Wednesday, March 31, 2010

American singer Erykah Badu causes controversy with naked video at JFK assassination spot

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Np21rH7Ldtoendofvid
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By Daily Mail Reporter

Starts off tame... Erykah Badu parks her car in Dealey Plaza and begins the video for Window Seat fully clothed


American singer Erykah Badu has caused controversy by stripping off in the street and pretending to be shot near the site of John F Kennedy's assassination.


*** Scroll down to watch Video ****


The Grammy-winner, 39, is fully-clothed at the beginning of the promo for her new single Window Seat and ends up lying completely naked on the pavement at the climax of the video.

The guerilla video was shot in just one take in the famous Dealey Plaza in Dallas, Texas on March 13 without any filming permits.

As Badu walks through the plaza disrobing, various onlookers are seen gawking at her.

Towards the end of the video a gunshot-like sound is heard, and Badu collapses to the ground.

The beginning of the video features Badu driving a white car with the famous radio commentary of Kennedy's fateful visit to Dallas.

Despite the public outrage, Dallas police confirmed no one had made any official complaints and as no officer witnessed the indecent exposure, the singer wouldn't be charged with any offence.


The disrobing begins: Off come the jacket and the shoes...

A Dallas native herself, Badu's decision to pretend to be shot on the same site as the former U.S. President in 1963 has left many locals offended.

John Crawford, president of the non-profit group Downtown Dallas, said: 'It's in poor taste and poor judgment, in my opinion.'

Explaining the video, Badu said: 'I tied it in a way that compared the assassination to the character assassination one would go through after showing his or her self completely. That's exactly the action I wanted to display.'

When asked what she thought about the young children present in the street who would have seen her naked, she said: 'I tried to telepathically communicate my good intent to them. That's all I could do, and I hoped they wouldn't be traumatised


Fear of arrest: Badu's directors had bail money ready just in case she was arrested for public indecency


Directing duo Chike and Coodie admitted they had bail money ready just in case the singer was arrested for public indecency.

Chike told MTV: 'I just remember hearing a siren, or every minute looking up and seeing some kind of sheriff's car or something. So I was like, "This is gonna be interesting."

'Her contingency plan was get arrested. She was big on doing it. We had bail money and everything. I think she really wanted to get arrested, even make a bigger message.'

Coodie said several people threatened to call the police, but obviously didn't.


Shock factor: Badu stunned onlookers as she removed her bra and knickers in the street

He said: 'It was nothing but two or three people, it was nothing that crazy at all. There was that one lady, though, that was really crazy, she was like, "That was so offensive."'

If Badu had been caught in the act by a police officer, she could have been fined up to $2,000 or be jailed for 180 days.

The single comes from Badu's fifth studio album New Amerykah Part Two (Return Of The Ankh).

Badu leapt to fame in the late Nineties with her debut album Baduizm, which included the worldwide hit song On & On, which clinched the singer a Grammy award for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance in 1998.


Controversy: Badu falls to the ground naked amid sounds of a gunshot - near the area where John F Kennedy was shot in 1963



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f(x) does funny dances for Auction

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The new commercials of f(x) for Auction are out and they’re quite adorable and hilarious. The five different CFs show off the girls doing a funny dance to show off the products.

Sulli is marketing the jacket, Victoria is selling the hat, Luna is showing off the bag, Amber, the pants, and Krystal, the shoes.

Auction is holding an event where they’re asking fans to point out their favorite moves out of the dances and the contest ends on April 12th.

Auction’s rep said,

“f(x) is rising as an fashion icon which is why the Auction products have been progressing in sales after their endorsement. We wanted to give off a fun vibe.”

The new Auction CF will start airing from April 10th.










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Big Bang and TVXQ nominated for Video Music Awards Japan

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Let us rise and celebrate – two Asian-wide idol groups, Big Bang and TVXQ have been selected as nominees under the honorable categories of Best Newcomer’s Video Award and Best Group Video Award, respectively, for World Stage: Video Music Awards Japan hosted by MTV Japan.

The actual show for this award show, commonly referred to as WS VMAJ, will be held on May 29th at Yoyogi Nation Stadium. Following the format of “global music concert,” WS VMAJ will be featuring various Japanese artists, alongside the two Korean boy groups. Big Bang will also decorate the stage on that day as one of the four performers chosen.

In the meanwhile, take a look at this music video by Big Bang in Japan.
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Daredevil makes return Base Jump from 4,000ft peak after recovering from 100mph fall

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By Scott Warren

Daredevil: Boole with his state-of-the-art suit


A daredevil father who almost died in a 6,000ft fall a year ago has returned to his death-defying pastime.

James Boole, 32, broke his back when he had parachute problems while using his winged 'bat suit', but has made his return Base Jump, gliding safely to earth after racing through the air.

'I felt ecstatic,' he told The Sun. 'It was great.'

The accident last Easter saw his parachute fail, his life saved by a soft landing on deep snow after jumping from a Russian peak.

He hit the ground at about 100mph, injuring his back, lungs, ribs and teeth, leading to a year-long recovery at his home in Tamworth, Staffordshire, which included wearing a body brace for three months.

For his return jump he chose the 4,000ft Mount Trento in northern Italy, and admitted to being terrified as he prepared to launch himself off the side.

After mustering the courage, he glided safely to 500ft before a successful parachute deployment delivered him softly to the valley floor.


In action: Boole and a fellow jumper speed through the air


'I really thought that I might never be able to jump again,' he said. 'As I stood on the cliff edge I still had some Elvis knee-knocking going on.'

His wife Kristina, 24, and 15-month-old daughter Melissa were waiting for him at the bottom.

He said: 'Obviously my family were very concerned I would want to do something like this again. But they understand what a big part parachuting plays in my life.'

Base Jumping stands for 'building, aerial, span and earth' - the range of four jumps its participants seek to make. It is illegal in most countries.


Above: Boole and his 'bat suit' have starred in an advertisement for US car maker Chevrolet, for which no special effects were used
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Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Wayne Rooney exits on crutches: United seek to allay fears England striker has broken his foot again

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By Ian Ladyman

Feeling the pain: Wayne Rooney in agony after injuring his ankle


This was the moment a nation held its breath as Wayne Rooney clutched his ankle in agony at the end of Manchester United's 2-1 Champions League defeat against Bayern Munich.

The striker on whom England's World Cup hopes rest was injured in the dying seconds last night after Mario Gomez trod on his right foot. He will be assessed today but looks likely to miss Saturday's pivotal title clash with Chelsea.


The sight of him limping off sparked fears for South Africa, particularly as he suffered a metatarsal injury in the same foot four years ago almost to the day.

United led through a 64-second Rooney goal but an equaliser from Franck Ribery - deflected in off Rooney - and a stoppage-time winner from Ivica Olic gave the German side victory.


Moment of impact: Mario Gomez treads on the foot of Wayne Rooney


Rooney, who was also booked, was injured in the build-up to the winning goal.

United manager Sir Alex Ferguson said: 'Wayne has got a kick on the ankle. We don't know how serious it is.'

United sought to allay fears that Rooney had broken his foot again, though he left the Allianz Arena on crutches and with his right leg in a brace.


Worrying sight: Injured Wayne Rooney is helped off the pitch


Ferguson was in no mood to absolve his team for a defeat that leaves the quarter-final tie delicately balanced going into Wednesday's second leg at Old Trafford.

He said: 'We never played well and gave the ball away all night. That's not like us. The winning goal was a terrible one


Walking wounded: Wayne Rooney leaves the Allianz Arena on crutches


'At least we have an away goal. Bayern have a strong chance but at home we should be confident. Our keeper made saves time and time again and kept us in it.'

Bayern coach Louis van Gaal believes Rooney's absence could be crucial.

The Dutchman said: 'He is their most important player and if you looked at United's statistics you would see their second highest scorer had been their opponents. They had 11 own goals. That's how important Rooney is.'


Quick fire: Wayne Rooney opens the scoring after just 64 seconds
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'Super-Taser' shotgun bullet that can knock down criminals from 100ft assessed by Home Office

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By Daily Mail Reporter

Threatening: The electronic Taser bullet is fired from a regular shotgun and can incapacitate criminals from 100 feet


A new 'super-Taser' stun gun that fires a 500-volt wireless 'bullet' up to 100ft is being considered for use by UK police forces, the Home Office said today.

The extended Range Electronic Projectile (XREP), already used by police in the U.S., fires a barbed electrode from a modified 12-bore shotgun.

It hooks into the target's skin before administering a 20-second shock which renders the subject totally incapacitated.


Under consideration: Amnesty International claim 334 people in the US died between 2001 and 2008 after being targeted by the stun gun


And if the recipient tries to pull the device off, 'reflex engagement electrodes' complete a circuit that sends the shock through the subject's body through their hand.

Amnesty International has expressed 'serious concern' about the XREP and are worried by news it could be authorised in the UK.

XREP manufacturers Taser International describe the Taser as a 'revolutionary' step towards immobilising dangerous criminals from a greater distance than ever before.

Traditional hand-held Taser stun guns can fire electrified darts up to 25 feet and deliver a five-second shock, which can be re-triggered.

A spokesman for XREP said: 'This is the first wireless projectile that can deliver less-than lethal electro-muscular incapacitation at long range.


The bullet hooks into the target's skin before administering a 20-second shock

'Launched from a 12-gauge shotgun platform, this innovative device is set to revolutionise law enforcement operations and will give military forces an effective, less lethal option up to a range of 20 metres.'

Amnesty International claim 334 people in the U.S. died between 2001 and 2008 after being targeted by the stun gun.

UK's arms programme director, Oliver Sprague, said: 'This is effectively a shotgun that fires electric-shock bullets.

'Because this bullet can be fired wire-free from a standard shotgun there is a heightened risk of causing serious injury to the face and head.

'We're also concerned by the fact that these weapons will deliver an excruciatingly painful shock for 20 seconds.

'Amnesty would be very alarmed if the Home Office were to consider authorising this weapon to police officers in the UK.'

A Home Office Spokesperson said: 'The Home Office Scientific Development Branch is considering the XREP as part of its ongoing remit to evaluate new technologies.

'All new technologies are subjected to the most stringent safety tests and independent medical evaluation before they can be considered for police issue.

'The Government and the police have no current plans to introduce XREP Tasers into service.'

Tasers have been used in around 6,000 incidents in England and Wales since they were introduced in April 2004.

When introduced Tasers were only used by firearms-qualified officers but following successful trials are now issued to officers with specialist training.

MP David Hanson said this week: 'Tasers are a vital police tool which help protect both officers and the public.

'They do not even have to be discharged to help defuse violent or dangerous situations, often just drawing the device can be enough to deter criminals.'
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SNSD commercials for Nintendo DSi

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We reported earlier that the girls of SNSD / Girls’ Generation would participate in a new advertising campaign for the Nintendo DSi. Well, you didn’t have to wait long as the commercials have been released.

The girls were seen playing around with the game system on set and you can see that reflected in the commercials. Nintendo’s Korean representative said, “I hope people look at SNSD and see that this is a game set that is enjoyable for all ages groups for boys and girls.”

Thanks to Melany for the tip and check out the commercials below.









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