Electric
shocks can shake people out of depression (Go
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Washington:
Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center researchers
have claimed that electric shocks may shake people out of
depression. In a study conducted by them, they said that
electro-convulsive therapy (ECT) was found to be effective
in improving mood, the quality of life and activities relating
to daily living in patients affected by depression. "Quality
of life and function are improved in ECT patients as early
as two weeks after the conclusion of ECT," said Dr. Vaughn
McCall, a professor and chairman of the Department of Psychiatry
and Behavioral Medicine. "ECT produces a net improvement
in health for most patients, and should help fill the knowledge
gap that recently led to more restrictive guidance on the
use of ECT," McCall added. The researchers have now vouched
for an unrestrictive attitude toward ECT after Britain's
National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE) recommended
sharp restrictions on the use of electroconvulsive therapy
last year.
Saddam's
leg is on sale on internet (Go
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London:
The toppled statue of former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein
is in news again. According to Ananova, the left leg of
the statue is now up for sale on the German Internet site
Azubo.de after two English contractors reportedly smuggled
it out of Iraq. The leg was sold by them to a scrap dealer.
However, it was spotted by the current owner, who confirmed
its veracity from the TV footage before offering it on the
Internet.
Bridget
Jones' sequel release preponed (Go
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New
York: Universal Pictures has reportedly preponed the
release of 'Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason'to November
12. According to the E-Online, the November 12 release puts
Bridget in competition with horror antic 'Seed of Chucky'
and 'Finding Neverland', starring Johnny Depp as Peter Pan.
The last minute reshuffle has been touted as a strong one
by the movie analysts. "They must have good reason in terms
of tracking.The movie must have strong awareness as it is,"Brandon
Gray of the movie site BoxOfficeMojo.com was quoted as saying.
The studio is hopeful of a good holiday business by maving
up the release date. "This will give us a jump start on
the holiday business," Nikki Rocco, Universal Pictures president
of distribution, was quoted as saying.
Hugh
Jackman desperately wants to be 007 (Go
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London:
Actor Hugh Jackman deperately wants to be the next James
Bond, so much so, that he has been reportedly calling up
the casting directors and pleading with them to make him
the new 007. The Australian actor has admitted that he is
"desperate" to take over the role from Pierce Brosnan and
is ready to contend with other frontrunners -- Colin Farrell,
Jude Law and Colin Firth. "There is something very secretive
about the way they cast that role. I've never had an official
call asking: 'Are you interested or not?' But there's no
guy I know who wouldn't want that role - and that includes
me. Anyone who says otherwise is lying," Femalefirst quoted
him as saying.
Pierce
Brosnan backs Colin Farrell for Bond (Go
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London:
Hugh Jackman might be putting his act together for the
role of James Bond, but Pierce Brosnan believes that Colin
Farrell is the man best suited for the role after him. "But
I'll give it to Colin Farrell. He'll eat the head off them
all," Femalefirst quoted Brosnan as saying.
Is
Beckham leaving Real Madrid for English League? (Go
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London:
Celebrity couple David and Victoria Beckham's recent
house hunting spree in London has sparked off rumours that
the English soccer captain is looking to quit Real Madrid
and join the English League. The couple, who had moved from
London to Madrid only a few months back so that they could
be near Beckham's practice grounds in Spain, have been spotted
checking out a 6,459-square-foot pad in Chelsea's Eaton
Square, reports The Sun. The 10 million pound property is
a four bedroom house which is currently under renovation.
They are also said to be looking for property in North London
and the exclusive Primrose Hill. Beckham is also said to
be splurging on a 10 bedroom hide out in the Spanish city
of Majorca where he plans to spend his holidays with his
family. "David is interested in finding a sanctuary in the
mountains where he can relax before games," the report quoted
a source as saying.
Britney
Spears gets hypnotic to quit smoking (Go
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London:
Her will to become a mother is spurring pop diva Britney
Spears to give up smoking for good and she has reportedly
approached celebrity hypnotherapist, Allen Carr, for help.
The therapist has announced that he will now be putting
the 'Toxic' singer through a five-hour class, which costs
195 pounds, and will involve a combination of hypnotism
and psychotherapy to help the singer get to the root of
the problem, reports Female First. Carr, who has written
15 books on quitting addiction, has also successfully treated
other celebrities in the past including actress Julie Christie,
legendary actor Anthony Hopkins and business tycoon Richard
Branson. "I'm delighted when anyone would want to use my
books or clinics," the report quoted him as saying.
Harry
Potter in witchcraft controversy (Go
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London:
The super successful 'Harry Potter' series might have
won every child's heart from across the world but a schoolboy
in South Africa refused to answer an exam paper question
on Harry Potter, saying that it promotes witchcraft. John
Smith said that he would not answer the question on the
Harry Potter books even though carried a lot of marks, and
the school authorities should now come up with some other
question, reports The Sun. The boy's mother also agrees
with him, saying that the witchcraft is against Christianity.
Christian Democrat MP Cheryllyn Dudley also stood up for
them. "I've read Harry Potter books, they are witchcraft
manuals," the report quoted him as saying.
Liz
Hurley, Arun Nayer may tie knot in Udaipur (Go
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London:
It's time for another fairytale wedding in Rajasthan,
with Liz Hurley and Arun Nayer reportedly all set to say
"I do" at the Lake Palace in Udaipur. Rumours are rife that
the couple will take their wedding vows at one of the two
parties being organised by the 'Bedazzled' star to celebrate
beau Arun's birthday on November 5, which will be followed
by a second bash for friends on the 6th. According to the
Sunday Mirror , Hurley 's young son Damien and her mother
are already in Mumbai with Nayer's parents and another 20
of the couple's close friends are also expected to join
them soon. "Liz and Arun have gone to great lengths to keep
everything under wraps. It looks like they could be tying
the knot at one of the parties. Both bashes are going to
be very lavish and very big. Some of Mumbai's top film names
are going," the paper quoted a source as saying. "Liz and
Arun have been telling everyone they're very, very happy
together and all their guests are going to have the best
time ever at both parties," a source added. The couple have
also been spotted in Mumbai looking around for an apartment,
fuelling speculation that they are about to take their wedding
vows.
Tom
Cruise worships David Beckham (Go
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London:
He might be the idol for millions of movie fans, but
hearthrob actor Tom Cruise sees David Beckham as his "hero".
The 'Colateral' star was reportedly so keen to befriend
Beckham that he even joined him and Posh at a Real Madrid
game on Sunday. "David and Victoria have met Tom a couple
of times for dinners. They get on well. Tom's a huge soccer
fan and told David he'd rather have been a famous footballer
than an actor. He told them he played for his college team
and dreamed of making it as a professional," The Sun quoted
a source as saying.