Supermodel in jackson style lands on 'Harper's Bazaar'

British supermodel Agyness Deyn poses for the Michael Jackson tribute feature of Harper's Bazaar, September issue. Famous fashion photographer Terry Richardson and stylist Brana Wolf cooperate on the feature that covers the most impressive images of the King of Pop.

British supermodel Agyness Deyn poses for the Michael Jackson tribute feature of Harper's Bazaar, September issue. Famous fashion photographer Terry Richardson and stylist Brana Wolf cooperate on the feature that covers the most impressive images of the King of Pop.

British supermodel Agyness Deyn poses for the Michael Jackson tribute feature of Harper's Bazaar, September issue. Famous fashion photographer Terry Richardson and stylist Brana Wolf cooperate on the feature that covers the most impressive images of the King of Pop.

British supermodel Agyness Deyn poses for the Michael Jackson tribute feature of Harper's Bazaar, September issue. Famous fashion photographer Terry Richardson and stylist Brana Wolf cooperate on the feature that covers the most impressive images of the King of Pop.

British supermodel Agyness Deyn poses for the Michael Jackson tribute feature of Harper's Bazaar, September issue. Famous fashion photographer Terry Richardson and stylist Brana Wolf cooperate on the feature that covers the most impressive images of the King of Pop.

British supermodel Agyness Deyn poses for the Michael Jackson tribute feature of Harper's Bazaar, September issue. Famous fashion photographer Terry Richardson and stylist Brana Wolf cooperate on the feature that covers the most impressive images of the King of Pop.

British supermodel Agyness Deyn poses for the Michael Jackson tribute feature of Harper's Bazaar, September issue. Famous fashion photographer Terry Richardson and stylist Brana Wolf cooperate on the feature that covers the most impressive images of the King of Pop.

taken from : China Daily


Read more!

Cast members at premiere of the film "World Greatest Dad"

Director Bobcat Goldthwait (R) and actor Robin Williams of the film "World Greatest Dad" pose at the film's premiere in Los Angeles, California August 13, 2009. [Agencies]

Actress Alexie Gilmore, star of the film "World Greatest Dad", poses at the film's premiere in Los Angeles, California August 13, 2009.[Agencies]

Actor Robin Williams, star of the film "World Greatest Dad", poses with his daughter Zelda at the film's premiere in Los Angeles, California August 13, 2009. [Agencies]

Actress Keri Lynn Pratt arrives as a guest for the premiere of the film "World Greatest Dad" in Los Angeles, California August 13, 2009. [Agencies]

Actor Robin Williams, star of the film "World Greatest Dad", escorts Susan Schneider at the film's premiere in Los Angeles, California August 13, 2009. [Agencies]

(L to R) Director Bobcat Goldthwait along with cast members Robin Williams, Alexie Gilmore, and Evan Martin of the film "World Greatest Dad" pose at the film's premiere in Los Angeles, California August 13, 2009. [Agencies]

Actor Robin Williams (R), star of the film "World Greatest Dad", poses comedian Billy Crystal at the film's premiere in Los Angeles, California August 13, 2009. [Agencies]

Actor Robin Williams, star of the film "World Greatest Dad", greets Mabel, a Boston Terrier featured in the film, at the film's premiere in Los Angeles, California August 13, 2009. [Agencies]

taken from : China Daily


Read more!

Elle Macpherson at the CW Television Network

Model/actress Elle Macpherson, star of the new series "The Beautiful Life", smiles as she participates in a panel discussion at the CW Television Network Summer 2009 Television Critics Association press tour in Pasadena, California August 4, 2009.[Agencies]

Model/actress Elle Macpherson (L), star of the new series "The Beautiful Life", and executive producer Ashton Kutcher participate in a panel discussion at the CW Television Network Summer 2009 Television Critics Association press tour in Pasadena, California August 4, 2009.[Agencies]

taken from : China Daily


Read more!

Consumer protections lost in health care debate

In this July 29, 2009 file photo, President Barack Obama listens to a question during a town hall meeting on health care at a supermarket in Bristol, Va.[Agencies]

WASHINGTON – It's one issue in the health care debate that nearly everyone — even the insurance lobby — seems to agree on: Better consumer protections are needed to end the nightmare of not being able to get covered for a treatable, if costly, illness.

Yet such practical considerations are being overlooked in a debate that's become a passionate argument about the government's reach and role in medical matters.

Experts say the bills before Congress include significant consumer protections that would end denial or cancellation of coverage for medical reasons, from high cholesterol to cancer.

Insurers no longer could base premiums on a person's medical history, although they still could charge more to 50-year-olds than to people in their 20s.

People buying their own policies, and those working for small businesses, would gain many of the advantages employees of Fortune 500 companies now have. That would eliminate "job lock," the fear of leaving employment that provides medical benefits.

"It would bring insurance and insurabilty standards into line with medical practice and with the way people live their lives," said Dallas Salisbury, president of the nonprofit Employee Benefit Research Institute. "When people are in the doctor's office, they're worried about that day's issue. You're not thinking, 'If I take this pill for my cholesterol, will it cause me to be denied insurance coverage in the future?'"

If President Barack Obama's effort to remake the health care system implodes, chances are slim that such protections could be enacted on their own. What consumer groups call discrimination by insurance companies, the industry sees as self-defense against people who put off getting coverage until they're seriously ill.

Major insurers will accept a rollback of the industry's restrictive practices only if they're guaranteed that all Americans would be covered — a central goal of Obama's approach and a potential financial boon to the industry.

The consumer protections are part of what Republican Sen. Mike Enzi of Wyoming calls the 80 percent of health care fixes that there's consensus for. Enzi is one of six members of the Senate Finance Committee who are trying work out a bipartisan solution — with no guarantee of success.

Obama may have made a critical error by not stressing the consumer aspects of the legislation, and his advisers seem to have realized it as they belatedly retooled the White House pitch in recent days.

If a bill does pass, the biggest winners are likely to be self-employed people and small-business owners and employees, who now have the most trouble getting and keeping coverage. Those working for big companies would only benefit indirectly; they'd find it easier to keep their coverage if they get laid off or leave to launch a new career.

Insurance companies could come out ahead, too.

"They'll get a big new market with millions and millions of new customers," said Gary Claxton, a health policy expert with the Kaiser Family Foundation. "Their average profit per person may not be as high, but they still should be able to earn a profit by insuring more people."

One major catch is that the consumer protections would not be available immediately. They are timed to take effect alongside government subsidies to help people buy coverage. In the House Democratic legislation, the coverage expansion would come in 2013 — after the next presidential elections. Part of the reason for the delay is to make the costs of the bill appear more manageable.

"It's a long time to wait," said John Rother, policy and strategy chief for AARP. "This is complicated stuff, but I would have personally liked to see it done in two years."

The House legislation, the Senate health committee bill and the evolving Senate Finance Committee package differ on some important specifics, but follow the same general approach.

All would set up an insurance marketplace. This exchange would be open to individuals and small businesses, and maybe big companies later on. Government subsidies would be available for low-to-middle income households. People buying health insurance through the exchange would be part of a large pool that spreads risks, giving participants leverage similar to what government employees — including lawmakers — now have.

Health plans offered through the exchange would have to meet basic standards, so it would be easier for consumers to understand what their insurance covers. To protect against catastrophic illness, there would be annual limits on out-of-pocket costs for co-payments and deductibles. Year-to-year increases in premiums would be more predictable for small companies.

Insurers could not charge more to people in poor health or to women, as they do now. But they still could charge higher premiums due to family size, geographic location and age.

The House and the Senate health committee bills would limit age-related premiums so that a 64-year-old pays no more than twice as much an 18-year-old. But Senate Finance Committee negotiators are considering allowing as much as a 5-to-1 difference, a big savings for the young but a significantly higher cost for older people who are more likely to have health problems.

The federal consumer protections would set a basic standard for the whole country, changing a situation in which state-level safeguards vary widely.






taken from : China Daily


Read more!

Celebrity fashion, dog walking

Jennifer Aniston walks her beloved dog Norm to her trailer on the set of 'The Bounty' in Queens, NY, July 24, 2009. [CFP]

Lindsay Lohan walks Samantha Ronson's dog while heading to her friend's house, July 24, 2009. [CFP]

Atress Sarah Michelle Gellar was seen in Toluca Lake at the veterinary clinic, August 6, 2009. [Agencies]

Actress Blake Lively is seen on the set of the television series "Gossip Girl" on the streets of Manhattan on August 6, 2009 in New York City. [CFP]

Rachel Bilson dons a Brian Reyes top as she takes her dog for a walk and catches lunch with a friend at The Alcove on May 18, in Los Feliz, Calif. [Agencies]

Jessica Biel walks her three dogs while carrying a camera on June 13 in Malibu, Calif. [Agencies]

Jessica Biel walking her dog

Paris Hilton

taken from : China Daily

Read more!

GF Ferre to partner Lazio

Two players from the Italian soccer club Lazio that won the Supercoppa Italiana on Saturday - Simone Inzaghi and Stefano Mauri - attended a fashion party on Thursday as spokespersons for the Italian label GF Ferre.

Gianfranco Ferre announced last week that GF Ferre, a high-end fashion brand run by Ittierre, is the official partner of Lazio and will dress the team for official off-field events during the 2009/2010 season.

taken from : China Daily


Read more!

Stars attend HFPA Installation Luncheon in Beverly Hills

Actor Chris Pine arrives at the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA) Installation Luncheon in Beverly Hills, California, August 11, 2009. The HFPA presented grants to non-profit organizations and film schools during the annual installation luncheon.[Agencies]

Actor Chris Pine arrives at the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA) Installation Luncheon in Beverly Hills, California, August 11, 2009. The HFPA presented grants to non-profit organizations and film schools during the annual installation luncheon.[Agencies]

Actor Chris Pine accepts a grant on behalf of UCLA at the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA) Installation Luncheon in Beverly Hills, California, August 11, 2009. The HFPA presented grants to non-profit organizations and film schools during the annual installation luncheon.[Agencies]

Actress Kerry Washington arrives at the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA) Installation Luncheon in Beverly Hills, California, August 11, 2009. The HFPA presented grants to non-profit organizations and film schools during the annual installation luncheon.[Agencies]

Actress Kerry Washington arrives at the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA) Installation Luncheon in Beverly Hills, California, August 11, 2009. The HFPA presented grants to non-profit organizations and film schools during the annual installation luncheon.[Agencies]

Actress Kerry Washington arrives at the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA) Installation Luncheon in Beverly Hills, California, August 11, 2009. The HFPA presented grants to non-profit organizations and film schools during the annual installation luncheon. [Agencies]

Actress Kerry Washington accepts a grant on behalf of Film Independent as at the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA) Installation Luncheon in Beverly Hills, California, August 11, 2009. The HFPA presented grants to non-profit organizations and film schools during the annual installation luncheon. [Agencies]

Actress Eva Longoria Parker jokingly places a check in her dress as she accepts a grant on behalf of the National Association of Latino Independent Producers at the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA) Installation Luncheon in Beverly Hills, California, August 11, 2009. The HFPA presented grants to non-profit organizations and film schools during the annual installation luncheon.[Agencies]

Actress Eva Longoria Parker (R) raises up a check as she accepts a grant on behalf of the National Association of Latino Independent Producers while actress Rose McGowan looks on at the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA) Installation Luncheon in Beverly Hills, California, August 11, 2009. The HFPA presented grants to non-profit organizations and film schools during the annual installation luncheon. [Agencies]

British actor Hugh Dancy arrives at the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA) Installation Luncheon in Beverly Hills, California, August 11, 2009. The HFPA presented grants to non-profit organizations and film schools during the annual installation luncheon.[Agencies]

British actor Hugh Dancy accepts a grant on behalf of Outfest at the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA) Installation Luncheon in Beverly Hills, California, August 11, 2009. The HFPA presented grants to non-profit organizations and film schools during the annual installation luncheon.[Agencies]

British actor Hugh Dancy walks with a check after accepting a grant on behalf of Outfest at the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA) Installation Luncheon in Beverly Hills, California, August 11, 2009. The HFPA presented grants to non-profit organizations and film schools during the annual installation luncheon. [Agencies]

Actress Emmy Rossum arrives at the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA) Installation Luncheon in Beverly Hills, California, August 11, 2009. The HFPA presented grants to non-profit organizations and film schools during the annual installation luncheon. [Agencies]

Actress Emmy Rossum arrives at the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA) Installation Luncheon in Beverly Hills, California, August 11, 2009. The HFPA presented grants to non-profit organizations and film schools during the annual installation luncheon.[Agencies]

Actress Emmy Rossum (C) accepts a grant on behalf of California Summer School for the Arts Foundation as actress Rose McGowan looks on at the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA) Installation Luncheon in Beverly Hills, California, August 11, 2009. The HFPA presented grants to non-profit organizations and film schools during the annual installation luncheon.[Agencies]

Actress Evan Rachel Wood arrives at the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA) Installation Luncheon in Beverly Hills, California, August 11, 2009. The HFPA presented grants to non-profit organizations and film schools during the annual installation luncheon.[Agencies]

Actress Evan Rachel Wood arrives at the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA) Installation Luncheon in Beverly Hills, California, August 11, 2009. The HFPA presented grants to non-profit organizations and film schools during the annual installation luncheon.[Agencies]

Actress Evan Rachel Wood looks on after accepting a grant on behalf of Cal State University Northridge at the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA) Installation Luncheon in Beverly Hills, California, August 11, 2009. The HFPA presented grants to non-profit organizations and film schools during the annual installation luncheon.[Agencies]

Actress Jordana Brewster arrives at the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA) Installation Luncheon in Beverly Hills, California, August 11, 2009. The HFPA presented grants to non-profit organizations and film schools during the annual installation luncheon. [Agencies]

Actress Jordana Brewster arrives at the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA) Installation Luncheon in Beverly Hills, California, August 11, 2009. The HFPA presented grants to non-profit organizations and film schools during the annual installation luncheon. [Agencies]

Actress Carla Gugino arrives at the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA) Installation Luncheon in Beverly Hills, California, August 11, 2009. The HFPA presented grants to non-profit organizations and film schools during the annual installation luncheon.[Agencies]

Actress Carla Gugino arrives at the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA) Installation Luncheon in Beverly Hills, California, August 11, 2009. The HFPA presented grants to non-profit organizations and film schools during the annual installation luncheon.[Agencies]

taken from : China Daily


Read more!