'Da Vinci Code' Author Accused in London

By DAVID STRINGER, Associated Press Writer

LONDON - "The Da Vinci Code" author Dan Brown was accused in Britain's High Court on Monday of taking material for his blockbuster conspiracy thriller from a 1982 book about the Holy Grail.

The accusation was made in a breach of copyright lawsuit filed against "The Da Vinci Code" publisher Random House. If the lawsuit succeeds in getting an injunction barring use of the disputed material, the scheduled May 19 release of "The Da Vinci Code" film starring Tom Hanks and Ian McKellan could be threatened.

Michael Baigent and Richard Leigh, authors of "The Holy Blood and the Holy Grail," sued Random House, which also published their book. Random House denies the claim.

Baigent and Leigh claim Brown appropriated their ideas and themes in writing his book, which has sold more than 25 million copies worldwide since its 2003 publication.

Both books hinge on the theory that Jesus married Mary Magdalene and they had a child, and that blood line survives to this day. The earlier book set out the notion that Christ did not die on the cross but lived later in France.

Brown, who was expected to testify next week, told reporters outside court that this idea had no appeal for him.

"Suggesting a married Jesus is one thing, but questioning the Resurrection undermines the very heart of Christian belief," said Brown, who described himself as a committed Christian.

Jonathan Rayner James, a lawyer for Baigent and Leigh, said the case did not relate to the theft of specific parts of text but to the appropriation of themes and ideas.

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American Idol Semi Finalists

American Idol semi-finalist Melissa McGhee arrives at a party to celebrate the 24 American Idol semi-finalists at Cinespace in Hollywood February 18, 2006. REUTERS/Max Morse

In this undated photo released by Maxim Online, 'American Idol' contestant Becky O'Donohue, right, poses alongside her twin sister, Jessie, in this image on the Maxim magazine Web site. 'American Idol' contestant Becky O'Donohue just doubled her exposure. The aspiring singer is featured alongside her twin sister, Jessie, in a series of sexy photos on the Maxim magazine Web site. The photos were taken two years ago for the magazine's online fantasy baseball game, said Jordan Burchette, executive editor of Maxim Online. (AP Photo/Maxim Online, Mark Mann)

Katharine McPhee, 21, of Sherman Oaks, California, one of the 24 semi-finalists of the fifth season of American Idol revealed during the show's telecast February 15, 2006, is shown in this publicity photograph released February 15, 2006. America will begin voting for their favorite contestants as girls compete for first time February 21 and boys February 22. The first live results show will be telecasted on February 23. NO SALES NO ARCHIVES REUTERS/Fox/Handout


American Idol semi-finalist Kinnik Sky arrives at a party to celebrate the 24 American Idol semi-finalists at Cinespace in Hollywood February 18, 2006. REUTERS/Max Morse


American Idol semi-finalist Cortney Layne arrives at a party to celebrate the 24 American Idol semi-finalists at Cinespace in Hollywood February 18, 2006. REUTERS/Max Morse


American Idol semi-finalist Ayla Brown arrives at a party to celebrate the 24 American Idol semi-finalists at Cinespace in Hollywood February 18, 2006. REUTERS/Max Morse


Carrie Underwood, 2005 'American Idol' winner, performs during halftime at the 55th NBA All-Star Game in Houston, Texas, February 19, 2006. REUTERS/John Gress


American Idol semi-finalist Heather Cox arrives at a party to celebrate the 24 American Idol semi-finalists at Cinespace in Hollywood February 18, 2006. REUTERS/Max Morse

Stunning Beauty: Vida Guerra

Actress and model Vida Guerra poses as she arrives as a guest at the premiere of the new comedy film 'Madea's Family Reunion' in Hollywood February 22, 2006. The film, based on Tyler Perry's stage production of the same name, follows the adventures of southern matriarch Madea and her family. The film opens in the U.S. on February 24. REUTERS/Fred Prouser





Visit Vida's World to see more of Vida Guerra

Health Conscious Chocolate

I'm holding out for the nutrient rich, vitamin enriched, super herbal ice cream that makes you lose weight....

Candy Makers Cater to the Health-Conscious

By ELLIOTT MINOR, Associated Press Writer
Mon Feb 20, 12:24 PM ET

ALBANY, Ga. - It's every chocolate lover's wish that their favorite indulgence could somehow be healthy for them. Now, chocolate makers claim they have granted that wish.

Mars Inc., maker of Milky Way, Snickers and M&M's candies, next month plans to launch nationwide a new line of products made with a dark chocolate the company claims has health benefits.

Called CocoaVia, the products are made with a kind of dark chocolate high in flavanols, an antioxidant found in cocoa beans that is thought to have a blood-thinning effect similar to aspirin and may even lower blood pressure. The snacks also are enriched with vitamins and injected with cholesterol-lowering plant sterols from soy.

But researchers are skeptical about using chocolate for its medicinal purposes and experts warn it's no substitute for a healthy diet.

"To suggest that chocolate is a health food is risky," said Bonnie Liebman, nutrition director for the Center for Science in the Public Interest.

Recent research has not established a link between flavanols and a reduced risk of cancer or heart disease, she said. And with obesity already a serious health problem, "the last thing we need is for Americans to think they can eat more chocolate."

A paper published by the American Heart Association concluded that chocolate contains chemicals, including flavanols, that have the potential to reduce heart disease. But it added researchers still don't know enough about flavanols to make dietary recommendations.

Other major chocolate companies also have started promoting the flavanol content of their dark chocolates, such as Hershey's Extra Dark, introduced last fall with highlights on its label touting its 60 percent cocoa content and high level of flavanol.

Dark chocolate, which contains more flavanols than regular chocolate, is the fastest growing segment of the $10 billion-a-year chocolate market. Hershey reports that its dark-chocolate sales have grown 11.2 percent over the past four years.

Last year, Hershey Co. acquired San Francisco-based Scharffen Berger Chocolate Maker Inc., known for its dark chocolate with high cocoa content and baking products, and plans to add new dark-chocolate products.

Mars created a new division, Mars Nutrition for Health & Well-Being, to distribute CocoaVia. The company has sold the CocoaVia products online for a couple years. They are already available at retail stores in 34 states, selling for nearly $1 a bar.

"Chocolate ... is the number one flavor ingredient in the world," said Jimmy Cass, Mars' vice president of marketing. "Heart health is the No. 1 concern of adults over the age of 40 in every civilized nation. Putting those two together is automatically a big idea."

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ass antlers tribal tattoos

Today on Progressive Talk AM 1150 Johnny Wendell was talking about Ass Antlers also known as tribal tattoos. You know, those tattoos girls get on their lower back? Typically girls who wear low rise jeans displaying whale tale also display ass antlers.

Some think it's tacky others say it's slutty. Some say it sends a signal to the opposite sex that "this shop is open for business" or is says "come and get it!".

It used to be rogue and out of the mainstream but now it's almost a necessity for girls between the ages of 14 and 30. Even 30 to 50 year olds have them or are getting them.

What signal are girls trying to send with their ass antlers and tribal tattoos? Are they trying to draw more attention to their junk in their trunk? What you gonna do with all those humps, your lovely lady lumps?

Models Fashion Girls

Model Paris Hilton of the U.S. arrives for the Brit Awards at the Earls Court Arena in central London, February 15, 2006. REUTERS/Mike Finn-Kelcey

Gold painted models, who accompanied U.S. rapper Kanye West on his arrival at London's Earl's Court for the 2006 music Brit Awards, Wednesday Feb. 15, 2006. (AP Photo/Max Nash)

Halle Berry, The Hasty Pudding Theatricals Woman of the Year, performs during the annual Harvard University's Hasty Pudding event in Cambridge, Mass., Thursday, Feb. 16, 2006. (AP Photo/Chitose Suzuki)

This photo, supplied by 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment, shows Michael Pitt and Eva Green in a scene from Bernardo Bertolucci's 2003 film 'The Dreamers.' The producers of 'Casino Royale' announced Thursday, Feb. 16, 2006, that Green will co-star as the enticing Vesper Lynd in the James Bond film opposite Daniel Craig.(AP Photo/20th Century Fox Home Entertainment )

Brazilian model Raica Oliveira, girlfriend of Real Madrid's soccer player Ronaldo, displays a design by Andres Sarda during the Pasarela Cibeles fashion show in Madrid, Spain, Thursday Feb. 16, 2006. (AP Photo/Daniel Ochoa de Olza)

A model wears an outfit by former Italian actress Valeria Marini's fashion collection for the Autumn/Winter 2005/2006, unveiled in Milan, Italy, Saturday, Feb. 18, 2006. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni)

Molly Sims Wearing A $30 Million Diamond Bikini

Actress Molly Sims is shown wearing a $30 million diamond bikini in this publicity photograph released February 14, 2006. The bikini, designed by Susan Rosen is made up of over 150 carats of D flawless diamonds. The bikini is featured in the 2006 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue which is being released February 14. NO SALES NO ARCHIVES REUTERS/Diamond Information Center/Handout

This recent but undated photo, supplied by the Milk Processors Education Program, shows actress and model Elizabeth Hurley, the newest got milk?/Milk Mustache campaign celebrity. Hurley joins the ranks of recent Milk Mustache celebrities Sheryl Crow and Serena Williams. Hurley, not looking like she's 40, flaunts her physique in an original Elizabeth Hurley Beach design bathing suit in the ad debuting Tuesday, February 14 in the 2006 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition. The ad copy reads: (Gulp!) Shocked Im a mom? You should know by now that milks nine essential nutrients make for one irresistible body.(AP Photo/ Milk Proceessors Education Program)

Karima Adebibe, 20 years old from London who has been chosen as the new international face of 'Lara Croft' action hero, poses for the media in London, Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2006. Karima was chosen from thousands of hopefuls, and will now embark on a gruelling training programme to prepare her for the role. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)

Whale Tail: Fashion Faux Pas Or Sexy Style?

You may have seen it before...It's called Whale Tail and it is wildly popular with tweenies. Girls in low rise jeans with their thongs hanging out in a Paris Hilton fashion is all the rage on college campuses. What is your take?

What I find offensive is when a girl with Whale Tail tries to pull up her pants when she catches me looking at her thong. If you don't want me admiring your Whale Tail then don't let it hang out!