Sepp Blatter set to remain as Fifa president

Fifa president Sepp Blatter is set to win a fourth term in office as an election delay now appears unlikely.

Prince William has backed the stance of the Football Association and Scottish Football Association that a fair election cannot take place following allegations of corruption.
Blatter is the only candidate as rival Mohammed bin Hammam is suspended.
The FA and SFA have struggled to find support for their proposal to halt the vote.
Other associations from the United Kingdom, including the Football Association of Wales and Irish Football Association, appear unwilling to back their neighbours.
A spokesman for Prince Williams said: "The Duke of Cambridge, as FA President, has been kept informed of the FA's proposals and is fully supportive of the Chairman and the initiatives the FA has recommended.
"He considers the transparency of the international governing body to be integral to the good governance of the game."
In order to suspend the elections on Wednesday, about 150 of the 208 nations must vote in support of the move, a scenario that FA chairman David Bernstein admitted was unlikely.
The FA has already decided to abstain from the voting process but Bernstein said it was duty bound to make a stance.
"I think it was important that someone stood up and make a statement," he told BBC Sport. "There are some principles involved here and it's important that if nobody else was doing it then the FA took a lead in this.
"The fact that we've opposed something and taken a different view should not mean that we are isolated. Whatever happens, we have to be part of Fifa, there is no question of breaking away, but we would like to see better process in terms of election and governance."
The build-up to the elections has been mired by a series of corruption claims but Blatter, 75, has insisted that there is no crisis.
Bin Hammam, president of the Asian Football Federation, and Fifa vice-president Jack Warner have been provisionally suspended by Fifa's ethics committee over allegations that financial incentives were offered to Caribbean Football Union (CFU) members.
Blatter was also investigated following a charge against him by Bin Hammam, although Fifa's ethics committee did not find that the president had a case to answer.
Bin Hammam has appealed against his ban, while Warner also denies any wrongdoing.
In a further twist on Tuesday, Concacaf general secretary Chuck Blazer appeared to survive an attempt to sack him, after making claims that CFU members had accepted bribes.
Concacaf's acting president sent Blazer a letter saying his employment was "terminated". But the confederation's executive committee said the sacking was "unauthorised" and that Blazer "continues as general secretary".
He also remains a Fifa executive committee member.

Click to play

Uncomfortable moments as Fifa president Sepp Blatter answers questions from the media on Monday

Despite the continuing claims and counterclaims, BBC sports editor David Bond said anything other than a Blatter victory on Wednesday would be hard to imagine.
"I understand that the FA and SFA are struggling to get support from the other home nations," he said. "The Welsh and the Northern Irish are not necessarily prepared to fall in behind the call to suspend the elections.
"After 13 years in charge of Fifa, Sepp Blatter has built up a huge power base inside the delegation. One European delegate described him as superman. The mood around the delegates that I've been speaking to is very much that even those who are opposed to him now accept there is no alternative.
"The FA have left it too late and many question whether they are just being vengeful after that England 2018 World Cup defeat last December.
"It is very difficult to escape the conclusion that Sepp Blatter will be re-elected but the question is how damaged he has been by this whole affair."
On Tuesday, Blatter addressed the opening of Fifa's congress by saying: "I thought we were living in a world of fair play and respect and discipline.
"I unfortunately see this is no longer the case because the famous Fifa pyramid is suddenly unstable and there is a danger.
"On Wednesday, I will speak to you on this danger that is lurking and tell you how we can fight and work against this threat."

Sail Turkey’s Mediterranean coast

The Turquoise Coast is a glistening stretch of clear blue sea where gods once played in sublime pebble coves and now spectacular ruins abound. By far the most dramatic way to see this stretch of coastline is by skimming through the crystal waters aboard a gület (traditional wooden yacht) where you can party till it is every man and woman overboard, or relax with the salt between your toes.

The best way to see this stretch of coastline is by skimming aboard a gullet, a traditional wooden yacht.

For many travellers a four-day, three-night cruise on a gület between Fethiye and Kale (Demre) is the highlight of their trip to Turkey. Usually advertised as a Fethiye to Olympos voyage, the boats actually start or stop at Kale and the trip to/from Olympos (1.25 hours) is by bus.
From Fethiye, boats call in at Ölüdeniz and Butterfly Valley and stop at Kaş, Kalkan and Kekova, with the final night at Gökkaya Bay. A less common route is between Marmaris and Fethiye, also taking four days and three nights. Aficionados say this is a much prettier route, but for some reason it is not as popular.
Food and water is usually included in the price, but you have to buy your booze on the boat. All boats are equipped with showers, toilets and smallish but comfortable double cabins (usually six to eight of them). This might make a single person uneasy if they have to share with a stranger, but in practice most people sleep on mattresses on deck as the boats are without air-conditioning. Be savvy and demanding when booking your trip - there are many scam operators working the waters and your wallet.
Here are some of our suggestions to avoid getting fleeced:
Do...

• Ask for recommendations from other travellers.
• Bargain, but do not necessarily go for the cheapest option because the crew will skimp on food and alcohol.
• Check out your boat (if you are in Fethiye) and ask to see the guest list.
• Ask whether your captain and crew speak English.
• Confirm whether the boat actually uses the sails, rather than relying on a noisy diesel engine.
• Trust your gut. If instinct tells you that three days at sea in this boat sounds horrible, then trust yourself!
• Book well ahead for July and August in order to be sure of getting on a cruise.

Do not...

• Do not pay until the day you leave, just in case the weather turns foul.
• Do not go for gimmicks such as free water sports. They often prove to be empty promises and boats rarely have insurance for them in case of accidents.
• Do not buy your ticket in İstanbul, as pensions and commission agents take a healthy cut.
• Do not take a boat just because it is leaving that day.
• We recommend the owner-operated outfits because they run a much tighter ship.
• Boats come and go just about every day of the week between late April and October (the Marmaris boats usually run twice a week from mid-May to the end of September).

England call up Jade Dernbach as cover for second Test

England have added uncapped Surrey seam bowler Jade Dernbach to their squad for the second Test against Sri Lanka at Lord's starting on Friday.

Dernbach took nine wickets for the Lions in a tour match against Sri Lanka

The 25-year-old was called up as cover at the 2011 World Cup but has yet to make his international debut.
He was brought in as James Anderson has been ruled out with a side strain.
However, Middlesex's Steve Finn, who was 12th man for the first Test, which England won by an innings an 14 runs, is expected to play on his home ground.
Anderson suffered his injury, which has been diagnosed as a grade one tear, in the first innings of the remarkable Test match at Cardiff.
He did not bowl in Sri Lanka's dramatic second innings collapse, which saw them all out for 82 in 24.4 overs on the final afternoon, as England captured victory when a match badly affected by rain seemed certain to be drawn.
South African-born Dernbach, who made his county debut aged 17, took nine wickets in the recent Lions match against the Sri Lankans at Derby.
Given Sri Lanka's fallibility to the rising delivery England may decide to include 22-year-old Finn, who took 14 wickets in three Ashes Tests late last year, in a three-man pace attack of tall bowlers with Stuart Broad and Chris Tremlett.
England are hopeful that Anderson will recover for the third and final Test of the series, which begins at the Rose Bowl, Hampshire, on 16 June.
National Selector, Geoff Miller, said: "It's obviously disappointing to lose Jimmy Anderson for the next Test as he is world-class and the leader of our attack but we're fortunate to have a healthy stock of pace bowlers at present.
"We're hopeful Jimmy will be available for the third Test but in the meantime we're excited by Jade Dernbach's inclusion.
"Jade is a talented young bowler and after excelling with the England Performance Programme over the winter he enjoyed considerable success with the ball against Sri Lanka while playing for the Lions."
England squad:
A Strauss (c), A Cook, J Trott, K Pietersen, I Bell, E Morgan, M Prior (wk), S Broad, G Swann, C Tremlett, S Finn, J Dernbach.

Football Association wants Fifa to delay election

The Football Association wants Fifa to postpone its presidential election scheduled for Wednesday 1 June.

Current Fifa president Sepp Blatter is the only candidate in the running after the withdrawal of Mohamed Bin Hammam.
The FA recently chose to abstain from voting following allegations of corruption against world football's governing body.
It now wants the vote delayed and an independent body to recommend "improved governance" of Fifa.
FA chairman David Bernstein said in a statement: "On 19 May, 2011 the Football Association announced it would be abstaining in the forthcoming election for the Fifa presidency.
"There were two main reasons for this decision. First, a concern, that a series of allegations relating to Fifa ExCo Members made it difficult to support either candidate.
"Secondly, a concern about the lack of transparency and accountability within the organisation, contributing to the current unsatisfactory situation.
"Events of the last few days have reinforced our views, and we call on Fifa and ask other national associations to support us with two initiatives.
"First, to postpone the election and give credibility to this process, so any alternative reforming candidate could have the opportunity to stand for president.
"Secondly, to appoint a genuinely independent external party to make recommendations regarding improved governance and compliance procedures and structures throughout the Fifa decision-making processes for consideration by the full membership.
"This has been a very damaging time for the reputation of Fifa and therefore the whole of football.
"To improve confidence in the way the game is governed at the very top, we believe these requests would be a positive step forward and the minimum that should take place."
Whether the FA will receive the support of their counterparts remains to be seen but Blatter, speaking defiantly at a news conference on Monday, seemed set on making sure the presidential election went ahead unless three quarters of Fifa's congress voted otherwise.

Nepal’s shrinking Annapurna Circuit

In less than a year, a road will cut Nepal's classic 250-kilometre Annapurna Circuit in half, threatening the livelihoods of local villages and turning one of the world’s most challenging treks into a short hike in the Himalayas.

A view of Dhaulagiri, which reaches about 8,167 metres. (Stacy Tasman)

The Annapurna Circuit features several famous Himalayan high peaks including Manaslu, Dhaulagiri and Annapurna I, II, III and IV, with Annapurna I towering at 8,091 metres as the 10th highest peak in the world. A good taste of the trek, which includes Thorong La pass (the highest point at 5,416 metres) and skips much of the terrain thereafter, can be done in 10 to 12 days, but trekking entire 250-kilometre route requires closer to three weeks. When the road is fully constructed in spring of 2012, the first 10 days of the trip will be cut to a two-day dusty drive.
Though the new road will make it easy for short trips, resort-style hikes and commercial luxuries, it will cut out the earlier walking paths that Nepal and its loyal trekkers have coveted since the country first opened its doors to outsiders in 1949. It will also destroy the serene, expansive and raw environment that the country, envied for its hefty share of the Himalayas, has long been noted for. The thrill of reaching Thorong La pass, which once took an inspiring two weeks, will be shortened to two days, and this epic and emotional day, which haunts you in the most motivating way, will lose much of its glory if reached by such an industrial path.
Tea houses, porters, guides and craftsmen nestled in these villages have had a long history of supporting trekkers on their way to Thorong La pass and their livelihood depends on the passing foot-traffic. The three-fourths completed road will allow tourists to bypass these villages and drive straight up to Manang, a larger town where many trekkers take a rest the night before crossing the pass.
The quickened route may also take a toll on how hikers adjust to the higher altitudes. A slow and steady trek that allows time for acclimatization is the safest way to ascend and prevent altitude sickness, which could have fatal consequences.
The Himalayan Rescue Association, a non-profit health organization that offers safety seminars to trekkers in Manang, warns that ascending more than 300 or 400 metres higher than the previous day's sleeping altitude is not safe, especially when you are above 3,000 metres. The newly constructed road will lead from Besi Sahar, at 820 metres to Manang, at 3,520 metres, allowing travellers to ascend 2,700 metres in just two driving days
Go now
With less than a handful of prime trekking months left before the road is finished, the time to go is now, before modern conveniences overtake the most prized and ancient cultural experience in Nepal.
For ideal conditions and the clearest views, spring and autumn are the best seasons to go, April and May or September and October specifically. It is important to give yourself a relaxed schedule, as the essence of the Annapurna Circuit is the area's tranquil ability to cease time.
Annapurna is manageable for trekkers with little experience. The circuit is more known for its varied terrain than its difficulty, and while some days can be a challenge, each day can be completed by mid-afternoon.
Along the circuit, travellers are afforded comfortable resting in traditional-style tea houses. The houses are conveniently spaced less than an hour walking distance from each other and offer steaming tea, hearty plates of fuel and warm, if firm, beds. The menus are easy to read, in English and are surprisingly extensive. Pastries can be found up and down the trail, and Yak steaks, or Nepal's native dish Dal Bhat, can supply much-needed protein.
The higher your elevation, the more expensive your costs, but that is in extremely relative terms. On average, lodging will cost you 50 to 200 Nepali rupees a night, and each meal with a pot of tea, will run you 200 to 300 rupees.
Additional expenses come when enlisting the help of porters and guides. Your best bet, if sticking to a lighter budget and pack-load, is to hire a combined porter-guide - someone to carry your packs who speaks enough English to provide backcountry education and native guidance, but who has not had the professional training to warrant higher wages. Expect to pay 900 to 1,400 rupees a day for your porter-guide, and use word of mouth to find one that is reliable.
You will most likely start off your trek in either Kathmandu or Pokhara, where hostels, hotels or recently-returned trekkers can offer recommendations. If a tour company is more your style, there are plenty of local English-speaking agencies to go through.
The circuit is also well-reputed for its ease without a guide. It is extremely accessible and can be navigated with the help of frequent direction posts or by the pointing fingers of local villagers. These trails, many that seem magically untouched by time, are the same trails that villagers have used for years to import and export their well-beings. It is safe to say that almost every hour you will pass a native Nepalese carrying four times the size of your pack with one-eighth the difficulty.

Shock wave from trombone filmed

Shock waves emanating from a trombone have been caught on video for the first time, researchers say.

It was first suggested in 1995 that the intense pressure waves, which can briefly exceed the speed of sound, could come from trombones.
Shock waves can form when energy is quickly put into a confined channel; weak shock waves can be formed as trains enter tunnels.
Researchers revealed the video at the Acoustical Society of America meeting.
Shock waves are just a particular kind of pressure wave - which is what sound itself comprises.
That trombones could produce such weak shock waves was first posited in a 1995 paper by Mico Hirschberg of the Eindhoven University of Technology.

Mahler's symphonies often called for dramatic "fortississimo" notes from the brass section

Now Kazuyoshi Takayama and Kiyonobu Ohtani from Tohoku University's Institute of Fluid Science worked with Professor Hirschberg to get an intimate look at the process.
They used what is known as schlieren photography to catch the shock wave.
The technique can image variations in what is known as the refractive index of air - in essence, the speed of light in a given medium.
Because shock waves represent a stark and sudden change in refractive index, they show up clearly in schlieren photographs.
The shock waves are formed when the trombone is blown particularly hard - in music parlance, "fortissimo" and "fortississimo".
"Mahler and Tchaikovsky loved such dramatic specifications without knowing about shock waves," Professor Takayama told BBC News.
"Musicians sitting in front of the trombone or trumpet have suffered from these shock waves."
The team measured the pressure at the instrument's mouthpiece, in the middle of its length, and at the output, and witnessed how the train of compression waves built up to the more abrupt shock wave, traveling briefly at about 1% higher than the speed of sound.

Barcelona 3-1 Man Utd

Barcelona delivered a masterclass to inflict another Champions League final defeat on Manchester United as Lionel Messi inspired an emphatic victory at Wembley.

 

Eric Abidal lifts the cup as Barcelona win the Champions League

Manchester United's hopes of emulating their first European Cup final success here against Benfica in 1968 foundered as Barcelona deservedly repeated their win against Sir Alex Ferguson's side in Rome two years ago.
The pattern of an entertaining game bore an uncanny resemblance to events in the Stadio Olimpico in 2009 as United started with optimism and intent before being swamped by Barcelona's brilliance.
Pedro gave Barcelona the lead from one of the many wonderful passes played by Xavi - but Wayne Rooney lifted the gloom during a torrid spell for United with a fine equaliser following a swift exchange with Ryan Giggs.

 

Barcelona responded by cranking up what Ferguson labelled their passing "carousel" after the break, with man-of-the match Messi at the centre of events as he tortured United.
Messi's magical feet were decorated by luminous green boots but it was his talent that illuminated Wembley and United's night was effectively over once he restored Barcelona's lead with a powerful drive early in the second half.
David Villa's spectacular third emphasised the gulf in class between the sides and United never threatened to mount the sort of dramatic recovery that has become their trademark.
Ferguson and his players were disconsolate at the final whistle as the nightmare of Rome was revisited but there was no shame in their defeat by one of the finest club sides the game has seen.
There was to be no fulfilling of the destiny United hoped was theirs and no dream conclusion to goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar's glittering career as he was powerless to prevent Barcelona's constant wave of beautifully crafted moves.
And as veteran Paul Scholes, who made a brief appearance as substitute, walked up to collect his losers' medal, thoughts turned to whether this was also his final bow as he considers his future at Old Trafford.
United had hoped to add a fourth victory in Europe's elite club tournament to a record 19th domestic title - instead they received a brutal lesson in the standards they must achieve from the Barcelona benchmark.
Ferguson insisted he had learned the lessons of defeat in Rome but the same problems swiftly resurfaced as Barcelona stamped their authority on midfield and Messi roamed free to inflict damage, adding another Champions League final goal to the one that sealed victory against United in their previous meeting.
Messi roars with delight after putting Barcelona 2-1 up at Wembley
United may dominate in England but Barcelona demonstrated once more, in front of Wembley and an estimated television audience of 300m, that they are peerless on the European stage.
Ferguson, as expected, opted to keep faith with the attacking partnership of Rooney and Javier Hernandez - but there was bitter disappointment for leading scorer Dimitar Berbatov, who failed to even make the substitutes' bench, Michael Owen getting the nod.
United's intentions were clear in the opening exchanges with a high-tempo approach designed to deny Barcelona time and space while pushing them back towards their own goal.
After early encouragement, however, Barcelona settled into their smooth passing style and started to give United a rough ride as they struggled to maintain any measure of authority and control was lost.
Pedro flashed the first ominous sign with a shot just wide before Van der Sar saved well low down from Villa. The goal was coming and it duly arrived after 27 minutes.

 

Xavi had been immaculate on the ball, dictating terms at every opportunity, and another masterly piece of creation played in Pedro, who had time to wrong-foot Van der Sar with a simple finish.
United's thoughts were scrambled as Barcelona moved the ball around with ease. Ferguson cut an agitated figure in the technical area as he pleaded with his players to concentrate in the face of the Catalans' domination.
It needed a moment of inspiration to lift United's spirits and Rooney provided it with the equaliser after 34 minutes. He exchanged passes with Giggs before sweeping a right-foot finish high past Victor Valdes.
Barcelona were swift to regain their composure and almost restored their advantage seconds before the interval when Messi somehow failed to apply the final touch to Villa's cross inside the six-yard area.
United were out early for the second half, presumably with the words of Ferguson ringing in their ears, while Barcelona waited in the players' tunnel for the resumption.
And when it did, Barcelona simply picked up the theme that characterised the first half. Van der Sar did well to block Alves' attempt and Patrice Evra was forced to scramble back towards his own goal to head away Messi's follow-up.

Jonathan Stevenson Read more

Messi's golden talent is unquestioned, but he had been helped by United's failure to get close enough to halt his advances. It was a hazardous occupation and the heavy price was finally paid after 54 minutes.
The Argentine took full advantage of United's failure to close him down 25 yards out by flashing a shot past Van der Sar with minimum backlift. The finish was central and close to the keeper but it was struck with astonishing power.
Messi was toying with United and Van der Sar was grateful to save with his legs as he threatened once more. He then played in Alves, whose shot was stopped on the line by Fabio before Xavi ripped in another finish that was held by the Dutchman.
Ferguson attempted to stem Barcelona's tide by sending on Nani for Fabio in a positive move - but seconds later Barcelona struck again to give the scoreline a more realistic appearance.
Villa has had a mixed first season at the Nou Camp but his enduring class was evident when he curled a precise shot high past the outstretched arms of Van der Sar after 69 minutes.
The rest of the game was merely a conclusion of the formalities as Barcelona lifted the famous trophy for the fourth time and United were left to wonder how they can halt what seems to be an unstoppable force.

Summer Alert: Dr. Beach Picks 10 Best US Beaches of 2011

For those of you not familiar with his body of work, Dr. Beach is actually Dr. Stephen P. Leatherman, Professor and Director of the Laboratory for Coastal Research at Florida International University. He has held numerous high powered University positions in geology and coastal research, written or edited 16 books, and is very well respected among the academic community. But he is much more famous as his alter-ego, Dr. Beach.

Since 1989, Leatherman has released an annual list of the 10 Best Beaches, and it has become a hotly anticipated travel industry event. He is the Zagat Survey or Forbes 5-Star of beaches, and his ratings carry enormous weight. I’ve had the pleasure of interviewing him, and he is also a nice guy.

Leatherman does not do this on a whim. His questionnaire has 50 different highly detailed criteria, including numbers of sunny and rainy days, and indicators of sand and water quality, including my favorite, which you may or may not want to know, “floating suspended human material” which gets ranked from None to the disquieting Plentiful. You can see all 50 criteria here. His first effort took 2 years to visit 650 highly regarded recreational beaches in the US.

So today, in preparation for Memorial Day Weekend and the traditional launch of the summer beach season, Leatherman has released his full list, with more detailed descriptions. Along with the winners of previous years, it can be viewed at his website here.

Dr. Beach also has a second interactive site, BeachFinder, specifically to help travelers find their perfect beach based on his more than 20 years rating beaches.

Here is the shorthand 2011 version
Best Beach in America: Siesta Beach, Sarasota, FL
2. Coronado Beach, San Diego, CA
3.  Kahanamoku Beach, Waikiki, HI
4.  Main Beach, East Hampton, NY
5.  Cape Hatteras, Outer Banks, NC
6.  St. George Island State Park, NW FL
7.  Beachwalker Park, Kiawah Island, SC
8.  Coast Guard Beach, Cape Cod, MA
9.  Waimanalo Bay Beach Park, Oahu, HI
10. Cape Florida State Park, Key Biscayne, FL

Great Wall of Vietnam

In the remote countryside of central Vietnam, archaeologists discovered the "longest monument in Southeast Asia", a wall that winds through pristine, rain-forested mountains and hill tribe villages, yet still unspoiled by the imminent arrival of busloads of tourists.

In March, ambassadors from six EU member countries visited the Long Wall of Vietnam. 

Find of the century
Earlier this year, Vietnam's most important archaeological discovery in a century was announced by Dr Andrew Hardy, head of the Hanoi branch of École française d'Extrême-Orient (French School of Asian Studies) and Dr Nguyen Tien Dong, from the Institute of Archaeology (Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences). The rampart stretches 127.4 km from northern Quang Ngai Province, south into the province of Binh Dinh, and is the greatest engineering feat of the Nguyen Dynasty.
The Long Wall of Quang Ngai, as it is now known, is made of alternating sections of stone and earth, is believed to have been built in 1819 as a cooperative effort between the Vietnamese and H're ethnic minority. Much like Hadrian's Wall in the United Kingdom, Quang Ngai's wall was also built along an ancient, pre-existing road, and not only provided security but also regulated trade along the route. Most of the wall is still in relatively good condition, attaining heights up 4 metres.
Quang Ngai today
Until now, Quang Ngai was seldom visited by tourists, apart from stops at the Son My Memorial Museum, site of the infamous wartime My Lai Massacre. The province remained politically sensitive as a result of those tragic events, and as such, travel by outsiders through the countryside was somewhat restricted. Since the initial discovery of the wall in 2005, Quang Ngai has slowly opened up. Several independent travellers have now ventured to see the wall since its existence was announced earlier this year.
Quang Ngai City, the provincial capital, is a suitable base from which visitors can reach the wall. Apart from the city's only  four-star hotel, Central Hotel, near the river, the city lacks anything approaching luxury accommodation. Dining is mostly street food and local specialties like ram bap (corn spring rolls), ron (tiny river clam soup) and ca bong song tra (Song Tra River mudskipper fish). As no major tour companies have offices in Quang Ngai yet, transportation consists of Mai Linh taxis (one of the few legal and reliable companies) and motorbikes for hire.
There is no need to hire a special guide (in fact there probably are none with sufficient knowledge or experience) to visit the wall at this point. Signs have been placed on the country roads to help drivers locate the four archaeological sites. Two are located in Ba Dong Commune (Ba To District) and the other two in Hanh Dung Commune (Nghia Hanh District).
Historical ethnic relations
The H're, like the rest of Vietnam's 54 officially-recognized ethnic groups, have a distinct language and culture. They were once under the dominion of the Champa Kingdom, which occupied all of central Vietnam, until the Vietnamese Emperor Le Thanh Tong conquered what is now Quang Ngai and Binh Dinh provinces, in 1471.
Coexistence between the Vietnamese and H're was not always harmonious. Military forts were built along an ancient mandarin road (79 have been located), straddling the territories of both groups. The wall was later constructed along the road for increased security and to facilitate trade between the highland H're, lowland Vietnamese and Chinese merchants.
A long way to go for the long wall
The wall was officially designated a National Heritage site by the Vietnam government on 9 March of this year. This means more investment, increased protection, international recognition, infrastructure development and more tourists are all on the horizon for the Long Wall. At the end of April, Christopher Young from English Heritage, an advisory organization, will make his second visit to the wall and lead a group of specialists on offering advice to the local government on conservation and sustainable  tourism development.
Ideally the government could develop a "historical ecotourism" trail running the length of the wall, with guesthouses along the way providing lodging and meals. Detours from the hiking trail could lead through forests and farmland to ancient forts, temples, Champa ruins, hot springs, waterfalls and minority villages of the H're, Cor and Ca Dong.
The government's commitment to conserving the area's beautiful landscape has begun with its plans for a protected corridor stretching 500m on either side of the wall. However, neither the trail nor infrastructure yet exists. There are no maps of the wall and camping is not yet permitted. For now the more adventurous hikers will have to forge their own way, broken into day trips from Quang Ngai City.
Adam Bray was the first journalist to visit the Long Wall of Quang Ngai. He has contributed to 20 guidebooks on travel in Southeast Asia. Grandson of the noted Biblical archaeologist Dr David Livingston, Adam has uncovered a number of undocumented ancient Champa ruins of his own. 

Mexico's underground rivers

The Mayan Riviera on Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula may look like your typical beachside holiday destination, but for spelunkers, cave divers and anyone with a spirit of adventure, its beauty is more than skin deep.

The beauty of the Mayan Rivera is more than skin - or beach - deep

Behind the beachfront resorts, the tropical jungle is home to the longest underground river on earth -- all 153 kilometres of it. In spots, the earth has collapsed into the waters below, forming cenotes, deep wells of gin-clear water that provide an entry into the surreal underworld.
Which river will suit you?
For claustrophobics, Xel-Há is the best place to experience the action without feeling locked in. Entry into the river is as easy as lying back in an inner tube and following the current downstream under the reassuring heat of the sun above.
The more intrepid adventurer with specialist cave diving certification might prefer The Pit. To enter, divers brave a six meter jump into to the cenote before donning scuba gear and vanishing into the darkness. Most visitors to the Yucatan Peninsular favour something in between.
Top adventure experiences
For an underground experience high on thrills but (relatively) low on terror, these adventure experiences stand out: Hidden Worlds, Rio Secreto, Alltournative and Dos Ojos (home of The Pit and a range of other less terrifying dives).
To enter Hidden Worlds, a rollicking drive through the jungle is the start of the fun. This non-profit adventure park features cenotes as a splashdown for a series of ziplines, including one rollicking "rollercoaster zipline" called Avatar. (Safety harness and whoops of joy are mandatory.)
Rio Secreto's underground river, meanwhile, is shallower and largely navigated on foot through waist-deep water. Visitors gear up with wetsuits, neoprene boots, helmets and headlamps for the two-hour guided tour. One of the best aspects of the cenote adventure parks in this area is their rugged authenticity -- there are no brightly-lit boardwalk tours with cheesy commentary to be found. Instead, knowledgeable guides lead visitors through caves dripping with stalagmites and swim through deep pools to experience a taste of true spelunking. The cave system is covered in chandeliers of stalactites and rarer helictite formations which encrust the icicle-like structures in a thick coat of what looks like snow.
While there is some swimming involved, Rio Secreto's focus is most definitely overhead. For an entirely different perspective, slip on a mask and snorkel. In the cave system explored by adventure outfitter Alltournative, guests swim in Yax Mul and Nohoch, the very cave explored in the BBC documentary series Planet Earth.
The experience is magical and adventurous in equal measure. In places the overhead clearance is only a matter of inches, while below, the cave is as vast and ornate as a ballroom. In Yax Mul, beams of sunlight filter through tiny cracks in the surface softly illuminating the water with an eerie blue light. (The fact that natural light penetrates through cracks and holes qualifies Yax Mul as a cavern rather than a cave.)
Back at the surface the thick jungle gives no hint as to what lies beneath. It is remarkable that one of Mexico's most incredible sights is hidden from view. It is a wonderland well worth donning a wetsuit for.

Russell Brand deported from Japan by immigration

British actor and comedian Russell Brand has been deported from Japan.

 

Russell Brand will miss the Japanese leg of his wife Katy Perry's tour

He was travelling with his wife, Katy Perry, on the Asian leg of her California Dreams tour.
She tweeted on Sunday: "So...my husband just got deported from Japan. I am so. sad. I brought him all this way to show him my favourite place."
Immigration officials in Japan have declined to comment on why Brand was deported, but Perry tweeted: "It was for priors from over 10 years ago."
The 35-year-old star of the remade 1981 comedy, Arthur, has spoken openly about using drugs and sleeping around and has had various run-ins with police.
He was arrested in September 2010 after he allegedly attacked a photographer at Los Angeles international airport.
Brand's spokesperson told Newsbeat that she didn't know when the star would rejoin Perry, but that their plans had "clearly gone awry with this happening".
The British star doesn't seem to have lost his sense of humour over the incident, tweeting: "Planning escape from Japanese custody. It's bloody hard to dig a tunnel with a chopstick."
He went on to joke that he was falling in love with his captors, "Stockholm syndrome kicking in. Just asked my guard out for (vegetarian) sushi. He giggled".
Katy Perry is in Japan to play a series of dates in Tokyo, Osaka and Nagoya.
She and Russell Brand married in October 2010.

Dylan tapes reveal heroin addiction

A previously unheard interview with Bob Dylan has revealed that the singer was once addicted to heroin.

Bob Dylan has previously refused to talk about his heroin addiction

After a concert late one Saturday night in March 1966 Bob Dylan, while on tour in the US, boarded his private plane in Lincoln, Nebraska bound for Denver with his friend Robert Shelton.
Over the next two hours Shelton taped an interview with Dylan which he later described as a "kaleidoscopic monologue".
At one point, the singer, who turns 70 this week, admits he had been addicted to heroin in the early 1960s.
"I kicked a heroin habit in New York City," he confesses. "I got very, very strung out for a while, I mean really, very strung out. And I kicked the habit. I had about a $25-a-day habit and I kicked it."
There have been rumours that Dylan was involved with heroin. But Mick Brown, a writer on The Daily Telegraph who has interviewed Dylan, says he has never heard the singer confirm the speculation.
"It's extraordinary that he should be talking about it quite so candidly," he remarks.
Elsewhere on the tapes, Dylan reveals he contemplated suicide after people started calling him a genius.
"Death to me is nothing... death to me means nothing as long as I can die fast. Many times I've known I could have been able to die fast, and I could have easily gone over and done it."
"I'll admit to having this suicidal thing... but I came through this time," he says.
Shelton describes Dylan as "twisting restlessly" during the interview - animated at times, despondent at others.

Bob Dylan turns 70 this week

And for a man who is still touring and still making records today, he is surprisingly dismissive about his work, especially his writing.
"I take it less seriously than anybody," he says. "I know that it's not going to help me into heaven one little bit, man. It's not going to get me out of the fiery furnace.
"It's certainly not going to extend my life any and it's not going to make me happy."
"You can't be happy by doing something groovy."
Shelton then asks Dylan what would make him happy.
"I'm happy," replies Dylan. But he goes on to say that happiness is "kind of a cheap word." And he returns to the theme of suicide.
"I'm not the kind of cat that's going to cut off an ear if I can't do something. I'm the kind of cat that would just commit suicide."
"I'd shoot myself in the brain if things got bad. I'd jump from a window... man, I would shoot myself. You know I can think about death, man, openly."

By 1965, Bob Dylan was an international star

The next day, Shelton recorded another interview with Dylan, which lasted an hour and forty minutes, at the Motel de Ville in Denver.
Wearing a faded old shirt and jeans, Dylan gets angry when talking about people he thinks are taking advantage of him.
"I'm sick of giving creeps money off my soul. When I lose my teeth tomorrow, they are not going to buy me a new pair of teeth.
"If it's not the promoter cheating you," he adds, "it's the box office cheating you. Somebody is always giving you a hard time."
Listening to all the tapes they provide a remarkable insight into Dylan's state of mind at the time they were recorded.
By March 1966 Dylan was a global superstar. He was hailed as a protester, poet and prophet - the most important voice of his generation.
But behind the scenes he was struggling to cope with the scrutiny - and the weight of people's expectations.
He trusted Robert Shelton though, who was the man credited with "discovering" him.
Shelton was a music critic and in 1961 he saw Dylan play and wrote a review that described him as "a bright new face in folk music". The next day Dylan was offered a record contract.
The two men became close and Dylan gave Shelton unprecedented access - to him, his friends and his family.
Shelton's biography, No Direction Home, took 20 years to complete and first came out in 1986. The tapes were uncovered during research for a revised and updated edition, which has been published to coincide with Dylan's 70th birthday.
A film is now in production about the tapes.

Songwriter Joseph Brooks found dead in New York

Songwriter Joseph Brooks, who won the best song Oscar in 1978 with You Light Up My Life, has been found dead in New York after apparently taking his own life.

 

Brooks, pictured in 1978, was also a director and a producer

The 73-year-old was awaiting trial on charges of sexually assaulting more than a dozen women.
Brooks was found in his apartment on Sunday by a friend, police said. It appears he died of asphyxiation.
A three-page suicide note was found, police spokesman Paul Browne said.
Brooks had pleaded not guilty to allegations that he molested women he had lured to his apartment and was awaiting trial at the time of his death.
A director and producer as well as a songwriter, Brooks also composed music for The Lords of Flatbush and the West End musical Metropolis.
Taken from the film of the same name, You Light Up My Life was originally recorded by Kacey Cisyk.
It went on to be covered by a variety of artists, among them Johnny Mathis, LeAnn Rimes and Whitney Houston.
In an unrelated case, Brooks's son Nicholas is awaiting trial after being charged with the murder of his girlfriend in a New York hotel last December.
The 24-year-old has pleaded not guilty and is being held in Rikers Island jail in New York.

Malick's drama The Tree of Life triumphs in Cannes

US director Terrence Malick's drama The Tree of Life has won the Palme d'Or prize for best picture at the Cannes film festival.

Click to play

The Winners at the 64th Cannes film festival.

The film, starring Brad Pitt and Sean Penn, is about a family in Texas in the 1950s, but is also a meditation on the meaning of life.
The film had divided critics at the prestigious festival, says BBC arts correspondent Vincent Dowd.
He says some consider it pretentious and others profound.
Best actor award went to French performer Jean Dujardin for the silent film The Artist.
Best actress was won by US actress Kirsten Dunst for her role in the apocalyptic psychodrama Melancholia.
Melancholia director Lars von Trier was barred from the festival for remarks made at a news conference in which he said he was a Nazi. He later said he had spoken in jest.

 

Kirsten Dunst won best actress for her role in Melancholia

The Tree of Life is only the fifth movie from Terrence Malick in almost 40 years.
At 148 minutes it is an epic about what it is to be human, with some scenes depicting the beginnings of life on earth.
At Cannes its ambition baffled a few reviewers but it found favour with the nine-member jury, chaired by Robert de Niro.
De Niro said after the ceremony that The Tree of Life had "the size, the importance, the intention, whatever you want to call it, that seemed to fit the prize".
Malick, 67, who is notoriously publicity shy, was not present to accept the award, leaving one of his co-producers, Bill Pohlad, to speak on his behalf.
"I know he is thrilled with this award, as are all of us," Mr Pohlad said.
The Artist, which depicts Hollywood at the end of the silent-movie era, is a French film but made in Los Angeles.
With its period score and winning performances it was a big success at Cannes and has already secured international distribution.
It was the 64th Cannes film festival and, by common consent, one of the best for years, our correspondent adds.

Rare Edwardian footage added to Unesco list

A collection of film documentaries dating back 100 years that was found in the basement of a disused shop in 2002 has been added to a UN heritage list.

Click to play

Watch some footage from the Mitchell and Kenyon collection

The restored films by Sagar Mitchell and James Kenyon give an insightful visual record of late Victorian and early Edwardian British life.
The films, together with the GPO Film Archives, will be listed on the UK Memory of the World Register.
It was devised by UN cultural body Unesco to raise awareness of archives.
The 800-reel Mitchell and Kenyon collection was discovered by historian Peter Worden in Blackburn, Lancashire, and features footage of the last soldier to receive the Victoria Cross from Queen Victoria herself.
It also includes an early crime reconstruction and the first footage of a Manchester United game, from 1902.

 

Mitchell and Kenyon filmed sport including the first footage of Manchester United

The British Film Institute (BFI), which is home to the collection, restored the material, calling it "the most exciting film discovery of recent times".
In 2005, the BBC made a three-part documentary series which featured the films.
The BFI is also home to the archives of the GPO Film Unit, which will join the Mitchell and Kenyon collection on the register.
It said the unit, which ran from 1933 to 1940, "produced one of the finest British collections of documentary, public information, animation and industrial film ever to come from a single UK source".

End Quote David Dawson, UK Memory of the World Committee

The BFI nominations were among 20 items and collections selected from libraries, archives and museums to represent the UK's heritage.

David Dawson, chair of the UK Memory of the World Committee, said: "We were incredibly impressed by the diversity and richness of these nominations to the register."
"These are some of the UK's exceptional, but lesser-known documentary riches.
"By awarding them with the globally-recognised Unesco Memory of the World status we hope to elevate them to the world stage."
Founded in 1933, the BFI claims to have the largest and most culturally valuable film and television archive in the world.

Pirates film plunders box office

The fourth instalment in The Pirates of the Caribbean franchise has become the biggest UK box office opener so far this year.

 

Penelope Cruz, right, joins Johnny Depp, left, in the fourth Pirates of the Caribbean film

Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides made £11.6m during its first weekend.
But it made less in its first few days than the previous Pirates film, At World's End, which took £13.4m four years ago.
Fast and Furious 5 stayed at number two on the chart, with takings of £537,617.
Thor dropped from top spot to number three while Insidious remained at four.
The two other new entries in the top 10 were thriller Blitz, starring Jason Statham and Paddy Considine, and comedy drama Win Win.
The fourth Pirates film took slightly more in its opening weekend than the second movie, Dead Man's Chest, which took £11.4m in 2006.
On Stranger Tides stars Johnny Depp, Penelope Cruz and Ian McShane.

Oscar winners Cate Blanchett and Juliette Binoche

Blanchett will star in Botho Strauss play Gross und Klein, in January, while Binoche will appear in French language piece Mademoiselle Julie, in September.
Among other events will be the UK's biggest Bauhaus exhibition in 40 years.
The Barbican said its "world-class events" put it "at the heart if the London 2012 Festival".
This summer's festival is the culmination of London's Cultural Olympiad programme.
'International moment' The Bauhaus: Art as Life exhibition will include work from artists who attended the German modern art school, which was founded by Walter Gropius in 1919.

It will feature Paul Klee, Marcel Breuer, Anni Albers and Mies van der Rohe works.

The Barbican programme will include theatre, art, architecture, design, film, music, opera and dance.
Barbican managing director Sir Nicholas Kenyon said there would be "something for everyone".
"In 2012 London welcomes the world for the Olympic and Paralympic Games and the Barbican will be at the forefront of that international moment with an extraordinary range of great cultural experiences for all," he added.
Other highlights will include the UK premiere, in May, of Robert Wilson and Philip Glass' 1976 work Einstein on the Beach, An Opera in Four Acts.
As part of the finale to the Barbican's London 2012 Festival celebrations, the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra will return, following on from their residency last year.
They will perform with trumpeter Wynton Marsalis as well as Simon Rattle, who will conduct the Barbican's resident orchestra, the London Symphony Orchestra.

Elizabeth Taylor's house for sale for $8.6 million

The 1960s ranch-style house in Bel Air that Elizabeth Taylor called home for the past 30 years is on the market for $8.6 million, according to Mossler Properties, which is handling the estate of the screen legend.
Taylor, 79, died on March 23.

According to Mossler's description, the "fully gated and secured" 7,000-sq.-ft. hilltop residence sits on approximately 1.27 acres. Photos for the listing show a private driveway and a broad, bricked motor court, a pool, as well as lush landscaping.
Contained on the interior main floor are "a large, galley-style country kitchen, powder room, lower master suite, two family bedrooms with garden access, and maid's quarters."
What once was a screening room has been converted into an office, while "an adjoining powder room has a sauna and shower for the pool."
The second-floor master suite offers "treetop views, master bath with spa tub, adjacent dressing room/salon and two smaller bedrooms."
Only pre-qualified buyers need apply.

Eminem and Justin Bieber win Billboard Music Awards

Click to play

Canadian singer Justin Bieber dominated the Billboard music awards by winning in six categories.

Rapper Eminem and teen star Justin Bieber were the big winners at the Billboard Music Awards in Las Vegas, taking home six prizes each.

Eminem, who was not at Sunday's ceremony, won artist of the year, the night's top prize.
Bieber thanked "everybody who helped me get out of my home town" at the event - the first televised BMAs since 2006.
Britain's Taio Cruz won best single for Dynamite, while other winners included Katy Perry, U2 and Beyonce Knowles.
Eminem's prizes included top artist and top male artist, while Bieber counted fan favourite and top new artist awards among his haul.
"I'm 17," the Canadian told the audience. "Every day is crazy to me because I see so many people and I get to make so many people smile."
A star-studded ceremony, broadcast live on US TV, was opened by Britney Spears and Rihanna singing a remix of the latter's hit S&M.
Other performers included Cee Lo Green, country star Keith Urban and Neil Diamond, who sang his 1969 hit Sweet Caroline after winning the icon award.
Beyonce was given the Millennium Award for her musical influence and was also recognised as a role model for women.
U2 won the top touring award for their 360 Degrees Tour.
"You can make classic albums in your bedroom and you can play the greatest show of your life on a one-string guitar, but we just don't do that," U2's Bono told the audience.
The awards' winners were chosen for their popularity, based both on chart performances and internet social and streaming activity.

£35m Hepworth Wakefield gallery opens doors

The Hepworth Wakefield has become the largest purpose-built art gallery to open in the UK for 43 years.

The £35m gallery, named after sculptor Barbara Hepworth who lived in the West Yorkshire city until the age of 18, opened its doors on Saturday.
It contains dozens of Hepworth's works and prototypes as well as pieces by Henry Moore and JMW Turner.
It is the biggest art gallery to be built since the Hayward on London's South Bank in 1968, the Hepworth said.
Designed by award-winning architect David Chipperfield, it has 10 galleries covering 5,000 square metres.
That makes it almost twice as big as the Turner Contemporary in Margate, Kent, another new Chipperfield gallery which opened last month.

Around 150,000 visitors are expected in the first year, and so many visitors are expected on the opening weekend that staff are handing out wristbands limiting them to 45 minutes inside.
The building, which sits next to the River Calder, has divided opinion among locals.
"Some people don't like the building," admitted Councillor Peter Box, leader of Wakefield Council, which put £18m into the budget.
"They think it looks like a concrete bunker. And I understand that.
"But at least for the first time in many years there's a real serious debate about modern architecture on the streets of Wakefield.
"What no-one can deny when you go inside the gallery is the quality of the exhibits, and I think everyone locally when they visit will be blown away by the quality."

The building should kickstart the regeneration of the riverside area as well as the wider region, he explained, and bring £3m a year to the local economy.

Chipperfield said his priority was to design buildings that were popular with locals, adding that he hoped the Hepworth would inspire a new generation of art lovers.
"People who are against a project are always going to be against it," he said.
"But if you can get young people to come, perhaps it will help change certain attitudes to culture.
"One hopes that, as a certain generation will say it's not for them, maybe their kids will somehow be the opposite. It will give them an opportunity to find something that their parents couldn't."
The gallery is the second in the UK to focus on Hepworth, alongside the Barbara Hepworth Museum and Sculpture Garden in St Ives, Cornwall, which is run by the Tate.
Hepworth Wakefield director Simon Wallis said the Tate had loaned them works, adding that the two institutions would work together.
"I can see all sorts of ways in which we can creatively begin to work together and share audiences and programming ideas. But there's very definitely room for two given that we've got very different identities."
As well as exhibits relating to Barbara Hepworth, the Wakefield building has inherited the 6,000-piece collection from the old Wakefield Art Gallery, which closed in 2009.
It will also host rotating exhibitions from contemporary artists, beginning with sculptor Eva Rothschild.

Arnold Schwarzenegger delays Hollywood comeback

Former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has delayed all his future film projects, a statement from his office has confirmed.

The 63-year-old, who had planned to return to acting after launching a political career, is "focusing on personal matters", the statement said.
Schwarzenegger recently admitted he had fathered a child with a member of his household staff more than 10 years ago.
The former Terminator star and his wife Maria Shriver have separated.
The full statement said: "Governor Schwarzenegger is focusing on personal matters and is not willing to commit to any production schedules or timelines.
"This includes Cry Macho, the Terminator franchise and other projects under consideration.
"We will resume discussions when Governor Schwarzenegger decides."
Ms Shriver, who has moved out of the family home in Los Angeles, has been married to the former actor for 25 years.
They have four children between the ages of 14 and 21.
Schwarzenegger has maintained a high public profile and worked to revive his movie career since finishing a seven-year run as California governor in January.
Among the potential projects were plans for him to voice the central character in the animated TV series The Governator.
The show, which depicts Schwarzenegger as a devoted family man who lives a double life as a superhero, also halted production on Thursday.

Relaxing in the adrenaline capital of the world

Queenstown is the adrenaline capital of the world – that is what the tourist board will tell you, and that is how it feels like when you walk down its streets. There are dozens of outdoors shops and athletic people sporting the trendiest trekking gear. Skydiving and bungee jumping are a common topic of conversation. And in the distance you can see paragliders descending nearby peaks.

• 
  

But adventure sports are not all there is to do in Queenstown. Great food, beautiful scenery and relaxing walks make this town a worthwhile destination even if you are not an adventure junkie, or you have already had an adventure overdose and need a day to totally relax.
Start by setting yourself up away from the town's hustle and bustle. Choose a location by Lake Wakatipu, which offers the perfect backdrop for the city. Options vary hugely, and you can find anything from the large and upscale Rydges Hotel to the basic YHA youth hostel. The hotels are only a 10 minute walk from the centre of town, and the lakeside path makes for great photography, a long jog or a nice stroll into town.
After a quiet and relaxing night of sleep, start your day by hiking up Ben Lomond. It is a five-hour trek roundtrip from the town's cemetery, and it is worth the initial steep climb. The views from the summit, at 1,748 metres, are stunning: you can see the whole lake, as well as the Remarkables mountain range. Start the walk early in the morning and have warm clothes and sunscreen with you - it might be very sunny yet chilly.
Walk down and stop for a drink and a snack at the café restaurant at the Skyline (if you can time it, a cocktail at sunset is unbeatable), and then hop on the gondola and you will be back in town in five minutes.
Back in Queenstown, there are plenty of options for an early dinner. If you are after a beer and a burger, Fergburger is the place for you. The meat is superb, and it also offers great fish 'n' chips or vegetarian options such as falafel. Otherwise, you can have a seafood-based dinner at a waterfront location such as Finz. There is a good wine list, the prices are reasonable, and the view of the lake is great.
Whatever you eat, leave space for ice cream. Argentine-owned Patagonia has incredible ice cream, summer fruit sorbets and spectacular chocolates. Take a stroll with your ice cream and you might be able to catch some young artists in the streets. If it is not too cold, the beach is a nice place to sit, relax and even sunbathe in the summer.
If you book ahead, Onsen Hot Pools after dinner is the perfect end to any day. You get access to a private hot tub for a reasonable price (going in a larger group is cheaper), and you even have the option to open the roof and the walls around you while soaking in hot water. Pools are conveniently south-facing, which means that on a starry night you can spot the Southern Cross and other constellations while soaking in the tub.

Italian film scores inspire Danger Mouse's new album 'Rome'

It's nice when dreams come true, and even better when the person has dreamed big.
Superproducer Danger Mouse has for years been talking privately about a project inspired by 1960s to 1970s Italian film scores, and he didn't cut corners:
He and co-composer Daniele Luppi booked a studio in Rome co-founded by Ennio Morricone, and reconvened the soundtrack guru's key musicians.
"Rome" opens on the tumbleweedy voice of 76-year-old Edda Dell'Orso, who sang the haunting operatic vowels around Clint Eastwood in 1966's "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly."
It's a 15-track score to a film that exists only in your head.
Rolling Stone gallery: Random notes, rock's hottest photos
Co-stars Jack White and Norah Jones get three songs each. White is a ghostly high-plains drifter on "The Rose With the Broken Neck" and a self-loathing mercenary on "Two Against One."
Jones plays even more against type, conjuring a sultry Sicilian soul diva over Isaac Hayes-style strings on "Season's Trees," and awesomely declaring, "I'm the disease," on "Black."
Rolling Stone: Click to hear the album
More vocal tracks would be nice, but "Rome" is as much about sublime instrumentals -- made of celesta, harpsichord, Hammond organ, strings, nasty funk guitar and those weird-ass choirs -- as lead singers, just as Sergio Leone's great Westerns were as much about fantastic landscapes as acting.

Just switch your cell to "vibrate" and enjoy the show.

Lady Gaga reaches 10 million Twitter followers

Lady Gaga is the first Twitter user with over 10 million followers, which is a first for both the singer and Twitter itself.
Lady Gaga celebrated this milestone with a tweet saying: "10MillionMonsters! I'm speechless, we did it! Its an illness how I love you. Leaving London smiling."
The mega-popular music celebrity is a huge social media star, having been the most popular user on Twitter for quite some time now. She was also the first person to hit 10 million fans on Facebook, as well as 1 billion views on YouTube.
Lady Gaga recently partnered up with social gaming company Zynga to launch GagaVille, a Gaga-themed offshoot of Zynga's hit game, FarmVille.

Kutcher replaces Sheen on 'Two and a Half Men'

Ashton Kutcher is filling the gap left by Charlie Sheen on "Two and a Half Men." "I can't wait to get to work with this ridiculously talented 2.5 team and I believe we can fill the stage with laughter that will echo in viewers' homes," Kutcher said Friday in a statement released by CBS and Warner Bros. Television.
"I can't replace Charlie Sheen but I'm going to work my ass off to entertain the hell out of people!"
Kutcher, who gained his early fame on a TV sitcom, "That 70s Show," has more recently been seen on the big screen. His last film was "No Strings Attached," which hit theaters in January.
He's also made his mark as a TV executive producer, most notably for MTV's hidden-camera show "Punk'd."
"Ashton is a pop culture triple threat -- film star, cutting-edge producer and a social media pioneer," said Nina Tassler, the head of CBS Entertainment. "He brings creativity, energy and personality to everything he touches. We are thrilled to have him."
CBS and Warner Bros. did not disclose how much Kutcher will earn. Sheen, who is embroiled in a lawsuit over his sudden dismissal from the show in March, was earning a reported $2 million for each episode.
Sheen responded to the news by praising Kutcher while taking a shot at the show's executive producer, Chuck Lorre.
"Ashton Kutcher is a sweetheart and a brilliant comedic performer. Oh wait, so am I!!," Sheen said in a written statement. "Enjoy the show America. Enjoy seeing 2.0 in the demo every Monday, WB. Enjoy planet Chuck, Ashton. There is no air, laughter, loyalty, or love there."

Producers had been scrambling in recent weeks to find a replacement for Sheen to keep one of TV's highest-rated sitcoms on the air for another year.

刘翔首演“七步上栏”夺冠

２０１１年国际田联钻石联赛上海站暨上海田径黄金大奖赛１５日在上海体育场开战，在引人瞩目的男子110米栏比赛中，首次采用七步上栏新技术的刘翔以13秒07的佳绩夺得冠军，不仅创造了项目赛季最好成绩，并且终结了美国名将奥利弗21连胜的纪录。奥利弗以13秒18排名第二，美国另一位选手梅里特以13秒24夺得第三名。
１５日晚的男子１１０米栏比赛可谓本站的压轴大戏，这不仅是刘翔本赛季首次参加室外比赛，同时也是他在正式比赛中首次采用七步上栏的新技术。本赛季刘翔决定改变此前一直使用的八步上栏技术，在第一个栏之前采用七步上栏，以期提高前半程速度。此次比赛是刘翔对新技术的首次公开测试。
除了“七步上栏”新技术的首演，刘翔与老对手大卫·奥利弗之间的对话也是这场压轴大戏的重要看点。奥利弗算得上是目前男子１１０米栏项目上最春风得意的选手，在２０１０年的国际田联钻石联赛上，美国人获得六站比赛的冠军，并且最终分享了年度钻石大奖。采用新技术的刘翔能否击败如日中天的奥利弗，成为本次上海站比赛的最大悬念。
比赛开始之前，刘翔一脸认真地做着准备活动，没有了往日变化多端的鬼脸，当现场的扩音器介绍完奥利弗之后，观众就迫不及待地发出了欢呼声，现场的气氛也掀起了第一波高潮。面对家乡父老观众的欢呼，刘翔只是对着镜头挑了挑眉毛，眨眨眼睛，微笑了一下，随后举起双手向观众示意，脸上充满了坚定的表情。
比赛开始后，更改了上栏技术的刘翔一开始就先发制人，迅速上栏，给了劲敌奥利弗一个下马威，而美国人显然没有做足准备，看到刘翔冲到自己前面后自乱阵脚，在整个过程中踢翻了5个栏，发挥与以往可谓大相径庭，虽然奥利弗一直苦苦追赶，但是仍然无力回天。
比赛结束，刘翔脱下上衣，露出上身，开始绕场奔跑，与现场观众进行互动，而观众也都或欢呼或鼓掌，现场的气氛再次达到了高潮。

Bob Dylan denies China censored his choice of songs

The folk-rock legend, 69, agreed to give authorities set lists before performances in Shanghai and Beijing.
He was criticised in print and online for ignoring 1960s-era protest songs.
Writing on his website, Dylan has now insisted he knew nothing of any censorship and says he and his band played all the songs they intended to.
Bob Dylan shot to fame in the 1960s as an icon of the anti-war movement in the era of the Vietnam War.
Songs such as The Times They Are a-Changin' and Like a Rolling Stone became synonymous with the counterculture of the 1960s, and Dylan became a poster-boy for a disenchanted generation.
Dylan's vast back catalogue spans 34 studio albums and hundreds of individual songs, many recorded since the 1960s and spanning a wide range of musical styles.
He is known for embarking on lengthy concert tours - known as the Never-Ending Tour - sometimes playing 100 times each year.
Set lists change regularly, and the famously stubborn singer-songwriter often confounds fans who turn up wanting to hear specific numbers from his 1960s heyday.
'New kind of sellout'
Defending his choice of songs for the China leg of his current tour, Dylan wrote: "As far as censorship goes, the Chinese government had asked for the names of the songs that I would be playing.
"There's no logical answer to that, so we sent them the set lists from the previous three months. If there were any songs, verses or lines censored, nobody ever told me about it and we played all the songs that we intended to play."
He had faced explicit criticism after the China shows, including from New York Times columnist Maureen Dowd.
"The idea that the raspy troubadour of '60s freedom anthems would go to a dictatorship and not sing those anthems is a whole new kind of sellout," she wrote.
Ms Dowd criticised Dylan for not mentioning artist Ai Wei Wei, who was detained by Chinese authorities in the days running up to his first show in China.
"He sang his censored set, took his pile of Communist cash and left," she wrote.
Bob Dylan has often shied away from the label pinned on him in the 1960s.
"The Chinese press did tout me as a sixties icon, however, and posted my picture all over the place with Joan Baez, Che Guevara, Jack Kerouac and Allen Ginsberg," he wrote on his website.
"The concert attendees probably wouldn't have known about any of those people.
"Regardless, they responded enthusiastically to the songs on my last 4 or 5 records. Ask anyone who was there. They were young and my feeling was that they wouldn't have known my early songs anyway."

Dannii Minogue quits as judge on The X Factor

Dannii Minogue is standing down as a judge on The X Factor.

The 39-year-old Australian singer quit the ITV talent contest just days before the new series is due to launch.
She put the decision down to a clash with her commitments as a judge on Australia's Got Talent.
Her departure from X Factor fuels more speculation about the make-up of the panel, after the decision by Simon Cowell and Cheryl Cole to appear as judges on the US version of the show.
Minogue joined the show in 2007 and mentored two winners, Matt Cardle and Leon Jackson.
She confirmed her decision to leave by posting a link through to the website mydaily.co.uk, for which she is a contributing editor, via her Twitter page.
She said: "I am so disappointed that I can't be a part of The X Factor this year.
"I'm going to miss the show and the amazing team who work so incredibly hard on it."
She added: "During discussions for me to return [to The X Factor] it became clear that unfortunately, this year, the X Factor audition dates in the UK clash with the live shows of Australia's Got Talent during June and July.
"For this reason I am unable to return."
There has been media speculation that Louis Walsh will return to the UK judging panel and Lily Allen, Gary Barlow, Melanie B, Ozzy Osbourne and Tulisa Contostavlos, from the band N-Dubz, have all also been linked to the show.

14 May 2011 Last updated at 23:25 GMT

Share this page

• Email
• Print

Share this page

1,435

• Share
• Facebook
• Twitter

Azerbaijan wins the Eurovision Song Contest

Comments (254)

Azerbaijan has been crowned the winner of this year's Eurovision Song Contest in Germany, while the UK came 11th.

Eldar Gasimov and Nigar Jamal of Ell/Nikki were voted Europe's favourites, after scoring 221 points with their love song, Running Scared.
Newly reformed band Blue notched up 100 points, whilst Ireland's entry, X Factor twins Jedward, finished eighth.
Italy's Raphael Gualazzi took second place, followed by Eric Saade from Sweden.
'Happiest man'
It is the first time that Azerbaijan has won the contest in its 56-year history, having only joined Eurovision in 2008.
Although Jamal was born in Azerbaijan, she currently lives in north London with her husband and two daughters.
On receiving the trophy, Gasimov said he was the "the happiest man in the world".
It was another disappointing year for the UK, which has not won the competition since 1997, when Katrina and the Waves triumphed with Love Shine a Light.
However, Blue managed to notch up a respectable score compared with last year's entry, who came last with only 10 points.
At one early stage during the voting process Bulgaria and Italy both awarded the UK high scores, making it briefly top of the results table.
Host Graham Norton joked: "Quick, someone take a picture."
Last year's winner Lena Mayer-Landrut, who represented Germany again, beat the UK by seven points to finish 10th.
Viewers at home in all 43 competing nations voted for their favourite song by phone or text message, which accounted for half of each country's vote.
The other 50% was determined by five-member expert juries in each participating country.
Two rounds of semi-finals held earlier in the week whittled the competitors down to 25 finalists.
The event, which was hosted by Anke Engelke, Judith Rakers and Stefan Raab, attracted 35,000 to the Fortuna Düsseldorf Arena.

"Thor" hammers its way to box office crown

The crown of the North America box office was stormed by a hammer-wielding god from "Thor," the latest in the Marvel Studios productions, as the Paramount - distributed epic adventure opened with 66 million dollars in estimated movie ticket sales collected from Friday to Sunday.

The superhero film, based on comic book character of the same name published by Marvel Comics, landed in the number one place as it debuted in 3,955 locations in Canada and the United States over the Mother's Day weekend. The hammer-wielding god, associated with thunder, lightning and storms, was played by Chris Hemsworth, an Australian newcomer who was lauded by NextMovie.com as one of the "Breakout Stars to Watch for in 2011." The superhero actioner also stars the Academy Award winners such as Natalie Portman and Anthoey Hopkins, and earned an "B+" overall from CinemaScore.

"Thor" had the added advantage of being offered in 3-D, Hollywood observer Paul Dergerabedian said, as the adventure achieved the second blockbuster opening in a row in the wake of " Fast Five," the fifth installment on the "Fast & Furious" franchise which was directed by Justin Lin and released by Universal Studios.

"Fast Five" was in second place over the weekend, which is on track to garner 32.5 million dollars for a total of 139.8 million dollars in estimated sales over 10 days.

"Jumping The Broom," a romantic comedy opened in third place with 13.7 million dollars in ticket sales in 2,034 theaters. The Sony/Tristar release, which is called as "insightful and inspirational," centers on two "Uptown meets Downtown" families who meet for the first time at a weekend wedding on Martha's Vineyard.

"Something Borrowed," another romantic comedy opened over the Mother's Day weekend, was fourth with a 13.2 million-dollar gate for Warner Bros. It was based on Emily Giffin's novel of the same name, and counter-programmed against blockbusters including "Thor" and "Fast Five."

Rounding out the top 10 most-popular films are:

-- No.5: "Rio," Blue Sky Studio/Fox, 8.2 million dollars;

-- No.6: "Water For Elephants," Fox, 5.6 million dollars;

-- No.7: "Tyler Perry's Madea's Big Happy Family," Tyler Perry/ Lionsgate,3.9 million dollars;

-- No.8: "Prom," Disney, 2.4 million dollars;

-- No.9: "Soul Surfer," FilmDistrict/Sony,2.1 million dollars, and

-- No.10: "Hoodwinked Too! Hood vs. Evil," The Weinstein Co,. 1. 9 million dollars.

Beautiful Viet Nam

Just came back from Vietnam, i feel so good about that country. Before going there, i imaged the dirty street, old houses, bad people....... But I am so surprised that country so great. Every one are so polite, the air so fresh, the cars are more bigger than our country's.  Of course the most attractive sight is the motor bikes. Almost every one can drive motor bike, and almost every one owns a motorbike. You can see the great queue of motorbikes when high time. So many, you can never image that. It's faster to drive a motorbike.
I stayed three days in Hanoi. This city is great. You can visit the Ho Chi Minh Museum. There so many foreign visitors. And the tour guide will tell the visitors about Ho Chi Minh and this country.
In Viet Nam, Ho Chi Minh City is the biggest city, it's more industrial  and commercial than any other cities. There are so many coffee bars and Karaoke bars. Vietnamese are very free after work. They enjoy the coffee under the tree. so good life.