Kris Allen's Self-Titled Album

Kris Allen will not drop his eponymous studio album "Kris Allen" across United States until November 17. However, snippets of its thirteen tracks have been made available for stream on Amazon Germany.

Spotted missing from the preview is a song titled "Send Me All Your Angels" which is co-written by Kris and Chris Daughtry. It is set to be offered as an exclusive bonus track for those buying the album on Walmart.

Recently, Kris Allen has showcased three of his fresh materials at Dolphin's Tailgate Stage Sunday, October 25. He sang about fighting to save a rocky relationship in "Before We Come Undone", danced to the groovy beat of "Written All Over My Face" and continued with another funky tune with "Can't Stay Away".

Kris' another scheduled gig will take place on December 11 at New York City's Z100 Christmas Ball. He will be joined by David Archuleta, Jordin Sparks, Taylor Swift, John Mayer, Justin Bieber, The Fray, Boys Like Girls, Pitbull, Owl City and Jay Sean.

Global premiere for Michael Jackson movie

Michael Jackson's family and fans have attended the worldwide premiere of his concert documentary, This Is It.

The movie was pieced together from 100 hours of footage shot at rehearsals for the star's ill-fated comeback shows.

Jackson's brothers Jermaine, Marlon, Tito and Randy, attended a star-studded screening in Los Angeles. Simultaneous premieres were held in 18 other cities.

Introducing the film, director Kenny Ortega described it as "the last sacred document of our leader and friend".

Jermaine Jackson on the film
"We're going to see him going through the motions, though, not giving 1,000% because he's making sure everyone else is going to do their part".












But some fans protested outside the screenings, saying the film covers up Jackson's declining health.

The dedicated fans, who have set up a campaign called This Is Not It, are accusing concert promoter AEG Live of putting too much pressure on the star during the build up to his 50-date run at London's O2 Arena.

Jackson, who died on June 25 aged 50, had spent the previous four months rehearsing in Los Angeles.

More than 800,000 tickets had been sold for the concerts, with organisers promising one of the "most expensive and technically advanced" live shows ever.

He was just two weeks away from the opening night at the time of his death, which authorities in Los Angeles ruled a homicide.

'Pure joy'

The Los Angeles premiere took place across the road from the Staples Center, the site of Jackson's rehearsals and, later, his public memorial service.

Stars attending the event included Will Smith, Jennifer Lopez, Paris Hilton, Katy Perry, Jennifer Love Hewitt and Motown Records founder Berry Gordy Jr.

On the red carpet, Jermaine Jackson stressed that the footage just showed "preparation" for the star's concerts.

"We're going to see him going through the motions," he said, "not giving 1,000% because he's making sure everyone else is going to do their part but, at the same time, once he got on that stage, he was going to give them 100,000%"

THIS IS IT PREMIERES
- Los Angeles
- Belgium
- Bolivia
- Brazil
- Denmark
- Germany
- Hungary
- Korea
- Netherlands
- Norway
- Peru
- Poland
- Slovakia
- South Africa
- Spain
- Switzerland
- Uruguay
- United Kingdom
- New York City

But fans were largely positive.

"Judging by that film, it would have been the best show of all time," Darryn Wade told the BBC. "I just wish I got to see the live concert."

Ed Rahmen said the movie proved the O2 concerts would have been "the best thing he had ever done".

"It was like a film on stage. It was better than any of his early stuff. It was Jackson brought to this time and age."

Neda Allin added: "You can see he was a bit ill, or he didn't look right, but the movie was brilliant."

Meanwhile, Jackson's close friend Elizabeth Taylor issued her verdict on the film via Twitter, calling it: "The single most brilliant piece of filmmaking I have ever seen".

"I wept from pure joy at his God given gift. There will never, ever be the likes of him again," she added.

"We have this piece of film to remind us forever and ever that once there was such a man. God kissed him."

This Is It has now been released to cinemas for a limited two-week run. The first public screening in London began at 0400GMT, with fans queuing through the night to see it.

By the weekend, it will be shown in 110 countries, with distributor Sony putting 15,000 prints into circulation.

Pop star Madonna opens new Malawi school

Pop star Madonna has marked the start of construction at the girls school she is building in Malawi.

The 51-year-old cut a ribbon and planted a tree at the groundbreaking ceremony at the Raising Malawi Academy for Girls.

The star's four children including David, 4, and Mercy, 3 - whom Madonna adopted from the country - were also present at the event.

It is thought construction of the $15m (£9.2m) academy will take two years.

"Growing up in a privileged life, I took education for granted, but coming to Malawi has taught me a lot of things and learnt to appreciate what life gives," Madonna said.

The singer added she wanted to give opportunities to underprivileged young girls.

"I realised how much they 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 and doctors.

"If this school is successful it will be used as a model to replicate it in other countries," she said.

Belief

Madonna's charity, Raising Malawi, aims to provide accommodation, food, education and other support to orphans in the country.

The Raising Malawi Academy for Girls, is on the outskirts of the country's capital, Lilongwe and will admit 500 girls from the small southern African country's 28 districts.

Madonna adopted four-year-old David in 2006
"Research proves that young girls throughout the developing world are often left without opportunities to receive a comprehensive education and the benefits that education can provide," Madonna said in a statement on her website.

"Our goal is to teach them to challenge themselves, serve their local communities and develop their country."

Anjimile Mtila Oponyo, a local academic who has been hired to head the academy, said:"Madonna believes that given opportunities, these girls will become scientists, lawyers and doctors."

"She believes in them. Having someone believe in you is important to a girl."

During her trip, Madonna is also expected to meet with President Bingu wa Mutharika and visit some of the orphanages her charity supports.

Andrew Lloyd Webber treated for cancer

Lloyd Webber wrote the UK's 2009 Eurovision Song Contest entry
Composer Andrew Lloyd Webber, 61, has been diagnosed with prostate cancer, it has been disclosed.

His spokesman said in a statement that the condition was currently in its very early stages.

"Andrew is now undergoing treatment and expects to be fully back at work before the end of the year," it said.

Lord Lloyd Webber, composer of Jesus Chris Superstar and Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat, is set to judge a BBC talent show next year.

Lord Lloyd Webber is best known for his musicals which include Evita, Starlight Express and The Phantom of the Opera.

Earlier this month, he launched his new musical Love Never Dies, a sequel to Phantom of the Opera which is due to open in February next year.

He has led three successful BBC series which cast leads for West End musicals: How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria?, Any Dream Will Do and Oliver!

Next year he will launch a new BBC show to find Dorothy and Toto for a new theatrical production of The Wizard of Oz.

He owns seven London theatres including the Theatre Royal Drury Lane and the London Palladium.

Prostate cancer affects around 35,000 men in the UK each year and kills just over 10,000.

Deploying Windows 7 : Free Microsoft Ebook

With the release of Windows 7 right around the corner Microsoft has released a free ebook called “Deploying Windows® 7 Essential Guidance from the Windows 7 Resource
Kit and TechNet Magazine”. The contents of the ebook are divided into chapters that have been taken from the Windows 7 Resource Kit and from Technet articles.

The Windows Resource Kit chapters are very technical and go into deployment details while the Technet chapters are addressing specific issues or providing general information about the Windows 7 operating system. Below is the list of available chapters in the Windows 7 deployment book:















The Windows 7 deployment ebook has a total of 332 pages and can be downloaded for free from the Microsoft website.

Brad Pitt in Minor Motorcycle Accident

Brad Pitt is unharmed after a minor motorcycle accident, Us magazine reported.

Early reports stated that the Inglourious Basterds star and father of six was bumped from behind by a paparazzi and fell off his bike, but TMZ is now reporting that the star clipped his bike's handlebars on a parked car while trying to maneuver through traffic at a red light, causing his bike to fall over.

Pitt was wearing his helmet and wasn't injured. He removed his bike from the road and was picked up at a nearby apartment complex. TMZ reported that the star left his motorcycle at the scene.

Pitt once told W Magazine in an interview that his helmet provides the added benefit of disguising him from the paparazzi. "This is my anonymity," he told the mag.

Windows 7

Windows 7 is the latest version of Microsoft Windows, a series of operating systems produced by Microsoft for use on personal computers, including home and business desktops, laptops, netbooks, tablet PCs and media center PCs. Windows 7 was released to manufacturing on July 22, 2009, and general retail availability on October 22, 2009, less than three years after the release of its predecessor, Windows Vista. Windows 7's server counterpart, Windows Server 2008 R2, was released at the same time.

Unlike its predecessor, which introduced a large number of new features, Windows 7 is intended to be a more focused, incremental upgrade to the Windows line, with the goal of being fully compatible with applications and hardware with which Windows Vista is already compatible. Presentations given by Microsoft in 2008 focused on multi-touch support, a redesigned Windows Shell with a new taskbar, a home networking system called HomeGroup, and performance improvements. Some applications that have been included with prior releases of Microsoft Windows, including Windows Calendar, Windows Mail, Windows Movie Maker, and Windows Photo Gallery, are not included in Windows 7; some are instead offered separately as part of the free Windows Live Essentials suite.

US asks for Roman Polanski extradition

Roman Polanski went to Switzerland to receive a lifetime achievement award
The US has formally asked Switzerland to extradite film director Roman Polanski on sex charges, Swiss officials say.

Polanski has been wanted in the US since he fled the country in 1978, after pleading guilty to having unlawful sex with an under-age girl.

He was held in Zurich after travelling from France to collect an award at the city's film festival in September.

The director recently lost an appeal to be released on bail from a Swiss jail.

The Swiss justice ministry said in a statement that if it approved the US request, Polanski might appeal against the decision.

"The US Embassy in Bern submitted the formal extradition request... within the deadline of 40 days stipulated under the bilateral extradition treaty," the statement said.

Earlier this week Swiss authorities defended their action in informing the US that Polanski was travelling to Zurich.

The tip-off led to the 76-year-old's arrest.

Swiss officials said they were obliged to take Polanski into custody after learning that the decades-old warrant was still valid.

The director, who holds dual French and Polish citizenship, was originally charged with six offences, but pleaded guilty to unlawful sex with the 13-year-old girl following a plea bargain.

He has not set foot in the US since taking flight, and has settled in France.

In recent years, his lawyers have tried to have the case dismissed.

Sir Paul McCartney announces European tour

It will be the singer's only headlining UK show of 2009
Sir Paul McCartney will perform his first European tour for five years in December, he has announced.
The Good Evening Europe tour will see the singer take in six cities including Berlin and Paris, before finishing at London's O2 Arena on 22 December.

The last time the former Beatle played an arena show in London was in April 2003 at Earl's Court. It will be the first time he has performed at the O2.

Tickets for the concerts will go on sale on Monday 26 October.

The tour will open on 2 December in Hamburg, where the Beatles honed their sound with live performances in clubs between 1960 and 1962.

"This is my chance to bring our current show home to where it all began, starting in Hamburg, ending in London and rocking everywhere in between," Sir Paul said.

"I'm very much looking forward to ending the year on a high."

Although it will be Sir Paul's first public performance at the O2, he used the venue - then known as the Millennium Dome - to rehearse for his summer tour of Europe in 2004, which ended with his headline spot at the Glastonbury Festival.

The December gig will be the singer's only headlining UK show of 2009, but he will also be among performers at a charity concert for Children in Need on 12 November at London's Royal Albert Hall. photo AP

Tour Dates
2-December - Hamburg Color Line Arena
3-December - Berlin O2 World
9-December - Arnhem Gelredome
10-December - Paris Bercy
16-December - Cologne Koln Arena
20-December - Dublin O2
22-December - London O2 Arena

Swiss 'tipped off US' on Roman Polanski

Polanski was arrested as he arrived in Zurich to receive a film festival award
Newly released documents have shed light on how fugitive film director Roman Polanski came to be arrested during a trip to Zurich last month.

The AP news agency said e-mails show that the Swiss authorities tipped off their US counterparts that Polanski, 76, was preparing to travel to Zurich.

The filmmaker was held as he travelled from France to collect an award.

He has been wanted in the US since pleading guilty to unlawful sex with an underage girl and then fleeing in 1978.

The US authorities have so far declined to say how they learned of Polanski's trip to Zurich.

But the e-mails revealed by AP, following a public records request, show that the information came from the Swiss Federal Office of Justice.

After receiving the tip-off, US federal officials alerted prosecutors in Los Angeles, who drafted an arrest warrant, according to AP.

Correspondents say is not clear why Switzerland chose to pursue Polanski now, when the director has been a frequent visitor to that country.

He has lost an appeal to be released on bail and is currently being held in a Swiss jail ahead of his possible extradition to the United States.

Job cuts help Yahoo profits surge

Yahoo has cut jobs and relaunched its web portal
Internet giant Yahoo saw its third quarter profits more than treble - despite sales falling by about 12% - as it slashed costs.

Yahoo said it earned $186m (£113.6m) compared with $54m in the same period last year. Revenue fell to $1.58bn.

The firm has cut more than 2,000 jobs during the past year.

But it is still struggling to lure back advertisers that trimmed their budgets during the recession, and spent money on emerging websites.

Direction change

Unlike rival Google, Yahoo has been struggling to turn its position as one of the world's most popular website into profits.

The company has tried to change its direction since chief executive Carol Bartz replaced co-founder Jerry Yang in January this year.

Last month it relaunched its web portal, supported by a $100m global advertising campaign.

The company hopes the website refresh will boost both traffic and revenues.

Yahoo is also opening its home page to rivals, allowing users to integrate third-party web services like Facebook or Hotmail into its portal.

"We knew the new management could drive some of the cost out of the system, but we want to start to see what can be done to have the company return to growth," said Olin Gillis, an analyst at Brigantine Advisors.

"This is a company that's still very much in the process of being restructured. It's a mild positive. They're doing what they're supposed to be doing."

In July, Microsoft and Yahoo agreed a deal that will see Yahoo's websites use both Microsoft's search technology and search advertising.

Yahoo in turn will become the sales team for banner advertising for both companies. However, the deal still awaits regulatory approval and is not expected to be finalised before spring 2010.
article by bbc

Wild film top at US box office

Where The Wild Things Are contains actors alongside animation
A fantasy film about a make-believe world of monsters has entered the US and Canada box office at number one.
Where The Wild Things Are made $32.5m (£19.9m) in its first weekend, beating Jamie Foxx thriller Law Abiding Citizen into a second place debut.

The film, which mixes live action and animation, is based on the children's book by Maurice Sendak, but audiences were predominantly made up of adults.

Ghost flick Paranormal Activity was also a new entry at number three.

The film - shot in the style of a documentary - is said to have made a box office impact due to word-of-mouth interest and has been compared to 1999 hit The Blair Witch Project.

US BOX OFFICE TOP FIVE
1 Where The Wild Things Are - $32.5m
2 Law Abiding Citizen - $21.3m
3 Paranormal Activity - $20.2m
4 Couples Retreat - $17.9m
5 The Stepfather - $12.3m
Source: Hollywood.com

It beat the debut Sony's bigger budget horror movie The Stepfather into fifth spot.

It is due to be expanded into more cinemas at the weekend where it will go head-to-head with established horror franchise outing Saw VI.

The adaptation of Where The Wild Things Are, directed by Spike Jonze, features the voices of Forest Whitaker and James Gandolfini.

The story's main protagonist is a boy who journeys to a land populated by monsters who are torn between hugging him and having him for dinner.

12 Pictures Stephen Gately's funeral

Family and friends gathered at St Laurence O' Toole Church in Dublin to pay an emotional tribute to former Boyzone singer Stephen Gately, who died last week.









Ronan Keating made an emotional tribute to his bandmate, frequently breaking down as he delivered his eulogy. "The world has lost one of its brightest stars, we have lost our brother," he said.













The remaining members of Boyzone had spent the night in the church with Gately's body after accompanying it back from Majorca. They sang Westlife song "In this Life" during the service.













Boyzone manager Louis Walsh said he had been left "completely broken" by Gately's death. He had created the band in 1990.



















The singer's parents Margaret and Martin, his brothers Mark, Alan and Tony and sister Michelle all attended the ceremony. His family and close friends had attended a private service on Friday night.













Gately's family and partner Andrew Cowles asked mourners to make donations to the Caudwell Children Charity, for which Gately was an ambassador, rather than send flowers.



















Members of Westlife, former Irish taoiseach Bertie Ahern, Jason Donovan and Shayne Ward were among the mourners at the ceremony.



















David Furnish, who introduced Gately to Andrew Cowles, attended the ceremony on behalf of his partner Elton John who was unable to break tour commitments.



















Hundreds of fans, from as far afield as Tawain gathered outside the church for the service, many laying flowers outside the church.













Boyzone was Gately's family, Louis Walsh said. "We all want to celebrate Stephen's life and remember him for all the warmth, humour and love that Stephen exuded," he said.



















The singer will be cremated at the city's Glasnevin Cemetery before 450 guests attend a funeral party at a hotel.













Gately died last week aged 33, at his Majorca holiday home. Post mortem tests found he died of natural causes.

Pictures by: Getty Image and PA

Boyzone star in tribute to Stephen Gately

Members of Boyzone have paid a moving tribute to bandmate Stephen Gately at his funeral in Dublin.
"The world has lost one of its brightest stars, we have lost our brother," Ronan Keating told guests at St Laurence O'Toole's church.

Keating frequently broke down as he delivered his eulogy, at one point apologising to the congregation.

Boyzone sang Westlife track In This Life during the service before carrying the coffin out of the church.

Gately was found dead at his Majorca holiday home last week. Post-mortem tests found he died of natural causes.

It was estimated that more than 3000 people gathered outside the church to pay their respects.

AT THE SCENE
It was amazing how many fans had travelled from far and wide to stand outside the church.
Many people had been shocked by his sudden death and some were keen to stress they were there to support the remaining members of Boyzone as well as Stephen's family.
I think fans were pleased to hear from the band members themselves and were particularly touched when Ronan broke down, so much so they all applauded him.
Afterwards, some fans were so distraught they could not speak.
by:bbc reporter

Keating spoke of how close the band members all were.

"We will carry on but it will never be the same without him. Forever young and never forgotten. A man, a friend, a brother, a son a husband and a hero. I'm gonna really miss you brother. We love you and always will. And we know you have found peace. Perfect peace."

Mikey Graham spoke of Gately's devotion to his partner Andrew Cowles and of how much he loved his parents Margaret and Martin.

"With an audience, Stephen came alive - he truly became himself," Graham said.

"The band feels black and white without him. We were very lucky to be invited in to see a glimpse of the warm, honest and gentle loving man that he was."

Keith Duffy described Gately as "a giant of a man in our hearts. So many owe him so much for what he did. We were always there for each other through thick and thin."

The crowds threw white roses on Gately's coffin as it left for a private cremation at Glasnevin Cemetery ahead of a funeral party for 450 guests at a hotel in the city.

Boyzone's manager Louis Walsh spoke to journalists before the funeral service.

"He (Stephen) would not believe the reception he's got today. He was living his dream," Walsh said.

Jason Donovan looks at a tribute to Gately outside the church
"It's a fantastic feeling here today - we have to celebrate his life, he would absolutely love what was happening here today.

"He was always professional, he was so likeable. I wouldn't be where I was today if it wasn't for Boyzone. We're all in this together."

Grief-stricken
The X Factor judge will miss the ITV1 show this weekend because of the funeral.

Former Irish taoiseach Bertie Ahern, members of Boyzone and Westlife, Jason Donovan and Shayne Ward were among the mourners, joining many of Gately's close family and friends.

Fans from as far afield as Taiwan were among the crowds, with many of them laying flowers outside the church.

The remaining members of Boyzone stayed with Gately's body in the church the night before the funeral - singer Keating came out to thank fans for their support in the early hours of the morning before going back inside.

"They brought a bottle of wine in, they cried, they laughed, they cried, they are a very close bunch of mates," said Boyzone backing musician James McNally.

Gately was found dead on a sofa in his Majorcan home, aged 33
Messages of condolences were received from George Michael, David and Victoria Beckham, Simon Cowell, Take That, Westlife, U2, Robbie Williams, Cheryl Cole, Colin Farrell, Sharon Osborne, Brian McFadden and Delta Goodrem.

David Furnish arrived at the church and explained his partner Elton John was in Zurich on tour and could not break his contractual commitments but "was very much there there in spirit".

Loudspeakers relayed the ceremony to well-wishers outside.

Instead of flowers, mourners were asked to make donations to the Caudwell Children Charity, for which Gately was an ambassador.

His grief-stricken bandmates escorted the late singer's body back to his hometown on Friday.

Gately grew up in Dublin but had spent the last few years living in Highgate, London.

Pop group A-ha to break up after 25 years

The band formed in 1982, and scored their first hit three years later
Pop group A-ha have announced they are to call it a day, just months after achieving a top 10 album in the UK.

"We've literally lived the ultimate boy's adventure tale," the group, which formed 25 years ago, said.

The trio added that the split would allow them to pursue "other meaningful aspects of life, be it humanitarian work, politics, or whatever else".

The Norwegian band scored international hits with The Sun Always Shines On TV and Take On Me in the 1980s.

Their most recent album, Foot Of The Mountain, marked a return to their synth-pop roots after a period in which they recorded chiming guitar ballads. It charted at number five in the UK.

Farewell tour

However, the band never quite recaptured the spark of their heyday, when lead singer Morten Harket was a teen pin-up and the group were followed around by screaming fans.

They even broke a world record at Rio de Janeiro's Maracana Stadium in 1991, when 196,000 fans paid to see them.

But after the commercial failure of 1993's Memorial Beach, the band went on hiatus, only reforming after being invited to play the Nobel Peace Prize concert in 1998.

Both Harket and guitarist Paul Waaktaar-Savoy released solo albums during this period.

The group have announced they will mount a farewell tour before disbanding. Only the final date, in Oslo on 4 December 2010, has so far been confirmed.

"We are retiring as a band, not as individuals," the band reassured fans in their statement.

"Change is always difficult and it is easy to get set in one's ways. Now it is time to move on."

Pornstar ‘Miyabi’ visit to Indonesia rile clerics

Japanese pornstar Miyabi, 23 visit to Indonesia create an uproar among clerics in the Muslim-majority country.
Filmmakers in Muslim-majority Indonesia on Monday defied condemnation by clerics, saying they would stick to their plans to fly out a top Japanese porn star to act in a local comedy.

Muslim leaders have blasted plans to bring out 23-year-old erotic film megastar Maria Ozawa, popularly known as Miyabi, to play herself in the upcoming film “Menculik Miyabi” (Kidnapping Miyabi).

But Maxima Productions General Manager Adi Sudiadi said the company would stick to its plans to include Ozawa in the film, which tells the story of a group of university students who accidentally kidnap the starlet.

“We guarantee that Miyabi won’t be playing in a porn film here, we’ll bring her here not as a porn star but purely for a comedy movie,” Sudiadi said.

“Miyabi is well-known by Indonesian people… we’re expecting that Miyabi will attract a lot of spectators here.

“We’re also trying to fix Miyabi’s image by showing she can play more than just a porn star,” he said, adding that no final agreement had been reached with Ozawa to act in the film.

Indonesian Council of Ulema (MUI) Chairman Amidhan slammed the choice of Ozawa — who has gained notoriety in Japan’s burgeoning porn industry thanks to her striking Canadian-Japanese looks — as a threat to the moral health of the country’s youth.

“Even if the film isn’t porno, it’s very dangerous for our young people, particularly if they become fans of this porn actress and become curious enough to watch her films,” he said.

“We have to be firm and not let rubbish into our country. This is about Indonesia’s reputation as the world’s most populous Muslim country,” he said.

Nearly 90 percent of Indonesia’s 234 million people are Muslim. Most practise a moderate form of the religion.

Indonesia’s parliament earlier this month passed a controversial film law that imposes tighter controls on content, including violence and sex.

Boyzone singer Stephen Gately has died

Boyzone singer Stephen Gately has died suddenly at the age of 33 while on holiday in Majorca.
Spanish police said there were no signs of suspicious circumstances, but the cause of death is not yet known.
Gately was on holiday with his long-term partner Andy Cowles. His bandmates said they were "completely devastated" and are now travelling to Majorca.

Boyzone manager Louis Walsh has pulled out of Sunday's edition of ITV1's X Factor in the wake of Gately's death.

The four remaining members of Boyzone described Gately as "our friend and brother".

"We have shared such wonderful times together over the years and were all looking forward to sharing many more," a statement said.

"Stephen was a beautiful person in both body and spirit. He lit up our lives and those of the many friends he had all over the world. Our love and sympathy go out to Andrew and Stephen's family. We love you and will miss you forever."

The Irish band had six UK number one hits in the 1990s and reformed in 2007.

Singer Ronan Keating is on his way back from the US and will join the rest of the group in Majorca.

Police said they were called to a house near Port d'Andratx on the western tip of the island on Saturday afternoon.

"At the moment it is not known how he died," the police spokesman said. "There are no signs of suspicious circumstances."

Louis Walsh's spokeswoman confirmed that the manager would not go ahead with his X Factor appearance.

Boyzone (with Gately on far left) reunited in 2007
His spokeswoman said: "He thanks you all for the messages of support at this sad time."

Walsh earlier told the News of the World newspaper: "We're all absolutely devastated.

"I'm in complete shock. I was only with him on Monday at an awards ceremony. We don't know much about what's happened yet.

"I only heard after The X Factor and we will rally around each other this week. He was a great man."

Bertie Ahern, former Irish Taoiseach, described Gately as a personal friend and his death as a "huge, huge tragedy" for Irish music and culture.

Singer Sir Elton John said: "David and I are stunned by this tragedy. Stephen was the kindest, gentlest soul.

"We send our love and condolences to his partner Andy and to all his friends everywhere."

Fellow Irish boy band Westlife described Gately as a "friendly, positive spirit and a passionate performer...

"Our thoughts are with Andy and the rest of his family, his friends, his legions of fans and of course his bandmates... who will be devastated at the loss of a truly beautiful person."

Writing on the micro-blogging website Twitter, broadcaster Stephen Fry said: "Just heard the very sad news about dear Stephen Gately.

"What a dreadful shock. He was loveable and sweet-natured and will be hugely missed."

Music journalist Paul Gambaccini said: "It's sad on a personal level and a professional level."

Gately and Cowles tied the knot in 2006
Boyzone sold more singles than Take That in the 1990s, he said, and had 16 Top 5 singles.

A year before Boyzone split, Gately revealed that he was gay and had a boyfriend.

He later held a private civil partnership ceremony in London in 2006.

After Boyzone, Gately continued his career as a solo artist, but was dropped by Polydor in 2001 after three top 20 singles.

He enjoyed further success performing in musicals, including Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat in 2003-04.

Gately also appeared in 2007 on ITV1's reality series Dancing on Ice, and was voted Hero of 1999 at the Smash Hits Poll Winners' Party.

His last message on Twitter, posted on 6 October, said: "Still busy - lots going on. Focussing on finishing my book next so may be quiet here."

pictures by: Getty Images

Qory Sandioriva

Representatives from Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam Qory Sandioriva named Puteri Indonesia 2009 in elections conducted in the Land Theater Fatherland Taman Mini Indonesia Indah, Jakarta, Friday (9 / 10).

Qory able to put two competitors who entered the three major Zukhriatul Hafizah (West Sumatra) which eventually had to settle for being runner-up, as well as Ayu Isti Pratiwi (North Maluku) became Runner-Up II.

Before the big three memsuki round, first ten finalists chosen selection of Puteri Indonesia (PPI) in 2009. Of the ten finalists, will be filtered again five finalists for the fight gelar Puteri Indonesia 2009 through the interview process.

The big 10 finalists who had set aside the other 28 finalists from 33 provinces in the country that is Qory Sandioriva (Aceh), Zukhriatul Hafizah (West Sumatra), Sarinah Princess Aria (South Sumatra), Natalia Hermanto (DKI Jakarta 4) , Coreana Agashi (DKI Jakarta 6), Audrie Adriana Sanova (Banten), Maya Nita (West Java), Nadia Zahara (East Java), Isti Ayu Pratiwi (North Maluku), and Tien Arisoi Virginia (West Papua).

The jury members who provide an assessment on the night grand final is Director of Education Department of Education Equity Triyadi Indonesia Dr., Director General of Marketing Department of Culture & Tourism Dr. Sapta Nirwandar, Deputy Improving Quality of Life The Women's Ministry Setiawati Dra MSc, Sutanto Kusumadewi beautician , Miss Indonesia 2005 Nadine Chandrawinata, Director of the Taman Sari Royal Heritage Spa Baskoro Annie Savitri, Garuda Indonesia President Director Emirsyah Satar, and Chairman of Graduate Studies Program Management Sciences, University of Indonesia Dr. Zakaria Afiff Adi MBA. election event was also attended by Miss Universe 2009 Stefania Fernandez from Venezuela.

Biography
Born | Jakarta, 17-08-1991
Age | 18
Education Last | Semester 1 UI Department of French Literature
Jobs | Student
Hobi | --
Achievements | Champion of Vocal & Band Al-Azhar Indonesia
1 Fighting Champion Pencak Silat
Achievements | now become PRINCESS INDONESIA 2009

Miss Indonesia adjusts Qory Sandioriva's crown

Zivanna Letisha Siregar, winner of the 2008 Miss Indonesia beauty pageant, adjusts the crown for Qory Sandioriva from Aceh province, winner of the Miss Indonesia beauty contest 2009, during the pageant's final in Jakarta October 10, 2009.





Stefania Fernandez, Qory Sandioriva
Miss Universe 2009 Stefania Fernandez of Venezuela, right, and winner of the Miss Indonesia beauty contest 2009 Qory Sandioriva from Aceh province wave as they pose with other contestants during the pageant's final in Jakarta, Indonesia, early Saturday, Oct. 10, 2009. (AP Photo/Irwin Fedriansyah)






Miss Indonesia with Stefania and others
Miss Universe 2009 Stefania Fernandez (R) and Qory Sandioriva from Aceh province, winner of the Miss Indonesia beauty contest, pose with other contestants during the pageant's final in Jakarta October 10, 2009.

Miss Universe 2009 Stefania Fernandez and and winner of the Miss Indonesia beauty contest 2009 Qory Sandioriva

Miss Universe 2009 Stefania Fernandez of Venezuela, right, and winner of the Miss Indonesia beauty contest 2009 Qory Sandioriva from Aceh province wave as they pose with other contestants during the pageant's final in Jakarta, Indonesia, early Saturday, Oct. 10, 2009.




Miss Universe 2009 Stefania Fernandez of Venezuela (L) walks with Miss Indonesia Universe Zivanna Letisha Siregar before their news conference in Jakarta October 9, 2009. Fernandez is in Indonesia for a tour and to attend the finals of the 2009 Miss Indonesia Universe beauty pageant on Friday.














Miss Universe 2009 Stefania Fernandez of Venezuela (L) kisses Qory Sandioriva from Aceh province, winner of the Miss Indonesia beauty contest, during the pageant's final in Jakarta October 10, 2009. Thirty-eight contestants from 33 provinces in Indonesia took part in the pageant.






Miss Universe 2009 Stefania Fernandez of Venezuela walks onstage during the Miss Indonesia beauty pageant in Jakarta October 10, 2009. Thirty-eight contestants from 33 provinces in Indonesia took part in the pageant.















Miss Universe 2009 Stefania Fernandez of Venezuela (R) poses with Qory Sandioriva from Aceh province, winner of the Miss Indonesia beauty contest, during the pageant's final in Jakarta October 10, 2009. Thirty-eight contestants from 33 provinces in Indonesia took part in the pageant.







Venezuelan Stefania Fernandez (L) and Miss Indonesia 2008 Zivanna Letisha Siregar (R) pose for photographers after a press conference in Jakarta on October 9, 2009. Newly crowned Miss Universe Stefania Fernandez visited Jakarta to attend the final ceremony of the Miss Indonesia beauty pageant in which the winner will earn the right to compete in the Miss Universe competition.





Miss Universe 2009 Stefania Fernandez of Venezuela (R) and Qory Sandioriva from Aceh province, winner of the Miss Indonesia beauty contest, pose with other contestants during the pageant's final in Jakarta October 10, 2009. Thirty-eight contestants from 33 provinces in Indonesia took part in the pageant.







Venezuelan Stefania Fernandez poses for photographers after a press conference in Jakarta on October 9, 2009. Newly crowned Miss Universe Stefania Fernandez visited Jakarta to attend the final ceremony of the Miss Indonesia beauty pageant in which the winner will earn the right to compete in the Miss Universe competition.













Miss Universe 2009 Stefania Fernandez of Venezuela, right, poses with Qory Sandioriva from Aceh province, winner of the Miss Indonesia beauty contest 2009 during the pageant's final in Jakarta, Indonesia, early Saturday, Oct. 10, 2009.














Miss Universe 2009 Stefania Fernandez of Venezuela adjusts her crown before a news conference in Jakarta October 9, 2009. Fernandez is in Indonesia for a tour and to attend the finals of the Miss Indonesia Universe beauty pageant on Friday.

Barbra Streisand scores US chart topper

Streisand recently performed live for the first time on UK TV
Singer Barbra Streisand has scored her ninth number one album in the US.

The 67-year-old was expected to be beaten to the top spot by Mariah Carey or pop band Paramore.

The success of Love is the Answer extends Streisand's run as the female artist with the most chart-topping albums, according to Billboard.

The new release, which sold 180,000 copies, scored unexpectedly robust sales through the singer's website and retailers including Starbucks.

Disappointing

Streisand's new release also secured her best first week of sales for more than a decade.

Paramore landed at number two behind the veteran star with Brand New Eyes, securing their highest-charting US album with sales of 175,000.

But the performance of Mariah Carey's latest album, which sold 168,000 copies, was disappointing compared to the debut of her 2008 record E=MC2, which shifted 463,000 copies and set a record for the star.

Streisand was recently the special guest of BBC chat show host Jonathan Ross.

The singer's appearance also included her first live performance on UK television in a career that has spanned five decades.