Coming soon: a horror story on American Fritzl’s victim?

London, Sept 20 (ANI): Publishers and Hollywood studios have begun a multi-million dollar bidding war for the rights to sex slave Jaycee Dugard’s horrifying life story.

Fresh details of the American Fritzl’s victim have emerged, including that in the early days of her captivity, the terrified schoolgirl was so hungry she ate bugs and worms in the rambling back garden where she was held in tents and lock-up sheds, reports The Daily Express.

She had to use a garden hose to shower outside, even in winters, say detectives guarding her and her two daughters, fathered by kidnapper Phillip Garrido.

However, the public apparently is desperate for the full story of how Jaycee, now 29, survived after being snatched on her way to a school bus stop when she was only 11.

A New York literary agent, who estimates the book and film rights to be worth up to 12million dollars, said: “You couldn’t dream up a script like this. Americans can’t wait to hear the story from the girl who lived it.”

A Hollywood studio producer said: “Everyone is in the market for this story. Poor Jaycee’s life may have been hell for 18 years but she’ll never want for anything for the rest of it.”

Garrido, a registered sex offender, has been linked to six child abductions and murders stretching back years within a 400-mile radius of the ramshackle home in Antioch, California, where Jaycee was held. (ANI)

Beyonce to finally perform in Malaysia next month

Kuala Lumpur, Sep 19 (ANI): Beyonce Knowles is all set to perform in Kuala Lumpur next month, two years after cancelling her Malaysian concert.

Kuala Lumpur is one of her destinations in the ‘I Am…’ world tour which spans North America, Europe and Asia.

The ‘Baby boy’ singer is scheduled to stage her first concert in Malaysia at the National Stadium, Bukit Jalil, at 8pm on Oct 25, reports the Star Online.

The singer was originally slated to perform in Malaysia in 2007, but cancelled her concert following protests from PAS Youth and she headed for Jakarta instead.

The world tour comes with the release of her third studio album, ‘I Am… Sasha Fierce’, which features hits like ‘If I Were a Boy’, ‘Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)’, ‘Halo’, ‘Sweet Dreams’ and ‘Broken-Hearted Girl’.

Beyonce, along with Black Eyed Peas and Jacky Cheung, will also perform at F1 ROCKS Singapore with LG on Sept 26. (ANI)

Katherine Heigl adopts 10-month-old Korean girl

London, Sept 18 (ANI): Actress Katherine Heigl and husband Josh Kelley have become proud parents of a 10-month-old Korean girl after completing adoption formalities.

The actress’ rep said the couple have named their daughter Nancy Leigh, after Katherine’s mum Nancy and her sis Margaret Leigh, reports the Daily Express.he girl has also been given a nickname Naleigh.

The couple are posting pics of their new child on www.jasonheiglfoundation.org. (ANI)

Spitzer’s call girl Ashley Dupre walks runway at NY Fashion Week

Melbourne, September 17 (ANI): Ashley Dupre, the former high-class call girl at the centre of the Eliot Spitzer prostitution scandal, walked the runway during New York Fashion Week.

The 24-year-old made the appearance at Bahar Shahpar’s fashion show, according to Jill Fehrenbacher at Ecouterre.

“It’s a rare rare thing when the tabloid world crosses into the world of eco-fashion, and one that might bring a little more attention to Bahar’s already-provocative line than would normally have been the case,” the Courier Mail quoted Fehrenbacher as saying.

Dupre was dubbed as an ‘informant’ during the scandal that saw the politician patronising a prostitution service that subsequently led to his resignation from the post of New York Governor.

Eighteen months after the storm, Dupre has been recording pop songs and wooing a record deal. (ANI)

Theron will not play Kidman’s wife in sex-change drama

Washington, Sep 16 (ANI): South African actress Charlize Theron has turned down a role in a new movie about the first person to undergo a sex-change operation.

Theron, 34, was to play as Gerda Wegener, the wife of artist Einar Wegener opposite Nicole Kidman, 42, in ‘The Danish Girl’, but she recently turned down the role.

Kidman will star and co-produce the project, which is adapted from David Ebershoff’s novel about Wegener, who underwent a procedure to become a woman in the early 1930s.

Tomas Alfredson, who will direct the film, is refusing to let the casting hiccup upset his filming schedule.

“We have been in talks for close to a year, and we are soon going into production,” Contactmusic quoted him as having told Daily Variety. (ANI)

Posh says her pout is natural

London, September 15 (ANI): Victoria Beckham has said that her famous pout is natural and not a deliberate pose.

“I think that’s just me. Maybe it’s the way my face falls,” the Sun quoted her as saying.

The former ‘Spice Girl’ and football ace David Beckham’s wife added that she was tired of being called funny.

When asked whether she still felt sexy after ten years of marriage, she replied: “Yes. I go to bed with David Beckham every night!” (ANI)

Spitzer call girl Ashley Dupre wants to make a comeback

New York, September 14 (ANI): Ashley Dupre, the former high-class call girl at the centre of the Eliot Spitzer prostitution scandal, is tired of hiding and wants a comeback.

The 24-year-old was dubbed as an ‘informant’ during the scandal that saw the politician patronising a prostitution service that subsequently led to his resignation from the post of New York Governor.

And eighteen months after the storm, Dupre, who is recording pop songs and wooing a record deal, is seeking to get her life back on track.

“Everyone likes an underdog story, and everyone likes a comeback. I’m the poster child for redemption,” the New York Post quoted her as saying.

Dupre, who is also working on a book she calls a “cautionary tale,” further laughed at the idea that she was after the limelight.

She added: “I didn’t ask for it, but now that I have it, it’s up to me to take advantage of this platform and do something amazing. I have a voice now.” (ANI)

MJ’s secret sister JohVonnie reveals her ‘snub’ pain

London, September 14 (ANI): Michael Jackson’s half-sister has revealed that the pop legend wasn’t warm to her when she met him during a family get together.

JohVonnie Jackson, whose mum was a lover of MJ’s dad Joe, is close to her father.

She claims that the Jacksons have shunned her for 35 years but was once invited to the ‘Thriller’ hitmaker’s Neverland ranch in 2003 when the clan got together.

Also, JohVonnie alleges that she wasn’t allowed to talk to either the late singer or her half-sister Janet when she attended their concerts.

“I feel rejected by some of my family. It’s upsetting and hurtful,” the Mirror quoted her as saying.

Referring to her meeting with the late singer she said: “It was a big moment for me. But Michael was looking at me and seemed cold. He just said, ‘Hi’ and then he saw my daughter Yasmine and was fascinated with her.”

Jackson made a mistake pronouncing her niece’s name and called her ‘Jasmine,’ which JohVonnie corrected.

She recollected: “He said, ‘OK, Yasmine with a Y’, and that was it. He never acknowledged that I was his sister, there was no hug or kiss, not even a handshake. No physical contact at all.

“I wanted to embrace him. I thought he would want to go some place quiet and sit and talk with me and ask me about my life and get to know me a little better.

“It was very hurtful. He was not interested at all.

“With my daughter he was totally different. She got hugs and kisses, everything I didn’t get. I was a little jealous. But there was a bunch of people there and I never did get a chance to speak to Michael properly. Again, there was this theme that I felt shut out.”

Apparently, JohVonnie spent that night at a nearby hotel and returned to Neverland the next day but she didn’t get to see her iconic half-brother.

She said: “Michael was in the main house. Yasmine and Paris were off playing for hours. Paris is such a sweet girl.”

Though she said she talked to brother Jermaine and sister Rebbie but insists: “None of my other siblings acknowledged me much.” (ANI)

US Fritzl told wife “to take the cute blond girl” during “child shopping” trip

London, Sept 13 (ANI): Phillip Garrido, the “American Fritzl”, selected Jaycee Lee Dugard as his prey during a “child shopping” trip because she looked cute, his wife has told police in California.

Describing the precision that went into the abduction of the then 11-year-old Jaycee, Nancy told cops that they decided not to snatch the pretty blond girl with the gap-toothed grin that day in June 1991 because she was walking through South Lake Tahoe along with few school friends.

Instead, they apparently trailed her to her home before returning the next morning to complete their mission.

Garrido allegedly jumped out of their car and grabbed her as she walked to nearby a bus-stop, while her husband remained behind the wheel.

“That’s the one I want,” Garrido told her when he saw Jaycee in the resort town.

“She’s cute, but she’s with the other kids. Let’s come back later and get her,” she added.

After being briefed on Mrs Garrido’s testimony by law enforcement contacts, Michael Cardoza, a Californian attorney and former prosecutor, relayed his coldly calculating words to the Telegraph.

“This was nothing less than a child shopping trip. It just makes their actions all the more horrendous and reprehensible,” he said. (ANI)

Mathew McConaughey calls his son “fruit bandit”

Washington, Sept 12 (ANI): Hollywood actor Mathew McConaughey has dubbed his 4-year-old son “fruit bandit”, because he can’t stop eating fruits.

Referring to 100m sprint world record holder Usain Bolt, Matthew said: “Levi is doing terrific waiting for his little bro or sis we had to super child proof the new house because he’s motoring around like Usain Bolt – Camila and I can barely keep up.

“We call him the fruit bandit ’cause if there’s fruit out, he’s on it, taking it and eating it. He’s getting bigger, more fun, smarter and craftier by the day.”

Meanwhile, McConaughey and his partner Camila Alves is expecting their second child, reports Contactmusic.

He added the whole family is excited about the new arrival, which is due at the end of the year, and have started trying to guess the sex.

He wrote on his MySpace blog: “Above and beyond all other news, the most exciting thing is my lady Camila and I got another baby on the way, not sure if it’s a boy or girl but we have our instincts what are you thinking?” (ANI)

38-year-old Delhi woman dies of swine flu, toll rises to six

New Delhi, Sep.11 (ANI): A 38-year-old woman has become Delhi’s sixth swine flu victim.

Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital Medical Superintendent N.K. Chaturvedi said the victim, Raj Bala, was a resident of Faridabad and had been admitted with swine flu symptoms on September 5. He said that she died this morning.

Bala was both diabetic and hypertensive and had a past history of bronchial asthma.

Chaturvedi said she died of pulmonary edema.

Earlier, a 12-year-old girl, Gauri, a resident of Dwarka had died at the same hospital on Thursday. (ANI)

IAAF in a fix as tests prove Semenya is a hermaphrodite

Melbourne, Sep 11 (ANI): The International Association of Athletics Federations is likely to strip champion runner Caster Semenya of the gold medal she won in Berlin last month, as a test has shown that she is a hermaphrodite – a person with both female and male sexual characteristics.

The tests, not yet publicly released, show the 18-year-old has no womb or ovaries.

The IAAF is expected to disqualify the South African from future events and advise her to have surgery because her condition carries grave health risks, The Daily Telegraph reports.

And she could be stripped of the gold medal she won in Berlin in last month, as she has three times more testosterone than a normal female.

A source closely involved with the IAAF tests said Semenya had internal testes — the male sexual organs, which produce testosterone.

“There certainly is evidence Semenya is a hermaphrodite. But the trouble is the IAAF now has the whole ANC and the whole of South Africa on their backs. Everything is going to have to be done absolutely by the book, no question of a challenge to the findings,” the source said.

It is believed that Semenya is unaware the tests has identified her as a hermaphrodite.

Only the certainty of a backlash from South Africa has so far prevented the IAAF from banning Semenya and revoking her gold medal.

South Africa embraced the feisty teenager after the storm of controversy from Berlin, declaring her “Our girl”.

African National Congress MP and National Assembly sports committee chairman Butana Komphela has already lodged a complaint with the United Nations High Commission on Human Rights, accusing the IAAF of racism and sexism.

The IAAF expects to receive the full set of results this week. (ANI)

Katherine Heigl, Josh Kelley adopting baby girl

Washington, Sep 10 (ANI): Grey’s Anatomy star Katherine Heigl and her singer husband Josh Kelley are said to be ready to adopt a baby girl.

The pair, who had earlier not spoken about starting a family, has now decided to adopt a girl from Korea, the same way Heigl’s sister did.

“Katherine and Josh are adopting a baby,” Us magazine quoted the actress’ rep as telling People magazine.

Meanwhile Heigl, 30, who married Kelly, 29, in December 2007, recently hosted a baby shower for Ellen Pompeo. (ANI)

Gorilla-like creature resembling ‘Bigfoot’ photographed in Kentucky backyard

London, September 10 (ANI): A gorilla-like creature that resembles the mythical creature ‘Bigfoot’ is causing excitement on the web after being photographed in the back garden of a home in Kentucky in the US.

According to a report in the Telegraph, the large, hairy beast can be seen in a blurry picture taken on an automatic camera set up by an amateur hunter.

While flicking through images of rabbits and deer, Kenny Mahoney noticed a dark, humanoid creature that does not look like any of the southern US state’s known native species.

The mystery animal’s head appears too small for it to be a bear, leaving Mahoney wondering whether he had accidentally captured one of the clearest ever photos of Bigfoot.

“It looked like it had the outline of a head, and like gorilla type shoulders, and then the arms crossed is what it looks like to me,” said Mahoney.

“One of the explanations my brother-in-law said it may be a garbage bag blowed up in there, but all the smashed over vegetation in there – I really don’t know. I have no idea what it is,” he added.

Mahoney said he is very doubtful that the creature in the photo is Bigfoot.

His wife Margaret has sent the image to a wildlife expert in the hope of getting it identified.

The mythical ape-like creature Bigfoot is most regularly sighted in the forests in the northwestern states and provinces of North America, although last month a teenage girl in Poland reported seeing a similar beast.

Last year, two men in the US state of Georgia claimed to have discovered a body of Bigfoot, but subsequently confessed that photos they produced as “proof” of their find actually showed a rubber ape costume. (ANI)

S. African athlete Semenya tries to gloss over gender controversy

Johannesburg, Sep.9 (ANI): South African athlete Caster Semenya has completed her transformation from gender troubled sporting champion into national celebrity with a photo shoot in the country’s leading gossip magazine.

While the controversy rumbles on over whether the teenage runner is really male or female, her handlers have sought to end the debate with the aid of a costume change, make up and some studio lights.

With the front cover headline: “Wow, look at Caster now!” You magazine proudly boasts that it has turned her from “power girl” into “glamour girl” and apparently, “she loves it”.

Inside, the 800 m world champion – whose gender is being tested by the international athletics authorities – says the whole issue is a joke.

“It doesn’t upset me. God made me the way I am and I accept myself. I am who I am and I’m proud of myself,” The Sun quoted Semenya, as saying.

In the magazine, Semenya poses in skinny jeans, stilettos and a black and white evening dress.

News that the athlete would have to undergo testing was leaked before the 800m final at the world championships in Berlin, putting her under enormous pressure.

Following her victory, the ruling African National Congress seized upon her case to score political points, with left-wing firebrands such as Winnie Madikizela Mandela and ANC Youth League president Julius Malema accusing the athletics authorities of racism.

They have also sought to use Semenya to stir up populist feeling against what is seen as the right wing of the ANC, represented by Trevor Manuel, President Jacob Zuma’s planning chief.

Semenya received a heroine’s welcome in her home village in South Africa’s impoverished Limpopo province at the end of August, with VIPs and a 200-strong crowd singing a version of the Communist Party anthem, which included the lyrics: “My mother was a kitchen girl, my father was a garden boy, that’s why I’m a champion, that’s why I’m a champion.”

The cover shoot has reignited the debate in South Africa over the athlete’s appearance, with radio talk shows inundated with callers.

The 18-year-old has refused to be drawn on what she is going through at present, telling the magazine: “I don’t want to talk about the tests – I’m not even thinking about them.” (ANI)

‘Main Aur Mrs Khanna’ all set to woo audience

Mumbai, Sep 9 (ANI): Bollywood’s latest romantic drama featuring some of the top actors is all set to woo the audiences with its originality.

Directed by, Prem Soni, ‘Main Aur Mrs Khanna’, is an unusual story of passion, love and an extra-marital affair.

The film starring Kareena Kapoor, Salman Khan and Sohail Khan is a simple ordinary story set in a contemporary fashion.

Targeted at the youth, the film also deals with the issues surrounding career over love which is one of the main reasons for an unstable marriage in today’s time.

“It is an original film with original storyline. Coming from close people of mine, family friends. So it’s sketched from there. So its completely original, no similarity whatsoever,” said Prem Soni, director.

The film revolves around the lives of Samir Khanna, played by Salman Khan and Raina, played by Kareena Kapoor, who have a fairy tale marriage.

Samir gets his dream job and the couple have a great life until one mistake ruins it all.

According to Kareena, the film has been made from the point of view of the woman and is a journey of a girl’s life.

“For me, I think the girl’s role was very strong. She is the protagonist of the film. Whatever story is told in the film is from her point of view. So it’s a journey of a girl’s life and after marriage, after she gets married to Samir, how she makes a friend and what happens. For me it was a contemporary idea and an interesting role for me,” said Kareena.

The film is set to be released at Diwali. (ANI)

Jailed Tweed on suicide watch

London, September 8 (ANI): Jailed rape suspect Jack Tweed has been on suicide watch after reportedly telling doctors, “If I had a gun I’d kill myself.”

Jade Goody’s widower, who is allegedly being kept in segregation, was said to have received a string of abuse and threats from other inmates at Pentonville jail in London.

“He has been put on an unusually tight watch and has to be checked on every 20 minutes which is virtually unheard of,” the Mirror quoted an insider as saying.

“He told psychiatrists he wanted to end it all. He is very depressed. If the mental health team are invoking that kind of thing it means they take his threat very seriously,” the insider added.

The 22-year-old is behind bars after a 19-year-old clubber claimed he raped her as his pal joined in.

Tweed is said to have attacked the girl at a party at his home after inviting the teenager and two of her female friends back to his rented house from a London nightspot in the early hours. (ANI)

Jordan, Peter Andre file divorce papers

London, September 8 (ANI): Jordan, a.k.a Katie Price, and singer Peter Andre have officially put an end to their four-year marriage by filing papers for divorce.

Peter was said to have made the move first. But when the glamour girl found out she reportedly wanted to beat the ‘Mysterious Girl’ hitmaker to court and allegedly called her team of attorneys to take action as well.

“It’s quite sad really and nothing more than a petty snipe from Ms Price,” the Sun quoted a family lawyer as saying.

“It’s her way of saying, ‘I am not allowing you to divorce me – instead I am going to divorce you.’

“It’s just a way of sticking your fingers up at your ex through legal process. It’s about emotion – nothing else,” the lawyer added.

A pal of Peter said: “Peter isn’t really asking for any money or property from Katie, but there are a few pieces of furniture that he wants back. What he wants most is his gym equipment.

“The financial agreement is almost there, but they’ve still got to thrash out custody issues.” (ANI)

Peter Andre laughs off Jordan’s ‘Mysterious Girl’ claims

London, Sept 7 (ANI): Aussie singer Peter Andre has laughed off reports that he has a new girl in his life, insisting that he feels like a virgin.

The 36-year-old singer’s statement came after his estranged wife Kate Price, a.k.a. Jordan, went on TV to suggest that he had a new Mysterious Girl.

He even compared himself to the hero of the hit comedy ‘The 40-Year-Old Virgin’.

“OK 36 and not a V but feel like one at mo. Lol,” the Daily Star quoted him as having written on his Twitter page.

Meanwhile, Jordan has reportedly told son Harvey to call her boyfriend Alex Reid ‘Daddy’, a news which has upset Andre.

He is disheartened that his disabled stepson is being used as a pawn in the divorce battle. (ANI)

Maoists kill five people in Jharkhand

Ranchi, Sep 7 (ANI): At least five people have been killed by naxals at Pundigiri village, about 60 kms from Ranchi this morning.

According to police, activists of banned group Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist) entered Pundigiri village in the Tamar block, abducted five villagers and took them to a forest where they were shot dead.

This is the second attack by the Maoists in the same area in the last 11 days.

On August 27, the Maoists had killed four villagers, including a girl, at Bundu, near Pundigiri village. (ANI)