Faster than a Porsche 911: Tesla unveils electric SUV

Tesla unveils its Model X electric SUV with "Gull Wing" doors, room for seven adults and faster acceleration than a Porsche 911

LOS ANGELES, CA -- Electric carmaker Tesla Motors unveiled a battery-powered crossover between a sports car and utility vehicle on Thursday night.

The unveiling in Hawthorne, CA was attended by California Governor Jerry Brown and celebrities including film director Jon Favreau, who witnessed Tesla's CEO Elon Musk introduce the new Tesla Model X on stage.

The fully-electric sport-utility vehicle, set to go into production late next year, features signature "gull-wing" doors which leave more room as they open. The SUV seats up to seven adults in three rows within its roomy interior - offering more space than an Audi Q7.

Elon Musk claims his new Model X has better manoeuvrability than a Mini Cooper, and accelerates from 0-60 mph within just 4.4 seconds - faster than a Porsche 911 sports car.

Musk said: "Even though the X is heavier, it will still go zero to 60 miles an hour in about 4.4 seconds. And that's not even the Performance model. This is will be our most important, and highest-volume car, when it comes out."

The vehicles qualify for a $7,500 federal tax credit aimed at encouraging sales of electric vehicles. Including that credit, Model X pricing will start at $49,900.

American Idol Drama: Symone Recovers, but Now Tent Girl Is Sick!

Well, last night's cliffhanger was rather dramatic, wasn't it?

There was a scary moment for Symone Black on American Idol last night as she finished singing "Sittin' on the Dock of the Bay" and, seemingly overcome with fatigue or nerves, tottered toward the edge of the stage and fell off. Executive producer Nigel Lythgoe called for a medic, and her understandably concerned father rushed toward the front of the room.

Luckily, Symone was taken to the hospital, treated for dehydration and appears to be doing just fine.

But what happened when she told her dad to quit worrying and showed up for day three of Hollywood Week, along with 184 fellow aspiring stars?

Well, aside from missing out on a little key bonding time when the remaining hopefuls knew they had to split up into groups, Symone fit right in.

In fact, the teen was hardly alone when it came to excitement, anxiety and exhaustion taking its toll.

Amy Brumfield, who won hearts with her story of living in a tent in the woods with her boyfriend and then made headlines with news of her misdemeanor-peppered past, showed up for the group round with a nasty flu.

Her group worried about her stamina, but the 24-year-old Tennessean said she was determined to "beat the devil."


And that bug traveled fast, because, before long, Gabrielle Carruba was tossing her cookies during rehearsal, the poor 16-year-old from Connecticut throwing up into a bag in between harmonies.

Phillip Phillips and Eben Christian chose to take their stomach troubles to their rooms, but both were back after some alone time, be it in bed or in the bathroom.

And throughout, of course, group members who were perfectly healthy were rubbing each other the wrong way and butting heads right and left.

Wow! The flies may not be dropping but they're caught in a pretty tangled web of nerves and creative differences. We can only imagine how this will affect the actual group round performances—which will air next Wednesday.

Capello quits as England manager

London: Italian Fabio Capello`s turbulent reign as England manager ended when he resigned after meeting FA chairman David Bernstein and general secretary Alex Horne at Wembley stadium.

The discussions followed the FA decision to remove the England team captaincy from John Terry after the Chelsea defender`s trial for allegedly racially abusing Queens Park Rangers` defender Anton Ferdinand was adjourned until July.

Terry, who would have led England at this year`s European Championship, denies the charge.

Capello, 65, expressed his unhappiness with the decision in an Italian television interview Sunday.

"I thought it was right that Terry should keep the captain`s armband," he said.

An FA statement said Capello`s resignation had been accepted and he would leave his post immediately after just over four years in charge.

"I would like to stress that during today`s meeting and throughout his time as England manager, Fabio has conducted himself in an extremely professional manner," Bernstein said in a statement.

"We have accepted Fabio`s resignation, agreeing this is the right decision. We would like to thank Fabio for his work with the England team and wish him every success in the future."

A news conference with Bernstein has been scheduled for Wembley stadium at 1200 GMT Thursday.
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Cup Humiliation

Capello took over as England manager in January 2008 after England`s failure to qualify for Euro 2008 under Steve McClaren.

His first match, a friendly against Switzerland exactly four years ago this week, ended in a 2-1 victory and in he was in charge for 42 matches, winning 28, drawing eight and losing only six.

Among those six, though, was a crushing 4-1 loss to Germany in the World Cup finals in South Africa 18 months ago. That was England`s worst defeat in the finals and led to a chorus of calls for his dismissal.

He kept his job and guided England unbeaten through the qualifiers for the European Championship in Poland and Ukraine.

Capello`s tenure as England boss was a roller-coaster ride with several highs and lows. Apart from the World Cup, the lowest points both concerned Terry.

Terry was relieved of the England captain`s armband after allegations that he had an extra-marital affair with the former girlfriend of his former Chelsea team mate Wayne Bridge.

Capello, who was on a salary of 6 million pounds ($9.5 million) a year, re-instated Terry last March. However, the latest incident proved one too many for the Italian and led directly to his resignation.

After winning 32 caps for his country, Capello enjoyed a glittering club management career.

He won four Serie A titles with Milan and one with AS Roma plus two La Liga titles with Real Madrid. He also took Juventus to two consecutive titles which were later stripped because of a match-fixing scandal.

Passenger plane makes Belfast emergency landing

A Thomas Cook passenger jet bound for Tenerife made a safe emergency landing at Belfast amid technical problems with its landing gear

BELFAST, Northern Ireland -- A passenger jet bound for Tenerife made a safe emergency landing at Belfast International Airport on Tuesday morning.

The Thomas Cook Airbus A320 developed technical problems with its landing gear after take-off from Belfast and circled above Lough Neagh for an hour to lose fuel.

Following landing clearance, it returned to Belfast International Airport and performed a successful emergency landing at 11.30am (GMT) on Tuesday morning.

Emergency services were on stand-by as the aircraft landed.

There were no initial reports of any injuries.

Thomas Cook, one of Britain's biggest tour operators, confirmed it owns and operates the plane but gave no further details.

Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee: Gun salutes mark 60 years on the throne

Gun salutes mark the 60th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II on the throne, as the Queen renews her pledge to serve the British people

LONDON -- Gun salutes across the United KIngdom, including London and Edinburgh marked the 60th anniversary of the Queen's accession to the throne on Monday.

In an unprecedented move, the Queen marked 60 years on the throne by renewing her pledge to serve the British people.

"I dedicate myself anew to your service," the monarch said in a message released by Buckingham Palace - repeating a pledge she first made when she was 21.

"Today, as I mark 60 years as your Queen, I am writing to thank you for the wonderful support and encouragement that you have given to me and Prince Philip over these years and to tell you how deeply moved we have been to receive so many kind messages about the Diamond Jubilee."

"In this special year, as I dedicate myself anew to your service, I hope we will all be reminded of the power of togetherness and the convening strength of family, friendship and good neighbourliness, examples of which I have been fortunate to see throughout my reign and which my family and I look forward to seeing in many forms as we travel throughout the United Kingdom and the wider Commonwealth.

"I hope also that this Jubilee year will be a time to give thanks for the great advances that have been made since 1952 and to look forward to the future with a clear head and warm heart as we join together in our celebrations.

"I send my sincere good wishes to you all," the Queen's message concluded.

Princess Elizabeth became Queen on February 6, 1952.

She was on tour in Kenya when her beloved father, George VI, died unexpectedly in his sleep.

Princess Elizabeth and her husband returned to Britain the next day but when she set foot back on British soil, it was as Queen.

She has since seen 11 prime ministers come and go. David Cameron, her 12th and current Prime Minister, praised the Queen's "magnificent service," thanking her for guiding the nation with "dignity and quiet authority."

"Always dedicated, always resolute and always respected, she is a source of wisdom and continuity," Cameron said. "All my life, and for the lives of most people in this country, she has always been there for us. Today, and this year, in the 60th anniversary of her reign, we have the chance to say thank you."

The Queen's Diamond Jubilee is set to be be marked with a series of regional, national and international events throughout 2012.

Visits to the nations of the Commonwealth will be carried out by members of the royal family, including Prince William and his wife, the Duchess of Cambridge. Meanwhile, the Queen herself will travel around Britain with her 90-year-old husband, who underwent heart surgery in December.

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Katy Perry Dedicates Song to Tim Tebow at Super Bowl Party

Flamboyant pop star Katy Perry dedicated suggestive song "Peacock" to evangelical quarterback Tim Tebow at a pre-Super Bowl party Saturday night.

Perry, the daughter of Christian ministers, said "This one goes out to Tim Tebow," before singing the single at the DIRECTV Sixth Annual Celebrity Beach Bowl party Saturday night in Indianapolis, Ind. – her first U.S. concert since her separation from husband Russell Brand – reported Indy Star. There is no report that Tebow was at that party when Perry gave a shout-out to him.

But the two sort-of met earlier on Saturday at the NFL Honors ceremony, where Perry spotted Denver Broncos quarterback Tebow in the front row and said to him while on stage, "Hey Tim, my parents say hi."

Perry's parents, who are evangelical pastors with a church in Huntington Beach, Calif., have said that they wanted to set up their daughter with Tebow, who they think would have a good influence on her with his strong Christian faith.

A source told OK! Magazine that Perry's mother thinks "Tebow is the perfect guy for her daughter."

"He's handsome, charming, intelligent and above all, a good Christian."

The source also said that Keith and Mary Hudson are trying to coordinate a schedule where their daughter performs at the church the same time Tebow is scheduled to speak there.

Perry is perhaps best known for her breakthrough song "I Kissed a Girl," a surprising song for a singer who had her start in the Christian music industry and who was raised by ultra conservative Christian parents. In December, Russell Brand filed for divorce from Perry, just after 14 months of marriage.

The successful pop star is in the 2010 Guinness Book of World Records for the "Best Start on the US Digital Chart by a Female Artist." Perry is also named MTV's Artist of the Year in 2011, and won several awards at the 38th People's Choice Awards earlier this year, including "Favorite Female Artist."

"Securing our borders": British tourists refused entry to the U.S. after Twitter jokes

Two British tourists travelling to Los Angeles were refused entry to the U.S. on security grounds over Twitter jokes

LOS ANGELES, CA -- Two British tourists were refused entry to the United States after the Department of Homeland Security flagged them as a potential terror threat.

Twitter joke
Leigh Van Bryan, 26, had posted a message on Twitter prior to his U.S. trip with his friend Emily Bunting, 24.

The tweet read: "Free this week, for quick gossip/prep before I go and destroy America?"

Terror suspect
Referring to his intention to have a good time and party in America, Van Bryan's tweet raised suspicion of being a terrorist at the U.S. Department for Homeland Security.

Upon arrival at Los Angeles International Airport on Monday, the pair were detained by armed guards and interrogated by U.S. officials.

Their attempts to explain that by "destroy" they meant "party" failed as Homeland Security agents were conducting thorough interviews to assess the severity of the perceived terror threat.

"The Homeland Security agents were treating me like some kind of terrorist," Mr Bryan said.

"I kept saying they had got the wrong meaning from my tweet."

Throrough interrogation
Following five hours of interrogation, the pair were locked up for 12 hours overnight before before being driven back to the airport where they were put on a plane home.

Homeland Security: "Striking a Balance"
The Department for Homeland Security released a statement following the event, saying:

"We recognize that there is an important balance to strike between securing our borders while facilitating the high volume of legitimate trade and travel that crosses our borders every day, and we strive to achieve that balance," the statement read.

Social media as source of intelligence
The incident comes as U.S. intelligence and security agencies are increasingly monitoring social media sites such as Twitter and Facebook to identify possible terror threats.

The U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) recently outlined the objectives of its social media monitoring program:

Objectives outlined by the FBI for monitoring soical media accounts
* Detecting potential threats
* Developing threat profiles
* Outlining possible courses-of-action
* Determining timeframe for action by bad actors
* Identifying and developing tactical picture of the location for threat events
* Developing intelligence products for counter-measures

ABTA warning for holidaymakers
ABTA, which represents travel companies in the UK, told BBC News that holidaymakers need to learn to be ultra-cautious when it comes to talking about forthcoming trips, particularly after 9/11.

"Airport security staff do not have a sense of humour when it comes to potential risk," an ABTA representative told the BBC.

"Posting statements in a public forum which could be construed as threatening - in this case saying they are going to "destroy" somewhere - will not be viewed sympathetically by US authorities," it warned.