Sunday Conversation: Queen Latifah (Los Angeles Times)

The singer-actress-producer talks about Michael Jackson, her upcoming album and her production company. Queen Latifah was staying at a swank hotel in New York City under a hilarious historical pseudonym when we phoned her the day after Michael Jackson's death. She voices one of the characters in the animated family film "Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs," in theaters, and her ninth album, ...

Behind each of those cloying toy voices, a person (The Oregonian)

The voice of the Wii Fit female trainer lives right here in Portland.

Behind each of those cloying toy voices, a person (The Oregonian)

Eric Baker/The Oregonian The voice of the Wii Fit female trainer lives right here in Portland, and as you might expect, she's in pretty good shape. She looks like she could throw down at any minute. Whether that bit...

Germany 4–0 England (Guardian Unlimited)

Preamble: Germany: better cars, better sausages, better beer. England: better heavy metal bands, marginally better Christmas television schedule, better minute-by-minute reports on underage football tournaments. So you see, it's a draw so far. The clincher could be which country produces the better international football teams and, well, we know the answer to that. But tonight could bring proof, ...

Changes to TransLink inspire riders to write (Business Examiner)

Busing is a controversial issue on the Semiahmoo Peninsula, with many diverse opinions about TransLink’s option. others also read...

Reasonable arguments (San Diego Union-Tribune)

Your job. Your mortgage. Your retirement. Your health insurance. Your molar-grinding, ulcer-fueling, up-all-night anxiety about Jon and Kate and their eight. If you already have enough to worry about, well, we have good news and bad news. The bad: A tsunami of fret-worthy topics is about to crash into your life.

How tragic delusions overwhelmed a sublime talent (The Age)

Michael Jackson was the most interesting human being on the planet. But which planet?

Strange genius (The Age)

Somewhat late in the day, I've come round to agreeing with the majority: yes, Michael Jackson was the most interesting human being on the planet.

Immigration makes Spanish pensions system more sustainable (PhysOrg)

Researchers from the University of Valladolid have constructed a demographic and economic simulation model called 'Carrión', which projects the costs of pensions, Social Security contributions and GDP up until 2060. The model also includes detailed scenarios about the behaviour of people migrating to Spain currently and in the future, in relation to the length of time they stay, their fertility, ...

Conflicting economic forecasts (South Sound Business Examiner)

The newly-arrived chief economist for Tacoma Public Utilities, Bill Dickens, said this week that he strongly believes "we will see economic growth in the South Sound in fourth quarter 2009 and continuing into (at least) the first half of 2010."While the author of "Economics for the 'Hood'" told a Needs Assessment breakfast meeting of United Way of Pierce County that "we will see a reversal of ...