Abhishek's sword is jinxed

This kind of experience, you would expect on the sets of Indiana Jones, The Phantom, Pirates of the Caribbean or even The Mummy... not Goldie Behl’s Drona.

But the story goes that strange incidents have been occurring around a set of three titanium swords made in Johannesburg with Sanskrit mantras on them that Abhishek Bachchan uses in the film.

According to both, Behl and Abhishek, weird things would happen whenever the three swords were separated. They first lost one at a remote location in the desert of Namibia. The next day, a man mysteriously returned the sword (each costs Rs 10 lakh) to the hotel where the cast was put up. Then, while shooting in the Thar desert at a place in Bikaner, the swords were separated again... and lo! thunderclouds gathered and that area received very heavy rainfall for the first time in years. Next day, when the swords were still not brought together, a hailstorm lashed the desert, which was an eerie coincidence, uncommon in that area.

Freak explosions on flatbed rail cars used in the film followed and there were close shaves that could have been major mishaps thrice during a car chase sequence in Prague. All of which prompted Behl to keep the swords together from then on. “In the beginning, we just couldn’t understand what was happening, but now we don’t take any chances,” said the director. “Though magic and fantasy is part of the film we couldn’t relate this with what happened on the sets.” While Abhishek admitted, “It was bizarre... the incidents in Namibia and Prague, and ice falling from sky in the Thar region. The swords are a very important part of the character which I am playing. It’s actually difficult to explain...”

Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com

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Bobby is happy being an actor

Bobby Deol is a fine talent. But somehow, the actor doesn’t appear in films as frequently as he ought to.

When we catch up with this modest actor, he tells us that he has been keeping very busy. “I’ve been working on some projects. I have finished two films, Ek and Roshan, for our home production company.”

Bobby is the protagonist in a film that’s hit the marquee today. While the actor has immense expectations from the film — and justifiably so — the supporting cast includes the likes of Priyanka Chopra who plays his love interest. Then, there are others like Irrfan Khan, Ritiesh Deshmukh and Arshad Warsi, each of whom can leave a mark with their on-screen histrionics. What is his character all about? “I play the title character who is an orphan. He grows up in a rough environment where he is in situations that leave him with no choice. Once he is nabbed by the police, they look at his skills and recruit him to handle covert operations. During his work, he meets Priyanka’s character and he faces his past thereafter,” he explains.

This is not the first time Priyanka and Bobby are coming together on the big screen. And, the twosome also has another flick, titled Dostana, to look forward to. Surely, they get along very well. “This is the third film Priyanka and I are working together. We share a great relationship, and it is a pleasure working with her.”

When we ask him about his forthcoming films Heroes and Dostana, the actor avoids letting out any secrets about the plots. But, once one asks him about his big brother Sunny, it seems he has hit upon one of his favourite topics of discussion. “It is always great working with him. We are working together in our company and planning to produce a lot of films. Sunny is right now directing a film called The Man,” he adds.

Since he has grown up in an environment of films, does he intend to become a director like his brother? “Right now, I’m happy being an actor. But, I want to work on various projects,” he says without discussing his dreams. Understandable, since dreams turn into fulfilled objectives only after they materialise.

Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com

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When Ekta ‘acted’ in Tusshar’s film

It’s purported to be a laugh riot with a message – C Kkompany from Balaji Motion Pictures, which releases today, nationwide.

And Tusshar Kapoor and Raima Sen, plus veterans like Anupam Kher and Mithun Chakraborty, not to mention that scream, Rajpal Yadav, are waiting to see how audiences react to their message.

The rather touching, entertaining and encouraging story lauds the common man. And the comedy is not of the slapstick variety but is rather realistic. It’s the script that is very moving, say the stars. Kher explains, “There’s plenty of the ‘feel good’ factor. This is not a movie about unreal heroes, it’s about the common man turning into a real life hero.” To which Raima nods and says with a million dollar smile, “Yes, it’s a comedy film which has a message to convey.”

Tusshar strikes a note of mystery by saying, “Call us the Robin Hoods of society . C Kkompany portrays the realistic journey of three middle-class men who unintentionally work their way straight to the Parliament. And finally become heroes in the eyes of the common man.” He’s naturally proud to work in this film because sister Ekta’s put her heart and soul in this production, directed by Sachin Yardi. The fringe benefits are that Ekta, just for Tusshar’s sake, makes a guest appearance in the film. And so does Mahesh Bhatt and Karan Johar. It’s paisa vasool all the way!

Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com

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Ash such, they’re friends!

Salman Khan has been telling his friends, "Whatever happened between Ash and me is over. I'm really fond of the Bachchans. Abhishek is a buddy and I really like him."

A couple of days ago, Sallu followed up his words with some action. Putting the past completely behind him, Sallu spent half an hour with Abhishek, in the latter's vanity van.

Salman was shooting for Veer, Abhishek was there at the same time for a promotional shoot of Drona. Salman took the initiative to break the ice with Ash's husband. He went to meet Abhishek and the two were closeted in Abhi's vanity van for 30 minutes.

At around 3.30 pm Salman and Abhishek emerged from the van, looking pretty happy with themselves. After escorting Sallu back to the sets, Abhi returned to his vanity van. What did Salman do after that? Reports an eyewitness, "Salman headed straight to his set and started shooting."

The eyewitness adds, "It was heartwarming to see Salman and Abhishek bonding so well. Everyone was pleasantly surprised."

Salman's official spokesperson Alok Mathur confirmed the news and said, "It is true that Salman and Abhishek met. They chatted for some time. Salman is extremely fond of Abhishek."

To hash a loose chronology, Aishwarya and Salman were a couple for four years (1999-2003), before they split. She married Abhishek in April 2007. According to past reports, Salman and Abhishek were spotted walking the ramp for Farah Khan in 2006 and the two stayed away from each other literally dividing the ramp into two factions. While Hrithik Roshan, D J Aqeel and Kunal Kapoor stood by Salman; Arjun Rampal, Zayed Khan and Ritiesh Deshmukh were on Abhishek's side. Everyone present on the show could sense the tension between the two.

In 2007, there were more reports suggesting friction between between Salman and Abhishek. Apparently, at one of the awards events in 2007, when Katrina Kaif was performing, Salman Khan had jumped on the stage to join her. Soon after Abhishek too dragged Aishwarya, who was sitting with the audience, to join him for his dance number, because he wanted to send out a message.

Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com

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Madhuri on films and life

Ladies and gentlemen, we present Madhuri Dixit live from New York.

She’s here in the Big Apple for the Big B’s world tour. But BT managed to get Big Bytes from the Big Diva before she went on stage. She laughs radiantly, expressing excitement at grabbing centrestage after long, “I just love being on stage, I am a trained classical dancer, and dance comes naturally to me. I try to do riyaaz regularly, but I have two small kids. Even they dance with me.” She adds, “I was also watching Aishwarya perform after long. I must say, Ash has matured so much as a dancer since we last danced together for Devdas. She’s getting better and better.”

And sharing the stage with Mr Bachchan? As good as sharing screen-space? The two superstars haven’t worked together since the Bade Miya Chotte Miya song cameo. “We have tried to work together for years, it hasn’t been very successful. This tour was the closest it could get,” she states sadly.

While we gab on, I grab a glimpse of Sriram Nene, Madhuri’s better half, sitting at close distance, like a proud, protective and unperturbed partner. So far-flung from filmdom, yet, living a blissful married life with one of India’s most beautiful movie stars. With her American born kids, Bollywood is a fairly alien concept. “My kids had come to see our show in LA, with my whole family in tow.

They love to watch me dance. My younger one loves it more, but my older kept blushing, and was slightly shy on seeing me all dressed up backstage. My kids are young, and our Hindi films are slightly long, they don’t have so much of an attention span,” she says, with that tinkle of motherly pride. They say that showbiz, glamour and the arc lights are addictive. You can’t live with it, and you can’t live without it. “I love my art. I don’t enjoy anything else that goes with it. Or the limelight, as you would call it. I love my craft, my dancing. I will never lose that,” says MD, without batting those long lovely lashes.

With the industry’s biggest banners pursuing her for the next big ‘re-comeback’, she can lose herself to temptation. She’s human. And a superstar, too. “I do get tempted. But my priorities are in place. I have to make sure what I do is the best,” she firmly replies. Basking in the freedom of an American life is a privilege; still this is home away from home. Someday Madhuri Dixit would want to go back to her old-world, her good ‘ol Mumbai, and the new-age Bollywood. She disagrees, and denies in the same breath, “When I was growing I led a normal life, even after I became an actress, my family life didn’t change much. Here in America, too, I lead a normal life. I walk around, shop, and do groceries, like anybody else. I love and enjoy the anonymity.”

(Catch Madhuri Dixit’s exclusive interview from New York tonight only on ZOOM at 8.30 pm on Popkorn special)

Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com

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Iran, Nigeria to share peaceful nuclear technology

ABUJA: Iran said on Thursday it had agreed to share peaceful nuclear technology with Nigeria, aiming to help Africa's biggest oil producer boost its electrical-generation output.

The head of the Iranian delegation said it was his country's right to share its nuclear know-how with Nigeria.

Mohammad ali Zeyghami, a top commerce official, said fossil fuels would one day disappear and that it was crucial to develop clean energy.

Nigerian Foreign Ministry official Tijanni Kaura stressed that the agreement dealt only with peaceful nuclear technology and shouldn't be misconstrued as an attempt by Africa's most-populous nation to gain a nuclear weapons programme. No details of any deal were announced and the two officials didn't elaborate.

Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com

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58 mn Chinese children left in villages by migrant parents

BEIJING: One out of every six kids or some 58 million children in China left behind in villages by their migrant parents could become problem for the society, a senior lawmaker has warned.

And many of these children are not looked after properly, Li Jianguo, vice-chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, the top legislature, said.

About 58 million of the more than 300 million under-17 children are "left at home" by parents, forced to migrate to other places in search better jobs.

China has an army of about 150 million migrant workers.

Citing the latest findings of a survey by the All-China Women's Federation, Li suggested governments should build more kindergartens and boarding schools to provide such children proper care and education.

The figures came to light earlier this year while the NPC was reviewing the implementation of the Law on the Protection of Minors in the country, he said.

"Many such children face problems in their lives, studies or with their mental and physical health because of their parents' absence," Li was quoted as saying by China Daily.

Statistics show only 41 per cent of the country's 3-to-5-year-olds were attending kindergartens in 2005, and the percentage was even lower in the countryside.

"The lack of pre-school education is bound to affect their development," Li said.

The other major problem legislators found is the widespread popularity of online games among children.

Li said about 10 per cent of the country's 40 million adolescent Internet users are net addicts, signalling a unhealthy sign.

Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com

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UK racial abuse: Superiors tell Muslim cop to 'shut up'

LONDON: Hours after publicly announcing that he will be suing the Scotland Yard for racism, Britain's most senior Asian police officer has been asked by superiors to "shut up" and "get on" with his job.

Assistant Commissioner Tarique Ghaffur went public on Thursday with a highly damaging legal action against Sir Ian Blair, accusing the Metropolitan Police chief of repeated acts of racial, religious and age discrimination. ( Watch )

However, Blair's deputy Sir Paul Stephenson rebuked Ghaffur, saying, "I think it is long past time that we all shut up, stop making public statements about private disputes and get on with the job we are paid to do.

"That is a matter for him to reconcile with what he considers to be his proper responsibilities as one of this country's most senior police officers. We do not accept the charges of discrimination against us."

Questions are also being asked by his colleagues about whether Ghaffur can continue to sit with them on Met's senior management board, which is in charge of directing the police strategy in the British capital, the media reported.

Ghaffur (53), a police officer since 1974, opened hostilities by confirming speculation that he was taking the Met to an employment tribunal. He blames the Commissioner for sidelining him in his role leading to security for London's 2012 Olympic Games.

"My current case is essentially to do with my treatment at the highest levels of the Met, in particular the discrimination I have been subject to over a long period of time by the present Commissioner Sir Ian Blair.

"It is to do with the continuation of that treatment into the very important job I was doing as the co-ordinator of the security and safety of the 2012 Olympics," Ghaffur had said.

Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com

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'Tree man' leaves hospital with warts removed

The Indonesian fisherman who became known around the world as “tree man” has returned home after successful surgery to remove the bark-like growths covering his body.

Dede Koswara has had nearly a stone of warts cut from his face, arms and legs and is now able to live independently for the first time since his teens.

The 37-year-old has been allowed to leave the hospital in West Java where he has nine operations to remove 95 per cent of the growths, known as cutaneous horns.

At a press conference Dede showed off his new ability to grip a pen, a feat that had been made impossible by the foot-long "roots" that previously covered his hands.

His face, which had been dominated by large warts, appeared clear apart from a few blemishes

He will celebrate Ramadan, the Islamic fasting festival, with his family, before returning to the hospital for further surgery to trim his remaining warts.

"He cannot be 100 per cent cured, but his life quality has improved. If once he depended on others to do his activities, now he can eat by himself, use his hand to write, use the cell phone," said Rachmad Dinata, one of the doctors who has treated Dede at the Hasan Sadikin provincial hospital.

"We sent him home so he can gather with his family again, especially ahead of the fasting month. It will mentally help the healing process."

Dede’s plight came to the attention of the world last year after Telegraph.co.uk reported on an American doctor who claimed to have identified his condition, and proposed a treatment that could transform his life.

The tree-like welts covering his body were caused by the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) which defects in Dede’s immune system left him unable to fight, according to Dr Anthony Gaspari of the University of Maryland.

After the publicity generated by the article and a television documentary, the Indonesian government intervened to fast-track his treatment.

Dede went under the knife for his first operation in January. When Telegraph.co.uk spoke to him in hospital in March he described the pleasure of being able to walk without pain for the first time in 20 years.

He also expressed his hopes for the future. "What I really want first is to get better and find a job. But then, one day, who knows? I might meet a girl and get married," he said.

Doctors have warned him that the warts may grow back, but his condition is no longer life threatening.

Source: telegraph.co.uk

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Russia frees 12 Georgians, but EU mulls sanctions

RUKHI, Georgia - Russian forces turned over 12 Georgian soldiers on the border of one of the separatist provinces under its control Thursday after the short war that outraged the West and brought Moscow's military deep into Georgia.

Russia, meanwhile, faced the prospect of more international isolation after France said the European Union was considering imposing sanctions, and a Georgian official accused Russian forces of taking part in ethnic cleansing.

The tensions have spread to the Black Sea, which Russia shares unhappily with three nations that belong to NATO and two others that desperately want to, Ukraine and Georgia. Some Ukrainians fear Moscow might set its sights on their nation next.

The release of the Georgian soldiers along the Inguri River separating Abkhazia from Georgia proper was a small conciliatory gesture amid the increasing tensions in the weeks following the end of the fighting. The soldiers, who were detained Aug. 18 in the seaport of Poti, appeared unharmed and some were smiling.

Georgia's foreign minister said Russian forces and allied militias completed ethnic cleansing in the breakaway province of South Ossetia, but expulsions continued in a buffer zone being created by the Russians.

"They've expelled from all villages remnants of the Georgian population — they've destroyed their houses, they've looted their property, they've burned down their fields, forests," Eka Tkeshelashvili said at the Vienna-based Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe.

The group's Russian ambassador, Anvar Azimov, denied the accusations, saying there is no evidence of ethnic cleansing in South Ossetia or Abkhazia, another separatist province.

South Ossetia claimed to have shot down an unmanned Georgian spy plane in its territory. Georgia denied the report. Russian troops remain at checkpoints well into Georgia, saying that a cease-fire agreement allows them to occupy "security zones" outside Abkhazia and South Ossetia.

The five-day war started Aug. 7 when Georgian forces launched a massive barrage on South Ossetia's capital, Tskhinvali, only to be quickly driven out by Russian troops, who then pushed deep into Georgia proper.

Russia has recognized both territories as independent republics, a move denounced in Georgia and abroad. The regions make up roughly 20 percent of Georgia's territory — and include miles of prime coastline along the Black Sea.

Eight Nordic and Baltic countries — Norway, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Iceland, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania — called on Russia to reverse its decision to recognize the independence of the provinces.

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, facing isolation from the West, asked China and four ex-Soviet nations to sign a declaration of support for Russia's role in the conflict in Georgia.

"The presidents reaffirmed their commitment to the principles of respect for historic and cultural traditions of every country and efforts aimed at preserving the unity of a state and its territorial integrity," the Shanghai Cooperation Organization declaration said.

Medvedev had appealed to the alliance — which consists of Russia, China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan — for unanimous support of Russia's response to Georgia's "aggression."

"We understand the complicated history and reality of the South Ossetia and Abkhazia issue," the Chinese said. "In the meantime, in light of our consistent principle and position on issues alike, we hope to see relevant parties resolve the issue properly through dialogue and consultation."

Medvedev's appeal had raised fears in Western capitals of the emergence of a competing strategic alliance to NATO forming around Russia.

Medvedev also discussed the situation in Georgia's breakaway regions with Chinese President Hu Jintao. China has traditionally been wary of supporting separatist movements, mindful of its own problems with Tibet and Muslims in the western territory of Xinjiang.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang was quoted by state news agency Xinhua as saying "the situation in the region ... should be resolved in dialogue."

Moscow said NATO's plans for expansion and Western support for Georgia had caused the new East-West divisions, and Prime Minister Vladimir Putin lashed out at the U.S. for using military ships to deliver humanitarian aid to Georgia.

NATO rejected Russian criticism of its decision to send navy ships to the Black Sea, saying the four vessels there — from the U.S., Spain, Germany and Poland — were on a routine exercise far from the coast of Georgia.

French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner said some EU countries have asked the 27-member bloc to consider sanctions against Russia following its recognition of the breakaway territories.

"Sanctions are being considered ... and many other means as well," Kouchner said at a news conference. He did not elaborate.

Britain's foreign secretary said Russia's actions threaten to undermine stability in Europe.

"We are in a situation which marks a clear end to the relative and growing calm in and around Europe since the collapse of the Soviet Union," David Miliband said in an interview with British Broadcasting Corp. radio.

The Kremlin has rejected Western criticism, and even suggested the conflict could spread. It starkly warned another former Soviet republic, tiny Moldova, that aggression against a breakaway region there could provoke a military response.

Source: news.yahoo.com

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Wright-Phillips rejoins Manchester City

MANCHESTER, England (AFP) - Shaun Wright-Phillips rejoined Manchester City on Thursday as the Chelsea winger completed his move to Eastlands for an undisclosed fee.

Wright-Phillips agreed a four-year contract with Mark Hughes's side and the England international could make his second debut for City in Sunday's Premier League match at Sunderland.

"Manchester City can exclusively reveal that Shaun Wright-Phillips has rejoined the Club," a statement on City's website confirmed.

"The fans' favourite agreed personal terms after completing a medical this morning (Thursday) and joins on a four-year contract following an undisclosed deal being reached with Chelsea."

The 26-year-old, who is believed to have cost City around 10 million pounds (12.4 million euros), had been linked with a move away from Chelsea for several months after a disappointing three-year spell at Stamford Bridge.

He joined Chelsea for 21 million pounds (26 million euros) in June 2006 after starring at City, where he spent seven years, but struggled to repeat that form in west London.

Wright-Phillips started only 43 league games for the Blues, scoring four goals, and he admitted he can't wait to kick-start his career.

"Obviously I'm delighted to come back to City and I just can't wait to get started again," he told City's website.

City boss Hughes was delighted to secure such a high-profile signing so soon after the club's spending power was called into question.

The news that City owner Thaksin Shinawatra's assets had been frozen as a result of corruption and fraud charges in Thailand was reported to have put a dent in Hughes's transfer budget.

But he said: "To actually secure the deal and bring Shaun back home is a fantastic coup for us and I'm sure the supporters will be just as excited as we are to have him back at Manchester City.

"I've always admired him and he's certainly been a target of mine since I came to the football club."

Wright-Phillips is expected to be officially unveiled at a press conference at Eastlands on Friday.

Source: news.yahoo.com

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Obama seeks a personal touch within a huge stadium

DENVER - Barack Obama aims to weave the personal with the political Thursday as he explains to 75,000 supporters in a massive stadium — and millions more at home — how as president he would make a difference in their lives.

The sweep of history provided weight to words yet spoken: The previous evening Obama became the first black man to be a major political party's presidential candidate, and his acceptance of the Democratic nomination comes on the 45th anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech.

Obama's unique personal story was sure to be included in his acceptance address Thursday night. Still, he also planned to talk about problems facing Americans today, from health care and education to international threats, campaign manager David Plouffe said.

"I think what Sen. Obama wants to do is make sure everyone watching at home is going to have a clear sense of where he wants to take the country, that we're on the wrong path and Barack Obama is going to put us back on the right track both here at home and overseas," Plouffe told ABC's "Good Morning America."

John McCain, Obama's Republican rival, offered mild criticism ahead of Obama's speech, saying Thursday that he admires and respects Obama but "I don't think he's right for America."

"I think I'm more in touch with the American people as far as my policies, my proposals and my ideas," McCain told KDKA NewsRadio in Pittsburgh.

Other Republicans, keeping up a theme they first used when Obama drew tens of thousands for an appearance in Berlin, derided the acceptance speech's stage at Invesco Field at Mile High as befitting a celebrity with little actual accomplishment.

"This Roman-like facade, a facade with Roman columns, is a perfect metaphor or icon for the point that it's an interesting production, but behind it there's not much there," Minnesota Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty told ABC.

"My goodness, it's amazing that we're three days into the Democratic convention and 60 or so days from the actual election and they're still trying to plead with the American people and convince us that Barack Obama is ready to be president," said Pawlenty, who is widely thought to be a finalist for McCain's running mate. "The fact of the matter, he is not."

The drama of his long, emotional primary struggle against Hillary Rodham Clinton behind him at last, Obama's convention speech will propel him into a tough sprint to Election Day.

A modern-day technological effort was under way to get most of those packed into the stadium to form the world's largest phone bank — text-messaging thousands more to boost voter registration for the fall.

Obama accepts his party's nod on a day few could ever imagine decades ago, when King fought for civil rights.

"This is a monumental moment in our nation's history," Martin Luther King III, the civil rights icon's oldest son, told The Associated Press on Wednesday. "And it becomes obviously an even greater moment in November if he's elected."

Obama was just 2 years old when King addressed a sea of people on the National Mall in Washington on Aug. 28, 1963. The civil rights leader proclaimed on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, "I have a dream, that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed — 'We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal.'"

Adding a touch of celebrity to the convention's final night, singers Sheryl Crow, Stevie Wonder and will.i.am were scheduled to perform, with Academy Award-winner Jennifer Hudson singing the national anthem.

After days of suspense over whether Clinton supporters would fall in line behind Obama when the roll call of the states was called, it all fell into place in the end for Obama.

Delegates in dozens of states were allowed to apportion their votes between Obama and the former first lady before Clinton herself stepped forward to propose that Obama be declared the nominee by acclamation.

Obama himself paid a late-night visit to the Pepsi Center, home for the first three nights of the convention, where he embraced Biden and implored the delegates to help him "take back America" in the fall campaign.

"Change in America doesn't start from the top down," he told the adoring crowd, "it starts from the bottom up."

Former President Clinton did his part to bring about unity too, delivering a strong pitch for the man who outmaneuvered his wife for the nomination, and going through a litany of GOP policies the former president said were hurting the country.

"My fellow Democrats, America can do better than that. And Barack Obama will do better than that," Clinton said.

Clinton and Delaware Sen. Joe Biden, who accepted the vice presidential nomination by acclamation Wednesday night, brought Democratic jabs at McCain and President Bush into prime time as Democrats sharpened their attacks after two days of largely feel-good rhetoric.

"These times require more than a good soldier. They require a wise leader," Biden said. "A leader who can change ... the change that everybody knows we need."

Biden's attacks on McCain were a big hit among delegates eager to put aside their intraparty squabble so they can start going after Republicans.

The reconciliation was taking place, delegate by delegate.

"I was a Clinton delegate," said Darlene Ewing, a delegate from Texas. "I'm an Obama person now."

Source: news.yahoo.com

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Oprah is still highest paid TV host

American television host Oprah Winfrey is still at the top of the list for being the highest paid TV talk-show host.

Oprah’s earnings have left her way ahead of others, with no one coming even close to her position at the top. The latest list suggests that Oprah makes 275 million dollars a year, reports Contactmusic . The amount is nearly four times what is earned by the second person on the list, radio shock-jock Howard Stern, who earns 75 million dollars a year.

David Letterman shared the third spot with Judge Judy Sheindlin, with the earnings of about 45 million dollars a year each. Wrapping up the top five was Dr. Phil McGrath with 40 million dollars a year.

The top five highest paid TV personalities are:

1 Oprah Winfrey - 275 million dollars

2 Howard Stern - 75 million dollars

3 David Letterman - 45 million dollars

4 Judge Judy Sheindlin - 45 million dollars

5 Dr. Phil McGrath - 40 million dollars

Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com

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Kate denies stealing hair product idea

Hollywood actress Kate Hudson has denied reports that she stole Los Angeles-based 220 Laboratories’ idea for a line of haircare products.

According to sources, the company had accused the beauty of taking a sample of their volcanic ash hair care product and creating her own line with it in collaboration with celebrity stylist David Babaii.

Kate, Babaii and their manufacturer Universal have been charged with misappropriation of trade secrets, breach of contract, breach of confidence and fraud in the legal documents, for coming up with eco-friendly collection of shampoos and styling aids, which is said to contain a special key ingredient - volcanic ash.

However Kate’s spokesperson has squashed all such claims saying they are baseless. "Kate does not know the plaintiffs and has never met with them or spoken with them, Her representatives believe that the claims are baseless and without merit and (they) intend to vigorously defend the lawsuit," Contactmusic quoted Kate’s spokesman, as saying.

The lawyers for 220 Labs are demanding unspecified damages and attorney’s fees.

Source: imesofindia.indiatimes.com

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Jackson turns a sad 50

The gates of Michael Jackson's Neverland were locked shut this week. The funfair was idle and the animals from the private zoo were long gone.

As the former King of Pop was set to mark his 50th birthday Friday it seemed fitting that the extravagant estate built as his homage to a fantasy of childhood remained empty - a site irrevocably tied to his financial and legal troubles, a symbol of a strange star's downfall.

This was meant to be Jackson's refuge - a place where he could play with children who were the age he was when he became a professional singer at 11. His goal seemed to be to recover that lost childhood. But it turned sour.

He was accused of two instances of child molestation at Neverland, in 1993 and 2003. Although he settled the first case without any admission of wrongdoing and was cleared of all charges after a media-saturated trial in the second case, the ordeals wreaked havoc on his already fragile psyche and turned him into a freak in the world's celebrity sideshow.

So there were no parties there this week, no stadium concerts like Madonna - the Queen of Pop who turned 50, 13 days before Jackson - and celebrated while on her wildly lucrative "Sweet and Sticky" world tour.

Like Madonna, Jackson turned the 1980s pop world on its head, selling more than 100 million copies of the album "Thriller" in 1982, and introducing new dance moves, new sounds and a new level of mega-stardom.

Jackson has blamed his problems on the challenges of being a child star - one of nine musical siblings and the star of the Jackson Five long before he reached puberty. He had monster hits like ABC and "I'll Be There" with his siblings, but changed the entire industry with hits such as "Thriller," "Off the Wall," "Billie Jean" and "Beat It".

These songs redefined the modern music video and forced MTV to start showing black performers, ensuring the success of the fledgling music station and paving the way for the acceptance of rap and hip- hop as mainstream musical styles.

But gradually Jackson created less hits and more tabloid headlines thanks to his odd behaviour and plastic surgery. His two- year marriage to Lisa-Marie Presley sparked intense speculation. Then he married his nurse Debbie Rowe, who became the mother of his two older children.

The mother of his third child has never been identified.

Whereas once he was widely seen as the best dancer in the entertainment world, his most recent public appearance saw him confined to a wheelchair on a Las Vegas shopping trip with his three children Prince I, 11, Prince II, 6, and daughter Paris, 10.

He was wearing slippers and pyjamas, and the ever-present facial mask which either shields him from pollution or hides the damage that excessive plastic surgery has wrought on his face.

Talk about a comeback has been floating around for years as Jackson juggles huge debts yet remains one of the most intriguing celebrities in the world. The most persistent rumours suggest a series of residency concerts at a Vegas venue.

Other reports involve the construction of a Thriller casino and entertainment venue, or "Cirque du Soleil" show based on his roster of hits. But deal after deal has reportedly fallen through because of Jackson's weak mental state and inability to function normally.

Jackson appeared briefly for a live performance at the World Music Awards in London in November 2006 for which he was reportedly paid $400,000. But he was two-and-a-half hours late and only sang a few bars of his charity hit, "We Are the World", before the sound was cut off and he was booed from the stage.

It was left to young star Chris Jones to wear a trademark red leather jacket, sing "Thriller", and pay tribute to an artiste still regarded as one of the most influential music makers in the last 50 years.

"He has influenced my life since day one, since I was in my mama's womb," Brown said. "I was listening to his music as I was coming out and I'm here to pay tribute to him."

Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com

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Kirsten Dunst dating rocker?

Actress Kirsten Dunst of "Spiderman" fame is reportedly dating MGMT band frontman Andrew Vanwyngarden.

"Kirsten met Andrew at a gig in New York in July and set her sights on him then. She was then seen backstage with him at Lowlands in Holland and Pukkelpop in Belgium earlier this month," a source close to her was quoted as saying by thesun.co.uk.

The actress was earlier romancing Johnny Borrell, the lead singer of the band Razorlight.

Interestingly, Andrew was previously linked with singer Fabiola Gatti who was Borell's ex-girlfriend.

"It is all a bit mucky, as he (Vanwyngarden) has been linked with Johnny's ex, Fabiola. Andrew made quite an impression with the girls in the Hawley crowd, so they have got a few things in common there too," the source added.

Borell and Dunst had been dating since March last year. The Razorlight singer had briefly moved into Dunst's rented north London home before they broke up last September.

Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com

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Brad Pitt wants more kids

Hollywood star Brad Pitt says he would love to have more children to add to his already large family, just weeks after his partner and actress Angelina Jolie gave birth to twins.

The twins - Vivienne Marcheline and Knox Leon - were born July 12 in south of France. But the actor confessed that he wouldn't mind having a larger brood, reports contactmusic.com.

"The twins are fine but I'll have two more by next year,” Pitt told reporters at the Venice Film Festival Wednesday.

Pitt and Jolie's twins are the fifth and sixth children to join the family, which includes adopted kids Maddox, 6, Pax, 4, and Zahara, 3, and their biological daughter Shiloh, born in Namibia two years ago.

Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com

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Tomkat don his and hers look!

American actor Tom Cruise and his wife actress Katie Holmes were spotted wearing the same matching clothes on a family outing with daughter Suri.

The Hollywood couple, who have been wearing matching outfits to different occasions, were seen wearing matching blue jeans that looked like they belonged to Cruise."Tom may be the boss when it comes to the box office but there is no doubt who wears the trousers at home,” the Mirror quoted an onlooker as saying.

"It''s odd that such a glamorous women has taken to wearing her husband''s clothes but even so she still looks fantastic.

"I''m just praying things don''t change and Tom feels he needs to start wearing hers," the onlooker added.

Cruise, 46, was enjoying a day out in New York with 2-year-old Suri and 29-year-old actress Katie after temporarily relocating to the Big Apple while his wife prepares to star in the Broadway production of All My Sons.

Source: mesofindia.indiatimes.com

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Eva 'proud' of her nip- slip TV ad

Eva Mendes has said that she’s proud of her controversial Calvin Klein TV ad that has been banned because it showed too much of her nipple.

The Hollywood star, who was recently in Sydney to launch the 30 Days of Fashion and Beauty event, has been causing a stir over the Calvin Klein perfume ads.

"It makes me more proud," News.com.au quoted Eva, as saying about the ban.

The Ghost Rider star , who has done a number of nude shoots over the years, said she was not worried the latest would overshadow her acting career.

"I'm sure if it was for some kind of independent brand that wasn't as iconic as Calvin Klein I don't think I would have done it because that's too much of a risk," Mendes said.

"But when its Calvin Klein and it's (fashion photographer) Steve Meisel shooting you and you get to be a part of this amazing iconic brand and their legacy you just kind of go for it,” she said.

The ad, which shows Eva rolling around in a bed with a sheet wrapped around her, has been banned in the US, UK and Australia.

Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com

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Lindsay's gal pal to pen a book

Lindsay Lohan's close friend Samantha Ronson is reportedly in talks to pen a tell-all book.

A source close to club DJ Samantha said, "Well, she's certainly telling friends she's planning to write a book." “It's supposed to be about her, allegedly. But come on, you know Lindsay will be all over that book. She's the only one people want to read about,” E! Online quoted the source, as saying.

Lindsay's father, Michael Lohan, says he's also been told that Samantha is writing a book, though he hasn't spoken directly to Lindsay or Samantha about it. Still, he says he is already furious over the notion. "I've shut up about this long enough," Michael said.

"She's using my daughter. People never even knew who Samantha Ronson was until she met Lindsay. She was just some LA DJ. And now she's writing a book? This is not in Lindsay's best interest,” he added.

Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com

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Piggy Chops ready for action

When she walks into the room to be quizzed by waiting journalists, one cannot take eyes off her.

Dressed in white-halter-collared-shirt paired with pencil jeans combo, Priyanka Chopra seems to be getting prettier by the day. By this time, she must have got used to the constant stares. But, if the roles were to be reversed, who is it that she cannot help but stare at? “SRK,” she says instantly. “I am in complete awe of him. Right from my contest days, where he was the judge, I kept on staring at him. What a rude stare that was,” giggles Priyanka.

Priyanka started out with intense dramas, and soon diversified into comedy. Now, she has her eyes set on action — all in a span of just five years. Was this part of a carefully cultivated career plan? “No, it all just fell in place. Five years may not sound like ages but, for me, it seems so because I haven’t taken a single holiday in between. I work 20 hours a day, I like experimenting with my work and my looks, and I am getting to work with fine filmmakers,” she says.

Her recent film with Salman Khan, Sohail Khan and Amitabh Bachchan, is a copy of the Jim Carrey starrer Bruce Almighty . When she does such films that are are rip-offs of Hollywood films, does it affect her as an actor? “No, it doesn’t have an effect on me. Eventually, a lot of stories are inspired from different plots,” says Priyanka.

But, not all filmmakers are frank when it comes to informing the actors that their films are copies of other films. As an actor, is she taken into confidence when such things happen? “Yes, mostly. Rest of the time, they come to me all excited stating it’s an original idea. But, if someone is candid about his/her intentions, it makes a lot of difference to me,” observes she.

Did the journalist’s role in the recent Rumi Jaffrey film show her a new side of life? “You are right. But, it is not a role that gave me an insight into journalism as it is a comedy, though I realised a few things.” The actress is currently awaiting the release of Drona, her big film with Abhishek Bachchan, in which her character has all the trappings of an action heroine. And, she will also be spotted in an upcoming Bobby Deol film.

With so many successful heroines vying for the audience’s attention, there seems to be tough competition out there. Does it scare her? “No, I don’t think so,” she says rather confidently, and goes on, “I am grateful that I am doing the kind of stuff I like, and I am in a position today to pick and choose the films I want to do.” Very few heroines can boast of having achieved so much in such a little time. But then, the actor in question is Priyanka Chopra!

Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com

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Its official! Sayali is dating Shoaib

This is a BT scoop. Remember, you read it here first.

Pakistan’s cricket captain, the dashing Shoaib Malik, is dating former Miss India and Bollywood actress Sayali Bhagat. This reporter bumped into them at a South Mumbai hotel where Shoaib was staying when they ventured into a beauty parlour in the lobby. Sayali, of course, is instantly recognisable; but Shoaib pretended to be somebody else! When he realised that he had been well caught, the Pakistani cricketer gamely signed autographs for hotel staff.

Sayali, who made her debut opposite Emran Hashmi in The Train, had hoped to keep their relationship under wraps. “We need more time because we are just getting to know each other,” she explained. Shoaib, meanwhile, could not have started off on a more sticky wicket: he was recently in the news when a Hyderabadi family claimed that he had married their daughter. Sayali defended her man, “This was a marriage proposal that he said no to. Those allegations have been legally proved baseless. Shoaib was always single!”

They met at a store opening in Delhi last year and since then, kept in touch via email and occasional phone calls. “It’s not easy, especially when he is in Pakistan,” admitted the former beauty queen. But she’s bowled over by Shoaib’s effort to make things work. “It’s so flattering, he makes special trips just for me and showers me with attention. I am in love, I guess,” Sayali said of her cricketer boyfriend who faces the tricky task of answering the Pakistan media’s questions on her.

She’s hoping this will be a Jodhaa-Akbar kind of story and said, “Our religion is not an issue, I am more concerned about the distance between us.” But, Sayali accepts that their romance might face political interference. “I don’t know what’s going to happen tomorrow, but I believe when you want something from the heart — the whole universe conspires to get it for you. I hope that happens for us,” she said. Meanwhile, films continue to happen for her and cricket for him. He’s “cool” about her work but sometimes expresses insecurity over her hot Bollywood’s male co-stars! And she, having heard all the stories about how cricketers score off the field, hates to think of him on long tours. “I keep imagining all kinds of things when I cannot reach him,” Sayali said wistfully.

afsana.ahmed@timesgroup.com

Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com

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Freida’s ready for Bollywood

It’s the kind of role that a Kareena or Katrina would love to do, but renowned British director Danny Boyle of Trainspotting fame dropped it into little-known Freida Pinto’s lap.


And Boyle’s film Slumdog Millionaire, partly shot in Mumbai and Agra, is now ready to premiere at the Toronto Film Festival this October. Freida, 23, is running around in excitement, arranging a visa and making
other plans.

“I hadn’t given acting a thought,” admitted Freida, “and I was kind of threshing around in life when I was asked to audition by the film’s casting director Loveleen Tandon. I didn’t think I’d be selected to play the lead opposite Dev Patel in a Danny Boyle film!” She had to do workshops with the film’s writer Simon Beaufoy and was then ready for shooting.

After Toronto, Freida will go to New York to promote the film. “It’s the kind of life I never imagined for myself,” said the Mumbai girl who’s done amateur theatre and anchored an international travel show for television. She believes Boyle wanted an unknown face and someone who knew the pulse of Mumbai. “I fitted the bill because I’ve spent most of my life here. I’m a pucca Mumbai girl,” said Freida.

Slumdog Millionaire, she said, has changed her life. “Dev Patel (a household name in Britain for his role in the teleserial Skins) was completely hassle-free. The shooting went off like a charm. Boyle’s unit was immune to all the problems that foreign units usually face in Mumbai,” said the debutant actress who is now reading several scripts and getting ready for Bollywood!

Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com

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Who's the box-office King?

It’s that age-old question that trade pundits have been asking. Who is Bollywood’s reel king?

That’s a tough question to answer in an industry ruled by the K-men –Aamir, Salman, Saif and Shah Rukh and Akshay Kumar. Although, some industry insiders feel, even at 67, Amitabh Bachchan is still a force to reckon with in BO stakes (especially if you were to look at the number of flicks he’s got in hand — God Tussi Great Ho, Zamaanat, Shoe Bite, Aladdin, Talismaan , Exclusion and Shantaram ), the focus has shifted to the younger lot of actors.

SRK with two blockbusters last year ( Chak De! India and Om Shanti Om ) has a slew of interesting projects lined up — Dulha Mil Gaya, Billo Barber, Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi and My Name Is Khan . Now King Khan has competition from action Kumar Akshay (AK has four hits tucked under his designer belt) whose recent film Singh Is Kinng has grossed Rs 90 crore worldwide and is being touted as the biggest BO hit so far this year.

In the pipeline are five other films ( Kambakth Ishq, Chandni Chowk To China, Blue, Eight by Ten, International Hera Pheri ). B-town’s thinking actor Aamir is on a high after Taare Zameen Par and if his Ghajini hair cut is a fashion statement already, reports say the film is slated to be a big money-spinner.

Salman Khan’s God Tussi Great Ho might not be a big grosser, but the shirtless superstar’s kitty nevertheless has Wanted: Dead and Alive, Heroes, Yuvraaj and Main Aur Mrs. Khanna . All of them potential blockbusters in the making. And the newest K-boy who’s the favourite of box-office — Shahid Kapoor’s career graph is also soaring, after his recent Kismat Konnection tilted the BO fortune in his favour. His forthcoming films include Paathshala and Milenge Milenge .

So, now, who’s ruling the ticket windows this year then? While trade pundits are loath to name a favourite, we asked some to anoint the next king. Trade Analyst, Taran Adarsh feels that the Bollywood has four kings — SRK, Hrithik Roshan, Akshay Kumar and Aamir Khan. He feels Salman Khan is already out of the race. “I feel that SRK whose biggest hit Om Shanti Om , Akshay (who’s got many hits too), Aamir (with Fanaa, Rang De Basanti and Taare Zameen Par ) and Hrithik (after Dhoom 2, Kkrish and Jodhaa Akbar ) — make all the four box-office kings.” For filmmaker Vikram Bhatt, the king of Bollywood would have to be “Aamir Khan. He is successful as a star, actor, director and producer. That’s a rare combination. He has outdone everybody.” Then there are die-hard believers. Like Actress Meghna Naidu who thinks SRK can be termed the king because “he’s magnetic and charismatic, witty, intelligent and an intense actor.” Something that fashion designer Sabyasachi Mukherjee doesn’t agree with. He says, “I personally like Aamir as an actor because he is fabulous.”

A bit of number crunching by numerologist Sanjay Jumani proves that this could be Akshay’s year. “Akshay is in his 42nd year, and 42 = 6, Number of Venus, planet of entertainment. Akshay is a number 9 {09/09} in Numerology and 2007= 9, the year when he started to flourish. A Virgo ruled by number 5, he rocked in his 41st year (41=5) last year. Fear Factor — Khatron Ke Khiladi , the show that has become the trump card of new channel, Colors adds to 5, one of his lucky number too! Akshay will remain in his 42nd year till 9th Sept, and his 43rd year begins. 43, though not amongst his lucky (or unlucky) numbers, will be eventful too as 2008 is still on. His name which adds to 28 is the same number we get by adding 2008.”

By sheer mathematics Akshay Kumar tops the chart, followed in close tandem by SRK, a hit or a miss might change the sweepstakes completely. However, filmmaker Kunal Kohli feels “Bollywood has spread out so much, top actors have become brand names with their own kingdoms. Let’s not worry about who’ll rule the BO, but think of making better films instead.”
If only the emperors to-be were listening!

Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com

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Linday denies having lesbian relationship before

Hollywood singer-actress Linday Lohan has denied that she had a lesbian relationship before she started dating DJ Samantha Ronson.

The couple was walking around Los Angeles (LA) Sunday when a photographer asked Lohan if there were any truth in the rumours that she had previously been involved with Courtenay Semel, the daughter of the owner of Yahoo!, reports mirror.co.uk.

"No, that's not true," Lohan said.
Semel recently claimed in papers that she was Lohan's first lesbian lover before she hooked up with producer Mark Ronson's sister Sam.

“Everyone thinks Samantha is Lindsay's first lesbian love, but we were very passionate until her fear of being found out drove us apart,” Semel reportedly told a pal.

She added: “At the time she was terrified her career would be over if she revealed her sexual tendencies. But then Samantha came on to the scene and I was dropped.”

Lohan and Semel were spotted out together numerous times around LA late last year, however, Lohan has now denied there was anything between the two, reports Access Hollywood.

Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com

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Michael Jackson, once pop's Peter Pan, turns a sad 50

Santa Maria, California - The gates of Michael Jackson's Neverland were locked shut this week. The funfair was idle and the animals from the private zoo were long gone.

As the former King of Pop was set to mark his 50th birthday Friday it seemed fitting that the extravagant estate built as his homage to a fantasy of childhood remained empty
- a site irrevocably tied to his financial and legal troubles, a symbol of a strange star's downfall.

This was meant to be Jackson's refuge - a place where he could play with children who were the age he was when he became a professional singer at 11. His goal seemed to be to recover that lost childhood. But it turned sour.

He was accused of two instances of child molestation at Neverland, in 1993 and 2003. Although he settled the first case without any admission of wrongdoing and was cleared of all charges after a media- saturated trial in the second case, the ordeals wreaked havoc on his already fragile psyche and turned him into a freak in the world's celebrity sideshow.

So there were no parties there this week, no stadium concerts like Madonna - the Queen of Pop who turned 50, 13 days before Jackson - and celebrated while on her wildly lucrative "Sweet and Sticky" world tour.

Like Madonna, Jackson turned the 1980s pop world on its head, selling more than 100 million copies of the album Thriller in 1982, and introducing new dance moves, new sounds and a new level of mega- stardom.

Jackson has blamed his problems on the challenges of being a child star - one of nine musical siblings and the star of the Jackson Five long before he reached puberty. He had monster hits like ABC and I'll Be There with his siblings, but changed the entire industry with hits such as Thriller, Off the Wall, Billie Jean and Beat It.

These songs redefined the modern music video and forced MTV to start showing black performers, ensuring the success of the fledgling music station and paving the way for the acceptance of rap and hip- hop as mainstream musical styles.

But gradually Jackson created less hits and more tabloid headlines thanks to his odd behaviour and plastic surgery. His two- year marriage to Lisa-Marie Presley sparked intense speculation. Then he married his nurse Debbie Rowe, who became the mother of his two older children. The mother of his third child has never been identified.

Whereas once he was widely seen as the best dancer in the entertainment world, his most recent public appearance saw him confined to a wheelchair on a Las Vegas shopping trip with his three children Prince I, 11, Prince II, 6, and daughter Paris, 10.

He was wearing slippers and pyjamas, and the ever present facial mask which either shields him from pollution or hides the damage that excessive plastic surgery has wrought on his face.

Talk about a comeback has been floating around for years as Jackson juggles huge debts yet remains one of the most intriguing celebrities in the world. The most persistent rumours suggest a series of residency concerts at a Vegas venue.

Other reports involve the construction of a Thriller casino and entertainment venue, or Cirque du Soleil show based on his roster of hits. But deal after deal has reportedly fallen through because of Jackson's weak mental state and inability to function normally.

Jackson appeared briefly for a live performance at the World Music Awards in London in November 2006 for which he was reportedly paid 400,000 dollars. But he was two-and-a-half hours late and only sang a few bars of his charity hit, We Are the World, before the sound was cut off and he was booed from the stage.

It was left to young star Chris Jones to wear a trademark red leather jacket, sing Thriller, and pay tribute to an artist still regarded as one of the most influential music makers in the last 50 years.

"He has influenced my life since day one, since I was in my mama's womb," Brown said. "I was listening to his music as I was coming out and I'm here to play tribute to him."

Source: topnews.in

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Uma Thurman strips off for moon lit swim with fiance

Hollywood actress Uma Thurman was spotted going for a topless moon lit swim with fiance Arki Busson on their Italian holiday. (Join Uma Thurman Fan Club)

The couple, who had announced their engagement earlier this year, were also pictured kissing each other as they cooled off in the water, reports The Sun.

Prior to the ‘naughty’ swim, the loving pair had visited actor Liam Neeson and his wife Natasha Richardson. Later, they enjoyed a romantic dinner together.

The ‘Kill Bill’ actress began dating Busson just after she split from Andre Balaz – her partner of three years.

Busson has dated model Elle McPherson for nine years.

Source: topnews.in

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Paris Hilton says she just ‘loves’ Britney Spears

Paris Hilton has said it loud and clear that she loves popstar Britney Spears and is rooting for her at this year’s MTV Video Music Awards.

The ‘Hit Me Baby One More Time’ hitmaker has been nominated for two awards at the VMA’s this year – Best Female and Best Pop Video category for her track ‘A piece of me’.

"I love Britney, I think she looks so beautiful right now,” Contactmusic quoted Hilton, as saying.

"I''m really happy for her, She looks amazing and she better win the VMAs, She''s the best," Hilton said.

The MTV VMAs show is set to air in the U. S. on 7 September (08).

Source: topnews.in

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Led Zeppelin return to studio for first time in over 25 years

English rock band Led Zeppelin may be gearing up for a reunion tour, as they have reportedly returned to the studio for the first time in more than a quarter of a century.

Guitarist Jimmy Page and drummer John Bonham are said to be working on new material during secret sessions in London, while vocalist Robert Plant is still on tour in the US with current musical partner, country singer Alison Krauss, and his absence from the band is very obvious.

“I’ve been working with Jimmy and John Paul and trying to do some new material and some writing,” the Sun quoted Bonham as revealing.

“I don’t know what it will be, but it will be something,” he said.

It would seem that the band is working towards something, as Bonham has given notice to his current employers, Foreigner, that he will no longer drum for them after September 1, which leaves open the possibilities of a reunion.

The only band member who is hesitant to return, after their smash hit comeback show at London’s O2 Arena last year, is Plant, while Page is very keen to have a show.

“The possibility of doing something is on the cards,” Bonham stated.

“I really felt it was on the cards from the moment we walked off stage at the O2.

“At the moment, all I know is I have the great pleasure to go and jam with the two guys and start work on some material.

“Whatever it ends up as, to get a chance to jam with two people like that is a phenomenal thing for me.”

“When I get there, I never ask any questions,” he added.

Source: topnews.in

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Pop paedophile Gary Glitter spotted sneaking out to shop for a car

Pop paedophile Gary Glitter, 64, was caught sneaking out of his safe house on August 26 night to go shopping for a car.

He ventured out under the cover of darkness with a friend using a straw hat and a red wig, hoping that he would not be recognized.

But even though he had shaved off his grey beard, after his deportation from the Far East last week, he was still easily recognized with his torn jeans and a holey jumper.

Glitter was first seen driving to Sainsbury’s for groceries with a pal of his, where they parked the car in a corner of the parking lot to avoid being noticed.

While his friend left the car and went into the store, Glitter sat in the front passenger seat for 15 minutes waiting for him, shielding his face from passing headlights, but at one point he could not resist looking at himself in the car’s vanity mirror.

After his pal returned and loaded the bags into the boot, they were seen heading off on a short drive to a plush car showroom, but since it was closed, they parked the red BMW estate in the garage car park and spent ten minutes eyeing up posh cars on the forecourt.

The pop pervert seemed to be particularly interested in a three-year-old 25,995 pounds Mercedes ML350.

Glitter had escaped being recognized as the streets were empty, and in his attempt to disguise himself, he had changed his old sunglasses for new ones, wearing them without even removing the price tag.

When Glitter was confronted, he was startled and denied that he was the Seventies rocker.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about. I don’t know who you mean,” the Sun quoted him as saying.

Meanwhile Glitter’s pal took a swing at the photographer and punched him in the face, leaving him with a red mark on his cheek.

The pair then rushed back to their car and sped off into the night.

Source: topnews.in

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Safina, Williams aim for No. 1 tennis ranking at US Open

NEW YORK (AFP) - Top seed Ana Ivanovic struggled but held on to win her opening match, while a pair of wannabe number ones advanced in straights sets during day two of the US Open.

World No. 1 Ivanovic, who captured the French Open earlier this year for her first Grand Slam title, didn't make the opening statement she had planned on Tuesday.

The 20-year-old Serbian survived a scare by beating Vera Dushevina 6-1, 4-6, 6-4 at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Centre.

"Obviously my lack of practice showed a little," Ivanovic said. "This match is going to help me because it was so challenging.

"I was missing a lot of match practice so I got a tough one today."

Olympic silver medallist Dinara Safina and Serena Williams won their first round matches in straight sets on Tuesday.

Both have a chance at supplanting Ivanovic as the top ranked WTA player if they reach the finals in the 20.6 million dollar event.

On the men's side of the draw, Roger Federer began his quest for his fifth consecutive US Open title in stunning fashion with a dominating 6-3, 6-0, 6-3 win over Maximo Gonzalez.

"It was a good match to start off with," Federer said. "I thought I served well and really moved good for the first round. I went on a good roll."

Safina, who is trying to put a fitting exclamation point on a superb season, defeated Kristie Ahn 6-3, 6-4.

The 22-year-old Safina, has won three titles in 2008 but hasn't made it past the quarter-finals in the US Open.

Two-time champion Serena Williams rolled to an easy win by beating Kateryna Bondarenko 6-1, 6-4.

The 26-year-old American continued her solid play on hardcourts by firing six aces en route to a victory in just 56 minutes. Sister Venus also booked a second round spot with a win over Aussie Samantha Stosur.

The women's draw is wide open this year as the last three champions (Maria Sharapova, Kim Clijsters, Justine Henin) are all absent.

Ivanovic had to overcome some anxious moments in the third set as she double faulted on her first match point before clinching the victory on her second match point.

She moves through the second round where she will face Julie Coin of France who beat Australian Casey Dellacqua 7-6 (8/6), 7-6 (7/4).

Safina hammered five aces and fired 20 winners to just eight for American qualifier Ahn.

It would be a windfall victory for Safina if she breaks through and wins the US Open.

She placed first the US Open Series leading up to the final Grand Slam of the season which means she would receive a one million dollar bonus in addition to the 1.5 million dollars in first place prize money.

She moves through to the second round where she will face Taiwan's Chan Yung-jan who beat Stephanie Cohen-Aloro of France 4-6, 7-5, 6-3.

The second seeded Swiss star Federer lost his world No. 1 ranking last week to Rafael Nadal. He is hoping that another win at Flushing Meadows can salvage a season where he has won just two titles and failed to defend his Australian Open and Wimbledon crowns.

Against Gonzalez, he fired 15 aces and hammered 39 winners on the main Arthur Ashe Stadium court in front of an evening crowd of about 20,000. He also converted seven of 13 break point opportunities and won 73 percent of his first serves.

"This takes a little bit of pressure off me because I know a little more about where my game is at," Federer said. "I have to play more aggressively on hardcourt."

Federer dispatched Argentina's Gonzalez in a scant 82 minutes and advances to the second round where he will face Thiago Alves of Brazil.

Other seeded mens winner included, Fernando Gonzalez, Fernando Verdasco, Tommy Robredo, Ivo Karlovic and Igor Andreev all won their opening matches.

Former world number one Marat Safin beat American journeyman Vince Spadea 3-6, 6-2, 6-3, 4-6, 6-4 while Germany's Tommy Haas posted a mild upset over French 12th seed Richard Gasquet 6-7 (3/7), 6-4, 5-7, 7-5, 6-2.

Source: news.yahoo.com

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Australia assessing visa for Snoop Dogg

SYDNEY, Australia - The immigration department said Wednesday it was conducting a character assessment of Snoop Dogg, including his criminal history, as Australia considers whether to grant the rapper a visa for a concert tour later this year.

A department spokesman said reports the visa had already been granted were false.

He said the rapper, whose birth name is Cordozar Calvin Broadus Jr., applied for a visa in July and the department carried out a preliminary assessment. Snoop Dogg and fellow hip-hop star Ice Cube plan an Australian concert tour in October.

"The department has now decided to do a full assessment of the character of Mr. Broadus, and the department has begun this assessment," the spokesman said, speaking on condition of anonymity as required by the department.

He said Snoop Dogg had been notified of the further assessment.

The spokesman said the rapper has visited Australia three times: in 1998, 2006 and 2007, without incident, though he did overstay his visa by two days on the last visit.

Snoop Dogg withdrew his application for a visa to Australia last year when he failed to pass the character requirements after pleading no contest to gun and drug charges in the United States.

Source: news.yahoo.com

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Filmmaker Chick takes thriller route to Hamptons

NEW YORK (Hollywood Reporter) - Sony Screen Gems and indie filmmaker Austin Chick are taking a trip to the Hamptons.

The genre label has signed on for a Hamptons-based thriller from Chick that mixes elements of the found-money morality tale "A Simple Plan" with aspects of a youth-oriented romantic thriller like "Cruel Intentions."

The untitled project, which Chick is writing and will direct, revolves around three twenty-somethings -- two brothers and a brother's girlfriend -- who, while vacationing in the Hamptons on Long Island, come upon a cache of money. They get embroiled in an increasingly complex plan to divide it up and elude the money's true owners, who are pursuing them.

Chick directed the 2008 Josh Hartnett drama "August" and made his debut with the Mark Ruffalo-starring romantic drama "XX/XY"; he also served as a co-producer on Sidney Lumet's "Before the Devil Knows You're Dead." He said he was eager to work on a movie that he described as "straddling the line between a thriller and a prestige movie" because of the state of the indie business.

"I'd like to continue doing more specialty movies in the future, but with the business hitting such hard times I wanted to try something a little different," he said.

Source: news.yahoo.com

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Steven Spielberg still on board for "Tintin"

BRUSSELS, Belgium/LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - Although Brussels' Herge Studios seems to think otherwise, Steven Spielberg remains committed to directing the first in a planned "Tintin" trilogy for DreamWorks.

It will be his next directing effort after this summer's "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull," which has grossed $780 million worldwide.

Herge Studios, which holds the rights to the iconic comic strip character, said Tuesday via a spokesman that Peter Jackson was moving into the director's chair for the first film. But both Jackson's and Spielberg's representatives say that Jackson will direct the sequel and serve as a producer on the first film.

In the meantime, Jackson will finish postproduction on "The Lovely Bones" for DreamWorks/Paramount before moving on to co-write the two "Hobbit" movies for New Line and MGM.

The first "Tintin" feature will be based on two books, "The Secret of the Unicorn" and "Red Rackham's Treasure," written by Tintin creator Herge -- the pen name of Belgian artist Georges Remi -- between 1942 and 1944.

The film, scripted by Stephen Moffat, a writer on the British sci-fi series "Doctor Who," will be animated with motion-capture technology. It stars 18-year-old Thomas Sangster as the title character and Andy Serkis, who played Gollum in the "Lord of the Rings" triology, as Tintin's friend Captain Haddock.

Source: news.yahoo.com

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Movie museum to honor Ben Stiller

NEW YORK (Hollywood Reporter) - Actor/director Ben Stiller has been selected as this year's honoree for the Museum of the Moving Image's 24th annual black-tie salute.

The event, which benefit's MOMI's education programs, is scheduled for November 12 at Cipriani 42nd Street in New York. Stiller's colleagues are expected to pay tribute and present clips from his film career.

"Ben Stiller is one of the great talents of American entertainment: a memorable actor, an accomplished director and writer, an Emmy Award winner and an innovative producer," MOMI director Rochelle Slovin said.

Tom Cruise, Stiller's "Tropic Thunder" co-star, was last year's honoree.

Source: news.yahoo.com

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Kara DioGuardi joins `Idol' judges for NYC tryouts

NEW YORK - It was only her first day as an "American Idol" judge, but already Kara DioGuardi seemed part of the dysfunctional family.

DioGuardi, the freshly-installed fourth "Idol" critic, joined Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson in a public show of solidarity Tuesday afternoon as the quartet entered a Chelsea Piers building on Manhattan's west side for a round of season eight auditions.

They walked a red carpet amid a media circus aimed at getting the first photo opportunity of DioGuardi with her new co-workers. Cowell summed up the thinking behind adding the 37-year-old singer-songwriter to the panel.

"It's like, you know, having dinner with three people for seven years, and getting quite bored of each other," Cowell told reporters. "So it's having a fourth person, new opinion, I think it's gonna be interesting."

"I think it's gonna make it sexier," said Jackson, chiming in.

DioGuardi's songs have been recorded by Kelly Clarkson, Christina Aguilera, Gwen Stefani, Celine Dion, Faith Hill, Carrie Underwood and Pink, among others. Her recent Top 40 hits include Stefani's "Rich Girl," Clarkson's "Walk Away" and Dion's "Taking Chances."

Fox announced DioGuardi's new gig Monday morning.

"Kara has a good reputation of A, having hits; and B, having an opinion. And that's a good combination," Cowell said, adding, matter-of-factly: "And she's cute."

"You think I'm cute?" DioGuardi replied (as if she didn't know it already). "Oh, good."

A smiling Abdul said she was excited to have another woman at the judges' table. She had expressed uncertainty about the new format in a radio interview the day before, telling Phoenix's 104.7 KISS-FM that she was "concerned about the audience and acceptance. Time will tell. We'll see."

As it happens, Abdul and DioGuardi are longtime friends. They co-wrote the dance song "Spinning Around" for Kylie Minogue in 2000.

"I know Kara, and she speaks her mind — so she will be speaking her mind," Abdul said of DioGuardi's judging technique.

"That's a nice way of saying she's bitchy," Cowell sniped, eliciting a "Whooooooooah!" from Jackson.

"Then what are you if I'm bitchy?" DioGuardi said.

"Sincere," Cowell responded.

"I'm sincere too," she said.

Cowell said they hadn't fully decided how ties will be broken in the audition process. In past seasons, two out of three judges had to agree to advance aspiring pop stars to the Hollywood round.

He joked that the foursome held a slumber party to bond with the rookie.

"We had a picnic last night in the bedroom," he said. "I wore pajamas, the girls wore negligees and we kind of broke the ice."

What will be the seating order on the panel?

"I'm gonna sit between the two girls," Cowell said.

"I'm gonna sit between the two girls as well," Jackson replied.

And how will the time-starved show fit in FOUR judges' opinions?

"Paula will have to speak less," said Cowell, unable to resist another swipe at his favorite target.

Source: news.yahoo.com

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Gustav hits Haiti, drives up oil prices

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti - Hurricane Gustav caused a killer landslide and dumped torrential rains on southern Haiti before weakening to a tropical storm late Tuesday.
Rising water threatened Haiti's crops amid protests over high food prices, and oil prices rose on fears the storm could batter oil rigs in the Gulf of Mexico.

The storm lingered into the night over Haiti's poor, deforested southern peninsula, and water levels were rising in banana, bean and vegetable fields. One man was killed in a landslide in the mountain town of Benet, civil protection director Marie Alta Jean-Baptiste told Radio Metropole.

Cars pushed through standing water in the streets of Port-au-Prince, as fallen trees and landslides blocked a major road out of the capital.

Hundreds of people in coastal Les Cayes ignored government warnings to seek shelter, instead throwing rocks to protest the high cost of living in the Western Hemisphere's poorest country. Witnesses said U.N. peacekeepers used tear gas to disperse the crowd.

Haiti is a tinderbox because of soaring food prices, which in April led to deadly protests and the ouster of the nation's prime minister. It was difficult to ascertain the extent of the damage from the hurricane to the nation's crops on Tuesday because of Haiti's poor infrastructure and faulty communications.

"If the rain continues, we'll be flooded," U.N. food consultant Jean Gardy said Tuesday from the southeastern town of Marigot.

The National Hurricane Center in Miami said late Tuesday that Gustav had weakened to a tropical storm with winds near 70 mph (110 kph) but is expected to regain hurricane strength on Wednesday once it clears Haiti. Forecasters said it could become a Category 2 hurricane with winds topping 96 mph (154 kph) Thursday as it moves between Cuba and Jamaica.

After Haiti, a strengthening Gustav was projected to sideswipe Cuba's southern coastline all week before entering the central gulf on Sunday. Jamaica and the Cayman Islands were under hurricane watches.

Forecasters were reluctant to predict the storm's path beyond the weekend, the third anniversary of Hurricane Katrina.

Thunderstorms associated with Gustav were already bringing downpours to some parts of eastern Cuba late Tuesday night. In Houlgin province, communist officials evacuated residents from low-lying areas and set up shelters and emergency food distribution centers in schools and municipal buildings.

Forecasters said the U.S. military base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, would be spared a direct hit. Base spokesman Bruce Lloyd said the base was preparing for emergencies in any case.

A powerful storm in the Gulf of Mexico could force shutdowns on the offshore rigs that account for a quarter of U.S. crude production and much of its natural gas. Royal Dutch Shell PLC said it could begin evacuating workers as soon as Wednesday.

The price of light, sweet crude for October delivery ended Tuesday up US$1.16 to settle at US$116.27 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange after the forecasters said Gustav could enter the gulf as a major hurricane this weekend.

Late Tuesday, the storm's center was about 85 miles (135 kilometers) west of Port au Prince, Haiti. The storm was moving west-northwest near 8 mph (13 kph).

If the storm continues on its path, it could drive up U.S. gasoline prices by 10 cents a gallon ahead of Labor Day weekend, predicted James Cordier, president of Tampa, Florida-based Liberty Trading Group and OptionSellers.com.

"Most indications are that Gustav will be an extremely dangerous hurricane in the northwestern Caribbean Sea in a few days," the Miami-based hurricane center said.

Gustav roared ashore on Haiti on Tuesday afternoon near the city of Jacmel with top sustained winds near 90 mph (145 kph). Heavy rains pelted the area as winds bent palm trees and kicked up surf along waterfronts of dilapidated wooden buildings.

Patrice Tallyrand, 43, fled with his family to a friend's home after Gustav knocked down four trees in their back yard in the southern town of Kabik.

"We had to leave the house before it got worse," he said.

Stranded travelers mobbed the American Airlines counter at the airport after the airline canceled all flights.

"I knew it was coming, but I was hoping to be out before it came," said Jody Stoltzfus, a 27-year-old missionary who had planned a visit home to Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

In Cuba, Fidel Castro issued an essay that mentioned the hurricane, saying Cuba's government "guarantees no one will be forgotten."

Source: news.yahoo.com

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