feb 11

Taliban threatens Prince Harry with death, capture

The Taliban says it is gunning for Prince Harry just days after Britain's defence ministry confirmed that the 27-year-old royal will redeploy to Afghanistan.

A spokesperson for the insurgent group warned Britain's Daily Telegraph that it plans to capture or kill the prince, who is third in line to the British throne.

"A prince should use his position to help people, not to come and kill people around the world," Taliban spokesperson Zabiullah Mujahid told the paper.

The chilling warning came the same week the prince completed a rigorous, 18-month training program to fly Apache attack helicopters. Prince Harry graduated as the best co-pilot gunner after training stints in California, Arizona and Britain.

The prince, who is known in the military as Capt. Wales, will fly air missions in Helmand province in southern Afghanistan. Ministry of Defence sources told the Telegraph he will serve a four-month mission. It's not known when he'll deploy.

As a co-pilot gunner, he'll operate Hellfire missiles and a chain gun.

In an interview with the Telegraph, the prince took the Taliban warning in stride.

"To be honest . . . I supposed I would be in that position anyway just being a part of that sort of family," the unshaven prince said in a videotaped interview from the Arizona training centre. "There's threats coming in all the time."

The insurgent Taliban group told the British newspaper that it will use "all its power" to kill or capture the royal soldier. Mujahid said if the prince was captured he would be treated like any other prisoner.

The prince spent more than two months as an infantry officer in Helmand in 2008, but his deployment was never made public. The secrecy was to protect him and his fellow soldiers from becoming targets. His tour was cut short when the media learned his whereabouts.

A blackout wasn't necessary this time, according to British officials, because he will be less vulnerable as a pilot.

The prince's deployment will be subject to review by senior generals and even the Prime Minister, the Telegraph report said.

In an interview with the British paper, the prince said he relished the opportunity to return to Afghanistan.

"Anyone who says they don't enjoy the Army is mad," he said. "You can spend a week hating it and the next week it could be the best thing in the world and the best job you could ever, ever wish for. It has got so much to offer."

The prince said he knows he's a target and worries his stature could endanger fellow troops.

"I would never want to put someone else's life in danger when they have to sit next to the bullet magnet," he said. "But if I'm wanted, if I'm needed, then I will serve my country as I signed up to do. "

Singer Whitney Houston dead at age 48

Houston's No.1 hits include:

‘I Will Always Love You' – 1992

‘I'm Your Baby Tonight' – 1990

‘All the Man That I Need' – 1990

‘Where Do Broken Hearts Go?' – 1988

‘Didn't We Almost Have It All?' – 1987

‘So Emotional' – 1987

‘I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me)' – 1987

‘Greatest Love Of All' – 1986

‘How Will I Know' – 1985

‘Saving All My Love For You' – 1985

Singer Whitney Houston, whose reign atop the pop charts was derailed by drug use and a tumultuous high-profile marriage, has died at the age of 48.

Houston's publicist, Kristen Foster, confirmed the singer's death on Saturday evening, but did not reveal the cause.

Houston was pronounced dead in her room on the fourth floor of the Beverly Hilton Hotel at 3:35 p.m. Saturday, Lt. Mark Rosen of Beverly Hills police told reporters. Attempts to resuscitate her were unsuccessful.

There were no obvious signs of foul play and a coroner has been called in to investigate along with detectives, Rosen said.

Houston was reportedly at the hotel with a large entourage. Just two days ago, she performed at a pre-Grammy party with singer Kelly Price.

Houston's death came on the eve of the biggest night in music -- Sunday's Grammy Awards. She was expected to attend an annual pre-Grammy concert and dinner Saturday night hosted by her mentor, legendary producer Clive Davis.

A spokesperson for the gala said the show would go on.

"I just can't talk about it now," Houston's godmother, Aretha Franklin, said in a short statement issued late Saturday. "It's so stunning and unbelievable. I couldn't believe what I was reading coming across the TV screen."

The Rev. Al Sharpton said he would offer prayers for Houston during a Sunday morning service at Second Baptist Church in Los Angeles.

Neil Portnow, president and CEO of the Recording Academy, hailed Houston as "one of the world's greatest pop singers of all time," in a statement released Saturday evening.

"Her powerful voice graced many memorable and award-winning songs," Portnow said. "A light has been dimmed in our music community today, and we extend our deepest condolences to her family, friends, fans and all who have been touched by her beautiful voice."

Legendary music producer Quincy Jones said he was "heartbroken" by the news of Houston's death.

"I always regretted not having had the opportunity to work with her," Jones said in a statement. "She was a true original and a talent beyond compare. I will miss her terribly."

Tributes to Houston were pouring in on social media networks Saturday night. Mariah Carey, who has called Houston a role model, tweeted: "She will never be forgotten as one of the greatest voices to ever grace the earth."

Rihanna, Christina Aguilera and Justin Bieber were also among the celebrities expressing shock and sadness over Houston's death on Twitter.

The Associated Press reported that Houston attended Grammy rehearsals Thursday, where she looked disheveled and was sweating profusely, according to a source who wished to remain anonymous.

No price tag on Beyonce and Jay-Z's baby photos

Sidestepping tabloids and outmanoeuvring paparazzi, Beyonce and Jay-Z are offering fans a glimpse of their first child on their own terms.

The hip hop power couple decided to share the first public photos of baby Blue Ivy Carter on Tumblr, a free blogging service.

"We welcome you to share in our joy," reads an apparent handwritten note on the website, which accompanies five photos of Blue Ivy swaddled in a white blanket.

Photographs show the one-month-old child with a full head of hair, dark almond eyes and ample lips, perhaps an inherited trait from her dad.

It's an unexpected move from the superstar couple, who were encouraged by actress Jessica Alba to sell the first snapshots of their newborn.

Alba and her husband Cash Warren reportedly received $1.5 million from OK! Magazine for photos of their daughter Honor in 2008.

However, there doesn't appear to be a price tag on Blue Ivy's first photos.

There have been no reports of a deal between Beyonce, Jay-Z and Tumblr and each singer has included a link to the photos on their individual websites.

Selling baby photos to tabloids certainly isn't unheard of in Tinsel Town.

Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, known to diehard fans as Brangelina, received a reported $14 million to fawn over twins Vivienne and Knox in a People magazine photo spread.

Jennifer Lopez reportedly received $6 million to cuddle up to twins Max and Emme on the cover of People in March 2008.

But the Carter Family appears content with the decision to post Blue Ivy's photos online.

One photo shows an out-of-focus Beyonce grinning as the one-month-old baby squirms in her arms. Another shows proud papa Jay-Z cradling the child against his chest.

It isn't the first time the couple has invited the public to share in their newborn baby bliss.

Shortly after Blue Ivy's birthday, Jay-Z released a song called "Glory" which announced the baby's arrival. The track featured Blue Ivy wailing in the background, making her the youngest person ever to appear on a Billboard chart.

Creative inspiration aside, the new parents aren't abandoning the business savvy that helped build their individual brands either.

Beyonce and Jay-Z filed an application to trademark Blue Ivy Carter's name on Jan. 26, the Washington Post reported. If approved, the trademark would allow the couple to reserve little B.I.C.'s name, perhaps for a future line of baby products. It would also prevent strangers from capitalizing on the newborn's unique name.

According to the Post, two applicants unsuccessfully tried to trademark Blue Ivy's name before her own parents.

Madonna’s Stalker Escapes, Gets Arrested Again

Madonna’s half-time show was impressive, to say the least, but while I thoroughly enjoyed singing along to “Like a Prayer,” I had no desire to find her house and scale the fence in order to cozy up to the pop star. 

Unfortunately, I can’t say the same for Madonna-stalker, Robert Dewey Hoskins.

According to the LA Times, Hoskins, 54, walked out of Metropolitan State Hospital sometime last week. The LAPD warns that he is considered “highly psychotic” and has violent tendencies. Another reason to be extra cautious when you walk passed any middle-aged man humming the sweet melody of “Like a Virgin.” 

Robert Dewey Hoskins was previously serving a ten year sentence after climbing onto Madonna’s property in the Hollywood Hills and threatening to kill her. Luckily, he was unable to get to the Queen of Pop because he was spotted by a bodyguard and shot down. Madonna testified against him in court and Hoskins was sentenced to a ten year stint in prison in 1996. 

But it seems as though Hoskins has moved on these days. As reported by ABC News, Robert Dewey Hoskins now has his eyes set on Halle Berry. Apparently, he has been stalking and threatening the actress.

Luckily, authorities located him Friday, February 10th, not far from the mental facility he escaped a week prior. Hopefully, there will be no more escapes and no reason for Halle Berry to worry.