Lakers rumors

Lakers rumors, The Los Angeles Lakers are confident that they can re-sign free agent center Dwight Howard this offseason and hope to do so, but that doesn't mean they're throwing all of their eggs into that basket. ESPN's Marc Stein and Ramona Shelburne report that the Lakers are going into July with a "keep-all-options-open approach."

It's expected that the Houston Rockets, who are considered the leading suitor for Howard outside Los Angeles, will chase after him as a free agent but also prepare a sign-and-trade proposal to send to the Lakers. Even though Los Angeles would like to keep Howard, they will not shy away from considering such a deal. At the same time, it's unlikely they take a sign-and-trade because it would probably include long-term contracts.

Taking on those would hamper the Lakers' ability to sit tight with a core of Steve Nash, Pau Gasol and a recovering Kobe Bryant in 2013-14 while waiting for a big-name free agent summer in 2014. For example, Houston would probably include either Jeremy Lin or Omer Asik to the Lakers in a Howard sign-and-trade package. While both are conceptually nice pieces, adding them to an already-problematic luxury tax wouldn't help in the longterm.

So if Howard does leave, it wouldn't be outlandish to predict the Lakers simply accept it while saving cap space for next summer.

Additionally, the Los Angeles Times reported that neither the Lakers nor the Clippers would be willing to swap Howard for the Clippers' Blake Griffin and Eric Bledsoe. ESPN, however, says that is not because of any philosophies within the Lakers organization of never making a trade with their fellow Staples Center rivals. The Lakers wouldn't completely dismiss such a deal if it were offered.

Newt Gingrich

Newt Gingrich, After the 1994 mid-term elections, Newt Gingrich became the first Republican Speaker of the House in 40 years. Most of the legislative items in his well-publicized "Contract with America" were passed by the House and many became law. His term as Speaker was marked by his opposition to many of Clinton's policies, which led to a budget showdown, government shutdowns, and acrimonious impeachment proceedings. However, Gingrich and Clinton also reached agreements on welfare reform, a capital gains tax cut,

and a budget deal that led to four straight balanced budgets. Gingrich resigned from Congress in 1999. Gingrich authored several books, and stayed involved in politics, serving as a political commentator and a consultant for various think tanks. In May 2011 Gingrich announced he would seek the Republican nomination for president in 2012.

Early Life

Newt Gingrich was born on June 17, 1943, in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. His mother Kathleen Daugherty and father Newton Searles McPherson divorced soon after Newt was born. Kathleen remarried to an Army officer named Robert Gingrich, who adopted the boy. Gingrich has three younger half-sisters, Candace, Susan, and Roberta.

Growing up, Gingrich's family moved around frequently, like many military families. He graduated from Baker High School in Columbus, Georgia, and received a B.A. from Emory University in 1965.

Elected to Congress

Gingrich pursued higher education, receiving an M.A. in 1968 and a Ph.D. in modern European history from Tulane University in 1971. While in New Orleans, Gingrich developed an interest in religion, and was baptized in a Baptist church. Gingrich worked early on in academia, as an assistant professor of history and geography at West Georgia College.

Always interested in history and politics, Gingrich got involved as the Southern regional director for Nelson Rockefeller. Gingrich launched his first campaign for congress in 1974. He lost in 1974, and again in 1976, to the Democratic incumbent. In 1978, Gingrich finally won a seat in the House. He would be re-elected to Congress 10 times.

From his first days in Congress, Gingrich was an influential conservative member of the Republican party. He formed the Conservative Opportunity Society in 1983, a group of Republican delegates whose ideas influenced Ronald Reagan's policies.

Republican Revolution

In 1988, Gingrich led the charge against Democratic Speaker of the House Jim Wright, who was alleged to have violated campaign finance rules. Wright was forced out, giving Gingrich a boost among his party. Gingrich's star continued to rise, and when House Minority Whip Dick Cheney was appointed Secretary of Defense, Gingrich was elected to take his place.

During this period, Gingrich became known for his aggressive, often combative, style. With an emphasis on morality, he was aided by the House Banking Scandal and the Congressional Post Office scandal. Gingrich used his influence over the Republican party to draft the Contract with America, a platform of 10 policies they would push for if the Republicans took the majority in the congressional elections.

The contract included welfare reform, tougher crime laws, a balanced budget, and other conservative policies.

Sure enough, the 1994 congressional elections brought about what would be called the "Republican Revolution." After four decades of Democratic control, the GOP won the majority in the House, and Gingrich was elected speaker. Fiercely opposed to many policies of President Clinton,Gingrich was instrumental in getting Clinton to reluctantly sign the GOP's welfare reform act after two initial vetoes. It was a major victory for Gingrich. Gingrich also had other major pieces of legislation passed, including a balanced budget and a capital gains tax cut.

Ethics Scandal

Gingrich's accomplishments were not without controversy. His popularity began to decline amidst partial government shutdowns in 1995. Gingrich was widely blamed for the shutdowns, after he had refused to compromise with President Clinton on budget cuts.

Ethical considerations were at the heart of much criticism of the speaker. In 1995, he returned a $4.5 million book advance that the House Ethics Committee had questioned. Another ethics investigation arose about whether Gingrich had used tax-exempt donations to fund a college course he had taught while serving in Congress. Gingrich negotiated an agreement with the House Ethics Committee, and he payed $300,000 for the cost of the investigation. The House voted to reprimand him by a vote of 395 to 28. In 1997, Gingrich was narrowly re-elected.

Resignation

In 1998, a scandal broke that would have a big impact on Gingrich's career. Clinton was alleged to have lied before a federal grand jury about his extramarital affair with White House intern Monica Lewinsky. Gingrich pushed for impeachment, and for Clinton's removal from office. Congressional hearings and a media frenzy created a backlash against Republicans, as many voters felt they had gone too far.

In the 1998 midterm elections, Republicans lost five seats to Democrats. The tides had turned against Gingrich, and even members of his own party were critical of the speaker's tactics and the image he projected of the Republican party. In November 1998, Gingrich stepped down as speaker of the House. In January 1999, he resigned his seat in Congress.

Post-Speakership

Gingrich remained involved in politics, serving as a consultant and television commentator on the Fox News Channel. In 2007, he founded American Solutions for Winning the Future, a public policy organization. In May 2011, Gingrich announced he would seek the Republican nomination for president.

During his campaign, Gingrich tried to position himself as the ideal conservative candidate. He attempted to achieve victory with his calls for a balanced budget, advancements in domestic energy production and religious liberty. But he may be best remembered for his intense attacks on the Republican frontrunner Mitt Romney. Gingrich painted a portrait of Romney as an unethical businessman who "looted companies."

Gingrich made some missteps along the way, catching bad press for his troubled finances and his disorganized campaign.

He also had some offbeat proposals, including the creation of an American colony on the Moon. In January 2012, Gingrich won the state primary of South Carolina. He then won his home state of Georgia in March. These proved to be his only two victories. That May, Gingrich finally decided to pull out of the race.

"Today I am suspending the campaign, but suspending the campaign does not mean suspending citizenship," Gingrich told the press. He vowed to continue fighting for the causes that he believes in, but he ruled another presidential run.

A prolific author, Gingrich has written several books, including Lessons Learned the Hard Way (1998), Winning the Future: A 21st Century Contract with America (2005), Rediscovering God in America (2006), and To Save America: Stopping Obama's Secular-Socialist Machine (2010). He also cowrote an alternative history series on the Civil War and World War II.

Personal Life

Newt Gingrich married Jackie Battley in 1962, when he was 19 years old. The couple had two daughters together, Jackie and Kathy, before their split in 1980. Gingrich remarried in 1981 to Marianne Ginther, whom he met during a political fundraiser in Ohio. Ginther and Gingrich divorced in 1999.

Gingrich currently lives in McLean, Virginia, with his third wife, Callista Bisek. The couple married in 2000, and together they create public policy documentaries through their production company, Gingrich Productions.

Celtics trade rumors

Celtics trade rumors, After six straight seasons of making the playoffs in the Doc Rivers, "Big Three" era that included an NBA title in 2008, it finally looks like rebuilding time for the Boston Celtics.

And it might start with a trade that's already been floated around in the 2013 calendar year.

According to an ESPN report from Marc Stein and Ramona Shelburne, the Los Angeles Clippers are eying two separate deals that would shake up the framework of the NBA, and one of those deals would be bringing Kevin Garnett and Doc Rivers to Los Angeles in exchange for a package that centers around DeAndre Jordan, cash and draft picks.

The other is a sign-and-trade deal for cross-locker room rival Dwight Howard, in which Blake Griffin and Eric Bledsoe would join the Lakers next year.

Here's an excerpt from the report:

The initial talks with Boston, sources said Saturday, are focused on the Clippers satisfying Boston's compensation demands to let Rivers out of his lucrative contract and corresponding trade proposals aimed at bringing Garnett to town with Rivers.

All of these potential transactions, sources say, are part of the Clippers' intent, as reported Thursday by ESPN.com, to be "very aggressive" and "shake every tree" in an attempt to upgrade the roster to the point that Paul not only re-signs when he becomes a free agent on July 1 but that they are an unquestioned championship contender.

The two sides were linked with a potential move of the same nature back in February, when Mark Murphy of the Boston Herald reported that CP3 was pushing Garnett to waive his no-trade clause and join the Clips. The Clippers finished fourth in the Western Conference in the 2012-13 regular season before losing in the first round of the NBA playoffs to the Memphis Grizzlies. With Chris Paul entering free agency and the head coaching position still vacant after the team fired Vinny Del Negro, via the Los Angeles Times, there's changes still to be settled this offseason.

Changes are brewing in Boston, too.

ESPN's Chris Broussard reported on Wednesday, Rivers was mulling over whether or not his future would continue in Boston far before the details of this new development emerged.

The Clippers were an automatic candidate for Rivers to move to once that rumor hit airwaves, and this one from The Boston Globe also linked Rivers, the heart and soul of his defense and the Clippers together in a potential move:If any such West Coast move for the duo of Rivers and Garnett was to become final, the C's would also likely use their one-time amnesty provision on Paul Pierce, a move that would save over $15 million in cap space heading into free agency. There's a lot of moving parts and contingency plans for both sides in the scenarios mentioned above, but one thing is for certain—Boston's "Big Three" era could be coming to a close in the next few days.

Istanbul protests

Istanbul protests, Clashes have taken place between police and anti-government protesters in the streets leading to a central square in Istanbul, as Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has displayed a show of strength in a rally organised by his ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party only a few kilometers away from the violence.

Thousands of protesters have been trying to reach Taksim Square on Sunday after overnight police intervention at an Istanbul park where anti-government protests were first ignited more than two weeks ago.

Riot police fired bursts of tear gas and water cannon on Sunday after a night of unrest to try to prevent demonstrators from regrouping and keep them away from Taksim Square, where Gezi Park is located.

Bulldozers removed barricades and municipal workers swept the streets around the central Taksim Square, sealed off by police, after thousands took to the streets overnight following the raid on the park.

Meanwhile, speaking at his party's pro-government rally in Istanbul, Erdogan accused international media of "lying", apparently referring to the coverage of the recent protests. He said that foreign media sources were not portraying an accurate representation of Turkey.

"Come on BBC, CNN and Reuters… Display this differently as well," he told tens of thousands of supporters. "This is the real picture of Turkey, despite international media."

He also targeted the European parliament over a resolution it adopted regarding the protests. "Turkey is not a country that can be convicted by parliaments that do not know about Turkey," Erdogan said, adding the EU should "know [its] place!".

In a resolution passed on Thursday in Strasbourg, the EU institution warned the government against the use of "harsh measures" against peaceful protestors and urged Erdogan to take a "unifying and conciliatory" stance. It also expressed its "deep concern" at the disproportionate and excessive use of force by Turkish police.

Erdogan on Sunday rejected protesters' allegations that he had been dictatorial in his actions, asserting that the demonstrators in Gezi Park were "not sincere". He reiterated that he would await a final court verdict on the controversial urban development project at the centre of the protests in Gezi Park.

Throughout Saturday night and Sunday, police forces entered hotels and other buildings harbouring injured protesters in Istanbul, using tear gas inside buildings and detaining demonstrators.

There have been rallies and clashes in cities such as capital Ankara, Izmir, Eskisehir, Bursa, Antalya and Adana following police’s intervention in Gezi Park in Saturday evening and Sunday.

Hundreds of police officers have poured into Istanbul in order to work around Taksim Square and Kazlicesme, where the pro-government rally has taken place.

No access to Taksim Square’

Meanwhile, Istanbul's governor said on Sunday that the planned gathering by an anti-government protest group in Taksim Square would not be allowed to go ahead.

"There is a call for gathering in Taksim at 4:00pm [local time; 13:00GMT]," Governor Huseyin Avni Mutlu told reporters. "Any call for Taksim will not contribute to peace and security. After the current environment becomes stable, they can continue exercising their democratic rights. Under current circumstances we will not allow any gathering."

Mutlu said two police officers were shot during Saturday’s riots by live ammunition, adding that they are in good condition.

He also confirmed the reports that doctors helping protesters were arrested. "Yes, doctors have been arrested but they are acting in conjunction with the protesters," he said.

He also rejected reports claiming that water sprayed from water cannon at protesters contained any additional chemicals.

In Ankara, police forces have prevented a large group of people from entering capital Ankara’s central Kizilay Square. Water cannon and tear gas have been used by riot police against protesters.

The group was trying to enter the square following protester Ethem Sarisuluk's funeral in order to commemorate him where he died.

The government says the demonstrators are being manipulated by illegal groups seeking to sow instability while the movement says that the government has been acting increasingly authoritarian.

Turkey has been in turmoil since late May after a sit-in protest against an urban development project at Gezi Park of Istanbul transformed into countrywide anti-government demonstrations.

U.S. Open leaderboard

U.S. Open leaderboard, John Senden and Justin Rose replaced Phil Mickelson and Billy Horschel atop the leaderboard Saturday early in the third round at the U.S. Open, becoming the only players under par on the tough and tight little Merion Golf Club course.

Senden, who won the Australian Open in his homeland seven years ago, moved from 1 over to 1 under in a hurry by opening with a pair of birdies on a course where any putt over 15 feet was proving to be an adventure.
Rose, whose only top 10 finish at the U.S. Open came 10 years ago, joined Senden in first place with a birdie putt at No. 5.

Mickelson and Horschel shared the second-round lead at 1 under. Mickelson opened his round with a pair of tap-in pars, while Horschel saved par at No. 2 by making a putt from the fringe on a hole that ended a remarkable streak of accuracy. Horschel didn't miss a green in regulation during the second round, but his trouble at the 2nd included a hook that went so far left that he had to stand a few feet behind a water cooler to make his next shot.

But neither could get a handle on the 245-yard par-3 third, Horschel finding the bunker and Mickelson the greenside rough. Both 2-putted for bogey to fall back to even par.

Then there was a lefty making a charge at Lefty. Edward Loar eagled the par-3 2nd and birdied No. 5 to move to 1 over.

But he was the exception, not the rule, on a day when sunshine helped dry the course after a week of rain, making the sloping greens faster and tougher to read.

Tiger Woods was all over the place, making an arcing 15-footer for birder at No. 1 but missing an 8-footer for par at No. 3. Another bogey at No. 5 put him at 4 over. He needed to get out of trouble with several tee shots that landed in the rough, although in the early holes he showed no obvious signs of the left elbow problem that's been ailing him this week.

Of the first 39 holes played in the round, there was only one birdie — by Masters champion Adam Scott at the par-4 11th.

No one could catch Mickelson or Horschel when the second round wrapped up earlier in the day. Rose, Steve Stricker and Luke Donald were one stroke behind the leaders at the midway point.

The average score through two rounds on the par-70 course was 74.7. The cut line was 8 over, saving both defending champion Webb Simpson (5 over) and Scott (7 over) and keeping alive, albeit faintly, hopes for a Grand Slam. The third round was played in threesomes teeing off at Nos. 1 and 11 in a tournament that fell behind schedule when storms moved through the Philadelphia area on Thursday.

Ian Poulter had a chance to join the leaders as he finished his second round, but he had a bad lie in a bunker at No. 16 and his approach rolled off the back edge of the green at the 18th. The two bogeys sank him from even par to 2 over after his round of 71.

"I'm three off the lead in the U.S. Open," Poulter said. "And that's the difference of one hole. You can make birdie and someone can make double. I'm right in position and right there where I want to be. It's going to be a fun weekend."

Nigella Lawson choked by husband

Nigella Lawson choked by husband, Shocking pictures have been published in a UK newspaper appearing to show TV chef Nigella Lawson being choked by her husband during an argument at a London restaurant.

The pictures, printed on the front page of the national newspaper Sunday People, show Lawson apparently terrified as her billionaire husband Charles Saatchi reaches over and seems to grab her throat a number of times.

Witnesses to the argument at Scott’s restaurant said Lawson, 53, appeared fearful and distraught throughout the ordeal.

“It was utterly shocking to watch,” one diner told Sunday People.
“I have no doubt she was scared. It was horrific, ­really. She was very tearful and was ­constantly dabbing her eyes.”

Nigella was very, very upset. She had a real look of fear on her face. No man should do that to a woman. She raised her voice and got angry but at the same time was trying to calm him down, almost like you would try to calm down a child.”

None of the other diners intervened in the dispute and Lawson reportedly left the restaurant in tears.
The disturbing pictures have prompted a firestorm of criticism on Twitter towards Sunday People, with many questioning why the newspaper chose to run them.

“That Sunday People front page with Nigella is horrific. It highlights sickening domestic violence, yet feels intrusive and wrong to publish,” one tweet read.

“Not cool at all with the Sunday People front page. Nigella looks terrified. Right to report, but that image is humiliating & indecent,” another Twitter user wrote.
Lawson and Saatchi have been married for ten years. It is Lawson’s second marriage and Saatchi’s third.

Leyla Ghobadi Has No Evidence To Support Kanye West Affair Claim

Leyla Ghobadi Has No Evidence To Support Kanye West Affair Claim, Leyla Ghobadi claims that she slept with Kanye West after he handpicked her to spend time in his hotel room after a concert, but the 24-year-old model hasn’t been able to back up her claim with any evidence.

Ghobadi, a Canadian model, claims that Kanye West cheated on wife Kim Kardashian twice, including once after she had already gotten pregnant. She said Kanye told her the relationship with Kim was “just for publicity” and an attempt to “increase his fan base.”

Kanye tried to hook up with her again last week, Leyla claims, but knowing now that Kim is pregnant she says she shot him down.

“I would never do that to someone,” she said.

But there is serious doubt being cast on Ghobadi’s claims. She had reportedly been shopping around her inside information for some time before Star finally published an interview. The New York Daily News notes that the tabloid failed to give her a lie detector or even check that text messages she claimed came from Kanye actually existed.

A rep for Kim Kardashian denied the allegation, and another representative for Kanye called Leyla’s claims just a bid for attention.

“This most recent attack on Kanye West and his family is totally without merit. It’s a blatant attempt by a misguided individual who is clearly seeking publicity, and another in a series of malicious stories drummed up by non-credible ‘news’ sources,” the rep said, adding,“This is a sad attempt to hurt two people trying to live their lives.”

Leyla Ghobadi said she was expecting some blowback from exposing the affair with Kanye West, but said Kim Kardashian deserves to know the truth about her man.

“This is going to destroy the Kardashian family,” Ghobadi told Star magazine. “It’s bad. It’s really bad. It’s just embarrassing. But if I were Kim and about to have a baby, I would want to know.”

There could be another reason for outing the affair. Star reportedly paid Leyla Ghobadi $20,000 for sharing her story.

Steelers sign 4th pick Landry Jones

Steelers sign 4th pick Landry Jones,  Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin likes what he's seen over the last few months, even though he knows it won't matter much if the Steelers can't build on it when they report for training camp next month.

The team wrapped up minicamp on Thursday, meeting with coaches before Tomlin let his players go early rather than take the field.

"I just told the guys it's been a great offseason," Tomlin said. "But, and I think that but is significant because legitimately, you'd like to find ways to measure offseasons and feel good about it, but the reality is these types of processes are measured based on results."

The results didn't meet Pittsburgh's lofty standards a year ago, when the Steelers slipped to 8-8 and missed the playoffs. The roster underwent a significant makeover, with veterans like James Harrison, Max Starks, Mike Wallace and Casey Hampton leaving, replaced by younger players who need to make an impact if Pittsburgh wants to bounce back.

So far, Tomlin is pleased.

"As I sit here today I feel good about the foundation we've laid for 2013," he said. "I like the efforts of the guys, the messages have been received. We're just in a good place, but that doesn't assure us anything. We understand what we do moving forward is what's really significant."

Veteran inside linebacker Larry Foote, entering his 13th season, is among the team's elder statesmen is prepared to become a leader in the locker room.

"There are only a couple guys in here who are older than me, so it's a big challenge," Foote said. "Not pressure, but I want to lead this team into the playoffs. I've been led, and I've been following other guys, so hopefully I can lead this team deep into the playoffs all the way to the Super Bowl."

It's a role Foote is growing into, trying to do for others what his mentors did for him when he broke into the league.

"Even last year, I wanted to duplicate the things that James Farrior did for years for this team, as far as being a leader on defense and never blinking at adversity and always trying to be your best," Foote said. "We're always yelling at the young guys, telling them that they might think they've arrived, but they aren't veterans yet. They have to stay in their place and keep learning."

Tomlin noted that the Steelers will "play it by ear," as far as working the injured players back into the mix, but he expected all of them to be ready for training camp. That might not include linebacker Sean Spence (left knee) or tight end Heath Miller (right knee), although being ready for the season is more likely.

"No, nothing miraculous," Miller said. "I feel pretty good right now. It's kind of lonely in here when you're here by yourself, so it was nice to have the other guys around. It's encouraging to watch everybody else work, and you just try to be inspired by how hard they're working and try to get back to where they're at."

Father’s Day freebies

Father’s Day freebies, According to USA Today, restaurants including Shoney’s, TCBY, Spaghetti Warehouse, Buca di Beppo and Hooters, will be offer free food around Father’s Day.

While restaurants have traditionally offered such specials on holidays such as Veteran’s Day and Mother’s Day, Father’s Day has finally come into its own. But there might be a hurdle to get your dad out on that day.

While people tend to spend on treating mom out on Mother’s Day, father typically hang out at home on Father’s Day. “Mother’s Day is often positioned as a splurge day, but, for some reason, children are not expected to treat their fathers on Father’s Day,” marketing consultant Tracey Riese told the newspaper. -

Billy Crystal thrilled with homecomings

Billy Crystal thrilled with homecomings, Billy Crystal doesn’t like to repeat himself, but the veteran comic knows that if a bit works you keep doing it.

That’s why the 65-year-old’s taking his Tony-winning one-man show 700 Sundays back to Broadway next fall. The same sort of rationale was applied to signing up again for the prequel Monsters University, which opens June 21.

“I was going to be on board no matter what because I knew (Pixar) was going to make it great,” said Crystal at Pixar Animation Studios just across the Bay Bridge from downtown San Francisco. “And I loved (Monsters University) because it was a fresh idea.”

Monsters, Inc., the 2001 original Pixar animation, earned more than $562 million US worldwide thanks to the endearing exploits of sidekick Mike Wazowski (voiced by Crystal) and scare champion Sulley Sullivan (John Goodman), who generated energy for their monsters city by scaring kids at bedtime.

In the prequel, we find out how the unlikely team became best friends after a rocky college start. Returning from the first fantasy is the antagonist Randall (Steve Buscemi). New is the demanding Dean Hardscrabble (Helen Mirren), who is not impressed with the two freshmen, and tells them as much.

Also providing voices in Monsters University are Nathan Fillion, Charlie Day, Aubrey Plaza, Alfred Molina, Sean Hayes and Dave Foley, but the movie continues to rely on the connection between Goodman’s Sulley and Crystal’s Mike Wazowski.

To refine the connection, director Dan Scanlon had Crystal and Goodman record their voice sessions in the same studio at the same time, a rarity in the animation world.

“It allowed us to bring a real presence into the movie,” said Crystal. “John’s a great partner and a wonderful guy, and it helped because we take the characters seriously.”

As usual, he doesn’t take anything for granted. He understood that Monsters University would have a loyal following, but he didn’t realize the extent of it until the finished film was screened for students at the University of Southern California to a rousing response.

“They went berserk.” confirmed the actor who attended the recent preview. “Then I realized Monsters University is all about them, because they were six and seven when (Monsters, Inc.) first came out.”

After more than a decade, Crystal continues to be associated with the Monsters character, whose voice is a variation on his Saturday Night Live’s hate-it-when-that-happens Willie persona.

Now, Mike Wazowski is all in the family after two of his four young grandchildren started to realize their grandfather was famous; he showed them Monsters, Inc. to explain why.

“I couldn’t really put on When Harry Met Sally.”

Soon after, he was doing Mike Wazowski for them on demand. (“You have to call him by his full name because it sounds better,” said Crystal).

“So I answer the phone, and they say, ‘Is Grandpa Mike Wazowski there?’” said Crystal. “And I say, ‘Hey, Mike Wazowski, the kids want you to talk.’”

Raised in the Bronx, the comic’s been making people laugh since he was his grandkids’ age. “In elementary school I was always thinking of ways to be funny,” he said. “I had a tight 10 minutes.”

Graduating from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts, he hit the road doing standup then landed the groundbreaking role of the gay son Jodie on Soap. That was followed by a brief stint on SNL.

He increased his profile mightily with box-office smashes When Harry Met Sally, City Slickers and Analyze This, and by hosting the Academy Awards in the 1990s.

Since Monsters, Inc. hit in 2001, he’s been low profile, although he did return to his Oscar duties in 2012.

He also kicked off a mini-comeback last year by teaming up with Bette Midler in the family film Parental Guidance.

Besides Monsters University and the 700 Sundays stage production this year, he’s working on a sitcom for FX called The Comedians, which starts shooting this summer.

Based on a Swedish series, the revamped show has Crystal playing a veteran comic trying to deal with a young upstart (not yet cast) on a Saturday Night Live type production.

“I didn’t think Swedes could be funny because it gets dark at noon there and the vodka comes out,” joked Crystal who admitted more seriously that he’s enthusiastic about the sitcom’s potential.

He’s just as excited about re-visiting his autobiographical one-man show bound for The Great White Way.

“Previews will start Nov. 5,” reported Crystal. “We are going to trim it down a bit and add a few things.

“But I wanted to do it again because I wasn’t finished with it in my soul. It’s still the most satisfying performance I’ve ever done and I missed it.”

Well, he does have another coveted engagement soon. He’ll attend yet another high school reunion

“I will probably do a tight 10 minutes,” said Crystal smiling.

Shooting inside Potawatomi Bingo Casino

Shooting inside Potawatomi Bingo Casino, Milwaukee Police are investigating after a shooting that happened inside Potawatomi Bingo Casino around 1:30 a.m.

A 23-year-old Milwaukee woman was gambling with her boyfriend when they got into an altercation.
The woman's brother tried to intercede on her behalf.

During the altercation the woman was shot in the leg.
She was taken to Froedtert Hospital and is currently in stable condition.
Her 27-year-old boyfriend from Wauwatosa was arrested.

Potawatomi officials released the following statement:
"We are thankful no one was hurt more seriously and that the situation was contained quickly.

Response by local law enforcement as well as our security team was outstanding. Potawatomi Bingo Casino will continue to cooperate and assist throughout investigation into this extremely isolated event."

The casino was temporarily closed and reopened to the public at 9 a.m. Sunday.
Police said that the suspect will be referred to the Milwaukee County District Attorney's Office for possible charges in the coming days.

Gilda Radner’s Cancer Center To Earn Money From Ron James Performance

Gilda Radner’s Cancer Center To Earn Money From Ron James Performance, Bill Murray has a touching story about the last night he spent with Gilda Radner. But now, Gilda Radner's cancer center will get money from comdedian Ron James in a benefit fundraiser. The funds will provide support to cancer patients the way Murray and other friends supported Radner in life.

Gilda Radner's cancer center will get an influx of cash thanks to comedian Ron James. James is a comedy legend-and now, he's helping Gilda's Club, a Toronto cancer center created in memory of Gilda Radner.

Radner made everybody laugh on Saturday Night Live with characters such as Bawa Wawa and Rosanne Rosanadanna. And now, in her memory, others will laugh as well.

Ron James will host It's Always Something, a comedy event presented by The Keg Steakhouse & Bar.  All proceeds will benefit Gilda's Club. James has also supported Gilda Radner's cancer center in the past.

The show will take place at Toronto's Sony Centre for The Performing Arts on Saturday, November 16th.

"We're thrilled to land Ron as our host. His performance was one of the highlights of last year's show and as host, he'll get an even bigger role," producers Fred Levy and Rick Muller said.

Tickets for the event can be found by going to www.itsalwayssomething.com. To learn more about Gilda's Club, visit Gildasclubtoronto.org.

Other entertainers are expected to be named as performers for It's Always Something. Ron James is in the 5th season of "The Ron James Show".

Gilda Radner died of ovarian cancer in 1989 at 42. She married Gene Wilder in 1984. Bill Murray said of the star,

"Gilda got married and went away. None of us saw her anymore. There was one good thing: Laraine had a party one night, a great party at her house. And I ended up being the disk jockey. She just had forty-fives, and not that many, so you really had to work the music end of it. There was a collection of like the funniest people in the world at this party. Somehow Sam Kinison sticks in my brain.

The whole Monty Python group was there, most of us from the show, a lot of other funny people, and Gilda. Gilda showed up and she'd already had cancer and gone into remission and then had it again, I guess. Anyway she was slim. We hadn't seen her in a long time. And she started doing, "I've got to go," and she was just going to leave, and I was like, "Going to leave?" It felt like she was going to really leave forever.

So we started carrying her around, in a way that we could only do with her. We carried her up and down the stairs, around the house, repeatedly, for a long time, until I was exhausted. Then Danny did it for a while. Then I did it again. We just kept carrying her; we did it in teams. We kept carrying her around, but like upside down, every which way-over your shoulder and under your arm, carrying her like luggage.

And that went on for more than an hour-maybe an hour and a half-just carrying her around and saying, "She's leaving! This could be it! Now come on, this could be the last time we see her. Gilda's leaving, and remember that she was very sick-hello?"

We worked all aspects of it, but it started with just, "She's leaving, I don't know if you've said good-bye to her." And we said good-bye to the same people ten, twenty times, you know.

And because these people were really funny, every person we'd drag her up to would just do like five minutes on her, with Gilda upside down in this sort of tortured position, which she absolutely loved. She was laughing so hard we could have lost her right then and there.

It was just one of the best parties I've ever been to in my life. I'll always remember it. It was the last time I saw her."

Christie Brinkley Plays DJ At SoFo Rocks

Christie Brinkley Plays DJ At SoFo Rocks, Christie Brinkley continued her charity work this weekend at the South Fork Natural History Museum in Bridgehampton. The famous model was on hand at the 24th annual summer fund raising party, SoFo Rocks, which raises money to preserve the natural environment of Long Island’s South Fork.

Brinkley, a mermaid honoree, was honored at SoFo rocks for her “continued support of environmental philanthropy.” The Daily Mail notes that Brinkley also attended an annual meeting on radiation and public health and a stroll through the model’s Twitter feed shows that Brinkley is constantly promoting charitable causes.

On June 13 she wrote: “Thank you Ginger for this great article that highlights the important work of Pet Philanthropy.”

Brinkley said that she likes to attend charitable events because it brings attention to a good cause. Some media outlets may focus more on what she’s wearing but the model said that any exposure is good exposure.

Brinkley said: “I know when I go someplace that they’re going to want to find out about what I’m wearing instead of what I’m saying. But to be able to get something about a nuclear power plant on Extra or Access Hollywood is incredible.”

Of course, attending these events also allows Brinkley to do things that she normally doesn’t get to do: Like play DJ.

Juneteenth shooting: 10-year-old shot by teen, festival closed down

Juneteenth shooting: 10-year-old shot by teen, festival closed down, Police in Columbus say a teen is in custody after a shooting at a festival injured a 10-year-old boy.

The shooting happened at a park just outside downtown Columbus at the Juneteenth Festival early Saturday night.

Police tell media outlets that the boy's injuries aren't life threatening. He was at a Columbus hospital late Saturday in stable condition.

Officers say a 15-year-old has been arrested and charged with felonious assault. Police say two others also may have been involved.

Police shut down the festival after the shooting and say it won't go on Sunday.

They say four other young people had been involved in fighting and were arrested before the shooting.

Lakers trainer Gary Vitti: Kobe Bryant progresses, return unclear

Lakers trainer Gary Vitti: Kobe Bryant progresses, return unclear, Kobe Bryant is progressing from his Achilles' tendon surgery on April 13, but Lakers trainer Gary Vitti still doesn't have a specific return date for the All-Star guard.

"We don't know yet. Kobe looks exactly the way he's supposed to look at this point in time," said Vitti in an enlightening interview with Mike Trudell at Lakers.com.

"Kobe makes you look good as a training staff," said Vitti, who has been with the Lakers since 1984. "We always feel good about how he's going to recover from anything, and that's a credit to him."

Bryant was injured on April 12 in a victory over the Golden State Warriors.

"I knew right away that was torn," said Vitti. "I felt a hole in my gut."

Bryant recently shed a walking boot and crutches.

With an alarmingly high number of injuries, the 2012-13 season for the Lakers was one of the toughest Vitti has experienced with the franchise.

"It wasn't a tough year, it was a tough 10 years in one," said Vitti.

In addition to Dwight Howard recovering from back surgery and playing through a torn labrum in his right shoulder, a litany of injuries led to a short playoff run.

Steve Nash's broken leg, sustained in the second game of the season, was an oddity to Vitti.

"It was the most fluke lower extremity fracture that I have ever come across," said Vitti. "Then all the things that went along with it -- nerve entrapment and so on -- with Steve's preexisting issues forced us to shut him down."

Nash had hip, hamstring and back issues late in the season that saw him sit most of the first-round playoff series swept by the San Antonio Spurs.

"When he eventually came back [in late December], he had a collectively damaged kinetic chain, in which case a lot of compensation takes place," Vitti said. "When there is compensation, there's dysfunction, and we could never get ahead of the curve because we had to play games."

The Lakers also saw Steve Blake go down with an abdominal tear and hamstring strain, Jordan Hill sit out for most of the season with an injured hip that required surgery, Metta World Peace miss games because of an injured knee and Antawn Jamison sit with a wrist problem. Jodie Meeks suffered a high-ankle sprain in the postseason.

Pau Gasol had knee and foot issues throughout the year as well.

"Pau's [knee] tendinitis eventually became tendinosis, which is basically a diseased tendon and it's very common in the NBA," said Vitti.

"He's coming along really, really well," Vitti said, noting that Gasol had an off-season knee procedure. "We also expect his plantar fascia to completely heal by next season. There's a small gap right now, but it's filling in nicely."

Vitti praised Gasol's ability to play through pain this season.

"It's a testament to the toughness of Pau," he said. "He's always shown a level of toughness to play injured. A lot of times, Pau has been playing through tendinitis throughout different times in his career and he deserves some credit for that."

Of course, Bryant's injury was the most devastating, even though he managed to limp to the line to knock down a pair of vital free throws that helped the Lakers clinch victory over the Warriors and help secure a playoff berth.

Bengals hard knocks

Bengals hard knocks, The Cincinnati Bengals will appear on the 2013 edition of HBO's Hard Knocks according to various reports. Cincinnati is no stranger to HBO's series having appeared on the show once before back in 2009, but are the Bengals making a mistake appearing on it again?

The news was first broke by Joe Reedy of The Cincinnati Enquirer, and since then the fans appear to be split on the issue. Of course every Bengals fan is excited to see unlimited access to their favorite team, but some don't think the show will cause any issues while others are worried the young team could become distracted.

Some camps will point out that the last time the Bengals appeared on the show the team swept the AFC North en route to the playoffs. However, this doesn't feel like a fair comparison when looking at the 2009 and 2013 units. The 2009 team wasn't necessarily expected to do much after a disappointing campaign the year before. The 2013 edition of the Bengals is poised to take the next step after back to back playoff appearances.

Just how will the young Bengals handle the pressure of the show? There's no question head coach Marvin Lewis and Co. have assembled a very mature cast of characters (a far cry from the roster in 2009 in some aspects) despite their collective ages, but one has to wonder how it could impact the team.

 The Bengals may be a mature roster but this is the team over the past few years that failed to impress when it mattered most. Primetime games have not been kind to the revamped roster despite the renaissance and the team has failed to do much of anything in the postseason two years in a row.

 Will practicing in front of Hard Knocks cameras change that?
Perhaps. Maybe that's the thought process behind saying yes to the show if you're the coaching staff, at least to an extent. Players have a tendency to get inspired in front of cameras whether it's practice or a game situation. However, there's also a chance the camera does more harm than good.

While the rights and wrongs of the decision could be discussed for days, there are certainly a plethora of storylines fans are already foaming at the mouth to see when the cameras start rolling.

For one, you have And Dalton's development. There's also a major contract extension to watch for with Geno Atkins. To a lesser extent there may also be some negotiations to watch with Carlos Dunlap and Michael Johnson.
 There's position battles too. Will Rey Maualuga find redemption? What about Vontaze Burfict inheriting the position at middle linebacker? Where do rookies Tyler Eifert and Giovani Bernard fit in at their respective spots? Will strong safety see a rookie in Shawn Williams take over?

 Of course, there will also be intriguing things to watch for, such as the curious case of Andre Smith, who has missed all offseason activities to date for personal reasons. Adam Jones is in trouble with the law again. James Harrison will have a major impact on the young roster while looking to get back at the Pittsburgh Steelers.
 Alright, maybe the Bengals were the perfect team for Hard Knocks. Literally.

That still doesn't mean it was the right decision and it's certainly one that will be over analyzed when the dust settles on the 2013 season.

 It appears the Cincinnati Bengals are your 2013 Hard Knocks team. Sit back and enjoy the show as it has the makings of one of the best seasons to date, but if you're a Bengals fan, watch with bated breath. Right now the repercussions of appearing on the show are hard to decipher.

Jennifer connelly short hair

Jennifer connelly short hair, Call it Jennifer Connelly, take two. The actress first gained notice in the 1991 film The Rocketeer, but it was a full 10 years later that she resurfaced in her Oscar-winning role as Alicia Nash in A Beautiful Mind.

And while "she has always been beautiful," says makeup artist Pati Dubroff, "she has become more refined." Her last role had her arguing religion Salvation Boulevard, but Connelly's offscreen look reflects a more lighthearted attitude. "She's not afraid to try things. She'll try purple eye shadow," says Dubroff.

"She likes to play." I was a shy kid who found herself doing photo shoots at age ten," Connelly has said of her years as a teen model.

True blood new season

True blood new season, Back at home in Bon Temps, La., momentarily safe from attack by vampires hungry for her tasty fairy blood, Sookie Stackhouse recalls the simple days of white dresses and well-mannered, if fanged, admirers. “I want to be that girl again,” she says, wearily. Fans of “True Blood,” hearing their heroine speak that line in the show’s Season 6 premiere on Sunday night, can only reply, Amen, sister.

“True Blood,” HBO’s popular supernatural soap opera, went a long way down a bad road in its fifth season, chasing a labored and unconvincing allegory about religious fundamentalism that incorporated a vampire god and bible and jackbooted vampire storm troopers. The increasingly comical proceedings culminated in an episode that played like a parody of the standard cliffhanger finale, with a Rambo-like raid and shootout, exploding bodies and a blood-soaked resurrection.

Alan Ball, the show’s creator, stepped away after the season and was replaced as show runner by Brian Buckner, a “True Blood” writer whose previous experience was primarily in sitcoms (“Friends,” “Spin City”). Sookie’s desire to be the girl in the white dress once more could be taken as a coded message from the new regime: Stick with us. We can get this right.

“Right,” in this case, meaning as it was at the beginning, when Mr. Ball surprised us by showing that he could create a light and amusing combination of occult thriller, love story and murder mystery whose message about tolerance of minorities was clear but not obtrusive. But as the seasons went on, the storytelling lost some of its steam, and the various subtexts — sexual, religious, racial — moved into the vacuum, becoming obvious and heavy-handed in the fashion of Mr. Ball’s previous HBO series, “Six Feet Under,” and his screenplay for “American Beauty.”

The new season begins mid-cliffhanger, with Sookie (Anna Paquin) and the vampire Eric (Alexander Skarsgard) fleeing Bill Compton (Stephen Moyer), the third leg of the Sookie-Eric-Bill romantic triangle and a newly risen, seemingly all-powerful vampire god. Along with their small crew of world savers, including Eric’s sister (Lucy Griffiths), Sookie’s brother (the hilarious Ryan Kwanten) and the bickering vampire couple Pam and Tara (Kristin Bauer van Straten and Rutina Wesley), they head back to the show’s rural-gothic base in the fictional hamlet of Bon Temps. Based on the evidence of the first three episodes, the action will be centered there again, good news after so much of last season was spent at the sterile Vampire Authority in New Orleans.

As to whether the show will get back on track, the early signals are mixed. Rutger Hauer joins the cast, perhaps playing two diametrically opposed roles, in a plotline involving Sookie’s family history and her parents’ death. That’s potentially a good thing, as is the continuing story of the half-fairy children of the bumbling Andy Bellefleur (Chris Bauer), which offers comic relief as well as tension — they are, after all, a new source of fairy blood.

On the down side, the none-too-subtle messagemongering continues, with the emphasis of the allegory shifting from fundamentalism back to racial and religious discrimination. The fine actor Arliss Howard also joins the show, playing a Louisiana governor who exploits the antivampire feelings in the wake of Season 5’s events. There are references to concentration camps and a repeated motif of vampires being dragged behind trucks. In case the liberal-progressive piety isn’t obvious enough, Mr. Howard’s slick politician encourages his constituents to buy guns, announcing, “This is still America, you have a right to defend yourselves and the people you love.”

There’s nothing wrong with a little social relevance, but that’s never been what made “True Blood” worthwhile — if the show isn’t fast, funny, scary and sexy, it’s nothing. You hope the writers will realize that one funny line from Mr. Kwanten — like “I’m sick of you bloodsuckers brain-raping me against my will!” — is worth more than all the sturm und fang.

Stretch 787 dreamliner

Stretch 787 dreamliner, Boeing Co is poised to launch a larger member of its 787 Dreamliner jetliner family to meet demand for long-haul travel within Asia and other long-haul routes, sources told Reuters on Thursday.

Long-discussed plans for a 323-seat version of the 787 are likely to be formally announced at next week's Paris Airshow, the sources said, confirming a Wall Street Journal report.

"We have no comment on the report but we are engaged in discussions with customers on a potential new member of the 787 family," a Boeing spokesman said.

The arrival of a new 787 version has been well anticipated, especially after Singapore Airlines Ltd recently made a provisional commitment to buy the new $300 million plane if Boeing decided to go ahead and build it.

Boeing's plans attracted attention on the eve of the maiden flight of the Airbus A350, which will compete for many of the same buyers. Both aircraft are made of lightweight carbon composites to help airlines save fuel. The A350 is expected to take to the skies in Toulouse, southwestern France on Friday.

British Airways parent IAG has an option to buy more Dreamliners and there has been speculation it will use some of these to buy the larger version, known as the 787-10.

U.S. lessor Air Lease Corp has been offering suggestions on the design and has publicly expressed interest in the 787-10. United Airlines has also backed it.

The sources, who asked not to be named, said other airlines could also be part of an early pool of buyers to give the plane a commercial boost. Later, Germany's Lufthansa is expected to look closely at the plane, they said.

The "stretched" 787-10 will have a longer fuselage and carry more passengers than the two Dreamliner models currently on the market, but offer less range. Boeing says that will suit airlines flying regional traffic across Asia or serving many points between continents.

Offering more seats without making airlines pay for range they do not need can make an aircraft more economic to run.

The airplane has been discussed for several years but took time to come to fruition as Boeing faced production delays on smaller models and a three-month grounding of its Dreamliner fleet earlier this year due to battery problems.

Airbus, owned by European aerospace and defense company EADS , and Boeing have clashed about the 787-10 even before the air show starts.

Airbus officials say stretching the 787 will force the aircraft to sacrifice too much range, repeating the fate of a previous-generation model, the 767-400ER, which failed to attract significant orders.

Boeing executives say the 787's base model starts with a much longer stride, having exceptional range due to its lightweight structure.

Growing competition for the next generation of wide-body jets is expected to dominate the show, which starts on Monday.

Kevin clash emmy

Kevin clash emmy, Kevin Clash, the Elmo puppeteer who resigned amid allegations that he sexually abused underage boys, won three Daytime Emmy Awards for his work on "Sesame Street."

Clash won as outstanding performer in a children's series at the creative arts ceremony held Friday night. He shared trophies for outstanding pre-school children's series and directing in a children's series, giving Clash 26 Daytime Emmys for his work on the venerable PBS show.

He played Elmo for 28 years before quitting last November. Clash's lawyer has said that related lawsuits filed against the entertainer are without merit.

The main Daytime Emmys ceremony is Sunday in Beverly Hills.

Iran election

Iran election, The United States is taking a wait-and-see attitude toward Iran’s election of Hassan Rohani, generally perceived as the moderate, reformist candidate and the surprisingly clear winner in Friday’s presidential vote.

Initial statements from the White House and the State Department are cautiously welcoming.

“We admire the courage of the Iranian people who went to the polls and made their voices heard in a rigidly controlled environment that sought to limit freedom of expression and assembly,” said Secretary of State John Kerry. “We remain concerned about the lack of transparency in the electoral process, and the attempts to censor members of the media, the internet, and text messages. Despite these challenges, however, the Iranian people have clearly expressed their desire for a new and better future.”

Would that “new and better future” include changes in policy as it applies to regional security and a relationship with the United States that has remained tense since the Islamic revolution of 1979 overthrew Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi?

The US will watch closely for any change to Iran’s nuclear policy and also to its support for the regime of Bashar al-Assad in Syria.

While Rohani’s victory puts him in charge of an executive branch that traditionally has taken the lead in handling the economy, nuclear efforts, defense, and foreign affairs remain primarily in the hands of the ruling clerics and their powerful protectors, the Revolutionary Guard, the Associated Press noted Sunday.

Rohani, a former nuclear negotiator, has called for reaching out to the international community but has little authority over Iran’s nuclear activities tied to sanctions.

On Sunday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned against easing sanctions on Iran, saying the international community must not get caught in "wishful thinking" and ease the pressure on Tehran.

"The more pressure increases on Iran, so will the chance of ending Iran's nuclear program, which remains the biggest threat to world peace," Mr. Netanyahu said. "Iran will be tested by its deeds."

There’s been no indication that the US position differs from Israel, nor is it likely to on Syria.

“Although Rohani argues for constructive interactions with other countries and although he supports applying a softer political tone – as opposed to the combative, controversial and provocative language that Mahmoud Ahmadinejad or other hardliners utilize – when dealing with the international community and regional state actors in regards to Syria, Rohani has not called for an overall sweeping shift in Iran's foreign policy,” writes Middle East scholar Majid Rafizadeh on CNN’s web site Sunday. “For instance, Rohani has neither asked Assad to step down from power nor pressed to halt the Islamic Republic of Iran's military, intelligence, financial, and advisory support to Damascus.”

Other experts see in Rohani the possibility for change here.

“Rohani is, as we say in Persian, more bazaari than resistance, meaning he’s more a dealmaker than a rigid ideologue,” Karim Sadjadpour, an Iranian American and analyst for the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, told the Washington Post. “It’s true that Iran’s existing foreign policy principles are pretty entrenched, but he may be able to impact them, at a minimum tactically.”

For President Obama and his national security team, Rohani represents “the best hope for detente with Iran,” Mr. Sadjadpour said.

For Americans, Iran’s election reflects – if nothing else – a vibrant voting democracy in a nation former present George W. Bush labeled a member of the “Axis of Evil” (along with North Korea and Iraq). Voter turnout there was estimated at 73 percent – higher than the 58 percent turnout in the 2012 US presidential election – and the winner was a political moderate who had pledged to “destroy extremism.”

But Iranians living in the United States – mostly in southern California, and largely those who had supported the Shah and fled during the 1979 revolution – remain skeptical.

“Some Iranians in Tehran are dancing in the streets. But here in Los Angeles, home to the largest community of Persians outside Iran, the reaction has been muted,” writes Robert Faturechi in the Los Angeles Times.

“It’s really sad that we’re hoping a Shia cleric is going to lead us out of the religious system,” said Siamak Kalhor, host on an Iranian-language radio station in Los Angeles, who voted absentee for Rohani. “We’re hoping a mullah is going to save us out of the mullahs’ hands…. It just shows, in hell there are certain dragons that are so scary that you find shelter among lions.”

“He is more liberal, quote unquote, than the others, but he’s not a reformist,” said Homa Sarshar, an Iranian activist and media personality. “For me, they’re all the same.”

Tony blair affair

Tony blair affair, Ex-Prime Ministe rTony Blair has denied having an affair with media tycoon Rupert Murdoch’s wife Wendi Deng.

Mr Blair was dragged into the mystery over the decision by billionaire Murdoch and third wife Ms Deng to file for divorce after unfounded rumours swept the internet on both sides of the Atlantic.

After he was linked to Wendi by the outrageous claims, a spokesman for Mr Blair told the Hollywood Reporter: “If you are asking if they are having an affair, the answer is no.”

Mr Blair is godfather to the Murdochs’ daughter Grace. Giving evidence to the Leveson inquiry into Press standards he said he had only a “working relationship” with the tycoon as PM but became close to him after leaving office.

News Corp chairman Murdoch, 82, revealed on Thursday that he and Wendi, 44, were divorcing after 14 years.

Speculation about why they split reached fever-pitch after BBC business editor Robert Peston wrote on Twitter: “Am also told that undisclosed reasons for Murdoch divorcing Deng are jaw-dropping – and hate myself for wanting to know what they are.”

Murdoch’s biographer Michael Wolff claimed the full story behind the divorce could be revealed as early as this weekend.

He wrote: “I’m hearing the why – the big reveal, the scandal details – could come.”

He added: “I think Rupert loved her. Everyone is wondering what went wrong.”

A spokesman for Murdoch revealed divorce papers filed in New York said the relationship had broken down irretrievably”.

Murdoch married Wendi in 1999, two years after they met at a party in Hong Kong.

She is best known for punching a protester who threw a foam pie at her husband during a parliamentary hearing into phone hacking.

She married Murdoch 17 days after his divorce from Anna Maria Torv Murdoch Mann was finalised.

He was wed to Anna for 32 years and their £1billion divorce was one of the most expensive ever.

Wendi is understood to have signed pre-nuptial and “post-nup” deals.

Grey's anatomy new actors

Grey's anatomy new actors, Grey’s Anatomy’s cast of series regulars will be swelling for the ABC drama’s 10th season. With the influx of doctor interns in the show’s ninth season, it’s not surprising one or two of them would get the big promotion to regular status since Grey’s has lost a couple of cast members.

But what was surprising was the decision to promote four formerly recurring cast members, making four out of the five interns now main characters. That’s a large number! And while this is good news for four of the actors, I can’t imagine this being good news for the one who was left out.

According to THR, Camilla Luddington, Gaius Charles, Jerrika Hinton and Tessa Ferrer have all been promoted to series regulars for Season 10, leaving Tina Majorino the only intern he wasn’t given the bump in status. The reason behind this wasn’t readily apparent, but it could be due to her availability. She’s currently starring on TNT’s Legends and just recently signed up to reprise her role as Mac on the Veronica Mars movie. With all that work already on the go, it’s not hard to imagine she just couldn’t commit to being a regular. Hopefully her character, “most-likely-to-succeed” Heather, will still make the occasional appearance.

Luddington plays Jo, Alex’s new love interest. Charles plays Shane, the suck-up/wannabe Derek. Hinton plays Stephanie, the romantic foil for Jackson. And Ferrer plays Leah, who almost lost her job after an error on Bailey’s part. With their promotion comes more importance, so expect to see more storylines focusing on these four in the future. If you hold any dislike to any of these characters, I would try to get over it now that they’ve been given more prominence.

There’s still no word if Hilarie Burton will return as Lauren, a romantic foil for Arizona. I liked her, so I’ll keep my fingers crossed for her reappearance.

Dwight howard trade

Dwight howard trade, The Los Angeles Lakers are unsure if they will be able to hang on to free agent center Dwight Howard this offseason, but one option may be to trade him to the crosstown rival Clippers for another former No. 1 overall pick—All-Star power forward Blake Griffin.

ESPN.com's Marc Stein broke news of this development on Saturday, indicating that promising young point guard Eric Bledsoe would be part of the package in a sign-and-trade pitch by the Clippers once Howard hits the open market.

However, Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports cites a source who says the Lakers will absolutely not do a deal involving Howard in the form of a sign-and-trade.

Howard went first overall to the Orlando Magic in 2004, and the Clippers chose Griffin at the top of the 2009 draft. The NBA landscape would be completely changed, especially with regard to professional hoops in the City of Angels.

Clippers stud point guard Chris Paul has discussed teaming up with Howard in the future, and with both being eligible for free agency this summer, it appears they could be united in light of this news.

Owner Donald Sterling essentially implied to the Los Angeles Times less than a month ago that Paul was a big factor in the franchise's decision to fire head coach Vinny Del Negro.
That was in spite of the fact that Del Negro coached the Clippers to the organization's best regular season ever with a record of 56-26.

Lakers head coach Mike D'Antoni failed to lead his team to the playoffs, but by acquiring the services of the supremely athletic and strong Griffin, he would have an ideal power forward for his "Seven Seconds or Less" offense.

Bledsoe is also an intriguing piece to the puzzle, because he hasn't gotten to prove himself fully in coming off the bench for Paul.

Whatever happens, this should be an interesting, all-in type of offseason for the traditionally conservative Clippers, and the Lakers seem keen on obtaining assets to make D'Antoni's schemes work.

China censors pooh

China censors pooh, Following the recent California summit between Barack Obama and Chinese president Xi Jinping, Chinese micro-bloggers picked up on an uncanny resemblance between a photograph of the two presidents strolling through the Sunnylands estate and a cartoon image of A. A. Milne’s cartoon creations.

The two images were published side by side this week on the Twitter-like Chinese social media site Weibo.
But the posts were almost immediately “harmonized”, as censors appeared to take exception to the comparison between their president and a podgy bear who once roamed Sussex’s Ashdown Forest.

Hong Kong’s South China Morning Post said over-zealous censors had “nipped in the bud what could have been a positive PR campaign tailor-made for President Xi Jinping.”

The Communist Party’s internet censors often appear determined to delete even the slightest hint of government criticism from social media sites.

Earlier this month, authorities targeted a photo-shopped image - also on Weibo - of the famous Tiananmen Square photograph in which a lone protester faces down a line of tanks. The image - in which the tanks were replaced with giant rubber ducks - irritated authorities enough that not only did they remove the picture itself, they also blocked all internet searches related to the squeaky bath toys.

The Weibo Photoshopped image which caused irritated Chinese authorities to block all internet searches related to rubber ducks. (WEIBO)
But a recent Harvard study, which analysed millions of micro-blog posts, concluded that posts “with negative, even vitriolic, criticism of the state, its leaders, and its policies are not more likely to be censored” than other posts.

In fact, the study found that the censors’ key aim was to curtail “collective action by silencing comments that represent, reinforce, or spur social mobilisation”.
There is no suggestion that Winnie the Pooh or Tigger had been plotting to stir up social unrest in China.

Brandon browner jim harbaugh

Brandon browner jim harbaugh, The Seattle Seahawks and San Francisco 49ers were the top two teams in the NFC West last season. It appears the rivalry is starting to heat up after Seahawks cornerback Brandon Browner responded to comments made by 49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh.

Harbaugh's remarks clearly didn't sit well with Browner, who was suspended last season for violating the league's performance-enhancing drugs policy. Nick Eaton of the Seattle Post-Intelligencer provided the cornerback's response when asked about what Harbaugh had to say during a radio interview.

Said Browner, "At the end of the day we gotta win football games. He’s a coach. He’s never gonna be out there lined up against me. I wish he would; I’d put my hands around his neck. At the end of the day, I’m about winning football games."

Earlier in the week, Matt Maiocco of CSN Bay Area passed along comments from Harbaugh, who was asked about the Seahawks' PED suspensions and replied he "definitely noticed it."

He continued: "You don't know what it is. I mean, even when people say what it is, you don't know that's what it is. It's this thrown out or it's that. But that's usually the agents or the players themselves saying, for example, Adderall. The NFL doesn't release what it actually is. You have no idea. You're taking somebody at their word and I'm not sure you can take them at their word, understanding the circumstances."

He went on to talk about playing by the NFL's current rules and how outsiders view the situation: "It has no place in an athlete's body. Play by the rules and you always want to be above reproach, especially when you're good because you don't want people to come back and say, 'They're winning because they're cheating.' That's always going to be a knee-jerk reaction from people I've found in my experience every since I was a little kid."

There's clearly no love lost between these two teams. Browner certainly made his feelings clear, and it should make an already exciting rivalry even more combustible.

The divisional foes are set to square off in Week 2 at Seattle and in Week 14 at San Francisco.

Paris jackson justin bieber

Paris jackson justin bieber, Paris Jackson DETESTS Justin Bieber, largely and ironically because he wouldn't speak up about teenage girls cutting themselves ... TMZ has learned.

Sources connected to the family tell TMZ ... Paris -- who is currently at UCLA Medical Center after cutting herself with a knife and downing 20 Motrin -- thinks Justin is a terrible role model for young girls.  She was enraged after some of Justin's female fans started tweeting about cutting themselves as an expression of love for the singer and he went radio silent, rather than talking the girls out of it.

We're told Paris got very angry after seeing the pics TMZ posted of Justin smoking weed in a hotel room in early January.  She thinks he owes his fans more as a role model.

Paris -- who lives in Justin's Calabasas gated community -- thinks Justin's various missteps in the hood are "a disgrace."

The word "hate" was used very clearly to describe Paris' feelings toward JB.

Veronica mars movie 2013

Veronica mars movie 2013, Ryan Hansen has become the latest in a long line of Veronica Mars stars who will be returning for the forthcoming movie.

Three hours after announcing that Krysten Ritter will reprise her role as Gia Goodman, creator Rob Thomas sent contributors to the film's Kickstarter campaign another email saying Hansen will return as Dick Casablancas.
"In the video that launched our Kickstarter campaign, the first person you saw on screen was Ryan Hansen, just sitting in Kristen’s living room and laughing. At me, it turned out," Thomas wrote.

"Almost a year and a half after directing Ryan in that video, it's a relief to admit what many of you have suspected all week: Ryan Hansen will return as Dick Casablancas."

Hansen played Dick, Logan Echolls' (Jason Dohring) friend and one of two sons in one of Neptune's wealthiest families, in 52 of the show's 64 episodes. He became a regular in season two of the show, which aired from 2004-07 on The CW.
Hansen went on to co-star in Starz's comedy series Party Down, which was co-created by Thomas. He also had a multiple-episode arc as Candy Andy on CBS' 2 Broke Girls.

"I am so excited to be a part of the Veronica Mars movie," Hansen said in a video posted on YouTube, thanking fans for their support. He added that Dick started out as an "extra" with only one word.

He then spoke about how his heart "feels like it's gonna explode" before busting out into a comedic dance routine. Kristen Bell then interrupted and joined in on the action.

Of the video, Thomas wrote, "Trust me, I want you to see this. Probably more than once." (Watch below.)
Hansen joins fellow stars including Bell, Dohring, Percy Daggs III, Chris Lowell, Tina Majorino andEnrico Colantoni in the movie, which goes into production next week.

Kate middleton pregnant

Kate middleton pregnant, Kate Middleton definitely has that mommy-to-be glow. The Duchess of Cambridge, who is expecting her first child with Prince William in July, looked stunning in a pale pink Alexander McQueen coat and Jane Corbett hat at Queen Elizabeth's Trooping the Colour ceremony in London Saturday.

Middleton, who rode in a horse and carriage with Prince Harry and Duchess of Cornwall Camilla for the occasion, waved and smiled to fans as she kept warm with a blanket covering her legs, according to Us Weekly.

Although the queen's actual birthday is April 21, the Trooping the Colour is the official celebration for her birthday.

Queen Elizabeth II rode ahead of them with her cousin, the Duke of Kent, with the Queen sporting a blue coat and matching hat. The Queen's husband, Prince Philip, was absent, as he is still hospitalized and recovering from abdominal surgery.

Prince William later joined his wife and the rest of the royals on the balcony of Buckingham Palace to watch the Royal Air Force's fly-past, wearing his ceremonial Colonel of the Irish Guards uniform.
The event marked Middleton's last official engagement before her maternity leave begins.

Paul mccartney bonnaroo weed

Paul mccartney bonnaroo weed, That's some pretty good weed I can smell up here," Paul McCartney said halfway through his packed headlining set at Bonnaroo on Friday night (June 14). "Whew! What are you doing to me?"

While the fans took hits, McCartney sang them throughout his nearly three-hour set that included three encores. The set kicked off with The Beatles' "Eight Days A Week," dipped into more obscure territory with the 1974 single "Junior's Farm" then went straight for a Beatles/Wings one-two punch of "All My Loving" and "Listen To What The Man Said." Two more hours of fan favorites ("Maybe I'm Amazed," "Eleanor Rigby," "We Can Work It Out"), tributes ("Foxy Lady" for Hendrix, "Here Today" for Lennon, "Something" for Harrison) and classics ("Let It Be," "Hey Jude" and, as an encore, "Yesterday") were among the highlights.

Anyone who's seen McCartney's current Out There tour, which just swung by Brooklyn's Barclays Arena, had a fairly good idea of the itinerary. The setlist and even between-song banter was largely identical to the ones Macca has currently been taking on the road.

Not that that made the performances and the stories any less special. The crowd loved McCartney's tales of meeting with the heads of the Russian government when he played the actual U.S.S.R. several years ago ("'Let It Be' was my first record,'" he recalled Russia's head of defense telling him, in an impeccable accent) and Hendrix asking if "Eric" was in the crowd at a 60s gig to help him tune his guitar (Clapton, of course.) They particularly loved the fireworks show that erupted during "Live And Let Die," an added bonus to the already intense pyro that takes place on-stage during the song.

Even the encores offered few surprises to those who have followed recent sets from Out There, or even Thursday night's 30-minute soundcheck that festivalgoers could hear just after sunset. Though McCartney's band rehearsed "Penny Lane" and "Magical Mystery Tour," both of which fans sang along with as they walked by the closed main stage area, neither was played during the headline set. Several other songs from the soundcheck did make the cut, however, including "Lady Madonna" and "Being For The Benefit Of Mr. Kite," the latter a touring first for McCartney along with "Sgt. Pepper"'s "Lovely Rita."

Chris christie crosses aisle

Chris christie crosses aisle, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie continued his bipartisan buddy tour on Friday when he sat down with former President Bill Clinton to promote the need to plan for natural disasters.

“The enduring image most Americans have of you is standing there in your jacket, grieving with people, working with them, working with the President,” Clinton told the Republican governor.

“You got both praise and damnation for ignoring political differences,” the former president continued about Christie’s controversial decision to appear with President Obama just days before last fall’s election.

He ruffled GOP feathers again this week when he chose to attend the Clinton Global Initiative in Chicago rather than join prominent conservatives at the Faith and Freedom Conference in Washington.

Christie has steadfastly defended his decisions to cross the aisle, saying they are in the best interest of his state.
“[Disaster readiness] is one of those things where regardless of where you fall on the ideological spectrum, you would agree this is government’s responsibility,” he told Clinton

Harry styles solo song

Harry styles solo song, When Harry’s solo track leaked online, rumors began swirling that the boy band was splitting up to pursue solo careers. HollywoodLife.com has EXCLUSIVELY learned the truth about whether the boys of One Direction will be going their separate ways!

Are the boys of One Direction going in separate directions? A solo track titled “Don’t Let Me Go” by Harry Styles was leaked online, raising questions that Harry may be considering a solo path. HollywoodLife.com has EXCLUSIVELY uncovered the truth behind Harry’s mysterious solo song!

Harry Styles’ Solo Song: The Truth Behind The One Direction Split
One Direction’s rep tells HollywoodLife.com EXCLUSIVELY, ”This is NOT a Harry Styles solo song. It’s a demo from a year and half ago that was being considered for a 1D album and it is not a solo track. The boys often work separately to save time.”

Phew! We loved hearing Harry sing by himself, but we aren’t anywhere near ready for the band to split up!

Harry Styles Solo Song Leaks Online
On June 14, a solo track title “Don’t Let Me Go” featuring Sam McCarthy leaked online, igniting rumors that Harry was pursuing a solo career. After the song leaked, Sam took to Twitter and revealed that Harry wrote the lyrics for the song.

“Wow! Thanks for all the nice tweets about the song,” Sam wrote to fans on Twitter. “Harry did most of the words I did the music.”

Brad Keselowski comments

Brad Keselowski comments, Brad Keselowski sparked the ire of Rick Hendrick and Joe Gibbs on Friday. When a story appeared on USAToday.com with accusations from the Sprint Cup champion of “stealing away” employees and technical data from his Penske Racing team and Roush Fenway Racing, the two owners fired back.

While Keselowski addressed Ford’s sluggish start to the season he told reporters specifically, “Gibbs stole the Roush aero director and took all the information and Hendricks took three employees from our Chase-winning team last year."

“Roger Penske and I are great friends and have raced together for years,” said Rick Hendrick in a release. “We’ve always competed with the utmost respect, and I have immense admiration for his organization. You won’t find anyone at Hendrick Motorsports who feels differently.

“The comments Brad reportedly made were misinformed. The truth is that we hired one tire changer, who was a backup for Penske and whose contract was up. We also brought over one mechanic from their Nationwide program and, when the Penske engine shop was closing, added a few of those people. What Brad left out was that his organization also hired one of our tire changers.”

Hendrick added that the acquisitions were “aboveboard” and commonplace “in a competitive environment.”

Gibbs echoed Hendrick’s sentiments.

“We were surprised to read the recent comments and accusations made by Brad Keselowski,” Gibbs said in a statement. “Clearly those comments are misguided and irresponsible. Brad’s candor is well documented, but he would do well to only speak to subjects on which he is properly informed.

“Obviously NASCAR is a very competitive environment and we take our hiring processes seriously at JGR. The individual he referenced in his comments was working outside of the sport of NASCAR at the time we hired him.”

The engineer Keselowski mentioned is Vojin Jaksic, who quit Roush Fenway Racing and waited out his contract before he went to JGR. While fellow Ford racer Greg Biffle feels that Jaksic’s departure “maybe set us back” and possibly “helped the competition” there is more to their issues than the loss of one individual.

“We don’t like to see that,” Biffle said. “We don’t necessarily do that ourselves, which I’ve been vocal about that in the past. We could go hire one of the best guys from somebody else. It’s a free market, right?”

Although Gibbs added he still has “a great deal of respect” for Keselowski’s owner Roger Penske and Penske Racing. As for Keselowski?

“We look forward to competing with Brad on the racetrack,” Gibbs said. “But hope that he will use better judgment in the future before making such misinformed claims and accusations.”

Keselowski, 29, is currently ninth in the point standings but he has yet to win this season. On Friday, Keselowski backed off his comments a bit before qualifying 16th at Michigan International Speedway. When asked about hiring practices, he simply replied, “We were just talking about Ford and specifically the relationship between Penske and Roush, and how strong it was, and I just commented on there will always be limitations to our relationships company to company because of those transactions.”

Although Keselowski was once under Hendrick Motorsports employ, he’s likey off of Mr. H’s Christmas card list as well.

“Brad misrepresents the facts and spends a lot of time making insinuations and accusations about other teams when he should be focused on his own program and competing at a high level,” Hendrick said. “I hope he figures that out and begins representing himself and the sport with more class.”