Obama gets 12 stitches after 'elbow in the lip'

WASHINGTON (AFP) – US President Barack Obama had to get 12 stitches on his upper lip Friday after being struck in the face by an elbow during a basketball game, the White House said.

"After being inadvertently hit with an opposing player's elbow in the lip while playing basketball with friends and family, the president received 12 stitches today administered by the White House Medical Unit," spokesman Robert Gibbs said in a statement.

Obama was given local anesthetic during the treatment, Gibbs said, adding that he was given a smaller filament that increases the number of stitches to ensure a smaller scar.

The White House later identified the man who struck the president as Rey Decerega, the program director at the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute, who said the game was all in good fun and did not apologize.

"I learned today the president is both a tough competitor and a good sport. I enjoyed playing basketball with him this morning. I'm sure he'll be back out on the court again soon," Decerega said in a statement.

The White House said Obama was playing defense in the fifth of five games at a gym in Fort McNair military base in Washington when Decerega went to take a shot and accidentally hit the president in the mouth.

An avid basketball fan and player, Obama often plays with friends, including his towering personal aide Reggie Love, who played Friday.

Obama has a famous love for the game, and often displays skills on the court that are the envy of many of his compatriots.

A game among friends became a ritual for him throughout the long campaign for the White House in 2008.

For his birthday this year he traded passes and scuffles at the White House with a number of the game's current greats, including Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers, LeBron James of the Miami Heat, and former NBA star Earvin "Magic" Johnson.

Rapper DMX back in Arizona jail after arrest

PHOENIX – Rapper DMX was arrested in Phoenix for investigation of violating probation by using drugs, authorities said.

Court documents released Friday allege the 39-year-old performer used cocaine and OxyContin, failed to submit to drug testing, and drove on a suspended license.

DMX, whose real name is Earl Simmons, was arrested Thursday by Maricopa County probation officers and was being held without bond in the county jail.

His attorney, Glenn Allen, said he had been working with his client and probation officials and expected the arrest.

"It is very frustrating that the probation department would time it in such a way to violate Mr. Simmons right before the holiday and just a few weeks shy of the termination date of the probation," Allen said in an e-mail to The Associated Press. "Mr. Simmons has been working very hard and will overcome this setback."

Simmons was placed on probation last year after convictions for attempted aggravated assault for throwing a food tray at a jail guard, and theft for trying to using a fake name to avoid paying a $7,500 hospital bill.

He has completed probation for 2009 felony convictions for cruelty to animals and two drug counts.

Maricopa County adult probation officers went to Simmons' north Phoenix home Thursday to take him into custody. He also is accused of failing to participate in counseling programs and make required payments.

"He has been directed to treatment as well as chose his own treatment program and continues to use drugs following these opportunities," a probation officer wrote in a court document requesting that DMX be held without bond. "His ongoing drug use places him in great danger."

Simmons could face prison time because of his repeated probation violations, and officials will likely ask that his probation be revoked, said Zach Dal Pra, chief deputy of the county adult probation department.

Simmons' other legal troubles include pleading guilty in 2008 to attempted cocaine and marijuana possession in Miami, and pleading guilty in a 2004 incident in which he posed as an undercover federal agent and crashed his sport-utility vehicle through a security gate at New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport.

DMX recorded such hits as "Get At Me Dog" and "Party Up" in the 1990s. He also appeared in films including 2000's "Romeo Must Die" and 2003's "Cradle 2 the Grave."

Home Depot beats estimates, raises profit outlook

NEW YORK (Reuters) – Home Depot Inc (HD.N) reported higher-than-expected quarterly earnings on tighter cost controls, prompting the world's largest home improvement chain to raise its profit outlook for the year.

However, the company softened its full-year sales forecast as U.S. consumers continue to put off expensive renovations and open their wallets only for repairs and small remodeling projects.

Home Depot, which has benefited from a slower expansion strategy, supply chain improvements and cost cuts that included job reductions in January, said it would continue to invest in its efforts to improve its merchandise and distribution.

The sentiment echoed that of smaller rival Lowe's Cos (LOW.N), which said on Monday it would rather focus on boosting margins and market share in the coming year than bet on a U.S. economy plagued by high unemployment.

Home Depot's net income rose to $834 million, or 51 cents a share, in the third quarter ended October 31, from $689 million, or 41 cents a share, a year earlier.

Analysts on average were expecting 48 cents a share, according to Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S.

Sales rose 1.4 percent to $16.60 billion, slightly above the analysts' average estimate of $16.59 billion. Sales at U.S. stores open at least a year rose 1.5 percent.

Home Depot forecast earnings of $1.94 a share from continuing operations for the current fiscal year, up 4 cents from its prior outlook. The company expects sales growth of about 2.2 percent, down from a prior view of 2.6 percent.

Glam in the Gulf: Get a glitzy tattoo in real gold

DUBAI (Reuters) – Forget the henna and flashy jewelry, the latest accessory trend for the fashion-conscious party-goer in Dubai is a temporary tattoo made of real gold.

A new business in Dubai is offering temporary 24-carat gold tattoos as the ideal body adornment for weddings and other special occasions at a modest starting price of $50, an affordable option given rising gold prices.

Precious Skin has two outlets in Dubai -- one at the luxury, sail-shaped Burj Al Arab hotel -- which will design and apply body tattoos made of 99.9 percent gold or platinum to add a bit of glitz to your personal style.

"It's a revolution in the body art business, it's the first time we can use 24 carat gold and platinum on skin," said Arnaud Flambeau, managing director of Flambeau Luxury Trading and Precious Skin.

Originally a Japanese concept, Flambeau thought the idea would catch on in the Gulf, where many women have temporary henna tattoos applied for weddings and special occasions.

"We have had a lot of interest so far because it's a new idea and a new product that's between jewelry, makeup and accessories and it's a lot easier to make the decision to get a gold tattoo than buy new jewelry," said Flambeau.

A thin film of gold or platinum is used to make the tattoo which is then applied to the skin and can last for up to a week, he said.

"More elaborate and larger designs can cost up to $5,500, and the idea really is just to have something that is very unique and new," Flambeau said.

"We plan to have a total of 25 branches in Dubai over the coming year and by January we will be in Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Bahrain."

Branded as the city of gold, Dubai's gold retail sector has faced huge drops in sales as cash strapped consumers struggled to keep demand up with rising prices for the yellow metal.

Spot gold gained 0.3 percent to $1,407.34 an ounce on Thursday, just off an all-time high of $1,424.10 hit on Tuesday.

Another celeb thrown off 'Dancing With the Stars'

LOS ANGELES – Kurt Warner's "Dancing With the Stars" stint is over, but the Super Bowl champ is still a crowd pleaser.

The studio audience and Warner's fellow contestants cheered "M-V-P! M-V-P!" as he was eliminated from the hit ABC show Tuesday.

Even judge Bruno Tonioli, who insulted Warner on Monday's episode by saying, "Obviously there are people that are better than you," praised the quarterback's gentlemanly nature.

"He has proven a true sportsman," Tonioli said before Warner was dismissed. "His attitude has been immaculate, incredible manners, and regardless of what happens, you have achieved a lot. You really are an American idol."

Warner embodied that attitude after learning his fate, thanking his partner, the show, the fans, his wife and their seven children.

"I learned a long time ago that life isn't always about winning and losing competitions, but it's about relationships, it's about impacting people," he said. "And so I thank everybody at 'Dancing With the Stars' because it gave me an opportunity to impact people and build relationships, and that's really what it's all about."

Warner and his professional partner, Anna Trebunskaya, came into Tuesday's episode a point away from last place. Judges had praised the pair's waltz and chacha — "I've never seen you dance with so much charisma," judge Carrie Ann Inaba said — but the couple only collected 24 points out of 30 for each dance.

Judges' scores are combined with viewer votes to determine which celebrity is ousted each week.

Tuesday's episode also included performances by John Legend and The Roots, Taio Cruz, and two pint-sized couples (ages 9 and 10) dancing a jive accompanied by celebrated 9-year-old pianist Emily Bear.

Football star Jerry Rice and sportscaster Kenny Mayne, both previous "Dancing" contestants, discussed the remaining competitors during their mock sports segment, "Dance Center." Rice wore false eyelashes and a low-cut sequined top. Mayne also wore sequins.

Warner joins previously eliminated contestants Rick Fox, David Hasselhoff, Michael Bolton, Margaret Cho, Florence Henderson and reality stars Audrina Patridge and Mike "The Situation" Sorrentino.

Competing in Monday's semifinal round will be actors Jennifer Grey and Kyle Massey, singer-actress Brandy and Bristol Palin.

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Online:

http://abc.go.com/shows/dancing-with-the-stars/index

AT&T, Scripps Networks in deal on programs

NEW YORK (Reuters) – AT&T Inc reached a deal with Scripps Networks on Sunday, resuming access to popular channels like the Food Network and Cooking Channel for its U-verse customers.

AT&T's 2.7 million U-verse television customers had lost access on Friday to the Scripps Networks' channels after negotiations over programing fees hit an impasse.

"We're very satisfied that this is a fair deal that benefits our U-verse customers," AT&T said in a statement.

"The terms and costs of the deal recognize our growing subscriber base and give us the tools and content rights to compete with all other providers."

AT&T U-verse had said on Friday that Scripps, which also owns HGTV and GAC, was asking AT&T to pay "double what other competitors pay." AT&T also said at the time that Scripps Networks wanted a "premium price for inferior access to their content for our customers on other platforms."

AT&T U-verse and Scripps Networks were the latest companies battling over programing fees in a year packed with disputes.

News Corp's Fox was recently involved in two disputes with Cablevision Systems Corp and Dish Network Corp subscribers that involved a blackout of some Fox programing.

Last March Cablevision customers lost Walt Disney Co's ABC for several hours until 15 minutes into the live telecast of the Academy Awards.

Will Ferrell, Eddie Murphy most overpaid actors

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) – Memo to filmmakers: Beware the high-priced funnyman.

For the second consecutive year, Will Ferrell is the most overpaid actor in the world, and not far behind are a slew of other male comedic actors.

According to Forbes magazine, Ferrell's movies earned only $3.35 for each $1 the star was paid. "Transformers" star Shia LaBeouf, on the other hand, is paid $1 for every $81 his movies earned, so he's the actor determined by Forbes to give the most box office bang for his salary buck.

In making its determination, Forbes looked at the three most recent movies of each actor on its Celebrity 100 list. It added up box office, DVD and television revenue for the three films, factored in production budgets and came up with an operating income for each of them that it then compared to each star's compensation.

In Ferrell's case, "Land of the Lost," "Step Brothers" and "Semi-Pro" were used, while "The Other Guys," which performed better than the other three, was released after the June 1 cutoff date for this year's list. Ferrell returns to theaters on Friday as the voice of the title character in DreamWorks Animation's "Megamind." But unfortunately for Ferrell, cartoons don't count.

The second-most overpaid actor is Eddie Murphy, who was paid $1 for every $4.45 his movies earned. But Forbes' rule against cartoons meant that instead of a couple of hit "Shrek" movies, it looked at "Imagine That," "Meet Dave" and "Norbit."

Other funnymen on the Top 10 list of overpaid actors are Seth Rogen, Vince Vaughn, Adam Sandler and Jim Carrey. If one considers Drew Barrymore a comic actor -- and her past three films were, in fact, comedies -- then seven of the Top 10 overpaid actors are paid specifically to make audiences laugh.

Dramatic and action types cracking the Top 10 were Denzel Washington, Tom Cruise and Matt Damon.

Howard Stern exit wouldn't impact Sirius, analyst

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) – With apologies to the Clash -- a band heard frequently on Sirius XM's '80s channels -- should he stay or should he go?

We're talking about Howard Stern, and Sirius XM may or may not update Wall Street during its earnings call Thursday as to whether he'll stick around and, if so, how much it will cost. Stern's five-year contract expires at the end of the year.

An analyst who upped his price target on Sirius on Wednesday said that, in a nutshell, it might not matter too much whether Stern stays or goes.

Matthew Harrigan at Wunderlich Securities' figures that if Stern stays on at his current salary of $100 million annually, or if he leaves and takes 1 million subscribers with him, it's a wash, financially speaking.

Sirius XM won't disclose how many of its 19.9 million subscribers listen Stern, but Harrigan estimates it's about 3 million. And he said that if Stern and Sirius XM drag out negotiations, it's a good thing.

"We actually regard an extended face-off as a form of free marketing for both Stern and Sirius," Harrigan wrote in his research note, which he called, "Sternonomics, with apologies to Freakonomics."

Of course, if Sirius XM can sign Stern for less money, or if he leaves and fewer than 1 million subscribers defect, it can be a plus for shareholders. Harrigan upped his target price by 25 cents to $1.75. The stock closed flat Wednesday at $1.57.

A big admission ahead of bigger mission for Batman

PHILADELPHIA – Batman's alter ego, Bruce Wayne, is going public about his role behind the Dark Knight.

After a lifetime spent wearing the cowl — and a scowl that's made him the scourge of Gotham's madmen — the fictional billionaire is taking full responsibility for keeping the caped crusader financed to fight crime.

The admission is unveiled Wednesday in the final pages of "Batman and Robin" No. 16 that marks the last issue in a run by Scottish writer Grant Morrison.

The acknowledgment in the final pages comes as Wayne holds a news conference where he asks those gathered: "Some of you may have wondered ... how does a man like Batman afford to constantly update his crime-fighting technology? Where does his money come from?

"Well, the answer is me."

The confession, Morrison said, is part of a detailed effort that puts into motion a plan for Batman Incorporated, a global network of Batmen from China to Argentina to fight crime worldwide.

Morrison told The Associated Press that the decision was made to protect Wayne's secret identity by deflecting attention away from speculation it was he who wore the cape.

"We've sidetracked the media that he has actually been financing Batman all these years," Morrison explained of the long arc he's written that has seen the Dark Knight plunge through time and space and have his mantle taken up by former Robin Dick Grayson. "He is the man behind the Batman, but he is not Batman."

In doing so, Wayne is free to take his crime fighting international by building what Morrison calls a "global, international army of Batmen. Batman in China, Batman in Japan, Batman in Russia. Expanding the Batman brand to areas where he really hasn't been before."

Those tales will unfold in full in the first issue of "Batman Incorporated," due out Nov. 17.

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Online:

http://www.dccomics.com

Another star bounced from the `Dancing' ballroom

LOS ANGELES – On Monday, Rick Fox earned his highest "Dancing With the Stars" scores yet. But on Tuesday, the basketball star was bounced from the ballroom.

The 41-year-old was ousted from the hit ABC show during a special election-night program that commemorated the 200th episode of "Dancing."

Fox said Tuesday he had no idea that his "Dancing" road was nearing its end.

"You stay in a positive frame of mind," he said, though he likened the stress of "Dancing" to being on the free-throw line during game seven of the NBA championship.

"It's been a transformational journey for me," he said after learning his fate. "It's been amazing. My relationship has been transformed with my girlfriend and with my daughter."

Both were in the audience Tuesday.

The star-studded show, interrupted regularly with election returns, included musical performances by Taylor Swift and Rod Stewart, and highlights from the 10 seasons of "Dancing With the Stars."

On Monday's episode, stars performed routines inspired by past celebrity contestants, who served as judges for those routines.

Wearing a bright green suit, Fox and his professional partner, Cheryl Burke, offered their take on a colorful quickstep first performed by race car driver and season five champ Helio Castroneves. Judges praised the routine as Fox's best dance yet, and Castroneves gave the performance a score of 10.

"It was slick, it was quick," said head judge Len Goodman. "Rick, it was good."

Perhaps viewers disagreed: Judges' scores are combined with viewer votes to determine which star is dismissed each week.

Fox joins previously eliminated contestants David Hasselhoff, Michael Bolton, Margaret Cho, Florence Henderson and reality stars Audrina Patridge and Mike "The Situation" Sorrentino.

Returning to dance Monday will be actors Kyle Massey and Jennifer Grey, singer-actress Brandy, football star Kurt Warner and Bristol Palin.

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Online:

http://abc.go.com/shows/dancing-with-the-stars

Firm denies it misled NC candidate on Freeman ad

RALEIGH, N.C. – A Los Angeles political firm denies it misled a congressional candidate in North Carolina about a radio ad for the candidate using an actor that sounded like actor Morgan Freeman.

MEI Political said in a statement Tuesday it made clear verbally and in writing to Republican B.J. Lawson's campaign that it was using a voice double of Freeman for the ad.

Lawson apologized Monday to Freeman after falsely claiming the actor had done a voiceover for his campaign. The campaign blamed MEI Political for the incorrect claim about the ad.

MEI's statement says it discussed with Lawson's campaign that Freeman was a Democrat and would probably never do an endorsement for a Republican candidate.

Lawson faces U.S. Rep. David Price, a Democrat, in Tuesday's election.