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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Bond the cause of Cold War II

Olga Kurylenko (Associated Press / The Spokesman-Review)

The clock has turned back, comrade. Russia’s Communist Party claims that Ukrainian-born Olga Kurylenko, who is cast opposite Daniel Craig in “Quantum of Solace,” is a disgrace to her people.

“Quantum of Solace,” which opens Nov. 14, features British agent 007 searching for those responsible for the death of his lover, Vesper Lynd (Eva Green), who died in 2006’s “Casino Royale.”

“In the name of all communists, we appeal to you, prodigal daughter of poor Ukraine and deserter of Slavic world,” the party said on its Web site. The Soviet Union, the party added, “gave you free education, free medical care, but nobody knew you would commit an act of … moral betrayal” by bedding Bond, “who in his movies kills hundreds of Soviet people.”

Party official Sergei Malenkovich told the Associated Press that “Quantum” was “an insult for Russians. … It’s a part of information and psychological war.”

They love you, yeah, yeah, yeah

Apples Corps Ltd. and MTV have announced that, in partnership with Rock Band creator Harmonix, they’ll create a video game built around Beatles music. The Beatles game, which will be in stores for the 2009 holiday season, will be “a new, full-blown custom game” that will offer “an experiential journey through the band’s career,” according to Jeff Jones, chief executive officer of Apple Corps.

It’ll be a posh shoot, no doubt

Like her husband, David Beckham, before her, Victoria Beckham has announced that she will pose for Armani underwear ads. Giorgio Armani says he chose the once and always Posh Spice because she is a “style icon” and “a dynamic lady.” Must be why she’s getting a reported $20 million or so for the job.

‘Tintin’ fans rejoice

The planned “Tintin” movie, to be directed by Steven Spielberg and produced by Peter Jackson, is close to a new financing deal. The film is based on comics by the Belgian artist Hergé.

Spielberg and Jackson plan to make two movies about Tintin, a young red-headed reporter, and his dog, Snowy, using motion-capture/computer technology in a style that’s part-animated, part-real, as in “Monster House” and “Beowulf.”

Dion hungry for another rugrat

Though she knows it won’t be easy, Celine Dion wants another baby. It took six years and in-vitro fertilization treatments for Dion and her husband-manager, René Angélil, to have their son, René-Charles, now 7.

“We’ll give it a try after my tour” ends in February,” Dion told Oprah Winfrey. “Hopefully, we will be parents again. If not, that’s fine. We have our miracle baby.”

The birthday bunch

Former CBS news anchorman Walter Cronkite is 92. Actress Doris Roberts (“Everybody Loves Raymond”) is 78. Actress Loretta Swit (“MASH”) is 71. Singer Delbert McClinton is 68. Actress Markie Post is 58. Actress Kathy Griffin is 48. Actor Ralph Macchio is 47. “Survivor” host Jeff Probst is 47. Actor Matthew McConaughey is 39. Rapper-producer Diddy (Sean Combs) is 39. Singer Shawn Rivera of Az Yet is 37. Actress Heather Tom (“The Bold and the Beautiful”) is 33.