GENEVA: Hollywood star Angelina Jolie has donated $100,000 to aid Syrian refugees, the United Nations refugee agency said on Wednesday.
The Oscar-winning actress is a special envoy of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and made the donation on World Refugee Day.
In a statement marking the occasion Jolie said the solutions to the world's growing number of displaced people were political as well as humanitarian.
"The international community should rededicate itself to preventing conflict, addressing it when it erupts, and solving it more quickly," she said.
"For that is the only way to create durable solutions for the refugees whose strength inspires us on this World Refugee Day."
Tens of thousands of Syrians have fled their country amid a bloody crackdown on dissent by Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's regime, with most going to Turkey and Lebanon.
Jolie, a goodwill ambassador for the agency since 2001, was promoted to special envoy earlier this year. (AFP)
Actress Angelina Jolie has thanked the people of Bosnia for making her an honorary citizen of Sarajevo.
The actress-turned-director stepped behind the camera last year for "In the Land of Blood and Honey", a story about a romance between a Serbian soldier and a Bosnian woman.
Her efforts were praised by government officials at the Assembly of Sarajevo Canton Parliament for drawing attention to the area, and they decided to award the 36-year-old with a special citizenship prize, reports contactmusic.com.
A ceremony was held May 3 at Sarajevo's National Theatre, where a pre-recorded video message from Jolie was played.
In the clip, she said: "I am deeply grateful to the citizens of Sarajevo and the Sarajevo Canton assembly for bestowing upon me this incredible honour of citizenship. I am so proud to now be a part of such an extraordinary part of the world and fellow citizen to the people I deeply love and admire."
"I wish I could be there with all of you tonight, and I look forward to visiting in July when I can properly accept and personally express my gratitude."
QUITO: Hollywood star Angelina Jolie has visited with displaced Colombians forced to seek refuge across the border in Ecuador, as a special envoy of High Commissioner for Refugees Antonio Guterres, the UNHCR announced Sunday.
It was the first such working visit for the screen star since Guterres named her to the post this month. She has however been a UN goodwill ambassador since 2001, and as such made 40 visits around the world in the past decade.
The new post will see the Oscar-winning actress perform a more diplomatic role.
"She is expected to focus on large-scale crises resulting in the mass displacement of people, to undertake advocacy and represent UNHCR and Mr Guterres at the diplomatic level, engaging with relevant interlocutors on global displacement issues," UNHCR spokesman Adrian Edwards said last week.
Ecuador is the Latin American nation which has the largest number of refugees - including some 56,000 from neighboring Colombia. Jolie visited with refugees in Sucumbios province on Saturday, the UN said. (AFP)
Angelina Jolie visited the HALO Trust charity group on Sunday to support its landmine removal campaign.
The Salt actress met with HALO campaigners in Dumfriesshire, Scotland to endorse the organisation's attempts to defuse landmines in war-torn regions.
Jolie said of her visit: "It was a privilege to visit the HALO headquarters and meet their committed staff. In the aftermath of war, HALO's mine-clearing efforts are fundamental to a safe return and community building."
The HALO Trust has destroyed more than one million landmines around the world since it was founded in 1988.
Jolie has been an ardent supporter of landmine removal and recently met with Croatian President Ivo Josipovic to discuss his country's minesweeping efforts.
The actress is currently living with partner Brad Pitt in Scotland while the actor films the upcoming horror movie World War Z.
Jolie's directorial debut In the Land of Blood and Honey opens on December 23 in US cinemas.
US actress Angelina Jolie visited the Croatian island Brijuni Friday to attend a production of Shakespeare's King Lear, local media reported.
Jolie arrived in a private plane with two of her children, the Jutarnji List daily reported in its online edition.
Before seeing the play, she met with Croatian President Ivo Josipovic and his wife Tanja, national television said.
The Hollywood star was invited to Croatia by fellow actor and friend Rade Serbedzija, who has starred in films such as 'Mission: Impossible II,' 'Batman Begins,' 'X-men: First Class' and 'Harry Potter and Deadly Hallows: Part 1.'
Jolie will spend the night in the presidential residence on Brijuni, will on Saturday meet with Josipovic to discuss the problem of landmines in Croatia. Several landmines dating from the 1991-1995 war in this former Yugoslav republic remain.
The actress made her directorial debut last year. The film recounted a love story of a Muslim woman and a Serb man against the background of Bosnia's 1992-1995 inter-ethnic war.(AFP)
She is one of the highest paid actresses in the world but Angelina Jolie says she doesn't love acting as much as she used to. The 36-year-old star, who raises six children with longtime partner Brad Pitt, said she enjoys playing the role of a mother more now, reported Us magazine.
"I don't love acting as much as I did. I love being a mom. I've never not been grateful to be an actor. But I think when I was younger I needed [acting] more. I was trying to question things in life so you find these characters that help you find things and grow.
"I'm older and I know who I am... and I'm less interested in the character helping me answer something... than in being able to answer it for myself, as a woman, as an adult, with my family," Jolie said.
Her directorial debut 'In the Land of Blood and Honey' is a love story she also wrote, which is set in the Bosnian war.
"I prefer being behind the camera to acting. I think I've learnt something from all of the directors I've worked with even the ones I didn't like... I also learned a lot from Clint Eastwood about how to appreciate the members of the crew, empowering them to do their job," she added.
But Jolie doesn't plan to stay in the business forever.
"As Brad and I get older we're going to do fewer films. I've been working for a long time, he's been working for a long time. We've had a nice run and I don't want to be doing this our whole lives. There are a lot of other things to do," Jolie said.
Hollywood actress Angelina Jolie was close to tears as she received a special award during an unannounced visit to Sarajevo's film festival Saturday with partner Brad Pitt.
"I will start crying if you don't stop," Oscar-awarded Jolie told the audience who gave her a standing ovation at the city's National Theater.
Jolie chose Bosnia's 1992-95 war as the setting for her first film as a director. "In the Land of Blood and Honey" is due to be released in December.
She has also visited Bosnia as a goodwill ambassador for the U.N.'s refugee agency UNHCR and funded the construction of several houses for returnees in eastern Bosnia.
Festival director Mirsad Purivatra presented Jolie with a heart-shaped award when she appeared at the closing ceremony.
"Tonight we are giving the honorary Heart of Sarajevo to a great artist, not only for the great impact she has in the world of cinema but also for persisting and her active engagement in the complexities of the real world we live in," Purivatra said.
Jolie, dressed in a long peach dress, stood on stage with eyes full of tears waiting for the clapping to die down.
"I told Brad in the car I was afraid I was going to cry," she said, her voice breaking.
Jolie's film tells the story of a love affair between a Bosniak (Bosnian Muslim) woman and a Serb, who were on opposite warring sides during the conflict.
She planned to shoot parts of the film in Sarajevo and engaged a local crew. But she had to move to Budapest after some female victims of sexual violence objected to details in the plot and Bosnian authorities canceled a filming permit.
"I am so honored to be here at this festival," Jolie said after receiving the award. "There is no greater example of the strengths of the artists and the festival that began during the war and grew stronger every year."
The Sarajevo film festival was launched toward the end of the Bosnian capital's 43-month siege by Bosnian Serb forces.
Jolie presented Austrian actor Thomas Schubert with the award for the best actor for his role in the film "Atmen," directed by Karl Markovics.
Atmen, about a young offender searching for his mother, was also named best film in the festival.
Romanian actress Ada Condeascu won the prize for best actress for her role in the film "Loverboy." (Reuters)
Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt will apparently not be getting married in the near future.
Rumours surfaced earlier this week claiming that the couple planned to exchange vows in the next few months in an "intimate and informal" ceremony.
However, while Pitt has revealed that he would consider marrying Jolie at the request of their six children, sources have denied suggestions that such plans have been set in stone.
An insider called rumours of a wedding "false", adding that "there is no evidence nor any single truth" to the claims that Jolie and Pitt will tie the knot.
Pitt recently spoke out in support of gay marriage and New York's Marriage Equality Act, calling marriage a "constitutional right".
He has also said that he and Jolie go to extreme lengths in order to avoid the prying eyes of the press.
ANGELINA Jolie and Sarah Jessica Parker have been named Hollywood's highest-paid actresses by America's Forbes magazine.
Jolie has enjoyed a number of hit films over the past 12 months, including Salt and The Tourist, which have helped her rake in an estimated $US30 million ($A28.13 million) salary between May, 2010 and May, 2011, putting her in joint first place with Parker.
Parker's multi-million dollar earnings came mostly from re-runs of her Sex and The City TV shows, as well as the second movie in the series last year, and her numerous side projects which include a perfume line and a role with fashion house Halston.
Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon came joint third with earnings of $US28 million ($A26.26 million) each, according to Forbes, while Julia Roberts came fifth with $US20 million ($A18.76 million).
Angelina Jolie is to travel to Turkey to meet with Syrian refugees forced to flee their country amid pro-democracy crackdowns.
The Salt actress's request to visit with the displaced has been approved by Turkey's foreign ministry and plans are under way for Jolie to arrive in Hatay for a tour of refugee camps on Friday, AFP reports.
Thousands of Syrians have evacuated their country since President Bashar al-Assad ordered his military forces to quell growing protests calling for democratic reforms.
US President Barack Obama has initiated economic sanctions against Assad and several other Syrian government officials in response to growing violence between pro and anti-government factions.
Jolie's trip to the region is the latest example of her decade-long commitment to advocating human rights on behalf of the UN High Commission for Refugees.
In recent months, Jolie toured Pakistan after floods ravaged sections of the country and called on world leaders to increase aid to those affected by the political conflict in Libya.
A source close to the star previously claimed that Jolie feels a "deep need" to champion the plights of the war-torn and downtrodden.
Angelina Jolie's directorial debut -- a controversial movie set in wartime Bosnia -- has a name and a release date.
"In the Land of Blood and Honey" will be released in the United States on December 23, producers said in a statement on Monday, just in time for Oscar consideration.
"The film is specific to the Bosnian War, but it's also universal," Jolie said in a statement. "I wanted to tell a story of how human relationships and behavior are deeply affected by living inside a war."
Jolie, who also wrote the screenplay, last year described the then untitled movie as a love story between a Serbian man and a Bosnian woman on the eve of the 1992-95 Balkans conflict, in which 100,000 people died.
But it caused controversy in Bosnia with some female victims of sexual violence objecting to details in the plot and Bosnian authorities canceling a filming permit. As a result, some scenes scheduled to be shot in Sarajevo were moved to Budapest, Hungary.
Jolie, who won a supporting actress Oscar for "Girl, Interrupted", and who is a United Nations goodwill ambassador, has asked the people of Bosnia to withhold judgment until they see the completed film.
"In the Land of Blood and Honey" features a local cast, and was shot in both the English and Serbo-Croat languages.
Producers Graham King and Tim Headington on Monday called it a "bold new film (which) illustrates the consequences of the lack of political will to intervene in a society stricken with conflict." (Reuters)
With six children, a thriving film career, and commitments as a UN Goodwill Ambassador, we're not quite sure how Angelina Jolie finds time for partner Brad Pitt, let alone anything else.
But the star has somehow managed to create a full fine jewellery collection, which went on display for the first time in Beverly Hills yesterday.
Each piece in the Style of Jolie line, designed in collaboration with jeweller Robert Procop, features semi-precious and precious stones, from white quartz and citrine to emeralds and diamonds.
The collection, which is displayed as an exhibition at Julien's Gallery, was created to raise funds for the Education Partnership for Children in Conflict.
The actress was not present at the launch, but she has already been seen wearing her jewellery designs in public.
She wore a pair of yellow gold and green beryl 'Tablet' drop earrings to the New York premiere of her film The Tourist last December.
Mr Procop explained that the design was inspired by a gift he and Ms Jolie designed for Mr Pitt one Christmas, and was based on the concept of 'ancient carved tablet engravings, encapsulating the essence of hidden meaning'.
The Premiere black faceted necklace, which features 47 black spinels set in 18k rose gold was worn by Ms Jolie to the premiere of her movie, Salt, is also on show. An image of her wearing the piece is displayed alongside it in the gallery.
Among the other designs is the five-row citrine tablet bracelet, designed to create 'an elegant cascade down the arm of the wearer', according to Mr Procop's website.
Also part of the display is a large pear-shaped green beryl pendant, and the Exceptional Emerald necklace, which boasts 103 carats of 'vivid green' stones - the highest-quality classification - set in yellow gold.
In a statement on the jeweller's website, Ms Jolie described the creative process involved in creating the collection.
She wrote: 'In collaborating with Robert, we identified favorite characteristics like vivid colors and dramatic faceting, in each gemstone. From there, everything fell into place.
'By making the gemstone the main focus of the design, we feel the simplicity of each piece becomes timeless.
'Beyond enjoying the artistic satisfaction of designing these jewels, we have been fortified by knowing that our work is also serving our mutual goal of providing for children in need.'
Mr Procop, in turn, was full of admiration for the star, describing the result as 'artistic'.
Speaking in a video to promote the exhibition, he said: 'This is a collaboration between Angelina Jolie and myself, and designing beautiful jewels as a piece of an art form.
'What we’re showing here is a collection that Angelina and I have been working on for the last nine months or so, building not only a part of her style, but real artistic forms, using gemstones as a centerpiece.
'But our main mission is helping children in crisis by educating children around the world.'
The exhibition is by invitation only, and also includes a vintage diamond choker worn by Ms Jolie in The Tourist.
Mr Procop revealed that there had already been 'great interest' in the collection.
Angelina Jolie reportedly has a "deep need" to help others.
The actress, who raises six children with her partner Brad Pitt, is renowned for her charity work.
A source told Grazia: "Angelina sees so many children suffering and she makes a point of bonding with each child she meets, so it's natural she wants to bring some of them home with her.
"She has this deep need to save the world."
The new co-ordinates that Jolie has had tattooed on her arm match Shawnee in Oklahoma, where Pitt was born.
It is thought that this is why she chose the permanent marking, although the star has not confirmed this.
Another insider explained: "That tattoo is her way of saying they'll always be tied together."
Jolie, who is a goodwill ambassador, made a public plea this week for increased aid for those affected by the current political conflict in Libya.
Angelina Jolie has called for increased aid for those affected by the current political conflict in Libya.
The actress - who serves as goodwill ambassador for the United Nations' UNHCR refugee agency - made a public plea this week after those who escaped the country's violence relayed stories of "heavy fighting, harassment and assaults", reports Reuters.
A spokesperson for the organisation also revealed that the Jolie-Pitt Foundation purchased an ambulance to be used to provide medical assistance to those fleeing Libya through the Tunisian border. The charity also bought 177 plane tickets for refugees leaving the country.
"The international community has done well to reinforce Tunisia's remarkable relief effort," Jolie said in a statement for the UNHCR. "But with 2,000 people still crossing each day, we cannot let the funding dry up and need to sustain the momentum.
"They're waiting here with little hope, unable to return home and unsure of what's to come. This constant cycle of displacement must finally come to an end."
Jolie first spoke out in support of Libyan citizens last month while addressing crowds in Kabul, Afghanistan.
She has previously visited child refugees in Ecuador as part of her role as goodwill ambassador.
Angelina Jolie recently showed off a seventh tattoo in her arm, sparking rumours about a new adoption. Or it could be a tribute to her partner Brad Pitt.
The 35-year-old Hollywood actress has added a seventh line to her list of co-ordinates, which refer to the birthplace of her six children, reports the Daily Mail.
While the exact numerics cannot be made out on the new tattoo, it has been suggested that it either refers to the latitude and longitude of Pitt''s birthplace, Oklahoma, or that of a secret child they couple may be planning to adopt.
Jolie''s new artwork was snapped as she toured a refugee camp Tuesday on the Tunisian-Libyan border.
She is currently there in her capacity as a UN goodwill ambassador to appeal for aid for the thousands fleeing war-torn Libya.
The Oscar-winning actress, who has around 14 tattoos, was pictured on the red carpet in December at the Spanish premiere of 'The Tourist' with just six lines of co-ordinates.
Each one refers to the respective birthplaces of her children — Maddox, 9, Pax, 7, Zahara, 6, Shiloh, 4, and two-year-old twins Vivienne and Knox.
Celebrity website Wonderwall has asserted that the latest one, based on the numbers that can be made out, points to Algeria.
However, in February the actress denied reports she was planning to expand her brood.
U.S. publication 'In Touch' claims to have inside knowledge that the marking is actually a tribute to Brad.
"She got the seventh line right around the time she and Brad moved the kids back to LA. After dragging their kids around the world, Angelina has finally agreed to Brad's long-standing request to settle down," said a source.
"But in return, she demanded a permanent commitment — the tattoo, which signifies family unity," the source added.
Angelina Jolie has reportedly bought Brad Pitt a £250,000 ring for his 47th birthday.
The actress hopes that the ring will also act as a wedding band if plans for them to marry in February go ahead, according to the Daily Star Sunday.
A source said: "The band has each of their children's names on it and Angie's on the top. This is a family wedding band to symbolise Brad isn't just married to Angelina but to the family as a whole. It was described as absolutely exquisite.
"She told me there are mystical references to his 47th birthday that have also been engraved on the band and the family all have their own interpretations of what the band means to them and what 47 means to them."
Jolie will apparently throw a party for Pitt at the couple's home, where the whole family will present him with the ring.
At New York art supply store, the famous couple Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie took their twin kids, Vivienne and Knox at Lee’s Art Shop for a visit last Saturday in Manhattan. This place is considered as the all-time favorite place of the family.
Angelina dresses herself beautifully as usual, while Brad was handsome and friendly. Also, the twins look amazing and adorable having the sweetest faces on earth. Photographers were reportedly restrained at bay by a bodyguard, who prevented the paparazzi to go near into the store for the family’s picture.
As reported previously, these famous couple together with their cute little angels went for a ride in the waterways of Paris for Pax’s seventh birthday celebration last Sunday. The family was seen riding a boat down the river of Seine last weekend.
We all know that definitely, Brad and Angelina’s kids were admired by almost all people. No doubt these kids were followed by various paparazzi just like their famous parents. That’s what happens when two of the big stars in Hollywood get married and yield kids that are also admired by many people.
Angelina Jolie finally made a move to issue a statement regarding the constant rumors of her against some critics in Bosnia where she is supposed to shoot the first film she’ll be directing. The said Bosnian critics have tried their best to block the Oscar winner from shooting the film on their country because of its complicated plot.
Angelina, on the other hand, said that there is only person who is against the film but that the majority of the citizens, the cast of the movie, the president, and the prime minister have been very supportive of her project.
The ruckus started when a group of female victims became upset after they’ve learned that Jolie’s still untitled film will be about the story of a Bosnian Muslim woman who fell in love with the Serbian solder who raped her during the conflict of the 1990s.
Even though this news proved to be nothing but just a rumor, it caused enough stirrings that the Bosnian minister decided not to issue a film permit, saying that the film does not have enough paperwork. This did not last, however, because the permit was reissued a few days later.
Jolie announced that she will spare time to talk to the Bosnian critics in person to smoothen out the problem.
Actress Angelina Jolie has been pictured stripping off as she seduces her co-star actor Johnny Depp in The Tourist.
Jolie, 35, was seen letting her silky robe fall to the floor before sharing a saucy snog with Depp, 47, in the newly released trailer, the Sun reported.
Depp plays an American tourist who meets the mysterious Elise on a train in Italy and gets drawn into a complicated spy plot.
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