Cheap Phones To You

BFFs, Guy Ritchie is such a great dad! The British filmmaker was spotted out with his sons for a lunch date AND a dinner date while mom Madonna is filming her new flick!
Even though Guy Ritchie and Madonna divorced after eight years of marriage, the famous dad still makes sure to be a very involved parent! The 41-year-old England native took his sons Rocco, 10, and adopted son David, 4, out for lunch Sept. 1 at Wagamama Noodle Bar in London! Guy, best known for directing such flicks as Sherlock Holmes, Revolver and Snatch, has been watching the boys while their mom shoots her new biopic W.E.

But what’s even more adorable, is that just the night before, the boys joined their dad for dinner. It’s great to see Rocco and David getting a chance to spend some quality time with their dad.

We know Guy loves being a dad because he’s known to gush all about it!

“Fatherhood is unbelievable,” he told Live magazine in 2008. “It has taken over my life … But something else surprised me — how much you can love an adopted child, the same as you can love a biological child. I didn’t anticipate that.”

P lus, Rihanna FINALLY has dark hair again! Now we’re REALLY excited for this movie!
With a cast that includes Rihanna, Alexander Skarsgard, Taylor Kitsch and Brooklyn Decker, we all know Battleship is going to be the hottest movie EVER — and now we finally have our first look at the upcoming blockbuster! Check out this photo of Rihanna, 22, looking super-sexy, even in a bulky blue jumpsuit. I don’t even care what this movie is about; I’m ordering tickets as soon as they go online!

Snooki's boyfriend, Jeff Miranda, proposed on the cover of 'Steppin' Out' magazine that hit the web Monday. "Will You Marry Me?" read the boldfaced headline over a shirtless Jeff.

Tuesday Snooki responded via Twitter.

"Just want to set the record straight. I'm single and I'm not going to get married!" she wrote.

Snooki and Jeff have only been dating for about two weeks.

On Tuesday Radaronline.com released NSFW photos of Jeff cavorting at a swingers' club with topless women.

"They used to have private swinger's parties on off nights at the club and there was a lot of risky behavior with people often pairing off and heading to hotels together afterwards," a source told Radar. "Jeff loved these parties and he really saw himself as a 'ladies man'. His favorite party trick was to pour alcohol on naked bodies of women and then lick it off."

When federal investigators discovered that the manager of a Saudi Arabian company paid bribes to win two lucrative subcontracts supplying food to American troops in Iraq, they naturally wanted to know more. Did he act on his own? Had U.S. taxpayers been cheated?

Five years later, investigators are still largely in the dark. They suspect similar activities by other subcontractors may have tainted contracts worth up to $300 million. But the investigators are unable to uncover even basic information, such as how the manager of the Saudi company had come up with $133,000 in bribe money.

The investigators likely could have compelled a U.S.-based contractor to turn over financial records. But the Saudi firm still hasn't shared its books with Pentagon auditors or KBR, the big U.S. company through which it operated as a subcontractor.Nor does it have to. The long arm of the U.S. law doesn't extend to foreign businesses on which the military increasingly depends -- and spends huge sums.

Even now, as the U.S. military anticipates withdrawal from Iraq and transferring of vital functions to civilian businesses, foreign subcontractors are playing an enormous role in war zones. Often operating through larger big-name U.S. contractors, they ferry supplies such as ammo and weapons through dangerous terrain. They provide translators and food for troops, help build military outposts, and keep soldiers and civilians safe. Without such local and regional subcontractors, the modern military says it could not operate in two war zones halfway around the globe. Story continues below

BOSTON — An American held captive for seven months in North Korea stepped off a plane in his hometown Friday, looking thin but joyful as he hugged the former president who had helped win his release and family and friends surrounded him in a group embrace.

Aijalon Gomes was accompanied by former President Jimmy Carter, who had flown to Pyongyang to negotiate his freedom. Gomes, who had been teaching English in South Korea, was imprisoned and sentenced to eight years' hard labor for crossing into the North from China on Jan. 25 for unknown reasons.

North Korea's state-run news agency reported last month that Gomes had attempted suicide, leading his family to ask for his release on humanitarian grounds. North Korea said this week it would release Gomes to Carter if the former president went to get him.

Gomes hugged Carter and then his mother before his loved ones encircled him, praying and waving their hands skyward. One man gripped a small American flag, and others held a banner behind them that read: "Welcome home! Disciple of the Lord Aijalon Mahli Gomes. Salvation is ours."

The banner also pictured a Christian cross and contained biblical references to Acts, Psalms, and Job, an Old Testament book about a man who survived great tribulation.

Gomes' mother and family members hugged Carter and shook his hand before the group headed inside the terminal, as Gomes smiled and waved at loved ones along the way. A few minutes later, Carter reboarded the plane and left Boston.

In a statement released earlier Friday, the family thanked Carter and said it felt blessed to welcome Gomes home after what it called "a long, dark and difficult period."

"I'm just joyful and grateful that my son is home and thank President Jimmy Carter for making sure that he was home safely," Gomes' mother, Jacqueline McCarthy, said as she left her home for the airport. "I thank God, I thank God, for everything everyone has done for us."

The family also thanked the North Korean government "for caring for Aijalon during his darkest days, then agreeing to release him on humanitarian grounds."

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Not only is Katie still close to her ex-husband, but she’s totally supportive of him, too — she’s psyched to see Billy’s music appear on Glee!
It’s not typically easy for exes to stay on good terms, but that’s exactly what Katie Lee and former husband Billy Joel have managed to do!

“We’re very good friends,” the 28-year-old chef confided to HollywoodLife.com exclusively at the 11th Annual BNP Paribas Taste of Tennis Charity Event in NYC August 26. Katie realizes that her situation is pretty unique, and tells us, “I think that [getting along with your ex is] something that really just depends on the person.”

Not only does Katie get along well with Billy, 61, but she’s also still supportive of his career! Although she confessed that she’s not a huge fan of Glee, she was more than happy to hear his music would be featured on the hit Fox TV show. “I didn’t know that it was, [but now] I can’t wait to watch it!” she gushed, adding, “I haven’t gotten into Glee yet, but I’d love to start watching it because all of my friends really like it. I’m sure [Billy's music] will be really great. His music is the soundtrack of a lot of people’s lives, so I think it’s a perfect fit for Glee. That’s really exciting!”

We’re pretty shocked that these two have maintained such a good relationship, given the scandal the end of their marriage. The couple separated after 4 1/2 years of marriage last June amidst rumors Katie was cheating with fashion designer Yigal Azrouël – whom she is NOT dating. In fact, Katie reveals that she’s currently single!  ”I’m not dating right now!” she shared with us.

Instead of men, Katie is focusing on herself. “I’ve just been at the beach all summer,” she explained. “I surf – that’s really been my thing. Just been surfing and writing a book. That’s about it and cooking.”

By Daniel Burke
Religion News Service

WASHINGTON (RNS) A coalition of mostly conservative religious organizations is urging Congress to amend a proposed bill that would bar them from making personnel decisions based on religion if they receive government funds to treat mental illness and substance abuse.

In a letter sent Wednesday (Aug. 25) to every member of Congress, evangelical charities, the U.S. Catholic Bishops, and Orthodox Jews say the bill "would be catastrophic" to their religious freedom and to their mission to serve the needy.

The bill, HR 5466, would reauthorize federal funding to treat substance abuse and mental illness, and was introduced in May by Rep. Patrick Kennedy, D-R.I., who has battled addiction and bipolar disorder.

The bill would outlaw any government funds or contracts with religious organizations that do not agree to "refrain from considering religion or any profession of faith" when making employment decisions.

"Stripping away the religious hiring rights of religious service providers violates the principle of religious freedom, and represents bad practice in the delivery of social services," said Anthony Picarello Jr., general counsel of U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

World Vision, the Christian humanitarian giant, also protested the proposed bill. On Monday (Aug. 24), a federal appeals court ruled that World Vision can fire employees who do not share its theological tenets.

But government funding for religious charities that make personnel decisions based on religion is far trickier. The Obama administration has said it is weighing the issue and will make decisions on case-by-case basis until a final decision is rendered.

The religious groups protesting the proposed bill also wrote an open letter to Attorney General Eric Holder, urging him not to "dilute the right of faith-based" charities to "stay faith-based through their hiring."

They also vowed that no government funds will be used for proselytizing or any other religious activities, and that all people in need will be served, regardless of faith.

A church-state watchdog group noted the relatively thin sliver of religious groups that signed the letter. Most Jewish and mainline Protestant groups--not to mention Buddhists, Quakers, Hindus, Muslims and Mormons--did not sign the letter. Instead, many of the 100 signatories are presidents of small Christian colleges.

Jesse and new flame Kat Von D flaunt their relationship in Las Vegas less than a day after Sandra officially becomes a new mom to Louis Bardo Bullock!
It looks like Jesse James’ selfish and insensitive behavior towards Sandra Bullock is continuing even though their relationship is over — he was out flaunting his new squeeze less than 24 hours after Sandra officially become a new mom to Louis Bardo Bullock!

Star reports, “Jesse was eager to burst Sandra’s bubble when he and LA Ink star Kat Von D began a steamy weekend getaway to Las Vegas.” Come on Jessie!

Even worse, in a radio interview Kat talked about what a kind and understanding guy Jesse is!

It looks like these two might be made for one another!

BERLIN — Police say a man living in Germany was shot in the back of his head, but that it took him five years to realize it. Police said Tuesday that the 35-year-old man was hit by a .22-caliber bullet in the western town of Herne as he was out in the street partying and drunk on New Year's Eve five years ago.

They say the man recalled receiving a blow to the head, but told them he didn't seek medical assistance at the time.

The bullet did not penetrate the skull, and police say the Polish man only went to see a doctor recently when he felt a lump on the back of his head. An X-ray showed an object under his skin, and doctors operated and found the projectile.

Police say it may have been a stray bullet fired by a reveler in celebration.

NEW YORK — Jennifer Aniston will pay a visit to old "friend" Courteney Cox on the season debut of ABC's "Cougar Town" next month.

ABC said Monday that Aniston will portray a therapist who is being seen by Cox's character. It's a one-episode visit, scheduled for Sept. 22.

The two actresses starred for many years on NBC's "Friends."

Cox is in her second season of "Cougar Town," where she plays a character hungry for younger men.

Aniston is promoting her new movie, "The Switch."