Michelle Obama talks frankly of the strains Barack's career put on their marriage

The couple were married in 1992. But they faced tough times when Barack moved into politics, leaving his wife alone for long periods while he was away pursuing his career

Michelle says the last thing the couple - pictured celebrating Senate triumph victory in 2004 – want to project is the image of a flawless union. She would be happy, she says: "If my ups and downs, our ups and downs in our marriage can help young couples realise that good marriages take work
"Marriage is hard. But going into it, no one ever tells you that," says the first lady - pictured helping her husband prepare for a speech in the modest Chicago apartment they shared with their children until his victorious Senate race

No one who saw them gaze lovingly into each other's eyes as they shared that first dance on election night could doubt the strength of their union. But Barack Obama and wife Michelle, who wed in 1992, have endured some tough times on the road to the White House and beyond. The first lady spoke frankly this week about the stresses put on their marriage by her husband's absences and the problems of trying to juggle home and work.
"This was sort of the eye-opener to me, that marriage is hard," the 45-year-old told The New York Times."But going into it, no one ever tells you that. They just tell you, 'Do you love him?' 'What's the dress look like?'." But rocky patches are a normal part of any relationship, adds Michelle.
"The bumps happen to everybody all the time, and they are continuous," she said. And while theirs is known to be one of the strongest and most loving unions in the political world, the mum-of-two says the image of a flawless relationship "is the last thing that we want to project".She continues:
"It's unfair to the institution of marriage, and it's unfair for young people who are trying to build something, to project this perfection that doesn't exist." The mum of two said that she would be pleased "if my ups and downs, our ups and downs in our marriage can help young couples sort of realise that good marriages take work".
There been already been claims by one author that career-related pressures put intense strain on the couple's marriage, at one point causing Michelle to think about walking out. And according to her chief of staff, Michelle was at one point "in a lot of ways a single mom, and that was not her plan".
But Barack says reports that their union almost came to an end are "over reading it".Though he says he "wouldn't gloss over the fact that it was a tough time for us", he states: "There was no point where I was fearful for our marriage." However, he does add: "There were points in time where I was fearful that Michelle… would be unhappy."

Michael Jackson's family divided over 'This Is It' film


Fans hailed it as a fitting tribute to his life, but This Is It has apparently divided Michael Jackson's family.The king of pop's brothers Marlon, Jackie and Jermaine joined stars at the movie's LA premiere and heaped praise on the filmmakers.
But parents Joe and Katherine and sisters La Toya and Janet were notably absent. According to a British newspaper, they believe the people in charge of Michael's estate are putting profit ahead of the family's wishes.
"(They) feel the film is insensitive and too soon," says a source. The brothers, however – who are planning a Jackson 5 comeback – apparently want to keep industry bosses on their side. Stuck in the middle is Tito.
He supported his brothers on the red carpet but did not join them in watching the film, as did Randy. Tito reportedly wants to be involved in the comeback but apparently also agrees with his parents

BEST DRESSED CELEBRITIES OF 2009 THOSE WHO MANAGED TO STAY HIP WITHOUT EMBARRASSING THEIR FAMILIES.


Demi Moore in Christian Dior, Zac Posen, and a steely grey minidress(L-R) Michelle wearing Kai Milla, Jason Wu, and Jason Wu
(L-R) Jennifer Connelly in Alexander McQueen, RM by Roland Mouret, and Balenciaga
(L-R) Freida Pinto in Zac Posen, Galliano, and Jean-Paul Gaultier
(L-R) Dita Von Teese in Dior, D&G, and Jean-Paul Gaultier
Carrie Underwood wearing Jenny Packham and Georges Chakra
(L-R) Emma in Proenza Schouler, Burberry Prorsum, and Ossie Clark
(L-R) Thandie in Jonathan Saunders, Vintage, and Matthew Williamson
(L-R) Elizabeth Banks in Alberta Ferretti, Andrew Gn, and Max Mara
(L-R) Amy in RM by Roland Mouret, Carolina Herrera, and Jasmine Di Milo

Lenny Kravitz
(L-R) Rihanna in Alexander Wang and Louis Vuitton.

(L-R) Drew in Dior, Andrew Gn, and Elie Saab
(L-R) January in BCBG Max Azria, Atelier Versace, and Michael Kors

Liv Tyler in Stella McCartney

Kristin Davis on 'SATC 2': It's 'Adventurous and Rich'

Sarah Jessica Parker, Kim Cattrall, Cynthia Nixon and Kristin Davis film a scene for their new film 'Sex and the City 2' in New







Kristin Davis revealed that Sex and the City 2 is going to pack a lot of punch, and some tunes, even. The 44-year-old actress, who plays Charlotte York Goldenblatt, says writers have included so many dramatic plotlines into the upcoming sequel it is much more intense than the first movie -- and that one even had our heads spinning. She told MTV: "This one is not going to be that long. It's like condensed soup. It's different, and adventurous and rich, and there's music involved.” Sarah Jessica Parker and Kristin Davis. (Bauer Griffin)Kristin, who stars in the films with Sarah Jessica Parker, Kim Cattrall and Cynthia Nixon, also revealed the cast are currently working long hours to complete the film. She explained: "We were shooting nights last week, and pretty much for the 2 weeks before that. All night. We were not doing a night exterior, but that's how many hours we needed to get certain things done. When it comes out, you're going to know what I'm talking about. I can't tell you right now, except to say that they are huge scenes with like hundreds of people in them! And there were more costume changes in the first film than there are in the second one.”Liza Minnelli recently brought the cast of the project to tears when she performed for them on set. The iconic singer has a cameo appearance as herself in the upcoming movie and decided to sing after she finished her scene and made an emotional speech.

Madonna on African Endeavors: 'Malawi Chose Me'


Madonna is in Africa with her children and is learning a lot about what life is like off the red carpet while she visits. The singer, who has adopted 2 children, Mercy and David, both 4, from the country said:
“People always ask me, ‘Why did you choose Malawi?’ But I have always said, ‘Malawi chose me.’ Growing up in a privileged life, I took education for granted. Coming to Malawi has taught me a lot.” Madonna and her children Mercy and David.
The 51-year-old star is currently in Malawi with the 2 youngsters and their older siblings, Lourdes, 13, and Rocco, 9. The family flew out to the country for a week-long vacation, starting with the official opening of her charity’s school, the Raising Malawi Academy for Girls, in Lilongwe yesterday.
Madonna, 51, is working closely on the school, which will reportedly cost nearly $15 million to build and will have space for 500 girls, because she is determined to make “future female leaders” out of girls from across the country.
The pop singer attended yesterday’s brick-laying ceremony for the school and promised to continue her work in other countries if the project is a success. She said:
I realized how much children deserve to be educated and so, for me, the best thing I could do was to build a school, a unique school that will create future female leaders, scientists, lawyers, doctors and if this school is successful it will be used as a model to replicate it in other countries. During the visit, Madonna will take her 2 youngest children to meet their biological families and will spend time learning the local language and teaching them about where they came from.

Ivanka Trump weds in stunning ceremony

Ivanka married publisher Jared Kushner

Ivanka has wed in a stunning cereomy in New Jersey

She wore a white Vera Wang gown
IVANKA AND HER DAD
IVANKA Trump has tied the knot in a stunning ceremony.The heiress, whose father Donald Trump hosts the US version of the Apprentice, wed publisher Jared Kushner in New Jersey.Father of the bride, Donald, said: "It was a spectacular wedding and a day that I will always remember. Ivanka and Jared are an amazing couple - I know they will do great things together."The 27-year-old’s spokesperson added: "She was the most stunning bride." Ivanka wore a delicate Vera Wang wedding gown as she tied the knot at her father’s luxurious Trump National Gold Club in front of 500 friends and family. Speaking before her nuptials, she wrote on Twitter: "Just finished a gorgeous hike. The leaves are spectacular and the sun is shining. Everything is simply perfect! I'm getting married today!"The night before the wedding, the businesswoman-and-model spent the evening relaxing with a handful of her closest friends.She wrote: "At a very casual 'rehearsal' dinner with friends... just five of my lady friends and me having a casual dinner and getting excited. Perfect!"

Somali Pirates Kidnap British Boat Couple sailing off the coast off Africa from Seychelles to Tanzania

Somali pirates say they have hijacked the boat of a British couple sailing off the coast of Africa.
Paul and Rachel Chandler were heading for Tanzania from the Seychelles in their 38ft yacht, the Lynn Rival.
Their route would have taken the couple, in their 60s, near Somalian waters which are notorious for attacks on ships and smaller boats.
Two Royal Navy ships are now looking for their vessel.
The Foreign Office said it was urgently investigating after the ship reportedly sent a distress signal. It has not been heard from since.
The last message on their extensive travel blog, posted on Friday morning, reads simply: "Please ring Sarah."
Two days earlier they wrote that they were saying farewell to the Seychelles in the Indian Ocean - and were bound for Tanzania more than 500 miles away.
"We'll be at sea for eight to 12 days, maybe 14 as we are now getting into the period of transition between the south monsoon and north monsoon, so the trade winds will be less reliable," they said.
"We probably won't have satellite phone coverage until we're fairly close to the African coast, so we may be out of touch for some time."
Elsewhere the couple, from Tonbridge, Kent, who have been sailing around the world for several years after selling up in the UK - wrote of "the Somali pirate problem" that delayed other voyages to Tanzania.
An American intelligence memo said a merchant ship was stormed 113 miles from the Lynn Rival's last position just 19 hours earlier.
"Pirates armed with automatic weapons and rocket-propelled grenades opened fire on a bulk carrier. The pirates took hostage 26 crew members."
A Foreign Office spokesman said: "We are aware of the report. We are investigating urgently."
Light winds in the Seychelles region in recent weeks has given rise to a spate of hijack attempts as pirates make use of the fair conditions.
An Indian cargo ship was hijacked off the coast of the Seychelles last Wednesday, and its more than two dozen crew members have not been heard from since.
It was also reported that several Spanish trawlers working near the Seychelles are employing former British soldiers as armed guards.
In June, 64-year-old Briton Malcolm Robertson was killed in front of his wife by pirates and his body thrown overboard to sharks off the coast of Thailand

Stephen Gately and mum reconciled before death



Boyzone singer Stephen Gately ended a 10-year rift with his mother just two weeks before his death in Majorca, it's been revealed.In an interview with Reveal magazine, Stephen admitted that he flew to Dublin and told her: "I was wrong and I should never have let it get that far".The falling out was apparently caused by a tabloid interview his mother gave on the day he came out to tell fans he was gay. Stephen went on to say that the argument had started over "the silliest thing" and that it was his brother that ultimately convinced him to make peace. He said: "There were tears and I told her I loved her very much and I'd always be there for her".

X Factor: Miss Frank crash out after singing for survival against Danyl Johnson

Cheryl and Dannii Minogue, who opted for a more demure dress, dazzle on stage


Miss Frank left X Factor last night after losing the public vote. Danyl Johnson, the favourite to win, was also forced to sing for survival

Miss Frank were voted off the X Factor last night after singing for survival against show favourite Danyl Johnson.
The judges were shocked that the two acts scored the lowest public vote, with Simon Cowell calling it 'a joke' that the teacher faced the boot.
Miss Frank, the trio who were put together at this year's boot camp, had received rave reviews from the judges after Saturday night's show and even became a trending topic on Twitter after their performance.

Simon was also shocked at the result, which saw Danyl reprising his audition piece, With A Little Help From My Friends.
'I have never ever been so surprised in my life. If this is your last performance Danyl, I've never heard anyone go out on such a high.
'This is a joke you're in this position,' he told Danyl. 'It's a total joke.'
Cheryl and Dannii looked torn, but both have called Danyl 'cocky' in the past. Cheryl rolled her eyes at her fellow judge after Simon gave his act a standing ovation.

Johnson, who has been the bookies' favourite since the audition stages, had tears in his eyes as he sang With A Little Help From My Friends for survival But last night, the judges were split on who to save. While Simon and Dannii Minogue plumped for Danyl, Louis voted for his group to stay.
Cheryl Cole had the deciding vote, and chose Miss Frank, who had performed Love Don't Live Here Anymore, to stay so the decision would be split.
It meant that the act with the lowest public vote, Miss Frank, were sent home.
Louis said: 'I cannot believe these two acts are in the bottom. These two acts are amazing performers. I think it's unfair.



Love them or hate them, John and Edward are back next week

Madonna takes ‘Disneyland’ to Malawi


Madonna took so many toys with her to Malawi that locals say it looks like Disneyland
She wants son David to mix with his old friends


Daughter Lourdes, son Rocco and newly-adopted daughter Mercy are all with her


MADONNA took so many toys and games with her on her latest trip to Malawi that locals are saying her lodge looks like a theme park.The singer flew to the African country - where she was joined by daughter Lourdes, 13, son Rocco, nine, and her two adopted Malawian children, David and Mercy, both four - with so many toys, bouncy castles and rocking horses that amazed onlookers joked their Kumbali Lodge apartment resembled the famous theme park.One local resident said: “It’s like Disneyland has come here.”The 51-year-old singer has returned to the country for a week-long break, starting with the official opening of her charity’s school, the Raising Malawi Academy for Girls, in Lilongwe later today.She said: “It’s an honour for me to be able to help as many of these girls as I can achieve their dreams. I’m also incredibly proud of all the projects Raising Malawi is involved in and I look forward to visiting a number of them during my visit.”Madonna apparently wanted to wait until her two youngest children were fluent in the local language, Chichewa, until she took them back to their home country.When David struggled to converse with his old friends on their last visit, Madonna embarked them on a course of intense schooling.During the visit, the singer will take the children back to spend time with their biological families, including Mercy’s father James Kambewa.It was recently reported the songstress was keen for her daughter to bond with her 24-year-old father – who was opposed to the adoption – and hopes he will play a role in the youngster’s life.A source said: “Madonna wants Mercy to learn all about her culture and the community where she was born. She realises her kids need a sense of home and she's determined to do all she can to give that to them. She doesn't want to deny Mercy anything in life - and that includes meeting her dad if that's possible."

Emily Blunt sets a wedding date

Emily Blunt has set a wedding date with fiance John Krasinski

ABOVE: The loved-up pair are now looking for the perfect tropical location


FOR a woman about to tie the knot Emily Blunt has been curiously silent about the details.The actress, 26, has finally set the date for her nuptials with US actor John Krasinski.The pair are planning a beach wedding in June but are still looking for the perfect tropical spot.A source said: "Emily's friend Anne Hathaway will be chief bridesmaid and there will be no more than 50 guests." John, 30, is currently playing the role of James Halpert in the US version of The Office, a character based on Tim Canterbury from the original series.The couple confirmed their engagement in August after having spent eight months together.Emily is currently filming The Adjustment Bureau in New York.

SHERIA NGOWI IS DOING BIG THING IN FASHION(DESIGN)

Hiki ni kichwa kingine cha kujivunia Tanzania, yuko juu sana katika mambo ya fashion ni Designer anaekuja juu kwa kasi ya ajabu,mungu azidi kukubariki katika kazi zako.
 

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