Wasilla, AK, United States (CNS) - Levi Johnston, aspiring actor and model
Birthdate: May 3, 1990
Birthplace: Wasilla, Alaska
Sign: Taurus
Levi Keith Johnston claim to fame came in August 2008, when it was announced that he impregnated then Alaskan Governor and Vice Presidential candidate Sarah Palin\'s teenage daughter Bristol. He became a father at just 17 upon Tripp Easton Mitchell Johnston\'s birth on December 27, 2008.
Johnston is the elder of two children of Sherry and Keith Johnston. He dropped out of Wasilla High School in his junior year and began working full time for the Alaskan North Slope oil fields. He quit in January 2009.
He began dating Bristol during their freshman year in high school. They claimed that they were planning to wed even if he hadn\'t gotten her pregnant. But in March 2009, they broke off their engagement. They are currently battling custody over their son in court.
After breaking up with her, Johnston began bashing Palin in the media through a series of interviews. He appeared on shows including "The Tyra Banks Show," Larry King Live," and "The Early Show." He repeatedly took aim at the politician for lying in the media about her image.
He also alleged that Palin originally wanted to keep Bristol\'s pregnancy a secret and offered to adopt their baby and raise as her own. Palin\'s camp has denied the claims.
He has recently posed nude for Playgirl online magazine, and has been trying to enter the entertainment industry.
Wasilla, AK, United States (CNS) - Levi Johnston, aspiring actor and model
Birthdate: May 3, 1990
Birthplace: Wasilla, Alaska
Sign: Taurus
Levi Keith Johnston claim to fame came in August 2008, when it was announced that he impregnated then Alaskan Governor and Vice Presidential candidate Sarah Palin\'s teenage daughter Bristol. He became a father at just 17 upon Tripp Easton Mitchell Johnston\'s birth on December 27, 2008.
Johnston is the elder of two children of Sherry and Keith Johnston. He dropped out of Wasilla High School in his junior year and began working full time for the Alaskan North Slope oil fields. He quit in January 2009.
He began dating Bristol during their freshman year in high school. They claimed that they were planning to wed even if he hadn\'t gotten her pregnant. But in March 2009, they broke off their engagement. They are currently battling custody over their son in court.
After breaking up with her, Johnston began bashing Palin in the media through a series of interviews. He appeared on shows including "The Tyra Banks Show," Larry King Live," and "The Early Show." He repeatedly took aim at the politician for lying in the media about her image.
He also alleged that Palin originally wanted to keep Bristol\'s pregnancy a secret and offered to adopt their baby and raise as her own. Palin\'s camp has denied the claims.
He has recently posed nude for Playgirl online magazine, and has been trying to enter the entertainment industry.
CA, Los Angeles, United States (CNS) - One thing we didn\'t read on Sarah Palin\'s "telepalmter" this weekend - pick up an issue of Playgirl magazine. The former Alaskan governor\'s would-be son-in-law Levi Johnston is on the cover of the upcoming issue of Playgirl posing nude and leaving very little to the imagination, if any.
Easily being the Palin family\'s worst media nightmare, Johnston goes in detail about his rocky relationship with the former first family of Alaska, and his new life as a dad to one-year-old Tripp, who he fathered with Palin\'s eldest daughter, Bristol.
This doesn\'t seem to be the last of what we\'ll see of Johnston, as the aspiring "model" and Alaskan caribou hunter has been hopping from one media outlet to the next, revealing his side of the story, by practicing his diction and stringing cohesive sentences in interviews in the best way that he can. It looks like posing in the buff and staring at the camera with his expressionless gaze is the best this 19-year-old can do.
The issue hits newsstands Feb. 22 and for those looking to get more of a peek and a behind-the-scenes look of the Johnston photo shoot, a pay-per-view special on Playgirl will air Feb. 12.
CA, Los Angeles, United States (CNS) - One thing we didn\'t read on Sarah Palin\'s "telepalmter" this weekend - pick up an issue of Playgirl magazine. The former Alaskan governor\'s would-be son-in-law Levi Johnston is on the cover of the upcoming issue of Playgirl posing nude and leaving very little to the imagination, if any.
Easily being the Palin family\'s worst media nightmare, Johnston goes in detail about his rocky relationship with the former first family of Alaska, and his new life as a dad to one-year-old Tripp, who he fathered with Palin\'s eldest daughter, Bristol.
This doesn\'t seem to be the last of what we\'ll see of Johnston, as the aspiring "model" and Alaskan caribou hunter has been hopping from one media outlet to the next, revealing his side of the story, by practicing his diction and stringing cohesive sentences in interviews in the best way that he can. It looks like posing in the buff and staring at the camera with his expressionless gaze is the best this 19-year-old can do.
The issue hits newsstands Feb. 22 and for those looking to get more of a peek and a behind-the-scenes look of the Johnston photo shoot, a pay-per-view special on Playgirl will air Feb. 12.
Miami, FL, United States (CNS) -
Miami might not have dealt with 25-inches of snow this past weekend, but with a cool breeze and weather in the mid-60s, the outdoors was still cold enough for a light jacket. Among the appropriately-dressed celebrities that attended the Superbowl final at the Sun Life Stadium (well, at least some) were Katie Holmes and Tom Cruise along with Tom\'s son Connor and the couple\'s daughter Suri, of course and again, photographed wearing no jacket.
While some media outlets are dishing out the details on 3-year-old Suri\'s reportedly $3 million wardrobe, some fail to mention that even though the cutie sports some of the most adorable fashion finds for a tot her size, she is almost always photographed without a jacket on, even when her parents are snuggled up with heavy sweaters and scarves.
This past weekend seemed to be no exception, as even father Tom was seen donning a suede jacket and brother Connor had on long-sleeved running apparel. Poor Suri on the other hand, sported a cute yet season inappropriate crush-orange sun dress accessorized with nothing more than a white-flowered headband and blanket carried by Tom. As the weather dipped down to the 50s by the end of the game, one only hoped that someone had a jacket somewhere for Suri to wear.
With fashion sense overriding any common sense, let\'s hope the Cruise family are no where near the Northeast this coming week with another snow blizzard forecasted on its way.
Miami, FL, United States (CNS) -
Miami might not have dealt with 25-inches of snow this past weekend, but with a cool breeze and weather in the mid-60s, the outdoors was still cold enough for a light jacket. Among the appropriately-dressed celebrities that attended the Superbowl final at the Sun Life Stadium (well, at least some) were Katie Holmes and Tom Cruise along with Tom\'s son Connor and the couple\'s daughter Suri, of course and again, photographed wearing no jacket.
While some media outlets are dishing out the details on 3-year-old Suri\'s reportedly $3 million wardrobe, some fail to mention that even though the cutie sports some of the most adorable fashion finds for a tot her size, she is almost always photographed without a jacket on, even when her parents are snuggled up with heavy sweaters and scarves.
This past weekend seemed to be no exception, as even father Tom was seen donning a suede jacket and brother Connor had on long-sleeved running apparel. Poor Suri on the other hand, sported a cute yet season inappropriate crush-orange sun dress accessorized with nothing more than a white-flowered headband and blanket carried by Tom. As the weather dipped down to the 50s by the end of the game, one only hoped that someone had a jacket somewhere for Suri to wear.
With fashion sense overriding any common sense, let\'s hope the Cruise family are no where near the Northeast this coming week with another snow blizzard forecasted on its way.
Hollywood, CA, United States (CNS) -
While Brangelina were in Miami this weekend putting on an Oscar-worthy performance as one big happy family at the Superbowl, Jennifer Aniston celebrated her 41st birthday in Cabo San Lucas in Mexico with her closest friends. Bikini-clad and looking ab-fab and radiant, Aniston along with gal pals Courtney Cox and Sheryl Crow were joined by Scottish heartthrob and rumored Aniston boy-toy Gerard Butler at an exclusive resort at the Mexican holiday spot.
The group of A-listers were caught by paparazzi lenses giggling and having a good time while soaking in the winter sun. All three forty-something women were the sight of health and fitness, easily giving the younger Hollywood female crowd a good run for their money. Additionally, there were no paparazzi spottings of Morticia-looking skin and bones here, too.
Aniston and Butler are set to be next seen on the big screen in "The Bounty Hunter," but behind the curtains, rumor has it that the two are hot and heavy with a possible budding romance. The screen couple was last seen flirting and canoodling at last month\'s Golden Globes red carpet, where they presented an award together.
As for those 41st birthday pics, eat your heart out Brad Pitt.
Hollywood, CA, United States (CNS) -
While Brangelina were in Miami this weekend putting on an Oscar-worthy performance as one big happy family at the Superbowl, Jennifer Aniston celebrated her 41st birthday in Cabo San Lucas in Mexico with her closest friends. Bikini-clad and looking ab-fab and radiant, Aniston along with gal pals Courtney Cox and Sheryl Crow were joined by Scottish heartthrob and rumored Aniston boy-toy Gerard Butler at an exclusive resort at the Mexican holiday spot.
The group of A-listers were caught by paparazzi lenses giggling and having a good time while soaking in the winter sun. All three forty-something women were the sight of health and fitness, easily giving the younger Hollywood female crowd a good run for their money. Additionally, there were no paparazzi spottings of Morticia-looking skin and bones here, too.
Aniston and Butler are set to be next seen on the big screen in "The Bounty Hunter," but behind the curtains, rumor has it that the two are hot and heavy with a possible budding romance. The screen couple was last seen flirting and canoodling at last month\'s Golden Globes red carpet, where they presented an award together.
As for those 41st birthday pics, eat your heart out Brad Pitt.
New York, NY, United States (AHN) - A sudden blue chip selling frenzy at the closing bell sent the Dow Jones Industrial Average crashing and closing below the 10,000 mark for the first time in three months.
The index lost 104 points or 1 percent falling to 9,908 with Bank of America, American Express, Travelers and J.P. Morgan Chase leading the losers.
The slump came as the Federal Reserve announced plans to tighten credit later in the year and lingering doubts on the creditworthiness of some European Union members.
The Standard & Poor 500 shed 0.9 percent to 1,066 with financial stocks also causing the decline.
The Nasdaq Composite was down 0.7 percent to 2,126.
Meanwhile, gold for April delivery rose $13.40 or 1.3 percent to finish at $1,066 an ounce on the New York Mercantile Exchange.
Crude oil for March delivery finished one percent higher or 70 cents to $71.89 a barrel amid concerns of weak demand.
New York, NY, United States (AHN) - A sudden blue chip selling frenzy at the closing bell sent the Dow Jones Industrial Average crashing and closing below the 10,000 mark for the first time in three months.
The index lost 104 points or 1 percent falling to 9,908 with Bank of America, American Express, Travelers and J.P. Morgan Chase leading the losers.
The slump came as the Federal Reserve announced plans to tighten credit later in the year and lingering doubts on the creditworthiness of some European Union members.
The Standard & Poor 500 shed 0.9 percent to 1,066 with financial stocks also causing the decline.
The Nasdaq Composite was down 0.7 percent to 2,126.
Meanwhile, gold for April delivery rose $13.40 or 1.3 percent to finish at $1,066 an ounce on the New York Mercantile Exchange.
Crude oil for March delivery finished one percent higher or 70 cents to $71.89 a barrel amid concerns of weak demand.
San Francisco, CA, United States (CNS) -
For anyone looking to take a mini-break and fly to Spain this spring, the travel scribes at Lonely Planet have two exciting pocketbook-sized offers for you in the form of the Madrid and Valencia Encounter books. Both offer a condensed version of every what, when, and where to-do of places to see, hear and eat in these bustling metropolis cities.
In Madrid, visitors can discover where to shop from thrifty to trendy and everything in between, brush up on their Velazquez in the Museo del Prado or enjoy a glass of vermut in Casa Alberto while sitting back and taking in the busy streets of the capital city. When heading over to Valencia, check out the city\'s busiest shopping street, admire Valencia\'s finest art at the Museo de Bellas Artes or simply tune in to your iPod, have a drink and enjoy a little people watching while at the Plaza de La Virgen.
Both travel guides pinpoint Madrid and Valencia\'s best city sights, museums, shops and restaurants and also provide several different itineraries and highlights to make the best of any short trip. The Encounter guides offer more in-depth neighborhood highlights and local knowledge as opposed to the lengthy lists of accommodations and restaurant choices that the regular Lonely Planet city guides offer.
Madrid Encounter and Valencia Encounter guides are available at bookstores nationwide or at lonelyplanet.com and retail for $12.99.
San Francisco, CA, United States (CNS) -
For anyone looking to take a mini-break and fly to Spain this spring, the travel scribes at Lonely Planet have two exciting pocketbook-sized offers for you in the form of the Madrid and Valencia Encounter books. Both offer a condensed version of every what, when, and where to-do of places to see, hear and eat in these bustling metropolis cities.
In Madrid, visitors can discover where to shop from thrifty to trendy and everything in between, brush up on their Velazquez in the Museo del Prado or enjoy a glass of vermut in Casa Alberto while sitting back and taking in the busy streets of the capital city. When heading over to Valencia, check out the city\'s busiest shopping street, admire Valencia\'s finest art at the Museo de Bellas Artes or simply tune in to your iPod, have a drink and enjoy a little people watching while at the Plaza de La Virgen.
Both travel guides pinpoint Madrid and Valencia\'s best city sights, museums, shops and restaurants and also provide several different itineraries and highlights to make the best of any short trip. The Encounter guides offer more in-depth neighborhood highlights and local knowledge as opposed to the lengthy lists of accommodations and restaurant choices that the regular Lonely Planet city guides offer.
Madrid Encounter and Valencia Encounter guides are available at bookstores nationwide or at lonelyplanet.com and retail for $12.99.
San Francisco, CA, United States (CNS) -
Book your next destination to a country that is surely to delight each one of your senses. From the capital of Dublin, to Galway, and Cork, enjoy the finest pint of Guinness this side of the pond, test your luck or wish for some by kissing the Blarney Stone or simply take in some jaw-dropping coastal views that the best visual artists would dream of coming up with. This, and much more, is what Ireland has to offer every visitor as the travel bible Lonely Planet document every must-see of things to do in their latest guide.
If you are looking for a little more than the traditional Irish sing-and-dance at a tourist-friendly bar and the usual tour of the Guinness Factory in Dublin, head over to the west coast for the nightlife madness that the city of Galway has to offer. If that isn\'t enough, there\'s also a day trip to the Aran Islands for the extreme cyclist or head up north for the mystical and magical sight that is the Giant\'s Causeway, nestled on the shore of County Antrim before heading to County Donegal to brush up on your best regional Irish accent.
Completely researched and updated, the 9th edition of the Irish guide hit bookstores last month and offers over 113 detailed and easy to navigate maps, along with several different itineraries for your trip. Make your visit memorable by staying at the best B&Bs and hotels (which were personally handpicked by the authors) that offer comfortable stays and the best Irish breakfasts to start off your day.
As most Lonely Planet books, the guide also offers a Green Index for the eco-friendly traveler in mind. Lonely Planet\'s Ireland is available at bookstores nationwide or at lonelyplanet.com and retails for $22.99.
San Francisco, CA, United States (CNS) -
Book your next destination to a country that is surely to delight each one of your senses. From the capital of Dublin, to Galway, and Cork, enjoy the finest pint of Guinness this side of the pond, test your luck or wish for some by kissing the Blarney Stone or simply take in some jaw-dropping coastal views that the best visual artists would dream of coming up with. This, and much more, is what Ireland has to offer every visitor as the travel bible Lonely Planet document every must-see of things to do in their latest guide.
If you are looking for a little more than the traditional Irish sing-and-dance at a tourist-friendly bar and the usual tour of the Guinness Factory in Dublin, head over to the west coast for the nightlife madness that the city of Galway has to offer. If that isn\'t enough, there\'s also a day trip to the Aran Islands for the extreme cyclist or head up north for the mystical and magical sight that is the Giant\'s Causeway, nestled on the shore of County Antrim before heading to County Donegal to brush up on your best regional Irish accent.
Completely researched and updated, the 9th edition of the Irish guide hit bookstores last month and offers over 113 detailed and easy to navigate maps, along with several different itineraries for your trip. Make your visit memorable by staying at the best B&Bs and hotels (which were personally handpicked by the authors) that offer comfortable stays and the best Irish breakfasts to start off your day.
As most Lonely Planet books, the guide also offers a Green Index for the eco-friendly traveler in mind. Lonely Planet\'s Ireland is available at bookstores nationwide or at lonelyplanet.com and retails for $22.99.
Washington, D.C., United States (AHN) - Rep. John Murtha (D-PA) died Monday at age 77 after suffering complications from a gallbladder surgery.
Murtha, who represented Pennsylvania\'s 12th district for 36 years, passed away at a hospital in Arlington, Virginia. His family was at his side when he died.
Murtha was the head of the powerful House Defense Appropriations subcommittee. He joined Congress in 1974 as the first Vietnam war veteran to be elected to the House of Representatives.
He served in the U.S. Marine Corps for 37 years, retiring in 1990 as a colonel in the Marine Corps Reserve.
Washington, D.C., United States (AHN) - Rep. John Murtha (D-PA) died Monday at age 77 after suffering complications from a gallbladder surgery.
Murtha, who represented Pennsylvania\'s 12th district for 36 years, passed away at a hospital in Arlington, Virginia. His family was at his side when he died.
Murtha was the head of the powerful House Defense Appropriations subcommittee. He joined Congress in 1974 as the first Vietnam war veteran to be elected to the House of Representatives.
He served in the U.S. Marine Corps for 37 years, retiring in 1990 as a colonel in the Marine Corps Reserve.
Los Angeles, CA, United States (CNS) - Miley Cyrus is organizing her own star-studded online auction for the relief efforts in Haiti. The 17-year-old Disney star recruited her celebrity friends to donate their personal belongings to her eBay auction.
The "Hannah Montana" star said her star pals have been eager to chip in for the auction. Items in the auction include tickets to Hugh Jackman\'s next movie premiere, Whoopi Goldberg\'s tennis shoes, Demi Lovato\'s tour wardrobe, and two tickets to the Hollywood premiere of Cyrus\' upcoming movie, "The Last Song," and the Herve Leger dress she wore to the Grammy Awards.
Nicole Richie sent some jewelry immediately after Cyrus texted her. Joel Madden also sent some of his clothes. Britney Spears also offered the custom silver Versace minidress she wore at the MTV Video Music Awards in 2008.
Cyrus told People, "Everyone has been so generous. My mom and I started calling and texting all of our friends to see if they\'d like to be a part of the auction. Demi [Lovato] was one of the first to respond. Hugh Jackman was also excited to donate something."
The auction will start on February 8 on eBay.com/Miley. All proceeds will go to the American Red Cross to support the relief efforts in Haiti.
Los Angeles, CA, United States (CNS) - Miley Cyrus is organizing her own star-studded online auction for the relief efforts in Haiti. The 17-year-old Disney star recruited her celebrity friends to donate their personal belongings to her eBay auction.
The "Hannah Montana" star said her star pals have been eager to chip in for the auction. Items in the auction include tickets to Hugh Jackman\'s next movie premiere, Whoopi Goldberg\'s tennis shoes, Demi Lovato\'s tour wardrobe, and two tickets to the Hollywood premiere of Cyrus\' upcoming movie, "The Last Song," and the Herve Leger dress she wore to the Grammy Awards.
Nicole Richie sent some jewelry immediately after Cyrus texted her. Joel Madden also sent some of his clothes. Britney Spears also offered the custom silver Versace minidress she wore at the MTV Video Music Awards in 2008.
Cyrus told People, "Everyone has been so generous. My mom and I started calling and texting all of our friends to see if they\'d like to be a part of the auction. Demi [Lovato] was one of the first to respond. Hugh Jackman was also excited to donate something."
The auction will start on February 8 on eBay.com/Miley. All proceeds will go to the American Red Cross to support the relief efforts in Haiti.
Toledo, OH, United States (AHN) - A strip club in Toledo, Ohio raised $1,000 in donations for Haiti\'s earthquake victims through a lap dance.
Marilyn\'s on Monroe, located at 715 Monroe St., raised the amount on Saturday\'s event dubbed "Lap dances for Haiti." General Manager Kenny Soprano said the club collected $10 charges and the donation was coursed through the International Services of Hope, or ISOH/IMPACT, of Waterville.
According to Soprano, it took the club a month to think of and plan the event.
Meanwhile, two strip clubs in the Detroit area are taking the cue from Marilyn\'s on Monroe. The Landing Strip in Romulus and Subi\'s Place in Southgate will try to raise $5,000.
Toledo, OH, United States (AHN) - A strip club in Toledo, Ohio raised $1,000 in donations for Haiti\'s earthquake victims through a lap dance.
Marilyn\'s on Monroe, located at 715 Monroe St., raised the amount on Saturday\'s event dubbed "Lap dances for Haiti." General Manager Kenny Soprano said the club collected $10 charges and the donation was coursed through the International Services of Hope, or ISOH/IMPACT, of Waterville.
According to Soprano, it took the club a month to think of and plan the event.
Meanwhile, two strip clubs in the Detroit area are taking the cue from Marilyn\'s on Monroe. The Landing Strip in Romulus and Subi\'s Place in Southgate will try to raise $5,000.
Los Angeles, CA, United States (CNS) - "Private Practice" actress Kate Walsh has settled her divorce with ex-husband Alex Young. The divorce settlement approved by a judge states that the former couple will divide their assets by alternating picks after the flip of a coin.
The 42-year-old actress and the 38-year-old 20th Century Fox honcho married in 2007, but Young filed for divorce 15 months later, citing irreconcilable differences. Walsh counterfiled in December 2008, citing the same reason.
According to the papers obtained by eonline.com, Young will get a one-time payment of $627,000 from his ex-wife, along with half of the money she earned from any work she took from the start of their marriage in September 2007 through the date of their separation in November 2008.
Walsh will get their home and piano. As for the rest of their assets, they will be "divided by alternating picks after the flip of a coin to determine who will pick first."
If Young doesn\'t pick up his selections within 10 days, Walsh would have to keep them.
The former couple are also prohibited from harassing one other.
Los Angeles, CA, United States (CNS) - "Private Practice" actress Kate Walsh has settled her divorce with ex-husband Alex Young. The divorce settlement approved by a judge states that the former couple will divide their assets by alternating picks after the flip of a coin.
The 42-year-old actress and the 38-year-old 20th Century Fox honcho married in 2007, but Young filed for divorce 15 months later, citing irreconcilable differences. Walsh counterfiled in December 2008, citing the same reason.
According to the papers obtained by eonline.com, Young will get a one-time payment of $627,000 from his ex-wife, along with half of the money she earned from any work she took from the start of their marriage in September 2007 through the date of their separation in November 2008.
Walsh will get their home and piano. As for the rest of their assets, they will be "divided by alternating picks after the flip of a coin to determine who will pick first."
If Young doesn\'t pick up his selections within 10 days, Walsh would have to keep them.
The former couple are also prohibited from harassing one other.
United States (TML) - A Yemeni academic who developed software that allows netcitizens throughout the world to circumvent government censorship of websites has been awarded the 2010 Democracy Prize by Örebro University in Sweden.
Walid Al-Saqaf, a Yemeni computer engineer and Ph.D candidate, is the developer of Alkasir, free software that allows Internet users to circumvent the censorship of websites deemed objectionable by local governments.
Originally the founder of YemenPortal.net, the Arab world\'s first country-specific aggregator of online news, opinion and video content, Al Saqaf developed the Alkasir circumvention software after the Yemeni government blocked his online portal.
The university\'s nominating committee referred to Al-Saqaf\'s work as "grounded in the true democratic ideals and ambitions."
The engineer thanked the university for their support.
"It\'s incredibly humbling, and a great surprise and inspiration," Al-Saqaf told The Media Line. "I feel that what I have done was my duty, so it\'s amazing to get an award for it and very courageous of them to give an award around censorship issues, which are generally quite sensitive."
Al-Saqaf said he developed Alkasir out of necessity.
"It started as an idea to circumvent the censorship of my own website," he remembered. "But then the government was able to find ways to eliminate the effectiveness of site-specific circumvention tools I set up so I had to think of more sophisticated solutions. I decided to develop an entire software platform to allow for more robust circumventing."
"The problem was that most programs available in the past were mainly focused on assuring the anonymity of the Internet user," Al-Saqaf said. "My main concern was average people all over the world who are unable to access the content they need - for example a journalist trying to get access to a press release from an opposition group."
"What\'s unique about Alkasir is that the circumvention process is launched in the background without the user noticing," he explained. "It\'s called split tunneling: Let\'s say that a website is blocked. Without the user noticing, this software uses a proxy server to get access to the blocked website within the same browser that the user is using. At the same time, circumvention using a proxy server makes the Internet user anonymous. On a shopping website that wants to know where you are before it allows you to buy something, for example, anonymity can create problems. One of the advantages of Alkasir is it only circumvents when needed to get around censors, so that if you go to an uncensored website that wants to know where you are coming from, no problem."
Al-Saqaf says he plans to make the data collected by the software available to media freedom researchers and advocates.
"The system also allows me to track which websites are blocked in which countries around the world," he said. "This in itself is both a tool for human rights advocacy and academics researching the freedom of press... if this software becomes the norm, governments will be quite worried."
Lucie Morillon, director of the new media desk at Reporters Without Borders, said Al-Saqaf had made an important contribution to the ability of netcitizens to access information freely.
"The Internet has become a new open space discussion in many countries where the mainstream media is under the control of the government," she told The Media Line. "In countries where websites are blocked that deal with sensitive social issues or criticism of the government, the Internet has become an essential tool of gaining access to information forbidden by the government. So access to these kinds of circumvention tools is absolutely essential for people in such countries to have a voice but also to just get information about their own countries."
"We\'ve seen the emergence of a very active online community in the Arab world," Morillon added. "So women who want to discuss contraception issues in Saudi Arabia, for example, have to use these kinds of circumvention tools to discuss these issues that affect their daily lives. You also have many bloggers in countries like Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Tunisia, Syria, Bahrain and the UAE trying to circumvent censorship to get out information that is forbidden by the government."
Online censorship is rampant throughout much of the Middle East and North Africa and international studies of press freedom and civil liberties consistently find the region to be the most repressive on earth.
The most recent study, Freedom in the World 2010, found Yemen, Jordan, Bahrain, Morocco and the Palestinian Territories to have suffered a serious deterioration of civil liberties over the past year, with growing censorship, restrictions on freedom of association and harassment of bloggers and journalists.
Yemen has witnessed extensive government attacks on journalists and publishing houses over the past year.
Reporters Without Borders ranks Yemen\'s media freedom at 155 out of 173 countries.
United States (TML) - A Yemeni academic who developed software that allows netcitizens throughout the world to circumvent government censorship of websites has been awarded the 2010 Democracy Prize by Örebro University in Sweden.
Walid Al-Saqaf, a Yemeni computer engineer and Ph.D candidate, is the developer of Alkasir, free software that allows Internet users to circumvent the censorship of websites deemed objectionable by local governments.
Originally the founder of YemenPortal.net, the Arab world\'s first country-specific aggregator of online news, opinion and video content, Al Saqaf developed the Alkasir circumvention software after the Yemeni government blocked his online portal.
The university\'s nominating committee referred to Al-Saqaf\'s work as "grounded in the true democratic ideals and ambitions."
The engineer thanked the university for their support.
"It\'s incredibly humbling, and a great surprise and inspiration," Al-Saqaf told The Media Line. "I feel that what I have done was my duty, so it\'s amazing to get an award for it and very courageous of them to give an award around censorship issues, which are generally quite sensitive."
Al-Saqaf said he developed Alkasir out of necessity.
"It started as an idea to circumvent the censorship of my own website," he remembered. "But then the government was able to find ways to eliminate the effectiveness of site-specific circumvention tools I set up so I had to think of more sophisticated solutions. I decided to develop an entire software platform to allow for more robust circumventing."
"The problem was that most programs available in the past were mainly focused on assuring the anonymity of the Internet user," Al-Saqaf said. "My main concern was average people all over the world who are unable to access the content they need - for example a journalist trying to get access to a press release from an opposition group."
"What\'s unique about Alkasir is that the circumvention process is launched in the background without the user noticing," he explained. "It\'s called split tunneling: Let\'s say that a website is blocked. Without the user noticing, this software uses a proxy server to get access to the blocked website within the same browser that the user is using. At the same time, circumvention using a proxy server makes the Internet user anonymous. On a shopping website that wants to know where you are before it allows you to buy something, for example, anonymity can create problems. One of the advantages of Alkasir is it only circumvents when needed to get around censors, so that if you go to an uncensored website that wants to know where you are coming from, no problem."
Al-Saqaf says he plans to make the data collected by the software available to media freedom researchers and advocates.
"The system also allows me to track which websites are blocked in which countries around the world," he said. "This in itself is both a tool for human rights advocacy and academics researching the freedom of press... if this software becomes the norm, governments will be quite worried."
Lucie Morillon, director of the new media desk at Reporters Without Borders, said Al-Saqaf had made an important contribution to the ability of netcitizens to access information freely.
"The Internet has become a new open space discussion in many countries where the mainstream media is under the control of the government," she told The Media Line. "In countries where websites are blocked that deal with sensitive social issues or criticism of the government, the Internet has become an essential tool of gaining access to information forbidden by the government. So access to these kinds of circumvention tools is absolutely essential for people in such countries to have a voice but also to just get information about their own countries."
"We\'ve seen the emergence of a very active online community in the Arab world," Morillon added. "So women who want to discuss contraception issues in Saudi Arabia, for example, have to use these kinds of circumvention tools to discuss these issues that affect their daily lives. You also have many bloggers in countries like Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Tunisia, Syria, Bahrain and the UAE trying to circumvent censorship to get out information that is forbidden by the government."
Online censorship is rampant throughout much of the Middle East and North Africa and international studies of press freedom and civil liberties consistently find the region to be the most repressive on earth.
The most recent study, Freedom in the World 2010, found Yemen, Jordan, Bahrain, Morocco and the Palestinian Territories to have suffered a serious deterioration of civil liberties over the past year, with growing censorship, restrictions on freedom of association and harassment of bloggers and journalists.
Yemen has witnessed extensive government attacks on journalists and publishing houses over the past year.
Reporters Without Borders ranks Yemen\'s media freedom at 155 out of 173 countries.
New York, NY, United States (CNS) - Fans now have a once in a lifetime chance to win a date with actor Gerard Butler. Butler will be participating in an auction to benefit the charity, Kids Kicking Cancer.
The non-profit organization will offer fans a chance to win a date with the "300" star by donating $20 to be entered into a raffle to win the date. Other prizes include the chance to attend one of Gerard\'s upcoming film premieres, a visit to one of his film sets or winning an article of clothing or autographed picture of the star.
Kids Kicking Cancer teaches martial arts to help empower young patients. The group\'s mission is "to ease the pain of very sick children while empowering them to heal physically, mentally and emotionally." By emphasizing relaxation and mental imagery, students and patients can use breathing and mediation exercises for painful procedures such as spinal taps and bone marrow aspirations.
Lots of other stars have been linked to the charity in the past, including Josh Hartnett, Jessica Biel, Hugh Jackman and the Jonas Brothers.
For more information or to enter the raffle, head to www.gerardbutler.net/fan-zone/charity-effortsevents/charity-organizations/kids-kicking-cancer/date-with-gerry/.
New York, NY, United States (CNS) - Fans now have a once in a lifetime chance to win a date with actor Gerard Butler. Butler will be participating in an auction to benefit the charity, Kids Kicking Cancer.
The non-profit organization will offer fans a chance to win a date with the "300" star by donating $20 to be entered into a raffle to win the date. Other prizes include the chance to attend one of Gerard\'s upcoming film premieres, a visit to one of his film sets or winning an article of clothing or autographed picture of the star.
Kids Kicking Cancer teaches martial arts to help empower young patients. The group\'s mission is "to ease the pain of very sick children while empowering them to heal physically, mentally and emotionally." By emphasizing relaxation and mental imagery, students and patients can use breathing and mediation exercises for painful procedures such as spinal taps and bone marrow aspirations.
Lots of other stars have been linked to the charity in the past, including Josh Hartnett, Jessica Biel, Hugh Jackman and the Jonas Brothers.
For more information or to enter the raffle, head to www.gerardbutler.net/fan-zone/charity-effortsevents/charity-organizations/kids-kicking-cancer/date-with-gerry/.
Washington, D.C., United States (AHN) - Sarah Palin, the former Alaska governor and 2008 vice presidential running mate to Sen. John McCain, said she may run for president in 2012, depending on circumstances. Palin addressed the country Saturday night during the nation\'s first national Tea Party convention.
Despite the Republican Party\'s big loss in 2008, Palin has remained a frontrunner in the Republican Party and is the unofficial face of the Tea Party movement.
Palin told Fox News if she felt it were in the best interest of her country to run for president, she would be open to doing so. She said she has gained more experience and grown more knowledgeable of the key issues she would face if she were elected.
Washington, D.C., United States (AHN) - Sarah Palin, the former Alaska governor and 2008 vice presidential running mate to Sen. John McCain, said she may run for president in 2012, depending on circumstances. Palin addressed the country Saturday night during the nation\'s first national Tea Party convention.
Despite the Republican Party\'s big loss in 2008, Palin has remained a frontrunner in the Republican Party and is the unofficial face of the Tea Party movement.
Palin told Fox News if she felt it were in the best interest of her country to run for president, she would be open to doing so. She said she has gained more experience and grown more knowledgeable of the key issues she would face if she were elected.
Davis, CA, United States (AHN) - Researchers with the University of California, Davis, have good news for beer drinkers. The malty beverage may be good for their bones.
The researchers said in a new report published in the February issue of the Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture that beer is a significant source of dietary silicon, which is a key ingredient in building bone mineral density.
The researchers said in a statement that silicon in beer is present in the soluble form of orthosilicic acid. The report said beer is a major contributor of silicon in the western diet.
The authors said moderate beer consumption may help fight osteoporosis, a disease characterized by low bone mass and deterioration of bone tissue.
The researchers said beers containing high levels of malted barley and hops have the most silicon.
Davis, CA, United States (AHN) - Researchers with the University of California, Davis, have good news for beer drinkers. The malty beverage may be good for their bones.
The researchers said in a new report published in the February issue of the Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture that beer is a significant source of dietary silicon, which is a key ingredient in building bone mineral density.
The researchers said in a statement that silicon in beer is present in the soluble form of orthosilicic acid. The report said beer is a major contributor of silicon in the western diet.
The authors said moderate beer consumption may help fight osteoporosis, a disease characterized by low bone mass and deterioration of bone tissue.
The researchers said beers containing high levels of malted barley and hops have the most silicon.
Los Angeles, CA, United States (CNS) - With only one film made outside of the "Harry Potter" franchise, you would never think British actress Emma Watson would beat other women in Hollywood\'s rich list. She has been named the highest paid actress in tinsel town for 2009, beating both Angelina Jolie and Jennifer Aniston.
According to the poll conducted by Vanity Fair, the 19-year-old star earned $30 million in 2009. She sits at number 14 in the list, which is led by "Transformers" director Michael Bay with $125 million.
"Harry Potter" co-stars Daniel Radcliff and Rupert Grint also made the list, with Radcliff at 6th place with $41 million and Grint at 15th with also $30 million.
The next girl in the list is Cameron Diaz, who is at 19th place with $27 million. Jolie and Aniston are at 32nd ($21 million) and 33rd ($20 million) place respectively, while Brad Pitt is number 40 with $13.5 million.
The list only included fees made in films and DVDs. The money they have made in TV has been excluded in the count.
Hollywood\'s Top 40 Earners of 2009:
Los Angeles, CA, United States (CNS) - With only one film made outside of the "Harry Potter" franchise, you would never think British actress Emma Watson would beat other women in Hollywood\'s rich list. She has been named the highest paid actress in tinsel town for 2009, beating both Angelina Jolie and Jennifer Aniston.
According to the poll conducted by Vanity Fair, the 19-year-old star earned $30 million in 2009. She sits at number 14 in the list, which is led by "Transformers" director Michael Bay with $125 million.
"Harry Potter" co-stars Daniel Radcliff and Rupert Grint also made the list, with Radcliff at 6th place with $41 million and Grint at 15th with also $30 million.
The next girl in the list is Cameron Diaz, who is at 19th place with $27 million. Jolie and Aniston are at 32nd ($21 million) and 33rd ($20 million) place respectively, while Brad Pitt is number 40 with $13.5 million.
The list only included fees made in films and DVDs. The money they have made in TV has been excluded in the count.
Hollywood\'s Top 40 Earners of 2009:
Miami, FL, United States (CNS) - Another rare Brangelina sighting found. The couple, who have been plagued with breakup rumors recently, treated Super Bowl fans to their rare public display of affection in Miami.
Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie took their eldest son, eight-year-old Maddox, to watch the New Orleans Saints beat the Indianapolis Colts at the NFL championship at the Sun Life Stadium.
The couple were spotted kissing and hugging as they cheered on the Saints\' victory from their prime seats.
It was the first time since early January that they were pictured together. Last week, they attended the Directors Guild of America awards event, but refused to be photographed together on the red carpet.
Brangelina were undoubtedly hoping their united front will finally end the split rumors, which still lingered even after the DGA appearance.
Miami, FL, United States (CNS) - Another rare Brangelina sighting found. The couple, who have been plagued with breakup rumors recently, treated Super Bowl fans to their rare public display of affection in Miami.
Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie took their eldest son, eight-year-old Maddox, to watch the New Orleans Saints beat the Indianapolis Colts at the NFL championship at the Sun Life Stadium.
The couple were spotted kissing and hugging as they cheered on the Saints\' victory from their prime seats.
It was the first time since early January that they were pictured together. Last week, they attended the Directors Guild of America awards event, but refused to be photographed together on the red carpet.
Brangelina were undoubtedly hoping their united front will finally end the split rumors, which still lingered even after the DGA appearance.
Los Angeles, CA, United States (CNS) - Nothing escapes paparazzi eyes. This is especially true in Lindsay Lohan\'s case. Although she flashed everyone a bright smile as she stepped out for a night on the town, the photographers saw something else.
The paparazzi spotted a prescription bottle inside the actress\' open bag, leading to speculations that she has slipped back to her old ways.
But the 23-year-old actress explained to Gossip Cop that the pill bottle was actually trazodones, a "non-narcotic sleeping aid for when I travel. They\'ve been prescribed to me since I was in rehab."
She also cleared another rumor first reported by X17Online.com, which claimed ex-girlfriend Samantha Ronson hit her.
The rumor stated that the DJ "beat up" former rehab patient and injured her lip, but Lohan told Gossip Cop, "None of that is true."
Los Angeles, CA, United States (CNS) - Nothing escapes paparazzi eyes. This is especially true in Lindsay Lohan\'s case. Although she flashed everyone a bright smile as she stepped out for a night on the town, the photographers saw something else.
The paparazzi spotted a prescription bottle inside the actress\' open bag, leading to speculations that she has slipped back to her old ways.
But the 23-year-old actress explained to Gossip Cop that the pill bottle was actually trazodones, a "non-narcotic sleeping aid for when I travel. They\'ve been prescribed to me since I was in rehab."
She also cleared another rumor first reported by X17Online.com, which claimed ex-girlfriend Samantha Ronson hit her.
The rumor stated that the DJ "beat up" former rehab patient and injured her lip, but Lohan told Gossip Cop, "None of that is true."
Los Angeles, CA, United States (CNS) - Charlie Sheen\'s stolen SUV has been found on the bottom of a cliff in Los Angeles. The "Two and a Half Men" star reported his vehicle stolen on Friday morning after he received a call from in-vehicle security company OnStar to inform him his car was in an accident.
According to the law enforcement, the 44-year-old left his car key in the ignition and left the garage door open at his home when he returned from shooting around 8.pm. Thursday, as he always does.
Around 4 a.m., he was awakened by a phone call from OnStar, informing him his car was in an accident. He reported the car stolen afterwards.
The Mercedes SUV was found plunged off a cliff into a ravine. No one was inside the car. Investigators are mulling over the theory that the thieves were trying to destroy evidence.
Another car was found not far from Sheen\'s later in the afternoon. Former "Baywatch Nights" actress Lisa Vanderpump\'s Bentley was spotted around 1:30 p.m.
She told TMZ that her stolen vehicle was also parked in her driveway, although she did not leave the keys inside the car.
Los Angeles, CA, United States (CNS) - Charlie Sheen\'s stolen SUV has been found on the bottom of a cliff in Los Angeles. The "Two and a Half Men" star reported his vehicle stolen on Friday morning after he received a call from in-vehicle security company OnStar to inform him his car was in an accident.
According to the law enforcement, the 44-year-old left his car key in the ignition and left the garage door open at his home when he returned from shooting around 8.pm. Thursday, as he always does.
Around 4 a.m., he was awakened by a phone call from OnStar, informing him his car was in an accident. He reported the car stolen afterwards.
The Mercedes SUV was found plunged off a cliff into a ravine. No one was inside the car. Investigators are mulling over the theory that the thieves were trying to destroy evidence.
Another car was found not far from Sheen\'s later in the afternoon. Former "Baywatch Nights" actress Lisa Vanderpump\'s Bentley was spotted around 1:30 p.m.
She told TMZ that her stolen vehicle was also parked in her driveway, although she did not leave the keys inside the car.
Los Angeles, CA, United States (CNS) - Actor Taylor Lautner\'s latest role will be a bit of a stretch. Actually, it will be a total stretch.
The "New Moon" 17-year-old recently signed a deal with Universal Pictures to play a live action version of the iconic toy Stretch Armstrong.
Universal Pictures co-chairman Donna Langley originally made a statement about the casting move to "Access Hollywood."
"In the past two years, Taylor has emerged as a real star at the global box office," Langley said. "He brings the perfect balance of energy and athleticism to the role of an unlikely super hero with a fantastic super power. We couldn\'t be more pleased that he has agreed to be our Stretch."
Lautner, who came to prominence as teenage werewolf Jacob Black in "The Twilight Saga," will be able to put his martial arts training to good use as the rubber-limbed Kenner hero, whose film will be made in 3-D. Lautner also worked in this format in the 2005 Robert Rodriguez movie "The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl."
Movies based on popular toys have been popping up more and more in recent months, following the success of "G.I. Joe" and the "Transformers" films, which have been produced through toy manufacturing company Hasbro. Hasbro will also produce "Stretch Armstrong," along with Brian Grazer. Steve Oedekerk will provide the movie\'s screenplay.
Lautner\'s other upcoming projects include the other "Twilight" movies "Eclipse" and "Breaking Dawn," as well as the live action version of the animated show "Max Steel."
Los Angeles, CA, United States (CNS) - Actor Taylor Lautner\'s latest role will be a bit of a stretch. Actually, it will be a total stretch.
The "New Moon" 17-year-old recently signed a deal with Universal Pictures to play a live action version of the iconic toy Stretch Armstrong.
Universal Pictures co-chairman Donna Langley originally made a statement about the casting move to "Access Hollywood."
"In the past two years, Taylor has emerged as a real star at the global box office," Langley said. "He brings the perfect balance of energy and athleticism to the role of an unlikely super hero with a fantastic super power. We couldn\'t be more pleased that he has agreed to be our Stretch."
Lautner, who came to prominence as teenage werewolf Jacob Black in "The Twilight Saga," will be able to put his martial arts training to good use as the rubber-limbed Kenner hero, whose film will be made in 3-D. Lautner also worked in this format in the 2005 Robert Rodriguez movie "The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl."
Movies based on popular toys have been popping up more and more in recent months, following the success of "G.I. Joe" and the "Transformers" films, which have been produced through toy manufacturing company Hasbro. Hasbro will also produce "Stretch Armstrong," along with Brian Grazer. Steve Oedekerk will provide the movie\'s screenplay.
Lautner\'s other upcoming projects include the other "Twilight" movies "Eclipse" and "Breaking Dawn," as well as the live action version of the animated show "Max Steel."
Miami Beach, FL, United States (CNS) - Former football player Warren Sapp was arrested on February 6 by Miami Beach police.
The defensive tackle for the Super Bowl XXXVII-winning Tampa Bay Buccaneers was charged with a domestic battery misdemeanor. Sapp\'s charge comes from an allegedly violent argument with his girlfriend of two years which began at 5 a.m. at Miami Beach\'s Shore Club Hotel.
The arrest report indicated that Sapp\'s girlfriend had "a swollen right knee and bruises on the back of her neck." The alleged victim said she had been sleeping in Sapp\'s hotel room while he was in town for Super Bowl Sunday - for his position as an analyst for the NFL Network and on Showtime\'s "Inside the NFL" - and the two were involved in an altercation, in which she claims he "grabbed her and began to choke her" before throwing her out of the room.
Representatives of the NFL Network said in a statement that Sapp will not appear on the Network until they review the incident.
Sapp began his career with the NFL in 1995 with the Buccaneers before moving to the Oakland Raiders in 2004, retiring from the game following the 2007 season. He also appeared on the seventh season of "Dancing with the Stars," placing 2nd with Kym Johnson.
Miami Beach, FL, United States (CNS) - Former football player Warren Sapp was arrested on February 6 by Miami Beach police.
The defensive tackle for the Super Bowl XXXVII-winning Tampa Bay Buccaneers was charged with a domestic battery misdemeanor. Sapp\'s charge comes from an allegedly violent argument with his girlfriend of two years which began at 5 a.m. at Miami Beach\'s Shore Club Hotel.
The arrest report indicated that Sapp\'s girlfriend had "a swollen right knee and bruises on the back of her neck." The alleged victim said she had been sleeping in Sapp\'s hotel room while he was in town for Super Bowl Sunday - for his position as an analyst for the NFL Network and on Showtime\'s "Inside the NFL" - and the two were involved in an altercation, in which she claims he "grabbed her and began to choke her" before throwing her out of the room.
Representatives of the NFL Network said in a statement that Sapp will not appear on the Network until they review the incident.
Sapp began his career with the NFL in 1995 with the Buccaneers before moving to the Oakland Raiders in 2004, retiring from the game following the 2007 season. He also appeared on the seventh season of "Dancing with the Stars," placing 2nd with Kym Johnson.
New York, NY, United States (AHN) - Police in New York City charged a wealthy former pharmaceutical executive with murder after finding her autistic 8-year-old son dead of an apparent drug overdose in a swank Manhattan hotel last week.
Police say 49-year-old Gigi Jordon fed her son Jude Mirra a deadly dosage of pills while barricaded in a room at the Peninsula Hotel off Fifth Avenue.
Her ex-husband and Jude\'s father, Emil Tzekov, told the New York Daily News that he was baffled by the murder because he said Jordon was a devoted mother who quit her high-paying job to raise the severely autistic boy.
But Tzekov, a popular yoga instructor, also said his wife cut all contact with him in 2007, which was also the last time he saw his son, according to the Daily News.
Police say Jude\'s death was an apparent murder-suicide attempt, and they found his body lying face-up on a bed. Jordon was found next to him, talking nonsensically. There were many prescription drug bottles strewn throughout the room, according to various news reports.
Police went to the hotel room after receiving a call from a woman in Belgium saying she received an e-mail from her niece that she planned on killing her son, according to the New York Times.
New York, NY, United States (AHN) - Police in New York City charged a wealthy former pharmaceutical executive with murder after finding her autistic 8-year-old son dead of an apparent drug overdose in a swank Manhattan hotel last week.
Police say 49-year-old Gigi Jordon fed her son Jude Mirra a deadly dosage of pills while barricaded in a room at the Peninsula Hotel off Fifth Avenue.
Her ex-husband and Jude\'s father, Emil Tzekov, told the New York Daily News that he was baffled by the murder because he said Jordon was a devoted mother who quit her high-paying job to raise the severely autistic boy.
But Tzekov, a popular yoga instructor, also said his wife cut all contact with him in 2007, which was also the last time he saw his son, according to the Daily News.
Police say Jude\'s death was an apparent murder-suicide attempt, and they found his body lying face-up on a bed. Jordon was found next to him, talking nonsensically. There were many prescription drug bottles strewn throughout the room, according to various news reports.
Police went to the hotel room after receiving a call from a woman in Belgium saying she received an e-mail from her niece that she planned on killing her son, according to the New York Times.
Los Angeles, CA, United States (CNS) - Amidst all of the Brangelina break-up rumors that have been dominating the front pages of gossip magazines and internet blogs for the past two weeks, Jennifer Aniston doesn\'t seem fazed at all by the turmoil in her ex-husband\'s love life. Instead, America\'s sweetheart and favorite girl-next-door poses this month on the cover of Architectural Digest and explains how she "renovated" Brad Pitt out of her life.
She tells the upscale design magazine that her Beverly Hills mansion is the perfect home, but it was one element that seemed the bother her - the "his" bathroom. And what did Aniston do to eliminate this problem? She converted the room into a spa.
Aniston further explains that she is very proud of her home, which she\'s christened "Ohana," meaning "extended family" in Hawaiian culture, telling the magazine that entering her home each time feels like a "big hug."
The 40-year-old former "Friends" star spent two years renovating the Hollywood Hills mansion with local designer Stephen Shadley.
"I want to say this just right," she tells the magazine. "I am so proud of this house."
She continues, "And I want to celebrate the people who made it: the master craftsmen who poured so much of themselves into its creation."
The issue is currently on newsstands now.
Los Angeles, CA, United States (CNS) - Amidst all of the Brangelina break-up rumors that have been dominating the front pages of gossip magazines and internet blogs for the past two weeks, Jennifer Aniston doesn\'t seem fazed at all by the turmoil in her ex-husband\'s love life. Instead, America\'s sweetheart and favorite girl-next-door poses this month on the cover of Architectural Digest and explains how she "renovated" Brad Pitt out of her life.
She tells the upscale design magazine that her Beverly Hills mansion is the perfect home, but it was one element that seemed the bother her - the "his" bathroom. And what did Aniston do to eliminate this problem? She converted the room into a spa.
Aniston further explains that she is very proud of her home, which she\'s christened "Ohana," meaning "extended family" in Hawaiian culture, telling the magazine that entering her home each time feels like a "big hug."
The 40-year-old former "Friends" star spent two years renovating the Hollywood Hills mansion with local designer Stephen Shadley.
"I want to say this just right," she tells the magazine. "I am so proud of this house."
She continues, "And I want to celebrate the people who made it: the master craftsmen who poured so much of themselves into its creation."
The issue is currently on newsstands now.
Miami, FL, United States (CNS) - Once you\'ve thought you couldn\'t get enough of them or if you really are tired of seeing their orange-tinted faces just about everywhere on television these days, the guidos and guidettes are still riding strong on their extended 15-minutes of fame.
Even though they have nothing to do with football, Snooki and the gang from "The Jersey Shore" are in Miami this weekend and are slated to appear at Superbowl XLIV Sunday at the Sun Life Stadium.
Snooki, The Situation and Pauly D are most likely the squeeze in some "GTL" time in between the football festivities and nightclubs of SoFlo. According to US Magazine, Pauly D flew to Miami courtesy of Reebok, and The Situation is scheduled to shoot a commercial for the athletic shoe company alongside Peyton Manning, Floyd Mayweather and Chuck Liddell.
And if that\'s not enough of Snooki and the gang for you, the cast will also be appearing on the "Ellen DeGeneres Show" on Monday and will sit down with the ladies of "The View" on Feb. 23.
Miami, FL, United States (CNS) - Once you\'ve thought you couldn\'t get enough of them or if you really are tired of seeing their orange-tinted faces just about everywhere on television these days, the guidos and guidettes are still riding strong on their extended 15-minutes of fame.
Even though they have nothing to do with football, Snooki and the gang from "The Jersey Shore" are in Miami this weekend and are slated to appear at Superbowl XLIV Sunday at the Sun Life Stadium.
Snooki, The Situation and Pauly D are most likely the squeeze in some "GTL" time in between the football festivities and nightclubs of SoFlo. According to US Magazine, Pauly D flew to Miami courtesy of Reebok, and The Situation is scheduled to shoot a commercial for the athletic shoe company alongside Peyton Manning, Floyd Mayweather and Chuck Liddell.
And if that\'s not enough of Snooki and the gang for you, the cast will also be appearing on the "Ellen DeGeneres Show" on Monday and will sit down with the ladies of "The View" on Feb. 23.
Hollywood, CA, United States (CNS) - They said it was love that was sure to last forever. Britney Spears\'s little sister, Jamie Lynn, has called it quits with the father of her baby daughter, Casey Aldridge. The former star of Nickelodeon\'s "Zoey 101," first shocked the entertainment world two years ago by announcing her pregnancy at the age of 16.
It looks like things weren\'t so great in paradise as the former couple, who were once rumored to be engaged, have confirmed their split to several magazines.
The reason for their split is unknown, but inside sources say that Jamie Lynn has moved on with a 28-year-old local businessman, James Watson. According to Star Magazine, the source says, "They started dating last December. I don\'t think James cares at all about who she is; they really seem to like each other."
The source continues to say that Spears and Aldridge had only stayed together for "appearance\'s sake."
"Even when she was pregnant, she didn\'t really see a future with him," explains the source. "She only gave the impression of staying with him so long because it looked better in the public eye."
Hollywood, CA, United States (CNS) - They said it was love that was sure to last forever. Britney Spears\'s little sister, Jamie Lynn, has called it quits with the father of her baby daughter, Casey Aldridge. The former star of Nickelodeon\'s "Zoey 101," first shocked the entertainment world two years ago by announcing her pregnancy at the age of 16.
It looks like things weren\'t so great in paradise as the former couple, who were once rumored to be engaged, have confirmed their split to several magazines.
The reason for their split is unknown, but inside sources say that Jamie Lynn has moved on with a 28-year-old local businessman, James Watson. According to Star Magazine, the source says, "They started dating last December. I don\'t think James cares at all about who she is; they really seem to like each other."
The source continues to say that Spears and Aldridge had only stayed together for "appearance\'s sake."
"Even when she was pregnant, she didn\'t really see a future with him," explains the source. "She only gave the impression of staying with him so long because it looked better in the public eye."