Month: April 2015

Became a real woman after split: Patton

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Actress Paula Patton has embraced her single life post her split from husband Robin Thicke.

Patton and Thicke, high school sweethearts, separated fourteen months ago.

“I went from my parents’ house to moving in with Robin, and now I’m becoming an adult. I’m really, like, a real woman now!” Patton, who married the singer in 2005, told Vieira in a Meredith Vieira Show interview.

The 39-year-old is now coparenting their son Julian, 4, but admits that she struggles with working mother’s guilt.

Swine flu claims 20 more lives, toll rises to 2,064

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Swine flu claimed the lives of 20 more persons as the death toll in the country rose to 2,064 while the number of persons affected by the H1N1 virus breached the 34,000-mark.

Data collated by Union Health Ministry till yesterday said that 2,064 persons have perished due to the disease while the number of affected persons across various states was 34,068.

With swine flu claiming four more lives in Rajasthan, the toll in the last three months in the state has touched 419, an official said. One person each succumbed to H1N1 virus in Ajmer, Tonk, Nagaur, and Jhunjhunu yesterday, he said.

Three dead as vigilantes clash in Mexico

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A shootout between civilian self-defence forces has left three people dead and 11 wounded in Mexico’s troubled southern state of Guerrero, authorities have said.

The Union of Peoples and Organisations of Guerrero (UPOEG), a vigilante militia formed in January 2013 to combat drug gangs, clashed late Monday with a faction that broke away last year, the state public security department said yesterday.

Ansari warns of implications of failure to provide education, employment

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Vice President Hamid Ansari on Tuesday warned that “failure” to properly educate and provide “productive employment” to millions of Indians, especially youth, will have “serious economic and social implications” for the country.

“Nothing can be more disruptive for our social cohesion and sustained economic progress than a large army of educated, unemployed youth who feel dis-empowered in every sense of the term,” he said while giving the convocation address at Jamia Hamdard University here.

‘Shadowhunters’ gets series order by ABC Family

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“Shadowhunters”, a show based on Cassandra Clare’s novel series “The Mortal Instruments”, will air on ABC Family network.

“Shadowhunters is a big epic saga that will resonate with viewers, who come to ABC Family for the Harry Potter, Hunger Games and Twilight franchises,” ABC Family President Tom Ascheim said in a statement.

The story follows 18-year-old Clary Fray, who discovers her family history of Shadowhunters and quickly gets thrown into their world of demon hunting alongside fairies, warlocks, vampires, and werewolves, reported Entertainment Weekly.

I love Susan Sarandon more than anyone else: Jonathan Bricklin

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Oscar-winning actress Susan Sarandon’s former boyfriend Jonathan Bricklin says their break-up has not lessened his love for her.

“She’s someone I love more than anyone I’ve ever been with and that won’t change. We’re going to figure out how life proceeds from here,” he said.

Bricklin, 37, and Sarandon, 68, star in the reality series “Connected”. While reports have alleged the stress of filming “Connected” ended their six-year relationship, Bricklin said that’s not the case, reported the New York Post.

Ciara Renee lands role on ‘Arrow/The Flash’ spin-off

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Actress Ciara Renee has been cast as Kendra Saunders aka the winged superheroine.

“Doctor Who” alum Arthur Darvill is said to be in final talks to play the time traveller called Rip Hunter on the potential new series, reported Aceshowbiz.

Renee is known for her roles on Broadway plays “Big Fish” and “Pippin Hawkgirl”. Her Hawkgirl will not be like the ones that have been featured on “Smallville” and some animated series such as “Justice League”.

Lil Wayne’s ‘Free Weezy Album’ to release in April

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Rapper Lil Wayne’s next work “Free Weezy Album”, which was originally planned for February, will be out this month.

The rapper made the announcement during a performance at the Red Bull Guest House 2015 in South Beach, Miami recently, reported Aceshowbiz.

No exact release date has been revealed yet.

“Free Weezy Album” will be Tunechi’s second release in 2015.

He previously put out “Sorry 4 the Wait 2” mixtape earlier this year after his long-awaited LP “Tha Carter V” got delayed again by record label Cash Money.

Dark Ages’ stomach-churning potion can kill MRSA infection

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An Anglo-Saxon medical textbook Bald’s Leechbook may have the right recipe for killing methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) hidden between its covers.

The stomach-churning potion, which includes wine, garlic, and bile from a cow’s stomach, could hold the key to defeating MRSA came about after a chance discussion between experts at the University of Nottingham in 2014, the Independent reported.

Lead researcher Freya Harrison from the University of Nottingham said that the thousand-year-old remedy has proven to be an “incredibly potent” antibiotic.

Snapdeal acquires a majority stake in RupeePower for undisclosed amount

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India e-commerce company Snapdeal has acquired a majority stake in RupeePower, a provider of loans and credit cards.

The terms of the deal have not been disclosed, but it is a controlling stake. Snapdeal said that it will launch a financial services marketplace using this acquisition, and projects that it will provide USD 1 billion of loans over the next two years through the platform.

RupeePower uses an online tool and algorithms that work in the background. RupeePower gives users the ability to apply for loans that will take many no more than 5 minutes to get approved.

Disney’s film “Mulan” to get live-action reboot

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Disney’s 1998 animated feature “Mulan” will have a live-action reboot.

Disney has purchased a script by Elizabeth Martin and Lauren Hynek that re-imagines the tale of Hua Mulan, the Chinese cross-dressing warrior heroine from the original film, reported People magazine.

“Mulan” becomes the fourth Disney film to get revived after the hit movies “Maleficent” and “Cindrella”, and “Beauty and the Beast”, which is set to hit theatres March 17, 2017.

“Deadpool” casts Brainna Hildebrand as Negasonic Warhead

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Brianna Hildebrand has been cast as character Negasonic Teenage Warhead, a telepath with precognitive abilities, in the upcoming Marvel movie “Deadpool”.

Hildebrand is currently undergoing physical and stunt training for her Negasonic character, suggesting that the actress will be doing more than just reading minds, said The Hollywood Reporter.

Directed by Tim Miller and produced by Lauren Shuler Donner, “Deadpool” is currently in production in Vancouver.

Set to be released in the US on February 12, 2016, “Deadpool” also stars Morena Baccarin, TJ Miller, Ed Skrein and Gina Carano.

Zayn Malik’s first song out post split from 1 Direction

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Demo of singer Zayn Malik’s first song “I Won’t Mind”, post his departure from band One Direction, has been released.

The song is a collaboration between Malik and Naughty Boy and its demo was posted by the British producer on his SoundCloud page.

“Let the music do the talking guys. Thank us later,” Naughty Boy tweeted along with a link to the song.

“There is nothing but love for what was left behind. thats why we don’t mind. #2016 #zaughty #zindabad,” he added in the Soundcloud description.

PM Modi to inaugurate Rourkela Steel Plant’s modernization project

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi will on Wednesday visit Rourkela in Odisha to inaugurate the second modernization project of Rourkela Steel Plant (RSP).

The 4.5 million tonne modernisation project of RSP of the Steel Authority of India Ltd (SAIL) has been built with an expenditure of about Rs 12,000 crore.

Prime Minister Modi is also scheduled to visit the plate mill of RSP and hold discussions on various development works carried out by the plant authorities.

He will later also address a public rally.

Princess Diana’s nephew wants to marry me: Nicki Minaj

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Rapper Nicki Minaj has an admirer in Princess Diana’s nephew, who wants to get married to her.

Minaj, 32, spent time with Louis Spencer on Saturday at her London concert, and the pair hit it off, reported People magazine.

The rapper joked that one of her Instagram photos with Louis Spencer was their “wedding photo.” Spencer, 21, is a viscount and the heir to his family’s earldom.

While Spencer is all smiles, Minaj strikes a more serious pose in another shot that she captioned, “The Royal Family stopped by @louisspencer Nephew of Princess Diana – he said he wants to marry me.”

Modi probably strongest Indian leader in our lifetime: McCain

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An influential American Senator has said Prime Minister Narendra Modi is probably the strongest Indian leader to have emerged in his lifetime and asserted that the US needs to have more cooperation with India.

“I’m incredibly impressed with the new leader. Mr Modi is probably the strongest leader that I have seen emerge in India, certainly in our lifetimes,” Senator John McCain said here yesterday.

In his remarks before the Center for Strategic and International Studies, McCain, the 2008 presidential candidate, said the United States needs to have more co-operation with India.

Short burst of high-Intensity exercise is best before fatty meal

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A new study has revealed that short bouts of high-intensity exercise before a fatty meal best for vascular health.

University of Exeter’s study found that a short burst of intensive exercise before eating a high fat meal is better for blood vessel function in young people than the currently recommended moderate-intensity exercise.

The study compared high-intensity, interval exercise against moderate-intensity exercise on blood vessel function in adolescent boys and girls after they had consumed a high fat milkshake.

Nigeria’s Jonathan: ‘I kept my word’ on free, fair elections

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Nigeria’s President Goodluck Jonathan has said he had held true to his pledge of free and fair elections, as he conceded defeat to his main challenger Muhammadu Buhari.

“I promised the country free and fair elections. I have kept my word,” the 57-year-old said in a statement yesterday after the final results were announced with Buhari some 2.5 million votes ahead.

Jonathan urged disputes over the results to be settled in court, adding: “Nobody’s ambition is worth the blood of any Nigerian. The unity, stability and progress of our dear country is more important than anything else.

Bachchan visits Pyramids in Egypt, promises to bring family

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Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan has visited the Pyramids in Egypt amid thousands of cheering fans in the audience and promised to bring his family during his next visit here.

On his fourth visit to the country, the 72-year-old actor gave his eager Egyptian fans a moment to cherish forever as he addressed the audience at a glittering ceremony held near the Great Sphinx of Giza to officially inaugurate the third edition of the ‘India By the Nile’ festival yesterday.

PM: Prosecutor wounded in Istanbul hostage standoff has died

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Two members of a banned leftist group and a prosecutor they held hostage inside a courthouse in Istanbul have died after a shootout between the hostage takers and police, officials said.

Istanbul’s police chief, Selami Altinok said police had negotiated with the gunmen for six hours before the violent end of the hostage situation.

At least 62 children killed in Yemen in past week: UNICEF

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At least 62 children have been killed and 30 injured in Yemen over the past week as fighting has escalated, the United Nations children’s agency UNICEF has said.

“Children are in desperate need of protection, and all parties to the conflict should do all in their power to keep children safe,” said UNICEF’s representative for Yemen, Julien Harneis yesterday.

Fighting has escalated sharply in Yemen after a Saudi-led coalition over the weekend launched air strikes to block an advance by Shiite rebels know as Huthis.

Japan gears up to welcome foreign tourists with improved services

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Kyoto, one of the most historic cities in Japan, is witnessing a rise in foreign tourist inflow.

According to Japanese Tourism Agency’s reports, the number of foreign tourists to Japan increased two-fold in a decade and got over 13 million people for the first time.

To provide better services to the tourists, JCB – the Japanese credit card company recently opened “JCB PLAZA Kyoto”, a service center for foreign card members.

Chinese FM quits Iran talks, team stays behind

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Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi left talks in Switzerland to seal an outline nuclear deal with Iran but his negotiating team remained behind, a Western diplomat said.

“His deputy is staying,” the diplomat told reporters as the tough negotiations were going down the wire to a midnight deadline.

Earlier, a senior US official said that the talks could drag into tomorrow, while an Iranian negotiator said his team was ready to keep talking “as long as necessary.

Defense wraps up case in Boston bombing trial

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Lawyers for alleged Boston bomber Dzhokhar Tsarnaev quickly wrapped up their defense case on today as the four-week old trial entered its final stages.

Attorneys for Tsarnaev, who faces the death penalty if convicted of the April 2013 Boston Marathon attack that killed three people and wounded 264, called only four witnesses after prosecutors wrapped their case yesterday.

“That is all the witnesses that the defense will present,” lawyer Tim Watkins informed the court, following the testimony of an FBI fingerprint expert.

US panel asks Clinton to testify by May 1 on emails

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A US congressional panel investigating the 2012 Benghazi attacks called for Hillary Clinton today to testify by May 1, following a scandal involving her use of private emails while secretary of state.

Trey Gowdy, chairman of the House Select Committee on Benghazi, made the request after Clinton rejected his earlier demand that she turn over her private computer server, on which her emails were stored, to US officials for a third-party review.