Falling clouds may combat global warming

Falling levels of cloud height across the world, possibly triggered by increasing global temperatures, may have a cooling impact on global warming, a new study has suggested. The first 10 years of data from the NASA Terra satellite, which uses nine cameras at different angles to produce a stereo image of the world's clouds, revealed that their average height has come down by about 1 per cent, or 30 to 40 metres. Most of the reduction was because of fewer clouds occurring at very high altitudes, according to the study by Auckland University scientists. "This is the first time we have been able to accurately measure changes in global cloud height and, while the record is too short to be definitive, it provides just a hint that something quite important might be going on," said lead researcher, Professor Roger Davies. In a "negative feedback mechanism", lower cloud height would allow the Earth to cool to space more efficiently, reducing the surface temperature of the planet and potentially slowing the effects of global warming, the Age reported. "We don't know exactly what causes the cloud heights to lower but it must be due to a change in the circulation patterns that give rise to cloud formation at high altitude," Professor Davies said. The Terra satellite is scheduled to go on with collecting data through the remainder of this decade. "If cloud heights come back up in the next 10 years we would conclude that they are not slowing climate change," Professor Davies said. "But if they keep coming down it will be very significant," Professor Davies added. The study has been published in the journal Geophysical Research Letters.

Celina Jaitley expecting twins in March

Former beauty queen-turned-actress Celina Jaitley says she might give birth to her twins in March, though she is due in April. "Thank you for the many wishes on our twins...Peter and I are due to become parents in April. But twins come a month in advance so March it is," Celina wrote on Twitter. Celina married hotelier Peter Haag in 2011, and she is enjoying her journey to motherhood. "Twin pregnancies have their risks and unique experiences which singleton birt's don't have. So it's been quite a journey," she added. It's been a while since Celina was seen on the big screen. So when a fan asked her on Twitter - "Where are you dear? No more movies," she responded: "Maternity break...its difficult to dance n seduce the hero whilst pregnant with twins." She will next be seen in "Will You Marry Me?".

Bollywood stars who had a run-in with the law

While Saif Ali Khan faces alleged assault charges, several other Bollywood folk have fallen in trouble with the law. Find out the current status of court cases against some of Hindi film industry's big stars... Fame is not always a good thing, and Bollywood heroes/heroines accused of alleged villainous acts in real life would agree. Some say stars get away easily thanks to their celebrity status, while some others say that they are unfairly targetted because they are popular. Here are some of the infamous cases where our actors have courted crime and controversy and where their cases stand as of today. Salman Khan Case: Black Buck poaching- 1998 Status: Ongoing Salman Khan has been playing hide-n-seek with the black buck case for the past 14 years. The actor was accused of killing two endangered Chinkaras and two Black Bucks in Jodhpur during the shoot of his film Hum Saath Saath Hain for which he even spent a few nights in jail in 2006. Last we heard was that the court had ordered a day-to-day hearing of the case in 2011 where Salman was expected to be present. The next hearing of the case is awaited. Case: Culpable Homicide- 2002 Status: Case closed There's a reason perhaps why Khan is sticking to the cycle these days. The actor was accused of culpable homicide after he allegedly drove over one and injured three pavement dwellers one night, under the influence of alcohol. However he successfully defended himself and the charges were dropped. John Abraham Case: Rash driving- 2006 Staus: Ongoing Bikes have been his first love and also the reason he has been embroiled in one of the most serious rash driving cases. The actor was accused of causing an accident and injuring two young men when he rammed his motorcycle into a cyclist at 11 pm on Khar-Danda Road in 2006. He was later out on bail. In August 2011, John filed a application in the sessions court praying for the recording of additional evidence. Shiney Ahuja Case: Charges of rape - 2009 Status: Ongoing It's a case that generated more number of jokes on the internet, than perhaps the hearing dates. The actor spent over three-and-a-half months in jail after his house help accused him of rape and threatening her. However, in 2010 the victim all of a sudden retracted her statement saying he did not rape her. He was eventually sentenced to seven years of rigorous imprisonment in 2011. He is now out on bail and cannot leave the country without the court's permission. Fardeen Khan Case: Illegal possession of cocaine- 2001 Status: Ongoing Fardeen Khan was arrested in 2001 for possessing illegal amounts of cocaine along with two others. Khan then claimed he had attempted to buy only one gram of cocaine, while the Narcotics Control Bureau alleged that nine-gram of the substance was found from Khan and others. However, in October 2011 Khan pleaded not guilty as court framed charges of him attempting to buy one gram of cocaine. Sanjay Dutt Case: Illegal arms possession- 1993 Status: Ongoing This is perhaps one of the longest running cases in the history of any film actor's life. Sanjay Dutt was arrested in 1993 under TADA (Terrorist and Disruptive Activities Act) and for illegal possession of weapons. The actor spent 16 months in jail between 1995-1997 and another seven months between 2006-2007, though he was eventually acquitted of any TADA related offenses in 2006. He was granted bail in the arms case in November 2007; his appeal for an acquittal on the case is still pending. It also turned out to be the reason why Dutt could not contest for the Samajwadi Party for an election three years back. Preity Zinta Case: Concealing financial position of Kings XI Punjab- 2009 Status: Case closed In 2009 Preity Zinta along with three other co-owners of Kings XI Punjab were accused of trying to hide the real financial position of the team. Zinta eventually filed a counter-petition stating that the court should have run an enquiry before filing a complaint. The case was shut in 2011 where the HC asked the two parties to settle the matter amongst themselves.

No more Salman: Asin

Asin declines Salman's offer to star in the Hindi remake of Tamil film Kavalan since she wants to act with other stars and get serious about her Bollywood career When Salman Khan saw glimpses of Tamil film Kavalan, starring Vijay and Asin in the lead, he was bowled over. In its Hindi remake titled, Bodyguard that is being produced by sister Alvira, he decided to cast Asin as his female lead. Asin, however, declined the offer. After London Dreams, Khan and Asin found themselves acting opposite each other in Anees Bazmi's Ready. If she had accepted, this would have been her third film with the actor. Asin is guarded while answering questions about the films she declined. "It isn't right to talk about what I didn't do. I've just wrapped up Kavalan. In fact, when director Siddique made the same film in Malayalan two years ago, I couldn't be part of it then too. So I promised him I'd do the Tamil version, which I have now done." Says a source, "Asin said a polite 'no' to the Kavalan remake for two reasons: after Ghajini, where she starred in both the Telugu and Hindi version, another Telugu-to-Hindi remake seemed monotonous. Moreover, three films in a row with Salman would've sent wrong signals to Bollywood. Asin wants to work with other stars too." A source reveals that Khan is supportive of her decision and understands that she is still new to the Hindi film industry. "One makes wrong choices, turns down roles in films that eventually turn out to be hits. No regrets. I'd rather focus on getting my act right, " says Asin. The actress is in talks over signing a film with actor Shah Rukh Khan, and another with Saif Ali Khan.

Bhansali removes Aishwarya's moaning and sexual bliss

Director Sanjay Bhansali has removed scenes where lead actress Aishwarya Rai Bachchan is seen 'moaning' in his upcoming film Guzaarish. We do understand if a director needs to bring some important changes in his film prior to release, but why should a 'moaning' scene be edited out? Sanjay Bhansali explains the term saying that 'moaning' depicts the sexual bliss felt by Aishwarya Rai's character in his forthcoming release. And going by the controversy that had started after the Aishwarya Rai – Hrithik Roshan liplock in Dhoom 2, Sanjay Bhansali is not prepared to draw any unwarranted attention to his film. Sources close to the Guzaarish camp are of the opinion that the decision was taken by director Sanjay Bhansali, because he did not want any kind of trouble brewing up in the happily married life of his lead actress. Besides, now that she is married, Aishwarya Rai too may feel uncomfortable viewing the intimate scenes with co-star and friend Hrithik with her family members. Guzaarish shows the love story of a paraplegic and his nurse wife. Though Sanjay Bhansali had initially shot the intimate scenes with his lead pair, he was later heard saying that the particular scene which has been edited is not very important for the progress in the storyline. This reminds us of the towel-dropping scene of Ranbir Kapoor in Saawariya!

Karisma and Sunjay Kapoor's marriage in trouble?

A New Delhi birdie chirps that there is buzz yet again about the cracks in Karisma Kapoor and Sunjay Kapur's marriage. The capital's social circles are talking about it saying that's why she's lost 23 kgs barely six months after her second child as she wants another innings in Bollywood. A few years ago also there was similar gupshup doing the rounds. But this appears to be only a rumour as Lolo was spotted with Sunjay at the recent Couture Week. And Kareena's sister also took part in the karva chauth celebrations. Some rumours never seem to die!

Exclusive Peak into Vivek Oberoi's mehndi ceremony

Vivek Oberoi, the bridegroom-to-be is certainly going to break a thousand hearts, as he ties the nuptial knots with his fiancée Priyanka Alva, in Bangalore, today, at a popular hotel. Vivek Oberoi, who is certainly one of the biggest stars down south, what with his Prince doing excellently there and his Rakta Charitra receiving such an over whelming response at the box office. However, the wedding of this handsome hunk, Vivek Oberoi, has been in the news for quite some time now, and as news about his going green and environmental concerns making him opt for the eco-friendly wedding card, has created quite an interest in the kind of high-end wedding, he is going to have. Vivek Oberoi,who is completely satisfied and happy with Priyanka, as he had stated sometime back that he had fallen for his bride-to-be in just 20 minutes flat will certainly make a million hearts crack, as he no longer will remain single in his marital status after the 29th of October 2010! As news about his wedding is spreading thick and fast, there are reports that the Chief Minister, BS.Yeddyurappa will be present as a special guest and amongst a whole load of celebrities, his two special B-town friends, Sushmita Sen and Dia Mirza are to be present at the venue in Bangalore. The wedding reception is to be held in Mumbai, and reports are that, who’s who of Bollywood is to be present at the venue on Saturday! Well, as for the wedding, great plans are ahead, and the wedding dress of the bride and the groom have been designed by none other than Tarun Tahiliani.Amongst others, even the producer of his hit flick Prince, Kumar Taurani,along with Sachin Gupta,the music composer for the flick are to grace the special occasion. Well, the high end wedding is sure to be an event to watch out for, but for the gals who will feel just the opposite; it will be one more bachelor, less for them to look out for! Here's what went down at Vivek Oberoi's mehndi ceremony and sangeet yesterday WHAT: Vivek Oberoi's mehndi ceremony was held yesterday. WHERE: At his fiancee, Priyanka Alva's palatial bungalow in Bangalore. HIGHLIGHT: The couple wrote their names on each other's palms. Vivek had mehndi specialist Usha Shah, a fixture at all his family functions (including his sister's wedding earlier this year) specially flown in from Mumbai. The couple danced to various B-Town songs. HAATHON MEIN KYA: Says Usha, "Priyanka was very confident about what she wanted. She is very traditional and had already thought up a design with peacocks and leaves. It's a pattern that adorns her hands and feet. It took over four hours to apply. Both families (VO's and PA's) got their mehndi done by me. While Priyanka has Vivek's name on her right hand, I have designed her name on his left palm." The couple's outfits for the sangeet have been designed by Shantanu-Nikhil. The duo lets us in on their creations WHAT SHE WORE: Says Nikhil, "For Priyanka, we designed a light salmon-orange lehnga with very light delicate prints on gold. There is a jacket made out of organza with similar gold block print. Both the lehnga and jacket are in very sheer organza and a choli designed in the Rajasthani style. There is no dupatta. Priyanka wanted to wear a jacket. The idea was to have a light, floaty, not-too-blingy outfit. The only bling used are Swarovski crystals on a motif at the bottom of her lehnga strewn very delicately. The salmon orange colour goes with her skin tone and she looks gorgeous. There are beautiful can-cans at the bottom of the lehnga which create fullness." Priyanka wore antique jewellery that's been in her family and has been handed down through generations. It's an uncut diamond navratna set with meenakari work and is set in antique gold. WHAT HE WORE: Vivek wore a magenta, orange and red colored double-organza kurta and copper churidar with kantha work on it. Shantanu says, "The kantha work was specially ordered and done in Sanganer village in Rajasthan with natural yarns, silks and dyes in vegetable colours." Nikhil and Shantanu have also designed for Priyanka's brother Aditya and Vivek's sister's husband. While Aditya chose from four short kurtas, VO's brother-in-law wore a black and red sherwani made of four different fabrics and five different textures and treatment." PSSST... Buzz is, Saif Ali Khan and Kareena Kapoor attended the sangeet. The only other industry person present was Apoorva Lakhia. Incidentally, all of B-Town has been invited to the grand reception in Mumbai on Sunday.

Kareena flaunts her new sexy image

The actress recently shot for a shoe ad with beau Saif Ali Khan Kareena Kapoor recently shot for a shoe ad with beau Saif Ali Khan and had no problems flaunting her sexy new image, a far cry from her size zero look. Says a source, "Recently, the actress shot for a shoe ad with beau Saif. Celebrity models are usually conscious about their legs looking even slightly plump, but not Bebo. She was heard telling the photographer that the shapely look suits her much better than the skinny, size zero look. Apparently, the chote nawab approves of his gal's new avatar." I'm natural The source adds, "Bebo is fed up of people calling her size zero. She loves her new look and has absolutely no qualms flaunting it. Normally, most celebrity endorsers ask for airbrushing and touchups after photo shoots so they look slimmer or sexier than they actually are, but Kareena's photos are natural as she never asks for airbrushed pictures." Love the way I look Admits the actress, "I have consciously decided to get more voluptuous and I love the way I look! I can't be stick-thin all my life. I had lost weight for a particular role in Tashan and for Kambakhht Ishq but my new releases require me to look more voluptuous. I play cuter, bubblier roles in my films like Ra.One, Bodyguard, Agent Vinod and a film with Imran (Khan). I am consciously making an effort to balance out my yoga and not diet or work out drastically."

Ranbir-Shahid heading for face-off over visit to Pakistan

Will Ranbir Kapoor be willing to shoot in Pakistan? Or will Shahid Kapoor bite the bait? That's the question bothering The Reluctant Fundamental-ist director Mira Nair. The director arrives in Mumbai next week to decide on the hero, depending on whom she can convince to shoot in Pakistan. Past cast hiccups Says a source, "Mira is no stranger to casting hiccups. For The Namesake, her first choices for the lead were Abhishek Bachchan and Rani Mukherjee. But Rani didn't want to play Abhishek's mother. The roles finally went to Tabu and Kal Penn." Historical grudge Mira's first choice for the lead role in The Reluctant Fundamentalist was Ranbir Kapoor. Says the source, "RK was interested but the minute Pakistan was mentioned, his parents recoiled. Rishi still remembers how hard his father, the late Raj Kapoor, tried to get permission to shoot in Pakistan for his Indo-Pak love story Henna but never got it in his lifetime. His son Randhir later directed the film but even he couldn't shoot on location and had to make do simply with an actress belonging to that country." I'm available Continues the source, "Shahid is busy with his father's Mausam but is keen to meet Mira and work out the details. Going to Pakistan is not such a problem for him. Even though his parents would object, he can convince them." The twist comes with Ranbir showing a renewed interest in the Mira Nair flick, in keeping with his policy of avoiding run-of-the-mill themes and stories. The director confirms from New York that she's flying down to meet the two, "I am in discussions with both Ranbir and Shahid. But all decisions can be taken only when I meet them in person next week."

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan Speaks About 'Action Replayy' Part 1