French court rules on Kate Middleton topless photos
The publisher of a French tabloid magazine has 24 hours to hand over its topless photos of Kate Middleton, after a French court issued a ruling on Tuesday.
Closer magazine was hit with a $2,600 CDN fine for running the photos, and the magazine’s publisher, Mondadori Magazines France, has also been ordered to remove the images from its websites, mobile and tablet applications, and an future print editions of its publication.
“These snapshots which showed the intimacy of a couple, partially naked on the terrace of a private home, surrounded by a park several hundred metres from a public road, and being able to legitimately assume that they are protected from passers-by, are by nature particularly intrusive,” according to the court ruling, as reported by CTV News.
The ruling also mentioned that the view from which the photographs were taken was not “accessible from the exterior,” and if the magazine or publisher fails to comply, it will be hit with a daily fine of $13,100 CDN.
MLB, Blue Jays investigate Escobar’s alleged homophobic slur
Toronto Blue Jays shortstop Yunel Escobar may face disciplinary action after featuring an alleged homophobic slur under his eyes during Saturday’s game against Boston.
The 29-year-old was photographed with a message written in Spanish on his eyeblack, a protective sticker used to reduce glare, and worn just under the eyes. The controversial message read “TU ERE MARICON,” which, when translated, could be deemed a homophobic slur.
In a statement made late Monday, the Blue Jays said they are taking the situation seriously, and “do not support discrimination of any kind nor condone the message displayed by Yunel Escobar during Saturday’s game.”
The ball club and Major League Baseball will conduct an investigation on the matter, and 680 News reports Escobar, general manager Alex Anthopoulos, manager John Farrell and coach Luis Rivera will speak to the media on Tuesday.
Bruce Willis v. Vodka?
Bruce Willis is fighting for a partial paycheck for a three-year foreign vodka endorsement deal, which can no longer afford his $26-million price tag.
The Looper star promoted Sobieski vodka, owned by French beverage firm Belvedere, for three years starting in 2009, and had a 2.6 per cent stake in the company. His cheeky advertisements were met with a 20-million ($26.1-million USD) promise if the company’s value fell below a certain threshold, but now the company is saying it cannot afford that payment due to stock decline.
The Wall Street Journal reports the actor may lose most of his stake in the company, as creditors meet to discuss the restructuring of the company’s alleged $977-million USD debt.
Though Willis has yet to comment, under a proposed arrangement, he has the option to receive a third of the $26.1-million payment immediately, or receive smaller amounts, equalling to the same total, over the next seven years.
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Joanna Adams writes about news and entertainment for Toronto Standard. Follow her on Twitter at†@nowstarringTO.
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