Justin Bieber Teams Up With Dr. Dre To Release Exclusive Line Of Headphones At Best Buy

December 11th, 2010 davidguide Posted in Culture Comments Off

Anthony Jones – Celebrity News Service Reporter

Los Angeles, CA, United States (CNS) – Justin Bieber had fans flock to Wal-Mart for the release of his exclusive “My Worlds Acoustic” album. But if they want to hear the album through his new headphones, they’ll have to head to Best Buy.

Bieber just released his own line of headphones, Justbeats by Dr. Dre, exclusively at Best Buy. Bieber joins Lady Gaga and, of course, Dr. Dre as the latest artists who released their own line of headphones under the Beats by Dr. Dre moniker.

The headphones come in Justin’s favorite color purple and are available as on-ear Justbeats by Dr. Dre Solo Headphones and in-ear iBeats by Dr. Dre Justbeats Edition headphones.

Both sets of headphones include ControlTalk features, which allows users of the headphones to answer calls while listening to music on some iPods, iPhones, and and Blackberrys.

Fans can purchase the headphones at Best Buy stores or at the website.

The Justbeats Solo Headphones retail for $199.95, while the iBeats Justbeats Edition headphones retail for $119.95. They’re currently available for $179.95 and $99.95 on the Best Best Buy website, respectively.

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James Franco Returns To “General Hospital” Role In 2011

December 10th, 2010 davidguide Posted in Culture Comments Off

Anthony Jones – Celebrity News Service Reporter

Los Angeles, CA, United States (CNS) – James Franco is getting Oscar buzz for his role as rock climber Aron Ralston in “127 Hours,” but he’s still going to be putting a few more hours of work over at “General Hospital.”

Franco is returning to the small screen to reprise his role as psycho installation artist Franco on the long-running soap opera.

The 32-year-old actor, known for movie roles like “Pineapple Express” and “Spider-Man,” took the role of Franco back in 2009 while a student at UCLA.

He returned to “General Hospital” earlier this year, where he appeared in episodes over the summer. He signed for two more episodes, which will air on February 25th and 28th.

“When we realized James would be in L.A. for the Oscars and all the other awards shows, we asked if he’d consider coming back and doing a little something for us,” “General Hospital” executive producer Jill Farren Phelps told TV Guide.

Franco had even requested for a longer story-arc, which would air later in 2011.

“He was happy to do it and requested that we use the appearance to plug his next story,” Phelps continued. “He’s also expressed an interest in directing at GH. He’s been really, really good to us. Whatever James wants, we’d love to make it happen!”

Along with a possible Oscar nomination, which has yet to be announced, for his performance in “127 Hours,” Franco will host the upcoming Academy Awards ceremony with Anne Hathaway.

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Lingerie Brand La Senza’s “Cup Size Choir” Christmas Ad Becomes YouTube Hit

December 9th, 2010 davidguide Posted in Culture Comments Off

Anne Lu – Celebrity News Service Contributor

London, United Kingdom (CNS) – Lingerie brand La Senza’s new Christmas campaign has garnered over a million hits on YouTube since its launch several days ago. The holiday-inspired musical ad features seven girls with cup sizes ranging from A to G singing notes according to their bra size.

The almost two-minute video shows models in their La Senza lingerie who have bra cup sizes singing to the tune of “Deck the Halls” while lying on separate mattresses made to look like piano keys.

Since launching several days ago, the “Cup Size Choir” ad has gotten over a million hits on the online video-sharing site.

The company said that the creative ad was aimed at men to help them with their Christmas shopping for their female companions.

Marketing Director Sarah Hawkins told MailOnline, “We wanted to bring some festive cheer and what better way than the Cup Size Choir. It’s a sure start to the party season ahead!”

“The activity is aimed at men to help them with their Christmas shopping, but we hope that women will find it fun and engaging too.”

The ad was the brainchild of Tom Woodington and Robin Temple of Karmarama creative agency. They said they wanted to impart that the lingerie company can cover women of all sizes, from A to G cups.

They said, “We saw a correlation with musical notes and thought a Christmas musical number would be just the thing. We also thought that element of play in the site which sits behind the viral – where you get to play your own tune and share it with your friends – would increase the amount of engagement with the brand.”

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Da Vinci Manuscript Fragment Found In French Library

December 7th, 2010 davidguide Posted in Culture Comments Off

Windsor Genova – AHN News News Writer

Nantes, France (AHN) – A fragment of a manuscript written by Renaissance artist, scientist and thinker Leonardo da Vinci has been discovered in a storage of a public library in Nantes, France.

The texts on the yellowed piece of paper were written from right to left and were in an unknown language.

Experts are now deciphering the words, according to Agnes Marcetteau, head of the Nantes library.

The script has been stored for one-and-a-half centuries before a journalist tracked it down after its location was mentioned in a biography of Da Vinci.

The script was among 5,000 documents donated by wealthy collector Pierre-Antoine Labouchère to the library in 1872.

It was in the same Labouchere collections that an unseen score by composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was discovered in 2008.

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Kim Kardashian Launching Signature Watch Collection

December 6th, 2010 davidguide Posted in Culture Comments Off

Anne Lu – Celebrity News Service Contributor

Los Angeles, CA, United States (CNS) – After her failed prepaid credit card endorsement deal with her sisters, Kim Kardashian is moving on with another line. The “Keeping Up with the Kardashians” star is releasing her own signature watch line with The Brissmor Company.

She wrote on her blog last week: “Hi dolls! My new project has been under lock and key, but now it’s finally ready to go! I am so excited to show you my new signature watch line. I worked really hard with The Brissmor Company to develop some fabulous watches! I hope you like them!!!”

She will be unveiling The Kim Kardashian Premier Signature Watch Collection at its official launch party on December 7th at The Whisper Lounge, The Grove in Los Angeles. It will be available online and at major retails in the first quarter of 2011.

In addition to the premier collection, 2 Limited Edition, high end, Elite timepieces have also been created, with each nearly has 8 Karats of WS1 diamonds.

Kim is currently off from Twitter and Facebook. She joins a number of celebrities who “digitally died” from their online social life as part of the AIDS charity Keep a Child Alive campaign, which is spearheaded by Alicia Keys.

They will refrain from updating their social network accounts until a million dollars has been raised by fans. Celebrities who participated include Justin Timberlake, Usher, Elijah Wood, Jennifer Hudson, Serena Williams, and Lady Gaga.

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Helen Thomas Makes More Anti-Semitic Statements

December 5th, 2010 davidguide Posted in Culture Comments Off

David Goodhue – AHN News Reporter

Dearborn, MI, United States (AHN) – The latest anti-Semitic remarks by a veteran White House correspondent have led to her alma mater to pull a journalism award given in her name.

Helen Thomas, 90, has long been viewed as a pioneering woman journalist, but she resigned from her position as a Hearst News Service columnist in May after she was recorded saying Jewish people “should get the hell out of Palestine,” and “go home” to “Poland, Germany and America and wherever else.” She made the comment at the White House’s Jewish Heritage Day event.

Many of her defenders gave Thomas, who is of Lebanese decent, a pass at the time, but she made another public remark last week during a conference in Dearborn, Mich. that demonstrated she has undeniable anti-Jewish feelings.

Thomas said at the conference that she was forced to resign because Jewish people have so much power in the media.

“We are owned by the propagandists against the Arabs. There is no question about that. Congress, the White House and Hollywood, Wall Street, are owned by the Zionists. No question in my opinion,” she said in her speech.

Wayne State University, where Thomas graduated from in the 1940s, issued a statement that it will no longer hand out the Helen Thomas Spirit of Diversity Award because of her remarks.

The statement reads: “As a public university, Wayne State encourages free speech and open dialogue, and respects diverse viewpoints. However, the university strongly condemns the anti-Semitic remarks made by Helen Thomas during a conference yesterday.”

The Anti-Defamation League had a much harsher reaction to Thomas’ latest racist statement. National Director Abraham Foxman said: “Helen Thomas has clearly, unequivocally revealed herself as a vulgar anti-Semite. Her suggestion that Zionists control government, finance and Hollywood is nothing less than classic, garden-variety anti-Semitism. This is a sad final chapter to an otherwise illustrious career. Unlike her previous, spontaneous remarks into a camera, these words were carefully thought out and conscious. It shows a prejudice that is deep-seated and obsessive.”

Foxman called on other schools and journalism programs to stop awards given in Thomas’ honor.

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College Football Hall of Fame Relocating To Atlanta By 2013

December 4th, 2010 davidguide Posted in Culture Comments Off

Jim Keller – AHN Sports Reporter

Atlanta, GA, United States (AHN) – Tons of fans will flock to the Southeastern Conference title game in Atlanta Saturday afternoon. In 2013, hundreds of thousands of fans will travel to the city’s College Football Hall of Fame.

According to a report from WSBTV.com, the Hall of Fame will be built on a parking lot adjacent to he Georgia World Congress Center, Philips Arena and the Georgia Dome.

The current hall of fame is located in South Bend, Ind. and has struggled with attendance.

Gov. Sonny Perdue said he believe the facility will be successful because the South has a passion for football and the fans to go with it.

“That’s some place. I want to take my grandchildren and you think about that destination venue and all the things that are there for them to observe,” Perdue said.

According to the report, the facility is expected to open in March, 2013, just prior to the Final Four, which is scheduled for the Georgia Dome that year.

“There are two conventions coming to town in 2013 and 2014 that want to rent the whole facility out for parties,” said Gary Stokan, president and CEO of the Chick-Fil-A Bowl and Atlanta Hall Management.

The new facility will cost at least $50 million, with $8 million coming from the city of Atlanta.

The state of Georgia is adding $10 million in bonds, and the remainder of the money will come from private business and Atlanta’s larger corporations.

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Usher, Sherri Shepherd Stop By “Sesame Street” In December

December 3rd, 2010 davidguide Posted in Culture Comments Off

Anthony Jones – Celebrity News Service Reporter

Los Angeles, CA, United States (CNS) – Sesame Street is getting plenty of star power for the holidays. Among the celebrities set to stop by the popular play place are Usher, Jennifer Garner, and Sherri Shepherd.

On Monday, December 6th, actress Jennifer Garner stops by to present the Word on the Street, “Galoshes,” while Sherri Shepherd of “The View” will appear Friday, December 10th, sharing the Word on the Street “Identical.”

“Grey’s Anatomy” star Ellen Pompeo on Tuesday, December 14th to share the word “Healthy,” most appropriately, while Samantha Harris of “The Insider” shares the word “Reporter” on Thursday, December 16th.

Anna Faris, star of the upcoming “Yogi Bear,” stops by on Monday, December 27th, presenting Word on the Street “Gem”, while Michael McKean starts a rock band the same day.

New York Jets running back LaDainian Tomlinson brings the word “Celebration” on Tuesday, December 28th, while Usher teaches the kids how to say “OMG” on Wednesday, December 29th. Alright, alright, his word is “Volunteer.”

Actress Rachel Griffiths presents “Dozen” on Thursday, December 30th, while “Avatar” star Zoe Saldana stops by on Friday, December 31st with the word “Transportation.”

Sesame Street,” now in its 41st season, has included guest spots this year from stars like will.I.am of the Black Eyed Peas, Taye Diggs, Idina Menzel, Amy Poehler, Alton Brown, Jim Parsons, and Ryan Reynolds.

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Berlusconi Gov’t Under Fire After 2 More Pompeii Walls Collapse

December 2nd, 2010 davidguide Posted in Culture Comments Off

AHN News Staff

Rome, Italy (AHN) – Two more walls on Wednesday collapsed in the ancient Italian city of Pompeii. This was the second such incident in a week and the third in a month. Heavy rain is believed to have caused the walls’ collapse.

However, the country’s main center-left opposition has vehemently criticized Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi’s government for neglecting the 2,000-year-old site.

The incident came just hours after a Pompeii wall crumbled on Tuesday. The House of Gladiators collapsed nearly three weeks ago.

According to Pompeii’s archaeological superintendent, the collapsed wall near Via Stabiana as well as a fallen wall in the House of the Small Lupanar were of no artistic importance. Pompeii is historically famous after Mount Vesuvius’ volcanic eruption in 79 AD destroyed the whole city and buried it in the ash.

Archaeologists uncovered the city in the 18th century. The United Nation has put Pompeii on its list of protected World Heritage sites.

This is not the first time the opposition has blasted the government for not spending enough on the protection of the country’s heritage.

Previously, it had called Culture Minister Sandro Bondi to step down from its post for not providing a valid answer for the several collapses. However, Bondi has rejected the resignation calls so far.

The ruling government claims that it allocated additional funds for Pompeii two years ago and also implemented special measures to improve the site’s conservation. However, the government is accused of badly managing the plan.

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Comedian Jon Lovitz Serious About Joking On Skin Condition

December 1st, 2010 davidguide Posted in Culture Comments Off

Ayinde O. Chase – AHN News Editor

Horsham, PA, United States (AHN) – Comedian and actor Jon Lovitz has revealed he suffers from psoriasis and for the first time is talking candidly about living with the disease. He’s part of a national disease awareness campaign titled “Are You Serious.”

Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune condition that causes red, scaly plaques on the skin and affects nearly 7.5 million Americans. Lovitz said he struggled with severe plaque psoriasis for 10 years before getting its symptoms under control.

“A large portion of my body was covered in psoriasis – I had plaques on my arms, back, stomach and scalp. It was embarrassing, painful and emotionally difficult to deal with until, finally, I got serious about my psoriasis and worked with a dermatologist to find an effective treatment,” remembers Lovitz. “I decided to use my comedy to raise awareness about psoriasis, without making fun of having the disease. I hope that through hearing my story, people with psoriasis will feel inspired to talk with a dermatologist and get their symptoms under control.”

“Are You Serious” was launched by Centocor Ortho Biotech Inc. and the National Psoriasis Foundation (NPF) and uses Lovitz’s personal experiences and signature humor in an effort to educate the condition.

“Our findings about the impact of psoriasis, along with the stories we hear from people coping with the disease, underscore the importance of working with a dermatologist to find a treatment that effectively manages your disease symptoms,” said Randy Beranek, president and CEO of the National Psoriasis Foundation. “The NPF is grateful to Jon for taking a different approach to share his story, using humor as a means to motivate patients and educate the public about a disease that’s often misunderstood.”

Medical professionals estimate that approximately 7.5 million Americans and nearly 3 percent of the world’s population are living with psoriasis and nearly one-quarter of those people have cases that are considered moderate to severe.

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