Despair in Asia as W.Cup goes to Qatar

SYDNEY: FIFA's shock decision to hand the 2022 World Cup to Qatar was met with despair in Seoul, Sydney and Tokyo on Friday as months of campaigning ended in heartbreak and accusations of financial skullduggery.

Australia had high hopes for its bid to host the world's biggest sporting event for the first time, while Japan and South Korea, joint hosts in 2002, put forward strong cases to hold the event independently. But after a furious final day of lobbying in Zurich, FIFA boss Sepp Blatter announced Thursday that Qatar had won out for 2022, stunning onlookers who queried the tiny Gulf state's searing heat and lack of footballing pedigree.

"Soccer is dead to me," Jeremy Tom, 26, told at a gathering of about 100 diehard Australian fans watching the vote on a big screen on the shores of Sydney Harbour in the middle of the night. "What a rort (scam). Who goes to Qatar to watch the world game? It's a joke."

Football Federation Australia's Jack Reilly said its bid had fallen victim to FIFA politics and Qatar's deep pockets. "The Qatar delegation have been pushing money around for a long period of time," he said. The Australian government contributed 45 million dollars (44 million US) towards the bid, and Prime Minister Julia Gillard said the entire nation was "disappointed".

Qatar insisted that its bid had won on the merits of a bold proposal to build climate-controlled stadia that will enable players and fans to be comfortable in its desert heat.

But team leaders from Japan and South Korea also vented frustration at the event being handed to the Gulf kingdom, which has never played in the World Cup. "I don't quite understand what factor is favorable," Japan's Football Association vice chairman Kuniya Daini said. "Maybe, it is meaningful to host it in the Middle East for the first time?"

The bidding race, which also saw Russia secure the 2018 tournament, was the most controversial in FIFA history with allegations of corruption against high-level football executives.

"Qatar, which has never qualified for the World Cup finals, had a weapon in its abundant financial resources based on oil money," top-selling Japanese business daily Nikkei said.

Japan vowed to fight on, but knows that it faces a daunting battle if rival Asian power China goes ahead with plans to bid for the 2026 tournament. FIFA is keen to tap the giant potential market of China's 1.3 billion people. "My personal determination to bid for the World Cup has not changed, but we must further research when to make a bid," Friday's edition of the Titan Sports Weekly quoted China's top football boss Wei Di as saying.

Japan had emphasised its bid with a six-billion-dollar plan to allow 360 million people worldwide to watch matches live in 3D telecasts at nearly 400 specially selected stadiums across FIFA's 208 member countries. But the Asahi Shimbun commented: "There were (FIFA) executives who thought real stadia are more important."

South Korea reached the third round of voting before being eliminated, with analysts suggesting it was too soon after Seoul co-hosted the 2002 tournament.

In their final presentation to FIFA delegates, South Korea's bid team said hosting the World Cup would act as a gateway to reunification of the divided Korean peninsula.

The region is enduring the worst tensions in years at present after nuclear-armed North Korea hurled a deadly artillery barrage onto a South Korean border island.

But the bidders' plea for football to help bring about a brighter political future fell on deaf ears. "We'd expected to meet either the US or Australia in the final round," the head of Seoul's bid Han Sung-Joo was quoted by South Korea's Yonhap news agency as saying. "It seems as though the idea of giving the Middle East its first World Cup garnered a lot of votes (for Qatar)."

Angelina, Brad at Paris film premiere

PARIS: It's one of the most romantic cities in the world. And judging by tonight, Paris has rubbed off on Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie.

The couple appeared smitten with each other as they appeared at the premiere of Brad's latest film Megamind in the French capital.

The couple arrived warmly dressed in black to keep out the Parisian cold, with Angelina sporting a velvet trouser suit and sparkling top.

Brad, who provides the voice of Metroman in the animated film, wore leather trousers and a dark grey suit jacket.

They appeared smitten on the blue carpet, with Brad at one point planting a kiss on a delighted Angelina's cheek and holding hands.

Brad also wrapped his arm around his partner as they chatted to the film's star Will Ferrell.

Angelina also spent time with the waiting fans, signing autographs before she went inside.

The couple had spent the previous day with four of their six children as they celebrated their son Pax's seventh birthday by having a hot air balloon ride and riverboat cruise.

'They were like any other family,' the balloon's operator told People.'There was nothing out of the ordinary to tell you about them which made them any different from any other family.'

He added that the 'charming' couple had a 20 minute ride with the children who were 'excited but well-behaved. What I think they wanted was a little moment of peace.'

 

Madonna launches 'Hard Candy' in Mexico City

MEXICO CITY: Madonna flew to Mexico City to open the first Hard Candy Fitness club, part of a global chain she and her business partners are unveiling around the world.

More than 700 guests, including most of the club's new members and Mexico City mayor Marcelo Ebrard, attended the opening, along with VIPs hand-picked by the 52-year-old pop music icon.

Named after her last album, the Hard Candy Fitness center is a partnership between Madonna, her manager Guy Oseary and Mark Mastrov, founder and CEO of 24 Hour Fitness -- the world's largest privately owned fitness center chain.

The Mexico City gym is set in a lavish, three-story, 3,000 square meter (32,000 square foot) space in the Mexican capital's exclusive Lomas Altas neighborhood.

It offers the latest in cardiovascular equipment and an array of classes including yoga and capoeira -- an Afro-Brazilian art form that combines elements of martial arts, music, and dance.

The complex also houses a juice bar-cafe as well as luxury locker, sauna and steam rooms.

"Our goal is to create an environment inspired by Madonna's vision and high standards of what the ideal gym would be," Mastrov said in a statement.

Madonna's group said it expects in the coming months to open more fitness centers in Argentina, Brazil, Russia and other unspecified countries in Europe and Asia.

Hard Candy Managing Director Chris Dedicik said Madonna had chosen the Mexican capital for the first gym after she visited the city on a musical tour in 2008 and was charmed by its surroundings and people.

The Hard Candy club is the latest business venture by Madonna, who in recent months has been diversifying her Material Girl brand well beyond the realm of pop music.

Earlier this year, Madonna announced plans to launch, along with her teenage daughter Lourdes, a line of teen clothing called "Material Girl" to be sold at Macy's department stores.

 

Arora angry over Sonakshi’s performance on ‘Munni Badnam Hui’

MUMBAI: Sonakshi Sinha performed on the song, 'Munni Badnam Hui' from the film 'Dabangg' at the recently held Sahara India Sports Awards 2010 and the very fact did not go well with the main performer Malaika Arora Khan.

Ever since the film hit the theatre and the song tops the chartbuster, Malaika has been performing on the popular track during all the events. But when Sonakshi performed the song at the Sahara awards with the same thrill, she was bit upset.

This was Sonakshi's first stage performance and so everyone applauded her. According to Malaika, Sonakshi could have performed on some other tracks rather than her's. However, the organizer did not approach Malaika for this event.

The award ceremony will see many top-notch actors performing on some chartbusters and Shahrukh Khan will be hosting the show.

 

WikiLeaks' site back with new address after six hours

PARIS: The whistleblower website WikiLeaks was back on line Friday with a new Swiss address -- wikileaks.ch -- six hours after its previous domain name -- wikileaks.org -- was shut down.

"WikiLeaks moves to Switzerland," the group declared on Twitter, although an Internet trace of the new domain name suggested that the site itself is still hosted in Sweden and in France.

Webusers accessing the wikileaks.ch address are directed to a page under the URL http://213.251.145.96/ -- which gives them access to the former site, including a massive trove of leaked US diplomatic traffic.

The original wikileaks.org domain was taken offline at 0300 GMT Friday by its American domain name system provider, EveryDNS.net, following reports of massive cyber attacks on the site.

"The interference at issue arises from the fact that wikileaks.org has become the target of multiple distributed denial of service (DDOS) attacks," EveryDNS.net said in a statement.

Classic DDoS attacks occur when legions of "zombie" computers, normally machines infected with viruses, are commanded to simultaneously visit a website, overwhelming servers or knocking them offline completely.

The latest techological setback for the whistleblower site came after Amazon booted it from its computer servers on Wednesday following pressure from US politicians, prompting the site to move to a French server.

"Free speech the land of the free -- fine, our dollars are now spent to employ people in Europe," WikiLeaks said. "If Amazon are so uncomfortable with the First Amendment, they should get out of the business of selling books."

On Sunday, WikiLeaks began publishing the first batch of more than 250,000 US diplomatic cables, many of them classified as "secret", that the website is believed to have obtained from a disaffected US soldier.

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange said last month that he was considering requesting asylum in Switzerland and basing the whistleblowing website in the fiercely neutral Alpine country.

"That is a real possiblity," Assange said when asked whether he and the website might relocate, adding that Switzerland, and perhaps Iceland, were the only Western countries that his outfit feels safe in.

Assange told the TSR television that Wikileaks was examining the possibility of creating a foundation that would allow it operate out of Switzerland, and confirmed he might apply for asylum.

Malaika to judge Jhalak Dikhla Jaa 4 with Madhuri

MUMBAI: 'Jhalak Dikhla Jaa 4', dancing with the stars, will start airing from December 12 The show had roped in dancing diva Madhuri Dixit and choreographer Remo D'Souza as its two judges of the season. While the third judge to the panel will be Malaika Arora Khan.

The Dabangg Munni is very excited about the venture and says that the format of the show is very interesting and above all she will get the rare opportunity to share a plat form with the beautiful Madhuri. She said that she had to manage her time to make space for the show, but the hard work is worth doing for 'Jhalak Dikhla Jaa 4'.

Suspect in Hollywood publicist slaying kills self

Los Angeles Police Department officers and Beverly Hills Police Department detectives stand outside the Harvey Apartments Wednesday.

NBC, msnbc.com and news services

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LOS ANGELES — A suspect in the mysterious murder last month of top Hollywood film publicist Ronni Chasen killed himself on Wednesday as police attempted to question him.

The man, whose name was not released, shot himself in the early evening as Beverly Hills Police detectives were conducting a "follow-up investigation" at the man's Hollywood apartment building, police said.

"While conducting that follow-up, the person that they were looking for showed up. They (police) attempted to talk to the suspect. When they did, the suspect produced a handgun, and there was a self-inflicted gunshot wound," Los Angeles police Captain Kevin McClure told reporters outside the building.

The man, who was pronounced dead at the scene, told a neighbor he had spent time in prison for firearms and drugs offenses, and would rather die than return, the Los Angeles Times reported. He also told the neighbor that he was due to receive $10,000, giving conflicting accounts of why: for a job he had done or from a lawsuit.

A retired investigator who saw a preliminary coroner's report told The Associated Press Chasen's death appeared to be the work of a professional hit man.

The veteran publicist, 64, was shot five times in the chest in the early morning of November 16 as she was driving through Beverly Hills on her way home from a premiere party for the film "Burlesque," whose soundtrack she was promoting for an Oscar nomination.



Her death stunned Hollywood because Chasen was well-liked in the film community. She had been driving home in her car, and people who had seen and spoken with her at the premiere party saw no signs of distress.

'Not over yet'
Beverly Hills police Sergeant Tony Lee told reporters Wednesday that the investigation into Chasen's death "is ongoing at this time ... it's not over yet."


NBC station KNBC also reported LAPD sources as saying the investigation was wider than just the suspected shooter.

The Los Angeles Times quoted a neighbor, Brandon Harrison, as saying the dead man, known only as Harold, had told residents in the building that he had served time in a state prison for firearms and drug offenses.

"He told me several times, 'If it ever came back down to me going to prison, I would die first,'" Harrison told the Times.

He added that Harold had been evicted from Harvey Apartments for not paying his rent, but continued to return to the building, asking people if the police had called to look for him.

Harrison told the Times that Harold — described by Harrison as "very strange" — had spoken about getting $10,000, saying it was for a job he done but then claiming it was the result of a lawsuit.

Terri Gilpin, another building resident, said she was taking a nap when she heard a single shot fired.

"I thought it was backfire, but I was kind of half-asleep, in a drowsy state of mind," she said. "It was kind of like a pop."

Gilpin said she saw blood splattered on the lobby floor of the Harvey Apartments.

The building has about 170 units with rents starting at about $625 a month, 25-year-old resident Terry Pendergrass said.

Award season
Two blocks of Santa Monica Boulevard were shut down and dozens of officers and squad cars were gathered outside the four-story hotel, which was cordoned off with yellow police tape.

Chasen promoted the Oscar-winning film "Driving Miss Daisy" and had also worked with other major movies and stars since the 1970s.

Her death came in the midst of award season, her busiest time of year, when she helped studios mount expensive promotion campaigns for films.






Police haven't released a possible motive in her slaying, and they remained tightlipped about progress in the investigation.

Earlier Wednesday, a retired investigator who saw a preliminary coroner's report on Chasen's shooting said the killer was an expert shot who was able to squeeze off multiple rounds in a tight and deadly formation.

Gil Carrillo, who recently retired as a lieutenant after 38 years with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, said he reviewed the document after it was obtained by KTTV Fox 11 News.

"The thing that stands out is the shots — where they were and the lack of hits anywhere else," Carrillo told The Associated Press. "It's a good shot group."

The close grouping suggests the shooting was carried out by a hit man and was not the result of a gang attack or road rage, Carrillo told the AP.


KTTV said it appeared Chasen was shot three times in the right chest area and twice in the right shoulder.

"Whoever was shooting was aiming for center mass, and they got center mass," Carrillo said.


Chasen drove on, then crashed
Coroner's spokesman Ed Winter would not confirm the authenticity of the document cited by Carrillo, which apparently was written by an investigator before Chasen's autopsy. But Carrillo said he was certain it was genuine.

The document is now under a security hold, which means police must approve its official release.

The document says a hollow-point, 9-mm bullet was recovered from Chasen's body, though Carrillo cautioned that ballistics tests could reveal the slug was a different caliber.

Investigators believe Chasen was shot as she waited to turn left from Sunset Boulevard to Whittier Drive, a road she could have taken to get back to her home in West Los Angeles. After she was shot, she drove about a quarter mile down Whittier before crashing into a light pole.

Chasen was later pronounced dead at a hospital.

Snowden said there have been only four homicides in Beverly Hills in the past five years, with three occurring this year. On July 20, the son of movie producer Fuminori Hayashida was found stabbed to death outside his home.

In 2008, actor Mark Ruffalo's brother Scott Ruffalo died from a gunshot wound to the head. The death was ruled a homicide.

Gyllenhaal, Swift arm in arm in new photos

Insiders say romance is heating up between actor and country star

“It’s definitely serious,” a source says of Jake Gyllenhaal and Taylor Swift's sudden romance

 

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The new Us Weekly (now on newsstands) has the first photos of Taylor Swift and Jake Gyllenhaal's romantic Thanksgiving Day weekend.

Arm in arm, the two looked more smitten than ever as they took an afternoon stroll in Brooklyn's Park Slope neighborhood, where the actor's sister, Maggie, lives.
PHOTOS: Unlikely Hollywood romances

Dating for just five weeks, the romance is heating up, several insiders tell Us Weekly.

“She loves his family and he loves hers," says a Swift source.
PHOTOS: Star couples who've had major age differences

Adds another pal, “It’s definitely serious.”

So, how did the unlikely romance come about?
PHOTOS: How Taylor Swift's style has changed

Find out and get more — including why their relationship works; their thoughts on the nine-year age gap and what their families think; how Swift is already "love-struck" and must-see exclusive photos — in new Us Weekly today!

Tarantino roasted by Jackson at Friars Club

By JOHN CARUCCI

Actor Eli Roth, left, actor Samuel L. Jackson and director Quentin Tarantino, right, attend the Quentin Tarantino Friars Club Roast at the New York Hilton Hotel on Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2010 in New York. (AP Photo/Evan Agostini

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NEW YORK — Filmmaker Eli Roth brought shock and awe to the podium of a Friar's Club Roast of actor Quentin Tarantino on Wednesday night, saying it was a roaster's responsibility to be sick and distasteful.

He didn't disappoint, covering ground that would make Richard Pryor blush — and offering no apologies.

"Pretty much what people say about 'Hostel 2,' I want them to say about my speech," Roth said referring to his 2007 horror flick.

Roth ripped the Weinstein's — filmmakers Harvey and Bob — who were sitting on the dais, joked about dead comic Greg Giraldo and poked fun at Tarantino's physical appearance. He also alluded to Tarantino's alleged foot fetish saying: "Quentin's got a bigger collection of women's shoes than Dachau."

Joining Roth at the event in New York was Sarah Silverman, Uma Thurman, Brett Ratner and roastmaster Samuel L. Jackson, who referred to the pack as a "true collection of freaks." Then he thanked Jim Henson, creator of The Muppets, for designing Tarantino's face, and kicked off the show.

Originally scheduled for October, the roast was postponed because of the death of Tarantino's longtime film editor and close friend Sally Menke. Freddie Roman of the Friar's Club said he feared the change in dates would lead to a lower turnout, but it seemed to have the opposite effect.

The event packed the Hilton ballroom, drawing a record-setting crowd of nearly 2,300. That's unprecedented for the fraternal organization.

While some of the acts were clearly funny, others were not as engaging. Harvey Keitel spent more time talking about "Reservoir Dogs" than making jokes. Ratner, a director, missed some of his timing cues, and Michael Madsen looked as if he had just rolled out of bed. While Keitel was spared by most, Ratner and Madsen were heavily attacked throughout the show.

Comedian Jeff Ross, who also serves at an "abbot" at the club, provided one of the funnier salutes. The comedy roast regular poked fun at Jackson, saying he should use the 'N' word more when making film choices. "And that word is 'No,'" Ross said before mocking Jackson in "Snakes on a Plane."

The comedian spoke of Tarantino's ample forehead, saying he would be screening his next film on it. At the end, he thanked him for making film geeks feel cool.

While nothing was off-limits, many jokes focused on Tarantino's infatuation with Uma Thurman. After her relatively tame speech, she took off her shoes, poured some wine, and the two shared a toast, leading to a rousing applause.

Other roasters included Kathy Griffin, Richard Belzer, Rob Schneider, Whitney Cummings, and 82-year-old Pat Cooper, who managed to get some hard laughs — and more importantly to him — a kiss from Thurman.

Friar's Club legend Jerry Lewis was the last to address the crowd, and the 85-year old managed to eke out a few laughs, and even an unprecedented expletive.

Tarantino hit the stage nearly two hours into the show and immediately quipped that doing the "no comedian thing was funny." He paid Jerry Lewis $24 that he said he owed from a telethon 40 years ago.

He then apologized for Jackson's performance, saying it was due to "not writing his dialogue for him."

Britney Spears calls abuse report 'laughable'

By Gina Serpe and Cristina Gibson

Star's latest cover story claims Britney Spears is being beaten by boyfriend Jason Trawick, which the singer denies.

For anyone still questioning the authenticity of the supposed Britney Spears confessional recording, can we suggest actually listening to the tape? Cause we're thinking your grandma could probably offer up a better Brit-Brit impression.

Or at least not leave so many curious edit-ready gaps in the conversation.

But for those who have actually listened to the 77-second piece of audio—in which Spears allegedly confesses to her onetime hubby of 55 whole hours that her current boyfriend Jason Trawick abuses her—and somehow remain convinced of its validity, here's something else you need to hear...