celebrity

Amy Winehouse in again

2008-08-31T21:12:00.000-07:00

Amy Winehouse in trouble again

The organisers of a French music festival are threatening legal action against troubled singer Amy Winehouse after she pulled out of the event at the eleventh hour saying she can't perform because of "illness".

Winehouse, 24, was due to perform at the Rock En Seine festival in Paris Friday, but cancelled her appearance after being taken ill at her Camden, London home just hours before she was due to fly to France, reports contactmusic.com.

Commenting on her withdrawal from the Rock En Seine fest, her spokesman said: "Amy Winehouse was regrettably unable to perform at the Rock En Seine show in Paris due to illness. She was taken ill at her house and wasn't able to travel to France for the concert."

But organisers claim they were given just two hours notice and that they were not given an adequate reason for her cancellation.

"There was no explanation of the exact reasons for her absence. We were told by her agent at 8:00 p.m. that she wasn't coming," said a statement from the Rock En Seine organisers.

Festival bosses have released a statement via their website saying they are now considering taking legal action against Winehouse.

Winehouse was hospitalised in June and diagnosed with early stage emphysema before another hospital visit last month after suffering a reaction to medication while at her north London home.

China cannot back Russia in Georgia crisis: analysts

2008-08-29T08:45:00.000-07:00

China cannot back Russia in Georgia crisis: analysts
BEIJING (AFP) — China will not endorse Russia in its battle with the West over the Georgia crisis but cannot say so publicly for fear of upsetting Moscow, political analysts say.

Since the Georgia crisis began -- culminating in Moscow recognising the independence of two secessionist regions, South Ossetia and Abkhazia -- China's reaction has been subdued.

It has expressed concern over the issue but has refrained from taking sides in what has become an increasingly strident war of words between Russia and the West.

But analysts said that if push came to shove, China's official stance would not support Russia, whose actions violated Beijing's long-held principles of national sovereignty and territorial integrity.

"The official Chinese position, if it were pushed, would be that this is unacceptable," said Paul Harris, professor of political science at Lingnan University in Hong Kong.

"China doesn't want to give the green light to somebody coming to the side of separatist forces within their troubled regions."

Analysts said that China, with its own regions that want or claim independence -- like Xinjiang or Taiwan -- did not want to make these claims legitimate by supporting Russia's action.

Taiwan in particular was at the centre of China's reluctance as Beijing claims the island for itself, while Taiwan says it is an independent country, though with the recognition of only a few countries.

Moscow has faced fierce condemnation from the West over its recognition of the independence of the two regions.

The UN Security Council is discussing the wording of a resolution on the Georgian conflict, and China normally takes Russia's side in Council matters. But it has been largely silent on the Georgian issue.

Analysts were split on how China might vote if a resolution came to the table, although most agreed it was unlikely to come to that as negotiations would be taking place behind the scenes.

"China will not abstain, China is not going to go for something overturning a sovereign government and a sovereign rule," said Bob Broadfoot, head of the Hong Kong-based Political and Economic Risk Consultancy.

"It's just not going to happen, as China's position on Taiwan would go down the drain."

"If the resolution is focused on the question of sovereignty, China may very well side with the West," said Jean-Pierre Cabestan, professor of political science at Hong Kong Baptist University.

"But China will do its upmost to avoid such a resolution being presented to the Security Council, because it doesn't want to damage its relationship with Russia."

Lingnan University's Harris said that China, which he said has an underlying sympathy with Russia over the break-up of the Soviet Union, would hold back from casting its vote.

"It is always possible that the Western countries will force a vote and if it happens, I think China will abstain," he said.

Cabestan said that China was also concerned about the Georgia crisis because it was worried Russia might exert similar pressure on Central Asian states -- all of which were former Soviet republics like Georgia.

"That's not in China's interest, as it has in the past managed to get some influence in Central Asia, and China and Russia both cooperate and compete in the region for influence."

Ultimately, Broadfoot said, the crisis could push China closer to the West.

"China will try to keep quiet," he said. "But if Russia overplays its hand, they will side with the US."

Jennifer Hawkins presented the Hot In The City Lingerie show during Rosemount Fashion Week

2008-08-23T01:52:00.000-07:00

Jennifer Hawkins presented the Hot In The City Lingerie show during Rosemount Fashion Week

She's already attained the coveted title of "Miss Universe" and earlier today Jennifer Hawkins was turning heads again at the 2008 Rosemount Sydney Fashion Festival.

Miss Hawkins donned a number of sexy, stunning looks as part of the Lovable Lingerie showcase during the Hot in the City Lingerie group portion of the show.

The inaugural Rosemount Sydney Fashion Festival is quite a big deal for the Aussie city, offering a fabulous venue for Australia's biggest designers and leading labels to show off their latest looks.

After the show Jennifer raved about her experience, telling press, "It was so much fun, because the public were here you could feel the energy. I loved it."

Enjoy the pictures of Jennifer Hawkins presenting the Hot In The City Lingerie collection (August 15).

Jackson turns to fashion

2008-08-22T00:27:00.000-07:00

Jackson turns to fashion

Janet Jackson has teamed up with Australian fashion designer Bruno Sciavo to launch a lingerie collection.Pleasure Principle, inspired by the star's 1987 song, will be available in the US from November before heading to Australia, Japan and Europe.

The singer said: "The collection has been carefully created with some of the finest laces from around the world.

"You will see a lot of satin and lace combined and rich colors such as burgundy and beige, silver and peach as well as your classic black and white. It makes you feel incredible and offers variety as diverse as the women who will wear it."

Schiavi added: "Janet and I wanted to create a collection that empowers women and that makes women feel sexy, flirtatious and provocative. We wanted to make sure we captured the essence of all Janet's favorite colours, laces and making sure that we stay true to who she is and what she loves."

The first collection of Pleasure Principle offers 14 designs and the pair plan to extend their range beyond lingerie in 2009.

Miranda Kerr Glams Up David Jones Runway

2008-08-21T06:20:00.000-07:00

Miranda Kerr Glams Up David Jones Runway

Carrying on with her promotional duties for David Jones stores, Miranda Kerr was spotted yesterday (August 13) looking hot on an Aussie catwalk.

The Victoria's Secret knockout showcased designs by Jets, a fashion label co-owned by Australian designer Jessika Allen, during the Summer 2008 Collections Launch at the Melbourne Town Hall in Melbourne, Australia.

Allen told press that for this year's collection, she's made some key changes to broaden her client base. "We changed the collection so it would appeal to lots of different women and a lot more women and we injected a new focus on the design."

She added, "[For example,] the one-piece is about covering up … I think it's sexy when you have not as much material cut out of your costume."

Enjoy the pictures of Miranda Kerr strutting her stuff for David Jones (August 13).

Lauren Conrad: "I’m No Actress"

2008-08-21T06:08:00.000-07:00

Lauren Conrad: "I’m No Actress"
As the premiere of the new season of "The Hills" inches closer and closer, Lauren Conrad has been busily hitting up the promotional circuit in hopes of boosting her MTV hit reality show's ratings.

The 22-year-old, who was spotted out running errands in West Hollywood earlier today (August 13), recently chatted with Ryan Seacrest and ET about a number of topics - describing her lack of acting skills and what the future holds.

"I tried (acting) when I first moved to L.A.," Conrad said. "I took a couple of classes. Awful. Any opportunity you have to make fun of yourself I think is fun to do, but acting is an art and I don't think I have a talent there."

With this in mind, LC once again resounded her ambitions to get into the clothing business full-time, saying: "I would love to finish out the show and continue doing fashion."

In the meantime, you can catch Ms Conrad and her Hills co-stars in all new episodes beginning on August 18th on MTV.

Enjoy the pictures of Lauren Conrad out and about in West Hollywood (August 13).

Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt’s Family Affair

2008-08-19T04:04:00.000-07:00

Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt’s Family Affair
We're so used to seeing them together, and last night Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt were joined by members of Heidi's family for a yummy dinner out.

The peroxide pair enjoyed the company of Heidi's sister Holly (along with Joe Francis of Girls Gone Wild) and her mom Darlene as they all dined at Wolfgang Puck's exclusive restaurant The Cut, located in the Beverly Wilshire Hotel.

Earlier in the day, Heidi showed her mother what it was like to be famous as they waded through paparazzi and fans in an attempt to get some shopping done in Beverly Hills.

They stopped into some swanky boutiques including Kitson, Chanel, Cartier, and Fendi throughout the afternoon, making a final stop at their local Wells Fargo bank to make sure they still had some money left.

Enjoy the pictures of Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt out to eat last night (August 11), along with shots of Heidi shopping it up with Mom earlier in the day.

Tyra Banks Celebrates the "Black Issue"

2008-08-19T03:58:00.000-07:00

Tyra Banks Celebrates the "Black Issue"

Filming an episode of "The Tyra Banks Show", model turned talk show host Tyra Banks celebrated Italian Vogue's "Black Issue" - the first issue of any major international fashion publication featuring black models and content throughout - on Tuesday afternoon (August 12).

Banks, along with fellow famous black models of the past and present (some of whom appear in the issue of Italian Vogue), posed for pictures before releasing an array of balloons during a NYC street party.

Always supporting her fellow catwalk queens, Banks also recently voiced her displeasure with "pop stars and Hollywood's leading ladies, accusing them of stealing cosmetic contracts from hard-up supermodels."

According to recent reports, Tyra "claims it's harder for models to land lucrative deals with fashion, make-up and fragrance firms while the big companies turn to beauties like Jennifer Aniston, Eva Mendes and Beyonce Knowles to promote their products."

Of the situation, Tyra disappointingly tells: "I think all supermodels now are losing out to celebrities. It's celebrities who are getting the cosmetics contracts."

Enjoy the pictures of Tyra Banks and her fellow models celebrating the Vogue Italia issue (August 12).

'CSI's' 'Professor' Fishburne Has A Lot to Learn

2008-08-19T03:54:00.000-07:00

'CSI's' 'Professor' Fishburne Has A Lot to Learn

Laurence Fishburne is thrilled to be joining the cast of CBS's "CSI," a TV series he'd never been interested in enough to watch, to play a character he doesn't seem to know much of anything about, including the name. The Oscar-nominated actor is supposed to start shooting early next month.

And it was news to Fishburne that taking this role to sorta, kinda replace William Petersen as the lead actor on one of the country's most-watched series would be a rare instance of a minority lead actor cast in a television drama series.

Presumably, he knows how much he'll be making to replace Petersen, who reportedly was one of the best-paid actors working in TV, in the new role that right now is being called just "The Professor."

We're guessing Fishburne's agent also spelled out for him how important the procedural crime drama is to the health of CBS as, with an average audience of about 17 million, it is the network's most watched series. Petersen, who has headlined the show since its debut in October 2000, asked to bow out this coming season, though CBS programming chief Nina Tassler said last month we will not have seen the last of his character on the show.

Fishburne is supposed to make his debut on the upcoming season's ninth episode, which, the producers said yesterday, they had on their books for mid-December. But you and I know CBS would never waste an episode like that on December, and a publicist doused that flame at the end of a news conference call, saying no date had been set for the transition. So expect it to happen in early '09.

So, early yesterday CBS staged this news conference call with The Reporters Who Cover TV to herald the bit of casting and, taking a page from the "How to Undo Spoilers" book of information management, to mostly un-say what Tassler told the news media about the character when she addressed the summer TV press tour weeks earlier.

Fishburne, meanwhile, was on the call, mostly giving out big stage laughs -- hahaHA! -- being extremely affable, and sounding clueless.

At Thank God We're Still Working Summer TV Press Tour 2008, Tassler said the new character -- the one we now know will be played by Fishburne -- "is an outsider coming into the CSI unit. He comes in not immediately as the boss, but he has an interesting genetic profile that in certain sort of medical contexts, they've noticed that many times serial killers have that same genetic profile." She said, "This gentleman knows this about himself and is sort of on this journey . . . to discover who is his true character."

Naturally, reporters on this call wanted more details on this juicy bit of character development.

One reporter asked Fishburne how he would play someone with the same genetic profile as many serial killers.

"Well, let me just say, I have no knowledge of such a biological profile, nor would I be at liberty to discuss it if there were such a biological profile," Fishburne said in response to one such question. "I'm really excited I'm going to be joining this team. We have a lot of stuff to work out," he said, including "what's the character's name?"

Perry stays on top

2008-08-18T21:21:00.000-07:00

Perry stays on top
Katy Perry's controversial single I Kissed A Girl has held onto the number one spot for a second week.The former gospel singer held off Kid Rock's All Summer Long at number two, followed by The Script's The Man Who Can't be Moved, which climbed one place to number three.

Love Is Noise by The Verve moved one spot up to number four, while Dance Wiv Me by Dizzee Rascal dropped two places down to number five.

Meanwhile, The Script's self-titled album shot straight in at number one on the album chart, knocking Abba's Gold from the top.

Duffy's album Rockferry and Coldplay's Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends also dropped down one spot each to numbers three and four respectively.

Noah and the Whale's Peaceful The World Lays Me Down snatched the number five spot.

Knowles partied to woo producers

2008-08-18T06:13:00.001-07:00

Knowles partied to woo producers
Singer Solange Knowles persuaded superproducer Mark Ronson and Gnarls Barkley's Cee-Lo Green to work on her new album - by impressing them with her hard partyingBeyonce's sister cornered the pair at an aftershow for the Grammy awards earlier this year (08) and convinced them to produce tracks for her second LP Sol-Angel and the Hadley St Dreams.

She had spoken to Ronson on the day of the ceremony and got him to agree to work on the record - but thought he was just trying to get rid of her.

Knowles tells music magazine NME, "Then, after the Grammys I thought, 'I'm not going to hear from this dude for the rest of my life'. But then I ran into him at a party. He was definitely in his celebrating shoes.

"But he said, 'Just because I've won this Grammy it doesn't mean I won't work on your record'. I had to party with Cee-Lo too to get him to work on the record."

BB housemates chew over Roman task

2008-08-17T08:50:00.000-07:00

BB housemates chew over Roman task
Big brother housemates have been told to create Roman Mosaics - from masticated bubble gumAs new head of house, Rex does not have to take part in the task, which sees pairs of housemates making the mosaics in his image.

The 24-year-old Londoner will decide on the winning partnership, who will receive a special prize.

The chef and socialite, who sites food and money as his chief interests, informed his fellow housemates: "A mosaic is a picture made up of fragments."

As the task got under way he shouted "Hail Reximus!" to the toga-wearing contestants.

Earlier on day 74 Rex took to the diary room to complain about his 19-year-old student girlfriend Nicole.

"She's struggling in here," he said. "I don't think sticking so close to me is the best thing."

Former gang member Darnell, 26, had his own complaint for Big Brother. "All I've found out is that everyone in the world seems to be better looking that me," he confessed in the diary room.

"None of the girls have fancied me in here so how can I expect any of the women on the outside to like me?

"What the hell is good about me? Nothing."

Geldof's husband 'terrified' of meeting Bob

2008-08-17T04:57:00.000-07:00

Geldof's husband 'terrified' of meeting Bob

Peaches Geldof's new husband is "terrified" of meeting her father Bob Geldof.

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American rocker Max Drummey wed Peaches in Las Vegas last week despite only dating for one month.

And Drummey admits he is terrified of meeting his new father-in-law.

He says, "He's always been friendly but as you'd expect, he has what I call a healthy scepticism about me - I think any father would if their daughter got married the way we did.

"I'm terrified of meeting him face to face but that's going to happen soon - it's all been arranged."

The musician also confesses he had never heard of the former Boomtown Rats rocker before he met 19 year old Peaches.

He adds, "Sir Bob is nowhere near as well known in the US as he is in the UK I understand he's a real legend but I don't know much about him.

"I do know he's been knighted though, which is amazing."

My Chemical Romance announce hiatus

2008-08-16T06:32:00.001-07:00

My Chemical Romance announce hiatus

Rockers My Chemical Romance are taking a hiatus, so they can seek the inspiration to write a new albumAfter taking two years to tour and promote acclaimed 2006 album The Black Parade, band members complain they are exhausted and short of ideas for a follow-up LP.

Frontman Gerard Way tells MTV, "We can't make any more music unless we live. But I'm already starting to get the ideas and the aesthetics and everything, and it's very different from The Black Parade.

When we get a chance, we're going to get together and do some demos and start rolling. But we're going to take it slow. I feel like we needed to be away for a while. People need to kind of miss us because there was a point in the last two and a half years where you could have seen us at least once a month if you

Potter film release date delayed

2008-08-15T06:09:00.000-07:00

Potter film release date delayed

The release date for Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince has been pushed back by eight months, to July 2009.

The sixth instalment of the teenage wizard's adventures was supposed to have its Royal premiere on 17 November.

Alan Horn, president of studio Warner Bros, said the decision was taken to guarantee the studio a major summer blockbuster in 2009.

He also blamed the Hollywood writers' strike, which hit the film industry hard earlier this year.

Mr Horn said the strike, which ended in February, had "impacted the readiness of scripts for other films."

Fantasy books

He said: "The picture is completely, absolutely, 100% on schedule, on time. There were no delays.

"I've seen the movie. It is fabulous. We would have been perfectly able to have it out in November."

The move will mean a two-year delay between the film adaptations of books five and six in JK Rowling's fantasy series.

But it will shorten fans' wait between Half-Blood Prince and the final two instalments of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, which are being shot simultaneously next year.

It is thought actors Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson - who is celebrating getting straight As in her A Levels in English literature, geography and art - will reprise their roles.

The release date for part one is tentatively set for November 2010.

Royal performance

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince had been chosen for this year's Royal Film Performance, on 17 November.

Last year's performance was cancelled amid controversy about the chosen movie, Brick Lane.

It was the first time the annual gala - held in aid of the Cinema and Television Benevolent Fund (CTBF) - had been scrapped since 1958.

CTBF chief executive Peter Hore told BBC News he was "very disappointed" with the decision to shelve the Potter premiere.

But he was hopeful a Royal premiere would still go ahead this year.

He said: "The Royal Film Performance has been around for a long time and has a tradition of showcasing the best films. We are confident we will be able to do that again this year."

Mr Hore added that he expected to make an announcement shortly.

Iranian president in Turkey for nuclear talks

2008-08-14T07:47:00.000-07:00

Iranian president in Turkey for nuclear talks

ISTANBUL (AFP) - Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad began talks here Thursday on closer ties with Turkey and Tehran's controversial nuclear programme on his first ever bilateral visit to a NATO-member country.Heavy security measures were in place for Ahmadinejad's arrival to Istanbul, Turkey's biggest city, with snipers placed on rooftops around the Ataturk airport and police closing off the road leading into the city.

Shortly after his arrival, the Iranian president went into a closed-door meeting with his Turkish counterpart Abdullah Gul after which the two leaders were expected to hold a news conference.

He will meet Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and address a businessmen's meeting on Friday before leaving.

Ahmadinejad's two-day visit comes amid mounting tension over the Islamic Republic's nuclear drive which the West suspects is a cover for a secret nuclear weapons programme.

Iran is refusing to halt its uranium enrichment activities even though it is facing a fresh round of sanctions after failing to give a clear response to an incentives package offered by six world powers.

It has however agreed to continue talks with the European Union aimed at resolving the dispute.

Turkey, which has significantly improved relations with Iran in recent years, believes it can help resolve the stand-off through its close ties with both its eastern neighbour and Western powers.

Foreign Minister Ali Babacan said last month that Ankara was taking on a role "of consolidating and facilitating" the talks rather than formal mediation.

In a joint television interview with Turkey's NTV and CNN-Turk news channels on Wednesday, Ahmadinejad sounded an upbeat note on the talks with the six powers -- Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia and the United States.

"We think that the question of nuclear power is going in the right direction," he said. "The negotiations are good negotiations and that is going to continue."

Tehran also appreciated Ankara's "efforts to reduce the tensions and establish a constructive dialogue," he added.

Turkey, which itself is seeking to build its first nuclear power plant, says Iran has the right to possess nuclear power for peaceful purposes, but opposes nuclear weapons in the region.

Ahmadinejad's visit, however, has drawn the ire of Turkey's ally Israel which has warned Ankara against "giving legitimacy" to a leader who has called for the destruction of the Jewish state and questioned the Holocaust.

In Wednesday's interview, Ahmadinejad launched his usual attack on Israel, describing it an illegitimate state based on a lie.

"It is an illegitimate regime... The Zionist regime is based on a lie," he charged. "They (Israelis) do not belong to this region. They should go."

Non-Arab and secular Turkey has been Israel's main regional ally since 1996, when the two signed a military cooperation accord, much to the anger of Arab countries and Iran.

It is currently acting as mediator in indirect talks between Israel and its arch-foe Syria.

Turkey and Iran used to have stormy ties, clouded by Turkish accusations that Tehran was seeking to undermine Ankara's secular regime and turning a blind eye to separatist Kurdish rebels active in the region.

But the two countries have boosted security cooperation in the past decade and in 2001 Turkey began buying Iranian gas via a pipeline between the two countries, overriding US discontent.

'Credit crunch', 'wardrobe malfunction' squeeze into dictionary

2008-08-14T07:43:00.000-07:00

'Credit crunch', 'wardrobe malfunction' squeeze into dictionary

LONDON (AFP) - Credit crunch, carbon footprint and electrosmog squeezed into Chambers dictionary Thursday, reflecting the world's belt-tightening and ecologically-worried times, its editor said.More prosaically, "wardrobe malfunction," "comfort food" and "nail bars" were also among a raft of new words and and expressions included in the latest print edition of a lexicographical tome.

The war on terror has brought "blue-on-blue" -- "accidental firing on one's allies" -- as well as "IED" (improvised explosive device) and "extraordinary rendition" into the Chambers-defined language.

But economic worries and climate change concerns generate a lot of new terms.

The global credit crunch, defined as "a sudden and drastic reduction in the availability of credit," has helped tip long-booming Britain to the brink of recession in barely 12 months.

Homeowners facing falling property prices for the first time in a decade are also all too familiar with "Hips" -- Home Information Pacs, a new officially-required document blamed with adding red tape and deterring buyers.

Hips in part aim to make houses more environmentally friendly -- a trend also reflected in "carbon footprint" and "eco-village" -- "a small-scale, environmentally friendly settlement designed for sustainable living."

"Electrosmog" -- electro-magnetic fields emitted by computers and mobile phones -- also adds growing environmental threats in the modern world.

On the scientific front "Blu-ray" -- as in the new DVD technology -- and "quantum computer" (one which uses quantum mechanics) joined hundreds of new entries deemed worth of definition.

Meanwhile "Wags" -- "a wife or girlfriend of a professional sportsman, especially one of group accompanying a travelling team" -- received Chambers' thumbs-up.

The dictionary also accepted "wardrobe malfunction" -- "the temporary failure of an item of clothing to do its job in covering a part of the body that it would be advisable to keep covered" -- as part of common language.

"The new words we added to this 11th edition of The Chambers Dictionary paint a vivid picture of current interests and concerns," said its editor-in-chief Mary O'Neill

Lucas on Indy, Star Wars and Red Tails

2008-08-14T07:39:00.000-07:00

Lucas on Indy, Star Wars and Red Tails

Legendary film-maker George Lucas has been reflecting on films past, present and future, including Indiana Jones, Star Wars and a new film called Red Tails.After the recent Indiana Jones film, The Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, Lucas sees a future for Dr Jones and a fifth movie is certainly a possibility.

He said: "The franchise really depends on me coming up with a good idea, you know.

"And that series is very research-intensive. So we're doing research now to see if we can't come up with another object for him to chase. And you know, hopefully we'll come up with something."

Although there were rumours that the last movie set up a passing of the famed fedora from Harrison Ford to Shia LaBeouf - Lucas dismisses that.

"He is Indiana Jones," Lucas says of Ford. "You know if Indiana Jones wasn't in it, you'd have to call it 'Mutt Williams and the Search for Elvis'."

Lucas has been involved in a film project that is ten years in the making, revolving around the black Army pilots of World War II known as the Tuskegee airmen.

He says it's finally getting close to production and the movie's going to be called Red Tails.

Recently he has shared the mantle of his iconic Star Wars universe with director Dave Filoni, which has spawned the animated adventure, The Clone Wars which is released in cinemas this summer.

It will be followed in the autumn with the launch of an animated TV series by the same name

Paris sued for 'poor film promotion'

2008-08-14T07:37:00.000-07:00

Paris sued for 'poor film promotion'

Hotel heiress and socialite extraordinaire Paris Hilton is being sued for not doing enough to promote a US campus comedy.Worldwide Entertainment Group filed a lawsuit in Miami, alleging the 27-year-old Simple Life star owes $75,000 (£38,000) in damages for not fulfilling promotional obligations.

Hilton entered into an agreement in 2004 for the production and distribution of the movie National Lampoon's Pledge This! in which she starred and received credit as an executive producer.

She's set to next appear in the movie musical Repo! The Genetic Opera and yet another reality series, Paris Hilton's My New BFF.

The lawsuit comes days after the House of Wax star's tongue-in-cheek online video rebuttal to Presidential hopeful John McCain's claim that rival Barack Obama is nothing more than a celebrity like Hilton and Brittany Spears.

In it, she calls the Republican candidate "the oldest celebrity in the world" and the video is supposed to have amassed an incredible 6.2 million online views within days.

Pamela Anderson was busy filming her new reality tv show

2008-08-14T06:09:00.000-07:00

Pamela Anderson was busy filming her new reality tv show
She's the latest actress to try her hand at Reality TV and on Wednesday afternoon, Pamela Anderson was spotted walking around the set of her new show "Pam: Girl on the Loose" in Los Angeles.

And the mother-of-two looked summertime sexy in a wispy white minidress with black flip flops as she carried around some paperwork, smiling for the paparazzi.

Unfortunately for Miss Anderson, her show has failed to perform, bringing in lower numbers than either Dina Lohan's "Living Lohan" or Denise Richards' "It's Complicated."

According to Nielsen Media Research, "Pam: Girl on the Loose" has averaged 1.1 million viewers, whereas the Lohan and Richards gigs both brought in 1.5 million viewers.

Enjoy the pictures of Pamela Anderson hard at work on her new show (August 6).

Brooke Hogan: Sexy in the Sun

2008-08-14T06:06:00.000-07:00

Brooke Hogan: Sexy in the Sun
She's no stranger to soaking up the sun on the beautiful Miami beaches. And yesterday (August 7) Brooke Hogan was out and about, working on her tan.

The "Brooke Knows Best" babe donned a super sexy dark grey studded two-piece bathing suit along with a pair of white drawstring shorts and matching flip flops as she meandered about the sand.

Miss Hogan recently told press that her brother Nick has been negatively impacted by his time in jail, noting that his 28 days in solitary confinement was an extra-harsh blow to his spirit.

"They had broken his spirit. When they put him in solitary, he was on the outs. I was worried about him, and his safety, and his well-being."

And now that he's back with other inmates, Brooke says that he's starting to show his personality more. "We get to visit him three times a week like everybody else, but it sucks. I can't just walk over to his room and give him a hug, or talk to him, or confide in him…At least he's not locked in hell, basically. And his personality is slowly coming back. I bring that out of him."

Enjoy the pictures of Brooke Hogan out spending the day at the beach (August 7).

DreamWorks Animation in talks for "Panda" sequel

2008-08-13T19:53:00.000-07:00

DreamWorks Animation in talks for "Panda" sequel
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - DreamWorks Animation SKG Inc Chief Executive Jeffrey Katzenberg said on Wednesday the movie studio was in talks to make a sequel to box office hit "Kung Fu Panda" and could make an announcement within two months.

"We've started conversations about it, and I think in the next 30 or 60 days, we'll be able to talk completely about that," Katzenberg told Reuters, when asked about a follow-up to a film that has raked in $560 million in global ticket sales.

Set in China, "Kung Fu Panda" follows the journey of a clumsy-yet-lovable Panda named Po, voiced by Hollywood funnyman Jack Black, in his efforts to become a kung fu warrior.

Katzenberg was speaking to reporters at a screening for portions of the studio's upcoming animated film "Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa," set for a U.S. release on Nov. 7.

The original "Madagascar" in 2005, which tells of animals on the loose from New York's Central Zoo, had been DreamWorks Animation's biggest hit for a non-sequel movie with $530 million in global ticket sales until being passed by "Panda" in recent weeks.

A "Panda" sequel will likely come as good news to DreamWorks Animation investors who saw shares in the studio slump in late July after the company warned of higher international marketing costs.

The company's stock had traded above $30 a share in July before slipping to about $28 when the company warned on July 30. Since then, the shares have reclaimed ground and were at $30.44, off 40 cents, or 1.3 percent, in late Wednesday trade.

Madonna to wear Givenchy for Sticky and Sweet tour

2008-08-12T20:18:00.000-07:00

Madonna to wear Givenchy for Sticky and Sweet tour

PARIS (Reuters Life!) - Madonna has chosen French Haute Couture house Givenchy to design clothing for her new "Sticky and Sweet" world tour which starts in Britain this month, the fashion firm said on Tuesday.

Two outfits from Givenchy Haute Couture by designer Riccardo Tisci have been created for the "queen of pop". Givenchy described the first as "a reference to 'Gangster Pimp' and Art Deco" and the second as "a Gypsy inspiration".

"I feel incredibly fortunate to have been given the opportunity to offer the world of Givenchy Haute Couture to Madonna the Icon, the Artist, the Woman for whom I have so much respect and admiration, " Tisci said in a press statement.

The first outfit is described as a frock coat in black stretch satin, trimmed with pleated black silk organza embroidered with jet beads and waistcoat in black stretch satin trimmed with black silk fringes embroidered with jet beads and laced up corseted back.

The "Gypsy" outfit consists of a long-hooded cape in black silk taffeta, lined in fuchsia silk taffeta and embroidered with jet stones and a dress in black stretch chiffon trimmed with multicoloured ribbons and fuchsia coloured metal chains worn with a matching necklace.

Disney star Vanessa Hudgens sued by music producer

2008-08-12T20:17:00.001-07:00

Disney star Vanessa Hudgens sued by music producer

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Singer-actress Vanessa Hudgens of the made-for-kids TV hit "High School Musical" is being sued by a producer who claims she reneged on a deal to share her earnings with him after he helped make her a star.

In the lawsuit, filed on Monday in Los Angeles Superior Court, plaintiff Johnny Vieira accuses the 19-year-old performer and her manager-father, Greg Hudgens, of breach of contract and fraud, seeking more than $27 million in damages.

Hudgens' record label, the Walt Disney Co.-owned Hollywood Records, also is named as a defendant in the suit.

Vieira, who describes himself as a music producer "engaged in the business of discovering and developing artists in the music industry," claims he and Hudgens agreed in 2005 to share equally in her advances, royalties and merchandising revenues.

That agreement was approved by a court, the suit says.

But Vieira says he was dumped from Hudgens' management team soon after she was cast in Disney's TV movie sensation "High School Musical."

According to the suit, they subsequently reached a settlement under which Hudgens agreed to pay Vieira a percentage of her earnings from her first three albums under her solo recording contract with Hollywood Records.

However, "it became clear that Hudgens and her new 'team' ... all directed by her father ... would take every possible opportunity to deprive Vieira of the benefits to be derived from the settlement agreement," the lawsuit says.

After giving Vieira a share of her first album advance and a portion of merchandising revenues from the first quarter of 2007, "no other monies have been paid to Vieira and no other accounting has been provided," the suit says.

Hudgens' publicist could not immediately be reached for comment. A Disney spokesman said the company had not had a chance to review the lawsuit.

Hudgens sprang to fame in "High School Musical" as Gabriella Montez, the sweet, innocent science geek whose romance with teen athlete Troy Bolton, played by Zac Efron, was chronicled on Disney Channel's hugely popular TV movie.

Weeks after "High School Musical 2" and its soundtrack debuted, the squeaky-clean star raised a furor when a nude photograph of her surfaced on the Web.

Hudgens apologized, and Disney stood by her. Her second solo album, "Identified," debuted last month at No. 23 on the pop charts, with a modest 22,000 copies sold its first week.

Lindsay Lohan’s Dress: Gone with the Wind

2008-07-24T00:38:00.000-07:00

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

2008-07-24T00:35:00.000-07:00

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...

2008-07-23T10:00:00.000-07:00

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

2008-07-23T09:51:00.000-07:00

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

2008-07-22T05:18:00.001-07:00

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

2008-07-22T05:11:00.000-07:00

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

2008-07-21T22:18:00.000-07:00

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

2008-07-21T09:06:00.001-07:00

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

2008-07-21T00:41:00.000-07:00

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

2008-07-21T00:38:00.000-07:00

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

2008-07-20T10:03:00.000-07:00

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

2008-07-20T10:01:00.000-07:00

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

2008-07-19T08:44:00.000-07:00

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’

2008-07-19T08:37:00.000-07:00

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

2008-07-19T07:17:00.000-07:00

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

2008-07-18T00:42:00.000-07:00

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

2008-07-18T00:41:00.000-07:00

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!

2008-07-17T00:35:00.000-07:00

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

2008-07-16T00:28:00.000-07:00

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

2008-07-16T00:26:00.000-07:00

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

2008-07-15T00:09:00.000-07:00

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?

2008-07-14T08:43:00.000-07:00

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

2008-07-14T08:39:00.000-07:00

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

2008-07-14T08:25:00.000-07:00

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

2008-07-09T08:58:00.001-07:00

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

2008-07-09T08:55:00.001-07:00

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

2008-07-08T04:38:00.000-07:00

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

2008-07-08T00:07:00.000-07:00

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

2008-07-07T23:37:00.000-07:00

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

2008-07-07T12:15:00.000-07:00

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

2008-07-07T12:13:00.001-07:00

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

2008-07-07T09:49:00.000-07:00

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

2008-07-07T09:40:00.000-07:00

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

2008-07-07T06:14:00.001-07:00

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

2008-07-07T03:41:00.000-07:00

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

2008-07-07T01:05:00.001-07:00

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.

RED HOT: Sexiest Black Women Alive!

2008-07-07T00:59:00.000-07:00

RED HOT: Sexiest Black Women Alive!

#1 BOND GAL
Oscar-winning actress Halle Berry has been named 'The Sexiest Black Woman Alive'. The Bond girl took the top slot in The 16 Sexiest Black Women Alive Poll, conducted by America's TV One Access.

#2 CAN'T TAKE YOUR EYES OFF HER
American actress Gabrielle Union took the second spot.

#3 BOOTYLICIOUS BABE
Singer Beyonce Knowles landed at the third place in the poll of sexy Black women.

#4 SHE'S GOT THE LOOK

Model Naomi Campbell was voted the fourth most sexy Black woman.

#5 GOOD GIRL GONE BAD

Singer Rihanna bagged the fifth position in the poll of sexiest Black women.

Q1 results: Analysts hopeful, companies cautious

2008-07-06T21:03:00.000-07:00

Q1 results: Analysts hopeful, companies cautious

Few earnings seasons are awaited with such trepidation as the one for the June 2008 quarter. With the markets in turmoil, the Street is looking to India Inc to bail it out.

But expectations have never been more tempered; if analysts' estimates between 2004 and 2007 were often less flattering than what companies turned in, with constant upgrades becoming the norm, they are far more cautious today, taking care to pencil in even the smallest risk.

"The June quarter numbers should be reasonably good with earnings growing at around 15 per cent for the corporate sector as a whole because there was some momentum," said Rashesh Shah, chairman, Edelweiss Securities.

That would, however, be well below the 20-25 per cent growth seen over the past few years.

But then, the environment is becoming far more difficult because of high inflation and interest rates. Demand for products like cars and two-wheelers and even some consumer durables is flagging and even if companies are able to push volumes they don't always get the best price.

This means growth in revenues could well turn out to be lower than the previous quarters: a Morgan Stanley report forecasts that revenues, for a sample of 104 companies (excluding energy), could rise just 21 per cent in Q1FY09.

What's more, high commodity prices continue to push up costs for manufacturers, so a compression in operating margins cannot be ruled out - for the same sample, operating margins are likely to come off by about 50 basis points. Even in the March 2008 quarter, there were just a handful of companies in the top 100 that posted an increase in margins.

In addition, higher interest and depreciation costs are likely to eat into net profits even as companies earn less from other income - the growth in net profits is expected to be just 11 per cent for the June 2008 quarter compared with 25 per cent for the March 2008 quarter.

While advance tax collections may not be the best indicator of profits to come, the thought that they have risen at 32 per cent for the top 50 corporations against 38 per cent last year is not comforting.

The pace of credit growth is also moderating, though Paresh Sukthankar, executive director, HDFC Bank [Get Quote], said the latest credit growth numbers put out by the central bank of around 25 per cent suggest that demand for money has been reasonably good. "On average, banks should have been able to lend at around these levels," he said.

But the mood certainly isn't upbeat. "The mood is clearly worsening and we may well see a round of downtrading," said Hoshedar Press, executive director and president, Godrej Consumer Products [Get Quote].

Press said it's hard to pass on prices at the lower end and growth in some categories has been affected.

N Seshagiri Rao, Director, Finance, at JSW Steel [Get Quote], said steel has been selling well with capital goods and engineering driving demand. "The industry should certainly see far better volumes of at least 10-12 per cent than it did in the corresponding period of the previous year," he noted.

However, with domestic prices lower than global ones, realisations may not be encouraging, he pointed out. Margins are expected to contract most for sectors like engineering, cement, metals, construction and consumer staples thanks to rising input costs.

They could stay flat or slip marginally for technology firms since revenue growth is expected to be 8-9 per cent sequentially. Banks will take a hit on the investment portfolio and, with borrowing costs having risen, net interest margins could at best remain stable.

Telecom operators should do fairly well given the good growth in talk-time volumes as should healthcare firms that will gain from the depreciating rupee. Sectors such as retail and media may not give investors much to cheer about.

Some experts, however, are still optimistic. Said Nilesh Shah, deputy managing director, ICICI [Get Quote] Prudential AMC, "The results should be satisfactory. In fact, going by the advance tax collections, there could be some surprises."

Orissa Naxal attack: Launch salvaged, toll 33

2008-07-06T20:54:00.000-07:00

Orissa Naxal attack: Launch salvaged, toll 33

The operation to salvage the sunken launch from Balimela (Machkund) reservoir of Orissa has finally succeeded.

Using the 'Hot Balloon' technique, experts from the Indian Navy brought the launch to the surface on Sunday evening, exactly eight days after it had drowned in an attack by the rebels of the Communist Party of India-Maoist killing more than 30 Greyhound commandos and policemen.

While 24 bodies were recovered during the week-long search operations, police officials believe there could be 9 bodies inside the launch. Going around the salvaged launch, the searches have also spotted weapons lying around inside.

Visakhapatnam [Images] Superintendent of Police Akun Sabharwal said the launch will be pulled to the banks of the Sileru river for search and removal of the bodies. "We could not complete the operations because of darkness and rains last night," he said.

The final death toll is believed to be 33.

The experts used three balloons, each with a capacity to lift 10 tons of weight. After attaching the balloons to the launch from different sides, they were filled with hot air to lift the launch from more than 50 mt depth. Apart from the four-member team of experts from the navy, divers and other personnel also helped in the operation. Two other launches also provided help in bringing the launch out.

The top brass of the Greyhounds Rajiv Trivedi and Vineet Brijlal have also reached the spot. Two hundred Greyhound commandos have surrounded the area to prevent any foul play by the Maoists.

Earlier, the search teams had used different methods to salvage the launch including using a jumbo helicopter to bring the vessel out. But all of them failed to nudge the launche from its place.

The launch had drowned along with its occupants when the Maoists ambushed it near Budikottu in Malkangiri district of Orissa on June 29. The launch was brining back more than 60 Greyhound commandos and other policemen from Orissa to Andhra Pradesh following combing operations when it was targeted by the Maoists using sophisticated weapons including light machine guns.

The eight-day-long search operation was marred by intermittent rains and the presence of crocodiles in the area, further delaying the finding and removal of the bodies.

Meanwhile, Additional Director General of Police (law and order) Abdul Khayyum Khan has been given the responsibility of conducting an inquiry into the circumstances in which the Maoists targeted the Greyhound commandos and the reasons for the failure of the security system to protect them.

He will go in to the sequence of events right from the Greyhound commandos entering Orissa on foot three days before the incident to the arrangements made for their exit using a singe launch, instead of two or more and whether and how the news of their return journey was leaked to the Maoists.

Apart from placing the responsibility for the huge loss of life, he will also make recommendations to prevent the recurrence of such incidents, sources said.

Sexy Babes from Khatron ke Khiladi

2008-07-06T20:44:00.000-07:00

Sexy Babes from Khatron ke Khiladi

Khatrona ke khiladi is a desi version of fear factor featuring 13 hot babes and Khiladi Akshay kumar. Here are the six hot babes of khatron ke khiladi, will post the rest 7 in the next post

Vidya Malvade
Vidya Malvade is an Indian actress who started her career with Vikram Bhatt's Inteha. The movie got flopped. Then she got noticed with Yash Raj’s film Chak De India where she played the role of a goalkeeper and the Captain of the Indian women's national hockey team. She has also done many commercials

Sonali Kulkarni

This Pune girl made her first appearance on the big screen by a Kannada movie- Cheluvi. Her filmography includes movies like Darna Zaroori Hai, Taxi Number 9211, Bride & Prejudice, Dil Vil Pyar Vyar, Kitne Door Kitne Paas, Dil Chahta Hai, Pyaar Tune Kya Kiya, Mission Kashmir etc. She has also done an Italian movie- Fuoco Si Di Me for which she won an award in the 2006 Milan International Film Festival. She was also seen in the 2nd season of the dance reality show Jhalak Dikhalaja

Crikey! 'Crocodile Hunter' daughter gets own doll

2008-07-06T04:38:00.000-07:00

Crikey! 'Crocodile Hunter' daughter gets own doll

CLEVELAND (AP) — The Emmy-winning daughter of the late "Crocodile Hunter" Steve Irwin is getting her own doll. The 10-inch Bindi Irwin doll sports khakis, puffy pigtails and hiking boots, and comes with binoculars, a camera and other outback gear, as well as a cockatoo, wombat and python.

A talking version of the Bindi doll uses such phrases as, "Crikey! Let's go help wildlife," and "You can make the world a better place."

The rubber dolls will cost $15 to $20, with a portion going to help fund efforts to breed endangered species and rescue animals. They are expected to be in stores in September.

Wild Republic, a division of K&M International Inc., based in Twinsburg, Ohio, is developing the doll. The company marketed a Steve Irwin doll several months after the Australian TV show host died in September 2006 from a stingray barb that pierced his chest.

Bindi Irwin's career began with appearances on her father's shows and later expanded to live music performances and child-fitness DVDs.

"Bindi the Jungle Girl," a child-friendly version of her father's show, began in June 2007 on the Discovery Channel. Bindi, 9, won a Daytime Emmy last month for the show and also a Logie, an Australian TV award, in May for most popular new female talent.

TV's 'The Bachelor' weds in California

2008-07-06T04:35:00.000-07:00

TV's 'The Bachelor' weds in California

LOS OLIVOS, Calif. (AP) — "The Bachelor" is a bachelor no more. Andrew Firestone, star of the ABC-TV reality show, married Serbian model and actress Ivana Bozilovic Saturday, Firestone's publicist Alisha Mahon told The Associated Press.
"We're so happy right now, we can hardly stand it," the couple said in a statement to Usmagazine.com, which first reported the nuptials.

Firestone and Bozilovic wed at St. Mark's in the Valley Episcopal Church in Los Olivos, the central coast town where Firestone's family winery is based.

Firestone's 2003 proposal to Jen Schefft on the third season of "The Bachelor" was watched by millions and led to months of tabloid chatter afterward until the couple's breakup.

His engagement to Bozilovic was announced in October.

Audrina Patridge: Pretty in Pink

2008-07-05T09:32:00.000-07:00

Audrina Patridge: Pretty in Pink
She enjoys a little clubhopping just as much as the next girl, and Audrina Patridge was spotted shaking her groove thang last night in Hollywood, California.

The brunette babe and a gal pal made their way to the exclusive Kitchen 24 nightclub. And Miss Patridge dressed to impress with a figure-flattering lilac-colored dress with silver strap heels.

And while things are going super well for Audrina in the professional realm, it seems her living situation has been causing all kinds of problems. Apparently the homeowners on her block are getting fed up with the mass of paparazzi around her property.

The house, actually owned by Hills co-star Lauren Conrad, is in a neighborhood in which the residents are growing bitterer every day. And there's yet to be a decision as to how they'll accommodate both the Hills hotties and the rest of the members of the neighborhood.

Enjoy the pictures of Audrina Patridge out clubbing in Hollywood (June 26).

Winehouse sings in Spain, glass of wine in hand

2008-07-04T20:37:00.001-07:00

Winehouse sings in Spain, glass of wine in hand

ARGANDA DEL REY, Spain - Soul diva Amy Winehouse sipped from a glass of red wine and looked a bit unsteady on her feet as she appeared in front of a large audience at the Rock in Rio music festival southeast of Madrid on Friday. Then, as tens of thousands cheered, she threw off a pair of high stiletto heels in favor of white moccasins, donned a white electric guitar and settled into an intense rendition of some of her best known songs, including "Rehab."

Winehouse delivered a strong vocal performance accompanied by her octet plus two male backing vocalists.

There was no hint of the controversy that saw the Grammy-winning singer scuffle with a fan at the Glastonbury festival in Britain and show up an hour late looking the worse for wear last May in Portugal.

The singer won five Grammy Awards, including best record, best song and best new artist, in early February, but her musical success has been overshadowed by her tumultuous private life and public struggles with drugs and alcohol.

Last month, her father said she developed emphysema from smoking cigarettes and crack cocaine, although her spokeswoman has said Winehouse only has pre-emphysema symptoms.

Once finished at Rock in Rio, she did not stay for an encore and left the outdoor concert venue by helicopter.

Winehouse's manager, Michael Jobson, told national broadcaster RTVE that the singer had looked forward to singing in Madrid after appearances in Portugal and Hyde Park, London.

English band Jamiroquai followed Winehouse on stage, with Colombian pop singer Shakira topping the bill.

The Police, Bob Dylan, Lenny Kravitz, Alejandro Sanz and Franz Ferdinand were all due to perform over the weekend.

Organizers said around 350,000 people were expected to have enjoyed music at the newly inaugurated concert site by the end of the festival.

Inquiry closes into Trump's Scottish golf course plans

2008-07-04T10:00:00.000-07:00

Inquiry closes into Trump's Scottish golf course plans
LONDON (AFP) - A public inquiry into a refusal to allow Donald Trump to build a luxury golf resort in Scotland ended Friday, with the US property tycoon's lawyer saying it would be a "tragedy" if it was not built"In my submission, this truly is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. We will not see its likes again," said Colin Boyd in his closing speech to the hearing in the city of Aberdeen, northeast Scotland.

"It would be a tragedy for Scotland if we let it pass by."

Trump, a New Yorker whose mother was a Scot, wants to construct what he calls "the world's best golf course" as part of a one-billion-pound (1.7-billion-euro, 1.9-billion-dollar) complex north of Aberdeen.

But local planners last year rejected the plans, after concerns from environmentalists about its effect on protected sand dunes and wildlife, and opposition from a farmer who refuses to budge from the land at any price.

The Scottish government in Edinburgh, which has powers over planning policy, called in the proposal, setting up the inquiry amid a row about the pros and cons of the project, which Trump says could create at least 1,200 jobs.

Boyd said the developer's "audacious proposal" had the support of the business community and local people, while they had carried out a comprehensive environmental impact study.

Signalling Trump's determination to proceed, he added: "In my experience of my client, the word 'cannot' does not appear in his dictionary."

The inquiry team will report to the Scottish government at a later stage, with a decision due by the end of the year.

Just how close 'friends' are Madonna and A-Rod?

2008-07-04T00:22:00.000-07:00

Just how close 'friends' are Madonna and A-Rod?
NEW YORK (AP) — A-Rod and the Material Girl? That's a lot of hits. Reports that Yankees superstar Alex Rodriguez and Madonna have become close just as their marriages are disintegrating have both the celebrity gossip industry and the sporting world — each a chatty bunch — buzzing with questions about the two "friends." A third boldface name was added to the saga when Rodriguez's wife fled from New York to the Paris home of rocker Lenny Kravitz, who denied anything improper had happened with the slugger's wife.

Rodriguez remained mum. He signed a couple of autographs before Thursday night's game at Yankee Stadium against Boston, but didn't take questions from a pack of reporters.

The whole story began last week amid tabloid stories that Madonna, who is married to the British filmmaker Guy Ritchie, had consulted a high-profile London divorce attorney. On Tuesday her publicist issued a statement saying Madonna's marriage was not in jeopardy. Then Us Weekly magazine reported that Rodriguez, 32, has been making late-night visits to the Manhattan apartment of Madonna, 49.

Janice Min, editor-in-chief of Us Weekly, said the magazine was "100 percent" confident in its story, which she said was based on multiple sources.

Min said Us Weekly has been careful not to overstate what's known of the relationship, which the latest issue labels a "hot new friendship."

"The facts are that he comes to her apartment late at night, that they have a friendship, that she had never been photographed at a Yankees game until she was photographed in A-Rod's seats," Min said. "I think from those facts we put forth, a lot of people would infer that something more is going on."

Madonna's publicist, Liz Rosenberg, acknowledged the two know each other after meeting at a charity event, but denied any romance. Rodriguez has refused to even address the topic when questioned by reporters, leading some to wonder if he could indeed be involved in the biggest Yankee romance since Joe DiMaggio and Marilyn Monroe.

On Thursday, the New York Daily News reported that Rodriguez and wife Cynthia have separated, citing an anonymous source. They were married in 2002 and have two children, Natasha Alexander and Ella Alexander. Then came news that Cynthia visited Kravitz in Paris.

"Cynthia is a friend ... she came here to escape from everything happening in New York City," Kravitz said in a statement. "I opened my home to her as a friend and I find it extremely hurtful that I am now being referred to as an adulterer."

Yankees co-chairman Hank Steinbrenner said the reports would not faze the club.

"It's no distraction to the team," Steinbrenner said Thursday at the Yankees' complex in Tampa, Fla. "Whether it is to Alex I don't know. But from what I'm hearing, no, it's not."

Coverage of the private lives of Yankees is not new, particularly in an era in which professional athletes are increasingly scrutinized off the field.

Earlier this year, it was reported that former Yankee pitcher Roger Clemens had an affair with country music singer Mindy McCready. Derek Jeter's string of girlfriends also have received considerable press, most notably a relationship with another mega-selling singer, Mariah Carey.

Rodriguez, however, 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. "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."

A copy of a local tabloid with a front-cover headline of "Split!" was on a table in the middle of the Boston clubhouse.

"New York, it's like Us Weekly meets the fun bunch," Red Sox first baseman Sean Casey said.

On Thursday, sports talk radio in New York was dominated by larger concerns: mainly the dim playoff prospects for both the Yankees and Mets.

The sports blog Deadspin wondered Thursday how Rodriguez would be greeted by fans at Yankee Stadium in the team's upcoming series against the Red Sox: "Will there be any cone bras in the stands? Sean Penn masks? The theme from `Evita' being sung by a heavenly choir of visiting Red Sox fans?"

There were, as usual, a lot of fans wearing pinstripe jerseys with his No. 13 on the back for the series opener. One of them, Shawn Richards, said he and nine pals came from western Canada to cheer for Rodriguez.

"A-Rod's the man!" Richards said. "He can do whatever he wants. It's New York."

Report: Alex Rodriguez has split from wife

2008-07-03T06:43:00.000-07:00

Report: Alex Rodriguez has split from wife

NEW YORK - Yankees slugger Alex Rodriguez and his wife have split less than three months after the birth of the couple's second daughter, according to a report in the New York Daily NewsThe story on the newspaper's Web site comes amid reports linking Rodriguez to Madonna. Rodriguez refused to address the topic on three occasions Tuesday, once saying "no" when asked if he had any comment.

Yankees co-chairman Hank Steinbrenner also criticized the team's lack of hitting before an 18-7 win over the Texas Rangers on Wednesday night, suggesting "a little less outside distractions and a little more concentrating" might help the team at the plate.

The Daily News reported Wednesday night, citing an anonymous source, that Rodriguez and wife, Cynthia, have separated after having "problems" for about three months.

Cynthia Rodriguez's mother, Evangeline Scurtis, also denied a gossip Web site report that her daughter had gone on a romantic getaway with rocker Lenny Kravitz to Paris.

"She is not! I know that," Scurtis told The Daily News.

Kravitz issued a statement of denial Thursday.

"Cynthia is a friend and is here with the godfather of her baby, who is also Alex's trainer, his wife and their baby girl. She came here to escape from everything happening in New York City," he said. "I opened my home to her as a friend and I find it extremely hurtful that I am now being referred to as an adulterer."

Scurtis repeatedly declined comment when asked about her daughter's relationship with Rodriguez.

The couple was married in November 2002 and has two children, Natasha Alexander and Ella Alexander, who was born April 21.

Rodriguez went 2-for-3 Wednesday night with his 17th homer of the season and also scored four times. It also was Rodriguez's 535th homer, moving him past Jimmie Foxx for 14th on the career list.

Cycling's image at the crossroads

2008-07-02T09:03:00.001-07:00

Cycling's image at the crossroads

Cycling's image at the crossroads

July 2, 2008

The Tour de France, still reeling from last year's doping affairs, will face the daunting task of restoring cycling's image when it starts its three-week journey of more than 3,500km on Saturday.

Cycling's image at the crossroads

July 2, 2008

All doping tests will be conducted by the French Anti-Doping Agency since the race has been put under the jurisdiction of the French federation because of a long-standing row between organisers Amaury Sport Organisation (ASO) and the International Cycling Union over who decides on the teams taking part in their events.

Cycling's image at the crossroads

July 2, 2008

Astana were asked to leave the race last year after Kazakh Alexander Vinokourov tested positive following his stage win in Albi.

Then leader Denmark's Michael Rasmussen (left) was kicked out of the event for allegedly lying on his training whereabouts and the Cofidis team withdrew after Italian Cristian Moreni tested positive for testosterone.

Cycling's image at the crossroads

July 2, 2008

For the first time since 1967, there will be no prologue and sprinters will find it hard to shine in the first week, with mostly hilly stages favouring the audacious.

Cycling's image at the crossroads

July 2, 2008

One year after the Rasmussen scandal, the Rabobank team are also likely to shine on the French roads with Russian Denis Menchov, but also three-times world champion Oscar Freire (in picture) and Spaniard Juan Antonio Flecha.

Gisele Bundchen Heats Up Sao Paulo Fashion Week

2008-07-02T05:42:00.000-07:00

Gisele Bundchen Heats Up Sao Paulo Fashion Week

She's quickly becoming the most recognizable woman in international modeling and over the weekend Gisele Bundchen was doing what she does best- working it.

The Brazilian beauty was spotted looking sexy at a runway gig as part of the Sao Paulo Fashion week yesterday in a Colcci ensemble including a cropped top and figure-flattering trousers with a pair of massive heels.

Miss Bundchen recently told press that as a result of her meteoric rise to fame, people are always trying to discredit her beauty by claiming it's all artificial. Then again, when you're earning the industry's top salary ($33 million a year) you have to expect some drama.

She told press, "The other day, a girl on my plane was pulling my hair. She was like, 'I just want to check...' [And I told her] 'This is all my hair, by the way. I did not have extensions'".

Enjoy the pictures of Gisele Bundchen walking the runway in Sao Paulo (June 22).

Police: Ex-convict suspected of killing 8 captured

2008-07-01T22:22:00.000-07:00

Police: Ex-convict suspected of killing 8 captured
GRANITE CITY, Ill. - Police and FBI agents captured an ex-convict suspected of killing eight people in two states as he smoked a cigarette outside of a southwestern Illinois bar Tuesday night.

Nicholas T. Sheley, who was the subject of a multistate manhunt after authorities linked him to the deaths of eight people in Illinois and Missouri, was arrested around 7 p.m. outside of Bindy's, a Granite City bar, said bartender Katie Ronk.

Sheley ordered a glass of water and went to the bathroom before another bartender and customer recognized him, Ronk said. The customer, Gary Range, said he left the bar and notified a police officer parked in the lot outside,

"I told (the police officer) the description and the officer said, 'That's him.' He got on the radio and eventually there were police all over the place," Range said.

Illinois State Police, the FBI, and the St. Louis Major Crimes Task Force arrested the 28-year-old without incident, said state police Sgt. Thomas J. Burek. He was being held at the Granite City police department, a department spokeswoman said.

Tim Lewis, the police chief in the St. Louis suburb of Festus, Mo., said publicity from news reports paid off after 6 p.m. when a number of Granite City residents reported seeing Sheley.

"He was desperate and he gave up without a fight," Lewis said.

"He looks rough. He's had a rough two days," he said.

The FBI on Tuesday launched a manhunt for Sheley, who they warned should be considered armed and dangerous. Among those authorities believe Sheley killed were a 93-year-old man, a child and a couple whose blood-soaked dogs were found roaming a motel parking lot.

Sheley has only been charged in the death of one of the eight. He faces charges of first-degree murder, aggravated battery and vehicular hijacking in the death of Ronald Randall, whose body was found Monday behind a grocery store in Galesburg, in northwestern Illinois, police said. An autopsy showed the 65-year-old died from blunt force trauma to the head, likely on Saturday.

Investigators said the other victims all appeared to have died in the same manner and that evidence linked to Sheley was recovered at each scene. The FBI and Illinois State Police declined to elaborate.

Authorities said the killings began with the beating death of 93-year-old Russell Reed, a Sterling man whose body was found stuffed in the trunk of a car Thursday. Sheley also is from Sterling, a town of 15,000 about 100 miles west of Chicago.

On Monday, police discovered the bodies of two men, a woman and a child in an apartment on a street of single-family homes in nearby Rock Falls. Investigators believe they likely died late Saturday or early Sunday.

Sheley was acquainted with the male victims, Brock Branson and Kenneth Ulvey, both in their 20s, said Illinois State Police Region Two Commander Mark Maton. Police did not identify the woman or child.

More than 250 miles, the bodies of Tom and Jill Estes of Sherwood, Ark., were found Monday behind a gas station in Festus, said Bill Baker, with the St. Louis Area Major Case Squad.

The couple had checked into a Comfort Inn in Festus on Friday and were last seen late Sunday. Their dogs were found in the hotel parking lot, unharmed but covered with blood.

Public records show Sheley has multiple convictions for robbery, drugs and weapons charges and has spent three years in prison.

Sheley's uncle, Joe Sheley, 47, of Sterling, told The Associated Press before his nephew's capture that Nicholas Sheley recently struggled with drugs and his rap sheet includes arrests for home invasion.

"He's been in trouble many times over the years, but something like this, yeah, it's out of character," Joe Sheley said. "He's got a temper like anybody else. Just doesn't want to be messed with. Won't back down. But to go looking for a fight, looking for trouble, no."

Sheley spent nearly three years in the Illinois Department of Corrections for aggravated robbery between 2000 and 2003 and another 17 months on parole, which ended in April 2005, said IDOC spokesman Derek Schnapp.

Federal prosecutors in northern Illinois charged Sheley on Tuesday with fleeing the state to avoid prosecution for a June 14 felony home invasion in Sterling.

At one point Sheley was in Iowa, and stopped to call his wife Saturday from a rest area between Davenport and Bettendorf, Iowa, an FBI agent said in an affidavit.

William Monroe, an assistant special agent in charge of the FBI's Chicago field office, said he believes Sheley also traveled last week to buy drugs in Chicago, where authorities recovered two handguns taken from Reed — the first man killed.

Pamela Anderson Auctions Viper For PETA

2008-07-01T07:25:00.001-07:00

Pamela Anderson Auctions Viper For PETA

Making a scheduled appearance at Planet Hollywood in Las Vegas last night, Pamela Anderson was on hand for the auctioning off of her beloved 2000 Dodge Viper RT/10 Roadster - with a portion of the proceeds going to PETA.

The Baywatch babe was all smiles as Julien's Auctions of Los Angeles presented her hot ride along with "the world's largest offering of Hollywood and animation memorabilia."

According to press reports, "The collections available for sale last night includes more than 400 one-of-a-kind memorabilia from Hollywood's Golden and contemporary eras. Items up for bid included Elvis Presley's impressive Sy Devore black suit worn in "Viva Las Vegas"; 47 minutes of behind the scenes footage with copyright of Marilyn Monroe with co-star Clark Gable in the "Misfits"; an original script from "The Godfather" signed by Marlon Brando; the original disco ball used in "Saturday Night Fever"; Yul Brynner's Hat Worn in "Magnificent Seven"."

With more items up for grabs, the auction, which is available online at AuctionNetworks.com, will "feature original concept drawings and painted celluloids from Walt Disney, Charles Schulz, Hanna-Barbera, Warner Brothers, and other legends of animation representing original classics such as Bugs Bunny to modern-day icons such as The Simpsons."

Enjoy the pictures of Pamela Anderson at Planet Hollywood last night (June 21).

Madrid celebrates Spain's Euro reign

2008-07-01T07:07:00.001-07:00

Madrid celebrates Spain's Euro reign

Euro 2008 champions, Spain, were given a rollicking welcome in Madrid on Monday.
The players were brought home in a special plane, painted with the word "Champions", at Madrid's Barajas airport.

Madrid celebrates Spain's Euro reign

Traffic on motorways was stopped as an open-top bus carrying the team crawled past crowds lining the road from the airport to the city centre in the hot summer evening.

Madrid celebrates Spain's Euro reign

Spain's captain Iker Casillas lets the moment sink in.
The goalkeeper led his team to memorable win, that saw the country wipe off the disappointment of previous years.

Madrid celebrates Spain's Euro reign

At the front of the bus, scorer Fernando Torres swung precariously over the side with the 6-kg (13-lb) trophy in his hand, while other cheering players danced around.

Madrid celebrates Spain's Euro reign

One of the stars of the tournament, Cesc Fabregas, is carried by his teammates.

Madrid celebrates Spain's Euro reign

Fans draped in red and yellow Spanish flags thronged the streets and chanted "Campeones!" as the bus swept past, flanked by police and trailed by a phalanx of horn-beeping motorbikes.

Madrid celebrates Spain's Euro reign

Delighted players celebrated on a stage in front of thousands in Madrid's Colon Square and tossed 69-year-old coach Luis Aragones into the air.
Captain Casillas credited Aragones, who the players treat more as a father figure than coach, as the main reason for Spain's victory -- the first time the country has won a major football tournament in 44 years.

Madrid celebrates Spain's Euro reign

The champions take centre stage!

Madrid celebrates Spain's Euro reign

On stage, tournament's top scorer David Villa screamed "Viva Espana!" as the young squad partied around him.
Liverpool and Spain reserve goalkeeper Pepe Reina looked like the natural master of ceremonies as he mercilessly poked fun at teammates and led tens of thousands of delirious fans in song.

Chelsea sign Portugal winger Deco

2008-07-01T06:14:00.000-07:00

Chelsea sign Portugal winger Deco

Chelsea signed Portugal's Brazilian-born playmaker Deco from Barcelona on Monday, the day before Brazilian Luiz Felipe Scolari takes over as coach of the Premier League side.

The 30-year-old midfielder is close to Scolari who coached him with the Portugal national side, taking them to the Euro 2004 final and the quarter-finals of Euro 2008 [Images] earlier this month before signing for London [Images] side.

More importantly perhaps for Chelsea, beaten Champions League finalists last season, is Deco's experience in Europe's top club competition which Chelsea have never won.

Deco won the Champions League title with Porto in 2004 under Jose Mourinho, who was later to become Chelsea coach, and then with Barcelona in 2006.

Nicknamed Magico, Deco started his career with Brazilian club Corinthians, before moving to Portugal in 1999. He won three Portuguese titles as well as the UEFA [Images] Cup and Champions League before moving to Barcelona in 2004.

"I am sure I have come at the right time to do great things and help Chelsea go back to the way it was and come back to being the first one not only in England [Images] but also in the champions League which has been a dream for so long," Deco was quoted as saying on the club's Web site www.chelseafc.

Deco, valued at about 10 million euros ($15.81 million), was one of Portugal's better players at Euro 2008, inspiring them with his midfield brilliance to victories over Turkey and Czech Republic that qualified them for the quarter-finals with a group match to spare.

Having had a difficult, injury-plagued season at Barcelona, Scolari heaped praise on Portugal's physical training staff for getting Deco up to scratch for the tournament.

However, that Deco and most of the first team were rested for the third match against Switzerland [Images] has been blamed by some for Portugal's limp performance against Germany [Images] in the last eight that ended in a 3-2 defeat and elimination.

Spain welcomes football heroes home

2008-07-01T06:12:00.001-07:00

Spain welcomes football heroes home

Tens of thousands of ecstatic Spaniards lined Madrid's streets and packed into a central square on Monday to raucously cheer home their football heroes, after Spain's Euro 2008 [Images] final victory in Vienna.

Finally free of pressure after beating Germany [Images] 1-0 on Sunday, delighted players celebrated on a stage in front of thousands in Madrid's Colon Square and tossed 69-year-old coach Luis Aragones into the air.

Spain shed under achievers tag
Captain Iker Casillas credited Aragones, who the players treat more as a father figure than coach, as the main reason for Spain's victory -- the first time the country has won a major football tournament in 44 years.

Earlier, Spain's most popular television channels showed live footage as the team's plane, painted with the word "Champions", taxied to a halt at Madrid's Barajas airport.

Images: Best of knockout stage
"This is for all of you," goalkeeper Casillas said to Spanish television as he stepped onto the tarmac with the trophy under his arm.

Traffic on motorways was stopped as an open-top bus carrying the team crawled past crowds lining the road from the airport to the city centre in the hot summer evening.

Images: Best goals of Euro 2008
Fans draped in red and yellow Spanish flags thronged the streets and chanted "Campeones!" as the bus swept past, flanked by police and trailed by a phalanx of horn-beeping motorbikes.

"This is beyond description, this has never happened to us," said Francisco Ramirez from Toledo, his voice hoarse after cheering as the bus passed by.

Pics: Spanish fans paint the street red
"We said to each other: 'Let's go because we're not going to live through this again until God knows when'," said the 28-year-old economics student.

At the front of the bus, scorer Fernando Torres swung precariously over the side with the 6-kg (13-lb) trophy in his hand, while other cheering players danced around.

Euro 2008 Final: Germany vs Spain
On stage, tournament top scorer David Villa [Images] screamed "Viva Espana!" as the young squad partied around him. Liverpool and Spain reserve goalkeeper Pepe Reina looked like the natural master of ceremonies as he mercilessly poked fun at teammates and led tens of thousands of delirious fans in song.

Even the normally reserved and dour Aragones, who has said he is stepping down and seems set to join Turkish side Fenerbahce, allowed a smile to creep across his face as he spoke to reporters at the airport.

"I'm a man who is not given to great emotions, but I am so overwhelmed now that I am a little emotional," he said.

(Additional reporting by Teresa Larraz)

(Editing by Ibon Villelabeitia)

Ex-sports greats Evert, Norman wed in Bahamas

2008-06-29T00:54:00.000-07:00

Ex-sports greats Evert, Norman wed in Bahamas
NASSAU (Reuters) - Ex-golfer Greg Norman and tennis legend Chris Evert were married on Saturday in a seaside ceremony held under a veil of tight security on Paradise Island in the Bahamas.Officers from the Royal Bahamas Police Force and local security staff kept reporters, photographers and television crews from straying beyond checkpoints set up well around the perimeter of the One & Only Ocean Club resort where the celebrity couple tied the knot at sunset.

But People magazine said Evert and Norman, both 53, exchanged vows in front of 140 family and friends, including U.S. television personality Matt Lauer and singer-songwriter Corey Hart.

Evert's youngest son Colton, 12, served as ring bearer, and sons Nicky, 14, and Alex, 16, walked her down the aisle. Also present were Norman's daughter Morgan, 23, and son Gregory Jr., 21, who served as best man, the magazine said.

Media reports have said the couple, who arrived in the Bahamas on Norman's private jet on Thursday, shelled out up to $2 million for their lavish weekend nuptials.

Evert, who won 18 Grand Slam singles titles, divorced former husband Andy Mill, a World Cup and Olympic skier from Colorado, last December after 18 years of marriage.

Norman reached a divorce settlement with his wife of 26 years, Laura Andrassy, in September. The Australian won the British Open in 1986 and 1993.

(Editing by Philip Barbara)

Lindsay Lohan’s Labor Pains

2008-06-27T09:08:00.000-07:00

Lindsay Lohan’s Labor Pains

Well on her way to an acting career revival, Lindsay Lohan was spotted taking a cigarette break on the set of her new movie "Labor Pains," in which she plays a secretary who fakes a pregnancy in order to keep her job.

And LiLo looked to be on top of her game, rocking a blue top and black skirt teamed with a pair of fuzzy pink sandals and her usual black Ray Ban sunglasses.

From all accounts, the "Mean Girls" actress has shed her 'difficult to work with' reputation. Producer Lati Grobman told press, "We were a little bit reluctant to work with her. But she's been amazing."

And it sounds like she is well on her way to a booming (again) film career. "She's so natural at what she does. I've never seen one take where she's off. The difference between her and the other girls that are naughty in the business is that she's actually talented. It's not [like] Paris Hilton and the rest of them. We took the chance. It's good that we did. So far, so good."

In related news, Lindsay has officially taken her name out of the running for an Emmy for her guest spot on one episode Ugly Betty, given the fact that she'll have a lot more exposure next season when she's on five episodes. Her rep said, "The appearance was brief. We made a decision to wait."

Enjoy the pictures of Lindsay Lohan on the set of "Labor Pains" (June 18).

Kim Kardashian: London Calling

2008-06-27T09:06:00.000-07:00

Kim Kardashian: London Calling

Still taking a break from her West Coast duties, Kim Kardashian continued her European getaway by paying a visit to London, England for the UK premiere of "Hancock."

And the "Keeping Up With the Kardashians" babe showed the Brits what American eye candy is all about in a multicolored floor-length cleavage-baring evening gown with curly dark locks.

Back here in the States, KK has been nominated for two Teen Choice awards. And she's so excited, she's already posted a blog entry on her official website thanking her fans.

It reads:

"Hey guys, I just found out that I've been nominated for two 'Teen Choice' awards this year!

I'm nominated for "Choice TV Female Reality Star" (along with Heidi Montag from The Hills, Lauren Conrad from The Hills, Whitney Thompson from America's Next Top Model, and Kristi Yamaguchi from Dancing with the Stars).

Our show, Keeping Up with the Kardashian, is also nominated for "Choice TV Celebrity Reality Show" (along with Life of Ryan, Bob & Big, Run's House, and The Hills).

I'm SO excited for this opportunity, and thankful that my fans thought of me in these categories! Everyone tune into FOX on August 4th to watch and see who wins! Until then, drop a comment and let me know who your favorite teen star is!"

Enjoy the pictures of Kim Kardashian at the UK premiere of "Hancock" (June 18), along with a few shots of the reality star traveling through Europe with her family and boyfriend Reggie Bush (June 14).

Rockin' Gay Moments of Music Celebrities

2008-06-26T21:30:00.000-07:00

Rockin' Gay Moments of Music Celebrities

Madonna Kisses Britney, Xtina- In 2003, the MTV Video Music Awards featured three of pop's most seductive divas making a case for the uselessness of men. Reprising Madonna's grindhouse performance of 'Like a Virgin' from the first VMAs, her heirs apparent, Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera, played the wedding-cake "groomsmen" and locked lips with her

'Stan' by Your Man- Eminem made amends with critics who accused the potty-mouthed rapper of homophobia when he performed his hit 'Stan' with Elton John at the Grammy Awards, closing with a big, sloppy man-hug. Whatever the PR benefits, Em didn't exactly earn himself any genius awards when he claimed not to know that Elton is gay.

Madonna Kisses Britney, Christina - In 2003, the MTV Video Music Awards featured three of pop's most seductive divas making a case for the uselessness of men. Reprising Madonna's grindhouse performance of 'Like a Virgin' from the first VMAs, her heirs apparent, Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera, played the wedding-cake "groomsmen" and locked lips with her.

Hail to the Queen- Six months after the AIDS-related death of Queen's lead singer, his surviving bandmates hosted the Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert for AIDS Awareness. Metallica, Guns N' Roses, Elton John and Robert Plant led an all-star cast celebrating that crazy little thing called love.

Universal Mother- Four-time mother Sinead O'Connor declared herself a lesbian in a 2000 interview. She has since revised her position, claiming to be "three-quarters heterosexual, a quarter gay." Ladies - those are still better odds than one in 10.

Relentless Germans turn tables on Turkey

2008-06-26T09:00:00.000-07:00

Relentless Germans turn tables on Turkey

Relentless Germans turn tables on Turkey
If Germany are to land a fourth European Championship and their first major title since 1996 coach Joachim Loew will have to cut out this worrying tendency towards complacency.

Relentless Germans turn tables on Turkey

Germany made all the mistakes they had promised to avoid in Wednesday's Euro 2008 semi-final against Turkey but they squeezed through 3-2 after learning a lesson from their devastated opponents.

For most of an error-strewn match at St Jakob Park in Basel, Germany were too casual on the ball, too predictable in their movements and lacked the sort of patience you need to find the space and time to hurt a side defending with such concentration.

They underestimated Turkey's ability in attack and made careless mistakes in defence, while creaking goalkeeper Jens Lehmann looked every one of his 38 years.

Turkey so near but Germany triumph

Turkey flirted with unlikely glory but in the end it was Germany [Images], as usual, who battled into another major final with a thrilling last-gasp 3-2 victory in Basel on Wednesday at Euro 2008 [Images].

Germany started as hot favourites against a Turkish side depleted by suspensions and injuries but mostly looked second best in the most exciting match of the tournament so far.

In the end, after a game which had every twist and turn imaginable, Germany grabbed a last-minute winner through fullback Philipp Lahm after Turkey looked to have forced the match into extra time with a late goal themselves.

Russia's sleeping giant awakes

Some of the thrills were lost on television audiences as a storm in Vienna cut the signal from the tournament's International Broadcasting Centre in the Austrian capital, blacking out screens during and at the end of the second half.

In Vienna, where Thursday's second semi-final between Russia [Images] and Spain will be played at the Ernst Happel stadium, thousands of fans were evacuated from public viewing areas because of the storm.

Germany, who had also won their quarter-final 3-2 versus Portugal, said they would not be complacent against the Turkish underdogs but showed every sign of falling right into that trap.

The Turks dominated the early play and took a well-deserved lead in the 22nd minute after Kazim Kazim had struck the bar for the second time.

This time Ugur Boral was on hand to turn in the rebound with German goalkeeper Jens Lehmann haplessly scrambling to clear with first his leg then his hand.

Germany levelled against the run of play just four minutes later with one of the best goals of the tournament, Bastian Schweinsteiger neatly flicking home a Lukas Podolski cross.

REAL DRAMA

But the real drama was reserved for the closing minutes.

Germany seemed to have scored the winner in the 79th when Turkish keeper Rustu Recber rashly came out of his goal and failed to deal with a cross, leaving Miroslav Klose [Images] to head into an empty net.

But the plucky Turks were not done yet. Semih Senturk, scorer of the sensational last-minute equaliser against Croatia in the quarter-final, netted again four minutes from time with a close range effort.

Faltering Spain face in-form Russia

The match was heading for extra time when Lahm popped up in the Turkish box and smashed the ball home to the huge relief of his team.

"It was one of most beautiful moments in my life, getting into the final," he said. "We missed that at the [2006] World Cup. Today it worked out."

Turkey, who had 20 shots to Germany's nine, at times had observers wondering whether they were not going to repeat Greece's unlikely triumph at Euro 2004 in Portugal.

Russia, another outsider who have done better than many expected, prepared for their clash with Spain by focusing on the match and ignoring transfer rumours surrounding their players.

Their Dutch coach Guus Hiddink said his players, almost all with Russian clubs, are keeping their feet on the ground.

"Maybe they get calls that I don't want but I can't control that," he said. "But...they are very stable and they love to play football. It doesn't distract them."

Spain did have a distraction with Turkish club Fenerbahce announcing they had reached agreement with their national team coach Luis Aragones to take over in Istanbul next season.

But Aragones said he is bewildered by the announcement made earlier in the day and that he had signed nothing.

Hollywood Celebrity & their Lingerie Love

2008-06-25T22:33:00.000-07:00

Hollywood Celebrity & their Lingerie Love

They have ruled your heart and now they are all set to rule your intimate desires as they get into the designer mode to offer enticing lingerie lines. Here are some stars who are trying their hands at lingerie creation...

Pamela Anderson is planning to launch her lingerie line by the end of this year. The former Baywatch babe claims that her creative ideas for new panties, garters and bras will put the females on the edge, when it comes to lovemaking.

To promote her lingerie, model Katie Price aka Jordan stripped down to her underwear. In the pic, she poses for photographers during an event to promote her new lingerie range at a studio in London.

Elizabeth Hurley Swimwear line named "Beach" promises to make you feel exotic and sexy when you wear them. Seen here, Liz Hurley poses with the models during the launch of her new designs

"Love Kylie", a lingerie range designed by Australian icon Kylie Minogue, appeals to fashion conscious, confident women of all ages. Seen here, Australian pop star Kylie Minogue (C) laughs during a photocall to launch her new lingerie range called "Love Kylie", at Selfridges in London.

Supermodel Naomi Campbell launched her own signature lingerie line. She teamed up with designer Christopher Kane in order to take care of the signature collection

Tsvangirai briefly leaves Dutch Embassy

2008-06-25T08:50:00.001-07:00

Tsvangirai briefly leaves Dutch Embassy

HARARE, Zimbabwe - Zimbabwe's opposition leader briefly emerged from his refuge at the Dutch Embassy Wednesday and called for African leaders to guide talks to end Zimbabwe's crisis, saying a presidential runoff this week was no solutionMorgan Tsvangirai said the goal of the talks would be forming a coalition transitional authority for his country. He said talks could not begin until there was an end to attacks on his supporters blamed on President Robert Mugabe's government and a release of "political prisoners," including top opposition figure Tendai Biti, jailed on treason charges.

"What is important is that both parties must realize the country is burning and the only way is to sit down and find a way out of it," Tsvangirai told reporters at his Harare home after leaving the embassy.

Zimbabwean Deputy Information Minister Bright Matonga reacted with derision.

"Is he out of his mind?" Matonga said.

Matonga said the government and Mugabe's ZANU-PF were focused on the election. Tsvangirai will be on the ballot because his withdrawal came too late to be valid, electoral officials said.

"There will definitely be elections on Friday," Matonga said.

Tsvangirai looked relaxed at the press conference, often smiling and joking, but returned to the Dutch Embassy soon after.

Dutch Foreign Minister Maxime Verhagen spoke with Tsvangirai and "underlined he is welcome to stay as long as he wants," Netherlands' Foreign Ministry spokesman Bart Rijs said. He declined comment on Tsvangirai's future plans.

Tsvangirai first took refuge in the embassy Sunday after withdrawing from the country's presidential elections, saying he feared for his safety.

A commentary by Tsvangirai in the British newspaper The Guardian called for U.N. peacekeepers to help prepare the way for new elections. Asked about that in Harare, Tsvangirai said: "What do you do when you don't have guns and the people are being brutalized out there?"

He stressed he was not calling for military intervention.

Tsvangirai, leader of the Movement for Democratic Change opposition party, had fled to the Dutch Embassy Sunday following the announcement of his withdrawal from the runoff. He sought refuge after getting a tip soldiers were headed to his home.

Mugabe, by all indications intent on extending his nearly three-decade rule, insists Friday's vote will go ahead. Mugabe has grown only more defiant in the face of growing international pressure.

"The election is not a solution," Tsvangirai said. "What is a solution is some sort of transitional process to address the critical issues facing the country.

"We are making proposals Mugabe has to accept."

While Tsvangirai did not spell out how the transitional body would work, he has insisted in the past he lead and Mugabe have no role in any coalition. Mugabe is refusing to yield power. Tsvangirai's claim to leadership is based on his having come first in a field of four in the first round of presidential voting March 29, though he did not win the 50 percent plus one vote necessary to avoid a runoff.

Tsvangirai's party and its allies also won control of Parliament in the March voting — the first time since independence from Britain in 1980 that Mugabe's ZANU-PF party failed to win a parliamentary majority.

Tsvangirai said he was asking the African Union, whose heads of state were to hold a regular summit in Egypt next week, to step in to take over mediation that so far has been in the hands of South African President Thabo Mbeki and a southern African regional group. Tsvangirai had previously called on Mbeki to step aside, accusing him of bias in Mugabe's favor and saying his "quiet diplomacy" was not working.

Tsvangirai said the AU mediation he was proposing cannot "be a continuation of talks and talks about talks that have been largely fruitless for several years. The time for actions is now. The people and the country can wait no longer. We need to show leadership."

In The Guardian, Tsvangirai acknowledged calling for international intervention was sensitive, but said it would offer "the best chance the people of Zimbabwe would get to see their views recorded fairly and justly."

"We do not want armed conflict, but the people of Zimbabwe need the words of indignation from global leaders to be backed by the moral rectitude of military force," he said in The Guardian. "Such a force would be in the role of peacekeepers, not troublemakers. They would separate the people from their oppressors and cast the protective shield around the democratic process for which Zimbabwe yearns."

Officials from Tsvangirai's party said police raided one of their provincial offices. Scores of opposition activists, including high-ranking party members, have been attacked or killed. The MDC's No. 2 official has been jailed since earlier this month on treason charges — which can carry the death penalty.

Regional heads of state, meanwhile, were meeting in Swaziland in hopes of finding a solution for Zimbabwe.

The Southern African Development Community meeting, though, did not include South African President Mbeki, who was appointed by the bloc more than a year ago to mediate between Mugabe and Tsvangirai.

Mbeki has refused to publicly denounce Mugabe even as other African leaders step up their criticism, saying confrontation could backfire.

Tsvangirai wrote in The Guardian that Mbeki's approach "sought to massage a defeated dictator rather than show him the door and prod him towards it."

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown pledged to push for new European Union sanctions against Robert Mugabe's government in Zimbabwe — and promised to help the southern African country if democracy returns.

Brown told lawmakers that he hopes talks between the United Nations and African Union can end the country's political crisis, which deepened when Zimbabwe's opposition withdrew from Friday's presidential runoff amid widespread violence and intimidation.

He said Britain is ready to tighten measures against the government in Harare and will ban Zimbabwe's cricket team from touring Britain next year. Britain's Culture Secretary Andy Burnham said Britain will ban the team because of the close links it has with Mugabe.

"We do know the names of the individuals who are surrounding Mugabe at the moment, we know the names of the criminal cabal that is trying to keep him in power, and we will name those individuals and these will be part of the next stage of the sanctions," Brown said.

Anne Hathaway: Back on the Market

2008-06-24T01:24:00.000-07:00

Anne Hathaway: Back on the Market
If you've wondered why Anne Hathaway has been out and about without her boyfriend Raffaello Follieri as of late, we've got your answer- she dumped him.

According to a source close to the "Devil Wears Prada" actress, Follieri has been embroiled in too much scandal lately, and Anne just couldn't take it anymore.

The source revealed, "It's heartbreaking for her to dump him and she's devastated that it's come to this, but she really didn't have a choice. His scandals were hurting her reputation."

And this isn't the first time Raffaello's shady ways have been a problem… they broke up for a bit last year when he was sued by a former business associate, and was shortly thereafter arrested for bouncing a $215,000 check to a public relations firm.

Anne and Raffaello dated for four years.

Enjoy the pictures of Anne Hathaway on Leno (June 16).

Rihanna made an appearance at the Taylor Swift co-hosted TRL (Total Request Live)

2008-06-24T01:19:00.000-07:00

Rihanna made an appearance at the Taylor Swift co-hosted TRL (Total Request Live)
With a string of promotional gigs lined up, Rihanna stepped out on Tuesday afternoon for a scheduled appearance on MTV's Total Request Live.

The "Good Girl Gone Bad" singer was first spotted hopping into an awaiting ride outside of her NYC hotel before arriving at Times Square Studios.

Once inside, the 20-year-old Barbados native posed backstage with the show's special guest co-host Taylor Swift before taking the stage alongside Taylor and MTV VJ Damian Fahey.

During their time entertaining the audience, Fahey asked Rihanna about recent rumors claiming that she has a lingerie collection in the works.

To this, Rihanna responded: "I love lingerie. I love buying it and making it. I would like to [have one] one day but we're going to start with the fashion first — apparel and clothing. Maybe some underwear for you (pointing at Damian while laughing)."

Following her TRL appearance, Rihanna's now slated to hit BET's 106 & Park tomorrow, then performing lighting honors on "Cartier's Declare Your Love Day" at the Empire State Building on Thursday.

Enjoy the pictures of Rihanna at and on the way to MTV's TRL (June 17).

Don Imus says race comment was misunderstood

2008-06-23T22:13:00.000-07:00

Don Imus says race comment was misunderstood

NEW YORK - Months after returning to the radio with a pledge to mend the wounds caused by his comments about a women's basketball team, Don Imus is once again defending on-air remarks regarding raceDuring an on-air conversation Monday about the arrests of suspended Dallas Cowboys cornerback Adam Jones, Imus asked, "What color is he?"

Told by sports announcer Warner Wolf that Jones, who used to be nicknamed Pacman, is "African-American," Imus responded: "There you go. Now we know."

In the face of criticism that ensued, Imus said Monday that he had been misunderstood.

"I meant that he was being picked on because he's black," Imus said in a statement released by his spokesman.

The on-air exchange came six months after Imus' return to work on a new show on WABC-AM following his firing from MSNBC and CBS Radio for making a sexist and racially charged comment about the Rutgers University women's basketball team. When he returned to work, Imus gave a lengthy on-air apology and pledged to use his new show to foster an open dialogue on race relations.

Before Imus offered his explanation Monday, civil rights leader Al Sharpton criticized the remark, saying his National Action Network would look into it.

"I find the inference of his remark disturbing because it plays into stereotypes," Sharpton said in a statement. "We will determine in the next day or so whether or not his remark warrants direct action on our part."

Sharpton was one of the chief critics who successfully pushed for Imus' firing from his televised radio show in April 2007.

WABC and Citadel Broadcasting Corp. Vice President Phil Boyce said Imus would explain his comments on his Tuesday morning show and said it was unlikely the broadcasters would take disciplinary action.

Boyce said Imus had explained himself in a private conversation Monday afternoon and the explanation was satisfactory.

"I think some people may be misunderstanding what he meant," Boyce said.

Jones' attorney did not immediately respond to an e-mail.

Rutgers University women's basketball spokeswoman Stacey Brann said there was "no need to revisit the past" and wouldn't comment further.

On Monday's show, Imus and Wolf were discussing Jones' request Saturday that people stop using his nickname. Wolf explained Jones was suspended from the NFL following a shooting at a Las Vegas nightclub, and he added that Jones had been "arrested six times since being drafted by Tennessee in 2005."

Lindsay Lohan’s Leggy Shoe Shopping Excursion

2008-06-23T01:57:00.000-07:00

Lindsay Lohan’s Leggy Shoe Shopping Excursion
Back to work early Monday morning (June 16), Lindsay Lohan was spotted taking a break on the Los Angeles set of her new movie "Labor Pains".

In the film, the Mean Girls starlet plays an assistant at a publishing house who fakes a pregnancy in an attempt to keep her job.

After working on a few more scenes and grabbing a bite to eat for lunch on-set, LiLo took advantage of another break in the action - this time venturing off for a little shoe shopping, swapping back and forth between a pair of knee high boots and high heels while showing off her long legs in a pair of-short-shorts.

In related news, Miss Lohan recently chose not to enter the Emmy race for her role in "Ugly Betty" - steering clear of a competitive field for best guest actress in a comedy series that includes Britney Spears ("How I Met Your Mother") and Mary-Kate Olsen ("Weeds").

Enjoy the pictures of Lindsay Lohan shoe shopping and on the set of "Labor Pains" (June 16).

Obama raps McCain on flood prevention programs

2008-06-22T03:38:00.000-07:00

Obama raps McCain on flood prevention programs

MIAMI - With communities in the Midwest still under water, Democrat Barack Obama on Saturday criticized Republican John McCain for opposing federal spending on flood prevention programs and opened a new debate in the White House race. McCain's campaign said Obama was confusing the facts and engaging in typical political attacks that the Democrat rejects in his speeches.

Both candidates have visited the flood zones in the past two weeks, since tornadoes hit and heavy rains sent rivers surging over their banks. At least 24 people were killed, the majority in Iowa.

Obama, an Illinois senator, canceled a visit to eastern Iowa last week at the request of state officials and instead went to fill sandbags in Quincy, Ill. McCain, an Arizona senator, toured flood damage in Iowa Thursday.

"I know that Sen. McCain felt as strongly as I did," Obama said, "feeling enormous sympathy for the victims of the recent flooding. I'm sure they appreciated the sentiment, but they probably would have appreciated it even more if Sen. McCain hadn't opposed legislation to fund levees and flood control programs, which he considers pork."

The bill that McCain opposed spent $23 billion on water projects. It passed Congress overwhelmingly and was vetoed by President Bush because he said it spent too much on lawmaker's pet projects. Congress voted to override the veto, the first time of Bush's presidency.

The bill funded hundreds of projects — such as dams, sewage plants and beach restoration — that are important to local communities and their representatives. It also included money for the hurricane-hit Gulf Coast and for Florida Everglades restoration efforts.

McCain's campaign said Obama opposed an amendment that McCain co-sponsored to prioritize flood control spending. The bipartisan amendment, which failed overwhelmingly on a 69-22 vote, would have made sure "lifesaving levees like those that so tragically failed in Iowa and Missouri are given the highest priority and fixed first," said McCain spokesman Tucker Bounds.

"It is beyond the pale that Barack Obama would attack John McCain for actually trying to fix the problem and change the way Washington works," Bounds said. "Barack Obama's willingness to continue the status quo pork-barrel politics in Washington, and then engage in political attacks that entirely disregard the facts, once again fundamentally shows that he's nothing more than a typical politician."

Obama's criticism of McCain came in a speech to the U.S. Conference of Mayors. He told the city leaders that he would be their partner and appoint the first White House Director of Urban Policy to help them cut through federal bureaucracies. The promise sparked a standing ovation.

He promised money for police, higher-paid teachers, transit, housing and broadband Internet. He said he would create jobs by rebuilding roads, bridges and other infrastructure projects. "That will be the cause of my presidency," he said.

And he announced a new program to offer matching grants that encourage businesses, government and university leaders to collaborate on regional economic clusters, such as the North Carolina Research Triangle Park and Nashville's entertainment cluster. The campaign said the proposal would cost $200 million a year and would be funded by improving government efficiency.

Naomi Campbell says racist slur sparked air rage

2008-06-21T09:16:00.000-07:00

Naomi Campbell says racist slur sparked air rage

LONDON (Reuters) - British Airways rejected claims of racism on Saturday after supermodel Naomi Campbell, who pleaded guilty to assault in a foul-mouthed "air rage" incident, said she was likened to a black "Golliwog" doll during the flight. BA said it did not accept the accusation made by Campbell, who was convicted of assault on Friday and sentenced to 200 hours of unpaid community work, that someone on the flight called her a "Golliwog supermodel."

"British Airways does not accept any allegations of racism," the airline said in a statement. "We are proud of our diversity.

"We have strict policies concerning dignity at work and have long-standing training programs on diversity and inclusion."

Campbell, 38, told Sky News in an interview that her flash of air rage, in which she assaulted two police officers, swore repeatedly and screamed abuse at the captain of the Los Angeles-bound BA flight, was partly prompted by racist comments.

"I was called a racial name on that flight and that was part of my reaction," she said. "I was called a 'Golliwog supermodel' -- I don't think that's really fair, do you?"

Asked who had used the term, which refers to a black rag doll from children's literature, Campbell said: "Someone on the flight, not the passenger."

During Campbell's court case, prosecutors said Campbell ordered the airline captain to find her missing luggage and became violent when police tried to escort her off the aircraft.

The model pleaded guilty to assaulting two police officers and to a public order offence. Neither she nor her lawyers mentioned racist comments during her court case.

As well as the community service sentence, Campbell was ordered to pay 200 pounds ($395) compensation to one of the police officers, 150 pounds to the captain and 2,300 pounds in fines.

In the Sky interview, Campbell apologized to London's Metropolitan Police force, but added: "As for British Airways, I just think they are disgusting."

Campbell is famous for her fiery temper and has been in trouble with the law before.

She spent five days mopping floors and cleaning toilets as part of a community service sentence in New York last year after throwing a mobile phone at her housekeeper during an argument over a pair of jeans. She was also ordered to attend anger management classes.

In a previous incident with a telephone in 1998, Campbell assaulted an assistant, Georgina Galanis.

The model agreed in 2000 to plead guilty to the assault in exchange for expressing remorse, paying Galanis an undisclosed amount of money and also attending anger management classes.

DeGeneres' 4th Daytime Emmy not necessarily last

2008-06-20T20:33:00.000-07:00

DeGeneres' 4th Daytime Emmy not necessarily last

LOS ANGELES - Ellen Degeneres has no plans to stop with her fourth consecutive Daytime Emmy for talk show hostDeGeneres picked up the honor Friday night during the 35th annual Daytime Emmy ceremony at Hollywood's Kodak Theatre. Rookie "Rachael Ray" cooked up a surprising win in the talk show category, beating veteran talk show winners "The View" and "The Ellen DeGeneres Show."

Would DeGeneres consider pulling an Oprah Winfrey and refrain from submitting herself for future honors?

"I'm not going to take my name out," DeGeneres deadpanned backstage. "Oprah has made so many bad choices. Look at her career."

"General Hospital," which celebrated its 45th anniversary this year, was honored with a record-breaking 10th drama Daytime Emmy. Anthony Geary, who plays Luke Spencer on the ABC show, took the lead actor honor, while Jeanne Cooper of CBS' "The Young and the Restless" won lead actress.

As host, DeGeneres again bested Regis Philbin and Kelly Ripa from "Live with Regis and Kelly" — as well as Barbara Walters, Elisabeth Hasselbeck, Joy Behar, Whoopi Goldberg and Sherri Shepherd from "The View," the 11th consecutive loss for the "View" ladies as hosts.

Other acting honors went to supporting actress Gina Tognoni of CBS' "Guiding Light"; supporting actor Kristoff St. John of "The Young and the Restless"; younger actor Tom Pelphrey of "Guiding Light"; and younger actress Jennifer Landon of CBS' "As the World Turns."

"I only made up my mind to come on Monday," said Cooper, who's been nominated for a lead actress trophy eight times but never won. "I'm glad I did."

Philbin, who's only won as talk show host once in the 20 years he's hosted "Live," took home one trophy, at least: the Lifetime Achievement Award. Jimmy Kimmel presented the award to the 76-year-old, whose career can be traced back to his days as an NBC page in the 1950s.

Kimmel joked that Philbin had logged 30 billion hours on TV as a host of talk, variety and game shows — and as the host of "Live" with his granddaughter Kelly.

"What a night," Philbin said during his acceptance speech. "Tyra Banks told me to kiss her big beautiful, and I found out that I'm older than the 'Guiding Light.'"

Banks picked up the first ever Daytime Emmy for informative talk show. Banks, "Dr. Phil" and PBS' "A Place of Our Own/Los Ninos en su Casa" — a daily show about child care that has English and Spanish versions — didn't have to spar with DeGeneres, "The View" or Ray for talk show this year thanks to the new category split.

"I want to thank Oprah Winfrey for her inspiration," Banks said. "She is the queen and will always be the queen."

Also new this year was the legal/courtroom program Daytime Emmy, which was awarded to "Cristina's Court." Formerly, "Judge Judy" competed in a special class category against shows like "Trading Spaces" and "A Baby's Story." This year, the veteran TV judge was joined by "Cristina's Court," "Judge Hatchett Show," "The People's Court" and "Judge David Young."

The behind-the-scenes teams of ABC's "One Life to Life" won both directing and writing team awards.

ABC shook up this year's ceremony by adding a new interactive element and a Golden Globes-style seating arrangement at Hollywood's Kodak Theatre. The live broadcast was co-hosted by Sherri Shepherd from "The View" and Cameron Mathison from "All My Children."

Instead of sitting in the Kodak's stuffy theater seats, nominees gathered around their own banquet tables and were allowed to feast on food and sip booze from an open bar. Digital video cameras were placed at the tables, with footage uploaded to SoapNet.com throughout the broadcast.

"There was a few people enjoying the free booze," co-host Mathison said in the press room.

After plummeting to an all-time low of 6.1 million viewers in 2006, last year's Daytime Emmy Awards were watched by 8.3 million people, the ceremony's best ratings since 2004, according to Nielsen Media Research. That scaled-down, two-hour Daytime Emmys aired on CBS after a rebroadcast of Bob Barker's final "Price Is Right" episode and featured the game show host receiving his 19th Daytime Emmy.

Kendra Wilkinson’s Birthday: Chicago Style

2008-06-20T10:35:00.001-07:00

Kendra Wilkinson’s Birthday: Chicago Style

Continuing along with a string of birthday parties in her honor, Kendra Wilkinson was spotted partying it up at Crobar in Chicago on Saturday night (June 14).

Wearing a sexy little multi-colored strapless dress, the "Girls Next Door" starlet mingled and posed with family and friends in between a little dancing and a lot of tequila-swilling.

On her actual birthday (she turned 23-years-old on Thursday, June 12), Kendra stepped out with Hugh Hefner and her fellow "Girls Next Door" to see Warren Beatty receive AFI's 36th Lifetime Achievement Award.

And for her LA party held earlier in the week, the blonde babe told FOX Pop Tarts that she celebrated "Kendra-style" at the Lakers game, followed by a trip to Coco de Ville.

"That night was so, so fun," she said. "Oh, but I don't remember much."

Enjoy the pictures of Kendra Wilkinson celebrating her birthday in Chicago (June 14).

Playboy's sexiest bunnies!

2008-06-19T20:51:00.000-07:00

Playboy's sexiest bunnies!

Hollywood screen legend Marilyn Monroe landed the top spot in a list of Playboy's best bunnies, compiled by celebrity website StarPulse.com.

Monroe was the magazine's first ever model

Monroe was followed by Baywatch and Barb Wire babe Pamela Anderson. The actress, who recently moved back with her ex-husband Tommy Lee, first modelled for Playboy in 1989. Since then, she appeared in Playboy several times

Pammie was followed by bootylicious reality television star, Kim, who is best known for her social life and sex tape.

Another former Baywatch lifeguard makes it to this list. Carmen became very popular after her n*de pictorial in Playboy magazine in 1996.

Cindy posed n*de for Playboy magazine in 1988. In October later that year, she returned to the pages of Playboy for a second, more revealing n*de pictorial.

These sexy models can act!

2008-06-18T23:07:00.001-07:00

These sexy models can act!

Those of you who think models can't act have probably not seen these women in action.

Whether it's Hollywood or Bollywood, some models-turned-actresses have proved that they're more than just a pretty face. When we asked our readers who they thought were the best model-turned-actresses, we got consistent answers. Here are the top 10 popular choices, according to you.

Katrina Kaif

With back-to-back hits like Namastey London, Welcome, Partner and Race, the sexiest woman in the world is laughing all the way to the bank.

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan
This former Miss World knows how to strike a pose as well as to deliver hits. She lets her expressive eyes do all the talking in her films like Hum Dil De Chuka Sanam, Guru, Jodhaa Akbar and Sarkar Raj.

Preity Zinta

This bubbly actress has come a long way since she captured our attention in her Perk ad. Those dimples have mesmerised us from her Dil Se days to her IPL appearances!

Priyanka Chopra

This former Miss World exploded on the screen with her performance in Andaz, for which she won a Filmfare Best Female Debut Award.

She followed it up a critically acclaimed performance in Aitraaz for which she won the Filmfare Best Villain Award.

And now, this pretty damsel is all set to transport us into the future with Love Story 2050.

Deepika Padukone

This tall and slim former model with bewitching eyes may just have one Hindi film, Om Shanti Om, to her name.

But what a film it was! And when your co-star is Shah Rukh Khan, you've pretty much arrived!

Sushmita Sen

Winning Miss Universe in 1994 was just the beginning of the journey for this talented actress.

From Biwi No 1, for which she won the Filmfare Best Supporting Actress Award, to Main Hoon Na, there is no stopping Sush!

Lara Dutta

This winner of the Gladsrags contest, Femina Miss India Universe and Miss Universe beauty pageants was the only thing bearable in last year's flop show, Jhoom Barabar Jhoom.

Angelina Jolie

What can we say about this dynamo? From modelling at the age of 16 to a UN goodwill ambassador, Miss Jolie is a heady combo of beauty and talent.

And please don't get us started on her acting. Girl Interrupted, anyone?

Penelope Cruz

The face of L'Oreal cosmetics can switch from vulnerable to tough in the flick of an eye.

No wonder she is the first Spanish actress to be nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress for her role in the 2006 Spanish Almodovar film Volver.

Juhi Chawla

After winning Miss India in 1984, Juhi became one of Bollywood's leading ladies, starring in a number of successful films like Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak, Darr, Hum Hain Rahi Pyar Ke, Yes Boss and Ishq.

Kim Kardashian and Family Heat Up Monaco

2008-06-18T22:58:00.001-07:00

Kim Kardashian and Family Heat Up Monaco

She's one of the most photographed women in the world, and yesterday it was business as usual for Kim Kardashian at a photo call in Monaco, Monte Carlo.

The reality starlet was joined by her sister Kourtney and mother Kris Jenner at a press op for their hit series "Keeping Up With the Kardashians." And all three ladies were looking fine.

Kim sported a yellow one-strap thigh-length belted dress along with a pair of black and white heels, while Kourtney opted for a loose-fitting lilac frock with champagne pumps, and Kris rocked a bright orange halter-style dress and a pair of gold sandals.

Yesterday, the "Disaster Movie" hottie was spotted with her hands full of Haagen-Dazs ice cream as she made her way around the tourist town with Kourtney.

Enjoy the pictures of Kim Kardashian and family living it up in Monaco (June 10-11).

Ashlee Simpson: Sexy Mommy-to-Be

2008-06-16T23:49:00.000-07:00

Ashlee Simpson: Sexy Mommy-to-Be

While she was very cautious about announcing her pregnancy too soon, Ashlee Simpson has since begun to embrace her status as mommy-to-be… and she's not afraid to get a little bit sexy!

The "Little Miss Obsessive" newlywed was spotted out and about in Hollywood, California yesterday sporting a very revealing long brown dress that showed off her new 'pregnancy curves.'

And as she casually waved to the swarming paparazzi, it was clear that Mrs. Wentz was enjoying the new body that being preggers has afforded her.

But despite her 'with child' status (now in her fourth month) Ashlee was hard at work, coming from a meeting at Ren Mar studios. She's due to give birth this fall.

Enjoy the pictures of Ashlee Simpson out in Hollywood (June 10).

Madonna’s Michigan Meander

2008-06-12T23:38:00.000-07:00

Madonna’s Michigan Meander

There's nothing quite like having your own massive private gym to make a girl feel special. And Madonna was spotted visiting her multi-million-dollar workout facility earlier today.

On the way in, Madge was surrounded by paparazzi, but like a pro she waded through the shutterbugs and headed inside to break a sweat, sporting a white t-shirt underneath a black vest with black shorts and black sneakers.

And on the way out, the photogs were still there, grabbing a few shots of her in post-workout attire including a black tank top and black shorts with black thermals underneath.

According to reports, the "Like a Virgin" songstress will be paying a visit to her home state of Michigan as part of the Traverse City Film Festival.

Founded by filmmaker/documentarian Michael Moore, this year's TCFF will feature Madonna's new film "I Am Because We Are," (which she will personally introduce) scheduled to play August 2nd at the State Theatre. Tickets for the 540-seat gig are $25 each, and are only being sold at the theatre's box office.

Enjoy the pictures of Madonna at her personal gym (June 5).

Jessica Simpson Loves Tony Romo, Nashville

2008-06-12T23:33:00.000-07:00

Jessica Simpson Loves Tony Romo, Nashville

Just before her sister Ashlee's wedding, rumors started up that Jessica Simpson and Tony Romo were on the outs. But a recent trip to Dallas proved otherwise.

The Blonde Ambition actress and her Cowboy quarterback boyfriend were spotted strolling arm-in-arm following a lunch outing at Dallas Primo restaurant.

Later that day, after a bit of canoodling, Jess packed her bags and headed off to the airport with her assistant and pup Daisy by her side.

Since that time, the 28-year-old singer-actress made her way to Nashville - surprising fans with "an unannounced autograph session at the Block Party kicking off the annual CMA Music Festival."

A People magazine report goes on to tell: "Although she did not perform, her music played – specifically, her new song "Come on Over," the leadoff single from her as-yet-untitled first country album, due in the fall."

Unfortunately, Tony couldn't make the trip to Nashville - as he has football obligations back home in Dallas.

Enjoy the pictures of Jessica Simpson and Tony Romo during their recent trip to Dallas (May 26).

Sexy Lauren Conrad Goes Bowling!

2008-06-12T23:31:00.000-07:00

Sexy Lauren Conrad Goes Bowling!

Lauren Conrad strapped on her bowling shows and aimed for a strike on Thursday night (June 5) - attending the Bowlmor Lanes grand opening gala in Tustin, California.

The Hills starlet was accompanied to what turned into a blindfolded bowling session by her reality show co-star/pals Lauren "Lo" Bosworth and Whitney Port, among others.

In related news, as previously reported by Fropki.com, MTV is readying to launch a Hills spin-off in which Port "becomes bicoastal while working for fashion PR firm People's Revolution — and befriends a group of NYC gals (including socialite Olivia Palermo)."

Talking about the show, LC recently told Us magazine: "I think that Whitney will do really well with it. She is a very likable person."

Giving tips to help make the show successful, Conrad adds: "I would just tell her to have fun with it. She's always made it very clear on The Hills that she doesn't want her personal life involved on the show, so it would definitely mean that she would have to come out of her comfort zone."

Enjoy the pictures of Lauren Conrad and her Hills pals bowling last night (June 5).1