15th century Peruvians sacrificed humans to appease El Nino

Caracas (Venezuela), July 16 (ANI): Archaeologists have found evidence that a woman from the Chimu culture was buried alive in the 15th century at the Chan Chan archaeological complex in Peru to ameliorate the various effects of what we today call the El Nino weather phenomenon.

“This is the first time that evidence has been found that some people from the epoch were buried alive to prevent, in this case, the actions of El Nino from having effects on the city of mud,” said Cristobal Campana from Peru’s National Institute of Culture (INC).

According to a report in Latin American Herald Tribune, the skeletal remains of the woman, who was in her early 20s, were found during work to restructure the western perimeter wall of the Nain An (House of the birds) palace, which is part of the Chan Chan mud citadel.

The archaeological complex is recognized by the United Nations as a World Heritage Site, but it is also on the list of imperiled sites because of the fragility of its structures due to the effect of the rains and intense heat in the region.

Chan Chan is one of the most important ceremonial centers in northern Peru.

The skeletal remains are of a woman who stood 1.55 meters (5 feet) tall, who was strangled and buried alive, from the position of her arms and jaw, which reflect her final desperate struggle to free herself from the fabric tied around her throat, according to Campana.

In addition, the victim had had both feet amputated in the same manner that the Chimu did with other sacrificial victims at another palace in the same region.

According to Campana, the remains will be removed this week from inside a structure that is protecting them from sun and rain, and they will be taken for further study to the INC laboratory in the province of La Libertad, where Chan Chan is located. (ANI)

World’s largest and most technologically advanced telescope to debut on July 24

Washington, July 14 (ANI): The world’s largest, most technologically advanced telescope is all set to make its formal debut on July 24 in Spain’s Canary Islands.

Known as the Gran Telescopio Canarias, the telescope has a 10.4-meter diameter mirror, and has more light-collecting area than any other telescope.

Perched 7,874 feet above sea level on a mountain on the island of La Palma, the GTC has 6 square meters more light collecting area than any of the roughly one dozen 8- to 10-meter telescopes worldwide.

With a mirror composed of 36 hexagonal segments thought to have the smoothest surfaces ever made, it is also the world’s most technologically advanced optical telescope.

Sensors keep the mirrors aligned to counteract the force of gravity, with the result that they act as a single surface, even as the telescope is rotated and aligned in place.

According to Stan Dermott, chairman of UF’s (University of Florida’s) astronomy department, the GTC’s size and technical attributes enable it not only to gather more light than any other telescope, but also resolve the light into sharper and clearer focus.

“For astronomers, those capabilities make it a powerful tool to study cosmic origins – the early days of the universe and the very early moments in the mysterious births of stars, planets and galaxies,” he said.

“The interpretation of the structure of the disks where new planets form is highly dependent on the quality of the image,” he said, adding that the GTC also will enable the discoveries of new planets, possibly including the first habitable planet.

At the inauguration of the telescope, officials and astronomers from the University of Florida, the only US institution that is part of the project, will join more than 500 astronomers, journalists and celebrities in a ceremony presided over by Spain’s King Juan Carlos I and Queen Sofia. (ANI)

Eerie pictures show Michael Jackson rehearsing on stage for London comeback gigs just 48 hours before he died

These are the last pictures of Michael Jackson on stage, taken just two days before he died.

The images of the singer hard at work rehearsing for upcoming tour This Is It give a glimpse of what was in store for fans at his planned gigs in London’s 02.

Jackson was due to begin the first of 50 dates at the arena on July 13, but died on Thursday after being rushed to hospital in Los Angeles.

Putting on a thriller: Michael Jackso strikes a familiar pose as he practises his routine in the Staples Centre, LA,  for the This Is It comeback concerts

Putting on a thriller: Michael Jackso strikes a familiar pose as he practises his routine in the Staples Centre, LA,  for the This Is It comeback concerts

Eerie pictures show Michael Jackson rehearsing on stage for London comeback gigs just 48 hours before he died

Eerie pictures show Michael Jackson rehearsing on stage for London comeback gigs just 48 hours before he died

In one of the newly-emerged images, taken on Tuesday at the Staples Centre in Los Angeles, the singer points towards the audience as backing dancers perform in front of a huge This Is It banner.

Despite looking frail, the star strikes a familiar pose and appears to be in full flow during the rehearsal.

In another photo, he smiles broadly, microphone in hand, dressed in a long shimmering mac over a top and trousers.

Man in the mac: Microphone in hand, the singer appears to be enjoying himself as he rehearses

Man in the mac: Microphone in hand, the singer appears to be enjoying himself as he rehearses

More than 800,000 tickets costing up to £1,000 had been sold for the concerts at London’s O2 arena which were hailed as the most ‘expensive and technically advanced’ live shows ever.

The concerts, which were due to start in two weeks’ time, had been expected to be the highest grossing pop production of all time.

Hundreds of thousands of fans who bought tickets for the cancelled gigs have been told they will be entitled to a refund.

ON DVD, THE FINAL PERFORMANCE

Footage from Jackson’s final rehearsals is already being compiled for a DVD and album.

The star is believed to have been filmed running through his songs and dance routines the day before he died.

In the groove: Footage of star rehearsing could be released on DVD although it's unclear who owns the rights

In the groove: Footage of star rehearsing could be released on DVD although it’s unclear who owns the rights

It is expected that when released this could become one of the star’s biggest selling works.

It is understood filming took place last Wednesday during Jackson’s rehearsals at the Los Angeles Staples Centre for the 50-date This Is It tour.

It remains unclear who has official ownership of the footage. A spokesman for concert promoter AEG
declined to comment. It is expected that the star’s estate will make more money in the next year from his music than he did in the last decade of his life.

The king of pop’s family will release a series of posthumous albums, starting this Christmas. It is understood Jackson wrote a number of songs for his three children, which were not to be released until after his death.

There are also songs left over from his last album, Invincible, released in 2001.

A tribute show is planned for September with Diana Ross, Bruce Springsteen, Stevie Wonder and Barbra Streisand said to be in talks to appear.

Source By – http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1196369/New-pictures-Michael-Jackson-hard-work-rehearsing-just-days-died.html

Is Lindsay Lohan back with Samantha Ronson?

London, July 03(ANI): Lindsay Lohan may be back with lesbian lover Samantha Ronson.

The actress was snapped with DJ partying at The Ruby nightclub in L.A, the Sun reports.

The ‘Mean Girls’ star was sporting a new blonde hairdo, while Ronson chose to cover her head with a trademark beeny.

In 2008, several media outlets began commenting on Lohan and Ronson, who were regularly seen being affectionate in public.

Lohan had said that her family, with the exception of her father Michael, had been supportive of her relationship with Ronson.

However, the couple broke up in early April 2009. (ANI)

Chris Brown should be in jail, says Rihanna’s dad

London, June 29 (ANI): Rihanna’s father says that her daughter’s ex-boyfriend Chris Brown should’ve been jailed.

Ronald Fenty slammed the U.S. justice system after Brown was handed a ‘light’ sentence for assaulting the ‘Umbrella’ hitmaker.

The R and B singer was sentenced to five years’ probation and six months of community service by a U.S. court after he pleaded guilty to one count of assault on Rihanna.

Community service will include picking up litter or removing graffiti, as per the order of the court.

Apart from it, he will also have to attend courses on domestic violence.

However, Fenty is furious after an L.A. judge failed to imprison Brown.

“He should be in jail. Chris should have been sent to jail for what he did to my girl. He’s got off lightly. Chris put her through hell,” the Daily Star quoted Fenty as saying. (ANI)

Prescription drugs’ role in Jacko’s death being probed

Washington, June 28 (ANI): Investigators probing into the cause of Michael Jackson’s death are trying to determine whether or not prescription drugs may have played a role.

The L.A. coroner says that it will take weeks to confirm the cause of death.

However, still, some newspapers have cited unnamed sources and declared that the Thriller’ star took a daily cocktail of narcotics, including Demerol, Dilaudid, Vicodin, Zanax and Paxil.

A pharmacy in Beverly Hills sued Jackson two years ago, claiming the entertainer owed more than $100,000 for prescription drugs.

J. Randy Taraborelli, a biographer, said that family and friends concerned for years.

“It’s been a long, ongoing problem,” CBS News quoted Taraborelli as saying.

The online report says that cops want to interrogate Dr. Conrad Murray, Jackson’s personal doctor, about the singer’s drug use.

Dr. Murry was with Jackson when the singer collapsed, and he is the doctor mentioned in the 911 call. (ANI)

Kim Kadarshian has a “girl crush” on Megan Fox

Washington, June 25 (ANI): Kim Kardashian has said that she has a “crush” on world’s sexiest woman Megan Fox.

“Megan Fox is so hot. She is, like, my girl crush-and I don’t have girl crushes!” Us magazine quoted Kardashian as telling Entertainment Tonight.

Kadarshian, who attended L.A. premiere of Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, which stars Fox, said: “That’s really the only reason I’m here,” while also hinting that her beau Reggie Bush also has a thing for the actress.

The socialite, who came into major limelight after her sex-tape surfaced, added: “I’m just really confident sexually, and I think that sort of oozes out of my pores, it’s just there. It’s something I don’t have to turn on.

“If you know how to take control of [being a sex symbol], then it can be powerful. But I have no idea how to handle it yet, how to deal with it.” (ANI)

‘Friendly’ Anne Hathaway doling out designer dresses on loan

New York, June 24 (ANI): Everyone should have a friend like Anne Hathaway, for the actress not only knows how to treat her pals well, but also makes sure that they dress well too.

The actress’ ‘Twelfth Night’ co-star Julie White arrived at the L.A. premiere of ‘Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen’ in a dress happily on loan from her.

“I had my dress picked out for the premiere on Monday, and on Sunday night Annie came in with kind of a wadded-up-looking black bag that you get from the deli,” the New York Daily News quoted White as saying.

She added: “And inside of it was this gorgeous Marchesa dress. She’s like, ‘Julie, I think you should wear this.’ I’m not kidding. That’s how good a girl she is.”

When asked whether it’s just like lady friends borrowing clothes from each other, White said: “Yes, except it’s lady friends with access to the greatest clothes in the universe.”

She said: “It’s like Shia – someone who knows they’re in a kind of crazy, charmed position. They just totally share the wealth.”

She added: “Anne “was absolutely right. She has brilliant taste. It looks perfect!” (ANI)

Cher roped in for musical ‘Burlesque’

Washington, June 24 (ANI): Singer/actress Cher has been roped in along with Christina Aguilera to star in a musical film named Burlesque.

According to Variety, Aguilera, 28, will play a small-town girl from Iowa who moves to L.A. and lands work at a neo-burlesque club run by Cher.

Screen Gems president Clint Culpepper said he has been lobbying Cher for years to return to films.

“She brings a soulfulness and gravitas to this character that will ground the story,” People magazine quoted Culpepper as saying.

“The only person who was more excited than I am is Christina,” he added. (ANI)

Jolie’s dad says she and Megan Fox are ‘both sexy gals’

Washington, June 24 (ANI): Angelina Jolie’s dad Jon Voight thinks that his superstar daughter and Megan Fox are quite similar, and that both of them are “sexy gals”.

Speaking at the L.A. premiere of ‘Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen’, Voight said that both actresses were even following a similar career path.

“Well, they are both very beautiful women, and they are both sexy gals, you know,” Us magazine quoted Voight as saying.

He added: “And they’re both in action pictures now.”

But Voight thinks “everybody is unique”, and says: “We are all so different from one another that we can’t be compared-but they are very attractive girls.” (ANI)

Jennifer Aniston, Courtney Cox’s thrilling girl’s night out

Washington, May 30 (ANI): Longtime BFFs Jennifer Aniston and Courtney Cox enjoyed a thrilling girls’ night out in Los Angeles recently.

The pair looked in a great mood.

They first had dinner with Cox’s husband David Arquette at L.A.’s Water Grill and headed to Staples Centre to catch a Fleetwood Mac concert later.

“They totally looked like they did back on Friends – two women having a girls night out,” Usmagazine quoted an onlooker as telling X17.

“Other diners at the restaurant were definitely looking at the pair, but it didn’t seem to bother them.

“They were both in a great mood! They were even holding hands on the way out of the restaurant!” the onlooker added. (ANI)

Rihanna, Chris Brown ‘land film projects’

New York, May 27 (ANI): If rumours are to be believed, both Rihanna and her ex-beau Chris Brown have landed roles in different movie projects.

Rihanna, who’s in New York to work on her new album, is also taking acting lessons while in the Big Apple, according to a source.

“Rihanna will start filming ‘Personal Protection’ later this year. She’s not ready, actingwise, yet, so she’s meeting with a coach,” the New York Daily News quoted a source as saying.

Meanwhile, Brown has also become a part of an untitled project.

“Chris plays a homeless character. It’s a real rags-to-riches story and should be good for his image,” a friend said.

Brown will shoot for three weeks over the summer in both L.A. and Memphis. (ANI)

Paris Hilton says sex tape ruined her chance to be like Di

London, May 19 (ANI): Paris Hilton blames her scandalous life for preventing her from fulfilling her dreams of being like Princess Diana.

The celebrity socialite makes the claim in a new documentary – titled Paris, Not France – screened at the Cannes Film Festival. The film looks at Hilton’s empire and goes behind the scenes of her life.

Hilton’s bad behaviour includes her infamous sex tape with Rick Solomon, other leaked saucy videos and pictures, a charge for Driving Under the Influence (DUI) and a short spell behind bars, reports The Sun.

Talking about that sex video, Paris says: “When I heard about it I thought: ‘Yeah right. It’s going to be a look-a-like. It’s going to be a joke.’

“But a couple of hours later it was all over online and then I saw it. t’s the most intimate thing you can do and the whole f***ing world is watching it and laughing at you.

“That’s not what I wanted when I was a little girl. It’s not what I planned. I always looked up to people like Princess Diana and now I can never be like that.”

The documentary was shot in London, New York, Tokyo, LA and Las Vegas.

Hilton said her public persona was nothing like how she was behind closed doors.
he says: “People see me as a Barbie with a perfect life, a fantasy… maybe that’s what they like. There’s a mystery about me because how I am in public is completely different to how I am in private.”(ANI)

Leona Lewis leaves London flat for expensive villa in L.A.

London, May 9 (ANI): X Factor winner Leona Lewis has shifted base from her London flat to a plush villa in Los Angeles.
The ‘Bleeding Love’ hitmaker will be living at the fine-looking villa worth a whopping 1.5 million dollars.

Leona has rented the villa to be near mentor Simon Cowell’s 10 million-dollar villa.

While the entertainer will stay in L.A., her boyfriend Lou Al-Chamaa will be staying in London.

Meanwhile, Leona is working on her forthcoming album. (ANI)

Jennifer Hudson proposes back to lover

Washington, May 08 (ANI): Jennifer Hudson reportedly proposed back to lover David Otunga on his birthday last month and presented him with a Neil Lane engagement ring.
She popped the question on his birthday last month and presented him with a personally designed 5 carats Neil Lane engagement ring.

“Jennifer wanted to give him something really special when she asked David to marry her. It was very sentimental and romantic. … They are really in love,” People Magazine quoted Lane as saying.

Giving details about the ring, Neil said it was an “architectural and geometric” platinum and diamond men’s ring that was “masculine,” yet had “a lot of sparkle.”

He said, “Jennifer and I went through lots of different designs, talked about it a lot and she was very open.”

Having no idea about David’s ring size, it turned out that the ring was too big. However, Jennifer and David already had the ring being resized at Neil’s L.A. store last weekend.

“They were so lovey-dovey and so sweet to each other. He was very protective of her and they were so in love,” the jeweller said. (ANI)

Is it splitsville for John Mayer and ‘new flame’ Scheana Marie?

New York, May 4 (ANI): John Mayer has reportedly parted ways with his latest flame Scheana Marie barely after a month of dating, because the bombshell spilled more than a few details of their relationship in public.

The former Hawaiian Tropic model reportedly started seeing the ‘Your Body is a Wonderland’ hitmaker after they met in a Beverly Hills lounge in early April.

But in a recent interview with YoungHollywood.com on May 1, Marie went a little too public about their hook-up and spilled details like, “I love his personality . . . he’s funny. . . . He can be, like, a dork.”

And the exposure didn’t go quite well with the singer, who hasn’t talked to her since the story came out.

However, attending the Catch Boutique Launch event in L.A. this weekend, Marie told a friend she’s “quite nervous that John hasn’t texted or called.”

She also had her tarot cards read and was “horrified” when the psychic told her she’s concerned over her “recent choices” in love.

“She assumed the psychic meant about her spilling the beans on John,” The New York Daily News quoted a source as saying.

Marie had specifically told reporters: “He is not my boyfriend.”

But she is afraid that she spilled “too much to the media and she may have screwed up something with a great guy,” said an insider.

The source added: “She’s especially nervous because her birthday is next week and she hopes John will be her date.”

The worried bombshell “just wants to make sure John knows that she really cares about him and is not using this media attention to further her career,” said the insider.

According to E! Online, friend of Mayer has said, “The two are no longer in contact” and that Marie has been “exaggerating her interactions with him.”

Another source close to Mayer said: “Scheana’s delusional. John’s laughed off all of this.” (ANI)

Jolie, Hathaway among many Hollywood A-listers to design jewelry for celebrity auction

London, May 2 (ANI): Angelina Jolie, Victoria Beckham and Anne Hathaway have joined hands to design jewellery for a celebrity auction.

The auction features celebrity memorabilia that will benefit the Prince’s Trust and other charities.

Other celebrities like Kate Winslet, Jennifer Lopez, Penelope Cruz and Ricky Gervais have also designed jewellery or added autographs to the collection, which will be displayed at auction house Bonhams in New Bond Street in London.

After the display, the items will return to New York before being auctioned at Bonhams and Butterfields in L.A on May 28.

Half of the proceeds of the auction, which is being organized by L.A. based charity auction campaign Stars For A Cause, will go to charities chosen by the participating celebrities, reports The Telegraph.

The other half will go to the Prince’s Trust, which helps young people develop confidence, motivation and skills to find work.

Other jewellery items include designs from Charlize Theron, Goldie Hawn and Miley Cyrus, while Sir Ben Kingsley has designed a pair of cuff-links. (ANI)

Jessica Biel, a good ‘tequila shot sport’!

New York, Apr 29 (ANI): Hollywood actress Jessica Biel proved that she is a “good sport” when she took tequila shots with beau Justin Timberlake despite being in no mood to drink.

The couple attended two birthday parties at the Thompson hotel in L.A. and though Jessica was not in favor of drinking anymore, she happily obliged to her beau’s request of binging on tequila shots.

“Everyone was doing shots of tequila, but Jess said she didn’t want to drink anymore,” the New York Daily News quoted Jessica, as saying.

“Justin good-naturedly insisted, so she pulled her hair back and drank up!” Jessica added. (ANI)

Jamie Lynn Spears’ beau left with fractured skull after accident

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New York, Apr 27 (ANI): American actress Jamie Lynn Spears’ baby’s father, Casey Aldridge, has been hospitalised for a fractured skull after his pickup veered off the road and flipped./pp
The incident happened during a Louisiana bachelor-party outing, and Aldridge, 19, has been charged with careless driving after the crash near Lake Bruin in Tensas Parish, La./pp
As per People magazine, Jamie Lynn Spears, 18, was at Aldridge’s bedside on April 26 at the Riverland Medical Center in Vidalia, La, and a family source revealed the young dad has been in and out of consciousness./pp
It’s not as serious as we thought at first, the New York Daily News quoted the source as saying./pp
The source also said Aldridge had been attending a cousin’s bachelor party, when he and some friends decided to go crabbing./pp
Cops said there was no indication alcohol or drugs were involved in the accident. (ANI)/p

Hayden Panettiere’s L.A. home robbed

Washington, April 24 (ANI): Heroes star Hayden Panettiere’s Los Angeles home has been robbed, police has confirmed.

The theft was reported on Monday.

“The incident occurred between April 10 and 15 while she was out of town,” Usmagazine.com quoted Public Information Officer April Harding as saying.

According to TMZ, approximately 15,000 dollars worth of jewellery is now missing from Panettiere’s home.

However, police could only confirm that personal property was stolen from Panettiere, 19.

They could not disclose the monetary value of the heisted goods, but any report of grand theft involves property valued at 400 dollars or more.

According to reports, there were no signs of forced entry. (ANI)