Katy Perry Breaks Her Silence About Divorce

Singer tweets for the first time since her split with Russell Brand
By Jocelyn Vena

Katy Perry
Photo: Getty Images

A week after news broke that Katy Perry and Russell Brand are divorcing after a year of marriage, the pop singer has broken her silence.

On Saturday, she took to Twitter to open up publicly for the first time since the split.

"I am so grateful for all the love and support I've had from people around the world," she wrote. "You guys have made my heart happy again."

In another tweet minutes later, she addressed the tabloid chatter that has been swirling around since Brand filed for divorce in Los Angeles on December 30. "Concerning the gossip, I want to be clear that NO ONE speaks for me," she said, "Not a blog, magazine, 'close sources' or my family."

The tweets come days before Perry is set to make her first public appearance at the People's Choice Awards on Wednesday [January 11] where she's up for a number of awards.

The People's Choice Awards marks the beginning of a slew of expected appearances from the singer. She's also slated to make two appearances on her California Dreams Tour later this month, one on January 19 in Jakarta, Indonesia, and another on January 22 in the Philippines.

Perry's next awards show appearance could take place February 12 at the Grammys, where she's up for two awards: Record of the Year and Best Pop Solo Performance for "Firework."

Brand released a statement at the time of the announcement, saying, "Sadly, Katy and I are ending our marriage. I will always adore her and I know we'll remain friends."

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1676905/katy-perry-divorce-twitter-russell-brand.jhtml

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PFT: Steelers RB coach badly burned in fire

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Earlier this week, we pointed out that the Jeff Fisher Leverage Game had begun.? We then observed that the Jeff Fisher Leverage Game was working.

Now, the Jeff Fisher Leverage Game is moving toward its climax.

Friday?s announcement that Fisher will pick either the Rams or the Dolphins narrowed his options, but necessarily publicly pitted two franchises against each other.? Last night?s report from Howard Balzer of 101espn.com that Fisher is on the verge of picking the Rams over the Dolphins likely will prompt the Dolphins to accelerate their efforts to make it rain over Fisher in the hopes of getting him to choose South Beach over St. Louis.

In the end, the question becomes how much money Fisher is willing to leave on the table, if he?s inclined to coach the Rams.

Fisher is wise, or at least shrewd, to make it known at this point that he?s leaning toward the Rams.? Dolphins owner Stephen Ross seems to be more desperate than Rams owner Stan Kroenke to hire a guy with a recognizable name, and it already has been reported that Ross won?t be outbid for Fisher.

So if Ross ups the ante, Kroenke may feel compelled to sweeten the deal.? And Ross could then throw some more cash onto the pile.? With each step in this waltz, Fisher wins.

Even though Ross seems to be willing to overpay for the biggest name on this year?s market in lieu of finding the next Sean Payton or Mike McCarthy or Mike Tomlin from the ranks of assistant coaches, there?s a certain point where the money gap should get Fisher?s attention.? Sure, picking Miami would put Fisher in the same division with Bill Belichick and Tom Brady.? But the AFC currently has only three teams that can be regarded as elite:? the Patriots, Ravens, and Steelers.? In the NFC, Fisher would have to deal with a crowded two tiers of teams (Packers, 49ers, Saints, Falcons, Giants, Lions, Eagles, Cowboys) that could take turns dominating the conference over the next five years.

Besides, the NFC West no longer consists of a four-pack of Twinkies.? The Niners will be competitive for as long as Jim Harbaugh is the coach.? The Seahawks and Cardinals finished strong in 2011.? As a result, 7-9 went from being good enough for first place to good enough for third place in only one year.

And so, while Balzer?s report is surely based on legitimate information originating with Fisher?s camp, it?s the flip side of Mike Silver?s report from earlier in the week, which pointed to Fisher picking the Fins.? The carefully orchestrated dance will continue, until Fisher has coaxed the maximum offer out of both owners.? Then, and only then, will we know what Fisher definitely will do.

Source: http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/01/06/kirby-wilsons-injuries-serious-but-not-life-threatening/related/

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Union powers its way to 7-1 victory over Dartmouth

SCHENECTADY ? Sophomore Daniel Carr and freshman Trevor Mingoia each scored twice, and the Union power-play unit converted four times as the Dutchmen routed visiting Dartmouth College?7-1 in ECAC play tonight at Messa Rink.

Goals by Jeremy Welsh, Shayne Gostisbehere, and Carr staked No. 14 Union (10-5-6, 4-2-3) to a 3-0 first-period lead before Mingoia?tallied twice in the second period to give the Dutchmen a 5-0 lead at the second intermission.

Carr added his second power-play?goal of the night in the third, and?Cole Ikkala?scored?his second of the season to give the Dutchmen a 7-0 lead midway through the?third period. ?

Sophomore goaltender Troy Grosenick had?29 saves in the victory.

Source: http://blog.timesunion.com/hockey/union-powers-its-way-to-7-1-win-over-dartmouth/10677/

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James van Riemsdyk leads Flyers over Blackhawks

Philadelphia Flyers' James van Riemsdyk (21) shoots a goal past Chicago Blackhawks' Ray Emery (30) and Patrick Kane (88) in the second period of an NHL hockey game on Thursday, Jan. 5, 2012, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Philadelphia Flyers' James van Riemsdyk (21) shoots a goal past Chicago Blackhawks' Ray Emery (30) and Patrick Kane (88) in the second period of an NHL hockey game on Thursday, Jan. 5, 2012, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Philadelphia Flyers' Harry Zolnierczyk celebrates after scoring a goal in the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Chicago Blackhawks, Thursday, Jan. 5, 2012, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Philadelphia Flyers' Zac Rinaldo (36) and Chicago Blackhawks' Andrew Shaw (65) fight in the first period of an NHL hockey game on Thursday, Jan. 5, 2012, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Philadelphia Flyers' Ilya Bryzgalov (30), of Russia, reacts after giving up a goal to Chicago Blackhawks' Jimmy Hayes (39) in the first period of an NHL hockey game on Thursday, Jan. 5, 2012, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Chicago Blackhawks' Jimmy Hayes celebrates after scoring a goal as Philadelphia Flyers' fans react in the first period of an NHL hockey game on Thursday, Jan. 5, 2012, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

PHILADELPHIA (AP) ? Filling in for Jaromir Jagr, James van Riemsdyk played like an All-Star.

Van Riemsdyk's second goal on the power play with 32.8 seconds remaining lifted the Philadelphia Flyers to a 5-4 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks on Thursday night.

Brent Seabrook and Patrick Kane scored 25 seconds apart late in the third period to tie it, but van Riemsdyk made sure the Flyers shook off the disappointment from their Winter Classic loss.

"I felt pretty confident out there. We had some good chemistry tonight," said van Riemsdyk, who moved up from the fourth line to the first one to replace the injured Jagr.

Van Riemsdyk was one of the few bright spots in Philadelphia's short playoff run last year, scoring seven goals in 11 games. But he struggled at times this season and didn't seem on track.

Until now.

"JVR was good," coach Peter Laviolette said. "It was his best game. I think the fact that he was skating to be physical, he was banging bodies. I think this is a game he can use to get excited about, go into the next game and build off it."

Scott Hartnell, Harry Zolnierczyk and van Riemsdyk scored goals in a span of 4:20 in the second period, and Jakub Voracek also scored for the Flyers against Ray Emery in his first game back in Philadelphia.

Ilya Bryzgalov made 30 saves to earn his first win since Dec. 13.

Claude Giroux set up van Riemsdyk's winning goal with a perfect pass to Hartnell, who slid the puck across the crease to his new linemate. Van Riemsdyk shot it into an open net to give the Flyers a 5-4 lead.

"Scotty just put it on tape and set it up for me. Made it easy for me," van Riemsdyk said.

Jimmy Hayes and Andrew Shaw also scored for Chicago. It was the Blackhawks' first game in Philadelphia since skating off the ice with the Stanley Cup after their overtime victory in Game 6 of the finals on June 9, 2010.

Coming off a 3-2 loss to the New York Rangers in the Winter Classic across the street at Citizens Bank Park, the Flyers started slow and didn't score until the final minute of the first period.

Braydon Coburn's slap shot from the point sailed wide of the net and ricocheted off the boards to Voracek, who wristed it in from the left circle.

The Blackhawks went up 1-0 when Hayes scored following a turnover by Zac Rinaldo in Philadelphia's zone. Rinaldo's clearing attempt went to Jamal Mayers, who sent a shot toward the net. Hayes redirected it past Bryzgalov.

Rinaldo made up for his gaffe right after the ensuing faceoff. The rookie enforcer took on Shaw, giving the youngster a tough introduction in his NHL debut. Rinaldo's first punch opened a huge gash above Shaw's left eye and blood squirted onto the ice.

Shaw got some stitches and then showed off his offensive skills in the second period, giving the Blackhawks a 2-1 lead. He skated in from behind the net, made a nifty move around Kimmo Timonen and backhanded a shot past Bryzgalov.

"The fight, he challenged me and I accepted," Shaw said. "I knew what type of fighter he was. He's a well-respected player in the league. He would just keep throwing punches. He got one early. I hit him with a few late."

The Flyers answered quickly after falling behind.

Hartnell's tying goal came 17 seconds later. Hartnell swatted a behind-the-net pass from Giroux past Emery for his 18th goal.

Zolnierczyk scored the go-ahead goal off a rebound of Sean Couturier's shot, and Van Riemsdyk also put in a rebound 23 seconds later for a 4-2 lead.

"Our home-ice record hasn't been very good and it's something we had to address," Zolnierczyk said.

Seconds after Hartnell's deflection hit the post, Seabrook got the Blackhawks within 4-3. His wrist shot fluttered above Bryzgalov's right shoulder.

A turnover by Marc-Andre Bourdon set up Kane's tying goal. Bourdon's clearing pass went to Jonathan Toews. Kane then blasted a shot from the slot just under the crossbar. An angry Bourdon smashed his stick across the net, breaking it into two pieces.

Bryzgalov, who signed a nine-year, $51 million contract in June, didn't start the last two games and wasn't disappointed about watching the Winter Classic from the bench. He even told reporters that Sergei Bobrovsky gave the Flyers a better chance to win. They blew a 2-0 lead against the Rangers.

Bryzgalov didn't speak after this game. He said he wasn't feeling well.

Bryzgalov wore new pads, a brown leather pair reminiscent of the ones former Flyers goalie Pelle Lindbergh used. Lindbergh died in a car accident in November 1985, a few months after winning the Vezina Trophy.

Emery got a second chance in the NHL two years ago with the Flyers, but his stint in Philadelphia ended prematurely. He had hip surgery and missed the Flyers' run to the Cup finals.

Emery also didn't speak to reporters.

"Razor did his job stopping the first chances," Toews said about Emery. "We just have to do better with the second chances."

Notes: Timonen left the game with an upper body injury. His status is uncertain. ... The Flyers improved to 9-6-2 at home. ... This was the only meeting between the teams this regular season. ... The Flyers have won nine straight regular-season games at home against the Blackhawks. Chicago's last win was Nov. 9, 2006. ... Giroux has 19 points in his last 11 games. ... Jagr injured his left calf against the Rangers.

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/347875155d53465d95cec892aeb06419/Article_2012-01-05-Blackhawks-Flyers/id-25eebe9bdd804af6b2c1b40e955eed4f

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Fines pending for Ind. House Dems in labor battle

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) ? Indiana's House Democrats are bracing for major financial pain as they begin a third day blocking a bill that would make Indiana the first state in more than a decade to enact right-to-work legislation.

Fines of $1,000 daily for each Democrat could hit Friday depending on what Republican House Speaker Brian Bosma decides to do.

But Democratic Rep. Vanessa Summers says she is ready to suffer the fines as a single mother who lost her home and is putting her son through college.

Summers and other Democrats have denied Republicans the numbers needed in the House to push a bill that would bar private unions from collecting mandatory fees.

Republicans put the new fines in place after Democrats blocked the measure last year with a five-week walkout.

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/386c25518f464186bf7a2ac026580ce7/Article_2012-01-06-Indiana-Right%20to%20Work/id-974648180d5c47cd892484747c1817b6

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Gypsum golf course may re-open next week

GYPSUM, Colorado ? A few hearty duffers were playing the Gypsum Creek Golf Course a year ago. The course is closed right now, but may re-open by the end of next week.

Course general manager Susie Helmerich said the town recently decided to run the course in-house, after contracting out the job last season. After the switchover, the course will probably re-open, at least as long as there's little to no snow on the ground.

?You can actually walk the course now,? Helmerich said, adding she's seen a few people doing just that over the last month or so. Those people have generally been playing on the lower portion of the course, since there's a pretty steep climb up to three holes on a mesa.

When the course does re-open for play, Helmerich said people will probably still have to walk the course, since running carts right now would be bad for the grass.

When the course re-opens for play, it will probably cost about $25 to play, and the pro shop will be open, at least part of the time.

But all bets are off if it snows. Last year, Gypsum Creek was hosting golfers into February ? the lower valley didn't get nearly the snow the ski resorts did last season ? before a big snowfall closed course until spring.

Source: http://www.vaildaily.com/ARTICLE/20120105/NEWS/120109926/1062/RSS

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$15.2tn US debt passes 100% of GDP, Greece threatens default

Posted on 04 January 2012 with no comments from readers

Markets started the first day of the New Year with a rally with commodities sharply up too. The ArabianMoney pick of the year silver (click here) was up the most at seven per cent on the day.

But the bad news that got little coverage on a good day for official economic statistics was still there like the unwelcome guest at a party.

100% US debt ratio

The US debt to GDP ratio officially past 100 per cent of GDP for the first time at $15.22 trillion. As Zerohedge reported the world?s largest national economy is only $14 billion away from its own debt ceiling, and that is not a large sum when the total debt is double-figure trillions.

At the same time Greece got tough with negotiators over terms of a $170 billion international bailout deal signalling that it wants a 75 per cent haircut for privately held bonds that mature in March, and will default if that cannot be achieved.

Then perhaps the heightened state of tension in the Hormuz Straits is being overlooked. There are fears of a 1970s-style jump in the price of oil if Iran goes ahead with threats to close the straits should European leaders impose an embargo on Iranian oil exports and freeze Iranian central bank assets by the end of this month.

Oil price rises tend to preceed global economic downturns as we saw with $147 oil in July 2008 just before the global economic crisis of that autumn.

In 1973 the price of oil shot up 400 per cent plunging Western economies into a severe recession and 1974 saw one of the worst downturns ever in major stock markets.

New Year fear

You could almost wonder where the financial markets found their New Year cheer yesterday. It can?t last. The accumulation of negative factors by the end of last year was overwhelming and global trade is already in a slowdown.

There is a horrible logic carrying this forward into 2012 with debts only growing bigger and bigger, Greece close to breaking point and plenty of geo-political problems to unsettle the Middle East and the all important oil price.

Perhaps there is always a tendency to see the bright side of life after a holiday break but only a fool would invest money when feeling over-optimistic.

Source: http://www.arabianmoney.net/gold-silver/2012/01/04/15-2tn-us-debt-passes-100-of-gdp-greece-threatens-default/

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