Yo-Yo Ma & other: 2008

Monday, 8 September 2008

'40-Year-Old Virgin' actor faces new charges

VISTA, Calif. �

Prosecutors have brought additional charges against Hollywood actor accused of stabbing his ex-girlfriend 20 times.

Shelley Malil, 43, who played a load-bearing role in "The 40-Year-Old Virgin," was charged Friday with residential burglary and assault with a virulent weapon for allegedly assaultive a valet who with Malil's ex-girlfriend, Kendra Beebe, on Aug. 10.

Prosecutors say that was the day Malil stabbed Beebe with two knives while chasing her in and around her San Marcos home as her two children slept.

A human being with Beebe at the time grabbed one knife but Malil found some other and continued the onset until a neighbor disarmed him, prosecutors said.

Malil antecedently pleaded non guilty to one count of attempted murder, with a special circumstance of premeditation and one count of personal use of a knife and inflicting great bodily injury. He faces sprightliness in prison house if convicted.

During a Superior Court earreach Friday, a judge decreased his bail from $10 million to $3 1000000. Malil's lawyer, Steve Meiser, argued that the higher figure was unreasonable and that his Indian-born customer was non a flight risk.

Malil has been confined since Aug. 11.

Beebe, 35, suffered deep wounds to her lungs and throat but prosecutors said she was expected to recover.

Malil played a co-worker, Haziz, to comic Steve Carell's title persona in "The 40-Year-Old Virgin." He has appeared on dozens of TV shows, including "NYPD Blue" and "Scrubs."

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Information from: North County Times, http://www.nctimes.com

More info

Friday, 29 August 2008

Michael Phelps to write new book

NEW YORK �

Olympic superstar Michael Phelps testament write a book singing the report behind his historic ashcan School gold ribbon swims exactly in time for the holiday season, Free Press, an imprint of Simon & Schuster, announced Friday.

In "Built to Succeed," Phelps will too cover his philosophy on training and competition, as well as his life being brocaded by a single mother and header with an attention-deficit upset, the newspaper publisher said.

The book is scheduled to be released in December.

Phelps, 23, became the winningest Olympian ever at this summer's Beijing games, winning ogdoad golds to add to six previous Olympic first-place victories. He holds sevener world records.

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Tuesday, 19 August 2008

V Festival - Fran Healey Has Wedding Ring Crisis

TRAVIS frontman Fran Healey had to halt his band's performance at the V Festival in Chelmsford this weekend ? when he accidentally dropped his marriage ring.

The band were in the middle of their hit song Flowers In The Window when Fran suddenly looked alarmed and stopped singing.

"Hold on, hold on!" he told the crowd. "I just dropped my marriage ring. It's like Lord of the Rings!"

Fran is married to German photographer Nora Kryst, and perhaps wary of the furiousness that a lost hymeneals ring could bring.

However, normal service was fully restored after Fran retrieved the ring and carried on from where he leftfield off in the song.

Travis' set in the JJB Arena was packed with hits from their late albums, as well as new tracks from their forthcoming record album ODE TO J SMITH.

Elsewhere, AMY WINEHOUSE got a positive reply for her performance next a shambolic set at the previous night's Stafford leg of the festival.

More info

Saturday, 9 August 2008

Abroo

Artist: Abroo

   Genre(s):
Rap: Hip-Hop

Discography:

Zwischen Liebe and Hass

Year: 2006
Tracks: 18

Ardea Biosciences' Advances RDEA806 Into Phase 2a Proof-of-Concept Study For Gout

Tuesday, 1 July 2008

Italian businessman who was linked to actress Anne Hathaway arrested in NYC

NEW YORK - Manhattan prosecutors say an Italian businessman who has been romantically linked to movie star Anne Hathaway has been arrested on wire fraud conspiracy and money laundering charges.

Raffaello Follieri is due in Manhattan federal court on Tuesday.

He is accused of falsely telling an investor that he had been appointed as the chief financial officer of the Vatican.

Authorities say he claimed that, as a result of that connection, he and others could obtain properties of the Catholic church in the United States at a substantial discount to fair market value.

The name of his attorney could not immediately be determined.

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Wednesday, 25 June 2008

INTERVIEW: James McAvoy - Hollywood's Most Wanted!

A long way from his breakthrough role in Shameless, James McAvoy has really hit the big time in tinsel town. Roles in the first Narnia movie, and two huge Oscar hits with Atonement and The Last King of Scotland, mean the 29-year-old Glaswegian has firmly made his presence known in the film industry. Today he’s here to talk about his role as Wesley, a nine-to-fiver turned assassin in the new summer blockbuster Wanted, starring Angelina Jolie.

At his own admission, this is a huge change of pace for McAvoy.“That was really why I did it, I think. When I look for something to do, I ask myself ‘is it different? Does it challenge me? Does it make me employ a new acting style?’ This satisfied all those things.”
He also feels Wesley has a resonance beyond the crash-bang action of the movie. “I think he represents a part of society that’s quite new - this guy in his mid 20’s, he’s got a home, he’s got a family, he’s got his girlfriend, but still he finds that he just can’t bring himself to smile. It’s a really interesting place from where the film develops.”

There was an intense amount of gym work required to prepare McAvoy for the physical endurance of making an action film, something the actor grew tired of quickly.
“For 6 weeks before we did filming I did that, and it was great. 4 weeks into filming, it was still great, loving it. Then about the 5th week in, I was like ‘you know what? You can stick this,’” he laughs.
Luckily his personal trainer was on hand to see him through to the end: “He really forced me to do it for the next three months, and I’m glad he did because I don’t think I’d have been able to get through this if I hadn’t been fit. The way I am naturally I just wasn’t fit enough.”

A big scene in the film involves Wesley being beaten up by Angelina Jolie’s character, Fox. “In the film the character (of Wesley) says ‘I’m going to kick your effing ass!’ and swings for her, that was completely added because I felt completely undermined as a man, and thought I should try,” McAvoy explains, “but I completely fail to do that and she ends up beating me even more!”
The actress gave out equally frank advice when they did stunts together - “her best piece of advice was to say to me ‘just shut up and enjoy it!’”

As for the future, McAvoy is keen to jump back into the action genre very soon. “The reason I did this film was to challenge myself and do something different, and see if I could do something new. So I’m hoping the next film I do will be challenging again.”
What about the rumours that he’s about to play Bilbo Baggins in Guillermo Del Toro’s The Hobbit? “Sorry, not true” he shrugs, “it’s all internet talk!”

Wanted is released 27th June.

Monday, 16 June 2008

Latin rocker Juanes projects political voice in U.S.

LOS ANGELES, May 9 - (Reuters) - Eight years ago, Colombian rocker Juanes was an immigrant seeking opportunities in Los Angeles before he found a music producer who gave him his big break.

Today, Juanes is probably the most universal of Latin America's stars, having sold 10 million records worldwide from Japan to Germany with his fusion of Latin folk music and rock, sung in Spanish.

At 35, he's determined to put that clout to good use, whether to push for peace on Latin America's borders or, while on his U.S. tour, to prod immigrants to get politically involved in this year of elections and immigration crackdowns.

"The economic situation, the elections and the immigration issue are really serious and affecting many immigrants," Juanes told Reuters ahead of four shows in Los Angeles to promote his fourth album "La Vida ... Es Un Ratico" (Life Is A Moment). "I think people are more reserved and scared."

At his two-hour concert at the Nokia Theatre on Wednesday, the black-clad rocker urged the heavily Hispanic audience in the most Hispanic of big U.S. cities to keep fighting for immigrant rights and told them how Los Angeles inspired him.

He is also working with the Rock the Vote campaign to get U.S. citizens of Latin American origin to register to vote in November's presidential and congressional elections.

"Those who can vote are the voice for those who don't have the possibility," said Juanes, whose full name is Juan Esteban Aristizabal.

Since his launch in Los Angeles, the singer and guitarist has made four albums with Argentine producer Gustavo Santaolalla, two-time Oscar winner for the soundtracks of "Brokeback Mountain" and "Babel," and won 12 Latin Grammys with hits like "La Camisa Negra" and "A Dios Le Pido."

Saturday, 14 June 2008

Glastonbury retains registration system

Music lovers hoping for a ticket to this year's Glastonbury Festival will have to register their interest next month, organiser Michael Eavis has confirmed.
As part of the battle against touts, anyone wanting a ticket to the world's biggest music and performing arts festival must register by the end of February.
Eavis said: "I want to keep up the momentum we gathered last year by stopping ticket touting altogether.
"Thank you for being so supportive of our registration process, which is, after all, quite tedious. I appreciate it so much."
The 2008 registration process is similar to last year's system, which involved supplying contact details and a standard passport photo.
Everyone, including children aged 13 and over, who wants to buy tickets will need to register first to be eligible to go through the sales procedure on 6 April.
Music lovers can either sign up online - via www.glastonburyfestivals.co.uk - or by completing a registration form which is available from any branch of camping store chain Millets.
Glastonbury Festival 2008 takes place at Worthy Farm in Somerset, England over the weekend of 27-29 June.

Friday, 13 June 2008

Amy Winehouse Apologizes For Racist Video

Amy Winehouse has apologized for a video that has surfaced online, in which she was filmed singing a song that changes the lyrics of a children's lullaby into a racist rant and shows apparent drug paraphenalia on the table.

British tabloid News of the World unearthed the video and posted it on their website, inciting further criticism against the already troubled singer.

According to the Daily Mail, Winehouse held an impromptu press conference on the steps of her house at around 2am Monday morning (June 9), where she apologized for the video.

"I don't want to play anything down, but I'm the least racist person going," she said, before slamming News of the World and calling them "irresponsible".

MTV attempted to contact a rep for the singer, but was referred back to the article in the Daily Mail.

Winehouse's father Mitch recently downplayed his daughter's battles, explaining, "If people could see the real Amy - the full picture, not just the worst photos - they would realize she is not in a constant pit of misery or permanently drug-addled. She's upbeat - even jolly - and she's been writing some fantastic new songs. She's really looking forward to performing again."

He adds, "She is getting better, working hard, standing by her husband and desperate to have a family. I honestly think in two years she will be fit, healthy and having babies - and motherhood will be her drug."

NEXT: Drug Charge Thrown Out Against Warren G

Photo courtesy of Universal.

Friend: Paul Newman Has Cancer

Although his rep has denied it, a longtime friend of Paul Newman's says the actor does have cancer.

Writer A.E. Hotchner, a neighbor of Paul's and his Newman's Own business partner, tells the Associated Press that the Oscar winner shared the news with him about 18 months ago.

''I know that it's a form of cancer,'' he tells the AP. ''It's a form of cancer and he's dealing with it.''

He declined to specify what type, but early reports claim Paul, a lifelong smoker, is battling lung cancer. A.E. fuels the flame more by revealing that the 83-year-old underwent an operation a few years ago.

''It was certainly somewhere in the area of the lung," he says.

As for Paul's status now, A.E. says, "Everybody is hopeful. That's all we know. He's doing all the right stuff. Paul is a fighter. He seems to be going through a good period right now."

Concern over the star's health peaked in the last month after he dropped out of his Westport, Conn. hometown's production of Our Town, which he was to direct, citing illness, and appeared gaunt at recent events, including the Indy500.

On Tuesday, Paul's rep said the cancer reports are "not true," but also cryptically said he was "doing nicely."

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Shia LaBeouf Embarrassed, Offers Applogy For Joking Slur

'Indiana Jones' star Shia LaBeouf has said that he's "embarrased" and sincerely apologizes for a video that has found its way onto YouTube, in which he jokingly refers to a friend using a homophobic slur.

The footage, recorded several years ago, was taken at a party, and shows LaBeouf trying to encourage a friend to play a slapping game. He provokes him by calling him a "faggot," a comment that the gossip columns have jumped on.

A rep for the 22-year-old released a statement apologizing for the incident.

"The videotape that is currently being circulated is several years old and captures Shia playing a game among friends, in which he uses a derogatory word toward a friend," the statement said.

"He regrets having used the word in any capacity and is very embarrassed that this footage is being seen by anyone."

NEXT: The Daily Trailer: Get Smart

Photo courtesy of DreamWorks.

Lightspeed Champion - Lightspeed Champion Stars Abscess Causes Gig Chaos

British rockers LIGHTSPEED CHAMPION were almost forced to cancel a gig in New York recently - because an abscess on frontman DEVONTE HYNES' face had "broken open", spilling blood and puss everywhere.

The band called off their shows at London's Camden Crawl music event earlier this year (08) because of the star's infection - but Hynes was determined to play New York Bowery Ballroom on Saturday (07Jun08), insisting the show must go on.

In an online blog, he reveals, "I was sitting on the toilet and started playing with my face... (as you do) and... oh God, my stomach turns just thinking about this... but it popped. My face popped open... broke open. Whatever.

"I've never seen so much gnarly s**t in my life, and it sprayed all across the cubicle door, there was blood all over the floor, and I really wish I was exaggerating."

But the band was due on stage minutes later, so Hynes was forced to clean the wound up himself.

He adds, "I ran to a mirror, and started taping up my face with plasters... The show was being filmed for public access television. So many fears, sweat dripping down my face taking the plaster off... my face then leaking with puss-blood...

"The show actually was a comedy of errors, everything breaking, and I mean everything... jeeezeus (sic)... it was cool though!"

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Harry Potter prequel to be auctioned for charity

LONDON —

An 800-word prequel to the Harry Potter series, handwritten by author J.K. Rowling, will be auctioned for charity Tuesday night.

Rowling's short story is the star lot at a charity auction at the flagship of Waterstone's bookstore chain in London. Proceeds will benefit the writers' association English PEN and a dyslexia charity.

Rowling was able to squeeze her Harry Potter prequel onto both sides of a piece of A5 paper, which is slightly bigger than a postcard.

"Given the enormous interest we have seen in recent times for autograph work by J.K. Rowling, the prospects for her story card are good to say the least," said Philip Errington of Sotheby's auction house, which is running the sale. "There is just no telling how high the bidding might go."

Organizers wouldn't comment on the content of Rowling's card, but the prequel to the seven-book series doesn't offer hope for a new Potter novel. Rowling finished her card by writing, "From the prequel I am not working on - but that was fun!"

Twelve other authors and illustrators contributed cards to the auction, including Nobel Prize winner Doris Lessing, playwright Tom Stoppard and novelists Nick Hornby and Margaret Atwood.

Lessing wrote about the power of reading, Stoppard contributed a short mystery and Hornby turned his card into a collage about a superhero.

Atwood will fill out her card remotely an hour before the auction using a touch pad in Paris linked to a robotic arm in the bookstore.

Copies of the cards will be on display in Waterstone's stores and online following the auction, and they will be collected into a book available in August.

The final installment of the seven-book series, "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows," was published last year.

Rowling has said she has no plans to write another novel about the boy wizard, but in December she sold a handwritten, leather-bound book of fairy tales she described as drawing on the series' themes for nearly $4 million at auction. The money went to The Children's Voice, a charity Rowling co-founded in 2005.

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On the Net:

http://www.waterstones.com/whatsyourstory

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