The RBI has introduced a Card-on-File (CoF) token facility at the level of banks and other institutions to provide convenience for cardholders to get tokens created and linked to their existing accounts with various e-commerce applications.
At present, a CoF token can only be created through the merchant’s application or webpage. For a CoF, a token is a 16-digit number unique for a combination of card, token requestor and merchant. Through tokenisation, the actual card details are replaced with token credentials that can be used only with the intended merchant. “It has been decided to enable Card-on-File Tokenisation (CoFT) directly through card-issuing banks/institutions also. This will provide cardholders with an additional choice to tokenise their cards for multiple merchant sites through a single process,” the RBI said in a circular. Generation of CoF tokens for a card, through the card issuer, can be enabled through mobile banking and internet banking channels.
In October, the RBI had said tokenisation has improved transaction security and transaction approval rate. The RBI introduced CoFT in September 2021 and began implementation from October 1 last year. Source: PTI
Year: 2023
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RBI introduces card tokenisation facility at bank level
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US business activity picks up in December: S&P Global survey
U.S. business activity picked up in December amid rising orders and demand for workers, which could further help to allay fears of a sharp slowdown in economic growth in the fourth quarter.
S&P Global said on Friday that its flash U.S. Composite PMI Output Index, which tracks the manufacturing and services sectors, increased to a five-month high of 51.0 this month from 50.7 in November. A reading above 50 indicates expansion in the private sector.
All the improvement came from the services sector, with manufacturing activity declining further. The survey followed upbeat news on the labor market in November. The holiday shopping season also got off to a strong start, with retail sales outperforming expectations in November, data showed on December 21.
The run of better-than-expected data prompted the Atlanta Federal Reserve to boost its gross domestic product growth estimate to a 2.6% annualized rate from a 1.2% pace. The economy accelerated at a 5.2% rate in the third quarter.
“The early PMI data indicate that the U.S. economy picked up a little momentum in December,” said Chris Williamson, chief business economist at S&P Global Market Intelligence. “Looser financial conditions have helped boost demand … and have also helped lift future output expectations higher.” Source: Reuters -
Microsoft Copilot now lets you create personalized songs with simple prompt
Microsoft has partnered with Suno, a leader in artificial intelligence (AI)-based music creation, to bring their capabilities to its AI-powered chatbot Copilot, allowing you to create personalised songs with a simple prompt. “Through this partnership, people will have at their fingertips the ability, regardless of musical background, to create fun, clever, and personalised songs with a simple prompt,” Microsoft said in a blogpost. “Suno has been a leader in AI music technology, pioneering the ability to generate complete songs – lyrics, instrumentals, and singing voices – from a single sentence,” it added. To create your music, open Microsoft Edge, visit copilot.microsoft.com and ensure you’re signed in with your Microsoft Account, then enable the Suno plugin or click on the Suno logo that says, “Make music with Suno”.
After that ask Copilot to create a song for you such as, “Create a pop song about adventures with your family”. “We believe that this partnership will open new horizons for creativity and fun, making music creation accessible to everyone,” Microsoft said.
This experience has now started to roll out, and the company said it will ramp up in the coming weeks. Meanwhile, Microsoft has announced a number of new features which will be added to its Copilot service soon, including OpenAI’s latest models.
The company said soon Copilot will get support for GPT-4 Turbo, alongside an updated DALL-E 3 model.
Source: IANS -
AI in healthcare ‘double-edged sword’, can fool clinicians with data
AI models in health care are a double-edged sword, with models improving diagnostic decisions for some demographics, but worsening decisions for others when the model has absorbed biased medical data, suggests a study.
Given the very real life and death risks of clinical decision-making, researchers and policymakers are taking steps to ensure AI models are safe, secure and trustworthy — and that their use will lead to improved outcomes. However, the new study, published in JAMA, finds that even with provided AI explanations, clinicians can be fooled by biassed AI models.
“The problem is that the clinician has to understand what the explanation is communicating and the explanation itself,” said Sarah Jabbour, doctoral candidate in computer science and engineering at the College of Engineering at the University of Michigan. The team studied AI models and AI explanations in patients with acute respiratory failure. “Determining why a patient has respiratory failure can be difficult. In our study, we found clinicians baseline diagnostic accuracy to be around 73 per cent,” said Michael Sjoding, Associate Professor of internal medicine at the varsity’s Medical School. “During the normal diagnostic process, we think about a patient’s history, lab tests and imaging results, and try to synthesise this information and come up with a diagnosis. It makes sense that a model could help improve accuracy,” he added.
The team designed a study to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of 457 hospitalist physicians, nurse practitioners and physician assistants with and without assistance from an AI model.
Each clinician was asked to make treatment recommendations based on their diagnoses. Half were randomised to receive an AI explanation with the AI model decision, while the other half received only the AI decision with no explanation.
Clinicians were then given real clinical vignettes of patients with respiratory failure, as well as a rating from the AI model on whether the patient had pneumonia, heart failure or Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
In the half of participants who were randomised to see explanations, the clinician was provided a heatmap, or visual representation, of where the AI model was looking in the chest radiograph, which served as the basis for the diagnosis.
The team found that clinicians who were presented with an AI model trained to make reasonably accurate predictions, but without explanations, had their own accuracy increase by 2.9 percentage points. When provided an explanation, their accuracy increased by 4.4 percentage points.
Source: IANS -
Google Play Store’s new option lets you delete apps from other Android devices
Google is adding a new option in Play Store, which will let users uninstall apps from their other Android devices remotely. According to the Google System Updates changelog, the Play Store is now rolling out a new option for removing apps from “other connected” Android devices, reports 9to5Google. Google only provides a brief explanation, but it does state that it is supported across all instances of Android (Auto, PC, Phone, TV, and Wear). “(Auto, PC, Phone, TV, Wear) New feature to help you uninstall apps on connected devices,” Google said. Google’s new remote uninstall feature is hidden beneath the surface of the Play Store’s version 38.8 (which has not yet been widely distributed).
After enabling the feature, the Play Store’s “Manage Apps” section can display apps installed on a different Android device from the one you’re currently using, and the app can be deleted from the other device from that UI, the report explained. The feature also allows you to arrange the list of apps installed on your other devices by storage used, the report added. Meanwhile, Google has introduced more repair features for Pixel devices that will give users peace of mind if their phone needs to be fixed. The tech giant released a tool to help users diagnose problems with their Pixel phones. Users can launch the app by dialling #*#7287#*#, which allows users to check whether their phone is working properly before or after a repair. -
Myntra’s MyFashionGPT predicts the clothes you need, runs on Microsoft Azure
Online fashion retailer Myntra has revealed more about its collaboration with Microsoft, which helped integrate generative AI into its shopping app in an attempt to change the way Indians shop for clothes. The new feature, MyFashionGPT, allows shoppers to search using natural language instead of keywords, opening up new possibilities for product discovery.
Powered by Microsoft’s Azure OpenAI Service, MyFashionGPT understands open-ended questions like “show me clothes for a beach vacation” and returns relevant items spanning categories of beachwear, hats, sunglasses and more. This unshackles shoppers from the limitations of conventional search that relies on matching specific keywords already present in a product catalogue. Myntra revealed that it had organised a hackathon in February to explore how it could harness generative AI to solve this “unsolved search problem” in online fashion. ChatGPT’s generative AI tech quickly emerged as the top candidate.
Azure OpenAI Service gave the team the flexibility to compare different large language models and choose the best fit for Myntra’s use case. Myntra says that over the next few weeks, multiple teams refined the backend systems and user interface ahead of the launch alongside the platform’s End of Reason Sale in May. Seamless integration with existing Azure infrastructure accelerated deployment. -
Natural ways to increase your glutathione levels
Glutathione is a powerful antioxidant that’s made up of three amino acids — cysteine, glutamic acid, and glycine. As we age, our body’s ability to produce complex compounds like Gutathione can slow down and become weaker. The solution is to consume more foods that are rich in Glutathione.
Sulfur-Rich Foods
Sulfur can be found in several amino acids like methionine and cysteine which are necessary for the production of Glutathione. These foods include poultry, grains like rice, bread, pasta, and vegetables like broccoli, brussels sprouts, cauliflower, kale, watercress.
Foods with Vitamin C
Our favorite water-soluble vitamin does a fantastic job of protecting cells from oxidative damage, but studies have also shown a link between increased Vitamin C intake and Glutathione levels, since they attack the damaging free radicals first, which prevents Glutathione from getting wasted in the process. Citrus fruits like oranges, kiwis, cauliflower, strawberries, papayas, and potatoes should all do the trick.
Selenium-Rich Foods
The best foods for the same include the delicious cottage cheese, beans, sunflower seeds, mushrooms, brown rice, and Brazilian nuts.
Herbs and Spices
Commonly found and easy-to-use herbs are the easiest way to add a dose of Glutathione-rich foods to your diet. Milk Thistle, for example, is a great source. Known for its antioxidant properties, it contains three active compounds, collectively known as silymarin, which are beneficial for your body. Then there’s always Turmeric! It’s a common Indian spice used in everyday life, and thankfully for us, studies have shown that turmeric and curcumin extracts help increase Glutathione levels in your body. -
JN.1 variant has high immune-escaping capability: Lancet
Compared to BA.2.86, the JN.1 variant has high immune-escaping capability that made it dominant in France, a new research published in The Lancet journal has stated.
Titled ‘Fast evolution of SARS-CoV BA2.2.86 to JN.1 under heavy immune pressure’, the study revealed that JN.1 contained spike mutation L455S that turned BA.2.86 into a heavy immune evasive variant (JN.1). Immune escape is a phenomenon when the immune system is incapable of responding against an infectious agent. The research claims that high ACE2 (acts as a door for Covid to infect cells) binding affinity and distinct antigenicity could enable BA.2.86 to escape immune evasive mutations and high transmission capability. It states that JN.1 has inherited BA.2.86 antigenic capabilities. Antigenicity refers to the capacity of viruses to bind to specific antibody molecules.
JN.1 is a new sub-lineage of BA.2.86, also known as Pirola. The research also underscores the importance of monitoring strains with high antigenicity in the light of evolutionary patterns of BA.2.86 to JN.1 and BA.2.875 to CH.1.1 and XBB.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) on Tuesday classified the JN.1 coronavirus strain as a “variant of interest” and said current evidence shows risk to public health was low from the strain.
At least two experts told Reuters that while the strain can evade the immune system and transmit more easily than other currently circulating variants, it has not shown any signs of more severe disease. While there might be more cases with the variant, JN.1 doesn’t pose a greater risk, said Andrew Pekosz, a virologist at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
JN.1 was previously classified a variant of interest as part of its parent lineage BA.2.86, but WHO has now classified it as a separate variant of interest.
WHO said current vaccines would continue to protect against severe disease and death from JN.1 and other circulating variants of the Covid-19 virus.
The US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said earlier this month the subvariant JN.1 makes up about an estimated 15% to 29% of cases in the United States as of December 8, according to the agency’s latest projections. -
Fruits for weight loss and digestion in winter
Winter is the perfect opportunity to shed those pesky kilos as the metabolism during the season naturally speeds up due to which one is able to burn more calories. Unlike the sweaty summers, you are able to exercise for a longer duration in winter and this can work in favor of your weight loss goals. However, cold weather can also make you lethargic and indulge in high-calorie comfort food. Adding the right foods to your diet can keep you full and also energise you. Eating fruits is a delicious and healthy way to add the much-required fibre and essential vitamins and minerals to your diet. Being a low-calorie snacking options, fruits can help satiate cravings and support in your weight loss journey. A storehouse of antioxidants, fruits can also help boost immunity against winter illnesses.
Dr. Neeti Sharma, Chief Nutritionist at Marengo Asia Hospitals in Gurugram shares best fruits for weight loss during the winter season.
Apples
Apples are versatile and fibre-rich fruits that can aid digestion and promote a feeling of fullness. Their natural sweetness satisfies cravings, making them an excellent snacking choice for those watching their weight. Enjoy a fruit smoothie, add them to your salad, or pair them with peanut butter for a satisfying snack.
Berries
Packed with antioxidants, berries like blueberries, strawberries, and raspberries are not only delicious but also low in calories. These fruits can be added to yoghurts, salads, or enjoyed on their own for a satisfying and guilt-free treat. A storehouse of nutrients and phytochemicals, berries boost health and prevent various chronic diseases.
Pears
High in dietary fibre, pears contribute to improved digestion and help control appetite. Their low-calorie content makes them an ideal choice for weight-conscious individuals looking to maintain a healthy balance in their diet.
Grapefruit
Known for its metabolism-boosting properties, grapefruit is an excellent choice for those focusing on weight loss. Its unique combination of enzymes and antioxidants may help reduce insulin levels and encourage the body to burn fat more efficiently.
Oranges
Rich in Vitamin C and fibre, oranges are not only refreshing but also contribute to a healthy weight loss journey. The fibre content aids in digestion, while the Vitamin C supports the immune system during the winter months.
Kiwi
Packed with nutrients and low in calories, kiwi is a powerhouse of Vitamin C, Vitamin K, and dietary fibre. Its vibrant green flesh adds a burst of flavour to salads and snacks without compromising on health goals.
Pomegranates
Bursting with antioxidants, pomegranates offer a sweet and tangy flavour while supporting weight loss efforts. The seeds can be sprinkled over salads or enjoyed on their own for a nutritious and satisfying snack.
“These fruits not only contribute to weight loss but also provide essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that are vital for overall health,” says Dr Sharma. Source: HT -
Mughlai Chicken
Ingredients
500 gms Chicken1 cup Hung Curd2-3 Green Chillies (Chopped)Salt as per taste2 tbsp Ghee2 small Tomato (Chopped)1 tbsp Ginger-Garlic paste1 tsp Cumin Powder1/2 tsp Garam Masala2 medium Onion (Roughly Sliced)4-5 Soaked Almonds1 tsp Red Chilli Powder1 and 1/2 tsp Coriander Seeds1 tsp Sugar
Method
– Start by heating ghee/oil in a handi or a large bottomed pan. Then add roughly chopped onion, fry until they turn golden and brown.
– Once done, add in the ginger garlic paste and fry again for a few mins or until the raw smell disappears.
– Now add in the chopped tomatoes, green chillies and continue frying until the tomatoes turn soft and mushy.
– Then add the dry masalas- chilli powder, turmeric powder, cumin powder, salt and half of the crushed coriander seeds mix and stir fry for 2-3 mins.
– Add in the chicken pieces and mix everything well with the masala.
– Continue stirring for 3-4 mins. The chicken will slowly start releasing water. Now cover and cook the chicken for 15-20 minutes on medium heat.
– When the chicken is almost cooked reduce the heat to low.
– Add in the whisked hung curd, nut paste, sugar, kasoori methi and the rest of the coriander seeds and mix everything well.
– Add garam masala powder and give it a good stir. Check the seasoning, add salt and sugar if required. Cook for another 8-10 minutes, stirring frequently.
– Sprinkle some coriander leaves on the top and serve it hot with rice, roti or any bread of your choice. -
Interior decor tips to design a high-end home
Defining the Style
The first step is to define the purpose of the home. Is it a maximalist paradise, a minimalist retreat, or does it embrace the latest trends, or perhaps something more timeless and established? While some clients opt for an inward-looking design that creates a sanctuary within, like Kendall Jenner’s 6,625-square-foot Spanish-style Malibu mansion, others prefer merging indoors and outdoors seamlessly, blurring the lines between nature and luxury—similar to Dakota Jonhson’s serene getaway estate in LA, designed by architect Carl Maston. It is essential to understand the occupant’s taste by pinpointing the critical elements that shape near-ordinary spaces into exceptional homes.
Scale and Dynamic Design
High-end homes are not just about opulence; they are dynamic and engaging. We must design with scale in mind. Whether a cosy reading nook or a grand dining hall, each room should tell a distinct, engaging story that amplifies the space’s dynamism and contributes to the narrative.
Circulation for Lifestyle
The layout and circulation within the home should be tailored to the homeowner’s lifestyle. High-end homes demand distinction. However, such homes require privacy but often require accessibility for staff and guests as well. This balance is essential to ensure the space is functional and comfortable.
Creative Distinction
High-end homes are designed to stand out. To achieve the delicate balance between privacy and accessibility, featured spaces with iconic pieces as placeholders are encouraged. This could be a unique sculpture, a one-of-a-kind chandelier, or even a custom-designed piece of furniture, creating multiple focal points within a space that define the ubiquitousness of a high-end celebrity.
Harmonious Fusion
What makes these homes exceptional is combining an unusual mix of interior elements-furniture, lighting, art and rugs-into an eclectic blend of exclusivity while maintaining harmony. Each piece contributes to a unified, intriguing atmosphere.
Source: HT -
Avoid bad hair days this holiday season
A holiday season in full swing means parties, dinners, outings and soirees. Everyone wants to stand out. Nevertheless, that pretty dress or on-point make-up won’t help much if your hairstyle is staid and boring.
“Experimenting with hairstyles and hair colors has been the go-to trend leading to the holiday season. Interestingly, more people now seek fun and innovative hairstyles that require minimal commitment and zero effort. With trend-hoppers becoming more conscious of hair products, they are getting creative about styling their hair,” says Jitendra Sharma, founder and CEO, Hair Originals, a premium human hair extensions company. Sharma breaks down the popular trends for the season.
Color cues
According to Sharma, one of the most popular highlights for the festivities has been ‘caramel melt balayage’. Balayage is the technique of free-hand painting highlights onto the hair, creating a soft and natural gradation of lightness towards the ends. “Balayages, in general, are exceptional for adding depth and dimension to natural tresses while creating a sun-kissed appearance. This holiday season, blending caramel tones with balayage highlights is quite popular,” says Sharma.
Another color that has caught everyone’s imagination is ‘sunlit honey blonde’. “Going blonde has been an undefeated trend for several years. However, this season, you may go with warm sunlit honey-blonde hair colour to add a touch of radiance to tresses that complement your skin tone,” says Sharma.
Another color that has caught everyone’s imagination is ‘sunlit honey blonde’. “Going blonde has been an undefeated trend for several years. However, this season, you may go with warm sunlit honey-blonde hair colour to add a touch of radiance to tresses that complement your skin tone,” says Sharma.
Of course, coloured hair streaks remain an evergreen hit. “Many prefer clip-in hair streaks to ensure they have fun with colours without hampering their natural hair’s health,” adds Sharma.
The long and short of it
Few people these days have the time to wait for their hair to grow naturally. “Instead, they prefer going from short to long in 60 seconds with trendy hair clip-ons. These clip-ons help achieve long and voluminous hair with zero effort, making them popular, particularly around this time of the year,” explains Sharma.
Curly tales
Natural curls or soft waves are all the rage currently. “The hairstyle is great for adding texture to one’s hair and creating a playful vibe that suits every special occasion. However, not everyone likes getting blowouts, chemical treatments or heat-based styling to create the perfect wave. Instead, some go for heat-friendly curly hair extensions, which can withstand heat styling and do not damage their natural hair,” he says.
How low can you go?
Another hairstyle that has seen a revival this season is the classic low ponytail. “The best thing about this versatile hairstyle is that it can be dressed up or down, depending on one’s mood and event. Those with short hair can try ponytail extensions for a long and voluminous look,” says Sharma.
Bang bang
Bangs are back. “From curtain bangs to Birkin bangs to the very-much-in-trend Barbie bangs, this hairstyle has been everywhere. Getting a bang might seem like a bold step for many, but they can still achieve in-trend looks by trying clip-on bangs without committing to it fully,” says Sharma.
A welcome mess
The messy bun has always been a favourite for those who gravitate towards low-maintenance and chic hairstyles during the festive season. “Regardless of your hair length, you can flaunt a messy bun look at this year’s holiday gatherings. The hack is simply to get 100 per cent natural hair extensions or messy bun clip-ons to up the hairstyle,” he says.
Source: India Today -
Shreyas Talpade discharged from hospital days after heart attack
Actor Shreyas Talpade’s wife Deepti Talpade has shared a post informing his fans and followers that he has been discharged from the hospital. Taking to Instagram on Wednesday, December 20, Deepti shared several pictures of herself and Shreyas. She also wrote short notes thanking family, friends and fans. Deepti, along with the pictures, wrote, “My life. Shreyas, is back home… safe and sound. I would argue with Shreyas saying I don’t know where to put my faith in. Today I know the answer to my question, God Almighty. He was with me that evening when this drastic event happened in our lives. I don’t think I’II ever question his existence henceforth.”
She also wrote, “I wish to take a moment and thank the good samaritans of our city. That evening I called for help, sought a hand and I got 10 of them. While Shreyas lay inside the car, they didn’t know who they were helping–yet they came running. To all those people, you were God incarnate that evening for us. Thank you. I hope my message reaches you. Please know that I shall be eternally grateful to you from the core of my being. That’s the spirit of this great city Mumbai. That’s what makes Mumbai. We were not left to fend for ourselves. We were taken care of.” -
Merry Christmas: Katrina Kaif-Vijay Sethupathi’s date takes a wrong turn
Attention folks, the much-awaited trailer of Merry Christmas is out and it is everything one could have asked for this holiday season. The Sriram Raghavan directorial, bringing together Katrina Kaif and Vijay Sethupathi for the first time, is about a Christmas eve date gone wrong. The trailer opens to two strangers, Katrina Kaif and Vijay Sethupathi, out on a date on Christmas Eve. The two seem to hit it off right away as they take a stroll on the street, attend (what it seems) like a carnival together and end the night drinking and dancing joyously. But there is obviously much more to what meets the eye. Their dreamy outing quickly turns dark as the characters start talking in riddles. The clip ends with Katrina Kaif sitting in a theatre with Vijay in her vicinity moments before she disappears into the thin air leaving Vijay all alone. The scene is set to a rendition of Silent Night. The trailer also features Sanjay Kapoor and Vinay Pathak among others. The trailer was shared by Katrina Kaif on her Instagram feed alongside the caption which read, “Presenting the #MerryChristmasTrailer – Tamil. In cinemas on 12th Jan.” The posters of Merry Christmas released on social media earlier this year inviting reactions from the fans and followers. “People are loving the poster,” read a comment. “What a beautiful poster this is,” added another. A third added, “Loved the poster. Then I read director’s name and I am not surprised. Genius Sriram Raghvan. Looking forward for this movie.” “Wow vintage,” read another comment.
Merry Christmas has been filmed in both Hindi and Tamil and marks Katrina Kaif and Vijay Sethupathi’s first project together. Produced by Ramesh Taurani, Sanjay Routray, Jaya Taurani & Kewal Garg, and directed by Sriram Raghavan, Merry Christmas will be released on January 12.
Source: NDTV.com -
Cameron Diaz ‘angry’ over rumors that Jamie Foxx was ‘crazy’ on Netflix film set
Cameron Diaz appeared on a recent episode of the “Lipstick on the Rim” podcast and pushed back against rumors that Jamie Foxx was “crazy” on the set of their Netflix movie “Back in Action” (via People). Foxx was in the midst of production when he was hospitalized for a medical emergency. Diaz said reports surfaced afterwards saying Foxx was “making everyone miserable and that I was never gonna make another movie again because of him.”
“I really hate all of the things that were being said about our set at the time,” Diaz continued. “You just want to scream at the top of your lungs, like, ‘What are you talking about?’ … Jamie is, like, the cheerleader for the entire crew. Everybody loves him. We have so much fun on the set with him and he’s just a professional on every level.”
Diaz said she “had a blast” working with Foxx on “Back in Action,” which is notable for being her first leading role in nearly a decade.
“Jamie is the best. I love that guy so much. He’s such a special person and he’s so talented, so much fun,” Diaz said. “The hiccups that happened throughout production are the natural kinds of things that happen. But nothing got delayed other than, obviously, toward the end. And that’s something that is not my place to speak about.” Diaz declined to discuss Foxx’s medical incident, but she said that the Oscar-winning actor is “thriving” now. “When I see and hear people trying to take another person down like that … [Jamie is] so classy. He’s like, ‘Nope. Just let them [talk],’” Diaz added. “Still, it just really made me angry.”
“Back in Action” reunites Diaz and Foxx, who worked together on 1999’s sports drama “Any Given Sunday” and 2014’s “Annie” remake, which was Diaz’s final film role until now. Seth Gordon (“Horrible Bosses”) is directing the movie from a script he wrote with Brendan O’Brien (“Neighbors”). The film is expected to be released in 2024.
Source: Variety.com -
George Clooney says ‘Friends’ didn’t bring joy to Matthew Perry
Actor George Clooney says Mathew Perry wasn’t happy while being on ‘Friends’.
In an interview, George shared what Mathew was like off camera as he reflected on their friendship.
“I knew Matt when he was 16 years old. We used to play paddle tennis together… And he was a great, funny, funny, funny kid,” George revealed to Deadline. George, who made an appearance as Dr. Michael Mitchell on the hit sitcom, shared that Matthew would tell him how much he wanted to be on a sitcom when hanging out with fellow actors Richard Kind and Grant Heslov.
“I just want to get on a sitcom, man. I just want to get on a regular sitcom and I would be the happiest man on earth,” Mathew said, according to George.
Despite that, the ‘Ocean’s Eleven’ star noted that Matthew didn’t feel content even when he landed the role of the funny pal on ‘Friends’, which also starred Jennifer Aniston, Lisa Kudrow, Courteney Cox, David Schwimmer and Matt LeBlanc.
“He got on probably one of the best ever,” George said of the show, reports aceshowbiz.com.
“He wasn’t happy. It didn’t bring him joy or happiness or peace.”
The ‘ER’ alum continued: “And watching that go on on the lot-we were at Warner Brothers, we were there right next to each other-it was hard to watch because we didn’t know what was going through him. We just knew that he wasn’t happy.”
When it comes to Matthew’s addiction struggles, George said: “I had no idea he was doing what, 12 Vicodin a day and all the stuff he talked about, all that heartbreaking stuff.”
He added: “It also just tells you that success and money and all those things, it doesn’t just automatically bring you happiness. You have to be happy with yourself and your life.” Prior to his death in October due to the acute effects of ketamine, Mathew once said that he didn’t want to be remembered just as a ‘Friends’ star.
The Los Angeles County medical examiner’s office said in an autopsy report last week that Perry, who publicly struggled with drinking and drug use for decades, died from the “acute effects” of ketamine, an anesthetic with psychedelic properties.
Perry was found unresponsive in a hot tub at his home in Los Angeles on Oct. 28. He was 54. The medical examiner’s office said that drowning, coronary artery disease and the effects of an opioid, buprenorphine, had contributed to his death.
But the autopsy ascribed his death primarily to “the acute effects of ketamine.” Ketamine is a powerful anesthetic that has become increasingly popular as an alternative therapy for depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder and other hard-to-treat mental health problems. It is also used recreationally. -
Hrithik and Deepika are all fire in teaser of Fighter’s new song
While the teaser of Siddharth Anand’s upcoming film Fighter has given a power-packed glimpse of its action-filled world, the first song, Sher Khul Gaye, sets the perfect party mood. Taking ahead its musical journey, the makers are all set to treat the audience with a romantic melody, Ishq Jaisa Kuch, that will be released on December 22. To keep the anticipation intact, the makers have released a teaser of Ishq Jaisa Kuch, giving a glance at the sizzling chemistry of Hrithik Roshan and Deepika Padukone.
The teaser of Ishq Jaisa Kuch captures romance very beautifully in every frame. While the teaser is just a glimpse of the first-time pairing between Hrithik and Deepika in a romantic song, it has indeed elevated the excitement to witness the song in its totality.
While sharing the teaser on his social media, Hrithik Roshan jotted down the caption, “Hone laga hai.. #IshqJaisaKuch! Song out on Friday, 22nd December. #Fighter #FighterOn25thJan.” Ishq Jaisa Kuch is composed by Vishal-Shekhar with lyrics by Kumaar. It has been sung by Mellow D and Shilpa Rao, and choreographed by Bosco-Ceaser. Shilpa posted fire emojis on the teaser shared by Hrithik. His girlfriend Saba Azad also dropped black heart and fire emojis. Hair stylist Aalim Hakim wrote, “Ufff (fire emojis)…. Need Fire Extinguishers (extinguisher emoji).” Ayushmann Khurrana also posted a fire emoji. Hrithik’s father and veteran filmmaker Rakesh Roshan also wrote, “Super fire (fire emoji).”
Deepika also shared the teaser on her Instagram handle. Janhvi Kapoor commented, “Please stop (emojis) not able to take it (emojis).” Mellow D and Shilpa Rao also posted fire emojis on her post.
Fighter is slated to release in theatres on January 25, 2024, on the eve of Republic Day.
Source: HT -
Bruce Willis spotted walking in rare public appearance amid dementia diagnosis
Hollywood star Bruce Willis was spotted walking in public for the first time in months, as he continues to deal with his dementia diagnosis. The Hollywood star, 68, has kept himself largely out of the public eye since his family confirmed his front temporal dementia condition earlier this year. Any images of the star have consisted of him surrounding by his family or sitting in a vehicle with security guards. However, the latest images showed the Die Hard actor seemingly in good spirits as he took to the streets around breakfast time in Santa Monica.
The actor was seen wearing casual clothes, including a plaid shirt, quilted jacket, grey joggers and a grey New York baseball cap. He also opted for comfy grey lace-less trainers and was said to have given a thumbs up to passers-by.
Source: IANS -
Four soldiers killed in Poonch terror ambush
Jammu (TIP)- At least four soldiers were killed and three were injured when a group of terrorists ambushed two Indian Army vehicles in the Rajouri district of Jammu & Kashmir on Thursday, December 21, officials said.
The vehicles were navigating a blind curve at a spot known as Dhatyar Morh between Dera ki Gali (DKG) area and Bulfiaz when they came under heavy fire. They were carrying personnel to an active operation to nab terrorists at the DKG area, a few kilometres away. “An operation was being conducted in general area DKG since the night of Wednesday. At approximately 3:45pm on Thursday, two army vehicles carrying troops to the operational site were fired upon by the terrorists. The fire was immediately retaliated upon by army troops,” said defence spokesperson Lt Col Suneel Bartwal. The personnel belonged to the army’s 48 Rashtriya Rifles (48RR) unit.
“However, in the ongoing operation, our own troops sustained three fatal (killed in action) and three non fatal (injured) casualties,” he said. An army spokesperson later updated the toll to four, and it was not immediately clear if the fourth death was that of one of the three who had been hurt.
Colonel Bartwal said the operation was in progress and further details were being ascertained. At the time of going to print, the army had not disclosed identities or ranks of the dead or injured.
The December 21 attack was sixth since October 2021 in the twin border districts of Rajouri and Poonch, south of Pir Panjal. In the six attacks, 29 army personnel have lost their lives, including two captains and two JCOs.
While the area involved in Thursday’s incident was not as close to the Line of Control (LoC) with Pakistan as some of the other spots where the six attacks took place, intelligence officials aware of the matter said it was still a treacherous region.
“The terrain is hilly with dense jungles. The terrorists, it seems, ambushed the two vehicles with indiscriminate fire. The Gypsy that was leading the truck bore maximum brunt of the firing. The terrorists fled the spot after targeting the two vehicles,” said an intelligence officer, asking not to be named. The operation at DKG that began on Wednesday, this person added, was launched following “hard intelligence” about the presence of terrorists in the area. People familiar with the matter said immediately after the attack, ambulances and reinforcements of 48RR and 43 RR were rushed to the site. “Public movement in the area has been restricted,” the officer quoted above added. Source: HT -
1984 anti-Sikh riots: Court asks Tytler’s counsel to file details of previous FIRs filed in Pul Bangash case
New Delhi (TIP) – The Rouse Avenue court has asked the counsel for Congress leader Jagdish Tytler to file a list of FIRs lodged by Delhi Police and Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in the Pul Bangash gurdwara Sikh riots case and the outcome of the investigation and trials thereof. Tytler appeared through video conferencing (VC). The case is related to the killing of three Sikhs — Sardar Thakur Singh, Badal Singh and Gurcharan Singh — in Pul Bangash gurdwara in November 1, 1984. Congress leader Jagdish Tytler is named as an accused in the case. The CBI had filed a supplementary chargesheet against him in May 2023. Special judge Rakesh Syal adjourned the matter till January 9, 2024, after hearing the submission of defence counsel that the certified copies of previous chargesheets have not been received.
Advocate Manu Sharma appeared for Tytler and urged the court to adjourn the matter as the certified copies of previous chargesheets and documents have not been received from the copying agency. He also submitted that as per the agency, they will start to prepare the copies post-winter vacations.
Earlier, special judge Vikas Dhull was hearing the case before he was transferred.
To court’s question on how many FIRs were lodged and how many chargesheets were filed, advocate Manu Sharma submitted that three FIRs were lodged by Delhi police. He also submitted that the Delhi police and CBI filed a total of four chargesheets. The counsel further submitted that initially the case was investigated by Delhi Police. In 2005, on the recommendation of Justice Nanavati Commission, the CBI registered a new case clubbing all three FIRs of Delhi police. Thereafter, the CBI filed a chargesheet against the other accused who was acquitted. CBI had filed a closure report for Tytler, however, in May this year, a chargesheet was filed against him, the counsel submitted.The CBI mentioned that during investigation, evidence came on record that on November 1, 1984, the accused instigated, incited and provoked the mob assembled at the gurdwara resulting in the killing of three Sikhs, apart from burning & looting of shops. Source: ANI -
3 more MPs suspended; total count 146 as winter session ends day before schedule
Opposition MPs during a protest over their suspension at Mahatma Gandhi statue amid the Winter session of Parliament. (Photo: PTI)
New Delhi (TIP) – Three more Congress MPs, including DK Suresh, Nakul Nath and Deepak Baij, were suspended from the Lok Sabha on Thursday, December 21, for the “remainder” of the winter session that was incidentally adjourned sine die later, a day ahead of its scheduled culmination. With this, the total number of MPs suspended from the Lok Sabha reached 100 while the count stood at 46 for the Rajya Sabha, taking the total of suspended parliamentarians in both Houses to an unprecedented 146. Of the total 545 seats in the Lower House, 23 are vacant. After the 100 suspensions, the Lok Sabha strength stood at 422 as 23 of the 545 seats are vacant. In the Rajya Sabha, where seven of the 245 seats are vacant, the strength of the House after the 46 suspensions was reduced to 192.
Of the 100 MPs suspended from the Lok Sabha during the winter session, 13 faced action last week, 33 on December 18, 49 on December 19, two on Wednesday and three on Thursday. Of the 46 MPs suspended from the Rajya Sabha, one faced action last week and 45 on December 18.
“The Lok Sabha has taken a serious note of the misconduct of Deepak Baij, DK Suresh and Nakul Nath for showing utter disregard to the authority of the Chair by displaying placards and entering the well of the House. Therefore, they may be suspended from the House for the remaining session,” Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi said as he moved a motion for the suspension of the MPs. Speaker Birla had earlier warned the MPs, who were protesting the suspension of a large number of MPs and demanding a discussion on the Parliament security breach issue and a statement by Home Minister Amit Shah.
Despite the suspensions, the Lok Sabha achieved 74 per cent productivity while the count stood at 79 per cent for the Rajya Sabha.
The fourteenth session of the 17th Lok Sabha, which commenced on December 4, comprised of 14 sittings and lasted for 61 hours 50 minutes.
‘Weaponizing disruptions as political strategy’:
V-P Dhankhar hits out at Opposition MPs
Rajya Sabha chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar on Thursday said the Upper House lost nearly 22 hours of business due to “avoidable disruptions” during the winter session, which was adjourned sine die a day ahead of schedule.
In his remarks on the conclusion of the winter session, Dhankhar criticised the members for “weaponizing disruptions and disturbance as a political strategy”, which he said doesn’t resonate with the constitutional obligation of keeping the interest of people at large above any other political considerations.
The winter session of Parliament was marred with the opposition’s protest demanding a statement from Union home minister Amit Shah on the security breach and the subsequent mass suspensions of MPs.
Despite the absence of the majority of opposition lawmakers owing to the large-scale suspensions, the government tabled and passed some crucial bills, including the ones replacing the British-era criminal code and regulating the appointment of top election officials.
“A total of 17 Bills including important path breaking bills related to Jammu & Kashmir, Appointment of Election Commissioners, the Post Office Bill, The Telecommunications Bill and the three Bills namely Bharatiya Sakshya Bill, Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita were passed during this session,” the chairman said, adding that the three bills “unshackled colonial legacy of criminal jurisprudence that was hurtful to the citizens of this country and favouring alien rulers.”
Taking note of the passage of the Bill to repeal the Indian Post Office Act, 1898 and to consolidate and amend the law relating to the post offices in India, Dhankhar said, “The Post Office Bill revamped the old colonial structure to set up the stage for fulfillment of the aspirations of the people of the country.” -
One person dies in Kerala as state records 265 new Covid-19 cases
Kerala reported 265 fresh Covid-19 infections and one death due to the disease in the last 24 hours, according to data on the Union Health Ministry website on Friday, December 22. Of the 328 coronavirus infections reported nationwide till 8 am on Friday, 265 were from Kerala, taking the active cases in the state to 2,606, as per the website. With one death reported in the state, the total number of people who have died due to coronavirus in Kerala since its outbreak three years ago reached 72,060.
The number of people who were cured, discharged, or migrated in the last 24 hours after being diagnosed with the infection stood at 275. With that, the total number of cases under this category rose to 68,37,689 till date. The state reported 300 new Covid infections and three deaths due to the disease on Thursday. On Tuesday, Health Minister Veena George reassured the people of the state that despite the rise in Covid cases in Kerala, there is no cause for alarm. The hospitals are adequately equipped to manage virus infections, she said. Source: PTI -
No ‘tonal shift’ in relations with Canada, our stance firm, says India
New Delhi (TIP) – The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has maintained that the Government’s position is “quite consistent” with regard to terrorism-related concerns between India and Canada.
“Whenever this issue is raised, we have highlighted how we see the problem. The core issue is the space given to terrorists, separatists and anti-Indian elements in Canada. Whether they have noted a shift or not, our position has been consistent,” responded MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi at a media briefing when asked to react to Canadian PM Justin Trudeau stating that there has been a “tonal shift” in the Indian Government’s stance on alleged extra-territorial assassinations after the US unsealed an indictment relating to an alleged assassination plot against Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. “We hope they will take action against such elements misusing the freedom of speech and expression in that country,” added Bagchi.
In a year-end interview to a Canadian news channel, Trudeau had said Ottawa did not want to enter into a diplomatic standoff with India regarding the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar. “I think there is a beginning of an understanding that they can’t bluster their way through this and there is openness to collaborating in a way that perhaps they were less open before,” he said. He said the US indictment appears to have convinced the Indian government to adopt a more sober tone.
The ties between India and Canada came under severe strain following Trudeau’s allegations on September 18 of a “potential” involvement of Indian agents in the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar on June 18 in British Columbia.
India had designated Nijjar as a terrorist in 2020. India rejected Trudeau’s allegations as “absurd” and “motivated”. In November, the US federal prosecutors charged that one Nikhil Gupta was working with an Indian government employee in the foiled plot to kill a Sikh separatist, who holds dual citizenship of the US and Canada. Though the separatist Sikh leader was not named, media reports identified him as Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, the leader of the Sikhs for Justice, an organisation banned in India. -
India got consular access to Pannun case accused Nikhil Gupta
India received consular access on three occasions to Nikhil Gupta, who has been in a jail in the Czech capital of Prague following the US accusing him of involvement in a foiled plot to kill a Khalistani terrorist on American soil. External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi also said India is extending necessary consular assistance to Mr Gupta.
“An Indian national is currently in the custody of the Czech authorities pending a request for extradition to the US. We have received consular access at least on three occasions,” Mr Bagchi said at his weekly media briefing in response to a question on the case involving Mr Gupta.
“We are extending necessary consular assistance as per requirement,” he said.
Gupta, 52, has been accused by the US government of involvement in conspiring to kill US-based Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun.
His family approached the Supreme Court last week pleading for issuing direction to the central government to intervene in the extradition proceedings and ensuring a fair trial in the case. “The family of this person has gone to our Supreme Court and this is a process that is going on in the Supreme Court. I do not think it will be appropriate for us to comment on issues like jurisdiction. We will wait for what the Supreme Court has to say,” Bagchi said.
The US federal prosecutors have charged Gupta with working with an Indian government employee in the foiled plot to kill Pannun, who holds dual citizenship of the US and Canada. -
Punjab minister Aman Arora gets 2-year rigorous imprisonment for assault
A Sunam court on December 21 convicted and sentenced Punjab minister Aman Arora along with eight others to two years’ rigorous imprisonment for allegedly assaulting his brother-in-law Rajinder Deepa. However, the minister, who said he would now approach a higher court, was granted bail by the court.
The court of Sunam Sub-Divisional Judicial Magistrate Gurbhinder Singh Johal held Arora and others guilty under Sections 323, 452 and 148 of the IPC. Under Section 323, he was sentenced to one-year RI along with Rs 1,000 fine, for the offence under Section 452 (read with 149), he was awarded two-year RI and Rs 5,000 fine. Under Section 148, he was sentenced to two-year imprisonment along with Rs 4,000 fine. All the sentences would run concurrently, the court said.
Arora now faces prospect of being disqualified from the House, but he has one month to appeal against the verdict. Under Section 8 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, a member of the House can be barred if he is convicted of any offence, and sentenced to imprisonment for not less than two years.
The Act says that the member is to be disqualified from the date of conviction and will remain disqualified for six years.
Official sources in the Punjab Vidhan Sabha say that it is only after the court sends its order on conviction to the Speaker, or a complaint regarding his conviction is made, further course of action may be decided. The case against Arora has its genesis in a complaint filed in a court in 2013 by Deepa. He had claimed that Arora and nine others had trespassed his house and assaulted him in 2008. Both Arora and Deepa live across the road and the matter pertains to a property nearby.
In his complaint, Deepa had named Arora, his mother Parmeshwari Devi, Rajinder Singh Raja, Jagjiwan Ram, Baljinder Singh, Labh Singh, Manjit Singh (now deceased), Chitwant Singh, Kuldeep Singh and Satgur Singh. Source: TNS