Myspace, Act II: A Whole New Tune

The moment you likely haven’t been waiting for has finally arrived: The new Myspace is here. But surprise! It looks pretty good. The troubled social networking site is hoping to relive some of those early-millennium good times with a tight focus on music discovery, a brand-new look (goodbye eye-searing profiles), tablet- and mobile-friendly navigation, and a complete reboot of its membership. The...

Read More..

Countdown to healthcare reform

By Linda SternWASHINGTON (Reuters) – If you like your 401(k) retirement savings account, you’re going to love what healthcare reform does to your employer-provided health care plan.In a post-Obamacare future, expect more employers to adopt defined contribution healthcare plans. Instead of providing coverage, they will throw a set amount of cash at workers and have them buy their own coverage on private...

Read More..

Lance Armstrong may not be done confessing

Lance Armstrong may not be done confessing.His interview with Oprah Winfrey hasn't aired yet, but already some people want to hear more — under oath — before Armstrong is allowed to compete in elite triathlons, a sport he returned to after retiring from cycling in 2011. In addition to stripping him of all seven of his Tour de France titles last year, anti-doping officials banned Armstrong for life...

Read More..

Are gun curbs just symbolism?

STORY HIGHLIGHTSGun violence recommendations are expected from Vice President Biden on TuesdayThe proposals are expected to contain substantive and symbolic ideas to curb gun violencePresidents use symbolism to shift public opinion or affect larger political or social changeWashington (CNN) -- The pictures told the story: Vice President Joe Biden looked solemn, patrician and in control as he sat at...

Read More..

HMV’s future seen as handful of stores and website

LONDON (Reuters) – HMV, the 92-year-old British music retailer seeking protection from creditors, is unlikely to have much of a future beyond a rump of stores and the internet, if other recent retail failures are any guide.After years of struggling as its core business of selling CDs and DVDs was hammered by competition from supermarkets like Tesco, online retailers like Amazon and download sites...

Read More..

Wall Street knocked lower by debt limit worries, Apple

NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. stocks fell on Tuesday on worries over the debate brewing in Washington over raising the U.S. borrowing limit, while Apple's stock extended its fall on concerns of weaker demand for its products. Economic data offset some of the negative tone after retail sales rose more than expected in December. But manufacturing activity in New York state contracted for the...

Read More..

Wal-Mart says to buy more U.S. goods, hire veterans

NEW YORK (Reuters) – Wal-Mart Stores Inc will buy an additional $ 50 billion in U.S.-made products over the next decade in areas like sporting goods and high-end appliances in what the world’s largest retailer called a bid to help boost the U.S. economy.Wal-Mart, the largest private employer and retailer in the United States, also said on Tuesday it plans to hire 100,000 newly discharged veterans...

Read More..

Oprah: Lance Armstrong admitted doping

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Lance Armstrong has finally come clean.Armstrong confessed to doping during an interview with Oprah Winfrey taped Monday, just a couple of hours after a wrenching apology to staff at the Livestrong charity he founded and has now been forced to surrender.The day ended with 2 1/2 hours of questions from Winfrey at a downtown Austin hotel, where she said the world's most famous cyclist...

Read More..

Is China easing up on local media?

A protester calls for greater media freedom outside the headquarters of Nanfang Media Group in Guangzhou on Jan. 9.STORY HIGHLIGHTSYoung: Handling of Southern Weekly row demonstrated tolerant side of new leadershipTraditional, newer media can serve as tools for achieving goals in China's modernizationThe fight against corruption in China is at the top of the list for incoming leader, Xi JinpingYoung:...

Read More..

Famed Hollywood movie house renamed TCL Chinese Theatre

(Reuters) – Hollywood’s landmark Grauman’s Chinese Theatre has a new name after a Chinese company purchased naming rights to the famous movie house and tourist destination.The one-time site of the Academy awards will now be called the TCL Chinese Theatre following a 10-year deal with Chinese TV maker TCL Corp, its owners said on Friday.Opened in 1927, the building had been named for Sid Grauman, a...

Read More..