Obama speaks in Indonesian: ‘I’ve come home’
U.S. president Barack Hussein Obama was given a hero’s welcome as he returned to the Indonesian village where he spent part of his childhood.
Mr. Obama, who arrived in Jakarta today, spoke in Indonesian to thousands of students at the University of Indonesia. He prompted laughter when he said: “Pulang kampung, nih,” meaning “I’ve come home to the village.”
Obama vowed — as he did when he was elected president in 2008 — to try and repair relations between the West and the Muslim world in a bid to end the “years of mistrust.”
He also said the country with the largest Muslim population in the world “was a shining example to others.”
His speech was an update to a major address he gave 17 months ago in Egypt where he declared a ‘new beginning’ in U.S.-Muslim relations after the tensions over the September 11, 2001, attacks and the former President George W Bush’s response to them. [link]
But since his Cairo speech, tensions have remained on both sides.
Despite having to cut short his visit due to fears of ash from a volcano eruption, Obama and his wife Michelle, who wore the traditional head scarf, visited the Jakarta’s national Istiqlal Mosque. They took off their shoes as a sign of respect as they strode along a carpet laid out for them across the brick courtyard.
Obama, who was known as “Barry” when he attended the Menteng One school in Jakarta, studied both Islam and Christianity according to his grade 3 teacher.
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Celebs Out & About: Rihanna and Matt Kemp in Paris
Rihanna and her baseball slugger boyfriend, Matt Kemp, were spotted arriving in Paris, France earlier today. The couple were seen running to get out of the rain. That’s one hawt Louis Vuitton handbag. I wonder if it’s new? Rihanna performed live on X Factor show in Milan, Italy yesterday. (Photo compilation)
Photos: Splash News Online
Kanye West feels ‘alone and tortured’ after Matt Lauer interview
This morning, troubled producer/rapper Kanye West took to his Twitter page to once again rant and rage at an enemy for injuring his fragile ego. This time his imaginary antagonist was the Today Show‘s Matt Lauer.
“Man I’m heading to Abu Dhabi finna go to Ferrari Land YESSSS!!! But before I take off let me tell you how they did me at the Today show… I went up there to express how I was empathetic to Bush because I labeled him a racist and years later I got labeled as a racist…. While I was trying to give the interview they started playing the “MTV” under me with audio!!!!!!! I don’t mess with Matt Lauer or the Today Show … and that’s a very nice way for me to put it! HE TRIED TO FORCE MY ANSWERS. IT WAS VERY BRUTAL AND I CAME THERE WITH ONLY POSITIVE INTENT. I feel very alone very used very tortured very forced very misunderstood very hollow very very misused. I don’t trust anyone but myself! Everyone has an agenda. I don’t do press anymore. I can’t be everything to everybody anymore. I can’t be everybody’s hero and villain savior and sinner Christian and anti Christ!
I can’t take anymore advice!!! I create, I’m creative, I have a good heart, everyone will see and understand one day. Everything sounds like noise!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! EVERYTHING SOUNDS LIKE NOISE!!!!!!! I don’t trust anyone! Very judged very scrutinized very criticized! I want everyone to know I have lows all the time but I make it through them! Yo I really wonder if Matt Lauer thought that shit was cool to play the “MTV” clip while I was speaking about Bush?
He played clips of Bush and asked me to look at his face while I was trying to talk to him. I wish Michael Jackson had twitter!!!!!! Maybe Mike could have explained how the media tried to set him up!!! It’s all a fucking set up!!!! This is rock and roll life my people… you can’t stop the truth you can’t stop the music and I have to be strong or “they” win!!!! Sometimes it’s not simple, some days it’s not easy… I just want to create. I love you guys, thanks for the support!
Kanye’s upcoming CD, “My Beautiful, Dark Twisted Fantasy,” which has already leaked online, is due in stores Nov. 22. Rolling Stone magazine gave the project a “classic” 5 stars.
Alicia Keys featured in Vogue Italia
More Alicia Keys pics: AK is featured in the November 2010 Vogue Italia issue, on newsstands now. A little birdie told me that these pics are old. She said the photos were actually taken before Alicia started putting on baby fat. I don’t know how true that is. But her telltale thick ankles are slimmer in these pics than they looked last night when she attended the GQ magazine party in NYC. Maybe that explains why she didn’t make the cover?
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Celebs Out & About: Rihanna, Akon, Tyrese Gibson, Denzel Washington, Angela Simmons
Rihanna showed off her athletic physique while performing live on an episode of “X Factor” in Milan, Italy yesterday. It’s almost as if she’s taunting Beyonce who’s been struggling with weight control issues lately.
The sexiness that is Akon was spotted leaving his NY hotel yesterday. If I’m not mistaken that’s one of his wives on the far left. Akon likes his woman dark and exotic looking.
Reality TV personality and entrepreneur Angela Simmons knows you love it when she strips down to her bikini. Showing off her hawt bod is about the only thing she does really well. Rev. Run’s daughter had fun on the beach yesterday with a friend in Miami.
Photos: Splash News Online and INFPhoto.com
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Celebs Out & About: Alicia Keys and Hubby
Alicia Keys stepped out last night to party for the first time since giving birth to her son Egypt. Ak and hubby Swizz Beatz attended a party to celebrate Swizz Beatz in the GQ November Issue, currently on stands.
The two made kissy face all night long. Alicia lost all her baby fat, but I see she’s still hiding her thick ankles inside boots.
Photos: Wireimage/Getty
Jamie Foster Brown’s 22nd Anniversary Party in Atlanta
The Sister 2 Sister magazine 22nd Anniversary party last night was star studded, to say the least. Great night for publisher Jamie Foster Brown!
Last night, Sister 2 Sister Magazine celebrated their 22nd Anniversary at a star-studded party in Atlanta honoring Mathew Knowles, President/CEO, Music World Entertainment, Inc. (pictured above); (Roger Bobb, Producer/EVP, Tyler Perry Studios); Will Packer (Rainforest Films); Stephen Hill (President of Music, Programming & Specials, BET); and Paxton Baker (EVP/General Manager, CENTRIC).
The Real Housewives’ Kandi and BET’s Terrence J (pictured above with Will Packer) emcee’d the event, which included presentations from Jermaine Dupri, Juanita Bynum, Jeffrey Osborne, Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed, Terri J. Vaughn, and Rev. Jamahl Bryant, as well as performances by Ginuwine, SWV (who totally killed the audience with their stirring rendition of “If Only You knew”) and choreographer Andrea Kelly (R.Kelly’s ex-wife). The belle of the ball, of course, was S2S publisher Jamie Foster Brown who was presented with the Phoenix Award by Mayor Reed for the magazine’s 22 years of excellence in publishing and entertainment.
The spectacular event was coordinated and planned by Atlanta’s premiere party planner Jamahl King and his team at S.T.E.P.S. Events.
All photos by James Pray
Source: Saptosa Foster | The 135th Street Agency
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