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Cenk Uygur On Leaving MSNBC: Network Told Me To ‘Tone It Down,’ Didn’t Want To ‘Challenge Power’ (VIDEO)

Cenk Uygur–the progressive online talk show host whose brief tenure as an MSNBC anchor ended on Wednesday–tore into the network in a lengthy monologue on Wednesday night, saying he had turned down a smaller role on MSNBC because he had been told he was too combative towards “those in power.” Uygur had been the 6 PM host the network since January. But that role came to an end on Wednesday, as the network announced that he would not be continuing. Now, every indication is that Al Sharpton will become the new 6 PM host. Sharpton has been guest hosting in the slot for the past few weeks, and his numbers have apparently improved on Uygur’s. Speaking on his “Young Turks” show, Uygur said that, though the ratings for his show had been satisfying MSNBC executives, his “tone” had not. According to his version of events, his departure from the network was the culmination of a protracted struggle with MSNBC management who wanted him to be more buttoned down. Uygur said that, in April, MSNBC president Phil Griffin called him in for a talk. Griffin allegedly told him that “people in Washington” were concerned with his tone on the show. “‘Outsiders are cool, but we’re the establishment,’” Griffin said, according to Uygur, who said he was also told to book more Republicans on the show. He claimed to have been stunned by the conversation, and said he ignored Griffin’s advice. Though his ratings increased, Uygur said that, a couple of weeks ago, he was informed that he would not be getting the permanent slot at 6 PM, but was instead offered a smaller contributor role for twice the salary. He said he turned it down because, in his words, he did not want to work at a place “that didn’t want to challenge power.” For his part, Griffin denied that anyone had ever tried to censor Uygur or control the content of his show. He told the New York Times on Wednesday that he had offered Uygur a weekend show, and that the “people in Washington” he had referred to were not people in the government, but MSNBC producers who said Uygur’s feisty attitude was making it hard for them to book guests. (Uygur is sticking by his version of events.) During a press conference on Thursday, Uygur said that Current TV has “reached out” to him about a potential role on the network, but that there have been no formal discussions yet. He will be a guest on Keith Olbermann’s Thursday show.

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Microsoft reveals Droid-themed Xbox 360 bundle for Star Wars Kinect

Yes, that’s an R2-D2-themed Xbox 360 and accompanying gold C-3PO controller, which are both part of a new Star Wars Kinect bundle that Microsoft officially announced at Comic-Con today. Also included in the bundle is a matching white Kinect sensor, as well as a 320GB hard drive, and both the Star Wars Kinect and Kinect Adventures games — all for $449. Did we mention it also has some custom console sounds? Look for it to land in the fall, with pre-orders starting today. Microsoft reveals Droid-themed Xbox 360 bundle for Star Wars Kinect originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 21 Jul 2011 14:23:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink

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If you’ve always wished for a few extra inches, you might want to reconsider: A new study finds that taller people are at greater risk of getting cancer. For every extra four inches of height in women, the overall risk rises by about 16%, the Wall Street Journal reports. The…

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Dueling Ads: SEIU Targets GOP, Conservatives Pitch ‘Spenditol’

The Service Employees International Union and Americans United for Change, a liberal advocacy group, joined the debt-ceiling fight Wednesday with ads targeting Republican lawmakers. Broadcasting platform : YouTube Source : Washington Wire Discovery Date : 20/07/2011 22:31 Number of articles : 5

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Shrien Dewani extradition: Anni’s family seeks ‘closure’ as hearing ends

Shrien Dewani’s in-laws say 31-year-old will get a fair trial in South Africa, where he is accused of arranging wife’s murder The family of Anni Dewani, who was murdered on her honeymoon in South Africa, told how they wanted “closure” as extradition proceedings against her husband, Shrien, drew to a conclusion. Howard Riddle, the district judge at the extradition hearing before Westminster magistrates at Woolwich crown court, south-east London, retired to consider whether Shrien Dewani, 31, should be sent back to South Africa to face trial for allegedly arranging his wife’s death. Dewani’s lawyers deny that he had any involvement in the killing and say he is too ill to be extradited. They say his human rights will be infringed if he is sent back to South Africa because of jail conditions. Outside court at the end of the hearing, Anni’s uncle, Ashok Hindocha, said the family believed Dewani could get a “fair trial” in Cape Town. He said: “We do believe it will be a fair extradition process here in England and a fair trial in South Africa. This should be a matter of justice and only justice. How long it takes, God knows, but the sooner the better for the whole family. The enormous support we have from the British people and South African people gives us energy.” Anni’s father, Vinod Hindocha, 62, who with other family members attended the hearing, said: “We’re really asking the court: ‘Finish this, get us a closure so that we can move along with our lives.’” Anni Dewani, 28, was shot dead in what South African police allege was a fake car-jacking organised by her husband. Shrien Dewani has severe post traumatic stress disorder and is being treated at a psychiatric hospital in Bristol. About 20 members of Anni’s family, from the UK and Sweden, have been in court to watch the extradition hearing. In his final submissions Hugo Keith QC, for the South African authorities, said it was ridiculous to think Dewani would be neglected if extradited. “No one can suggest the South African authorities would receive an evidently ill man and say: ‘We don’t care, let him rot, he won’t get treatment.’ It cannot be said that South Africa, a civilised and in many respects modern country, does not have the ability to sufficiently cope with the illnesses he suffers.” He said it was likely that Dewani would not be judged fit to stand trial now if he were extradited, but that he might be fit to do so in the future. If he was considered to be ill when he arrived in South Africa he would be treated in a psychiatric hospital, the Valkenberg in Cape Town. Clare Montgomery QC, for Dewani, called for the extradition to be postponed until her client was “a more stable mental state”. She said: “If he is going to get better he will get better quicker here and then he can be extradited.” The judge will decide on 10 August if Dewani should be extradited. Dewani murder case South Africa Extradition Steven Morris guardian.co.uk

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Shrien Dewani extradition: Anni’s family seeks ‘closure’ as hearing ends

Shrien Dewani’s in-laws say 31-year-old will get a fair trial in South Africa, where he is accused of arranging wife’s murder The family of Anni Dewani, who was murdered on her honeymoon in South Africa, told how they wanted “closure” as extradition proceedings against her husband, Shrien, drew to a conclusion. Howard Riddle, the district judge at the extradition hearing before Westminster magistrates at Woolwich crown court, south-east London, retired to consider whether Shrien Dewani, 31, should be sent back to South Africa to face trial for allegedly arranging his wife’s death. Dewani’s lawyers deny that he had any involvement in the killing and say he is too ill to be extradited. They say his human rights will be infringed if he is sent back to South Africa because of jail conditions. Outside court at the end of the hearing, Anni’s uncle, Ashok Hindocha, said the family believed Dewani could get a “fair trial” in Cape Town. He said: “We do believe it will be a fair extradition process here in England and a fair trial in South Africa. This should be a matter of justice and only justice. How long it takes, God knows, but the sooner the better for the whole family. The enormous support we have from the British people and South African people gives us energy.” Anni’s father, Vinod Hindocha, 62, who with other family members attended the hearing, said: “We’re really asking the court: ‘Finish this, get us a closure so that we can move along with our lives.’” Anni Dewani, 28, was shot dead in what South African police allege was a fake car-jacking organised by her husband. Shrien Dewani has severe post traumatic stress disorder and is being treated at a psychiatric hospital in Bristol. About 20 members of Anni’s family, from the UK and Sweden, have been in court to watch the extradition hearing. In his final submissions Hugo Keith QC, for the South African authorities, said it was ridiculous to think Dewani would be neglected if extradited. “No one can suggest the South African authorities would receive an evidently ill man and say: ‘We don’t care, let him rot, he won’t get treatment.’ It cannot be said that South Africa, a civilised and in many respects modern country, does not have the ability to sufficiently cope with the illnesses he suffers.” He said it was likely that Dewani would not be judged fit to stand trial now if he were extradited, but that he might be fit to do so in the future. If he was considered to be ill when he arrived in South Africa he would be treated in a psychiatric hospital, the Valkenberg in Cape Town. Clare Montgomery QC, for Dewani, called for the extradition to be postponed until her client was “a more stable mental state”. She said: “If he is going to get better he will get better quicker here and then he can be extradited.” The judge will decide on 10 August if Dewani should be extradited. Dewani murder case South Africa Extradition Steven Morris guardian.co.uk

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UN Pleads for More Aid to Famine-hit Somalia

The United Nations appealed for a further half-billion dollars in aid funding for 2011 to deal with a serious famine in the Horn of Africa. Around 1.5 million Somalis remain stuck in the country as the worst drought in 20 years hits the country. (July 21)

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UN Pleads for More Aid to Famine-hit Somalia

The United Nations appealed for a further half-billion dollars in aid funding for 2011 to deal with a serious famine in the Horn of Africa. Around 1.5 million Somalis remain stuck in the country as the worst drought in 20 years hits the country. (July 21)

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Allen West defends ‘sexist’ comments by implying Democrats are racists

Click here to view this media Rep. Allen West (R-FL) refused to apologize Wednesday for what EMILY’s List called a “sexist tirade” against Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL). In an email Tuesday, West had called Wasserman Schultz “vile” and “not a Lady.” West, who stands by the remarks, offered the following defense to Fox News. “This is something, once again, the Democrat Party, they put my Social Security number and my wife’s employment identification number in a mail piece,” he said. “This has just been an ongoing thing. I have been called Uncle Tom, a sell-out Oreo. It’s not about Allen West. And so once again, it’s very interesting to me that we continually allow liberals to do whatever they want and attack conservatives, but all of the sudden when a conservative stands up and says enough then people all want to sit back, especially liberals, and play victim. She’s not a victim. She’s been attacking Allen West for quite some time.” To be clear, Wasserman Schultz did not call West “Uncle Tom” or “Oreo” during the floor speech that seems to have set off his fiery email, and there is no evidence of her using racist language in the past. UPDATE: West says an apology “is not happening.”

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Allen West defends ‘sexist’ comments by implying Democrats are racists

Click here to view this media Rep. Allen West (R-FL) refused to apologize Wednesday for what EMILY’s List called a “sexist tirade” against Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL). In an email Tuesday, West had called Wasserman Schultz “vile” and “not a Lady.” West, who stands by the remarks, offered the following defense to Fox News. “This is something, once again, the Democrat Party, they put my Social Security number and my wife’s employment identification number in a mail piece,” he said. “This has just been an ongoing thing. I have been called Uncle Tom, a sell-out Oreo. It’s not about Allen West. And so once again, it’s very interesting to me that we continually allow liberals to do whatever they want and attack conservatives, but all of the sudden when a conservative stands up and says enough then people all want to sit back, especially liberals, and play victim. She’s not a victim. She’s been attacking Allen West for quite some time.” To be clear, Wasserman Schultz did not call West “Uncle Tom” or “Oreo” during the floor speech that seems to have set off his fiery email, and there is no evidence of her using racist language in the past. UPDATE: West says an apology “is not happening.”

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