Conservative commentator Tony Blankley dies at 63

Tony Blankley, a conservative author and commentator who served as press secretary to Newt Gingrich during the 1990s, when Republicans took control of Congress, has died. He was 63.

Blankley, who had been suffering from stomach cancer, died Saturday night at Sibley Memorial Hospital in Washington, his wife, Lynda Davis, said Sunday.

In his long career as a political operative and pundit, his most visible role was as a spokesman for and adviser to Gingrich from 1990 to 1997. Gingrich became House Speaker when Republicans took control of the U.S. House of Representatives following the 1994 midterm elections.

Earlier, Blankley spent six years in the Reagan administration in a variety of positions, including speechwriter and senior policy analyst.

From 2002 to 2007, he served as editorial page editor of The Washington Times. In recent years, he also wrote a syndicated newspaper column and provided political commentary for CNN, NBC and NPR. He was also a regular panelist on "The McLaughlin Group."

He was the author of two books and a visiting senior fellow in national security communications at the Heritage Foundation.

Defence Minister Peter MacKay marries Nazanin Afshin

Canada’s defence minister tied the knot Wednesday way south of the border, according to his website.

Peter MacKay married Nazanin Afshin-Jam in a private ceremony reported to have taken place in Mexico.

Afshin-Jam is Iranian-born and a former Miss Canada World who has since become a high-profile human rights activist. The trilingual pilot was once named one of the 50 most beautiful people in the world.

Mariah Carey's husband Nick Cannon Hospitalized With Kidney Failure

 

Mariah Carey's husband Nick Cannon has been taken to hospital suffering from kidney failure.

Mr Cannon, 31, is spending the first week of the new year in hospital in the Colorado ski resort of Aspen, where he and his wife usually spend Christmas.

Miss Carey, 41, tweeted that Mr Cannon is suffering from "mild kidney failure."

"Please pray for Nick as he's fighting to recover from a mild kidney failure," Carey tweeted Wednesday morning, along with a photo of her and Cannon in a hospital bed.

Star Wars sword-fight master Bob Anderson dies at 89

Legendary sword master Bob Anderson, who donned the Darth Vader suit for some of the light saber battles in the original Star Wars trilogy, died Sunday in Sussex, West England, according to The New York Times. He was 89.

The British Academy of Fencing said that Anderson died early on New Year's Day at an English hospital.

Anderson donned Darth Vader's black helmet and fought light saber battles in two of the three original Star Wars films, The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi.

The villainous character was played by David Prowse and voiced by James Earl Jones, and Anderson's role was not initially publicised.

But Mark Hamill, who played Luke Skywalker, said in a 1983 interview that "Bob Anderson was the man who actually did Vader's fighting."

Robert James Gilbert Anderson was born in Hampshire, southern England, in 1922. He served in the Royal Marines during World War II and represented Britain in fencing at the 1952 Olympics and the 1950 and 1953 world championships.

His first film work was staging fights and coaching Errol Flynn on swashbuckler The Master of Ballantrae in 1952.

He went on to become one of the industry's most sought after sword masters, working on movies including the James Bond adventures From Russia With Love and Die Another Day, The Princess Bride, The Legend of Zorro and the Lord of the Rings trilogy.

Fencing academy president Philip Bruce said that Anderson was "truly one of our greatest fencing masters and a world-class film fight director and choreographer".

Anderson is survived by his wife Pearl and three children.

Britain's Prince Philip leaves hospital

Britain's Duke of Edinburgh has been discharged from hospital following heart surgery on a blocked coronary artery.

The 90-year-old royal was sitting in the front passenger seat of a dark Range Rover as he was driven away, five days after he was admitted.

"He will be rejoining the Queen and other members of the royal family at Sandringham," said a Buckingham Palace spokeswoman. He sat upright and smiled broadly as he left the hospital.

In a statement, Buckingham Palace said: "On departure, Prince Philip thanked the staff at Papworth for the excellent care he has received during his stay.

"He is very much looking forward to rejoining his family."

The BBC's Emma Jane Kirby said the prince had been advised by doctors to rest.

The Queen has been briefed regularly on her husband's condition.

On his arrival at Papworth doctors discovered a blocked artery and went ahead with a "minimally invasive procedure of coronary stenting", which was declared a success.

Stenting involves inserting a tube called a stent into an artery, to improve blood flow.

Kate Middleton's First Royal Christmas

The Duchess of Cambridge joined royals at a Christmas day service at a church on the Queen's Norfolk estate.

More than 3,000 well-wishers had gathered outside St Mary Magdalene Church to see royals, including the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall, the Duke of Cambridge, Prince Harry, the Princess Royal, the Duke of York, and the Earl and Countess of Wessex.

The Queen, spending her first Christmas without her husband by her side for 55 years, still managed a smile as she put on a brave face for the crowds during the walk to the event on her Norfolk estate.

Kate Middletons First Royal Christmas With Prince William

Kate Middleton and Prince William are just days away from their first Christmas as man and wife, and it’s set to be a bumper affair if the rumours about what’s in store for them are to be believed!

Most of the senior royals, including Prince William and his wife, now formally known as the Duchess of Cambridge, will be dispatched across the globe to help the aging monarch celebrate her Diamond Jubilee in grand style.

Prince Philip taken to hospital with chest pains

Queen Elizabeth II's husband has undergone treatment for a blocked coronary artery, British royal officials said Friday.

Buckingham Palace said Prince Philip, 90, was taken from Sandringham, the queen's sprawling estate in rural Norfolk, to the cardiac unit at Papworth Hospital in Cambridge earlier Friday for "precautionary tests" after suffering chest pains.

The palace said tests at the hospital showed a blocked coronary artery was causing Philip’s discomfort.

“This was treated successfully by the minimally invasive procedure of coronary stenting,” it said in a statement. “Prince Philip will remain in hospital under observation for a short period.”

A spokeswoman for the palace would not say if other members of the royal family were Philip, who is also known as the Duke of Edinburgh. She spoke on customary condition of anonymity. A hospital spokeswoman referred all calls to the palace.

'The X Factor' First US Winner Melanie Amaro

The powerful 19-year-old vocalist from Sunrise, Fla., won the Fox talent competition Thursday over soulful 30-year-old singer Josh Krajcik of Wooster, Ohio.

Amaro, who was mentored by judge Simon Cowell and was at one point eliminated then reinstated to the contest, was awarded the grand prize: a $5 million recording contract and a starring role in a Pepsi commercial.

"Oh my God. Oh my God. Oh my God," Amaro repeated after host Steve Jones announced her as the champion.

The crowd cheered. Her supporters rushed onstage, surrounding Amaro, who briefly fell to her knees, as though in prayer.

“America, thank you for giving this girl an opportunity,” head judge Simon Cowell said.

Prince William and Duchess of Cambridge Visit Homeless Shelter

After her appearance as belle of the ball earlier this week, it was a more sober look for the Duchess of Cambridge on a visit to a homeless shelter today.

Kate Middleton spent time on Wednesday visiting a homeless shelter.
 
The prince also abandoned his habitual suit for blue cords and a jumper and shirt.

New Jersey Plane Crashes On Highway 5 Relatives Killed

A single-engine plane crashed in central Texas, killing the pilot, his wife and two children from Georgia, as well as his brother, officials said Tuesday.

Two men, one woman, two children and a dog aboard the plane died in the crash in Morristown, New Jersey, just after 10 a.m. ET, said Robert Gretz, a senior air safety investigator with the National Transportation Safety Board.

The plane, a six-seater Socata TBM700, was headed from Teterboro, New Jersey, to DeKalb-Peachtree Airport in suburban Atlanta when it crashed onto Interstate 287 about 14 minutes into the flight, Gretz said.

The plane was at about 17,500 feet when "there was some discussion between the pilot and the controller of locations of icing conditions," he said.

Former Miss Venezuela dies of breast cancer aged 28

 

Former Miss Venezuela Eva Ekvall, whose struggle with breast cancer was closely followed by Venezuelans, has died at age 28.

Her family said Ekvall died Saturday at a hospital in Houston.

Pakistan's Tennis Star Aisamul-Haq tied knot with Faha

 

Finally Aisam Ul Haq & Faha Makhdum Nikah finish & are now MARRIED. Pakistani Tennis star Aisam ul Haq Qureshi finally got married to her fiancee Faha Akmal Makhoom at Garrison Country Club Lahore on Saturday. The lately wed several was considering October this period. On the wedding day Aisam Ul Haq put on a amazing sherwani with a amazing improved in the access pockets, Aisam came in a developed precious metal Bmw with “Just Married” and “Congratulations” released on it.

The Bridegroom clothed in a stylish wonderful Sherwani, with a red treasure on the entrance wallet, and red turban while his woman  appeared beautifully awesome in the traditional red ‘lehnga’ attire full of wonderful encrustations.

Kate Middleton Prince William at Gary Barlow Concert with the in-laws

Take That fan Kate Middleton shows off her long legs as she and Prince William attend Gary Barlow's charity concert at the Royal Albert Hall.

The Duchess of Cambridge looked stunning in a short figure-hugging black and tan dress costing just £69.99 from Zara.

Roy Orbison's widow Barbara Orbison dies aged 60

LOS ANGELES Barbara Orbison, the widow of rock 'n' roll pioneer Roy Orbison, has died in Los Angeles. She was 60.

Loved ones speaker Debbie McMullen says Barbara Orbison passed away Wednesday at Los Angeles County-USC Healthcare Middle, where she had been put in the hospital since May.

Barbara Orbison passed away from pancreatic many forms of cancer malignancy at Los Angeles County-USC Healthcare Middle ornamented by her kids, said publicist and family speaker Debbie McMullen. Orbison had been put in the hospital since May.

Since the 1980s, Barbara Orbison devoted her time to managing her husband’s estate and keeping his legacy alive.

With her son, Roy Kelton Orbison Jr. she co-produced a four-CD box set of her spouse's 107 files. “Roy Orbison: The Heart of Stone and Roll” was launched in 2008 and contains all of his visitors and 12 formerly unreleased monitors.

The offer noticeable the first all-inclusive system of Roy Orbison’s operate from his first files to the Travelling Wilburys’ very first project, “Mystery Girl” and his last stay concert. Roy Orbison passed away in 1988 at the age of 52, in the process of a return with The Travelling Wilburys.

"M*A*S*H" star Harry Morgan dies at 96

Harry Morgan Star of “M*A*S*H” and “Dragnet,” and one of the oldest living TV legends has died in California at age 96.

No cause of loss of life was given, but Morgan had lately been taken care of for pneumonia, according to this obit on the New You are able to Instances Website.

The acting professional passed away in his house in Los Angeles after experiencing pneumonia, his daughter-in-law Michelle Morgan informs the Associated Media.

"He was side-splittingly funny, a very gentle and loving father-in-law," Beth Morgan said. "He was very humble about having such a successful career."

The Detroit-born Morgan became interested in acting while taking public speaking courses at the University of Chicago. Local theater stints led to a Broadway production of Golden Boy with Karl Malden and Lee J. Cobb. 

After being in extraordinary videos The Ox Box Occurrence and Substantial Afternoon, he started a tv profession in November Woman and Dragnet, before being in his Emmy-winning part in M*A*S*H.

 

Rockefeller Center Christmas tree lights up 2011

 

The famous Rockefeller Center Christmas tree will be lit for the first time this holiday season on Wednesday, November 30, 2011. New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg has helped light the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree, putting a spotlight on a small-town spruce from Pennsylvania.

The 74-foot-tall Norwegian liven was lit by 30,000 signals during a wedding Friday night.

The audience was busy by Neil Precious stone and Cee Lo Natural. Justin Bieber and Tony a2z Bennett offered pre-taped actions.

Preacher Billy Graham Admitted to NC Hospital

Billy Graham, one of America’s best-known evangelists, is in a North Carolina hospital with possible pneumonia and is listed in stable condition, officials with the facility said on Wednesday.

Objective Healthcare ability said in a report the 93-year-old Graham was happy and inform as he waved to workers when he was accepted to the ability in Asheville, South Carolina, for assessment and procedure of his lung area.

He was last put in a healthcare ability in May for five times with pneumonia.
 

In modern times, age-related circumstances such as macular destruction and tinnitus have kept Graham at his house in Montreat, about 20 distance eastern of Asheville.

Jackson's doctor gets 4 years in jail

 

Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Michael Pastor gave Murray the maximum sentence and said the physician engaged in "money for medicine madness that is simply not acceptable to me."

Murray, 58, put on a grey fit with pink paisley tie, sat emotionless through the sentencing. Just before being led out from the trial, he blew a hug to an unfamiliar lady who yelled "we really like you" to the charged fantastic.

Judge Erina Priest of Los Angeles Excellent Courtroom said Dr. Murray's $150,000-a-month publish with the pop celebrity constituted "money-for-medicine chaos."

Under guidelines designed to reduce crowding, Dr. Murray will serve less than half of the sentence, the maximum for which he was eligible, a sheriff's department spokesman said.

Doctor to be sentenced for Michael Jackson's death

LOS ANGELES — Michael Jackson’s doctor will face the singer’s distraught family and ardent fans one more time when he returns to court for sentencing in the death of the superstar from an overdose of an operating-room anesthetic he was receiving to battle insomnia.

Prosecutors want Murray to get the jail term and ordered to pay the star of the Jackson family for loss of earnings, an estimated $ 100 million comeback to show that he was preparing when he died.

But 58 years Medic Ed Chernoff lawyer asked the court reports last week that his client be given probation and community service, noting that probably never practice medicine again.

"To subject this former doctor, described by all who know him as a gentle man who devoted his professional life to providing care to the underserved population, to a lengthy jail term would be wholly inappropriate," he wrote.

How long Murray might remain behind bars depends on the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department, which would base the decision on good behavior and other factors.

Even without overcrowding and a new state law that will send Murray to county jail rather than prison, a four-year sentence could be cut in half by good behavior.