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Three months after receiving the prestigious Nobel Peace Prize in Oslo, US President Barack Obama is yet to receive the $1.4 million cash award, the White House said on Wednesday.
“Not that I am aware of, no,” White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs told reporters at his daily press briefing when asked if Obama has received the check of $1.4 million from the Norwegian Nobel Committee; which awarded him the coveted peace prize on December 10 last year.
Gibbs told curious reporters that Obama has not asked for the money yet. “I assume it (money) is with the committee,” he said.
Soon after receiving the award, the White House had said that Obama intends to donate this money to charities.
“That’s what we’re working on. That’s quite perceptive,” he said.
“There will be a process to evaluate that, from his perspective. I assume it will be many different charities. But he has not told me or anybody else here the specifics of what those might be,” Gibbs had told reporters on October 13.
On October 9, the Nobel Prize Committee had announced that Obama has won the Peace Prize for the year 2009 “his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples.”
Humbled by the prize, Obama said in a statement which he read from the Rose Garden of the White House that he will accept this award as a call to action, a call for all nations to confront the common challenges of the 21st century.
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US Vice President Joe Biden meets Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem on Tuesda View this Post in:
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The Obama Administration strongly condemned the Israeli decision on new settlements in East Jerusalem on Tuesday, saying that this would sharply undermine confidence building measures between Israel and Palestine on finding a lasting solution to conflict in the region.
US Vice President Joe Biden, who is travelling in the region, issued a statement to condemn the decision by the government of Israel to advance planning for new housing units in East Jerusalem.
“The substance and timing of the announcement, particularly with the launching of proximity talks, is precisely the kind of step that undermines the trust we need right now and runs counter to the constructive discussions that I’ve had here in Israel,” Biden said, adding that unilateral action taken by either party cannot prejudge the outcome of negotiations on permanent status issues.
Echoing Biden, White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said: “Neither the substance or the timing is particularly helpful nor I think runs counter to the very productive talks that the Vice President was having in the region.”
Biden observed that one must build an atmosphere to support negotiations, not complicate them.
This announcement underscores the need to get negotiations underway that can resolve all the outstanding issues of the conflict, he said.
Biden said the US recognises that Jerusalem is a deeply important issue for Israelis and Palestinians and for Jews, Muslims and Christians.
“We believe that through good faith negotiations, the parties can mutually agree on an outcome that realises the aspirations of both parties for Jerusalem and safeguards its status for people around the world,” he said.
Biden said the Obama Administration encourages the parties and all concerned to refrain from any statements or actions which may inflame tensions or prejudice the outcome of these talks.
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Simon Cowell smiled and even blushed a little on “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno” when asked about his possible engagement
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Simon Cowell scowling — typical. Simon Cowell blushing? Indeed.
The famously cantankerous “American Idol” judge squirmed in his seat on “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno” on Monday as the host dissected reports of Cowell’s engagement to Idol makeup artist Mezhgan Hussainy.
“Are rumors you’re engaged true?” Leno asked. Cowell took a moment and responded carefully, “Are they true? Well, I do have somebody in my life now, Jay, yes. And I kinda made a decision this year to make somebody happy.”
As the audience cheered, Leno asked about the huge ring Hussainy has been sporting on her left hand.
“I thought she broke her arm,” Leno joked. Cowell responded, “It’s quite a big one, yes.”
When Leno called Cowell out for turning red, Cowell confessed, “I am blushing.” Leno asked, “Where did you, or may have, gotten engaged?” Cowell said, “I find this very uncomfortable. I was asleep, I think. No, look, I bought her the ring in London.”
Later, Leno spotted Hussainy, 36, in the audience and invited her to come on stage to join Cowell, 50. The pair looked giddy and comfortable with each other, said a witness.
As Cowell and Leno joked about what role, if any, Leno would have in Cowell’s future wedding — Cowell suggested Leno could be a flower girl — Cowell said that he would want a wedding “in the next 10 years” and on the subject of having children, added, “I’m kind of torn because I’m a bit too old to have kids, but then again I think it would be important to have a lot of me’s around in the future.”
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The “In Memoriam” section has become an awards show staple: tasteful music played under images of the past year’s notable dearly departed in that particular industry.
There will always be disagreements over the length of the piece, who rated highest on the “death-meter” with the most applause, the music (I’m a huge James Taylor fan, but I heard from people who thought his rendition of “In My Life” was inappropriate or otherwise off) … and most of all, who is included and who is left out.
This year, the last strains of James’ guitar were still lingering and the Oscar telecast had barely gone to commercial when I started hearing from friends: “Where was Farrah Fawcett?”
I replayed mental tape, and sure enough, while many of the other major celebs who passed away last year - many during the “Summer of Death” – made the Oscar show’s cut, Fawcett was nowhere to be seen. Natasha Richardson, Dom DeLuise, David Carradine, Karl Malden, Patrick Swayze (yes, he was there right at the beginning of the montage), and Brittany Murphy, but no sign of Farrah’s signature blonde mane and dazzling smile.
The Academy’s reaction to the avalanche of criticism that followed was predictable, and reasonable: they can’t include everybody.
That said, presumably there are standards to determine who makes the cut and who doesn’t. Obviously, fame is one of those criteria. On the other hand, the Oscar death roll always includes executives, writers, directors, and other less-famous folk who had significant film industry roles, so obviously there’s a balance to be struck. For instance, Bea Arthur did almost exclusively television, with just a few movie credits in her six-decade career, so it made sense that the Emmys saluted her last fall, but the Oscars did not.
That brings us to (deep breath … bracing for hate mail from his fans …) Michael Jackson. His death last June, just a few hours after Fawcett’s, overshadowed hers in the news, and now it seems it’s happened again. Yes, Farrah was known largely for “Charlie’s Angels” and such TV movies as “The Burning Bed,” but she was in plenty of movies, including “Dr. T. and the Women,” “The Apostle,” “Man of the House,” “See You In The Morning,” “Extremities,” “The Cannonball Run,” “Saturn 3″ and “Logan’s Run.” Okay, maybe some of those films were better candidates for the Razzies than the Oscars, but let’s consider Jackson’s big-screen credits: “The Wiz,” “This Is It,” and… um… that “Men in Black II” cameo. Suddenly, Farrah’s list looks a lot better.
Film critic Roger Ebert tweeted that he felt the snub was “a major fail” by the Academy and that they have “a whole lot of splaining to do.”
There’s an old Latin phrase (I know, I know: there aren’t many new Latin phrases): de mortuis nil nisi bonum - speak no ill of the dead. However, they didn’t say anything about arguing over the dead. Have at it: what did you think of Michael’s inclusion, Farrah’s exclusion, and the entire concept?
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Welcome back Bauerites: Let’s get right to it. The day continues, and the latest hour of “24″ is in the books.
I’ve been hopeful for the momentum to continue onward and upward. No more setbacks. No more costly deductions of “cool points” with dumb subplots. Well Bauerites, the latest episode gave us a bumpy, dramatic ride as Jack and the CTU team are officially rolling. Each remaining episode of “24″ is now all set to thrill us right through until the end of the season. Mark it down.
As I recall, in seasons past, there have been the same types of highs and lows we’re seeing this season. There have been some quirks, extremely hate-able characters, and irritating storylines here and there. This season is no different. The writers have had their moments, and the legions of Bauerites on this blog have not hesitated to give them the business. Collectively, we grew antsy and impatient, but the last three episodes have renewed my optimism.
How do I know? How am I so certain?
By my count, I tallied three different “Hell yeah, Jack!” moments in last night’s show as I yelled back at the TV (don’t judge). Three is a pretty high number, and Jack’s promise to “personally escort Marcos’ mom to the blast site to expose her to the radiation” is my favorite brand of harsh threat that tastes great as I’m watching. Say it with me people, “Hell yeah Jack!”
Meanwhile, while we’re checking the stats, it also took about seven minutes from the start of the show for Hastings to earn even MORE of my respect! His sermon to Dana and Cole upon their return to CTU didn’t necessarily feature fire and brimstone, but I actually believed he was pissed, and the look on his face when he saw them entering the building was priceless. Hastings has been chock full of “man up” for almost a full three hours now, and I’m also granting him a few bonus points for ordering Dana to take orders from Chloe. You da’ man!
Elsewhere, President Hassan, his daughter and estranged wife are certainly a gleeful bunch. Is it just me, or is his storyline a ray of sunshine that beams down directly to the furthest depths of hell? It’s official sir: you are having a bad day, and you have every right to be suspicious of any and every one. Arrest them all, and let them explain themselves behind bars. At least that way, they can’t try to kill you, take calls on their cell phones from other people they order to kill you, attempt to overthrow your regime, or kidnap your daughter. All bases are covered.
Overall, I thought the show was steady and enjoyable. Another sign of good things to come was a downright dandy preview of next week’s episode. The “plot thickening” is an understatement from what I saw, and I’m already psyched. Yes, that’s a prediction, and I’m making it. We shall not be disappointed.
By the way Bauerites, if you can’t get enough of “24″ and “going Bauer” around your home or office like I have recently, be sure to check out the “2 guys talking 24″ podcast each week. These guys provide great insight, hilarious commentary and invited me on recently. It was big fun, and thanks a lot to the 2 guys. They’re available here and on iTunes.
Got it? Copy that.
Loved, kinda liked, or hated this week’s show? Let us know!
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