Barbie to come on big screen: Margot Robbie to play the famous doll

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January 9, 2019

It is reported that the Warner Bros. and Mattel Films are coming together to bring up the Barbie to the big screen while Margot Robbie is gearing up to portray the live action version of the world-famous doll.

Speaking about the project with Variety, Toby Emmerich, the chairman of Warner Bros. Pictures Group said that the project is a great start to our partnership with Ynon and Mattel Films. He further added that Margot is to bring Barbie to life through the big screen in a fresh and relevant way for today’s audience which is going to be very interesting for the audience and for us as well. Margot will also co-produce the film under her banner called LuckyChap Entertainment whereas the other producers are Tom Ackerley and Josey McNamara from LuckyChap Entertainment.

Speaking about enacting Barbie on the big screen Margot said, Playing with Barbie promotes confidence, curiosity, and communication throughout a child’s journey to self-discovery. Over the brand’s almost 60 years, Barbie has empowered kids to imagine themselves in aspirational roles from a princess to president. She further added that she is honoured to take on the role and produce the film which she believes will have a lot of impact on children worldwide.

The adaptation of Barbie is the first collaboration between Warner Bros. Pictures and Mattel Films that marks the first announced deal to come out of the newly established Mattel Films which is led by the producer Robbie Brenner.

Focus on both physical and financial fitness: Sachin Tendulkar

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January 9, 2019

Legendary batsman Sachin Tendulkar on Wednesday said that in order to live a completely healthy life, people should not only focus on physical fitness but also take note of their financial fitness.

“We see that most Indians who aspire to lead a healthy lifestyle tend to focus largely on physical fitness, while financial fitness is far lower on their list of priorities,” the master-blaster said at the launch of #KeepMoving movement, which aims to redefine the idea of fitness for India.

“Through the #KeepMoving movement, we aspire to change the mindsets of Indians by redefining their idea of fitness. We hope to create awareness among them that in order to truly live the lifestyle of their choice, they need to focus on both- physical fitness and financial fitness,” Tendulkar added.

The campaign will launch with short films featuring the legend Tendulkar, who will encourage people to log onto #KeepMoving microsite.

Once on the microsite, people can do an audit of their physical fitness and financial fitness levels by taking a short assessment test. The test results would reveal their current fitness levels on both parameters, as well as provide advice and tips to help them improve their scores.

Elephant kills Sabarimala pilgrim

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January 9, 2019

A Sabarimala pilgrim was trampled to death by a wild elephant in a forest area which is 60 km from Pampa early on Wednesday, police said.

Paramasivam, 35, from Salem in Tamil Nadu was attacked by the jumbo as he along with his seven-year-old son and 13 others were going to the Lord Ayyappa shrine through the forest route from Erumely to Pamba at around 1 am, they said.

While others managed to flee the spot, the deceased, who was said to be carrying his son on his shoulder, could not. However, his son managed to escape.

No thought on Ministry reshuffle: Odisha Chief Minister

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January 9, 2019

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Wednesday said that he has no plans to reshuffle his ministry now. However, there has been a lot of speculation on another ministry reshuffle, ahead of the state Assembly elections while it was gaining pace after Agriculture and Panchayati Raj Minister Pradeep Maharathy’s resignation from the council of ministers on Sunday.

Apart from Maharathy, another ministerial berth has been lying vacant since last year. It has been lying vacant since dismissal of Damodar Rout from the council of ministers.

With Maharathy’s resignation and dismissal of Rout, the number of ministers in the council has come down to 18.

Odisha can have a maximum of 22 ministers, including the chief minister. As per the 91st Amendment to the Constitution, the number of ministers in the state should be not more than 15 per cent of the numbers of the state Legislature.

Social media must be controlled to stop radicalisation: Gen Rawat

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January 9, 2019

Army Chief General Bipin Rawat said that some Kashmiri youths are getting radicalised due to misinformation and falsehood about religion being fed to them.

“Radicalisation through social media is becoming one of the reasons for raising funds for terrorist organisations. The biggest issue is that social media needs to ensure that radicalisation does not happen through false information and misinformation,” said General Rawat at the Raisina Dialogue conference.

“That is why you find more and more educated youth being drawn into terrorism,” he added.

General Rawat said that terrorism is ‘a new mode of warfare’ and a ‘multi-headed monster’ that is ‘here to stay’ as long as states continue to push and promote it as a state policy.

The Army Chief said that Pakistan should be worried about the presence of Taliban in its backyard and that there should not be any conditions in talks with Taliban as a part of Afghan peace process.

“Pakistan has always treated Afghanistan as its backyard and they have always been concerned about it. They would always want a situation in Afghanistan that is more favourable to them. Even if it means speaking to the devil, they will do it. When you have to talk to terrorists or any organisation of that kind (Taliban). You have to talk without preconditions. Yes, there should be talks with the Taliban so long as they are looking lasting peace in Afghanistan, it is in the interest of the region, Pakistan and as well as India,” General Rawat asserted.

Notably, the Afghan authorities have been requesting the United States to reconsider its order of withdrawing around 7,000 troops from the region as it would hamper its operations against the Taliban and ISIS-like elements there.

Further, India has been contributing for Afghanistan nation-building effort and provided security and military training to a large number of its citizens in both India and Afghanistan.

Heavy jam, bus services affected in K’taka on 2nd day of strike

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January 9, 2019

Bus services were hampered across Karnataka on the second day of the two-day nationwide strike called on Wednesday by trade unions against the alleged repressive labour policies of the Narendra Modi government. The strike caused severe inconvenience to commuters; hundreds of protesters from the Left trade unions disrupted the bus services at Majestic, the Central Bus Stand here, Transport Department officials said.

The Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation(KSRTC) buses also remained stationed in their respective depots across the state as protesters damaged the vehicles. The auto-rickshaws and drivers of cab aggregators did not take part in the strike on the second day after initial support for a few hours on Tuesday.

In the state capital, the protesters led by the All India Trade Union Congress(AITUC) staged demonstration at the Town Hall and Majestic and took out a massive rally resulting in severe traffic jam. The trade union workers took out rallies in several parts of the state holding placards, staged demonstration, flags and raised slogans against the central government and burnt the effigy of prime minister to vent their anger against the central government’s policies for workers.

Some schools and colleges in the city remained shut while the Metro rail was the saviour for commuters as its services remained unaffected. Police said that the attempts were made to disrupt the train services but it was foiled by them and the Railway Protection Force. People, however, went about their day-to-day activities as usual.

The organisers said that the rallies were taken out in Kalaburagi, Hubballi, Bagalkote, Karwar, Chikkodi, Hubballi, Udupi and Vijayaura. Agitators hurled stones at the KSRTC buses on Magadi Road and near Yelahanka in Bengaluru and pelted stones on some of the trains in Kalaburagi and Ballari, railways sources said. Proper arrangements were made in the state to ensure if law and order, and safety of public and government vehicles during the Strike on Wednesday.

Zero tolerance towards terrorism is need of hour, says Swaraj

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January 9, 2019

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Wednesday said that no country is immune to the “existential threat” of terrorism, adding that the need of the hour is to ensure zero tolerance of the global menace.

Addressing the Raisina Dialogue conference here, Swaraj said, “There was a time when India would talk about terrorism and it would be treated as a law and order issue at many global platforms. Today, no country, big or small, is immune to the existential threat, particularly terrorism actively supported and sponsored by states.”

“In this digital era, the challenges are even greater with vulnerability to radicalisation,” she added.

Swaraj stated that India believes in an atmosphere that is free from violence and hostility, and believes that unresolved border issues could be resolved when approached in the right spirit. She said that India’s commitment to upholding territorial integrity and sovereignty remains unwavering.

“Our commitment to upholding territorial integrity and sovereignty remains unwavering. So, our consistent message is unresolved border issues can be resolved when approached in the right spirit. We believe in an atmosphere free from violence and hostility,” Swaraj said.

Underlining that India is a proactive and constructive contributor to upholding international peace and security, the External Affairs Minister noted that regional initiatives should be based on transparency.

Terming climate change in developed and underdeveloped nations as a “worst victim”, Swaraj said that these countries neither have the capacity nor resources to meet the crisis.

“In today’s inter-connected and interdependent world, foreign policy has a direct and visible impact. We have rebuilt India’s bridges with the neighbourhood. For us, transformation is not just a national agenda, but a global vision,” she further said.

Swaraj underlined that India stands for a democratic and rules-based international order in which all nations should be treated as equal.

Elucidating on India’s contribution to neighbourhood countries, Swaraj said, “We rebuilt India’s bridges both literally and figurately with its immediate and extended neighbourhood. We have also devoted a much higher amount of resources and attention to the neighbourhood. Not only when its come to formal diplomatic engagements, but we are also pushing next-generation regional connectivity and critical infrastructure at times of distress and need.”

Talking about India’s partnership with France in launching the International Solar Alliance (ISA), Swaraj asserted that “this evidences the tremendous strides being made through collaboration. India and other countries alike must remember that the world is one family.”

“Our focus is on finding solutions to challenges before us through innovative approaches and dynamic partnerships. India’s own engagement with the world is rooted in its civilisational ethos which has at its heart co-existence and democratic values,” she added.

Swaraj further noted that India is leading the way in reinvigorating global institutions and organisations, whether it is founding the ISA, playing an active role in humanitarian and disaster relief operations in its immediate neighbourhood or the country’s membership of key institutions of global governance.

Underscoring the need of making India a human resource power by connecting the youth to global opportunities, the External Affairs Minister said, “This is being done with confidence that our prosperity, better connected and skilled young India will be the engine for growth and prosperity not only in South Asia but far beyond.

Sena Chief Uddhav calls crop insurance as “big” a scam as Rafale

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January 9, 2019

Quoting a book, Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray on Wednesday took a dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi calling the Centre’s crop insurance scheme was “as big a scam” as the Rafale fighter jet deal.

Criticising Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s frequent foreign tours, he said mere speeches and announcements will not help the public, and demanded that the BJP-led government solve farmers’ problems before looking at alliance talks for the forthcoming elections.

Modi had launched the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojna in 2015 with the main objective to provide insurance cover and financial support to farmers in the event of failure of any of the notified crops as a result of natural calamities, pests and diseases.

Addressing a rally in Beed district of Maharashtra during his tour of the drought-hit Marathwada region, Thackeray asked how many people received benefits of the government’s crop insurance scheme after paying instalments to insurance firms.

“People have got cheques of Rs 2, Rs 5, Rs 50, Rs 100. I don’t do ‘Mann ki Baat’ (referring to Modi’s monthly radio programme) but believe in speaking ‘jann ki baat’. Allegations are being made that there is a scam of thousands of crores in the crop insurance scheme,” he said.

“Who should we question? There is someone called Sainath, who is an expert on the subject, who has written a book. He has said the crop insurance scam is as big a scam as Rafale,” Thackeray said.

While the Opposition Congress has been alleging corruption in the Rafale jet deal, the government has denied it.

Claiming that there was a “bubble” of announcements, Thackeray asked the government to “solve the problems of farmers before considering any alliance talks”.

The Sena has been regularly hitting out at the BJP despite being part of the government in Maharashtra and at the Centre. Its leaders have often said they would contest the next polls on their own.

Thackeray’s party and the BJP had contested the 2014 Lok Sabha polls in alliance but split up at the time of Assembly polls. The Sena joined the state government later.

“Everyday you (Modi) go to different countries and say my country is changing? How many days left (in power) for you now?” Thackeray asked.

“You go to different countries everyday and think our country is changing? Today Russia, tomorrow Japan and day after China. Then say our country is changing. The country may be changing for you but not for people, their conditions, their sorrows are not changing,” he said.

The Sena chief said he would not mind if he does not get a single vote after speaking truth, but he was averse to winning elections by speaking lies.

He said the Centre had neither been able to resolve issues or farmers nor constructed the Ram temple.

“If the issue was to be decided by court, why did you make this promise in your poll manifesto?” Thackeray asked.

Hitting out at the Centre’s drought assessment team which visited the state last month to take stock of the situation, he said it was “useless” and a mere ploy to show “carrots” to people.

“It needs to be understood who is truly yours and who is not. Mere speeches and announcements do not fill the vessels of people. The central team to assess drought came and went. Did you get anything? It is strange they need a mechanism to see drought even after the area is drought-hit,” he said.

Assuring his support to farmers amid the ongoing drought situation, he appealed them to support his party.

The state received inadequate rainfall last monsoon and the government had earlier declared drought in 151 out of the 353 talukas in the state.

Earlier in the day, the Sena leader handed over 100 cattle fodder-laden trucks and other essential supplies to farmers and undertook a tour of the drought-hit region.

Beed, which was earlier a stronghold of the NCP, is now dominated by the BJP while Sena has no presence in the district.

Constitution Amendment: Uproar in Rajya Sabha as Cong, others protest

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January 9, 2019

The Congress and other opposition parties on Wednesday strongly protested in the Rajya Sabha and demanded sending ‘The Constitution (One Hundred and Twenth- Four Amendment) Bill, 2019’ to a select committee, after the government introduced the key legislation.

The bill, that seeks to provide 10 per cent reservation in jobs and educational institutions to economically weaker sections in the general category, was introduced by Minister for Social Welfare and Empowerment Thaawar chand Gehlot amid the din due to protests by opposition members.

The Congress, DMK, RJD and Aam Aadmi Party were in the well of the house and continued to raise slogans against the government.

Sensing the mood, Deputy Chairman Harivansh adjourned the house till 2 PM while the discussion on the bill was on.

DMK member Kanomozhi demanded sending the Constitution Amendment Bill to a select committee for further scrutiny and sought division on her motion.

Her demand was supported by members of some parties including D Raja (CPI), with Congress also asking the deputy chairman to take up her plea first and allow division on her motion.

But, deputy chairman Harivansh said that it will only be taken up after the discussion, prompting the opposition members to raise further slogans.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Vijay Goel accused the opposition of seeking to stall the passage of the bill that has been brought for the welfare of the poor.

This was strongly opposed, with Congress member Anand Sharma saying his party supported the bill, and Manoj Jha (RJD) stating the charge was incorrect and that the bill was “interference with the basic structure of the Constitution”.

Sharma alleged that Goel has not done justice by making the charge as the Congress was in favour of the bill but had issues with the manner in which it was brought.

After the deputy chairman allowed the minister to move the bill amid the din, he heard various members raising points of order, but refrained from giving any ruling.

The government on Wednesday introduced in Rajya Sabha a legislation to give 10 per cent quota in state jobs and educational institutions for upper caste poor.

Social Justice minister Gehlot said ‘The Constitution (One Hundred and Twenth-Four Amendment) Bill 2019 is a historic bill and a step brought to ensure equal opportunities for the poor in the general category.

He said previous governments have attempted to bring such a step but their actions have been struck down by court as there was no such provision made in the Constitution.

Gehlot said it was under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government that this bill was brought to make such a provision for reservation for economically weaker sections.

Seeking passage of the bill, Gehlot said this day will be remembered as an important one when crores of poor will benefit from this legislation that seeks to ensure equality and social harmony in the country.

The Congress members earlier also raised slogans over the Citizenship Amendment Bill.

The bill was passed by the Lok Sabha on Tuesday and was brought to the Upper House after the sitting of the House was extended by a day.

Veteran Alan Alda to be presented with SAG’s Lifetime Award

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January 9, 2019

Actor Tom Hankswill be presenting the Life Achievement Award to veteran Alan Aldaat the upcoming Screen ActorGuild Awards ceremony. The announcement was made by Kathy Connell, executive producer of SAG Awards, which will be held on January 27. The award is given annually to an actor who fosters the “finest ideals of the acting profession.”

Alda, 82, is the 55th recipient of the award which is bestowed upon a performer who has contributed to improving the image of the acting profession and has a history of active involvement in humanitarian and public service endeavours.

Alda is best known for his performances in films such as “The West Wing”, Martin Scorsese’s “The Aviator” and “Manhattan Murder Mystery”. His most memorable role was Hawkeye Piercein the television series “M*A*S*H”.

The actor also starred alongside Tom Hanks in Steven Spielberg’s 2015 thriller film “Bridge of Spies”.