Protesters in final bid to block France gay marriage law

Protesters in final bid to block France gay marriage law (via AFP)

Tens of thousands of opponents of a gay marriage bill thronged the streets of Paris Sunday in a last-ditch bid to block the legislation, under the watchful eye of police after recent violence over the divisive issue. Paris police estimated the march attracted 45,000 people but organisers said 270,000…

Book Tour: 'Legally Undercover' by Rachell Kall [Giveaway + Freebie Included]

As you already know from reading the title of this post, the Book Tour stop we're hosting today includes a giveaway (with a chance for some of you to win an eBook copy of 'Legally Undercover') and a freebie ( the prequel to Legally Undercover, 'Pure Deception', available free of charge)... but, it's not all it has to offer.

There is also an excerpt from the book ( it's a Romantic Suspense novel, so make sure your heart can take it before reading it though... I'm not getting sued because some of you became a bit too much excited!) and (that's my favourite part), a Book Trailer. "Books can have trailers too, you know..."

Oh, and, of course, there are some bits of info about the book and its author, Rachel Kall...

Phew! It's quite a Book Tour stop there, isn't it?

Enjoy!

Loup Dargent

World Bank, IMF endorse bold poverty agenda

World Bank, IMF endorse bold poverty agenda (via AFP)

The IMF and World Bank on Saturday backed a bold Bank goal to eradicate extreme poverty within a generation and raise the shared prosperity of their 188 member countries. The Development Committee, representing the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank on development issues, said it had endorsed…

Gabon girl's death sparks fears of ritual killings

Gabon girl's death sparks fears of ritual killings (via AFP)

The discovery of a young girl's body on a Libreville beach last month shocked the city and reignited the debate over ritual killings in Gabon, sparking outrage on social media sites and forcing President Ali Bongo Ondimba to react. The young girl disappeared after going swimming. Her battered body…

Book Tour: 'Elsker' by ST Bende

Today we're hosting another Book Tour stop that I do believe you'll enjoy having a look at... 

Not only we have the usual bits of info about the Paranormal Romance novel itself and its author, ST Bende, as well as a book excerpt, but we also have a book trailer for it. Cool, isn't it? 

I definitely like the idea of book trailers. That's a brilliant use of YouTube (or any other video sharing site, for that matter) that I hope more writers and publishers will make the most of in future. 

Enjoy!

Loup Dargent

Hats of Mad Men [Infographic]

Mad Men took America by storm in the summer of 2007, putting AMC on the map for television drama and making an instant star of Jon Hamm. While movies like Forrest Gump tell the story of Vietnam and the hippie movement in America, Mad Men shows the other side of the 1960's, focusing on on the greed and fast lives of advertising executives in Manhattan. And as iconic as the characters of the show is the 1960's fashion. Every season, we fashionistas love to debate what changes we will see in wardrobe as the show approaches the 1970's. 

To celebrate season 6 of Mad Men, which premiered on April 7th, we present this infographic of the hats that make the characters. Whether it's Don Draper's high quality fur felt fedora or Lane Pryce's awkward Russian fur hat, the hat makes the man (or woman)! So pour yourself an old fashioned, put on your favorite headwear, and get ready for season 6 of the best drama on television!

Boston Marathon Explosions: Live Report

Boston Marathon explosions: Live Report (via AFP)

2133 GMT: Boston Globe report Billy Baker tweets: "Massive police and military presence in city now. Boston Common full of uniforms. Scene is calmer, but ambulances continue to race by" 2121 GMT: Secretary of State John Kerry, who is from Boston, was informed of the explosions by a senior aide as his…

Gaming: Where Trolling Began

The phenomenon of online ‘trolling’ is a fairly new one, with its roots dating back to the early 2000s. The origin of Internet trolling can be found in the first instant messaging services, such as MSN Messenger, where – unfortunately – school playground bullies could now take their daily activities online and into the evenings and weekends as well.

But the real foundation of trolling can be found in technological advances such as faster Internet connections and Xbox Live, both of which facilitated online gaming and made it more accessible to a greater number of people. What started as a fun way to meet new friends online quickly became a bit of a nightmare.

Football: History of Violence Returns to Haunt Europe

History of violence returns to haunt Europe (via AFP)

Tear gas, stun grenades and knuckle-dusters provided a grim, bloody backdrop as hooliganism returned to haunt Europe's top leagues this weekend. From London's showpiece Wembley Stadium to Munich's glittering Allianz Arena and at the 2004 Olympic Stadium in Athens, fans fought hit-and-run battles with…

Hundreds join anti-Thatcher 'party' in London

Hundreds join anti-Thatcher 'party' in London (via AFP)

Hundreds of opponents of Margaret Thatcher filled London's Trafalgar Square on Saturday evening for a rain-soaked celebration of the former British prime minister's death earlier this week. Former coal miners involved in the year-long strike against the Iron Lady's government in the 1980s joined far…

Post-Meteorite Recovery

The whole world was amazed a few months ago when a meteorite crashed through the earth's atmosphere and crash landed in an until then little heard of part of Russia. The incredible images were shown all over the world, and while nobody was killed, a lot of people suffered injuries and a lot of damage was done by our unexpected visitor. In the aftermath of the shock, the town closest to the point where the meteorite hit, Chelyabinsk, is now looking to take advantage of their new found fame.

How Amazing Special Effects Were Produced for Hollywood’s Biggest Movies

"Forty percent of the movie 'Avatar' was live action and 60% was photo-generated..."

How Amazing Special Effects Were Produced for Hollywood’s biggest movies (via Film Industry Network)

Today’s computer-generated special effects, whether two dimensional or three dimensional, have become so advanced and sophisticated that complete digital characters are placed in movies, often substituting for actual actors. Adobe’s Photoshop is the main software program used to create these amazing…