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Prince George christening date set for October 23

Prince William and Kate Middleton have announced details of their son’s christening.

Prince George will be christened on Wednesday, October 23, at the Chapel Royal at St James’s Palace – just over three months after his birth.

The Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Reverend Justin Welby, will perform the christening.

Prince George, who was born on July 22 at St Mary’s Hospital in London, is third in line to the UK’s throne.

The Kensington Palace said in a statement: “Their royal highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are pleased to announce the christening of Prince George will take place on Wednesday, 23rd October at the Chapel Royal, St James’s Palace.

“Prince George will be christened by the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Reverend Justin Welby.”

Prince George will be christened on Wednesday, October 23, at the Chapel Royal at St James's Palace
Prince George will be christened on Wednesday, October 23, at the Chapel Royal at St James’s Palace

As the Chapel Royal is small and would only accommodate close family and a few others.

In 1997 the coffin of Prince William’s mother Diana, Princess of Wales, lay before the chapel’s altar before her funeral in Westminster Abbey.

Princess Beatrice was the last royal baby to be christened in the Chapel Royal in December 1988.

Prince William was christened at Buckingham Palace in August 1982 by Dr. Robert Runcie, then the Archbishop of Canterbury.

The current Archbishop later spoke of his joy at being asked to conduct the christening.

The Most Reverend Justin Welby said: “I am delighted to be invited to conduct the baptism of His Royal Highness Prince George.

“It is a great privilege and honor and will without doubt be an occasion of immense joy and celebration.

“I am looking forward to welcoming him into the family of the church.”

Prince George will be christened in a replica of the intricate lace and satin christening gown made for Queen Victoria’s eldest daughter, Victoria, the Princess Royal, in 1841.

The Earl and Countess of Wessex’s son Viscount Severn became the first royal baby to wear the new robe at his christening in 2008.

Earlier, Kensington Palace announced that a new coat of arms had been chosen to represent Prince William and Kate Middleton as a married couple.

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Kate Upton and Maksim Chmerkovskyi are dating

Kate Upton and Maksim Chmerkovskyi are dating, E! News reported.

The romance news comes as photos of Kate Upton, 21, and Maksim Chmerkovskyi, 33, holding hands recently surfaced.

In the PDA pics of them going public, Kate Upton and Maksim Chmerkovskiy are all smiles while strolling down the street in NYC’s West Village neighborhood. Kate Upton looked cute in workout gear while Maksim Chmerkovskiy sported skinny jeans and a pink button-down shirt. Both sported black sunglasses during the daytime outing.

Kate Upton and Maksim Chmerkovskyi are dating
Kate Upton and Maksim Chmerkovskyi are dating

Earlier this summer, rumors began swirling that Kate Upton and Maksim Chmerkovskiy were heating up. At the time, source told E! News that the two were “just good friends,” while a second source close to Maksim Chmerkovskiy revealed that they “heard nothing about them dating.”

Back in July, Kate Upton and Maksim Chmerkovskyi were spotted in NYC going on a dinner date together after an event.

“The two did not want to be photographed together and did the best they could to avoid the cameras,” a source told E! News.

“They left the event around midnight and went to Catch sushi bar, that turns into a club. The two

Maksim Chmerkovskiy has previously been romantically linked to Karina Smirnoff, Erin Andrews and DWTSer Peta Murgatroyd. Upton’s been rumored to have romanced Blake Griffin, Mark Sanchez and baseballer Justin Verlander.

Bill 606: Halle Berry anti-paparazzi bill becomes law in California

Anti-paparazzi bill which limits their ability to photograph stars’ children has become law in the state of California.

Bill 606, championed by actress Halle Berry, who testified before the state assembly, sets out to protect the children of those in the public eye.

It lays out penalties for taking photos and video of a child without parental consent and in a harassing manner.

It would be “the beginning of the end,” Halle Berry said, for “aggressive paparazzi”.

Earlier this week, it was signed into California law by state governor Jerry Brown.

“I started this fight with a great deal of hope and a bit of uncertainty so I cannot express my immense gratitude that Gov. Brown has recognized, and acted to remedy, the plight of children who are tormented because of the identity or prominence of their parents,” said Halle Berry.

Bill 606, championed by actress Halle Berry, who testified before the state assembly, sets out to protect the children of those in the public eye
Bill 606, championed by actress Halle Berry, who testified before the state assembly, sets out to protect the children of those in the public eye

Halle Berry was seen shouting at photographers taking pictures of her family after arriving at Los Angeles International airport in April, with her partner Olivier Martinez and her daughter.

She also thanked actress Jennifer Garner and British singer Adele for joining her in her fight.

“I am forever in awe of the support I got within my community from the enormously talented musician Adele to fellow actor Jennifer Garner, who travelled with me to Sacramento to share her children’s stories, experience and her desire to give them a better life.”

The law comes into effect in January. Those breaking it could receive between 10 days and one year in jail, as well as a fine of up to $10,000.

The bill also allows for parents to bring a civil action against violators to seek damages and legal fees.

“Kids shouldn’t be tabloid fodder,” said Senator Kevin de Leon, who put forward the bill, adding that the new law “will give children, no matter who their parents are, protection from harassers who go to extremes to turn a buck”.

The Motion Picture Association of America was among several groups that opposed the legislation, saying it infringes upon free speech protections.

Kevin de Leon’s office claimed the bill does not infringe on First Amendment rights because it targets the photographer’s conduct, not the act of taking a photograph.

Other organizations in opposition include the National Press Photographers Association and the California Broadcasters Association.

“It is for all of us that I rejoice today and hope that this fight will continue and that the proper enforcement of this law will truly make a positive impact on the daily lives of all children,” said Halle Berry.

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Robert De Niro replaces James Gandolfini in Criminal Justice

The upcoming HBO miniseries Criminal Justice will see Robert De Niro taking over James Gandolfini’s role in the drama.

James Gandolfini died of a heart attack on June 19 during a vacation to Rome. He was found by his 13-year-old son, Michael, who found him unconscious around 10 p.m. on the bathroom floor of the Boscolo Exedra Hotel.

At the time of his death, James Gandolfini had already filmed the pilot for the crime drama, which is based on the BBC series of the same name.

Robert De Niro is taking over James Gandolfini’s role in Criminal Justice
Robert De Niro is taking over James Gandolfini’s role in Criminal Justice

The first five-episode season premiered on June 2008 on BBC One, and the second season premiered on October 5, 2009. The series received positive reviews and won several awards.

Robert De Niro replaces the Sopranos star an ambulance-chasing lawyer named Jack Stone. James Gandolfini will keep a posthumous executive producer credit on the miniseries. The first season of Criminal Justice will be based on the first season of the BBC version, which focused on a man who goes home with a female stranger, wakes up to find her stabbed to death, and is accused of the murder. In the HBO version, now set in New York City, the suspect is Pakistani and is accused of murdering a girl on the Upper West Side. Jack Stone finds himself in over his head when he takes the case.

According to Deadline, it was unclear if HBO would proceed with Criminal Justice after James Gandolfini’s death. But because of his commitment to the project, the network decided to go forward with the series in his honor. The website also said that director Steven Zaillian and HBO set about recasting the role and had only person on their list to replace James Gandolfini: 70-year-old Robert De Niro.

Syria: UN to investigate chemical weapons attacks after Damascus incident

UN inspectors are investigating at least three alleged chemical weapons attacks in Syria that happened after August 21.

Little is known about the latest three alleged attacks, which the Syrian government asked the UN to investigate.

The August 21 attack left hundreds dead; the resulting outcry led Syria to offer up its chemical weapons arsenal.

Inspectors are due in Syria next week – the UN will vote on the visit later.

UN inspectors are investigating at least three alleged chemical weapons attacks in Syria that happened after August 21
UN inspectors are investigating at least three alleged chemical weapons attacks in Syria that happened after August 21

In Syria itself the violence goes on. Activists said a car bomb killed at least 20 people near a mosque in Rankus, a town north of Damascus, just after Friday prayers.

In a statement, the UN said its current inspection team in Syria is investigating seven allegations of chemical weapons use this year.

The team, led by Ake Sellstrom, arrived in Syria for its second visit on September 25 and hopes to finish its work by Monday 30 September, the statement said.

It is working on a “comprehensive report” into the allegations that it hopes to have finished by late October.

The UN listed the alleged attacks, which all took place this year, as Khan al-Assal on March 19; Sheikh Maqsoud on April 13; Saraqeb on April 29; Ghouta on August 21; Bahhariya on August 22; Jobar on August 24 and Ashrafieh Sahnaya on August 25.

Syria has pushed for the investigation of the three post-21 August incidents.

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Prince William and Kate Middleton’s conjugal coat of arms approved by the Queen

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Prince William and Kate Middleton have a new coat of arms to represent them as a married couple, according to Kensington Palace.

The conjugal coat of arms was approved by the Queen earlier this year.

It combines the Duke of Cambridge’s coat of arms and the duchess’ shield, from the Middleton family coat of arms.

Designed by the College of Arms in London, conjugal arms traditionally combine the separate shields of a royal husband and wife.

Prince William’s shield, on the left of the coat of arms, is his version of the Royal Coat of Arms, granted to him by the Queen on his 18th birthday.

It shows the various royal emblems of different parts of the UK – the three lions of England, the lion of Scotland and the harp of Ireland.

Kate Middleton and Prince William get new conjugal coat of arms
Kate Middleton and Prince William get new conjugal coat of arms

The duke’s shield is surrounded by a blue garter bearing the motto Honi soit qui mal y pense – Shame to those who think evil of it – which symbolizes the Order of the Garter, of which he is a Knight Companion.

Kate Middleton’s shield comes from her family’s coat of arms, which was granted to the family in 2011, ahead of her marriage.

It is divided vertically, with one half blue and the other half red, and includes a gold chevron across the centre with white “cotises” either side.

The shield also includes three acorns – representing Kate Middleton and her siblings Pippa and James – with gold stalks and leaves.

The conjugal arms was made by putting Kate Middleton’s shield next to Prince William’s, in what is known as an impaled coat of arms.

In the couple’s arms, Kate Middleton’s shield is surrounded by a wreath of oak, to balance out her husband’s garter – a tradition for royal spouses who are not themselves entitled to surround their arms with an order of chivalry.

Both shields are supported by the royal lion and unicorn, each wearing a three pointed collar, known as a label.

The label has a red escallop shell derived from the Spencer coat of arms, which has been used by Prince William’s ancestors on his mother’s side for many centuries.

Prince William and Kate Middleton will keep the coat of arms forever, but parts could change as their own circumstances and roles change.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will also keep their own coats of arms to represent themselves as individuals, Kensington Palace said.

Titian’s The Risen Christ identified in private collection

A Titian painting has been identified in a private collection in Europe.

The 16th Century oil painting, The Risen Christ, is believed to have been executed around 1511.

Writing in the Burlington magazine, art historian Artur Rosenauer from the University of Vienna, said it was “astonishingly well preserved”.

“It is extremely rare for a hitherto unknown Titian to come to light,” said Artur Rosenauer.

The professor said he believes it was created for a brotherhood and intended for holy processions.

The work art belonged to the Von Bulow family in the 19th Century, and by Bernhard Heinrich von Bulow, chancellor of Germany, until his death in 1929.

Titian’s The Risen Christ is believed to have been executed around 1511
Titian’s The Risen Christ is believed to have been executed around 1511

The painting is subsequently believed to have travelled to South America and was then bought by its present owners, from Montevideo in Uruguay.

“Standing on the lid of his sealed tomb, the monumental figure of Christ is presented to the viewer in an attitude of <<heroica maesta>>. His left hand holds the flag of the resurrection, while his right arm is raised in triumphant blessing,” writes Artur Rosenauer.

Tiziano Vecellio, better known as Titian, was the greatest painter of the Venetian school and one of Italy’s most important High Renaissance artists.

Titian singlehandedly revolutionized nearly all aspects of painting and inspired future greats such as Rubens, van Dyck, Velazquez and Rembrandt.

Last year, Titian’s Diana and Callisto was saved for the nation, after a $71.7 million deal was agreed with its owner, the Duke of Sutherland.

The “supremely important” oil painting was bought with the help of $39.9 million from the National Gallery after a lengthy fundraising campaign.

Along with its partners National Galleries of Scotland, the gallery also saved sister piece Diana and Actaeon in 2009.

Oscars 2014: Cate Blanchett tipped for best actress nomination

Cate Blanchett is tipped as an early frontrunner for this year’s best actress Oscar, following rave reviews for her performance in Blue Jasmine.

Woody Allen’s new film recalls Tennessee Williams’ classic play A Streetcar Named Desire, with Cate Blanchett playing fallen New York socialite, Jasmine.

Cate Blanchett is tipped as an early frontrunner for this year's best actress Oscar, following rave reviews for her performance in Blue Jasmine
Cate Blanchett is tipped as an early frontrunner for this year’s best actress Oscar, following rave reviews for her performance in Blue Jasmine

The film follows Jasmine, “a Park Avenue Princess”, whose wealthy husband Hal (Alec Baldwin) winds up in jail as a result of dodgy business practices.

Falling on hard times, Jasmine moves in with her adopted sister, Ginger, who lives in a humble apartment in San Francisco. Depressed and addicted to alcohol and pills, Jasmine desperately tries to maintain the appearance of wealth and decorum, as the truth is gradually revealed.

Cate Blanchett, who won best supporting actress for her performance as Katharine Hepburn in The Aviator, in 2005, is currently filming in Kenneth Branagh’s Cinderella.

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OJ Simpson caught stealing cookies from Nevada prison cafeteria

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OJ Simpson has been caught stealing cookies from the cafeteria of the Nevada prison where he’s been sentenced to spend more than three decades for armed robbery.

A prison report said guards noticed OJ Simpson leaving the cafeteria with something hidden underneath his clothes, and when they checked it out found more than a dozen oatmeal cookies.

“Everyone thought he had smuggled in a cell phone or some other kind of contraband, so when the guard started pulling cookies out of O.J.’s shirt, the other in­mates started laughing so hard they nearly fell over,” a source told the National Enquirer.

OJ Simpson has been caught stealing cookies from the cafeteria of the Nevada prison where he’s been sentenced to spend more than three decades for armed robbery
OJ Simpson has been caught stealing cookies from the cafeteria of the Nevada prison where he’s been sentenced to spend more than three decades for armed robbery

“OJ just stood there with a goofy grin on his face as the guard kept digging in­side his shirt and throwing the cookies on the floor.”

OJ Simpson is a severe diabetic, and doctors say he could be dead in months if he doesn’t tighten down his eating habits. The former NFL player turned actor has reportedly ballooned to more than 300 pounds and suffers high blood pressure.

A source close to OJ Simpson says getting his health in order may not be as easy as it seems. He has been trying to diet, but food is one of his only enjoyments in prison.

OJ Simpson may have a chance to turn his life around if he can keep his health in check long enough. This summer he won an appeal to gain parole on some of his charges, though he is likely to remain in prison for at least four more years.

OJ Simpson was able to avoid punishment for his cookie-stealing incident as the guard who caught him took the stolen cookies away and let him go with a warning.

Amanda Bynes may stay in mental health facility until 2015

According to Amanda Bynes’ lawyer, the former actress is still going for treatment in a California hospital and will need 18 months to complete that treatment.

Amanda Bynes was diagnosed with schizophrenia, and her parents were attempting to gain a conservatorship, so they could look after her well being.

According to TMZ, Amanda Bynes is far worse off than it initially appeared. She could be detained in a mental health facility for a year and a half receiving said psychiatric treatment.

Her latest court appearance was delayed due to her mental instability.

Amanda Bynes is still going for treatment in a California hospital and will need 18 months to complete that treatment
Amanda Bynes is still going for treatment in a California hospital and will need 18 months to complete that treatment

TMZ has reported that the case will be a plea bargain, according to sources close to the case, and that there’s a major weakness in the prosecutor’s end. The case is in connection with the incident that started Amanda Bynes’ spiral, when the actress threw a b**g out of her apartment window in New York City.

However, Amanda Bynes’ mother is actually dropping her bid to gain a permanent conservatorship. According to sources, it’s not because Amanda Bynes is doing well, or that her mother is turning her back on her daughter, but her mom is already protecting her to the best of her ability without the conservatorship.

It’s believed that Amanda Bynes is also on something called an LPS hold, which means that her doctors have control over the former child star, more so than what her mother would have if she had a conservatorship.

So far her mother has exercised her right and has admitted AmandaBynes  to a long-term stay at UCLA Medical Center to get prolonged treatment.

Listeria outbreak: Colorado cantaloupe farm owners arrested

Eric and Ryan Jensen, owners of the Colorado cantaloupe farm linked to a 2011 food poisoning outbreak which killed 33 people and sickened 147, have been arrested and charged with selling contaminated food.

Eric and Ryan Jensen face up to six years in prison and up to $1.5 million in fines.

The brothers did not adequately wash the melons before selling them, US officials say.

The Jensens called the outbreak a “terrible accident”.

The outbreak of listeriosis stretched from California to Virginia.

The brothers, owners of Jensen Farms, surrendered to US marshals and appeared briefly in federal court on Thursday afternoon.

Eric and Ryan Jensen, owners of the Colorado cantaloupe farm linked to a 2011 food poisoning outbreak which killed 33 people and sickened 147, have been arrested and charged with selling contaminated food
Eric and Ryan Jensen, owners of the Colorado cantaloupe farm linked to a 2011 food poisoning outbreak which killed 33 people and sickened 147, have been arrested and charged with selling contaminated food

They pleaded not guilty to misdemeanour charges and were released pending trial in December.

The Jensens called the outbreak a “terrible accident” after their court appearance, the Associated Press news agency reported.

A spokesman for the federal prosecutors told the Associated Press they leveled the “most serious” charges they could, as stricter felony counts would required proof the contamination was intentional.

An FDA inquiry found the Jensens installed a new cantaloupe cleaning system – designed to clean potatoes – in 2011.

The system included a chlorine spray meant to remove bacteria, which was never used.

“The defendants were aware that their cantaloupes could be contaminated with harmful bacteria if not sufficiently washed,” the office of the US Attorney for Colorado said in a statement.

“Food processors… bear a special responsibility to ensure that the food they produce and sell is not dangerous to the public,” Attorney John Walsh said in the statement.

The Jensens’ actions resulted in at least six shipments of contaminated cantaloupe being sent to 28 states, officials said.

If convicted, Eric Jensen, 37, and Ryan Jensen, 33, face up to one year in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 for each of the six counts against them.

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Jimmy Kimmel monologue after Kanye West’s Twitter rant

Jimmy Kimmel addressed Kanye West’s profanity-studded Twitter rant in which he went off on the late-night host in response to a bit from Jimmy Kimmel Live that poked fun at Kanye’s much-talked-about interview with BBC Radio One.

“Quick question,” Jimmy Kimmel kicked off his monologue on Thursday.

“Did anyone else get a very angry phone call from Kanye West about an hour and a half ago? Just me? OK, I didn’t know if he was mad at all of us.”

Picking up the subject again about 15 minutes later, Jimmy Kimmel described the pre-rant call he got from Kanye West.

“He told me I had two choices: apologize publicly…and that was really the only choice!” Jimmy Kimmel said.

“The other choice he gave was that my life – <<Your life>>, he said, <<is going to be much better if you apologize>>. Then he started tweeting today and I don’t even know if I’ve seen some of these tweets, because they’re happening as we speak…”

Then Jimmy Kimmel started going through Kanye’s tweets (which were all in caps), starting with the one that got the ball rolling: “Jimmy Kimmel is out of line to try and spoof in any way the first piece of honest media in years.”

The funnyman continued to parse the tweets, including the one that inquired whether Jimmy Kimmel would like it if Kanye West did a spoof about “your face or you f***ing Ben Affleck.”

“Which, by the way, was a spoof,” Jimmy Kimmel reminded everyone.

Jimmy Kimmel addressed Kanye West's profanity-studded Twitter rant during Thursday’s monologue
Jimmy Kimmel addressed Kanye West’s profanity-studded Twitter rant during Thursday’s monologue

“I don’t know if he thought that was news.”

Noting the use of the hash tags “#nodisrespecttobenaffleck” and “#alldisrespecttojimmy kimmel,” Jimmy Kimmel cracked: “A lot of hash in those tags.”

“And he told me this on the phone, I swear,” he continued>

“He said, <<I am the most powerful voice in media. I am ‘Pac!>> He said <<I am ‘Pac>> a few times to me. He said, <<You’ll never be able to show your face at a 14-year-old’s high school football game and be cool again>>.

“He really is ‘Pac,” Jimmy Kimmel said, smiling but looking a bit baffled.

“That’s right out of the Tupac playbook, isn’t it?”

“I don’t understand it, I don’t know why he’s angry again,” Jimmy Kimmel continued.

“I thought the bit was pretty innocuous. Finally I’m in a rap feud.”

“Do you have my back?” he asked side-kick Guillermo, who promised, while munching on a snack, to watch his boss’ back.

“Right now we’re at Def-Kanye Five,” Jimmy Kimmel concluded.

“Thanks, Kanye, appreciate it.”

Jimmy Kimmel promised to keep us posted and all remains quiet on the Twitter front for now.

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Kanye West and Jimmy Kimmel Twitter rant

Kanye West got angry after Jimmy Kimmel Live‘s recent parody of the lengthy, in-depth interview the rapper gave to BBC’s Radio One, in which he referred to himself as the “No. 1 rock star on the planet” and delved into various personal topics.

Kanye West, 36, took to Twitter to slam Jimmy Kimmel’s action: “JMMY KIMMEL IS OUT OF LINE TO TRY  AND SPOOF IN ANY WAY THE FIRST PIECE OF HONEST MEDIA IN YEARS.”

“JIMMY KIMMEL, I DON’T TAKE IT AS A JOKE… YOU DON’T HAVE SCUM BAGS HOPPING OVER FENCES TRYING TO TAKE PICTURES OF YOUR DAUGHTER,” the rapper continued.

“YOU CAN’T PUT YOURSELF IN MY SHOES. YOUR FACE LOOKS CRAZY…IS THAT FUNNY?…OR IF I HAD A KID SAY IT WOULD BE FUNNY???”

The spoof that angered Kanye West featured a little boy reciting actual snippets of the artist’s interview while fiercely sipping a milk shake in between sound bites.

“I brought the leather jogging pants six years ago to Fendi, and they said <<no>>!” little Kanye exclaimed in the “Kanye Kid Re(Kreation)”

“How many [bleep] you seen with leather jogging pants? Where the culture at? Where is the culture at?!”

Kanye West got angry after Jimmy Kimmel Live's recent parody of the lengthy, in-depth interview the rapper gave to BBC's Radio One
Kanye West got angry after Jimmy Kimmel Live’s recent parody of the lengthy, in-depth interview the rapper gave to BBC’s Radio One

Kanye West went on: “SHOULD I DO A SPOOF ABOUT YOUR FACE OR YOU F***ING BEN AFFLECK…#NODISRESPECTTOBENAFFLECK #ALLDISRESPECTTOJIMMYKIMMEL!!!!”

Instead, Jimmy Kimmel appeared to fully enjoy reaping what he had sowed.

“apparently @KanyeWest is VERY VERY ANGRY with me….” Jimmy Kimmel tweeted when he first got wind of Kanye West’s rant.

“if it’s not too much trouble @kanyewest, would you mind using @jimmykimmel? Thanks”

Kanye West continued: “I LIKE YOU, YOU KNOW ME, I WENT TO YOUR FAMILY’S WEDDING.”

Jimmy Kimmel replied: “I like you too! Glad we cleared this up.”

But Kanye West didn’t stop: “WHO YOU MADE IT CLEAR TO ME WASN’T YOUR FAMILY WHEN I WAS ON THEN PHONE WITH YOU 5 MINUTES AGO, YOU MANIPULATIVE MEDIA MUTHERF***ER.”

Jimmy Kimmel then swatted back with: “I know! #WreckItRalph, right?!” when Kanye West jabbed at him with: “SARAH SILVERMAN IS A THOUSAND TIMES FUNNIER THAN YOU AND THE WHOLE WORLD KNOWS IT!!!”

Then Kanye West started tweeting pictures, one of which Jimmy Kimmel duly retweeted.

“I swear, @kanyewest one more of these I WILL unfollow you #warning #Goshdarnit,” Jimmy Kimmel wrote.

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Hummingbird: Google unveils new search upgrade

Google has unveiled Hummingbird algorithm – an upgrade to the way it interprets users’ search requests.

Hummingbird is the first major upgrade for three years.

The new algorithm has already been in use for about a month, and affects about 90% of Google searches.

At a presentation on Thursday, Google was short on specifics but said Hummingbird is especially useful for longer and more complex queries.

Google stressed that a new algorithm is important as users expect more natural and conversational interactions with a search engine – for example, using their voice to speak requests into mobile phones, smart watches and other wearable technology.

Google has unveiled Hummingbird algorithm, an upgrade to the way it interprets users' search requests
Google has unveiled Hummingbird algorithm, an upgrade to the way it interprets users’ search requests

Hummingbird is focused more on ranking information based on a more intelligent understanding of search requests, unlike its predecessor, Caffeine, which was targeted at better indexing of websites.

It is more capable of understanding concepts and the relationships between them rather than simply words, which leads to more fluid interactions. In that sense, it is an extension of Google’s “Knowledge Graph” concept introduced last year aimed at making interactions more human.

In one example, shown at the presentation, a Google executive showed off a voice search through her mobile phone, asking for pictures of the Eiffel Tower. After the pictures appeared, she then asked how tall it was. After Google correctly spoke back the correct answer, she then asked “show me pictures of the construction” – at which point a list of images appeared.

The news was announced at an intimate press event at the Silicon Valley garage where founders Sergei Brin and Larry Page worked on the launch of the search engine, which is fifteen years old on Friday.

At the event, Google also announced an updated search app on Apple’s iOS, as well as a more visible presence for voice search on its home page.

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Toyota and Nissan announce fresh car recalls

Toyota and Nissan have announced new vehicle recalls.

Toyota is calling back 615,000 Sienna minivans in the US to fix a lever problem that could cause vehicles to shift out of park mode “without the driver depressing the brake pedal”.

Toyota said that it was aware of 24 “minor accidents” due to the issue.

Meanwhile, Nissan said it is recalling 908,900 vehicles globally due to a flaw in an accelerator sensor but added that no accidents had been reported.

Toyota's recall applies to models made during 2004 to 2005 and 2007 to 2009
Toyota’s recall applies to models made during 2004 to 2005 and 2007 to 2009

Nissan said the accelerator pedal’s sensor could become unstable, leading to a less-than-intended acceleration. It added that in a worst case scenario, the engine could stall.

Its recall affects Infiniti M, Serena, X-Trail, Lafesta and Fuga models produced in Japan between 2004 and 2013.

Toyota’s recall applies to models made during 2004 to 2005 and 2007 to 2009.

This is the second time in a month that Toyota has issued a recall of its vehicles in the US market.

Earlier in September, Toyota issued a recall for more than 780,000 vehicles in the US to address a suspension defect in its RAV4 and Lexus HS 250h models, on fears that an initial recall last year did not fix the problem

Spain to change time zone

Spain is to consider changing time zones by an hour after a report said this would improve eating, sleeping and working habits.

The document by a parliamentary commission said that “Spain for more than 71 years has not been in the correct time zone”.

In 1942, the Spanish dictator General Franco moved Spain onto Central European Time to follow Nazi Germany.

Spain is to consider changing time zones by an hour after a report said this would improve eating, sleeping and working habits
Spain is to consider changing time zones by an hour after a report said this would improve eating, sleeping and working habits

The report says Spain should be in the same time zone as the UK and Portugal.

Spain – on the western edge of Europe – is currently one hour ahead of GMT during the winter and two hours ahead in the summer.

“We sleep almost an hour less than the World Health Organization recommends,” the commission said.

“All this has a negative effect on productivity, absenteeism, stress, accidents and school drop-out rates.”

It said that following the “wrong clock” explained why Spaniards tended to eat, leave work and go to bed later than their European neighbors.

“Our timetable is determined more by the sun than by the clock. We eat at one o’clock in the afternoon and dine at eight, according to the sun, but the clock says it is three o’clock and 10 o’clock,” the text said.

It added that jumping back an hour would bring Spain “into line with Europe in many respects in which we currently differ”.

Reassigned Yahoo email addresses row

New reports claim that Yahoo email addresses reassigned to a new owner are receiving personal emails intended for the previous owner.

One user told news website Information Week that he had received emails with some highly sensitive information in them.

In June the company announced Yahoo addresses and IDs would be reassigned if they had been inactive for a year.

Privacy experts called on Yahoo to address the issue “immediately”. Yahoo says it has taken a series of measures to overcome privacy and security fears.

“Before recycling inactive accounts we attempted to reach the account owners [in] multiple ways to notify them that they needed to log in to their account or it would be subject to recycling,” said a Yahoo representative.

“We took many precautions to ensure this was done safely – including deleting any private data from the previous account owner, sending bounce-backs to the senders for at least 30-60 days letting them know the account no longer existed and unsubscribing the accounts from commercial mail.”

Yahoo email addresses reassigned to a new owner are receiving personal emails intended for the previous owner
Yahoo email addresses reassigned to a new owner are receiving personal emails intended for the previous owner

It is also in the process of rolling out a feature called “Not My Email” where users can report an email that is not intended for them.

The process will come as little comfort to the previous owner of an email account now owned by Tom Jenkins, an IT security professional.

Tom Jenkins told Information Week: “I can gain access to their Pandora account [online radio] but I won’t. I can gain access to their Facebook account, but I won’t. I know their name, address and phone number. I know where their child goes to school. I know the last four digits of their social security number. I know they had an eye doctor’s appointment last week and I was just invited to their friend’s wedding.”

Other users have revealed that they have also received messages that contain personally identifiable information.

“I recommend logging into your Yahoo account every six months or so in order to ensure that you retain control over it,” said security expert Lee Munson.

Privacy experts said that the issues were inevitable.

“These problems were flagged by security and privacy experts a few months ago when Yahoo announced their intention to recycle old emails, and cautioned that Yahoo’s plan created significant security and privacy risks. Yahoo downplayed these risks, and ignored critics, but now we see these concerns were legitimate,” said Mike Rispoli, spokesman for Privacy International.

“This email recycling scheme, an effort to re-engage old users and attract new ones, is resulting in some of our most intimate data being accessed by someone we don’t know and without our knowledge.

“We’re talking about account passwords, contacts for friends and families, medical records – this issue needs to be addressed immediately by Yahoo if they care about the privacy of their users and want them to trust the company with sensitive information.”

Mia Robertson: Jase’s daughter had a cleft lip and palate condition

Duck Dynasty stars Jase and Missy Robertson have three kids: Reed, Cole, and Mia.

The little one is Mia Robertson. Ten-year-old Mia hasn’t been on the show at all, except sitting around Miss Kay’s table for the family blessing that ends each episode.

Mia Robertson and her brother Reed
Mia Robertson and her brother Reed

Mia Robertson had a cleft lip (cheiloschisis) and cleft palate (palatoschisis) condition and she had an operation for it.

Reed Robertson is Jase and Missy’s eldest son. He is a senior in high school, playing football, and hanging out with his girlfriend.

Cole Robertson is Jase and Missy’s second child. He has been on the show quite a bit. He is 15, now, and looks so much like Willie’s boy, John Luke, that seeing the two cousins together on camera is always fun. You’ll find him playing video games with John Luke on one episode and, in the same episode, getting a lesson from Granddad Phil on how not to be a “yuppie.”

Jase and Missy Robertson have three kids

Duck Dynasty’s Jase Robertson and his wife Missy have three kids: Reed, Cole, and Mia.

Reed Robertson, 18, is Jase and Missy’s eldest son. He is a senior in high school, playing football, and hanging out with his girlfriend.

Jase and Missy Robertson and their children
Jase and Missy Robertson and their children

Cole Robertson is Jase and Missy’s second child. He has been on the show quite a bit. He is 15, now, and looks so much like Willie’s boy, John Luke, that seeing the two cousins together on camera is always fun. You’ll find him playing video games with John Luke on one episode and, in the same episode, getting a lesson from Granddad Phil on how not to be a “yuppie.”

The little one is Mia Robertson. Ten-year-old Mia hasn’t been on the show at all, except sitting around Miss Kay’s table for the family blessing that ends each episode.

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Duck Dynasty new episodes return on October 2

Next episode of Duck Dynasty reveals how Si Robertson shows up to work on a mobility scooter, claiming to have an invisible injury from a fender bender with nephew Willie.

After losing her beloved turtle “Mr. T”, Miss Kay Robertson enlists Phil on a mission to find a new pet turtle.

Duck Dynasty new episodes return on Wednesday, October 2
Duck Dynasty new episodes return on Wednesday, October 2

Duck Dynasty new episodes return on Wednesday, October 2, 10/9C.

Iran urged to accept international offer over its nuclear programme

Iran has been urged by China and the US to respond “positively” to an international offer over its nuclear programme, US officials say.

The call came ahead a rare, high-level meeting between the US and Iran.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani called for a world without nuclear weapons, hours after saying Tehran wanted a deal in three to six months.

The West suspects Tehran is trying to develop a nuclear weapon, a claim strongly denied by Iran.

Iran has been negotiating over the issue since 2006 with the P5+1 – the five permanent members of the UN Security Council, plus Germany.

On Tuesday, Hassan Rouhani told the UN General Assembly that he was prepared to engage in “time-bound and results-oriented” talks.

On Thursday, Hassan Rouhani called from stricter controls on nuclear weapons as part of a global effort to eventually rid the world of them.

“No nation should possess nuclear weapons; since there are no right hands for these wrong weapons,” he said, speaking on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement at the General Assembly.

Hassan Rouhani called from stricter controls on nuclear weapons as part of a global effort to eventually rid the world of the
Hassan Rouhani called from stricter controls on nuclear weapons as part of a global effort to eventually rid the world of the

The P5+1 has asked to halt production and stockpiling of uranium enriched to 20% – a step away from achieving a nuclear weapons capability.

It also demanded Iran shut down the Fordo underground enrichment facility.

In return, it offered to ease the sanctions that have severely affected Iran’s economy.

“Both the US and China believe that Iran should cooperate with the P5+1 and should respond positively to the proposals that are on the table,” a US official told journalists at the UN.

Later, Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif is due to meet US Secretary of State John Kerry as well as diplomats from the UK, France, Russia, China and Germany on the sidelines of the annual UN General Assembly summit in New York.

It will be the highest level direct contact between the US and Iran for six years.

President Barack Obama has welcomed the new Iranian president’s more “moderate course”.

Barack Obama told the UN on Tuesday that the US wanted to resolve the nuclear issue peacefully, but was determined to prevent Iran from developing a nuclear weapon.

Hassan Rouhani has said he is fully empowered by Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei to negotiate on the issue.

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White Widow: Interpol issues wanted persons notice for Samantha Lewthwaite at Kenya’s request

Interpol has issued a wanted persons notice for Briton Samantha Lewthwaite, known as the “White Widow”, at Kenya’s request.

Samantha Lewthwaite, 29, is the widow of Germaine Lindsay, one of the four suicide bombers who attacked London on July 7th, 2005.

She has been linked with Somali militant Islamist group al-Shabab.

Interpol did not link the warrant to Nairobi’s Westgate mall attack that left at least 67 dead.

However, it comes after much speculation linking Samantha Lewthwaite to events there.

Al-Shabab was behind the attack and subsequent four-day siege at the Westgate shopping complex in the Kenyan capital.

An Interpol statement said Samantha Lewthwaite was “wanted by Kenya on charges of being in possession of explosives and conspiracy to commit a felony dating back to December 2011”.

The Interpol alert, known as a “Red Notice”, requires member countries to detain the suspect pending extradition procedures.

Interpol has issued a wanted persons notice for Briton Samantha Lewthwaite, known as the “White Widow”, at Kenya's request
Interpol has issued a wanted persons notice for Briton Samantha Lewthwaite, known as the “White Widow”, at Kenya’s request

Samantha Lewthwaite – who is believed to use the alias “Natalie Webb” – had previously only been wanted for the alleged possession of a fraudulently obtained South African passport.

She is the widow of Germaine Lindsay, one of the four bombers involved in the July 7 terror attacks in London in 2005 in which 52 people were killed and hundreds more injured.

Interpol’s red notice acts like a global wanted poster, but it’s also a concession by the Kenyan security forces that she is an international danger, not just someone who should be regarded as a passport fraudster.

Kenya is continuing three days of official mourning for the civilian and military victims of the siege.

The funeral of pregnant television and radio star Ruhila Adatia-Sood was one of many being held on Thursday.

Flags are flying at half mast amid visibly tighter security around the Kenyan capital. Security guards were scanning passengers with metal detectors before they boarded buses.

Kenyan investigators have been joined by experts from the US, UK, Germany, Canada and Interpol to comb the sprawling shopping complex for DNA, fingerprints and ballistic clues.

Somali Islamist group al-Shabab has said it had carried out the attack in retaliation for Kenyan army operations in Somalia.

The militants stormed the Westgate centre on Saturday, throwing grenades and firing indiscriminately at shoppers and staff.

Twitter posts on an al-Shabab account said the group’s militants had held 137 people hostage, and claimed the hostages had died after security forces fired chemical agents to end the siege.

A government spokesman denied any chemical agents were used, and authorities called on Kenyans to ignore militant propaganda.

Al-Shabab, which is linked to al-Qaeda, has repeatedly threatened attacks on Kenyan soil if Nairobi did not pull its troops out of Somalia.

About 4,000 Kenyan troops have been serving in the south of Somalia since October 2011 as part of an African Union force supporting Somali government forces.

The group is banned as a terrorist group by both the US and the UK and is believed to have between 7,000 and 9,000 fighters.

Al-Shabab members are fighting to create an Islamic state in Somalia.

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Costa Concordia: Remains found during salvage operation

Divers working on the salvage operation of the Costa Concordia, which crashed off the Italian coast of Giglio in January 2012, have found human remains.

Two people have been unaccounted for since the night the Costa Concordia sank off the Italian shore in a disaster which claimed the lives of 30 other people.

The 951 ft vessel was raised upright last week in a major salvage operation off Giglio island.

Costa Concordia’s Captain Francesco Schettino is on trial over the disaster in January of last year.

Francesco Schettino is accused of manslaughter, causing the shipwreck and abandoning ship, but says he is being made a scapegoat for others’ errors.

“During a search in the water near the central part of the ship, coast guard and police divers found remains which still have to be identified with DNA,” Italy’s civil protection agency said in a statement on Thursday.

Divers working on the salvage operation of the Costa Concordia have found human remains near wreck
Divers working on the salvage operation of the Costa Concordia have found human remains near wreck

The agency’s head, Franco Gabrielli, reaffirmed that further tests were needed but told reporters the remains were “absolutely consistent” with the two missing people, said Reuters news agency.

Recovering the remains after 20 months under the weight of the cruise ship was “almost a miracle,” Franco Gabrielli said.

An Indian waiter, Russel Rebello, and Italian passenger Maria Grazia Trecarichi were reported missing, presumed dead, after the disaster.

It was thought that perhaps they had been trapped beneath the ship and the rocks.

Divers found remains lying just outside the hull on the seabed. They still have not been brought ashore, and the process of running DNA identification tests is yet to begin.

Relatives of the two missing people have been informed of the find.

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Lamar Odom breaks his silence on Twitter

Lamar Odom broke his silence on Twitter this week slamming his estranged father Joe Odom and praising the Kardashians for being his family.

Lamar Odom broke his silence on Twitter this week slamming his estranged father Joe Odom and praising the Kardashians
Lamar Odom broke his silence on Twitter this week slamming his estranged father Joe Odom and praising the Kardashians

The 33-year-old basketballer tweeted of the Kardashians as being “the ONLY ones that have been here consistently 4 me during this dark time”.

Lamar Odom very briefly tried rehab before – for less than a day – but his recent tweet is an indication that he’s really ready to get himself healthy again.

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Kim Kardashian to play an alien in American Dad!

Kim Kardashian will appear on an upcoming episode of the Fox cartoon comedy American Dad! later in this season, FOX confirmed to E! News.

Entertainment Weekly first broke the story.

Kim Kardashian will appear on an upcoming episode of the Fox cartoon comedy American Dad! later in this season
Kim Kardashian will appear on an upcoming episode of the Fox cartoon comedy American Dad! later in this season

Kim Kardashian, 32, will play a furry creature from another planet and will be a love interest for alien Roger (played by Seth MacFarlane), after her spaceship has a crash landing in Langley Falls, Virginia.  She “falls hard for her fellow extraterrestrial”, and she ends up in a relationship with Roger.

American Dad! tells the story of staunch GOP supporter and CIA agent Stan Smith (also voiced by Seth MacFarlane) and the adventures of his family. According to the show’s website, Roger is a “sassy, sarcastic and routinely inappropriate space alien” who lives in the attic.

There is no set date for Kim Kardashian’s appearance.

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