Bub the dwarf cat became an internet sensation after her owner dedicated a YouTube channel and Facebook page to her.
Bub, who was born with several genetic mutations, will remain looking like a kitten for the rest of her life.
But her owner, who describes her as a “happy accident”, is keen to declare that she was not bred to be a “perma-kitten”.
Because of her condition, Bub’s limbs are disproportionately small compared to the rest of her long, serpent-like body and she struggles to walk.
Her tongue often hangs out as she has no teeth and she was born with extra toes, meaning she has 22 claws.
But her unique characteristics have struck a chord with the public. Bub has more than 8,000 Facebook fans and video of her have attracted almost 280,000 hits on YouTube.
Bub the dwarf cat became an internet sensation after her owner dedicated a YouTube channel and Facebook page to her
“I could seriously cuddle you for hours. No joke,” one Facebook user posted.
“You are the most amazing, adorable, courageous cat I have ever seen or heard of and I am in love with you…!!” added another.
“Despite her weird looks and numerous <<deformities>>, BUB is a healthy, happy cat. She may not be able to jump on and off stuff, but she manages by climbing using her 22 claws. She also can’t quite run or walk very well… but she is a fantastic waddler,” Bub’s owner writes on the cat’s Facebook page.
“Even though she has no teeth, she has a fierce appetite, and can take down half of a bowl of dry food without any problems (the other half winds up scattered on the floor).
“Just like other cats, she poops and pees in the litter box, likes to chase bugs and is always cleaning her luxurious coat and sometimes even her dude’s beard.”
Jordanian MP Mohammad Shawabka threw one of his shoes at political opponent Mansour Sayf al-Din Murad during a television debate before pulling a gun on him.
The incident occurred after the debate between MP Mohammad Shawabka and political activist Mansour Sayf al-Din Murad on the private satellite channel Jo Sat became heated, with the pair trading insults.
“You’re a Mossad agent,” said the activist, to which MP Mohammad Shawabka replied: “You’re a big crook.”
Jordanian MP Mohammad Shawabka threw one of his shoes at political opponent Mansour Sayf al-Din Murad during a television debate before pulling a gun on him
Mansour Sayf al-Din Murad stood up and began shouting at the activist. The host, Mohammad Habashneh, who was sitting between them, urged his guests to “calm down”.
But the MP took off his right shoe and threw it before pulling out a silver pistol and pointing it at the activist.
The opponents left their seats and tussled with one another while the host tried to separate them.
The two men continued to struggle as the show ended and the credits ran.
Serena Williams overcame Agnieszka Radwanska to clinch a hard-fought 6-1 5-7 6-2 victory and earn her fifth Wimbledon singles title.
Serena Williams, 30, a winner in 2002, 2003, 2009 and 2010, had eased through the opener with Agnieszka Radwanska rarely threatening to pierce her defences.
But the Pole regrouped as rain delayed the second set, and clawed back a break before swooping late to win the second.
Serena Williams broke twice in the decider to finally kill off Agnieszka Radwanska’s comeback.
It is Serena Williams’ 14th Grand Slam title and her first since spending almost a year out of action between summer 2010 and 2011 with a leg injury and subsequent pulmonary embolism.
“I can’t even describe it. I almost didn’t make it a few years ago,” she said after her win, referring to her health problems.
“I was in hospital but now I’m here again and it was so worth it. I’m so happy.
“Aggie played so well and that’s why she’s had such a great career and she’s so young.”
Serena Williams overcame Agnieszka Radwanska and won fifth Wimbledon singles title
Such an absorbing finish seemed highly unlikely as Serena Williams demolished Agnieszka Radwanska in the opening set, raising the fear that her opponent was struggling with a respiratory illness that forced her to call off a news conference on Friday.
The world number three seemed to lack the energy to realise her hopes of countering Serena Williams’ clubbing baseline power with guile and touch.
A brief rain shower appeared to have opposite effects on the pair however, as Agnieszka Radwanska emerged revitalized and Serena Williams’ forehand grew increasingly erratic.
Serena Williams broke to love in the third game with a walloped return winner, but her nerves tightened and Agnieszka Radwanska raised her game just in time to avert a seemingly inevitable straight-sets win.
Agnieszka Radwanska forced break point for the first time in the match to level at 4-4 and the crowd threw their support behind her renaissance.
Suddenly Agnieszka Radwanska’s scurrying and fetching was asking questions and Williams, apparently beset by mental demons, crashed into the net from midcourt to send the match into a decider.
Serena Williams had lost only four of the previous 194 Grand Slam matches in which she won the opening set however, and reasserted her authority to protect that record and accelerate away from Agnieszka Radwanska.
Agnieszka Radwanska saw off two break points to hold for a 2-1 lead, but Serena Williams served out in less than a minute in the following game and was not to be denied in the next.
A cute drop shot moved her a double break and 5-2 clear and Serena Williams kept any lingering jitters at bay to serve out before dropping to the turf in delight.
Her victory is the first time the title has been won by a woman over 30 since Martina Navratilova’s triumph in 1990 and restores Victoria Azarenka, the Belarussian she beat in the semi-final, to the world number one spot.
Serena Williams also served a total of 102 aces en route to lifting the Venus Rosewater Dish – more than any other woman has managed in a single Wimbledon campaign.
According to Russian officials, at least 99 people have been killed after flash floods caused by torrential rain swept the southern Krasnodar region.
The floods, the worst there in living memory struck at night, reportedly without warning.
Emergency teams have been sent from Moscow by plane and helicopter. TV pictures showed people scrambling onto their rooftops to escape.
At least 88 people died around the worst-hit town of Krymsk.
Crude oil shipments from the Black Sea port of Novorossiysk have suspended.
Russian TV showed thousands of houses in the region nearly completely submerged.
Some users of social media networks in Russia said Krymsk looked liked it was hit “by a tsunami”. Others accused the authorities of not telling the whole truth about the disaster.
At least 99 people have been killed after flash floods caused by torrential rain swept the southern Krasnodar region
At least nine died in Gelendzhik and two in Novorossiysk. Dozens of people are reportedly missing, and there are fears that the death toll will rise further.
The Krasnodar-Novorossiysk motorway was cut, and the transport system in the region is said to have collapsed.
A statement by the Krasnodar regional administration said altogether 13,000 people had been affected by the floods.
Emergencies Minister Vladimir Puchkov is on his way to the region.
Up to 1,000 rescuers are involved in searching for victims and evacuating survivors.
“The floods were very strong. Even traffic lights were ripped out,” regional police spokesman Igor Zhelyabin told AFP news agency, adding that evacuations were under way.
Regional governor Alexander Tkachev tweeted after flying over the affected area that there was “something unimaginable” going on in Krymsk.
He said, quoted by the Russian Itar-Tass news agency, that “no-one can remember such floods in our history. There was nothing of the kind for the last 70 years”.
Anna Kovalevskaya, who says she has relatives in Krymsk, said her family was caught unaware by the floods.
“The water started flooding in at 2:00 a.m.,” she said.
“People were running out into the streets in their underwear and wrapping their children in blankets. People were only able to save their passports.
“There is no electricity and the shops are shut. Many people have lost everything and are in a state of panic.”
The rains dumped as much as 28 cm (11 inches) of water on parts of the Krasnodar region overnight, forcing many residents to take refuge in trees or on house roofs.
Oil pipeline operator Transneft said it had halted crude shipments out of Novorossiysk, but that its infrastructure in the port had been unaffected by the weather.
“Of course, we limited shipments, the port is located in the lower part of town, the whole landslide has moved towards it. As we speak, the rain has started again,” spokesman Vladimir Sidorov told Reuters news agency.
Kate Middleton has been pictured on the front page of U.S. magazine The New Republic with a set of yellow, decaying teeth.
Duchess of Cambridge was PhotoShopped like the American stereotype of a Brit with bad gnashers for a special issue of the politics and arts publication The New Republic about the future of Britain.
Kate Middleton appears in front of a tattered Union Jack alongside the words, Something’s Rotten. The Last Days of Britain.
Inside are several articles about the state of the United Kingdom ahead of this summer’s Olympics which have sparked outrage online.
Last year the pearly white Duchess spent thousands of pounds having her teeth polished and turned to give her the perfect smile.
Duchess of Cambridge was PhotoShopped like the American stereotype of a Brit with bad gnashers for a special issue of the politics and arts publication The New Republic about the future of Britain
French dentist Didier Fillion used a hidden brace to make Kate Middleton’s teeth appear a little out of line, un-American and therefore beautifully natural.
“He did some little micro-rotations on Kate,” dentist Bernard Touati revealed.
“That’s why they look so good – because they are not perfectly aligned.
“The problem in the United States is they have very artificial vision. But what we like is a natural healthy smile, but not artificial.”
Dr. Didier Fillion, also an expert in polishing and whitening teeth, has a clinic in London’s Wimpole Street as well as in Paris and Geneva.
Creating the perfect smile can take the Frenchman anything from six months to two years and costs from $6,500 to $17,500.
Brits having bad teeth is a staple of American humor about the UK. For example, in one episode of the hot comedy The Simpsons Lisa was shown The Big Book of British Teeth by her orthodontist.
One commenter said: “Not cool. I am not an imperialist (not even close!), but she seems to be a genuine person. She is young, beautiful, and privileged. Apparently grave sins to many people.
“Yet I wonder if these are the same critics who keep up on the Kardashians, or whatever flavor of the month Hollywood squirts out.
“She is a person who did not deserve this low blow. Shame on them. I will wouldn´t even think to read anything from them ever again.”
One poster said it was “absolutely ridiculous” and another said, “the magazine should be sued for libel”.
Kate Upton has become the target of pro-anorexia website SkinnyGossip following her participation in Carl’s Jr. burger commercial.
Despite shooting sexy images for Carl’s Jr. a few months back, SkinnyGossip has suddenly decided to slam model Kate Upton now by calling her a “cannibal”.
But before mentioning that, SkinnyGossip hit out at Kate Upton’s confidence on the catwalk referring to a recent show which saw her model a variety of swimwear.
Kate Upton has become the target of pro-anorexia website SkinnyGossip following her participation in Carl's Jr. burger commercial
“Guess who?! Yes, it’s the lovely Kate Upton, confidently lumbering up a runway like there’s a buffet at the end of it,” they said, before adding: “She looks thick, vulgar, almost pornographic – and she is a solid 30 lb too heavy for this outfit.”
Moving on to the burger images, which include Kate Upton laying on a car bonnet as she tucks into a tasty-looking cheeseburger, the website said: “I thought cannibalism was illegal?!? If that’s not a very different species of cow, Kate could be in legal trouble!”
The negative abuse went on to describe Kate Upton, 20, as a “squishy brick” and “piggy” before asking: “Has fashion become this?”
No doubt the ridiculous comments will just spur the pretty star on even more to model swimwear in her curvy figure.
Kate Upton first shot to fame when she appeared in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue last year and has since been on the cover.
Meanwhile, the pro-anorexia website continues to offer its visitors “starving tips of the day” and now has a forum.
Big grey granny knickers are considered by most to be the ultimate turn-off, but these frumpy looking pants by high-end intimates brand Kiki de Montparnasse are actually the first word in luxury.
At $380 and dry clean only, the Heather Frey boy shorts are designed for a very discerning customer.
They are described as luxe and flattering, which is good to know if you are spending a couple of hundred pounds on your underwear.
Made in Italy the 100% cashmere knickers are part of a full range that includes briefs (a snip at $325), seamed socks, leggings, a bralette, a chemise and a boyfriend jumper.
The practical, cosy range is a far cry from the overtly sexy burlesque themed lingerie the brand is famous for.
Kiki de Montparnasse dry-clean only lingerie fails to impress
French lace, raw silk, ribbons and satin feature heavily in collections with exotic names like Voyeur and Ingenue and more daring customers can stock up on bedroom accessories from the brand’s Instruments of Pleasure range.
And recently fashion muse Julia Restoin-Roitfeld, daughter of fierce French Vogue editor Caroline, was commissioned to designed a capsule collection for the brand inspired by Parisian pin-ups.
Celebrities sightings in their intimate salon stores at New York, Los Angeles and Las Vegas have made Kiki’s designs a must-have for well heeled lingerie lovers willing to spend big to impress.
Rihanna, Gaga, Lindsay Lohan and the Kardashians are all fans of the provocative label.
No sightings though of any of them stockpiling the cashmere granny pants.
A new anti-cellulite cream, called BioElixia Bodyshaper, has found word-of-mouth success since its high street launch.
The magic in this latest potion is, apparently, a “delivery system” which penetrates active ingredients deeper into the skin than rival creams.
It was discovered by scientists developing patches for arthritis and cancer patients. The patches are designed to carry painkillers beyond layers of the skin. The scientists applied similar technology in the patches to target cellulite, the unsightly “orange peel” appearance of skin caused by fat deposits just below its surface.
They said 99% of cellulite creams simply sit on top of the skin, and fail to penetrate at all.
BioElixia’s Targeted Penetration Matrix “opens up the pores within the skin, allowing active ingredients to pass through the top layers of dead skin, into the epidermal and dermal layers where live cells are”, claimed Dr. Esra Ogru, CEO of Phosphagenics Ltd, the Australian biotechnology firm behind the cream.
The ingredients – including caffeine and forskolin from mint and lavender – are designed to block uptake of fat, “starving” and helping to shrink fat cells.
The magic in BioElixia is a “delivery system” which penetrates active ingredients deeper into the skin than rival creams
The cream is claimed to reduce cellulite by almost 40% in 28 days. It has been a hit in Australia, where four tubes are sold every minute.
Critics argue only eating a healthy diet, exercising and drinking plenty of water will reduce cellulite.
The firm’s own clinical trials showed the cream to be a hit – at least, among the 30 women who took part. The volunteers, who had been told they were testing a moisturizer, agreed their thighs had less cellulite after using it twice daily for eight weeks.
Scientists used state of the art computer digital photography to analyze before and after pictures of the women’s thighs. The tests revealed that the bumps, “orange peel” dimples and bulges associated with cellulite were reduced by an average of 38% in 28 days, while the appearance was even better after eight weeks, with an average 57% reduction in cellulite.
Skin hydration and elasticity were also improved by 20% and 24%, respectively.
One user said: “I’ve been using this for 28 days and am pleased to say that there is a noticeable difference – I have a small patch of cellulite on the back of each thigh, and I have applied this as directed and ‘knuckled’ it in… My skin in general is more toned and the cellulite is now barely visible. I am going away and will be a lot more confident in my swimsuit as a result of using this!”
Critics of expensive cellulite creams claim they don’t work and that only eating a healthy diet, exercising and drinking plenty of water will reduce the “orange peel” appearance.
However, the scientists behind BodyShaper say it is revolutionary because, unlike other creams on the market, which sit on the top layers of skin, it contains a unique “delivery technology” called Targeted Penetration Matrix or TPM. This carries key toning and anti-aging ingredients, such as caffeine and forskolin, a natural product derived from the mint and lavender family, to the layers of skin that need it the most.
They say that it is proven to absorb five times more ingredients into the skin than their nearest rival.
Dr. Esra Ogru, a molecular biologist and CEO of Phosphagenics Ltd, the Australian biotechnology firm which created BodyShaper, said the cream was unique because it was the first time an anti-cellulite product had been created which penetrated deep into the layers of skin where live cells operate.
“As a scientist and a female I was very skeptical about anti-cellulite creams,” she said.
“We did a huge trial – looking at the most expensive creams to those at the bottom end of the market and discovered that 99% of them didn’t go through the skin at all, instead they simply sat on top.
“BodyShaper is unique because we used TPM – the successful delivery system we created for getting painkillers through the skin for people with chronic pain from arthritis and cancer – and applied the same technology to cellulite.
“TPM is made up of Vitamin E, which has been through a chemical process, which works by opening up the pores within the skin, allowing the active ingredients to pass through the top layers of dead skin, into the epidermal and dermal layers where the live cells are, without compromising the skin barrier or irritating it.”
Once the caffeine and forskolin have reached the live cells, they work to block the uptake of fat, starving existing fat cells and helping shrink them in size, thus reducing the dimpling effect of cellulite. In addition, forskolin also helps convert such fat into muscle, making skin more toned and smooth.
Scientists spent three years and tried more than 2,000 different formulations, which were tested for their effectiveness and penetration on donated human skin, before perfecting BodyShaper.
It has been a massive hit in Australia, where four tubes are sold every minute.
“BodyShaper was three years in the making, but our 12 years scientific experience and $160million investment in TPM for the pain relief market is the key to its success,” Dr. Esra Ogru added.
“It’s the first time science has been used to directly target the fat which causes cellulite so I’m not surprised that the women who’ve used it have seen amazing results. It’s all about getting those active ingredients to the right part of the skin and letting them do their stuff.”
BioElixia is on sale in Boots for £49.95 ($79.90) per 150ml.
Former US President George W. Bush showed his compassionate side by spending Fourth of July at an orphanage in Lusaka, Zambia.
George Bush, 66, and his wife Laura visited the Kasisi Children’s Home in Lusaka, one of the largest orphanages in the country.
Pictures released during George Bush’s one-week stay in Africa show him tenderly hugging a young boy and holding a baby while his wife looks on.
George Bush can be seen interacting with the children at the center which is home to 230 orphans – 60 of whom live with HIV.
George Bush during his mission to renovate a women's cancer screening center in Zambia
The former president appeared to be a hit with the children, who lined up to shake his hand and listened intently as he read to them.
His visit was part of a mission to raise awareness of a cervical cancer detection and treatment program he has set up in Zambia, which has the second highest number of cervical cancer cases in the world.
Many Zambian women infected with the disease are also living with HIV and have weakened immune systems, according to the Catholic Online.
“The saddest thing of all is to know a lady’s life has been saved from AIDS but died from cervical cancer,” George W. Bush told the website.
“And so starting in Zambia, the Bush Center, along with our partners, are going to put on a cervical cancer crusade to save lives.”
George Bush described his trip as “a labor of love” which was born out of a commitment to save lives.
Also on Independence Day, the former first family visited University Teaching Hospital where they opened the Center of Excellence for Women’s Cancer Control, which aims to reduce deaths from women’s cancers in the African region by raising the standards of care through education, training and research.
During his remarks at the hospital, George Bush said: “On our country’s birthday, it is important to remember the blessings of freedom and the blessings of being an American and to give back.”
A cat spooked Fox 17 morning reporter Nicole DiDonato when it jumped on her back as she did a live shot in front of a camera for a local newscast.
Nicole DiDonato, a morning reporter for Fox 17 in Grand Rapids, Michigan, did a live report on Thursday about the day’s happenings following the Fourth of July when a gray cat sneaked up from behind and jumped on the journalist’s shoulder.
She continued to finish her report before she broke out into laughter as the cat remained on her left shoulder the entire time.
Nicole DiDonato’s shot was one of three in a segment of upcoming stories the morning after this week’s Independence Day.
She appeared calm and unaware that a feline was nearby as she began to report on the city celebrating its new title as BeerCity USA.
Suddenly, the arm of a cat leaped in the air onto the front of Nicole DiDonato’s left shoulder as a surprise to both the reporter and the audience watching the shot.
The journalist’s face lit up in shock making it clear she had no idea the cat would interrupt her work.
Nicole DiDonato did a live report on Thursday when a cat sneaked up from behind and jumped on the journalist's shoulder
The cat made its appearance as it peeped its head from behind Nicole DiDonato’s until it clearly showed its face to viewers.
No longer camera-shy, the animal managed to prop itself completely on top of the reporter’s shoulder making itself comfortable.
Remarkably, Nicole DiDonato barely hesitated as she continued to do her report despite having an unplanned feline resting on her.
At one point, she turned her head to the right in embarrassment – and the cat followed her direction.
After she completed her report, Nicole DiDonato began to laugh uncontrollably nearly falling to the ground.
The cat did not move from her shoulder.
On Twitter, Nicole DiDonato said she had seen the cat before she went live on air.
The journalist tweeted: “Learned my lesson: Never making eye contact with a cat before a live tease ever again.”
Nicole DiDonato went on to tweet: “Gotta hand it to the little guy, his strength and athleticism… mighty impressive.
“Hope his owners know what a celeb he is.”
The reporter expressed her relief that the cat was a friendly one.
Nicole DiDonato tweeted: “I am glad that cat was a nice one or we could be dealing [with] quite a different outcome this am!”
Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, the second-placed candidate in Mexico’s presidential election, has said he will mount a legal challenge to the result.
He said he would prove that illicit money was used to buy votes and secure the victory of centrist candidate Enrique Pena Nieto, who denies this.
Enrique Pena Nieto was confirmed the winner on Friday after a final recount, with 38.21% to Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador’s 31.59%.
A protest march is planned in Mexico City on Saturday.
Six years ago, after losing the presidential election by a narrow margin, the left-wing Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador led weeks of protests that caused disruption in central areas of Mexico City.
Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, the second-placed candidate in Mexico's presidential election, has said he will mount a legal challenge to the result
Third-placed Josefina Vazquez Mota, from the right-wing National Action Party, has admitted defeat.
It is not just Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador’s team who are pushing for alleged irregularities to be investigated.
There is a broad spread of people, not necessarily from the left, who feel that votes in their parts of Mexico were tampered with, he adds.
Accusations of irregularities led to a re-check of about 50% of votes after the result was announced on Monday.
The president of Mexico’s electoral body said on Friday following the recount that there was no reason not to accept the result.
But Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, of the Party of the Democratic Revolution, said the election had been fraudulent and that he would file an appeal next week.
He accuses the party of Enrique Pena Nieto, the PRI, of paying for votes using gift cards for a supermarket chain.
Numerous videos have emerged of people claiming they received credit in exchange for voting for the PRI.
Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador promised to keep protests peaceful and “act responsibly”.
Enrique Pena Nieto, of the PRI party, said he had done nothing wrong and said he may sue his opponents over the allegations.
The election had been a tortuous process, and Enrique Pena Nieto is unlikely to see a quiet acceptance of the result.
Mexico’s Federal Electoral Institute has until early September to address complaints and formally announce a winner in the presidential election.
The mysterious drowning of Natalie Wood on November 29, 1981, has been much speculated since her death.
Though it may never be clear what happened in the waters off Southern California’s Santa Catalina Island, TMZ reports that Natalie Wood’s death certificate has been changed from “Accident” to “Undetermined”.
TMZ reports that they were told by members of Natalie Wood’s family that L.A. County Sheriff’s Department detectives informed them of the change earlier today.
The family members were told that while Natalie Wood’s cause of death was irrefutably from drowning, they said that it is unclear how the actress got into the water.
The day the actress died, Natalie Wood was spending time with husband Robert Wagner and actor Christopher Walken both on Catalina Island and drinking on the yacht.
Robert Wagner said in the 1981 autopsy report that his wife “was not suicidal”.
He has dismissed suggestions that the actress’ death was anything other than an accident.
Natalie Wood’s death certificate has been changed from “Accident” to “Undetermined”
Natalie Wood and fellow actor Robert Wagner were married twice, first in 1957 before divorcing six years later. They remarried in 1972.
Her death during the Thanksgiving weekend in 1981 has long sparked tabloid speculation that foul play was involved. Rumors were reignited by author Marti Rulli, whose book, Goodbye Natalie, includes a fresh account of the incident by the yacht’s captain, Dennis Davern.
Dennis Davern has come forward to say he lied to investigators in the wake of the tragedy, and suggests Robert Wagner ensured the investigation was not as thorough as it could have been.
Asked on the Today show if he thought Robert Wagner was responsible for Natalie Wood’s death, Dennis Davern replied: “Yes, I would say so. Yes.”
“We didn’t take any steps to see if we could locate her. I think it was a matter of: <<We’re not going to look too hard. We’re not going to turn on the searchlight. We’re not going to notify anybody right now>>.”
“I made terrible decisions and mistakes. I made mistakes by not telling the honest truth in a police report.”
In a dossier on the case Dennis Davern and Marti Rulli have now sent to police, they claimed there was “a drastic delay” in calling for help after Natalie Wood went missing.
“There are many, many things that should be examined, but mainly the four-hour wait to call for the coastguard,” Marti Rulli said on CNN.
Dennis Davern maintains that, after the stand-off between Robert Wagner and Christopher Walken, husband and wife went to their state room, from which the skipper heard sounds of a heated argument and “thumping”.
Later, Dennis Davern went back on deck to be told by Robert Wagner that Natalie Wood was missing, along with the yacht’s dinghy.
Natalie Wood’s body was found hours later, floating in an upright position, her eyes fixed and open, her spectacular, long, dark hair trailing along the surface of the water. She was wearing a flannel nightgown, red down jacket and blue woolen socks.
Meanwhile, caught up in seaweed in a cove not far away was the missing dinghy, its oars in place and the key in the ignition in the “off” position, suggesting she had never made it into the boat or, if she had, had quickly fallen out.
Robert Wagner apparently thought she might have been heading for the shore, where there was a bar, or gone party-hopping to one of the other rich people’s boats moored nearby.
Later he suggested she had not been trying to leave the yacht at all, but that she had heard the dinghy slapping against the side of the boat and had gone to secure it more firmly, only to fall in.
Police concluded that the two dozen bruises on her body, including cuts on Natalie Wood’s face, were sustained when she fell overboard and struggled in the water.
Forensic psychologist Dr. S. David Bernstein has analyzed a check signed by Marilyn Monroe the day before her death and says that it proves she was not planning to kill herself.
Marilyn Monroe used the check, which is now being auctioned off, to purchase a white chest of drawers worth $228.80 from Pilgrim’s Furniture, an act Harvard-trained Dr S. David Bernstein believes is inconsistent with someone contemplating suicide.
Dr. S. David Bernstein said people about to take their own lives often engage in shopping sprees, but the fact all Marilyn Monroe bought was the chest of drawers suggests she was planning to be around to use it.
Marilyn Monroe used the check, which is now being auctioned off, to purchase a white chest of drawers worth $228.80 from Pilgrim's Furniture
“What my thoughts are is that this purchase wouldn’t be consistent with planning to kill yourself,” said Dr. S. David Bernstein.
“A chest of drawers is a very personal item, and fairly low cost, and that is indicative that she was making plans for herself in the future.”
The historic check, dated August 4, 1962, is among a collection of 15 items being sold by Heritage Auctions to commemorate Marilyn Monroe, 50 years after her untimely death.
Marilyn Monroe’s death was ruled a probable suicide.
But Dr. S. David Bernstein said her behavior didn’t fit with someone who was suicidal.
“It’s not like she was getting a high out of buying a lot of stuff or big ticket items, which is often what people who are feeling depressed do to elevate themselves,” he said.
“If I was doing a psycho autopsy and determining whether it was suicide or an accident, this particular piece of data – and of course I don’t know what else she did that day – is not consistent with someone who was planning to not be around to enjoy what they were buying.
“It easily could have been an accident,” said Dr. S. David Bernstein.
“It probably was.”
The current online bid for the check is $8,000.
Marilyn Monroe banked with City National Bank of Beverly Hills and the check was written by someone other than her, possibly her caretaker Eunice Murray, according to the auction house.
It is signed in blue ballpoint ink by the starlet.
“No star will ever capture the hearts and wallets of collectors quite like Marilyn Monroe,” Heritage’s director of Entertainment and Music Memorabilia Margaret Barret told the Huffington Post.
Dutch Olympic athletes are facing government fines because they delayed finishing their degrees.
About 50 of the athletes competing at the London 2012 Games are still at university or college.
For many of them, Olympic training commitments have interrupted their studies meaning they will be forced to pay thousands of euros in penalties.
Dutch law states that each student must pay standard tuition costs for the duration of their course.
Most courses last four years for most degrees, and slightly longer for subjects like medicine.
Among those facing fines is Wouter Brus, a 20-year-old member of the 4×100 m relay team, who is two years into a physiotherapy degree.
Dutch Olympic athletes are facing government fines because they delayed finishing their degrees
“It’s crazy. I don’t understand how they can say our country supports sport. Three thousand Euros [$3,741] is a lot of money. I don’t think it’s fair. I feel like I’m competing for my country but my country is not supporting me.”
On top of their allocated course of study, every student is given one additional year in which the normal tuition fees still apply.
If students exceed the deadlines, then they are charged.
“If I wanted to not get behind with my studies I would have to be in class every day. Sometimes we have training twice a day so it would be impossible. I have to choose between school and sport. I choose sport, so I get the fine.”
Freek Manche, a spokesman for the education ministry, says the government has already provided universities with the means to compensate students whose studies have been delayed by their Olympic training regimes.
“We provide institutions with 18 million Euros in <<profileringsfondsen>> [funds for making an institution stand out in chosen areas]. It’s up to them to compensate the Olympic students or choose to allocate the money elsewhere.”
But the majority of Dutch universities argue that the government should be providing extra cash to ensure that the potential of the country’s top sports stars is not hampered by the potential accumulation of massive debts caused by their sporting dedication.
Nienke Meijer, the vice-president at Fontys University of Applied Sciences, says: “We definitely think that a national government that pushes so hard on our Olympic ambitions should help athletes to finish their studies without fines.”
She believes the Dutch government is using the young athletes to boost the Netherlands’ bid for the 2028 Games but failing to support their academic responsibilities.
“Don’t only focus on the golden medals they can win today for our country, but also help them to finish their studies in the meantime so they also have a great future after their sporting careers.”
The extra funds provided by the government are limited. If that money is used to compensate the sports students then the universities argue that others will suffer.
And, in the short term, their fear is that the prospect of fines will affect athletes performance at London 2012.
But relay racer Wouter Brus says his mind is fully focused on the track and field.
“The Olympics are everything. I will not focus on a fine I will get in two years. I will focus on my execution and my team, they are the most important things right now.”
California lawmakers have approved financing for a bullet train that would eventually become part of the first dedicated high-speed line in the US.
In a 21-16 vote, the Senate approved a 130 mile (209 km) stretch, part of a larger line proposed to run from Los Angeles to San Francisco.
Critics say the train is a wasteful expense, while supporters say it is a necessary infrastructure project.
The final cost of the completed LA-San Francisco line is estimated at $68 billion.
Governor Jerry Brown had lobbied intensely for the train. After he signs the bill – expected to be a formality – California will begin selling $2.6 billion in bonds to finance the first segment.
California lawmakers have approved financing for a bullet train that would eventually become part of the first dedicated high-speed line in the US
The financing was approved by California’s lower house, the Assembly, on Thursday.
“The legislature took bold action today that gets Californians back to work and puts California out in front once again,” Jerry Brown said in a statement after the Senate vote.
The vote on Friday also allows California to use $3.2 billion in federal financing. The state will have more federal funds because several states turned down money for high-speed rail projects.
Senate Republicans argued California’s budget – currently projected to be $16 billion in the red – has already been hit too hard to approve the funding.
“This is a colossal fiscal train wreck for California,” Republican Senator Tony Strickland said during debate.
“Members, this bill is spending money we simply don’t have here in California.”
Many Democrats said high-speed rail was essential to the state’s future, including dealing with population growth.
“There could not conceivably be enough freeway lanes to manage another 50% in automobiles,” Senator Mark Leno said.
“There couldn’t possibly be enough runway space to accommodate an increase in 50% of additional air passengers.”
Some business leaders from the San Francisco Bay and Silicon Valley areas supported the measure and had been working to lobby legislators in recent weeks.
Bay Area Council president Jim Wunderman called the vote a “courageous step forward for California’s future”.
Libyan people are voting in their first free election for more than 50 years.
They are selecting a temporary assembly which will have the task of picking a cabinet and a prime minister.
But the vote has been overshadowed by violence and deep regional divisions. An electoral worker died on the eve of the vote when gunmen attacked a helicopter near Benghazi.
Many people in eastern Libya are concerned that the oil-rich area will be under-represented in the assembly.
The region has been allotted only 60 seats in the 200-seat assembly.
Under the system devised by the outgoing National Transitional Council (NTC), which led the campaign against Gaddafi, 100 seats are allocated to the west and 40 to the south.
Libyan people are voting in their first free election for more than 50 years
Polls opened at 08:00 a.m. local time, with reports of queues forming outside polling stations in the capital Tripoli.
“Words cannot capture my joy, this is a historic day,” Fawziya Omran, 40, told AFP news agency.
“I’ve made my choice. I hope it is the right choice and that the candidate will not disappoint us.”
However, it is unclear whether polls are opening everywhere as planned.
Some in the east fear being marginalized as they were for decades under Colonel Muammar Gaddafi’s 42-year rule, our correspondent says.
Some former rebels have been threatening to derail the vote by targeting the oil industry, large parts of which are located in the east.
They have shut down as many as five oil terminals, including those at Brega, Ras Lanouf and Sidra, and a significant part of Libya’s oil exporting capacity has been disrupted.
Ballot papers were set alight at a key election office in Ajdabiya and another election centre was attacked in Benghazi.
In an attempt to defuse the situation, the NTC has said the new parliament will no longer be responsible for naming the panel that will draft Libya’s new constitution.
The 60-member committee will be elected in a separate vote at a later date.
A Libyan army spokesman said the helicopter was transporting voting materials when it was attacked close to the airport in Benghazi. An election commission worker was fatally wounded, he said, but the helicopter managed to land safely.
An election commission member in Tripoli said that the identity of the gunmen was not yet known but that the attack would not affect the vote.
The poll has already been postponed once before.
Around 2.9 million people are eligible to vote for the 3,700 candidates standing for the new General National Congress, in Libya’s first national vote since Col Gaddafi was toppled in October 2011 after an eight-month uprising.
There are countless political parties taking part in the election, our correspondent says, but the biggest to emerge so far is the Justice and Construction Party, made up mostly of Muslim Brotherhood members.
Libyan elections:
• 2.8 million registered voters from around 3-3.5 million eligible (45% women)
• 2,639 individual candidates (competing for 120 seats in 69 constituencies)
• 374 party lists from more than 100 political entities (competing for 80 party seats in 20 constituencies)
• 559 women registered for party seats (44%)
• 88 women registered for individual seats (3%)
Source: The UN and the Libyan Electoral High Commission (HNEC)
Josephine Harris, a restaurant owner from Ohio who served US President Barack Obama breakfast on a campaign stop, has died hours later.
Josephine Harris, 70, who owned Ann’s Place in Akron, Ohio, was taken to hospital after complaining of fatigue and a tingling feeling.
She went into cardiac arrest en route and was pronounced dead shortly after 11:00 EST.
Barack Obama arrived the restaurant at about 08:30, ordering two eggs “over easy”, bacon and wheat toast.
Josephine Harris dies hours Barack Obama had breakfast in her restaurant in Ohio
The Summit County medical examiner’s office said Josephine Harris had died of natural causes and there would be no autopsy.
In a statement, White House press secretary Jay Carney said Barack Obama called her daughter from Air Force One to express “his sorrow and his condolences”.
“He was honored to meet [Josephine Harris] this morning and passed on his feeling that the whole family is in his thoughts and prayers,” Jay Carney said.
The Akron Beacon Journal reported that Josephine Harris had hugged Barack Obama when she met him at the restaurant.
“I’m sure this was her highlight,” Frankie Adkins, her sister, told the Journal.
Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Colombian writer and winner of the 1982 Nobel Prize for Literature, is suffering from dementia, says his brother.
Jaime Garcia Marquez told students at a lecture in the city of Cartagena that his brother, who is 85, phones him frequently to ask basic questions.
“He has problems with his memory. Sometimes I cry because I feel like I’m losing him,” he said.
He is the first family member to speak publicly about the problem.
Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Colombian writer and winner of the 1982 Nobel Prize for Literature, is suffering from dementia
There have been rumors about Gabriel Garcia Marquez’ memory problems.
Invited to talk about his relationship with Gabo, as the writer is affectionately known in Colombia, his younger brother Jaime said he could not hold back from talking about his illness anymore.
“He is doing well physically, but he has been suffering from dementia for a long time,” he said.
“He still has the humor, joy and enthusiasm that he has always had.”
The 1967 masterpiece of magic realism, One Hundred Years of Solitude, begins with the story of a family unable to care for their senile grandfather.
“It is a disease that runs in the family,” said Jaime Garcia Marquez.
Gabriel Garcia Marquez currently lives in Mexico and has not made many public appearances in recent years.
According to his brother the author of Love in the Time of Cholera has stopped writing altogether.
This year’s Pamplona bull running festival kicked off today with one thrill-seeker was gored in a leg and four others injured.
Thousands of adrenaline-fueled runners raced ahead of six fighting bulls in the streets of the northern Spanish city as part of the San Fermin festival, officials said.
Runners, in traditional white clothing and red kerchiefs around their necks, tripped over each other or fell in the mad daredevil annual rush along early morning dew-moistened slippery streets to the city’s bull ring.
One youth got the top of his shirt caught on a bull’s horn, inches from his face, and was dragged several yards along the ground, but was seen to get up and run away.
The gored runner, meanwhile, was taken to a local hospital and four others were treated for cuts and bruises, Red Cross spokesman Jose Aldaba said.
This year's Pamplona bull running festival kicked off today with one thrill-seeker was gored in a leg and four others injured
The San Fermin running of the bulls festival became world famous with the publication of Ernest Hemingway’s 1926 novel The Sun Also Rises.
It is also known around the world for its wild all-night street parties which commemorate the city’s patron saint.
Drunken revelers filled the streets for the first, the Chupinazo, which marks the start at noon sharp of the main festival.
Today, the massive bulls belonging to the Dolores Aguirre breeding ranch raced from a holding pen on the outskirts of town, where they spent the night before the run, along a 928-yard course to the ring in 2 minutes, 53 seconds, a relatively slow time.
The last bull in the pack became disoriented and charged into the ring several seconds after the leaders.
Once in the bullring it caused panic as it chased several runners around before being coaxed into the safety of stables by cape waving attendants.
“Running with the bulls was the best experience I’ve had, so much adrenaline,” said Mark Martinez, 27, a student from Los Angeles, California, who said he was in Spain on a 10-day vacation.
“I couldn’t touch the horns, I might try that tomorrow,” he said, clearly oblivious to a basic rule of the centuries-old fiesta that runners should never touch the ornery animals that can weigh some 1,100 lbs.
“Spain is different to anything I’ve experienced before,” said Michael Arraztoa, 25, from Bakersfield, California.
He said his dad was from originally from Irurita, not far from Pamplona, and that he too was over on summer vacation.
The 8:00 am runs take place daily until July 14 with each charge broadcast on state television. And then, on the afternoon of each day, the same bulls face matadors in the ring.
Lady Gaga stepped out in a tiger-print leotard to celebrate the Fourth of July in Melbourne during her Australian tour.
Lady Gaga, 26, was reasonably modest by her standards in that she teamed her leotard with black opaque tights, and carried a large black fur coat.
The singer was on her way to a private party with her entourage at Northcote Social Club in inner city Melbourne.
As usual Lady Gaga accentuated her long legs with towering heeled lace-up boots, teamed with theatrical sunglasses.
She obligingly stopped to pose for photos for fans on her way.
Lady Gaga stepped out in a tiger-print leotard to celebrate the Fourth of July in Melbourne during her Australian tour
Lady Gaga appears to have been in a feline mood recently, and has been seen sporting the popular claw-like “stiletto nails”.
Rihanna, Heidi Klum, Fergie, and Beyonce have also been seen wearing the long, curved, animalistic talons sharped to a point and painted bright colors.
Lady Gaga is now preparing for the final show of her Australian tour on Saturday night, having stormed through Auckland, Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne.
Thousands of fans have traveled from all over the country for the past month to catch her performances and her legendary wardrobe changes, one of which is a version of her famous meat dress.
Following the Australian leg of her Born This Way Ball Tour, Lady Gaga will head to Europe in August where she will perform in Finland, Sweden and Germany as well as in the UK.
Ticket holders may well get to hear her new song Princess Die which she debuted at her Melbourne concert this week.
The song has outraged fans of the late Princess Diana, who believe the lyrics refer to her tragic death in 1997.
On a less controversial note, Lady Gaga has expressed her excitement for the forthcoming No Doubt record.
Lady Gaga gushed on her Twitterpage: “Is anyone else freaking out about No Doubt putting out a new album. I can’t wait!”
Facebook and Yahoo have settled their patent row and formed an advertising alliance.
Yahoo had sued Facebook in March claiming 10 of its intellectual properties had been infringed.
Facebook subsequently bought 750 patents from IBM and counter-sued. It later bought hundreds more patents from Microsoft to strengthen its defense.
Facebook and Yahoo have settled their patent row and formed an advertising alliance
The firms said they would now cross-license innovations from each other and collaborate on future projects.
The AllThingsD blog – which broke the news ahead of the official announcement – reported that Yahoo’s interim chief executive Ross Levinsohn had begun moves to resolve the dispute immediately after taking over from his ousted predecessor.
It added that Facebook’s chief operating officer Sheryl Sandberg soon became involved in the resulting negotiations.
A press release quoted Ross Levinsohn as saying: “We are excited to develop a deeper partnership with Facebook, and I’m grateful to Sheryl and her team for working hard together with our team to develop this dynamic agreement… Combining the premium content and reach of Yahoo as the world’s leading digital media company with Facebook provides branded advertisers with unmatched opportunity.”
Sheryl Sandberg added: “Yahoo’s new leaders are driven by a renewed focus on innovation and providing great products to users. Together, we can provide users with engaging social experiences while creating value for marketers.”
The move may help secure Yahoo’s top job for Ross Levinsohn. He had been competing for the role against Hulu’s boss Jason Kilar.
But, the video streaming service announced Jason Kilar had “graciously declined” to be considered for the role shortly after news of the patent agreement leaked.
Although no money appears to have exchanged hands, the row has still proven to be expensive.
Facebook had paid Microsoft $550 million to buy 650 patents and license a further 275. It has not disclosed the cost of its deal with IBM, although the tech site Cnet has suggested the sum was $83 million.
Princess Caroline of Monaco has announced the engagement of her eldest son and second in line to the throne of the principality, Andrea Casiraghi, to the Swiss born heiress and socialite Tatiana Santo Domingo.
Tatiana Santo Domingo is the daughter of the late Julio Santo Domingo, named by Forbes in 2011 as the second richest man in Colombia, and Vera Rechulski , a former Brazilian socialite from Sao Paolo currently living in Paris.
In a statement yesterday, Princess Caroline declared that she “had the joy” to announce the engagement of Andrea Casiraghi and Tatiana Santo Domingo, who are both 28.
They have known each other for seven years and met whilst studying at the same school in Paris. No date has been fixed for the royal wedding but it is understood it will take place next year.
Andrea Casiraghi, the grandson of Grace Kelly is the son of the late Stefano Casiraghi, the second husband of Caroline, who died in a boating accident off Monte Carlo in 1990.
Princess Caroline of Monaco declared that she “had the joy” to announce the engagement of Andrea Casiraghi and Tatiana Santo Domingo
The Monaco princes’ lives are not without recent controversy.
Last December Andrea Casiraghi was stopped by Police for speeding at 170 mph. His Audi 6 was immobilized, his driving license seized and he had to return to Paris by train.
In February this year his younger brother Pierre, 24, allegedly got into a fight with a stranger at an exclusive New York nightclub because he was “jealous” of him.
Pierre Casiraghi was punched and sent flying into a table on the other side of the room, landing with blood pouring from his face.
French media have dubbed elder brother Andrea Casiraghi as an “enfant terrible” and the “angel rebel”.
In 1999 Andrea Casiraghi was included on the 50 most beautiful people list. Four years later, he was voted the most stylish royal man by readers of Hello magazine, and in 2008, Forbes placed him tenth on its 20 Hottest Young Royals list.
In 2011, Tatiana Santo Domingo launched the Muzungu Sisters fashion venture in partnership with Dana Alikhani.
Both Tatiana and Lauren Santo Domingo, the 36-year-old co-founder of ModaOperandi, a Vogue contributing editor and married to Tatiana’s half-uncle, are prominent socialites in New York.
Tatiana Santo Domingo is internationally known for her unique fashion sense, said to vary from the elegant to the vintage and boho chic.
She has cited Loulou de la Falaise as her style guru. Tatiana Santo Domingo was included in 2010 on the international best dressed list.
Romanian MPs have voted with a large majority to impeach the country’s president, Traian Basescu.
President Traian Basescu faced allegations of encroaching on the prime minister’s role and violating citizens’ rights.
Traian Basescu has been suspended and a national poll on his impeachment will be organized most probably on July 29th.
A total of 256 members of parliament of 432 voted in favour of the move against Traian Basescu, according to an official count.
The impeachment will only take effect if approved in the referendum.
The president is in conflict with Prime Minister Victor Ponta, who is the co-leader of the Social Liberal Union (USL), which has a majority in parliament.
The European Commission voiced concern about the political turmoil on Friday. Romania joined the EU in 2007 but Brussels has demanded more reforms to stamp out official corruption.
Romanian MPs have voted with a large majority to impeach the country's president, Traian Basescu
PM Victor Ponta, who came to power in May, says President Traian Basescu has too much influence over Romania’s Constitutional Court, which is due to consider new impeachment legislation.
Yesterday, USL asked parliament to hold an extraordinary meeting to suspend Traian Basescu.
Victor Ponta himself is currently under pressure to resign over allegations of plagiarism regarding a doctoral thesis he wrote.
President Traian Basescu has accused him of trying to impeach him as a way of taking control of state institutions.
The president has suffered a slump in his popularity since pushing through tough austerity measures demanded by international lenders in 2010.
The political rivalry has stalled decision-making processes in Romania at a time when it is finalizing agreements on an IMF-backed aid package for its economy.
The European Commission says it is “concerned about current developments in Romania, especially regarding actions that appear to reduce the effective powers of independent institutions like the Constitutional Court”.
“The rule of law, the democratic checks and balances and the independence of the judiciary are cornerstones of European democracy… Government policy and political action must respect these principles and values.”
Recently has been reported that Demi Moore’s daughters have become estranged from their mother.
Daughter Rumer Willis, 23, was by her mother’s side when she was rushed to hospital following a binge on nitrous oxide in January and in the weeks that followed.
But now it has been alleged that she and her sisters Scout and Tallulah have stopped talking to Demi Moore.
It appears that the girls have “broken all ties” with Demi Moore,49, due to her emotional breakdown in the wake of her split from Ashton Kutcher.
“Demi is very messy right now and the girls have been waiting to get out and move on and now they’re being sucked back in, and they’re all getting into various kinds of trouble.”
Demi Moore's daughters have become estranged from their mother
The Willis girls, Rumer, Scout, 20 and Tallulah, 18, also appear to be struggling to cope with life without Ashton Kutcher.
A source closed to the family said: “The girls loved him because he actually took parenting seriously even though he was younger and they miss him.”
Apart from Tallulah’s graduation ceremony, Demi Moore has not been seen out with her daughters much in recent months.
Sources close to the family told RadarOnline that the family has reached”’breaking point” following a series of fights.
“Rumer, Scout and Tallulah just don’t want to deal with the drama at the moment,” the source said.
“Since breaking up with Ashton, Demi Moore has been a mess.
“The girls were there for her through it all – the split and the rehab but now they just feel like they need a little distance.”
Things were said to have come to a head when Demi Moore attended Tallulah’s high school graduation.
The trio of sisters allegedly did not want their mother there. Demi Moore arrived alone looking miserable, while the girls looked happier with father Bruce Willis, and they were not pictured with their mother.
There have also been reports that the girls continued relationship with Ashton Kutcher has caused tensions.
Ashton Kutcher was present at a nightclub to see Rumer sing back in April and the pair were also seen meeting up in May.
A source told the gossip site: “They [Rumer, Tallulah and Scout] all adore him and talk to him regularly which Demi hates, but he was a huge part of their lives when they were growing up and they don’t want to break off all contact with him.”
The family has had their fair share of drama of late. Earlier this week Tallulah was at the centre of nude photo scandal. And sister Rumer is lamenting the disappearance of her dog.
