

By H. Leighton Steward
Fantasy replaces reality in Obama's green economy

Inaugurated by pop star Jennifer Lopez in front of the cream of Moroccan society, Casablanca's first mega-mall, complete with a two-story-high aquarium, is dripping with glamour and luxury.
Simon Cowell predicted "The X Factor" would be a TV hit and eclipse his ex-employer, "American Idol." He was wrong, and now his show has been gutted of three of its five stars, including Paula Abdul, putting its future in question.
Eiko Ishioka, a bold, Academy Award-winning visual artist whose surreal and sensual costumes were worn by Broadway actors, Olympic athletes, Cirque du Soleil performers and movie stars like Jennifer Lopez, has died in Tokyo. She was 73.
"American Idol" is having a bit of a Goldilocks moment. When the nation's favorite TV addiction debuted 10 years ago, critics complained the judges were too mean to the hordes of would-be singers seeking celebrity.
Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony were together again on Saturday _ at least to promote their new project.

Both Fox and Ryan Seacrest say they want Mr. Seacrest to stay as host of "American Idol" after this year.
Both Fox and Ryan Seacrest say they want Seacrest to stay as host of "American Idol" after this year. Whether that will happen was unclear Sunday even as both sides promoted this month's launch of the 11th season of the country's most popular television show.

What do former first lady Laura Bush and entertainers Julia Roberts, Jennifer Lopez, Celine Dion and Mariah Carey have in common?
"American Idol" executive producer Nigel Lythgoe said viewers shouldn't expect any major changes when the hit Fox TV show returns in January after undergoing an extensive makeover last season, the Associated Press reports.
"American Idol" executive producer Nigel Lythgoe says don't expect any major changes when the hit Fox TV show returns in January after undergoing an extensive makeover last season.
Christopher Eccleston and Julie Walters garnered the main acting awards as British TV productions won five International Emmys, including two for the BBC crime anthology "Accused."
Taylor Swift and Adele tied with three wins at the American Music Awards, but the event belonged to the country superstar after she beat the soulful crooner, as well as Lady Gaga, Katy Perry and Lil Wayne, to win artist of the year, the ceremony's highest accolade, which the 21-year-old singer-songwriter previously claimed in 2009.

Taylor Swift and Adele tied with three wins each Sunday at the American Music Awards, but the event belonged to the country superstar after she beat the soulful crooner, as well as Lady Gaga, Katy Perry and Lil Wayne, to win artist of the year, the ceremony's highest accolade, which the 21-year-old singer-songwriter also claimed in 2009.
LOS ANGELES (AP) _ Nicki Minaj might need to change her hair color to gold.
Taylor Swift was crowned artist of the year at the American Music Awards for a second time.
"Last year was kind of our first year and we were kind of finding our way and figuring out how we were going to do things," Lopez said during a press conference in between filming the show in Las Vegas on Wednesday, hours before the Season 11 premiere. "But I just think we are more to the point now. We understand how to do it."
"It was like any time that we work together," said Lopez, who wore a tight blue leather mini-dress for the morning news conference. "We have a great time working together."

By Patrice Hill - The Washington Times
Nicholas Rastenis has been through the wringer.

By Tim Devaney - The Washington Times
Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich hinted Sunday that if rival Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney ...

By Manuel Valdes - Associated Press
Three skiers were killed Sunday when an avalanche swept them about a quarter-mile down an ...