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Saddam's favourite book is 'To Kill a Mocking Bird' (Go To Top)

         London: Giovanni Di Stefano, a British-based lawyer hired to defend Saddam Hussein, will visit the ousted Iraqi dictator shortly and give him his favourite book 'To Kill a Mocking Bird'. According to The Mirror, Stefano said that Saddam is deeply moved by Harper Lee's classic tale about a lawyer defending a black man falsely accused of raping a white woman. Stefano has been hired to set a statement from Saddam before the US-led coalition hands over power to Iraq next month. "He greatly admires the book and the central character who rights a wrong," the report quoted Stefano as saying. The Anglo-Italian lawyer confirmed reports that Saddam is currently imprisoned in a custody suite at Baghdad airport. "There are concerns for his safety if he's put in the hands of the Iraqi government," said Stefano.

Jemima Goldsmith to bring up Imran's 'love child' (Go To Top)

           Sydney: It seems that there was an unusual bond between Sita White and Jemima Goldsmith. Sita, Imran Khan's one time lover had entrusted the custody of their love child, to Jemima before her death. And according to reports, when Jemima made the decision to divorce Imran, Sita was one of the first people to know. Sita was apprehensive about the future of her daughter in the event of her death. "The last thing Sita wanted was for Tyrian to end up in Lahore, on the other side of the world, in an alien and unfriendly environment. Sita wanted what was best for Tyrian and she knew that would be Jemima," Elizabeth Nixon, trustee of Sita's estate, was quoted as saying by news.com.

Naomi Watts may become a female James Bond (Go To Top)

         Sydney: After 40 years in the cinema and over 20 movies, James Bond is all set to get a female counterpart who will be called Daisy Scarlet and film makers are currently in talks with "The Ring" actress Naomi Watts to star as the female version of the suave double agent. According to News.com, the producers were initially considering casting "Pearl Harbor" actress Kate Beckinsale in the role but zeroed in on Naomi because they wanted someone who doesn't have an action heroine image already. If Naomi Watts signs the yet to be finalized contract, she will, reportedly play an M16 agent who investigates the deaths of several important people, whose vital organs have been removed after they are killed. According to the producers, the movie will be much darker than regular Bond flicks. "We are negotiating but nothing is confirmed, we will hopefully know something more concrete in the near future," the report quoted John Cann, her spokesperson as saying.

Marlon Brando's secluded life in 'Frangipani' (Go To Top)

         Sydney: Marlon Brando, who immortalized the role of Vito Corleone in 'The Godfather', is leading a secluded life in a one bedroom bungalow, which he refers to as 'Frangipani' and relies on the support of a state pension. According to news.com, his sorry plight is being chronicled in a biography written by Patricia Ruiz. The book claims that Brando owes banks 20 million dollars and has grown so wary of debt collectors that he has hidden the Oscars he won for 'On the Waterfront' and 'The Godfather'. The actor has come a long way since his days of glory, personal tragedies and ailments have taken their toll on him. Ruiz, who says she is not "directly" related to Brando's former lover from Guatemala, writes that the actor was always eccentric but relatively happy and wealthy.

Bruce Willis wants to have his hair cloned (Go To Top)

         London: 'Die Hard' strongman Bruce Willis is all set to sign up for a hair cloning proceedure that has till now only been tested on rodents and not yet approved by the government for use in humans. According to The Sun, Willis has already started consulting experts regarding the same. "Bruce wants to make sure it's safe, but is interested in going ahead when it is available," the paper quoted a friend as saying. "Bruce's baldness is a sign he's getting on and he wants to look as good as he can," the friend added. The proceedure entails injecting hair follicles with booster cells, that help stimulate hair growth by stopping the thinning process.

'Fahrenheit 9/11' becomes the most successful documentary ever (Go To Top)

          Washington: Regardless of all the attempts to stop the release of the movie in America, Michael Moore's "Fahrenheit 9/11" has gone on to become the most successful documentary ever. According to Zap2it.com, the film, which had raked in 21.8 million dollars by last Sunday, has reportedly swept Americans off their feet and is also being watched by a lot of Republicans despite the fact that it decries President Bush. "Early talk was that anti-Bush people would go see it and pro- Bush people would stay home, and that's not the case. Most people do not go around with labels. A lot of Republicans have open minds," the report quoted Moore as saying. According to Oscar Winner Moore, the fact that the film has generated so much public opinion about the Iraq war and that it is so highly recommended is going to have far reaching consequences. He said that the film will not only change the way people look at documentaries, which have always been neglected by movie goers, it will also inspire a lot of people to go out and vote as America prepares for the oncoming elections. However, he also confessed that his aim was not so much to lead to the downfall of Bush as to make sure that people became aware of the truth and formed an opinion. "About 50 percent of the people here vote, and from what I see with the postings on my website [MichaelMoore.com] is that 50 percent who didn't vote will now go out and vote. It doesn't necessarily mean they'll change their mind about Bush, but they may change their mind about being an active member of democracy," the Moore added.

Beyonce earns 3 million dollars just lying on a couch (Go To Top)

          New York: Its been all money and no work for Beyonce Knowles, who is the brand ambassador of Tommy Hilfiger's new perfume, 'True Star'. The hip hop singer is being reportedly paid 3 million dollars for the new fragrance commercial in which she has been shot in black and white, singing "I spent the day lying on a couch". "It's the easiest job I've ever had," Beyonce was quoted as saying in The New York Post.

Michael Moore hates both Republicans and Democrats (Go To Top)

          New York: His controversial documentary might spew venom on President Bush and the Republicans but Michael Moore has an equal hatred for Sen. John Kerry and the Democratic Party touted to be the next party in power in the upcoming presidential elections in November. According to the New York Post, the director of the Oscar winning documentary "Fahrenheit 9/11" blasted the Democrats at the recent screening of his film set up by like-minded lefties at the American Civil Liberties Union at Chelsea's Clearview Cinemas. "I have never owned a single share of stock because I don't believe in the system. It's an evil system," he was quoted as saying. He slammed the Democrats as "a miserable, pathetic party that can't win an election even when they win an election," the paper quoted him as saying. Referring to Al Gore he said, "Nobody counted on him losing Tennessee, nobody counted on him forbidding [Bill] Clinton from campaigning for him in Arkansas, and certainly nobody counted on him - and Gore is a smart man - losing 3 debates to the dumbest man to ever run for president." He "posted a petition on my Web site, which I signed, that said I won't vote for anybody who voted for the war. And Kerry voted for the war," he added.

Britney dethroned from Brit charts (Go To Top)

          London: Britney Spears' reign over the UK music charts has ended with teen band McFly upstaging her to occupy the top slot. The top singles were: 1. McFly's 'Obviously' 2. Britney Spears' 'Everytime' 3. Mario Winans', I don't wanna know 4. Outkast's Roses The top albums were: 1. The Streets 'A Grand Don't Come For Free' 2. Scissor Sisters' Eponymous album 3. Keane 'Hopes and Fears' 4. Usher's 'Confessions' 5.The soul sessions by Joss Stone

Becks makes Posh happiest woman in the world, says her mum (Go To Top)

          London: David Beckham has an ardent supporter in his mother-in-law, Jackie Adams, who jumped to his defense after rumors suggested that his marriage with wife Victoria was on the rocks. According to The Sun, Victoria's mother called in at a radio station recently as she wanted everybody in London to know that the latest reports of the Beckhams fighting during the Euro 2004 series were false. According to the reports, former "Spice Girl," Victoria had told David that she was bored of him and football and did not want to live under his shadow, and that David had retorted by saying that he was fed up with her. Jackie told the 11 thousand listeners who were tuned in, that the couple were very happy together and that David had made her daughter the happiest woman in the world. "They were an absolute joy to watch at their son Brooklyn's Sports day. They sat with all the other parents on the grass in the rain cheering Brooklyn on to win his five-year-olds race, which he did," the report quoted Jackie as saying. "The family is all going to live in Spain this year. The reason they didn't move last year is because they were living in a hotel. Can you imagine living in a hotel with two kids running around?," she added. Meanwhile, David has also denied the rumors of a future split, saying that he has to remain strong in the face of the criticism he has received for his Euro 2004 performance. "I've got to be strong because I am a father who has got to look after two young boys and my wife. When I'm down they pick me up and when they're down I pick them up," said David.

Bill Clinton is a fan of Nabakov's 'Lolita' (Go To Top)

          New York: Former US President, Bill Clinton's choice in books was revealed last Thursday when he gave his stamp of approval to Vladamir Nabakov's 'Lolita'. Clinton revealed this while giving autographs to shoppers after shopping for ties at Thomas Pink. "People were thrusting things at him to sign," reported Amy DiLuna, a New York Daily News correspondent. "One person gave him the front page of a book. When he flipped the cover over, it turned out to be 'Lolita'. He just pointed to it and said 'good book'," she added.