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Femen activists chanting slogans and carrying signs reading: Abolition of Prostitution, No Demand No Offer, walk towards theFrench National Assembly in Paris, Friday June 12, 2015, as part of a demonstration asking for the abolition of prostitution. |
A bill which aims to make it illegal to buy sex has been approved by France's lower house of Parliament for the second time on Friday, in a sharp battle that divides the two houses.
Supporters argue that the bill backed by the lower house and the Socialist government would help fight human trafficking networks, while opponents defend those who buy sex from France's 40,000 prostitutes.The bill as approved Friday would penalize clients and remove punishment for soliciting. The upper house — led by conservative opposition — wants the reverse, and rewrote the bill accordingly in March.
Femen activists walk towards the French National Assembly, visible in background, in Paris, Friday June 12, 2015, as part of a demonstration asking for the abolition of prostitution.
Femen activists chanting slogans and carrying signs reading: Abolition of Prostitution, No Demand No Offer, demonstrate in front of the French National Assembly in Paris, Friday June 12, 2015, asking for the abolition of prostitution.
The legislation will return to the Senate where the same scenario will probably repeat itself. At the end of a complex process, the lower house, dominated by the Socialists, has the final say — but the ultimate vote could be months away.
Pascale Boistard, junior minister for women's rights, recalled what she said to express her disappointment when the Senate rewrote the bill: "Prostitutes are still guilty and the customer is still king."
"I am happy now to say that this adage is over," Boistard said Friday. Prostitution is currently legal in France, but prostitutes are often arrested and charged for soliciting in public. Brothels, pimping, and the sale of sex by minors are also illegal.
The bill approved by the lower house aims to introduce a 1,500-euro (about $1,620) fine for buyers and decriminalize soliciting. The bill, if approved at Parliament, would make French law one of the toughest against sex buyers in Europe. It was inspired by a similar law introduced in Sweden in 1999.
Networked security webcam details ahead of launch
The search giant's Nest arm – famous for its smart thermostat – will unveil a new version of the wireless camera Dropcam called the Nest Cam next week. The new camera will integrate with the company's existing thermostat and could not only use Brillo, as well as its new Weave and Thread internet of things protocols.
Nest announced last week it will be holding a press conference on 17 June but yesterday, eagle-eyed Google followers happened on documents filed with the FCC that point to a new camera. Such documents are required for products that use wireless frequencies.
Despite asking for non-technical details on the Nest Cam to be kept confidential for 180 days, Android blog Droid Life was leaked pictures of the camera, and of the software that will be used to connect it to other smart-home technologies.
Nest acquired Dropcam in June 2014 and has continued to sell and improve the product, but the new Nest Cam will be a slimmed down and upgraded version. Most significantly, it will be wall-mountable and uses Bluetooth (BLE4.0).
Mo' standards, mo' confusion?
Nest/Google may also use to the launch to push their two IoT standards - Weave and Thread.Weave is a cross-platform communications layer standard to allow IoT devices to talk to one another (including products not running Brillo) and exchange useful data.
Thread, meanwhile, is a mesh-networking standard that sends and shares that information. Thread is Google's effort (along with Samsung, ARM, Silicon Labs and others) to devise a simple, secure, low-power standard which puts it into competition with the two biggest IoT standards - ZigBee and Z-Wave - although ZigBee and Thread has agreed to interoperate.
After this week's tragedy, even the most loyal fans of "Stannis the Mannis" may have trouble sticking with him
I have an apology to make. A few weeks ago, I wrote an article defending someone I felt was a chronically under-appreciated character in the “Game of Thrones” TV universe: Stannis “The Mannis” Baratheon,
would-be king of the Andals and the First Men and, in my opinion, actually a pretty cool dude! Sure, Tyrion and Daenerys are the flashy characters who get all the love, but Stannis – a besieged underdog, a competent leader, a loving father (uh… my bad) – seemed to be getting short shrift for all the dogged hard work he has been doing since the show began.
Well, I have now had a day to process Sunday’s events, in which Stannis, prompted by religious freak Melisandre, took his daughter Shireen – an emblem, as our recapper Libby Hill writes, of “all things good and loyal and sweet” in the show – and burned her alive at the stake while she sobbed and screamed his
name.
It was one of the show’s most cruel and heart-wrenching scenes, in a show that wantonly murders adorable doggies in cold blood (RIP, Lady the Direwolf). Suffice to say, this was not a good fatherly move, nor, might I add, is it something a cool dude would do. Or as Joel Johnson aptly put it, in a piece that I am choosing to read as an entirely earnest take: “Opinion: Stannis Baratheon is NOT a Good Dad.
”
So yeah, sorry to be a flip-flopper (Stannis, BTW, not a flip-flopper, although the moment his only child was being burnt at the stake might have been a good time to start ‘floppin) but I officially change my mind. Guys – Stannis is not The Mannis, and like the rest of you, I am no longer a fan…nis.
That awkward moment when every @GameOfThrones fan absolutely hates Stannis Baratheon— Victoria Guillemard (@vicg613) June 8, 2015
#GoT Thought #1: Stannis Baratheon would make Machiavelli shudder. If that man ends up on the Iron Throne, Westros is screwed.— Sarah Bigelow (@lenushka_13) June 8, 2015
STANNIS BARATHEON CAN ROT IN THE LOWEST CIRCLE OF HELL— michelle monteith (@_notmichelle) June 8, 2015
Scientists have watched Bossou chimpanzees hold "drinking sessions" in Guinea
Paris: Scientists have discovered a group of booze-loving apes who may hold the key to why humans enjoy drinking alcohol.
A new study says wild chimpanzees enjoying opportunistic booze-ups on palm wine has shed light on a theory about evolution.
Chimps in the west African country of Guinea discovered a free treat in raffia palms tapped by local people to extract a sweet, milky sap which then ferments into an alcoholic drink.
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Tests showed that the beverage's alcoholic content varied from 3.1 per cent to a whopping 6.9 per cent, the equivalent of strong beer.
Some of the chimps went a little, well, ape.
"[They] consumed significant quantities of ethanol [alcohol] and displayed behavioural signs of inebriation," the paper said soberly.
"Researchers rarely collected detailed behavioural data before versus after exposure to ethanol, but some drinkers rested directly after imbibing fermented sap."
The chimps are part of a closely observed colony at Bossou in southern Guinea.
In 2008, one of the animals made the headlines when he was found to use a stick to "fish" for ants - an important discovery in the use of tools by our primate cousins.
Cases of animals ingesting alcohol are not exceptional. They include Swedish moose that get drunk on fermented apples, and monkeys on the Caribbean island of St Kitts that sneak gulps from vacationers' cocktails
Ex-House Speaker J. Dennis Hastert, arriving at court in Chicago on Tuesday, is accused of lying about cash withdrawals.
CHICAGO
— After days of silence, J. Dennis Hastert, a former speaker of the
House of Representatives, on Tuesday pleaded not guilty to federal charges
that he illegally structured bank withdrawals and lied to the
authorities about millions of dollars he had promised to pay someone for
misconduct that occurred decades ago.
In
a dark pinstripe suit and with his familiar helmet of gray hair, Mr.
Hastert, 73, stood slightly stooped before the judge, flanked by
lawyers, quietly answering the judge’s questions with a simple “yes” or
“yes, sir.” It was the first time the once-powerful former congressman
had appeared in public since the charges were announced last month, and
he was met with a chaotic crush of news media in the federal courthouse
here.
It was Kanye West’s 38th Birthday Yesterday and Kim Kardashian pulled a huge surprise for Kanye’s big day
The soiree was well attended by the Kardashian clan including Kourtney and Khloe Kardashian, Kris Jenner & her toyboy Corey Gamble, Kylie Jenner, as well as other family friends and business contact.
Kim also hired some Laker girls to cheer them up while they balled. Reports have it that it cost her about $110,000 to rent out the space.
TalkBiz On Smooth 98.1fm Alima Attah Dies Of Cancer
educationist, MD of Sesema PR and host of TalkBiz on Smooth 98.1fm, Alima Atta has died. Alima, recently named one of Nigeria’s 100 most influential women died on Saturday June 6th after a battle with cancer.
(May her soul rest in peace, amen.)
Alima Atta studied French and Marketing and had a successful career in Public Relations and Marketing for over 20 years and worked at MMD Marketing Communications and Anderson Soames in the UK before establishing
her own PR agency in 2002.
PR Guru, educationist, MD of Sesema PR and host of TalkBiz on Smooth 98.1fm, Alima Atta has died. Alima, recently named one of Nigeria’s 100 most influential women died on Saturday June 6th after a battle with cancer.
Supermodel Kate Moss has been escorted off a plane after reportedly being disruptive while traveling from Turkey to London's Luton airport
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| In this Thursday, 30 April, 2015 file photo, Kate Moss poses for photographers at the screening of Pitch Perfect 2 in central London. Supermodel Kate Moss has been escorted off a plane, Sunday June 8, 2015, after reportedly being disruptive while traveling from Turkey to London’s Luton airport. |
The 41-year-old was escorted off a flight operated by budget airline easyJet from the Turkish resort of Bodrum.
Without naming Moss, Bedfordshire Police responded to inquiries about the incident by confirming they were called to help staff with a passenger being disruptive on a flight. Police say the passenger was not arrested, and no complaints were made.
Moss is one of the world's most familiar faces. Discovered at 14, she has since graced the covers of hundreds of magazines and has worked with designers including Louis Vuitton and Stella McCartney. Her party image and celebrity partners, including Johnny Depp and Pete Doherty, have kept her in the public eye.
what a Best Man Newcastle footballer Papiss Cisse leaves girlfriend for holiday...
Newcastle
footballer Papiss Cisse has left his on-off girlfriend heartbroken
after telling her he was going on holiday only to marry a volleyball
player three days later.
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| Papiss Cisse has left his on-off girlfriend heartbroken after she saw these pictures of his marriage to Diallo Awa three days after he said he was going on holiday |
Rachelle
Graham, 24, a beauty queen and former Miss Newcastle, says last week
she kissed and waved off the Senegalese striker, 30, believing he was
off to spend a month in his homeland.
Rachelle Graham, a beauty queen and former Miss Newcastle, thought she
had a future with the footballer but in fact he was walking down the
aisle with an international volleyball player, right
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| The model, pictured at St James Park with friends last week, is also a huge Newcastle United fan and believed she would have a future with the club's star striker |
But
after he failed to return her texts she became worried and went online,
finding a picture of her love's wedding to sportswoman Diallo Awa, 29,
at a yacht club outside Paris.
What A Bad Guy: Zack Orji Gets Tatted Up [PHOTOS]
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Nollywood veteran actor Zack Orji is all tatted up! The iconic actor got the temporary ink of a snake, star, moon, fire and other things on the set of a new movie. The movie also stars John Paul Nwadike, Princess Okah, Dave Ogbeni and others. Check him out below.
The movie also stars John Paul Nwadike, Princess Okah, Dave Ogbeni and others.Check him out below.
I Can't Belive this Kim Kardashian is pregnant again
Osi Umeyiora responds to cheating allegation, says Instagram page was opened by a man
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| NFL Player Osi Umenyiora has finally responded to cheating allegations leveled against him by an alleged bitter side chic who revealed all via an anonymous instagram page. Osi claims the instagram page was opened by a hateful man. Below is a statement he and his new wife |
Leila released together. "We strongly condemn the vicious and malicious lies that have recently been perpetuated all over the media. We already know that these lies are a coordinated effort by a single unstable male source to malign and discredit an otherwise joyous and highly successful occasion.
NFL Player Osi Umenyiora has finally responded to cheating allegations leveled against him by an alleged bitter side chic who revealed all via an anonymous instagram page. Osi claims the instagram page was opened by a hateful man. Below is a statement he and his new wife Leila released together.
"We strongly condemn the vicious and malicious lies that have recently been perpetuated all over the media. We already know that these lies are a coordinated effort by a single unstable male source to malign and discredit an otherwise joyous and highly successful occasion. An appropriate legal recourse is currently in effect.
We are pleased to report that the expected result from this individual has been an abysmal failure. We are fortified, strong, and extremely happy. We look forward to a prosperous life together. We would like to thank our family and friends for all your support. Leila & Osi."
One Of The Defining Images Of French Impressionism
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| Edouard Manet's Le Bar aux Folies-Bergere. One of the defining images of French Impressionism is up for sale, as Sotheby's auctions Edouard Manet's "Le Bar aux Folies-Bergere." The auction house said Monday that the painting will be offered at a June 24 sale in London, with an estimated price of 15 million pounds to 20 million pounds ($23 million to $30.7million) (Sotherby's via AP) MANDATORY CREDIT |
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The auction house says the painting will be offered at a June 24 sale in London, with an estimated price of 15 million pounds to 20 million pounds ($23 million to $30.7 million). The 1881 oil painting of a barmaid at the famous Parisian cabaret has featured in numerous exhibitions, including the recent "Inventing Impressionism" show at Britain's National Gallery.
This is one of Manet's most famous subjects, and an absolute classic impressionist image of Parisian nightlife," said Philip Hook, Sotheby's senior international specialist in impressionist and modern art. He called the painting one of the most important Manets still in private hands.
It is the earlier of two renderings by Manet of the same scene. A later, larger version is in London's Courtauld Gallery. Hook said the earlier one is distinguished by the "wonderful spontaneity" of its brushstrokes.
The painting last sold at auction in 1994 for 4.4 million pounds. Prices for high-end artworks have soared in recent years as wealthy buyers from Russia, China and the Middle East flex their financial muscles.
"Every new generation of collectors is drawn to the impressionists in a most magical way," Hook said Monday. "
That is true of the new buyers we see from the emerging economies." Last month Sotheby's sold "Nympheas," one of Claude Monet's iconic water lily paintings, for $54 million, well above its pre-sale estimate, as part of a bumper impressionist and modern sale.
woww Actress Marion Cotillard poses for photographers check it out
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| Actress Marion Cotillard poses for photographers upon arrival for the screening of the film Macbeth at the 68th international film festival, Cannes, southern France, Saturday, May 23, 2015. (Photo by Arthur |
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| Actors Marion Cotillard and Michael Fassbender pose for photographers upon arrival for the screening of the film Macbeth at the 68th international film festival, Cannes, southern France, Saturday, May 23, 2015. (Photo |
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| Michael Fassbender, Marion Cotillard and director Justin Kurzel pose for photographers upon arrival for the screening of the film Macbeth at the 68th international film festival, Cannes, southern France, Saturday, May |
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| Actors Michael Fassbender and Marion Cotillard and director Justin Kurzel pose for photographers upon arrival for the screening of the film Macbeth at the 68th international film festival, Cannes, southern France, |
A trailer which British street artist Banksy turned into a piece
People walk past a trailer which British street artist Banksy turned into a piece entitled "Silent Majority", as it is displayed outside the Digard auction house in Paris. The work called “Silent Majority,”
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| Painted by one of the world's most famous street artists, installed first at a mud-soaked music festival and then beneath an oak tree, the trailer was home first to an itinerant British couple and then their growing family. |
Recently pried off the trailer, the work called "Silent Majority," which depicts a commando raid to install sound gear for a rave, goes up for auction Monday in Paris. The Digard auction house hopes it will fetch at least $400,000. Failing that, the plan is to put it up for private sale.
The owner wanted only his first name, Nathan, to be used to avoid more hassle over his strange and valuable possession. His four children, who tagged along to Paris, still treat the work casually, slipping up alongside it on the street where it was displayed for the weekend.
Nathan had already been on the road for most of his life when Banksy approached him about the trailer that was his home at the time. In exchange for a bit of money and some tickets to the music festival, the then-obscure artist had a deal. He and a collaborator known as Inkie set to work, painting during the annual festival best remembered that year for its ankle-deep mud.
"I took some Champagne to sell, so we were drinking and selling Champagne while he was painting," Nathan said. "Other than that, our lives just carried on. Then he got famous and it got valuable." Bansky himself is as elusive as his work is public. The Internet is full of speculation about his identity, fuelled by Banksy's refusal to play along. His website, displaying a photo of a man in a balaclava, says he "is not represented by an art gallery, is not on Facebook and has never used Twitter."
Nathan said wistfully he hadn't seen him in years: "He's hidden himself away from us lot for some reason." Inkie is also attending the Paris auction, where he was given a blank canvas and space on the sidewalk in a ritzy Parisian version of the mud-splattered Glastonbury day when he and Banksy painted the trailer. "We painted it live over a day," Inkie said after carefully peeling off a latex glove and offering a handshake. "He came up with the idea."
The trailer made its way to other festivals over the years, with Nathan driving and setting up tents as he had in the years before the spray paint hit his home. And it started to get more attention. "Silent Majority" was painted freehand, rather than using stencils as has been Banksy's signature, and is a rare example of the artist's early work, said Mary McCarthy, a British street art expert who helped organize Monday's auction.
"This piece was a commissioned piece. So it wasn't a piece that Banksy just threw on the side of a truck or threw on a wall," McCarthy said. Nathan doesn't quite describe himself as a commissioner of artwork, but the piece became part of his life over more than a decade, after he met his wife and the two of them started a family.
"If I didn't like it, I would have painted over it," he said. "Then when he finished it, it looked great. You walk out your truck in the morning, open the door and there's 50 people taking photos." Nathan said he hopes to build a house with the money from the proceeds, putting it on the same piece of land where the trailer stood for so long.
"We'll end up living in it again," he said. "It needs a different type of owner." Banksy himself won't be at the auction, but the organization that he set up to authenticate his work has given "Silent Majority" a rare certificate that allows its buyer the unusual chance to own the piece legally. On his website, Banksy discussed the sale of street art.
Actor Leonardo DiCapriobuys $13,600 bags for charity.
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| Actor Leonardo DiCaprio poses for photographers during a photo call for "The Great Gatsby" at the 66th international film festival, in Cannes, southern France. Actor Leonardo DiCaprio bids on Chanel bags at theprice |
The actor plunked down 10,000 euros ($13,620) for a blue Chanel Neoprene flap bag embroidered with flowers on the Croisette at Cannes on Monday night. But it was all for charity, part of an auction at the Heart Fund Gala, also attended by Paris Hilton, actor Gary Dourdan and featuring a performance by Yasiin Bey (formerly known as Mos Def). It was also for his mother; he told auctioneers he was getting it for her, said organizers.
DiCaprio outbid several suitors for the purse, but was himself outbid on two other items, including a vacation at one of the luxury resorts of Nikki Beach Worldwide. Bey performed a brief set, during which he shouted out to DiCaprio.
The Heart Fund offers cardiovascular care across the globe for impoverished children. Heart surgeons have donated their services to perform costly operations. Last year, with the support of Nikki Beach owners Jack and Lucia Penrod, the organization purchased a bus to act as a mobile hospital to screen and treat children; it was unveiled at this year's gala.
No, Suge Knight Does Not Want The Tupac Bullet In His Head
he has a Tupac bullet lodged somewhere in his head! He’s got the coolest head ever!
And there were also some people in front of him, driving him for instance.
So on the night Tupac was shot, he was being driven by someone and that someone was Suge Knight.
Because it was a shoot out and bullets were flying everywhere, one of the bullets meant for Tupac found its way inside Suge Knight’s skull.
Now as we now know, Suge Knight didn’t die but the bullet never left his head either.
Now that Suge Knight has been arrested for a hit and run accident that left one person dead, he constantly passes out in his cell and Doctors after examining his head want to remove a certain bullet they believe might be in the way of proper medical attention. Yes, that bullet, the one intended for Tupac.
But Suge Knight is saying no. He does not want Doctors ” messing” with his head.
Whether or not that bullet would be eventually removed, we don’t know but what we do know is, Suge Knight’s got a bad head (pun intended) on his shoulders.
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