Amy Winehouse in again
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
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
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
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
Lauren Conrad: "I’m No Actress"
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
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.
Carrying on with her promotional duties for David Jones stores, Miranda Kerr was spotted yesterday (August 13) looking hot on an Aussie catwalk.
