The nation went under lockdown on March 25 owing to a spike in the coronavirus cases. The lockdown has been extended twice and we are currently in the third phase of lockdown with a total of 56000 cases in the country. Several sectors have been severely hit by the lockdown, including the entertainment sector. However, actors and other artists are trying to entertain people during this distressing time.

 Actor Ajay Devgn took to Instagram to share an old picture of him posing with Kajol where the two are looking away from the camera with Ajay holding Kajol's hand and looking at it. He took a hilarious dig at how he has been on lockdown since his marriage with Kajol in 1999. Sharing the picture, Ajay wrote, "feels like it’s been twenty-two years since the lockdown began."

 

View this post on Instagram

 

Feels like it’s been twenty two years since the lockdown began. #FridayFlashback @kajol

A post shared by Ajay Devgn (@ajaydevgn) on May 8, 2020 at 6:19am PDT

Recently, Kajol hosted an AMA session where she spoke about how she doesn't enjoy cooking but loves to eat. When asked whether Ajay Devgn has been cooking for her, she said that he hasn't been inspired yet to go to the kitchen yet.

ALSO READ: Akshay Kumar, Ajay Devgn, Suniel Shetty and more feature in Gully Gang Entertainment’s trilingual music video for COVID-19

England football star Jesse Lingard's model friend Laura Bragato is hoping the Manchester United player likes her latest pictures from a shoot for Playboy magazine.

Italian Laura, who shot topless for the magazine's Croatian edition before the global lockdown, told British newspaper Daily Star: "I haven't shown him [Jesse] the pictures yet but for sure he will appreciate them like all my friends."

Jesse Lingard

Laura met Jesse during the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia and the pair have since kept in touch via text messaging. "I spoke to Jesse recently, and he is staying home like the rest of us. He is safe," Laura added.

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Argentina footballer Paulo Dybala has tested coronavirus positive for the fourth time in the last six weeks, according to media reports. This could come as a big blow for Juventus as Serie A had allowed players to return to individual training from May 4. "Spanish programme El Chiringuito stated Dybala has had four tests across the last six weeks and the latest one was positive again," the report in The Sun stated. Dybala was one of the first footballers to contract the virus along side Juventus teammate Daniele Rugani. In March, Dybala had taken to instagram to reveal he and his girlfriend both had tested positive.

Italy has been one of the worst hit countries in the world due to coronavirus pandemic as more than 200,000 people have been infected while in excess of 27,000 individuals have lost their lives so far. Italian sports minister Vincenzo Spadafora had earlier suggested that it would be easier to end the football season and if indeed the leagues do start, it should be a gradual process.

"It would be much easier to end the season immediately and the scientific community would agree," he wrote on his Facebook page. "Carrying on the world of football is a very important thing for our country, but we must do it safely. Remember when Serie A didn't stop? How many teams have gone into quarantine? The [Italian Football Federation] FIGC submitted a protocol and it was considered.

"Today we're at the end of April, we can't know for sure how the virus will evolve and how the rules will be respected, therefore we can't know when the season will resume.

"We've been working to resume training from May 18, but that doesn't mean the leagues will start up again," he added.

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The U.S. Tennis Association is warning folks: "No Bryan Brothers chest bumps." That was among the suggestions from the USTA on Wednesday, when it offered return-to-play guidelines to help players and people running tennis facilities know when " and how " the sport should resume at the amateur level as coronavirus lockdown restrictions ease.

The USTA thinks it will be safe to again play tennis "in some cities and states sooner than in others." One of the recommendations is to maintain social distancing by staying 6 feet apart from other people " and, therefore, to avoiding playing doubles, because it "could lead to incidental contact and unwanted proximity." The group that runs the U.S. Open went on to add: "If you do play doubles, avoid all incidental contact, no Bryan Brothers chest bumps and no whispering to each other from a close distance to strategize."

American twins Bob and Mike Bryan have won 16 Grand Slam titles in men's doubles together and celebrate wins by jumping simultaneously and bumping chests. All professional tennis has been suspended at least until mid-July. The U.S. Open is still scheduled to begin main-draw play in New York on Aug. 31.

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It's like a scene out of Princess Diaries. I enter my suite at Burj Al Arab and let out an exclamation. The large, plush living room in hues of blue and gold looks out on the pristine Persian Gulf. "This is my room?," I manage to squeak. "Yes," my personal butler says. "If you follow me, the bedroom is above." Above? The winding stairs lead up to more luxury, in the form of a walk-in dressing area, a bathroom that has my own private jacuzzi, and a bedroom that's a shame to be enjoying alone.

After the butler leaves, asking me to call him for anything my heart may desire, I decide to soak my weary, it's-December-and-I-need-a-break bones into a hot jacuzzi, as I listen to music and play with the foam. Ok, I know I have moved from Princess Diaries to Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman, but bear with me. And so, I prance into the bedroom, 20 minutes later, suitably loosened up, I plonk myself on the bed in my soft, white bathrobe. And that's when I see it — a ceiling mirror. And that's when I forget about being a princess or a pretty woman — I morph into a Kardashian as I take my first selfie of the trip. Don't blame me, it's a ceiling mirror after all.

Pics/ department of tourism and commerce marketing

As I post the picture on my Instagram with appropriate Kardashian references, I look around and admit sheepishly — it's easy to get used to luxury. It's rumoured that Dubai got its name from an Arabic proverb "Daba Dubai" which means "They came with a lot of money". Well, you have to come with a lot of money so you can really enjoy all that the city has to offer. Dubai has never shied from flaunting what its sheikh rulers have given it — gravity-defying skyscrapers (Burj Khalifa at 829.8 metres), high-fashion malls, ultra luxurious hotels and a glittering nightlife, among many other attractions. Though you may have looked at it all from far and shook your head in disdain at the unnecessary opulence of it all, once you are here, it seems just natural to enjoy it.

Thanks to the fact that I am staying at the Burj Al Arab, the only certified seven-star in the world, my short two-day trip to Dubai has started on a lavish note. After my bathing and preening routine, I am informed that I will be watching a production of La Perle (The Pearl) created by Franco Dragone (the Italian-Belgium director who was once creator at Cirque du Soleil) as the first resident show of Dubai. After a drive that acquaints me with the buildings I have only seen in pictures (the Burj Al Khalifa, the Dubai Frame among others), I find myself seated in front-row seats at the theatre, I really don't know what to expect. But the next 90 minutes are a mind-boggling treat. Performed at a theatre that uses state-of-the-art technology, and houses an aqua-stage and a 12-metre deep pool filled with 2.7 million litres of water, 65 world-class performers, dancers, circus acrobats from 23 countries, perform breath-taking and extraordinary stunts, ranging from acrobatics and contortion to flying and diving. At the end of it, believe it or not, I am tired of gasping. But the show is once again about how Dubai doesn't do anything half-heartedly. If you are going to get a resident show, make it big. The next morning, after having barely slept (the large, quiet room sadly doesn't come with a hot sheikh to keep you company, wink wink), I head down to have breakfast as I look out on the gulf. Arabic delicacies share space with European and American food at the expansive buffet, and it all looks delicious. If I wasn't a fan of mezze (made up of babaghanoush, hummus, muhammara and much more), I am a convert now. My relaxed meal sets me up for a day full of, let's see, yes, more relaxing.

As I sink into the massage table, I am once again forced to see myself as another pop culture icon. I transform myself into Carrie Bradshaw in a glittering, starry outfit, and high heels (bought at a mall visit in the morning), for my dinner at the Burj's Scape restaurant that serves Californian cuisine. I don't know if the delicious pizza I ate was Californian, but it was worth it. It's just fitting to end the day with another picture, this time in full Carrie style, with my hand on my hip and my glitter in all it's Instagram-filter glory. As I stand by a gold ceiling prepping my smile, our hotel guide observes, "that ceiling is made up of real gold", and I just smile, "I didn't expect anything lesser."

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Living in a city like Mumbai where views from a person's home consist mainly of bricks and mortar, and where people go about their daily business with such a frenetic pace that it mirrors a fast local train travelling at top speed, can leave its citizens feeling as jaded as someone who's been tied to a computer screen indefinitely for months on end. But a travel company is now offering people feeling the same the chance to join an expedition to Rishikesh, so that they can recharge their batteries before getting back to the daily grind.

"It will be a three-night stay," says Rohit Dube, co-founder of Moonstone Hammock, which is organising the tour. "The first day starts with a trek to a hidden gem, a waterfall about 5 km from the main city where people can actually sit in the water and have their food. And over the course of the rest of the trip, we will take the participants for two different evening aartis, rafting, to the Beatles ashram, cafés with live music, and local bazaars so that they can soak in the vibe of the place. We will also take them around the mountains on bikes, for instance to the beautiful road that heads towards Badrinath," he adds, meaning that it's time for you to pack your bags if you want to escape this concrete jungle, even if it's for a brief period.

On: March 29 to April 1
Call: 9769274340 to book
Cost: Rs.7,980

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Ahead of her first trip to India, biker Leslie Porterfield, the world's fastest woman on two wheels, relives her record, worst crash and the growing number of Indian women on the riding circuit

At 16, Texas-based Leslie Porterfield bought a Yamaha Virago 1000, her first motorcycle, as an inexpensive mode of transport. It arrived in a box, and most people told her she wouldn't be able to get it running. However, she bought a manual, sought the advice of local mechanics, and put it together.

Leslie Porterfield

In fact, Porterfield loved riding it so much that just a year later, she went on to buy a sports bike (Honda CBR600). This was in the early '90s. "That's when my interest in racing began," recalls the 41-year-old mother of twins. She holds the Guinness World Record for being the fastest woman in the world on a motorcycle, which she set in 2008 with a speed of 232.522mph at Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah, USA.

On November 24 and 25, Porterfield will be in Goa for the fifth edition of India Bike Week, a fest that will witness a gathering of over 20,000 bikers to celebrate all things riding. Here, she will host a motorcycle stand and present awards for various achievements. Excerpts from an email interview:

Tell us about your most interesting motorcycle journeys.
Motorcycles gave me a sense of freedom and connection with nature while riding. One of my favourite trips was to the Baja 1000 (off-road race in Mexico's Baja California Peninsula) in 2005. I was on a dirt bike for the first time, and realised how difficult the race is. I went through 20 miles of deep sand whoops and fell 20 times. I have never been so sore. Another one is from the time I was 17, when I rode for 1,500 miles from Dallas to Los Angeles. On my way back, I was tired. I was riding at about 120mph. Unfortunately, I passed a police car and didn't see it. They set up a roadblock on the highway. When I stopped, I realised there were four police cars behind me. They were mad after chasing me for so long. I was lucky; the officer let me go without a citation. This prompted me to hit the racetrack.

What challenges have you faced in your racing career?
During my first year [2007] in Land Speed Racing [at Bonneville Salt Flats, Utah], the salt was in poor condition - wet, sludgy and hard to get traction. My bike got into a speed wobble at over 200mph. I tried to save it, but ended up coming off the bike at over 100mph. It was the worst wreck I've been in. I was unconscious, with seven broken ribs and a punctured lung. Fortunately, I recovered and made a point of testing different set-ups for the bike. I didn't push myself to make runs when conditions were bad. Racing comes with risks, which I try to minimise.

How did you crack the world record in Utah in 2008?
I had to make an effort to not think about what could go wrong, and put the accident out of my mind. I focused solely on what I needed to do to achieve my record. To set a land speed record, you have to make two runs — one in each direction - holding your top speed for a mile. My bike's engine was hot and as I entered the measured mile at full throttle, it started to sound rough. By the end, I had set the record but blown my engine, and there was oil everywhere!

What's your take on Indian motorcycle culture?
It's fascinating. The selection of motorcycles is vast, and I love that more women in India are riding motorcycles now. When I started in the '90s, men dominated the speed and racing scene; it was difficult for women to break into it.

Is Mumbai part of your itinerary?
I hope to see it during my visit. It is such a diverse city with much history. I've wanted to visit India for some time. I can't wait to experience its architecture, art, culture and beauty. I love Indian food, but have tried it only in America.

What kind of bikes do you ride now?
I have a Honda CBR1000, and several classic bikes from the '60s. I enjoy restoring old bikes. They aren't very fast, but they are a lot of fun.

Tips
>> Invest in proper motorcycle gear.
>> Never quit learning. Take up rider courses. Even if you have no desire to race, a day on the track with guidance will make you a better and safer rider.

When we reach a swish Bandra restaurant at the exact hour scheduled for lunch with Natalie Di Luccio and Mikey McCleary, we find Natalie already seated there. Mikey, though, hasn't arrived yet, and this leads to inevitable jokes about 'Indian Standard Time'. But to be fair to the New Zealander, he reaches only a few minutes later and immediately hits it off with Natalie, whom he knows from before. But the two haven't met in a while, their individual projects having kept them too busy to find the time. Mikey, 48, is a composer who dabbles in Bollywood projects such as Shaitan (2011) and most recently Ribbon, which released last month. Natalie, a 28-year-old Italian-Canadian, has made a mark in Bollywood too, as a playback singer in films like English Vinglish and Chennai Express. A Hindi video in collaboration with Raghu Ram is also just around the corner. She's recovered from an appendicitis operation only a few days ago, she tells us, and explores the menu with Mikey before they settle down for an engaging conversation.

Mikey McCleary and Natalie Di Luccio at a restaurant in Bandra West. Pics/Shadab Khan

Shunashir to Natalie: How did your relationship with India begin?
Natalie: Well, I remember I was in the library in McGill (a Canadian university where she studied) around 2009 and I had all my songs on Myspace at the time. I don't know if you remember Myspace?
Shunashir: I do remember it.
Mikey: Yeah, I do too.
Natalie: So this is then, okay? And I got a message on Myspace from someone from India, who said, "Hi, we'd like you to come to India and record on this fusion album on the chakras." But the whole thing didn't make sense to me at the time. So, I said, "Thanks; yeah, maybe one day." But I didn't know who that album was by. Long story short, they messaged me again and said, "Can you do some recording for us from Canada?" and I said, "Okay." Two months later, I get back home from school in Quebec and there's a CD in the mail; it's Sonu Nigam's Maha Ganesha album, which is what I sung for!
Mikey: Wow.

Shunashir: Yeah, wow. And how was it for you, Mikey?
Mikey: My relationship with India actually began because I was born here, in Chennai. My parents were missionaries in the country, in Andhra Pradesh. But anyway, let's fast forward. I moved to New Zealand when I was five years old, did my schooling there, got into music, moved to London and got a studio there. And one day, somebody knocks on the door of the studio, some Indian fellow, and says, "Hi, I'm your new brother-in-law." And this guy is Lucky Ali.
Natalie: Oh my gosh!
Mikey: Yeah, but he hadn't released anything then, so he wasn't known as a singer. He had come to do some sort of recording in Watford and said, "Can I come in and maybe, we can do some music together?" So, I said, "Okay, come back over the weekend," and that's how we recorded a couple of songs, Oh Sanam and Sunoh.
Shunashir: ...Which kind of changed the Indi-pop game at that point of time, at least in terms of videos.
Mikey: Right. And the Oh Sanam video was shot in Cairo, at the pyramids. And the woman who was dressed in the purdah, with everyone in India wondering who this person with blue eyes in Lucky Ali's big hit song is — that's my sister!
Natalie: That's so funny, and really cool.

(The food — poached pear and blue cheese salad, grand chicken Caesar salad, meatballs in creamy sauce and pizza American — arrives)
Mikey: Have you noticed how so many Mumbai menus suddenly have watermelon and feta salad?
Natalie: I think it's a Greek combination and you're right, it's everywhere now. But the pizza in Italy (which is where part of her family is from) is totally different from the one we get in Mumbai. They have less ingredients and the main thing is always the tomato sauce. You can tell the restaurant by its tomato sauce.

Shunashir: Have you not taken to Indian food?
Natalie: No, no. It's not that. But I am fonder of North Indian food because I find that it's a little sweeter in general, all your butter chickens and navratan kormas. And I think North Indian food is pretty much what you mean by Indian food elsewhere in the world, right?
Mikey: Well, do you know what the national dish in the UK is?

Shunashir: It used to be chicken tikka masala, but I'm not so sure about now.
Mikey: I think it still is. By "national dish" they mean the most commonly ordered dish in restaurants.
Natalie: I don't know why it is, but when I'm at home here, I don't like having cooked food as much. Maybe it's the weather?
Mikey: Yeah, it could be. You'll also see that countries that are hotter actually have more chilli in their food. That's because it's counter-intuitive. Chilli kind of cools you down, and brings the heat out.
Natalie: It's so funny how that works.

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Pick a long jacket with a subtle sheen like Kareena Kapoor Khan to add glamour to your evening. Unlike the actor, you might want to wear something more than a bralet. pic courtesy/instagram.com/ eshaamiin1

<< The world is moving towards knowing what fabric they choose to wear. Check the labels to see the composition to gauge the fabric. Several high street labels sell apparel made from synthetic and plastic fibres that aren't sustainable, and neither keep you warm nor cool. << Cotton and other natural fabrics are the key to layering in Mumbai. A trench coat, which usually is considered heavy, when made with cotton will offer just the right amount of warmth. Slip on a cotton trench coat on a dress or jeans. Or layer in cotton, for example — wear a singlet, a cotton top over it, and a jacket made of natural fibres as the outermost layer.

<< Quilted cotton jackets make for a good choice as you move from AC to non-AC areas and you need to wear a fabric that doesn't make you feel cold or hot. Avoid heavy fabrics such as woollens, as you are bound to break into a sweat. A fabric to try is hemp; it adapts well.

<< Carry a stole that will help cover your neck or head if you don't wish to lug around more garments.

<< Wear a long printed or silk jacket, on a dress and belt it. Keep one separate as a statement piece with the rest as basics. Also try a poncho instead of a jacket.

<< Pair a saree with a long, light trench. Wear a shawl jacket on your blouse with a saree.

<< You can even opt for a high neck, full-sleeved top as a blouse.

Inputs by Tanya Sharma, fashion designer and stylist

Wear an embellished jacket over a sleek tunic-and-pants combo for a winter wedding or a glam night out. pic/PTI

Ditch the clichéd cold shoulder top and opt for an off-shoulder cardigan, like Neha Dhupia. Pic/Bipin Kokate

Match your layer with your accessories, be it a bag or shoes, for a striking appearance. Pic/Falguni Agrawal

Belt a jacket over your saree and play with its drape like Kajol, for a twist in your desi look. Pic/Sameer Markande

Anushka Sharma gets layering right with an unbelted light trench coat paired with jeans and slip-ons

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To fund future tax cuts for companies, the Russian Ministry of Finance has proposed hiking the headline value-added tax rate.

Russia should hike value-added tax by four percent to 22 percent and lower social security contributions, the International Monetary Fund has proposed.

Former India captain Krishnamachari Srikkanth said that current skipper Virat Kohli can be compared to Kapil Dev. Srikkanth was part of the squad that Kapil led to victory in the 1983 World Cup and feels that Kohli's self-believe is reminiscent of the former all-rounder.

"I played with Kapil Dev and played under him. I can compare Virat Kohli with Kapil Dev. I see a tremendous amount of self-belief in him," Srikkanth said on Star Sports Cricket Connected where he was chatting with former batsman VVS Laxman and former England skipper Nasser Hussain.

Laxman said that he was afraid that Kohli's famous intensity might burn out in time but that has shown little signs of happening. "I admire Virat Kohli's intensity. One thing I was worried about was whether he will burn out quickly. But not even for one session or one over does he let his intensity drop and that is really commendable,"

Laxman said on the TV show. Kohli averages above 50 in all forms of international cricket. In Tests, he has scored 7240 runs at an average of 53.62 and in ODIs, he has scored 11,867 runs at an average of nearly 60.

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Veteran India wicketkeeper-batsman and former captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni seems to be enjoying his quality time back at his lavish farmhouse located in Ranchi.

MS Dhoni's wife Sakshi Dhoni apparently shared ain Instagram Live video in which Mahi can be seen giving his daughter Ziva a ride on a motorbike in their farmhouse. 

The video was also shared by MS Dhoni's Indian Premier League (IPL) team Chennai Super Kings on Twitter immediately after it went viral. CSK went on to caption the photo with some fun play of words: "Thala Suthifying, literally. #WhistlePodu VC: @SakshiSRawat."

Thala Suthifying, literally! 😍ðŸ¦ÂðŸ’› #WhistlePodu VC: @SaakshiSRawat pic.twitter.com/0xpOxVoVET

— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) April 20, 2020

Sakshi Dhoni had also shared a cute photo of herself and MS Dhoni during lockdown as she playfully goes to lick his toes while he was immersed in his mobile phone.

In normal circumstances, MS Dhoni would have been currently leading three-time champions CSK in the 13th edition of the IPL. However, due to the coronavirus pandemic, the cash-rich league has been postponed indefinitely by the BCCI.

The former captain's participation at this year's T20 World Cup remains in doubt as he hasn't played international cricket since India's defeat at the hands of New Zealand in the World Cup semi-final last year.

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England Test captain Joe Root has revealed that he has faced a variety of sledges in his cricketing career, including comparison with American comedian and chat show host Ellen DeGeneres for his looks.

"I've been called Ellen DeGeneres on a number of occasions over the course of my career," Root told BBC Radio 1.

"I think there's a likeness there," he added.

The 29-year-old opted for 'Mardy Bum' by the Arctic Monkeys and 'She Moves In Her Own Way' by the Kooks as his opening two 'Mancave Anthems' while appearing on the pop music station to select some of his favourite records.

Earlier in March, Root, in an open letter addressed to the British public, had stressed on the importance of team work as a society in their fight to defeat the coronavirus pandemic which has swept the world off its feet.

"As England players we've tasted some desperate days and enjoyed exhilarating highs and tried to stay grounded throughout.

"But over the last few weeks I'm sure that many of you, like us, have experienced intense emotions as the pandemic has spread. Perhaps you have lost a loved one, fear for someone who is ill or are sick yourself.

"Perhaps you are worried about families and friends and are anxious about what the future holds. Never has teamwork been more important in our society," Root had written in the letter.

Professional cricket in England remains suspended till July 1 because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic which has claimed over 2 lakh lives across the world thus far.

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Former Pakistan speedster Shoaib Akhtar has claimed that Imran Nazir was a more talented batsman in comparison to Virender Sehwag but he didn't have the brain which the explosive Indian opener had.

"I don't think Imran Nazir had the brain that Sehwag had. I don't think Sehwag had the talent that Imran Nazir had. There is no comparison with regards to talent. We tried to contain him a little," Akhtar was quoted as saying on a TV show by Cricket Pakistan.

He, however, believes Pakistan didn't use Nazir well else the team would have had a better player in him than Sehwag.

"When he hit a brutal hundred against India in a match, I asked them to play Imran Nazir consistently but they didn't listen," he said.

"It is unfortunate that we do not know how to take care of our brands. We could have had a player better than Virender Sehwag in Imran Nazir. He had all the shots while also being a good fielder. We could have utilised him brilliantly but we just couldn't," he added.

Nazir played just 8 Tests, 79 ODIs and 25 T20Is for Pakistan, amassing 427, 1895 and 500 runs in the three formats respectively.

On the other hand, Sehwag represented India in 104 Tests, 251 ODIs and 19 T20Is in which he scored 8586, 8273 and 394 runs respectively.

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Veteran batsman David Warner believes Australia's upcoming limited-overs tour of England will be scrapped because of the coronavirus pandemic. The Australians were scheduled to play three one-dayers and three Twenty20 matches against England in July. But last week the England and Wales Cricket Board delayed the start of their season until July 1 at the earliest and players may need some warm-up cricket before returning to the international arena.

There has been speculation the tour could be delayed until September, but Warner was doubtful if it would go ahead. "At the moment it's highly unlikely we're going to go over there given what's happened in England," Warner told cricket.com.au. He said the fact British Prime Minister Boris Johnson had been hospitalised with COVID-19 showed the gravity of the problem in the host nation.

"He's back up on his feet now and that's fantastic news, but there's a lot more to this than just sport being played," Warner added. Australia have already cancelled a two-Test tour of Bangladesh in June, and a limited-overs home series against Zimbabwe is also in doubt. Australia are due to host the Twenty20 World Cup in October-November, for which the International Cricket Council has said it is "exploring all options".

Cricket Australia is particularly keen to go ahead with a Test series against India due to be played after the T20 tournament, warning this month it could lose hundreds of millions of dollars if it were scrapped.

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Batting maestros Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag and Virat Kohli have made a cut to former Australia batter Michael Hussey's "Best Enemies XI" in Test cricket.

Hussey picked Sehwag and former South African captain Graeme Smith as openers in the batting line-up which consists stalwarts like Brian Lara, Tendulkar, Kohli, Jacques Kallis and Kumar Sangakkara.

The bowling unit included South Africans Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel, England's James Anderson and legendary Sri Lanka spinner Muttiah Muralitharan.

The left-handed batsman, who played Test cricket for Australia from 2005 to 2013, however didn't included his former Chennai Super Kings teammate MS Dhoni.

"I wrestled with this one between Kumar Sangakkara, MS Dhoni and AB de Villiers. But I think the latter two have got more impact in the shorter formats T20s and ODI," Hussey said while picking the Best XI of opponents he has played against in Test cricket on "The Unplayable Podcast".

"Sangakkara had immense impact in Test cricket," he added.

Hussey played a total of 79 Tests, 185 ODIs and 38 T20Is in which he scored 6235, 5442 and 721 runs respectively.

Michael Hussey's 'Best of Enemies' XI: Virender Sehwag, Graeme Smith, Brian Lara, Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli, Jacques Kallis, Kumar Sangakkara, Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel, James Anderson, Muttiah Muralitharan.

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BCCI president Sourav Ganguly is deeply saddened and intimidated by the devastation caused because of the COVID-19 pandemic and has equated the unprecedented crisis to playing a Test match on a dangerous wicket. The decorated former player opened up on life under lockdown due to the novel coronavirus pandemic that has claimed over 2.40 lakh lives across the world while infecting more than 34 lakh people. "This situation is a Test match on a very dangerous wicket. The ball is seaming and spinning as well - the batsman has very little margin of error," Ganguly said while speaking on '100 Hours 100 Stars', an initiative started by Fever Network.

"So, the batsman has to score runs and keep his wicket safe with this little margin of error, and win this Test match," he added. A winner of innumerable fierce battles during his playing days when there was no dearth of fearsome fast bowlers and quality spinners, Ganguly was tempted to draw a parallel between the tough moments in the sport and the health crisis. "This is very difficult, but we hope that we will win this match together," he added. Ganguly expressed his sadness at the number of lives lost in the pandemic and the irreparable damage that it has caused. "I am really upset seeing the current situation, because so many people are suffering outside. We are still struggling to understand how to stop this pandemic," he said. "This atmosphere all over the world has really bothered me. We don't know how, when and where it came from - we all were unprepared for this," he added. Not just upset, Ganguly conceded he cannot help feeling a big scared of what's unfolding because of the disease. "People are being affected by this so much. There have been so many deaths. This situation upsets me, and I also feel scared," he said.

"People come to my house to deliver groceries, food, so I feel a little scared as well. So it's a mixed feeling. I just want this to end as quickly as possible," he added, He said cricket has taught him to face tough situations in life and the importance of staying alert at all times. Asked how he keeps himself positive, the former captain said: "Cricket has taught me a lot. I faced real life, high-pressure situations. You have to make runs and there is just one ball left. "If you make one wrong move, one wrong footwork, you will not get another chance. These kind of situations make you alert and aware about real life situations," he said. The BCCI chief, though, also added that he is getting to spend a lot of time with his family after a long time. "It's been a month into the lockdown. I didn't mind it earlier. Earlier, I wouldn't get time at home like this. My lifestyle involved travelling for work everyday. "For the past 30-32 days, I have been at home with my family, spending time with my wife, daughter, my mother and my brother. "I have got a time like this after long, so I am enjoying myself," he said.

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Former cricketer-turned-politician Gautam Gambhir has become quite an active personality on social media. Gambhir, who is quite famous for his straightforward opinions and practical views, has a much lighter side on social media.

Gautam Gambhir recently took to photo sharing website Instagram to share a photo of his two little daughters Anaiza and Aazeen as they 'bring the house down' as the country faces a lockdown due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Gautam Gambhir captioned the photo saying, "That’s the look of two of the naughtiest girls on the planet after they have brought down the house with their partying!!" Take a look at the post below.

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

That’s the look of two of the naughtiest girls on the planet after they have brought down the house with their partying!! 🥳🤣

A post shared by Gautam Gambhir (@gautamgambhir55) onMay 4, 2020 at 12:15am PDT

Gautam Gambhir, who is member of the Lok Sabha, got married to Natasha Jain in 2011. Their first daughter Aazeen was born in June 2014. Gambhir and Natasha welcomed their second daughter Anaiza, born in June 2017.

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Despite the World Health Organisation's warnings to not rush into easing the Coronavirus restrictions as it could lead to a resurgence of the disease, some of the affected countries have started to restart their economies.

Spain, which was also planning to ease the lockdown when the daily deaths dropped below 400, had to reconsid its plan after recording a spike for the second day on Wednesday. Another 435 people died in the past 24 hours, bringing the overall death toll to 21,717, said the authorities.

Pedro Sanchez, Spain PM

Spain has suffered the third-highest number of deaths in the world after the US and Italy, with infections now hitting 2,08,000 cases, health ministry figures showed. Monday's figure of 399 deaths was the lowest in four weeks, but a day later, it rose to 430 with officials explaining the numbers tend to go up slightly on Tuesday following delays in receiving regional data on weekend deaths.

The March 14 lockdown has been twice extended with Spain Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez seeking parliament go-ahead to prolong nation's state of emergency until May 9. "We must avoid missteps. If we stay on top of the virus and our health system maintains and reinforces that impression, then we will propose another step," BBC quoted him as saying.

A worker on a construction site on Wednesday in Cenon, France, as works resume after stopping several weeks; long lines built up outside the few McDonald's drive-thrus that started serving customers again; more than 10 million employees in France - one out of every two in the private sector - have been laid off during the lockdown. Pic/AFP

But from Sunday, the conditions are to be eased for youngsters in Spain, who have not been allowed out of the house for nearly six weeks under one of the most restrictive lockdowns in the world. From April 26, those under 14 will be allowed to go for a walk with one of their parents or accompany them on trips out to buy food, medicine or go to the bank.

Addressing MPs at Wednesday's parliamentary session, Sánchez said moves to ease the lockdown would likely begin in the second half of May. "The second half of May offers the prospect of a scaling-back [of the lockdown], of phase two of the fight" when the restrictions "will be modified", he said.
But the lockdown "will not be lifted until we are prepared for it because we are not going to take any risks," he said, insisting that "any optimism must be tempered by prudence".
'
"We must be incredibly careful in this phase," he said. "The scaling-back period will be slow and gradual, precisely because it has to be safe." Restrictions were also being eased in Denmark, Austria and France. In the US, too, some states were relaxing restrictions. The pandemic has infected over 2.5 million people and killed over 1,77,000 around the world.

Iran and Iraq continue to report new deaths

Iraq, which had on Tuesday partly eased the lockdown restrictions, recorded one more fatality, bringing the tally to 83 on Wednesday. The Health Ministry said the total number of cases reached 1,602 with 28 new cases, reported Anadolu Agency. In Iran, where local shops were reportedly allowed to open from April 20 but with social distancing in place, reported 94 new deaths on Wednesday. But the cases of infections was on the way down, it said. Health ministry said the fatalities detected in the past 24 hours took Iran's overall toll to 5,391; and infections climbed to 85,996 with 1,194 new cases. "If we arrogantly think that the job is done and we have won, then this would be the biggest problem that could affect us," President Hassan Rouhani said. Iran has struggled to contain the outbreak. Despite that, Iran has allowed many businesses to reopen since April 11 after shutting most down in mid-March to prevent the spread of the disease.

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With the Coronavirus lockdown being the only pressing issue one can think of right now, one can have a constant fear of contracting the deadly virus and taking precautions to protect oneself from it. The pandemic can even takeover one’s thoughts to an extend that it feels that even asteroids are wearing face masks.

A 1.5 km wide asteroid, which is almost half the size of Mount Everest is set to fly by Earth next week, and its shape has already generated curiosity among netizens. The Arecibo Observatory in Puerto Rico tweeted about the asteroid saying that it looks like it wearing a face mask. The observatory also shared a picture of the asteroid it snapped recently. The team researching about the asteroid in the observatory has been wearing the protective masks while at work as a precaution for the Coronavirus pandemic. They have likening the asteroid’s appearance to themselves in the hilarious tweet.

“#TeamRadar and the @NAICobservatory staff are taking the proper safety measures as we continue observations. This week we have been observing near-Earth asteroid 1998 OR2, which looks like it's wearing a mask! It's at least 1.5 km across and is passing 16 lunar distances away!” read the tweet. The team also shared pictures of their members wear masks and posing against the picture of the asteroid.

#TeamRadar and the @NAICobservatory staff are taking the proper safety measures as we continue observations. This week we have been observing near-Earth asteroid 1998 OR2, which looks like it's wearing a mask! It's at least 1.5 km across and is passing 16 lunar distances away! pic.twitter.com/X2mQJCT2Qg

— Arecibo Radar (@AreciboRadar) April 18, 2020

In a statement to CNN, Anne Virkki, head of the planetary radar at the Observatory said that the small-scale topographic features of the asteroid such as the hills and ridges are 'fascinating scientifically'. "But since we are all thinking about Covid-19, these features make it look like 1998 OR2 remembered to wear a mask," she added.

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Pakistan's Coronavirus cases jumped to 12,579 on Sunday after 783 new infections were reported in one day, prompting the government officials and medical experts to appeal to the people to avoid visiting mosques and participating in congregational prayers during Ramzan to contain the spread.

According to the Ministry of National Health Services, at least 15 people have died in the last 24 hours, taking the death toll in the country to 269. The number of those recovered also increased to 2,866, it said. So far, 144,365 tests have been done in the country, including 6,218 in the last 24 hours.

As the infections keep growing, Pakistan Medical Association, Pakistan Islamic Medical Association (PIMA) have urged people to offer prayers at homes and not in mosques. PIMA President Dr Iftikhar Burney warned on Saturday that mosques were becoming a major source of virus transmission.

"Around 6,000 cases for coronavirus surfaced in a month, but the same has doubled in the last six days," he said, warning that the infection would further go up in the coming months of May and June.

The are reports that a 20-point agreement signed by the leading clerics with President Arif Alvi on restricting access to mosques during Ramzan was not being followed completely. Alvi has written a letter to the Imams of mosques urging them to ask worshippers above the age of 50 to pray at home.

783
No. of new infections reported on Sunday

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South Africa has issued a guide on the value-added tax rate increase to 15 percent from 14 percent due to take effect from April 1, 2018.

Singapore will hike its seven percent goods and services tax rate to nine percent some time between 2021 and 2025, Singapore's Finance Minister, Heng Swee Keat, announced in the territory's new Budget.

The International Monetary Fund has recommended that the United States raise indirect taxes to boost revenues, to offset the cost of recent tax cuts and spending increases.

French scientists have developed a software program called Predibirth' that can identify potential problems with delivery of the baby in high-risk pregnancies.

bDengue virus/b grows and spreads in mosquitoes faster at bhigher temperatures/b, but slows when temperatures are lower or fluctuate, suggesting

European car manufacturers have called on governments to ensure that a new test for measuring vehicle emissions does not create tax distortions for new cars entering the market.

Japan's proposed sales tax hike is expected to go ahead as planned in 2019 after a landslide win by incumbent Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary, Yoshihide Suga, has announced a task force will be set up to consider ways to mitigate the negative impact of the planned 2019 consumption tax rise.

Japan's sales tax rose from eight to 10 percent on October 1, 2019, following two previous delays to the hike.

The main UK opposition party Labour has set out its plans for tax reform, in a manifesto released on November 21.

Sperm characteristics in frozen sperm samples doesn't found to vary much when exposed to microgravity, reported a study at the 35th Annual Meeting of ESHRE investigators.

Too much lead exposure can cause decreased brain volume in some adolescents, reports a new study. The findings of the study are published in the journal iNature Medicine/i.

Women with incident postpartum psychiatric disorders are less likely to go on to have further kids, reports a new study. The findings of the study are

Sudden lockdown due to COVID-19 pandemic has increased depression and anxiety among millions of people living across the world. Research by the University

Older primary care patients with depression who exhibit worsening or persistent sleep disturbance are at higher risk for persistent depression and suicidal ideation, reports a new study.

There is no spike in fever and pneumonia cases, no flooding of ICUs with patients. Data-sets indicate there is nothing to suggest a large-scale spread of viral infection in the country.

In India, in the past 24 hours, 2,293 new coronavirus cases have been reported, the most in a single day so far, taking the total number of cases to 37,336, the Union Health Ministry said on Saturday.

African-American men who are at high risk of prostate cancer, are less likely to use a more targeted biopsy option for detecting prostate cancer, according

New genetic screening platform using CRISPR technology for targeting thousands of genes in a massively-parallel fashion give an accurate and fast method

In the kidney transplantation process, the distance from a patient's residence to the nearest transplant center did not appear to affect access to early steps, revealed study of Southeastern U.

Should strike be allowed by medical professionals such as doctors? This debate is currently creating a tug of war betwe

People who received treatment in low-income areas were half as likely to have their blood pressure controlled in a six-year clinical trial, according

In young adults, variable blood pressure readings are overlooked early warning sign of heart disease, a new analysis led by Duke Health researchers shows.

Patients feel more confident and better able to communicate with orthopedic surgeons who wore white coats, reports a new study. Hospitalized patients

Most deaths in adults undergoing noncardiac surgery occur after surgery, and even after discharge from the hospital, reports a new study. It's not

Early growth spurt in boys may be a novel risk factor for the development of type 2 diabetes later in life, reports a new study. The findings of the study

Newer therapies can benefit millions of people with type 2 diabetes and heart disease, suggests a new study. Type 2 diabetes (T2D) affects treatment

Video game-based treatment can boost attention in kids with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), reports a new study. The findings of the