Kiss rocker Gene Simmons looked strangely taut as he jogged in Studio City yesterday with his family.
Gene Simmons’ trademark raven mane flapped as he propelled himself along the sidewalk but his face stayed still.
The 62-year-old rocker freely admitted that he wanted to get rid of his jowls.
Gene Simmons had a his “n” hers joint facelift with his wife Shannon Tweed, 54 , in 2007.
“I’d thought about it before,” Gene Simmons told People magazine at the time.
“I was aware I had jowls.”
“Like Jabba the Hutt!” teased Shannon Tweed at the time, she was Playboy’s 1982 Playmate of the Year.
“I didn’t want him to look younger than me,” Shannon Tweed added.
Kiss rocker Gene Simmons looked strangely taut as he jogged in Studio City yesterday with his family
Gene Simmons and Shannon Tweed wed just a few months ago after 28 years together, with their children they star in A&E reality program, Gene Simmons Family Jewels.
The couple likes to spice things up in the bedroom.
After getting hitched last October following 28 years of unwedded bliss, Simmons told Hollyscoop: “Romance is interesting, but somebody much more prolific than I am put it better – she should be a Madonna in the kitchen and a w***e in the bedroom.”
But unlike many women her age, Shannon Tweed didn’t seem to mind the label her husband had publicly given to her.
Seemingly in agreement she added: “[You have to] keep having sex in different ways. Try to think of something new.”
Gene Simmons and Shannon Tweed have two grown children, Nicolas, 22 and Sophie Alexandra, 19.
Shannon Tweed, who appears alongside them on reality show, Gene Simmons Family Jewels, insists they know exactly what to do when the couple feels like being naughty.
Shannon Tweed continued: “Thank God the children are grown up. As soon as they hear noise from upstairs, they leave the house. That’s good.”
Argentine officials confirms 49 people have been killed and at least 600 injured in the worst train crash in the country in the last 40 years.
The train hit the end of the platform at Once station in the capital Buenos Aires during the morning rush hour.
“We assume that there was some fault in the brakes,” Transportation Secretary JP Schiavi said.
Dozens of people were trapped for hours in the wreckage but all have now been successfully taken to safety.
“The train was full and the impact was tremendous,” a passenger identified as Ezequiel told local television.
Medics at the scene were overwhelmed by the casualties, he added.
“People started to break windows and get out however they could,” another eyewitness told Reuters.
“Then I saw the engine destroyed and the train driver trapped amongst the steel. There were a lot of people hurt, a lot of kids, elderly,” the eyewitness added.
Police outside Once station had to “keep back the curious and concerned as paramedics treated the injured”, eyewitness Tom said.
Argentine officials confirms 49 people have been killed and at least 600 injured in the worst train crash in the country in the last 40 years
The train had hit the barrier at about 12mph (20km/h), destroying the front of the engine and crunching the carriages behind it, JP Schiavi said.
One of the carriages was driven nearly 6m (20 ft) into the next, he added.
Survivors told local media that many people had been injured in a jumble of metal and glass.
Emergency medical system director Alberto Crescenti said that some passengers who survived had to have limbs amputated. Many suffered from arrested breathing and trauma to the thorax region.
Many are in a critical condition in the city’s hospitals and there are concerns that the death toll could rise.
Five similar accidents have occurred in and around the city in recent months.
Many parts of Argentina’s rail network are antiquated and in need of repair and this incident will increase concern about lack of investment in the system.
“This is the responsibility of a company that is known for insufficient maintenance and… improvisation,” Edgardo Reinoso of the train workers’ union told Reuters.
“Lack of controls” on the part of state agencies was also to blame, Edgardo Reinoso added.
In September 2011, 11 people died when a commuter train in Buenos Aires hit a bus crossing the tracks and then hit a second train coming into a station.
This latest accident is Argentina’s worst train crash since February 1970, when a train smashed into another at full speed in suburban Buenos Aires, killing 200 people.
Jeb Corliss, the world famous stunt artist who almost died after crashing into a cliff during a botched leap from Table Mountain in South Africa, today posted incredible footage of the accident on his website.
Jeb Corliss, a 35-year-old Californian daredevil, broke both of his legs and was airlifted to hospital following the horrific smash last month in Cape Town.
The base jumper was being filmed for a television documentary when he careered into a rock face after leaping from the famous landmark wearing only a winged flying suit.
Jeb Corliss, who has spent more than five weeks in hospital since the January 16 accident, today posted a chilling video of the smash on the internet.
The incredible video lasts almost three minutes and is entitled Table Mountain Crash All Angles.
The video starts with a black screen containing a warning message: “May be disturbing for some viewers”, before showing Jeb Corliss fearlessly starting his stunt.
It shows the daredevil leaping from the flat surface of the mountain and soaring towards the sea.
Seconds later the accident can be clearly seen as Jeb Corliss’ legs smash into a rock face, sending him spiraling towards the ground.
The horrifying moment of impact is repeated several times from multiple angles during the video, which is played out over upbeat rock music.
Later scenes show Jeb Corliss deploying his emergency parachute as he realises something has gone wrong.
Jeb Corliss, who was wearing a camera mounted on his helmet during the stunt, then appears to bounce along the ground before coming to a halt in a bush.
A series of still images then show the moment of his impact in detail. They reveal how the experienced base jumper appeared to misjudge the distance to the rock face, which was marked by a helium balloon tied to a rucksack.
Instead of soaring over the cliff, he collides with the rocky outcrop from just below the waist.
Jeb Corliss almost died after crashing into a cliff during a botched leap from Table Mountain in South Africa
Following the accident Table Mountain officials said it was a miracle that Jeb Corliss had survived after he fell around 200 feet from the 3,500 foot-high landmark.
The stunt man, who has made a name for himself as one of the world’s most daring base jumpers, was airlifted to hospital and needed surgery on both of his legs.
Michelle Norris, spokeswoman for the Christiaan Barnaard Hospital in Cape Town, today said he remained there under observation and was due to be discharged on Friday.
The spokeswoman said: “Mr. Corliss needed extensive surgery on his legs and also needed skin grafts to repair the damage. He suffered serious and injuries and remains in the hospital, although he has been making good progress in recovery.
“One of the reasons he is still with us is that we needed to check how the wounds would heal from the skin grafts, but we hope to be able to discharge him on Friday. After that he plans to return home immediately to America to be with his family.”
Jeb Corliss’ video record of the incident concludes by offering thanks to those who helped rescue him following the smash.
A screen entitled “Special Thanks”, reads: “To the hikers that gave me water, to the rescue team that gave me life, to the hospital and staff that put me back together, THANK YOU.”
Jeb Corliss’ botched Table Mountain leap came as he made a documentary for an American television network. The daredevil has previously made headlines with a string of other base jumps.
The extreme sport involves leaping from buildings or mountains with only a parachute or winged jumpsuit to aid the jumper’s landing. Jeb Corliss has previously made successful leaps from the Eiffel Tower in Paris and the Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro.
Tina Brown, Whitney Houston’ sister in law and Bobby Brown’ sister, gave an ample interview to National Enquirer and explained how the late singer’s career spiraled out of control.
Whitney Houston spent days locked in her bedroom amid piles of garbage smoking crack, her sister in law remembered.
When Whitney Houston got high, she imagined the devil was beating her, but she was actually punching herself black and blue with her own fists.
And the star’s beautiful singing voice, ravaged by drugs, was gone.
“I did crack with Whitney,” said Tina Brown, a recovering addict herself.
Tina Brown’s heartbreaking memories of Whitney Houston, who once had the world in her hands, are one shocking revelation after another.
There were the days that Whitney Houston disappeared to languish in dangerous drug dens.
There was the failed attempt at an intervention by her family when a cursing Whitney Houston nearly leaped from a second-story window trying to escape.
There were the drug-induced delusions Whitney Houston had of hidden surveillance cameras watching her every move.
Tina Brown’s drug partner days with Whitney Houston occurred when the star and Bobby Brown lived in the posh Country Club of the South in Alpharetta, Georgia, and she remembers the day she and her sister-in-law first got high.
In her own words Tina Brown explained: “It was February 21, 2004. The reason why I know this date is because February 20 is my birthday.”
“We were drinking a lot,” said Tina Brown.
“I passed out on the couch but I wake up about six in the morning. I went into Whit¬ney’s bedroom. All Whitney was wearing was her mink coat and a pair of furry boots, her usual garb.”
Whitney Houston suggested they call dealers. “Call them,” Tina Brown recalls.
What followed was a re¬lationship forged by drugs. Although Tina Brown had known Whitney Houston since her marriage to her brother in 1992, she’d never gotten close to her until that day.
“Hey, I was using and she was paying. It was free,” said Tina Brown.
Tina Brown, Whitney Houston’ sister in law, remembered the singer spent days locked in her bedroom amid piles of garbage smoking crack
That first drug binge went on for roughly 24 days in Whitney Houston’s home. Bobby Brown, no stranger to drugs himself, was serving 60 days in jail at the time for a probation violation on a drunk-driving conviction.
Dealers came and went, delivering marijuana, powder cocaine and crack. And it was during this time that Tina Brown started to realize what drugs had done to Whitney Houston.
“She saw demons when she got high,” recalls Tina Brown.
“She’d point to the floor and say, <<See that demon. I’m telling you somebody’s messing with Bobby>>. ”
One day a stoned Whitney Houston called Tina Brown over to a sink. “A dish had broken and in the cracks of the plate, she saw a pair of smiling lips,” said Tina Brown.
When Whitney Houston got high, she would imagine concealed wires and spy cameras were everywhere.
“She would get a screwdriver and take things apart to find the cameras,” said Tina Brown.
In mid-March, Whitney’s mother Cissy Houston, who’d attempted many times to free her daughter from the grip of drugs, knew it was time to try again.
When Cissy Houston and other family members arrived at the home, Tina Brown was sweeping the foyer while Whitney was in her upstairs bedroom, getting high.
“I opened the door and the cars pull up, black cars. The driver gets out and opens the door for Cissy. Then, here comes Gary, Whitney’s brother.”
Tina Brown tried to close the door. She yelled up to Whitney Houston, using the singer’s shortened nickname, Nip.
“I yelled, <<Nip they’re down here>>. ”
“Don’t let them in,” Whitney Houston screamed.
It was too late.
“I did not want them to see what she’d be doing up there but her mother came up there and she seen it. And it’s a disas¬ter, paraphernalia everywhere.”
Tina Brown said Cissy Houston gave Whitney an ultimatum. Get into rehab or she was going to take her daughter Bobbi Kristina away from her or have her locked up.
Bobby Brown’ sister could hear Whitney Houston cursing at her mother as security gathered up Bobbi Kristina and put her in a car. Tina Brown got into another. They were to be taken to a nearby hotel.
That’s when all hell broke loose as a stoned-out Whitney Houston made a desperate bid to escape the intervention.
“Whitney tried to jump out the window, her bedroom window on the second floor,” said Tina Brown. “She has her white bag and one of her legs over the window.
“She’s screaming: <<Tina, don’t you leave me. Catch my bag>>.
“I said: <<Nip, don’t jump. Come on, there’s nowhere you can go>>.”
The whole intervention team checked into rooms for the night and promised to regroup in the morning. Whitney Houston and Tina Brown were in one suite together. They got high all day long.
Before they fell off to sleep, the two were laughing so hard about Whitney Houston’s antics, the singer peed herself.
Tina Brown said that one of her older children is handicapped and uses pull-up diapers. She had a pair in her purse. Whitney Houston found them and put them on.
That’s when the laughter stopped. Tina Brown saw something that frightened her to the bone – black and blue bruises up and down Whitney Houston’s legs.
Tina Brown cried out: “Nip, what the hell!”
Whitney Houston’s answer frightened Tina Brown even more.
“The devil be hitting me,” said Whitney Houston. “I walked by and he just go bam.”
Tina Brown said: “No, Nip. That’s not the devil. That’s you. I mean there was black and blue all up and down her legs. I said, <<Does Bobby know this?>> She said: <<No, no, it’s going to be all right. You know I rebuke the devil. He’s always hitting me>>. But it’s her hitting herself.”
In the morning, Whitney Houston’s relatives saw the bruises too.
“All kinds of psychiatrists came up to the hotel room. And she went off with them. It was a big thing about the bruises.”
At the end of that bizarre intervention, Whitney Houston reluctantly agreed to go into outpatient rehab at a center in Smyrna, Georgia, but only if Tina Brown went with her. Whit¬ney Houston would smoke crack before the sessions.
Tina Brown ultimately moved into Whitney Houston’s house, acting in a sort of maid’s capacity after Bobby Brown got out of jail. The drug deliveries continued.
Whitney Houston would purchase eight balls of crack, pieces of rock cocaine weighing an eighth of an ounce each. She’d cut open a cigar, take the tobacco out, put in marijuana and the whole piece of crack and puff away.
In June 2004, Tina Brown was sent to prison for a year for possession of drug paraphernalia and violation of probation. She has a record of arrests for drug offenses.
It was a blessing, Tina Brown says, to be away from Whitney Houston and the nonstop drug use.
Bobby Brown was worried Tina Brown may have been Whitney Houston’s drug partner but at least she was able to keep the singer at home when she binged on drugs.
With Tina Brown in jail, Whitney Houston started to disappear for days at a time, sometimes doing drugs with friends, but other times visiting crack houses in dangerous areas of Atlanta. From jail, Tina Brown remembers calling her mom Carole Brown. Her mother was weeping.
“A drug dealer had called Bobby and said, <<Come get your wife. I’m sick of this bitch. She’s in here peep¬ing out the windows and doing all kinds of s–t in the house>>.”
Tina Brown learned Whitney Houston had been in the drug den for days giving orders to dealers and drug buyers, telling some to leave, telling others where to sit, seeing demons, thinking she was under surveillance. It became too much for the dealer.
“Bobby and security had to go get her,” said Tina Brown.
When Tina Brown was released from prison on June 3, 2005, she was drug-free but that ended July 5, the first time she went over to Whitney Houston’s house.
“I started again. She needed some help in the house and that was it,” Tina Brown recalled.
At that time, Whitney Houston was actually getting ready to cut a single with record producer Jermaine Dupri. It would be the first time she’d entered a studio in years, said Tina Brown.
But Whitney Houston’s beautiful singing voice, the one that sold more than 100 million albums, the one that hit those impossible-to-imagine high notes, was gone.
“It’s horrible. She couldn’t sing anymore,” said Tina Brown.
Still, Tina Brown did her best to get Whitney Houston ready for her studio session.
“She had a machine to get her voice in shape. I’d hook it up and put this liquid in this holder and this breathing device in her mouth. It’s like steam and she had to do these treatments for an hour, three times a day. But she kept doing it just once.
“She put off the studio appearance for like two weeks. They were calling me and I told them, <<You come and get her out of the damn room. I can’t make her go.>>”
Tina Brown’s relationship with Whitney Houston eventually ended. She kept up her own battle to become drug-free and prayed for a Whitney Houston comeback, a day when she’d reach the top once again, but it didn’t happen.
A chilling picture apparently showing late singer Whitney Houston in an open coffin has been published on the cover of the National Enquirer.
The image shows Whitney Houston lying dead in her golden casket, clad in her favorite purple dress and wearing what looks like a diamond broach and earring.
National Enquirer has run the snap alongside a bold headline proclaiming: “Whitney: The last photo!”
It is understood Whitney Houston picture in open casket was taken inside the Whigham Funeral Home in Newark, New Jersey, where her family attended a private wake last Friday on the eve of her funeral.
National Enquirer claims the photo was taken at the private viewing – although does not reveal who took the picture.
Whitney Houston was wearing jewels worth $500,000 and had gold slippers on her feet, according to the publication.
Picture of dead Whitney Houston in the coffin published by National Enquirer
No doubt the photograph – which was published in the magazine’s latest edition – is bound to stir a strong reaction.
Whitney Houston’s funeral took place on Saturday and was attended by stars including Mariah Carey, Oprah Winfrey and her co-star from The Bodyguard, Kevin Costner.
Whitney Houston was laid to rest at Fairview Cemetery in Westfield, New Jersey, on Sunday in a burial service attended by close family and friends. The legendary singer, who died on February 11 at age 48, is buried near her father, John Russell Houston, Jr.
British singer Adele has won two prizes at the Brit Awards ceremony in London, but was at the centre of controversy after one of her acceptance speeches was cut short and she made a rude gesture.
Adele’ speech was interrupted by Brits host James Corden after she picked up the prize for best British album. The singer, who had won the top award of the night, Album of the Year, flipped the middle finger to show just how annoyed she was.
“I flung the middle finger. That was for the suits at the Brit Awards, not my fans. I’m sorry if I offended anyone but the suits offended me,” Adele said.
Adele also won best British female.
Ed Sheeran also won two awards – best British male and British breakthrough.
Coldplay were crowned best British group for a record third time, while former X Factor boy band One Direction beat Adele to the award for best British single.
Double awarded Adele was at the centre of controversy at Brit Awards after one of her acceptance speeches was cut short and she made a rude gesture
Adele added her Brits to the six Grammy Awards she won last weekend, capping a year of huge global success. According to her record label, the London singer’s second album 21 has sold 17 million copies around the world and hit number one in 24 countries.
Accepting the best album prize – the final and most prestigious of the night – Adele said: “Nothing makes me prouder than coming home with six Grammys and then coming to the Brits and winning album of the year.
“I’m so proud to be British and to be flying our flag.”
But there were boos from the audience as the singer was interrupted by host James Corden in order to introduce the final performers, Blur.
Adele then added: “Can I just say, then, goodbye and I’ll see you next time round.”
Adele’s gesture was then momentarily visible on the live ITV1 coverage.
“I was about to thank the British public for all their support but they cut me off,” the star later said backstage.
“So thank you very much for all your support. It’s amazing.”
ITV later issued a statement about the incident, saying: “The Brits is a live event. Unfortunately the programme was over-running and we had to move on. We would like to apologize to Adele for the interruption.”
A Brits spokesman added: “We regret this happened and we send our deepest apologies to Adele that her big moment was cut short.
“We don’t want this to undermine her incredible achievement in winning our night’s biggest award. It tops off what’s been an incredible year for her.”
Adele’s 21 beat Coldplay’s Mylo Xyloto, Florence & The Machine’s Ceremonials, PJ Harvey’s Let England Shake and Ed Sheeran’s + to the best British album award.
In the best British female category, Adele beat Jessie J, Florence & The Machine, Kate Bush and last year’s winner Laura Marling. She also sang Rolling at the Deep at the ceremony – only her second performance since throat surgery last year.
Meanwhile, US pop star Bruno Mars was named best international male, Rihanna picked up best international female and the Foo Fighters won best international group.
Ed Sheeran led the nominations going into the ceremony, up for best British male, breakthrough, single and album.
He beat rapper Professor Green, James Blake, James Morrison and Noel Gallagher to the prize for best British male.
The 21-year-old told the crowd: “I honestly didn’t think I’d get this one.”
Coldplay were crowned best British group in a category voted for by listeners to BBC Radio 2. Frontman Chris Martin described it as “very humbling”.
Speaking backstage about winning best group more times than any other band, Chris Martin said: “They keep splitting up. They keep taking themselves out of the game. We’re the only players still on the pitch. No Pulp, no Oasis. Take That are on holiday. We’ll take it if they’re not around.”
The outstanding contribution honour went to reformed Britpop favourites Blur, who performed a medley of their hits. Their last appearance at the Brit Awards was in 1995, when they went home with four trophies.
Singer Damon Albarn said: “Last time we were here was 17 years ago and what happened that night seemed to have a really profound effect on our lives, so it’s very nice to come back and say thank you very much for this honour.”
One Direction won best single for their hit What Makes You Beautiful, beating tracks including Adele’s Someone Like You, Ed Sheeran’s The A Team and Price Tag by Jessie J and BoB.
The international breakthrough trophy went to fast-rising New York-based pop star Lana Del Rey. She told the crowd: “This award means much more to me than you know and I just want to say that without the support of everyone in this room and everyone in the UK I’d really be lost.”
The event also included tributes to the late stars Whitney Houston and Amy Winehouse and featured performances from Noel Gallagher, Florence and the Machine, Rihanna and Olly Murs with Rizzle Kicks.
Council of Europe has urged Germany to end the practice of surgically castrating sex offenders.
The Council of Europe’s anti-torture committee said such voluntary treatment, albeit rare in Germany, was “degrading”.
In Germany no more than five sex offenders a year have been opting for castration, hoping it will lower their sex drives and reduce their jail term.
The committee’s recommendations are not binding but have great influence.
The committee’s official title is the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT).
“Surgical castration is a mutilating, irreversible intervention and cannot be considered as a medical necessity in the context of the treatment of sexual offenders”, the CPT report said. It was based on an investigation in Germany carried out in November-December 2010.
The German authorities argue that castration is not a punishment but a treatment which enables, as a government statement put it, “suffering tied to an abnormal sex drive… to be cured, or at least alleviated”.
Research for the report revealed that of the 104 people operated on between 1970 and 1980, only 3% reoffended, compared with nearly half of those who refused castration or were denied it by the authorities.
But the CPT objected to the practice of surgical castration for sex offenders, saying:
• The physical effects are irreversible and may have serious physical and mental consequences;
• Surgical castration does not conform to recognized international standards and is not mentioned in guidelines drawn up by the International Association for the Treatment of Sexual Offenders (IATSO)
• There is no guarantee of a lasting reduction in the sex offender’s testosterone level
• It is “questionable” whether consent to surgical castration “will always be truly free and informed”.
In February 2009 the Council of Europe made a similar complaint about the use of surgical castration in the Czech Republic.
Despite the criticism, the Czech Republic still offers prisoners the option of surgical castration.
The CPT says very few European countries still offer the procedure to sex offenders.
The EU’s highest court has been asked to rule on the legality of ACTA, the controversial anti-piracy agreement.
The Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA) has been criticized by rights campaigners who argue it could stifle free expression on the internet.
European Union trade head Karel De Gucht said the court will be asked to clarify whether the treaty complied with “the EU’s fundamental rights and freedoms”.
The agreement has so far been signed by 22 EU member states.
The European Commission said it “decided today to ask the European Court of Justice for a legal opinion to clarify that the ACTA agreement and its implementation must be fully compatible with freedom of expression and freedom of the internet”.
Several key countries, including Germany and Denmark, have backed away from the treaty amid protests in several European cities.
The EU's highest court has been asked to rule on the legality of ACTA
ACTA is set to be debated by the European Parliament in June.
While countries can individually ratify the terms of the agreement, EU backing is considered vital if the proposal’s aim of implementing consistent standards for copyright enforcement measures is met.
As well as the 22 European backers, the agreement has been signed by the United States, Japan and Canada.
Karel De Gucht told a news conference on Wednesday: “Let me be very clear: I share people’s concern for these fundamental freedoms… especially over the freedom of the internet.
“This debate must be based upon facts, and not upon the misinformation and rumour that has dominated social media sites and blogs in recent weeks.”
However, Karel de Gucht went on to say that the agreement’s purpose was to protect the creative economy.
“[ACTA] aims to raise global standards for intellectual property rights,” he said, adding that the treaty “will help protect jobs currently lost because counterfeited, pirated goods worth 200bn euros are currently floating around”.
ACTA’s backers face strong opposition within the EU. Viviane Reding, the commissioner for justice, fundamental rights and citizenship, took to Twitter to outline her worries on the treaty.
“For me, blocking the Internet is never an option,” she wrote in a statement.
“We need to find new, more modern and more effective ways in Europe to protect artistic creations that take account of technological developments and the freedoms of the internet.”
What is ACTA?
• The Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA) is an international treaty aiming to standardize copyright protection measures.
• It seeks to curb trade of counterfeited physical goods, including copyrighted material online.
• Preventative measures include possible imprisonment and fines.
• Critics argue that it will stifle freedom of expression on the internet, and it has been likened to the controversial Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA).
• ACTA has been signed by 22 EU members, but is yet to be ratified by the European Parliament.
At least 340 people have been injured in a commuter train crash at a station in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
The train is reported to have slammed into the barrier at the end of the platform at the Once station in the west of the city.
The injured driver and some passengers were taken away on stretchers, with the first carriage the worst affected.
The ministry of transport said it could not rule out fatalities, with many people still said to be trapped.
At least 340 people have been injured in a commuter train crash at a station in Buenos Aires, Argentina
The transportation secretary, JP Schiavi, told reporters at the station that the commuter train had hit the barrier at about 12 mph (20km/h), destroying the front of the engine and crunching the carriages behind it.
One of the carriages was driven nearly six metres (20ft) into the next, he said.
“There are people still trapped, people alive, and there may have been fatalities. We don’t know if there are dead people in the wreckage,” JP Schiavi said.
Survivors told the TeleNoticias channel that many people had been injured in a jumble of metal and glass.
In September 2011 eleven people died when another commuter train in Buenos Aires hit a bus crossing the tracks and then hit a second train coming into a station.
Western journalists Marie Colvin and Remi Ochlik have been killed in the Syrian city of Homs when shells hit the building they were staying in, according to opposition activists.
Marie Colvin was an American Sunday Times reporter, and Remi Ochlik, a French photographer.
Several other people were reportedly killed when the shell hit the makeshift media centre in the Baba Amr area.
Opposition-held districts have been under siege by security forces for more than two weeks, leaving hundreds dead.
Activists said more than 40 people died on Tuesday, including Rami al-Sayed, a man who broadcast a live video stream from Homs used by world media.
Rami al-Sayed was fatally wounded by shrapnel during the shelling of Baba Amr. His brother posted a video of his body in a makeshift hospital.
The Red Cross has called on the government and rebels to agree to a daily ceasefire, to allow medical supplies to reach the worst affected areas and get civilians out, but there is no sign yet of this being agreed.
Marie Colvin, Sunday Times reporter
Marie Colvin and Remi Ochlik were reportedly staying in a house in Baba Amr that was being used by activists as a media centre when it was hit by a shell on Wednesday morning.
Rockets were also said to have hit the building’s garden when people tried to flee afterwards.
At least two other foreign journalists were wounded, activists said.
One was named as British freelance photographer Paul Conroy, who was working with Marie Colvin, and Edith Bouvier of the French newspaper, Le Figaro. Edith Bouvier was said to be in a serious condition.
French photojournalist Remi Ochlik
In Paris, French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe said the deaths would be investigated.
“It’s another demonstration of the degradation of the situation in Syria and of a repression that is more and more intolerable,” he told reporters.
“I hope that on Friday at the <<Friends of Syria>> meeting in Tunis we will be able to move towards a peaceful solution of the situation.”
UK Prime Minister David Cameron told parliament: “This is a desperately sad reminder of the risks that journalists take to inform the world of what is happening, and the dreadful events in Syria.”
The editor of the Sunday Times, John Witherow, said the newspaper was doing what it could to recover Marie Colvin’s body and get Paul Conroy to safety.
“Marie was an extraordinary figure in the life of the Sunday Times, driven by a passion to cover wars in the belief that what she did mattered,” a statement said. “She believed profoundly that reporting could curtail the excesses of brutal regimes and make the international community take notice.”
There was no immediate comment from Remi Ochlik’s agency, IP3 Press.
Remi Ochlik, 28, had reported from Haiti and covered many of the recent uprisings in the Arab world.
Marie Colvin, in her 50s, had been a foreign correspondent for the Sunday Times for two decades, and had reported from several war zones. She lost the sight in one eye in Sri Lanka in 2001 after being hit by shrapnel.
On Tuesday, Marie Colvin told the BBC the bombardment of Baba Amr by Syrian government artillery and tanks had been “unrelenting”.
“I watched a little baby die today, absolutely horrific, a two year old – found the shrapnel had gone into the left chest and the doctor said: <<I can’t do anything>>,and his little tummy just kept heaving until he died. That is happening over and over and over.”
“There are 28,000 people in Baba Amr,” she added. “The Syrians will not let them out and are shelling all the civilian areas.”
“There is Free Syrian Army here. They’re very, very lightly armed. People are terrified they will leave.”
Western journalists have mostly been barred from Syria since the uprising against President Bashar al-Assad began last March.
But increasingly, they have risked entering the country undercover, helped by networks of activists, to report from flashpoints.
Last month, the French television journalist, Gilles Jacquier, was killed in Homs while visiting the city on a government-organized trip.
Anthony Shadid, of the New York Times, died of an apparent asthma attack in Syria last week.
In the northern province of Idlib, reports put Tuesday’s death toll there at more than 50.
New videos posted online by activists there suggest opponents of President Assad were the victims of summary executions.
One shows residents of the village of Abdita looking at a row of about a dozen dead bodies laid out on the ground.
There was similar footage from the nearby village of Balshun showing bodies scattered around in an open field.
Some had their hands bound and had died from a bullet wound to the head.
State media said security forces had been operating in the area, pursuing “armed terrorist gangs” and that a number had been killed.
In another video from Idlib, about 500 Syrian troops appear to announce their defection from the army to join the Free Syrian Army. The footage cannot be independently confirmed.
Kim Kardashian and his best friend Jonathan Cheban headed off to Miami for some rest and relaxation few days ago.
Kim Kardashian, 31, appeared sizzling in a selection of simple and beautifully flattering bikinis.
The reality star seemed happy to be spotted in tasteful swimwear, but according to Life and Style, Kim Kardashian is devastated that by not settling out of court, Kris Humphries has opened their divorce up to the cameras.
California allows filming as part of an open policy on popular cases.
Kim Kardashian and his best friend Jonathan Cheban headed off to Miami for some rest and relaxation few days ago
A source told Life and Style magazine: “Kim’s freaking out, she has no interest in dragging out the divorce or having it play out on TV.
“Believe or not she’s a private person.”
“All of her dirty laundry will be aired, and there is a lot to air,” the mole continued.
Kris Humphries wants to prove that Kim Kardashian never intended to marry him and therefore committed fraud.
Jonathan Cheban may have to testify in court, he revealed: “I hope it doesn’t come down to that but I’ll do what I need to do.”
Scientists have discovered a new family of caecilians, the most enigmatic branch of the amphibians, in northeastern India.
Caecilians, which at first glance resemble worms, live in forest soil and are most closely related to an African group of caecilians.
The females incubate their young for several months without eating.
Writing in the Royal Society Journal Proceedings B, the scientists say the animals may be threatened by population growth and slash-and-burn agriculture.
Caecilians are very hard to spot as they live either underground or under leaf litter that lies on the soil.
The new discovery was the result of about 250 soil-digging expeditions over five years that covered every northeast Indian state.
“Caecilians are the most cryptic group of animals, and it’s not possible to identify whether it’s a new species or genus or family just after collecting it,” said SD Biju from the University of Delhi, who led the project.
“We studied the molecules (DNA) and the morphology, both internal and external, to identify the species,” he said.
Scientists have discovered a new family of caecilians, the most enigmatic branch of the amphibians, in northeastern India
When the analysis was complete, the researchers found they had not only a new species on their hands, but the first representative of a hitherto unknown family.
This is the 10th caecilian family to be identified, and the team named it Chikilidae, derived from the name used in the local Garo tongue.
DNA evidence suggests the family split from its closest African relatives more than 140 million years ago, when the ancient super-continent of Gondwana fragmented, separating present-day India and Africa.
Unlike the familiar frogs and salamanders, caecilians are limbless and smooth.
Their eyesight is very limited and their skulls adapted for burrowing.
Reproduction and rearing of the young are varied. The most unusual known example is a species where the babies eat the mother’s skin, which she sheds for the purpose.
Chikilidae’s habits are not quite so spectacular, though the mothers stay wrapped around their developing eggs for 2-3 months at a time, apparently not eating at all during this period.
Although Chikilidae turned up in about a quarter of the survey sites and so might be quite abundant, Prof. SD Biju believes its future is not assured.
“We found them not only in the forest area but also very close to human settlement,” he said.
“So conservation of this group is extremely challenging.”
Some of the animals have reportedly been killed by villagers who mistook them for poisonous snakes. In fact, they carry no venom.
One positive point for the new discoveries is that the region seems to be free of the fungal disease chytridiomycosis, which has devastated amphibian populations in many parts of the world.
Globally, amphibians are the most threatened group of animals, with about 40% of species on the internationally-recognized Red List.
But new discoveries are regularly made, though most come from rarely-visited regions of rainforest rather than quite densely-populated areas.
Prof. SD Biju has been involved in discovering scores of other new amphibian species in India, where he has been dubbed “FrogMan”.
A 12.76-carat pink diamond, found by an Australian mining company, is believed to be the largest rough pink diamond found in the country.
The rare diamond was found at Rio Tinto’s Argyle diamond mine in Western Australia’s East Kimberly region.
Estimated to be worth millions, it has been named the Argyle Pink Jubilee, and is being cut and polished in Perth.
The diamond will be sold later this year after being shown around the world, including in New York and Hong Kong.
The process of polishing and cutting, which began in Perth on Tuesday, is expected to take about 10 days. The diamond will then be graded by a team of international experts.
More than 90% of the pink diamonds in the world come from the Argyle mine, a Rio Tinto statement said.
The rare pink diamond was found at Rio Tinto's Argyle diamond mine in Western Australia's East Kimberly region
The Argyle Pink Jubilee is a light pink diamond, the company said. It is similar in color to The Williamson Pink – the diamond found in Tanzania that Queen Elizabeth II received as a wedding gift and which was subsequently set into a brooch for her coronation.
A Rio Tinto spokesperson said that a diamond of this calibre was ”unprecedented”.
”It has taken 26 years of Argyle production to unearth this stone and we may never see one like this again,” said Argyle Pink Diamonds Manager Josephine Johnson.
In 2010, a rare 24.78-carat “fancy intense pink” diamond was sold for a record-breaking $46 million, the highest price ever paid for a jewel, to a well-known British dealer at an auction in Geneva.
That diamond had been in a private collection for 60 years.
Kim Dotcom, Megaupload founder, has been granted bail by a New Zealand court.
Kim Dotcom, 38, has been in prison since 20 January at the request of the US authorities.
Megaupload founder faces charges in the US for one of the biggest copyright infringement cases in the country’s history.
The file-sharing site is accused of costing copyright holders more than $500 million in lost revenue.
North Shore District Court Judge Nevin Dawson overturned two previous rulings that Kim Dotcom, who is a German national, was an “extreme flight risk” because he had the money and connections to get out of the country.
The judge said the risk had diminished because all his funds were seized and no new assets or bank accounts had been uncovered.
Kim Dotcom, Megaupload founder, has been granted bail by a New Zealand court
Speaking to reporters in Auckland, Kim Dotcom said he was “relieved to go home to see my family, my three little kids and my pregnant wife”.
On 17 February Kim Dotcom was charged with three new criminal copyright counts and five new wire fraud counts.
That is on top of one count of racketeering, one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering and two counts of criminal copyright infringement charges.
US authorities are seeking to extradite Kim Dotcom, who changed his name legally from Schmitz, and three other co-defendants who had earlier been granted bail.
The US Justice Department and Federal Bureau of Investigation allege that Megaupload and its related sites made millions in ‘criminal proceeds’ by sharing pirated copies of movies, music and other content.
Founded in 2005, Megaupload was shut down by authorities last month.
They also seized millions of dollars worth of assets owned by Kim Dotcom including luxury cars, artwork and investments.
Kim Dotcom has denied any criminal misconduct and has said he will fight extradition to the US.
The BBC issued a statement in a lengthy defense of its decision to show extensive coverage of Whitney Houston’s funeral.
BBC was forced into the response after receiving 118 complaints about the way the broadcaster’s news channel had remained “glued” to the ceremony on Saturday, sparking accusations that it had been “voyeuristic”.
The British broadcaster admitted that the “duration” of its coverage was “too long” for some viewers and said it was “sorry” it was not to the “satisfaction” of all its audience.
However, BBC said the singer had made a “substantial impact on late twentieth century music” and that her death had come as “a great shock to the wider music industry and to her millions of fans”.
In its response,BBC admitted that the funeral service had lasted “significantly longer” than any broadcasters had expected and said once it had “committed” to showing the ceremony it would not have been “appropriate” to “opt out” any earlier than it did.
For some viewers BBC’s decision to focus so much time on the ceremony sparked concerns that other events were not being given enough coverage.
One said: “Yes, Whitney was wonderful singer but hours and hours of live broadcast of funerals on CNN and BBC and wherever is getting to feel kind of strange.”
Another viewer said: “Much as I understand sadness at the death of Whitney Houston would BBC and Sky kindly get on to some real news.”
“Kinda weird that Sky News and BBC News 24 are live streaming Whitney Houston’s Funeral. Feels voyeuristic,” added another viewer.
Stevie Wonder, Alicia Keys, R Kelly and a host of gospel stars performed at Saturday’s service at New Hope Baptist Church in Newark, New Jersey.
Actor Kevin Costner, who starred with Houston in The Bodyguard, fought back tears as he gave a moving eulogy.
The BBC issued a statement in a lengthy defense of its decision to show extensive coverage of Whitney Houston’s funeral
The BBC, which is also understood to have received about 35 complaints that it had interrupted coverage of the service, said the decision to air the funeral had been made “very carefully”.
BBC statement said: “We know from our audiences across the BBC as a whole that there was significant interest in the death of Whitney Houston, and we wanted to provide for that audience full, live coverage of the occasion.
“This was the funeral of a recording artist who had a substantial impact on late twentieth century music and whose death had come as a great shock to the wider music industry and to her millions of fans.
“This was reflected in our viewing figures and they show that the coverage of the funeral drove significantly higher audiences for the News Channel during this period compared to the rest of Saturday.
“We recognize that the duration of the coverage was too long for some viewers, but we kept the news ticker going on screen throughout and those who wanted other news of the day could have turned over to BBC 1 for the main tea time bulletin there.
“The funeral of Whitney Houston gave us an opportunity to bring a significant and moving story live to our audience. We are sorry if this wasn’t to the satisfaction of all our viewers but it is part of the News Channel function to be there when major stories take place, and we felt that this was such an occasion.”
A BBC spokeswoman said: “The News Channel’s coverage of Whitney Houston’s funeral reflected the significant interest in her sudden death as well as acknowledging the impact she had as a global recording artist.
“While some people felt there was too much coverage, we kept the news ticker going throughout, BBC1 ran the main teatime bulletin and there were normal radio bulletins along with the website and mobile app services, providing viewers with the best access to the day’s other news stories.”
Whitney Houston will always be remembered for her beautiful singing voice, but the late singer, in fact began her career as a model.
Images of Whitney Houston modelling for Seventeen Magazine in 1981 show a fresh-faced and hopeful young girl who had her whole life ahead of her.
The beautiful model, who was 18 at the time, can be seen smiling as she looks out to sea in a fuchsia swimsuit, while another photograph shows her running along the edge of the water in a pink and white striped romper suit.
Two of the shots show Whitney Houston sporting a red one-piece along with a snorkelling mask as she carries flippers before heading out into the surf with her fellow models.
Another image sees the angelic-faced Whitney Houston sat on the edge of a sunbed while wearing a red dress as she throws her head back in laughter.
Images of Whitney Houston modelling for Seventeen Magazine in 1981 show a fresh-faced and hopeful young girl who had her whole life ahead of her
Fashion editor Diane Forden, who worked with Whitney Houston during her modelling days, has spoken out to tell of how the future superstar was just as sweet in person as she appears in the beach shots.
Diane Forden wrote on the website BridalGuide.com: “I had the pleasure of working with Whitney during her high school years when she was a teen model.
“She was a delightful, sweet, wonderful person, and all of us who worked with her loved her. She was truly beautiful inside and out.”
Whitney Houston sporting a red one-piece along with a snorkelling mask as she carries flippers before heading out into the surf
The fashion editor also took to the website to tell of how professional Whitney Houston was, despite her young years.
Diane Forden wrote: “Anytime we were booking models for a photo shoot, we would always say, <<Let’s book Whitney>>, <<See if Whitney is available>>, <<Whitney would be great for this story>>.
“She was never a diva and she was always professional. She showed up on time and made our jobs easier by doing her best in front of the camera. She never complained if days ran long and cheerfully did whatever was expected.”
Two years after Whitney Houston graced the cover of the teen magazine, she landed a record deal with Arista and began putting together her first album.
Whitney Houston released her self-titled debut album two years later, in 1985, which sold more than 25 million copies internationally and paved the way for her to hit the big-time.
The touching photographs only make the star’s untimely death seem even more tragic, and they are unearthed as it is reported by Radar Online that she allegedly died from a deadly concoction of Valium, Xanax and alcohol.
However the cause of death is yet to be confirmed, pending toxicology reports which are expected to be released in a few weeks.
Whitney Houston was laid to rest on Sunday in her homeland of Newark, New Jersey, following her funeral the day before.
Whitney Houston and her mother Cissy shared an unbreakable bond, and the legendary star attributed her passion for singing to her mother, the acclaimed Gospel star.
Though Cissy Houston has remained private about her grieving, she penned an open letter to her daughter Whitney that was placed in the program of her home-going service, according to TMZ.
Whitney Houston and her mother Cissy shared an unbreakable bond, and the legendary star attributed her passion for singing to her mother
“Dearest Whitney:
The presence of God blessed our home with life, love, joy and peace. You and your brothers were the center of divine love attracting God’s richest blessings. You were a child of God. We had so much love in our home that was truly from on high.
You always gave without expecting anything in return and our love was the force that multiplied these blessings higher and higher. I never told you that when you were born the Holy Spirit told me that you would not be with me long and I thank God for the beautiful flower he allowed me to raise and cherish for 48 years.
God said it’s time Nippy; your work is done. The other day on February 11th He came for you. But not without warning. For two months now I have been depressed, crying, lonesome and sad not knowing why.
On Saturday, before I found out about your transition, my doorbell rang. I went to answer it but there was no one there. It rang again and again, no one was there so I called the concierge to tell him someone was ringing my doorbell. He checked the cameras and told me that no one was there. You promised me you were coming to spend time with me after the Grammys. I believe the spirits allowed you to come after all.
How I love you Nippy and how I miss you, your beautiful smile, your special little things you used to say to me and sometimes you’d call just to say “hi Mommie, I love you so much,” I loved you so much more.
I love you,
I’ll miss you,
Thank you for being such a wonderful daughter.
Rest my baby girl in Peace, you’re now in the arms of Jesus.
Cissy Houston is determined to help turn granddaughter Bobbi Kristina’s life around as she enters the most difficult period in her life.
According to New York Daily New, Cissy Houston, 78, mother of Whitney Houston and grandmother to Bobbi Kristina declared: “I’ll be damned if I’m burying my grandbaby.”
A source told NY Daily News: “In the aftermath of Whitney’s death, she’s running the show.”
Cissy Houston “couldn’t do nothing with Whitney and the hangers-on, moochers and enablers that sucked the life out of her,” a second source continued. But “she has the reins of this now.”
Cissy Houston is determined to help turn granddaughter Bobbi Kristina’s life around as she enters the most difficult period in her life
It was previously reported that Bobbi Kristina was found doing drugs after her mother’s funeral, but that’s not the case. Now that Cissy Houston has stepped in, you can bet things are going to be different.
“She was with the family the whole time,” Darlene Love tells Access Hollywood.
“We all went to a restaurant we call after a funeral or home celebration, a repast, where everybody goes and sits and talks and eats. She was there, she was there yesterday, she’s been with the family these last couple of days.”
Whitney Houston treated her daughter more like a friend, since she was “absent” through most of Bobbi Kristina’s childhood years.
“Whitney felt bad that she wasn’t present as a mother” in Bobbi Kristina’s life, the source told NY Daily News, “so she treated her like a friend. That was her way to be close to her.”
Mother and daughter were extremely close, seen partying just a few days before Whitney Houston’s death.
The Fairview Cemetery in Westfield, where Whitney Houston was laid to rest in a private ceremony Sunday was closed to fans on Monday amid a crush of visitors eager to catch a glimpse of the fallen superstar’s grave.
As news helicopters idled overhead, more than 100 vehicles clogged Fairview Cemetery’s narrow lanes, the traffic spilling from the entrances to the streets outside.
“Someway, somehow, word got out that the cemetery was open to the public,” Westfield police Capt. Cliff Auchter said.
“And in the early afternoon, there was a tremendous increase in visitors that created tremendous traffic problems.”
Early in the day, cemetery personnel and police allowed small groups of visitors to approach the grave site, its bare earth heaped with flowers. Two officers stood watch nearby, ensuring nothing was taken.
But as morning blended into afternoon, the number of visitors grew, causing gridlock on the unmarked paths and on roads outside the cemetery.
In addition, according to a Westfield police officer at the scene, members of the singer’s family arrived to pay their respects and were troubled by the crowds. The relatives requested that access to the site be restricted, said the officer, who declined to give his name.
A day after Whitney Houston was buried at Fairview Cemetery in New Jersey her grave appeared covered by flower
Police closed the cemetery gates shortly after 2:00 p.m., allowing passage only to those with loved ones inside. Whitney Houston, who died on February 11 at age 48, is buried near her father, John Russell Houston, Jr.
Monday’s spectacle brought some substance to the fears voiced by Westfield residents leading up to the burial. They said they worried Fairview would become a tourist attraction, transforming a place of reverence into a carnival.
Ted Simpson, a resident of neighboring Garwood, posted a hand-made sign across the street from the cemetery, urging the public to stay away.
“Please let Whitney rest in peace,” the sign read.
“If you want to show your love, buy her music.”
Whitney Houston’s family has struggled to maintain its privacy, no small task given the public interest in the death of one of the world’s top-selling female vocalists and the scores of celebrities who attended her funeral in Newark Saturday.
Cliff Auchter, the Westfield police captain, said that until further notice, the cemetery will be open only to those with family buried there.
“I don’t know how long this is going to go on for,” he said.
“People will always be trying to pull a fast one to get in. We have to be attuned.”
A day after Whitney Houston was buried at Fairview Cemetery in New Jersey her grave appeared covered by flower.
Following a very public farewell to Whitney Houston at a funeral attended by thousands yesterday, the late singer was laid to rest surrounded by just a select few in New Jersey on Sunday.
Whitney Houston was buried in a private ceremony at the Fairview Cemetery in Westfield, New Jersey, where her father, John Russell Houston Jr., was interred in 2003.
A day after Whitney Houston was buried at Fairview Cemetery in New Jersey her grave appeared covered by flower
An eyewitness has claimed that Bobbi Kristina Brown’s eyes were “glassy” and she appeared to be “wasted” during Whitney Houston’s burial.
According to RadarOnline.com, Bobbi Kristina Brown almost didn’t make it to the cemetery on Sunday.
“Bobbi Kristina didn’t want to be at the burial, and she looked wasted,” a source close to the situation told RadarOnline.com.
“Krissy’s eyes were glassy, and she seemed to be very disconnected from the service. Krissy hasn’t been eating or sleeping and just can’t stand to be around her family right now. Krissy’s group of friends appear to be much older, and don’t seem to have her best interests at heart.”
Bobbi Kristina was hospitalized at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center before and after her mother was found dead in a bathtub at the Beverly Hilton hotel on February 11.
“Krissy has taken her mother’s death really hard, not surprisingly, and Bobby is terrified she’s going to do something stupid. He wants her in a treatment center, getting professional help to get her through the grieving process without falling back on alcohol or drugs to mask her pain,” an insider told Radar Online.
“The true cause for concern is that the Houstons feel absolutely powerless to do anything about Krissy because she is an adult and they are afraid to push her too hard for fear of driving her away.”
“Krissy’s Aunt Pat [Whitney Houston’s sister-in-law], who spoke at the service on Saturday, is truly frightened of the toll all of this is going to take on Cissy, who is also taking her daughter’s death extremely hard.
“Pat seems to be the only one who isn’t afraid to get in Krissy’s face and physically haul her to rehab, but they know if they take her unwillingly, she will bolt.”
An eyewitness has claimed that Bobbi Kristina Brown's eyes were “glassy” and she appeared to be “wasted” during Whitney Houston’s burial
The Daily Beast originally reported that Bobbi Kristina Brown had vanished following the four-hour service in Newark, New Jersey. A report on Sunday claimed the mourning teenager was later found “getting high” by concerned family members.
It also claimed there were conflicts between family members on whether Bobbi Kristina should be taken to rehab straight away or left to mourn with them. Darlene Love, Whitney Houston’s godmother, told Access Hollywood that Bobbi Kristina was with the family the whole time and they are keeping a close-eye on her.
“She was with us and she was with the family the whole time… She’s been with the family these last couple of days. We all know where she is, she’s not missing.”
Darlene Love’s denial appears to contradict a family statement on Sunday, conceding the teen had some time out.
A family spokesperson told The Daily Beast: “There was some confusion about Bobbi Kristina’s whereabouts last night for a short time, but she’s OK. She needed some time alone.”
The Houston family rep denied that Bobbi Kristina was on drugs and said that she was just going through a “very hard time as you can expect”.
Bobbi Kristina Brown was admitted to a psychiatric ward in 2008 after she tried to stab her mother during an argument before turning the blade on herself and trying to slit her wrists. She had apparently grown up seeing her mother doing drugs and her family is concerned that she may follow in the singer’s footsteps in the more negative aspects of her life.
In 2011, Bobbi Kristina ‘s ex-boyfriend of more than two years was so concerned he spoke to Radar Online about her growing cocaine addiction that he says is due, in part, to her parents enabling her habits.
“I’ve tried to stop her, but all she said was, <<I’m just like my mother!>>” he said.
“It was difficult to stop her from buying alcohol and drugs because her mother gave her $1,000 a week. I saw Krissi do an eight ball – an eighth of an ounce – of cocaine in just two days with friends. One time Whitney bought a case of beer for Krissi and her friends to drink in front of her. I couldn’t believe it!”
Last March, Bobbi Kristina Brown took to Twitter to deny claims she had checked into rehab after The National Enquirer published pictures that allegedly showed her snorting lines of cocaine.
Bobbi Kristina Tweeted: “Excuse me, but I’d like to say that I am NOT going to rehab? I’m perfectly healthy and I am not addicted to anything but life.”
Long-time family friend BeBe Winans said he wasn’t aware of any alleged drug problems Bobbi Kristina was facing. He told Access Hollywood:
“I don’t know anything about rehab. I can tell you from being around her, pretty much all her life, and at the same time being around her in this dark valley, she’s doing wonderful. She’s doing wonderful.”
When asked about what part her father Bobby Brown would play in her life, Darlene Love added: “That’s really going to have to be her choice whether she wants him in her life… and I don’t think nobody is going to give her any information or try to move her one way or the other.
“That’s one decision she’s definitely going to have to make on her own.”
Although there are no custody issues because Bobbi Kristina is 18, her grandmother Cissy Houston is determined to keep a close eye on the teen.
Whitney Houston was pictured just five days before her tragic death dancing to Madonna’s Super Bowl half-time performance.
Whitney Houston watched the game at a bar in the Regent Beverly Wilshire hotel in Los Angeles with close family and friends.
TMZ reports Whitney Houston did not touch a drop of alcohol during the screening.
The website reports Whitney Houston sang along as Madonna, 53, performed her famous Vogue track as part of a medley of songs.
Source revealed Whitney Houston was a huge fan of Madonna’s performance and went on to reminisce about the days when they used to compete in the charts.
Whitney Houston was laid to rest on Sunday in her homeland of Newark, New Jersey, following her funeral the day before.
Stars including Mariah Carey, Oprah Winfrey and her co-star from The Bodyguard Kevin Costner attended the service at the New Hope Baptist Church.
Whitney Houston was pictured just five days before her tragic death dancing to Madonna's Super Bowl half-time performance
Kevin Costner was among the speakers and paid a moving tribute to the singer.
Whitney Houston was found dead in the bathtub of her Beverly Hilton hotel in LA on February 11, the eve of the Grammy Awards.
The cause of death is yet to be confirmed, pending toxicology reports, although today, Radar reported Whitney Houston had a deadly mixture of Valium, Xanax and alcohol in her system when she was found at the Beverly Hilton.
“Whitney had taken Valium, Xanax, and alcohol, which led to her death,” a source close to the situation tells RadarOnline.com. The coroner is waiting on final toxicology results to determine which one of the three was the major contributing factor of her demise.
“The coroner will be closely examining Whitney’s blood alcohol content at the time she died as well. The sedatives and alcohol will almost certainly be the cause of death, and not drowning.
“Her heart stopped beating because her respiratory system was suppressed because of the anti-anxiety meds, and combined with the booze it probably happened very quickly before she was found partially submerged in the bathtub,” they said.
The final toxicology results for Whitney Houston should be released in the next several weeks.
Earlier reports claimed that Elton John was to attend his friend Whitney Houston’s funeral and, when he cancelled his Friday and Saturday concerts at Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas, many fans thought that’s where he was.
But Sir Elton John has responded to the reports, saying the shows were cut because he was sick with food poisoning, not because he was bidding farewell to the troubled star.
A statement on Elton John’s official website said: “Elton’s management would like to apologize to all the ticket buyers who were disappointed over this unavoidable cancellation.
“Also, they would like to respond to various online rumors that Elton attended the funeral of Whitney Houston on Saturday.
“This is completely untrue. The only reason Elton did not play his concerts over the weekend is because he was too ill.”
Elton John said his shows in Las Vegas were cut because he was sick with food poisoning, not because he was attending Whitney Houston’s funeral
Elton John had been due to perform as part of his residency at the Caesar’s Palace.
The statement also promised full refunds to fans.
A spokesperson for Elton John told website TMZ he is feeling “much better now” and will be ready for his next concert later this week, in Guadalajara, Mexico.
Elton John was performing in Las Vegas on the previous Saturday when he heard about Whitney Houston’s death.
The singer dedicated his track Don’t Let the Sun Go Down On Me to Whitney Houston.
Addressing the crowd that night Elton John said: “This is a sad day today, most of you must know by now the news of Whitney Houston passing away.
“About six years ago I was here in Vegas with some friends and we spent the whole afternoon on YouTube looking at Whitney’s work from a long time ago, and you forget – with all the troubles she went through – how brilliant, she was.
“So, my dearest, gorgeous, lovely angel, we want to do this song for you. Thank you for giving us your talent and one of the most beautiful voices I’ve ever heard in my life.”
Astronomers using Hubble Space Telescope have confirmed the existence of a new class of planet: a waterworld with a thick, steamy atmosphere.
The exoplanet GJ 1214b is a so-called “Super Earth” – bigger than our planet, but smaller than gas giants such as Jupiter.
Observations using the Hubble telescope now seem to confirm that a large fraction of its mass is water.
The planet’s high temperatures suggest exotic materials might exist there.
“GJ 1214b is like no planet we know of,” said lead author Zachory Berta, from the Harvard Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics.
The planet was discovered in 2009 by ground-based telescopes. It is about 2.7 times the Earth’s diameter, but weighs almost seven times as much. It orbits its red-dwarf star at a distance of just two million km, meaning temperatures on GJ 1214b probably reach above 200C.
In 2010, astronomers released measurements of its atmosphere. These suggested that GJ 1214b’s atmosphere was probably made up of water, but there was another possibility – that the planet was covered in a haze, of the type that envelopes Saturn’s moon Titan.
Exoplanet GJ 1214b, so-called "Super Earth”, is bigger than our planet, but smaller than gas giants such as Jupiter
Zachory Berta and his colleagues used the Hubble Space Telescope’s wide-field camera to study the planet as it crossed in front of its star – a transit. During these transits, the star’s light is filtered through the planet’s atmosphere, giving clues to the mixture of gases present.
The researchers said their results are more consistent with a dense atmosphere of water vapor, than one with a haze.
Calculations of the planet’s density also suggest that GJ 1214b has more water than Earth. This means the internal structure of this world would be very different to that of our own.
“The high temperatures and pressures would form exotic materials like <<hot ice>> or <<superfluid water>>, substances that are completely alien to our everyday experience,” said Dr. Zachory Berta.
The planet’s short distance from Earth makes it a likely candidate for follow-up observations with the James Webb Space Telescope, which may launch by the end of this decade.
The study has been accepted for publication by the Astrophysical Journal.
Jennifer Lopez and boyfriend Casper Smart spent a holiday in Brazil surrounded by the frenzy of the Rio de Janeiro carnival.
After a day surrounded by loud music and dancing, the couple enjoyed some quiet time as they relaxed at their hotel before catching an evening flight back to the U.S.
As they watched the sunset over Rio’s coastline, dancer Casper Smart, 24, planted a tender kiss on Jennifer Lopez, 42, as she relaxed on a chair.
A few hours earlier, Casper Smart was spotted working on his tan at the rooftop bar of the exclusive Fasano Hotel in Ipanema, while J.Lo enjoyed the privacy of her suite’s ocean view balcony.
Earlier on Monday, they were joined by the American Idol judge’s entourage as they enjoyed a cruise.
Jennifer Lopez and Casper Smart checked into a deluxe suite at the Fasano boutique hotel on Saturday, where they spent two nights before flying out of the city on Monday night.
Their deluxe suite includes a king-sized bed with 300-thread count Egyptian cotton sheets, a bathroom including marble bath and ocean-view shower and a walk-in wardrobe.
Jennifer Lopez and boyfriend Casper Smart in the Brahma VIP box at the Sambadrome during the carnival on Sunday
Last night, Jennifer Lopez stopped her bodyguard from blocking a 12-year-old girl from trying to get an autograph from the singer.
On Sunday, Jennifer Lopez was the special guest of the Brahma beer company at their private VIP box in the Sambadrome for the annual Rio carnival.
She wore a red Brahma T-shirt as she danced along to the music and watched the spectacle.
Jennifer Lopez was invited by the Brazilian beer firm after appearing in the recent advertising campaign.
She filmed the Brahma beer ad in Los Angeles last month, she sees the Wedding Planner star turn down invitations for European dignitaries in favor of one to the carnival.
Brahma is the latest company to feature Jennifer Lopez in their advertising – she’s also one of the faces of L’Oreal and Fiat 500.
