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September 29, 2012 | | Grande Dame A Sotheby’s auction of the jewels and personal belongings of late New York socialite Brooke Astor, who died at age 105 in 2007, fetched a higher-than-expected $19 million this week. The Daily Beast’s Barbara Goldsmith, a friend of the New York icon, remembers her fondly, and recalls the ‘ineffable sadness’ of seeing her possessions fall under an auctioneer’s gavel. Small Comfort He never calls just to talk anymore. Sources tell the National Review that Paul Ryan has been granting private press talks, via phone, to a variety of conservative pundits. The Republican running mate has reportedly asked for assessments, answered questions, granted reassurances about November, and even acknowledged 'missteps' in his ticket's campaign. He’s said to have talked to such figures as The Washington Post’s George Will, CNBC’s Larry Kudlow, and Wall Street Journal editorial page editor Paul Gigot. And although the calls may look strategic, a campaign source claims they just reflect Ryan's good relationship with the conservative press. REALITY CHECK President Obama and Mitt Romney are taking a break from the campaign trail this weekend, hiding away in intense preparation for their first debate on Wednesday night. But those awaiting a game-changing showdown will almost certainly come away disappointed, writes The Daily Beast’s Miranda Green. Nixon’s flop sweat may have cost him the 1960 election, but in most cases presidential debates hardly move the needle. Tragic Nineteen people were killed in a plane crash near Mount Everest on Friday when their aircraft hit a bird shortly after taking off from the airport in Kathmandu. The passengers—seven British, five Chinese, and four Nepalese on their way to Mount Everest, plus three crew members—all perished in the crash 1,600 feet from the runway. Nepal's aviation safety standards are far behind the global average, and this was the country's seventh fatal plane crash in just over two years. Speed Dial President Obama and Mitt Romney each placed calls to Israeli Prime Minister Bejamin Netanyahu on Friday, within hours of each other. Though neither party released many details on what was discussed, both conservations touched upon the looming threat of a nuclear Iran, with Obama vowing to stop Iran from getting a nuclear weapon and Romney claiming he will also stop the country from going nuclear but that he doesn't believe military force is necessary. | | 
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