Whitney Houston dead at the Age of 48

Whitney Houston
August 9 1963 - February 11 2012

Legendary pop icon Whitney Houston passed away on 11 February 2012.

The singer, whose battles with alcohol, drugs and her husband Bobby Brown slowly took away her star shine and she give up at 48 years old. Houston's publicist confirmed the news to reporters from ABC News. The cause of the accident is still unknown.

Six police cars were spotted in front of Beverly Hilton Hotel today where Houston was staying. Reporters from TMZ reported that paramedics were called and found the lifeless body of the singer in her hotel room.

According to TMZ, paramedics tried electrical stimulation of the heart, with no success. Houston died at 15:55 pm local time.

Over the past two weeks Whitney Houston has appeared several times on social events in apparently "strange" condition. Witnesses described the star as "disoriented."

In May, the singer has been admitted to treatment for drug and alcohol addiction.

The news on Whitney's death came on the eve of the biggest night in music - the Grammy Awards.

Whitney Houston

Stars began to mourn Whitney Houston on the social network Twitter.
Mariah Carey said she was shocked by the death of her friend, the incomparable Whitney. Mariah tweeted: "She will never be forgotten as one of the greatest voices to grace the earth."
Lady Gaga confessed that when she composed "Born This Way" she imagined the song sang by Whitney, that was such a great inspiration for her.
Jennifer Lopez said that the world has lost one of its greatest voices. "Such a loss. One of the greatest voices of our time. Sending out prayers to her family... #R.I.P.Whitney." - she tweeted.
Christina Aguilera called Houston a legend. X-Tina wrote on Twiter: "We have lost another legend. Love and prayers to Whitney's family. She will be missed."
Rihanna has admitted that it feels so strange and sad to attend a rehearsal for the Grammy Awards ceremony shortly after she learned about the great loss. Rihanna tweeted: "No words! Just tears #DearWhitney"
Diddy and Justin Bieber said they were shocked by the news.
Alicia Keys: "I feel sick.... Life is precious, we are fragile souls. Let's love each other! I miss you beautiful Whitney, the whole world misses you!!"
Katy Perry: "So devastating. We will always love you Whitney, R.I.P."
Enrique Iglesias: "My thoughts and prayers go out to Whitney and her entire family. Working with her is an experience that I will cherish forever."
Queen Latifah wrote on Twitter: "Oh Dear Lord! Huritng so Bad!!! MY Sister Whitney!!!!!!! Newark please Pray!!! World Please Pray!"
Missy Elliott: "Thank u 4 the times we worked 2gether your Voice touched the World! N this rough time I pray for The Houston Family..."
Tony Braxton: "My heart is weeping...RIP to the Legendary Diva & Icon Whitney Houston!!!!! Such an incredible influence over music as a whole!"

Whitney Houston in 1988

Twitter is full of comments about Whitney.
Other stars like Dolly Parton, Nicki Minaj, Drake, Usher, Talib Kweli, Adam Lambert, Billy and Miley Cyrus, Ne-Yo, Marc Anthony, Faith Evans, Pitbull, Kelly Rowland, Will.I.Am, Kelly Osbourne, Fergie, Jessica Simpson, Ricky Martin, Lenny Kravitz, Raekwon, Busta Rhymes, Ellen DeGeneres, Courtney Cox (and more, and more, shall I keep going on?) mourned Whitney Houston.


Earlier reports say that the ex-husband of Whitney Houston - Bobby Brown - was also shocked by the news. He was taking part in his group "New Edition"s concert in Memphis, when he started crying and said: "I love you Whitney." 

"Grammy Awards" organizers said that the rehearsal is going on like usual.
There are rumors that tonight may be given "unexpected" award for Whitney Houston.

Houston was the golden girl of music. Since the mid-80s to late 90s, she was one of the most selling artists in the world. She wowed the crowd with her incredibly sensual and powerful voice.

Whitney  Houston has achieved great success not only in music, but as an actress with films like "The Bodyguard" and "Waiting to Exhale".

Whitney Houston - Rest in peace!

I want to give my sincere condolences to Whitney Houston's family.
Rest in peace, Whitney! You are a legend!

Let's hear something from Whitney once again.
Let's give her the respect she deserves.
Video: Whitney Houston - I Will Always Love You ("The Bodyguard" soundtrack)

Jessica Simpson is Pregnant! - Confirmed

Jessica Simpson as a Mummy

Jessica Simpson has confirmed that she’s pregnant and expecting a little one!


It’s no secret that Jessica Simpson has been sporting an ever-growing bump, but she’s stayed mum about her obvious pregnancy until finally tweeting the announcement on Oct. 31! Took her long enough!


The 31-year-old singer and fashionista confirmed the happy news on 31st October 2011, writing “It’s True! I am going to be a mummy!” on her official website. Yes, you've read correctly - mummy, not mommy. That's a little joke, because it was Halloween and Jessica was dressed as a mummy. How cute.


Jess had been sporting a baby bump for quite a while, but she and fiance Eric Johnson kept mum on the subject until Monday (October 31). This is the first child for both Jessica and Eric.


There were lots of rumors that Jessica is pregnant before she confirmed it.
And the media helped spreading it really fast.


Websites and magazines were talking that Jessica Simpson may already be starting a family with her fiance Eric Johnson. They even revealed that Simpson recently celebrated Johnson's 32nd birthday but made it clear that she was not participating in the champagne toast - she sent back her glass of bubbly. 
A friend of the famous couple said that the pair is expecting their first child also divulged that Simpson is already experiencing pregnancy cravings.

Jessica and Eric

The news that Simpson may be eating for two only further gains its footing with reports that she may be postponing her nuptials.


Perhaps Simpson and Johnson want their forthcoming little one to be present on their big day?


While not everyone would consider the timing ideal, the pair considers the baby to be "the best wedding gift ever". Jess Simpson is reportedly due in the spring.


Johnson proposed to Simpson in November of last year, making the couple's extended engagement just two months shy of one year.
Simpson's little sister, Ashlee, similarly got pregnant with then fiance Pete Wentz before they officially tied the knot (and later divorced).


Congratulations Jessica! You have joined the pregnacy club!
Beyonce have also recently joined the club.

Halloween - How it Started?

Halloween Trick ot Treat Illustration

Are you curious about Halloween?
How it started? When and why it started?
Is there any secret religious meaning behind the celebration?
You will find out reading the article below.


Have you read the first article for Halloween? There you will find interesting statistics about how much money do the consumer spend for Halloween. And what exactly do they spend them for. Is it the costumes or the candy, or the decorations?


Halloween celebration occurs in pre-Christian times among the Celtic tribes inhabiting the territories of modern Britain, Ireland and northern France. The Celts believed that life arose from the dead. So start the new year, they celebrated in the autumn (the night of 31 October to 1 November), according to their beliefs when the time comes the cold, darkness, decay and death. That night glorified pagan Celtic god of death Sauin. 


On the eve of new year Druids (priests of Celtic tribes) ordered the people to extinguish all the fires in their houses. Then ignited a bonfire of oak branches, which according to their beliefs sacrificed - fruits, animals and even humans, to please the god of death Sauin. Afterwards originated the tradiotion to walk in the dark dressed in costumes of ghosts, witches, gnomes and all evil spirits. Following this custom, live enter into union and communion with the afterlife.


Although the festival has Christian roots - today they are lost. Around 800 AD. Christianity became the dominant religion where early Druids did their rituals. In 853 AD. Pope Boniface IV established the November 1 as All Saints Day, ie the day the glory of all Christian saints and martyrs. So the Catholic Church replaced the pagan festival of death with something very similar.


English name of the holiday sounds like All Saint's Day, or Hallowmas, or All Hallows. But people continued to celebrate the eve of the Feast of All Saints, lit bonfires and celebrations Samheyn day and help. In medieval English holiday called All Hallows' Eve or the shorter - Halloween.

All Saint's Day Illustration

Later, in 1000, the Church announced on November 2 All Souls' Day - All Souls Day, which should be no memorial saints and but the ordinary dead. After years of these three tradition celebrations merged into one - Hallowe'en, later called Halloween.


Naturally, the Christian churches in the world, not only the Orthodox are against the celebration in the U.S. version and sucking with dark forces, and they were understood only as mythology. 


However, Halloween is an indisputable reality of the annual holiday calendar in most countries, so many churches are trying to "elevate". For example, this year the Anglican Church made a major campaign against the "sinister Halloween" and announced the creation of a "a smiling Halloween". As a result, most stores were not offered sinister and scary masks, but friendly and smiling. And all children participating in carnivals were urged to be more careful with the elderly and young children. 


In recent years, Halloween began to be celebrated in Orthodox countries, of course, as a secular holiday, no Christian basis, mainly because of the scary carnivals. The Orthodox Church does not encourage the spread of this American holiday, because it considered that, although devoid of religious content today, lighter evil, making it an object of fun and laughter confuses spiritual criteria of the people.

Halloween 2011 - Trick or Treat

Halloween Pumpkin

U.S. and around the world are preparing for Halloween this year - the holiday that is celebrated on 31 October and includes activities such as making scary pumpkins, dressing in crazy costumes, fireworks, tricks, treats, telling scary stories and watching horror movies.


Halloween costumes usually copy these supernatural figures like monsters, ghosts, skeletons, witches and demons. Over time, these were added and costumes of popular characters from science fiction movies, celebrities, and are very popular costumes of ninjas and princesses. Interestingly, traditionally people in Ireland and Scotland digging turnips, remembering thus souls held in purgatory. But immigrants in North America began to use the pumpkin, which is much larger and more convenient for digging. Black and orange are the traditional colors of the holiday.

Halloween Spooky Party Decoration

Recent research shows that distressed economy Americans refused to celebrate Halloween this year. Nearly 75% of U.S. consumers plan to celebrate the holiday, but will spend less this year for costumes and sweet. Average cost is expected to amount to 53 dollars for 73 dollars last year, according to a survey of American Express.


Most Americans will allocate money to decorate for parties and costumes, this is especially true for younger employees who are expected to spend between 63 and 80 dollars for clothing. About 70% of U.S. consumers will spend an average of 28 dollars for cakes and decorations. Halloween can not pass without pumpkins that will cost Americans about $ 18. Ghosts, goblins and witches are the most popular costumes for kids and adults, but there are some unusual options this year.


Actor Charlie Sheen, whose departure from the TV series "Two and a Half Men" was widely covered by media, is among the most popular costumes this year. National Federation of Retailers predicted that the most sought after costumes for little girls for the seventh consecutive year will be those of the princesses, and thanks to the popularity of Captain Jack Sparrow played by Johnny Depp, the boys will give preference to pirate costumes. The costumes of animals and insects are also expected to be a hit.


Las Vegas, New York and San Francisco are your favorite cities for people to travel for Halloween, according to a survey of American Express. But most Americans prefer to stay close to home and will visit many haunted houses and theme parks dedicated to ghosts.

Libyan Dictator Moammar Gadhafi is Dead

Moammar Gadhafi

Libyan dictator Moammar Gadhafi, the most wanted man in the world, has been killed on Thursday, 20 October 2011.


Muammar Gaddafi – the dictator who ruled Libya with an iron fist for nearly 42 years before being driven from power in a bloody uprising.
Gaddafi has been killed as he tried to flee his hometown of Sirte. He was ousted by rebels in a bloody civil war.


The flamboyant tyrant who terrorized his country and much of the world during his 42 years of despotic rule was reportedly cornered by insurgents in the town of Sirte, where Gadhafi had been born and a stronghold of his supporters.


There were conflicting reports of how he was killed – there were initial reports that he was killed in a gun battle, but NATO has since confirmed it hit a convoy of Gaddafi loyalists fleeing Sirte on Thursday. It could not say whether the former Libyan leader was in the convoy.


Al Jazeera television showed footage of a man resembling the 69-year-old leader lying dead or severely wounded, bleeding from the head and stripped to the waist as fighters rolled him over on the pavement. Witnesses said his body was put on display in the nearby city of Misrata.


Initial reports from fighters said Gaddafi had been holed up with the last of his fighters in a furious battle with revolutionary forces. At one point, a convoy tried to flee the area and was blasted by NATO airstrikes, though it was not clear if Col Gaddafi was in the vehicle.


His body, bloodied, half naked, Gaddafi's trademark long curls hanging limp around a rarely seen bald spot, was delivered, a prize of war, to Misrata, the city west of Sirte whose siege and months of suffering at the hands of Gaddafi's artillery and sniper made it a symbol of the rebel cause.


A quick and secret burial was due later on Friday.

Libyan rebels

Libyans rejoiced as news of his death spread. Car horns blared in Tripoli as residents poured into the streets to celebrate. In Sirte, revolutionary forces fired endless rounds into the sky and sang the national anthem.


"We have been waiting for this moment for a long time. Moammar Gadhafi has been killed" Jibril said at a news conference in Tripoli.


"It's time to start a new Libya, a united Libya" Prime Minister Mahmoud Jibril declared. "One people, one future."


Word of Gadhafi's death triggered celebrations in the streets of Tripoli with insurgent fighters waving their weapons and dancing jubilantly.


The White House and NATO said they were unable to confirm reports of his death.


U.S. President Barack Obama, in a veiled dig at the Syrian and other leaders resisting the democrats of the Arab Spring, declared "the rule of an iron fist inevitably comes to an end."


Al Jazeera aired video of what appeared to be the dead leader, which showed Gadhafi lying in a pool of blood in the street, shirtless, and surrounded by people.


Gadhafi had been on the run for weeks after being chased out of the capital Tripoli by NATO bombers and rebel troops.


He had been believed to be hiding in the vast Libyan desert while calling on his supporters to rise up and sweep the rebel "dogs" away, but his once fearsome power was scoffed at by Libyans who had ransacked his palace compound and hounded him into hiding.

Gadhafi - the man who ruled Libya for 42 years.

Gadhafi, 69, ruled Libya with an iron fist for almost 42 years. He seized control of Libya in Sept., 1969 in a bloodless coup when he was just 27 years old. The then young and dashing army captain and his small band of military officers overthrew the monarch King Idris, setting up a new Libyan Arab Republic that over the years became increasingly isolated from the rest of the world.


Gadhafi took over the top spot as the world's most wanted man after Osama bin Laden was killed by U.S. troops in Pakistan.


At the height of his ability to threaten terrorism, President Ronald Reagan dubbed Gadhafi the "mad dog of the Middle East."


He was accused of backing the 1986 bombing of a Berlin disco popular with American soldiers, reportedly funding the hijacking of the cruise ship Achille Lauro in 1985, and the 1988 bombing of Pan Am Flight 103, which resulted in the U.N. and United States imposing sanctions on Libya.


For years, Gadhafi refused to take responsibility for the bombing, but that changed in 2003 when he acknowledged his role and tried to make amends.


The eccentric leader, who amassed power and wealth by controlling the nation's oil industry, held the title of being the longest-serving leader in Africa and the Arab world.


Over the years, Gadhafi earned an international reputation for his outlandish apparel and much-ridiculed phobias and proclivities.


His killing, which came swiftly after his capture near Sirte, is the most dramatic single development in the Arab Spring revolts that have unseated rulers in Egypt and Tunisia and threatened the grip on power of the leaders of Syria and Yemen.


Following his death, Libya's new leaders are expected to declare the country's "liberation". They face the challenge of healing divisions and holding credible elections in a country wracked by months of fighting.