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Peter Capaldi revealed as Doctor Who new star

Entertainment

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Aug 4, 2013

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Peter Capaldi revealed as Doctor Who new star

Peter Capaldi has been revealed as the 12^th Doctor of BBC Sci-Fi series Doctor Who.

Peter Capaldi, 55, is replacing outgoing lead Matt Smith.

He is best known for his role as foul-mouthed spin-doctor Malcolm Tucker in the BBC series The Thick of It.

“It’s so wonderful not to keep this secret any longer, but it’s been so fantastic,” Peter Capaldi said after the news was revealed on a live BBC One show.

The actor had been the bookmakers’ favorite to take on the role, with betting on him becoming the next Doctor suspended on Friday.

It is not the first time Peter Capaldi has appeared on the show – he played Roman merchant Caecilius in 2008 Doctor Who adventure The Fires of Pompeii.

At 55, Peter Capaldi is the same age as William Hartnell when he was cast in the role as the first Doctor in 1963.

Peter Capaldi has been revealed as the 12th Doctor of BBC Sci-Fi series Doctor Who

“Being asked to play the Doctor is an amazing privilege. Like the Doctor himself I find myself in a state of utter terror and delight. I can’t wait to get started,” he said.

Steven Moffat, the show’s lead writer and executive producer, said casting Peter Capaldi as the Doctor was an “incendiary combination”.

“One of the most talented actors of his generation is about to play the best part on television.”

Steve Moffat said Peter Capaldi had been cast after a secret audition at his house.

“We made a home video of [Peter Capaldi] being the doctor and I showed it around and everyone said <<yes, that’s the Doctor>>.”

Steve Moffat added the actor had “briefly flicked through my mind” the last time he was casting the role, but he did not think he was right for the part, however “now that moment has arrived”.

Peter Capaldi said he downloaded old Doctor Who scripts from the internet and practiced the lines in front of a mirror to prepare for the audition.

Outgoing Doctor Matt Smith welcomed Peter Capaldi’s casting, who pre-recorded a message for the new Time Lord.

“I wish my successor all the best and say good luck and good on you for getting it, because I know he’s both a huge fan of the show and a really nice guy,” Matt Smith said.

“The casting made me ready excited and as a fan I think it’s a canny choice. If I had to pick someone, I’d pick him because I think he’s great. I’m excited because I know what’s coming and he’s going to have a blast.”

Peter Capaldi will film his first scenes on the series this autumn.

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Spain considers 50 euros Gibraltar border fee

Diane A. Wade

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Aug 4, 2013

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Spain considers 50 euros Gibraltar border fee

Spain is considering a 50 euro fee to cross its border with Gibraltar, amid a row over an artificial reef.

Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Garcia-Margallo told a Spanish newspaper the proceeds would “help fishermen affected by the destruction of fishing grounds”.

The latest tensions come after the British territory began work on the concrete reef, which Spain claims infringes the rights of its fishermen.

The UK Foreign Office said it was “concerned” at the minister’s comments.

Britain has governed Gibraltar for 300 years but Spain disputes UK sovereignty over the rocky outcrop on its southern tip.

In the interview with ABC newspaper, published on Sunday, Jose Manuel Garcia-Margallo said Spain was considering the fee to enter and exit Gibraltar through its border post with Spain.

The minister was also quoted as saying that Spanish tax authorities could launch an investigation into property owned by around 6,000 Gibraltarians in neighboring parts of Spain.

Spain is also considering closing its airspace to flights heading to Gibraltar, and changing the law so that online gaming companies operating from the British overseas territory have to use Spanish servers and come under the jurisdiction of Madrid’s taxation regime, he said.

Spain is considering a 50 euro fee to cross its border with Gibraltar, amid a row over an artificial reef

Jose Manuel Garcia-Margallo cited the “extreme measure” by Gibraltar of “throwing concrete blocks with spikes that destroy the fishing grounds” – thought to be in reference to the reef.

He said that as well as the border fees measure, Spain would stop concrete and other materials being brought in through the border for the building of the reef.

A spokeswoman for the UK Foreign Office said: “We are concerned by today’s comments on Gibraltar, which we are looking into further.

“As we have said, we will not compromise on our sovereignty over Gibraltar, nor our commitment to its people. We continue to use all necessary measures to safeguard British sovereignty.”

Gibraltar started work on the artificial reef by placing concrete blocks in the sea 10 days ago.

Spain lodged a complaint with the UK over the reef which it said stopped “Spanish fishermen fishing in a manner that is contrary to our law”.

Spanish authorities later increased vehicle searches, resulting in three days of delays at the Gibraltar-Spain border last weekend.

Gibraltar linked the delays to Spain’s anger over the reef – but Spain denied this, saying it had a duty to prevent smuggling.

The British Foreign Office said the delays stopped on Monday after Foreign Secretary William Hague called his counterpart in Madrid.

On Friday Spain’s ambassador to London, Federico Trillo, was summoned to give assurances there would be no repeat.

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Carla Bruni shows off her bikini body while on holiday in Cap Negre

Fashion & Style

Lisa.Felice

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Aug 4, 2013

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Carla Bruni shows off her bikini body while on holiday in Cap Negre

Carla Bruni has just shot her first major modelling campaign as the new face of Bulgari since her husband Nicolas Sarkozy left office.

Carla Bruni, 45, is on holiday in the South of France and revealed her enviable figure while looking picture perfect in a white bikini.

Carla Bruni showed off her enviable figure in white bikini in Cap Negre

Looking as if she was considering taking the plunge, the former first lady of France was more than happy to show off her bikini body.

The white two-piece which many would be wary about wearing not only flattered her skin tone but suited her slim figure.

With her hair falling around her shoulders and a pair of shades covering her eyes, the songstress looked like a natural beach babe.

Sitting beside the water in Cap Negre Carla Bruni began to pull on her flippers to join her friend, who had braved the cool water before her.

Once in Carla Bruni clearly had a great time and emerged a short while later with her wet hair clinging to her back.

Later that day Carla Bruni reunited with her husband Nicolas Sarkozy as they attended the presentation of Julien Clerc as part of the festival of Ramatuelle.

China bans all imports of milk powder from New Zealand in botulism fears

Kathryn R. Bown

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Aug 4, 2013

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China bans all imports of milk powder from New Zealand in botulism fears

China has banned all imports of milk powder from New Zealand, after its main dairy exporter, Fonterra, found in some of its products a strain of bacteria that can cause botulism.

China relies on New Zealand for almost all its imports of milk powder.

Imports are highly prized in China after a tainted milk formula scandal in 2008 killed six babies and made some 300,000 infants sick.

New Zealand’s trade minister described Beijing’s decision as “appropriate”.

Fonterra’s announcement that it had found the contamination led to a global recall of up to 1,000 tonnes of dairy products across seven countries, including China.

The potentially tainted products included infant milk formula, sports drinks, protein drinks and other beverages.

Botulism is one of the most dangerous forms of food poisoning, often leading to paralysis.

The bacteria were found in three batches of Fonterra’s whey protein used in infants’ Nutricia Karicare follow-on formula, Fonterra said.

China has banned all imports of milk powder from New Zealand

Nearly 80% of dairy products imported by China come from New Zealand, according to state media.

Any prolonged ban of imports could well lead to a dairy shortage in China

New Zealand Trade Minister Tim Groser said China’s action was “entirely appropriate”.

“It’s better to do blanket protection for your people then wind it back when we, our authorities, are in a position to give them the confidence and advice that they need.”

The Chinese authorities named four domestic companies that have imported potentially contaminated products from New Zealand. According to state media, these companies have begun a recall.

The whey product was produced in May 2012, with a dirty pipe at one of Fonterra’s processing plants in Waikato responsible for the contamination, the company said.

Fonterra – the fourth largest diary company in the world – said it had urged its customers to urgently check their supply chains.

The countries affected besides New Zealand and China include Australia, Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam and Saudi Arabia.

Russia is also reported to have begun a recall of Fonterra products.

Fonterra said there had been no reports of any illness linked to the affected whey product.

The dairy industry powers New Zealand’s economy, with the country exporting up to 95% of its milk.

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Frankenburger: First test-tube burger costs $400,000

Science & Technology

James J. Williams

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Aug 4, 2013

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Frankenburger: First test-tube burger costs $400,000

Frankenburger is the world’s first test-tube burger and is being served in London.

The burger is made from meat grown in a laboratory, rather than cattle raised in pastures.

And its developers hope it will show how the soaring global demand for protein can be met without the need for vast herds of cattle.

The 5oz Frankenburger, which cost £250,000 ($400,000) to produce, is made from 3,000 tiny strips of meat grown from the stem cells of a cow.

The raw meat is said to be grey with a slippery texture similar to squid or scallop.

It has been created by Professor Mark Post, from the University of Maastricht in Holland.

His research has been funded by an anonymous businessman – who may be the first to try the burger.

Prof. Mark Post told The Independent on Sunday: “Right now, we are using 70 per cent of all our agricultural capacity to grow meat through livestock. You are going to need alternatives. If we don’t do anything meat will become a luxury food and will become very expensive.”

A four-step technique is used to turn stem cells from animal flesh into a burger.

First, the stem cells are stripped from the cow’s muscle.

Frankenburger is the world’s first test-tube burger and is being served in London

Next, they are incubated in a nutrient broth until they multiply many times over, creating a sticky tissue with the consistency of an undercooked egg.

This “wasted muscle” is then bulked up through the laboratory equivalent of exercise – it is anchored to Velcro and stretched.

Finally, 3,000 strips of the lab-grown meat are minced, and, along with 200 pieces of lab-grown animal fat, formed into a burger.

The process is still lengthy, as well as expensive, but it could take just six weeks from stem cell to supermarket shelf.

Mark Post’s work is funded by the Dutch government, as well as an anonymous donation of 300,000 euros – but it remains to be seen, however, whether the pioneering development will find favor with a public that likes to think of its chops, steaks and sausages as having their roots in nature, rather than in test-tubes.

He first attempts involved mouse burgers. He then tried to grow pork in a dish, producing strips with the rubbery texture of squid or scallops, before settling on beef.

Mark Post’s burger consists of about 20,000 thin strips of cultured muscle tissue.

The cell-grown burger is produced with materials – including fetal calf serum, which used to grow the cells – that will eventually be replaced by materials not originating from animals, the New York Times reported.

In-vitro meat or cultured meat is an animal flesh product that has never been part of a complete, living animal, and is quite different from imitation meat or meat substitutes, which are vegetarian foods made from vegetable proteins like soy.

Scientists say that it is possible the meat will be sold to the public within ten years.

It also reduces the amount of feed, water and fuel needed to produce beef.

Every kilo of meat requires 10 kilos of plant feed and oil, but cultured meat would only need two.

According to the Food and Agricultural Organization we will be eating twice as much meat as we do now by 2050.

Prof. Mark Post added: “It comes down to the fact that animals are very inefficient at converting vegetable protein into animal protein. This helps drive up the cost of meat.”

It is thought that the new form of meat could be acceptable to vegetarians, and animal rights organizations have already given their approval.

PETA spokesman Ben Williamson said: “We do support lab-grown meat if it means fewer animals are eaten. Anything that reduces the suffering of animals would be welcome.”

PETA also runs a competition offering a $1 million prize for the person who invents an artificial form of chicken meat.

Oxford university scientists said in 2011 that cultured beef would need 45% less energy that natural beef.

They added that it would require 99% less land than regular livestock and produce between 78 and 95% less greenhouse gas.

But, the difficulty may be persuading the public to eat an artificial product.

Prof. Mark Post said that it is possible to add fatty tissue and nutrients to it, changing the taste and making it more palatable for the public.

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Car speeds deliberately through pedestrians on Venice Beach Boardwalk

Nancy Clayson

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Aug 4, 2013

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Car speeds deliberately through pedestrians on Venice Beach Boardwalk

A car sped deliberately through a crowd of pedestrians, killing one, on the Venice Beach Boardwalk in Los Angeles.

One of the 12 people hit by the crazed driver has died, one other is in critical condition and two others are seriously injured, according to officials. Eight others sustained at least minor injuries and a four-year-old child is said to be among the injured, according to reports.

Witnesses to the carnage told local media that the car drove “purposefully down the boardwalk”, leaving a trail of injured people and shocked witnesses in its aftermath.

Another described the horrific scene from his vantage-point down the boardwalk.

The car sped deliberately through a crowd of pedestrians, killing one, on the Venice Beach Boardwalk

“I was half a mile from the scene, but you could see just this mass of people trying to get out of the way … just a lot of people screaming,” runner Daniel Rigedor told the Los Angeles Times.

He added: “I saw somebody flying up in the air… when I came upon the scene, there were a bunch of people on the ground, bloodied.

“Some looked pretty mangled, head injuries, just a lot of blood.”

Caught on a security camera outside the headquarters of mobile app company SnapChat, people can be seen diving out of the way of the dark blue sedan.

KCAL is also reporting that a four-year-old child is one of the injured, but that remains unconfirmed. An LAFD bulletin stated that the injured are “all believed to have been pedestrians on the boardwalk”.

The driver fled the scene and is wanted on felony hit and run charges, police said. With one person now dead, those charges will likely be upgraded. Police have brought a man into custody, according to NBC Los Angeles, but have not yet established a motive.

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Avatar will get three sequels starting with 2016

Entertainment

Sonia Pantiss

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Aug 4, 2013

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There will be three sequels to Avatar, Fox Studios have announced after director James Cameron found two films “would not be enough”.

The three sequels will be filmed simultaneously beginning in 2014, and will be released respectively in December 2016, 2017 and 2018.

The 2009 3D film is the highest grossing movie of all time.

It told the story of a paraplegic soldier sent to the alien planet of Pandora.

“In writing the new films, I’ve come to realize that Avatar’s world, story and characters have become even richer than I anticipated,” James Cameron said in a statement.

Avatar’s three sequels will be filmed simultaneously beginning in 2014, and will be released respectively in December 2016, 2017 and 2018

“It became apparent that two films would not be enough to capture everything I wanted to put on screen,” he continued.

While James Cameron wrote the original film, four screenwriters have been signed up to work with him on the sequels.

They are Josh Friedman, who wrote War of the Worlds; Rick Jaffa and Amanda Silver, who wrote Dawn of the Planet of the Apes and Shane Salerno who scripted Armageddon.

Jim Gianopulos, head of Fox Films, said that everyone at the studio had “no higher priority, and can feel no greater joy, than enabling Jim to continue and expand his vision of the world of Avatar”.

In 2010, James Cameron said that there would be two sequels that would feature “self-contained stories that also fulfill a greater story arc”.

“We will not back off the throttle of Avatar’s visual and emotional horse-power,” he said.

Last year, Sigourney Weaver said she will appear in the sequel, despite her character dying in the first installment.

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Kendall Jenner yells at Khloe Kardashian during family vacation to Greece

Entertainment

Lisa.Felice

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Aug 4, 2013

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Kendall Jenner yells at Khloe Kardashian during family vacation to Greece

Kendall Jenner threw a tantrum on the Greek island of Mykonos this spring while on holiday with the Kardashian clan.

Kendall Jenner, 17, broke down in tears because she did not feel apart of the group activities and locked herself in her bedroom.

At the start of the clip we see Scott Disick, Bruce Jenner and Kylie Jenner plus Brody Jenner, waiting for Kendall outside on a balcony with stunning views of the Mediterranean.

Kendall Jenner threw a tantrum on the Greek island of Mykonos this spring while on holiday with the Kardashian clan

Elder half-sister Khloe Kardashian says: “Kendall is not at breakfast. Last night she said she felt left behind, and I would never want Kendall to think we didn’t want to hang out with her.”

And when Khloe Kardashian attempts to broker a peace deal she is not met with a friendly reaction from Kendall Jenner as she enters her bedroom.

Khloe Kardashian is firmly rebuked by the teen after she says on video: “If Kendall wanted to hang out with us, the door’s open! We’re your sisters.”

But on seeing Khloe, Kendall Jenner barks: “No! Leave, Khloe! Leave! Go away!”

Khloe Kardashian tells her sister: “I want to talk to you.”

But inside the room Kendall Jenner is seen racing from her chair and storming towards the back door.

“I’m not filming this,” she sobs.

“Go away everybody.”

The full extent and reasoning behind Kendall Jenner’s meltdown will be revealed in an all new an all-new episode of E!’s Keeping Up With the Kardashians on Sunday, August 4, at 9 p.m. EST.

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Bloodhound Gang banned from Kubana festival in Russia after flag stunt

Entertainment

Sonia Pantiss

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Aug 4, 2013

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Bloodhound Gang banned from Kubana festival in Russia after flag stunt

Bloodhound Gang has been banned from Kubana music festival after Jared Hasselhoff stuffed the Russian flag into his underpants on stage.

Culture Minister Vladimir Medinsky described the American punk-rock group as “idiots” and said they were “packing their suitcases”.

Bass player Jared Hasselhoff was seen in a video pushing the flag into the front of his pants and pulling it out of the back.

Jared Hasselhoff later apologized for the stunt, local media reported.

The incident took place in a July 31 concert in the Ukrainian city of Odessa.

“Don’t tell Putin,” Jared Hasselhoff said to applause as he grabbed a Russian flag from the wall behind and performed the stunt.

Bloodhound Gang has been banned from Kubana music festival after Jared Hasselhoff stuffed the Russian flag into his underpants on stage

The band had been expected to play at the Kubana festival, held in the first week in August in Russia’s southern Krasnodar region, also known as Kuban.

But their performance billed for Friday was cancelled.

“I spoke to the Krasnodar region authorities. Bloodhound Gang is packing their suitcases,” Vladimir Medinsky said on Twitter.

“These idiots will not perform in Kuban.”

Festival organizer Ilya Ostrovsky told gazeta.ru: “We’re here to make friends or listen to music. We will not allow anyone to insult the inhabitants of any country.”

Local media reports later said that Jared Hasselhoff had been questioned by police.

The head of Russia’s Investigations Committee, Vladimir Markin, said his department was prepared to pursue criminal charges against “all those involved” if prosecutors decided there was a case.

The band is still in Russia but has left Anapa, the town where the festival is being held.

Bloodhound Gang formed in the 1990s and is known for their provocative and explicit lyrics.

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Lady Gaga shows off her curves in scarlet play suit in Machete Kills trailer

Entertainment

Lisa.Felice

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Aug 4, 2013

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Lady Gaga shows off her curves in scarlet play suit in Machete Kills trailer

Lady Gaga’s scarlet play suit has been revealed in a new trailer for upcoming movie Machete Kills.

Lady Gaga is playing La Chameleón, who is an old lover of Machete Cortez, played by Danny Trejo.

Both having some unfinished business, she comes back at him in the movie.

Lady Gaga in a new trailer for upcoming movie Machete Kills

Danny Trejo reboots the character of Machete in the sequel, which is also helmed by Robert Rodriguez.

He is hired by the President to take down villainous billionaire Luther Voz, played by Mel Gibson, who is attempting to launch a missile into space.

At the beginning of the clip, Charlie Sheen, who plays the President in the film, is seen lying in bed with three lingerie-clad beauties, who passes the phone down to him with an important call.

In the clip we are also introduced to Amber Heard’s character – Miss San Antonio.

The actress is also a sight for sore eyes as she plays a beauty pageant queen.

Jessica Alba and Michelle Rodriguez, who starred in Machete, return briefly in the trailer, with the latter wearing a patch over one eye as she reprises the role of Lu.

Machete Kills, which also stars Antonio Banderas, Cuba Gooding Jr. and Vanessa Hudgens, is scheduled for release on September 13.

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Lauren Silverman claims her husband knew about her affair with Simon Cowell

Entertainment

Lisa.Felice

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Aug 4, 2013

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Andrew Silverman was allegedly well aware of his wife Lauren’s relationship with Simon Cowell.

According to TMZ, Lauren Silverman is “outraged” that he is “feigning shock” at pictures of her kissing Simon Cowell on a yacht last year.

The website reports that Lauren Silverman has alleged to close friends that Andrew “knew what was going on the whole time and he was doing the same thing”.

In contrast to Andrew Silverman’s claims, sources close to Lauren told TMZ she alleges she partly got together with Simon Cowell because Andrew “was cavorting around the world and partying with girls on various continents”.

TMZ report Lauren Silverman, 36, states their relationship was a “tactic mutual understanding”, and according to Lauren, her husband “never had a problem with it”.

Andrew Silverman, 37, was also apparently aware that Lauren spoke to Simon Cowell on the telephone “several times a day”, and allegedly also took no issue with her trips to the UK to visit the millionaire music mogul, report the website.

With all parties reportedly wanting a divorce as soon as possible, real estate mogul Andrew Silverman is said to be gunning for sole custody of their child, Adam, seven.

However, Lauren Silverman is unlikely to grant that request, according to TMZ and will “fight tooth and nail to get primary custody”.

In contrast, Andrew Silverman was reported to be so oblivious to the affair, “he recently upgraded Lauren’s engagement ring with a 10-karat diamond”, a friend told The New York Post.

The newspaper reported a “livid” Andrew Silverman named Simon Cowell as a co-respondent in divorce papers, which were filed in Manhattan Supreme Court two weeks ago.

New York is a no-fault divorce state, but Andrew Silverman has filed for a fault divorce based on adultery.

Lauren Silverman claims her husband knew about her affair with Simon Cowell

He returned to his $4 million Hamptons home Thursday to “preserve normality” for his seven-year-old son and stayed the night.

But according to reports, the “crisis talks” with wife Lauren did not happen as the former couple decided not to discuss their impending divorce amid a frosty atmosphere.

But far from trying to build bridges, it seems that Andrew and Lauren Silverman had “minimal conversation” as the atmosphere was too frosty.

“Andrew stayed at the house to create some normalcy for their son,” a source told The New York Post.

“There was no talk about the divorce settlement. That is being handled by the lawyers. There was minimal conversation between them. It was done purely for their child.”

According to TMZ, Simon Cowell still has plans to be a financial figure for the child.

“He will gladly provide for the child, and not just financially,” the source said.

“Simon is saying he will be a committed, fully-involved parent and says he wants a big role in raising the child.”
In divorce papers filed two weeks ago by her estranged spouse Andrew, Lauren Silverman was accused of being “cruel and inhuman” towards her husband.

Despite the controversy surrounding her, Lauren Silverman looked in good spirits and smiled for the cameras as she made her first public appearance since news of the unplanned pregnancy broke on Wednesday morning.

In an official statement later that day, Lauren Silverman said: “I am committed to sorting things out with Andrew as amicably as possible to ensure the well-being of our son. I would hope for some space and privacy in order to work through this.”

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Elle Macpherson marries Jeffrey Soffer in Fiji

Fashion & Style

Lisa.Felice

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Aug 4, 2013

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Elle Macpherson marries Jeffrey Soffer in Fiji

Supermodel Elle Macpherson is said to have wed her billionaire fiancé Jeffrey Soffer in Fiji.

Elle Macpherson and Jeffrey Soffer, who announced their engagement in March, apparently wed on the Pacific islands in front of family and friends.

A source close to the pair confirmed their nuptials to Us Weekly magazine, but gave no further details.

It was unknown if Elle Macpherson’s two sons Flynn, 15, and Aurelius Cy, 10, – from her previous relationship with Arpad Busson – attended.

Elle Macpherson, 49, and hotel heir Jeffrey Soffer, 44, got engaged in March after reconciling in November 2012 following eight months apart.

They originally started dating in 2009, but split in March 2012.

Before their reconciliation, Elle Macpherson briefly dated banker Roger Jenkins.

Elle Macpherson is said to have wed her billionaire fiancé Jeffrey Soffer in Fiji

However, Elle Macpherson rushed to Jeffrey Soffer’s bedside when he was injured in a helicopter crash in the Bahamas late last year, which killed his friend Lance Valdez and saw him undergo surgery for fractured vertebrae.

Shortly after getting engaged, Elle Macpherson was spotted flashing her large diamond engagement ring out in London.

Although based in London for many years, it is believed Elle Macpherson is preparing to relocate to Florida, where Jeffrey Soffer is based.

The wedding will be the second for Elle Macpherson, dubbed The Body, who was previously wed to French fashion photographer Gilles Bensimon – who was 20 years her senior – from 1986 until 1989.

Elle Macpherson had a high-profile romance with French financier Arpad Busson from 1995 until 2005, becoming engaged in 2003 and having two sons.

Arpad Busson has since had a baby with actress Uma Thurman.

Elle Macpherson’s nuptials come just a few weeks after the model served as bridesmaid at her sister Elizabeth’s wedding on the Thai island of Koh Samui.

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US and UK concern over Zimbabwe vote

Diane A. Wade

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Aug 4, 2013

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The US and UK have expressed concerns after Zimbabwe’s President Robert Mugabe won a seventh term in office amid claims of electoral fraud.

US Secretary of State John Kerry said the results did not “represent a credible expression of the people”.

Robert Mugabe, 89, won 61% of the vote, against PM Morgan Tsvangirai’s 34%.

But Morgan Tsvangirai rejected the vote for parliament and president as fraudulent and vowed to take legal action.

He said his Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) would no longer work with Robert Mugabe’s Zanu-PF party and boycott government institutions.

The two parties have been in a coalition since 2009, after the last election sparked widespread violence.

Results from this week’s parliamentary election showed the MDC had been trounced, winning just 49 seats compared with Zanu-PF’s 158.

Major Western groups were not invited to send observer missions to monitor Wednesday’s election.

The US has described the vote as “deeply flawed”.

“In light of substantial electoral irregularities reported by domestic and regional observers, the United States does not believe that the results represent a credible expression of the will of the Zimbabwean people,” John Kerry said.

Former colonial power the UK also expressed “grave concerns” over reports of large numbers of voters being turned away from polling stations.

British Foreign Minister William Hague urged a thorough investigation of all allegations of violations.

The US and UK have expressed concerns after Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe won a seventh term in office — The US and UK have expressed concerns after Zimbabwe’s President Robert Mugabe won a seventh term in office

Meanwhile the European Union which maintains sanctions on Robert Mugabe and his senior aides, said it was worried about “alleged irregularities and reports of incomplete participation” in the election.

Monitoring groups disagreed over the conduct of the election.

The most critical account came from the largest group of monitors, the Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN), which had 7,000 workers observing the vote.

The organization said problems with voter registration had left up to one million people unable to cast their ballots, mostly in urban areas regarded as MDC strongholds.

On Saturday, one of the nine members of the election commission resigned over the way the election was conducted.

Commissioner Mkhululi Nyathi said in his resignation letter: “While throughout the whole process I retained some measure of hope that the integrity of the whole process could be salvaged along the way, this was not to be.”

However, the African Union, which had 70 observers, said its initial report suggested the election was “free and credible”.

The AU’s mission chief Olusegun Obasanjo said there had been “incidents that could have been avoided” and asked Zimbabwe’s election authorities to investigate claims that voters had been turned away from polling stations.

SADC, with 600 observers, broadly endorsed the election as “free and peaceful”, but said it would reserve judgement on the fairness of the process.

In a news conference before the presidential result was announced, Morgan Tsvangirai said Zimbabwe was “in mourning”.

“The fraudulent and stolen election has launched Zimbabwe into a constitutional, political and economic crisis,” he said.

He said he would produce a dossier of the alleged electoral fraud and he called on the southern African regional bloc, SADC, to investigate.

His MDC colleagues had earlier called for a campaign of civil disobedience to isolate Zanu-PF.

Robert Mugabe has been president since 1987. He became prime minister when Zimbabwe won independence from the UK in 1980.

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World’s favourite holiday destination in 2012

Travel

Kathryn R. Bown

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Aug 4, 2013

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World’s favourite holiday destination in 2012

According to UN figures, France had more foreign visitors than any other country in 2012, while the most visited capital city is now, according to one study, Bangkok.

A recent study by the United Nations World Tourism Organization revealed that 83 million people visited France in 2012, even more than its population of 66 million.

The lure of Alpine ski stations and Mediterranean resorts ensure that it has kept its top spot for every year that statistics have been produced.

France attracts at least 16 million more visitors than the US in second place, with China, Spain and Italy completing the top five most visited countries.

Yet despite its overwhelming popularity as a holiday destination it seems that the French have a problem convincing visitors to part with their cash.

Tourism contributes 7% towards the country’s gross domestic product, more than the car industry. But the average amount of money every visitor spends – $646 – lags way behind every other country in the top 10 most visited list, bar Russia.

Visitors spend on average $1,884 in the US, $1,253 in Germany and $1,249 in the UK. Visitors to Macau, the south-east Asian destination known for its casinos, spend a staggering $3,213 each.

Some 83% of France’s visitors come from other European countries, which may explain the relatively low amount spent per head. A lot of them come from neighboring countries and often choose to camp and buy food from supermarkets, rather than filling the coffers of hotel and restaurant owners.

By contrast, only 55% of overseas visitors to the US come via their two immediate neighbors – Canada and Mexico – and according to the US Travel Association, the other 45% – the long-haul travellers – contribute 78% of all tourist expenditure, probably partly because they stay an average of 18 days.

France had more foreign visitors than any other country in 2012

The French capital may be known as the “City of Love”, but only 16.8% of visitors to France visited Paris, according to the UN study.

And with the French economy in recession and the unemployment rate in double figures, there is a need to encourage tourists to stay longer and spend more money.

“The average stay in Paris is 2.7 nights. We know that Europeans spend two nights and that people from Asia and North America spend over a week,” says Francois Navarro from the Ile-de-France tourist authority, which includes the Paris region.

“Our objective is to make visitors stay longer because if they do they’ll spend more money on accommodation, in restaurants and on shopping. So we need to organize huge events. The Olympic Games is an objective for us,” he says.

Efforts are also being made to try to make Paris a more welcoming city. The Paris Chamber of Commerce has joined forces with the city’s Regional Tourism Committee to create a guide for people who work in hospitality called Do You Speak Touriste?.

It includes key phrases in a number of languages as well as tips on addressing visitors from around the world. The British like to be called by their first names, it says, while Germans like to shake hands and the Chinese are happy with a simple smile and a hello in their language.

But how reliable are these tourism statistics?

John Kester is manager for tourism trends and marketing at the United Nations World Tourism Organization: “The quality and depth of statistics varies a lot country by country.

“Typically the data is supplied to the UN from countries statistical offices, tourism ministries and central banks.

“We’re keen to develop some of the methodology and provide training programmes to countries in Africa and Central America to help them improve the standard of statistics that they provide.”

When it comes to the most-visited capital in the world Bangkok comes out on top, according to estimates from Mastercard. The Thai capital is currently attracting 15.98 million visitors a year, narrowly ahead of London.

In 2012 it was the other way round, but Bangkok’s visitor numbers have been rising rapidly – largely thanks to Chinese tourists, it seems.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand attributes the rise in popularity to the film Lost in Thailand, which overtook Avatar last year to become China’s highest grossing film. A follow-up to 2010’s Lost on Journey, the film follows the trials and tribulations of two competing businessmen as they travel across the country.

Kirobo: Japan launches first talking robot into space

James J. Williams

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Aug 4, 2013

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Kirobo: Japan launches first talking robot into space

Japan has launched Kirobo, the world’s first talking robot, into space to serve as companion to astronaut Kochi Wakata who will begin his mission in November.

The android took off from the island of Tanegashima in an unmanned rocket also carrying supplies for crew onboard the International Space Station (ISS).

Measuring 13 inches, Kirobo is due to arrive at the ISS on August 9.

It is part of a study to see how machines can lend emotional support to people isolated over long periods.

The launch of the H-2B rocket was broadcast online by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA).

The unmanned rocket is also carrying drinking water, food, clothing and work supplies to the six permanent crew members based at the ISS.

Kirobo’s name derives from the Japanese words for “hope” and “robot”.

Japan has launched Kirobo into space to serve as companion to astronaut Kochi Wakat

The small android weighs about 2.2 lbs and has a wide range of physical motion. Its design was inspired by the legendary animation character Astro Boy.

Kirobo has been programmed to communicate in Japanese and keep records of its conversations with Kochi Wakata who will take over as commander of the ISS later this year.

In addition, it is expected to relay messages from the control room to the astronaut.

“Kirobo will remember Mr. Wakata’s face so it can recognize him when they reunite up in space,” the robot’s developer, Tomotaka Takahashi said.

“I wish for this robot to function as a mediator between a person and machine, or a person and the Internet, and sometimes even between people.”

The biggest challenge was to make the android compatible with space, Tomotaka Takahashi added.

Dozens of tests were carried out over nine months to ensure Kirobo’s reliability.

Kirobo has a twin robot on Earth called Mirata, which will monitor any problems its electronic counterpart may experience in space.

“It’s one small step for me, a giant leap for robots,” Mirata said of the mission last month.

The endeavor is a joint project between Tomotaka Takahashi, car producer Toyota and advertising company Dentsu.

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John W. Henry buys Boston Globe newspaper for $70 million

Business

Clyde K. Valle

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Aug 3, 2013

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John W. Henry buys Boston Globe newspaper for $70 million

The Boston Globe is being sold for a fraction of what it was worth 20 years ago.

The New York Times bought the Boston Globe for $1.1 billion in 1993 but has now agreed to sell it for $70 million.

Like many US newspapers, the Globe has been hit by a slump in advertising revenue with circulation declining.

The buyer is John W. Henry, the main owner of the Boston Red Sox baseball team and Liverpool Football Club.

In a statement in the Globe, John W. Henry praised the paper’s journalistic pedigree: “The Boston Globe’s award-winning journalism as well as its rich history and tradition of excellence have established it as one of the most well-respected media companies in the country.”

John W. Henry, the main owner of the Boston Red Sox baseball team and Liverpool Football Club, bought the Boston Globe for $70 million

John W. Henry, 63, estimated by Forbes to be worth $1.5 billion, made his fortune from financial investments.

The sale includes a range of media concerns owned by the New York Times in New England, including the website Boston.com, a direct mail marketing company and a local newspaper in Massachusetts.

The Globe enjoyed a weekday circulation of more than half a million in the early 1990s, but this has fallen off as readers migrated to the internet.

However, the newspaper has reported recent gains, thanks to big increases in digital subscriptions, taking overall weekday circulation to 245,572.

The New York Times company has sought to get rid of assets it sees as non-core to focus more closely on its most high-profile brand.

The newspaper plans to expand its global audience and change the name of the International Herald Tribune to the International New York Times.

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Zimbabwe election result: Robert Mugabe re-elected amid fraud claims

Diane A. Wade

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Aug 3, 2013

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Zimbabwe election result: Robert Mugabe re-elected amid fraud claims

Robert Mugabe has won a seventh term in office as Zimbabwe’s president, officials say, amid claims of electoral fraud.

Robert Mugabe, 89, won 61% of the vote, against PM Morgan Tsvangirai’s 34%.

Morgan Tsvangirai earlier said the elections for parliament and president were fraudulent and promised to take legal action.

He said his Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) would no longer work with Robert Mugabe’s Zanu-PF party.

The two parties have been in a coalition since 2009, after the last election sparked widespread violence.

Results from this week’s parliamentary election showed the MDC had been trounced, winning just 49 seats compared with Zanu-PF’s 158.

In a news conference before the presidential result was announced, Morgan Tsvangirai said Zimbabwe was “in mourning”.

“The fraudulent and stolen election has launched Zimbabwe into a constitutional, political and economic crisis,” he said.

He said he would produce a dossier of the alleged electoral fraud and he called on the southern African regional bloc, SADC, to investigate.

Robert Mugabe has won a seventh term in office as Zimbabwe’s president

His MDC colleagues had earlier called for a campaign of civil disobedience to isolate Zanu-PF.

The European Union, which maintains sanctions on Robert Mugabe and his senior aides, said it was concerned about “alleged irregularities and reports of incomplete participation” in Wednesday’s election.

Former colonial power the UK said it had grave concerns about the conduct of the election, and urged a thorough investigation of all allegations of violations.