tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28056283643387876752024-02-01T23:04:59.033-08:00Celeb Daily 2Banzayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04029395680705530127noreply@blogger.comBlogger3507125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2805628364338787675.post-89269141949603980852019-12-17T03:52:00.000-08:002019-12-17T03:52:46.698-08:00Rihanna - Rude Boy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />Banzayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04029395680705530127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2805628364338787675.post-41810444212822958972019-12-17T03:49:00.000-08:002019-12-17T03:49:06.284-08:00Sofia Vergara Without Makeup (PHOTO)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />Banzayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04029395680705530127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2805628364338787675.post-1332613625201130722019-12-17T03:47:00.001-08:002019-12-17T03:47:47.476-08:00Taylor Swift <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />Banzayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04029395680705530127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2805628364338787675.post-29042433477033386892018-07-20T04:15:00.001-07:002018-07-20T04:15:26.554-07:00Four Men Have Been Charged With Murder In XXXTentacion's Shooting Death<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Four men have been charged with first-degree murder and robbery in the shooting death of rapper XXXTentacion.<br />
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A grand jury in Broward County, Florida, returned indictments against Dedrick Devonshay Williams, Michael Boatwright, Trayvon Newsome, and Robert Allen on Wednesday, according to court documents. Williams and Boatwright are in custody, while Newsome and Allen are still at large, according to a statement from the Broward County Sheriff's Office.<br />
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XXXTentacion, born Jahseh Dwayne Onfroy, was killed June 18 while outside a motorcycle dealership near Miami, where he had been shopping.<br />
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The indictment alleges that Boatwright and Newsome confronted the 20-year-old rapper before Boatwright opened fire. Williams was arrested two days after the attack, and Boatwright was arrested July 5 on unrelated drug charges, according to sheriff's officials.<br />
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After his death, debate over XXXTentacion's legacy raged online, and his mother posted a pregnancy ultrasound picture suggesting he had a baby on the way, saying, "He left us a final gift."<br />
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The rapper's album ? reached No. 1 on the Billboard charts even as he faced a slew of criminal charges for domestic violence, including aggravated battery of his pregnant girlfriend.<br />
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When asked for comment, the Broward County Sheriff's Office directed BuzzFeed News to the state attorney's office, which declined to comment further.Banzayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04029395680705530127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2805628364338787675.post-74567519509116193342018-07-18T21:28:00.000-07:002018-07-18T21:28:22.246-07:00Guns, God And Trump: How An Accused Russian Agent Wooed US ConservativesIt’s hard to tell how much of the story 29-year old Maria Butina told Americans about herself for years is real. But it's clear that her persona — a scrappy girl from Siberia fighting for Russian gun rights — was carefully calibrated to appeal to US conservatives.<br />
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It’s hard to tell how much of the story 29-year old Russian graduate student Maria Butina told Americans about herself for years is real.</div>
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What is clear is that in Butina, the Russian government either found or created an irresistible persona for US conservatives. The story she repeated over years of speeches and interviews — of a scrappy girl from Siberia fighting for gun rights in Russia — was carefully calibrated to show a passion for self defense, a yearning for America’s easy access to guns, and a hint of criticism of Russia’s own laws.</div>
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On Sunday, she was arrested by FBI agents and jailed, <a href="https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/verabergengruen/russian-gun-rights-nra-foreign-agent" style="box-sizing: inherit; color: #222222; text-decoration-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); text-decoration-style: solid;" target="_blank">accused of being</a> an unregistered foreign agent tasked with influencing US foreign policy toward Russia and run by a senior Russian government official. On Wednesday, a federal district judge ordered her held without bond as a flight risk after prosecutors detailed her links to Russian intelligence agents.</div>
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Conservative groups that interacted with her for the most part declined to comment on the charges against her. But long before that, she had become an exotic but accepted fixture at conservative events. She regularly attended National Rifle Association conventions. Through these events she was able to interact with powerful conservative activists and politicians, including Scott Walker, Bobby Jindal, Rick Santorum, Donald Trump and others, all meticulously documented on social media. At least once, she attended the Conservative Political Action Conference, an annual assemblage of influential Republicans.</div>
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People who spoke to BuzzFeed News about their interactions with her, as well as a review of her interviews, writings and extensive social media posts, paint a picture of someone who knew how to push all the right conservative buttons.</div>
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Hers was a startlingly effective performance.</div>
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By the time <a href="https://soundcloud.com/the-eric-metaxas-show/maria-butina" style="box-sizing: inherit; color: #222222; text-decoration-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); text-decoration-style: solid;" target="_blank">she appeared</a> on the popular radio show of evangelical author Eric Metaxas, who later endorsed Trump and served on his evangelical advisory council, her life story — or at least what she said was her life story — rolled off her tongue with practiced ease.</div>
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“My story is simple — my father is a hunter, I was born in Siberia,” she explained in the July 2015 interview, echoing <a href="https://butina.livejournal.com/1034581.html" style="box-sizing: inherit; color: #222222; text-decoration-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); text-decoration-style: solid;" target="_blank">previous talking points</a> in which she often drew parallels to parts of the US, like South Dakota, where guns are “necessary for survival” to defend lives and property.</div>
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“That seems appropriate, somehow,” Metaxas interrupted, sounding delighted, when she described founding her gun rights organization in a “Moscow version of a McDonalds,” telling her friends “we need to fight for our gun rights.”</div>
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“Wow, I just love the idea of this,” he said. “To think…because you know, those of us in in America can be very parochial, we forget that the fight for liberty goes on for all around the globe in different guises.”</div>
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Metaxas did not respond to a request for comment.</div>
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Butina also seemed to know exactly what a conservative evangelical audience would want to hear, earnestly speaking about the growing number of churches in Russia after the collapse of the Soviet Union and the “great history of Christian religion” that she had in common with US evangelicals, her audience.</div>
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“When we talk about Russian and American relationships, the main point is Christianity, in both countries,” she told Metaxas.</div>
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According to the story she has told in Russian and English-language interviews, Butina was born in Barnaul, Siberia, in 1988. After graduating from Altai University in her hometown with a degree in political science and education, she started a small business selling furniture but “then moved to Moscow, where power and money is better,” she wrote <a href="https://butina.livejournal.com/1034581.html" style="box-sizing: inherit; color: #222222; text-decoration-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); text-decoration-style: solid;" target="_blank">in an outline</a> for a presentation she gave at the University of South Dakota in April 2015.</div>
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In Moscow, she began working for Alexander Torshin, a powerful Russian banking official and close associate of Russian President Vladimir Putin who was sanctioned by the US in April, and founded her pro-gun “Right to Bear Arms” group in 2011.</div>
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Some experts say that the very existence of such an organization in Russia, which has stringent gun laws and little public support for loosening them, should have tipped off US authorities from the start.</div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Pensum, Times New Roman, times, serif;"><span style="font-size: 17px;">“It just doesn’t exist,” Anders Aslund, a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council and an expert on Russia's economic policy, said about what Butina and Torshin touted as a grassroots Russian gun rights group. “It’s a ridiculous front organization with the purpose of infiltrating American groups and forging cooperation with the NRA.”</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Pensum, Times New Roman, times, serif;"><span style="font-size: 17px;">That’s the case made by US authorities. Over the course of five years, with the help of Torshin and and an as yet officially unidentified American ally, Butina relentlessly forged connections with NRA officials and others deemed to be influential in US policy. Long before she moved to Washington, DC on a student visa in August 2016 to study at American University, she had logged thousands of miles in trips from Moscow to Tennessee, Kentucky, South Dakota, Florida, Nevada, and Wisconsin to build relationships with pro-gun advocates and conservative groups.</span></span></div>
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As part of her efforts, she gave out honorary memberships to her Russian gun rights organization in the form of an ornamental blue and silver framed plaque, <a href="https://twitter.com/Maria_Butina/status/459439579326459904" style="box-sizing: inherit; color: #222222; text-decoration-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); text-decoration-style: solid;" target="_blank">to people</a> ranging from then-NRA president Jim Porter <a href="https://www.facebook.com/mvbutina/posts/808506379239130" style="box-sizing: inherit; color: #222222; text-decoration-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); text-decoration-style: solid;" target="_blank">to Oleg Volk</a>, a Tennessee-based photographer who makes pro-gun posters and graphics.</div>
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It went both ways – the connections she and Torshin made also visited them in Russia. David Keene, who served as NRA president from 2011 to 2013 as well as chairman of the American Conservative Union, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=535543299868774&set=a.154178848005223.35138.100002393251827&type=3" style="box-sizing: inherit; color: #222222; text-decoration-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); text-decoration-style: solid;" target="_blank">attended her</a> organization’s event in Moscow in 2013. The next year, Keene invited Butina to the annual NRA convention, where she attended the group’s annual Women’s Leadership Luncheon <a href="https://townhall.com/columnists/katiepavlich/2014/05/06/meet-the-woman-fighting-for-gun-rights-in-russia-n1830491" style="box-sizing: inherit; color: #222222; text-decoration-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); text-decoration-style: solid;" target="_blank">as a guest</a> of former NRA President Sandy Froman. A larger group of NRA and Republican officials was hosted by Butina’s group in Moscow in December 2015.</div>
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Butina was able to access “an extensive network of US persons in positions to influence political activities in the United States” through an American described in court papers as “US Person 1,” whose description closely matches Paul Erickson, a 56-year-old veteran Republican operative from South Dakota with whom she had, federal prosecutors alleged Wednesday, a “personal relationship.”</div>
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In the later years of her work she, Torshin and Erickson tried to use these connections to set up a “back channel” to communicate with the Trump campaign, send a Russian delegation to the National Prayer Breakfast, and set up a meeting between Torshin and Donald Trump Jr. at the 2016 NRA convention.</div>
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Butina was not above using her youth to ingratiate herself, federal prosecutors allege. According to prosecutors’ filing arguing against granting her release on bond, "on at least one occasion, Butina offered an individual other than US Person 1 sex in exchange for a position within a special interest organization."</div>
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All this was the result of years of inroads that Butina made by learning to speak the language of US conservative groups, and presenting an appealing case for them to include her.</div>
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"What I saw here is great, and I believe it's the first step for Russia,” she gushed in a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=blEiQHy3_gw" style="box-sizing: inherit; color: #222222; text-decoration-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); text-decoration-style: solid;" target="_blank">2014 video</a> posted by all4shooters.com. “With the help of foreign circles we can do more.”</div>
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Butina adapted her message to her audience and current events. As early as 2012, Guns.com <a href="https://www.guns.com/2012/12/20/russians-demand-more-liberal-gun-laws-at-home-following-sandy-hook-shooting/" style="box-sizing: inherit; color: #222222; text-decoration-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); text-decoration-style: solid;" target="_blank">ran a piece</a> on her organization calling for more relaxed Russian gun laws after the Sandy Hook shooting. In her conversations with older men, she reportedly often joked about her hunting skills and mentioned she had modeled in photo shoots to promote gun rights, including a glamorous <a href="https://www.gq.ru/person/kak-sozdat-oruzhejnoe-lobbi-i-ne-progoret" style="box-sizing: inherit; color: #222222; text-decoration-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); text-decoration-style: solid;" target="_blank">spread in Russian GQ</a>. In an interview with Fox News contributor Katie Pavlich for Townhall.com, she <a href="https://townhall.com/columnists/katiepavlich/2014/05/06/meet-the-woman-fighting-for-gun-rights-in-russia-n1830491" style="box-sizing: inherit; color: #222222; text-decoration-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); text-decoration-style: solid;" target="_blank">expressed admiration</a> for the NRA’s youth programs.</div>
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“Who is the average Russian gun owner and a member of ‘The Right to Bear Arms’ today? A middle class man with a family and a business – someone who has something to lose and to protect,” she told a group of University of South Dakota students in April 2015, before ending with a Bible verse, according to <a href="https://butina.livejournal.com/1034581.html" style="box-sizing: inherit; color: #222222; text-decoration-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); text-decoration-style: solid;" target="_blank">an outline of her presentation</a> posted on social media.</div>
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In a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZyBspPEPejI" style="box-sizing: inherit; color: #222222; text-decoration-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); text-decoration-style: solid;" target="_blank">video posted</a> by the organizers of FreedomFest, a libertarian political event held in Las Vegas in July 2015, she suggested, with a slight grimace, that she wished to bring the US concept of freedom back home.</div>
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"I believe that freedom is very important, and the basis of freedom is, of course, gun rights and the economy and I would really like to know more and bring this knowledge to Russia,” she said.</div>
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A lot of them were brief connections. Kevin Boyd, a freelance writer, told BuzzFeed News he met Butina at FreedomFest, the same event at which <a href="https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/verabergengruen/russian-gun-rights-nra-foreign-agent" style="box-sizing: inherit; color: #222222; text-decoration-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); text-decoration-style: solid;" target="_blank">she asked Trump</a> a question about Russian sanctions. She followed him on Twitter, and the two connected on Facebook.</div>
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“I spoke to her a few times at the event and it was mostly about gun rights in Russia,” he remembered. “We also discussed the upcoming US Presidential election and she said she was a fan of Scott Walker, I believe.”</div>
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According to people who met her at these events, Butina’s formula was simple and effective – a friendly introduction immediately identifying herself as a fervent Russian gun rights advocate, emphasizing her desire to learn more about like-minded Americans, often asking to take a photo, and connect, connect, connect.</div>
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Richard Hohlt, a longtime Republican lobbyist, was quoted in a recent book saying that when he met Butina at CPAC in February 2015, he "was struck by how overly solicitous she was.”</div>
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"Could they be friends on Facebook? How could they stay in contact?" he recalled in Michael Isikoff and David Corn’s book “Russian Roulette,” which was published in March this year. "All I can think was, what the fuck is this about?"</div>
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Tall and with long red hair, Butina wasn’t exactly inconspicuous. She spoke in clear but Russian-accented English. To some political operatives — and apparently the FBI, which had monitored her activities for five years, prosecutors said — there was something odd about Butina’s presence at so many conservative events.</div>
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After Butina asked Trump that question about Russia at the town hall, his advisers <a href="https://twitter.com/Isikoff/status/1018991836629815302" style="box-sizing: inherit; color: #222222; text-decoration-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); text-decoration-style: solid;" target="_blank">reportedly watched</a> the video and wondered how that had happened and where she had come from. Trump adviser Steve Bannon told Reince Priebus, who would eventually become Trump’s White House chief of staff, that it was odd that Trump had a fully developed answer to her question.</div>
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"Priebus agreed that there was something strange about Butina," Isikoff and Corn reported in their book. "Whenever there were events held by conservative groups, she was always around, he told Bannon."</div>
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Glenn Simpson, the former Wall Street Journal reporter whose research firm hired ex British spy Christopher Steele to investigate Trump’s links to the Kremlin, talked about Butina in a closed House Intelligence Committee <a href="https://docs.house.gov/meetings/IG/IG00/20180118/106796/HMTG-115-IG00-20180118-SD002.pdf" style="box-sizing: inherit; color: #222222; text-decoration-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); text-decoration-style: solid;" target="_blank">hearing in</a> November 2017, a transcript of which was later made public. He described her as “a big Trump fan in Russia” who “suddenly showed up here and started hanging around the Trump transition after the election and rented an apartment and enrolled herself at AU, which I assume gets you a visa.”</div>
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“I think she is suspicious,” he added, suggesting that she and Torshin were attempting “to infiltrate conservative organizations,” including the NRA.</div>
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“And the most absurd about this is that, you know, Vladimir Putin is not in favor of universal gun ownership for Russians. And so it's all a big charade, basically.”</div>
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Still, Butina has defenders in the United States. One of them is Volk, the Tennessee gun photographer who received an honorary membership from Butina and <a href="http://blog.olegvolk.net/2016/04/20/maria-butina/" style="box-sizing: inherit; color: #222222; text-decoration-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); text-decoration-style: solid;" target="_blank">took glamour shots</a> of her with the weapons in 2016.</div>
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“I consider the accusation to be quite silly, considering she's in opposition to the supposed Russian clients,” he told BuzzFeed News.</div>
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Dmitriy Kislov, who served as an executive director of Butina’s gun rights organization, setting up her media appearances in Russia and often tagged by her on social media, said he was “very surprised” when he heard that she’d been charged as a Russian agent.</div>
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“It is a serious mistake,” said Kislov, who told BuzzFeed News he last spoke to Butina 10 days before her arrest. “I know for sure that Maria did not work for the Russian government. The topic of civilian weapons is not popular among official representatives of the Russian government…(so) I very much doubt that our officials would be engaged in this issue.”</div>
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But federal prosecutors say they have emails that show she was taking instructions from Torshin. One exchange came on the night of Trump’s election victory when she posted on VK, the Russian equivalent of Facebook: “Well that's it. America gets a Republican Donald Trump for the next presidential term. Supporter of gun rights and restoration of relations with Russia. Congratulations to all!”</div>
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That same night, prosecutors said in their court filings, she messaged Torshin: “I’m going to sleep. It’s 3 a.m. here. I am ready for further orders.</div>
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<i style="box-sizing: inherit;">Jane Lytvynenko contributed reporting.</i></div>
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Banzayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04029395680705530127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2805628364338787675.post-91139908262374263822018-06-05T01:35:00.002-07:002018-06-05T01:35:33.721-07:00Russian State TV Appears To Have Photoshopped Kim Jong Un To Be In A Better MoodThe photograph of Kim Jong Un being in a good mood aired on Russia's state TV channel, Rossiya 1, during a Sunday news program that discussed positive relations between the Russian and North Korean leaders.<br />
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Kim Jong Un "sent Putin a warm hello" and called Russians "wonderful friends," said host Dmitry Kiselyov at the beginning of the segment to the backdrop of the smiling North Korean leader and foreign minister Sergei Lavrov.<br />
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However, the photograph released by Russia's foreign ministry shows Kim Jong Un unsmiling and not as tan as in the photo that aired.<br />
The host of the program, who's widely regarded as someone who helps spread the Kremlin's messaging, told a Russian radio station that the image was not altered. "They always take pictures with a high burst mode," he said in explaining the different facial expression.<br />
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Rossiya 1 did not respond to BuzzFeed News' requests for comment and a request for the original photo used on the television program. Neither the official Russian Foreign Ministry website, Flickr, or independent wire services have a photo of Kim Jong Un smiling in that photo. However, there are other images from that day of the North Korean leader smiling while greeting Sergei Lavrov.<br />
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The video released by the Russian Foreign Ministry also shows no signs of Kim Jong Un cracking a smile.<br />
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Banzayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04029395680705530127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2805628364338787675.post-51270475294413335892011-09-09T06:51:00.000-07:002011-09-09T06:57:03.189-07:00Michael J. Fox jokes about Charlie Sheen, talks Nike on Letterman<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://por-img.cimcontent.net/api/assets/bin-201106/739e874459f261a4bc2d1ee93a740fc4.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://por-img.cimcontent.net/api/assets/bin-201106/739e874459f261a4bc2d1ee93a740fc4.jpg" border="0" alt=""></a><br /><a href="">Michael J. Fox appeared on the "Late Show with David Letterman" Thursday, talking with the host about the Nike MAG shoe (similar to the shoe Fox wore in "Back to the Future II" movie) and Charlie Sheen, who replaced Fox on TV's "Spin City."<br /><br />Pictures: Michael J. Fox<br /><br />"[Sheen] did a great job and it was fantastic. It was especially good because he worked and I got paid," said Fox. "I feel bad for all his troubles now, but..."<br /><br />Letterman asked, "Any insight as to what, you know...?"<br /><br />"Well," said Fox, "he says he's doing OK, so who is it for me to say he's not?"<br /><br />"Well, that's right. He's all out there winning," quipped Letterman.<br /><br />"Straightforward argument to me," said Fox. He added, "Any level of craziness to me has not risen to the level of Crispin Glover almost kicking you in the head."<br /><br />Letterman laughed. "Those were the old days when anything goes," he said. "Come on in and take a swing at the host."<br /><br />Sheen was fired from the sitcom "Two and Half Men" in March after public rants against his boss and trips to the hospital. He has been replaced by Ashton Kutcher. The new season of "Two and Half Men" premieres Sept. 19, the same night Comedy Central's roast of Sheen airs.<br /><br />Fox was promoting the Nike MAG. A total of 1,500 pairs of shoes are being auctioned on eBay with proceeds going to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research.</a><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwJx5mu44uO01L7mOfE0vG3y2l5Lh1tfXn7h4Ks7criWdoafnKsgLyD6iIJPgBm89_EG-9zrODU6IayBC4o' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>Banzayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04029395680705530127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2805628364338787675.post-51595475382619727892011-07-28T19:57:00.000-07:002011-07-28T20:00:44.931-07:00Literary highlights of Comic-Con<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.celq.com/johncusack/johncusack001.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 438px; height: 690px;" src="http://www.celq.com/johncusack/johncusack001.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/.a/6a00d8341c630a53ef014e8a1d5b7d970d-800wi"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 600px; height: 338px;" src="http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/.a/6a00d8341c630a53ef014e8a1d5b7d970d-800wi" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><a href="">By now most everyone has packed up and left San Diego in the wake of Comic-Con, which wrapped up its four-day run Sunday. The conference is a gigantic celebration of comics, movies and fan culture; this year, there were a few particularly bookish highlights.<br /><br />John Cusack talked about playing Edgar Allan Poe in "The Raven." The 2012 film, named after the author's famous poem, focuses on the mysterious last days of Poe's life -- he died at age 40 in 1849 in Baltimore, possibly from overindulgence in alcohol. "I saw some of Hunter S. Thompson in Poe -- his unflinching ability to delve into the abyss and come back. He reminded me of Hunter in that way," Cusack said at his panel, where he called the author "the godfather of Goth." Hero Complex reports that to amp up the story of the writer's final days, the filmmakers have thrown in a serial killer plot. Oh, Hollywood.<br />Poe was seen elsewhere at the convention, specifically, on the faces of the audience at the preview of Francis Ford Coppola's movie "Twixt." The film is an original script by Coppola, and is about a horror writer (played by Val Kilmer, who also attended) whose career is in decline and who begins having dreams of orphan girls and a certain long-dead author. The movie is partially -- only partially -- in 3-D, and the Poe masks served as 3-D glasses. Coppola told Hero Complex:<br /><br />[W]e were in Constantinople and I was meeting with a Turkish lawyer whose sister shows up at dinner and they start giving me this beverage called raki, which is very alcoholic, and I went home to my hotel, fell asleep and had this vivid dream. It was all this Edgar Allan Poe imagery and the scary forest and this little girl with braces saying, “You’re looking at my teeth! You’re looking at my teeth!” and children coming out of a grave in the floor, and then Edgar Allan Poe shows up and I was saying, “This is a gift. I’m being given a story” and I said to Poe, “Guide me.”<br /><br />If that's not enough Poe for you, stay tuned for a possible Poe television show. In January, ABC picked up a pilot for "a crime procedural" that stars Poe, "the world's very first detective, as he uses unconventional methods to investigate dark mysteries in 1840s Boston." Right.<br /><br />But back to Comic-Con. For the first time the top prize at the Eisner Awards ended in a tie. Both "Wilson" by Daniel Clowes and "Return of the Dapper Men" by Jim McCann and Janet Lee were awarded the Best Graphic Album-New prize, the top graphic novel award at the Eisners. Other winners included writer Joe Hill for his work on "Locke and Key"; Hill is the son of novelist Stephen King.<br /><br />Another first: Steven Spielberg made his first ever Comic-Con appearance, with his adaptation of Hergé's classic comic series, "The Adventures of Tintin." The well-loved series launched in 1929 and has been published in 80 languages. Before Spielberg began showing footage from his motion-capture film, he asked, "How many here have ever read a Tintin book?" and recieved a cheer in response, Hero Complex reports. "That makes my job easier," Spielberg said. <br /><br />Another literary adaptation discussed at Comic-Con was "Paradise Lost," an adaptation of John Milton's epic poem. Star Bradley Cooper, who read the classic work as an undergrad at Georgetown University, appeared on a panel where he talked about taking on the role of Lucifer. Cooper's take: It's an "intimate family story" and he'll be giving the devil his own sympathetic spin.</a>Banzayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04029395680705530127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2805628364338787675.post-46647649634541742282011-06-13T06:40:00.000-07:002011-06-13T06:42:31.195-07:001989 visit by rock star Bruce Springsteen during motorcycle trip made Prescott bar famous<a href=""><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.theplace.ru/archive/bruce_springsteen/img/BRUCE.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 1450px; height: 1723px;" src="http://www.theplace.ru/archive/bruce_springsteen/img/BRUCE.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />Matt's Saloon, located on Prescott's famous Whiskey Row, is a dance hall featuring country music. But rock star Bruce Springsteen made it famous more than two decades ago.<br /><br />On Oct. 1, 1989, Springsteen was traveling through Prescott on his motorcycle and stopped at the bar for a beer.<br /><br />At that time in the afternoon, not many people were in the saloon, but it didn't take long for word to spread that "The Boss" was in town.<br /><br />The saloon quickly filled up, Springsteen borrowed a guitar from a member of the house band and soon the place was rocking.<br /><br />When Springsteen took a break, the crowd was so enthusiastic that a female bartender called "Bubbles" pulled him over the bar to safety.<br /><br />To this day, the newspaper accounts hanging in Matt's tell the story of how a grateful Springsteen thanked the woman by paying off her $160,000 hospital bill.<br /><br />That is the type of story that builds Matt's Saloon's legend.<br /><br />What makes it famous, and perhaps one day a member of the Arizona Music Hall of Fame, is the caliber of country western stars that played the saloon during the 1960s and continue to drop in today.<br /><br />Topping that list were County Music Hall of Fame members Waylon Jennings and Buck Owens, as well as singer/songwriter Lee Hazelwood. They all played at Matt's during the 1960s.<br /><br />Hazelwood, who wrote, "These Boots are Made for Walking," just showed up at Matt's.<br /><br />Matt Butitta, who owned Matt's Saloon from 1962-81 remembers that Owens was playing at the rodeo on the Fourth of July and he brought his band into the saloon and started playing.<br /><br />Butitta's fondest memories are of Jennings, country's original "Outlaw." He names Jennings as the one performer he wished was still around to play again at Matt's. Jennings died in February 2002.<br /><br />Butitta met Jennings when the two men were members of a friend's wedding party. At that time, the friend managed Jennings and he talked Butitta into bringing Jennings to Prescott one Fourth of July.<br /><br />"The people went crazy. Waylon was pretty clean-cut at that time," Butitta told the Daily Courier.<br /><br />Butitta said his friend wanted him to bring Jennings up for a week, but he was paying $275 and Jennings charged $300.<br /><br />In the end, Jennings came for the Fourth and Butitta paid him $100 a day for his three-piece band plus rooms next door at the Hotel St. Michael.<br /><br />Jennings played two sets, and in between the house band would play. Jennings did not have a drummer at that time, and the house band's drummer, Richie Albright, asked Butitta if he could sit in.<br /><br />According to Butitta, a couple months after playing in Prescott, Jennings hired Albright.<br /><br />Throughout 1964 and 1965, Jennings would return to Prescott and play at Matt's Saloon. The bar remained a place he would visit whenever he was in Arizona.<br /><br />Looking back, it seems strange that a small saloon in Prescott could afford to book some country western stars. However, except for Jennings, it seems that most of them, like Owens, were in town to play at the rodeo and ended up at Matt's with the rest of the cowboys.<br /><br />Some stars just stopped in for a drink.<br /><br />Current bar co-owner Matt Brassard tells the story of County Music Hall of Fame member Merle Haggard stopping in for a beer.<br /><br />"He tipped the bartender $5 and signed the bill. Then he walked across the road to the courthouse square and sat there for a couple hours," Brassard said. "He came back in for another beer and asked the bartender if he had gotten his tip. The bartender asked Haggard if he was really him. Haggard said yes, and he had just been sitting across the street writing a song."<br /><br />Lining the walls of Matt's Saloon are photos of other country performers who either played or drank there, among them Joe Diffie, Asleep at the Wheel and Andy Griegs. Most recently, Vince Gill stopped in after playing a concert in Prescott Valley. Gill became a member of the County Music Hall of Fame in 2007.<br /><br />Matt's was also the hangout for actors when they came to town to shoot a film.<br /><br />A 13-year-old Brooke Shields spent one summer shooting her an early film in Prescott. Butatti was friends with her father, and Shields would stand outside the bar selling and autographing Matt's Saloon T-shirts.<br /><br />"She sold a lot of T-shirts that summer," Butatti said.<br /><br />Steve McQueen frequented Matt's while filming "Junior Bonner" in Prescott in the summer of 1971. Actor Ben Johnson and director Sam Peckinpah were among the other Hollywood notables that visited Matt's.</a>Banzayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04029395680705530127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2805628364338787675.post-84561195455669112032011-06-09T20:04:00.000-07:002011-06-09T20:06:51.694-07:00Sugar Ray Leonard Says He Was Abused<a href=""><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.aceshowbiz.com/images/events/ALO-094474.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 454px; height: 600px;" src="http://www.aceshowbiz.com/images/events/ALO-094474.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://cdn.bleacherreport.net/images_root/slides/photos/000/148/312/leonard-sugar-ray-11_display_image.jpg?1265053985"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 283px; height: 400px;" src="http://cdn.bleacherreport.net/images_root/slides/photos/000/148/312/leonard-sugar-ray-11_display_image.jpg?1265053985" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />Boxing’s sweet as sugar champ says he was victimized sexually by a nameless coach. These revelations are expressed in Sugar Ray Leonard’s new book, The Big Fight: My Life In and Out of the Ring, which debuted Tuesday, June 6th. Spilling everything in this autobiography, the 55-year-old retired fight speaks candidely of his infidelities, drug problems and sexual abuse, Yahoo! Sports reports. Careful not to spill too much, such as the name of the coach who he alleges abused him, the gold medalist tells Yahoo! Sports, “I could state what happened to me without going further and naming names and creating more pain for anyone else.”<br /> <br />While Leonard doesn't name names, he does drop a clue in the book; the assault supposedly took place at the 1976 Olympics in Montreal, Canada, where he was preparing for the title. The other clue is the person was a boxing coach.<br /> <br />Regarding his battle with drugs, Leonard is said to have not had even a drink in almost five years. It seems he dealt with his abuse by trying to escape using alcohol and drugs. However, with the release of his new book, the former fighter's hoping he can finally heal.</a>Banzayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04029395680705530127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2805628364338787675.post-61225712486668553482011-05-31T19:39:00.000-07:002011-05-31T19:41:25.355-07:00Marilyn Monroe would be 85<a href=""><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.beaumontenterprise.com/mediaManager/?controllerName=image&action=get&id=1023958&width=628&height=471"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 617px; height: 471px;" src="http://www.beaumontenterprise.com/mediaManager/?controllerName=image&action=get&id=1023958&width=628&height=471" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.beaumontenterprise.com/mediaManager/?controllerName=image&action=get&id=1024317&width=628&height=471"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 376px; height: 471px;" src="http://www.beaumontenterprise.com/mediaManager/?controllerName=image&action=get&id=1024317&width=628&height=471" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.beaumontenterprise.com/mediaManager/?controllerName=image&action=get&id=1023988&width=628&height=471"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 347px; height: 471px;" src="http://www.beaumontenterprise.com/mediaManager/?controllerName=image&action=get&id=1023988&width=628&height=471" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.beaumontenterprise.com/mediaManager/?controllerName=image&action=get&id=1023963&width=628&height=471"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 465px; height: 471px;" src="http://www.beaumontenterprise.com/mediaManager/?controllerName=image&action=get&id=1023963&width=628&height=471" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.beaumontenterprise.com/mediaManager/?controllerName=image&action=get&id=1023999&width=628&height=471"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 237px; height: 471px;" src="http://www.beaumontenterprise.com/mediaManager/?controllerName=image&action=get&id=1023999&width=628&height=471" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />Norma Jean Mortenson was born 85 years ago, on June 1, 1926. Raised as Norma Jean Baker, she became known as Marilyn Monroe, a model and actress and the most-famous sex goddess of all time. Here's a publicity shot, circa 1948. Another iconic American actor was born the same day. There's a picture of him at the end of this gallery.<br />Photo: Getty Images, Hulton Archive / Hulton Archive</a>Banzayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04029395680705530127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2805628364338787675.post-70399370113941735512011-05-27T06:44:00.000-07:002011-05-27T06:46:55.325-07:00Daisy Lowe models for Stephen Webster<a href=""><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.movement.cc/blog/WindowsLiveWriter/bb829bae6820_11788/Daisy%20Lowe_b12392bd-e9e3-430d-9170-5b7990cf2906.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 390px; height: 537px;" src="http://www.movement.cc/blog/WindowsLiveWriter/bb829bae6820_11788/Daisy%20Lowe_b12392bd-e9e3-430d-9170-5b7990cf2906.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />Shot by artist and photographer Mat Collishaw for the brand's autumn 2011 campaign, the new campaign will feature pieces from Webster’s fine collection Murder She Wrote, as well as the silver collections Superstud and shark-jaw inspired range Les Dents de la Mer.<br /><br />For the shoot, Lowe took on the role of a femme fatale to reflect the theme of the Murder She Wrote collection, which takes a woman scorned as its base.<br /><br />Webster said: "We have known Daisy for a few years and have watched her blossom into that rare combination of glamorous British rock chick, a combination that can only be born in the UK and helps define why Britain is so unique in its approach to design and style. So, perfect for Stephen Webster - we love her!"<br /><br />Lowe is the daughter of musician Gavin Rossdale of rock band Bush, and designer Pearl Lowe, so her partnership with Webster is appropriate.<br /><br />"For this campaign we wanted a more artistic approach, something completely leftfield for jewellery. Mat Collishaw felt like an obvious choice. His art work - achieved by creatively using layered photography techniques - has given us something truly dynamic and new” added Webster.</a>Banzayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04029395680705530127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2805628364338787675.post-82769191063764199272011-05-26T09:40:00.000-07:002011-05-26T09:42:08.399-07:00Why Cheryl Cole Was Kicked Off 'X Factor'<a href=""><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://userserve-ak.last.fm/serve/_/39125001/Cheryl+Cole+VOGUE+Photoshoot.png"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 450px; height: 606px;" src="http://userserve-ak.last.fm/serve/_/39125001/Cheryl+Cole+VOGUE+Photoshoot.png" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />With her little-girl vulnerability, thick regional accent and homespun good sense, Cheryl Cole has long been the U.K.'s sweetheart. And until yesterday, it looked as though the support of Simon Cowell would be enough to propel the Girls Aloud singer to the pinnacle of her TV career, a coveted judging slot on Fox's version of The X Factor.<br />Now it seem that Cowell has lost his battle to keep Cheryl, with Fox bosses taking the view, according to reports, that her strong North Eastern British accent is problematic. Other reports cite a lack of chemistry with Paula Abdul, homesickness and the fact that she hasn't been up to the mark in the glamor stakes as reasons she may have been ditched.<br />In Britain, Cole's place in the national consciousness owes as much to the tabloid frenzy surrounding her power-couple breakup with her cheating ex-husband, Premier League soccer star Ashley Cole, as it does to her judging role on Britain's X Factor.<br />But she won over audiences for her unapologetic -- and to many, unenviable -- Geordie accent, as well as her support for underdog contestants and her fondness for addressing wannabe contestants as "pet."<br />In the North East of England the Geordie accent is known for its drawn out vowels and its its clipped words: 'yes' becomes 'ya' and the last consonant is often dropped. A spoof in the Guardian newspaper suggested that American audiences might have trouble understanding Cheryl's dialect, struggling to understand that when she said "Ya dazzlin, pet. Keep gannin like that and yazall be a star," what she meant was "you are doing very well, keep going and you will be a star."<br />In reality, her accent is far from as problematic, and if anything, her heartfelt directness seemed to endear her further to British audiences.<br />Most notably, her performance earned her the all-important support of Simon Cowell, who elevated her to the top of the pile of his U.K. judging line up and made it clear that he wanted her to be part of the US show.<br />Of course, the decision to ditch Cheryl may have been part of a strategic campaign of hype-building around the show. After all, Cowell has along history of playing his leading ladies against each other, whether it is pitting Dannii Minogue against Cheryl, Cheryl against Paula Abdul, or now, Cheryl against Nicole Scherzinger, who is now rumoured to take her place.<br />But if the reports are true and a downcast Cole is heading back to the UK with her dreams in tatters, she can at least be assured of a national welcome.<br />"Agree Cheryl Cole is better off in the UK where she is very good. What do the Yanks know anyway?" tweeted The Apprentice host Alan Sugar.<br />Dannii Minogue, who was recently fired from the X Factor U.K. judging line-up Tweeted "Judging [X Factor] should come with a life jacket, drop-down oxygen and a life raft."<br />Meanwhile, comedian Russell Brand also offered his commiserations while being interviewed on ITV morning show Daybreak.<br />"Our Cheryl? That cannae be right," he said, imitating Cole's famous Newcastle accent. "I've come to this country in good faith and they've kicked our Cheryl off? Oh no! She's Britain's sweetheart."<br />Asked if he thought that an American audience would have trouble with Cheryl's accent, Brand advised: "Just listen more, just listen very intently. All them things she's saying -- that's English.</a>Banzayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04029395680705530127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2805628364338787675.post-35085441409678598152011-05-22T06:36:00.000-07:002011-05-22T06:40:25.621-07:00Music saved Jennifer Hudson's soul after a roller-coaster ride of success and tragedy<a href=""><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://dezuetsdplingres.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/jennifer-hudson.png"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 331px; height: 400px;" src="http://dezuetsdplingres.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/jennifer-hudson.png" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />Once a cruise ship entertainer, the singer has made the finals on American Idol, won a Best Supporting Oscar for Dreamgirls before, devastatingly, losing her mother, brother and nephew in a shocking murder.<br /><br />"I've been through everything, from the bottom to the top," Hudson tells Insider, via phone, ahead of her first trip to Australia this weekend.<br /><br />"Ever since American Idol, I've been on a roller-coaster that has not stopped - there's been ups and downs and all the way round and the world has been watching me go through it.<br /><br />"At times, I feel as though I'm on the outside too, wondering what turns it's going to take, the ups and downs, and how I'm going to get through it."Despite all the turmoil, the mother of 21-month-old David Jr says music has been her saviour.<br /><br />"It is my expression of me in every way, musically, personally, how I feel right now and everything. Music is my way of bottling it up and passing it along to somebody else."<br /><br />Hudson admits her new album, I Remember Me, which features the tracks I Got This, Everybody Needs Love, Why Is It So Hard, Feeling Good and Believe, does reflect her life right now.<br /><br />"It captures every part of me," she says. "Even I Remember Me, that's me personally, that's how I feel about my life and my journey and where I am today, and then Feeling Good is an expression of my weight-loss journey.<br /><br />Overall it's just the vibe of me."Strength is also a common theme throughout the album - a trait she believes runs in her family.<br /><br />"My mother was very strong and my sister, so I guess that's where it comes from."<br /><br />Her strength was never more tested than when her mum Darnell Donnerson, brother Jason, and nephew Julian, 7, were shot dead in their Chicago home 2 1/2 years ago allegedly by her sister's estranged husband. Charged with the murders, he is awaiting trial.<br /><br />She credits her strong nature, and the help of Weight Watchers, for driving her to lose nearly 40kg. "I do [feel sexy] and I always did," she says, laughing. "It's just like, the rest of the world is catching up. I always knew it was there. It's not new to me."<br /><br />Hudson exercises daily, and is conscious of what she eats, but doesn't want to lose more weight. Despite being careful with food, she admits chocolate is her guilty pleasure.<br /><br />"At this point, I don't really want to lose any more weight. I'm trying to shy away more from cardio and doing more cardio and training. So every morning, I get up and do four sets of 25 reps of crunches, of squats and, like, push-ups."<br /><br />Her personal life is also flourishing with Hudson engaged to wrestler David Otunga, the father of her toddler son. The couple recently moved back to Chicago from Florida.<br /><br />"When I'm on the road, I can't wait to go home and be mummy.<br /><br />"He [David Jr] is such a blessing," Hudson says.<br /><br />"I have never seen a baby have such an impact on the people he meets. There is never a dull moment. He keeps me happy, he keeps me uplifted and he keeps me smiling at all times."<br /><br />Hudson flew into Melbourne yesterday to face a week packed with promotions, beginning tonight with an appearance on Dancing With The Stars.<br /><br />Along with various radio interviews, she will also appear live on Seven's Sunrise on Thursday morning.<br /><br />Her family remain in Chicago, as it's "a long way to travel".<br /><br />"I've been excited [to come to Australia] since American Idol, and I've never been able to," the R&B-soul singer said.<br /><br />"When I got the call, I was like, I don't care what's going on and I don't care what they want me to do, I am coming. So here I come."</a>Banzayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04029395680705530127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2805628364338787675.post-12941786772576509762011-05-12T07:26:00.000-07:002011-05-13T13:33:57.533-07:00"Puss in Boots" voiceover actors required to say something about cats<a href=""><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://apps.startribune.com/blogs/user_images/jameslileks_1305208562_hayekband.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 455px; height: 271px;" src="http://apps.startribune.com/blogs/user_images/jameslileks_1305208562_hayekband.jpg" border="0" alt=""></a><br />Remember yesterday’s fascinating exchange between Jack Black and Angelina Jolie? It was an example of movie stars in Promo Mode, talking to reporters about the most agreeably inane stuff you can imagine, just so there’s something to write about. Here’s today’s example:<br />Cats were a big part of Antonio Banderas and Salma Hayek's lives long before they got in touch with their inner felines for "Puss in Boots," an animated spinoff to the "Shrek" franchise. Hayek has lived with cats all her life, among them a tailless kitty rescued by one of her dogs years ago.<br />Surely there’s more to it than that, Selma. More! More!<br />Though she loves cats, Hayek said she's more of a dog person. She has 10 dogs now and one cat, the feline coming to her thanks to a canine she used to have.<br /> "I had a dog that is no longer with me that rescued that cat without a tail," Hayek said. "This dog, she's dead now, but she was on a ranch that I have, and she showed up with this cat that didn't have a tail. I don't know what did it. We took care of the cat, but it was this dog that was the friend of the cat."<br />I don’t think they spontaneously offered cat-related tales; they were probably asked if they drew on any experiences to voice the computer-animated creatures. This would have been a fine time to stare at the reporter with either amusement or incredulity - your choice! - and ask “do you mean, was I ever 18 inches tall, walked on my hind paws, wore period costumes and conversed with enormous green ogres? No. It’s called acting. Sometimes we just have to make it all up.”<br /> Here’s the trailer.<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxwhz55KWXw2U-AuHuS5MDOEDhIwVLYXJaUdiFLg1atUCUIEjYrgnFNvgepwBMXssTmrC1CLcmNf06z2nfBlA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></a>Banzayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04029395680705530127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2805628364338787675.post-18419300932876866852011-05-11T08:55:00.000-07:002011-05-11T08:58:09.099-07:00George Michael Dedicating Concert To Dame Elizabeth Taylor<a href=""><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.evz.ro/typo3temp/pics/george_michael_063c8cb8ec.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 800px; height: 533px;" src="http://www.evz.ro/typo3temp/pics/george_michael_063c8cb8ec.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />George Michael will pay his "respects" to his late pal Dame Elizabeth Taylor by dedicating one of his London concerts to the Hollywood actress later this year (11).<br />The British singer announced a set of European dates for his Symphonica: The Orchestral Tour on Wednesday (11May11), his first live shows in three years.<br />Michael is planning to use his gig at London's iconic Royal Opera House in Covent Garden in November (11) to help raise funds for Taylor's Aids Foundation and honour her memory following her death in March (11).<br />He tells WENN at a press conference, "At the moment there are four opera houses booked - two of them will be for charity. The one here in the Opera House here in Covent Garden will be for charity and hopefully in honour of Elizabeth Taylor and making some contributions to her foundation... I knew her and she was such a wonderful lady and she worked so tirelessly and completely selflessly. I'd like to pay my respects in some way."<br />Michael also reveals he will also be working with France's First Lady and former model, Carla Bruni, to raise funds for an Aids charity she works closely with.<br />He adds, "She's a spokesperson for an amazing charity called (Born Hiv Free) and it seems to be stunning statistics, but she assures me they're true, but because the French take care of people in terms of health - it's so much better than other nations, including ourselves (Britain) - there were only two babies registered in France last year that were born with Hiv... That's because of a massive treatment plan which, when I heard about this charity, I was blown away by how logical it was and how many lives it was saving and how easily it could be done. So I immediately was interested in trying to associate the Parisian Opera House show with her charity."<br />Michael will play at the Palais Garnier in Paris, France next April (12) and the show will mark the end of the first leg of his tour.</a>Banzayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04029395680705530127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2805628364338787675.post-59999380620958338192011-05-10T06:45:00.000-07:002011-05-10T06:47:25.709-07:00Alicia Silverstone Names Her Baby Bear Blu<a href=""><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://file1.npage.de/004007/70/bilder/topbild_alicia-silverstone1.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 424px; height: 600px;" src="http://file1.npage.de/004007/70/bilder/topbild_alicia-silverstone1.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />Just when you thought the most oddly named babies on the Hollywood block belonged to Mariah Carey and Nick Cannon, Alicia Silverstone announces the arrival of her son, Bear Blu.<br /><br />On her blog, The Kind Life, the "Clueless" actress posts: "My husband and I welcomed our 7 lb 15 oz baby boy Bear Blu Jarecki into the world on May 5th at 7:50am (PT). We are all three in love! I'm so grateful to this community for all the love, support, good wishes and happy vibes you've sent me during my pregnancy...it has been wonderful. Thank you all!"<br /><br />Perhaps Carey's twins Moroccan and Monroe will soon have playdates with Alicia Silverstone's baby, little Bear. Any guesses on what pregnant singer Pink will name her baby?</a>Banzayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04029395680705530127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2805628364338787675.post-16482022831194740542011-05-08T18:43:00.000-07:002011-05-08T18:45:21.579-07:00Paula Abdul joins Cowell's 'X Factor'<a href=""><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.bittenandbound.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/01/paula-abdul-super-bowl.jpeg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 360px; height: 450px;" src="http://www.bittenandbound.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/01/paula-abdul-super-bowl.jpeg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />Paula Abdul has been confirmed as the final judge for The X Factor. A source close to the negotiations confirmed the news on Saturday. Official confirmation of the deal was held up due to negotiations running through the eve of the first taping.<br /><br />Abdul's rep didn't respond to requests for comment on the news, though she is expected to be on hand for the show's first taping today.</a>Banzayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04029395680705530127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2805628364338787675.post-90094167914078251612011-05-06T18:16:00.000-07:002011-05-06T18:18:41.887-07:00Julia Roberts does not have ‘mom guilt’<a href=""><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://media.monstersandcritics.com/people/Julia_Roberts/images/group24/JTM-043261.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 446px; height: 600px;" src="http://media.monstersandcritics.com/people/Julia_Roberts/images/group24/JTM-043261.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />Hollywood actress Julia Roberts has confessed that she has no ‘mom guilt’ working less and spending more time at home with her family.<br /><br />"Nope. I felt I earned the right to stay home and be home and get super selective about what I wanted to do work-wise," the Usmagazine quoted her as telling the Access Hollywood in an interview.<br /><br />Roberts, who had tied the knot with cameraman Daniel Moder in 2002, has three children Henry, 3 and twins Hazel and Phinnaeus, 6.<br /><br />As a perfect housewife she generally indulges herself into cooking but with a few conditions while her stay in the kitchen.<br /><br />“I have a steadfast rule that I run a kitchen, not a diner, so I just make one meal. I try to be healthy, but listen, I love myself some bacon! So I have to cook what I think we're all going to enjoy. But I try to make it as healthy as possible," she added.</a>Banzayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04029395680705530127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2805628364338787675.post-62497729268011360482011-05-04T07:19:00.000-07:002011-05-04T07:22:28.665-07:00Miranda Lambert wants a wedding that wows<a href=""><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://s2.sscdn.co/uploadfile/letras/fotos/f/3/5/2/f352f473c565b8450e1bfe8c517b52f8.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="http://s2.sscdn.co/uploadfile/letras/fotos/f/3/5/2/f352f473c565b8450e1bfe8c517b52f8.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />Country singer Miranda Lambert is hoping for the same "wow factor" that Prince William and Kate Middleton has Friday when she marries fellow country singer Blake Shelton on May 14.<br /><br />The blonde bride-to-be told CMT Radio this week that her wedding will be much different but she is hoping to achieve the same awe with her ceremony.<br /><br />Pictures: The royal wedding<br />Pictures: Celebrity brides and brides-to-be<br /><br />The 27-year-old Grammy winner divulged few other details about the wedding in her interview. She has been dating Shelton since 2006 and became engaged to him last May.<br /><br />The Texas singer-songwriter said she woke before dawn April 29 to watch the royal wedding at Westminster Abbey.<br /><br />I think it was gorgeous," she said. "Just the wow factor of the royal wedding was, you know, every bride wants."</a>Banzayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04029395680705530127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2805628364338787675.post-85032639519080638752011-04-26T17:03:00.000-07:002011-04-26T17:07:48.441-07:00Royal wedding: Prince William and Kate Middleton go their separate ways to spend the final days before their wedding apart<a href=""><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://images.mirror.co.uk/upl/m4/apr2011/7/5/kate-middleton-pic-adam-sorenson-image-1-935639642.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 610px; height: 396px;" src="http://images.mirror.co.uk/upl/m4/apr2011/7/5/kate-middleton-pic-adam-sorenson-image-1-935639642.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://images.mirror.co.uk/upl/m4/apr2011/2/2/prince-william-leaving-the-home-of-kate-middleton-pic-dm-454232629.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 610px; height: 396px;" src="http://images.mirror.co.uk/upl/m4/apr2011/2/2/prince-william-leaving-the-home-of-kate-middleton-pic-dm-454232629.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />PRINCE William and Kate Middleton go their separate ways yesterday to spend the final days before their wedding apart.<br /><br />The couple said an emotional goodbye knowing the next time they meet it will be to tie the knot at Westminster Abbey on Friday.<br /><br />Wills headed to Clarence House. Kate will be with her parents in Berkshire before moving to a London hotel. A source said: “They are nervous, but hugely excited.”<br />THEY’VE been side by side for weeks enthralling crowds around the nation as a couple head over heels in love preparing for their big day.<br /><br />Related articles<br /><br />Prince William and Kate Middleton Royal Wedding sparks huge demand for golden crowns 26/04/2011 00:00<br />Royal wedding: first fan arrives to stake out place in front of Westminster Abbey 26/04/2011 00:00<br />Royal wedding: Kate Middleton enjoys some pre-wedding pampering 26/04/2011 00:00<br />Lily Allen 'outraged' as 'stoner' Joss Stone gets invite to royal wedding 26/04/2011 00:00<br />Royal wedding: Forecasters warn of risk of heavy showers 26/04/2011 00:00<br />But yesterday, Prince William and Kate Middleton went their separate ways to spend their last days as singletons apart.<br /><br />And after an emotional goodbye, the couple headed off to different homes, knowing they would not see each other again until the bride walks up the aisle at Westminster Abbey on Friday to be reunited with her groom.<br /><br />The separation will have been a wrench for William, 28, who knows his support for Kate has eased her nerves in the run up to the wedding, that will be watched by two billion people around the globe. He will spend the next two days at his London home Clarence House and is expected to have a “quiet” last night as a bachelor with brother Harry, his best man.<br /><br />Kate will stay with her parents Carole and Michael before heading to the Goring Hotel in Mayfair on the eve of the ceremony.<br /><br />No doubt their separation will give them both time to contemplate the enormity of the day – and the excitement will turn to nerves.<br /><br />A source said: “Of course they are nervous and they have been using recent time to take stock and talk each other through the day. They are very much in love and can’t wait to be married.”<br /><br />But the cleric who will be the first to meet Kate as she arrives at the Abbey insists the 29-year-old bride will be calm before the wedding.<br /><br />Dean of Westminster, the Very Reverend Dr John Hall, said: “I’m not sure exactly what I will say to her.<br /><br />“I suppose I might have to make up a joke or two.<br /><br />“I think I will just welcome her and assure her that everyone is with her, that’s one of the key things.<br /><br />“The congregation is made of up people who will be thrilled to be here. I feel she will have a sense of calmness.<br /><br />“I’m sure there will be a great sense of excitement. It’s important that she’s enjoys it. It’s important William enjoys it.”<br /><br />William, who has admitted his knees have been “tapping” as the big day approaches, yesterday drove himself out of the driveway of the Middleton’s £1million home in Bucklebury, Berks, at 9am to head for London.<br /><br />Just six hours later Kate also drove herself and sister Pippa in her black Audi out of the house – returning within 45 minutes. It is believed Kate was making some final wedding arrangements with close friends and picking up some last-minute items from local shops.<br />The couple had spent Easter weekend in the country with the Middletons.<br /><br />On Sunday, three Royal Protection Squad cars accompanied William as he pulled into their driveway with a mystery brown package on his knee.<br /><br />And as the happy pair’s moment in the spotlight draws closer friends say they have been trying to stay calm by spending time with their nearest and dearest and keeping life as “normal” as possible.<br /><br />The source said: “They wanted to spend this last weekend with their families.”<br /><br />Preparations at Westminster Abbey are now in full-swing, with the 1,000-year-old building closed to the public from today. Flowers were being put in place last night by busy staff. Public prayers were said from the pulpit of the Abbey for the couple for the first time yesterday.<br /><br />And parts of Central London were in lockdown as late-night rehearsals took place along the procession route to determine timings and help security.<br /><br />William and Kate will have received numerous lavish presents since announcing their engagement but one pen maker is hoping his gift may make an appearance at the ceremony itself.<br /><br />Rodney Neep, from Cinderfor, Glos, has specially crafted one from Kenyan soapstone.<br /><br />The 66-year-old former teacher said: “Because they got engaged in Kenya I wondered if it was possible to make a pen from soapstone. I made some, put them in a parcel and sent them to Clarence House.<br /><br />“A week later, I had a very nice letter back. They were pleased and said William and Kate were looking forward to using them. I hope it will be used to sign the marriage certificate. I have every confidence because of the enthusiasm in the letter and I’ve already seen William using one in Australia. The signing is done privately, so I don’t know if it will be broadcast. But I’m excited.”<br /><br />A sailor who claims to be a third cousin of Kate will be among the Navy personnel lining the route of the wedding procession. Able Seaman Dennis Brown, 39, said he discovered he was related after researching his family tree online.<br /><br />He will be joined by Leading Physical Trainer Gavin Rees who ran PE lessons when the prince was on board Iron Duke. The 26-year-old, from Ammanford, Carmarthenshire, said: “The first time I had contact with William I gave him 10 press-ups for being late.” Let’s hope Wills is on time on Friday...<br /><br /></a>Banzayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04029395680705530127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2805628364338787675.post-5205563170906468852011-04-26T08:13:00.000-07:002011-04-26T08:14:45.000-07:00Royal Wedding Dresses for Kate Middleton<a href=""><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://img2.timeinc.net/people/i/2011/news/110509/kate-middleton-10-440.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 440px; height: 330px;" src="http://img2.timeinc.net/people/i/2011/news/110509/kate-middleton-10-440.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />Kate Middleton's wedding dress is undoubtedly the best-kept secret of the moment – but that doesn't mean we can't fantasize about her beautiful gown! <br /><br />PEOPLE StyleWatch editors have hand-picked 25 fabulous dresses – all fit for royalty – and ready for your approval. From our list, choose up to five top looks that you'd love to see on the princess-to-be (or on yourself!), including an ultra-romantic Marchesa, a classic Vera Wang and a vintage-inspired Bruce Oldfield. Then, share your picks with friends on Facebook, and see which dresses they'd choose. <br /><br />After all, the buzzed-about bride will have millions of eyes on her as she makes her way down the aisle to Prince William, and she's got to look her best! </a>Banzayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04029395680705530127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2805628364338787675.post-32329451884295913382011-04-25T16:16:00.000-07:002011-04-25T16:20:05.890-07:00Princess Diana at Royal Wedding in Sprit for Prince William and Kate Middleton<a href=""><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://tv.akado.ru/ai/picture/10652419/big/000_DV136682c.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 490px; height: 274px;" src="http://tv.akado.ru/ai/picture/10652419/big/000_DV136682c.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://newstaar.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/Princess_Diana.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 204px; height: 247px;" src="http://newstaar.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/Princess_Diana.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />Although Princess Diana can not be in attendance at the Royal Wedding, as her son Prince William is married to Kate Middleton in a few days, members of her family and close friends will be. Through her family and friends, Diana’s spirit will most certainly be felt at the wedding. The Royal Wedding guest list released yesterday.<br />After her tragic death, the former Prime Minister John Major was appointed to care for both Prince William and Prince Henry. Major will be in attendance, as will Princess Diana’s brother Earl Spencer and other members of her family.<br /><br />Princess Diana was known for her humanitarian and charity works. One of her causes was a cancer centre known as the Royal Marsden foundation trust. Friend and former chair of the foundation, Tessa Green is on the guest list.<br /><br />Celebrities Sir Elton John and Joss Stone will be attending the wedding. John sang at the funeral for Princess Diana and even modified one of his songs, Candle in the Wind, in her honor. Stone recently performed at a concert honoring Diana and is a close friend of Prince William.</a>Banzayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04029395680705530127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2805628364338787675.post-50456555467215568502011-04-25T06:56:00.000-07:002011-04-25T07:11:39.565-07:00Afghan prison breakoutThank you for downloading from him details about the range of Houston not subsidies go to BBC world service.com/golf costs him welcome to the latest global news recorded a 12 hours GMT on Monday, 25 April I'm for to delve with a selection of highlights from across BBC world service news today and coming up warnings of a recruitment bonanza for that, not of the hundreds of militants escaped through a tunnel from one of Afghanistan's main prisons in of the airport you and the Lord Cmdr. Utah all the important field preferred and 20 people each also in this podcast Syrian government forces launched a major campaign in the southern town of the route the documents suggest 150 people held by the Americans at Guantбnamo Bay was judged to be innocent by the interrogators and him him and Prince William and Kate Clinton era the continuing importance of old music traditions of the Church of England but first it was an audacious breaking which allowed almost 500 prisoners to break out of the months of digging the tunnel under the main prison in the Afghan city of Kandahar militants have been able to free hundreds of the fellow insurgents including many Taliban come on this that would sometimes I and Afghan politician and former member of Parliament wanted this escape will provide a knowledge base to type and recruitment justice the international forces Jourdan hand over responsibility for national security the Afghan government full-service and eight Lori and in the Lord Cmdr. Utah all the important field preferred and 20 people each and they all do that if I met several thousand more recruits in the ranks of the following-find where with… Thought out that which is a contradiction to the reality of the country going to send it who oversees operations of the international crisis group in Afghanistan it's clear that the radical "security is needed in the country and in the future type in truck and barter. Pray now a to make sure that security was heightened that often done checking to make sure that they wanted any contact between outside that about a strategy and prisoners with the breakaway and then to make sure that the release was effective enough difficult that prison and unfortunately I got national believe that the seem to have, for the block once again so found this audacious escape some of the house I hostilities Clinton some of the things in the Afghan capital couple need telethon went to the highest sizes of the wools the same five months constructing this tunnel last night regarding to the present given particular public present, political prisoners are held where Taliban former Taliban fighters were being held the government at about 11 o'clock and Iin the next few hours making 45 allows managed to the tune of 475 in Maine we believe most of them being members of the Taliban we have a confirmed from intelligence sources that there were at least hundred Taliban commandos among the steepest that most have serious consequences for security in this region American sitting at achieving quite of success encouraging the child on back in Kandahar and surrounding areas while not those men were put in prison last year during a big fish about constricts and he said if been some confirmation from security sources but hasn't been any official reaction yet to what is written and very embarrassing escape while I was at trestle the it was like a lot prison cows I spokesman you really want to talk about executive investigation was ongoing they described as a disaster in an is a disaster not just because of the immediate and secure is security implications but also because I your hearing from just before security is that is being transferred to the Afghan hands before full-service father Iona ID to leave the end of 2014 it would together but increasingly the handing over Giusti for this country all aspects of security for this country to the Afghan security forces in clearly selling is a Kandahar present the on up to the Job Quentin Somerville in couple and seven Syria hundreds of soldiers supported by tanks have moved into the town of the route where public purchase the rupture last month antigovernment activists say there's been heavy gunfire and that many people are being killed foreign journalists on denied entry to Syria said BBC's Alan Bennett Jones reports from Beirut residents.<br /><br />Require the military to regain control Verano broadsides and concerns revisited are surrounded by most in the dialogue but there's a lot of bar and I don't people have been killed we have no editor of numbers you this is the government Brigman it is putting a lot of island Barajas and. Prisoners movement requires cryptogram and we will have to see what about the people artist (or what about the regard to its own Bennett Jones troops also reported to have moved into Douma sublabel the Syrian capital Damascus what is said to have made arrests Iraqi digits fingering to the into democracy with to much fanfare eight years ago so does that mean that it's proved immune to the wave of protest now sweeping the Arab world Jamil reports a him him him him him him him him him him him him him him him producing sites and sounds similar to the coming of the Arab countries from him him him him and 56 this is Basra in the south the him him him him him him him from the system menu supposedly peaceful could is on the move live. 230 security forces and other goods with testing against corruption and repression by the to the office not of faith and him and protest in Baghdad and in the a and him and him and him. And like a a a Friday appointed a a a a a a a a a a a a in Iraq and him and him and him and him him him him him him him him him him him him him a a a a a a a a a a a a in a a a a a a a a a a a a in a him and him and him him a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a him him him him him him him him him him him him him him him him him him him him is the this was a particularly rowdy David public with the options sounds and only the public and in the agreed proceeds from the for the of the Sunnis the Prime Minister the real knowledge the old on his second term in office but is now known as the good and is the deadline of 100 days ministry to shape up and meet targets he says he's not worried by the protests Edelbrock woman underwater organometallic big one stations he a are different from those in the country. The about demand and services which we respect and try to meet typically The unknown demanding the overthrow of the regime or the political process when I'm not afraid of demands on them oscillations in fact we encountered the eighth inning the and for the kind and him from the S and a blindfolded man handcuffed this man; in the event and it was like infinitely at the headquarters of the women's group deny Mohammed described how Army intelligence unit came and took away Pharos Ali earlier this month use a democracy activist he was working on the campaign to free a colleague a lot mobile detained up to taking part in a peaceful demonstration allowables for you… Eight days during which he says he was beaten and insulted as a a a a a a a a we have attention the practice from the street with wanted to secret prisons some people just is. And nobody knows where they are from months or years we saw such things as a bounce time and receipt again today and the government of real monarchy people are afraid to talk disliking the Saddam it's like a copying and pasting with a guy music to him him for fudgy journalists and analysts believe that the mentality ingrained in Iraq's previous willows over decades has made a comeback but he says times of change it is the same mentality but it's a different era at the international community are seven that which is good the Internet you through the Facebook for have some kind of models we know about of the of the for the moment protest of the demonic and the reform of regime change although be watching closely when Mr. Malik is 100 days expired in early June if the government can't deliver even on such basics as electricity Iraq could be a problem, have him give you the report you're listening to global news the best stories interviews and on the spot reporting from the BBC world service if you want to comment on this pop cost over topics covered in it you can send us an e-mail digest is global podcast@BBC the code UK you can also post a message on the BBC world service Facebook page Facebook.com/the world service the whistleblowing website wiki leaks has released secret intelligence assessments a full 780 suspects' US custody at the Guantбnamo Bay prison camp they show that about 220 with cost as Rangers terrorists but hundred and 50 what innocent Afghans and Pakistanis Dan Damon spoke to Clive Stafford Smith director of reprieve for charity the defense the human rights of prisoners would he make of these revelations of God Sheridan. Of time to talk about over the take from it than the one thing I think is corruption in all of this is the it's either not seeing a lot of this material before when it misclassified and the US is them saying things about will these people been violent criminals the that finally disproven the nothing but shares is that we could be very very careful in this war on terror him before we believe that everyone is left the city of the human… Pressure off to September 11, 2001 Americans were concerned about very concerned the concern about what was happening and they would perhaps take comfort from some of the other news was comes out Cindy's leaks which is that some of these detainees were found to be much more dangerous actually than average. Assumes Abdur-Rahim of machinery for example who was accused of bombing the USS Cole he says a lot of things in physics at all to be believed that make him a dangerous figure well this new doubt. 779 prisoners involved in is no doubt that some of them are often bad things but to the would have to recognize is that now 607 have been released as been a threat to anybody certain unit 607 779 of the remaining hundred and 72 powerlifters the discussion to reveal court brief and quick to 59 and 54 that 64% of insert yet one or two of very small number on the headstones. I think the SNS will not persuade people that that surprised most worth paying with capturing some innocence a lot of innocence and was was not a price worth paying for capturing some who were determined to destroy the United States because got nothing against people being arrested would've cut against the Spurs assistant you them and give him effect from and I think if you were one of the 670 pull he didn't do anything you A9 years without trial to be pretty upset and justifiably set said is nothing wrong with arresting people if you think the guilty of something. Then got to charge them and Demetra Clive Stafford Smith director of reprieve after the turmoil of revolution and the ousting of the long-term president Hosni Mubarak Egypt is, and addressing the question of political change the Army remains in charge alongside the transitional administration and elections are promised soon but the economy is in a poly state eatables already in debt and it's not eating into its reserves to try and stay afloat some experts say it has just six months to sort out this problem to one of the challenges the conducive a report up almost his entire him him him him him him get a sense of the you arrive in Egypt in Cairo airport you good first immigration artificial gazes for a while the two possible causes it to another man sitting next to him he gives it his stamp event will just a few meters as standard the queue waiting for third man he examines your possible that you the by mutual to collect your baggage you then have to just share your possible to force man in order to leave none of these filtering necessary setting of efficient but then people they would set it that's not the point efficiency has never been the targets of government in Egypt millions of people are being employed for the sake of being employed Mark for sake of doing something specific some of the hatred runs a company that handles some of the luggage or Cairo airport despite is remarkably regal English accent was, is in fact an Egyptian and the disgruntled one of that the system in this country is designed to put obstacles in front of you so that somebody somewhere would have a solution for it having. Nothing is allowed until somebody allows it it's like being on a rocking chair you move a lot but he did meet with him when the award will say would you like I did six president Hosni Mubarak was supposed to be getting on top of these problems and the years before his downfall Babar could privatize rationalized and reprioritize and in some ways it was certainly Egypt have high growth rates yet the money failed to trickle down levels of poverty Betty bunched and unemployment remained high now there's been a revolution in Egypt and the politicians will try and clean up the mess people like what the water the leading opposition party and he manages to put a positive spin on the situation ejections have shown themselves to be interpreters in many ways for instance whatever the government of the regime field provides the services Egyptians would be able to provide that vital infrastructure it would accede or microbus or minibus or whatever so we need to encourage the supraventricular this. How easy it be I think is comes after that trip to the people just need to write the people that is this is what you doing Ula taxi mechanic shop having an Internet cafй agency has is of enormous capacity to create order from chaos to the trouble is that an awful lot of chaos and is the disciplinarian hieroglyphs with the traffic is sitting in the and is remarkable how all day long and in the evening the can't just come to a complete standstill taxidrivers it will the newspaper to read because they night when all lacking in a move anywhere and he didn't want anyone to be an entrepreneur and run a business in this environment is presently on my way to meet the leading Egyptian economist to hear about some of the other challenges they face the the, the know I day when we get together and eventually on terrorism Robert beautiful hotel is the Mark would lay down the dire state of Egypt's finances in the short-term he said revolution has made things on the production is slowing all so the gap is encased between what you get what you need so that the calls slowdown in economic growth but that is the euphoria from the revolution people are feeling successful removing the regime and expectations are high nobody is at that point in time is looking at that we are going into negative territory it's certainly not something these people want to hear about the group of trade unionists holding a strategy meeting in central Cairo a a a a a a a a a leniency recently been showing restraint in Egypt the been a series of strikes since the uprising people are doing that now the poor deserve a fair share of this country's wealth and one of this but spent time outside today makes it clear they want to see this biggest slice of time very soon real still be trouble the striking these the very important within the handoff workers become good economist pressure to ask for minimum wage to ask for in proving the working condition and against all the we use of the factory if there would be no improvement immediately the striking waves with continue in the back of the airport there was another reminder of Egypt's bleak economic circumstances which means there's less money around for higher wages any other improvements the fact is there are the usual number of passengers arriving at the airport this Tauris been scared off by Egypt's revolution many have canceled the holidays and as visages to emerge from the terminal building taxidrivers and more desperate than ever to catch their attention a a a a a a a disappearance of tourists renounces Egyptian economy account for about 50 this country's foreign earnings and yet as civil 3-D two these days when I told about this with one of the tool guides Mark Geiser he managed to remain on the amidst all his troubles this is the moment the soul but after what happened in Cairo most was to come through Egypt and effect work if you lost a lot of money because of tourism, coming to you still happy that there was a revolution in which we still happy because it's the biddy with future for us and for our children everyone would say what she wants they Wingfield the freedom and that report from Cairo by Olmos as part of the buildup to Friday's wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton Westminster Abbey in London the BBC is will the update program wanted to throw the spotlight on a quintessential sound of many the church services the open and so presented Dan Damon went off to one of London's oldest churches some then it's judging shortage to see what's considered one of Britain's finest organs it was designed by the man who also designed such musical instruments for the great composer Handel this church is a very old building and its it's looking possibly expressed as: love of the Kloster coming from a suspect in the money would have to be spent in order to restore the building by Whitehead over this how much money would have to be spent to restore the wonderful the most fantastic part longevity and 40,000 hands and ladies I heard it might even be more mild getting Omaha woman is on a great deal of money both for those of you playing the organ immigrant to play us a bit of music that would've been around and went handles time as you can differentiate by John Stanley he would in effect patient time when the L-dopa is actually spelled 1759 seven TIME TO DELIVER MORE ABOUT ORGAN MUSIC IN THE TRADITIONAL THE ENGLISH CHURCH AND HIM HIM HIM HIM AND A A A A A A A A A A HIM HIM A A HIM A HIM HIM HIM HIM HIM HIM HIM HIM HIM HIM HIM HIM HIM HIM HIM HIM HIM A A A A A A A A HIM HIM HIM HIM HIM HIM HIM HIM HIM HIM HIM HIM HIM HIM HIM HIM HIM HIM HIM HIM HIM HIM HIM HIM HIM HIM A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A HIM HIM HIM HIM HIM HIM HIM HIM HIM HIM HIM HIM WITH HIS MEDICINE IS GOING TO REPLACE IT WOULD BE SLOW-MOVING IN MINUTES AND IF ANYBODY HAS BEEN DAILY AND ASPIRATIONS SOMETHING SECOND RAISE THE MONEY I WAS TOLD OF MILLION DOLLARS MONTHLY THE NECESSARY AMOUNT BEEN THE INDIVIDUAL. IT WOULD BE A COMMERCIAL PROPOSITION WITH THE PROFITS AND THE BECAUSE EVERYBODY WOULD COME FROM AROUND THE WORLD MAY HAVE MUSIC ON ITS PLEDGES FOR BRIEFLY HOW IMPORTANT IS OLDER MUSIC TO THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND IN IS BY MUCH HARD TO JUDGE EDUCATION ANYTHING MAKING GENERAL DESIGN NOT FOUND UNCONDITIONED LOCAL BUILDING AS AN OPEN MEETING AND CLIENT ASKED HOUSEPLANTS DAN DAMON REPORTING FOR WORLD UPDATE, SO FROM US FOR NOW BUT AN UPDATED VERSION OF THE GLOBAL NEWS PODCAST WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR YOU TO DOWNLOAD IN 12 HOURS TIME AND FOR THE GOLF UNTIL NEXT TIME GOODBYEBanzayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04029395680705530127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2805628364338787675.post-80768117635057023442011-04-24T07:34:00.000-07:002011-04-24T07:38:01.597-07:00Kate Middleton's wedding gown likely to be influential<a href=""><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://media.trb.com/media/photo/2010-12/58105433.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 594px; height: 396px;" src="http://media.trb.com/media/photo/2010-12/58105433.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.neo-planete.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/Kate_Middleton_at_the_Garter_Procession_2008.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 464px; height: 599px;" src="http://www.neo-planete.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/Kate_Middleton_at_the_Garter_Procession_2008.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />Take a look at this fabulous peek into Buckingham Palace's future, circa 2041! One of our favorite London insiders, Mike Parker, commissioned digital age progression experts to help us see what Prince William and his bride-to-be, Kate Middleton, will look like in 30 years—we're guessing this is post Wills' ascension the throne, obviously.<br /><br />Ah-mazing. This gem of a photo actually depicts what specialists predict the royal couple will look like three decades from the exact day they tie the knot at Westminster Abbey this Friday. Pretty sure, every wrinkle is just where it should be.<br />While we think older women with long, gray locks are to die for, not even Kate will be able to pull it off smashingly—not with all those hats, teas and fox hunts, baby.<br /><br />Plus, with rumors that royals are already urging her to go for a more aristocratic, shorter hairstyle, we think in a few decades she'll have to finally give into the prim ‘n' proper pressures.<br /><br />Short or long hair, this manipulated, futuristic photo is hitting worldwide syndication soon, but we wanted to give all you royal crackers a look at what's too come, physically, for these two lucky lookers.<br /><br />And we hope you're shaking your heads as much as we are about those yellow sets of teeth (dentures)! Totally hilarious, but it's hard to believe that these modern royals, as British as they are, will let their teeth get that mucky. Teeth whitening, anybody?<br /><br />Plus, doesn't everyone imagine Princess Kate way hotter than this, even at 60? For real, she's rocking the whole 30-year-old bride thing as if she's a twentysomething.<br /><br />Then again, we forget London is no L.A. Those British women don't rely too much on their Botox, and that's something to be wrinkly and proud of, hon!<br /><br />Kate makes a cute grammy regardless, and Wills looks much more handsome than Prince Charles, which by default means he's winning even in this old age. (Sorry, couldn't resist!) <br /><br />On a more romantic note, five days and counting until the big day! Who's peeing their knickers in anticipation, or are we all ready to send them off on their honeymoon already?<br /><br /></a>Banzayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04029395680705530127noreply@blogger.com0