Madonna visits Sean Penn’s aid projects

Madonna has been visiting her ex-husband Sean Penn's aid projects in Haiti.
The 'Hung Up' hitmaker has taken her 13-year-old son Rocco - whose father is her former spouse Guy Ritchie - with her on the trip to tour the country, which was left devastated by an earthquake three years ago and is looking at the work done by the Haitian Relief Organisation, which is run by the 'Milk' star.
Sean - who is an ambassador-at-large for Haiti - said Madonna had arrived 'a couple of days ago' after he invited her to visit several times and he is hopeful her trip will raise awareness of the situation in the disaster-stricken nation.
He said: 'She's here, she's seeing, she's made the effort to come here, and I'm thrilled by that ... She has a unique platform, and wherever she chooses to bring that to, it's very well.'
While it is unclear how long she plans to stay, Madonna - who was married to has been very busy on her visit, which she is documenting on photo-sharing website Instagram.
In one photo, she poses with a group, including her son, at the new hospital built by public health pioneer Dr. Paul Farmer and has captioned the image 'In the magnificent hospital Paul Farmer has built in Mirebalais! Revolution of Love in Haiti'
Another picture shows her mud-spattered shoes and another features Rocco, shot from behind, with a group of local children.
It is captioned: 'Rocco swaggin it with his homey's in Cite Soleil!'
Madonna - who also has daughter Lourdes, 17, with ex-boyfriend Carlos Leon, and adopted kids David and Mercy, both eight - married Sean in 1985 and, after a tumultuous four years together, they divorced in 1989.

UN nuclear inspectors to visit Iran’s Arak plant

The chief of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Yukiya Amano, said in Vienna Thursday that inspectors have been given permission to visit the previously off-limits plant, which makes coolant for a nearby reactor that is still under construction.

The news of the visit, scheduled for December 8, comes less than a week after Iran signed a landmark nuclear deal with six world powers. Under the deal, Iran is to halt or curb parts of its nuclear program, as well as provide more information on it, in exchange for an easing of the crippling international sanctions that have devastated its economy.

The Arak plant, which is located 250 kilometers (150 miles) southwest of Tehran, was a major sticking point during the negotiations last week in Geneva. When completed, it could produce plutonium for nuclear weapons, though Iran insists its nuclear program is for peaceful, scientific purposes.

'Complicated task' for IAEA

With the increased inspections and monitoring, expected to start in January, that come as part of the nuclear deal, the IAEA says it must examine how to manage the process with a limited budget.

'Naturally this requires a significant amount of money and manpower … I don't think we can cover everything by our own budget,' said Amano. He added that the process of verifying Iran's compliance with the deal was a 'complicated task' for which the IAEA was not yet ready.

'We need to study the agreement and we have to identify the ways in which the elements relevant to the IAEA be put into practice,' said Amano. 'It will take time because it is quite a complicated task and we would like to properly prepare and do the job properly … I cannot tell when we will be ready.'

Earthquake near Bushehr plant

In Iran on Thursday, an earthquake hit the southern coastal region of Bushehr near the Bushehr nuclear power station, the sole atomic plant in Iran. The US Geological Survey reported the 5.6 magnitude quake hitting some 14 kilometers northeast of Borazjan town, which is around 48 kilometers north of the port city of Bushehr.

The official IRNA news agency did not report any casualties.

'There were some houses and electricity poles damaged. Rescue teams have been dispatched to the area,' local governor Alireza Khorani was quoted by Fars news agency as saying, adding that 'so far no casualties have been reported.'

Iran lies on several seismic fault lines. A 6.1-magnitude quake near Bushehr in April killed 37 people, but did not damage the nuclear plant. In 2003, a massive quake in the southern city of Bam killed 26,000 people.

Winning Expo 2020 Bid Will “Accelerate The Growth Of The Tourism Industry In Dubai, The UAE And The Wider GCC Region

Hosting Expo 2020 will have a significant impact on the tourism industry of Dubai and theUAE, and provide a unique platform on which to communicate the remarkable story of a young city and nation – according to His Excellency Helal Saeed Almarri, Director General, Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) and CEO of Dubai World Trade Centre.

Speaking from Paris, shortly after Dubai was announced as the winning host city for Expo 2020 at the final vote counting in Paris yesterday, His Excellency Helal Saeed Almarrisaid: “From the outset, Dubai’s Expo bid was part of the government’s long-term vision that ensures sustainable national development and a prosperous future for the UAE. Hosting Expo 2020 is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and one that will be maximised to accelerate the growth of the tourism industry in Dubai, the UAE and the wider GCC region.We are honoured to have been chosen as the host nation and would like to thank the support and directives of UAE President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nayhan; His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai for his incomparable vision; His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and His Highness Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai; the members, committees and secretariat of the BIE; all of the countries which voted for us; and the people of the UAE for their tremendous support.”

Gathered in Paris, France, for the 154th Bureau International des Exhibitions (BIE) General Assembly,.representatives of the 168 BIE member nations voted on bids from the final four contenders – Dubai, Brazil, Russia and Turkey – to host the 2020 edition of one of the world’s oldest, largest and most significant international mega-events. Dubai’s bid - themed ‘Connecting Minds, Creating the Future’ - won with 116 votes.

His Excellency Helal Saeed Almarri continued: “In May of this year, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai,approved the Tourism Vision for 2020, a strategy which sets a clear path towards developing Dubai’s tourism industry and furthering its contribution to Dubai’s economy, with the headline target of welcoming 20 million visitors to Dubai a year by 2020. In our journey to achieve our target, we will can now leverage the hosting of Expo 2020 and the focus it will place on Dubai as a means to attract visitors to Dubai, not just during the six months of the Expo itself, but in the seven years leading up to it.”

Between October 2020 and April 2021, more than 25 million visitors are expected to attend Expo 2020, 70% of which will be from outside the UAE – the largest number of international visitors in Expo history.

His Excellency Helal Saeed Almarri stated: “The legacy of holding such an event in Dubai is where the real value lies. A wide range of sectors will benefit, including construction, engineering and transportation, and of course the hospitality, retail and aviation sectors will experience a significant positive impact, further strengthening their already robust positions. The announcements made atthe recent Dubai Airshow demonstrate the extraordinary strength of the aviation sector in Dubai and the UAE and Retail has been one of the leading drivers of the Emirate’s economic growth to date. With regards to hospitality,there are currently 82,000 hotel and hotel apartment rooms in Dubai with this figure expected to double by 2020: this expanded hotel portfolio will be vital to ensure the demands of the Expo visitors are met and DTCM will work with our partners in both government and the private sector to put in place the infrastructure and processes needed to meet the demand of the 25 million expected visitors over the Expo period.

“Our successful bid demonstrated the value in harnessing the collective power, resources and passion of all of our city stakeholders and the people of the UAE and we will ensure that the world is welcomed in style in 2020.”

More information on Dubai’s successful bid to host Expo 2020 can be found at www.expo2020dubai.ae

Angelina Jolie buys heart-shaped island for Brad Pitt

Angeline Jolie is rumored to have bought a heart-shaped secluded island worth $20 million for Brad Pitt on his 50th birthday.

Pitt is turning 50 in December 18.

The Petra Island has two homes designed by Pitt’s favorite architect Frank Lloyd Wright.  The property was built in 2008 and boasts of a 5,000-square-foot main residence and a 1,200-square-foot guest cottage.

“As soon as Angelina heard the island was on the market she arranged a viewing. She was really impressed. The house is perfect for romantic getaways or as a family retreat,” according to a source. “It’s very private. And Angelina knows the fact the island is in the shape of a heart will mean so much to him,” the source added.

The island is situated 50 miles north and 15-minute helicopter ride of New York City. It boasts of a helicopter pad, cottages with modern architecture, stone, cement, ceilings paneled, finest mahogany and skylights. The cottages are rock-themed built in 1950 with surfaces carved out of solid granite.

This is not the first time that Angelian has shelled out a whopping amount for her fiancé. Two years ago, she had gifted Brad with a waterfall and surrounding property in California

One Direction hit back at The Kooks

One Direction have hit back at The Kooks frontman Luke Pritchard after he urged fans not to listen to their music. 
The 'Naive' singer began the row on Twitter when he slated their new album 'Midnight Memories'. 
One Direction hunk Liam Payne responded by tweeting: 'Sad thing is @lukekook we are/where (sic) fans of your band, nice one man verbally attacking your own fans how very rock and roll of you ;).'
After the band's album release launch party, Luke posted: 'Stop this malfunction. World realign please. Artists dying.'
When a fan responded saying she liked both The Kooks and One Direction, the musician wasn't impressed. 
He told her: 'How can you be a fan of something that has no life? I honestly feel so depressed that you are into Kooks. 
'I'd rather anyone who likes One Direction never follow me. You literally have no idea how upset I am.'
He later backtracked and said he had been drinking and removed the tweets after facing a backlash from One Direction fans. 
He then replied to Liam saying: 'Man, I regret having a rant but the machinery of the industry pisses me off. I respect you do your thing. 
'This whole thing now has gone too far. Gonna say I have my opinions but meant no offence, that's why I took down them there tweets. Love

Burj 2020’: DMCC plans the world’s tallest commercial tower

By Muhammad Aldalou

Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC), the authority behind the Jumeirah Lakes Towers, and the UAE’s largest and fastest growing free zone, has announced that its planned tallest commercial tower will be named ‘Burj 2020’ in honour of Dubai’s Expo 2020 win last night.

Ahmed Sulthan bin Sulayem, executive chairman of DMCC, congratulated His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, on the city’s victory. “Few can imagine the impact that Dubai of 2020 will have on the expo and how it will connect people, their ideas and aspirations,” he says.

DMCC first announced its plans to build the world’s tallest commercial tower, part of the authority’s free zone business park expansion plans, in July this year. While the details regarding the tower’s height or number of floors are yet to be disclosed, we know that it will surpass the Taipei 101, in Taiwan, which is currently the tallest commercial tower in the world.

The master plan for the ‘Burj 2020’ is currently in its final stages; architects will be appointed in 2014 – with ground breaking planned for 2015. DMCC will be engaging with partners and stakeholders, such as Dubai Municipality (DM), Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) and Dubai Electricity and Water Association (DEWA), in early 2014 to ensure a successful and timely delivery of the tower and the DMCC Business Park.

DMCC remains the UAE’s the largest free zone, with 66 mixed-use commercial and residential towers, more than 220 retail outlets in operation, more than 80,000 people working and living within the free zone, and an average of 200 companies joining every month.

Other than the Burj Khalifa – the world’s tallest man-made structure at 829.8 metres – Dubai also has the world’s tallest residential building, the Princess Tower in Dubai Marina, standing at 414 metres high, and the world’s tallest hotel, the JW Marquis on Sheikh Zayed Road, standing tall at 355 metres.

Lou Reed’s lost song to be released

Lou Reed's lost Velvet Underground song has surfaced online and is set to be released. 
'I'm Not A Young Man Anymore' was a live track co-curated by Velvet Underground musicians John Cale and Lou Reed, prior to the latter's death on October 27, following a transplant operation in May.
Next month Universal Music will reissue The Velvet Underground's 1968 album 'White Light/ White Heat' with 'I'm Not A Young Man Anymore' being one of the tracks on the three disc release.
The 30-track collection includes mono and stereo versions of the album plus bonus material, including new mixes.
Recorded at New York venue The Gymnasium on April 30, 1967, the live version of the missing song is rumoured to be the only time the band played the track at a gig. 
Written by Lou Reed, it was never officially released by the band nor does it appear on any other live bootlegs. 
Lou Reed's death leaves John Cale and drummer Moe Tucker as the only surviving members of The Velvet Underground who were managed by Andy Warhol at his New York City studio The Factory in the 60's and 70's. 
In 2004, Rolling Stone ranked the band number 19 on its list of the '100 Greatest Artists of All Time'.
The lost track 'I'm Not A Young Man Anymore' will be available from December 3.