Oil prices fall by $123.89 on weak demand

SINGAPORE: World oil prices fell further in Asian trade on Thursday amid signs of weakening demand in the United States, the world's biggest energy user. In morning trade, New York's main contract, light sweet crude for September delivery dropped by 55 cents to $ 123.89 a barrel from its close of $ 124.44 during US trading hours Wednesday.New York oil prices had already dropped a hefty $ 3.98 yesterday. Prices have tumbled by more than $ 23 since striking record highs above $ 147 on July 11. However, they remain at elevated levels after smashing through $ 100 for the first time at the start of the year.

Kismat Konnection rakes in moolah

MUMBAI: The Shahid Kapur-Vidya Balan starrer Kismat Konnection seems to have connected with the audience as it had a encouraging opening collection all over. The film budgeted at nearly Rs 200 million collected Rs 270 million worldwide till Sunday. Aziz Mirza-directed Kismat Konnection was released worldwide by UTV Motion Pictures with 930 prints.

World tour with Bachchans

MUMBAI : There are few celebrities in Bollywood who can face up to the collective might of the Bachchan family and yet not feel awed -- Preity Zinta is one of them.

Zinta said she knows having the Bachchan tag for the tour helps.
"I have my own sensibility and I am confident of myself as an actor and a person. I am also sensible enough to know that when there are three Bachchans on a tour, people are going to talk about it much more than anyone else," Zinta told media.

Shilpa Shetty to host Bigg Boss

Bigg Boss used to be one of the popular shows of Sony Entertainment Television. Now the second season of Bigg Boss is to be aired very soon by a newly launched channel, Colors and the organizers are planning to rope in Bollywood diva Shilpa Shetty as the host looking at her popularity quotient that she had earned through Big Brother win. Shilpa took some time to give her consent due to the racial discrimination issue. After much thought, she has given her nod to the show. The show will be aired just after Akshay Kumar ends up with Khatron Ka Khidali. Rajesh Kamat, CEO of Colors confirmed the news but he refused to comment anything about the host.

Batman star Christian Bale released on bail

LONDON: Batman star Christian Bale has been released on bail by British police after being questioned on allegations of assault on Tuesday (July 22), media reported. Bale was on the red carpet with co-stars Michael Caine and Maggie Gyllenhaal in central London's Leicester Square on Monday night. A martial arts enthusiast and environmental campaigner, Bale has also appeared in "Batman Begins", "American Psycho" and "Empire Of The Sun".

Mideast first Ice Hotel in Dubai

DUBAI: Outside it was a sticky 111 degrees, but Ali Hamdan was shivering under two parkas as he sipped hot chocolate, surrounded by tables and chairs made of ice. Everything is made of ice: the walls, tables and chairs; cups, glasses and plates; the art on the wall, the sculptures depicting Dubai’s skyline, the beaded curtains, the 7-foot-chandelier and the bar. Not everyone is so impressed. Some rush out after only a few minutes in the 21-degree temperature.The $17 cover charge gets you one drink and the rental of a hooded parka, woolen gloves and insulated shoes.Customers don them outside then spend a few minutes in the Buffer Zone, a room set at 41 degrees to adjust before entering the restaurant.