CPI slams KCR for not forming full-fledged Cabinet even after 2 months of assuming office

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February 13, 2019

CPI General Secretary Suravaram Sudhakar Reddy on Wednesday slammed Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao for not constituting a full-fledged Cabinet even after two months of assuming office. “This shows his (Rao’s) carelessness and irresponsibility,” Reddy said.

Rao was sworn in on December 13 last year after his party, the Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS), swept back to power for the second consecutive term with a thumping majority. Mohd Mahmood Ali also took oath along with him and he was allotted the Home portfolio on the same day. Since then there has been no Cabinet expansion.

“I am really surprised that nobody is able to tell the reason. I think he (Rao) is in a fix how to select the Cabinet colleagues; he is confused that there would be dissent from large section of people (who miss out on Cabinet berths),” Reddy told media.

“As a matter fact, had he done (Cabinet expansion) within a week, there would not have been any problem. Now, too many aspirants. I think it’s very funny that even after 60 days, he is unable to form a (full-fledged) Cabinet. This shows his carelessness and irresponsibility,” he said.

Dennis Quaid to star in Netflix’s ‘Merry Happy Whatever’

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February 13, 2019

Actor Dennis Quaid will be headlining Netflix’s upcoming comedy series “Merry Happy Whatever”.

The streaming giant announced in a statement that the 64-year-old actor will play Don Quinn in the holiday-themed series.

Quinn is a strong-willed patriarch who must balance the demands of his complicated family with the stress of the Christmas season when his youngest daughter comes home for the holidays with a new boyfriend.

The actor is best known for starring in films like “The Day After Tomorrow”, “A Dog’s Purpose” and “Vantage Point”.

Netflix said the show’s first season takes place over the “week or so around Christmas”. It added that the future seasons might explore other holidays.

The eight-episode series hails from writer and showrunner Tucker Cawley and will be directed by Pamela Fryman.

Cawley will also serve as executive producer alongside Quaid.

Actor Richard Gere becomes father at 69

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February 13, 2019

Veteran Hollywood actor Richard Gere has once again become a father at the age of 69 after his wife Alejandra Silva gave birth to a boy a few days back.

According to an local daily, this is Gere’s first child with Alejandra. He already is a father to a 19-year-old from his previous marriage to actress Carey Lowell.

Alejandra, 35-year-old Spanish publicist and activist broke the news by posting a picture on Instagram and captioned it: “A very special moment just a few minutes ago… Getting blessings for our precious to come.. we couldn’t announce it before telling HH Dalai Lama.” In the photo, the Hollywood couple can be seen taking blessings from the Dalai Lama.

Richard hogged the headlines, earlier this year, when he was countersued for trying to “steal” a project from his producing partners, Random Acts Entertainment, just days after he sued them for allegedly trying to extort him.

Letters to the Editor: February 13, 2019

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February 13, 2019

East-Indian Marathi language Mass

Since the East Indians are the original inhabitants of Mumbai, it’s high time that the Catholic Church celebrated the Holy Mass in the East Indian Marathi dialect. When masses in Mumbai can be celebrated in Hindi, Marathi, Konkani, Malayalam, and Tamil, why can’t East Indian Marathi mass be celebrated too for the benefit of the East Indians who cannot speak or understand English? I hope the church gives a thought on it.

Jubel D’Cruz

Declare February 14 as ‘Matru-Pitru Pujan Din’!

Easy access to the internet has brought the world close and consequently, wrong practices followed in other parts of the world also are started being adopted in India. Gay-relationship, live-in relationship, sunburn festival are some of the fruits of the same. Various ‘Days’ celebrated in the name of Valentine Day, are not celebrated just in cities; but they are also celebrated in schools and colleges in the rural areas. It is a known fact, that these ‘Days’ have been created by companies manufacturing gift-items for increasing their sales and profits. Indian youth drowned in a stupor of love, however, feels proud to empty his pocket on buying gifts. Many countries have imposed a ban on celebration of Valentine Day as it was realised that such celebration was encouraging materialism and perversions, but its celebration in our country is increasing day by day. Citizens, who are staunch supporters of Indian culture, have started demanding that February 14 should be celebrated as ‘Matru-Pitru Pujan Din’; but the government doesn’t seem to give any positive response to them. The family system like in India doesn’t exist anywhere in the world. Mother and father keep families bonded together. It is impossible to repay their debt but by paying obeisance to them at least on one day, it is possible to pay gratitude to them. If February 14 is celebrated as ‘Matru-Pitru-Pujan Day’, it will automatically reduce the importance of Valentine Day and it will help youth to increase respect towards parents. Owing to PM Narendra Modi’s efforts, ‘United Nations’ Organisation’ decided to celebrate June 21 as ‘International Yoga Day’. Now, by declaring February 14 as ‘National Matru-Pitru Pujan Din’, PM should set a new ideal before people.

Jagan Ghanekar

(The views expressed by the author in the article are his/her own.)

Aziz Ansari opens up about accusation of sexual misconduct

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February 13, 2019

A year after being accused of sexual misconduct, comedian Aziz Ansari has opened up about the incident during one of his pop up comedy shows in the city.

Ansari appeared at New York City’s Village Underground and joked how a fan confused him for ‘Patriot Act’ host Hasan Minhaj on the street.

Once the fan realised his mistake, he told Ansari, “You had the whole thing come out last year – sexual misconduct?” to which the comedian jokingly responded ‘No, no no, that’s Hasan’.

But after the punchline, Ansari sat down to explain why he had kept a low profile after an initial statement on the story where a woman wrote about how she felt pressured to have sex with the comedian during a date.

Ansari said he had not spoken about the incident because he wanted to take time to process his thoughts.

“It’s a terrifying thing to talk about. There were times I felt really upset and humiliated and embarrassed, and ultimately I just felt terrible this person felt this way. But you know, after a year, how I feel about it is, I hope it was a step forward. It made me think about a lot, and I hope I’ve become a better person,” he said.

The comedian said a friend had told him how his story had made him rethink all of his own past dates.

“If that has made not just me but other guys think about this, and just be more thoughtful and aware and willing to go that extra mile, and make sure someone else is comfortable in that moment, that’s a good thing,” Ansari said.

“The Parks and Recreation” star said the incident gave him a perspective on his life even though he was scared that he would not be able to do comedy.

“There was a moment where I was scared that I’d never be able to do this again,” Ansari said.

Victoria Beckham bans use of animal skins from her clothing line

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February 13, 2019

Singer Victoria Beckham has become the latest celebrity to promise to not use exotic animal skins and furs in her fashion line.

Victoria’s move, welcomed by animal rights activists, comes in the backdrop of several brands including Chanel and Vivienne Westwood taking similar decisions to shun products made from animals, an leading daily reported.

Although, the singer’s fashion line never used animal fur, her commitment meant that clothing and accessories made from snake, lizard, tiger and alligator skins will be stopped from this year itself.

“Victoria Beckham will cease the use of exotic skins in all collections as of AW19. The Victoria Beckham brand has never used fur in its clothing or accessories collections and confirmed last year that the brand will remain fur-free,” Beckham’s brand told WWD, quoting the daily.

The 44-year-old fashion designer’s latest pledge was commended by PETA, the animal rights group, who have extensively campaigned against the use of animal skins in the fashion industry.

“Behind every crocodile, alligator, snake, or lizard handbag or a pair of shoes is a violent death,” PETA UK’s director Elisa Allen said.

“Victoria Beckham’s decision to ban exotic skins will spare countless remarkable animals immense suffering, and PETA UK calls on other luxury brands to follow her kind example,” she added.

Victoria is married to former English footballer David Beckham since 1999. The couple has four children — Brooklyn Beckham, Harper Seven Beckham, Romeo James Beckham and Cruz Beckham.

Skechers buys out Future Group’s 49% stake in Indian JV

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February 13, 2019

Skechers USA has bought out Kishore Biyani-led Future Group’s 49 percent stake in its Indian joint venture (JV) for an undisclosed sum. With this, the Skechers India has become a wholly-owned subsidiary of the American footwear major.

“Few markets match the potential for growth of India, which is why we entered the market initially, and why we recently decided to purchase the minority stake in our joint venture,” Skechers Chief Operating Officer David Weinberg said in a statement.

Skechers South Asia CEO Rahul Vira said that this development will enable the company to amplify its growth plans, accelerate expansion of its operations and build a stronger network to further gain market share in India. While both the companies have not revealed the deal value, sources said that the Skechers paid close to Rs 600 crore to acquire balance stake in Skechers India.

The network of Skechers retail locations in India at present includes 223 retail stores – 61 of which are Skechers owned and operated while the remaining are third party owned. An additional 80 to 100 stores are planned for calender year 2019. Skechers entered India in 2012 through a joint venture with the Future Group.

RS passes Budget, Finance Bill without debate

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February 13, 2019

The Rajya Sabha passed the Interim Budget and Finance Bill 2019-20 without a debate on Wednesday, the last day of the Budget session of Parliament.

The Interim Budget, Appropriation Bills and Finance Bill were passed by a voice vote in the Upper House after a broad consensus was arrived among political parties to pass them without debate.

Minister of State for Finance Shiv Pratap Shukla moved that the Appropriation and Finance Bills be passed.

Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu put the bills to vote, which were approved by voice vote and returned to the Lok Sabha.

Lok Sabha had on February 11 passed the Appropriation Bills and had on Tuesday passed the Finance Bill.

Values, principles, and provisions of Constitution under attack: Sonia slams Modi govt

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February 13, 2019

In a blistering attack on the Modi government, Congress leader Sonia Gandhi said on Wednesday that “bluff, bluster and intimidation” have been its governance philosophy, while asserting that her party will confront political adversaries with all its vigour. Addressing the Congress Parliamentary Party’s general body meeting, Sonia Gandhi also hailed party president Rahul Gandhi, saying that he has brought fresh energy into the party organisation and has put together a team which blends experience and youth well.

“We go to the forthcoming Lok Sabha polls with renewed confidence and resolve. Our victories in Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh have given us new hope,” she said at the meeting attended by Rahul Gandhi, former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Congress’ leader in Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge, Leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad, among others.

She further added that our opponents were earlier projected as being invincible. The Congress president took them head-on, mobilizing and motivating lakhs of our workers who, with him, gave their all. However, launching a scathing attack on the Modi government, She said that the very foundations of our democratic republic, of our secular republic have come under systematic assault by the Modi government.

“The very values, principles and provisions of the Constitution have come under continued attack from the Modi government. Institutions have been subverted. Political opponents have been hounded. Dissent has been suppressed. Freedom of speech – the most basic of all freedoms have been sought to be curtailed and silenced,” the UPA chairperson said.

She concluded Bluff, bluster and intimidation have been the governance philosophy of the Modi government. Truth and transparency have been brazenly tossed aside. There is an all-pervasive atmosphere of fear and strife across the country.

Octavia Spencer to star in Robert Zemeckis’ ‘The Witches’

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February 13, 2019

Oscar-winner Octavia Spencer is in negotiations to star in Robert Zemeckis’ adaptation of Roald Dahl’s “The Witches”. The actor, best known for her roles in films such as “Hidden Figures” and “Shape of Water”, will join Anne Hathaway in the film.

The project hails from studio Warner Bros and will be produced by Oscar-winning directors — Alfonso Cuaron and Guillermo del Toro, who was previously attached to direct but had to step aside due to scheduling issues.

The book follows a boy who stumbles upon a coven of child-hating witches he must stop, even though he has been turned into a mouse.

Hathaway, 36, is set to play the role of Grand Witch while Spencer, 46, is in the role of the boy’s grandmother.