Malawi lauds Madonna for helping country’s AIDS orphans

The Malawi government on Tuesday applauded Madonna’s efforts to put the plight of the country’s AIDS orphans on the global stage and raising money to support them. The American singer said last week she would work with luxury goods maker Gucci to raise at least $2 million for Malawi’s one million orphans.

Witherspoon highest paid actress

Even though her latest film Rendition was a flop, Resse Witherspoon is a moneymaker. The 31-yr-old Academy Award winner commands $15 million to $20 million a movie, placing her at the top of the Hollywood Reporter’s annual list of the highest-paid actresses. Angelina Jolie comes in second with similar salary demands, though the animated Bewoulf earned the 32-yr-old actress far less – just $8 million.

Pitt pulls out of thriller play

Brad Pitt has pulled out of Universal production thriller State of play because of script concerns. The move comes after a couple of meetings between Pitt and director Kevin Macdonald (The Last King Of Scotland) in an attempt to iron out the concerns. The script cannot be worked on because of the Hollywood screenwriters strike. Sources said the studio is now looking at Johnny Depp, whose movie Shantaram just got postponed at Warner Bros.

Britney and her new boy friend Michael Marchand

POP star Britney Spears has a new boyfriend – a waiter named Michael Marchand. An eyewitness spotted the couple together at Mirabelle restaurant, where Michael works, in Los Angeles.

“Michael came in a little after midnight, and she came right after. They were being discreet, Forty-Five minutes later, they left the restaurant together. He was charming – he made Britney laugh and looked at her with her secret smile. They left in separate cars,” news reporters quoted an eyewitness as saying.

An insider revealed that the singer instantly fell for Marchand at Mirabella when she first ate there in early November.

Since the first meeting, the two have been on at least one date at Spears mansion. However, Marchand remained mum about his relationship when asked. “I cannot talk about that right now,” Marchand said.

Julia Roberts designs a first in Armani bracelet

Pretty Women star Julia Roberts has designed a bracelet for Giorgio Armani to sell for World AIDS Day, the fashion house said on Tuesday. It is the first time the Italian designer has worked with an another name on the product. The leather bracelet in red or brown has a “Tree of Life” design and inside carries the initials J.R, Armani said.

Britney Spears Takes 'Extreme Measures' To Protect Her Children

Following a rough week for Britney Spears, where she was ordered by the court to not drive her children, Britney is getting proactive about the welfare of her children.

Spears attorney told Access Hollywood, “Recent aggressive actions by individuals who have followed her and blocked her access, with and without the children, have resulted in her decision to take certain security measures which she hopes will only be necessary temporarily, for the protection of the children. Ms. Spears is grateful for and appreciates the support and well wishes of the many, many people who have extended same.”

Matt Damon : The Sexiest Man Alive

Matt Damon also known as Jason Bourne for his breath taking performances in the movies like Bourne Identity, Bourne supremacy is a father, a renowned actor, Academy Award winning writer, and now he has been crowned the “Sexiest Man Alive” 2007.

People had a difficult choice to make as Matt was surrounded by other Hollywood hotties like Patrick Dempsey, Ryan Reynolds, Javier Bardem, “Bionic Woman” star Will Yun Lee, and Will Smith but his emerging qualities like his irresistible sense of humor, rock solid family man, heart-melting humility won the hearts of many and made him the ultimate selection of people choice.

“You’ve given an aging suburban dad the ego-boost of a lifetime,” Damon said.

Take a chance on Dion

Celine Dion is going to try to sing. She’s had a viral infection and cancelled four performances at Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, sending home 16,000 broken-hearted Celine-deprived fans. Backstage, before tonight’s show, she poses for photographs with a few of her devotees, sniffling between camera flashes. “I’m having a hard time.” She confesses. A man tells her to stop shaking hands. He turns to her fans “Don’t touch her!” he says. Who the hell is he? “I’m her gynecologists

Just for the record, the doctor is not here to examine her. He wants to see the concert.

Next week, Celine releases Taking Chances, her first pop album in five years..

Taking Chances is truth in advertising – Celine, 39 may be one of the top-selling singers of all time, but she’s been in the desert for a long time. Since she left, record sales have hit iceberg. All her first-name – only peers (Mariah, Whitney, Shania) have been replaced by a new crop (Beyonce, Shakira, Christina), some of whom can actually sing. If Celine wants to stay on top, she’s going to have to fight like the diva she is “For five years. I’ve been protected and focused in my surroundings – home, dressing room, home, bowling with my son.”

That’s one way to stay young. Or you can also start imitating the young ones, which is one thing she does on the new album. Taking Chances is a ridiculously divese collection of songs, with more edge. “Oh, yes, I’m a rocker,” Celine says without a hint of irony. The album’s third track, Eyes on me, even transforms her into a pop/Bollywood singer. “It’s my Shakira song,” Celine says. On This Time, she sings about being a battered women, which is the last thing you’d expect to hear from delightfully sappy Celine.

Chances probably won’t win over her critics. But for her fans, it’s nice step up, with echoes of Janis Jolpin. She’s even upgraded her look. She’s on the album cover wearing a heavy gold chain, flashing some cleavage.

In Feb, she’ll begin an international tour. Then she plans on settling down in Florida, where she’ll see if she can turn himself into a movie star and have a second child. “If it doesn’t happen, it’s because life and destiny have decided that. You can’t be greedy,” How very un-Vegas for her.

Moody Keira

Pride and Prejudice beauty Keira Knightley admits that she can be extremely moody at times. So moody that she has been advised by family and friends not to read the newspaper as they irritate her. The British actress has slammed the media for coming up with opinionated news pieces about her. “I’m moody banned. Actually, I’ve banned from reading newspapers as the way they’re written angers me,” she said. ” I get incredibly angry. See, I have to calm down about it. “If I want an opinion, I’ll read the opinion part. I do not want it when I’m trying to get the facts.”

Reese gets a new friend

Actress Reese Witherspoon has revealed that she would love to work with Kate Winslet, especially since the two share a lot in common interest. The Oscar winner asserts her willingness to appear with the Titanic star on the big screen as she feels that they share many things in common like acting and motherhood. I had a chance recently to hang out with Kate Winslet an her husband Sam Mendes. We just really get along. We are from different countries but we’re sort of the same person,” she said. In the meantime Witherspoon can be seen on the big screen in Rendition, a drama in which the plays yhe role of a Chicogo-based woman, Isabella, who is married to an Egyptian-born chemical engineer, to be played by Omar Metwally, suspected by US authorities of having knowledge of a bombing.

Paris in a charity mood

Socialite Paris Hilton is so hell-bent on visiting Rwanda, that she arranged her trip to the country for next year. She was to make a charity visit to the African nation with members of the Playing for Good Foundation in November but ultimately had to postpone her trip until next year because of the charity leader’s decision.

“I want to travel the world. I feel like there’s a lot I can do to help. Hilton said. “ I know (Rwanda) went through a lot of traumatic experiences, and I feel like if I go there, I can help save some people’s lives,” she added.

Angelina Jolie ‘pregnant’ again

Hollywood actress Angelina Jolie is pregnant again with her second child. The 32-yr-old actress recently pulled out of a talk in Italy “for personal reasons” following which the media reported that it was because she was expecting another baby with star hubby Brad Pitt. “She cancelled. I can’t confirm her pregnancy but the Italian papers are correct in their reports,” Jolie’s spokeswoman Letizia Manjani was quoted as saying.

The couple have a daughter Shiloh Nouvel together as well as three adopted kids.

Electra electrifies

Carmen Electra left on-lookers stunned when she arrived in a low cut silver dress at Opera Hollywood for the launch of a new lingerie brand, Rey’s Shapewear.

Talking about her ravishing looks, the My Boss’s Daughter star said she worn slim-effect undies, and added that she allowed herself to eat junk food when she felt like having it.

“I used to work out everyday and know I kind of try not to obsess over going to the gym every single day. I can allow myself to have junk food when I’m craving it,” she said.

Orlando Bloom cleared of charges in car crash

Los Angeles officials cleared Orlando Bloom of hit-and-run and drunken driving charges stemming from a car cash during which the Pirates Of Caribbean star was chased by paparazzi. “There was insufficient evidence he was trying to get away,” said Jane Robison, a spokeswomen for the Los Angeles Country District Attorney.

Breathtaking Berry

HALLE Berry looked breathtaking with her big belly at the premire of her movie Things We Lost In Fire. "She looked sensational - pregnancy obviously suits her," a source said. Berry confirmed last month that she was expexting her first child with model boy friend Gabriel Aubry.

Kids can wait : Eva

EVA Longoria has revealed that she has no plans of having kids for the time being. The ‘Desperate Housewives’ star on-screen character ‘Gabrielle’ on the hit TV show were not keen on kids in the near future. “Not for me, and not for Gabrielle,” the Daily Snack quoted her, as saying. Earlier, the petite actress revealed that her boss on the TV show, Marc Cheery has slapped a baby ban on her and her husband, French basketball star Tony Parker. The ban implied that the couple would have to wait at least a year before they get down to the serious business of making babies. “Tony and I are excited about starting a family, but because Marc has forbidden me to get pregnant this year we’re going to spend time as a married couple and build a solid foundation together before we bring our child into the world,” she said.

Britney’s Bizarre ways to lose weight

Troubled star Britney Spears has reportedly turned to special lollipops and asthma inhalers to lose weight . Reports say Spears is sucking special Hoodia lollies, which trick the brain into thinking that the stomach is filled with a chemical found in asthma medication.

The move came before the release of her comeback album “Blackout” to be released in less than a month, reports Heat magazine.

Going by the buzz, Spears wants to slim down so that she looks best at the promotional appearances of her album.

However, Dr Halle Mir, from Los Angeles’ Cedars Sinai Hospital, has warned that the lollipops could cause mood swings, lower her blood sugar levels and raise her blood pressure and cholesterol levels.

The doctor also warned against the use of inhaler.