Tiger Woods Expected to Talk to Police

WINDERMERE, Fla. (AP) — Tiger Woods and his wife, Elin, are expected to talk to police for the first time Sunday, breaking a two-day silence that has only fueled speculation about his early morning accident, why he left the house at that hour, where he was going and whether an argument preceded the crash.



Florida Highway Patrol spokeswoman Sgt. Kim Montes said the 911 call — made by a neighbor, not Woods' wife, Elin — will be released Sunday, and troopers will return to Woods' house when they report for duty about 3 p.m.
Montes said FHP investigations into minor collisions don't normally drag on for days, but this isn't the first time that one has stretched on.
"It's unusual, but I will say it's happened before," Montes said Sunday. "This is not the first time that we've gone back to get a statement from a driver. ... We try and give the driver every opportunity to tell us their side of the story before we complete our investigation."
She has said Woods is not required to give a statement, only his driver's license, insurance and registration of the SUV, which was towed to a private yard with damage to the front and both back-seat windows broken.
She declined to speculate what charges or penalties the world's No. 1 golfer might be facing.
In its initial accident report, the patrol said Woods left his house, ran over a fire hydrant with his Cadillac Escalade and then smashed into a tree at 2:25 a.m. Friday. And Windermere police chief Daniel Saylor said Woods' wife told officers she heard the crash from inside their home, and used a golf club to break out the back window.
Police first tried to interview Woods on Friday, only for his wife to ask if they could return the next day because he was sleeping.
As they headed to Woods' $2.4 million house inside the gates of Isleworth on Saturday afternoon, FHP dispatch put through a phone call to troopers from Woods' agent, informing them that Woods and his wife would be unavailable to talk until Sunday.
"I don't know what was said," Montes said Saturday. "I mean, (Friday) we understood, and that's kind of normal. It is unusual that we haven't gotten a statement. This just delays us to getting closer to the completion of the investigation."
Woods' agent, Mark Steinberg, did not respond to a text message asking why Woods was unavailable.
"Every 10 seconds these days, people update their tweets," said David Schwab, vice president of sports marketing firm Octagon. "People are just adding speculation and controversy. You need something to settle the ship. If he's not able to do it, find someone to do it for him."
The accident came two days after the National Enquirer published a story alleging that Woods had been seeing a New York night club hostess, and that they recently were together in Melbourne, where Woods competed in the Australian Masters.
The woman, Rachel Uchitel, denied having an affair with Woods when contacted by the AP.
Woods is to host his Chevron World Challenge this week in Thousand Oaks, Calif., which benefits his foundation. Woods' news conference had been scheduled for Tuesday afternoon, although it was not clear if he would still play, or even attend.
"We do not know if Tiger is playing; we are anticipating a great week of competition," said Greg McLaughlin, the tournament director and president of his foundation.
In a telephone interview, Woods' father-in-law, radio journalist Thomas Nordegren, told The Associated Press in Stockholm that he would not discuss the accident.
"I haven't spoken to her in the last few ... " Nordegren said about his daughter, Elin, before cutting himself off. "I don't want to go into that."
Woods' mother-in-law Barbro Holmberg also refused to address the matter.
"She doesn't want to comment on private issues like these," Holmberg's spokeswoman Eva Malmborg said.
Aside from occasional criticism of his temper inside the ropes, Woods has kept himself out of the news beyond his sport. In an October posting on his Facebook account, Woods wrote, "I'm asked why people don't often see me and Elin in gossip magazines or tabloids. I think we've avoided a lot of media attention because we're kind of boring. ..."
"He's an iconic brand, the platinum standard," said John Rowady, president of rEvolution, a Chicago-based sports marketing agency. "I find it interesting how he's being attacked by so many sides after how gracious he's been. But even the best of celebrities who try to do their best can be riddled with controversy."






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Barcelona 1 Real Madrid 0

DESPAIR ... Real's Cristiano Ronaldo reacts to a missed chance

CRISTIANO RONALDO misfired as Real Madrid came off worst in 'El Clasico' last night.
Defeat in the battle of the Spanish giants showed again that splashing out millions cannot always guarantee success.

A Barcelona team featuring seven players who came through their Academy battled past a Real outfit who spent £230million in the summer.



And most expensive of those buys was £80m Ronaldo.

Yet the former Manchester United idol wasted a glorious chance before Barca triumphed thanks to a stunning strike from Swedish international Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

Ibrahimovic made his mark just four minutes after coming on as a sub for Thierry Henry, who endured a nightmare before being replaced with 52 minutes gone.

Barcelona took over at the top of La Liga by two points from their old enemies, despite playing with only 10 men for the final 27 minutes.

Real's new faces struggled to make an impact, apart from in the 20th minute. Then the £135m partnership of Ronaldo and Kaka sliced open a defence in which Carles Puyol was superb.

Ronaldo should have ]scored as Kaka played the ball into his path. The Portuguese ace, starting his first game in nearly two months after an ankle injury, had time to steady himself. But he placed his shot too close to keeper Victor Valdes, who saved with his legs.

His only other contribution of note before being taken off in the 66th minute was an outrageous 35-yard free-kick which he thudded into the Barca wall.

He simply faded from the action as he tired in front of the 98,000 spectators in the Nou Camp - some of whom had paid £700 for a ticket.

Madrid coach Manuel Pellegrini declared: "It was a very even game and we had our chances. We just didn't take advantage. I think we at least deserved a draw."

The decisive goal came when Daniel Alves found Ibrahimovic at the far post with a lofted cross. The frontman never broke stride as he volleyed past Iker Casillas with his left foot.

Barcelona were reduced to 10 men soon after, as Sergio Busquets collected a second yellow card for a crazy deliberate handball. But the numbers were evened up by a 90th-minute red for Lassana Diarra.

Barca boss Pep Guardiola said: "Ibrahimovic changed the game. This was a very good test for us. It's always difficult against Madrid."



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HALOOOO CHEKI UTUNDU HAPO

Naomba nimepe hongera yake huyu jamaa aliepiga picha hii kwani hebu itizame kwa makini kisha utaona kuna utundu flani umetumika.

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A bridge to safety unveiled for Hajj stoning ritual

Chanting "Allahu Akbar" -- God is Greater than any -- more than 2 million pilgrims crossed new pedestrian bridges Saturday to perform one of the last rituals of the Hajj season.
Jamarat is a re-enactment of an event when Prophet Abraham stoned the devil and rejected his temptations, according to Muslim traditions.
The ritual stoning of three pillars, which occurs in the tent city of Mina -- about two miles from Mecca, was the scene of stampedes and many deaths in the 1980s and 1990s as pilgrims passed a crowded bottleneck area leading to the small pillars on the ground.
But this year the Saudi government completed a new project that avoids past congestion at the site. The government has erected three massive pillars and completed a $1.2 billion, five-story bridge nearby where pilgrims can toss stones. Authorities and pilgrims say it's a roomier atmosphere and more efficient way to accommodate the faithful.
"Everything went fine so far," Col. Khakled Qarar Mohammadi, head of the emergency forces at Jamarat, told CNN.

Pilgrimage to Mecca

"It is an immense responsibility that we had to deal with. About 3 million pilgrims move in a small geographic area at the same time wanting to do the same ritual. So we have been preparing for this for years now."
Irtiza Hasan, a pilgrim from the United States, said all went well at the ceremony.
"The only incident I saw was that there were some handicapped women who were turned away in fears that they get hurt."

Hundreds of pilgrims were trampled to death in 2006 during the annual Jamarat pilgrimage.

But Mohammadi said, "There are 10 vans on the second floor especially designated to serve the elderly and handicapped. Each van can take up to 14 pilgrims."
As a measure to alleviate harm, according to Muslim traditions, the elderly and the handicapped can appoint someone else to stone for them.
The five-story Jamarat bridge is air-conditioned at 19 degrees Centigrade, or 66 Fahrenheit, throughout the day and backed by water sprinklers that can reduce the temperature to about 29 degrees C, or 84 F. The bridge is designed to allow the addition of seven more levels to hold as many as 5 million pilgrims in the future if the need arises.
According to authorities, the bridge is 950 meters (1,039 yards) long and 80 meters (87 yards) wide. Each floor is 12 meters (13 yards) high with three tunnels and 12 entrances and 12 exits in six directions. It has a helicopter pad for emergencies.
According to Mohammadi, the project has 509 advanced closed-circuit television cameras monitoring pilgrims' movements. Those cameras feed into the main operations room, which oversees the Jamarat Bridge and the surrounding areas -- all screened by dozens of security officers on 72 monitors at the operation room.




The stoning ritual is done over at least two days, where pilgrims stone three pillars at Mina -- believed to be where the Prophet Abraham stoned the devil when he tried to dissuade him from obeying God's orders to slaughter his son. According to tradition, the event was a test from God, who gave Abraham a ram to slaughter instead.
The last ritual that marks the end of Hajj is when pilgrims go from Mina to Mecca to make a last visit to al-Masjid al-Haram, Islam's holiest site, before going back home.
The ritual is called Tawaf al-Wada'a -- or farewell circumambulation in the holy mosque. It's where pilgrims go around the black cube seven times counter-clockwise asking that their Lord accept their pilgrimage and grant them another visit to the holy city.

Interactive: Stages of the Hajj

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INSHA ALLAH MUNGU AZIDI KUTUPA AFYA NJEMA! NA MAISHA MAREFU ZAIDI N ZAIDI.............AMIN

HAJI .ak.a obamamtoto

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Wacko perfume goes on sale

I'VE come across some pretty strange celebrity memorabilia in my time but this has to be the weirdest.
You can now buy MICHAEL JACKSON perfume made using DNA samples from the late singer's hair.

A company called My DNA Fragrance claim to engineer scents from human genetic codes.

Scent....Michael Jackson

They recently teamed up with a fella named John Reznikoff, who has the world's largest collection of historical hair - including some of Jacko's.
According to their website: "DNA can be extracted from hair shafts with or without the follicle in tact.
"My DNA Fragrance has analysed Reznikoff's private collection of celebrity hair and is now engineering exclusive fragrances of each celebrity."
They are selling perfume made from hair from ELVIS PRESLEY, MARILYN MONROE, NAPOLEON BONAPART and even EDWARD IV.

Jackson DNA ... the perfume

The chairman of the company, Carlton Enoch, told me: "We use the genetic code to formulate the fragrance. If you are putting on MJ's perfume it's a unique fragrance to him.
"The biggest seller is Elvis, but MJ is selling very well too. It's a powerful fragrance and there is no alcohol in it.
"We use aloe vera so it doesn't evaporate into the air. It lasts the entire day and it's good for the skin.
"We had the actor SAMUEL L JACKSON call up to get his own perfume made - it's so unique and special that he wanted it."
Wow. I imagine some crazed Jacko fans will gargle the scent.
It all smells of something, but I'm not sure it's nice...

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Rihanna’s got the seX Factor

Hot shot ... Rihanna will perform Russian Roulette on X Factor show

HERE'S an X-plosive shot of sizzling singer Rihanna - before she performs her latest single Russian Roulette on telly's X Factor tomorrow.


The Umbrella beauty, 21 looked drop-dead gorgeous in a bikini as she prepared to wow ITV's hit talent show.
She and fellow R&B babe Alicia Keys will display their high-calibre tomorrow as the young guns who score the least votes tonight battle to stay on the show.
Then, of course, one of the contestants will get the bullet...

Live in New York ... Rihanna earlier this week

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Tiger crash after row with wife

GOLF superstar Tiger Woods was knocked out for six minutes and suffered face injuries in a 2am car crash after a bust-up with his wife.

The 33-year-old was pulled from the vehicle by Swedish model missus Elin Nordegren after hitting a fire hydrant and a tree close to their Florida home.



Elin, 29, heard the accident and is reported to have rushed out of the house with a golf club to smash out the back window and pull Tiger clear.


The world's highest-paid sportsman was drifting in and out of consciousness with his wife hovering over him when cops arrived.



Injure.....golfer Tiger


Tiger had cuts on his lips and blood in his mouth.


Police gave him first aid until he was taken to hospital about ten minutes later.

Crash scene... Tiger hit hydrant, left, and tree, right, after leaving home

Sources said Tiger and beauty Elin had been arguing before the accident.

Reports in the US claim he has been cheating on her with party hostess Rachel Uchitel, 34.

Rachel is said to have followed Tiger around the world.


She was photographed at the same hotel where Tiger was staying while playing in the Australian Open.

Bust-up ... Tiger and Elin rowed

Lawyers for the golfer have denied the allegations.
Tiger had not been wearing a seat belt when he crashed, shortly after pulling out of the driveway of his £15million home.
He smashed his face into the windscreen.


The air bags on his car, a Cadillac Escalade SUV, did not deploy, indicating he was travelling at a low speed.
Tiger, golf's world No 1, was released after 12 hours of treatment at Health Central Hospital in Ocoee.
Police said alcohol was not involved but charges were pending. Tiger could face a reckless driving rap or prosecution for not wearing a belt.
Gary Bruhn, mayor of Windemere where Tiger lives, said: "There were facial lacerations and he was treated. This was an accident - nothing special."
Tiger and Elin have two children Sam Alexis, two, and nine-month-old Charlie Axel.

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New life for South Africa ID suicide family Mhlongo

Skhumbuzo Mhlongo tried to get a document like this for some time

Skhumbuzo Mhlongo tried to get a document like this for some time The family of South Africa's Skhumbuzo Mhlongo, who committed suicide after he was refused an ID, say they are now ready to move on with their lives. Mr Mhlongo's family have received a house from the government, along with their identity documents. "It is a dream come true.

Skhumbuzo would be happy," his sister Zandile told the BBC. In a case which shocked the nation, the 22-year-old took his life after being refused the papers he needed for a job. Two Home Affairs officials have since been fired over the incident. The Mhlongos' new home is a three-bedroom house with electricity and running water - a first for the family who were living in run-down house in Kwa-Nqetho village in Hillcrest in Kwa-Zulu Natal. "We are very happy. It is like our lives have become brand new now. We can smile again," Ms Mhlongo told the BBC News website. "It is sad that it happened like this but we now have IDs and a chance to get jobs. This is something Skhumbuzo always wanted," said his sister.

Mr Mhlongo had apparently been trying to get an ID card for some time without any luck and had been told to bring someone who could vouch for his nationality. In his suicide note, Mr Mhlongo explained how an official had torn up his ID application, calling him a foreigner. Spot inspections The case moved Home Affairs Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma to tears. She said her department suspected that the officials who handled the matter had been looking for a bribe from Mr Mhlongo. The case moved Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma to tears The minister also paid a surprise visit to the Pinetown office where the incident happened. She said she found "a lot wrong with the office" and promised that her department would visit other offices in the country to inspect their day-to-day running.

The BBC's Pumza Fihlani in Johannesburg says the Department of Home Affairs has come under heavy criticism over the years for its inefficiency in issuing ID documents, birth certificates and passports, with some people claiming to have waited up to four years. She points out it would be even more difficult to obtain the documents if you have no parents to vouch for your identity. Ms Dlamini-Zuma's spokesman Ronnie Mamoepa told the BBC that they were optimistic that "there will be a turn-around in the department".

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PICHA YA WIKI...!!!

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Paying Tribute

On Monday, President Obama shocked crowds in Germany with his surprise videotaped tribute to the fall of the Berlin Wall at a 20th anniversary ceremony. The president delivered his words, via a video message that was played during the main event. “There could be no clearer rebuke of tyranny,” he said. He was introduced by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who was in Germany, and the crowd cheered the president’s remarks. The wall divided East and West Germany before it was torn down in 1989.


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Swahili Fashion

Tanzanian models wear clothing made of bright, traditional cloth during Swahili Fashion Week in Dar es Salaam.


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Naomi Campbell

Supermodel Naomi Campbell holds a newborn while visiting the maternity ward at a hospital in Tanzania. Campbell was in the nation as an ambassador for the White Ribbon Alliance, a group that promotes maternal health. TANZANIA-CAMPBELL.


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NBA’s Shaq Pays for Funeral of Murdered 5-Year-Old

Cleveland Cavs star Shaquille O’Neal showed Thursday that he is indeed a big man.


The 7-foot, 300-plus-pound center, and part-time volunteer lawman, put up the thousands of dollars for the funeral of the 5-year-old North Carolina girl whose body was found along a rural road 30 miles from her home in Fayetteville. The services were Sunday.

Police say that Shaniya Davis, who had been missing for nearly a week, was kidnapped, raped and murdered.

"What happened to her was tragic. I wanted her to have a funeral that would be as beautiful as she was," O'Neal said in the statement released by his team. He said that he was moved to do so after seeing the girl’s story on the “Nancy Grace” television news program.

Corey Breece, of Rogers and Breece Funeral Home, declined in an interview with The Fayetteville Observer to discuss the cost of the Shaniya's funeral, but said a child's funeral "averages around $4,500," CNN reported. Bradley Lockhart, the girl’s father, had set up a trust fund to help pay the expenses. He said that any money left over would to charities working with abused and neglected children.

Mario Andrette McNeill is facing kidnapping murder and child rape charges. The girl’s mother, Antionette Nicole Davis, has been charged with human trafficking and other offenses. Police say Davis was prostituting her daughter.

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Presidential Party Crashers Highlight Security Breach

In a major White House security breach, two publicity seekers slipped passed the Secret Service checkpoint Wednesday and wined and dined with President Obama and his guests at the president’s first state dinner.


This screen image made from Michaele Salahi's Facebook page shows a photo of, Tareq Salahi, left, Vice President Joe Biden and Michaele Salahi, right, at the White House state dinner in Washington on Tuesday Nov. 24, 2009. The Secret Service is looking into its own security procedures after determining that a Virginia couple, Michaele and Tareq Salahi, managed to slip into Tuesday night's state dinner at the White House even though they were not on the guest list, agency spokesman Ed Donovan said. Michaele Salahi and her husband were not on the White House guest list for the posh event, the Obamas’ biggest bash since taking over the presidential mansion, but they managed to get in. The Salahis have not officially responded to any press, except via facebook to say "it was a last minute attending." The first time they'll talk about he incident will be this Monday, when they're guest on Larry King Live.

The dinner honoring Indian prime Minister Manmohan Singh had over 300 guest in attendance and included such luminaries as visiting Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Vice President Joe Biden, Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel and television news anchor Katie Couric, former Secretary of State Colin Powell and more.

Michaele Salahi, a former Washington Redskins cheerleader, is reportedly in the running for a slot with the reality show “Real Housewives of Washington, D.C.” The couple was described in a report by the Post as “polo-playing socialites from northern Virginia.”

Secret Service spokesman Edwin M. Donovan acknowledged that the checkpoint “did not follow proper procedures” in reviewing the guest list, but he insisted that the president and the scores of celebrity guests were never in jeopardy.

"It is important to note that these individuals went through magnetometers and other levels of security, as did all guests attending the dinner,” Donovan said in a statement. “The Secret Service has tasked our Office of Professional Responsibility with conducting a comprehensive review of the incident.”


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Magic moment for Wenger

ARSENE WENGER insists the "moment has come" for his Arsenal side as they prepare to face Premier League leaders Chelsea on Sunday.
The Gunners, who have a match in hand on their title rivals, will be looking to close an eight-point gap on the Blues at the Emirates.

Boss Wenger said: "Everyone will look at the game to rate our potential and I have no worries about that.

TIME TO DELIVER ... Wenger has issued a rallying cry to his Arsenal players


"We are ready, well focused, prepared and the confidence is good. We just want to focus on the game like we want to play it."

Wenger declared: "It is a big test, yes. But that is what you want, to play these teams.

"There is a period for any team to come out and show its strengths. For my team, this moment has come.

"We are not any more a team that has to be considered to be young. We have the strengths and can show on Sunday that we are strong enough to compete."

Arsenal, though, must take on Chelsea without striker Robin van Persie and full-back Kieran Gibbs, while centre-back William Gallas is rated as only 50/50 to face his former club.

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Bath time for Nic Cage

HE has starred in Hollywood blockbusters and boasts a Best Actor Oscar but NICOLAS CAGE has finally reached the pinnacle of his career - switching on the Christmas lights in Bath.
The National Treasure star lit up the historic city last night after being introduced by Heart FM's TOBY ANSTIS.



And he told the crowd, "I'm feeling kind of electric right now, how about you?

"I can feel the electricity running down my right arm - I've got to switch something here."

Asked about his plans for Christmas the actor revealed he would be spending it in Somerset.

"I do like tradition and this will be my third holiday season in Bath with my family," he told the delighted crowd.
Local hero ... Nicolas Cage

"The most beautiful city in the world, right?"

Where he will actually be staying is a mystery as he recently sold off a townhouse and a mock gothic castle in the area, along with some of his US properties, to pay off a huge tax debt.

The 45-year-old had been looking for a school for his son in the area but was forced to put £5 million Midford Castle up for sale in October after being taken to court by the US government.

The skint star gave the occasion an ironic spin last night when he told the crowd.

"I wish you all prosperity in the New Year."

Right back at ya, Nic.



Bath lights ... the city is switched on


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Grant can be Av a go hero

FERGUSON ... backing Avram Grant to save Portsmouth from relegation


ALEX FERGUSON has backed Avram Grant to steer Premier League basement boys Portsmouth away from relegation.
The Manchester United boss and his side travel to Fratton Park tomorrow looking to collect another three points as they bid to overhaul leaders Chelsea.

But despite Grant's appointment as Pompey boss this week, many critics believe the club's financial problems and loss of key players makes them certainties for relegation.

However, Ferguson insists Grant — who has been out of management since parting company with the Blues last year — is the man to save the south coast side from the drop.

Ferguson said: "Avram is a football man and there is no doubt he will be glad to get back into the game.

"He has a task on his hands because his team are bottom of the league. But hopefully he can manage it.

"Portsmouth have some very good players. I have looked at their videos and they may be in a false position.

"But being bottom of the league does create a reaction from owners and management of a club."

That reaction resulted in Paul Hart's dismissal on Tuesday with chief executive Peter Storrie admitting he had no option in getting rid of Hart.

Ferguson added: "It doesn't matter which club it is, when you have a change of ownership there will be a certain amount of disruption.

"You get new policies coming in, or there might be a new financial outlook. You can see how it can have an effect on the pitch.

"Owners of a club don't like to see their team at the bottom of the league. That is the danger position.

"If you are third or fourth bottom you think everything will be OK but when you see your team going bottom it creates a dread about where they are going to be next season."


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Desert storm

Sky's the limit ... Burj Dubai.

IT has long been lauded as a paradise for the rich and famous - but lavish Dubai is on the brink of BANKRUPTCY.
The Middle Eastern state triggered a meltdown on world stock markets yesterday, warning its biggest state-owned company, Dubai World, could no longer repay debts.

Teetering on financial ruin, the days of Dubai being seen as a millionaires' playground appear over.

The likes of David Beckham, Brad Pitt and thousands of wealthy expats with properties in the emirate could lose a fortune.

And with £40BILLION wiped from the value of Britain's biggest firms yesterday as markets crashed, the investments of millions of savers and pensioners have taken a hammering too.

It is not long since Dubai was being celebrated as a rich man's nirvana - a tax-free haven where east and west could do lucrative business together.

High-rise buildings sprung up at an alarming rate and the sail-shaped Burj Al Arab hotel - the only seven-star hotel in the world - became the ultimate symbol of Dubai's opulence.

Forty years earlier Dubai was a pearl-fishing village on the edge of the Arabian desert. Locals lived in mud shacks and camels wandered in date palm groves.



But celebrities and the wealthy flocked to buy lavish properties on The Palm Jumeirah sand-island development when they went on sale in 2002 - and the 2,000 properties sold out in a month.

Crisis
Footballers Beckham, Michael Owen and Joe Cole were among those who snapped up luxury apartments on the island, as well as Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt.

Last year, Kylie Minogue headlined a £12million party at Atlantis, The Palm hotel, crowning The Palm Jumeirah's self-styled reputation as the "Eighth Wonder Of The World".

Headlined ... Kylie Minogue performed at Atlantis opening

But as the world economy went into meltdown, stories began to circulate earlier this year of sports cars abandoned at Dubai International Airport as their expat owners fled stringent bankruptcy laws.

And yesterday's news that the government-owned investment company Dubai World has asked for a six-month delay on repaying debts to 100 Western and Islamic banks sparked fresh crisis.

The FTSE 100 plunged by 170 points - its biggest fall since March. And the Pound tumbled against the US Dollar as experts feared a NEW banking crash.

Analysts said some of the UK's biggest banks could lose millions invested in Dubai. One of the most vulnerable could be RBS.

Stuart Law, head of property investment specialist Assetz, warned: "Dubai is bankrupt - simple as that."

Living in luxury ... Palm Island

Living in luxury ... Palm IslandDubai World spent the boom years hoovering up trophy assets around the world, including golf courses and hotels.

Their subsidiaries own everything from Barneys department store in the US to the QEII liner. These could now be sold off as Dubai's sheikhs scramble to raise cash.

The financial problems stem from a massive bubble in Dubai's housing market - and the £36billion debt taken on by Dubai World during their buying spree.



Property prices in Dubai rocketed once a restriction on foreign investment was lifted in 2002 and from mid-2007 to mid-2008 prices soared almost 80 per cent.

But the credit crunch put the brakes on the number of people emigrating to the emirate and buying property. This burst the housing bubble, caused prices to freefall and many property projects are left uncompleted.

The imposing Burj Dubai is the world's tallest man-made construction - but it remains unfinished.

Simon Ford is one of the businessmen who came unstuck. For four years he ran Blue Banana, an online luxury gifts company.

But when rapid over-expansion pushed the company into debt of between £100,000 and £200,000, the bank pulled the plug.

In June, Simon and his pregnant wife fled the country because, under United Arab Emirates bankruptcy laws, if your company collapses you are liable for the debts and will be sent to jail until everything is paid off. He later wrote an open letter of apology to customers and suppliers.

It said: "I am not running away from debt, I am purely protecting those dearest to me and getting out of a country which... drives people to make horrible decisions."

Hit
Swiss bank UBS fears Dubai's property market could plunge almost 70 per cent from its peak a year ago. Chelsea and England ace Joe Cole sold his apartment at the right time, pocketing £2.1million last summer.




Cricketer Andrew Flintoff probably has the right idea - he is RENTING as he and his family spend the winter in Dubai.

UK firms Travelodge and Madame Tussauds could also be affected as they are owned by a separate Dubai company Dubai International Capital (DIC).

While it is far more healthy than Dubai World, it could be hit as foreign investors pull money out of the emirate.

Neighbouring Abu Dhabi is poised to lend Dubai £9billion in emergency funding - and more could follow. One expert said: "This will be the most embarrassing thing. Imagine England going cap in hand to Scotland and the Scots then eyeing up some of your biggest assets."

Assetz's Stuart Law said property prices would continue to fall next year.

But he added: "Dubai will come back. This could actually present people with one of the best buying opportunities they will ever see."

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IJUE HISTORIA YA THANKSGIVING....!!

Alhamisi ya Nov. 26,yaani kesho tunasherehekea sikukuu inaitwa "THANKS GIVING" Ni sikukuu muhimu kweli kwa hawa wenyeji wetu na tumepewa mapumziko ya siku tatu kuanzia Jumatano. Mimi nimevutwa zaidi na historia yake kuliko sherehe zenyewe. (Ingawa nachukia historia, siasa na vitu kama hivyo).

Rafiki yangu mmoja (mwenyeji na mzawa) aliniambia zamani sana nchi ya Marekani ilikuwa inakaliwa na "WAHINDI WEKUNDU" (Red Indians) na hawa ndio wanaostahili kujiita wamarekani kutokana na asili yao. Enzi hizoo za Ujima, hakukuwa na wazungu, wachina, waafrika wala nini. Nchi nzima ilijaa wahindi wekundu. Ikatokea bwana mmoja kasafiri kutoka Ulaya ya Hispania anaitwa sijui Christopher Columbus (kama nakumbuka vizuri, maana historia na mimi ni tofauti). Ndiye mzungu wa kwanza kufika Marekani na inaaminika ndiye aliyeigundua Marekani. (Nachukia wanaposema mtu kagundua nchi fulani wakati kulikuwa na wenyeji pale, ni sawa na ninavyochukia huyo aliyegundua mlima Kilamanjaro wakati kizazi cha Masawe kilikuwa pale.!!!). Alipogundua kuwa kuna nchi huku akatoa taarifa Hispania kwa wakubwa zake na ndipo walipokuja kuitawala Marekani. Kwa mara ya kwanza walishuka katika jahazi lao Tarehe 23 Nov ya huo mwaka ambao siukumbuki.

Wakafanya bonge la sherehe kwa kusafiri salama na kuanza kuwatawala wenyeji, chakula rahisi walichopata ilikuwa wale ndege wakubwa kwa jina la Bata Mzinga (Turkey). Basi kila mwaka wakawa wanafanya sherehe kukumbuka na kumshukuru Mungu kwa kusafiri salama, kutawala Marekani na kupata chakula cha Turkey. Ikawa mazoea na kila analofanya Bwana ni lazima liigwe na Mtwana. Hata wenyeji nao wakaanza kusherehekea na kumshukuru Mungu kwa kufika kwa wa-Hispania, kutawaliwa na kujipoza na nyama ya Turkey. Ikawa utamaduni na hatimae kupitishwa kuwa sikukuu na tunapewa mapumziko ya siku tatu.!!! Siku hizi yaani usiposherehekea Thanks Giving na kupika Turkey wanakushangaa na kukuona wa ajabu. Ni kipindi pekee (pamoja na X-Mass) wamerekani hukutana na familia zao na kukaa nyumba moja kwa siku tatu.!! Watu wa dini wanadai wanamshukuru Mungu kwa chakula alichowapa mwaka mzima. Rafiki yangu mmoja kutoka India yeye ni Budha aliwauliza yaani nyinyi mnamshukuru Mungu kwa chakula mara moja tu kwa mwaka wakati sisi ni lazima tushukuru kila mlo (mara tatu kwa siku) kweli nyinyi ni watu wa ajabu.!

Mi nachoshindwa kushangaa ni pale hii sikukuu ilivyoanza wakati wa ukoloni na hatimae kuwa siku ya kitaifa. Kwangu mimi ni sawa na watu kusherehekea kutawaliwa kwao na Hispania. Bora niache maana naweza kuandika yasiyostahili bure. Tuonane baadae kuendelea na makala zetu..
H.MTU

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Is Keyshia Cole Pregnant?

I have a feeling Keyshia Cole is about as pregnant as Omarion’s duck tale is, but the rumor mill just won’t stop churning this story so maybe I’m wrong.

Keyshia is said to have moved in with her Cleveland Cavalier boyfriend Daniel Gibson while she works on new music.

But someone swears she’s also working on a nursery.

Via Necole Bitchie:
Is Keyshia Cole pregnant?…Maybe this was already confirmed and I missed it but I will tell you the story anyways!
So I am on facebook and the owner of the hair shop I go to said she saw Keyshia Cole and Boobie in Beachwood Mall. She actually met them. The mall is in the Cleveland area and Boobie and Keyshia are often seen there. However the women who met them said she was six or seven months pregnant! Oh lorddd…when did this happen. I mean seven months is pretty far along. I figured you would find this interesting because you posted on something about Keyshia on Twitter the other day!

I’m still skeptical, but another site reports:

Congrats to KEYSHIA COLE & her future baby. We do not know the sex yet but we do know she is preggers. Congrats
Until I see Keyshia Cole as swole as Jabba The Hut during her ninth month of pregnancy I won’t believe it. But if true, HOLLA. MAN DOWN. And you know, all that other stuff her kinfolk would say.

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Ne-Yo Splits With Girlfriend

It appears Ne-Yo and his longtime girlfriend, Tennille Jimenez, have broken up.

Considering he brought her to Cannes, Prague, and every major award show that we know of, my condolences go out to Tennille for losing a man who will be collecting royalty checks for the next 50-11 years.

But, don’t cry too hard for Tennille. Judging from the YBF, she should be alright.

They report:

YBF just learned from a member of Ne-Yo’s camp that he and Tennille actually split back in August. The reason is unknown but it is believed that the two are still on good terms with each other.

Such “good terms” that Tennille got parting gifts right after the break-up– a condo and a car. So Ne-Yo laced his ex with property? Damn. Must be nice. We actually liked these two together…

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Rihanna: I’ve Always Been Half-Naked

When I looked at this image, I wasn’t thinking, “OMG! Her breasts…in barbed wire. The horror!”

I didn’t think anything of it, actually. We saw her breasts this summer and just about every day for the past month. Not to mention she’s been trying for two years now to prove to ya’ll that she’s a bad girl. What’s badder than barbed wire around breasts (other than the movie after the same name, of course)?

Ever since Rihanna leaked the single “Russian Roulette” everything from the songs lyrical content to the video to the single cover has been criticized.

Well, she’s heard some of it and has since responded.

When prompted about some of the recent flack, Rihanna told British radio station Key 103:

“I don’t know why people are so surprised that I’m scantily clad, I’ve always been scantily clad, I’ve always been that way.

I definitely thought the barbed wire was cool, it was a symbol of strength but fearlessness all at once, that’s why we used it.

We took our time and wrapped that barbed wire around me. It took forever because we had to wrap it round the front of me – a certain area – a few times more than the rest of me so that it would cover the necessary.”

She gets two points for owning up to being half naked most of the time


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Jennifer Hudson

I was compelled and moved when I read the script. Winnie Mandela is a complex and extraordinary woman and I’m honored to be the actress asked to portray her. This is a powerful part of history that should be told.

- Jennifer Hudson on playing Winnie Mandela

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Snoop Dogg

I don't call n*ggas' names out, you know me babygirl, I'm Snoop Dogg. You ever heard a song I got called 'Pimp Slap' where I went after Suge Knight? If I got any issues, I go after a n*gga's motherf*cking head.

- Snoop Dogg on Lil Wayne

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Oprah Winfrey

To you and every woman who's ever been hit, I feel that I did not handle that as well as I should have - I apologize to you, and to every woman in that situation, for not being sharp enough.

- Oprah Winfrey to Robin Givens

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Rihanna

I don’t know why people are so surprised that I’m scantily clad, I’ve always been scantily clad, I’ve always been that way.

- Rihanna

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Chris Brown

My whole dating thing, I've been kinda chillin'. I mean, I'm Chris Brown. I'm not saying it like that, but it's just, like, girls are gonna be around. I love women. But I would say I've just been chillin'. I haven't really been trying to get into a relationship or trying to date anybody.

- Chris Brown on dating

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Janet Jackson

Jermaine is one of my best friends. I love him to death. We’re still connected. We’re still good friends. We still talk.

- Janet Jackson on her ex-boyfriend, Jermaine Dupri

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Tiny

Sometime [next] year, but we can't really give a date yet because we have to find out exactly when Tip is coming home. We'll have to just plan around that, but I envision a fairy-tale wedding.

- Tiny on getting married to T.I.

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SENTI HAMSINI!

It feels like I'm back in the underdog space because I feel that doubt from the public where they go, 'Do you think he can do it again?' [They doubt you can] return to that space where you're generating that interest as before.
- 50 Cent

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Amber Rose

Amber Rose at the New York special screening of "The Twilight Saga: New Moon" at the Landmark Sunshine Theater in New York City on November 19, 2009.

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