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DC5m United States music in english 18 articles, created at 2016-12-16 16:13 articles set mostly positive rate 5.6

1 1.0 US elector demands briefing on Russia election interference

(3.50/4) PROVIDENCE, Rhode Island — Weeks after Hillary Clinton lost the presidential election to Donald Trump, some of her loyal supporters have not given up hope. Clay Pell, a vocal supporter of the 2016-12-16 00:00 4KB newsinfo.inquirer.net

2 1.3 Jennifer Lawrence heads to Passengers screening in Seoul with Chris Pratt (0.02/4) The 26-year-old flashed her toned and taut tum in a busty crop top and tulle midi skirt as she happily posed at the photocall for Passengers with her handsome co-star Chris Pratt. 2016-12-16 07:31 3KB www.dailymail.co.uk

3 5.9 Weekend TV: 'Sound of Music,' 'Man in the High Castle'

What's worth watching, and what might not be, in primetime 2016-12-16 04:04 1KB (0.01/4) rssfeeds.usatoday.com

4 1.4 Hilary Duff takes son Luca shopping after calling out 'warped' social media critics (0.01/4) The Younger actress wore an olive cowboy hat with a flat bill, a hunter green sweater with horizontal patterns and diagonal black stripes, tight blue jeans and black booties. 2016-12-16 00:47 2KB www.dailymail.co.uk

5 0.4 Louise Redknapp's Strictly partner Kevin Clifton hints at rehearsal trouble It's the big Strictly Come Dancing final at the weekend and Louise Redknapp and her dance partner Kevin Clifton have no doubt got that famous glitterball in their sights. 2016-12-16 08:48 2KB www.dailymail.co.uk

6 1.2 Trump is throwing a fundraiser with his sons for donors to go shooting with them Donald Trump's sons are the features of a fundraiser honoring the president-elect. Opening Day donors have the chance to go on a hunting or fishing trip with Donald Jr and Eric Trump. 2016-12-16 08:31 2KB www.dailymail.co.uk

7 1.5 When Mr. Coffee Was The Must-Have Christmas Gift For Java Snobs : The Salt : NPR Few coffee aficionados are putting a Mr. Coffee machine on their wish list. But 40 years ago, it would've been at the top. The appliance revolutionized the quality and speed of home brewing. 2016-12-16 08:00 6KB www.npr.org 8 2.7 Eamonn Holmes wears 2 stone 'hangover suit' to mimic effects of alcohol He doesn't tend to drink in real life, but Eamonn Holmes wore a two stone 'hangover suit' on This Morning on Friday which mimics the after-effects of overindulgence. 2016-12-16 07:46 2KB www.dailymail.co.uk

9 2.8 Ruben Studdard, Clay Aiken perform duet for first time in 13 years on 'The View' "American Idol" alums Ruben Studdard and Clay Aiken performed a special duet together Thursday on "The View" for the first time in 13 years. 2016-12-16 07:46 1KB www.upi.com

10 1.0 'I woke up with wires and tubes everywhere': Girl, 16, was left in a coma and almost died after taking a 'Red Skull' ecstasy pill at a concert Shannon Henderson, of Loanhead, Midlothian, was given a 50/50 chance of survival after swallowing a 'Red Skull' pill at a gig in Glasgow when her vital organs began shutting down. 2016-12-16 07:32 2KB www.dailymail.co.uk

11 1.4 Blind Filipina singer visits PH Embassy in Paris Katchry Jewel Golbin, also known as Alienette, went to the Philippine Embassy in Paris on Friday for a courtesy visit. 2016-12-16 00:00 1KB entertainment.inquirer.net

12 2.9 Third person contracts measles sparking health warning for parents about the deadly disease Two more Sydneysiders have contracted measles after an overseas traveller was struck down with the highly contagious disease earlier this month. The infected trio frequented sites in Sydney's CBD. 2016-12-16 04:16 2KB www.dailymail.co.uk

13 0.7 Braless Chrissy Teigen wears skimpy 80s blue leotard for LOVE advent She's known for her impeccable body and hilarious sense of humour and Chrissy Teigen added some serious sex appeal and comedy to her LOVE advent calendar. 2016-12-16 04:16 2KB www.dailymail.co.uk

14 2.2 'La La Land's' Damien Chazelle, Justin Hurwitz face the music and dance Two years ago, director Damien Chazelle had a wonderful success with his independent film “Whiplash,” which won three Academy Awards. His new “La La Land” looks to make an even … Two years ago, director Damien Chazelle had a wonderful success with his independent film “Whiplash... 2016-12-16 04:01 3KB www.sfexaminer.com

15 6.7 Ebi brings smooth sounds to the Colosseum International star bringing two-year tour to a close with Vegas concert. 2016-12-16 10:17 1KB lasvegasmagazine.com 16 8.3 Human Nature spreads the Christmas cheer Holiday music and merriment takes over group’s resident show at The Venetian. 2016-12-16 10:17 3KB lasvegasmagazine.com

17 6.7 Freedom Beat captures American culinary spirit With its diversity of dishes and musical talent, restaurant invites you to stay a while. 2016-12-16 10:17 3KB lasvegasmagazine.com

18 3.3 National anthem! Wololo is iTune's song of the year When our children open the history books and page back to the year 2016, they will probably only find one thing: Wololo. 2016-12-16 04:00 962Bytes www.timeslive.co.za Articles

DC5m United States music in english 18 articles, created at 2016-12-16 16:13

1 /18 1.0 US elector demands briefing on Russia election interference (3.50/4) PROVIDENCE, Rhode Island — Weeks after Hillary Clinton lost the presidential election to Donald Trump, some of her loyal supporters have not given up hope. Clay Pell, a vocal supporter of the Democrat during her long campaign and one of the 538 members of the Electoral College, said the process has been tarnished by Russian interference. He is leading a push for electors to be given more information about it before casting their votes Monday.

Tradition holds that electors meet in their respective states and formally cast their votes without attracting much attention, but this year is “so beyond the normal bounds,” said Pell, one of Rhode Island’s four Democratic electors.

“We as electors have a narrow role, but nonetheless it’s a role in protecting the integrity of the election,” Pell said in an interview this week, noting his past work in the Obama administration as a strategic planning director for the White House National Security Council.

On Thursday, the Obama administration suggested that Russian President Vladimir Putin personally authorized the hacking of Democratic officials’ email accounts in the run-up to the presidential election and said it was “fact” that such actions helped Trump’s campaign. The White House also assailed Trump himself, saying he must have known of Russia’s interference.

“Only Russia’s senior-most officials could have authorized these activities,” White House spokesman Josh Earnest said, repeating the words from an October US intelligence assessment.

Pell said he began talking with electors around the country several weeks ago to gauge their thoughts about the process. Some Democrats had proposed thwarting Trump by joining Republicans in choosing a more moderate Republican alternative, such as Ohio Gov. John Kasich, but Pell called those efforts “hypothetical.”

“There are really so many Trump electors. It really depends on some of the Trump electors wishing to do something different and I haven’t heard or seen that,” he said. “The voters of Rhode Island voted for Hillary, so that is the way I would expect to vote, and do plan to vote,” he said. “If there were a real change, I’m sure people would look at that. That hasn’t been the case.” An Associated Press survey of the electors found little appetite for such an insurgency. Only one of the Republicans interviewed by the AP said he would vote against the president-elect. Trump won 306 electoral votes last month, well above the 270 he needs to make him president. Although Democrats in Pell’s tiny state went for Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders in the primary, Pell’s support for Clinton, the former secretary of state, has been unwavering. Pell’s wife, the Olympic gold medalist figure skater Michelle Kwan, was a prominent Clinton campaign surrogate. His grandfather, the late Democratic US Sen. Claiborne Pell, is the namesake behind the federal government’s college financial aid Pell Grants that Clinton promised to protect.

Pell is a lieutenant commander in the US Coast Guard Reserve with his own political aspirations. He was the third-place Democratic primary candidate for Rhode Island governor in 2014, and has held several jobs in the Obama administration.

When news broke late last week of the CIA’s conclusion that Russia likely sought to influence the US election on behalf of Trump, Pell and nine other electors — all but one of them Democrats — quickly crafted and published an unprecedented letter to US Director of National Intelligence James Clapper demanding a briefing.

Their letter, now with dozens of signatures, described the Electoral College as a deliberative body whose members have more than an “empty or formalistic task” to summarily cast their votes.

“There’s been an attack on the integrity of the United States,” Pell said this week. “As a person with a background in national security, I take that very seriously.” /rga

U.S. elector demands Obama vows action against Obama vows 'to take action' briefing on Russia Russia over election hacks on Russia for election hacks election interference bbc.co.uk msnbc.com lasvegassun.com

2016-12-16 00:00 Associated Press newsinfo.inquirer.net

2 /18 1.3 Jennifer Lawrence heads to Passengers screening in Seoul with Chris Pratt (0.02/4) She never fails to look glamorous at red carpet events. And Jennifer Lawrence certainly did not disappoint on Friday as she made her dazzling arrival at the Passengers photo call at CGV in Seoul, South Korea. The 26- year-old flashed her toned and taut tum in a busty crop top and midi skirt as she happily posed at the event with her handsome co-star Chris Pratt. Scroll down for video The actress looked truly stunning in her trendy two-piece, which was formed of a low-cut bralet and soft pink midi skirt. The plain black crop remained simple but classic in style - cutting into a low V at her chest to tease a saucy hint of her ample cleavage. Cutting off just below her bra line however, the top let her enviable figure take centre stage by leaving plenty of her toned and flat stomach on show. Jennifer then paired the bralet with a dusty pink midi skirt for a further feminine touch, which cascaded down into soft pleats. The number was lined with a strip of intricate black lace and featured an uneven, flowing hem, to make the look even more chic. Jennifer accessorised with a set of barely-there shoes adorned with a chunky diamanté ankle strap for a hint of glitz, and left her hair and make-up natural to draw attention to her natural beauty. Meanwhile Jurassic World star Chris, 37, suited and booted himself up in a traditional grey three-piece ensemble, which he jazzed up with a purple floral tie. Jennifer and Chris have been travelling all over the world to promote their new film Passengers. Landing in South Korea on Thursday, the Hollywood stars had both been welcomed with open arms when they were greeted at Gimpo International Airport in Seoul by crowds of fans with flowers. The sci-fi flick follows a spaceship on its way to a distant colony planet with over 5,000 passengers - who are in an induced hibernation. However a malfunction occurs, causing inhabitants Jim Preston (Pratt) and Aurora Lane (Lawrence) ninety years early. Putting on a friendly display on the carpet, Chris recently admitted that he and Jennifer were told off several times for fooling around on set of the film - which is to be released on 21 December. He told People : 'Every once in a while we had to be shushed! We had a lot of fun. We were laughing a lot. 'She's better at switching immediately from goofball mode into serious acting mode, so sometimes I had to kind of shut it down and kind of go inward to get there.' Despite their winning chemistry however, Jennifer also admitted that she left all the challenging stunts to Chris in the film due to her own reluctance. Talking on the Graham Norton Show earlier this month, the star explained: 'As soon as I wrapped Hunger Games I was done with stunts. 'I didn't want to do any more, I didn't like it. I complained so much they said, "So we guess it will be mainly Chris doing all the action. "'

Lawrence, Pratt together at Jennifer Lawrence and Chris last, but critics pan Pratt touch down in South 'Passengers' Korea as they continue dailymail.co.uk promotional tour for Passengers dailymail.co.uk

2016-12-16 07:31 Julia Pritchard www.dailymail.co.uk

3 /18 5.9 Weekend TV: 'Sound of Music,' 'Man in the High Castle'

(0.01/4) The Man in the High Castle Amazon, Friday

This anti- Sound of Music alternate history returns. Joe heads for Berlin; everyone else heads for more trouble.

The Sound of Music ABC, Sunday, 7 ET/PT

It doesn’t really have anything to do with Christmas (though you could, with a little lyrical tweaking, turn My Favorite Things into a Santa Claus wishlist). Nonetheless, this final musical from the great Rodgers & Hammerstein has become an ABC holiday tradition, and its millions of fans wouldn't have it any other way. And this year, it’s airing as a sing-a-long, just in case the words to Do-Re-Mi have somehow escaped you. It’s too long, and sometimes just too much— but there’s no disputing the beauty of the scenery and Julie Andrews’s voice and performance, or the comforting warmth that suffuses the film. So enjoy.

Scrooge TCM, Sunday, 8 ET/5 PT

Families looking for a more explicit holiday connection can turn to Scrooge, the 1970 musical version of A Christmas Carol starring a young and very energetic Albert Finney. It’s fun, though when it comes to musical Carols , my heart still belongs to Mr. Magoo’s. And speaking of musical Carols , it would be nice to see the 2004 TV version with Kelsey Grammer and a score by Alan Menken and Lynn Ahrens resurface. It wasn’t perfect, but it doesn’t deserve to be buried.

At last, the elusive 'Man in the High Castle' is revealed on Amazon series rssfeeds.usatoday.com

2016-12-16 04:04 Robert Bianco rssfeeds.usatoday.com

4 /18 1.4 Hilary Duff takes son Luca shopping after calling out 'warped' social media critics (0.01/4) Hilary Duff was snapped shopping in Beverly Hills on Tuesday with her four-year-old son Luca, hours after calling out social media commentators who were uncomfortable with shots of her kissing the tot on his lips. The Younger actress wore an olive cowboy hat with a flat bill, a hunter green sweater with horizontal patterns and diagonal black stripes, tight blue jeans and black booties. She was headed to the upscale makeup retailer, Sephora. The fashion-conscious Houston native, 29, rounded out her look with sunglasses and a brown purse while holding hands with her son, whose father is her ex-husband Mike Comrie, a 13-year veteran of the NHL. Scroll below for video The celebrity mom had styled her son Luca in a bright blue jacket with blue camouflage pants and black and white sneakers. Duff seemed to be in a good mood on the outing, though was likely less than overjoyed when she took to her Instagram account on Tuesday to set the record straight after receiving a number of remarks condemning her kissing her son's lips in a shot taken outside of the It's A Small World attraction at Disneyland in Anaheim. The image of Hilary and Luca, in question, was accompanied by her caption, 'Happiest happiest place on earth! We love you @disneyland.' But some were not feeling sentimental, as among the remarks, one poster wrote, 'I will not kiss my daughter on the mouth... I give her endless love without having to kiss her in the lips.' The Lizzie McGuire actress told her detractors, 'For anyone commenting that a kiss on lips with my four year old is "inappropriate" go ahead and click a quick unfollow with your warped minds and judgement.' Duff's currently enjoying the holidays focusing squarely on her son, as she recently parted ways with West Hollywood gym owner Jason Walsh.

Hilary Duff is inundated by supportive moms as she takes son for a photo with Santa dailymail.co.uk

2016-12-16 00:47 Dailymail.com www.dailymail.co.uk

5 /18 0.4 Louise Redknapp's Strictly partner Kevin Clifton hints at rehearsal trouble It's the big Strictly Come Dancing final at the weekend and Louise Redknapp and her dance partner Kevin Clifton have no doubt got that famous glitterball in their sights. Yet during an interview with Radio 2 in London on Friday, Kevin joked that things haven't always been plain sailing between them. He told radio host Chris Evans: 'She daydreams all the time. I'll be trying to teach her the steps and all of a sudden she will go rogue and do them wrong. Scroll down for video 'I'll say to her, "What are you doing? " and she'll say, "do you fancy a satsuma? " She doesn't listen to me.' He added: 'I was trying to explain the character and the story of a rumba to her, about an old school romance at the end of a night in Paris. 'Then she turned to me and said: ' I just burped bananas in your face". From the start it was a struggle. 'But the best thing about her, is she's the friendliest person in the world.' Louise appeared in high spirits as she was pictured with a host of clothing bags from high end online store, Net-A-Porter outside the studios. Sporting a golden glow from a recent spray tanning, she looked beautiful as she joined Kevin for the interview. Louise wore a burgundy and black baseball jacket and slim-fitting black trousers, teamed with a pair of kitten heeled court shoes. Cosying up to her pal Kevin, she kept warm with a chunky looking black scarf. He was wearing a casual ensemble complete with a funky top hat. They were also joined by Strictly favourites, Danny Mac and Oti Mabuse, as well as Ore Oduba and Joanne Clifton.

2016-12-16 08:48 Rebecca Davison www.dailymail.co.uk

6 /18 1.2 Trump is throwing a fundraiser with his sons for donors to go shooting with them Donald Trump's sons are looking to start the President- elect's first full day in office with a bang. Following his inauguration, wealthy donors have the chance to go on a shooting excursion with Donald Trump Jr and Eric Trump in a fundraiser, entitled 'Opening Day', honoring their father. For $1million, the top package offers a photo opportunity with President Trump for up to 16 people and a multi-day hunting or fishing trip with one or both of the Trump sons. Along with the event full of rich donors, Toby Keith, Alabama and other 'surprise entertainers' will be performing at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington DC on Saturday, January 21. Opening Day is described as a chance to 'play a significant role' as the Trump family honors the billionaire's inauguration by celebrating 'the great American tradition of outdoor sporting, shooting, fishing and conservation.' The attire for the fundraiser is described as 'camouflage and cufflinks... jeans, boots and hats are welcome' and all proceeds will go to conservation charities. This isn't the first time Donald Jr and Eric have shown their fondness for hunting, both domestically and internationally. In the past the two sons have come under fire for big-game hunting and posing with their kills, including Donald Jr smiling next a dead buffalo and in another holding up a tail of an elephant. Eric is pictured sitting on top of a water buffalo, with his hat hanging off its horn and three rifles propped up against the animal's body. The two also have a photo that sparked outrage on social media where they proudly hold up a dead cheetah. Trump turned to his children to boost support for his campaign and many political analysts think they aided to his win. Daughter Ivanka Trump played a large role in his campaign and was seen at her father's side at conventions, rallies and debates. The 35-year-old is now the star of her own fundraiser, where a lucky bidder can have a 45 minute coffee break with the mother-of- three. The sit-down is estimated at $50,000 and once the bidder forks over the money to Eric Trump's foundation and vetted by a background check, the two can chat about politics and life. 2016-12-16 08:31 Cheyenne Roundtree www.dailymail.co.uk

7 /18 1.5 When Mr. Coffee Was The Must-Have Christmas Gift For Java Snobs : The Salt : NPR Jeff Koehler

In the 1970s, Mr. Coffee, became iconic, an American byword for drip brewing. By Christmas 1977, department stores were selling more than 40,000 Mr. Coffees a day. Credit for some of that success goes to the machine's longtime pitchman, former New York Yankee Joltin' Joe DiMaggio, seen here in a television commercial from 1978.

Richard Drew/AP hide caption

In the 1970s, Mr. Coffee, became iconic, an American byword for drip brewing. By Christmas 1977, department stores were selling more than 40,000 Mr. Coffees a day. Credit for some of that success goes to the machine's longtime pitchman, former New York Yankee Joltin' Joe DiMaggio, seen here in a television commercial from 1978.

Holiday wish lists for foodies and coffee snobs this year include Hario V60 ceramic pour-over dripper cones, highly sensitive digital brewing scales, burr grinders and, for stocking stuffers, bags of small-lot Ethiopian and Panamanian beans. (The truly optimistic are also including La Marzocco's mini Linea espresso machine , which retails for a cool $4,500.)

Forty years ago, the coffee habit-altering gift for those wanting to make a better cup of Joe at home would have been an automatic drip coffee machine.

Back in the 1960s, Americans were preparing coffee by the potful for breakfast, lunch and even dinner with their percolator. While the glass knob-topped pot deliciously gurgled and filled the kitchen with wonderful aromas, percolators often produced a bitter brew from cycling boiling water over and over through the grounds.

"It was really an outmoded way of making coffee," Vincent Marotta, a real estate developer in Cleveland, Ohio, told NPR 's Linda Wertheimer in 2005.

In 1969, Marotta set out to build an appliance that would make better coffee by controlling the temperature and flow of the water.

"The ideal temperature of the water is 200 degrees," he explained to Forbes in 1979. "Not 212 degrees, which the percolators give you; 212 degrees gives you overextraction, so the coffee becomes bitter and astringent. Not under 200 degrees, because then there's a tendency for the coffee to come out like tea — too weak, not enough extraction. "

The secret — the challenge — was to get a mechanism that would provide water at exactly 200°F and then control its flow over the grounds for precisely the right length of time.

Marotta and his business partner Samuel Glazer hired a pair of former Westinghouse engineers to solve the problem.

On July 26, 1971, Edmund Abel Jr., one of the engineers, filed a patent for a "Pour-in, instant brewing electric coffee maker. " On Sept. 26, 1972, patent number US3693535 A was granted.

Christened Mr. Coffee, the first automatic drip coffee maker for the home launched a month later. Despite its hefty price tag — the equivalent of about $230 today — it was an immediate hit. By 1975, over 1 million Mr. Coffees had been snapped up.

It was both the pour-over of its time, for how it boosted the quality of a cup, as well as the K-Cup, for speed and convenience. A pot took just 15 seconds to brew.

Other major brands scrambled to launch their own versions. Mr. Coffee, though, was soon iconic, and became an American byword for drip brewing. In 1977, with ads running during the first commercial break of Roots , Mr. Coffee held a 50 percent share of the American coffeemaker market. Revenues in 1979 were $150 million.

Credit for some of that success goes to Mr. Coffee's longtime pitchman, Joltin' Joe DiMaggio.

Retired, largely out of the public eye since his 1951 retirement from baseball, and, because of an ulcer, not even much of a coffee drinker, DiMaggio was an inspired choice. Marotta wanted a known personality for an unknown product. Rather than a more symbolically modern figure, such as astronaut Buzz Aldrin or Olympic swimming champion Mark Spitz, Marotta sought out the paradigm of American grace and integrity. He managed to get the slugger's unlisted number in San Francisco, and after a lunch of broiled salmon, as Marotta recalled to NPR , a handshake sealed a partnership that lasted 15 years.

(DiMaggio lacked the affinity with the camera of his ex-wife, actress Marilyn Monroe, though. It reportedly took him 30 takes to make a commercial.)

"Mr. Coffee has changed the way America makes coffee," DiMaggio says in a 1975 ad. "Brews it properly, the best I've ever tasted, and brews it faster than any other coffeemaker. "

If those selling features weren't quite enough reason to splurge on a machine, DiMaggio's smooth, trustworthy encouragement often closed the deal. In a 1977 Christmas commercial , DiMaggio, wearing a plaid shirt and cardigan, sits in a heavily decorated living room. "When you give Mr. Coffee for Christmas, every delicious cup will be a reminder of your thoughtfulness for years to come," he says in a fatherly manner. He takes a sip of coffee and then adds, "This Christmas, give Mr. Coffee. "

By time that commercial ran, DiMaggio was helping move over 40,000 Mr. Coffee makers a day off department store shelves.

Of the few that even DiMaggio couldn't pry away from their percolator were my grandparents, who remain loyal holdouts to this day. Now in their nineties, they still brew their ritualistic morning pot in a stovetop percolator. No fancy coffee gadgets for them this Christmas, or even a belated replacement with a drip machine. If I can manage it, though, I will fill their MJB canister with my favorite Ethiopian roast. Already ground, of course.

Jeff Koehler is the author of Darjeeling. Bloomsbury will publish his new history on coffee in 2017. Follow him on Twitter @koehlercooks.

2016-12-16 08:00 Jeff Koehler www.npr.org

8 /18 2.7 Eamonn Holmes wears 2 stone 'hangover suit' to mimic effects of alcohol He doesn't tend to drink in real life, but Eamonn Holmes wore a two stone 'hangover suit' on This Morning on Friday which mimics the after-effects of overindulgence. The presenter struggled to move in the rather cumbersome device, aimed to highlight the dangers of drinking after a night out, tweeting a hilarious snap of his look before the show. He wrote: 'I look like Robocop but this is actually an exercise to make drivers aware of how alcohol effects their judgement.' [sic] Scroll down for video On the show, while modelling the ensemble, Eamonn said: 'I put on the suit, you do not feel good. I sat down to drive a car [simulator]. 'My vision was heavily impaired, it was very distracting and it weighs about two stone... as if I need that. You don't realise how debilitating a hangover can be.' Dr Richard Stephens appeared on the show and confirmed that people might not be aware of how a hangover can affect their ability to drive. He said: 'It affects your vision, you can feel tired. It helps you to get to sleep but alcohol will make you wake up in the night. 'You'll have a drop in your blood glucose which will cause a headache.' Eamonn added some shocking statistics about some people who drive in the mornings, thinking they might be safe following a boozy night out. He said: 'One in six road accident fatalities are drink related and one in 10 arrests for drink driving occur between 6am and 8am.' Poking fun at his wife Ruth Langsford, he said: 'I don't really drink, but you drink enough for the both of us.' Later on in the show, the pair had a cheeky giggle when Ruth told Eamonn she liked his glittery balls, while eyeing up some baubles.

2016-12-16 07:46 Rebecca Davison www.dailymail.co.uk

9 /18 2.8 Ruben Studdard, Clay Aiken perform duet for first time in 13 years on 'The View' NEW YORK, Dec. 16 (UPI) -- American Idol alums and former competitors Ruben Studdard and Clay Aiken performed a special duet together Thursday on The View for the first time in 13 years.

The pair came together on the daytime talkshow for a holiday themed performance of "This Christmas" while wearing matching red sweaters.

Afterwards, Studddard and Aiken shared that they have remained close to this day after facing off against one another during the finale of American Idol Season 2 in 2003. Studdard ended up winning the competition and the recording contract prize.

"He was one of the first people I actually met during Hollywood week and we've been friends ever since," Studdard said of meeting Aiken on Idol .

"We FaceTime once every week or so still," added Aiken.

2016-12-16 07:46 Wade Sheridan www.upi.com

10 /18 1.0 'I woke up with wires and tubes everywhere': Girl, 16, was left in a coma and almost died after taking a 'Red Skull' ecstasy pill at a concert A 16-year-old girl was left in a coma and almost died after taking an ecstasy pill at a concert. Shannon Henderson was given a 50/50 chance of survival after swallowing a 'Red Skull' pill at a gig in Glasgow when her vital organs began shutting down. Doctors had to check that her brain, heart and kidneys had avoided damage and she was eventually released from hospital four days later. Shannon, of Loanhead, Midlothian, has now given a harrowing account of what happened last Thursday and warned other youngsters to avoid drugs. She told Daily Record reporter Sally Hind: 'This has made me realise how dangerous drugs are. I am a very lucky girl. I am so sorry for putting all my family and friends through this.' Shannon had been watching dance DJ Oliver Heldens at Glasgow's SECC when she took half a Red Skull pill, which she admitted to have tried before. She thought she had spat out the tablet but then took another half and blanked out ten minutes later before waking up in hospital, reported the newspaper. Shannon said: 'There were wires and tubes everywhere with drips getting my blood taken, a tube down my throat and I had oxygen tubes. I don't remember much. 'I had been put under a coma as I had 50/50 chance of surviving as my organs were shutting down. If I had gone home and slept I would no longer be here.' Shannon was taken from the gig to Glasgow Royal Infirmary but it was full so she was transferred to intensive care in the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Paisley. Her mother Edith said she was 'thankful she is alive' and proud of her daughter for speaking out, adding: 'No one's perfect. We all learn by our mistakes.'

2016-12-16 07:32 Mark Duell www.dailymail.co.uk

11 /18 1.4 Blind Filipina singer visits PH Embassy in Paris Katchry Jewel Golbin, also known as Alienette, went to the Philippine Embassy in Paris on Friday for a courtesy visit.

The blind Filipina singer finished third in the grand finals of the French talent show France a un Incroyable Talent (France Got Talent).

Golbin met with Philippine Ambassador to France Maria Theresa Lazaro and embassy officials and staff “who all showed their support by viewing last night’s live broadcast and casting their votes for her via text message,” the Department of Foreign Affairs said in a release.

Lazaro said the singer, who became an online sensation after a video of her singing at a mall became viral, accomplished a “great feat” by learning how to speak and sing in fluent French.

Golbin earlier said that she learned to speak French online.

“She wowed the judges with every performance and managed to end up in the top three! Her talent, perseverance and unstoppable will to succeed certainly serve as an inspiration to our Filipino youth and persons with disabilities,” Lazaro said.

Reports said Golbin was invited to audition for the contest after she uploaded a video of her singing in French.

Her performance of Les Misérables’ J’avais rêvé (“I Dreamed a Dream”) went viral online and impressed the competition judges. KS/RAM

2016-12-16 00:00 Kristine Angeli entertainment.inquirer.net

12 /18 2.9 Third person contracts measles sparking health warning for parents about the deadly disease Two more Sydneysiders have contracted measles after an overseas traveller was struck down with the highly contagious disease earlier this month. NSW Health is yet to confirm if the two adults were in contact with the male sufferer who was staying in the Sydney CBD between November 26 and December 4. The infected trio used public transport and visited emergency departments, GP clinics, restaurants and shops in the city's central, northern, eastern and inner west suburbs from November 26 to December 15. The frequented sites were in the CBD, Bondi, Bondi Junction, Darlinghurst, Ultimo, Leichhardt, Double Bay, Chatswood, Camperdown and Marrickville. Although those locations are known, the area of risk could potentially be far broader, NSW Health's Dr Vicky Sheppard said on Friday. 'If you develop the symptoms of measles, seek medical advice. Please call ahead to your doctor or emergency department so that arrangements can be made to keep you away from others to minimise the risk of infection,' she said. Symptoms of the airbone virus include fever, sore eyes and a cough followed by a red, blotchy rash three to four days later. Parents of infants or others who are not fully vaccinated against measles are being urged to receive the free medication. 'It's important that people planning to travel overseas are fully vaccinated against measles before departure to reduce their risk of contracting measles and then bringing the disease back to Australia and putting others at risk,' Dr Sheppard added. A health warning on the highly contagious disease was issued earlier this month in Sydney.

2016-12-16 04:16 Tanya Li www.dailymail.co.uk

13 /18 0.7 Braless Chrissy Teigen wears skimpy 80s blue leotard for LOVE advent She's known for her impeccable body and hilarious sense of humour and Chrissy Teigen added some serious sex appeal and comedy to her LOVE advent calendar. Then 31-year-old wife of singer John Legend and mother-of-one looked sensational as she gyrated in an 80s blue leotard. She went braless under the very sexy number which showed off some serious sideboob and her pert posterior as she reached for some sustenance. Scroll down for video Bobbing up and down, the placed some chips into her mouth without using her hands, before gobbling down on an enormous hot dog. With a cheeky glint in her eye, she wore her caramel locks in beautiful curls, securing them in place with a contrasting red athletic headband. She accessorized with matching wristbands and wore a pair of thick white legwarmers as she worked through some exercises. After guzzling down some wine, the model fell to the floor laughing as she clutched her sides in delight. LOVE posted a video of her magical clip to it's Instagram page on Friday morning, with the caption: 'CHRISSY TEIGEN #loveadvent @chrissyteigen @douginglish @seanknight.' Chrissy is mother to eight-month-old Luna with her soul singer husband but worked out throughout her pregnancy and has managed to maintain her impeccable figure. Other stars to appear in LOVE's traditional advent so far, which appears on their website every day in December include a host of celebrities and models. So far, Taylor Hill, Stella Maxwell, Doutzen Kroes and Kim Kardashian have all appeared in the campaign.

2016-12-16 04:16 Rebecca Davison www.dailymail.co.uk

14 /18 2.2 'La La Land's' Damien Chazelle, Justin Hurwitz face the music and dance Two years ago, director Damien Chazelle had a wonderful success with his independent film “Whiplash,” which won three Academy Awards.

His new “La La Land” looks to make an even bigger splash. With a focus on more than drums, it’s a full- fledged musical the likes of which has not been seen in some time.

Chazelle, in town for the Mill Valley Film Festival — where his San Rafael-based parents attended the screening — says he was inspired by musicals of old, and talents ranging from Fred Astaire, Ginger Rogers and Gene Kelly to director Jacques Demy, who made 1964’s remarkable “The Umbrellas of Cherbourg.”

“Those were musicals that we were thriving on,” said Chazelle, “but we also wanted to make something that feels of the moment, new, or maybe timeless. It has one foot in the old and one foot in the new at the same time.”

Composer Justin Hurwitz, also in town to screen the film, added, “That’s part of our concept, doing a musical where the musical numbers aren’t all ‘jazz hands’ numbers. It was fun to write music that could break the reality but also feel grounded and tied to the characters.”

Chazelle was also conscious of the color scheme; one number, performed on a shiny black floor, was manipulated to emphasize blue, resembling old-time Technicolor.

While for “Whiplash,” he made a New York-style movie in Los Angeles, this time Chazelle and collaborators embraced Los Angeles settings.

“One thing about this movie was getting to shoot L. A. for L. A., not having to hide palm trees,” said Chazelle. “We wanted to really highlight what you really get in L. A., the unique things, even the things we don’t like, such as that certain brand of L. A. traffic.”

Also drawing on tradition, the filmmakers wanted to include a ballet-style climax, similar to those in Vincente Minnelli’s “An American in Paris” and “The Band Wagon.”

“At the height of the Hollywood musical, the studios decided that it was OK to divert from the story for maybe 20 minutes, music only, just Gershwin on these weird painted sets,” Chazelle says “The audaciousness of those is so inspiring. We knew we wanted to end with something like that.”

Chazelle and Hurwitz say they’ve been living and breathing music since they met in a college rock band. Hurwitz says they took the band very seriously for a year, and then became more interested in filmmaking.

2016-12-16 04:01 By www.sfexaminer.com

15 /18 6.7 Ebi brings smooth sounds to the Colosseum During the holiday season, when Americans often stay home to spend time with their families, Las Vegas typically opens its showrooms to international pop stars with massive followings outside the U. S., as an alternative for international tourists taking advantage of favorable travel conditions. Iranian pop sensation Ebi has made many Christmastime Vegas stops over the years, and this year he’s playing his most high-profile Vegas venue yet, with a Christmas Eve show at the Colosseum at Caesars Palace. Once dubbed “an Iranian version of the British singer Tom Jones” by the BBC, Ebi has spent the last 30-plus years entertaining Iranians around the world, since leaving his native country before the 1979 revolution.

Although his music (sung in his native Farsi) is smooth and accessible, Ebi has also been an outspoken political activist, recording songs like his 2009 single “Tasmim,” criticizing Iran’s presidential election. In concert, though, he’s all about spectacle, and his Vegas show will mark the conclusion of the tour supporting his 2014 album Jane Javani , with concerts lasting nearly three hours, combining new songs and hits from his long career. That’s pretty remarkable in any language or culture.

Caesars Palace, 9 p.m. Dec. 24, $75-$250 plus tax and fee. 866.320.9763

2016-12-16 10:17 Josh Bell lasvegasmagazine.com

16 /18 8.3 Human Nature spreads the Christmas cheer Now that 2016’s monthly calendar is down to its last page, you’ve no doubt been feeling the ho- ho-ho in your heart-heart-heart. That’s just Human Nature. So is—at least for these dudes who carry that name—musical yuletide innovation.

“We came up with a mashup of ‘Silent Night’ and ‘O Holy Night,’” says Toby Allen, who is a quarter of the vocalizing quartet that’s adding jingle-bell rockin’ into their resident production, Jukebox. Yet don’t fret—the backbeat’s subdued out of reverence for those holiday hymnals.

“It’s quite powerful. Maybe because I’m a dad now with 3 ½-year-old twins and Christmas has taken on this whole other meaning, every time I sing that onstage I tear up.”

However, there’s more than enough ho-ho-ho to divvy up between Allen and his Aussie musical mates—Phil Burton and brothers Andrew and Mike Tierney—as they lend their trademark pop- rock style to seasonal favorites including “White Christmas,” “Winter Wonderland” and “Christmas Baby Please Come Home.” Like musical candy canes, they add holiday flavoring to their blend of Motown, doo-wop, pop and soul that bounces between classics such as “Stand By Me,” “Unchained Melody” and “Under the Boardwalk.”

“We’ve been together 27 years and some of our earliest performing together was caroling in Sydney—we’d get bookings in the shopping centers,” Allen says of the group’s Down Under beginnings, before they hit Vegas in 2009 at the former Imperial Palace.

“Christmas music has always been very close to us. We recorded a Christmas album and with ‘White Christmas,’ we did a stop-motion, claymation video, in that Rankin-Bass style of TV specials. It’s about four guys who get stranded in the desert at Christmas. We play that video behind us while we perform it.”

Though Christmas cheer is universal, the style of celebration differs around the globe. During his Australian stopover, Santa might be tempted to shed that bulky red suit—maybe show off that six-pack he got working out during the off-yuletide season.

“It’s hot in Australia at Christmas, which (Americans) can’t really fathom,” Allen says. “It’s literally the middle of summer when we celebrate Christmas, so everybody is in shorts and T-shirts and you go for a swim. But we all love decorating the tree. It’s still all about family and being close to the ones you love.”

Beyond the rituals everyone shares, many families observe their own unique traditions—such as the one the Allen clan liked to chew on at home in the rugged, rural Blue Mountains outside of Sydney. For that, we take you to the kitchen of Allen’s beloved grandmother.

“She made a boiled fruit pudding and she would put sixpences in it,” he says. “You could cook them into the pudding and it wouldn’t contaminate it because the coins were made of actual silver. She served it with custard on top and everybody would dig into this pudding trying to find as many coins as possible, and she would buy them back from us grandkids. It’s a very British tradition that still goes on today.” No doubt it was dee-lish—but you have to wonder if that meal made the season even merrier for Aussie dentists.

The Venetian, 7 p.m. Tues.-Sat. (dark Dec. 24), starting at $49.95 plus tax and fee. 702.414.9000

2016-12-16 10:17 Steve Bornfeld lasvegasmagazine.com

17 /18 6.7 Freedom Beat captures American culinary spirit Whenever you’re downtown, you may find yourself working up an appetite, and if you want a little live music along with your food, head to Freedom Beat in Downtown Grand. The restaurant is a large cafe space with a long bar, booths and tables on the floor, a second raised area for more booths and high tops and even a stage. The stage is important in defining the restaurant and its cuisine as Freedom Beat brings in musical acts from local singer-songwriters to world-renowned guitarists.

The menu is designed by Chef Scott Commings, a winner of the popular food competition television show Hell’s Kitchen , who after his victory in season 12 took over the kitchen at Gordon Ramsay Pub & Grill.

Commings’ goal with the cuisine at Freedom Beat is to both represent different areas of the U. S. and to match the wide range of musical acts the space attracts. He calls it “high-energy, fun food” and that means a lot of hearty dishes from different regions of the country.

For those in the mood for a patriotic breakfast, the Red, White and Blue Velvet Waffle is decorated in the colors of the flag, as a red velvet waffle is topped with cream cheese whip and blueberries.

If you’re looking for a cocktail to start, Hanky Panky is the cocktail of choice, with its combo of Aviation gin, sweet vermouth, Fernet-Branca and an orange twist all working harmoniously together.

Two appetizers that have that real American feel to them are the chicken-fried bacon and the hoppy ale and cheese soup. The former is as interesting as it sounds, taking a traditional fried chicken dredge and applying it to hunks of pork belly, then giving them a quick fry. The latter is a nod to Commings’ home state of Wisconsin with a blend of cheeses mixed with ale, creating a thick yet velvety soup. It’s topped with bits of pork belly and popcorn to bring in different textures. From the sandwich section, you’ll want to try the double grilled mac and cheese. It might not sound like it makes sense, but the roasted chili mac is finished on the flattop, giving it an excellent, cheesy crust that sticks to the sourdough bread. It gives the diner both the gratification of a good gooey mac, and a hot sandwich at the same time. The hand-cut fries it comes with are high quality, too. If a family-style meal appeals, you may want to try the Full Smoke platter, with brisket, pork shoulder, hot links and fries. On the lighter side of things, herb-marinated grilled chicken is packed with flavor both from the grill and the toasted pistachio pesto that tops it. A bed of delicious charred veggies sits beneath the fowl.

Finish things off with perhaps the most American of all dishes, skillet apple pie is an individual serving the familiar favorite. Vanilla ice cream comes on the side, and those who like the Midwest motif can add cheese on top.

Downtown Grand, 24 hours daily. 702.953.4343

2016-12-16 10:17 Jason Harris lasvegasmagazine.com

18 /18 3.3 National anthem! Wololo is iTune's song of the year The work of building a better South Africa can only be done when South Africans realise that their differences do not divide them but bring them together and that during the toughest of times they are better together‚ Democratic Alliance leader Mmusi Maimane says.

2016-12-16 04:00 TshisaLIVE www.timeslive.co.za

Total 18 articles.

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Created at 2016-12-16 16:13