| Speaker on brink over expenses
The new revelations come with Martin facing intense pressure to stand down from the job he has held since 2000, when he took over from Labour MP Betty Boothroyd.It was reported yesterday that four senior MPs are being canvassed to see whether they would be interested in becoming Speaker. MPs are powerless to get rid of a Speaker, but many critical MPs hope the pressure of the current row will see Martin resign. Friends, however, say that he is determined to stay on until after the next General Election, claiming he is the victim of snobbery and discrimination.The post of Speaker is one of the most prestigious in British politics and comes with a £138,000 salary and a grace-and-favour house in the Palace of Westminster.On Martin's expenses for 2006-07, he is listed as spending £17,346 on the Additional Costs Allowance (ACA), which MPs use to pay for the costs of running a second home or, if they do not have a home, staying in hotels.
Fitness firm stays agile
In the multibillion-dollar fitness industry, keeping health clubs and exercise facilities in good shape is an ongoing challenge.
Gyms and fitness clubs open and close every year. New methods of staying in shape come and go, burning out over time as fitness enthusiasts look to the next new facility or workout regimen for inspiration.
In the Tulsa area, a handful of clubs and centers facing financial problems and declining memberships have closed in the past few years. Yet one local entrepreneur -- with a knack for what it takes to compete -- has seen his fitness business stay on track and expand for almost 32 years.
Jim Benien's All American Fitness has held steady against an influx of out-of-state chains, huge family-oriented health centers and smaller specialty facilities since he founded his business in 1976.
Et tu, YouTube
It makes it the copyright holder's job to find infringing content on a site like YouTube, and to request the content be removed. "If YouTube takes stuff down when they get a notice, they're pretty much protected by the safe harbor, no matter how many people post copyrighted content," Schultz said. Despite the protections of the Copyright Act, a copyright holder can still try to sue YouTube for copyright infringement and seek damages. Nguyen said one suit has already been filed against YouTube by Robert Tur of Los Angeles News Service, alleging a video he shot of the 1992 beating of Reginald Denny was posted to YouTube without his permission and seen more than 1,000 times. Tur's lawsuit, filed in July, claims the copy on YouTube limited his ability to profit from the video by licensing it.
Vigil honors slain restaurant owner
He fought to stay composed at Friday's candlelight vigil for his best friend, Degene Barecha, who was gunned down Wednesday in his Central District store, Philadelphia Cheese Steak. Kefenine wrapped his arms around the women, whose agony could be heard a block away. Then he crouched below a bullet hole in a store window, knelt on the curb and saw the blood that still stained the beige floor. He put his head in his hands and broke down. .
NFL Wire Notes | Parcells headed for Miami
Parcells and Dolphins owner Wayne Huizenga agreed Wednesday on a four-year contract to be Miami's vice president of football operations, according to ESPN, which employs the two-time Super Bowl-winning coach as an analyst. The Dolphins declined to comment, only saying no contract has been signed, and no one at Huizenga's business office was authorized to comment when reached by The Associated Press. Parcells, who previously coached the Giants, Patriots, Jets and Cowboys, is apparently set to return to the NFL. "Really?" defensive lineman Vonnie Holliday said. "You can't control it. But somebody like the Big Tuna, regardless of who's in the front office or who's not, brings a lot of respect and a lot of credibility with him. ... If you're a free agent out there, that might draw you in." The Falcons announced Parcells, 66, turned them down.
Porn baron Paul Raymond dies at 82
Porn baron and property magnate Paul Raymond has died at 82. Raymond, once dubbed the King of Soho, opened the only premises in Britain to stage live striptease shows in 1958. His porn magazines included Razzle, Men's World and Mayfair and he was thought to be worth 650 million. Raymond, once Britain's foremost porn baron, brought erotica into the mainstream. The son of a Liverpool haulage contractor, he accrued his wealth by snapping up property in Soho and west London as prices dropped in the 1970s. Born Geoffrey Anthony Quinn, he was raised in Glossop, Derbyshire, and left school at 15, determined to break into showbusiness. His first break was in the form of a mind-reading act on Clacton Pier, when he changed his name.
El Duque, Mets react to Fidel Castro's resignation as Cuban president
PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. The televisions in the Mets' clubhouse were on Tuesday morning as they always are before practice. Only this time they weren't tuned to basketball dunks or steroid testimony. Pedro Martinez and others watched the news of Fidel Castro's resignation as Cuba's president. Many of the Mets' Latin American players weren't shy with an opinion. Mets chief operating officer Jeff Wilpon even envisioned an avenue of growth. However, the person most affected by the news had nothing to say. "I don't know what's going on down there," said pitcher Orlando Hernandez, who fled the country in 1998 to play for the Yankees. Hernandez still has family in the country and has previously declined comment, citing their safety. He once said he used to listen to the Yankees on the radio and dreamed of playing in the United States.
Over on Kausfiles
How is letting Marketa Irglova back on stage to finish her Oscar acceptance speech like Kosovo independence? Feels good, bad precedent. [Other ex.?-ed Immigration amnesty!] 11:37 P.M. ___________________________ Friday, February 22, 2008 The McCain camp declares "Mission Accomplished" on the Iseman story. I mean, what could happen now to give it legs? ... Oh wait. Isikoff already has BS McCain Denial #1, which is where his campaign says that "[n]o representative of [Iseman client] Paxson [Communications] ...discussed with Senator McCain the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) proceeding regarding the transfer of Pittsburgh public television station (WQED) ..." It turns out McCain himself said in a deposition that he'd discussed it with Mr.
News Of The Day
On Monday, Aubertine told an editorial board meeting at The Post-Standard that if the wind project is developed, his farm could host five to 10 wind turbines that could bring in $50,000 to $100,000 a year. " (Syr. Post Standard, 2/22/08) Aubertine backed up the Barclay ad on his wind farm votes with his own words 3 days before it even went up on air. This guy is a fraud and the people of the 48th will be sorely disappointed if theymake the mistake of electing this clown. .
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