Kardashians's hellish divorce

Attorneys for Kim Kardashian's estranged husband want to interview her mother and current boyfriend, Kanye West, before setting a trial to end the couple's 72-day marriage.

A judge says the legal maneuvering means it will likely be at least next year before the couple is granted a divorce or an annulment, as NBA player Kris Humphries desires.
The pace drew derision from Kardashian's attorney, Laura Wasser, who told the judge during a hearing Wednesday that her firm has already spent $250,000 on the case. Wasser says she will be billing Humphries for the work

Humphries' attorney, Marshall Waller, says he is encountering difficulty getting information from companies that produce Kardashian's reality shows in his effort to prove the couple's marriage was a fraud.
The couple's divorce was filed in October.

Most Liveable Cities

The annual survey of 140 cities uses more than 30 factors to gauge the state of healthcare, education, infrastructure, stability, culture and environment — rendering a score out of 100.

Top 10 cities

Melbourne, Australia — 97.5
Vienna, Austria — 97.4
Vancouver, B.C. — 97.3
Toronto, Ont. — 97.2
Calgary, Atla. — 96.6
Adelaide, Australia — 96.6
Sydney, Australia — 96.1
Helsinki, Finland — 96.0
Perth, Australia — 95.9
Auckland, N.Z. — 95.7
Vancouver lost marks only for petty crime rates, availability of quality housing and congested road networks, with report authors citing a series of infrastructure projects such as the new Evergreen transit line “that will no doubt have a long-term benefit, but in the short-term they can be disruptive.”

Toronto received a “Tolerable” rating (as opposed to Acceptable) for roads, public transit and housing while Calgary waned in temperature ratings.

Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi mused that his city’s spot on the ranking proves a “thriving business community, and a vibrant cultural scene that is attracting people from around the world” — echoing comments from Stephen Harper’s speech at the Stampede last month when the Prime Minister declared the Alberta metropolis as the greatest city in Canada.

The only other Canadian city to make the Economist list was Montreal in the 16th position.

Australia was the only country to outperform Canada, posting four cities in the top 10. The authors say the trend among the most liveable cities shows a preference for “mid-sized cities in wealthier countries with a relatively low population density.” Canada’s density is 3.40 people per square kilometre, while Australia’s is 2.88.

The results vary little from the last ranking released six months ago, with Vancouver maintaining the third spot after slipping from first place in 2011.

Most of the top-tier countries are separated by fractions of a percentage — the first-ranked Melbourne is scored 97.5, only 1.8 points higher than 10th-place Auckland, N.Z. The Economist Information Unit uses the ranking to provide suggestions on how businesses should compensate employees working abroad in cities “where living conditions are particularly difficult.”

It’s one of several studies of its kind, but economic development experts in the listed Canadian cities say The Economist report’s catering to business communities could lead to tangible benefits.

“It’s certainly circulated to an audience of potential investors and investors that may be interested in relocating to our city,” said Randy McLean, a strategy director at the City of Toronto, adding good scores in categories like education will help attract top management talent and their families

Some Practical Ways To Improve Communication With Our Spouse.

•Never make assumptions. If you aren’t certain about something talk about it with your spouse. Assumptions break down communication in a destructive way. You may or may not be right. So ask when you don’t know.

•Don’t just talk about serious things. Enjoy lighthearted conversations as well. Growing your friendship makes it easier to talk about more important issues.

•Talk about what God is doing in your life. I have found that many couples experience difficulty discussing spiritual matters. Prayer and reading together are a good way to open up the spiritual lines of communication.

•LISTEN! So often we are concerned about being heard. Are you really hearing what your spouse is trying to communicate, or are you too preoccupied with your own agenda?

•Ask for clarification. “This is what I am hearing you say. Do I understand you correctly?”

•Don’t sweep problems under the rug. Talk about it, even if it is uncomfortable.

•If an important discussion gets heated or difficult, take a break. Sometimes we need a time out to calm down and be able to look at the situation objectively. Make sure to come back and resolve the issue if it warrants it (sometimes a break lets you realize the whole conversation was silly). A mistake couples often make when they take a time out is failing to come back and resolve the issue.

•Don’t collect mistakes. Whenever your spouse is doing something that bothers you talk about it within a reasonable time frame. Don’t keep adding up everything they do, and one day bing them all in at once by informing your spouse of 34 things they are doing that grate on your nerves. Stay in the here and now.

•Don’t mind read or expect your spouse to read your mind. You spouse cannot be expected to know what you want unless you tell them. They cannot fix behaviors unless you let them know there is a problem.

•Don’t serve your spouse food on a garbage can lid. meaning When you approach your spouse with a problem or something that needs to be changed present the information in a positive way, not on a garbage can lid. Presentation counts for a lot. How appetizing is it if you have your favorite meal prepared and then it is served to you on a germ corvered garbage can lid? you come at your spouse blaming or condemning the conversation will probably not go well. Instead, approach them out of love and respect.

•Talk to your spouse the way you would like to be talked to. Call it the golden rule of communication…..

•Understand that communicating isn’t about being right. Sometimes it is good to ask ourselves, “Do we want to be right or do we want to be married?” Talk to fix, address, and change, not to win.

•Don’t just communicate about the bad. It is nice to be affirmed and told what you are doing right once and again too!

Everybody should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry

The mysteries of the 2012 Olympic Closing Ceremony

Is it Prince Henry or Prince Harry?
When Prince Harry made his grand entrance at the start of the Games, you might have done a double take when his name was announced. "Prince Henry," the announcer said.
Did somebody just make an epic mistake, calling the redheaded prince by the wrong name? Nope. While the English may know this already, for those who don't, the prince's official name is Henry Charles Albert David. Folks call him Harry for short.

Who was the guy playing Winston Churchill?
That was popular character actor Timothy Spall . The London-born actor has appeared in several " Harry Potter " flicks as well as " Sweeney Todd ," " Enchanted ," and " The King's Speech " (in which he played Churchill).
Spall wasn't quoting Churchill after he emerged from the top of Big Ben. The words were from Shakespeare's "The Tempest." "I dreamed of clouds opening up and dropping such riches on me that when I woke up, I cried because I wanted to dream again." Indeed, dreams and imagination came back again and again as themes of the Closing Ceremony.
What's with Batman and Robin?
At an early part in the Ceremony, Michael Caine's iconic voice echoed through the stadium. "Five, four, three, two, one," Caine said, a line from "The Italian Job." A small car in the middle of the stadium exploded, and out came rotund versions of Batman and Robin.
Great Scott! Had Christian Bale gone to seed? Negative, Alfred. Those were actors David Jason and Nicholas Lyndhurst, reprising a famous moment from their sitcom, "Only Fools and Horses."

Why did they single out the marathon in the middle of the ceremony?
One word: Tradition . Every four years, the Summer Olympics Closing Ceremony also serves as a medal ceremony for the winner of the Men's City Marathon . The winner's national anthem is performed. Medals are awarded. The whole deal. Hey, after running 26.2 miles in August, they deserve something special, right?

Models
Why was Naomi Campbell there?
No clue.

Why don't the athletes march out behind their flags?
They used to. But then in the 1956 Melbourne Games, at the height of the Cold War, there was so much tension that organizers were worried about fights between athletes. A young Chinese man, John Ian Wing, who was an apprentice carpenter in Australia , suggested that the organizers mix the athletes together. It worked. And the Peace March has been a tradition ever since.

Who was that awesome dancer/street sweeper in orange near the end of the Ceremony?
That would be Renato Sorriso of Rio. Sorriso was an actual street sweeper from Brazil . He became famous for his spectacular dance moves during Rio's Carnival. Now, thanks to his performance in London's Closing Ceremony, he's gonna be really, really famous.

Culled:Y! News

Today Olympics will close with a thunderous party

London is preparing to close out a two-week festival of sports in Olympic style, with a thunderous celebration of British music, from the classical compositions of Elgar to the classic rock of The Who.

A star-studded closing ceremony Sunday night will be long on fun — a dancing, stomping, psychedelic exaltation of what Britain does best, exporting a head-shaking amount of talent to the
world.

The spectacle, which artistic director Kim Gavin promises will be "the best after-show party that's ever been," will have something for everyone — the Spice Girls, George Michael, Annie Lennox, Muse and many, many other stars mixed in.

There'll be plenty of fireworks and colored lights, acrobats, gymnasts, drummers, supermodels and other surprises to keep the crowd — and a television audience of tens of millions — entertained late into the night.

Amazing courage of 12yr old Cancer patient

An incredible girl is teaching hundreds of thousands of Internet followers what courage means. Talia Joy Castellano, who turns 13 August 18, was diagnosed with neuroblastoma, an aggressive form of cancer that forms in the nerve cells, in 2007. Numerous rounds of chemotherapy left her bald, and about a year and a half ago, she started a video blog channel featuring make-up tutorials and has uploaded over 150 videos. "I love makeup," she says, "using it as my wig"-- which she isn't a fan of. Her mom, Desiree, beams that her daughter "has made bald beautiful."

Castellano appears to be a normal, slightly hyper 'tween excited about her latest "fashion haul" and achieving the perfect "smoky eye" but she's also an exceptionally poised individual who speaks with candor and soulful intelligence about her disease. On Tuesday, through a blog entitled "idk what to say" she delivered the heartbreaking news that she's also just been diagnosed with preleukemia, a bone marrow cancer, which may not be curable.

"I'm only 13, I shouldn't have to be doing this," she says. "No one should have to be doing this." Facing a choice that would leave most adults shattered, she calmly explains, "I'm going to decide whether or not I want to do the bone marrow transplant, or whether or not I just don't do it and live the time I have remaining." In addition to chemo, Castellano has already endured numerous surgeries, radiation, and a stem cell transplant. Recovering from a bone marrow transplant is an excruciating process. If it doesn't work, the bombardment of medical procedures can leave your immune system destroyed. However, forgoing treatment would mean she has only a few months to a year to live.

Castellano shares her news with grace and wisdom. There are no tears (from her at least, for the viewer its another story). "Having cancer has been a gift--but a horrible, horrible terrifying thing," she says. "But I've gotten so many benefits from it" -- from using make up to boost her self-confidence so she "could go out to the grocery store with out a wig" to inspiring fans of her videos.
She gently explains that while she's going to keep making videos, she's leaning toward living out the rest of her life without treatment. "The journey of having cancer was amazing. But, every journey has an end."

Talia Regrets actions in the Bigbrother house

Finally! After hosting Africa’s biggest reality show Big Brother Africa for good seven years without a win, South Africa can now boast of being on the winners’ list after Keagan popularly known as the ‘Legend’ did the host nation that honour.

It was all jubilation at the colourful grand finale in Johannesburg South Africa as most former South African housemates that included Barbz, Lee, and the Amplified season hopeful Nkuli came in front to share the joy with Keagan who was dumb-founded with the win. 

 “All I can say its thank you to the people who voted for me thank you.” Those were the only words from Keagan.

Keagan was closely followed by Kenya’s rap luminary Prezzo who was the second runners up but got away with relatively a big deal of going to USA to join one of the worlds acclaimed Rap luminary J- Zee at a humger concert.

Prezzo has been chosen as an ambassador for the One campaign. Although the president Prezzo did not get the USD 300,000, he might have one of the best chances of reaching cloud nine as he will be sharing a stage with J-Zee.

Now speaking in an exclusive interview with the Times of Zambia after the show, Zambian finalist Talia, says she regrets having allowed emotions of love sweep her,compormising her winning chances.

Talia says it was so difficult to make a decision she made but accepts any negatives it would have brought in her game but says takes full responsibility of it all.

“I did not have an idea that I had huge chances of winning but even though I am only human, I was pressurised and went with my feelings.”

I cannot also blame alcohol on whatever I did because I am one person who knows what I do even under the influence of liquor.

On the future plans outside the Big Brother walls with Keagan, the Zambian beauty says she hopes for the best to happen because she sees Keagan to possess a lot of positives as opposed to negatives as seen on continental television.

She feels Keagan will be the right person to answer whether the two should deepen their relationship or not but on her side she hopes for the best.

Upon meeting Seydou at the after-party, Talia had less to say to Seydou as the two just greeted each other. But commenting on Seydou Talia says she really feels for Seydou and that she will definitely
find time to meet with the Angolan to formally apologise to the young man for making him undergo an emotional trauma.

Talia says she logically got more attached to Keagan who she spent more time with in the house than Seydou Keagan is now USD 300,000 richer after a good triumph over five of his fellow finalists that included Zambia’s Talia who actually ruined her chances after getting trapped in a love triangle with the winner Keagan and ditching Seydou who she promised while in the Downville that she would love.

On the money won by her love interest, the Zambian beauty is quick to mention that she is not after his money but his heart. She says yes it gives her joy that her love interest got the ultimate life changing prize that she would have gotten herself but that it is his money and not hers.

Talia is expected back home today around midday aboard South African Airways. She walks away with a scooter, PRV decoder and a smart phone for making it to the top six.

Culled: Times of Zambia