Saturday 11 February 2017

Amber Rose, Val Chmerkovskiy part ways

Model-actress #Amber_Rose and dancer #Val_Chmerkovskiy are said to be no longer a couple, reports eonline.com.

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They dated for nearly five months.

The pair met while Rose was dancing with Val's brother and choreographer Maksim Chmerkovskiy on "Dancing With the Stars" last year and first sparked romance rumours after being spotted together at a birthday party in October 2016. 

In early January, she gushed over her man, saying: "It's amazing. It's so good. It's been four months now, and it's awesome. I love his family and everyone's so great. He's great."

She added: "Right now, it's just absolutely amazing and I'm super, super happy."

The pair posted several back-to-back photos of one another throughout their romance on social media. But the last time they shared anything was on Rose's Instagram account three weeks ago.

How to choose jewellery to gift for V-Day

Look out for quality and style while keeping in mind the budget before selecting jewellery as a gift on Valentine's Day, an expert suggests.

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Jewellery designer Pritesh Goyal lists the factors one must think about before making a purchase:

Quality: When you are gifting something like jewellery, quality matters a lot because you can't afford to let these pricey gifts of yours get broken in a day or two. Do a research on how to check quality of precious metals and stones, before going through the stores. When in a store, remember to ask for documents proving authentication of jewels, like diamond certificates.

Style: When you have decided to gift jewellerey to your Valentine, then make sure you have clear cut and exact knowledge of their style and taste. Do a detailed observation of what gemstones or metal types she likes to have and in which size or style she loves to have them. If she has a favourite designer, brand or store, then prefer going there only to buy something special for your love.

Budget: You should have a set price range in your mind. This will help you in selecting your special piece without wasting much time and effort. Don't set the exact price number, but select a range from which you can flexibly go up and down. Sticking to budget is important for overall satisfaction with the jewellery.

JLo, Drake's relationship 'fizzled' out due to hectic schedules

Singer-actress #Jennifer_Lopez and rapper #Drake have called it quits on their romantic relationship as they were reportedly busy with their hectic schedules.

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According to a source, though the duo have separated for now, Lopez and Drake are keen on giving it another chance "in the future".

"She likes Drake. They're just busy, so it has fizzled," the source told etonline.com.

"She's a mom with an insanely busy career. He's touring in Europe. Who knows what will happen in the future when they're more able to be in the same place," the source added.
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Ashley Roberts's rebellious childhood inspired her shoe line

Singer #Ashley_Roberts, former member of #ThePussycatDolls, says her rebellious childhood inspired her shoe line - #Allyn, which is titled after her middle name.

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"My father was a musician and he was in the Mamas and the Papas for a little bit, and I grew up around creativity, rock and roll. So a lot of my inspiration is from what I saw growing up," Roberts said during an interview to website BANG Showbiz about her latest venture and what influenced her designs, reports femalefirst.co.uk.

"A lot of the buckles on my shoe are inspired by Phoenix, Arizona, because we have a lot of Western cowboys, so I really tried to tie in my inspiration from growing up with my father, and also what inspired me as a teenager - rebelling."

The singer added: "Different celebrities; whether they were an actress, whether they were an artiste, whether they were a 1990s supermodel... I was just really inspired in the 1990s, I think I was hitting an age where I was a sponge of what was going on in pop culture.

"A lot of them were Ani DiFranco, Prince, and then some 1990s supermodels like Cindy Crawford and Claudia Schiffer, Drew Barrymore and Alicia Silverstone, Liv Tyler, so it was kind of inspiration that I took on to design the shoe."

She shared her range is a "nice balance" between masculine and feminine styles, which she believes will make women feel empowered when they don her creations.
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Spencer's to launch apparel section next week

#Spencer's Retail Limited, a part of the Rs 19,000 crore RP-Sanjiv Goenka Group, will be launching a whole new apparel section next week, a company official said on Friday.

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The multi-format retailer has been taking a string of measures to improve its performance as listing of this was expected soon.

"Spencer's is right for listing for sure, it is absolutely right for listing. It clocked company level Ebitda positive for six month in a row. We are very optimistic about the performance of the company as we go forward," said Group's Chairman Sanjiv Goenka.

"Apart from food, apparel is a very good focus area for us. A vast range of products will be launched next week. Apparel contributes much higher margin than foods," he said.

Spencer's Retail (SRL), a wholly-owned subsidiary of power utility CESC, clocked average revenue per square ft per month to Rs 1,740 in the December quarter from Rs 1,452 during last fiscal.

Guide to safeguard your skin while travelling

Travelling can sometimes take away your skin's natural glow. Exhaustion, ignorance, improper diet, hectic schedule and the changing weather are a deadly combination when it comes to ruining a glowing skin. Always moisturise your skin and keep yourself hydrated, says an expert.

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Here are a few tips by Megha Shah, cosmetologist, Beauty and Curves Clinic to keep your skin healthy and supple while you travel. 

♦ Keep your moisturiser handy: Apply intense moisturising cream the night before you are travelling, this will help you keep your skin hydrated and moisturised, saving you from the adverse weather conditions. Many places with direct sunlight or wind dry the skin and damages the texture. Re-apply the moisturiser while you travel to maintain a soft, supple skin irrespective of the weather conditions.

♦ Sunscreen: Irrespective of the season, apply sunscreen generously to save your skin from the harsh effects of UV rays. This way you can protect your skin from tanning and sunburns. Excessive exposure to the sun also result in early ageing therefore, sunscreen is an ideal product to save yourself.

♦ Cleanser: While travelling, your skin attracts a lot of dirt and dust which gets accumulated on your skin and causes breakouts. A cleanser will wash it all out and keep your skin clean and refreshed. It is also important to keep your cleanser with you as even a slight change in skincare products may act abruptly on your skin and cause vacation breakout.

Recreational drug may accelerate ageing of heart

Individuals who make protracted use of recreational drug amphetamine, popularly known as speed, ice, and ecstasy, may be at risk of speeding up the biological ageing of their heart, new research suggests.

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Amphetamine is a stimulant and is associated with cardiovascular system effects, including speeding up the heart rate, sharply increasing blood pressure and boosting the risk of stroke, heart attack and aneurysm rupture.

Long term use of amphetamine sends the sympathetic nervous system and production of the 'fight or flight' hormone adrenaline into overdrive, the study said.

The researchers found that the effects amphetamine were seen in both men and women and irrespective of other potential risk factors for heart disease and stroke.

"The study implies that recurrent habitual amphetamine abuse ages the cardiovasculature and likely the whole organism generally. It is therefore conceivable that stimulant abusers do physiological and cardiovascular harm," said Albert Stuart Reece, associate professor at University of Western Australia.

Intake of fish oil may help fight asthma

Consumption of #fish_oil, which is rich in omega 3 fatty acids, may be beneficial for patients with inflammatory diseases such as asthma.

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The findings, led by researchers at University of Rochester in New York, found that omega-3 fatty acid products can reduce the production of IgE -- the antibodies that cause allergic reactions and asthma symptoms in people with milder cases of asthma.

Once ingested, the omega 3 fatty acids convert to special pro-resolving mediators that halt inflammation without suppressing the immune system. 

However, in patients with severe asthma who use high doses of oral steroids, the omega-3 fatty acids were found less effective because the corticosteroids block the beneficial effects.

Previous studies have shown that certain fatty acids contained in fish oil regulate the function of B cells. 

Why some songs give you pleasure akin to sex, drugs

The brain-chemical system that is linked to pleasure while listening to one's favourite song also draws pleasure from sex and recreational drugs as well as lip-smacking food, shows a recent study.

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The findings demonstrated that the brain's own opioids are directly involved in musical pleasure.

In the study, when the researchers prescribed naltrexone -- a drug widely used for treating addiction disorders -- the participants no longer elicited feelings of pleasure for their favourite songs.

"This is the first demonstration that the brain's own opioids are directly involved in musical pleasure," said Daniel Levitin, cognitive psychologist at McGill University in Canada, in the paper published in the journal Scientific Reports.

Choose night cream smartly

Night time is when one's skin gets the maximum rest, repair and time to rejuvenate. So always remember to wash and deep cleanse your face before you apply your night time moisturiser for the best results. But how do you decide what constitutes a good moisturiser?

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Divya Mehta, co-founder of skincare brand Epique, shares tips to keep in mind when deciding on a good night cream:

♦ It doesn't need to have the word ‘night' to describe it: The difference between a night cream and any other is that it doesn't have UV protection or any sunscreen ingredients in it. Hence you don't necessarily need to use a cream that uses the word ‘night' to define it. So long as the cream does not contain sunscreen, works well with your skin type and is rich in active ingredients, you are good to go!

♦ High concentration of active ingredients: Look for components such as boswellia serrata, coffee bean extract, centella asiatica, andrographis, liquorice, coleus forskolin, horse chestnut, oils, vitamins like E and C and other antioxidants to name a few (in your night crème). In addition to these, actives need to be highly concentrated to address specific mature skin issues.

♦ Deep penetrating and light weight in texture: Ensure the cream texture is light, penetrates deeply and is comfortable for your skin. Try avoiding creams that sit on the skin's surface and don't get absorbed well, causing the skin to feel oily.

♦ Choose a night cream that is compatible with your skin type: This step may require some trial and error. Whether your skin is oily, dry or combination, there is a perfect solution for you out there. Find a moisturizer that is compatible with your specific skin type. Try testing the cream on the back of your hand before you buy it. The product should sink into your skin easily and leave a dewy look. That is a good sign that this cream may work well for you.

Math performance may affect students emotionally

If your child is good at maths, chances are that he or she may have an increase in positive emotions, but bad results in maths may trigger negative emotions such as anxiety and boredom, a new study has found.

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The findings showed that mathematics -- a subject that is known to trigger strong emotions in students -- impacted their academic performance for years.

"Successful performance in math increased students' positive emotions and decreased their negative emotions over the years," said Stephanie Lichtenfeld from the University of Munich in Germany.

Students with higher intelligence had better grades and test scores, but those who also enjoyed and took pride in math had even better achievement. 

While, students who experienced anger, anxiety, shame, boredom or hopelessness had lower achievements.

"In contrast, students with poor grades and test scores suffered from a decline in positive emotions and an increase in negative emotions, such as math anxiety and math boredom. Thus, these students become caught in a downward spiral of negative emotion and poor achievement," Lichtenfeld added.

For the study, published in the journal Child Development, the team studied 3,425 German students from grades five to nine belonging to different socio-economic backgrounds, whose annual assessments of emotions and achievement in math were evaluated.

Took 25 years for SRK, Aamir to pose together

Superstars #Shah_Rukh_Khan and #Aamir_Khan, who have known each other for over two decades, have posed together for the first time for a selfie.

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"Known each other for 25 years and this is the first picture we have taken together of ourselves. It was a fun night," Shah Rukh tweeted on Saturday.

The duo was reportedly together at the birthday bash of entrepreneur Ajay Bijli in Dubai on Friday.

With over 28,000 likes and 8,000 retweets, the image has gone viral on social media.

Although having known each other for many years, Shah Rukh and Aamir are yet to share screen space in full-length roles. 

However, both of them have made fleeting appearance together in 1993 film "Pehla Nasha". 

While Shah Rukh is enjoying the successful run of "Raees", Aamir is basking in the phenomenal run of "Dangal".

Kylie Minogue ditches bra for photoshoot

Singer #Kylie_Minogue went braless for her first photoshoot since splitting from her fiance #Joshua_Sasse.

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The Australian singer ditched her undergarment while posing for the photoshoot in a plunging cream satin night dress for a new Specsavers campaign, reports aceshowbiz.com.

The "Spinning around" hitmaker strikes various poses as she sports a pair of brown glasses of the opticians brand. She can be seen in one photograph lying on a white bed while seductively gazing at the camera. 

In another image, she rocks different outfit. Ditching her racy look, the 48-year-old pairs a dark blazer with jeans. She looks more elegant as she sports different frame while holding her drink. 

Bowled by Akshay's confidence in 'Jolly LLB 2': Aanand L. Rai

Filmmaker #Aanand_L_Rai says actor #Akshay_Kumars "ease and confidence" in the new courtroom drama film #Jolly_LLB_2 has bowled him over.

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Akshay plays the role of lawyer Jagdishwar Mishra aka Jolly in the Subhash Kapoor directorial, which released on Friday.

"Enjoyed watching ‘Jolly LLB 2'. Bowled by ease and confidence of Akshay Kumar, the way he owns the character. Huma Qureshi you make ‘Jolly LLB 2' more real," Rai posted on Twitter.

The film is a sequel to the 2013 film "Jolly LLB", which featured Arshad Warsi in the title role and went on to win the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Hindi.

Don't know if I have guts to write an autobiography: Juhi Chawla

Actress #Juhi_Chawla says she doesn't think she has the courage to write an autobiography.

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"As much I laughed, that much I cried also. I don't know if I have guts to write an autobiography," Juhi said at the launch of Divya Dutta's book "Me & Maa" on Thursday.

While recalling her fond memories with her mother, Juhi said: "I wanted to be as my mother. She used to dress very nicely when she used to go to work at a renowned hotel. I loved her appearance. When she came to know that I wanted to be like her she told me, 'Do something interesting'."

Juhi even recalled her first earning of Rs 1000 from small modelling contract which she gave to her mother.

"My mother was very touched and emotional that day. I was just 11 and I got my first earning," she said.

Freida celebrates International Scotch Day

#Freida_Pinto celebrated the inaugural International Scotch Day in India on Friday with brand Diageo's #LoveScotch initiative.

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The actress says that her father and her sister enjoy Scotch. Freida said she believes in drinking responsibly and this is the message she wants to give to the world.

International Scotch Day invited people from all parts of the world to raise a glass of Scotch to celebrate the togetherness.

"It's my dad's favourite and when I say that people think it's mostly what old men drink, but no," said the actress while expressing her love for Scotch. 

"My dad has got a great sense of humour so it's not a boring drink. I do like on the rocks, on a rare or happy occasion but my favourite cocktail is 'old fashioned'," she said.

The actress said she enjoys her sister's company while drinking.

"Responsible drinking is very important. In Los Angeles, we drive back home so it's very important to know how much you are drinking," she added.

Freida was joined by Ewan Gunn, Diageo Global Whisky Master, who hosted a whisky appreciation session for Johnie Walker, Black and White, Black Dog and Vat 69 and highlighted the craftsmanship behind the flavours and blends that make the Scotch whisky best in the world.
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Neha Dhupia wants to work in films with message

After a thriller 'Moh Maya Money', Bollywood actress #Neha_Dhupia is keen to do films which deliver a strong message.

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"I would like to do more comedy dramas or films with a stronger message than just being a glamorous character in a film," she said at an interview on Television comedy show Chhote Milan Dhaakad on Friday.

The stand-up comedy show Chhote Miyan Dhaakad Chapter 4, which replaces Comedy Nights Bachao Taaza on Colors, sees Neha Dhupia and the actor turned producer-director Sohail Khan as the judges. It showcases talented kids of age group from 4 to 14 across the country.

"I am just being myself. You can't be doing fictional things because if you say something that isn't a truth, children catch it immediately. In fact, everything in life can be dealt with humour, honesty and innocence," said the actress.
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Vidya Balan's 'Begum Jaan' to release on April 14

National Award-winning actress #Vidya_Balan has announced that her forthcoming film "Begum Jaan" will release on April 14.

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Produced by Mahesh and Mukesh Bhatt, the film is helmed by National Award winner Srijit Mukherji. The Bengali director is making his directorial debut in Bollywood with this film.

Vidya shared an image on Twitter on Friday, in which she revealed the release date of the film.

"14th April it is," Vidya captioned the image.

The film was earlier slated to release in January, but the makers postponed the release date.

Vidya plays the title role of the madam of a brothel in the film, which also stars Naseeruddin Shah, Rajat Kapoor, Gauahar Khan, Pallavi Sharda, Ila Arun, Ashish Vidyarthi and Chunky Pandey.

'Modi Ka Gaon' makers want PMO to clear the film

The producers of the film, "Modi Ka Gaon" which was denied a censor certificate on various grounds, have moved to the Prime Minister's Office #PMO seeking clearance to release it.

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Producer Suresh Jha said here on Friday that he decided to knock on the PMO's doors after the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) communicated its final decision in writing on Thursday.

"They asked us to 'Get an NOC from the Prime Minister's Office and Election Commission'...I think this must be the first time the PMO or EC are expected to preview a film and clear it before the authorised body, the CBFC, certifies it," he said.

"Submit NOC from PMO regarding PM's portrayal/references through a character in the film resembles... (The film portrays development plans, references to Pakistan's Uri attack, news and speeches related to the PM)," the CBFC note said.

Undeterred, Jha wrote a letter to the PMO asking for an 'NOC' to comply with the CBFC demand.

"Throughout our film, we represent the honest working of our Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his dream of Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, Smart India and Digital India," the letter said.

Food walk in Mumbai's historical Byculla neighbourhood

More than 40 participants from different parts of the world participated in a food walk in the centuries old #Byculla region on Friday to witness the evolution of the public dining scenario in #Indias_financial_Capital.

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Titled "Brewing in Byculla," the food walk was organised in collaboration with the Kala Ghoda arts festival.

"The participants visited some of the most historical eateries of the city and also experienced the evolution of public dining scenario and emergence of cafes and restaurants in Mumbai," the organisers said in a statement.

One of the oldest Roman Catholic churches in Mumbai, Gloria church was the first destination of the walk followed by the over a century old Masina Hospital. The walk then moved to some of the oldest bakeries in Byculla, a neighbourhood in South Mumbai.

Indian film industry not based on actor's look, age: Sushmita Sen

Actress and former #MissUniverse #Sushmita_Sen says that nowadays, the Hindi film industry is not based on an artiste's look and age but on talent. She believes that age only adds experience to the actor's career.

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"No, I don't agree with that, not today...if you had asked me this when I joined the film industry, I would have said a resounding yes! but at this stage, when you look at an 'English Vinglish', you look at Sridevi, you think wow," Sushmita told in an e-mail, when asked if she thinks Indian film industry is based on looks and age and not on an actor's talent. 

The actress also talked about Hollywood veteran Meryl Streep and said that she has played some incredible parts, even lead a film all through her career at different ages. 

"She is someone I deeply admire...And now comes our very own Sridevi...I mean I give you just that one example because it's a success," she added.

The 41-year-old said that age adds experience onto the screen space.

"(It) goes to show that age only adds to the experience and to actually bringing alive more of that experience onto the screen," said Sushmita, who has walked the runway for designer Sashi Vangapalli at the recently concluded Lakme Fashion Week Summer/Resort 2017.

Friday 10 February 2017

Lady Gaga visits cosmetic surgery salon

Singer #Lady_Gaga was spotted visiting a skin care and cosmetic surgery salon after she received a backlash over Super Bowl belly.

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The "Poker Face" singer was seen near the clinic on Thursday, reports aceshowbiz.com. 

The 30-year-old tied her hair into a messy bun as she left the salon, covering part of her face with her arms. She wore a pair of denim jeans, a Tommy Hilfiger sweater, black booties and sunglasses. She also sported bright red lipstick. 

While she received praises for her power-packed performance in Super Bowl, some people chose to focus their attention on her stomach. The "Million Reasons" hitmaker donned a tummy-baring crop top and sparkling hot pants, revealing a slight belly roll. 

One of those body shamers was designer Stefano Gabbana, one half of Dolce & Gabbana. He later apologised to Gaga. 

Gaga herself took to Instagram to respond to the negative comments. 

"I heard my body is a topic of conversation so I wanted to say, I'm proud of my body and you should be proud of yours too," she posted.
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'Trapped' to release on March 17

Filmmaker Vikramaditya Motwane's survival drama film #Trapped is set to hit the screens on March 17.

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Actor Raj Kummar Rao on Thursday night took to Twitter to share the release date of the upcoming film. 

Raj Kummar was in news for his diet that he consumed for the film. 

The "CityLights" actor, who plays the role of Shaurya in "Trapped", reportedly had to appear weak in the film. So he went under a rigorous diet of black coffee and two carrots a day for about 20-22 days.

Currently, Rajkummar is in Berlin as his film "Newton" is in the line-up of the 47th Berlinale Forum, which is a section of the prestigious Berlin International Film Festival.

Spontaneous acting has worked in my favour: Taapsee Pannu

Actress #Taapsee_Pannu has said that not being a traditionally trained in acting has actually worked in her favour as the audience likes her spontaneity on screen.

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"I am not a trained actor, but I think that has become my strength. People like the fact that I am a spontaneous actor and that works in my favour," Pannu said during a press conference in the city on Thursday.

The seasoned South Indian actress, who started her Bollywood career with a comedy "Chasme Baddoor", is set for the release of another romantic comedy "RunningShaadi.com" produced by city boy Shoojit Sarcar that talks about helping people elope with the love of their life to get married.

Talking about her character Nimmi in the film, Pannu said it was effortless for her compared to the breakneck roles she played in her previous ventures as the girl in the film very much resonates with her own self.
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Justin Timberlake reveals his 'childhood trauma'

Singer-actor #Justin_Timberlake doesn't want his son Silas to go through the same childhood trauma that he experienced when he started off as a child artiste.

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"You go through your life with your own traumas, big and small, and think, 'It's not that bad, I have a lot to be thankful for, my parents did the best they could," Timberlake, who has a two-year-old son, told hollywoodreporter.com. 

"But then you have a child of your own, and suddenly it opens all the floodgates, and you're like, 'No, no, no! That childhood trauma really did f**k me up!'"

Being a working mom an incredible challenge: Scarlett Johansson

Hollywood star #ScarlettJohansson says being a working parent is both incredibly challenging and yet, a gift. And she feels she's "barely holding it together".

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"I don't profess to know anything about parenting, anything more than anybody else, (but) being a working mom is an incredible challenge, (and) it's an incredible gift," Johansson told etonline.com.

"I think you always feel a little bit of guilt... If you're at work, you feel like you're missing out on those special moments with your kid. If you're with your kid, you feel like you're not giving enough to your job. It's a balance. I have a lot of huge admiration for working moms. I'm barely, barely holding it together," she added.

The actress' marriage has been rumoured to be in trouble, and she brought her mother, Melanie Sloan, along as her date to the amfAR Gala here on Wednesday.

Channing Tatum to launch his own vodka line

Hollywood actor #ChanningTatum is launching his own brand of vodka called #BornandBred.

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"On the inside label, once you drink it down, or if you get your eye really close to the bottle, it says, 'Cross my heart and hope for mischief'. That's just what I want when I pour myself a drink. I want to just cause a little havoc, get into some trouble, get into some safe, manageable mischief," Tatum told Bon Appetit magazine, reports femalefirst.co.uk.

The 36-year-old star came up with the idea for the spirit line after going on a quest to find a "good American vodka" with his friend.

He said: "It was me and my buddy Jack, we were just sitting around drinking one day and he was like, 'Why are all vodkas foreign and from somewhere cold? I would like an American vodka!' This was before Titos became what Titos is. We had no intention of jumping into the business at all. We just drank vodka. That was it. From there we went on a search.
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Lena Headey to work with Dwayne Johnson

"Game of Thrones" star #LenaHeadey is set to be a part of #DwayneJohnson's production #FightwithMyFamily, a new comedy-drama film project inspired by WWE superstar Paige and her family.

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The popular actor and former wrestler, who is also known as The Rock, will also make a cameo in the film. Headey will play Paige's mother, Julia Hamer-Bevis, who is also a wrestler, reports variety.com.

Johnson announced the development via a series of tweets.

"Welcome the brilliant/badass Lena Headey and the often mistaken as my twin Nick Frost to our cast. Fighting With My Family," he tweeted.

He also tweeted: "Thrilled to have Lena. Amazing actress. The real life matriarch she plays is as loving and tough as they come. Fighting WithMy Family"
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How can Varun Dhawan be like me, wonders Govinda


Actor-comedian #Govinda wonders why people keep trying to draw comparisons between him and young actor #Varun_Dhawan.

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Varun, due to his naughty and flirtatious portrayals in most of his films, is often called the new-age Govinda.

However, Govinda thinks the comparison is a "fake one".

"Ranveer Singh and Varun Dhawan both have a body like Salman Khan. But they can't say it. If they call themselves as Salman Khan, then they won't get films. They can't afford to be against Khan. This is how the filmy world works," Govinda said at an event here on Thursday for the movie "Aa Gaya Hero".

"How can he (Varun) be like me? To become Govinda, he needs to be innocent, uneducated and a poor village boy. Varun is already a son of a director. In the last six years, he hasn't done more than two films with his father, whereas I did 17 films with his father (David Dhawan)," he added.
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Akshay picks Dimple Kapadia as best friend in Bollywood

Actor #Akshay_Kumar considers veteran actress and his mother-in-law #Dimple_Kapadia as his best friend in Bollywood.

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During a Q&A session on Twitter with his fans on Thursday, one asked: "Your best friend from Bollywood?"

Akshay, who finds Hong Kong star Jackie Chan as the "bravest stunt actor known to man", said: "My mother-in-law."

Though he picked the "Bobby" star as his best friend, he did share some kind words for his "Dil To Pagal Hai" co-star Shah Rukh Khan.

When one fan asked how he would describe SRK in two words, he said: "Charming with a great business mind."

Asked about his favourite book, he was back to his family as he "of course" chose his wife Twinkle Khanna's "Mrs Funnybones".

Talking about the most jolly moment of his life, the father of two said: "Mountain hiking with both my kids with a homemade picnic at the end of it."

Happy that Ali is taking forward 'Tiger' series: Kabir Khan

Filmmaker #Kabir_Khan, who helmed the Salman Khan starrer "Ek Tha Tiger", is glad that director Ali Abbas Zafar is directing #TigerZindaHai, the second instalment in the 'Tiger' series.

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Speaking at the Kirori Mal College Alumni meet on Wednesday to raise funds for reconstructing the college's auditorium, Kabir said: "The series was started by me, and Ali is taking that forward. I feel very happy for him. He was my assistant and my close friend too."

"As Yash Raj Films has the rights of the series, so Ali will be directing the second instalment. He will go with his vision of 'Tiger', though the characters and the basic set-up will be the same. The world which was created by me will be the same, but the interpretation will be different," he added.
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Nitin Mukesh emotional on son Neil's wedding day

Veteran singer #Nitin_Mukesh is emotional that his "darling" son #Neil_Nitin_Mukesh is getting married in Udaipur later on Thursday. He says he could not have asked for a more humbling and a happy moment in his life.

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"I couldn't have asked for a more humbling or happy moment. God has been so kind. We are getting my darling Neil married and I want to tell you this... What he has done for the family, for the family's name and for his grandfather's name... We owed him something, and that's what we have done with his wedding," Nitin told over phone from Udaipur.

He was in tears and choked up as he spoke of his son's wedding to Mumbai-based girl Rukmini Sahay. The couple got engaged at a Juhu hotel here on the auspicious occasion of Dussehra last year, and their wedding revelry has been going on in Udaipur since the last two days.
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Big B gives Rs 51 lakh for Delhi's Kirori Mal College

Megastar #Amitabh_Bachchan has donated Rs 51 lakh as part of funds to be used to build an auditorium in Delhi's Kirori Mal College from where he graduated.

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At an event here on Wednesday, the veteran actor spoke fondly of his college days in the Delhi University campus.

At an alumni meet of the college and fundraising for the auditorium, Big B said: "Whatever we acquire in our college or school days, those memories stay with us for the rest of life.

"I don't know whether you will agree to that or not but we keep recalling those memories most of the time. It's like a mirror in front of us. We can't forget those memories."

The event was attended by many others including Vijay Krishna Acharya, Ali Abbas Zafar and Kabir Khan.

Hate to watch myself on screen: Zaira Wasim

#Dangal actress #Zaira_Wasim says it's rather embarrassing to watch herself on the screen.

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In conversation with young writer Zuni Chopra here on Wednesday, Zaira said: "I hate to watch myself on the screen. It's annoying and embarrassing. I never watch my interviews. I am even scared to watch my film."

What are the challenges when acting?

"I am a debutant and I don't know about challenges. I just blindly follow the instruction given by directors.

"It's up to the writers who write brilliantly-shaped scripts and they are the ones who decide what we (actors) should do. I think the entire credit should go to the writers. 

"Even in 'Dangal', if it would not have been a brilliant script, I don't think I would have been called a good actor," she added.

Thursday 9 February 2017

Guthrie Govan to rock India

English guitarist #Guthrie_Govan is set for a three-city tour in India this month.

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He will be accompanied by Gino Banks on drums and Mohini Dey on bass as he strums at Hard Rock Cafe outlets in Pune (February 15), Mumbai (February 16) and Delhi (February 22).

Jay Singh, co-founder and Executive Director, JSM Corp, said: "We believe in bringing the best musical experiences to our fans. So we knew that if Govan was coming down to India, it had to be at Hard Rock Cafe! We are certain this tour is going to be a hit."

The show marks one of its kind in instrumental live music concert.

Known for his 2006 solo album "Erotic Cakes", Govan earlier visited India with his superband - The Aristocrats.
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Priyanka Chopra, Tom Hardy speak up for dogs

Indian actress #Priyanka_Chopra has teamed up with Hollywood stars #Tom_Hardy and #Casey_Affleck for a new PETA video that encourages viewers to treat their dogs like family by never leaving them chained up outside to suffer in the cold, hungry and alone.

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American TV host Bill Maher, actor Edie Falco, rapper D.R.A.M., Latina superstar Kate del Castillo and reality star Courtney Stodden have also lent their voice to the project, which features real-life footage of neglected animals captured by PETA US fieldworkers, read a statement.

The video begins with a shot of a chained dog sitting alone in the snow while Hardy asks: "When you first got me, did you know that you were going to chain me up and leave me outside? Even in the cold and snow?"

Then the footage of an old dog appears.

I don't make films to change people's mindsets: Akshay Kumar

Action, comedy, patriotism, satire, romance, drama -- in a career spanning over 25 years and and a 100-plus filmography, #Akshay_Kumar has highlighted the concept of "good over evil" through many of his movies. However, the actor says he has never intended to preach anything to the audience or to change anybody's mindset with his work.

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"I don't do films to bring changes in people's minds. I do films which I believe in. So I present the films which I believe in. If anybody likes the film or not, that depends on people," Akshay told ahead of the release of his new courtroom drama "Jolly LLB 2".

With a smile reflecting fulfilment on his face, the 49-year-old "Khiladi" of Hindi cinema added: "I did a film called 'OMG - Oh My God!' because I don't believe in idol worship. I believe god is within us. I feel why are we wasting milk by pouring it over god's idols... Rather than that, we should give it to some poor person.

"A lot of people tell me that they liked that film and now don't follow the same (don't believe in idol worship)."

But Akshay said it has never been a deliberate attempt by him to make "films to teach".

"I do films which I like to think about personally," he said.

While one can witness the emphasis on comedy as a genre and patriotism as a theme in some of his recently-released films like "Airlift", "Housefull 3", "Rustom" and "Baby", Akshay has come out of his comfort zone after a long time to try his hand at a different genre -- courtroom drama -- with Subhash Kapoor's "Jolly LLB 2".
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'Lion' is a beautiful film: Salman Rushdie

Acclaimed author #Salman_Rushdie has praised the film #Lion, based on the book by Saroo Brierley.

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The true tale follows a 5-year-old (played by Sunny Pawar) who gets lost on the streets of Kolkata and is adopted by an Australian couple. Then, as an adult (played by Dev Patel), he goes to find his lost family.

"'Lion' is a beautiful film. It moved me deeply. (Sunny and Dev) are both outstanding ... and Nicole Kidman's monologue, in which she tells her adopted son the truth about his adoption, is the most powerful scene (and) another exceptional performance. I loved the moments when Saroo's past and present seem to fuse," Rushdie told pagesix.com.

Garth Davis won best first-time director for the film at Directors Guild Awards, and Greig Fraser got the top award from the American Society of Cinematographers.
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'The Space Between Us' very universal: Director

Director #Peter_Chelsom says his latest film #TheSpaceBetweenUs is a big movie and is very universal in its theme.

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"When people ask me what the story is, when you get to a line or two people go wow, it's kind of fun because a lead astronaut on a mission to Mars doesn't realise she is pregnant and that's where people go wow, so you have already got a good hook. That's an unusual premise," Chelsom said in a statement.

Further talking about the theme of the movie, the director, who has helmed movies like "Shall We Dance" and "Serendipity", said: "It's a big movie and it's a very universal movie and the theme is completely universal."

"The Space Between Us" is an interplanetary adventure featuring two young lovers, one from Earth and one from Mars. 

'Sarkar 3' release date shifted to April 7

Ram Gopal Varma's #Sarkar3, featuring megastar #Amitabh_Bachchan, will now release on April 7 instead of March 17.

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The change in release date was announced in a statement on Tuesday.

Presented by Eros International and produced by Allumbra Entertainment, Wave Cinemas and AB Corp, "Sarkar 3" is the third film in Varma's "Sarkar" series.

"Sarkar", which released in 2005, is set in the world of Indian politics. Its sequel "Sarkar Raj" hit the screens in 2008. 

"Sarkar 3" will see Amitabh reprising his role as Subhash Nagre. The film will also feature Rohini Hattangadi, Jackie Shroff, Manoj Bajpayee, Ronit Roy, Bharat Dabholkar, Yami Gautam and Amit Sadh.

'Kung Fu Yoga' should have a series: Sonu Sood

Actor #Sonu_Sood feels #KungFuYoga deserves to have a series.

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At the launch of Skechers GoFlex Walk Range here on Wednesday, the actor said: "I would love to take the venture forward. I remember that I was talking to my director Stanley Tong in China and he was very happy.

"He said, 'We are planning to have 'Kung Fu Yoga 2''. I agreed with him. 'Kung Fu Yoga' should have a series and continue to come again and again," added the actor, who features in "Kung Fu Yoga" with international star Jackie Chan.

About the response to the film, Sonu said: "We all are very glad to see that the film is receiving so much love. Everybody loved the film, especially the kids. They are watching it again and again."
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Ayan Mukerji yet to lock title of his next film

Director #Ayan_Mukerji says his next film with actor #Ranbir_Kapoor will feature a character who has a mystical connection with fire. And since fire is the symbol of power, the director tentatively called the film #Dragon though he is yet to finalise the title.

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At the premiere of the Oscar-nominated film "Moonlight" on Tuesday, Mukerji spoke about his film which is tentatively titled "Dragon".

Mukerji, who earlier directed Ranbir in films "Wake Up Sid" (2009) and the 2013 blockbuster "Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani", said: "We've not yet locked the title. It is tentatively called 'Dragon'. Somehow the word got out and everybody started asking me about the film's progress."

Explaining the reason behind the title, he said: "The boy has some mystical connection with fire. Fire is the symbol of power so, I called it 'Dragon'. Let's see... I am not 100 per cent sure about the title, but I like something about it."

The director shared that rather than a superhero film, he would like to call the movie a "modern-day fantasy love story".
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Hrithik Roshan strengthens his team

Bollywood star #Hrithik_Roshan has put to rest rumours about changing his management team.

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Hrithik took to Twitter and wrote: "Contrary to the rumours I have not parted ways with my management team led by Afsar Zaidi. They (Afsar zaidi and team) have been part of my journey since last 10 years and they continue to propel the growth of HRX with renewed strength."

However, the actor has worked on strengthening the team.

"Regarding endorsements, I have teamed up with KWAN and together we build from hereon," added the actor, who is riding high on the success of his latest film "Kaabil".
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Compassion necessary for every human being: Raveena Tandon

Actress #RaveenaTandon believes that every human being should have compassion within him, especially towards the weak.

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At a fundraising event for NGO IDA (In Defence of Animals), Raveena said: "I think this is very good cause by IDA to sterilise the stray and rescued animals. It is a community service. We bring those animals who are injured and hurt in accidents for treatments."

"Regarding this, an awareness is very much needed as I believe compassion is very necessary for every human being."

Raveena's children Rasha and Ranbirvardhan, who were made 'cub ambassadors' through an initiative called the Compassionate Kids Club, were also awarded at the event on Tuesday.

Raveena said: "My children made handmade bracelets and collected Rs 50,000 for the organisation as part of the Compassionate Kids Club (CKC), so they both got felicitated."

Manish Arora invited for special reception at Buckingham Palace

Veteran designer #Manish_Arora will visit the #Buckingham_Palace in London for a special reception being held to mark the beginning of the UK-India Year of Culture.

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The designer, who has been bestowed with the prestigious Chevalier de la Legion d'Honneur by France, will visit the palace of Queen Elizabeth II on February 27.

Arora says it's an honour for him to represent India.

"It is such an honour and privilege to be chosen by Her Majesty to represent India at the reception celebrating a wonderful initiative. India and the UK have such a deep history and this cultural exchange is a great way to strengthen the relationship between our homelands," Arora said in a statement. 

This year, India and Britain are celebrating a major bilateral year of cultural exchange. 

The veteran designer added that "this is definitely a dream come true and I couldn't have asked for a better start to the year".

Wednesday 8 February 2017

Early menstruation ups risk of stroke

Girls who start their #periods at the age of 13 or younger may be nearly 1.8 times more likely to suffer a #stroke than those who start at the age of 15, a study shows.

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These women are also more at risk for cerebral infarction, in which a section of brain tissue dies due to reduced blood flow and oxygen. 

"Early menarche might predict the incidence of stroke rather than the mortality caused by stroke," said Takayoshi Ohkubo, Professor at Tohoku University in Japan.

In addition, women who stopped menstruating at 45 or younger are also more likely to get cerebral infarction, but not stroke, compared to women who began menopause at the age of 50.

For the study, published in the journal Neuroepidemiology, the team followed a group of 1,412 postmenopausal women in Japan.