Whew! Huge asteroid won't hit Earth in 2036

The Earth is safe from the giant asteroid Apophis when it flies extremely close to our planet in 2029, then returns for seconds in 2036, NASA scientists announced today (Jan. 10). The chances of an impact in 2036 are less than one in a million, they added.

Asteroid Apophis ? which is the size of three and a half football fields ? was discovered in June 2004 and gained infamy after a preliminary study suggested it had a 2.7 percent chance of hitting the Earth during its 2029 flyby. Subsequent observations ruled out an impact in 2029, but astronomers were closely studying Apophis? return in 2036.

Now, new observations of asteroid Apophis recorded Wednesday (Jan.9) have revealed the space rock poses no real threat to the Earth in 2036, NASA officials said.?Astronomers tracked the asteroid as Apophis made a distant flyby of Earth at a range of about 9.3 million miles (15 million kilometers).

"The impact odds as they stand now are less than one in a million, which makes us comfortable saying we can effectively rule out an Earth impact in 2036,? Don Yeomans, manager of NASA's Near-Earth Object Program Office, said in a statement. The office is based at the agency's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, Calif. [See Photos of Giant Asteroid Apophis]

?"Our interest in asteroid Apophis will essentially be for its scientific interest for the foreseeable future," Yeomans said.

And that scientific interest will be high.

When Apophis buzzes the Earth on April 13, 2029, it will come within 19,400 miles (31,300 km) of our planet. That's closer than some geostationary satellites, which orbit the Earth at a range of 22,370 miles (36,000 km), and will be the closest flyby of an asteroid the size of Apophis in recorded history, NASA officials said.

"But much sooner, a closer approach by a lesser-known asteroid is going to occur in the middle of next month when a 40-meter-sized asteroid, 2012 DA14, flies safely past Earth's surface at about 17,200 miles," said Yeomans. "With new telescopes coming online, the upgrade of existing telescopes and the continued refinement of our orbital determination process, there's never a dull moment working on near-Earth objects."?

Also on Wednesday, the European Space Agency announced that new observations of Apophis by the infrared Herschel Space Observatory revealed that the asteroid is about 1,066 feet (325 meters) wide, nearly 20 percent larger than a previous estimate of 885 feet (270 m). It is also 75 percent more massive than previous estimates, ESA officials said.

The new observations of asteroid Apophis this week were made by astronomers at the Magdalena Ridge observatory, operated by the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, and the University of Hawaii's Pan-STARRS telescope. The observations were combined with data from NASA's Goldstone Solar System Radar to rule out any chance of a 2036 impact.

NASA astronomers regularly use telescopes on Earth and in space to search for any asteroids that may pose an impact threat to Earth.

You can follow SPACE.com Managing Editor Tariq Malik on Twitter?@tariqjmalik.??Follow SPACE.com on Twitter?@Spacedotcom. We're also on?Facebook?&?Google+.?

Copyright 2013 SPACE.com, a TechMediaNetwork company. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/whew-huge-asteroid-apophis-wont-hit-earth-2036-215722305.html

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Alabama's Lacy, Milliner, Fluker enter NFL draft

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) -- Alabama tailback Eddie Lacy, cornerback Dee Milliner and right tackle D.J. Fluker are entering the NFL draft after helping lead the Crimson Tide to a second straight national title.

Lacy and Milliner announced their plans to skip their senior seasons Friday at a news conference. Fluker couldn't be there for the announcement because he was traveling.

It's another exodus of talented underclassmen for a team that has won three of the past four national championships. Most of the four first-round picks in each of the past two drafts that left Alabama were underclassmen.

"I appreciate what they've done for the University of Alabama but we also acknowledge the fact that from a business standpoint, these guys are making good decisions about their future and what they can do," coach Nick Saban said.

Unlike recent groups of departing juniors from Alabama, only Milliner is pegged as a sure first-round pick.

He was a Jim Thorpe Award finalist and unanimous All-American after recording two interceptions and 22 pass deflections. He and guard Chance Warmack, who was a senior, are projected as the Tide's top current prospects.

"I think while I was here, I met all the goals and team affirmations that I set for myself as a freshman by winning a championship, becoming an All-American, just being part of a team that always loved to win," Milliner said. "I think I fulfilled all my goals and am ready and prepared to go to the next level."

Lacy was MVP of the national championship game against Notre Dame after rushing for 140 yards and scoring two touchdowns. He said he wasn't 100 percent healthy all season until the title game Monday night, but Lacy still ran for 1,322 yards and 17 touchdowns while averaging 6.5 yards per carry.

"We don't have a lot of years to play this position, so you have to go while you can," Lacy said. "I would love to come back. This is a great place. We have the best fans, but I really didn't want to risk coming back and not having such a good year or maybe even risking injury. I've had my share of injuries this year. I feel like you've got to get out while you can."

Lacy thinks he "made a pretty solid statement" in the title game, when he made a spin move into the end zone on a TD catch and on another run pushed 248-pound linebacker Danny Spond away with one hand.

Lacy was recruited in the same class as Trent Richardson, last year's No. 3 pick by Cleveland, but redshirted and then spent two seasons as a backup. He's not widely projected to follow Richardson and 2009 Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram into the first round. Lacy said he was projected as a second- or third-round pick in feedback from the NFL, but was impressive in the finale. Ordinarily, Saban only recommends projected first-round picks leave early.

"I'm fully supportive of what Eddie's doing," Saban said. "It's a little bit of a different situation than we've had in the past, but it's a little bit unique as well. Every one of these situations is unique to that particular individual and what his situation is. "

The 6-foot-6, 335-pound Fluker started 35 games for the Tide and was a second-team Associated Press All-American.

He was one of the Tide's top-rated signees in 2009 but came in overweight at about 395 pounds and was redshirted.

"I certainly feel like this year has been his best year as a player, and I feel that he's made a good decision about what he wants to do," said Saban, adding that Fluker has improved as much as any player on the team.

The mammoth Fluker, who wears a size-22 shoe, said in a statement that leaving early "is never an easy decision when you are playing at a place like Alabama."

""These four years in Tuscaloosa have been the best four years of my life and I appreciate everyone who helped me along the way," he said.

Quarterback AJ McCarron, All-America linebacker C.J. Moseley and guard Anthony Steen have already said they're returning for their senior seasons. Saban didn't rule out other juniors possibly declaring for the draft before Tuesday's deadline.

The Tide does have promising players who have logged plenty of playing time behind Lacy and Milliner, especially. Two freshmen - tailback T.J. Yeldon (1,108 yards, 12 touchdowns) - and cornerback Geno Smith saw significant action.

"You've got people that are going to go to the NFL each year and you've got people behind them that are going to do the same things when their time comes," Milliner said.

Source: http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/F/FBC_ALABAMA_DRAFT?SITE=TXCOL&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

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Miami Hurricanes hire former FIU football coach Mario Cristobal

Mario Cristobal didn?t have to go far for his next job.

Cristobal, 42, has returned to his roots. The Miami native who was fired last month as head football coach at FIU, will be the University of Miami?s new tight ends coach, UM confirmed Thursday afternoon.

Cristobal also has been designated the associate head coach.

?I?m really, really happy to see Mario come back to the U,? former UM coach Jimmy Johnson, who coached Cristobal as a freshman, told The Miami Herald by phone. ?It?ll pay all kinds of dividends for Miami.??

Defensive coordinator Mark D?Onofrio, who coached with Cristobal when they were both assistants at Rutgers, remains Assistant Head Coach.

Brennan Carroll, who has been the tight ends coach at UM, will shift to wide receivers coach and according to the UM release, ?take a larger role in the passing game.?

Cristobal was an offensive tackle at UM from 1988 through 1992 under Johnson and Dennis Erickson, and won two national titles. He coached at UM as a graduate assistant from 1998 through 2000, then as an assistant from 2004 through 2006 ? guiding tight ends in 2004 and ?05, then offensive linemen in ?06.

Former coach Johnson said he first met Cristobal in his Miami home when he was recruiting his older brother Luis ? a guard at UM. ?Not only will he help the coaching and enthusiasm,?? Johnson said of Cristobal, ?he?ll be an outstanding recruiter as well.

?He?ll do a great job. I?m really happy [coach] Al [Golden] got him.?

Also thrilled to hear the news: former UM right guard Martin Bibla, who had Cristobal as a graduate assistant coach and was part of the Canes? last national championship team in 2001.

?That?s outstanding,?? said Bibla, now a state trooper in Pennsylvania. ?He?s a phenomenal guy. I?d go to bat for him no matter what. Art Kehoe was my coach, but if I couldn?t get a hold of Art I had total confidence in Mario. He?s a wealth of knowledge.??

Bibla said Cristobal goes out of his way to help players progress.

?He?ll bend over backwards to help players better themselves,?? Bibla said. ?He puts a different spin on things. It seems like he?s up on coaching techniques and whatever you?re doing that?s relevant to the game.

?He evolves with the game.

?If I was 17 again and trying to find a college to play ball at, I?d look at him as a good father figure. And if I was the father, I?d trust him to cultivate my son into not only a good football player but an outstanding person.??

Another national-title winner who had Cristobal as a graduate assistant: former right tackle Joaquin Gonzalez, who played for the Cleveland Browns and Indianapolis Colts. He said Cristobal helped define his career.

?I was shocked when FIU let him go,?? said Gonzalez, who heads sales for his family?s tire business. ?It will be hard to find anybody that is filled with more passion to win. He?s ready to rock ?n roll. That?s why he?s so good at recruiting.

?If Mario has to drive 18 straight hours to talk to a recruit, you bet your [behind] he?ll do it. He won?t wait for the plane. His intensity to work and be a winner is second to none. ?If you?re a lazy person, he?s not for you.??

After graduating from Miami Columbus High, Cristobal went on to receive his degree in business administration in 1993, and then his master?s degree in 2001. He is married to Jessica and has two young sons.

Cristobal led FIU to its only two bowl games, including the Panthers? first bowl appearance in 2010, a victory against Toledo in the Little Caesars Pizza Bowl. The Panthers won the 2010 Sun Belt Conference title, and Cristobal was named the Sun Belt Coach of the Year.

He was dismissed from FIU on Dec. 5 after coaching there for six seasons. He finished 3-9 with the Panthers in 2012 and 27-47 overall.

Cristobal is replacing former UM wide receivers coach George McDonald, who left UM for the same position at Arkansas.

In other UM news, former Hurricanes defensive tackle Kareem Brown, who graduated from Miami Norland High, will be the new graduate assistant coach on the defensive line, a source confirmed. Brown lettered at UM from 2003 through ?06.

Source: http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/01/11/3176325/miami-hurricanes-hire-former-fiu.html

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The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh at the launch of the ?National Electric Mobility Mission Plan 2020?, in New Delhi on January 09, 2013, The Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises, Shri Praful Patel and the Deputy Chairman, Plannin

The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh at the launch of the ?National Electric Mobility Mission Plan 2020?, in New Delhi on January 09, 2013, The Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises, Shri Praful Patel and the Deputy Chairman, Planning Commission, Shri Montek Singh Ahluwalia are also seen.

Photo no.CNR - 47436

Source: http://pib.nic.in/release/phsmall.asp?phid=44548

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[IWS} CRS: PERMANENT LEGAL IMMIGRATION TO THE UNITED ...

IWS Documented News Service

_______________________________

Institute for Workplace Studies----------------- Professor Samuel B. Bacharach

School of Industrial & Labor Relations-------- Director, Institute for Workplace Studies

Cornell University

16 East 34th Street, 4th floor---------------------- Stuart Basefsky

New York, NY 10016 -------------------------------Director, IWS News Bureau

________________________________________________________________________

Congressional Research Service (CRS)

?

Permanent Legal Immigration to the United States: Policy Overview

Ruth Ellen Wasem, Specialist in Immigration Policy

December 17, 2012

http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/homesec/R42866.pdf

[full-text, 15 pages]

?

Summary

The pool of people who are eligible to immigrate to the United States as legal permanent

residents (LPRs) each year typically exceeds the worldwide level set by the Immigration and

Nationality Act (INA). In an effort to process the demand for LPR visas fairly and in the national

interest, LPR admissions are subject to a complex set of numerical limits and preference

categories that give priority for admission on the basis of family relationships, needed skills, and

geographic diversity. The INA further specifies that each year, countries are held to a numerical

limit of 7% of the worldwide level of U.S. immigrant admissions, known as per-country limits or

country caps.

?

In FY2011, just over 1 million aliens became U.S. legal permanent residents (LPRs). Of this total,

nearly 65% entered the United States on the basis of family ties. Other major categories of LPRs

were employment-based (13%), refugees and asylees (16%), and diversity migrants (5%). In

FY2011, Mexico was the source country of 14% of LPRs who were admitted or who adjusted

status. Other top countries were China (8.2%), India (6.5%), Philippines (5.4%), and the

Dominican Republic (4.3%). Rather than newly arriving from abroad, 54.6% (580,092) were

adjusting to LPR status from a temporary (i.e., nonimmigrant) status within the United States.

?

There were 4.5 million approved LPR visa petitions pending with the National Visa Center at the

end of FY2011 because of the numerical limits in the INA, most of which are family-based

petitions. These data do not constitute a backlog of petitions to be processed; rather, these data

represent persons who have been approved for visas that are not yet available due to the

numerical limits in the INA. Adult children of U.S. citizens can now expect to wait about seven

years, with even longer waits for adult children of U.S. citizens from Mexico and the Philippines.

Prospective family-sponsored immigrants from the Philippines have the most substantial waiting

times before a visa is scheduled to become available to them; consular officers are now

considering the petitions of the brothers and sisters of U.S. citizens from the Philippines who filed

almost 24 years ago.

?

Most agree that revision of the system of permanent legal immigration should be one of the major

components of a comprehensive immigration reform (CIR) proposal, along with increased border

security and enforcement of immigration laws within the U.S. interior, reform of temporary

worker visas, and options to address the millions of unauthorized aliens residing in the country.

The 113th Congress may consider proposals to alter the legal immigration system?either in the

form of CIR or in the form of incremental revisions aimed at strategic changes.

?

Some are advocating for a significant reallocation of the visa categories or a substantial increase

in legal immigration to satisfy the desire of U.S. families to reunite with their relatives abroad and

to meet the labor force needs of employers hiring foreign workers. Yet, proponents of familybased

migration maintain that any proposal to increase immigration should also include the

option of additional family-based visas to reduce waiting times?currently up to years or

decades?for those already ?in the queue.? Arguing against these competing priorities for

increased immigration are those who favor reduced immigration, including proposals to limit

family-based LPRs to the immediate relatives of U.S. citizens, to confine employment-based

LPRs to highly skilled workers, and to eliminate the diversity visas.

?

Contents

Introduction ...................................................................................................................................... 1

Current Law and Policy ................................................................................................................... 2

Worldwide Immigration Levels ................................................................................................. 2

Per-country Ceilings .................................................................................................................. 3

Family and Employment-Based Preferences ............................................................................. 3

Other Permanent Immigration Categories ................................................................................. 5

Immigration Trends ......................................................................................................................... 6

Immigration Patterns, 1900-2010 .............................................................................................. 6

FY2011 Admissions .................................................................................................................. 8

Approved Visa Petitions Pending .................................................................................................... 9

Visa Processing Dates .............................................................................................................. 10

Family-Based Visa Priority Dates ..................................................................................... 11

Employment-Based Visa Priority Dates ............................................................................ 11

Concluding Observations ............................................................................................................... 12

?

Figures

Figure 1. Annual LPR Admissions and Status Adjustments, 1900-2010 ......................................... 6

Figure 2. Legal Permanent Residents, New Arrivals and Adjustments of Status, FY1994- FY2010 ............................. 7

Figure 3. Top Sending Countries (Comprising at Least Half of All LPRs): Selected Periods .................................. 8

Figure 4. Legal Permanent Residents by Major Category, FY2011 ................................................ 9

Figure 5. Approved LPR Visa Petitions Pending November 2011 ................................................ 10

?

Tables

Table 1. Legal Immigration Preference System ............................................................................... 4

Table 2. Other Major Legal Immigration Categories ....................................................................... 5

Table 3. Priority Dates for Family Preference Visas, as of December 2012 .................................. 11

Table 4. Priority Dates for Employment Preference Visas, as of December 2012 ........................ 12

?

Contacts

Author Contact Information........................................................................................................... 12

?

?

________________________________________________________________________

This information is provided to subscribers, friends, faculty, students and alumni of the School of Industrial & Labor Relations (ILR). It is a service of the Institute for Workplace Studies (IWS) in New York City. Stuart Basefsky is responsible for the selection of the contents which is intended to keep researchers, companies, workers, and governments aware of the latest information related to ILR disciplines as it becomes available for the purposes of research, understanding and debate. The content does not reflect the opinions or positions of Cornell University, the School of Industrial & Labor Relations, or that of Mr. Basefsky and should not be construed as such. The service is unique in that it provides the original source documentation, via links, behind the news and research of the day. Use of the information provided is unrestricted. However, it is requested that users acknowledge that the information was found via the IWS Documented News Service.

?

Source: http://iwsdocumentednewsdaily.blogspot.com/2013/01/iws-crs-permanent-legal-immigration-to.html

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Is the postponement of Ch?vez's inauguration in Venezuela legal?

Hugo Ch?vez won a fourth term as president of Venezuela in October, and tomorrow, Jan. 10, was his scheduled inauguration. But the leader, who has been in office since 1999, is unable to appear before the nation to assume office. He has been in Cuba since his December cancer surgery there, and is facing a recovery deemed ?complicated? by his government. Venezuela has been thrown into uncertainty as government allies and opposition figures face off over who should become president on Thursday, what the Constitution dictates, and what is against the law.

IS IT UNCONSTITUTIONAL FOR THE INAUGURATION TO BE DELAYED?

Allies of President Ch?vez say the inauguration can legally be delayed, arguing that the swear-in is only a ?formality.? They argue that Ch?vez maintains his post as president and will be sworn in later, in front of the nation's supreme court, when he is physically ready. The opposition earlier sent a letter to the Organization of American States (OAS) saying that his absence would be "a serious constitutional violation? and that the supreme court should weigh in. The Catholic Church also accused the government of bringing instability to the country. Critics say that, under the provisions of the constitution, the president of the national assembly should take office temporarily if Ch?vez does not appear Thursday. Simply maintaining ?continuity? of the current administration is illegal, they say.

RECOMMENDED: Hugo Ch?vez 101: a quiz about Venezuela's president

?There is one strict date that cannot be modified,? says Luis Salamanca, a professor of constitutional law at the Central University of Venezuela in Caracas. ?A new period is ending, and another one is beginning.? Mr. Salamanca says the swearing-in is more than just a formality.

It is the moment of the inauguration that ?Chavez would be granted the legal authority to be president,? he says.

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WHAT EXACTLY DOES THE CONSTITUTION SAY?

There are three relevant articles of the constitution that apply to this case. Article 231, translated by the BBC in English here, reads:

The president-elect shall take office on 10 January of the first year of their constitutional term, by taking an oath before the National Assembly. If for any reason, (they) cannot be sworn in before the National Assembly, they shall take the oath of office before the Supreme Court.

Article 233 defines the ?absolute absence? of the president as:

His or her death; resignation; removal from office by a Supreme Court judgement; permanent physical or mental disability certified by a medical board appointed by the Supreme Court and approved by the National Assembly; abandoning office, as declared by the National Assembly; and revocation by popular vote.

It goes on to say:

When there is an absolute absence of the president-elect before taking office, there shall be a new election by universal, direct and secret vote within the next 30 consecutive days. Pending the election and inauguration of the new president, the president of the National Assembly will assume responsibility for the presidency of the Republic.

If the absence of the president of the Republic occurs during the first four years of the constitutional period, there shall be a new election by universal, direct and secret vote within 30 consecutive days. Pending the election and inauguration of the new president, the executive vice-president will be responsible for the presidency of the Republic.

Finally, article 234 says: ?When the president is temporarily unable to serve, [he/she] shall be replaced by the executive vice-president for a period of up to 90 days, which may be extended by resolution of the National Assembly for an additional 90 days.?

SO WHY ALL OF THE DIVIDED VIEWS?

While the constitution describes what should happen if the inauguration is missed, and what to do if a president is ?permanently absent,? it does not define what to do in the case of a temporary absence in a moment of transition. As a microcosm of the polarization that has marked the Andean nation under Ch?vez's leadership, the views of what should happen vary widely. Allies of Ch?vez argue that the opposition is using his delicate health to take the presidency away from him, undermining the clear wishes of a citizenry who re-elected Ch?vez in Oct. 7 elections.

The opposition says that the Ch?vez government is violating the constitution for political purposes. Instead of naming the national assembly leader as temporary president, they have called for a rally on Thursday to underline the support for Ch?vez. Part of the motive may be timing, Mr. Salamanca says, to give vice president Nicolas Maduro, Ch?vez's preferred successor and the person who is in charge while Ch?vez is absent, a chance to become a more well-known political figure if new elections are eventually called.

RECOMMENDED: Hugo Ch?vez 101: a quiz about Venezuela's president

It may also simply be a reflection of the inability to foresee a Venezuela without Ch?vez at the helm. As Venezuela expert David Smilde points out in his blog, Venezuelan Politics and Human Rights, hosted by the Washington Office on Latin America (WOLA), ?taking the plunge to start making moves for a chavismo without Ch?vez is no small step."

Ironically, says Ricardo Sucre, a political analyst in Caracas, this goes against what Ch?vez said in his last public appearance: That should Ch?vez not be able to run the country, Mr. Maduro was his preferred candidate in new elections. ?Ch?vez himself stuck to the letter of the constitution,? Mr. Sucre says.

WILL CONDEMNING THE CH?VEZ ADMINISTRATION AS UNCONSTITUTIONAL BACKFIRE FOR THE OPPOSITION?

The Ch?vez administration is facing criticism for postponing the inauguration. Christopher Sabatini, editor-in-chief at Americas Quarterly, points out: ?Repeatedly this government has bent the constitution in a way that may not violate the letter of the constitution but does violate its spirit. This is no exception.?

But the situation could also backfire for the opposition, especially its appeal to the OAS. As Mr. Smilde writes: ?In appealing to the OAS the opposition may run counter to public sentiment.?

The fact that their sick president cannot come for his swearing in generates sympathy for his condition, not rage at the violation of abstract rules.? For the average Venezuelan, the opposition?s taking the issue of Ch?vez?s swearing in to international institutions makes them look like they are trying to take advantage of the situation. It only reinforces the popular image of them as people who use democratic formalities for their own interests and feel more comfortable abroad than at home.

WHAT HAPPENS AFTER JAN. 10?

Lawmakers are also calling for immediate transparency in the health of Ch?vez, to assess whether hs is "temporarily" absent from Venezuela or whether he is going to be "permanently" absent. He was diagnosed with cancer in the pelvic area in 2011 but the type, stage, and his prognosis have yet to be revealed. After declaring himself cured, Ch?vez suffered a recurrence and went to Havana in December for a fourth surgery.

No one has heard from him since.

His government and family have sent conflicting reports, some saying that he is stable and recovering, others that his situation is precarious. ?The first thing that should happen is [that] the nation should have a discussion about why exactly Ch?vez is absent, and whether this absence is temporary or permanent,? says Sucre.

Freedom House echoed that sentiment.

?The people of Venezuela deserve a transparent explanation of the President?s state of health to determine if, and when, new elections are necessary. Prolonged uncertainty about who will be the next Venezuelan president is unacceptable,? said David Kramer, president of Freedom House, in a statement.

RECOMMENDED: Hugo Ch?vez 101: a quiz about Venezuela's president

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Source: http://news.yahoo.com/postponement-ch-vezs-inauguration-venezuela-legal-164100765.html

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Hollywood heats up with Oscar nominations, Golden Globes ceremony

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - The Hollywood award season moves into high gear this week as a slew of televised nominations and award shows trip over one another in the race for attention, kudos and one-upmanship.

With Oscar nominations on Thursday, the Golden Globes ceremony in Beverly Hills on Sunday, and the annual People's Choice and Critics Choice shows wedged in on Wednesday and Thursday evenings, stars, pundits and fans have an embarrassment of movie riches to savor.

The already busy awards schedule has taken on a new look this year with Oscar nominations being announced before the annual Golden Globes ceremony, instead of afterward.

"This is partially an attempt to blunt the impact of the Globes on the part of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences," Pete Hammond, awards columnist for entertainment website Deadline.com, said of the earlier nominations date.

"I think the Academy gets very frustrated that by the time you get to the Oscars in February, there have been so many awards shows and speeches, some of the luster is taken off. This is a way of stealing the attention back," Hammond told Reuters.

Six movies and a handful of actors are commanding the buzz in this week's races, the results of which will narrow the field for Oscar glory on February 24.

"Zero Dark Thirty," Kathryn Bigelow's controversial thriller about the decade-long hunt for Osama bin Laden, Iran hostage drama "Argo," epic musical "Les Miserables," presidential drama "Lincoln," Quentin Tarantino's violent slavery Western "Django Unchained" and quirky comedy "Silver Linings Playbook" are all expected to get Oscar nominations on Thursday morning.

TOO CLOSE TO CALL - EXCEPT FOR DAY-LEWIS

All six films are also in the running to take home a Golden Globe on Sunday in a race pundits call too close to call - in all but one category.

The one sure bet is that British-born Daniel Day-Lewis will win the Golden Globe for his quiet but powerful performance as U.S. President Abraham Lincoln - and probably the Oscar next month, awards watchers said.

The other categories are another matter.

"I can see the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA) spreading the wealth around many different films for the Golden Globes," said Dave Karger, chief movie correspondent at Fandango and host of its "The Frontrunners" online show.

"If that happens, it speaks to how wide and even the field is this year. There's not one or even two movies out in front, but five or even six, and I can't recall a year like that."

"Lincoln" and "Argo" appear to be the Globe best drama front-runners, but "Django Unchained," which won a surprise five nominations from the HFPA, could prove an upset.

"'Django Unchained' is a real wild card. It remains to be seen how much the Academy will love it," said Karger. "As far as shock of night (on Sunday), there could be some big wins for 'Django,' but the safe money is on 'Lincoln.'"

GLOBES FIRST BIG TEST FOR BIN LADEN MOVIE

Sunday's Globes ceremony, and the Oscar nominations, will be prove a test of the largely negative publicity surrounding the torture scenes in "Zero Dark Thirty" and the possibly secret sources used by the filmmakers to reconstruct the hunt for and May 2011 killing of the al Qaeda leader.

"There is so much controversy around 'Zero Dark Thirty,' it's hard to assess the impact of some of the negative publicity its gotten after being denounced by U.S. senators. It will have an early test to see how that goes this week," Hammond said.

Despite the furor in Washington, Jessica Chastain is widely expected to earn an Oscar nomination, and take home the Golden Globe, for best dramatic actress for her role as the determined CIA agent credited with tracking down bin Laden.

Unlike the Academy Awards, the Globes have a separate category for comedies or musicals, setting up a battle between "Les Mis" and its stars Hugh Jackman and Anne Hathaway, and "Silver Linings Playbook" actors Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence.

"If 'Les Mis' loses to 'Silver Linings Playbook' on Sunday, that's a big wow! - the big musical lost to the little independent comedy. Universal Pictures is counting on the Globes to give 'Les Mis' momentum going forward to the Oscars," Hammond said.

Karger said the choices of the HFPA were "often a little more oddball, sometimes a little artier" than those of the 6,000 members of the Academy who select the Oscar winners. That makes the Globes harder to predict, and an often unreliable indicator of future success at the Oscars.

"I think in a lot of categories at the Globes, people will generally be surprised who wins, and unsure of who is going to win," Karger said.

The People's Choice awards on Wednesday are voted on by fans and tend to reward the stars of blockbuster movies like "The Hunger Games" and "The Avengers" rather than films favored by movie writers or Oscar voters.

"Lincoln" leads all nominations for the Critics Choice Movie Awards, with a record 13 nods, ahead of "Les Miserables" with 11. Those awards are handed out on Thursday night by the Broadcast Film Critics Association, which represents more than 270 U.S. television, radio and online critics.

(Reporting By Jill Serjeant; Editing by Peter Cooney)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/hollywood-heats-oscar-nominations-golden-globes-ceremony-120853362.html

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