Eminem and R&B singer Bruno Mars lead Grammy nominees

LOS ANGELES: Rapper Eminem, riding high on the comeback trail after spending several years battling drug addiction, led the field of Grammy contenders on Wednesday with 10 nominations.

The 38-year-old hip-hop star will compete for the three big awards of album, song and record of the year, as well as in a host of rap categories.

Other leading nominees for the major music awards included rising RB star Bruno Mars with seven nods, while rapper Jay-Z, flamboyant pop star Lady Gaga and country group Lady Antebellum picked up six nominations each.

Canadian teen idol Justin Bieber, mobbed by young girls everywhere as one of the hottest new commodities in the music world, led a strong international field for best new artist. He will compete for the coveted award alongside a compatriot, rapper Drake; two British bands, Florence The Machine and Mumford Sons; and American jazz singer Esperanza Spalding.

Winners in all 109 categories will be announced during ceremonies in Los Angeles on February 13.

Rock bands were largely missing from the leading categories, as pop, hip-hop and country artists grabbed the spotlight.

Indie Montreal-based band Arcade Fire will fly the flag for the rock genre in the album of the year race. Its third release, “The Suburbs,” will vie for the Grammys” top honor with Eminem”s “Recovery,” Lady Antebellum”s “Need You Now,” Lady Gaga”s “The Fame Monster” and pop singer Katy Perry”s “Teenage Dream.”

Songs nominated for record of the year, a category that honors the artist and the producer, were “Nothin” On You,” by rapper B.o.B featuring Bruno Mars; “Love The Way You Lie,” by Eminem featuring RB singer Rihanna; “F*** You,” by funk singer Cee Lo Green; “Empire State Of Mind,” by rapper Jay-Z RB singer Alicia Keys; and “Need You Now,” by Lady Antebellum.

Three of those songs — Eminem”s “Love the Way You Lie,” Green”s “F*** You” and Lady Antebellum”s “Need You Now” — were also cited for song of the year, a songwriter”s award. The field was rounded out by “Beg Steal Or Borrow” performed by singer/songwriter Ray LaMontagne, and “The House That Built Me,” performed by country singer Miranda Lambert.

EMINEM COMEBACK STRIKES CHORD

Grammy voters love to reward artists making career comebacks, especially if they have overcome an addiction or other personal setbacks along the way, and Eminem fulfills those criteria.

The rapper, whose real name is Marshall Mathers, went almost five years between studio albums. He spent much of his time holed up in his Detroit home battling an addiction to prescription medication, and nearly died of a methadone overdose in 2007.

Eminem returned to the limelight in May 2009 with “Relapse,” one of the biggest sellers of the year. It also won two Grammys in January, bringing his career tally to 11.

He returned in June this year with “Recovery,” which spawned two chart-topping singles, “Not Afraid” and “Love the Way You Lie.” The latter tune revolved around a dysfunctional relationship and struck a chord with women, a demographic hitherto underrepresented among Eminem”s fan base. It spent seven weeks at No. 1 on the U.S. Hot 100 chart during the summer.

He has never won the album of the year award, and famously lost the race in 2001 to an unheralded album by veteran rock duo Steely Dan.

Bruno Mars, whose real name is Peter Hernandez, reached the top of the Hot 100 with “Just the Way You Are” in September, days after he was arrested on a cocaine charge in Las Vegas. The song marked his first charting single as a lead artist and it spent four weeks at No. 1. He previously went to No. 1 in May as the featured artist on B.o.B”s “Nothin” On You.”

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Eminem and R&B singer Bruno Mars lead Grammy nominees was first posted on December 3, 2010 at 12:16 am.
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US Alarmed at Corrupt, Paranoid Afghans: Wikileaks

The United States is exasperated at the pervasiveness of corruption in Afghanistan and President Hamid Karzais paranoid view of the world, leaked cables said.

The latest batch of US diplomatic correspondence obtained by the WikiLeaks website also said that the United States worried about Irans involvement in Afghanistan, including accounts Tehran is supporting Taliban insurgents. One secret US cable said that more than 190 million dollars left Kabuls airport for Dubai between July and September, the time of Karzais re-election that triggered an international outcry over allegations of fraud.

While much of the cash may come from Afghans worried about stability, one cable said that Ahmad Zia Massoud a first vice president until last year and brother of slain anti-Taliban commander Ahmad Shah Massoud was caught entering the United Arab Emirates carrying 52 million dollars. The New York Times, which reprinted the cable, said Massoud denied any wrongdoing in an interview with the newspaper, which reported however that a Rolls-Royce was recently spotted outside his luxury house in Dubai.

US Ambassador Karl Eikenberry is quoted in cables as voicing concern at the extent of corruption in Afghanistan and the mindset of Karzai, who would ask conspiracy theories about the United States weakening him or dividing Pakistan. Two contrasting portraits emerge. The first is of a paranoid and weak individual unfamiliar with the basics of nation building and overly self-conscious that his time in the spotlight of glowing reviews from the international community has passed, Eikenberry said in a cable shortly before the election. The other is that of an ever-shrewd politician who sees himself as a nationalist hero who can save the country from being divided by the United States and rivals agenda, Eikenberry said. In another cable, Eikenberry rued how difficult it was to fight corruption and connect the people to their government, when the key government officials are themselves corrupt.

He made the remark after meeting with the presidents brother Ahmad Wali Karzai, a power broker in the southern city of Kandahar who was portrayed in other leaked cables as a corrupt drugs baron. President Barack Obamas administration has made no secret of its frustrations with corruption in Afghanistan, where some 100,000 US troops are stationed to battle Taliban insurgents. The cables also raised accounts by Afghans that Iran which like the United States had opposed the Taliban before the US invasion was now working with the insurgents.In a memo from February, Karzais chief of staff Omar Daudzai, who served as ambassador to Tehran, is quoted as saying that the Iranians two years earlier would deny support for the Afghan Taliban.Over the past half year, the Iranians, including their Ambassador in Kabul, no longer deny this assertion now they remain silent, the cable said.But Daudzai also said that ordinary Iranians generally liked the United States and said that Afghanistan may be able to broker reconciliation once Irans firebrand leader Mahmoud Ahmadinejad leaves.The Obama administration took office offering talks with Iran to end three decades of sour relations since the Islamic revolution.A 2007 cable showed that Eric Edelman a top Pentagon official under then president George W. Bush voiced alarm that Iranian meddling is getting increasingly lethal.Edelman appreciated this was a complicated issue and that Afghanistan wants to avoid a two-front war, but Iranian actions, if not checked, will result in a two-front war in any event, a cable quoted him as saying. We need to work together to put the Iranians back on their heels, it said. The other front is Pakistan. Cables showed Afghan and US officials repeatedly voicing concern about militants safe haven in border areas.

Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey gets U/A certificate

The yet to be released Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey has been in the news for all reasons possible, and now yet again the film is in the spotlight, this time its for the film’s certification. The Ashutosh Gowariker film has been given a U/A certificate, the justification for the same is that the violence in the film is towards children and therefore parental guidance becomes imperative.

The film based on Chittagong uprising against the Britishers, had a lot of kids who fought in it and most of them were underage. Therefore the film shows a lot of young actors in violent situations. Says Sunita Gowariker “The film has a lot children dying therefore censor board is of the opinion that kids must be accompanied with parents who can explain to them the relevance and context of it.” When asked if she is happy with the censor board’s decision she said “I am myself a mother of two kids and I completely understand the censor board’s stance.”

Gul Panag molested at Delhi Marathon 2010

Delhi has steadily maintained its image as one that is extremely unsafe for women. In between, thanks to the Common Wealth Games, the spotlight shifted to corruption but with the latest Delhi Marathon 2010, its back to its past stature. The victim this time was none other than the actress who is a sports enthusiast, Gul Panag, who has never missed an opportunity to put her fitness regime to test.

On Sunday, 21st November, when Gul Panag participated in Half Marathon held in Delhi, she was groped by the men standing at the starting point. They took advantage of the crowd to feel her up and the actress was obviously quite taken aback by the whole indecent act.

It was a typical women-in-crowded-places syndrome and Gul being the fighter, instead of letting this event disturb her more than required, went ahead with the marathon and completed the run.

Gul says that she has participated in several other marathons and has never experienced something like this before and blames it on the Delhi culture. She feels that compared to Mumbai, something like this is expected in Delhi which is typical of that city.

The offenders on the other hand took advantage of the melee and got away. Gul too realised the futility of filing a complaint as she really cannot recognise the offenders considering the crowd of people. Though she did feel that no matter what the security, certain decorum is expected from participants.

Due Date premiered in London

LONDON: They may have been kicked off The X Factor last weekend, but Belle Amie are clearly determined not to fade into oblivion like so many of the show’s former contestants.

The girl group – Esther Campbell, Geneva Lane, Sophia Wardman and Rebecca Creighton – made the most of their time in the spotlight by adding some glamour to the premiere of Robert Downey Jr’s new movie Due Date in London.

While Geneva showed off her long legs in a tiny sequinned dress, Esther opted for a black jumpsuit, Rebecca Creighton went for a bright blue dress and Sophia Wardman proved her style credentials in a white dress, boots and patterned socks.

And while their time on the X Factor might be up, Belle Amie have no intention of disappearing now they are no longer on the reality show.

Geneva, 20, explained: “We want to keep ourselves busy, we don’t want to fade. We hope to progress and become stronger.

“We are definitely staying together and are going to move in together at some point, we’re looking already.

“We want to experiment and really find ourselves, because we still feel that we need to find our identity, so this is going to be good for us.”

And Belle Amie weren’t the only casualties of this year’s X Factor to make an appearance at the London premiere.

Niccolo Festa, who was the first act voted off the current series, and Louis Walsh”s act John Adeleye, who fell victim to the second week of live shows, attended with their dates.

Due Date tells the story of a father-to-be (played by Downey Jr), who is forced to go on a road trip with an eccentric aspiring actor (played by Zach Galifianakis) in order to be with his wife (Michelle Monaghan) when she gives birth to their first baby.

Downey Jr attended the premiere with his wife Susan Downey, who produced the film, who looked stunning in an elegant red asymmetric dress.

And Galifianakis, who shot to fame through his role in The Hangover, went for casual style in cord trousers and a beanie hat as he posed at the event.

Talking about the film recently, Downey Jr said it is the ”second greatest” movie he has ever starred in, adding: ”That’s largely due to Zach Galifianakis, who is crazy good in every scene, and Todd Phillips, who is just one of the great American directors.

”I guarantee you’re going to love it – I went to the last screening and people were literally saying ‘Oh my god, It’s gotta stop – my face hurts!’

Emraan Hashmi to star in Murder 2; Mohit Suri to direct

Murder created waves when it was released in 2004. The film starring Emraan Hashmi and Mallika Sherawat grabbed the spotlight for weeks together!

The news about the plans for making a sequel to Murder has been doing rounds for sometime now. However, the Bhatts refused to make any official statement on the same. As they say, the cat is finally out of the bag now. Though Murder was directed by Anurag Basu, the sequel of the film will now be directed by Mohit Suri.

Confirming this news, Mohit told Bollywood Hungama, “Yes. Murder 2 is definitely happening, and Emraan will definitely be a part of this sequel as well. However, as for the female lead, I think it’s still too early to talk about it. Though I must add that, the female protagonist is going to be one of the most important parts in the film.” As for the story and script of the film, Mohit says, “Right now, I am adding the finishing touches to the script. I guess in about a week or two, it will be finished. After which, we will actually be rounding the script to see if any modifications are needed.”

Coming to the shoot schedule, the director states, “Let’s say it will take about three weeks for the script to get locked, after which the cast will be finalized. Only then, will we actually make a formal announcement and start the shoot as well.”

Further when told about rumours about Imran Zahid being cast in the film, Mohit clarifies, “Well, Imran Zahid is not in the film. Bhatt Saab is independently helping him, but it’s not with Murder 2.”

Jailed Chinese dissident Liu wins Nobel Peace Prize

OSLO: Jailed Chinese pro-democracy activist Liu Xiaobo won the Nobel Peace Prize on Friday for decades of non-violent struggle for human rights, infuriating China, which called the award “an obscenity”.

The prize puts China’s human rights record in the spotlight at a time when it is starting to play a bigger role on the global stage as a result of its growing economic might.

The Norwegian Nobel Committee praised Liu for his “long and non-violent struggle for fundamental human rights in China” and reiterated its belief in a “close connection between human rights and peace.”

Liu is serving an 11-year jail term for helping to draw up a manifesto calling for free speech and multi-party elections.

China said the award went against the aims of Alfred Nobel and would hurt ties between China and Norway, which are currently negotiating a bilateral trade

Shoaib Akhtar tampered with ball in final ODI

LONDON: A British newspaper claims Pakistan pace bowler Shoaib Akhtar tampered with the ball in the final one-day international against England on Tuesday.

The pictures shows Akhtar running his left thumb along the ball’s seam before dropping the ball on the ground and standing on it with his spiked right boot.

The pictures were taken in the 41st over of England’s innings in Southampton as Shoaib prepared to bowl to Paul Collingwood.

It is not the first time Shoaib, 35, has come under the spotlight at the Rose Bowl.

Four years ago, he was filmed by Sky cameras flicking at the ball with his thumb during a one-day international here against England.

On that occasion Shoaib was cleared but was warned about his behaviour after being accused of tampering with the ball during a Test match in Zimbabwe in late 2002.

The following year he

Shiney Ahuja’s maid denies being raped

Remember the Shiney Ahuja case that put the spotlight on the dark side of Bollywood? June last year, Shiney’s maid lodged a Police complaint alleging that she was raped by the actor at his residence. Following the complaint, the actor was arrested on June 14 and was later released on bail.

Taking a new twist now, the 20-year-old girl appeared before the court stating that she was never raped by Shiney and that she had filed the complaint against the actor at the behest of the woman who had secured her the job of a maid in Ahuja’s residence.

With this new development, the court declared her hostile and she may be punished by law for perjury. However a decision on the case hasn’t yet been reached with the next hearing being scheduled on September 15.

Deadly Moscow summer kills 700

MOSCOW: The number of deaths in Moscow has increased to 700 daily during the deadly summer with record-breaking heat and toxic smog smothering the Russian capital, the head of the Moscow healthcare department said on Monday.

Moscow region has seen abnormally hot weather and drought for over a month with two temperature records broken in June and ten records broken in July.

Heat has caused peat bogs fires nearby Moscow creating toxic smog throughout the capital. The smog pushed pollution levels to new 2010 highs on Saturday threatening people”s health.

“Usually, 360-380 people die a day, while currently it is about 700,” Andrei Seltsovsky said.

Russian Novaya Gazeta daily cited an unnamed Moscow medic as saying ambulance workers were not to hospitalize people except in urgent cases.

Moscow ambulances are practically working in war-time conditions. The ambulances are not equipped with an air conditioning system and the temperature inside the vehicles sometimes reaches 50 degrees Celsius (122 degrees Fahrenheit). “Sometimes our doctors faint,” Novaya Gazeta quoted the medic as saying.

“The daily routine is the most severe thing for us. None of the medical stations have drinking water for the emergency team. We buy it ourselves to water down the patients suffering the heat stroke,” the doctor told the paper.

Novaya Gazeta said elderly people and the patients suffering from cardiovascular diseases are primarily at risk.

Meanwhile, meteorologists have no reassuring news, saying Moscow will be cleared from the smog no earlier than next week.

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