Turkey former organizer of the Summer and Winter Universiade 2013 in Kazan ‘Do not participate in games ?

Wanting to organize the Olympic Games in 2020 will join Turkey has not yet announced the 2013 Universiade games. Furthermore the participation fee paid games.

Sports policy of the government of Turkey is quite uncertain but lost of athletes in competitions  the advent of  doping  country’s Ministry of Sports afraid.

From July 6th to July 17th, 2013, more than 13,500 athletes and members of delegations from 170 countries as well as more than 1,500 media representatives are expected in Kazan. About 100,000 tourists and fans from Russia and abroad will visit Kazan both to support their countries and discover the millennial historical heritage of the city, its rich culture and modern infrastructure. During the Universiade the FISU Conference on “University and Olympic Sports: two medals – one goal” will be held in Kazan from July 6th to 10th, 2013.

Out of the 50 sports venues that will be used during the Universiade, 30 will be newly built. Twenty-seven venues are already operational and at the moment they are used by pupils of sports schools, of secondary school as well as by students of the higher education establishments of the city. It is notable that about 20 venues will be used by educational institutions after the Universiade.

The XXVII Summer Universiade is a great volunteer movement as well. About 20,000 volunteers from all over the world will take part in the 2013 Universiade in Kazan. The volunteer selection programme ‘Make U Real’ was launched in September 2011. The ‘Kazan 2013′ volunteers will undergo a competitive selection process and attend a distance-learning programme. During the Games they will be provided with uniforms and food, and they will also have the opportunity to see the Opening and Closing Ceremonies. Over 2,000 volunteers are already taking part in the organisation of international and national competitions and in the realisation of projects. The best volunteers are provided with the opportunity to participate in a traineeship programme designed for volunteers abroad.

The enormous volume of work carried out for the preparation and holding of the 2013 Universiade allowed Kazan to bid for the hosting of other important world sporting events. As a result, Kazan will hold the FINA World Water Sports Championships in 2015 and the FIFA World Cup in 2018. The preparation and holding of those three large international sporting events will provide Kazan with a great opportunity to cement the role of the capital of the Republic of Tatarstan in the international sports arena.

The international windsurfing championship gathered worldwide known surfers in the region of Panama, Santa Catalina and continues with excitement.

In the region of Panama, Santa Catalina, today is the forth day for ISA World Surfing Games. This worldwide known competition provides a big interest in the surf and an impresive performance from the famous surfers. This region has been covered by volcanic rocks and both with its nature and its visual feast, both Panamian people and surf lovers visited Santa Catalina to experience this tournament.

Santa Catalina Windsurfing

In the Day 4, time comes for do-or-die round. Some of them will continue for the big final and rest of them will be eliminated. The president of ISA Fernando Aguerre commented about the tournament that it would be another beautiful day for people in Santa Catalina. In his opinion, this amazing sight inspired and encouraged people to visit Santa Catalina and for windsurfing. As these days are critical for the champion, people do not even miss a minute and watch it on live.

The Irish, their descendants and the Irish for the day prepared to don green and pay tribute to Hibernian heritage as a weekend of St. Patrick’s Day celebrations was set from New York’s Fifth Avenue to the Louisiana bayou to Dublin’s Parnell Square.

With the holiday itself falling on a Sunday, many observances were scheduled instead for Saturday because of religious observances. In New York, a massive St. Patrick’s Day Parade that predates the United States was due to proceed Saturday, with Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny among the marchers. Chicago was preparing for its own big parade and an eye-catching local custom: dyeing the Chicago River green. As it was for New Year’s Eve, the front of Trinity is an ideal place to project images to celebrate the forthcoming national holiday.

The display consisted of doodles sketched by people from around the world as part of Tourism Ireland ’s Greening Season initiative.
Almost every major landmark in the city – from Dublin Castle to the Four Courts, Dublin Airport and the Guinness Storehouse – will participate.

The designs were the winning entries from a social media-based Tourism Ireland competition entitled Dublin Doodle, which invited people overseas to create their own virtual green design.
Tourism Ireland has been successful in having famous landmarks around the world turn green for St Patrick’s Day.

Absolutely fabulous
The latest has been the “Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas ” sign on the edge of the Nevada desert which turned green last night and will remain “greened” until next Monday evening. The lights were turned on by television presenter Kathryn Thomas and the city’s former mayor Oscar Goodman.

On Sunday, thousands of people from across the world will walk in Dublin’s St Patrick’s Day Parade.

A total of 8,000 places were on offer, some of which are still available. Anyone interested in taking part can register in person at Dublin City Hall on Friday from 10am to 8pm and on Saturday from 10am to 4pm. Photographic ID is essential.

Dublin Chamber of Commerce estimates 120,000 overseas visitors will visit the capital over the bank holiday weekend. This year’s spend is projected to be about €50 million. Last year it was €47.5 million.

Dublin Airport has already been greened for the occasion. Monday is likely to be its busiest day with more than 82,000 passing through as visitors return home after the weekend.

Dublin Chamber chief executive Gina Quinn said this year’s festival could see the most overseas visitors because of the Gathering. Expedia, the hotel booking site, estimates holiday bookings to Ireland are up 25 per cent on last year.

The fact that St Patrick’s Day is on a Sunday is certain to help overseas bookings, with many visitors making a week of it.
Dublin is still the favoured destination, although the percentage of those booking through Expedia to stay in the capital over the weekend has dropped from 75 per cent to 65 per cent.

Dublin’s five-day St. Patrick’s Day festival was unfolding with a new addition. For the first time, up to 8,000 visitors from around the world were due to march in a “People’s Parade” on Sunday, when Ireland’s capital city also intends hold its usual procession of bands and pageantry.

Kenny, who visited Chicago for St. Patrick’s Day last year, was again making the holiday a jumping-off point for an extended trip to the U.S., with stops in Washington and on the West Coast over the ensuing several days.

“I will use my visit to promote Ireland’s many strengths and to further reinforce our deep and abiding political and economic relationship with the United States,” Kenny said in a statement this week.

He and President Barack Obama were scheduled to meet at the White House on Tuesday and exchange shamrocks, a tradition that dates to Harry S. Truman’s administration. Obama also is slated to meet separately Tuesday with Peter Robinson, the leader of Northern Ireland’s Catholic-Protestant government.

In Maine, St. Patrick’s Day prompted Gov. Paul LePage to relent on a vow to veto any bill that reached his desk before lawmakers pass his proposal to pay a state debt to hospitals. He signed a measure Friday allowing bars to serve alcohol a few hours earlier than usual, starting at 6 a.m., on the Sunday holiday.

About 1,500 miles southwest, the city of Houma, La., was holding its unconventional celebration — an Irish-Italian parade, with a celebration that features both Irish cabbage and Italian sausage — on Sunday. The event resumed last year after a 10-year hiatus.

In Rolla, Mo., the Missouri University of Science and Technology continued a St. Patrick’s tradition that began in 1908, when students declared that the patron saint of Ireland also was the patron saint of engineers. A slate of events, which earlier this week included a student portraying St. Patrick being transported downtown on a manure spreader, were to wrap up with a parade Saturday.

Annapolis, Md., held its first St. Patrick’s Day parade March 10. A 40-year-old parade tradition took on a sense of renewal March 3 in Belmar, N.J., a shore town that took a heavy blow from Superstorm Sandy.

But along with the festivities, in some places, came warnings from police that they would be on the lookout for drunken drivers and other misbehavior.

New Jersey Transit officials said alcoholic beverages would be barred Saturday on any train between Manhattan and Hoboken, N.J., a nightlife-friendly city across the Hudson River. Transit police arrested 16 people during St. Patrick’s Day last year, including two people who were charged with aggravated assault on two conductors.

In Baltimore, where last St. Patrick’s Day weekend was marred by a videotaped beating of a visiting man, fights and vandalism, police were stepping up patrols and barring drinking in an area where revelers spilled out of bars last year.

A reveler of Portela samba school performs during the first night of Carnival parade at the Sambadrome in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on February 11, 2013.

It is often cited as being one of the best party city’s in the world. And with an explosion of music and colour, Rio de Janeiro proved why it receives that moniker during the breathtaking climax of its Rio carnival 2013.

Brazil’s Rio Carnival starts on Saturday, 9 February and will conclude on 12 February. Ahead of the official start of the carnival, revellers from samba schools were seen at the Sambadrome Marquês de Sapuc on Friday. The Sambadrome is a purpose-built stadium located in Rio de Janeiro and designed specifically to host the annual parade.

Yep, it’s carnival time in Rio de Janeiro, signalling four days of wild celebrations in the Brazilian city.

Festivities kicked off on Saturday (with Megan Fox popping in) and last through until Fat Tuesday, after which begins Lent, during which one is meant to abstain from all bodily pleasures.

So until then, fill those boots and feast those eyes on the bacchanalia unfolding in Brazil.

Its carnival time in Rio de Janeiro, and Brazil’s second-largest city has been overwhelmed by a quioxtic panoply of beautiful Samba dancers, fantasy floats and steel drums.

Tuesday is the last day of the celebrations before the start of Lent, during which believes abstain from things which bring them bodily pleasure.

The festival’s official website says ”Carnival, with all its excesses, celebrated as a profane event, can be considered an act of farewell to the pleasures of the flesh.”

During the parade, majestic floats are seen packed with dancers wearing huge headgear, feathers, and sequins. Around 13 samba schools take part in the parades, with each school representing one neighbourhood of the city.

In the parade, the main attractions are the Samba queens who are chosen in a contest. They need to be beautiful, confident and infused with a carnival spirit.

The queens show off their near-perfect bodies at the head of their schools, clad in the most amazing costumes. The Carnival Designer has complete creative control of the parade, and designs every costume worn by those who take part.

A number of TV and film personalities and sports stars have visited Brazil to soak up this year’s carnival, including Megan Fox, Gangnam Style rapper Psy, reality star Kim Kardashian and her boyfriend, rapper Kanye West.

Watch Rio Carnival 2013 Sexy Dancers video

The 12th edition of the !f Istanbul International Independent Film Festival 2013 will starts in Istanbul on February 14.

Over the past 12 years, !f Istanbul has become synonymous with cutting-edge contemporary cinema and a thriving alternative entertainment culture boosted by its much-talked about !f parties and events.

The parties have become so popular that they have spawned a mini-festival called !f Music, which will feature parties hosted by Pat Mahoney and Nancy Whang, members of the legendary LCD Soundsystem, on Feb. 9. Hercules and Love Affair will also play subsequent dates.

The opening film of !f Istanbul will be Leos Carax’s much-anticipated film “Holy Motors.” Carax, the famed director of “The Lovers On The Bridge” and “Bad Blood,” will present “Holy Motors,” filmed after a 13-year hiatus. Starring Denis Lavant, Kylie Minogue and Eva Mendes, “Holy Motors” is a roller-coaster ride that has bewitched viewers and named one of the year’s best films by numerous critics.

In addition to Carax, !f Istanbul will also host important contemporary filmmakers such as Berlinale Alfred Bauer Award winner “Tabu” director Miguel Gomes and Jose Rivera, the Oscar-nominated screenwriter of “Motorcycle Diaries,” “Letters to Juliet” and “On The Road,” a 2013 festival title that was adapted from the cult novel of the same name.

In addition to these titles, many of the year’s most eagerly anticipated titles will make their Turkey premieres under !f Istanbul’s Galas section.

Among the films are Xavier Dolan’s “Laurence Anyways;” Ben Lewin’s “The Sessions;” “All The Light In The Sky;” Richard Linklater’s “Bernie;” Rashida Jones and Andy Samberg’s “Celeste & Jess Forever;” Hong Sang-soo’s “In Another Country;” Michael Winterbottom’s “Everyday;” Greta Gerwig and Noah Baumbach’s “Frances Ha;” Lee Daniel’s “The Paperboy;” “Love Marilyn by Liz Garbus;” David Chase’s “Not Fade Away;” Sion Sono’s “The Land Of Hope;” Kenneth Lonergan’s “Margaret;” Martin McDonaugh’s “Seven Psychopaths;” Denis Côté’s “Vic+Flo Saw a Bear;” Harmony Korine’s “Spring Breakers;” Matteo Garone’s “Reality;” Robert B. Weide’s “Woody Allen, A Documentary;” and Reha Erdem’s “And from Turkey.”

!f Istanbul’s “Play” section, meanwhile, will bring together films that aim to open new ground and suspend exterior time. Deeply personal documentaries such as Sarah Polley’s acclaimed “Stories We Tell,” new cult classics such as Peter Strickland’s “Berberian Sound Studio,” the latest animation hits such as Mamoru Hosada’s anime “Wolf Children,” and mindful explorations of the world we live in such as “Museum Hours,” are some of the many films on offer.

The “Love & Change” section will offer extraordinary films that ask viewers to take a different look at the world. The section also looks at recent events that have gripped the world’s imagination.

By now a festival staple, !f Istanbul’s “Rainbow” section this year includes “Bye Bye Blondie,” “Call Me Kuchu,” “Joshua Tree, 1951: A Portrait of James Dean,” “Yossi” and the surprise Serbian box-office hit “Parade.”

“Dark & Edgy” is another new theme and includes fantastic films and thrillers that will likely be labeled cults in the future:

Santa Claus has harnessed his reindeer and taken off in his sleigh as he prepares to deliver this year’s stack of presents.

He has apparently been looking down on polar bears as he flies over the North Pole, having received a pre-flight kiss from Mrs Claus.

Children around the world are being kept up to date about his progress thanks to Norad – an organisation that provides aerospace warning information to the US and Canada.

The organisation’s Norad Tracks Santa site provides up-to-date information on the progress of Father Christmas and his reindeer – Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen and Rudolph.

Norad Tracks Santa uses radar, satellites and high-speed digital “Santa Cams” that have been pre-positioned at many locations around the world.

The cameras capture images and videos of Santa and his reindeer as they make their journey on Christmas Eve.

Canadian and US fighter jets are even used to escort Santa and his sleigh through North American airspace – presumably to allay any elf and safety fears his visit might provoke.

Santa usually starts his journey at the International Date Line in the Pacific Ocean and travels west, meaning he visits the South Pacific first, then New Zealand and Australia.

After that, he flies up to Japan, over to Asia, across to Africa, then onto Western Europe, Canada, the United States, Mexico and Central and South America. The journey can be followed on video.

To calm any doubters, Norad has sought to answer the age-old question “is there a Santa Claus?”.

It said: “Mountains of historical data and more than 50 years of Norad tracking information leads us to believe that Santa Claus is alive and well in the hearts of people throughout the world.”

However, the organisation admitted it had no clue as to how he manages to climb down people’s chimneys.

The Santa tracking feature has been provided since 1955, and came about by accident.

An advertisement for a Sears store in Colorado Springs – near where Norad is based – misprinted the telephone number for children to call Father Christmas.

Instead of reaching Santa, the phone number put them through to the commander-in-chief’s operations hotline.

Quick-thinking operations director Harry Shoup had his staff check the radar for indications of Santa making his way south from the North Pole.

Children who called were given updates on his location, and a tradition was born.

Halic University to host 3rd Istanbul Sports Summit and 11th Sportsman and woman awards

Hosted by the University of Halic, Istanbul; 11th Traditional Turkey Sportsmen Awards will be held on Monday, December 17 along with 3rd Sports Summit.

Istanbul / NationalTurk – Organization of the University of the Golden Horn and the 3.Sporun Sports Media Summit in Istanbul Turkey recognizes the activities of important names of Turkish football fans will attend.

According to Futbolistan newspaper, the Golden Horn at the University of activities which will take place on the campus of Azerbaijan, including Mecidiyeköy, Germany Great Britain, Switzerland, Italy, Portugal, Georgia, KKTC’dan 12 foreign journalists and television moderators participate in sports guy.

NationalTurk reporter and football scholar Muslum Gülhan whose analysises at the Euro 2012 has drawn great interest, had presented the 9th European Universities Football Championships 2011 in Istanbul and now is presenting the 11th Traditional Turkey Sportsmen Awards along with 3rd ıstanbul Sports Summit. along with 3rd Sports Summit. He is the head of Department of Physical Education at Halic University of Istanbul.

The football scholar and academician is coaching Halic University Football Team since 2007 and he led his football team to a championship at the 1st European Universities Games in Cordoba, Spain in men’s football competition.

Paul McCartney performs on stage during the finale of "12-12-12 ~ The Concert For Sandy Relief" December 12, 2012 at Madison Square Garden in New York.

Rolling Stones and Paul McCartney lead the rock and Hollywood stars $ millions collected  for the victims of Hurricane Sandy.

Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band opened the sold-out extravaganza, which was dubbed 12-12-12.

A who’s who of rock and pop icons signed up for the Madison Square Garden gig, which was streamed online and shown on hundreds of TV stations to an estimated global audience of two billion.

Among the performers – many of whom have property or other close links to New York – were the Rolling Stones, Eric Clapton, Alicia Keys, Bon Jovi, Chris Martin, The Who and Kanye West.

Springsteen was joined by Jon Bon Jovi for Born To Run, followed by Roger Waters performing Pink Floyd classic Comfortably Numb alongside Pearl Jam’s Eddie Vedder.

Ticket prices for Wednesday night’s concert ranged from $150 (£93) to $2,500 (£1,550).

NEW YORK, NY - DECEMBER 12: Musicians Jon Bon Jovi (L) and Bruce Springsteen perform at "12-12-12" a concert benefiting The Robin Hood Relief Fund to aid the victims of Hurricane Sandy presented by Clear Channel Media & Entertainment, The Madison Square Garden Company and The Weinstein Company at Madison Square Garden on December 12, 2012 in New York City.

Some $32m (£19.8m) had already been raised from ticket sales and sponsorship before the curtain was raised, and the organisers are hoping to raise tens of millions more from advertising and syndication.

More than 130 people were killed when Sandy struck the East Coast of the US in October.

Thousands more were left homeless as the storm tore through areas of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut, causing billions of dollars’ worth of damage.

NEW YORK, NY - DECEMBER 12: Actress Kristen Stewart speaks onstage at "12-12-12" a concert benefiting The Robin Hood Relief Fund to aid the victims of Hurricane Sandy presented by Clear Channel Media & Entertainment, The Madison Square Garden Company and The Weinstein Company at Madison Square Garden on December 12, 2012 in New York City.

The ordeals of victims severely affected by the superstorm were showcased during the concert.

Donations raised from the concert go to the Robin Hood Relief Fund, which will provide money and materials to groups helping those people who were hit hardest by the storm.

Watch Superstorm Sandy Concert video

Metin Senturk, also the president of World Handicapped Foundation is blind but sees more than meets the eye !

World Disabled Day is observed every year on 3 December. Also known as ‘ International Day of Persons with Disabilities 2, this significant day aims to promote an awareness of disability issues and the fundamental rights of persons with certain disabilities.

It is important to integrate disabled persons in the main stream of society today. Disabled persons are often discriminated against and that is never an ideal condition. Society must take ample steps to involve persons with disabilities in the main stream of each aspect of the social, political, economic and cultural status of their communities.

United Nations (UN) has taken several steps to empower disabled persons. It is essential to inculcate confidence in disabled persons in their own abilities to lead self-dependent lives. World Disabled Day provides an opportunity to initialize action to reach the target of full and equal pleasure of human rights and contribution in society by disabled persons. UN General Assembly had launched World Program of Action for Disabled Persons in the year 1982. United Nations seeks equal rights for all humans irrespective of their religions, caste, economic conditions and physical abilities. Social justice demands identical fundamental human rights to all the persons. According to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, each person has “the right to security in the event of unemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood, old age or other lack of livelihood in circumstances beyond his control.”

Several activities are conducted on World Disabled Day. Campaigns by human rights agencies and voluntary organizations are organized to increase awareness on the theme of right to act. Rallies are conducted to demand the right to select helps on their own free will for the disabled persons. The day seeks measures to assist physically handicapped persons in their own decision making. The year 1981 was proclaimed as “International Year of Disabled Persons”. Several plans were launched with a mission of providing similar opportunities, rehabilitation and prevention of disabilities. These campaigns were launched at national, international and regional levels.

Americans celebrate Thanksgiving, with some people struggling and many counting their blessings in the wake of Superstorm Sandy.

Airports, train stations and highways have been busy across America as millions of people made their way home to reconnect with family and friends for the holiday.

However some reunions may be bittersweet because of the damage and displacement caused by last month’s extreme weather.

Slow post-recession growth also continues to take a toll on Americans’ finances as they mark their biggest national holiday.

More people were forced to jump onto buses or into their cars to make long journeys, with airlines this year offering fewer and more expensive flights due to a jump in jet fuel prices.

Those hitting the roads also faced high fuel prices and rising tolls.

US Thanksgiving Day: New York Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 21: Hello Kitty attends the 86th Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade's "Inflation Eve" on November 21, 2012 in New York City.

In New York, whose outer boroughs were ravaged by Sandy, the popular Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade was on as usual, with its traditional audience of more than three million people on the streets of Manhattan and 50 million watching on television.

This year, the giant balloons included Papa Smurf and a new version of Hello Kitty alongside old favourites.

Other major cities like Chicago, Philadelphia and Detroit also planned showy marching bands, cartoon character balloons, and musical extravaganzas.

But for some, the once-sacrosanct harvest feast now starts the holiday shopping season – and store openings keep getting earlier.

Black Friday now starts on Thanksgiving Day itself at many national stores and some shoppers eagerly race from their dinner tables to line up for bargain-priced toys or electronic devices.

NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 21: Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade staff inflate balloons in Manhattan's Upper West Side on November 21, 2012 in New York City. The 86th annual event is the second oldest Thanksgiving Day parade in the U.S.

But the holiday came as portions of the Northeast were still reeling from Superstorm Sandy’s havoc, and volunteers planned to serve thousands of turkey dinners to people it left homeless or struggling.

New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg said his office would coordinate the distribution of 26,500 meals at 30 sites in neighbourhoods affected by Sandy, and other organisations were also pitching in.

US congressman Gregory Meeks, whose New York district includes the heavily battered Rockaways neighbourhoods, said he planned to stop by Thanksgiving dinners at three churches and a school.

“They are still giving thanks,” Mr Meeks said of his constituents. “They are thankful that they’re alive and thankful to the people who are coming to help them.”

So what we can say more Happy Thanksgiving day America

Get Discovered at Nimex, international music Expo in Lagos, Nigeria

Nigeria is set to host an international event in the entertainment industry to boost the development of the industry especially the in music industry.

Lagos / NationalTurk – The international expo is believed to be the first of its kind on the African Continent in the music sector.

The event which is organized by Nimex Nigeria international is schedule to take place on the 28th-30th of November, 2012 at the Music Society of Nigeria Center in Lagos.

The expo which is titled ‘Exploiting the Multi Billion Naira Industry in Nigeria’ and will feature stakeholders from every sector of the music/entertainment industry in Nigeria and beyond, for the purpose of music business, entertainment and international interactions.

The Nigeria Music Industry is rated one of the best on the Continent as some of its artist rob shoulders with some international pop stars in America and Europe.

Nimex will bring together hundreds of music, media and technology influencers from around the world and will have in attendance major A&R companies, Music publishers, Recording labels, song writers

Prominent music agents and publishers attend at Nigeria International Music Expo

The most prominent among them being Monte Malone the Senior Vice President of A and R Worldwide, Ernesto Elias the Manager of Hype Music and Creative Music, Seven Webster founder and CEO of 7pm management UK and Nick Hauslling Senior Director of Warner Bros Records.

NIMEX will also honor distinguished personalities and organizations in the Nigeria Music Industry who have strived to contribute the growth and maintain the integrity of the industry despite the challenges.

The expo will be used as a platform that will also create rooms for stakeholders from every sector of the global Music industry to interact, identify challenges, proffer solutions, showcase, discover talents and sign on deals with each other in a unique atmosphere.

Issaka Adams / NationalTurk Africa Entertainment News

Tiger Woods in Turkey for Antalya Turkish Airlines Golf Final, followed by journalist who were headbutted by Turkish Golf Boss

Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy will meet for the eagerly anticipated inaugural Turkish Airlines World Golf Final 2012 Wednesday afternoonin Antalya. But the event turned into a travesty already as the Turkish Golf Federation boss Ahmet Agaoglu headbutted a journalist following Tiger Woods !

Antalya, Turkish Airlines World Golf Final – Turkey / NationalTurk – Turkish Airlines World Golf Final 2012 already saw a travesty as Turkish Golf Federation president Ahmet Agaoglu headbutted a journalist and a cameraman who were following Tiger Woods. The prominen tgolf legend arrived in beautiful southern Turkish town of Antalya to meet with current world no. 1 Rory McIlroy and greeted with high interest from Turkish media.

Tiger Woods in Turkey, followed by journalist who were headbutted by Turkish Golf Boss

Cihat Ünal, a reporter for Turkish daily Zaman and Cihan news agency presses charges against Ahmet Agaoglu, who allegedly headbutted and broke his glasses. The reason for the mayhem is unknown as of yet. But Antalya Journalist community issued a message cındemning Agaoglu and stating that the Turkish Golf Federation president had been extremely rude towards journalist since the start of Antalya Golf Tournament’s presentation.

Golf is a new sport in Turkey but a fast devoloping one, but the federation’s aim is to sell it to foreigners and not to raise the interest level from Turks toward a sports which is regarded as snob and only for the rich.

The Turkish Airlines World Golf Final, which brings together eight of the world’s best golfers, is the highest-profile golf event held in Turkey. The tournament has total prize money of $5.2 million.

Vita Park Golf Resort, located close to Tuzla Bay, a unique wetland habitat for a number of rare bird species and flamingoes.

With its white-sand beaches and shop-lined streets, the city of Bodrum has long been the favorite seaside retreat in Turkey. But now this ancient fishing village, set against the blue waters of the Aegean Sea, has crashed the global party circuit with a open golf tournament.

Bodrum, Turkey / NationalTurk - The 2-day Bodrum Open golf tournament 2012 is sponsored and supported by partners such as Acibadem Hospitals group Bodrum, The Marmara Hotel Bodrum, Anadolu Wines, Aynalıkavak Winery in lovely seaside village of Yalıkavak, Zebrafish International and Bodrum Bulletin.

The Open Golf Tournament is to be held in the beautiful Aegean location of Bodrum in south-western Turkey.

A mixed group of participants limited to the first 120 coming from around the globe with many from the following countries: England, Scotland, Spain, Portgual, France, Belgium and Norway are expected.

The 2-day golf tournament is to be held in the beautiful Aegean location of Bodrum in south-western Turkey at Vita Park Golf Resort, located close to Tuzla Bay, a unique wetland habitat for a number of rare bird species and flamingoes. The resort encompasses a total area of one and a half million square meters, including the 5795-metre course, clubhouse and the Mike Adams Golf Academy.

Golf Programme for Bodrum Open Golf Tournament

21st September : Events start on the Friday with a welcoming cocktail reception where one can get to know your competitors!

15:00 Free Driving Range
19:00 Welcome and Cocktails

22nd September: After registration and an opportunity for a warm-up, the first day of the event will start with a shotgun start; groups will be allocated a start hole for the 10.00 start

23rd September: The second day will folllow the format of day one with a shotgun start. At the end of the day we have a prize giving ceremony. For GOLD participants this will be followed by an more than pleasant evening meal at Aynalıkavak Winery and a trip to the exclusive Billionaires Club in Yalikavak.

Partner Programme(for non-golfers) at Bodrum Open Golf Tournament

21st September
22nd September
23rd September

After a relaxing start, our tour takes you into Bodrum to discover the ancient city of Halikarnassus. Here you’ll get the chance to visit Bodrum’s most famous landmark; the Castle of St. Peter, where you can also take in the world famous Museum of Underwater Archaeology. From there we’ll also visit the famous Mausoleum of Halikarnassus – another of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, and the Bodrum Amphitheatre one of the best preserved structures of ancient Halikarnassus.

10:00 Transfer from hotel to Bodrum*
10:30 Professional English-speaking tour of Castle of St. Peter
12:30 Lunch in Bodrum
14:00 Professional English-speaking tour of Halicarnassos Mausoleum
15:00 Professional English-speaking tour of Bodrum Amphitheatre
15:00 Transfer to Vita Park Golf Resort/td>
17:00 Prize Ceremony, and photoshoot
18:00 Transfer to Yalikavak*
19:30 Dinner in Yalikavak**at Aynalıkavak Winery
22:00 Billionaires Club**

You can check for prizes and for further information here.

Red Hot Chilli Peppers satisfy Turkish fans despite concert venue with alchohol ban

Red Hot Chilli Peppers managed to satisfy Turkish fans despite venue with alchohol ban, RHCP bassist suggested the audience to consider themselves very lucky to be able to hear islamic prayer five times a day. RHCP Istanbul concert sounds like an islamistic event! except twas not

Istanbul / NationalTurk – Red Hot Chilli Peppers gave their long-awaited Istanbul concert this weekend. Santralistanbul hosted Red Hot Chili Peppers Istanbul consert with an audience of 42,000 despite the alcohol ban in the controversiel venue after controversial ban decision.

Istanbul’s controversial concert venue Santralistanbul hosted the long-awaited U.S. band Red Hot Chili Peppers last Saturday in front of 42.000 viewers despite the overpriced tickets.

Red Hot Chilli Peppers greeted the Istanbul audience with ‘ Monarchy,’ as expected, the US band played hits from their ‘Blood Sugar Sex Magik,’ “Californication,” and “By The Way,” albums, as well as new singles from their last album “I’m With You.”

The band hosted famous Turkish saxophonist İlhan Erşahin, who played a brief solo on stage. The band’s leading man Antony Kiedis was quiet but energetic bassist Flea filled his void. Flea had beef with some Turkish twitter users, after he had declared via Twitter that he has a ‘celebrity crush’ on the star of the Turkish women’s volleyball team, Neslihan Darnel.

Red Hot Chilli Basist Flea obviously had one to many drinks !

Flea shouted from the stage to express his pleasure of ezan,call to prayer in Islam, suggesting the audience to consider themselves very lucky to be able to hear that beautiful prayer five times a day. The closure of the nearly two hour show was with the band’s leading hit “Give It Away” and the closing message came from Flea who invited the audience to support music which was “the voice of people from all over the world.”

RHCP Istanbul Concert : Alcohol ban casts long shadows

And what the concert goers were doing yesterday night was nothing but supporting the music and local events despite the unpleasant conditions due to the alcohol ban in the arena which is the main campus of the Istanbul Bilgi University.

By the way, Turkish volleyball star Neslihan Darnel was not among the 42000 Red Hot Chilli Peppers, despite being invited by RHCP personally with her husband. She said, she did not want the nasty rumours going nastier by going to a concert of her favourite band. Congrats twitter, congrats ignorant Turks, who made a simple and naive celebrity crush declaration a matter of honor.

Red Hot Chilli Peppers arrived in Israel after their Istanbul concert.

Flower Carpet Brussels 2012 inspired by patterns found on African clothing

A giant floral carpet at Brussels’ Grand Place uses over 700,000 flowers to complete the African fabric design. 300 flowers are needed per square meter while the whole creation is spread over 2000 square meter.

120 volunteers have worked to put them in tight rows in a pattern inspired by the complex tissues of Ethiopia, Congo, Nigeria, Botswana and Cameroon.

A giant flower carpet, inspired by patterns found on African clothing, has been unveiled in the Grand Place at the heart of the Belgian capital in Brussels. Around 700,000 Belgian flowers were used to create the short-lived work of art.

People have prepared giant flower carpet at the Grand Place in Brussels, capital of Belgium. The biennial flower carpet, made up with about 600 thousand begonia and dahlia flowers.

Begonia Carpet Story / Brussels’ Grand Place Flower Carpet 2012 gets underway

Brussel’s Grand Place flower carpets are usually made of begonias, because these flowers are known for their sturdiness and ability to survive bad weather.Few other varieties of flowers can retain their freshness to the degree the begonia can, for 5 days at a stretch.

Flower Carpet in Brussels 2012

Given the fact that Belgium cultivates 60 million begonia tubers every year and is recognized as the world’s largest producer, the flower carpets in Brussels has also become a means to promote the begonia.

The famed flower carpet at Brussels’ Grand Place, has been unfurled in anticipation of the city’s 5-day celebration of floral decorations. The flower carpet has been a part of the Belgian capital city’s traditions since 1971, when the first such flower carpet, consisting of thousands of begonias, was laid out.

Every year since then, in August, over 750,000 flowers  are packed together to form a carpet at the Grand Place.

The flower carpet is spread across almost 20 thousand square meter and is placed right in the center of the Grand Place, a UNESCO World Heritage Site which already draws thousands of tourists independent of the flower attractions.

Flower carpet displayed at the Grand Place in Brussels, Belgium / video :

Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene of Monaco returned to the Principality for the prestigious Red Cross Ball. Hosting the 64th annual gala dinner, the princely couple was the epitome of elegance as they waltzed the night away to world famous music.

The glamorous ball was a fantastic end to the week for the couple, who had spent several days by the Olympic pool in London. Princess Charlene, a former South African Olympic swimmer, relived her sporting days at the poolside as she cheered on competing athletes. In particular, she saw her South African friend, Chad de Clos, seize gold in the pool, defeating American swimmer, and star Olympian, Michael Phelps in the 200m men’s butterfly.

The prestigious annual charity event, attended by 850 guests, descended on the Principality for its 64th year, and welcomed world famous musical acts including The Scorpions and Boy George. The German rock band played an acoustic set for the guests to enjoy.

In a haze of sparkles, reflecting from the Princess’ gold sequined bodice, the princely couple awed the guests by taking to the dance floor in a waltz. The Prince donning a white tuxedo and the Princess’ Dior dress finished with a long flowing skirt, the hosts of the evening oozed style.

Ever since Grace Kelly’s death in 1982, Albert has been the president of the Red Cross in Monaco and has attended the gala every year. However, neither Princess Caroline or Princess Stephanie appeared at the gala, nor did the expected fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld.

Once the room was plunged into darkness and the roof of the Salles des Etoiles of the Monte Carlo’s stunning Sporting club was opened, the evening was brought to a close with a fantastic fireworks display.

Boris Johnson left hanging on zip wire during Olympic event

Just hanging! London Mayor Boris Johnson left hanging 45 meters in air for several minutes after getting stuck on zip wire at Victoria Park, where the London Olympic Games are being shown on big screens.

London Mayor Boris Johnson, tipped as a possible future British Prime Minister, made a striking entry to an London Olympic event by zipwire on Wednesday — only to get stuck dangling over the crowd.

Waving a Union Jack flag in each hand, the colourful Conservative mayor initially gathered some speed as he flew over Victoria Park in east London, where the London Olympic Games were being shown on giant screens.

Is it a bird? Is it a plane? / Boris Johnson left hanging after zip wire mishap, video

One of announcer has shown a funny phrase ‘ is it a bird? Is it a plane? ‘ as the London mayor Boris Johnson waved to the crowds below, wearing a bright blue helmet with his smart business suit.

Boris Johnson is hanging on the David Cameron's finger

When someone asked Boris Johnson how he was feeling, he has replied ‘ very, very well thank you ‘, but then called out to bystanders : ‘ Get me a rope, get me a ladder, I think the brakes got stuck. ‘

As the incident trended on Twitter, Prime minister David Cameron summed it up perfectly. Speaking at a health policy summit, he said : ‘ If any other politician anywhere in the world got stuck on a zip wire it would be a disaster. For Boris Johnson it’s a triumph. He defies all forms of gravity. ‘

The Yuri Gagarin of the zip wire / highwire act Boris Johnson defies political gravity video

The spokesman of London mayor Boris Johnson said: ‘ The Mayor has survived his first zip wire experience relatively unscathed, though the judges are likely to be marking him down for artistic interpretation. Unlike Team GB, he probably won’t be bagging any gold medals but he remains unbowed. ‘

Hanging Boris Johnson / London Olympic Games 2012

Known for his dishevelled mop of blond hair, rich vocabulary and unfailing sense of comic timing, Boris Johnson is no stranger to public clangers — he fell into a river in 2009 while launching a volunteering campaign.

But beneath the buffoonery the mayor Boris Johnson is seen as a sharp political operator, and his public profile during the London Olympics Games has fuelled speculation that he could succeed Prime Minister David Cameron as Conservative leader. The colleagues studied together at the elite boarding school Eton College and at Oxford University.

In the end of the ‘ hanging ‘ the poor mayor Boris Johnson was rescued by a ground team who pulled him back to base.

London Olympic Games 2012 / London mayor Boris Johnson unfortunately hanging on zip wire, video :

Lady Gaga first serious film role in Machete Kills by Robert Rodriguez

Director Robert Rodriguez has announced singer Lady Gaga is to appear in his next film, Machete Kills. This news has surprised both – the movie and music industry.

The singer Lady Gaga becomes the latest entry in an impressive round of stunt casting by the director of Sin City and From Dusk Til Dawn, Robert Rodriguez. Rodriguez has already cast Charlie Sheen as the president of the US and Mel Gibson as eccentric billionaire arms dealer Luther Voz.

On the main Machete Kills movie poster Lady Gaga is pictured topless, but covered by a dead wolf she’s draped around her, a golden pistol with a smoking silencer in her right hand. She’s wearing a glamorous blonde Marilyn Monroe-style wig and matching yellow bottoms with thigh-high stockings.

The singer Lady Gaga posted on her Twitter feed in response : ‘ Yes its true, I will be making my debut as an actress ln the amazing Machete Kills… I’m so excited!!! Ah! Filming was insane. ‘

Lady Gaga makes acting debut in her first real movie Machete Kills by Robert Rodriguez / Lady Gaga as La Chameleon

Lady Gaga is going to play a woman named La Chameleon, in a new character poster for the film called Machete Kills. Lady Gaga as La Chameleon sports a classy wolfskin coat (complete with actual wolf’s head), a basque and a stylish shooter. The film will once again star Danny Trejo as the former Mexican federale turned ultimate badass, alongside Amber Heard, Jessica Alba, Zoe Saldana, Sofia Vergara and Damian Bichir.

This time round, Machete is recruited by the United States president for a mission that, according to the synopsis, would be impossible for any mortal man. He must battle his way through Mexico to take down a cartel leader, Mendez the Madman, who threatens to fire a missile on the United States.

Machete Kills by Robert Rodriguez is due to hit cinema screens in 2013.

Polish group protests against Madonna concert in Warsaw

A conservative polish opposition and catholic has protested that the Madonna concert in Warsaw today is an anti-Polish provocation because of the anniversary of the beginning of the World War II Warsaw Uprising.

Catholic and veterans’ groups in Poland are protesting against a concert by Madonna in Warsaw.

Some are urging ticket-holders to boycott today Madonna’s performance, which comes 68 years after the city’s failed revolt against Nazi occupation began. But the organizers of the Madonna concert in Warsaw have agreed to show a short clip about the events of 1944 before the Madonna extreme-show.

Every year, Poles commemorate the 200 thousand lives lost during the uprising. One Polish catholic group called Youth Crusade (Krucjata Mlodych), has started an online campaign urging people not to attend the Madonna’s concert in Warsaw. They say more than 50 thousand people have signed up to their Don’t Go To See Madonna controversial campaign.

Catholic protesting over Madonna concert in Warsaw / Concert on Warsaw Uprising anniversary triggers boycott calls

The Warsaw Uprising began on 1 August 1944 and lasted 63 days before the Polish Home Army was crushed by German Nazi forces. An estimated 200,000 Poles lost their lives in the ultimately doomed resistance and 1 August is marked every year by various ceremonies throughout the capital of Poland.

Stanisław Pieta, an MP for the Law and Justice (PiS) opposition party has written to sports minister Joanna Mucha in protest against the Madonna concert being staged at the new National Stadium in Warsaw at the present day.

Stanislaw Pieta wrote in a statement : ‘ Veteran organisations, patriotic and Catholic movements express their outrage and opposition to the concert by Madonna Louise Ciccone, to be held at the National Stadium on August 1. The first day of August is a very important anniversary for Poles, and especially for the citizens of Warsaw. We have already collected several thousand signatures and issued dozens of calls in protest at the event. ‘

Madonna’s world tour has been surrounded by controversy in France, now in Poland

The polish group also says anti-Madonna Mass services and street prayer sessions have been held. They accuse the Madonna singer of offending their faith through her use of burning cross and crown of thorns imagery, and say that Madonna promotes pornography and sexual deviation.

Billboards around the capital promoting the Madonna concert in Warsaw have been defaced with the sign of the Polish Home Army, the largest underground army in Nazi-occupied Europe.

In an attempt to appease the protesters, the Warsaw local authority and the Live Nation company which is staging the concert have agreed to screen a short film documenting the events of the Warsaw Uprising before pop singer icon Madonna finally comes on stage.

Madonna was on the receiving end of an angry backlash from her fans for ending a Paris concert after just 45 minutes.

With the internet awash with criticism of the US pop queen, tweets posted by disappointed fans included: “Madonna branded a slut and booed in Paris,” and “Only 45 minutes for 200 euros a ticket.”

The angry reaction was in sharp contrast to the enthusiastic cheers which greeted Madonna when she exited the stage at the Olympia theatre after barely three quarters of an hour on Thursday evening.

The 2700-strong audience remained in place, expecting an encore, and the mood turned sour as it became clear that the 53-year-old diva was not coming back.

Videos posted on YouTube showed angry fans shouting “refund”.

“Not even 10 songs, no thank you and no goodbye,” one spectator said.

“We came up from Montpellier (in the south of France) and paid 180 euros a ticket. It’s a bit steep.”

The Olympia concert was Madonna’s second controversial appearance in the French capital this year.

Last month she appeared at the Stade de France and angered the far-right National Front by projecting an image of party leader Marine Le Pen with a swastika superimposed on her forehead.

The National Front has said it will sue the American over the incident.

US homosexual soldiers procession in gay pride parade

Pentagon and US military will allow US homosexual soldiers to march in uniform in a gay pride parade for the first time in United States history.

The Department of Defense and Pentagon, in a first-of-its-kind move, will allow active duty members of all branches of the US military to don their service uniforms while marching in an forthcoming San Diego gay pride parade.

The move came only weeks after the Pentagon joined the rest of the United States government for the first time in marking June as gay pride month and made an official salute to gay and lesbian US soldiers.

The US army said it was making the exception because parade organisers had invited service members to march in uniform and the matter was getting national attention.

Gay Pride Parade 2012  in San Diego / nearly 400 military members have already signed up to march in the gay parade

Current United States Secretary of Defense - Leon Panetta pledged in a video message to remove as many barriers as possible to making the military a model of equal opportunity and he has told that all US homosexual soldiers – gays and lesbians can be proud in uniform with the repeal last year of the ‘ Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell ‘ law.

Military Members on Gay Parade

San Diego’s Gay Pride Parade in 2011 had the nation’s largest contingency of active-duty service members participate before the military lifted its ban on openly gay military soldiers.

About two hundred US homosexual troops last year wore T-shirts with the name of their departments. The organizers of the military’s participation in the gay pride parade 2012 in San Diego, says they want US service members to wear their official uniforms to show there is no longer anything to hide.

The US army and Pentagon said the allowance is only for this year’s parade in San Diego and does not extend beyond that. Military homosexual troops wearing civilian clothes do not need permission to march in any parades.

Pentagon allows uniformed active duty US military to march in gay pride parade / US homosexual military procession in San Diego 2012

Only armed services veterans, not those on active duty, were allowed to wear their uniforms at gay pride parades in the past. US military troops could give permission to individuals to take part in such events in uniform, but no blanket permission had previously been issued.

For parades other than the San Diego gay pride parade event, local commanders are given discretion in allowing service members to participate unless it is likely to garner national or international interest or news coverage.

The US military has celebrated gay pride month at the Pentagon for the first time last month, an event that other federal agencies like the CIA had been celebrating for years.

Also in June, active-duty Air Force Technical Sergeant Erwynn Umali married his civilian partner Will Behrens on the McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst joint military base in New Jersey. The wedding was the first same sex marriage on an American military base.

Leonard Cohen is Coming to Istanbul Again

Istanbul will host another legend in September after Red Hot Chili Peppers and Madonna concerts. Leonard Cohen will be taking the stage in Ulker Arena to give a concert in Istanbul with his velvet voice.

Istanbul / NationalTurk – Canadian singer-songwriter and thinker Leonard Cohen, who will be stopping in Istanbul as part of the world tour 2012 of his latest release ‘ Old Ideas ‘, will meet with his Turkish fans in Ulker Arena on Semptember 19th.

Writer of unforgettable songs like ‘Everybody Knows’, ‘Hallelujah’ , ‘ avalanche ‘ and ‘Dance Me To The End of Love’ had given two concerts in Harbiye Amphitheatre in 2009.

Leonard Cohen is Coming to Istanbul Again

After Madonna and Red Hot Chili Peppers, Leonard Cohen is announces to visit Turkey and give a concert in Istanbul The legendary artist will be coming to Istanbul on 19th September. Istanbul is living a hot and eventful summer in 2012.

Pink Martini visits Turkey to give 3 shows in 3 cities

Pink Martini band Tour 2012 will start on 1st of July 2012 and continue until 6th of April 2013. Pink Martini will give 3 concerts in Turkey, in 3 biggest Turkish cities, İzmir, Ankara and Istanbul in July.

Istanbul / NationalTurk – Pink Martini 2012 Tour will include Turkey and the band from Oregon, USA has picked the venues and the dates for three concerts: Beautiful seaside town of Çeşme, İzmir at Çeşme Open-air Theatre on July 8; Turkish Capital Ankara at ODTU University on July 9 and finally on the shores of Bosphorus in Istanbul at Kuruceşme Arena on July 19.

Pink Martini who draw inspiration from music from all over the globe – crossing genres of classical, jazz and old-fashioned popi is going to visit Turkey for three shows in three big cities. As part of their European tour to mark the 17th year of their career, The band is readying to take the stage on July 8 in the western province of İzmir within the scope of the 26th International İzmir Festival. The concert will take place at Çeşme Open Air Theater.

Pink Martini visits Turkey to give 3 shows in 3 cities

On July 9, the band will move on to Ankara, where they will perform a concert at the Middle East Technical University’s Vişnelik facility.

On July, 19 Pink Martini will meet their Istanbul audience once again at the Turkcell Kuruçeşme Arena on the shores of Bosphorus where they performed in 2005 for its opening.

Worldwide renown tour operator WTS announced it will provide all Pink Martini fans visiting Turkey for the band’s shows with 2 nights accommodation and transfers for Pink Martini’s 3 concerts in Izmir, Ankara and Istanbul.

Artistic director of the London Olympic Games Opening Ceremony Danny Boyle reveals details with the Olympic Stadium set to be transformed into the British countryside.

Danny Boyle has announced that the opening scene of the ceremony will be called ‘ Green and Pleasant ‘ and that the show would create a picture of Britain as a nation. A cast of 10,000 volunteers will help recreate country scenes, against a backdrop featuring farmyard animals and landmarks like Glastonbury Tor among other things :  a menagerie of 30 sheep, 12 horses, 10 chickens, 10 ducks, 3 cows, 2 goats, 9 geese and 3 sheepdogs. Over one billion people worldwide are expected to watch the Olympic Games Opening Ceremony in London.

Opening ceremony of the London Olympic Games 2012

Artistic director Danny Boyle was inspired by The Tempest and would be about a land recovering from its industrial heritage. The europe’s largest bell, which was produced by the Whitechapel Bell Foundry and is inscribed with a quote from The Tempest’s Caliban: “Be not afeard, the isle is full of noises”, has been installed in the Stadium a few days ago.  It might not be the noisiest thing in the stadium tough – there will be a million-watt sound system in place. And the all fans should be very loud too – a full eighty thousand of them will watch a full dress rehearsal before the day itself. Around 23 thousand costumes are being created for the event and nearly three thousand props will be used.

British actor James Corden has won the best actor prize at the Tony Awards 2012 in New York. The famous actor star James Corden was nominated in the category ‘ Best Performance By An Actor In A Leading Role In A Play ‘ for his role in the Broadway production of One Man, Two Guvnors.

James Corden as ‘ Francis Henshall ‘ in One Man, Two Guvnors won out against the favourite Philip Seymour Hoffman, James Earl Jones, Frank Langella, and John Lithgow. Very emotional James Corden first acknowledged his colleague  nominees, has told : ‘ John Lithgow and James Earl Jones and Frank Langella – and my favourite actor in the world, Philip Seymour Hoffman – to be on a list with you was enough, and holding this honestly just reminds me there is no such thing as best. Honestly, I am overwhelmed. ‘

James Corden is best known for his role in One Man, Two Guvnors / video

British actor star James Corden fought back his emotions as he received his award, paying tribute to his girlfriend Julia,  who gave birth to the couple’s son 5 days before rehearsals for the show began.  ’ She is my baby mama, and I cannot wait to marry her. Seriously, I would not be holding this if it wasn’t for her. ‘

In the speech of the video below he said to the audience he was overwhelmed at being nominated alongside such highly-regarded actors. James Corden added : ‘ To be on a list with you was enough and holding this, it honestly just reminds me that there is no such thing as best. ‘

At the end of speech british star James Corden said : ‘ She makes me say us instead of I and we instead of me, and I love her. Thank you very much. ‘

Madonna conquered Istanbul with her second concert in 19 years

Madonna conquered Istanbul with her second concert in 19 years at her MDNA World Tour 2012 at TT Arena in front of 60000 fans.

Istanbul / NationalTurk – Madonna rocked Istanbul with her amazing performance at TT Arena in front of 60000 fans with her 3rd concert of MDNA World Tour 2012.

The eager crowd that filled the seats and the field at TT Arena Istanbul started to boo the Pop of Quenn when she failed to show up at the stage at 21.30 as scheduled.

Almost one hour later than anticipated Madonna’s show in Istanbul started and the mild fury of her Istanbul fans was immediately replaced by awe and vigour when bells rang and the stage became the scene to a ritual at a surreal monastry. Fans liked it.

Madonna entered the stage with Girls Gone Wild and left it after a nearly 2 hours amazing performance.

Madonna Istanbul Concert MDNA World Tour 2012 Opening Video

The Queen is hosting pop royalty at the evening concert just in front of her London residence as part of four days of nationwide celebrations for the Diamond Jubilee marking her 60th year on the throne.

Take That frontman Gary Barlow was brought in to organise the event and he later walked the Queen onto the stage, along with Prince Charles and his wife Camilla, after the music ended.

The Prince of Wales then paid tribute to his “Mummy” which made the crowd roar with laughter and made the Queen smile.

He also wished his father well, who is currently in hospital. Prince Philip, the Queen’s husband, was taken ill on Monday with a bladder infection. He will remain in hospital for observation for a few days.

“The only sad thing about this evening is that my father couldn’t be here with us. Because unfortunately he is taken unwell. But ladies and gentlemen if we shout loud enough he might just hear us in hospital,” said Prince Charles as the crowd cheered noisily.

The Quenn’s jubilee entertained the Quenn brilliantly, as crowds gathered on both side of the Thames in London.

After the prince led the crowd in a three cheers for the Queen, the monarch was invited to light the national jubilee beacon.

She did so with a crystal glass ‘diamond’, placing it into a pod, which sparked the ignition to light the giant beacon.

The jubilee concert ended with a firework display to a rousing chorus of Land of Hope and Glory.

Although the larger motorway will link the Polish capital with the rest of Europe, the main railway stations have been renewed and there is no sleazy bazaar around the Stadium of the Decade.

Four days before the first European Championships match Poland makes the balance of the investment. With Euro 2012 Warsaw was in a league of cities and has become a metropolis which is perfectly connected with the world. Polish residences remember well the ugly bazaar surrounding the old Decade Stadium. Stinking, leaking and sticky place with dirty train stations. But this is a Warsaw which does not exist any more.

EURO 2012 in Warsaw, the capital of Poland

The zenith of emotions is not just on football – the construction takes your breath away. In June came the last layer of asphalt on the motorway in the direction of Warsaw C and this is a famous episode in the vicinity of Zyrardow, which the Chinese went down last year, and even two months there was laying only sand. Politicians were very sceptical that Euro 2012 will not be finished at time. But they did it. This is a great success of companies which build the entire route A2 between Lodz and Warsaw.

All changes to the EURO 2012 in Warsaw

In the capital of Poland – Warsaw, especially for the EURO 2012 football games event, the projects have been implemented for about 23 billion Euros, State and local government projects in Warsaw are worth about another 4.5 billion Euros. Not surprisingly, the residents of Warsaw crowd for visiting the projects – in fact the new railway line attracts more passengers who want to visit Warsaw ahead of Euro 2012 than travellers going on a plane. There were discussions, that the Eastern Railway Stations are working perhaps better than Central Stations in the center of Warsaw.

Istanbul Shopping Festival 2012 : Days of shopping and entertainment to dazzle

Turkey’s biggest metropolis prepares to host millions of travelling shoppers in its second shopping festival that is due to start on June 9. Istanbul Shopping Festival (ISF) offers big discounts and deals for 21 days to its visitors.

Istanbul / NationalTurk – Istanbul Shopping Fest (ISF) 2012 offers significant discounts and supreme deals as hundreds of businesses participating in the festival will woo crowds of shoppers visiting Istanbul. The 21-day long retail event will take place on the alluring shopping malls and high streets in the city which dwells both on Europe and Asia.

Retailers from Istanbul estimate their turnovers to reach over TRY 7 billion in ISF 2012 . Istanbul Shopping Fest 2012 is shortened to 21 days from last year’s 40 days, yet the glamour of the festival remains unchallenged and all is ready to flatter the shopping tourists who will flock to Istanbul and its much-acclaimed shopping festival.

Istanbul Shopping Festival : More than 90 shopping malls to remain open 24 hours

Istanbul shopping malls are going to be open until 11 pm (23.00) to better accommodate the inflow of tourists with shopping in mind, while certain shopping centres will remain open late into the night. The alluring atmosphere of Istanbul shopping festival will also spread over the high streets of Istanbul and support the dynamics of the shopping world with around 90 shopping centres.

Many of these shopping malls in one of the most prominent cities of Europe will remain open for 24 hours a day during the Istanbul Shopping Festival, so it’ll never be too late to become seized in a shopping frenzy anywhere during the mega event in the megacity of Istanbul !

Concerts and fashion shows at high streets of Istanbul

Various performances, street and fasshion parties and concerts will take place on Istanbul’s fashionable streets to entertain crowds of shoppers. With the grand opening show in 9th ofJune, the Istanbul Shopping Festival 2012 is expected to steal the glamour of Dubai Shopping Festival with its massive discount sprees and extravagant exhibitions, live musical concerts from popular singers and a display of the latest trends in fashion in a city, which became a desirable fashion destination in recent years.

Istanbul Shopping Festival 2012 has set its sight to surpass visitor number of 773,000 people from last year and attract more than a million tourists.

Istanbul will welcome nearly 10 million tourist in 2012

Number of tourists visiting Istanbul has reached a whopping 2.5 million in the first quarter of 2012, with occupancy rates in the city’s many hotels hitting 90 %. The total number of visitors to Istanbul, hosting one of the most prominent shopping festivals of the world is estimated to reach 9 million at the end of 2012.

Places like ‘ Sapphire Bazaar ‘, ‘ Capitol Shopping Centre ‘ and ‘ IstinyePark ‘ along with award-winning Kanyon Istanbul will be the shopping hub for tens of thousands of visitors attracted to the shopping festival from all around the globe. Traditional tourist destinations such as the Grand Bazaar and Egyptian Spice Market will be host to concerts, street festivals and displays such as fashion shows and castwalks fashioned to get tourists spending.

Istanbul Shopping Festival 2012 : Days of shopping and entertainment to dazzle

Besides spices, artefacts and antiques that draw hordes to the vicinities, there’ll be dazzling street shows and performances luring their spectators during the 21 days of shopping, entertainment at 2012 Istanbul Shopping Festival, lucky draws inviting the fortunate and unfortunate to try their fates and competitions- free and fair for all Istanbul tourists.

On a most British of days – right down to the weather – more than a million people line the Thames to pay tribute to the Queen on her Diamond Jubilee.

The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee river pageant reached its end as a world record-beating 1,000-strong flotilla passed under Tower Bridge.

The belfry carrying The Royal Jubilee Bells was the first vessel through, followed by the million-pound row barge Gloriana led by Olympic gold medallists Sir Matthew Pinsent and Sir Steve Redgrave, rowing with 16 others.

A 41-gun salute was fired from the Tower of London to celebrate the Queen’s 60 years on the throne while thousands of people cheered on the banks of the River Thames despite the wet weather.

The 1,000-strong flotilla is the most spectacular nautical event in London for the past 350 years

And by around 5pm, 419 boats had reached Tower Bridge in London – setting a new world record for the number of boats taking part in a parade. The event easily surpassed the previous record of 327 boats in Bremerhaven, Germany, last year.

The first impressive vessel to greet spectators was the Gloriana, the £1m row barge which led the manpowered section. It was rowed by 18 oarsmen and women.

Havengore, the vessel that carried Sir Winston Churchill’s coffin during his state funeral in 1965, is being used in the pageant by the Duke of York and his daughters Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie and the Earl and Countess of Wessex.

The Princesses could be seen frantically waving to the crowds as they set off with their father standing close by. The Princess Royal and her husband, Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence, both in naval uniforms, were on the Trinity House no 1 boat.

Conditions remained dry for the start of the impressive event when the royal barge, The Spirit of Chartwell, carrying the Queen senior members of the Royal family took its place in the flotilla close to Albert Bridge.

The Queen was escorted down the river by the 1,000-strong flotilla to mark 60 years of her reign in an event that promised to be the most spectacular nautical ceremony in London for the past 350 years.

On the sumptuously decorated barge she was joined by the Duke of Edinburgh, Prince of Wales, Duchess of Cornwall, Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry.

The boat has been described as a vessel ‘fit for a queen’ and has been decorated with nearly 10,000 flowers and was donated for use at the event by owner Philip Morrell and transformed in a project led by award-winning production designer Joseph Bennett.

Lavishly decorated with replica carvings and sporting a majestic red, gold and purple colour scheme, the vessel’s design will echo the richly decorated royal barges of the 17th and 18th centuries.

Today is the 559th anniversary of the Conquest of Istanbul which saw the end of the Byzantine Empire and the beginning of the Modern Age in world history.

Celebrations held at Mehmed the Conqueror’s tomb in Istanbul. Celebrators  also take a “Conquest Walk” from the Beyazit district to the center of the old city of Istanbul, the Sultanahmet district.

Celebrations included  a “mehteran” concert or a traditional Ottoman marching band/army music at the medieval Rumeli Castle in Istanbul. Meanwhile along the Golden Horn a light, water, laser and firework display  held.

Cuba celebrated May 1 Parade Workers Day with workers from 60 countries shoulder to shoulder

More than a thousand activists and workers from 60 countries whave witnessed yesterday in Cuba the traditional May 1 parade, at which workers from the Caribbean island celebrate their union gains.

Havana / NationalTurk – The parade attended by leaders and members of global organizations who annually reaffirm their support for this nation in demanding the end of the U.S. economic blockade and the release of five anti-terrorist convicted in USA.

The agency called on workers, peasants, students, soldiers, retirees and housewives to the parade each May 1 takes place at the Plaza de la Revolution.

According to the secretary of the CTC ogeneral, Salvador Valdes, on May 1 Cubans celebrate access and right to employment, health and free education and social security.

March in support of improving the national economy, and in pursuit of greater efficiency and savings to realize the socialist project, said on his part a call for the Union of Young Communists.

The text recalls that in other parts of the world that date is cause for celebration protests and claims for labor and social rights of the vast majority, usurped by the capitalist oligarchy, against today’s rising voices of the excluded.

The privilege of being born on this island rebel and the meaning of it in termes of hope and encouragement to the poor and oppressed in USA and the world, highlights the youthful appeal of May 1 parade.

In this regard, the CTC sent a message of solidarity to the workers and people who has suffered by the global economic crisis, who are brutally suppressed for demanding their rights for fair work and normal life.

Anzacs pay tribute for fallen compatriots and brave Turks in Canakkale

Thousands of Australians and New Zealanders attend the dawn service at the ANZAC commemorative site in Gallipoli on Wednesday. Australian PM Julia Gillard joined visitors and veterans.

Dardanalles, Turkey / NationalTurk – Thousands of Australians and New Zealanders participated in commemorative ceremonies early Wednesday morning at a dawn service at Anzac Cove on the Gallipoli (Gelibolu) Peninsula.

The grandchildren of those who fell at Arıburnu in Çanakkale (Dardanalles) 97 years ago gathered at Gallipoli for the event. Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard was in attendance. Other officials included New Zealand politician Nathan Guy, Australian and New Zealander servicemen and Çanakkale Governor Güngör Azim Tuna at the event.

Anzacs pay tribute for fallen compatriots and brave Turks in Canakkale

Gillard addressed the crowd, who waited in sleeping bags for the ceremony to begin.

‘ A place where foes met in equality and respect and attained a certain nobility through their character and conduct,’ Gillard stated at a service held at Anzac Cove, named after the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC).

‘The Turkish honored our fallen and embraced them as their own sons. … No nation could have better guarded our shrines or more generously welcomed our pilgrims,’ Gillard stated.

Australian Peter Robb, whose grandfather William Henry Rath was in Galipoli in 1915, is 68 years old. His grandfather, who often praised the Turkish nation, saying, ‘They were good, brave people,’ died in 1954. Robb has been visiting Gallipoli on Anzac Day for the past 10 years. ‘ Australians and Turks became brothers in Çanakkale,’ he says. He spent three months in Turkey visiting different cities this year ahead of Anzac Day. “I have been to many cities, including İstanbul, Bursa and İzmir. I have made a lot of Turkish friends. They are all very special people for me.” He says no animosity remains between Turks and Australians or New Zealanders.

Anzac Day : Full of companionship

There was also a ceremony for the Turkish units that fought at Çanakkale. A troop of young scouts reenacted the events of 97 years ago, marching along the path that the soldiers of the 57th Infantry Regiment of the Turkish army had tread. During the ceremony, the participants were given wheat soup, the last meal given to the 57th Regiment, who all fell during the battle. Çanakkale Governor Tuna and 1st Army Commander Gen. Yalçın Ataman also participated in the ceremony.

The Çanakkale Campaign, also known as the Gallipoli Campaign, took place on Gallıpoli Peninsula from April 1915 to January 1916 during World War I. A joint British and French operation was mounted to capture the Ottoman capital of İstanbul and secure a sea route to Russia. The ANZACs formed the backbone of a 200,000-man, British-led army that landed at Gallipoli.

The attempt failed, with heavy casualties on both sides, but it resonated profoundly among all nations involved. Nearly 1 million soldiers fought in trench warfare at Gallipoli. The allies recorded 55,000 killed in the fighting with 10,000 missing and 21,000 dead from disease. Turkish casualties were estimated at around 250,000.

Anzac warrior’s grandchildren : Memorial wit booze

The campaign was the first major battle undertaken by the ANZAC troops and is often considered to mark the birth of national consciousness in both Australia and New Zealand. Anzac Day, April 25, remains the most significant commemoration of military casualties in these countries. Each year, thousands of people, many of them Australians and New Zealanders, travel to the battlefields in northwestern Turkey on April 25, the start of the military campaign.

The Canakkale battle is considered a defining moment in the history of the Turkish people. The struggle laid the ground for the Turkish War of Independence and the foundation of the Republic of Turkey eight years later under Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, himself a commander at Gallipoli.

Pakistan Cultural Week extends to Istanbul

Turkey celebrates wth Paki friends Pakistan Cultural Week in Istanbul as Pakistan Cultural week continues with fashion shows and Pakistan cusine presentations.

ISTANBUL / NationalTurk – With the objective to showcase the beauty and cultural diversity of Pakistan and to reinforce the existing bonds of friendship and brotherhood between the people of Pakistan and Turkey, the Consulate General of Pakistan has organized a Fashion Show and Pakistan Food Gala on 3rd April 2012 at Sheraton Maslak hotel in Istanbul, Turkey.

Jeevay Jeevay Pakistan is the theme of Pakistan Cultural Week in Turkey

The event is an extension of Pakistan Cultural Week celebrations held earlier at Ankara under the theme ‘Jeevay Jeevay Pakistan.’ – Long live Pakistan -

Consul General of Pakistan in Istanbul, Dr. Yousaf Junaid stated main objective of the event is to reinforce the eternal bonds of brotherhood and friendship that exist between Turkey and Pakistan.

Pakistan Cultural Week extends to Istanbul

‘ We want the people of Istanbul to see, enjoy and appreciate the cultural diversity, synchronized in harmony with the growing fashion industry of Pakistan,’ he added.

Known as Pakistan’s queen of classic haute couture, Ms Nilofer Shahid will present a fashion show on the theme of ‘Iqbal and Rumi.’ Later on, the guests will be served a variety of food which will be a blend of Pakistani and Turkish cuisine. Chefs from Pakistan, specially brought to Turkey for the Pakistan cultural week events, will prepare the exquisite Pakistani dishes.

More than 1,000 experts from 60 countries are attending the event from February 27 to March 2 in Havana’s Conference Center. They will visit tobacco crops, cigar factories and places for meetings.

After the meeting, there is a known and interesting story, because Rodrigo de Xerez and Luis de Torres were the best men accompanying Christopher Columbus, a patent for the great adventure that was to arrive in the Americas and discover tobacco.

That was why, he chose them to present the letter of introduction from the Catholic Monarchs to the emperor of the Chinese people, on November 2, 1492, as they believed they had arrived in China and the yearned Cipango (Japan), the objective of the trip, but they were in Cuba.

On October 27 of that year, the Spanish fleet had reached Cuban lands, but the first eventuality came from Xerez and Torres on November 4, when they reported having found what they later would call tobacco.

Madonna World Tour 2012 : Tickets available for Madonna Istanbul Concert

Tickets for Madonna ‘s much awaited concert in Istanbul, Turkey will be on sale Feb 24.

Istanbul / NationalTurk – Madonna will perform at Türk Telekom Arena in Istanbul on June 7 as part of her Madonna World Tour 2012. Madonna will be toring for the first time in three years.

Tickets for the upcoming Madonna concert , which will take place on June 7 at Istanbul’s Türk Telekom Arena will go on sale Feb. 24 at 10 a.m.

Madonna World Tour 2012 : Tickets available for Madonna Istanbul Concert

Madonna Fan Club members have priority and started buying tickets since Feb. 21., which will range from 100 to 600 Turkish Liras.

Madonna will go on tour in May for the first time in three years, starting in Tel Aviv, Israel, giving her second concert in Abu Dabi before moving on to Europe, with legs in South America and Australia, where she has not performed in 20 years. Her last concert in Turkey was in 1993.

Madonna World Tour 2012 : May 29 – August 21

Madonna World Tour 2012 will start May 29 in Tel Aviv and she will take the stage, where she is considered to be one of the greatest in Istanbul on June 7 at the Türk Telekom Arena. Sale of more than 60000 tickets  is estimated. The European leg of Madonna World Tour will be concluded Aug. 21 in Nice, France.

Madonna World Tour 2012 : Greek fans are invited to Turkey

The 2012 World Tour will be the first for the Grammy-winning 53-year-old Material Girl since her ‘ Sticky & Sweet Tour ‘ in 2008 and 2009. The tour will stop in more than 20 European and Middle Eastern cities, including London, Edinburgh, Paris, Milan, Abu Dhabi and Berlin.

Athens will miss out Madonna World Tour 2012, Greek fans of Madonna are reported to rush to Istanbul for the Quenn of Pop’s Istanbul concert.

Barack Obama sings Sweet Home Chicago

US President Barack Obama just couldn’t say no when Mick Jagger held out a mic and soon Barack Obama was singing out the blues with legendary B.B King and Buddy Guy.

WASHINGTON / NationalTurk – Obama’s trademark motto is ‘yes we can ‘. But few knew Barack Obama was quiet a performer.

The Us President Barack Obama showed his singing and performing skills at The White House, where the heritage of blues music was celebrated during preparations for ‘ In Performance at the White House’ musical events.

At a star-studded concert featuring senior and younger Blues artist like B.B King, Buddy Guy, Jeff Beck, Keb Mo, Troy ”Trombone Shorty” Andrews, Gary Clark Jr. Warren Haynes, Derek Truck, Shemekia Copeland and Susan Tedeschiand the First Lady Michelle Obama, the founder of the Blues workshop, admitted she can’t sing or play an instrument but her husband, Us President Barack Obama stole the show from guest Mick Jagger which was later tweeted by Mick Jagger : ‘ Met President Obama who listened to a few tunes during rehearsal,” Jagger tweeted, adding that the president Obama seemed ‘ really relaxed and happy!’

Blues legends, Mick Jagger perform with President Obama at the White House

The East Room of the White House was transformed into an intimate blues club on Tuesday night for a concert featuring blues all-stars of the past, present and future — and none other than the US President Barack Obama himself.

The presence of blues legends such as B.B. King and Buddy Guy have impressed some of the art form’s youngest performers, including jazz musician Troy “Trombone Shorty” Andrews.

Obama can sing Blues : White House as Obama’s performing hall

Obama’s surprise blues performance came at the end of the playlist when the blues ensemble was singing “Sweet Home Chicago,” the blues anthem of Barack Obama’s home town.

Buddy Guy prodded the US president, saying he’d heard that the president sang part of an Al Green tune recently, and adding, “You gotta keep it up.”

So, too, was Jagger. Obama stopped by to visit the performers as they rehearsed Monday, and Jagger spread the word.

Obama Blues : US President sings Blues and steals the show at White House

“Met President Obama who listened to a few tunes during rehearsal,” Jagger tweeted, adding that the president “seemed really relaxed and happy!”

This music speaks to something universal,’ Obama announced ‘. “No one goes through life without both joy and pain, triumph and sorrow. The blues gets all of that, sometimes with just one lyric or one note. ”

BB King, 86, arrived in a wheelchair but rose tall to kick off the night with a raucous “Let the Good Times Roll,” quickly joined by other members of the ensemble. And he followed with “The Thrill is Gone.”

The concert comes in recognition of Black History Month. In addition, Obama breaks ground Wednesday on the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture, which is to open in 2015 on the National Mall.

The first lady celebrated the timing, noting that the blues “traveled from the Deep South into every part of the country and just about every form of music that we hear today.”

“The blues are as deeply American and as deeply human as just about any form of music in this country,” she said, calling it an “art form that stirs our souls and helps us rise above our struggles.”

Andrews, whom Michelle Obama noted was once “a little boy marching through the streets of New Orleans with a trombone twice his size,” said he hoped to “steal a few things from the legends” – and had already picked up tips from Jagger.

“He was in character right away, like he was playing in a stadium,” Andrews said of Jagger. “It didn’t matter if we were rehearsing or getting ready to do the show, he was right there.”

Barack Obama sings Sweet Home Chicago

The president rose at the end to introduce the ensemble as the “White House Blues All-Stars” for the final song of the night, “Sweet Home Chicago.”Then Jagger handed over the mic, and Obama seemed compelled to comply.

“For Michelle and me,” the president said, “there’s no blues like the song our artists have chosen to close with — the blues from our hometown.”

‘ Come on, baby don’t you want to go,’ the charismatic Us President sang out twice, handing off the mic to B.B. King momentarily, and then taking it back to tack on “Sweet Home Chicago” at the end of his performance.

Sanremo Festival : Italy's most prestigious festival rolls on for 62nd time

Sanremo Festival continues with elegancy and full of entartainment. The third evening of the Sanremo Festival international stars, such as Sergio Dalma,  have been on stage at the Teatro Ariston chanting Italian songs that have been hits in various languages and countries around the globe.

It was also an opportunity for the four acts eliminated from the ‘Big’ section last night to be reinstated to proceedings via a public phone vote.

The international artists, including Sergio Dalma and Noa, sung the songs in duets with the acts from the ‘Big’ Section. After each had sung the Italian song, the guest sung one of their own songs. The combinations were:

Sanremo Festival 2012 : Italian songs and world hits

Nina Zilli e Skye (Morcheeba)– Never Never Never (Grande, Grande,Grande – Mina)
Samuele Bersani e Goran Bregović – My Sweet Romagna (Romagna Mia – Secondo Casadei)
Dolcenera e Professor Green – My Life Is Mine (Vita Spericolata – Vasco Rossi)
Pierdavide Carone con Lucio Dalla e Mads Langer – With All My Heart And Soul (Anema e Core – Tito Schipa)
Irene Fornaciari, Brian May feat. Kerry Ellis – I (Who Have Nothing) (Uno dei Tanti – Joe Sentieri)
Emma e Gary Go – If Paradise Is Half as Nice (Il Paradiso – La Ragazza 77 and Patty Pravo)
Matia Bazar e Al Jarreau – Speak Softly Love (Parla Più Piano – Nino Rota)
Noemi e Sarah Jane Morris – To Feel in Love (Amarsi un Po’ – Lucio Battisti)
Francesco Renga e Sergio Dalma – El mundo (Il Mondo – Jimmy Fontana)
Arisa e Josè Feliciano – Que serà (Che Sarà – José Feliciano)
Chiara Civello e Shaggy – You Don’t Have to Say You Love Me (Io che non Vivo (Senza Te) – Pino Donaggio)
Gigi D’Alessio con Loredana Berté e Macy Gray – Flame (Almeno Tu nell’Universo – Mia Martini)
Eugenio Finardi e Noa – Surrender (Torna a Surriento – Mario Massa)
Marlene Kuntz e Patti Smith – The World Became the World (Impressioni di Settembre – Premiata Forneria Marconi)

After an evening of song and dance at SanRemo festival, the four acts hoping to have a second chance and dreading permanent rejection were given the opportunity to perform again. Two would be singing for the last time. In the firing line were:

Pierdavide Carone e Lucio Dalla – Nanì
Irene Fornaciari – Grande Mistero
Gigi D’Alessio e Loredana Bertè – Respirare
Marlene Kuntz – Canzone per un Figlio

After the phone lines had been shut down and the votes had been counted, Irene Fornaciari and Marlene Kuntz said that they were the unlucky ones who had been eliminated from the Sanremo festival for good. Pierdavide Carone and Lucio Dalla and Gigi D’Alessio and Loredana Bertè (much to the delight of the audience) survive to lose another day.

Sanremo Festival : Italy’s most prestigious festival rolls on for 62nd time

The first night of 62nd edition of the Sanremo Festival saw actually no acts eliminated as it was planned. The most prestigious festival in Italy held in the Ariston theatre kicked-off on Rai Uno. The Eurovision Song Contest inherited the concept of Sanremo as Italy will participate again in Europe’s favourite show to be held in Baku.

In the first show the fourteen artists who are competing in the established category performed their songs but none of the acts were eliminated because there was a technical problem in the voting system used by an approximately 300 jury member. Originally two acts had to be eliminated. This means that instead of eliminating two singers, the second show will eliminate four artists.

Sanremo Festival gateway to Eurovision Song Contest 2012

The popular extravaganza show opened by Luca and Paolo who did a funny interpretation of one of the songs by I Pooh. Luca and Paolo hosted last year’s Sanremo. The main host, Gianni Morandi declared the 62nd edition open while the famous Italian singer Adriano Celentano was the special guest of the first show. Elisabetta Canalis and Belen Rodriguez joined him on stage. The two beauties played the role of hosts in last year’s festival. Sanremo festival ends next Saturday and all artists perform live while being accompanied by a live orchestra.

Tomorrow evening will see two of the remaining twelve songs voted out of the SanRemo festival. It is also the night of the Sanremosocial final, where the four acts left will sing for victory. It is worth remembering that last year’s winner of this section of the Sanremo festival, Raphael Gualazzi, was chosen to represent Italy in the Eurovision Song Contest. It is quite possible that whoever is crowned winner of Sanremosocial will be asked to go to Eurovision Song Contest in Baku this May.

Istanbul, Turkey 2020 Olympics bid submitted with high hopes ( for the 5th time)

Turkish National Olympic Committee submitted Istanbul’s 2020 Olympic bid file to the International Olympic Committee with rising hopes, a day after Rome pulled out of the 2020 Olympic Games race with economic woes.

Istanbul / NationalTurk – Istanbul is bidding for a fifth time after failed attempts for the Olympics in 2000, 2004, 2008 and 2012.

Senior bid official Hasan Arat highlighted that Istanbul had several advantages over rival cities Tokyo, Japan; Doha, Qatar; Madrid, Spain; and Baku, Azerbaijan, other candidates for 2020 Olympic Games host.

‘ The 2020 Olympic Games race will be a long and hard one,’ Arat told. ‘ But Istanbul prepares very well. It is very different from our past candidacies.”

Istanbul, Turkey 2020 Olympics bid submitted with high hopes ( for the 5th time)

Hasan Arat expressed the submission letter comprised Turkey’s detailed plan for the 2020 Olympic bid, including the already prepared facilities along with transportation and accommodation lay-outs.

Turkey’s 5th submission for 2020 Olympic Games comes on the final day for application files and guarantee letters to be submitted to the International Olympic Committee based in Lousanne, Switzerland.

The IOC executive board in Quebec City will decide then which cities are approved as official candidate cities for 2020 Olympics Game in May.

Rome is out of Olympic Games 2020 race as Italy suffers from economic problems

A day before the deadline, Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti withdrew Rome as a candidate to host the 2020 Olympic Games, describing a planned bid as ‘irresponsible’ given the current economic problems Italy faces.

‘ After a difficult evaluation we’ve arrived at the unanimous conclusion that the Italian government believes it would not be responsible in the current conditions in Italy to take on these guarantees,’ declared a defeated Monti in a press conference.

‘ We don’t feel capable of taking on a financial commitment that could burden Italian economy over the coming years. In another moment of history we could have carried the risk hosting the Olympic Games, but not now.’

Turkish National Olympic Committee executive Hasan Arat refused to comment on whether Rome’s withdrawal from the race boosted Istanbul’s chances. ‘ It is not right and ethical for us to talk about other candidates right now,’ Arat ordered.

Spain Italy financial crisis blocking Rome and Madrid’s 2020 Olympics candidacy

While Spain is also embroiled in a severe financial crisis, Alejandro Blanco, the head of their National Olympic Committee, told AFP they would not be following in Rome’s wake.

‘The withdrawal of Rome changes nothing for the candidacy of madrid, Spain’ stated Blanco.

“It is not the time to be talking about that.” Madrid, which came second to Rio de Janeiro for the right to host the 2016 games, has at least 80 percent of the required infrastructure already built or nearly finished after their two losing bids for the 2012 and 2016 games.

Mario Pescante, the president of the Italian Promotion Committee for Rome 2020, admitted this was a bitter pill to swallow.

“We’ve lost a great opportunity but we can only accept the government’s decision. There’s a lot of bitterness,” he said.

“The government’s decision was well thought out and was due exclusively to economic motives. Our project for Rome 2020 was very serious but our government was immovable on the accounts. It’s a shame because it was a unique opportunity not least to say to the young that we have big ambitions.”

Istanbul, bidding for the fifth time in the last six bids, is also highlighting Turkey’s sharp economic growth last year of about 8.0 % as proof that the Turkey can shoulder the financial burden of the Olympic Games.

“In the Land of Blood and Honey”,a love story set against the genocide of Bosnia’s war,has been shown in Sarajevo for the first time on Tuesday.

“I feel very strongly about it and I believe that its core issue – which is the need for intervention and need for the world to care about atrocities when they are happening – is very, very timely and especially with things that are happening in Syria today,” Angelina Jolie said.

Vladimir Ljevar, director of the Palace cinema — the largest in RS — confirmed that the film will not appear in the entity, because, as he said, there is a “very small interest by the audience”. He told SETimes that he watched the film.

“If you are asking me for the quality of the film, I can tell you that it’s been a while since I saw something worse than that movie. A first-year student directing at the Banja Luka’s Academy would have done a better job. But I emphasise that the reasons for not playing the movie are just the lack of interest. Nothing else,” Ljevar tsaid.

[flagallery gid=31 name="Gallery"]

The leader of the Cuban Revolution launched memories Titled “Guerrillero del tiempo”.Castro launched in this capital two volumes of his memories with the title: Fidel Castro Ruz: Guerrillero del tiempo.

The volumes which have around a thousand pages open with the first memories of the leader’s childhood, and they close on Dec 1958, before the triumph of the Revolution on January 1, 1959.

They are going to talk to you about two books on news you have not been reported, Fidel Castro commented in the Conventional Palace, few minutes before the launching this Friday.

These memories were the result of his conversations with Katiuska Blanco, writer and journalist.

The minister of Culture, Abel Prieto, and Miguel Barnet, president of the National Association of Cuban writers and Artists were responsible for the presentation of the volumes.

Istanbul Fashion Week 2012 : Guest will be spoiled with Sense of Taste

Istanbul Fashion Week (IFW) is going to shine in Istanbul from Feb 8 to 11. For the first time in the glamorous event’s history, the main event tent is decorated by an architect and the models will be served from menus specially summoned for their sensitive tummies.

Istanbul / NationalTurk – Istanbul Fashion Week (IFW) 2012 will see Turkish designers and brands leaving their marks and showcase their work once again. As usual there will also be a lot going on off stage and backstage as well as the catwalk.

The ever prominent Sense of Taste catering services, which is renowned for its services provided for TV celebrities, superstars and statesmen such as Nelson Mandela, Beyonce, Jay-Z and the no use Kardashian family -whose jobs are syill unkown to the masses-, is set to create a special Turkish atmosphere with a menu prepared by Chef Joshua Cohen with trendy but delish philosophy of “healthy taste.”

Turkish cuisine to set the trend at Istanbul Fashion Week

Sense of Taste will provide services backstage to international standards, with filling, high-fiber recipes providing for daily calorie needs for models who sometimes take part in as many as five shows every day.

Wild rice pilaf and sautéed vegetable salad; fettuccine with low-fat mozzarella, mushroom and tomato sauce; broccoli roasted with soy and sesame oil; marinated fat-free grilled chicken breast, roasted red pepper, Thai noodles, tofu mixed vegetables and fruit salads will be prepared fresh every day for the models.
All meals will be cooked using only olive and sunflower oils. Pan and deep frying of all items has been eliminated, with Sense of Taste choosing to use only the healthiest cooking techniques such as steaming, poaching, braising and baking. Staff will also control the portion sizes of each meal to keep in line with the calorie content.

Sense of Taste to lift the mood at IFW with slices of heaven from Turkish Cuisine

Sense of Taste also aims to provide “the most loved” dishes from Turkish cuisine to boost the performance and strength of other backstage staff the unseen heroes and the backbone of the show. It will provide vegetable soup and fresh fruits for those who miss meals in the hectic backstage environment.

The tent hosting the fashion shows is to be put up in Beyoğlu, Taxim the heart and soul of Istanbul’s ever vbibrant life. For the first time in the event’s history, the tent will be built in the hands of an architect. Leyla Gök, who decorated the tent, sat her priority to create a place both practical and pleasing to the eye and mind and soul. Since the tent is made of white canvas, white wood has been used to match. Gök wants the heart of Istanbul to beat in this tent, so she has tried to add energy to it with color and animation.

Istanbul waits its honored guests for the fashion week

“We studied the details of all fashion weeks, especially in Europe. Yet, function, demand and concept shaped the composition of the place more than inspiration when forming the idea,” said Gök.

Inside the tent, there is a cloakroom and a bar section, comfortable sitting areas where the guests can listen to the DJ. There will be a live DJ performance all day long, which is a first in the event’s history.

There are also various sponsor stands, a VIP lounge section and a press lounge in the tent. The runway tent is 40 meters long, the lounge tent is 40 meters long and the kitchen tent annexed to the all important bar section is 8 meters long.

Such familiar and famous  names in the fashion world as Nejla Guvenc, Atil Kutoglu, Erol Albayrak, Aspen Büyükçınar, Gunseli Turkay, Zeynep Erdogan, John Saracoglu, Özlem Kaya, Simay Bulbul will present their individual fashion shows on stage.

Each place will present and reflect its integrated relation with its surroundings.

Kutlay won Diploma of Excellence which the highest esteemed accolade.

WPTA Accreditation Board said that;

“We have just completed the review and are extremely happy to report that Evren Kutlay’s presentation merits the WPTA Diploma of Excellence (WPTA dip-E) Accreditation, our highest esteemed accolade. WPTA Accreditation is a valuable professional asset that compliments the c.v., as well as any assessment situations including promotions, tenure applications and similar proceedings.

We congratulate Evren Kutlay on this important professional achievement and wish Kutlay success in her future endeavors.”

Evren Tekinoktay ‘s new poster is at Tekinoktay Finest Lingerie. The poster named of “I love Prince” was liked so much.

Evren Tekinoktay was in İstanbul Akaretler last month for her new exhibition titled Purple Head. Tekinoktay ‘s Istanbul exhibition had a great interest with art lovers.

Who is Evren Tekinoktay?

Married to Danish painter, Tal R., Evren Tekinoktay is obviously an artist herself. Famous artist educationed Gerrit Rietveld Academy, College of Art and Design, Amsterdam / Denmark, Jan van Eyck Academy in the years 1997-99 and Postgraduate Center for Fine Art, Design Department, Maastricht / Netherlands, The Royal Danish Art Academy between the years 1998-99.

Pianist-musicologist Evren Kutlay is going to be at Turkish Cultural Foundation, Istanbul.

Dr. Evren Kutlay (musicologist, pianist), Koc University, College of Social Sciences and Humanities, Music and Performing Art is going to be at Turkish Cultural Foundation, Istanbul on January 12.

This will be the first event in 2012 of Dr. Evren Kutlay.

One of the educational programs organized by the Turkish Cultural Foundation Turkey Branch office in Istanbul is the Turkish Art and Culture Lecture Series. With this lecture series, the Foundation aims to introduce the rich cultural and artistic heritage of Turkey to resident representatives and officials of foreign institutions in Istanbul, such as members of the consular corps, foreign faculty members and the expatriate community at large. This program serves the mission of the Turkish Cultural Foundation to promote Turkish culture and build cultural bridges through people to people cultural exchanges and public education.

Organized under the auspices of Prof. Dr. Nurhan Atasoy, eminent art historian and Senior Scholar in Residence at the Turkish Cultural Foundation, the 2010/2011 Lecture series will feature many distinguished scholars and speakers. The lecture series will run from October 2010 through May 2011 at the Turkish Cultural Foundation Conference Hall in Taksim, Istanbul (Turkish Cultural Foundation Istanbul Office Cumhuriyet Cad. Cumhuriyet Apt. No.17/1 Taksim Istanbul Turkey).

“Adverzario”, the maestro of freestyle and the master of an explosive stage presence, will be presenting a repertoire characterized by songs from his previous albums, including the most recent “Impresiones de alguien que no duerme” (Impressions of someone who doesn’t sleep). In this latest album, he draws attention to several socio-cultural issues in today’s Cuba and a need for a sense of responsibility.

In the musical aesthetic of his very versatile and profound lyrics, throughout his career “Azdverario” has been defined by his beliefs in the Yoruba religion and his conviction that he’s a messenger of the reality that exists in Cuba’s marginalized neighborhoods.

The concert is scheduled for Saturday, October 15, at 8:00 pm at the Sala Avenida in Playa municipality. Adversario’s invited guests include other hip hop artists, dancers and regularly featured graffiti artists.

Anonimo Consejo is a group that has self-proclaimed itself the “Hip Hop Revolution” and who emphasize their musical vision in working with Afro-Caribbean currents, while establishing a special Afro-Cuban line. They perform on Monday October 17 at 4:00 pm at the Huron Azul center of UNEAC (Cuban Artists and Writers Association) on 17th Street in the Vedado district.

Anonimo Consejo is known for showing their concern for eradicating any kinds of differences and injustices, in addition to rescuing values and principles that have been lost by many of today’s members of Cuban society.

The group  Obsesion are proud representatives of peoples of African descent — shown both in their aesthetics and in the art they deliver in every appearance.

The upcoming performance by Obsesion will take place on Friday, October 21, at 10:00 p.m. at the Riviera Cinema on centrally located 23rd Street.

Obsesion performs the fourth Friday of each month these artists allowing us to access their project called “D-3.” The idea of their concerts is to always have three guest groups that will make new and creative ways of presenting hip hop visible – while not forgetting the essential elements for understanding this culture so as to contribute to a better understanding of its history. The merit of this program is its contribution to the enrichment of what is considered the “new school of Cuban hip hop.”

The “Pa’bajo” project will close this Octuber concert series in style with guest artists DJ Edgaro, Primera Base, La Nena and Conflicto Social. The show will take place on Sunday, October 30, from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. on the basketball courts (“Las Canchas”) at 23rd and B streets in the Vedado district.

“Pa’bajo” (“from below”) — a program that presents Cuban hip hop culture — was born in Havana and is now marking its second year of existence. In it we see a mixture of music with other elements of sports, dance and urban art as it seeks to draw on youth talent and promote human development among its participants.

At the same time it helps provide healthy recreational alternatives while stimulating positive human values, physical well-being and social unity. Each month the Pa’bajo program is hosted by a disk jockey and features three different rap groups from here in Cuba.

Buena Vista Social Club & Omara Portuondo coming Turkey, İstanbul

Legendary Buena Vista Social Club & Omara Portuondo at Ora Arena Istanbul, December 6th 2011.

Buena Vista Social Club released its only studio album, produced by Ry Cooder, in 1997 and achieved instant success. The album, featuring a specially assembled group of veteran Cuban musicians, was further propelled by Wim Wenders‟ acclaimed film and later by a series of international tours and albums by many of the featured musicians. Buena Vista Social Club became a phenomenon.

Now in 2011, following a series of hugely successful performances in recent years, the thirteen-piece Orquesta Buena Vista Social Club which features a number of Buena Vista Social Club alumni make their eagerly awaited return.

Buena Vista Social Club’s most influential style is the exuberant, polyrhythmic music known as son, which gave birth to both Mambo and Salsa. These upbeat numbers are full of infectious guitar licks, multilayered Afro-Cuban rhythms, soaring vocal melodies, and brash, Big Band-style horn parts.

Joining this new and expanded lineup of Cuban players is vocalist Omara Portuondo, a member of the original Buena Vista Social Club, whose 2008 recording Gracias (World Village / Montuno) won a Latin Grammy and scored a Grammy nomination.

Each year in November, thousands of Cubans and foreign people run for  Cuba’s Marabana Marathon.

People hit the streets in the “Marabana/Maracuba” marathons (running in events between 5 and 42 kms), regardless of their age, gender or ideology. All that’s needed is the will and desire to go the distance – whether walking, jogging or running.

They usually take place over a weekend and this year Maracuba was on Saturday Nov. 19 and Marabana on Sunday the 20th.

There were lots of children among the participants, therefore there was no shortage of excitement; it was there in the laughter, shouts of support (and some that poked fun), comments and even the occasional vomiting from exhaustion as the competitors filed along.

As 12-year-old Jonathan put it, “I ran like a mad man. I couldn’t let my dad down. I promised him I wouldn’t.” The youngster crossed the finish line red, panting and gasping for air. He added, “I already knew the way; I ran the course several times in training.”

Patricia is a young food service and cooking student joins in the race when the bell sounds, but she has never participated officially in the run. As Patricia explained:

“It’s because I’m afraid to make a fool of myself. When you register for the Marabana, in the half marathon or the marathon, you get a microchip that records your speed. But I’m not a fast runner, not even when running the shorter distance.

“For me, what I like is trying to see if I can make the distance, seeing how far I can go in the run. In the Maracuba I always do the four kilometer run, and last year in the Marabana I made it 6 km.

“This time I want to run farther, but speed doesn’t matter to me. Also, if I’m officially registered I’d have to show up and I come because I want to; when I think about it being an obligation then I don’t like it as much.”

On this the 25th anniversary of the Marabana marathon, under a constant and sweltering sun, more than 2,600 runners turned out.

First place in the half marathon (21 kms) went to athlete Richard Perez, a specialist in the 5,000 and 10,000 meter run. His time of (1:04.52) in the Marabana half marathon was which was close to the 1:03:41 record.

Among women, the winner in the half marathon was hurdles athlete Milena Perez (1:28.19).

In the full marathon, first places went to Alexei Machado (2:28.04) and Yadira Gonzalez (3:14.40).

Those are the the results of the athletes, but without a doubt the greatest attraction is the popular participation by people of all ages who exercise daily and enjoy it.

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Affleck is continuing to film his latest movie, “Argo,” which he directs and headlines, in Istanbul.

Ben Affleck, who previously turned the streets of Istanbul’s Etiler district into Iran for the film, was in Eminönü-Sultanahmet-Bakırkoy area. During the filming in Sirkeci and Karaköy, there were tight measures to prevent press members from taking photos.

The areas were closed to traffic and pedestrians for the filming. The film story based on true events, Argo chronicles the life-or-death covert operation to rescue six Americans, which unfolded behind the scenes of the Iran hostage crisis.

Artists from seven countries will attend concerts in Havana, summoned by UNEAC and the Cuban Institute of Music, announced Organizing Committee sources.

The event, dedicated to the Cuban chamber music for vocal and instrumental music ensembles, will gather representatives of Spain, El Salvador, Denmark, Mexico, United States, Italy, and Cuba from October 28 to November 5, added the sources.

Ada Gentile and Adriano Ambrosini (Italy), Maria Antonieta Tello (Mexico), and Mercedes Zavala (Spain), are among the foreign guests.

The event will also have the presence of prominent soloists, choirs, chamber orchestras, and Cuban instrumental ensembles that will perform works of prestigious composers such as Harold Gramatges, Leo Brouwer y Juan Blanco.

The Saint Francis of Assisi Convent will be the stage of the opening and closing of the concerts, presided by maestro Guido Lopez Gavilan, internationally acclaimed as director and composer.