Man catches 881-pound tuna, seized by feds

A Massachusetts fisherman pulled in an 881-pound tuna this week only to have the federal authorities take it away. It sounds like a libertarian twist on the classic novella by Ernest Hemingway, The Old Man and the Sea, but for Carlos Rafael, the saga is completely true.

Rafael and his crew were using nets to catch bottom-dwellers when they inadvertently snagged the giant tuna. However, federal fishery enforcement agents took control of the behemoth when the boat returned to port. The reason for the seizure was procedural: While Rafael had the appropriate permits, fishermen are only allowed to catch tuna with a rod and reel.

It would seem that unlike the fictional New England shark hunters in Jaws, Rafael didn't need a bigger boat, just a better permit.

In an interview with the Standard-Times of New Bedford, Rafael disputes the claims from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA)  enforcement division that the humungous tuna was trawled from the bottom of the Atlantic. "They didn't catch that fish on the bottom," he said. "They probably got it in the mid-water when they were setting out and it just got corralled in the net. That only happens once in a blue moon."

And while Rafael is denied the mother of all fish stories, the federal impoundment of his catch also means he's probably losing out on a giant payday. A 754-pound tuna recently sold for nearly $396,000. NOAA regulators do not share any of the proceeds from the fish's eventual sale with a fisherman found in violation of federal rules.

"They said it had to be caught with rod and reel," a frustrated Rafael said. "We didn't try to hide anything. We did everything by the book. Nobody ever told me we couldn't catch it with a net."

Rafael says he has meticulously prepared for a giant catch like this, purchasing 15 tuna permits over the past four years for his groundfish boats. He even immediately called a "bluefin tuna hot line" (yes, such things exist) to report his catch. "I wanted to sell the fish while it was fresh instead of letting it age on the boat," he said. "It was a beautiful fish."

Proceeds of the sale from the fish will be held in an account until the case is resolved, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Office of Law Enforcement. "The matter is still under investigation," said Monica Allen, deputy director with NOAA Fisheries public affairs. "If it's determined that there has been a violation, the money will go into the asset forfeiture fund."

Cigarette Excise Tax Raised by 15% by January 2012

The government will raise the excise tax for cigarettes by an average of 15 percent next year, higher than initial plan of 12.2 percent on average.

Minister of finance Agus Martowardojo said a decree has been signed for the increase after consultation with the House of Representatives (DPR). The policy will be effective January 1st, 2012.

Agus argued that higher excise tax is needed to reduce cigarette consumption. "The excise tax will increase 15 to 16 percent as of January 1st, 2012. We want to protect the society and promote public health," Agus said as quoted by Detik.com.

The Jakarta Globe reported earlier that in the 2012 state budget draft, the government set total excise revenue at Rp72.4 trillion ($8.4 billion), a 6.3 percent increase from this year’s revised budget of Rp 68.1 trillion ($7.9 billion). Cigarettes will contribute Rp 69 trillion ($8 billion), the lion’s share of the excise tax in next year’s draft budget.

PT HM Sampoerna (HMSP) Tbk, controlled by Philip Morris International, reported cigarette sales of Rp38.3 trillion in nine months of 2011, an increase of 22% from the same period last year, twice the growth of Gudang Garam (GGRM). HM Sampoerna booked operating profit of Rp7.9 trillion in the period, surged 25.8% from the same period in 2010, while net profit jumps 29% to Rp5.9 trillion.

In nine months of 2011, HM Sampoerna paid taxes and excise tax of Rp19.7 trillion, increased 18% from the corresponding period of 2010.

PT Gudang Garam (GGRM) Tbk, meanwhile, reported sales revenue of Rp30.57 trillion, increased 11% from the corresponding period last year, while gross profit grew 18% to Rp7.55 trillion. Operating profit also increased 23% to Rp5.23 trillion in the period.

Gudang Garam posted net profit of Rp3.8 trillion in Jan-Sep 2011, increased 25% from the corresponding period last year on a stable sales and profit margin growth.

How Huguette Clark, reclusive copper heiress, spent her fortune

It's amazing how fast you can run through $170 million these days, all without leaving your hospital room.

Court documents filed in a legal battle over the $400 million estate of Huguette Clark shed light on how the reclusive and eccentric mining heiress--who died in May at 104 after spending the last 22 years of her life in a hospital--spent her fortune. Clark's relatives--the descendants of her father, William Clark, a copper and banking tycoon and U.S. senator who was born before the Mexican War of 1840--are expected soon to challenge her will, which cut out her family entirely.

Among the revelations in the court documents, MSNBC reports:

• Since 1996, $170 million--or $1 million a month--was spent from Clark's personal account or from an account controlled by her lawyer and accountant, who held legal power of attorney during that period. Both the attorney, Wallace Bock, and the accountant, Irving Kamsler, are reportedly being investigated by law enforcement for their handling of the fortune.

• Au Nain Bleu, a doll and toy shop in Paris, was paid $2.5 million between 1997 and 2006. A friend of Clark's said her dolls were "her closest companions."

• Theriault's, an auctioneer of dolls, received $729,000 between 1997 and 2009.

• Clark paid a combined $60 million to the IRS and in New York state income taxes, since 1996.

• A charity that built a controversial security system for Jewish settlers in the West Bank received $1.85 million in donations. Bock's daughter lives in the settlement protected by the system.

• Bock's law firm received around $250,000 a year, and Kamsler around $90,000. If Clark's will is allowed to stand, both men would receive much more--more than $8 million--as beneficiaries and as executors of the estate.

• Clark's private nurse, Hadasah Peri, received a $5 million lump-sum payment, and around $131,000 a year.

• Beth Israel Medical Center in New York, where Clark lived even though for most of that time she wasn't sick, received about $4.9 million since 1997, or around $1,000 a day.

• Clark's closest friend, Suzanne Pierre, who served as her social secretary, received almost $12 million.

• Clark spent $3.75 million on taxes and co-op fees to maintain her unoccupied 15,000-square-foot Fifth Avenue apartment. She also paid more than $100,000 a year on property taxes for her New Canaan, Conn. country home.

Both Bock and Kamsler have declined to comment on their management of their accounts, but their representatives have said the men acted honorably in complying with Clark's wishes.

Justin Timberlake’s Marine Date: Did She Get a Kiss?

How do you end a dream date with Justin Timberlake?

Not with a kiss, according to Cpl. Kelsey De Santis, the Marine who was escorted by the 30-year-old singer and actor to her Marine Corps Ball this weekend after famously inviting him through a YouTube video.

When it came time to party with Marines, Timberlake was on his best behavior.

“As we said our goodbyes, it was me and our entire group,” De Santis said today on “ Good Morning America” in her first live interview since Saturday’s ball.  “We just all gave hugs and parted our ways.  He was a complete gentleman.”

Though there was no kiss to end the night, both De Santis and Timberlake walked away with a lifetime of memories.

“There were so many favorite parts,” she said today on “GMA.”  “I was super, super excited and ready to get it on.”

While De Santis and her fellow Marines were supposed to be the ones in awe of Timberlake, it was the singer himself who walked away from the night starstruck.

“He had a smile on his face the entire time and was taking pictures with people,” De Santis said.  “We were talking and shaking hands.”

 Timberlake wrote on his website that the event “turned out to be one of the most moving evenings I’ve ever had.”  Attendees said a video montage of Pearl Harbor, World War II and the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks “almost brought [Timberlake] to tears.”

De Santis said that memory would be her favorite of the night as well.

“Right after the ceremony, we kind of locked eyes and we were both grateful for the things our country stands for and just everything that our military has done for us,” she said.  “Not only the look on his face but also the look on everyone else’s face and the feeling in the entire room.”

Timberlake’s road from Hollywood to a Marine Corps Ball in Richmond, Va., began last July when his “Friends with Benefits” costar Mila Kunis was first invited to the Nov. 18 Marine Corps Ball in Greenville, N.C., by Sgt. Scott Moore. The marine made a YouTube video asking Kunis, 28, to be his date to the annual event.

After Timberlake encouraged Kunis to say yes to Moore, De Santis took her shot, inviting the star to her own Marine Corps ball via YouTube.

“If you can’t go,” De Santis said in the video that became a viral sensation. “All I have to say is cry me a river! Hit me up.”

The 30-year-old actor and singer has been known to “rock his body,” but De Santis admitted there was no Marine vs. Popstar dance-off at this event.

“We did have one dance but it was our entire group that went out there and had a good time,” she said.  “I didn’t bring it on the dance floor.”

Still, De Santis clearly left the star in awe.

“She seemed to be so humble and honest … Very cool,” he wrote on his website. “She also simultaneously seemed like she was nervous about the whole evening and if I was going to enjoy myself … I have to tell you, it’s not every day that I meet a 23 year old girl and she’s more worried about if I’m having fun or if I’m comfortable…I was really blown away.”

“That makes me feel completely honored because there were a lot of Marines in the room who I served with who are my heroes,” De Santis said on “GMA.”  “It was a complete honor to be able to share that experience with someone who is so selfless.  It was a great thing.”

Rift Over Tim Tebow Custom 'Jesus' Jerseys

He's the model citizen, the guy you want your daughter to date, yet Tim Tebow can't help being the most polarizing figure in all of professional sports.

And during the upcoming holiday shopping season, Tebow is going to get even more controversial -- once again without any action on his part.

A handful of Denver fans have decided a customized Tim Tebow jersey would make for the perfect Christmas gift. What could possibly be troubling about that? A whole lot, depending on who you ask.

Rather than have the last name "Tebow" on the back of the Broncos jersey, these fans have placed "Jesus" above Tebow's No. 15.

Not everyone thinks it's appropriate. Some fans told CNN (via KTVQ) that the new custom apparel is blasphemous.

"Sports is one thing, and Jesus is another thing," Traci Yown, a mom Christmas shopping for her son told the network. "I like to have their names, their last names on the jerseys. I'm a Christian, but I mean I wouldn't want people going around having Jesus on the back of their jerseys."

But Rev. Marcus Buckley of a Baptist Church in Greer, S.C., believes those who speak out against such public displays of religion are haters.

"To me it just shows a cultural bias against Christ and Christianity," Rev. Buckley said.

Cowboys Stadium's World Class Art Secret

So you went to an NFL game and an art show broke out.

More than 83,000 football fans on average have watched the Cowboys play at home this season, yet most have failed to realize the not-so-hidden secret on the walls of the billion dollar pigskin palace.

Cowboys Stadium is home to a world-class contemporary art collection. Gene Jones, wife of outspoken Cowboys owner Jerry, huddled together with some of the brightest minds in the art world to help select only the best of the best for America's Team.

CBS Dallas reports the large concrete walls inside the stadium are used as some of the world's largest canvases for contemporary art.

While Tony Romo and Dez Bryant are superstars on the football field, art legends such like Mel Bochner, Lawrence Weiner and Gary Simmons are the featured players in the "Art Collection Of Cowboys Stadium." All three of those leading figures in conceptual art have works displayed near escalators, along with German painter Franz Acherman

Toys R Us unveils doorbusters and 9 p.m. Thanksgiving opening

Toys "R" Us will kick off its Black Friday sales an hour earlier this year, opening its doors at 9 p.m. on Thanksgiving evening.

The toy retailer will be one of several retailers opening on the night before Black Friday. Last week, Wal-Mart said it would open at 10 p.m. on Thanksgiving night.

"We're excited to welcome customers at Toys R Us stores across the country for what has become an annual tradition for many families after Thanksgiving dinner is finished," said Greg Ahearn, Toys "R" Us' chief marketing officer, in a statement.

Deals will include a free $50 gift card with the purchase of any Apple iPod touch, LeapFrog Leapsters for $24.99, marked down 50% from the regular price, 40% off Ultimate Optimus Prime Transformers, which are usually $79.99 and 10 Squinkies packs for $10, which are regularly $2.49 each.

Hottest holiday toys of 2011

Additional doorbuster deals will be available from 5 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Black Friday, Toys "R" Us said. Those deals will include a free $19.99 Imaginarium starter kit with the purchase of any Imaginarium or Crayola easel and 50% off the LeapFrog Alphabet Pal, which regularly costs $19.99.

Other discounts will run throughout the weekend, including a $10 gift card and $100 savings with the purchase of any Xbox 360 console and buy-one-get-one-half-off on all Moshi Monsters and Trash Pack collectible figures.

Toys "R" Us said it will stay open until 11 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 25. But for those shoppers unable to withstand a 26-hour shopping spree, the same deals and discounts will also be available on Toysrus.com starting at 9 p.m. on Thanksgiving. A few stores, including ones in Maine, Massachusetts and Rhode Island, will have varying open times, the toy retailer said.

Black Friday predictions: What should you buy?

Toys "R" Us also said it would give its Facebook fans an early preview of some additional doorbuster deals and free gift-with-purchase offers starting at noon on Monday, Nov. 14.

The entire circular will be released on Thursday, Nov. 24. To encourage even more shopping, last month, Toys "R" Us also said it was extending its layaway program beyond big-ticket items to include most toys in its stores.