berg's Lone Survivor on Tuesday, Nov. 12, it was announced today. The showcase also announced additional gala and special screenings of awards hopefuls like August: Osage County (Friday, Nov. 8), Spike Jonze's Her and Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom.

There will also be a gala screening of Bernardo Bertolucci's The Last Emperor 3D on Sunday, Nov. 10.

STORY: 'Out of the Furnace' Added to AFI Fest

The showcase will also include special screenings of Ralph Fiennes' The Invisible Woman, Stephen Frears' Philomena, Errol Morris' documentary The Unknown Known: The Life and Times of Donald Rumsfeld, Frank Pavich's Jodorowsky's Dune and Asghar Farhadi's The Past (Le Passe).

The AFI Fest previously announced that it would open with the North American premiere of Disney's Saving Mr. Banks, starring Tom Hanks, and close with a gala screening of the Coen brothers' Inside Llewyn Davis. Other previously announced centerpiece galas include the world premiere of Out of the Furnace (Saturday, Nov. 9), a screening of Alexander Payne's Nebraska with a tribute to Bruce Dern (Monday, Nov. 11) and a screening of Ben Stiller's The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (Wednesday, Nov. 13).

The 2013 AFI Fest runs from Nov. 7-14 in Los Angeles.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/thr/film/~3/9bP7cEcE3Bc/story01.htm
Related Topics: government shutdown   liam hemsworth   Ozymandias   Niall Horan   Joanna Krupa