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Suhana Khan goes traditional look for family’s wedding

SNS Web | New Delhi |

The 17- year-old daughter of superstar Shah Rukh Khan stole the hearts of many fashionista at a family wedding. The pictures went viral on social media platforms.

She was spotted in sage green, pink and maroon lehengas in different events of the marriage.

The 17-year-old was seen flaunting her ethnic fashion in sage green lehenga by Monisha Jaising, who is known for hand-embroidered silken threads and crystals.

It was a Delhi function where Suhana, Shah Rukh Khan and Gauri Khan were spotted enjoying the family affair.

In an earlier interview, Shah Rukh Khan had said, “Suhana is more theatre-oriented and has been doing plays in college. The best part is that she doesn’t want to learn (acting) from me. She wants to be an actor in her own right.”

Suhana attended all the events and donned traditional outfits. She looked absolutely stunning in the photos.

Suhana’s fashion quotient can’t be missed out!

Sathiyan climbs up  in world rankings

Statesman News Service | New Delhi |

Led by G Sathiyan , nine Indian  paddlers  have moved up in the  World  Table Tennis rankings, as per the  IITF release on Tuesday.

Sathiyan, has moved to  world No. 49 slot  pushing A. Sharath Kamal to the second spot at No. 51. They are followed by Soumyajit Ghosh (58), Harmeet Desai (60), Sanil Shetty (68) and Anthony Amalraj (87).

As for the women paddlers, Manika Batra is topping the world chart among Indians at 62, while Mouma Das (74) and Madhurika Patkar (81) trailing the leader.

In under-18 boys, Manav Thakkar at 18 is followed by Manush Shah at 47 while Snehit Surravajjula is placed 64. In the girls’ section, three Indians—Archana Kamath (34), Selenadeepthi Selvakumar (95) and Yashini Sivashankar (99) —are in top 100.

In junior Boys, Jeho Himnakulhpuingheta is placed at No. 52. He is followed by Payas Jain (74) and Yashansh Malik 85) while in Junior Girls Diya at 21 way ahead of the two compatriots Anusha Kutumbale (63) and Vanshika Bhargava (70).

The IITF rankings have been decided as per  the new system which provides  for a more dynamic world ranking based on paddlers’ performance and results during the entire year.

In addition, the system also encourages players to participate in more and more events rather than being inactive, affecting the individual’s rankings.

Spent time making excuses for Hollywood’s absurdity: Gyllenhaal

PTI | Los Angeles |

Jake Gyllenhaal says he has spent a lot of time making excuses for the “absurdity” surrounding Hollywood, which was unmasked in the wake of the Harvey Weinstein sexual harassment scandal.

The 37-year-old actor termed the expose as an insight into the “apparent sickness” of the international entertainment industry following the fall of the disgraced media mogul.

“I have spent a lot of time in my career making excuses for the absurdity of our world – Hollywood – and all of its confusion, apparent sickness over the past few months that we’ve discovered, the complications, the vanity,” Gyllenhaal said on The Hollywood Reporter’s ‘Awards Chatter’ podcast.

Citing his film, Brokeback Mountain as an example, the actor said despite witnessing the dark side of showbiz, he continues to have faith in the “power of movies”.

“You know, you think about ‘Brokeback’ – I’ve had people come up to me over the years and say how that movie changed their life or how it made them realise something…

“But what I will never accept is anyone telling me that movies aren’t an extraordinarily powerful tool for communication and ultimately, in a small way, for change. And sometimes in a big way,” he said.

Ind vs SA: India will be tough opponents, says South Africa coach

“I’m not expecting it to change too much between now and Friday,” the Proteas coach said.

IANS | Cape Town |

South Africa coach Ottis Gibson has warned his team that India may prove to be tough opponents during the upcoming three-match Test series.

“They are currently ranked number one and they’ve got a lot of world class players and world class players aren’t just world class in their own back yards,” Gibson told the media here.

“They’re a very good team and I think they will travel a lot better now. We know for sure that it is going to be a tough series. I don’t think you’re going to see them fold as much as they may have done in the past,” he added.

The wicket for the first Test — which begins here on January 5 — showing a distinct green tinge and fast bowlers Kagiso Rabada, Vernon Philander and Morne Morkel set to take the field for South Africa, Gibson hoped that the hosts will be able to enjoy the upper hand.

“I’m not expecting it to change too much between now and Friday,” the Proteas coach said when asked about the wicket.

Russell Brand undergoes ear treatment after jiu jitsu injury

PTI | Los Angeles |

Russell Brand has undergone ear treatment after the actor-comic suffered an injury during his jiu jitsu class.

The 42-year-old actor posted a two-minute-long video on Instagram, where he described the martial art session that went wrong.

Brand said he was left with a “cauliflower ear” and filmed the entire process of getting his ear drained for its “entertainment” value.

“Russell Brand here, as you know I’m a jiu jitsu expert. Part of the reason for filming it, I’m sure it will make great entertainment, but also I’m keen to see it come out,” he said in the clip.

Brand showed off his white headdress and tagged his trainer, Chris Cleere in the post.

Rian Johnson to shoot ‘Star Wars’ trilogy in Scotland

PTI | Los Angeles |

Fresh from the success of The Last Jedi, filmmaker Rian Johnson, who will now be directing the Episode I of new Star Wars trilogy, is set to begin the shooting for the film in Scotland.
The new saga of films will be set in the Star Wars universe but it would not be a part of the Luke Skywalker story, Contactmusic reported.
According to the Scottish newspaper, Daily Record, filming is expected to begin in June, specifically in Argyll and the areas in the north of Scotland.
On-location producers hope to use what is known as Rest and Be Thankful – a scenic pass between Loch Long and Loch Awe that rises to 860ft.
The original Star Wars was created by George Lucas and is currently in the hands of producer J J Abrams.
Lucas is said to be co-writing the new story with Johnson.

OMG! You will be shocked to know what Rohit Sharma said about scoring triple century in ODI

Rohit Sharma on the possibility of hitting a triple ton in ODIs said, “Anything is possible on a day when things go your way.”

SNS |

Saeed Anwar stunned the entire cricket world when he scored 194 runs just in 146 balls against Indian squad in the year 1997. With his knock, one thing was clear that hitting a double century in the game of fame is not a fantasy but it can be done. And when the ‘God of Cricket’ Sachin Tendulkar scored a sensational double ton against South Africa in 2010 soon other batsman followed.

Currently, cricket great Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag, Chris Gayle, Martin Guptill and Rohit Sharma held the record of hitting a double century in One Day International. But in all the above-given players no one has scored more double century than explosive Indian opener Rohit Sharma. Not once or twice but ‘hit man’ Rohit Sharma has achieved this landmark thrice. Sharma also holds the record of hitting maximum run (264 runs) in an inning by any batter in ODI.

Recently in an interview, while talking to the Times of India, Rohit Sharma on the possibility of hitting a triple ton in ODIs said, “Anything is possible on a day when things go your way.”

“I was asked after scoring 264 was if I could’ve touched 300. In T20s too, you score a hundred and the question is if a 200 is possible. I want to keep telling them, ‘guys please relax’. Only 36 runs separate a 264 and 300, so what’s the big deal? That’s how it’s seen. In my mind, I can understand where they’re coming from. But, on a personal front, I never think like that,” Rohit said.

“If you’re playing on a good (batting) pitch, take advantage. If you’re playing on a challenging track, take your time. Simple. The only difference is that because I’ve done it thrice (200+), I know how to do it also. If you are a top order batsman and you continue to bat with the mindset that you’ve got to stay there for the entire 50 overs, anything is possible on a day when things go your way,” he added.

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Alexandre Desplat praises Guillermo del Toro

PTI | Los Angeles |

Award-winning composer Alexandre Desplat, who has worked with Guillermo Del Toro on The Shape of Water, has praised the filmmaker for his sensitivity towards music.

In an interview with Variety, Desplat said, “He’s a passionate, generous filmmaker. He’s a very sensitive man, he’s full of emotions, and when the music you play to him is right, you immediately can feel the feedback.

“He’s moved, he’s excited, he’s precise in his comments when something can be adjusted. It’s been a dream working with Guillermo. This movie has been one of my more beautiful collaborations through the years, and I think this movie is in the top, top list of the movies I loved working on, and I’m proud of.”

Set in 1962, The Shape of Water follows a mute, isolated woman named Elisa (Sally Hawkins), who works as a janitor in a government laboratory but her life changes forever when she discovers the lab’s classified secret is an amphibious creature known as The Asset (Doug Jones) and develops a unique bond with it.

Fodder scam: Lalu Prasad Yadav likely to be sentenced on Thursday

SNS | New Delhi |

The sentencing of RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav in a case of fodder scam is likely to take place on Thursday, officials said.

“The quantum of punishment for RJD chief Lalu Prasad and 15 others convicts in fodder scam case is likely to be announced tomorrow (Thursday),” the CBI advocate said.

According to reports, the special Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) judge Shivpal Singh arrived in the court at around 11 am. However, the sentencing was not pronounced due to a condolence meet for advocate Vindeshwari Prasad.

The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief, who was lodged in the Birsa Munda jail in Ranchi after being convicted on December 23, was brought to the court in the morning and was present inside when the hearing was on.

He was taken away at around 12 noon.

The former Bihar chief minister’s lawyer had on Tuesday said that they would urge the court for minimum punishment owing to the RJD chief’s age.

Lalu is likely to get three to seven years’ punishment, as per reports. If he is awarded three years’ sentence, he will be able to get bail soon.

His co-accused and former Bihar Chief Minister Jagannath Mishra was let off in the case pertaining to embezzlement of over Rs. 85 lakh from the Deoghar Treasury between 1991 and 1994.

A total of 17 accused including Lalu were pronounced guilty by the court while six were let off.

The RJD chief has already been convicted in another fodder scam case that cost him his Lok Sabha seat and disqualified him from contesting elections. Both Lalu and Jagannath Mishra are out on bail in the case.

Hearing in the multi-million fodder scam case was completed on December 13 in a special Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) court of Ranchi.

In all, there were 34 accused in the case, out of which 11 died during the course of the trial, while one turned CBI approver and admitted the crime.

 

SRK wants Mithali Raj to coach Virat Kohli’s boys? Here is what the skipper has to say

Soon, Indian skipper Mithali Raj will be seen on a Television show named TED Talks India: Nayi Soch, along with Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan.

SNS | Mumbai |

Indian women’s cricket team created a buzz on the internet with their unique and exceptional performance in the Women’s World Cup 2017. From Harmanpreet Kaur’s sensational knock in the semi-finals against Australia women’s cricket team to the Indian skipper Mithali Raj becoming the highest run-getter in One Day International (In women’s), the World Cup saw the best of Indian players.

For Indian cricket fans, the WWC2017 was full of excitement because they found their new national crush in explosive Indian opener Smriti Mandhana. Even though the Indian squad was not able to lift the World Cup trophy, yet they returned as stars to their home and got a wonderful reception at home.

Soon, Indian skipper Mithali Raj will be seen on a Television show named TED Talks India: Nayi Soch, along with Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan. In the show, Mithali revealed that she read books before any big match to stay in focus.

“When you are on the field, and everyone is looking up to you and the entire team to bring back the trophy, (then) it is not just about the game. So, it is necessary for us to stay focused… and we all have our own ways to ensure we give our best on the field. I read books to get rid of pressure during a match. It does help me to keep calm and encourage a good performance,” said Mithali Raj.

King Khan of Bollywood was all praises for Mithali Raj and he even confessed that someday he wants to see Mithal as the coach of Indian men squad,

“I want to see you (Mithali) as the coach of the men’s cricket team one day,” said SRK to which Mithali was quick to reply that, “I always want to give my best.”

There would be huge market for Girls Aloud reunion:Ex manager

PTI | London |

Former manager of Girls Aloud, Louis Walsh, says the band could reform if all five members get back on the same page.

The X Factor judge helped create the girl group in 2002, which featured Sarah Harding, Cheryl Tweedy, Nadine Coyle, Nicola Roberts and Kimberley Walsh, reported Contactmusic.

“It needs to be the five of them. They’d do really, really well. If Bananarama could do it, why can’t Girls Aloud do it?” he said.

The band played their final concert back in March 2013 after celebrating their 10th anniversary.

Louis, 65, said the group would do well because they had hits such as Biology, The promise and I’ll stand by you to their credit.

“There would be a huge market for a Girls Aloud reunion. They need to delay it for a while but they had great songs, brilliant, brilliant songs – some of the best songs for a long time. And they all look good,” he added.

Christopher Nolan is coming to India, says Big B

IANS | Mumbai |

Acclaimed filmmaker Christopher Nolan will be coming to India in a month, according to Hindi movie star Amitabh Bachchan.

Big B, via his blog, revealed that Kodak will open its facility here by March.

“It is all about to change yet again Kodak, that largest name for film, is coming back. Many in the world of direction and production are finding values in the product done on film to be the more liked subject. So, like ‘Dunkirk’, the film by that renowned Christopher Nolan (who) uses only film for his picture.

“And in a month or so, the man himself Mr Nolan is coming to India to inaugurate or at least lend support to a few matters,” Amitabh wrote.

The cine icon, 75, is upbeat about the development as just last month, he was contemplating on why the movie world is still referred to as the “film industry” in the digital age. Hollywood, he says, is getting back to film, again.

“Firstly, the archival of films, their repairs and preservation, and secondly to support the Kodak world all over again. I believe that Los Angeles, Hollywood is already all back to film again. They say the quality and feel and colour of film is unmatched, so what happens to digital… It shall exist, it shall co-exist and film shot on celluloid shall be sent to the lab for its development, but all post-production work shall be digital.

“I mean what kind of times are we living in,” Big B questioned.

Amitabh also tweeted his excitement on Kodak film’s comeback to India.

“News! Don’t know if it deserves the tag ‘breaking’ but celluloid film is back. Kodak is to open its facility again fresh and productive in Mumbai soon by March 2018! Hollywood is apparently switching back to film. Hai hai apni digital film ka kya hoga (What will happen to our digital film)” he tweeted.

Karnataka to host international travel expo in Feb-March

IANS | Bengaluru |

Karnataka would soon be hosting its first international travel expo in order to promote its tourist hotspots to travellers from across the world, state Tourism Minister Priyank Kharge said on Tuesday.

“The expo will provide an impetus to the inbound travel and tourism and would enhance the efforts of Karnataka Tourism to promote our destinations to the world travellers,” he said at a preview event held here.

To be held from February 28 till March 2, the Karnataka International Travel Expo 2018 expects over 1,000 delegates from over 25 countries.

This will be the southern state’s first such international expo in the tourism sector.

Through the three-day event, the state aims to promote its cities and towns through adventure and wildlife tourism, world heritage sites, pilgrimages, and Karnataka’s festivals.

“The expo will be largest business-to-business (B2B) travel event in the country,” claimed Kharge, adding that travel agents, tour operators, hotels, resorts from the state, international and domestic travellers among others are expected to be a part of the event.

Karnataka had received about 13 crore domestic tourists and nearly 7 lakh foreign tourists last year, he said, adding this made it ninth among Indian states in attracting international tourists and fourth in the number of domestic tourists.

Karnataka is home to two United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation world heritage sites — a group of monuments in the village of Hampi, about 350 km north of Bengaluru, and Pattadakal, about 450 km northwest of Bengaluru, for its 7th century Hindu and Jain temples.

The state is also popular for its pilgrimage spots like Udupi, Sringeri in the coastal region and hill stations in the southwestern districts Kodagu and Chikkamagaluru, which are also well-known coffee-growing regions.

Germany starts implementing new hate speech law

IANS | Berlin |

A new German law that demands social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter and YouTube delete posts containing hate speeches, fake new and illegal material within 24 hours of receiving a complaint has come into effect with the New Year, media reported.

The new rules could fine social media sites up to $60 million if they do not remove posts containing hate speech quickly, German public broadcaster Deutsche Welle reported this week.

The Netzwerkdurchsetzungsgesetz (NetzDG) law was passed at the end of June 2017 and came into force in early October, but social networks were given a three-month grace period to install the new complaint management systems.

Facebook, Twitter, Google, YouTube, Snapchat, and Instagram will all come under the new law, though professional networks like LinkedIn and Xing are expressly excluded, as are messaging services like WhatsApp, the report said.

The new law also requires the affected companies to produce a yearly report detailing how many posts they deleted and why.

People can report violations to Germany’s Federal Office of Justice (BfJ), which has made an online form available for the purpose.

Google has also created an online form to report content, while Twitter has added an option to its existing report function that specifies “comes under the NetzDG.”

Facebook has also put in place its own system to help people report offending posts.

The call to police social media sites more effectively arose after several high-profile cases in which fake news and racist material was being spread via the German arms of prominent social media firms, a BBC report said.

Fight your sweet tooth with these 4 natural sweeteners and fluids

We are all set to begin the New Year with new pledges and resolutions to stay fit and tune in to a healthy lifestyle.

IANS | New Delhi |

We are all set to begin the New Year with new pledges and resolutions to stay fit and tune in to a healthy lifestyle. To beat a big hurdle in your healthy resolution — dieting boredom — one needs to keep the diet plan and healthy eating target as exciting and simple as possible. Nature has blessed us with a few natural sweeteners which can best fit into our healthy diet, says nutritionist and fitness trainer Iram Zaidi. Here are her four top natural sweeteners.

1. Stevia-plant based, zero calories, easy to use and safe sweetener

Stevia is getting popular across the world as a natural sweetener. There were certain misconceptions with its bitter taste as a majority of products were based on traditional stevia sweeteners offered in the form of high purity Reb-A molecule. A recently developed variety of stevia tastes exactly like sugar so that our taste buds should not be compromised. Given stevia can replace some unwanted sweetener calories, it can be one tool for cutting calories from your daily diet without affecting blood sugar or insulin levels.

2. Sugarcane juice — Nature’s superfluid and a great sweetener

Sugarcane juice has been a part of Indian culture for thousands of years. Ayurveda acharyas prefer the juice to be extracted from healthy canes and consumed in hygienic form. A great energy drink, skin toner, body cleanser and loaded with a variety of medicinal properties to fight a majority of diseases, sugarcane juice is, unfortunately, missing from our diet plans. One of the biggest reasons was the hygiene factor. Now, a bottled sugarcane juice or cold-pressed sugarcane juice are good pick-ups for a healthy start.

3. Honey — Nature’s best anti-biotic and great sweetener

Natural honey is loaded with nutrients and is an essential part of Indian home remedy solutions from ages. It has proteins, minerals, and vitamins. The plant enzyme amylase present in raw honey is effective in breaking down and helping the predigestion of the starches and also helps to raise the level of antioxidants required in the body. One teaspoon of honey is only about 20 calories.

4. Coconut sugar — lower glycemic index and great nutritional value

Coconut sugar is also called coconut palm sugar. It is a natural sugar made from sap, which is the sugary circulating fluid of the coconut plant. It is a good source of minerals like iron, zinc, calcium and potassium, along with some short chain fatty acids, polyphenols and antioxidants. Coconut sugar and coconut nectar contain a fibre known as inulin. This fibre may help slow glucose absorption, offering an alternative for those dealing with diabetic concerns.

So, go ahead with these natural sweeteners as there is no need to put an extra effort to fight your sweet tooth by eliminating sugar from your meals.

Jack Black is amazing team player: Nick Jonas

IANS | Los Angeles |

Singer-actor Nick Jonas finds actor Jack Black an “amazing team player”.

He said Black made their screen kiss in the movie “Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle” easy, reports femalefirst.co.uk.

“It was important for the story. We did have to do quite a few takes but Jack is an amazing team player. He and I really connected. He loves a good meal, as do I, so we ventured out to some of local spots on Oahu, Hawaii, where we were shooting,” Jonas told Metro newspaper.

Unlike the original, the new film follows four high school teenagers who discover an old video game console and are transported into the game’s jungle setting, becoming the adult avatars they chose.

The four must work together to survive in the jungle and beat the game in order to return to the real world or they will be stuck forever.

The sequel was shot on site in the Hawaiian jungle and Jonas said it was the same location where “Jurassic Park” was filmed.