LONDON (Reuters) – The wedding dress worn by film star Elizabeth Taylor for her first marriage to hotel heir Conrad Hilton in 1950 will go up for sale next month, auction house Christie’s said on Friday.

The simple, but elegant garment created by Hollywood costume designer Helen Rose for the then 18-year-old Taylor is an oyster shell-colored, floor-length satin gown with a fine silk gauze off-the-shoulder illusion neckline.

The dress, which was a gift from MGM film studios, has a top estimate of 50,000 pounds ($ 75,300). Rose also designed Grace Kelly‘s wedding dress for her marriage to the Prince of Monaco.

By the time Taylor married Hilton she was already a veteran actress and was just a year away from her Oscar-nominated performance in Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer’s “A Place in the Sun”.

The A-list of old Hollywood – Greer Garson, Gene Kelly, Ginger Rogers, Fred Astaire, Esther Williams, and Van Johnson – were among the many stars who came to congratulate the bride.

The star of “Cleopatra” surpassed Michael Jackson as the highest-earning deceased celebrity in a survey released by Forbes in October 2012, with her estate pulling in $ 210 million, much of it from a 2011 auction of jewels, costumes and art work.

The auction of Taylor’s jewels took in $ 116 million, more than double the record for a single collection, and set new marks for pearls, colorless diamonds and Indian jewels.

Taylor, who died in 2011 at the age of 79, was married eight times, twice to actor Richard Burton, and had a career spanning seven decades.

She first gained fame in 1944′s “National Velvet” at age 12, and was nominated for five Oscars, winning best actress for “Butterfield 8″ (1960) and “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?” (1966), which also starred Burton.

(Reporting by Paul Casciato; Editing by Michael Roddy)

By Chris Francescani

NEW YORK (Reuters) – U.S. actress Amanda Bynes was arrested in New York City on Thursday after she allegedly threw a bong out the window of a midtown Manhattan apartment building, a police official said.

New York police received a call on Thursday night from an employee at the 47th Street high-rise building where Bynes lives, said NYPD spokesman Detective Brian Sessa.

The employee reported that someone was smoking marijuana in the lobby.

When police arrived, they were directed to Bynes’ apartment, where the actress invited police in, Sessa said.

Officers detected a strong smell of marijuana in the apartment and observed the bong – a tube-shaped water pipe commonly used for smoking marijuana – in the apartment, according to Sessa.

Bynes grabbed the bong and threw it out the window, he said. The actress lives on the 36th floor, The New York Daily News reported.

Bynes, 27, a former child star who had her own TV comedy sketch show on Nickelodeon at age 13, was taken into custody and charged with tampering with physical evidence, reckless endangerment and criminal possession of marijuana.

She pleaded no contest earlier this month in California to driving with a suspended license, according to The Los Angeles Times, one of a number of recent run-ins with the law.

(Reporting By Chris Francescani; Editing by Xavier Briand)

LONDON (Reuters) – Soviet dictator Josef Stalin and Britain‘s wartime Prime Minister Winston Churchill enjoyed an alcohol-fuelled all-nighter in Moscow as World War Two was in full swing, previously secret files have revealed.

Relations between the two leaders were stiff until Churchill arranged a tete-a-tete with Stalin, with the aid of interpreters, which led to a late-night boozy banquet in 1942, according to files released by Britain’s National Archives.

“There I found Stalin and Churchill, and Molotov who joined them, sitting with a heavily laden board between them: food of all kinds, crowned by a suckling pig and innumerable bottles,” wrote Sir Alexander Cadogan, permanent under-secretary at the Foreign Office, of the visit.

The mood was “merry as a marriage-bell,” he added, though Churchill was complaining of a “slight headache” when Cadogan came to find him at one in the morning, and “seemed wisely confining himself to a comparatively innocuous effervescent Caucasian red wine.”

The two leaders did not engage in much military talk during the meeting, which went on until three in the morning, but Churchill did probe the Georgian-born dictator about his internal policy.

Asked what was happening with the kulaks, the relatively rich farming class Stalin had vowed to exterminate, he responded “with great frankness” saying that the kulaks had been given land in Siberia but ‘”they were very unpopular with the rest of the people!”‘

The evening was dubbed a success by the author of the note, as the two men got on.

“Certainly Winston was impressed, and I think the feeling was reciprocated,” he wrote.

(Reporting By Dasha Afanasieva, editing by Paul Casciato)

PARIS (Reuters) – French singer and songwriter Georges Moustaki, beloved in France for his songs celebrating liberty and collaborations with Edith Piaf, died on Thursday after a long illness. He was 79.

The Greek-born singer grew up in Alexandria, Egypt, and arrived in Paris in 1951, where he began to play guitar at nightclubs and met some of the period’s best-known singers.

He was introduced to Edith Piaf in the late 1950s and started to write songs for the Parisian star, the most famous of which was “Milord” about a lower-class girl who falls in love with an upper-class British traveler.

Developing a reputation as a singer in his own right in the mid-1960s, the hirsute and heavily bearded Moustaki achieved fame with songs including the immigrant ballad “Le Meteque” and “Ma Liberte”, a hymn to the 1960s free-living spirit.

Moustaki, a life-long advocate of left-wing causes, ended his singing career in 2009, later telling newspaper La Croix that he was suffering from an irreversible bronchial illness that made it impossible to carry on.

French Culture Minister Aurelie Filippetti hailed an “artist with convictions who conveyed humanist values… and a great poet”, and Twitter was flooded with tributes to a singer who many said had defined their childhoods.

(Reporting By Marine Pennetier and Elizabeth Pineau; Writing Nicholas Vinocur, editing by Paul Casciato)

By Gopal Sharma

KATHMANDU (Reuters) – An 80-year-old Japanese mountain climber who has had four heart surgeries reached the top of Mount Everest on Thursday becoming the oldest person to conquer the world’s highest mountain.

Yuichiro Miura, who took the standard southeast ridge route pioneered by Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay 60 years ago, reached the top of the 8,848 meter (29,028 feet) mountain at roughly 9:00 a.m. local time (11pm EDT). He was accompanied by three other Japanese, including his son, and six Nepali sherpas.

“It feels great,” he told family members and supporters gathered in Tokyo by satellite phone from the summit.

Miura, who first climbed Everest in 2003 and repeated the feat five years later, takes the oldest climber record from Nepal‘s Min Bahadur Sherchan, who reached the summit at the age of 76 in 2008.

“The record is not so important to me,” Miura told Reuters in April, before setting off for Everest. “It is important to get to the top.”

Miura spent the night at 8,500 meters (27,887 ft) at the Balcony in the so-called “death zone” before launching his final ascent, rather than the 8,000 meter South Col which is used as a resting place by most climbers before the summit climb, said Gyanendra Shrestha, a Nepal Tourism Ministry official.

His ascent had been watched closely in Japan, with daily broadcasts of phone calls and photographs from the climb – including one night when he and his fellow climbers drank green Japanese tea and ate hand-rolled sushi in their tent high on the mountain’s side.

A noted adventurer, Miura skied down Everest from the South Col in 1970, a feat that became the subject of a documentary. He has since skied down the highest mountains on each of the seven continents, following the tradition of his late father Keizo, who skied down Europe’s Mont Blanc at the age of 99.

He trained for the Everest climb by hiking in Tokyo with weighted packs and working out on a treadmill in a special low-oxygen room in his home.

Nearly 4,000 climbers have reached the Everest summit since the pioneering May 1953 climb, while 240 have lost their lives on its slopes.

Miura is not the first record-setter on Everest this climbing season.

Raha Moharrak became the first Saudi Arabian woman to conquer the peak, while Sudarshan Gautam, a 30-year-old Nepali-born Canadian who lost both arms in an accident, became the first double amputee to summit.

Miura’s record may only be his to savor briefly. Nepal’s Min Bahadur Sherchan, now 81, plans to start climbing the peak this coming weekend.

(Reporting by Gopal Sharma and Elaine Lies, editing by Elaine Lies and Michael Perry)

By Jane Lee

SHANGHAI (Reuters) – Humor may not always translate well, but Jon Stewart is picking up millions of fans in China, where his gloves-off political satire is refreshing for many in a country where such criticism is a rarity – especially when directed at their own leaders.

A recent segment on North Korea scored over 4 million views on microblogger Sina Weibo, and even stodgy state broadcaster CCTV has used Stewart’s “The Daily Show” in a report, though they wouldn’t let a Chinese version of him near their cameras.

Recent popular sequences have included one in which Stewart lampooned the Chinese hackers who hacked into the New York Times computer system earlier this year, wondering if that was the best they could do.

But far from squelching Stewart, CCTV even used one of his sequences on Guantanamo Bay to criticize Obama in a regular broadcast – a move widely derided by netizens.

In China, however, such criticism tends not to be welcomed by the government. Dissident artist Ai Weiwei, who regularly criticizes the government for what he sees as its flouting of the rule of law and human rights, was detained for 81 days in 2011, sparking an international outcry.

“There’s nothing like political satire here,” said David Moses, who studies and writes about Chinese humor.

Though the exact timing of Stewart’s entrance to China is unclear, many have been watching him for four or five years, mainly through the Internet and Weibo.

“Being a journalist, you have to find out the truth,” said Mao Moyu, a Shanghai journalism student who got hooked on Stewart four years ago.

“If there’s … something that hurts the public interest you have to stand out, no matter how sharp the thing is. You have to stand out and say that’s not right.”

Part of Stewart’s popularity is that he seems cool to young people in love with all things foreign, but a thirst for satire that is not afraid to show its face contributes too, Moses said.

The closest thing that exists in China is coded references and puns that tweak official pronouncements or sound like obscenities.

“That’s just shooting a finger at the government. But this is full-fledged jokes and routines about North Korea or about China and trade…It’s just what they wish they could do here,” Moses said.

Free translations into Chinese by Stewart’s fans have boosted his popularity. In fact, one – known as Gu Da Bai Hua – now even has his own fan base.

China’s thirst for foreign satire is so great that Stewart is not the only popular U.S. comic. Some Chinese say they prefer rival television satirist Stephen Colbert – although humor may not be the only issue at stake.

“I think I like Stephen Colbert’s pronunciation more because it’s much clearer for me,” said Shanghai student Peng Cheng.

(Editing by Elaine Lies and Michael Perry)

LONDON (Reuters) – British singer George Michael has received medical treatment after a car crash on Thursday, his publicist said.

The 49-year-old former Wham! frontman was being treated for “minor cuts and bruises” after the accident, Michael‘s spokeswoman said.

“George Michael was a passenger in a vehicle involved in a traffic accident yesterday evening, no third party was involved,” a spokeswoman said on Friday. “He is being treated for superficial cuts and bruises but is fine.”

British media reported that the accident occurred just outside London on a motorway during rush hour.

The “Careless Whisper” singer has suffered a string of accidents and health scares recently.

Last year he canceled his tour of Australia due to “major anxiety” brought on by a 2011 battle with severe pneumonia in Vienna, where he was treated in intensive care for a month for a life-threatening illness.

Michael has sold an estimated 100 million records over his career, but has hit headlines in recent years for his personal life more often than for his music.

In 1998 he was arrested in California for “engaging in a lewd act” in a public toilet and also had a number of run-ins with British police for possession of narcotics. He served a term in jail for driving under the influence of cannabis.

(Reporting by Paul Casciato; editing by Mike Collett-White)

(Reuters) – Pop stars Justin Bieber and Taylor Swift won the big prizes on Sunday at the Billboard Music Awards, which also honored legendary performers Madonna and Prince.

Bieber, who was named top male artist, also performed at the show at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. He also took home Billboard‘s first Milestone Award, chosen by fans, for musical innovation and ingenuity.

“I’m 19 years old. I think I’m doing a pretty good job, Bieber said. “It should really be about the music. This is not a gimmick. I’m an artist and I should be taken seriously. And all this other bull should not be spoken of.”

The teen heartthrob did not elaborate, but in recent months he has been involved in several high-profile incidents ranging from driving offenses to reports of hard partying and drugs being found on his tour bus in Sweden.

Swift won the top award of the night, artist of the year. She thanked her fans by telling them: “You are the longest and best relationship I’ve ever had.”

Pop diva Madonna was named top touring artist for her “MDNA Tour,” 2012′s highest-grossing concert series.

Madonna strode onstage to accept the accolade from will.i.am, wearing black fishnet stockings, garters and a padlock choker.

The MDNA tour grossed more than $ 305 million from 88 sold-out shows and attracted an audience of 2.2 million people. Madonna acknowledged her fans, saying: “A showgirl needs her fans. Thank you for supporting me for three decades.”

She also thanked her four children for being “incredibly supportive.”

The Billboard Music Awards, hosted by “30 Rock” star Tracy Morgan, opened with Bruno Mars performing “Treasure.”

Early awards went to Macklemore and Ryan Lewis, who won top rap song for “Thrift Shop,” and Nicki Minaj, who took home the top rap artist honor.

Carly Rae Jepsen‘s “Call Me Maybe” was named top digital song, while Swift took home the top Billboard 200 album award for “Red.”

French producer and DJ David Guetta was named top electric dance music artist.

Among musical highlights, Bieber performed “Take You,” which was chosen by his fans via Twitter, before pairing up with will.i.am for “#ThatPOWER.”

Other musical pairings included Jennifer Lopez and Pitbull singing “#LiveItUp,” Minaj and Lil Wayne who performed “High School,” and Christina Aguilera and Pitbull singing “Feel This Moment.”

Selena Gomez, Chris Brown, Icona Pop, South Korea rap sensation Psy and Swift, who was nominated for 11 Billboard awards and received eight, performed as well.

In an apparently unscripted moment, Miguel, performing “Adorn,” leapt from the stage and landed feet-first atop two young women. No mention was made on the broadcast as to whether they were injured.

The show ended with the Icon Award for Prince, in recognition of his unique career and accomplishments in the music industry. Prince performed a medley to close the show, but did not deliver an acceptance speech.

(Reporting by Chris Michaud; Editing by David Brunnstrom and Stacey Joyce)

By Piya Sinha-Roy

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – The doors of Dunder Mifflin‘s Scranton branch closed for the last time on Thursday as NBC‘s “The Office” wrapped up after a nine-season run with a nostalgic finale featuring a long-awaited wedding and the return of the show’s biggest star, Steve Carell.

Emmy-winning mockumentary “The Office,” adapted from Ricky Gervais’ British series of the same name, saw a documentary crew filming the daily lives of employees at the Dunder Mifflin paper company, led for several years by hapless boss Michael Scott, played by Carell.

On Thursday’s 75-minute finale, set six months after the fictional documentary was released, the colleagues all reunite for the marriage of Machiavellian office manager Dwight Schrute (Rainn Wilson), and accountant Angela Martin (Angela Kingsley).

Carell entered the episode as a surprise guest at the wedding, uttering one of Michael Scott’s best-known phrases – “That’s what she said.”

Later as he considered the romances that had formed at the workplace, Carell’s character told the camera, “It’s like all my children grew up and they married each other.”

Over nine seasons, audiences have been treated to numerous office fights, friendships and romances on the NBC sitcom. One of the most compelling storylines was the growing romance of Jim and Pam, played by John Krasinski and Jenna Fischer, as audiences watched them transition from friendship to marriage and parenthood.

For fans of the show, the season finale saw most of the long-standing cast members get their happy ending.

Stanley finally retires, Erin finds her birth parents, Andy capitalizes on becoming an unwilling viral video star, Kelly and Ryan run off into the sunset (albeit abandoning a baby in the process) and Jim and Pam decide to move to Austin, Texas.

The final scenes featured a montage of key moments, including Jim and Pam’s romance and the numerous friendships that developed over the years.

“I wish there was a way to know you were in the good old days before you’ve actually left them,” Andy Bernard, played by Ed Helms, said wistfully.

The cast also reflected on the documentary that captured nine years of their lives at the company, which Jim described as “this stupid, wonderful, boring, amazing job.”

“Imagine going back and watching a tape of your life. You can see yourself change … watch yourself fall in love, become a husband, a father. You guys gave that to me,” Jim said to the cameras.

LAUNCHING STARS, FALLING AUDIENCES

“The Office,” which first aired in 2005, began with a relatively unknown cast, led by Carell, whose breakout film “The 40-Year-Old Virgin” came out the same year.

The show made stars of many of its cast members, leading to high-profile movie roles, and its producers said last year that the outside success of “The Office” actors played a role in the decision to wind it down.

Carell left the show in season seven to focus on his rising film career, which has included roles in “Crazy, Stupid, Love” and “The Incredible Burt Wonderstone.”

Helms also made the move to the big screen with roles in “The Hangover” franchise, and Krasinski starred in the recent film “The Promised Land” with Matt Damon.

Mindy Kaling, who plays office mean girl Kelly Kapoor, landed her own Fox sitcom “The Mindy Project,” while Craig Robinson, who plays warehouse manager Darryl, scored film roles in “Pineapple Express” and upcoming “This Is the End.”

After Carell’s exit in 2011, audiences began to turn away from “The Office” and viewership fell to about 4 million last year per episode from a high of about 8 million in 2008.

The show’s culmination comes on the heels of another NBC comedy, “30 Rock,” bowing out after seven seasons in February.

Prior to the finale, an hourlong retrospective of the show featured cast members and producers talking about the impact of “The Office” on their careers and why fans were drawn to it.

“This is a perfect time for the show to come to a close,” Wilson said. “There’s a finality to it and a sadness to it.”

Wilson had sought to create a spin-off show led by his character Dwight, but it was not picked up for broadcast.

The unlikely star of the show has been the city of Scranton, Pennsylvania, which prior to the show was known for coal mining but not anymore.

As the series drew to a close, tens of thousands of people gathered in Scranton earlier this month to give a rousing send-off to the sitcom that changed the image of the city forever.

“Thank you, Scranton,” Carell told the crowd. “This all is because of you.”

NBC is a unit of Comcast Corp.

(Reporting By Piya Sinha-Roy; Editing by Bill Trott)

(Reuters) – Cynthia Brown, who played a key role for Human Rights Watch for almost two decades, has died after a battle with cancer, the global advocacy group said. She was 60 years old.

Brown, who joined the organization in 1982 as a researcher and became program director in 1993, died Sunday in New York City, Human Rights Watch said on its website.

“She was principled and uncompromising — and played a big part in making Human Rights Watch that way,” Kenneth Roth, the group’s executive director, said in a statement.

“Cynthia could be tough as nails, and plenty intimidating, but once you got to know her she had a warmth and empathy that made her a great friend and clearly informed her passion for the human rights cause,” Roth said.

Brown served six years as the group’s program director. She left the staff in 1999 but remained as an adviser and a member of the organization’s policy committee and its advisory committee for women’s rights.

(Reporting by David Bailey; Editing by Paul Simao)