Whitney Houston is set to take over Michael Jackson's London shows.
The the multi platinum best selling artist has a new record due out this year, and is being lined up for 23 of the dates the 'King of Pop' - who died of a suspected cardiac arrest on June 25 - was due to perform at The O2 arena early next year.
'Whitney Houston has been on the O2 arena wish-list for a while - she has the voice and hits to sell the arena out several times over.'
Michael had been scheduled to play 50 dates at the venue starting earlier this month and stretching into next year.
If the plan goes ahead, Whitney, could stage shows in January, February and March 2010.
She is expected to play greatest hits sets as well as her new material.
Whitney's 'I Look to You' comes out in August, and is her first new studio LP in the last few years.
~ MSN Entertainment
Q .... It's only right and fitting since Whitney's album 'The Bodyguard' is the world's 2nd biggest selling album after Michael's 'Thriller'.
Friday, July 31, 2009
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Still Fabulous?
Tanning beds now rank alongside cigarettes and asbestos as a top-level cancer threat, the World Health Organisation's cancer research agency announced Wednesday.
Classified in 1992 and a "probable" cancer agent, research since then has left no doubt that soaking up UV rays at tanning salons significantly enhances the chances of developing the disease, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) found.
"The use of sunbeds is carcinogenic to humans. It causes melanoma of the skin, and melanoma of the eye," said Vincent Cogliano, an IARC researcher who led the new assessment.
"I cannot see any reason why a healthy person should use them," he told AFP by phone.
The risk of melanoma -- the most lethal form of skin cancer -- increases by 75 percent when use of tanning devices starts before the age of 30, according to the findings, published in the British medical journal The Lancet Oncology.
The link between artificial tanning devices and cancer is not new. The WHO and national health agencies have long cautioned against using sunbeds, much as they have warned about the ill effects of overexposure to the sun.
But threshold of scientific proof is high, and required additional research on animals as well as epidemiological studies of cancer rates among humans before sunbeds could be labeled -- along with tobacco, asbestos and alcohol -- as a carcinogen.
Cogliano said it is not the IARC's role to issue recommendations, but that he hoped the new evaluation would focus attention on the issue.
"We are not a regulatory agency. We publish the scientific results so that the public health agencies can take action as they see fit."
Physicians hailed the decision, and called for tighter regulations for the multi-billion dollar tanning industry.
"We welcome the recognition that sunbeds are carcinogenic," said Nina Goad, spokeswoman for the British Association of Dermatologists.
"It is high time that steps were taken to regulate the industry, to prevent children using sunbeds, and to ensure that sunbeds are subject to health warnings like other known carcinogens."
"We have been trying for a long time to call the attention of the government to the potential risks," said George Reuter, head of France's National Union of Dermatologists.
The tubes emitting UV rays vary in intensity and can "become more dangerous over time," highlighting the need for stricter oversight, he told AFP.
Both associations stopped short of calling for an outright ban.
"The solution is to inform the public, not to outlaw sunbeds," said Reuter, adding that many dermatologists in France tell their patients not to exceed 10 sessions in year.
Those who use the devices to stay tanned year round are especially at risk, he added.
"People have the right to make their own health choices. Other known carcinogens are not banned, so I don't think you want to set a precedent with sunbeds," Goad said by phone.
Sunbeds are more common in northern Europe and the United States than most other regions. According to a survey conducted last year, some 14 million Germans aged 18 to 45 use them, with a quarter starting before the age of 17.
Earlier studies indicate that nearly a quarter of the adult population in many European countries -- including France, Belgium, Germany and Sweden -- have used sunbeds, which emit a higher concentration of UV rays than sunlight.
The sunbed association, and industry lobby group based in Britain, disputed the IARC's reclassification of tanning devices as carcinogenic to humans.
"The relationship between UV exposure and an increased risk of developing skin cancer is only likely to arise where over-exposure -- i.e. burning -- has taken place," it said in a statement.
Classified in 1992 and a "probable" cancer agent, research since then has left no doubt that soaking up UV rays at tanning salons significantly enhances the chances of developing the disease, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) found.
"The use of sunbeds is carcinogenic to humans. It causes melanoma of the skin, and melanoma of the eye," said Vincent Cogliano, an IARC researcher who led the new assessment.
"I cannot see any reason why a healthy person should use them," he told AFP by phone.
The risk of melanoma -- the most lethal form of skin cancer -- increases by 75 percent when use of tanning devices starts before the age of 30, according to the findings, published in the British medical journal The Lancet Oncology.
The link between artificial tanning devices and cancer is not new. The WHO and national health agencies have long cautioned against using sunbeds, much as they have warned about the ill effects of overexposure to the sun.
But threshold of scientific proof is high, and required additional research on animals as well as epidemiological studies of cancer rates among humans before sunbeds could be labeled -- along with tobacco, asbestos and alcohol -- as a carcinogen.
Cogliano said it is not the IARC's role to issue recommendations, but that he hoped the new evaluation would focus attention on the issue.
"We are not a regulatory agency. We publish the scientific results so that the public health agencies can take action as they see fit."
Physicians hailed the decision, and called for tighter regulations for the multi-billion dollar tanning industry.
"We welcome the recognition that sunbeds are carcinogenic," said Nina Goad, spokeswoman for the British Association of Dermatologists.
"It is high time that steps were taken to regulate the industry, to prevent children using sunbeds, and to ensure that sunbeds are subject to health warnings like other known carcinogens."
"We have been trying for a long time to call the attention of the government to the potential risks," said George Reuter, head of France's National Union of Dermatologists.
The tubes emitting UV rays vary in intensity and can "become more dangerous over time," highlighting the need for stricter oversight, he told AFP.
Both associations stopped short of calling for an outright ban.
"The solution is to inform the public, not to outlaw sunbeds," said Reuter, adding that many dermatologists in France tell their patients not to exceed 10 sessions in year.
Those who use the devices to stay tanned year round are especially at risk, he added.
"People have the right to make their own health choices. Other known carcinogens are not banned, so I don't think you want to set a precedent with sunbeds," Goad said by phone.
Sunbeds are more common in northern Europe and the United States than most other regions. According to a survey conducted last year, some 14 million Germans aged 18 to 45 use them, with a quarter starting before the age of 17.
Earlier studies indicate that nearly a quarter of the adult population in many European countries -- including France, Belgium, Germany and Sweden -- have used sunbeds, which emit a higher concentration of UV rays than sunlight.
The sunbed association, and industry lobby group based in Britain, disputed the IARC's reclassification of tanning devices as carcinogenic to humans.
"The relationship between UV exposure and an increased risk of developing skin cancer is only likely to arise where over-exposure -- i.e. burning -- has taken place," it said in a statement.
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Some Nose None the Better
Michael Jackson's nose was missing as he lay in state.
An eyewitness claims he saw the 'Beat It' singer's body on an autopsy table of a Los Angeles morgue with part of his face completely disappeared.
The witness said: 'The prosthesis he normally attached to his damaged nose was missing, revealing bits of cartilage surrounding a small dark hole.'
Jackson - who died a month ago today of a suspected cardiac arrest - was believed to have had a number of surgical operations change the shape of his nose, which eventually eroded it away. He was also thought to be obsessed with plastic surgery and altering his appearance.
The witness added: 'Jackson's face - which he had so painfully reworked and concealed from the public for decades now - lay out in the open undisguised under the harsh lights.'
One of the 'King Of Pop's former housekeepers has previously told how the singer kept a number of false noses, which he applied using plasters and glue.
Adrian McManus said: 'In his closet he had a jar of fake noses and stage glue, which he told me he used for disguises. But some were similar to his real nose, just without the hole.'
Reasons for Jackson's fascination with surgery are unclear, though he has hinted it was because he was bullied as a child. Other sources said he was desperate not to look like his father, Joe Jackson, whom he had accused of hitting him as a youngster and aking fun of his appearance. ~MSN
Q
An eyewitness claims he saw the 'Beat It' singer's body on an autopsy table of a Los Angeles morgue with part of his face completely disappeared.
The witness said: 'The prosthesis he normally attached to his damaged nose was missing, revealing bits of cartilage surrounding a small dark hole.'
Jackson - who died a month ago today of a suspected cardiac arrest - was believed to have had a number of surgical operations change the shape of his nose, which eventually eroded it away. He was also thought to be obsessed with plastic surgery and altering his appearance.
The witness added: 'Jackson's face - which he had so painfully reworked and concealed from the public for decades now - lay out in the open undisguised under the harsh lights.'
One of the 'King Of Pop's former housekeepers has previously told how the singer kept a number of false noses, which he applied using plasters and glue.
Adrian McManus said: 'In his closet he had a jar of fake noses and stage glue, which he told me he used for disguises. But some were similar to his real nose, just without the hole.'
Reasons for Jackson's fascination with surgery are unclear, though he has hinted it was because he was bullied as a child. Other sources said he was desperate not to look like his father, Joe Jackson, whom he had accused of hitting him as a youngster and aking fun of his appearance. ~MSN
Q
Serves Her Right to doubt the Rights of Others
Anti-gay Singapore professor cancels NYU stint after uproar
A Singaporean law professor has pulled out of a teaching stint at New York University after her hardline anti-gay views triggered a backlash on campus, school officials said.
Richard Revesz, dean of New York University's law school, said Thio Li-ann had informed him she would not be teaching during the fall semester because of "controversy surrounding her views regarding homosexuality and gay rights."
"She explained that she was disappointed by what she called the atmosphere of hostility by some members of our community towards her views and by the low enrolments in her classes," he said in a statement seen Friday.
Thio -- a former appointed member of parliament and a current professor at the National University of Singapore, which has an exchange programme with NYU -- could not immediately be reached for comment.
The 41-year-old was due to teach courses on human rights law and constitutionalism in Asia at NYU during the fall semester starting in September.
Singapore's Straits Times said NYU students were outraged after learning that Thio had said in a parliamentary debate in 2007 that repealing a colonial-era law making sex between men a criminal offence "would subvert social morality, the common good and undermine our liberties."
More than 800 members of the NYU community signed a petition against Thio after gay rights activists circulated copies of her speech, it said.
Revesz said he was not aware of the anti-gay speech when NYU made the offer to Thio, and both courses have now been cancelled as a result of her pullout.
In Singapore, sex between men is still a criminal offence punishable by up to two years in prison under a law dating back to British colonial rule, although it is rarely enforced.
AFP
Q
A Singaporean law professor has pulled out of a teaching stint at New York University after her hardline anti-gay views triggered a backlash on campus, school officials said.
Richard Revesz, dean of New York University's law school, said Thio Li-ann had informed him she would not be teaching during the fall semester because of "controversy surrounding her views regarding homosexuality and gay rights."
"She explained that she was disappointed by what she called the atmosphere of hostility by some members of our community towards her views and by the low enrolments in her classes," he said in a statement seen Friday.
Thio -- a former appointed member of parliament and a current professor at the National University of Singapore, which has an exchange programme with NYU -- could not immediately be reached for comment.
The 41-year-old was due to teach courses on human rights law and constitutionalism in Asia at NYU during the fall semester starting in September.
Singapore's Straits Times said NYU students were outraged after learning that Thio had said in a parliamentary debate in 2007 that repealing a colonial-era law making sex between men a criminal offence "would subvert social morality, the common good and undermine our liberties."
More than 800 members of the NYU community signed a petition against Thio after gay rights activists circulated copies of her speech, it said.
Revesz said he was not aware of the anti-gay speech when NYU made the offer to Thio, and both courses have now been cancelled as a result of her pullout.
In Singapore, sex between men is still a criminal offence punishable by up to two years in prison under a law dating back to British colonial rule, although it is rarely enforced.
AFP
Q
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
King of Lollipop
Michael Jackson had an 'insatiable' appetite for gay sex, it has been claimed.
The late 'Beat It' singer's unofficial biographer Ian Halperin claims to have spoken to two of the star's male lovers, including an actor named only as Lawrence.
Lawrence told the author: 'He was very shy. But when he started to have sex, he was insatiable.'
According to Halperin -
who makes the allegations in his book 'Unmasked: The Final Years of Michael Jackson' - 'virtually everyone' around the singer knew he was gay and he used to meet lovers in a run-down motel dressed as a woman.
One alleged lover said: 'The very first time he had sex with me he said, 'The King of Pop's going to lick your lollipop.' I still laugh thinking about that.'
Jackson moved to Los Angeles in 2007 and barely left his home, except to meet one of his lovers for secret liaisons.
A source told Halperin: 'He met a construction worker and fell madly in love with him. Michael would leave the house in disguise, often dressed as a woman, and would go to meet his boyfriend at a motel that was one of Vegas' grungiest dives. Michael was broke. He struggled to put food on the table for his children. It was all he could afford then.'
Halperin added: 'A close aide of Jackson who confirmed the affair to me said that he had no knowledge of what went on behind closed doors at the motel.
'But the aide said Jackson would dress as a woman after midnight to meet a worker employed by the city of Las Vegas.'
Meanwhile, toxicology tests carried out on the singer's body reportedly showed lethal levels of the painkillers Demerol and heroin substitute Methadone in his system before he died.
Preliminary toxicology reports submitted to the Los Angeles county coroner's office also showed high levels of anti-anxiety drug Xanax, 'significant' amounts of painkiller Dilaudid, lower levels of Propofol - allegedly used by the singer as a sleeping aid - plus 'therapeutic' levels of strong painkillers Fentanyl and Vicodin, anti-anxiety tablet Valium and sleeping drug Ambien.
A source said
: 'Michael Jackson was a walking drug store when he died - he never stood a chance.
The body can build up extreme tolerances to huge doses of drugs but eventually it overloads and just shuts down. That is what happened to Michael.'
The levels of drugs in his system were so high, police may turn the enquiry into his death into a manslaughter investigation.
The source added: 'This is sure to increase pressure on police to establish exactly how one man obtained so many prescription medications - and which doctors were responsible.
'There is increasing talk of manslaughter charges if it can be shown he was given drugs without proper regard for his safety.'
Police Chief William Bratton is waiting for the final toxicology reports before deciding whether to pursue an investigation.
He said: 'Based on those, we will have an idea what we are dealing with. Are we dealing with a homicide or are we dealing with accidental overdose?'~ MSN News
Q.. "Lick It" .
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Happy 4th July !!!
Happy 4 July !!!!!!
No one sings the Star Spangled Banner better than Whitney Houston ...
After all, it is the only version ever to make it up all the way to the Top 5 of the American Billboard Hot 100 charts, and making it the one and only song ever written in the 18th century to chart.
Not to mention, having sold over 4 million copies , it is one of the Top 3 biggest selling singles of all time.
(Just FYI: The Second-Biggest selling single of all time 'I Will Always Love You' was also song by Ms. Houston and first being that most-annoying 'Candle In the Wind' by Queen Elton John)
Befitting achievements as mountainous as her souring vocals in the song. Amazing.
Can't wait for her new come-back album out this year.^^)
Q .... 'Laaaaaaannnnddddd of the BRRRRRAAAAAAAAVVVVVVVVEEEEEE !!!!'
Ugly and Stupid?
Baby Martin
Aston Martin describes the Cygnet concept as a luxury commuter, “a distinctive, intelligent and exclusive solution for urban travel in style and luxury.”
Why should only the hoi polloi be fuel efficient? Or put the other way, why should the fuel efficient not be able to arrive in Aston Martin style?
Aston Martin Chief Executive, Dr Ulrich Bez said: “Now is the right time for Aston Martin to take this first bold step to embark on this special project – made possible with the support of an organisation of Toyota’s stature and capability and the intelligent design and perfect city car package of the iQ.”
Dr. Bez conceded that much remained to be done, but by working with Toyota and utilizing the respective strengths of each organization, “this project could become reality in the not too distant future.”
Aston Martin provided no technical information, including what suspension or engine differences there might be, though we would be surprised to see a production Aston Martin Cygnet as merely a Toyota iQ with a different body and inside, luxury trim.
Even so, one shouldn’t expect a production Aston Martin Cygnet to be a luxury tourer. Bez called it “akin to an exclusive tender to a luxury yacht.”
“The offering of a ‘Cygnet’ with a DBS, DB9 or Vantage is a unique combination of opposites,” said Bez, “and a novel transport solution allowing intelligent and sensitive mobility on an exclusive and innovative level.”
In short, the question is not whether a production version of the Cygnet will arrive, but when. And a cygnet, as you know, is a baby swan.
Then too, a baby swan was, in the children’s story. An ugly duckling.
And where's the IQ in that?
Q ... what say you? A really expensive shopping cart? A supplementary card to that exclusive Gold Card?
It might seem at first that it’s a joke—Aston Martin building a car based on the Toyota iQ city car—but it’s not April first, and with a concept car called the Cygnet, indeed they’re serious.
Aston Martin describes the Cygnet concept as a luxury commuter, “a distinctive, intelligent and exclusive solution for urban travel in style and luxury.”
Why should only the hoi polloi be fuel efficient? Or put the other way, why should the fuel efficient not be able to arrive in Aston Martin style?
Accordingly, the Aston Martin Cygnet is “a creative, environmentally conscious solution, being small, yet with presence – and highly fuel efficient, now combined with the prestige of Aston Martin’s luxury brand ownership.”
Aston Martin Chief Executive, Dr Ulrich Bez said: “Now is the right time for Aston Martin to take this first bold step to embark on this special project – made possible with the support of an organisation of Toyota’s stature and capability and the intelligent design and perfect city car package of the iQ.”
Dr. Bez conceded that much remained to be done, but by working with Toyota and utilizing the respective strengths of each organization, “this project could become reality in the not too distant future.”
Aston Martin provided no technical information, including what suspension or engine differences there might be, though we would be surprised to see a production Aston Martin Cygnet as merely a Toyota iQ with a different body and inside, luxury trim.
Even so, one shouldn’t expect a production Aston Martin Cygnet to be a luxury tourer. Bez called it “akin to an exclusive tender to a luxury yacht.”
“The offering of a ‘Cygnet’ with a DBS, DB9 or Vantage is a unique combination of opposites,” said Bez, “and a novel transport solution allowing intelligent and sensitive mobility on an exclusive and innovative level.”
In short, the question is not whether a production version of the Cygnet will arrive, but when. And a cygnet, as you know, is a baby swan.
Then too, a baby swan was, in the children’s story. An ugly duckling.
And where's the IQ in that?
Q ... what say you? A really expensive shopping cart? A supplementary card to that exclusive Gold Card?
Thursday, July 2, 2009
An Apple for All
A top Indian court issued a landmark ruling Thursday that decriminalised gay sex between consenting adults by declaring a colonial-era ban on homosexuality unconstitutional.
The decision by the Delhi High Court was hailed by gay activists here as a historic step in their struggle to achieve equal rights in a conservative society that largely regards homosexuality as a taboo illness.
The court ruled that the existing ban on homosexual acts was discriminatory and therefore a violation of individual rights guaranteed by the constitution.
Homosexuality has been illegal in India since 1860 under a statute introduced by British colonial rulers that banned "carnal intercourse against the order of nature." Conviction carried a fine and maximum 10-year jail sentence.
Although prosecutions were rare, gay activists said police used the law to harass and intimidate members of their community.
"We are all very thrilled and happy," said Anjali Gopalan, executive director of the Naz Foundation, a gay advocacy group that had petitioned the court to overturn the statute.
"This is just the beginning. The battle will continue till every member of this community gets all the rights that an ordinary citizen has," Gopalan told reporters.
While the ruling is non-binding outside the Indian capital, it effectively leaves the government with the choice of appealing to the Supreme Court or repealing the law nationwide.
The decision was criticised by religious groups, particularly leaders of India's Muslim and Christian communities, who staunchly opposed the move to legalise gay sex.
"This is absolutely wrong," said Ahmed Bukhari, imam at the Jama Masjid in Delhi, India's largest mosque.
"We will not accept any such law," Bukhari said.
Father Babu Joseph, spokesman for the Catholic Bishops Conference of India, said the court's decision would make no difference to the Church's stand.
"While respecting the judgment of the court, we still hold that homosexuality is not an acceptable behaviour," he said.
In recent years, India's homosexual community has raised its profile, organising gay pride marches in major cities such as New Delhi and Mumbai.
"I feel very proud to be an Indian today," said openly gay fashion designer Wendell Rodericks.
The Indian government has offered mixed messages on the issue, with some ministers speaking out in favour of the petition, only to be contradicted by others in the cabinet.
Law Minister Veerappa Moily declined to offer any immediate comment on Thursday's ruling, telling reporters at parliament that he needed to study the text properly.
Ashok Row Kavi, a prominent gay rights campaigner since the 1970s, told AFP from Bangkok, where he was attending a UN AIDS conference, that the court's decision opened a new era.
"I will return to India as a free gay man... free from extortion, violence and blackmail from the police, free from discrimination and free to access all health services," Kavi said.
The UN AIDS agency had supported the petition, arguing that decriminalising homosexuality would help India combat the spread of HIV/AIDS and encourage those affected by it to come forward and seek treatment and information.
India has an estimated 2.5 million people living with HIV.
Susan Timberlake, head of UNAIDS' human rights and law team, said "We think this will set an important precedence throughout the world."
New York-based Human Rights Watch welcomed the ruling, saying it was overdue.
"This legal remnant of British colonialism has been used to deprive people of their basic rights for too long," said Scott Long, director of the watchdog's Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Rights Programme.
"This long-awaited decision testifies to the reach of democracy and rights in India," Long said.
Bollywood actress and gay rights campaigner Celina Jaitley said the ruling was historic.
"I'm overwhelmed," Jaitley told AFP in Mumbai.
"It's great not to be criminalised for being a human being and what you do in your bedroom," she added.~ MNS News
Q
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Supermodel and plastic
Supermodel Karen Mulder has been arrested for making 'threatening' phone calls to a plastic surgeon.
The 39-year-old star was questioned at a Paris police station after calling the medic and reportedly demanding for a previous operation to be reversed.
A detective said: 'She was screaming and shouting about the operation and became extremely threatening. There were repeated calls to the female surgeon who was extremely scared.
The suspect is being interviewed.'Karen was arrested at about 10am yesterday (30.06.09) and taken to a station in the fashion district of the French capital city.Another police source has claimed the model had been 'stalking and making repeated violent telephone threats' to the surgeon.
The source added: 'Miss Mulder was accompanied to a police station in Paris after a complaint was made against her.'She is being interviewed by detectives and is expected to be released on bail.'Her phone records are being checked. It is not yet known if any charges will be brought.
'Karen made her name in the 80s and 90s, and was paid £10,000 for a day's work at one point.She gave up modeling in 1998 after saying she could no longer bear to be photographed.
In 2001, she claimed politicians and policemen had used her and others in her profession as sex slaves.
She also falsely alleged she had been raped by Monaco's Prince Albert.
She had depression and received treatment at a psychiatric hospital, then explained her problems were a result of an addiction to drugs when she was a model.
In 2002, she took an overdose of sleeping pills and was left in a coma.
She appeared on the catwalk in 2007 at a Christian Dior show alongside Naomi Campbell, Linda Evangelista, Stella Tennant and Helena Christensen.
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