Cape Town’s Westin Grand Hotel
Blacklisted by the United States

US Blacklists “Westin Grand” Hotel In Cape Town – A five-star Cape Town hotel has been blacklisted by the US consulate in the city after allegations of “multiple theft reports” from US officials staying there. The hotel, the Westin Grand, is next to the Cape Town International Convention Centre. It should be noted that this is not my residence, the Cape Royale hotel, which is also 5-stars and also happens to have one of only 3 genuine concierges in South Africa (only 3,000 on earth). [timeslive] [post-publish update – the ban seems to have been lifted]

Federer’s Incredible Shot Wows US Open Fans – You got to see this! The legend of Roger Federer continues! In his first-round matchup last night at the US Open, Federer (for the second year in a row) made an incredible, between-the-legs shot against Argentina’s Brian Dabul that sent the sell-out crowd at Arthur Ashe Stadium to its feet. For the five-time US Open champion Federer, it was just another addition onto an already massive career highlight reel. [wired]

Pakistan Cricket Fans Burn Posters Of Alleged Match Fixers (Images) – Pakistani cricket fans burned posters of Pakistani cricket players during a protest condemning them for their alleged involvement in match fixing, in Lahore, Pakistan on Tuesday, Interior Minister Rehman Malik wants to wait for an initial British police report into allegations of match fixing involving Pakistan cricketers before sending an investigation team to England. Palcard reads “Down with Chairman of PCB Ijaz Butt). [newshopper]

France Doesn’t Dig The Iranians Calling The First Lady A Whore – France said on Tuesday that insults in the Iranian media against first lady Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, who has been branded an “Italian prostitute” who “deserves death”, are unacceptable. “The insults in the daily Kayhan and Iranian websites against French figures, including Mrs Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, are unacceptable,” Foreign Ministry spokesperson Bernard Valero said. Mick Jagger and Eric Clapton could not be reached for comment. [mail&guardian]

iPhone Saving Lives – Fact – More than three million doctors have downloaded an iPhone app which is replacing the stethoscope in UK hospitals. The iStethoscope app, created by Peter Bentley at University College London, was originally developed as nothing more than a toy. But now more than 500 users a day are downloading the free version of the application which experts say has already saved lives. [dailymail]

Video of Girl Throwing Puppies in a River Causes Social Media Uproar – A video of a young girl throwing several puppies into a river has caused a huge social media backlash on sites like 4chan and Facebook. The backlash is similar to the Cat Bin Lady, skandaal which hit the net last month. Similarly, some members of 4chan started a campaign to find out the identity of the girl, while a related Facebook group has gathered more than 3,000 members in a little more than a day. [mashable]

Lindsay Lohan Reveals “New” Lindsay In Vanity Fair – In a revealing new interview, Lindsay Lohan details the infamous antics that landed her in jail — but insists that her wild-child days are behind her. “I was irresponsible. And I’m not making excuses,” the 24-year-old star tells Vanity Fair in its latest issue, set to hit newsstands this week with this sensationally sexy photo. What about the court-ordered, drug and alcohol counseling sessions she skipped? [newyorkpost]

Zara Goes Online! – Europe’s largest clothing retailer, Spain’s Inditex, is taking its flagship Zara brand online, but it can expect stiff competition from other giants of high-street fashion already well-established in cyberspace. Zara’s virtual boutique will be available on Thursday in selected European markets: Spain, Germany, France, Italy, Portugal and Britain. [luxuo]

Wyclef Jean Lashes Out In Song – When Wyclef Jean released his new single, not many in the U.S. could figure out what it was all about. The hip-hop star sings it in Haitian Creole. But translated, the song reveals an angry Jean attacking the electoral council that disqualified him from running for president of Haiti, accusing the current head of state of being a deceptive “Lucifer” who betrayed him, and urging the country’s citizens to “remain mobilized.” [newsweek]

Oxford To Phase Our Printed Oxford Dictionary – It weighs in at more than 130 pounds, but the authoritative guide to the English language, the Oxford English Dictionary, may eventually slim down to nothing. Oxford University Press, the publisher, said Sunday so many people prefer to look up words using its online product that it’s uncertain whether the 126-year-old dictionary’s next edition will be printed on paper at all. [associated]

Meet Calvin Klein’s 20-Year-Old Underwear Model Boyfriend – Klein, 67, was first photographed with the blond boytoy as early as May and the pair have since been seen at a number of movie premieres and charity events in Manhattan and the Hamptons. Last week, Page Six ran a picture in the paper’s print edition of the two men walking in Manhattan and described Gruber as Klein’s “partner.” Looks like they know something about their relationship that we don’t. [gawker]

Oval Office Gets A Makeover – When President Barack Obama addresses the nation on Iraq Tuesday night, his Oval Office setting will be sporting a new look – and one that pays homage to Martin Luther King Jr. and four previous presidents. While the president and his family were away on vacation in Martha’s Vineyard, workers installed new wallpaper, a new rug, new sofas, lamps and a coffee table. [associated]

Miranda Kerr On Vogue 3D Cover – Miranda Kerr nabbed the September Vogue Italia cover, which is her first. Shot by Steven Meisel, the cover and its accompanying editorial is in 3D. Kerr’s Yorkie puppy, Frankie, shares the honors. Who can argue with a puppy? Especially a Yorkie. I was raised on Yorkies. Not eating them – I mean we had a squadron of little beasts running around the house. [jezebel]

Blair’s Book To Become Biggest Political Memoir Of All Time – Tony Blair’s autobiography, A Journey, is set to become the biggest political memoir of all-time, according to Amazon.co.uk. Pre-orders of the book have outstripped those for Lord Mandelson’s memoir, The Third Man by 36 per cent. Experts at Amazon claim it is set to overtake the former Business Secretary’s sales figures once it is released on Wednesday. [telegraph]

Today Is Spring Day, Did You Know That? We figured it might have slipped your mind. So we’ve done you a favour, and to forever mark the occasion in your mind, 2oceansvibe Radio will celebrate the day with one Robert B. Skinstad, esq., as well as 2oceansvibe Character and in-house music connoisseur, G-Man. Oh yes, we may have forgotten the small matter of the twins. What twins, you ask? The self-same lovely twins who’ll be in studio, in bikinis, getting us in to spring. Tune in to the Spring time holiday. [1-click tune-in at 2ov.fm]