latest news and views

Lindsay Lohan goes nude to recreate Marilyn

2008-02-19T03:35:00.000-08:00

The Mean Girls star bared all in the latest issue of the American magazine for renowned photographer Bert Stern who actually shot Monroe for a similar shoot way back in 1962, shortly before the screen legend died.

Stern photographed Monroe in 1962 at the Hotel Bel-Air in California, six weeks before she was found dead of an overdose of barbiturates.

The pictures, for Vogue magazine, show Monroe posing nude with some scarves and jewellery as her accessories and sipping champagne.

The veteran photographer recreated the same images, this time with a nude Lohan in a blond wig at the same hotel.

When it came to being nude before the camera, Lohan said: "I was comfortable with it.”

"I didn't have to put much thought into it. I mean, Bert Stern? Doing a Marilyn shoot? When is that ever going to come up? It's really an honour," The Sun quoted her, as telling the mag.

Stern said that he found women like Lohan and her tabloid companions Paris Hilton and Britney Spears "interesting".

"They're girls that draw attention to their notoriety and their celebrity through their behaviour," he said.

"I thought she was a natural, not at all squeamish," he added.

Kenyans are not getting the HIV medicines

2008-02-19T00:27:00.000-08:00

Thousands of uprooted Kenyans are not getting the HIV medicines they need to survive, and rising sexual attacks in camps stand to further spread the disease, public health experts say.

About 15,000 of the more than 250,000 people who have fled political, ethnic and revenge attacks in the month since Kenya's disputed presidential election are HIV-positive, according to Kenyan Health Ministry figures cited by UNAIDS.

Of that group, 2,550 were taking anti-retroviral therapy to suppress the virus that causes AIDS before escalating violence forced them out of their homes and cut off their access to the drugs that must be taken continuously to work.

An unknown additional number of HIV patients are marooned in their homes, missing treatments because local health clinics are closed, or because they are too afraid to risk the journey.

"We don't know where our patients are," Florence Muli-Musiime, deputy director-general of the Kenya-based African Medical and Research Foundation, said in a statement.

"We had a very good tracking system using our contacts in the community, but this has now broken down," she said.

Elisabeth Byrs, a spokeswoman for the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in Geneva, said Kenya's HIV crisis could become much more acute unless tensions calm soon.

"Without adequate nutrition, water and sanitation, and vital AIDS services, people living with HIV are at risk of succumbing to opportunistic infections and more rapid disease progression," she said.

Byrs also warned that HIV transmission risks were extremely high in camps where sexual attacks on women and children are on the rise. Many have been raped while going to the latrine at night, and few are seeking immediate medical care.

A preliminary report by the U.N. population fund and UNICEF have further found that desperate girls and women in Kenya have also been trading sex for food, protection and transportation, further increasing their exposure to the deadly virus.

Situation fluid

Of the estimated 934,000 Kenyans living with HIV, 165,000 were getting government-supported anti-retroviral treatment as of December 2007, said UNAIDS spokeswoman Jacqueline Makokha.

Interruptions of the combination drug therapy, or dilutions of the dose patients take, greatly increase the risk that traditional drugs will no longer suppress HIV. Alternative or "second-line" treatments are much more expensive.

Makokha said it was difficult to keep track of HIV patients in the chaos, which was sparked by accusations that the Dec. 27 election of President Mwai Kibaki in power was rigged.

"The situation is very fluid. People are moving in and out of camps in some areas, and in some areas new people are coming into camps," she said in a telephone interview from Nairobi.

Further complicating matters, health workers said possibly large numbers of people infected with tuberculosis -- a highly contagious disease that is especially deadly for HIV patients -- are also going undetected in Kenya's camps and cities.

"HIV patients are receiving sub-optimal treatment, and because tuberculosis is not diagnosed, it is not treated," said Ian Van Engelgem, a Medecins Sans Frontieres (Doctors Without Borders) physician in Nairobi's Kibera slum.

"It is a very explosive cocktail," he said by telephone.

Kenya's national HIV prevalence is five percent, although some areas including Nairobi and Nyanza provinces have rates as high as 10 percent, according to UN figures.

Mortifying Questions - Answers

2008-02-12T05:29:00.000-08:00

Q: Why is anal sex better then normal sex?
A: It's warm, it's tight and more degrading to women.

Q : What do you do after raping a deaf, dumb and blind girl?
A : Break her fingers so she can't tell anyone.

Q: What is better than winning a medal at the Special Olympics?
A: Not being retarded.

Q: What's blue and fucks old people?
A: Hypothermia.

Q: What's the first thing a woman does when she gets out of the battered wives' shelter?
A: The dishes if she knows what's good for her .

Q: How do you swat 200 flies at one time
A: Hit an Ethiopian in the face with a frying pan.

Q: What is the definition of "making love"?
A: Something a woman does while a guy is fucking her.

Q: Why do you wrap a hamster in electrical tape?
A: So it doesn't explode when you fuck it.

Q: What do 54,000 abused woman every year have in common?
A: They don't fucking listen.

Q: What's yellow and green and eats nuts?
A: Gonorrhoea.

Q: What does a Cuban do when he gets a flat tire?
A: Drowns.

Q: What's so good about an Ethiopian blowjob?
A: You know she'll swallow.

Q: Why did God create yeast infections?
A: So women would know what it's like to live with an irritating cunt once in a while too.

HOW TO IMPRESS A WOMEN

2008-02-12T05:13:00.000-08:00

HOW TO IMPRESS A WOMEN

COMPLIMENT HER,

RESPECT HER,

HONOUR HER,

CUDDLE HER,

KISS HER,

CARESS HER,

LOVE HER,

STROKE HER,

TEASE HER,

COMFORT HER,

PROTECT HER,

HUG HER,

HOLD HER,

SPEND MONEY ON HER,

WINE AND DINE HER,

BUY THINGS FOR HER,

LISTEN TO HER,

CARE FOR HER,

STAND BY HER,

SUPPORT HER,

HOLD HER,

GO TO THE ENDS OF THE EARTH FOR HER,

HOW TO IMPRESS A MAN

SHOW UP NAKED,

BRING BEER & FOOD

top 5 Xxx jokes

2008-02-12T05:02:00.000-08:00

A man is in a hotel lobby. He wants to ask the clerk a question.
As he turns to go to the front desk, he accidentally bumps
into a woman beside him and as he does, his elbow goes into
her breast. They are both startled and he says, "Ma'am, if your
heart is as soft as your breast, I know you'll forgive me." She
replies, "if your penis is as hard as your elbow, I'm in room 1221."

********************************************************

A young man walks up and sits down at the bar. "What can I get
you?" the bartender inquires. "I want 6 shots of Jagermeister,"
responded the young man. "6 shots?!? Are you celebrating
something?" "Yeah, my first blowjob." "Well, in that case, let
me give you a 7th on the house." "No offence, sir. But if 6
shots won't get rid of the taste, nothing will."

*********************************************************

A businessman boards a flight and is lucky enough to be
seated next to an absolutely gorgeous woman. They exchange
brief hellos and he notices she is reading a manual about
sexual statistics. He asks her about it and she replies,
"This is a very interesting book about sexual statistics.
It identifies that American Indians have the longest
average penis and Polish men have the biggest average
diameter. By the way, my name is Jill. What's yours?"
He coolly replies, "Tonto Kawalski, nice to meet you."

***********************************************************

One night, as a couple lay down for bed, the husband gently
taps his wife on the shoulder and starts rubbing her arm.
The wife turns over and says: "I'm sorry honey, I've got a
gynaecologist appointment tomorrow and I want to stay
fresh." The husband, rejected, turns over and tries to
sleep. A few minutes later, he rolls back over and taps his
wife again. This time he whispers in her ear: "Do you have
a dentist appointment tomorrow too?"

************************************************************

Bill worked in a pickle factory. He had been employed there
for a number of years when he came home one day to confess
to his wife that he had a terrible compulsion. He had an
urge to stick his penis into the pickle slicer. His wife
suggested that he should see a sex therapist to talk about
it, but Bill indicated that he'd be too embarrassed. He
vowed to overcome the compulsion on his own. One day a few
weeks later, Bill came home absolutely ashen. His wife
could see at once that something was seriously wrong.
"What's wrong, Bill?" she asked. "Do you remember that I
told you how I had this tremendous urge to put my penis
into the pickle slicer?" "Oh, Bill, you didn't." "Yes, I
did." "My God, Bill, what happened?" "I got fired." "No,
Bill. I mean, what happened with the pickle slicer?"
"Oh...she got fired too."

20 final Ways To Annoy Your Roommate

2008-02-12T04:56:00.000-08:00

Hide a bunch of potato chips and Ho Hos in the bottom of a trash can. When you get hungry, root around in the trash. Find the food, and eat it. If your roommate empties the trash before you get hungry, demand that s/he reimburse you.
Leave a declaration of war on your roommate's desk. Include a list of grievances.
Shoot rubber bands at your roommate while his/her back is turned, and then look away quickly.
Dye all your underwear lime green.
Bye three loaves of stale bread. Grow mold in the closet.
Hide your underwear and socks in your roommate's closet. Accuse him/her of stealing it.
Remove your door. Ship it to your roommate's parents (postage due).
Whenever your roommate walks in, wait one minute and then stand up. Announce that you are going to take a shower. Do so. Keep this up for three weeks.
Array thirteen toothbrushes of different colors on your dresser. Refuse to discuss them.
Paint your half of the room black. Or paisley.
Whenever he/she is about to fall asleep, ask questions that start with "Didja ever wonder why...." Be creative.
Shave one eyebrow.
Put your mattress underneath your bed. Sleep down under there and pile your dirty clothes on the empty bedframe. If your roommate comments, mutter "Gotta save space," twenty times while twitching violently.
Put horseradish in your shoes.
Shelve all your books with the spines facing the wall. Complain loudly that you can never find the book that you want.
Always flush the toilet three times.
Subsist entirely on pickles for a week. Vomit often.
Buy a copy of Frankie Yankovic's "Pennsylvania Polka," and play it at least 6 hours a day. If your roommate complains, explain that it's an assignment for your primitive cultures class.
Give him/her an allowance.
Listen to radio static.

20 more Ways To Annoy Your Roommate

2008-02-12T04:51:00.000-08:00

Pretend to talk while pretending to be asleep.
Steal a fish tank. Fill it with beer and dump sardines in it. Talk to them.
Become a subgenius.
Inject his/her twinkies with a mixture of Dexatrim and MSG.
Learn to levitate. While your roommate is looking away, float up out of your seat. When s/he turns to look, fall back down and grin.
Speak in tongues.
Move you roommate's personal effects around. Start subtlely. Gradually work up to big things, and eventually glue everything s/he owns to the ceiling.
Walk and talk backwards.
Spend all your money on Jolt Cola. Drink it all. Stack the cans in the middle of your room. Number them.
Spend all your money on Transformers. Play with them at night. If your roommate says anything, tell him/her with a straight face, "They're more than meets the eye."
Recite entire movie scripts (e.g. "The Road Warrior," "Repo Man, "Casablanca,") almost inaudibly.
Kill roaches with a monkey wrench while playing Wagnerian arias on a kazoo. If your roommate complains, explain that it is for your performance art class (or hit him/her with the wrench).
Chain yourself to your roommate's bed. Get him/her to bring you food.
Get a computer. Leave it on when you are not using it. Turn it off when you are.
Ask your roommate if your family can move in "just for a couple of weeks."
Fake a heart attack. When your roommate gets the paramedics to come, pretend nothing happened.
Eat glass.
Smoke ball-point pens.
Smile. All the time.
Burn all your waste paper while eyeing your roommate suspiciously.

10 Ways To Annoy Your Roommate

2008-02-12T04:43:00.000-08:00

Repeat thoughtfully the last word of everything your roommate says (e.g. Your roommate: "How are you doing today?" You: "Today.... Today......")
Continuously refer to your roommate using terms of endearment (sweetcheeks, honeybuns). Slap him/her in the face if s/he ever does the same.
Kill several people. Store the corpses underneath your roommate's bed. Call the police.
Become Forrest Gump.
Incessantly rant about the government's attempts to control our minds by poisoning us with Dihydrous Monoxide. If your roommate tries to explain that Dihydrous Monoxide = H2O = Water, exclaim "HA!! THAT'S WHAT THEY /WANT/ YOU TO THINK!!!!"
Intensely study the complete list of ways to annoy your roommate. Form a discussion group with your roommate. Give tests.
Start a food drive around campus to feed your roommate. Comment often on how fat s/he's getting.
Read nothing but "Human Calculator" books. Consistently make mistake's on simple math (e.g. "2 + 2 = ..3? No, 5! No.......")
Switch the sheets on your beds while s/he is at class.
Twitch a lot.

who is that girl

2008-02-12T04:32:00.000-08:00

You have to look closely to identify the new trend in clothing; the actual girl is different than the one we can see. Gorgeous, eye-catching idea.

It happens only in Thailand

2008-02-12T04:26:00.000-08:00

interesting photo .....
must see ....

interesting illusion ...

2008-02-12T04:19:00.000-08:00

interesting illusion ...
must see ...

Teenagers Kill Child in "Mortal Kombat"

2008-02-12T03:40:00.000-08:00

Two teenagers accused of beating a seven-year-old girl to death are said to have been imitating moves taken from Mortal Kombat.
According to a report on CNN, 17-year-old Lamar Roberts and 16-year-old Heather Trujillo were babysitting Trujillo's half-sister, Zoe Garcia, when the violence began. According to Roberts, he was playing videogames in the downstairs of the house while the sisters "wrestled" upstairs, but a witness claimed in an affidavit that Roberts said he had kicked the child. When asked why he didn't stop when the seven-year-old asked him to, Roberts said, "I don't know, I was drunk."
The pair attempted to revive the girl by putting her under running water and attempting CPR before calling 911. She later died at hospital; an autopsy found she had a broken wrist, over 20 bruises, swelling of the brain and bleeding in her neck muscles and under her spine.
While it's unclear whether the pair had actually played Mortal Kombat, a report in the Denver Post said Trujillo claimed they were "acting out" the game, while the Rocky Mountain News quoted police as saying she tripped her sister, "punched her in the stomach, karate chopped her lower arms, punched and pinched the victim's thighs, kicked her in the shins, slapped her stomach and buttocks and poked at the victim's chest." The Rocky Mountain News article went on to quote a report stating that "violent videogames may be more harmful than violent TV and movies because they are interactive, engrossing and require the player to identify with the aggressor."
However, the Denver Post also said that at least four neighbors as well as a school teacher said they suspected the girl had been the victim of ongoing abuse, which they had reported prior to the child's death.

Andes glaciers gone in 20 years

2008-02-12T03:35:00.001-08:00

Scientists in Peru have issued a dire warning, claiming that glaciers high in the Andes will all but disappear within two decades.
At Pastoruri glacier, water from the melting ice is forming lakes which threaten to flood the villages below.
Seventy per cent of Peru's population relies on the annual glacial melt for drinking water. When the glaciers go, their water will go too.
Peru's economic development, too, is driven by water, with 70 per cent of Peru's electricity coming from hyro-power.
Without investment in new, sustainable infrastructure, when the glaciers are gone, the lights will go out.
The Pacific coast of Peru is dry, arid and home to a growing population. Ironically, as climate change bites and the glaciers melt, water supplies will initially increase.
The government's campaign 'Agua para Todos' (water for all) promises widespread water connections, but that will inevitably increase demand.
At least twice in the last five years the villages in the high mountain valleys have had narrow escapes.
After years of haggling, the recent UN climate conference in Bali finally agreed a fund to help poor countries adapt to climate change.
There are many places in the world where the poor are threatened by global warming. There are few, like Peru, where the threat is so immediate.

all about Eva Green

2008-02-12T03:02:00.000-08:00

Born on July 5, 1980, in Paris, France. (Eva has a twin sister named Joy.) Her mother is well-known French actress Marlene Jobert. Her Swedish father, Walter Green, is a dentist. Jobert didn't want Eva to be an actress, however, saying the business would be too rough on her thin-skinned daughter.Fortunately, Eva didn't listen to her mother's advice, and we eventually got to see some of that skin. She showed us her lovely nude body in The Dreamers, giving us more to admire than just her acting ability.
She played Isabelle in The Dreamers and Sibylla of Jerusalem in Kingdom of Heaven, but is making her biggest impact since being cast as Bond's leading lady in Casino Royale.
She studied her craft for several years in Paris and London before making her film debut in 2003 in The Dreamers. Eva described the movie as being "about a twin sister and brother who have a passionate, almost incestuous relationship." She appeared completely nude in this flick. At first, she wasn't comfortable with the idea of baring it all, but once she started doing the scenes sans clothing, it was pretty much business as usual.
Her second big-screen role was as Clarisse in the French film Arsene Lupin, in which she appeared alongside Romain Duris and Kristin Scott Thomas.
In early 2005, she portrayed Sibylla in Kingdom of Heaven, co-starring Liam Neeson and Orlando Bloom.
Biggest role of her career - The British treasury agent Vesper Lynd in Casino Royale (2006), alongside Daniel Craig.

Madonna And her daughter

2008-02-12T02:59:00.000-08:00

Pop star Madonna And her daughter Lourdes at reception to benefit UNICEF hosted by Gucci at the United Nations headquarters in New York, 7 February 2008.

Bomb hoax on North Sea platform

2008-02-12T02:57:00.000-08:00

Fourteen helicopters and a Nimrod are scrambled in a major operation to airlift North Sea oil workers after a security alert.
A bomb threat earlier today on a North Sea accommodation platform, which is now being treated as a hoax, resulted in the evacuation of oil workers from the Safe Scandinavia platform.
Police made arrangements for a 23-year-old woman to be returned to shore from the platform.
"It is understood the incident was sparked by comments made by a woman on the installation", said a spokesman for the RAF Kinloss base in Scotland.
A police spokeswoman said the incident had been "very quickly contained" and that nobody had been arrested.
British defense officials said 14 helicopters had been sent to evacuate the Safe Scandinavia.
The platform is owned and operated by Prosafe, an Oslo-listed company.

Medical breakthrough : Breath tests to diagnose

2008-02-12T02:45:00.000-08:00

Breath tests to diagnose major illnesses should be more widely used, university researchers said.
Staff at Swansea University are developing technology to enable patients to be given breath tests for diseases including diabetes, hepatitis and cirrhosis.
They say the method could save lives and money - and that patients could even self-diagnose at home with a shop-bought kit before seeing their GP.
Dr Masood Yousef, senior research assistant in the Welsh Centre for Printing and Coating at the university, said: "Breath samples are much easier to collect than blood and urine, for the patient as much as for the person collecting the sample. They can be collected anywhere by people with no medical training, and there are no associated biohazard risks.
"Overall, the procedure is likely to be much more cost effective than conventional methods, potentially saving the NHS a great deal of time and money. Someone could even buy a test at somewhere like Boots and be diagnosed at an early stage. There is great potential."
Dr Timothy Claypole, director of the Welsh Centre for Printing and Coating, said: "The work that we are doing now could well lead to the use of breath tests in routine medical examinations, long before patients show any physical symptoms. Ultimately, this technology will save lives. We're increasing its reliability, and increasing the range of diseases it can detect."
He said the new technology would make life easier for those with diabetes, who would not need to undergo as many blood tests if breath tests were available.
Studies have shown that high concentrations of certain compounds in a person's breath can indicate that they have a disease. The smell of pear drops is associated with diabetes, and ammonia is linked to hepatitis.
Dr Yousef added: "If unique markers for specific diseases can be recognised earlier than traditional techniques, then there is immense potential to revolutionise early disease diagnosis before any symptoms have developed, and without the need for invasive procedures."
The equipment used by the university was funded by a Welsh Assembly Government grant - initially given to research the level of solvents inhaled by workers who operate print machinery.

Woman slash man's throat during a sex game

2008-02-12T02:26:00.000-08:00

A British woman is in custody in Paris after allegedly slashing a man's throat during a sex game.
The niece of a Labour MP is in custody in Paris after allegedly slashing her lover's throat in a case said to be inspired by the murder of Meredith Kercher, it was reported today.
Jessica Davies, the niece of Quentin Davies, who defected from the Tory Party in the summer, is said to have attacked Olivier Mugnier in a drunken sex game.
Detectives said she was influenced by coverage of the murder of Miss Kercher in Perugia, Italy, earlier this month.
Three people including a female flatmate are being held in Italy for allegedly cutting the 21-year-old British student's throat after launching a sexual attack on her.
Ms Davies, 28, is said to have tried to intensify an "extreme sexual experience" by putting a knife to the man's throat.
But after slicing an artery, she is thought to have stabbed him six or seven times in anger and frustration.
A French police source said: "She has mentioned the case in Italy, which has received a great deal of publicity here.
"The similarities between the allegations in both cases are very clear. It may be that the alleged killer here was inspired by what is said to have happened in Italy."
Reports said Davies turned to drink and drugs after splitting from her French fiance.
She is then said to have started sleeping with men she picked up in bars.
She is reported to have chatted to unemployed Mr Mugnier, 24, on Saturday in an Irish pub near her flat.
She invited him home, where the incident took place.
Davies is said to have made a "rambling" call for an ambulance and Mr Mugnier died at the scene shortly after paramedics arrived there.
Mr Davies, 63, is believed to be in Cambodia on a business trip and has not been contactable.
The Foreign Office said it was aware of the detention of a Jessica Davies but had no further details.

Star Trek Movie Gets NASA Advice

2008-02-11T08:47:00.000-08:00

The out-of-this world visuals in the new Star Trek movie will actually be based on science from our solar system. A NASA planetary scientist has joined the film's production team to ensure the scientific accuracy of the movie's astronomical scenes.
As the leader of the Imaging Science team on NASA'S Cassini mission at Saturn, Carolyn Porco has guided a crew of scientists and engineers responsible for illustrating the mission's results.
Porco now will also work on the new Paramount Pictures film as a consultant on planetary science and imagery.
"This is a fabulous opportunity to bring to a wider audience the discoveries we've made at Saturn, and the spectacular sights we have seen there," Porco said. "And what better way to do that than to make use of those discoveries in the crafting of imagery for one of the most popular movie franchises of all time."
Porco was invited to join the Star Trek Team by the movie's director and producer, J.J. Abrams.
"Carolyn and her team have produced images that are simply stunning," Abrams said. "I'm thrilled that she will help guide our production in creating an authentic vision of space, one that immerses our audience in a visual experience as awe-inspiring as what Carolyn's cameras have captured."
Abrams, who co-created, produced, and directed the TV series "Lost," did the same for the TV series "Alias" and directed the film "Mission: Impossible III," was present at the 2007 TED conference in Monterey, California where Porco spoke of the recent findings from the Cassini mission.
Porco directs the Cassini Imaging Central Laboratory for Operations (CICLOPS) at the Space Science Institute in Boulder, Colorado, where Cassini images are processed for release to the public. (Cassini images of Saturn and its rings and moons can be found at the official imaging team Web site, http://ciclops.org)

all about Paris Hilton

2008-02-11T08:30:00.000-08:00

Paris Hilton

* Birth Name: Paris Whitney Hilton
* Birth Place: New York, NY
* Date of Birth / Zodiac Sign: February 17, 1981, Aquarius
* Profession: Model; actor; reality-show cast member

Famous, yes. Talented? That's in the eye of the viewers, and poor little rich girl Hilton found plenty of them in 2003 as the dimmer of two dumb blondes on the popular reality series The Simple Life. The granddaughter of hotelier Conrad Hilton, this skinny starlet was already well known in society circles as a die-hard party girl and middling model. But The Simple Life — which placed her and equally pampered pal Nicole Richie in situations where they were actually required to work — turned her into a household name. As audiences snickered at her empty-headed antics, Hilton — who was already disgustingly wealthy — laughed all the way to the bank. She even managed to trademark her inane catchphrase, "That's hot." While Hilton parlayed her celebrity into roles in a number of movies and TV series and even released a self-titled album, she didn't show much promise and remained in the spotlight due to her outrageous personal life, including high-profile romances (Nick Carter, Paris Latsis, Stavros Niarchos III), an infamous sex video, a hacked cell phone, a public fallout with costar Richie, drunk driving and a controversial 2007 jail stint for driving with a suspended license.
Paris Hilton Fast Facts:

* Modeled for renowned designers Tommy Hilfiger, Marc Bouwer and Catherine Malandrino.
* Wrote (with Merle Ginsberg and Jeff Vespa) 2004's Confessions of an Heiress: A Tongue-in-Chic Peek Behind the Pose. From that book: "Despite what you've read, being a famous heiress is not that easy. It is, of course, fun."
* In the 2006 Canadian general election, students from McMaster University played off her catchphrase "that's hot" to get out the youth vote with a campaign called "Voters Are Hot."
* Reason she refused an offer to appear in Playboy Magazine in 2006? "Because I'm Paris Hilton."
* Released her self-titled debut album in August, 2006.

* Paris Hilton Relationships: Barron Hilton - Brother
* Conrad Hilton - Brother
* Jason Shaw - Ex-fiancé
* Kathy Richards Hilton - Mother
* Marilyn J. Hilton - Grandmother
* Nicholai 'Nicky' Olivia Hilton - Sister
* Nicholas 'Nicky' Conrad Hilton - Great-uncle
* Paris Latsis - Ex-fiancé
* Rick Hilton - Father
* William Barron Hilton - Grandfather

WHY MOVIES STARS, CELEBRITIES AND ORDINARY WOMEN POSE NAKED?

2008-02-11T08:07:00.001-08:00

WHY MOVIES STARS, CELEBRITIES AND ORDINARY WOMEN POSE NAKED? Brigitte Bardot: "Animals walk around naked and they have more loyalty than men. I have never been betrayed by my pets. But I have been cheated so many times by men and women who were fully clothed..."Josephine Baker: " I will strip by the name of God, if I have to feed those orphans...". WHY SOME WOMEN STRIP IN PUBLIC AND WHY STARS POSE NAKED? For one million reasons. And it has nothing to do with money, as many ingenious minds and rednecks believe or imagine. Kate Moss does not need to pose naked to make money. She appeared in full armored clothes on major glossy magazines covers. And she earns zillions, just by holding a product or looking at the camera. She does it because it is part of the fabric of the business. Almost 88% of stars and celebrities, including university professors, anchorwomen, women-wrestlers, top executives and moms posed in the nude at one time in their lives and careers for pragmatic, incomprehensible reasons, fantasy, celebrity quest, notoriety exposure...

Elton, Furnish honeymoon in Venice

2008-02-11T08:01:00.000-08:00

David Furnish gives his civil union to Elton John a thumbs up. The couple wed after 12 years together. The low-key ceremony was be followed by a lavish star-studded reception.
VENICE, Italy -- Sir Elton John and Canadian filmmaker David Furnish shopped and lunched at Harry's Bar on Saturday, honeymooning in Venice after tying the knot in a civil union ceremony in Britain this week, news reports said. The Venice daily The New Venice and Mestre featured a photo of the couple on the front page of its Saturday editions, saying that the singer and filmmaker had chosen to spend their honeymoon in the romantic canal city where John keeps a home. The couple exchanged vows and diamond wedding bands Wednesday in Windsor, capping the first week of legalized same-sex civil unions in the United Kingdom. The ANSA news agency said the two arrived in Venice on Thursday and were staying at John's home on Giudecca, one of the islands of Venice's lagoon. The two took a water taxi to St. Mark's Square and lunched at the nearby Harry's Bar, then shopped in some of the area's fancy stores, ANSA said.

French Army conspired in the Rwandan genocide of 1994

2008-02-11T07:49:00.000-08:00

One of the most controversial episodes in France's recent history is to come under legal scrutiny after a judge opened a formal inquiry into allegations that the French Army conspired in the Rwandan genocide of 1994. The move, which will renew debate over the actions of Francois Mitterrand, France's late president, is embarrassing for Paris at a time when it is struggling to maintain its influence in Africa. Despite attempts by the French Defence Ministry to block the case, Jacques Baillet, the prosecutor at the army tribunal, has begun an investigation into the role of France's troops during the massacres. An estimated 800,000 Rwandans were killed in the violence that followed the death of then Rwandan president Juvenal Habyarimana in an aircraft crash. Most of the victims were Tutsis, slaughtered by the rival Hutu tribe. The 2500-strong French peacekeeping force sent to Rwanda by Mitterrand is accused not only of failing to stop the genocide, but also of actively participating in it. The accusations are contained in a lawsuit filed by six survivors who say they saw atrocities committed with the complicity of the French Army. Mr Baillet rejected four of the plaintiffs on the ground that they had not suffered personally. Although French Defence Minister Michele Alliot-Marie described the claims as outlandish, the prosecutor decided two witnesses were sufficiently credible to warrant an inquiry. One is Aurea Mukakalisa, who was raped by Hutu militia in a refugee camp set up and controlled by the French Army. "The Hutu militiamen entered the camp and designated the Tutsis, who were forced to leave the camp by French soldiers," says Ms Mukakalisa, who was 27 at the time. "I saw the militia kill the Tutsis who had left the camp. I saw French soldiers themselves kill Tutsis using knives." Her brother, Felicien, was a victim at the Murambi camp. Hisbody has never been found. The second witness, Innocent Gisanura, who was 14 at the time, was among thousands of Tutsis who fled into the Biserero forests in the hope of escaping the violence. "We were attacked and chased by militiamen," he says in his statement. "French soldiers watched what happened from their vehicles without doing anything." The claims have revived the debate over France's ambition to retain influence in Africa - an ambition that shaped much of Mitterrand's foreign policy. Under his presidency, France armed and trained Habyarimana's forces, which critics say formed the backbone of the Hutu militia during the genocide. Mitterrand then authorised the French peacekeeping mission, known as Operation Turquoise. Rwandan Tutsis say French troops first failed to stop the killings, and then established a buffer zone that enabled the killers to escape. These claims have poisoned relations between Paris and Kigali. Rwandan President Paul Kagame has accused France of failing to tell the truth about Operation Turquoise. In 1998, a French parliamentary committee attempted to investigate France's role in the genocide. But most of the evidence it sought was classified as a state secret. The French Army is already facing a legal inquiry into allegations that soldiers killed an injured rebel during a peacekeeping mission in Ivory Coast in May.

Teenager charged with indecent exposur

2008-02-11T07:38:00.001-08:00

A teenager has been charged with indecent exposure after he was caught trying to have sex with a female mannequin on display at an arts centre.
Security guards found Michael Plentyhorse, 18, sprawled with the dummy on the floor with his trousers and pants down.
Police spokesman Loren McManus said: "There was inappropriate activity between him and the mannequin.
"That's the only way I know how to put it."
Guards said they had noticed several times before that the dummy's clothes had been removed at the centre in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, US.
If convicted, Plentyhorse may be registered as a sex offender.
Hope Matchan, of the prosecutors' department, said: "People might say it's relatively harmless.
"But I certainly would want to know if this person was my neighbour."

Naked Truth about Sex

2008-02-11T07:10:00.001-08:00

Review of Naked Truth by Lakita Garth brings insights from her travels as an abstinence speaker to her book, The Naked Truth about Sex, Love, and Relationships. Written for an audience of teenagers, Garth engages the reader through stories from her childhood, friends of hers and her experience testifying before the Senate Appropriations Committee.

Readers are challenged to look at the naked truth about sex and not the lies they have heard such as safe sex, “It won’t happen to me” and “Marriage is just a piece of paper”. Good decision making is encouraged and abstinence is a theme through out the book. Garth emphasizes the dangers of sexual transmitted diseases and takes a look at each of “America’s Most Unwanted”.

The book is fantastic, if it was written for non-Christian kids. Garth only used 15 pages out of her 168 pages referencing God or scriptural reasons to not have pre-martial sex. It was well written and amusing, and I would definitely pass it on to students at a local public school … if it didn’t mention God at all. For Christian kids, I found it lacking in reasons not to have sex from a Godly perspective. It simply wasn't strong enough for an audience of Christian teenagers and there are better books available today.

LOOKING GOOD AND FEELING GOOD - Men's Health - Body maintenance

2008-02-09T00:22:00.000-08:00

Whether it's getting yourself into shape, pampering your skin, giving up smoking, or getting a good night's sleep - look after your body, it's with you for life!

Men have lagged behind women in taking care of their health, but it's time to catch up. If you're worried about a health matter, going to the doctor is the best way to deal with it. What holds men back? When it comes to their health, men are notoriously bad at seeking help. Sometimes embarrassment gets in the way. Often, though, it's because of outdated attitudes such as "Men don't get ill" or "Pull yourself together" - which don't help men at all. Of course, another common reason why men delay seeking help is the false belief that if you ignore something, it will go away. In fact, most health problems are simply and easily treated, but the longer they're left, the less this is true. Not only does early treatment mean it's more likely to be successful, but it means less worry, fewer sleepless nights, and so on. Unlike women, men often don't ask each other for advice about health problems, but they should, because it may save a lot of unnecessary worry.

Fearing the worst: The big fear is that a symptom will turn out to be a life-threatening illness such as cancer. Actually, most health problems are far less serious. Take, for example, the urinary symptoms that one in three men over the age of 65 suffer: getting up at night to urinate, having to urinate more frequently during the day, feeling the need to urgently go then passing only a weak dribble. The most likely cause is benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), a non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate, which can be successfully treated.
Overcoming embarrassment: Another reason why men find it difficult to go and see the doctor is that they're frightened they'll stick out like a sore thumb. Traditionally, women are used to talking and asking about their health because they've had to go to the doctor for a variety of reasons: taking their child for immunisations, attending for family planning advice, antenatal care, cervical screening, and so on. Many men, on the other hand, aren't used to experiencing a doctor's surgery. They may be terrified that, even if they haven't got a problem that's located below the belly button and above the knees, everyone will think they have and know why they're there. Nowadays, men are pleasantly surprised when they go to the doctor. There will be other men in the waiting room - men who are there because of lung problems, heart problems, joint problems, rashes, in fact anything at all.
Exercise: More men than ever before are spending their working lives as well as their leisure time sitting down, making it more important than ever to take some exercise on a regular basis. Exercise makes your body stronger, fitter and more flexible. It protects your heart and bones, keeps your weight at an ideal level, helps to reduce stress and makes you feel good too.
Ways to stay fit
It doesn't matter what you do or where you do it - activity on a regular basis is what's important. Experts recommend that every man gets active for at least 20 to 30 minutes on at least five days of the week. You'll know if you're doing enough because you'll feel yourself breathing a little bit harder and faster, and your pulse will be faster than usual .It doesn't have to be the gym, either. Walking, cycling, swimming and running, are all simple, accessible and convenient ways to get a daily dose of exercise. Pick something that you enjoy. If it's going to feel like a chore then you're not going to do it.

Three types of exercise
Aerobic (also known as cardiovascular). Used to build up cardiovascular fitness and endurance, and to improve the absorption of oxygen by the lungs and its delivery around the body by the heart and circulation. Running, rowing and cycling are examples of good aerobic exercises.

Anaerobic. Used to build up strength. Exercises are performed against resistance, for instance weightlifting.

Stretching. Vital for developing the flexibility that protects muscles from injury.

Safe routine
Always warm up by doing five to ten minutes of light aerobic exercise such as running on the spot.

Stretch once the muscles are warmed up for about five minutes.

Perform your chosen exercise.

Cool down by doing light aerobic exercise again for five to ten minutes and performing a few stretches.

Drink water to replace any lost during your workout.

Body shapes - Men's Health - Body maintenance

2008-02-09T00:08:00.000-08:00

There are many different body types around, and regrettably many are 'round'. But underneath all the padding and designer wear we can put each body into one of three categories.

The three main types:

ectomorphs - thin and wispy

mesomorphs - athletic and muscular

endomorphs - generously rounded or 'stout'

Your basic body type is greatly outside of your control - more to do with DNA, and your childhood lifestyle than anything else. So if you are over 18 and reading this, you are what you are, although you can fine tune what you already have.

Changing your body type

If you're looking to change the shape of your body the basic groundwork is the same.

eat fresh, low fat and healthy food

avoid large amounts of toxins such as alcohol and caffeine

take regular exercise which should include elements of stamina (puffing), strength (grunting) and suppleness (bending)

If you have reached this state of physical nemesis you may wish to be more specific in adapting your training in order to develop characteristics of the body type which you favour.

Try adapting your training along the following lines:

If you want to be ectomorphic (long and thin):

Do more aerobic exercise, running and biking and ensure you work at a steady state (70 per cent max heart rate). Avoid explosive activity.

Use exercises that allow full range of movement - swimming, isokenetics or yoga and take more time to fully stretch each muscle.

Concentrate on eating complex carbohydrates such as pasta and potatoes and drink plenty of tepid water.

If you want to be mesomorphic (athletic and muscular):

Work on short bursts of explosive, dynamic and intense aerobic activity near to maximum effort - short sprints, jumping and punching.

Do more weight-bearing exercise - pump iron. Use heavy weights, up to 90 per cent of your maximum capability and complete at least three sets of each exercise with no more than seven repetitions per set. Ideally isolate one muscle group at a time and work it until exhausted.

You must have plenty of rest between each workout to allow the muscle to grow.

If you want to be endomorphic (rounded and stout):

Buy a video, some beer, order a takeaway, sit back and enjoy.

GROOMING - Men's Health - Body maintenance

2008-02-08T23:55:00.000-08:00

It's easy to take the skin for granted and not take care of it, and men are much more likely to do this than women. But the skin needs regular care and attention - particularly the areas that are exposed to the elements, such as the face. Late nights, stress, an unhealthy diet and too much sun all take their toll on the skin. It dries out, becomes flaky and cracked and looses its vitality. What's missing from most people's diet, that the skin needs in abundance, is water. A least two litres a day is essential, more in hot and humid weather. To remain healthy the skin also needs vitamin C and this is readily available from citrus fruits, fortified breakfast cereals, and fortified bread. Potatoes are also a good source of vitamin C too and since the vitamin C is found just below the skin having a baked potato means the vitamin C doesn't end up in the waste bin lost in the peelings. Moisturise regularly too, using a cream that contains vitamin E and UV protection. Many men regularly have facials nowadays to help revitalise their skin.

How to boost your immunity:

get enough rest

don't smoke

drink alcohol within safe levels

eat plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables

drink at least eight glasses of water a day

take time to relax and unwind

Cold sores

Something else that the skin needs to keep it healthy is zinc. This, and vitamin C, also helps to boost our immune system and keep it strong so that it can protect the body from infection. Stress, infection, being overtired, cold winds, and hot weather can all be responsible for waking up a cold sore when you would rather it remained asleep. It's possible to avoid cold sores by getting enough rest, eating plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, not smoking, and keeping alcohol to a minimum. Be sure to also apply a UV protection lip-balm a few times each day to protect against the effects of cold winds and bright sunlight. Tea-tree oil cream or aciclovir cream both have anti-viral properties and can shorten the duration and the severity of cold sores. Keep a tube of one or the other at home should the telltale tingle come your way.

Spots

If it's not cold sores then it's spots that appear at the wrong time and in the wrong place. Once again these are more likely to occur if you've become run-down. Try to avoid them - the same rules apply. Don't pick them. This won't make them disappear and will only serve to make them look worse, and more obvious. Topical treatments from the pharmacist or tea-tree oil gel or cream will help to dry spots up. Now you may wish to sit down for this next bit of advice. To hide the spot that appears on the day use a blemish or cover-up stick - which looks like a pencil. These are available from the make-up counter in large department stores, for example. Make-up specifically designed for men is available.

Skin cancer

The number of cases of skin cancer is increasing.

Malignant melanoma is the most dangerous form of skin cancer and is:

most common in younger people (age 20 to 35)

caused by excess UV radiation exposure causing sunburn

common among people who work indoors (because their skin is more easily damaged when they're exposed to the sun)

Everyone is at risk of skin cancer. Those most at risk are men with:

fair skin

freckles

ginger hair

lots of moles

If you notice any changes with your moles get them checked by your doctor. Look out for:

increase in size

change in shape

change in color

change in sensation - itchy, painful

new redness or inflammation

bleeding

Protect your skin

stay in the shade between 11am and 3pm

take care not to burn

cover up with sleeves, caps, and shades

apply sun protection cream regularly every two hours throughout the day using at least SPF 15

don't use sunbeds

if you need a tan then fake it

Bald Jealousy ... One German woman tried...

2008-02-08T23:50:00.000-08:00

One German woman tried to fight her love rival with a potion more potent than a love tonic.

Photo: The jealous woman failed to realize that bald can be beautiful.

Brigitte Tullman didn't take losing very easily. After her roommate, Lisa Burgermeister, 20, began dating her ex-boyfriend, she decided to wipe out her roommate -- or more specifically, wipe out her hair. So the 20-year-old slipped an hair removal product into Burgermeister's shampoo. But that impulsive act backfired, burning Burgermeister's hands and landing the spurned woman in hot water. "Lisa's hands were quite badly burned," her doctor told the court. "I don't even want to consider what would have happened if she had washed her hair with it." Meanwhile, Tullman was charged with trying to inflict bodily harm and given a six-month suspended sentence by a court in Mainz. And Burgermeister is most likely being consoled by the ex-boyfriend, hair intact.

A Future With Furry Nuptials? .. A German sex psychologist says..

2008-02-08T23:39:00.000-08:00

A German sex psychologist says more and more people are calling their true loves by a "pet" name -- which is only appropriate, when their partners are pooches. Inanimate objects are also popular ersatz mates.

Photo: She's unlikely to propose to her washing machine.

Remember The Love Boat? How about the love ferry? German sex psychologist and researcher Volkmar Sigusch sees a trend toward people having love ties to inanimate objects -- such as a boat -- or to house pets, as well as having no emotional ties at all. The renowned academic, who heads the Frankfurt based German Society for Sex Research, recently published a book called Neosexualitäten, or neo-sexuality, in which he describes the "cultural change of love and perversion" in modern society. "We live in a situation where things that were once proscribed or embarrassing or shameful can now be expressed," he said. "Today we talk about things that used to be hidden." Two of the trends he sees are towards asexuality -- where for varied reasons people show no sexual desire at all -- and objectophilia, a sexual obsession with objects or house pets.

Photo: Is it a foolish idea for them to get married?

In his book, Sigusch describes a woman whose love life gave new meaning to the term partner-ship when she fell in love with a ferry. She thought about the boat obsessively, photographed it, then decorated the photographs. She was "enraptured like one in love," he wrote. The scientist also considers people to be objectophiles who treat their pets -- mostly cats and dogs, but sometimes lizards -- like beloved partners. They hug and kiss them, spoil them, take them on vacation, dress them up -- even send them to spas or summer camps. "Some love their pets more than they have ever loved a person," he said. Those who worry that there can be no future for such a union can take heart in Sigusch's prediction that it will only be a few decades before such "partnerships" are openly recognized.

Go ahead and kiss! It's good for you! Surveys show that Germans dispense with two to three kisses a day. Going by that figure, by the time they turn 70, they’ve spent 76 days just kissing. But kissing is no waste of time, and it's healthy too. Just puckering your lips as you prepare to smooch, exercises all 34 facial muscles at the same time, endowing zealous kissers with smooth, wrinkle-free skin. Americans Eddi Leven and Delphine Orha can probably boast the smoothest skin as they set a world record for the longest kiss: 17 days and 9 hours. U.S. researchers are convinced that kissing is the elixir to a happy, healthier life. They discovered in studies that people who leave home in the morning with a smooch from their beloved, are more likely to be professionally successful, pay less visits to the doctor and are less inclined to have accidents. From a scientific point of view, a passionate kiss is supposed to provide the same kick that a 25 gram chocolate bar can -- with a crucial advantage: it doesn’t make you fat! No wonder there are signs all over the exhibition that say, "Necking allowed!"

CHEMISTRY OF LOVE

2008-02-08T23:26:00.000-08:00

Loving, affectionate, passionate, tender, electrifying or simply unforgettable -- a kiss can be many things.

Know that dizzy feeling, pounding heart and weak-in-the-knees sensation after a long kiss? An exhibition in Berlin now sheds light on the hormones at play in the body when two people lock in a passionate embrace.
But not too many people would think of serotonin, phenylethylamin or norepinephrine while locked in a passionate embrace. What may sound incredulously long and difficult to pronounce, are in fact the chemical substances which have the command over the emotions of passion and love in the human body. To find out more about these chemical substances, a trip to an exhibition in Berlin might be worthwhile. Called "The Kiss. Magic and Chemistry: Our Body, Health and Nutrition," the exhibition, which began Thursday, is part of the Germany-wide "Year of Chemistry" and will be moving to Leipzig and Stuttgart later. Visitors to the exhibition can dive into a simulated laboratory of the human body through a multimedia tunnel where they can see and hear the reactions that a kiss can trigger within seconds: the breathing rate quickens, the pulse races, arteries expand, and an improved blood flow stimulates circulation.

Good old lovin' around for ages: According to ethnologists, mankind has been cuddling and making out since ancient times. Even Salomon’s song in the Bible makes a passionate appeal for a kiss: "Come and kiss me! Your love intoxicates me even more than wine." More historical evidence can be found in Roman poet Ovid's detailed description of the correct way to smooch in his "Ars amatoria" (Art of Loving). But though kissing may date back to time immemorial, science has only turned its attention towards it some 30 years ago, when it began analyzing the chemistry of the kiss as a hormonal bombshell in the body. Scientists have discovered that kissing is much like an energy injection, strengthening the immune system and reducing stress. "We now know a lot about hormones and their effects, though we still don’t know all the functions of the brain," Klaus Hartmann, who conceived the exhibition for the German research ministry, said.

Blame it on the chemicals: One thing is clear: it’s not the heart that’s responsible for passion and love, but rather a 100 billion nerve cells and 1000 neurotransmitters. A wildly passionate kiss sends out signals to the brain which trigger the mood-boosting hormone serotonin. As a result, the person feels more relaxed and balanced. The best known love-related chemical phlenylethylamin or PEA as it is called then works much like Cupid’s arrow : it stimulates erotic sensations and contributes to that top-of-the-world feeling. Another euphoria-inducing chemical in the brain is norepinephrine, which stimulates the production of adrenaline and makes your blood pressure soar when you’re near the person you’re attracted to -- yet another explanation for the pounding heart and sweaty palms when meeting the person one fancies.

Sex with an ex

2008-02-08T23:19:00.000-08:00

There you are, sitting alone on a Saturday night, eating stale Doritos and watching reruns of Seinfeld. It wouldn't be so bad, except you have an itch, a sexual itch that is, in need of scratching. You start flipping through your brain's Rolodex and realize that other than the slightly weird person in accounting who flirts with you, there are no real prospects on the horizon. Big-time loser feelings start seeping into your every pore. Panic ensues. Photo: Even Sex and the City's Samantha Jones, played by Kim Cartrall, is leery of hitting the sack with a former lover. Your mind wanders back to the sex you had with your last partner. Instead of remembering all the reasons you broke up, you start fantasizing about his/her soft, warm body up against yours in your nice, cosy bed. Without thinking, you pick up the phone. He/she answers. You try to make some small talk, but it is of no use. You ask him/her to come over for a "drink." Both of you know that's code for "Let's have sex tonight." He/she finally arrives, your legs sore from twitching. In a mad scramble to rip each other's clothes off, there is little or no thought given to consequences. Sex with an ex: Good idea to keep your sexual juices flowing during the transition time, or bad mistake that will keep you messed up longer? As every breakup is different, doing some analysis might save you heartache when your libido takes over your brain. First, know you are not some freak because you want to have sex with the same person you spent days (maybe weeks or even years) getting all bent out of shape over after the breakup. Sex can comfortably numb the I'm-a-big-fat-loser worries, the short-term pain and panic. It is convenient and semi reliable. As well, yours is an established relationship, so all the preamble of getting to know each other and the weirdness of seeing each other naked does not exist. Your ex is (hopefully) clean of any sexually transmitted diseases. Also, you might have gone through a lot together and, on some level, only he/she can understand you. Now let's look at the other side of this equation. Never fool yourself. As much as you want to believe sex is simply sex and nothing more, the act is a ticking bomb of many emotions waiting to go off. To start with, count the time elapsed since your separation. The fresher the breakup, the stronger both your favourable and angry emotions for this person will be. Conversely, the longer your relationship has been over and done with, the better chance those dormant emotions will be jolted back to life. In this confused moment, the need for sex can be a clever cover for a need of an emotional reconnection with another human being. If the sex is good, you may wonder why you broke up in the first place. Due to these confused emotions, it is easy to start playing the come here/go away game, and moving on may take a lot longer than necessary. Next is being OK with the hard core reality of your situation. Before you have sex, are you willing to re-establishing safe sex practices? Or are you in denial that your partner is not messing around behind your back. Are you ready, in the aftermath of sex, when your ex starts exhibiting the traits that had you breaking up in the first place? Know you will most likely feel empty and unfulfilled, because after he/she leaves, you will again be partnerless. What if he/she never calls you back, and shame-faced you realizes you were simply his/her booty call for the evening? And speaking of which, are you mentally prepared for the eventuality of when your ex tells you he/she has moved on to the next partner? If you are all right with all of this, then go ahead, have tons of protected sex with your ex. If not, take a long cold shower when you feel your resolve wearing thin. Do whatever it takes to stop you from calling him/her. One great thing that comes out of having sex with an ex is the valuable lesson learned: Ultimately, satisfying an urge at the sacrifice of self-worth is never worth it -- even if the sex is amazing. Samantha Jones, the infamous character from Sex and the City, put it best: "Sex with an ex can be depressing. If it's good, you can't get it anymore. If it's bad, you just had sex with an ex."

The most beautiful legs in the world ..........Hollywood insured Dietrich’s legs for $1,000.000.

2008-02-08T22:30:00.000-08:00

Besides being the world’s first greatest cabaret super vedette, Mistinguett according to the French had the most beautiful legs in the world. Even, when she died in 1956 at the age of 73, French people were telling each other : « Lorsqu'elle mourut en 1956, à 73 ans, elle fit la une de la plupart des journaux de Paris. - On chuchotait encore qu'elle avait les plus belles jambes du monde. », meaning : even at 73, people were whispering that Mistinguett had the most beautiful legs in the world.” IT WAS SAID THAT THE MOST BEAUTIFUL PAIR OF LEGS BELONG TO MISTINGUET, DEBBIE DECOUDEAUX, BETTY GRABLE, CLAIRE LUCE AND MARLENE DIETRICH.

The same was said about Marlene Dietrich. True, for Hollywood insured Dietrich’s legs for $1,000.000. Another Diva received the same treatment “Betty Grable” also referred to as America’s sweetheart with the most beautiful pair of legs and derriere in the world. Long time before Dietrich and Grable, an American burlesque queen and cabaret star by the name of “Claire Luce” was known as the “ lady with the golden legs”. But Mistinguett was a different specie! She created and started the very first format and prototype of cabaret entertainment in the world.

Photo: Mistinguett at “Le Casino de Paris”, Paris, France

Mistinguett Wardrobe : Price tag of each of Mistinguett’s cabaret show outfit: $35,000 (in today’s money). And she changed outfits, 5 times per show, every single night! Including hats, jewelry, feathers, beads and apparels, a full regalia Mistinguett’s performance dress weighted almost 20 pounds!

Maurice Chevalier once said about Mistinguett: “She had a magical way of moving and looking at you which was the pinnacle of style, grace and feminine beauty. Mistinguett was Paris, she symbolized the joy, the gaiety, the good humor, the exemplary determination, the good heart and tenacity. There have been greater performers, cabaret comediennes, singers and music hall dancers in her times and earlier, but all combined in a single package, there has been only one Mistinguett. The entire shows were built and choreographed around her. She was the whole show by herself.” Jean Gabin was the first actor and showbiz giant to use the word “divine” to describe a female star. And when he invented that word, he bestowed it upon Minstinguett.

Rodin said “She has the most beautiful pair of legs in the world.” Tino Rossi said among many other things: “She is the greatest cabaret artist of all time.” Years before Barbra Streisand, Cher, Liza Minelli, Madonna, Ute Lemper, Edith Piaf, Catherine Sauvage, Barbara Cook, Ella Fitzgerald, Bette Midler, there was the first and truly incomparable queen of cabaret, music-halls and shows and her name was Mistinguett, called by the French the "Queen of the Paris Music Hall." Tino Rossi called her “La Reine du Spectacle” meaning the queen of the show or music hall. Mistinguett reigned over the cabaret kingdom as the first, the authentic, the original and the world’s highest paid diva, entertainer, dancer, singer and queen of showmanship. In the 1920s and 1930s, Mistinguett earned as much as Madonna, Jennifer Lopez and Cher earn today combined!

Photo: Mistinguett in 1925.

Mistinguett was born as Jeanne Bourgeois in the district of Enghien-les-Bains, in France, on April 3, 1875. Many cabaret historians believe that she was born on December 17, 1872 or 1873. Since childhood, Mistinguett was fascinated by the extravagant life of the rich class, the glitzy streets and buildings of Paris, the fame of the Parisian stars, lights and action of Casino de Paris and other fancy Parisian cabarets and boites de nuits. She was dreaming of becoming a star. At 12, he got her first job as flowers basket vendor at the entrance of Casino de Paris. This was the beginning for the little Jeanne Bourgeois. The beginning of getting as close as possible to a cabaret. It was her first step toward her future grand entrance and smashing appearance on the stage of the Parisian casino. Mistinguett, once told a confident: “Every time I sold one red rose, I felt one more light spot focusing on me on the stage of the casino. I had to do something to get in. Anything. Absolutely anything. Showbiz became my life. Well, I can use my legs and savoir-faire…and nobody is going to stop me…” Mistinguett said this at 16! But legs were not enough for Mistinguett. She had to show talent. Perrsistent and almost possessed by the idea of becoming an artist, she convinced her parents to pay for her music lessons, violin private tutoring and dancing lessons as well. Mistinguett excelled in dancing and showmanship training. Her voice was not so great but, her charisma and strong personality were noticed by her teachers who encouraged her to hang around artists, people of the media and other cabaret artists in Paris. And she did! She used to take the train every day from her home in the suburb to Paris to meet with the characters of the night, some writers and troubadours self proclaimed philosopher. Each time she took the train from her parents home in the suburb to Paris, Mistinguett would spend 3 agonizing hours each way. During one her trips to Paris, she met an obscure writer who gave the 16 year old girl, her future stage name “Mistinguette”. Later on, she will drop out the “e’ from her name to become “Mistinguett”. In 1893, she began to perform in small and obscure Parisian cabaret concerts, cafes and boites de nuits. She lacked good voice, dancing talent and stage theatrical talents but, she could move gracefully, tease the audience and act as a frivolous and daring comedienne. So, she started as a “B” comedienne in “B” places. But, she was on her way to stardom, to fame and power!

all about Brooke Burke

2008-02-06T03:35:00.000-08:00

Name: Brooke Burke. Nationality: American. Birth Date: September 8, 1971. Birth Place: Hartford, Connecticut, USA. Occupation: Actress, model. Education: UCLA (majored in Journalism). Relationship: Garth Fisher (plastic surgeon; engaged in 2001). Daughter: Neriah (born in March 2000) Facts: She has guided tours from the Australian outback to the Mayan Riviera, and from the endangered Bamboo forests of Bali to the hyperthyroid nightlife of the world's most exotic party capitals. Quotes: - Wild On is the stuff of fantasy, and it's allowed me a list full of 'once in a lifetimes'. - I've have the greatest job on earth.- I never intended to make the cross-over from modeling to hosting, let alone into acting or writing, but when an incredible opportunity comes along, I'm all for it.

Biography Synopsis: The beautiful and sensuous Brooke Burke is recognized worldwide as the hottest tour guide and adrenaline junkie on E!'s popular travel series, "Wild On," seen in 120 countries and in more than 400 million homes. Having now completed her "Wild On" assignment, Brooke has segued to hosting E!'s popular new pop culture countdown series, "Rank." The show rates everything in entertainment, from Hollywood's sexiest stars to the best date movies and continues to expose Brooke to an adoring audience! During her three-year stint as host of "Wild On," Brooke redefined the term exotic location. She has guided tours from the Australian outback to the Mayan Riviera, and from the endangered Bamboo forests of Bali to the hyperthyroid nightlife of the world's most exotic party capitals. From grasping the fin of a wild shark in Belize to flying a Russian MIG 17 at negative g's, this is the wild child who has done it all. Born with a thirst to explore, Brooke experiences each country as a culture, not as a tourist. She's taken by the people and the environment and absorbs it all. During her extensive travels and ten years of swimwear advertising experience, Brooke has spanned the globe in search of hot, hip, sexy styles for swimwear. Now, her travels have inspired a collection of internationally flavored beachwear called "Barely Brooke," manufactured in Italy. Studio Italia designer Christina Andrade Brenner and Brooke have imaged and developed a look for their collection to mirror the essence and sensuality of Brooke's travels, through Italian quality, image, prestige and sex appeal. Barely Brooke is a mix of hot, simple, earthy looks, combined with island-inspired fabrics to create the best imagery of style from around the world.

all about Alyssa Jayne Milano

2008-02-06T03:31:00.000-08:00

Birth Name: Alyssa Jayne Milano. Birthdate: December 19, 1972. Birthplace: Brooklyn, NY. Occupations: Actor, Musician. Claim to Fame: Rambunctious daughter Samantha Micelli on TV's Who's the Boss? Significant Other (s): Brian Krause, actor; started dating 2001; work on Charmed together. Husband: Cinjun Tate (aka Cinjun Augustus Tate), musician, lead singer of rock band Remy Zero; together since 1998; married New Year's Day 1999; divorced November 1999. Fiancé: Scott Wolf, actor; met June 1992; engaged October 24, 1993; broke up in 1994. Father: Thomas M. Milano, music editor; born in 1947; married Milano's mother in 1968. Mother: Lin Milano, fashion designer, personal manager; born in 1948. Brother: Cory Milano; born in 1982. Education: Bel Air Preparatory School, Los Angeles, California. Factoids: Her first role: Annie on Broadway, She has five tattoos: a fairy on her hip; rosary beads on her back, a sacred heart on her behind, an angel on one ankle and a garland on the other, Has recorded five albums in Japan. Quote: "We're on a much different place than when I was on television. People on series are now given a lot more opportunities, sometimes more than film actors." --Daily News, October 19, 1995. Agent:

Alyssa Milano P.O. Box 3684, Hollywood CA 90078

Biography Synopsis: At home on stage, big and (especially) small screen, Alyssa Milano grew up in the public eye, but when it got just a little too public, she stopped pornographers in their tracks. Milano’s professional acting debut came at the age of eight, when she spent a year on tour with the Broadway hit, Annie (1980). She moved to roles in off-Broadway productions of Jane Eyre, Tender Offer, All Night Long and Warning Signals. It was in 1984 that she made her movie debut, in Old Enough, and her breakthrough television debut, playing Samantha in Who’s The Boss? for an eight-year run. During those years she was cast in the movies Commando (1995), The Canterville Ghost (TV - 1986), Driving School (TV - 1988), Dance ‘Til Dawn (TV - 1988), Speed Zone! (1989), Where The Day Takes You (1992), and Little Sister (1992). During ‘88 and ‘89 she tried her hand at self-titled music and self improvement videos for her teen peers with Alyssa Milano’s Teen Steam and Alyssa Milano: Look In My Heart. The now-veteran actor moved on to steady movie work with 1993's The Webbers, Double Dragon, Conflict of Interest, Confessions of a Sorority Girl (TV), Casualties of Love: The Long Island Lolita Story (TV), Candles In The Dark (TV), and 1994's spooky Embrace Of The Vampire. In 1995 she took on roles in The Surrogate (TV), Poison Ivy II: Lily, and Deadly Sins; and, in 1996, Public Enemies, Jimmy Zip, Fear, Glory Daze, and To Brave Alaska. In 1997, Milano was cast in another career-boosting TV series role as a way cool, sexy trouble-maker in Melrose Place, and continued her film career with Body Count and Hugo Pool. In 1998, it was back to Alaska with the TV drama Goldrush: A Real Life Alaskan Adventure, and then on to the dizzying success of the TV series, Charmed. That program, which follows the adventures of a trio of crime-fighting witch sisters, has the distinction (despite critics decrying “bad dialogue and laughable special effects”) of being the “most-watched Warner Bros. premiere ever.” Meanwhile, off camera, that year Milano successfully sued several Webmasters who had been posting her nude image illegally, and she used the proceeds to launch her own porn-free Internet enterprise. In 1999, Milano married, then divorced (11 months later), singer Cinjin August Tate. On camera, she was cast in Blink -182: The Urethra Chronicles and was, as well, the “star” of several provocative Candie’s fragrance ads, while becoming even more popular as the “wackiest wiccan” on Charmed. Upcoming for the actor in 2000 is the moo-vie, Buying The Cow and at least another season of Charmed. With her stunning beauty and admirable ambition, Milano is sure to enjoy a “charmed” future.

all about ANNA KOURNIKOVA

2008-02-06T03:27:00.000-08:00

Name: Anna Kournikova. Height: 5'.8''. Nationality: Russian. Birth Date: June 7, 1981. Birth Place: Moscow, Russia Occupation: Tennis player. Education: Russian high school (graduated in 1997), Physical Culture Russian University (started in September 1997). Relationship: Pavel Bure. Father: Sergei Kournikov. Mother: Alla Kournikova. Claim to fame: IMG Agents found she was playing in the Kremlin Cup in Moscow at age of 9. Awards: In the Australian Open in 1999 she won her first Grand Slam Title for doubles with her friend Martina Hingis. Agent: Anna Kournikova C/O International Management Group, One Erieview Plaza, Suit 1300, Cleveland, Ohio 44114, USA.

BIOGRAPHY SYNOPSIS: Anna Kournikova was born June 7th 1981 in Moscow. Her parents names are Allah and Sergei. She received her first tennis racquet at 5 years old when her parents sold their tv to buy her for Christmas. She played in a club near her place until age 11. After, she moved to Bradenton, Florida (USA) to train with Nick Bollitierri. At 14, she represented Russia in a Fed cup match and became the youngest player ever to win a fed cup match. She won her first professional title in 1999 at Midland, Michigan, an ITF tournament. She was 5th in Illinois the same year and won her 2nd career ITF tournament. Kournikova made her WTA debut at 15 years old at the US Open where she finally lost against #1 player Steffi Graf. She also made it to the double quarter finals that same tournament. More recently, she won the rookie of the year award in 1996. In 1997, she improved very much to even make it to the semis in Wimbledon. She lost to world number one Martina Hingis at the French Open and at Wimbledon. This year, she made her first career WTA final in Key Biscane against Venus Williams in a tough 3 set match. She also won her first doubles title with Monica Seles in Tokyo. Kournikova is still very young and she seems to have a great future ahead. Her best WTA ranking is 10th reached a few months ago... Kournikova won her first grand slam title this year (1999) with Martina Hingis in doubles at the Australian Open. Since then, they have played regularly together and have rapidly became one of the best pairs actually...Anna finished #1 in doubles for the 1999 season, quite a good performance considering she didn't compete in Wimbledon or in the US Open...Anna now resides in Miami with her mom and is ready to give all she has to enter the top 5. As I am speaking, Anna no longer has a coach and is trained by her mom. Also, in 1999, she made an important move going from IMG to Octogon for her agency. Some speculate that she might had been jealous of all the sponsorship deals Martina Hingis was getting from IMG and she wasn't getting. At Octogon, she is very well treated and her agent there is no one else than the big boss, Phil de Picciotto.

all about ANGELINA JOLIE

2008-02-06T02:22:00.000-08:00

Name: Angelina Jolie. Birth Name: Angelina Jolie Voight. Height: 5.'7". Nationality: American. Birth Date: June 4, 1975. Birth Place: Los Angeles, California, USA. Occupation: Actress, model. Education: Lee Strasberg Theater Institute (enrolled at age 11), New York University (majored in Film; attended night classes, 1997). Husband/Wife: Billy Bob Thornton (actor, director; played together in Pushing Tin; married in Las Vegas on May 5, 2000), Jonny Lee Miller (actor; played together in Hackers; married on March 28, 1996; separated on October 1, 1997; filed for divorce on February 3, 1999). Relationship: Timothy Hutton (actor; dated 1998-1999). Father: John Voight (actor; married on December 12, 1971; separated in 1976; divorced in 1978). Mother: Marcheline Bertrand (former actress; born in 1950). Brother: James Haven Voight (director; born on May 11, 1973). Uncle: Chip Taylor (a.k.a. James Wesley Voight; musician). Son: Maddox (adopted). Agent: C/O William Morris Agency, 151 El Camino Drive, Beverly Hills, CA 90212, USA .

BIOGRAPHY SYNOPSIS: Angelina Jolie was born to actors Jon Voight and Marcheline Bertrand (the couple divorced shortly thereafter) and began her own acting career at age 5 alongside her Oscar-winning father in Lookin’ to Get Out (1980). The talented youngster enrolled in the Lee Strasberg Theater Institute at age 11, and continued her career into her teens with professional modeling and music video shoots. Already well-trained for the stage and screen, she followed up the Strasberg education with film studies at New York University and the Met Theatre Group in Los Angeles. She debuted on stage in Room Service during that time, and was directed by her brother, James Haven, in five student movies. The still teenaged Jolie spent the next few years getting good reviews in good films of various quality. She shone in Cyborg II: Glass Shadows (1993), Hackers (1995), Foxfire (1996), Love Is All There Is (1996), Without Evidence (1995), Mojave Moon (1996), Playing God (1997), George Wallace (TV - 1997 - for a Golden Globe win and an Emmy nomination), True Women (TV - 1997), Playing by Heart (1998 - for a National Board of Review Breakthrough Performance award), and Gia (TV - 1998 - for another Golden Globe, a Golden Satellite, a Screen Actors Guild award, and a second Emmy nomination). That year she married fellow actor, Jonny Lee Miller, and added unpredictability to her growing fame with her reported wedding outfit -- black rubber pants and Miller’s name in blood on the co-ordinating white shirt. The couple divorced a year later. Jolie just recently married Billy Bob Thornton and sports his name on her person in tattoo ink. 1999 brought Pushing Tin (1999), Hell’s Kitchen (1999), The Bone Collector (1999) and the much lauded Girl, Interrupted (1999 - for a Golden Globe, a Screen Actors’ Guild award, a ShoWest award, and the big one: an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress). The Oscar ceremony brought further notoriety to Jolie. Critics sneered at her gothic get-up and her gushing adoration for Haven -- when folks can’t fault your performances, they’ll get you for brotherly love. Upcoming for the actor are the films Dancing In The Dark, Gone In 60 Seconds, Tomb Raider and Along Came A Spider. She will assuredly be busy for quite some time. At age 24, with the entertainment industry’s top awards on her mantel and stellar talent to spare, Jolie is a Hollywood legend in the making.

Major corruption scandal in Turkey

2008-02-06T01:56:00.000-08:00

Turkish police have scrambled to defend its anti-corruption efforts as a court formally charged and jailed 19 police officers for taking bribes at a border crossing. It a scandal that is likely to increase pressure on * Photo: The famous Turkish Bath house - P.R.Naag* Turkey to reduce rampant corruption as a condition for acceptance into the European Union. Corruption has long been woven into Turkish life. But this week's scandal highlighted a deep-rooted problem in the political and economic system in Turkey, which recently opened membership talks in the EU. The scandal, documented by cameras hidden inside heaters at the Kapikule Customs Gate on the Bulgarian border, is an embarrassment to the three-year-old government of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who has sworn to wage a war on corruption. In an effort to distance itself from the suspects, Turkey's police made a vigorous anti-corruption statement on Friday. "We don't look at the job titles of the people committing crimes," police spokesman Ismail Caliskan told reporters in Ankara. Late on Friday, a court in Edirne, the closest city to Kapikule in Thrace, charged and jailed 19 officers for "forming an organised crime ring and taking bribes". Earlier, prosecutors released nine other policemen, implicated in the scandal, pending trial. No trial date was set. The arrests follow those of 44 customs officers on Thursday at the same Kapikule Customs Gate on the border between Turkey and Bulgaria. Truckers trying to cross the border were commonly forced to pay 10 euros to passport control, 10 euros to an inspector, another 10 euros to the stamping agent, and 2.5 euros for a bag from duty free, CNN-Turk private television said, quoting one truck driver who said: "Bribery is the law here."

COULD RESEARCHERS ACCIDENTALLY CREATE A VIRUS THAT WIPES OUT ALL HUMANS?

2008-02-05T02:37:00.000-08:00

The answer to this has to be yes. It sounds rather like the scenario of a B-grade science fiction movie, but researchers around the world for many years have been creating one deadly virus after another in the laboratory. In January, 2001, Australian researchers experimented with viruses in an attempt to develop a way of controlling mice that plague Australian agriculture. They created a genetically modified (GM) mouse-pox virus. However, this "supervirus" was far more powerful and effective than anyone had predicted. The virus killed off 100% of those mice exposed to it that were not immunized against it. It also killed off half of the mice that had been immunized against it. Mice are genetically rather similar to humans. Isn't that a reassuring thought? The researchers reported their results in The Journal of Virology. In 2000, Japanese researchers, while experimenting with the virus that causes AIDS stumbled onto a way to make HIV grow much faster. Making HIV grow faster is not exactly what we want, but we now know how to do it. They reported their results in AIDS Research and Human Retroviruses.-By Steven Juan.

CONSIDERING PLASTIC SURGERY?

2008-02-05T02:34:00.000-08:00

It is not widely known, but plastic surgery seldom, if ever, uses any plastic. In fact, the name actually has no connection at all with synthetic polymers (i.e., plastics). In this sense, "plastic" derives from the Greek word plastikos meaning "to build up or take form." Plastic surgery deals with the appearance, form and surgical reconstruction of body tissues -- not the use of plastic substances to do so. Plastic surgery is also much older than most people think. The ancient Egyptians, the early Greeks, the Hindus of India and physicians for hundreds of years have attempted to change facial characteristics through surgery of various sorts. However, modern techniques did not develop until after the First World War by surgeons attempting to repair the disfigurement of combat. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons was formed in 1931. This marks the beginning of the true profession of plastic surgery. Breakthroughs in plastic surgery have occurred in the past 20 years. It is popularly believed any surgeon can become a plastic surgeon. This is not true. Plastic surgeons require as much or more postgraduate training than does any other surgical specialty. It is also popularly believed that plastic surgery is a frivolous specialty, concerned only with cosmetic facelifts, breast enlargements, tummy tucks and such. This is also not true. More than 60% of all plastic surgery deals with reconstruction to repair serious damage from burns, injuries or congenital abnormalities.

Less than 40% involves cosmetic surgery for reasons of vanity only. Of these, in one year alone (2002) in just the United States, 6.6 million people had cosmetic plastic surgery of one kind or another. Eighty-five per cent of these were women. The top five "cosmetic surgical procedures" for women were: (1) breast augmentation; (2) liposuction; (3) nose reshaping; (4) eyelid surgery; and (5) facelift. The top five "cosmetic surgical procedures" for men were: (1) nose reshaping; (2) liposuction; (3) eyelid surgery; (4) hair transplantation; and (5) ear surgery. Forty-five per cent of those having cosmetic plastic surgery were aged 35 to 50. Twenty-four per cent were aged 19 to 34. Twenty-two per cent were aged 51 to 64. Six per cent were aged 65 and over. Three per cent were aged 18 and younger.

Chocolate may cut heart disease

2008-02-05T02:26:00.000-08:00

Researchers have produced more evidence that dark chocolate may help to reduce the risk of serious heart disease. They found eating a few squares a day may stave off artery narrowing and hardening in smokers by countering the disruption caused by their habit. Smoking compromises the activity of both endothelial cells, which line the artery walls, and platelets, which are involved in blood clot formation. The research, by University Hospital, Zurich, is published in Heart. The researchers compared the effects of dark (74% cocoa solids) and white chocolate on the smoothness of blood flow in the arteries of 20 male smokers. Before eating 40g of chocolate, smokers were asked to abstain from other foods rich in beneficial antioxidants, such as onions, apples, cabbage, and cocoa products for 24 hours. After two hours, ultrasound scans revealed that dark chocolate significantly improved the smoothness of arterial flow - an effect which lasted for eight hours. Blood sample analysis also showed that dark chocolate almost halved platelet activity. Antioxidant levels rose sharply after two hours. White chocolate had no effect on endothelial cells, platelets, or antioxidant levels. The researchers are convinced that the key is the high antioxidant content of dark chocolate, which contains more per gram than other food and drink laden with the substances, such red wine, green tea, and berry fruits. Research published last year by the University of California found antioxidant-rich flavonoids in chocolate helped the blood vessels expand.
Photo: The health claims of chocolate are not accepted by all.

Warning: Dr Charmaine Griffiths, of the British Heart Foundation, said: "There is some evidence that when eaten in small quantities, dark chocolate might have some beneficial effects on blood vessels, but as yet no study has investigated the long-terms clinical effects - and this new, small study from Switzerland, does not change that. "The key thing to remember about such studies is that chocolate is a bigger part of the problem than the solution. "Whilst dark chocolate is higher in anti-oxidants, all forms of chocolate are very high in calories (typically about 500 calories per 100g) and contain an average 30% total fat. "We are certainly not suggesting people never eat chocolate - everyone can enjoy a treat from time to time. "But there are much better ways of improving your heart health, such as eating a varied diet, including at least five portions of fruit and vegetables a day. "And whatever they eat, the biggest step the smokers in this study could make to reduce their risk of heart disease would be to give up."

Emma Lazarus, a nineteenth century American poet

2008-02-05T01:40:00.000-08:00

Emma Lazarus, a nineteenth century American poet, world famous for her sonnet, "The New Colossus," whose words, "Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free..." which are inscribed on the pedestal of the Statue of Liberty.

On the international political arena

2008-02-05T01:32:00.000-08:00

Former South African President Nelson Mandela has topped a BBC poll to find the person most people would like to lead a fantasy world government. The second choice was former US President Bill Clinton. President George W Bush was placed 43, ranking below two of his fiercest adversaries on the world stage, Fidel Castro - 36th - and Hugo Chavez, 33rd.

1 - Nelson Mandela
2 - Bill Clinton
3 - Dalai Lama
4 - Noam Chomsky
5 - Alan Greenspan
6 - Bill Gates
7 - Steve Jobs
8 - Archbishop Desmond Tutu
9 - Richard Branson
10 - George Soros
11 - Kofi Annan

More than 15,000 people worldwide took part in the interactive Power Play game, in which players were invited to choose a team of 11 to run the world from a list of around 100 of the most powerful leaders, thinkers and other high-profile people on the planet. The second choice was former US President Bill Clinton. The winning 11 were exclusively male, with Burmese opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi the highest-ranking woman at 13th. Hillary Clinton was the next most popular woman at 16th. Entrepreneurs feature prominently in the selection. Microsoft head Bill Gates, Apple chief Steve Jobs, and Virgin boss Richard Branson all made the final 11, as did stock market billionaire and philanthropist George Soros. Players also placed emphasis on the need for financial probity - US Federal Reserve boss Alan Greenspan made the list at number five. And two religious leaders, both associated with challenges to dominant authority, found a place in the winning line-up - the Dalai Lama in third and Archbishop Desmond Tutu in eighth. Pope Benedict XVI came 28th. Politicians miss out: Perhaps the biggest surprise was the success of the American linguist and political activist Noam Chomsky, who came fourth. Another outspoken American, Michael Moore, was 15th. Other placings included Osama bin Laden, at 70th, and Harry Potter author JK Rowling, who was 49th. Serving politicians were generally absent from the winning list. British Prime Minister Tony Blair narrowly missed out, coming 12th. US President George W Bush was placed 43, ranking below two of his fiercest adversaries on the world stage, Fidel Castro - 36th - and Hugo Chavez, 33rd. And UN General-Secretary Kofi Annan just made the fantasy world elite in 11th place. A range of sports and entertainment celebrities were on offer, but few ended up in the higher placings. U2 frontman Bono came in at 14th, while Pele was the highest scoring sportsman at 25th. Footballer David Beckham limped in at number 72, with Kylie Minogue five places below him. Jennifer Lopez was almost at rock bottom in 92nd place. The game - modelled on the hugely popular Fantasy Football - was run as part of the BBC's Who Runs Your World season, which explores where power lies in the 21st century. More than half of votes came from users in the United States. Users were required to pick at least one each from a select list of leaders, thinkers and economists, and had a free choice of any other eight, including the option of selecting "wild cards" from areas such as sport, politics, arts and design.

Dr. Ilil Arbel, "THE LEMON TREE"

2008-02-05T01:26:00.000-08:00

Photo: Author, Ilil Arbel.

A New Yorker new personality who made headlines this year is Dr. Ilil Arbel, thanks to her book "THE LEMON TREE" which was selected by the London Monthly Herald as the best short novel of the year. Unquestionably, Arbel is one of the most inspiring and accomplished writers of our time. Several articles were written about her book in national and international newspapers and magazines, to name a few "The Jewish Post", "The International Herald Daily News", "The World Jewish News Agency", "The International News Agency", "La Femme Magazine"

MOST WRITTEN ABOUT & ALMOST FORGOTTEN

2008-02-05T01:06:00.000-08:00

In politics, the most written about are:
President George Bush,
Ousama Bin Laden,
Prime Minister Tony Blair,

Condoleezza Rice and
Mahmood Abbas.
More than 750,000 articles were written about President Bush and almost 749,000 about Bin Laden in 175 countries.

Almost forgotten are:
Benito Mussolini, former US Vice President
Dan Quayle, Emperor Haile Selassie and
The Shah of Iran.

The naked body of Paris Hilton

2008-02-05T01:00:00.000-08:00

This is what, this year, people looked at, read most about, remembered, cared less and completely forgot about...

If you want to know more about the character of a man, watch him playing cards, driving a car, treating an animal, eating out, tipping and observe what he notices first about a woman he just met. If you want to learn more about the occupants of a house, look at their backyard first. If you want to learn more about a nation, count how many public libraries, museums, schools, places of worship, animal shelters, literature and music centers, this or that nation has. If you want to learn more about the social values of a society, count how many couples divorce a year, how many domestic violence lawsuits are filed in each county, how many children and grown ups still revere their parents, teachers and the elderly. And finally, if you want to know more about the civilization and culture of a nation, find out what citizens of that nation read, search for, learn about, and value most. In other words, you got to know about the "most and less" important stuff they look at and or search for. Thanks to the Internet, your task becomes easy, because your computer set allows you to easily find out what people today visit most, read about and click on. And here is what I found about the preferences, priorities, choices, "the most and less" important "stuff" of people of our civilized world...quite revealing and chocking. Judge for yourself.

MOST LOOKED AT: JANET JACKSON AND PARIS HILTON PHOTOS

The naked body of Paris Hilton. More than 7 millions clicked on this photo. In other words, it is 3 times the number of faithful Christian pilgrims who visited the Holy land in 2004 and 2005.

Note: request for bigger size photo email to 334snd@gmail.com

Consideration given to Janet's left breast

2008-02-05T00:47:00.000-08:00

Photo: Janet Jackson in a non-accidental wardrobe dysfunctional operation...
"While we appreciate the fair consideration given to Janet's left breast, I do not know at this time whether it will appear or not. That is something Janet's left breast must decide for itself. Right now it is leaning towards staying home as a show of support." There was some speculation in the media as to whether the possible lone appearance of Janet's left breast was indicative of other problems and may eventually result in a permanent split." No, there are no plans at this time for any kind of solo album if that's what you're asking," Huvane said. "Please understand it would be inappropriate for me to comment on any personal issues between Janet, her right breast and her left breast. Questions about a possible relationship between Janet's offending right breast and singer Justin Timberlake also went unanswered by both parties. Timberlake's spokespeople also had very little to say on this matter. "This is a difficult situation between the parties and we ask that you respect their privacy. All we can say is they are spending a lot of time together and are very happy."

NOTE: For full size Uncensored version of the above photo write to 334snd@gmail.com with this reference no "JJNF-023/0708".

JANET'S OTHER BREAST ALLOWED

2008-02-05T00:44:00.000-08:00

TO PERFORM AT GRAMMY'S
Singer Janet Jackson's "other" breast has been given permission to attend the Grammy Awards ceremony Sunday, her publicist said. The pop star's left breast was given the greenlight to attend and present an award when it became clear it had no participation or prior knowledge of the R-rated incident involving Janet and her right breast at last week's Super Bowl. "Her left breast has been vindicated and is considering whether or not it will go to the event or stay at home," publicist Steven Huvane told reporters. Photo: Janet Jackson in a CD promo "séance".

The breast of Janet Jackson

2008-02-05T00:32:00.000-08:00

Janet Jackson stunt most replayed moment ever!

Photo: The famous and infamous Janet Jackson's breast photo which was seen on TV by approximately 129 million Americans and clicked on by 435 millions worldwide, making it the most famous stunt ever displayed and replayed in history.

According to CNN, when Justin Timberlake tore at Janet Jackson's leather outfit during Sunday's Super Bowl half-time show, TiVo users took notice. Then they took notice again and again, using the digital video recorder to replay the event and to pause at the crucial moment in order to discern just what it was that Jackson had revealed to millions of Americans. TiVo said that particular halftime stunt was the most replayed moment not only of the Super Bowl but of all TV moments that the young company has ever measured. TiVo said it used its technology to measure audience behavior among 20,000 users during the Super Bowl. The exercise revealed a 180 percent spike in viewership at the time of the -- as Timberlake refers to it -- "wardrobe malfunction." One notable TiVo user apparently unimpressed with the performance of Timberlake and Jackson was FCC chairman Michael Powell, who launched an investigation into the bare-breasted matter. Powell is so taken with TiVo that he once referred to it as "God's machine." This marks the third year that TiVo has released details of its second-by-second review of how Super Bowl viewers used their TiVo units. Not only did users pause and replay the infamous portion of the halftime show more than any moment during the game, but they also did the same for some commercials. TiVo's top two commercials, based on user behavior, are both from Bud Light: a romantic sleigh ride interrupted by a flatulent horse and a sharp-toothed dog demonstrating his unusual way of scoring a beer for his master.

Americans choose their greatest Americans

2008-02-05T00:23:00.000-08:00

Former US President Ronald Reagan has been voted the "greatest American" of all time by his fellow citizens. President Reagan, who died last year aged 93, topped a list of 10 contenders, which featured six former presidents. He edged out Abraham Lincoln, who abolished slavery, and civil rights leader Martin Luther King. Some of the most notable names of US history such as Albert Einstein and Neil Armstrong, the first man to walk on the Moon, did not make the top 10. Talk show host Oprah Winfrey is the highest ranked female contender at ninth place, making her the greatest American woman. George Washington, the first US president who is considered the father of the nation, comes in at fourth place. Current US President George W Bush and his predecessor Bill Clinton, whose presidency was tarnished by the Monica Lewinski sex scandal, are both in the top 10. More than 2.4 million Americans cast their vote by phone, text or e-mail in the poll, organised by the Discovery Channel and AOL. Some observers suggest the image of Mr Reagan, who was criticised as an intellectual lightweight during his presidency, has been enhanced following his death as millions of Americans cast a rose-tinted look back at his presidency. His two terms in office (1981-1989) coincided with a period of economic prosperity, the crumbling of the Soviet bloc and a renewed sense of pride among Americans still reeling from the Vietnam War.

Who's Rip Off Today Then?

2008-02-02T22:12:00.000-08:00

Sarah Ferguson has topped the fastest movers list for the past hour. That's what going on holiday with the Queen and being sprayed in the face with a bottle of champagne does for you. Eagle-eyed traders have pounced on SARFER stock - she got 2170 column inches on Saturday. Seven celebs got more press coverage than she did, but at 1.80 with a potential dividend of 2.33 her yield is already over 100 per cent and her price has shot up by nearly 47 per cent in the last 24 hours. Tom Hanks is another fastest mover - that'll be the herd of nuns chasing him. He's notched up a few controversial inches surrounding his new film based on the Da Vinci Code. Certain religious groups are literally having 'nun' of it. Tom costs 2.85 and as yet has no potential dividend, but once today's inches are inputted that should all change. Simon Cowell is another fastest mover. His price has gone up 35.93 per cent in the last 24 hours leaving him a bit pricey at 9.24. He may be fairly quiet all year round, but put a tone deaf dork with a funky dance routine in front of him and he becomes a lean, mean, column-inch-generating-machine. The X Factor starts on Saturday and we can't wait (for the inches). One to avoid today is Prince Harry. He costs an absolute fortune at 1228.73 with a potential dividend of 1.29. Who on earth is buying him? And do you want to buy this piece of old rope we're selling, it's a bargain, honest.

SIENNA MILLER VOTED THE MOST

2008-02-02T11:04:00.001-08:00

SIENNA MILLER VOTED THE MOST INSPIRATIONAL CELEBRITY OF THE YEAR

Photo: Sienna Miller.

Sienna Miller has been voted the most inspirational celebrity of 2005 in a survey of teenage girls. The actress earned the accolade after a year which saw her cope with betrayal by boyfriend Jude Law, who was caught cheating with his children's nanny. She hid her heartbreak to continue with her stage role in West End play As You Like It. And the 23-year-old Alfie star got her own back on Law by flirting with her ex Orlando Bloom and reportedly having a fling with 007 actor Daniel Craig. The survey was carried out by a UK teen magazine. One reader said: "Sienna handled the Jude thing so well and she kept appearing on stage while her private life was all over the papers." Singer Gwen Stefani was second, followed by Kerry Katona. Fourth was Kylie, who is currently battling breast cancer. Others in the top 10 included Charlotte Church, Jessica Simpson and Paris Hilton. Last year's winner Jennifer Lopez did not figure in this year's list.

OZZY: FAVORITE GUEST

2008-02-02T11:00:00.000-08:00

Photo: Twenty-two per cent of voters in Birmingham would like Ozzy round for Christmas dinner.

Sharon and Ozzy Osbourne are apparently the celebrities most people would like to join them for Christmas dinner. A survey was conducted in Ozzy's home town of Birmingham where he received 22 per cent of the vote while his wife was the choice of 29 per cent questioned. David Beckham was the second most popular choice of male guest with 21 per cent of the vote. He was closely followed by King of Pop Robbie Williams. Unfortunately for Becks, his wife Victoria only made it into the poll for the least popular woman to be invited round for Christmas dinner. The poll of 500 people in the Pavilions Shopping Centre found that the least-wanted Christmas gift was socks. The survey also uncovered that more women would like to receive jewellery (22 per cent) than sexy underwear (17 per cent).

Queen Elizabeth failed to welcome Camilla

2008-02-02T10:52:00.000-08:00

London's insiders and the Sun reported that Queen Elizabeth failed to welcome Camilla into her family yesterday — by NOT mentioning Prince Charles’ wedding in her TV speech. The sombre broadcast was a huge contrast to her message after Charles married Princess Diana in 1981 — when she said the ceremony had made it a “special” year. It was a major setback for the Duchess of Cornwall as she spent her first Christmas Day with the Royals at Sandringham. The Queen — who chose not to go to Charles’ register office wedding — used her address to concentrate on global disasters and the terrorist attacks in London. A senior Palace source said: “The Queen’s decision to reflect on 2005 without once mentioning her son’s wedding day was extraordinary.

Photo: Happy Camilla walking to the church to celebrate Christmas.

She had a golden opportunity to welcome Camilla into the family, yet she chose to snub her new daughter-in-law. “Most mothers would consider the marriage of their eldest son as a highlight of the year, but not in this family.” After Charles wed Diana the Queen started her Christmas speech by talking of her joy at the wedding. In 1986 she described Prince Andrew’s wedding to Sarah Ferguson as a “happy day”. And in 1973, the Queen said she was “glad” that the Princess Royal had wed Captain Mark Phillips. Only the Queen’s youngest son Prince Edward failed to get a mention after marrying Sophie Rhys-Jones in 1999. But Charles is heir to the throne, so leaving him out is a much greater snub. The source added: “The Queen was criticised for not attending Charles’ wedding ceremony. Now that has been confounded by the Christmas speech, Her Majesty’s feelings about the wedding have been made loud and clear.”

Most Searched on the Internet

2008-02-02T10:47:00.000-08:00

Janet Jackson: Most Searched on the Internet

Photo: Janet Jackson.

In a year of devastating natural disasters and terrorist attacks, Janet Jackson was the most popular search on Google. Even though her infamous wardrobe malfunction happened in February 2004 and her brother Michael beat child molestation charges, Janet managed to surpass hurricane Katrina, the tsunami and the launch of Microsoft's new Xbox 360 as the most popular search of the year. The 39-year-old made the news in 2005 with tabloid rumours that she secretly had a daughter about 18 years ago _ a claim she denied. And she surely racked up her Google hits when paparazzi video of her sunbathing naked appeared online. The information Canadians sought online varied month to month but the keywords that made the list repeatedly offer an interesting insight into Internet use in the country. While search results in Canada were only available through the first half of the year, the most popular queries suggest kids may be doing the most Googling in the country. Ask an adult what Inuyasha is and you might get a puzzled look. But the Japanese anime cartoon was the most popular search in February, March and April and the third most popular search in January and June. Inuyasha is a half-human, half-demon character searching for a jewel that would give him tremendous power. He and the female protagonist, Kagome Higurashi, are characters in the popular cartoon that first aired overseas from 2000 to 2004 and was brought to North America to great success.

Paris Hilton receives death threats : Gossip Unlimited

2008-02-02T06:59:00.000-08:00

Paris Hilton & her sister Nicky Hilton on the beach of Hawaii.

Paris Hilton feared for her life after allegedly receiving death threats last year, a Los Angeles court heard last Tuesday. The threats was linked to her ex-boyfriend: softcore porn producer Joe Francis. Francis gave evidence in Los Angeles Superior Court during a preliminary hearing against suspect Darnell Riley, who stands accused of kidnapping and attempted-extortion. Francis claims he found Riley trespassing in his Bel Air, California home on January 22, 2004, and was forced to perform demeaning sex acts on himself, which were videotaped, at gunpoint. Riley also allegedly demanded $1,000 and Francis' Rolex watch, before saying: "I need $100,000 cash, or you're going to die." The case spent most of last year unsolved until Hilton gave police vital information that led to the arrest of Riley, claiming she'd heard Riley's name mentioned in relation to Francis' attack on the Hollywood party scene. Francis testified yesterday that his ex-girlfriend Hilton had spoken to him about Riley at a party in late 2004: "Paris pulled me aside at a party and said, 'I'm being extorted by Darnell Riley for $20,000 a month and he's threatened to kill me if I don't pay."