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  • How to tame your tum: Is yours a spare tyre or a stress bulge? Finding out your tummy type is the key to getting a perfect midriff

    For many women, getting bikini ready means tackling one dreaded area in particular — our tummies.
    Most of us still think the best way to achieve a washboard stomach is by doing hundreds of sit-ups. Not so, says A-list trainer and body guru James Duigan.
    James, who sculpts supermodels Elle Macpherson and Rosie Huntingdon-Whiteley among others, insists there is no ‘one size fits all’ method for getting a flat belly. Instead, he’s identified five key ‘tummy types’, all of which require a different approach to achieve successful toning.
    Get a flat stomach: First you need to identify your tunny type
    Get a flat stomach: First you need to identify your tunny type
    Once you’ve identified your type, you can transform it following James’ tailor-made plan and get that flat tummy fast.

    The spare tyre: This is one of the easiest tummy troubles to eliminate because it's caused by eating the wrong foods and not exercising enough
    HOW TO IDENTIFY THIS TYPE
    These people are likely to lead sedentary lives, perhaps with jobs that keep them desk-bound. They may also have an emotional attachment to sugary foods.

    Read more:

    All aboard! Bikini clad Avril Lavigne leaves boyfriend Brody Jenner at home to party with girlfriends on French yacht

    She famously had a number one hit called Girlfriend back in 2007.
    And Avril Lavigne was clearly enjoying spending some quality time with her female friends on holiday in France earlier today.
    Waving around a cigarette, the Canadian singer showed off her svelte figure in a strapless bright pink and blue bikini on holiday on a St Tropez yacht.The 26-year-old star was clearly enjoying herself with her friends, and there was no sign of boyfriend Brody Jenner, stepbrother to Kim, Khoe and Kourtney Kardashian.
    At one point the star leapt off the yacht into the water, before dancing around the boat clutching a drink.
    However, she did manage to suffer a couple of wardrobe malfunctions, with her bikini bottoms slipping down as she hauled herself out of the sea.

    Avril has been dating Brody since February last year following her split with husband Deryck Whibley, a guitarist with rock band Sum 41.
    The couple were married for just over three years before announcing their split in September 2009 with their divorce finalised in November 2010.
    The singer says writing songs about the emotional experience helped her through the split along with confiding in her girlfriends.
    'They were there for me,' she told TV Week magazine. 'It did me really good to be able to tell them everything.
    'It helped me come to terms with the things that had happened.'
    She added: 'It also h
    elped put my feelings down in paper. It was comforting. It's always been like that for me.
    'When I was a kid, I had my diary to confide everything in. Now I write songs. It really was a form of healing.'

    Real Housewives of Orange County star Alexis Bellino shines in a gold bikini... but has her marriage lost its sparkle?

    Alexis Bellino recently spoke of her battle with eating disorders and her past issues with her body image.
    But the 34-year-old star of Real Housewives of Orange County appeared in fighting form for a new photo shoot where she showed off her flawless bikini body.
    The blonde bombshell struck one sultry pose after another which perfectly highlighted her long tanned limbs.
    Alexis's toned figure was shown off to perfection in the tiny gold bikini which glistened in the sunlight as she enjoyed her time at the beach.
    The stunning two piece which was made of sparkly material was accented with gold rings on the bottoms and she wore a matching gold cuff to bring her ensemble together.
    Alexis also struck a pose on a beach chair and put a girlie white flower in her hair as she smiled for the camera showing off her surgically enhanced assets that she has made no secret of having.
    The mother-of-three showed that despite her strict moral values as a conservative Christian, she was still happy to show off her shapely physique.
    Images of her life as a stay at home mother were also captured as she posed with her children in the kitchen at their California home.
    Alexis is mother to three-year-old twin girls Melania and Mackenna and son James, who is five.
    In other images, Alexis shows off her year round tan in a strapless white dress and poses next to a gleaming black Rolls Royce car, presumably to show off how wealthy she is.
    The aspiring fashion designer married husband Jim Bellino in 2005 and the couple are said to have a rocky relationship but refuse to ever split up.
    On Monday's episode of The Real Housewives of Orange County that featured 'lost footage' of the past season, Alexis opened up about her divorce fears.

    Does this pose look familiar? Jennifer Aniston does a Princess Diana as she shows off her legs in sheer dress

    It hit 26C in New York yesterday and Jennifer Aniston was clearly feeling the heat.
    The 42-year-old actress attempted to keep cool in a white skirt, but appeared to be following in the footsteps of Princess Diana as the sun shone through the skirt and turned it virtually entirely sheer.
    A picture of Diana taken in 1980 when she was a kindergarten teacher showed her skirt turning see-through in the bright sunshine.
    And the same thing happened to an apparently unaware Aniston as she strolled through the streets of Manhattan.
    Jennifer teamed the skirt with a grey vest top, pink sandals and a pair of sunglasses, as well as a jumper in case it turned cold.
    But Jennifer needn't have worried about her fashion faux pas, as all she displayed was her gym-honed body. READ MORE

    7 Sites You Should Be Wasting Time On Right Now

    It's Wednesday, which means we've got seven more sites to inject some fun your afternoon. We know you technically should work on that thing that's due tomorrow, but you can peruse the list first. It'll be our secret.
    As always, vote for your favorites and feel free to send us your own suggestions if you come across any awesome time-wasters online. read maore

    Nigerian Suicide Bomb Claim Retracted By Police

    Nigerian police say they no longer believe an attack last week on police headquarters was a suicide bomb.
    National police spokesman Olusola Amore distributed a statement at a press conference Wednesday "correcting the report about the fact that it is (a) suicide bombing."
    The statement said the investigation has not been concluded into the attack in the capital of Abuja that left at least two dead. Amore took no questions and gave no further details.
    Police said shortly after Thursday's attack that it was a suicide bomb and said they suspected a radical Muslim sect locally known as Boko Haram. They said the bomber was among the dead.

    Dutch Parliament Poised To Enact World's Strongest Net Neutrality Law For Mobile Service

    The Dutch parliament approved a bill Wednesday forcing mobile Internet providers to let customers use Skype and other rival services on their networks without charging extra or giving preferential treatment to their own offerings. Once the bill is passed by the senate – usually a formality – the Netherlands may set an example for Europe by enacting one of the strongest "net neutrality" laws on record.
    Telecommunications companies including Vodafone, T-Mobile and the former Dutch state telecom Royal KPN NV had lobbied against the bill, claiming it may result in higher prices for customers or make it impossible to offer quality guarantees for key services.
    However, advocates argued it will ensure the telecoms don't abuse their control over mobile networks to stifle competition and innovation. The Dutch bill was endorsed by consumer groups, "digital freedom" activists, and is seen as benefiting big software and content companies, notably Facebook, Skype owner Microsoft, and Google.
    Although net neutrality has been debated by policy makers and the industry for a decade, the key provisions of the Dutch bill took shape in just two months as politicians reacted swiftly to a public outcry over telecom KPN's pricing policies.
    "When it hits the wallet, it hits home," said Daphne van der Kroft of Bits of Freedom, an organization that opposes online restrictions.
    In April, KPN announced poor first quarter earnings as customers using smart phones flocked to a messaging service called "WhatsApp." WhatsApp enables phone users with a mobile Internet subscription to send messages for no additional charge, sidestepping KPN's lucrative SMS business. In response, KPN chief executive Eelco Blok announced plans to charge customers extra for using Skype and WhatsApp.

    Pakistan Army Officer's Suspected Militant Links Raise Fresh Fears

    The revelation that a senior Pakistani army officer was detained on suspicion of ties to a radical Islamist group has raised fresh concerns about the reach and influence of an organization that has long vexed analysts and politicians.
    Hizb-ut-Tahrir says it rejects violence but uses venomous rhetoric and pushes for military coups. It seeks the overthrow of Pakistan's elected government and wants to unite the Muslim world under one government following strict Islamic law.
    Pakistan's army confirmed on Tuesday that Brig. Ali Khan, whose rank equals that of a one-star general, is being investigated on alleged ties to Hizb-ut-Tahrir. Khan's wife has called the allegations "rubbish."
    Khan's lawyer, Col. Inam Rahim, claimed Wednesday that his client was arrested for demanding that someone within the military be held accountable for the U.S. commando raid that killed Osama bin Laden last month not far from Pakistan's equivalent of West Point.
    The May 2 operation humiliated the Pakistani military, which didn't know about it beforehand, and raised questions about whether extremist sympathizers helped bin Laden hide in the army town of Abbottabad for years before he was killed – although there's no evidence yet of a military role in concealing the al-Qaida chief.
    Critics of Hizb-ut-Tahrir say it's not too far off from overtly militant Islamist groups, and that its anti-West preaching paves the way for a radical mindset that eventually leads some members to pick up weapons or tolerate those who do.
    "Hizb-ut-Tahrir has been an inspiration for jihadism," said Maajid Nawaz, a former member who now leads a think tank aimed at countering extremism.
    The group was founded in the early 1950s in Jerusalem by Taqiuddin an-Nabhani, who the group's various websites describe as a judge, scholar and politician. In the decades since, the group spread quickly throughout Muslim nations, as well as Western countries such as Britain and the U.S., and boasts hundreds of thousands of members worldwide.
    It says it wants to change Muslims' attitudes in order to lay the groundwork for restoring the Islamic caliphate, the structure that once governed much of the Muslim world. It also says it opposes democracy because the concept clashes with Islamic law, which is divine as opposed to man-made    READ MARE

    Joe Manganiello Is Engaged To Audra Marie

    Sorry ladies, Joe Manganiello is off the market.
    While on vacation in Italy the True Blood heartthrob, 33, popped the question to his girlfriend, actress/model Audra Marie, his rep tells PEOPLE.
    Read the whole story: people.com

    Alexander Skarsgard: How We Shot The Nude, Bloody 'Rolling Stone' Cover

    Alexander Skarsgard has a new interview in British GQ, and he talks about what it was like to be naked and covered in blood with his 'True Blood' costars Anna Paquin and Stephen Moyer on the cover of Rolling Stone.


    We showed up and we shot very PG-13 with our clothes on for basically the whole day, like six or seven hours. Then towards the end the photographer said, "I have this, these shots are beautiful and the magazine is going to be happy with them but I'd like to try something if you guys are game." He explained it and it was just one of those things in the moment where we all looked at each other, we'd spent all day with the photographer, we felt comfortable with him, we knew that he was great and the atmosphere was right and we were like, "Fuck it, let's do it." No one thought that the magazine would go for it. They want to sell at Walmart. We thought this was going to be too offensive. But I guess they did. [Laughs] I'm glad they did! I liked it a lot. It was definitely more interesting than the safe version...

    Anna Paquin Allows Husband Stephen Moyer to Bite Fans' Bosoms

    Anna Paquin is all about giving True Blood fans what they want.

    The young star's husband and co-star Stephen Moyer covers the latest issue of Men's Health (via Us Weekly), revealing in the accompanying interview that his wife has an open mind when it comes to fan interactions.

    "I get to sign boobs a lot," Moyer said. "I get to bite boobs, occasionally, when I'm allowed. If my missus is there and she approves of the person I get to bite boobs...and necks."

    The UK native also confesses to being attracted to Paquin from the first audition: "I remember leaving the screen test and thinking, 'God, I'd like to spend more time with her.'" READ MORE

    Katy Perry Talks Universal Healthcare, Billboard Success in Rolling Stone

    She's one of the biggest stars in the world, but in her music, equal rights activism and, now, politics, Katy Perry is a woman of the people.

    The "Teenage Dream" star covers this week's issue of Rolling Stone, and talks, among other things, her political awakening, saying that she's starting to understand just how big money runs the country.

    "It just feels like the thing running our country is a bank, money," she tells the magazine. "I think we are largely in desperate need of revolutionary change in the way our mindset is. Our priority is fame, and people's wellness is way low. I saw this knowing full well that I'm a part of the problem. I'm playing the game, though I am trying to reroute. Anyway, not to get all politically divulging and introspective, but the fact that America doesn't have free health care drives me f*cking absolutely crazy, and is so wrong."

    Perry has already been active in fighting for gay rights; of course, her breakout single, "I Kissed A Girl," teased a sort of "just to try it" lesbianism, but she's been involved in a more serious fight, too.

    She dedicated her gay-friendly song and music video "Fireworks" to the It Gets Better video initiative, and told DoSomething.org in November that, "I am a gay activist and I say that proudly."

    Jillian Michaels In A Bikini For 'Fitness,' Hates Her A

    Jillian Michaels covers the July/August issue of Fitness, and in the interview the former 'Biggest Loser' trainer opens up about leaving the show, her body hangups and her workout regimen.

    Here are a few excerpts; scroll down for photos and read the whole thing here.

    On her least favorite body part:
    “My ass! I hate it! There’s cellulite on it, and no matter what I do, I can’t get rid of it. The reality is that it’s connective tissue. I can starve and my boobs will go and my face will get gaunt, but I will still have cellulite. It’s not so much about aesthetics for me these days. Instead, I think a lot more about the mark I’m going to make on the world than about the back of my ass.”

    On her workout hell:
    “A marathon. I think, you’re at mile twenty and you have six more to go and your body is just battered and bleeding and miserable. I would rather be dead.”

    On what she never skips in her workout:
    “This is ironic. As much as I hate it, I run every time, like three miles. It makes you skinny, that’s why. It works.”

    Minot, North Dakota Flooding: Thousands Flee As Officials Warn City Could Be Under Water Soon

    Residents still remaining in Minot, North Dakota rushed to pack up their belongings and leave town Wednesday as sirens wailed throughout the city, a warning of what is expected to be the worst flooding the city has seen in over 40 years.

    The Souris River -- heavy with intense snowmelt and rain -- overtopped levees 5 hours ahead of an evacuation deadline, the AP reports. Those still remaining of the 11,000 in the Minot evacuation zone were prompted to leave their homes and head for higher ground immediately.

    From the AP:

    The resulting deluge is expected to dwarf a historic flood of 1969, when the Souris reached 1,555.4 feet above sea level. The river is expected to hit nearly 1,563 feet this weekend – eventually topping the historical record of 1,558 feet set in 1881.

    Residents in Minot were told to evacuate earlier this month before the river hit 1,554.1 feet. They were later allowed to return, but were warned to be prepared for the possibility of another evacuation.

    According to Reuters, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers plans to increase releases from the Lake Darling Dam to 15,000 cubic feet per second on Thursday, and officials have said flood defenses in Minot were rated to around 9,500 cubic feet per second.

    Amtrak has temporarily disabled services in Minot and other areas in North Dakota due to the flooding.

    Kathie Lee And Hoda Get Wasted In Aspen

    Apparently, Hoda and Kathie Lee went west over the weekend, to the annual Food And Wine Classic in Aspen, Colorado. (It's the event that all the Top Chefs on "Top Chef" get to go to.)
    On Monday, the "Today" co-hosts showed some footage from their pilgrimage to the decadent gathering. From what the cameras picked up, the whole trip was an excuse to drink and drink and eat and drink and drink and eat and drink and be fed grapes and drink. Hoda and Kathie Lee even had bottles of wine attached to their bicycles so they could have a glass at a moment's notice

    Maria Gomes Valentim, World's Oldest Woman, Dies In Brazil At 114 Years Old

    A Brazilian woman listed by Guinness World Records as the world's oldest person has died - just weeks shy of her 115th birthday.
    Maria Gomes Valentim died Tuesday morning in the southeastern city of Carangola. Helerson Lima of the Carangola senior home facility says Valentim died of multiple organ failure.
    On May 18, Guinness determined that Valentim was 48 days older than the person previously considered the world's oldest human, Besse Cooper of Monroe, Georgia.
    Guinness verified that Valentim was born July 9, 1896, in Carangola, where she lived all her life.
    She married her husband, Joao, in 1913. He died in 1946.
    Valentim is survived by four grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren and five great-great grandchildren. Her son died at age 75.

    'True Blood' Star Stephen Moyer Talks Anna Paquin, Fans In Men's Health

    The larger arc of "True Blood" may see an epic love triangle and struggle for Sookie Stackhouse's love, but off the set, that battle was won long ago. And you just don't mess with Bill.

    Stephen Moyer, in a cover story for the new issue of Men's Health, opens up about his relationship with co-star and now wife Anna Paquin, who plays the psychic object of bayou affection on the HBO show, now in its fourth season. The pair met during auditions, and at first, it was all professional. But as it so often happens, distance made the heart grow fonder.

    "I did find love on set. We had met at the very first rehearsal before my screen test for HBO, for the network, for the pilot," Moyer remembered. "Our interest was piqued by each other but at that point it was like, we're about to work together for a long time, hopefully, you know, if the show gets picked up. So, there were no feelings at that point...they put us in a hotel, we were in the same hotel. We were having dinner every night. I got back to London and Anna got back to New York and I just missed speaking to her every day, which is what we had been doing up into that point. Bob's your uncle, Fanny's your aunt, and... you have a marriage."

    Well, it took some romancing, including Skype calls that lasted two to three hours per night. Presumably, they weren't just going over lines.

    Whether Bob or Fanny were invited, the pair were married last August.

    The thing about a marriage between two stars of a massive TV show is that they have to share each other with the world. Especially with a rabid fan base like the one that obsesses over "True Blood." Which means there has to be some understanding -- sometimes.

    "I get to sign boobs a lot. I get to bite boobs, occasionally, when I'm allowed. If my missus is there and she approves of the person I get to bite boobs...and necks," Moyer revealed.

    China Warns U.S. To Stay Out Of Sea Dispute

    China urged the United States on Wednesday to leave the South China Sea dispute to the claimant states, saying that U.S. involvement may make the situation worse, its most direct warning to Washington in recent weeks.
    Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Cui Tiankai's comments to a small group of foreign reporters ahead of a meeting with U.S. officials in Hawaii this weekend come amid the biggest flare-up in regional tension in years over competing maritime sovereignty claims in the South China Sea.
    Tension has risen in the region in the past month on concern that China is becoming more assertive in its claim to waters believed to be rich in oil and gas.
    Part of the waters are also claimed by Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam.
    "The United States is not a claimant state to the dispute in the South China Sea and so it's better for the United States to leave the dispute to be sorted out between claimant states," Cui said.
    "While some American friends may want the United States to help in this matter, we appreciate their gesture but more often than not such gestures will only make things more complicated," he said.

    TET Result 2011 Teachers Eligibility Test Gujarat at Ojas Online Job Application System Website Gujarat

    TET Result 2011 Teachers Eligibility Test Gujarat at Ojas Online Job Application System Website Gujarat
    tet exam result, tet result, gujarat tet result 2011, tet exam 2011 in gujarat, ojas , teachers eligibility test,

    TET Results update, TET Gujarat Results declared

    Gujarat Education Board took the TET Test on 12th June for secondary teachers in gujarat state board.

    TET Result can be checked at http://ojas.guj.nic.in/

    The website is in Gujarati, so Gujarati's can go on. Online Job Application System.

    Osmania University Degree results 2011 on 22 June

    Osmania University Hyderabad will be announce the Regular Results March/April B.A , B.Com and B.Sc Degree Examination 2011. Today as per souses , Osmania University Degree Results 2011 will be Publish today in web at the official website www.osmania.ac.in of Osmania University Hyderabad and http://www.schools9.com. Onmania University Regular Degree Examination for B.A, B.Com, B.Sc was held in March 2011. Candidates, who had appeared the Osmania University Degree Examination held in Mar-2011 can download the Results by visit link given after results released. Osmania University Degree Results 2011 is available ONLINE only at the main official website -www.osmania.ac.in of the University.
    For more information regarding Osmania University & Osmania University Results: click here

    Caylee Anthony's Remains Could Have Been in Woods for Just Two Weeks, Botanist Testifies

    A forensic botanist testified Tuesday that 2-year-old Caylee Anthony's remains could have been in the woods for as little as two weeks when they were discovered in December 2008, a much shorter time period than prosecutors allege.

    As the murder trial of Caylee's mother Casey entered Day 24, the defense witness told jurors she believed the roots could have grown through the bones, skull and a laundry bag in just two weeks.
    Related Interactive

    Jane Bock said she based her estimate "because of the pattern of leaf litter" she observed on photos of the scene in the woods where the remains were found. But Bock said she couldn't tell just by looking at the photos how long the plants in the area had been there.
    READ MORE

    Prosecutor Jeff Ashton seized on that uncertainty in his cross-examination and noted that photos Bock relied on to make her assessment weren't taken until February 2009, more than seven weeks after the area was cleared of vegetation. He also showed Bock photos taken at the time of recovery and challenged her with more questions.

    Meet Mel Gibson's new fetish model girlfriend Stella Mouzi

    Wearing nothing but lingerie, face-paint and black tape, Mel Gibson’s new girlfriend, Stella Mouzi, was photographed during a Gothic fetish performance in 2010 sharing the stage with another young woman who called herself “Whippy.”

    Don’t believe us? TMZ has the pics.

    And we’re just getting started.

    Mouzi, who hails from the Ukraine, also walked the red carpet at the 2011 L.A. Fetish Film Festival Awards wearing a black leather and spandex outfit that left little to the imagination.
    Read More 

    Bill Gates' Slipup Announces Zuckerberg's 'Engagement'

    Is Mark Zuckerberg getting married? The answer depends on who you ask.

    Billionaire Microsoft founder Bill Gates might have bungled the engagement announcement of Facebook creator Mark Zuckerberg, telling a British newspaper in an offhand remark that the young tech titan asked his girlfriend to marry him, the New York Post reported Monday.

    The notoriously private Zuckerberg, 26, has been dating Priscilla Chan, also 26, since they were students at Harvard.

    Gates, 55, spilled the beans on his friend's potential nuptials when talking about fellow philanthropist Zuckerberg's decision to give $100 million to the beleaguered school system of Newark, N.J., last year.

    "His fiancee, Priscilla, thought about education, and he gave money to Newark," the loose-lipped Gates told the Mail on Sunday.

    But that's news to Facebook officials. Business Insider's Henry Blodget ask Facebook spokesman Elliot Schrage about the announcement. And Schrage was in the dark.

    "If [Mark is engaged, Bill Gates] knows something I don't know. Gates's communications guy just wrote to apologize for the misunderstanding," Schrage said.

    In the rare, wide-ranging interview, Gates also offered a glimpse into his own home life, including how anything and everything Apple -- products of arch-rival Steve Jobs -- was considered contraband in his house. Gates' three kids -- Jennifer, 15, Rory, 12, and Phoebe, 9 -- are not allowed to own an iPad, iPhone or iPod, he said.

    Billy Ray Cyrus Absolutely Approves of Miley Getting Back With Ex

    Last week, Miley Cyrus' brother Trace confirmed that his sister has gotten back with her ex Liam Hemsworth and no one seems to approve of the couple more that Miley's father Billy Ray Cyrus.

    E! Online is reporting that Billy Ray was asked what he thought of Hemsworth and not only did the singer wholeheartedly approve of his daughter's boyfriend, he couldn't stop praising the 22-year-old actor, "He's a great guy. He's solid. He's got great character."

    Billy Ray also added, "And I have to tell you, on or off the record, he's just a good guy. He's just a really good guy. I really like him a lot."

    The 49-year-old singer/song writer/actor also gave his opinion on Hemsworth's latest project 'The Hunger Games' where he plays the character of Gale Hawthorne, "Have you read that script?" Billy Ray asked, "The script is killer, and Liam is going to knock it out of the park. He's a tremendous talent."

    Billy Ray also revealed that he would not mind some more 'Hannah Montana' in his life, "You know, there's wonderful buzz right now for a prequel to Hannah Montana. I know Miley couldn't step back and be that little girl, but I could get my mullet back real quick."

    The Disney show ended in January after four successful seasons and it looks like Billy Ray may be planning a prequel with one of his younger daughters.

    Bye bye Bond Street. Hello... er, Bicester: The small market town with designer labels at High Street prices

    Here's a gossip column teaser. Where could you find Sam Cam rubbing shoulders with Posh Spice, Kate Middleton, Kate Moss and the Saudi Royal Family?
    No, not the latest chi-chi restaurant, nor a new A-list nightclub. The celebrity magnet is none other than a designer discount outlet on the outskirts of Oxford that has quietly become one of the world’s most successful shopping destinations.
    Perhaps it’s due to the recession, or maybe it’s down to the Duchess of Cambridge championing High Street and discount stores, but bagging a bargain seems to have become a source of pride even for the smartest set.
    The result? For increasing numbers of trendsetters, it’s now a case of ‘Goodbye Bond Street, hello Bicester Village’.
    The retail outlet was started 15 years ago by an American, Scott Malkin, who wanted to introduce us to the American concept of discount shopping.
    Last year, it recorded sales of £1,400 per square foot — the highest of any shopping centre in the world, and nearly three times more than London’s Selfridges, which has sales of £500-£600 per square foot.
    This year, to date, sales at Bicester Village are up by 26 per cent — an astonishing achievement at a time of economic downturn. So exactly what is its secret?
    The uninitiated might assume that Bicester Village is a pile-it-high, sell-it-cheap warehouse; more Primark than Prada. But as you arrive on the immaculate, leather-seated shuttle bus from nearby Bicester railway station, it becomes clear this is far from the case.
    It’s early on a rainy Monday morning, but the car park is filling up with Mercedes, Chelsea tractors and even the odd Ferrari. No need for any edicts banning hoodies here — though there are plenty of silk scarves in evidence.
      
    The ‘village’ itself looks more like a film location than a Bluewater/Westfield shopping megalopolis. Immaculate New England-style clapboard houses, painted in subtle greys and whites, face each other across a broad, flagged street adorned with little topiary box trees and pretty benches.
    It’s a little like the set of Desperate Housewives, but there’s nothing suburban about the signs above the shop doors: Dior, Prada, Gucci, Alexander McQueen, Anya Hindmarch, Diane von Furstenberg...
    There’s a White Company for duvet covers, a Le Creuset if you’ve run out of cast-iron pans, a Bonpoint for well-dressed babies and a Jack Wills for their teenage siblings. Even fashion-phobic men get an ultra-chic Bose electronics store, offering, for example, a home cinema system reduced by £780 to £1,820.
    Altogether, there are 130 of the world’s most glamorous stores here — and not a traffic warden in sight, let alone a crisp packet. All BV staff, including the top dogs, are instructed to pick up any litter they see.

    What will Katy say? After his wife adds yet more tour dates, Russell Brand reaches out to a pretty crew member on set

    He's known for his tactile manner but Russell Brand will raise more than a few eyebrows with these shots of him holding a pretty girl's hand.
    The reformed lothario, 36 , is on set in Miami where he's filming new movie Rock of Ages, and the fair haired maiden is clearly a crew member.
    Russell is given to such displays of warm affectionate towards people that such tender gestures largely go unnoticed.
    But the fact that the pair of them were holding in hands today in a manner normally reserved for romantic couples is striking.
    It comes hot on the heels of news that Brand's wife of eight months, pop sensation Katy Perry, is extending her tour well into November.
    A source told the Mail: 'Katy has only four days off until the end of September, when she’s in BrazilShe hopes Russell will join her but isn’t sure whether he will be allowed entry because of his criminal record. She is taking a few days off for their first anniversary in October which they plan to celebrate in the UK.’
    Showgirl: Perry has extended her tour

    Showgirl: Perry has extended her tour

    The pair are even have even put their L.A home in trendy Los Feliz on the market, with friends reporting it is empty most of the time.

    When Brand delivered his best man's speech at rock legend Noel Gallagher's wedding at the weekend in England, Perry, 26 , was unable to be by his side.

    Brand is said to have brought the house down by affectionately lampooning the former Oasis great, and telling stories about his new wife, Sara McDonald.

    Tiny 5'2" mother of sextuplets reveals the lengths she went to keep her babies alive

    The mother of a set of sextuplets born in Alabama over Father's Day weekend today revealed how she had to consume 6,000 calories each day just to keep them nourished.

    Looking ecstatic but exhausted, Heather Carroll, who is just 5'2" tall, said the tiny babies - five girls and a boy - all 'look wonderful'.

    She and her husband Mitchell also revealed they have named the six alphabetically, after the letters doctors gave them when they were still in the womb: Abbie, Brooklyn, Chloe, David, Ellie and Faith.

    The couple gave a press conference at Brookwood Medical Center in Birmingham today, where they were joined by gynaecologist Bill McKenzie, who proudly described the diminutive Mrs Carroll as 'country tough.'

    Mrs Carroll said: 'The babies look great. I was expecting them to be just real weakly looking and real tiny. They're not. They look wonderful.'

    She gave birth to the sextuplets by planned Caesarian section on Saturday morning, 28 weeks and one day into her pregnancy, after a month of strict bed rest - including her 30th birthday.

    They arrived in the space of just three minutes, the eldest, Abbie, at 8.05am and the youngest, Faith, at 8.08am, and weighed between 1lb 10oz and 2lbs 5oz.

    Dr McKenzie told the Birmingham News: 'All of them were born very healthy, and that weight spread is a good sign that there was not one baby that was lagging behind, that all of them had grown and developed well. I'm extremely proud of Heather.

    Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2006570/Mother-sextuplets-Heather-Carroll-reveals-ate-6-000-calories-day-alive.html#ixzz1Q2ilb7VO

    Women don't trust men in flash cars to be good for anything more than a fling

    Flashy: A male peacock
    Flashy: A male peacock


    It will come as no surprise to any woman who has ever giggled to herself about the male fascination with fast cars.
    Porsche owners, however, may be a little taken aback. Research has likened men who drive fast cars to peacocks.
    Just as the beautiful birds fan their tails to catch a mate’s eye, men believe that conspicuous displays of wealth are the best way to grab a female's attention.
    Women, however, see through their ploy – correctly realising that men who flash their cash are more interested in a fling than lasting love.
    The US study also holds hope for those men that can’t afford expensive motors, as men with clapped-out cars were seen as good marriage material.he University of Texas researchers set out to find out why men scrimp and save to buy impressive but highly impractical cars.
    Or, as they put it: ‘The Porsche Carrera GT does not qualify for the list of best buys.
    ‘The vehicle has very little cargo capacity, has only two seats, gets terrible gas mileage and is frightfully expensive to repair.
    ‘Yet, for these people who buy one, these considerations are irrelevant.
    ‘Although showy spending is often perceived as wasteful, frivolous and even narcissistic, an evolutionary perspective suggests that blatant displays of resources may serve an important function, namely as a communication strategy designed to gain reproductive rewards.’
    To test their theory, they carried out a trio of experiments in which men and women were asked if they were looking for a fling or long-term love, read romantic stories and given the choice of buying various goods.
    This revealed the men who were interested in short-term relationships to have an eye for expensive treats.
    Researcher Dr Vladas Griskevicius said: ‘The studies show that some men are like peacocks.  They’re the ones driving the bright-coloured sports car.'
    Lead author Dr Jill Sundie said: ‘This research suggests that conspicuous products, such as Porsches, can serve the same function for some men that large and brilliant feathers serve for peacocks.’

    Beach babe Kelly Brook back on smiling form as she smooches on sand in mauve cossie with beau Thom Evans

    She suffered one of the most heart-breaking times of her life when she suffered a miscarriage last month.
    But Kelly Brook, 31, showed that she has finally got a smile back on her face as she relaxed on holiday with boyfriend Thom Evans yesterday.
    The couple have taken a well-deserved sunshine break on the idyllic Greek island of Mykonos - and despite their heartache, appear to be as loved-up as ever. 
    Model and actress Kelly, who was showing off her stunning figure in a plunging purple one-piece swimsuit, was seen larking around on the shore posing as her former rugby star beau Thom, 26, took some holiday snaps.
    The pair also couldn't stop laughing as they took a stroll along the tideline - and passed a naked male sunbather who was clearly happy to let it all hang out.

    Once they relaxed on the sands for a spot of sunbathing however, it seemed besotted Thom didn't want to risk closing his eyes to take a nap and kept his adoring gaze on Kelly at all times.
    After announcing her pregnancy in March, Brook admitted it was unplanned but believed she had found 'the one' in 26-year-old Evan - a former teammate of her most recent ex-boyfriend Danny Cipriani.
    She said: 'That is what happens when you are in love - you surrender to whatever is to be. It wasn't a plan, but if it happened, it happened. We were boyfriend and girlfriend.'

    No. 1 fan Nicole Richie busts out her Britney Spears moves at home... and then enjoys the real thing in concert

    Nicole Richie has made no secret of the fact that she’s been a huge fan of  Britney Spears since they were both just 16 years old.
    The reality star turned fashion designer, who like the pop princess is now 29, hasn't shied away from flaunting her super-fan status in the past, and has always waxed lyrical about Britney, even when her stock was down.
    But the mother-of-two took her love of the singer one step further yesterday, by taking part in a Britney dance off with a male friend and then posting the results on her website and Twitter

    And the former wild child didn't seem to mind displaying the copy-cat moves she's clearly perfected over hours of practice.
    Nicole, who is married to Good Charlotte lead singer Joel Madden, did battle with to Britney’s I’m a Slave 4U just ahead of her Femme Fatale gig, at L.A’s Staples Centre, which she attended.
    Dressed down in tiny denim shorts and a plain white vest top, which showed off her enviable figure, Nicole donned a dark wig for the dance.
    But she wasn't the only celebrity to get excited about Britney's L.A gig, Kim Kardashian was at the gig and similarly in thrall to Spears.
    She tweeted: 'Seriously u guys, tonight @britneyspears just had the best concert ever! She killed it in LA! Proud of u doll ;-) must see concert!'
    Nicole's on and off friend, the newly single Paris Hilton, 30 , was also there, and just as ecstatic, particularly about the star's myriad outfits.

    God Bless America! Green Mile actor Doug Hutchison's 16-year-old bride is 'a good Christian girl,' insist her parents as new saucy photos emerge

    Her mother insists she is a good Christian girl.
    But these pictures of Green Mile star Doug Hutchison's 16-year-old bride, Courtney Alexis Stodden, would seem to suggest she does have a naughtier side.
    The aspiring model and singer is seen here striking a series of lascivious poses for the camera.
    In one she is pictured on a beach with just an American flag wrapped around her while in another she poses in a shocking pink bikini.
    Courtney married 51-year-old Hutchison last month in a Las Vegas ceremony.
    And while many parents may be horrified at the dramatic age gap, Courtney's mother and father have actually given it all their backing.
    RadarOnline today posted a copy of the marriage certificate, which details how the nuptials took place on May 19.
    The service was held at the Chapel Of The Flowers and was officiated by Reverend Douglas Gilbert, with Courtney's mother Krista acting as a witness.
    With Courtney looking older than her 16 years, many have questioned her age, although the webside claims the documents prove she will be turning 17 on August 29.
    Courtney's father, Alex Stodden, who at 47 is four years younger that his son-in-law, and her mother Krista even gushed about the new addition to the family.
    'Every father can only pray to have such a man behind their daughter,' he told Radaronline. 'Doug is the nicest man I’ve ever met in my life.'
    He says that Courtney is an intelligent girl and he has no concerns about her decision.

    'Courtney is one of the most level headed girls out there and I’m not just saying that because she’s my daughter,' he said.

    A comfortable victory: Tennis player who had breast reduction to ease back pain enjoys win in first round at Wimbledon

    At the age of 17, Simona Halep decided that nothing would stand in the way of  her ambition to make it to the top in  tennis. And that included her generous curves.
    She underwent extensive breast  reduction surgery to take her from a 34DD to a more modest 34C and as a result rocketed up 450 places in the world rankings.
    Two years on, she breezed through  her first-round match yesterday and said she was looking forward to a ‘successful Wimbledon’.
    When she burst on to the scene as a  junior champion at the French Open in 2008, Miss Halep’s bountiful chest attracted lots of attention and a growing male fan base.
    But she found it was uncomfortable, caused her severe back pain and hampered her movement on court, leaving her ranked 500 in the world.
    Following the operation, the Romanian teenager spent several months resting before resuming her career last summer.
    She had revealed her decision to fans before going under the knife – and many (presumably male) petitioned her in an attempt to persuade her to reconsider.
    But she said her mind was made up.
    ‘My ability to react quickly was worse and my breasts made me uncomfortable.’
    Her large chest guaranteed her attention - and won her a few male admirers - but for Romanian tennis hopeful Simona Halep it was a hindrance.
    The extra weight on her chest was uncomfortable and caused severe back pain, which affected her performance on the court - so she decided to have breast-reduction surgery.
    And the 19-year-old Romanian today continued to reap the rewards of her decision with a comfortable victory against her Serbian opponent, Bojana Jovanovski, 19, winning 6-1 6-2.
    Halep was first noticed on her way to becoming junior champion at the French Open in 2008. In a bid to boost her game, she spent much of the following year recovering from the surgery, which took her cup size down from 34DD to a more modest 34C.

    Developing Countries Host 80 Percent Of Displaced People

    Released to coincide with World Refugee Day, a new U.N. report found that a staggering 80 percent of forcibly displaced people around the world are being hosted by developing nations rather than more economically-stable countries who would be better prepared to absorb them.

    Prepared by the United Nations High Commissioner For Refugees (UNHCR), the 2010 Global Trends report shows that many of the world's poorest nations are also hosting massive refugee populations. With an estimated 1.9 million displaced persons within its borders, Pakistan hosts the refugees, with Iran and Syria coming in close behind, at about 1.1 million and 1 million respectively.

    "In today’s world there are worrying misperceptions about refugee movements and the international protection paradigm,” UNHCR head António Guterres is quoted by the Christian Science Monitor as saying. “Fears about supposed floods of refugees in industrialized countries are being vastly overblown or mistakenly conflated with issues of migration. Meanwhile it’s poorer countries that are left having to pick up the burden.”

    Of course, the data looks likely to shift in the coming year, as the report does not include those displaced by this year's conflicts in Libya or Syria, TIME reports.

    Pakistan Army Officer Detained For Militant Links

    Pakistan's army spokesman says a senior officer serving at army headquarters has been detained for suspected links with a banned militant group.
    Maj. Gen. Athar Abbas said Tuesday that Brig. Ali Khan is being questioned by army authorities over the links. He said Khan was detained recently but did not provide an exact date or specify the banned militant group involved.
    The detention follows reports by U.S. officials that Pakistan detained five Pakistanis, including an army major, for helping the CIA carry out the American commando raid that killed Osama bin Laden last month. The Pakistani army denied an army major was arrested.

    Tom Hanks On Univision: Weather Segment Dance

    Tom Hanks is hitting the press junket hard, pitching his new comedy, "Larry Crowne," to anyone and everyone -- regardless of what language they speak. And it was during a four segment, lost-in-translation appearance on Spanish language Univision's "Despierta America" that Hanks may have actually trumped his comedic film with a bizarrely hilarious set of dance moves.
    After roughly understanding what the hosts had to say, Hanks moved over to do the weather -- and show some flair. While reading the temperatures, he danced with the normal meteorological presenter in a non-step series of amazing -- and for his sake, hopefully unplanned -- dance moves.
    And it tired him out.

    Should Women Really "Go Ugly"?

    This post originally appeared on The Good Men Project

    Vicki Larson and I have been having a fairly heated conversation about what ugly has to do, or not do, with a man being marrying material. Her Huffington Post column got huge attention for claiming that women should choose ugly husbands, lest they be subject to the Weiner/Tiger/Arnold syndrome--appealing and powerful men who crash and burn.
    I am not sure we will ever agree completely, but in my direct conversations with Vicki I get the sense that we actually agree, perhaps more than we disagree. Vicki and I thought it might be informative to engage in a spirited question and answer about her original piece and my sense of what manhood really is all about.
    Tom: Vicki, everywhere I look, there are articles that attempt to summarize manhood (ironically most often written by women). Don't you think making sweeping stereotype-driven judgments about men is the same thing as making those judgments about women, or blacks or gays?
    Vicki: You're surprised? Women love analyzing men! Sweeping stereotypes are horrible -- I hate being seen as a high-maintenance gold-digger living off my ex's hard-earned money just because I'm a divorced blonde. Intelligent people understand that the world doesn't work in absolutes -- "never" and "always."
    What saddens me reading the comments here and elsewhere is that we still focus on how "bad" the other sex is. The studies I cite are old, they've been written about many times before, but because of social media, many people knee-jerk react and spread it faster, farther and wider than before. So much for thoughtful commentary.
    Tom: I heard an interesting interview with Jon Hamm, who plays Don Draper on "Mad Men," in which he talked about how difficult it is for him to be objectified. He was serious about it and appeared to be an honest and sweet man despite his good looks. Should we be feeling sorry for him?
    Vicki: We all want to feel attractive, not objectified. Still, Hamm chose a career that feeds off of good looks and he's being paid well and has many opportunities because of it. But it's great he's talking about it because women don't know how men feel about being lust objects. Most women, however, do; even women who aren't "beautiful" are drooled over because they might have great breasts or a butt. We need to be empathetic to how the other sex experiences things; Louanne Brizendine's books on male and female brains are great.

    Britney Spears Gives Fan a Lap Dance During L.A. Concert

    Reigning queen of pop, Britney Spears, has always been a spectacular performer-- and her Monday night concert Los Angeles was no exception. The 29-year-old singer, in the midst of a 33-city Femme Fatale tour, got the party started by pulling a fan on stage and surprising him with a lap dance.

    According to the Daily Mail, Spears pulled an unsuspecting male fan on during her song, 'Leather and Lace.' Dressed in a black and nude one-piece with fishnet stockings, the singer teased the fan with a pink boa while dancing provocatively around him. At one point, she even wrapped her legs around his neck.

    Perhaps Spears was taking a performance note from fellow pop star Rihanna? Just last week, Rihanna also performed a lap dance on stage during a show. Only difference? Rihanna performed for a female fan.

    James Blunt Poses Near Auschwitz And Angers Fans

    The "You're Beautiful" singer enraged fans by posing outside a dilapidated building near former Nazi death camp Auschwitz, and writing on his Facebook page: "Uh, this is my hotel in Poland," reports The Daily Mail.

    Since the photo went up on Saturday, Blunt's Facebook page has been flooded with more than 17,000 comments and complaints regarding the bizarre remark made during his stay in Oświęcim, where Auschwitz is located.

    According to The Daily Mail, the singer was actually staying in five-star accommodations throughout his tour, which included a stop at the Life Festival at Mosir Stadium, just a few miles from the site where hundreds of thousands were killed more than 60 years ago.

    Zahara and Shiloh Meet Brad Pitt's Zombie Costars

    The Jolie-Pitt women came to see the zombies on the set where World War Z is filming, with Daddy – Brad Pitt – as the star.

    Angelina Jolie brought her eldest daughters, Zahara, 6, and Shiloh, 5, to a downtown location in Malta's capital city of Valletta on Tuesday afternoon, sources tell PEOPLE.

    The 90-minute visit to the location in the narrow historic district occurred during Pitt's lunch break. He was seen holding Zahara's hand while showing her around St. Anne's Street while Angelina kept rein on Shiloh.

    Terry O'Quinn Joins 'Hawaii 5-0' In Recurring Role

    While "Hallelujah," his ABC pilot didn't pan out, it didn't take long for Emmy-winning "LOST" alum Terry O'Quinn to find his way back to television.

    In a fitting move, O'Quinn will feature in an island-set show filmed in Hawaii once again, as TV Line reports that he'll have a very important recurring role on "Hawaii 5-0." O'Quinn will take on the role of a Navy Seal Lt. Commander, who, having trained McGarrett (played by Alex O'Loughlin), "holds some of the answers to the mysteries surrounding the respective murders of McGarrett’s mother and father."

    The role will reunite him with "LOST" cast mate Daniel Dae Kim, who plays Chin Ho Kelly.

    O'Quinn has plenty of experience playing a military man, as he played General Nicholas Alexander in seven episodes of "The West Wing," Col. Will Ryan in a guest appearance on "NCIS" and also played F.B.I. Assistant Director Kendall in "Alias."

    Since leaving "LOST," O'Quinn featured in the TV movie, "Taken from Me: The Tiffany Rubin Story."

    Kim Kardashian’s Father’s Day Lunch Date

    It may be Father’s Day, but that doesn’t mean Kim Kardashian has forgotten about another important person in her life — her grandma!

    The reality star and her maternal grandmother, MJ, were spotted out and about in Beverly Hills while getting lunch on Sunday afternoon. We can see where the Kardashian ladies get their good looks and sense of style!

    In addition to Kim’s family time, she was also able to squeeze in a bit of party time as well.

    Kim attended the birthday party of Scooter Braun (Justin Bieber‘s manager) last night, and tweeted about the good time!

    In addition to sharing a twitpic with the caption, “2 legit 2 quit,” she said:

    Selena Gomez's 'When The Sun Goes Down' Gets Songs From Katy Perry, Britney Spears

    Katy Perry and Britney Spears appear on a CD together but it's not the latest "Now" compilation.

    Rather, the pop singers have written songs on Selena Gomez & the Scene's new album, "When the Sun Goes Down."

    "I did have a lot of artists that I was very lucky enough to have songs written by and it's a good, uplifting album," Gomez said of her third CD. "It's really fun and very dance-y and I hope people like it."

    Spears co-wrote the dance song "Whiplash," while Perry co-penned "That's More Like It. Singer Priscilla Renea – who co-wrote Rihanna's "California King Bed" and Cheryl Cole's "Promise This" – co-penned three songs on Gomez's album, including the lead single and Top 40 hit "Who Says." And the disc has a writing credit and guest appearance from British singer Pixie Lott.

    "I think it's a powerful CD," Gomez said in a recent interview.

    The 18-year-old's first two albums have reached gold status. The new record – which has three songs co-penned by Gomez – is out next week.

    Days after her disc's release, Gomez will get another girl-power boost with the July 1 release of her new movie, "Monte Carlo," which also stars Leighton Meester of "Gossip Girl" and was co-produced by Nicole Kidman.

    Gomez says leaving Los Angeles to shoot in Paris and Budapest was "so refreshing." But the grueling promotional tour that has followed – maybe not so much.

    The nationwide campaign, including a string of mall appearances, was recently interrupted when Gomez was hospitalized in Los Angeles for exhaustion, malnourishment and low iron.

    'Wet Hot American Summer' Prequel Planned, Says David Wain

    A beloved film that launched or shoot into hyperdrive the careers of some of today's top comedic actors, writers and directors, "Wet Hot American Summer," released in 2001, already featured hilarious stars hilariously overaged for their roles as summer camp counselors and campers, circa 1981.

    Now, ten years later, things may get even more hilariously ridiculous.

    David Wain co-wrote (with "Stella" and "The State" cast mate Michael Showalter) and directed the film, which co-starred their third co-star, Michael Ian Black, as well as Paul Rudd, Janeane Garofalo, David Hyde Pierce, Christopher Meloni and Molly Shannon, among others. And he recently said that they're in the process of making a prequel to the film -- with the same actors.

    "Yes, we have been talking about a sequel, prequel, something or other," he told Jeff Goldsmith of the Q&A Podcast (via Indiewire). "The prequel would be the same summer so they would be 20 years old for the part yeah, but not younger. So it would be 40 year olds playing 16 year olds. And yeah, we’re in the early stages of thinking about that."

    It would be an interesting experiment, as some of the film's smaller player are now the biggest of the stars involved, including Amy Poehler, Bradley Cooper and Elizabeth Banks. Would the film focus more on them? Bring in new characters? Hard to say at this point.

    President Obama Can Charm Even A Hysterically Crying Baby

    With his daughters in double digits, President Obama probably hasn't had to soothe a sobbing baby for several years.

    But in the video below, the Dad-In-Chief looks like a total pro. When a fan gives her crying child to Michelle and the baby wails away, Barack laughs and says, "You better give her back!" But instead Michelle hands the little girl over and much to everyone's shock (especially Michelle -- that facial expression is priceless), the baby immediately stops crying.

    President Obama, meanwhile, just bounces the tot around with an "I told you so" smile on his face. Yeah, he's that good.

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