newsmakers

newsmakers

Pedophilia e-book causes outcry

NEW YORK

Amazon is selling a self-published book defending pedophiles, sparking discussions about the retailer’s obligation to vet items before they are sold in its online stores. The book, “The Pedophile’s Guide to Love and Pleasure: a Child-lover’s Code of Conduct” by Philip R. Greaves II, offers advice to pedophiles afraid of becoming the center of retaliation. It is an electronic book available for Amazon.com Inc.’s Kindle e-reader.

The book has triggered mounting outrage on Twitter and beyond. A chorus of Twitter users is calling for Amazon to pull the book, with a few threatening to boycott the Kindle store until it does.

Cuba criticizes new video game

HAVANA

Cuba harshly criticized a new video game in which U.S. special-operations soldiers try to kill a young Fidel Castro, saying Wednesday that the violent role-playing glorifies assassination and will turn American children into sociopaths. The island’s state-run media also took a dig at the CIA’s real-life efforts to do in the island’s revolutionary leader, who has survived dozens, perhaps hundreds, of attempts on his life. “What the United States couldn’t accomplish in more than 50 years, they are now trying to do virtually,” said an article posted on Cubadebate, a state-run news website.

The brouhaha surrounds one of the most highly anticipated shoot-’em-up video games of the year, “Call of Duty: Black Ops,” which went on sale in the United States on Tuesday. The game, from California-based Activision Blizzard Inc., takes players on secret missions to American Cold War enemies such as the Soviet Union, Cuba, Vietnam and Laos.

Lou Dobbs signs with Fox Business

NEW YORK

Former CNN anchor and current radio talk-show host Lou Dobbs is joining the Fox Business Network. The network said Wednesday that Dobbs will host a new daily program that will start in the first three months of next year. He’ll also provide analysis and commentary on business news throughout the network’s day.

Dobbs hosted a popular business-oriented program on CNN for many years that gradually changed into an opinionated general-news program. His campaign against illegal immigration made him a focus of political controversy. He tried to tone things down at CNN’s request but quit a year ago, concluding that it was no longer a good fit. Since then, he has hosted a weekday syndicated radio show and has contemplated running for political office.

Bush forgives Kanye West

NEW YORK

Kanye West now says he “didn’t have the grounds” to call George W. Bush a racist, and the former president said Wednesday that he appreciates the rapper’s regret. Bush appeared in a live interview on the “Today” show, part of a book-promotion tour, and also said that his conscience was clear when it came to recognizing the financial problems at the end of his administration. In his book, “Decision Points,” Bush wrote that it was a low point in his presidency when West declared at a fundraiser to benefit Hurricane Katrina victims that “George Bush doesn’t care about black people.”

Voice isn’t Jackson’s, his nephews say

NASHVILLE, Tenn.

Some of Michael Jackson’s family members are unhappy with the release of the posthumous single “Breaking News.” But the late legend’s producer and manager say it is indeed Jackson’s voice on the newly released track. “When I heard these songs, my heart cried hearing Michael again in good spirits. The vocals sounded very polished, very on key and processed. I have no doubts that these are Michael’s vocals,” Jackson’s longtime producer, Teddy Riley, said Wednesday in a statement to The Associated Press.

“Breaking News” is the first song off “MICHAEL,” due out Dec. 14. It’s the first album of unreleased Jackson material since Jackson’s death. Jackson’s nephews, Taryll, Taj and TJ Jackson, tweeted this week that their uncle’s voice isn’t the one featured on the song.

Springsteen to pay ‘Late Night’ a visit

NEW YORK

NBC says The Boss is paying Jimmy Fallon a visit. The network announced Wednesday that Bruce Springsteen will appear on “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon” on Nov. 16, both to chat with the host and to perform. Springsteen’s appearance is timed to the twin releases of his “The Promise” two-CD set and “The Promise: The Darkness on the Edge of Town Story,” a six-disc set, which are both due out that same day.

Vindicator wire services