Monthly Archives: July 2011

Hacking Latest: Sunday Times targeted Brown

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According to the BBC, the Sunday Times illegally targeted private personal information of former British Prime Minister Gordon Brown. The Sunday Times is also a member of Rupert Murdoch’s News International.

BBC documents suggest ‘blagging’ was used to obtain private medical and financial information. ‘Blagging’ was made illegal in 1994 and involves, ‘knowingly or recklessly obtaining or disclosing personal data without consent’. News international private investigators are thought to have targeted Brown’s police and tax records.

In one incident, someone said to be acting for the Sunday Times is accused of impersonating Mr Brown and obtaining details from his building society.

The BBC says, the Browns also fear another News International paper, the Sun, may have obtained medical records about their son Fraser. The Sun revealed Fraser had cystic fibrosis in 2006.

According to the Financial Times Gordon Brown is said to be very angry at News International, particularly for the incident relating to his son. He is expected to make a statement accusing other News International corporations of hacking.

Many are now asking how far the scandal goes? Have we only seen the tip of the iceberg so far.

In related news News Corporations bid for BskyB looked all but dead in the water as culture secretary Jeremy Hunt referred the bid to the regulator. Deputy PM Nick Clegg also urged Murdoch to abandon the takeover.

 

Robbie Williams 'to become a dad'

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Robbie Williams is “going to be a dad”.

The Take That star – who is married to US actress Ayda Field – is hopeful of starting a family in the near future and says impending parenthood is the reason he has taken control of his life and become more comfortable with appearing on stage and socialising with others.

Robbie – who famously suffers from crippling stage fright – said: “I’m going to be a dad… maybe next year or the year after and I don’t want their dad to be emotionally inept, for my own well-being as well as theirs.

“At the start of the year, I got a feeling that ‘things’ can be different. It started as an ember and now because of the tour it’s a furnace.

“In fact it started when we – as a couple – were kindly invited on holiday that was a once in a lifetime thing but it involved going with people we didn’t know. My automatic reaction normally would have been, ‘No, be safe, don’t step out of your comfort zone’ but then I thought of the kids we’re yet to have and said, ‘No f**k it, I want their dad to be able to do this sort of thing.’ So I did. Things just snowballed from there.”

As well as wanting to have children, Robbie – who has numerous tattoos – is also planning more body art.

He added on his official blog: I’m having a Keith Haring picture for my next tat and then I want Archangel Michael.”

Elizabeth Taylor's Bel Air estate sells

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Dame Elizabeth Taylor’s home has been sold.

The Oscar-winning actress – who passed away from congestive heart failure in March at the age of 79 – lived in the 1960s ranch-style house in Bel Air, California, for 30 years until her death, and it is now believed to have sold for somewhere in the region of $8.6 million.

According to an email announcement from listing agent David Mossler of Teles Properties, the property was purchased by an undisclosed buyer after 33 days on the market.

While the price the ranch was eventually sold for is yet to be revealed, the 7,000-square-foot estate – previously owned by singer Nancy Sinatra – features its own swimming pool, maids’ quarters and bricked motor court.

Meanwhile, the second-floor master suite offers “treetop views, master bath with spa tub, adjacent dressing room/salon and two smaller bedrooms”.

Elizabeth’s son Christopher Wilding previously said of the property: “The house was where we all gathered, especially at Thanksgiving and Easter. She never entertained the notion of moving.”

Elsewhere, a number of items belonging to the ‘Cleopatra’ actress are to be sold at auction in December.

Marc Porter, chairman of Christie’s Americas – who will be selling the star’s personal possessions – said: “A rare woman who was at once an international film and fashion star, loving mother, successful businesswoman and generous humanitarian, this collection of her many cherished possessions will bring us closer to the essence of Elizabeth Taylor’s unique spirit.”

Jennifer Aniston's boyfriend 'loves' her

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Jennifer Aniston’s boyfriend has told her he loves her.

The ‘Horrible Bosses’ actress – who started dating Justin Theroux last month after first meeting him on the set of ‘Wanderlust’ last year – was accompanied by the actor to her official hand and footprint ceremony at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre, where he reportedly confessed his feelings.

An onlooker told HollywoodLife.com: “Jen and Justin were cuddled up together before she was taken away for the ceremony. They were away from the cameras and they hugged and kissed for a few seconds before Justin said, ‘Congratulations, I love you!’

“She didn’t say I love you back but she gave him a big kiss in return and then had to hurry away.”

Jennifer is likely to be thrilled by Justin’s emotional honesty, as the 42-year-old star recently insisted the key to a successful relationship is being able to talk openly with your partner.

She said: “You need to talk to each other and you have to say what you want.

“You don’t confront your man about things which you’re not happy about, you approach it in a much more constructive way. You never want to be in an adversarial situation where it’s you versus him. “All couples face those kinds of difficulties, but you’ve got to be able to talk about your problems and your needs and do it in a positive way. That’s easier said than done, of course.”

Katy Perry struck down with food poisoning

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Katy Perry has been struck down with food poisoning.

The ‘Teenage Dream’ hitmaker – who is currently performing across the US as part of her ‘California Dreams’ tour – has been forced to cancel a number of her concerts after suffering from “severe dehydration” as a result of the sudden illness.

According to a statement from promoters Jam Productions, the singer has rescheduled her July 8 show at Chicago’s Allstate Arena for August 21, and her July 9 gig at St. Paul’s Xcel Energy Center for August 23.

Katy said: “I apologise to my fans in Chicago and the Twin Cities for not being able to perform this weekend, but I am going to return in a few weeks to give them the very best show ever!”

This isn’t the first mishap Katy has suffered while on tour, as the star recently had to hire a cat whisperer to control her and husband Russell Brand’s trio of unruly felines, Krusty, Kitty Purry and Morrissey, who kept misbehaving while she was on the road.

She explained: “”He realigned their chakras and did some hypnosis. We were like, ‘Wow, this is extravagant!'”

Orlando Bloom intimated by LA

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Orlando Bloom thinks Los Angeles is “big and intimidating”.

The British actor – who divides his time with wife Miranda Kerr and their six-month-old son Flynn between London and the US city – was overwhelmed when he took a flight out of California and caught a glimpse of the landscape.

He said: “My first overriding memory of LA is flying out of the city to New Zealand to do ‘Lord of the Rings’ and looking out of the window of the plane thinking it looked big and intimidating.

“A bit scary really – just so vast and bustling.”

Despite regarding Los Angeles as his work base, Orlando loves going out into the hills on his bicycle.

He said: “I love being close to nature and being outdoors, so I would have to say my favourite part of LA is the hills or the canyons, which are great for mountain biking.”

However, the actor also loves to spend time at home with his family and friends.

Asked to describe a perfect day, he told Tatler magazine: “Having family time, good food, good friends, a nice glass of wine, then winding down with a movie at home.”

Mike 'The Situation' Sorrentino sued for 1m

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Mike ‘The Situation’ Sorrentino is being sued for $1million.

The ‘Jersey Shore’ star’s former managers have reportedly filed the mammoth lawsuit against him after claiming they took him from “relative obscurity” to stardom.

According to gossip website TMZ, management company Gotham NYC Entertainment filed the suit today claiming Mike should have given them 30 days notice and a chance to rectify any wrongdoings before he dumped them in May due to “lack of performance”.

Claiming the reality TV star is in breach of his contract – which was signed prior to the 2009 premiere of ‘Jersey Shore’ – Gotham has stated not only did they discover the unknown talents of Mike, but transformed his career “from relative obscurity to become an international celebrity”.

However, the star is no stranger to law suits.

In May, he filed a legal complaint against his father Frank Sorrentino over a string of foul-mouthed rants – which branded him as “full of sh*t” – which he made online.

According to the official court documents, Mike was hoping to prevent his dad from discussing him and their relationship in public, claiming his comments were devaluing his ever-expanding business empire.

Dallas remake given go-ahead

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A remake of 80s TV show ‘Dallas’ has been given the go-ahead.

The US series – which ran from 1978 to 1991 and centered around the power struggles within a Texan oil dynasty – will return to screens in the summer of next year, with cable network TNT ordering 10 episodes of the explosive drama.

Jesse Metcalfe, Jordana Brewster, Brenda Strong, Josh Henderson and Julie Gonzalo will all star in the remake, alongside ‘Dallas’ veteran Larry Hagman – who played J.R. Ewing in the original series – as well as Linda Gray and Patrick Duffy.

Michael Wright, executive vice-president and head of programming for TNT, said: “TNT has explored the possibility of an updated version of ‘Dallas’ for several years, but it wasn’t until we read Cynthia Cidre’s outstanding pilot script that we knew we had the foundation for a great new series.”

The network will preview the new series of ‘Dallas’ – written and produced by Cynthia Cidre – on Monday night

Michael M. Robin has helmed the pilot episode and will co executive produce alongside Cynthia.