Cameron urges RBS bonus 'restraint'

David Cameron has urged the Royal Bank of Scotland to show "restraint" in its bonus packages for senior colleagues of chief executive Stephen Hester.

The Prime Minister said the remuneration arrangements put in place by the former Labour government for executives at the part-nationalised bank had to be followed.

However he added: "They have got to have proper regard in terms of restraint when they have had so much money from the taxpayer and they have made so many mistakes in the past."

Mr Cameron's comments come as a number of executives in RBS's investment branch are expected to be offered large payments in the coming weeks.

Under mounting pressure, Mr Hester gave up his offered �963,000 shares package bonus on Sunday night.

Mr Cameron said the "main thing" was to ensure that RBS was turned around to safeguard the taxpayers' investment. He suggested the bank ought to explain better why it felt its executives were worth the bonuses they were being offered despite a falling share price.

"I think what needs to happen is a sense of restraint which is exactly what the Government urged on RBS in the first place, and they need to do a better job - as everybody has - about explaining how pay is linked to performance," he told a press conference in Brussels.

"And if performance isn't the share price then people need to see very clearly what it is you are doing to sort out that bank, to turn it round, to make it safe, to make sure its long-term value... because that's what I care about.

"Is the taxpayer going to get their money back, that we had to put into this bank that was so badly managed in the past? These are the things they have got to focus on."

The Prime Minister said the arms-length management arrangements for RBS, including the decision to run it as a commercial business, had been put in place by Labour. He indicated the Government would look at those arrangements although it had no plans to change them.

Source: http://uk.news.yahoo.com/cameron-urges-rbs-bonus-restraint-041619513.html

Mike Starr Corey Feldman Renee Zellweger Brett Michaels

Burke dishes out food for thought

Leafs GM Brian Burke, with help from wife Jennifer Burke, serves roast beef at Tuesday night's MLSE fundraising dinner near High Park.

Liam Casey/Toronto Star

Liam Casey Staff Reporter

Brian Burke reflected on his past three years as Maple Leaf general manager over a giant container of roast beef.

?I?m very proud to be here in Toronto, very grateful,? Burke said. ?I love this city.?

Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment hired Burke three years ago Tuesday. The team hasn?t made the playoffs under his stewardship, but he appreciates fans? frustration.

?If you try and rebuild a team in a Canadian city and it doesn?t happen quickly ? it never does ? there?s a lot of frustration,? Burke said at a charity event for Maple Leaf Sports? Team Up Foundation, which refurbishes city-owned outdoor rinks, basketball courts and soccer pitches.

Burke and the rest of the Leafs served dinner to fans at Earth Bloor West, a restaurant near High Park. They were on target to bring in more than $200,000 from the night, according to Mike Bartlett, executive director of the charity.

The foundation will break ground shortly to refurbish Sunnydale Acres? outdoor rink and the team will practise there on Jan. 4.

Coach Ron Wilson served drinks behind the bar while Burke manned the meat table with netminder James Reimer, who wasn?t giving away nearly as much lamb as Burke was beef.

?I?m hoping to be back soon,? Reimer said, who?s recovering from concussion-like symptoms. ?Hopefully this weekend.?

Most Leafs, clad in white aprons with the team?s logo, signed autographs and posed for pictures. Captain Dion Phaneuf, without a date as actress Elisha Cuthbert was working on her latest show, slurped and served oysters.

Among the items being auctioned off was a day of shinny with former Leaf Wendel Clark and dinner with Darryl Sittler.

And for a starting bid of $350, fans could win a fantasy general manager experience with Burke, where you take in the morning skate, visit the dressing room, have lunch and then watch the game from Burke?s managerial box.

?If you don?t know how to swear,? Burke said with a straight face, ?you will after about one period.?

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Blue Jays land former Reds closer Francisco Cordero

Source: http://www.thestar.com/sports/leafs/article/1094626--burke-dishes-out-food-for-thought

Gerardo Ortiz Julian Assange Charlie Sheen Steven Tyler

Donkey & Mule Society -- 'Fear Factor' Producers Are Asses for Pulling Semen Stunt

The "Fear Factor" donkey semen challenge isn't only gross for the contestants ... it's also really bad PR for donkeys everywhere -- that's according to the preeminent donkey advocacy group.

TMZ broke the story ... FF producers are serving up giant steins full of donkey semen -- with a urine chaser -- to contestants on their next episode.

Like most people who read our post ... the American Donkey & Mule Society had a visceral reaction to the news. The ADMS President tells us they don't "condone use of the animals in such a manner."

She added, "We feel this is a negative event and was not well thought out by the producers."

For the record, we've spoken with other sources in the donkey community ... who tell us no one should try this stunt at home because the "long term effects of drinking donkey sperm are unknown."

Short-term effects? We're guessing loss of friends and uncontrollable vomiting -- or maybe that's just us.

Source: http://www.tmz.com/2012/01/27/fear-factor-donkey-sperm-donkey-and-mule-society/

Ali Larter Busy Phillips Scarlett Johansson Miley Cyrus

Daniel Radcliffe dishes on post `Potter' life (AP)

NEW YORK ? Daniel Radcliffe had to decide what his first starring film role would be after the "Harry Potter" franchise ended in 2011, and he didn't make that decision lightly.

Despite demonstrating his acting range by starring in "Equus" and "How to Succeed in Business" on Broadway, the pressure was on for Radcliffe to prove he could play more than Potter on the big screen.

He chose "The Woman in Black," a dark thriller about a recently widowed father who is haunted by his wife's death. The movie will be in theaters Feb. 3.

"I never expected the first thing I did after `Potter' to be a horror film or anything like that. That was one of the reasons it was intriguing to me as well because it was so unexpected," Radcliffe said in a recent interview. He also talked about growing up fast, getting praise from actor Sean Connery, who starred in James Bond films, and why he isn't ready to marry his longtime girlfriend.

AP: You knew the world was watching to see what movie you picked after "Harry Potter" ended. Why did you decide on "The Woman in Black"?

Radcliffe: This film is a film that has a great story but it is driven by characters at the heart of it. It fit in perfectly. It was going to be filming when I was on break from finishing "Potter" and starring in "How to Succeed," so it was perfectly timed out. Also, when I was reading the script, I was surprised to be enjoying a horror film because I have never gravitated towards that in my own life.

AP: Did any former child stars, or people who have made the transition from doing iconic roles to having diverse careers give you advice about how to avoid being typecast?

Radcliffe: Not particularly, but I did hear the other day from a friend of mine who is friends with Sean Connery and apparently Sean Connery asked him to pass along to me how well he thought I was doing and how well I seem to be handling everything and making good choices. For me, that was great because he is a great actor. He had this amazing start to his career in Bond and managed to create a fantastic career for himself outside that, so to hear that from him was very flattering.

AP: You play a father in this role. Did you feel that was a stretch?

Radcliffe: It is very hard to create that chemistry with a 4-year-old boy who you have never met before and who is stepping onto a film set going, "What in the hell is all of this?" That was one of the reasons that I suggested (director) James (Watkins) audition my real-life godson who auditioned and was great and is great in the film. At the time when we were filming, I was so obsessed with him having a good time and making sure he wasn't cold or wasn't freaking out that I didn't really pay attention to the fact that he is actually quite a good little actor.

AP: This movie is dark, but it is also about love. Did you think about the love you have for your longtime girlfriend, Rosanne Coker, for inspiration?

Radcliffe: At the time we had been filming this we had only been going out for a couple of months. There is actually one shot in the film where Rosie had to play the woman in black because we didn't have a double for her that day so she is actually in one of the reveal shots in the film. She is going to kill me for telling you that. I don't think I probably drew on things at that time, but I am sure now I will probably use ? the fear of losing her will be a very good motivating tool.

AP: Are you thinking of marriage?

Radcliffe: Who knows. God, I am not even thinking about that for a long time.

___

Online:

http://danradcliffe.com/

___

Alicia Quarles is the AP's global entertainment editor. Follow her at http://www.twitter.com/aliciaquarles

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/celebrity/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20120126/ap_en_ce/us_film_q_a_daniel_radcliffe

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New Celebrity Fragrances

Posted on November 30th, 2011 by Jenny Bee

� � �

In recent years, it seems that once an actor/singer/socialite has achieved ?pop star? status, the next thing you can expect from them is debut fragrance! Not that we are complaining, of course. While celebrities like Jennifer Lopez have 17 signature scents under their belt, fragrance game newcomers like Taylor Swift, Katy Perry and Heidi Klum are proud to introduce their firsts to the world of sensual scents.

Taylor Swift: Wonderstruck

One of my co-workers and I both admit to tearing up a little bit during the Taylor Swift: Wonderstruck commercial. An appropriate scent just as romantic as her songs, Swift enthusiasts are sure to love the hints of raspberry, apple blossom, golden amber and sandalwood.

Britney Spears: Cosmic Radiance

?I believe that all women can create their own world where they shine the brightest ? It?s all about having the power to be yourself,? says the legendary pop star. If anyone has every truly been empowered to stay true to themselves, it?s Britney. Her latest fragrance was inspired by her Femme Fatale tour.

Christina Aguilera: Royal Desire

?With this scent, I wanted to create a truly sensory experience, and provide a moment every day where women could pamper themselves and feel sexy and beautiful? exuding the sensual elegance of a queen,? says the beautiful blond bombshell. Lily, honeysuckle and rose accents leave you feeling instantly desirable.

Fergie: Outspoken

Fergie?s debut scent combines the flavors of starfruit, tuberose, jasmine and passion fruit to create a smell that is truly ?outspoken.? Of the scent, the singer/songwriter told PEOPLE, ?I had to keep my big mouth shut for two years.?

Heidi Klum: Shine

Supermodel and Project Runway show host, Heidi Klum was very excited to launch her first perfume, Shine. ?I wanted what it to be sensual and feminine, but still luxurious and expensive smelling,? she told PEOPLE. Mandarin, pear and pink peppercorn are the lead roles in her debut scent project.

Jessica Simpson: I Fancy You

The swoony, romantic bride-to-be was feeling so deeply in love that she decided to make a perfume all about the scent of a first love. The ultra romantic and feminine scent has traces of pear, apple and orange.

Kate Walsh: Boyfriend

?I was inspired by my boyfriend�?s scent many years ago,? Walsh told PEOPLE. ?I missed his scent after we broke up and I was shopping one day and I was like, ?I don?t need my boyfriend to have a boyfriend scent!?? What a cute concept! With a mix of vanilla, amber and floral, the woody and musky undertones are sure to make anyone linger in your stride.

Kim Kardashian: Gold

The combined notes of Italian bergamot, spicy pink peppercorn, jasmine, rose and musk are the driving forces behind Kim?s sexy, summer scent. ?I wanted something powerful, yet not too sweet,? she commented about her Gold perfume.

Katy Perry: Purr

?I?m absolutely thrilled to finally introduce me in a bottle,? Perry says to PEOPLE about her debut scent. ?It is an absolutely purrfect perfume that I hope leaves you meowing with delight!? The fun and floral scent smells of jasmine, pink freesia, Bulgarian rose and vanilla orchid.

Rihanna: Reb?l Fleur

?My grandmother in Barbados use to call me her Rebel Flower,? the bright haired singer told PEOPLE. The result of her debut fragrance pays homage to her Caribbean childhood, and boasts of ripe fruits, fancy florals, and a mix of vanilla, patchouli and amber.

�

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Helena Bonham Carter for Marc Jacobs Fall Campaign?

��Olivia Malone?s Photography

��Market Your Salon Through Music!

��10 Things Your Barista Isn?t Telling You

��Paranormal Activity 4

��Spotify: Democratizing the World of Music

��Google Pages Now on Google Plus

Source: http://www.bangstyle.com/2011/11/celebrity-fragrances/

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Burke dishes out food for thought

Leafs GM Brian Burke, with help from wife Jennifer Burke, serves roast beef at Tuesday night's MLSE fundraising dinner near High Park.

Liam Casey/Toronto Star

Liam Casey Staff Reporter

Brian Burke reflected on his past three years as Maple Leaf general manager over a giant container of roast beef.

�?I�?m very proud to be here in Toronto, very grateful,” Burke said. �?I love this city.”

Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment hired Burke three years ago Tuesday. The team hasn�?t made the playoffs under his stewardship, but he appreciates fans�? frustration.

�?If you try and rebuild a team in a Canadian city and it doesn�?t happen quickly �? it never does �? there�?s a lot of frustration,” Burke said at a charity event for Maple Leaf Sports�? Team Up Foundation, which refurbishes city-owned outdoor rinks, basketball courts and soccer pitches.

Burke and the rest of the Leafs served dinner to fans at Earth Bloor West, a restaurant near High Park. They were on target to bring in more than $200,000 from the night, according to Mike Bartlett, executive director of the charity.

The foundation will break ground shortly to refurbish Sunnydale Acres�? outdoor rink and the team will practise there on Jan. 4.

Coach Ron Wilson served drinks behind the bar while Burke manned the meat table with netminder James Reimer, who wasn�?t giving away nearly as much lamb as Burke was beef.

�?I�?m hoping to be back soon,” Reimer said, who�?s recovering from concussion-like symptoms. �?Hopefully this weekend.”

Most Leafs, clad in white aprons with the team�?s logo, signed autographs and posed for pictures. Captain Dion Phaneuf, without a date as actress Elisha Cuthbert was working on her latest show, slurped and served oysters.

Among the items being auctioned off was a day of shinny with former Leaf Wendel Clark and dinner with Darryl Sittler.

And for a starting bid of $350, fans could win a fantasy general manager experience with Burke, where you take in the morning skate, visit the dressing room, have lunch and then watch the game from Burke�?s managerial box.

�?If you don�?t know how to swear,” Burke said with a straight face, �?you will after about one period.”

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Source: http://www.thestar.com/sports/leafs/article/1094626--burke-dishes-out-food-for-thought

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MPs 'poised to blast NHS reforms'

Health Secretary Andrew Lansley's controversial NHS reforms are reportedly set to be heavily criticised by an influential cross-party group of MPs.

The Observer said the Commons Health Committee would this week say the proposals were obstructing efforts to make the NHS more efficient and failed to address the needs of an ageing population.

The paper said the committee, chaired by Conservative former health secretary Stephen Dorrell had concluded the plan to restructure the NHS in England and devolve more power to GPs was making it more difficult to achieve the target of �20 billion in efficiency savings by 2014-15.

It quoted a "late draft" of the committee's report as saying: "The reorganisation process continues to complicate the push for efficiency gains.

"Although it may have facilitated savings in some cases we heard that it more often creates disruption and distraction that hinders the ability of organisations to consider truly effective ways of reforming service delivery and releasing savings."

Shadow health secretary Andy Burnham said it was now clear Mr Lansley's reform plan had been a "monumental mistake" and called for a Government rethink.

"This report is a damning indictment of the Government's mishandling of the NHS," he said. "It is time for David Cameron to listen to what doctors, nurses and now his own senior MPs are saying and call a halt to this reckless reorganisation."

Health minister Simon Burns, however, insisted the Government was determined to put the NHS on a sustainable footing.

"We all know the NHS is facing pressures from an ageing population and the increasing costs of medicines. That's why we are spending an extra �12.5 billion on the NHS. We have also made �7 billion in efficiency savings as performance has improved," he said.

"These will all help in the short term, but if we are to put the NHS on a sustainable footing for the future reform is essential. Our modernisation plan will put doctors in charge, slash bureaucracy and give much more power to patients."

Source: http://uk.news.yahoo.com/mps-poised-blast-nhs-reforms-025445837.html

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Emily as 'Bachelorette?' Shawntel Nods in Approval

By PAIGE FEIGENBAUM

January 19, 2012

Before stealing Ben Flajnik away from a perturbed Elyse on Monday's episode of The Bachelor, Shawntel Newton was sister girlfriends with Emily Maynard during Brad Womack's second stint at the title. Though unconfirmed by ABC, rumors surfaced earlier this week that Emily would assume the role of The Bachelorette in the upcoming season.

Who better to comment on this speculation than a gal who lived in the mansion with her? Shawntel said that Emily appeals to viewers and is "a great person." However, she's worried that Emily would once again struggle with parting from her young daughter for an extended period of time for filming.

'The Bachelor''s Shawntel Newton: 'Brad Scares Easily'

There are also murmurs around cyberspace that villain Bentley Williams would be interested in pursuing Emily's affection. "That would be even more drama than me coming back for Ben," Shawntel laughed.

Speaking of curveball appearances, when Shawntel showed up at the cocktail party unannounced, she was not well embraced by the other women vying for Ben's heart. Chris Harrison warned her she'd be walking straight "into the lion's den" upon her arrival in San Francisco, but nothing could prepare her for the way she was treated. "I felt like the kid on the playground that everyone picks on," she said metaphorically. "It was right out of the movie Mean Girls."

Feeling deserving of an apology, Shawntel hopes the women retract their "unladylike" comments at the Women Tell All taping. If they stand by their original statements, "I would probably walk out," she said.

Shawntel was not the only beautiful brunette to develop feelings for Ben by watching him on The Bachelorette. Actress Jennifer Love Hewitt reached out to the winemaker and visited him in Sonoma, CA. "I heard a couple of girls say, 'Please don't tell me that's Jennifer Love Hewitt walking in right now,'" Shawntel remembered of her entrance.

'Bachelor' Ben Hopes to Rub Elbows with Celebs

She arrived a little too late. Ben was already "head over heals" for Courtney and the model's 'ultimatum" of leaving if Shawntel was given a rose, "influenced" Ben to send Shawntel home. "I think he chooses her in the end," the funeral director predicted.

Back in the dating pool, Shawntel is looking for a "man that is going to set fair aside" in pursuit of love. If Ben winds up single when The Bachelor is done, she "wouldn't be interested" in giving him another chance.

Four Leave Hearts in San Francisco on 'Bachelor'

The Bachelor airs Monday nights on ABC.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ETTopStories/~3/BCPWGlZY5AY/index.html

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Army aids Mather with charity race - The Press Association

Army aids Mather with charity race

(UKPA) ? 3 hours ago�

Former international rugby player Cameron Mather has been put through his paces by the Army ahead of Scotland's Sport Relief challenge.

He joined BBC Scotland's Cat Cubie and Catriona Shearer at Edinburgh Castle for the launch of the First Nation Home event.

Celebrity teams representing England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland will compete to finish a 1,000-mile race to raise money for Sport Relief.

Stars such as Gethin Jones, gardener Diarmuid Gavin, Gemma Atkinson and rugby player-turned-Celebrity Big Brother contestant Gareth Thomas will also feature in the teams heading around the UK and Ireland.

The four celebrity teams will start the race simultaneously from their home cities of Cardiff, Dublin, Edinburgh and London. They will run, row, cycle and sail their way over 1,000 miles around the United Kingdom and Ireland between March 10 and 17.

The event will coincide with the Six Nations Rugby Championship and climaxes on the last Saturday of the tournament when the winners will be crowned.

The Army has been drafted in to provide logistical support to the teams. It will provide the participants with hot food and drinks, sort out overnight accommodation and help with the equipment, which will include bicycles, rowing machines and personal kit.

The Scottish team will set off from Edinburgh Castle on the morning of March 10, returning eight days later on March 17 having covered 1,164 miles around the UK and Ireland. The other three national sides of England, Ireland and Wales will also pass through the Scottish capital during that challenge week.

In addition to the Sainsbury's Sport Relief Mile in which members of the public can join one, three or six-mile runs, people can raise cash by buying special branded socks and T-shirts.

Cash from the Sport Relief weekend - from March 23 to 25 - will go towards helping vulnerable people across the UK and in some of the world's poorest countries.

Copyright � 2012 The Press Association. All rights reserved.

Source: http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=R&usg=AFQjCNG7Bm7t52Cu3WIH2LCwLjiGN51OJQ&url=http://www.google.com/hostednews/ukpress/article/ALeqM5iMiVXBTuWzM3I190ftIDHBioXSSQ?docId=N1070491326921026765A

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Funeral for ex-footballer Ablett

Premier League managers Kenny Dalglish and David Moyes joined more than 1,000 people at the funeral of former Liverpool and Everton defender Gary Ablett.

The ex-footballer, 46, lost his 16-month battle with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma on New Year's Day.

His wife Jacqueline and four sons, Reece, Riley, Josh and Fraser and daughter, Scarlet, all attended the funeral at Liverpool's Anglican Cathedral. Fraser was one of the pallbearers.

Also attending the service were Ablett's ex-Liverpool team-mates and current Match of the Day presenters Alan Hansen and Mark Lawrenson.

It is understood members of the Liverpool and Everton first team squads arrived at the Cathedral through a private entrance.

Many mourners wore Liverpool and Everton scarves to remember Ablett's successful spells at both Merseyside clubs.

He remains the only player to win the FA Cup with both Liverpool and Everton and is well respected by both sets of fans.

The hearse arrived laden with floral tributes, including a red and white wreath spelling out "Dad".

Among the cards from family members, one read: "To my brave dad, I'm so proud of the person you was. I'm going to miss you and that smile so much, all my love your little princess. Scarlet. xxx"

The service began with the LFC anthem You'll Never Walk Alone and finished with the Z-Cars theme, which is played before every game at Everton's Goodison Park.

Source: http://uk.news.yahoo.com/funeral-ex-footballer-ablett-162308691.html

Robert Redford Robert Pattinson Kim Kardashian Oliver Perez

Kate Major -- Arrested for Battery ... Again

Kate Major -- on-agan/off-again girlfriend of Michael Lohan -- was arrested early this morning in Boca Raton, FL for battery and resisting arrest ... TMZ has learned.

We've learned Major was booked into jail at 3:10 AM. She is being held on charges of battery, battery against an officer, EMT, or firefighter, and resisting an officer with violence.�

We don't know if Michael Lohan was involved in this one ... but we do know he's in Florida ... so place your bets.� FYI ... there's a permanent restraining order in place prohibiting Michael from being near Kate.

Story developing ...

Source: http://www.tmz.com/2012/01/15/kate-major-arrested/

Julian Assange Charlie Sheen Steven Tyler Jennifer Lopez

Russell Brand -- Back in the US of A

Russell Brand returned stateside last night, arriving at LAX where he was greeted by a slew of his closest friends ... the paparazzi.

Brand has been in London ever since filing for divorce from Katy Perry. She resurfaced for the first time Thursday, posing with a fan in Santa Barbara on the set of an Adidas commercial.

As for Russell ... the paps threw a few divorce questions at him as he made his way to his car ... and got nothing but silence.

Source: http://www.tmz.com/2012/01/14/russell-brand-divorce-video/

Robert Pattinson Kim Kardashian Oliver Perez Stuart Holden

Osborne: Scotland worse off alone

Chancellor George Osborne has warned that Scotland would be worse off if it broke away from the United Kingdom.

Mr Osborne, who chairs the Cabinet's Scotland committee, refused to say whether an independent Scotland would be allowed to retain the pound.

He made clear, however, that Scotland would have to take on its share of the national debt and he questioned whether it would be able to bail out its banks in the event of a financial collapse.

"I think the people of Scotland would lose out in terms of the Scottish economy. I don't think Scotland would be as prosperous as it would be as part of the UK," he told ITV News.

"If you look at the scale of the national debt for example that Scotland would have to take if it became independent, if you look at the fact it has an important banking industry as we know and you ask yourself, 'Would Scotland alone have been able to bail out the Royal Bank of Scotland or Halifax Bank of Scotland?'"

His comments came after First Minister Alex Salmond declared an independent Scotland would not be prepared to share the UK Government's exposure to RBS's toxic assets.

Mr Salmond has also said that while an independent Scotland would eventually join the euro, initially it would retain the pound.

But pressed on whether he would allow Scotland to keep sterling, Mr Osborne replied: "Alex Salmond has said Scotland should join the euro - that means giving up the pound, joining the euro. That is not the currency I'd be wanting to join at a time like this."

Mr Salmond told his unionist opponents he wanted to reach a consensus on the staging of a referendum on independence, which he has said will be held in autumn 2014.

Speaking during question time at Holyrood on Thursday, Mr Salmond said he had "every interest in making sure we have a consensus on the process" of a referendum.

Source: http://uk.news.yahoo.com/osborne-scotland-worse-off-alone-025922500.html

Jessica Alba Addison Timlin Renee Olstead Ne-Yo

St. Jude's Celebrity DNA - Wall Street Journal

By MICHELLE KUNG

Celebrities have always played a large part in the history of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, and we're not just talking about the health-care charity's ubiquitous ads featuring Jennifer Aniston and Robin Williams.

Celebrity is actually in the charity's DNA. The organization, which treats children with cancer regardless of a family's ability to pay, was founded in 1962 by film and television actor Danny Thomas and recently celebrated its 50th anniversary with a glitzy gala at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills. St. Jude estimates the evening raised over $1 million.

"Without Hollywood, there would be no St. Jude's," Tony Thomas, the event's co-chairman and Danny Thomas's son, told the crowd on Saturday night, which included the likes of Mila Kunis, Jason Bateman, William Shatner and a large contingent from the AMC drama "Mad Men." He noted how, in his father's day, entertainers like Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis Jr. helped shine a "hot light" on St. Jude's and that his father would be pleased to see the new generation of stars turning out to support the hospital.

Overall, Mr. Thomas said that the benefit, which also celebrated what would have been his father's 100th birthday, was a "throwback to one of the old-fashioned parties that mom and dad used to throw." It featured a mini-concert by Tony Bennett and a self-described "very old stand-up" set by Ray Romano. Chocolate cigars wrapped in gold foil, a play on Danny Thomas's trademark cigar habit, also greeted each guest at their place settings.

Keeping things in the family, the event was hosted by former talk show host Phil Donahue, who is married to Mr. Thomas's sister Marlo. (Ms. Thomas was unable to attend in person, as she is currently performing on Broadway, but sent a pre-taped message.)

Mr. Donahue joked that while his father-in-law was knighted by two popes, he had recently been honored by the group the Transvestites of America, and spent the evening playfully needling his brother-in-law both at their dinner table and on-stage.

Also seated at Mr. Thomas and Mr. Donahue's table were Mr. Shatner, who told the table he had spent his morning racing his horses, and figure skater and cancer survivor Scott Hamilton and his wife Tracie. Mr. Hamilton said that he had both close personal and professional ties to St. Jude. Given his "unique hobby of picking up life-threatening diseases," he said, he frequently visits the research hospital and used to donate part of the proceeds of his traveling skating shows to the charity.

Rounding out the Thomas's table was the chief executive of St. Jude, Dr. William Evans, who told us prior to dinner he had run into "Mad Men" actor John Slattery. Mr. Slattery had told him while he didn't know where the St. Jude hospital was (it's in Memphis, Tenn.), he knew the charity did good work.

The presence of Mr. Slattery, as well as his "Mad Men" co-stars, was largely courtesy of the show's star Jon Hamm. Mr. Hamm said his L.A.-based aunt, who sat by his side, and uncle were long-time friends of Tony's and introduced Mr. Hamm to the charity. To support St. Jude, Mr. Hamm said he set up a collection among the cast and crew, and before he knew it, the gang had filled up two tables at the event.

Write to Michelle Kung at michelle.kung@wsj.com

Source: http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=R&usg=AFQjCNE3yZm45sxvgVm7_8S3Q_dSzPWxzQ&url=http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204257504577150954021286274.html

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Police Identify Dead Woman Found on Queen Elizabeth's Estate

Sandringham House, Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip (inset)

Indigo/Getty; Inset: Paul Edwards/Getty

Police now know the identity of the dead woman found in a remote location on Queen Elizabeth's Sandringham country estate.

The body belongs to Alisa Dmitrijeva, a 17-year-old from Wisbech, Cambridgeshire, Norfolk, who went missing in August 2011, police said in a statement Sunday.

"We are devastated by the news of Alisa's death," her family said in a statement released through local police. "We wish to grieve in private and don't want to speak with anyone from the press at this time."

The discovery of the remains on Jan. 1 launched a murder investigation.

Alisa arrived in the U.K. in 2009 from Riga, Latvia, and lived with her father, 10-year-old sister and grandmother, police said. Her mother lives nearby.

Detective Chief Inspector Jes Fry, head of the Joint Norfolk and Suffolk Major investigation team, said officers met with Dmitrijeva's family Sunday morning.

"I shall now be liaising with officers from Cambridgeshire who have been working on trying to locate Alisa in recent months as a missing person," he said in a statement. "The information they provide will give me and the team an extra focus to the inquiry."

Cops said late last week that they are concentrating on a two-month period last fall and appealing for those who may have been in the area (part of the Queen's vast 20,000 acre estate) around that period to get in touch.

"We are still trying to establish any activity which took place on or around the site during the time frame of the end of August to the end of September 2011," Fry said. "We would like to identify people who may have worked in that area or were involved in organizing or running any specific events that may have taken place."

Alisa was last seen getting into a green Lexus with two male friends after midnight on Aug. 31. Her grandmother reported her missing about six days later.

Through an interpreter, her grandmother spoke to the U.K.'s Times newspaper Saturday.

"There have been so many days, wondering where she is, and what has happened, I don't know what to think any more," she said. "One day you have someone in your life, the next you don't. Then it feels like they are never there."

Source: http://feeds.people.com/~r/people/headlines/~3/dDIjM2hcfA8/0,,20395222_20559769,00.html

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Meet Marc Anthony's New Venezuelan Girlfriend

Marc Anthony and Shannon De Lima

Brett Hufziger/Retna; Courtesy Shannon De Lima

A new year has brought new love for Marc Anthony, who has publicly declared his affection for Venezuelan model Shannon De Lima ? just a few months after his ex-wife Jennifer Lopez found a new man of her own.

"A mi @Shadelima mi estatua de libertad. Besos bebe," Anthony, 43, wrote on Twitter Wednesday ? which translates to, "To @Shadelima my statue of liberty. Kisses baby."

He also posted a photo to Facebook of him and De Lima, 24, kissing, with the simple caption: "gracias!"

Anthony's new love has the official approval of his son Chase Muniz, who wrote on Twitter: "To all my followers and everybody on twitter follow 2012 best couple and for many more years to come @MarcAnthony and @Shadelima !!!!!"

Anthony and Lopez, 42, split last summer after seven years of marriage. They have twins Max and Emme, who will be 4 in February.

Lopez has been dating Los Angeles-based dancer (another 24-year-old) Casper Smart since November.

Source: http://feeds.people.com/~r/people/headlines/~3/SP3jSNH7Bt8/0,,20558809,00.html

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NJ Housewife Melissa Gorga & Hubby -- Worked Out & Wet in Miami

"Real Housewives of New Jersey" stars Joe and Melissa Gorga left all their Garden State family drama at home and showed off their his and hers matching lean, buff and bronzed bods in Miami this weekend.

It's obvious their marriage is very fit.

Source: http://www.tmz.com/2012/01/03/real-housewives-new-jersey-joe-melissa-gorga-buff-bodies-bikini-miami/

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