The stars walking the carpet at the Golden Globes 2014 received some serious swag bags.
According to InStyle, this year’s gift bags contained:
Women’s Dooney & Bourke Blair bag It Cosmetics Heavenly Luxe powder brush Salvatore Ferragamo Signorina eau de parfum Fekkai Classic Brush & Brilliant Glossing Cream
Golden Globes swag bags 2014
Rituals Skin Care Touch of Happiness body cream SK-II facial treatment essence L’Oréal Voluminous Butterfly Mascara & Colour Riche Nail Collection Privée
Men’s Travelpro garment bag Ferragamo Acqua Essenziale fragrance Le Creuset champagne bottle opener Goldtoe boot socks Bee Bald shave cream Martial Vivot shampoo Rituals Skin Care shower gel Zirh face wash DeVita eye crème Braven speakers Lug USA nap sack, blanket and toiletry bag L’Oréal aftershave and anti-wrinkle cream
Israel’s former PM Ariel Sharon was buried at his family ranch in the Negev desert.
Earlier, speakers at the state memorial described him as an “indomitable” man devoted to the security of his people.
PM Benjamin Netanyahu said he was “one of the greatest military commanders the Jewish people have had”.
Israel’s former PM Ariel Sharon was buried at his family ranch in the Negev desert
Ariel Sharon, regarded by many Israelis as a great statesmen but widely loathed in the Arab world, died on Saturday aged 85 after eight years in a coma.
Thousands of mourners paid their final respects on Sunday, when Ariel Sharon’s coffin lay in state outside parliament – the Knesset – in Jerusalem.
Amid final prayers, Ariel Sharon’s coffin was placed in a plot at the Sycamore ranch he owned near Sderot, close to Gaza.
Ariel Sharon lies beside his wife Lili, who died in 2000.
Secretary of State John Kerry presented two large Idaho potatoes as a gift for Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov during a meeting in Paris on Monday.
John Kerry said Sergei Lavrov had mentioned Idaho’s most famous export the last time they met.
John Kerry presented two large Idaho potatoes as a gift for Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov during a meeting in Paris
Russia’s foreign minister seemed to appreciate the gesture, smiling and remarking that the gifts were “impressive.”
The US and Russian delegations were in Paris along with Syrian opposition groups ahead of UN-led Geneva II peace talks in Switzerland next week.
Red Hot Chili Peppers will join Bruno Mars as half-time performers at this year’s Super Bowl.
Bruno Mars made the announcement during the broadcast of a NFL play-off game between the Seattle Seahawks and New Orleans Saints.
Super Bowl XLVIII takes place at the MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on February 2.
Red Hot Chili Peppers have been signed up to broaden the audience for the half-time show.
Red Hot Chili Peppers will join Bruno Mars as half-time performers at this year’s Super Bowl
Bruno Mars was named as headliner for the half-time show in September, which is now considered one of the most coveted spots in entertainment.
More than 110.5 million viewers watched last year’s broadcast from New Orleans, which featured Beyonce.
Beyonce was joined by fellow Destiny’s Child members Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams.
They re-united for versions of Bootylicious, Independent Women Part I and Single Ladies.
Other recent half-time performers have been Madonna (2012), Black Eyed Peas with Usher and Slash (2011), The Who (2010) and Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band (2009).
The Hunger Games: Catching Fire has passed Iron Man 3 and became the most successful 2013 release at the US and Canadian box office with takings of almost $414 million.
According to online movie tracker Box Office Mojo, TheHunger Games: Catching Fire has now taken almost $4 million more than Iron Man 3.
Iron Man 3 remains 2013’s biggest draw worldwide, making $1.2 billion.
It was also 2013’s biggest earner at the end of last year.
Hunger Games: Catching Fire becomes 2013’s most successful release
Since then, however, The Hunger Games: Catching Fire has continued to pull in the punters and is now the most profitable film to be released in North America in 2013.
Not since 1968, when Funny Girl was the year’s top earner, has a female-led film topped the chart.
Jennifer Lawrence, who won a Golden Globe on Sunday for American Hustle, plays heroic teenager Katniss Everdeen in the Hunger Games films, based on Suzanne Collins’ dystopian sci-fi novels.
The first film in the series, released in 2012, made $408 million. The final part of the story, Mockingjay, has been split into two films that will be released in 2014 and 2015 respectively.
Catching Fire made almost $847 million worldwide.
The film was nominated for one Golden Globe at the weekend, for the song Atlas by Coldplay.
Justin Bieber is investigated by the police after he was accused of throwing eggs at a neighbor’s house.
Los Angeles County Sheriff’s spokesman Steve Whitmore says Justin Bieber, 19, has been named as a suspect in a crime report of vandalism and assault.
He is accused of egging the house in LA while his neighbor and neighbor’s daughter were on the balcony and videotaping the episode.
Steve Whitmore also said Justin Biber won’t speak to police.
Justin Bieber is investigated by the police after he was accused of throwing eggs at a neighbor’s house
“Mr. Bieber doesn’t tend to ever want to talk to us. When we knock on the door, he doesn’t answer,” he said.
“Once again, which I have done numerous times, I encourage Mr. Bieber, whether it be with an attorney or not, to come and talk to us,” Steve Whitmore added.
At the moment the claims in the report are counted as misdemeanors, however depending on the estimate of the damages, that could rise to a more serious felony.
Dennis Rodman apologized on Monday for not being able to help American citizen Kenneth Bae, a missionary detained in North Korea, during his trip there to play in a game to celebrate Kim Jong-un’s birthday.
”I’m sorry, I’m sorry I couldn’t do anything,” Dennis Rodman told media on his arrival at Beijing airport from a weeklong trip.
”It’s not my fault. I’m sorry. I just want to do some good stuff, that’s all I want to do.”
The former NBA star said he would return to North Korea next month, but gave no details.
Dennis Rodman and the squad of retired NBA players he took to North Korea for an exhibition game marking Kim Jong-un’s birthday have met with criticism in the US because of North Korea’s human rights record and its development of nuclear weapons.
He was also slammed for not using his influence with Kim Jong-un to help free Kenneth Bae, who has been detained for more than a year for ”anti-state crimes.” Dennis Rodman apologized last week for comments he made in a CNN interview implying Kenneth Bae was at fault, saying he had been drinking and was upset because some of his teammates were leaving under pressure.
Dennis Rodman apologized for not being able to help Kenneth Bae during his trip to North Korea
On Monday, Dennis Rodman reiterated that his trip to North Korea – in which he sang Happy Birthday to Kim Jong-un before playing the exhibition game at a Pyongyang stadium – was one of goodwill.
”This is not a bad deal,” he said.
”I want to show people that no matter what’s going on in the world, for one day, just one day, no politics, not all that stuff.
”I’m sorry for all the people and what’s going on, I’m sorry,” he continued.
”I’m not the president, I’m not an ambassador, I’m just an individual that wants to show the world the fact that we can actually get along and be happy for one day.”
Dennis Rodman and Kim Jong-un struck up a friendship when the basketball-player-turned-celebrity first traveled to North Korea last year.
Pope Francis emerged as a breastfeeding supporter, encouraging mothers to tend to their babies.
The pontiff told families who had brought their offspring to him for a special papal baptism that they should not stand on ceremony if the children were in need of food.
“If they are hungry, mothers, feed them, without thinking twice,” he said, smiling.
Pope Francis emerged as a breastfeeding supporter, encouraging mothers to tend to their babies
“Because they are the most important people here.”
On this occasion Pope Francis, 77, did not use the verb “breastfeed”. But he had already expressed an uncommonly down-to-earth approach to the practice in an interview with La Stampa last month. Recounting an encounter with a mother and her wailing newborn son at a general audience, he said he told her to feed him then and there.
“She was modest,” Pope Francis recalled.
“She didn’t want to breastfeed in public as the pope was going past.”
Former PM Ariel Sharon have been described as an “indomitable” man devoted to the security of his people at his state memorial in Israel.
Israel’s current PM Benjamin Netanyahu said Ariel Sharon was “one of the greatest military commanders the Jewish people have had”.
Ariel Sharon, regarded by many Israelis as a great statesmen but widely loathed in the Arab world, died on Saturday at the age of 85 after 8 years in a coma.
He will be buried later at the family ranch in the Negev desert.
Thousands of mourners paid their final respects on Sunday, when Ariel Sharon’s coffin lay in state outside parliament – the Knesset – in Jerusalem.
There were some 20 foreign delegates and hundreds of Israeli dignitaries attending Monday’s memorial service.
They included US Vice-President Joe Biden, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, Middle East international envoy Tony Blair, Czech PM Jiri Rusnok and German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier.
Delivering the first speech at the memorial, President Shimon Peres said Ariel Sharon was a “living military legend” who also always dreamed of peace for Israel.
He said Ariel Sharon’s shoulders had “borne the weight of the security of our people”.
Thousands of mourners paid their final respects to Ariel Sharon
Benjamin Netanyahu said Ariel Sharon’s “unique contribution to the security of the state is engraved in our historical writings”, adding: “Your memory will be part of this nation forever.”
Joe Biden described Ariel Sharon as an “indomitable bulldozer… The security of his people was his unwavering mission”.
The US vice-president also told the Israeli people: “As long as there is a United States of America, you are not alone.”
Describing Ariel Sharon as “bold, unorthodox and unyielding”, but also “warm-hearted, humorous, charming and passionate”, Tony Blair called the former PM “a giant of this land” who would “take his place in the history of Israel with pride”.
Ariel Sharon’s body was then taken in a funeral cortege for a brief military ceremony at Latrun, west of Jerusalem, where he was severely wounded in the 1948 war of independence.
His final journey is to the Sycamore ranch he owned near Sderot, close to Gaza.
Ariel Sharon will be buried beside his wife Lili, who died in 2000.
Because of its proximity to Gaza, three security rings are being placed around the farm.
The inner ring closest to the grave will be for family and invited guests alone, the second will be open to the public and the third will be a security measure surrounding the perimeter.
An Israeli security source said the Hamas government in Gaza had been warned to prevent any rocket attacks.
The Israeli military says a battery of the Iron Dome missile defense system is located nearby and that two rockets were launched from Gaza on Monday morning but did not reach Israel.
No-one from the Arab world, Africa or Latin America was attending Monday’s ceremonies.
09:30 Knesset state memorial service in Jerusalem attended by international dignitaries
Speeches from family members, President Shimon Peres, US Vice-President Joe Biden and Middle East envoy Tony Blair
Ariel Sharon lauded at Israel state memorial service
Army-led funeral procession from Knesset to Ariel Sharon’s farm
Stop-off on the way for private army ceremony at Latrun, where Ariel Sharon was wounded in 1948 war of independence
10:00 Military burial ceremony at Sycamore ranch, near Sderot
Selected invited guests and family present for burial beside Lili Sharon’s grave; other members of public allowed to observe ceremony from a distance[youtube HqDzak3VHSc 650]
Thai protesters are blocking roads in parts of Bangkok in a bid to oust Yingluck Shinawatra’s government before snap elections on February 2.
The protesters have built barricades and occupied key road junctions.
The government has deployed 18,000 security personnel to maintain order.
The protesters, who began their campaign in November, want to replace the government of PM Yingluck Shinawatra with an unelected “People’s Council”.
They allege Yingluck Shinawatra is a proxy for her brother, former PM Thaksin Shinawatra, who was ousted by the military in 2006 and is currently in self-imposed exile.
Protesters claim populist policies from Thaksin Shinawatra-allied parties have created a flawed democracy.
However, Thaksin Shinawatra-allied parties draw considerable support from rural voters and have a majority in the Thai parliament. Parties allied to Thaksin Shinawatra have won the last four elections.
The main opposition party is now boycotting the 2 February polls. Anti-government protesters have called on Yingluck Shinawatra to step down.
Yingluck Shinawatra has previously urged protesters to respect the democratic process and use the February elections to choose the next government.
At least eight people have been killed since the protests began late last year. On Saturday, at least seven people were injured when unknown gunmen opened fire on demonstrators at the main rally site in Bangkok.
Thai protesters are blocking roads in parts of Bangkok in a bid to oust Yingluck Shinawatra’s government
On Sunday night, an unidentified gunman attacked demonstrators at a protest site, shooting at least one man, officials said.
Police said a gunman also fired shots at the opposition party headquarters in a separate incident, although no casualties were reported.
Thousands are reported to have turned out for Monday’s demonstrations. Protesters say they intend to achieve what they are calling a shutdown of the capital.
Seven major intersections have been blocked by the anti-government protest movement, which has erected stages and piles of sandbags across the roads.
The government says it wants life to continue as normal through the shutdown and has ordered extra trains to run on the mass transit system and provided thousands of additional parking places outside the city centre.
Protesters also plan to surround key ministries and cut off their power supply in a bid to prevent them from functioning. About 150 schools have been told to close.
The protesters say they will remain in place for several days – but say they will not target public transport or the airports, which were closed for several days by anti-Thaksin protesters in 2008.
Protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban, who was formerly a senior opposition party politician, described the movement as “a people’s revolution”.
Yingluck Shinawatra was “no longer prime minister” in the eyes of the demonstrators, he told reporters on Monday.
The government says it is deploying 8,000 soldiers and 10,000 police to keep order.
The military – which has carried out several coups in the past – has refused to rule out another one. Some fear an escalation of violence could lead to a military intervention.
The government has so far worked to avoid confrontation with the protesters.
Yingluck Shianwatra had “ordered all police and military personnel to exercise utmost restraint and not to use all kinds of weapons in handling the protesters”, the deputy prime minister said.
The political unrest is the worst to hit Thailand since the protests of 2010, which were against a government led by the current opposition party and left more than 90 people dead, mostly civilian protesters.
American Hustle has won three Golden Globe awards at last night ceremony in Beverly Hills, including best film comedy or musical.
Its stars Amy Adams and Jennifer Lawrence also picked up best actress and supporting actress prizes for their roles in the 1970s-set crime movie.
Steve McQueen’s 12 Years a Slave picked up the top honour of the night, winning best film drama.
However, it was the only award 12 Years a Slave picked up, after going into the evening with seven nominations.
Both Steve McQueen and stars Chiwetel Ejiofor, Michael Fassbender and Lupita Nyong’o had received nods but came away empty-handed.
Collecting the award, Steve McQueen said he was “a little bit in shock” and thanked his wife for finding the book by Solomon Northup, on which the film was based.
The other film awards were spread around a number of movies.
Matthew McConaughey was named best actor in a drama for his role as AIDS patient Ron Woodroof in Dallas Buyers Club.
The actor said the award was “unexpected, but graciously accepted”.
His co-star Jared Leto also won the best supporting actor prize for his depiction of a transgender woman.
Cate Blanchett collected the best actress in a drama award for her part as a disgraced socialite in Woody Allen’s Blue Jasmine, while Leonardo DiCaprio won best actor in a comedy or musical for The Wolf of Wall Street.
American Hustle has won three Golden Globe awards at last night ceremony in Beverly Hills
Leonardo DiCaprio, who won his second Golden Globe after nine nominations, thanked director Martin Scorsese for his mentorship and for “allowing me to stalk you to make this movie”.
Alfonso Cuaron was named best director for Gravity – the only award the space movie picked up on the night – beating Steve McQueen, Paul Greengrass for Captain Phillips, Alexander Payne for Nebraska and David O. Russell for American Hustle.
The screenplay award went to Spike Jonze for his comedy romance Her. Italian film The Great Beauty won the title of best foreign language film and Disney’s Frozen took home the best animated feature award.
Robert Redford’s film All is Lost won the best original score prize, while Irish band U2 won best original song for Ordinary Love, as featured in Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom.
Coldplay and Taylor Swift had also been in the running for their songs from Hunger Games: Catching Fire and Paul Potts film One Chance respectively.
As the first major ceremony of the awards season, the winners are a likely indication of Oscar recognition when the nominations are announced later this week.
The TV categories featured a number of double award winners.
Liberace biopic Behind the Candelabra was named best TV movie/mini-series, with Michael Douglas picking up the best actor in a TV movie, series or mini-series, beating his co-star, Matt Damon.
Although the film was released in cinemas around the world, it was only shown on cable channel HBO in the US.
Breaking Bad also came away with two awards including best drama series and best actor in a drama for its star Bryan Cranston.
It was the first Golden Globe for Bryan Cranston, having been nominated for the same award every year since 2011. He was also nominated in 2003 for his role in comedy Malcolm in the Middle.
He called the award “a lovely way to say goodbye” after the series ended after five years in September.
Police caper Brooklyn Nine-Nine also collected two prizes including best comedy or musical TV series and best actor in a comedy for Andy Samberg.
Amy Poehler won best actress in a TV comedy or musical for her role in Parks and Recreation, while Robin Wright was named best actress in a drama series.
Elisabeth Moss won best actress in a TV movie or mini-series for Top of the Lake and veteran actor Jon Voight collected best supporting actor in a TV movie, series or mini-series for Ray Donovan.
Jacqueline Bisset won best supporting actress in a TV series, mini-series or TV movie – for her part in drama Dancing on the Edge.
BEST MOTION PICTURE – COMEDY OR MUSICAL American Hustle
BEST DIRECTOR – MOTION PICTURE
Alfonso Cuaron, Gravity
BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A MOTION PICTURE – DRAMA
Cate Blanchett, Blue Jasmine
BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A MOTION PICTURE – DRAMA
Matthew McConaughey, Dallas Buyers Club
BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A MOTION PICTURE – COMEDY OR MUSICAL
Amy Adams, American Hustle
BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A MOTION PICTURE – COMEDY OR MUSICAL Leonardo DiCaprio, The Wolf of Wall Street
BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A MOTION PICTURE
Jennifer Lawrence, American Hustle
BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A MOTION PICTURE
Steve McQueen’s 12 Years a Slave won best film drama at Golden Globe Awards 2014
Jared Leto, Dallas Buyers Club
BEST ANIMATED FEATURE FILM Frozen
BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM The Great Beauty
BEST SCREENPLAY – MOTION PICTURE Her – Spike Jonze
BEST ORIGINAL SCORE – MOTION PICTURE
Alex Ebert, All Is Lost
BEST ORIGINAL SONG – MOTION PICTURE U2 Ordinary Love, Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom
BEST TELEVISION SERIES – DRAMA Breaking Bad
BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A TELEVISION SERIES – DRAMA
Robin Wright, House Of Cards
BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A TELEVISION SERIES – DRAMA
Bryan Cranston, Breaking Bad
BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A TELEVISION SERIES – COMEDY OR MUSICAL
Amy Poehler, Parks & Recreation
BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A TELEVISION SERIES – COMEDY OR MUSICAL
Andy Samberg, Brooklyn Nine-Nine
BEST MINI-SERIES OR MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION Behind The Candelabra
BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A MINI-SERIES OR MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION
Elisabeth Moss, Top of the Lake
BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A MINI-SERIES OR MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION
Michael Douglas, Behind the Candelabra
BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A SERIES, MINI-SERIES OR MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION
Jacqueline Bisset, Dancing on the Edge
BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A SERIES, MINI-SERIES OR MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION
Jon Voight, Ray Donovan
BEST TELEVISION SERIES – COMEDY OR MUSICAL Brooklyn Nine-Nine
Days after Honey Boo Boo and her family were involved in a car crash, an audio from the 911 call that was reported by a witness to the wreck has emerged.
According to E! Online, a woman phones in to a 911 emergency operator, saying: “There’s a wreck right in front of Lowe’s. They just hit each other.”
The operator asks if there are injuries, to which the woman responds: “I don’t think so. I’m at the light and they hit each other but it don’t look too bad.”
An ambulance arrives to the scene at the end of the one-minute call before the woman hangs up.
After the accident, which involved 8-year-old Alana, Mama June, Sugar Bear, Pumpkin and Chubbs, occurred in Milledgeville, Georgia, when a pickup truck hit the Here Comes Honey Boo Boo stars’ vehicle as they were making a left turn at the light. The other car was being driven by 19-year-old Seth Cagle.
Honey Boo Boo and her family were involved in a serious car crash
Seth Cagle’s attorney, Walter Green, told E! News: “He [Seth] went to the hospital last night. [He] is experiencing pain in the lower and upper back. He is waiting to hear back from the doctor and see what the doctor recommendations are and will follow the doctor’s recommendations.”
Walter Green hasn’t been in contact with the Thompson family or their attorneys or TLC.
Seth Cagle’s attorney added that his client’s insurance company has been in contact with the Thompsons.
“His vehicle isn’t drivable,” he said.
“They have sent someone to investigate the accident. Seth reported the accident to his insurance as well. He wants to let the insurance companies take its course just like any accident. It is nothing out of the ordinary.”
“He [Seth Cagle] is doing good and he is going to be fine but he is a little sore right now,” he added.
June Shannon told E! News post-crash and after a family visit to the hospital: “As many of you have heard we were in a car accident last night. It was really scary for us, since it was the first time any of us had ever been in a wreck. We are definitely really sore today, but our top priority is to celebrate Pumpkin’s birthday. She turned 14 today and no matter how sore we feel we are going to go out and celebrate. As always we want to thank everyone for their support and well wishes.”
Hypnotist Scott Lewis has plunged to his death from the balcony of a Sydney apartment, Australian police said on Sunday.
Scott Lewis was in the city performing his hypnosis act along with six other performers in the show TheIllusionists 2.0, which opened at the Sydney Opera House on Thursday last week.
A police spokeswoman said officers were called to an apartment building in downtown Pyrmont at 9:40 a.m. on Saturday to find a body lying on a balcony.
Media reports said Scott Lewis had fallen from an 11th floor balcony to the fourth floor. Scott Lewis was staying with other performers at the building, which is a short drive from the opera house.
The spokeswoman, who spoke on condition of anonymity citing police policy, said investigators had ruled out any suspicious circumstances.
Scott Lewis was in Sydney performing his hypnosis act along with six other performers in the show The Illusionists 2.0
Police had yet to determine whether Scott Lewis’s fall was the result of “misadventure or self-harm,” she said.
Co-producer Tim Lawson said the show would continue.
“The company is deeply saddened by the sudden loss of Dr. Lewis,” Tim Lawson said in a statement.
“The entire company has decided to continue the show in his honor, and send our heartfelt condolences to his family and friends,” he added.
Sydney Opera House said in a statement that Scott Lewis “was a wonderful performer and he will be greatly missed.”
His website said he had the distinction of having “the longest-running family-friendly comedy hypnosis show in Las Vegas history.”
Scott Lewis appeared at Las Vegas’ Riviera Hotel for nine years.
Just days after 12-year-old Taylor Smith died, her parents found a sealed envelope containing a letter she had written to her 22-year-old self.
Taylor Smith died of pneumonia on January 5.
“To be opened by Taylor Smith on April 13, 2023 only unless said otherwise,” Taylor Smith had written on the envelope of the letter in April 2013.
“Sorry, baby, we opened it,” her father, Tim Smith, told WJHL TV station, before reading it aloud with a sometimes-quavering voice.
“Dear Taylor, how’s life? Life is pretty simple 10 years in your past. I know I’m late for you, but as I’m writing this early, so: congratulations on graduating high school! If you didn’t, go back and keep trying. Get that degree! … Do you have your own place yet? If we’re in college, what are we majoring in? Right now I wanna be a lawyer.”
The letter also addresses the importance of prayer and religious missions (Taylor Smith was, like her family, a devout Christian), Dollywood, her iPad (with a drawing of it attached) and the show Dr. Who.
Taylor Smith died of pneumonia on January 5
The last, heartbreaking line reads: “Well, I think that’s all, but remember it’s been 10 years since I wrote this. Stuff has happened, good and bad. That’s just how life works, and you have to go with it.”
Tim Smith talked with WJHL about his feelings of grief.
“Initially it’s shock and waves of depression, and hoping that it’s not real, and hoping that every time you take a nap or go to sleep you find out it wasn’t real,” he says.
But, he added: “If it’s God’s time, it’s God’s time, and he loved her more than we could ever love her. So much so that he said <<Come on>>. A lot of people are probably wondering why it’s so easy for a father who just lost his daughter to say something like that, to not curse God, to not hate God. The only thing I can say is that right now it’s easy for me to trust God because my baby girl trusted him.”
Tim Smith told Buzz Feed: “She liked doing quirky things and she liked doing meaningful things, she always created stuff. The fact that she wrote this letter wasn’t a surprise, but what she wrote was.”
A huge turnout of friends and surviving family members, which include older brother, Judah, celebrated Taylor Smith’s life at a church memorial service Wednesday.
Shortly beforehand, Tim Smith posted a message on his daughter’s Facebook page.
“I just wanted to write this so that ALL of her friends, not just the ones who know her parents, would know that Taylor loved you all immensely! If you knew her at all you know that she was never fake. So if you made it into her list of friends here on Facebook, then believe me, you were a friend,” the post reads.
Pope Francis baptized 32 infants at a Vatican ceremony on Sunday.
Formally welcoming the children into the Catholic Church Sunday, Pope Francis poured water from a shell-shaped dish over the heads of the babies held in their mothers’ arms.
Pope Francis baptized 32 infants at a Vatican ceremony
The pontiff pronounced the babies’ names one by one, as parents held their children.
In the same Sistine Chapel last year, Francis was elected as the first Latin American pope. He is the first pope to choose the name Francis. Among the children were two Francescas.
Pope Francis will appoint 19 new cardinals in February, including churchmen from Haiti and Burkina Faso, reflecting his commitment to the poor.
Cardinals, who wear red hats and robes, are the most senior clergymen in the Roman Catholic Church below the Pope.
Sixteen of the new appointees are under 80, making them eligible to enter a conclave to elect the Pope’s successor.
The new cardinals will be formally instated at a ceremony, known as a consistory, on February 22.
The three clergymen over 80 come from Spain, Italy and the Caribbean island of St Lucia. They will assume the title cardinal emeritus.
Pope Francis named the new cardinals during Sunday address to worshippers gathered in St Peter’s Square.
Pope Francis will appoint 19 new cardinals, including churchmen from Haiti and Burkina Faso
They come from all corners of the world, including Italy, Germany, Britain, Nicaragua, Canada, Brazil, Argentina, South Korea, Chile and the Philippines.
But among those chosen are also men from countries like Haiti, Ivory Coast and Burkina Faso.
The Vatican spokesman said that this was in keeping with Pope Francis’ drive to put the world’s poor at the core of the Church’s mission.
New Cardinals
Archbishop Pietro Parolin (Italy)
Archbishop Lorenzo Baldisseri (Italy)
Archbishop Gerhard Ludwig Muller (Germany)
Archbishop, Beniamino Stella (Italy)
Archbishop Vincent Nichols (Britain)
Archbishop Leopoldo José Brenes Solórzano (Nicaragua)
Archbishop Gérald Cyprien Lacroix (Canada)
Archbishop Jean-Pierre Kutwa (Ivory Coast)
Archbishop Orani João Tempesta (Brazil)
Archbishop Gualtiero Bassetti (Italy)
Archbishop Mario Aurelio Poli (Argentina)
Archbishop Andrew Yeom Soo Jung (South Korea)
Archbishop Ricardo Ezzati Andrello (Chile)
Archbishop Philippe Nakellentuba Ouédraogo (Burkina Faso)
Valerie Trierweiler, President Francois Hollande’s official partner and France’s first lady, has been admitted to hospital after media reports of an alleged affair involving the president.
Valerie Trierweiler’s office said she had been admitted on Friday “for rest and some tests”.
She was admitted a day after Closer magazine published images of Francois Hollande’s alleged affair with actress Julie Gayet.
Francois Hollande has not denied secretly visiting actress Julie Gayet at a flat near the Elysee Palace but protested at the magazine’s invasion of his privacy.
Valerie Trierweiler is expected to leave hospital on Monday, her office told AFP news agency.
Valerie Trierweiler has been admitted to hospital after media reports of an alleged affair involving President Francois Hollande
On Friday, Closer magazine printed a seven-page article about the alleged affair between Francois Hollande and Julie Gayet.
It was illustrated with photos showing a man said to be the president visiting a flat at the same time as Julie Gayet.
The man said to be the president is wearing a helmet and is ferried to and from the building on a moped.
Francois Hollande threatened to sue over the report, which he called an “attack on the right to privacy”, without denying the allegation.
A presidential news conference scheduled for Tuesday on plans to boost the flagging economy now looks like being overshadowed by Francois Hollande’s private life, correspondents say.
Opinion polls already suggest Francois Hollande is the most unpopular president in a generation – one on Thursday indicated that only 25% of French people trusted him.
The French media face strict privacy laws but the tradition of secrecy over the private lives of public figures has been steadily eroded in recent years. But polls suggest the French public appears be averse to reporting politicians’ private lives.
Libya’s deputy industry minister Hassan al-Droui has been shot dead during a visit to his hometown of Sirte, east of the capital Tripoli.
Local media quoted officials as saying unknown gunmen “sprayed bullets” at Hassan al-Droui near a central market.
It is the first assassination of a member of Libya’s transitional government.
Libya’s deputy industry minister Hassan al-Droui has been shot dead during a visit to his hometown of Sirte
Libya has suffered continuing lawlessness since the overthrow of Col Muammar Gaddafi in October 2011.
The motive behind Hassan al-Droui’s assassination is unclear.
Hassan al-Droui was a former member of the National Transitional Council, the political arm of the 2011 uprising.
He was appointed to his role by the transitional government’s first prime minister and kept his position when Ali Zeidan took over.
Sirte was the site of the final battle of Libya’s civil war, during which Col. Muammar Gaddafi was captured and shot dead while trying to hide from rebels.
Plummeting temperatures in the US and Canada have caused chaos for many but have created a spectacular sight at Niagara Falls.
Niagara Falls hasn’t frozen over, but it has become an icy spectacle, thanks to a blast of arctic wind and cold that blew around and froze the mist on surfaces and landscaping.
Despite the urban legends, Niagara Falls doesn’t freeze solid in the winter, tourism officials say.
Plummeting temperatures in the US and Canada have caused chaos for many but have created a spectacular sight at Niagara Falls
However, a section of the American Falls, one of three waterfalls that make up the natural attraction, has frozen. The Niagara River rapids and larger Horseshoe Falls continue to flow unimpeded.
Visitors who normally see a thundering waterfall have travelled to see part of the cascades frozen solid.
Hollywood is preparing for Golden Globes ceremony.
The Golden Globe awards are given out by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, and they are often seen as a good indication of who will pick up an Oscar.
The 71st Golden Globe Awards honoring the best in film and American television of 2013, will be broadcast live from the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California on January 12, 2014, by NBC.
The 71st Golden Globe Awards honoring the best in film and American television of 2013
Woody Allen was announced as the Cecil B. DeMille Award honoree for his the lifetime achievements on September 13, 2013.
On October 15, Tina Fey and Amy Poehler were announced as the co-hosts for the second time in a row and as the co-hosts for the 72nd Golden Globe Awards.
Golden Globes 2014 nominations were announced on December 12, 2013 by Aziz Ansari, Zoe Saldana and Olivia Wilde.
Israel begins a short period of mourning for ex-PM Ariel Sharon who died at 85 of heart failure after 8 years in a coma.
The public will pay their respects when Ariel Sharon’s body lies in state on Sunday before a private burial on Monday.
Israeli and world figures have paid tribute to a man who fought in four major wars before taking to the political stage.
But there was little sorrow among Palestinians who saw him as an enemy.
The head of the Sheba Medical Centre near Tel Aviv confirmed Ariel Sharon’s death on Saturday afternoon, the Jewish Sabbath, more than a week after it emerged that his health was in decline.
Gilad Sharon, one of his two sons, said outside the hospital: “He has gone. He went when he decided to go.”
President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama spoke of a leader “who dedicated his life to the state of Israel”.
The public will pay their respects when Ariel Sharon’s body lies in state on Sunday before a private burial on Monday
Israel’s President Shimon Peres, a long-time friend and political rival who joined a unity government with Ariel Sharon in 2001, said he was “an exceptional man and an exceptional commander who moved his people and loved them and the people loved him”.
Ariel Sharon, known as “The Bulldozer”, was a giant of Israel’s military and political scene whose term as prime minister ended abruptly when he had a major stroke that put him in a coma in January 2006.
Months before his stroke, he had guided Israelis through a unilateral withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, with the declared aim of easing tensions with the Palestinians.
Ariel Sharon’s reputation among Palestinians was such that, in the Gaza Strip, sweets were handed out in celebration of his death. One senior official in the Fatah movement said he was a criminal whom Palestinians had wanted to see on trial.
Palestinian political figure Mustafa Barghouti said while no-one should gloat at his death, Ariel Sharon had taken “a path of war and aggression” and had left “no good memories with Palestinians”.
Ariel Sharon’s coffin will be placed at a plaza in front of Israel’s parliament, the Knesset, in Jerusalem on Sunday to allow the public to pay their respects for six hours, from 12:00 to 18:00 local time.
A ceremony will be held there on Monday morning, which international figures are to attend. US Vice-President Joe Biden will lead a US delegation and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov is also expected to go.
A few hours later Ariel Sharon will be buried in a private ceremony at his farm in the Negev desert where his late wife Lily was laid to rest in 2000.
