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Tag: paris

  • France Testing Anti-Drone Laser System for 2024 Olympics

    France Testing Anti-Drone Laser System for 2024 Olympics

    The French military is testing a laser-powered anti-drone system it hopes can be used to protect the 2024 Olympics.

    Once used primarily for entertainment and photography, drones are taking on new roles as they become more advanced. Companies are using them for deliveries, and militaries around the world are relying on them more and more. Unfortunately, that also means drones can pose a threat to events such as the 2024 Olympics in Paris.

    The French military is turning to laser technology to shoot down drones, successfully completing a test off of the Atlantic coast, according to Reuters.

    “We aim to have a fully operational system in time for the 2024 Summer Olympics”, a ministry spokesperson said.

    “We need to adapt to a constantly changing threat and the increasing ability of drones to escape jamming devices or conventional missile shields.”

    The prototype laser cannon is one million times more powerful than the lasers in a QR reader, can detect a commercial drone up to 3 km away and shoot it down once it’s within 1 km.

  • Nohemi Gonzalez, U.S. Student Killed In Paris, Remembered As a ‘Beautiful Soul’

    Nohemi Gonzalez, the U.S. student killed in the Paris attack, was remembered by hundreds Sunday as a “beautiful soul.”

    Gonzalez was a 23-year-old Cal State Long Beach who had moved temporarily to Paris to study industrial design as an exchange student.

    Unfortunately, she was one of 18 killed Friday at a sidewalk bistro in Paris, where she and three friends were enjoying dinner. In total 129 were killed in the terrorist attack that stunned the world.

    On Sunday, hundreds gathered at the campus to mourn her death and remember her spirit, described as all at once creative, intelligent, observant and, befitting a designer, a bit playful.

    “Nohemi possessed a character that was truly rare,” Martin Herman, chairman of the university’s design department, told the crowd in the student union.

    “What I saw in her was a beautiful soul who practiced goodness and compassion in her friendships and relationships with others. She exuded such energy and enthusiasm and infused the entire department with these same qualities by virtue of her presence.”

    Beatriz Gonzalez, the mother of Nohemi, told the Los Angeles Times earlier in the day that her daughter was independent and was determined to carve out her own path.

    The family struggled financially and during her undergraduate studies, Beatriz said, her daughter balanced her classwork with two jobs, one at the Armani Exchange in a Cerritos shopping mall and another at her college’s laboratory.

    “She used to work all the time,” her mother said.

    Beatrice last time she saw her daughter was Sept. 1, the day she boarded a flight for Paris. She learned of her daughter’s death through a friend of a friend, reports the Times.

    Many friends and instructors spoke about the life of Nohemi Gonzalez, including her boyfriend of nearly four years, Tim Mraz, who sobbed as he recalled how they met as teaching assistants in shop class.

    “She ran that place, man, she owned it,” Mraz said. “She was first one in, last one out; there all night.”

    Visibly upset, Mraz thanked classmates, friends and the community for support before adding that she may be gone, but never forgotten.

    “She’ll always be with us,” Mraz said. “She’ll still be roaming these halls, like she always does.”

  • Natalie Portman Feels Sexier In Paris

    Natalie Portman Feels Sexier In Paris

    Natalie Portman is obviously enjoying life in Paris with her husband, Benjamin Millepied, and their four-year-old son, Aleph.

    For Natalie Portman, transitioning from life in America was likely an interesting experiment, but she has clearly benefitted.

    For one thing, Natalie Portman feels very sexy in being a woman from Paris.

    Natalie Portman told French magazine Gala, “I confess, I feel more sexy. It’s so amazing to me that I feel [like] another person.”

    She added, “In Paris, everything seems easier. We can afford not to do much in beauty and still have the beautiful air. The French are more natural than Americans, that’s obvious…I spend my time observing to try to imitate them.”

    #NataliePortman swings onto our #August2015 cover in @J_Mendel, styled by @NatashaRoyt. See more photos on BAZAAR.com.

    A photo posted by Harper's BAZAAR (@harpersbazaarus) on

    I’m fairly certain that most cultures in the world are more natural than Americans, but who’s keeping track? Natalie Portman certainly has the natural beauty to pull off life in Paris if that is the case.

    Natalie Portman may be getting comfortable in her more natural, French-inspired beauty, but she is still a mom and that means insecurity in her mothering abilities. Just like it does for the rest of us.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NFIDcMfYa_c

    For example, it has been asserted that the French don’t coddle their children, and Natalie Portman has experienced that already.

    She said, “…And there’s stuff you don’t know you’ll miss until you’re away. Like indoor gyms where kids can just run around and jump. They don’t have those there. [In Paris], if you’re running around on the playground chasing your kid and playing a game, people think you’re nuts.”

    To help with her feelings of parental inadequacies, Natalie Portman did what we all do at some point. She asked her friend.

    Natalie Portman turned to Cate Blanchett when questions of balancing working and being a mom.

    She said, “Very early on, I asked [Cate Blanchett] about being a parent. I said, ‘How do you do it? You’re a mom. You’re the best at what you do.’ She said, ‘You just do. Stressing about it doesn’t help.’”

    Not very specific, but it works. Right?

    What do you think about the advice Natalie Portman received from Cate Blanchett?

  • Uber France Execs Reportedly Arrested

    Uber France Execs Reportedly Arrested

    Uber France CEO Thibault Simphal and Uber Europe GM Pierre-Dimitri Gore-Coty have both been taken into custody, according to reports from the AFP and France’s The Local.

    According to authorities, the two Uber bosses are being investigated for running an illegal operation.

    From The Local:

    According to BFM TV the pair are being investigated for “inciting illegal employment”, with the Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve having already suggested that the pair’s insistence on rolling out UberPop was effectively encouraging individuals to break the law.

    Last week, more than 3,000 angry taxi drivers launched a massive protest against UberPOP. Roads to and from Paris airports and train stations were blocked, as was the beltway around the city. The protesters, who’ve been critical of Uber’s practices for some time, took to the streets and flipped cars, attacked Uber drivers, and burned tires.

    Soon after, French authorities sided with the protesters. Authorities launched legal action against Uber and Interior Minister Bernard Cazenueve banned Uber’s operation and told police to seize Uber cars on sight.

    Uber was defiant, however, and said the French government is interfering with justice. A ruling on a 2014 law banning much of how Uber operates is expected this fall – but it’s clear that French officials are completely cracking down on the company before said ruling comes in. Uber has been technically banned in the country for months, but up until now has been allowed to operate pending the final ruling.

  • French Taxi Drivers Burn Tires, Flip Cars in Massive Uber Protest

    If you’re looking to get around Paris today, expect delays. And fires.

    Roads to and from Paris airports and train stations are blocked, as is the beltway around the city, thanks to a massive protest against ride company Uber. The city’s Taxi drivers, who’ve been critical of Uber’s practices for some time, took to the streets today and reportedly flipped cars, attacked Uber drivers, and burned tires.

    Police say that around 2,800 taxi drivers are taking part in the protests.

    The taxi drivers are protesting UberPOP (UberX in the States). Their gripe is one we’ve heard for years, in many countries including the US. The drivers see Uber as unfair competition, as its drivers don’t have to jump through the same hoops as traditional taxi drivers – mainly licensing, regulations, and inspections.

    Protests are the most intense in Paris, but are also taking place in other French cities such as Marseille and Aix-en-Provence.

    Courtney Love seems to have been involved in some of the violence.

    According to Reuters, France’s interior minister called for an UberPOP ban in response to the protests.

  • Oldest Photo Of Human Surfaces Online

    The oldest known photograph of a person has surfaced online.

    The picture, which was taken in 1838 by Louis Daguerre, shows what looks like a deserted city. However, upon closer look, you can see a man getting his boots shined in the lower left hand corner.

    The two men are the only people that are visible in the photo. However, that does not mean that there were no other people in the streets. Because of the seven minute exposure time, many of the people and objects were moving too quickly to be captured in the photograph.

    This is not the first time that the photograph has been seen. The picture has been posted online before, but is gaining much more attention since the website Mashable published a full page version of the photo.

    “This picture, the earliest known photograph to include a recognizable human form, was taken in Paris, France, in 1838 by Louis Daguerre,” the website captioned the photo. “The human in question is standing in the bottom-left of the photograph, on the pavement by the curve in the road. He is having his boots shined.”

    The photo shows the Boulevard du Temple, which was a very fashionable part of Paris at the time and housed many shops, cafes, and theaters.

    According to CNN, Louis Daguerre was a “French photographer famous for pioneering the daguerreotype, an early type of photo produced on a silver plate or a silver-covered copper plate.” While he is credited with the earliest photo of a human, he does not hold the record for the earliest photo ever. That honor belongs to a photo by Joseph Nicéphore Niépce of his French estate in the late 1820s.

  • Kris Jenner Ends Marriage To Bruce Jenner, Joins Daughter Kendall For Paris Fashion Week

    After 11 months of separation, Kris Jenner has filed for divorce from her husband of 23 years, Olympian Bruce Jenner. The mother of Kim Kardashian filed a petition for divorce in Los Angeles on Monday, September 22, citing irreconcilable differences. Her husband reportedly filed a response to her petition on the following day.

    The petition for divorce apparently does not include spousal support but does indicate a request for joint custody of their daughter Kylie, who at age 17 is still considered a minor. After the split became official last week, daughter Kendall Jenner shared an old photo of her parents on Instagram with a heart caption.

    It was in October 2013 when Jenner revealed to Us Weekly that she and her husband were living apart. “But there is no animosity. We are united and committed to our family,” she said.

    Jenner flew to France on the day she filed for divorce in order to support Kendall at her shows in Paris Fashion Week. The French city was where she and her entire family, including her husband, vacationed earlier this year to attend the wedding of her daughter Kim to rapper Kanye West. Jenner posted a photo of the Eiffel Tower on Instagram with the caption, “Well hello Paris I missed you!!!! #PFW #blessed.”

    In a recent interview with Fashion Week Daily, Jenner set the record straight on rumors that Kendall had been bullied by fellow models at New York Fashion Week. “They have been so welcoming, especially at the Tommy Hilfiger show. At all of the shows, all of the girls have been so darling. It’s like a sorority. It’s really amazing and heartwarming the way they’ve welcomed her into their world and treated her like a sister,” she said.

    Jenner was seated with her daughter Kim and son-in-law West at the front row of the Balmain show at Paris Fashion Week. They were there to cheer for Kendall, who walked the runway for the designer brand on Thursday.

  • Kendall Jenner’s Balmain Dress: Is It TOO Revealing?

    Kendall Jenner recently strutted her stuff at Paris Fashion Week. Her work on the catwalk in New York and Milan has impressed and all signs indicate that she’s making her mark on the fashion industry.

    One of the younger members of the Kardashian-Jenner clan, Kendall feared that her famous last name and family would make it impossible to book high fashion jobs.

    Now it appears that her fear was all for nothing.

    The 18-year-old most recently walked in Balmain’s Thursday night fashion show alongside more established models such as Joan Smalls and Karlie Kloss.

    The dresses she wore were lovely, although some eyebrows may have raised over just how revealing the material was on someone so young.

    One Balman look featured a sparkling black blazer over a black leather skirt that showed a bit of midriff.

    Sexy, but not too scandalous.

    The second dress however has quite a few people asking the same question: “Is young Kendall NAKED under that dress?!”

    It was hard not to assume so as Jenner walked the catwalk in a black and tan cut-out dress. If you look closely, you can see that there is a see-through tan material providing a bit of modesty.

    And yes, Kim Kardashian’s younger sister is indeed wearing underwear. Scandal averted!

    Speaking of Kim K., it appears that Kendall Jenner has gotten over her desire for her big sister to stay away from her shows in order to avoid unwanted pressure or attention.

    Kardashian could be seen being photographed with her younger sister, of whom she must be very proud.

    Also there to cheer lead for the aspiring model was tireless showbiz mom Kris Jenner. Despite the recent news of a divorce from long-time husband Bruce, Jenner appears to be moving on quite nicely with her life.

    The Paris Fashion Week appearances seem to suggest that life goes on in the Kardashian-Jenner household no matter what personal issues might arise.

  • Chrissy Teigen Treats Husband John Legend To “Other Boobs” In Paris

    Milestones in life must be celebrated, and Chrissy Teigen has a unique way of doing it. The 28-year-old model recently celebrated her first wedding anniversary with John Legend by taking him to the famed French cabaret Crazy Horse Paris. The event capped off a romantic weekend that the couple spent in Paris.

    Teigen posted a photo on Instagram over the weekend showing her and husband Legend surrounded by seven dancers from the popular cabaret show. Her caption read, “Took John to see other boobs for our anniversary to make up for the 364 days of the year I’m insufferable (ps they are insanely talented and not just boobs).”

    The Sports Illustrated Swimsuit model also had dinner with Legend at a local restaurant. Apparently, a person whom Legend used to date approached them to say hello. Teigen then tweeted, “My favorite part about my anniversary dinner was the girl who came to our table who john used to bone and also the sea bass.”

    Legend posted a photo on his Instagram the following day to commemorate their anniversary as well. In it, Tiegen is embracing him from behind, her long hair swept to the side.

    Paris was just one of the stops on Teigen and Legend’s romantic European holiday, which began on September 2 in Tuscany, Italy. Their posts on social media showed them enjoying the sights in Paris, taking selfies in front of the Eiffel Tower and holding hands while shopping.

    What’s next on Teigen’s mind for her marriage to the 34-year-old R&B singer is to start a family. She spoke recently to Huff Post Live about her desire to have children soon. “I swear to you, I thought I would’ve had one by now. So, hopefully we’ll just have this Angelina-Brad-type brood. I would love that …I definitely want a lot of kids, though, and he does as well,” she said.

  • Kendall Jenner, Family: Fun in Paris Pre-Kim Kardashian Wedding

    Kendall Jenner and her family had a blast checking out all the tourist sites in Paris ahead of sister Kim Kardashian and Kanye West’s wedding in Florence, Italy. The family visited the Eiffel Tower, went shopping, and dined in some of the most famous spots in the City of Love.

    Kim Kardashian’s pre-wedding dinner was held in Paris, too, and when Kendall Jenner and sister Khloe Kardashian left their hotel in their dinner gowns–headed for the lavish event–the paparazzi was there to capture it all. Kendall stunned in a simple navy blue gown with a high slit. The elegant look was minimally accessorized as its simplicity–and Kendall–were all it needed for that wow factor.

    Sister Khloe Kardashian wore a long-sleeved champagne colored gown with silver fringe. A simple gold necklace drew the eye toward her pretty face that sported very light makeup.

    When Kourtney Kardashian and husband Scott Disick left their hotel for Kim Kardashian’s pre-wedding dinner, it was plain to see that their unusual taste in style was in full swing. The mom of two wore a cream colored pantsuit with ruffles. Yes, that word was in fact ‘pantsuit.’ One could almost imagine Hillary Clinton there in the midst of the festivities–sans the ruffles, of course. The outfit was unusual at best–downright ugly at worst. Scott Disick complemented the look perfectly, however, with his pinstripe suit and signature scruffy face.

    This event was no doubt the highlight for Kendall Jenner, Khloe Kardashian, and the remainder of the large Keeping Up With the Kardashians brood during their visit to Paris. That’s not to say they didn’t enjoy dressing up and doing the town in the days prior to the pre-wedding event.

    Kendall shared some of their excitement via Instagram.

    “On a carousel, in the pouring rain, under the Eiffel Tower… I can check that off my bucket list…” Kendall Jenner captioned the following Instagram shot.

    Following the pre-wedding dinner, Kendall posted a photo of herself dancing in the rain (it rained throughout most of their visit to Paris, but that in no way appeared to dampen their fun) with Olivier Rousteing.

    If Kendall Jenner was taking notes on all the intricate details that went in to the planning of sister Kim Kardashian’s wedding, then Bruce Jenner and Kardashian ‘momager’ Kris Jenner better be well-prepared for when the day arrives that Kendall decides to tie that proverbial knot. They will likely need even more dough that what was shelled out for Kim and Kanye West’s lavish affair.

    Image via Instagram

  • Kim Kardashian Tours Paris For Bachelorette Party

    Where does one of the most wealthy and famous girls in the world go for her bachelorette party? How about Paris?

    Kim Kardashian, her sisters Khloe, Kendall, Kylie, and a few close friends were in the City of Lights yesterday for Kim’s bachelorette party. According to Us Weekly, Kim and company got the party started with a delivery of 15 bottles of Veuve Clicquot champagne sent up to their hotel room at the George V Four Seasons. Then, they went out to dinner at Hotel Costes.

    Sources reported that the group looked “happy” and were “having a great time.” A staff member from the restaurant said that the girls “were in a very good mood.”

    After dinner, the bachelorette group hopped on a party van to do a little sight seeing. They needed to cram as many sights into a single day as possible, as the entourage was in Paris for just a night. They reportedly went to The Trocadero, The Louvre, and even had a private soiree inside the Eiffel Tower.

    Sisters Khloe, Kourtney, Kylie, Kendall, and mom Kris Jenner were spotted on Tuesday doing a little shopping on the Champs-Elysees in Paris.

    Kim shared a bunch of pictures from the special night on her personal Instagram account:

    Kim Kardashian and Kayne West, AKA Kiyme, are set to be married tomorrow in Florence, Italy at a 16th Century fortress. The city is a special place for the couple. In an interview with Florence’s La Nazione newspaper, West admitted, “I adore Florence. I love Italy and the Italian lifestyle.” He added, “To tell you the truth, I already came to the banks of the Arno [river] with Kim last year, just the two of us, incognito. I think that our daughter North was conceived here among the Renaissance masterpieces.”

    The couple has been engaged since October 2013. They have one daughter together, North “Nori” West, who was born on June 15, 2013.

    Image via Kim Kardashian, Instagram

  • Khloe Kardashian, Kourtney Kardashian Enjoy Paris Shopping Spree

    Khloe Kardashian was spotted leaving LAX bound for Paris and the preparations for sister Kim Kardashian’s wedding. It seems there was plenty of fun to be had–even days before the wedding takes place.

    Khloe and sister Kourtney Kardashian were spotted out and about enjoying a Paris shopping spree with mom Kris Jenner and sisters Kylie and Kendall Jenner, too, on Tuesday. The Keeping Up With the Kardashians brood was on the Champs-Elysees in Paris in the rain, with bodyguards and drivers carrying umbrellas for them to keep them dry. After all Kardashians do melt–right? The umbrella holding companions also toted multiple shopping bags for the gang as they shopped in anticipation of sister Kim Kardashian’s impending nuptials this coming weekend, when she will marry Kanye West in a ceremony in Florence, Italy.

    Staying at the George V Four Seasons, the Kardashian band of super shoppers first stopped by the Montaigne Market, where they made several small purchases that likely came with gigantic price tags. No Kardashian shopping day would be complete without selfies. Khloe Kardashian took one at some point during the day and sister Kourtney Kardashian hopped in with the perfect photo bomb.

    Kylie Jenner took a selfie with Kendall Jenner while shopping at YSL in Paris. She captioned it very simply, ‘Saint Laurent.’

    Can you even begin to imagine what kind of money Khloe Kardashian, Kourtney Kardashian, Kris Jenner, and Kylie and Kendall Jenner must have spent shopping in Paris on Tuesday? The boutiques and big name stores in that city must have loved to see the Keeping Up With the Kardashians group as they entered their doors.

    How many of these fine shopping finds will show up at Kim Kardashian and Kanye West’s wedding this weekend? Even if the ladies weren’t shopping for dresses to wear to the wedding, there is always the dinner the night before–which just happens to be in–you guessed it–Paris. Kim and Kanye will fly their guests via private planes to Florence for the wedding ceremony.

    Khloe Kardashian, along with her mom and sisters, will look amazing, of course. She even managed to look good–and to flaunt it, too–when she flew out of LAX to meet up with the other members of her family for their Paris festivities. Noticeably absent, however, was rumored boyfriend French Montana. Might he be showing up in time for the wedding?

    Image via Wikimedia Commons

  • Kanye West And Kim Kardashian May Wed In Secret

    Kanye West has plans to marry fiance Kim Kardashian in mere weeks in Paris, France, but it’s unclear now whether that ceremony will be allowed to take place. Numerous tabloids are reporting that French law may stop the wedding from happening, forcing the couple to have a secret ceremony instead. According to the law, citizens must live in France for 40 days before they are allowed to marry. And although Kanye has maintained an apartment in Paris for three years, it’s not his main address, nor have Kanye and Kim lived there for 40 consecutive days. Apparently it’ll be up to the mayor to decide whether Kanye and Kim will be allowed to marry in the city of love.

    As an alternative, Kanye and Kim are considering a secret wedding in a private office in Los Angeles first before the ceremony in Paris, with Kim’s mother Kris Jenner to serve as a witness. This would make it legal first in the states, and the couple could still hold the ceremony in their beloved France.

    Whether it would be official or not, Kim has her heart set on a fairy tale wedding in Paris. To make sure she looks every bit as glamorous as she should on her wedding day, Kim is apparently wearing a “wedding corset” to bed every night. “Kim wants her figure to look absolutely perfect on her wedding day. Wearing a corset at night is extremely uncomfortable but has a proven record of results, and with six weeks to go, Kim is up for anything,” reports The Daily Mail. In addition, Kim’s been hitting the gym hard, tweeting about her early morning calorie-burning sessions.

    In addition to perhaps a secret ceremony, Kim and Kanye are also not spilling about where the honeymoon will be to try to avoid paparazzi. They’re also not taking baby North with them, either. Seems the couple want to at least try to have a moment alone and to themselves before returning to their Hollywood lifestyle.

    Image via YouTube

  • Tightrope Walking Daredevil Crosses River Seine

    There are several ways to cross Paris’ famous River Seine, and using a tightrope is just one of them. That’s just what this French acrobat did.

    Denis Josselin, a tightrope walker, has successfully crossed the River Seine in Paris last Sunday. Crowds gathered to see the amazing feat. Others were anxious, and some were just plain excited about the rare event that was about to take place.

    Josselin started dabbling in tightrope back in 1988. Prior to that, he was already trained in other activities, such as circus arts, dance, and mime – a true seasoned performer.

    This is not the first time Josselin attempted to cross the River Seine. He also crossed the river a decade ago.

    For his second successful attempt, Josselin was able to cross the river in just 30 minutes. He crossed a rope that was suspended between Quai de la Rapée and Quai d’Austerlitz. The cable he crossed was 150 meters long, and was hanging 25 meters above the water, which is quite a long way down.

    Josselin did not fail to amuse those who came to watch him. At one point, he even entertained the audience by walking a few meters in a blindfold.

    “Ever since I started walking on the cables I have stopped dreaming of flying. I am flying,” he said in an interview after his death-defying stunt.

    Josselin is the last tightrope walker to have authorization to cross the River Seine. That was back in 2004. Since then, he is the only person to tightrope over the river again. This year, the daredevil says that he is enjoying these rare occasions as much as possible.

    Josselin is far from done with these acts. He said that he is planning to cross a tightrope that is suspended over 70 meters high. He has several ongoing projects, but said that he won’t disclose the details as of yet. “I won’t tell you more now.”

    Tightrope Between Two Hot Air Balloons


    Image via YouTube

  • The Eiffel Tower Celebrates Its 125th Birthday

    The Eiffel Tower is one of the most iconic monuments in the world, and is visited by over seven million people each year.

    Although many people can easily recognize the tower, they do not know the history behind this magnificent structure. The tower was built on March 31, 125 years ago. In 1889, Gustave Eiffel designed and built the tower for the 1889 Exposition Universelle, also known as the World’s Fair, to honor the 100th anniversary of the French Revolution.

    After two years, two months, and five days of construction, the 300 workers finally completed it. The entire building took 18,038 pieces of wrought iron and 2.5 million rivets. It weighs a whopping 10,000 tons and stands 984.25 feet high. The Eiffel Tower remained the tallest building in the world until 1930 when New York City’s Chrysler Building, standing 1,046 feet, was built.

    The tower surviving 125 years was not the original plan. When it was built, it was only supposed to be a temporary monument, and was to be torn down in twenty years. However, when the time came for demolition, the French military and government found it useful for radio communication and, although the French citizens hated the tower, calling it an eyesore, the City of Paris opted to keep the building standing.

    Over the years, the tower has served many purposes including housing a newspaper office, a post office, many scientific laboratories, and a theater. The tower underwent a makeover in 1986 and has to be painted every seven years. Nearly 500 people work at the tower ensuring the safety of visitors, and manning the restaurants and elevators.

    Image via Wikimedia Commons

  • Anne Hidalgo Elected First Female Mayor of Paris

    Anne Hidalgo, a Spanish-born Socialist, was elected the first female mayor of Paris Sunday in local elections.

    “I am the first woman mayor of Paris. I am aware of the challenge,” Hidalgo said in a victory speech after defeating the candidate of the conservative right, former minister Nathalie Kosciusko-Morizet.

    Hidalgo, 54, served as a deputy mayor under the French capital’s outgoing mayor Bertrand Delanoe for 13 years. Delanoe has been in the mayor’s seat for the past 12 years. Hidalgo, who will serve as mayor for the next six-year term, worked under Delanoe for the past 13 years.

    Hidalgo claimed 54.5 percent of the votes in the second round.

    Born in Cadiz, in Southwestern Spain, in 1959, Hidalgo moved to France as an infant and grew up in a working class suburb of Lyon, and became a French national at the age of 14.

    She was employed as a works inspector, and then became an adviser to former Labour minister Martine Aubry, who orchestrated France’s 35-hour working week.

    Hidalgo was head up for a promotion at the ministry office, after François Hollande was elected president in 2012. But, she chose to remain at City Hall and wait for the chance to take over the mayor’s seat from Delanoe.

    She has promised major investment in the public sector with her administration, including 10,000 new housing units and 5,000 kindergarten places. She also vowed to put forth efforts to improve transportation, and increase green spaces in the city. Hidalgo wishes to reverse the trend of middle class and working class people moving to the suburbs of Paris.

    Hidalgo now joins other eminent women who have taken over in major cities around the world. Women who currently hold office as mayor include Ana Botella in Madrid, Carolina Toha, who runs Santiago, Chile, and Patricia de Lille, who heads Cape Town, South Africa.

    Image via Wikimedia Commons

  • L’Wren Scott Found Dead in Apartment

    L’Wren Scott Found Dead in Apartment

    Fashion designer L’Wren Scott was found dead of an apparent suicide yesterday, March 17th.

    The 49-year-old former model was found inside an apartment by her assistant on Monday. A law enforcement official said her assistant found her hanging from a doorknob shortly after L’Wren had sent a text to “come over.” Officials also said that no note was found and they don’t believe foul play was involved in her death.

    L’Wren was not only known for her incredible style, collecting a plethora of celebrity fans including Sarah Jessica Parker and Michelle Obama, she was also girlfriend to rock star Mick Jagger. The two had been dating since at least 2003.

    A spokesperson for Jagger said the Rolling Stones singer was “completely shocked and devastated” by the sudden death of L’Wren.

    Mick Jagger’s former wife was one of the many celebrities to publicly send out a tweet, showing her respect for Scott.

    According to a statement released shortly after the news of the untimely death, the Rolling Stones have canceled their next show.

    “Frontier Touring and Concerts West regret to announce that The Rolling Stones concert in Perth will not be going ahead as scheduled for Wednesday 19 March 2014.”

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pzHx36TgaHo

    Last month, Scott canceled her London Fashion Week show due to production issues.

    The 6’4 brunette-beauty was raised by her Mormon adoptive parents in Roy, Utah. Her career exploded as a successful model in Paris. Later, she moved to California to impress the industry yet again as a fashion stylist.

    Image Via YouTube

  • Heidi Klum Enjoys Paris Getaway With Vito Schnabel

    Heidi Klum and her new beau Vito Schnabel were spotted out and about in Paris on Monday. The two were enjoying art galleries and taking in some of the other tourist attractions in the City of Love. Some might even call this new man Klum’s boy toy, as he is just 27 years old. Heidi Klum is 40.

    Klum split with her bodyguard boyfriend Martin Kirsten back in January. He’s the one she took up with shortly after (some believe it was actually before, but that was never confirmed) parting ways with Seal, her husband of about 7 years.

    Clearly not one to waste much time in the boyfriend department, Klum and Schnabel were seen sharing some kisses at an Oscars event earlier this month. That would have been just weeks after her split from Kirsten.

    Vito Schnabel is the son of director Julian Schnabel. He has been known in the art world as a curator and dealer since he was just a teenager. He has been previously linked to some other A-list Hollywood ladies including Demi Moore, Liv Tyler and Elle Macpherson.

    Do you suppose Heidi Klum plans to make Schnabel her children’s new stepfather or is this just a fling? She has four children–Leni, Henry, Johan and Lou.

    The super model seemed rather enamored with her destination earlier this week as she tweeted a view of the Eiffel Tower.

    The executive producer of Project Runway, Klum is also a model, television host, fashion designer, businesswoman and actress. Even with all these titles–in addition to that of mother of 4–she still manages to take time out for romantic trips to Paris. Vito Schnabel is one very lucky man.

    Do you expect this new relationship between Heidi Klum and Vito Schnabel is the real thing or will she be passing him over in favor of yet another man–possibly one who is closer to her own age?

    Image via Twitter

  • Kim and Kanye’s New Wedding Rumors

    The rumors are flying again and this time it’s about Kim Kardashian and Kanye West. (Yeah, we weren’t that shocked either.)

    One of the rumors is claiming that the couple will have a whopper of a prenuptial agreement signed before their big wedding day.

    $500,000 to $1 million for each year of their marriage is the current figure for the prenup rumors, but according to a source that’s “all wrong.”

    “Whether or not Kim and Kanye have a prenup is a private matter and any speculation is just that,” another source told E!

    But it does seem that the beautiful reality star plans to say ‘I do’ in Paris.

    “We will be getting married this summer in Paris,” she said after putting an end to yet another line of rumors claiming the location was at the Palace of Versailles.

    “We love it there,” the now brunette babe gushed.

    “It’s like our second home. We spend so much time there,” she continued.

    While it was no secret the star has selected Paris as the location, she hasn’t exactly spilled as to where the specific location of the wedding and reception will be located.

    Another rumor buzzing around the Kardashian clan is claiming that Kourtney and boyfriend of seven years Scott Disick are engaged. Kardashian and Disick have two children together.

    However, yet another source spilled the beans yet again saying the reports are simply tabloid garbage.

    Oh well, I’m sure one wedding is enough for the Kardashian family at the moment.

    Image Via Instagram

  • Rihanna Takes Fashion to a Whole Different Level

    Rihanna is known for her risque fashion choices but lately we’re wondering if the singer has any limits when it comes to what she shoes-and doesn’t show?

    RiRi showed off her upper-half at the Balmain fashion show after-party in Paris on Thursday night. The top she chose consisted of fishnet and that’s about it. Her breasts and nipples were exposed through the black, netted fabric.

    Clearly the pop star didn’t worry too much about her bare chest, posing for pictures and happily greeting people as she made her way around the room.

    But if you’re wondering if the 26-year-old sported the see-through top to the fashion show, don’t worry. She didn’t. Instead, the musician opted for a top made of a fabric other than fishnet.

    However, Rihanna didn’t totally cover up.

    She flaunted insane cleavage along with some leg. The dress she wore had a high-slit skirt, clearly showing off the actresses sexy side.

    She was spotted in Paris on Monday while she was hanging out with Drake at the Soixante Dix Neuf nightclub. Drake and Rihanna celebrated the venue’s first birthday.

    Rihanna even joined Drake at his concert on Tuesday, taking the stage with him and singing “Pour It Up” and performing with him on their duet “Take Care.”

    The two have been rumored to be back together again.

    Image Via YouTube

  • Vanessa Paradis Shows Off Short, Curly Hair on Red Carpet

    French pop star Vanessa Paradis appeared on the red carpet at Victoires de la Musique in Paris on Friday with a tousled mop of short chestnut curls.

    The 41-year-old international singing sensation and Chanel spokesmodel took the stage in a long black custom-designed Alexandre Vauthier gown that showed off her long legs and very toned arms and shoulders.

    Paradis won her third Artiste Interprete Feminine award Friday night. She won for the first time in 1990, and followed up with a second award in 2008. She is the only woman to have won the award three times.

    The Victoires de la Musique Awards are the French equivalent of the American Grammy Awards. The prestigious Artiste Interprete Feminine Award is similar to the Grammys’ Female Artist of the Year Award. Besides Paradis, it has been awarded to French heavyweights such as Mylène Farmer, Françoise Hardy, and Patricia Kaas.

    Paradis was rumored to have been dating French singer Benjamin Biolay at the end of last year, but her most famous relationship was with actor Johnny Depp. The two dated for 14 years and have two children together: 14-year-old Lily-Rose and 11-year-old Jack.

    Depp is engaged to his The Rum Diary co-star Amber Heard. According to a source, there is “no drama” between Paradis and Depp. In fact, “Vanessa wished him happiness” upon hearing of Depp’s engagement.

    Depp, who famously gave one-time girlfriend Kate Moss the advice to “never complain, never explain,” was unusually talkative following his split with Paradis.

    “Relationships are very difficult,” he said. “Especially in the racket that I’m in, because you’re constantly away or they’re away, and so it’s hard. It wasn’t easy on her. It wasn’t easy on me. It wasn’t easy on the kids. So, yeah. The trajectory of that relationship — you play it out until it goes, one thing leads to another. So for whatever reason that ceases, it doesn’t stop the fact that you care for that person, and they’re the mother of your kids, and you’ll always know each other, and you’re always gonna be in each other’s lives because of those kids. You might as well make the best of it.”

    Image via YouTube