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  • Lorde Charts Her First No. 1 On The Billboard Hot 100 With 'Royals'

    Lorde took the No. 1 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 chart for her song "Royals" this week, making her the youngest artist to do so in 26 years.

    The 16-year-old singer, who was born in New Zealand, rose to the top of the chart from holding the No. 2 spot last week. She topped Katy Perry, whose "Roar" took the No. 2 spot this week, and Miley Cyrus, who came in third with her latest, "Wrecking Ball."

    According to Billboard, Lorde is the youngest singer to take the top spot on the Hot 100 since 1987 when 16-year-old Tiffany did so with her earworm "I Think We're Alone Now."

    Industry veteran Stevie Wonder holds the honor of the youngest artist ever to hit No. 1, taking the title at the age of 13 for 1963's "Fingertips - Part 2." Lorde comes in behind the youngest female singer to reach this success, 15-year-old Little Peggy March who hit No. 1 in 1963 with "I Will Follow Him."

    This isn't the first honor that Lorde has earned with the release of her hit single "Royals." Earlier this year, she became the first woman to top Billboard's Alternative Songs Chart in 17 years.

    After signing a record deal with Universal Music Group at the age of 13, Lorde released her debut studio album, "Pure Heroine," in September.

    "I've seen people compare me to just about every female slightly alt[ernative] female musician because people feel the need to put females with other females, which I guess I understand, but I think I'm different because my music is accessible, but it's also smart and those are two things that don't often go together musically," Lorde told HuffPost in July. "I think it's probably because I'm an Internet kid. I'm watching 'Adventure Time' but I'm also reading Allen Ginsberg. I'm a mesh of references -- fun and smart? I don't know where I'd put myself. I'd like to think I'm doing something different."

    Syria Chemical Disarmament team Begins Mission

    International disarmament experts were to begin cataloguing Syria's vast arsenal of chemical weapons on Wednesday, checking a list of sites provided by Damascus and conducting on the spot tests ahead of its destruction.


    The 19-strong team from The Hague-based Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) arrived in Damascus on Tuesday to implement UN security council resolution 2118 ordering the elimination of Syria's chemical arsenal by mid-2014.

    The mission was to begin work a day after Syria's opposition warned of a "humanitarian disaster" in the Damascus suburb of Moadamiyet al-Sham, one of the areas reportedly targeted in an August 21 sarin attack that killed hundreds of people.

    It also comes after Syria's information minister insisted that President Bashar al-Assad would stay in office and could run for another term in elections next year.

    Assad's departure is a key demand of the opposition, who insist it must be a pillar of a mooted Geneva peace conference.

    The disarmament team includes 19 OPCW inspectors and 14 UN staffers who drove to a five-star Damascus hotel in a 20-vehicle UN convoy from the Lebanese capital, Beirut.

    On arrival, the team set up a logistics base. "In the coming days, their efforts are expected to focus on verifying information provided by the Syrian authorities and the initial planning phase of helping the country destroy its chemical weapons production facilities," a UN statement said.

    This should be completed by November 1, it added. The task is huge, as Syria's arsenal is believed to include more than 1,000 tonnes of sarin, mustard gas and other banned chemicals stored at an estimated 45 sites across the war-torn country.

    The mission is the first in OPCW history to take place in a country wracked by civil war.

    The OPCW group arrived as a team of UN experts left after probing seven alleged gas attacks.

    The UN experts hope to present a final report by late October, after an initial one in September confirmed sarin was used in the August 21 attacks.

    The UN resolution ordering the destruction of Syria's chemical weapons came after the United States threatened military action, accusing Assad's forces of deliberately killing hundreds of civilians with rocket-delivered nerve agents.

    Syria denied this but agreed to relinquish its arsenal under a US-Russian deal, effectively heading off a strike.

    The OPCW has said it has no reason to doubt information provided by Syria on its chemical weapons and Assad has said he will comply with the terms of the resolution.

    Top on the inspection list will be production sites due to be disabled by late October or early November.

    "According to the OPCW-UN Security Council deadline, the entire chemical weapons stockpile must be eliminated in the first half of next year," said the UN statement.

    Security Council Resolution 2118 also calls for a peace conference as soon as possible in Geneva, and UN chief Ban Ki-moon set a target date of mid-November.

    However, the prospects for such a conference remain uncertain, with Syria insisting Assad's departure is not up for discussion, despite it being a key opposition demand.

    Mallika Sherawat to pocket Rs. 30 crore for The Bachelorette?

    Everyone knows that when Bollywood stars are roped in to host or judge reality shows, they get paid hefty amounts. Mallika Sherawat, who is the latest actor to have joined this list, will also soon make her TV debut with the show, The Bachelorette India — Mere Khayalon Ki Mallika.

    And if
    sources are to be believed, she will pocket a whopping Rs. 30 crore at the end of her 30-episode stint. Industry insiders claim that Mallika is being paid Rs. 1 crore for each episode. "The budget of the show is Rs. 50 crore (excluding marketing) — this makes it the most expensive series on the channel," says the source.

    However, Ajit Thakur, general manager of the channel that will air the show, refuses to divulge specific figures. He says, "She’s an expensive star, and international one who lives in Los Angeles. She gets paid in dollars there, so she does come at a price. And we wanted someone like her for the show. But we can’t comment about her fee."

    While Mallika has never had to try too hard to make headlines — she has been embroiled in a series of controversies in the past — her show, somehow, has not yet created a lot of buzz among viewers.

    But the insider claims that the makers have intentionally kept the show out of the news. "They’ve deliberately kept a low profile because other big-budget shows like Mahabharat, Bigg Boss, 24 and Kaun Banega Crorepati were being promoted in the last few weeks. They felt it made sense to talk about it once the hype around all the other serials has died down."

    Couple sentenced to 18 years for rape, death of 10-month-old daughter

    udge Majeke Mabesele gave Adriaan Netto, 37, and his girlfriend, 34, four years each for culpable homicide, three for child abuse, and 15 for rape. The sentences for culpable homicide and rape would run concurrently.

    Before sentencing the couple, the judge said he had a duty to send out a clear message to communities and parents that violation of children's rights would not be tolerated.

    The couple sat in the dock with their heads bowed as the sentences were read out.

    Mabesele said they had shown no remorse for the child's death.

    "It is evident she died a painful and undignified death at the hands of her parents. With the seriousness in nature of the crime, society will look to the courts to dish out harsh sentences. I'm mindful that reasoning should be above emotions to avoid sentencing in anger," he said.

    Mabesele said the couple had faced life sentences but he had taken into account their personal circumstances.

    Although the court had a duty to impose the harshest sentence, he had to consider their two other children.

    "I don't agree with the argument raised by the State on the other children being well taken care of. These children should be raised and guided through life by their parents," he said.

    On September 18, Mabesele found the couple guilty of culpable homicide, child abuse, and the rape of their 10-month-old baby girl.

    Mabesele found that while the couple had not murdered the child, as charged, their neglect and abuse made them culpable for the baby's death in March last year.

    "[I] conclude that the deceased sustained bodily injuries while under the care of her parents," the judge said.

    "They had a legal duty to look after her... Being 10-months-old, the deceased was unable to injure herself."

    Mabesele said the baby's injuries, including broken ribs, anal damage caused by penetration, plus vaginal and liver damage, had been inflicted on the child.

    Testimony by Netto and the woman that they did not know how the baby was injured was not true.

    Angelina Jolie's Double Rings Ignite Rumors Of Secret Wedding

    Angelina Jolie was spotted recently wearing not one, but two sparklers on her left hand. The double rings have some wondering if she has secretly married Brad Pitt.

    The gossip mill began churning with talk of a secret Pitt-Jolie wedding when the "Maleficent" star was spotted wearing a second ring on her wedding finger in Bondi Beach, Australia, on Sunday (Sept. 29), according to E! News.

    RadarOnline.com notes Jolie's new ring appears to be thicker and made of a lighter precious metal than the gold one that appeared on her finger in the spring.

    Click over to Us Weekly to see an up-close image of the rings.

    Back in March, the 38-year-old mother of six was seen wearing a simple gold band in place of her massive $500,000 engagement ring when she visited the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda on a goodwill mission. Jolie shot down rumors of a wedding when approached by a TMZ cameraman.

    In June, VH1's "The Gossip Table" claimed the A-list couple had finally set a date for their highly anticipated nuptials. The report alleged the ceremony would happen over the summer and would be a private affair.

    If a wedding hasn't happened yet, it's unlikely the Oscar-winner has time to plan much of anything at the moment. In early September, she arrived in Australia, where she will direct "Unbroken" at Sydney’s Fox Studios Australia and Village Roadshow Studios on the Gold Coast, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Filming is scheduled to begin Oct. 21.

    Farrah Abraham's Porn Video Payday Was About $10,000, Not $1 Million

    At least Farrah Abraham made major bank off her porn video with James Deen, right?

    Not quite, claim some in the adult industry.

    While the 22-year-old former "Teen Mom" star claims to have sold what would become "Farrah Superstar: Backdoor Teen Mom" to Vivid Entertainment for $1.5 million, a source close to the situation told FOX411, Abraham actually sold the tape for about $10,000.

    Meanwhile, professional sex tape broker Kevin Blatt told the website that former "Pippi Longstocking" star Tami Erin recently received the same offer from Vivid after she shot a sex tape of her own.

    “Tami Erin was offered $10,000 up-front which is standard for Vivid,” Blatt told FOX411. “It is what they offer every celebrity, not a million dollars.”

    Other adult industry insiders confirmed Blatt's claims, telling FOX411 that the former "Teen Mom" star "got $10,000 up-front and 30 percent of sales, minus the cost of production."

    It wouldn't be the first time Abraham has bent the truth, since the whole porn video was meant to be marketed as a "leaked" sex tape in the first place. Of course, that didn't work out when her co-star Deen refused to go along with the plan, and told everyone that he had been paid to film the X-rated video with Abraham.

    Though Abraham may not have been paid much for the film up-front, that doesn't mean she hasn't profited overall. In July, TMZ reported that Abraham raked in close to $120,000 in royalties in just two months. The former reality star's porn video was indeed wildly successful and received more than 2 million visitors in just the first 12 hours after it was released. She is also poised to bring in the bucks from her new line of sex toys made by Topco Sales, which will be available starting in January 2014.

    Couples Halloween Costumes: 25 Popular Ideas For Two

    If you and your partner are looking for ways to get creative as a couple this Halloween, we say, coordinate.

    Yes, weddings and prom may be appropriate times to wear matching outfits, but Halloween costumes seem to take things to a whole new level — you can get matchy-matchy with wigs, makeup and even share the same pants.

    Are you two really into food? Go as peanut butter and jelly. Are you obsessed with computers? Go as a USB key and port. Are you both always glued to the television? Go as your favourite characters. See, the possibilities are endless (and can get pretty funny).

    Check out 25 of the best Halloween costume ideas for couples. Did we miss any? Let us know in the comments below.

    Britney Spears' 'Work Bitch' Video Makes Its Debut On The CW

    Britney Spears took over The CW on Tuesday evening, premiering the music video to her latest single, "Work Bitch" on the television network. The visuals show Spears and her famed dance moves, breaking it down in a bikini in various locations including a desert, a pool, and dimly lit club. "Work Bitch" is expected to serve as the lead single off of Spears' upcoming eighth studio album. While the project is currently without a title, it is scheduled to hit stores on Dec. 3, the same month that Spears will kick off her residency at Las Vegas' Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino.

    CLT20 Match 18: Rajasthan Royals vs Otago Volts LIVE SCORE

    Welcome to the LIVE coverage of Match 18 in the Champions League T20 Group Stage between Rajasthan Royals and Otago Volts from the Sawai Mansingh stadium in Jaipur. SCORECARD

    Sanju Samson comes to the crease for Rajasthan Royals.

    Nick Beard gets the BREAKTHROUGH for Otago Volts.

    6.4 overs: That's OUT!! Nick Beard has got Rahul Dravid out caught at point. Dravid reaches out and slices it to Nathan McCullum who takes a STUNNING catch diving backwards. Rahul Dravid departs after scoring 10 runs off 17 balls.

    6.2 overs: FOUR!! Ajinkya Rahane skips down the track and lofts it over extra cover for a boundary.

    Jimmy Neesham comes into the attack for Otago Volts.

    TIDY start by Nick Beard, six runs off it!!

    First sign of spin, Nick Beard comes into the attack for Otago Volts.

    There's NO-STOPPING to Ajinkya Rahane here!!

    2.5 overs: FOUR!! Ajinkya Rahane leans forward and smashes it towards deep extra cover for another boundary in the over.

    2.2 overs: FOUR!! Ajinkya rahane gets on the frontfoot and creams the drive towards deep extra cover fence for a boundary.

    First change, Neil Wagner comes into the attack for Otago Volts.

    1.4 overs: FOUR!! Ajinkya Rahane rocks back and tucks it past short fine leg for a boundary. Rahane looks in GOOD TOUCH here!!

    James McMillan will bowl from the other end for Otago Volts.

    FIFTEEN runs off the first over!!

    0.6 overs: FOUR!! Ajinkya Rahane stays back and thumps it square of the wicket for another boundary in the over.

    0.3 overs: FOUR!! Ajinkya Rahane picks the length early and punches it towards the sweeper cover fence for the first boundary in the innings. Rahane gets off the mark in STYLE!!

    Rahul Dravid and Ajinkya Rahane are out in the middle for Rajasthan Royals while Ian Butler will open the attack for Otago Volts.

    Otago Volts managed to score a moderate total of 139 runs at the loss of seven wickets against Rajasthan Royals. Otago will be reasonably happy with the score they have got. After the heroics by Rahul Shukla in his first over, Jimmy Neesham and Ryan ten Doeschate rescued the side with a fifty partnership. Ian Butler and Nathan McCullum scored briskly and got their side to a decent total. Considering that the pitch is very good for batting, Rajasthan should back themselves to chase this down.

    THIRTEEN RUNS off the last over!!

    19.4 overs: FOUR!! nathan McCullum walks forward and smashes it over the infield for another boundary. That went like a ROCKET!!

    19.2 overs: FOUR!! Nathan McCullum manages to flick the yorker towards deep backward square leg for a boundary.

    James Faulkner will bowl the FINAL OVER for Rajasthan Royals.

    Neil Wagner comes to the crease for Otago Volts.

    18.2 overs: That's OUT!! Kevon Cooper has bowled Ian Butler on a fuller delivery. Butler slogs across the line and gets an inside edge back onto the stumps. Ian Butler's blitzkrieg come to an end at 25 runs off 18 balls with two boundaries and two sixes.

    EIGHTEEN RUNS off the over!!

    16.6 overs: SIX!! Ian Buttler flays the lofted shot and sends it over the long-on fence for another maximum. This is turning out to be a GREAT HAND from Butler

    16.4 overs: FOUR!! Ian Butler picks the slower ball and whacks it towards the deep midwicket fence for a boundary.

    16.3 overs: SIX!! Ian Butler shimmies down the track and hammers it over the long-on fence for the maximum. That was HUGE from Buttler!!

    15.1 overs: FOUR!! Ian Buttler hangs back and creams the drive towards deep extra cover for a boundary. CRUCIAL runs for Otago Volts!!

    14.3 overs: FOUR!! Nathan McCullum picks the length early and lofts it over cover for a boundary.

    Ian Buttler comes to the crease for Otago Volts.

    Otago Volts are FALLING APART here!!

    13.3 overs: OUT!! Pravin Tambe has got Ryan ten Doeschate out LBW on a flatter delivery. Ten Doeschate tried to work it towards the on-side but missed it as the ball hits his pad in front of the stumps. Ryan ten Doeschate departs after scoring 26 runs off 27 balls with three boundaries.

    12.6 overs: FOUR!! Ryan ten Doeschate waits for it and steers it past short fine leg for a boundary.

    Nathan McCullum comes to the crease for Otago Volts.
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    Kim Kardashian Rocks A Leather Skirt On Paris Vacation

    Kim Kardashian rocked leather in Paris on Monday night for an evening out with Kanye West, as Kimye continue their whirlwind European trip.

    Kardashian hit the town in a patent-leather, high-waisted skirt, a cozy white T-shirt and some embellished stiletto sandals. The 32-year-old beauty and her boyfriend were seen exiting a car and heading to dinner at Hotel Costes, according to the photo agency that secured the images.

    Kimye's Parisian vacation is the first time the reality starlet has been away from her daughter, North, whom she gave birth to almost four months ago. But the new mama didn't leave home without some reminders of her baby girl.

    Along with a gold "Nori" nameplate necklace, Kardashian has a photo of North as her iPhone screensaver, E! News noted. Keen eyes noticed the snapshot of the infant on Kardashian's phone in a photo taken by paparazzi.

    When her trip is over, she will head home with an arm full of gifts for little Nori, including designer baby duds made specially for her by Givenchy's Riccardo Tisci, Alexander Wang, Lanvin, Celine's Phoebe Philo and Maison Martin Margiela.

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