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'If I'd known my ex was pregnant, I wouldn't have dated Lucy': TOWIE father-to-be Dan Osborne opens up on his complicated life

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By EMILY SHERIDAN

Excited: The Only Way Is Essex star Dan Osborne shows off his gym-honed physique in an interview with New! magazine

When Dan Osborne and Lucy Mecklenburgh got together on holiday in Marbella, many viewers thought the next new TOWIE couple had arrived.
However, the good-looking pair's burgeoning romance has been stopped in its tracks after the male model found out his ex-girlfriend Megan is pregnant with his child.
Now speaking in depth for the first time since it was revealed on the show he is about to become a father, the 21-year-old admits his excitement about his unborn child.

Dishy dad-to-be: Dan reads an expectant father's guide

He admits if he knew about Megan's pregnancy before Marbella last month, he would never had made a move on Lucy.
He tells the latest issue of New! magazine: 'I felt bad for both Lucy and Megan, but in different ways. If I’d known Megan was pregnant, I wouldn’t have got to know Lucy.'
Dan and Megan, 20, had dated on and off for around 18 months, but split around late March, early April.

The full interview with Dan is in the latest issue of New! magazine, on sale now

He didn't get together with boutique owner Lucy, 21, until the TOWIE cast flew to Marbella at the end of May.
Although Dan admits Megan and he had been arguing a lot before they split, they've been getting on famously since they discovered her pregnancy.
Speaking about her pregnancy, Dan said: 'She’s 13 weeks. I’m not sure how far along she was when she told me she was pregnant, which is why it came as such a shock when we went for the first scan. We hadn’t realised!'

Life goes on: Lucy Mecklenburgh was spotted leaving a tanning shop in Shenfield, Essex on Sunday

Although Dan isn't dating Lucy, the couple still enjoy a flirty friendship.
On Sunday's episode of TOWIE, Lucy expressed her annoyance to Dan that things couldn't be different.
Dan explained: 'Megan would never pressure me to stop dating, but I don’t think it would be fair on either of them if I’d continued to date Lucy. I want to concentrate on one thing at a time.
'Lucy’s a really nice girl and she’s beautiful, but

Flirty friendship: Dan and Lucy are still close, despite agreeing not to date

I can’t say "if this hadn’t happened" because
it has.
'It doesn’t necessarily mean it’s over for
good. It’s not like we won’t speak again. We still
hang out and go for dinner with groups of us.'
The full interview with Dan is in the latest issue of New! magazine, on sale now.

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No pain, no gain! The Rock grimaces as he works on his incredible muscles in between takes of new Hercules movie

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By SARAH BULL

No pain, no gain! The Rock grimaces in pain as he works on his famous muscles in between takes on the set of his new Hercules movie


When it comes to the biggest stars in Hollywood, few can beat The Rock in terms of literal size.
And it seems The Rock has upped his muscle even more for his role in the upcoming Hercules movie, judging by his incredible physique in pictures posted on his Twitter over the past week.
The first image shows the 41-year-old actor grimacing in pain while pulling down weighted cables to work on his upper arm muscles.

That's just his ARM! Another snap shows the muscle man's bulging bicep and his long-haired wig

Going shirtless, The Rock, whose real name is Dwayne Johnson, flexes his body and displays his large and intricate tattoo across his chest, shoulder and arm.
Another frame shared by the actor shows just his bulging bicep, complete with fake scars, as he sits in the hair and make-up trailer.
The image also appears to show that bald-headed Dwayne will sport a wig to play the Greek demigod in Hercules: The Thracian Wars, due for release in July 2014.

Leg day: The Rock, real name Dwayne Johnson, clearly doesn't hold back when it comes to his workouts

Brett Ratner is directing the film, which is also set to star Rufus Sewell as Autolycus, the son of Olympian god Hermes.
Dwayne's career is going from strength to strength, and the actor has recently appeared in movies such as G.I. Joe: Retaliation, in which he appears with Bruce Willis, and Fast & Furious 6, which also features Vin Diesel.
And WWE manager Paul Heyman insists that the actor deseres a 'ton of credit' for his career so far.

Sneak peek: He also shared a picture of some of the props involved in his role as Hercules

When asked what he thought of The Rock's movies, Paul cheekily said: 'I think The Rock deserves a ton of credit for carrying all of these movies with guys like Bruce Willis or Vin Diesel.'
Perhaps The Rock's most impressive co-star to date, however, will be Arnold Schwarzenegger, amid reports he is set to star alongside the former Californian governor in Terminator 5.
According to The Examiner, the company which owns the rights to the Terminator series is developing a script with a villainous role specifically for him.

It takes a lot of work to look this good! Dwayne also shared a picture of his seven meals, and one shake, which he eats every day

Set in the 1940s and 1950s, Terminator 5 is expected to focus on the parents of Sarah Connor – who the titular character attempts to assassinate in the original 1984 movie - before she was born.
Schwarzenegger– who plays the lead character - has already confirmed he will be returning for the next Terminator installment but he is not expected to portray a robot.
Instead, he will play a man whose ability to protect the Connor clan inspired the design of the robot in the original movie.

Quite the appetite: The Rock shared the details of his high-protein diet plan



source: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2347224/The-Rock-grimaces-works-incredible-muscles-takes-new-Hercules-movie.html
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Her first ever tattoo! Kristen Stewart gets new ink on her right wrist... but keeps the design underwraps

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By JADE WATKINS

First ever tattoo! Kristen Stewart received her first ever tattoo on her wrist when she visited the Pride & Glory Tattoo Parlor in Nashville, Tennessee over the weekend

Her script writer mother Jules Mann-Stewart is covered in ink.
And now her famous daughter Kristen Stewart has just received her first tattoo.
The Twilight star went under the tattooist's needle for the very first time in Nashville, Tennessee at the Pride & Glory Tattoo Parlor over the weekend.



Fun for all: The 23-year-old visited the studio with a group of friends who also all received tattoos

The 23-year-old visited the studio with a group of friends who also all received tattoos.
Kristen's new ink is situated on her wrist and is very small and in pictures posted on Twitter of her tattoo parlour visit the design is not visible.
And the artists who work at the establishment aren't giving anything away either, writing on their Facebook walls 'she asked us to keep it hush hush.'

Keeping it on the low down: Artists who work at the establishment aren't giving away Kristen's tattoo design, writing on their Facebook wall 'she asked us to keep it hush hush'

Kristen is currently travelling around the South with some pals, showing off her friendly side in the process.
The usually sullen star has been seen in several social networking pictures of late smiling and posing with fans.
Recently Kristen also enjoyed a night at Hooters in Texas.

Covered: Kristen's mother Jules Stewart has several tattoos including a full sleeve

A Hooters girl: Kirsten dined at a Hooters restaurant in Texas recently and happily posed with the waitresses after her meal

The Twilight Saga beauty dined at the chain restaurant – which is famous for its busty waitresses – about a week ago.
And although she tried to keep a low profile, Kristen was happy to pose for pictures with employees and fans.
A source told E! News: 'She was trying not to be noticed, so she sat with her back to the restaurant. When she was eating, a guy asked her if she was Kristen Stewart.

Fan favourite! The star posed with a young fan whose sister captured the moment and said: "yeah, that's jus Kristen Stewart taking a picture with my litle sister at hooters, NBD #hootersamarillo #kristenstewart"

'She said, "Yes." When the guy asked her if he could take a photo, she asked if she could take it after her meal.
'She was really nice, she smiled and said bye before she left,' the source concluded.
Kristen isn't the only celebrity fan of the eatery, though.
Selena Gomez previously revealed her father used to take her to Hooters with him when she was younger.
She explained: 'When I was seven, my dad would go to Hooters to watch Spurs games.
'But he started noticing that when I would come, with my little pigtails, all the waitresses would be like, "Hey!" So he ended up half spending time with me but with all those cute girls coming over.'

Are they or aren't they? It is still not clear whether or not Kristen and her long time on and off boyfriend Robert Pattinson are on or off

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2347567/Kristen-Stewart-gets-new-ink-right-wrist--keeps-design-underwraps.html
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George Lucas and Mellody Hobson wed

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By Catherine E. Shoichet and Douglas Hyde, CNN

Mellody Hobson and George Lucaswed on June 22, 2013. / DONNA NEWMAN

(CNN) -- May the force be with them.
George Lucas, the Hollywood writer, director and producer who's most known for his work on the Star Wars film franchise, wed his longtime girlfriend over the weekend.
Lucasfilm spokeswoman Lynne Hale told CNN that Lucas, 69, and Mellody Hobson, 44, were married north of San Francisco Saturday at Skywalker Ranch.

Hobson is president of Chicago-based Ariel Investments and sits on numerous corporate boards.
"It was a beautiful ceremony," Hale said.

Journalist Bill Moyers officiated, she said, and former New Jersey Sen. Bill Bradley walked Hobson down the aisle.
In a Twitter post Sunday, actor and director Ron Howard said the wedding was a "joy to behold."
"Bill Moyers service was beautiful," he wrote, "nothing short of profound."





source: http://edition.cnn.com/2013/06/24/showbiz/george-lucas-wedding
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WImbledon 2013: defending champion Serena Williams advances to second round after defeating Mandy Minella

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Defending Wimbledon champion Serena Williams eased through to the second round with a 6-1 6-3 victory over Mandy Minella in her opening bout which lasted less than an hour.

By Telegraph Sport, and agencies

Off to a flier: Serena Williams took less than an hour to win her opening-round match on the road to defending her Wimbledon crown Photo: AFP

The 31-year-old, a five-time winner at the All England Club, was able to turn her attention to on-court battles on Tuesday, and took just 57 minutes to demolish her 22-year-old Luxembourgian opponent.
Williams may have wished she could have spent a little longer on Centre Court, if only to delay a post-match press conference it which it would be hard to avoid talk around her public spat with Maria Sharapova.

The feud dominated the build-up to the Championships and stems from an interview the American did with Rolling Stone magazine. But she would not let the off-court issues dominate the press conference.
"For me, it's the greatest moment for a tennis player, to walk out on Centre Court," she said after her first match at Wimbledon since winning Olympic gold last year. "That was such a great moment too. So many great memories on this court."
Williams improved her career record to 68-8 at the All England Club and extended her career-best winning streak to 32 matches, which included her second French Open title.

"I don't think about it," Williams said about her streak. "Every single time I step out on the court it's a new match."
Fresh from winning the French Open just a few weeks ago, Williams did not drop a single point on her serve in a first set she wrapped up in a mere 19 minutes.
The American looked set to continue the rout when play resumed, only for world number 92 Minella to make a brief comeback.

Playing just her seventh match on grass in a career spanning nearly 12 years, the Luxembourgian took the first game of the second set before then breaking her esteemed opponent.
Williams quickly rallied, though, winning the next four games, and while Minella briefly responded by winning her fourth service game of the set Williams went on to win with ease, setting up a second-round clash with France's Caroline Garcia.
(Edited by Oliver Pickup)



source: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/tennis/wimbledon/10141436/WImbledon-2013-defending-champion-Serena-Williams-advances-to-second-round-after-defeating-Mandy-Minella.html
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MICHAEL JACKSON'S GRAVE flowers everywhere on death anniversary

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Michael Jackson passed away 4 years ago today -- you probably forgot ... but MJ's biggest fans definitely did not, leaving massive piles of flowers outside the King of Pop's mausoleum today.

To give you an idea, one MJ fan group -- called "One Rose for Michael Jackson" -- donated more than 10,000 roses to the grave site.

A rep for Forest Lawn cemetery tells TMZ, fans will continue to be allowed to place flowers at MJ's grave throughout the day ... and the flowers will remain on site for the rest of the week.

TMZ broke the story ... Jackson died from a fatal dose of Propofol on June 25th, 2009. His doctor is currently in jail.

source: http://www.tmz.com/2013/06/25/michael-jacksons-grave-flowers-anniversary-death/
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Bling, baths and shutter shades! North West's first days with Kim Kardashian and Kanye (as imagined by Alison Jackson)

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By FAY STRANG

Introducing North West! Photographer Alison Jackson used look-a-likes to create these images of Kim Kardashian, Kanye West and their daughter

They are yet to release the first image of their new-born baby North West.
But now, thanks to photographer Alison Jackson, we have been offered an hilarious insight into Kim Kardashian and Kanye West’s daughter’s first days.
And of course while there’s the normal baby stuff – nappies, baths and cuddles - there’s also the not so ordinary which many might imagine goes on when the worlds of Kim and Kanye collide.

Not a fan: The little girl doesn't look too taken with the music pumping through the headphones - perhaps Kanye's?

The parody pictures, created using look-a-likes, show North’s, who was born on June 15th, first moments in the hospital.
A heavily made up Kim cradles her new-born while proud father Kanye, who is wearing the shutter shades he made famous, leans into her.
And in true Kardashian style a video camera reading the words ‘reality TV’ is pointed right at them, making light of the fact the family are known for filming almost their every waking second.

Parental duties: The pictures show Kim and Kanye being normal parents... to an extent

Once back at their house the couple are seen fulfilling various parental duties with their darling daughter.
Rather amusingly one image shows the reality star and rapper searching through baby name books looking for the perfect one.
Kim is pointing at the name Kaidence which is one she mentioned liking before giving birth, although of course the couple eventually picked North (or Nori for short).

Blingtastic: Kim makes sure her baby shines with a large tiara, as well as necklace and bracelet

Perhaps poking fun at the influence Kanye seems to have over Kim he is seen dressing his daughter in a pair of shutter shades, which makes the notoriously grumpy star grin widely.
Another sees him putting headphones, perhaps with his album Jeezus blaring out, on his baby which makes her cry, suggesting she is not a fan of the album which is currently No. 1 in the UK.
Kim meanwhile is seen cooing over her little one as she baths with Kanye and then gazing lovingly at her new family unit as they lie on the bed.

Family unit: North looks a little apprehensive about her super famous parents

Ever the fan of dressing up the 32-year-old new mum is seen putting a very bling tiara on her daughter as well as a large diamond dollar sign necklace, which again is no doubt Kanye’s influence.
An image, which is of Kim before giving birth, shows her indulging in heaps of junk food, poking fun at the constant references to her putting on weight during her pregnancy.
It seems these pictures will have to satisfy fans for the meantime as there is no sign of the couple sharing real images any time soon.

The big name debate: One shot shows the pair trying to pick a name for their bundle of joy

Intimate moment: While not so long ago Kim shared her every moment, it looks unlikely she will continue to do so

source: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2348474/North-Wests-days-Kim-Kardashian-Kanye-imagined-Alison-Jackson.html
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Forget tennis, Maria's the keepy uppy star: Sharapova shows off her football skills during training session

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Quirky scenes on court yesterday as Russian star played football
Another unusual sight was Bethanie Mattek-Sands striking tattoo
Meanwhile, Serena Williams wore eye-catching nails for her match

By SAM WEBB

Can I kick it? Maria Sharapova played football during her practice yesterday ahead of her second round match

It's difficult to imagine what a spectator at the first Wimbledon Championship in 1877 would make of the modern women's game.
They would certainly be surprised at the appearance and behaviour of the world's finest players yesterday.
Maria Sharapova showed she is not just good at tennis with a game of keepy-uppy during a training session.

Tat tennis: Bethanie Mattek-Sands and her eye-catching floral pattern ink

The former champion, 26, spent a 10-minute session with members of her training staff trying to keep a football in the air on Practice Court 16.
But while the others had to do press-ups or a lap of the court as a forfeit for letting the ball drop, she avoided punishment for her errors.
Sharapova is due to play again today after breezing through her first-round match against Kristina Mladenovic on Monday, and is on course for a final with bitter rival Serena Williams.
Last year Bethanie Mattek-Sands dyed her locks green and purple – the colours of the All England Club.

Eye on the ball: Slovakia's Anna Schmiedlova (left) prepares to return during a women's first round match on day two.

Yesterday she turned up for her first round match with an even more alarming hair colour – bright green and yellow, outdazzling even the tournament’s fluorescent tennis balls. But it did not help the 28-year-old American, also known for her tattoos.
She lost to the seventh seed, Germany’s Angelique Kerber.

A close-up of Serena Williams' painted nails in her match against Luxembourg's Mandy Minella

In a game that’s as much about mental strength as muscle power, players will do anything to give themselves an edge.
Yesterday, that included having dripping blood and the cartoon caption ‘POW!’ painted on their nails – and pulling some rather terrifying faces.
Serena Williams was sporting the intimidating nail designs, right, along with a striking up-do, centre.
And Slovakia’s Anna Schmiedlova, left, produced a very odd expression as she struggled in her match.

Bold: Serena also sported a striking up-do during her match

source: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2348582/Forget-tennis-Marias-keepy-uppy-star-Sharapova-shows-football-skills-training-session.html
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Wendy Davis: The State Senator Who Killed the Texas Abortion Bill

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By Brandy Zadrozny

Texas state Sen. Wendy Davis votes against a motion to call for a rules violation during her filibuster of an abortion bill on June 25. (Eric Gay/AP)

One woman stood up against Texas Republicans’ anti-abortion bill. Brandy Zadrozny on the state senator’s filibuster, her past clashes, and the time Rick Perry called her a ‘show horse.’
Davis had taken to the floor to filibuster S.B. 5, the new strictest-in-the-nation abortion bill that would make the procedure illegal after 20 weeks in the state and create stringent requirements for abortion facilities that critics say would shut down all but five of the state’s clinics.

The day before, the petite, 50-year-old Democrat had announced her intention to stop the bill before it could be voted on by the end of the legislative session, tweeting, “The leadership may not want to listen to TX women, but they will have to listen to me. I intend to filibuster this bill.”

The rules of the filibuster were demanding. Davis would not be allowed to sit, take bathroom breaks, or talk about anything that wasn’t “germane” to the bill. She had 13 hours to kill to make it midnight and block the bill.

By Tuesday afternoon, Davis was trending on Twitter, and fellow Democrats, famous and unknown, were lending their support with the #StandWithWendy hashtag. President Obama weighed in by tweeting, “Something special is happening in Austin tonight.”

Ultimately, in the chaotic hours before midnight, Davis’s filibuster was broken; Republicans alleged that she violated the strict parliamentary rules that limited her to discuss only the bill in question. But the Senate's gallery, packed with protesters, erupted in outcry, shaving more precious time off the clock. The GOP-dominated Senate managed to pass S.B. 5 on party lines even as Democrats and the raucous crowd argued that midnight had indeed come and gone before the vote.

As of early Wednesday, it appears that the Republicans' final vote was taken too late to count. Davis tweeted the S.B. 5 was "dead."

The Fort Worth Democrat’s path to the state Senate was an unconventional one. She married and divorced young and by 19 was raising a young daughter alone and living in a trailer park. Davis, who self-identified as part of the “working poor,” found opportunity in a paralegal program at a local community college, did well there, and then transferred to Texas Christian University, where she graduated first in her class. From there she went on to Harvard Law School.

Although one of the most junior of the 12 state senators who make up Texas’s blue minority, the politico is seen as a rising influencer and has been a staunch supporter of women’s reproductive rights.

In 2011 Texas Gov. Rick Perry indirectly called Davis a “show horse.”
In 2012 Davis rode on the “Women’s Health Express” bus, protesting alongside those who opposed a plan to cut Medicaid funding to agencies affiliated with abortion providers. Pausing during a reading in her filibuster speech Tuesday, she wiped away tears as she explained that Planned Parenthood was her only source of health care as a young woman, calling the provider “her medical home.”

In 2011 Davis authored a bill—in response to news that tens of thousands of rape kits were languishing in evidence rooms throughout the state—that required law-enforcement agencies to account for the backlog of untested rape kits. After it passed, Davis spoke to Washington lawmakers, urging them to follow her lead and “do the right thing for thousands of victims of these horrific crimes, who are still waiting for justice to be served and for their attackers to be put behind bars.”

This isn’t Davis’s first filibuster, either. In 2011 she received nationwide attention when she railed for over an hour against a conservative plan that would have cut nearly $4 billion in public-education funding—a move that kept the bill from passing before the midnight deadline and one that many speculated would cost her reelection.

After the education-spending filibuster forced a special session, Gov. Rick Perry indirectly called Davis a “show horse,” and Bill Hammond, the president of the Texas Association of Business, said, “Once the people realize what she has wrought, they’ll see the folly in her efforts.”

Voters disagreed. Davis was reelected in 2012—although as punishment for the filibuster, she was stripped of her Education Committee membership.

While Davis was campaigning for that most recent election, her office was attacked with a Molotov cocktail. After the incident Davis said that she would not be intimidated. “I will continue to stand very strong for the things that I’ve been working on and believe in and I know our community believes in,” she said. “Public education, job creation, and women’s health care.”

On Tuesday night Davis was the catalyst one of the most memorable events in recent political history. Screaming crowds gathered in the Texas Legislature were chanting, “Let her speak! Let her speak!”

As if anyone could stop her.



source: http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2013/06/26/wendy-davis-the-state-senator-who-almost-killed-the-texas-abortion-bill.html
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Abs-olutely fabulous! Tyson Beckford flashes his impressive six-pack and bulging biceps as he goes for a shirtless stroll

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By LOUISE SAUNDERS

Buff body: Tyson Beckford showed off his impressive physique as he went for a shirtless stroll in New York City on Tuesday

He shot to fame as the face and body of Polo Ralph Lauren and has bagged himself a coveted judging spot on the current series of Britain and Ireland's Next Top Model.
And Tyson Beckford proved exactly why he is perfectly equipped for the role as he stepped out shirtless in New York City on Tuesday.
The 42-year-old model showed off his buff body in all its glory as he stripped off to just a pair of white shorts to bask in the summer heat.

Impressive: The 42-year-old model showed off his buff body in all its glory as he stripped off to just a pair of white shorts to bask in the summer heat

Flaunting his washboard abs, impressive six-pack and bulging biceps, the hunky star would have no doubt left female passers by feeling more than a little flustered thanks to his appearance.
Stripping off to reveal his extensive collection of tattoos, Tyson wore just a pair of belted shorts, while his Calvin Klein boxer shorts poked out about his waistband.
The model completed his daytime look with a pair of eye-catching red and white Nike trainers and a red watch as he wandered through the streets.

Abs-olutely fabulous: Flaunting his washboard abs, impressive six-pack and bulging biceps, the hunky star would have no doubt left female passers by feeling more than a little flustered thanks to his appearance

And Tyson made sure to treat his Twitter and Instagram followers to a number of cheeky photos of himself working out, writing alongside one: '300, No sweat.'
But the star has admitted staying in tip-top shape takes a lot of dedication.
Speaking in an interview with Cosmopolitan magazine, he said: 'You can get a new phone or new trainers but you’ve only got one body so you have to look after it.

Working up a sweat: The Ralph Lauren model treated his Twitter and Instagram followers to a cheeky snap of him working out

'I don’t smoke, or drink a lot of alcohol, and I train almost every day.'
During his stint on Britain and Ireland's Next Top Model, Tyson has grown increasingly close to fellow judge Dannii Minogue, with the singer even referring to him as her 'hubby'.
A source recently told Closer magazine: 'Dannii and Tyson have got everybody talking. They have the same sense of humour, make each other laugh and are definitely becoming closer by the day.'

Out and about: Tyson appeared to be wearing a red T-shirt when he stepped out earlier in the day

source: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2348701/Tyson-Beckford-flashes-impressive-pack-bulging-biceps-goes-shirtless-stroll.html
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'I cried, I cried': DOMA widow says on hearing of Supreme Court win

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Mike Segar / Reuters
Edith "Edie" Windsor reacts to cheers as she arrives for a news conference in New York on Wednesday following the U.S. Supreme Court 5-4 ruling striking down as unconstitutional the Defense of Marriage Act.



By Miranda Leitsinger, Staff Writer, NBC News, Staff Writer, NBC News
NEW YORK -- The 84-year-old widow at the center of an historic gay-rights marriage case before the Supreme Court said she cried on Wednesday upon learning of her win, with the justices deeming unconstitutional a federal law that bars recognition of same-sex marriage.

Jim Lo Scalzo / EPA
Celebrations around the nation as the Supreme Court struck down the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) and declined to rule on California's Prop 8, legalizing same-sex marriage in the state.



Smiling and at some times emotional, Edie Windsor said: “I cried, I cried,” after learning of her landmark victory, hailed by one of her attorneys, James Esseks, as a “watershed” moment in the decades-long battle for gay rights.
“We won everything we asked and hoped for. Wow,” she told a room full of reporters at The Center, a LGBT rights community center in New York City.

The victory means the federal government must recognize the marriages of gay and lesbian couples married in the 12 states that allow same-sex marriage, plus the District of Columbia, and give them the same benefits that they had been previously denied under the struck-down law, the Defense of Marriage Act (or DOMA).

Donna Lieberman, executive director of the New York Civil Liberties Union, said it meant the end of what Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg had called "skim-milk marriage" during oral arguments in March.

“I thought we had every right to win. I thought our arguments were sound and everyone else's were insane,” she quipped.
Windsor noted that her journey as a lesbian throughout the decades meant she had had to lie a lot of the time about her sexuality. Her other attorney, Roberta Kaplan, likened Windsor to Susan B. Anthony, Rosa Parks and Harvey Milk.
“It makes me feel incredibly proud and humble,” Windsor said.

Windsor launched her lawsuit after getting a bill for $363,000 in estate taxes after her wife, Thea Spyer, died in 2009 – two years following the couple's marriage in Canada. She noted that if her spouse had been named “Theo,” she wouldn't have received that bill.
She was heartbroken after Spyer’s death but also “overwhelmed with a sense of injustice and unfairness” and decided to sue to get her money back.

“Children born today will grow up in a world without DOMA. And those same children who happen to be gay will be free to love and get married – as Thea and I did – but with the same federal benefits, protections and dignity as everyone else,” Windsor said. “If I had to survive Thea, what a glorious way to do it and she would be so pleased."
Kaplan said Windsor would recoup that money plus interest, as would other couples who brought a case. For other couples, who are married now, the reimbursement will depend on each federal program and benefit. DOMA had blocked the access of same-sex married couples to more than 1,100 federal benefits.

As to the future, Windsor said she would be supportive of the ongoing efforts to bring same-sex marriage nationwide but would otherwise take a back seat.
"I don't have a ton of years left and I would like to relax a little bit," she said lightheartedly.
And when asked what she thought Thea, her partner of 44 years, would say on this big day, Windsor surmised: “You did it, honey.”





Are you part of a same-sex couple hoping to get married but living in a state where you cannot do so? If so, please email reporter Miranda Leitsinger at miranda.leitsinger@nbcuni.com. Also note if your comments can be used and provide a telephone number.

source: http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/06/26/19155699-i-cried-i-cried-doma-widow-says-on-hearing-of-supreme-court-win?lite
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Murder charge for Aaron Hernandez

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By ESPN.com news services
ATTLEBORO, Mass. -- Aaron Hernandez has been charged with murdering his friend after the two had a dispute during a trip to a nightclub.

Hernandez was arrested Wednesday and charged with the first-degree murder of 27-year-old Odin Lloyd, a semipro football player whose body was found in an industrial park about a mile from the former New England Patriots tight end's home.

Hernandez, released by the Patriots less than two hours after his arrest, pleaded not guilty and has been ordered to be held without bail. He also faces five gun-related charges, which were revealed Wednesday afternoon in Attleboro District Court.

Lloyd's relatives said he was dating the sister of Hernandez's fiancée, that the two men were friends and that the men were out together on the last night of Lloyd's life. Lloyd was shot multiple times in the back and chest, authorities said.

Hernandez, 23, also was charged with one count of carrying a firearm without a license, two counts of possessing a large-capacity firearm and two counts of possessing a firearm without an FID card. (An FID card is a firearms ID card and allows the holder to possess non-large-capacity rifles and shotguns in his or her home. It is not the same as a license to carry.)

Judge Daniel J. O'Shea ordered both prosecutors and Hernandez's defense attorneys to refrain from publicly commenting on the case.

"The reality is that this case is still an ongoing investigation," Bristol County District Attorney C. Samuel Sutter said. "Invariably it is in the best interest of an ongoing investigation for the district attorney's office not to comment."

Hernandez could get life without parole if convicted. He was transported to the Bristol County House of Correction and Jail in North Dartmouth, Mass.

"It is at bottom a circumstantial case. It is not a strong case," said Hernandez's attorney Michael Fee.

Hernandez will have a probable cause hearing July 24 at 9 a.m. ET.

Lloyd's family members cried and hugged in the courtroom as prosecutor Bill McCauley outlined the killing. Two relatives were so overcome with emotion that they had to leave the courtroom.
McCauley said the crime stemmed from a night out at a Boston club called Rumor on June 14. He said Hernandez was upset about certain things, including that Lloyd had talked to some people Hernandez "had troubles with."

Two days later, McCauley said, on the night of June 16, Hernandez texted two friends from out of state and asked them to hurry back to Massachusetts.

Surveillance footage from outside Hernandez's home showed him leaving with a gun, and he told someone in the house that he was upset and couldn't trust anyone anymore, the prosecutor said.

The three men picked up Lloyd at his home around 2:30 a.m., according to authorities. As they drove around, they discussed what happened at the nightclub, and Lloyd started getting nervous, McCauley said.

Lloyd texted his sister, "Did you see who I am with?" When she asked who, Lloyd answered, at 3:22 a.m., "NFL," then, a minute later, "Just so you know."

Within a few minutes after that, people working the overnight shift at the industrial park reported hearing gunshots, McCauley said.

Investigators did not specify who fired the shots and did not identify the two other people who were with Hernandez.

In arguing unsuccessfully for bail, Hernandez's attorney said the athlete is unlikely to flee, is a homeowner, and lives with his fiancee and an 8-month-old baby. He also said Hernandez had never been accused of a violent crime.

A man filed a lawsuit last week claiming Hernandez shot him after they argued at a strip club in February in Florida. However, no criminal charges were filed, and the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office deemed the case, which did not name Hernandez, inactive because the alleged victim refused to cooperate.

source: http://espn.go.com/boston/nfl/story/_/id/9424056/aaron-hernandez-new-england-patriots-arrested
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It's Sharap-over and out in SW19: Maria's gone as slippery Wimbledon takes its toll on the stars

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By TOM KELLY and ELEANOR HARDING

Agony: Maria Sharapova slips during the match at Wimbledon against Michelle Larcher De Brito



Maria Sharapova angrily branded the Wimbledon courts ‘dangerous’ yesterday as a record number of players were forced to drop out through injury in a single day.
The former champion confronted the umpire after slipping three times and buckling her knee during her shock second round defeat in straight sets to an unseeded opponent.
It came as seven players pulled out through injury – a record on a single day at any Grand Slam event – and Andy Murray received a fresh boost in his quest for Wimbledon glory with the departures of Roger Federer and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.

Pain: The Russian was heard describing the court as 'dangerous' during today's match

Women’s number two seed, Victoria Azarenka, was another to criticise the condition of the courts as she was forced to withdraw after failing to recover from an injury caused by a fall earlier in the week.
It meant almost a quarter of the second round ties due to be played yesterday became byes.

Sharapova's exit came hours after the withdrawal of second seed Azarenka who called for Wimbledon officials to investigate why the courts were so slippery

Meanwhile, there was no slip up for Murray, who won in straight sets against Taiwan’s Yen-Hsun Lu.
And his hopes of reaching the final were helped by third seed Federer, who he was due to meet in the semi, losing to unseeded Ukrainian Sergiy Stakhovsky. The seven-times winner was beaten in four sets on Centre Court.

Injured: Russia's Maria Sharapova is treated for an injury after falling over during today's match at Wimbledon

Meanwhile, Murray’s potential quarter-final opponent, sixth seed Tsonga, became another casualty of ‘Walkover Wednesday’ after being forced to retire with a knee injury.
Wimbledon insisted the unusually high number of slips this year was ‘freakish coincidence’.
It is head groundsman Neil Stubley’s first year in complete charge of preparing courts – though he has worked at the championships for nearly two decades.
The previous head groundsman, Eddie Seaward, had warned last year his successor would have a month less than normal to prepare the courts because of the extra tournament held at the All England Club for the Olympics last August.
Some speculated that the wrong choice of footwear or lack of preparation for playing on grass might be to blame for the high number of falls.

source: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2349020/Wimbledon-2013-Sharapova-blasts-dangerous-courts-record-day-injuries.html
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Nelson Mandela On Life Support

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Nelson Mandela has been placed on life support, CNN reported Wednesday afternoon.

The former South African president's health remained critical for the fourth consecutive day as tribal leaders reportedly were warned to prepare for his death.

According to Sky News' chief correspondent in South Africa, multiple sources confirmed that Mandela is no longer able to breathe unassisted. He has been undergoing treatment, including renal dialysis, at the Mediclinic Heart Hospital in Pretoria since June 8.

According to Reuters, South African President Jacob Zuma was scheduled to travel to Mozambique on Thursday -- that trip has now been canceled.

In an interview with CNN Tuesday, Mandela's daughter Makaziwe, the sole surviving child from his first marriage to the late Evelyn Mandela, said the family was enjoying “quality and sacred moments” with her father.

“All I pray for as a daughter is that the transition is smooth. He is at peace with himself. He has given so much to the world. I believe he is at peace," Makaziwe said.

This story is developing, please check back for updates.









source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/06/26/nelson-mandela-life-support_n_3505247.html
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Another shock at Wimbledon as seven time champion Roger Federer crashes out on Centre Court... to a player ranked number 116 in the world

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Third seed Federer beaten in stunning show from Sergiy Stakhovsky
The Ukranian who sits at 116 in the world was regarded as a rank outsider
It ends Federer's run of 36 consecutive grand slam quarter final berths
It was the Swiss champion's worst showing at Wimbledon since 2002
The shock result will boost Andy Murray's chances of Wimbledon glory
Potential opponents Federer, Nadal and Tsonga now out of the running
It was a day of shocks in SW19 as Maria Sharapova crashed out today

By STEVE NOLAN

Dejected: Roger Federer leaves Centre Court yesterday after losing in the second round of the Wimbledon Championships

Seven times champion Roger Federer has become the latest big name star to crash out of Wimbledon in the tournament's early stages after a shock defeat to little known Ukrainian opponent.
Federer, the defending champion after defeating Andy Murray in last year's final, saw his challenge end as early as the second round on Centre Court as he was beaten in four sets by world number 116 Sergiy Stakhovsky.
It ends an impressive run of 36 consecutive grand slam quarter-final appearances by the Swiss player.

Shock win: Ukraine's Sergiy Stakhovsky celebrates beating Switzerland's Roger Federer during their second round match at Wimbledon

His defeat will further boost Murray's Wimbledon hopes following Rafael Nadal's stunning defeat on Monday.
Federer's loss in exactly three hours rocked Wimbledon to its core on a day that already provided more than its fair share of shocks after seven players withdrew or retired injured and third-seeded Russian Maria Sharapova also stumbled to defeat in the ladies competition.

Down and out: A stressed out Federer was no match for his lowly Ukrainian opponent who is ranked number 116 in the world

The last time Federer, who has won a record 17 grand slam titles, including seven gilded Challenge Cups, failed to reach at least the last eight was in the 2004 French Open.
But on day three of the championships an opponent ranked a lowly 116th condemned the Swiss to his earliest Wimbledon exit since a first-round loss in 2002.

Sportsmanship: Federer graciously shakes hands with Stakhovsky after the latter's stunning victory on Centre Court

Even the most optimistic of Stakhovsky supporters could not have seen this dramatic Centre Court result - one of the biggest shocks in Wimbledon history - coming this evening.
The 27-year-old, who has only made the second round here once before, played a superb serve-and-volley game.
Stakhovsky was good value for the win, with Federer having no answer to his opponent's movement and precision.
The defeat sees the pathway for a return to the final look even clearer for Murray with Nadal and Federer now out of the running along with potential quarter final opponent Jo-Wilfried Tsonga retiring during his second round tie with a knee injury.

Deep in thought: Federer looks forlorn between games as he loses out to the Ukranian, ranked number 116th in the world

Murray himself had earlier swept through round two beating Taiwanese opponent Yen-Hsun Lu in straight sets.
Speaking to the BBC after his stunning victory against Federer, Stakhovsky said: 'I am in disbelief that it happened. It was the best tennis I played and incredible.

'When you play Roger Federer at Wimbledon he's historical, it's like two against one. I hoped he wouldn't get too far from me, that was my plan.
'I hung in there, tried to go to tie-breaks. I got a little tight when I got up a break in the fourth and I am really happy to go through.

Flying: The Ukrainian will have impressed many with his stunning display on Centre Court

'It's magic. I couldn't play any better. I did everything I needed, it was a fantastic day for me.'
Stakhovsky has never made it to the third round of a grand slam tournament until now and his previous best at Wimbledon saw him reach round two in 2011.
He turned pro 10 years ago and peaked at number 31 in the rankings before slipping down to his current status.
The stunning defeat was Federer's first to a player ranked outside the top 100 since he lost out in a 2005 Monte Carlo showdown with Richard Gasquet who was ranked 101 at the time.
It is the earliest exit for a reigning Wimbledon men's champion since Lleyton Hewitt saw his challenge end at the first round back in 2003.
Andy Murray is second favourite at 6/4 to take the Wimbledon crown behind Novak Djokovic at 8/11 according to bookmakers Paddy Power.
Stakhovsky is still a longshot at 100/1 to win the overall title.



source: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2349078/Wimbledon-2013-Roger-Federer-crashes-Centre-Court.html
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Little boxes on the hillside... home to 40,000 Buddhist monks: The stunning makeshift town that has sprung up around a Tibetan monastery

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The remote settlement located in the Larung Valley, Serthar County of Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, in China
The thousands of tiny homes sprawled up the mountainside form one of the world's largest Buddhist institutes

By AMANDA WILLIAMS

The sprawling hillside settlement of Larung Gar, home to Serthar Buddhist Institute, in the traditional Tibetan region of Kham

Nestled amid the rolling mountains, deep within the Larung Gar Valley, thousands of tiny wooden homes form one of the world's largest Buddhist institutes.
The remote but sprawling settlement is found at elevations of 12,500ft and is home to over 40,000 monks, nuns and religious students.
It is located in the Larung Valley, Serthar County of Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, in China.

The thousands of tiny homes sprawl up a mountainside forming one of the world's largest Buddhist Institutes

The remote settlement is found at elevations of 12,500ft and is home to over 40,000 monks, nuns and religious students

The homes are predominantly made out of wood. Each one is built so close to the next that they all begin to merge into rows of homes

It is said to have sprung up from a handful of settlers into the sprawling town that now occupies vast areas of hilly terrain.
At the focal point is a giant Buddhist monastery - the Serthar Buddhist Institute - with a huge wall separating the monks from the nuns.
The homes are predominantly made out of wood. Each one is built so close to the next that they all begin to merge into rows of homes.

Located in a valley, the town allegedly sprung up from a handful of settlers into the sprawling town that now occupies vast areas of hilly terrain

The tiny homes are predominantly made out of wood and are almost identical to each other

At the focal point is a giant monastery - with a huge wall separating the monks from the nuns

Japanese photographer Shinya Itahana, 33, visited the Larung Gar Valley a number of times to capture the eye-catching town in both summer and winter

The sprawling settlement of homes are a beautiful sight. The photographer said the makeshift town is 'a very welcoming place as long as you do not disturb the peaceful atmosphere'

But the one to three roomed dwellings do not have their own toilets - instead communal ones have been built for the 40,000 plus residents.
Japanese photographer Shinya Itahana, 33, visited the Larung Gar Valley a number of times to capture the eye-catching town in both summer and winter.
He said: 'It is a very welcoming place as long as you do not disturb the peaceful atmosphere. It has become a bit of a tourist attraction - not just with pilgrims but some foreigners too.'
Reaching the picturesque hillside town is not an easy task, with the nearest large city, Chengdu, being located around 400 miles away.
The journey by car can take around 13 - 15 hours. Shinya added: 'During the winter months it can take longer, around a day, because the road conditions are so poor.'
But that has not stopped people flooding to the Buddhist institute to study Tibetan Buddhism.

Some of the thousands of monks gather outside the settlement of Larung Gar. It is home to Serthar Buddhist Institute

Tibetan monks gather during a lecture at the Institute. Hundreds of people flooded to the Buddhist institute to study Tibetan Buddhism

Reaching the picturesque hillside town is not an easy task, with the nearest large city, Chengdu, being located around 400 miles away. But that has not deterred the crowds from making the pilgrimage

Tibetan monks, armed with cans and umbrellas, collect water from a communal well

A typical street scene at the settlement. The one to three roomed dwellings do not have their own toilets - instead communal ones have been built for the 40,000 plus residents

source: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2349761/Little-boxes-hillside--home-40-000-Buddhist-monks-The-stunning-makeshift-town-sprung-Tibetan-monastery.html
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Astonishing aerial shots of Glastonbury show how 135,000 people turn Somerset dairy farm into giant Tent City the size of WIGAN

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Main performers for event at Somerset's Worthy Farm are Arctic Monkeys, Rolling Stones and Mumford & Sons
Total of 135,000 tickets to this year's world famous festival sold out in less than two hours and cost £205 each
Weather is expected to be warm and mostly dry, quashing fears of another washout at festival famous for mud
Primal Scream, Smashing Pumpkins, Elvis Costello, The xx, Professor Green and Dizzee Rascal also performing
Festival reveller from Leeds gets down on one knee to propose to his sweetheart - while holding a can of cider
Police say 40 crimes were reported in the first day, 22 of which were thefts, and officers made total of 24 arrests

By MARK DUELL

Sweeping views: Aerial photograph of the vast temporary city which has sprung up at the Glastonbury Festival on a dairy farm in Somerset

Dancing at the sacred circle, jumping over campfires, inhaling laughing gas and partying until dawn - it can only be Glastonbury.
And these astonishing aerial photographs show the sprawling site of the world-famous festival, where the rain has stayed away so far for the thousands of music fans attending.

Above: Some Glastonbury festival goers having a much-needed rest before doing the final journey with their baggage said they could not wait for the festival to start

Sunshine even broke through the clouds over Worthy Farm in Somerset yesterday, as festival goers trudged miles with rucksacks, tents and sleeping bags to reach the campsites.
The site was due to open at 8am but flung open its doors an hour early to allow the streams of people in, at an estimated rate of 5,000 per hour. Some had even slept out in their cars overnight to be the first in line.

Extraordinary sight: Aerial view of the vast city of tents which has sprung up at the Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm in Somerset

They carried their precious cargo of beer and cider in shopping trolleys, laundry baskets and wheelbarrows as they made their way across the 900-acre site to secure the best camping spots.
The main performances at the event, which had a fallow year in 2012 to coincide with the Olympic and Paralympic Games, will not start until tomorrow - when Arctic Monkeys will top the bill, followed by The Rolling Stones on Saturday night and Mumford & Sons closing the festival on Sunday.
Celebrities including Kate Moss are set to be among the festival goers, with Sir Mick Jagger even staying in Somerset to enjoy the weekend's festivities. Hundreds of festival-goers proved they had the moves like Jagger by taking part in a Jumping Jack Flashmob at Glastonbury.

Big population: More people cram in to the 900-acre site than the entire population of Wigan for the three-day festival and they will all be sharing 5,487 toilets

In line: Sunshine even broke through the clouds over Worthy Farm in Somerset as festival goers trudged miles with rucksacks, tents and sleeping bags to reach the campsites

The Jagger Off, arranged by two Rolling Stones fans to celebrate the band’s first appearance at the festival, saw crowds of people mimic Sir Mick’s trademark dance moves.
It was held near the Pyramid Stage, where the band will perform their headline set on Saturday night, under the watchful eye of a giant metal phoenix that is perching on top of the structure this year.
A sound system played classic Stones songs including Brown Sugar and Start It Up to about 400 fans. Organiser James Duke-Evans, 33, from south London, said: ‘It’s gone fantastically well.

Poshing it up: This year 'glamping' is more popular than ever with hundreds of wig-wams, bell tents and yurts available for those that can afford them.

‘When it got dreamed up late at night we thought it would be funny if 100 people turned up, but 3,500 joined the Facebook group in the end.
‘People like to get involved in something that’s not scripted and programmed. I’ve been told some people were looking forward to this more than the festival itself. And quite frankly - do you really want to live in a world where things like this don’t happen?’.

Colourful: This aerial view of the vast city of tents which has sprung up at the Glastonbury Festival in Somerset shows colour-coded sections of the site

Sir Mick is expected to be on the festival site over the weekend, and is staying nearby with his family.
There is a chance he might even stumble upon the second ‘Jagger Off’, at the silent disco held in the early hours of Saturday morning.
‘I would imagine it’s on Jagger’s radar. I don’t think he can avoid it,’ said Mr Duke-Evans. ‘It’s a tribute to him. We’ve watched him for years and I hope he’ll be able to watch us if he sees the footage from today.’

Blue, grey, orange and blue: Some 135,000 ticket holders have been making their way on to the site at Worthy Farm, since the festival flung open its doors

Many of those performing the moves, which including the ‘finger waggle’ and ‘squeezing through a narrow doorway’, wore Jagger masks as a tribute to their musical hero.
Mark Forrest, 30, from Hackney, east London, had bought masks for all of his friends. He said: ‘It’s an excellent idea to start off the weekend by dancing to the Rolling Stones. I can’t wait to see them on Saturday and I’m really excited to see what the phoenix does.’

Doing it in style: 'Glamping' at the festival has become popular for those who want the live music experience without the troubles of basic camping

Dairy farm: A number of tents and caravans can be seen in this aerial photograph of the vast temporary city which has sprung up at the Glastonbury Festival in Somerset

Some 135,000 ticket holders have been making their way on to the site at Worthy Farm, Somerset, since the festival flung open its doors yesterday morning. Campsites have been filling up quickly as music fans rushed to pitch their tents in the best spots.
They are set to be joined by celebrities, said to include Wayne and Colleen Rooney and Kate Moss, over the coming days. The main acts play from tomorrow, with other headline acts including The Arctic Monkeys and Mumford & Sons.

Having fun: Festival fans dance in the sacred circle of Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm in Pilton, Somerset. Up to 5,000 people an hour had poured through the gates

Police are hailing a successful start to the event, with crimes down from the last Glastonbury Festival in 2011.
In the first day, 40 crimes were reported, 22 of which were thefts, mostly from tents, and police made a total of 24 arrests, many of them over drugs.
There have been 24 drug-related offences but some of those involved were dealt with by way of a caution instead of arrest, Inspector Shirley Eden said.

Anticipation: Festival goers flock to the front of the Pyramid stage area for a flash mob 'Jagger-off' ahead of The Rolling Stones headlining the Glastonbury Festival

Their first arrest of the festival was a person who tried to smuggle drugs into the site in a packet of fruit pastilles.
A police officer’s suspicion was raised by the fact the sweets had been hidden in a sock.
‘It looked like a bag of sweets but it turned out the sweets had been taken out and replaced with drugs,’ said the officer.

Amorous: Security speak to a couple on the ground as people walk by during the second day of the Glastonbury Festival at Pilton Farm, Somerset

Laughter: Natalie Durkin, Lauren Carne, Alice Dunn, Elspeth Groundwater and Sita Jindal (left to right) erect their tent during the second day of Glastonbury

Working hard: Alice Dunn, Sita Jindal and Lauren Carne (left to right) move their tent during the second day of the Glastonbury 2013 Festival of Contemporary Performing Arts

Fancy a cider? Festival goers arrive during the second day of the Glastonbury Festival at Pilton Farm, Somerset, with a trolley full of Strongbow cans

Together: Lee Nickleson, 36, and Ceilidh Jackson, 25, share a kiss on top of a hill at the Glastonbury Festival site in Somerset

source: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2349467/Glastonbury-2013-aerial-photos-135-000-people-turn-Somerset-farm-giant-Tent-City.html
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2013 NBA Draft Primer: Everything you do and do not need to know

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By Tom Ziller on Jun 27 2013, 10:03a @teamziller

Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports

Who's going No. 1? Is the 2013 NBA Draft really as bad as everyone says? We answer those questions and more in our NBA Draft primer.

The NBA Draft is the league's annual paean to tomorrow. Fans barely get an opportunity to celebrate the champions of last season before watching the stars of the future go through the sorting hat ritual. Coverage of the 2013 derby begins Thursday at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN, with the first pick coming shortly after 7:30. SBNation.com will, of course, provide comprehensive coverage.

To help you prepare, we've compiled this primer on the event. Enjoy!

WHO WILL GO NO. 1?

No one knows! This is actually pretty rare in the annals of the NBA Draft. There is almost always a clear-cut, consensus choice at this point, if not in May. Nerlens Noel is certainly the favorite to go No. 1, but repeated reports have suggested the Cleveland Cavaliers, who have the No. 1 pick for the second time in three years and third time in the past decade, are undecided and looking at trades to get out of the choice. (In fairness to Cleveland, the trades that have been leaked out would get the Cavaliers a very good veteran.)



Noel is a big man out of Kentucky. He was injured late in the Wildcats season and may not play until December, adding some concern to his status as a top prospect. He's an excellent shot blocker and projects as a top defensive big man. His offense, however, currently leaves a lot to be desired. Also, he has a killer haircut. Better than Norris Cole, not quite to the level of Iman Shumpert.

Other options at No. 1 appear to be Alex Len, Ben McLemore and Otto Porter.

Alex Len

Ben McLemore

Otto Porter

DOES THIS DRAFT SUCK?

Yes, in a way! There are no surefire stars. There may be no stars period. It happens. But there is some solid depth and plenty of intrigue. Because of the unsettled nature of the lottery, we may see a bunch of trades. Also remember that free agency begins on Monday -- this could turn into a week or two of heavy movement as teams look to prep for stricter salary cap and trade rules. The Mavericks, for instance, have openly discussed trading out of their lottery spot.

But yes, it's unlikely we'll have many, if any, All-Stars from this draft, and that does put a damper on the whole thing. All we can hope for is fun during the event itself.


WHO ARE THE BIGGEST SLEEPERS?

We had a stunner at No. 4 in 2012 as Cleveland took Dion Waiters, leaving Thomas Robinson and Harrison Barnes on the board. This year, two guards that could end up going surprisingly high are C.J. McCollum of Lehigh and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope of Georgia. Both are good shooters and versatile. McCollum in particular is seen as a Damian Lillard doppelgänger, mostly owing to backcourt impurity (they are combo guards) and small-school heritage. KCP is a more traditional two-guard with great peripheral numbers. It's hard to imagine KCP going any higher than No. 7, and the same can likely be said of McCollum. But we'll see.

source: http://www.sbnation.com/nba/2013/6/27/4466464/nba-draft-2013-preview-nerlens-noel-cavaliers
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Not too flashy for a ticket! Tron-like Lamborghini that 'glows in the dark' is seized in London after Qatari driver is pulled over for driving without a licence

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Police impound £350,000 supercar after owner fails to produce documents
Purple Lamborghini Aventador customised to 'glow in the dark'
Owner believed to be Nasser Al-Thani, 24, of Qatar's ruling family

By ROSIE TAYLOR

Supercar: Police stopped the driver of the £350,000 Lamborghini Aventador in Knightsbridge, London

Police seized a 'glow-in-the-dark' supercar from a London street after its wealthy Qatari owner was stopped for not having a licence or the correct insurance.
The £350,000 Lamborghini Aventador - with a paint job that made it look like something out of the sci-fi film Tron - was impounded near Harrod's in Knightsbridge yesterday.
It is understood its owner is 24-year-old Nasser Al-Thani, a member of Qatar's ruling family.

Sci-fi: The customised car has scissor doors and a glow-in-the-dark paint job that makes it look like something out of the film Tron

Police stopped the car, which was also missing its front number plate, on Brompton Street and had it towed away after Mr Al-Thani failed to produce a licence or the correct insurance.
A crowd gathered around the ostentatious scissor-door car, which has been customised by a Japanese tuning company, as three police officers on motorbikes waited for the tow-truck to arrive.

Stopped: Police seized the car after its driver failed to produce a driving licence or correct insurance documents

When a low-loader finally appeared, an officer slowly drove the supercar onto the back before it was transported to a local pound.
One onlooker said: 'It is great when the wealthy foreign tourists come over to London every summer as you always see these amazing supercars.
'The Lamborghini looked like something out of Tron, it was absolutely stunning.'

Problem: Pictured earlier in the day, the supercar understood to be owned by 24-year-old Nasser Al-Thani, of Qatar's ruling family, was also missing a front numberplate

Wealthy Middle-Eastern drivers descend on the capital in their supercars every summer and have even been the subject of a Channel 4 documentary, Millionaire Boy Racers, which showed angry residents saying their driving style was ruining the area for locals.
The Al-Thani family are renowned for their wacky supercars and hit the headlines three years ago when their blue Lamborghini and Koenigseggs were clamped outside Harrods.
The Lamborghini Aventador is one of the world’s fastest supercars.
It is powered by a 6.5-litre V12 engine which gives a 0-62mph time of 2.9 seconds and a top speed of 217mph.

Easy does it: A police officer (seen in wing mirror) carefully edges the £350,000 car onto the ramp



source: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2349575/Tron-like-Lamborghini-glows-dark-seized-Qatari-driver-pulled-driving-licence.html
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The thigh's the limit! Miranda Kerr flashes her slender legs in a summery button-up maxi dress

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The thigh's the limit: Miranda Kerr flashes a hint of her slender thigh in a printed red and beige sleeveless button-up maxi dress as she heads to a photo shoot in Long Beach, New York on Thursday

She posted a snap of herself wearing lingerie the day before.
But Miranda Kerr was much more covered up on Thursday as she headed to a photo shoot in Long Beach, New York.
However, the 30-year-old still managed to flash a snippet of her slender legs as she stepped out in a button-up sleeveless maxi dress.

Chic: The brunette beauty teamed the ensemble with flat sandals and a straw fedora hat

The almost 'prairie' attire was unbuttoned conveniently at Miranda's thigh and she revealed even more skin as she held the fabric of the skirt to one side.
The brunette beauty teamed the ensemble with flat sandals and a straw fedora hat.
To complete her Southern-style look Miranda wore her hair in a plait to the side, and for a modern twist Miranda donned a pair of Miu Miu hexagonal-frame shades.

Earlier in the day, the mother-of-one tweeted a skyline view from her Big Apple set with a backdrop of overcast clouds.
However, things brightened up later in the day with the sun shining on Miranda's set.
On Wednesday, Miranda treated her fans to a sexy snap of herself posing in a lacy bra and underwear set as she posed on a balcony which looked out to the sea.

Modern twist: For a modern twist Miranda donned a pair of Miu Miu hexagonal-frame shades

Here comes the sun: The brunette beauty strolled around the streets soaking up the sunshine

Seemingly fresh out of the shower and with her wet hair bundled up in a white towel, she was pictured sipping out of a tea cup.
She accompanied the racy snap with the cheeky caption: 'Anyone for a tea?'
Miranda keenly uses her Instagram and Twitter accounts to reach out to her 1.9 million followers.
Earlier this week, Miranda posted a lifestyle video she made for Net-a-Porter, titled The Body Beautiful.
'Boys like their cars, I like my Vitamix,' Miranda tells the camera.

Anyone for tea? On Wednesday, Miranda treated her fans to a sexy snap of herself in a lacy bra and underwear set as she posed on a balcony which looked out to the sea

'[My morning shake] is for maximum energy and vitality. It's a power smoothie that's really alkalising, nutrient dense and high in vitamins and minerals.'
The healthy green smoothie consists of coconut water, cold-pressed coconut milk, acai powder, goji berries, spirulina, raw cacao powder, chia seeds, and vegan rice powder.
She also recently participated in a sexy bikini shoot to promote luxury online boutique Net-a-Porter's summer collection of swimwear.

Bikini gal: Miranda also recently participated in a sexy bikini shoot to promote luxury online boutique Net-a-Porter's summer collection of swimwear

source: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2350029/Miranda-Kerr-flashes-slender-legs-summery-button-maxi-dress.html
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