Apple chief speaks out on labor conditions

(Getty)

Apple Inc Chief Executive Tim Cook again stressed yesterday that the iPhone and iPad maker takes labor conditions in its globe-spanning supply chain seriously, addressing persistent criticism that its production partners may be mistreating workers. Cook, who took over from Silicon Valley icon Steve Jobs after his October death, said his company had a very "granular-level" understanding of its partners' treatment of workers. "If we find a supplier that intentionally hires underage labor, its a firing offense," he told the audience at the Goldman Sachs technology conference in San Francisco. [MSNBC]

Research showing electric cars are NOT better for our health

(China Car Times)

Electric cars are better for the environment and human health-- right? Apparently, not. According to new research from the University of Tennessee, electric cars in China have had an overall worse impact on the public health with regard to releasing particulate matter compared to those guzzling gas. The research evaluated 34 major Chinese cities where electric vehicles, including bikes, outnumber conventional vehicles 2:1. (The number of electric cars have grown to more than 100 million in the country in the last decade.) [TheBlaze]

Angry dad that shot daughters laptop on youtube - authorities paid him a visit!

The angry dad who shot his daughter's laptop in the viral Youtube video says the authorities paid him a visit to check on the welfare of his daughter. He was angry after reading his 15-year-old daughter's complaints about doing chores on Facebook... so he made a video where he shot her computer. It got over 21 million views in five days. But a few people thought he crossed the line and called him in. Dad says Child Protective Services and the cops have paid him a visit but didn't do anything. In fact the cops told him ‘Kudos sir.' He says if he had to do it all over again, he wouldn't be smoking a cigarette, would have cleaned his boots, and worn a better shirt. No charges have been filed since he didn't do anything illegal. On the bright side, his daughter was offered a job at a local ice cream shop.  [WSOCTV]

An expert says getting up a 5 a.m. may make you happier

If you get up early, you can get things done and won't feel rushed the rest of the day.  He also says it is peaceful at five in the morning-- and that helps make you feel peaceful throughout the day. [DailyMailUK]

Researchers have created a security system where a person's heartbeat IS their password

Human heartbeats never quite repeat themselves, and each person's heartbeat is unique. Chinese researchers found a way to mathematically identify a person's beat in an instant and use it as a password. AND... The system is highly secure. It takes the user's 'ECG reading' from each palm once, and a key based on that reading is stored and used for all later decryptions. The goal is to build the system into external hard drives and other devices that can be decrypted and encrypted simply by touching them. [DailyMailUK]

Soccer star being awkwardly linked to celebrity deaths

(The Sun UK)

Soccer star Aaron Ramsey is being linked to Whitney Houston's death by soccer fans after a series of odd coincidences. Every time the Arsenal midfielder scores, a famous figure dies… Whitney was the fourth in under a year. Her body was found hours after Ramsey netted a goal at Sunderland on Saturday. The coincidences started last May, when the soccer star scored for Arsenal against Man United. The next day, al Qaeda terror leader Usama Bin Laden was killed. In October, Ramsey scored against Spurs, three days before Apple boss Steve Jobs died. Later that month, he scored against Marseille in the UEFA Champions League. The next day, Libyan tyrant Moamar Ghadafi was shot.  [MyFoxDC]

Dave Grohl has premiered the trailer for his upcoming documentary ‘Sound City’ 

The Foo Fighters frontman has been working on the project, which celebrates Los Angeles' iconic Sound City Studios complex and the artists that have worked there. A number of classic albums have been made in the building including Nirvana's Nevermind and Fleetwood Mac's Rumors. The film will contain contributions from Tom Petty, Nine Inch Nails' Trent Reznor, Slipknot's Corey Taylor and Josh Homme from Queens of the Stone Age. An official release date or a soundtrack for Sound City have yet to be confirmed. [DigitalSpy] <--- click for trailer!

Police buy the cemetery plots beside the Powell boys so their father can't be buried next to them.

Website helps you find your "sugar daddy" for financial help in paying for your college degree. What could possibly be wrong about this?

M&M Mars getting rid of King Sized candy bars in 2013.

What part of Heart Attack Grill did he not understand?

Sony uses the "overzealous staffer" defense to explain the completely coincidental price hikes for Whitney Houston's music just after her death.

MARSTON HEFNER - son of Hugh Hefner - allegedly attacked his Playmate of the Year girlfriend - he's out on bail.

(Getty)

The son of Playboy founder Hugh Hefner is free on bail after allegedly attacking his Playmate girlfriend at their Pasadena home. Prosecutors filed misdemeanor domestic violence charges yesterday against Marston Hefner, 21. He later posted $20,000 bail and was released. Police responded to the home he shares with Playmate of the Year girlfriend Claire Sinclair, 20, after one of her relatives called 911, TMZ.com reported. Hefner allegedly punched and kicked Sinclair and refused to let her leave the house. [KTLA]

Magic Johnson documentary "The Announcement" will air 3/11 on ESPN

More than 20 years after Magic Johnson held a press conference to announce he was HIV-positive, ESPN is revisiting that significant moment in a documentary, "The Announcement", scheduled to air March 11 on the sports channel. The film explores how the basketball legend continues to cope with the disease. It features narration by Johnson himself and interviews with confidantes including family (wife Cookie, son Andre) and former NBA colleagues Larry Bird, Karl Malone, James Worthy and Kurt Rambis. Hollywood pals Chris Rock and Arsenio Hall also appear. Magic stunned L.A. Lakers fans and the world beyond in Nov. 7, 1991, when he publicly revealed his diagnosis. [THR]

Sandusky's wife nearly runs over television reporter

A television reporter was almost run over by Jerry Sandusky's wife, who 'came at her' in her car as she filmed outside the Sandusky's home. The Pittsburgh TV reporter was doing a story on the complaints that Sandusky has allegedly been watching children in a schoolyard from his back porch. While she was in mid-sentence, the reporter looked off camera and saw the car barreling toward her. The reporter said, 'I locked eyes with her and she just gunned it.' She said she and her photographer were not standing on the Sanduskys' property and were not blocking the driveway.  [DailyMailUK]

The Grammys saw their greatest numbers since 1984

(Getty)

After producers scrambled to find fitting tributes to Whitney Houston on less than a day's notice, fast affiliate ratings give the Grammy broadcast a whopping 39 million viewers -- its second largest ever -- and a 14.1 rating in adults 18-49. The demo showing matches its best performance since 1990 and marks a 41 percent jump over last year. [THR]

What did Whitney eat and drink before she died?

Whitney Houston consumed alcoholic beverages shortly before she died, and the mix of prescription drugs and booze could have produced the fatal result. TMZ has obtained photos of the room where Whitney died, showing remnants of her final meal.  She ordered a hamburger, fries, a turkey sandwich and jalapenos.  The picture also shows a Heineken can and an empty champagne glass.  Sources say the glass had been filled with champagne. The picture was shot in the bathroom after Whitney's body was removed and shows a tray which contained the turkey sandwich and jalapenos.  Family sources say Whitney ate the burger and fries and took the turkey sandwich and jalapenos into the bathroom where she planned on eating both items after her bath. [TMZ]

And....what the hell is a gravy dish doing in the tub?????

TMZ also posted a picture of the bathtub where Whitney died....The picture was taken just moments after Whitney's body was removed from the bathroom . . . and the water is still in the tub.  Also in the tub are two hair ties, a towel Whitney may have used to keep her hair from getting wet . . . and a GRAVY DISH.  Sources say it was for OLIVE OIL . . . which Whitney used to keep her skin soft. [TMZ]

By the way....If you want to take a bath in the tub WHITNEY HOUSTON died in, you're going to have to wait a while.  The Beverly Hilton says the hotel room where Whitney spent her last moments is booked for the "foreseeable future."  Someone is even staying in it right now.  (--It's room 434, if you care, and it costs $375 a night.)  The hotel is getting tons of requests for it.

Dogs in the workplace are "a growing phenomenon" in America

(Getty)

According to a spokeswoman from Missouri's College of Veterinary Medicine, "People are realizing we need to do things to reduce stress in the workplace." Experts say that dogs can build connections among co-workers and create a healthy diversion from work. Research shows that dogs help people "feel more relaxed and more positive." [USAtoday]

The 4 most common mistakes guys make on Valentine's Day

It's Valentine's Day, which means millions of men across the country are currently in PANIC MODE.  Here's a list of the four most common Valentine's Day mistakes men make.

#1.)  Forgetting to Make a Reservation.  If you're going somewhere nice for dinner and assume you'll just walk right in . . . it's time to start panicking.  You might EVENTUALLY get a table, but you'll end up waiting 45 minutes . . . which can put a damper on the whole night.

#2.)  Giving Her Stripper Lingerie.  Something sexy is fine.  But some guys go WAY overboard.  Anything vinyl or crotchless is risky.

#3.)  Constantly Complaining That It's a "Hallmark Holiday".  Yes, everyone knows that Valentine's Day is just a way to sell more greeting cards and chocolate.  So don't harp on it all night.  You'll just look cheap.

#4.)  Buying Her a Last-Minute Present at the Nearest Drug Store.  If she finds out, she'll be insulted by the cheapness of the gift, AND because you didn't plan ahead.  If you completely forgot about Valentine's Day, you're better off buying a bouquet of flowers at the grocery store, and maybe a bottle of wine.  Just make sure you take the price tag off the flowers. 

(Guyism.com)

Facebook creates playlists of the songs we listen to most at the beginning and end of relations

We provide Facebook with a ridiculous amount of information . . . our relationship status, what songs we're listening to, what our 'likes' are, where we are, and what last night's dinner looked like.  Naturally, Facebook is probably using some of this info for EVIL, but it's not all bad.  Sometimes they use it for GOOD.  This is one of those times: Facebook has released a list of the songs people listen to when entering into a relationship . . . and the songs they play when ending a relationship.

Here's the Top 10 Songs People Listen to When Entering into a Relationship: 

1.)  "Don't Wanna Go Home",  Jason Derulo

2.)  "Love on Top",  Beyoncé

3.)  "How to Love",  Lil Wayne

4.)  "Just the Way You Are",  Bruno Mars

5.)  "Good Feeling",  Flo Rida

6.)  "It Girl",  Jason Derulo

7.)  "Stereo Hearts",  Gym Class Heroes featuring Adam Levine

8.)  "Criminal",  Britney Spears

9.)  "No Sleep",  Wiz Khalifa

10.)  "Free Fallin'",  John Mayer

(--Facebook made these songs into a "love mix" on Spotify.)

Here's the Top 10 Songs Listened By People After Ending a Relationship: 

1.)  "The Cave", Mumford and Sons

2.)  "Crew Love",  Drake

3.)  "All of the Lights",  Kanye West

4.)  "Rolling in the Deep",  Adele

5.)  "Take Care",  Drake

6.)  "It Will Rain",  Bruno Mars

7.)  "We Found Love",  Rihanna & Calvin Harris

8.)  "Call It What You Want",  Foster the People

9.)  "Love You Like a Love Song",  Selena Gomez and the Scene

10.)  "Without You",  David Guetta featuring Usher

(--Facebook made these songs into a "breakup mix" on Spotify.)

Men are way more miserable when we are alone on Valentine's Day

Well this goes against everything we've been told.  According to a new study, MEN are actually WAY more miserable being alone on Valentine's Day than women.  Less than 33% of women say they hate being alone . . . versus 70% of men. 

(Daily Mail)

Expect the Hoverboard to be in stores around October 21, 2015.

Why will Whitney Houston's toxicology reports take weeks? Coroner's office: Because this ain't CSI.

You don't have to be too smart to coach high school sports. Just smart enough to not post nude photos of yourself to Facebook.

Something called MySpace announces it signed up 1 million new members in December. This could be the start of something big.

If it ever occured to you wonder "Who invented 5-hour Energy?". I'd be willing to bet your first answer wouldn't have been "A billionaire Buhddist monk".