Abhishek's sword is jinxed

This kind of experience, you would expect on the sets of Indiana Jones, The Phantom, Pirates of the Caribbean or even The Mummy... not Goldie Behl’s Drona.But the story goes that strange incidents have been occurring around a set of three titanium swords made in Johannesburg with Sanskrit mantras on them that Abhishek Bachchan uses in the film.According to both, Behl and Abhishek, weird things would happen whenever the three swords were separated. They first lost one at a remote location in the desert of Namibia. The next day, a man mysteriously returned the sword (each costs Rs 10 lakh) to the hotel where the cast was put up. Then, while shooting...

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Bobby is happy being an actor

Bobby Deol is a fine talent. But somehow, the actor doesn’t appear in films as frequently as he ought to.When we catch up with this modest actor, he tells us that he has been keeping very busy. “I’ve been working on some projects. I have finished two films, Ek and Roshan, for our home production company.”Bobby is the protagonist in a film that’s hit the marquee today. While the actor has immense expectations from the film — and justifiably so — the supporting cast includes the likes of Priyanka Chopra who plays his love interest. Then, there are others like Irrfan Khan, Ritiesh Deshmukh and Arshad Warsi, each of whom can leave a mark with their...

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When Ekta ‘acted’ in Tusshar’s film

It’s purported to be a laugh riot with a message – C Kkompany from Balaji Motion Pictures, which releases today, nationwide.And Tusshar Kapoor and Raima Sen, plus veterans like Anupam Kher and Mithun Chakraborty, not to mention that scream, Rajpal Yadav, are waiting to see how audiences react to their message.The rather touching, entertaining and encouraging story lauds the common man. And the comedy is not of the slapstick variety but is rather realistic. It’s the script that is very moving, say the stars. Kher explains, “There’s plenty of the ‘feel good’ factor. This is not a movie about unreal heroes, it’s about the common man turning into...

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Ash such, they’re friends!

Salman Khan has been telling his friends, "Whatever happened between Ash and me is over. I'm really fond of the Bachchans. Abhishek is a buddy and I really like him."A couple of days ago, Sallu followed up his words with some action. Putting the past completely behind him, Sallu spent half an hour with Abhishek, in the latter's vanity van.Salman was shooting for Veer, Abhishek was there at the same time for a promotional shoot of Drona. Salman took the initiative to break the ice with Ash's husband. He went to meet Abhishek and the two were closeted in Abhi's vanity van for 30 minutes.At around 3.30 pm Salman and Abhishek emerged from the van,...

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Madhuri on films and life

Ladies and gentlemen, we present Madhuri Dixit live from New York.She’s here in the Big Apple for the Big B’s world tour. But BT managed to get Big Bytes from the Big Diva before she went on stage. She laughs radiantly, expressing excitement at grabbing centrestage after long, “I just love being on stage, I am a trained classical dancer, and dance comes naturally to me. I try to do riyaaz regularly, but I have two small kids. Even they dance with me.” She adds, “I was also watching Aishwarya perform after long. I must say, Ash has matured so much as a dancer since we last danced together for Devdas. She’s getting better and better.”And sharing...

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Iran, Nigeria to share peaceful nuclear technology

ABUJA: Iran said on Thursday it had agreed to share peaceful nuclear technology with Nigeria, aiming to help Africa's biggest oil producer boost its electrical-generation output. The head of the Iranian delegation said it was his country's right to share its nuclear know-how with Nigeria. Mohammad ali Zeyghami, a top commerce official, said fossil fuels would one day disappear and that it was crucial to develop clean energy. Nigerian Foreign Ministry official Tijanni Kaura stressed that the agreement dealt only with peaceful nuclear technology and shouldn't be misconstrued as an attempt by Africa's most-populous nation to gain a nuclear weapons programme. No details of any deal were announced and the two officials didn't elaborate. Source: timesofindia.indiatimes....

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58 mn Chinese children left in villages by migrant parents

BEIJING: One out of every six kids or some 58 million children in China left behind in villages by their migrant parents could become problem for the society, a senior lawmaker has warned. And many of these children are not looked after properly, Li Jianguo, vice-chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, the top legislature, said. About 58 million of the more than 300 million under-17 children are "left at home" by parents, forced to migrate to other places in search better jobs. China has an army of about 150 million migrant workers. Citing the latest findings of a survey by the All-China Women's Federation, Li suggested governments should build more kindergartens and boarding schools to provide such children proper care and education. The figures came to light...

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UK racial abuse: Superiors tell Muslim cop to 'shut up'

LONDON: Hours after publicly announcing that he will be suing the Scotland Yard for racism, Britain's most senior Asian police officer has been asked by superiors to "shut up" and "get on" with his job. Assistant Commissioner Tarique Ghaffur went public on Thursday with a highly damaging legal action against Sir Ian Blair, accusing the Metropolitan Police chief of repeated acts of racial, religious and age discrimination. ( Watch ) However, Blair's deputy Sir Paul Stephenson rebuked Ghaffur, saying, "I think it is long past time that we all shut up, stop making public statements about private disputes and get on with the job we are paid to do. "That is a matter for him to reconcile with what he considers to be his proper responsibilities as one of this country's most senior police officers....

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'Tree man' leaves hospital with warts removed

The Indonesian fisherman who became known around the world as “tree man” has returned home after successful surgery to remove the bark-like growths covering his body.Dede Koswara has had nearly a stone of warts cut from his face, arms and legs and is now able to live independently for the first time since his teens.The 37-year-old has been allowed to leave the hospital in West Java where he has nine operations to remove 95 per cent of the growths, known as cutaneous horns.At a press conference Dede showed off his new ability to grip a pen, a feat that had been made impossible by the foot-long "roots" that previously covered his hands.His face,...

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Russia frees 12 Georgians, but EU mulls sanctions

RUKHI, Georgia - Russian forces turned over 12 Georgian soldiers on the border of one of the separatist provinces under its control Thursday after the short war that outraged the West and brought Moscow's military deep into Georgia.Russia, meanwhile, faced the prospect of more international isolation after France said the European Union was considering imposing sanctions, and a Georgian official accused Russian forces of taking part in ethnic cleansing.The tensions have spread to the Black Sea, which Russia shares unhappily with three nations that belong to NATO and two others that desperately want to, Ukraine and Georgia. Some Ukrainians fear...

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Wright-Phillips rejoins Manchester City

MANCHESTER, England (AFP) - Shaun Wright-Phillips rejoined Manchester City on Thursday as the Chelsea winger completed his move to Eastlands for an undisclosed fee.Wright-Phillips agreed a four-year contract with Mark Hughes's side and the England international could make his second debut for City in Sunday's Premier League match at Sunderland."Manchester City can exclusively reveal that Shaun Wright-Phillips has rejoined the Club," a statement on City's website confirmed."The fans' favourite agreed personal terms after completing a medical this morning (Thursday) and joins on a four-year contract following an undisclosed deal being reached with...

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Obama seeks a personal touch within a huge stadium

DENVER - Barack Obama aims to weave the personal with the political Thursday as he explains to 75,000 supporters in a massive stadium — and millions more at home — how as president he would make a difference in their lives.The sweep of history provided weight to words yet spoken: The previous evening Obama became the first black man to be a major political party's presidential candidate, and his acceptance of the Democratic nomination comes on the 45th anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech.Obama's unique personal story was sure to be included in his acceptance address Thursday night. Still, he also planned to talk about...

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Oprah is still highest paid TV host

American television host Oprah Winfrey is still at the top of the list for being the highest paid TV talk-show host.Oprah’s earnings have left her way ahead of others, with no one coming even close to her position at the top. The latest list suggests that Oprah makes 275 million dollars a year, reports Contactmusic . The amount is nearly four times what is earned by the second person on the list, radio shock-jock Howard Stern, who earns 75 million dollars a year.David Letterman shared the third spot with Judge Judy Sheindlin, with the earnings of about 45 million dollars a year each. Wrapping up the top five was Dr. Phil McGrath with 40 million...

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Kate denies stealing hair product idea

Hollywood actress Kate Hudson has denied reports that she stole Los Angeles-based 220 Laboratories’ idea for a line of haircare products.According to sources, the company had accused the beauty of taking a sample of their volcanic ash hair care product and creating her own line with it in collaboration with celebrity stylist David Babaii.Kate, Babaii and their manufacturer Universal have been charged with misappropriation of trade secrets, breach of contract, breach of confidence and fraud in the legal documents, for coming up with eco-friendly collection of shampoos and styling aids, which is said to contain a special key ingredient - volcanic...

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Jackson turns a sad 50

The gates of Michael Jackson's Neverland were locked shut this week. The funfair was idle and the animals from the private zoo were long gone.As the former King of Pop was set to mark his 50th birthday Friday it seemed fitting that the extravagant estate built as his homage to a fantasy of childhood remained empty - a site irrevocably tied to his financial and legal troubles, a symbol of a strange star's downfall.This was meant to be Jackson's refuge - a place where he could play with children who were the age he was when he became a professional singer at 11. His goal seemed to be to recover that lost childhood. But it turned sour.He was accused...

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Kirsten Dunst dating rocker?

Actress Kirsten Dunst of "Spiderman" fame is reportedly dating MGMT band frontman Andrew Vanwyngarden."Kirsten met Andrew at a gig in New York in July and set her sights on him then. She was then seen backstage with him at Lowlands in Holland and Pukkelpop in Belgium earlier this month," a source close to her was quoted as saying by thesun.co.uk.The actress was earlier romancing Johnny Borrell, the lead singer of the band Razorlight.Interestingly, Andrew was previously linked with singer Fabiola Gatti who was Borell's ex-girlfriend."It is all a bit mucky, as he (Vanwyngarden) has been linked with Johnny's ex, Fabiola. Andrew made quite an impression...

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Brad Pitt wants more kids

Hollywood star Brad Pitt says he would love to have more children to add to his already large family, just weeks after his partner and actress Angelina Jolie gave birth to twins.The twins - Vivienne Marcheline and Knox Leon - were born July 12 in south of France. But the actor confessed that he wouldn't mind having a larger brood, reports contactmusic.com."The twins are fine but I'll have two more by next year,” Pitt told reporters at the Venice Film Festival Wednesday.Pitt and Jolie's twins are the fifth and sixth children to join the family, which includes adopted kids Maddox, 6, Pax, 4, and Zahara, 3, and their biological daughter Shiloh,...

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Tomkat don his and hers look!

American actor Tom Cruise and his wife actress Katie Holmes were spotted wearing the same matching clothes on a family outing with daughter Suri.The Hollywood couple, who have been wearing matching outfits to different occasions, were seen wearing matching blue jeans that looked like they belonged to Cruise."Tom may be the boss when it comes to the box office but there is no doubt who wears the trousers at home,” the Mirror quoted an onlooker as saying."It''s odd that such a glamorous women has taken to wearing her husband''s clothes but even so she still looks fantastic."I''m just praying things don''t change and Tom feels he needs to start...

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Eva 'proud' of her nip- slip TV ad

Eva Mendes has said that she’s proud of her controversial Calvin Klein TV ad that has been banned because it showed too much of her nipple.The Hollywood star, who was recently in Sydney to launch the 30 Days of Fashion and Beauty event, has been causing a stir over the Calvin Klein perfume ads."It makes me more proud," News.com.au quoted Eva, as saying about the ban.The Ghost Rider star , who has done a number of nude shoots over the years, said she was not worried the latest would overshadow her acting career."I'm sure if it was for some kind of independent brand that wasn't as iconic as Calvin Klein I don't think I would have done it because...

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Lindsay's gal pal to pen a book

Lindsay Lohan's close friend Samantha Ronson is reportedly in talks to pen a tell-all book.A source close to club DJ Samantha said, "Well, she's certainly telling friends she's planning to write a book." “It's supposed to be about her, allegedly. But come on, you know Lindsay will be all over that book. She's the only one people want to read about,” E! Online quoted the source, as saying.Lindsay's father, Michael Lohan, says he's also been told that Samantha is writing a book, though he hasn't spoken directly to Lindsay or Samantha about it. Still, he says he is already furious over the notion. "I've shut up about this long enough," Michael said."She's...

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Piggy Chops ready for action

When she walks into the room to be quizzed by waiting journalists, one cannot take eyes off her.Dressed in white-halter-collared-shirt paired with pencil jeans combo, Priyanka Chopra seems to be getting prettier by the day. By this time, she must have got used to the constant stares. But, if the roles were to be reversed, who is it that she cannot help but stare at? “SRK,” she says instantly. “I am in complete awe of him. Right from my contest days, where he was the judge, I kept on staring at him. What a rude stare that was,” giggles Priyanka.Priyanka started out with intense dramas, and soon diversified into comedy. Now, she has her eyes set...

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Its official! Sayali is dating Shoaib

This is a BT scoop. Remember, you read it here first.Pakistan’s cricket captain, the dashing Shoaib Malik, is dating former Miss India and Bollywood actress Sayali Bhagat. This reporter bumped into them at a South Mumbai hotel where Shoaib was staying when they ventured into a beauty parlour in the lobby. Sayali, of course, is instantly recognisable; but Shoaib pretended to be somebody else! When he realised that he had been well caught, the Pakistani cricketer gamely signed autographs for hotel staff.Sayali, who made her debut opposite Emran Hashmi in The Train, had hoped to keep their relationship under wraps. “We need more time because we...

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Freida’s ready for Bollywood

It’s the kind of role that a Kareena or Katrina would love to do, but renowned British director Danny Boyle of Trainspotting fame dropped it into little-known Freida Pinto’s lap.And Boyle’s film Slumdog Millionaire, partly shot in Mumbai and Agra, is now ready to premiere at the Toronto Film Festival this October. Freida, 23, is running around in excitement, arranging a visa and makingother plans.“I hadn’t given acting a thought,” admitted Freida, “and I was kind of threshing around in life when I was asked to audition by the film’s casting director Loveleen Tandon. I didn’t think I’d be selected to play the lead opposite Dev Patel in a Danny...

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Who's the box-office King?

It’s that age-old question that trade pundits have been asking. Who is Bollywood’s reel king?That’s a tough question to answer in an industry ruled by the K-men –Aamir, Salman, Saif and Shah Rukh and Akshay Kumar. Although, some industry insiders feel, even at 67, Amitabh Bachchan is still a force to reckon with in BO stakes (especially if you were to look at the number of flicks he’s got in hand — God Tussi Great Ho, Zamaanat, Shoe Bite, Aladdin, Talismaan , Exclusion and Shantaram ), the focus has shifted to the younger lot of actors.SRK with two blockbusters last year ( Chak De! India and Om Shanti Om ) has a slew of interesting projects lined...

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Linday denies having lesbian relationship before

Hollywood singer-actress Linday Lohan has denied that she had a lesbian relationship before she started dating DJ Samantha Ronson.The couple was walking around Los Angeles (LA) Sunday when a photographer asked Lohan if there were any truth in the rumours that she had previously been involved with Courtenay Semel, the daughter of the owner of Yahoo!, reports mirror.co.uk."No, that's not true," Lohan said.Semel recently claimed in papers that she was Lohan's first lesbian lover before she hooked up with producer Mark Ronson's sister Sam.“Everyone thinks Samantha is Lindsay's first lesbian love, but we were very passionate until her fear of being...

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Michael Jackson, once pop's Peter Pan, turns a sad 50

Santa Maria, California - The gates of Michael Jackson's Neverland were locked shut this week. The funfair was idle and the animals from the private zoo were long gone.As the former King of Pop was set to mark his 50th birthday Friday it seemed fitting that the extravagant estate built as his homage to a fantasy of childhood remained empty- a site irrevocably tied to his financial and legal troubles, a symbol of a strange star's downfall.This was meant to be Jackson's refuge - a place where he could play with children who were the age he was when he became a professional singer at 11. His goal seemed to be to recover that lost childhood. But...

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Uma Thurman strips off for moon lit swim with fiance

Hollywood actress Uma Thurman was spotted going for a topless moon lit swim with fiance Arki Busson on their Italian holiday. (Join Uma Thurman Fan Club)The couple, who had announced their engagement earlier this year, were also pictured kissing each other as they cooled off in the water, reports The Sun.Prior to the ‘naughty’ swim, the loving pair had visited actor Liam Neeson and his wife Natasha Richardson. Later, they enjoyed a romantic dinner together.The ‘Kill Bill’ actress began dating Busson just after she split from Andre Balaz – her partner of three years.Busson has dated model Elle McPherson for nine years.Source: topnews...

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Paris Hilton says she just ‘loves’ Britney Spears

Paris Hilton has said it loud and clear that she loves popstar Britney Spears and is rooting for her at this year’s MTV Video Music Awards.The ‘Hit Me Baby One More Time’ hitmaker has been nominated for two awards at the VMA’s this year – Best Female and Best Pop Video category for her track ‘A piece of me’."I love Britney, I think she looks so beautiful right now,” Contactmusic quoted Hilton, as saying."I''m really happy for her, She looks amazing and she better win the VMAs, She''s the best," Hilton said.The MTV VMAs show is set to air in the U. S. on 7 September (08).Source: topnews...

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Led Zeppelin return to studio for first time in over 25 years

English rock band Led Zeppelin may be gearing up for a reunion tour, as they have reportedly returned to the studio for the first time in more than a quarter of a century.Guitarist Jimmy Page and drummer John Bonham are said to be working on new material during secret sessions in London, while vocalist Robert Plant is still on tour in the US with current musical partner, country singer Alison Krauss, and his absence from the band is very obvious.“I’ve been working with Jimmy and John Paul and trying to do some new material and some writing,” the Sun quoted Bonham as revealing.“I don’t know what it will be, but it will be something,” he said.It...

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Pop paedophile Gary Glitter spotted sneaking out to shop for a car

Pop paedophile Gary Glitter, 64, was caught sneaking out of his safe house on August 26 night to go shopping for a car.He ventured out under the cover of darkness with a friend using a straw hat and a red wig, hoping that he would not be recognized.But even though he had shaved off his grey beard, after his deportation from the Far East last week, he was still easily recognized with his torn jeans and a holey jumper.Glitter was first seen driving to Sainsbury’s for groceries with a pal of his, where they parked the car in a corner of the parking lot to avoid being noticed.While his friend left the car and went into the store, Glitter sat in the...

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Safina, Williams aim for No. 1 tennis ranking at US Open

NEW YORK (AFP) - Top seed Ana Ivanovic struggled but held on to win her opening match, while a pair of wannabe number ones advanced in straights sets during day two of the US Open.World No. 1 Ivanovic, who captured the French Open earlier this year for her first Grand Slam title, didn't make the opening statement she had planned on Tuesday.The 20-year-old Serbian survived a scare by beating Vera Dushevina 6-1, 4-6, 6-4 at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Centre."Obviously my lack of practice showed a little," Ivanovic said. "This match is going to help me because it was so challenging."I was missing a lot of match practice so I got a tough...

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Australia assessing visa for Snoop Dogg

SYDNEY, Australia - The immigration department said Wednesday it was conducting a character assessment of Snoop Dogg, including his criminal history, as Australia considers whether to grant the rapper a visa for a concert tour later this year.A department spokesman said reports the visa had already been granted were false.He said the rapper, whose birth name is Cordozar Calvin Broadus Jr., applied for a visa in July and the department carried out a preliminary assessment. Snoop Dogg and fellow hip-hop star Ice Cube plan an Australian concert tour in October."The department has now decided to do a full assessment of the character of Mr. Broadus,...

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Filmmaker Chick takes thriller route to Hamptons

NEW YORK (Hollywood Reporter) - Sony Screen Gems and indie filmmaker Austin Chick are taking a trip to the Hamptons. The genre label has signed on for a Hamptons-based thriller from Chick that mixes elements of the found-money morality tale "A Simple Plan" with aspects of a youth-oriented romantic thriller like "Cruel Intentions."The untitled project, which Chick is writing and will direct, revolves around three twenty-somethings -- two brothers and a brother's girlfriend -- who, while vacationing in the Hamptons on Long Island, come upon a cache of money. They get embroiled in an increasingly complex plan to divide it up and elude the money's true owners, who are pursuing them.Chick directed the 2008 Josh Hartnett drama "August" and made his debut with the Mark Ruffalo-starring romantic...

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Steven Spielberg still on board for "Tintin"

BRUSSELS, Belgium/LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - Although Brussels' Herge Studios seems to think otherwise, Steven Spielberg remains committed to directing the first in a planned "Tintin" trilogy for DreamWorks. It will be his next directing effort after this summer's "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull," which has grossed $780 million worldwide.Herge Studios, which holds the rights to the iconic comic strip character, said Tuesday via a spokesman that Peter Jackson was moving into the director's chair for the first film. But both Jackson's and Spielberg's representatives say that Jackson will direct the sequel and serve as a producer on the first film.In the meantime, Jackson will finish postproduction on "The Lovely Bones" for DreamWorks/Paramount before moving on to...

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Movie museum to honor Ben Stiller

NEW YORK (Hollywood Reporter) - Actor/director Ben Stiller has been selected as this year's honoree for the Museum of the Moving Image's 24th annual black-tie salute.The event, which benefit's MOMI's education programs, is scheduled for November 12 at Cipriani 42nd Street in New York. Stiller's colleagues are expected to pay tribute and present clips from his film career."Ben Stiller is one of the great talents of American entertainment: a memorable actor, an accomplished director and writer, an Emmy Award winner and an innovative producer," MOMI director Rochelle Slovin said.Tom Cruise, Stiller's "Tropic Thunder" co-star, was last year's honoree.Source:...

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Kara DioGuardi joins `Idol' judges for NYC tryouts

NEW YORK - It was only her first day as an "American Idol" judge, but already Kara DioGuardi seemed part of the dysfunctional family.DioGuardi, the freshly-installed fourth "Idol" critic, joined Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson in a public show of solidarity Tuesday afternoon as the quartet entered a Chelsea Piers building on Manhattan's west side for a round of season eight auditions.They walked a red carpet amid a media circus aimed at getting the first photo opportunity of DioGuardi with her new co-workers. Cowell summed up the thinking behind adding the 37-year-old singer-songwriter to the panel."It's like, you know, having dinner...

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Gustav hits Haiti, drives up oil prices

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti - Hurricane Gustav caused a killer landslide and dumped torrential rains on southern Haiti before weakening to a tropical storm late Tuesday.Rising water threatened Haiti's crops amid protests over high food prices, and oil prices rose on fears the storm could batter oil rigs in the Gulf of Mexico.The storm lingered into the night over Haiti's poor, deforested southern peninsula, and water levels were rising in banana, bean and vegetable fields. One man was killed in a landslide in the mountain town of Benet, civil protection director Marie Alta Jean-Baptiste told Radio Metropole.Cars pushed through standing water in the...

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