UPDATE 1-Alcoa agrees new pact with union workers

June 25 (Reuters) – U.S. aluminium giant Alcoa Inc (AA.N) said it ratified a new four-year contract with the United Steelworkers union covering 5,400 employees at ten of its locations in the United States.

The company, one of the world’s largest aluminum producers, said on its website there would be no wage increases in 2010 and 2011 but all job classes will see their wages go up by 2.5 percent each in 2012 and 2013.

Also, the company’s healthcare program will see increased employee contributions, with price tags increasing every year.

The union contract covers all Alcoa workers in the U.S. under an umbrella deal. (Reporting by Sakthi Prasad in Bangalore; Editing by Mike Nesbit)

Rihanna tumbles over on stage during London show

London, May 14 (ANI): Rihanna was close to injuring herself again on her tour when she fell down a flight of stairs during her London show.

The ‘Umbrella’ hitmaker has suffered a series of nasty injuries on her current trek.

She was admitted to hospital in Switzerland last month after injuring her ribs, and then she slipped on stage at a concert in France, just a few days later.

Rihanna vowed to carry on despite the incidents and headed over to the U.K. earlier this month for a string of shows across the country.

However, when Rihanna appeared onstage to sing her hit ‘Te Amo’ at the O2 Arena, she took a tumble and landed on her backside, reports the Daily Star.

However, the singer is a true professional, as she promptly carried on with her set. (ANI)

Foreign workers allowed to work in Malaysia despite work permit expiry

Penang (Malaysia), Apr 21 (ANI): Employers in Malaysia are allowing the foreign workers to work illegally, despite their work permits expiring, reports Star online.

The Tamil Nesan quoted Suhakam (Human Rights Commission of Malaysia) Commissioner N. Siva Subramaniam as saying that the commission had received numerous complaints on the matter.

Subramaniam said the employers were doing this in order to delay the payment of the balance of salary and benefits due to the workers when they leave the country.

He appealed the government to take immediate action against the errant employers as well as to solve the problem of worker shortage at restaurants.

Penang Deputy Chief Minister Prof Dr P. Ramasamy reportedly said that the Indian community in the country had been neglected as there was no capable leader fighting for their rights.

“The Indian community in the country had been neglected as there was no capable leader fighting for their rights,” he said, urging the community to unite under one umbrella and fight for their rights together. (ANI)

Planning body to tackle Mid West issues

The State Government is hoping a new regional planning committee in the Mid West will provide better information about growth pressures in the region.

The Mid West Regional Planning Committee held its first meeting in Geraldton this week.

It was established to look at the planning challenges expected to arise as a result of the Mid West’s burgeoning economic and resource activity.

Civic leaders have criticised the planning department, saying its modelling does not accurately reflect growth in the region.

The Planning Minister, John Day, says information provided by the committee will help the Government respond to the planning issues facing the Mid West.

“We can hopefully get a better forecast of what is likely to happen,” he said.

“We know there’s going to be growth, it’s really just a question of how much and being prepared for that, so this committee will play a strong role under the umbrella of the WA Planning Commission in ensuring the Government is better informed in all of those matters.”

Bacterial nasal spray can help kids with glue ear

Washington, Mar 30 (ANI): A bacterial nasal spray can prove effective for children having long-term problems with fluid in the middle ear, reveals a thesis from the Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Sweden.

The study covered 60 children with glue ear, or secretory otitis media (SOM), who were split into three groups.

The first group received a solution containing Streptococcus bacteria, the second a solution with Lactobacillus bacteria, and the third a bacteria-free solution (placebo). These solutions were then sprayed into the children”s noses for ten days.

“In the group given the Streptococcus spray, a third of the children got much better or were cured completely, while only one child given the bacteria-free spray recovered,” says Susann Skovbjerg, a doctoral student at the Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Bacteriology. “Treatment with Lactobacillus bacteria was less effective.”

A number of different types of bacteria come under the Streptococcus umbrella. The type used in the study is normally found in the mouth and belongs to the viridans group. The researchers have various theories as to why a spray with these bacteria can help children with glue ear.

“One explanation for the marked improvement may be that the spray stimulates the immune system to conquer the long-term inflammation,” says Skovbjerg. (ANI)

Brown to read at Harlem school despite conviction for beating up Rihanna

New York, Mar 5 (ANI): R ‘n’ B singer Chris Brown is said to have been invited to read at Harlem’s Sisulu-Walker Charter School’s annual Family Read Night, despite being convicted for beating up ex-girlfriend Rihanna.

The event, which is held to encourage students to read, will see Brown, 20, reading to kids.

“I extended an invitation to all celebrities and politicians, and we had an acceptance by him,” the New York Daily News quoted principal Dawn Cejas as saying.

Brown pleaded guilty to a felony and was sentenced last August to community service along with a year of domestic-violence counselling for his attack on the “Umbrella” singer.

Olubunmi Sonubi, a mother of Sisulu-Walker fifth-grader Ishola, said she was okay with a “second chance” for Brown.

“He can come even though he was arrested,” she said.

“He’s coming to read to the children. He apologized on TV. Sometimes in real life we make mistakes,” she added. (ANI)

Winfrey comes out in defense of her decision to not support Brown

Washington, Sept 10 (ANI): Talk show queen Oprah Winfrey has come out in defense of her decision to not to support Chris Brown, after the star slammed the TV titan for siding with ex-girlfriend Rihanna following the bust-up.

After Brown’s beating of Rihanna in February (09), Winfrey dedicated an episode of her hit daytime talkshow to the topic of domestic abuse and also advised the ‘Umbrella’ singer against the Brown.

However, Brown hit out at Winfrey insisting he had helped the media mogul out in the past.

He said, “I commend Oprah on being like, ‘This (abuse) is a problem’, but it was a slap in my face. I did a lot of stuff for her, like going to Africa and performing for her school. She could have been more helpful, like, ‘OK, I’m going to help both of these people out.’”

In an interview to Access Hollywood, Winfrey backed up her decision not to defend Brown, insisting that although she was grateful for his help during the opening of her African girls school, she does not condone domestic violence in any way.

“So this is what happened; Chris Brown did my show several years ago, I think it was 2007. Fun, fun time and afterward he said, ‘If there’s anything ever I can do for you then let me know.’ I almost never take anybody up on that… But my girls at the Academy in Africa love Chris Brown, love, love, love, love, love Chris Brown,” Contactmusic quoted her as saying. (ANI)

Chris Brown’s mum “loves Rihanna like a daughter”

Washington, Sept 5 (ANI): Chris Brown’s mother Joyce Hawkins misses his ex-girlfriend Rihanna and wishes to see her.

Hawkins hasn’t seen Rihanna after her son assaulted the Umbrella singer in February this year.

Contactmusic quoted Hawkins as saying: “I love Rihanna. She’s like a daughter. She became family to us. She’s spent Christmas with us for the last two years. I miss her a lot.”

Chris attacked Rihanna in his car as they left a pre-Grammy Awards party.

He later pleaded guilty to assault and was sentenced to six months of community service, 12 months of domestic violence counselling and five years probation. (ANI)

Rihanna wants ‘stay away’ ban lifted off Chris Brown

Melbourne, Sep 4 (ANI): Barbadian singer Rihanna is reportedly very furious and upset over the fact that her ex-boyfriend Chris Brown has been ordered to stay away from her.

Brown, 20, was formally sentenced on September 1 to five years probation for the February assault on Rihanna, and also to six months of community labour in Virginia.

He will be spending 1400 hours removing graffiti and washing cars.

He has also been ordered not to contact the ‘Umbrella’ singer in any way for the next five years.

He also must stay 100 yards from her, unless they are both at an entertainment-related event, in which he must stay 10 yards away.

But sources have revealed that Rihanna has been working to get Brown’s restraining order lifted.

“When Rihanna got word from her attorney that the judge refused to lift the ban, she was really upset,” News.com.au quoted an insider as having told Britain’s Now magazine.

“She started calling her friends and saying how stupid it was and that Chris would never hurt her again. She was really indignant about it,” the source added. (ANI)

Chris Brown to wash cars, pick up trash as assault punishment

Washington, Sept 4 (ANI): R and B singer Chris Brown will be washing cars, picking up trash and removing graffiti as a part of the community service ordered by court for assaulting Rihanna.

The 20-year-old star has been given five years probation and ordered to serve six months hard labour in his home state of Virginia after pleading guilty to assaulting the ‘Umbrella’ hitmaker in February (09), reports Contactmusic.

Brown’s punishment has been revealed in a letter from Richmond, Virginia Police chief Bryan Norwood to the court in Los Angeles where Brown was sentenced.

The letter reads, “It is my understanding that the Court desires the imposed community service to be labour intensive. Along those lines, we are prepared to put Mr Brown to work in the community performing manual labour tasks, such as graffiti removal, trash pick up, washing cars, cleaning, maintaining grounds, etc.”

Brown has also been asked to pick up the bill for extra security during his punishment in case members of the public find out his location.

The letter adds, “He will be responsible for paying any costs incurred regarding the facilitation of this arrangement to include adequate security from the public (in the event they become aware of his presence) and one-on-one supervision where special projects are instituted.” (ANI)

Chris Brown sentenced in Rihanna assault case

London, Aug 26 (ANI): Rihanna’s ex-boyfriend and singer Chris brown has been ordered 180 days’ community labour and five years’ probation for assaulting her.

The judge announced that the singer must do physical labour, not community service, apart from attending a 52-week domestic violence-counselling programme.

He has also been fined 2500 dollars and has been asked to maintain a physical distance of 100 yards from Rihanna for five years.

The judge has warned that the violation of the terms would be taken “very, very seriously,” the BBC reports.

The 20-year-old R and B star had pleaded guilty for the crime in June this year.

However, sentencing had been delayed from 5 August as a response was still awaited from officials in Virginia as to whether Brown could serve his community labour in that state.

He has to now reappear in court on 19 November for a progress report.

The incident had taken place before the Grammy awards in Los Angeles this February, when the pair got into an argument after Rihanna found a text message from another woman in Brown’s phone.

According to court documents, he tried to oust the Umbrella hitmaker from their rented Lamborghini sports car, and shoved her head against the passenger window and punched her in the face many times. (ANI)

Snakes are the ultimate massagers!

Melbourne, Jul 11 (ANI): For those seeking the ultimate in therapeutic body massages, a new form of massage has come up, which involves a nest of writhing snakes.

Ada Barak’s Carnivorous Plant Farm, located on a moshav about an hour’s drive north of Tel Aviv, provides the ophidian rubdown.

It all starts with a person lying down on a massage table set up under the shade of an umbrella, with a white baby’s bath next to the table containing the snakes, which are writhing in anticipation.

The bath contains, among other snakes, a California king snake and an albino corn snake, both stretching to more than 1.5 metres in length.

Once the snakes are placed on the body, they start doing their thing, with the larger ones sliding confidently around the back, while the smaller ones wrapping themselves around the neck and poking their way into the ears and nostrils.

“It’s a very sensual experience,” theage.com.au quoted Barak, who is a 54-year-old biologist, as saying.

“Some have even described the massage as being something more than that,” she added. (ANI)

Madonna to perform on ‘X Factor’?

London, July 7 (IANS) Pop diva Madonna may perform on this year’s popular music talent show “X Factor”.
“This year is going to be bigger than ever – we are planning to get the best names in music,” thesun.co.uk quoted a source as saying.

Simon Cowell, the producer of the show, wants to get singer Robbie Williams. The star has spent years in the wilderness and Cowell wants the singer to make a comeback by performing on his show.

Others being lined up to perform on the talent show include “Outrageous chart” sensation Lady Ga Ga and “Umbrella” singer Rihanna.

The new season of the show returns August 22.

Chris Brown should be in jail, says Rihanna’s dad

London, June 29 (ANI): Rihanna’s father says that her daughter’s ex-boyfriend Chris Brown should’ve been jailed.

Ronald Fenty slammed the U.S. justice system after Brown was handed a ‘light’ sentence for assaulting the ‘Umbrella’ hitmaker.

The R and B singer was sentenced to five years’ probation and six months of community service by a U.S. court after he pleaded guilty to one count of assault on Rihanna.

Community service will include picking up litter or removing graffiti, as per the order of the court.

Apart from it, he will also have to attend courses on domestic violence.

However, Fenty is furious after an L.A. judge failed to imprison Brown.

“He should be in jail. Chris should have been sent to jail for what he did to my girl. He’s got off lightly. Chris put her through hell,” the Daily Star quoted Fenty as saying. (ANI)

Rihanna set to testify in Chris Brown’s assault case

p
New York, June 22 (ANI): Rihanna is finally all set to break four months of silence, and to testify about her alleged beating by boyfriend Chris Brown. /pp
The ‘Umbrella’ hit-maker could face a deluge of questions about the choking, biting and barrage of punches she allegedly received during a violent pre-Grammy night lovers’ quarrel last February. /pp
Prosecutors have subpoenaed the 21-year-old singer, so that they can have sufficient evidence to try Brown on felony charges of assault and making criminal threats. /pp
However, R ‘n’ B star Brown, 20, has pleaded not guilty. /pp
(The subpoena) is not a guarantee they will call her as a witness, but I fully expect that they will. She will testify truthfully, the New York Daily News quoted Rihanna’s lawyer Donald Etra as saying. (ANI)/p

Elvis Presley’s pill bottles, Marilyn Monroe’s mirror up for sale

Washington, May 28 (ANI): Elvis Presley’s pill bottles, Marilyn Monroe’s mirror, and a store card owned by Marlon Brando are set to go under the hammer.

Rare items of showbiz memorabilia will be auctioned in June at Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino in Las Vegas.

The variety will include more than 150 items belonging to Monroe, such as furniture, clothing, and rare photographs, reports Contactmusic.

The Some Like It Hot star’s dining room table has been predicted to gather 10,000 dollars while a blouse worn by the actress would see a bid starting at 7,000 dollars, along with her umbrella that is expected to fetch 16,000 dollars.

The auction would further feature Presley’s gifts to his personal physician George Nichopoulos, including jewellery, books, guns.

Bottles of The King’s prescription drugs, such as sedative Benadryl and vitamin replacement pills Vicon-C, have been valued at 800 dollars each. (ANI)

‘Career woman Rihanna goes single’

New Delhi, May 28 (ANI): Links created between Rihanna and series of handsome famous men, including rapper Kanye West and Aubrey Graham, have been smashed after the singer was reported to be single.

The Umbrella hitmaker, who parted ways with Chris Brown after he allegedly punched, choked, and bit the star in February, was said to be putting all her efforts in prioritising her career, reports the China Daily.

A source said: “Rihanna needs the focus to be on her talents right now, not the bumps in her personal life. She doesn’t want anything else to overshadow her career.

“Kanye is all over Rihanna’s album – not all over Rihanna. She’s feeling Aubrey but wants to take things slow. Right now they’re just chilling.”

Rihanna has been taking acting lessons while working on her new album in New York.

The source added: “Rihanna will start filming ‘Personal Protection’ later this year. She’s not ready, acting wise, yet, so she’s meeting with a coach.” (ANI)

Hong Kong police arrest man over naked YouTube “assault” clip

Hong Kong police arrest man over naked YouTube Hong Kong – Police in Hong Kong Saturday arrested a suspect alleged to have forced a man to strip naked and walk through the city in broad daylight, in an incident then uploaded to YouTube.

Tens of thousands of people have watched the two and a half minute clip which shows a man being assaulted outside a 7-Eleven store and then forced to strip naked and walk in a circle in the middle of the street.

The video, apparently recorded and uploaded by a resident watching the incident from a flat overlooking the street, triggered a police investigation and has now been removed from YouTube.

A police spokesman said a suspect was arrested early Saturday over the incident which witnesses say took place around three weeks ago.

The suspect was Saturday being questioned on suspicion of criminal intimidation and assault, the spokesman said. The victim was beaten with an umbrella before being forced to strip.

The incident follows a number of cases in which fights and attacks on individual students in Hong Kong schools have been investigated by police after being uploaded onto the internet. (dpa)

IAF AWACS to arrive in India on May 25

New Delhi, May 22 (ANI): The first Indian Air Force AWACS (Airborne Warning and Control System) will arrive in India on May 25.

The AWACS are set to alter the dimension of the see-through capability of the IAF beyond conventional visions of ground-based and tethered electromagnetic sensors.

On its maiden flight from Israel to India, the AWACS will land first at Jamnagar, Gujarat and arrive at Palam Airport,New Delhi on May 26.

The AWACS is an airborne mission support system fitted on an IL-76 aircraft with improved engines. With radar that can help detect even a cruise missile or an aircraft at ranges far more than the ranges detected through the present ground-based radars, the AWACS radar, most sophisticated to date, can collate surface information about troop movements and missile launches even while listening to highly confidential communications between enemy frontline units.

Air combats the world over are now envisaged in an ever-increasing electronic surveillance environment where pilots have little liberties for individual manouevring without endangering their own lives or safety of their aircraft.

The IAF AWACS will help pilots find hitherto unconceivable space and room for tactical manouevres in the air under controlled directions that will give them an edge over their adversaries at all times.

AWACS, a potent force-multiplier, will significantly enhance the effectiveness of both – offensive and defensive operations.

The intensity and pace of modern air battle need AWACS for a successful air defence umbrella to be maintained. The swift mobility that the AWACS platform provides will help neutralize any threat as it can be moved anywhere at a very short notice. (ANI)

Aubrey Drake Graham denies dating Rihanna

New York, May 22 (ANI): Rapper Audrey Drake Graham has denied being the new man in Rihanna’s life, insisting that he is only friends with the entertainer.

Rumours that the ‘Umbrella’ hitmaker is dating Drake began circulating after the duo was reportedly spotted kissing at a nightclub.

However, Drake has now denied dating Rihanna.

“It’s not like that at all,” the New York Daily News quoted him as saying.

“I’m being honest. [She's] just a friend, that’s all. A great artist,” he added. (ANI)