Lauer target of 'misplaced' blame for 'Today' show nosedive: NBC exec

The top dog at NBC News came to Matt Lauer’s defense, saying the big-money host doesn’t deserve blame for “Today’s” ratings collapse. Lauer has become a prime fan target in light of “Good Morning America’s” resurgence to No. 1 and the wildly unpopular dumping of short-lived “Today” host Ann Curry this past summer. NBC News President Steve Capus blamed Twitter...

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Shifting tides of Panama real estate echo Miami trends

PANAMA CITY, Panama — As a real estate agent shows off a model apartment — white leather sectional, stainless steel appliances, open concept, ocean views — in the 59-story Yacht Club Tower, and touts its fitness center and pool deck designed to mimic a ship floating on the sea, he makes a telling statement:“We tried to emulate the Miami style in this building.”Approaching...

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Cooper City townhouse fire sends boy to hospital, causes evacuation

A Sunday morning townhouse fire in Cooper sent and 8-year-old boy to the hospital and forced the evacuation of several homes, Broward Sheriff’s Fire Rescue said. The fire broke out at around a 8:14 a.m. at 12230 SW 50th Pl. The fire spread and arriving rescue units observed flames showing on three sides of the townhouse. Two adults and four children escaped the blaze; a...

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Saudi telco regulator suspends Mobily prepaid sim sales

(Reuters) – Saudi Arabia‘s No.2 telecom operator Etihad Etisalat Co (Mobily) has been suspended from selling pre-paid sim cards by the industry regulator, the firm said in a statement to the kingdom’s bourse on Sunday.Mobily’s sales of pre-paid, or pay-as-you-go, sim cards will remain halted until the company “fully meets the prepaid service provisioning requirements,” the telco said in the statement.These...

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Andy Wenzel is the Herald Hunt’s No. 1 fan

Andy Wenzel didn’t drive himself to the very first Tropic Hunt in 1984. A buddy convinced him to trek through Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties trying to solve the devilishly clever puzzles dreamed up by humorist Dave Barry and Tom Shroder, editor of The Miami Herald’s much-missed Tropic magazine. Wenzel caught a ride with his pal’s family because, well, he was just 13...

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Larry Hagman Dies

Larry Hagman, best known for playing Dallas villain J.R. Ewing, died Friday morning from complications stemming from his recent battle with cancer.He was 81 years old.Video: Larry Hagman Talks 'Dallas', Cancer and Veganism "Larry was back in his beloved Dallas, re-enacting the iconic role he loved most," the family said in a statement via The Dallas Morning News. "When he passed, he was surrounded...

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Queens woman found dead in parked car in the Bronx

Police are investigating the death of a Queens woman found in a car parked in the Bronx this morning.The woman, 22, was found unconscious at 4:30 a.m. inside a white Honda at the intersection of Bruckner Boulevard and Brook Avenue in Mott Haven by officers responding to a report of an assault.EMS workers declared her dead at the scene.Some blood was found...

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For Miami, new cruise ships a cause for celebration

Miami’s ship has come in. And it looks more like a fleet. The Carnival Breeze, which starts regular sailings from its new year-round home Saturday, will be joined Thursday by Oceania Cruises’ Riviera and Dec. 1 by Celebrity Reflection. All three launched earlier this year in Europe and make their U.S. debut in Miami. After a three-year dry stretch that saw no shiny new vessels...

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Allure of Brickell, downtown Miami drives up rental rates

When Brett Smith rented a condo at Axis Brickell last year, there were still sweet deals to be found, but when the lease came up for renewal last month, he got a sour note: The rent was spiking 15 percent.The three-bedroom, three-bath condo would cost $3,800 a month, up from $3,300. “We actually looked around at other places, and most looked to be around the same price range,”...

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What’s open and closed for Thanksgiving

Thursday is Thanksgiving. Here is a list of what’s open and closed for the holiday on Thursday and Friday. Federal offices: Closed Thursday State offices: Closed Thursday and Friday Miami-Dade and Broward county offices: Closed Thursday and Friday Miami-Dade and Broward courts: Closed Thursday and Friday Public schools: Closed Thursday and Friday Post offices:...

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