Now Pippa has 400k reasons to party

Pippa Middleton, pictured the day after her sister's wedding, knows a thing or two about a good party. Source: AFP

• Pippa Middleton reportedly banks $400k to write book
• Will write about throwing the perfect party
• Sought Royal approval before signing deal

PIPPA Middleton is turning her attention to writing, having reportedly signed a deal to pen a book about hosting the perfect party.

The Duchess of Cambridge's younger sister is believed to be banking a $US400,000 ($412,400) cheque from publishers Penguin, The Mail on Sunday in the UK reports.

The 28-year-old finalised the deal last week after a bidding war between HarperCollins, Cornerstone and the successful Penguin.

"She had to deliver a synopsis that was sent to a number of publishers under a strict confidentiality agreement," a friend of Pippa's told The Mail.

"There were some serious offers, but Penguin stumped up the most cash.

"It will be about entertaining and how to throw the perfect party. It's not just about being the perfect hostess - it will also include recipes and information about how to host different types of events."

The brunette, who attracted global attention for her role as bridesmaid during sister Catherine's marriage to Prince William, sought royal approval before signing the deal, keen not to be seen as cashing in on her family connections.

"Kate thinks it's a brilliant idea," the friend said.

Source: http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/celebrity/now-pippa-has-400k-reasons-to-party/story-e6frfmqi-1226207549186?from=public_rss

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Ricki-Lee's battle with her demons

Rickie-Lee says she battled depression so severe she was unable to leave the house for days. Picture: The Daily Telegraph Source: The Daily Telegraph

• Ricki-Lee reveals battle with depression
• Unable to leave the house for days
• "Bottling it all up made things worse"
• Need help?�Lifeline 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue 1300 22 46 36

ON the surface she seems to have it all, but singer Ricki-Lee Coulter says she has been fighting an ongoing battle with depression that, at its worst, left her unable to leave her house for days.

Speaking for the first time about her emotional turmoil, Coulter said her troubles began during her turbulent relationship with high school sweetheart Jamie Babbington.

Their one-year marriage ended in divorce in 2008 just as her career was hitting new highs.

"I was living my dreambut behind closed doors my personal life� was a mess," the 2004 Australian Idol contestant told The Sunday Telegraph.

"I felt alone, I bottled it all up and it made things worse.

"I wanted to give up everything. I wouldn't leave the house for days at a time. I'd sit in the house all day and do nothing.

"There was this big black cloud hanging over me all the time and I didn't know how to get away from it."

Drawing on her own experiences with depression, the 26-year-old has signed on to Marie Claire magazine's Shine A Light campaign, which will feature in this Wednesday's issue, along with actors Asher Keddie, Zoe Tuckwell-Smith and Ada Nicodemou, news readers Samantha Armytage and Jessica Rowe and TV presenter Charlotte Dawson.

"It's something I've been through and something I have experienced so if I can use my voice to shed some light and help other people feel confident and comfortable enough to know they are not alone, then that's great," she said.

Coulter, who recently lost 25kg and is happy in a new relationship with personal trainer Richard Harrison, said she had no regrets with all of her life experiences and had learned to come to terms with the person she is today.

If you are having trouble with depression or feel you need to talk, please contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 46 36

Source: http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/music/ricki-lee039s-battle-with-her-demons/story-e6frfn09-1226207036464?from=public_rss

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Indonesia visit will happen, says Obama

UNITED States President Barack Obama says his twice delayed trip to Indonesia is going to happen.

His trip to the most populous Muslim nation is tied with a trip to Australia but he made no specific mention of Australia.

Domestic emergencies including the massive Gulf of Mexico oil spill have kept Mr Obama from visiting previously.

Mr Obama held a bilateral meeting with Indonesia's President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono on the sidelines of Toronto's G20 meeting.

"Because of the crisis that we've had in the Gulf, I've had to delay the trip," Mr Obama told reporters at G20.

"But graciously, for a second time now, the president has re-extended the invitation, and I am confident that we are going to get there."

Source: http://www.news.com.au/breaking-news/world/indonesia-visit-will-happen-says-obama/story-e6frfkui-1225885165531?from=public_rss

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AON option for Carruthers

Carruthers: A game Hennessy winner

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The Coral Welsh National at Chepstow on December 27 is among the races being considered as a possible next target for Carruthers following his gutsy success in the Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury on Saturday.

The eight-year-old, fourth in the 2010 Cheltenham Gold Cup, showed he was back to his best after being under-par last season by making most of the running to take one of the biggest races in the jumps calendar.

"It was great, magic. You need patience in this game. Yesterday happened and it was very exciting," said trainer Mark Bradstock, whose father-in-law Lord Oaksey bred and part-owns Carruthers.

Bright And Perky

Oaksey remains the only amateur rider to win the Hennessy after his success on Taxidermist in 1958.

Bradstock said: "We'll see what happens in the next couple of days, but the horse is very bright and perky and he ate up last night.

"He came back in the field after the summer just looking a lot better, a lot stronger than he did the year before.

"We'll certainly think about the Welsh National. I obviously made the entry for him and we'll have to see how he is.

"There's the Aon Chase back at Newbury in February. We'll wait and see what the handicapper does too."

• Welsh National Antepost: Carruthers 10/1

Source: http://www1.skysports.com/news/12040/7336845/

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'Bird man' faces court for sitting in tree

A MAN in southwestern China who lived in a eucalyptus tree for more than three months to protest the planned demolition of his home is being tried for disturbing public order.

Chen Maoguo was dubbed the "bird man" for his tree-top sit-in last year in the Chongqing region, staged to protest what he considered inadequate compensation for the razing of his home, the Yunnan Information News said.

His home was one of many to be knocked down to make way for a shopping mall in Fengjie county.

However, his unusual protest beginning last August attracted crowds and media attention, leading to his arrest in November for disturbing public order, said the report, posted on the popular Chinese web portal Sina.com.

During his demonstration, Mr Chen pulled all of his food, water, clothing and other needs up by rope into the small makeshift shelter he constructed in a eucalyptus tree, it said.

The report said Mr Chen was to appear in a local court today. It did not say how old Mr Chen was, or what penalties he could face.

Land seizures, often involving corrupt officials and businesses eyeing real estate profits, have been a growing source of unrest in China.

The problem stirred an uproar last year as a property boom and resulting rash of mass evictions caused a number of violent clashes, protests and even suicides by stubborn homeowners.

Source: http://www.news.com.au/breaking-news/bird-man-faces-court-for-sitting-in-tree/story-e6frfku0-1225885245007?from=public_rss

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Vatican checked in laundering probe

Vatican probe:� The Vatican has been assessed to determine if it has tightened its regulations to prevent money laundering.� Picture:� Supplied Source: Supplied

COUNCIL of Europe inspectors have visited the Vatican to monitor its plans to tighten money laundering regulations.

The group from the Moneyval committee "met with representatives of Vatican authorities dealing with the issue of prevention and fight against money laundering and terrorist financing," a statement from the Vatican said.

The group, composed of legal, financial and law enforcement experts from five countries, arrived on Monday and left overnight, the statement said.

They are expected to present a report with their findings at a plenary session of Moneyval "presumably in the middle of 2012," the Vatican said.

Pope Benedict XVI last December created a new financial authority following an embarrassing investigation of Vatican bank officials by Italy.

The Vatican also approved a law from April imposing sentences of up to 12 years in prison for money laundering and 15 years for terrorist financing.

In September last year, Italian authorities launched an investigation into and seized assets linked to the Institute for Religious Works (IOR) - the official name of the Vatican bank - for alleged violation of money-laundering rules.

The Vatican has also been excluded from an international "white list" of countries compliant with strict financial controls. The new financial authority is aimed at bringing the Holy See in line with new global standards.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/newscomaumostpopularworldndm/~3/kmojkVsNnR0/story-e6frfkyi-1226207135961

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Paris Hilton -- Black Widow Spyder

Dressed in black from head-to-toe, Paris Hilton took her brand new, bright red, 2012 Ferrari California Spyder out for a spin last night in Beverly Hills.

Paris had the $277,500 ride delivered to her house yesterday afternoon.

Source: http://www.tmz.com/2011/11/25/paris-hilton-ferrari-photo/

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