31 December 2013

What Happened? 2013 Entertainment News

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The stars shined bright with notable performances and accolades presented, unfortunately some were taken too soon.

Unfortunate losses


The Simpsons lost writer Don Payne and Marcia Wallace the voice of Mrs. Krabappel.

Many actors passed away this year the likes of Harry Potter actor Richard Griffths and Oscar nominee Peter O'Toole. But the most shocking loss was that of actor Paul Walker who died in a fiery car crash.


Actress Angelina Jolie revealed to the world she had a double mastectomy when she discovered she had an increased risk of breast cancer.

Celebrated moments


The Oscars hit in February with memorable moments from Jennifer Lawrence (Best Actress) and wins by Anne Hathaway (Best Supporting Actress), Daniel Day-Lweis (Best Actor), Christopher Waltz (Best Supporting Actor) and Argo (Best Picture).

The Golden Globes Awards had it all with Tina Fey and Amy Poehler hosting with hilarity ensuing. The awards came thick and fast for actors Ben Affleck and Hugh Jackman as well as for the ladies Jennifer Lawrence, Jessica Chastain, Anne Hathaway.

The American Music Awards saw winners Taylor Swift, Justin Timberlake, Rihanna and more.

While the MTV VMA's had it's controversial moments the real stars were recognized with wins by Justin Timberlake, Bruno Mars and Taylor Swift.
 

Naughty, naughty


Not all celebrities behaved themselves this year with Reese Witherspoon joining the list of celebrities arrested for DUI and making it all the more special having it caught on camera.

Actor Zac Efron entered rehab for cocaine addiction shocking pretty much everyone.

While actress Amanda Bynes lost the plot acting beyond weird ending up hospitalized and then going to rehab.

And former child star Miley Cyrus resorted to every desperate trick in the book to get attention.

Artsy Fartsy


Street artist Banksy spent a month in New York creating various works. At one point a stall was set up selling "Banksy" art at a steal which later turned out to be real.

Records were made with 2 paintings being sold within days of each other with the Francis Bacon portrait setting a record for $142 million with the Andy Warhol painting bringing in a poultry $104.5 million.




What Happened? 2013 Style News

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All the beautiful people were out strutting their stuff leaving tongues wagging and credit cards itching.

Fashion Weeks and Events


New York Fashion Week featured all the big names from Michael Kors to Betsy Jonson. Being New York the crazy creations had to make an appearance and so they did.

Milan Fashion Week brought the likes of Prada, Jil Sanders and of course Armani. Like moths to a flame the celebrities descending on Milan.

London Fashion Week brightened the English weather with Jonathan Saunders, Burberry Prorsum and Topshop Unique. Unfortunately Mulberry had to bow out as they continue to search for a creative director.

With Paris Fashion Week came the end of "Fashion Month" showcasing Valentino, Givenchy, Chanel and more. After the show it was announced that Marc Jacobs would be leaving Louis Vuitton after 16 years.

Victoria's Secret was another over the top affair with gorgeous models strutting down the runway with pop stars like Taylor Swift serenading them.

Other notable events included designers letting loose with Roberto Cavalli claiming Michael Kors copies him. And after some disastrous PR Lululemon chairman, Chip Wilson, stepping down after his comments regarding the companies yoga pants "rubbing situation".


Models


They're paid to look beautiful and that's what they did. Victoria’s Secret Angel Candice Swanepoel won the honour of wearing the years most expensive bra valued at $10 million.

The long legged Karlie Kloss may have the world at her feet but it seems even with all the covers and Victoria Secret Angel title it's hard when you're "too famous".

Miranda Kerr had drama in her personal and professional life with rumour's of a split with her and hubby Orlando Bloom as well as not appearing in the 2013 Victoria's Secret show.

Jessica Hart made headlines after comments she made about Taylor Swift's performance at the Victoria Secret show with rumour's saying she had been fired only to be denied later.

However, Cara Delevingne was the model of the moment grabbing the spotlight taking the title of top model of 2013.


Celebrities


Not content entertaining the world celebrities took it one step further making it all look glamorous. The always fashion forward Victoria Beckham topped the list of most pinned on Pinterest.

Jennifer Lawrence continued her charm onslaught with blockbusters under her belt she also snagged a few covers, even if there was some controversy with said covers.

Kate Bosworth collaborated with Top Shop on a second collection everyone had been waiting for.

Lily Collins famous brows made it on to Lancome campaign as a pretty pink French ballerina.

The ravishing redhead, Jessica Chastain, appeared on the December Vogue cover and landed an endorsement deal with YSL Beauty. 

Fashionable Beyonce ended the year in thigh high boots and a figure hugging black dress.

23 December 2013

Space, it's been busy up there

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Attention was focused towards the heavens with space agencies going above and beyond.

Jade Rabbit hops into history


China became the third country to successfully make a "soft landing" on the surface of the moon. The Jade Rabbit mission, designed to conduct scientific experiments, was declared a success by China. China has said they plan to launch another in 2017 to collect soil samples to return to earth followed by a mission in 2020 to land a Chinese astronaut on the moon.

Gaia's billion star mission


The ESA (European Space Agency) launched the Gaia mission aboard a Soyuz rocket to "decipher the history of the milky way". The mission is designed to accurately measure the positions and motions of roughly 100 billion stars.

A stroll, at 8km/s, through space


Astronauts on board the ISS will get 3 space walks to do essential repairs to the International Space Station replacing a malfunctioning pump which required emergency procedures leaving some experiments offline.


All talk?


A new robot companion, Kirobo, has taken up residence on the ISS to talk with Japanese astronaught, Koichi Wakata. The robot is designed to process questions and construct answers instead of a pre-programmed response.

Like new


NASA reactivated NEOWISE,the Asteroid-Hunting Probe, after 2.5 years of hibernation. The probe has sent back it's first images in an attempt to find potentially dangerous asteroids or some for exploration.


14 December 2013

Who's in the news? Nelson Mandela

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Former South African president Nelson Mandela will be laid to rest this week with mourners from around the world paying their respect.

End of a legacy


On 5 December 2013 the world lost a true leader with the announcement of his passing after a long period if illness.

Words of appreciation


Many dignitaries paid their respect from around the world with over 70 making the journey to his memorial. His memorial spanned both the political and social divides with stadiums fulled to capacity during a rainy, somber day.

Communication error


During the memorial a slight incident occurred when the sign language interpreter apparently had a Schizophrenic attack resulting in him making no sense to anyone trying to follow, some going so far as to call him a fake.

Current leadership


While many leaders paid their respects with kind words and were welcomed by the crowd current South African president, Jacob Zuma, was booed by a frustrated South Africa tired of corruption under his leadership.

Body on display


For 3 days Madiba's body was on display at the Union Buildings where he had been sworn in as the first black president. His body was transported daily from 1 Military Hospital through streets lined with mourners. Lines carried on for miles with mourners patiently waiting their turn to view Madiba at peace.

Burial


On Sunday the 15 December Madiba's body will be laid to rest in Qunu, Eastern Cape where he was born and raised.


6 December 2013

Tragedies and a second chance

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It's been a week of tragedy with lives lost but a second chance for one lucky soul.

Nelson Mandela remembered


Former South African president, Nelson Mandela, has passed away at the age of 95. Tributes have poured in from around the world in honour of a man who's legacy has forever changed a nation. As a South African I would like to thank him for everything he did.

NYC commuter train derailed


A New York City commuter train derailed killing 4 people injuring another 60. It is believed that speed played an important part in the accident when the train was recorded as traveling at 82 mph in a 30 mph section of track.



Paul Walker car crash


Hollywood actor Paul Walker died when the car he was a passenger in crashed into a poll and burst into flames killing Paul and the driver. Paul leaves behind a 17 year old daughter, Meadow.



Scottish police helicopter crash


A police helicopter crashed into a pub in Scotland killing 9 people, including the pilot and police on board the helicopter, and injuring 32 in the pub. Authorities have removed the wreckage to try determine why the helicopter crashed.



Ship salvage turns into rescue


A salvage team found a survivor after a ship went down with 12 men on board. The survivor, the ships cook, survived for 3 days with no water or food in an air pocket.