David Luiz has hailed the impact of Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta since his return to the club, with the Spaniard having pulled the entire club together.

Tottenham forward Harry Kane has praised Captain Tom Moore, the 99-year-old war veteran who has raised over £15million for the NHS in the battle against coronavirus.

Former Liverpool winger Ryan Babel has lavished praise upon the club's Dutch duo Georginio Wijnaldum and Virgil van Dijk.

AS Roma head coach Paulo Fonseca has reiterated his desire to keep Manchester United defender Chris Smalling at the club beyond the end of his current loan stint.

Arsenal have been linked with a move for Feyenoord's young midfielder Orkun Kokcu, who has been tipped for a big future after an impressive breakout season in the Netherlands.

Justin and Hailey Bieber have shared a video of time spent on Puslinch Lake recently with fans via his Facebook page. Bieber has a song set to be released on Friday. Proceeds from the duet with Ariana Grande will go to first responders.

Australian officials agree that postponing the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games until next year because of coronavirus is a positive move, saying it will come as a relief to athletes around the world.

Melbourne Storm players prepare to hit the road for Albury, where training will recommence on Wednesday at their new temporary base.

Thailand reported four new coronavirus cases and one more death on Saturday, bringing the total to 3,004 cases and 56 deaths since the outbreak started in January.

“We respect the jury’s verdict and are pleased that Ahmed Ghailani now faces a minimum of 20 years in prison and a potential life sentence for his role in the embassy bombings," said Matthew Miller, Director of Public Affairs.

Algerian national Hamza Bendelladj, aka “Bx1,” has been extradited from Thailand to the United States to face charges in Atlanta for allegedly playing a critical role in developing, marketing, distributing and controlling “SpyEye,” a pernicious computer virus designed to steal unsuspecting victims’ financial and personally identifying information.

Williams Director of Engineering Patrick Head hailed a good result for his team as both Nico Hulkenberg and Rubens Barrichello finished in the points to close the gap in the constructors' standing to seven points between themselves and Force India

Sauber team boss hailed Kamui Kobayashi as 'absolutely amazing' after the Japanese driver finished seventh from a starting place of 18th at the European Grand Prix

Adrian Sutil said it was a 'pretty amazing' result for his Force India team after he finished sixth in Sunday's European Grand Prix

Fernando Alonso said it had been one of the best results of the year for Ferrari after he won the Korean Grand Prix and took the lead of the divers' standings thanks to the retirements of both Red Bull drivers

Jenson Button described his win in the Chinese Grand Prix win as the best of his career

Mario Andretti has hailed the new Circuit of the Americas as "phenomenal" after officially opening the track

Rubens Barrichello said it was a 'great effort' from his Williams team after the Brazilian claimed his second successive top-five finish

Since July, floods have ravaged Thailand, causing $3 billion in damage and killing nearly 300 people. But as the waters approach the capital city, Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra says he is confident

Elephants, tigers, and other threatened species are thriving in Thailand's Western Forest Complex thanks to conservation efforts.

Among the hundreds of animals seized were 5 tigers, 13 white lions, three pumas, three kangaroos, four flamingos, two crowned cranes, 66 marmosets, two orangutans, and two red pandas.

Just a 30-minute ride on public transportation outside the Thai capital, travelers will find a cluster of jungle tree houses where they can breath clean air, explore a lush landscape, and sleep under the stars.

Peter Root and Mary Thompson, both only 34 years old, were on an epic bike trip around the world. They were killed in a road accident last Wednesday in Chachoengsao Province, Thailand, near Bangkok.

floating bridge is described as "a magnificent piece of engineering."

Our photo of the day comes from beautiful Erawan National Park in Western Thailand.

Climate crisis? What climate crisis?

Esurance Pass It On Sweepstakes goes into overtime with grand prize giveaway of $250,000.

A supercell thunderstorm in Argentina delivered shockingly huge hailstones to the heavily populated city of Villa Carlos Paz.

Roughly 60% to 70% of Didi Chuxing's business has bounced back from the coronavirus crisis in China, says Jean Liu, president of the mobile app-based transportation firm.

Chewy and Miley, both two-year-old Schnauzer dogs, are getting their hair cut at a groomer in Bangkok for the first time since the new coronavirus outbreak began in Thailand in January.

Thackeray
U/A: Biopic
Dir: Abhijit Panse
Cast: Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Amrita Rao
Rating:

Rather than a biopic, Nawazuddin Siddiqui's Thackeray tends to become a hagiography that doesn't offer an insight into the larger-than-life personality that was Balasaheb Thackeray. If you've wondered what lay beneath this powerful leader, or how he rose when the odds were against him, be warned this film doesn't answer those questions. Which is not to say it doesn't work.

Director Abhijit Panse's offering is an interesting drama for those who don't know much about Thackeray. The protagonist's journey from being a cartoonist at a newspaper to becoming a ruthless leader, insistent on the progress of the Marathi manoos, is captured well. But is this movie an image makeover exercise for the party, which is at loggerheads with its long-time ally, the Bharatiya Janata Party, ahead of the Lok Sabha elections this year? It definitely feels so. Interestingly, while the film starts with a disclaimer which reads that the makers don't support violence in any manner, they haven't shied away from showing Thackeray as someone who was in favour of using violence as a means to instill peace.

The film opens with the leader's trial in a Lucknow court as he is being questioned about his role in the demolition of Babri Masjid. When he is asked about his supporters tearing down the mosque, he replies, "Nahi, nahi. Toda nahi, saaf kiya." The film then travels between Thackeray's past — stylishly shot in black and white — and the courtroom where he has to justify his deeds and decisions.

From the rise of the angry Marathi consciousness against the dominant South Indians in Mumbai to the killing of Krishna Desai, a member of the Communist Party, to Thackeray supporting the Emergency because he believes that the country would finally be disciplined — various chapters present the protagonist as a tyrant.

The problem, however, lies in the most important chapter — the '93 Bombay riots. The film skims over the matter, and shows it as a conspiracy to kill Thackeray rather than people avenging the post-Babri riots, as is popular knowledge. The storyline then leaps to the bomb blasts that shook the city, and unsurprisingly, Thackeray and the Shiv Sena, rather than being depicted as the instigators of the communal riots, are shown as the city's saviours.

Siddiqui is riveting as Thackeray. It is his terrific performance that makes you invested in the film even when it trudges down a predictable path. But he falters with his voice; he can't match the deep baritone of his subject. Amrita Rao is convincing as Meena Thackeray. The movie ends with the victory of the Sena-Bharatiya Janata Party alliance in the 1995 state elections; the makers also use the opportunity here to announce the sequel. Produced by Shiv Sena Member of Parliament Sanjay Raut, the film barely goes beyond being the audio-visual version of Sena's official newspaper.

Watch Thackeray Trailer

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Singer-songwriter Justin Bieber and his wife Hailey Baldwin celebrated Easter together as they continued with social distancing in Canada amid the coronavirus pandemic. The 26-year-old pop star and Baldwin posted sweet photos on their respective Instagram Stories to document their Easter celebrations, complete with a feast of food on Sunday.

The 23-year-old model shared adorable candid moments from their holiday celebrations with a collage of selfies featuring plenty of smiles, kisses and silly facial expressions. "Love u, babe," Bieber captioned his own Instagram post.

 

 

 

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A post shared by Hailey Baldwin Bieber (@haileybieber) onApr 12, 2020 at 3:42pm PDT

The duo also cuddled by the lake near their home as they listened to music and enjoyed the view together. The pair knows how to celebrate a holiday. In honour of Valentine's Day, the newlyweds enjoyed an intimate candlelit dinner inside their California home which they had covered in roses and other romantic decorations.

The 'Baby' singer captioned a photo of his wife on February 14, "My forever valentine." He also shared a video on his Instagram story showing that he laid rose petals along the path leading to their dining room table -- which the singer also decorated with a bouquet and chocolates.

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The Indian Air Force conducted an airstrike against terror camps across the LoC at the wee hours of Tuesday in retaliation to the February 14 suicide bombing in Kashmir, when 40 CRPF Jawans attended martyrdom. A very large number of JeM terrorists, trainers, senior commanders and groups of jihadis who have been trained for fidayeen action were eliminated in the air strike on terror camps run by Jaish-e-Muhammad.

75-year-old retired Lt. General Dr D B Shekatkar, who has served in the 1965 and 1971 wars, spoke to mid-day at length after the IAF strikes. He said that the strike was the apt answer for the Pulwama attack that killed more than 40 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) jawans.

Shekatkar said, "With today's surgical strike India has given a strong message to Pakistan and we have shown the world that we can also utilise our full force if required. Pakistan did not leave any choice for us. They refused to earn from their mistakes. In spite of surgical strikes in Uri, they continued with their terror activities. Today's airstrike will make them think thrice before attacking India."

When asked about why the Dassault Mirage 2000 was used in this operation, Shekatkar said, "Surgical strike carried out in Pakistan is not against citizen but against terror outfits in Pakistan. The Mirage aircraft is designed to carry out operations in mountainous areas within a short duration. The operation was carried out at terror outfit's stronghold in Pok."

The Lt. general also appealed that the surgical strikes must not be made into a political issue and opposition leaders should not use it for political gains. He pointed out that 10 years ago when terrorist Ajmal Kasab attacked Mumbai, the government did not react strongly. As a result, the terror outfits in Pakistan were encouraged to carry out more terror activities in India.

Talking about Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan's leadership, Shekatkar said, "Imran Khan may be a good sportsman but not a political leader. He is Pakistan defence's puppet. Pakistani citizens must question the leadership and its democracy."

71-year-old Retired Air Marshal Bhushan Ghokhale congratulated the IAF for striking across LoC. He said, "It was well-executed teamwork. It's really commendable work done by them. We have targeted the terror outfit area and eliminated them. Pakistan has been a safe haven for terror outfits and with this surgical strike we have sent a message that giving shelter to terrorists will invite more attacks in their country."

Ghokale also said, "The air strike was the need of the hour. India must stand together and our integrity is our strength."

He also said that today's surgical strike is a tribute to yesterday's India's War Memorial."Such activities are called as 'Hot pursuit' activity at the International level since we did not target any military or civilian of Pakistan but we targetted the workshop of terror outfit operating in Pakistan. This is not the first time a surgical strike has happened in Pakistan. In the past, the American army killed Osama Bin Laden in Abbottabad in Pakistan."

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‘Main Shayar To Nahin’ in Bobby gave birth to two stars. Rishi Kapoor who lip-synced this timeless song and Shailendra Sing who actually sang the tune to eternal fame. Singh, now 67, living alone in blissful isolation, blames his own poor networking abilities to his short-lived stardom. “I don’t speak about my past glory and when my friend Chintu (Rishi Kapoor) passed away I saw that wonderful phase in my life when we both dazzled the world come to a closure,” says the affable singer when I coax him into an interview.

“I met him after he returned from his treatment, three months ago. He was his usual self, so full of life, sparkling with humour and warmth…Why does such a man leave us so quickly? We were almost the same age. I still remember a very young fair-skinned boy standing quietly in the studio when I was recording ‘Main Shayar Toh Nahin’ for Raj Saab and Laxmikant-Pyarelalji. He didn’t say anything. Just kept observing, later he introduced himself as the hero of the film that I was singing for, says Shailendra fondly.

How did he, a newcomer, get such a prized singing assignment like Bobby? Shailendra sighs, “Even I wondered why, and how. I had nothing to do with the film fraternity. I lived in Pune and learnt classical Hindustani music from my Guru. Then suddenly one day I was told that Raj Kapoor Saab was looking for a fresh voice for his son, and why don’t I try for it?”

Shailendra “gave it a try” with no expectations. “How was I to know that Raj Saab would like my voice? At that time I had no idea what it was for, that Raj Saab was making a film called Bobby with his son Rishi Kapoor in the lead. Or that the composers were the great Laxmikant-Pyarelal and that my duets would be with the Singing Queen Lata Mangeshkarji. I knew none of this.”

Here came a seemingly insurmountable hurdle. “Laxmikant-Pyarelal wanted the voice of Mohd Rafi Saab for Chintu. But Raj Saab was adamant. It had to be a fresh new voice for Chintu. Aur bhala Raj Saab ki baat kaun taal sakta ttha? So there I was, being told by Laxmikantji to sing something, anything…And guess what I chose to sing for him? ‘Dekha Na Haye Re Socha Na Haye Re’ from Bombay To Goa. An R D Burman composition for Laxmikant-Pyarelal! I remember the very talented composer Rajesh Roshan played the congo as I sang for Laxmi-Pyareji. That was the song of my life ‘Dekha Na Haye Re Socha Na Haye Re’. I never cared about cultivating the right people in the film industry, or belonging to any camp.”

Thereafter a couple of significant incidents happened in the Kapoor parivar. “Daboo (Randhir Kapoor) got married. Raj Saab lost his father (Prithviraj Kapoor). Finally I recorded ‘Main Shayar Toh Nahin’. Everyone congratulated me. I was formally introduced to the film fraternity by Raj saab at a get-together. I remember Sharmila Tagore, Mumtaz, Rajesh Khanna, R D Burman they were all there. My dream run had just begun. The duets with Lataji were yet to come, though she was there for my recording of ‘Main Shayar Toh Nahin’. I remember she introduced herself (as though I didn’t know who she was!), watched me sing and then left quietly. Soon I was singing ‘Hum Tum Ek Kamre Band Ho’ with her. The first of our three super hit duets in Bobby. She saw my nervousness and put me at ease. I became a lifelong fan. My day still starts with her song. By the way ‘Main Shayar Toh Nahin’ was re-recorded. I had to do it a second time, though I thought I was better in the first version.”

Shailendra Singh reveals how his dream of becoming Rishi Kapoor’s permanent ghost voice were shattered. “I thought I’d be Chintu’s ghost-voice, just like Mukesh Saab for Raaj saab. Chintu of course believed in my voice. He would always recommend me. I sang two songs for him in his second film Zehreela Insaan. I was supposed to sing a third song ‘Oh Hanseeni’, which became the biggest hit of the film. Before I knew it, the song was taken away from me and given to Kishore Kumar Saab.”

An identical situation arose during Saagar. “I was told S P Balasubramaniamji would be Kamal Haasan’s voice. And I would be singing all the songs for Chintu. I recorded one song ‘Jaane Do Na’ with Ashaji for Saagar .It was used for the mahurat of the film. And then suddenly, all the other songs were sung by Kishore Kumar Saab. I don’t blame anyone for this sudden change. Kishoreda was a much bigger and better singer than me. I am happy to have got songs like ‘Main Shayar Toh Nahin’ (Bobby), ‘Humne Tumko Dekha’ (Khel Khel Mein), ‘Sham Suhanee Aaye’ (Zinda Dil), ‘Hoga Tumse Pyara Kaun’ (Zamane Ko Dikhana Hai), ‘Jaane Do Na’ (Saagar) and ‘Oh Meri Jaan’ (Manzil Manzil). The rest was all destiny.”

In 1994, Shailendra Singh was hospitalized for complication due to diabetes. “The talk in the industry was that I had a heart attack and that I had died. I didn’t die. But the rumours killed my career.”

Shailendra’s acting ambitions also came in the way of his singing career. “I played the lead in a couple of Hindi films Agreement opposite Rekhaji and Do Jasoos where I got to work with Raj Saab as an actor. Then I did guest appearances in two films with Bhaijaan (Mehmood) Ginny Aur Johnny and Naukar. I was very close to Bhaijaan. I also played the lead in a Bengali film Ajosro Dhanyobaad with Aparna Sen as my leading lady. I spoke all my dialogue in Bengali and sang all the songs…I soon realized acting wasn’t my forte. Singing was. And singing it shall remain. Even today no matter where I go at every concert the audiences go wild when I sing ‘Main Shayar Toh Nahin’. Incidentally Chintu returned to sing ‘Main Shayar Toh Nahin’ in Kunal Kohli’s Hum Tum in my voice. It was a grand reunion. Now I will sing ‘Main Shayar Toh Nahin’ for Chintu when we meet again. ”

Also Read: Dimple Kapadia’s big Rishi Kapoor connection & little Irrfan Khan connection

Football legend Diego Maradona, the manager of struggling Argentinian club Gimnasia y Esgrima La Plata, has praised the decision to suspend relegation from the country's top division until 2022.

The Argentinian Football Association (AFA) confirmed the move on Tuesday as it cancelled the rest of the top flight season amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

The move spares Gimnasia from an almost certain drop to the second division, reports Xinhua news agency.

"It's not the end that we would have wanted, but it's a good decision," the 1986 World Cup winner told Argentinian newspaper Clarin.

"We were convinced that we were going to avoid relegation anyway. But this is reward for a group that has given everything for this club."

Gimnasia needed a strong showing in the Superliga Cup to have any chance or remaining in the top tier under Argentina's complex promotion-relegation system that considers results over a three-year cycle. The Cup competition was aborted last month after just one round.

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The European Commission has hailed victory in a World Trade Organisation case concerning Russian anti-dumping duties on certain light commercial vehicles from Germany and Italy.

The EU has said that, as a result of dispute proceedings it launched in 2014, Russia has lowered tariffs on certain paper, refrigerators, and palm oil products.

Over 2,000 taxpayers made use of South Africa's Special Voluntary Disclosure Programme, which closed on August 31, 2017, the South African Revenue Service said October 10.

Inmarsat, together with Global Marine Networks and Network Innovations, announced on February 22 that the trial of Fleet Xpress in Antartic waters was a success. The service – the world's first globally available high-speed broadband service from a single network operator – was installed on board the adventure cruise ship Ocean Nova.

Narcotics laws may be reformed in Thailand. The government might legalize the use of cannabis for medical purpose only. The Thai government on Tuesday

The new infections marked the lowest number since early March, just before the country started reporting clusters and tolls started rising.

Thailand's membership reinforces its commitment to implement both the international standard of exchange of information on request and the standard of automatic exchange of financial account information.

Thailand has become the 98th jurisdiction to join the Inclusive Framework on BEPS (“IF”) and will participate on an equal footing with all other IF members at the next plenary meeting of the IF that will be held on 21-22 June 2017 in Noordwijk, the Netherlands.

This seminar addressed cutting-edge policy issues and research ideas to promote financial inclusion and financial literacy in Asia, notably: national strategies for financial education; financial education and consumer protection; measuring financial literacy; and, financial literacy for micro-entrepreneurs and SMEs.

Imports from Thailand in Turkey increased to 102940.13 USD THO in March from 83331.83 USD THO in February of 2020. Imports from Thailand in Turkey averaged 117124.59 USD THO from 2014 until 2020, reaching an all time high of 209822.22 USD THO in October of 2017 and a record low of 77311.15 USD THO in February of 2019. This page includes a chart with historical data for Turkey Imports from Thailand.

Thailand has made remarkable socio-economic progress over the past several decades. Even so, rising prosperity has not been shared equally across the country. Today, Thailand strives to pursue a development path to benefit all, seeking to reinvigorate economic transformation and reduce multifaceted inequalities in the face of a rapidly ageing population and technological change.