Rani’s ideal birthday gift!

Rani Mukherjee celebrates her 30th birthday today and we’d like to wish the queen of Bollywood a very happy birthday! Talking about birthday, the first thing that comes to our minds is ‘gifts’ and for all the fans of this gorgeous actress, we are going to reveal you one gift that she’ll be looking forward to getting!
Well, we won’t heighten your excitement any further! We are not talking about Rani wanting a ‘Raj’a like husband as a gift! We are talking about her wanting ‘Yash’ (as in success!) this year though! Rani Mukherjee’s two Yash Raj films Ta Ra Rum Pum and Laaga Chunari Mein Daag unfortunately failed to live up to the ‘Yash Raj film’ expectations inspite of Rani rendering a powerhouse performance in both! As a result, according to our sources Rani has so far signed only one Kunal Kohli film this year which is also a Yash Raj production and has been banking on it, since it will be her only release.
We are sure; Rani will want this film to be a blockbuster, considering it will be her yet another film with Kunal Kohli who gave her ‘Hum Tum’ ! The very film which helped her win a ‘Filmfare Award’ in 2004.
That’s not all, her pairing with Saif Ali Khan is also liked by her fans and this film will see them coming together once again.
By giving hits time and again, Rani has easily managed to dominate the number one position in Bollywood until Kareena made her mark in Jab We Met , thus dethroning this Rani from the place where she belongs.
On her birthday, we hope Rani wins back her numero uno position… a gift she must be dying to get!

Amy's neighbours call it quits

Amy Winehouse's neighbours are selling up because they have had enough of the constant parties.
The troubled 'Rehab' singer moved to the quiet residential street in Camden, North London, just six weeks ago but has already caused the owners of the house next door to put their property on the market.
A source told Britain's Daily Mirror newspaper: "The neighbours are fed up with the constant noise and rumpus. There is always loud music and parties with people coming and going into the small hours.
"Before Amy showed up it was a peaceful street with nice, quiet, normal neighbours, now she has disrupted their lives.
"The owners are very concerned their property will plummet in value."
The three-floor mews house, which the owners rent out to tenants, has an asking price of £725,000.
A spokesperson for the 24-year-old star blamed paparazzi for the disruption, saying: "Unfortunately Amy is followed by photographers wherever she goes.
They wait outside for her at all hours of the night. Sadly, it's not something she can do anything about."
Meanwhile, Amy's husband Blake Fielder-Civil - who is currently in London's Pentonville Prison awaiting trial on charges of grievous bodily harm (GBH) and conspiracy to pervert the course of justice - has reportedly decided he wants a divorce.
A friend told Britain's The Sun newspaper: "He is upset about how close Amy has been getting to some of the men in her life and that she never visits.
"He told her a few days ago he wants to end the marriage and she has to visit him to discuss it."

india fashion of week

Actress Celina Jaitley displays an outfit from celebrity designer Khushali Kumar's fall/winter collection being celebrity showcast on Day - 4 of Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week being held at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi.

Ashlee Simpson gets a lip job this time?

We spotted Ashlee Simpson out for lunch at the popular Cafe Med restaurant on Sunset Boulevard in West Hollywood, Ca, Wednesday, March 19, and…
Her lips looked fuller than before or were we just imagining it?
Ashlee was wearing a V neckline blue and black stripe Tee, black cardigan, black leggings and matching blue strappy sandals.
Lindsay Lohan, who is preparing to launch her own line of leggings, would have been thrilled to see Ashley but we weren't.
Ashlee accessorized with a long double row white pearl chanel necklace with double CC logo and a shorter gold necklace with a tusk pendant. She carried an oversized leather tote.
Also visible on the left hand of the singer was her new flower tattoo. Yes, the one that made everyone wonder if she was drunk when she appeared on the "Kane Morning Show" on DC's Hot 99.5 Tuesday morning, March 4.
When quizzed about it Ashlee said that it was a peony, pronouncing the flowering plant as pe-o-ni rather than pe-e-ni.
Later, she started to hum the best line from her new song but apparently forgot the lyrics completely, ending up mouthing some incomprehensible gibberish!
Ashlee did clarify that she was not drunk.

Kate Hudson and Owen Wilson their romance in Miami

Former lovers Owen Wilson and Kate Hudson have been spending quality time together in Miami, eluding photographers anxious to lens a smoking gun photo of the two that would prove they have rekindled their romance.
A source tells Pagesix.com that Owen and Kate dinned out together on two consecutive nights. On Monday, at Casa Tua with another couple, they "ate off each other's plates."
Kate "was in a bathing suit and cover-up even though it was 10 p.m."
On Tuesday the two were seen at Michael's Genuine.
Wilson is in Miami for the filming of Marley & Me, a comedy film about a family that draws important lessons in life from their adorable, but naughty and neurotic dog.
There have earlier been reports that Wilson is getting close to her co-star in the film - Jennifer Aniston. The two play husband and wife.
The breakup between Owen and Kate in Jun 2007 is believed to have triggered Wilson's depression and drug use, and a subsequent suicide attempt in August 2007.

Miley Cyrus wears a waxed smile

Miley Cyrus became the second youngest celebrity, after Shiloh Jolie-Pitt, to be honored with a wax replica at Madame Tussauds at Time Square in New York.The replica, with a radiant smile and long golden flowing curly locks, has an uncanny resemblance to Miley and is colorfully clothed in skinny black jeans, a sleeveless blue and gold silk tunic and red and white open toe pumps.
The first 100 visitors to see the newly installed wax figure on the fifth floor were given goodies like free T-Shirts, CDs etc.

'Topless' pictures upset Aishwarya!

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan is pretty miffed these days as her allegedly topless picture had been flashed across various TV channels, few days back.
Rumour has it that these pictures were taken at a time when Ash was beginning her career in ad and and modelling industry during the mid 90’s where she reportedly posed for a magazine along with four, five models.
The names of the models in the magazine go as Milind Soman , Madhu Sapre , Ruchi Malhotra, Aishwarya Rai, Anu Verma, Coleen Khan. Atul Karleskar had reportedly shot the picture and Micky Contractor had done the make-up.
Abhishek Bachchan is apparantly upset over these 'topless' pictures and is keen to take drastic step and having a talk with his lawyers regarding this defamatory issue.
Ash has also taken the matter very seriously and released a statement saying that the pictures are fabricated and that she was never involved.
“She would never do something like that. You know the actress you are talking about.
No matter at which time in her profession they say these pictures were taken we can guarantee you that they are just the work some of some publicity hungry individual,” says Ash’s manager, “She has made it clear that she will take action against anyone who publishes them on the assumption that they are hers. And so will her close ones.”
He also adds that this new rumour hasn’t gone done well with the actress or the rest of her family.
The picture reportedly shows Ash in a pair of tiny denim shorts with her back to the camera with other models as well some other ones that are much more bold

Ties up with Armani to launch her own fashion line: Katie Holmes

Katie Holmes has closed a deal with Armani to launch her own fashion line - 'Katie Holmes for Armani,' the first time a leading fashion label has agreed to lend its name to a fashion designer aspirant.
The "collection will be comparable in price to the Armani ready-to-wear line," a source told OK! It will be sold in upscale outlets like Barneys New York and Neiman Marcus.
"Right now this is Katie's life," the source says. "She is extremely excited about it." Katie started to dabble with dress designing last year using her daughter Suri Cruise, who turns 2 next month, as her model and inspiration. She designed the polka dot dress that Suri wore in Paris in August last year.
She will launch her first collection, aimed at toddlers, in spring 2009 and follow it up with a collection for older children that fall.
By fall 2010 she will debut her handbag line and a women's collection.

Vanessa Minnillo Hangs Out At The Victoria’s Secret Pool Party

Here’s super cutie Vanessa Minnillo showing off her killer body while hosting Victoria’s Secret Rally at the Raleigh Pool Party in Miami. Minnillo made it a habit to bend over as much as possible when taking photos with fans and goofing around in the sand, and we all love her for that. See? Not that’s an entertaining host!

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Dancing celebrity on Ice star

Dancing on Ice star Suzanne Shaw looks a real star as she lanches a search for the nation's favourite nursery rhyme.
Suzanne, whose fave nursery rhyme is Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star, has teamed up with BT’s Openreach division for the campaign, in support of children’s communication charity I CAN.
For every vote for a favourite childhood rhyme logged on I CAN will receive from Openreach, BT’s local network business.
By nominating your favourite nursery rhyme, you can help unlock a £50,000 target donation to I CAN who work to improve children’s speech, language and communication development across the UK.

New challenge Monica Seles: Dancing with the Stars!

Tennis champ Monica Seles, voted the greatest player of all time by Tennis Magazine, has taken up a new challenge with ABC's sixth season of Dancing With The Stars.
Dancing With The Stars waltzed back on to US TV, Monday, March 18, with R&B star Mario setting the early standard with a sizzling cha-cha.
However, most of the novices had to take a savaging from the judges. Actor Steve Guttenberg, magician Penn Jillette and DJ Adam Corolla all failed to reach the 20-point mark.
Seles has teamed up with Jonathan Roberts, who returns for his fifth season. Jonathan finished in third place last season alongside partner Marie Osmond.
Seles and Jonathan will compete against Priscilla Presley, Marlee Matlin, Jason Taylor, Kristi Yamaguchi, Adam Carolla (Comedy Central's The Man Show) Cristian de la Fuente, Shannon Elizabeth, Steve Guttenberg, R&B superstar Mario, Penn Jillette and Marissa Jaret Winokur.
Monica Seles, 34, is a former World No. 1 professional tennis player. She was born in the erstwhile Yugoslavia and took US citizenship in 1994. She won nine Grand Slam singles titles. At age 16, she was the youngest-ever champion at the French Open (1990).
In 1993, Monica was forced out of the sport for two years following an on-court knife stabbing at the back by a spectator in Germany. She returned to the game in 1995. She won a singles title at the Australian Open in 1996, but could not reproduce her former charisma on the court.

Deepika Padukone to co-star with Rishi Kapoor

Bollywood hottie Deepika Padukone, who continues to be in the news long after the release of her debut film Om Shanti Om in November because of her multiple romantic linkages, will appear in a film together with Rishi Kapoor, the father of current boyfriend Ranbir Kapoor.
"We're going to be working together. We read a script together recently. He's so passionate about cinema. I've so much to learn from him," Deepika told IANS.
The film, to be directed by Imtiaz Ali and produced by Saif Ali Khan's Illuminati Films, will feature Saif, 37, as the male lead opposite Deepika.
Deepika, 22, recently went public with her romance with Ranbir Kapoor to quell media speculations about her other romantic linkages with cricketer Yuvraj Singh and family friend Nihar Pandey to rest.
She is effusive in her praise for Ranbir's parents, both of whom were Bollywood heartthrobs in the 80s.
"Rishi uncle is so warm. As for Neetu aunty, she has a natural grace and charm about her. She's very poised and articulate. I've met her many more times than I've met Rishi Uncle," she said.
Deepika is paired with Ranbir Kapoor in her second film, a romantic comedy named Bachna Ae Haseenon that is slated for release in August.
Deepika and Ranbir grew close to each other while on the set of the film in Australia.
Deepika is currently filming for Chandni Chowk to China directed by Nikhil Advani with co-stars Akshay Kumar.
Besides Imtiaz Ali's Next, her forthcoming films include IPirates (Filming) directed by Priyadarshan with co-stars Kunal Khemu , Shreyas Talpade, Paresh Rawal and Rajpal Yadav and Sajid Khan's Next (Announced) directed by Sajid Khan with co-stars Vidya Balan, Akshay Kumar and Kareena Kapoor.

Katrina Kaif bags 2-film deal

Katrina Kaif is currently riding high. After all, she was one of the most successful actresses of last year with her films Namastey London., Welcome and Partner becoming blockbusters.
The stunning looking actress has now reportedly bagged a 2-film deal with Studio 18 for an astronomical amount of Rs.6 crores.
While neither Katrina nor Sandeep Bhargava (CEO-Studio 18) denied this, they were not really willing to reveal much about the deal.
Katrina who has already worked in Studio 18’s films like Welcome, Namastey London and the forthcoming Singh Is Kinng seemed excited at the prospect of continuing the association.
Well, with a lot of big releases like Abbas Mustan’s Race and even Subhash Ghai’s Yuvraaj already in her kitty, this ‘Kool Kat’ is surely making hay while the sun shines brightly on her.

"Education" Bloom drops out of Scherfig's

LONDON - Orlando Bloom has pulled out of Lone Scherfig's "An Education" because of scheduling clashes just as the movie began rolling, the producers said Monday.
Bloom has been replaced by Dominic Cooper ("The History Boys") in the movie penned by oft-adapted British novelist Nick Hornby.
Hornby's script is based on a memoir by British journalist Lynn Barber. The coming-of-age drama is set in early-1960s London and centers on a 17-year-old girl whose suburban life is turned upside down by the arrival of a thirtysomething playboy.
Producers had to move quickly to replace Bloom on the film, which began shooting Monday.
Cooper joins a cast that boasts Peter Sarsgaard, Carey Mulligan, Alfred Molina, Rosamund Pike, Olivia Williams, Sally Hawkins and Emma Thompson.
Also signing up for director Scherfig's latest is Cara Seymour, whose credits include "The Savages," "Hotel Rwanda" and "Adaptation."
Copenhagen-born Scherfig's credits include "Italian for Beginners" and "Wilbur Wants to Kill Himself," which was her first English-language film

Rare in-store appearance for Bay Area Metallica plans

NEW YORK (Billboard) - Metallica will make its first in-store appearance in nearly a decade on April 19, as part of Record Store Day, a promotional event for independent music retailers.
The band will participate in a signing and meet-and-greet at Rasputin Music's Mountain View store, near San Francisco.

In addition to promoting the vinyl re-release of the band's classic albums "Kill 'Em All" and "Ride the Lightning," Metallica's appearance is meant to bolster the indie record store community.

Monet, Cezanne stolen from French dealer's home

Five masked (PARIS) gunmen broke into the home in Le Pecq west of Paris in the early hours on Monday, sequestered the art dealer and fled with the artworks, said police. A judicial source said that if the authenticity of the artworks is confirmed, the heist would be "priceless."

The thieves' burnt and abandoned 4x4 vehicle was found in a nearby wooded area on Monday.
The antiques dealer was robbed once before, in 2004, but the paintings stolen then were recovered.

One night only Elton and Hillary

NEW YORK - The April 9 concert at Manhattan's pre-war Radio City Music Hall will be the British pop icon's first public solo concert in New York City without his band since he performed alone at Madison Square Garden in 2000.

"I'm not a politician but I believe in the work that Hillary Clinton does," John said in a statement announcing the fundraiser. "I'm excited to support Hillary by performing at what will be a truly memorable night."
Tickets for the fundraiser start at 125 dollars.
Clinton's celebrity supporters include Hollywood icon Jack Nicholson and basketball legend Magic Johnson, while Obama has hit back with chat-show queen Oprah Winfrey and Oscar-winning actors Robert De Niro and Forest Whitaker.

Norton behaves like a Hulk

THEY might want to create a new Oscar for Edward Norton: Hollywood's Biggest Pain in the Butt. Word is Norton is warring with Marvel Studios over the final cut of "The Incredible Hulk," which he wrote and stars in, but is threatening not to promote. The temperamental star's rep denied any serious friction, insisting:

"Edward was brought on board by Marvel as a producer, screenwriter and actor, so it shouldn't surprise anyone that he has a lot of creative input into the post-production process. His deal was for all three and he takes those roles seriously." She would not elaborate on Norton's issues. The Oscar-nominated actor has a reputation for being difficult. Tony Kaye, who directed him in "American History X," charged Norton re-edited the flick to give himself more screen time. And screenwriter/director Joe Eszterhas once cracked: "You don't want Edward Norton to star in your movie. He now rewrites all the scripts he agrees to act in."

Universal Pictures, distributor of "Hulk," which debuts nationwide on June 13, had no comment.

Bipasha Basu: wants a beach wedding

Exhausted with too much media ado about beau John Abraham and rumours of splitsville between them, Bollywood actor Bipasha Basu says the media governs the personal lives of actors these days.
"We are just puppets in the hands of the media, especially when it comes to our personal lives. The media decides when our (John-Bipasha) relationship starts going through a rough patch and when it mends," Bipasha told IANS.

Tinsel town has been abuzz with rumours of their long-time relationship souring and later their reunion.
"In this industry it happens. However, for me it is a great pride being myself. I will never conduct myself in a way that I have to be ashamed of, later," she maintained.
"I also understand the pressures the media works under. The world is extremely competitive. You have to sell news, if one channel has it the other wants it too."
The dusky beauty was in the capital on Wednesday evening to launch her friend and favourite designer Rocky S' couture line at fashion store Aza.
Sporting a sunset orange sari teamed with a golden embroidered blouse, she left her hair in trademark style -- long and straight -- "specially for Rocky's show".
Asked how much time she spends on shopping, she said: "Now I don't get much time to shop. Life has become a little luxurious now with more help at home, as the work has increased. Designer friends like him (Rocky) design clothes for me when I am sitting at home. As far as jewellery is concerned I love wearing my mom's jewellery."
As the evening blossomed, models decked in bridal wear, including lehngas (skirts), mermaid skirts, cholis (blouses), saris, kurtas teamed with salwars and churidars, sashayed across the ramp.
The colour palette ranged from deep reds, strawberry pinks and aqua to creamy pastel shades of peach, apricot, old rose, honey and olive.
An eclectic mix of brocades, georgettes and net organza was used to create the outfits, which were adorned with ribbon applique gota, thread, stones and crystal embellishments.
And what would the Bong beauty wear at her wedding?
"I am going to have a beach wedding and everybody will be in beach wear," she laughed.
"I often tell my mother during light hearted conversations that it will be great fun seeing all the aunts shaping up for my beach wedding," she added.
Bipasha's forthcoming projects including No Smoking, Goal, Race, Mr Fraud and Taj Mahal with Sir Ben Kingsley.

King of Torts' cops a plea

JACKSON, Miss. - Richard "Dickie" Scruggs, the legendary trial lawyer who made Big Business tremble every time he set foot in court, pleaded guilty Friday to conspiring to bribe a judge — a crime that could send him to prison and spell the end of his storied legal career.

Federal prosecutors are asking for the maximum of five years behind bars for the 61-year-old Scruggs, the multimillionaire "King of Torts" who combined a shrewd legal mind and aw-shucks country-lawyer charm to extract billions of dollars from the tobacco and asbestos industries, among others.
He will also lose his license to practice law.
Scruggs and another lawyer in his firm, Sidney Backstrom, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to defraud for offering a $50,000 cash bribe to a Mississippi judge for a favorable ruling in a dispute over legal fees from a Hurricane Katrina insurance lawsuit.
In return for Scruggs' guilty plea, prosecutors will recommend that the judge drop several other counts against him, including fraud. No sentencing date was set during the hearing at the federal courthouse in Oxford.
Scruggs' son and law partner, Zach, also is charged in the case but did not enter a plea and is expected to go to trial.
For months, Scruggs appeared intent on fighting the charges, and many reporters who had closely followed the case were caught off-guard by the plea bargain. Scruggs folded after two of his co-defendants turned on him, one of them secretly tape-recording him for the FBI.
Federal prosecutors refused to comment, and Scruggs' attorneys did not immediately return calls.
A giant of the nation's plaintiffs' bar, Scruggs was a chief architect of the $206 billion nationwide tobacco settlement in the 1990s, working with whistleblower Jeffrey Wigand, a former tobacco company scientist. The actor Colm Feore played Scruggs in the 1999 movie about the case, "The Insider," starring Al Pacino and Russell Crowe.
After Katrina struck in 2005, Scruggs sued insurance companies on behalf of hundreds of homeowners whose claims were denied.
Many industries that have tangled with Scruggs regard him as a buccaneer, a shakedown artist with a law degree.
Scruggs has been "the bane of Wall Street," and leaders of some of the companies he sued might take satisfaction in his downfall, said Stephen Gillers, a New York University law professor and authority on legal ethics. He described Scruggs as "an exceptionally prominent American lawyer with astonishing success and wealth from law practice."
Scruggs' license to practice law will be revoked, which is standard in the case of a felony conviction, said Bobby Bailess, president of the Mississippi Bar Association. Under the rules, Mississippi lawyers who are disbarred for a felony cannot seek reinstatement.
Scruggs was indicted along with his son and three associates in November.
They were accused of conspiring to bribe Lafayette County Circuit Judge Henry L. Lackey, who was overseeing a dispute between Scruggs and other lawyers over $26.5 million in legal fees from a mass settlement of Katrina cases. Lackey reported the bribe overture to the FBI and worked undercover.
Two of the men indicted, lawyer Timothy Balducci and former Mississippi State Auditor Steve Patterson, pleaded guilty and began working with the prosecution.
Balducci admitted to the FBI that he paid the judge $50,000 in cash and said he did so at the behest of the Scruggses and Backstrom. Balducci also wore a wire and recorded incriminating statements from Scruggs.
Scruggs lives in Oxford and flies to and from legal engagements around the South in his personal jet. The Mississippi native is also supremely well-connected politically as both the brother-in-law of former Sen. Trent Lott, R-Miss., and a major contributor to Democrats.
A graduate of the University of Mississippi, he is one of the school's largest donors. The music department building at Ole Miss bears his name.

Collection 2008: Penelope and Monica Cruz present their Mango Summer

Spanish hotties, Monica and Penelope Cruz, presented their new Spring/Summer Mango Exclusive Collection - 'Penelope & Monica Cruz for MNG' - at Mango Store in Madrid, Spain. Penelope, 33, stepped on to the celebrity designer bandwagon last year, along with dancer sister Monica, 30, when the two collaborated with Mango to design a 25-piece collection including accessories.

The sisters also served as the face of Mango's fall-winter 2007 advertising campaign.
Since their last collection was a huge success, the sisters designed a 38-piece collection for Mango's new season.
For the photocall Penelope wore a white sheath dress with a boat neck and three quarter sleeves. The form hugging dress looked perfect on her…if you know what we mean!

Sans jewelry Penelope's hair drew full attention, beautifully highlighted in light and dark brown shades and cut in layers.
Penelope's look-alike sibling Monica looked equally stunning with similar highlights.
She wore a black romper with a leopard pattern belt, carrying off the dress very well. Her hair was parted in the middle and left open like Penelope's.
Stunners both…they have same genes and it tells.
The sisters duo has previously designed a range of jewelry and handbags for the Japanese retail chain Samantha Thavasa.
Penelope owns a store named Amarcord, in Madrid's tony Salamanca area where she sells all her own collections as well other exclusive high end designers of her choice.

Wacko Jacko could still loose it!

After announcing earlier this week that "Neverland and MJ are fine" because of a "confidential" deal between Michael Jackson and Fortress Investment Group, his lawyer now implicitly agrees that the beleaguered pop star could still end up losing the ranch.

All that seems to have happened is that the auction date has been postponed from March 19 to May 14 by "mutual agreement" between Jackson and his creditors, a San Francisco based financial title company.
"That allows us to refinance or sell the property," Jackson's attorney, L. Londell McMillan said on Friday.
Jackson is considering both options and either way, says McMillan, the matter will be resolved well before May 14.
Jackson owes $24.5 million on the 2,500 acre property and has defaulted on his payments.
Jackson, who is reported to be working on a comeback album, has not stayed on the ranch since he was acquitted of child molestation charges in 2005.

Richard Gere (L) kisses Shilpa Shetty

The Indian supreme court stayed an arrest warrant issued by a state court against American actor Richard Gere, ruling that the actor was free to visit the country and would not be required to appear before the state court.

"According to us no case is made out in this issue," a Supreme Court Bench headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) KG Balakrishnan ruled.
The CJI also observed that "the petitioner is giving bad name to the country by filing of such frivolous petitions."
During his last visit to India in 2007, Gere embraced and kissed Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty several times on the cheek in jest at an AIDS awareness camp for truckers.
Most of the truckers in the audience did not understand English and Gere played to the gallery in an attempt to get his message across.
However, his actions raised hackles in the conservative country and prompted Jaipur-based advocate Poonam Chandra Bhandari to file a complaint against the anti-AIDS campaigner and friend of the Dalai Lama for committing an 'obscene act'.
A state court in Jaipur issued an arrest warrant against Gere but not before the actor had returned to the US.
Gere, who frequently visits India to meet with the Dalai Lama, agreed to subject himself to the jurisdiction of the Indian courts and sought relief from the arrest warrant from the highest court of the land.
An attorney for the actor sought an urgent hearing from the supreme court because the arrest warrant could come in the way of a scheduled meeting between Gere and the Dalai Lama.

Norway: Gays should be allowed to wed, adopt

OSLO - According to the Norwegian news agency NTB, the draft bill will probably receive the support of parliament, where the government holds 97 of 169 seats, when it comes to permitting gay marriage and adoption.

It was however less clear if parliament would back in vitro fertilisation for lesbians, NTB said.
"The lives of homosexual and of heterosexual couples are worth the same," Children and Equality minister Anniken Huitfeldt said in a statement, comparing the new law proposal with the introduction of general voting rights in Norway in 1913.
"The new law is not a weakening of the institution of marriage; rather it represents a strengthening. The value of marriage does not decrease because more people gain access to it," she insisted.
The law proposal was voted through at a cabinet meeting, but two centrist members of government expressed their opposition to making artificial insemination accessible to women living in lesbian relationships.
The draft bill also gives Norway's state Evangelical Lutheran Church "the right, but not the obligation" to bless homosexual unions.

Director Wang tells audience 'Don't fall asleep,'

SAN FRANCISCO - "I took my time making this film," Wang told the audience at the opening of the San Francisco International Film Festival. "So don't fall asleep. And if you do fall asleep, try not to yawn too loud."
"A Thousand Years of Good Prayers" opened the Asian-American film festival on Thursday and tells the story of a Beijing father visiting his divorced daughter in Spokane, Washington state.

The father, played by television veteran star Henry O, feels he needs to help her heal; she resents what she sees as interference.
Wang, who directed the Asian-themed films "The Joy Luck Club" and "Chinese Box," said when he read the short story by Yiyun Li on which the movie is based, the character of the father was one he recognized.
When his own father came from Hong Kong to visit him and his new wife in America, they had a hard time communicating, Wang said.
"He asked me questions that I didn't know how to answer like the father in the movie does, like 'When am I going to see my grandchildren?'" Wang said.
O, who has starred in such shows as "E.R." and "The West Wing" as well as movies such as "The Last Emperor," said he would never behave like his character in the film.
"I would never ask my daughter questions like that," he said. "I always asked the director 'How can I say this?' and he would say 'Be very firm.'"
At the gala party afterwards at the Asian Art museum, which houses the largest collection of Asian art in the Western world, Daniel Wu, who leads the cast in the movie "Blood Brothers," which is screening at the festival, said he thought the program was very strong this year.
"We've gone beyond complaining about Asian-American issues," he said. "What we need to do is move to the next level. Let's just be Asian-American and tell those stories."

Mozart authenticated of Rare painting

LONDON- The discovery -- which could be worth several million dollars -- was owned by the family of Johann Lorenz Hagenauer, a close friend of the Mozart family in Salzburg. "This is arguably the most important Mozart portrait to be discovered since the composer's death in 1791 and only the fourth known authentic portrait of him from his Vienna years," said Professor Cliff Eisen.

Eisen, from King's College London, undertook extensive research to authenticate the portrait, which is painted in oils and measures 19 inches (48 centimetres) by 14 inches, showing the composer in profile in a red jacket.
After studying letters from Mozart and his family, archival documents and estate auction records, he believes it was probably painted in about 1783 by Joseph Hickel, a painter to the Imperial Court of Austria.
Family tradition has it that it was a gift to Mozart in return for dedicating a composition to a member of the Hickel family.
An American collector bought the portrait in 2005 and was unaware of its significance until the Hagenauer connection was established.
Professor Simon Keefe, James Rossiter chair of music at Sheffield University, in northern England, said Eisen had made a "persuasive case" about its provenance and the find was "inherently significant".
"Needless to say, it will encourage us to think afresh about Mozart's appearance," he said in a statement.
"Furthermore, it should soon as of right join the other two most famous pictures of the adult Mozart -- an unfinished painting by Mozart's brother-in-law Joseph Lange and a posthumous one by Barbara Kraft -- as the defining image of the composer in the public consciousness."
Born in Salzburg in 1756, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart took up residence in Vienna in 1781 where he composed his most famous works. He is generally considered to be one of the world's greatest composers.

Tom Cruise biography

The actor and Scientology follower - currently married to actress Katie Holmes - was born Thomas Cruise Mapother IV on July 3, 1962, in Syracuse, New York.

The young Cruise was a wrestling champ in high school, but turned to acting following a knee injury. A struggling actor in New York, his Hollywood movie debut finally came in 1980 with an appearance in the film Endless Love.

A Hollywood Top Gun

It was only a short two years later when he appeared in Risky Business in a scene that would forever-after define a teenagers' lust for freedom when - following the departure of his parents - he danced around the living room in his underwear.

The iconic performance put Cruise on the Hollywood map, soon going from success to success with starring roles in Top Gun in 1985, a year later co-starring with Paul Newman in the Color of Money, and opposite Dustin Hoffman in the mega-hit, Rain Man in 1988.


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Cruise ended his first decade in acting with a powerhouse performance as a disabled Vietnam vet in the critically-acclaimed Born on the Fourth of July.

In 1987, Cruise married actress Mimi Rogers, who introduced him to the controversial relgious teachings of the Church of Scientology, and for which today Cruise remains one of Hollywood's most outspoken proponents.

Throughout the 90's, Cruise continued to take on a wide variety of roles in such movies as Far and Away co-starring his then-wife, actress Nicole Kidman, opposite Jack Nicholson in A Few Good Men, alongside Brad Pitt in Interview with the Vampire, and later scored major hits with remakes of the TV hit, Mission Impossible in which he once again returned to the action-adventure genre.

Movie Hits

However, it was his dramatic turn in Jerry Maguire that earned Cruise an Oscar nomination for Best Actor, later reteaming with wife Nicole Kidman in the controversial Eyes Wide Shut directed by Stanley Kubrick in 1999. That same year, Cruise would also give an Oscar-nominated performance for his role in Magnolia.

In 2003, Cruise appeared in the surreal Vanilla Sky that opened to mixed reviews, followed by the huge success of his role as sci-fi cop in Stephen Spielberg's Minority Report and his appearance in the historic epic, The Last Samurai. In 2004, Cruise continued to receive critical notice for his role as a contract hitman opposite Jamie Foxx in the thriller Collateral.

A 2005 movie hit found Cruise in another Spielberg-directed film, a remake of the 50's sci-fi hit, War of the Worlds. Cruise later reprised his role in Mission Impossible 3 in 2006.

Baby News

Meanwhile, Cruise & Holmes announced the birth of their first child together, a baby girl named Suri born April 18, 2006. A photo bidding war, valued into the millions of dollars, accompanied Suri's birth with Vanity Fair ultimately winning out with their Fall issue front cover published on September 6.

Cruise already is the adoptive father of 10 year-old Connor and 12-year old Isabella with ex-wife Nicole Kidman.

His most recent marriage to Katie Holmes included a star-studded wedding eve celebration and took place within a dreamy lakeside castle, Odescalchi Castle, outside Rome.

Back on the set, Cruise stars in the anti-war film Lions for Lambs alongside Meryl Streep and Robert Redford in 2007.

Born in Canterbury

Born in Canterbury, Kent, England on January 13, 1977, Orlando Bloom moved to London at 16 where he received an education in serious drama at the National Youth Theatre, later training at the British American Drama Academy before his final graduate studies at Guildhall School of Music and Drama.

Shortly after graduation, Bloom returned to the stage where he was spotted by director Peter Jackson, who offered him the part of Legolas in a Lord of the Rings.

After appearing in the three-part epic blockbuster, Bloom subsequently took on high-profile roles in other major hits. They include Ridley Scott's Black Hawk Down and an appearance alongside Johnny Depp in Pirates of the Caribbean.

The actor next co-starred with Brad Pitt in Troy and in the medieval crusade epic, Kingdom of Heaven.

He reprised his role in Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest in 2006 and is slated to appear in the final film in the franchise, Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End opening in May 2007.

Deepika Padukone: 'No qualms in telling the world that we are in love'

Following Ranbir Kapoor's admission to the press that he and Deepika Padukone are an item, Deepika has now opened up saying, "We have no qualms in telling the world that we are in love."

"So sorry as the media will not have gossip to write about me anymore," she added tongue-in-cheek, sounding rather naïve to us. We don't think the girl knows Mumbai's tabloid press well enough!

In an interview with the Mumbai Mirror, Deepkia confirmed that she and Ranbir fell in love while on the set of Bachna Ae Haseenon in Australia earlier this year.

But she was tight lipped about the exact nature of her relationship with cricketer Yuvraj Singh, and the circumstances under which it ended.

"I don't want to talk about that. If two people are spending time together and having dinner in a restaurant, why does it make front page news?" she said, subtly hinting at what may have happened.

"I am not commenting on my past. I am very happy right now in my relationship with Ranbir," she continued.

Life has changed for Deepika following her impressive debut in Om Shanti Om.

Her modest ambitions earlier included becoming a world famous model and an interior designer, before settling down to a life of marital bliss.

Having made it big in Bollywood there is no looking back now. She has relocated from Bangalore to Mumbai where she recently bought her own home in Bandra

The 22-year-old is currently on the set of her third film <.i>Chandni Chowk to China, in which she plays lead opposite Akshay Kumar.

She is currently learning jujitsu from a Chinese trainer for her role in the action oriented comedy film inspired by the life of Akshay.

Aamir Khan baits Shah Rukh Khan with a light hearted dig!

Bollywood actor Aamir Khan took a light hearted dig at his contemporary, Shah Rukh Khan, at a press event to announce the launch of five new Samsung mobile phones at Regal Room, Hilton Towers, Mumbai.

Aamir, brand ambassador for Samsung, was asked whether he had a question for Shah Rukh Khan who promotes the competing Nokia brand.

"Well I would ask him what does it feel to be No 2 after Aamir," he promptly shot back grinning impishly.

In his tête-à-tête with the press, Aamir denied media speculation that he was planning to buy an ICL cricket team like Shah Rukh.

"No that is not true. I have not tied up with ICL and I have not bought any cricket team. I enjoy cricket very much but I have not bought any cricket team and it is just a rumor," he responded leaving no one in doubt as to where he stood.

George Clooney to return to ER?

George Clooney, who featured in 108 episodes of NBC's hospital drama ER from 1994 - 2000 as Dr. Doug Ross, may be back for the 15th and final season. Producers overseeing the scripting of the episodes want George Clooney, and other famous actors like Julianna Margulies who featured on the show, back for the final season.

"We want to revisit characters that have existed on the show over the years and say where they are now," says producer David Zabel.
"We'd love to get them all back in some way, but that doesn't mean we're going to. But we're gonna try."
Noah Wyle, who featured as Dr. John Carter in 249 episodes, has already agreed to reprise his role for four episodes.
Other stars expected to return include Goran Visnjic (Dr. Luka Kovac) and Maura Tierney (Nurse Abby Lockhart).

Rani Mukerji and stunts?

Rani Mukerji's forthcoming film, a fantasy family drama directed by Kunal Kohli, required her to do dangerous sequences flying in the air as an angel. Rani's character plays a nanny with magical powers who looks after the kids of Saif Ali Khan's character, a business executive.

The film is reportedly inspired by the classic drama Mary Poppins (1964).
In it Mary Poppins (Julie Andrews) is a super-nanny who looks after the kids of a cold banker. She flies in with her umbrella whenever the children are in distress and proceeds to set things right for them using her extraordinary magical powers, before flying off again.
It was the flying around that she had to do as an angel that forced Rani to grapple with wires, harnesses and pulleys, equipment you would expect Hrithik Roshan and Akshay Kumar to be more comfortable with.
"Rani underwent many rehearsals and trials for the stunt scenes. We shot on many outdoor locations in Mumbai, at Film City and inside the Yash Raj studios. At every place, we took utmost precaution. It could have been very dangerous if Rani had slipped. Thankfully, she pulled it off without retakes," Kohli told TOI.
Another challenge for Rani was that she had to wear the same delicate angel ensemble, designed by Manish Malhotra, throughout the film.
Amisha Patel, also in the film, faced her own challenges. She had to learn Scuba diving for underwater sequences between her and Saif, presumably the masala part of the film.

Shah Rukh Khan introduces Kolkata Knight Riders: Photos

Shah Rukh Khan introduced the Kolkata Knight Riders, one of the eight Indian Premier League teams, at a function held at Taj Land's End, Bandra, Mumbai. Shah Rukh's wife, Gauri Khan, Juhi Chawla and her husband Jay Mehta - all part owners, were present at the event.

Others who attended the event included cricketers Saurav Ganguly, Ishant Sharma and Akash Sharma, actor Sanjay Kapoor, Murali Kartik, Akash Chopra, Cheteshwar Pujara, Lalit Modi and designer Manish Malhotra

Billy Crystal lives dream play, for yankees

TAMPA, Florida - Comedian Billy Crystal’s dream came true on Thursday when he played for the New York Yankees in a spring training baseball game, fouling off a pitch before striking out against the Pittsburgh Pirates. A lifelong Yankees fan, Crystal led off the first inning as the team’s designated hitter, or “designated Hebrew,”

as he joked, and struck out swinging against Pittsburgh pitcher Paul Maholm on a 3-2 count.
Crystal, who starred in the movies “When Harry Met Sally” and “City Slickers” and has been a frequent host of the Academy Awards show, said it was an emotional moment “It was surreal,” Crystal told reporters after the game. “It was great.”
Wearing number 60 in honor of his 60th birthday on Friday, Crystal drew loud cheers from the sellout crowd of over 10,000 at Legends Field when his name was announced, when he came to the plate, and when he hit a foul ball down the first base line.
After he struck out, he waved to the crowd and hugged several of his Yankee teammates, including shortstop Derek Jeter and third baseman Alex Rodriguez, two of Major League Baseball’s biggest stars.
He was pulled from the game after one at-bat.
Asked what he was thinking as he faced a Major League pitcher, Crystal said: “I thought, I can’t believe this is really happening.”

Celebrity Spotting: Miley Cyrus setting trends

Miley Cyrus, back from the very successful "Houston Rodeo" episode of her Hannah Montana concert Sunday, March 9, caught up fashion trends Tuesday, March 11. The singer, who has also emerged as a teenage role model and fashion icon, stepped out in a pair of Roman style sandals.

Comfortable with the cameras, Miley smiled as she showed off her 'Gladiator' footwear when leaving a hotel in Burbank, California.
In the latest video of her Miley and Mandy Show on YouTube, the 15-year-old details her Houston trip and takes you on a guided tour of the private jet in which she traveled to the city to perform at the 76th annual Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.

Riya Sen becomes Marathi Mulgi

'Bong Bong becomes Marathi mulgi.' Bollywood Actress Riya Sen sheds her sexy short skirts and tanky tops to don a nine-yard (navvari) sari, which happens to be her attire and look in her forthcoming flick, 'Zor Lagaa Ke…Haiya'. On the verge of completion, this film showcases her as village belle who is a construction worker.

"I always wanted to play a village belle," says Riya Sen draped in yellow and green sari at Gemini Studios. Although, initially she was hesitant to for such a vast makeover with a 'gaon ki chori' look, the producer of the film Kartikeya Talreja claims, "Riya was a bit reluctant but when we explained to her how it will be a good change for her, she agreed to do the film."
Riya Sen [ Exclusive Bollywood Photos ]
The film written and directed by Girish Girija Joshi also features Mithun Chakraborty, Mahesh Manjrekar, Seema Biswas, Riya Sen, Sachin Khedekar, Raj Zutshi and Gulshan Grover with five child artists, Meghan Jadhav, Ashwin Chitale, Ayeshka Kaduskar, Ritwik Tyagi and Hardik S.Thakkar playing stellar roles. Zor Lagaa Ke…Haiya with Amitabh Verma penning down the lyrics, has music composed by Bapi-Tutul and cinematography by Hari Nair.

It is Aniston and Owen now!

The litany of speculations surrounding Jennifer Aniston's presumed quest for a father to her child continues. The latest to be linked with the 39-year-old is her current co-star Owen Wilson. The two are currently in Miami on the set of the comedy film Marley and Me in which they play husband and wife.

"The hugging didn't end when the cameras stopped rolling," a crew member told Star. "They were very flirty together, far more than you would expect. In between takes they were hanging onto each other. They are very friendly."
Aniston and Owen have known each other for some time now. In October 2007, while Owen was recovering from the trauma of his suicide attempt in August, Aniston sent him some of her favorite books, including The Power of Now, according to Star.
A friend of Aniston confirms to OK! that the Friends star could be interested in Owen who can make Aniston laugh.
However, says the friend, Aniston continues to be also interested in Vancouver- based Brian Bouma, a key grip she met on the set of Traveling in Vancouver. The two were first linked after being spotted leaving BFF Courteney Cox's house late February.
Aniston and Bouma reportedly keep in touch over the phone and Bouma may visit Miami soon.
So what about sighting of Owen spending some quality time with ex Kate Hudson who was in Miami to attend a film festival?
A friend of says, "He isn't seeing anyone seriously; he wants to keep his options open."

Britney Spears maintains shrine to Justin Timberlake at home!

While her former boyfriend may diss her from public platforms, Britney Spears maintains a shrine to him at her home in Studio City, where she spends most of her day now. The shrine is stocked with Britney's collection of private mementos from her years with the fellow mousekeeter.

"She's obsessed with him," a source told OK! "She has pictures of them together and has devoted a private area just to celebrate him."
A story in the latest issue of the magazine also details how the pop star, who is recovering from mental health issues, spends her time alone in her $7.2 million, 7,400-square-foot Mediterranean-style villa.
Restricted by her father and conservator, Jamie, from going to clubs, junk-food outlets and gas stations, Britney keeps herself occupied by changing clothes.
"Changing clothes all day long must seem harmless enough, so her dad doesn't interfere with that," says a friend of Britney. "She'll change three or four times on days when she's not leaving the house."
Visitors to her house say Britney keeps it surprisingly ordered and clean.
"Her life may seem out of control, but the inside of her house is very ordered," says a friend a friend. "She's very clean and has no clutter."
Britney does miss her old life though.
"I'm so bored. I hate my life," she recently text messaged a friend.
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Becki Newton

SUMMER GLAU