Ricky Gervais defends his jokes at Globes

Wednesday, 19 January 2011

Ricky Gervais has defended his jokes at the Golden Globes

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Comedian Ricky Gervais has defended delivering a string of acerbic put-downs while hosting the Golden Globe Awards.

The star (49) has been criticised for making near-the-knuckle jokes at the expense of shocked Hollywood A-listers in the audience.

Gervais took to his blog yesterday to deny reports that he was reprimanded by ceremony organisers.

The defiant British comic said he made better jokes this year than at last year's glittering event.

He wrote: “I enjoyed the Globes more this year. I think I had better gags. More along the lines of the Mel Gibson one last year (when Gervais made a jibe about the film star's drinking).”

The comedian, who sparked speculation that he was told off by organisers when he disappeared during the ceremony, added: “Obviously the rumour that the organisers stopped me going out on stage for an hour is rubbish.”

Gervais said: “I did every link I was scheduled to do. The reason why the gaps were uneven is because when I got the rundown I was allowed to choose who I presented to.

“I obviously chose the spots that I had the best gags for. They couldn't move around the order but I could move around however I wanted.”

The star added: “All the same conspiracy theories as last year too ... ‘so and so was offended' ... ‘hasn't been invited back yet' ... exactly the same as last time. ‘Paul McCartney was furious' ... no he wasn't. And nor was Tim Allen and Tom Hanks. I was drinking with them after.”

The star took a swipe at Sir Paul's ex-wife Heather Mills during the awards and after introducing Allen and Hanks, the pair said: “We recall when Ricky Gervais was a slightly chubby but very kind comedian ... neither of which is he now.”

The New York Daily News called him “tasteless, bordering on nasty”, while the LA Times said his jokes set “a corrosive tone” for the night.

Hollywood Foreign Press Association President Philip Berk, who heads the group responsible for the ceremony, said: “He definitely crossed the line. And some of the things were totally unacceptable. But that's Ricky.”

Jonathan Ross: My daughter's gay

Wednesday, 19 January 2011

Jonathan Ross and his family (from left) Betty Kitten, Honey Kinney and Harvey Kirby

Presenter Jonathan Ross has revealed his eldest daughter Betty Kitten is gay in a radio interview.

The former BBC host said 19-year-old Betty's sexuality was no secret and said he would love his children "regardless of who they are".

Speaking on the Gaydar Radio breakfast show, the father of three made the comments in response to a question from a listener asking how he would feel if his daughters brought a woman home.

He said: "My eldest daughter is gay, so that's a question which I've dealt with on a regular basis already, which is, providing it's a nice woman, I'm thrilled. I've got no problems at all, obviously.

"I think that's pretty much out there - she talks about it on her Twitter feed. As any dad, really, I love my kids regardless of who they are, what they do, and I would love them if they were in trouble, I would love them if they were going through difficulties.

"Certainly, their sexuality is a, really none of my business and b; certainly none of my concern. I just want them to be good, happy, stable people and so far, all three of them seem to be that."

Ross, 50, has three children with wife Jane Goldman - Betty Kitten, Harvey Kirby and Honey Kinny.

He gave a lengthy interview to Gaydar Radio in which he also talked about plans to interview George Michael.

In May 2009, Ross was accused of making homophobic comments after he said sons who wanted Hannah Montana MP3 players should be put up for adoption.

Ross - who quit the BBC last year amid a row over prank calls he made with Russell Brand - was involved in a light-hearted discussion about prizes in a competition themed around the fictional teen pop star when he joked: "If your son asks for a Hannah Montana MP3 player, you might want to already think about putting him down for adoption before he brings his...erm...partner home."

Pope John Paul II 'cured' French nun of Parkinson's disease

By John Lichfield in Paris
Wednesday, 19 January 2011

Pope John Paul II

A French nun has spoken publicly of her "miraculous" cure from Parkinson's disease which the Vatican last week officially declared to have been an "intercession" from beyond the grave by Pope John Paul II.

Sister Marie Simon-Pierre's abrupt recovery in 2005 from the crippling symptoms of the incurable disease will be one of the principal justifications for the "fast-track" beatification of the late pope in Rome on 1 May.

At her first full press conference, Sister Marie Simon-Pierre, 49, said that she had woken on 3 June 2005 – three months after John Paul's death – "completely transformed. I felt an interior peace and strength, like a second birth." The "intense pain" and shaking that had forced her to retire from her job as a maternity nurse had "completely disappeared", she said.

The nun said that she had always felt "spiritually close" to the Polish pope, who had also suffered from Parkinson's disease. Just before facing the press, she said: "I asked him to stand close by me."

In May 2005, her order, the Little Sisters of Maternity, started to pray to the recently deceased pope for her recovery. On 2 June, she said, her superior told her that she should not despair because, "John Paul II has not said his last word". That night, she had a "sudden urge to write and was surprised to be able to do so without trembling". She woke clear of all symptoms. She went to her superior again and said: "I am cured. I have been cured by John Paul II's intercession."

After an investigation by a medical and religious commission appointed by the Vatican, the nun's experiences were officially declared a miracle last year. As a result, Pope Benedict announced last week that he would beatify his predecessor – the first step towards sainthood – in a ceremony in the Vatican on 1 May.

At least one officially recognised miracle must have been attributed to a candidate for beatification. The ceremony will be the most rapid to be recorded in the two millennia of church history, breaking Mother Teresa of Calcutta's achievement in 2003.

A "miracle" can only be declared after senior doctors appointed by the Church have certified that there has been an "instant cure" from serious illness that cannot be explained in any other way. Neurological specialists say that Parkinson's disease, per se, is incurable but that patients can sometimes have "Parkinson's-type symptoms" which disappear.

Sister Marie Simon-Pierre, who has been shielded from the press until now, smiled shyly but spoke confidently during her appearance in the archbishop's palace in Aix-en-Provence. She remained, she insisted, an ordinary person who had "never doubted" that John Paul II had interceded on her behalf.

"Why me? That remains a great mystery. There were no doubt many people, including children, who were sicker than me. I can't explain it. We are just the servants of life."

Pope's path to sainthood

During his time as Pope, John Paul II beatified more than 1,300 people – more than all of his predecessors combined. It is the first step towards sainthood and requires that a miracle has taken place. A second one is required for sainthood.

For John Paul II, Pope Benedict waived the five-year period before the process can begin. The analysis of a miracle rests with the Congregation for the Causes of Saints. The Vatican issued stricter

Michaela Harte McAreavey: Security guard to be charged with conspiracy

Wednesday, 19 January 2011

John and Michaela McAreavey at the Giant's Causeway in North Antrim

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A fourth man was arrested yesterday by police in Mauritius investigating the murder of Michaela Harte McAreavey on the holiday island.

He has been named as Dassen Narainen, who worked at the Legends Hotel as a security officer.

A source close to the investigation said: "It is still early. We can confirm the arrest but the inquiry has yet to get going. The suspect will be charged with conspiracy at the district court today."

It came a day after around 3,000 people attended the funeral of the 27-year-old, who was married to former Down footballer John McAreavey.

The daughter of All-Ireland winning Tyrone football manager Mickey Harte was strangled a week ago on the couple's honeymoon.

The three other suspects, all staff at the luxury hotel, have been charged in connection with the killing, thought to have happened as newlywed Michaela disturbed a burglary in her room.

Room attendant Abinash Treebhoowoon (29) and floor supervisor Sandip Moneea (41) have been charged with murder, and room attendant Raj Theekoy (33) with conspiracy to murder.

They are also due to appear in court today.

Meanwhile, Tyrone senior team footballers will wear black armbands tonight when they walk out on to the pitch for the first time since the tragic killing.

They will also lead spectators in a minute's silence in Healy Park in Omagh before the McKenna Cup clash between Tyrone and UUJ. The game was postponed a week ago, following the news of Michaela's death.

Back in Mauritius, the families of the first three men charged maintain that they are innocent.

At today's court hearing, Mr Treebhoowoon's barrister, Ravi Rutnah, is expected to seek an independent inquiry into the police investigation.

The three, who are in custody, will seek bail at a later court appearance on February 2.

Yesterday, in the aftermath of one of the most high profile funerals ever witnessed in County Tyrone, the Harte and McAreavey families retreated behind closed doors to continue their grieving in private.

A close family friend said they had been "overwhelmed" by the numbers of people who had come to the funeral and sent messages of sympathy.

"They need the time and space now to come to terms with this tragedy in private," said the friend.

A special memorial service in Mauritius was attended by police, diplomats and hotel workers to remember Michaela. It was held at the same time as her Irish funeral service on Monday.

Egyptian on fire, again

Wed, 19/01/2011 - 17:38

[Another Egyptian sets himself on fire at parliament]

- You withdraw all gas and matchsticks all over country, now!

Al Masry Al Youm

Taiwan Michelin Guide out soon

01-19-2011 13:40 BJT

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The Michelin Guide has been hailed as an absolute must for travellers. The places that appear in the guide always have first-class quality. And during the first half of 2011, the Michelin guide will introduce Taiwan's best hotels, restaurants and tourist sites.

The evaluation team for this guide is in the final stage for releasing the book. The guide will introduce the hotsprings, beautiful views and delicious food of Taiwan. Some online bookshops have already begun taking orders. And the English version will be released in March of this year. Only 23 regions in the world have a corresponding Michelin guide. Taiwan is the third one in Asia to be selected after Tokyo in 2007, and Hong Kong/Macao in 2008. With the publication of this book, travel from Europe to Taiwan is expected to increase dramatically.

Editor:Zheng Limin |Source: CNTV.CN

Argentina embraces street art

01-19-2011 13:42 BJT

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Buenos Aires might be a relative newcomer to the street art movement, but the Argentine city has embraced it wholeheartedly. Abstract portraits, cubist scenes and giant Dali-esque murals adorn the capital. The artists responsible say the local population is grateful for their handiwork.

A vibrant mural brightens up a city street in Buenos Aires.

A new wave of street artists - inspired by breakthrough figures like British artist Banksy - are creating artworks across the Argentine capital.

Although Argentina is a relative late-comer to street art it has also managed to escape many of the negative graffiti stereotypes found in other parts of the world.

Franco Fasoli, Painter, said, "It began with seeing street art and stencil styles and other types of interpretations on the street only recently; only at the beginning of 2000. So we can say there's still a lot of development to put in place but luckily it has a lot of space, it has a lot of support not only from the city but from the people."

Louis Danjou - known on the streets as Grolou - is one of Buenos Aires' rising stars.

From decaying industrial complexes to run down football pitches, Louis is waging a war against the grey, drab surroundings that loom over his neighborhood of Quilmes.

Louis Danjou, Graffiti Artist, said, "All the guys of the neighborhood, all the young guys know me as they see me going around the streets and really there is a very good atmosphere. Many people come to see us, to ask us to go and paint in their place, in their house, on the wall in the front of their house. And I have to say I am really impressed as I didn't think it would work so well in Quilmes but here they receive us with a lot of enthusiasm, all the people."

Drawing inspiration from nature, his artworks of vivid colors and bright characters liven the urban background, transforming everything, from decaying tenements, to industrial complexes and disheveled train stations.

Danjou says above all it's a way of uplifting your community, it's about bringing color to the streets and positivity to the people.

Editor:Zheng Limin |Source: CNTV.CN