J.Lo's ex fights to release tell-all

LOS ANGELES, Dec 1: Jennifer Lopez's first husband, Ojani Noa, told a judge Friday that he plans to fight her efforts to quash a tell-all memoir. Noa, 31, said in a pretrial hearing that he regrets agreeing to a June 30 preliminary injunction that prohibits him from "criticizing, denigrating, casting in a negative light or otherwise disparaging or causing disparagement" to Lopez.

"I want to fight this thing to the end," he said. "My life has not been the same since this lawsuit was filed." The judge gave Noa until January 17 to hire a lawyer or represent himself. Lopez filed her lawsuit April 10 and obtained a temporary restraining order barring Noa from publishing intimate details of their sex life.

Noa said Friday that Lopez misunderstood what the book was about. "This was to be about my life story, coming here from Cuba," he said. "She was only a part of my life, but I was going to talk about my other girlfriends, as well."

Lopez, who has appeared in films such as "Selena" and "Out of Sight," married Noa in February 1997 after meeting him in a Miami restaurant. They divorced 11 months later.

LONDON, Dec 4: A recent survey has revealed that one in every ten British is a shop-lifter.According to statistics, a total of 3.7million people aged 16 to 65, ten per cent of their age range, have indulged in shoplifting.

According to The Sun, the crowd nicked about 1.7 billion pounds worth of goods, with a staggering 85,000 thieves stealing over 5,000 pounds each.

Experts say the thieves are feeding a booming black market, as more than one in four people have said they would buy "hooky gear" if the price was right.

According to the paper, regions where people have stolen high value goods include Greater London, North West, North East/Yorks and Humberside, South East/East Anglia, East and West Midlands, Wales and West and Scotland.

Statistics further revealed that men were more keen on dodgy buys. "One in three are happy to shell out, compared to one in five women," said an expert.

However, one in three Britons also said they would inform authorities if they believed someone was selling stolen goods.

The findings further revealed that Londoners were likely to steal the most expensive items, followed by thieves in the North West while Scots were the ones least likely to shoplift.

Did 'bisexual' Britney beg K-Fed for 'threesomes'?

LONDON, Nov 23: There may or may not be a Britney Spears sex tape, but one thing is certain, Kevin Federline's will adopt a no-holds-barred strategy during his divorce proceedings with Britney. Reports indicate that K-Fed is now contemplating writing a tell-all book about his estranged wife. The wannabe rapper is allegedly planning to make the book so outrageous, that jaws will drop over the juicy revelations.

The jilted hubby, it seems, will soon reveal that Britney is bisexual and begged him for three-in-a-bed romps. Federline, 28, will say that the Pop Princess regularly fantasised about women and was desperate to share one with him. A family source close to Federline said he was "prepared to reveal everything in court".

"Britney has told him more than once she is sexually attracted to women and men equally. She has asked Kevin many times if they could have a threesome," the Sun quoted a source close to K-Fed as saying.
The wannabe rapper is also expected to claim Britney is guilty of a string of mishaps involving Sean Preston.

Sources claim that he will do whatever it takes to reveal the hidden, dark side to Britney Spears. Fed Ex wants to write about his soon-to-be ex-wife's lesbian encounters, reported use of cocaine and marijuana and secret plastic surgeries.

He's also planning on making a laughing stock out of Britney, by attacking her deepest vulnerabilities and exposing her insecurities about her weight, acne and hair.

Contrary to reports in the media there is no "sex tape" involving pop star Britney Spears and her estranged husband Kevin Federline, the fledgling rapper's lawyer has said. Since Spears filed for divorce from Federline earlier this month reports have surfaced in the tabloid press that Federline had a videotape of the couple having sex and was considering making it public.

"There is not a sex video of Kevin and Britney in existence," Federline's divorce lawyer, Mark Vincent Kaplan, said in a written statement. "It goes without saying that the stories of Kevin attempting to sell such a video are patently false and anyone who reports that they have information of such attempts is either lying or reporting the lie of someone else," Kaplan said.

Spears, 24, abruptly filed for divorce on Nov 7, citing irreconcilable differences with Federline and seeking sole custody of their two children, 1-year-old Sean Preston and James Jayden, who was born in September. Federline, 28, responded the following day with court papers seeking spousal support and custody of the children.

A porn spoof on Jennifer Lopez!

NEW YORK, Nov 22: Singer-cum-actress Jennifer Lopez is to be spoofed in a new porn flick inspired by her song "Jenny from the Block". According to pagesix.com, the film titled "J-Ho: Jenny on the..." is to be a parody on her career. Jasmine Byrne, who is a Lopez look-alike, will play J-Ho. She has starred in parodies of other celebrities earlier.

Said Byrne: "I always loved Lopez and doing her singing and acting. And I just jumped at the chance to do it."

Cruise and Holmes exchange wedding vows in Italian castle

BRACCANO (Italy), Nov 19: In a fairy-tale setting fit for royalty, Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes exchanged wedding vows in a glowing 15th-century castle in a lakeside Italian town, his publicist said.

Arnold Robinson confirmed that the ceremony had taken place last evening, and later said in a statement that the ceremony was performed by a Scientology Minister before more than 150 relatives and friends.

Holmes wore a fitted Giorgio Armani off-the-shoulder bridal gown with a train in ivory silk cadis adorned in valenciennes lace and Swrovski beaded crystal embroidery, and Cruise also wore a handmade, Armani tuxedo.

Outside, fans and residents hoped for a glimpse of the celebrity couple, as oil-fed torches glowed from the battlements of the Odescalchi castle, which towers over the town on the shores of Lake Bracciano. Tiny candles, placed in the castle`s windows, flickered romantically as the couple and fellow stars gathered in the town about 45 kilometres northwest of the Italian capital.

Following the ceremony, Cruise and Holmes were serenaded at the reception with a special performance by Italian vocalist Andrea Bocelli.

Longoria too sexy to be a politician!

London, Nov 19: Despite being actively involved in politics, 'Desperate Housewives' star Eva Longoria insists that she will never be able to make the shift from actress to politician, for she's sure that people will always think of her as her character on the hit show.

Speaking to a group of Latin political leaders at a lunch in Washington on Wednesday (Nov 15) Longoria, who plays the seductive Gabrielle Solis on the show, joked that though she wanted to run for President of the United States, her past on the show, which included an affair with a teenage gardener, faking a paternity test, and having a husband who was imprisoned, would be just too chequered for the American people.

However, one place where Longoria was confident she would win, was California, which also voted to make 'Terminator' Arnold Schwarzenegger the Governor.

"I'm here today to announce my candidacy for president. Oh, wrong speech! In the last two years, I've had an affair with the gardener and a teenager, I've faked a paternity test, my husband went to prison, and I threw him out of a window. I would probably win in California," Femalefirst quoted her, as saying.

The feisty Latina also joked that their wild sex lives on the show had left the cast of the hit series extremely confused about their political leanings.

"I think everybody on Wisteria Lane has the money of a Republican, but the sex life of a Democrat so it's a really political show," she added.

Michael Jackson thrills no one in comeback

LONDON, Nov 17: Reclusive pop superstar Michael Jackson made a musical comeback of sorts Wednesday, singing the chorus line of his charity single "We Are The World" before the sound cut out as he struggled for the high notes.

The 48-year-old singer, performing live for the first time since he was acquitted of child molestation charges in June 2005, had been expected to sing his seminal hit "Thriller." But to the huge disappointment of screaming fans, that was performed instead by young American star Chris Brown.

Jackson looked uncomfortable at times as he was surrounded by excited young members of a gospel chorus on stage with him. That did not stop supporters desperate to see their idol cheer his every move, especially when he threw his black sequin jacket into the crowd.

The failure by the deposed King of Pop to demonstrate his voice and confidence were back to anywhere near their best was likely to raise further doubts about his ability to resurrect a career that has been on hold for years.

"I love you!" he shouted before the World Music Awards 2006 ceremony he headlined wound up.

Earlier in the evening, Jackson was given the Diamond Award honoring artists who sell more than 100 million records. Introducing Jackson, American singer Beyonce said: "Tonight we are celebrating 25 years of 'Thriller,'" referring to his seminal album. "If it wasn't for Michael Jackson, I would never have ever performed. I love you; we all love you."

Jackson, who has been a virtual recluse for the past 17 months, thanked fans and his family, singling out his three children who have been with him during his stopover in London. "I am greatly humbled by this award," said Jackson, who wore his jet black hair long and straight. "It was my dream that 'Thriller' would be the biggest-selling album ever ... and God has answered my prayers."

Jackson's lifetime record sales tally is believed to be around 750 million, making him the most successful entertainer of all time. Whether Wednesday's performance helps him on the road to professional recovery remains to be seen.

"I would say there's very little chance of him coming back from where he is," said Gareth Grundy, deputy editor of the Q music magazine, speaking before the show. "I think people will always be fascinated by the freak show, and that's what's going on," he said. "I would categorize him as a celebrity as opposed to an artist."

Celebrities Paris Hilton and Lindsay Lohan were also at the Earls Court venue, where they were joined by hundreds of reporters eager to catch Jackson in action. He has said he planned to move to Europe in a bid to resurrect his musical career and indicated he will release a new album in 2007.

Bond and his girl had sex like two animals

LONDON, Nov 9: Ardent 'James Bond' fans may seem to be taking some time to adjust to the new super spy - Daniel Craig, but the actresses in the upcoming 007 flick 'Casio Royale' can't stop praising the actor - especially in their saucy bedroom scenes.

New Bond beauties Caterina Murino, Ivana Milisevic and Eva Green said that they had an awesome experience shooting with Craig.

Although stunning Caterina loved shooting with the new Bond, she reportedly has only one complaint that her sex scene with Daniel was too short.

The 32-year-old Italian brunette plays Solange - the wife of bad guy Dimitrios. Craig beds Solange after he beats Dimitrios in a game of poker. "Solange isn't the classical Bond girl. She is not out to kill James, she is just very upset in her life," the Sun quoted Caterina, as saying.

"Then one night she meets Bond . . . and has sex with him. We are like two animals. We are not going to be friends, me and James, we are only sexual things," she added.

She further said that although she was feeling a bit uncomfortable before shooting the sex scene, it did not take her long to relax.

"Daniel was very nice to me. And the director, Martin Campbell, was wonderful. He made us very comfortable."

"Unfortunately it was very short, but Very nice," she said.

Britney Spears files for divorce: Court documents

LOS ANGELES, Nov 9: Pop-star Britney Spears has filed for divorce from her dancer husband Kevin Federline, according to court documents.

The 24-year-old teen-idol, who married Federline in 2004, will seek custody of the couple`s two children, one-year-old Sean Preston and two-month Jayden James, the documents filed at the Los Angeles county superior court said.

Spears` lawyers cited "irreconcilable differences" for the split while the TMZ.Com celebrity website cited friends of the singer as saying there was no single reason for the divorce rather "a string of events."

A spokeswoman for Spears was not immediately available for comment.

Spears, whose wealth was estimated by business magazine Forbes at around USD 123 million in 2004, has a pre-nuptial agreement with Federline that will protect her assets, sources close to the singer told TMZ.

The singer shot to superstardom in late 1998, with her smash hit debut album "Baby One More Time," which she followed with another chart-topping success the following year, "Oops!...I did it again."

According to Time magazine, Spears has sold over 76 million records worldwide and her 31 million albums sold in the US make her the eighth best-selling female artist in American music history.

Yet while Los Angeles-based Spears is idolised by many teenage fans, her personal life has become a favourite topic for debate from an insatiable entertainment media.

Wardrobe slip-up at Lakme Fashion Week!

MUMBAI, Nov 4: Wardrobe malfunctions has become the buzzword at fashion weeks. After much talked slip-up by Carol Gracias and Gauhar Khan at last year's Lakme Fashion Week in Mumbai, this time too there has been another slip-up that has rocked the ramp.

This one happened during Mumbai-based designer Seema Khan's show on Day 4 of Mumbai Fashion Week. The model's strappy dress came off from one shoulder revealing her transparent plastic lingerie.

A wardrobe error every now and then at fashion weeks makes us wonder if they are done for media attention or are they simple accidents.

Bisexual star would prefer `bedding` Kidman than Cruise!

WASHINGTON, Oct 31: While he`s sexually responsive to both sexes, the man in Scottish actor Alan Cumming`s still seems to take predominance when it comes to choosing a bed-partner. The 41-year-old star has revealed he would prefer to bed his `Eyes Wide Shut` co-star Nicole Kidman rather than her ex-husband Tom Cruise.

The bisexual star played a hotel desk clerk in the 1999 Stanley Kubrick film, which was the last movie the pair made together before their 2001 split.

When asked to give his opinion on his good-looking exes, Cumming said he isn`t attracted to the Mission:Impossible hunk who is set to marry his longtime girlfriend Katie Holmes in Italy next month.

"I think Nicole would be the better lover because I just don`t see Tom as a sexual being. He`s not in my `spank bank`, put it that way," Contactmusic quoted him, as telling UK gay magazine Attitude.

"She`s an Aussie and goes for rocker types, so I think she`d be pretty good. "I don`t know if Tom`s gay. No, I don`t think he is. Maybe he`s sucked the odd c**k or two in his time, but then haven`t we all? I think all his relationships with women have been genuine though," he added.

Do you have sex while sleeping?

LONDON, Oct 31: Researchers are struggling to understand a rare medical condition where sufferers unknowingly demand, or actually have, sex while asleep, New Scientist magazine reported.

Research into sexsomania -- making sexual advances toward another person while asleep -- has been hampered as sufferers are so embarrassed by the problem they tend not to own up to it, while doctors do not ask about it.

As yet there is no cure for the condition, which often leads to difficulties in relationships. "It really bothers me that I can't control it," Lisa Mahoney told the magazine. "It scares me because I don't think it has anything to do with the partner. I don't want this foolish condition to hurt us in the long run."

Most researchers view sexsomnia as a variant of sleepwalking, where sufferers are stuck between sleep and wakefulness, though sexsomniacs tend to stay in bed rather than get up and walk about.

While sleepwalking affects two to four percent of adults, sexsomnia is not thought to be as common a problem, according to Nik Trajanovic, a researcher at the sleep and alertness clinic at Canada's Toronto Western Hospital.

But an Internet survey of sexsomniacs carried out in 2005 that drew 219 reliable respondents concluded it was more prevalent than medical case reports alone might suggest.

"Most of the time sleep sex occurs between people who are already partners," Mark Pressman, a sleep specialist at Lankenan Hospital in Wynnewood, Pennsylvania, told the New Scientist.
"Sometimes they hate it," added Pressman of the reactions of sexsomniacs' partners. "Sometimes they tolerate it. On rare occasions you have stories of people liking it better than waking sex."

With no cure, addressing triggering factors -- stress or sleep deprivation -- can help, while Michael Mangan, a psychologist at the University of New Hampshire in the U.S. has set up a Web site, www.sleepsex.org, to help sufferers.

Meanwhile Trajanovic is devising a procedure for diagnosing sexsomnia in legal cases where sufferers have been accused of sexual assault.

Hilton's three hour lip-locking marathon!

WASHINGTON, Oct 26: It seems Paris Hilton sometimes just can't make up her mind when it comes to selecting her potential suitor. The hotel heiress was recently caught liplocking with two different guys at two different clubs in Las Vegas in a span of three hours, reports TMZ.com.

First, the actress/singer hit up Vegas hotspot Jet nightclub in the Mirage hotel, where she canoodled with world-famous illusionist and Minnie Driver's supposed boyfriend, Criss Angel. And after getting the moment captured on film the 24-year-old then set off to TAO nightclub in the Venetian where she got cozy with Canadian-born model James Neate.

The Simple Life star was in Las Vegas to attend a joint 26th birthday party for best friend Kim Kardashian and her boyfriend Nick Cannon

Hefner playing dominoes with bunnies

LONDON, Oct 13: At 80, it seems Playboy millionaire Hugh Hefner has no energy left for `bonking` and `holding hedonistic bunny-girl parties` at his mansion, something he is famed for. The aging entrepreneur has confessed that though he`s biologically fit, he is now bored of bedding babes, and would rather like to play `dominoes` with his glamour girls.

"I'm bored of the hanky panky. I'm still active but it's different - I like to play dominoes with my girlfriends," The Sun quoted him, as saying.

When asked about his infamous wild nights at the Playboy mansion, the publisher who turned his men's magazines business into a worldwide entertainment and fashion empire said, "I haven't been to as many parties because I'm doing other things that are taking up my energy".

"I'm busy planning the new Playboy club at The Palms, a new Playboy club in LA," he added.

Earlier this year Hefner, who once had a harem of seven `blonde`, `busty` and `beautiful` girlfriends, told The Sun that women were the key to keeping him young.

"Having three beautiful women keeps the years off me. I would recommend it to anyone," said the tycoon, who in 1997 cut down the number to three, saying the girls got jealous.

Paris Hilton dating Andy Roddick?

LONDON, Oct 5: After dating billionaire Greek heirs, rockers and actors, hotel heiress Paris Hilton reportedly has a new man in her life - tennis champion Andy Roddick. The couple were spotted flirting at Las Vegas' trendy Tao nightclub recently, and were also seen getting hot and heavy on the VIP bed in Vegas' Pure nightclub.

A source revealed that the two were "clearly a couple" and that while the 'Star Are Blind' singer was getting "very touchy-feely", Roddick on the other hand, just "couldn't keep his eyes off her".

"They were snuggling up to each other while drinking Grey Goose vodka and shots of Patron. They were clearly a couple. She was very touchy-feely and he couldn't keep his eyes off her," The Sun quoted the source, as saying.

The couple didn't around at the nightclub for long, and after a couple of hours left the place together.

"After a couple of hours they left together," the source added. Rumours that Paris, who has enjoyed previous relationships with billionaire Greek heirs, singers and actors, was dating 24-year old Roddick started making the rounds recently when the twice Wimbledon runner-up showed up at LA's Hyde club on the same night that the 'Simple Life' star was also there.

Janet Jackson hasn't yet forgiven Timberlake for Nipplegate fiasco

WASHINGTON, Sept 29: More than two and a half years after her breast was exposed to nearly 100 million viewers during the Super Bowl, Janet Jackson has refused to speak to former pal Justin Timberlake for distancing himself from the debacle immediately.

The 'All For You' singer still feels sore that she was left to bear the brunt of the backlash following the infamous televised wardrobe malfunction, after her dance partner Timberlake refused to support her in the aftermath.

Though the former `N Sync singer has since publicly apologised to Jackson for his actions, and has made every effort to get in touch with her personally, she feels that it is not yet time for her to get back on friendly terms with him.

"We haven`t spoken but he has reached out to speak with me. Friendship is very important to me and (there are) certain things you just don`t do to friends and in my own time I`ll give him a call. "Certain things were said, supposedly... during that whole fiasco, I had heard, and (he was) kinda leaving you out there hanging (sic)," Contactmusic quoted her as saying at the Oprah Winfrey show.

The 'Sexyback' singer had recently blasted the US media for being unfair after it singled out Janet Jackson to blame for the incident, claiming they did it because she is a black woman and he is a white man.

"I probably got 10 per cent of the blame and that says something about society. I think that America's harsher on women and I think that America's unfairly harsh on ethnic people," he said.

However he also admitted that he did the wrong thing by taking the opportunity to distance himself from the scandal and Janet herself. "I didn't handle it the best way I could have but you get your bumps and bruises from it and you learn".

Beckinsale does a Monroe skirt-swirl in Germany

LONDON, Sept 29: British beauty Kate Beckinsale showed off more than she intended when she inadvertently did a Marilyn Monroe at the Berlin premiere of her latest flick.

A gust of wind apparently caught the 'Underworld' actress' satin dress - mimicking a famous scene from Monroe's flick 'The Seven Year Itch', in which the blonde bombshell's character has her skirt blown upwards revealing her underwear, reports the Daily Mail.

Beckinsale was in Germany to attend the premiere of 'Click', in which she stars opposite Hollywood funnyman Adam Sandler.

The flick tells the story of a man who discovers a remote control which lets him time travel.

The big-screen is not the only place fans will get to see the actress in the coming months, for rumours have been circulating that she is planning a return to the London stage.

The actress is also planning to a more permanent return to her home country with her director hubby Len Wiseman, and daughter Lily.

Shocking sex secrets!

NEW YORK, Sept 15: Tom Cruise's powerful legal team might try to stop porn producer Paul Barresi's book which is expected to make shocking revelations about the actor's sex life. According to newsweek.com, Barresi is writing a book called Pellicano's Enforcer about how he helped former private eye Anthony Pellicano protect celebrities from negative stories.

In one chapter, which is posted on the net, he tells how someone came to him trying to sell him a story about Cruise and how Cruise's team got that story killed.

Barresi does not prove or disprove the claim and a source said: "Cruise cannot be happy with the story. It's been a tough time for Cruise and my bet is that his lawyers are going to come out with both guns blazing - legally speaking of course."

Cruise's lawyer said that the claims made by Barresi are false and "we can prove it". He added: "If Mr. Barresi were to publish what we have seen on that website, I absolutely would recommend appropriate legal action against both Mr. Barresi and the publisher."

Beckham grabs Posh's butt!

WASHINGTON, Sept 14: English soccer captain David Beckham and his wife ex Spice Girl Victoria Beckham, have unveiled 'Intimate Beckham', their own line of his-and-her fragrances. The scents were unveiled by two Beckham look-alikes at a launch party in London on Sunday and are set to hit stores in Britain on September 1.

David Beckham "is a portrait of modern masculinity" and his signature scent is a combination of grapefruit zest, bergamot and cardamom. While Victoria Beckham, is a "multitalented mother, wife, businesswoman and style icon" and her perfume is a mixture of lilies, tuberose, orange blossom, vanilla, sandalwood and musk.

David Beckham already has a cologne to his name, 'Instinct', and has sold more than 50,000 bottles at Superdrug, a UK chain. "It has proved to be enormously popular and is one of our best-selling brands. The Beckham brand has a very wide appeal, particularly to people who read celebrity magazines and think that Posh is really fabulous. They will buy the fragrances because they like them as a couple and aspire to what they have," Eonline! quoted a Superdrug spokeswoman as telling the Independent.

Princess Diana wanted to be America's First Lady, claims butler

LONDON, Sept 14: Her divorce from the heir to the British throne Prince Charles may have ended her hopes of one day being the UK's queen, but it seems that Princess Diana also had hopes of becoming America's First Lady.

Diana's butler Paul Burrell revealed that the 'People's Princess' was infatuated with American billionaire and politician, and that she dreamed of becoming the country's First Lady and visiting her home county on a state visit.

"She knew a billionaire in America and she suggested to him that if they were together, just suppose, his yearning to run in politics could lead to the White House and one day she could be the First Lady and she could visit Britain on a State Visit," a London based news daily quoted Burrell, as telling a US television channel.

The disgraced butler is currently on a worldwide publicity tour for a new book about his life with Diana when he made his claims on the interview.

And though he refused to name the billionaire involved, the most likely contender would be 64-year old Teddy Frostmann with whom she enjoyed a close friendship in the mid 1990s.

Burrell also revealed that Diana was "serious" about the idea at the time.

"Yes it was, at that time, she was serious about it. She was a huge fan of Jackie Onassis for years. And a huge admirer too of Nancy Reagan and Hilary Clinton, but Jackie Onassis had the edge," he said.

"And she fantasised about redecorating the White House. It wasn't a fantasy, it could have been a reality, it really could. They would have been a golden couple," he added.

Frostmann was introduced to Diana by business associate Lord Jacob Rothschild at a dinner party in London in July 1994, and although the two claimed their relationship was platonic, rumours of a romantic liaison made the rounds after they photographed secretly holidaying together in Martha's Vineyard.

Fashion Week kicks off in New Delhi

By Deepak Arora

NEW DELHI, Aug 30: The Fashion Design Council Of India (FDCI), has said that over 70 international buyers across 14 countries, and 90 domestic buyers, will participate at the Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week beginning today here.

The last day (September 4), which will have no shows, will act as a platform for creating increased opportunities for buyers and participating designers, and will solely promote trade at India`s foremost B2B fashion trade event. The business centres will have over a 100 stalls.

``The participation of such a large number of buyers, both Indian and international clearly establishes WLIFW as the only fashion event in India truly dedicated to the business of fashion. Our primary objective is to promote trade,`` FDCI Director General Rathi Vinay Jha said.

Buyers and agents from renowned fashion houses who have confirmed participation include Galeries Lafayette (Paris), Maria Luisa (Paris), Marubeni (London), Sunmotoyama (Japan), Tsum (Moscow), M/S Zoxx Colours for living (Israel), Boho (London), RCKC (London), Sanskrit (Hong Kong), RSH-Mumbai Se (Singapore), Zinia Fashion (Kuwait), Saaya (Japan), Moda In (Kuwait), al- Shurafa (Jeddah), Ethina (UK), Khazana Lifestyles (Moscow), Indomix Inc (US), Uttam House of Design (US), Saasa (Turkey), The Fashion House (Dubai), Designers Lounge (Dubai) and Shatoosh (Spain).

In addition to these, buyers from the US, UK, Kuwait, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Paris, Singapore, Spain, Japan, Hong Kong, Turkey, South Africa, Switzerland, Italy and Australia have also confirmed participation. Of these, many are returning to WLIFW for the spring-summer showcase after April 2006 during the fall-winter event.

Domestic buyers include Kimaya, Ensemble, Evoluzione, Be:, Ogaan, Carma, Shoppers Stop Ltd, Elan Couture Pvt Ltd, Aza, Fuel, Kala Niketan, Sosa`s, Ffolio, Elahe, Zenon, Samsaara, Mogra, Hot Pink, 85 Lansdowne and Ayamik.

The WLIFW was made a bi-annual event this year, keeping in mind the timeline of leading fashion events both in India and globally.

Hilton is too hot for Indians!

NEW DELHI, Aug 24: Paris Hilton is too hot for Indian censors. The country's Central Board of Film Certification has issued an "Adult" certification for her new music video "Stars Are Blind," which means it cannot be broadcast on any channel.

An official at her local label, EMI Virgin India Ltd., reported that the board said the clip had sexual connotations. "In fact, we had edited the video and sent a fresh copy, but they weren't happy with that," said Narendra Kusnur, the label's manager of international A&R (artists and repertoire).

Since the marketing campaign for Hilton's debut album "Paris," released in India on Tuesday, has been sponsored by a shampoo company, the "Stars" video will be streamed on a promotional Web site, http://www.clinicallclear.com, once details are worked out.

"To the best of our knowledge, there are no rules yet regarding censorship on the 'Net so we plan to use the online platform to generate buzz," said EMI Virgin marketing manager Kaveri Khullar.

Flaunt that condom!

TORONTO, Aug 19: Condoms are very much in style as a fashion accessory at the International AIDS Conference in Toronto, showing up on strait-laced men, shy teenagers and African grandmothers. "There's a great need to de-stigmatize condoms around the world, especially in Africa," Executive Director of The Condom Project, Franck DeRose said.

The project aims to get people comfortable about condoms, especially those living in countries where the little piece of latex is considered taboo. To do that, the project has a program that gets people making their own condom art pin. It all starts with a craft table, packaged condoms, scraps of coloured paper, candy and other double-sided tape.

Toronto resident Maria Parish, 58, was making hers with a blue condom and blue and yellow paper. "I want something to symbolise the flag of Ukraine," she said. "I am of Ukrainian descent and AIDS is a global problem," she added.

DeRose said that creating wearable art out of condoms attracts people who normally wouldn't wear the prophylactics, let alone touch them or even utter the word. "It opens the door," said DeRose. "We find that we're very, very successful," he added.

Almost 4,00,000 condoms have been decorated and turned into brooches or pins around the world including India, Thailand, Senegal and Burkina Faso, he said. Just this week alone, about 30,000 of the pins have been decorated at the conference, DeRose said.

People from different cultures and backgrounds wear them, trade them and even argue over safe-sex related topics while making them, including when to broach the subject with kids, DeRose said. "We're not pushing it on people. They come to us and the information is there," he said, adding his group teams up with the local information groups in the communities where his team visits.

"I don't think it's healthy or appropriate to change a culture. But we can change the risky behavior within a community." DeRose, an artist from Washington, DC, came up with the idea three years ago while talking about ways to get more people to wear condoms to fight the HIV epidemic. The program has since spread around the world.

"I have grandparents making them in Togo and Ethiopia. I have groups of heterosexual men making them in Washington," DeRose said. He also said he was also motivated by concern for his daughter, now 12, and 15-year-old son.

Adriana Bertini of Sao Paulo, Brazil, also was making a condom fashion statement. She had plastic mannequins sporting a dress made of orange condoms, a rose-colored mini, a blue harem outfit made of blue condoms, complete with a tight bodice and full-legged trousers. "The idea is you will see it and think of AIDS," said Bertini, who says she has been making her condom fashions for 10 years.

Crossover queen Shakira hip-shakes to new level

LOS ANGELES, Aug 18: It happened about midway through her 100-minute set Tuesday at Staples Center. Shakira tied up her black T-shirt to reveal her abdomen and those hips that don`t lie. With that move, the Colombian singer took her performance to a new level, hip-shaking her way through the heartbreaking Spanish-language hit "La Tortura."

It wasn`t like the crossover queen didn`t show off her considerable assets prior to that move. In the opening half of her set, the petite dynamo strutted around the stage barefoot, strapping on a sparkling electric guitar for the power ballad "Don`t Bother" and an acoustic for the Spanish sing-along "Antologia." She high-stepped her way through the jaunty "Hey You" and blew harmonica on "Te Dejo Madrid."

Yet it wasn`t until she showed off those shaking hips that she truly ignited the Staples Center crowd. Simply put, Shakira possesses the most influential pop music hip shake since Elvis Presley`s shook the world on "The Ed Sullivan Show" 50 years ago. But that`s not her only weapon. During her set, Shakira showed why she is the most successful Latina crossover artist, with emotional vocals that transcend language, pinup-girl looks and the sensual moves of a belly dancer.

It`s that combination of talent that has made Shakira a huge star around the world. This week her collaboration with Wyclef Jean, "Hips Don`t Lie," remains the No. 1 single in the U.K. for the third consecutive week. A few weeks earlier, she tied Red Hot Chili Peppers with the most nominations for MTV`s Video Music Awards, garnering seven.

In spite of her broad-based success, Shakira has managed to retain her Latino following by remaining true to her roots. More than half her set consisted of songs sung in Spanish, yet they were performed with such flair that even the English-only fans were entertained.

After she shook things up with "La Tortura," a modern-dance clip of the singer and another female dancer was projected on the scrim in front of the stage, allowing Shakira time for a quick costume change. She returned in a flowing, Madonna-worthy red gown to belt out "No," extending the winglike sleeves of the dress in dramatic fashion during the song`s climax. She also showed off the Arabic roots from her father`s side with a belly-dancing segment that led into the hit "Whenever, Wherever."

When the show closed with "Hips Don`t Lie," it was a bit anticlimactic. Since Jean opened the show, there wasn`t a person in Staples Center who didn`t know it was coming, Still, the celebratory feel of the song -- originally a throwaway track from 2004`s forgettable "Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights" -- managed to overshadow any lack of spontaneity. Even an overenthusiastic fan`s intrusion onto the stage and subsequent manhandling by security couldn`t put a damper on the party.

Ronaldinho's nets French model

LONDON, July 23: Brazilian football ace Ronaldinho broke the curfew rules imposed on the national team during the World Cup 2006 to have sexual romps with his French girlfriend Alexandra Paressant.

According to The Sun, Ronaldinho visited Alex almost every night at her hotel during the World Cup, made love to her, and then played the World Cup on Playstation, missing out on much needed rest and recuperation.

Alexandra said: "The Brazilian coach had banned WAGS from the team's hotel but we couldn't bear to be apart. So, nearly every night he would come to my hotel room and we would make love all night. Sometimes we didn't even make it into the room, we would make love there and then in the corridor. We are mad for each other."

Describing the football star as a very passionate person, Alex said: "He is as much a performer in the bedroom as he is on the football pitch." "One night he made me scream with such pleasure, the people on the hotel terrace below heard us because my window was open," she added.

Recalling her first meeting with Ronaldinho, Alex said that at first she thought he was a playboy like any other football star, but she later found out that he was a caring and sensitive individual.

"He is very cute, very polite. He treats me like a lady. He likes to take me for romantic meals and buy me little presents. We spend all our time together when we can. We spend a lot of time making love, a lot of time in the bedroom. He is the best lover I have ever had. I love him. I love him," she said.

It's maid trouble for Naomi Campbell

NEW YORK: Naomi Campbell is being accused of less-than-model behaviour again, this time by another of her maids who claims the supermodel hit her. In a terse single-sheet filing in Manhattan's state Supreme Court, Gaby Gibson accused Campbell of "personal injuries," "employment discrimination," "civil assault," "civil battery" and other complaints.

Gibson, who filed the lawsuit on Monday, on the eve of a Manhattan Criminal Court appearance by Campbell on charges of assaulting another maid, asks for "actual, compensatory and punitive" damages without specifying an amount.

The court document does not detail acts by Campbell, but in a published interview in April, Gibson said the model hit her on January 17, called her names and threatened to have her arrested.

Gibson told the New York Post that Campbell got upset after being unable to find a specific pair of jeans.

Gibson's lawyer, Thomas D Shanahan, did not immediately return calls for comment.

Campbell is due in court Tuesday on a similar charge that stemmed from a similar situation - the supermodel could not find a pair of jeans.

In that incident, Campbell is charged with assault for allegedly hitting Ana Scolavino in the back of the head with a cell phone in the model's Manhattan apartment.

Campbell allegedly accused Scolavino of stealing the missing jeans.

A British citizen, Campbell faces up to seven years in prison and deportation if convicted on that charge.