NEWSMAKERS

NEWSMAKERS

Actor Will Smith slaps journalist

MOSCOW

Hollywood star Will Smith slapped a male reporter who he said tried to kiss him on the lips as he walked the red carpet for the Moscow premiere of “Men in Black III.”

The reporter from the Ukrainian television channel 1+1, Vitalii Sediuk, made headlines at the Venice Film Festival in September when he presented a bouquet of clearly unappreciated purple hydrangeas to Madonna and called her “my princess.”

Smith was even less charmed by Sediuk, who approached him on the carpet outside the theater Friday and tried to kiss him.

“He’s lucky I didn’t sucker-punch him,” Smith said to the crowd.

Military parade for queen’s Jubilee

WINDSOR, ENGLAND

Queen Elizabeth II watched as thousands of Royal Navy, Army and Royal Air Force troops paraded outside her Windsor Castle home Saturday to mark her Diamond Jubilee.

The parade is part of a series of events to celebrate the queen’s 60-year reign, which culminate on a four-day weekend beginning June 2.

On Saturday, the queen watched with her husband Prince Philip and other members of the royal family from a platform as some 2,500 troops paraded through Windsor Castle grounds and through the town to the sound of six military bands. Windsor Castle, 25 miles west of London, is one of the queen’s favorite residences and she looked happy as she watched the pageantry.

Cheers, protests greet Lady Gaga

MANILA, PHILIPPINES

Pop singer Lady Gaga arrived in the Philippines on Saturday to cheers from fans and protests from young Christians calling for the cancellation of her upcoming concerts.

About 200 Christian youths marched in Manila for a second straight day, holding placards urging the singer to “respect our faith, stop the blasphemy.”

The Biblemode Youth Philippines members plan to have a vigil today near the concert venue. They are offended by Lady Gaga’s music, particularly her song “Judas,” which they said mocks Jesus Christ.

She arrived in Manila late Saturday.

Associated Press