Author: Connor Simpson

Tesla Is First Green Tech Company to Pay Back Its Department of Energy Loan

AP

Tesla no longer owns the federal government a dime. On Wednesday the company announced it had repaid the outsanding balance of $451.8 million, with interest,  on its 2009 Advanced Technology Vehicle Manufacturing loan from the Department of Defense. That means taxpayers earned a very, very small $12 million profit on the loan.

By Connor Simpson

Sep 15, 2012

JPMorgan Being Investigated for Money Laundering

Federal authorities are investigating JPMorgan, Bank of America and other big time financial institutions for potential non-compliance with federal money laundering laws, according to a report from the New York Times

Comments | 7,586 Views

By Connor Simpson

Sep 15, 2012

Warren Buffett Wants to be the Oldest Man Alive

Because being one of the world's the richest just isn't enough. Buffett has no plans of slowing down now that he's finished radiation treatment for his non-life threatening prostate cancer, which he announced to newspaper executives on Friday.

Comments | 1,655 Views

By Connor Simpson

Sep 15, 2012

Rick Santorum Doesn't Have 'Smart People' on his Side

Rick Santorum said Saturday the media and, "elite, smart people," never side with the Republican party, during the same speech that he said President Obama shares part of the blame for the international riots over an anti-Islam film. 

Comments | 11,725 Views

By Connor Simpson

Sep 15, 2012

Japan Plans Weak Goodbye to Nuclear Power

In the wake of last year's disastrous Fukushima meltdown, Japan announced Saturday a plan to eliminate their reliance on nuclear power over the next 30 years. But the plan has some loopholes that could see reactors live on past the current deadline. 

Comments | 1,225 Views

By Connor Simpson

Sep 15, 2012

News Corp. Split Claims First Victim: Top Film Exec Resigns

The decision to split News Corp. into two separate companies -- one for entertainment and one for news -- has claimed its first casualty. Tom Rothman, the longtime co-chairman of Fox's film department, has resigned over a proposed redistribution of power.

Comments | 942 Views

By Connor Simpson

Sep 15, 2012

Missing Chinese Leader Reappears at Science Fair

China's Vice President Xi Jinping made his first public appearance at a science fair on Saturday since mysteriously disappearing two weeks ago. Despite rumors of more serious health concernsReuters says the rumor he threw his back out swimming was true.

Comments | 1,654 Views

By Connor Simpson

Sep 15, 2012

Anti-Islam Filmmaker Could Be Headed Back to Jail

Nakoula Basseley Nakoula, the man believed to be behind the anti-Islam movie that's sparked international outrage, may be on his way back to jail. He met with federal authorities late last night to review whether his participation in the movie violated his probation. 

Comments | 4,182 Views

By Connor Simpson

Sep 14, 2012

What Would Romney Do About Libya?

If Mitt Romney was the President, how would he handle what's happening in the Middle East right now? If you listen to his staff, it's unlikely the attack would have happened at all. 

Comments | 7,670 Views

By Connor Simpson

Sep 14, 2012

The Full-Length 'Lincoln' Trailer Is Finally Here

The fall movie gods are here to heal some of the disappointing wounds left by The Master. They've opened the trailer skies and finally let the full-length trailer for Steven Spielberg's Lincoln fall to the earth.

Comments | 5,518 Views

By Connor Simpson

Sep 13, 2012

Lance Armstrong's Accidental Tweet Was Probably a Practical Joke

Lance Armstrong seemed to accidentally tweet his phone number to the world earlier, but once Deadspin got on the case it seems the tweet might all be part of a big joke. 

Comments | 3,104 Views

By Connor Simpson

Sep 13, 2012

State Department Denies Having Advanced Warning of an Attack

Amid the belief that the attack in Benghazi was the work of premeditated terrorists, there's a report from the British newspaper The Independent saying the State Department had advance warning of an attack and decided not to do anything. A Department rep. called it "absolutely wrong."

Comments | 2,327 Views

By Connor Simpson

Sep 13, 2012

Obama Is Neutral on Egypt Right Now

President Obama gave his first extended television interview since the protests in Libya and Egypt to Telemundo on Wednesday night, and he took the opportunity to explain the U.S.'s role in the developing world while clarifying where the country stands with Egypt right now. 

Comments | 517 Views

By Connor Simpson

Sep 13, 2012

What We've Learned from the Cast & Crew of the Anti-Islam Movie

As members of the crew who worked on Muslim Innocence speak out, we're learning more and more about the mysterious man behind the movie, allegedly named Sam Bacile, what the real cost of production was, whether the movie played anywhere, or what it was originally about.

Comments | 18,638 Views

By Connor Simpson

Sep 12, 2012

Romney Got Left Out of '60 Minutes'

Mitt Romney was supposed to be interviewed by CBS's Scott Pelley today for 60 Minutes, but amid the chaos surrounding the Libya story they forced to reschedule. CBS was still able to find time for the President, though.

Comments | 2,847 Views

By Connor Simpson

Sep 12, 2012

'SNL' Gets a New Obama

When Saturday Night Live returns on Saturday, it's a safe bet the show will open Jason Sudeikis doing his Romney impersonation across from an Obama. But things are different this year. Fred Armisen is out. Jay Pharoah is the new impersonator-in-chief.

Comments | 7,000 Views

By Connor Simpson

Sep 12, 2012

Glenn Beck Is Getting His Own Channel

Glenn Beck, the former CNN and Fox News commentator who's been relegated to the radio and internet, is getting his own television channel, reports the New York Times' Brian Stelter

Comments | 5,438 Views

By Connor Simpson

Sep 12, 2012

Los Angeles Smells Like Rotten Eggs

Los Angeles smells, and not in the usual 'big city smog' way. Los Angeles smells like rotten eggs. No one knew why for the first few days, until Tuesday when the mystery was finally solved.

Comments | 5,168 Views

By Connor Simpson

Sep 11, 2012

Obama Makes It Up to Netanyahu with a Phone Call

The President came under fire on Tuesday for supposedly snubbing an invitation for lunch from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for later in September, but Obama made it up to Netanyahu on Tuesday night when the two spoke for an hour on the phone. 

Comments | 6,699 Views

By Connor Simpson

Sep 11, 2012

One American Employee Killed in Consulate Attack in Libya

One American citizen is dead in Libya after militants attacked the U.S. consulate there over the same controversial video that inspired protestors to storm the American consulate in Egypt on Tuesday. 

Comments | 3,176 Views

By Connor Simpson

Sep 9, 2012

Spotify Is Coming to Your Browser, But Not at a Reduced Price

Spotify, the popular music streaming app, is getting ready to launch a browser-based version of their service, but rumors of a potential drop in the price for their premium service don't add up. 

Comments | 1,929 Views

By Connor Simpson

Sep 9, 2012

Obama and Biden Get Physical on the Campaign Trail

President Obama and Joe Biden had two strange, but similar photos taken of them on Sunday afternoon. Both men got a little, uhm, physical on the campaign trail. 

Comments | 3,051 Views

By Connor Simpson

Sep 9, 2012

Box Office Report

We Promise the Movie Business Is Doing OK

Welcome back to the Box Office Report where we keep asking, "Is The Master here yet? Is The Master here yet?" Answer: no, unfortunately. But other things are here! 

Comments | 1,551 Views

By Connor Simpson

Sep 9, 2012

The Sunday Grind

Romney Wants to Keep Key Parts of Obamacare

Mitt Romney sat down for a big interview with David Gregory for NBC's Meet the Press. Rather than stick to our usual format, we're highlighting the key things he said on specific issues. Take it away, Mitt. 

Comments | 11,552 Views

By Connor Simpson

Sep 9, 2012

Obama Asks 7-Year-Old for his Birth Certificate

On a routine stop to an Orlando sports bar last night, President Obama met a little boy from his home state of Hawaii. After the two acknowledged each other with the international hand signal of being a chill bro, Obama joked and asked to see the boy's birth certificate.

Comments | 6,598 Views

By Connor Simpson

Sep 9, 2012

This Is the Clearest Photo of Mars Yet

The Curiosity rover was finally able to remove its dust cover so it could produce the best quality image we've seen so far of the landscape on Mars. 

Comments | 14,831 Views

By Connor Simpson

Sep 9, 2012

Mitt Romney Picked the Worst Time to Compliment Bill Clinton

No one came out of the Democratic Convention with more glowing reviews than former President Bill Clinton. Even Mitt Romney gave him props, but it could end up costing the Republican. Complimenting Clinton just before he campaigns for Obama in Florida is rather unfortunate timing.

Comments | 16,207 Views

By Connor Simpson

Sep 8, 2012

A Viewer's Guide to the Least Successful Movies Ever

OogieLoves and the BIG Balloon entered theaters last weekend to the worst opening weekend gross of all time, and the worst per-screen average of any movie receiving a wide release of all time. If you're stuck inside tonight, the company it keeps at the bottom of the ladder is pretty interesting. 

Comments | 5,271 Views

By Connor Simpson

Sep 8, 2012

The New York Times Doesn't Care If Jay-Z Buys You a Fish Sandwich

Zadie Smith may have crossed some ridiculous ethical boundary when she had lunch with Jay-Z for her T Magazine profile of the rapper, but the Times doesn't seem to care very much. 

Comments | 3,104 Views

By Connor Simpson

Sep 8, 2012

How One Man Is Using Fungus to Change the Violin Industry

A Stradivarius is the best violin a player could ask for thanks to a very specific biological reaction in the wood used to construct them during the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. But a new study reveals that fungus might be the trick to making new violins that sound nearly identical. 

Comments | 10,085 Views

By Connor Simpson

Sep 8, 2012

'The Master' Was Too Good for the Venice Film Festival

The Golden Lion is the name of the award given to the best movie at the Venice Film Festival. This year, Paul Thomas Anderson's hotly anticipated The Master was set to receive the award until the panel of judges realized it was too good and changed their minds.

Comments | 5,176 Views

By Connor Simpson

Sep 8, 2012

Carmageddon II Is Coming

Do you remember the anarchy that took over the streets of Los Angeles last summer when they closed down a stretch of the 405 and the whole city was upended into complete and uncontrollable chaos? Okay, it wasn't that bad. But it's going to happen again. 

Comments | 1,552 Views

By Connor Simpson

Sep 8, 2012

A Tornado Touches Down in New York City

Manhattan might have Fashion Week, but the outer boroughs have tornados. Yep, a twister touched down according to eyewitness reports in Queens and Brooklyn on Saturday morning.

Comments | 7,886 Views

By Connor Simpson

Sep 8, 2012

Democrats Have a $15 Million Tab to Pick Up After Convention

The Democratic Convention is over and everyone is either fired up, ready to go, or still hungover. But after throwing such an awesome party, it's time to pay the tab. For the Democrats, they're stuck with a $15 million bill still outstanding. 

Comments | 3,060 Views

By Connor Simpson

Sep 8, 2012

What It's Like to Be Attacked by Syrian Tanks

Global Post's Tracey Shelton has been embedded with Syrian rebels in Aleppo, one of the most violent cities over the last few months, and she is lucky to be alive after the group she was with was attacked by a government tank.

Comments | 5,303 Views

By Connor Simpson

Sep 7, 2012

Paul Ryan Only Needs Three Weeks Notice to Run a Marathon

When Paul Ryan said he ran a sub-three hour mile, his bluff was called. Turns out runners are dedicated people who take their times to heart, and Ryan's time was closer to four hours. Now, his brother is claiming it only took him three weeks to train for it. 

Comments | 1,379 Views

By Connor Simpson

Sep 7, 2012

Apple's Next Target: Internet Radio

With their television plans basically down the drain, Apple has started special negotiations with record companies to start a new online radio service that's designed to rival Pandora, the best service available right now. 

Comments | 1,289 Views

By Connor Simpson

Sep 6, 2012

NBC Didn't Win or Lose at the Olympics

They broke even. Mark Lazarus, chairman of NBC Sports Group, announced tonight that NBC, somehow, didn't make any money off the Olympics. Well, we shouldn't say somehow. They didn't make anything off the Olympics because they paid way too much for them. 

Comments | 501 Views

By Connor Simpson

Sep 6, 2012

Comedy's First Couple Is Breaking Up

Oi, this is a hard one. Us Weekly reports the first couple of comedy, Amy Poehler and Will Arnett, are separating after nine years (!) together.

Comments | 5,371 Views

By Connor Simpson

Sep 6, 2012

Last Summer's Biggest Loser: Eric Cantor

Bob Woodward's new book, The Price of Politics, is one of the first history books about last summer's debt crisis and how close the world came to being sent into financial chaos. One person has to to come out looking worse for wear, and it seems to be Eric Cantor.

Comments | 6,991 Views

By Connor Simpson

Sep 6, 2012

The Bankers Are Coming for the Senate

The banks are starting to rally their support for the Senate. The American Bankers Association are going to start funding super-PACs anonymously in an effort to help the Republicans take back the Senate and they can rid of the pesky financial regulations holding them back. 

Comments | 2,416 Views

By Connor Simpson

Sep 5, 2012

New 'Downton Abbey' Is Almost Here

Oh yes. ITV released the full trailer for series 3 of Downton Abbey late Wednesday night, and now we're left with only one question. Is it September 16* yet?

Comments | 2,922 Views

By Connor Simpson

Sep 5, 2012

Nokia Forgot to Tell You Its New Ad Is Faking It

Nokia launched the Lumia 920 today, their new "flagship phone" drumming up excitement because it's one of the first to be optimized for Windows 8. But the Verge busted Nokia for skipping a disclaimer in one of the new ads promoting the extra clear PureView camera feature.

Comments | 1,644 Views

By Connor Simpson

Sep 5, 2012

Mexican Authorities Arrest Cartel Leader, Hopefully It's the Right Guy

Mexican authorities announced the arrest of another cartel leader on Tuesday evening, but we're just hoping they actually have the right guy this time.  

Comments | 1,488 Views

By Connor Simpson

Sep 4, 2012

MTV Avoids Putting Their Party Head-to-Head Against Obama

The President was going to spoil MTV's biggest party of the year on Thursday night, so they're just going to start and finish an hour earlier than they usually do instead of going head-to-head against him. That's not very rock n' roll, guys. 

Comments | 885 Views

By Connor Simpson

Sep 4, 2012

Life Gets Better After Pool Reporting

This campaign is so boring, pool reporters told us today. The excitement is gone and everyone's focusing too much on gaffes. They're alls starting to feel burnt out from the non-stop, non-existent news cycle. Pool reporters, we're here to tell you, "it get's better."

Comments | 528 Views

By Connor Simpson and Elspeth Reeve

Sep 4, 2012

DNC Recap: Michelle's Big Night

Tonight's Tuesday is packed with familiar faces. The first night of the Democratic Convention is being headlined by Michelle Obama, reigning FLOTUS, who's going to attempt to do the same thing Ann tried to do: humanize her husband.

Comments | 21,806 Views

By Connor Simpson

Sep 3, 2012

U.S. Bases Might Be at Risk if Israel Attacks Iran

Israel and Iran have been sparring over Iran's nuclear development for months, but, after news leaked the U.S has been quietly trying to diffuse any potential of an attack, a warning was issued that they would be included in the retaliation should anything happen. 

Comments | 4,585 Views

By Connor Simpson

Sep 3, 2012

Chris Matthews Accuses Romney of 'Encouraging White Anger'

Chris Matthews accused the Romney campaign of "encouraging white anger" in order to win in November during an appearance with Andrea Mitchell live from Charlotte on Monday afternoon.

Comments | 12,635 Views

By Connor Simpson

Sep 3, 2012

Everyone's Favorite Question: 'Are You Better Off?'

Leading into this week's Democratic National Convention, the question everyone's either asking or answering is, "Are we better off than we were four years ago?" Republicans are using it as an attack, and the Democrats are on their heels trying to answer. 

Comments | 3,435 Views

By Connor Simpson

Sep 3, 2012

No One Knows What Bill Clinton's Going to Say on Wednesday

Well, Bill knows. Clinton is scheduled to be one of Wednesday's top speakers at the Democratic National Convention, but no one has any idea what he's going to say. He hasn't submitted his speech for the usual vetting process yet, and some people are getting a touch nervous. 

Comments | 3,540 Views

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