Once received, the text message was “relayed to Canadian diplomats back in Haiti” who then provided aid in the search for the woman. There’s not much more information beyond that, but it’s simply good to hear even the tiniest bit of encouraging and happy news in regards to this devastating event—particularly when it shows that a gadget and solid communication between diplomats can save a life.

Also, we’ve mentioned it before, but a reminder doesn’t hurt: If you’d like to donate to an organization that can help in this situation, here are some ways to do so:

• MSF/Doctors Without Borders
• The American Red Cross International Response Fund
• Texting “HAITI” to 90999 to donate $10 to the American Red Cross International Response FUnd
• Online tech store SmallDog, who is matching any MSF/DWB donations up to $200

[ABC—Photo by Telegraph.co.uk]

I heard about this back a about a year and half ago and thought to myself – this is a very awesome idea if they can pull it off. Well I think I have been informed by this latest highlight video…

Americans planned beach cleanups, packages for soldiers and save-the-tree fundraisers along with familiar remembrances in three cities to mark eight years since the attacks of Sept. 11, the first time the anniversary was named a national day of service.

“Instead of us simply remembering the horrible events and more importantly the heroes who lost their lives on 9/11, we are all going to turn into local heroes,” said Ted Tenenbaum, a Los Angeles repair shop owner who offered free handyman services Thursday and planned to do so again Friday.

Similar donations of time and labor were planned across the country after President Barack Obama and Congress declared the day would be dedicated to service this year for the first time.

Some Americans are suspicious about the new commemoration, though, fearing it could overshadow a somber day of remembrance for nearly 3,000 people killed aboard four jetliners and at the World Trade Center in New York, the Pentagon, and a field in western Pennsylvania.

“When I first heard about it, I was concerned,” said Debra Burlingame, whose brother was the American Airlines pilot of the hijacked jet that crashed into the Pentagon. “I fear, I greatly fear, at some point we’ll transition to turning it into Earth Day where we go and plant trees and the remembrance part will become smaller, and smaller, and smaller.”

In a column in American Spectator magazine last month, conservative commentator Matthew Vadum wrote that the push for volunteerism was an attempt “to try to change 9/11 from a day of reflection and remembrance to a day of activism, food banks and community gardens.”

The criticism didn’t dampen spirits of those who planned to participate, though.

Sue Katz, a tour bus guide in New York City, planned a walking tour in Central Park to raise money to repair damage after hundreds of century-old trees were toppled by a recent storm.

Katz called the park “New York City’s lungs” and said of the fundraiser, “This is my way to give back.”

A Boston group founded by victims’ family members — two of the four planes left from Boston — planned to write letters to U.S. soldiers overseas and pack CARE packages. In San Diego, Dave Matthews Band bassist Stefan Lessard is sponsoring a cleanup of Ocean Beach.

Volunteers who made firefighters’ meals or helped remove tons of debris from the World Trade Center site planned to join family members to read names of more than 2,700 victims killed when hijacked jetliners crashed into the towers on Sept. 11, 2001.

Vice President Joe Biden was scheduled to attend the ceremony in New York, while President Barack Obama was to meet with family members for a ceremony at the Pentagon outside Washington, D.C.

In New York, thousands planned moments of silence four times — twice for when jetliners crashed into a Trade Center tower, and for the moments the towers collapsed.

A wreath was to be laid at a memorial to the Pentagon, where 184 people died when a hijacked jet slammed into the building. Obama and Defense Secretary Robert Gates were to meet with victims’ family members.

The president will “speak about what the day means and the sacrifices of thousands, not just at the Pentagon, but in Pennsylvania and certainly and most obviously in New York,” White House press secretary Robert Gibbs said.

Near Shanksville, Pa., where United Airlines Flight 93 crashed, former Secretary of State Colin Powell will deliver the keynote speech.

At 10:03 a.m., the time the plane crashed, the names of the 40 passengers and crew will be read and bells will be tolled.

Among the hundreds of people expected to attend is Jose Melendez-Perez, a Customs agent credited with refusing entry to the country a man officials believe was supposed to be the fifth hijacker aboard the flight.

The official 9/11 Commission report said hijackers deliberately crashed the plane in Pennsylvania as passengers were trying to wrest control of the cockpit.

Associated Press writers Nancy Benac in Washington and Dan Nephin in Pittsburgh contributed to this report.

Copyright © 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

Nia Long Goes Nude for PETA

Get Naked For P.E.T.A.

In a attempt to bring consumer awareness of animal rights P.E.T.A.’s Nude Campaign has been getting major attention since the first release in 2000. Now they have a star studded list of celebs that have all gone nude for animal rights. With sayings like ” I’d Rather Go Naked Than Wear FUR – seems to making a major impact on the industry. A “Cause” is all it takes to get some of these beauties naked? Hmm I’m all in…

“Third Watch” star Nia Long shows how to beat the morning commute…by riding the rails in the buff!

Of her decision to join the PETA “I’d rather go naked than wear fur” campaign, Long says, “When I became a mother I started to really understand the importance of all living creatures in a way that I didn’t ever think about before.”

But she’s not the only sexy star to take it all off for the animal rights organization … Look who else has bared it all for “The Cause”

Khloe Khloe

Where is KIM?

Eva Gets Naked for PETA

Janet Jackson will open this weekend’s 2009 MTV Video Music Awards with a musical tribute to her late brother Michael, MTV announced yesterday after rumors of Janet’s involvement began circulating. Janet, a nine-time Moonman winner herself, will honor her brother in a “special appearance” that will a look back over his life and career — a career that also helped attract viewers to MTV when the network was in its formative years. The VMAs will air live this Sunday, September 13th from New York’s Radio City Music Hall.

According to TMZ, the performance will feature more than 20 backup dancers and choreography from some of the biggest names in the dance world. (Contrary to reports, however, choreographer Frank Gaston is not involved, MTV says.) Kryiss Grant, one of the dancers who will appear at the VMAs and an usher at Jackson’s funeral last week, told TMZ the performance is being rehearsed almost 15 hours a day and that when all is said on done, “there won’t be a dry eye in the house” after Janet is finished honoring her brother.

As Rolling Stone previously reported, Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, Green Day, Jay-Z, Lady Gaga and Wale will also perform when MTV storms Radio City Music Hall this weekend. The festivities will once again be hosted by Forgetting Sarah Marshall star Russell Brand, and presenters include Katy Perry, Nelly Furtado and select members of the Gossip Girl crew.

And judging by what’s been hinted at in recent commercials, Britney Spears is expected to appear in some capacity, leading to hopefully another Britastic VMA moment.

Rolling Stone will be on the red carpet and at the big show this weekend, so be sure to check back for our full coverage.

Diddy and Mase

Photo: Peter Kramer/ Getty Images

Streets Is Talking: News & Notes From The Underground

Mase has been talking lately about trying to work out a deal with Diddy. He even rapped about renegotiating with Chairman Combs in his song “Get It” with Cam’ron: ” ‘Mase, you come back if you get 50 percent?’/ I’m like, ‘Nah, if I come back I need Diddy percent.’ ”

Diddy said that he and Mase have been talking, but nothing is solid as far as a Mase project on Bad Boy.

“Mase has called me,” Diddy told us. “We’ve spoken. He’s basically said, ‘Just keep your eye on me. Making this switch, I gotta kinda bear this cross for a second. Just watch what I do.’ I said, ‘I’ve seen.’ He’s definitely one of the dopest MCs to ever touch the game. People can’t deny that. He’s one of the most successful. I’ve seen people come back from different things in this game. I said, ‘Yeah. Without a doubt, I’ll keep my eye on you.’ I spoke to him today. He’s out there working.”

In June, 50 Cent was a guest on Funk Master Flex’s Hot 97 radio show and said he wanted to bring Mase to the G-Unit but Diddy wanted too much money to turn over the contract.

If Mase would come back and make music with Bad Boy, and if Diddy were able to make that long-rumored LOX re-signing come to fruition, he would have one of the strongest hip-hop rosters in the game. You add his foundation players along with the recently added Red Cafe and newcomer Aasim, then a nice nucleus would take shape. But Diddy doesn’t want to get too far ahead of himself. He’s taking his time and plotting his rap attack.

“With the future of Bad Boy, I definitely think it’s time for me to come up with a game plan,” he said. “A lot of things have changed. I have a great legacy I have to protect. I’m taking some time. I don’t wanna sign anything new. I wanna focus on this Janelle Monáe album, on this Cassie album, on this Last Train to Paris. Those are the albums I’m focusing on. I’m not making anything new. I wanna come up with a game plan that works going forward with the future of Bad Boy.”

Sources: MTV, MixTape Daily

Jermaine Jackson hosted a press conference earlier today to finally reveal part of the lineup for the Michael Jackson tribute he’s hosting in Vienna later this month: Mary J. Blige, Chris Brown, Akon and Natalie Cole will take the stage in Austria on September 26th. Sister Sledge, German boy band US5 and actress Angela Bassett, who portrayed Katherine Jackson in the film The Jacksons: An American Dream, will also appear at the tribute concert at Vienna’s Palace of Schönbrunn. According to Jermaine, the list of performers announced today represent only one-quarter of “The Tribute” lineup; he’ll reveal the remainder of the bill at press conferences this week in London, Berlin and Paris.

Many of the musicians, singers and dancers involved with Michael Jackson’s This Is It concerts at London’s O2 Arena will also perform at the tribute concert, including singer Judith Hill, who amazed fans with her version of “Heal the World” at the Jackson memorial concert at Los Angeles’ Staples Center in June.

Plus, thanks to the wonders of technology and video projection, Michael Jackson “will come on stage one last time” for a virtual duet with Jermaine Jackson, according to “The Tribute” Website. “Michael will return to us for one song. It will be a magic moment for all who loved his music,” Jermaine said. Michael’s mother Katherine and his three children will also reportedly attend the concert.

According to Reuters, more than half of the tickets to the Vienna tribute were sold before the performer announcement today. Chris Brown will be making his first official return to the stage since assaulting Rihanna in February. Brown, who was often dubbed “the next Michael Jackson” before that altercation, just last week professed his love of Jackson during an appearance on Larry King Live.-Rolling Stone

UPDATE

Chris Brown won’t be crooning “I’ll Be There” in honor of Michael Jackson.

The “Forever” singer has put the kibosh on any plans to perform at the M.J. tribute concert in Vienna, hours after Jermaine Jackson announced Brown would be among the headliners at the Sept. 26 show.

“Chris is not confirmed to perform or participate in any capacity for this show,” the publicist for Brown’s label tells E! News.

While we expect Brown to commence his comeback after racking up five years’ probation for beating Rihanna, we were surprised to hear his name listed with Mary J. Blige, Akon, Natalie Cole and Sister Sledge for the event. He would need court approval to head overseas and get a break from his 180 hours of community labor. Brown, 20, attended Jackson’s funeral and has cited the King of Pop as a major influence.

There was no immediate comment from organizers of the Jackson tribute, but Jermaine’s definitely got some ‘splaining to do.-E!

Cali Duet, Tammy Torres, Flo-Rida and company

photos courtesy of 305.com and FastLifeFastMoney.com

San Diego Chargers linebacker Shawne Merriman was arrested last night after allegedly roughing up his girlfriend, noted internet person Tila Tequlia. Way to start the season strong, buddy.

Merriman, who missed all but one game last season with knee problems, was arrested in front of his own home about 3:45 a.m. this morning after Tequila (sigh) accused him of choking her and restraining her when she tried to leave the house. She went to the hospital, he went to jail. Both have apparently been released.

The possibly roid-raged linebacker recently expressed admiration for Oregon’s LeGarrette Blount and his sucker punching ways, stating “I want to punch a bunch of guys but i would never risk getting suspended and fined i love my $.” Apparently, Merriman has not read the NFL’s collective bargaining agreement, because the strictures against guy punching also include women. If you think drunk driving, shooting yourself in the leg, and dog murder are frowned upon, I’m sure Roger Goodell has been itching to take a very strong stand against domestic violence. Maybe Shawne is trying to see just how many games he can miss and still make the Pro Bowl.

Because Tequila and Merriman are both lunatics who are obsessed with Twitter, you can probably find more updates there in the near future. (Update: He posted a link to his statement, hers has been set to private.)

UPDATE: TMZ has some crappy photos of them taken at a bar earlier in the evening. So that proves they know each other!

UPDATE 2: Merriman released a statement late on Sunday night, denying the accusations and pointing out that he has not been charged with a crime. The gist of his statement is that she was drunk, he was trying to keep her from leaving until a cab could pick her up, he did not actually choke or hurt her, and he was only arrested because of her “citizen’s complaint.” The implication of last point being that cops would not have arrested him, if she hadn’t insisted. We’ll see how the criminal case develops (if it does at all), but Merriman will likely play in Week 1 either way.-Defamer

Jimmy Stewart, Humphrey Bogart, Clark Gable, Spencer Tracy and Walt Disney. These and others among Hollywood’s all-time A-listers are now Michael Jackson’s neighbors for eternity.

When he was laid to rest Thursday in the Great Mausoleum in the Forest Lawn Cemetery in Glendale, Calif., the King of Pop finally found company worthy of his fame – and a place grand enough for his notoriously extravagant tastes.

The huge mausoleum, once dubbed the “New World’s Westminster Abbey” by Time, is modeled on the historical Campo Santo in Genoa, Italy, famed for its gigantic Gothic cloisters. Nearby spots boast a number of replicas of works by the Renaissance master Michelangelo, two of the largest paintings in the world (“The Crucifixion” and “The Resurrection”), and rare 13th-century stained-glass windows.

But perhaps the most attractive feature is the cemetery’s reputation for protecting the privacy of the stars resting there. The cemetery, which is private, provides limited access to the public and is familiar with how to handle the attention celebrity gravesites attract. The Great Mausoleum is all but impregnable to gawkers, tourists and even dedicated fans, so those who found it hard to find peace in life – like Jackson – will certainly find it after death. -People