The Daily Roundup for June 4

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“Frankenweenie” Poster: Check It Out!

He’s always up to something awesome, and Tim Burton's latest project “Frankenweenie” has released a new promotional poster.The Walt Disney Pictures production is an animated film starring the voices of big celebrities like Winona Ryder, Martin Short, Martin Landau, Catherine O’Hara, and Charlie Tahan.

Per the synopsis, Frankenweenie is a heartwarming tale about a boy and his dog. After unexpectedly losing his beloved dog Sparky, young Victor harnesses the power of science to bring his best friend back to life—with just a few minor adjustments. He tries to hide his home-sewn creation, but when Sparky gets out, Victor's fellow students, teachers and the entire town all learn that getting a new ‘leash on life’ can be monstrous.”

“Frankenweenie” is slated to hit theaters on October 5th, 2012 in regular 2D, 3D, and 3D IMAX formats.

Kelly Rowland Covers VEGAS Magazine

Check out Kelly Rowland looking super hot on the July 2012 cover of Vegas magazine. The singer, seen holding a number 9, is helping the magazine to celebrate their fourth anniversary with the cover. They followed the sassy diva around Las Vegas as she prepared for a performance at a private concert.

In the issue, she talks about her upcoming fifth studio album, an album which features contribution from some of today’s “terrific” producers according to the singer (Rodney ‘Darkchild’ Jerkins, Da Internz, The Neptunes, etc). Kelly spilled the beans on the project at the Grey Goose launch of Cherry Noir! recently.

Brandy Still Working on That Proposal

Brandy has been dropping hints big time that she wants to marry her boyfriend, music exec Ryan Press, but in a recent interview Brandy stopped dropping hints and outright asks what's taking so long...

Brandy tells Ebony Mag,

“I wish we were engaged. He’s taking a little long on the ring side of things, but I’m patient. I wanted to impress him. I wanted him to be proud of me; I was inspired by him. So making the record and him being there, it’s just all a part of it. Him and my daughter. I want him to love my songs. I want him to love my voice.”

Justin Combs & UCLA Respond To Criticism Of His Football Scholarship

While Justin Combs spent the weekend celebrating his high school graduation with dad Diddy, mama Misa and plenty of friends & family, folks were up in arms about his UCLA full football scholarship. Why? Because some argue he should have turned it down since his father is extremely wealthy, so he doesn't "need" it.

Instead of everyone offering praises for the new Bruins baller, Justin Combs has received some criticism as some folks seem to think his annual $54,000 MERIT-BASED scholarship award is taking away money from other students who actually need it.

UCLA responded yesterday saying:
"There's a misconception out there that somehow athletic scholarships would take away money from low-income students who need need-based aid," school spokesman Ricardo Vazquez said. "That's not the case. Athletic scholarships are awarded strictly on the basis of athletic and academic ability."

And Justin, who graduated with a 3.7 GPA from a top private school and won several football awards and made the prestigious All Star/All American team this year, tweeted:
Regardless what the circumstances are, I put that work in!!!! PERIOD. Regardless of what you do in life every1 is gonna have their own opinion. Stay focused, keep that tunnel vision & never 4get why u started.

He received co-signs from his extremely supportive mom Misa Hylton, of course.
My Son is his own man. He will earn his own way through life. I'm so proud of my baby ♥ it starts now! He is exactly the young man I raised him to be ☺ #independent #hardworking #intelligent

I’m still on the fence with this one. Maybe because of his father instead of flaunting his wealth and making stupid comments on twitter... people would have sympathy... the problem with Diddy is his arrogance..unlike Denzel Washing when his sons received scholarship he found a loop hole by way of offering a donation in the amount that was awarded to his son. It called "class " something Diddy does not have but want others to believed. However Congrats and GOOD LUCK!

Justin didn't seem to let the critics get him down as he celebrated his graduation with his fam

Misa's daughter Madison and Diddy

Justin's godmother Mary J. Blige & grandmother

Justin's grandparents on both sides. Oh hey Mama Janice.

Is that Da Band's Babs??

Congrats Justin?

IS CHAGAS THE HIV DISEASE?

There's new concern over a disease now affecting millions in Latin America-- it's called Chagas Disease. A recent editorial in a respected medical journal calls Chagas Disease "the new AIDS of the Americas." Dr Peter Hotez is the lead author.
"I like to call Chagas Disease arguably the most important infection you've never heard about," says Dr. Hotez

Report from WABC New York: 

Chagas Disease is a parasitic infection that's common in poor areas of Mexico, Central and South America. For most people it causes a mild flu-like illness. But it can remain dormant in the body for decades, and about 30% of the time, it can lead to intestinal and heart complications that are tough to treat.

But Dr. Anthony Fauci of the national institutes of health says Dr. Hotez and others are over-stating the danger of Chagas.
"I'm concerned that when people talk about comparisons with HIV," states Dr Fauci, "that that comparison would translate into thinking that it is transmitted like it is with HIV - which is just not the case." 

The parasite that causes Chagas Disease is transmitted primarily by the bite of a reduviid insect. It's known as "the kissing bug" because it likes to bite around the mouth while you're sleeping. But how concerned do we need to be here in the US? Biologist Dr. Lori Stevens has studied Chagas Disease in the United States for the last decade, and spoke to us via Skype. 

"We found that 40% of the bugs we looked at had fed on humans," said Dr. Stevens. "So this suggests to us that there may be more cases than previously thought."

But she says for now, the most concerning species of the insects are south of our country, but with global warming, they could make their way up to us
It's unlikely they're going to get to New York any time soon, says Dr. Stevens. But if people are aware then we have a better chance of controlling the situation and reducing the impact of it. 

There's still a debate among how concerned we should be, but chagas diseease is now officially one of 5 parasitic diseases targeted by the CDC for public health action.

So we'll be hearing more about it.

Gucci Mane Loses $270K Diamond Case In Henry County Georgia

Rapper Gucci Mane just lost a $270,000 battle in court — after a jewelry company in Georgia sued the rapper for stealing a buttload of diamonds … and won. Read below for details and you have to see the Gucci Mane So Icey photo gallery!!!!!!
A&A Diamonds retained attorney Vivian Uchitel (no relation) to file the lawsuit earlier this year in Henry County, claiming it loaned the rapper a $130,000 diamond pinky ring … in addition to a diamond necklace and bracelet worth $110,000.

According to the lawsuit, Gucci had 15 days to pay for the goods or return them — and he did neither … coughing up only $40,000.
A&A sued for a total of $274,523.34 — the $200,000 jewelry balance plus interest and attorneys’ fees.

Gucci never showed up in court, so a default judgment was entered against the rapper in April. A lien was then placed on the rapp

er’s property.

Gucci still hasn’t responded to the action

Kim Zolciak shocks as she reveals her natural hair for the very first time

Since starring in The Real Housewives Of Atlanta, Kim Zolciak has become famous for wearing her signature long blonde wigs.
But tonight on her reality show Don't Be Tardy For The Wedding, the 34-year-old's natural state was finally revealed, solving the mystery surrounding her need to don artificial tresses.
And what was underneath was not as shocking as some may have thought, as the reality star removed her fake hair to reveal a layered short blonde bob.

The big reveal: Kim Zolciak finally revealed her natural hair after removing her wig on the recent episode of Don't Be Tardy For The Wedding 

Kim made the big reveal during yet another meeting with her wig stylist Derek and her assistant Nikki, in the run up to her wedding to fiance, Kroy Biermann.
Before Derek arrives to her sprawling Atlanta mansion, Kim tells Nikki that she wants to go over several styles to go with her three wedding outfits.
'I have been thinking about how I am going to style my wedding wigs for weeks and I have no idea,' she tells Nikki.

She has hair! After many have speculated that she is bald underneath, Kim revealed a short blonde layered choppy bob
On cue, Derek, Kim's heel-wearing wig stylist, enters the room and says he has come up with the perfect plan.

'I am going to tell you what I am going to do for your wedding hair,' he asserts.
And it seems that Derek was thinking the same thing as Nikki.
'I had an idea. I think you are going to kill me, but I think you should do your real hair,' Nikki suggests.
'I agree,' says Derek, much to the disgust of Kim.
'You haven't seen my f***ing seen my hair for years,' protests Kim.
Despite being opposed to the idea, the Southern belle agrees that she will at least show the pair her current natural state.

Kim, clearly nervous about revealing what is underneath, explains that wigs have become a part of who she is.
'I think my wigs are a big part of my life,' she explains to the camera. 

She tells Derek and Nikki that they need to give her a minute before she does the big reveal.
'Go into my room and I am going to take my wig off and I will come and show you,' she instructs.
Peeling off the artificial hair and styling her natural tresses, she takes several minutes before she struts into her bedroom.

'I think she should wear her hair natural for the wedding people because people haven't seen seen it,' Derek tells Nikki meanwhile in the next room.

that she has always dreamed of a larger than life wedding and that includes voluminous tresses
It would be a great reveal,' Nikki agrees.
Kim then finally struts out into her bedroom to reveal a layered bob much to the delight of her friends.
'Derek you haven't seen this s*** in a year,' Kim exclaims, twirling around to model the 'do.
'Ah b**** you have got some hair,' Derek cries.

Both Derek and Nikki enthuse how much they love the look.
'Kroy likes it too, he likes my hair,' Kim tells them. '...I know I have great hair b****, but I love wigs.'

Despite the pair insisting that she should wear her hair au naturel for the nuptials, Kim explains that she has always dreamt of a larger than life wedding and that includes voluminous tresses.
Meanwhile, Kim's stress surrounding the wedding is literally at fever pitch, as the reality star comes down with the flu just 24 hours before her big day.
Tears: Kim broke down as she chatted to Jen

'Here it is the day before the wedding and I have a fever... I am sick as a dog,' she tells her housekeeper Febe, as she goes throug

h the plethora of prescription drugs that have been given to her by her doctor.

Kim tells Febe all of her wedding planning has taken a toll on her health.
'I am sure that I am sick from all of the stress from the wedding,' she complains.
'Febe, who gets sick 24 hours before the wedding? At least I don't have my period!' she adds, trying to see the bright side of the situation.
Diamonds are a girl's best friend: Moments later, Kim's spirits are also lifted by a visit from both Kroy and her jeweler Eddie, who brings over cases full of diamonds
Kim is instantly cheered up by an email from best friend and Maid-of-honour Jen, who apologises for being MIA for most of the wedding planning and explains why she has been acting so distant. 

She says in the note that she feels uncomfortable about being in the wedding.
'Jen is texting me, oh and she is making me cry,' Kim says, tearing up as she reads the words.
After reading the email Kim picks up the phone immediately and calls Jen, telling her how much she loves her and wants her to be there for the big day.

'I would just.. I would just like to be a guest,' Jen explains. I should of said something earlier... I just feel terrible... I wanna be your best friend.'
Moments later, Kim's spirits are also lifted by a visit from both Kroy and her jeweler Eddie, who brings over cases full of diamonds.
Eddie tells her that Kroy wants her to pick out a wedding gift from the stunning selection.

Delighted: Kim can't hide her joy over the jewels
'i just love diamonds and Kroy knows the way to my heart,' Kim says.
The vivacious blonde finally settles on a $400,000 bracelet as the gift from Kroy, and a pair of pear-shaped diamond earrings and another bracelet to wear on her wedding day.

'There is no such thing as too many diamond,' she muses.

Report: Beyonce Lands ‘Epic’ Movie Role

Beyonce‘s heading to animation!
Yes, months before she is believed to begin production on the musical ‘A Star Is Born’,the singer/songwriter is reported to have a landed a role in the animated flick ‘Epic’.

Details below…
According to Deadline.Com, Knowles will star alongside Colin Farrell and Steven Tyler in the movie, telling the story of a teenage girl transported to a secret universe which she must save to save her own universe.
Set to hit theaters May 24th 2013, it will mark Knowles first confirmed release since the birth of her daughter Blue Ivy in January and is to be produced by Ice Age‘s Chris Wedge.

Bobby Brown Defends Bobbi Kristina’s Behavior, Says Daughter Is Going Through A Phase

Since the shocking death of singer Whitney Houston almost four months ago the fate of her daughter Bobbi Kristina has caused media turmoil. Since the passing of her mom the public has noted the constant struggles of the 19-year old from reports of her walking off the set of Tyler Perry’s ‘For Better or Worse’ (which he denies), footage of Bobbi gambling in Vegas and her alleged drug abuse problems. The teen’s father, Bobby Brown, has spoken out to MTV News and thinks what she is going through is just a phase that all teenagers go through. Brown stated,

“Any parent that has a teenager in their life, they go through things. They go through phases that they might not be doing exactly what you want them to do in life, but they grow out of it, and my baby girl has grown out of it. I trust and believe that she’s smart enough to not go down the same road that maybe I did in the past or her mother did in the past. She’s extremely smart. That’s my baby girl. She’ll forever be my baby girl. She’s doing what she’s doing, and I’m extremely proud of her. She’s acting and she’s working on music and she’s doing what she has to do to recover from her loss – our loss.”

Whatever the case, I think we are all rooting for BK! Prove the naysayers wrong, boo!

Evelyn Lozada Says She Misses Her Friend Jennifer Williams In VIBE Interview

Evelyn Lozada, fiance’ of Chad Ochocinco and Basketball Wives Star is telling all to VIBE magazine. She recently sat down with Vibe as Guest Editor to discuss her upcoming projects. They include a new book, a new reality show with (Ev & Ocho) and how she deals with all her “haters.” Oh Boy! Sounds like a great interview…

Check out some of the excerpts below and tell me what you think.

In the interview Evelyn talks about learning from her fiance’ Chad Ochocinco
“I’ve learned, especially from Chad, that controversy is good. Nothing phases him and he’s like ‘Why do you care?’ I’ve learned a lot from him: the more popular and successful you become, the more haters and the more attorneys you need [laughs].

She also commented on being a famous ,
“I’ve accepted that this is a part of my life and apart of my world now. The more the show became popular, and I started dating Chad, its been like chaos. I’m never going to hide and I’m always one of those people that say TV can be a gift and a curse, and at the same time it’s opened up doors for me that I never would have imagined.”

And on her old friend with Jennifer Williams,
I miss her. We were friends for 10 years. I was in her wedding, so you know yeah, and your thinking you guys are going to do this show together, your BFF, and then your kind of like what happened? And we are mutual friends with a lot of people, so everything else became weird energy. It was tough.

Read the entire interview here: 

Chris Brown’s New Boo Karrueche Hangs With Old His Boo Draya

Chris Brown‘s new boo Karrueche Tran, and his old boo and former BBW Draya Michele, do a play date with their cute little doggies.

Draya also gifted Karrueche with some new swimsuits from her new bikini line called Mint Swim.

Janet Jackson Advises Her Niece Paris Jackson: “You’re Only A Kid Once”

Janet Jackson is urging her 14-year-old niece Paris Jackson to enjoy her childhood while she still can! Growing up in the limelight is something that Janet knows all too well and the pop superstar claims she doesn’t want to see her niece, who is an aspiring actress, get wrapped up in Hollywood at such a young age. Being a member of the very famous Jackson family, Janet knows that the glitz and glamour of fame are not worth trading your childhood for. Paris, daughter of the late and great Michael Jackson, as we reported a few months ago, has landed her first Hollywood gig to appear in Lundon’s Bridge and the Three Keys.

Unfortunately, her Aunt Janet is a bit uncomfortable with her choice. According to recent interview, Janet explains why Paris’ acting career should be put on hold until she is older: “We’ve spoken about the fact that you’re only a child once…I think there’s a time for everything, and now is not the time [to act in films]. I told her I thought she should enjoy being a kid, possibly go to college or not, but wait till she turns 18. She’s a very tough, smart girl. But it’s a cutthroat industry. I wouldn’t want my child to do it.”

The famous pop star might have a point! Paris should be in no rush to take over Hollywood; she should take her aunt’s warning and enjoy her adolescent years while she still has them.

Mississippi School Handcuffs Students To Railing For Disciplinary Reasons-Not Anymore!!!

Public schools in Jackson, Miss., will no longer be allowed to handcuff students to poles or other objects, under a settlement with the Southern Poverty Law Center reached in U.S. District Court. Jody Owens, director of the Mississippi office of the Southern Poverty Law Center, said the Capital City Alternatives school in Mississippi’s largest district must immediately stop handcuffing students, a practice used to punish even such things as dress-code violations.

“The focus should be education, not incarceration and it’s tantamount to child abuse when children are handcuffed to railings for something as simple as not having the appropriate belt or inappropriate shoe strings,” Owens said. The way students had been disciplined in the school was abusive, she said. “We have some students who have gone on record to say it’s happened to them three or four days in a row,” Owens said. “We know there are some students who actually had to eat their lunch with one hand handcuffed to a railing.”

According to the settlement, approved by U.S. District Judge Tom Lee, district employees will stop handcuffing students younger than 13, and can only handcuff older students for crimes, and no student may be handcuffed to railings, poles, desks, chairs or other objects. “It’s apparent there were severe problems that we hope now are being addressed and will be alleviated,” Lee told lawyers in court Friday, just before signing the settlement order.

CCA Principal Marie Harris said in her deposition that some did handcuff students, but that it was done for student safety. The ruling requires the school to change its approach in dealing with emotionally challenged students. The school was ordered to conduct a “climate assessment” that includes students, parents and teachers, as well as a mandate that all teachers be trained to deal with students with emotional and behavioral management problems, Owens said.

Smh-Crazy.

AND FINALLY FROM “THE CRAZY PEOPLE SHOPPING AT WALMART” FILES
“Bulldoggin’”

Ha! It kinda looks like you are trying to use a white bag to suffocate a bulldog…I now take personal offense.

HAVE A GREAT WEEK ALL!!!
EFREM

SERIOUSLY!?! NeNe 1,000,000.00$ For the next season of R.H.o.A?

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Nene Leakes To Make A Million For RHOA Season Five?

It’s no wonder Nene has been running around screaming ‘I’m Rich B-tch’ while looking like money. She’s raking in that cash.

As one of the highest paid reality stars in ‘Real Housewives’ history, she brought in an estimated (and reported) $750,000 last season and it is said that she will clock upward of a million for the upcoming RHOA Season five. This doesn’t include her new role on NBC’s ‘The New Normal’ which premieres this Fall.

Meanwhile, although her boisterous attitude made her one of the most popular reality stars out, Nene admits that she decided to calm down a bit once she realized she had a brand to build. She’s smartened up over the past few seasons but she doesn’t think Evelyn Lozada and the ‘Basketball Wives’ have gotten the point just yet. She tells Vibe:
You can say whatever y’all want about reality TV, Atlanta Housewives, we don’t do that. We definitely have had our verbal fights, but never physical fights. I can’t believe the fighting and the bullying. It looks bad. It really looks bad. I don’t like when people say it affects Black women or the Black community. I think it affects all communities. I think it looks bad on women; it looks bad on everybody. When I look at it, I just can’t believe it. And, you know, I’m friends with Jennifer [Williams] and she’s on Basketball Wives. [..] when I watch, I’m like, “How much do they get paid?” [Laughs] My goodness.

And then I think about—they can’t want to do too much in their careers. A good ole argument, everybody likes that every now and then to tune into, but you couldn’t be trying to have too much in your career because that stuff, it don’t work. You can’t represent a product and be that way. That just doesn’t work. That’s one of the reasons when I’m sitting on my show, I’m thinking I’m just tired. Because at some point this can’t even help my future. You know, you would want to think that it would help your future.

I don’t know if apologizing is going to work. It’s great to go back and say, “I’m sorry and I learned from the mistake.” But the damage is done and people saw it. You can do some stuff and people will tune out and never tune back in. It’s sort of like putting a bad taste in somebody’s mouth. Some people may not ever tune in again. You could’ve damaged your career. The person that was looking at you to do something, they may not want to use you now. I can’t take it.

Bloop! Bloop! At least somebody’s gotten the message..

Queen Latifah; CHILD BYE!, I did NOT Come out!

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Queen Latifah; CHILD BYE, I did NOT Come out!

On May 19, actress/rapper/HSN mogul Queen Latifah performed at the 2012 Long Beach Lesbian & Gay Pride Event. And , of course, folks around the net assumed this was her way of "coming out of the closet."

Now, she's addressing the rumors that she "came out" during her performance. She told Entertainment Weekly,

“That definitely wasn’t the case. I’ve never dealt with the question of my personal life in public. It’s just not gonna happen.”

But don't take Queen's statement as a diss to the LGBT community. She continued,

“To me, doing a gay pride show is one of the most fun things. My first show that paid more than $10,000 was in a gay club on New Year’s Eve in San Francisco. Tupac happened to be in town, so he came to kick it with me. This was the early ’90s. And the boys were like, ‘Take your shirt off, Tupac!’ He wasn’t doing that. But we had a blast in there.”

Queen also addressed the bullying that many people in the community experience, saying,

“I know that the most important thing and the only thing I have to give is love. When people are going through hatred and bullying, the biggest thing to fight that is love. So that’s all I encouraged my audience to do that night: to share their light and share their love. Period.”

So there you have it. And besides what is the big deal if she does, or does not. How does this impact your Life?

DC bids Farewell to The Godfather of GoGo Mr. Chuck Brown!

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THE HOMEGOING SERVICES FOR THE LATE CHUCK BROWN!
Crowds bid a final farewell to Chuck Brown in upbeat service. Hundreds of mourners gathered Thursday to say good-bye to the late great Chuck Brown. In a fond farewell lasting over 4 hours, the Washington Convention Center was filled to the brim with singing, prayer and the re-telling of stories about the music legend known best as the "Godfather of Go-Go."

With longtime DC radio favorite Donny Simpson playing host, there were no down moments in the proceedings as it was as much a celebration as a memorial service. The party like atmosphere quickly gave way to dancing in the aisles as musicians played their tributes, D.C. icons made their speeches and comedian Mike Epps humored the crowd with a lighthearted impersonation of the late music icon.

After D.C. Mayor Vincent Gray completed his own remarks about Chuck brown in which he refereed to the musician as a "close personal friend", Mayor Gray whipped the crowd into a frenzy by throwing his hands in the air and imploring the spirit of the recently deceased to "wind me up Chuck. Wind me up."

VIDEO from MyFoxDC

At the conclusion of the service, Chuck Brown's brothers, Tim, J.D. And Randy sang a moving a cappella rendition of "It's So Hard To Say Goodbye."

Though Chuck Brown has passed on, his spirit and memory will soon become more visible than ever. 

Plans are being made to name a park after Brown as well as the introduction of a resolution aimed at designating August 22nd as Chuck Brown day. There is also a petition to get Chuck inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. 
Click here to sign the petition.
R.I.P Chuck and THANK YOU for the contribution and the creation of a music style that has duplicated but can never be re-created. You are indeed The Undisputed Godfather of GoGo!

Ladies & Gents Madonna's M.D.N.A 2012 World Tour!

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THE WAIT IS OVER…M.D.N.A WORLD TOUR IS HERE!

Tel Aviv was transformed into a land of razzamatazz when Madonna took to the stage to kick off her 80 nation MDNA world tour.
The 53-year-old wore a variety of outfits as she appealed for world peace and calm in the Middle East as fans went wild in the sold out 35,000-seat Ramat Gan Stadium in Tel Aviv, Israel.Showing off her super toned arms in black rock chick attire, and her cheeky side in a red and white cheerleader ensmeble, the Queen of Pop certainly put on a show.The mother-of-four spoke to the audience between sets and revealed why she chose the Israeli city to launch her tour.

She said: 'I chose to start my world tour in Israel for a very specific and important reason.

'You can't be a fan of mine and not want peace in the world, we all bleed the same colour,' she said as the crowd cheered wildly.
'If we can all rise above our egos and our titles and the names of our countries and our religions, and treat everyone around us with dignity and respect, then we are on the road to peace.
Madonna gave her fans an eyeful in the red and white outfit

She continued 'If there is peace here in the Middle East, there can be peace in the whole world.'
Madonna reportedly donated 580 tickets to her show to members of both the Israeli and Palestinian peace camps, but not everyone accepted the generous gift.
The concert kicked off with guts and guns being shown on the big screen inter-cut with Catholic imagery before the star burst on stage.

With church bells ringing and bare chested monks waltzing in front of a huge red cross - this was the officially the church of Madonna.

The mix of a melody with a Hebrew prayer built up the anticipation as Madge emerged on stage in a confessional, breaking through its glass window using a rifle, which she then aimed at the audience.
She wore a skin-tight black outfit to sing her first song Girl Gone Wild.
Madonna was then joined onstage by her 11-year-old son Rocco, who followed in his mother's footsteps when it came to outfit changes.

The youngster wore an all black outfit with bright red braces as he danced with Madonna and then changed into a blue shiny vest and large headphones as he showed off his moves centre stage.

The fans enjoyed the grand opening and one eager person tweeted: 'Bow To The Queen Madonna!! #MDNA TEL AVIV!” Bow To The Queen Madonna.'

With guns featuring heavily in the next two songs, Revolver, and Gang Bang, the dancers and the Material Girl singer repeatedly fired guns into the audience.
After the dark introduction the tone switches up as Madge whips off her dark clothing to change into a cheerleader outfit with her iconic cone shaped bra making its first appearance as she performs vogue.

Madonna, who is dedicated to Kabbalah, put on a show that the large majority of her fans seemed to be ecstatic about.
Israeli fan Carmit Zindani, 32, beamed: 'There is simply nothing bigger than Madonna starting her world tour here in the Holy Land. She is one of us.'
Another follower said on Twitter: 'The true and only Queen Madonna ruled Tel Aviv, amazing show!'
That's my boy! Madonna was joined onstage by her 11-year-old son Rocco whose father is director Guy Ritchie
However, not everyone was impressed with her arrival in Israel as
some decided to voice their protest against the queen of pop's visit in an ultra-Orthodox journal.

According to ynetnews.com, the Haredi journal hit out at her show describing it as 'disgraceful.'

The publication went on to say that the residents of northern Galilee and Tiberius were 'shaken and disgusted' after realising that Madonna intended to visit the holy cities in northern Israel.

The singer, who is a well-known follower of Kabbalah, was not referred to by name in the article, but was instead call the 'famous gentile singer.'
Madonna is also said to be buying an apartment in the district of Safed which has caused further 'pain and rage within the god-fearing community.'
The journal described the star's intentions as a 'Kabbalah sponsored gimmick,' and added that 'the non-Jews abuse their faith in a ridiculous cult, turning the graves of the righteous into a trendy and touristy place.'

The epic show marks the start of her ninth world tour and her first since her Sticky And Sweet set in 2008.

From Israel, she will head to Abu Dhabi and then to Europe and the Americas before finishing in Australia in early 2013, where she has not performed in more than 20 years.
'Madonna changes outfits seven or eight times and the dancers change 10 to 15 times, depending on the dancer,' stylist Arianne Phillips told the WWD website.
She has signed up a list of designers including Jean Paul Gaultier, Jeremy Scott, Alexander Wang, Dolce & Gabbana, Fausto Puglisi and J Brand.
She has also planned to wear Prada and Miu Miu shoes, as well as footwear and lingerie from her own Truth or Dare line

Here's an EXCLUSIVE for ya!

There's NO DOUBT! Queen Madge is back on the throne!

HEALTH NEWS: IS THE CHAGAS DISEASE THE HIV?

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IS CHAGAS THE HIV DISEASE?

There's new concern over a disease now affecting millions in Latin America-- it's called Chagas Disease. A recent editorial in a respected medical journal calls Chagas Disease "the new AIDS of the Americas." Dr Peter Hotez is the lead author.

"I like to call Chagas Disease arguably the most important infection you've never heard about," says Dr. Hotez

Report from WABC New York:

Chagas Disease is a parasitic infection that's common in poor areas of Mexico, Central and South America. For most people it causes a mild flu-like illness. But it can remain dormant in the body for decades, and about 30% of the time, it can lead to intestinal and heart complications that are tough to treat.

But Dr. Anthony Fauci of the national institutes of health says Dr. Hotez and others are over-stating the danger of Chagas.
"I'm concerned that when people talk about comparisons with HIV," states Dr Fauci, "that that comparison would translate into thinking that it is transmitted like it is with HIV - which is just not the case." 

The parasite that causes Chagas Disease is transmitted primarily by the bite of a reduviid insect. It's known as "the kissing bug" because it likes to bite around the mouth while you're sleeping. But how concerned do we need to be here in the US? Biologist Dr. Lori Stevens has studied Chagas Disease in the United States for the last decade, and spoke to us via Skype. 

"We found that 40% of the bugs we looked at had fed on humans," said Dr. Stevens. "So this suggests to us that there may be more cases than previously thought."

But she says for now, the most concerning species of the insects are south of our country, but with global warming, they could make their way up to us
It's unlikely they're going to get to New York any time soon, says Dr. Stevens. But if people are aware then we have a better chance of controlling the situation and reducing the impact of it. 

There's still a debate among how concerned we should be, but chagas diseease is now officially one of 5 parasitic diseases targeted by the CDC for public health action.

So we'll be hearing more about it.

One of Nicki Minaj's Dancers Involved in a Rape & Murder in Japan?

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Nicki Minaj Tour Dancers Arrested for Rape and Murder in Japan

Allegedly two men from the Nicki Minaj tour have been arrested for rape in Japan.

Let me first say Nicki had nothing to do with all the drama…
Nicola Furlong, a 21 year old Irish foreign exchange student, was murdered in an upscale hotel room in Tokyo in the early hours of Thursday morning.
Nicola along with another female friend attended the Nicki Minaj concert Wednesday night.

Details are difficult to confirm but this is how the story is shaping up for me. Nicola and her friend met James “King Tight” Blackston 23, a backup dancer, and Larry Perry, a 19 year old musician at the concert. It is looking likely, but as yet unconfirmed, that the two were working on the Nicki Minaj tour.
The girls were wasted. They had missed the last train out and decided to go to the hotel rooms of James and Larry. In the car on the way to the hotel, the girl that lived, claims she was sexually assaulted. Both men were arrested on the sexual assault charge.

UPDATE: There are conflicting reports on who the 19 year old is.

Because in Japan you are a minor at 19 the police are not releasing the name. Most credible sources in the UK are reporting that it “Larry Perry”. Other sources have mentioned a young drummer who is on a tour unrelated to Nick Minaj. However that person is still tweeting and seems highly unlikely to be the correct 19 year old.
Here’s video of James “King Tight” Blackstone on the Japanese train harassing people.

Watch video:

At the hotel the foursome paired off into two different rooms. The girl who went to James’ room lived. The girl who went to Larry’s room appears to have been strangled to death around 3 a.m.

Other guests reported a loud disturbance. When security checked on the room they found Nicola strangled and Larry standing next to her. She was later pronounced dead at a hospital.

Update: Reports are leaking that the deceased woman was sexually assaulted AFTER she was strangled.

Some international reports indicate that the Japanese often arrest on a lessor charge while building a case on the higher charge. It appears that one or both may be charged in the death soon.James has done previous backup dancing for Chris Brown and J-Lo in the past. Not much information on “Larry Perry” yet and the Japanese are not even officially identifying him because he is 19. Blackston is 21. Both are in deep shit.

Meanwhile, Nicki has responded to this case, denying that anyone from her camp was involved. She explained on twitter:“Saddened to learn one of my precious fans; found tragically murdered in Japan. My love & prayers are with the family of Nicola Furlong…my dancers had nothing to do w/this tragedy. No one in my entourage was questioned or arrested. They all flew home from Japan that person on your sight is NOT my dancer. We do NOT know the men in custody. Too much misleading information.”