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Indo-Asian News Service or IANS is a private Indian news agency. The IANS was founded by Indian American publisher Gopal Raju as the India Abroad News Service. It was later renamed the Indo-Asian News Service. The IANS has its main offices located in Noida.

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Kanika Kapoor elicits mixed reactions from B-Town
2272 days ago
Bollywood

Kanika Kapoor elicits mixed reactions from B-Town

Mumbai, March 21 (IANS) It's been over 24 hours that singer Kanika Kapoor was found to have attended several public events and high-profile parties despite testing positive for COVID-19, and Bollywood has mostly been guarded in reacting to the situation. The few responses that have come have been mixed. While some B-Town denizens have been critical of Kanika for not declaring her travel history upon arriving from the UK, a few others feel she is being unnecessarily victimized.## While Kanika was overwhelmingly criticized and trolled all through Saturday, and hashtag #KanikaKaCoronaCrime trended on Twitter, actress Sonam Kapoor came out in the singer's defense.## "Hey, guys @TheKanikakapoor came back on the 9th. India was not self-isolating but playing Holi," wrote Sonam.## While the singer continues facing flak for evading screening at the airport, Rishi Kapoor posted a tweet addressed to Taj Hotels on Friday. "Think. Chalo Delhi airport se to nikal gayi. Why an establishment like The Taj Lucknow Hotel didn't have the facility to screen visitors? After all the Taj is a huge name and a property. Surely they could have detected!"## The official page of Taj Hotels replied: "At all our hotels, we have undertaken extensive precautionary measures including thermal screening of all guests, staff, and vendors. At the time of check-in, her temperature was found to be normal. The safety and wellbeing of our guests and associates are of paramount importance."## Reacting to the reply, Rishi Kapoor came out in Kanika's support and, without mentioning her name, tweeted: "I appreciate, believe and respect The Taj Hotels has for all its guests regarding safety and security. Please tell this to the Media and the concerned Government. Unnecessarily the lady concerned is being victimized. With your strict measures surely she wasn't carrying the virus."## Unlike Rishi and Sonam Kapoor, though, not everyone in B-Town has sympathy for Kanika.## Last night, singer Sona Mohapatra came heavily on Kanika Kapoor for not being responsible enough after arriving in India from the UK earlier this month and mingling with numerous people at several public functions despite being afflicted by the coronavirus.## "The Coronavirus will explode because India is full of irresponsible idiots who ask everything from the government but do nothing in return," tweeted Sona.## She added: "Case in point, #KanikaKapoor hid her travel history after landing in #India (goddess knows how), attended events in Lucknow, Mumbai, went partying while staying in a 5 (star emoji) & has the virus! So all of U giving me Gyan about how ‘simplistic' PM's speech was, was it really?#WeThePeople."## On Friday evening, Bollywood superstar Akshay Kumar released a video urging fans to stay safe in the present scenario. In a portion of the video, without taking names, he says in Hindi: "Passengers returning from their trips at Mumbai airport are being tested at the airport. Those who are found on low risk are being stamped and sent for home quarantine or at the hotel and they are being requested to maintain social distance for two weeks as a precaution. But believe it or not, despite being stamped for home quarantine, some of these passengers are not only traveling to other parts of the city but also to different parts of the country. They are attending weddings, going on vacations, going to crowded places and even attending parties. What are they thinking? What is this mentality? What are they not being able to understand?"## For more and latest news about Bollywood, stay tuned with us.

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COVID-19: SRK urges fans to stay indoors in new video
2272 days ago
Bollywood

COVID-19: SRK urges fans to stay indoors in new video

Mumbai, March 21 (IANS) Superstar Shah Rukh Khan has come out with a video to create awareness around COVID-19 and also urged fans to stay indoors and follow precautionary measures.## In the video, the actor is seen talking about the care and precautions all must take.## Shah Rukh's video comes a day after several Bollywood stars such as Amitabh Bachchan, Ayushmann Khurrana, Akshay Kumar, Alia Bhatt, Ranveer Singh, Ajay Devgn, Varun Dhawan, Anil Kapoor, Madhuri Dixit Nene, Shilpa Shetty Kundra, and Arjun Kapoor came together in a special video that appeals people to be safe during these trying times. The video was shared by Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Friday on social media.## In his video, SRK talks about the coronavirus pandemic and the necessary steps on how to protect yourself from the disease.## The COVID-19 attack has been the most severe in Maharashtra among all states in India, with the number of positive cases crossing 50. So far, 191 coronavirus positive cases have been reported all over India with four deaths.## He begins the video by talking about how coronavirus has created havoc worldwide.## "Around the world, coronavirus has created havoc. At this difficult moment, if all of us cooperate, we can stop this danger from doing more harm, it will have to turn its back on us and leave," he says in the video.## SRK goes on to add that Mumbai is ready to fight the crisis, and hospitals such as Kasturba Hospital, among many others, are fully prepared to handle the situation.## He adds: "Without bothering about their health, authorities and doctors at airports are checking every traveler. They are all doing their duty. We have just learned to cooperate with them."## "So what can we do? We just have to learn to be a little responsible. Whether at work or home, we must regularly wash our hands. Whenever you have to sneeze, cover your nose with your forearm. If possible avoid going to crowded places for the next 15 days. If anyone in your vicinity has cold, cough and fever, then stay a few feet away from them. Remember, for your own safety, not just one but all have to be responsible."## "We must all do our bit and support the officials doing so much for us. #WarAgainstVirus," he captioned the video.## For more and latest news about Bollywood, stay tuned with us.

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COVID-19 effect: Pallavi Joshi urges India to fight crisis in exemplary manner
2272 days ago
Bollywood

COVID-19 effect: Pallavi Joshi urges India to fight crisis in exemplary manner

Mumbai, March 21 (IANS) Actress Pallavi Joshi has urged the nation to set an example for the world in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.## "Right now India as a nation is being watched by the world. By the more developed economies like Italy and more influential world powers like the USA. By neighbors like China and Iran. They are all watching if India is able enough to deal with a looming threat to the healthcare, economy, and life of its citizens. On the verge of an exponential explosion, are we as a nation smart enough, strong enough, kind enough and responsible enough to fight against a common enemy? An enemy that is being feared the world over," said Pallavi.## The "Woh Chhokri" famed actress added: "We have a chance to show the world that we are a young, vigilant and united country. And we can fight what might seem so insurmountable. Do your part. Maintain social distancing. Have compassion for someone who is underprivileged, use the public resources responsibly. These are warlike times and it is our chance to create a history. Don't let it pass. Together, we can!"## For more and latest news about Bollywood, stay tuned with us.

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Sidharth Malhotra tries cooking prawn during social distancing
2272 days ago
Bollywood

Sidharth Malhotra tries cooking prawn during social distancing

Mumbai, March 21 (IANS) Amid all the coronavirus chaos, Bollywood actor Sidharth Malhotra is trying his hands at something new. He has taken to cooking prawn!## Sidharth on Saturday shared a video on Twitter that shows him cooking. He adds that it is never too late to try something new.## "Well, it's never too late to try something new! Here's #MyAttemptAt cooking Butter Garlic Prawns for the first time which surprisingly turned out the pretty well-Winking face with tongue Make the most of this time guys and keep trying new things," he captioned the video.## The actor, who was last seen in "Marjaavaan", is now gearing up for his next "Shershaah". The biographical film traces the life of Param Vir Chakra awardee and army captain Vikram Batra. Sidharth has a double role in the film, as the armyman and his identical twin Vishal. Kiara Advani also features in the film, which marks the Bollywood debut of Tamil filmmaker Vishnuvardhan.## For more and latest news about Bollywood, stay tuned with us.

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Rajinikanth urges all to observe Janata Curfew
2272 days ago
Kollywood

Rajinikanth urges all to observe Janata Curfew

Chennai, March 21 (IANS) Superstar Rajinikanth on Saturday urged citizens to stay indoors on March 22 and follow 'Janata Curfew', as advised by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.## In the tweet and video posted on social media, Rajinikanth said India is preparing to prevent the crucial Stage 3 community transmission of coronavirus across the country.## "Right now, India is in the second stage of battling the coronavirus and we can't let it go to the next level. If we can prevent the spread of the COVID-19 in public spaces for 12 to 14 hours, that itself is enough to stop it from progressing to the third stage."## "Italy tried implementing similar nationwide curfew to prevent Stage 3, but due to lack of support from the citizens, the efforts failed, resulting in the death of thousands of people to the pandemic," he wrote, adding: "We don't want such a crisis in India and I urge everyone to rise to the occasion and participate in the Janata curfew by strictly staying indoors and practicing social distancing."## Rajinikanth also asked people to appreciate the selfless service of the medical personnel by participating in the nationwide appreciation applause and prayers at 5 pm on Sunday.## "Let's praise them, pray for them and their families and support them wholeheartedly by cooperating with the government's request," he said.## Recently, Rajinikanth praised the efforts of Tamil Nadu government to contain COVID-19. However, he also suggested that the government announce financial assistance to the needy to help them overcome the situation. "We have to appreciate the precautionary steps being taken by the Tamil Nadu government to prevent the spread of coronavirus. As people, we all too should join hands with the government to help prevent the spread of the virus," he wrote.## The actor-politician's new film "Annatthe" has been put on hold, following the shutdown of all film and TV production in India. His television debut on "Into The Wild With Bear Grylls" will however air as scheduled on Monday on Discovery India.## For more and latest news about Kollywood, stay tuned with us.

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Dalip Tahil sings for spiritual album with Sonu Nigam, Kailash Kher
2272 days ago
Bollywood

Dalip Tahil sings for spiritual album with Sonu Nigam, Kailash Kher

Mumbai, March 21 (IANS) Veteran actor Dalip Tahil has lent his voice in an spiritual album titled "Guru Naam". The album also features voices of singers like Sonu Nigam, Kailash Kher, and Suresh Wadkar among others.## "It was a surreal experience to record for this very special album on the revered Sikh Guru. India is known for its vibrant diversity and rich heritage. The album provides a unique opportunity for singers from diverse backgrounds to come together to sing paeans in honor of the revered saint. It sends a message of peace, brotherhood, and unity. I am overwhelmed to have got this opportunity to sing for the album alongside such established names from the music industry," Tahil said.## "Guru Naam" is based on traditional verses of Sikhism founder Guru Nanak, and composed by Kuldeep Singh. The album commemorates the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak.## The album is produced by Times Music.## For more and latest news about Bollywood, stay tuned with us.

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Resul Pookutty: Shailaja Teacher you're the best we have
2272 days ago
India

Resul Pookutty: Shailaja Teacher you're the best we have

Kerala, March 21 (IANS) Oscar-winning sound artiste Resul Pookutty has thanked Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and given a shoutout to the Kerala Health Minister K.K. Shailaja for taking care of the people. ## Pookutty took to Twitter and wrote: "I'm proud of this man! A true leader... #ShailajaTeacher You are the best we have, thank you for taking care of my people, like a mother, your efforts are relentless!" Pookutty tweeted. ## Vijayan on Thursday announced that Rs 20,000 crore will be pumped into the state economy, which has been badly hit and the state government has decided to extend help to see that it does not fall further. ## "Rs 2,000 crore would be given to the Kudumbhashree (women empowerment programme) who will give out small loans to the needy. Rs 1,000 crore each would be given in months of April and May for the National Rural Employment Guarantee scheme," he said. ## Apart from these, the proposed package will include a Rs 500 crore health package besides the social security pension to be paid in advance in April, entailing an expenditure of Rs 1,320 crore. ## "One month's free ration will be provided to all. Tax reliefs are there for auto rickshaws and taxis besides stage and contract carriers also. The bills for electricity and water also will have a one month Arelief and can be paid without fine. Film theatres will get a reduction in entertainment tax," Vijayan said. ## K.K. Shailaja has been handling the coronavirus situation in the state. She has issued a strict action against anyone spreading false information or rumour about Covid-19. ## Social isolation of suspected individuals and public spaces have been quarantined including suspension of schools, colleges/universities and closing of malls, gyms, cinema halls, tourist destination and a ban on public gathering and large celebrations. ## Around 300 people in India have so far tested positive for the novel coronavirus which has now affected over 2.5 lakh people globally and claimed more than 11,000 lives. ## For more and the latest news about India, stay tuned to us.

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Raveena cleans train cabin: Better to be safe than sorry
2272 days ago
Bollywood

Raveena cleans train cabin: Better to be safe than sorry

Mumbai, March 21 (IANS) Bollywood actress Raveena Tandon is extra cautious during her travels during these coronavirus times. She has posted pictures and videos where she is seen disinfecting her cabin with wet wipes and sanitisers while taking a train journey. ## Raveena on Friday took to Instagram, where she posted a video of herself cleaning the cabin. She could be seen wearing a face mask. ## "Disinfecting the cabin with wet wipes, sanitiser, before the wheels roll and we get comfy! Better to be safe than sorry. Travel only if very necessary and please take precautions and safety of oneself and the others around you is paramount. #throwback #lastweek, off to a days assignment. Skeletal crew and closed door shoot luckily to a town with no corona cases reported yet. Back home to self-isolate and quarantine at least until 31st March. #throwback," she said. ## In another post, the actress shared a photograph of herself sitting at the Bandra Terminus station in Mumbai. She asked her fans to adopt precautionary measures during the COVID-19 pandemic. ## She captioned it: "Most important. Please do not keep touching the front of your mask. Remove from the side bands only. Also please wear latex gloves if need to go out,for knobs and door handles carry maximum bacteria. Hogan safai , abh beth kar aaram! Importance of hygiene. #swachbharat Travel only if very necessary and please take precautions and safety of oneself and the others around you is paramount," she said. ## Raveena also asked everyone to not endanger lives of others. ## For more and the latest news about Bollywood, stay tuned to us.

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Sayani Gupta on success of her show 'Four More Shots Please'
2272 days ago
Digital Media

Sayani Gupta on success of her show 'Four More Shots Please'

Mumbai, March 21 (IANS) Actress Sayani Gupta is glad that her web series "Four More Shots Please!" surpassed all preconceived notions, especially that a show made by women on women would be about male-bashing. ## "The second season of Amazon Original's 'Four More Shots Please!' feels nothing less than coming back in a familiar environment and striving to do something even bigger, better, deeper than the first season. There is a special charm in reuniting and collaborating with the same gang of co-actors, makers, creators," Sayani said. ## "The first season was infinitely successful and received an unprecedented love from the fans. It truly is beyond dreams that a forward, rule-bending show like 'Four More Shots Please!' would receive so much love and craze from fans from all across the board, from all parts of the country and different parts of the world and from all age groups and gender. It also surpassed all preconceived notions that a show made by women on women, would be about male-bashing," she added. ## After the success of the first season of the Amazon Original series, the second season of "Four More Shots Please!" will release on April 17. The second part will pick-up from the previous season's cliffhanger ending, bringing back stories of four unapologetically flawed ladies who live, love, blunder and discover what it really takes to build everlasting friendships in Mumbai. Produced by Pritish Nandy Communications Ltd, the show is created by Rangita Pritish Nandy. ## Talking about the characters, the actress said: "Each character had something people could relate to and connect with. The beauty of the 'Four More Shots Please!' is that it celebrates four women who are so different, not only in the way they look but also their personalities. The women in the show are flawed but they completely own it. The show also celebrates women with agency, which is the need of the hour. That every girl out there should have the right to choose her life's course, backed my education and strive for financial independence. The second season will be twice as special. You will see the girls having more fun, the friendship growing deeper and fierceness growing stronger but also them accepting their vulnerabilities. I can't wait for the fans who have been writing in everyday for the second season, to watch the show. ## The series stars Kirti Kulhari, Bani J. and Maanvi Gagroo, with Prateik Babbar, Lisa Ray, Milind Soman, Neil Bhooplalam, Simone Singh and Amrita Puri. The series is directed by Nupur Asthana and written by Devika Bhagat, with dialogues by Ishita Moitra. ## Talking about working with Milind, she said: "We are a generation that have grown up loving Milind Soman, since 'Made in India' days! When I came on board to play Damini, I was told that Milind Soman was going to play Dr. Warsi. ## "I was obviously quite excited to meet him and eventually work with him.. cause he was after all, the most gorgeous man in the country we grew up admiring. I had met him briefly at the reading. But I properly met him on shoot, while we were filming at Indigo in town. We were shooting in location since early morning and had to vacate the restaurant by 11am. So naturally there was a lot of rush and nail biting time crunch in order to finish three scenes in that location. I was ready with my lines and had rehearsed alone and waiting for the take to happen. But here was Mr. Soman surrounded by the bunch of women who were actually running the set.. the HODs, who at this point... were giggling like little 16 year olds. It was already past 10am. You had to see the set that day. Everybody was in their best mood. It was super funny to see how these exceptionally talented strong boss-ladies had become giggly teenage girls in just his presence. It was really cute." ## For more and the latest news about Digital Media, stay tuned to us.

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Jennifer Garner finds it hard to get parents to stay at home
2272 days ago
Hollywood

Jennifer Garner finds it hard to get parents to stay at home

Los Angeles, March 21 (IANS) Hollywood star Jennifer Garner is frustrated with her parents -- William and Patricia for refusing to stay at home and practice social distancing amid the ongoing coronavirus outbreak. ## While the World Health Organisation (WHO) is urging people to practice social distancing and stay home in a bid to prevent the spread of COVID-19, Garner told US late night host Jimmy Fallon she's frustrated with her mother and dad for not following the advice, reports aceshowbiz.com. ## She said: "The hard thing are teens and early 20s people and my parents. My parents are the hard ones. I'm like, 'Dad, Mom, the world is shut down to keep you safe.' And they're like, 'We think we're going to go to Sam's Warehouse.' Stay home, you have to stay home!" ## The "13 Going On 30" actress added that her three children -- Violet, 14, Seraphina, 11, and Samuel, eight, who she shares with former husband Ben Affleck -- have been great throughout their quarantine. ## "I think I have the perfect age kids for this because they're big enough to understand and to have the conversations, 'Like, we're built for a challenge, we can do this, we're a tough team. Let's learn about a vacuum cleaner'... But they're not so big that they're just like, 'Well I don't care. I'm going to go'," she said. ## Garner and Amy Adams are partnering with Save the Children, and have started the #SaveWithStories campaign, in which stars read stories and urge fans to donate money to children who are going hungry due to school closures. ## She also started the hashtag #JenLookAtMe campaign, to encourage kids in the arts to share their talents online while they're staying home. ## For more and the latest news about Hollywood, stay tuned to us.

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Mental stress may trigger a second heart attack
2272 days ago
Lifestyle

Mental stress may trigger a second heart attack

New York, March 21 (IANS) For those who have survived a heart attack, mental stress -- and not physical stress -- may be a stronger predictor of a repeat heart attack or even dying from heart disease, warn researchers. ## The team at Emory University investigated whether myocardial ischemia -- when blood flow to the heart is reduced such that the heart muscle doesn't get enough oxygen -- induced by mental stress was associated with poor outcomes among heart attack survivors, and how this type of stress testing compares with conventional stress brought on by exercise. ## Among more than 300 young and middle-aged individuals enrolled in the study, those who endured myocardial ischemia with mental stress had a two-fold higher likelihood of having another heart attack or dying from heart disease compared with those who did not have cardiac ischemia induced by mental stress. ## "In our study, myocardial ischemia provoked by mental stress was a better risk indicator than what we were able to see with conventional stress testing," said Viola Vaccarino from Emory University's Rollins School of Public Health in Atlanta and the study's principal investigator. ## This is the only study of its kind in this relatively young adult population of heart attack survivors. ## "These data point to the important effect that psychological stress can have on the heart and on the prognosis of patients with heart disease," she added. ## The investigators studied 306 adults aged 61 years or younger (50 years on average and ranging from 22-61 years), who had been in the hospital for a heart attack in the previous eight months. ## Traditional stress tests, in which someone exercises on a treadmill or takes a medicine that makes the heart beat faster and harder as if the person was actually exercising, have long been used to check blood flow to the heart and gauge the risk of heart problems. ## Taking into account patients' psychological stress may help clinicians better evaluate the risk of recurrent heart attacks or death seen in some patients surviving a heart attack. ## Overall, mental stress induced myocardial ischemia occurred in 16 per cent of patients and conventional ischemia in 35 per cent, suggesting that traditional ischemia due to exercise or drug-induced stress is more common. ## Over a three-year follow-up, 10 per cent of patients (28 individuals) had another heart attack and two died of heart-related problems. ## The incidence of heart attack or cardiovascular-related death was more than doubled in patients with mental stress induced ischemia compared with those without mental stress ischemia, occurring in 10 (20 per cent) and 20 (8 per cent) patients, respectively. ## "Patients who developed ischemia with mental stress had more than two times the risk of having a repeat heart attack or dying from heart disease compared with those who did not develop ischemia during mental stress," Vaccarino elaborated. ## What this means is that the propensity to have a reduction in blood flow to the heart during acute psychological stress poses substantial future risk to these patients, ## Such reduction in blood flow, when it occurs in real life, could trigger a heart attack or serious heart rhythm problems, she said. ## Another interesting finding, according to Vaccarino, is that ischemia with mental stress and with conventional stress were not strongly related to each other, suggesting that they occur through different pathways. ## "This points to the fact that stress provoked by emotions has a distinct mechanism of risk for heart disease and its complications compared with physical stress," she noted. ## For more and the latest news about Lifestyle, stay tuned to us.

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Kangana Ranaut: 'Panga' is close to my heart
2272 days ago
Bollywood

Kangana Ranaut: 'Panga' is close to my heart

Mumbai, March 21 (IANS) Actress Kangana Ranaut says her movie "Panga" is very close to her heart. Kangana is happy that her film "Panga" will now stream on Hotstar VIP in this difficult time due to the global outbreak of coronavirus. ## Women have donned several different hats since time immemorial; from a bread-winner to a home-maker. ## "'Panga' brings to life the tug-of-war between passion and responsibilities in the most idealistic way possible," Kangana said. ## "The movie begs to answer the question: for how long will women have to sacrifice their dreams to build a perfect family, and who says we can't do it all? It's a movie that is close to my heart and I'm certain many women across the country will relate to it. ## "In a time when going to the theatre is a big no-no, people can enjoy this movie at the touch of a button on Hotstar VIP," she added. ## Directed by Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari, "Panga" also features Neena Gupta, Richa Chadha and Jassie Gill. The film, released on January 24, revolves around a kabaddi player, played by Kangana, who wants to make a comeback in the game after marriage and motherhood. It had its digital premiere on Hotstar VIP on March 20. ## Talking about her role in the movie, Neena said: "What really added to the flavour of the movie, that women truly led the show from the front. With strong co-stars like Kangana and Richa and a director par excellence like Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari, the storyline struck a chord with all of us. What you see on screen is an amalgamation of heartfelt emotions with a powerful screenplay and great direction; and now people across the country can enjoy this movie." ## For more and the latest news about Bollywood, stay tuned to us.

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