Records by James Brown, AC/DC, Billy Joel and Paul McCartney & Wings are among the latest to be inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame collection.
Grammy Hall of Fame is a catalogue of nearly 1000 historically and culturally significant albums and singles celebrating outstanding recordings across all genres.
2013 marks the list’s 40th anniversary.
Neil Portnow from The Recording Academy said the new entries “have inspired and influenced” generations of fans.
This latest round of inductees includes the late James Brown’s 1965 single I Got You (I Feel Good), Piano Man by Billy Joel – released in 1973 and Bob Dylan’s 1964 track The Times They Are A-Changin.
As for albums, 1973’s Band On The Run by Paul McCartney & Wings has been recognized alongside Elton John’s self-titled album from 1970, Back In Black by AC/DC from 1980 and Whitney Houston’s eponymous debut released in 1985.
Other artists with records now on the list include Little Richard, Ray Charles, Frank Sinatra for his Theme from New York, New York and Willie Mae “Big Mama” Thornton for the first recording of Hound Dog in 1953, a record Elvis Presley covered three years later.
James Brown joins Grammy Hall of Fame with I Got You
The collection, which is on display at the Grammy Museum in Los Angeles, now features 933 records.
An annual review by a committee of professionals from the recording arts industry decide which records are put forward, with final approval given by a board of trustees at The Recording Academy.
Neil Portnow said of the new additions: “We are proud to add them to our growing catalogue of outstanding recordings that have become part of our musical, social, and cultural history.”
A ceasefire between Israel and the Palestinian Hamas movement has come into effect.
Under the deal, Israel has agreed to end all hostilities and targeted killings, while Hamas will stop attacks against Israel and along the border.
At least 157 people have died since the flare-up of violence began last week.
Both sides continued to fire on each other as the 21:00 ceasefire deadline approached, but no incidents have been reported since.
Earlier, a bomb exploded on a bus in the Israeli city of Tel Aviv, leaving three people needing surgery.
Wednesday also saw at least 13 people die in Gaza.
Israel has agreed to “stop all hostilities on the Gaza Strip, land, sea and air including incursions and targeting of individuals”, the ceasefire deal says.
“All Palestinian factions shall stop all hostilities from the Gaza Strip against Israel, including rocket attacks, and attacks along the border,” it stipulates.
Egyptian Foreign Minister Kamel Amr announced the ceasefire at a news conference in Cairo with US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who joined negotiations on Wednesday.
A statement from the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he had agreed to a US suggestion “to give a chance to Egypt’s proposal for a ceasefire and so give an opportunity to stabilize the situation and calm it before there will be need to apply greater force”.
For the truce to hold, Hillary Clinton said, “the rocket attacks [from Gaza] must end and a broader calm must return”.
“Now we have to focus on reaching a durable outcome that promotes regional stability and advances the security, dignity and legitimate aspirations of Palestinians and Israelis alike,” she added.
US President Barack Obama praised the Israeli leader for accepting the deal and said he would seek additional funding for the Iron Dome missile defence system, which destroyed dozens of rockets from Gaza in mid-air during the past week.
Barack Obama also thanked Egyptian President Mohammed Mursi for his efforts.
Ties between Hamas and Egypt have strengthened since Mohammed Mursi was elected earlier this year. Hamas was formed as an offshoot of the Muslim Brotherhood, to which Mohammed Mursi belongs.
Also on Wednesday, Palestinian militants fired more rockets at Israel, while Israel renewed its naval artillery bombardment of Gaza.
Israel launched its current offensive a week ago with the killing of Hamas military leader Ahmed Jabari.
The Israeli government says his assassination, and the subsequent offensive, were aimed at ending rocket fire from Gaza.
More than 150 Palestinians and five Israelis have since been killed.
Israeli officials described Wednesday’s bus explosion as a “terrorist attack”. Hamas praised it but has not said it was behind the blast.
Former world boxing champion Hector “Macho” Camacho has been left brain dead after being shot in his native Puerto Rico, with his family facing the agonizing decision of taking him off life support as his condition worsened.
Doctors had earlier said Hector Camacho would survive after he was shot in the face while sitting in a car on Tuesday night in his hometown of Bayamon.
However, his condition deteriorated overnight and his heart stopped at one point, said Dr. Ernesto Torres, director of the Centro Medico trauma center in San Juan.
“It would be a miracle for him to recuperate,” Dr. Ernesto Torres said on Wednesday.
Specialists consulted with Hector Camacho’s mother Maria Matias, who arrived from the U.S. mainland, and had a nervous attack at the hospital.
The family faced the agonizing choice of when he should be removed from life support, said Ismael Leandry, a longtime friend and former manager who was also at the hospital.
The 50-year-old Hector Camacho was outside a bar in a parked car with a friend when he was shot in the face.
The friend, whose name has not been released, was killed. No arrests have been made and no motive has been disclosed.
At least one gunman opened fire on their vehicle in the city of Bayamon, according to police. The bullet struck Hector Camacho in the jaw but exited his head and lodged in his right shoulder and fractured two vertebrae, Dr. Ernesto Torres said.
He had said the boxer, who was trailed by drug and alcohol problems during a career that included some high-profile bouts, could be paralyzed from the shooting.
“Camacho’s condition is extremely delicate,” Dr. Ernesto Torres told Telenoticias.
“His physical condition will help him but we will see.”
Former world boxing champion Hector Macho Camacho has been left brain dead after being shot in his native Puerto Rico
Hector Camacho’s representative Steve Tannenbaum said he was told by friends at the hospital that the boxer would make it.
“This guy is a cat with nine lives. He’s been through so much,” he said.
“If anybody can pull through it will be him.”
Hector Camacho’s last title bout came against then-welterweight champion Oscar De La Hoya in 1997, a loss by unanimous decision.
Steve Tannenbaum said he was going to fight two years ago in Denmark until his opponent pulled out and that they were looking at a possible bout in 2013.
“We were talking comeback even though he is 50,” he said.
“I felt he was capable of it.”
Hector Camacho was born in Bayamon, one of the cities that make up the San Juan metropolitan area.
He won super lightweight, lightweight and junior welterweight world titles in the 1980s.
He has fought other high-profile bouts in his career against Felix Trinidad, Julio Cesar Chavez and Sugar Ray Leonard.
Hector Camacho knocked out Leonard in 1997, ending what was that former champ’s final comeback attempt.
He has a career record of 79-5-3, with his most recent fight coming in 2009.
Drug and alcohol problems have trailed Hector Camacho since the prime of his boxing career.
He was sentenced in 2007 to seven years in prison for the burglary of a computer store in Mississippi. During the arrest in January 2005, police found him in possession of ecstasy.
A judge eventually suspended all but one year of the sentence and gave Camacho probation. He wound up serving two weeks in jail after violating his probation.
He divorced from his wife several years ago after she filed multiple domestic abuse complaints against him.
Hector Camacho was born in Puerto Rico but raised in Spanish Harlem, New York. His son Hector Camacho Jr. is also a boxer.
While many use the Black Friday sales as an opportunity to get big-ticket items at a bargain price, the style set knows that it is also the perfect chance to bag new season stock at a serious markdown.
And fashion retailers are well aware, with some opening as early as 8:00 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day so that fans can make the most of the holiday discounts.
This year, sartorially-inclined shoppers will find some of the best deals at Tibi, where fall collections will be 60% off, and J Crew Factory, where already discounted items will have a further 40% off.
For the cheapest bargains, head to H&M, where party dresses will cost from just $5, and Forever 21, which will have some items going for just a dollar.
Earlybirds will most definitely be catching the proverbial worm at Bloomingdales (the sale lasts from just 7 a.m.-1 p.m.) and C Wonder (an extra 50% off between midnight and 8 a.m.) – it’ll be well worth it for bleary-eyed shoppers at Zara on Manhattan’s 34th Street, who will be rewarded for their efforts with free tea and coffee from 5 a.m.
It’s worth getting in line ahead of opening time too, as those at the front will get gift cards at H&M and Topshop – and don’t forget store cards as there will be extra discounts at Saks Fifth Avenue and Target.
Even if the discounts aren’t that impressive, it’ll still be worth hitting some stores for the free giveaways. Victoria’s Secret will be giving away generous beauty goody bags on spends of $60 or more, and at Piperlime’s SoHo store, there will be free hot chocolate and holiday treats for all.
Black Friday 2012: An A to Z of the most stylish sales
AEROPOSTALE
The brand fronted by Chloe Moretz is taking 60% off everything apart from fragrances and beauty on Black Friday.
BANANA REPUBLIC (from 12 a.m. on Friday)
Banana Republic will be offering 40% off everything all day. Stores will also be open on Thanksgiving Day.
Banana Republic Factory Stores will feature 70% off everything from November 16-25.
BLOOMINGDALES (from 7 a.m. Friday)
At the Manhattan flagship, there will be discounts in all departments including 25% off all women’s denim – head down early though, the fun stops at 1 p.m.
C WONDER (from 12 a.m. Friday)
Before 8 a.m., there will be a further 50% off all sale items in store, and throughout the day there will be a 25% discount on everything online.
DIESEL
The denim favorite will be taking 30% off the whole fall collection.
DKNY
A further 30% off sale items, currently discounted by 40%.
FOREVER 21
The Forever 21 sale starts tomorrow, with 30% off sweaters and some items priced between just $1 to $15.
On Black Friday itself, there will be further discounts on denim, pajamas and accessories.
GAP (from 12 a.m. Friday)
Shoppers who arrive before noon can get sweaters for as little as $19, and kids’ T-shirts for $5. The big discounts start well before though, with 60% off everything from Tuesday until Sunday.
H&M (from 12 a.m. Friday)
New season items – including holiday party dresses – on sale from as little as $5. Plus the first 100 people in line at H&M stores will win scratch-off gift vouchers, some with a value up to $300.
Black Friday 2012 A to Z guide of the most stylish sales
JCPENNEY (from 6 a.m. Friday)
There will be discounts across the board, but winter wear looks to be where the strongest discounts are.
Boots will be discounted to $25, $50 puffer jackets at $30, and JCPenney winter jackets, usually $70, will be discounted by up to $30.
J CREW FACTORY
From tomorrow until Monday, J Crew’s outlet is discounting every item by 40%.
KOHL’S (from 12 a.m. Friday)
The first price drops start online at midnight tonight, but on Black Friday itself there will be up to 70% off winter coats and jackets, sweaters for $9.99 and up to 60% off all winter fashion accessories.
Expect $20-30 off most other fashion items, and up to 60% off sterling silver jewelry.
MACY’S (from 12 a.m. Friday)
Discounts of up to 50%. Among the offers will be Charter Club cashmere at $49.99 Nine West and Kenneth Cole coats at 79.99 and boots for just $19.99.
The store has also launched a special Black Friday app to help customers plan their shopping day.
MADEWELL
The J Crew sister chain is offering a 25% discount on all purchases throughout Black Friday.
NORDSTROM and NORDSTROM RACK
There will be extended opening hours on Black Friday (times vary according to region), and Nordstrom Rack shoppers will get a $10 gift card for every $100 spent.
Cardholders can claim double points on Nordstrom Rack purchases over the weekend and Twitter users can follow clues to find 25 green “Dots”, each worth for a $50 gift card.
OLD NAVY (opens at 12 a.m. Friday)
Everything is discounted with deals on coats, denim and tees. Shoppers can expect fleece tops and jeans from $15 and women’s boots for $12. Sales will continue into Saturday.
PIPERLIME
In celebration of Piperlime’s first holiday with a physical location, the SoHo store will open its doors an hour early on Black Friday and offer a hot chocolate and holiday treats.
SAKS FIFTH AVENUE
Winter clothing will be discounted by up to 50per cent, with a further 50% off sale items.
Spend over $100 on beauty and get a $25 gift card. Make purchases on your Saks credit card after midday, and you’ll get another 10% off sale stock.
SCOOP NYC
Get 25% off everything (with select exclusions) on purchases made in store.
SEARS (from 8 p.m. Thursday)
On the fashion front, Sears is offering discounts of 60% on handbags and 75% off on jewelry, as well as boots for as little as $19.99.
SEPHORA
Ten items, from brands including Stila and Korres, will be on sale for $10 each.
There will also be generous discounts on many other items including Urban Decay eyeshadow for $6 and the Prada Candy Gift Set for $82 (usually $104).
The biggest discount will be on the Sephora Collection Color Daze Blockbuster, available for $49.50 instead of the usual $370.
TARGET (from Thursday at 9 p.m.)
There will be special discounts across the board, including clothing from as little as $10.
Those paying on the stores’s REDcard get an extra 5% off.
TIBI
Pieces from the fall and pre-fall collections will be discounted by an impressive 60%.
TOMMY HILFIGER
There will be 40per cent off all stock, plus a 25% discount on spends of over $200 before 10 a.m.
TOPSHOP
The chain is offering $10 off $30 spends, $20 off $50 spends and those spending over $100 get $50 off and a pair of mittens (NY and Chicago) or a glitter nail polish and scarf, while stocks last.
There will be 30% off selected merchandise, spree prizes of $100, $200 and $500, and the first 200 in line at the New York and Chicago stores will get Early Bird gift cards.
The Las Vegas flagship will be open from midnight, and the first 500 will be eligible for gift cards.
URBAN OUTFITTERS (from 12 a.m. Friday)
The holiday sale has already kicked off at Urban Outfitters, but on Black Friday there will be an extra 50per cent off before 10 a.m. on all sale items.
VICTORIA’S SECRET
Shoppers spending over $65 on Black Friday will get a limited edition tote filled with “Beauty Must-Haves” from the lingerie giant’s range.
ZARA
The New York stores will be open from 7 a.m. until 11 p.m., with the exception of the 34th Street store, which will be open from 4am (with free tea and coffee from 5-8 a.m. for those early birds).
There will be discounts of 50% off selected items in all New York locations.
Mall of America is implementing their parental guidance rule all day on Black Friday, banning anyone under the age of 16-years-old has to be accompanied by someone who is over 21.
The Bloomington, Minnesota mall is one of the most crowded places to be on the busiest shopping day of the year, and though they normally just use the rule on Friday and Saturday evenings, they are extending those hours this year to stem off trouble.
On December 27 last year, the chaos of the crowds was coupled with a fight the involved a chair-throwing melee, so this year mall administrators are looking to lessen any damage.
“We had never opened at midnight on Black Friday prior to last year,” Mall of America’s vice president Dan Jasper told NBC’s Today.
“We had 217,000 people that day, including some unaccompanied kids who are 14, 15. Just for the safety of everyone, we expanded the policy.”
Crazed bargain hunters started lining up Black Friday deals at commercial stores throughout the country as early as Monday evening.
Best Buy shoppers in California have started pitching tents outside several store locations, more than 100 hours before the company’s big holiday sale begins.
Shoppers in Arizona are also getting an early start in line, equipped with soda, water, snacks, laptops and air mattresses.
Mall of America is implementing their parental guidance rule all day on Black Friday, banning anyone under the age of 16-years-old has to be accompanied by someone who is over 21
According to CBS San Francisco, more and more retailers across the country will require big buyers to hand over their driver’s licenses so that the store can keep a record to place alongside your purchase history.
In doing so, they will be able to keep tabs on who makes multiple returns after the busy shopping day. If an individual abuses the system, they may have their right to return unwanted goods taken away for future purchases.
The flood of bargain hunters could mean an even bigger headache for holiday workers this year.
Retail employees recently began protesting the earlier shifts they were given this Black Friday as several chain stores have decided to open earlier than previous years.
Target, Walmart, Sears and Toys R Us are all opening their doors between 8 and 9 p.m. this Thanksgiving, two to four hours earlier than last year.
That news led to the organization of a national Black Friday walkout among Walmart workers and more than 40 petitions on Change.org protesting this year’s Thanksgiving shifts at several big chain retailers.
Adding to the mayhem of hundreds of thousands of people expected at the Mall of America, they are following in the footsteps of other retailers who are doing what they can to draw the ready-to-spend crowds on Friday.
The Star Tribune reports that American Idol winner Phillip Phillips will be performing inside the Mall, which is the second-largest in the country in terms of space throughout the entire United States.
Part of the problem was that the Mall, which typically welcomes more than 40 million people per year, became a hotspot for teenagers to see and be seen, as opposed to simply going through their Christmas shopping list.
“Last year we experienced a large influx of youth, more than we had anticipated,” spokesman Bridget Jewell told the Pioneer Press.
“We don’t want it to turn into a place for people to come and hang out.”
Administrators are hoping that the adult guidance policy is good on all fronts.
“Retailers love the policy. When we first implemented it, there were concerns that sales would drop. But sales increased following the implementation and remain strong. It encourages more families to come out with their kids and sales went up,” Dan Jasper said.
“Every single tenant was thrilled because they know it’s a policy that keeps everyone safe and leads to increased sales.”
Turkeys are bred for their prized breast white meat.
In fact, most turkeys are fertilized via artificial insemination because they are so large, they cannot get close enough to mate.
Although the turkey can grow to 70 pounds, most toms (males) weigh in at around 20 pounds. Turkey hens are usually 8 to 16 pounds. Due to the popularity of turkeys in todays’ market, a smaller version has been bred called a fryer-roaster which weighs 5 to 8 pounds.
Frozen turkeys are readily available year-round, and fresh turkeys can easily be obtained by your grocer with a few days notice.
Most come with a pop-up thermometer to indicate when the bird is completely cooked, but it is wise to use an instant-read thermometer to be sure of internal temperature.
Many turkeys have been injected with butter or vegetable oil which are sold as self-basting turkeys. When you are ready to buy a turkey, choose a bird with smooth, creamy, soft skin, avoiding turkeys with any bruised or torn skin.
Thanksgiving Turkey
Turkey Storage
Fresh turkey may be stored up to 2 days in the coldest part of the refrigerator. Freeze no longer than two months.
Cooked turkey should be consumed within 3 days or frozen up to a month. Cooked turkey will retain its moisture if you freeze it in turkey or chicken broth.
When storing fresh turkey, be sure to remove the giblets and store separately.
Jennifer Reyna, traffic reporter from KPRC-2 in Houston, Texas, was delivering a live TV update when she missed a massive accident that occurred in real-time on a screen behind her.
Jennifer Reyna was giving commuters the latest details on an earlier accident along a busy highway leading into the city.
As she took her eyes off the video monitors that were displaying live traffic shots of the Houston highway, and turned to tell viewers that all was clear, a second pile-up played out behind her.
A fast-moving car swerved to avoid rear-ending one of the firetrucks that had responded to the earlier incident.
The car’s abrupt sideways move sent it smashing into an SUV.
The SUV flipped onto its side and slid for several feet, debris flying.
It banged into the front left side of the firetruck before finally coming to a stop.
Oblivious to the drama playing out behind her, Jennifer Reyna smiled into the camera and told viewers the road was clear.
Jennifer Reyna was delivering a live TV update when she missed a massive accident that occurred in real-time on a screen behind her
Jennifer Reyna was good-natured about the gaffe when she went back on-air a few minutes later for another update.
“It’s very rare that we catch an accident happen live on television,” Jennifer Reyna said.
“I just can’t believe I just missed it on the last one.
“But I took my eyes off for a split second to look back from our monitors and missed this accident that happened when we were clearing it in downtown Houston.”
At least 21 people have been injured in an explosion on a bus in Tel Aviv, in what one Israeli official described as a “terrorist attack”.
After the incident, near a military headquarters, huge blasts were heard in Gaza – an apparent Israeli strike on the football stadium.
Eleven people were killed in Gaza on Wednesday, the health ministry said.
Efforts to broker a truce between the Hamas movement and Israel continue.
After eight days of exchanges of fire between Israel and Palestinian militants in Gaza, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is now in Cairo for talks with the Egyptian president.
Earlier, Hillary Clinton and UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon held talks in the West Bank with the Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas.
Militants in Gaza have been firing more rockets at Israel.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s spokesman Ofir Gendelman said on his Twitter account that the explosion was caused by a bomb and that it was a “terrorist attack”.
Of the 21 injured, three were suffering from moderate to light injuries – including shrapnel wounds and burns – and were undergoing surgery, a spokesman for the Ichilov medical centre in Tel Aviv said.
Six had already been released and the rest were suffering from anxiety, he said.
The bus was reportedly passing the military headquarters in the city at the time of the blast.
Police believe a bomb was planted on the bus and they are still searching for a suspect.
At least 21 people have been injured in an explosion on a bus in Tel Aviv, in what one Israeli official described as a terrorist attack
Hamas, the Islamist movement which has governed Gaza since 2007, has praised the attack but has not said it was behind the blast.
Celebratory gunfire reportedly rang out in Gaza when local radio relayed news of the attack.
A series of massive explosions in Gaza, in an apparent Israeli strike on the sports stadium have been reported. Reports from Gaza say the stadium has in the past been used a site to launch rockets.
According to Israel’s ministry of foreign affairs, the last bomb attack in Tel Aviv was in April 2006, when a suicide bombing on a restaurant killed 11.
The bus blast comes on the eighth day of the current flare-up in violence between Israel and militants in Gaza.
Some 147 Palestinians and five Israelis have been killed.
Other sites hit in Gaza included a banker’s villa, tunnels to Egypt used by smugglers and a media office, said to be linked to Hamas, that was situated two floors above the Agence France-Presse office in Gaza City.
The IDF said 62 rockets fired by militants from Gaza had hit Israel so far on Wednesday, while another 20 were intercepted by its Iron Dome missile defence system.
The latest violence will further complicate ceasefire discussions taking place in the region.
The two international mediators are both expected to hold talks with Egyptian President Mohammed Mursi in Cairo.
In the West Bank, Ban Ki-moon expressed “profound concern” at the civilian casualties in Gaza and also called on militants to end immediately their “indiscriminate attacks on Israeli population centres”.
Hillary Clinton held talks with Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem before heading to Cairo.
Officials from Hamas had suggested on Tuesday that a truce would come into effect at midnight, but Israel later said it had not agreed to a text.
Israel’s demands include no hostile fire of any kind from Gaza and international efforts to prevent Hamas from re-arming, while Hamas is demanding an end to the blockade on Gaza and targeted killings by Israel.
Israel launched its current offensive a week ago with the killing of Hamas military leader Ahmed Jabari. The Israeli government says his assassination, and the subsequent offensive, is designed to end rocket fire from Gaza.
Israel has troops massed along the Gaza border but says it is holding off on a possible ground invasion as talks continue.
A revolutionary “virtual tape measure” – known as Body Shape Recognition For Online Fashion – promises to make badly fitting clothes (and even badly lit fitting rooms) a thing of the past, advising the user on which size dress, trouser or top they should buy in every retailer.
The web-based body-scanner would take detailed measurements of the body via webcam or smartphone, create a 3D image of the user, then advise on which size garment to buy whenever they visit the website of a participating retailer.
Taking multiple measurements of the body, the system aims to ensure the best possible fit, saving shoppers and retailers millions of pounds a year in return postage costs, as well as eliminating the need to send back clothes that are the wrong size or fit.
Currently, between 30 and 60% of all clothes bought online are returned to the shop.
Body scanning is already starting to make a mark in the clothing retail sector, but these often involve the user stepping into a machine that “photocopies” the body.
Body Shape Recognition For Online Fashion promises to make badly fitting clothes a thing of the past
The new software – being developed by London College of Fashion and computer vision experts at the University of Surrey – requires only a photo of the user in their underwear, their height, and an internet connection.
Philip Delamore from London College of Fashion said: “The potential benefits for the fashion industry and for shoppers are huge.
“Currently, it’s common for online shoppers to order two or three different sizes of the same item of clothing at the same time, as they’re unsure which one will fit best.”
Professor Adrian Hilton from the University of Surrey says: “It’s unrealistic to expect online clothes shoppers to have the time or inclination to take a series of highly accurate body measurements of themselves. The new system makes it all very easy.”
The 18-month project Body Shape Recognition for Online Fashion is being developed in collaboration with body-mapping specialists Bodymetrics and digital creative agency Guided.
The research builds on previous work by the University of Surrey in developing 3D body-shape templates from single-view images, which has been used commercially in creating animated representations of people for games such as The Sims.
Plans to launch the new system are anticipated within two years.
A growing number of women are now cutting off their pinky toes to make wearing heels more comfortable.
The shortening of toes and foot injections are similar surgeries that are popular with stiletto-obsessed women who find it too painful for her to wear heels for more than a few minutes.
Susan Deming, a patient who recently underwent a toe-shortening procedure, told Fox News: “Unless you’ve been there, and you can’t find shoes, and you’re in pain, don’t judge.”
She added: “I was having calluses, and just, all sorts of problems with my left foot. And there finally was a solution. There’s never been a solution before.”
According to the American Podiatric Medical Association, 87% of women have foot problems from wearing ill-fitting shoes, such as uncomfortable high heels.
For Susan Deming, her left foot was one size larger than her right foot, due to abnormally long left toes.
So she underwent a surgical procedure which cut off a centimeter of her second toe, enabling her to finally wear high heels again.
“I’ve never felt this good about something I’ve done. If it’s vain, it’s vain,” she said.
A growing number of women are now cutting off their pinky toes to make wearing heels more comfortable
Other foot surgeries include removing bunions, and even injecting collagen into the balls of the feet for extra cushioning.
Dr. Nathan Lucas, a podiatrist in Memphis, said: “It’s as if they’re walking on pillows when they wear their high heel shoes.”
Dr. Nathan Lucas, who saw nearly 30 patients per month last year for foot surgeries, also revealed that more women are now requesting removal of their pinky toe.
In such instances, he simply refers a doctor who will perform the procedure, which is “a bit extreme” for him, he said.
“It’s on the rise here because the more people know about it, then of course the more they inquire about it,” he said.
“They seek to get certain things done, just because they didn’t know it exists.”
However, the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons advise against foot procedures for purely cosmetic purposes.
The group said: “Surgery performed solely for the purpose of improving the appearance or size of the foot or ankle carries risks without medical benefit, and therefore should not be undertaken.”
An oversized painted portrait of Florida socialite Jill Kelley and her surgeon husband Scott is hanging on the wall of their $1.3 million Bayshore Boulevard mansion.
The ostentatious gold-framed commission no doubt adorned the wall during one of Jill Kelley’s parties she famously hosted as an unpaid, unofficial social liaison for U.S. Central Command.
But appearances can be deceptive and the couple portrayed smiling widely have been sued for $4.1 million of debts and are, as we found out this month, at the centre of the biggest sex scandal to rock the U.S. in living memory.
Jill Kelley, a 37-year-old Florida housewife, unveiled the David Petraeus sex scandal when she contacted the FBI about harassing emails from his mistress Paula Broadwell.
After Jill Kelley contacted the FBI, agents launched a massive in-depth investigation into who was sending the emails because they shared this detailed information that was not publicly available.
The catty emails, which told Jill Kelley to “back off” from David Petraeus, were sent to Kelley from several fake email addresses.
In order to find who had confidential information about David Petraeus’ whereabouts, the FBI obtained an administrative subpoena, and traced them back to Paula Broadwell.
In the course of the investigation, they also unearthed emails indicating the affair between Paula Broadwell and David Petraeus, leading to his resignation earlier his month.
At her glamorous home the lawns are perfectly manicured – the residence has six bedrooms and four bathrooms for the hundreds of military guests who used to attend parties there.
A closer look, however, and you notice that the paint is peeling on the outside and wooden chairs at all rather too well worn.
An oversized painted portrait of Florida socialite Jill Kelley and her surgeon husband Scott is hanging on the wall of their $1.3 million Bayshore Boulevard mansion
Jill Kelley boasted about serving dinner to David Petraeus and his wife Holly in 2007.
Holly Petraeus and her husband were pictured next to the Kelleys and Jill Kelley’s twin sister, Natalie Khawam.
Each year Jill Kelley and her husband, Dr. Scott Kelley, host a party on their extensive manicured front lawn to celebrate the Gasparilla Festival in Tampa.
In 2010 General David Petraeus and his wife Holly attended the pirate themed festival staged at the Kelley’s home.
David Petraeus arrived with a 28 motorcycle escort and mingled with more than 200 guests who dined on crab cakes and lamb chops.
At this year’s Gasparilla festival, where pirate themed floats are driven through Tampa, the Kelley’s hosted military officers from 60 nations to a coalition appreciation party.
Tight security surrounded the Kelley’s home during the event.
One neighbor complained that it resulted in the street running alongside the Kelley’s red and white painted mansion being closed off to traffic for the day.
“You soon know when Jill is having a party It’s like having the president come to town as everything shuts down. There is security everywhere and you cannot move,” said one neighbor.
Jill Kelley, who said she has known General David Petraeus and his wife Holly for five years, has visited them in Washington DC. She is also reported to have been invited to a breakfast at the White House.
In recognition of her work with officials at CENTCOM, Jill Kelley was recently named as honorary consulate general to South Korea.
A new facet in the David Petraeus scandal has unfolded as it emerged that Paula Broadwell once modeled and served as spokeswoman for Kriss Arms, a Virginia Beach machine gun production company.
Paula Broadwell is featured in an advertisement for Kriss Arms, where she leans on years of military research and her shooting savvy to praise the design of the guns.
Her proximity to David Petraeus, one of the highest-ranking members of the American military, and her commercial endorsement of a gun manufacturer will appear suspicious and likely add more fodder for federal investigators.
The commercial was posted in March of this year, at the same time she was reportedly having an affair with the then-CIA director who previously was the head of U.S. military command in Afghanistan.
“Clearly computer technology cannot solve all the problems in modern warfare, for example a computer can’t come up with a strategy to win a war. Neither can a computer or technology galvanize unity of effort which is critical in these wars… those are all human efforts. It can be empowered and enabled by technology but it comes down to human endeavor at the end of the day,” Paula Broadwell says in the video.
Producers of the video included that she was the author of General David Petraeus’ biography as the justification for her participation on screen, and while she did not explicitly mention her lover by name, it is clear that she was thinking of the man she repeatedly called an “inspirational figure”.
Paula Broadwell is featured in an advertisement for Kriss Arms, where she leans on years of military research and her shooting savvy to praise the design of the guns
In portions of her interview, Paula Broadwell uses her military background to justify the improvements made by Kriss Arms.
“On the individual fighter, reducing weight is critical because of fatigue and stress. Weight reduction can greatly improve the efficiency of a firearm,” she says.
“It allows the trooper to carry it further, obviously, if an individual is out there in the battlefield. And that trooper should have more confidence in the system he’s carrying, ideally, if the system is a manned aerial vehicle or again a heavy vehicle the range of the system will be longer, less resupply of fuels and other materials.”
Paula Broadwell doesn’t simply rest on her brains when it comes to touting the company’s guns, however, as she is seen using one of their models to shoot at targets in a Virginia Beach range.
During one segment, she successfully hits four targets out of five consecutive shots.
David Crane, who is also featured in the six-minute video, told The National Enquirer that he took particular notice of the mother-of-two when she changed out of the professional clothes she was wearing and slipped into something more befitting the shooting range.
“She changed into those tight jeans and riding boots specifically to shoot guns at the firing range,” David Crane said.
“She looked very sexy shooting a submachine gun, so I started taking her picture. She was a decent shot and didn’t seem to have a problem hitting the targets.”
There is no denying the connection between Paula Broadwell and the machine gun company, as she apparently posted about her time as a “model/demonstrator” for Kriss Vector on both her website bio and her LinkedIn profile before making them private once the scandal hit.
The company is now keeping their distance, however, as the CEO John Spurrier downplayed her involvement.
“Mrs. Broadwell did participate as a subject matter expert and demonstrator… about the company’s products, but has never had any official affiliation with the company,” he told ABC News.
Now the only posing that Paula Broadwell is doing is that of the reluctant troublemaker, as she has been seen going to and from relatives’ homes in Virginia and Washington, D.C.
New Zealand’s Mount Tongariro has erupted again, having rumbled back to life in August after more than a century of quiet.
The volcano, in the North Island, sent a column of ash at least 2 km (1.25 miles) into the air, scientists said.
There were no immediate reports of injuries, but hikers and a group of school children were being moved out of the national park.
Before the August activity, the 1,978m (6,490 ft) peak last erupted in 1897.
The latest eruption happened at around 13:25 local time and lasted for around five minutes, experts said.
A release from the Ministry of Civil Defence said “minor volcanic activity” was occurring at the Tongariro – Te Maari craters and “could be hazardous in the immediate vicinity of the craters”.
New Zealand’s Mount Tongariro has erupted again, having rumbled back to life in August after more than a century of quiet
“Light volcanic ash fall can be anticipated downwind of Tongariro,” it said, potentially affecting the Waikato, Hawkes Bay, Gisborne and Bay of Plenty areas.
Air New Zealand said it did not expect delays or cancellations as a result of the eruption, based on current information.
It was “working closely with the relevant authorities to keep up to date with ash movement and forecasts” and would adjust flight routes if necessary.
Audrina Cardenas, a baby girl who was born with her small heart beating outside of her body, is now remarkably recovering after a revolutionary surgery saved her life.
Audrina Cardenas was born with a rare congenital disease where her heart formed outside the chest; though the disease affects only one in eight million, 90% of infants with the condition are stillborn or die within days of their birth.
But after hours of complicated surgery at the Texas Children’s Hospital in Houston, Audrina Cardenas is recovering, and her mother Ashley couldn’t be more thankful.
Audrina Cardenas had ectopia cordis, causing her heart to be located outside of the body. Incredible video taken during the surgery shows it beating at a steady pace.
Her mother found out about her daughter’s life-threatening condition at a routine check-up at 16 weeks of pregnancy.
Ashley Cardenas said she was given three options, each of them difficult in their own right – abort the baby, carry her to term knowing she would die shortly thereafter, or have doctors construct a hole in her unborn baby’s chest to make room for the heart.
Audrina Cardenas, a baby girl who was born with her small heart beating outside of her body, is now remarkably recovering after a revolutionary surgery saved her life
She told the Houston Chronicle that her choice to have her newborn daughter operated on was incredibly difficult.
“You’ll never know what it feels like to make that decision until you’re faced with it,” she said.
Audrina Cardenas was born five weeks ago. Ashley Cardenas calls her “my miracle baby”.
But the infant isn’t in the clear yet – surgeons said that she’ll need more surgeries in coming years to repair defects in her heart.
They must wait for Audrina to heal and gain strength before attempting any additional procedures.
She will need to see a cardiologist for the rest of her life, but doctors said the prognosis is good.
Dr. Carolyn Altman, a pediatric cardiologist at the hospital, said in a release: “Despite Audrina’s misplaced heart, she was born with no other syndromes or genetic conditions that would cause additional stress or complications on her heart.
“Although her future prognosis is uncertain, Audrina is currently thriving and making progress each day.”
Mohammad Ajmal Amir Qasab, the only surviving gunman from the 2008 Mumbai attacks, has been executed by hanging.
The Pakistani national’s plea for mercy to Indian President Pranab Mukherjee was rejected earlier this month.
Mohammad Ajmal Amir Qasab was executed in prison in Pune early on Wednesday, the Home Ministry said.
The 60-hour siege of Mumbai began on 26 November 2008. Attacks on the railway station, luxury hotels and a Jewish cultural centre claimed 166 lives. Nine gunmen were also killed.
Mohammad Ajmal Amir Qasab and an accomplice carried out the assault on the main railway station, killing 52 people.
He was convicted of murder and other crimes in May 2010. The Supreme Court upheld his death sentence in August.
Maharashtra Home Minister RR Patil said Mohammad Ajmal Amir Qasab was hanged in the Yerawada prison at 07:30 a.m.
“This is a tribute to all innocent people and police officers who lost their lives in this heinous attack on our nation,” RR Patil was quoted as telling reporters by the Associated Press news agency.
Mohammad Ajmal Amir Qasab did not leave behind a will and was buried inside the jail, Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan said.
Senior officials in Delhi said Mohammad Ajmal Amir Qasab’s family members had been informed about the execution “through a letter sent by courier”.
In Delhi, federal Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde said he signed Mohammad Ajmal Amir Qasab’s execution order on 7 November, two days after President Pranab Mukherjee rejected his clemency petition.
Mohammad Ajmal Amir Qasab, the only surviving gunman from the 2008 Mumbai attacks, has been executed by hanging
Mohammad Ajmal Amir Qasab, who had been held in Mumbai’s Arthur Road jail, was moved to Pune’s Yerawada prison two days ago, Prithviraj Chavan said.
“We kept secrecy. It was important to maintain secrecy in this matter,” Sushil Kumar Shinde said, adding that Pakistan had been informed of the execution.
The Indian government was under pressure to act against a man who carried out one of the deadliest attacks in the country.
But the swiftness and secrecy in which the execution took place would have come as a surprise to many, our correspondent adds.
Commenting on Mohammad Ajmal Amir Qasab’s execution, Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Moazzam Ali Khan said: “We condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestation… We are willing to co-operate and work closely with all countries of the region to eliminate the scourge of terrorism.”
But Pakistan-based banned militant group Lashkar-e-Taiba [LeT], which was blamed for the Mumbai attacks, hailed Mohammad Ajmal Amir Qasab as a “hero”. He would “inspire other fighters to follow his path”, an unnamed LeT commander was quoted by Reuters as saying.
The Pakistani Taliban were “shocked” by the hanging, Reuters quoted Taliban spokesman Ihsanullah Ihsan as saying.
There has been no information yet on Mohammad Ajmal Amir Qasab’s last few days, but his lawyer Raju Ramachandran, who argued his case in the Supreme Court, told Reuters that Qasab was a “worried man” when he last met him in August, before the court upheld his death sentence.
He was scared that he would be hanged and asked the lawyer: “Can you please help me get out of jail?”
Mohammad Ajmal Amir Qasab was part of a 10-member group which arrived in Mumbai by sea on 26 November.
The men split into groups to attack various targets. Their siege of the Taj Hotel, Trident Hotel and a Jewish centre went on for more than two days.
Closed-circuit TV camera showed Mohammad Ajmal Amir Qasab and an accomplice opening fire on passengers at one of Mumbai’s busiest train stations, Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus.
Relations between India and Pakistan deteriorated sharply after India blamed Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba for the attacks.
After initial denials, Pakistan acknowledged that the assault had been partially planned on its territory and that Mohammad Ajmal Amir Qasab was a Pakistani citizen. Ties have been gradually improving since then.
Mohammad Ajmal Amir Qasab’s execution was the first in India since a man convicted of raping and killing a schoolgirl was hanged in the eastern city of Calcutta in 2004.
Mohammad Ajmal Amir Qasab
Pakistani citizen from Punjab province.
Reports say he received little education, and spent his youth alternating between laboring and petty crime
Was 21 years old when he carried out the attacks in Mumbai in 2008
India says he was trained for Mumbai operation by Lashkar-e-Taiba group in a remote camp
Captured on camera at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, a slight figure in combat trousers and a sweatshirt, clutching an assault rifle
Prosecutors said he had confessed but his lawyers then said his statement had been coerced, and it was retracted
Cyber Monday is the start of the holiday shopping season online, and a great day for bargains; but only if you know how to find them.
Here are several tips that should help:
Track the Deals
Use CyberMonday.com and dealio.com to stay on top of all of the Cyber Monday deals across the web, including information about free shipping offers and coupons.
Sign Up for Newsletters
If you plan to shop at a particular retailer, be sure to sign up for their e-newsletter a few weeks before the sales begin. It’s a good way to stay abreast of special deals and promotions, and a great way to score special subscriber-only coupons.
Shop at Sites that Offer Free Shipping
Many, but not all, stores offer free shipping on Cyber Monday; so spend some time looking for those free shipping deals. Don’t see free shipping offered on the site that you’re on? Then, check a competitor’s site.
Cyber Monday is the start of the holiday shopping season online, and a great day for bargains, but only if you know how to find them
Seek Out Coupon Codes
Head to currentcodes.com, retailmenot.com or one of the many other sites dedicated to finding and posting coupon codes. You may just find a deal – free shipping, free merchandise, a percent off your order – to sweeten the pot.
Bonus Tip: Bookmark Retailmenot.com. Then, the next time you’re shopping online, just click on the link, and it’ll display all of the coupons for the site that you’re on – now that’s bargain shopping made easy!
Order through a Rewards Site
Access a store’s website through a rewards site, and you’ll earn points or even cash for your efforts. Some rewards sites worth checking out: Upromise, MyPoints, FatWallet and Ebates.
Compare Prices
Before you place an order, use a price comparison website like pricegrabber.com to make sure you’re getting the best deal.
Cyber Monday is the first Monday after Thanksgiving. In 2012, it falls on November 26.
Cyber Monday was christened by Shop.org in 2005, because it’s known for online shopping sales. It follows the bricks-and-mortar shopping done on Black Friday, the first shopping day after Thanksgiving. Each year, new records are set as more and more people enjoy the convenience of shopping online.
In 2012, online holiday sales are expected to grow 12%, to $96 billion. That’s because 51.8% of people will take advantage of web-based sales, up from the 46.7% in 2011. On average, each person will do more than a third (38.8%) of their shopping online.
In 2011, Cyber Monday sales were $1.2 billion, up a whopping 22% over Cyber Monday 2010. On average, nearly 11% of shoppers used their mobile devices to visit retailers’ web sites. What were the most popular devices? The iPhone and iPad, followed by the Android.
Nearly 130 million Americans said they would shop on Cyber Monday – a third more than last year. More than half said they’d shop from work – naturally, during lunch hour or right after work.
The holiday shopping season is important for the economy because 19% of retail sales occur between Black Friday and Christmas. For some retailers, such as jewelers, it can be nearly 40% of their annual revenue.
Retailers Planned Bigger Sales
Thanks to the growing success of Cyber Monday, nearly 70% of online retailers expected their sales to increase at least 15% in 2011. This was even more optimistic than last year, when only two-thirds thought their sales would rise, and in 2009, when less than half thought so.
As a result, this year just about 90% of retailers offered great online sales. Nearly all offered free shipping, which was a large reason for the success of the record-setting 2010 Cyber Monday. This success spurred more than half of retailers to increase their “free shipping” budget, while one-third of retailers offered free shipping even earlier than they did last year. These retailers are smart, because 36% of shoppers surveyed said they’d increase their online shopping only if shipping were free.
Nearly half of the retailers offered coupons or a percent off deals (45.0%), while more than one-third had limited-time-only promotions. Fewer (15%) promoted a free gift-with-purchase.
Online retailers lured shoppers to Cyber Monday by promoting their sales even earlier than last year. More than half started their promotions by Halloween. These retailers are smart, since Halloween 2011 was the most successful spooky holiday yet. Nearly 40% waited a few weeks, starting their Cyber Monday promotions in mid-November. Just over half started promoting on Thanksgiving Day itself, while nearly all (92.2%) offered sales sometime over the Thanksgiving weekend.
Cyber Monday 2012
Why Holiday Shoppers Are Switching to Cyber Monday
Cyber Monday shoppers are very clear about why they like the day. More than 40% of time-strapped shoppers said the 24-hour convenience is their highest priority. Almost as many listed their desire to avoid the crowds on Black Friday as their primary reason for shopping online. Nearly a third of online shoppers said they like the ability to easily compare prices. A few online shoppers said they would buy less, thanks to expensive shipping charges, not being able to see or handle their purchase ahead of time, and having to wait for it to be shipped.
Shoppers are using social media more than ever. Nearly one third said they would go to a company’s Facebook page to get additional information about Cyber Monday sales. Twice as many would look at customer reviews on the company’s website before buying any products or services.
Growing Importance of Mobile Technology and Social Media
Online retailers are responding to shoppers’ use of mobile technology and social media by promoting there. More than half of retailers made sure their website sales were optimized for mobile devices. Another 20% were even optimizing for tablet device apps. More than a third used QR codes in magazine and billboard ads.
Online retailers also maximized their use of social media. Nearly three-quarters said they would promote sales on their Facebook pages, while more than 40% promoted on Twitter.
More than half (52.9%) of those who own smartphones, and even more (64.1%) of tablet-users will use them to do their holiday shopping. Nearly a third of smartphone users will research prices, while a fourth will find out store locations and sales. Only 15% will actually buy products with their phone.
With tablet users, on the other hand, the percentages go up,. More than 40% will compare prices, while 20% will redeem coupons. Most important, nearly a third will go ahead and buy online. (Source: National Retail Federation Annual 2012 Survey)
How to Get the Best Cyber Monday Deals
Retail sales can be found on CyberMonday.com, which features a schedule of what retailers offer deals at what times in a “Deal of the Hour” promotion. You can find sales from more than 800 online retailers.
Lazy chefs can rustle up a turkey casserole with winter veg, chipolatas, stuffing balls and cranberry jelly in a hassle-free 12 minutes…all from a can.
The self-heating festive feast comes in a compact 400 gram tin.
When December 25 arrives, simply remove the rubber cap, pierce the holes and open the insulated can.
This kick starts an exothermic reaction to warm the meal with all the trimmings, leaving the family more time to relax and open presents.
Retail website Firebox.com are selling the Christmas Dinner HotCan for the first time this year.
A spokesman said: “Christmas Dinner will never be the same again.
“There’s no need for pesky ovens, microwaves or kettles – just sit down, crack open the HotCan, relax and enjoy Christmas turkey with all the trimmings.
“Plus there is no need for washing up afterwards, freeing up more time to sit back and enjoy a good old James Bond film.”
Stressful hours peeling potatoes and preparing a turkey throughout the night could be gone forever thanks to HotCan Christmas Dinner
Budding gastronomes can rest easy, as the can’s contents still tickles the tastebuds.
The spokesman added: “HotCan recipes are really rather delicious.
“You won’t be awarding any Michelin Stars, but they are certainly up there with your respectable ready meals.
“Plus, Your Christmas Dinner HotCan is nutritionally balanced, so as well as satisfying all your Christmas cravings, you’ll stay trim and terrific.”
HotCans consist of a can of food surrounded by an outer can, with a water sachet and processed granular limestone in between.
Customers insert the spike into the rim of the can, piercing the sachet and causing the water to flow into the limestone.
This triggers a natural heat-producing reaction which warms up the food to 60 – 70 degrees Celsius.
Giuliana and Bill Rancic seem intent on spreading their good cheer around, as they tour the chat shows in an attempt to publicize their reality series.
The new parents visited the Today Show and Katie on Tuesday as they prepared for a special episode of their show covering the birth of their son Duke.
Giuliana Rancic, 37, showed off her trim figure in a flattering black and white panel dress as she walked in New York.
She and smartly dressed Bill Rancic each had wide smiles on their face, as they posed together for the cameras.
Their reality show has chronicled the couple’s rocky journey to becoming parents, from their battles with infertility, through Giuliana Rancic’s cancer and their eventual decision to ask a surrogate to carry their child.
Giuliana and Bill Rancic tour the chat shows in an attempt to publicize their reality series
Tuesday night’s episode shows the moment the couple finally meet their son Edward Duke, as their surrogate gives birth.
Giuliana Rancic has just returned to TV as a host on E! News following her three-month maternity leave.
She has admitted she cried when she had to leave her baby for the first time to return to work.
“It was hard to leave the little guy I’m not going to kid you,” she told E!
“But… I’m fine. I’m going to do what most moms do. It is hard but hopefully I’m going to bring him in a couple of days of the week. He’s so new. He’s only 11 weeks old.”
Just two weeks ago Ralph Lauren announced it would be closing its younger prep brand Rugby, and now it has revealed RL Vintage, a new shopping site in its place dedicated entirely to the brand’s extensive vintage archives.
The RL Vintage online boutique features 45 handpicked pieces from the Ralph Lauren archives, a curated selection that will switch over every season to fit a new theme.
While the e-commerce site is supposed to be fully shoppable, the assuming high prices are available by request only.
The current collection for sale, titled Western, includes a hand-knit wool flag sweater that was created specifically for a Life magazine shoot.
Ralph Lauren wrote on the original item’s page: “When Life Magazine asked me to be on their cover, photographed at our Double RL Ranch, I wanted to wear something that was just as American as my weathered jeans and jean jacket.
“I decided to create a hand-knit sweater with the symbol of our country at its center. The reaction was so amazing that we put it into production.”
Ralph Lauren has revealed RL Vintage, a new shopping site dedicated entirely to the brand’s extensive vintage archives
Other items up for sale include a cropped suede jacket which was inspired by a jacket worn by Randolph Scott in a Western movie the designer says he remembers fondly from his childhood.
A sherling coat, corduroy wrap dress and a bevy of cowboy boots also feature.
However, more than 20 of the items have already sold since the site went live on Thursday.
The site also features a “Bring It Back” program, where users can vote for a list of iconic products they would like to see brought back into production.
Liu Xianping is a Chinese grandfather who has won worldwide fame after photographs of him modeling women’s clothing were posted to the internet.
Seventy two year old Liu Xianping posed in outfits from his granddaughter’s fashion store Yuekou for a joke.
But when Liu Xianping’s granddaughter, Ms Lv, posted the snaps online, the two were surprised to find the photos go viral almost overnight.
What began as a lighthearted joke fast became a successful publicity campaign after the images went global – and Ms Lv saw sales soar.
According to China Newsweek, Ms Lv said the stunt was all her grandfather’s idea.
“He picked up one piece and tried to give some advice on how to mix and match,” she said.
“We thought it was fun so we started shooting.”
The outfits, designed for teenage girls, feature bright pink capes, striped tights and over the knee socks, with plenty of lace, ribbon and frippery.
Seventy two year old Liu Xianping posed in outfits from his granddaughter’s fashion store Yuekou for a joke
Chenille scarves and pink-framed sunglasses finish off the looks, and Liu Xianping carries a wine-colored handbag in many of the shots.
Posing in a sequence of outfits, his long slim legs and slender physique shows Yuekou’s clothing off to its full advantage – and has earned the store infinite more hits than if a regular model had been used.
Indeed, since Liu Xianping’s photographs, posted on Tmall, one of China’s leading retail sites, went viral, sales at Yuekou have increased fivefold.
Liu Xianping’s legs are reportedly the envy of women all over China – even the world.
“He has such a good figure,”offbeatchina.comreported one fan as saying.
“He has such a good figure, especially those legs!” and another likening the elderly gent to Karl Lagerfeld.
For his part, Liu Xianping told China Newsweek that he is glad to model for the store – and happy to be able to help his family.
“Why unacceptable for someone like me to wear women’s clothes? Modeling for the store is helping my granddaughter and I have nothing to lose,” he said.
“We were very happy on the day of the shooting. I’m very old and all that I care about is to be happy.”
Natalie Khawam, Lebanese-born twin sister of Jill Kelley, the Tampa socialite at the centre of David Petraeus scandal, appeared at a press conference alongside celebrity lawyer Gloria Allred.
In an apparent bid to gain leverage for her client in a bitter custody battle with her ex-husband Grayson Wolfe over their 4-year-old son, Gloria Allred portrayed Natalie Khawam’s case as “extremely important to single moms across the nation”.
David Petraeus, who resigned as CIA director after his affair with biographer Paula Broadwell was revealed when Jill Kelley complained to the FBI about harassing emails from her, wrote a letter in support of Khawam’s case.
General John Allen, NATO commander in Afghanistan and under investigation for potentially ‘inappropriate’ emails in a correspondence of up to 30,000 pages, also wrote a letter backing her.
Gloria Allred paid tribute to David Petraues and his wife Holly at a press conference in the Ritz Carlton in Washington.
“Both have known Natalie and her son personally for many years, and have had numerous opportunities to observe them together,” she said.
“They have loved Natalie’s child and emotionally supported her and her son through the toughest time in Natalie and her son’s life. They both spoke up through their court declarations in support of Natalie about what a loving, protective mom she was.”
Natalie Khawam, Lebanese-born twin sister of Jill Kelley, appeared at a press conference alongside celebrity lawyer Gloria Allred
A tearful Natalie Khawam, 37, declined to answer any questions but spoke of her relationship with her sister.
“My sister Jill and I aren’t just twins, we’re best friends. Literally inseparable,” she said.
“During my darkest time…she and my brother-in-law Dr. Kelley took me in with my son when we needed refuge and protection. Jill is the kindest, most generous person I know.
“We played tennis together. She played net and I served. We also played softball together. She was the catcher and I pitched. We love to cook. I usually bake and she sautés.
“We used to study together. I love math, she loves science and she excels in chemistry. We love to play piano and play chess.
“Jill has lovingly supported me through the years and I plan to love and support her unconditionally.”
Natalie Khawam lost an ugly child custody dispute with ex-husband Grayson Wolfe despite the letters written on her behalf by David Petraeus and General John Allen.
The judge said he had serious concerns and reservations over her mental stability and her grasp on reality and accused her of “outrageous conduct”, “bad faith litigation tactics”, and “illogical thinking” before awarding full custody to the father, who had been unable to see his child for more than a year.
According to the New York Post, Grayson Wolfe, won sole custody of the boy after the judge found out Natalie Khawam, a lawyer, repeatedly lied under oath and filed false domestic-violence and child-abuse claims against her husband.
Natalie Khawam was also accused of defying court orders to allow her estranged husband access to their son and sent emails to his friends and colleagues telling them he was a “horrible father and husband”.
Gloria Allred described her client as “a loving, caring mother” as well as a “highly educated academic scholar and a successful attorney”.
She described Jill Kelley’s relationship with David Petraeus as “social”.
Asked whether Natalie Khawam had visited the White House, Gloria Allred said she had been there “essentially for a tour” but declined to say who had been the host.
Neither Gloria Allred nor Natalie Khawam would speak about John Allen or go into any detail about David Petraues.
Gloria Allred’s clients include former porn star Joslyn James and nightclub promoter Rachel Uchitel, for whom Allred reportedly helped win $10 million from Tiger Woods.
She is renowned as the go-to lawyer for women who find themselves caught up in celebrity scandals and has defended women against stars such as Charlie Sheen, Eddie Murphy, and Rob Lowe.
Jill Kelley, the Florida socialite at the centre of the David Petraeus sex scandal, took multiple flights on military aircraft at taxpayers expenses, it was claimed today.
Jill Kelley even reportedly flew to Washington D.C. with General John Allen – the military commander she is said to have exchanged tens of thousands of emails with while he was in Afghanistan.
It is not known why Jill Kelley, 37, flew to the U.S. capital with John Allen but it has emerged that in recent months she has had three visits to the White House.
The mother of three from Tampa has so far refused to comment publicly on her role in the scandal that ended the career of CIA Director David Petraeus and put the distinguished career of General John Allen in jeopardy.
The commander of the coalition forces in Afghanistan is under investigation for “flirty” emails said to number as many as 30,000 that he exchanged with Jill Kelley.
An investigation by 10 News Tampa has revealed that Jill Kelley, whose complaint over threatening emails revealed David Petraeus’ affair, has enjoyed several trips on military planes.
The news stations said they have made several requests to defense officials to see how many times Jill Kelley has flown from the MacDill Air Force base where she acted as an unpaid social liaison officer.
Pentagon officials told News 10 they have not been able to track down the exact number of flights. But they did confirm she flew on a KC-135 jet in May 2010.
The KC-135 jets are primarily used to refuel other aircraft in mid-air.
“It’s an educational opportunity for people to just see what hard working military members are doing each day,” Lt. Col. Jack Miller told the TV station.
Jill Kelley, the Florida socialite at the centre of the David Petraeus sex scandal, took multiple flights on military aircraft at taxpayers expenses
Officials said about 150 people each year take an orientation flight at MacDill, with the flights leaving and then returning to Tampa.
“I’ve seen anything from community leaders to Cub Scouts to sports teams.
“But by in large, it’s generally folks throughout the community that just have an interest in the instillation. Sometimes it’s just a matter of requesting to do it.”
Jill Kelley, who is mired in debt and facing foreclosure on her $1.3 million home overlooking Tampa Bay, sparked the investigation into David Petraeus after she went to the FBI after receiving threatening emails from Paula Broadwell, the general’s biographer.
The latest example of how she rubbed shoulders with the military’s top brass comes after it emerged she has visited the White House three times in the past three months.
Jill Kelley and her twin sister, Natalie Khawam, were invited to two “courtesy” meals in the Executive Mansion mess hall as a guest of a White House aide.
She met the mid-level aide through her work with MacDill Air Force Base near Tampa, where she also rubbed shoulders with the military bosses including General David Petraeus.
On one further occasion, she received a White House tour with her family, the official added.
It confirms that Jill Kelley was telling the truth in an email she wrote to a reporter at the Tampa Bay Times on September 28, in which she boasted of visiting the White House.
“Btw I was made the [honorary] Ambassador to US Central Command’s Coalition!” Jill Kelley wrote.
“In addition to that, I was just recently appointed to be the Honorary Consulate General to South Korea! I’m in DC today – just left from breakfast at the White House…. I really hope to see you soon!”
In further examples of her attempts to use her contacts to her advantage, Jill Kelley sent a string of pleading emails to the Tampa Mayor, complaining she has been receiving threats and claiming: “The truth will one day prevail.”
The anguished messages, seen by the Tampa Bay Times, were sent to Bob Buckhorn, whom she knows socially, and claimed her children were scared and her husband had been forced to sleep at work.
Holly Petraeus has reportedly threatened David Petraeus with divorce after she was left humiliated by his affair with Paula Broadwell
Holly Petraeus, former CIA director’s wife of 38 years, has reportedly threatened David Petraeus with divorce after she was left “humiliated” by his affair with his biographer, Paula Broadwell, it has been claimed today.
Holly Petraeus is reportedly “furious” about the affair, which forced her husband to resign from the top of the CIA ten days ago, and is demanding to know how many other women he has shared trysts with throughout their marriage.
“She can’t turn on a television, go online or open a newspaper without being bombarded by the latest revelations about his cheating,” a source told the National Enquirer.
“No wonder she’s angry. David has been falling all over himself, apologizing and begging Holly to forgive him, but she isn’t listening. After all his lies, she doesn’t believe anything he says anymore, and she’s thinking about consulting a divorce attorney.”
The source claimed Holly Petraeus has suspicions that her husband had an affair with Jill Kelley, the Florida socialite who sparked his downfall after tipping off the FBI about threatening emails from Paula Broadwell.
While David Petraeus denies they have ever been involved, Holly Petraeus is uncertain and keeps demanding to know how many other women he has cheated on her with, the source said.
Jill Kelley has also denied any wrongdoing and said in a statement she was simply a friend of David Petraeus, whom she met through her work at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa.
Holly and David Petraeus attended lavish garden parties at Jill Kelley’s Tampa, Florida mansion, where she lives with her husband, their three children and her twin sister, Natalie Khawam.
The Petraeuses have been married 38 years after meeting on a blind date when David Petraeus was a student at the military academy at West Point, where Holly’s father was the superintendent.
David Petraeus graduated in June 1947 and the couple married the following month, before going on to have two children, Ann and Stephen, and travelling throughout the world with his work.
Despite moving 24 times in 38 years, Holly Petraeus has also built her own career.
She became a volunteer, performing military and family support roles on bases, before working with service members as a financial advocate to ensure they were treated fairly by businesses.
In 2011, Holly Petraeus was appointed to the newly-created Consumer Financial Protection Bureau as head of the Office of Servicemember Affairs, a post she still holds.
Holly Petraeus’ threats of divorce come little more than a month after she and her husband were the picture of unity at their daughter’s wedding – three months after David Petraeus’ affair with Paula Broadwell had come to an end.
But on November 9, he stepped down from the CIA after the FBI uncovered his relationship with Paula Broadwell.
The affair was discovered after Paula Broadwell sent a string of “threatening” emails to military party planner Jill Kelley, whom she deemed a threat.
According to friends, Jill Kelley considered some of the anonymous messages death threats, after Paula Broadwell vowed to make Kelley “go away” – and the concerned housewife contacted the FBI.
The anonymous emails contained classified information about David Petraeus’ whereabouts and, thinking there had been a potential national security breach, the FBI was forced to investigate.
During their probe, they traced the emails back to Paula Broadwell and also uncovered emails revealing her months-long affair with David Petraeus, whom she had first met as a student in 2006.
In interviews and her biography of David Petraeus, All In, Paula Broadwell lauded Holly Petraeus as a “wonderful source of information” and revealed that she had read the book and enjoyed it.
In the book, Paula Broadwell recounted details from dozens of hours of interviews between Holly and David Petraeus in a description of how the couple met and fell in love.
Paula Broadwell described the relationship as virtually unbreakable – while at the same time carrying on an illicit affair with David behind Holly Petraeus’ back.
A basic brine makes this turkey breast more flavorful, moist, and tender.
Refrigerate the turkey in the brine overnight, then roast to perfection for a fabulous feast.
Ingredients:
1 turkey breast, bone-in, about 5 to 7 pounds
1 gallon ice cold water
1 1/2 cups kosher salt (if you only have table salt, use 1 cup)
1/2 cup light brown sugar
3 bay leaves, crumbled
1 tablespoon allspice berries, crushed
1 tablespoon mixed or black peppercorns, crushed
1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary leaves
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
salt and pepper
Creole seasoning, optional
Brined Turkey Breast
Preparation:
Rinse turkey under cold water.
Place turkey breast in a large cooking bag; place in a large roasting pan or other large container (just in case the bag leaks). Add the brine ingredients to the bag, then close the bag and twist until brine is covering turkey. Use a twist-tie to secure the bag. Alternately, you can use a large, nonreactive covered container. Place in the refrigerator for 12 hours or overnight.
Heat oven to 400°.
Remove turkey from brine and pat dry. Place on a rack, breast side up, in a large roasting pan. Discard brine. Rub the turkey with vegetable oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper, along with a little sprinkling of Creole or Cajun seasoning, if desired. Place a meat thermometer in the thickest part of the breast, not touching bone. Roast at 400° for 20 minutes. Reduce heat to 325° and continue roasting until turkey breast registers 170°, about 2 to 3 hours. Serves 8 to 10.
