Shipwreck believed found in Lake Superior 100 years later

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  FILE: An iron ore dock extends in to Lake Superior in Marquette, Michigan. (REUTERS)
  
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  Fog forms over Lake Superior on Monday, Jan. 21, 2013, along the Duluth, Mich. shoreline as the area experiences subzero temperatures. (AP Photo/The Duluth News-Tribune, Bob King) (The Associated Press)
  

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Nearly 100 years after the Henry B. Smith freighter went down during a November storm in Lake Superior, a group of shipwreck hunters believes it has found the ship — and much of it is largely intact.
The Duluth News Tribune reported the group found the wreck last month in about 535 feet of water off the shore of Marquette, Mich. The group says it hasn't seen the name of the ship on the wreck yet, but all signs indicate it's the Smith, sitting amid a spilled load of iron ore.
"It's the most satisfying find of my shipwreck-hunting career," said Jerry Eliason, of Cloquet, part of the group that has found many lost ships in recent years.
"It's a fantastic find," said maritime historian Frederick Stonehouse, of Marquette, who has written about the Smith. "I'm excited at the opportunity to look at the video and see if we can learn the cause of the wreck, to write the final chapter of the ship."
The Henry B. Smith and its crew of 25 disappeared after sailing into the Great Lakes Storm of 1913. The storm, one of the biggest on the lakes, wrecked more than a dozen ships and killed about 250 sailors. The Smith was safe in the Marquette harbor on Nov. 7 and 8, and loading iron ore, but on the evening of Nov. 9, Capt. James Owen decided to leave port for Cleveland.
"The lake was still rolling, but there seemed to be a lull in the wind, the velocity having dropped to 32 mph," shipwreck expert and longtime University of Minnesota Duluth professor Julius Wolff wrote in "Lake Superior Shipwrecks." "The gale ... should have blown itself out. But, this was no conventional storm. In taking his vessel out of the safety of Marquette Harbor, Captain James Owen sailed into eternity."
Sailors on other boats reported seeing Smith deckhands battening down hatches as it went onto the open lake, Stonehouse wrote in his book, "Went Missing." Other witnesses watched the ship make a turn to port, as if Owen had decided to head back to shore.
Then the Smith vanished — and entered Great Lakes lore as a "ghost ship."
Eliason isn't revealing exactly how his group found the Smith, because he hopes to use the same method to find other wrecks. But he said it wasn't a case of merely running a grid pattern over the lake in hopes of getting lucky. He said the group used a culmination of hunches, research and data to pinpoint a specific search area.
The data pointed them toward a possible wreck about 30 miles north of Marquette, and the hunters found the Smith just 20 minutes after dropping a sonar unit into the water. An underwater camera captured enough detail in videos and photos to convince the group that they found the Smith.
"A number of wrecks we've found have been over the span of 20 years searching, multiple times a year," said Kraig Smith, a member of the hunting group from Rice Lake, Wis. "Going and finding a wreck 20-some miles offshore in the span of a couple hours is extraordinary."
Fellow hunter Ken Merryman, of Minneapolis, said it appears the ship is broken in the middle, but is largely intact in the front. The stern has more damage, Merryman said.
"It's a beautiful wreck" with great visibility, he said. "No zebra mussels; clean."
The crew will return to the site this summer in hopes of getting more questions answered. But the group is already starting to piece together events that led to the Smith's demise.
"It's very clear to me that this one appeared to have broken on the surface, spilled its iron ore contents over the bottom, and then landed on the iron ore," said Eliason, who had been considering retiring from wreck hunting partly because he wasn't expecting any more significant finds on Lake Superior.
"This was a gift from the lake gods," Eliason said.

States look to tax hybrid and electric car owners to recoup road funding

2012 Toyota Prius v

Toyota's new mojomobile

RALEIGH, N.C. –  North Carolina is joining a growing number of states exploring new fees for hybrid and electric car owners to help make up for revenue those drivers aren't paying in gas taxes on their fuel-efficient vehicles.
The proposal strikes many owners of alternative-fuel vehicles and some advocacy groups as a wrong-headed approach to balancing priorities of promoting U.S. energy independence with sustainable infrastructure funding. But policymakers and some experts argue taxing hybrid and electric vehicle owners is a matter of making sure all drivers help maintain the roads they use and construct new ones.
Gas taxes are the most vital source of transportation funding, making up nearly 40 percent of all state highway revenues and more than 90 percent at the federal level, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. But those revenues haven't kept up with rising construction costs, falling 41 percent in real value at the federal level since they were last increased 18 years ago, according to the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy. The same non-partisan research group estimates that state and local gas-tax revenue fell 7 percent to $38 billion between 2004 and 2010.
Many transportation organizations and other groups say an overhaul that moves the system to a tax based on miles traveled is needed, but those reforms come with their own hurdles and for now states are looking for other fixes. At least 10 states are considering or have passed legislation to collect fees from owners of electric or hybrid cars.
"I think so far what we're seeing is the trend seems to be either an additional annual fee or some type of registration fee seems to be much more popular than the miles-driven tax, because that is a newer technology and raises some privacy concerns," said Kristy Hartman, a transportation and environment analyst at the NCSL.
New Jersey scrapped a plan to charge vehicles by miles traveled amid pushback from media and legislators, opting instead for a flat fee on electric cars.
North Carolina senators included an additional $100 annual registration fee for electric-car owners and a $50 fee for hybrid drivers. They estimate the new fees will raise $1.5 million annually. The Senate's provision would have to survive budget negotiations with the House, which is expected to release its full spending plan in the coming days.
Sen. Neal Hunt, R-Wake and a chief budget-writer, argues the policy ensures all drivers are contributing their fair share toward maintaining the roads and services they all use.
"I just seems logical to me that they should pay a small fee for the use of the highways and the wear and tear they put on the highways," he said.
But that policy, along with the end of a pilot program offering four interstate plug-in stops, is troubling to many drivers of fuel-efficient cars.
Ryan Turner, an IT professional in Chapel Hill, said he and many other drivers of alternative-fuel vehicles chose their cars because they're concerned about the environment and the country's dependence on oil. The Chevrolet Volt driver helped advocate for a statewide plug-in vehicle readiness plan.
"On its face, it's reasonable for electric owners to contribute toward road tax in some way," he said. "I think what's suspect is that, given all the issues we have in this state, given the state's woeful effort so far to promote electric vehicles as part of some statewide agenda, it is suspect that this vehicle tax is a priority given the small amount of the revenue it will bring in."
The policy looks especially arbitrary when more and more conventional cars are achieving fuel efficiency that's comparable to some hybrid cars, Turner added.
Jay Friedland, legislative director for the advocacy group Plug In America, has asked legislators in other states to phase in special fees after the number of alternative-fuel vehicles reaches 100,000, arguing administrative costs make such policies counter-productive before states reach a critical mass.
"We generally say this is a period of time when you should be incentivizing these vehicles, but after a while, yes, everyone should be paying their fair share," he said.
North Carolina has an estimated 30,000 hybrid and electric cars registered in the state.
Plug In America supports a vehicle-miles tax, and Friedland said his organization swayed Washington lawmakers to include a study of that policy in the state's own bill targeting alternative-fuel vehicles.
"Fundamentally, the mechanism exists (for charging a miles-traveled tax), but I don't know of any states that are currently doing that yet," he said. "We're really on the edge of this, because we're for once actually watching fuel consumption going down, and that's why we're watching these taxes come up."
Berry Jenkins of the Carolinas Association of General Contractors said bigger reforms are ultimately needed to address infrastructure in the long term. He's part of a coalition of businesses and regional transit groups that endorses miles-traveled taxes. The problem, he said, are concerns that they system would require intrusive new technologies and that fuels apprehension among political leaders.
"It's never going to be a convenient time to ask people to pay more for infrastructure," he said.

3 Reasons to Buy and Sell Penny Stocks

How many times have you kicked yourself for not investing in some of today's leading stocks back when they were actually affordable?
The majority of Americans find it nearly impossible to buy stock in their favorite companies because they're simply too expensive. For instance, Google is now available for $780 per share and Apple at $422 per share.
And then there is the fear that many of the leading stocks are inflated and poised to fall. Paul Sommerville, financial advisor and contributor to the Independent, warns "the next few years will be characterized by gut-wrenching sell-offs."
This leaves small investors looking for fresh investments that have the power to reap major rewards in the near future. And that's where penny stocks come in— offering you the opportunity to get in on the ground floor.
How It Works
When smaller companies go public and make their stocks available for less than a dollar per share, their shares are called "penny stocks."  Small investors can easily and affordably purchase them. Regulated by the SEC and other official authorities, they are traded in "over-the-counter" markets rather than the NYSE.
There are a number of reasons to consider purchasing penny stocks, but here are the three most compelling:
1. Small Investment for Many Shares
With penny stocks, you have the power to purchase thousands of stock shares for a rather small investment. For example, if a technology company is selling shares at 10 cents and you make $500 investment, you can own 5,000 shares. If the stock rises to just $1.00, your investment will turn into $5,000.
This gives you the opportunity to purchase stakes in several companies at a time (with potential for major gains), rather than investing in one or two overpriced NYSE stocks that may earn you a couple dollars here and there.
2. Huge Returns in a Short Amount of Time
With some help on the research side, you can discover penny stocks ready to explode overnight. Unlike most stocks on the NYSE that can take years to grow, it is common for penny stocks to double and even triple in a single day.
3. Easy to Buy and Sell
Penny stocks are traded exactly like major stocks. All you need is to establish an online trading account to buy and sell, or you can use a traditional broker to place your trades.
A Powerful Trick of the Trade
As you're probably aware, any stock has a certain degree of risk that comes along with it. This is why it's essential for you to do your homework and carefully research each penny stock you purchase.
One of the very best tools on the market for researching and tracking penny stocks is SpeculatorPicks.com. The site tracks the market daily, identifies high potential companies, and offers regular hot picks with their really useful email newsletter.
One of the biggest selling points of Speculator Picks is that the service is completely free. To subscribe, all you have to do is enter your e-mail address, and you will never be asked to pay.
Once you dive in and learn more about penny stocks, you will be amazed at the numerous opportunities available. The secret to your success is the perfect combination of research and education. The more you know, the more likely you will reap amazing rewards!

How Cruise Ships Fill Their Unsold Cabins

A luxury cruise is one of life’s pure joys.  Today’s modern cruise liners are engineering marvels; floating 5-star hotels that offer the best service, accommodation, cuisine, and activities.  They visit exotic locales, with non-stop relaxation or stimulation, depending on your pleasure.
Over the past few years, cruise companies have spared no expense and literally invested billions in jaw-dropping super ships.  Even if you’ve cruised before, you probably have not experienced anything like these new marvels.
But, the best news is that due to the slowdown in travel caused by the recession and significant overcapacity in the industry, savvy travelers can now book once-in-a-lifetime cruises at insanely low prices.
How does 80 percent off the brochure price sound?  Believe it or not, it's possible through a company called Vacations To Go, one of America's Largest Cruise Agencies.
Founded more than 25 years ago, Vacations To Go realized that taking a cruise vacation was a new experience for many.  They set out to build an online service to help people learn everything they need to know to find the best possible cruise vacation, at the best possible price.
Vacations To Go is now home to an extensive selection of top-brand cruise vacations, and in-depth information about every cruise line and cruise ship.  Customers can browse the latest in new promotions and offers, shop by category, and compare prices at a glance.
But, what about the discounts?
Because of the huge costs involved in building and operating today’s luxury ships, cruise lines want their ships to sail with as few empty cabins as possible.
So, they turn to trusted partners like Vacations To Go to sell this “excess” inventory at deep discounts, allowing the cruise companies to still get full fare on the travel packages that they sell directly.
The discounts they authorize Vacations To Go to offer can be as much as 80 percent off the full price fare.  What it means for you: Simply put, it is the opportunity to take a once-in-a-lifetime luxury cruise for a price that makes it affordable on any budget.
Vacations To Go has also developed a Best Price & Service Guarantee that guarantees they will meet any other authorized price--so, if getting the best deal is important, look no further.
If you are not ready to book your cruise immediately, signing up for Vacations To Go’s free newsletter can help you stay informed of all the spectacular discounts that become available, as cruise lines seek to fill their remaining empty cabins before their cruises depart. 
This year, it seems like everyone is cruising--and, for good reason.  After several years of austerity, people are realizing that a cruise vacation is now one of the great values in travel.

Trial begins for George Zimmerman, accused of murdering Florida teen Trayvon Martin

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The trial for George Zimmerman, the Florida neighborhood watch captain accused of murdering teen Trayvon Martin while on patrol, began Monday with the judge denying the defense's request to delay the trial.
Circuit Judge Debra Nelson rejected the request after lead defense attorney Mark O'Mara told the judge his defense team needed several more weeks to prepare.
"We're not fully ready and need more time," O'Mara said.
O'Mara blamed prosecutors for a delay in turning over evidence and said he needs time to interview an attorney for Martin's family. Prosecutors opposed the request for a delay.
Jury selection in the case also started Monday.
The February 12, 2012, incident in central Florida sparked a fierce national debate about such issues as gun control, equal justice and race after Zimmerman, who is Hispanic, fatally shot Martin, a black teenager.
There is no disputing that Zimmerman fired his 9-mm. handgun after calling police, exiting his pickup truck to follow Martin, then getting into a fight with the 17-year-old on a rainy night inside the gated Retreat at Twin Lakes community.
The 29-year-old Zimmerman, who had a concealed weapon permit, has admitted to shooting Martin in the chest.
But Zimmerman says the teen circled back and attacked him as he walked back to his truck – punching him in the face and slamming the back of his head into the sidewalk.

"If there are African-Americans on the jury, they are going to sympathize with Trayvon Martin more."

- Attorney Randy McClean

Photographs taken that night show Zimmerman with a broken nose, bruises and bloody cuts on the back of his head.
Law enforcement officials at the Seminole County Courthouse Monday had been anticipating scores of protesters supporting either Martin's family or Zimmerman. But so far the crowds had stayed away on the first day of the trial. Tierrel Mathis, a Florida A&M law student, was the sole person in a fenced-off area designated for protests and she didn't even describe herself as a protester. She said she merely wanted to observe the starts to one of the highest-profile trials in central Florida.
"I thought there would be mobs of people," Mathis said.
Talking to reporters, Martin's father, Tracy Martin, expressed relief that the trial was starting.
"We seek a fair and impartial trial," Tracy Martin said. "We ask that the community continue to stay peaceful as we place our faith in the justice system."
The case is expected to last about six weeks. If convicted, Zimmerman faces life in prison.
Prosecutors are expected to argue Zimmerman racially profiled Trayvon Martin. They also are expected to say he started the fight and was a would-be police officer overstepping his authority as a watch captain, patrolling the Orlando-area community where he and the fiancée of Martin’s father lived.
"The state's narrative is going to be ... Zimmerman was a powerful neighborhood watchman, a wanna-be officer who liked to use his authority," said Randy McClean, a Florida defense attorney.
Investigators know Zimmerman was on patrol following a series of break-ins inside the Sanford, Fla., community. And they know  the altercation occurred as Martin, visiting from the Miami area, was returning from a convenience store where had bought Skittles and an iced tea and that he was on a cellphone call to a female friend immediately before the altercation.
But other details and accounts of that night remain in dispute and are expected to be the focal points of the court arguments.
Prosecutors say Zimmerman tracked down Martin and started the fight.
Zimmerman says Martin spotted his gun holstered around his waist and under his clothes and said, "You are going to die tonight."
He also says Martin grabbed the gun first and fired. Martin was shot in the chest at close range and died at the scene.
Under Florida law, a person can lawfully shoot somebody in self-defense to prevent their own death or great bodily harm.
The prosecution must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that while Zimmerman's actions weren't premeditated, they demonstrated a "depraved mind" that didn't consider the threat his actions had toward human life.
O’Mara will need to show his client feared for his life and that race was not a factor in following Martin or shooting the teen, whose head was partially covered by a hoodie.
"O'Mara's challenge is to show Trayvon wasn't profiled, that Zimmerman either saw something that looked suspicious or something else that caused him to make contact with Trayvon," McClean also said.
Zimmerman was well known to police dispatchers for his regular calls to report suspicious people and events and was told the night of the shooting to stay inside his vehicle.
Few residents have been able to give investigators a good description of what happened, and several offered conflicting accounts of who was on top of whom during the struggle.
But 911 calls made by neighbors captured cries for help during the fight and then the gunshot. Martin's parents say the cries for help were from their son, while Zimmerman's father has testified they were from his son. Voice-recognition experts could play an important role in helping jurors decide who was screaming, provided they are allowed to testify. O'Mara had raised questions about whether such prosecution experts would mislead jurors and Circuit Judge Debra Nelson has yet to rule on his concerns.
For days, the Trayvon Martin shooting received no attention beyond some small items in the local news media. Sanford police, after questioning Zimmerman, let him go and local prosecutors chose not to press charges right away.
That changed after Martin's parents hired a prominent civil rights attorney. He began complaining to the news media, accusing the police and prosecutors of letting the murderer of a black child go free, and contacting other civil rights leaders, including Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton, to get their support.
Those events sparked protests in Sanford and around the country, with thousands demanding that Zimmerman be prosecuted. Gov. Rick Scott appointed State Attorney Angela B. Corey from the nearby Jacksonville district to re-examine the case.
Forty-four days after Martin's death, Corey charged Zimmerman with second-degree murder and had him arrested. For the past year, Zimmerman has been free on $1 million bond and living in seclusion. His defense is being paid by private contributions through a website O'Mara set up.
O'Mara has decided not to invoke a "stand your ground" hearing in which a judge alone would decide whether to dismiss the case or allow it to proceed to trial.
"This case, in my opinion and in my view of the facts, is a clear, straightforward self-defense case based upon the forensic evidence," he said.
Nelson has already ruled that defense attorneys won't be able to mention Martin's past marijuana use, suspension from school and past fighting during opening statements, though Nelson left open the possibility that the defense could try again later during the trial if it could show relevance.
Such a situation could arise if prosecutors attempt to portray Martin as an angelic kid.
Jurors will want to hear from Zimmerman.
"I can't see how he doesn't [testify]," said David Hill, another Florida defense attorney. "He's the only one who can say `I was scared for my life and here's what happened.’ ”
Another crucial witness will be Martin’s female friend, who was talking with him by cellphone.
She says Martin told her during that conversation that someone was following him and that she also heard a brief exchange between him and someone before the phone was cut off.
Martin was shot shortly afterward. But O'Mara already has called into question her credibility, accusing her of lying about missing Martin's funeral because she was in the hospital.
O'Mara said he doubts he will find six jurors and four alternates who haven't heard about the case, but his goal is to find jurors who haven't formed opinions. The judge ruled that potential jurors' identities will stay anonymous in an effort to protect them from harassment and public pressure during the trial. She rejected a defense request to sequester the jury candidates during jury selection.
The defense will have a better chance with the jury if its members are older, more conservative citizens who believe in the right to bear arms, said both Hill and McClean.
"If there are African-Americans on the jury, they are going to sympathize with Trayvon Martin more," McClean said.
Prosecutors have refused to comment about the case outside the courtroom, but lead prosecutor Bernie de la Rionda indicated at a recent hearing he was well aware of the pressures the case's high profile is putting on all parties involved. Reporters from national media groups are attending the trial, and areas outside the courthouse have been designated for expected protests.
"We want to make sure this trial is tried in a courtroom and not outside a courtroom," de la Rionda said.

'Panicked in my head all night long!' Kelly Clarkson sings her heart out at CMA Festival... as her engagement ring goes missing

Kelly Clarkson had her fiance sweating bullets.
The singer's performance was perfect as she took to the stage at the 2013 CMA Music Festival in Nashville, Tennessee except that she couldn't remember where she laid down her engagement ring before the show.
Kelly, who's set to wed Brandon Blackstock on October 20, kept apologising to her fiance from the stage, CMT.com reported.

Panicky: Kelly Clarkson wasn't wearing her engagement ring during her performance at the 2013 CMT Music Festival in Nashville, Tennessee Saturday night - because she didn't exactly know where she'd put it

The 31-year-old American Idol winner blamed the disappearance on the jitters.

 

More...

• Practicing for the big day? Engaged Kelly Clarkson dons wedding veil on cover for her new single Tie It Up

'This is my first official set at a country ... thing,' Kelly blurted out, according to CMT.com. 'I've been nervous all day because I wanted to be good for you!'
Kelly had apparently removed the giant yellow canary diamond surrounded by smaller sparklers from her finger and then misplaced it.

Oops: The singer apparently kept apologising to fiance Brandon Blackstock from the stage for not wearing the ring he'd given her when he proposed

It's a sparkler: Kelly proudly took to her Twitter in December to share a picture of her gorgeous ring, a huge yellow canary diamond with lots of smaller diamonds around it

Jitters: The 31-year-old blamed the missing ring on nerves leading up to the show because she wanted to perform 'good'

On Sunday she took to Twitter to announce with a huge sigh of relief that she had found her rings.
'For all of the concerned fans I FOUND MY RINGS!!! Seriously, panicked in my head all night long .....so did Brandon haha!'
Kelly began her musical set with her song Stronger and went on to perform her new single Tie It Up and Don't Rush.

Lost and found: Fortunately Kelly tweeted that her giant sparkler had been found, writing: 'panicked in my head all night long.....so did Brandon haha!'

Riveting in red: The American Idol winner stood out in a red mini-dress with black belt around her waist

Belting it out: Kelly's knockout set included her songs Stronger and Because of You

Surprise: Kelly was joined on stage by Trisha Yearwood who helped sing the chorus of Garth Brooks' Ain't Goin' Down ('Til the Sun Comes Up)

The five-foot-three entertainer was fetchingly attired in a red mini-dress and black belt that cinched in her waist.
Kelly held her audience enthralled by singing Don't You Wanna Stay with Jason Aldean.
Then she was joined on stage by country music star Trisha Yearwood, who was decked out in jeans and boyish blue T-shirt.

Personal ties: Trisha and Kelly were in perfect harmony during the chorus of the song originally sung by Yearwood's husband Garth

Grateful: Kelly later tweeted that she had so much fun singing with Trisha

Special guest: The bride-to-be kept her audience happy by singing Don't You Wanna Stay with Jason Aldean

Trisha's surprise appearance came just as Kelly had finished singing the first two verses of Garth Brooks' Ain't Goin' Down ('Til the Sun Comes Up).
Kelly and Trisha harmonised the chorus of Yearwood's husband's track.
'THANK YOU #CMAFest!!! I had so much fun tonight! I sang with Trisha Yearwood!!! What an amazing night! Thanks for singing with me!' Kelly tweeted afterwards.

Flawless: Both stars sing Don't You Wanna Stay on tour so they've got this one down

Take a bow: Kelly's fans showed their appreciation with loud rounds of applause which made the singers feel pretty good

Heartfelt: Kelly sang her breakout 2005 hit Because Of You to the accompaniment of only a piano

The bride-to-be took to her Twitter page earlier on Saturday to post a photo of herself in a wedding veil and lace gown.
It's the cover of her new single, Tie It Up, and gives a glimpse what she will look like when she really walks down the aisle with Brandon this autumn. 
Kelly captioned the photo by tweeting: 'Can't wait to perform my next country single tonight at #CMAfest!!! #TieItUp WHO'S READY?!!!!!!'
The 2013 CMA Fest in Nashville, Tennessee, also featured country stars Carrie Underwood, Taylor Swift and Lady Antebellum.

Wedding in the works: Kelly and Brandon Blackstock are set to say 'I do' on October 20 in Na

The Top Gun and The Wolverine! Tom Cruise and Hugh Jackman shake hands at Wal-Mart event

They are two of the silver screen's top action stars.
And the testosterone levels were on overdrive when Tom Cruise shared the stage with Hugh Jackman at a Wal-Mart event in Arkansas this weekend.
The pair were drumming up support for the company's Fighting Hunger initiative, which aims to combat the problem in the US, during its AGM.

Holding hands: Hugh Jackman and Tom Cruise loved hamming it up at a Wal-Mart event in Arkasnas on Friday

But while the pair were ostensibly on a charity mission, there was also an element of macho grandstanding to their antics.
Showing his love of the business, Tom told the audience : 'Women make a difference to this company.'
And on the topic of hunger, he added: 'A great many people in America — and this is very hard to believe – they have little food to eat.'
But the Top Gun favourite will surely have been furious after being dwarfed by the 6'2 Australian, who was hosting the high profile event.

Saying hello to his little friend: Hugh walked over to an excited looking Tom as they hammed it up

Making waves: But Tom will have been furious at being overshadowed by 6'2 Hugh at the event

In fact he will have been ruing the decision not to wear his trademark extra chunky elevator shoes during their appearance, as standing next to the 44-year-old Wolverine star threw further doubt on his officially listed height of 5'7.
Tom has enjoyed playing mind games in the past about his stature, in 1988 claiming: 'I have always been pretty much the same weight, 147 pounds - at 5 feet 9 inches.'
However the Mission Impossible star's lack of height was mercilessly exposed by ex-wife Nicole Kidman, who after they split in 2001 said: ''Now I can wear heels again.'
Tom and Hugh were not the only big names featuring at the event, as singer John Legend turned out to entertain the crowd.

No wonder he is smiling: The Hollywood star will have picked up a hefty appearance fee for his spot

Fans of Wal-Mart would have been thrilled at the amount of information released at the AGM, with a $15 billion share buyback program announced.
There was also a serious turn to the events when shareholders in the audience stood to make proposals related to safety in Bangladeshi factories, Wal-Mart's Mexican bribery scandal and executive paychecks.
In particular, the company is facing pressure to increase its oversight of factory conditions abroad after a building collapse in April that killed more than 1,100 garment workers in Bangladesh .
The discounter, based in Bentonville, Arkansas, is also under scrutiny for how it treats its workers.

Mission Impossible? Tom talked about the company's drive to make hunger a thing of the past in the United States

We're friends really! Hugh Jackman catches up over coffee with Les Miserable enemy Russell Crowe

As a Hollywood star his time is worth serious money.
But Wolverine hunk Hugh Jackman knows that no amount of cash can replace time spent with family and friends.
Sunday afternoon, Jackman invited Les Miserable co-star Russell Crowe to his New York cafe, the Laughing Man, where the two greeted one another warmly with a hug.

Close friends: Hugh Jackman invited fellow Australian actor and Les Miserable co-star Russell Crowe to his restaurant Sunday in New York

Mates for life: Crowe gave Jackman a heart-felt bear hug when the two met for coffee at Jackman's cafe in New York

While on screen the pair were arch-enemies, it appears that off-screen they couldn't be closer.
The Laughing Man specializes in Australian 'flat white' coffees and the two Aussie buddies gathered around a table with other friends - including Jackman's wife Deborra-Lee Furness - to relax and catch up.
Earlier in the day, Jackson was strictly doting dad and paid close attention to son Oscar, as as they sat hunched over a sketch pad, brain storming together.

Words and images: Actor Hugh Jackman helped son, Oscar, compose something in his art book Sunday as the father/son duo spent the day New York in the park

The 44-year-old sat close to his son on a wall at the Hudson River Park Sunday.
Oscar scratched his head and seemed to be trying to come up with the perfect words to write in his large notebook.
Hugh, an actor highly trained in interpreting playwrights such as Shakespeare and Eugene O'Neill,  looked to be giving him advice.

'To be or not to be': Jackman looked like he was reciting some words of wisdom as Oscar jotted something down in his large note pad

Art is difficult: Oscar and his actor father seemed to be thinking about what exactly to write

Hugh and Oscar were on an outing with the entire family, including wife Deborra-Lee Furness, their daughter, Ava, and their pet dog Dali.
Wearing a black polo-type T over his muscular frame, black shorts and black trainers, Hugh took his time helping Oscar find just the right words, clearly enjoying the academic moment.
But having two children means having to divide your time equally between them. When daughter, Ava, began demanding equal attention, Hugh gladly began spending time with her, as well.

Scooting along: The Miserable actor also paid close attention to daughter, Ava, as she scooted along the waterfront park Sunday

Ava, dressed in a simple short-sleeved pink T-shirt dress, scooted along merrily while dad looked on.
Not wanting to leave out anyone, the award-winning actor also took time for the pooch, holding him  up at one point and showing him the water.
Hugh is clearly spending some quality time with his family before he embarks on a world tour to promote his sixth instalment in the X-Men film series, due to hit theatres next month.

Aww: Let's not forget the pooch also needs some loving...

 Watching from the wings: Jackman's loving wife, Deborra-Lee Furness held onto Dali and watched while her husband played with the couple's two children

The latest X-Men, in which Jackman plays the iconic character Wolverine, takes place mainly in Japan.
Jackman said he thinks the new X-Men is one of the best in the series. 
‘There are so many areas of that Japanese story, I love the idea of this kind of anarchic character, the outsider, being in this world – I can see it aesthetically, too – full of honour and tradition and customs and someone who’s really anti-all of that, and trying to negotiate his way,’ he said.

World tour: The sixth installment of X-Men is being released next month and Jackman is expected to go on a promotional tour

Another late night: Vampire Diaries’ Nina Dobrev burns the midnight oil while filming Let’s Be Cops 

Nina Dobrev plays a vampire on her wildly popular CW hit, The Vampire Diaries.
So it’s no wonder she didn’t seem to mind working late into the evening Friday on the set of her new movie, Let’s Be Cops.
Dobrev - on hiatus from filming her TV show - is starring in the comedy, which is about a pair of buddies who hatch a plan to impersonate a police officer, but find themselves way over their heads.
Let's Be Cops co-stars comedian Damon Wayans Jr and Jake Johnson.

In character: Actress Nina Dobrev pretends to be getting some bad news as she speaks with police officers Friday night on the Atlanta set of her new film, Let's Be Cops

Dobrev, who in real life just split from long-time boyfriend and Vampire Diaries co-star Ian Somerhalder, plays Wayans girlfriend.
The movie is filming in Atlanta, where The Vampire Diaries is also shot.
During the Friday night shoot, it was obvious the 24-year-old actress plays a hottie in the movie. For her role, Dobrev was seen wearing a very low cut black T-shirt and tight black pants.

Break time: In between takes, Nina was all smiles, despite the late night shoot

Friday’s scene takes place outside a restaurant, where Nina’s character works as a waitress. On top of her black outfit, wardrobe had fitted her with a cute red apron.
The shoot went so late into the evening, that Nina tweeted for relief.
‘Neeeed sleeeeep,’ she wrote. ‘At this point. We’ll settle for any surface.’
 Dobrev was born in Bulgaria but grew up in Toronto, Canada. She shot to fame in that country playing  Mia Jones, a single teenage mother on Degrassi: The Next Generation.
Since Nina and Ian split, Nina has been linked to actor David Anders.

Slim Simon! Cowell 'loses a stone, thanks to a strict diet and exercise regime... and his ex Sinitta'

Simon Cowell is said to have lost a stone, and his new slimmer shape is thanks to his ex-girlfriend Sinitta.
The music mogul, who has battled with his weight in the past, is said to have been encouraged by his close friend to embark on a diet and exercise regime, and it seems to be paying off.
Image-conscious Simon is said to have instructed that no less than four lights were on him during the Britain's Got Talent auditions this year, in order to conceal his jowls.

Slim Simon: Mr Cowell is said to have lost a stone recently thanks to his ex-girlfriend Sinitta

And now Sinitta has claimed that she has ordered him to work out in front of the TV as well as drink fruit smoothies and herbal teas, the Sunday Mirror claims.
Speaking to the paper the 1980s popstar said: 'It’s because I bullied him into exercising, especially when we are on holiday together as I’m like the personal trainer. He’s really into working out now and he’s lost a stone.'
The 44-year-old singer also explained how she makes sure Simon works out while they holiday on his luxury yacht, because they indulge so much during their trips.

Slimmer shape: Simon's face was looking slimmer on Saturday (left) than earlier this year when he appeared to be sporting jowls (right)

Lapping up the luxury: Simon, seen here on his yacht earlier in the year, is said to be working out in front of the TV and drinking teas and smoothies

She said: 'The first time we holidayed on his yacht everyone came home 10 pounds heavier. Even on the boat I get him to bring an exercise kit or bike on to the deck. We have a big breakfast, don’t eat lunch and have an amazing tea time... but everything is miniature.'
A spokesperson for Simon was unavailable for comment on Sunday.
Simon showed off his new slimmer shape on Saturday night as he appeared on the judging panel of the Britain's Got Talent live final.
The Syco boss wore a white shirt with many of the buttons undone a jacket and a pair of his signature jeans.
Simon was forced to remove his jacket after being pelted with eggs during a performance by brothers Richard and Adam.
Violist Natalie Holt threw eggs at the music mogul mid-way through their song and she managed to hit Simon's jacket.

Smiley Spice! Victoria Beckham ditches her famous pout and grins with joy as she entertains little Harper at a football match

She's known for her signature pout and rarely cracks a smile when posing for photographs.
But an afternoon spent entertaining her adorable daughter Harper, was enough to convince even Victoria Beckham to ditch her usual calm and composed exterior.
The 39-year-old fashion designer was every inch the doting mummy as she pulled funny faces at her 23-month-old daughter while waiting at the side of the pitch as eldest Beckham child Brooklyn, 14, played a football match.

Smiley happy people: Victoria Beckham ditched her signature pout in favour of a big grin as she entertained daughter Harper at the side of a football pitch while son Brooklyn played a match

Gesturing with her hands and singing away to her little girl happily, the former Spice Girls singer looked the picture of contentment as she enjoyed some quality time with Harper.

 

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• Victoria Beckham is named Woman Of The Decade as she leads the fashion pack at the Glamour Awards

And the star seemed as though she was having a great time, grinning away and showing off her pearly whites as she and Harper had fun together.
But it would seem that after a while, little Harper got a tad impatient and wanted a better view of the action on the pitch.

Funny mummy! Even Victoria's security guard couldn't help but smile as the 39-year-old fashion designer pulled a series of funny faces at her adorable daughter

One-woman show: The star accompanied her humorous facial expressions with a series of hand gestures as she entertained Harper in her pushchair

Leaning forward in her pushchair, the toddler perched on the edge of her seat as she watched her big brother take part in the match, but as she inched closer to the action, she accidentally toppled out of the pram altogether.
Although Victoria was down on her knees in super-speedy time, it wasn't quick enough to stop Harper from falling to the floor.
In spite of her little tumble, the tot was as good as gold and didn't even appear to cry as she enjoyed a recuperative cuddle with her mum.

Inquisitive mind! Little Harper clearly wanted a better view of the action on the pitch as she edged forward in her seat

Oops a daisy! In spite of her doting mummy's best efforts, Harper took a tumble out of the pram and onto the grass

Good as gold: In spite of her little fall, Harper didn't even appear to cry as she enjoyed a recuperative cuddle with her mummy

Victoria's footballer husband David, 38, recently opened up about his relationship with his only daughter, joking that she won't be allowed to date boys in the future and will be 'up in a tower' like fairytale princess, Rapunzel.
Asked how he would feel about Harper dating in the future, the protective dad told The Sun: 'Absolutely not. She's not going out. She's going to be like Rapunzel - up in the tower.'
David - also dad to Romeo, 10, and Cruz, eight - added: 'To have a daughter is a whole different story. I'm not saying I love my daughter more, but the boys are independent.'

Busy lady: Victoria spent her Sunday in New York doing buyer appointments as husband David Beckham patiently waited on the sideline

Business time: After spending time with Harper, Victoria then spent the day at Milk Studios which is selling her Resort collection

Supportive: David looked on as he waited for the meeting to come to an end

Earlier this week, Victoria was accompanied to the Glamour Women Of The Year Awards by eldest son Brooklyn, and when picking up her Woman Of The Decade prize, she admitted he was the 'most handsome man in the room'.
She gushed: 'Thank you to Brooklyn, my date tonight and the most handsome man in the room, even though he's avoiding his homework.'
The Beckhams relocated back to London in September 2012 after spending the last decade living in Madrid and Los Angeles.

A very handsome date: Victoria was accompanied to the Glamour Women Of The Year Awards by eldest son Brooklyn earlier this week