JAN 31, (DNA) -American actress and ‘kill em with kindness’ singer Selena Gomez apparently has made it ‘Instagram official’ with the Canadian singing sensation and ‘earned it’ singer, The Weeknd.Yes, that’s right. Selena and The Weeknd are now a thing. Earlier in January, Selena Gomez and The Weeknd (né Abel Tesfaye) were spotted having dinner in L.A., where they were also pictured while sharing an intimate moment together which sparked rumours.But it now seems as they have made the news official. The couple has taken their romance worldwide as they’re traveling to Italy together and sharing their romance, which is visible on their respective social media accounts.
Fabulous Works of Unver Shafi- 1st solo show after 12-year hiatus
KARACHI, JAN 31, (DNA) – Well known for his fabulist style, Karachi-based artist Unver Shafi Khan is in the limelight for his first solo show in over a decade.The shape shifting quality found in fables and myths remains a lasting inspiration for his painterly works and is, thus, largely evident in the collection of acrylic miniature currently on display at Koel gallery.Perhaps rooted in his passion for poetry and literature, Shafi continues to narrate his tales intentionally inflating fantastical elements. With incredibly surreal and dream like compositions characterized by blobs of colors varying from monochromes to vibrantly intense, this fabulist series on display is far from ordinary and unlike any seen around.
EU food safety body to look again at palm oil health risks
JAN 30, (DNA) – The European Food Safety Authority will re-examine its warning on health risks stemming from palm and other vegetable oils, a spokeswoman at the European body said in light of a recent study expressing less concern than EFSA.Food producers across Europe are closely monitoring independent authorities’ indications on health risks related to palm oil, a low-cost ingredient which is used in a wide range of products from biscuits to chocolate spreads.Last May the Italian-based EFSA said palm oil generated more of a potentially carcinogenic contaminant than other vegetable oils when refined at temperatures above 200 degrees Celsius. It did not, however, recommend consumers stop eating it.
‘Raees’ team gears up for party with a twist to celebrate astounding success
JAN 29, (DNA) – With Raees grabbing more than INR 1.55 billion in local and international markets combined since it hit cinemas, the team has a very special party in the wraps. At the Indian box office, the film has secured over INR 750 million already.In accordance with the movie’s storyline that focuses on how the Gujarat wine ban negatively impacted the state’s industry, leading to higher crime rates, the success celebration will notably exclude alcohol.The festivity is set to be held in Mumbai on Monday, and has already got many fans hooked on to the edge of their seats to witness the stars’ merrymaking.
‘Harry Potter’ actor Sir John Hurt dies of cancer at 77
JAN 29, (DNA) -Legendary actor John Hurt passed away on Saturday after battling with pancreatic cancer. He was 77.The British actor appeared in numerous movies, such as Harry Potter series, Alien, and Nineteen Eighty-Four, during a career that spanned six decades. He also worked in Midnight Express, which netted him his first Golden Globe and BAFTA win, as well as an Oscar nomination in the Best Supporting Actor category.Hurt was also nominated for an Academy Award (Best Actor category) for his role as the anguished John Merrick in David Lynch’s The Elephant Man.The star was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in June 2015, but continued to work, appearing recently in the Oscar-nominated biopic of President John F. Kennedy’s widow Jackie. He is succeeded by his wife, Anwen Rees-Myers, and two sons with Joan Dalton, his third wife.
Chinese New Year fireworks spark a return to hazardous Beijing pollution
JAN 28, (DNA) -Residents of China’s capital awoke on Saturday to dense, choking smog after many set off a barrage of fireworks overnight to ring in the Lunar New Year, despite limits and public admonitions against such displays in the congested city.The Beijing Municipal Environmental Protection Bureau said harmful particulate matter in the air had hit the second-highest level in five years by Saturday morning, the state-owned China News Service reported.Beijing launched a “war against pollution” in 2014 as part of a central government promise to reverse damage done by decades of breakneck growth and strengthen powers to shut down and punish polluters. Efforts to clean up the skies in the industrial heartland around Beijing are being thwarted by coal-burning industry and indoor heating, which increases during China’s winter months.
Lindsay Lohan meets Erdogan, Syrian girl blogger
ISTANBUL, JAN 28, (DNA) – US actress Lindsay Lohan on Friday met Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and seven-year-old Syrian girl blogger Bana al-Abed in Ankara, the Turkish presidency said on its website.In a picture taken at the presidential palace, a smiling Lohan is standing next to Erdogan, who is embracing Bana, and his wife Emine.Bana shared a short video on Twitter, in which Lohan says: “We want to send to all of the people in Syria and Aleppo suffering, and to all the refugees, we are here supporting you and you can hang on and be strong. Just like Bana has.”Lohan had previously expressed support for Turkey s efforts to host nearly three million Syrians fleeing their nation s five-year war, the State-run Anadolu news agency said.The US actress gave light-blue badges to Erdogan and his wife, bearing a quote from the Turkish leader: “World is bigger than five,” according to Anadolu.
FDA finds toxic substance in homeopathic teething products, warns against usage
JAN 28, (DNA) -The US Food and Drug Administration on Friday warned consumers against using certain homeopathic teething products, saying it has found high amounts of a toxic substance in some of them and they pose a potential risk to infants and children.Laboratory analysis found amounts of belladonna, a toxic substance, that sometimes far exceeded the amount claimed on the label of these teething tablets, the FDA said.Homeopathic teething tablets are used to provide temporary relief of teething symptoms in children.Inconsistent levels of belladonna can cause seizures, excessive sleepiness, muscle weakness and skin flushing in children.The FDA asked Los Angeles-based Standard Homeopathic Co, the manufacturer of Hyland’s teething products, to recall the products from the market, but said the company did not agree to the recall.
Pak exports to Spain increased after GSP plus statue: Carlos Morales
ISLAMABAD, JAN 27 (DNA) -. Carlos Morales, Ambassador of Spain has said that promoting frequent interactions between private sectors of Pakistan and Spain was necessary to improve bilateral trade between the two countries.He said this while addressing business community at Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry.He said after the grant of GSP Plus status to Pakistan by the European Union, Pakistan’s exports to Spain have improved due to which bilateral trade in 2015 reached US$ 1.1 billion while the balance of trade was in favor of Pakistan.He said that after GSP Plus, Pakistan’s exports to Spain improved by 44 percent during the first year, 24 percent second year but only 5 percent during the third year.
Iran actress to boycott Oscars over ‘racist’ Trump visa ban
TEHRAN, JAN 26 – The Iranian star of Oscar-nominated film “The Salesman” said Thursday she would boycott the awards in protest at President Donald Trump’s “racist” ban on Muslim immigrants.“Trump’s visa ban for Iranians is racist. Whether this will include a cultural event or not, I won’t attend the #AcademyAwards 2017 in protest,” tweeted Taraneh Alidoosti, the film’s 33-year-old lead actress.Trump is reportedly poised to stop visas for travellers from seven Muslim countries, including Iran, for 30 days.He told on Wednesday that his plan was not a “Muslim ban”, but targeted countries that “have tremendous terror.”“The Salesman”, directed by acclaimed Iranian filmmaker Asghar Farhadi is nominated for best foreign language film at the Academy Awards, which take place next month.
