-
Elton to pen comical 'AIDS musical'
Thursday, October 16, 2008
[ برای مشاهده لینک ، با نام کاربری خود وارد شوید یا ثبت نام کنید ]
Sir Elton penning new musical
It's not the most cheeriest subject that would spring to mind when writing a 'film musical' but Elton John says he's penning a sing song about a man dying from AIDS.
Bizarrely, Elton says he want US comic Ben Stiller to star in the role and insists it's going to be a barrel of laughs.
The singer tells GQ.com: 'I've got to try and write a film musical for Ben Stiller. It's about a guy on Broadway who is gay, has HIV and AIDS and has to go back and face his wife and his kids that he left. It's very funny
'The premise doesn't sound funny, but it is.'
After writing music for hit musicals 'Billy Elliot' and 'Aida', the 61-year-old says he's more inspired by tragedy than comedy.
'I like some of the classic ones. 'West Side Story,' for me, is the greatest musical ever written. But I don't like forced fun. I'm more drawn to tragedy than, 'Let's all have a great time
-
Carr defends Paul Newman jibe
by ANDREW WILLIAMS - Thursday, October 16, 2008
Comedian Alan Carr, 32, is best known for his double act with Justin Lee Collins on Channel 4's Sunday Night Project. His big break came as a warm-up man for Friday Night With Jonathan Ross but he now has his own game show, C4's Celebrity Ding Dong, and a radio programme. His autobiography, Look Who It Is!, is out now, published by Harper Collins.
Your book is really funny, which is unusual for a comedian’s autobiography, how did you manage that?
I deliberately wanted it to be entertaining because critics sometimes say I'm not actually funny, it's just my face and voice that make people laugh, so I wanted the book to be two fingers up to them. You can’t say that the font was camp or the punctuation was tongue-in-cheek.
Did you learn anything about yourself from writing the book?
My school days were really tough but they’re some of the funniest parts of the book. It was good to find, looking back, something that was so grim at the time had so many funny moments. I also laughed at all the s***ty jobs I used to do – I started thinking packing boxes wasn’t so bad, at which point I slapped myself round the face. Sometimes the glasses can be a bit too rose tinted.
What was the worst job you have ever had?
I had a job cleaning car parts with methylated spirits. It was cash in hand and I didn’t have gloves or a mask. I sat in the corner getting high on the fumes that were turning my brain to mush but at least I could walk off and have a cup of tea. Working in the Barclaycard call centre was like being in the Big Brother house, you were watched all the time and had to write down if you went for a wee or a poo.
You say you didn’t realise you were camp until you saw a video of yourself at school. That must have been a revelation.
It was. I don’t watch myself on the telly now because I’m still shocked. In my head, I’m like Tom Selleck as Magnum but it turns out I’m different in real life.
Were there are any clues before you saw the video?
The clues were people shouting ‘faggot’, ‘bender’ and ‘poof’ but I didn’t put two and two together.
Steven Seagal was quite rude. The first thing he said to me and Justin was: ‘Are you two f***ing?’
What’s the worst gig you’ve done?
Anything at Maidstone Up The Creek. I’m pleased to say it’s closed down now. They hated me. I never lasted more than 7 minutes. It was full of homophobic narrow minded morons. It wasn’t just me, if you were black or Asian you got racist abuse, if you were a woman you got ‘show us your tits.’ I better be careful in case I’m doing a book signing there…but I suppose I’ll be alright as half the people in Maidstone can’t read.
You make some slightly mean comments about Paul Newman in your book. That’s bad timing.
It’s the worst timing. The publishers said: ‘That Paul Newman thing’s a bit harsh,’ and I said: ‘As long as he doesn’t die before the book comes out, it’ll be fine.’ He died on the Sunday, the book was out the Monday and now I look evil.
Who is the rudest celebrity you’ve met?
Steven Seagal was quite rude when he came on The Friday Night Project. The first thing he said to me and Justin was: ‘Are you two f***ing?’
When does the chat show start?
The chat show is part of the deal with Channel 4 but I’m doing Ding Dong again, Sunday Night Project, this book, a radio show, it won’t be happening for at least a year. I was shocked to read in News of the World that I was quoted as saying 'I'm was going to ask questions Jonathan Ross is too scared to' which is amazing as he’s pretty near the knuckle. The demand’s there but give me a break, I’ve just written a f***ing book
Do you secretly hate Justin?
Apparently, there’s been stuff on a gossip website that I hate him and he resents me. I heard about that when we were sitting in a jacuzzi together on holiday, sipping champagne. We do our stuff live so it doesn’t make sense for people to say that.
You’ve said that g.ays hate you, why’s that?
I was in a bad mood and I can’t control my mouth. I’d read somewhere that someone said I was a bad role model for g.ays. I just moaned ‘g.ays hate me’ but they don’t. There’s a minority that think being camp is bad for g.ays but it’s usually people in checked shirts and handlebar moustaches saying it, as if they’re not camp themselves.Haven’t they got mirrors on Hampstead Heath?
What’s the best thing about coming from Northampton?
Seeing Junction 15 in the rear-view mirror.
What’s the secret of your success?
What you see is what you get. Although I was p***ed off recently to see a charity mugger slagged me off for being rude to him. I hate them, though. If they want to do so much for charity, why are they taking £7 an hour to bother people in their lunch break? White people with dreadlocks should be shot anyway and shouldn’t act all upbeat when they’ve been hanging around the streets all day in the p***ing rain. The secret of my success is being so likeable, ha ha.
Have you ever had a supernatural experience?
When I did the ouija board with my mum we used to get dead people responding. One called my mum a s*ut and then a chopping board flew off the wall. When the blood started coming through the wall, we decided to knock it on the head
-
DARE TO WEAR? Paris Hilton
By JESSICA SATHERLEY - Friday, October 17, 2008
Each week Metro scours the mean streets of fashion tipping its shades to some eye-.catching, eye-watering and I don't believe it outfits
This week Paris Hilton hit London town and in her usual jaw dropping style, she set tongues wagging in this 80's rock get up
The blonde bombshell stepped out in metallic skin tight trousers, a black leather jacket, a sky high pony tail and killer red lipstick, a combination only a superstar could look good in… right?
? But is this ensemble even too much for cashed-up Paris to pull off
And would you have the courage to rock around town in the same outfit?
We want to know if you think Paris's style is uber-cool or just makes her look like a fool?
Would you dare to wear ?vote now:d
-
Meet the girl who will never stop smiling
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Beaming youngster Ebony Johnson has a smile that never wears out.
But the happy four-year-old's radiant face hides one of the rarest genetic conditions in the world.
She was born with Angelman Syndrome – originally called Happy Puppet Syndrome – which affects just 350 people in Britain
Despite her sunny disposition Ebony in still in nappies, has severe learning difficulties and cannot speak.
In fact, when she was two years old her broad grin almost proved fatal as doctors failed to realise the seemingly happy girl had pneumonia and was in pain.
Now the life of the giggling youngster could be turned upside down if her special school on South Tyneside is axed by the council.
Ebony's parents Philip and Trudy Johnson, both 43, of Jarrow, are leading the fight to save Greenfields School in Hebburn.
Mrs Johnson said: 'When she was originally diagnosed, I was totally devastated, but we also have a child who never grows up and is constantly happy.
'Everyone who sees Ebony just falls in love with her.
'She is just a joy to be around. We just love her to bits.
'Ebony just loves Greenfields, and I don't believe she would get the same degree of specialist care at another school. Under the plans, she would have to move to a new special school and then to another one for older pupils, which would mean disruption at two stages in her life.'
South Tyneside Council has proposed replacing its community special schools with a new 120-place centre for learning for the under-11s
-
Hamilton victory leaves him one step from title
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Lewis Hamilton stands on the brink of becoming the youngest Formula One world champion after a stunning pole-to-flag victory in today's Chinese Grand Prix.
Hamilton drove faultlessly at the Shanghai International Circuit to claim his fifth win of the season and ninth of his 34-race career.
With Felipe Massa taking second, Hamilton now holds a seven-point cushion over the Ferrari driver ahead of the final race of the year on the Brazilian's home turf of Interlagos in a fortnight's time.
By a remarkable coincidence, Hamilton led by seven points to Kimi Raikkonen last year when the Briton suffered heartbreak as he lost out to the Finn by a point.
After all the drama of last Sunday's race in Japan, and all the criticism that had been directed Hamilton's way, he was wheel perfect on this occasion
Hamilton produced a dream start as the threat from behind, with Raikkonen second on the grid, Massa third and bitter rival Fernando Alonso fourth, never materialised.
The McLaren pit crew did their job, matching Ferrari at the first stop as Raikkonen filed in behind Hamilton, and then beating them at the second by 1.6 seconds.
It was all as formulaic as Formula One gets, with only Jarno Trulli in his Toyota and Hamilton's team-mate Heikki Kovalainen enduring any trouble.
Come the conclusion, Hamilton finished an easy 14.9secs clear of Massa who passed Raikkonen all too comfortably on lap 50 shortly after trailing by a second, although that was to be expected.
Behind the leading trio, Alonso, who had won the last two races, was fourth, with Nick Heidfeld and Robert Kubica fifth and sixth, the latter now out of the running as far as the title is concerned
-
Bear floored by smell of coffee
Sunday, October 19, 2008
[ برای مشاهده لینک ، با نام کاربری خود وارد شوید یا ثبت نام کنید ]
Ahh, Nescafé: Starbucks the grizzly bear is left writhing on the ground after being bowled over by the smell of an empty coffee mug left behind by walker
It's become a staple of many commuters' journey to work – a knockout cup of coffee. But for one forest tripper, the morning pick-me-up proved a little too much to bear.
Starbucks the grizzly bear was knocked off his feet when he sniffed a coffee mug left behind by a group of walkers.
The predator, whose species has the keenest sense of smell on Earth, was completely bowled over by the aroma.
'We were watching bears catch fish when out came the grizzly. Although the cup was empty, the bear still went loopy over the smell,' said Doug Read, who was walking in British Columbia, Canada
Grizzlies have a sense of smell 2,100 times more powerful than humans. See more pictures at
کد:
www.dutchduowildlife.nl
-
Let my son come home, Madonna
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Madonna's adopted son David Banda would probably be better off back home in Malawi, his biological father has said.
The three-year-old looks unhappy and is facing life without a family after the singer and her husband Guy Ritchie finalise their divorce, said Yohane Banda.
It is two years since Madonna, 50, whisked David away from his Malawi orphanage.
In that time, Mr Banda has remarried and he and his new wife, Flora, have a son, Dingiswayo, who is nearly three months old
Mr Banda, 34, said he was filled with regret as he looked at a photograph of David taken recently in Athens in the middle of the singer's entourage.
'Maybe he would be better off back with us,' he told the Mail on Sunday.
'He doesn't look happy in this picture. He looks bewildered. If there is no love in the family, is there any love for him?
'This woman Madonna told me herself David was beautiful and made her happy and she promised to take good care of him. I'm feeling bad for him
-
Mystery of the stolen beach
Sunday, October 19, 2008
[ برای مشاهده لینک ، با نام کاربری خود وارد شوید یا ثبت نام کنید ]
Hundreds of truck-loads of sand went missing in July from Coral Spring beach (pictured
Police in Jamaica are trying to hunt down a group of thieves, suspected of stealing hundreds of tons of sand from a beach on the northern coast of the island.
Hundreds of truck-loads of sand went missing in July from Coral Spring beach but so far no arrests have been made and detectives now suspect the tourism industry might be to blame, seeing as it could add value to their businesses.
The BBC reported that due to the high demand for sand in Jamaica for hotel resorts that is why the sector is being investigated
Because there have so far been no arrests over the months, now the government is worried there may have been a cover up within the police force.
Prime Minister Bruce Golding is now cracking down on the investigation, ordering forensic tests on the coastal beaches to test it against the stolen sand
-
Man collared for hugging police officer
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
A man who thought that a police officer coming to arrest him needed a hug may face assault charges.
When the intoxicated 21-year-old from Iowa, USA, was stopped by a police officer he ran up to him and spread out his arms in a bid to give him a hug.
The officer said he told the man to "get back" and put his hands up in the air, but the jolly suspect continued to move towards the policeman and wrapped his arms around him.
His hug was obviously not appreciated, however, and he was handcuffed
-
Dim robber uses stolen cash to pay fine
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
A robber who thought he'd got away with his crime was nabbed after he used easily recognisable stolen money to pay a court fine.
Donald Dejarnette had previously stolen thousands of dollar bills from a Californian restaurant.
But unfortunately for him, the Homestead restaurant had a special custom where customers wrote special messages on the notes, which were then stuck up on a message board in the eatery
Having stolen the board worth $8,000, 34-year-old Dejanette apparently neglected to think about the signatures on the money when he handed some of it in to pay a court bill.
Kern County sheriff's Sgt Tyson Davis said a clerk immediately recognised the bills. Some even had 'Homestead' written on them.
Dejarnette has been arrested and four others are thought to have assisted him in the theft.
About $1,000 of the money has been recovered
-
Peaches: My marriage to Max isn't for ever
Monday, October 20, 2008
[ برای مشاهده لینک ، با نام کاربری خود وارد شوید یا ثبت نام کنید ]
Peaches Geldof has confessed she married musician Max Drummey on the spur of the moment and never thought it was 'going to last for ever'.
The socialite, who tied the knot in Las Vegas this summer after a whirlwind road trip with her lover, said their affair was 'like the sort of archaic romance that you only ever read about'.
'He's amazing. He has this magnetism – I suppose I fell under his spell. I had this huge bond with him,' she said
'He told me, “I don't want you to go back to London. I don't want to lose this bond with you. Why don't we just take a trip to Vegas and do something like get married?”. I was like, “Hell, yeah”.'
But she added: 'I didn't go into it thinking this is going to last for ever. But I did go into it thinking I love him right now.'
The 19-year-old formed a bond with the 24-year-old member of Chester French on MySpace during a 'difficult time' with then boyfriend Faris Badwan.
Soon after, she fled to the US saying she felt 'trapped at home'. Then came the road trip.
'We were just travelling across America, visiting weird towns. It was really fun and I felt so free,' Geldof said.
And when Drummey popped the question, she thought: 'This is amazing and a little bit nuts but I've fallen in love with him, so why not?'
The sometime TV presenter also told Heat magazine that her father, Sir Bob, fully backed the wedding – despite reports to the contrary.
'He said, “I think it's a bit silly because you're very young but I'm happy for you and if you love him, that's a really good thing
-
Freeman: I made 'bad choices'
Monday, October 20, 2008
Former Emmerdale actor Ben Freeman today said he now plans to return to work, after being cleared of raping a 16-year-old British girl in Barbados.
Freeman, who played mechanic Scott Windsor in the ITV soap, said that while he had not done anything illegal, he had made "bad choices".
The actor, who has had a tough time financially while clearing his name, wants to go back to work - and said he would consider talks with Emmerdale bosses if he were approached
Freeman denied raping the girl after they met at an exclusive holiday resort on the Caribbean island on November 29, 2006.
The 28-year-old actor said he knew the girl, who is from Cheshire, was 16 at the time but said she never resisted his advances as he denied the charge at the High Court in Bridgetown, Barbados.
The jury took 90 minutes to reach a unanimous not guilty verdict last week.
In an interview with ITV's This Morning, Freeman said he was "glad" it was all over.
He said he was not angry at the girl and was not looking for "retribution".
Freeman continued: "I do have to say that I made a lot of bad choices that I put myself in a position where someone can say that about me.
"The important point is that I didn't do anything illegal but it was silly."
Freeman was accused of raping the girl on a poolside sunlounger while they were staying with their families at the same hotel in Barbados two years ago.
During the trial, he broke down in tears as he told the court she never resisted his advances, according to local newspaper reports.
Freeman said the public reaction had been "fantastic" adding: "I've not had an awful lot of bad feeling."
He said people had approached him to wish him well.
Freeman said: "I just wanted to thank everybody really for being so fantastic. Everyone at work, at Emmerdale has been absolutely brilliant."
He said the last couple of years had been "hard financially".
Freeman added: "My mission for the last two years has been to clear my name... now that's over... I would obviously like to get back to work, whatever work that is.
"I've not really spoken to anyone at Emmerdale and I don't know whether they even would consider taking me back but I would think about it if they wanted to have a talk, so we'll see
-
Kate Moss on the town again - a day after giving up partying
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
[ برای مشاهده لینک ، با نام کاربری خود وارد شوید یا ثبت نام کنید ]
Kate Moss fights her way through the crowd
Just a day after she vowed to give up booze, Kate Moss has been spotted out partying again.
The supermodel was snapped tottering about unsteadily in Soho last night at the preview of the still-to-be-completed Dean Street Townhouse Club.
Her late night shenanigans come after she promised on/off boyfriend Jamie Hince she was giving up her wild ways.
She was reported to have vowed not to touch a single drop of alcohol again unless it was a "special occasion
Since she has rekindled her love with Jamie she knows these leisurely drinks need to stop. Kate is older and wiser now and wants to settle down," a source told The Mirror.
"People may think it's on Jamie's orders but, although he is delighted, it is all Kate's own doing. She wants to change her lifestyle."
Let's hope The Kills guitarist Jamie doesn't see these snaps
-
Pirates line up their hostages
-
Patient's 'gun suicide in hospital'
A hospital patient drew the curtains around his bed and shot himself dead on a busy ward yesterday. The incident has raised concerns about security in hospitals.
The 63-year-old, who had been on the ward for several weeks, is thought to have used a handgun and died of a single wound to his head.
He could not be revived by nurses and doctors who went to his aid at Northampton General Hospital
Last night, the incident raised concerns about security in hospitals. One member of staff said: 'No one can believe what's happened. It sounds like something out of a horror film.'
The man was in a bay with six other patients on a general surgical ward, which had a total of 28 beds. It was not revealed what he was suffering from nor whether he was terminally ill.
He is thought to have calmly drawn the curtains to screen himself from the other patients before pulling the trigger. A handgun was recovered from the scene by police.
An investigation has now been launched to find out whether the man was admitted with the gun or whether it was brought into him.
Hospital spokesman Peter Kennell said: 'It was a full ward and staff tried to do everything they could for him.'
Police cordoned off the bay to carry out a forensic examination but the rest of the ward was reopened.
The MP for Northampton South, Brian Binley, said the shooting raised questions about security in hospitals.
But he conceded: 'Not everyone that goes into hospital can be checked or searched
-
Female British aid worker killed 'because of religion'
A female British aid worker has been killed by gunmen in Kabul because she was 'spreading Christianity,' it has been confirmed.
Two unidentified hitmen on motorbikes attacked Gayle Williams as she walked alone at 8am, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office said.
An FCO spokeswoman said: "We can confirm that a British national was shot dead in Kabul today. Next of kin have been informed
Ms Williams worked for Serve Afghanistan, a British-registered Christian charity that focuses on public health education, training people with disabilities and community development.
A hospital spokesman said: "Police brought the body of a woman. We still haven't completed our checks, but the initial information is that she received gunshot wounds."
The Taliban claimed responsibility for the shooting, saying Ms Williams was killed because she was spreading Christianity.
But Mike Lyth, the Carlisle-based chairman of Serve Afghanistan's board, rejected this explanation.
He said: "They will make any excuse. They probably saw there was a Christian organisation operating in Kabul and thought, 'this is how we can kill it'.
"We are Christians - that is what gives us the motivation to go into a dangerous and difficult country to try to help.
"But she was not involved in proselytisation."
Mr Lyth described Ms Williams as a "lovely girl", adding: "She was the life and soul of the party, a great adventurer.
"She will be sorely missed - a great girl."
Afghan interior ministry spokesman Zemeri Bashary said the aid worker was shot in the body and leg with a pistol.
All the aid group's expatriate staff are volunteers, according to its website.
Taliban insurgents have increasingly targeted aid workers this year in their campaign to spread an atmosphere of fear and undermine support for the Western-backed Afghan government.
Taliban insurgents killed three female aid workers and their Afghan driver in an ambush just outside Kabul in August, the bloodiest single attack on foreign humanitarian workers in Afghanistan in recent years.
Rising violence has already forced aid agencies to restrict humanitarian work at a time when drought and high prices are putting more people under pressure
-
Spade invader 72-yr-old jailed for attack
A terminally ill woman has been jailed for breaking her neighbour's arm with a spade.
Despite being 'built like a sparrow', 72-year-old June Iddon wielded the spade 'like an axeman' as she tried to hit Jeffrey Grundy over the head in last November, the court heard.
The pair had been involved in a lengthy dispute over a strip of land separating their properties in Tarleton, Lancashire
Iddon, who Preston Crown Court heard has terminal cancer, defied a court order to launch her attack on Mr Grundy, 62.
Agitated throughout proceedings, Iddon argued with the judge and left shouting, 'I'm innocent' as guards took her down to start her 24-week sentence.
She had denied the assault but was found guilty at an earlier hearing
-
High-wire walk over 700m gorge ends in tears
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
[ برای مشاهده لینک ، با نام کاربری خود وارد شوید یا ثبت نام کنید ]
Hanging on: The terrified artiste is rescued
It was a big idea – but in the end it wasn't very clever.
A high-wire artiste came close to plunging 700m (2,300ft) into a gorge after tripping during a record-breaking attempt to walk along a 40° cable.
Saimaiti Aijiang, who had no safety net, saved himself only by grabbing out at the 3cm (1in) steel wire as he slipped.
He was forced to cling on for dear life with bloodied hands while a climber was sent to rescue him. The performer was then lowered to the ground in a harness. Safely back on the ground, Mr Aijiang burst into tears.
He was also seen crying on his mother's shoulder – presumably after being told off for trying something so stupid.
The stunt was Mr Aijiang's first – and probably last – attempt to walk the cable car line across China's Tianmengshan gorge – a Mecca for tightrope walkers
-
Fury as Katy Perry poses with knife
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
[ برای مشاهده لینک ، با نام کاربری خود وارد شوید یا ثبت نام کنید ]
Katy Perry has been slammed for posing in this knife photgraph
Provocative pop star Katy Perry has been condemned for posing with a knife - allegedly "to look edgy".
The chart-topping singer was pictured with a three-inch flick-knife in a publicity shoot.
But anti-crime campaigners have accused her of "glamourising" knives, in a year in which more than 60 British youngsters have been stabbed to death
Perry reached number one in 20 countries including the UK with her hit, I Kissed A Girl.
That song infuriated some moral campaigners - and her own Methodist parents - with its lesbian theme.
Today the 23-year-old faced fresh controversy as the knife photo emerged, having been considered for use on her album or website - but rejected.
Leading the outrage was the father of 11-year-old Damilola Taylor, stabbed to death in Peckham, South London, eight years ago.
Richard Taylor, 59, said: "This woman's behaviour is unacceptable. She must be out of her mind to pose for a picture like this.
"There is nothing glamorous about knives - they wreck families. Any youngsters seeing her will think it is okay to carry a blade."
Newspaper reports today quoted a source on photoshoot, claiming: "The knife picture was done to give Katy more of a ----, harder edge."
The photo emerged online as 16-year-old Army cadet Joey Lappin became the latest young Brit killed by knife crime.
Police have said he was the innocent victim of gang violence in Everton, Liverpool, when chased and stabbed to death on Monday night.
More than 60 teenagers have been stabbed to death in this country this year, including 27 in London
-
Sheepdogs that turn into 'duckdogs'
[ برای مشاهده لینک ، با نام کاربری خود وارد شوید یا ثبت نام کنید ]
New tricks: Alfred shows off his natural skills
They are a long way from old England and are more used to city life than sheep – but this pair of dogs are adapting to the countryside well.
Alfred and Briar, two Old English sheepdogs, had never seen sheep before but have shown they are not afraid to learn new tricks – even if it means trying them out on ducks first.
They have left their suburban home in Melbourne, Australia, to enter the state's herding championship.
'Alfred took a little bit longer to get what was going on but Briar went “Oh, my goodness, let me at them”,' said owner Margaret Duke.
Yesterday, Metro introduced you to Asti the horse and friend Freya the dog
-
'Crocodile Joe' grabs rogue house snake
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
[ برای مشاهده لینک ، با نام کاربری خود وارد شوید یا ثبت نام کنید ]
In hand: Crocodile Joe with Rammy, the Baird’s rat snake he found in the attic
The family who found a discarded snakeskin in their loft can sleep easily once more – thanks to Crocodile Joe.
The wildlife expert, otherwise known as Joe McQuade, stepped in after the story was featured in Metro on Tuesday – and captured a 1.5m (5ft) Baird's rat snake.
He was setting a trap in the loft of 26-year-old Tony Robinson and partner Gemma Peters, 25, using live rats when he saw something move.
'I just grabbed it and held on to it,' Crocodile Joe, from Manchester, said.
'I was nervous because I didn't know what I was grabbing
The snake, named Rammy, was traced to a neighbour's house in Ashton-under-Lyne, Tameside, from where it vanished a year ago.
Gemma, who has a 21-month-old son with her partner, said last night that she was 'glad it's all over'.
She added: 'Now we just want to get back to our normal life.'
The rat snake – which has a taste for rodents but is not poisonous – is being cared for by vets.
... And Tony and family won't be scared out of their skins any more
-
Trafalgar Square turns into huge bubble bath
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
[ برای مشاهده لینک ، با نام کاربری خود وارد شوید یا ثبت نام کنید ]
Clean-up: A worker clears the bubbles from one of the fountains
Trafalgar Square's fountains resembled a giant bubble bath after pranksters poured what seemed like gallons of washing-up liquid into them.
Lord Nelson had a bird's eye view of the bubbles below the famous column in central London which left passers-by and tourists looking on bemused.
Cleaners have been working non-stop since the problem bubbled up on Tuesday. They have been adding salt to the fountain in an effort to fight the foam
One said: 'It seems to be working but it's come at an inconvenient time and we still need to see what damage has been done.'
Thousands of people are expected to converge on the square today and tomorrow for two free movies on big screens as part of the London Film Festival.
The cleaner added: 'This kind of thing damages Trafalgar Square's image as a favourite international tourist spot.'
But this is not the first time the fountains have been targeted. In June, demonstrators turned the water red with dye in protest against a parade held in the capital to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the creation of the state of Israel.
In 2003, the water was also turned red after demonstrators filled fountains with dye as part of a protest against US president George Bush's state visit to Britain
-
Beyonce-seeking driver arrested, may be crazy in love
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
An American man arrested in Connecticut for reckless driving gave police a completely plausible explanation for his behaviour - he said that Beyonce was waiting to meet him in New York.
The 33-year-old man, from Michigan, was detained early on Sunday after driving in a 'reckless manner' in a parking lot and nearly crashing into a parked patrol car, police spokesman Vaughan Dumas said.
Dumas also noted that police found a teddy bear and flowers inside his car, which the man explained were meant for the singer
He told the cops that he was off to meet Beyonce at the George Washington Bridge in New York, according to Dumas.
The man reportedly refused to leave his car when ordered, and asked police for directions to Detroit before suddenly driving off again.
He was arrested a few minutes later and charged with reckless driving, speeding, interfering with an officer, failure to obey an officer's signal and failure to obey a stop sign.
The man was released on $5,000 bail and taken to a local hospital for observation, Dumas said.
'He didn't threaten her or anything,' Dumas added. 'It was just his claim that he was going to meet her
-
Firefighters fail to recapture hamster
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
eight firefighters were called in to help find an escaped hamster, it was revealed today.
Two fire crews used a chocolate-covered camera and a vacuum cleaner to try and locate missing Fudgie at six-year-old Zoe Appleby's home in Dunbar, East Lothian.
The girl's mother contacted the fire service after the pet had scuttled down a hole in the kitchen floor, and stayed there for six days. She had to reassure neighbours when two fire engines from Dunbar and Newcraighall pulled up outside their house on Monday afternoon.
In the search for Fudgie, firefighters took the family cooker and gas pipes to pieces.
They also dropped a mini-camera - coated with chocolate in an effort to lure Fudgie towards it - underneath the floorboards
They then hoped to suck out the furry rodent using a vacuum cleaner with a sock over the nozzle.
Despite their efforts, they failed to recover Fudgie and called in the Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SSPCA).
The hamster, who was being looked after for a friend during the school holidays, has now been missing for eight days.
A spokeswoman for Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue said: 'The call related to a hamster that was trapped behind a wall.
'They got a Fibroscope camera and put that down under the floorboards to see if they could find it.
'In the end we left it in the hands of the SSPCA.'
Zoe's mother Angela told the Daily Record newspaper: 'When we got in touch with the fire brigade, eight of them turned up in two separate engines.
'I had to reassure the neighbours that everything was OK and it was just a hamster.
'But the firefighters were excellent and tried everything they could. The drama that tiny animal has caused is unbelievable.'
The nursery nurse said she believed Fudgie has made a home for herself under the floor using cardboard tubing that she put down for the pet to climb up
-
Chainsaw relief for tree-trapped horse
Monday, October 20, 2008
This mare has had a bit of a 'mare – after getting her head stuck inside a tree.
The filly, called Gracie, had to be cut free with a chainsaw when owner Jason Harschbarger discovered her wedged in the trunk – after he was alerted by hearing the horse making strange noises.
'I had taken a break from using the weed eater and when I turned it off I could hear her crying,' said Mr Harschbarger
'I looked up and all I could see was her belly. I ran up to see her and she looked in a lot of trouble. She was hanging there by the back of her jaws. I ran back down to my vehicle and got a chainsaw and ratchet strap.
'I don't know what possessed me to get the camera as well.'
I think she was just being curious and stuck her head in there
When attempts to pull her free with the ratchet strap option failed, Harschbarger decided it was time to crank out the chainsaw.
'I started cutting on the tree right above her head. That really stressed her and she reared up three times and her head came out. That chainsaw really spooked her.'
But the drama didn't end there. Gracie may have freed her head, but as she came back down her left hoof got stuck back in the tree. But twenty minutes, and some nifty chainsaw work, later, Gracie was free once more – although slightly shocked.
Gracie has emerged mostly unscathed with a few scars down her neck and a bit of nerve damage to her nose and lips. But things have changed a bit for the Harschbargers after the pictures were shown all around the US.
'We've been on Fox News,' said Mr Harschbarger. 'My friends are asking me how it feels to be a celebrity.'
'I think she was just being curious and stuck her head in there. Then her hoof might have slipped on the wood and she fell backwards and got her head wedged,' he speculated
-
Iran arrests pigeons for spying
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
In what could see a major escalation of tension between Iran and the West, Iranian security forces have announced that they have arrested two pigeons for spying.
The two pigeons were detained in Natanz, near Iran's uranium enrichment facility – one of the major sources of the diplomatic chill between Tehran and Western governments.
According to a report in Etemad Melli, a reformist newspaper, one of the pigeons was apprehended in the nearby city of Kashan, beside a rose water production plant.
Both pigeons were described as having 'metal rings' and 'invisible string' on their bodies, according to the AFP news agency
This is not the first animal-espionage incident in Iran. In July 2007, it was reported that 14 squirrels had been detained on the Iranian border for spying.
Animals have long been used in military and intelligence operations, from dolphins being trained to detect mines to chickens recently being used by US forces in Kuwait to discover chemical weapons. During the Second World War, Britain awarded 32 medals for bravery to military pigeons
It is not known if the two pigeons are currently being detained, if they are still alive, or what may happen to them.
No third party has yet claimed the pigeons as their own
-
Father has son jailed for being lazy
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
A man has taken his son to court in Nigeria for being idle – with the result that his son was jailed for six
months.
The father brought his 20-year old son before the Islamic court in northern Nigeria, demanding that he be jailed for refusing to engage in productive activities, according to state news agency NAN.
He accused his son of refusing to go to school, and said he was a member of a gang
Father Sama'ila Tahir said: 'He is not listening to words and he is bringing shame to my family. I am tired of his nefarious deeds. Please put this boy in prison so that I can be free.'
The son was sentenced to six months in prison and 30 strokes of the cane for disobeying his parents, NAN reported. The cane was administered on the spot
-
Horse and hound in mad chasing game
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
At first glance, it looks like this dog is about to be maimed for life.
But Asti the horse and Freya the Belgian shepherd are just horsing around after striking up an unlikely farmyard friendship.
Yapping dogs are usually greeted with a hoof in the face but this 12-year-old male enjoys the game
'They have been playing this game since Freya was a pup,' said farmer Jurgen Schmidt, 52.
'They chase each other around each day and none of them has ever been harmed.'
Mr Schmidt lets all the other horses out of their stables before allowing the pair their game of chase.
And, despite the advantage of long legs, Asti has never managed to nip the seven-year-old farm dog.
'Freya can change her direction so very quickly, Asti runs out of luck each time,' said photographer Lothar Lenz, who captured the horseplay in Bruchkoebel, Germany.
'Horses have to build up a rapport with dogs before they can trust them.
'The other horses look quite confused at what exactly is going on
-
-
Katona 'banned' after storming off
by ANDREI HARMSWORTH - Thursday, October 23, 2008
[ برای مشاهده لینک ، با نام کاربری خود وارد شوید یا ثبت نام کنید ]
Out of it: Kerry slurs on This Morning
Kerry Katona was sensationally banned from ITV's This Morning show after storming from the studio without saying goodbye to presenters Phillip Schofield and Fern Britton.
Schofield delivered the blow after telling how the misguided star unravelled in the lead up and aftermath to her woeful shock interview yesterday.
WATCH THE DISASTER BELOW
Schofield denies he and Britton 'ambushed' the 'agitated' mum-of-four for insatiable viewing but reveals Katona's own MTV crew were eager to shoot a secret tape of her storming off in her 'condition'
'She arrived very late…. Didn't give anyone any time to sit down and talk to her…one of our researchers said we were gonna mention the bankruptcy, and she said or someone round her said 'if you talk about the bankruptcy then she's gonna walk out…'. That came through to the studio floor saying she's a bit 'agitated'' says Schofield.
She sort of ambushed herself by slurring her words, so I don't think there was an ambush
'At no time have we have any idea of what condition she might be in'(sic) claims the presenter.
Then banning the reality star, 28, he warned: 'In the paper today it says she'd never come on again…well, until she's better, of course, we wouldn't let her on anyway…'
Continuing Schofield, insists the presenting duo had no option but to continue the 'car crash', telling Chris Moyles' Radio 1 show: 'Both Fern and I looked at each other and said 'there's a problem here' but by which stage you're on the air, it's too late.'
Continuing he says: 'There's no way our producer would have allowed that interview to have gone ahead had we known the situation she'd found herself in that morning.'
'She had her MTV team with her…as we went to the break, she was obviously very, very angry with us, and she got up and walked out of the studio with her husband and we didn't attempt to stop her because we knew she was a very angry girl.'
Shifting the blame back on the star, Schofield says: 'She sort of ambushed herself by slurring her words, so I don't think there was an ambush.'
'I think it was irresponsible to put her on the telly and to drive in her to our studio yesterday was irresponsible
-
Guy's boys' night out to get over Madonna
Friday, October 24, 2008
[ برای مشاهده لینک ، با نام کاربری خود وارد شوید یا ثبت نام کنید ]
Guy looks like he's had a good night out with Jude Law and smiling Robert Downy Jnr
Its only been a week since Madonna and Guy Ritchie announced their plans to divorce.
But Guy seems to have ditched his marriage woes as he stepped out in London for a night with the boys. The film director seemed to be enjoying the single life as he hung out with his A-list mates, Robert Downey Jnr and Jude Law at his Punchbowl pub in Mayfair
Smiling Ritchie, 40, who is usually dressed in slick suits when out with Madonna, was sporting a casual diamond-print jumper, jeans and trainers.
Smiling Ritchie is usually dressed in slick suits but was sporting a casual diamond print jumper, jeans and trainers.
The trio had initially met to discuss Ritchie's new Sherlock Holmes movie in which Jude and Robert both star.
Their evening then took them to a screening of artist friend Sam Taylor Wood's new exhibition at the White Cube gallery in London.
Madonna on the other hand is reported to be having intense anger management sessions since the split The 50-year-old is allegedly seeing a counsellor to help her deal with her fury against her ex
-
Natalie Imbruglia hits Tinseltown
Friday, October 24, 2008
Natalie Imbruglia is not known for her fashion faux pas, in fact it's been a long time since she put a foot wrong in the fashion world.
But since her blonde makeover recently, it seems as though her reign of elegance is coming to an end.
The Australian beauty turned up to perform at the Virgin Unite Rock the Kasbah Gala in Los Angles looking positively wrong.
Wearing a hideous red-sequined gown the singer attempted to hover down the red carpet with like her usual glamorous self.
But with the bright red-bobbled attire she looked less Tinseltown and more, well tinsel
-
Vow to make housing scheme 'fairer
Friday, October 24, 2008
[ برای مشاهده لینک ، با نام کاربری خود وارد شوید یا ثبت نام کنید ]
Taxpayers’ money is being used to allow families to live in expensive privately-owned homes
Thousands of pounds of taxpayers' money is being used to allow families to live in expensive privately-.owned homes, it emerged
Under a scheme to reduce housing waiting lists, councils are allowed to help those at risk of homelessness rent from a private landlord.
Tenants claim housing benefit to cover the costs, but with rental rates for such properties in certain parts of London standing at more than £1,000 a week, the system has come under fire.
Work and Pensions Secretary James Purnell criticised the scheme for enabling people on benefits to live in homes that were out of reach of "hard-working families" and pledged to make it fairer. His comments came as the Evening Standard revealed that one landlord was paid £1,125-a-week by the state for a family to live in a £1.5 million four-bedroom mews house in an exclusive part of London.
Kensington and Chelsea Borough Council, which arranged the rental, admitted it had used private accommodation to house more than 400 families under its LetStart scheme since 2006.
Earlier this month, the Government announced a review into how housing benefit works after it came to light that taxpayers were paying £2,875 per week to house a family in a west London mansion under Local Housing Allowance rates for landlords.
Ealing Council revealed it had turned to the private sector for a home for Toorpakai Saindi and her seven children in July after the Government said the family was entitled to a seven-bedroom house which the authority could not supply.
Kensington and Chelsea Borough Council introduced LetStart in February 2006.
Under the scheme, the council helps residents into private accommodation by paying the deposit and the first month's rent. The council said it uses a "rolling" annual budget of £600,000 to meet those costs.
The deposit is recouped when the tenant moves out and the rent is paid back via housing benefit. Tenants are then responsible for paying their rent, which in practice comes from the housing benefit they claim
-
Dr Death defends corpse exhibition
Thursday, October 23, 2008
A controversial scientist who preserves human corpses and displays them to the public has defended his latest exhibition.
Gunther von Hagens, whose Body Worlds And The Mirror Of Time exhibition opens to the public at the O2 Arena in London on Friday, said he was presenting a "health message."
A total of 200 cadavers from babies to the elderly have been arranged in lifelike poses, as part of the scientist's latest Body Worlds exhibition
They have all been preserved using Dr von Hagens' controversial "plastination" technique. This involves peeling the skin back to reveal the inner organs, arteries and muscles and encasing it all in plastic.
"This exhibition is all about the cycle of life, from the spark of conception, to the development of a mature body, and it goes through to elderly people," he said.
"It shows the whole spectrum of life. It shows how we develop and we age. We realise how our lifestyle entrances our organs, our body, and in this way, our capability in life, our length of life and how we feel.
"People will learn about the importance of their bodies. They will learn how fragile and how strong the body is. They will learn that they have to take care of their bodies, and eat less excessive food and smoke less, and refrain from drugs.
"It gives a strong message, it is a life-changing experience, only the real is able to change our habits," the scientist explained.
Mirror Of Time is Dr von Hagens' first London exhibition since 2003. His previous Body Worlds shows have been dubbed "the goriest on earth" for their no-holds barred look at human anatomy.
But he rubbished claims that his work was frightening, saying it helped visitors to "understand death
-
Lily slams drug culture in new song
Friday, October 24, 2008
[ برای مشاهده لینک ، با نام کاربری خود وارد شوید یا ثبت نام کنید ]
Lily Allen steps out at a party to celebrate Sam Taylor-Wood's new exhibition
.Lily Allen has never been afraid to be outspoken and her latest song attacks Britain's rampant drug use
Called "Everyone's At It", which is streaming on her MySpace, she sings: "So you've got a prescription, and that makes it legal. I find those excuses overwhelmingly feeble.
"The kids are in danger, they're all getting hurt."
"I'm not trying to say that I'm smelling of roses but when will we tire of putting s*** up our noses."
"It's meant to be fun and this just doesn't feel right."
"Why can't we all just be honest and admit to ourselves everyone's on it."
The song will be the first single taken from her new album "It's Not Me, It's You", which is due to be released on February 9, 2009
-
Tom gets his revenge
Friday, October 24, 2008
Tom Cruise got his revenge on US talk show host Matt Lauer on Friday morning.
The Mission Impossible star made a surprise appearance at a 'roast' of the Today Show newsman at the Friars Club in New York.
He went on stage and hugged Matt, before telling the audience that he would do anything for his "good friend Matt".
The duo famously sparred on TV in 2005, with the presenter questioning Tom's religion of Scientology, his then-engagement to Katie Holmes and prescription drugs.
But Tom got his back three years later.
"Believe it or not, Matt and I are best friends; we do everything together," the actor told the crowd as he flipped through Photoshopped photos of the two swimming and barbequing together.
"My life is made up of jumping from international film set to fancy party, from fancy party to international film set, while you have been content to do the same thing everyday: Sit on the couch until Father Time and GE think you are too old and too boring."
He ended his speech by saying: "In front of all these people, I just want you to know I can't believe I flew all the way out here. Now, lose my number
-
Keanu at Anvil premiere
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Keanu on the town last night
Keanu Reeves attended the premiere of Anvil! The Story of Anvil, a movie about a Canadian heavy metal band, in London on Tuesday night.
Keanu attended the event to support his friend Sacha Gervasi, who made the film.
The movie sees Anvil band members, now aged in their 50s, still dedicated to following their rock dreams.
The band was formed in Toronto by two school friends, Steve 'Lips' Kudlow and Robb Reiner, and gained some fame with their second album Metal On Metal in 1982, but they later drifted into obscurity.
Keanu was greeted by screaming fans as he signed autographs.
He said: "It's a great story, it's a really inspiring film about friendship."
Asked if it inspired him to be back in a band, the actor replied "No".
He said he was in London for a couple of days and had visited the theatre during his trip.
He was also joined by the Prime Minister's wife Sarah Brown, who stood on the red carpet chatting with those involved in the film.
Organisers of the event said that Mrs Brown's brother Sean Macaulay was involved in making the film, which was being screened in Leicester Square as part of the BFI 52nd London Film Festival
-
J-Lo shows off s.e.xy post baby body
Friday, October 24, 2008
After giving birth only eight months ago Jennifer Lopez showed of her post baby body in a stunning figure-hugging pink evening gown last night
She arrived at The Fashion Group International's 25th Annual Night of Stars with her husband Marc Anthony.
The Latina beauty, who is the mother to twins, lost the weight through a regime of running and swimming while she trained for a triathlon which she completed last month
-
Catherine Zeta-Jones to star in 3-D Cleopatra
Friday, October 24, 2008
. Catherine Zeta-Jones is set to star in a 3-D rock'n'roll musical about Cleopatra
The Welsh actress will play the Egyptian queen in director Steven Soderbergh's bonkers new project, reports Varierty.
X-Men star Hugh Jackman will play her lover Marc Anthony in the $30 million film.
Before Cleopatra, Soderbergh is directing The Girlfriend Experience, with ---- star Sasha Grey playing a $10,000-a-night call girl
-
Eminem shunned limelight after best friend's death
Friday, October 24, 2008
Eminem has spent the past few years out of the limelight battling to get over the death of his best friend, the rapper has revealed in a frank new memoir
The Slim Shady star was inconsolable after pal and fellow rapper Deshaun Holton also know as Proof, was gunned down in 2006 outside a club.
"After he passed, it was a year before I could really do anything normally again," Eminem writes in "The Way I Am".
"It was tough for me to even get out of bed, and I had days when I couldn't walk, let alone write a rhyme."
"I have never felt so much pain in my life. It's a pain that is with me to this day. A pain that has become a part of who I am."
He credits Proof with encouraging him to start rapping.
"If Proof hadn't gotten me ... into the rap game, I don't know where I'd be," he writes. "I certainly wouldn't be someone you've heard of."
Eminem's new track, "I'm Having a Relapse," has caused a stir on the Web and is fueling talk of a new record and maybe even a tour.
He hasn't released an album since 2004's Encore
