Tom Cruise appeared unconcerned as he emerged after lunch at Tony’s Tavern in Malibu and even sported a huge smile as he walked along.
Tom Cruise, 50, looked as youthful as ever in a long sleeved white T-shirt and jeans with a pair of aviator sunglasses protecting his eyes from the sun.
He also wore a pair of white trainers.
When photographers from TMZ asked Tom Cruise how he was doing, the happy star replied saying: “I’m good.”
Tom Cruise appeared unconcerned as he emerged after lunch at Tony’s Tavern in Malibu and even sported a huge smile as he walked along
Tom Cruise has maintained a hectic schedule in the wake of the news, fulfilling his filming duties for Oblivion and clocking up miles between Iceland, California, New York and most recently London.
However, even with all of that travelling and working, not to mention his personal drama, Tom Cruise looked refreshed and relaxed in Los Angeles.
The star is also on the lookout for a new place to call home in New York so he can be close to his daughter Suri, six, who is living in the city with her mother Katie Holmes.
Tom Cruise is limiting his house hunt in New York to “secluded” properties, according to reports.
Representatives for Tom Cruise are understood to have contacted Donna Senko of Sotheby’s International who have now spoken to agents in Westchester County, Stamford and Greenwich to inquire about properties.
Tom Cruise has specified his new home must be secure, discreet and secluded with a “suburban presence” so Suri can play in private.
A source told the New York Daily News: “He wants something extremely secluded where Suri can play without paparazzi watching. There are lots of them in these towns.”
Katie Holmes and Tom Cruise’s divorce was finalized within a matter of weeks, with the former Dawson’s Creek star getting primary custody of Suri with Tom being granted regular visitation rights.
Although Tom Cruise is keeping the couple’s former home in Beverly Hills – which he shares with his eldest children, Isabella, 19, and 17-year-old Connor – he is determined to have a permanent base in New York for his time with Suri.
Actress Nicole Kidman attended the Opening Ceremony of the Olympic Games and she looked younger than ever.
Yesterday, Nicole Kidman was guest of honor at the private opening of Omega House, the watchmaker’s official residence during the London 2012 Olympic Games, and she was dressed to impress.
Nicole Kidman – who is a brand ambassador for the Swiss company – looked demure in a sleeveless black dress with black lace up sandals.
The actress appeared years younger than 45 with her hair in soft waves to her shoulders and sported minimal make-up.
Nicole Kidman obviously wore one of the famous watches but apart from dazzling earrings and her wedding ring, she wore no other jewellery.
Her husband Keith Urban was at the Olympics launch with her last night, where the excited actress posted pictures on her Facebook account and shared her enjoyment with her fans.
Nicole Kidman attended the Opening Ceremony of the Olympic Games and she looked younger than ever
Posting one picture of herself looking excited, with her spouse in the background, Nicole Kidman wrote: “At the Olympics with omega! Amazing!!”
It was a return to the spotlight for the star who has tried to stay out of the public eye to avoid the drama surrounding her former husband’s latest split.
Nicole Kidman refused to get involved in the divorce drama unfurling between Tom Cruise and Katy Holmes, even though there are echoes of her 2001 split with the now 50-year-old movie star.
Not least 33-year-old Katie Holmes’ decision to file for sole custody of the couple’s daughter Suri, six, after Nicole Kidman lost primary residence of her two adopted children with Tom Cruise, Isabella and Connor.
However, Nicole Kidman, who was married to Tom Cruise for nearly 10 years before the actor filed for divorce, even steered clear of close friends in recent weeks to avoid being drawn on the subject.
“Nicole won’t talk, wants her privacy, wants to be left out of this and they [she and Tom Cruise] don’t speak much,” an insider told RadarOnline.com. “Communication between her and Tom is very limited.”
Nicole Kidman, who was said to be shocked when Tom Cruise filed for divorce in 2001 – only two months after they renewed their vows – kept a low profile immediately after the Holmes filed for divorce.
“Nicole really does not want to be dragged into this or say anything to anyone,” continued the source.
“At some point though, she will probably be forced to say something, and she will most likely support Tom for the sake of their children.”
According to one report, after the dissolution of their marriage, members of the Church of Scientology turned Isabella and Connor Cruise against Nicole Kidman, calling her a “sociopath” and the actress has only recently reunited with her adopted daughter.
“I love mom,” Isabella Cruise recently told Australia’s New Idea magazine. “She’s my mom. She’s great. I see her sometimes [in Nashville] and I speak to her.”
Tom Cruise has hired Dennis Wasser, the same lawyer who represented him for his divorce from Nicole Kidman.
First Lady Michelle Obama had no defence against Olympic wrestler Elena Pirozhkova who decided to pick her up and parade her in front of her fellow athletes.
There was no coercion involved in the hilarious encounter as Michelle Obama was happy to let Elena Pirozhkova show off her strength at the meet-and-greet on Friday.
However, the experienced globe-trotter did seem “nervous” when she was being held by the Olympic hopeful, according to Elena Pirozhkova.
Michelle Obama had no defence against Olympic wrestler Elena Pirozhkova who decided to pick her up and parade her in front of her fellow athletes
Michelle Obama met the wrestlers along with other members of Team USA during a visit to the team’s training camp ahead of the opening ceremony.
During the event at the University of East London, she spoke to 25-year-old Elena Pirozhkova – who had an unusual request for her.
“Even before she made the rounds I thought I can’t just hug her like everybody else,” she said, according to USA Today.
“I hugged her, and then I asked her if I could pick her up. I think she was nervous. I went slow. I just picked her up.
“I wanted to ask her permission. There was security all around. And she gave it. I will only meet her once. I wanted to do something different.”
Her teammate Clarissa Chun captured a photograph of the heart-warming moment and tweeted it with the caption: “Elena picked up the First Lady.”
Elena Pirozhkova, who is 5 foot 5 and around 138 lbs, was born in Russia but moved to Massachusetts at the age of three.
The highlight of her career so far came in the land of her birth, where she won a silver medal at the 2010 World Championships.
Peruvian President Ollanta Humala has marked his first year in office by pledging to increase social spending to help the country’s poorest people.
In the annual presidential speech to Congress, Ollanta Humala said he aimed to cut Peru’s poverty to 15% by the end of his term in 2016.
He said his government had not yet achieved all it set out to do.
The address comes days after Ollanta Humala reshuffled his cabinet amid unrest over a controversial mining project.
Peruvian President Ollanta Humala has marked his first year in office by pledging to increase social spending to help the country's poorest people
Ollanta Humala took the oath of office on 28 July 2011 vowing to eradicate poverty and social exclusion.
But many Peruvians complain that he has not done enough to share the wealth from the country’s exploitation of its natural resources.
“I stand at the core of my proposal,” Ollanta Humala told Congress.
“We have begun to lay the groundwork for the great transformation that most citizens of our country crave: inclusive growth… although we have not achieved everything we set out to achieve.”
He told Congress that “all beginnings are tough”, but vowed to extend social programmes to lift more people out of poverty.
Ollanta Humala’s first 12 months in office have been marked by disputes and conflict and his approval rating fell to a new low of some 40% this month.
Earlier in July, five people were killed in clashes with police during protests against a huge mining project in the Cajamarca region of northern Peru.
Last Monday, Ollanta Humala responded to the public anger at this and other social and environmental controversies by reshuffling his cabinet for the third time in his term.
He told Congress the government was “aware of the persistence of social discontent and unsatisfied hopes among a sector of the population that wants a better quality of life”.
But said that the country needed to “overcome this culture of conflict”.
Romanians are voting in a referendum on whether to impeach President Traian Basescu.
Traian Basescu has already been suspended by parliament in a series of moves that have caused alarm among Romania’s EU partners because of the speed of the process.
The government accuses Traian Basescu of exceeding his authority and of meddling in government affairs.
Traian Basescu denies the accusations and has urged a boycott of Sunday’s referendum.
Romanians are voting in a referendum on whether to impeach President Traian Basescu
Under a new Romanian law backed by Traian Basescu’s Liberal Democrat Party (PDL), more than half of the electorate will have to vote to make the result valid.
The referendum is one of the fiercest political clashes in Romania since the return of democracy in 1990.
The result is hard to predict but will have long-term repercussions for Romania’s political and economic stability.
The row has paralyzed political decision-making in Romania at a time when it is finalizing agreements on an IMF-backed aid package.
Traian Basescu’s popularity has slumped since he backed tough austerity measures demanded by Romania’s international lenders and also because he backed corrupted members of PDL.
According to the latest polls, about 65% of the electorate wants to remove Traian Basescu. However, analysts say the government will struggle to achieve the required turnout.
Traian Basescu had initially urged Romanians to come to referendum and vote “no” to what he called “a coup”, but later asked his supporters to boycott the vote altogether, a stance also adopted by the new opposition (PDL). However, Traian Basescu will vote today even he urged people to boycott the referendum.
If he is impeached, a presidential election must be held within three months.
Earlier this month, European Council President Herman Van Rompuy voiced “deep concerns” about the political crisis in Romania “with regard to the rule of law and the independence of the judiciary”.
Romania and neighboring Bulgaria joined the EU in 2007, but Brussels has put both countries under special monitoring because of concerns about judicial independence, corruption and political influence in state institutions.
Sofia Vergara’s breast takes centre stage on the new cover of Allure magazine.
Sofia Vergara, 40, puts up some front, appearing in plunging top that reveals her black bra.
The Columbian actress also reveals her cup size in the accompanying interview – an impressive 32 F.
Sofia Vergara – who is believed to be engaged to Nick Loeb after the pair reconciled following their brief split in May – was recently named television’s highest paid actress, banking a massive $19 million between May 2011 and May 2012.
But despite her millions, the actress is at the centre of a dispute with 20th Century Fox, along with her Modern Family co-stars – over their salary.
Sofia Vergara’s breast takes centre stage on the new cover of Allure magazine
Julie Bowen, Ty Burrell, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Eric Stonestreet and Ed O’Neill are also in on the act – but have not reached an agreement yet.
But they still all showed up for a read-through of the fourth season premiere episode this week.
Meanwhile, Sofia Vergara has also landed a cameo role on Family Guy.
She will appear as main character Peter Griffin’s sexual fantasy in an upcoming episode of the eleventh season of the animated FOX show.
Sofia Vergara will voice her own cartoon alter-ego when bumbling father Peter fantasises about the actress as he daydreams about being a telenovela star.
She will also voice a woman selling roses in a restaurant in the same episode.
The eleventh series of Family Guy – which is scheduled to air in the US from September 30 – will be star-studded with Johnny Depp, Ryan Reynolds, Elizabeth Banks and Kellan Lutz all scheduled to make an appearance.
The September issue of Allure hits newsstands on August 14.
A new survey has revealed that over a quarter of women admit to faking orgasm every time they have sex.
The statistic was revealed in AskMen.com’s Great Male Survey 2012, which polled 50,000 people from across the U.S., the UK and Australia.
A rather luckier 30% of women surveyed said they never have to fake it. And they aren’t the only ones. Over a third of men admitted to having faked a climax at least once.
In fact, 40% of men said they were only “somewhat satisfied” with their sex lives but there was “room for improvement”, and an unfortunate 22% admitted: “I have no sex life.”
A new survey has revealed that over a quarter of women admit to faking orgasm every time they have sex
Twenty-five per cent of women were also “not at all satisfied, because of the quality of sex”, with 27% admitting to “no sex life”.
The survey results went beyond sex to reveal some interesting attitudes towards relationships.
Weight gain presented a major issue. While 67% of women said they would remain with their boyfriend if he became fatter, over half of men ruthlessly admitted they would not stay with their girlfriends if they did the same.
Contrary to popular belief, it found that 44% of women believed in marriage, compared with 70% of men.
Demonstrating further female cynicism, a third of women admitted to having read their boyfriend’s emails or text messages as a means of “checking up” on their man.
Women also have little trust when it comes to birth control. Though 73% of men polled said they would take a male pill if it existed, just over half of women would actually trust a man to remember to take it.
But perhaps their general lack of trust in men is justified. Over half of men say they have lied about their number of sexual partners.
And if they could choose a celebrity their current girlfriend could “be more like”, the majority of men chose Spider-Man star Emma Stone, with just 20% suggesting Sports Illustrated cover girl Kate Upton.
Four people hiking in Pieniny mountains, southern Poland, were killed by lightning, Polish media report.
The four, a couple in their 50s, their daughter and her boyfriend were last seen on Wednesday when they went off the trail in search of shelter from a violent storm.
Four people hiking in Pieniny mountains, southern Poland, were killed by lightning
Their bodies were found on Friday at the bottom of a ravine in the Pieniny mountains, near the Slovak border.
The Polish authorities will investigate the exact cause of death.
“It is extremely rare for a single bolt of lightning to kill four people,” mountain rescue official Mariusz Zarod told the Reuters news agency.
Nur Suryani Mohamad Taibi, a Malaysian mother-to-be, stayed positive despite failing to make it to the Olympic 10 m air rifle shooting final.
Nur Suryani Mohamad Taibi, 29, who is 33 weeks pregnant, finished in 34th position out of 56 competitors.
She is due to give birth on 13 September, but she said she felt four kicks during the competition but it did not put her off.
“When she kicks I breathe in and out and then continue,” Nur Suryani Mohamad Taibi said.
When asked what she said to her daughter, who will be named Dayana Widyan, she said: “Behave yourself, be calm, don’t move so much. She always listened to me. Lucky.”
Nur Suryani Mohamad Taibi, a Malaysian mother-to-be, stayed positive despite failing to make it to the Olympic 10 m air rifle shooting final
Nur Suryani Mohamad Taibi, who won a shooting gold at the 2010 Commonwealth Games and needed special permission to fly to London for the Games because she is so heavily pregnant, will be returning to Malaysia on 31 July.
However, she described competing at the Royal Artillery Barracks as a dream come true and said she would carry on shooting after the birth.
“I will still carry on because this is already my life,” she said.
“What I’ve heard is that a mother after delivery has fresh blood so they can perform better, I believe. That’s the luck of being a woman.”
And she said perhaps her daughter could follow her into a sporting career.
“My blood is like hers. Maybe she’s better than me,” she said.
When Nur Suryani Mohamad Taibi was asked about what would have happened if she had gone into labour during the competition, she said: “I just prayed that I could get to a labour room. I would accept it with an open heart. I am not a normal mummy doing everything slowly.”
Olympic organizers are investigating why many seats were empty during events at venues including the Aquatics Centre in east London.
Areas high in the stands at the sold-out event were full but several hundred more expensive seats lower down were not filled.
LOCOG said some accredited seats – for press and media – were empty.
Empty seats have also been seen at Wimbledon and the volleyball at Earl’s Court on Saturday afternoon.
A LOCOG spokesman said earlier: “We are aware that some venues have empty seats this morning.
“We believe the empty seats are in accredited seating areas and we are in the process of finding out who should have been in the seats and why they weren’t there.”
Olympic organizers are investigating why many seats were empty during events at venues including the Aquatics Centre in east London
London 2012 chairman Lord Sebastian Coe has previously threatened to name and shame companies which do not use their tickets.
The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh visited the Aquatic Centre during the morning session while 14-time Olympic gold medallist swimmer Michael Phelps scraped through to Saturday night’s final of the 400 m individual medley.
The number of empty seats was the only negative aspect of the session and it did not harm the atmosphere.
But it meant Olympic organizers still had some work to do.
Some blocks of empty seats have been observed at Wimbledon’s centre court.
One spectator, Rachel Clarke, said: “Since they were in prime position – near where the players came out and the royal box – I can only assume that they were corporate seats. They were in a good spot for a fantastic game but they remained empty.”
Many people have expressed disappointment over the sight of empty seats after failing to get tickets for events.
Diana Hill said: “To sit down and watch the first day and see the dressage event half full, huge chunks of seating empty in men’s gymnastics and badminton (and I’m sure many more events), is incredibly frustrating.
“Where are all these apparently <<sold out>> tickets going to? Sponsors? It’s a sad joke.”
Tennis fans have also complained over queues to get into Wimbledon on Saturday morning, saying a ticket office was closed because the key to open it had been lost.
Richard Till, from Birmingham, said he spent three hours waiting to collect tickets.
He said: “There were people visiting from abroad standing in the queue behind me; it was an embarrassment for the first full day of Olympics events. The people working in the ticket office didn’t have a clue; it took four people standing around a computer to print off a receipt.”
LOCOG has yet to respond to requests for a comment.
Ethnic clashes in Moyale area, southern Ethiopia, are reported to have left at least 18 people dead and 12 others injured.
More than 20,000 people have crossed into Kenya to escape the fighting, the Kenyan Red Cross says.
People were continuing to cross the border although Ethiopian government forces had intervened to stop the fighting.
The clashes, in the Moyale area, are thought to have been sparked by a simmering dispute over land rights.
More than 20,000 people have crossed into Kenya to escape Moyale fighting in Ethiopia
Fighting involving the Borana and Garri communities is said to have started mid-week, and to have continued until Friday.
Local reports speak of armed militias taking up positions in outlying villages on Wednesday, with the fighting spreading to Moyale town, on the Ethiopia-Kenya border, on Thursday.
Many of those who fled across the border into the Kenyan side of Moyale are having to sleep out in the open.
The Red Cross says it is providing those who have been displaced with food, water and tarpaulins.
A deadly outbreak of Ebola virus has killed at least 13 people and infected a further seven in Uganda.
The health ministry says emergency measures are in place to deal with the outbreak, which began in late June but has only just been confirmed as Ebola.
The cases have been reported in Kibaale district, about 170 km (100 miles) to the west of the capital Kampala.
Officials say most are linked to one family, who may have contracted the virus while attending a funeral.
A deadly outbreak of Ebola virus has killed at least 13 people and infected a further seven in Uganda
Another suspected infection, at Kampala’s Mulago hospital, is also being investigated by doctors.
Ebola is one of the most virulent diseases in the world. It is spread by close personal contact, and kills up to 90% of those who become infected.
There is no vaccine for the virus. Symptoms include sudden onset of fever, weakness, headache, vomiting and impaired kidneys.
The first victim of this outbreak was a pregnant woman.
More than 1,200 deaths from the virus have been recorded since it was discovered in 1976.
Uganda has seen three major outbreaks over the past 12 years.
The deadliest was in 2000 when 425 people were infected, more than half of them died.
The Pistol ankle boots, designed by the Swedish label Acne, are proving the objects of desire among the world’s current It girls including Keira Knightley, Michelle Williams, Clemence Poesy and others.
The boots, which come in a variety of colors, have been photographed on the feet of many, their trademark zipper attached with leather tassel seen swinging with each starlet’s every step.
Some stars, like Dakota Fanning, have been spotted in variations of the classic black leather boot, which feature a sturdy wedge heel and stitching to create subtle panels at the front.
An almond-shaped tow toughens up the boot which also features a gunmetal-tone side zip that carries the tassel.
Dakota Fanning was spotted at LAX airport in January, wearing a camel toned pair of Pistols, which sell for $566 online at My-Wardrobe.com.
Price-wise, it is about the average one will pay for the shoe online. Net-a-Porter is selling it for $560.
Acne Pistol boots, which come in a variety of colors, have been photographed on the feet of many, their trademark zipper attached with leather tassel seen swinging with each starlet's every step
Dakota Fanning’s boot featured a black wedge heel and served as a statement item beneath her brown skin-tight pants – though not as much of a statement as the pink-dipped locks she also revealed during that spotting.
A spokesman for My-Wardrobe.com said that the boots were the “fastest selling ankle boots of all time” and after stock was replenished earlier this week, the Pistol is “flying out of the door”.
Keira Knightley appears to love her boots so much that she alternates between different colors.
The Anna Karenina actress has been photographed wearing the black variety several times but has also opted for a grey suede design on other occasions.
Michelle Williams wore her own Pistols while visiting Paris in February to promote My Week With Marilyn.
Photographed leaving the Musee d’Orsay, the petite blonde paired the design with black skinny-leg jeans.
The design is also featured on various fashion blogs, no doubt a result of the design’s multiple star endorsements.
French actress Clemence Poesy wore a black pair to the Chloe collection show Paris Fashion Week last year while Olivia Wilde was also spotted wearing the boots when she attended the Tribeca Film Festival in April.
Clemence Poesy kept her look all-black, pairing the boots with a leather jacket and skin-tight pants.
Rachel Weisz was also spotted wearing the design at JKF airport in February of last year.
Carrying her son Henry, the brunette beauty opted for navy skinny jeans to complete the casual look
Apple is reportedly considering buying a stake in Twitter worth hundreds of millions of dollars.
The technology giant, which has stumbled on the social media front, has been in talks with Twitter in recent months about the strategic investment, according to The New York Times.
Apple’s hefty injection of funds would value the social networking powerhouse at more than $10 billion, up from an $8.4 billion valuation last year, the newspaper’s sources said.
Apple has had huge success selling its iPhones and iPads but has had little traction in the fast-growing social media world.
As social media, accessed on computers and mobile devices, increasingly influences how people spend their time and money, Apple, which also sells applications, games, music and movies, is keen to get in on the action.
Apple is reportedly considering buying a stake in Twitter worth hundreds of millions of dollars
The New York Times said it’s not a done deal and the companies are not in negotiations at the moment. But are likely to form a strong partnership against intensifying competition from the likes of Google and Facebook.
Facebook is aligned with Microsoft, which owns a small stake in it, and Google, which rivals Apple in the smart phone market, is pushing its own social network, Google Plus.
“Apple doesn’t have to own a social network,” Timothy D. Cook, Apple’s chief executive, said at a recent technology conference.
“But does Apple need to be social? Yes.”
Twitter and Apple have already been working together, with the technology leader embedding Twitter features into its software for phones, tablets and computers.
Meanwhile, Twitter has been working to bolster its relationship with Apple, according to The Times.
An investment in Twitter would not be a big financial move for Apple, which has $117 billion in liquid investments, but it would be one of Tim Cook’s most important strategic decisions since taking the helm after Steve Jobs’ stepped down due to illness.
For Twitter, having the backing of a tech icon like Apple would see its valuation shoot up overnight.
Like that of other start-ups, the company’s valuation has languished in the wake of Facebook’s lackluster market debut.
But Twitter does not need Apple’s cash injection. Earlier this year, chief executive Dick Costolo, said the company had “truckloads of money in the bank”.
The Times’ sources reckon this “truckloads” adds up to more than $600 million in cash on hand thanks to a healthy flow of advertising revenue.
Both Apple and Twitter refused to comment in the article, but Dick Costolo said of Apple in a recent interview: “Those guys are a great partner. We think of them as a company that our company looks up to.”
Kardashian sisters are on the hunt for a plus-size beauty to model their new denim line.
Kim, Khloe and Kourtney Kardashian, aged 31, 28, and 33 respectively, took to Khloe’s blog to announce the search which invites women over the age of 18 to send full-length photos of themselves to the famous sisters.
Kardashian Kurves, the new line, has been created in conjunction with Sears and will feature three styles, each inspired by one of the three sisters.
The chosen model will star in an advertisement for the line, which has not been given a release date as yet.
Khloe Kardashian outlined the contest’s grand prize, a round trip for one to Los Angeles to attend a photo shoot, on her blog.
She added: “It’s a venture we’re really thrilled about!”
Kardashian sisters are on the hunt for a plus-size beauty to model their new denim line
The prize also includes one night’s accommodation in Los Angeles to ensure their model is in tip-top condition for the campaign’s photo shoot.
The line was originally announced through social media also – via Kim Kardaashian’s Twitter page.
The reality star posted: “Our Kardashian Kollection for Sears denim line is officially here!! There are three styles, each named after my sisters and me.”
Further images showed Kim Kardashian wearing her own version in the line.
She added on Twitter: “I’m wearing The Kim, which is a sexy, low cut, straight leg jean. Then Kourtney is wearing The Kourtney, a gorgeous skinny leg jean, and Khloe is wearing The Khloe, a tall curvy, high rise, boot cut!!”
Kim Kardashian continued to gush: “The jeans come in different washes so you can choose the fit and wash that’s perfect for you!”
“Nick Saglimbeni was the photographer and I love the way they turned out! Shoots with my sisters are the best!! Xo.”
All three sisters have posed in their first photos from the campaign, wearing their namesake trousers and identical button-down white shirts.
It is, of course, not their first collaboration with Sears.
They first launched the budget-friendly Kardashian Kollection for the chain store last August.
Unsurprisingly, Kim Kardashian did not look to her ex-sister in law, Kaela Humphries, to model the line.
The sister of Kris Humphries is a plus-size model herself and is signed to Ford modelling agency.
Interested fans need to submit an “essay” explaining what being “kurvy” and “konfident” means to them.
Last night, at the Olympic Opening Ceremony, Queen Elizabeth II appeared in her first movie acting role and proved herself an instant comedy hit.
Her Majesty was seen in a film alongside James Bond actor Daniel Craig before apparently “parachuting” into the stadium for the opening ceremony.
The recorded sequence opened at Buckingham Palace, where a tuxedo-wearing Daniel Craig as 007 was presented to the Queen by her personal footman as she was writing a letter and training her corgis Monty, Willow and Holly to roll over.
Greeting him with an “Evening, Mr. Bond”, the Queen, in a rose-pink dress, was seen striding briskly through the palace with the action hero before climbing into a helicopter emblazoned with the Union Flag.
Queen Elizabeth II appeared in her first movie acting role and proved herself an instant comedy hit
The two were depicted as soaring over the streets of London and through Tower Bridge until they finally reached the Olympic Park.
As the film reached its climax, spectators inside the east London stadium heard an Agusta Westland AW139 helicopter, which finally appeared hovering above.
As the aircraft steadied in the movie sequence, James Bond was seen opening the door and appearing to hesitate. While he dithered, the figure of the Queen pushed past him and dived out into the air followed by 007 – Union Jack parachutes streaming behind them. Meanwhile, from the real helicopter above the stadium, the same two figures appeared to plunge to earth.
And, with the familiar Bond theme tune sounding around the stadium, the spotlight shone on the Royal Box to reveal the Queen in exactly the same dress she wore in the film.
Accompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh, she entered to rapturous applause with Jacques Rogge, president of the International Olympic Committee.
The Union Flag was then carried into the stadium and raised by representatives of the Royal Navy, Army and RAF.
Director Danny Boyle said: “The Queen made herself more accessible than ever before.”
Organizers said that having to secure permission to fly along the Thames through Tower Bridge – which had never been done before – was a challenge in itself.
The two parachutists who actually leapt from the helicopter last night were Gary Connery, a professional base jumper, and Mark Suttan, a former officer in the Royal Gurkha Rifles.
The US economic growth slowed in the second quarter to an annualized pace of 1.5%, as consumer spending eased.
But growth in the first three months of the year was revised up to 2% from a previous estimate of 1.9%, the Commerce Department said.
Previous data was also revised to show the economy shrank by less during the 2007-9 recession than thought.
Despite the slowdown, the second quarter growth figures were better than expected and US stocks rallied sharply.
The main Dow Jones index closed up 188 points, or 1.5%, at 13,076, its highest level since early May.
A joint statement from French President Francois Hollande and German Chancellor Angela Merkel reasserting their commitment to preserving the euro also helped to push Wall Street higher.
The US economic growth slowed in the second quarter to an annualized pace of 1.5 percent, as consumer spending eased
The Commerce Department’s latest figures showed the US economy shrank by 4.7% from the start of the recession in 2007 until it ended in 2009.
It had earlier been thought the economy contracted by 5.1% over that period.
Separately, in its twice-yearly review, the White House revised down its forecast for growth in 2012 to 2.3% from 2.7%, and in 2013 to 2.7% from 3%.
“The economy continues to face serious headwinds that have dampened growth and limited gains in employment,” the report said.
The 1.5% annual pace in the second quarter is equivalent to 0.4% quarter-on-quarter growth.
The Commerce Department said the slowdown reflected weaker consumer spending, which grew by 1.5% in the second quarter, compared with 2.4% growth seen in the first quarter.
It also cited an acceleration in imports for the slowdown in growth.
But it said there that these were partly offset by an upturn in private inventory investment, a smaller decrease in federal government spending, and an acceleration in exports.
Exports of goods and services increased by 5.3% in the second quarter, up from 4.4% in the first three months.
Peter Cardillo, chief market economist at Rockwell Global Capital, said the headline growth number was “a bit better-than-expected, but still the consumption is weak”.
“If the economic data next week continues [to be weak], then probably the market can keep their hopes up that [the] Fed would eventually resort to more stimulus.”
Last month, the US Federal Reserve cut its forecast for economic growth in 2012 to 2.4% from 2.9%.
Syrian army has launched ground and air attacks against rebels in parts of Aleppo, activists say.
Rebels with the Free Syrian Army (FSA) say they have repelled an army incursion and destroyed tanks, but there is no independent verification.
Western nations have warned of a potential massacre in Aleppo, Syria’s most populous city.
Early on Saturday morning, activists said Syrian tanks began moving in on south-western districts of the city.
They said the bombardment of rebel-held areas intensified in the early morning, with military aircraft overflying the city at low altitudes.
Many casualties have been reported, our correspondent says, and a steady stream of vehicles carrying families is leaving Aleppo.
Syrian state television said that rebels, having failed in Damascus, were now trying to turn Aleppo into a den for their terrorism.
The rebels say they have destroyed a number of tanks, but their claim cannot be independently verified.
The rebels are vastly outgunned and outmanned by forces loyal to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
Syrian army has launched ground and air attacks against rebels in parts of Aleppo
Activists have reported violent clashes around the Salah al-Din and Hamdanieh quarters near the centre of Aleppo.
An emergency call has gone out to doctors to come to Salah al-Din and help if they can, our correspondent says.
On Friday, the Red Crescent suspended some of its operations in Aleppo because of the heavy fighting.
Rebels had been stockpiling ammunition and medical supplies in preparation for the expected assault.
Both sides are braced for heavy casualties.
“Rebels are stationed in narrow streets, in which fighting will be difficult,” a government security official told the AFP news agency.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said 160 people were killed across Syria on Friday.
The fighting comes after two weeks during which rebels made significant gains.
On 18 July, an attack at Syrian security headquarters in Damascus killed four senior officials, including the defence minister and President Bashar al-Assad’s brother-in-law.
The Free Syrian Army (FSA) took control of several parts of Damascus before being driven out by a government counter-offensive.
The rebels also seized several border crossings with Turkey and Iraq.
There has been fighting around Aleppo for the past week, with the government deploying fighter jets and helicopter gunships to beat back the rebels.
Until recently, Aleppo and Damascus had been relatively free of the violence that has wracked other parts of the country.
Earlier this week, thousands of government forces were moved from the border with Turkey to join fierce fighting in Aleppo, activists said.
On Friday, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon urged the Syrian government to halt its offensive and demanded a clear statement that chemical weapons would not be used under any circumstances.
Syria has implicitly acknowledged that it has chemical weapons but says it will not use them against its own people, only against foreign invaders.
The former head of the UN monitoring mission in Syria, Maj. Gen. Robert Mood, said it was “only a matter of time” until President Bashar al-Assad was ousted.
On Sunday, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that at least 19,106 people had been killed since March 2011. The UN said in May that at least 10,000 people had been killed.
Syria blames the violence on foreign-backed “armed terrorist gangs”.
In June, the Syrian government reported that 6,947 Syrians had died, including at least 3,211 civilians and 2,566 security forces personnel.
A German dignitary at the Olympic Opening Ceremony appeared to greet his country’s athletes with a Nazi salute.
The elderly man was caught on video repeatedly extending his right arm back and forth prompting a few awkward stares from members of the crowd.
Bizarrely he was sitting in front of Boris Johnson and Camilla Parker-Bowles who looked bemused at first before bursting into laughter.
Meanwhile a Conservative MP, who was demoted after attending a reportedly Nazi-themed stag party, appeared to describe the Olympic Opening Ceremony as “leftie multi-cultural crap”.
The comments, claiming the ceremony was more left wing than that which opened the 2008 Beijing Games in Communist China, appeared in a Twitter account purporting to be that of Aidan Burley, Tory MP for Cannock Chase.
The opening section showcased British history, including the creation of the NHS and the Jarrow march, a 1936 protest against unemployment in the North East.
A German dignitary at the Olympic Opening Ceremony appeared to greet his country's athletes with a Nazi salute
Two tweets were posted from @AidanBurleyMP, saying: “The most leftie opening ceremony I have ever seen – more than Beijing, the capital of a communist state! Welfare tribute next?”
A second tweet read: “Thank God the athletes have arrived! Now we can move on from leftie multi-cultural crap. Bring back red arrows, Shakespeare and the Stones!”
Downing Street distanced itself from the comments, with a senior source saying: “We do not agree with him.”
The tweets, widely repeated, caused an avalanche of criticism on the social networking site including from a fellow Conservative, Croydon MP Gavin Barwell.
“@AidanBurleyMP with respect, us Londoners are rather proud of the diversity of our city £nothingleftwingaboutit,” he tweeted in reply.
Aidan Burley lost his job as a parliamentary private secretary after media reports of the party on December 3 last year in a restaurant in the French Alpine resort of Val Thorens, at which one guest is alleged to have dressed in an SS uniform and others are said to have chanted Nazi slogans.
The Cannock Chase MP has repeatedly apologized for being present at the event, but said in December: “I do not believe I have broken any French law and have distanced myself from the behavior of other people on the stag.”
A later tweet from the account said the previous comments had been ”misunderstood”.
“Seems my tweet has been misunderstood. I was talking about the way it was handled in the show, not multiculturalism itself,” it said.
The event, in which the Queen had a starring role, featured a diverse cast including James Bond star Daniel Craig and JK Rowling, merging music, dance and special effects into a spectacular opening.
The world-wide audience was treated to a greatest hits medley of British pop over the decades with bursts of the Beatles, the Jam, Sex Pistols and Dizzee Rascal.
There were also excerpts from the Kinks, Frankie Goes To Hollywood and Mud’s Tiger Feet before Emeli Sande sang the cup final classic Abide With Me.
Queen Elizabeth II has declared the London Olympics officially open, before seven young athletes were given the honor of lighting the ceremonial flame.
The show featured British celebrities and sportspeople, including David Beckham and Bradley Wiggins, and screen characters Mr. Bean and James Bond.
In a speech watched around the world, Games chief Jacques Rogge said: “The Olympic Games are coming home tonight.”
Flag-bearer Sir Chris Hoy earlier led out Team GB to cheers and applause.
The identity of who was to light the symbolic flame was shrouded in secrecy ahead of the ceremony.
The group of seven, chosen by British Olympic champions, each lit a single tiny flame on the ground, igniting 205 petals, one for each competing nation or territory.
Long stems then rose towards each other to form a cauldron, signifying unity.
The flame made a dramatic arrival via the Thames on a speedboat carrying Beckham, who handed the torch to Sir Steve Redgrave.
The show, billed as a quirky take on UK life, started with iconic images of London and Britain being beamed to the world, and all four countries of the UK being represented in song.
Queen Elizabeth II has declared the London Olympics officially open, before seven young athletes were given the honor of lighting the ceremonial flame
The field at the stadium in Stratford, east London, was turned into a green meadow, with sheep, horses, chickens, ducks and geese among the cast.
The show took the watching world through “great revolutions in British society”, from an agricultural setting through to the Industrial Revolution itself.
Steelworkers began forging material that transformed into golden Olympic rings, which appeared to float into the air to be suspended above the performers.
There were cheers too as the crowd saw a film featuring an unlikely meeting between the Queen and agent 007 James Bond.
“Good evening Mr. Bond,” the Queen said in the clip, before they left together, apparently heading towards the Olympic Stadium in a helicopter.
The aircraft then flew over the stadium to the sound of the Bond theme tune, as two figures parachuted down, one dressed as the monarch.
As if by magic, the Queen appeared in the stands – part of a crowd of about 80,000 – amid cheers.
James Bond was not the only much-loved British character to take part. Mr. Bean prompted laughter when he appeared as part of the orchestra playing the Chariots of Fire theme.
The ceremony also celebrated the National Health Service by featuring a cast of more than 1,000 volunteers recruited from hospitals across the country, including Great Ormond Street children’s hospital in London.
All the action was played out to a soundtrack of some of Britain’s most iconic bands – including the Clash, the Rolling Stones, Queen, the Sex Pistols and David Bowie – with Sir Paul McCartney performing live at the show’s close.
The athletes taking part in the Games – led by Greece, the Olympics’ spiritual home – made laps of the stadium bearing their nations’ flags.
A Red Arrows fly-past marked the start of the pre-show at the symbolic time of 20:12 BST.
And Bradley Wiggins, wearing a yellow jersey, rang the world’s largest harmonically-tuned bell to launch the opening ceremony.
As the “Isles of Wonder” show began, artistic director Danny Boyle pledged a ceremony with a theme of “this is for everyone”.
The Oscar-winning film director later tweeted: “Thank you, everyone, for your kind words! Means the world to me.”
Earlier, crowds of people, many of them dressed in their nation’s colours, streamed into the Olympic Park for the show.
Transport ran smoothly and the crowds moved quickly through security.
The day of celebration began at 08:12 BST with a mass bell ringing. Big Ben rang for three minutes for the first time since King George VI’s funeral in 1952.
The three-and-a-half hour show was rehearsed more than 200 times, with each of the 7,500 volunteers spending on average 150 hours practicing during the build-up.
The event used 12,956 props and boasted a million-watt PA system using more than 500 speakers.
Thousands of fans also gathered at other outdoor locations across the capital to watch the show on big screens.
First Lady Michelle Obama arrived in London this morning and she has already showed off two very patriotic wardrobe choices as she helps motivate Team USA.
Leaving President Barack Obama at home in Washington, the First Lady is in the UK to lead the US Presidential Delegation to the Olympic Games.
After a breakfast with Team USA at their training facility in the University of East London, where she wore a bold red and white striped jacket and black tailored trousers, her whirlwind schedule took her to an event to help promote her Let’s Move campaign.
At Michelle Obama’s breakfast stop, she greeted athletes with a rousing speech as her bold wardrobe choice also spoke volumes.
The red and white pattern on the jacket was a surprise choice for the normally impeccably dressed 48-year old, as she started to blend in with the America flags behind her.
At the following event, held at Winfield House in Regent’s Park where U.S. Ambassador Louis Susman now resides, mingled with David Beckham among other sporting stars.
Wearing another patriotic ensemble, Michelle Obama wore a sporty blue T-shirt, paired with white pants and a smart white and blue blazer that featured navy piping.
The event attracted around 1,000 American Military children as well as American and British students who couldn’t get enough of the event’s visiting host.
Michelle Obama jogged to a stage to the sound of a marching band that played the University of Florida flight song.
She told the crowd: “I’m so excited. I am thrilled to be here on London for the 2012 Olympic games. I am proud to be leading the U.S. delegation to the opening ceremony.”
Olympic gold-medal sprinter Carl Lewis signed autographs at the event while ex-NBA star Dikembe Mutombo offered basketball tips to the awed group of children.
David Beckham stood behind Michelle Obama, watching on as she addressed the crowd.
But soon, it was time for the games to begin and the blazer was shrugged off to allow the First Lady to show off THOSE famous arms as she played football and other sports with children on the lawn.
There was no doubting her passion for her country and team as she was seen getting active with her adoring fans.
First Lady Michelle Obama arrived in London this morning and she has already showed off two very patriotic wardrobe choices as she helps motivate Team USA
Michelle Obama proved an equally-inspiring presence earlier this morning at the breakfast event.
There, she had chosen an on trend pillar box red peplum shell top to wear underneath the nipped in jacket, which also featured cut-away collar detail and optical illusion panels.
During her address Michelle Obama urged America’s athletes to “have fun, breathe a bit, but also win”.
She said: “Wow, I’m going to be saying that a lot over the next few days. Wow, wow!
“I can’t believe I am here, I am beyond proud.
“I can’t begin to tell you how amazing it is for me to be leading the delegation.”
Michelle Obama spoke of her fond memories of the Olympics.
“Some of my fantastic memories growing up, and even as an adult, involved watching the Olympics on TV.
“I was just in awe of these athletes and my family, we would sit together for hours watching these men and women perform feats of endurance, speed and grace that would have us cheering at the top of our lungs.”
The First Lady said she and her brother hoped that they would one day achieve something “just as great” for themselves.
Michelle Obama also told the athletes the Olympics were particularly special to her family because of her father’s battle with multiple sclerosis, she said: “My father contracted MS in the prime of his life, but he retained the love of sports, and the Olympics was a special time for him.”
Talking about her drive to get America fit, Michelle Obama urged the athletes to think about the children that will be watching them across the Atlantic.
She said: “You just never know who you are going to inspire, you just never know.
“You are certainly inspiring me every day. I still have those same feelings of pride, excitement and wonder, so being here is other-worldly for me.
“I am still so inspired by all of you.
“This summer, people across America are going to be supporting Team USA and not just by cheering you on from our living rooms, but by striving to live up to the example that you have set.”
Michelle Obama is a passionate advocate of healthy living and later on this morning will be hosting a Let’s Move event for British and American school children alongside David Beckham.
And her day of events will conclude with a reception at Buckingham Palace for heads of state and then a visit to East London and the Opening Ceremony of the 2012 Olympic Games.
The style conscious First Lady is a walking advertisement for good eating and exercise and takes every opportunity to showcase her gym honed arms in demure but sleeveless outfits.
And fashion fans are hoping she will take this opportunity to showcases some of her signature preppy looks.
On a recent promotional jaunt for her gardening book American Grown: The Story of the White House Kitchen Garden and Gardens Across America, Michelle Obama changed outfit three times in one afternoon.
Speaking of her visit to the Olympics and her continuing ant-obesity campaigning Michelle Obama has said: “Olympians and Paralympians are true American heroes and role models for all of us, especially our young people.
“And I know that this delegation will help inspire a generation of young people to get into the Olympic spirit by getting active and healthy so they can reach their fullest potential and reach their dreams.”
Thousands of people awaits the spectacular opening of the London Games, as a fly-past by the Red Arrows marked the start of the pre-show.
The nine RAF jets flew over the Olympic Stadium at the symbolic time of 20:12 BST, amid cheers.
The three-hour spectacle will be viewed by a TV audience of one billion people.
Details of the ceremony remain a closely-guarded secret. Its artistic director, Danny Boyle, has dedicated it to the 15,000 volunteers taking part.
Danny Boyle has spoken of his “excitement” for the ceremony, which is named the Isles of Wonder, as well as feeling “nervousness” for all the volunteers.
Thousands of people awaits the spectacular opening of the London Games, as a fly-past by the Red Arrows marked the start of the pre-show
The Oscar-winning film director said the ceremony “might surprise people… it’s spectacular, but also inclusive – it has a warmth”.
The chairman of London 2012, Lord Sebastian Coe, said he was “as excited as hell”.
Crowds of people, many of them dressed up in their nation’s colors, are gathering in large numbers at the Olympic Park.
Transport to the stadium appears to be running smoothly and the crowds are moving quickly through security.
Rain has started to fall over the stadium, despite forecasters predicting dry weather ahead of the ceremony.
The day of celebration began at 08:12 BST with a mass bell ringing. Big Ben rang for three minutes for the first time since King George VI’s funeral in 1952.
Madonna fans vented their anger after the singer ended a special intimate show at Paris Olympia after just 45 minutes.
Madonna said she had “a special affinity with France” as she opened the last minute concert, but drew boos from many disappointed fans.
Some had camped outside the Olympia club since Wednesday in anticipation of the show.
The 2,000 tickets sold out in minutes, with fans paying between $125-$320 and some changing hands for up to $1,600.
Madonna was also criticized for talking about politics instead of singing, after revealing she had a message for France’s extreme right-wing leader Marine Le Pen.
France’s National Front is threatening to sue the star for using an image of Marine Le Pen with a swastika superimposed on her forehead at a concert earlier this month.
Madonna fans vented their anger after the singer ended a special intimate show at Paris Olympia after just 45 minutes
“I know that I have made a certain Marine Le Pen very angry with me,” Madonna told fans.
“It’s not my intention to make enemies. It’s my intention to promote tolerance,” she continued.
Afterwards 33-year-old Guillaume Delaval complained: “She spoke for 15 minutes about tolerance, it’s not the UN here.”
Paris resident Allain Zambrana, 26, from Nicaragua, said he wanted to ask for his money back.
“I felt very frustrated because I camped out on the streets and then the show just ends like that.”
Several fans cried “refund!” as they realized Madonna had left the stage for good, with some audience members taking to Twitter to complain.
“We are singing <<shame on you>>,” explained Pierre from Belgium.
“Because she says she loves her fans but then she does this.”
Dutch fan Ellis Van Zoen, 22, agreed the show was “very short”, but added: “I’m torn – I thought it was a fantastic show and it was special. I don’t want to see fans yelling at her but I can understand why.”
Madonna also offered veiled criticism of the party’s anti-immigrant stance, as she paid homage to a France which she said had once “opened its arms to minorities”.
“We are entering some very scary times in the world,” she told the crowd.
“People are afraid, and what happens when people are afraid? They say <<get out! You’re the reason. You’re the problem. You’re to blame>>.”
Madonna, 53, who performed in an array of outfits including a black leather pencil skirt and French beret, also paid tribute to several French artists.
The event was also streamed live on YouTube, where separate footage showed fans chanting and booing while throwing empty bottles and cups onto the stage after the singer had left.
Madonna is due to perform in France again on 21 August, in Nice.
Duran Duran, Snow Patrol, Stereophonics and Paolo Nutini are celebrating the start of London Olympic Games at a special concert in Hyde Park this evening.
The show coincides with the opening ceremony, which will be shown on big screens in the park.
Scottish singer-songwriter Paolo Nutini took to the stage to loud cheers to open the show in front of 50,000 fans.
Each of the four acts on the bill was selected to represent the different countries of the UK.
Snow Patrol, representing Northern Ireland, will close the London concert.
Best known for hits such as Chasing Cars and Run, the band said the event was “really special.”
“It’s the only thing I’ll ever represent Northern Ireland at,” said frontman Gary Lightbody.
“My 100 metre sprinting days are long past me.”
“We were asked to represent our country, we’re never going to say no to that,” he added.
“The world is looking in on our nations and you’ve got to stand up for that.”
Duran Duran, Snow Patrol, Stereophonics and Paolo Nutini are celebrating the start of London Olympic Games at a special concert in Hyde Park this evening
Fellow headline act Duran Duran will perform second on the bill, representing England.
John Taylor from the band said: “We feel very English. But we feel British too, so we’re in the right place.”
Singer Simon Le Bon said it was “the biggest show we’ve ever played in London town”, and added: “It’s amazing out there.”
Bandmate Nick Rhodes said: “It’s the last day of the European tour and it’s the first day of the Olympics. What more could you ask for?”
Paolo Nutini, who performed hits such as Jenny Don’t Be Hasty, said it was “an honour” to be involved.
“To go fly the flag for your country makes it even sweeter,” he added.
Welsh rockers Stereophonics played four small warm-up shows around the UK this week in preparation for their set, following the big screen coverage of the opening ceremony.
Meanwhile, the crowd of around 80,000 in the Olympic Stadium will include Queen Elizabeth II and a host of dignitaries and celebrities.
Masterminded by Oscar-winner Danny Boyle, the £27 million ($43 million) extravaganza features a cast of 15,000 volunteers and is said to be a quirky take on British life.
Westminster Council has extended Hyde Park’s curfew until 01:00 BST for what they called an “exceptional evening”, which is timed to run around the opening ceremony.
Earlier this month organizers of a Bruce Springsteen concert pulled the plug on the power when his show over-ran.
Westminster Council has confirmed that the gig to coincide with the closing ceremony on 12 August, headlined by Blur, will also have the same curfew.
