TERE BIN LADEN (BANNED IN PAKISTAN)

Tere Bin Laden has run into trouble with the Censor Board again. High Court Pakistan has banned the release of the much awaited film ‘Tere Bin Laden’ aka ‘Tere Bin’ which stars the Price of Pop, Ali Zafar in the lead role and deals with a bold edgy subject and problems post 9/11. Previously on the order of Censor Board, the name ‘Laden’ was dropped from Tere Bin Laden in Pakistan as a precautionary measure and now considering the kind of tensions surrounding Pakistan, the release of the film in Pakistan has been banned. The Board claimed that the film supports Osama Bin Laden and terrorism by making the comedy film.

According to newspapers across the border, the makers of the film have also received an anonymous letter threatening them with dire consequences if it is released. But according to the makers, the letter was not from Al-Qaeda, because it accuses the makers of supporting Osama Bin Laden and terrorism, making one smell the Shiv Sena rat.

Ali Zafar also told the Indian Press that “it is a satire and does not hurt anyone’s ideology.” But now the the Pakistani Censor Board has banned the release of the film claiming that it hurts Pakistani ideology. The makers of Tere Bin Laden were also releasing the film globally, except U.S.A. because the American distributor of the film felt that Tere Bin Laden has the potential to go beyond the Indian diaspora, penetrating into the American market due to Osama Bin Laden. Hence, the makers decided to release the film everywhere, except America this Friday. Due to its ban in Pakistan, the film will now open only in places like U.K., India and Australia and other international territories in Phase I this Friday, while America will see a Phase II release, after the makers study the business in various markets in its first round.

Now one wonders what would be the box-office result of this small-budget film which has been banned in Pakistan, is not releasing in the U.S.A and is getting threats for its release in India.

Amazing jellyfish lake in Philippines

MANILA: Philippines boasts of a lake full of jellyfish, offering to people from around the world a recreational spot. With the sun’s first rays, Jellyfish Lake, located 550 miles east of the Philippines in the island nation of Palau, comes alive. As the sky brightens in the east, the golden jellies turn and swim toward a solar beacon. Jellyfish Lake is one of the famous tourist attractions on the Pacific island of Eil Malk in Palau. This type of jellyfish is not dangerous for humans and tourists like to swim among them. Jellyfish Lake is one of Palau's most famous dive sites. It is notable for the millions of golden jellyfish which migrate horizontally across the lake daily. Jellyfish lake is around 12,000 years old.

Tea, coffee, walnuts help prevent Alzheimer's

AUSTIN: It could be the perfect combination for keeping Alzheimer’s at bay. Scientists say that drinking tea or coffee, eating walnuts, taking regular exercise and spending time in the sun could all help prevent the disease. Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia afflict more than 800,000 Britons, but the number is expected to double within a generation because of the ageing population. But a daily cup of tea or coffee could help protect against the disease. Both drinks have been shown to reduce memory loss by 40 per cent, according to research presented at the International Conference on Alzheimer’s Disease, in Hawaii. Scientists from the University of California said that over-65s who regularly drank tea showed up to 37 per cent fewer signs of dementia than those who didn’t drink any. Those who had coffee at least five times a week reduced their memory loss by up to 20 per cent compared to those who didn’t drink it at all. Eating walnuts could also ward off the disease, separate research has found. Mice, which had a diet rich in the nuts, were found to drastically improve their learning and memory abilities, according to a study carried out at New York’s Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities. Scientists say the results suggest walnuts could have similar benefits on humans, but will need to carry out further work. ‘Our results suggest that dietary supplementation of walnuts may have beneficial effect in reducing the risk, delaying the onset or slowing the progression of Alzheimer’s disease,’ they concluded in their study, which was presented at the same conference. But it’s not just what you eat - research has also found that your lifestyle could cut the risk of dementia. Elderly people who do ‘moderate’ levels of exercise such as golf or jogging could be at up to 40 per cent less risk of Alzheimer’s, a study at the Boston University School of Medicine, in Massachusetts, found. Researchers looked at 1,200 people whose average age was 76 and concluded that physical activity had a major impact on reducing memory loss, particularly among men. Professor Clive Ballard, from the Alzheimer’s Society, said: ‘This robust and influential study provides strong support to the already comprehensive evidence that exercise is one of the best ways to reduce your risk of dementia. It is the old adage: What is good for your heart is good for you. ‘Whether it be a round of golf, a brisk walk or a session on the treadmill, 30 minutes of exercise five times a week can be beneficial at any age.’ Spending time in the sun could also reduce the risk of getting the disease. Those who do not have enough vitamin D - which is produced by the body when sunlight hits the skin - could be more likely to develop Alzheimer’s. Scientists from Exeter University looked at more than 3,300 people over the age of 65 and found that those deficient in the vitamin were nearly five times more at risk. Although vitamin D is found in some foods such as oily fish and eggs, most of it is produced via sunlight. Figures suggest that half of Britons are deficient in it by the time winter ends. Alzheimer’s progressively attacks the brain, causing people to lose their memory, become confused and experience mood swings. Sufferers in the final stages of the disease lose the ability to walk, talk and swallow.

Aamir Khan to play Dilip Kumar in ‘Dhobi Ghat’

MUMBAI: He might be too busy with his next home production ‘Peepli Live’ these days, but Aamir’s making sure he gives special attention to wife Kiran Rao’s directorial venture ‘Dhobi Ghat’ also, at the same time. According to the latest buzz, Aamir will soon be seen doing an act in ‘Dhobi Ghat’, which would be similar to what living legend Dilip Kumar did many decades ago. Reports reveal that Aamir has already bought the rights of a classical number from the film ‘Madhumati’, starring Dilip Kumar, and the actor’s now planning to remix it for upcoming flick ‘DG’. Well, with Aamir’s magical touch, ‘Dhobi Ghat’ is surely going to be as special as almost all of the perfectionist’s flicks.

Pak bowlers dominate first day as Aussies make 229-9

LONDON: Mohammad Asif took three wickets in a dramatic burst either side of tea as Australia finished on 229 for nine when bad light forced an early close on the first day of the first Test against Pakistan at Lord's here on Tuesday. Asif took three wickets for no runs in seven balls on his way to a return of three for 53 in 17 overs. Meanwhile teenage left-arm quick Mohammad Aamer, his new ball-partner, made the early inroads on his way to a haul of three for 66 in 18 overs. Australia's batsmen all struggled after Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi won the toss and elected to field in overcast, seam-bowler friendly, conditions. Only left-handed opener Simon Katich, who made 80 but might have been lbw for two, had so far got past fifty although Michael Hussey was 39 not out, with Doug Bollinger unbeaten on nought, at stumps. Asif struck with the last ball before tea when he had Clarke lbw for 47 to end a third-wicket stand worth 120 with Katich. And nine balls after the break, Katich pushed uncertainly outside off-stump against Asif and was caught behind by wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal for 80. Katich, who has scored fifty in each of his last nine Tests, faced 138 balls with nine fours in more than three hours at the crease. By contrast, three balls later, Marcus North, also a left-hander, was clean bowled between bat and pad by an Asif inswinger for nought. Hussey pulled Kaneria for six to bring up the 200. But Australia were 208 for seven after Test debutants Tim Paine (seven) and Steven Smith (one) fell cheaply to Umar Gul and leg-spinner Danish Kaneria respectively. Pakistan, bidding for their first Test win over Australia in 15 years, saw Aamer, who starred in last week's back-to-back wins over the Aussies at Edgbaston, strike first when he dismissed opener Shane Watson for four to leave Australia eight for one. The 18-year-old had already had one close lbw decision against Katich, then on two, rejected when he rapped Watson, playing no stroke, on the pad. English umpire Ian Gould turned down that appeal but next ball Watson again, curiously, padded up. Gould was in the process of giving him out lbw when the ball trickled onto the stumps and dislodged a bail, meaning Watson was out bowled. Watson's exit brought Australia captain and star batsman Ricky Ponting to the crease in what could be the 35-year-old's last Test at Lord's. Ponting, along with India's Sachin Tendulkar and the West Indies' now retired Brian Lara, the other two outstanding batsmen of the last decade, had yet to make a Test century at the 'home of cricket'. He had made 26 when he clipped Aamer firmly off his pads only for debutant Umar Amin to take an excellent catch at short-leg.