Chance Combs

Sarah Chapman has posted more photos of her daughter by Sean "Puffy" Combs. The pictures are from her Facebook page. That is one beautiful child.

Bust Your Windows

No posts today. I am taking my son to the doctor, a task that usually makes me a nervous reck all day. So here is a musical number from Glee. I'm all for woman's rage.

Earthquake in Sumatra, Tremors Felt in Malaysia.

A powerful earthquake measuring 7.9 on the Richter scale struck off the city of Padang off the coast of southern Sumatra at about 6.17pm on Wednesday, killing at least 21 people, trapping thousands of others and causing tremors as far away as peninsular Malaysia and Singapore.

The earthquake which damaged houses, brought down bridges and buildings and caused fires in Padang, also caused people to evacuate buildings in various towns and cities in Malaysia.The epicentre of the quake was about 481km southwest of Kuala Lumpur.


Reuters has reported that the earthquake struck off the city of Padang on the coast of Indonesia’s Sumatra island, damaging houses, bringing down bridges and starting fires, according to witnesses.


No injuries were reported in Singapore nor Malaysia. The Pacific Tsunami Warning center issued an alert for Indonesia, Malaysia, India and Thailand but there is no report of wave activity thereafter. Indonesia sits on what is called the Pacific Ring of Fire, the convergence of volcanos and fault lines.


Meantime the death toll of Tuesday’s Samoa quake is still increasing.That quake hit closest to Hihifo Tonga and Pago Pago. While initial Tsunami reports had waters topping at 10 feet and no deaths, current data puts the water reaching 15 to 20 feet in some areas and the death toll at 34 and rising.

Murder and Mayhem Links 29 September

State Releases More Casey Anthony Case Documents
The State of Florida released over a thousand more pages of documents. Including the news that a female lab tech contaminated the evidence. The DNA of a female not related to the Anthonys was found on the tape.

Cadaver Dogs Do Not Find Haleigh Cummings
Investigators did not find Haleigh where a tip said the little girl was buried. The tip was rather specific, but it turned out to be a wild goose chase.

Drinking Water Unsafe At Thousands of Schools
The Associated Press tested thousands of water samples from schools across the country and found that the samples contained alarming amounts of toxins. And guess what...the federal government is doing nothing about it.

British Girl Dies After Cervical Cancer Vaccine
A 14-year-old girl died after being given the vaccine at school. The vaccine seems to have problems. Real problems, not problems like the vaccines cause autism link, but problems supported by evidence.

Jon & Kate Plus 8 (Minus the Douchebag)

We should have seen this coming.

In a stunning announcement, TLC said Tuesday morning that as of Nov. 2 Jon Gosselin would no longer appear on the popular reality series Jon & Kate Plus 8 — and the program would undergo a name change, to simply Kate Plus 8.

“Given Jon’s recent antics, there was no way the show could continue to portray him as a doting Dad, not while all this other crap was going on,” a source close to Jon Gosselin tells PEOPLE.

“Jon will still be seen on the show from time to time,” the source adds.

The series first debuted on April 16, 2007, and experienced a ratings spike once the Gosselin marriage became troubled earlier this year. This past season the couple announced they would divorce.

The fifth season premiere attracted a record 9.8 million viewers, making it the most-watched show of that evening including those on broadcast TV.

But after a six-week hiatus from new episodes, only 4.2 million viewers tuned in to see Jon & Kate on Aug. 3, and only 1.7 million reportedly watched last Monday.

Kate Gosselin recently completed a stint as a guest host of The View, sitting in for Elisabeth Hasselbeck during her maternity leave.

Gosselin has also reportedly taped a pilot for a talk show costarring Food Network star Paula Deen.

source

Beatrix Potter Emporium

I received the following request:

Hello,

I would like to buy a gift from the work of Beatrix Potter for my little niece.

I live in Paris and I'm looking for a shop which sells these items (object, not books).

Could you please give me some adresses?

Best regards

Jérôme

The best place to start is probably the Beatrix Potter Emporium. They have a ton of gift ideas and they ship worldwide. I suggest the Miniature Coffee Set.

Lamar and Khloe

Dwight Yorke Wants Relationship With Harvey

Dwight Yorke is speaking out about his relationship with Jordan and Peter Andre. And it isn't pretty. But I still say that Peter Andre is the best parent for Harvey out of the three. Dwight Yorke had the money to fight for Harvey, but instead he just let another man raise his child.

Dwight Yorke has broken his silence on his relationship with Katie Price, describing her as 'vain and infuriating' and confessing that he wanted to 'throttle' her former husband Peter Andre.

The footballer has also admitted for the first time that he cheated on Price during their stormy 18-month relationship, although he refused to give any details about the encounter.

In extracts from his new book, 'Born to Score', reported in the News of The World, the former Manchester United star describes in detail the moment his former girlfriend told him she was pregnant with their son Harvey.

'My reaction was immediate,' he said. 'There was no way we could have this baby. I told her, "Our relationship is too unstable. I don't think it's right".'

But despite initially appearing to agree with Yorke, within a few days she was on the phone telling him she was going ahead with the pregnancy.

Yorke described Price's partying in the year following Harvey's birth - by which time the couple had split - as 'the most distressing thing I'd ever had to deal with'.

He recalls staying down one night and Katie's crowd were heading off to a big party in London.

He said the crowd came back 'steaming drunk' and made a terrible noise, despite the fact that little Harvey was asleep upstairs.

'I challenged her about this lifestyle. She'd desperately wanted our baby but was this her idea of motherhood?

'I'm not by nature a bitter person, but no one's driven me quite so close to that as Katie. The woman is infuriating.'

Despite his anger with the glamour model, he tried to get back together with her at one point that year, whisking her and Harvey away on a luxury break to Barbados, and then on to Tobago.

After a night of 'wild' sex, Yorke describes how he pulled out a £45,000 ring and gave it to Price.

'It was clearly an engagement ring,' said Yorke.

'Perhaps she loved the gift but not the man who'd given it to her.'

When they arrived in Tobago, Yorke said Price's mood 'darkened'. She wouldn't let Yorke's mother look after her grandson Harvey, claiming her house didn't have the right cot.

Yorke was left reeling - and it sparked the end of their relationship forever.

'It was deeply upsetting,' said Yorke. 'The fact that Katie couldn't grant my mum that p***** me off like never before. I hated her at that moment. It was the final nail in the coffin - I wanted nothing more to do with her.'

They flew home separately - and Price never returned his ring.

Yorke explained that his relationship with the mother of his child took a further turn for the worse when she hooked up with Peter Andre following their meeting on I'm A Celebrity,.

'When I met Andre I wanted to throttle him,' admits Dwight. 'I'm not a violent man and it takes an awful lot to rile me. But this man got under my skin at the outset.'

Dwight said he would get wound up by the pair putting on ostentatious displays of affection, kissing and cuddling each other and calling one another 'Babes' and 'Precious'.

He added that he tried to have as little to do with them as possible and would cringe on visits to their home to visit Harvey.

Describing the house as a 'shrine to their own vanity', with pictures of the couple all over the walls, he said: 'I found it creepy. I couldn't walk down a hallway without his preening mug staring back at me or the pair of them draped over each other.'

And when Andre discussed adopting Harvey, Yorke became incensed.

No way would I ever, ever, allow Harvey to be adopted by him. Over the years I've heard Katie saying how Andre is Harvey's dad and what a terrible, uncaring father I've been, all of which sticks in my throat.

'Maybe if she hadn't made life so difficult for me, I might have been able to take a far more proactive role.'

In 2004, Harvey was rushed to hospital after burning his leg badly.

Yorke said he was shocked by the sight of his injuries, which Price had described as 'not bad'.

Lifting up the bandage to take a look, Yorke said: 'It was the most horrible thing I've ever seen - especially as it was a child and my child at that.'

According to Price, Harvey had climbed into the bath and switched on the hot water tap, scalding himself.

'I was furious,' said Yorke. 'For everything Katie's hurled at me about my parenting skills, I felt theirs weren't particularly impressive that day.'

The revelations will be a further blow to Price, who has been subject to harsh criticism since her split from Peter Andre in May.

In recent weeks she has been forced to defend herself against critics who have belittled allegations that she was raped.

She claimed she was assaulted by a celebrity after she ended up in bed him at a party, long before her marriage to Andre, 36.

In the News of the World last week, she said: 'Now every time I see his face on TV, I shudder. It brings back such horrible memories.'

She has since claimed she had 'no idea' her claims would cause such an outcry, and regretted making the revelation.

On Friday, the mother-of-three enjoyed a day out with her children at the cinema, taking Harvey, Junior and Princess Tiaamii to the premiere of Hero Of The Rails in Leicester Square.

Boyfriend Alex even brought along his nephew to the showing of the Thomas the Tank Engine movie.

After the film, the family headed off to a hotel in central London.

A few hours later, Price enjoyed a meal at London's trendy Nobu restaurant with her cage fighter boyfriend.

On Friday, chaos broke out at a Peter Andre album signing in Barnsley, South Yorkshire.

More than 1,000 girls turned up to meet the star at an Asda store and began squirting washing up liquid at Price's books, perfume and calendars.

An insider told the Daily Star: 'I guess the girls wanted to make a point. There was washing-up liquid everywhere.

'Pete didn’t mind about Jordan’s stuff being on sale – but his fans clearly did.’

source

Here is the link to Peter Andre's response which is basically, Harvey calls me dad because it takes a man to be daddy.

Jude Law Is Requesting Paternity Test

Jude Law is following in the footsteps of Eddie Murphy and refusing to see his newest baby until there is a paternity test.

Jude Law is refusing to see his newborn daughter until a DNA test proves he is the father, according to new reports.
Model Samantha Burke gave birth to "beautiful and healthy" baby Sophia on Tuesday (22Sep09) after a brief romance with the actor earlier this year (09) while he was filming Sherlock Holmes in New York.
Law had previously vowed to stand by Burke and help to raise the child - but Britain's News of the World newspaper claims the star is not planning to see little Sophia until he has proof he fathered her.
A source tells the publication, "Jude is still very cautious about Sam and Sophia. Until he is 100 per cent certain she is his daughter he is only communicating through lawyers.
"If he is the father he will meet his obligations to the child. He's hoping for an early chance to establish that he is genuinely her dad."

I kind of agree with Jude on this one. Samantha Burke seems a little media hungry.
source

J.Crew For Maternity

I asked the personal shoppers at J.Crew to recommend some pieces that would work well for maternity. (Not for myself. My chances of getting pregnant are slim to none. I will be spending my winter in skinny jeans.) They were kind enough to respond very quickly with the following suggestions:

• Slub cotton square neck tee. The soft cotton tee is fitted at the bustline, but loose around the waist. Available in nine colors, and on sale now for $29.50.

• 

• Saturday Twist Dress. The dress has an empire waist and the knot drapes nicely over a belly. It is available in four colors, $68.
• 
  

• Tissue Pleated Top. The top is lightweight cotton and loose throughout the body. $45.
• 
  

• The Flutter Scoop Neck Dress. The dress has detailing around the neck, (great for when you are pregnant) and a slight a-line skirt. $78.
• 
  

I don't understand why J.Crew doesn't do a maternity line. Many of their tops have lovely detailing around the neck, and with a little more fabric around the belly would be perfect. And they have some of the best jeans available. They should really consider it. Women who want something preppy, but nicer than the Gap would flock to them . There is a market for J.Crew maternity.

Is Nothing Sacred ?

Lamar Odom and Khloe (the interesting one) Kardashian actually got married. The rush was to create drama for her show. (Just think of the rating their quicky divorce will get.)

But Lamar has a past. As in a baby mama who he dated for ten years and three kids (wonder if they were in the bridal party.)

An interesting side note. Khole's bridal party included all of her sisters, and an ATL reunion. Actresses, Khadijah and Malika Haqq (the twins) and Lauren London were all in the wedding.

Gary Chaw(曹格) vs Justin Lo(側田)

Hong Kong-Taiwan Award-winning Malaysian singer Gary Chaw(曹格)and Hong Kong canto pop star Justin Lo(側田)have apologized for a street brawl that was captured by paparazzi, news reports said Friday. The two stars, who are reported to be friends, were photographed and filmed arguing and fighting with each other early Wednesday after leaving a Hong Kong bar.




At one point, Chaw, 30, was filmed getting out of taxi the pair were in and shouting at Lo to come out and have a fight.He then appeared to stamp on Lo, who was in the back seat. Chaw was also seen threatening 33-year-old Lo with a road sign but was stopped by friends.

Speaking on radio Thursday, Lo, better known as Zak Tin(側田), said the two had been jamming together at a jazz bar and the fight was caused by a misunderstanding among a group of friends.


"I apologize to our fans and to society," Lo said. "Now matter how serious the argument is, fighting on the street is wrong and ugly. It was a very stupid thing to do."

A report in the South China Morning Post said Chaw admitted he had been drinking and that he had kicked Lo, who had not tried to hit him back.

"I apologize to Justin, his family, record company, friends and fans," Chaw said. "I apologize to my record company, the people of Hong Kong, Taiwan and mainland China who have seen the news and saw the photos. I have made a serious mistake."

Hong Kong police said Friday that they were investigating the incident after the media reports but had not received any official complaint.

Lo was a guest singer at Chaw's concert in Malaysia last year and is reported to be the godfather of Chaw's son.

Gary Chaw, who was born in Sabah,Malaysia is dubbed the "Little Heavenly King" by media. In interviews, he has claimed to be a shy person who feels more comfortable expressing himself in songs and music rather than words.New York-born Lo was first signed as a singer in 2005 and went on to record hit albums.



Gary Chaw(曹格) vs Justin Lo(側田) brawl in Hong Kong street video

Black Eyed Peas Performing @ Arthur's Day Tonight !!

It was an honour for Malaysia to host Arthur's Day tonight,25th September 2009 in Sunway Lagoon. The highlight of the celebration is none other then the famous US hip-hop group, Black Eyed Peas. Currently they are topping the music charts with their wicked beats of Boom Boom Pow and I Gotta Feeling. And to mention their latest single titled Meet Me Halfway which was totally awesome !! Taiwanese rapper MC HotDog, MJ116, Joe Flizzow, Reshmonu, Danny One and Man Hand, making up for one hell of a show tonight !!




Malaysia is lucky enough to join cities Dublin, New York, Yaounde and Lagos as a host for the Arthur's Day celebration. Guinness has organised a global celebration for Arthur's Day which starts in Dublin at 1759 GMT on Sept 24 (1.59am Malaysian time, Sept 25) with glasses being raised to Arthur Guinness in over 150 countries.

Also, Arthur’s Day will unveil the Arthur’s Fund in Malaysia, which will be used to enable and empower individuals with the skills and opportunities to deliver a measured benefit to their local community.

The downside is only non-Muslim above 18 years of age will be allowed into the venue. It is learnt that music concert rules disallow breweries or alcoholic drinks makers from sponsoring such events but the ministry relented as the concert is expected to boost the tourism industry affected by the recession and the A(H1N1) flu outbreak.

Thanks to Guinness, we are able to celebrate this 250 years once in a lifetime of awesome night of celebration !!

Danny Welbeck Scored !! Man United Won !!

Manchester United won 1-0 against Wolverhampton Wanderers in Carling League Cup match at Old Trafford. As usual, the Man United controlled possession from the first whistle blow. In the process, Fabio was red carded but it was the nicely set up goal that did the damage. Danny Welbeck played a neat one-two with Michael Owen. Wolves' defenders caught napping and paved way for Danny Welbeck to sneaked in for the finisher. Here the Danny Welbeck scoring goal video.

Ghost Costume

I love this Martha Stewart ghost costume. It consists of the tulle cloak, a top and a skirt. $149.

More Information On Mima Kobi

Davy Kho, the director of Mima Kids was kind enough to send a little more information on the company's product line. He wrote:

Our products need some explanation.

In terms of design I think we have been able to innovate the stroller category. I especially wanted to get rid of the tacky look of the usual fabric stitched seat. I wanted to achieve the look of the interior of a nice car, with a sleek and clean looking seat.

Also in terms in functionality we have been able to innovate. The seat unit works like a suitcase. You simply zip it open, and inside you will find the frame, with a carrycot attached. The carrycot simply pops out, and there you go. So converting from seat to carrycot, and vice versa, is incredibly easy. After six to eight months of using the carrycot, you just put it back into the seat, without the need of storing it separately. This seat with patented "carrycot inside" system, is the same for both models: Kobi and Xari.

Kobi grows with your family, as you can also buy a second (empty) seat as an accessory when a second baby gets born.

Xari is a single, more compact stroller.

At the moment we are working hard to get the products 100% perfect. We are targeting to release both models around June/July 2010.

And there is a reason that the Kobi and Xari look so much like the Bloom highchair, Kho worked on the Bloom product line while at Ytra Design.

Facebook film role for Timberlake

Timberlake won an Emmy for his guest appearance on a US comedy series
Pop star and actor Justin Timberlake has landed a role in the forthcoming Facebook movie, according to reports.

Film trade paper Variety said the singer would play Sean Parker, who became Facebook's founding president.

David Fincher is directing The Social Network, which was scripted by The West Wing's Aaron Sorkin.

Jesse Eisenberg and Andrew Garfield have also been lined up to star in the project, which starts filming next month in Boston.

The movie will focus on the overnight success of Facebook, which was created in 2004 on the campus of Harvard University.

Eisenberg, best known for starring in The Squid and the Whale and Adventureland, will play the main character Mark Zuckerberg, Facebook's chief executive officer.

Timberlake, who has won several Grammy awards for his music and recently picked up an Emmy for his appearances on Saturday night Live, has acted in films such as The Open Road and The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus.

New Jackson song to be released

Jackson died two weeks before he was due to return to the stage in London
An unheard Michael Jackson song is to be released as a single next month.

This Is It, which features backing vocals by Jackson's brothers, will go on sale on 12 October.

Jackson's record label Sony Music said the song would also appear on a new album, as will unheard versions of his classic hits.

It is not clear when Jackson wrote and recorded the new track. The pop star had been working with artists like Akon and Will.i.am before his death in June.

The song will be the first new material to see the light of day since he died.

It takes its name from the ill-fated series of comeback shows that were to have been held at London's O2 arena.

"This song only defines, once again, what the world already knows - that Michael is one of God's greatest gifts," said John McClain, the music executive who is co-executor of his will and has co-produced the new two-disc album.

The first disc will feature his greatest hits, ending with the new song.

The second disc will include previously unreleased versions of his best-loved tunes.

The new song will also feature in the closing credits of a film, called This Is It, which has been made using footage of rehearsals for his O2 concerts.

Lil' Wayne

Maybe Lil' Wayne collaborates so much because of all that child support. It must cost him a small fortune.

2010 Peg Perego Skate

Peg Perego is said to be releasing the lighter version of their Skate stroller in January 2010. Of course the stroller's release date has been pushed back several times already.

There are a couple of differences between the original Skate and the 2010 version. (I'm sure it will be released sooner or later next year.) The change that most purchasers will appreciate is the new lower price. Peg Perego probably realized that in this economy that the market for $900 strollers has dwindled. So now the Skate will only set you back $699.

The 2010 Skate weighs just 23lbs, ten pounds lighter than the original. This is a feature that you will love after lugging it in and out of your trunk a few times, or on and off a public transportation (a stroller nightmare usually).

Sadly, the seat and bassinet are now two separate pieces. But at least Peg Perego is including the bassinet with the stroller. So you don't have to buy it as a $200 optional accessory.

Clearblue Digital Pregancy Test With Conception Indicator

In the UK the Clearblue Digital Pregnancy Test will not only tell you if are pregnant or not, it will also tell you how long ago you conceived. The Clearblue Digital Pregnancy Test with Conception Indicator not only detects HCG in a woman's system, but measures it to date when conception occurred.

Of course it isn't available in the United States, but they can be found here on eBay.

Fuel Reusable Juice Box

Trudeau has a new addition to their Fuel line, a reusable juice box. The BPA-free bottle is leak proof and comes with an integrated straw. It will be available in two sizes, 9oz ($2.49) and 17oz.($3.49).

Think of the fortune you can save by using the Fuel Juicy instead of the disposable kind. And think of all the good you will doing for the environment, because the best kind of do-gooding is the kind that saves you money. And you also have complete control over what your kid is drinking. I can't wait to get my hand on one.

Super Late Winner From Michael Owen.

Substitute Michael Owen netted a dramatic injury-time winner as Manchester United beat Manchester City 4-3 in a pulsating Manchester derby at Old Trafford.

Michael Owen replaced Dimitar Berbatov on 78 minutes and struck with a typically cool finish in the sixth minute of injury time to settle a thrilling match in which City had three times come from behind. Craig Bellamy thought he had snatched all three points at the death when he netted his second of the game in the 90th minute, but Owen ensured he will go down in United folklore with an even later strike.
Wayne Rooney had given United the perfect start with the opener after just two minutes only for City to reply through Gareth Barry soon after. A Darren Fletcher brace in the second half twice restored United's lead with Bellamy notching his first of the day in between.

GLORY GLORY, MANCHESTER UNITED !!

Andrew Young Saying That John Edwards Father Of That Outside Baby

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (AP) — A man who once claimed he fathered the child of John Edwards' mistress now says in a book proposal that the former presidential candidate is the baby's father.

The New York Times reported Saturday that political donors made payments to the woman. The claims are all in a book proposal by former Edwards aide Andrew Young, who says he facilitated the affair between Edwards and Rielle Hunter.

The newspaper reports Young wrote that Edwards told Hunter they would marry after Edwards' wife died. His wife, Elizabeth, has cancer.

Edwards has denied he fathered the child. He has acknowledged that federal investigators are looking into his campaign funds.

Lawyers for Young and Hunter did not immediately return messages left Saturday. A spokeswoman for Edwards did not comment.

Phil And Teds Smart Stroller

There really hasn't been much innovation in the umbrella stroller market lately, but Phil and Teds is poised to change all that. They are introducing a new version of their Smart stroller. The stroller seat is made of Aerocore, a foam material. The benefits of aerocore are that it is:

• waterproof and can be wiped clean
• lightweight, the stroller only weighs in at 13lbs
• absorbs shocks
• and is hypoallergenic.

The seat has holes in it for ventilation, really great if you live in a hot climate. The stroller has a simple slide fold, and foam tires.

It does only recline in two positions, so it cannot be used with newborns. But you can use the Peanut bassinet, $179.99 instead of the seat. Or you can use your Graco or Maxi Cosi infant car seat by purchasing the car seat adapters. The seat can also be personalized with optional seat padding for about $29.99. But even without all the accessories this is one stylish stroller. And the best part is that all this coolness is only $249.99. It can be preordered here.

Malaysia's Very Own F1 Team !!

Lotus Malaysia F1 Team

Iconic brand Lotus will make a surprise return to the Formula 1 grid next season after receiving the 13th and final slot that had been vacated following the withdrawal of BMW in July. The new Lotus F1 team is set to race under the Malaysian flag in 2010, with home-grown drivers, sponsors and a base already being sought. The governing International Automobile Federation (FIA) said in a statement on Tuesday that, after due diligence and an intensive selection process, it had chosen Lotus F1 over two rival bids.






The project is being funded by the Malaysian government and a series of Malaysian organisations, including Lotus’ parent company Proton Cars, and will be fronted by Tony Fernandes, who successfully turned Air Asia into one of the continent’s most prominent airlines.


"It's all about the right people, the right passion, the right energy,” he says when asked whether disgraced former Renault boss Flavio Briatore would be welcomed. “I always look for hungry people, who really want to be with us. Do it because you love it, or don't be involved. Take underdeveloped marketing opportunities, monetise them, and bring back value to the community." Fernandes explained.


As part of its application to compete in the 2010 championship, the Lotus team agreed an engine supply deal with Cosworth. Lotus will initially be based in Norfolk, some 10 miles from the original Lotus Cars factory in Eastern England, but the future design, manufacturing and technical centre will be purpose built at Malaysia's Sepang International Circuit.


That means, We Malaysian, will have our Malaysian made F1 car on the circuit racing along with other prestigious marque from Italy and Germany, namely Ferrari and Mercedes. It is history in the making indeed !!


1 Malaysia !! MALAYSIA, We Love You !!

Michael Jackson mother to get $1m a year

Jackson's children have been living with their grandmother since his death
Court papers released in Los Angeles have revealed Michael Jackson's mother will receive more than $1m (£606,000) a year from the singer's estate.

The money is to be used to support Katherine Jackson and Michael Jackson's three children.

The amount was approved by a judge in Los Angeles in August, but details have remained confidential until now.

The payments are $26,804 a month for Mrs Jackson herself and a monthly allowance of $60,000 for the children.

Prince Michael, 11, Paris Michael Katherine, nine, and Prince Michael II (known as Blanket), seven, are the main beneficiaries of the singer's multi-million dollar estate, along with his mother and various charities.

After his death in June, Michael Jackson's children went to live with their grandmother at the family home in north Los Angeles. They are still living there and Katherine Jackson has been granted permanent guardianship.

String of cases

The court documents show Mrs Jackson's share pays for an assistant, housekeeper, driver, utilities, clothing, grooming and other expenses. It is not known if any of her funds are being used to help other members of her family.

The documents do not provide details of how the childrens' allowance is being spent, but state that $315,000 a year pays for employees caring for them and another $160,000 is set aside for entertainment and other expenses.

Lawyers for Katherine Jackson wanted details of the payments kept private but Judge Mitchell Beckloff said in court he did not think the total amount could remain sealed.

Judge Beckloff has been presiding over a string of court cases regarding the unravelling of Michael Jackson's estate, his business dealings and the wrangling over future earnings.

There are plans to produce a wide range of Michael Jackson memorabilia and a movie including footage from rehearsals for his planned comeback tour will be released in late October.

The judge also scheduled another court hearing in October for a progress report on how the children are faring since their father's death. At his memorial service in early July, his daughter Paris paid an emotional tribute to her father.

Michael Jackson died in June from high levels of drugs in his body including the powerful anaesthetic propofol, more commonly used on hospital patients before surgery.

A police investigation into how he procured the drug has focussed on his personal physician Dr Conrad Murray. No charges have yet been brought in relation to the singer's death.
By Rajesh Mirchandani
BBC News, Los Angeles

Jermaine Jackson's letter to fans

The Tribute 2010
Why the event will be held in London

Dear fans, ladies and gentlemen,

The past few months have been a very difficult time for the Jackson family. The sudden, unexpected death of my brother Michael was not only a terrible shock for his closest relatives, but for his millions of fans around the world.

I, and everyone in Michael's family, will be forever grateful for the support and love that we have received from so many people during these past two-and-a-half months.

After the Memorial Service at the Staples Center in Los Angeles it was clear to me that many fans did not get the opportunity to properly say goodbye to the artist and wonderful human being, Michael Jackson.

More than two million people wanted to be part of the ceremonies in Los Angeles to say goodbye and celebrate the life of Michael Jackson, but only approximately 20,000 had the opportunity to do so at the Staples Center.

For this reason I knew I had to organise a tribute concert in honour of my brother in order to bring his unforgettable music to life once again and to show the world what a wonderful human being it has lost.

A little more than five weeks ago I began, together with my partners in Vienna, to work on the Tribute Concert. As you can imagine staging a show of this monumental dimension in less than eight weeks is a daunting challenge.

We have worked virtually around the clock to produce this show for the millions of fans around the world. Despite all the obstacles we succeeded in organising the entire production of a concert in front of beautiful Schoenbrunn Palace in Vienna to insure that a show of international magnitude could be held.

I personally have spoken to many international artists and invited them to attend The Tribute and perform one of Michael's songs. Several leading artists immediately agreed to participate in this unique tribute show.

Many others told me personally that it would be a great honour to be part of this memorial concert for my late brother - an artist who influenced the music world like virtually no other.

However, due to the short time frame involved it just was not possible for many of them to change their schedule so that they could be on stage in Vienna on 26 September.

We have therefore decided, after careful consideration, to reschedule The Tribute concert for my brother to June 2010 and to stage this very special music event at Wembley Stadium in London.

Here, over 70,000 fans will have the opportunity to experience the life and music of my beloved late brother. We will hold the concert in the city that he himself chose for his comeback concerts but, due to his tragic death, he was not able to do.

Instead of eight weeks we now have eight months to prepare and some of the stars who would not have been able to participate in the Vienna concert, but expressed their wish to participate in this event, will be able to perform live on stage at the renowned Wembley Stadium in London in June 2010.

It would make me very happy so see as many of you as possible at The Tribute In Memory of Michael Jackson in London. It will be a memorable evening for millions of fans and a worthy and dignified celebration of the greatest entertainer who ever lived - my brother, Michael Jackson.

Sincerely yours,

Jermaine Jackson

Doubts over Jackson gig line-up

Mary J Blige and Chris Brown will not be performing
Plans for a Michael Jackson tribute concert in Vienna have been dealt a blow after previously announced stars say they will not be performing.

Representatives for Mary J Blige, Chris Brown and Natalie Cole said none of the three would be at the event on 26 September at Schoenbrunn castle.

However organisers have played down the lack of confirmed performers.

"The star is Michael Jackson - it's not about name dropping and who else will be there," producer Georg Kindel said.

Speaking at a press conference earlier this week, Jackson's brother Jermaine - who is also organising the tribute concert - told reporters that up to 25 performers had been lined up to sing.

But Karynne Tencer, a spokeswoman for Blige, said although the singer wanted to perform, "she had a previous commitment in Milan" at a Gucci fashion show.

'Confusion'

Brown, who is on five years' probation for assaulting his former girlfriend, Rihanna, would need a judge's permission for any international travel, a Los Angeles court spokeswoman said. No motion to do so has yet been filed.

"I'm sure the show is going to be fantastic and I'm looking forward to seeing you there"-Katherine Jackson

A spokeswoman for Cole said the 59-year-old could not be there because she will be attending an event in Tennessee for the Dalai Lama and can not make it to Vienna in time.

Maureen O'Connor said concert organisers had contacted Cole, "but she was never committed to do it".

It leaves only a few performers still confirmed to sing at the show, including Sister Sledge, Akon and German boy band US5.

A list of confirmed acts is due to be announced in Vienna next week, after Jermaine Jackson has personally confirmed who will attend.

"It seems that there is a lot of confusion regarding the confirmed talent for the tribute - we are rechecking and confirming each artist personally," Kindel said.

Jackson's mother, Katherine, pledged her support for the concert in a video message on the event's official website to quash rumours of a family feud over the event.

"I'm sure the show is going to be fantastic and I'm looking forward to seeing you there," she said.

Organisers said they were expecting 65,000 fans - who have paid up to 512 euro (£448) - to attend.

Jackson passed away in June after suffering a cardiac arrest.

Vince Young Helps Out Steve McNair's Sons

For one day at least, Vince Young stepped up to try to fill the void for the late Steve McNair's two young sons, the Tennessean reported Thursday.

Young surprised 11-year-old Trenton and 5-year-old Tyler on Wednesday by showing up at their house and taking them to their school's "Dear Dads Breakfast" at a local restaurant.

"Those are my boys," Young told the Tennessean. "I wouldn't say it was to pay anyone back; it was just out of love. Steve would do it for me. He pretty much did it for me when I was growing up. I have a history with the boys and I want to do anything I can. I am their big brother."

Julie Dilworth, admissions director at St. Paul Christian Academy, lauded Young's actions.

"It was a great, great gesture," Dilworth told the Tennessean. "All the kids had been talking about the dads' breakfast and [Trenton and Tyler] were wondering what was going to happen with them.

"They were thrilled ... the boys came to school with huge smiles on their faces."

Young had a close relationship with Steve McNair, even before the latter was drafted by the Titans four years ago. He attended McNair's football camps when he was young. McNair was shot and killed July 4.

Besides being there for McNair's sons, Young gave other kids at the school jerseys and autographs.

"It was a surprise, and just to see the excitement on their faces, it's a great feeling," Young told the Tennessean. "We had a good time eating pancakes. I had an omelet.

"Overall they are doing cool, doing good. Just talking to their mom, I think they are going to be all right. I am always going to be here for them, always."

McNair also had two older teenage sons.
source

Man Arrested and Released In Yale Killing

Update: Clark has been arrested for Annie Le's murder. Hopefully, they will keep his behind this time. What kind of police department is stupid enough to let this guy free, even if it was only for a short while. Didn't he have any unpaid traffic tickets or some made up crap that they could have held him on.

Police in New Haven, Conn., took Raymond Clark III, 24, into custody in order to execute a warrant to collect DNA samples from him, authorities announced. Police also collected items from the home Clark shares with his fiancée in Middletown, about 20 miles north of New Haven, before police released him early Wednesday.

Clark was not charged, nor was he officially named a suspect in the case of Yale grad student Annie Le, a bride-to-be who was found dead in a building near the medical school on Saturday. Police did name Clark as a "person of interest," however.

"We took him into custody to gather evidence from his body and his person," Police Chief James Lewis told reporters. Clark was released to his attorney at 3 a.m. Wednesday, according to New Haven police spokesman Joe Avery. Clark complied with requests for DNA samples Avery said, adding that Clark is now free to go wherever he wants.


Clark, who has been in the employ of Yale University for four years, worked in the basement where Le's body was found. According to reports, he failed an FBI lie-detector test and had scratches on his chest. A university source told the New Haven Register that Clark and Le likely knew each other, because he cared for the mice she used in her experiments.

According to the Los Angeles Times, only someone intimately familiar with the building's basement would have stashed her body there.

Clark's sister, brother-in-law and fiancée all worked at the university as well. He is to be married in December 2011. Le was to have been married last Sunday, the day her body was discovered. She disappeared Sept. 8.

On Tuesday, Le's family issued a statement through family friend the Rev. Dennis Smith. "The entire Yale community as well as our extended families and friends have been very supportive, helpful and caring," he said. "Our loss would have been immeasurably more difficult to cope with without their support."
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Mima Kobi

What would you get if the iCandy Pear, the Peg Perego Skate and Bloom Fresco had a threesome.? You would get the Mima Kobi, which just won an Innovation award at this year's Kind and Jugend.

• The frame will hold a single seat, a seat and a bassinet, or two seats.
• The seat converts to a carrycot by simply unzipping the seat unit
• It holds several different car seats
• Folds with or without the seat attached
• And the seats recline in three different positions

No word on pricing and availability information from this European stroller.

US folk singer Mary Travers dies

Mary Travers of Peter, Paul and Mary singing If I Had a Hammer
Mary Travers, one third of the hugely popular 1960s US folk group Peter, Paul and Mary, has died after a battle with leukaemia aged 72.

A statement on the group's website said the singer succumbed "to the side effects of one of the chemotherapy treatments" she was undergoing.

She had been suffering from leukaemia for several years.

Peter, Paul and Mary had hits including If I Had a Hammer, Lemon Tree and Puff, The Magic Dragon.

They became known for their mixture of liberal politics with folk music that won them a loyal following of fans and also five Grammy Awards.

Outspoken supporter

Bandmate Peter Yarrow said that in her last months, Travers handled her declining health "in the bravest, most generous way imaginable".

He added that throughout her long career, Travers sang with honesty and complete authenticity.

"I believe that, in the most profound of ways, Mary was incapable of lying, as a person, and as an artist - that took great courage, and Mary was always equal to the task."

The group released their debut album in 1962
Noel "Paul" Stookey, the trio's other member, praised the singer for her inspiring activism, "especially in her defence of the defenceless."

"I am deadened and heartsick beyond words to consider a life without Mary Travers and honoured beyond my wildest dreams to have shared her spirit and her career," he said.

Travers was an outspoken supporter of the civil rights and anti-war movements.

The group travelled the world and frequently appeared at political rallies and demonstrations, including the March on Washington in 1963.

Travers kept up her activism after Peter, Paul and Mary broke up in the early 1970s. She performed as a solo artist before the trio later reunited for benefits and other concerts.

She underwent a successful bone marrow transplant to treat her leukaemia and told The Associated Press in 2006 she was "feeling fabulous".

But by mid-2009, Yarrow told a Washington radio station that the singer's condition had worsened again and thought she would no longer be able to perform.

Travers is survived by her husband, Ethan Robbins and daughters, Alicia and Erika.

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In 1983, Peter, Paul, & Mary performed at Pier Six in downtown Baltimore. Following a wonderful concert, my wife Betsy and I were walking back to our car and singing "The Times They Are A-Changin'" to ourselves. All of a sudden, we hear a familiar voice singing beautiful harmony in the background. We stop and look around, and coming up quickly from behind us was Mary with a big smile on her face. Betsy and I were in total disbelief that this was actually happening to us. It was kind of like winning the music lottery!
Wes Herrmann, White Hall, Maryland, USA

I am one of the three members of Portland, Oregon based folk group 'Rite of Spring'. Certainly inspired by the music of PP&M, we recently shared the stage with Peter Yarrow. Truly the end of an era for us - so sad. Pater had told us she was holding her own earlier this year, and we hoped she had some more quality time left. Our sincere condolences to her family and Paul and Peter of course.
Michael Attwood, Portland, Oregon, USA

I attended numerous PP&M concerts, but when I was in my 3rd year at university (1969), I met briefly all three members of the group. I was in awe at how friendly all three were. Peter and Paul were funny and extremely intelligent. Mary was incredibly beautiful, and immensely friendly. I am a folk singer like PP&M, so meeting all of them was a dream come true! Never in my wildest dreams did I believe that I would ever meet even one of the three in person! But, on that concert night I did meet all three of these amazing people / musicians!
M. Randolph Hunter, IV, Fremont, CA, USA

I was in America on a four month 'gap' in 1963 and managed to catch PP&M in concert at the Watergate Theatre in D.C. very close to the building of later notoriety. And the music was uplifting, all the hits and more. Some of Mary's comments, mild today but wildly radical in the context of time and place, caused rumblings among a few of the sell-out crowd but the scent of freedom, whatever that illusory beast is, was in the air, a scent that grew stronger a week or so later when I saw her again in D.C.

This time the venue was a bit more expansive - the Freedom March on August 28 when Martin Luther King revealed to us his great dream. What more fitting setting could there have been for PP&M and their songs of protest and hope? Mary Travers was a lovely woman with a voice to match her stunning looks, a voice like that bell she sang about in 'If I Had A Hammer'. I hope she rests easy.
Ed Dixon, Clackmannan, UK

Met P,P&M at stage door of Colston Hall, Bristol 1964. for autographs. They have been the biggest musical influence of my life. Immensely talented and professional group whose influence goes much further than is recognised.
Peter Nott, Taunton UK

I did not meet her face to face but on a trip to Las Vegas three or four years ago Peter, Paul & Mary reformed for a re-union concert and I was lucky enough to be in the right town at the right time to see it. Not the same tall woman of early years with the long swishing blonde hair, and she was suffering a bad hip but the sound, magic, and for me the adrenaline, was still there. Something that should not be over-looked is that without PP&M there would have been no Bob Dylan. It was PP&M that took the unmusical gravel of Dylan, found the music in it and expounded the rhetoric and magnitude of his early work.
Alan Greenwood, Epsom, Surrey

I was singing along with their songs even before I could read, this was in Berkeley, California in the early 1960s. Their simplistic music (two guitars, three brilliant singers) permanently influenced my taste in music, later Mary's political activism impressed me. This is like losing a favourite aunt.
Sara Whitney, Munich, Germany

So, another icon of my youth has passed on. I still have all my Peter, Paul and Mary albums and play them often, along with Joan Baez, Judy Collins, Bob Dylan, Carole King and James Taylor. The music of the sixties was so real and relevant. It changed the world and it changed us. Good bye Mary and thank you!
Susan McMillan, Harare, Zimbabwe.

Brown book breaks record in hours

The Lost Symbol has a UK first print run of a million books
Dan Brown's follow-up to the Da Vinci Code has sold more copies in its first 36 hours of UK release than any other adult hardback novel, say publishers.

The Lost Symbol, which went on sale on Tuesday, has sold more than 300,000 copies in the UK, Transworld said.

The previous best-selling adult hardback was Thomas Harris' Hannibal, with some 700,000 copies bought in the UK when it was published in 1999.

Transworld said global sales of The Lost Symbol had already topped 1m.

Like The Da Vinci Code, The Lost Symbol features Harvard symbologist Robert Langdon, and had a UK first print run of a million.

The Da Vinci Code has sold 81 million copies around the world and is the UK's biggest-selling paperback of all time.

Transworld warned it was on the lookout for websites offering pirated copies of the new novel, after reports that two sites had already posted material from the book.

A spokeswoman said: "We have a very vigilant team who are constantly scanning the web to investigate potential piracy issues.

"If and when they do find any rogue material out there we will issue 'take down' notices."

Mary Travers

With her long, flowing, blonde hair and crystal-clear soprano vocals, Mary Travers was a major influence on the folk music of the 1960s and '70s. A founding member of Peter, Paul And Mary, Travers, not only became one of the most commercially successful folk performers, but, used her position to become an inspirational political spokesperson. Together with Peter Yarrow and Noel Paul Stookey, Travers performed at Civil Rights rallies with Dr. Martin Luther King, in Birmingham, Alabama and Washington, D.C., and, at numerous anti-Vietnam War demonstrations, fund-raisers and teach-ins. During the 1980s, Travers helped to call attention to the struggles of Latin America.

A native of Louisville, Kentucky, Travers grew up in New York's Greenwich Village. As a youngster, she became enchanted with the American folk songs played by The Weavers, Leadbelly and Woody Guthrie. While in high school, Travers became a regular performer at the Sunday afternoon folk music sessions at Washington Square Park. Together with a teenage group, The Songswappers, Travers appeared twice at

-Carnegie Hall and recorded with Pete Seeger. After singing in the chorus of a short-lived Broadway show, Travers balanced work in the literary and advertising field with appearances in New York clubs at night and weekends. After meeting humorist, folksinger and guitarist Stookey and folk music producer Milt Okun, Travers helped to form Peter, Paul And Mary. The trio performed its debut show at the Bitter End in 1961 and began a decade-long series of concerts and recordings. Their self-titled debut album, released in 1962 became a major hit, remaining in the top ten for ten months and the top twenty for two years. Their single, "If I Had A Hammer" became an anthem of the Civil Rights movement. Over the next decade, Travers and the trio helped to popularize the songs of Bob Dylan, John Denver and Gordon Lightfoot. Travers' lead vocals helped to make the trio's rendition of Denver's "Leaving On A Jet Plane," a major hit in 1970.

Shortly after releasing a "greatest hits" album, "Ten Years Together," in May, 1970, the trio announced their separation. The mother of two daughters-Erika, born in 1960, and Alicia, born in 1966 -- Travers remained active as a soloist, releasing five albums and performing in college and clubs throughout the United States. In addition, Travers lectured at colleges on "Society And Its Effect On Music", hosted a music and interview show on Radio Pacifica (KPFK) in Los Angeles and produced, wrote and starred in a television series for the BBC.

Travers reunited with Stookey and Yarrow in 1978 for a benefit concert, Survival Sunday, that Yarrow organized and produced at the Hollywood Bowl. Their performance was so encouraging that they agreed to resume their partnership. In the two decades since, Travers has continued to record and perform approximately forty-five concerts each year with the trio.

Jay-Z breaks Elvis album record

Jay-Z was just nine years old when Elvis Presley died in 1977
Jay-Z is set to score his 11th American number one album, overtaking Elvis Presley as the solo artist with the most chart-toppers in US chart history.

The rap star's new album Blueprint 3 is on course to top the Billboard 200 chart, taking him past Elvis's record of 10 number ones.

Billboard said the 39-year-old had so far shifted 476,000 copies of the LP.

The Beatles are still the most successful act on the US chart, with 19 US number one albums under their belt.

The Fab Four also feature heavily on the US chart this week following the release of their remastered back catalogue.

The reissued albums have shifted a total of 626,000 copies in the US since being released last week.

The best-selling remastered album was 1969's Abbey Road, which sold 89,000 copies.

Meanwhile, Madonna has just notched up her 40th number one single in the US dance charts with Celebration.