Paging Dennis Rodman! The Worm may be known for rebounds, but we need a serious diplomatic assist on this one – and he has Kim Jong-Un’s ear. Why? Because North Korea is far from pleased right now. In the face of new U.N. sanctions, the rogue state is threatening to preemptively attack America. Despite Rodman’s desire to broker a peace deal , the North is threatening “a preemptive nuclear attack to destroy the strongholds of the aggressors.” The country says the United States is angling to start a war against the North, an assertion that stems from the latest round of sanctions on the table. The U.N. Security Council is considering a fourth round of sanctions against Pyongyang in an attempt to rein in its nuclear and ballistic missile programs. Among other things, the pending resolution specifies a long list of items that North Korea’s ruling elite class will no longer be allowed to import. So how serious is the threat to nuke the U.S.? For all North Korea’s bravado, it is not thought to have mastered the ability to produce a warhead small enough or a missile capable of reaching the U.S. It is believed to have enough nuclear fuel, however, for several crude nuclear devices, so our allies in South Korea are likely on much higher alert. Inflammatory rhetoric is common from North Korea, but especially so in recent days amid the threat of sanctions and U.S.-South Korean military drills. At a mass rally in Pyongyang on Thursday, tens of thousands of North Koreans protested the U.S.-South Korean actions. Army Gen. Kang Pyo Yong said: “Intercontinental ballistic missiles and various other missiles, which have already set their targets, are now armed with lighter, smaller and diversified nuclear warheads.” “They are placed on a standby status. When we shell (the missiles), Washington, which is the stronghold of evils …. will be engulfed in a sea of fire.” The latest U.N. resolution was drafted by the United States and China, which is significant as China has long been North Korea’s closest ally. The statement by the North Korean Foreign Ministry spokesman “strongly warns the U.N. Security Council not to make another big blunder.” North Korea demanded that the U.N. Security Council immediately dismantle the American-led U.N. Command that’s based in Seoul, or else. In anticipation of the resolution’s adoption, North Korea earlier in the week threatened to cancel the 1953 cease-fire that ended the Korean War.
Kim Jong Un and Barack Obama both love basketball and Dennis “The Worm” Rodman is the mediator????? According to ABC News: In his first interview since returning to the U.S. from an unprecedented visit to North Korea last week, former NBA star Dennis Rodman said he bears a message for President Obama from the country’s oppressive leader, Kim Jong Un. “He wants Obama to do one thing: Call him,” Rodman told ABC’s George Stephanopoulos on “This Week.” “He said, ‘If you can, Dennis – I don’t want [to] do war. I don’t want to do war.’ He said that to me.” The athlete even offered Kim some diplomatic advice for potential future talks with President Obama. “[Kim] loves basketball. And I said the same thing, I said, ‘Obama loves basketball.’ Let’s start there,” Rodman said. Rodman’s comments come just days after the basketball star shocked the world with an unexpected trip to Pyongyang, North Korea, becoming the first known American to publicly meet with the mysterious Kim since he assumed command of the totalitarian nation after the death of his father, Kim Jong-Il in 2011. The young leader has defied U.N. sanctions by continuing to develop North Korea’s nuclear arms and missile program, which he says is aimed at the U.S. Kim is often regarded as one of the world’s most oppressive leaders, presiding over prison camps and allowing millions of his own people to starve. In a bizarre display of basketball diplomacy, Rodman went on the record to offer highest praise for Kim Thursday, telling reporters, “I love him. He’s awesome.” Today on “This Week,” Rodman didn’t apologize for those comments. “No, I’m not apologiz[ing] for him,” Rodman said. “You know, he’s a good guy to me. Guess what? He’s my friend. I don’t condone what he does … [but] as a person to person – he’s my friend.” Talk about the “Odd Couple.”
Olivia Wilde would get stoned to death in some arab village for showing this much skin….you know almost 90 percent of her perfectly toned shoulder….but here in North America…this shit is light weight…and even in the UK….or as I like to call it…the motherland of blue collar titty models thanks to shitty diets and big titties….this is unacceptable for a leech of a celebrity….trying to make it in America….under some fake name…cuz she didn’t thnk Cockburn was appropriate for her brand….but I guess for her really easy to please fans…she’s rocking a tight dress and you can stare at her from the back…which is probably exciting for you…while I need more fisting to really feel like these pics were a success….
Oscar Pistorius was awarded bail on Friday after being charged with murdering his girlfriend. He will be free, pending his trial in a few months’ time. The ruling by Magistrate Desmond Nair was cheered by Pistorius’ family and supporters at the Pretoria magistrate’s court; the athlete himself was unmoved. The bail decision followed days of dramatic testimony about how the athlete killed girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp at his luxury home on Valentine’s Day. Prosecutors said Oscar Pistorius committed murder when he fired four shots into a locked bathroom door, hitting his girlfriend cowering on the other side. Steenkamp, 29, suffered gunshot wounds to her head, hip and arm. Pistorius’ defense team argued the killing was a tragic mistake, saying the athlete had mistaken her for an intruder , a notion police have scoffed at. In any case, his attorneys said he was too famous to pose a flight risk and deserved bail to prepare for a case that has drawn worldwide attention. A judge agreed, and he will be released pending his trial , which is unlikely to start for several months. It is unclear what amount he was required to post. Olympic and Paralympic star Pistorius, a double amputee who runs races on a pair of carbon-fiber blades, faces life in prison if convicted of murder. The shooting and allegations at the bail hearing stunned the millions around the world who saw his track glory as an inspiring tale of triumph over adversity.
It may only seem like Beyonce is everywhere these days – from the Super Bowl halftime show to the Presidential Inauguration to the pages of Vogue – but the superstar actually WILL be everywhere, starting this spring. The Beyonce world tour kicks off April 15 n Serbia and concludes on August 3 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn. In anticipation, the singer has released a two-minute trailer aimed at O2 patrons in Great Britain. Watch Bey dressed as the Queen of England now: Beyonce World Tour Promo As for when Beyonce will be singing in an arena near you, scroll down for her tour dates and locales: APRIL 15, 2013 KOMBANK ARENA SERBIA BELGRADE APRIL 17, 2013 ARENA ZAGREB CROATIA ZAGREB APRIL 19, 2013 SLOVNAFT ARENA SLOVAKIA BRATISLAVA APRIL 22, 2013 ZIGGO DOME HOLLAND AMSTERDAM APRIL 24, 2013 PALAIS OMNISPORTS DE PARIS-BERCY FRANCE PARIS APRIL 25, 2013 PALAIS OMNISPORTS DE PARIS-BERCY FRANCE PARIS APRIL 26, 2013 LG ARENA UNITED KINGDOM BIRMINGHAM APRIL 29, 2013 THE O2 UNITED KINGDOM LONDON APRIL 30, 2013 THE O2 UNITED KINGDOM LONDON MAY 01, 2013 THE O2 UNITED KINGDOM LONDON MAY 03, 2013 THE O2 UNITED KINGDOM LONDON MAY 07, 2013 MANCHESTER ARENA UNITED KINGDOM MANCHESTER MAY 11, 2013 THE O2 IRELAND DUBLIN MAY 12, 2013 THE O2 IRELAND DUBLIN MAY 14, 2013 SPORTPALEIS BELGIUM ANTWERP MAY 17, 2013 HALLENSTADION ZURICH SWITZERLAND MAY 18, 2013 MEDIOLANUM FORUM ITALY MILAN MAY 20, 2013 PARK & SUITES ARENA FRANCE MONTPELLIER MAY 22, 2013 OLYMPIAHALLE GERMANY MUNICH MAY 24, 2013 O2 WORLD GERMANY BERLIN MAY 25, 2013 NATIONAL STADIUM WARSAW POLAND MAY 27, 2013 FORUM DENMARK COPENHAGEN MAY 28, 2013 TELENOR ARENA NORWAY OSLO MAY 29, 2013 ERICSSON GLOBE ARENA SWEDEN STOCKHOLM NORTH AMERICA JUNE 28, 2013 STAPLES CENTER UNITED STATES LOS ANGELES, CA JUN 29, 2013 MGM GRAND GARDEN ARENA UNITED STATES LAS VEGAS, NV JULY 2, 2013 HP PAVILION UNITED STATES SAN JOSE, CA JULY 5, 2013 CHESAPEAKE ENERGY ARENA UNITED STATES OKLAHOMA CITY, OK JULY 6, 2013 AMERICAN AIRLINES CENTER UNITED STATES DALLAS, TX JULY 9, 2013 BB&T CENTER UNITED STATES FT. LAUDERDALE, FL JULY 10, 2013 AMERICAN AIRLINES ARENA UNITED STATES MIAMI, FL JULY 12, 2013 GWINNETT CENTER UNITED STATES ATLANTA, GA JULY 13, 2013 BRIDGESTONE ARENA UNITED STATES NASHVILLE, TN JULY 15, 2013 TOYOTA CENTER UNITED STATES HOUSTON, TX JULY 17, 2013 UNITED CENTER UNITED STATES CHICAGO, IL JULY 18, 2013 XCEL ENERGY CENTER UNITED STATES ST. PAUL, MN JULY 20, 2013 THE PALACE OF AUBURN HILLS UNITED STATES DETROIT, MI JULY 21, 2013 AIR CANADA CENTRE CANADA TORONTO, ON JULY 22, 2013 BELL CENTRE CANADA MONTREAL, QC JULY 23, 2013 TD GARDEN UNITED STATES BOSTON, MA JULY 25, 2013 WELLS FARGO CENTER UNITED STATES PHILADELPHIA, PA JULY 26, 2013 BOARDWALK HALL UNITED STATES ATLANTIC CITY, NJ JULY 27, 2013 TIME WARNER CABLE ARENA UNITED STATES CHARLOTTE, NC JULY 29, 2013 VERIZON CENTER UNITED STATES WASHINGTON, DC AUGUST 2, 2013 MOHEGAN SUN UNITED STATES UNCASVILLE, CT AUGUST 3, 2013 BARCLAYS CENTER UNITED STATES BROOKLYN, NY
The nearly broke Lindsay Lohan is reportedly seeking half a MILLION dollars to promote an energy drink in Dubai … and if she can get it, well, more power to her. She’ll probably waste it, to be sure, but more power to her. Not that she necessarily will. The company is, understandably, balking at that absurd amount. “Lindsay wants $500,000 for an appearance in Dubai to promote Mr. Pink’s Ginseng Energy Drink, which executives are apprehensive about,” says a source. Mr. Pink is prepared to offer $200,000 plus travel expenses. Not a bad payday, but even that could be at risk due to her constant legal woes. Says the source: “The trip might not happen at all because of Lindsay’s criminal past and pending criminal charges. Dubai has very strict laws about convicted criminals entering the country.” Moreover, Lindsay is very upset about her financial problems and doesn’t trust her new lawyer, Mark Heller, to handle the Dubai travel issues,” the insider added. The troubled starlet, 26, was recently forced to move from LA back to NYC because she could no longer afford to pay the $8,000 monthly rent on her house. “Lindsay is being forced to live at home with Dina because she can’t afford any other options at the moment,” an insider said. “ Lindsay Lohan is broke , flat-out.” “She can’t even afford to rent a two-bedroom apartment in North Hollywood.” Living at home with mom was cramping LiLo’s hard partying lifestyle, and even that could be at risk. The $1.3 million Long Island mansion may soon be foreclosed on. Dina Lohan ’s financial problems have been well-chronicled throughout the years, as the world’s worst momager is reportedly more than $1 million in the red. Like mother like daughter. As for the energy drink appearance, “simply must happen for Lindsay. She is absolutely desperate for the cash,” the insider said. Cross your fingers.
Life imitates ‘The Wire’ SMH Teenagers Stabbed And Steelers Fan Knocked Out At Baltimore Ravens Parade Via Baltimore Sun Three teens were stabbed, one fatally, in downtown Baltimore Tuesday afternoon, near the route of the parade celebrating the Ravens Super Bowl victory, police said. Baltimore police spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said the stabbing occurred around 1:30 p.m. near the intersection of North Howard and West Fayette Streets. He said one of the three victims, a juvenile, went into cardiac arrest and was rushed into surgery at Johns Hopkins Children’s Center, where the youth died. The other two stabbing victims were taken to the University of Maryland Shock Trauma Center. One was listed in critical condition; the other was expected to live, police said. Guglielmi said the victims are 15- and 16-year-olds, but police have not released their identities. He said he knew of no motive for the stabbing and were searching for suspects. Large crowds had gathered downtown around the time of the stabbing for a parade starting at City Hall and ending at M&T Bank Stadium to celebrate the Baltimore Ravens’ Super Bowl XLVII victory. “This was an isolated incident,” Guglielmi said. “The victims knew their attackers. We believe this stemmed from a dispute. At this point, there is no information to suggest that these individuals were involved or came here for the Ravens victory celebration. We’re still trying to parse out all of those details.” In an unrelated story, Black Sports Online reports that a man wearing a Pittsburgh Steelers jersey was knocked out by an unidentified Ravens fan for reppin’ the wrong set during the parade. Tough crowd in B-More…sheesh. Image via HBO/AP
The South by Southwest (SXSW) Film Conference and Festival unveiled its lineup of 109 features including 69 world premieres Thursday. The festival, which overlaps with SXSW’s music and interactive programs, also includes 14 North American and five U.S. premieres. SXSW will screen eight films each in its Narrative Feature and Documentary Competitions. [ Related: ‘The Incredible Burt Wonderstone’ To Open The SXSW Film Festival ] As previously announced, Steve Carell and Steve Buscemi starrer The Incredible Burt Wonderstone will open the festival, taking place in downtown Austin, TX. The film will screen as part of SXSW’s Headliners section along with Harmony Korine’s Toronto debut Spring Breakers with James Franco and Selena Gomez, Stephen Finningan’s Hawking and Fede Alvarez’s Evil Dead . SXSW veteran Joe Swanberg ‘s Drinking Buddies will screen in the festival’s Narrative Spotlight section along with fellow vet and Austin-based filmmaker Bryan Poyser’s The Bounceback and John Sayles ‘ Go For Sisters with Edward James Olmos. SXSW’s Festival Favorites section will have a good dose of Sundance offerings this year, including Austin’s Richard Linklater ‘s Before Midnight , Andrew Bujalski’s Computer Chess , Joseph Gordon-Levitt ‘s Don Jon’s Addiction , Yen Tan’s Pit Stop , David Gordon Green ‘s Prince Avalanche and Shane Carruth’s Upstream Color . “It’s an incredible privilege to sift through so much exciting work, and every year brings new surprises. Though trends emerge after the fact, not consciously while we’re programming, much of this year’s program embraces love and the need/search/desire for connection,” commented SXSW festival producer Janet Pierson in a statement. “Many films reflect importantly on our culture and include intimate looks at iconic figures, and we’re lucky to have a plethora of hugely entertaining and audience pleasing films. Even more thrilling is the opportunity to support so many filmmakers we’ve followed for years who’ve made enormous creative leaps in their work.” The 2013 SXSW Film Conference and Festival takes place March 8 – 16. Music takes place March 12 – 17 and the tech-laden Interactive component takes place March 8 – 12. For more information, visit their website . The 2013 SXSW Film Conference and Festival lineup follows with information provided by organizers). Narrative Feature Competition (This year’s 8 films were selected from 1,191 submissions. Each film is a World Premiere): Awful Nice Director/Screenwriter: Todd Sklar, Screenwriter: Alex Rennie Estranged brothers Jim and Dave must travel to Branson together when their father dies and leaves them the lake home. A series of hilarious mishaps and costly misadventures follow as they attempt to restore the house and rebuild their relationship. Cast: Alex Rennie, James Pumphrey, Christopher Meloni, Brett Gelman, Keeley Hazell (World Premiere) Burma Director/Screenwriter: Carlos Puga On the eve of an annual sibling reunion, a troubled young writer is sent reeling with the arrival of an unexpected guest. Cast: Christopher Abbott, Gaby Hoffmann, Chris McCann, Dan Bittner, Emily Fleischer (World Premiere) Improvement Club Director/Screenwriter: Dayna Hanson When their big gig falls through, a ragtag, avant-garde performance group with a political message struggles to find their audience—and the motivating force behind their work. Cast: Magge Brown, Dave Proscia, Wade Madsen, Jessie Smith, Pol Rosenthal (World Premiere) LICKS Director/Screenwriter: Jonathan Singer-Vine, Screenwriter: Justin “Hongry” Robinson The story of a young man, D, as he returns to his Oakland neighborhood after two years served in prison for a robbery gone wrong… Cast: Stanley “Doe” Hunt, Koran Jenkins, Tatiana Monet, Devon Libran, Les “DJ Upgrade” Aderibigbe (World Premiere) The Retrieval Director/Screenwriter: Chris Eska On the outskirts of the Civil War, a boy is sent north by a bounty hunter gang to retrieve a wanted man. Cast: Ashton Sanders, Tishuan Scott, Keston John, Bill Oberst, Jr., Christine Horn, Alfonso Freeman (World Premiere) Short Term 12 Director/Screenwriter: Destin Daniel Cretton The film follows Grace, a young supervisor at a foster-care facility, as she looks after the teens in her charge and reckons with her own troubled past. An unsparingly authentic film, full of both heart and surprising humor. Cast: Brie Larson, John Gallagher Jr., Kaitlyn Dever, Rami Malek, Keith Stanfield (World Premiere) Swim Little Fish Swim (USA, France) Director/Screenwriter: Ruben Amar, Lola Bessis Between surrealism, unusual characters, art and magic tricks, Swim Little Fish Swim is a dreamlike journey from childhood to adulthood. Cast: Dustin Guy Defa, Anne Consigny, Brooke Bloom, Lola Bessis, Olivia Durling Costello (World Premiere) This Is Where We Live Directors: Josh Barrett, Marc Menchaca, Screenwriter: Marc Menchaca A struggling family’s dynamics are challenged and a unique friendship is born when a small-town Texas handyman becomes caregiver to their son with cerebral palsy. Cast: Ron Hayden, CK McFarland, Marc Menchaca, Tobias Segal, Frankie Shaw (World Premiere) Documentary Feature Competition (This year’s 8 films were selected from 905 submissions. Each film is a World Premiere) 12 O’Clock Boys Director: Lotfy Nathan Pug, a young boy growing up on a combative West Baltimore block, finds solace in a gang of illegal dirt bike riders known as The 12 O’Clock Boys. (World Premiere) Big Joy: The Adventures of James Broughton Directors: Stephen Silha, Eric Slade A documentary about embracing your passions and becoming the person of your dreams, disguised as an inspiring biopic about pioneering filmmaker and poet James Broughton (1913-1999). (World Premiere) Hey Bartender Director: Douglas Tirola The story of the bartender in the era of the craft cocktail. (World Premiere) Los Wild Ones Director: Elise Salomon Wild Records is an indie label reminiscent of the early days of Sun Records. The label is based in LA and run by Reb Kennedy aka Mr. Wild Records and is comprised of young Latin musicians who write and perform 50s Rock n Roll. (World Premiere) The Short Game Director: Josh Greenbaum Each year, the world’s best 7-year-old golfers descend on Pinehurst, North Carolina to determine the next “world champion” and who might become golf’s next phenom. The Short Game follows 9 young golfers on their quest for greatness. (World Premiere) Touba Director: Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi With unprecedented access and dynamic 16mm cinematography, Touba reveals a different face of Islam by chronicling Sufi Muslims’ annual pilgrimage to the city of Touba.(World Premiere) We Always Lie To Strangers Directors: AJ Schnack, David Wilson A story of family, community, music and tradition set against the backdrop of Branson, Missouri, the remote Ozark Mountain town that is one of the biggest tourist destinations in America. (World Premiere) WILLIAM AND THE WINDMILL Director: Ben Nabors William Kamkwamba builds a windmill from scrap to rescue his family from famine, transforming his life and launching him onto the world stage. His success leads to new opportunities and complex choices, distancing him from the life he once knew. (World Premiere) Headliners (The section features red carpet premieres and gala film events with some major and rising names in cinema.) Evil Dead Director/Screenwriter: Fede Alvarez, Screenwriter: Rodo Sayagues Five friends, holed up in a remote cabin, discover a Book of the Dead that unwittingly summons up dormant demons which possess the youngsters in succession until only one is left to fight for survival. Cast: Jane Levy, Shiloh Fernandez, Lou Taylor Pucci, Jessica Lucas, Elizabeth Blackmore (World Premiere) Hawking (UK) Director: Stephen Finnigan A brief history of mine: a look at the life of Stephen Hawking (World Premiere) The Incredible Burt Wonderstone Director: Don Scardino, Story by Chad Kultgen & Tyler Mitchell and Jonathan Goldstein & John Francis Daley. Screenplay by Jonathan Goldstein & John Francis Daley As superstar Vegas magicians and former best friends Burt and Anton grow to secretly loathe each other, their long-time act implodes, allowing an ambitious rival street performer the big break he’s been waiting for. Cast: Steve Carell, Steve Buscemi, Olivia Wilde, with Alan Arkin, James Gandolfini and Jim Carrey (World Premiere) Spring Breakers Director/Screenwriter: Harmony Korine Four college girls who land in jail after robbing a restaurant in order to fund their spring break vacation find themselves bailed out by a drug and arms dealer who wants them to do some dirty work. Cast: James Franco, Selena Gomez, Vanessa Hudgens, Ashley Benson, Rachel Korine, Gucci Mane (U.S. Premiere) When Angels Sing Director: Tim Mccanlies, Screenwriter: Lou Berney Michael despises Christmas. Now Christmas is getting even. Cast: Harry Connick Jr., Connie Britton, Chandler Canterbury, Fionnula Flanagan, Lyle Lovett, Dana Wheeler-Nicholson, Eloise DeJoria, Willie Nelson, Kris Kristofferson (World Premiere) [More World, North American and U.S. Premieres in following pages.] —
The Ohio band has paid their dues, and now, as MTV Artists To Watch, are gunning for global domination. By James Montgomery Twenty One Pilots Photo: MTV News
Paramore will kick off their first North American tour in nearly three years on April 25 in Houston. By James Montgomery Paramore’s Hayley Williams Photo: Getty Images
