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Kris Humphries poses with two girls in new photoshoot for Page Six magazine

Lisa.Felice
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Kris Humphries poses with two girls in new photoshoot for Page Six magazine

Kris Humphries appears on the cover of the new Page Six magazine, looking dapper in a tweed three-piece suit, complete with bow tie.

However, his most eye-catching accessories are the two stunning models pictured next to him, with a blonde and a brunette dripping off each arm.

Kris Humphries, 27, opens up about his desires to start a family one day, and touches on his failed marriage to Kim Kardashian in the accompanying interview.

The Brooklyn Nets star, who is currently embroiled in a fierce divorce battle with Kim Kardashian, told the September 6 issue of the magazine: “Some people just make bad decisions and you just know it’s not what’s meant to be.”

Kris Humphries appears on the cover of the new Page Six magazine, looking dapper in a tweed three-piece suit, complete with bow tie
Kris Humphries appears on the cover of the new Page Six magazine, looking dapper in a tweed three-piece suit, complete with bow tie

However, Kris Humphries says he is managing to keep a positive outlook on life: “The decisions that you make, you obviously make for a reason. Everything in life for me has just been moving forward.”

He also played down his Twitter spats with Kim Kardashian’s new boyfriend Kanye West, who dissed him in one of his songs.

In the lyrics to Way Too Cold, Kanye West professed his love for Kim Kardashian and joked about her ex Kris Humphries: “Lucky I didn’t have Jay drop him from the team.”

Kanye West was referring to his pal Jay-Z, a minority owner of the Brooklyn Nets franchise.

When Kris Humphries signed a two-year deal with team worth $24 million two months later, he used it as a excuse to fire back at Kanye West, tweeting: “I’m up at Brooklyn… lucky I didn’t have Jay drop me from the team lol!”

Referring to the cyber row, Kris Humphries told Page Six: “I have a sense of humor. It’s whatever, I joke around. It was what it was. Take from it what you will.”

Kris Humphries also talked about starting a family one day, but didn’t put a timetable on when.

He was recently the subject of paternity reports following a fling with Myla Sinanaj – however it later transpired she was not in fact pregnant.

Speaking about settling down, Kris Humphries added: “I think everyone wants a family of their own one day.

“You’re at the point in your life when all of your friends are married and stuff. For me, at least, everyone runs their own race. You can’t put a timetable on it.”

Opening up about his fashion tastes, Kris Humphries revealed he has been working closely with stylists to carve out a look for himself.

“I think about my style as, like, London meets Italy – edgy but, you know, classic at the same time,” he said.

“I’ve been working with stylists. You don’t want to be looking like you just came out of a Big & Tall shop, you know.”

Check out the entire interview with Kris Humphries tomorrow in Page Six Magazine, free inside the New York Post or go to www.nypost.com/pagesixmag.

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Human Genome Most Detailed Map to Date Published by Encode Team

Kathryn R. Bown
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Human Genome Most Detailed Map to Date Published by Encode Team

An international scientific team has published the most detailed analysis to date of the human genome.

The scientists have discovered a far larger chunk of our genetic code is biologically active than previously thought.

The researchers hope the findings will lead to a deeper understanding of numerous diseases, which could lead to better treatments.

More than 400 scientists in 32 laboratories in the UK, US, Spain, Singapore and Japan were involved.

Their findings are published in 30 connected open-access papers appearing in three journals, Nature, Genome Biology and Genome Research.

An international scientific team has published the most detailed analysis to date of the human genome
An international scientific team has published the most detailed analysis to date of the human genome

The Encyclopedia of DNA Elements (Encode) was launched in 2003 with the goal of identifying all the functional elements within the human genome.

A pilot project looking at 1% of the genome was published in 2007.

Now the Encode project has analyzed all three billion pairs of genetic code that make up our DNA.

They have found 80% of our genome is performing a specific function.

Up to now, most attention has been focused on protein-coding genes, which make up just 2% of the genome.

Genes are small sections of DNA that contain instructions for which chemicals – proteins – they should produce.

The Encode team analyzed the vast area of the genome sometimes called “junk DNA” because it seemed to have little function and was poorly understood.

Dr. Ewan Birney, of the European Bioinformatics Institute in Cambridge, who led the analysis, said: “The term junk DNA must now be junked.

“It’s clear from this research that a far bigger part of the genome is biologically active than was previously thought.”

The scientists also identified four million gene “switches”. These are sections of DNA that control when genes are switched on or off in cells.

They said the switches were often a long way along the genome from the gene they controlled.

Dr. Ewan Birney said: “This will help in our understanding of human biology. Many of the switches we have identified are linked to changes in risk for conditions from heart disease to diabetes or mental illness. This will give researchers a whole new world to explore and ultimately, it’s hoped, will lead to new treatments.”

Scientists acknowledge that it is likely to be many years before patients see tangible benefits from the project.

But another of the Encode team, Dr. Ian Dunham said the data could ultimately be of help in every area of disease research.

“Encode gives us a set of very valuable leads to follow to discover key mechanisms at play in health and disease. Those can be exploited to create entirely new medicines, or to repurpose existing treatments.”

 

Bitcoin exchange site BitFloor goes offline after virtual currency are stolen from its servers

Nancy Clayson
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Bitcoin exchange site BitFloor goes offline after virtual currency are stolen from its servers

BitFloor, one of the biggest Bitcoin currency exchanges, has been taken offline after 24,000 units ($250,000) of the virtual currency were stolen from its computer servers.

Bitcoins can be used for online money transfers and trades, and the currency uses cryptography to protect it.

But BitFloor’s founder, Roman Shtylman, said he had kept unencrypted “keys”, which the thief accessed and used to take the money.

BitFloor’s future is now in doubt.

Roman Shtylman said his New York-based service was the biggest of its kind in the US and the fourth largest in the world.

BitFloor, one of the biggest Bitcoin currency exchanges, has been taken offline after 24,000 units ($250,000) of the virtual currency were stolen from its computer servers
BitFloor, one of the biggest Bitcoin currency exchanges, has been taken offline after 24,000 units ($250,000) of the virtual currency were stolen from its computer servers

Unlike other currencies, Bitcoins are not issued by a central bank or other centralized authority. Instead they are created in a process called “mining”, in which coins are issued to a user when they solve a complicated mathematical problem using their computer.

The complexity of the problems is determined by the number of “miners”, to ensure there is not a flood of new currency.

Most people using Bitcoins do not create cash in this manner, but rather use currency exchanges – such as BitFloor – to purchase them.

Part of the attraction is they can be used to make transactions that are difficult to trace, offering privacy to their users, and the currency has been adopted by Wikileaks and other sites to receive donations.

Effectively Bitcoins are a very long meaningless string of digits that only have value if their owner uses a shorter related number, known as a private key, to spend them.

The key identifies the address the currency is stored at, allowing the currency to be accessed and transferred to a new owner, who then stores it at a new address safeguarded by a different key.

It is therefore critical that a user protects their keys to secure their Bitcoins – and the Bitfloor exchange used encryption to protect its store.

But Roman Shtylman acknowledged on a forum that he had recently carried out an upgrade of his systems and stored an unencrypted copy of the keys during the process, which the thief took advantage of.

“I realize this is a very serious mistake,” he wrote.

He added the thief had taken the vast majority of the currency that he had been holding at the time, meaning he could not cover all his users’ account balances. However, Roman Shtylman added that account details had not been compromised.

“As a last resort, I will be forced to fully shut Bitfloor down and initiate account repayment using current available funds,” he wrote.

“I still have all of the logs for accounts, trades, transfers. I know how much each user currently has in their account for both US dollars and Bitcoins. No records were lost in this attack.”

This is not the first attack on a Bitcoin exchange.

UK-based Bitcoinica was hacked twice this year and subsequently sued by several of its users after they had alleged it was not able to honor their withdrawal requests. The firm has since ceased operations for what it terms “a transition period”.

Last year another exchange, Japan’s MtGox, suspended operations for several days after one of its accounts was compromised causing the currency to plummet in value. The service acted to compensate users who had been caught up in the sell-off.

 

Costa Rica: powerful 7.6 magnitude earthquake triggers tsunami warning

Diane A. Wade
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Costa Rica: powerful 7.6 magnitude earthquake triggers tsunami warning

A 7.6-magnitude earthquake has rocked the north-western part of Costa Rica triggering a tsunami warning, the US Geological Survey said.

A tsunami warning is in effect for Costa Rica, Panama, and Nicaragua.

The quake was centred about 50 miles (80 km) south of the town of Liberia and was at a depth of 12.4 miles.

It rattled buildings and cut power in some parts of the capital of San Jose, Reuters news agency reported.

A 7.6-magnitude earthquake has rocked the north-western part of Costa Rica triggering a tsunami warning
A 7.6-magnitude earthquake has rocked the north-western part of Costa Rica triggering a tsunami warning

Power and communications in much of the country were briefly knocked out, according to Costa Rican authorities.

Regional media reported it could be felt as far away as Nicaragua and El Salvador.

The US Geological Survey originally said the quake had a magnitude of 7.9, but revised it down to 7.6.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center reduced the area of the tsunami warning, which had earlier included the Pacific coast of most of Central and South America to Costa Rica and its immediate neighbours.

Douglas Salgado of the National Commission of Risk Prevention and Emergency Attention told the Associated Press news agency that there were no initial reports of damage or deaths in the earthquake zone.

He said officials were having problems reaching people in the area nearest the epicentre.

 

GQ Awards 2012: Nancy Dell’Olio steps out in hideous outfit at London’s Royal Opera House

Lisa.Felice
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GQ Awards 2012: Nancy Dell’Olio steps out in hideous outfit at London’s Royal Opera House

Nancy Dell’Olio was surely the Mess of the Year after stepping out in a hideous outfit at the GQ Men of the Year Awards 2012 in London.

Nancy Dell’Olio was surely the Mess of the Year after stepping out in a hideous outfit at the GQ Men of the Year Awards 2012 in London.

Nancy Dell’Olio, 51, wore a sheer dress, which left little to the imagination.

What little support she had came from bizarre silver strips.

Not that the flamboyant reality star appeared to care about the fuss caused by dress, happily posing for photographers as she arrived at the red carpet at London’s Royal Opera House.

Nancy Dell'Olio was surely the Mess of the Year after stepping out in a hideous outfit at the GQ Men of the Year Awards 2012 in London
Nancy Dell'Olio was surely the Mess of the Year after stepping out in a hideous outfit at the GQ Men of the Year Awards 2012 in London

If Nancy Dell’Olio got it wrong on the night, many others got it spectacularly right.

Katherine Jenkins looked stunning as she showed off her sizzling figure in a black Stella McCartney dress.

It was the Dancing With The Stars beauty’s first public appearance since she denied online rumors about an affair with David Beckham.

Kylie Minogue wore a strapless back dress, while Robbie Williams’ heavily pregnant wife Ayda Field glammed up for the event.

Kelly Brook appeared with rugby star boyfriend Thom Evans, while Louise Redknapp wore a blue dress after stepping out with footy husband Jamie.

The females didn’t have it all the limelight to themselves – Damien Lewis, Chris Hemsworth and Mo Farrah all looked dapper at the star studded event.

Hollywood glamour fame from actress Olivia Munn, who wore a revealing silver gown, while American singer Lana Del Rey showed off a satin dress.

GQ Men Of The Year Awards 2012: Full List Of Winners at London’s Royal Opera House

Lisa.Felice
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GQ Men Of The Year Awards 2012: Full List Of Winners at London’s Royal Opera House

Designers, models, singers, actors and a sprinkling of gold medal winning Olympians lit up London’s Royal Opera House for GQ magazine’s annual awards.

GQ (originally Gentlemen’s Quarterly) is an American monthly men’s magazine focusing on fashion, style, and culture for men, through articles on food, movies, fitness, sex, music, travel, sports, technology, and books.

 

GQ Men Of The Year Awards winners are…

Solo Artist – Tinie Tempah

TV Personality – Damian Lewis

Tanqueray Most Stylish – Dermot O’Leary

Comedian– Sacha Baron Cohen

Entrepreneur – Chris Corbin and Jeremy King

Designers – Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana

Designers, models, singers, actors and a sprinkling of gold medal winning Olympians lit up London’s Royal Opera House for GQ magazine's annual awards
Designers, models, singers, actors and a sprinkling of gold medal winning Olympians lit up London’s Royal Opera House for GQ magazine's annual awards

Chef – Wolfgang Puck

Writer – Aaron Sorkin

Editor’s Special– James Corden

Alfred Dunhill Cultural Icon – Thomas Heatherwick

Lifetime Achievement – Bradley Wiggins

Politician – Boris Johnson

Icon – Robbie Williams

Woman – Lana Del Rey

International Breakthrough – Chris Hemsworth

Outstanding Achievement – Gary Barlow

International Man – John Slattery

Actor – Michael Fassbender

Inspiration– Sir Salman Rushdie

Legend – Sir Tom Jones

Team – Team GB Olympians

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Nad’s Nose Wax: the world’s first DIY waxing kit designed for nose hair removal

Lisa.Felice
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Nad’s Nose Wax: the world’s first DIY waxing kit designed for nose hair removal

Nad’s Nose Wax is the world’s first DIY waxing kit designed specifically to get rid of problem nose hair.

The unisex product has been designed following requests from hundreds of customers who find tweezing too painful, and comes with an applicator, hard wax, calming wipes and even a moustache stencil to protect men’s facial fuzz.

The disposable applicator has been formulated to target hair around the edge of the nostril, ensuring that only hairs that are sticking out or easily noticed are removed swiftly and without damaging the fine hair-like cilia which line the sensitive membranes of the nose.

Nad's Nose Wax is the world's first DIY waxing kit designed specifically to get rid of problem nose hair
Nad's Nose Wax is the world's first DIY waxing kit designed specifically to get rid of problem nose hair

To complete the nose job at home customers dip the applicator in to the melted wax then up their nose, leaving it there for approximately 90 seconds before yanking it – and a bundle of problem hair strands – free.

Nad’s creator Sue Ismiel says: “Nose hair is such a turn off and I am so excited to have found a simple way to get rid of unsightly nose hair and in the process have rekindled people’s passion for their partners now that their nose hair is gone!”

And if a smooth schnozz isn’t enough the product doubles up as a blackhead remover by reversing the applicator for a deep pore 30 second cleanse.

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Ellen DeGeneres gets a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame

Lisa.Felice
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Ellen DeGeneres gets a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame

Ellen DeGeneres, America’s most loved female stand-up comedian, television host and actress, finally got a star on the Walk of Fame yesterday.

Ellen DeGeneres, 54, was honored on Hollywood Boulevard in the traditional ceremony, and her lookalike mother Betty, 82, and wife Portia De Rossi were on hand to help her celebrate.

As always the funny woman hammed it up at the event as she posed with her new star.

In addition to the tradition of placing her hands on the star, Ellen DeGeneres got even closer to her new plaque, appearing to be giving it a kiss.

The blonde star wore one of her most stylish suits for the event, opting for a light grey jacket and trousers paired with a white open-neck shirt and black and white polka dot tie.

She also slipped on a pair of snazzy shoes in the form of bright white brogues.

Ellen DeGeneres, America's most loved female stand-up comedian, television host and actress, finally got a star on the Walk of Fame
Ellen DeGeneres, America's most loved female stand-up comedian, television host and actress, finally got a star on the Walk of Fame

Meanwhile, Portia De Rossi complemented her partner’s outfit by dressing in a flowing charcoal shift dress paired with tan suede open-toe ankle boots.

The couple looked more in love than ever as they cuddled up for numerous pictures.

Ellen DeGeneres’ extremely proud mother Betty, who often appears on her talk show, was by her side the whole way through the ceremony.

And it is easy to see where Ellen DeGeneres gets her looks from, as she is the spitting image of Betty, who has a similar cropped hair-cut to her daughter.

Her mother is one of her biggest fans, and went on to become a LGBT-rights activist after her daughter came out in 1997.

She is one of the first non-gay spokesperson for the Human Rights Campaign’s National Coming Out Project.

Betty DeGeneres has written two books in relation to her daughter – titled Love, Ellen: A Mother Daughter Journey and Just a Mom.

In Love, Ellen: A Mother Daughter Journey, Betty DeGeneres describes her reaction to her daughter coming out as a lesbian, and her path from passive acceptance to becoming a passionate advocate for LGBT rights.

Speeches at yesterday’s event were made by fellow comedian and talk show host Jimmy Kimmel and American Idol host Ryan Seacrest.

Ellen DeGeneres received the 2,477th Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in the category of television in front of the W Hollywood Hotel.

It has been great couple of weeks for the television star.

Portia De Rossi and Ellen DeGeneres last week celebrated their fourth wedding anniversary, as Ellen also marked her first decade as the host of her wildly popular daytime talk show.

To also celebrate this, The Hollywood Reporter put her on its front and back cover, along with a six-page story inside.

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Obese people can be physically healthy and fit

Kathryn R. Bown
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Obese people can be physically healthy and fit

Obese people can be physically healthy and fit and at no greater risk of heart disease or cancer than normal weight people, a new research found.

The key is being “metabolically fit”, meaning no high blood pressure, cholesterol or raised blood sugar, and exercising, according to experts.

Looking at data from over 43,000 US people they found that being overweight per se did not pose a big health risk.

The results are published in the European Heart Journal.

In the study at the University of South Carolina, more than a third of the participants were obese.

Of these 18,500, half were assessed as metabolically healthy after a physical examination and lab tests.

Obese people can be physically healthy and fit and at no greater risk of heart disease or cancer than normal weight people
Obese people can be physically healthy and fit and at no greater risk of heart disease or cancer than normal weight people

This subset of metabolically healthy obese people who did not suffer from conditions such as diabetes, high cholesterol or high blood pressure, were generally fitter and exercised more than the other obese people.

And their risk of developing or dying from cardiovascular disease or cancer was identical to people of ideal weight and was half that of “metabolically less fit” obese people.

Lead researcher Dr. Francisco Ortega, who currently works at the University of Granada in Spain, said the findings show that getting more exercise can keep you healthier, even if you still carry a bit of extra weight.

“This research highlights once again the important role of physical fitness as a health marker.”

Most of the men and women in the study came from a similar background, meaning the results may not apply to everyone. They were mostly Caucasian, well educated, and worked in executive or professional positions.

 

Abdullah al-Senussi, Libya’s ex-spy chief, extradited from Mauritania

Roy Siemens
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Abdullah al-Senussi, Libya’s ex-spy chief, extradited from Mauritania

Mauritania has handed Muammar Gaddafi’s former intelligence chief Abdullah al-Senussi over to the Libyan authorities, state media say.

Libya wants to try Abdullah al-Senussi for crimes allegedly committed during his time as Colonel Gaddafi’s right-hand man. He is also wanted by France and the International Criminal Court (ICC).

Mauritania previously said Abdullah al-Senussi must first face charges of illegal entry.

He fled Libya after last year’s uprising that toppled Muammar Gaddafi.

Abdullah al-Senussi was arrested on arrival in Mauritania, sparking repeated requests from the Libyan government for his return.

Libya wants to try Abdullah al-Senussi for crimes allegedly committed during his time as Colonel Gaddafi's right-hand man
Libya wants to try Abdullah al-Senussi for crimes allegedly committed during his time as Colonel Gaddafi's right-hand man

The report of his extradition was carried by state TV and the state news agency in Mauritania. There has so far been no confirmation from the Libyan authorities.

“He was extradited to Libya on the basis of guarantees given by Libyan authorities,” a Mauritanian government source told Reuters news agency, without giving details.

According to the reports, Abdullah al-Senussi was delivered to an official Libyan delegation headed by the minister of justice.

If confirmed, Abdullah al-Senussi’s extradition to Libya will be a blow for the ICC.

Not only has the court been trying to win custody of Abdullah al-Senussi, he says, it is also arguing that Colonel Muammar Gaddafi’ son Seif al-Islam should also be brought to justice at the court.

It is not known if he is still in the country although one official quoted by AP news agency said the former spy-chief left Mauritania on Wednesday on a Libya-bound flight.

A witness at the airport was quoted as saying Abdullah al-Senussi was not handcuffed and seemed in good spirits as he boarded the plane.

In March, Abdullah al-Senussi was arrested at Nouakchott airport in Mauritania after flying in from Morocco. He was disguised as a Tuareg chieftain and was carrying a fake passport.

He was later charged with illegally entering the country and using forged documents, and transferred to the civilian prison in Nouakchott. However, it is believed he has spent most of his time in Mauritania under house arrest at a private villa.

In June 2011, the ICC issued a warrant for Abdullah al-Senussi for crimes against humanity alleged to have been carried out in Benghazi, the main base of the Libyan opposition during the revolt last year.

France has already sentenced Abdullah al-Senussi to life imprisonment for the shooting down of a UTA airliner over Niger in 1989 in which 170 people were killed.

He has been accused of various human rights abuses including his alleged role in the 1996 massacre of more than 1,000 inmates at the Abu Salim prison in Tripoli.

Abdullah al-Senussi is alleged to have ordered guards standing on grated ceilings above the inmates to fire down on them, after riots broke out over demands for better food and conditions.

He is also believed to have information about Libyans kidnapped and assassinated abroad during Gaddafi’s rule, and the financing of terrorist organizations, especially in Africa.

Investigators in the US and UK also believe he may have further knowledge about the 1988 airliner bombing over Lockerbie in Scotland in which 270 people died.

Earlier this year, US House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, who led a delegation to the region, said Washington had a “particular interest” in seeing Abdullah al-Senussi arrested “because of his role with the Lockerbie bombing”.

 

Wang Lijun, ex-police chief involved in Bo Xilai scandal, charged with defection

Diane A. Wade
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Wang Lijun, ex-police chief involved in Bo Xilai scandal, charged with defection

Wang Lijun, former police chief at the centre of China’s biggest political scandal for years, has been charged with a number of offences, Chinese state media says.

Wang Lijun is charged with defection, abuse of power, and bribe-taking.

Wang Lijun is charged with defection, abuse of power, and bribe-taking
Wang Lijun is charged with defection, abuse of power, and bribe-taking

He briefly fled to a US consulate in February, triggering a series of events that led to the downfall of the powerful politician Bo Xilai.

Bo Xilai’s wife, Gu Kailai, has since been given a suspended death sentence for the murder of British businessman Neil Heywood.

Bo Xilai had been tipped for promotion to China’s highest leadership this year.

Wang Lijun was the former police chief of the south-western Chinese city of Chongqing and had a reputation for being tough on organized crime.

In early February, the Chongqing city government said Wang Lijun had been shifted to another job.

Four days later, he fled to the US consulate in Chengdu, near Chongqing, where many believe he sought asylum.

He spent the night there but was persuaded to leave a day later. He gave himself up to police and has been in detention since then.

According to the UK Foreign Office, Wang Lijun made allegations about Neil Heywood’s death while at the consulate.

Shortly afterwards, Bo Xilai was sacked as Chongqing’s Communist party chief, and his wife Gu Kailai was accused and later convicted of murdering British businessman Neil Heywood.

The charges against Wang Lijun appear to be an attempt to bring the scandal to an end before China embarks on a change of leadership later this year.

Wang Lijun

  • 52-year-old former deputy mayor and police chief of Chongqing in south-west China
  • Closely identified with the former chief of Chongqing Communist Party, Bo Xilai
  • Developed a reputation for being tough on organized crime
  • Started his career in law enforcement in 1984 in the Inner Mongolia region; moved to Chongqing in 2008
  • Was the subject of a TV drama Iron-Blooded Police Spirits

 

Michael Clarke Duncan died of natural causes, coroner confirms

Lisa.Felice
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Michael Clarke Duncan died of natural causes, coroner confirms

Michael Clarke Duncan died of natural causes, a US coroner has confirmed.

The 54-year-old Green Mile actor died at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles on Monday. He had not recovered from a heart attack he suffered in July.

Meanwhile, tributes to Michael Clarke Duncan have continued to pour in.

Bruce Willis, who starred with Michael Clarke Duncan in Armageddon, called him “a great human being”.

He added: “I will miss Big Mike in a big way.”

Michael Clarke Duncan had credited Bruce Willis for recommending him to The Green Mile director Frank Darabont.

He was later nominated for an Oscar in 2000 for his role as a death row inmate in the film.

Michael Clarke Duncan died at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles on Monday
Michael Clarke Duncan died at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles on Monday

Bruce Willis and Michael Clarke Duncan went on to star in another three films together including The Whole Nine Yards and Sin City.

Director Michael Bay, who gave Michael Clarke Duncan his first major role in Armageddon, penned a lengthy tribute about the actor’s time on set, which was posted on his official website.

“It was a great time I will always remember, how proud I was to watch him grow into an actor,” he said.

“We found him in a gym. He cried at the first audition because he was so proud to audition for a Michael [Bay] and Jerry [Bruckheimer] movie, he just wanted to make his mom proud.

“We gave him the role in the room.”

But, Michael Bay recalled, the star “sucked” on his first day in front of the cameras.

“I remember looking to Ben Affleck and thinking we might need to fire him.

“But I told him <<Mike, I hired you for you. I want the sweet, Mr. Clarke Duncan I met in that room>>. I said, <<the audience is going to fall in love with you>>.

“He looked and smiled with deep voice and said <<OK>>.

“From then on out he became the most improved actor on the set. That was the award he got at the end of the film. Everyone loved him, his infectious spirit and great belly laugh.”

Actor Tom Hanks made similar comments about his former co-star.

“He was the treasure we all discovered on the set of The Green Mile. He was magic. He was a big love of man and his passing leaves us stunned.”

Green Mile director Frank Darabont added: “Michael was the gentlest of souls – an exemplar of decency, integrity and kindness. The sadness I feel is inexpressible.”

Michael Clarke Duncan is survived by his mother Jean, sister Judith, and fiancée Reverend Omarosa Manigault.

The actress and reality TV star told Radar Online she was “devastated” by the actor’s death.

“He was the love of my life,” she added.

Craig Harvey of the Los Angeles coroner’s office said that Michael Clarke Duncan’s personal physician had signed the death certificate, and there was nothing to suggest officials need to review the case.

 

MDA Labor Day Telethon 2012: the renamed MDA Show of Strength is no longer a telethon

Diane A. Wade
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MDA Labor Day Telethon 2012: the renamed MDA Show of Strength is no longer a telethon

The 2012 edition of MDA Telethon, now renamed the MDA Show of Strength (thus no longer referring to itself as a telethon), aired Sunday, September 2, 2012, and was reduced to three hours for prime-time broadcast.

The telethon was seen at 8:00 PM ET/PT, 7:00 PM CT/MT, and seen live in the Eastern and Central time zones.

Kicked off with the electrifying song This Is Love by Grammy-winning artist will.i.am, the all-new MDA Show of Strength presented three hours of prime-time entertainment while raising awareness of Muscular Dystrophy Association’s research and services missions, its sponsors and the people it serves.

The show, which aired Sunday night, September 2 and featured local segments produced by MDA’s Love Network of 150 stations across the country, redefined the tradition of MDA’s Labor Day Telethon with a faster pace and performances targeted to engage show viewers in MDA’s cause.

The 2012 edition of MDA Telethon, now renamed the MDA Show of Strength, was reduced to three hours for prime-time broadcast
The 2012 edition of MDA Telethon, now renamed the MDA Show of Strength, was reduced to three hours for prime-time broadcast

“We’re truly grateful to members of the public who responded to our SHOW of STRENGTH with generous contributions made by phoning, texting or giving online,” said MDA Interim President and Medical Director Valerie Cwik, M.D.

“We hope that the momentum started by the show this weekend has inspired our viewers to learn more about MDA and be involved all year long.”

The show presented a variety of musical styles, from country sensation Carrie Underwood to rap artist Pitbull, aka Mr. Worldwide, who ended his performance by inviting MDA’s 12-year-old National Goodwill Ambassador Bryson Foster to be a guest at the iHeartRadio Music Festival in Las Vegas in late September and declaring: “We need you guys more than you need us. You’re the ones that are strong.”

Other performers included: B.o.B, Brandy, Hot Chelle Rae, OneRepublic, All-American Rejects, Gavin DeGraw, Karmin, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, Luke Bryan, Eva Simons, Silhouettes and Alanis Morissette.

You’ve Got a Friend, performed by legendary singer-songwriter Carole King and accompanied by images of MDA families, provided the emotional, inspirational finale.

Also appearing were: Nancy O’Dell, Jann Carl, Alison Sweeney, Ryan Seacrest, WWE Champion The Miz, Paula Abdul, Khloé Kardashian Odom, Max Adler, Lou Ferrigno, Ace Young, Diana DeGarmo, Jesse McCartney, and Benji and Joel Madden.

People can visit mda.org to view performances, backstage interviews and exclusive online bonus performances that did not air on the September 2 broadcast.

As a way of saying “thank you” to viewers and the generous public for its ongoing support of MDA, the exclusive bonus performances include: Carole King singing Beautiful and OneRepublic with their smash hit Good Life.

Fans of Hot Chelle Rae can see them perform Whatever; Alanis Morissette sings You Learn; Gavin DeGraw delivers with his song Soldier; and B.o.B contributes two performances, So Good and Strange Clouds.

Families give new meaning to the word “strength”

Individuals and families affected by neuromuscular diseases – such as Bryson Foster, who has Duchenne muscular dystrophy – were the real stars of the show and were introduced in profile segments.

In addition to Bryson Foster, the show featured 14-year-old Latondra Chappell, who has central core disease; 17-year-old Kennedy Healy, who has spinal muscular atrophy (SMA); 7-year-old Reagan Imhoff, also affected by SMA; and 12-year-old Justin Moy, a science enthusiast with congenital muscular dystrophy who says he wants to “become a biochemist and find a cure for muscular dystrophy.”

Featured adults included Veronica Niño and Shaun Probert, both of whom have ALS, and Angela Wrigglesworth, a fourth-grade teacher with SMA who shared that MDA summer camp helped her “to become an independent woman.”

Also appearing were MDA spokespeople Augie and Lynne Nieto, Luke Christie, Abbey Umali, Kelly Mahoney, Benjamin Cumbo, Mandy Beckham (formerly Mandy Van Benthuysen) and Lucas Cook.

Special acknowledgment was made of the crucial support provided by MDA national sponsors, including: Acosta, Burger King, CITGO Petroleum Corp., Harley-Davidson, International Association of Fire Fighters, Jiffy Lube International, Lowe’s, National Association of Letter Carriers, Safeway, 7-Eleven, and 7UP.

“In one night, we presented great entertainment, inspiring stories and the unwavering support of our national sponsors and called on the American public to join our <<muscle>> team,” said MDA Executive Vice President of Business Development Kevin Moran.

“MDA SHOW of STRENGTH is bringing a whole new energy to MDA and pointing the way to exciting new directions for all of us who are dedicated to advancing MDA’s mission.”

About MDA

MDA is the nonprofit health agency dedicated to finding treatments and cures for muscular dystrophy, ALS and related diseases by funding worldwide research. The Association also provides comprehensive health care and support services, advocacy and education.

In addition to funding some 300 research projects worldwide, MDA maintains a national network of 200 medical clinics; facilitates hundreds of support groups for families affected by neuromuscular diseases; and provides local summer camp opportunities for thousands of youngsters living with progressive muscle diseases.

 [youtube 9VZNNXxB4kw]

Kanye West makes reference to Kim Kardashian’s tape in his latest track Clique

Lisa.Felice
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0
Kanye West makes reference to Kim Kardashian’s tape in his latest track Clique

Kanye West, who has been dating Kim Kardashian for around five months, appears to make reference to the reality star’s infamous 2007 tape in latest track Clique.

The song – which was leaked to website TMZ and will feature on his album Cruel Summer – includes the line: “Eat breakfast at Gucci. My girl a superstar all from a home movie.”

The sex tape stars Kim Kardashian and her ex-boyfriend Ray J, and after it was leaked online, the 31-year-old socialite became a huge star.

While Kanye West is singing about the sex tape, it was recently claimed Kanye – who has known Kim Kardashian for four years – had refused to watch it.

Kanye West appears to make reference to Kim Kardashian's infamous 2007 tape in latest track Clique
Kanye West appears to make reference to Kim Kardashian's infamous 2007 tape in latest track Clique

A source said: “For all his bad-boy image, he’s quite old-fashioned and [while they were still just friends] he thought it inappropriate to view Kim’s tape. Now that they are a couple, there’s no way Kanye’s ever going to look at it.”

Kanye West is so sensitive about the sex tape – which features Kim Kardashian and Ray J participating in a variety of erotic acts – he won’t even let anyone in his entourage or circle of friends talk about it.

The source added: “When some of his buddies were teasing him about it over a few beers just recently, he went crazy and told them in no uncertain terms that the subject was completely off limits.

“At first they thought he was joking, but he was deadly serious. Kanye never, ever wants to see the tape, and he has banned anyone in his entourage from even talking about it.”

 [youtube fpemVeba9P4]

 

Lipstick Effect theory thrown into doubt by economist Julie Nelson

Clyde K. Valle
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Lipstick Effect theory thrown into doubt by economist Julie Nelson

Julie Nelson, a leading economist from the University of Massachusetts, Boston, has thrown the popular “Lipstick Effect” theory into doubt, suggesting that the research behind it is based on “over-generalized gender stereotypes”.

The well-known phenomenon suggests that women buy less-expensive luxury goods, such as cosmetics, in tough economic times in a bid to increase their attractiveness to mates.

Now, Julie Nelson has stated that the “overly general” findings only serve to reinforce “stereotypes about women’s lives – and social value – centering on questions of their attractiveness to men”.

She told ABC News that the theory is “a gross over-generalization” adding that recent studies aiming to give it scientific status came from a narrow sub-class of women – young university students within the U.S.

Julie Nelson has thrown the popular Lipstick Effect theory into doubt, suggesting that the research behind it is based on over-generalized gender stereotypes
Julie Nelson has thrown the popular Lipstick Effect theory into doubt, suggesting that the research behind it is based on over-generalized gender stereotypes

Also that the phenomenon only applies to “women who reported themselves to be highly motivated to attract a male romantic partner, but not among young women with low motivation”.

She added: “Along with young women not looking for a partner, it is not at all clear that older women, married women, lesbian women, or women from other educational and cultural backgrounds would share this so-called <<women’s psychology>>.”

Julie Nelson said it is “plausible” that the purchase of beauty products and make-up is an evolutionary outcome of competition for mates, but it “is a far cry from it being scientifically demonstrated”.

She pointed out the study’s results suggest that maintaining one’s appearance in the face of adversity, might be a stronger motivation than the desire to attract a mate and it would be valuable to repeat similar research with older married women.

In the paper Boosting Beauty in an Economic Decline: Mating, Spending, and the Lipstick Effect, which was published last month by researchers from Texas Christian University, University of Minnesota, University of Texas at San Antonio and Arizona State University, presented five studies.

Following evolutionary theories, Sarah Hill, co-author of the study said: “We may not consciously think we’re buying them to make ourselves more desirable to men.

“But our lizard brains go after these things even when we think we’re too smart to be lured in by manipulative advertising claims like, <,these jeans will help get you a man>>.”

For the study 154 university students including 82 women and 72 men were presented with fictitious articles highlighting the recession.

The participants were then asked if the content caused them to think there were fewer physically attractive suitors available with a steady job and income and the majority answered “yes”.

The participants were then asked, based on their gender, about their desire to purchase six products.

Three products enhanced physical appearance including two fashion items and a lipstick for women and facial cream for men. The other three products were a wireless mouse, stapler and headphones.

While men’s purchasing desires were not effected, women in the recession condition demonstrated a “significant interaction between priming condition and product type” opting for products that would enhance their appearance.

Defending the findings Vlad Griskevicius, one of the co-authors of the paper from the University of Minnesota argued that the work was “grounded in theory about universal human nature rather than cultural stereotypes”, although he admitted that further research is needed.

 

Kim Kardashian shares some of her beauty secrets

Lisa.Felice
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0
Kim Kardashian shares some of her beauty secrets

Kim Kardashian took Twitter and shared some of her beauty secrets with her fans.

Kim Kardashian, 31, charted her makeover and shared images of the process with her 16 million Twitter followers.

The reality star was preparing for a photo shoot and the busy brunette made the most of her time by using it to connect with her fans.

Kim Kardashian documented the morning as her make-up artist, Scott Barnes, got to work transforming her.

Kim Kardashian charted her makeover and shared images of the process with her 16 million Twitter followers
Kim Kardashian charted her makeover and shared images of the process with her 16 million Twitter followers

In particular Kim Kardashian was keen to show off the techniques the star make-up artist uses to contour.

She pulled a series of faces for the camera as she revealed the heavy amount of foundation used to create her look.

Kim Kardashian then flaunted what she described as the “finished product” and even shared before and after shots.

She was preparing for a shoot with sisters Khloe and Kourtney to promote their UK Kardashian Kollection.

The line will be sold in Dorothy Perkins stores after its success in America where it is available for purchase at Sears.

Kim kardashian posted a photo of the inspiration board for the shoot to her Celebuzz page.

She wrote alongside the image: “We’re at our Kardashian Kollection Dorothy Perkins photo shoot today for the UK and there’s this super cute inspiration wall on set!

“Can’t wait for you all to see the pics and we’re so excited to visit the UK in November for the big launch.”

Yesterday Kim Kardashian’s older sister Kourtney was seen making the most of Labor Day and enjoying a picnic in the park with partner Scott Disick and their two children – nine-week-old Penelope and Mason, two.

 

Snooki shows off her baby boy Lorenzo on the cover of People magazine

Lisa.Felice
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0
Snooki shows off her baby boy Lorenzo on the cover of People magazine

Proud 24-year-old mother Snooki shows off her eight-day-old baby boy Lorenzo on the cover of this week’s People magazine where she admits that motherhood has already made her a different person.

“When I got pregnant, everything changed,” says Snooki, real name Nicole Polizzi.

“The partying is long gone. I’m a new person.”

Snooki looks fit to burst with happiness on the cover of the magazine, sporting a pink dress with a red flower in her long dark hair.

And in a nod to her adoptive Italian-American parents and the Jersey Shore guidos and guidettes, little Lorenzo is sporting cute booties with the Italian flag on the under-soles.

Snooki shows off her eight-day-old baby boy Lorenzo on the cover of this week's People magazine
Snooki shows off her eight-day-old baby boy Lorenzo on the cover of this week's People magazine

The pint-sized reality star seems overwhelmed with love for her new arrival.

“It’s a different kind of love that I never felt before,” says Snooki, who is currently filming the second season of her MTV spin-off Snooki & JWOWW.

Snooki went through 24 hours of labor before she and fiancé Jionni LaValle welcomed little Lorenzo Dominic on August 26.

“We were going back and forth, and I just happened to think of Lorenzo,” says 25-year-old Jionni LaValle, revealing that he was inspired by a child he knew from his hometown.

“She loved it.”

And the couple chose Lorenzo’s middle name in tribute to one of Snooki’s late uncles.

“I did it for my dad,” she says.

Snooki, who will also appear in the final season of Jersey Shore which airs in the U.S, on October 4, is currently enjoying spending time with her family and “adorable son”.

She has wasted no time in taking to her Twitter page to talk about the joys of motherhood.

“Lorenzo is even cuter today,” Snooki wrote in one post, while in another, she tweeted: “I love nursing my little man!”

Snooki has also posted some pictures of her post-baby figure, posting one photograph of her sporting her trademark animal print with the caption: “Slowly getting my swag back.”

And she’s ensured she is returning to her trademark Snooki fashion, tweeting: “I even fit in my heels again – woohoo!” in another post, showing a picture of her feet.

 

Shooting at separatist Parti Quebecois election victory rally in Canada

Diane A. Wade
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Shooting at separatist Parti Quebecois election victory rally in Canada

One man has been killed after a gunman has opened fire at a separatist Parti Quebecois election victory rally in the Canadian province of Quebec.

The shooting followed preliminary results indicating the party was on course to form a minority government after nine years in opposition.

PQ leader Pauline Marois was giving a victory speech in Montreal when shots were heard at the back of the hall.

She was rushed off the stage and a man was arrested.

The gunman’s target was unclear but the 50-year-old suspect was heard shouting in French “The English are waking up”, as he was led away in handcuffs. TV pictures showed him wearing a balaclava and what looked like a blue dressing gown over black clothing.

Parti Quebecois leader Pauline Marois was giving a victory speech in Montreal when shots were heard at the back of the hall
Parti Quebecois leader Pauline Marois was giving a victory speech in Montreal when shots were heard at the back of the hall

Two shots were reportedly fired. One was man was fatally wounded, another is in a critical condition in hospital.

As the suspect was led away, firefighters were called to put out a fire that had been lit outside the building.

The attack marred PQ celebrations after claiming a projected 54 of the 125 seats in the primarily French-speaking province.

It is unclear whether the party’s victory will lead to a new referendum on separation from the rest of Canada.

Previous PQ governments held such votes in 1980 and 1995, but both failed.

The party leader had just expressed her desire for Quebec’s independence when the shooting happened.

Popular support within Quebec for another referendum is low, but Pauline Marois has promised to hold one if the “winning conditions are right”.

She has listed a series of demands for Canadian PM Stephen Harper if her party gains power, including further strengthening of laws to protect Quebec’s French language and identity.

“I would like to have the responsibility about the linguistic policy – about the French policy on the territory of Quebec. About culture, about communication and we would like to have the responsibility of the unemployment programme.”

Pauline Marois, 63, will now become the province’s first female premier.

The PQ was competing against the governing Liberals and a popular new party, Coalition Avenir Quebec (CAQ).

Incumbent Liberal Premier Jean Charest has lost his seat.

His party is on course to lose 14 seats, giving it 50 rather than 64 in the outgoing parliament.

But Jean Chartest stressed that the PQ had only gained a minority victory:

“The result of this election campaign speaks to the fact that the future of Quebec lies within Canada.”

The almost six million people eligible to vote in the only majority French-speaking province of Canada choose 125 members of the national assembly (MNAs).

Many voters contend that the main issue is Quebec’s flailing economy.

The province is weighed down by a staggering C$184 billion ($186 billion) of debt.

Quebec has also been beset for the past year with large student demonstrations – some violent – opposing the government’s attempts to increase tuition fees.

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Michelle Obama backs President Barack Obama at Democratic convention in North Carolina

Diane A. Wade
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Michelle Obama backs President Barack Obama at Democratic convention in North Carolina

First Lady Michelle Obama has made an impassioned speech backing her husband, President Barack Obama, for another four-year White House term.

Closing the first night of the Democratic convention in North Carolina, Michelle Obama spoke of the couple’s shared background in struggling families.

She said it was “extraordinary privilege” to serve as first lady.

President Barack Obama will formally accept the nomination on Thursday, and face Republican Mitt Romney in November.

A recent opinion poll shows Michelle Obama maintains a thin lead over Mitt Romney.

But an ABC News/Washington Post poll released as the convention got under way in Charlotte, North Carolina, showed Barack Obama with the lowest pre-convention favorability for an incumbent president since the 1980s.

The president is aiming to recapture the political spotlight over the next few days, after last week’s Republican convention.

Michelle Obama said that four years ago she “believed deeply” in her husband’s “vision for this country” but worried about how a run for president would change their life and the life of their daughters.

First Lady Michelle Obama has made an impassioned speech backing her husband, President Barack Obama, for another four-year White House term
First Lady Michelle Obama has made an impassioned speech backing her husband, President Barack Obama, for another four-year White House term

In a speech roundly welcomed by a hyped-up crowd, she shared memories from their 23-year relationship, and noted that she had found a “kindred spirit” in a man whose values were similar to hers.

“Barack and I were both raised by families who didn’t have much in the way of money or material possessions but who had given us something far more valuable – their unconditional love, their unflinching sacrifice, and the chance to go places they had never imagined for themselves.”

The first lady’s speech connected their shared background to the values she said guided Barack Obama as president.

“As president, you can get all kinds of advice from all kinds of people,” she said.

“But at the end of the day, when it comes time to make that decision, as president, all you have to guide you are your values and your vision and the life experiences that make you who you are.”

She said Barack Obama was inspired by his own background when advocating for laws involving fair pay for women, healthcare and student debt.

He had not been changed by the White House, she said, and was “still the same man I fell in love with all those years ago”.

“He’s the same man who started his career by turning down high-paying jobs and instead working in struggling neighborhoods where a steel plant had shut down, fighting to rebuild those communities.”

In the toughest moments, Michelle Obama added, “he just keeps getting up and moving forward… with patience and wisdom, and courage and grace.”

Earlier, the chair of the Democratic National Committee, Debbie Wasserman Schultz, brought the gala into session with a strike of the gavel at 17:00 EDT.

Shortly after the convention opened, delegates cheered their backing for the party’s new platform in a open voice vote.

Among the changes found in the text of the party’s 2012 platform was the removal of language from the Middle East section referring to Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.

That message was replaced with a passage referring to the party’s “unshakeable commitment to Israel’s security” and Barack Obama’s “steadfast opposition to any attempt to delegitimize Israel”.

The change prompted criticism from Republicans and Mitt Romney, who accuse Barack Obama of “selling out” a key US ally.

Tuesday’s first session saw a series of Democratic governors, members of Congress, mayors and electoral candidates speak in support of Barack Obama and his policies, most notably his much-criticized healthcare reform law.

A video tribute to the late Senator Edward Kennedy included clips from his 1994 Senate debate with Mitt Romney, and independent Rhode Island Governor Lincoln Chafee argued that his former party – the Republicans – had lost their way and had forfeited the label of conservative.

Former White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel said the next president would set the tone for the next 40 years.

“It will be the president’s leadership that determines how we as a nation meet the challenges that face the middle class. It is the president’s values that shape a future in which the middle class has hope,” he said.

Julian Castro, the Latino Mayor of San Antonio, Texas, gave the keynote address immediately before Michelle Obama.

The Democratic gathering will see Barack Obama and Vice-President Joe Biden formally re-nominated as the party’s presidential and vice-presidential candidates on Wednesday.

Later that evening, there will be speeches from Elizabeth Warren, who is fighting Republican incumbent Scott Brown in a high-profile race for a Massachusetts Senate seat, and former President Bill Clinton.

The convention culminates on Thursday with speeches from Barack Obama and Joe Biden.

Republican nominee Mitt Romney is expected to spend the week preparing for a series of debates with Barack Obama.

The gala also offers the Democrats the chance to make a high-profile pitch to voters in North Carolina, a state that narrowly voted for Barack Obama in 2008, but is now firmly up for grabs.

As they did four years ago, the Democrats will take the event outside the convention centre for the president’s prime-time speech, taking over a 74,000-seater stadium in Charlotte for the final night of speeches – despite a poor weather forecast.

 [youtube QQ7HgFMEL8A]

Japan to buy disputed islands Senkaku

Diane A. Wade
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Japan to buy disputed islands Senkaku

Japan’s government has reached a deal to buy disputed islands in the East China Sea from their private owner, local media reports.

The government will pay 2.05 billion yen ($26 million) to buy islands known as Senkaku in Japan and Diaoyu in China.

There was no confirmation from officials, but the reports were carried by major Japanese media outlets, citing government sources.

The outspoken Tokyo governor had also been seeking to buy the islands.

The Japanese government will pay 2.05 bn yen ($26 million) to buy islands known as Senkaku in Japan and Diaoyu in China
The Japanese government will pay 2.05 bn yen ($26 million) to buy islands known as Senkaku in Japan and Diaoyu in China

Shintaro Ishihara had been collecting public donations for the purchase by the Tokyo metropolitan government, amid high tensions with China over the island chain.

At a regular press conference, Chief Cabinet Secretary Osamu Fujimura said the government and owner were in talks but would not comment on details of the discussion.

“We are negotiating with the owner while we try to grasp where the situation stands between [the central government] and the Tokyo metropolitan government,” he said.

An announcement would be made “when we reach a result after completing the process”, he said.

Kyodo news agency, citing government sources, said the agreement to buy three of the five main islands was reached with the owner on Monday.

A formal purchase contract would likely be exchanged by the end of this month, it said.

The cabinet will approve the deal in the middle of this month, both the Asahi and Yomiuri newspapers said.

The Japanese government says it has no plans to build on the islands, unlike Shintaro Ishihara who had suggested he could build a dock.

The purchase is likely to raise tensions with China, but less so than were Shintaro Ishihara to buy them.

Japan controls the islands, which lie south of Okinawa and north of Taiwan, but China also claims them, as does Taiwan.

Earlier this month, a group of Hong Kong activists landed on one of the islands amid the rumbling row. Japanese nationalists also subsequently visited, sparking protests in several Chinese cities.

On Tuesday, two men were held in Beijing for ripping the flag off the Japanese ambassador’s car, in an apparent protest over the islands.

The disputed islands sit in key shipping lanes and are thought to lie close to gas deposits.

On Wednesday an editorial in China’s Communist Party mouthpiece the People’s Daily accused Japan of acting in a two-faced manner over the islands.

“It will be difficult to improve the strained China-Japan relations if the Japanese government continues to adopt the two-faced approach of expressing goodwill on the one hand and allowing right-wing forces to kidnap the government and public opinion on the other hand,” it said.

 

Scott Disick and Kourtney Kardashian picnic with baby Penelope on Labor Day

Lisa.Felice
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0
Scott Disick and Kourtney Kardashian picnic with baby Penelope on Labor Day

Scott Disick and Kourtney Kardashian covered their baby daughter Penelope in kisses as they took her to the park for a picnic yesterday.

As their son Mason played nearby the proud parents took it in turns to cuddle their two-month-old daughter.

Penelope responded with smiles as her mother lifted her in the air and kissed her.

After enjoying cuddles with her daughter, Kourtney Kardashian passed her over to daddy Scott Disick, who made cooing noises as he smiled into Penelope’s face.

He then lay her in his legs as he smiled down.

Scott Disick and Kourtney Kardashian covered their baby daughter Penelope in kisses as they took her to the park for a picnic
Scott Disick and Kourtney Kardashian covered their baby daughter Penelope in kisses as they took her to the park for a picnic

But KourtneyKardashian soon had her charge back safe in her arms, as two-year-old Mason ran over with his toys.

Dressed in a white smock dress with lace sleeves and sandals, the 32-year-old mother looked happy and healthy.

Kourtney Kardashian took to her blog yesterday to explain that she planned to ignore the old adage to “not to wear white after Labor Day”.

“I remember when I went away to college at Southern Methodist University in Dallas my aunt sent me a book with the rules of being a Southern Belle.

“One of the rules was to never wear white after Labor Day. Fashion has a lot to do with confidence and making up your own rules.

“Winter white was all over the Fall 2012 runways, so I think we can expect to see a lot of people crossing the boundaries way beyond Labor Day.”

In a new interview, Kourtney Kardashian revealed she put on 45 lbs during her pregnancy – but said she is in no rush to shift the pounds.

“I gained nearly 45 pounds,” she explained.

“I’m 5 feet tall, so that’s a lot.”

Doctors recommend 25 lbs to 35 lbs as an appropriate weight gain for a woman of normal weight.

But Kourtney Kardashian is “not really” thinking about losing the weight just yet.

“While I’m here around the house, I just eat healthy,” she told Us Weekly.

 

 

Lara Stone in new euphoria Calvin Klein fragrance ad campaign

Lisa.Felice
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0
Lara Stone in new euphoria Calvin Klein fragrance ad campaign

With Lara Stone already a regular face for the brand, Calvin Klein Fragrances today announced a new worldwide advertising campaign for euphoria Calvin Klein.

The new campaign will feature the supermodel wife of David Walliams in what Calvin Klein brand says will be an “interpretation of glamour and sensuality”.

The print and TV campaigns were both directed by Fabien Baron of Baron + Baron in conjunction with Calvin Klein’s in-house creative studio, CRK Advertising, in New York City.

The print campaign was shot by renowned industry photographers Mert Alas & Marcus Piggott.

Calvin Klein Fragrances announced a new worldwide advertising campaign for euphoria Calvin Klein featuring Lara Stone
Calvin Klein Fragrances announced a new worldwide advertising campaign for euphoria Calvin Klein featuring Lara Stone

Lara Stone, who follows in the footsteps of original face of the perfume Natalia Vordianova, said: “I’m honored to be the face of Calvin Klein’s new euphoria fragrance campaign, as it’s such an iconic brand,’ said Ms. Stone from the set of the advertising campaign shoot.

“The scent is glamorous, modern and sexy.”

Since launching in 2005, euphoria Calvin Klein remains among the top 10 fragrance brands globally and is the largest women’s fragrance brand in the Calvin Klein portfolio.

Tom Murry, President & CEO, Calvin Klein, said: “Established as a leading global fragrance brand, euphoria Calvin Klein currently represents the largest fragrance business in our portfolio.

“The striking, new advertising campaign conveys both the power and allure of this compelling fragrance.”

“The euphoria fragrance has a sophistication and seduction that resonates with women around the world,” said Catherine Walsh, Senior Vice President, American Fragrances, Coty Prestige.

“Lara Stone truly embodies the sensual glamour of the euphoria woman today.”

The pretty Dutch model has also been revealed as the face of Calvin Klein’s new push up bra in a sexy new video, and what better way to promote it than with the hit Salt-n-Pepa song that goes by the same name.

In the 30 second advert, Lara Stone can be seen dancing around in the black underwear that highlights her ample cleavage.

Lara Stone and husband David Walliams looked super glamorous together at the screening of James Bond film- The Spy who Loved me– last week in London.

 [youtube Pe8ZxT37ot8]

Giant girl head sculpture by Jaume Plensa unveiled on Botafogo beach in Rio de Janeiro

Sonia Pantiss
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Giant girl head sculpture by Jaume Plensa unveiled on Botafogo beach in Rio de Janeiro

A giant sculpture by Jaume Plensa representing the head of a 14-year-old girl has been unveiled on the famous Botafogo beach, in the Brazilian city of Rio de Janeiro.

The white 12 m (39-foot) tall head made out of resin and marble dust is the latest sculpture by the Spanish artist.

Entitled Olhar nos meus sonhos (To see my dreams), the sculpture portrays a girl with her eyes are closed.

Jaume Plensa says the aim of the sculpture is “to make people dream”.

Entitled To see my dreams, Jaume Plensa sculpture portrays a girl with her eyes are closed
Entitled To see my dreams, Jaume Plensa sculpture portrays a girl with her eyes are closed

The artist, who was born in Barcelona in 1955, is best known for creating public sculptures on a monumental scale.

Jaume Plensa’s work Echo, on display in New York’s Madison Square Park, depicts the head of a nine-year girl seemingly lost in thought.

Another of Jaume Plensa’s female heads, called Dream, can be seen in St. Helens in England.

Olhar nos meus sonhos will be on display on Botafogo beach for two months as part of the public art exhibition Other Ideas for Rio.

 

McDonald’s opens its first vegetarian outlet in India

Kathryn R. Bown
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McDonald’s opens its first vegetarian outlet in India

McDonald’s is bowing to local demand and is opening a meat-free restaurant in India.

The global chain, whose best-known product is the Big Mac burger in a bun, says it will be its first vegetarian outlet.

McDonald’s, the world’s second biggest food outlet after Subway, increasingly adapts its range to local demand.

Both India’s Hindu majority and Muslims can eat the same meat-free dishes.

Religiously observant Hindus see cows as sacred and avoid beef, while Muslims view pigs as unclean and avoid pork.

McDonald's is bowing to local demand and is opening a meat-free restaurant in India
McDonald's is bowing to local demand and is opening a meat-free restaurant in India

According to the AFP news agency, McDonald’s will open the outlet in the middle of next year, near the Golden Temple in the Sikh holy city of Amritsar in northern India.

Religious authorities forbid consumption of meat at the shrine.

A spokesman for McDonald’s in northern India, Rajesh Kumar Maini, told the news agency: “There is a big opportunity for vegetarian restaurants as many Indians are vegetarian.

“At the moment, India is still a very small market – we just have 271 restaurants in India, and across the world, we have nearly 33,000.”

The chain plans to open another vegetarian outlet in north-western India, near the Vaishno Devi cave shrine in Kashmir, which is a Hindu pilgrimage site that attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors a year.

McDonald’s has moved to provide more salads and other healthier foods with less sugar, salt and fat in them, in response to public concerns about diet.

In India, its menu is typically 50% vegetarian.

Its signature dish in the country is the McAloo Tikki burger, which uses a spiced potato-based filling. It accounts for 25% of total sales.

Globally, the company plans to open around 1,300 new stores this year.

 

 

 

iPad Mini to be launched next month

Nancy Clayson
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iPad Mini to be launched next month

Apple is believed to be launching an iPad Mini in October, and now fansite Apple.pro claims to have photographed the eight-inch evolution of the iPad.

Apple is notoriously secretive on the run-up to new launches, but leaks from within the industry, including from suppliers and partners, have all but confirmed the device is on its way this Autumn.

The Apple Mini is believed to sport an eight-inch screen, making it a shrunken version of the iPad’s ten-inches.

This will allow a higher degree of portability over previous models, and also give Apple the ammunition to compete with Google, which recently brought out a seven-inch range of Nexus tablets.

Fansite Apple.pro claims to have photographed the eight-inch evolution of the iPad
Fansite Apple.pro claims to have photographed the eight-inch evolution of the iPad

Apple.Pro also reports this is a 3G-capable model, meaning you can use data on the go.

While Steve Jobs was famously against smaller iPads, the success of the Nexus and Amazon’s “Fire” of budget tablets appears to have convinced Apple there is a market for the slim-line device.

Rumors from Apple suppliers suggest the innards of the Mini will be equivalent to an iPad 2, which analysts suggest will be more than enough to power the shrunken device.

The third iPad had a specification increase but also increased slightly in weight due to the demands of the high-definition Retina display.

Apple is also believed to be announcing the iPhone 5 during September, although it has not yet confirmed a launch date.

The new device which is expected to boast a display of less than eight inches will be unveiled at a separate event, so as not to dilute the impact of the iPhone’s launch, according to analysts.

“I don’t think Apple would want reviews of both a new iPhone and new-size iPad appearing at the same time,” said Daring Fireball’s John Gruber.

“Why share the spotlight? Why have another Apple product battling with the iPhone for the top spots in news coverage?

“The more I think about it, the less sense it makes for the iPhone to even share the stage at the announcement with any other product.

“The iPhone is too big, too cool and garners too much attention – and it’s in Apple’s interest to keep that attention undiluted.”

 

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