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Supermodel Naomi Campbell's testimony about a "blood diamond" in the war crimes trial of ex- Liberian leader Charles Taylor has been postponed until August 5 at her request, a court spokesman said on Monday.

Prosecutors want Campbell to testify over a diamond they allege former president Taylor gave her. She was due to appear in court on July 29, but on July 16 asked for a later date.

A spokesman for the war crimes court said on Monday judges had approved the request, adding that Campbell was now scheduled to give testimony at 3 a.m. ET on August 5.

The prosecution has said Campbell could provide material evidence to rebut Taylor's claims that he never possessed rough diamonds. They accuse Taylor of taking diamonds to South Africa to buy weapons, which he denies.

In January, prosecutors said that during a visit to South Africa in 1997, Taylor gave Campbell a large rough cut diamond after a dinner hosted by Nelson Mandela.

A spokeswoman for Campbell earlier confirmed she had agreed to provide testimony but stressed Campbell was a witness who had only been asked to help clarify events.

"For avoidance of doubt she is not being accused of any wrongdoing and is not on trial," the spokeswoman said.

On trial in The Hague, Taylor denies all 11 charges of instigating murder, rape, mutilation, sexual slavery and conscription of child soldiers during wars in Liberia and Sierra Leone in which more than 250,000 people were killed.

(Reporting by Aaron Gray-Block; Editing by Mark Heinrich)

Supermodel Naomi Campbell shocked onlookers during a recent photo shoot when her hair extensions were pulled back that showed a bald patch.  The 40-year-old is reported to suffer from a condition called traction alopecia that is said to be related with braiding, weaving and hair extensions.

Daniela Elser has a photo of the model with her hair pulled back and more on the shoot where Naomi wore a fur coat in 90 degree heat to get the right shot.

More Campbell news, the supermodel will be forced to give evidence in a war crimes trial over an alleged gift of a "blood diamond". Former African leader Charles Taylor, who is accused of using illegally mined diamonds to fund warfare, is said to have given the supermodel one of the uncut gems at a party hosted by Nelson Mandela in 1997.
The supermodel has been ordered to take the stand at The Hague on July 29 in the case against the former Liberian President who is charged with war crimes and crimes against humanity. It is alleged that he armed rebels in return for diamonds during the Sierra Leone civil war, and prosecutors believe her evidence could disprove previous claims made by Taylor, 62, the Daily Star reported. Campbell has so far refused to appear in court but a Special Court for Sierra Leone at The Hague, means she now has no choice but to give "material evidence" at the hearing.

Friends of the British model have already taken the stand saying Campbell told them she had received the gift. Giving evidence in April, actress Mia Farrow, 65, said: “You don’t forget when a girlfriend tells you she was given a huge diamond.” Taylor has denied giving her the diamond.
A Campbell spokesman said she had “no comment”.
(Image: Splash News)

Naomi Campbell used to think she "wouldn't survive" the modelling world.

The 40-year-old British beauty admits she pushed herself too hard because she thought she would go "crazy" if she had to sit down and evaluate what she wanted out of life.

She said: "To be honest, there were times I thought I wouldn't survive. The time between 1998 and 2005 was especially bad. During that time I avoided looking in the mirror, because I didn't like the person who was looking back at me.

"So I had to find out what I wanted and what I didn't want. The thing is, as a model you're used to being on the go, so just the thought of sitting down and thinking about something drives you crazy.

"I used to have a lot of problems. Amongst others I drank too much so I joined the Alcoholics Anonymous to get and stay sober."

Naomi Campbell celebrated her 40th birthday by partying with Jennifer Lopez and Mary J. Blige.

The model and the two stars danced to a 45-minute set by the Black Eyed Peas at the bash held at the Hotel Du Cap in Cannes and organised by Naomi's billionaire boyfriend Vladislav Doronin.

A source said: "Naomi was loving every minute of it, she had so much energy and was dancing all night. It felt more like a party for someone in their 20s."

Other guests included Grace Jones and model Eva Herzigova - who arrived by boat.

Prosecutors trying a war crimes case at the Special Court for Sierra Leone in the Netherlands are seeking permission to subpoena supermodel Naomi Campbell.

ABC News said the lawyers want Campbell to testify about whether she received so-called blood diamonds from former Liberian president Charles Taylor.

Carol White, Campbell's former modeling agent from 1992 to 2007, has told prosecutors she witnessed several men who worked for Taylor presenting Campbell with a "half dozen" uncut diamonds in 1997.

White said Campbell was not impressed by the uncut gems and listened to her when she suggested getting rid of them. White added that Campbell gave the stones to an unnamed third party.

The model has previously declined to testify at the trial, in which Taylor is accused of paying with uncut diamonds for weapons for a bloody rebellion in neighboring Sierra Leone.

ABC said Campbell's representatives did not immediately respond to its requests for comment on its story.

White and Campbell are suing each other over past business dealings, the report said.

Music mix - Cheryl Cole collects big at Cannes and Te Amo singer Rihanna (pictured) has admitted that she likes to date guys who make her laugh. The 21-year-old beauty, who is touring the UK, said she likes guys who are down to earth. Rihanna is currently dating Los Angeles Dodgers star Matt Kemp.

She said to UK newspaper Daily Record: "Definitely a guy with a sense of humor because I love to laugh. "Someone who doesn't take themselves too seriously, who likes to have fun - it should all be fun.
"Being in a relationship should be something that is exciting and makes you happy, so if the guy makes me happy, then he gets a chance."

More music...Singer Cheryl Cole reportedly picked up a staggering £250,000 for a 30-minute set at a party in Cannes.
The 26-year-old star performed at a dinner party thrown by jewellery brand De Grisogono at the posh Hotel Du Cap. She picked a gold top and slashed trousers for the event and was accompanied by her pal Will.I.Am from Black Eyed Peas. Guests at the bash included Paris Hilton, Lionel Richie and Naomi Campbell, who all watched her performance.
The Black Eyed Peas rapper then took the star to Monaco, where she got to see him perform at the World Music Awards.
(Image: Splash News)

Naomi Campbell likes "strong" men.

The British supermodel - who has been dating Russian billionaire Vladislav Doronin for around three years - admits she is attracted to people who know their own minds and are not afraid to stand up to her.

She said: "I like men that are strong. I like the men to wear the pants. I like strong men that know what they want, know what they are doing, that tell me what to do.

"I cannot tell Vlad what to do."

The 39-year-old star - who has previously been in relationships with stars including Robert De Niro and Usher - also quashed speculation she will only date rich men.

Naomi Campbell broke down in tears as she blamed her notorious temper on "abandonment issues".

The supermodel was questioned by TV host Oprah Winfrey, who confronted her frankly about her temper - which has seen her previously lash out at her own staff, camera crews, police officers and airline workers.

Naomi blamed her furious outbursts on her mother, who left her at home while she pursued a career as a ballet dancer.

When asked by Oprah if she was "just a petulant diva", she replied: "It comes from a deeper place than that with me. It comes from another type of emotional disorder because it's not just, if I don't get what I want I throw a fit.

"It comes from, I think, an abandonment issue and it comes from also trying to just build up a family around me that's not my immediate family and if I feel a mistrust, then, all my cards go down. It's not a right thing to do. I just see red."

Naomi Campbell lost her cool and angrily knocked away an ABC camera after being quizzed over allegations she was given a "blood diamond" by the deposed African despot Charles Taylor. "I didn't receive a diamond and I'm not going to speak about that," Campbell told ABC News in a brief outburst before walking out of an interview and punching the camera in a producer's hand.

Prosecutors in the Hague for the UN-backed Special Court for Sierra Leone say Campbell has refused their requests to be interviewed about the allegations.
Campbell would not answer questions from ABC about her alleged refusal to cooperate with the international criminal tribunal.

Her London-based lawyer also declined to comment. Campbell's alleged receipt of a "blood diamond" first surfaced after actress Mia Farrow told prosecutors she heard Campbell describe a "huge diamond" she had received from Taylor. "You don't forget when a girlfriend tells you she was given a huge diamond in the middle of the night," Farrow insisted.
Farrow said she and Campbell were both guests at the home of South African president Nelson Mandela while Taylor was also visiting. She said Campbell described in detail a middle of the night visit from two of Taylor's men.

"She said during the night, some men had knocked at her door and she, half-asleep, had opened the door and it was representatives of President Charles Taylor and that they had given her a huge diamond," Farrow told ABC News.
"We were like, 'oh my gosh.'" Under cross-examination at the trial, Taylor repeatedly denied he had a large quantity of diamonds or that he sent one to Naomi Campbell.
(Image: Splash News)

Naomi Campbell will enjoy a lavish 40th birthday bash. The British-born star's billionaire Russian boyfriend Vladimir Doronin will throw Campbell the party on the French Riviera, according to reports.

Campbell's birthday is May 22 and her party will coincide with the Cannes Film Festival the same month. Doronin will splash millions of dollars on the party, whose guests will include Campbell's famous fashion pals and Hollywood A-listers.

"Naomi's birthday is going to be as lavish as other recent big celebrity birthdays, such as Sean Combs, Jay-Z and Simon Cowell. Invites are already being sent out and people are expected to jet in from New York, London and Moscow," an insider told the New York Post.
"Vladimir is planning and paying for the whole event, which is slated for May 22 in or near Cannes. "There will be a series of events for Naomi, leading up to the big party at a secret location, which is believed to be on a super-yacht."

Campbell and Doronin met at the 2008 Cannes festival, onboard a yacht moored off St Tropez. The supermodel has previously claimed she would struggle to see 40 because of battles with low self-esteem and alcohol.
Campbell's representative declined to comment.
(Image: Splash News)