Rupert Murdoch shortly after the news broke

Rupert Murdoch Closes News Of The World – News Corp’s Rupert Murdoch has spent years clashing with unions, rivals and governments. Now the scandal at one of his London newspapers is threatening to become the biggest crisis of the 80-year-old’s career. News Corp. said yesterday it would close the 168-year-old News of the World. [bloomberg]

News Of The World Staff Face-Off With Public On Twitter – Staffers didn’t have much time to absorb the news about the closing of The News of the World before they were besieged by tweets from an angry public that seemed gleeful at the news that the journalists were losing their jobs. [mashable]

The Real Reason News Of The World Is Shutting Down? – According to British media law star Mark Stephens of Finers Stephens Innocent (whom The Times of London has dubbed “Mr Media”), Rupert Murdoch’s soon-to-be shuttered tabloid may not be obliged to retain documents that could be relevant to civil and criminal claims against the newspaper—even in cases that are already underway. [reuters]

Big Brother Cast Contract Leaked – Over 12 seasons and 11 years, Big Brother has entertained and horrified us thanks to the many men and women who have signed up to be cast members on the show. Those houseguests were all required to sign a contract with producers governing their behavior before, during, and after the show, and until now, that contract has never been seen except by those who’ve signed it. [reality]

Surgeons Carry Out First Synthetic Windpipe Transplant – Surgeons in Sweden have carried out the world’s first synthetic organ transplant. Scientists in London created an artificial windpipe which was then coated in stem cells from the patient. Crucially, the technique does not need a donor, and there is no risk of the organ being rejected. [bbc]

William & Kate Take Hollywood – “It’s astonishing how starstruck the whole showbiz community is by them both – Kate in particular,” laughs actress Alice Evans, a British expat bemused by royal mania. “The wedding was the most talked-about event on US TV in a long time, and ever since there’s been a whole new star system in place, with real British royalty ranking well above Hollywood royalty.” [telegraph]

Picasso Sketch Thief Caught – A New Jersey man who has worked in high-end restaurants in New York City flew to San Francisco on the Fourth of July, walked into a Union Square gallery the next day and stole a Pablo Picasso pencil drawing from the wall, police said Thursday in announcing his arrest. [sfgate]

Cape Town Grand Prix Part Of City’s Goals – The possibility of Cape Town hosting a Formula One Grand Prix is in line with the administration’s goal to establish the city as the events capital of South Africa, Mayoral Committee member Grant Pascoe said on Thursday. [news24]

Download New Lenny Kravitz Song For Free – For the next two days, Lenny Kravitz is giving away his new tune “Rock Star City Life” for free. The uptempo rocker, which you can stream or download via the widget after the jump, was the last song to come out of the recording sessions for his album Black and White America (due August 30th). [rollingstone]

Lady Gaga Is “Walking Time Bomb” – Lady Gaga has been branded ‘sick’ and ‘obsessed’ in an explosive new tell-all which documents her alleged drug abuse and dangerous diet. In a revealing interview with Star Magazine, investigative journalist Ian Halperin has made startling allegations about the wacky performer, insisting she is a walking time bomb. [radar]

How To Live Forever – In 2008, Buster Martin was somewhere between 94 and 101 years old (depending who you ask), Martin drank, smoked and ran the London Marathon — at the same time. He died earlier this year, but his zany approach to life, which included abstaining from tea and water in favor of beer, is captured in How to Live Forever, a new documentary that dips into philosophy, science and hokum. [wired]

The Most Annoying Online Dating Breakup Email Ever – No matter what site you use, online dating can be absolutely horrible. Sure, some people find their match, but more often than not, the people you meet are crazy, critical jerks who have you running for the door within minutes. Let’s look at one horrible email from an online relationship gone sour. [gawker]

Kate Moss Tried To Stop Jets Flying Over Wedding – KATE Moss tried to stop military planes bound for Afghanistan from flying over her wedding ceremony and reception, it emerged last night. The model, 37 – who is now honeymooning on a £10million superyacht – wanted to get married without the drone of jets from RAF Brize Norton overhead. [thesun]

Last Chance To Enter EuroMillions “Record Breaking” Jackpot – Tonight’s EuroMillions lottery draw is sitting at an unprecedented R1.8 Billion (EUR 185 Million). You can buy your tickets safely and securely online from anywhere in the world. Follow the link to buy tickets and read up on the legalities of these overseas draws. [2oceansvibelottos]

Cape Royale Hotel “30 Days Of Giveaways” Underway – Cape Royale Luxury Hotel and Spa is offering all Facebook members a chance to win prizes in their daily giveaways. Prizes include spa treatments and products, dinners, accommodation and even a helicopter flip! In order to enter the competition all you have to do is “like” their Facebook page and see what our daily competition entails.  [facebook]

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