Selena, 18, followed up the kiss with a big hug, before 17-year-old Bieber went to collect his gong in a sparkling gold tuxedo jacket.
Big winner: Bieber picked up six awards last night at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, in a sparkling gold tuxedo jacket
Cute couple: The adorable pair were more than happy to attend last night's event as a couple and Selena looked ravishing in a little black cut out dress

Thank you! Justin Bieber gives his award speech on stage after winning a whopping six awards last night
They’ve previously been very coy about their relationship but seem to have finally decided to display their affection for one another in front of fans.
But after starting their romance with secret dates on the back of tour buses, Justin and Selena are no longer sneaking around and have officially gone public with their relationship.
Bieber bet Bruno Mars and Nicki Minaj for best new artist last night and told the audience: ‘I’m 17… every day is crazy to me because I see so many people and I get to make so many people smile.’
Little black dress: Selena showed off her enviable figure in the cut out gown and hugged actress Nicole Kidman on her way into the arena
The Canadian-born pop star also won Digital Artist of the Year, Fan Favourite of the Year, Top Social Artist, Top Streaming Artist, Top Pop Album and Top Pop Album.
Bieber and Gomez were also presenters during the award show, as were Kylie Minogue, Trey Songz, Scott Weiland and Taylor Swift.
Controversial rapper Eminem also picked up six awards, dominating the event with Bieber.
Eminem won: Top Artist, Top Male Artist, Top Billboard 200 Albums, Top Rap Artist, Top Rap Song and Top Rap Album.
He previously won two Billboard Music Awards in 2002 for Best Album of the Year and Best R&B Hip Hop Album of the Year, giving him a total of eight career Billboard Music Awards.
Off and on stage: Rihanna performed her song S&M with Britney Spears and also scooped an award for Top Female Artist
Familiar face: Singer Beyonce Knowles accepts the Millennium Award from her mother Tina Knowles onstage
But it wasn’t just the boys stealing the show, as Katy Perry, Rihanna and Shakira managed to nab two gongs each, while Beyonce Knowles was honoured with a Millennium Award for her career achievements so far.
The Awards’ finalists and winners were chosen from a combination of chart performances and social and streaming activity as listed in Billboard magazine and Billboard.com over the past year.
The 46 award categories are based on Billboard data, which measures radio airplay, streaming data, social media consumption and tour grosses tracked by Billboard Boxscore.
During the night a number of performances kept the audience entertained in-between awards being handed out.
Golden girl: Taylor Swift accepting two of her three awards
Britney Spears and Rihanna put on a spectacular show, which ended in a kiss between Brit, 29, and the 23-year-old pop star.
The ladies performed Rihanna’s hit single S&M in black and white bondage outfits, before Beyonce took to the stage in a risqué bodysuit of her own.
She sand Run the World (Girls) alongside 100 back-up dancers as her mother Tina and sister Solange watched from the audience.
The Black Eyed Peas also sang a medley of their hits on stage in neon coloured outfits.

Nicki Minaj - Super Bass | Britney Spears - Till the World Ends - Live Billboard Music Awards 2011

source: dailymail

VIA No more sneaking around! Selena Gomez congratulates Justin Bieber with a big kiss as he scoops SIX Billboard awards

Selena, meanwhile, was wearing a pink bikini top and Daisy Dukes, and was carrying a leopard print bag as she took a walk with her other half.
Als on show was a new tattoo on Bieber's toros under his arm, in addition to one he got when was 16 of a bird on his waistline.
Earlier the young couple were spotted arriving to Maui hand in hand after taking a flight from Los Angeles LAX.
Body art: Bieber showed off a new tattoo - a row of mysterious symbols under his left arm - in addition to the bird etching on his waistline
Justin and Selena, 18, went fully public with their romance at the awards show in Las Vegas - sharing kisses and hugs in the audience.
The young lovebirds smooched as Bieber picked up his six awards and dominated the star-studded ceremony.
Gomez appeared to be making a good impression on her boyfriend's family, as she sat with her arm around Bieber's mother, Pattie Mallette.
She was, however, notably absent from her beau's two acceptance speeches.
Bieber, who was wearing a gold tuxedo jacket, grinned as he took home six awards during Sunday's ceremony.
Holiday time: Justin and Selena arrived at the airport hand in hand for their romantic holiday together
The pint-size pop star shared a slightly awkward hug with Gomez as his name was read out as the winner of digital artist of the year.
He thanked his family, his fans, manager Scooter Braun and Usher - who signed the youngster to his record label and turned him into a superstar.
'Basically everyone who helped me get out of my hometown and live my dream,' he said.
Jet-set: The couple earlier took a flight out of Los Angeles, having returned from Las Vegas where they attended the Billboard Music Awards on Sunday
Young love: The pair were dressed casually as they arrived in Maui
Bieber and Gomez made up for their awkward moment as the former YouTube sensation was named the top new artist of the year.
Bieber leaned in for a passionate kiss with his girlfriend and she beamed with delight as she watch her man on stage.
The Canadian pop sensation thanked 'god' as he picked up his second award and paid tribute to his proud mother.
Fully public: Justin and Selena shared kisses in the audience as he picked up six gongs at the awards ceremony
'Mom - you've been amazing. You've been travelling with me, putting up with all my crap,' he said.
Bieber also won awards for top pop album, top streaming artist, top song and top social media artist.
Meanwhile, the first trailer for Bieber's women's fragrance Someday has been revealed.
Up close and personal: Bieber kisses a young girl's neck after she uses his perfume in a new trailer for the scent called Someday
Flying high: In the trailer, the pair are seen floating around in the sky
The advert, which has been labelled 'ridiculous' by some, sees a young girl spray the fragrance on her neck, at which point Bieber appears next to her before whisking her up into the sky and flying through the air.
Talking about the fragrance recently, Bieber told WWD: 'Let’s be real, the way a girl smells is very important to a guy!
'I have such a deep connection with my fans, so creating a fragrance that I personally love is another way I can bring them closer to my world.'
THE OFFICIAL SOMEDAY BY JUSTIN BIEBER COMMERCIAL

source: dailymail

VIA Teen dreams: Shirtless Justin Bieber and sweetheart Selena Gomez head to the beach in Maui

Kind: The X Factor star stopped to sign autographs for the dozens of fans waiting outside before she went into Radio 1 to chat to DJ Scott Mills
The star also stopped to sign autographs for fans who'd waited outside the Radio 1 studios before she went in to be interviewed by DJ Scott Mills - and for the premiere of her debut solo single.
Cher also chatted to Scott about her music, her fans - and her 'haters.'
She also dismissed rumours about having recorded a track with her former X Factor mentor Cheryl Cole, saying she has had no contact with her since the show ended.
When asked about negative press and public opinion towards her she replied: 'I can see why people don't like me.'
And on being labelled a brat - the name given to all her fans on Twitter - she confessed: 'I haven't grown up yet and probably never will.'
Fashion fan: The singer had teamed her white top and bra combo with a pink cardigan, pink handbag, grey skinny trouser and jewelled black stiletto boots
Her debut single Swagger Jagger meanwhile is sure to provoke Marmite-like reactions from listeners.
Cher has deliberated referred to the controversy surrounding her in the lyrics of the song too.
The include: 'You can't stop clickin 'bout me. Writin' 'bout me, tweeting 'bout me.
'Swagger jagger you should get some of your own. Count that money, get your game on.'
The track will hit the shops on 31 July.
The Malvern, Worcestershire youngster is clearly thrilled to bits to be finally releasing new material.
Love or hate her: Cher's new single Swagger Jagger is bound to provoke a reaction whatever you think of her
She wrote on her Twitter account this evening: 'I've had such an crackin day! thanks to everyone at radio 1 and 1xtra! big up to my team ! swagggerrrr jagggerrrrrr!!!!!!'
Cher has previously said of the single: 'Swagger Jagger was one of the first tracks we recorded and I loved it straight away and knew it had to be my first single! I hope you all like it.'
However, UK rapper Example, who is currently at No. 1 in the UK singles charts, is not a fan.
He mocked Lloyd after an unfinished version of the song was leaked online last week, tweeting: 'The biggest crime since she got a record deal.'
Cher's debut album meanwhile, which she's been working on with producers including Max Martin, Red One and TMS, is out in November.
Cher Lloyd - Swagger Jagger (Official Preview)

source :dailymail

VIA Cher Lloyd shows off blue bra in 'Swiss cheese' style top before her new single gets premiere on Radio 1

Work it: (L-R) Mollie King, Una Healy, Vanessa White, Frankie Sandford and Rochelle were playing a short set at Metro Radio Live at Newcastle Arena - a kind of urban indoor one-day pop festival
However, one person who had most definitely overcome her nerves was Nicola Roberts, who made her live solo debut last night, just days after saying she was dreading going on without her Girls Aloud bandmates.
Talking to MTV earlier this week, she'd revealed: 'I'm nervous and I'm dreading the night before. I know I'm going to be like losing half a stone in weight overnight, so I'm going to have to get myself into the zone.'
She added: 'There does feel like there is a little bit of extra pressure, because it is just me and it feels a little bit like, is that enough, is it enough to just look at that?'
Solo debut: Nicola Roberts got over her nerves to play her first ever live gig without Girls Aloud at the show
Dainty doll: The star threw some shapes as she performed and totally won the screaming crowd over
However, she seemed to quash her butterflies and impressed the crowd, singing debut solo single Beat Of My Drum in a tiny red and pink dress accessorised with a kooky headscarf and multicoloured strappy heels.
Other acts playing the bash included dubstep queen Katy B, Chipmunk, Sophie Ellis Bextor, The Feeling, The Wanted, rapper Example, hot new band The Overtones and Amy Winehouse's goddaughter Dionne Bromfield.
Meanwhile, Nicola has been explaining why she chose to take such a different direction musically with her new single.
Strutting her stuff: Mollie was wearing titchy high-waisted orange shorts and a low cut see-through blue vest top that showed off her black bra
Working with hot underground music producer Diplo, she explained: 'I tried to drum in to him that I wanted these quirky dollops of sound like M.I.A. (who he's worked with before) or Major Lazer (his Jamaican dancehall project).
'Don’t try and make this record come back like a commercial, just-for-radio song with 500 dance synths all over it ‘cause it’s not where I’m trying to go.'
Scouse beauty Nicola also says she feels like she's unleashed her singing voice properly for the first time too.
On song: Frankie belts out one of The Saturday's singles wearing tight striped shorts and a blue top with a distressed denim top half, as Una sports ripped denim and a low cut purple top showing off her red bra
She said: 'I was sick to death of singing the quiet, whispery parts. I was like, no, f*** this, I’m going to sing!'
Talking to MTV, Nicola said it was good that it was so different to Girls Aloud: 'It was important my first single was different to anything else around.
'I love that it’s a song everyone can sing and dance along to.
Earning her stripes: Rochelle has teamed her jeans with a leather jacket and a midriff-exposing tiger print top
Thighs the limit: Una strikes a pose at the Newcastle Arena
Nicola Roberts will be releasing her debut album ‘Cinderella’s Eyes’ in October.
Meanwhile, the Daily Mirror is reporting that Girls Aloud are heading back into the studio in January.
But apparently, the girls are ditching their former producers, hitmakers Xenomania.
A source said: 'At the moment the Girls are really excited about their new beginning, although they are scratching their heads over who will create signature hits for them.
'They’re excited they’re going to be making a fresh start together on this next adventure of their lives.
'In six months time it’ll be back to work as normal – they are itching to get back in the studio.'
An audience with...Sophie Ellis Bextor was also on the bill at the bash
The band are reportedly set to reform to celebrate their 10th anniversary next year at a special festival for the London 2012 Olympics at the O2 Arena.
Nicola though is onstage again for a hometown gig at Liverpool's Radio City Live tonight, before playing T4 On The Beach on 10 July.
Beat Of My Drum is then released on 18 July.
Meanwhile, MTV Music show On Set With Nicola Roberts is on at 2pm tomorrow.
And the next Metro Radio Live is on 7 July and features JLS and Olly Murs.


source: dailymail

VIA Keeping it brief: The Saturdays play live in tiny shorts as Nicola Roberts gets over nerves to make solo onstage debut

The heart-breaking images of families desperately searching for loved ones amid the rubble of their homes sent shockwaves around the world.
Now, three months on, these images show the Japanese people remain undaunted by the havoc nature has wreaked on their homeland as step by step they rebuild their nation.

A Shinto shrine gate and surroundings in the town of Otsuchi, Iwate Prefecture three days after the March 11 earthquake and tsunami and the same spot on June 3
But despite their progress, stark reminders of the work left to do means the resilience of this Asian country is still being tested.
Headway in the clean-up has been made in the town of Otsuchi in Iwate Prefecture where the pleasure boat ''Hamayuri'', which was remarkably washed up on the rooftop of an inn, has been removed, along with a building shattered by the the wall of water.
Further down is an image of a Shinto shrine gate in the town three days after the March 11 disaster.
The same spot on June 3 which shows thousands of tonnes of rubbish, which had lay smouldering in an almost post-apolcalyptic landscape, has been cleared, roads re-laid and power lines restored.
Civilisation appears to have returned in Natori in Miyagi prefecture too. The first image shows a towering wall of ocean crashing through trees devastating homes and businesses lining the coast, tearing down power lines and drowning anything in its path.
A residential area being hit by the tsunami in Natori, Miyagi prefecture, top, and the same area, with only one house remaining on June 3, bottom
A parking lot of a shopping centre filled with houses and debris in Otsuchi town, Iwate prefecture two days after the earthquake hit and the same area picture on June 3
Astonishingly just one house survived the wave and a lone digger is pictured having cleared away the once thriving community reduced to rubble. Hundreds of cars parked in the foreground remain abandoned and appear to be the only reminder of the devastation.
Similarly, the striking image of a ship atop tonnes of rubble in the Kesennuma in Miyagi prefecture on March 20 was projected around the world and became a symbol of the disaster.
The photograph shows grey smoke filled skies above a path of destruction, but three months on, much of the debris has been cleared, power lines restored and hope is on the horizon.
A car park in a shopping centre, filled with houses and debris in Otsuchi town in Iwate prefecture is also back on its feet and signs of life are returning. Parking spaces are clearly visible where piles of wood, bricks, and vehicles lay strewn just a few weeks ago.
A view of earthquake and tsunami-hit Kesennuma, Miyagi prefecture on March 15, top, and the same area pictured on June 3
The final image shows local people walking through debris on a street in Kesennuma, Miyagi Prefecture to get water 48 hours after the disaster. The same image on June 3 shows the massive tank which lay in the road has gone and a damaged house on the left side of the street has been cleared and restored.
The 9.0 magnitude earthquake caused the worst crisis in Japan since the Second World War and left almost 28,000 people dead or missing.
The clean-up bill is expected to top £184 billion and radiation fears from the stricken Fukushima nuclear plant are still growing after four of the reactors were damaged leading to radiation leaks.
This week, an earless bunny was born near the reactor in north east Japan raising concerns the radiation could have long-term side effects.
Following the blast and initial leaks Japanese officials told people living near the plant to stay indoors and turn of air conditioning and also to not drink tap water.
High levels of radiation are known to cause cancer and other health problems but scientists are not yet clear if the defect in the rabbit is linked to the blast.
Local residents walking through debris on a street in Kesennuma, Miyagi Prefecture, to get water 48 hours after the disaster, top, and the same area on June 3 where a large tank and a damaged house on the left side of the street have been cleared away
Japan's economy slipped into recession following the devastation and new data shows it shrank 0.9 percent in the first quarter of this financial year but experts say a recovery later this year as industry kicks into action.
Industrial output rose one per cent in April from a record decline in March.
Manufacturers are making progress in restoring supply chains and ecnomists are predicting Gross Domestic Project to begin expanding again between July and September.

A view of earthquake and tsunami-hit Kesennuma, Miyagi prefecture on March 20, left, and the same area after the building and debris was removed on June 3
Australian Red Cross - Japan Earthquake and Tsunami devastation

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VIA Back from the dead: Astonishing pictures show how Japan is recovering just three months after tsunami

The actress had clearly gone for a relaxed look, paring the vest with some white floaty trousers and embellished sandals.
Toting a cup of coffee, she topped off the look with a fedora hat, black wayfarers and a make-up free complexion.
Katie has been getting into Miami style with her array of beachwear.
On the weekend, Katie showed off her slimmed-down physique in a bikini as she played with five-year-old daughter Suri on Miami beach.
Mother and daughter are together at the seaside town in Florida where Tom Cruise, 48, is filming Rock of Ages.
Beachy keen: The actress had clearly gone for a relaxed look, paring the risqué vest with some white floaty trousers and embellished sandals
Katie wore a red bikini and pink denim shorts while Suri was fully clothed in a multi-coloured dress.
The family were also spotted celebrating Father's Day in Miami on Sunday where Katie and Suri were pictured strolling with Cruise and then boarding a boat.
The close-knit trio were seen around the marina together in casual weekend wear.
Katie carried Suri in her arms, as always, to the luxury yacht which they hopped on for their afternoon cruise.
Accessorising: Toting a cup of coffee, she topped off the look with a fedora hat, black wayfarers and a make-up free complexion
After they boarded the yacht, named Marquis, Katie and Suri sat on the deck while Cruise kept cool inside as they sailed out to sea.
The couple have been the butt of break-up rumours pretty much from as soon as they got together six years ago.
But the loved-up twosome showed that their relationship is stronger than ever and were very touchy-feely at an event in Miami Beach later in the weekend.
Making waves: On the weekend, Katie showed off her slimmed-down physique in a bikini as she played with five-year-old daughter Suri on Miami beach
Katie lovingly grabbed her husband of nearly five years from behind and Cruise reciprocated, resting his hand over hers in a sweet gesture.
The couple turned up the Miami heat during a night out with the cast members from Rock of Ages including Julianne Hough and Malin Akerman.
They cosied up at Larios Cuban style bongo club and seemed to enjoy their date night in the Sunshine State.
Beach babes: Katie keeps close to her daughter Suri as they play in the water
Cruise is undergoing an amazing transformation to play long-haired, tattooed rocker Jaxx in the film, which is due for release next year.
Also starring Russell Brand, it tells the story of a girl who arrives in Hollywood at the height of the 1980s rock scene.
It's a very different role for Cruise, and Katie has given her backing to the career departure for her husband by revealing that he likes to perform at their home.
'Tom is such an amazing performer. Yes, we have music in our house and it’s amazing,' she told Access Hollywood.

Casual Cruises: The family celebrate Father's Day in Miami, Florida on a yacht
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VIA Racy Katie! Ms Holmes wears a white see-through top as she dines at Miami restaurant

Every city throughout the United States has been impacted by the recent economic recession. The combined forces of the credit crisis and the foreclosure crisis led to plummeting home prices in every region of the country. The ripples were felt from San Francisco condos to homes for sale. However, some metropolitan areas were able to avoid the worst of the turmoil and are now emerging from the mess faster than the rest of the country.

The recovery is swiftest in those areas that didn’t have as much of a housing price run up to begin with, either because the economy in those areas has stayed healthy or the economy has been limited for decades and residents have adapted or left. The top recovering areas also had lower rates of sub-prime and negative amortization loans financed in the years leading up to and during the crash.

In December of 2009, Forbes Magazine released a list of the number of loans that were foreclosed upon in the 100 largest metropolitan areas in the United States. Forbes then calculated the percentage of loans that were descending into further delinquency versus those that were improving.

For example, the number of foreclosed homes in Austin was examined to see which loans continued towards the path of complete default versus those which inched their way back towards normalcy. The lower the rate of deterioration was for a given area, the higher their corresponding ranking with regard to recovery.

1. Harrisburg-Carlisle, Pa.
2. Austin-Round Rock, Texas
3. Ogden-Clearfield, Utah
4. Buffalo, NY
5. Knoxville, Tennessee

Source: Forbes, Francesca Levy (12/09/2009)

The Pennsylvania region of Harrisburg, and the Austin area of Texas were rated the best, followed by Ogden, Utah and Buffalo, NY. The homes seem to be recovering quite well as that region came in fifth in the study.

VIA «Top 5 Recovering Real Estate Markets in the U.S.»

Emotional night: The 16-year-old hopeful became tearful after singing her last song of the night
Lauren soldiered on without any audible hiccups, becoming tearful during her last song, with both her and Scotty, 17, receiving high praise from the judges for their performances.
However, despite her setback, Lauren appeared to get the edge over Scotty, with the judges being slightly more impressed by her efforts.
After the final song, all three judges said Lauren would get their vote over Scotty - although it is the public who get to decide the winner.
Steven Tyler even went as far to say: 'Lauren gets it hands down.'
Graceful: Host Ryan Seacrest escorts the Georgia native into the audience at LA's Nokia Theatre as she sings Like My Mother Does
Proud: Lauren shares a hug with her mother as her father watches on during the performance
The show began with the drama over Lauren's voice being discussed.
She reassured host Ryan Seacrest: 'I'm fine,' after the programme's doctor explained how she had received medical treatment for her vocal chords.
Tonight saw the boy next door versus the southern belle as Scotty and Lauren put in their final performances ahead of tomorrow's finale.
Each contestant sung three songs for judges Jennifer Lopez, Randy Jackson and Tyler.
Let the battle commence: Lauren with fellow finalist Scotty McCreery and host Seacrest
Round one was their favourite song from the season, round two was a song picked by their mentors and round three was the single that each contestant will release if they win the competition.
Scotty's final song was the slow track, I love You This Big.
'When you hit that end note I was like "woah, dude". Scotty you are in it to win it. That was a brilliant vocal,' Jackson told him.
'You are a storyteller, you did an amazing job with that song,' said Lopez.

Southern belle: She started the night off in a gold, sparkly dress
Musician: Scotty performs with his guitar in hand. He also received high praise from the judges although they said Lauren had a slight edge over him
Lauren's final track was It's Like My Mother Does, which led her to hug her mother during the performance.
'Lauren Alaina has arrived America, that was amazing,' shouted Jackson.
'There was heart, emotion, feeling and a beautiful, beautiful voice,' said Lopez.
'It's been a tight race,' Lopez added. 'America has their job cut out for them.'
Here come the judges: Steven Tyler, Jennifer Lopez and Randy Jackson
In position: All judges agreed it was a close race, but called if for Lauren at the end of the night. The voting public will decide the winner, which will be announced in tomorrow's show
The songs were performed in LA's Nokia Theatre in front of seven thousand fans.
The public will vote for the winner with the result being announced tomorrow.
Tonight also saw a guest performance from Taio Cruz and American Idol winner David Cook from season seven.
This year marks Idol's youngest-ever, and first all-country music finale.
Alaina from Georgia, who has dreamed of appearing on the show since age six, is the youngest person to reach the finale.
McCreery, from North Carolina, has a deep voice that belies his youth and has barely put a foot wrong.
Guest performer: Taio Cruz took to the American Idol stage to entertain the 7,000-strong crowd
But whichever contestant prevails when the votes are announced on Wednesday - and predictions as usual are for a close race - country music may end up the real winner, some experts say.
'Either way they have two people who could do very well in country music,' said Yahoo! Music managing editor Lyndsey Parker.
'If you look at some of the biggest sellers of the past couple of years they have been Taylor Swift, Lady Antebellum and Miranda Lambert.'
Look who's back: Fellow American Idol winner David Cook closed the show
Swift has sold more than three million copies in the United States alone of her November 2010 album Speak Now.
Searches on Yahoo! for American Idol finalists have spiked 949 percent this week ahead of 10th season climax of the most-watched TV show in the United States.
Alaina is getting nearly nine times as many searches as McCreery, according to Yahoo! data.
American Idol 2011 Top 2 Finale - Lauren Alaina (Like My Mother Does)

Lauren Alaina - Flat on the Floor - American Idol Season Finale Top 2 Performances May 24,2011

American Idol 2011 Top 2 Finale - Scotty McCreery (Gone)

Scotty McCreery - Check Yes or No - Top 2 - American Idol 2011 Finale (2nd Song) - 05/24/11

source: dailymail

VIA Tearful Lauren Alaina sings through the pain after injuring vocal chords as she vies for American Idol crown

Some of the pieces were displayed at the Iraqi national museum during a repatriation ceremony attended by Antiquities Minister Adel Shirshab and US Ambassador Stuart Jones.

"These artefacts are indisputable evidence that Daesh (IS) -- beyond its terrorism, beyond its brutality and destruction -- is also a criminal gang that is looting antiquities from museums and historical sites," Jones said.

"And of course the purpose of this is to sell these items on the black market," he said.

The pieces on display in one of the recently reopened museum's main Assyrian halls Wednesday were small items, including coins, statuettes and jewellery.

"The coins for example are from the Islamic period. This is evidence that this terrorism that claims such heritage is blasphemous is trying to profit from it by selling it," Shirshab said.

The artefacts were retrieved by the US commandos who carried out a rare raid inside Syria on May 15 during which Abu Sayyaf, a top IS figure, was killed.

Abu Sayyaf was believed to be the jihadist organisation's top financier, and US officials said they were learning a lot by analysing what the raid had produced.

MISS USA 2011 - Top 4

* Miss Alabama USA 2011
Madeline Mitchell
(Photo Gallery)

* Miss California USA 2011
Alyssa Campanella
(Photo Gallery)

* Miss Tennessee USA 2011
Ashley Durham

* Miss Texas USA 2011
Ana Rodriguez

MISS USA 2011 - Top 8

* Miss Alabama USA 2011
Madeline Mitchell
(Photo Gallery)

* Miss California USA 2011
Alyssa Campanella(Photo Gallery)

* Miss Hawaii USA 2011
Angela Byrd

* Miss Maine USA 2011
Ashley Lynn Marble

* Miss Maryland USA 2011
Allyn Rose

* Miss South Carolina USA 2011
Courtney Turner

* Miss Tennessee USA 2011
Ashley Durham

* Miss Texas USA 2011
Ana Rodriguez

VIA Latest results of Miss USA 2011 - Miss California USA - Alyssa Campanella is the newly crowned Miss USA 2011

Comfy clothes: Nicole Scherzing jetted out of LAX in a pair grey of hareem trousers and a baggy black top but flashed some flesh with the cut out back
But Nicole still managed to keep things racy with her baggy top from the front cut out to reveal a lot of flesh at the back.
The Poison singer also liberated her feet from high heels and strutted in a pair of flat strappy sandals and wrapped a black and grey scarf around her neck.
The former Pussycat had performed on Ellen DeGeneres’ show which aired yesterday and was seen having a dance off with Oscar-winner Tom hanks,
Luggage free? The Poison singer strolled through the airport in her sunglasses
Nicole had performed her latest single Right There in a low cut tangerine dress.
Tom, who attended the Queen’s state dinner in London last night was seen taking to the stage to dance with Nicole on the show which had been recorded prior to be aired yesterday.
As well as performing her latest hit Nicole also discussed her new role as host of the U.S. X Factor.
'It's good,' she said. 'We just started the audition process. Simon Cowell gets kind of out there. It's fun and spontaneous.'
The 32-year-old singer is co-hosting the show alongside British TV presenter Steve Jones.
New dance troupe? Nicole appeared on the Ellen DeGeneres show which aired yesterday with 50 cent and Tom Hanks challenged her to a dance off
Get down low: Tom tried to mimic Nicole's moves but couldn't get down as low as she could
Last week the singer performed on rival show American Idol in a barely-there white bra-style dress.
Right There is the latest single from the former Pussycat Doll's solo album Killer Love.
[HD] Nicole Scherzinger ft. 50 Cent - Right There (The Ellen DeGeneres Show - 24th May 2011)

source: dailymail

VIA Dressed down Doll: Nicole Scherzinger makes the most of comfy clothing but still makes to flash some flesh

“Article 1, Section 8 of the Constitution is pretty simple,” he told a group of Marines at a base in South Korea. “It says, ‘Raise an army.’ It says absolutely nothing about race, color, creed, sexual orientation.
“You all joined for a reason: to serve,” he continued. “To protect our nation, right?”
“Yes, sergeant major,” Marines replied.
“How dare we, then, exclude a group of people who want to do the same thing you do right now, something that is honorable and noble?” Sgt. Maj. Barrett continued, raising his voice just a notch. “Right?”

VIA Top Marine's Straight Talk about DADT

Short shorts: The back of the playsuit was featured an on-tend cutaway, but one that is much more suited to black tie evening wear than to a sporting event
It also had a curiously baggy, and very unflattering top-half, which made her chest look saggy as she ran around the court.
But far from being something a sponsor forced the player to wear, this was an outfit from Venus' own clothing line, EleVen.
The back of the playsuit featured an on-tend cutaway, albeit one that is much more suited to black tie evening wear than to a sporting event.
In action: Venus' outfit showed off her enviable figure - and the gold hot pants she was wearing underneath
Venus did not get everything wrong though - the cotton material had a pretty leafy design woven into it which could have made a lovely sun dress.
The short cut also showed off the tennis star's enviably long legs as she took huge strides towards the net. And the strange outfit clearly did not hold the 31-year-old back, she won her sets 6-3, 6-1.
Cut above: Another view of the outfit from the rear
Yesterday, Venus' little sister, Serena, made her return to Wimbledon following a serious foot injury and blood clots in her lungs that almost ruled her out of tennis for life.
She made sure to stand out in fit form during warm ups by wearing some skin-tight pink and white tie-dye leggings.
And by the looks of the fiery stare in her eye, the US player about to give it her all during her comeback.
Serena, who is a fan of flamboyant on-court ensembles, combined her Nike leggings with a white long-sleeved T-shirt and a Nike black cap.
On-court ensemble: Serena brightened up the court during her warm ups by wearing the tie-dye leggings
She is currently ranked World No. 25 in women’s singles, but has admitted that her and her sister Venus haven’t been able to train as much for the competition as they would have liked.
Serena said: ‘We spent a lot more time together because we were both off.
‘We both haven’t played pretty much at all. It’s been good because, sometimes I hate to say it, but, when you’re down, it’s always good to see someone down with you.’
Letting her hair down: Serena of the USA was talking to the media at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club yesterday ahead of the Wimbledon Championships
Last year Serena won her fourth Wimbledon championship but afterwards suffered a serious foot injury from stepping on broken glass at a restaurant – preventing her from playing for the remainder of 2010.
In March this year she then suffered a hematoma and a pulmonary embolism but has still returned as the defending champion at Wimbledon this year.
While her sister Venus suffered from a hip muscle injury this year.
On top of Serena's medical complications, she may also have to face a showery start to Wimbledon.
Sisters in white: Serena and Venus both wore all-white tennis outfits while training over the weekend
Weather forecasters have predicted torrential rain for the first three days .
But tennis fans still braved the weather to camp outside the All England Lawn Tennis Club in south London last night.
Luckily for the players, officials are preparing to shut the £100million retractable roof on Centre Court, to prevent the rain interfering with the match.
World No. 1 Rafael Nadal, 25, of Spain will open this year’s 125th Wimbledon Championship on Centre Court.
Off-court glamour: Serena looked elegant in a green silk dress at the WTA Pre-Wimbledon Party at the Kensington Roof Gardens in London last week

source :dailymail

VIA No Venus! Another Williams sister fashion disaster as tennis player wears ghastly playsuit at Wimbledon

Just hanging around: The cocoon was suspended in the air
She entered the stage via the egg-like cocoon, just as she did at the Grammy Awards in February this year - she also popped out of a chamber during a performance on Saturday Night Live late last month.
Doing it for real: Gaga on stage during the actual awards show
This time however the contraption was suspended above the ground, whereas the previous two crysalis-esque devices were laid down horizontally on the ground.
For the duration of her appearance on the Canadian awards show, Gaga remained relatively covered up in comparison to her usual outrageous get up.
Similar entrance: The superstar singer popped out of an egg-like contraption at the Grammy awards in February
By Lady Gaga standards, her ensembles were positively demure.
In fact the Queen of shocktastic fashion and barely-there outfits turned out to the ceremony with much more material per square inch than usual.
Despite changing into an array of outfits, the 25-year-old singer kept relatively covered up - which was perhaps something to do with the slightly fuller figure she was seen to be sporting as she arrived.

Paunch: Lady Gaga revealed a slightly fuller figure as she arrived the the MuchMusic Video Awards in Canada tonight in a tight LBD teamed with dominatrix-style boots
Making an entrance: The singer opened the show with a performance on Edge of Glory, staying relatively covered up in a bejewelled catsuit
The Edge of Glory star, who won two awards at the event, turned up at the ceremony in Toronto, Canada, in a form-fitting little black dress which showed a more curvy shape around her midsection.
Last year Gaga's former tour manager, David Ciemny, claimed that the star would starve herself to fit into her revealing stage outfits.
He alleged the singer would go on unhealthy food binges before barely eating in a bid to slim down - saying she once lost 20lbs between fittings.
Got it all covered: The superstar singer remained relatively demure in comparison to her usual guises
Covering up: We're used to seeing the singer in barely-there outfits and skimpy underwear
Earlier this month, Gaga left very little to the imagination as she partied at the CFDA Fashion Awards in a see-through black body stocking in New York.
But tonight was a relatively low-key affair for Gaga, who remained relatively covered in her series of outfits.
She opened the show with a performance of Edge of Glory wearing a bejewelled black catsuit, before closing the event with a rendition of Born This Way.
Colourful: She made an outfit change to accept international video of the year for Judas, keeping her flesh under wraps in a printed trouser and jacket combo teamed with her turquoise wig
In a nod to her Grammys performance, Gaga hatched out of an egg, but was kept her flesh under wraps in black trousers and a dramatic ruffled feathered top half.
She stripped her top off in the last minute of the song, but kept her midriff out of sight with her high-waisted, belted trousers.
Earlier in the show she accepted an award, wearing another body covering outfit, a colourful trouser and jacket combo, complete with her turquoise wig.
She eventually de-robed, but rather than a skimpy two-piece the singer was wearing black trousers and buttoned up jacket which revealed a hint of cleavage
The singer was voted the most popular international artist in the fan category, while also taking home the best international video for Judas.
Bieber was the other big winner of the night, joining his girlfriend and host of the event Selena Gomez on stage to accept his two gongs.
The 17-year-old star was voted the favourite artist by ordinary Canadians for his video Somebody to Love, which also features Usher.
He was honoured in the best international Canadian video category for the same video, although shared the award with hip hop star Drake.
Lady Gaga - Born This Way Live Performance at: MMVAs 2011

source :dailymail

VIA Born again (for the third time)... Lady Gaga hatches from another egg-like cocoon during the MuchMusic Video Awards

In its meeting last week, “members of the Permanent Committee of the Egyptian Antiquities have approved an old project, submitted previously by the Alexandria governorate, aiming to revive the lighthouse,” Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities SCA Dr. Mostafa Amin told Youm7.

He explained that members of the committee agreed on reconstructing the Lighthouse on an area of land located a few meters to the southwest of the landmark’s original location. A comprehensive study has been completed and submitted to Alexandria governorate for final approval, he added.

The Lighthouse, also known as the Pharos, was badly damaged due to a series of earthquakes hit Alexandria and the Mediterranean area between the 3rd and 12th centuries, Greco-Roman archaeology professor Fathy Khourshid told The Cairo Post Tuesday.

“A severe earthquake in 1303 caused a huge destruction of the monument before the Mamluk Sultan Qaitbay in 1480 reused the monument’s ruins to construct a fortress (currently standing and bearing his name) on the original location of the Pharos northwest of Alexandria,” according to Khourshid.

Built by the Greek architect Sostratus of Cnidus for the purpose of guiding sailors into the harbor, the tower was completed and inaugurated during the reign of Ptolemy II Philadelphus (285 B.C.-246B.C.), said Khourshid.

“The original building comprised three stages: a lower square section with a central core, a middle octagonal section and a circular section at its top,” he added.

Its top used to have a mirror that reflected sunlight during the day while a fire was lit at night in order to guide ships, said Khourshid.

In 1994, remains of the original building were unearthed on the floor of the sunken part of Alexandria’s eastern harbor.

With a height estimated at 130 meters, (420 feet) the tower was the tallest manmade structure on Earth for many centuries.

Author: Rany Mostafa | Source: The Cairo Post [May 06, 2015]

Surprisingly, I miss the smell of mothballs and rotting, moldy fabric. I miss how cold and dark it would be on a hot, summer day. But what I miss the most is the amazing surprise each box would be as uncovered some amazing suit made in Paris or a box just overflowing with heirloom styled petticoats. Do you know how much restraint it took me not to try anything on? lol! Yes, big no-no indeed!

The San Fransisco Museum is having a exhibition on the great couturier Balenciaga. Now, I honestly only knew of this designer in high school from the infamous Balenciaga motorcycle bag that all my friends covereted. Now everyone has a copy hanging from their arm. It wasn't until my great discovery of couture that I realized how beautiful his work was.

Back from spring break and now overwhelmed with work...

I have three major papers to write this week and not much on the sewing front has been completed. I've been knitting a bit, a row here and there. Sometimes I get quite a lot done in a sitting, but then sometimes I maybe knit just a row before my hands get tired. Though, over break I was super excited to finish up my first ball and move onto the second.

Happy Memorial Day

Last night my father invited me to a BBQ up in the mountains. I got my kitchen supplies and drove as fast as I could. There is something about the mountains, the air is crisper and the colors are more vibrant. I made my spicy barbecue bean burgers and an anti-pasta salad. We had the traditional corn on the cob, which we left on the grill too long and blackened on the bottom. I took some shots of the farm valley between my father's home and my mothers on the drive back, I just missed the sunset but it still is just as beautiful at twilight. Soon, around July and August, the fields will be lite with fireflies and I promise when it happens I'll take plenty of pictures.

So, everything is unpacked and I'm back to work...

I can officially call it summer. However, most of my peers won't call it summer until Memorial Day. What a perfect time to start on some cotton, floral frocks! I just finished Simplicity's 2250 by Cynthia Rowley. I did a few adjustments, such as doing a muslin lining, omitting the tie, and elastic in the ruffles. All the fabric manipulation in the top isn't visible in the white cotton. I do think it would show better in a dark color where you can see the contrast if you're focused on that detail. It's intermediate, at best. The top takes a bit of finesse doing all those tucks. It resembles a bit of a puzzle piece, it took a bit of marking and basting. But, if you have patience and can follow directions it might be the best challenge to a experienced beginner.

The back ruffles are a great detail...

You might be able to tell that I only attached the zipper to the underlining. It's something we do at work all the time when there is a light overlay like organza or chiffon. It keeps it nice and light, doesn't add bulk, and makes the zipper sit well when you're using a lining.

VIA There are things I miss working in a costume archive...