U.S. Olympic official gives Rio de Janeiro high marks

The head of the U.S. Olympic Committee, on a briefing trip to Brazil, has been encouraged by the prospects for a successful 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games.

"This trip has afforded me the opportunity to view the impressive progress that has been made in Rio," Larry Probst, chairman of the USOC, said in a prepared statement. "While there is still work to be done, the Rio 2016 leadership team and the people of Brazil are 100 percent focused on delivering a great Games."

Preparations have been plagued by construction delays and civil unrest. The International Olympic Committee recently took several emergency steps, including the deployment of a top executive to oversee the work.

After the somewhat subdued Olympics in Sochi last winter, Rio organizers promised that -- if nothing else -- their fans will be energized and partying in typical Brazilian style. Probst seemed to agree.

"I've been equally impressed by Rio's landscape and its people, while experiencing the excitement as the venues take shape," he said.

Copyright © 2014, Los Angeles Times

23.50 | 0 komentar | Read More

And we present the Envy Awards. Don't knock 'em.

With about 36 Emmy Award categories up for grabs each year, it's clear that the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences tries to be comprehensive in recognizing TV talent. But its net has some holes in it: Each year, individuals and shows deserving of prizes in lesser-recognized categories go completely overlooked. To rectify that, we give you the Envys, eight new categories from The Envelope (with a little help from some industry friends) and their respective winners who deserve a little attention — and a shiny gold statuette — for their exceptional efforts. And the Envy goes to:

Outstanding use of knocking

Tie: Bryan Cranston ("Breaking Bad"); Kevin Spacey ("House of Cards")

A necessary shared win: Cranston's use of the phrase "I am the one who knocks" to make clear to his wife his place in the hierarchy of drug villains conveyed pure verbal menace, but Spacey's use of short knuckle raps to punctuate his meaning got the message through loud and clear without his having to drawl a single word.

Best camouflage

Kerry Washington, "Scandal"

Hiding the pregnant belly is a time-honored soap tradition; this past season, Washington's torso got tucked behind walls, shelves and enormous pocketbooks. Bonus: In real life, the actress even managed to keep the birth a secret from the media for nearly a month.

Best surprise dispatch of a human being

"House of Cards"

Neither hot-on-the-trail-of-conspiracy journalist Zoe Barnes nor the audience saw that Metro train, or politico Francis Underwood's shoving her onto the tracks, coming.

Scene-stealing special mention

Timothy Simons, as Jonah on "Veep"

The show's punching bag (or, more officially, its ex-White House liaison to the vice president's office) took everything the characters (or, more officially, the writers) had to throw at him and bounced it right back at them, and the audience.

Best celebration dance in a comedy series

Eden Sher, "The Middle"

The Sue Heck shriek-and-dance has unjustly gone ignored at this year's school proms but is worthy of "Gangnam Style" viral love. Here's just one example of a move that makes you happy just watching it happen: lat.ms/1jSfByz.

Wiggiest show

"The Americans"

It's true that "The Blacklist's" Megan Boone has had to suffer beneath one of TV's least-believable pieces of headgear for a whole season, but Matthew Rhys and Keri Russell break out outstandingly unattractive wigs week after week as part of their various spy disguises and literally vanish beneath them. Then, thankfully, they take them off.

Proudest use of undergarments in a comedy

Jeff Garlin, "The Goldbergs"

Does anyone enjoy parading around in his underpants more than Murray Goldberg? The man gets home and, before you can say, "How was your day?" has stripped down to his almost-altogether and is a happier human for it. Long may he, and his tighty-whities, reign.

Most complete use of fruit in a series

"Psych"

There will probably never be another series that makes regular use of fruit the way "Psych" did in all 121 of its episodes — a pineapple made an appearance in every one, and the practice spawned its own Web page: psychpineapple.com. Bravely done, sirs, bravely done.

calendar@latimes.com

Copyright © 2014, Los Angeles Times

23.50 | 0 komentar | Read More

Russia extends Edward Snowden's asylum for three more years

Russia has extended Edward Snowden's residency permit, allowing the fugitive U.S. intelligence contractor to remain in the country for three more years, his lawyer said Thursday.

Snowden, who is wanted in the United States for leaking information about National Security Agency surveillance practices, was stranded in the transit lounge at a Moscow airport in June 2013 while trying to flee to Latin America. Russia eventually granted him a one-year temporary asylum permit that expired on Aug. 1.

Snowden asked the Russian authorities last month to allow him to stay and finally got an answer this week. "A decision about the application has been taken," Anatoly Kucherena, a Russian lawyer who advises Snowden, said on Thursday.

"Accordingly, from Aug. 1, 2014, Edward Snowden has received a residency permit in Russia for three years," he added. Under the terms of the permit, Snowden can move around Russia and pay visits of up to three months to other countries, "depending how he plans his time," Kucherena told reporters in Moscow.

The document carries a three-year extension option. However, Snowden had not been granted political asylum that would allow him to stay in Russia indefinitely.

Political asylum could only be granted by presidential decree and was a "completely different procedure," Kucherena said. Russia's decision to give refuge to Snowden strained relations with the United States.

Relations have been further strained by Russia's annexation of Crimea and support for Ukrainian separatists. The United States and the European Union have imposed sanctions on Russia, which retaliated Wednesday with a ban on certain agricultural and food products from the U.S. and Europe.

Although the United States has sought Snowden's extradition, Kucherena said there were no legal grounds to return him. "He has not committed any crimes. There are no accusations against him in the Russian Federation," the lawyer said.

Snowden's whereabouts in Russia have been kept secret and he has rarely been seen in public over the last year. Kucherena said his client has a job in information technology and is protected by a private security organization.

Gorst is a special correspondent.

Copyright © 2014, Los Angeles Times

23.50 | 0 komentar | Read More

U.S. Olympic official gives Rio de Janeiro high marks

The head of the U.S. Olympic Committee, on a briefing trip to Brazil, has been encouraged by the prospects for a successful 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games.

"This trip has afforded me the opportunity to view the impressive progress that has been made in Rio," Larry Probst, chairman of the USOC, said in a prepared statement. "While there is still work to be done, the Rio 2016 leadership team and the people of Brazil are 100 percent focused on delivering a great Games."

Preparations have been plagued by construction delays and civil unrest. The International Olympic Committee recently took several emergency steps, including the deployment of a top executive to oversee the work.

After the somewhat subdued Olympics in Sochi last winter, Rio organizers promised that -- if nothing else -- their fans will be energized and partying in typical Brazilian style. Probst seemed to agree.

"I've been equally impressed by Rio's landscape and its people, while experiencing the excitement as the venues take shape," he said.

Copyright © 2014, Los Angeles Times

23.50 | 0 komentar | Read More

U.S. Olympic official gives Rio de Janeiro high marks

The head of the U.S. Olympic Committee, on a briefing trip to Brazil, has been encouraged by the prospects for a successful 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games.

"This trip has afforded me the opportunity to view the impressive progress that has been made in Rio," Larry Probst, chairman of the USOC, said in a prepared statement. "While there is still work to be done, the Rio 2016 leadership team and the people of Brazil are 100 percent focused on delivering a great Games."

Preparations have been plagued by construction delays and civil unrest. The International Olympic Committee recently took several emergency steps, including the deployment of a top executive to oversee the work.

After the somewhat subdued Olympics in Sochi last winter, Rio organizers promised that -- if nothing else -- their fans will be energized and partying in typical Brazilian style. Probst seemed to agree.

"I've been equally impressed by Rio's landscape and its people, while experiencing the excitement as the venues take shape," he said.

Copyright © 2014, Los Angeles Times

23.50 | 0 komentar | Read More

Tiger Woods still a question mark for PGA Championship

Will Tiger Woods and his tender back make a run at the PGA Championship this week?

We'll have to wait a little longer to find out.

As expected, Woods did not appear at a news conference scheduled for 6:30 a.m. on Tuesday. So far, only his caddie -- Joe LaCava -- has showed up at Valhalla Golf Club in Kentucky.

LaCava walked the course on Monday and told the Associated Press that he was "optimistic" that his boss would play when the tournament tees off on Thursday. Woods' agent said it was too early to make a decision.

The former No. 1 player underwent back surgery in the spring and has been attempting a comeback. Last week at the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational, he tweaked his back while hitting from the edge of a bunker and had to withdraw midway through the fourth round.

He is scheduled to play the first round with Phil Mickelson and Padraig Harrington.

Copyright © 2014, Los Angeles Times

23.50 | 0 komentar | Read More

Ousted Ohio State band leader fights for vindication, job

Ohio State University marching band director Jon Waters, ousted amid charges that a sexualized culture had taken hold in the nationally prominent institution, said he worked to change the atmosphere that led to his dismissal and that he would fight to get his job back.

Waters defended his records in several national television appearances Tuesday, part of recent defensive actions that have included marshaling support from band alumni and establishing a fund to pay the legal costs associated with his fight.

"This was my dream job. I love Ohio State and I love those students," Waters told ABC News. "And I'm here to set the record straight. I'm here to point out we have taken tremendous steps to improve the culture and move the band forward."

Waters' comments were immediately rebuffed by the university in emails to media outlets, including the Los Angeles Times.

"First and foremost, it is important to note that the marching band, like math or physics, is an academic course in which students receive credit and a grade," the university countered. "The band is neither a club nor an organization and its leadership and students must adhere to the same standards as any other member of the university community."

In the statement, the university said that Waters hasn't produced "any factual examples that demonstrate any tangible attempts to change band culture." The statement also charged that Waters "misled" university officials during the process.

In an internal report prepared for the university after it received a complaint from a parent, Waters was accused of knowing about a "sexualized culture" of pranks, rituals and similar college shenanigans. According to the report, students were regularly hazed, forced to perform sexually explicit stunts and even told to march into the stadium in their underwear late at night in a tradition called "Midnight Ramp."

Waters argued that the report was too limited, talking to just nine current and former band members.

"The sample size was tremendously small for such an important issue as band culture," Waters told ABC. "I think I was the victim of a rush to judgment and a very inaccurate report."

"The culture in our band is entrenched and because it's entrenched, it doesn't turn on a dime," Waters told the "Today Show's" Savannah Guthrie. "And so on my first day, I did indeed engage with our leadership and our leadership team in trying to shape that culture, in trying to eliminate poor behaviors."

The university disagreed.

"University policy dictates that any employee who becomes aware of information that would lead a reasonable person to believe that sexual harassment has occurred must notify the Office of Human Resources within five working days of becoming aware of the information—the former band director did not notify university officials. In fact, he failed to inform or consult with others regarding the misconduct, as required by university policy, despite having numerous opportunities to do so over the past 18 months," the school stated.

Waters had been head of the band -- which bills itself as "The Best Damn Band in the Land," -- since 2012. He is credited with devising many of the intricate routines, including the homage to dead pop star Michael Jackson, which seemed to have more moving pieces and players than a Lego sculpture. The popular halftime shows, which have drawn praise and millions of eyeballs on YouTube, were choreographed on an iPad, leading to an Apple commercial for the band in January.

Band alumni have backed Waters and recently met with top school officials to discuss the firing.

On Monday, the university named two music professors to be the interim leaders of the marching band, with one focusing on compliance and student safety. The school has announced it will conduct a national search for a new director.

Follow @latimesmuskal for national news.

Copyright © 2014, Los Angeles Times

23.50 | 0 komentar | Read More

Tiger Woods still a question mark for PGA Championship

Will Tiger Woods and his tender back make a run at the PGA Championship this week?

We'll have to wait a little longer to find out.

As expected, Woods did not appear at a news conference scheduled for 6:30 a.m. on Tuesday. So far, only his caddie -- Joe LaCava -- has showed up at Valhalla Golf Club in Kentucky.

LaCava walked the course on Monday and told the Associated Press that he was "optimistic" that his boss would play when the tournament tees off on Thursday. Woods' agent said it was too early to make a decision.

The former No. 1 player underwent back surgery in the spring and has been attempting a comeback. Last week at the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational, he tweaked his back while hitting from the edge of a bunker and had to withdraw midway through the fourth round.

He is scheduled to play the first round with Phil Mickelson and Padraig Harrington.

Copyright © 2014, Los Angeles Times

23.50 | 0 komentar | Read More

Ousted Ohio State band leader fights for vindication, job

Ohio State University marching band director Jon Waters, ousted amid charges that a sexualized culture had taken hold in the nationally prominent institution, said he worked to change the atmosphere that led to his dismissal and that he would fight to get his job back.

Waters defended his records in several national television appearances Tuesday, part of recent defensive actions that have included marshaling support from band alumni and establishing a fund to pay the legal costs associated with his fight.

"This was my dream job. I love Ohio State and I love those students," Waters told ABC News. "And I'm here to set the record straight. I'm here to point out we have taken tremendous steps to improve the culture and move the band forward."

Waters' comments were immediately rebuffed by the university in emails to media outlets, including the Los Angeles Times.

"First and foremost, it is important to note that the marching band, like math or physics, is an academic course in which students receive credit and a grade," the university countered. "The band is neither a club nor an organization and its leadership and students must adhere to the same standards as any other member of the university community."

In the statement, the university said that Waters hasn't produced "any factual examples that demonstrate any tangible attempts to change band culture." The statement also charged that Waters "misled" university officials during the process.

In an internal report prepared for the university after it received a complaint from a parent, Waters was accused of knowing about a "sexualized culture" of pranks, rituals and similar college shenanigans. According to the report, students were regularly hazed, forced to perform sexually explicit stunts and even told to march into the stadium in their underwear late at night in a tradition called "Midnight Ramp."

Waters argued that the report was too limited, talking to just nine current and former band members.

"The sample size was tremendously small for such an important issue as band culture," Waters told ABC. "I think I was the victim of a rush to judgment and a very inaccurate report."

"The culture in our band is entrenched and because it's entrenched, it doesn't turn on a dime," Waters told the "Today Show's" Savannah Guthrie. "And so on my first day, I did indeed engage with our leadership and our leadership team in trying to shape that culture, in trying to eliminate poor behaviors."

The university disagreed.

"University policy dictates that any employee who becomes aware of information that would lead a reasonable person to believe that sexual harassment has occurred must notify the Office of Human Resources within five working days of becoming aware of the information—the former band director did not notify university officials. In fact, he failed to inform or consult with others regarding the misconduct, as required by university policy, despite having numerous opportunities to do so over the past 18 months," the school stated.

Waters had been head of the band -- which bills itself as "The Best Damn Band in the Land," -- since 2012. He is credited with devising many of the intricate routines, including the homage to dead pop star Michael Jackson, which seemed to have more moving pieces and players than a Lego sculpture. The popular halftime shows, which have drawn praise and millions of eyeballs on YouTube, were choreographed on an iPad, leading to an Apple commercial for the band in January.

Band alumni have backed Waters and recently met with top school officials to discuss the firing.

On Monday, the university named two music professors to be the interim leaders of the marching band, with one focusing on compliance and student safety. The school has announced it will conduct a national search for a new director.

Follow @latimesmuskal for national news.

Copyright © 2014, Los Angeles Times

23.50 | 0 komentar | Read More

Ousted Ohio State band leader fights for vindication, job

Ohio State University marching band director Jon Waters, ousted amid charges that a sexualized culture had taken hold in the nationally prominent institution, said he worked to change the atmosphere that led to his dismissal and that he would fight to get his job back.

Waters defended his records in several national television appearances Tuesday, part of recent defensive actions that have included marshaling support from band alumni and establishing a fund to pay the legal costs associated with his fight.

"This was my dream job. I love Ohio State and I love those students," Waters told ABC News. "And I'm here to set the record straight. I'm here to point out we have taken tremendous steps to improve the culture and move the band forward."

Waters' comments were immediately rebuffed by the university in emails to media outlets, including the Los Angeles Times.

"First and foremost, it is important to note that the marching band, like math or physics, is an academic course in which students receive credit and a grade," the university countered. "The band is neither a club nor an organization and its leadership and students must adhere to the same standards as any other member of the university community."

In the statement, the university said that Waters hasn't produced "any factual examples that demonstrate any tangible attempts to change band culture." The statement also charged that Waters "misled" university officials during the process.

In an internal report prepared for the university after it received a complaint from a parent, Waters was accused of knowing about a "sexualized culture" of pranks, rituals and similar college shenanigans. According to the report, students were regularly hazed, forced to perform sexually explicit stunts and even told to march into the stadium in their underwear late at night in a tradition called "Midnight Ramp."

Waters argued that the report was too limited, talking to just nine current and former band members.

"The sample size was tremendously small for such an important issue as band culture," Waters told ABC. "I think I was the victim of a rush to judgment and a very inaccurate report."

"The culture in our band is entrenched and because it's entrenched, it doesn't turn on a dime," Waters told the "Today Show's" Savannah Guthrie. "And so on my first day, I did indeed engage with our leadership and our leadership team in trying to shape that culture, in trying to eliminate poor behaviors."

The university disagreed.

"University policy dictates that any employee who becomes aware of information that would lead a reasonable person to believe that sexual harassment has occurred must notify the Office of Human Resources within five working days of becoming aware of the information—the former band director did not notify university officials. In fact, he failed to inform or consult with others regarding the misconduct, as required by university policy, despite having numerous opportunities to do so over the past 18 months," the school stated.

Waters had been head of the band -- which bills itself as "The Best Damn Band in the Land," -- since 2012. He is credited with devising many of the intricate routines, including the homage to dead pop star Michael Jackson, which seemed to have more moving pieces and players than a Lego sculpture. The popular halftime shows, which have drawn praise and millions of eyeballs on YouTube, were choreographed on an iPad, leading to an Apple commercial for the band in January.

Band alumni have backed Waters and recently met with top school officials to discuss the firing.

On Monday, the university named two music professors to be the interim leaders of the marching band, with one focusing on compliance and student safety. The school has announced it will conduct a national search for a new director.

Follow @latimesmuskal for national news.

Copyright © 2014, Los Angeles Times

23.50 | 0 komentar | Read More