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tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25162591574891461142018-05-28T22:47:27.534-07:00SMASHING NEWSceleb news, celeb gossip, celebrity gossip, celebrity news, celebrities, celebrity, celebritys, hottest, juicy, celebrity fashion, gossip, news, film, movie, famous, celebrity style, hollywood style, daily horoscope, win free stuff, free firstname.lastname@example.com://feedburner.google.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2516259157489146114.post-35941958163269737242009-01-14T01:51:00.000-08:002009-01-14T01:55:34.225-08:00Who can toss their hair highest? Kelly Brook and Amanda Holden battle it out to be Britain's Got Talent's most glamorous judge
You could be forgiven for thinking they are in a competition, rather than judging one.

Kelly Brook and Amanda Holden had the hairdryers out and the high heels on this week - even though it was just a rehearsal for their show, Britain's Got Talent.

The pair, both judges on the ITV programme, seem to be vying for the title of prettiest on the panel.

Miss Holden, 37, wore a very short skirt by an Australian designer, Yeojin Bae, and a pair of skyscraper heels designed by singer Jessica Simpson.

Miss Brook chose a slashed black frock - and had given herself a full head of curls.

There has already been talk of rivalry between the pair, though model and presenter Miss Brook, 29, only joined the show on Monday.

Simon Cowell

Fresh from Barbados: Simon Cowell is back in England after a month in the Caribbean

'The rehearsals looked as if they had turned into a fashion show,' an onlooker said.

'Both Kelly and Amanda looked perfectly groomed. There was not a hair out of place.'

Miss Brook was brought in by judge Simon Cowell to sit alongside him, Piers Morgan and Miss Holden.

Her appointment is bound to draw comparisons to when Cowell signed Cheryl Cole as the fourth judge on the
X Factor.

Much was made of possible jealousy between the Girls Aloud singer, 25, and older judge Dannii Minogue, 37.

Miss Brook signed her contract late on Monday night just hours before she started filming.

ITV producers flew the brunette to Manchester on Tuesday morning to start work on the set, her agent confirmed.

A source told MailOnline former Strictly Come Dancing star Brook was 'excited' about her newest venture.

The model-turned-actress is no stranger to television - she's previously presented The Big Breakfast, Celebrity Love Island and, more recently, Dirty Dancing: The Time Of Your Life on Living TV.

Miss Holden also arrived in Manchester on Tuesday after returning from her honeymoon in the Maldives with Chris Hughes, who she married on December 10 at Babington house in Somerset.

The third series of Britain's Got Talent is due to air from May.

The winner will take home a £100,000 prize and the chance to perform at the Royal Variety Performance.

firstname.lastname@example.com://smashing-news.blogspot.com/2009/01/who-can-toss-their-hair-highest-kelly.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2516259157489146114.post-37283694517622031632009-01-14T01:43:00.000-08:002009-01-14T01:46:11.940-08:00
Britney Spears' latest CD "Circus" is the No. 1 album after selling half a million copies last week, according to the AP:

The singer's comeback CD — actually, make that her second comeback CD — will top the album charts next week, according to her label, Jive. Though Nielsen SoundScan does not release its official figures until Wednesday, estimates have the record selling as many as 500,000 copies in its first week of release. "This is going to reinforce her icon status," said Barry Weiss, chairman and CEO of the BMG Label Group, which includes Spears' label. "It's not just a No. 1 album."

Britney's handlers already have a two-month tour planned starting in March, but is she ready? Sources for OK! Magazine say "Are you shitting me?":

"It is too much for her," an insider tells OK! of the star. "They packed her schedule too tight and now they're trying to find free time."
"She has the talent and the musical chops top pull it off, emotionally speaking, it's a little too soon," psychotherapist Dr. Jenn Berman, who does not treat Britney, tells OK!. "I don't think Britney will hit rock bottom, but it does leave her vulnerable to stress and burnout."

We're going to hear the "Is Britney ready to tour?" narrative ad nauseum until the thing launches in March, so let me just answer it definitively once and for all: HELL FUCKING NO. Unless, of course, the point of the tour is to make Britney think she's Mary Poppins again then be found days later using her children as boxing gloves in an underground cock fight. In which case, okay, yeah, start the bus.
email@example.com://smashing-news.blogspot.com/2009/01/britney-spears-latest-cd-circus-is-no_14.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2516259157489146114.post-77287852719412473222008-12-10T11:46:00.000-08:002008-12-10T11:48:40.057-08:00Britney Spears' CD hits No. 1
Britney Spears' latest CD "Circus" is the No. 1 album after selling half a million copies last week, according to the AP:

 The singer's comeback CD — actually, make that her second comeback CD — will top the album charts next week, according to her label, Jive. Though Nielsen SoundScan does not release its official figures until Wednesday, estimates have the record selling as many as 500,000 copies in its first week of release. "This is going to reinforce her icon status," said Barry Weiss, chairman and CEO of the BMG Label Group, which includes Spears' label. "It's not just a No. 1 album."

Britney's handlers already have a two-month tour planned starting in March, but is she ready? Sources for OK! Magazine say "Are you shitting me?":

 "It is too much for her," an insider tells OK! of the star. "They packed her schedule too tight and now they're trying to find free time."
 "She has the talent and the musical chops top pull it off, emotionally speaking, it's a little too soon," psychotherapist Dr. Jenn Berman, who does not treat Britney, tells OK!. "I don't think Britney will hit rock bottom, but it does leave her vulnerable to stress and burnout."

We're going to hear the "Is Britney ready to tour?" narrative ad nauseum until the thing launches in March, so let me just answer it definitively once and for all: HELL FUCKING NO. Unless, of course, the point of the tour is to make Britney think she's Mary Poppins again then be found days later using her children as boxing gloves in an underground cock fight. In which case, okay, yeah, start the bus.firstname.lastname@example.com://smashing-news.blogspot.com/2008/12/britney-spears-cd-hits-no-1.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2516259157489146114.post-58131026127378301672008-12-07T12:16:00.000-08:002008-12-07T12:21:22.297-08:00Pamela Anderson arrives at prestigious art show wearing just her underwearClassy and elegant are not words you would typically use to describe Pamela Anderson - but surely she would know that at a prestigious art show, underwear is inappropriate attire.

The former Baywatch star caused a stir when she arrived at one of the most important art exhibitions in the U.S., Art Basel Miami Beach, wearing a pair of orange and black patterned underpants.

Known for wearing as little as possible, Anderson at least covered the top half of her modesty, with a grey off-the-shoulder t-shirt.

Anderson enjoyed playing up to the cameras as she seductively bent over paintings, with her bottom and pink high heels in the air.

But when it came to accessories, the 41-year-old was in keeping with the art theme, as she held a Campbell's Soup handbag clutch - a hint to the work of art produced by Andy Warhol in the 1960s.

Anderson was joined by Paris Hilton at the annual week-long art fair to view the work of fashion photographer and film director David LaChapelle.

LaChapelle's exhibition 'Jesus Is My Homeboy' featured a series of surreal and sometimes humorous images of models posing with Jesus.

The American artist, with his characteristic boyish cap tilted to the side, was yesterday eager to show the bare-legged Anderson around Art Basel at the Miami Beach Convention Center.

During the tour, the ex-Playboy covergirl reached out to hug a photograph of herself.

Anderson recently signed a six-figure deal to be the new face of British designer Vivienne Westwood and will front her spring/ summer outfits campaign next year.

She met the designer at a party last year, and it is believed Westwood loves her 'quirkiness'.

Art Basel is an exclusive selection of more than 250 leading art galleries from North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia and Africa.
email@example.com://smashing-news.blogspot.com/2008/12/pamela-anderson-arrives-at-prestigious.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2516259157489146114.post-73295828581549246032008-11-11T13:42:00.000-08:002008-11-11T13:52:15.066-08:00EXCLUSIVE: 'What Angelina did was very uncool,' says Jennifer Aniston as she slams love rival in new interviewFor years, Jennifer Aniston has maintained a dignified silence about the woman who famously stole her husband.

Now she has decided to share with the world her utter contempt for Angelina Jolie.

In the forthcoming issue of U.S. Vogue, Miss Aniston, 39, gives a searing condemnation of her notorious nemesis.

In an outburst that will lift the lid on their four-year feud, Miss Aniston icily told the publication: 'What Angelina did was very uncool'.

The brief yet explosive comment marks the first occasion that the former Friends star has spoken out publicly about her love rival.

It comes just a fortnight after Miss Jolie, 33, revealed that she and Pitt had 'fell in love' during the making of Mr and Mrs Smith in 2004, despite previously claiming their romance only started after filming.

A source said: 'This interview shows that Jennifer is no longer afraid of Angelina,' adding: 'It's hugely significant.'

In the magazine's December issue, Miss Aniston is said by industry insiders to have given her most candid interview yet, offering countless details about her new Beverly Hills estate, her unusual relationship with her parents, and intimate secrets about her romantic life.
Enlarge Star of the film Brad Pitt and his wife Jennifer Aniston arrive for the premiere of Troy, at the Palais de Festival during the 57th Cannes Film Festival in France. Thursday 13 May 2004

'She's never been this honest or brave in an interview before,' said the source, who has seen the completed, lengthy package, due on sale in the U.S. in a few days.

The source added: 'This certainly raises the bar on celebrity profiles. Jennifer opens up about her sex life, her career, and her feelings about life after her divorce.

'She must have had a lot on her mind, because she lets go on everything.'

MailOnline has learned that Miss Aniston's new Vogue appearance features the actress posing in erotic designer swimsuits and bearing her toned body on the sun-kissed beaches of Malibu.

'This thoroughly re-establishes her credibility as a sex symbol,' the source went on, adding: 'Her body has never looked tighter or more fit.'

But her thoughts on Miss Jolie, who famously started a family with Pitt, will indubitably attract the most attention.

The cover prominently blares: 'What Angelina did was very uncool', which appears to be a direct jab at Miss Jolie's 2007 interview with the same magazine.

During that interview, Miss Jolie condescendingly offered to meet with Miss Aniston to hash things out and resolve their feud.

'If she wanted to [meet] then I would be open to it,' she famously told the publication.

Meanwhile Miss Jolie, currently promoting a new film, revealed yesterday that she and Pitt plan to have more children together.

Speaking in Hollywood alongside Dustin Hoffman, she told reporters: 'I have a great partner. He's the best daddy and we have fun, so whenever it gets hard we can just look at each other and find a way to laugh about and just appreciate that they're only little once, and we should enjoy every minute.

On adding to their brood, she said: 'Anything could happen. We're open to anything, we love kids and we're having a great time. It's chaos in our house but it's so much fun. We'll definitely have more.'
firstname.lastname@example.com://smashing-news.blogspot.com/2008/11/exclusive-what-angelina-did-was-very.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2516259157489146114.post-57238441661200223232008-11-11T13:27:00.000-08:002008-11-11T13:47:28.694-08:00Amy Winehouse shows off a curly-haired new look as she ditches her matted beehiveAmy Winehouse has become world-famous for her musical talent and her infamous beehive.

But as a fresh-faced Amy opened her door to snappers, she revealed a head of lush, glossy curls, showing for the first time in many years just how the singer looks without her trademark matted beehive.

Amy unveiled the glossy, curly locks, as she came to the door of her north London home.

But later a coy Amy stuck on her headscarf as she stepped out with friend 'good Blake'. Amy was seen leaving her north London home with the American photographer Blake Wood.

She then met up with a few friends to go for a drink in a local pub.

Looking more filled out than before, and showing off a pretty rounded stomach, Amy came to her door to in a string vest, under which she wore a nude coloured bra, and bizarrely offered the waiting snappers slices of cheese on toast.

But aside from her healthier-looking appearance, it was her glossy curls which caught the eye, as she looked even more like her mother Janice with her new mumsy look.

She happily posed for pictures and showed photographers her hospital tags when she opened the door of her north London home to ask a photographer to use their mobile.

She then went back into her home with the phone and returned a short while after with the phone in hand and slices of cheese on toast for the photographers.

Amy then chatted to photographers updating photographers on her recent movements revealing she was getting medical treatment for the rash which could be seen on her stomach.

Later on Amy went to a pub in Kentish Town, where she met a few friends including DJ and TV presenter Nick Grimshaw.

After enjoying a few afternoon shots a smiling Amy headed for home.

The singer's appearance in public comes the day after husband Blake Fielder-Civil denied claims he has been dumped by the singer.

Blake, 26, boasted that the pair are still very much in love and that he is expecting a visit from Amy 'at any time now.'

He declared: 'We will be together for the rest of our lives.'

But as he made his comments, Amy's mother Janis has said that she is praying that Blake stays away from her daughter.
Janis, 53, told Closer magazine that Amy was devastated that he didn't tell her he was getting out of prison before his release into rehab last Wednesday.

She said: 'What sort of husband doesn't tell his wife that he's being released? That says it all really, doesn't it?'

Blake has been staying at a rehab clinic in Woking, Surrey, since he was released from prison last Wednesday.

He was locked up for a year for his part in a vicious assault on a pub landlord.

 He allegedly asked Amy to pay the £30,000 fee for his treatment, but she refused.

Amy has not yet visited her freed husband, sparking rumours of a rift between the couple.

She is said to be livid that she did not know her husband was leaving Edmunds Hill jail in East Anglia for a seven-week course to cure his heroin and crack cocaine addiction.email@example.com://smashing-news.blogspot.com/2008/11/amy-winehouse-shows-off-curly-haired.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2516259157489146114.post-58521349708707593542008-11-10T13:10:00.000-08:002008-11-10T13:17:03.775-08:00'We'll be together forever,' declares Amy Winehouse's husband from rehab (but she STILL hasn't visited him)Amy Winehouse's husband has denied claims he has been dumped by the singer.

Blake Fielder-Civil, 26, defiantly boasted that the pair are still very much in love and that he is expecting a visit from Amy 'at any time now.'

He declared: 'We will be together for the rest of our lives.'

Blake has been staying at a rehab clinic in Woking, Surrey, since he was released from prison last Wednesday.

He was locked up for a year for his part in a vicious assault on a pub landlord.

But Amy has not yet visited her freed husband, sparking rumours of a rift between the couple.

Amy is said to be livid that she did not know her husband was leaving Edmunds Hill jail in East Anglia for a seven-week course to cure his heroin and crack cocaine addiction.

But Blake denied their relationship was in any doubt.

He said: 'We are not breaking up. She hasn't dumped me.

'We both love each other very much and will be together forever.'

He also hit back at Amy's father Mitch who said the couple had not spoken to each other in months.

Mitch is said to be spearheading talks with lawyers in an effort to guard the star's £10million fortune from her husband.

Huddling from the rain in a red and white T-shirt and smoking a cigarette at the £4,000- a-week centre, he said: 'We have spoken on the phone and I'm expecting a visit from her at any time now.

'We can't wait to be back together again.'

Blake was released from prison looking pale and with his arms covered in red scars.

He has fought a long battle with drug addiction and was not due to be set free until next month - but was released after agreeing to attend rehab.

And despite only being there for less than a week, Fielder-Civil insists he was now free from his drug shackles.

He said: 'I'm over the worst of it. I won't be going back to that lifestyle.

'After being in prison the only drug I need is the smell of free air - that and my beautiful wife Amy.'

Fielder-Civil was sentenced to 27 months in prison in July after assaulting barman James King, 36, outside a pub in East London and plotting to bribe him with £200,000 not to testify.

He had already spent nine months in custody after his arrest in November last year.

It is believed Fielder-Civil will be assessed at the rehab clinic for several weeks before being released.firstname.lastname@example.com://smashing-news.blogspot.com/2008/11/well-be-together-forever-declares-amy.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2516259157489146114.post-57706393033624220492008-11-10T13:05:00.000-08:002008-11-10T13:10:12.968-08:00Panic as Britney Spears rushes her toddler son to hospital following 'seizure'Britney Spears rushed her two-year-old son to hospital after he suffered a suspected seizure during a family trip to her hometown.

Jayden James was raced to the emergency ward after lapsing into a 'vague and unresponsive' state.

The toddler fell ill yesterday afternoon at the family home in Kentwood, Louisiana.

The entire Spears clan made the 25-mile dash to Southwest Mississippi Regional Medical Centre, Mississippi.

Doctors were unable to pinpoint the problem straight away and kept the toddler in for overnight observation.

Distraught Britney, 26, refused to leave his side and asked for a bed next to him in the ward.

Her ex-husband, rapper Kevin Federline, is now believed to be making plans to jet out of Los Angeles to be at Jayden's bedside.

It's the first time Britney has been allowed to leave California with sons Sean Preston, 3, and Jayden since their dad K-Fed was given full custody in July.

She flew them into Louisiana on a private jet with her dad Jamie on Friday, the morning after her surprise appearance onstage with Madonna in Los Angeles.

The special week-long visit was to steal some family time ahead of Britney's forthcoming promotional tour of her new album 'Circus'.

She was also anxious to be reunited with her little sister Jamie-Lynn, 17, who recently gave birth to daughter Maddie-Briann.

Sources say chaos erupted when Jayden suffered a suspected seizure out of the blue, at about 3pm yesterday.

'One minute Britney and her sons were relaxing and enjoying their first visit to Kentwood in months, and the next minute Jayden had fallen ill,' said a source.

'He was vague and unresponsive so Britney dialled an ambulance. But she was told it would take half an hour to arrive, and she was best trying to get Jayden to the hospital herself.'

Minutes later, two cars tore out of the Spears' 'Serenity' residence.

The first, a Lincoln Navigator, carried Britney, her mum Lynne and dad Jamie as well as the poorly toddler. A Range Rover driven by Jamie-Lynn also carried their brother Brian.

When the convoy reached the motorway, Jamie-Lynn reportedly thwarted following photographers by refusing to let them pass.

She drove slowly alongside another vehicle to keep them back while her sister accelerated away.

When snappers arrived at the hospital, which is now being manned by police, Britney and her son had already dashed inside.

'Jayden James had to be kept in hospital overnight for observations,' said the source. 'We don't yet know what's wrong with him.

'Britney was insistent that wouldn't leave him. She asked for a bed to be made up in the same room so she could be there at his side.'email@example.com://smashing-news.blogspot.com/2008/11/panic-as-britney-spears-rushes-her.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2516259157489146114.post-88070525834197756252008-11-08T00:50:00.000-08:002008-11-08T00:53:42.139-08:00Is that meant to be the YMCA? Paris Hilton shows off her moves on the dancefloorParis Hilton showed off her dance moves last night, throwing her arms in the air as she partied in Las Vegas.

At one point, it appeared the blonde socialite was attempting the moves to the ultimate 80s track - YMCA by the Village People.

But if that was her intention she was missing the Y, so perhaps Paris was just showing off her toned arms to her fellow party goers.

Paris has just returned to the US after spending time in Britain filming her new TV show My New Best Female Friend.

Last night, she was joined by boyfriend Benji Madden for the nightclub party.

But while Paris hit the dancefloor and was quickly surrounded by fans clicking photos, her guitarist boyfriend stayed at the bar, where he watched the crush from a safe distance.

firstname.lastname@example.com://smashing-news.blogspot.com/2008/11/is-that-meant-to-be-ymca-paris-hilton.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2516259157489146114.post-17975120813663819742008-11-06T12:39:00.000-08:002008-11-06T12:44:18.500-08:00Evergreen Liz Hurley shows off her stunning figure on yet another bikini shoot (the ones she claims to hate)For someone who claims to hate doing bikini shoots, Elizabeth Hurley looks pretty comfortable showing off her enviable figure.

Despite being a 43-year-old mother-of-one, Hurley looks more like a youthful twentysomething as she reclines on an Indian beach in a new sizzling photo shoot.

In an interview for this week's issue of Hello! magazine, Hurley reveals her stunning curves in a series of bikinis from her Elizabeth Hurley Beach collection.

The Austin Powers actress has often spoke of her disdain for bikini shoots, saying she has to put in months of hard work getting her body ready before going in front of the camera.

She said: 'Frankly, I've always disliked being photographed in a bikini.

'I remember being offered an American Vogue cover and then being horrified because it was the bikini issue.

'It actually turned out great, but I was gibbering with fear. I need to do a great deal of exercise and eat a lot less to feel comfortable on the beach now.

While few would deny she's in amazing shape, Hurley admits she doesn't mind a bit of digital-enhancement.

She said earlier this year: 'I like a certain amount of retouching, like anybody.

'We all like to get rid of spots and shadows under our eyes. I've always been quite particular - I don't like my face to be retouched.'

In the Hello! interview, Hurley also responded to criticism of the tight-fitting pink bandeau dress she wore at an Estee Lauder breast cancer event at the Tower of London last month.

Despite her husband Arun Nayar and six-year-old son proclaiming their approval for the dress, some critics believed it was inappropriate for Hurley's cleavage to be so prominent during a breast cancer event.

She said: 'Well Damian and Arun liked it. It was actually a beautiful dress but I agree it looked insanely right.

'It didn't look quite so odd at home; something must have happened in the car on the way there.'firstname.lastname@example.com://smashing-news.blogspot.com/2008/11/evergreen-liz-hurley-shows-off-her.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2516259157489146114.post-87001631684199658052008-11-06T12:30:00.000-08:002008-11-06T12:33:18.036-08:00Diva Mariah Carey arrives with 20 suitcases ahead of X Factor performance... well, she is staying three nightsMariah Carey lived up to her diva reputation as she arrived in London for a three-night stay today... accompanied by 20 suitcases.

The singer and her husband Nick Cannon needed two huge trolleys to carry their bags. Porters pushing them through Heathrow airport seemed bemused by their haul.

When the newlyweds arrived at the Dorchester they were met by a crush of Mariah's fans, who held up banners saying 'Congrats MC and Nick'.

Mariah, who is 11 years older than her 27-year-old actor husband, dressed for comfort in grey leggings and open toe boots.

The 38-year-old kept warm with a long black cardigan, while Cannon dressed smartly in a pinstripe suit.

This week on the X Factor all the contestants will be performing a Mariah ballad - with the soul singer on hand to instruct them.

There are are plenty to choose from - with a career spanning 18 years, Mariah was named the best selling female artist of millennium in 2000 and has had more US number one hits than any other female in history.

The hopefuls have already covered one of Mariah's songs, Hero, currently at Number One in the British charts.

The track is raising funds for the Help For Heroes campaign and looks set to be one of the biggest selling British records of all time.

On Saturday night Mariah will join the remaining finalists on stage in a special performance of the track, as well as performing her latest single I Stay In Love.

Her X Factor debut comes after Simon Cowell personally stepped in to request her.
Mariah has also been tipped as a possibility to replace X Factor judge Dannii Minogue at the end of the series, when the singer is widely tipped to leave the show.

Following her X Factor performance Mariah and her husband will be flying to Monaco for the World Music Awards.

The couple, who originally met at the Kids' Choice Awards in 2005, married at her private estate in the Bahamas in April after a whirlwind six week romance.

They fell for each other when Cannon flew to Antigua at the end of March to play Mariah's love interest in the video for her single Bye Bye.email@example.com://smashing-news.blogspot.com/2008/11/diva-mariah-carey-arrives-with-20.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2516259157489146114.post-48108816239786913312008-11-05T12:04:00.001-08:002008-11-05T12:04:52.796-08:00Has ex-Blue Peter presenter Zoe Salmon used sticky-back plastic to protect her modesty?Former Blue Peter Presenter Zoe Salmon appeared to be putting the skills she learned on the show to good use yesterday.

The former Miss Northern Ireland somehow managed to hold up her revealing red dress at a party to celebrate the release of a special Coronation Street DVD.

Could she have borrowed some sticky-back plastic from the art and craft box?

The gorgeous blonde sent pulses racing in the dress - which was slit down to her stomach.

Salmon, 28, became the 30th Blue Peter presenter when she joined in 2004. She quit the BBC1 show earlier this year.She recently told her how her appearance in the show had won her many young admirers.

'The thing is they are all in school uniform and about 12 and proclaiming their love.

'It's nice and sweet and I try to let them down gently but it's not easy. Some even cry,' she told the Daily Star.

Salmon isn't the first Blue Peter star to shed the prim and proper image usually adopted by presenters on the popular children's show.

Konnie Huq tunned heads in a stunning satin gown with a plunging neckline at the Spiderman movie premiere last year.

The show which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, has been slowly losing popularity with figures for the last series falling below 500,000.

Editor Richard Marsden resigned last year after a it emerged that a child had posed as a competition winner, leading the BBC to be fined £50,000 by the television industry regulators Ofcom.

The show was at the centre of a number of scandals last year when bosses changed the results of a vote to name the show's cat, asked a visitor to pretend to be a competition winner and admitted two competition winners were child actors.firstname.lastname@example.com://smashing-news.blogspot.com/2008/11/has-ex-blue-peter-presenter-zoe-salmon.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2516259157489146114.post-50237414972135900522008-11-05T12:00:00.000-08:002008-11-05T12:04:04.985-08:00Blake leaves jail and checks straight into rehab... but Amy is too busy throwing a tantrum to greet himAmy Winehouse's husband Blake Fielder-Civil was released from Edmunds Hill Prison in Suffolk today.

The Back To Black singer was nowhere to be seen as the 26-year-old left jail for the first time in 12 months.

Instead, she opted to stay at home in London's Camden.

Winehouse, who left hospital on Monday after receiving ongoing treatment for a 'chest infection', looked far from jubilant as she emerged from the residence this afternoon with make-up smeared across her face.

She appeared to be in an agitated state, lunging at a photographer stationed outside her home.

It is not yet clear when the couple will be reunited.

Fielder-Civil was in better spirits, grinning from ear to ear as he walked out this morning wearing jeans, a striped red T-shirt and a trilby hat.

He was, however, showing signs of his time behind bars, sporting a chipped front tooth and red scratches down his arms.

But his freedom was short-lived - he is believed to have checked straight into a rehab facility as part of the terms of his release.

Fielder-Civil pleaded guilty to assaulting James King, 36, outside a pub and then plotting to bribe his victim in a £200,000 deal not to testify in court.

It's almost a year to the day since eight plain-clothed officers hand-cuffed Fielder-Civil at the couple's flat in Bow, East London, and led him off to cells as a hysterical Winehouse watched on.

Fielder-Civil's own mother has previously expressed concern about his return to Winehouse's world and his family are desperate for him to stay with them at their Lincolnshire home.

Georgette Civil said in July: 'Giving him and Amy another chance is like putting a gun to Blake's head while playing Russian roulette.'

'If he goes it could be a death sentence for the two of them.'firstname.lastname@example.com://smashing-news.blogspot.com/2008/11/blake-leaves-jail-and-checks-straight.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2516259157489146114.post-52749173051297482042008-11-02T12:26:00.000-08:002008-11-02T12:31:51.068-08:00I took drugs and I'm ashamed, reveals heavenly soprano Katherine JenkinsShe's the beautiful, prodigiously gifted soprano whose heavenly voice has just won her a £6million contract. But in this remarkably frank interview, Katherine Jenkins makes a courageous confession: her life was almost ruined by cocaine and Ecstasy – and now she wants to warn others

Two months ago, I sat in a Chelsea hotel suite with opera star Katherine Jenkins and during a lengthy interview for GQ magazine, the following exchange
took place:

Q. 'Have you ever taken any drugs?
A. (shakes head).
Q. 'Woah...was that a hesitation there?'
A. 'No! I've never taken drugs.'

Katherine blushed slightly as she said this and looked rather flustered. Which I put down to the fact that, according to my extensive research, nobody had ever actually asked her this question before and she was just a bit taken aback.

It seemed, frankly, impossible to imagine Katherine being a drug abuser.

I was mistaken.

On Wednesday night, I was sitting down to watch Arsenal play Spurs in a Dubai hotel bar – I'm filming an ITV documentary on the Middle Eastern playground – when my phone rang.

'Piers, it's Katherine Jenkins. I need to tell you something that's been bothering me.'

For the next hour, the beautiful young singer poured her heart out to me about how she had regularly taken cocaine, Ecstasy and cannabis.

And she was searingly honest about why she finally stopped.

'I could have ended up messing it all up, and that would have just been a tragic waste of the opportunity I was given,' she told me.

Katherine, 28, is, genuinely, one of the nicest people I've met in the often self-obsessed music industry: a sweet, polite, touchingly naive, unaffected girl from Neath in South Wales, who just happens to have one of the greatest mezzo-soprano voices in the world.

Last week, she signed a stunning £6million record deal with American label Warner Music and is flying to Los Angeles in the New Year for a few months to try her luck cracking the United States.

So, with things going so extraordinarily well professionally, confessing to her secret drugs shame past is not a decision she has taken lightly.

'It's not something I ever wanted to talk about publicly,' she said, 'because taking drugs is the biggest regret of my life. But I've always tried to be honest about my life and I've had sleepless nights since that GQ interview appeared, because I knew I'd lied to you.'

Her voice sounded trembly. 'Are you OK?' I asked.

'Yes. But I'm very, very nervous about admitting what I did, and I know some people may be shocked. But I will feel relief, too, that it is finally out there and I can get on with my life without worrying that one day it may all come back to haunt me.'
Katherine told me she didn't even know what drugs looked like when she first went to live in London in 1997 to study at the Royal Academy of Music. She was in her late teens, fresh-faced and woefully uneducated as to the sleazy ways of clubland life in the capital.

'I was very naive about things like drugs,' she said. 'There was nothing like that around where I grew up. I never saw a drug or even knew what they looked like.

'But when I started going out in London, I slowly became aware that when I went to parties, or went clubbing, a lot of people were taking drugs. I didn't know what was going on to start with, because I'd never seen anyone take drugs. And I was quite shocked initially when I finally realised what they were doing. A lot of people I was around at the time were taking drugs openly when we went out together, and
I resisted for a long time but after a while I just joined in.'

Katherine's first narcotic experience came at a friend's house after a hard night on the town.

She recalled: 'We'd all been drinking and when we got back to my friend's house, I was offered cocaine by someone. Having said no so many times before, curiosity just got the better of me and I said yes. I thought it would be fun, because everyone else seemed to be having a good time after taking cocaine.

'It wasn't what I thought it would be like,' she said. 'I thought it would have some massive, dramatic effect on me but it didn't. It made me feel powerful though and I felt like I had so much energy. I became really talkative too – even more than usual, if you can believe that!'

Katherine laughed, a little nervously, at her attempt to bring a bit of levity to the conversation. I could tell she was hating every second of having to do this, but at the same time knowing in her heart that it was better in the long run to come clean now.

'I tried one line of cocaine that first time. I'm not going to blame anyone else for giving it to me, or even say who it was. I take responsibility for my own actions and always will. I took cocaine a handful of times more after that, maybe five or six. It was usually in private at friends' houses, though I did once take it in the loo of a London club.'

How much did she take?

'I'd take up to three lines a night, a bit of a lightweight compared to some of them!'

At which point, she half-laughed again. I felt sorry for her – this was not an interview Katherine ever thought she'd be giving and she was trying to deal with it in the same cheery way she deals with normal interviews, while knowing that the subject matter was as far from cheery as you can get.

It didn't take long for the drugs to reveal their ugly side.

Katherine said: 'The truth about drugs like cocaine is that after a while you see what it does to people around you and it's not pretty, is it?'

Katherine's career hadn't kicked off properly at the time, leaving her doing the odd gig and spending the rest of the time teaching others to sing – and partying.

'I was young and silly and never really thought about the consequences,' she admitted.

'I did not know I'd ever become famous, and I was at an age where you don't care about the future much, do you?

'I just liked going out with friends, getting drunk on too many Malibus and Cokes, and then someone would usually produce some drugs and occasionally I would take some.

'I was hanging around with a bad crowd. Coming from where I come from, it tends to take me a while to see the bad in people. I was very trusting, and keen to please. I never really enjoyed taking drugs, it just made me fit in better. But I normally like to be in control of everything and I look back on that time and think, "What was that about?"

Did guilt set in?

'Yes, I felt very guilty when I was doing it. I worried about what my family would think if they found out. I wasn't happy with the situation, and I didn't really understand the consequences of what I was doing because I had never been around, or involved with, drugs before in any way. It was all new to me.'

Following the highs of the parties, there always came the inevitable sickening lows afterwards.

'After taking cocaine, I felt absolutely terrible. It was like the worst hangover in the world times ten, times a hundred. And I'd not be in a good mental place afterwards either. I'd feel depressed and paranoid, it was awful. And I was shocked that something could affect me in such a massive way like that. I'd feel horrible for at least a day, sometimes longer.'

Cocaine was not the only drug with which she experimented.

'I also tried Ecstasy and MDMA, which is the powder form of Ecstasy. That had a totally different effect, a really massive one. I took half a pill the first time, and it made me feel excited, passionate, in love with everyone and everything, and really happy, very very happy. I took Ecstasy pills after that four or five times, and MDMA too. But afterwards that made me feel worse than cocaine. I didn't want to live the next day, it made me feel so depressed. It was horrible, just horrible.'

On other nights, she tried cannabis.

'I never smoked it, I just used to eat these cakes with cannabis in them. I did that seven or eight times. I can't remember the exact number. It seems so long ago now. It just made me feel relaxed and sleepy. And slightly out of control again.'

Just when her life seemed to be spiralling out of control in a booze and drug-fuelled haze, Katherine got the break that would change her life for ever, and perhaps even save it.

At the age of 23, in 2003, she was offered a six-album deal by Universal Records worth over £1million.

It was one of the biggest contracts ever signed by a new classical music star in Britain and pitted Katherine directly against Charlotte Church as the new queen of the mass-market aria.

But lurking behind the tearful smiles on that astonishing day was the long, dark cloud of Katherine's other, secret life. And she took an instant decision.

'I knew in that moment that I had to stop taking drugs,' she said.

'I'd been given this amazing opportunity and I just couldn't let myself mess it all up for the sake of cocaine or Ecstasy.'

Katherine resolved to quit the partying and braced herself for a meeting with the one person whose opinion she valued above all others – her mother.

Katherine said: 'We have a great relationship, and I wanted to be honest with her. I went back home to Wales, sat her down and told her about the drugs. And she was shocked and asked me why I'd done it and wanted to make sure I wasn't still taking them. I said I wasn't, and wished I never had, and would never, ever take them again.

'And then she just gave me a disapproving look that said it all – it was like, 'KATHERINE!'

Her mother was the only relative that Katherine confided in. Her father had died a few years before.

'I didn't tell anyone else in the family because I have young cousins and didn't want them to be influenced by what I'd done. But I will tell them about this before it comes out. And I will tell them that I regret it massively. I would want anyone thinking twice about trying drugs to read this and think, "God, I don't want to go through that." Because I wish I hadn't. I feel so ashamed. Drugs are dangerous and destroy lives.'

In her worst nightmares, Katherine looks at images of another gifted young singer and sees the way her life might have gone if her music deal hadn't happened.

She said: 'Look at Amy Winehouse. She's an amazing talent but she is in such a bad way, it's such a shame. I could have ended up like her. It's possible. I don't think I'd ever have got that bad, but who knows with drugs?

'They're frightening. And that's why I feel so lucky to have stopped when I did. I was never comfortable with it and I was so fortunate that my record deal came when it did and made me realise that I might ruin everything by staying in this disgusting situation.

'Drugs just disgust me now. I have nothing to do with them. And I have no family or friends who have anything to do with them either. I just stopped seeing anyone who used drugs. I'm so anti, it's unbelievable!'

She must, I suggested, come across some narcotic-enhanced individuals on her travels in the music industry.

'I do see people in the business under the influence of drugs occasionally, of course I do. You just don't get much of it at the Classical Brits...'

I laughed. 'I don't think we've had a cocaine, Ecstasy and cannabis scandal rocking the classical music world before. How do you think they will react?'

Katherine gasped with a mixture of unsuppressed horror and just the merest hint of hilarity.

'Oh goodness me...I don't want to cause a stir, I just want to be honest.'

And I believed her, on both counts.

I was curious as to what really prompted Katherine's mea culpa. After all, it's not every day a major star rings me to confess all about their drug-taking. Sadly.

She said: 'I didn't like the fact that I lied to you in that GQ interview. I felt really bad about it. It's always better to be honest about your life, and I hadn't been. Now, if I can help other people by being honest about it and saying how terrible drugs made me feel, then that is hopefully one good thing that can come out of it.

'I do feel really nervous about this coming out though and I don't want to cause distress to my friends and family. I'm worried about how people will react, especially my fans. I want them to know that this was something I did a very long time ago, and that I live my life very differently now and I am very dedicated to what I do.

'I hardly even drink any more. This was a very silly period in my life, and I hope nobody is hurt or upset by it.

'I haven't taken drugs for well over five years and I wish I never had. I really do.'
Katherine's boyfriend, Welsh TV presenter Gethin Jones, is totally behind her confession.

'He has been very supportive. He thinks I am doing the right thing.'

As we finished our extraordinary conversation, I congratulated Katherine on setting the record straight. It's always, always the best policy for any celebrity to correct lies they have perpetrated to the media.

'How bad will it be for me next week?' she asked.

'Well put it this way,' I replied, 'probably not half as bad as Jonathan Ross or John McCain's week is going to be.'

And Katherine laughed again, in that delightfully natural way that has, together with her regular trips to perform for British troops abroad, made her the modern day Vera Lynn.

She never cried during the interview, never shirked a question, and never asked for any sympathy. She just said what she wanted to say, and that was that.

And while you may not admire her drug-taking, it's hard not to admire the courage it took to talk about it in such a frank and self-condemnatory way.

Later, I dug out the tape of our GQ interview and chuckled at the following exchange:
Q. 'Is there a devil hiding inside you, Saint Katherine?'
A. 'That's for me to know, and you to find out, Piers...'email@example.com://smashing-news.blogspot.com/2008/11/i-took-drugs-and-im-ashamed-reveals.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2516259157489146114.post-12007647060759823142008-11-02T12:23:00.000-08:002008-11-02T12:25:59.718-08:00Britney Spears 'to appear on the X Factor, says Simon Cowell'Britney Spears is set to appear on the X Factor cementing her triumphant comeback after years battling psychiatric problems and substance addiction.

The star will be singing her new record Womaniser on the show later this month, because Simon Cowell is a fan.

He said: 'I'm really excited about it, because she has got her act together and the new record is terrific.

'She has come back from a very dark place and is a terrific artist.'

It has become a tradition on the X Factor for established artists to perform, and advise aspiring acts.

Take That, Will Young, Kylie Minogue are among the stars who have already appeared.

Spears' scheduled appearance seals her return to form after her life spiraled out of control.

In September the star made an acclaimed return at the 2008 MTV Video Music Awards and has her single Womanizer has been well received.

But the past three years have been turbulent for the troubled star.
The 26-year-old has had two failed marriages and lost custody of her children, and battled drug addictions that led to her being taken in to psychiatric care.

After Spears and Kevin Federline's three-year marriage ended in a divorce, she went on to lose custody over sons Sean Preston, three, and two-year-old Jayden James.

Last year her mental health seemed to deteriorate - marked a period of strange behavior by Spears, during which she shaved her head and was continually in and out of rehab.

She attempted a comeback in 2007 performing at the MTV Video Music Awards, but was jeered and criticized for a shambolic performance.

The star was out of shape and forgot the words to her track Gimme More.

Then in January this year, she was put under lockdown at a mental institution after she held her son hostage at her LA home.

She is planning a world tour next year and is releasing her album Circus in December. The star has also made a documentary about her breakdown.
In the 90-minute special, Britney: For The Record, she talks frankly about her problems.

She said: 'I sit there and I look back and I'm like, "I'm a smart person. What the hell was I thinking?"
'I've been through a lot in the past two or three years, and there's a lot that people don't know.

'Sometimes I think I get kind of lonely because you don't open the gate up that much, you know I mean? You're guarded. You have to be that way, so I'm kind of stuck in this place and it's like: How do you deal? And you just cope, and that's what I do. I just cope with it, every day.'email@example.com://smashing-news.blogspot.com/2008/11/britney-spears-to-appear-on-x-factor.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2516259157489146114.post-38834748605086758312008-10-31T11:09:00.000-07:002008-10-31T11:16:32.925-07:00Katie Holmes and daughter Suri get into the Halloween spirit with matching pumpkin-coloured costumesKatie Holmes and her adorable toddler Suri geared up for Halloween yesterday by wearing the same orange, pumpkin-coloured outfits.

Mother and daughter headed out to New York's Central Park to play on the swings dressed in their seasonal dresses.

Later in the day, Holmes took her newfound love of fashionable urban chic to a new level by wearing a pair of sleek stilettos and PVC leggings.

The 29-year-old donned her almost all-black ensemble - the shoes had some dark blue ribbons on them - as she left her apartment in the city.Holmes has thrown herself back into work after taking a couple of years off to raise her only child and has been starring in Arthur Miller's All My Sons for the last five weeks.

The play has so far been well-received, and it has already become the highest-grossing play on Broadway in its first full week of previews, raking in $684,002 so far.

The star made a return to television recently as a lawyer in the US show Eli Stone.

Dressed in a black unitard, Katie displayed her impressive singing and dancing skills while performing Duke Ellington's Hit Me With a Hot Note.

A respectable 8.8million people watched the first episode she starred in.

firstname.lastname@example.com://smashing-news.blogspot.com/2008/10/katie-holmes-and-daughter-suri-get-into.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2516259157489146114.post-8971707060746802402008-10-31T11:08:00.001-07:002008-10-31T11:08:54.217-07:00Amy Winegum: Now troubled singer is 'addicted to sweets'
A source told newpaper London Lite: 'Amy seems to be constantly stuffing herself with sugary snacks. She loves all of the stuff from her childhood in the Eighties, from Slush Puppies to Bull's Eyes and liquorice. It may seem harmless but it is not doing her any good.

'She's suffering from chest and lung infections at the moment and she has been warned that all of the sweets could flare up the problems. She used to walk to the local shops at all hours of the night to pick up her sweet fixes, but now she doesn't have to.

'All of her gadgets have been put in one room so she has all she needs whenever she wants it.'

While friends point out that Winehouse is harking back to her innocent childhood days, there might be a more sinister side to the new obsession.

Heroin addicts often have low blood-sugar levels, leading to cravings for sweet things, and many users eat ice lollies or slushies to cool the burning sensation the killer drug can cause.

Winehouse has battled heroin and crack cocaine addiction for more than a year and is currently trying to work on material for her next album. firstname.lastname@example.com://smashing-news.blogspot.com/2008/10/amy-winegum-now-troubled-singer-is.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2516259157489146114.post-40606852120467300722008-10-30T14:07:00.000-07:002008-10-30T14:13:13.766-07:00Slimmed down Eva Longoria shows off her form in a slinky purple dressEva Longoria has dumped her frumpy Desperate Housewives image, and she wants everyone to know.

The Desperate Housewives star, who sparked pregnancy rumours after gaining weight for Gabrielle Solis's latest storyline, slipped into a skin-tight lavender dress for a visit to hairdresser Ken Paves in Los Angeles yesterday.

It's the second time in as many days the actress, who is once again back in amazing shape, has put her svelte physique on show.

A night earlier she looked gorgeous in a flirty little black dress as she arrived at her Hollywood restaurant Beso.

The new Desperate Housewives series, which is currently airing on Channel 4, picks up in the year 2013 when Eva's character has transformed from neighbourhood sex kitten to dowdy mother of two.
In real life, Eva was forced to fend off 'baby bump' rumours, regularly denying she's expecting a child of her own.

The 33-year-old said: 'I'm not pregnant. I stopped working out and gained about seven pounds over the summer, which is a lot for a small person.

However, she is hoping to start a family with husband Tony Parker sometime soon.

She has said: 'I can't wait!'.
email@example.com://smashing-news.blogspot.com/2008/10/slimmed-down-eva-longoria-shows-off-her.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2516259157489146114.post-45178829117405297472008-10-30T14:00:00.000-07:002008-10-30T14:06:49.681-07:00Racy new bondage photos of Georgina Baillie show the wild side that attracted Russell BrandNew photographs of the woman at the centre of the BBC obscene phone call scandal show the racy look that attracted reformed sex addict Russell Brand.

Burlesque dancer Georgina Baillie posed in bondage-style photos for a modelling shoot, in one restrained by a leather studded dog collar held by a male model.

In another she lies on her back in a submissive pose with his fists in her face.
The photos come as Miss Baillie described how the comic was 'obsessed in bed' with the fact that her grandfather Andrew Sachs' played Manuel in Fawlty Towers.

The 23-year-old added: 'The fact that my grandfather was Andrew Sachs clearly tickled Russell. But I never thought he'd use it to cause such a lot of damage.'

'He seemed obsessed by the idea that he was close to Manuel's granddaughter.

'It was only a coincidence that he found out because Fawlty Towers came on his telly when we were together,' she told The Sun.

She told how he pranced around the bedroom yelling 'Que?' and 'I Know Nothing' - well-known phrases uttered by Spanish waiter Manuel during the iconic TV series.

Brand, 33, has quit the BBC after he left lewd messages on Mr Sachs' answer phone, describing how he had slept with Miss Baillie.

Jonathan Ross, who also took part in the obscene sequence, is currently suspended.

]Miss Baillie said she was particularly disgusted with the TV presenter as he was a family man who has three children.

'In some ways he is the biggest disappointment because he has daughters,' she said.

'I bet if you asked him he would say he'd lay down in traffic to defend their honour.

'But what a hypocrite he is and what a shabby man he has turned out to be. Shame on him.'

In the wake of the pair being suspended, Miss Baillie, who had a relationship with Brand, said that she was 'thrilled justice had been done,' and welcomed an investigation into the affair.

 'Let's see what Ofcom choose to do about it. I don't know how it's going to go from here.' she said.

'I'm really happy with the investigation. Me and my granddad are both really happy because it could have damaged our reputation permanently.'

A source close to Miss Baillie revealed that she was privately 'disgusted' with Brand.

'This wasn't just a one night-stand, it was a relationship which lasted for over a year,' he said.

'She's upset for herself and for her family.'
Miss Baillie's comments came as her pro-wrestler ex-boyfriend threatened to 'give him a smack.'

Alex Shane, a 19-stone twice British champion heavyweight wrestler, said: 'I thought it was really out of order.

'I think Brand is used to getting away with these things.

'He needs to be taught some humility. He's very quick-witted but shows a real lack of class. It's gutter low.

'Just give me five minutes in the ring with him!'

In a frank interview with The Sun, Miss Baillie described how Brand was a flop in the bedroom, despite his reputation as a lothario.

Revealing that she slept with the star after their 'lavish' first date, she said: ' I'm not going to go into detail about what happened there although I'm obviously no shrinking violet.

'I will only say he's a disappointment in the bedroom considering he has had so much practice'.

She also said that Brand was 'clean freak' and would ask her to use mouthwash before she kissed him.

The details of the affair will heap more public humiliation on Brand, who has always been proud of his ladies' man image.

Yesterday he issued a public apology and resigned from the BBC after a storm of protest over the phone scandal.

Miss Baillie's publicist Max Clifford said today that she was happy with Brand's resignation from the BBC.

'Russell Brand has done the right thing and his apology came across as genuine,' he added. 'He realises he'd made a total mistake.'

Miss Baillie's latest interview about the Brand and Ross affair come in the wake of an initial stinging attack yesterday.

'Russell Brand has embarrassed me by making a private relationship very public in the cruellest way imaginable,' she said.

'He has betrayed me for a few cheap laughs and left my grandfather distraught.

'What happened between us was supposed to be private but he is clearly no gentleman.

'Worst of all my poor grandfather had to confront the fact I'd slept with such a rat. What girl would ever want to have to tell her granddad who she has slept with?'

Miss Baillie has also spoken of her anger at Ross and Brand's further broadcast in which they discussed breaking into Sachs's home and performing a sex act on him. 'They are beyond contempt,' she said.

'They must be the only people sick enough to think that breaking into an old man's house and sexually abusing him might be funny.

'They are warped for what they have put me and my grandfather through.'

Miss Baillie - who dances under the stage name Voluptua in burlesque troupe The Satanic Sluts - said they also telephoned her in an attempt to cover their tracks.

'They seemed to be trying to make a joke of it but I could tell that they were a bit concerned at the same time,' she said.

'I sensed they might have realised they had gone too far and were trying to limit the damage.'

Ross and Brand were both suspended yesterday, before Brand's resignation, and filming for Friday Night With Jonathan Ross show was cancelled hours before it was due to be recorded last night.

Ross has apologised to Sachs personally and yesterday issued a public apology for his, 'juvenile and thoughtless' remarks.

Former heroin addict Brand had presented his Radio 2 show since November 2006 and was thought to be paid more than £200,000 a year by the BBC.

The BBC last night refused to discuss the arrangements for the termination of his contract, but reports suggest Ross has been suspended on full pay.email@example.com://smashing-news.blogspot.com/2008/10/racy-new-bondage-photos-of-georgina.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2516259157489146114.post-45554226400943882592008-10-27T13:23:00.000-07:002008-10-27T13:27:31.652-07:00Even Paris Hilton feels the squeeze as credit crunch forces nightclubs to drop appearance feesThe last time Paris Hilton graced London with her presence, she received an estimated £70,000 in 'appearance fees'.

So one would imagine that she's been coining it in during her recent over-extended stay in the capital.

But this time, the credit crunch has definitely hit the hotel heiress.

Despite the fact that she's been pictured posing and pouting outside almost every fashionable club in London, she's only managed to rack up around £25,000 - which is close to £50,000 less than her last visit.
A source close to the 27-year-old socialite said: 'Paris demanded £50,000 from Paper nightclub. They were prepared to pay - but on the condition that she turn up twice, not go anywhere else before or after that evening, and stay for a minimum of two hours.

'But she didn't want to adhere to all the conditions so the club cancelled her appearance.'

Our spy added: 'Whisky Mist also refused to pay. But she went there anyway because there was a chance that she would bump into royalty - and she did in the end.

'The only club that paid her was Movida, and that was an estimated £25,000. Although it's a lot of money, to Paris's people it's nowhere near as much as she used to be able to command.'

Paris is over in the UK filming her new TV show, Paris Hilton's My New BFF (Best Friend Forever), which sees her trawling Britain in search of a new pal.

However, we reckon not many potential chums have had the chance to get near her - as she's spent most of her time holed up in her hotel room, or deep inside various nightclubs' VIP areas surrounded by bodyguards.

The American star caused quite a stir in Movida after turning up and making a bee-line for glamour model Katie "Jordan" Price. The pair were spotted dancing away in the VIP room where Paris quenched her thirst with bottles of Fiji water.email@example.com://smashing-news.blogspot.com/2008/10/even-paris-hilton-feels-squeeze-as.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2516259157489146114.post-77915839409040979462008-10-27T13:16:00.000-07:002008-10-27T13:22:44.927-07:00Scabby Amy Winehouse looks painfully ill as she's taken to hospital againAmy Winehouse is in hospital again amid new concerns over her health.

The singer, 25, who was seen heading to hospital looking painfully thin, with yellow teeth and scabby skin, was taken to The London Clinic on Saturday.

Her spokesperson denied initial reports the troubled star was heading back to rehab.

He said: 'Amy is being checked out for a chest infection. She's fine and is expected to return home soon.'

Amy, who has largely remained out of the spotlight in recent month, was joined in the cab by her American friend Blake Wood.

Ms Winehouse, who has been fighting a very public battle against heroin and crack cocaine, has been hospitalised numerous times this year.

In June she was given the stark warning by doctors to 'quit drugs or die' and at the end of that month she was diagnosed with the early stages of the lung disease emphysema.

However, as soon as she left the clinic she was seen smoking a cigarette.

In yet more troubling news, the singer has been warned she faces arrest after failing to earlier she failed to turn up for a meeting with police last week.

The Metropolitan Police want to quiz the singer over claims she hit a female fan, according to reports.
firstname.lastname@example.com://smashing-news.blogspot.com/2008/10/scabby-amy-winehouse-looks-painfully.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2516259157489146114.post-81185432607716003512008-10-26T12:52:00.000-07:002008-10-26T13:00:04.479-07:00Spooky! Cindy Crawford shows up at Hallowe'en party looking like an ATTRACTIVE Amy Winehouse
Cindy Crawford shed her usually groomed image last night to give her best impersonation of Amy Winehouse at a Hallowe'en party.

Beehive stacked high, make-up caked on her face and arms covered in mock tattoos, the supermodel's resemblance to the troubled singer was uncanny as she arrived at the star-studded event.

She opted for a strappy leopard print dress and huge hoop earrings to complete Amy's trademark trashy look.

But while Amy, 25, has looked increasingly bedraggled in recent years, the statuesque model still managed to look attractive, with her complexion positively glowing beneath the heavy make-up.

Cindy, 42, was just one of a host of celebrities who donned all manner of outfits for Kate Hudson's party in Brentwood, Los Angeles.

Keeping true to the spooky spirit of the occasion, husband and wife Courtney Cox and David Arquette dressed as a witch and wizard.

Another couple - Borat star Sacha Baron Cohen and actress Isla Fisher - also put in an appearance.

But while Isla, 32, looked pretty is a shimmering fairytale-style dress, Sacha threw dignity to the wind and dressed head-to-toe as a cow.

Kate Hudson's step-father Kurt Russell looked dapper as a smartly turned-out sea captain.

And Spider-man actor Tobey Maguire, 33, wore a lumberjack shirt and a baseball cap emblazoned with the legend: 'I love my white trash wife'.

firstname.lastname@example.com://smashing-news.blogspot.com/2008/10/spooky-cindy-crawford-shows-up-at.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2516259157489146114.post-9834817658665883992008-10-24T12:44:00.000-07:002008-10-24T12:57:58.034-07:00Britney Spears sparks romance rumours as she wears ex-boyfriend Adnan's ring
Britney Spears sparked romance rumours when she was seen wearing a ring given to her by ex-boyfriend Adnan Ghalib.

The 35-year-old photographer had his and hers rings custom-made during the pair's short-lived relationship.

She was first seen wearing the silver-coloured knot ring in March of this year when Britney and Adnan first started dating.

The unusual choice of jewellery has lead to speculation it could be back on with the Birmingham-born snapper.

The pop princess finally appears to have ditched the demons which lead to her public break-down.

She looked in good health as she prepared for Hallowe'en with her sons yesterday.
The 26-year-old took her two boys, Sean Preston and Jayden James, to pick out a pumpkin from Mr Bones Pumpkin Patch in Hollywood.

The singer seemed relaxed and was no doubt feeling relieved that her trial for charges of driving without a licence was dismissed earlier this week, after the jury couldn't reach a verdict.

Los Angeles Superior Court Judge James A. Steele dismissed the misdemeanour charges against the singer after the 12 jurors couldn't agree over the case.

The charges stem from an August 2007 incident when Britney allegedly hit a parked car and was found to not be in possession of a California state driving licence.
But all that trouble seemed firmly in the past yesterday as she was given star treatment of course and was allowed to use a special entrance to enter the pumpkin patch.

But in return for her VIP treatment, Britney happily posed for photographs holding two-year-old Jayden James while a friend carried his older brother Sean Preston.

Spears then perused the pumpkins while chatting on her mobile and holding on to little Jayden. With her sons dressed in matching outfits, Britney and her boys looked every bit the perfect family on a Hallowe'en shopping trip.firstname.lastname@example.com://smashing-news.blogspot.com/2008/10/britney-spears-sparks-romance-rumours.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2516259157489146114.post-80113840519446104472008-10-24T12:40:00.000-07:002008-10-24T12:44:34.437-07:00Enough posing... now hop it! Doorman frogmarches Paris Hilton to car outside clubParis Hilton may be planning to make London her new home but she didn't receive such a warm welcome from one local last night.

The hotel heiress looked none too happy when she was frogmarched away from the front of a club after a night out.

A doorman took the 27-year-old socialite by the arm and ushered her to a waiting car as she tried to pose for photographers outside Annabel's club in Mayfair.

It seemed the doorman at the celebrity nightspot was keen to move her away from baying paparazzi and decided to take matters into his own hands in no uncertain fashion.

However Paris was keen to show off her pretty pink babydoll dress and strike a few poses for the waiting fans.
A row soon ensued as the socialite's own security intervened and apparently told the doorman not to touch her.

After leaving the club a determined Paris made sure photographers got the pictures they wanted when she posed up outside her London hotel.

The hotel heiress recently said she is considering relocating from her natural Los Angeles habitat to make London her new home.

She has been renting a £7,500-a-week home in Hampstead while filming a new show for MTV.

She told MailOnline earlier this week: 'I love London, it's my favourite city in the world. I'm shooting my new show and having an amazing time.'

She added: 'I love the Brits, they rock! Everything from their personalities, style and of course the accents.' email@example.com://smashing-news.blogspot.com/2008/10/enough-posing-now-hop-it-doorman.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2516259157489146114.post-34362690538687865022008-10-22T12:07:00.000-07:002008-10-22T12:08:55.797-07:00Enjoying the view? Justin Timberlake gets sidetracked on video shoot by curvy RihannaBehind his dark glasses Justin Timberlake could be looking anywhere - but there's one shapely attraction he could be forgiven for eyeing.

Rihanna's curvacious behind, clad only in fishnet stockings, was undoubtedly the star of the show as the popstar duo filmed the video for their new single on the beach in Los Angeles yesterday.

Above the waist the Umbrella singer was the image of propriety, clothed in a multi-coloured wrap top and demure net hat. But her long legs were on display in all their glory as she stalked around the beach in cripplingly high platforms.

Justin was wrapped up somewhat warmer than Rihanna, in black jeans and a leather jacket.

There have been rumours that the two have dated in the past.
 But both are now in happy relationships, with Justin dating actress Jessica Biel, while Rihanna is with fellow RnB artist Chris Brown.

In fact rather than flirtatious relations between Rihanna and Justin looked decidedly frosty as the two stood face-to-face on the beach.

But instead of a fall-out it seems the two were acting out scenes from Rehab off Rihanna's Good Girl Gone Bad album.

After a quick costume change, Rihanna then stole the limelight again as she lay on a sunbed in suspenders and a pair of 40s style sunglasses.firstname.lastname@example.com://smashing-news.blogspot.com/2008/10/enjoying-view-justin-timberlake-gets.html


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- Circa 1960s / 1970s
- Babydoll silhouette
- Pastel pink and white vertical stripes
- Empire waistline with a front tie for an adjustable fit
- Two pockets on the hips with floral embroidery
- Backside of the dress has more of a free form tent fit
*I believe this dress was originally part of a two piece nightgown / lounge pant set. How cute is it as a dress thought!?
Excellent vintage condition.
suggested letter size: XS/S (tag is marked a US 5)
bust: 32"-34"
waist: up to 32"
hip: "
length: 30"
sleeve: 8"
shoulder to waist: "
color: pastel pink / white / green
material: cotton blend / nylon zipper
label: Loungees
pinned on model? no
*I think this was originally a part of a nightgown set, but it wears so cute as a dress!
***All items are measured while the garment is laying flat. The bust, waist & hip measurements have already been doubled for your convenience.***
Have questions? Please email us at firstname.lastname@example.com and we would be happy to assist you with your purchase!

subset: commoncrawl


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We know that Hollywood's real agenda is to destroy everything that's good and true about America, but does it have to be so blatant about it? Yes, that's right, another "Bad" offering has come along.
A string of movies and television shows over the last few decades have chipped away at our most noble professions and authority figures, signaling their intent to do so by putting "Bad" in the title. There was "Bad Lieutenant," a 1992 movie that was — to put it mildly — unflattering to police officers. "Bad Santa," a 2003 film, was shockingly disrespectful to that revered figure. The Internet Movie Database has listings for "Bad Mom," "Bad Actress," "Bad Cop," "Bad Baby," "Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa," even "Bad Chicken." Last year, Netflix served up a comedy series called "Bad Samaritans."
The 2011 film "Bad Teacher" ruined the reputation of that calling, but apparently not sufficiently; last spring, CBS drove home the point with a "Bad Teacher" TV series. And last Thursday, NBC took its shot at yet another esteemed institution with a new comedy called "Bad Judge." "Bad Judge," like "Bad Teacher," might not be on television long because it is, well, bad. Kate Walsh of "Grey's Anatomy" and "Private Practice" stars as the title character, a crass judge named Rebecca who turns up hung over for work, has sex in her office and helps herself to handicapped-parking spaces.
The show has pretty good DNA: Anne Heche, Will Ferrell and Adam McKay are among those involved behind the scenes. Weirdly, it even has some "Bad" experience in the cast: Ryan Hansen, Rebecca's sex partner, was the hunk in the short-lived "Bad Teacher," too. Yet in the early going (Episode 2 is Thursday night), the show never makes its mix of raunchiness, parody and occasional pathos feel comfortable.
But the badness of "Bad Judge" isn't the point. The point is: Yet another honorable profession has now been besmirched. It's too late for judges, teachers, Santa, grandpas and chickens, but some traditional-values-loving organization needs to step up and copyright other possible titles to take them out of circulation: "Bad Tooth Fairy." "Bad Crossing Guard." "Bad Eagle Scout." "Bad Valedictorian." "Bad Pope." "Bad Medal of Honor Winner." "Bad Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient." "Bad Nobel Peace Prize Laureate." And, of course, "Bad Protector of Traditional Values."


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violett beane
New Flash Photos Show Jesse Quick's Super Suit
These pics from next week's New Rogues episode show off Central City's new speedster.
The Flash's Violett Beane Spotted in Costume as Jesse Quick
Violett Beane, who played Jesse Wells in The Flash Season 2, was reportedly spotted on set in a speedster costume of her own.
COMIC REEL: Jesse Quick Returning to "The Flash," Sony Rumored to Eye "Silver Sable" Film
Violett Beane confirms she'll race back into "The Flash's" Season 3, and Sony may be developing a Spider-verse film featuring Silver Sable.
"The Flash" Recap: Barry Makes a Decision That Could Change the Series Forever
In the season two finale of "The Flash," Barry must race Zoom to protect the lives of his family and prevent the destruction of the multiverse.
"The Flash" Recap: "Arrow's" Katie Cassidy Debuts as Earth-2's Black Siren
Tonight on "The Flash," Barry had to battle Zoom's invasion of Earth-2 metahumans and deal with the fallout of losing someone close to him.
"The Flash" Recap: Barry and Wells Go Full "Flashpoint" to Recreate the Speedforce
In tonight's episode of "The Flash" Zoom returns to Central City and Barry must decide if he's going to let Wells recreate the accelerator explosion.
COMIC REEL: Jesse Goes Solo In New "Preacher" Pic; Holland Recalls First Spider-Man Fitting
"Preacher" pics reveal more of the supporting cast; Tom Holland discusses the first time he tried on his Spider-suit and more.
Killer Frost Returns, Wells Comes Up with a Crazy Plan on "The Flash"
In "Back to Normal," a new metahuman inspires Harrison Wells, an Earth-2 metahuman returns, another character gets a familiar nickname and more.
"The Flash's" Violett Beane Is Ready to Hit the Fast Lane as Jesse Quick
The actress tells CBR News she's more than ready to don her own superhero suit, should the opportunity present itself.
"The Flash" Recap: Trajectory Races in as Central City's First Female Speedster
In this week's episode of "The Flash," the team encounters a new speedster who is fueled by Velocity-9 and they finally learn the identity of Zoom.
"The Flash" Recap: A Great Rescue and a Great Loss
Tonight on "The Flash" the team staged a prison break to rescue Barry and Jesse, and one character suffered a brutal fate at the hands of Zoom.
"The Flash" Recap: Earth-2 is a Place of Dreams, Nightmares, and Legends
Tonight's episode of "The Flash" introduced numerous DC Comics easter eggs, classic relationship pairings, Killer Frost, Deathstorm and evil Cisco!
[SPOILER] Arrives on "The Flash," Barry Taps New Ability
"The Darkness and the Light," the latest episode of "The Flash," revealed one speedster's surprising family connection and debuted Barry's new ability.
COMIC REEL: New "Flash" Poster Races Towards Season 2; "Civil War" Rumors Tease Showdown
A "Flash" and "Arrow" poster flies outside of WB Studios; "Captain America" could feature a surprise partnership and more.
"The Flash" Casts Jesse Quick for Season 2
Violett Beane has joined "The Flash" season two as Jesse Quick, a college student who ends up caught between Barry and his new nemesis Zoom.


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|Current price:
Bidding history
Kimiiiie, Kynaueli, Kianyiuy, Kita, Grendel, Traykah, Grendel, Kimiyamaeaml, Kynaueli, Mandarineeaz, Sunni.linneman, Fumihiroezya, Kimiyamaeaml, Trudeauieay, Sunni.linneman, Kynaueli, Constantin, Kianyiuy, Constantin, Trudeauieay, Kimiyamaeaml, Kianyiuy, Traykah, Kimiyamaeaml, Fumihiroezya, Kimiyamaeaml, Kita, Trudeauieay, Kianyiuy, Kita, Traykah, Kimiyamaeaml, Jeninaaizm, Sunni.linneman, Kita, Kianyiuy, Traykah, Swaggaholicaoml, Constantin, Kita, Kimiyamaeaml, Kimiiiie, Grendel, Kimiiiie, Sunni.linneman, Mandarineeaz, Swaggaholicaoml, Jeninaaizm, Traykah, Swaggaholicaoml, Kimiyamaeaml, Trudeauieay, Kynaueli, Kimiyamaeaml, Swaggaholicaoml, Kita, Kianyiuy, Jeninaaizm, Mandarineeaz, Kimiyamaeaml, Trudeauieay, Mandarineeaz, Sunni.linneman, Fumihiroezya, Swaggaholicaoml, Kimiiiie, Trudeauieay, Grendel, Kimiyamaeaml, Trudeauieay, Constantin, Swaggaholicaoml, Kianyiuy, Kimiiiie, Mandarineeaz, Grendel, Kynaueli, Swaggaholicaoml, Trudeauieay, Kimiiiie, Swaggaholicaoml, Kita, Kianyiuy, Mandarineeaz, Sunni.linneman, Trudeauieay, Swaggaholicaoml, Sunni.linneman, Kianyiuy, Trudeauieay, Fumihiroezya, Traykah, Kita, Kimiyamaeaml, Mandarineeaz, Trudeauieay, Grendel, Traykah, Trudeauieay, Kianyiuy, Kynaueli, Constantin
|All prices are in US Dollars
Each bid raises the auction price by $0.06
and uses 1 tender
This is the longest telephoto lens among Canon's lineup, and a terrific choice for any long-distance application-outdoor sports, wildlife, news photojournalism, and so on. It's actually lighter than Canon's EF 600mm f/4L IS lens, weighing just under 10 lbs. It uses a refined optical design, with two fluorite lens elements, one UD element, and one Super-UD-glass element, for outstanding correction of color fringing and superb contrast and sharpness. This super-telephoto lens uses magnesium-alloy barrel construction to enhance its light weight, and has weather-resistant gaskets throughout for use in harsh conditions. It's compatible with both the EF 1.4x II and 2x II tele extenders for even more reach: EOS cameras with 45 AF points will continue to provide autofocus at the center AF point when the lens is used with the 1.4x extender. Finally, it's image stabilized, providing up to 4 stops of correction for camera shake. This makes it even more practical in many situations.
Focal Length & Maximum Aperture 800mm f/5.6 Lens Construction 18 elements in 14 groups Diagonal Angle.
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|Within 14 days in the original packaging.
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The restaurant was festively decorated for christmas,with a nice ambience.we ordered from the three course menu,where there was at least 3/4 choices.this also included a glass of processo on arrival.
Starters were good with lovely crusty bread,unfortunately the main course was let down by the vegetables. The parsnips were hard and inedable,and the sprouts were tasteless.the dessert was very nicely presented and delicious.
The staff were attentive,and we were not rushed throughout the meal.
Overall it was a pleasant lunch,which could be improved by better cooked vegetables.
Great food for pee theatre xx timing just right. Service impeccable. Thank you.
Bloomin marvellous! Pre theatre meal in the Lanes. 3 course taster menu with glass of bubbles £30 for the 2 of us. We both had pate followed by steak & chips & one had brulee and the other tarte au citron. Perfectly cookec & just the right size portions for us. Thanks Cafe Rouge xx
Lovely food, good atmosphere and attentive staff
Excellent we had the £12.95 three course offer and it was very good value and everything was cooked okay
What a disapointment the deal was for a set menue I had the Mackerel Rilletts meant to be smoked mackeral (but didn't want the pickeled cucumber as Allergicto vinger did explain) nothing in place of cucumber , well there was fish in it but it was not smoked mackerel ( been a chief I know) two bit of bread and just enough to cover bread very small portion and contained red unions not needed with smoked ??? , Main I had 5 oz steak with fries and a bit of rocket didn't get choice on how steaak was cooked but rare was ok with me . Cost to produce these two courses would have been no more than £3.00 prob less . Charged 12-95 that is over a 300% mark up . so in total was not going to pay £3.00 for desert . All in all complete and utter rip of .
Lovely dinner
Warm friendly environment, nicely decorated for Christmas which created a nice atmosphere. The food was OK but not exceptional. I was disappointed with the mixed fruit crumble because their was hardly any crumble, just a sprinkle on the top. The service was quite good but we didn't have any serviettes and we weren't given any sugar with our coffee. Overall it was a pleasant dining experience.
Myself and my friends had a very enjoyable 2 hour Christmas lunch at the restaurant. I was given a window seat as requested and the service was unobtrusive but excellent! Will definitely be back!
Food was fine, though some things expensive for what you got. Service seemed like they did not care.


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I attended USC, majoring in Photojournalism but my passion of photography started in highschool; I worked on the yearbook as the yearbook photo editor. Since that time my experience as a professional photographer has widened my world, brought me into circles of some great professionals, artists and people who I will never forget and to whom I am ever grateful.
As a professional photographer/videographer creative solutions are an important talent I bring to every job. Having worked on numerous films, TV shows, commercials, and YouTube videos, I have extensive experience working a video productions. At times, I work projects with simple instructions where I produce, wrangle talent, script, direct, photograph, video, edit and complete all production aspects in order to present for final delivery. Such difficult situations in a production has often resulted in work which far exceeded client's expectations in the final result.
Once the main camera operator was unable to gain control of the gimbal, I was able to balanced and calibrate it so that it would function correctly getting everyone back on schedule. The production company called to tell my agency that not only had I worked out well, but that the agency was brilliant to have sent me to that job.
While working at Moon Valley Nursery where I was the multimedia director, the jobs often involved filming in the field and at a variety of construction sites. I am well versed in the specific difficulties in working in the field, especially with drones. I have my FAA Commercial Drone Pilots license and keep abreast of all laws and rules to fly a drone in urban areas.


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Hong Kong (CNN)Hong Kongers headed to the polls Sunday to replace four lawmakers kicked out of the city's legislature in a vote seen as a chance for the city's beleaguered democracy movement to regain lost ground.
Fifteen candidates are vying for the seats that were left vacant after pro-democracy lawmakers were removed from office over protests they staged during their swearing-in ceremonies that took aim at Beijing.
It comes as China holds its National People's Congress, the country's rubber-stamp parliament, which on Sunday waved through a change to the constitution to remove presidential term limits.
That move -- first announced in late February -- clears the way for President Xi Jinping to rule China indefinitely, sparking alarm in Hong Kong, where his time in office has been characterized by tighter Chinese control over the city and shrinking political freedoms.
Those fears were underscored at the start of the meeting on March 5, when a key report delivered by Premier Li Keqiang omitted the usual reference to the people of Hong Kong ruling themselves under the "one country, two systems" formula, which has governed the former British territory since its return to China in 1997.
The arrangement allows Hong Kong a degree of electoral freedom not enjoyed on the mainland, although Beijing ruled out universal suffrage for the city in 2014, sparking a huge street protest that became known as the Umbrella Movement.
Results are due early on Monday.
Red line
As Xi shores up his grip on power, Hong Kong's pro-democracy movement is looking shakier than ever, with the cost of resistance rising as protesters increasingly face jail time and political candidates are barred from standing for office.
One pro-democracy candidate, Agnes Chow, who had hoped to replace the disqualified lawmaker Nathan Law, was barred from standing for election at the last minute after authorities extended a blanket ban on pro-independence candidates to also include those who advocate self-determination for the city.
Her party, Demosisto, had advocated Hong Kongers be allowed to vote on the city's future when the one country, two systems arrangements run out in 2047.
The failure of the government to pass political reform to give Hong Kongers more of a say in choosing their leader, combined with increasing encroachment by Beijing, has led to calls from an increasing minority in the city for full independence from China.
Voters in the legislative elections in September 2016 thumbed their noses at Beijing by electing several supporters of independence or self-determination for Hong Kong.
Chinese authorities have taken a hard line on the issue, even suggesting advocating or discussing independence may be made illegal. During a visit to the city last year, Xi said it was a "red line" for China.
Veteran campaigner Martin Lee, founder of the Hong Kong Democratic Party, said the move to prevent Chow from running was a major escalation by the authorities.
"How can you say Hong Kong people can't decide our future," he asked. "How can you interpret that as just like asking for independence?"
Voters in the legislative elections in September 2016 thumbed their noses at Beijing by electing several supporters of independence or self-determination for Hong Kong.
No hope
While it was widely expected Xi would stay on past 2022, when his current term is due to end, the removal of term limits puts into focus the need for the city's democracy movement to come up with a new approach to China.
Pro-Beijing parties hold a near unassailable majority in Hong Kong's legislature, LegCo, thanks to the functional constituency system, which allocates seats to certain business, trade and civil society groups, the majority of which take their lead from China.
"LegCo is hopeless, completely hopeless," Lee said, adding the chances of pushing further reform through the current parliament "are zero."
Lee worried the increasing difficulties facing the pro-democracy movement are "going to encourage more people to give up in the fight for democracy."
And some young Hong Kongers are giving up on the city entirely, with increasing numbers going to Taiwan or western countries.
For Lee, this is a mistake: "If you leave Hong Kong where do you go to?"
"Where is China not asserting influence?" he asked. "Wherever they go they would still be affected, still cannot get away from the influence of big China."
"Why don't we stay home and fight harder?"


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The poster for the new Star Wars film has been released. In central position is Rey indicating that she will be the main character with Finn being the support character. If you have been following the film in the news, you will have noticed Rey in the pilot seat of the Millennium Falcon in a photo or two which strongly indicates that she is the daughter of Han Solo and Princess Leia. Also reinforces what been said in the new previously about the new Death Star being an actual planet this time round which the director J.J. Abrams had said recently about some of the rumours being true.
Also released were a few small thirty second trailers ahead of the new major trailer that is being released during an ESPN show. The film is being controversially released in the United Kingdom before being shown hours later in the United States which has annoyed a many Star Wars fans on the opposite side of the Atlantic to this site. The new film is coming in at about 2hrs 16 minutes which is just two minutes longer than Star Wars VI - Return of the Jedi.
There's no register feature and no need to give an email address if you don't need to. All messages will be reviewed before being displayed. Comments may be merged or altered slightly such as if an email address is given in the main body of the comment.
You can decline to give a name which if that is the case, the comment will be attributed to a random star. A name is preferred even if its a random made up one by yourself.


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By February 2015, the Bulgarian State Railways (BDZ) company is to decide how many diesel rail buses it needs to replace old railcars which are to be taken out of service, according to Anton Ginev, Deputy Transport Minister.
The two maritime airports of Varna and Burgas are expected to meet 5 million passengers this year. 2 million at Varna Airport and 3 million…143 Views | the publication reaches you by | Bulgarian Business Club
In an interview for the 24 Hours daily, Ginev noted that a public procurement procedure for the supply of rail buses would be launched once the number was specified.
He pointed out that the average efficiency of the 38 trains which had been dropped from the schedule as of Monday had been 23%.
Ginev explained that the management of BDZ would welcome any ideas for reorganizing train traffic by trade unions, NGOs and citizens.
He emphasized that there was no way to avoid staff cuts and the suspension of "inefficient" trains due to the downsized subsidy of the state-owned railway company.
Ginev underscored that the alternative to cost-cutting measures was bankruptcy.
He made clear that BDZ would start buying new trains and repairing train cars if a new debt rescheduling agreement with the company's creditors.
Ginev informed, however, that the creditors of BDZ insisted to be paid at once BGN 219 M out of a total debt of BGN 371 M, while the company was unable to pay more than BGN 70 M, including BGN 40 M from the state subsidy and BGN 30 M which would otherwise have been used for capital expenditure.
Trading is highly popular with several people, whether this is on a global scale or a much smaller…102 Views | the publication reaches you by | Bulgarian Business Club
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You can subscribe to our Facebook, Twitter or use our RSS feed channel to always read the most important news about Bulgaria.


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One man is in hospital after being stabbed in Oshawa on Thursday morning.
Police were called to an apartment on Brock Street East at around 6 a.m.
A 21-year-old man was found with serious injuries and was taken to hospital.
Police said the suspect fled the scene and so far, there is no description of the suspect.
Police are asking anyone with information to call them, or anonymously submit a tip at Crimestoppers.
UOIT student, 19, identified as pedestrian struck and killed by vehicle in Oshawa
© 2018 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.


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Why is that table square? he said
I saw it round inside my head
Desired no corners nor no edges
No dusty angles, awkward ledges
I wanted clean and modern lines
Not something square from olden times
I ordered glass and shiny legs
This travesty the question begs
Did anybody take the time
To read at all my bright design?
Why is the bloody table square?
It should be round, and over there…


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A Lectionary for campus ministries
Like many mainline churches, the Episcopal Church participates in using the Revised Common Lectionary: a resource that helps ensure we hear the breadth and depth of Scripture across three years, in a pattern that matches the seasons of the church year. But at Rockwell House and other campus ministries, our worship year is truncated, and the unedited RCL ends up leaving a lot of the big stories and teachings (Patriarchs and matriarchs! David and his family! Parables! Miracles!) out of our life together. This Lectionary for Campus Ministries, developed by the Rev. Beth Scriven and field tested at Rockwell House, offers a six year program that integrates the missing readings, minimizes repetition, and yet still syncs its rhythms with the rest of the church.


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The sole purpose of this project was to create a common responsive UI for all customers using Tesco Groceries, Tesco Direct and Tesco Clubcard websites, allowing customers to register, sign in and access their account dashboard.
Previously to change or add new details to their accounts, customers needed to sign in to multiple websites. Working in weekly agile sprints in a cross functional team, we successfully delivered; Registration, Sign in, My account dashboard, Change password, Order a new Clubcard and Address book.
One of the biggest challenges with this project was the amount of other teams/services that were in involved in making this project work. This unfortunately meant a lot of what we were trying to achieve would be blocked, as a number of things needed to be "unlocked" before our engineers could implement changes, whether this meant legacy data removed, or new code added to allow us to progress.
Fortunately for me there was so much work on the UI side I was able to push forward and get a lot of the work done up front by working closely with my fellow UX designer we were able to get a lot of the design work completed.


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Those who chanced upon Climb Central's high wall at Kallang Wave Mall for the first time are probably in awe, amazed or intimidated. If that is your first time seeing rock climbing in action, there are probably a lot of questions on your mind.
First and foremost, comes the most important question:
What is climbing?
Climbing is a sport that uses your hands and feet to go up the wall using tiles as handholds and footholds. It uses your own strength to bring yourself up. There are 3 main types of climbing available at indoor climbing gym.
1. Bouldering
On walls between 4.5 to 6 metres tall, bouldering consists of climbing short sequences of moves which are slightly more powerful than the moves found on high wall. Fans of bouldering enjoy this form of climbing as there is no need to wear a harness or carry equipment with you.
2. Top rope Climbing
This is a form of climbing where the rope is already up on the anchor. To belay a climber on top-rope, you will need to have attended a Top Rope class and be verified by a qualified staff to obtain a Top Rope Belay tag. If you don't have one, you can look out for our Beta Technical classes or the belaySAFE system in Climb Central that allows you to climb and belay even if you don't have a certificate! All you need to do is to just attend a compulsory 15 mins safety briefing and learn how to use the belay system.
3. Lead Climbing
Instead of having a rope on the anchor, lead climbing requires the climber to clip in to the quick-draws as they climb up. Before using the lead wall, both climber and belayer must undergo a verification check conducted by our qualified staff. Verification will be done on an Assisted Braking Device (ABD), and you must use an ABD when belaying on our lead walls.
Sounds interesting? Before you step into the climbing gym for the first time, there are a few more things that you should know.
Climbing Jargon
Words like beta, dyno and gaston may sound foreign to you (in fact, they originate from France), but you can find out more about what it means here.
Climbing Grades
Each route on both the boulder wall and the high wall has a grade attached to it. It indicates the route's level of difficulty. This helps you gauge how hard the route will be and helps you to pace yourself in your climbs.
Stay tuned to the blog for more information about climbing!


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Aerial Overview
With exceptional visibility from both Terrill Park Drive and Old Turnpike Road, Capitol Crossing presents a unique opportunity for tenants seeking efficient, open and well-located industrial space for their warehouse, distribution, storage, or high-tech manufacturing/production use. Capitol Crossing is here to meet industrial tenants needs and offer flexibility.
Capitol Crossing is exceptionally well located less than 3/4 of a mile to Interstate I-93, and less than 2.4 miles to interstate I-89. The Concord Airport is less than 1/2 mile from the property, and the Manchester-Boston Regional Airport is less than 25 miles away.


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Hi Everyone;
I have been going nuts trying to make myself purchase a whole new system and one that will mean spending an amount of money that I am not accustomed to spending. I did inherit a reasonably good sized pile of cash this year, but after living on a Government Disability Pension for just over 20 years now, one which has seen my Monthly Check grow from the $708/Month I started on in1988 to the $779/Month I get now, buying big ticket items is just something you almost never get to do, last one was a 53" HDTV in 2001. I've always had more than enough to live on, as I have been fortunate enough to have lived rent free all those years, so I didn't do without much, but saving for anything sizable was impossible. I don't want to make a mistake and end up disappointed with my purchase, so I wanted to run my parts list by the other site members before I commit to it. So if you have any advise as to what may be better choices please feel free to give it to me.
A few months ago when I heard all the Talk about using GPU's to run Boinc Project's and how you could generate really good numbers without having to spend a fortune on a Top of the line Intel Extreme CPU, I became interested in returning to the PC Perspective Frog Boinc Community after a long absence, and after I added a BFG GTX 260 Maxcore to one of my Machines and my Numbers went up dramatically, my interest really took off.
I can't wait to add an i7 920 CPU and Dual GTX 295's and see how that affects my RAC. Below is the System, and I should tell you I am not putting it together myself, it is being built for me, these are just the components I have chosen.
Intel Core i7 920 Quad Core Processor LGA1366 2.66GHZ Bloomfield 8MB LGA1366 4.8GT/S
Noctua NH-U12P SE1366 LGA1366 i7 Heatpipe Cooler W/ 2XNH-P12 120MM Fan
ASUS Rampage II Extreme ATX LGA1366 X58 DDR3 3PCI-E16 2PCI-E1 PCI CrossFire SLI Motherboard
Corsair XMS3 TR3X6G1333C9 6GB DDR3 3X2GB DDR3-1333 CL 9-9-9-24 Core i7 Memory Kit
2 X GeForce GTX 295 576MHZ 1792MB GDDR3 1.998GHZ PCI-E Dual DVI-I
Cooler Master Haf 932 Full Tower Black EATX Case 6X5.25 1X3.5 5X3.5INT No PSU USB eSATA 1394 Audio
Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 3.5IN 500GB SATA2 8.5MS 7200RPM 32MB Cache NCQ Hard Drive OEM
CD & DVD Drives Samsung SH-S223Q/BEBD TruDirect 22X DVD+R/-R Lightscribe DVD Writer Black SATA OEM
and I already purchased an OCZ 1000W Pro-X-Stream Power Supply