Private Bradley Manning, who leaked thousands of classified documents to WikiLeaks, has been convicted of espionage but not of aiding the enemy.
Bradley Manning, 25, has been found guilty of 20 charges in total, including theft and computer fraud.
He had admitted leaking the documents to anti-secrecy organization WikiLeaks but said he did so to spark a debate on US foreign policy.
The leak is considered the largest ever of secret US government files.
Bradley Manning faces a maximum sentence up to 136 years. His sentencing hearing is set to begin on Wednesday.
In addition to multiple espionage counts, he was also found guilty of five theft charges, two computer fraud charges and multiple military infractions.
Bradley Manning stood and faced Judge Colonel Denise Lind as she read the decision on Tuesday. She said she would release detailed written findings at a later date.
He appeared to not react during the verdict, but his defense lawyer, David Coombs, smiled faintly as the not guilty charge on aiding the enemy was read.
Private Bradley Manning, who leaked thousands of classified documents to WikiLeaks, has been convicted of espionage but not of aiding the enemy
“We won the battle, now we need to go win the war,” his defense lawyer, David Coombs said of the sentencing phase.
“Today is a good day, but Bradley is by no means out of the fire.”
Being found guilty of aiding the enemy could have had serious implications for people leaking documents in the future.
“The government’s pursuit of the ‘aiding the enemy’ charge was a serious overreach of the law, not least because there was no credible evidence of Manning’s intent to harm the USA by releasing classified information to WikiLeaks,” Amnesty International said in a statement.
Among the items sent to WikiLeaks by Pte. Bradley Manning was graphic footage of an Apache helicopter attack in 2007 that killed a dozen people in the Iraqi capital Baghdad, including a Reuters photographer.
The documents also included 470,000 Iraq and Afghanistan battlefield reports and 250,000 secure state department cables between Washington and embassies around the world.
Bradley Manning, an intelligence analyst, was arrested in Iraq in May 2010. He spent weeks in a cell at Camp Arifjan, a US Army installation in Kuwait, before being transferred to the US.
During the court martial, prosecutors said Bradley Manning systematically harvested hundreds of thousands of classified documents in order to gain notoriety.
With his training as an intelligence analyst, Bradley Manning should have known the leaked documents would become available to al-Qaeda operatives, they argued.
The defense characterized him as a naive and young soldier who had become disillusioned during his time in Iraq.
His actions, David Coombs argued, were those of a whistle-blower.
In a lengthy statement during a pre-trial hearing in February, Bradley Manning said he had leaked the files in order to spark a public debate about US foreign policy and the military.
Bradley Manning’s supporters rallied outside the court in Fort Meade and said they are planning to march to the White House on Tuesday evening.
Office relocation is a big step. It’s disruptive to your organisation and you can often expect some teething troubles as services are transferred and people get used to the new place – one reason it’s best to go with a company that has a strong track-record in the area, like K2 Space. It’s carried out for a number of reasons, but cost and opportunity are the most common. Space is expensive and office relocation can bring your immediate overheads down; alternatively, being in a different place can capture new business prospects. But is there more to it than that financial bottom line: are there factors you could be missing?
Face-to-face time
Remote working is becoming more common as new technologies mean we don’t have to be physically present to carry out our jobs. If a lot of your employees already work or could work away from the office then downsizing appears to make good financial sense. But don’t underestimate the impact of face-to-face communication. Having people together in the office makes more difference than you might think (so much so that Yahoo has recently instigated a ban on teleworking). Being able to call or email someone just isn’t the same as having them on hand. If teleworking is part of your strategy, then office relocation in favour of cheaper or more flexible space is likely to have costs you didn’t expect in terms of synergy and productivity. A related factor is the extent to which your new space promotes or restricts staff relationships. Does everyone have or need their own office or cubicle? Are there communal areas where people can meet? Or does the layout of your space encourage everyone to operate in their own isolated silos?
Commuting
Assuming employees do work at the new office, their journeys will change. It’s worth thinking about how your office relocation plans will affect your workforce’s commute (and whether this will be a factor in pushing more of them into remote working). Long commutes are a significant factor for stress and job dissatisfaction – not surprising, given that an increased commute comes at the expense of time they might have spent asleep, or with friends and family. That all has potential fallout for recruitment and retention in the long run, and productivity in the short-term.
Clients
These factors combine when it comes to external relationships. Does your office relocation plan take into account how clients, customers, and suppliers will be affected? One marketing agency in London made the decision to move their offices to Canary Wharf, three miles from the City. At the time it was a new development and still growing in popularity. They were one of the first businesses to move in and many of their clients remained in central London. The result was that the staff spent significantly more time travelling to meet clients, and relationships within the previously tight-knit team suffered. The alternative might be to expect others to spend more time coming to you, which could encourage them to look for something more convenient.
Conclusion
Office relocation can bring huge benefits in terms of new business opportunities and/or reduced costs. However, think carefully about the unintended consequences that a move could have, including to employee relationships and the impact that could have on their job satisfaction.
K2 Space has comprehensive and established experience in corporate relocation and move management. They do not just focus on the physical transfer of assets from one location to another. They focus on the needs of the organisation and the staff to ensure that the business continues to operate profitably throughout the relocation.
Forbes magazine reveals that Angelina Jolie pocketed a cool $33 million between June 2012 and June 2013.
That figure is $13 million more than her earnings last year, giving Angelina Jolie, 38, the top spot above a wealth of talent on Forbes annual list of Hollywood’s Highest Paid Actresses.
Angelina Jolie’s achievement is made even more impressive considering she hasn’t been seen on the cinema screen for three years, since her critical flop The Tourist in 2010.
Instead Angelina Jolie has been concentrating on her directing and writing career with her film In The Land of Blood and Honey debuting in 2011.
Next summer will see Angelina Jolie return to her acting roots with comeback flick Maleficent, for which she will pocket $15 million.
Angelina Jolie managed to pull in $9 million more than the second actress on the list, The Hunger Games star Jennifer Lawrence.
Jennifer Lawrence, 22, may have only been paid $1 million for her first turn as Katniss Everdeen, but thanks to a massive box office total of $690 million for the first film, she’s set to get a substantial pay rise for the next movie in the franchise, Catching Fire.
Last year’s queen bee Kristen Stewart has suffered the effects of her huge franchise The Twilight Saga coming to an end, as she could only manage third spot in the 2012/2013 list.
Last year Kristen Stewart, 23, banked $34.5 million thanks to Bella Swan, but a year later could only rake in $22 million.
Forbes magazine reveals that Angelina Jolie pocketed a cool $33 million between June 2012 and June 2013
Jennifer Aniston is also riding high in Forbes list, taking fourth spot with $20 million in earnings whilst The Amazing Spider-Man star Emma Stone squeezes into the top five with an estimated $16 million.
Heading up the second half is Prometheus star Charlize Theron with $15 million, with Sandra Bullock and Natalie Portman just behind, both with $14 million banked.
Mila Kunis has also entered the list this year with a tidy $11 million thanks to breaking out into big budget movies like.
Finally Julia Roberts proves that she can still pull in a major pay check despite her lack of starring roles in recent years. Her only 2012 offering was the role of The Queen in Mirror Mirror: The Untold Adventures of Snow White, but that hasn’t stopped her entered the list with $11 million in estimated earnings.
Major names to fall off the Forbes list include last year’s entrants Cameron Diaz, Sarah Jessica Parker and Meryl Streep.
1. Angelina Jolie, $33 million
2. Jennifer Lawrence, $26 million
3. Kristen Stewart, $22 million
4. Jennifer Aniston, $20 million
5. Emma Stone, $16 million
6. Charlize Theron, $15 million
7. Sandra Bullock, $14 million
8. Natalie Portman, $14 million
9. Mila Kunis, $11 million
10. Julia Roberts, $11 million
Gwyneth Paltrow has revealed that she was left “hallucinating” after a 10-day cleanse.
Gwyneth Paltrow, 40, is known for being active and eating healthy, but admits she has tried fads like juice cleanses in the past which did her more harm than good.
The actress explained: “I’ve done juice cleanses in the past, and in my twenties I did the Master Cleanse, which left me hallucinating after 10 days.
“Be aware: a juice detox can crash your metabolism and lead to future weight gain.”
Gwyneth Paltrow has revealed that she was left “hallucinating” after a 10-day cleanse
Although she’s committed to healthy living, Gwyneth Paltrow reveals she does indulge in naughty treats every now and then – including wine and cigarettes – because it provides some “balance” in her life.
In a self-penned article for The Telegraph newspaper, Gwyneth Paltrow wrote: “Stay away from processed foods, though cutting them out completely is no fun and can ultimately lead to a binge.
“Allow yourself programmed treats; I often have a glass of red wine in the evening and smoke a cigarette on a Saturday.
“I love those moments because they are just the right amount of naughty. That balance keeps you vibrant. You have to live your life, after all.”
Along with a good diet, Gwyneth Paltrow insists exercise is important and says she finds time to work out five days a week.
Gwyneth Paltrow added: “Keep up consistent exercise. I am dedicated to the Tracy Anderson Method and it has completely changed my body. Still, when I first started working with Tracy, finding motivation was hard.
“She advised me to think of exercise as an automatic routine, no different from brushing your teeth, to avoid getting distracted.
“Now it is part of my life – I exercise Monday to Friday at 10 a.m. and always stick with it.”
Bruce Willis was seen wearing a dressing gown as he promoted his new movie Red 2 during a recent interview.
Bruce Willis, 58, was seen wearing a green-trimmed white robe over a shirt and smart trousers as he spoke about the film with Daybreak‘s Kate Garraway during an interview in a London hotel room.
Despite Bruce Willis’ unusual choice of attire, Kate Garraway made no reference to his ensemble, instead being as professional as she could while questioning him about the action film.
It was only when the camera flashed back to Helen Fospero and John Stapleton in the Daybreak studios that they questioned his outfit.
A bemused looking John Stapleton asked: “What’s with the dressing gown? He had a shirt on underneath, and trousers.”
And Helen Fospero added: “I think he’s quite eccentric though, isn’t he?”
In addition to the odd choice of outfit, Bruce Willis also came across somewhat oddly during the interview with Kate Garraway.
Bruce Willis was seen wearing a dressing gown as he promoted his new movie Red 2
With lengthy pauses between his answers and an apparent boredom about him, fans were quick to take to Twitter after the interview to comment on his behavior, as well as his gown.
One viewer wrote: “Omg watching bruce willis on daybreak is mental torture.”
Another added: “What is Bruce Willis doing in his pyjamas on @Daybreak interview? #hesabitnuts.”
And a third Daybreak viewer tweeted: “Bruce Willis is being interviewed on @Daybreak fully clothes but has a dressing gown on top of this clothes #oddd.”
The bizarre Daybreak feature is the latest in a string of bizarre interview from Bruce Willis.
Bruce Willis first caused a commotion on Twitter with an incredibly awkward to watch interview on The One Show back in February.
He was blasted by viewers of the BBC One programme after he appeared to snub questions from hosts Matt Baker and Alex Jones while promoting his new movie A Good Day To Die Hard.
Bruce Willis gave short answers and repeatedly shrugged his shoulders in the promotional appearance described as “torture” by viewers.
The actor later apologized for being “boring” during the interview, blaming jet lag for his subdued appearance.
And earlier this month, Bruce Willis was seen in an excruciatingly cringe-making interview with Magic 105.4’s Jamie Edwards.
When Jamie Edwards asked Bruce Willis in which location he preferred shooting the film, the Die Hard star replied “Istanbul”, despite the fact that the film wasn’t even shot there.
Bruce Willis then added: “Has any actor ever told you this Jamie? This part is not acting. The fun part is over. We’re just selling the film now. Sales.”
Francisco Jose Garzon Amo, the train driver in last week’s crash in Spain, was talking on the phone when it derailed, investigators say.
The train was travelling at 153 km/h (95 mph) at the time, investigators at the Court of Justice of Galicia said.
Francisco Jose Garzon Amo was speaking to members of staff at the state-owned railway company, Renfe, they added.
Crash investigators had opened the train’s “black-box” data recorder to find the cause of the crash, which left 79 people dead.
Moments before the accident the train was travelling at a speed of 192 km/h (119 mph), the court said in a statement.
Investigators say the brakes were activated shortly before the crash.
The speed limit on the sharp bend where the train derailed was set at 80 km/h (49 mph).
The train driver in last week’s crash in Spain was talking on the phone when it derailed
“Minutes before the train came off the tracks he received a call on his work phone to get indications on the route he had to take to get to Ferrol. From the content of the conversation and background noise it seems that the driver consulted a map or paper document,” a court statement said.
Francisco Jose Garzon Amo is suspected of reckless homicide, but he has not yet been formally charged.
He was released from custody in Santiago de Compostela, where the crash occurred, on Sunday but remains under court supervision.
He must appear before a court once a week and was not allowed to leave Spain without permission.
Francisco Jose Garzon Amo’s passport has been surrendered to the judge and his licence to drive a train has been suspended.
Under Spanish law, his legal status is that he is suspected of being involved in 79 counts of reckless homicide but has not been formally charged.
But officials said he had admitted negligence by being careless when rounding a bend too fast.
All eight carriages of the train careered off the tracks into a concrete wall as they sped around the curve on the express route between Madrid and the port city of Ferrol on the Galician coast.
On Monday, a mass was held in the cathedral in Santiago de Compostela.
PM Mariano Rajoy, along with the heir to the Spanish crown, Prince Felipe, and his wife Princess Letizia, joined the grieving families and local residents in the cathedral as the city’s archbishop prayed for the dead.
Sandra Bullock is suing watch company ToyWatch she claims used her image in advertising without her permission.
Now Sandra Bullock is the subject of a lawsuit by an insurance company that wants to determine if it should pay out if she wins her case.
Sandra Bullock is suing watch company ToyWatch she claims used her image in advertising without her permission
The legal maneuver is being taken by the insurers of ToyWatch, which made the timepiece Sandra Bullock’s famously indomitable mom character wore in The Blind Side.
According to TMZ, ToyWatch has a policy in place that might cover a judgment in case they lose in court.
The insurance company does not want to wait until after the initial lawsuit has ran its course, and on Monday legal docs were filed against Sandra Bullock, asking a judge to decide if they’re on the hook in case the actress wins.
The flashy white timepiece Sandra Bullock wore as Leigh Anne Tuohy was a key part of her gaudy appearance.
The ToyWatch soon became popularly marketed online as the Sandra Bullock watch, with its sales likely to have been affected by its connection to the Oscar-nominated film and its successful leading lady.
Sandra Bullock last year sued the Italian-owned company for using her name and image in its adverts.
She alleges ToyWatch USA’s use of her name and image infringes her publicity rights and claimed it may lead to over-saturation of her commercially valuable name.
At online sales sites, including Amazon, the watch is associated with Sandra Bullock, who claims the watch maker also uses her name on its website.
The lawsuit stated Sandra Bullock “will not voluntarily appear in print or other media for a company or product unless she carefully selects and believes in the company and product, and unless the compensation she receives is commensurate with the value of the exploitation of her name, image, identity, and persona”.
If ToyWatch is found to have negatively impacted Sandra Bullock’s name, misappropriating it to its own advantage without any benefit to her, she may win damages and see an injunction placed on the company.
The watch – on sale for around $272 – “features a diamanté rotating bezel encrusted with synthetic mineral glass stones, which is set against a white dial with diamanté markers”.
“The white plasteramic linked strap securely fastens with a butterfly clasp” according to marketing information.
If Sandra Bullock proves to be as steely as her character in the 2009 football tale, ToyWatch may live to regret its marketing moves.
JP Morgan’s energy unit has agreed to pay $410 million to settle charges from The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), the top US energy regulator, that it manipulated energy markets.
FERC agency alleged JPMorgan’s trading practices drove up prices for electricity, mainly in California and the Midwest.
JP Morgan’s energy unit has agreed to pay $410 million to settle charges from The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
The fine is the second largest penalty in FERC history.
The bank did not admit any wrongdoing as part of the settlement.
JPMorgan spokesman Brian Marchiony said the settlement would “not have a material impact on our earnings” because the bank had previously set aside reserves for the case.
Under the deal, the bank must also make annual reports to the commission for three years detailing its power business in the United States.
JPMorgan has already sold the rights to buy the gas and sell the power from its California plants.
A Chinese research team has grown rudimentary teeth out of the most unlikely of sources, human urine.
The results, published in Cell Regeneration Journal, showed that urine could be used as a source of stem cells that in turn could be grown into tiny tooth-like structures.
The scientists hope the technique could be developed into a way of replacing lost teeth.
Other stem cell researchers caution that that goal faces many challenges.
Teams of researchers around the world are looking for ways of growing new teeth to replace those lost with age and poor dental hygiene.
Stem cells – the master cells which can grow into any type of tissue – are a popular area of research.
The Chinese research team has grown rudimentary teeth out of the most unlikely of sources, human urine
The group at the Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health used urine as the starting point.
Cells which are normally passed from the body, such as those from the lining of the body’s waterworks, are harvested in the laboratory. These collected cells are then coaxed into becoming stem cells.
A mix of these cells and other material from a mouse was implanted into the animals.
The researchers said that after three weeks the bundle of cells started to resemble a tooth: “The tooth-like structure contained dental pulp, dentin, enamel space and enamel organ.”
However, the “teeth” were not as hard as natural teeth.
This piece of research is not immediately going to lead to new options for the dentist, but the researchers say it could lead to further studies towards “the final dream of total regeneration of human teeth for clinical therapy”.
This year’s Bachelorette Desiree Hartsock was left red faced and sobbing after her favorite suitor, and “the only one she loved” dumped her at the last hurdle.
After eliminating 22 muscle-bound hunks Desiree Hartsock was down to her final three – shy Drew Kenney, “slightly awkward” Chris Siegfried and her “true love” Brooks Forester.
With both Drew Kenney and Chris Siegfried fawning over “Des” like schoolboys, she was apparently “saving her heart” for the outdoor adventurer Brooks Forester.
“I can see my future with him,” Desiree Hartsock she said at the start of the popular ABC dating show – which is set in Antigua for its double episode finale.
“I love Brooks and I miss him every day that I’m not with him. If he got on one knee now and proposed to me I would definitely say yes,” she sighed hopefully.
But while Desiree Hartsock was waxing lyrical about the 28-year-old sales rep his size 11.5 feet were getting seriously chilly.
As the only Bachelor to not yet spout the L-Word Brooks Forester went to visit his mother, before Antigua, for some advice.
“The idea of me proposing to her at the end of this makes me really uncomfortable,” admitted the 6’4″ “conversation-lover” who has nine siblings from his Utah-based parents.
“Don’t propose if you have any doubt at all,” said his mother sagely.
Before taking his mother’s advice Brooks Forester conversed with the show’s host Chris Harrison.
“It’s emotional, it’s agonizing,” confessed the long-haired indie music fan, who according to Life & Style magazine, had cheated on a previous girlfriend with a 51-year-old woman.
When Chris Harrison asked if he would propose, the whole point of the TV show, Brooks Forester said: “I don’t feel it…and I don’t feel like I am going to feel it.”
Making his decision to finally dump the pretty bridal stylist Brooks Forester added: “It’s heavy. It’s really consumed my thoughts all week. No matter what I do there’s going to be tears and heartbreak and it’ll be my fault.”
“In spite of my best efforts I’m not in love with her, and you cannot force a thing like love.”
When he finally broke the news to Desiree Hartsock, a 27-year-old brunette who “loves hiking in the great outdoors”, she went to pieces.
“Why now, why now?” blubbered the Colorado born beauty, while rubbing her eyes.
Bachelorette Desiree Hartsock was left red faced and sobbing after her favorite suitor Brooks Forester dumped her at the last hurdle
Curling into a ball theatrically the L.A. resident continued to weep: “Why, why? Stop it. I don’t know what to say, I love you. You’re the only one. You are breaking my heart.”
Crying so much she was hardly audible Desiree Hartsock lamented that she has “never known what it’s like to have love reciprocated”.
Brooks Forester also made use of his eye plumbing: “I’m surprised at the love that she has for me. I wasn’t expecting that.”
After the “shocking” rejection Desiree Hartsock was left stumped: “I didn’t want to share my heart, I wanted to give it to you.”
“When I was on dates I wanted to be on dates with you,” added Desiree Hartsock, who paradoxically has been filmed having “the most amazing time” with numerous men over the course of the last few weeks.
After Brooks Forester abandoned ship Des was left all at sea.
“It throws everything off having Brooks gone,” she bawled.
“Honestly, for me it’s over… I just want to go home.”
While The Bachelorette usually ends in a highly-staged marriage proposal next week will offer a live finale which the host described as “a big dumpster fire”.
“It’s a disaster,” Chris Harrison said while co-hosting on Kris show- the daytime talk show Kris Jenner has been frantically promoting all summer.
Before the drama unfolded Desiree Hartsock appeared to be enjoying herself with both Drew Kenney and Chris Siegfried.
Drew Kenney and Des decided to “explore the island together” which included prolific kissing, shopping in a market, limbo dancing and more kissing.
“Drew looks so great,” giggled Desiree Hartsock.
“His abs, his eyes, his face, his body, he looks amazing,” she gushed.
The date ended with a romantic walk to a viewpoint where Drew Kenney, 27, descended into full-scale mush.
“Every time I see her I fall more and more in love with her. She’s the woman of my dreams,” he prattled amid close ups of his moist eyes.
“I would get on one knee right now,” Drew Kenney continued to harp, while describing Desiree Hartsock as his “soul mate”.
The pair spent much of their time smooching in various locations and weather conditions.
“I love kissing in the rain,” chimed Desiree Hartsock.
“I can feel the love that comes from his lips. I don’t want to leave those lips,” she added before they headed to “The Fantasy Suite” for some more action.
“I want to hold her in my arms, and wake up next to her and say good morning to her,” said Drew Kenney who has a mentally disabled sister.
“Drew makes me feel like I am a princess,” said Des, revisiting her fairytale analogy, well worn throughout the season.
Her date with “open, kind and romantic” Chris involved a helicopter ride – despite the fact he’s ‘a little scared of heights’.
“As long as Des is there I’ll be OK,” he sighed somewhat in what might be construed as a wimpy move.
“I have no doubt in my mind that she and I are sharing the same feelings of love together,” said the love struck mortgage broker before a beachside picnic.
“Chris is so hot and we really do have the physical attraction down,” said Desiree Hartsock, as they canoodled in the shallows in their bathing suits.
Keen to talk about “the future” Des got into some heavy chat with the Seattle resident over dinner. Chris Siegfried made it clear that he’s not willing to move to L.A. a stumbling block for Des who “doesn’t feel at home” anywhere except California.
“But I do make sacrifices when I’m in love,” she conceded before leading him into a cabana for some late night saccharine.
Inclined to write very questionable poetry Chris Siegfried, 27, had yet another cheesy verse for Des.
The somewhat nauseating piece began with yet another reference to “their journey together” and ended with the line: “I’m excited to spend our lives together, forever.”
They then retreated to the pool for some light petting and the rose petal-strewn Fantasy Suite to “spend the night together”.
But, after plenty of extreme close-ups of washboard abs and Desiree Hartsock’s bikini body, it looks like she’ll have to search elsewhere for love.
Ireland Baldwin snagged an opportunity to take a photo of her mother Kim Basinger completely make-up free and apparently peacefully sleeping as she revealed in a cute Instagram snap on Monday.
Ireland Baldwin, 17, was also without make-up for the cute mother-daughter snap, and it was clear where she got her natural beauty from.
They appeared to be relaxing as they watched television in bed together.
Ireland Baldwin snagged an opportunity to take a photo of her mother Kim Basinger completely make-up free and apparently peacefully sleeping
Ireland Baldwin playfully pokes her tongue out at her mother as Kim Basinger has her eyes closed and a hairband keeping her hair off her completely clear face.
“She wasn’t as excited about Kids Jeopardy as I was…” Ireland Baldwin wrote alongside the photo.
Kim Basinger, now 59, started her career as a fashion model and has graced magazine covers worldwide, usually clad head-to-toe in spectacular ensembles and, of course, made up.
So it was a rare opportunity to see the actress in her natural state and refreshing to see just how beautiful she really is.
Ireland Baldwin, who is now taking the plunge into a modeling career, cannot get enough of social media and is known to use Instagram and Twitter frequently to communicate to the world, particularly to express how much she adores her boyfriend Slater Trout.
Jonathan Cheban has been one of the few people to be by Kim Kardashian’s side since the birth of baby North West.
Jonathan Cheban has revealed what’s in been like hanging out with Kim Kardashian and her six-week-old daughter, which he has described as looking “delicious”.
Speaking at the QVC Super Saturday event in the Hamptons, Jonathan Cheban gushed to Extraabout baby North West, saying: “She’s gorgeous, she’s amazing.”
He also revealed that Kim Kardashian has taken to motherhood like a duck to water, saying: “Every time I’m on the phone with her, she’s with the baby. She’s always feeding her or playing with her… she really took it and ran with it.”
Jonathan Cheban added: “She’s a great, great mom.”
Talking about losing her baby weight, Jonathan Cheban said: “Knowing Kim, I’m sure she looks 80% at this point, she’s pretty much perfect.”
Speaking at the QVC Super Saturday event in the Hamptons, Jonathan Cheban gushed to Extra about baby North West
When asked if the baby looks more like Kim Kardashian or Kanye West, Jonathan Cheban replied: “It’s a split. She’s delicious, that’s all I can say.”
Although he admitted that he will babysit for Kim Kardashian, Jonathan Cheban point blank refused to change any diapers.
He also said that the proud parents are “obsessed” with their “kid” North, and remarked how the unusual name was better than naming it “something like a Jen or a Lisa”.
As well as getting visits from her BFF Jonathan Cheban, Kim Kardashian and Kanye West are also said to have been visited by Jay-Z recently.
Jay-Z, 43, was spotted eating at ultra trendy gourmet restaurant Gjelina in Venice Beach, California, on Sunday after he was said to have paid a visit to Kanye West and baby North.
Earlier this month it was revealed that Jay-Z and his wife Beyonce splurged on nearly $8,000 worth in gifts on the newborn child.
The famous couple were also among some of the first non-family members to catch a glimpse of North, due to Jay-Z’s long-time friendship with Kanye West.
Among the gifts Jay-Z and Beyonce gave to the then two-week-old North West were personalized Christian Dior baby booties and a three-piece sterling silver Elsa Peretti Padova baby set with the tot’s name on, according to reports.
A source said: “Kanye is one of Jay-Z’s closest friends so he wanted to get the best gift. They’ve had a girl themselves, so they know the right type of present.”
Meanwhile it has been reported that Kim Kardashian is getting ready to step back into the limelight for the first time since giving birth, in less than two weeks.
Kim Kardashian is apparently keen to attend her sister Kylie Jenner’s Sweet 16 party on August 17.
But in order to avoid overshadowing the teen Kim Kardashian is plotting on making her public debut a few days prior, according to new reports.
Kim Kardashian is said to be discussing making a carefully choreographed appearance on her mother Kris Jenner’s new chatshow.
Japan has reported weaker-than-expected economic data, underlining the challenges the government faces as it tries to revive the country’s economy.
Industrial output fell 3.3% in June, from the previous month. Compared with the same month a year ago it fell 4.8%.
Meanwhile, household spending declined 0.4% from a year earlier. Analysts had expected growth of 1.0%.
Japan has been trying to boost domestic consumption in an attempt to revive its stagnant economy.
Analysts said that while the data was weak and highlighted the challenges faced by the government, it was not a cause for immediate concern.
“This is a minor blip, the overall trend is that of a recovery in Japan’s economy,” said Masaaki Kanno, Japan chief economist with JP Morgan Securities.
Japan has reported weaker-than-expected economic data, underlining the challenges the government faces as it tries to revive the country’s economy
PM Shinzo Abe’s government has unveiled a series of aggressive measures to boost domestic demand, which has been hurt in part by years of falling prices or deflation.
While falling consumer prices may sound good, they tend to hurt the economy as consumers and businesses put off big purchases in the hope of getting a better deal later on.
Policymakers and analysts have said that ending the deflationary cycle is the key to reviving Japan’s economy.
Earlier this year, the central bank doubled its inflation target to 2% in an attempt to boost consumer prices and spending.
There have been some indications that the steps are having an impact as data released last week showed that consumer prices rose in June, for the first time in more than a year.
The decline in Japan’s factory output was also bigger than forecast.
However, analysts said that the fall was likely to be temporary and predicted that production would jump in the coming months,
“Although June data for factory output was weak, manufacturers’ forecasts for July are strong,” said Yoshiki Shinke, chief economist at Dai-Ichi Life Research Institute.
“I think there is no change in the trend that production is expected to stay on a steady recovery as June trade data was good, benefits from the yen’s weakness are appearing and domestic demand is solid.”
According to a survey conducted by Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry (METI), manufacturers expect production to rise by 6.5% in July.
According to a poll released Monday afternoon by the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute, Anthony Weiner is coming up short in his run for New York City mayor.
Just 16% of likely Democratic primary voters now say they support him, a number that shrank from 26% less than a week ago.
Anthony Weiner, who once led the pack, is now in a disappointing fourth place.
And a majority of those same voters said Anthony Weiner should withdraw from the race entirely, by a 53-40 margin.
Anthony Weiner falls to fourth place in New York City mayoral poll after texting scandal
Black voters were the only demographic group that seems to be hanging on to their support for the embattled former congressman, whose latest round of texting accusations have brought journalists past the blushing point and brought his long-suffering wife out of the shadows to defend him.
Black voters also say Anthony Weiner should stay in the race, by a 53-42 margin. White voters say he should go, by a larger 64-25 split.
Anthony Weiner’s downfall has created opportunities for his rivals, including City Council Speaker Christine Quinn who now leads the Democratic pack with 27% support. Public Advocate Bill de Blasio and Comptroller William Thompson are in a dead heat for second place, polling 21 and 20%, respectively.
If Anthony Weiner should drop out of the race, the remaining contenders would stay in the same positions. Christine Quinn would jump to 30% and Bill de Blasio and William Thompson would each hover at 25%.
Anthony Weiner spokeswoman Barbara Morgan did not respond to a request for comment about her candidate’s determination to remain in the hunt. The Democratic primary is September 10.
At least seven people were injured by a series of explosions at Blue Rhino propane plant in Florida, officials say.
The blasts at the Blue Rhino propane plant, in the town of Tavares, began at about 23:00, blowing the roof off.
The explosions continued for about an hour and caused a large fire. The cause of the initial blast is not yet known.
Fifteen workers were found safe after initially being unaccounted for, while two others managed to escape unhurt.
At least seven people were injured by a series of explosions at Blue Rhino propane plant in Tavares
A spokesman for the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, John Harrell, said the missing workers had merely “scattered” when the explosions began and had since been contacted by their managers and emergency crews.
People living within 0.5 miles of the plant have been evacuated, although John Harrell said emergency crews believed the fire had been contained and that there was no immediate danger to them.
Officials are investigating the blasts. There were an estimated 53,000 tanks at the plant at the time.
Former plant supervisor Don Ingram told WESH-TV that Blue Rhino took in propane tanks used for home barbecues, cleaned them, checked their valves and then refilled them.
About 4,000 to 5,000 tanks were refilled each night and were stacked on plastic pallets four or five high behind the filling station, Don Ingram added.
Two trains have collided in western Switzerland injuring at least 40 people have been injured, five of them seriously.
The crash happened in Granges-pres-Marnand in Vaud canton, about 30 miles south-west of the capital, Bern.
Reports say the regional trains collided head-on in the early evening.
Two trains have collided in western Switzerland injuring at least 40 people have been injured
The driver of one of the trains was still unaccounted for and thought to be inside the wreckage, police spokesman Jean-Christophe Sauterel said.
“These are regional trains. The speeds are a little lower and even if one deeply regrets the likely loss of life of one person as well as five serious injuries, the situation could have been much more catastrophic,” he said.
Jean-Christophe Sauterel said it was too early to determine the cause of the crash.
One of the injured was taken by helicopter to Lausanne. Others were treated at the scene by paramedics or taken to hospital by ambulance.
Earlier this month, 79 people were killed in a high-speed derailment in north-western Spain.
Researchers say they are closer to developing a blood test that could diagnose Alzheimer’s.
There is no definitive test for the brain-wasting disease. Doctors rely on cognition tests and brain scans.
A technique published in the journal Genome Biology showed differences in the tiny fragments of genetic material floating in the blood could be used to identify patients.
The test was accurate 93% of the time in trials on 202 people.
One of the main goals of Alzheimer’s research is to find ways of detecting the disease earlier.
Researchers say they are closer to developing a blood test that could diagnose Alzheimer’s
It starts years before symptoms appear and it is thought that future treatments will need to be given before large parts of the brain are destroyed. This will require new ways of testing for the condition.
The team at the Saarland University, in Germany, analyzed 140 microRNAs (fragments of genetic code) in patients with Alzheimer’s disease and in healthy people.
They found 12 microRNAs in the blood which were present in markedly different levels in people with Alzheimer’s. These became the basis of their test.
Early trials showed it was successful and was “able to distinguish with high diagnostic accuracies between Alzheimer’s disease patients and healthy” people.
However, more research to improve accuracy and to see whether it would work in the clinic is still needed before the test would be considered as a way of diagnosing patients.
After nearly a month in seclusion, Kim Kardashian is plotting her first post-baby appearance.
Kim Kardashian, 32, is apparently keen to attend her sister Kylie Jenner’s Sweet 16 party on August 17.
But in order to avoid overshadowing the teen Kim Kardashian is plotting on making her public debut a few days prior, according to new reports.
Kim Kardashian is said to be discussing making a carefully choreographed appearance on her mother Kris Jenner’s new chatshow Kris!
This would have the double advantage of pushing up ratings for Kris Jenner’s show, while giving the family complete editorial control.
Kim Kardashian is apparently keen to attend her sister Kylie Jenner’s Sweet 16 party on August 17
“Believe it or not, it’s not all about Kim,” a source told the New York Daily News.
“She really wants to go to Kylie’s party, and when it comes to the family, Kris wants everyone there. Kim is just working with Kris to figure out the best plan of action.”
So far Kim Kardashian’s sisters have tweeted vociferously to encourage fans to watch the family matriach’s show, while Khloe has even co-hosted an episode.
Kim Kardashian’s first appearance would be a guaranteed winner for Kris Jenner, who as Kim’s momager surely has every hope of securing the sought after guest.
But fans hoping for a peek at the newborn North West will be disappointed.
“Kris won’t ask anything that Kim can’t make money off of in the future,” the source said.
“They’ll keep it light and just talk diet and exercise. No baby photo will be shown.”
International footballer Christian Benitez has died in Qatar at the age of 27.
The Ecuador international striker was admitted to hospital with severe stomach pains shortly after making his debut for Qatari side El Jaish on Sunday.
Christian Benitez’s heart failed hours later, the Ecuador Football Federation said.
The footballer capped 58 times by his country and spent the 2009-2010 season on loan at Blues from Santos Laguna but returned to the Mexican side when they decided not to sign him permanently.
Christian Benitez, also known as “Chucho”, had been playing in El Jaish’s 2-0 win against Qatar Sports Club in the Sheikh Jassem Cup.
His new club, who signed Christian Benitez on July 6, confirmed the news a few hours later.
Christian Benitez was admitted to hospital with severe stomach pains shortly after making his debut for Qatari side El Jaish
Their statement said: “The club would like to offer its sincere condolences to the family of the player.
“Benitez had recently joined the club from Club America for three seasons. The player participated for the first time with the team during yesterday’s match against Qatar Sports Club in the Sheikh Jassem Cup without complaining of any health problems.
“His sudden departure is a big shock for each member of the technical and administrative staff. He was a player that over the short period he was here was regarded for his high moral character.”
Christian Benitez’s former Birmingham team-mate Craig Gardner, now at Sunderland, tweeted: “Cannot believe Christian Benitez has died.
“I had the pleasure to play with him. He was a top bloke. My thoughts go out to his family.”
Christian Benitez scored four goals in 36 appearances during his time in England and came to prominence during the 2006 World Cup in Germany.
The son of Ermen Benitez, one of Ecuador’s all-time leading goalscorers, Christian Benitez left Santos Laguna for Club America, another Mexican side, in 2011.
British lingerie company BlueBella teamed up with writer E L James to create the official Fifty Shades of Grey lingerie collection taking inspiration from her bestselling novels.
Gift sets feature some of the book’s most memorable catchphrases embroidered into the fabric such as “laters baby” and “You. Are. Mine”.
There’s also baby doll sets, detailed lace button-up briefs and bra and knicker sets with detachable silk satin ties.
The Fifty Shades of Grey collection will be debuted at the Moda Lingerie & Swimwear Show at the NEC Birmingham in August and will then go on sale with items ranging in price from £12 ($19) to £40 ($63).
BlueBella teamed up with writer E L James to create the official Fifty Shades of Grey lingerie collection
Emily Bendell, chief executive and founder of BlueBella, said: “The <<Fifty Shades effect>> has benefited our business and the books have played a significant role in shifting perceptions of female sensuality.
“This is core to our vision too, so we feel this is a perfect partnership.”
BlueBella have launched the first collection this summer in the hope it will become a must-have stocking filler at Christmas.
A second collection will hit the shops next summer to coincide with the launch of the anticipated film adaptation.
BlueBella was founded in 2005 by Oxford graduate Emily Bendell, with a mission to inspire female confidence.
Emily Bendell wanted to create seductive fashion lingerie and sensual products, designed by women, for women.
Jessica Simpson’s fashion reality show was cancelled after dismal ratings for Fashion Star led NBC to pull the plug on the show after just two series.
Jessica Simpson, 33, who has her own fashion line, was one of the mentors on the show along with Nicole Richie.
The series had initially launched with former supermodel Elle McPherson as the presenter and was seen as a direct competitor to the hugely successful Project Runway.
Contestants were asked to come up with new designs, with the celebrities acting as mentors.
After just one season Elle McPherson was replaced by Louise Roe but the reality show continued to struggle in the ratings.
On average, the show rated 0.7 in the advertiser-coveted Adults 18-49 demographic and 2.76 million total viewers.
Dismal ratings for Fashion Star led NBC to pull the plug on the show after just two series
After the poor showing in season one NBC replaced H&M, who sold the show’s designs, with Express.
But as viewing figures plummeted the show was moved from Tuesday night the graveyard slot of Friday night.
NBC chief Bob Greenblatt confirmed at the Television Critics Association Press Tour that the show was cancelled.
While Jessica Simpson’s reality show career might be over her clothing line goes from strength to strength.
The Jessica Simpson Collection, which produces shoes, handbags, coats and clothing took in $750 million in retail sales last year.
Its success has meant Jessica Simpson is now worth over $100 million.
Gwyneth Paltrow has revealed her secrets to looking so great and maintaining her lean figure.
Writing for The Telegraph, Gwyneth Paltrow said that the key to staying in shape is a consistent exercise regime, regular detoxes and the occasional weekend treat.
Gwyneth Paltrow, 40, is an avid fan of Tracy Anderson – author and multi-platform wellness entrepreneur whose clients also include Madonna and Shakira.
Tracy Anderson and Gwyneth Paltrow are now business partners. Together they’ve produced four exercise DVDs and a book, Tracy Anderson’s 30-Day Method.
Gwyneth Paltrow also reveals that working with Tracy Anderson has completely changed her body.
The actress said: “Still, when I first started working with Tracy, finding motivation was hard. She advised me to think of exercise as an automatic routine, no different from brushing your teeth, to avoid getting distracted. Now it is part of my life.”
Gwyneth Paltrow explains how important routine is and that she exercises Monday to Friday at 10 a.m. and always sticks with it.
She advises people to create muscle tone and boost their metabolism by moving more and says we sit around for too much of the day.
Gwyneth Paltrow has revealed her secrets to looking so great and maintaining her lean figure
In terms of her diet, Gwyneth Paltrow – who famously follows a super healthy macrobiotic diet – says that scheduling in a detox is very important.
After a gruelling schedule and lapse of overindulgence two years ago, Gwyneth Paltrow was left feeling fatigued and faint and a trip to the doctor later revealed that she was anaemic, vitamin D deficient, and that her stress levels were sky high.
Her doctor prescribed an elimination diet banning coffee, alcohol, sugar, eggs, wheat, meat and processed food to clear out her system and help her body heal – and she thinks everyone else should get on board.
Gwyneth Paltrow did, however, warn of the dangers: “I’ve done juice cleanses in the past, and in my twenties I did the Master Cleanse, which left me hallucinating after 10 days.
“Be aware: a juice detox can crash your metabolism and lead to future weight gain.”
To avoid getting distracted from your healthy eating plan, she says you should always keep healthy snacks nearby.
Gwyneth Paltrow loves healthy salad dressings (her favorite being her homemade Mexican green goddess dressing – goat’s yogurt, jalapeño, coriander and honey), which she stores in the fridge for the rest of the week and then drizzles over salads and chicken.
When it comes to monitoring weight, Gwyneth Paltrow believes it’s more important to measure in inches with a measuring tape because weighing yourself can lead to shame and guilt.
Although she maintains that following a healthy, balanced diet is key, Gwyneth Paltrow admits you should always allow yourself programmed treats.
“I often have a glass of red wine in the evening and smoke a cigarette on a Saturday. I love those moments because they are just the right amount of naughty.
“That balance keeps you vibrant. You have to live your life, after all.”
Syrian army has fully captured Khalidiya district that was a key rebel stronghold in the central city of Homs, state media report.
The Sana news agency said the military had “restored security and stability to the neighborhood of Khalidiya”.
Activists reported clashes in Khalidiya on Monday morning, but said that most of the area was under army control.
The announcement comes a month after troops launched an offensive to oust rebels from Syria’s third largest city.
Homs has been one of the focuses of a two-year nationwide uprising against President Bashar al-Assad, in which the UN says more than 100,000 people have died.
Correspondents say the capture of Khalidiya would add further impetus to the counter-offensive by government troops and their allies, which saw the nearby town of Qusair fall in June.
On Monday, an unnamed army officer told Syrian state television: “Today, we can report having complete control of the area of Khalidiya.”
Syrian army has fully captured Khalidiya district that was a key rebel stronghold in the central city of Homs,
“That was a victory of all our fighters and the whole Syrian Army and especially our dear leader, Bashar al-Assad. And God willing, we will get rid of the terrorists in the entire country and the future will be free of killings and under the control of the army.”
However, UK-based activist group the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights cast doubt on the claim.
While the group acknowledged that government forces were in control of most of Khalidiya, it said fighting was continuing on Monday.
“Clashes took place between rebels and regime forces, supported by Hezbollah and National Defence Forces, in the southern parts of the Khalidiya neighborhood,” it said.
“Regime forces are bombarding parts, and military reinforcements are arriving as advancing regime forces try to establish full control.”
Opposition activists told the AFP news agency that about 90% of Khalidiya was now controlled by the army. One told the Associated Press that the battle for the district was “almost over”.
On Sunday, the Arabic TV station al-Mayadeen, which is seen as close to the Syrian government, broadcast what it said was footage of Khalidiya, showing heavily damaged buildings and piles of rubble.
It also showed pictures of the interior of the historic Khaled bin Walid mosque, a focal point for anti-government protesters. Troops reportedly seized it on Saturday, days after activists accused them of firing shells at the tomb of Khaled bin Walid, a revered figure in Islam.
Only the Old City of Homs and a few other districts are still held by the opposition. On Monday, government jets bombed the Bab Hud district of the Old City, just south of Khalidiya, according to the Syrian Observatory.
