Our imaginations take us to grand and colorful places that we can not conceive as a reality. But what if those colors actually existed right here on Earth?
There are places right here on our planet that are absolutely extraordinary. They defy norms and go far beyond the beauty that a typical landscape can achieve. We see gorgeous landscapes and picturesque views in even the most mundane of places. But to visualize the settings of some of our most vibrant dreams as a reality is seemingly impossible.
Jaw-dropping, other-worldly places actually exist in our world. Formed by natural occurrences, these 12 surreal places explore the artistic and dreamlike qualities that mother nature offers as reality.
The attack is one of the most consequential in history and some experts theorized it was retaliation for an upcoming Sony movie about the country.
KCNA -- North Korea's state-run propaganda arm -- applauded the attack.
"The hacking into the SONY Pictures might be a righteous deed of the supporters and sympathizers with the DPRK," it said, using the acronym of its official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. "The hacking is so fatal that all the systems of the company have been paralyzed, causing the overall suspension of the work and supposedly a huge ensuing loss."
North Korea's response was riddled with anti-U.S. and anti-South Korea rhetoric.
The statement didn't outright say the North Korean government was not responsible. But KCNA called North Korean involvement "a wild rumor" and the government suggested it couldn't be behind a cyberattack on "a country far across the ocean."
"We do not know where in America the SONY Pictures is situated and for what wrongdoings it became the target of the attack nor we feel the need to know about it."
Experts point to several signs of North Korean involvement. They say there are similarities between the malware used in this attack and a different cyber blitz against South Korea. Both were written in Korean, an unusual language in the world of cyber crime.
Sony(SNE) is also about to release a comedy about an assassination attempt on North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
In June, North Korea said it would view the Seth Rogen and James Franco movie as an "act of war," and on Sunday, it said the movie depicts "a terrorist act while hurting the dignity of the supreme leadership of the DPRK."
--CNNMoney's Jose Pagliery contributed to this report.
Laws are important. They help maintain order, and inform what we all grow up believing is, and is not, appropriate. Without laws, there would be no sense of what is right and wrong, at least in a way that is universal, and constant. Because of laws, we know that there are consequences to breaking them, and we act accordingly. But not every law is as enforced as some. Things like drug trafficking, fraud, and murder are among the most harshly punished offenses out there. But there are some laws that aren’t quite so serious.
Have you ever jaywalked because the next crosswalk is two blocks down? You are technically breaking laws, but you can be pretty confident that you aren’t going to be arrested and sent to jail for these tiny infractions.
Most laws have some kind of logical basis, but there are also some that are so completely out of left field, you wouldn’t even believe they exist. Here at 15 ridiculous laws that you probably don’t even know about, let alone follow.
Have you ever ordered a pizza, and sent it to an address other than your own? For example, what if you wanted to order food for your girlfriend, who you knew was having a get together. That would generally be considered a nice thing to do, but not according to the law in Louisiana. If the person you are sending a pizza to has no idea it is coming, and has not agreed to receive, and pay for it, beforehand, you co uld face a $500 fine, and up to 6 months in prison.
Do You Have a Permit For That Lipstick?
In an example of a conservative, and extremely outdated law, it is illegal in Morristown, Pennsylvania for women to wear makeup unless they have a permit to do so. That means no red lipstick, no mascara, and definitely no eye shadow. With the enormous popularity of cosmetic brands like MAC, and department stores full of makeup products, like Sephora, there is no way this law is enforced.
Well, Strip Poker is Out
In Schulter, Oklahoma no woman is allowed to gamble in the nude, in lingerie, or wearing a towel. While this may be reasonable (kind of) if you are in an actual casino, what about in the comfort, and privacy of someone’s home? It kind of falls under the category of, as long as you are discreet, go nuts. But there is always that one party pooper that nixes strip poker because of the “legal ramifications”.
No Confetti
During Mardi Gras a lot of seemingly innocent things become illegal, like running, bringing your pet to a parade, and throwing confetti. Most things are for the safety of everyone during big public events. But in Mobile, Alabama, throwing confetti is illegal all year round. Apparently, the small confetti pieces are a breathing hazard. People would inhale the confetti, which would get stuck in their windpipes, causing distress. Throwing confetti at any time could land you with a $16 fine, so do so at your own risk.
Watch Your Step
In Thailand, it is illegal to step on money. Buddhists (much of Thailand’s population) consider feet the dirtiest part of the body, and their money has the king’s face on it, so touching their money with your feet is seen as extremely disrespectful. If you happen to step on a bill by accident, they might let it slide. But don’t intentionally kick a coin around in the dirt, unless you want to spend the night in a jail cell.
Limited Sex Toy Allowance
Under the Anti-Obscenity Enforcement Act in Alabama, it is illegal to sell sex toys. If you are caught distributing them you could face a $10,000 fine, and up to 10 years in prison. Exemptions exist for “bona fide medical, scientific, educational, legislative, judicial or law enforcement purposes,” whatever that means. Also, in Arizona, it is illegal to keep more than two vibrators in your house at a time.
Move On Already
In Kentucky, it is illegal to marry the same man more than three times. Sounds reasonable, but why was the law even written in the first place? Was there an epidemic of people getting divorced and remarried fourtimes that had to be stopped? If you have already divorced the guy three times, there was a reason, so suck it up and accept that it is never going to work. Kentucky will not let you make that mistake a fourth time, so take that as a sign.
Keep the Peace
In New York City, you could get stuck with a $350 ticket if your uncontrollable road rage, and hatred of traffic and pedestrians, leads you to honking your horn while driving. The only exception is in the event of an emergency. If you have ever been to NYC, you know that this law is all but ignored, since tickets are rarely given out. But, remember your horn is meant to be used as a safety measure, not to figuratively give the finger to someone who cut you off.
No Barking
While training your dog is possible, and necessary, it is pretty hard to keep your dog from barking after a certain time. Yet in Little Rock, Arkansas, it is against the law for a dog to bark after 6pm. The town may be trying to keep the noise level down in the neighbourhood, but how exactly are pet owners supposed to explain to their dog that they will end up with a hefty fine if they dare to bark after 6pm?
No Dancing While Under the Influence
In Delaware, it is illegal for a bar to serve alcohol if there is dancing occurring on the premises at the same time. Kind of a bummer for people who only enjoy dancing once they’ve had a couple drinks. How do they prevent spontaneous dance numbers in the middle of a bar that never intended to have a dance floor? Dancing and alcohol are just two things that go hand in hand, it’s inevitable.
Put Some Clothes On!
In Florida, it is considered an offense to shower in the nude. The question is, how else would you shower? And how is anyone going to know if you are showering naked in the privacy of your own home? The logic behind this one isn’t apparent, and pretty much everyone breaks the law every day. How are you supposed to clean yourself if you are wearing clothes?
Say Cheese!
In Pocatello, Idaho it is technically illegal to be seen in public without a smile on your face. It is no longer enforced, but it is still an existing law. There was a time when being grouchy in public was something you could get fined for. While we appreciate the attempt at creating a cheerful atmosphere, forcing people to smile probably had the opposite effect. You probably won’t be punished for your frown these days, but just to be safe, if you are having a bad day, make sure to either stay home, or plaster a fake grin on your face.
Pull Up Your Pants
Belts must be a big seller in Collinsville, Illinois since it is illegal to wear saggy pants in public. The law actually states, “Pants are required to be secured at the waist to prevent the pants from falling more than 3 inches below the hips; causing exposure to the person or the person’s undergarments.” If you are caught with your pants falling down, you could be fined $100 and sentenced to community service. A repeat offense could lead to a $300 fine, and more community service. Consider whether that particular fashion choice is worth it.
Sinners
Although definitely no longer enforced, it is still illegal for a man and woman to live together, and engage in “lewd acts” in Florida. According to Florida Statute 798.02- Lewd and lascivious behavior “if any man and woman, not married to each other, lewdly associate and cohabit together, they shall be guilty of a misdemeanor of the second degree and face penalties of $500 in fines and up to 60 days in jail.” The cops would be swamped if they had to go around handing out tickets for breaking this law.
Quit Snoring!
In Massachusetts, snoring is illegal unless you have your windows closed and locked securely. The real crime here is waking up other people who aren’t even in the same house as you with your loud snoring. If that is something that happens to you regularly, you need to see a doctor, because something is seriously wrong.
Amanda returns to Britain's Got Talent with a new look - and she's got more young admirers than ever
MILF: Amanda Holden
According to the old adage, with age women look elderly while men simply become “distinguished”. Not in the case of Amanda Holden.
Thanks to a recent makeover, at 43 the stunning Britain’s Got Talent star is looking better than ever – and getting more young admirers than ever before.
“I’ve had a lot of positive comments over the past year,” she says. “I now have a new stylist, and new hair and make-up people. Every now and then it’s good to have a cabinet reshuffle and, similarly, I’ve had a bit of a wardrobe reshuffle.
“I hate saying that, though, because my old team were great and are still my friends. But for whatever reason, I’m getting a lot more comments about my appearance. It is really flattering.
“Embarrassingly, I’ve had lots of MILF comments… God, I feel really uncomfortable saying that! But I let myself down every time it happens.
“One of The X Factor’s Stereo Kicks said something flirty the other day, and I replied by telling him: ‘I could literally be your mother’, in a really sort of nervous/embarrassed/awkward way. I seem to want to slam all that kind of stuff down.”
ITV
Phillip Schofield and Amanda Holden - This Morning on ITV
A petite size 8 – “running and a bit of yoga when I find the time” – the results of her hard work were put on display last month when she tweeted a photo of her pert posterior.
A nod to a forthcoming interview with Lady Gaga on This Morning – the American singer was famously pictured with her bottom hanging out – the image was retweeted in its thousands.
Getty
Amanda Holden attends the One For The Boys charity ball during the London Collections: Men SS15 in London
Recently Amanda has gone bare-faced in another department – Botox.
Like Kylie Minogue, who renounced it following her breast cancer diagnosis, the actress gave up the injections two years ago following a difficult birth with daughter Hollie.
Instead, Amanda admits to being a fan of a new breed of facial, using radio frequency energy to tighten the skin.
She says: “Along the lines of Kylie when she had cancer, I gave it up after Hollie. For the last three years I haven’t bothered, and have instead been having Collagen Wave facials by a wonderful lady called Nilam Patel. It’s done amazing things to my face.”
And that is not the only change she has made to her beauty regime. A la Cara Delevingne, she’s also plumped for bushier eyebrows of late.
She says: “Making them longer and thicker takes years off a person. As a youngster, I think I even took a razor to mine at one point – so I’ve been quite lucky they’ve been able to grow out in the first place.”
The BGT judge has been confirmed for the new series of the ITV1 talent show, once again alongside Simon Cowell, Alesha Dixon and David Walliams.
With filming starting next month, ITV will be setting up a special creche for the stars’ young children. Amanda says: “We’ve all had the right sex children for our judging positions. So I’d love to see them lined up in our seats. All they’d need is booster seats.”
Twitter
Mum with a bum: Amanda Holden
When I ask whether it is true Simon already has a booster seat in place, she giggles: “Oooh, I couldn’t possibly comment.” So that’s a yes, then.
He may be her boss, but Amanda isn’t above poking fun at the Cuban heel-wearing, booster seat-sitting Simon, 55.
Following the arrival of his first born, Eric, in February, Amanda has noticed a marked change in the star.
She is also a big fan of his girlfriend, Lauren Silverman, 37, and credits the American for bringing order to Simon’s life.
Quite a lot of order, by the sound of it.
“Simon has embraced fatherhood,” Amanda says. “A few edges he had have been softened.
“I love how much he’s sharing of Eric with us all.
Lauren’s brought the best out of Simon, we all love her. She’s really calming but also very, very feisty. She’s not a ‘yes’ woman. She is pretty fearless and tells Simon exactly what she thinks, which I love.
“And she often has great ideas about styling and, on the show, who should do what song.
“Lauren introduced domesticity into Simon’s life, which has made things better for him. Everything he worried was going to be boring has turned out to be the best thing ever.”
With a piddling two-year age gap between their children, Amanda is embracing the idea of a Cowell-Holden dynasty.
She grins: “Eric will come on the road for this series and Hollie’s birthday is during the show, so we are planning a play date. We’ve got to discuss dowries… I mean, Eric is going to be prince of his own empire.”
When I point out Simon has been vociferous in his disapproval of inherited wealth, she replies: “Oh, he’ll change his mind on that one.” It is a case of family first, celebrity second for Amanda.
Raised by her mum Judith and stepdad Leslie, she has had little contact with her birth dad Frank after he “walked out when I was four”, only seeing him a handful of times since.
Her first screen appearance was on Blind Date at 19, but after attending Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts in North London she soon got minor TV roles in EastEnders and Jonathan Creek.
She made her name in Cutting It and Wild At Heart, before being picked as a BGT judge in 2007.
Her love life has been less straightforward, however. Her first marriage to Les Dennis floundered after an affair with Men Behaving Badly star Neil Morrissey in 2000.
But Amanda is now happily married to record producer Chris Hughes, and they live in London with daughters Lexi, eight, and two-year-old Hollie. There is no doubt Amanda takes motherhood seriously and showbusiness less so. Even in interviews.
Halfway through our chat I am stumped for words when she asks: “Wee wee? Do you want a little wee wee?”
I pause. “Er, no, I’m OK, thanks,” I eventually stumble. “I went earlier,” I add, needlessly.
“God, no sorry – I’m not talking to you,” she laughs. “I’m asking Hollie.” Toilet break over, Amanda admits she refuses to believe her own hype: “I never Google myself. Ever.
Chris has got me on Google alert so he will tell me if something’s been said on Twitter that isn’t right. I live in a bubble; I don’t want to know. My motto is ‘never scroll down’… I’m very happy.”
Amanda has been a regular on This Morning for the past two months, filling in for Holly Willoughby, who is on maternity leave. It’s a role Amanda is loving. Her chemistry with co-host Phillip Schofield has gone down well with viewers – so much so her contract has been extended until the summer, as Holly is taking a full year off.
“It really is a dream gig,” she smiles. “I catch myself looking at Phillip and thinking, ‘Oooh it’s Phillip Schofield’.
“I get giddy. He’s fun to work with, naughty, and always making me laugh. It’s a wonderful show – I feel like I’ve won a prize.”
