Lindsay Lohan’s Dress: Gone with the Wind

Lindsay Lohan’s Dress: Gone with the Wind

With all of the different clothes she's been wearing on the set of her new movie, it's no wonder Lindsay Lohan finally ran into a wardrobe malfunction yesterday (July 14).

The "Mean Girls" actress was victimized by a strong gust of wind that grabbed ahold of her dress and blew it up - causing a Marilyn Monroe-esque photo-op during a break from filming "Labor Pains".

And it seems the crimson-haired cutie may have an unplanned family reunion in the works - her could-be half-sister Ashley Kaufmann has told press that she'd love to meet her famous siblings, just not her infamous father.

Kaufmann told press, "I would love to meet my siblings, I'd love that, but not with him. It's just weird knowing I have brothers and sisters who don't even know that I exist."

Enjoy the pictures of Lindsay Lohan on the set of "Labor Pains" (July 14).

Hugh Hefner and Girls Next Door’s ESPY Party

Hugh Hefner and Girls Next Door’s ESPY Party

He doesn't get older, he gets better! And Hugh Hefner really pulled out all the stops last night for his Playboy and Blu-Ray Pre-ESPY party, held at the luxurious Playboy Mansion.

In addition to the various celebrity guests who showed up to party, as well as the beautiful models sporting some seriously revealing bodypaint, Hef enjoyed the company of his three favorite ladies, the stars of Girls Next Door.

Kendra Wilkinson was spotted strutting around the red carpet in a sexy short yellow party dress along with a pair of strappy heels, while Bridget Marquardt worked the crowd in a pink shimmery robe-style dress.

Meanwhile, Hef's #1 girl Holly Madison opted for a more playful look in a cutoff grey t-shirt with a belted denim miniskirt teamed with a pair of black leather knee-high boots.

Enjoy the pictures from the Playboy and Blu-ray Pre-ESPY Party (July 14).

Hollywood’s best catfights...

Hollywood’s best catfights...
Where there is competition there are fights and this is nothing new. We take a look at some of the best fights between actors in the realm of Hollywood.

Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie:

The duo was thick as thieves when they starred on The Simple Life together. However late 2005, they called a quits on their friendship and rumours began to swirl. Some claimed that Nicole was miffed hearing that Paris was asked to host Saturday Night Live solo. Nicole allegedly hosted an SNL viewing at her house and accidentally aired Paris’ scandalous sex tape instead. Whatever the real reason may be, this friendship is definitely over. Well with two hot ladies heating up the scene this was one fight the audience wouldn’t miss for anything

Tom and Katie Holmes began dating in April of 2005 and Tom has never been the same since. In an interview, Tom publicly lashed out at Brooke Shields.

He apparently criticized her for her use of anti-depressants to battle post-partum depression. But then the public came to Brooke’s defense and she even issued her own little statement.

Brooke basically told Tom to go back to doing what he does best – saving the world from aliens or what ever with his impossible missions.


The argument these two crooners had was, Fergie accused Nelly Furtado of wearing a wig, in her new song Impacto with rapper Daddy Yankee.

She sings, I ain’t promiscuous, the realest chick up in this. I’m a pull your wig back! But apparently Fergie is only singing this because Nelly Furtado attacked her first in her song Promiscuous.

You be the judge if you see any mocking, here are the lyrics to Promiscuous.


When Heather Locklear and Bon Jovi rocker Richie Sambora were having marital problems in early 2006, good pal Denise Richards encouraged Heather to leave him. Heather decided to follow her friend's advice and filed for divorce.

A few months later, photos of Denise and Richie Sambora on a balcony making out like teenagers suddenly emerged. Heather was allegedly said to be crying on David Spade’s shoulder at the time.

What goes around comes around as Richie allegedly dumped Denise only a few weeks after they hooked up. Well all we can say is that all’s fair in love and war girls.

In a March 2006 GQ magazine interview, Michael Douglas peeved Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie by saying, “I don’t know about Brad Pitt, leaving that beautiful wife to go hold orphans for Angelina. I mean, how long is that going to last?.”

Douglas tried to quickly backpedal and follow up with a new statement, but it was too late to recover and the damage was done. He claims to have been misquoted and that he considers Brad to be a very good friend.

I’d hate to see what he says about his enemies.

Dolly lashes Texas coast as Category 2 hurricane

Dolly lashes Texas coast as Category 2 hurricane

BROWNSVILLE, Texas - Hurricane Dolly churned into a Category 2 storm as its eye neared the Texas-Mexico border Wednesday, bringing fierce winds and heavy rains that blew down signs, damaged an apartment complex and knocked out electricity to thousands.Forecasters warned of up to 15 inches of rain that could produce flooding and breach levees in the heavily populated Rio Grande Valley. Thunderstorms were attributed to Dolly as far away as Houston, 400 miles up the Texas coastline.

In Mexico, fields were filling with water, palm trees were bent over in the wind and beaches were closed to the public.

Maria Miguel, 102, and seven family members fled their wooden shack in the Mexican fishing community of Higuerilla and spent the night at a convention center-turned-shelter in Matamoros. "I don't know if my poor house will withstand the rain and wind," Miguel said.

Mexican soldiers made a last-minute attempt to rescue people at the mouth of the Rio Grande. The soldiers battled storm-charged waves in an inflatable raft to rescue at least one family trapped in their home, while others further inland were still refusing to go to government shelters, said Matamoros spokeswoman Leticia Montalvo.

"These are people who did not want to leave, and now they are in trouble," Montalvo said.

On Texas' South Padre Island, an apartment complex roof partially collapsed early Wednesday. Residents said they didn't believe anybody was injured. Melissa Zamora, a spokeswoman for the town of South Padre Island, said the roof collapse caused a plumbing leak and few residents were being relocated.

"I thought it was just a big clap of thunder, (then) saw this stuff flying around and it's the roof," said Buck Dopp, who lives in the ground floor apartment under the collapsed roof. Dopp and his family packed up and left the building, despite their plans to ride out the storm.

The causeway linking the island to the mainland remained closed early Wednesday.

Dan Quandt, a spokesman for South Padre Island emergency operations, said winds were picking up to around 50 mph and were expected to increase later Wednesday morning. He said there was a steady rain falling, but no reports of flooding. A sign on a hotel blew off, but no one was injured and it did not pose a hazard, he said.

Power was knocked out to more than 13,000 customers in Cameron County, where Brownsville is located, utility company AEP Texas said. Power also was out on South Padre Island.

In Brownsville, palm trees leaned and small debris was strewn across the all-but empty streets. The windows and doors of shops were boarded up with plywood and most businesses — including gas stations — were closed. At one gas station, workers were pelted by horizontal rain as they scrambled to lock pumps and close down.

Thousands of people fled to shelters in towns on both sides of the border. Evacuees flowed into an emergency shelter at Gladys Porter High School, even as Dolly's winds dismantled a school sign. Principal Dora Sauceda said people were lined up outside when she arrived at 4:30 a.m. The shelter was quickly nearing its 300-person capacity.

Miguel Angel Cruz and his wife Maria Hernandez brought their four children to the shelter because they feared the trailer they lived in wouldn't withstand the wind and a nearby resaca — or pond formed by a bend in the Rio Grande — would flood.

"Yes, we're scared," Cruz, a welder, said in Spanish as his family settled in. "It's our first hurricane."

At noon EDT Wednesday, the storm's center was about 35 miles northeast of Brownsville, moving northwest at about 7 mph. The storm had maximum sustained winds of near 100 mph, and its eye was expected to hit near the border midday.

Cities and counties in the Rio Grande Valley were bracing for massive flooding and levee breaks. Tornado watches were in effect for coastal counties between Corpus Christi and Houston until Wednesday afternoon.

Local officials urged residents to move away from the Rio Grande levees because if Dolly continues to follow the same path as 1967's Hurricane Beulah, "the levees are not going to hold that much water," said Cameron County Emergency Management Coordinator Johnny Cavazos.

The U.S. Census Bureau said that based on Dolly's projected path, about 1.5 million Texans could feel the storm's effects.

Gov. Rick Perry declared 14 south Texas counties disaster areas, allowing state resources to be used to send equipment and emergency workers to areas in the storm's path.

The storm, combined with levees that have deteriorated in the 41 years since Beulah swept up the Rio Grande, poses a major flooding threat to low-lying counties along the border. Beulah spawned more than 100 tornadoes across Texas and dumped 36 inches of rain in some parts of south Texas, killing 58 people and causing more than $1 billion damage.

"We could have a triple-decker problem here," Cavazos told a meeting of more than 100 county and local officials Tuesday. "We believe that those (levees) will be breached if it continues on the same track. So please stay away from those levees."

Around Brownsville, levees protect the historic downtown as well as preserved buildings that were formerly part of Fort Brown on the University of Texas at Brownsville campus. Outside the city, agricultural land dominates the banks of the Rio Grande, but thousands of people live in low-lying colonias, often poor subdivisions built without water and sewer utilities.

In the Gulf of Mexico, Shell Oil evacuated workers from oil rigs, but said it didn't expect production to be affected. It also secured wells and shut down production in the Rio Grande Valley, where it primarily deals in natural gas. Mexico's state-run oil company, Petroleos Mexicanos, said it had evacuated 66 workers from an oil platform off the coast of the port city of Tampico.

Denise Richards Deals With Angry Neighbors

Denise Richards Deals With Angry Neighbors

She's had a successful transition from the big screen to Reality TV, and Denise Richards was looking the small screen star as she was spotted leaving her Midtown Manhattan hotel yesterday (July 13).

Attending to business matters while in the Big Apple, Miss Richards was dressed to impress in a belted red dress with a pair of unique primary-colored heels and a red handbag.

The "It's Complicated" starlet has recently been fielding a litany of complaints from her neighbors due to the increased traffic and paparazzi presence in her neighborhood as a result of her hit show.

Another sore spot - Denise's constantly increasing collection of pets. One angry neighbor told press, "This is a gated community, not a zoo." And the complaints have gotten so bad that the Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care & Control have insisted that Richards must obtain a kennel license for her 14 dogs.

Enjoy the pictures of Denise Richards leaving her Manhattan hotel (July 13).

Best and Worst Superhero Movies

Best and Worst Superhero Movies

Just as Will Smith's darkly comedic 'Hancock' flies into theaters, we count down the best (and worst!) films featuring the costumed men (and women), mutants, scientists and billionaires who've saved our planet many times over. Superheroes of the silver screen, we salute you ... Or diss you, depending on which list you fall.


Superman II (1981)

Thought Spider-Man was the first superhero torn between a girl and his obligation to humanity? Think again. Here Supes faces a choice: Defend Earth from three evil Kryptonians or get n*ked with Lois Lane. Luckily, Margot Kidder ain't so hot.


The Incredibles (2004)

You know what they say, "The family that saves the day together, stays together." Or something like that. We only know that the Mr. and Mrs. must be doing something right, because their three kids (and the Pixar film) are just super.


Batman (1989)

Bat-fans freaked when Michael Keaton was chosen to play the Caped Crusader, but they needn't have worried. Inspired by Frank Miller's Dark Knight series, Tim Burton's film gave us a brooding antihero whose angst doesn't keep him from kicking ass -- or getting the girl.


Superman (1978)

Just a few bars from John Williams' chills-inducing score will transport most of you back to childhood, when an azure-eyed Adonis named Christopher Reeve became the Man of Steel. He flew through buildings, saved lives and proved tights can be manly.

Best and Worst Superhero Movies

Best and Worst Superhero Movies

Just as Will Smith's darkly comedic 'Hancock' flies into theaters, we count down the best (and worst!) films featuring the costumed men (and women), mutants, scientists and billionaires who've saved our planet many times over. Superheroes of the silver screen, we salute you ... Or diss you, depending on which list you fall.

Thought Spider-Man was the first superhero torn between a girl and his obligation to humanity? Think again. Here Supes faces a choice: Defend Earth from three evil Kryptonians or get n*ked with Lois Lane. Luckily, Margot Kidder ain't so hot.


You know what they say, "The family that saves the day together, stays together." Or something like that. We only know that the Mr. and Mrs. must be doing something right, because their three kids (and the Pixar film) are just super.


Bat-fans freaked when Michael Keaton was chosen to play the Caped Crusader, but they needn't have worried. Inspired by Frank Miller's Dark Knight series, Tim Burton's film gave us a brooding antihero whose angst doesn't keep him from kicking ass -- or getting the girl.

Just a few bars from John Williams' chills-inducing score will transport most of you back to childhood, when an azure-eyed Adonis named Christopher Reeve became the Man of Steel. He flew through buildings, saved lives and proved tights can be manly

Miley Cyrus grows up and away from Hannah Montana

When you're being hailed as possibly the best player in all of tennis, you deserve a little pampering. And Rafael Nadal was once again spotted relaxing in the Mallorca sun over the weekend, along with his sweetie.

The Wimbledon champion looked to be having a grand time as he chilled out on the Manacor sand with girlfriend Maria Francisa Perello and a few friends.

And it sounds like the tennis stud may be giving a whole new meaning to the popular celebrity phrase 'star power.' It seems he has an asteroid named after him.

That's right, asteroid '128036' has been renamed Rafael Nadal. The 4-kilometer-in-diameter planetoid is located between Mars and Jupiter and travels through space at a speed of 20km per second.

Big Weekend for Brooke Hogan

Big Weekend for Brooke Hogan

We've all fallen in love with her thanks to the "Hogan Knows Best" reality show. And now Brooke Hogan is spreading her wings with a new show of her very own.

Over the weekend, the blonde singer/reality TV actress celebrated the premiere of her new gig "Brooke Knows Best" with a red carpet party/concert at Miami hotspot club Mansion.

The "Brookster" arrived looking ravishing in a little short yellow party dress along with a pair of sexy high heels as she hammed it up for the paparazzi along with costars Ashley and Glenn.

From there, Miss Hogan headed inside to prepare for her concert, taking the stage and wowing the audience with some seriously talented singing and dancing.

The first episode of "Brooke Knows Best," which premiered last night, introduced viewers to Brooke's roommates Ashley and Glenn, as well as other friends, dancers, choreographers, producers, songwriter, and various other business associates.

This season, we'll get to see Brooke consider a tattoo, help her roommate find guys as a "wing woman" and date a guy who is into a plethora of extreme sports.

Enjoy the pictures of Brooke Hogan performing at Mansion (July 13), and attending her show's premiere party the night before.

Kate Moss Leaves Her Worries Behind

Kate Moss Leaves Her Worries Behind

She's been all over the news as rumors that she's dumped rocker boyfriend Jamie Hince continue to circulate. But Kate Moss isn't letting that stress her out.

The British babe was spotted over the weekend sunning herself off the coast of Sardinia, Italy, along with a few friends, aboard a $40 million luxury yacht.

She's been looking absolutely carefree, according to witnesses, as she holidays on the Emerald Coast, enjoying a relaxing time away from all of the glitz and glamour of her celebrity life.

And it seems Kate has been taking her cues from fellow Brit Sienna Miller with a hippie-chic wardrobe while on vacation including hotpants and a boho-style fringed waistcoat from her own designer collection.

Enjoy the pictures of Kate Moss out boating off the coast of Italy (July 13).

'Dark Knight' sets weekend record with $155.34M

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Batman has sent Spidey packing as king of Hollywood's box office superheroes.

"The Dark Knight" took in a record $155.34 million in its first weekend, said Dan Fellman, head of distribution for Warner Bros., which released the "Batman Begins" sequel.

That topped Hollywood's previous best of $151.1 million, set by "Spider-Man 3" in May 2007.

"We knew it would be big, but we never expected to dominate the marketplace like we did," Fellman said. The movie should shoot past the $200 million mark by the end of the week, he said.

Factoring in higher admission prices, however, "Spider-Man 3" may have sold slightly more tickets than "The Dark Knight."

At 2007's average price of $6.88, "Spider-Man 3" sold 21.96 million tickets over opening weekend. Box office tracker Media By Numbers estimates today's average movie prices at $7.08, which means "The Dark Knight" would have sold 21.94 million tickets.

The movie's release was preceded by months of buzz and speculation over the performance of the late Heath Ledger as the Joker, Batman's nemesis. Ledger, who died in January from an accidental prescription-drug overdose, played the Joker as a demonic presence, his performance prompting predictions that the role might earn him a posthumous Academy Award nomination.

"The Dark Knight," which cost $185 million to make, also broke the "Spider-Man 3" record for best debut in IMAX large-screen theaters with $6.2 million. "Spider-Man 3" opened with $4.7 million in IMAX cinemas.

On opening day Friday, "The Dark Knight" also took in more money than previously counted, Fellman said. The film pulled in a record $67.85 million, up nearly $1.5 million from the studio's estimates a day earlier.

The previous opening-day record also had been held by "Spider-Man 3" with $59.8 million.

Shakira to lead Colombian rallies demanding hostages' freedom

BOGOTA (AFP) - Pop star Shakira is to lead nationwide demonstrations in her native Colombia on Sunday demanding the liberation of hundreds of hostages held by rebels in the jungle for years.
Around 80 solidarity rallies are also planned in other cities around Latin America and the rest of the world, including one in Paris that will include recently freed Franco-Colombian hostage Ingrid Betancourt.

"On July 20, I want to shout out, with you, for the independence and liberty of those who are still hostage of the FARC in Colombia," Betancourt told the French parliament early this month.

The Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) continues to detain an estimated 700 hostages. Up to 2,000 more are believed to be held by the National Liberation Army, another leftist rebel group.

Sunday's rallies are calling for their immediate release, and those of prisoners held by other rebel groups.

Around five million people are expected to take part in demonstrations in some 1,000 towns and cities across Colombia.

The marches coincide with independence day celebrations in the southern town of Leticia, which are to be attended by President Alvaro Uribe and his guests, President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva of Brazil and Alan Garcia of Peru.

Shakira, Colombia's world-famous pop icon, is to sing Colombia's national anthem at the start of that commemoration before launching into a concert in support of the hostage liberation demonstration.

Juanes, another Colombian singer, and other high-profile musicians will also be lending their voices to the initiative, which will be the third national demonstration of its type in Colombia. The last one took place on February 4.

In the capital Bogota, more than 50,000 people dressed in white are expected to fill the central city square.

Some of the 14 other hostages who were freed with Betancourt through a Colombian military operation will be present here and in other cities.

Three US defense contractors liberated at the same time are back in the United States and will not be participating, however.

There are fears of a possible attack during the event. On Friday, Bogota authorities arrested two suspected FARC rebels, seizing from them about 30 kilograms of explosives which they allegedly planned to use during the march.

Olga Lucia Gomez, head of the Free Country Foundation working for the captives' release, said the rallies "are to demand not only the liberation of the rebels' hostages, but also all those being held against their will by whoever they may be."

Julio Roberto Gomez, president of a workers' union, told a media conference it was also an opportunity to shine the spotlight on the hundreds of hostages -- many of them poor rural residents -- who were not famous enough to generate individual public campaigns.

Politically, however, the Colombian peace process appears to be at an impasse.

Uribe's conservative government has vowed to seek direct contact with the FARC in an indication that it sees no future in mediation by France, Spain and Switzerland.

But the rebels have rejected direct talks and asked for mediation by leftist Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega, which, in turn, has been rejected by Bogota.

Cameron Diaz: Lucky in Love

She's had a little extra bounce in her step these days thanks to her budding romance with British model Paul Sculfor. And Cameron Diaz looks like she may be falling in love.

The "Charlie's Angels" babe was spotted on her way home from the gym following an intense workout session in Beverly Hills, California. And she looked fit and trim in a blue scoopneck top overtop a black workout shirt with a pair of black yoga pants and sneakers.

Interestingly enough, Cameron is dating Jennifer Aniston's ex, while Jennifer is dating John Mayer - an ex of Diaz's. But according to a source, the two ladies have already cleared things with each other.

"Jennifer is friends with Cameron. They had a chat about the situation because Cameron felt a bit awkward about dating Jen's ex. But Jennifer is really easy-going and cool about it."

And Diaz just can't seem to get enough sexy Sculfor. "Cameron and Paul have been spending every night together. He doesn't have a house in Los Angeles and Cameron doesn't mind him staying with her. When he dated Jennifer Aniston he used to stay at hotels, but Cameron likes him a lot and always wants to be around him."



Spanish

Ella tenía un poco de rebote a su paso estos días gracias a su incipiente romance con la modelo británico Paul Sculfor. Y Cameron Diaz se parece a ella puede ser enamoramiento.

El "Charlie's Angels" bebé fue descubierto en su camino a casa desde el gimnasio después de una intensa sesión de ejercicios período de sesiones en Beverly Hills, California. Y ella miró en forma y tapizado en azul scoopneck encima un top negro con camisa sesión de un par de pantalones negro yoga y tenis.

Curiosamente, Cameron se remontan Jennifer Aniston la ex, mientras que Jennifer se remonta John Mayer - un ex de Díaz. Sin embargo, según una fuente, las dos señoras ya han aclarado las cosas con los demás.

"Jennifer es amigo de Cameron. Tuvieron una charla sobre la situación, porque Cameron sintió un poco incómodo que data aproximadamente del ex Jen. Pero Jennifer es realmente fácil de enfriar y pasar sobre ella."

Díaz y simplemente no puede llegar a parecer bastante sexy Sculfor. "Paul Cameron y el gasto han sido todas las noches juntos. Él no tiene una casa en Los Angeles y Cameron no le importa quedarse él con ella. Cuando Jennifer Aniston fecha solía quedarse en los hoteles, pero Cameron le gusta mucho y siempre quiere estar a su alrededor. "

French

Elle a eu un peu de rebond dans son étape de nos jours grâce à sa romance avec herbe modèle britannique Paul Sculfor. Et Cameron Diaz, elle ressemble à mai être tomber amoureux.

Le "Charlie's Angels" fille a été repéré sur son chemin de la maison de la salle de gym suite à un entraînement intense session à Beverly Hills, en Californie. Et elle attend en forme et une assiette en bleu scoopneck haut dessus un entraînement shirt noir avec une paire de pantalons de yoga noir et chaussures de sport.

Chose intéressante, Cameron est datant de Jennifer Aniston ex, tandis que Jennifer est datant John Mayer - une ex de Diaz. Mais, selon une source, les deux dames ont déjà autorisé les choses les unes avec les autres.

"Jennifer est amis avec Cameron. Ils ont une discussion à propos de la situation parce que Cameron a estimé un peu gauche sur Jen datant ex. Mais Jennifer est vraiment facile en cours et laisser refroidir à ce sujet."

Et Diaz n'arrive pas à obtenir assez sexy Sculfor. "Paul Cameron et les dépenses ont été tous les soirs de concert. Il n'a pas une maison à Los Angeles et Cameron ne rechignent pas à lui rester avec elle. Quand il en date du Jennifer Aniston il avait l'habitude de rester dans les hôtels, mais Cameron lui aime beaucoup et veut toujours être autour de lui. "

Jennifer Ellison will strip in next film ‘if role is big enough’

London, July 19 (ANI): English actress Jennifer Ellison revealed that she would be happy to strip naked for her next movie, if the role she has to play is big enough.

Ellison, 25, though has stated that she would not go for an all-nude role.

“If it was a big movie then I might go nude, yeah. I wouldn’t refuse to do a sex scene or nude scene,” Daily Star quoted her as saying.

“If I was given a script where all I did was nude stuff I’d probably say no. But if it looked like a good film and I was happy with my character, then I’d certainly consider doing a sex scene.

“Who knows what you’ll get to see of me in movies in the future!” she said.

The ex-Brookside babe has also admitted that she would not mind doing a girl-on-girl action with a string of hot celeb babes if she was given the chance.

“If I had to kiss another woman, I’d do it somewhere with no cameras and I’d go for Pamela Anderson and Carmen Electra,” she said.

“They’re dead sexy. If Carmen Electra wanted to mud-wrestle with me, I’d say yes.

“My ideal female co-star would be Julia Roberts. I think she’s amazing in Pretty Woman and really sexy.

“I’d love to sing a duet with Madonna but I might start necking her. I would as well!” she added. (ANI)

Obama visits Afghanistan to tour war zone

Obama visits Afghanistan to tour war zone

KABUL, Afghanistan - Democratic presidential contender Barack Obama started a campaign-season tour of combat zones and foreign capitals, visiting with U.S. forces in Kuwait and then Afghanistan — the scene of a war he says deserves more attention and more troops.

The Illinois senator arrived Saturday in Kabul as part of an official congressional delegation and then flew to eastern Afghanistan. Staff. Sgt. David Hopkins said Obama and two other senators were making a brief stop in Jalalabad airfield, in Nangarhar province, to visit with soldiers stationed there.

The delegation also met with top military leaders and troops at Bagram Air Base, the main U.S. military base in the country, according to a U.S. military officer who spoke on condition of anonymity because the officer was not authorized to release the information.

Obama's first visit to Afghanistan, coming less than four months before the general election, was rich with political implications. Republican presidential rival John McCain has criticized Obama for his lack of time in the region. Obama is also expected to stop later in Iraq.

En route to Afghanistan, Obama stopped Friday at Camp Arifjan, the main U.S. military base in Kuwait and a major gateway for U.S. soldiers moving into and out of Iraq.

Lt. Col. Bill Nutter, a spokesman for the U.S. military in Kuwait, said, "He talked to soldiers and constituents and met with senior military leadership."

During the two-hour visit, Nutter said, the officers gave him an overview of operations. Obama shook hands, answered questions, posed for photos and played a little basketball during the visit.

Sultan Ahmad Baheen, spokesman for Afghanistan's Foreign Ministry, said Saturday that Obama would meet with President Hamid Karzai during his visit.

"I look forward to seeing what the situation on the ground is," Obama told a pair of reporters who accompanied him to his departure from Andrews Air Force Base on Thursday. "I want to, obviously, talk to the commanders and get a sense both in Afghanistan and in Baghdad of, you know, what the most, their biggest concerns are, and I want to thank our troops for the heroic work that they've been doing."

Underscoring the challenges in Afghanistan, authorities reported Saturday that a roadside bomb killed four policemen in the volatile south of the country where the Taliban-led insurgency is intensifying nearly seven years after a U.S.-led invasion ousted the militant movement from power.

Obama advocates ending the U.S. combat role in Iraq by withdrawing troops at the rate of one to two combat brigades a month. But he supports increasing the military commitment to Afghanistan, where the Taliban has been resurgent and Osama bin laden is believed to be hiding.

Obama recently chided Karzai and his government, saying it had "not gotten out of the bunker" and helped to organize the country or its political and security institutions.

Also on his itinerary later in the trip is a meeting with Nouri al-Maliki, the Iraqi leader. On the campaign trail, Obama has said one benefit of withdrawing U.S. troops is that it would pressure al-Maliki to shore up his government as well.

Nonetheless, he said he did not plan to reiterate those messages in person.

"I'm more interested in listening than doing a lot of talking, and I think it's very important to recognize that I'm going over there as a U.S. senator," he said. "We have one president at a time."

The duration and details of Obama's stay in Afghanistan have not been formally disclosed, and media access was limited.

Traveling with Obama were Sens. Chuck Hagel, a Nebraska Republican and Jack Reed, a Democrat from Rhode Island. The senators, both military veterans, have been mentioned as potential Obama vice presidential running mates, but Reed has said he's not interested in the job.

In a speech this week, Obama said the war in Iraq was a distraction, unlike the fighting in Afghanistan.

"This is a war that we have to win," he said. "I will send at least two additional combat brigades to Afghanistan, and use this commitment to seek greater contributions — with fewer restrictions — from NATO allies.

"I will focus on training Afghan security forces and supporting an Afghan judiciary, with more resources and incentives for American officers who perform these missions."

By contrast, his opposition to the war in Iraq — and call for an end to the U.S. combat role — helped him overcome his rivals in the battle for the Democratic presidential nomination.

Lately, his efforts to explain how he will use what he learns from U.S. commanders to refine his proposals have brought charges from Republicans and complaints from Democratic liberals that he seems to be shifting his Iraq policy toward the political center. But Obama maintains his basic goal of ending the U.S. combat role soon remains unchanged and that he's always said the U.S. withdrawal must be done carefully.

Obama also arranged to visit Jordan, Israel, Germany, France and England, traveling aboard a jet chartered by his presidential campaign, before his return to the United States. The weeklong trip marks his only foreign excursion as a presidential candidate; McCain has visited Canada, Colombia and Mexico, in part to highlight Obama's opposition to trade deals with those allies.

Few citizens in impoverished Afghanistan were aware of Obama's unannounced visit, and few have been following the U.S. presidential race, being too busy eking out an existence amid soaring violence and with limited access to news media.

But some interviewed Saturday said they would welcome an Obama presidency if he could help their country end the fighting, corruption and poverty that have crippled it for so long.

"Obama is a good person," said Abdul Basir, 40, a former army officer. "During his campaign I heard he was saying that if I become president I will withdraw the U.S. troops from Iraq and bring them to Afghanistan and I will attack on the terror center on other side of border (in Pakistan). It is very important and I appreciated that."

Pamela Anderson’s Aussie KFC Protest

Pamela Anderson’s Aussie KFC Protest

She's a well-known supporter of animal rights activist group PETA. And earlier today, Pamela Anderson took a stand for chickens worldwide.

The former Baywatch babe was spotted at a KFC Restaurant in the Southport area of Queensland, Australia as she hand-delivered a signed letter of protest about the treatment of chickens by the KFC company on behalf of PETA.

She told press, "I've been in Australia filming Big Brother House, in which my housemates and I are confined and sealed off from the outside world, much like the chickens who are crammed inside barns for KFC."

She continued, "Fortunately, I won't be stomped to death, have my legs broken or be scalded to death in a tank of hot water, yet as PETA's undercover videos have revealed, the chickens raised for KFC's restaurants in Australia often suffer these abuses."

One small problem - KFC is one of the major sponsors of the Aussie Big Brother show on which Pammie has been guest starring. Whoopsie Daisy!

Enjoy the pictures of Pamela Anderson out protesting KFC (July 10).

Rihanna and Jay-Z Rise Up in Africa

Rihanna and Jay-Z Rise Up in Africa

Teaming up for a good cause, Rihanna and Jay-Z were among the performers on hand in Abuja to kick off the Thisday Music and Fashion Festival on Friday night (July 11).

Hitting the stage as the opening act, Rihanna treated the fans to a rendition of her first big hit, Pon de Replay, before working her way into Turn Me On Boy and Shut Up and Drive.

And after a cover of Bob Marley's classic Is This Love, the Barbados beauty gave the crowd the thrill of their lifetime - as "just when it seemed like she was retreating, Jay-Z joined her and spurred the crowd into leaving their seats - with the duo feeding the crowd with Rihanna's biggest hit to date and obviously a crowd favorite, Umbrella, which stayed atop the US music charts for several weeks after its release last year."

Jay-Z then stayed on stage solo - performing his hit single Show Me What You Got before offering up a one-sided rendition he and Beyonce's duet, Crazy in Love.

Meanwhile, Naomi Campbell, who was on hand as an ambassador of the United Nations on Climate Change, blasted "the widely held notion in Europe and the States about Africa being a land of poverty, where famine and epidemics ravage the continent."

"The theme of the Thisday Festival is Africa Rising which would tell the world that Africa is a continent of plenty. The notion is always that it is a continent of poverty, admittedly there are some places like that but it is a rich continent," the supermodel told.

Enjoy the pictures of Rihanna and Jay-Z performing at the Thisday Africa Rising Festival (July 11).

Jessica Alba poses with Honor on cover of OK!

Jessica Alba poses with Honor on cover of OK!

NEW YORK (AP) — One reason Jessica Alba named her baby daughter Honor was that she felt her own was pretty bland. "I was always irritated that my name was Jessica," the 27-year-old actress tells OK! magazine. Come on, it's a very '80s name, because there were tons of Jessicas in every school I went to. There's something great about having a unique name. It's a part of your identity."

She and husband Cash Warren welcomed Honor Marie Warren last month. Alba poses with Honor on the cover of OK!, and all three are featured in a photo spread inside the new issue. The magazine, which recently landed a million-dollar deal with new mom Jamie Lynn Spears, doesn't comment on its pacts with celebrities, though Alba reportedly sold the first shots of Honor to OK! for $1.5 million.

"It's still amazing that she was living inside of Jessica," said Warren, who met Alba on the set of the 2005 film "The Fantastic Four," which co-starred Alba as the Invisible Woman and employed Warren as a director's assistant.

Who will be the disciplinarian?

"I think we're pretty even," Alba said. "We're good at communicating and bouncing things off each other. We'll stick to our guns, even when she gives us pout face!"

Warren, however, aims to be the good cop: "I'll hide. Babe, you punish her!"

Sophie Monk Sports Some New Ink

Sophie Monk Sports Some New Ink

It's been awhile since Benji Madden dumped her for Paris Hilton. And Sophie Monk looks like she's moved on both personally as well as professionally.

The Australian blonde bombshell was spotted furthering her acting career yesterday at a casting call in Los Angeles, California. And as she left, she showed off her new "Monk" tattoo on the back of her neck.

And Miss Monk definitely dressed to impress the casting director, sporting a very sexy little black dress complete with a pair of matching peep-toe heels and a black leather handbag. From there, Sophie headed to a local eatery to enjoy some lunch with a mystery man.

The "Date Movie" babe hasn't had any shortage of work lately. She has quite a few projects in the pipeline, including "Spring Breakdown," "Spring Break '83," "Pearblossom," and "The Hills Run Red."

Enjoy the pictures of Sophie Monk out and about in Los Angeles on Tuesday (July 8).

Lauren Conrad: Coco Chick

Lauren Conrad: Coco Chick

She's no stranger to night life in Los Angeles, but last night Lauren Conrad looked a bit overwhelmed by the throng of people surrounding her as she made her way to the club.

The "Hills" cutie was showing off a little more of what her mama gave her than usual in a chest-baring white halter party dress as she shoved her way into CocoDeVille night club.

And it seems it was celebrity night at the bar, with everyone from Nicky Hilton and David Katzenburg to Karina Smirnoff to David Spade showing up to party.

With the fourth season of her hit "Hills" show beginning next month, LC recently told press that she can't believe how far it has come. "I always say this isn't what I signed up for. I thought I signed up for a one-episode documentary."

Enjoy the pictures of Lauren Conrad out at the club last night (July 8).

Rihanna Rocks Essence Festival Stage

Rihanna Rocks Essence Festival Stage

Opting to work on Independence Day, Rihanna took the stage to perform at the Louisiana Superdome during the 2008 Essence Music Festival on Friday (July 4).

The New Orleans based festival, which kicked off yesterday and runs until Sunday, "celebrates black music and culture and moved to Houston in 2006 after Hurricane Katrina smashed New Orleans. It returned in 2007, and organizers say Essence is now re-establishing its place in the city."

According to AP reports, "an estimated 200,000 people attended the festival last year, supplying a needed injection of business into the city's hurricane-hammered tourism industry."

"The festival is so special to New Orleans," said Irma Thomas, a resident who's still struggling to rebuild her home from Katrina-related damages.

Meanwhile, the festival will be honoring Patti LaBelle tonight - as the soul diva will enjoy "performances by two original members of LaBelle — Sarah Dash and Nona Hendryx — as well as performances by Chaka Khan, Angie Stone, Ledisi, Chrisette Michele, Ruby Amanfu and Thomas."

Enjoy the pictures of Rihanna at the 2008 Essence Music Festival (July 4).

Jim Carrey and Jenny McCarthy: Too Close?

Jim Carrey and Jenny McCarthy: Too Close?

It's always cute to see a girl sporting her man's clothes, but the reverse situation can be a little creepy, as evidenced by Jim Carrey and Jenny McCarthy's switch-up yesterday.

The "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind" funnyman and his longtime blonde babe girlfriend were spotted strolling along the Malibu beach on the Fourth of July looking very much in love.

But when they returned to their beach house, things went awry, as Carrey re-emerged with a very noticeable change in ensemble, reminiscent of Sacha Baron Cohen's "Borat" character.

The paparazzi and beach goers alike laughed hysterically at the comedian's antics, making yesterday's Independence Day holiday one to remember.

Enjoy the pictures of Jenny McCarthy and Jim Carrey swapping suits in Malibu (July 4).

Lindsay Lohan’s Birthday Party: An Inside Look

Lindsay Lohan’s Birthday Party: An Inside Look

Usually the 22nd birthday is a let-down, being that it's the follow-up to the big 2-1. But Lindsay Lohan's second year of being legal ended with a fabulous bash on Wednesday night.

The crimson-haired hottie threw a massive party at Hollywood, California hotspot Teddy's (inside the Roosevelt Hotel) and celebrated her 22nd year of life along with 100 of her closest friends, including girlfriend Samantha Ronson and mother Dina Lohan.

Rocking a Pepto-Bismol pink gown, LiLo was in perfect sync with the evening's retro-80s prom theme. Her table was filled with cupcakes, as well as a massive Marilyn Monroe birthday cake.

And it was a dry night for the "Mean Girls" actress. She sipped Red Bulls all night while the rest of her guests were treated to Belvedere Vodka cocktails.

Enjoy the pictures from inside Lindsay Lohan's 22nd birthday party (July 2).

Miss Universe 2008: Dressed for the evening

Miss Universe 2008: Dressed for the evening

Miss Venezuela 2008 Dayana Mendoza competes during the Evening Gown segment of the 2008 Miss Universe Presentation Show at the Crown Convention Center, in Nha Trang on Tuesday, July 8, 2008.


Miss USA 2008 Crystle Stewart competes during the Evening Gown segment of the 2008 Miss Universe Presentation Show at the Crown Convention Center, in Nha Trang on Tuesday, July 8, 2008

Miss Uruguay 2008 Paula Diaz Galione competes during the Evening Gown segment of the 2008 Miss Universe Presentation Show at the Crown Convention Center, in Nha Trang on Tuesday, July 8, 2008.


Miss Ukraine Eleonora Masalab competes in the Evening Gown segment of the 2008 Miss Universe presentation show at the Crown Convention Center in Nha Trang on July 8, 2008

Miss United Kingdom 2008 Lisa Lazarus competes during the Evening Gown segment of the 2008 Miss Universe Presentation Show at the Crown Convention Center, in Nha Trang on Tuesday, July 8, 2008.

New mayor seeks to restore fashion glory for Rome

New mayor seeks to restore fashion glory for Rome

ROME (Reuters) - Rome's new right-wing mayor says he wants to turn the ancient city into a modern hub for budding fashion designers, dismissing criticism that the city's rich art and culture credentials will take a beating under his command.

Gianni Alemanno, a former youth leader of a neo-fascist party, was elected on a law and order ticket and had frequently attacked his centre-left predecessor for focusing on glitz and rolling out the red carpet to stars and musicians.

But Alemanno, known more for his tough stance on crime and illegal immigrants, told Reuters he too has an eye for the artistic, but with a focus on substance rather than image.

That means encouraging local talent, developing fashion schools and possibly setting up a university faculty focused on fashion in Rome, he said.

"I want Rome to become a city of fashion, focusing mainly on young and new designers; seeking a strong and precise character that sets it up as a base for excellence in fashion," he said on the sidelines of a Gucci fashion show in the city.

"I'm trying to be more concrete, to avoid that this is done -- as they say in Rome -- just transiently, for just image; for me this must be a fact rooted in Roman creation and production."

Former mayor Walter Veltroni was credited with reviving Rome's cultural scene, partly by starting an international film festival that brought back some of the "Dolce Vita" glamour of the 1950s and 1960s.

He also lured fashion designer Valentino back to the capital for a celebratory show last year before retiring.

Still, Rome has for years struggled to find its place on the fashion map, languishing in the shadow of Milan in the north.

Organizers of the city's twice a year AltaRoma fashion weeks have also been taking aim at young talent in a bid to raise the city's fashion profile, but with mixed results so far.

The fashion weeks boast a rotating list of emerging designers from around the globe that attract B-list Italian stars and wealthy Romans to their shows, but politicians and fashion buyers are often conspicuously absent.

The big Roman fashion houses like Fausto Sarli have long complained that Italy's political class -- including those dressed by the designers -- snub their parades.

AltaRoma CEO Adriano Franchi says that while that is a legitimate complaint, Rome attracts more fashion buzz than the designers give it credit for.

"Designers, in as much as they're creative, are used to complaining," he told Reuters. "Dissatisfaction is the force that pushes you produce something beautiful."

Alemanno, who met Roman designers at his office on Wednesday, said they could count on him at least.

"I've been in office for just two months and I'm already here," he said after the Gucci catwalk show, "which means we're present and we will invest a lot in high fashion."

Hospital: `Impossible' to see inside Jolie's room

Hospital: `Impossible' to see inside Jolie's room

PARIS - The hospital where Angelina Jolie will give birth says it has covered the windows of her room with a special material to prevent paparazzi from taking pictures of the actress and her partner, Brad Pitt.

The Lenval hospital in Nice in southern France said Wednesday that photos that claim to show Jolie and Pitt in her room are fakes that have been manipulated or show other patients.

In a statement, the hospital said it is "totally impossible" to see inside the room from the outside because the windows have been covered with a material that camera lenses cannot see through.

Hospital spokeswoman Nadine Bauer said the screens were put on the windows especially for Jolie.

"It is impossible to see into Mr. Brad Pitt and Mrs. Angelina Jolie's room. So any pictures released are either posed fakes set up by paparazzi or they are pictures of other patients," the hospital said. "We hope this is clearly understood out of respect for all patients in this clinic. Again, the pictures are fakes. This is not Mr. Brad Pitt or Mrs. Angelina Jolie on them. The room is clearly different and their windows are covered to prevent such photos."

Jolie is expecting twins. She has been resting and is being monitored by doctors in the seaside hospital ahead of the birth.

At a brief news conference last week, Jolie's obstetrician said the 33-year-old actress was doing fine. Her stay could be a relatively long one. The doctor, Michel Sussmann, said Jolie would remain in the hospital until the babies are delivered and that could be "in the weeks to come."

Petra Nemcova is the New Face of Otto

Petra Nemcova is the New Face of Otto

Playfully posing for photographers on hand, supermodel Petra Nemcova made her first appearance as the spokesperson for Otto, a German mail order company in Hamburg, on Monday (June 30).

And with the money that's rolling in from her numerous endorsement deals, the 29-year-old Czech cutie has been helping out those in need, as well.

According to a recent press release, Petra donated over 150 computers - along with other educational technology equipment - to The Andrew H. Wilson Charter Elementary School in New Orleans a week ago.

"While the Happy Hearts Fund has provided children and schools in disaster-stricken, underprivileged communities with computers around the globe, the Andrew H. Wilson Charter School is the first recipient in New Orleans, and in the U.S.," Nemcova told.

"It's evident that after disaster strikes, once the cameras disappear, so does much of the help. Each and every one of these students is a survivor of Hurricane Katrina, and we hope that by supporting them, not only will their lives and educational opportunities improve, but also those of future Wilson School students," she added.

Enjoy the pictures of Petra Nemcova at the Otto headquarters in Hamburg (June 30).

Wife of Yankees Alex Rodriguez files for divorce

Wife of Yankees Alex Rodriguez files for divorce

MIAMI (AP) — A tumultuous week for Alex Rodriguez, played out in tabloid headlines and carried on the whispers of The more than 5-year marriage collapsed amid reports of a new friendship between the Yankee slugger and the 49-year-old pop singer, an only-in-New York convergence of sport and entertainment celebrity.

Played out in both the sports pages and gossip magazines, the saga appeared to have taken its toll on Cynthia Rodriguez, who said in divorce papers that her husband "emotionally abandoned his wife and children."

"The marriage of the parties is irretrievably broken because of the husband's extramarital affairs and other marital misconduct," according to her petition for dissolution of marriage, filed in the family division of Miami-Dade County Circuit Court.

The New York Yankees third baseman, who earned his 12th All-Star selection Sunday, has refused to comment on any relationship with Madonna.

Rodriguez's attorney in Miami, Ira M. Elegant — who is also representing NBA star Shaquille O'Neal in his ongoing divorce — said he had not reviewed the divorce petition but added: "As you know, anyone can pay the filing fee and make allegations."

Richard Rubenstein, a spokesman for Rodriguez, declined to address to allegations of infidelity, saying that would be brought up in court.

"His priorites are to have a future with his children and be a big part of their lives," Rubenstein said.

Cynthia Rodriguez has asked for primary custody of their two children — Nathasha Alexander, 3, and 2-month-old Ella Alexander — as well as child support and alimony.

Days before the filing, stories linking Rodriguez and Madonna began to surface, including an Us Weekly report last week saying that Rodriguez made several late-night visits to Madonna's apartment in New York.

Madonna, who is married to filmmaker Guy Ritchie, denied any romantic involvement with Rodriguez in a statement Sunday.

"My husband and I are not planning on getting a divorce," the statement said. "I know Alex Rodriguez through Guy Oseary, who manages both of us. I brought my kids to a Yankee game. I am not romantically involved in any way with Alex Rodriguez.

Rodriguez added some Hollywood glitz to his management team last year when he hired Oseary, who had previously worked with Madonna and Lenny Kravitz. Oseary is not a registered baseball agent, and Rodriguez retained Scott Boras as his representative on baseball matters.

Madonna's statement added that she has "nothing to do with the state of his marriage or what spiritual path he may choose to study," apparently in reference to reports that the singer had introduced the ballplayer to the form of Jewish mysticism known as Kabbalah.

Cynthia Rodriguez last week visited the Paris home of Kravitz. The rocker denied anything improper, saying she had come to France to escape the media frenzy in New York and stayed at his home as a friend.

Her lawyer, Maurice Kutner, declined to elaborate on the divorce filing, which does not mention Madonna — or any alleged paramours — by name.

"Cynthia has made it very clear to me that she wants to take the high road and protect her children and herself. There's no vindictiveness here," Kutner said. "She wants to resolve the issues between Alex and herself in an amicable fashion."

The couple, who married in November 2002, has had a prenuptial agreement in place since Oct. 3, 2002, according to the divorce papers.

Because Florida is a no-fault divorce state, extramarital affairs do not factor into how the Rodriguezes' assets might be divided, according to marriage law experts Leon Finkel and David Levy of Oak Park, Ill. That is, unless such affairs are specifically addressed in the prenuptial agreement.

They have a $12 million, six-bedroom house in the upscale Miami suburb of Coral Gables. A company run by a corporation controlled by Rodriguez bought an apartment at Trump Park Avenue in Manhattan for $7.4 million in July 2005.

The divorce petition was filed the day after Rodriguez hit his 536th homer, tying Yankees Hall of Famer Mickey Mantle for 13th.

The 32-year-old Rodriguez has found himself in the tabloids more than any other Yankee since arriving in New York in 2004. Last year, he was labeled "Stray-Rod" on the front page of the New York Post after being photographed out at night with a former Vegas stripper.

"I think for Alex, he's been through this before, he knows how to handle it," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said Thursday. "I'm sure there are times he wishes he could just fit in. That's the price you pay.

"Obviously, everyone likes to keep their life private. Unfortunately, in this world, that doesn't happen."

Yankees co-chairman Hank Steinbrenner didn't seem too concerned when asked if his star player can keep his off-field problems from affecting his play.

"Everybody has personal problems to deal with. Just playing baseball doesn't change that anymore than it does for anybody else," Steinbrenner said at the Yankees' complex in Tampa, Fla. "But I'm sure he'll be fine."

Rodriguez is in the first season of a $275 million, 10-year contract with the Yankees, a deal that allows him to earn up to $305 million. He made $185.45 million from 2001-7 from his contract with the Texas Rangers and Yankees.

a connection to Madonna, came to a head Monday when his wife filed for divorce.

Halle Berry: Out in Hollywood

Halle Berry: Out in Hollywood

Taking a break from tending to baby daughter Nahla Ariela, Halle Berry was spotted out running errands in Hollywood on Friday (June 27).

Looking stylish as she made her way past the paparazzi, the "Swordfish" actress sported a white cotton top, jeans and some unique strappy sandals topped off with a short-billed black military style cap.

Meanwhile, Halle's also getting ready for what's going to be quite the hectic work schedule, as the 41-year-old beauty has five new films in the works.

Miss Berry is set to star alongside her "Monster's Ball" co-star Billy Bob Thornton in the crime/drama "Tulia", also getting ready for roles in "Frankie and Alice", "Who Is Doris Payne?", "Nappily Ever After" and "Class Act".

Enjoy the pictures of Halle Berry out in Hollywood (June 27).

Sabathia traded to Brewers

Sabathia traded to Brewers

MILWAUKEE - Reigning AL Cy Young Award winner CC Sabathia was traded Monday from the

Sabathia, eligible for free agency after the season, went 19-7 with a 3.21 ERA last season and gives the Brewers another power pitcher to pair with Ben Sheets as Milwaukee tries to make the playoffs for the first time since 1982.

"I'd say we're going for it," Brewers general manager Doug Melvin said. "That's the way I look at it."

Sabathia is the first reigning Cy Young winner to be traded since Roger Clemens was dealt to the New York Yankees after winning the award with the Toronto Blue Jays in 1998 — a sign of surrender by Cleveland that hardly anyone would have imagined going into the season.

Indians general manager Mark Shapiro said the team's string of injuries and disappointing performances made it hard to imagine a significant rally in the second half.

"We all headed into this season with what feel are well-founded expectations for a championship-contending season," Shapiro said. "Four core players on the DL — tough for almost any franchise to overcome — as well as disappointing performances from many components of our team, most noticeably in the bullpen, leave us at the juncture we're at. There wasn't much doubt or question in our mind that it was nearly impossible for us to become a contending club this year."

Sabathia was scheduled to arrive in Milwaukee before Monday night's game against Colorado and to pitch against the Rockies on Tuesday night. He also is expected to pitch against Cincinnati on Sunday, giving him a pair of starts for his new team at home leading into the All-Star break.

"We're trying to get four starts out of him before the break," Melvin joked. "But we'll settle for two."

Milwaukee sent Cleveland left fielder Matt LaPorta, pitchers Rob Bryson and Zach Jackson and a player to be named.

Melvin said the Brewers' strong farm system gave him flexibility to deal away a good prospect.

"Matt LaPorta is going to be a good big league player, and I hope he is," Melvin said.

Brewers principal owner Mark Attanasio said the acquisition of Sabathia will push the team's payroll past $90 million this season. Attanasio said the move might prevent the club from turning a profit this year, but it was made possible by increased fan support and sound financial decisions in recent years.

"We'd always love to go for it," Attanasio said. "But you can go for it in a stupid fashion, and Doug and his group have never done that."

Sabathia had a slow start but is 6-8 with a 3.83 ERA. Cleveland scored two runs or fewer in 11 of his 18 starts.

Milwaukee's starting pitching has been thin ever since Yovani Gallardo went on the disabled list on May 2 with a torn knee ligament that required surgery. His rehab was supposed to take four months, which gives him an outside chance of returning before the end of the season.

Sheets (10-2, 2.77 ERA) is off to the best start of his career, but the All-Star righty is in the final year of a $38.5 million, four-year contract and hasn't wanted to talk about his upcoming free agency.

Milwaukee, which hasn't been in the postseason since Robin Yount and Paul Molitor, fell two games short of the division title last year. The Brewers began Monday a percentage point ahead of St. Louis for the second-best record in the NL, and both teams are chasing the Chicago Cubs, who are 3 1/2 games ahead.

The Indians, who fell one win shy of the World Series last year, are in need of power-hitting corner outfielders and LaPorta is expected to fill that void. He hit .288 with 20 homers and 66 RBIs in 84 games for Double-A Huntsville.

Sabathia rejected a $72 million, four-year extension from the Indians during spring training and announced he wouldn't negotiate until after the season.

"C.C. made it clear that once the season started he did not want to entertain any negotiations," Shapiro said. "Our exploration of a contract was thorough enough in spring training to understand the combination of our capabilities and C.C.'s expectations didn't align."

Cleveland has seen Jim Thome, Manny Ramirez and Albert Belle leave in free agency.

Kidman gives birth Monday to girl named Sunday

Kidman gives birth Monday to girl named Sunday

In a statement e-mailed to The Associated Press, Paul Freundlich, a publicist for her husband, Keith Urban, said: "Nicole and Keith Urban are delighted to announce that Nicole Kidman gave birth to a baby girl on Monday morning, July 7, 2008, in the United States. Sunday Rose Kidman Urban weighed 6 pounds, 7 1/2 ounces. Husband Keith was by Nicole's side and mother and baby are very well."

Urban posted a message on his Web Site that said: "Earlier this morning Nic gave birth to our beautiful baby girl, Sunday Rose Kidman Urban. We want to thank everybody that has kept us in their thoughts and prayers. We feel very blessed and grateful that we can share this joy with all of you today."

The baby is the first for Kidman and Urban, who married in June 2006. She has two children, Isabella and Connor, from her marriage to Tom Cruise. Kidman recently told Vanity Fair that she had a miscarriage early on in her relationship with Cruise, leading them to adopt.

Cruise filed for divorce in February 2001 after 10 years of marriage, citing irreconcilable differences. The divorce was finalized later that year.

Kidman, 41, won an Oscar for her role in the 2002 film "The Hours."

During a concert Saturday in Nashville, Urban said, "I'm going to dedicate a song to my very, very, very, very, very pregnant wife" before singing his hit, "Better Half."

Urban, 40, won a Grammy in 2006 for best male country vocal.

The couple, who were both raised in Australia, have a home in Nashville.

In a recent radio interview in Nashville, Kidman revealed that Urban had been getting hands-on in preparation for the birth by attending Lamaze lessons, saying, "He doesn't know the name (of the classes), but he has been very good at it!"

Champions have a ball

Champions have a ball

Spaniard Rafael Nadal [Images], the Gentleman's Singles title winner and American Venus Williams [Images], the Ladies' Singles champion, pose with their trophies at the Champions Dinner held at the Hotel Intercontinental Park Lane in London [Images] on Monday.

An Encore for History at Wimbledon

The Spaniard, who had squandered two match points in a nerve-shredding fourth set tie-breaker, added a first All England [Images] Club title on Sunday to his four French Opens, shattering Federer's dreams of an historic sixth successive Wimbledon trophy with a 6-4, 6-4, 6-7, 6-7, 9-7 win.

Images from the final

"It's impossible to explain what I felt when I won. I'm just very happy to win this title. I never thought I could win but to do so is a dream," said Nadal who had lost the last two finals to Federer.

Was Federer v Nadal the best final?

Earlier, after losing to Serena in their last five meetings in grand slam finals, including the 2002 and 2003 showdowns at the All England Club, Venus finally managed to turn the tables on her younger sister winning 7-5 6-4 on Saturday.

1 dead, 45 injured as blasts rock Karachi

1 dead, 45 injured as blasts rock Karachi

One person was killed and 45 others were injured when serial bomb blasts rocked Pakistan's port city of Karachi on Monday .

The six "low-intensity" explosions occurred in Banaras Chowk, Orangi town, Shahrah-e-Noor, Paharganj, Qasba mor and Mangho pir areas, police said.

At least nine people were injured in Banaras Chowk while five people were wounded in a blast in a minibus in Shahrah-e-Noor area.

"There were a series of blasts in Karachi which were of low intensity and have not caused any damage to property," Karachi police chief Waseem Ahmed said.

The blasts were apparently carried out to create an atmosphere of fear and tension, he said.

The explosions came a day after a bomb blast near Islamabad's Lal Masjid killed 20 people, hours after Islamic hardliners took out a rally demanding President Pervez Musharraf's public hanging.

MTN may quit Reliance talks: Report

MTN may quit Reliance talks: Report

Caught in the middle of the Indian billionaire Ambani siblings' feud, South African telecom giant MTN is mulling walking away from talks for a possible amalgamation with Anil Ambani-led Reliance Communications [Get Quote], a report said on Monday.

"South Africa's MTN is considering walking away from a tie-up with Reliance Communications of India because of fears, an acrimonious spat between the Indian telecom operator's owner and his brother could leave the deal open to legal action," UK daily Financial Times reported.

Quoting an unnamed person familiar with the talks as saying that MTN and RCOM could extend their exclusive talks for another two to three weeks after the 45-day period expires tomorrow, the report said, 'there is no indication that extra time alone would be sufficient to resolve the feud' between Anil and Mukesh Ambani.

The deal, if fructifies, could create a combined entity worth about $70-80 billion, which would be one the world's biggest emerging market telecom firm.

While MTN and RCOM are said to be working on various deal structures, the FT report said there were 'mounting fears' that 'none of the myriad deal structures under discussion would insulate the combined company from Mukesh's lawyers.'

MTN would have to get the legal assurances (from RCOM) that they are in a position to defend themselves against a move from Mukesh-led Reliance Industries [Get Quote], the report quoted Morgan Stanley's telecom analyst Sean Gardiner as saying.

The deal has been clouded under uncertainties since RIL claimed right of first refusal in any controlling stake in RCOM and wrote letters to MTN and RCOM threatening legal action if its rights were breached. However, these claims are being contested by the Anil Ambani group.

Reports: A-Rod's wife to file for divorce

Reports: A-Rod's wife to file for divorce

MIAMI - Alex Rodriguez's wife will file for divorce Monday, according to media reports. Cynthia Rodriguez, who married the New York Yankees star in 2002, said the marriage is over because of the All-Star third baseman's extramarital affairs, according to reports that appeared Sunday on the Web sites of Houston television station KTRK and The Miami Herald. The reports come just days after Alex Rodriguez was linked to Madonna in various media outlets and Cynthia Rodriguez's subsequent visit to the Paris home of rocker Lenny Kravitz, who said she came to France to escape the media frenzy in New York and denied that anything improper had happened.

Houston attorney Earle Lilly, who said he was hired by Cynthia Rodriguez last week to launch the divorce case, told KTRK the star's "relationship with Madonna was the final straw for Mrs. Rodriguez."

Rodriguez's wife also is represented by attorneys Maurice Kutner and Anthony Sabatino of Miami and John Van Ness of Houston, the Herald reported.

"She feels that she has exhausted every opportunity to salvage the marriage, and that Alex has emotionally abandoned her and the children and has left her with no choice but to divorce him," Kutner told the newspaper.

The former Cynthia Scurtis and Rodriguez were married Nov. 2, 2002, in Dallas. They have two children, Natasha Alexander and Ella Alexander, who was born April 21.

The suit is expected to be filed early Monday in Miami-Dade County Family Court. The court's Web site did not list any divorce filing involving Cynthia Rodriguez late Sunday.

Lilly didn't immediately return a phone call from The Associated Press.

Alex Rodriguez has refused to comment on his relationship with Madonna, who denied any romantic involvement with the slugger in a statement posted Sunday on people.com.

"My husband and I are not planning on getting a divorce," Madonna said. "I know Alex Rodriguez through Guy Oseary, who manages both of us. I brought my kids to a Yankee game. I am not romantically involved in any way with Alex Rodriguez.

"I have nothing to do with the state of his marriage or what spiritual path he may choose to study," the statement continued, apparently referring to reports that the singer had introduced the ballplayer to the form of Jewish mysticism known as Kabbalah.

Sexiest Legs & Hot Mini Skirt in Wimbledon

Sexiest Legs & Hot Mini Skirt in Wimbledon

Wimbledon, a treat for men

At Wimbledon, there is always enough fodder, oops glamour, to keep the papar*zzi panting for more. High on fashion quotient, this classic tournament, over the years, has given some candid moments, both on and off the court. Here's a list of the leggy beauties you'll get to drool over at this year's tournament.

Maria Sharapova

The Russians are coming! At the Wimbledon, it has been a Russian summer, and don't we love it! Glamourous and gutsy, the Russian brood has kept the gallery and the front rows happy and Maria Sharapova is definitely one of them. The Russian beauty, who was not in the best of form this summer, has crashed out of the tournament.


Jelena Jankovic

The Serb became famous when she said that the organisers are favouring the men. She was shown the exit by Tamarine Tanasugarn of Thailand this year. But as for her legs, that is there to stay etched in our memory for the entire season.


Venus Williams

For a while now, the Williams sisters have been the poster girls of international tennis, especially when it comes to notching trophies. Off-court also, the sisters have left an indelible mark on the shutterbugs with their evening gowns and plunging necklines. And for that they deserve to be on our list.


Serena Williams

An all-white affair, Wimbledon makes up for its lack of colour on court with enough histrionics and antics. From grunts to flying skirts to temper tantrums, the Flushing Meadows is an orgy of delight! And Serena Williams contributes whole heartedly to that!


Ana Ivanovic

She won the French Open in May. And with that win, she is now sitting pretty at the No 1 spot. The Serbian player, who recently posed in swimwear and gowns for FHM magazine, feels with her hectic schedule it's difficult to have a boyfriend! Though we're sure any guy would love to have that coveted position in her life.

Caroline Wozniacki

At Wimbledon, it has always been about attitude. And if you have it, flaunt it. No wonder that most of Wimbledon's girls have also been hot property in the fashion circuit. And they certainly know how to serve! Seen here in action is Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark.