President Obama acknowledged online healthcare glitches on Monday.

"Nobody is madder than me about the fact that the website is not working as well as it should, which means it's gonna get fixed," Obama said.

Americans have been having trouble logging into the website, Healthcare.gov, since October 1.

The President emphasized that healthcare reform is "more than a website' and claims that people are working 24/7 to address the issues.

"I just want to remind everybody, we did not wage a long and continuous battle just around a website," he said. "The product is good. The health insurance that is being provided is good. It's high quality, and it's affordable."

The White House says that over 19 million people have visited the healthcare website and at least 500,000 people have applied for health insurance.

 

 George Zimmerman, the man who was found not guilty on all charges concerning the death of Trayvon Martin, is not off the hook – yet.

 The U.S. Department of Justice is investigating the death of Trayvon Martin to determine whether to file criminal civil rights charges against George Zimmerman.

 "Experienced federal prosecutors will determine whether the evidence reveals a prosecutable violation of crime of the limited civil rights statutes within our jurisdiction, and whether federal prosecution is appropriate in accordance within the Department's policy governing successive federal prosecution following a state trial," said a statement released by the DOJ.

 The NAACP backed the decision by creating a petition encouraging the Justice Department to open a civil rights case against Zimmerman.

 "The most fundamental of civil rights – the right to life – was violated the night George Zimmerman stalked and took the life of Trayvon Marin. We ask that the Department of Justice file civil right charges against Mr. Zimmerman for this egregious violation," the petition stated.

 Over 100,000 people have signed the petition to date.

African novelist Chinua Achebe died on Thursday.

Achebe is known for the breathtaking novels and essays that he wrote about his native country, Nigeria.

His debut publication, "Things Fall Apart," has sold over 10 million copies to date and been translated into more than 40 languages.

The novel focused on the Igbo people in Nigeria and their turbulent history with the British government.

Despite moving to the United States, Achebe continued to focus on the plight of Nigeria.

The author responded to critics who asked why he never wrote about America in his novel, "Home and Exile."

He said ,"America has enough novels about her, and Nigeria too few."

He was 82.

President Barack Obama released a statement saluting soldiers who fought in the Iraq War on Tuesday.

The President took time to honor over 4,000 soldiers who lost their lives and pushed for support of those suffering from physical and mental disorders.

Read his statement (below):

As we mark the 10th anniversary of the beginning of the Iraq war, Michelle and I join our fellow Americans in paying tribute to all who served and sacrificed in one of our nation’s longest wars.   We salute the courage and resolve of more than 1.5 million service members and civilians who during multiple tours wrote one of the most extraordinary chapters in military service.  We honor the memory of the nearly 4,500 Americans who made the ultimate sacrifice to give the Iraqi people an opportunity to forge their own future after many years of hardship.  And we express our gratitude to our extraordinary military families who sacrificed on the home front, especially our Gold Star families who remain in our prayers.      

The last of our troops left Iraq with their heads held high in 2011, and the United States continues to work with our Iraqi partners to advance our shared interest in security and peace.  Here at home, our obligations to those who served endure.  We must ensure that the more than 30,000 Americans wounded in Iraq receive the care and benefits they deserve and that we continue to improve treatment for traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress disorder.  With a strong Post 9/11 GI Bill, we must help our newest veterans pursue their education and find jobs worthy of their incredible talents.  And all Americans can continue to support and honor our military families who are pillars of so many of our communities.  On this solemn anniversary, we draw strength and inspiration from these American patriots who exemplify the values of courage, selflessness and teamwork that define our Armed Forces and keep our nation great.

Obama strongly opposed the War on Iraq and officially ended it in December of 2011.

'The Bible' has been a hit for The History Channel with record ratings, reviews, and controversy.

The mini-series has recently came under fire for casting an Obama look-a-like to play the role of Satan.

Producers for the show deny purposely casting an Obama look-a-like and claim to have the utmost respect for the U.S. President.

"Both Mark and I have nothing but respect and love for our President, who is a fellow Christian," said Producer Roma Downey. "False statement such as these are just designed as a foolish distraction to try and discredit the beauty of the story of The Bible."

You can catch next week's episode on Sunday, 8 pm E.T. on The History Channel.

New York Fashion Week may be losing steam.

Several designers, including Joy Cioci, Nary Manivong, and Yoana Baraschi, are boycotting the show because of its' high prices.

According to WSJ, the show often costs six figures to run. Designers also complain about the event being a little too crowded.

"Everybody wants the same models and the same stylists. It's just spinning out of control," says Yoana Baraschi.

Designers are finding new ways to communicate with audience by showing their work online, through appointments, and booking different venues.

"There are so many ways to communicate fashion today," says Advanstar Fashion Group CEO Tom Florio. "You don't necessarily have to tell the story on the runway anymore."

(Source)

Gabrielle Giffords, a former representative, who survived a shot to the head during an assassination attempt two years ago, begged Congress to put an end to gun violence on Wednesday.

"Too many children are dying. We must do something," she said. "Violence is a big problem. It will be hard. But the time is now. You must act. Be bold. Be courageous. Americans are counting on you."

Giffords husband Mark Kelly, a former astronaut also spoke at the hearing.

"The holes in our laws make a mockery of the background check system. Congress should close the private sales loophole, and the dangers people entered into that system." he said. "Gabby and I are pro-gun ownership. But we are also anti-gun violence. When dangerous people get dangerous guns, we are all more vulnerable."

This congressional hearing is the first since President Obama introduced his proposals to curb gun violence.

Wayne La Pierre, CEO of the NRA, believes that gun violence opponents should focus on mental health issues rather than banning assault weapons.

"The problem with gun laws is, criminals don't cooperate with them. The mentally ill don't cooperate with them," he said. "Law-abiding gun owners will not accept blame for the acts of violent or deranged criminals, nor do we believe the government should dictate what we can lawfully own and use to protect our families...We need to be honest about what works and what does not work. Proposals that would only serve to burden the law-abiding have failed and will fail in the future."

Gabrielle Giffords and her husband Mark Kelly will meet with President Obama later today.

Watch Gabrielle Giffords' call to action ( below):

(Source)

John Galliano has been invited to return to fashion by leading designer Oscar de la Renta.

The disgraced designer, known for an anti-semetic rant that went viral, will spend three weeks in De La Renta's studios.

"He has worked long and hard on his recovery and I'm happy to give him the opportunity to re-immerse himself in the world of fashion and re acclimate in an environment where he has been so creative." said De La Renta.

Galliano released a statement, saying:

"Several years prior to my sobriety, I descended into the madness of the disease. I said and did things which hurt others, expecially members of the Jewish community. I have expressed my sorrow privately and publicly for the pain which I have caused and I continue to do so. I remain committed to making ammends to those who I have hurt."

Neither statement gave any insight on how Galliano will contribute to De La Renta's studios.

Watch the designer's rant (below):

Do you think he deserves another chance?

(via CTPOST)

 Secretary of State Hillary Clinton faced Congress today for her congressional testimony on an assault in Benghazi that left 4 Americans dead.

Clinton took full responsibility for the incident and promised to implement recommendations given from an independent review board.

"Nobody is more committed to getting this right," she said. " I am determined to leave the State Department and our country safer, stronger, and more secure."

She later added:

"My faith in our country and our future is stronger than ever. Every time that blue and white airplane carrying the words "United States of America" touches down in some far-off capital, I feel again the honor it is to represent the world's most indispensable nation. And I am confident that, with your help, we will continue to keep the United States safe, strong, and exceptional."

John Kerry will succeed Clinton as Secretary of State during a confirmation hearing on Thursday.

(Source)

(via USATODAY)

Pop star Beyonce wowed audiences with her rendition of 'The Star Spangled Banner' at Obama's Inauguration on Monday.

However, views of the star's performance are now changing after speculation that the star may have lip-synced.

Kristin DuBois, a spokeswoman for the Marine Corps Band, told reporters that Beyonce did not sing live at the Inauguration.

"All music is pre-recorded for the ceremony because there are so many eventualities and conditions that day, said DuBois. "We performed live, the band. But, we received last-minute word that Beyonce was going to use the pre-recorded vocal track. Those were the instructions we were given. We don't know what the reason why."

Beyonce has not commented on her performance.

First Lady Michelle Obama celebrated her 49th birthday by joining Twitter on Thursday.

Her twitter account @FLOTUS attracted over 30k followers on its' opening day. 

Her first tweet read, 

"The @FLOTUS office is now on @twitter & will posts updates & pics. When it's her, she'll sign -mo . PS- RT to wish Mrs. Obama a #HappyBirthday. "

To follow the First Lady on Twitter, click here.

Watch a video on Michelle (below):

Vogue sparked controversy after it featured an editorial tribute to Hurricane Sandy in its' latest issue.

"When Hurricane Sandy hit, The city's bravest and brightest punched back. With the area now on the mend, We paid these stalwart souls a visit, dressed up in the best of New York collections. Call them New York's other finest," said a post on Vogue's website.

Even though Vogue's heart may have been in the right place, many fans are offended by the shoot calling it barbaric, materialistic, and downright rude.

Kottke.org said," I guess they were going for inappropriate and provocative but hit inappropriate & idiotic instead?"

Models Joan Smalls, Liu wen, Karlie Kloss, and Arizona Muse were featured in the spread along side the National Guards 69th Infantry wearing dresses worth thousands of dollars.

The editorial called "Storm Troupers was taken by Annie Leibovitz.

Take a look at the photos (below):
                
(Source)

(via whitehouse.gov)

President Barack Obama refused debt ceiling negotiations with Republicans on Monday.

"If the goal is to make sure that we are being responsible about our debt and our deficit - if that's the conversation we're having. I'm happy to have that conversation," Obama said during a news conference. "What I will not do is have that negotiation with a gun at the head of the American people."

Republican leaders are asking for spending cuts to accommodate the increasing debt ceiling.

House of Representative Speaker John Boehner said, "The American people do not support raising the debt ceiling without reducing government spending at the same time."

If Congress does not raise the debt ceiling in time, the United States economy will go into default from inability to pay for government obligations.

Watch Obama's news conference (below):

(Source)

NBC's live telethon, "Hurricane Sandy: Coming Together," raised over $20 million this week.

The one hour event, hosted by the American Red Cross and NBC Universal, was thrown to help Hurricane Sandy victims on the East Coast.

"Our preliminary results of nearly $23 million raised are an extraordinary example of how American people pull together in times of disaster. Their generous donations will go directly to those in need, and we urge the public to continue to give, " said American Red Cross official Peggy Dyer.

Matt Lauer, Mary J. Blige, and Christina Aguilera all contributed to the event.

To Donate to Hurricane Sandy disaster relief, click here.

(Source)

NBC announced that their coverage of the London Olympics was the most watched US television event on Monday.

The network received 219.4 million viewers despite horrid reviews from viewers who created trending topics like #NBCFAIL.

During the classic sports event, viewers complained of  tv delays, online streaming and over-editing.

The London Summer Olympics has not had this many viewers since Montreal in 1976.

I guess they did something right !

Burma's opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi will be visiting the US in September.

During her visit, she will meet with government officials and receive awards from the US Congress and the Atlantic Council think tank.

Patrick Ventrell, a US State Department spokesperson, told media : "We look forward to an appropriate date welcoming Aung San Suu Kyi here to the State Department and her having bilateral meetings in the US."

Suu Kyi spent over 20 years on house arrest before being released in 2010.

She made her debut in the Myanmar Parliament after a 2 week European tour.

The La Jolla Fashion Film Festival will begin next week in La Jolla, California.

The 3 day fashion festival will be held from July 26-28 at the Museum of Contemporary Art and feature lectures from Hollywood's Sydney Levine and Peter Belsito.

Movie screenings, seminars, and networking events will also be a part of this pioneering event.

To find out more, go to ljfff.com.

Michelle Obama honored the nation's best designers with National Design Awards on Friday.

She joined forces with the Cooper Hewitt National Museum to host the event in the White House's East Room.

"Every day, these visionary designers are pushing boundaries, creating and revealing beauty where we least expect it and helping us all lead healthier, more sustainable lives," Obama said. "From the clothes we wear to the technologies we use to the public spaces we enjoy, their work affects just about every aspect our lives."

Watch the ceremony (below):

The Supreme Court upheld ObamaCare with a 5-4 ruling on Thursday.

The healthcare ruling is monumental for the Obama administration and the millions of Americans it will affect.

Democrats celebrated the ruling.

"The President had the courage to bend the needle of history and did something presidents have tried to do for 60 years," said Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel.

Republicans believe this is a mistake and are fighting against what they believe is a bad policy.

"What the court did not do in its' last session, I will do on the first day if elected president of the United States, and that is to repeal ObamaCare," said Presidential candidate Mitt Romney.

Lawsuits have already been filed against the ruling.

The Justice Department has decided to sue Florida for attempting to purge voting lists.

The state of Florida planned to began a voter purge program that would prevent ineligible voters from voting in the upcoming election.

Many believe that the plan is targeting minorities and democratic voters.

Three Florida counties agreed to end the purging program, but stopped after the state was sued.

Florida Governor Rick Scott has already made plans to sue the Department of Homeland Security to continue the purging program.

"I have a job to do to defend legitimate voters of our state," Scott said.

No word on when they are heading to court.

(Source)