BOLLY FRIENDZ

How to fuel your workout

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 4 Apr 2014 04:52:00 -0700

Protein power.

While carbohydrates are an important source of fuel, proteins are essential when it comes to maintaining those muscles. The body relies on protein to build and maintain muscle mass, and protein can be especially beneficial when consumed before an exercise session. 'Protein is the building block of your body,' explains personal trainer Ricardo Macedo, 'When consumed before exercise, a protein shake will help preserve lean tissue (muscle) by decreasing exercise-induced catabolism (muscle breakdown) whilst also providing a small amount of energy.

India vs South Africa World T20 semifinal 'live' cricket coverage: Rain forecast; India have one leg in final

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 4 Apr 2014 04:41:00 -0700

Rain forecast means India could advance by virtue of being group winners

India cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin gestures as he bowls in nets at a training session during the ICC World Twenty20 tournament in the Khan Saheb Osman Ali Stadium at Fatullah in Dhaka on April 2, 2014.

India could advance into the final of the ICC World Twenty20 without a ball being in the second semifinal against South Africa at the Sher-e-Bangla Stadium on Friday with the weather forecast predicting heavy rain.

Sri Lanka sailed into the World Twenty20 final after beating holders West Indies by 27 runs via the Duckworth-Lewis method in a rain-ruined contest on Thursday.

Chasing 161 for victory against the team they beat in the final of the 2012 tournament, West Indies were 80 for four in 13.5 overs when the players were forced off by a hailstorm and a wet outfield prevented any further action in the semi-final.

Sri Lanka now face the winners of Friday's game between India and South Africa in Sunday's final.

Even if a five-over per-side match is not possible, the team that is ranked higher in their respective group will be declared winner of the contest.

India have emerged as group champions, winning all their four matches in Group 2, while South Africa were second in their group with six points by virtue of three wins.

India have also replaced Sri Lanka as the top T20 side in the ICC rankings released on Wednesday.

Nonetheless, the second semifinal between unbeaten India and South Africa could also boil down to a spinners' showdown between Imran Tahir and Indian pair Amit Mishra and Ravichandran Ashwin.

Leg-spinner Mishra's nine-wicket haul in four games has been matched by off-break bowler Ashwin's seven wickets, helping India to become the only team to win all four Super-10 matches.

South Africa, branded chokers for their inability to win major titles, seem to have put the past behind them by scripting three narrow wins in Chittagong after losing their opening game to Sri Lanka by five runs.

The Proteas beat New Zealand by two runs, the Netherlands by six runs and England by three runs, giving all-rounder JP Duminy added confidence going into the second semi-final against India.

"We can take a lot of confidence from those wins," he said. "Two of those games we were not meant to win, but to win a game out of nothing is something very positive.

"India will be a huge challenge, but we are ready. Its a big game, a semi-final of a world event. It does not get bigger than this."

Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni said his team was peaking at the right time, but stressed that nothing could be taken for granted in the shortest format.

"We have to bat and bowl well again," he said. "In T20, a couple of overs can change the game so it is hard to predict how it will go."

Ronaldo's girlfriend Irina Shayk's fashion take

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 4 Apr 2014 04:39:00 -0700

Russian model Irina Shayk presents a creation from Triton's Summer 2015 collection at Sao Paulo Fashion Week in Sao Paulo. (REUTERS)

Irina Shayk presents a creation by Triton during the 2015 Summer collections of the Sao Paulo Fashion Week in Sao Paulo. (AFP)

Irina Shayk presents a creation by Triton during the 2015 Summer collections. (AFP)

(AFP)

Irina Shayk (REUTERS)

(REUTERS)

Evandro Soldati, Karen Fuke, Irina Shayk and Igor de Barros walk the runway at Triton show during Sao Paulo Fashion Week Summer 2014/2015 at Parque Candido Portinari in Sao Paulo, Brazil. (Photo by Getty Images)

Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale celebrate

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 4 Apr 2014 04:37:00 -0700

Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates with teammates Gareth Bale, Sergio Ramos, Pepe (top) and Francisco "Isco" Alarcon after scoring a goal against Borussia Dortmund during their Champions League quarter-final first leg soccer match at Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid. (REUTERS)

Real Madrid's Gareth Bale celebrates with teammates Daniel Carvajal and Xabi Alonso after scoring a goal against Borussia Dortmund during their Champions League quarter-final first leg soccer match at Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid. (REUTERS)

Cristiano Ronaldo of Real Madrid celebrates his goal against Borussia Dortmund during their Champions League quarter-final first leg soccer match at Santiago Bernabeu stadium. (REUTERS)

Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo (L) celebrates with teammates Gareth Bale and Sergio Ramos (top) after scoring a goal against Borussia Dortmund during their Champions League quarter-final first leg soccer match at Santiago Bernabeu. (REUTERS)

(REUTERS)

Cristiano Ronaldo of Real Madrid (L) falls over Henrikh Mkhitaryan of Borussia Dortmund during their Champions League quarter-final first leg soccer match at Santiago Bernabeu stadium. (REUTERS)

Real Madrid's Sergio Ramos (R) and Borussia Dortmund's Sokratis Papastathopoulos challenge for a high ball during their Champions League quarter-final first leg soccer match at Santiago Bernabeu stadium. (REUTERS)

Fabio Coentrao (L) tackles Borussia Dortmund's Henrikh Mkhitaryan during their Champions League quarter-final first leg soccer match at Santiago Bernabeu stadium. (REUTERS)

Goalkeeper Roman Weidenfeller of Borussia Dortmund saves in front of Gareth Bale of Real Madrid (R) during their Champions League quarter-final first leg soccer match at Santiago Bernabeu stadium. (REUTERS)

Cristiano Ronaldo controls the ball during their Champions League. (REUTERS)

Real Madrid's coach Carlo Ancelotti gestures during their Champions League quarter-final first leg soccer match against Borussia Dortmund at Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid. (REUTERS)

Shakira at The Voice event

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 4 Apr 2014 04:34:00 -0700

Shakira and Usher pose at a media event for the television show "The Voice" in Hollywood, California. (REUTERS)

Shakira poses at a media event for the television show "The Voice" in Hollywood. (REUTERS)

Shakira (REUTERS)

Show host Carson Daly poses at a media event for the television show "The Voice" in Hollywood, California. (REUTERS)

Celebrity coaches Blake Shelton (L) and Adam Levine pose at a media event for the television show "The Voice" in Hollywood, California. (REUTERS)

Shakira and Usher (REUTERS)

Varun Dhawan fails to do a Salman Khan in 'Main Tera Hero'

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 4 Apr 2014 04:32:00 -0700

Flamboyant filmmaker David Dhawan’s movie merely shows doting father’s love for his son and nothing else.

Varun Dhawan, flanked by Nargis Fakhri and Illeana D’Cruz.

Parents are often guilty of overlooking their children’s flaws and believing that their kids are nothing less than geniuses.

Well, ‘Main Tera Hero’ is just an example of how a doting father indulges that weakness.

David Dhawan revives his brand of inane comedy and pushes his son Varun into the spotlight. There's just a handful of frames that don't feature Varun and those can be attributed as David's act of kindness to his audience.

What the director fails to remember is that much of his comedies banked entirely on the actor's fan following.

Whether it was Govinda’s quirky style or Salman Khan’s charming moves, they each added a unique flavour to the Dhawan comedy.

Those associations were much celebrated at the box office, despite the films not investing in intelligent humour and blatantly banking on buffoonery and unimaginative gags because of the big stars.

David’s not-so-little boy, however, lacks that kind of talent or charisma to make these senseless rom-coms work. He, in fact, turns this comedy into a tragedy, unintentionally of course, despite earnestly following dad’s rulebook on heroism.

Varun flashes his (newly acquired) six-abs, flexes his muscles, strips down to his shorts, flaunts his quirky pelvic moves (and even apes Michael Jackson a few times), and romances pretty, pencil-thin girls, but never quite emerges a likeable hero.

It’s not his lack of experience (he’s just a movie old) that we’d blame for the casting blunder, but his lack of uninhibited comic flair.

Even the two gorgeous women that his dad presents for him, are high on glam but low on talent. Not that David Dhawan heroines are required to do much other than flash their slender bodies and shake them to funky beats, but even those simple feats appear exhausting for Nargis Fakhri and Illeana D’Cruz.

The supporting cast is reduced to mere caricatures, with seasoned actors like Saurabh Shukla muted out midway, and Anupam Kher left to echo his own voice.

Even the hunk Arunoday Singh finds a schizophrenic baddie to portray, whose ‘knock-knock’ games turn excruciatingly annoying after a point. Probably his lack of enthusiasm in clowning around is evident in how he turns this act into his (tiny) Bollywood career’s all-time low.

While it’s tough to find the weakest link, Nargis’ pout is a prominent contender.

The jokes on Bollywood star Katrina Kaif's broken Hindi, or the attempt at tweaking one of Ranbir Kapoor's popular dance track, or even injecting Salman's name at every given opportunity falls flat.

If anything, ‘Main Tera Hero’ requires a certain amount of willpower to watch the entire film even when you know that freedom and sanity is just a door away.

World T20 semifinals: South Africa confident of taking on Indian spinners

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 2 Apr 2014 04:29:00 -0700

India won all four group games on a turning wicket in Dhaka.

South Africa cricketer Quinton de Kock plays a shot in nets at a training session during the ICC World Twenty20 tournament in the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka on April 2, 2014

South Africa feel they have the batting to take on what they expect to be a barrage of spin from India when they meet in the World Twenty20 semi-finals in Bangladesh on Friday.

"We know it's going to be a big challenge for us," all-rounder JP Duminy told a news conference in Dhaka on Tuesday.

"Their spinners have been doing exceptionally well in this tournament but I think we have the armoury to put in a big performance against their spinners.

"We know what to expect, we have played against them a number of times and we have had good success against them. We know its semi-final time in a World Cup, it doesn't get bigger than this; so we are going to have to produce something good."

India won all four group games on a turning wicket in Dhaka while South Africa finished second in group B in a seam friendly environment in Chittagong.

South Africa are often perceived to struggle against spin, especially on the Indian sub-continent.

"We are going to have to prepare accordingly, we know we are predominately going to face spin against India," added Duminy.

By the time they play India, South Africa will have had a six-day break since last Saturday's win over England which ensured their progress to the last four.

Pakistan v West Indies big clash on the ground tomorrow

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sun, 30 Mar 2014 20:45:00 -0700

ICC World Twenty20

tomorrow, 6:30 pm

Shere Bangla National Stadium, Dhaka

32nd Match, Group 2 - Pakistan v West Indies

World T20: Saqlain's presence in West Indies camp makes Pakistan uneasy

The presence of former Pakistan spinner, Saqlain Mushtaq in the West Indies camp has made the Pakistan management and players uneasy ahead of a clash between the two teams in the World T20 which is expected to decide the semifinals line up.

Saqlain, 37, who took 208 Test and 288 one-day wickets for Pakistan has been working with the West Indies board as spin consultant and is with the West Indies team in Bangladesh.

His role has so far got praise from West Indian spinners, Samuel Badree and Sunil Narine.

And in return, Saqlain who has also worked with the Bangladesh and New Zealand teams has described Badree and Narine as world class operators.

Badree said Saqlain had a calming influence on the team and that helped their performance.

"To be honest Saqi has been a wonderfully calming influence on the team. He is one who does not get worked up or anxious over any situation. He does not panic at all and has a calming influence on us," Badree said ahead of the match against Australia that his team won yesterday.

Sources in the Pakistan team said that having played with Saqlain for a long time, head coach, Moin Khan was aware the influence the former off-spinner could have on the coming match.

"Moin has been advising his players to pay a lot of respect to the West Indian spinners because of Saqlain`s presence and has pointed out that with conditions helping slow bowlers in Bangladesh they must be well prepared for the coming match," one source told PTI.

"Moin is also aware that Saqlain could play a big role in helping the West Indians tackle the Pakistani spinners particularly, Saeed Ajmal and Zulfiqar Babar competently," he added.

Saqlain, who is seen as a trend setter and was perhaps the first off-spinner to fully master the "Doosra" delivery, said he was a professional and his primary job as spin consultant was to see the West Indian spinners deliver their best against any opponent.

"Yes, I am a Pakistani and obviously I follow Pakistan cricket and love to see them do well. But as a coaching professional when West Indies plays Pakistan in the tournament it will be my job and wish to see Badree, Narine and the other spinners do well and help the team win," Saqlain said.

Saqlain said he was now enjoying the challenge of coaching bowlers for T20 cricket as the format brought out the winning streak in every player. "When we played I went in with the desire to win and to win I knew I had to do well. That passion remained with me till the end. Today I see that sort of passion missing in some of the bowlers and in T20 cricket it is needed the most for bowlers," Saqlain told a Pakistani television channel.

The off-spinner, who rued that the Pakistan cricket Board had never tried to utilize his experience and coaching skills, said more than in any other format T20 cricket required the bowlers to be remain calm and composed at all times.

He said he was expecting a close match between the two teams.

"As a spinner it is great to see the slow bowlers dominating this tournament. Because in T20 cricket you still require lot of skill and a calm presence to deliver under pressure when the batsmen have lot of things in their favor," he said.

10 embarrassing health problems – solved!

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sun, 30 Mar 2014 00:35:00 -0700

Excess body hair isn't a problem for some people. Others, however, find it extremely upsetting (especially women). Hirsutism can be caused by increased levels of hormones in men and insulin in women, which is why the condition can strike females who are overweight. There are a number of conditions, such as polycystic ovary syndrome and Cushing's disease , which can also be a cause of hirsutism - ask your doctor to assess you if you are worried. Your doctor can also advise you on the numerous treatments available. Peppermint tea is also thought to be helpful to women with mild symptoms

5 Reasons to online date

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sun, 30 Mar 2014 00:27:00 -0700

We know, we know… you’re single and getting slack from loved ones who, of course, only want the best for you. They’re concerned about your one-too-many-nights spent couch-bound watching The Bachelor and ordering in Chinese food. Okay, so perhaps we just revealed considerably more about ourselves than we’d like to admit! Regardless, it seems like everyone and her Grandmother (literally) is concerned about your “single” status (and it doesn’t help that most social media sites have it listed front and center).

And in this “era of technology” (as anyone too old to be listening to about dating advice seems to call it), it seems as if online dating is the only way to go – or perhaps just the last resort for those of us for whom college produced no suitable contenders – (no matter how uncomfortable it may make you or how many Law & Order SVU episodes you’ve seen that end with blind dates ending badly. Really badly).

The bottom line, though, is that online dating is the way to go. Just not for the reasons you (or your pushy parents) likely think. Sure, the potential to meet a mate is there, but, if you (like many of us!) are blissfully single (or just not ready to look for love on the internet quite yet), online dating is still for you according to Stephanie Florman, Relationship Coach and Advice Expert for Master Matchmakers, the company behind

VH1’s Tough Love Series. In fact, even all of you actively avoiding relationships can sign up for online dating in order to have a healthy and happy relationship with yourself!

5 Reasons To Online Date For A Better Relationship With Yourself
Flatter Yourself. What better way to boost your confidence than to write down all your best assets! In your bio, write down who you are and what makes you attractive. The more detailed (albeit concise) it is, the better – not only for attracting others, but also for attracting yourself!

Learn About Yourself. Online dating gives you the opportunity to answer difficult questions about yourself and your past, questions you may not be prepared to answer. We all have a past. We’ve all made choices we’re not proud of. The goal is to turn negatives into positives. Focus on what your tough times have taught you and how they have made you a better person.

Highlight Your Insecurities (And Turn Them Around!). Online dating shines a bright light on your insecurities, helping you to quickly identify areas of your life that need improvement. Maybe you’re unwilling to share your income level because you’re embarrassed about your finances. Use these insecurities as opportunities to make positive changes in your life.

Sharpen Your Intuition. You can learn a lot about a person by being observant and listening. Maybe you find that you feel rushed, pressured or drained when you talk with someone. Maybe you find that you feel relaxed with someone else. Notice how you feel and trust it.

Be A Better Dater. If or when you do want to take your dating life (with others and not just yourself) to the next level (online or not), you’ll not only be your best self, but also be prepared for all the ups and downs of dating in the real and cyber world.

Remember, keep safety in mind! Do not share personal information (especially your last name or home address), use a free email account with only your first name, use a cell phone to chat, meet in a public place and tell a close friend or family member your plans. Most importantly, trust your gut instincts. (Now, what were we saying about Law & Order SVU…?)

Bal de la Rose: Princes, Princesses, bold and the beautiful

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sun, 30 Mar 2014 00:23:00 -0700

Prince Charles and Princess Camilla of Bourbon-Two Sicilies pose at the Bal de la Rose in Monte Carlo March 29, 2014. The Bal de la Rose is a traditional annual charity event in aid of Foundation Princess Grace. (REUTERS)

Pierre Casiraghi, son of Princess Caroline of Hanover, arrives with his girlfriend Beatrice Borromeo at the Bal de la Rose in Monte Carlo March 29, 2014. The Bal de la Rose is a traditional annual charity event in aid of Foundation Princess Grace. (REUTERS)

French actor Guillaume Gallienne and his wife Amandine pose as they arrive at the Bal de la Rose in Monte Carlo March 29, 2014. The Bal de la Rose is a traditional annual charity event in aid of Foundation Princess Grace. (REUTERS)

Prince Albert II of Monaco and his wife Princess Charlene of Monaco pose as they arrive at the Bal de la Rose in Monte Carlo March 29, 2014. The Bal de la Rose is a traditional annual charity event in aid of Foundation Princess Grace. (REUTERS)

Charlotte and Pierre Casiraghi (L to R), Princess Caroline of Hanover's children, arrive with Beatrice Borromeo at the Bal de la Rose in Monte Carlo March 29, 2014. The Bal de la Rose is a traditional annual charity event in aid of Foundation Princess Grace. (REUTERS)

Princess Charlene of Monaco (L to R), Prince Albert II of Monaco, Princess Caroline of Hanover, Charlotte and Pierre Casirgahi, Beatrice Borromeo and German designer Karl Lagerfeld pose as they arrive at the Bal de la Rose in Monte Carlo March 29, 2014. The Bal de la Rose is a traditional annual charity event in aid of Foundation Princess Grace. (REUTERS)

She is single and willing to mingle: Gwyneth Paltrow 'very much about having fun'

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sun, 30 Mar 2014 00:21:00 -0700

Reportedly "ready to have another boyfriend".

'Iron Man 3' star Gwyneth Paltrow is reportedly "ready to have another boyfriend" despite only announcing her split from husband Chris Martin this week.

Gwyneth Paltrow wants to "have fun" following her split from Chris Martin.

The couple announced their separation this week after 10 years of marriage, and it is said the 'Iron Man 3' actress is "ready" for another relationship, wanting to enjoy herself rather than get down over the break-up.

A source told The Sun newspaper: "She is ready to have another boyfriend. She's very much about having fun."

The blonde beauty - who has children Apple, nine, and Moses, seven, with the Coldplay singer - has also used her Goop website's online newsletter to thank fans for their support during this tough time.

She wrote: "CM and I in deep gratitude for the support of so many."

The couple described their break-up as an "unconscious coupling", and made the announcement earlier this week as they insisted they were "closer" than ever.

They said: "It is with hearts full of sadness that we have decided to separate.

"We have been working hard for well over a year, some of it together, some of it separated, to see what might have been possible between us, and we have come to the conclusion that while we love each other very much we will remain separate.

"We are, however, and always will be a family, and in many ways we are closer than we have ever been."

Heads up: Fashionistas' creative best at Dubai World Cup

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sun, 30 Mar 2014 00:19:00 -0700

Dubai based fascinator Hayley Morsden and her model Karolina took home the prize for the most creative hat. Designer Morsden is delighted and through her work she celebrated life and the vibrant colour of nature around her.

The short-list for ladies with the most creative hat ensembles below.

In surprise move, Salman Khan unveils music album

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sun, 30 Mar 2014 00:17:00 -0700

Salman Khan makes exceptions once in a while to go promote someone else's project.

Khwaabb aka Dreams was a music album which Khan took time to launch.

Salman cracked simpler jokes this time around though!

Pakistan aim to join India in World T20 semifinals

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sun, 30 Mar 2014 00:12:00 -0700

Refreshed Pakistan must defeat hosts Bangladesh on Sunday.

Pakistan will return to World Twenty20 action after a week’s break on Sunday charged up to make a move for the semi-finals by winning their two remaining games in the Super-10 round in Dhaka.

Mohammad Hafeez’s men, who lost their opening group two match to India by seven wickets on March 21, bounced back to beat Australia by 16 runs last Sunday and remain in contention.

Pakistan must defeat hosts Bangladesh on Sunday and the defending champions West Indies on Tuesday to join India in the semi-finals from the group.

“The picture is clear,” Hafeez said on Saturday. “We have to win both games to make sure we are in the last four. There is no scope to make mistakes now and we are eager to get back to the field.”

Hafeez said the team used the break to iron out shortcomings ahead of the crucial matches at the Sher-e-Bangla stadium.

“We have trained and worked hard for the last six days,” he said. “The management and the coaches worked on our weaknesses. The build-up for the crucial stage has gone off very well.”

Hafeez praised arch-rivals India, who won three consecutive games to ensure their place in the knock-out round even before their last league match against Australia on Sunday.

“India have played very good cricket so far in the tournament,” the Pakistan skipper said.

“It’s good they are through, so the rest of the teams know what it will take to advance.

“Expectations should always remain high. Our target is not just the semi-finals, but also to win the tournament. I think we are destined to do well.”

Pakistan, champions in 2009, have an impressive record in World Twenty20, making the semi-finals of all four editions so far.

Pakistan’s batting, which faltered against India to be restricted to 130-7, came back strongly against Australia where they piled up 191-5 following Umar Akmal’s scintillating 94 off 54 balls.

Hafeez said Akmal, who strained a hamstring during that innings, was fit to play on Sunday.

“The break came as a blessing in disguise,” Hafeez said. “It gave time to the physios to work on him. He has been training for the last two days.”

Hafeez knows the tougher game will be against the West Indies on Tuesday, but refused to take Bangladesh lightly even though the hosts have lost both matches so far.

“No team is easy to beat in T20 cricket,” he said. “You have to do the basics right every time. We respect Bangladesh and will do our best to win.”

iPhone 6 killer arrives early: HTC One (M8)

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 26 Mar 2014 07:45:00 -0700

The all new HTC One officially unveiled.

HTC finally officially unveiled the new HTC One (M8) at an event in New York this evening and, guess what, the phone is already ready to hit the shelf, weeks ahead of the launch of the Samsung S5.

But for fans here in the UAE, it would make no such difference as the Samsung S5 is expected to be launched during the second week of April. The HTC One could also hit the stores around the same time. Sony’s Xperia Z2 with the 20 MP camera is also expected to retail in the UAE around the third week of April, creating a very competitive atmosphere.

With an increased screen size, better battery and an immaculate metallic body, the new One is sure to give Samsung a run for its money. Although HTC has not officially announced the pricing here it is expected to be priced at around Dh2500.

While most of the specs of the phone were already available before the launch, thanks to innumerable leaks, HTC has introduced Motion View, whereby you can open apps just by making a gesture imitating a swipe. With the new Dot View case, that’s available at an additional $50, you need not even open the screen to see the time and other notifications.

EARLIER REPORT

“We're in #NYC, ready to show the world how we're going "One Up" the industry. See you tomorrow,” read a tweet from @HTC, the company’s official twitter handle.

Multiple leaks on social media have revealed most of the details of the new phone, even as HTC itself has released the Glimpse Feed launcher and the service pack on Google Play.

The new phone hasa 5 inch display and is expected to be powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 and a 2.3GHz quad-core CPU, 2 GB RAM, 32 GB internal storage and a micro SD slot which enables you to expand the storage upto 128GB.

The phone will come with an ultrapixel duo camera – which according to reports will have two different sensors - a 4MP sensor and a 16MP sensor – for low light imaging, a 5Mp front facing camera, 28mm lens with F2.0m wide angle lens with HDR capability, 1080p video recording and HTC Zoe.

Apart from the processor the new phone will also have an improved 2,600mAh battery.

A Facebook user from Russia has already uploaded the pictures of unboxing the new HTC One M8.

Links for the pics uploaded onto Facebook.

Meanwhile, another website that even published 12 minute hands on review of the new phone has been forced to remove the video from YouTube.

Whether the all metallic body and sleek design of the new phone will help the company in terms of sales has to be seen.

The HTC One of 2013 too won several awards and was rated better than Samsung but failed to gain the same numbers as Samsung S4 did.

Irony and tragedy: Speed killed 'Fast & Furious' star Paul Walker

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 26 Mar 2014 07:43:00 -0700

FILE: US actor Paul Walker presents a creation from Colcci's 2013/2014 summer collection during Sao Paulo Fashion Week in this March 21, 2013 file photo. A fiery car accident last year that killed "Fast & Furious" actor Paul Walker.

The fiery car accident last year that killed "Fast & Furious" actor Paul Walker was caused by excessive speed and not mechanical failure, the Los Angeles County Sheriff said on Tuesday, concluding an almost four-month investigation.

The red Porsche Carrera GT sports car driven by Walker's friend Roger Rodas, 38, was traveling at speeds of 80 to 93 miles per hour (129 to 150 kilometers per hour) before Rodas lost control of the car and crashed into trees and a utility pole in Santa Clarita, California, northwest of Los Angeles.

"Investigators determined the cause of the fatal solo-vehicle collision was unsafe speed for the roadway conditions," Los Angeles County Sheriff Commander Mike Parker said in a statement.

Parker said the 2005 model-year high-powered sports car had been modified to increase its horsepower. There were no pre-existing issues with the car that would have caused the crash, the investigation concluded.
The posted speed limit on the road where the accident occurred is 45 mph (72 kph). There were no eyewitnesses to the crash and investigators from the sheriff's department and California Highway Patrol used security video cameras in the area to gather evidence.

Walker, 40, died from traumatic injuries and burns and Rodas died of multiple traumatic injuries in the Nov. 30 crash, the Los Angeles County coroner's office determined in January.

No drugs or alcohol were found in the bodies of Walker and Rodas. The investigation determined that they were wearing seatbelts, and driver and passenger airbags had deployed.

Investigators also sought help with the inquiry from German carmaker Porsche and French tire manufacturer Michelin.
Walker was in the process of filming "Fast & Furious 7" at the time and production was halted a few days later.

The actor became a symbol of street-racing and car culture in his role as law enforcement officer Brian O'Conner in five of the six "Fast & Furious" films about illegal street racing, heists and organized crime.
Universal Pictures said in December that release of the seventh installment in the highly lucrative franchise would be pushed back by nine months to April 2015.

At a convention of movie theater owners in Las Vegas on Tuesday, Universal showed a clip of the film featuring some of Walker's final scenes.

Walker's 15-year-old daughter, Meadow, is the sole beneficiary of his estate, which is valued at more than $16 million, according to court documents.

The actor's mother is petitioning a Los Angeles court for guardianship of Meadow.

Salman Khan scared to take risks, but not superwoman Katrina Kaif

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 26 Mar 2014 07:41:00 -0700

The actress will perform her own stunts in 'Phantom' and 'Bang Bang'.

Indian actor Saif Ali Khan with co-star Katrina Kaif while performing stunts during the filmming of 'Phantom'.

Her acting skills need some rigorous training, but Bollywood actress Katrina Kaif has proved her dancing talent time and again.

Now the 'Dhoom:3' girl is williing to stretch her limits. The actress has decided to do all the difficult stunts in her upcoming films 'Phantom', 'Bang Bang'.

According to reports, Katrina seemed to be comfortable in her own skin and has refused to take help from body double.

Katrina and her 'Phantom' co-star will also shot underwater. The movie is an action thriller based on the 26/11 terror attacks in Mumbai.

Directed by Kabir Khan, the first schedule of the film was shot in the volatile regions of Beirut, Lebanon and then partially shot in Mumbai as well as Kashmir.

The director has some very dangerous underwater stunts in mind for the sequence. Saif and Katrina, who have not attempted similar stunts before are ready to take the risk.

Though a body double is recommended Katrina put her foot down and insisted on doing the stunts.

And for the next few months, Katrina will continue to hit the gym as she will be shooting some of her own stunts for 'Bang Bang' that are being directed by Siddharth Anand.

Her co-star Hrithik Roshan had sustained brain injury last year while doing some stunts for ‘Bang Bang’.

However, now Hrithik is back in full swing and both have begun shooting for ‘Bang Bang’.

While Katrina is game to perform her stunts superstar Salman Khan has four body doubles specialising in different kinds of action for 'Kick' as the movie has several deadly stunts.

A crew member says that it would be foolish for Salman to risk his life all the time.

Recently, his 'Kick' body double landed in the hospital with serious facial injuries.

So next time when you watch a high-octane chase between Salman Khan and Randeep Hooda in Sajid Nadiadwala's forthcoming film Kick, you know it's not Salman.

Salman has done action in 'Ek Tha Tiger', but even there major series of his stunts are performed by stuntman Jawed El Berni, a French boy.

During the filming of 'Ek Tha Tiger' Salman was still recuperating from Trigeminal Neuralgia (a nerve disorder), and therefore was unable to perform too many stunts on his own

Is Aishwarya Rai Bachchan trying to re-invent herself?

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 26 Mar 2014 07:38:00 -0700

Indian actress Aishwarya Rai Bachchan has been away from silver-screen for the past two years and yet remained in news more than ever.

Her self-style sabbatical due to motherhood brought the spotlight scorching at her and her post-pregnancy weight saw the cameras focus more on her.

Now Aishwarya Rai is a far cry of her ballooning baby fat body.

Slimmer and younger-looking Aishwarya left everyone awestruck with her breath-taking appearance in a black and golden Sabyasachi Mukherjee design as she inaugurate Kalyan Jewellers showrooms in New Delhi.

The actress is on her way back to what her fans have always visualised her as - an exquisite blend of beauty and elegance.

A change in her styling definitely worked for the 'Guzaarish' actress.

Looking half her age in curly hair and slimmer avatar with considerable weight loss Aishwarya brought back memories of her younger Bollywood days.

It looks like the next chapter in Aishwarya’s life about to unfold and it won't be long befor ewe see the actress back on screen.

The former Miss World might make Kannada debut with "Manamohaka," which has Shivarajkumar in the lead role.

The makers of the film are reportedly trying to rope in Aishwarya Rai for a special role in the film, according to a report in Times of India. It is not clear whether the Bachchan bahu will be accepting it.

Aishwarya Rai, who is married to Abhishek Bachchan, continued to act in films post her marriage. However, the actress went on a sabbatical after becoming pregnant with her first child in 2011. Aishwarya was expected to make a comeback to films post the birth of her daughter Aaradhya.

Actress-turned-politician Nagma molested in full public view

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 26 Mar 2014 07:33:00 -0700

Congress politician kissed the actress while she was campaigning.

Indian actress Nagma.

Indian actress Nagma, who is standing as a Congress candidate in the upcoming general elections in the country, was publicly molested by her own party leader.

The actress-turned-politician was in for a shock when the local Congress leader Gajraj Sharma misbehaved publicly with her during a poll campaign in Hapur in Uttar Pradesh.

Nagma was taken aback when MLA Gajraj Sharma grabbed her and kissed in front of hundreds of people gathered.

Highly annoyed by the MLA's nasty behaviour, Nagma fling his hand off her and freed herself from his grip.

She then walked away without addressing her supporters.

Nagma was fuming with anger as the MLA tried to take advantage of the crowd around them during the meeting.

The actor was so angry that she headed directly to the waiting vehicle and drove away.

The MLA's act has been caught on camera and has been condemned by some women activists who are demanding his apology now.

Nagma is a Congress Lok Sabha candidate from Meerut in the upcoming elections.

World T20: West Indies crush Bangladesh to revive semifinal hopes

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 26 Mar 2014 07:29:00 -0700

Smith hit a sparkling 72 while the bowlers skittled Bangladesh for 98.

West Indies batsman Dwayne Smith plays a shot during the ICC World Twenty20 tournament Group 2 match between India and West Indies at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka on March 23, 2014

West Indies revived their World Twenty20 title defence after Dwayne Smith hit a sparkling 72 and the bowlers wrecked a sorry Bangladesh to secure a 73-run victory in a lop-sided super 10 match on Tuesday.

Chris Gayle (48) seldom allows his partner to dominate a stand but Smith did just that in their 97-run opening partnership to help the holders to a commanding 171 for seven at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium.

Bangladesh made four changes to the playing XI that lost to Hong Kong in the qualifiers but still folded for 98 in 19.1 overs as West Indies bounced back after Sunday's defeat against India to boost their semi-final hopes.

Paceman Krishmar Santokie's (3-17) early double strikes reduced the hosts to 16 for three in the fourth over and leg-spinner Samuel Badree (4-15) then claimed three wickets in one over to leave the hosts floundering.

"We were confident and this win will make us even more confident. I think we are back on track," Smith, adjudged man-of-the-match, told reporters.

Earlier, Gayle looked uncharacteristically subdued, preserving his aggression for a late assault that eventually did not materialise.

Smith was fluent at the other end, hitting off-spinner Sohag Gazi for four successive boundaries to bring up his half-century.

"I'm not worried about outscoring Chris. I'm just there to get partnership and get West Indies in a strong position," said the free-scoring right-hander.

Even his top edge cleared the mid-wicket boundary for his third six before Smith fell in the next ball to off spinner Mahmudullah, attempting a similar shot.

Gayle, then on 19 off 27 balls, went on to hit Shakib Al Hasan for a six and four in the same over but fell to a superb catch after a run-a-ball knock.

Tamim Iqbal took the catch on the boundary line and lobbed the ball as his momentum took him over the rope before returning to complete the catch.

The fielder took another stunning catch at short third man, leaping to his right to land with a one-handed blinder to dismiss the scoreless Dwayne Bravo in contrast to otherwise a sloppy fielding display by his team.

"Our bowling was OK but our fielding was not. We dropped a couple of catches and also conceded cheap boundaries. I think we gave away 20 more runs with our (poor) fielding," rued Bangladesh captain Mushfiqur Rahim who topscored for the hosts with 22.

West Indies had the perfect platform to launch a late assault to further swell the tally but they lost wickets in a heap towards the end, including four in the last over, to fall short of the 175-mark.

Live Pakistan vs Australia T20 World Cup Match – 23rd March 2014

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sat, 22 Mar 2014 23:13:00 -0700

Australia have an upper hand against Pakistan in World Twenty20 .

Dhaka: Australia will start their World Twenty20 campaign on Sunday by pitting against Pakistan at Shere Bangla Ntational Stadium, Mirpur.

Though, Australia have never won a World Twenty20, they are certainly among the favourites to lift the trophy. In fact, they have arguably the best batting line up in the tournament. In David Warner and Aaron Finch, Australia have a dangerous opening pair. In the middle-order they have destructive batsmen in skipper George Bailey, Brad Hodge, Brad Haddin and Glenn Maxwell. That`s not all, they also have James Faulkner and Shane Watson who falls in the category of genuine all-rounders.

Australia have quality bowlers in Mitchell Starc and Brad Hogg but they will definitely miss the services of deadly speedster Mitchell Johnson, who is out of the tournament due to infected toe.

Pakistan, who have lost their first match against India, will be under immense pressure to win this game to keep their hopes alive to reach the next level of the tournament.

Most of the Australian players have a fair idea of sub-continent tracks as they have been playing in Indian Premier League for quite some time now. So, on papers, Australia are clear favourites to win the match. But it would be interesting to watch whether the Australian team will start their campaign on a winning note or against all odds Pakistan will come out triumphant.

Miandad, Yousuf want Afridi as Pak captain

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sat, 22 Mar 2014 23:03:00 -0700

Karachi: Pakistan`s loss to India in their World Twenty20 opener has sparked massive criticism of skipper Mohammed Hafeez with former captains such as Javed Miandad and Mohammad Yousuf demanding that he be replaced by flamboyant all-rounder Shahid Afridi.

"Hafeez needed to be more attacking with his bowlers and field placings once we were able to set them only a target of 130 runs," Miandad said after the seven-wicket loss in Mirpur, Bangladesh last night.

"The key to winning the match was to stop the runs if wickets were not falling so that the run rate increased and the Indians came under pressure. Unfortunately Hafeez failed to do that as captain. He should have used his bowlers more proactively," Miandad said.

Yousuf also criticised the body language of Hafeez who is said to be at loggerheads with coach Moin Khan and the other support staff.

"With better captaincy and the right pressure we could have made this total of 130 like 160 for India but this didn`t happen," Yousuf added.

Both of them said they felt that Shahid Afridi was a better choice to lead the team in limited overs cricket.

"Afridi is more aggressive and proactive and the responsibility could also force him to raise his own game," Miandad said.

Yousuf pointed out Pakistan needed positive leadership in limited overs cricket and Afridi appeared a good choice as he brought energy to the team.

But Pakistan`s former captain, Rameez Raja was not in agreement with Miandad and Yousuf.

"I don`t think we should put any more burden on Afridi than he can bear. And I don`t think his batting is up to the mark where he can also be given responsibility of the captaincy," he said.

Pakistan`s former captain Basit Ali also felt that instead of getting into the captaincy debate, it was better if Hafeez was given confidence and allowed to focus on the World T20 Cup campaign.

Interestingly, speculation is rife that the present Pakistan team management of coach Moin Khan and cricket consultant Zaheer Abbas are also in favour of bringing back Afridi as captain of the one-day side as they are not satisfied with Hafeez`s captaincy.

Afridi was Pakistan`s ODI and T20 captain until May 2011.

Yousuf also felt that Afridi should not be seen as a batsman but as a bowler who was capable of producing good batting sometimes.

"He hits one six and he is so popular he will be in the team for next two years. But I have always maintained he is not a batsman as he just doesn`t play like batsmen do. People take my views in a negative sense. But I am surprised that people still have expectations from him as a batsman," Yousuf said.

He pointed out that even Afridi himself had said he didn`t consider himself as a batsman but as a bowler.
"That is also my view for long now that Afridi is primarily a bowler now and he plays as a bowler alone as he brings energy to the team. My meaning is we shouldn`t expect him to play like a batsman and when he does get runs and hit sixes we should consider this as a bonus."

Former coach Mohsin Khan felt pressure got the better of Afridi last night.

"I think because of the Asia Cup expectations were high from Afridi but I don`t think he is still 100 percent fit and this could be a decisive factor if Pakistan is to move ahead in this tournament," Mohsin said.

Such has been Afridi`s popularity since his sixes in the Asia Cup that after the team returned home, a well known property estate magnate gifted him a plot in Islamabad.

Afridi has been struggling with a groin injury since the Asia Cup and also joined the team late. A reliable source in the team said Afridi might miss tomorrow`s game against Australia due to his groin strain.

Pakistan vs Australia World T20: Aussies set for Pak spin assault

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sat, 22 Mar 2014 22:57:00 -0700

Australia will miss all-rounder Faulkner for the opening match.

Pakistan bowler Saeed Ajmal celebrates taking a wicket during the ICC World Twenty20 tournament match between India and Pakistan at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka on March 21, 2014.

Australian players (from left) Mitchell Starc, George Bailey and Cameron White attend a practice session at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka on March 22, 2014.

Injury-plagued Australia begin their quest for the only major title missing from their overflowing cupboard when they clash with shaky Pakistan in the World Twenty20 in Dhaka on Sunday.

Pakistan's seven-wicket drubbing at India's hands on Friday night should give Australia added confidence for the group two Super-10 game at the Sher-e-Bangla stadium.

But skipper George Bailey refused to take victory for granted, insisting instead that it was spin-heavy Pakistan that held the advantage.

"I don't think we have any advantage," Bailey said. "If anything, they have probably got the advantage in terms of having played here and got used to the conditions.

"We have not played at this ground yet. It is going to be fresh for us. We have to adjust pretty quickly."

Australia, already missing premier fast bowler Mitchell Johnson due to a toe infection, will also be without all-rounder James Faulkner for the opening match.

Bailey said Faulkner, a hard-hitting right-hand batsman and left-arm seamer, had still not recovered from the knee injury that forced him to miss the recent tour of South Africa.

"We will just monitor him," the captain said. "He is an important player. He has certainly played a huge role for Australian sides in the T20 and one-day formats."

Australia, who have won the 50-over World Cup four times and are a leading Test side, have made the final of the World Twenty20 just once in four attempts, losing the title to England in 2010.

Bailey said the current squad was different from previous ones, but needed to be consistent to win a maiden T20 title.

"We have got more versatility just in terms of what we can do with the ball," he said. "And we are probably a little bit more powerful with the bat, and bat a little deeper.

"You just have to to play some good, consistent cricket to get to the semi-finals. And then you hope that you have carried some momentum there.

"Consistency is probably the key. There's are a whole different range of ways that a game can be won and lost in T20s and it can happen quickly - it can be one catch, might be one over, might be one wicket that's taken.

"But the better team is probably going to win their game. Every team that plays at their worst is going to lose. The challenge is to make sure that the gap is not too big."

Bailey conceded it would be a challenge to tackle Pakistan's spinners, led by the prolific Saeed Ajmal, but was hopeful his batsmen will stand up to the task.

"They are a very, very strong spinning side, but I think we have got a strong batting line-up that hopefully can overcome them," the Australian captain said.

"Spin plays a huge role in T20, wherever it is played in the world. But in these conditions, it tends to be match-winning. We know we are going to face lots of spin."

Bailey said it was important to start with a win in the group which also includes defending champions the West Indies, India and hosts Bangladesh.

"In a tournament like this, momentum is really important," he said. "Starting with a win gets you off and running and I don't think you can afford to drop many games. The more wins the better."

Two teams from the group will advance to the semi-finals.

What is crushing your confidence?

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sat, 22 Mar 2014 22:49:00 -0700

Read our expert tips for overcoming 10 common confidence-crushers.

So nobody notices you, everybody else is more attractive and, frankly, you're doomed to fail whatever you attempt in life? Nonsense! It's time to face those fears head-on with our expert tips for overcoming 10 common confidence-crushers...

'I'm not as clever or interesting as other people'
'Comparisons are odious,' insists clinical psychologist Dr Cecilia d'Felice. 'It's an illusion to compare ourselves with others because we never really know the full picture. We're all so good at impression management, we forget that other people have their own insecurities and worries, too. So stop judging yourself and them. It's much better to divert your energy towards working on who you want to be, and stop worrying about your own perceived limitations. Focus on what you like about yourself - even if it's only one little thing - and build on that.'

'I didn't get the job'
Being overlooked for promotion or turned down for a position you really wanted elsewhere can feel soul-destroying - particularly if you were initially pretty confident the job was yours. The trick, though, is to learn from the experience. 'Try to find out where you were lacking,' says life coach Carole Ann Rice. 'Do you need to strengthen certain skills? Are you visible enough at work? Do you need to network and get more allies and advocates to fight your corner? Instead of licking your wounds, seize the opportunity to get out of your comfort zone and improve yourself.'

'My parents prefer my sibling'
You might think family favouritism won't affect you in adulthood. But, according to Robert Kelsey - author of What's Stopping You Being More Confident? - this hangover from childhood is one of the most common causes of low confidence. 'Around 70 percent of fathers and 65 percent of mothers favour one sibling, which is a disaster for the unfavoured child,' he explains. 'For example, I was the "annoying little brother" and "disappointing son" - two roles that gave my big sister high self-esteem while leaving me bereft of confidence. To get beyond this, you need enlightenment. Recognise what's happened and then learn to forgive. Resentment may be an inevitable part of the journey, but you need to grow beyond it. Ultimately, forgiveness is key to moving on.'

'A friend or partner keeps putting me down'
It can be hard to stay confident if the comments or actions of someone close keep chipping away at your self-esteem. 'You can't tear someone down without tearing yourself down,' insists clinical hypnotherapist Dominic Knight. 'The person who is slamming you probably has very low self-confidence and their negative reinforcement of you is their method of trying to control you and gain their own confidence. In a nutshell, their opinion doesn't count. We all too often dwell on the negative comments people have made. It's better to recall the many positive things people have said instead.'

'My friends are more successful than me'
Uh-oh - it's comparison time again! But if your friends all appear to have better jobs, bigger houses or happier relationships than you, it's hard not to feel lacking. 'This type of comparison only leads to contemptuous feelings towards your friends, which may push them away,' warns psychologist Dr Massimo Stocchi. 'Try turning the comparison into a positive one. Be thankful that you have such successful people around you - and use their success to motivate you to work hard to get the things you want in life, too.'

'He's just not that into me'
When a new man doesn't call or a relationship simply fizzles out in its early stages, your confidence can take a real beating. But it's important to keep things in perspective. 'When you depend on others' approval to shore up your self-confidence, every "little" sign of disinterest can hit you hard,' says relationship expert Kate Taylor. 'So work on building up your love for yourself. Take time to nurture your friendships, improve your career or indulge in new activities that excite you before you start dating - and continue to pursue these interests even when you're seeing someone. That way, you'll develop your sense of self-achievement and have less time to notice or worry about minor dating blips.'

'I feel out of my depth at work'
Squeezed budgets, workplace reshuffles and a change in management can all take their toll on professional confidence - even if you've been doing the same job for a while. 'There are always changes in any job and this can make us feel insecure,' says Carole Ann Rice. 'It's important to be ready to face new challenges without feeling diminished by them. So always expect things to change - then you won't be surprised when they do. And if you've lost confidence, try to work out why - and identify what you'd need to restore it, such as further training or more support from your boss, for example. Also, it may help to take a reality check and ask your manager or colleagues for constructive feedback on your performance. You may well find your fears are unfounded.'

'People never notice me'
Convinced you're the kind of person who unwittingly blends into the background at work or social situations? You need to pay more attention! 'If you want to be noticed, you need to be completely "present" in whatever you're doing,' says Dr d'Felice. 'Be present to what's occurring around you, present to what others are saying and present to your own thoughts and feelings - and you will soon enhance your own personal presence. It's also important to cultivate an authentic voice that allows you to "speak your truth". When people communicate authentically, others sit up and take notice. You don't have to be loud or aggressive: just say what you think, but try to focus on the positive in every situation.'

'I'm too shy to make my mark'
OK, speaking up at work or parties is all very well - but what if you're too shy to open your mouth in the first place? Well, you need to feel the fear - and do it anyway. 'If you want to create a bond with someone, you need to give them your undivided attention,' says Dominic Knight. 'This is impossible if you're too concerned about how you're coming across or whether people are judging you negatively. So stop focusing on yourself and focus on making the other person's day by really connecting with them. You can overcome shyness with practice. It will help to think of times when you've had a great conversation with close friends and family to get you in a positive frame of mind.'

'I've failed before - so I'll fail again'
It's all too easy to have your confidence quashed by past failures. But who goes through life getting everything right the first time? Nobody! 'You'll experience successes and failures constantly throughout your life,' points out Dominic Knight. 'Indeed, research has shown that the world's most successful people were initially great failures. But they kept picking themselves up and persevering each time something didn't work out. It would be utterly delusional to expect everything to go well the first time you try it. The trick is to learn from your mistakes and to keep trying until you succeed.'