The Indian Panorama

Month: September 2012

  • Democratic convention calls for Obama re-election

    Democratic convention calls for Obama re-election

    CHARLOTTE, NC (TIP): The US Democratic Party launched its National Convention September 4 as it seeks to convince voters that President Barack Obama deserves a second term.
    The chair of the Democratic National Committee, Debbie Wasserman Schultz, brought the gala into session with a strike of the gavel at 5 P.M. ET.

    Schultz, who is also the chairwoman of the Democratic National Committee, said that throughout the next three days, “we will demonstrate we need to keep President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden four more years.”
    We will keep tabs on the convention all night. I’ll be joined by NPR’s Liz Halloran, and photographer Becky Lettenberger will bring us some of the sights.

    If Ted Strickland delivered the strongest attack on Mitt Romney, Gov. Deval Patrick delivered the best defense of Barack Obama.

    “If we want to win elections in November and keep our country moving forward, if we want to earn the privilege to lead, it’s time for Democrats to stiffen our backbone and stand up for what we believe,” he said.

    He added:”This is the president who delivered the security of affordable health care to every single American after 90 years of trying. This is the president who brought Osama bin Laden to justice, who ended the war in Iraq and is ending the war in Afghanistan. This is the president who ended “don’t ask, don’t tell” so that love of country, not love of another, determines fitness for military service. Who made equal pay for equal work the law of the land. This is the president who saved the American auto industry from extinction, the American financial industry from self-destruction, and the American economy from depression. Who added over 4.5 million private sector jobs in the last two-plus years, more jobs than George W. Bush added in eight.

    “The list of accomplishments is long, impressive and barely told—even more so when you consider that congressional Republicans have made obstruction itself the centerpiece of their governing strategy. With a record and a vision like that, I will not stand by and let him be bullied out of office—and neither should you, and neither should you and neither should you.”

    First Lady Michelle Obama and former President Bill Clinton are among those who will address the three-day jamboree in Time Warner Cable Arena, Charlotte, North Carolina.
    A recent opinion poll shows Mr. Obama maintains a thin lead over the Republican nominee Mr. Mitt Romney.

    With November’s election looming, the president will aim to recapture the political spotlight over the next few days, after last week’s Republican convention. Throughout this campaign, there’s been a lot of talk about whether President Obama would be able to rekindle the kind of fervor he sparked in 2008.

    Mr. Obama is expected to answer Republican attacks that his economic policies have failed, and present himself to voters as an experienced and caring alternative to Mr. Romney.Shortly after the convention opened, delegates cheered their backing for the party’s new platform in an open voice vote.

    Among the changes found in the text of the party’s 2012 platform was the removal of language from the Middle East section referring to Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. That message was replaced with a passage referring to the party’s “unshakeable commitment to Israel’s security” and Mr. Obama’s “steadfast opposition to any attempt to delegitimize Israel”.

    The change prompted criticism from Republicans and Mitt Romney, who accuse Mr. Obama of “selling out” a key US ally.
    Tuesday’s first session saw a series of Democratic governors, members of Congress, mayors and electoral candidates speak in support of Mr. Obama and his policies, most notably his much-criticized healthcare reform law.

    A video tribute to the late Senator Edward Kennedy included clips from his 1994 Senate debate with Mr. Romney, and independent Rhode Island Governor Lincoln Chafee argued that his former party – the Republicans – had lost their way and had forfeited the label of conservative.

    Former White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel said the next president would set the tone for the next 40 years.
    “It will be the president’s leadership that determines how we as a nation meet the challenges that face the middle class. It is the president’s values that shape a future in which the middle class has hope,” he said.
    Mrs. Obama’s address at the end of Tuesday’s session will highlight the president’s character and praise his attributes as a father and husband.

    Her remarks will inevitably be compared and contrasted with those by would-be first lady Ann Romney, who gave a glowing tribute to her husband last week to the Republican convention in Tampa, Florida.
    The Democratic convention is likely to highlight the party’s diversity, with young black and Hispanic party members set to deliver speeches.Julian Castro, the Latino Mayor of San Antonio, Texas, will give the keynote address immediately before Mrs. Obama. But a number of the country’s top Democratic figures will not attend.
    Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is missing a Democratic convention for the first time in more than 40 years on account of ethical guidelines preventing cabinet heads from participating in political activities.
    Nor will California Governor Jerry Brown and former Vice-President Al Gore be present, both citing personal commitments.

    A number of Democratic congressional candidates and incumbents have also declined to attend, as they are engaged in tough battles for election in November.

    The Democratic gathering will see Mr. Obama and Vice-President Joe Biden formally re-nominated as the party’s presidential and vice-presidential candidates on Wednesday.

    Later that evening, there will be speeches from Elizabeth Warren, who is fighting Republican incumbent Scott Brown in a high-profile race for a Massachusetts Senate seat, and former President Clinton.The convention culminates on Thursday with speeches from Mr. Obama and Mr. Biden.The gala also offers the Democrats the chance to make a high-profile pitch to voters in North Carolina, a state that narrowly voted for Mr. Obama in 2008, but is now firmly up for grabs.

    As they did four years ago, the Democrats will take the event outside the convention centre for the president’s prime-time speech, taking over a 74,000-seater stadium in Charlotte for the final night of speeches.

    Organizers are working to ensure a full house for Mr. Obama’s speech. But organizers are concerned that thunderstorms forecast to hit Charlotte during the convention could keep people away.

    Meanwhile, Republicans were quick to seize on a remark Mr. Obama made on Monday, in which he told a local Colorado news station that he would give himself an “incomplete” grade on the economy.

    Vice-presidential candidate Paul Ryan told CBS News that the US should be “bouncing out of” the recent recession. “We’re not creating jobs at near the pace we could,” he said.

    A Gallup opinion poll on Monday suggested the convention had given the Republicans only the slightest of boosts, with 40% saying they were now more likely to vote for Mr. Romney but 38% of respondents describing themselves as less likely to.Mr. Obama maintained a lead over Mr. Romney of one percentage point – as he had done before the event

  • U.S. Open: Azarenka advances

    U.S. Open: Azarenka advances

    NEW YORK (TIP):Victoria Azarenka, the top-seeded woman in the tournament and the top-ranked player in the world, brazenly pulled off a dangerous drop shot at a key moment in a final set tiebreaker and sent off popular defending champion Samantha Stosur 6-1, 4-6, 7-6 (5) Tuesday, September 4.

    Rain interrupted Azarenka’s victory and it also interrupted most of the rest of the day’s sessions.

  • NASA likens Mars rover to Armstrong lunar landmark

    NASA likens Mars rover to Armstrong lunar landmark

    LOS ANGELES (TIP): NASA beamed back more spectacular pictures from Mars on Monday – and a first voice message — likening it to the lunar landmark led by Neil Armstrong, the first man on the moon who died last week. In the audio message, broadcast from the surface of the Red Planet by the Curiosity Rover, NASA administrator Charles Bolden forecast that a manned mission to Mars could happen “in the not too distant future.”

    “Another small step has been taken extending the human presence beyond earth,” said NASA expert Dave Lavery, echoing Armstrong’s famous first words on the Moon in 1969. Experts at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Pasadena, California released more pictures taken by the $2.5 billion rover, which landed at Gale Crater on the Red Planet on August 6. One showed a panorama, in pinsharp resolution showing individual rocks, of the landscape visible from the rover, including Mount Sharp, the slopes of which Curiosity plans to drive toward in the coming weeks and months.

    Mission chief scientist John Grotzinger said the landscape looked like “something that comes out of a John Ford movie,” referring to typical backdrop in films by the classic Western director. And he compared the tire tracks made by Curiosity, visible in some of the photos, to images of the first footprints on the Moon made by Armstrong, whose death at 82 was announced by his family on Saturday.

    “What we are seeing here is the results of tracks involving the first motions of the rover. I think instead of a human it’s a robot pretty much doing the same thing,” said Grotzinger. In a pre recorded voice message, uploaded to the rover before being beamed back to Earth, Bolden said he was “speaking to you via the broadcast capabilities of the Curiosity rover which is now on the surface of Mars.” “Since the beginning of time, Human kind’s curiosity has led us to constantly seek new life new possibilities just beyond the horizon,” he said, adding that the rover “prepares the way for a human mission in the not too distant future.” “This is an extraordinary achievement. Landing a rover on Mars is not easy. Others have tried. Only America has fully succeeded,” he added.

  • New therapy knocks out high BP with radio waves

    New therapy knocks out high BP with radio waves

    LONDON (TIP): A radical new therapy could knock out high blood pressure by zapping the kidneys with radio waves, a new research demonstrates. The procedure may be available early after trials produced dramatic improvements in the condition. It could be offering succour to the thousands of blood pressure patients who don’t respond to drugs. The technique delivers a burst of radio frequency energy through a catheter to deactivate tiny nerves present in the lining of the kidney arteries. High blood pressure (BP) may be caused by faulty signals from the brain to these nerves.

    Tens of millions of people suffer from high BP, a third of whom don’t know they do, and the condition is a risk factor in heart disease, stroke, and kidney failure, the Daily Mail reports. Cutting back on salt and alcohol and exercising, can control BP. But many who are on medication, as many as five different types, still have difficulty with it. It is this group who can be helped.

    Mark Caulfield, professor at the William Harvey Research Institute, Queen Mary College, London, who has been involved in trials of the technique – known as renal denervation – said: “It could make a profound difference to a significant minority of high-risk patients, it might be tens of thousands.” Latest findings from a trial show reductions in BP persist for at least 18 months after treatment. Doctors in the UK are setting up a registry to allow long-term monitoring of all those having the procedure, but so far trials have shown no ill-effects.

  • Mobile case that curbs radiation exposure by 95%

    Mobile case that curbs radiation exposure by 95%

    MELBOURNE (TIP): A new smartphone case, made up of same material as Nasa spacecraft, claims to reduce cellphone radiation and cancer risks as it cuts the exposure by up to 95%. Although it still remains unclear as to exactly how bad the problem of cellphone radiation is, the WHO has already reclassified it as “potentially carcinogenic for humans”. The manufacturer claims to resolve the problems associated with mobile devices of emitting microwave energy as majority of it is absorbed by the heads and bodies of phone users while making calls. The accessory is available for a range of different smartphones.

    According to the company’s chief technology officer, Ryan McCaughey, their invention doesn’t make empty promises to ward off deadly radiations, and the case has been rigorously tested to check its effectiveness. “The scale we base our research is the industry standard of SAR. What we do is compare the effect of a cellphone on SAR with and without the Pong case,” he said

  • China eyes next lunar landing as US scales back

    China eyes next lunar landing as US scales back

    BEIJING (TIP): Neil Armstrong’s 1969 lunar landing marked a pinnacle of US technological achievement, defining what many saw as the American century, but the next person to set foot on the moon will likely be Chinese. As the United States has scaled back its manned space program to cut costs — a move strongly criticized by Armstrong, who died on Saturday — Asian nations have aggressively expanded into space exploration.

    China, Japan and India all have their own space programs. New Delhi, which envisages its first manned mission in 2016, recently unveiled ambitious plans to launch a space probe that would orbit Mars. Japan participates in the International Space Station program and launched its first lunar probe in 2007. It is planning a follow-up that it hopes will find “organic substances or minerals containing water” on an asteroid. But experts say that China, which as recently as the 1980s was focused solely on developing satellites, is the closest to landing an astronaut on the moon. Beijing launched its manned space program in 1999 and has developed rapidly since, sending its first astronaut into space in 2003 and completing a space walk in 2008.

    This year, it conducted its first manned space docking – the latest step towards setting up a space station — during a mission that included its first woman in space. In its last white paper on space, China said it was working towards landing a man on the moon — a feat so far only achieved by the United States, most recently in 1972 — although it did not give a time frame. It will attempt to land an exploratory craft on the moon for the first time in the second half of 2013 and transmit back a survey of the lunar surface. “Nobody knows where the next astronauts on the moon will come from. But I expect there is a good chance that they will be Chinese,” said Morris Jones, an Australian space expert. “China’s space program is moving steadily forward. If they continue at this pace, they will develop the capability to reach the moon around 2030.” China’s space program remains far behind that of the United States – as evidenced by the fact that the recent manual space docking trumpeted by Beijing was mastered by the United States in the 1960s.

    US President Barack Obama said in 2010 he would drop the costly Constellation space program, killing off future moon exploration. But the United States is developing a new rocket, and this month landed a rover the size of a car on Mars for a two-year mission to explore the Red Planet for signs it could support life. Beijing has spent about 39 billion yuan ($6.1 billion) on its manned space program since it began 20 years ago, state media have said. It sees the program as a symbol of its rising global stature, growing technical expertise, and the Communist Party’s success in turning around the fortunes of the once poverty-stricken nation. Experts, however, say national pride is just one of the motivating factors in China’s ambitious space program. “Trips to the moon have always involved prestige, but there is also science,” said Jones. “A new trend could involve mining the moon for nuclear fuel. China has made no secret of their interest in this possibility.”

  • Breathe in the fresh mountain air of Sikkim

    Breathe in the fresh mountain air of Sikkim

    Bordered by China, Nepal and Bhutan, Sikkim has long been regarded as one of the last Himalayan Shangri-las. Because of its remoteness and the fact that permits are required, Sikkim isn’t the most accessible area to visit in India. However, it certainly is one of the most energetic and refreshing. There’s something very soothing to the soul about the mountainous beauty and ancient Tibetan Buddhist culture in Sikkim

    Monasteries

    In testament to the fact that Sikkim is a marvelous place for meditation, almost 200 monasteries dot the divine hilltops. The most visited monasteries in Sikkim are Rumtek (overlooking Gangtok), Pemayangtse (near Pelling in West Sikkim),and Tashiding (also in West Sikkim). Other monasteries that are worth visiting include the Karma Kagyu monastery with its 200 year old murals (in Phodong in North Sikkim), the Enchey monastery (in Gangtok), and the old Sanga-Choeling monastey (only accessible on foot from Pelling). The monasteries hold many festivals, particularly around Losar in February/March. Tse Chu, in July, features Buddhist dancing at Rumtek. Enchey also hosts a Chaarm festvial in December/January.

    Yuksom and the Dzongri Trail

    Sikkim is a trekker’s paradise. The trek from Yuksom to Dzongri Peak, and further on to Goecha Peak if you’re up for the challenge, is the most popular trek in Sikkim. It passes through the unspoiled forests, magnificent rhododendron gardens, and powerful rivers of Kachenjunga National Park. Additional trekking permits are mandatory for foreigners. These are available at Tourism offices in Gangtok, or else contact Sikkim House in Chanakyapuri, New Delhi.

    Teesta River Rafting

    River rafting is the latest adventure activity to arrive in Sikkim, and the Teesta River offers some world class opportunities. The major route is Makha-Sirwani- Bardang-Rongpo. Grade 2 to 4 rapids are interspersed with placid patches to float along, and plenty of white sandy beaches exist for overnight camping. High cliffs and gorges, along with bolder-strewn river beds, add to the thrill. The Rangeet River, with its more turbulent waters, also offers advanced rafting opportunities from Sikip-Jorethang- Majitar-Melli. The best time for rafting in Sikkim is from March to May and October to December.

    Flora and Fauna Sanctuaries

    Sikkim is renowned for its astounding variety of birds, animals, and flowers — over 450 species of birds, 400 species of butterflies, 450 varieties of orchids, and 40 species of rhododendron. Two of the best places to see them are the Deorali Orchid Sanctuary in south Gangtok (visit from March to early May and the end of September to early December), and Kyongnosia Alpine Sanctuary around an hour from Gangtok on the way to Tsomg Lake and Nathu La (vist from June until October).

    Nathu La Pass and the Old Silk Route

    If you’re really feeling adventurous, nothing compares to a journey along the former Old Silk Route to Nathu La, three hours from Gangtok on the Chinese border. The border consists of a lone barbed wire fence, and you’ll get the strange thrill of seeing the Chinese soldiers on the other side. Unfortunately, only Indians are allowed to travel this far though, and only on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays. A permit is also required, obtainable through a registered travel agency. Foreigners can go up to Tsomgo Lake, also called Changu Lake, 27 kilometers (17 miles) short of Nathu La. This spectacular high-altitude (12,400 feet) glacier lake remains frozen until May. For a quirky experience, ride a yak there!

  • Detox: 7 easy to digest foods

    Detox: 7 easy to digest foods

    Erratic lifestyles that each one of us live today result in excessive consumption of junk food. After a point, our system stops accepting such food and demands simply cooked and easy to digest food. Let us look at some such food we can include in our diet.

    Fruits

    One of the most basic, and something that each one of us enjoy eating are different types of fruits available in the market. Being low in fiber, fruits are considered to be light for the system as they digest easily. Apples, melons, papaya, mangoes, strawberries are not only low in fat but also give us the essential vitamins, minerals and nutrients

    Rice

    Another food that is absolutely easy to digest is rice, which contains a simple form of carbohydrates. Hence you must consume a plain, liquid rice preparation when the stomach feels upset or uneasy

    Chicken

    For all you non-vegetarians, chicken can be your choice when you need to eat food that can be digested simply. It is known to relieve the stomach when consumed in its boiled form.

    Soup

    Any form of vegetable soup is considered to be an easy to digest food. They Soup Any form of vegetable soup is considered to be an easy to digest food. They provide essential nutrients that your body requires and hence it is highly recommended to consume the soup of your choice especially when you have an irritated stomach.

    Yogurt

    The bacterium present in yogurt is what makes it an easy to digest food. It is known to be healthy for the overall digestive system as well as improves the immunity levels of the body.

    Leafy Vegetables

    Cabbage, spinach and other green leafy vegetables facilitate the flushing out of foodstuffs that do not digest properly in the system. The rich nutrients present in these vegetables are essential for the body and also aid the weight loss process

    Oats

    Another savior that can be consumed during an upset stomach is oats, which are an excellent source of fiber that are known to relax an upset stomach. Also, its low cholesterol level makes it a perfect choice as a health food. Making the right choice of food while suffering from any sort of stomach or digestive problem is an absolutely necessity. Your digestive systems needs a desperate break from the over dose of junk food and hence, consumption of healthy and easy to digest food is crucial.

  • Yummy for your tummy: Yoghurt

    Yummy for your tummy: Yoghurt

    Produced by bacterial fermentation of the milk, yoghurt makes for a healthy and easy addition to your daily diet. This dairy product is a good source of protein, calcium, phosphorous, magnesium, vitamins, zinc and potassium. Added to that, the good bacteria present in yogurt, makes it even better. Yoghurt has additional benefits when compared to its source – milk. It is more safe for those with lactose intolerance, the active cultures in yogurts are easier to digest, and thereby are less likely to cause lactose problems. (However, some people might experience lactose intolerance symptoms even when they consume yoghurt).

    Health benefits: There a host of indispensable benefits associated with yoghurt, they are:

    Good for the stomach: Yoghurt is known to have a soothing effect on the stomach, which is why eating yoghurt is one of the most common gharelu nuskha (home remedy). The good bacteria found in yoghurt are extremely beneficial to our digestive system, especially the colon and the stomach. An effective way to digest spicy food is to consume some yoghurt along with it. Cow’s milk contains low fat and is the preferred choice for preparing yoghurt.

    Boosts immunity: The nutrients in yoghurt helps strengthen our body’s defence mechanism, thereby proving more protection against seasonal cold, cough and such.

    Good for your skin: Regular consumption of yoghurt hydrates the skin and improves skin texture and complexion. In fact, applying yoghurt on the face or mixing it in a facepack will help reduce blemishes and strengthen the collagen in the skin. For a healthy heart:
    Yoghurt lowers blood pressure. It helps lower bad cholesterol and reduces risk of heart attacks.

    A super-healthy source of proteins: Yoghurt is a wonderful source of natural proteins and thus extremely beneficial for vegetarians. It is also safer for those with lactose intolerance to eat yoghurt.

    For healthy bones and teeth: Being rich in calcium, it protects the bones against osteoporosis and arthritis. It promotes bone growth and strengthens the teeth. So, start consuming one cup of
    yoghurt daily.

    Increases life span: Bulgarians are known for their longevity, this is attributed to yoghurt consumption. So it can be said that yoghurt is responsible for their longevity. Discourages vaginal infections
    Diabetic women are more prone to yeast infections. A study trial that included diabetic women found that, on consumption of yoghurt, the women did not develop yeast infections.

    Adds weight loss: Yoghurt is known to make one feel fuller and therefore helps in cutting down calorie intake in the next meal. In fact, some studies also suggest that yoghurt helps in burning fat. So if you’re trying to lose weight, you know what you should do!

  • How Much sleep do you actually need?

    How Much sleep do you actually need?

    We are sure these questions must have played on your mind at some point in time. So that you don’t lose sleep over how much sleep is essential, we are going to shatter myths and put forth facts. Read on and clear all misconceptions about sleep and its importance in our day-today functioning.

    The Power of Sleep

    We all feel that we have better things to do than sleep. But the truth is that to do things better, you need to rest (sleep). While you rest, your brain stays busy, overseeing a wide variety of biological maintenance functions that keep you running in top condition.
    Without enough hours of restorative sleep, you’re like a stereo that needs fixing. If you skip your required dosage of sleep every day, you will head for a physical and mental breakdown.

    When to sleep

    Some of us think that the lack of sleep at night can be made up by sleeping during the day. But sleeping during the day and staying awake at night is not how your body is designed to function. As per biology, at night, your body responds to the loss of daylight by producing melatonin – a hormone that makes you sleepy. During the day, sunlight triggers the brain to stop melatonin production so you feel awake and alert. In case you prefer to stay awake at night, we advise you to pay heed to this information and change your sleep schedule.

    How much sleep do you need daily?

    7.5 hours – 9 hours. This is the number of hours that adults must spend sleeping every night. The reason why this number is important is because the brain re-energizes your
    body while you sleep. If you sleep any less, the brain cannot complete its night time duties and as a result you are not able to give your best during the day. No matter how tight your schedule is, do try to get the minimum amount of sleep.

  • The Expendables 2

    The Expendables 2

    MOVIE REVIEW

    Cast: Sylvester Stallone, Jason Statham, Jet Li, Bruce Willis,Arnold Schwarzenegger
    Direction: Simon West
    Genre: Action
    Duration: 1 hour 43 minutes

    Story: Team Expendables reunite for yet another task. It’s only when things go wrong do they realise life has never really been a cakewalk for them… or for their enemies….
    Movie Review: Now what is The Expendables’ craze all about: Is it about Hollywood’s super duper Men of Steel sharing the silver screen with each other? If yes, Expendables 2 surely tops the chart. Just take your pick — Sylvester Stallone, Jason Statham, Jet Li, Chuck Norris, Jean-Claude Van Damme, Bruce Willis, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Liam Hemsworth. Or is it about seeing the same Men of Steel doing what they do best – action, action and action? If yes, rest assured, Expendables 2 delivers more dhamaka in comparison to its prequel.

    In fact, no sooner does the camera start rolling do you find your heroes running between tanks, explosions,bikes, through jungles…. On the other hand, the very last scene can have any action buff asking for more – Slyvester and Jean-Claude keep their guns aside and choose to fight the fist-and-foot way. And what lies between the beginning and the end? A storyline, a wee bit better than the Expendables, but definitely not cutting edge.

    A word about performances. It’s Sylvester Stallone and Jason Sathom who are primarily seen calling the shots …with ease. Up next is the new kid on the block, Liam Hemsworth, who does manage to fit in pretty well with the action heroes of yore. As for Bruce Willis and Arnold, we do get to see a bit more (action fans read: still little) of
    them (remember the blink-and-you-will-miss cameo of the two in the earlier part), though you are once again left wondering why they are not a part of all that actionreactio stuff. Lastly, what really disappoints is the is-heeven- there Jet Li and why-is-he-even-there Chuck Norris.

    But all set aside, it’s these bunch of cronies, trapped inthe orgy of death and destruction, making up for all that misses… and of course hits. Time to settle down for some vintage bang-bang stuff !

  • Kelly Brook flaunts curves in LA

    Kelly Brook flaunts curves in LA

    Kelly Brook managed to stoptraffic as she flaunted hercurvaceous figure in a body hugging mini-dress while enjoying aromantic stroll with fiancé ThomEvans in Los Angeles.

    The model, who is extra thankfulto her rugby player beau for doublingup as her personal trainer, clung ontothe arm of her super-fit fiancé as they hit the shops together, the Daily Mail reported.

    The beauty has admitted on previous occasions that she often joins Evans for a few early morning training sessions that help her stay toned. She also revealed that the super-fit twosome goes for jogging together.

    “Thom is an ex-rugby player and now he’s training to be a sprinter, so I live with an athlete. He’s got me sprinting. We go to the park,” she had said

  • Emma Stone caught speeding

    Emma Stone caught speeding

    Actress Emma Stone was pulled over by traffic police for speeding. “The Amazing Spider- Man” star was in Malibu, California, celebrating her beau Andrew Garfield’s 29th birthday over the weekend when she was caught speeding, reports express.co.uk. The run-in with the law came just a few days after Garfield was cited for going over the speed limit.

  • Aniston uses body double for revealing scene

    Aniston uses body double for revealing scene

    Jennifer Aniston is using a body double half her age to shoot scantily-clad scenes for her latest comedy film “We Are the Millers”.

    The 43-year-old, who appeared naked in romantic comedy “Wanderlust”, opted to get a body replacement for the “We Are….” that also stars stars Ed Helms, Emma Roberts and Jason Sudeikis.

    The shoot took place at North Carolina, reports contactmusic.com.

    The body double was seen taking Aniston’s place in one part of the film in which she runs out of a smoking building in her underwear clutching the clothes previously worn by
    the ” Friends” star.

    Aniston recently admitted she suffers nerves ahead of doing a nude shoot in a movie.
    “There was a little bit of nerves, but adrenaline takes you through it. And then, you have the girls come in and cover you up, immediately,” she said.

  • Michelle Obama – Press Reaction – DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL CONVENTION

    Michelle Obama – Press Reaction – DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL CONVENTION

    *According to the New York Times’ Alessandra Stanley, Michelle Obama’s speech was a reminder that the role of president’s wife “seems pretty much frozen in the template set by Jacqueline Kennedy and Pat Nixon”.

    *Writing in the The Washington Post, EJ Dionne said the speech was “thoroughly apolitical on the surface” and that it “carried multiple political messages”.

    *Paul West, in the Los Angeles Times, said Mrs. Obama set out “to humanize a candidate who often comes across as aloof and remote from the lives of ordinary Americans”.

    *Politico’s Jennifer Epstein said Mrs. Obama’s message was simple: “We are you.”

  • Seven parties protest disruption, want coal allocations probed

    Seven parties protest disruption, want coal allocations probed

    NEW DELHI (TIP): Upset with the BJP’s repeated disruption of Parliament over coal blocks issue, seven political parties on Aug 30 came together in protest against the BJP and also decided to press for a judicial inquiry into the allocation of coal blocks. To underscore the sullen mood, these parties including, the SP, the Left and the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), decided to stage a sit-in in front of Parliament tomorrow to demand a judicial inquiry by a Supreme Court judge and cancellation of the allocation.

    After the attempt to forge unity among opposition parties failed to materialise on Monday, leaders of the Left parties convinced the SP chief to convene a meeting of non-UPA, non- NDA parties that made headway today. Party leaders Mulayam Singh Yadav (SP), Basudeb Acharia (CPM), Gurudas Dasgupta (CPI) and N Nageswara Rao (TDP), said all parties were keen that an inquiry be held into the issue, the guilty punished and Parliament get going. Attempts are on to rope in the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and the All-India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK).

    Meanwhile, CPM general secretary Prakash Karat described Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s statement in Parliament as a “brazen attempt to defend an indefensible policy”. He also criticised the BJP for its hypocrisy in disrupting Parliament demanding resignation of the PM. “It (the BJP) had pioneered the captive coal block route. It brought the coal privatisation Bill in Parliament. The NDA government had deregulated coal pricing and taken a series of steps to weaken Coal India Limited (CIL),” he said. On the suggestion to switch over to competitive bidding, Karat felt the move would lead to private monopoly and formation of cartels with public utilities and state-run corporations unable to compete.

  • Ward off wrinkles

    Ward off wrinkles

    With anorexic supermodels parading their flawless foundation-heavy skin, airbrushed actors endorsing skin care products and every second ad promoting anti-aging creams, we humans are vulnerable to the idea of skin that never wrinkles.After dealing with pimples in our teens, we begin searching for a cure to avoid fine lines and wrinkles in our adult lives. Since no one really believes that laughter really is the best medicine, let’s look at some other ways to ward off wrinkles. We give you a list of tips to keep your skin young, supple and wrinkle-free…

    Summer fling: Heat, dust, sweat and now wrinkles; if you’re exposed to the sun for more than 20 minutes, you’re more likely to damage your skin resulting in aging and wrinkles. It’s best to stay away from the sun between 11am – 3pm when the sun is at its worst – harsh and unapologetic. Stay indoors or make sure to apply broad spectrum sunscreen before stepping out.

    Sleep, your charming prince: There are two things you need to be aware of when you’re asleep: sufficient sleep and the right posture. If you don’t get adequate sleep, the cortisol hormone negatively affects skin cells.

  • Deepika Padukone to get Priyadarshni awards

    Deepika Padukone to get Priyadarshni awards

    Actor Deepika Padukone, noted industrialist Kumar Mangalam Birla and Member of European Parliament Nirj Deva are among the achievers who would be felicitated with Global awards instituted by NGO Priyadarshni Academy next month. The awards would be presented by Union Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad at the Priyadarshni Academy’s 28th anniversary function in New Delhi on September 18, its chairman, Nanik Rupani said in a statement.

  • China calls Arunachal Pradesh ‘southern Tibet’

    China calls Arunachal Pradesh ‘southern Tibet’

    NEW DELHI (TIP): China “illegally” refers to Arunachal Pradesh as south Tibet and claims around 90,000 sq km of Indian territory there, Rajya Sabha was informed on August 30. “China disputes the international boundary between India and China in the eastern sector and claims approximately 90,000 sq km of Indian territory in the state of Arunachal Pradesh,” Minister of state for external affairs E Ahamed said in written reply. “China illegally refers to Arunachal Pradesh as ‘southern Tibet’ he said.

    The minister said China has been told that Arunachal Pradesh is an integral and inalienable part of India. India, China to discuss CBMs India and China are expected to discuss revival of their ‘hand-in-hand’ exercise and more confidence building measures during the three-day visit of Chinese defense minister General Liang Guanglie starting September 2 in Mumbai. During the first visit by a Chinese defense minister in last seven years, the two sides will discuss ways of strengthening their defense ties, ministry officials said. The two sides will also discuss holding of the exercise ‘Hand-in-Hand’ in China next year, they said.

    Guanglie will hold discussions with defense minister A K Antony on the last day of his visit. The bilateral exercises had started in 2007 but were put on hold after a series of hiccups in the defense ties between the two sides. The first exercise was held in Kunming in 2007 in China whereas the second was held in India at Belgaum in 2008. After the denial of visa to the then Northern Army Commander Lt Gen B S Jaswal by the Chinese in 2010, India froze all bilateral defense exchanges with Beijing. Though the defense exchanges have started now, there are still some problems as China declined to issue visa to an IAF officer belonging to Arunachal Pradesh.

  • Make hallmarking of gold mandatory, CAG tells Govt

    Make hallmarking of gold mandatory, CAG tells Govt

    NEW DELHI (TIP): The Indian penchant for gold and absence of any measures to protect consumers from unscrupulous jewellers has prompted the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) to ask the government to enforce compulsory hallmarking of gold jewellery. As per CAG, not just has the proposal for covering hallmarking under mandatory certification, initiated way back in 2006, not materialised even after six year, the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) — the administrative authority of hallmarking — has not been conducting the required number of surprise surveillance visits, thereby leading to the possibility of inadequate compliance of existing standards increasing substantially. “The BIS Act had not been amended to cover hallmarking under mandatory certification. Meanwhile, the buyers of jewellery continued to suffer,” the auditor said. “The Consumer Affairs Ministry and the BIS may consider bringing the hallmarking of gold jewellery under mandatory certification so as to safeguard the interest of the consumers,” it asserted. Notably, the World Gold Council data reveals that India imports about 800 tonnes of gold every year, of which 80 per cent — as much as 640 tonnes — is used for making jewellery. But now that the prices have zoomed past the Rs 30,000-mark, the precious yellow metal is no longer just a women’s desire but has become a key constituent of any hardcore investor’s portfolio. Hallmarking is the official recording of the proportionate content of the precious metal in a precious metal article. In India gold hallmarking was launched by the BIS in April 2000 with the objective of providing third party assurance to consumers regarding the purity of gold. The practice, however, is purely voluntary at present.

  • Shirin Farhad Ki Toh Nikal Padi

    Shirin Farhad Ki Toh Nikal Padi

    STORY: Lingerie salesman meets well-rounded girl – both 40 plus. And Parsi.So what’s your size, huh? 38D? 36B? 30A!!?? Your style? Push-ups, satin, lace? Umnnn, if you need any advice on this, meet Farhad Pastakia ( Boman Irani), salesman at Tem Tem Bra and Panty store, who knows his bras and boobs like he knows his dhanshak. So when a ’36B’ Shirin Fuggawala ( Farah Khan) ambles into his store, his heart uplifts like a ‘wonderbra’ for the first time; and he knows he’s finally found his ‘size’. Or like mommie (Daisy Irani) says, ” Farhad ka murga jaaga! ” While he’s a pro at ‘sizing’ up women, Farhad is clueless about the As and Bs of romance. To add to his woes, he’s harrowed by his dominating mother, to find him a girl (from a diminishing population of dikris). Shirin (secretary of the Parsi Trust) is as comfy about this 40-plus romance as she’s about her love handles, breaks into a Bolly-jig, wears fluorescent bras (for his bulging eyes only), teaches him about squeezes (read:hugs) and invites him over for ‘coffee after-date’. But hold on, like any other love-story, there’s a booby-trap in this bra-cup of a love-affair too.With all the Cyruses, Ferozes, Perizaads, salli botis, dikras, dikris – this one is full of stereotypical bawa-isms, hilarious in parts; sweet as lagan-nu-custard in some, and mostly endearing. The story doesn’t ride through too many highs, lows, conflicts or drama, and is as straightforward as Farhad’s matrimonial column.

    Boman Irani’s performance is utterly believable. Size does matter. Of the heart that is. And in this quaint love story he’s all heart, honest and adorable.Farah Khan’s debut is a sheer surprise; she ‘slips’ into this role beautifully. So what if she’s not size-zero, with an absolutely natural performance she makes a pretty figure.
    Daisy Irani and Shammi aunty (Farhad’s grandmom), team up to add feline family drama to Farhad’s boring life.
    Bela, in her debut, delivers a breezy romance, with nothing complicated; everything too-good-to-be-true. The Bollywood touches are entertaining, but the songs (and some scenes) slacken the pace. This is no epic love tale, but it’s worth a watch for those who like their cinema as buttered as their bun maska.

    MOVIE REVIEW
    Cast: Boman Irani, Farah Khan, Daisy Irani, Shammi
    Direction: Bela Bhansali Sehgal
    Genre: Romantic Comedy
    Duration: 1 hour 52 minutes

  • LS passes 2 Bills amid pandemonium

    LS passes 2 Bills amid pandemonium

    NEW DELHI (TIP): Even as the BJP stalled Parliament for the seventh consecutive day on Aug 30, the ruling UPA managed to get passed two important Bills in the Lok Sabha amid pandemonium. This was the first of piece of serious legislative work since August 22. In the Rajya Sabha, the BJP forced two adjournments at 11 am and noon before it was adjourned for the day at 2 pm. The two Bills were passed even as BJP members entered the Well of the House seeking resignation of the Prime Minister over coal blocks allocation. The Lok Sabha was adjourned for the day within minutes of the passing of the two Bills around noon. A Bill regulating chemical weapons in accordance with international convention and another to set up more AIIMS-like institutes were passed with voice vote amid sloganeering by BJP MPs. However, five other Bills-relating to money laundering, banking laws, protection of women against sexual harassment at workplace, North-Eastern reorganisation and the national institute of mental health sciences-could not be taken up. The All-India Institute of Medical Sciences (Amendment) Bill, 2012, will replace the ordinance that allowed six AIIMS-like institutes to become operational from September 15. The Chemical Weapons Convention (Amendment) Bill seeks to amend the Chemical Weapons Convention Act, 2000, on the prohibition of development, production, stockpiling and use of chemical weapons and their destruction

  • Neha gears up for her item number

    Neha gears up for her item number

    Considering the show opportunities an item song creates for the star performing to it, it’s not surprising that every actress wants at least one such song every year. No wonder then that Neha Dhupia, who does a number of shows annually, is thrilled to finally have her own item number in Tigmanshu Dhulia’s sequel of Saheb Biwi Aur Gangster.

    And to ensure that she makes the most of it, the actress has even started preparing for its shoot, scheduled early next month in Jaipur. A fitness enthusiast from the onset, Neha has now become even more particular about what she eats till she finishes

    shooting her item number. “She’s working harder to look her sexiest best and is also keenly involved in her outfits and styling for it. And next week, she’s also likely to meet the choreographer to discuss the her moves in the item number,” said our source, adding that the only time the lissome lass got a bit lenient with her diet was on
    August 27, when she celebrated her 32nd birthday.

  • Congress asks CAG to respond to public debate on coal report

    Congress asks CAG to respond to public debate on coal report

    NEW DELHI (TIP): Raising questions over the CAG’s mandate to examine the profits of companies who have been allocated coal blocks, the Congress Thursday said the country’s chief auditor cannot eschew public debate started by its report on notional loss of Rs 1.86 lakh crore to the exchequer. Party spokesperson Manish Tewari said criticism of the government about delay in implementing policy on auctions was unfair.

    He said e auction policy for coal brought by the National Democratic Alliance government had been termed as “irrational and inequitable” by the Supreme Court and the United Progressive Alliance had formed new policies for spot auction and forward auction after proper deliberations. Tewari said the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) had said in an affidavit in a court case that it had never done audit of private operators unless requested by the government.

    “Did the government tell CAG that it should estimate how much coal can be extracted by private coal companies… There are large number of unanswered questions not only about methodology of audit but whether CAG would have at all conducted the audit,” he said. Referring to CAG’s stance that it will put forward its case at the appropriate forum and not respond to the debate on its report, Tewari said this would not do. ‘When you have started a debate on estimated loss, then questions on work style… answers will have to be given,’ he said.

    Tewari, however, ruled out any possibility of the impeachment of the CAG. ‘You have to make a distinction between the CAG and its report. We are disputing the report of the CAG and the methodology he has adopted.’ ‘It is not inappropriate to raise legitimate questions on what the CAG has done. I do not think questioning conclusions undermines anyone’s credibility,’ he said. Law Minister Salman Khurshid said the issue of loss has not been taken up by the CAG report and it has said that a part of financial gain to private companies could have come to the government. Answering queries, he said while allocations will not be cancelled, there was normal process of de-allocation if contractual obligations were not fulfilled.

    Congress sources said while the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) was conducting preliminary probe in six cases of coal allocation and there were several other blocks in no-go areas or cases where allocations had been cancelled.

  • Bipasha In ‘No Entry Mein Entry

    Bipasha In ‘No Entry Mein Entry

    “No Entry” director Anees Bazmeesays he is considering roping in Bipasha Basu as the 10th actress for ” No Entry Mein Entry”, the sequel to the 2005 comedy film.

    “We are considering Bipasha for a prominent role in the film, but nothing has been finalized yet,” Bazmee said.
    “In the first film, her role almost came to an end. (So) We are thinking how to cast her in this film,” he added.
    Earlier, the director had said there will be nine ladies playing key roles in “No Entry Mein
    Entry”. But if Bipasha comes on board, it will be a total 10 females.

    “If Bipasha enters, there will be total 10 leading ladies, while we are still in talks with the rest nine actresses and nothing has been finalised yet.

    In next 10 to 15 days, we will decide the leading ladies,” he said.”As far as the leading men are concerned, Salman Khan, Anil Kapoor and Fardeen Khan are confirmed and all three of them will be playing a double role,” added the director.