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Eight Arrested in Puerto Rico on Charges of Illegal Trade in Endangered Sea Turtles for Human Consumption

Federal authorities arrested eight people in the cities of Arroyo and Patillas, Puerto Rico, yesterday on felony and misdemeanor charges for the illegal take, possession and sale of endangered sea turtles and their parts for human consumption as well as aiding and abetting violations of the Endangered Species and Lacey Act, announced Robert G. Dreher, the Acting Assistant Attorney General for the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division and Rosa Emilia Rodríguez-Vélez, U.S. Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico.



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Puerto Rico Man Pleads Guilty to Felony Violation of the Lacey Act for Illegal Sale of Sea Turtle Meat

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – Manuel Garcia-Figueroa, a resident of Playa Añasco, Puerto Rico, pleaded guilty to a bill of information charging him with a felony violation of the Lacey Act for the illegal sale of sea turtle meat, the Justice Department announced today.



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Court Approves Police Reform Agreement in Portland, Oregon

Today, the United States won court approval of a settlement agreement to reform the ways in which the Portland Oregon Police Bureau (“PPB”) interacts with individuals with actual or perceived mental illness. The agreement was entered jointly by the United States and the city of Portland, Oregon, with the approval of the Albina Ministerial Alliance Coalition for Justice and Police Reform (“AMA Coalition”) and Portland Police Association (“PPA”). The agreement addresses constitutional claims in a civil action filed by the United States pursuant to the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994. In today’s order, the court approved the agreement with the requirement that the parties appear for periodic hearings to provide the court progress on implementation of the agreement.



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4 Asteroids including 1,280-foot one hurtling towards Earth: NASA

2012 XA133 or city killer as it is being called is the third asteroid heading towards the Earth.




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Growth in the Heartland: Challenges and Opportunities for Missouri

Situated in the heartland, Missouri reflects the full range of American reality.

The state is highly urban yet deeply rural. It contains two bustling metropolises, numerous fastgrowing suburbs, and dozens of typically American small towns. Elsewhere lie tranquil swaths of open country where farmers still rise before dawn and the view consists mainly of rich cropland, trees, and sky.

Missouri sums up the best of the nation, in short.

And yet, Missouri also mirrors the country’s experience in more problematic ways.

The spread of the national economic downturn to Missouri, most immediately, has depressed tax collections and increased the demand for social services, resulting in a troublesome state and local fiscal moment. This has highlighted pocketbook concerns and underscored that the state must make the most of limited resources.

At the same time, Missourians, like many Americans, have many opinions about how their local communities are changing. They are divided—and sometimes ambivalent—in their views of whether their towns and neighborhoods are developing in ways that maintain the quality of life and character they cherish.

All of which explains the double focus of the following report by the Brookings Institution Center on Urban and Metropolitan Policy. Intended to speak to the simultaneous concern of Missourians for fiscal efficiency and communities of quality, "Growth in the Heartland: Challenges and Opportunities for Missouri" brings together for the first time a large body of new information about both the nature and costs of development patterns in the Show-Me State.

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Authors

  • Metropolitan Policy Program
     
 
 




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Growth in the Heartland

This presentation by Amy Liu discusses growth and development trends in the state of Missouri and their consequences. Additionally, it outlines strategies that Missouri and other states can pursue to help communities grow in more efficient and fiscally responsible ways.

The urban center hosts and participates in a variety of public forums. To view a complete list of these events, please visit the urban center's Speeches and Events page which provides copies of major speeches, powerpoint presentations, event transcripts, and event summaries.

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Authors

Publication: Presentation to Greening the Heartland 2004
     
 
 




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The Political Geography of Ohio, Michigan, and Missouri: Battlegrounds in the Heartland

This is the third in a series of reports on the demographic and political dynamics under way in key “battleground” states, deemed to be crucial in deciding the 2008 election. As part of the Metropolitan Policy Program’s Blueprint for American Prosperity, this series will provide an electoral component to the initiative’s analysis of and prescriptions for bolstering the health and vitality of America’s metropolitan areas, the engines of the U.S. economy. This report focuses on three major battleground states in the Midwest—Ohio, Michigan, and Missouri—and finds that:

Ohio, Michigan and Missouri all feature eligible voter populations dominated by white working class voters. However, this profile is changing, albeit more slowly than in faster-growing states like Colorado or Arizona, as the white working class declines and white college graduates and minorities, especially Hispanics, increase. The largest effects are in these states’ major metropolitan areas— Cleveland, Columbus, and Cincinnati in Ohio: Detroit in Michigan; and St. Louis and Kansas City in Missouri— especially in their suburbs.

In Ohio, these trends could have their strongest impact in the fast-growing and Democratic-trending Columbus metro, where Democrats will seek to tip the entire metro in their favor by expanding their margin in Franklin County and reducing their deficit in the suburbs. The trends could also have big impacts in the Cleveland metro (especially its suburbs), in the Cincinnati metro (especially Hamilton County) and in the mediumsized metros of the Northeast (Akron, Canton, and Youngstown). Overall, the GOP will be looking to maintain their support among the declining white working class, especially among whites with some college, who have been trending Democratic. Also critical to their prospects is whether the growing white college-educated group will continue its movement toward the Democrats.

In Michigan, these trends will likely determine whether the fast-growing and populous Detroit suburbs continue shifting toward the Democrats, a development which would tip the Detroit metro (44 percent of the statewide vote) even farther in the direction of the Democrats. The trends will also have a big impact on whether the GOP can continue their hold on the conservative and growing Southwest region of the state that includes the Grand Rapids metro. The GOP will seek to increase its support among white college graduates, who gave the GOP relatively strong support in 2004, but have been trending toward the Democrats long term.

In Missouri, these trends will have their strongest impact on the two big metros of Democratic-trending St. Louis (38 percent of the vote)—especially its suburbs— and GOP-trending Kansas City (20 percent of the statewide vote). The Democrats need a large increase in their margins out of these two metros to have a chance of taking the state, while the GOP simply needs to hold the line. The trends will also have a significant impact on the conservative and growing Southwest region, the bulwark of GOP support in the state, where the Republicans will look to generate even higher support levels. The GOP will try to maintain its support from the strongly pro-GOP white college graduate group, which has been increasing its share of voters as it has trended Republican.

These large, modestly growing states in the heartland of the United States will play a pivotal roll in November’s election. Though experiencing smaller demographic shifts than many other states, they are each changing in ways that underscore the contested status of their combined 48 Electoral College votes in this year’s presidential contest.



Table Of Contents:
Executive Summary » 
Introduction and Data Sources and Definitions » 
Ohio » 
Michigan » 
Missouri » 
Endnotes »

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Almost 1,000 smuggled turtles found in luggage at Thai airport

Some people want pet turtles, and they don't care where they're from or whether they are endangered species.




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Framework Tall Wood Tower in Portland sprouting soon

"Forest to frame" is the new "farm to table."




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Peru releases 500,000 at-risk baby turtles into the wild

Peruvian environmental authorities make a big statement with tiny turtles.




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Injured turtle gets custom-built LEGO wheelchair (video)

Veterinarians built this sweet mini-wheelchair for a turtle with a shattered shell.




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'Butt-breathing' punk-haired turtle is now officially endangered (Video)

This rebellious, edgy-looking turtle is now unfortunately facing extinction, and conservationists are fighting to save it.




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Why are these butterflies drinking turtle tears? (Video)

The answer is pretty surprising.




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Still no justice for young conservationist killed by turtle poachers in Costa Rica

A couple weeks ago, Jairo Mora Sandoval, a 26-year-old conservationist, was kidnapped by sea turtle poachers in Costa Rica. He was bound, beaten, and shot in the head. His body was found on the beach the next day.




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Protesters in Portland block Shell’s ship by suspending themselves from a bridge

Activists risk arrest in an effort to prevent slow oil drilling exploration in the Arctic.




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'Turtle Journey' film reveals the crisis in our oceans

It's time for swift and immediate action to protect marine life from further devastation.




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World's cutest baby turtle is part of an amazing story

Asian giant softshell turtles were once thought to be extinct in the Mekong River; this little trooper is one of 150 hatchlings bringing them back.




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Slice of paradise created for critically endangered toad-headed turtle

A 297-acre property in rural northern Colombia will become the first and only reserve for the conservation of the Dahl’s toad-headed turtle.




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The Week in Animal News: Epically Lost Sea Turtle to be Released, Sylvester Stallone Movie Harms Bats, and More

A young sea turtle found in the Netherlands will be released after a three-year recovery. We also have the search for the "extinct" Javan tiger, Sylvester Stallone's bat cave incident, and more.




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The Heartland Institute is no longer fringe

It used to be so easy to make fun of this group we described as "hopelessly out of touch."




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Angry Venetians say cruise ships are partly to blame for flooding

It's another nail in the coffin for these monstrous purveyors of industrial tourism.







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Sundaram Money Fund Regular Qrtly Div. Reinvest (Formerly Super Institutional Plan)

Category Debt Scheme - Liquid Fund
NAV 38.9353
Repurchase Price
Sale Price
Date 10-May-2020




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Mini Turtle Cheesecakes by The Pioneer Woman

I love cheesecake, but sometimes I can’t be bothered to make a big, honking full-sized one. I don’t know what the mental block is, but if I have the idea “Hey! I think I’ll make a cheesecake!” I immediately get really tired and want to get back in bed. I think it’s partly to do […]




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Golden Ball shortlist and digital success highlighted at closing press conference




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Watch baby Olive Ridley turtles take their first steps into the Arabian Sea


Baby Olive ridley turtles all set to embrace the sea in Velas.

Turtles - female Olive ridley turtles in particular - have a phenomenal memory. In their lifespan of about 50 years, where they swim for thousands of miles in the underwater world, they never forget one route. The females return to the same beach where they hatched to give birth to new life. The creatures are also communal in nature - they arrive at their native beach in thousands to lay eggs. The phenomenon, which makes for a stunning sight, is called Arribada.

Inhabitants of warm waters, the species has two haunts on the Indian coastline: Rushikulaya in Odisha and Velas in Ratnagiri. Over the years, Olive ridley turtles have borne the brunt of human activities and are now recognised as vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List. Conservation measures have been underway to ensure the eggs hatch in a conducive environment and the hatchlings safely take their first steps to the sea. If Arribada has piqued your interest, a two-day eco-tour organised by Mumbai Travellers will take you to the Velas beach where you can watch the phenomenon unfold before your eyes.

"The baby turtles trek to the sea in early mornings and evenings, so we take travellers straight to the beach as soon as we arrive in Velas," shares Karishma Joshi, eco-tours division head of the travel group. The trip includes a visit to the Bankot Fort and Harihareshwar. "In the evening, travellers will be taken to conservationist Mohan Upadhye's home, where they will watch a documentary on the turtles. This will be followed by a skit presented by local children on turtle conservation," shares Joshi.





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Milan Talkies Film Review: Heartland hitting saturation point

Milan Talkies
U/A: Drama romance
Dir: Tigmanshu Dhulia
Cast: Ali Fazal, Shraddha Srinath
Ratings: 

This film is so inherently inconsistent, uneven in its storytelling that you feel like rooting for it still, simply because of the scattered set-pieces full of humour and insights/mannerisms of a small town, north India that you encounter once in a while.

It's almost like spotting diamond among the roughs - whether that be the local uncle breaking into nostalgic songs after a few pegs of whisky, or the street goon, wannabe Vidhayak (legislator) - both being the same - desperate to test his skills as a Hindi film star.

We're referring to Uttar Pradesh in particular, and Allahabad (now Prayagraaj) to be more specific - effectively a land of bakchods (blabber-mouths), with tonnes of tashan (exhibition of bravado) dictating mofussil male lives.

I know this isn't as true anymore, but another aspect that has geographically remained common to Indian towns is the cinema hall (or talkies) as the all-important landmark (there are usually two or three max in a district), where both the rich and the poor, predominantly young, but also the old, merge for their movie entertainment, and other accoutrements that naturally surround it.

Check out the trailer here:

Milan Talkies, that the film is named after, is one such adda/theatre in Allahabad where a young dude spends most of his time in the projection room, aspiring to become a Mumbai filmmaker when he isn't shooting low-budget films with neighbourhood talents himself. One assumed this would be some sort of a version of Giuseppe Tornatore's Italian classic Cinema Paradiso (1988) - ultimate tribute to the movies.

Hell, no. This is a full-on, wannabe-classic romantic story about that boy, and the girl with an authoritarian dad, and the fact that they can't get together - even as the film doesn't care to explain exactly why. And the two are happy to elope - not once, but several times in a row, and oh my god, 'will they, won't they,' just go on, and frickin' on.

The film is directed by Allahabad boy Tigmanshu Dhulia (Paan Singh Tomar, Saheb Biwi Aur Gangster), who whether he likes it or not is probably better known for the dialogue, "Jab tak Hindustan mein saneema hai, log c****iye bante rahenge," that he delivered as an actor in Anurag Kashyap's iconic Gangs Of Wasseypur (2012). Such is how crisp dialogues (like tag-lines in ads) work on us anyway.

Whether this film itself is part-autobiographical or not, Dhulia got noticed as a filmmaker with his debut Haasil (2003) - at the time a rare, robust insider's account of his home-town, and campus politics in a north Indian small-town. Over the years, that script (or the premise, if you may) has been milked so much to death, that it's turned into a tiring genre of its own.

Ali Fazal (similarly seen as a UP ruffian in the Amazon Prime series, Mirzapur) plays the protagonist here - a role that I'm told has been through several replacements (Imran Khan, Shahid Kapoor, etc) in the past. Although at some portions he sounds/behaves a lot like Dhulia himself, Fazal is competent to the core (no doubt). As is the female lead (Shraddha Srinath), making her Hindi film debut.

The film itself though does little to the genre, besides deliberately revisit some old-world Bollywood cliches. Maybe there's some subversion (that I'm unable to see). Maybe a full-blown, big-screen romance hinges much on the scale, for effective suspension of belief, which is sadly missing. Either way, one suspects, much of this movie pretty much remains in the filmmaker's imagination/head. Rest of it, quite honestly, gave me a bit of a headache.

Also Read: Sonu Nigam's soulful voice in Shart from Milan Talkies will tug at your heartstrings

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Gifted or just very hard working?, asks Jacqueline Fernandez as she shares shirtless picture of Salman Khan

Jacqueline Fernandez, who is spending her quarantine time with Salman Khan at his farmhouse in Panvel, recently shared a picture of the superstar from his workout session on her Instagram profile. A shirtless Salman looks all bulked up in the picture as he sweats out at his gym.

Sharing the picture on her Instagram account, the Kick actress wrote, "Gifted or just very hard-working?? I feel he's grateful for everyday and respects the position the Almighty has given him @beingsalmankhan to all the Salman Khan fans, there’s a lot more to come, stay tuned, stay safe! #lockdown #pyaarkarona (sic)".

 
 
 
View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Jac’kill’ine Fernandez (@jacquelinef143) onMay 1, 2020 at 5:43am PDT

Recently, Salman posted a photograph on Instagram where Jacqueline can be sneakily seen clicking his picture as he was busy with his workout. "Jacky got caught taking a pic chori chori Chupke chupke... she took one more after that which she will post on her own," Salman wrote with the image.

 
 
 
View this post on Instagram

Jacky got caught taking a pic chori chori Chupke chupke... she took one more after that which she will post on her own! @jacquelinef143

A post shared by Salman Khan (@beingsalmankhan) onApr 28, 2020 at 10:30pm PDT

In a recent interview, Jacqueline talked about her days of quarantine and how she has been spending time at the place. She said, "At the farm, I ride horses, swim, run and do yoga to keep myself fit. Being amidst nature has never felt so good. This lockdown has helped me devote more time to activities that I enjoy. This includes reading, too."

And just like any other actor, she is also missing her closest friends and family, she says, "Earlier, I wouldn't be so much in touch with them, but lately, I have been spending a lot of time with them, though virtually."

Catch up on all the latest entertainment news and gossip here. Also, download the new mid-day Android and iOS apps.

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See Photo: Shahid Kapoor burns Internet with his shirtless avatar

"Hot", "sexy" and "smart". That's how actor Shahid Kapoor's female fans described him after seeing his shirtless throwback picture on Instagram. On Tuesday, Shahid posted an old picture on social media in which he is seen flaunting his sculpted abs and chiselled physique.

 
 
 
View this post on Instagram

#throwback

A post shared by Shahid Kapoor (@shahidkapoor) onMay 4, 2020 at 9:52pm PDT

The post has garnered several comments -- especially from female fans. A user commented: "Why so hot?". Another one wrote: "You are so handsome."

On the work front, Shahid, after the 2019 blockbuster "Kabir Singh', will next be seen in "Jersey", which is a Hindi remake of the Telugu hit of the same name. The story is about a talented but failed cricketer who decides to make a comeback in his late thirties and play for India, in order to fulfil his son's wish.

Catch up on all the latest entertainment news and gossip here. Also, download the new mid-day Android and iOS apps.

Mid-Day is now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel (@middayinfomedialtd) and stay updated with the latest news




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Jos Buttler says he is in awe of Rohit Sharma's effortless batting

England batsman Jos Buttler was effusive in his praise for Rohit Sharma, describing the India opener as an awesome player, who can "effortlessly" take down any opposition by scoring big hundreds. "Rohit Sharma I think is an awesome player," Buttler said during an Instagram live session on Rajasthan Royals page.

"Effortless. Quite a lot of Indian players have that awesome style. "He has been fantastic for a long time and I just like the way he bats and the effortless nature in which he takes people down." Rohit is currently regarded as one of the greatest ODI players, ranked only behind India skipper Virat Kohli at the top of the ICC rankings. The Mumbaikar is the only batsman to have scored three double hundreds in the format. The 32-year-old had equalled Sachin Tendulkar's record for most centuries in World Cup matches when he scored five hundreds at the 2019 World Cup to end up as the highest-scorer with 648 runs.

"One of the things I have seen with Rohit is that if he gets in, he scores big runs and really affects the game. He must have scored 4-5 hundreds in the World Cup last year," said Buttler, who had shared the dressing room with Rohit at Mumbai Indians in the 2016 and 2017 seasons. Buttler feels the Indian players now have become better in negotiating short balls. "I think a few years ago people used to attack Indian players with the short ball but Rohit smashes them. Then you go fuller and he smashes them right down the ground."

Catch up on all the latest sports news and updates here. Also download the new mid-day Android and iOS apps to get latest updates.

Mid-Day is now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel (@middayinfomedialtd) and stay updated with the latest news

This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever




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SureStay Hotel by Best Western North Myrtle Beach Set to Open in South Carolina

The SureStay Hotel by Best Western North Myrtle Beach is opening its doors in North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, and inviting travelers to experience one of the newest hotel brands in the industry - the SureStay Hotel Group®. The SureStay by Best Western North Myrtle Beach will provide guests with an experience they can count on and the amenities today's travelers have come to expect. SureStay's service promise reflects the brand and the hotel's commitment to providing quality service and value to its guests. Located at 1591 Highway 17 North in North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, the hotel features 48 well-appointed guest rooms and 13 suites, each with a large flat-screen television, microwave and mini fridge. The SureStay by Best Western North Myrtle Beach also offers an indoor heated pool, hot tub, fitness center, complimentary breakfast and free wireless internet - providing guests with the superior comfort and utmost value they want out of their stay. The property's location is o...




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BC Camplight: Shortly After Takeoff

Brian Christinzio’s vocals have the singsong flow of Brian Wilson




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Coronavirus: Dollar stores, Clorox make shortlist of stock winners amid rout — as it happened




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The Downton Abbey cast reveal the new film's most startling secrets

The star with two left feet. Why producers had to call in the Army. And the twist that had the actors reeling. Imelda Staunton, Allen Leech and the Downton Abbey cast reveal the film's most startling secrets




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Michelle Dockery is effortlessly chic at The Gentlemen photocall in New York

The Downton Abbey star, 38, put on a stylish display in the all-black ensemble as she joined her male co-stars at the event at the event in The Whitby Hotel




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Ant McPartlin and Anne-Marie Corbett leave office for NTAs

The TV host, 44, cut a casual figure as he geared up for the ceremony, where he and Dec could take home their 19th ceremony award for best presenter.




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NTAs 2020: Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly win Best Presenter for the 19th YEAR in a row

Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly made history at the National Television Awards on Tuesday as they won the Best Presenter Award for the nineteenth year in a row.




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Ant McPartlin appears in high spirits as he eyes up a flashy sports car in West London

The TV presenter, 44, was spotted with a male pal and was checking out a flashy sports car parked in the road, while waiting for his friend Dec to arrive.




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Miley Cyrus' beau Cody Simpson goes shirtless and totes birthday gift at Armani show in Milan

The Australian musician and poet, 23, buttoned his blazer jacket but opted to go shirtless at the event in Milan on Saturday, instead accessorising with two silver necklaces.




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Strictly Come Dancing final 2012: Louis Smith to compete shirtless

Explaining his decision to shed his costume for his routine, Louis, who is currently 8/15 to win, told Heat magazine that a lack of clothing is vital to making his routine work.




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Louis Smith shows off incredibly buff body in shirtless selfie

He relaxed his intense fitness routine after his victorious run at the 2012 London Olympics, where he walked away with a silver medal for the pommel horse.




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Novak Djokovic goes shirtless in Marbella as he retuns to tennis training

Novak Djokovic has been spotted in Marbella after returning to training on Monday amid the ongoing coronavirus crisis.




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Lea DeLaria takes swipe at 'shirtless gay men' at Mardi Gras

She's the American actress, best known for her role as Carrie, 'Big Boo' black on Netflix series, Orange Is The New Black.




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Nicki Minaj smolders in busty bodysuit and shoots intimate scene with shirtless mystery hunk

Nicki Minaj smoldered in a new Instagram post this Thursday. The 36-year-old rapper showed off her cleavage in a busty colorful bodysuit and let her fur wrap slide off one shoulder.




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Michelle Keegan looks effortlessly glamorous in a denim jumpsuit and silver stilettos in London

The Our Girl actress, 32, kept her cool while strolling through blustery winds as she left BBC Broadcasting House in London on Wednesday afternoon




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Michelle Keegan looks effortlessly stylish as she takes her dog for a stroll in Cheshire 

The actress, 32, looked nothing short of sensational for the outing where she stopped for a bite to eat at The Garden organic restaurant.




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Michelle Keegan looks effortlessly chic in a cream teddy coat while running errands

The former Coronation Street star, 32, cut a fashionable figure in a cream teddy coat which she left open to show a pale green jumper as she run errands in Hale, Cheshire, on Saturday.




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Michelle Keegan goes make-up free alongside shirtless husband Mark Wright in Jamaica

The former Corrie star, 32, and her husband, 33, continued to document their trip to Jamaica with a fresh-faced snap on Instagram on Thursday.