Michelle Obama goes bold with another Wu gown

With its Grecian pleating, low back, and cinched waist, Michelle Obama’s stunning scarlet dress would be equally at home on the red carpet.

What a difference four years make.

In 2009, Michelle Obama swept onto the stage of the Commander-in-Chief’s Inaugural Ball in a fairy tale one-shoulder white chiffon gown dotted with delicate flowers. On Monday, she emerged at the ball in a flaming ruby-red halter gown that was far more vamp than princess. Jason Wu designed both, but this year’s dress capped an Inauguration Day that saw Obama making bold sartorial choices.

With its Grecian pleating, low back, and cinched waist, the stunning scarlet dress would be equally at home on the red carpet. It was a fitting choice for a woman who has become an international fashion plate.

Just as surprising as the bold color and silhouette was her return to Wu. For weeks, fashion prognosticators assumed she would choose another American designer.

“I think the only predictable thing about Michelle Obama is that she’s good at surprising us, and has made some wonderful, idiosyncratic choices,” said Vogue magazine international editor at large Hamish Bowles on a visit to Boston last week. “She’s good at keeping one guessing.”

True to Bowles’s prediction, the first surprise of Obama’s inaugural fashions was seen at her husband’s swearing-in ceremony. Instead of choosing a rising designer or a designer known for womenswear, the first lady choose Thom Browne, a revolutionary menswear designer who began creating clothes for women in 2010.

The structured navy blue silk jacquard coat and dress showed Browne’s menswear lineage; even the check fabric was inspired by a men’s tie. Obama accessorized the jacket with raspberry leather gloves, a J.Crew belt, and boots from Reed Krakoff. It was a dramatic departure from the bold and bright lemongrass ensemble worn for the 2009 inauguration.

In July, Browne was honored by the first lady as one of the winners of a Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum award. She previously wore a Browne-designed lace dress at the most recent Democratic National Convention and later to the final presidential debate.

The 30-year-old Wu skyrocketed to stardom after designing Obama’s 2009 inaugural gown. The first lady has since worn his dresses on the cover of Vogue and on several international trips.

Her love of mixing high-end with mass-market fashion (J.Crew is a first lady favorite) is one reason why she has become a closely followed figure in the fashion world. There are blogs documenting her every look, and designers frequently express their desire to create clothes for her.

“She is much more accessible than previous first ladies,” said Hazel Clark, research chair of fashion at Parsons the New School for Design and a professor in the fashion studies program. “The most obvious point of reference in terms of fashion is Jackie Kennedy, but Michelle dresses in a more accessible way than Jackie.”

While her day-to-day cardigans and kitten heels reflect her role as mom and working professional, Obama has shown extraordinary savvy and taste in choosing gowns and dresses for formal affairs. She’s also an avid supporter and advocate of American designers. While her 2009 inaugural gown pushed designer Wu into the national spotlight, she does not shy away from international fashion.

“She wears things of quality and taste, and those pieces do not have geographical boundaries,” said Simon Collins, dean of Parsons. “For the inaugural ball an American designer is a necessity, but I’m delighted by all of her choices.”

The last time a first lady showed this level of interest in fashion was Nancy Reagan with her much-loved “Reagan red” suits. So, regardless of politics, much of the fashion world is celebrating four more years of Michelle Obama.

“It’s extremely exciting for me at Vogue to have a woman who is so substantive, smart, and dynamic embracing fashion in that way and showing everyone it’s not a trivial thing,” Bowles said. “It’s a life-enhancing thing.”

Michelle Obama chooses Jason Wu again

The ruby red gown was a sleek departure from the bridal-like dress she wore last time.

Designer Jason Wu just got doubly famous.

The man behind Michelle Obama's bridal-esque inaugural confection from four years ago returned to the White House inaugural stage — this time in ravishing red.

It was the first time a designer had scored a one-two punch since Nancy Reagan and James Galanos graced the balls in the 1980s. Some fashion watchers expressed surprise that the first lady didn't opt to pluck another unknown designer from obscurity and put them on the fashion map.

Baring her famous biceps, Obama chose a shimmery ruby halter gown cut from chiffon and velvet with a keyhole neckline, belted waist and plunging back. Her hair, straight for the swearing-in ceremony, was feathered slightly to the side. On her left wrist, a stack of sparkling bangles. On her finger, a diamond ring from Kimberly McDonald. On her feet, matching red satin Jimmy Choo pumps.

The dress was a modern departure from the frilly white one-shouldered gown she wore during the first inaugural. Speaking on CNN, Elle creative director Joe Zee called the ruby shade "optimistic." The last first lady to wear red to an inaugural ball was Laura Bush in Texan Michael Faircloth's design, for her husband's first term.

"Some may dispute the quality of our president, but nobody disputes the quality of our first lady," President Obama said by way of announcing his "date."

For the hours preceding the reveal, all of Twitter was asking, "Where is it?" After what seemed like an interminable drum roll of speeches and introductions at the Commander-in-Chief's Ball, the main event — the first lady — waltzed out to wild applause and into fashion history.

The reaction online was equally wild, with assessments of "stunning" and "superb." Posted Kate Betts, author of Everyday Icon: Michelle Obama and the Power of Style: "I like it — sleek and still romantic, and powerful!" As @deedeeindc put it: "Waited all day. And the dress did not disappoint."

Sure, tomato is on trend. But InStyle editor Ariel Foxman liked the "elegant, eye-catching" Wu repeat for loftier reasons. "The first lady managed to quickly punctuate weeks of speculation and perhaps de-emphasize weeks of ongoing dress deliberation to come," he said. "Mrs. Obama dressed the part but is able to move the conversation along, to focus on other matters that concern her, the president and the American people."

Nevertheless, minutes after the unveiling, Wu's website crashed.

Since he exploded onto the style scene in 2009, thanks to Obama, Wu has dressed everyone from Target shoppers (his 2012 collection sold out in hours) to red carpet walkers (Diane Kruger, Reese Witherspoon, Zoe Saldana).

Niners' Colin Kaepernick sheds run-first QB label

ATLANTA – Good luck classifying Colin Kaepernick.

A week after the San Francisco 49ers quarterback ran for 181 yards, more than any other quarterback in playoff history, the 49ers decided to let the other players run and let Kaepernick throw.

Kaepernick led the 49ers to a 28-24 come-from-behind win against Atlanta in Sunday's NFC Championship game, and he did it not with his legs, but with his strong right arm and calm demeanor that hardly showed he was making only his ninth career start.

BOX SCORE: Niners 28, Falcons 24

RECAP: 49ers dig out of big hole

49ERS: Harbaugh goes wild after controversial call

Those designed quarterback runs? The read-option quarterback keepers? They were virtually non-existent in San Francisco's 28-24 win against Atlanta. Kaepernick ran just twice Sunday, and his only called running went for a two-yard loss. He picked up 23 yards on a scramble in the third quarter after the rest of a play had broken down.

So can we finally quit with the idea that Kaepernick is a run-first quarterback?

"I don't want to be categorized. I want to be my own man," Kaepernick said.

As Kaepernick stood at the interview podium inside the Georgia Dome, still in his full uniform but with a super-sized NFC championship T-shirt pulled over his shoulder pads, it's hard to remember that just 2.5 months ago, he was just Alex Smith's backup; the guy who would run a few wildcat snaps per game.

Kaepernick got his chance to start when Smith suffered a concussion in early November, but kept the job when it quickly became clear he wasn't giving it back. It was a bold and controversial move by Harbaugh, to bail on the quarterback who nearly led his team to last year's Super Bowl, for an unproven second-year player.

"I'm just thankful he made that decision," Kaepernick said.

On Sunday in Atlanta, just the threat that at anytime Kaepernick might take off running seemed to have the Falcons spooked. With the Falcons determined not to let Kaepernick get free around the edges, the 49ers rediscovered the rest of their running game, both through the option (see LaMichael James' 15-yard second-quarter touchdown) and the good old-fashioned inside handoff (Frank Gore's nine-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter).

Gore, who had 90 yards and a pair of touchdowns, interrupted Kaepernick's postgame media conference and began gushing about the quarterback, including Kaepernick's savvy to freeze the Falcons' defense by delaying the handoff to Gore on what wound up being Gore's game-winning touchdown run.

"You know Kap, man. He knows he can make plays," Gore said. "I felt he held it a little bit. But I got it and I said, 'I'm gonna score.'"

Gore, as well as other teammates, said Kaepernick wasn't rattled during a dismal first quarter in which the 49ers didn't manage a first down in two series. Kaepernick had only one passing yard and took a sack while his quarterback counterpart, Matt Ryan, led the Falcons to a 17-0 lead.

"If it wasn't for him, it would have been a tough game today, and I'm happy he stayed poised," Gore said.

Actress-VJ Sophiya Haque passes away in London

Former VJ-turned actress Sophiya Haque died on Thursday in London after being diagnosed with cancer

 Actor, model and former VJ Sophia Haque, who was suffering from cancer for some time, has passed away in London on Thursday.

Haque was believed to be suffering from pneumonia and had been undergoing tests during which she is believed to have developed a clot in her lungs and passed away in her sleep.

The model-actress, who lived in London with her partner and musical director David White, had fallen ill just before Christmas and was diagnosed with cancer.

Sophiya Haque in a still from the film 'Snip'

Haque, 41, was born to an English mother and a Bangladeshi father, shot to fame in India during the 1990s during her stint as a video jockey for a couple of popular music channels.

Haque was a popular stage and television actress in Britain. She recently made her mark on prime-time TV as barmaid Poppy Morales on the well-known soap 'Coronation Street' and was in the midst of a West End production called Privates on Parade.

"Sophiya was a wonderful actress, a wonderful client but so much more than that a wonderful friend. She was adored by everyone she worked with and will be deeply missed," said her agent, Oliver Thomson.

He described Haque's relationship with White as "very happy" and the couple were in the process of building a houseboat together when she fell ill.

 Haque hit the big league in Britain when she bagged the role of a Bollywood actress in the Andrew Lloyd Webber and AR Rahman musical ‘Bombay Dreams’. This led to a number of plum roles in musicals, including as Janoo Rani in Far Pavilions and most recently as Soraya in Wah! Wah! Girls, described as a good-natured Bollywood musical by critics last year.

In Privates on Parade, which opened in Britain last month, she was praised for her role of Eurasian Sylvia opposite one of Britain's leading stage actors, Simon Russell Beale.

She had acted in Bollywood films like 'The Rising: Ballad of Mangal Pandey', 'Pehli Nazar Ka Pehla Pyaar: Love at First Sight', 'Snip' and some others. 

The news of her death stunned the entertainment world and they took the micro-blogging site to express their grief and shock.

‘Gay,’ ‘Stonewall’ firsts in inaugural address

President Obama mentioned the word gay and cited the Stonewall Inn — where gay men confronted New York police in the first out-front resistance to discrimination — both firsts in an inaugural address themed to the goal of equality and an inclusive America.

“Our journey is not complete until our gay brothers and sisters are treated like anyone else under the law, for if we are truly created equal, then surely the love we commit to one another must be equal as well,” said the 44th president.  Obama declared his support for same-sex marriage last May and supported marriage equality measures passed by three states in November.

The president’s words were cheered by leaders of the successful Referendum 74 campaign, which made Washington one of nine states (plus the District of Columbia) that have legalized marriage between two persons of the same gender.

“It was incredibly moving for our nation’s first African-American president, in his inaugural address — and on the day our country also honors Dr. Martin Luther King — to affirm that the promise of America will not be achieved until LGBT Americans have full equality as well,” said former judge and ex-Seattle Deputy Mayor Anne Levinson.

The times have been changing:  In the year President Obama was born, 17 states still had on the books laws outlawing interracial marriage.  It took a 1966 ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court, in a Virginia case, to wipe away discrimination by race.

“By the way,” Levinson added, “I’m just about to officiate a wedding of an interracial couple who wanted to get married on this special day of President Obama’s inauguration and Martin Luther King Day.”

State Sen. Ed Murray, D-Seattle, who waged a 17-year legislative fight for marriage equality, noted:

“From taking the oath on Martin Luther King Day and throughout his inaugural address, he (Obama) wove together the expanding story of American democracy.  By including Stonewall he wove the struggle of the LGBT community into that story.  A historic moment for our community and a speech that will be remembered for this historic reference.”

Obama made three “event” references to civil rights in his speech.  He mentioned an 1848 women’s rights meeting, first of its kind in the world, in Seneca Falls, N.Y.  He referred to Selma, Ala., where in 1965 Alabama State Police beat voting rights marchers in 1965. And he mentioned Stonewall, where a 1969 police raid set off three days of riots.

It was, quipped Stranger editorial director Dan Savage, the first time a gay bar ever appeared in a presidential inaugural address.  “Seneca Falls, Selma, Stonewall, thank you for that, Mr. President,” Savage tweeted.

The Obama administration successfully pushed repeal of the military’s Don’t Ask-Don’t Tell rule under which gays and lesbians were drummed out of the armed forces.  It has dropped legal defense of the anti-gay Defense of Marriage Act.  The fate of “DOMA” will be decided later this year by the U.S. Supreme Court.  Obama endorsed marriage equality in Washington, Maryland and Maine in last fall’s election; it was passed by voters in all three states.

Not all people are happy.  Brian Brown, president of the National Organization for Marriage — which designed the campaign against Referendum 74 — said in a release:

“Same sex marriage is not a civil right.  To try and compare in any way the attempt to redefine marriage with the Civil Rights movement is simply false.  I think the President is forgetting about the more important group affected by this and their civil right — and that’s children having the civil right to have both a mom and a dad.”

In memos disclosed last year, the National Organization for Marriage discussed ways of driving a wedge between gays and African-Americans — two pillars of Democratic Party support — and making it a macho thing for young Hispanics to oppose marriage equality.

President Obama’s 2012 vote totals carried a message:  It didn’t work.

Tony Gonzalez 'probably' will retire

Falcons tight end Tony Gonzalez said Sunday's loss to the 49ers in the NFC Championship Game was "probably" his last NFL game, echoing his thoughts throughout the season that he was 95 percent sure he would retire after this season.

"It's probably the last time I'm going to wear that uniform," Gonzalez said after the Falcons' 28-24 loss. "I didn't want to take it off, to tell you the truth. All good things come to an end, and like I said all season long, this is probably my last one. What an unbelievable ride."

Gonzalez had eight catches for 72 yards, including a 10-yard touchdown reception with 25 seconds remaining in the first half. The Falcons didn't score again.

The 36-year-old tight end was voted to his third straight Pro Bowl in four seasons with the Falcons, but said Sunday he's unlikely to play in the game. His 2012 selection was the 13th time he's been voted to the league's all-star game.

He said he will discuss his plans with his family before making his final decision on retirement.

"I'm not going to cry about it," Gonzalez said after the conclusion of his 16th season. "I walk away with the satisfaction I left everything, absolutely everything, every time I was on the field.

"I wish it would have culminated with the Super Bowl, but it didn't."

Drafted 13th overall by the Chiefs in 1997, Gonzalez is second on the career receptions list with 1,242 and is the most decorated tight end in NFL history, ranking first at the position and sixth overall with 103 touchdown catches. At 14,268 yards, he's seventh on the career receiving list.

One Today': Full Text of Richard Blanco Inaugural Poem

 Inaugural poet Richard Blanco read his poem "One Today" at the swearing-in ceremony for President Obama. Here is the full text of the poem as written.

"One Today"

One sun rose on us today, kindled over our shores,
peeking over the Smokies, greeting the faces
of the Great Lakes, spreading a simple truth
across the Great Plains, then charging across the Rockies.
One light, waking up rooftops, under each one, a story
told by our silent gestures moving behind windows.

My face, your face, millions of faces in morning's mirrors,
each one yawning to life, crescendoing into our day:
pencil-yellow school buses, the rhythm of traffic lights,
fruit stands: apples, limes, and oranges arrayed like rainbows
begging our praise. Silver trucks heavy with oil or paper—
bricks or milk, teeming over highways alongside us,
on our way to clean tables, read ledgers, or save lives—
to teach geometry, or ring-up groceries as my mother did
for twenty years, so I could write this poem.

All of us as vital as the one light we move through,
the same light on blackboards with lessons for the day:
equations to solve, history to question, or atoms imagined,
the "I have a dream" we keep dreaming,
or the impossible vocabulary of sorrow that won't explain
the empty desks of twenty children marked absent
today, and forever. Many prayers, but one light
breathing color into stained glass windows,
life into the faces of bronze statues, warmth
onto the steps of our museums and park benches
as mothers watch children slide into the day.

 One ground. Our ground, rooting us to every stalk
of corn, every head of wheat sown by sweat
and hands, hands gleaning coal or planting windmills
in deserts and hilltops that keep us warm, hands
digging trenches, routing pipes and cables, hands
as worn as my father's cutting sugarcane
so my brother and I could have books and shoes.

The dust of farms and deserts, cities and plains
mingled by one wind—our breath. Breathe. Hear it
through the day's gorgeous din of honking cabs,
buses launching down avenues, the symphony
of footsteps, guitars, and screeching subways,
the unexpected song bird on your clothes line.

Hear: squeaky playground swings, trains whistling,
or whispers across café tables, Hear: the doors we open
for each other all day, saying: hello, shalom,
buon giorno, howdy, namaste, or buenos días
in the language my mother taught me—in every language
spoken into one wind carrying our lives
without prejudice, as these words break from my lips.

One sky: since the Appalachians and Sierras claimed
their majesty, and the Mississippi and Colorado worked
their way to the sea. Thank the work of our hands:
weaving steel into bridges, finishing one more report
for the boss on time, stitching another wound
or uniform, the first brush stroke on a portrait,
or the last floor on the Freedom Tower
jutting into a sky that yields to our resilience.

One sky, toward which we sometimes lift our eyes
tired from work: some days guessing at the weather
of our lives, some days giving thanks for a love
that loves you back, sometimes praising a mother
who knew how to give, or forgiving a father
who couldn't give what you wanted.

We head home: through the gloss of rain or weight
of snow, or the plum blush of dusk, but always—home,
always under one sky, our sky. And always one moon
like a silent drum tapping on every rooftop
and every window, of one country—all of us—
facing the stars
hope—a new constellation
waiting for us to map it,
waiting for us to name it—together.

Inauguration 2013: Lupe Fiasco leaves concert after antiwar rant

Lupe Fiasco has been nominated for a Grammy Award but it is unlikely he will be named entertainer of the year -- at least if President Obama's fans get to vote.

Fiasco was asked to leave the stage at a Sunday night pre-inauguration concert in Washington after the 31-year-old rapper performed an antiwar song. Known as the StartUp RockOn inauguration event at the Hamilton Live Theater, the concert featured Fiasco (born Wasalu Muhammad Jaco), who has not been shy about criticizing Obama before.

In video of the incident, Lupe is rapping an extended antiwar piece that includes the refrain: "[Rush] Limbaugh is a racist, Glenn Beck is a racist." Obama allies have fought often with the arch-conservative media personalities.

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The performer, who has criticized Obama's stance on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict before and has said that he does not vote in elections because of his anti-establishment views, goes on: "Gaza Strip was getting bombed, Obama didn't say ... . That's why I ain't vote for him, next one either."

Concertgoers grew annoyed and a staff member approached Fiasco, but the rapper continued until the concert hall lights were dimmed. He then left the stage, but was not forced off, according to concert promoters.

"Lupe Fiasco performed at this private event, and as you may have read, he left the stage earlier than we had planned,” concert organizers said in an email to reporters. "But Lupe Fiasco was not 'kicked off stage' for an 'anti-Obama rant.' We are staunch supporters of free speech, and free political speech. This was not about his opinions. Instead, after a bizarrely repetitive, jarring performance that left the crowd vocally dissatisfied, organizers decided to move on to the next act.

"The party continued as planned," they said.

During an interview with CBS in 2011, Fiasco called Obama a terrorist. "The biggest terrorist is Obama and the United States of America. I'm trying to fight the terrorism that's actually causing the other forms of terrorism," he said.

"You know, the root cause of terrorism is the stuff the U.S. government allows to happen. The foreign policies that we have in place in different countries that inspire people to become terrorists."

Baby bonus up by S$2,000 per birth

SINGAPORE: Parents will now have more cash in hand as a result of the enhanced Baby Bonus scheme.

Parents will receive S$6,000 each for their first and second newborn. This is an increase of S$2,000 per birth over the current Baby Bonus Cash Gift.

For their third and fourth child, they will now receive S$8,000 per child, compared to S$6,000 previously.

The cash gift will be disbursed earlier within 12 months' of the child's birth instead of the current four instalments over 18 months.

The three instalments will be disbursed as followed: 50 per cent at birth; 25 per cent when the child is six months old; and 25 per cent when the child is 12 months old.

Every newborn will have a CPF Medisave account with a grant of S$3,000 to support healthcare costs.

The enhanced Baby Bonus and Medisave will apply to all Singapore citizen children born on or after 26 August 2012.

Parents can use the grant to pay for their children's Medishield premiums.

It can also be used to defray expenses such as hospitalisation, selected vaccinations and outpatient expenses.

The grant will be paid in two stages. The first S$1,500 will be deposited after the registration of birth, and the remaining $1,500 will be paid in the subsequent year if the child continues to be enrolled in MediShield or a Medisave-approved Integrated Shield Plan.

Medishield will also be extended to cover congenital and neonatal conditions for children born from March 1 this year.

With the extension, all infants born on or after March 1 this year and who are Singapore Citizens at birth will be automatically covered under MediShield from birth, without having to be assessed for pre-existing conditions, so long as their parents do not opt them out.

The coverage will be extended to all eligible newborns following the registration of birth.

Health Minister Gan Kim Yong said this will put some parents' mind at ease.

Mr Gan said: "Together with the extension of Medishield to cover congenital conditions, this will go a long way to assure our parents and give them a much greater sense of assurance as well as peace of mind with regard to the medical costs of their children."

There will be more financial help for those having difficulty conceiving.

Currently, the government co-funds up to 50 per cent of Assisted Reproduction Technology treatments with a cap of S$3,000 per cycle involving fresh embryos.

This will now increase to 75 per cent with a higher cap of S$6,300 per treatment cycle.

Funding will also be extended to those involving frozen embryos with a cap of S$1,200 per treatment cycle.

Couples with more than one child will also be eligible for co-funding.

The enhancements will apply to couples who have started or are scheduled to start their treatments from this year.

However, Minister in the Prime Minister's Office, Grace Fu said this does not mean there should a greater reliance on assisted reproduction technology.

Ms Fu said: "One of the most commonly held misconception is that technology will help solve a lot of the problem which is actually not true. So while we are coming up with greater more co-funding for assisted reproduction technology packages, the success rate is still not very high.

"I think we have to send a message that it is much better to think about marriage and parenthood when you are younger and you can always try to balance work and life at the same time and don't just focus entirely on work for too long."

Michelle Obama wears red Jason Wu gown to inaugural balls

First lady Michelle Obama made it a fashion tradition Monday night, wearing a custom-made Jason Wu gown to the inauguration balls.

The ruby-colored chiffon and velvet dress was a follow-up to the white gown Wu made for her four years ago when she was new to Washington, the pomp and circumstance, and the fashion press.

She paired the dress with a handmade diamond embellished ring by jewelry designer Kimberly McDonald, and shoes designed by Jimmy Choo. At the end of the inaugural festivities, the first lady's outfit and accompanying accessories will go to the National Archives.

"I can't believe it. It's crazy," said Wu, reached at his Manhattan studio. "To have done it once was already the experience of my life. To have a second time is tremendous."

President Barack Obama also struck a similar style chord to his first-term inaugural balls: He wore a white tie with his tuxedo.

The red halter dress was the only one Wu, who went from fashion insider to household name on this night in 2009, submitted for Mrs. Obama's consideration. He collaborated with McDonald on the jeweled neckline. "For this occasion, it had to be real diamonds," Wu said.

He said he felt the dress showed how he has grown up as a designer -- and how Mrs. Obama's style has evolved to be even more confident.

President Barack Obama called his wife to the stage, referring to her as "my better half and my dance partner," before the two danced as Jennifer Hudson sang a live rendition of Al Green's "Let's Stay Together."

"She makes me a better man and a better president," Mr. Obama said of the first lady. "I'm lucky to have her."

Earlier in the day, Mrs. Obama wore a navy-silk, checkered-pattered coat and matching dress by designer Thom Browne.

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An expected 40,000 people crammed into the Washington Convention Center for Monday evening for the two official inaugural balls, which promised plenty of star power in the entertainment lineup.

Alicia Keys wearing a flowing red gown, planted herself before a piano and dished up reworked lyrics to "Girl on Fire," declaring, "Obama's on fire." Brad Paisley, too, revised his lyrics to fit the occasion, and began by thanking the troops "for keeping us safe."

Presidential Inauguration 2013: Obama Says Ceremony Celebrates U.S., Not Election

BY THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama says his second inauguration is a celebration of the country and its citizens, not the election results.

Obama used a speech to hundreds of supporters at the National Building Museum Sunday night to remind the crowd that "what we're doing is celebrating each other and celebrating this incredible nation that we call home."

He encouraged the crowd to enjoy the inauguration and said he needs them to work as hard as they can on issues important to them.

Obama said the inauguration is a reminder that "there is something bigger than ourselves." He kept his comments brief and quipped that he has to save some of his lines for his speech Monday.

Watch the Lumineers on “Saturday Night Live” performing “Ho Hey”

Watch the Lumineers on “Saturday Night Live” performing “Ho Hey”

It’s been a minute since a Colorado act has graced the big stage in NYC for “Saturday Night Live,” but the Lumineers’ performance more than made up for the drought. The Lumineers performed the global hit, “Ho Hey,” alongside Oscar nominated actress, Katniss Everdeen Jennifer Lawrence. Watch the Lumineers on “Saturday Night Live” performing the band’s hit, “Ho Hey,” below.

 

The Lumineers perform the first of a two-night New Year's Eve run at the Ogden Theatre on Sunday, Dec. 30, 2012.

Albert Pujols on Stan Musial: 'Thank God I knew him'

Albert Pujols on Stan Musial: 'Thank God I knew him'
Bob Nightengale, USA TODAY Sports3:29p.m. EST January 20, 2013

They had an age gap of 60 years, were born in different countries and played baseball in enormously different eras.

Still, Stan Musial and Albert Pujols were linked by baseball greatness. They both wore St. Louis Cardinals' uniforms, leading the proud organization to a combined seven World Series appearances and five titles, their talents landing one in the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y., and the other destined to join him.

They got to know one another during Pujols' 11 years with the Cardinals, visiting one another several times a year, frequently exchanging messages, and showing the respect and admiration for one another that made them almost family.

When Pujols looked at his phone Saturday afternoon and saw a text message from Brian Schwarze, Musial's grandson, his eyes filled with tears and his stomach knotted in anguish:

"It's Pops. I don't think he's going to make it.''

Pujols immediately called Schwarze, who was gathered around Musial with the rest of the family. They talked. They prayed. And Pujols made sure to convey the message one last time to Musial before he passed:

"I love you.''

Musial died two hours later at 92, and Sunday morning Pujols talked about one of the greatest men he's met, a man that forever will impact his life, the man known as The Man.

"It was such a sad day,'' Pujols told USA TODAY Sports, "but I am so blessed to have spent time with him the last 12 years. He blessed my life, and many, many lives in baseball during his career, and after his career. He touched so many lives. He means as much as Roberto Clemente does to Latin people. Thank God I had the opportunity to know him.

"I wish my kids had the opportunity to be around him, because that's how I want my kids to live their lives. I want them to be like Stan Musial.

"Not the baseball player. The person.

"That's the respect I have for that man.''

Pujols, perhaps the greatest Cardinals' player since Musial when he departed last winter to the Los Angeles Angels, savors the memories and time spent together. He last saw Musial a year ago, and although Musial was disappointed that Pujols chose the Angels over re-signing with the Cardinals, he congratulated him and thanked him for the way he represented the franchise.

When Pujols joined the Angels, the Angels put billboards around town calling Pujols, "El Hombre.'' Pujols was furious. There is only one baseball player that should be called The Man, Pujols said, and it was Musial. The billboards came down.

"What he did for the Cardinal organization is unbelievable,'' Pujols said. "There will never be anyone else wearing that Cardinal uniform who will be the face of the franchise. You can talk about his numbers, the 3,630 hits, the 24 All-Star games, the seven batting titles, but the man himself is what made him so great. What he did for his community, for his country. That's what made him so special.''

Pujols first heard about Musial when he was drafted by the Cardinals in 1999, and he began reading about him. He became mesmerized by his graciousness, and every time Musial entered the Cardinals' clubhouse, Pujols would race over, hug him, and then kiss his forehead.

"I don't care if it was six minutes before game time,'' said Pujols, a three-time MVP, "when he came into the room, I went over there to see him. He meant everything to me. He always will.''

Pujols, who has a huge picture of Musial in his fav

orite gym, and a blown-up picture of the two in the trophy case of his basement, still laughs at the time Musial picked up his bat a few summers ago. Musial picked it up, and couldn't believe how light the bat was, weighting 32½ ounces. Pujols, in a rare slump, asked Musial if he had any extra hits that he could magically put into the bat.

Musial laughed, and said, "Just see the ball, and hit the ball. You'll be ju

st fine.''

Pujols went on a tear and won the National League's MVP award. One of the first congratulatory calls he received was from Musial, who compared him to Ted Williams and Willie Mays.

"I'll always remember that,'' Pujols said Sunday. "Always. Really, there's nothing I'll ever forget about that man. None of us will.

"He didn't get the exposure of a Willie Mays or Ted Williams or Joe DiMaggio, being in a small market. But he was very special to the fans in St. Louis, and Cardinals' Nation. We were blessed to have him around for this long.

"So I know it's a sad day, but it's also a day to celebrate his life.

"I know I always will.''

Jennifer Lawrence on ‘SNL’: The ‘Silver Linings Playbook’ star trashes her Oscar rivals

Lawrence calls out Streep again, but this time also goes after Quvenzhane Wallis, Jessica Chastain and others competing for the Best Actress Oscar.

   Jennifer Lawrence giving her opening monologue while hosting 'Saturday Night Live.'

Continuing her week in the spotlight, Jennifer Lawrence tried her hand at hosting "Saturday Night Live," and the comedic odds were certainly in her favor.

The quirky "Silver Linings Playbook" starlet began her opening monologue addressing the Meryl Streep comment once again, but also playfully bashed all of the other Oscar contenders in her category.

"I would never trash-talk any of my fellow nominees at the Golden Globes," she said, "but the Oscars are another story."

RELATED: JENNIFER LAWRENCE RESPONDS TO 'I BEAT MERYL' BACKLASH

"Well, well, well. Look who it is," she said. "Jessica Chastain. More like, Jessica Chas-ain’t winning no Oscar on my watch!"

And on Naomi Watts, she added, "You were in 'The Impossible'. You know what else is impossible? You beating me on Oscar night.”

PHOTOS: GOLDEN GLOBES RED CARPET WINNERS AND LOSERS

Even little Quvenzhane Wallis wasn't spared.

"You think you can beat me?" she joked. "What you talkin' bout, Wallis? ... The alphabet called. They want their letters back."

Lawrence went on to participate in several hilarious skits, including a spoof of her own movie "The Hunger Games," reprising her role as Katniss Everdeen.
                  

Super Bowl 2013: A Tale of Two Harbaughs

Super Bowl 2013: A Tale of Two Harbaughs

By Alex Welch on Jan 20, 10:12p

The Super Bowl will feature two brothers coaching against each other on Feb. 3. Here's a look at the two brothers who will be facing off.
          
When you turn on your television to tune in to the Super Bowl this year, you will see two teams led by coaches with the last name of Harbaugh: Jim and John Harbaugh will face off in the first ever brother vs. brother coaching showdown on the biggest scale in all of football.

John, 50, led his Ravens to take down the Patriots 28-13 on Sunday night, avenging their loss in the divisional round of last year's AFC Championship. He's seen plenty of success since taking over in 2008, but this will be the biggest moment of his career.

Jim, 49, will see if he can best big brother when Feb. 3 rolls around. The 49ers defeated the Falcons 28-24 on the road after coming back from a 17-0 deficit. His playing career was far more storied than his brother's, however, you have to believe he'll recognize the coming matchup as the most significant point of his football days as well.

The Ravens beat the 49ers 16-6 last season. That game marked the first time in NFL history that two brothers faced off as coaches. Stay tuned for the second edition of that historic meeting.

Ravens extend Ray Lewis' ride, beat Patriots for Super Bowl berth

Ravens extend Ray Lewis' ride, beat Patriots for Super Bowl berth

Gary Mihoces, USA TODAY Sports10:14p.m. EST January 20, 2013

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Ray Lewis, Joe Flacco and the Baltimore Ravens lived up to their team of destiny image on a field where their 2011 season ended painfully. Baltimore coach John Harbaugh is headed to a Super Bowl matchup with his brother. And Lewis can hold his retirement party in New Orleans.

Flacco threw for 240 yards and three touchdowns Sunday as the Ravens, who struggled mightily at the end of the season, beat the New England Patriots 28-13 Sunday in the AFC Championship Game.

BOX SCORE: Ravens 28, Patriots 13

HAR-BOWL: Jim Harbaugh's Ravens take out 49ers

ODDS: 49ers open as early Super Bowl XLVII favorites

The Ravens, Super Bowl champs in their first and only previous trip to the championship in the 2000 season, will play for NFC champion San Francisco 49ers, coached by John Harbaugh's brother, Jim.

Lewis, who has announced he will retire after 17 NFL seasons at age 37, missed the last 10 games of the regular season with a torn triceps in his right arm. But he's returned to the playoffs to inspire a Baltimore defense that held Patriots star quarterback Tom Brady to one touchdown pass with two interceptions. New England had never lost an AFC title game at home.

Last season, the Patriots edged the Ravens 23-20 here in the AFC Championship Game. In the final seconds, a potential winning touchdown pass to Lee Evans was stripped away in the end zone and Billy Cundiff missed a potential game-tying 32-yard field goal for Baltimore.
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Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Torrey Smith (center) and tight end Ed Dickson (left) and running back Anthony Allen (right) pose with the Lamar Hunt Trophy after defeating the New England Patriots 28-13 in the AFC championship game at Gillette Stadium.  Kirby Lee, USA TODAY Sports
Fullscreen

    Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Torrey Smith (center) and tight end Ed Dickson (left) and running back Anthony Allen (right) pose with the Lamar Hunt Trophy after defeating the New England Patriots 28-13 in the AFC championship game at Gillette Stadium.
    Baltimore Ravens inside linebacker Ray Lewis (right) hugs defensive end Arthur Jones (97) after defeating the New England Patriots 28-13 in the AFC championship game at Gillette Stadium.
    Baltimore Ravens guard Bobbie Williams (63) reacts after defeating the New England Patriots 28-13 in the AFC championship game at Gillette Stadium.
    Baltimore Ravens outside linebacker Terrell Suggs (55) celebrates after defeating the New England Patriots 28-13 in the AFC championship game at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports ORG XMIT: USATSI-126406 ORIG FILE ID: 20130120_jtl_al2_100.JPG
    New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) reacts after throwing an interception against the Baltimore Ravens during the fourth quarter of the AFC championship game at Gillette Stadium.
    Baltimore Ravens inside linebacker Dannell Ellerbe (59) celebrates with teammates after intercepting a New England Patriots pass during the fourth quarter of the AFC championship game at Gillette Stadium.
    New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick during the fourth quarter of the AFC championship game against the Baltimore Ravens at Gillette Stadium.
    Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Anquan Boldin (81) celebrates after his touchdown catch over New England Patriots defensive back Marquice Cole (23) in the fourth quarter of the AFC championship game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
    Baltimore Ravens defensive end Arthur Jones (97) celebrates after recovering a fumble in the fourth quarter against the New England Patriots during the AFC championship game at Gillette Stadium.
    New England Patriots running back Stevan Ridley (22) fumbles the ball during the fourth quarter of the AFC championship game against the Baltimore Ravens at Gillette Stadium.
    Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Anquan Boldin (81) catches a pass against New England Patriots free safety Devin McCourty (32) for a touchdown during the fourth quarter of the AFC championship game at Gillette Stadium.
    Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Torrey Smith (82) falls over the back of New England Patriots cornerback Kyle Arrington (24) during the third quarter of the AFC championship game at Gillette Stadium.
    Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh reacts against the New England Patriots in the second quarter of the AFC championship game at Gillette Stadium.
    New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) slides before being hit by Baltimore Ravens inside linebacker Ray Lewis (52) during the second quarter of the AFC championship game at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports ORG XMIT: USATSI-126406 ORIG FILE ID: 20130120_jla_sv3_132.jpg
    New England Patriots wide receiver Wes Welker (83) carries the ball after a catch against the Baltimore Ravens in the second quarter of the AFC championship game at Gillette Stadium.
    Baltimore Ravens running back Bernard Pierce (30) is tackled by New England Patriots cornerback Kyle Arrington (24) during the second quarter of the AFC championship game at Gillette Stadium.
    Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice (27) carries the ball as New England Patriots outside linebacker Dont'a Hightower (54) defends n the first half of the AFC championship game at Gillette Stadium.
    New England Patriots running back Shane Vereen (34) is tackled by Baltimore Ravens strong safety Bernard Pollard (31) during the first quarter of the AFC championship game at Gillette Stadium.
    Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco (5) passes against the New England Patriots in the first quarter of the AFC championship game at Gillette Stadium.
    New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) passes as tackle Sebastian Vollmer (76) blocks Baltimore Ravens outside linebacker Terrell Suggs (55) in the first quarter of the AFC championship game at Gillette Stadium.
    New England Patriots kicker Stephen Gostkowski (3) attempts a field goal out of the hold of punter Zoltan Mesko (14) against the Baltimore Ravens in the first quarter of the AFC championship game at Gillette Stadium.
    New England Patriots wide receiver Brandon Lloyd (85) makes a catch in front of Baltimore Ravens free safety Ed Reed (20) in the first quarter of the AFC championship game at Gillette Stadium.
    New England Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez (81) is tackled by Baltimore Ravens inside linebacker Ray Lewis (left) and cornerback Corey Graham (bottom) in the first quarter of the AFC championship game at Gillette Stadium.
    New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) screams before the AFC championship game against the Baltimore Ravens at Gillette Stadium.
    A New England Patriots fan holds up a sign referencing Baltimore Ravens inside linebacker Ray Lewis (not pictured) before the AFC championship game at Gillette Stadium.
    Baltimore Ravens fans call out to Baltimore head coach John Harbaugh before the AFC championship game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.

Next Slide

Flacco, now 8-4 as a starting quarterback in the playoffs in five season, outplayed Patriots star Tom Brady a year ago.

After the Ravens trailed 13-7 at the half, Flacco led three consecutive touchdown drives in the second half to break the game open..Flacco's 5-yard touchdown pass to tight end Dennis Pitta put Baltimore ahead 14-13 in the third quarter.

In the fourth quarter, Flacco connected with wide receiver Anquan Boldin on touchdown passes of 3 and 11 yards.

Flacco took criticism on the radio talk shows in Baltimore during the team's second-half skid, and offensive coordinator Cam Cameron was fired and replaced from the staff by assistant Jim Caldwell, former coach of the Indianapolis Colts. But the Baltimore offense came to life in the playoffs.

Running back Ray Rice and rookie backup Bernard Pierce led the Ravens running game against Patriots. Flacco spread out his big throws between Pitta, Boldin and wide receiver Torrey Smith.

The Patriots forged their 13-7 halftime lead on the strength of a 1-yard touchdown pass from Brady to wide receiver Wes Welker and a pair of field goals by Stephen Gostkowski. Baltimore got a 2-yard touchdown run by Rice early in the second quarter.

But the second half was all Baltimore. Flacco, who led the Ravens to an overtime win over the Denver Broncos in the divisional round of the playoffs, finished 21-for-36 with no interceptions.

Brady, a three-time Super Bowl winner, was 29-for-54 or 320 yards. But his final pass was intercepted in the end zone by cornerback Cary Williams.

In defeat, Brady became the NFL's all-time leader in postseason passing yards with 5,949.

Who’s Who in the Manti Te’o Fake Dead Girlfriend Scandal

The story of the celebrated Notre Dame linebacker whose tragic story turned out to be a hoax has captured the nation’s attention. Here’s a guide to the major players in the scandal, real and otherwise:

Manti Te’o
A star Notre Dame linebacker who helped the Irish to a nearly undefeated season, Manti Te’o was a respected student with a tragic personal story: the deaths of his grandmother and his girlfriend, Lennay Kekua, in early September, which only helped him play harder. That is, however, until an investigation by the sports blog Deadspin revealed that Kekua never existed.  Te’o reportedly spoke at length about his relationship with her, how they would write letters and talk on the phone while she fought leukemia after surviving a serious car accident. Te’o's family even referred to her as their potential daughter-in-law. But now Teo says he’s the victim of a hoax: In a statement following Deadspin’s investigation, Te’o says he “developed an emotional relationship with a woman I met online,” which contradicts a previously reported story that Te’o and Kekua met after a Stanford-Notre Dame football game in Palo Alto.

Lennay Kekua

The supposed girlfriend of Notre Dame football star Manti Te’o, Kekua was reportedly a student at Stanford who had met the linebacker after a Stanford-Notre Dame game in 2009. In April, 2012, soon after the two began dating, Kekua was injured in a car crash; later, she was diagnosed with leukemia. Sports Illustrated reported that Te’o would call Kekua in the hospital, and he told ESPN that she wrote him letters when she was sick. Kekua reportedly died Sept. 11 or Sept. 12, within hours of the death of Te’o's grandmother, Annette Santiago.

But according to Deadspin, there is no Social Security Administration record of Kekua’s death, nor are there any obituary or funeral announcements in any newspapers. The Stanford student newspaper didn’t mention her, and the registrar’s office has no record that a Lennay Kekua ever enrolled. There are no reports of car accidents involving Kekua and no record of her birth. Photographs identified as Kekua in news reports and online are pictures from the social media accounts of another woman who has never met Te’o.

Though the South Bend Tribune reported that the couple met after a football game outside Palo Alto, Deadspin reports that the first interaction between Te’o and Kekua was on Twitter, when @MTeo_5 tweeted at @lovalovaloveYOU that it was nice to meet her.

In a statement issued Wednesday, Te’o said he had met Kekua online and had only communicated with her online and by phone.

Koa Kekua

Lennay Kekua’s older brother, according to a Sports Illustrated cover story on Manti Te’o, although further reports are mixed. SI (which, like TIME and TIME.com, is owned by Time Warner) referred to him as “Kainoa” Kekua in a Bowl Championship Series preview article about Te’o. In a Jan. 17 post on SI.com, in which journalist Peter Thamel shared the transcripts of his interviews with Te’o in the aftermath of Deadspin’s exposé, Koa is referred to as “Noa,” and is identified as Lennay’s twin brother. It was Koa, Te’o told Sports Illustrated according to Thamel’s transcript, who broke the news that Lennay had died:

    “I remember I went to class and went to workouts and after workouts, right before I was about to come into meetings, I got a text message from her phone but it was her brother. Every time her brother texts me he just says, ‘Bro.’ I was like, ‘Why is her brother texting me?’ Then I get a phone call from her older brother’s phone. He’s just crying. And immediately I felt like, ‘Oh my Gosh, what just happened.’ And then he told me, ‘She’s gone bro.’”

U’ilani Rae Kekua

Reportedly the sister of Lennay Kekua. Te’o publicly tweeted at U’ilani’s Twitter account, welcoming her to the social media network, on Nov. 4; her account also tweeted memorial messages at Lennay’s Twitter following her supposed death. According to TMZ, a die-hard Notre Dame supporter who only wanted to be identified as “Jan” reportedly met U’ilani through Twitter; when she tried to arrange a meeting at the Nov. 24 Notre Dame-USC game, she was instead met by a former high school football star and apparent friend of the Te’o family named Ronaiah Tuiasosopo, who told her Jan was unable to attend the game. According to TMZ:

    Jan tells us Ronaiah was with a little girl during the USC meeting who they called Pookah – and together, they explained how Lennay’s sister couldn’t come down to visit, so U’ilani sent them instead. Jan says Ronaiah “made it seem as if he was a member of Lennay’s family.”

After two other Twitter users made comments alleging the U’ilani account was fake and operated by the person behind the Lennay account, the U’ilani account immediately disappeared. Deadspin identified the woman in photos of U’ilani as Donna Tei, who reportedly has family connections to Ronaiah Tuiasosopo.

Ronaiah Tuiasosopo

A star football player as a student at Paraclete High in Lancaster, Calif., Tuiasosopo, now 22, leads the church band at Oasis Christian Church of the Antelope Valley, where his father is pastor, and posts his performances of secular and religious songs online. Tuiasosopo, according to Deadspin, comes from a prominent football family — among his relatives are former NFL defensive lineman Manu Tuiasosopo and NFL guard Fred Matua, who died last August at age 28 from heart-related issues. Tuiasosopo knows Te’o, at least somewhat; the Notre Dame football star retweeted him in May 2012 and wished him a happy birthday in June. Tuiasosopo tweeted about having a “great night with my bro @MTeo_5″ on Nov. 23, after allegedly attending a Notre Dame-USC game as an on-field guest.

According to Deadspin, in December 2012, Tuiasosopo asked his classmate, identified by the pseudonym “Reba,” to take a picture of herself for his cousin, who he said had been in a car accident and thought she was pretty. Reba obliged, and the photo later appeared as the profile image on a Twitter account allegedly belonging to Lennay Kekua. When Reba called Tuiasosopo to see how her photo had ended up there, he ”immediately began acting weird,” she told Deadspin; the photo was removed moments after they spoke.

Tuiasosopo was also in a car accident a month before Kekua’s alleged accident, Deadspin reported. The blog claimed that Tuiasosopo had created the fake online pesona of Lennay Kekua as early as 2008, and is likely behind  those of Koa and U’ilani Rae Kekua as well.

“Frieda”

A pseudonymous source for the Jan. 16 article on the sports blog Deadspin that exposed the alleged hoax, who claimed to be familiar with both Manti Te’o and Ronaiah Tuiasosopo. “Frieda” told Deadspin that in December 2012, she had suggested on Twitter that things didn’t quite add up with Te’o's alleged girlfriend, Lennay Kekua. She said Tuiasosopo and Te’o were “family, or at least family friends,” and that the Tuiasosopos had been on-field guests at a Nov. 24 Notre Dame-USC game in Los Angeles. The University of Southern California could not confirm this, but Tuiasosopo reportedly tweeted on Nov. 23, “Great night with my bro @MTeo_5! #Heisman #574L” — suggesting the two saw each other during Te’o's trip to L.A. Tuiasosopo’s Twitter account has since been deleted.

“Reba”

A pseudonymous source for Deadspin‘s article, “Reba” says she is the woman whose photographs the Lennay Kekua account used as its own. After identifying the woman, Deadspin contacted her and broke news of the investigation. Reba, who lives in Torrance, Calif., told Deadspin she was horrified to learn she was a part of the apparent hoax. Whoever produced Kekua’s Twitter account had lifted photos from Reba’s Facebook and Instagram accounts, Deadspin reports, although they appeared to have been altered enough to prevent reverse image searches from making the connection. One photograph, however, hadn’t been published on social media: a picture of Reba holding up a sign that read “MSMK” that she took at the request of her former classmate, Ronaiah Tuiasosopo. He said the photo was for his cousin, an admirer of Reba. According to Deadspin, friends and family of Tuiasosopo believe he is most likely behind the Lennay account.