HAYEK & FARRELL AN ITEM?

Salma Hayek and Colin Farrell are dating.

The pair sparked rumors of a romance at the recent Golden Globes Awards ceremony, where Colin was seen cradling Salma’s face and locking lips with the stunning actress.

A source said: “He held her face and kissed her several times. It was very intimate, not like they were just pals.”

However, this is not the first time Salma – who has 16-month-old daughter Valentina with ex-partner Francois-Henri Pinault – and Colin have been intimate.

The pair briefly dated while filming 2004 movie “Ask the Dust.”

Salma is said to “adore” the 32-year-old Irish actor – who has previously battled drug addiction – and was left upset when their short-lived romance didn’t work out.

The source added to the National Enquirer magazine: “Colin was in love with her but was too screwed up on alcohol and drugs to make a good boyfriend to her.”

“Now that he’s sober, their chances are much better.”

Bala’s vital announcement on Naan Kadavul

The most-anticipated film of this year, Naan Kadavul, the Arya starrer Bala film will be released all over on February 6. The film’s portrayal of the lives of corpse-eating Agori Sanyasis is already being widely gossiped about though Naan Kadavul can claim escaping the censor’s scissors and coming out almost unscathed with a U/A certificate.Besides, it is also news that Bala has retained his unique touch of a cannibalistic climax in the film. It is to be noted that Bala’s Pidhamagan also had a revolting scene of Vikram strangling the villain by biting into his neck.

The recently released Naan Kadavul’s music has already topped the charts with Ilayaraja’s mellifluous music. Pooja plays the female lead and is believed to have delivered a performance slated to be her career best so far.

PATRICK SWAYZE WRITES MEMOIRS

Patrick Swayze is writing his memoirs.

The 56-year-old “Dirty Dancing” star – who was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2008 – is penning an account of his life, together with his wife Lisa, 52.

According to Bill Rotoko, co-creator of Swayze’s latest acting project “The Beast,” the couple are “each other’s rocks.”

Swayze has likened fighting cancer to “going through hell”, and admits the disease makes him angry and scared.

The actor said: “There’s a lot of fear here. Yeah, I’m scared. Yeah, I’m angry. Yeah, I’m asking why me.”

“Yeah, I’m all this stuff. You can bet that I’m going through hell. And I’ve only seen the beginning of it.”

The star “doesn’t know” if he fears death, but admits the prospect has made him question his beliefs.

He explained: “I don’t know what’s on the other side. I like to believe that I’ve got a lot of guardian warriors on my shoulder, including my dad, so I’m trying to shut up and let my angels speak to me and tell me what I’m supposed to do.”

However, following a brief stay in hospital to treat a recent bout of pneumonia, Swayze remains upbeat.

He said: “I am alive and plan on continuing to stay that way.”

Simbhudevan’s next

Looks like ‘Arai En…’ has not tired out Simbhudevan’s creative soul. He is up and running with his next venture, the announcement of which is likely to be heard soon. Groundwork of the project has already begun and he has finalized the lead actors of the yet-to-be-titled movie. Sources close to the director claim that the movie will have Lawrence and Sada in the lead.

Sada is trying to get a grip in Hindi and has pinned up her hopes in her upcoming release Khalbali. She also has the Madhavan starrer Leelai in the cans in Tamil.

JOLIE: OSCAR NOD A PRIVILEGE

Angelina Jolie says her Oscar nomination is ”a privilege beyond any expectation.”

The 33-year-old actress – who has been named in the Best Actress category for her role in “Changeling” – added her year has been “exceptional” and credited the movie’s director Clint Eastwood for helping her gain the Academy Award nod.

She said: “Working with Clint Eastwood was a reward in itself that will last me a lifetime. To receive a nomination from the Academy on top of that is a privilege beyond any expectation.”

“It has been an exceptional year for acting, and I am honored to be in the company of these talented actors whose performances all deserve this recognition.”

Angelina’s partner Brad Pitt – who is up for Best Actor for his part in “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button,” which received a staggering 13 nominations – was equally as thrilled to be up for a prestigious accolade.

He said: “It’s a great honor for the movie. I’m especially happy for Best Director nominee David Fincher, for without him there would be no Ben Button.”

Mickey Rourke said he was “tickled pink” to receive a nod in the Best Actor category for his part in “The Wrestler.” He revealed: “I’m very grateful and appreciative of this incredible honor. I’m tickled pink.”

Anne Hathaway, who will vie with Angelina Jolie – as well as Melissa Leo for “Frozen River,” Meryl Streep in “Doubt” and Kate Winslet for “The Reader” – for the Best Actress prize for her role in “Rachel Getting Married,” said: “It is such a thrill to be recognized in this category with these remarkably talented women.”

“I was with my parents and my dog when I got the news and we were all overjoyed – although I’m not sure my dog knew what was going on! This is a great day to be an actress!”

Kate Winslet was similarly as excited, adding: “I’m extremely happy to have been nominated. And very fortunate. Playing Hanna Schmitz will always remain one of the biggest challenges I’ve ever been blessed with.”

Aishwarya Rai beats Beyonce

Eva Mendes has been voted the most desirable woman in the world. India’s Aishwarya Rai Bachchan beat the US pop star Beyonce in the most desirable women’s poll. The poll, which was conducted by the top men’s portal AskMen.com, has Ash in the 48th position whereas Beyonce made it to the 50th position, incidentally the last slot.
Aishwarya Rai

The voters were to select their ideal partner online based on the intelligence, ambition and charisma. Others to have made it to the top 50 list are Anne Hathaway, Scarlett Johansson, Angelina Jolie, Rihanna, Heidi Klum and Jessica Alba.

A.R.Rahman bags three Oscar nominations

Slumdog Millionaire bags ten nominations for Oscars at a ceremony held at Los Angeles, USA.

Director of the movie Danny Boyle has been nominated in the Best Director category. Screenplay writer Simon Beaufoy has been nominated in the Best Adapted Screenplay category. The movie itself – Slumdog Millionaire
A R Rahman has been nominated in the Best Motion Picture category.

Music director, A.R.Rahman has been nominated for two catergories – Best Original Score & Best Original Song. Two of the songs – ‘Jai ho!’ & ‘O saya’ have been nominated under Best Original Song category.

MENDES CROWNED MOST DESIRABLE WOMAN

Eva Mendes has been named the Most Desirable Woman of 2009.

The “The Spirit” actress topped a poll of men who were asked to name their ideal woman, taking into account sense of humor, intelligence and character as well as sex appeal.

Eva – who came fourth on last year’s list compiled by website AskMen.com – was delighted to take the top spot, saying: “Of all the qualities I find attractive in a man, paying me such a compliment tops my list. Thanks, guys!”

Eva beat “Transformers” actress Megan Fox into second place, with Victoria’s Secret model Marisa Miller and British glamor model Keeley Hazell coming in third and fourth places respectively.

Marissa enthused: “It’s awesome to be on the AskMen.com list again! I’ve had such an amazing year and to know that I have fans
that care enough to vote and support me is really flattering.”

Newcomers on the rundown this year include actress Isla Fisher at number 31, “I Kissed A Girl” singer Katy Perry at number 38, and French President Nicolas Sarkozy’s wife Carla Brunei at number 76.

Actress Scarlett Johansson, who came seventh, added: “It’s an honor to be chosen by over 10 million AskMen readers as one of world’s most desirable women.”

AskMen.com’s Top 99 Most Desirable Women 2009 Top 10:

1. Eva Mendes
2. Megan Fox
3. Marisa Miller
4. Keeley Hazell
5. Anne Hathaway
6. Alessandra Ambrosio
7. Scarlett Johansson
8. Rihanna
9. Kristen Bell
10. Kate Beckinsale

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BHP to cut 6000 jobs worldwide amid downturn

BHP Billiton will axe 6000 people from its global workforce amid the economic downturn.

The company said today it would cut its 101,000 strong global workforce by about six per cent in response to world-wide economic conditions.

“This is very serious types of decisions and we don’t take them lightly, but at the end they are necessary and they are the correct decisions,” BHP Billiton chief financial officer Alex Vanselow told reporters on a conference call.

BHP Billiton will suspend operations at the Ravensthorpe nickel mine and reduce output at its Mount Keith mine in Western Australia, resulting in the loss of 2100 contractor and employee jobs.

In addition, the company will slash about 550 jobs at Pinto Valley in the US, 200 jobs at the Olympic Dam expansion project in South Australia and 2000 jobs at base metals in Chile.

BHP Billiton has estimated the job cuts will result in a one-off total cost of about $US500 million ($772.6 million).

BHP Billiton is cutting coking coal production in Queensland by about 10 to 15 per cent in response to reduced demand.

“It will be something like four to six million tonnes (per year), our share,” Mr Vanselow told reporters.

There was uncertainty in the medium term outlook, he said.

But BHP Billiton had a strong balance sheet to see out the turmoil in financial and commodity markets, he said.

“The balance sheet allows us to continue investing like we’re doing in iron ore, in petroleum, in other commodities, and we are prepared for, on an opportunistic basis, to look at acquisitions,” Mr Vanselow said.

BHP Billiton today released its second quarter report for the 2009 financial year and delivered an increase in iron ore output but unveiled further writedowns to its nickel business.

Mr Vanselow said the Ravensthorpe nickel mine was not likely to be cash positive in the medium term.