At Just 19, Runner with Down’s Syndrome Makes History as the Youngest Impaired Person to Finish the London Marathon

Mom Ceri and her son Lloyd at the opening of the race – released to the press by family

19-year-old Lloyd Martin has become the youngest person ever to finish the London Marathon with Down Syndrome.

Receiving a Guinness World Records plaque at the finishing line, Martin says it’s a dream come true, and celebrated the 26.4 miles with some pretty fly dance moves for someone with impaired motor function.

He ran continuously for the first 14 miles—a personal best—before switching to bouts of walking and jogging.

“In Lloyd’s words, it’s achieving his dream,” said his mom, Ceri Hooper. “Really anything is possible if

 

you put your mind to it. With a bit of work, you can achieve it.”

Hooper represented Wales internationally in track and field competitions, and ensured that her son Lloyd had all the training and motivation he needed when he set his mind on the task of a marathon.

He had developed his strength and stamina mainly through 5k races.

She herself has run six marathons in her life: 4x in London, the Boston Marathon, and the Chicago edition.The Special Olympics organization for Great Britain helped Lloyd get everything prepared for the race, where he became the youngest person ever to finish in the intellectual impairment category. At Just 19, Runner with Down’s Syndrome Makes History as the Youngest Impaired Person to Finish the London Marathon

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For World Happiness Day, Finland Wants to Bring 5 Winners to World’s Happiest Country–Crowned 7 Years in a Row

Today, for the seventh year in a row, Finland has been named the happiest country in the world by the annual United Nations World Happiness Report, holding the top title since 2018.

Finns are proud and grateful for this prestigious title, believing that the key to their unique style of happiness is found in four basic elements: a close connection to nature, a down-to-earth lifestyle, food from fresh ingredients, and a sustainable approach to life.

According to Finns themselves, Finnish happiness is not a state secret or great mystery; instead, it is a learnable set of skills. From a walk in the forest or a dip in the sea after sauna to a meal made of freshly foraged local ingredients, these are the daily hacks of Finnish happiness.

To celebrate being the happiest country in the world, and following the success of 2023’s Masterclass in Happiness, Finland’s official tourism arm and Helsinki Partners are seeking applicants from around the globe to attend a happiness hack-a-thon and take part in a five-day curated experience in the happiest capital in the world, Helsinki.

The Helsinki Happiness Hacks urban expedition, taking place in June 2024, will be entirely free of charge for the chosen participants, who will learn from five Helsinkians as they share their tips and tricks for achieving happiness in the city. Apply now for your upcoming vacation at the event page here.

These include seventy-year-old skateboard enthusiast and passionate swimmer, Lena Salmi, who will reveal the new rules of urban swimming; chef and owner of several restaurants renowned for sustainability, Luka Balac, to share his local approach to social gastronomy; and well-being expert and biologist, Adela Pajunen, will expose what the doctor may order in Finland—which may just be a walk in the woods.

MORE STORIES ABOUT HAPPINESS: 3 Friends All Over 100 Reveal Secrets to Long Life, ‘Happiness, Staying Active and Keep a Boy Toy Nearby’

Designer Tero Kuitunen offers a bike ride around town to show how urban and nature are combined in Helsinki and how this relationship inspires the local design and the Finnish lifestyle, while for the musically included, there’s Tapio Hakanen, also known as one of Finland’s biggest electronic music exports, DJ Orkidea, who invites you to something called a “sauna rave”.

credit Julia Kivela

“There is an old Finnish proverb that states ‘the one who has happiness, should hide it.’ As the world’s happiest country since 2018, we have decided to take the old phrase and update it, making our modern motto: ‘the one who has happiness, should share it.’ We are excited to invite people from around the world to learn about our Finnish keys and hacks to happiness,” comments Heli Jimenez, Senior Director of international Marketing at Business Finland. For World Happiness Day, Finland Wants to Bring 5 Winners to World’s Happiest Country–Crowned 7 Years in a Row

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Urban Island Experiences unlock North American luxury traveller market with strategic offer designed for Canada

Canadian High Commissioner Eric Walsh, AOD /Urban Island Chairperson Linda Speldewinde and the first group of Urban Island Experiences North American tourists

From left: Hemas Holdings Plc Director Abbas Esufally, AOD /Urban Island Chairperson Linda Speldewinde and Canadian High Commissioner Eric Walsh

Travellers at the Colombo Innovation Tower, meeting AOD designers and alumniinaugural group completes two weeks of inspiringly curated and designed deeply experiential trip hailed by travellers as ‘a journey of a lifetime’ Well-thought-out entry point using Sri Lanka’s creative resources and agricultural and craft heritage to interest the Canadian travel market

When the Urban Island boutique was launched in the Canadian capital Toronto in the exclusive neighbourhood of Rosedale just over a year ago, it became the only dedicated ambassador of Sri Lankan design, creativity and craft in the city.

As customers flocked to purchase all-natural products handcrafted and designed in Sri Lanka, Linda Speldewinde—the entrepreneur behind Urban Island—saw an opportunity to offer something even more unique; to share our island in a refreshing manner and do something meaningful for its customers. She envisioned something that would be a trip for the travellers’ soul, uniquely designed through the Urban Island lens, and give back to Sri Lanka a manifold in the process. The product would strictly target the high-end luxury traveller with a focus on the North American market, which Linda had identified for Sri Lanka. A clear win-win.

As a materialisation of this thought process, in January 2024, Sri Lanka welcomed a group of Canadian travellers on an islandwide journey to make a first-hand connection with the source of their favourite handmade pieces purchased back in Toronto. Between visiting the emerald hills of Sri Lanka’s sprawling tea country, climbing the legendary wonder of Sigiriya, beach, jungle safaris and all the other delights that make visitors fall in love with Sri Lanka, the group was also able to experience the Mandaramnuwara village where they were welcomed into the lives of artisans and farmers who make and grow their products from using natural processes and materials. This unusual experience, which every single visitor highlighted as transformative or a ‘magic moment’, was what made their visit to Sri Lanka deeply meaningful.

“It was a journey of a lifetime,” said Diana Soloway, a businesswoman and Torontonian thoroughly moved by the experience.

Now, this group is returning to Canada, determined to tell more people why they should visit this remarkable little island rich with culture, nature, opportunities for a real human-to-human connection and witnessing a way of life that is slower and closer to nature.

Although this unusual travel offer evolved just within a year since Urban Island opened up in Toronto, it was long in the making. It stems from Urban Island Founder Linda Speldewinde’s 2021 post-COVID strategy for the group to switch up Sri Lanka’s travel narrative and be part of it . The strategy revolved around highlighting the island’s most authentic facets combining craft heritage and traditional agriculture that draws parallels to popular travel pursuits such as nature immersion and sustainable tourism. It is this vision that comes into fruition now, with a strategic focus on the North American travel market, especially the Canadian.

Sharing her views at the closing cocktails hosted at the Colombo Innovation Tower (CIT)—home to AOD and the design ecosystem that Urban Island is part of—Linda stated that the idea was to create a real connection between the travellers and what they experience, from the people they encounter to the places they visit.

“When they saw the products seen at the stores in Canada here in Sri Lanka, with the artisans who made them, in their village, within their homes…and to the artisans to realise that these are their customers was really something…the connection was obvious and everybody was deeply moved. Today at the CIT, they met the young AOD designers who designed those products and who are behind taking design to the village; again, the human-to-human connection here was very meaningful to all these travellers who are all entrepreneurs, professionals and business owners themselves. Our vision is not just to bring more travellers, but to bring in meaningful travel that helps people see the wealth of resources that Sri Lanka has while bringing them into first-hand contact with Sri Lankans who are building and evolving our heritage like the artisans in the village and triggering new cultural movements like the AOD students in Colombo. This is the first time we did it, and this is something really special that we want to share with the world. This is not regular travel; this is a trip for your soul.”

At this event bidding farewell to the group of Canadian visitors who travelled through Sri Lanka with Urban Island, the Canadian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka and the Maldives Eric Walsh, was optimistic.

He commented on the significance of building person-to-person connections and Urban Island’s offer as an example of building Sri Lanka as a meaningful destination in the eyes of the Canadian travel market. “For people in Canada who purchase Urban Island products to not just see where the products are from, but even meet the people who designed and wove their products…isn’t that an amazing experience, in this globalised world, to have those personal connections? This to me is a wonderful example.”

Speaking at the gathering, special invitee, Hemas Holdings Plc Director Abbas Esufally commented recognising the potential of this market and its high-spending consumers. “It’s not a volume market, but a high-yielding one. They’re the kind of travellers we want to bring here,” he said.

Being a travel industry veteran, Esufally is also familiar with what Sri Lanka needs to address to attract the North American travel market. “Yes, the distance is a bit of a setback when it comes to this market, but it’s not a hurdle if it is done like what Urban Island has done by strategically combining with neighbouring destinations, like the Maldives for example, for this trip. We have to offer them more attractive combinations of experiences and place ourselves as part of bigger world tours, that make it worthwhile.”

Urban Island Experiences aims to present a fresh, and unique reflection of Sri Lanka through a ‘design thinking’ lens that successfully combines its traditional lifestyles, values and ingenuity reflected in heritage crafts and small-scale farming practices that accurately capture the lives lived by most Sri Lankans as much as those portrayed by more popular narratives involving ayurveda, historical locations, jungles and beaches.

By the reactions of the first group of travellers from this initiative, Urban Island Experiences got it absolutely right and is on its way to planning the next groups of travellers to the island.

Dana Zosky, businesswoman, Toronto: “It is the most magical and the most beautiful country in the world. When I thought about the journey to get here, it didn’t intimidate me because, you know, a lot of people from Canada travel to Australia or New Zealand or Africa or Asia, and it’s a little different. It’s an easy place to get to from Canada, so that should not be a deterrent. And it’s a beautiful little island that offers so much.”

Beth Bynoe, entrepreneur, British Columbia: “It was a special experience; we went into multiple villages where local artisans produce beautiful handcrafted items at the cottage industry level. Seeing women working from their homes, women being able to help families and work in their own time where they have available help… I’ll probably come back and see what the northern half of the island has to offer.”

Natalie Witkin, businesswoman, Toronto: “The beauty of Sri Lanka is the variety of experiences that I’ve had here. The animals, safari…the beautiful countryside, the vibrant city. The beautiful people—you are so kind and always smiling, and teach us so much. We were blessed when we got to meet local people and have that experience seeing how they work and live, feeling life, appreciating life, and the beauty that they’re surrounding.” Urban Island Experiences unlock North American luxury traveller market with strategic offer designed for Canada | Daily FT

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Miss World 2023 to be held in Kashmir

71st Miss World 2023 contest is set to be held in Kashmir later this year with 140 participating countries. This was disclosed at a breakfast press briefing in Srinagar on Tuesday. The press briefing was attended by Miss World, Karolina Bielawski, Miss India, Sini Shetty, Miss World Caribbean, Emmy Pena and Miss World England Jessica Gagen and Miss World America Shree Saini and Miss Asia Pricilia Carla Saputri Yules. “Kashmir has everything and it is the best place to host an event like Miss World. I am so grateful to see the beautiful place in India, the beautiful lakes here, everyone has welcomed us nicely. The hospitality we got was wonderful. It would be exciting to see 140 countries participating in the event. Every place has its own beauty, but the pleasant hospitality here has been overwhelming”, Karolina Bielawski said. Miss World 2023 to be held in Kashmir

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The girl who dared

Sonam Kapoor is playing the beautiful and valiant Neerja in a biopic of the same name.

Nonika Singh: Year 1986, September 5: A young and beautiful brave heart, all of 23, Neerja Bhanot, a flight purser with Pan Am Flight 73, falls to hijackers’ bullets while saving many lives aboard the hijacked plane at Karachi airport. Year 2015, May 25: In Mumbai Sonam enacts out a page from the life of the real-life fighter. But the spotlight doesn’t belong to Sonam alone. Rama Bhanot’s (Neerja’s mother) face has a special glow as pride and sadness alternately reflect on her old visage, which is overwhelmed by the honour bestowed on her and her beloved daughter who was lovingly called Laado. The proud mother breathed her last recently but she lived to see the making of a celluloid tribute to commemorate her daughter’s courage. The experience on the sets of Neerja, where she was introduced to every member of the cast and crew, touched her deeply. All she could say was, “She gave up her life and here they honour me for her selfless act of courage.” When asked if Sonam Kapoor was the right choice for playing her daughter, pat came the reply, “My daughter was more beautiful.” Spoken like a mother…. Only Rama Bhanot was no ordinary mother. For how many mothers have daughters who received Ashoka Chakra, India’s highest civilian honour. Neerja, incidentally, was the youngest and the first woman recipient of the award. And it’s this aspect of her personality that impressed the producer Atul Kasbekar the most.  Of course, this isn’t the only reason why he decided to make a biopic on her. Or the fact that biopics are suddenly the toast of Bollywood. On a serious note, he shares, “When Saiwyn Quadras (writer of Mary Kom) shared the idea and a basic skeletal script, I was hooked. It was a story that simply had to be told.”  In a way Neerja’s story is more inspirational than any other. Caught in an unenviable situation where the pilot, co-pilot and flight engineer deserted the plane she stood her ground all through the 17-hour hijack drama and saved the lives of 360 passengers. The film captures it all through the eyes of passengers. The production house engaged a researcher who managed to get the sound bytes (on camera) of passengers who were willing to speak about the tragic incident. Adds Kasbekar, “The truth that emerges is the interpretation of all the data thus collected.” While one challenge in making a biopic is to be as truthful as possible the other is to ensure that sentiments of those involved, especially family, are not hurt. But the producers walked the thin line with caution and success. The family had been roped in from the word go and has been an active participant of the research process. Besides, the production team went out of the way to get the family’s no objection to the script. Neerja’s brother Aneesh Bhanot has no apprehensions whatsoever that her story will not be told honestly. He recalls the horrific night when the family lost its youngest and the bravest member. Huddled together, they watched the news about the hijack with shock. Her mother had announced it then only, “She won’t return.” A mother’s gut instinct knew that her daughter was a born fighter. As Kasbekar puts it, “It’s a story about heroism from someone you least expect. Neerja didn’t have the DNA of an army kid or was from any martial background.” She was a convent-educated girl from a Mumbai school and college, a model at that, a face that launched many products. She even had a brief stint in the advertising industry. The family remembers her as a fun-loving girl who enjoyed music. Says Kasbekar, “She was just another girl in a job which put her on an ill-fated flight that once. If she had saved her own life when she had the chance to, no one would have grudged that action. Instead a higher call of duty made her save so many lives. Her self-less action cost her her own life. It would be tragic if we didn’t remember.” The world may have forgotten her today; however, her valiant act did not go un-noticed. In 2005 her brother Aneesh went to Washington DC to receive the Justice for Crimes Award awarded posthumously to her as part of the ‘Annual Crime Rights Week’. In 2004, a stamp was released to commemorate her. In Mumbai a square was named after her and was inaugurated by Amitabh Bachchan. Besides, the family has ensured that her name lives forever. A trust has been set up by her father Harish Bhanot in her name that honours two exceptional women each year at a function in Chandigarh. Last year Shabana Azmi was the chief guest. Was it a mere coincidence or deliberate thought-out choice, as she is now playing Neerja’s mother in the movie. Insiders reveal that so strong is her emotive act that even the most hardened veterans have cried during the canning of her scenes. In Chandigarh, of course, the family sits stoic. Tears have been shed, loss has been dealt with. What remains now are memories of a beautiful girl and immense pride in a member who has ensured glory for the entire family. A film in her name may not be an ultimate ode but is a significant tribute and yet another chance to keep her memory alive. “After all, public memory is short,” avers Aneesh. Kasbekar couldn’t agree more, “It’s shocking that people don’t know who Neerja is.” But now he is adamant that they will know who and what stern stuff she was made of. They chose Sonam for the lead role for “she fits the part and looks like her.” However, what is crucial is not the resemblance, but the essence and how to make the incident that happened 28 years ago relevant to today. Kasbekar insists, “An act of selfless bravery is relevant through time. Whether it’s the 300 Spartans that held the mighty Persians at bay or Bhagat Singh or Neerja Bhanot…it’s always relevant.” Keeping the interest of the viewers alive in a story whose end is already known can be tricky and risky. But Kasbekar reasons, “Well, Milkha will end up fourth, you knew that before going into the theatre. Bhagat Singh eventually has to hang at the end of the film. The Titanic will hit that iceberg. Yet, these movies moved you, you knew what was going to happen but you just had to see them.” Whether Neerja, the film, not the person will be counted in the same league or not, challenges are many. At the end of the day movie making is a commercial venture. So how do makers reconcile to this dichotomy while telling a tragic story of a beautiful life cut short? Kasbekar replies, “We have made a very honest film.” For the memory of Neerja, for her family which the film promises to make even more proud, let’s hope and pray that the claims made by the makers are true and true to a real yet incredible story of human grit. Neerja lives again on the silver screen to remind us what James Dean said, “If a man can bridge the gap between life and death, if he can live on after he’s dead, then maybe he was a great man.” Only in Neerja’s case that was a woman. A rare one about whom the Ashok Chakra citation reads, “Her loyalties to the passengers of the aircraft in distress will forever be a lasting tribute to the finest qualities of the human spirit.” Time to raise a toast to Neerja’s heroism. Long live bravery! Source: http://www.tribuneindia.com

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Crackling effect

Actor Mahie Gill turns producer for Punjabi film Aatishbaaze Ishq. She shares her experiences from the behind the camera this time Jasmine SinghThere are some syllables that perfectly fit the bill, when it comes to sultry and a good mix of traditional looking actress Mahie Gill. Fearless, enterprising, audacious, beautiful, devil-may-care, lightsome, insouciant… Mahie wouldn’t actually care of being tagged with right words. Shooting under the sparkling sun, on the roads and fields of Ferozepur, Punjab for her under production Punjabi film, Aatishbaaze Ishq, Mahie has added a new word to her curriculum vitae, she has turned producer with this film. When everyone around is the Punjabi film industry hit turbulent waters, this actress has gone ahead and invested money along with another partner, Vineet Khetarpal in the film. With this new role, things haven’t changed much….she still greets you with utmost affection, makes sure everyone on the sets is comfortable, more than anything else, Mahie ensures she keeps up with everything. She throws her head back, runs her finger through her curled up hair and smiles, “Oh yes, I have turned a producer with Aatishbaazi Ishq, isn’t this good?” She takes a minute to answer this herself. “I know the status of Punjabi films, and how their hold is dwindling, but I thought why I should be bogged down by it. I still feel if we put in our best in all the departments, we can still have a good Punjabi film,” says she. Mahie plays a very different character in the film, something that Punjabi cinema hasn’t seen before. “I play a hockey coach who is a motor-mouth, she does all the chores herself,” adds Mahie who talks about the film that also introduces Ravi. “It is basically a story of three athletes, where Roshan Prince plays the role of a boxer and Ravi is the wrestler. The DOP of our the film Raja has won national award for work in Marathi cinema,” adds the actress who is hopeful that this romantic film will strike a rapport with the audience. With the new role of a producer, Mahie definitely knows it is an added responsibility. “Not many people know that I have produced a short film earlier Navaad, which was widely appreciated. So, when I decided to produce this Punjabi film, there were people who stood by me in this. I am aware of the new responsibility, but I have a great team that manages everything well. In the end it is all about team work.” There is another word that has come to settle in her dictionary- challenging! “Indeed, producing a film is tough, I ensure that the problems I faced as an actor, my crew doesn’t have to face that. All the same, I am thankful that I have a supportive crew and everyone is pitching in their best for the film.” The film stars actor singer Roshan Prince as well. “He is a lovely singer and a good actor, the amount of hard work he is putting in the film is simply amazing,” shares the actress who doesn’t believe in making up anything. The film is directed by Amit Subhash Dhawan is already the talk of the town for its Bollywood treatment its cast of Kulbhushan Kharbanda, BN Sharma. The film has famous choreographer and now actor Ganesh Acharya whipping up the main dance and song sequences. Sunidhi Chauhan, Neeti Mohan, Sudesh Kumari, Roshan Prince and Labh Janjua have sung for Aatishbaazi Ishq while Shubarna has done the costumes. "Not many people know that I have produced a short film earlier Mavaad, which was widely appreciated. So, when I decided to produce this Punjabi film, there were people who stood by me."— Mahie Gill , jasmine@tribunemail.com, Source: Article

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Sophie Choudry At Country Club Press Conference

Sophie Choudry was wearing an Alexander McQueen dress with Louboutin shoes and a Valliyan Ring. Actress, Singer and former VJ Sophie Choudry was spotted today looking beautiful in a grey and black dress at the Country Club Press Conference. Sophie as well as Aarti Chabaria, Gauhar Khan and Daisy Shah will be seen performing at the Country Club across the world on New Year’s Eve. Sophie just recently wooed audiences through her dancing skills on Jhalak Dikhla Jaa and has many popular item numbers to her credit. Source: Article

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Google celebrates Audrey Hepburn's 85th birthday with a doodle

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Audrey Hepburn

The latest Google Doodle commemorative logo has paid tribute to screen icon Audrey Hepburn on her 85th birthday on Sunday. A picture of the noted British actress with a pink background features in the middle of the Google logo. The 'Breakfast at Tiffany's' star and fashion icon became a big screen legend during Hollywood's so-called 'Golden Age.' She was born on May 4, 1929 in Brussels to a British father and Dutch aristocrat mother, before moving to London in 1948 to continue training as a ballet dancer. Widely
considered to be the world's most beautiful women ever, Hepburn rose to film stardom after appearing in several British movies. She won an Oscar, a Golden Globe and a BAFTA for her lead role in 'Roman Holiday' and starred in other classics, including 'Breakfast at Tiffany's' and 'My Fair Lady'. She won a record three BAFTA awards for best British actress in a leading role. Hepburn appeared in fewer acting roles in later life, devoting much of her time to working with UNICEF on good causes in the developing world. She died in Switzerland aged 63 in 1993 after a battle with cancer. Source: Hindustan Times, Image: flickr.com

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Kunqu opera regains luster

Kunqu opera [file photo]

In 2001, Kunqu opera, the 600 year old art form, became the first Chinese item on UNESCO’s world intangible heritage list. Since then, the age old opera’s status has seen a great boost. And nowhere is that better seen than in Suzhou where the 5th Kunqu opera festival is drawing to a close. Apart from its waterways, beautiful gardens and elaborate embroidery, Suzhou is the birthplace of another exquisite art, Kunqu opera. The city is now hosting its 5th Kunqu opera festival. Over the past 8 days, seven major Kunqu opera troupes from across the mainland, Taiwan and Hong Kong as well as colleges have presented 25 stage shows, in competition for the event’s highest honor. It’s also featured an annual gathering of amateur Kunqu singers. Veteran performer Cai Zhengren, hailed for his role in the Kunqu opera classic "Palace of Eternal Youth", was among the 11 masters of the art to receive disciples in an official ceremony. The ceremony with one master taking in two disciples, is a new measure initiated by China’s Ministry of Culture to guarantee the art passes down to new generations. Kunqu Actor, said, "I learned from teachers before. But this formal ceremony give us a responsibility, that we’ll not disgrace our tutor." It’s the Kunqu opera classic "Peony Pavilion", most widely performed both in China and overseas, that popularizes the art to a wider audience. But it’s the festival piece, "A Dream of Red Mansions" that injects new lease of life into it. The literary classic depicts many scenes where its characters watch Kunqu opera, the dominating art in the era of the novel. It’s an apt adaptation. This year, both the Northern Kunqu Opera Troupe and the Jiangsu Kunqu Troupe have their own take on the novel. Yang Fengyi, Director of Northern Kunqu Opera Troupe, said, Because the era changes, we’ve created new dramas like this one "A Dream of Red Mansions". Because characters’ thoughts are nearer to the young audience. We also put in some modern elements in the sets and music. Jiangsu Kunqu Opera troupe, based in Nanjing, is a southern powerhouse practising the art. It has its their own theater and now puts on more than 300 shows per year. Shan Wen, who plays Lin Daiyu in their version of "A Dream of Red Mansions" is a star. She says each of her shows sells out, and young audiences can easily resonate to a young performer. Shan Wen, Actress, Jiangsu Kunqu Opera Troupe, said, "Because we are young faces, the audience can easily relate to us." You can see many young faces in the festival audience. Some are drawn by the elegance of the opera, while some say Kunqu opera is good at telling stories. Kunqu Opera Fan, said, "Kunqu’s beauty is its elegance, it leaves a lingering afterthought." Kunqu Opera Fan, said, "Although it’s a very old art form, the feelings it deals with are universal and unchanging, such as love. It resonates even with modern audiences." With sponsorship from the government, more than fifty Kunqu opera pieces have been staged in recent years. Art troupes visit colleges and tour foreign countries to promote the art. Hailed by the nation as an "orchid" among all China’s operatic arts, the art form is now becoming known and appreciated by many more people. Source: China.org.cn

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You travel all around the globe looking for the world’s most beautiful cave. . . and the best one is in Sheffield

He has dedicated his life to exploring and photographing some of the world's most remote caves.

By ANTHONY BOND: His incredible journey has taken him to countries such as Indonesia, China and Portugal. But as these pictures show, despite travelling the globe, it seems that adventure photographer Robbie Shone, 32, found the best cave in Sheffield.
 

Incredible: Robbie Shone, 32, has travelled the globe for the world's best cave but seems to have found the best one in Sheffield. This is the the Giant storm drain called Megatron beneath Sheffield City Centre

Stunning: In order to stay dry in such a cold cave, explorers improvise and use a small inflatable dingy to cross Lake Cadoux in this famous french cave The Gouffre Berger

Daredevil: Suspended 300m below the roof and over 200m off the floor, one of the team ascends the rope deep underground in Miao Keng, China

Talented: Mr Shone used his rope and abseiling skills - gained from his previous job inspecting tall buildings and bridges for structural damage - to access the caves to photograph and record details about them for the first time. This is a cave chamber in China

The giant storm drain called Megatron looks stunning when lit up and is all the more incredible because it is located directly beneath Sheffield City Centre. Mr Shone used his rope and abseiling skills - gained from his previous job inspecting tall buildings and bridges for structural damage - to access the caves to photograph and record details about them for the first time. The explorer is so committed, he even spent 13 days in a row underground - camping, sleeping and eating in a remote cave in Vietnam.

Huge: Cave explorers add scale to this massive cave passage called Deer Cave, one of the largest cave passages in the world, located in Mulu National Park, Sarawak, Borneo

Mr Shone said: 'Exploring somewhere no one else has been before, is a very, very special feeling. It pushes me on to keep finding unexplored caves. 'The more difficult caves are the vertical ones when you're suspended on a rope for a long time. Sometimes you don't even know when you're going to reach the bottom. 'You can run out of rope before you reach the cave floor, in which case you have to go back up and get a longer rope.

Beautiful: Some of the cave explorers progress downstream in Clearwater River Cave - the eighth longest cave in the world in Gunung Mulu National Park, Sarawak, Borneo

Dangerous: A cave explorer stands in the main chamber of Gaping Gill in the Yorkshire Dales as it is hit by a raging flood pulse. Minutes later, the floor of this room was completely covered with water

Brave: A cave explorer climbs up the entrance out of Cow Pot, a classic cave in the Yorkshire Dales

'The longest time I spent underground was 13 days in a cave in Vietnam. It was so remote in the middle of a forest that it didn't make sense to leave and come back. So we camped and slept in the cave. 'We slept under some skylights in the cave to try and keep our body clocks in check. 'Caves are truly fascinating places. Of course I am drawn in by the photographic challenge. 'The challenge of lighting a place up that is so dark and so black that you cannot see your hand when it is up against your face, even when it is touching your nose. 'Every bit of light required has to be carried in by hand and this can mean dragging bags and bags for days and days to the ends of the earth just for one shot. 'But when the flashbulbs crackle into life and the flashes all go off together casting a picture before your eyes of the space you are in and the image is displayed on the back of the camera. 'For only a few seconds, I smile and see the beauty of our planet.'

Dark: A cave explorer climbs out of this wet cave

Mysterious: Thin whisps of clouds slowly rise out from this cave in the French Vercors known as The Gouffre Berger

Different world: The photographs are a collection of six years work by Mr Shone from some of the most beautiful and remote caves ever discovered. This is a cave chamber in China

Amazing: Cave explorers add scale to this massive cave passage called Deer Cave in Borneo

Since a school geography trip to Peak Cavern in Castleton, Derbyshire as a 14-year-old he has been hooked on caves and has now revealed this truly incredible collection of photographs taken over a six year period. 'This a collection of six years work from some of the most beautiful and remote caves ever discovered. 'Some of these photographs will be the only record of these places that we ever see as no one will ever go back to some of these caves. 'Most of these pictures have been shot from a tripod on the floor which makes it all very safe, comfortable and easy to set-up. 'There are a couple which were shot hanging on a thin rope several hundred meters off the floor.

Hazardous: A British cave explorer climbs a rope out of the giant river cave called The Whiterock River, deep underground in Clearwater Cave

On the edge: Hanging on a thin rope, Portuguese cave biologist Sofia Reboleira makes her way up to the daylight and the entrance to one of Portugal's largest caves: Algar da Lagoa, Sico-Alvaiazere Massif

Action man: Robbie Shone is pictured at work in one of the many caves he has visited

Massive: The Sarawak Chamber is the largest cave chamber in the world

'All of these expeditions to these places were self-funded expeditions where I was selected to participate as the 'expedition photographer'. 'The most challenging expedition was in 2006 to Papua New Guinea. We stayed for three months exploring caves. 'They could be quite dangerous as they had a large amount of white water flowing through them. So care had to be taken when crossing the river because if you slipped in it would be quite dangerous.

Underground: This is a stunning cave chamber in a French cave

Luxurious: This plunge pool is a place halfway along a streamway leading to Sarawak Chamber in Borneo source: dailymail, Source: Travelfwd+

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I’m getting married: Sushmita Sen

Beautiful Bride: Sushmita Sen looked stunning as bride as she walked the ramp at the Blenders Pride Fashion Tour, Gurgaon.

It’s official. Sushmita Sen is getting hitched soon. While the actor doesn’t tell us the name of the mystery man, she confirms the wedding next year. “Yes, I do plan to get married next year. I think it is time. Ab Bahut wait karva liya sabko (I have made everybody wait a lot),” she says. After having dated directors Vikram Bhatt, Mudassar Aziz and actor Randeep Hooda, Sen, 36, was recently rumoured to be dating 23-year-old business man Imtiyaz Khatri. “I am taking my time to say yes, but once I say I do, it will be for keeps as I firmly believe in the institution of marriage,” said Sush on a recent visit to the Indo-German Urban Mela in the Capital. Do her daughters want to see her married? “Alisah is too young but Renee is quite comfortable with me being single. She would like to see me as a bride one day, but she does not push me for it. She is 13 and we are more like friends; she understands me as a woman now. It’s only when she has skipped homework that I become

Sushmita Sen looks like one mischievous bride as she walks the ramp at the Blenders Pride Fashion Tour

the mother,” Sush says. MORE ON SUSHMITA: Christian-style wedding for Sushmita, Bollywood actor Sushmita Sen says it’s her dream to have a lavish Christian style wedding. “It is my childhood dream to have a Christian style wedding, just like the fairy tales. I always imagine myself as a bride who will wear a gown, with a long train and veil. I find the idea of walking down the aisle and then being handed to the groom by the father very romantic,” Sushmita said. BRIDE-TO-BE, RAMP BEAUTIES: Sush, Bips, Malaika at Blenders Pride Fashion ,Reel and real life hotties Sushmita Sen, Malaika Arora Khan and Bipasha Basu glammed up the ramp at the Seagrams Blenders Pride Fashion Tour. Take a look...CLICK FOR PICS,

Sushmita Sen celebrates Durga Puja with daughters Alisah 3, and Renee, 13

What's keeping Sushmita busy “I’ll do a film soon. An announcement about my next film will be made between October and December. There are also talks of a signature Sushmita Sen show on television and a fashion week for my beauty pageant I Am She. Once I have achieved these, I’ll get married,” she says. Explaining why she hasn’t done a project of late, she says, “I have been busy with I Am She and my younger daughter Alisah, who was just a year old. Now that both my babies have grown up, I can move ahead in my career.” I was asked if Maa Durga was a single parent: Sushmita Sen It’s Ashtami today, the eighth day of the Durga puja festival. Former Miss Universe and actor Sushmita Sen, a single mother of two adopted daughters Alisah 3, and Renee, 13, talks about her strong connect with Maa Durga. MUMMY SPEAK, (With additional inputs) Source: Hindustan Times

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Salman Khan and his beautiful women!

He's hot, he's sexy and women across the globe swoon over him. Yeh, we are talking about Bollywood star Salman Khan. Many call him a bad boy, a 'woman beater', yet he's the hunk and the best for all the females. Salman Khan has entertained us with his various avatars for decades now. Call him a lover boy, a comedian or an action hero, Sallu bhai blooms in each of his roles. Today, he's one of the most successful actors of the industry. But, we feel that the credit for his success should also go to those actresses, who have worked with Salman in various films. Salman romanced several actresses onscreen. We are here to treat you with the pictures of few of his onscreen women. Whom do you think looks the best with Sallu onscreen? Source: Salman Khan

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Christina Aguilera Never Commented On Her Weight In New Billboard Interview

Christina Aguilera's new album, "Lotus," is set to drop on November 13th, and the singer/The Voice judge is featured on the cover of the September 29 issue of Billboard magazine. In the new issue, Christina talks about her new album, how it's been compared to her 2002 album "Stripped," and the two years since she released her fourth studio album, "Bionic." One thing she didn't talk about, however, is her weight. Monday morning several reports claimed that Christina spoke very candidly about her weight in the interview, attributing a made-up quote from a tumblr page, that spread like wildfire, to the Billboard piece. "During the promotion of my album 'Stripped,' I got tired of being a skinny, white girl," the quote, attributed to the "Fighter" singer read. "I am Ecuadorian but people felt so safe passing me off as a skinny, blue-eyed white girl. The quote goes on to say that she was forced to lose 15 pounds quickly by record execs, who "called this serious emergency meeting" about her weight at the time of her "Stripped" tour."I told [producers] during [the 'Lotus'] recording, 'You are working with a fat girl. Know it now and get over it.' They need a reminder sometimes that I don't belong to them." It may sound pretty good, but it turns out Christina never said any of it. "She never said them," her rep tells Entertainment Weekly. The quotes were actually found at a tumblr blog called "Fat Girl In Cheap Clothes," and somehow, inexplicably, the quote was credited to the Billboard interview. Strangely, the last part of the long quote was omitted from nearly all the sites and blogs that reposted it. Maybe it's because it would've been the sure giveaway that she never said any of it. That last part reads, "It's my body. My body can't put anyone in jeopardy of not making money anymore - my body is just not on the table that way anymore. I am 31 my boobs are (son) Max's and my p***y is mine... Sorry." One thing she did say in the interview, though, is that the new album represents "a celebration of the new me, and to me the Lotus has always represented this unbreakable flower that withstands any harsh weather conditions in its surroundings, that withstands time and remains beautiful and strong throughout the years." You can read the real interview with Christina at © 2012 Starpulse.com, Photo Credits: Tina Gill / PR Photos; ©PacificCoastNews.com, Source: Star Pluse

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Digital superwomen! Graphic artist transforms photos of women using Photoshop in these beautiful illusions

By Alex Ward, Chiseled features: The posed photo of Maria Gruner from California has been manipulated to create this beautiful illusion, right, while Ranie Egusquiza from California had her muscles 'enhanced', left, by the digital artist whose work is created entirely on a computer using his digital skills and traditional art knowledge

Photoshop can be a great tool to airbrush away a blemish or dark circles in photos, but in these images it has been used to add tree branches for arms and steel panels for a body. Digital artist Michael Oswald describes his art as ‘photo manipulation on steroids’ and quite rightly as he transforms posed photographs into beautiful illusions. The amazing before and after images include a bikini-clad woman posing with a chisel and hammer a and the result - a figure, chiselling herself out of stone.

'Just tools': Mr Oswald said 'paintbrushes and computers are just tools' in his artworks including an image featuring model Anastasia King

Mr Oswald, 30, who also calls himself Michael O, said on his website: ‘With the exception of the original digital photograph, my work is created entirely on a computer utilising my knowledge of digital techniques and the traditional art skills I learned in my younger days. ‘I consider the 'concept' to be the best part of my work so I put a lot of thought into it and I try not to hold back from expressing myself. When it comes to using the computer rather than paint and brushes, Mr Oswald said in aninterview with Empty Kingdom: ‘I don’t really see a difference in the requirements for a traditional or digital artist.
 

Robotic: Natasha Lazareva from New York City is transformed into a robotic woman complete with a plug for an electric cord

'I believe that 50 per cent of skill in art is a natural born gift. Another 50 per cent is developed with practice. 

‘Paintbrushes and computers are just tools. The standard rules of art, like composition, alwaysapply and the medium is just a personal choice so, everything I learned in basic art classes still applies today.
’

Skill and practice: Mr Oswald does not see a difference in requirements between a traditional or digital artist because both come down to natural born skill and practice he said

Set in stone: Using the reference photo, bottom left, Mr Oswald created this digital artwork from a photo of model Sara Duncan from California, Source: Travelfwd+

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'Lawless' A Thrilling, Violent & Beautiful Portrait Of The American Outlaw

Prohibition, gangsters, brothers, Virginia, moonshine, a sadistic lawman, violence, lust, love and family

That's some of the things you'll find in 'Lawless' directed by John Hillcoat ('The Road') and written by songwriter/musician Nick Cave (The Proposition). The film is based on Matt Bondurant's book 'The Wettest County in the World' which is his fictionalized account of his family. The film tells the story of the infamous Bondurant brothers, Forrest, (Tom Hardy), Howard (Jason Clarke) and the youngest sibling, Jack (Shia LaBeouf) who made and sold moonshine in the 30's. They lived in the mountains of Franklin County and were as different as brothers could be. Jack, the ambitious one, dreams of expensive suits, fast cars, and getting it on with the very pretty and very religious, Bertha (Mia Wasikowka). His bro, Howard, who survived the Great War, is the more laid back of the three, while Forrest (who nearly died of the Spanish Flu) is known far and wide as being immortal. He's also a guy you don't want to mess with. Times are tough and jobs are scarce in these mountains, but the Bondurants are entrepreneurs and have built a thriving business by concocting an intense and popular brand of moonshine. But Franklin County's bootlegging days are about to end with the arrival of Special Deputy Charlie Rakes (Guy Pearce) from Chicago. Rakes is a vicious, sadistic dude with a bad hairdo. He's determined to bring law to thislawless place, no matter what he has to do. Translation...He'll kill, maim, torture anyone who gets in his way. And the Bondorants, who bow down to no one, are not about to let this power hungry, sexually conflicted jerk mess with their way of life. 'Lawless' is a beautifully shot, edgy, exciting, violent, touching portrait of a time in our history; when gangsters ruled the city streets and outlaws were the stuff legends were made of. The three leads are excellent....I especially loved Tom Hardy. His character was a man whose anger could always be felt right below the surface. But at the same time, Hardy conveyed a gentle, powerful vulnerability and sensuality. That was especially obvious in his scenes with Jessica Chastain who played Maggie, an emotionally wounded burlesque dancer. Also worth mentioning is Gary Oldman as gangster Floyd Banner, who is both friend and foe to the Bondurants. Even though he's seen sporadically throughout the film, his presence is felt. 'Lawless' which opened in theatres, Wednesday August 29, 2012, received 4 1/2 bagels out of 5. I absolutely loved everything about it and John actually liked it as well. Check out our video to see more of our thoughts and watch me try to convince John that his bagel rating needssome adjustment. Two Jews on Film - By Joan Alperin Schwartz Please SUBSCRIBE to our channel on YouTube and LIKE us on our Two Jews on Film Facebook page. Thanks everyone and let us know your thoughts about this movie. Photo Credits: The Weinstein Company, 'Source: Starpulse

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Aish to back with Action

Fans are eager to see her back on silver screen again. The World's most beautiful lady Aishwarya Rai who became the face of Bollywood is off the screen for long time since she got married and became a mother of a baby girl. But now this B-Town's new Mommy is all set to make her come back on big screen. Reportedly Aish will soon be seen in a Hollywood film. Billy Zane of Titanic fame will be co-starring Aishwarya. According to sources, Aish has been approached by Director Daniel Silva for his upcoming film. This film will also features TV actress Sarah Khan and singer Lucky Ali. Not just Hollywood, Aishwarya is also likely to do come back soon with Director Ram Gopal Verma's forthcoming sequel film 'Sarkar 3'. Well neither of Hollywood's film nor Ramu's upcoming, Aish has not confirm any of these two. But her fans are really awaiting to see this Beauty after a long time. Source: Page3

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Simply the most beautiful pictures of waves we've ever seen

Breaking waves: These are the amazing photos taken by daredevil photographers Nick Selway, 28, and pal CJ Kale, 35, in Hawaii 

By Eddie Wrenn: These incredible pictures capture the stunning moment waves roll on to a tropical beach.The breath-taking images show the split-second in which each one breaks and crashes on to the sand, and are the work of two keen photographers who wish to remind people just how beautiful Mother Nature can be. Photographers Nick Selway, 28, and pal CJ Kale, 35, position themselves in the magnificentHawaiian water - and then wait for the waves to crash into their heads. Their only equipment are standard cameras - but a waterproof case means they do not need to

Clear and blue: Using a simple protective casing around their cameras, and donning just swimming shorts and flippers, they bob up and down with the water as the surf washes over their heads

sacrifice their cameras for their art. CJ, from Hawaii, said: 'It's such a beautiful island - all the different colours seemed to be replicated in the water while we were snapping away. 'We spend most of our time in the water photographing, but to get these kinds of shows isn't easy and it takes a lot of patience to get it right. 'Fortunately it paid off this time and we

A lone man can be seen on the shore as the waves crash over at sunset

managed to get an amazing set of images.' Nick was born in Lake Stevens, Washington, and says he always had an appreciation for Nature and that his purpose in life is: 'To capture Mother Nature's beauty and light in the most unique way possible.' CJ Kale is no stranger to the area, raised in Hawaii on the Waianae coast. He spent his days in the surf and outdoors exploring the beauty of nature and learned early on that he had a love for the outdoors and a passion for photography. The pair also love photographing active volcanoes, and often risk their lives for that perfect shot. 

An insight into the photography: A simple waterproof case allows the photographers to take these images 

The foggy sands closer to shore get tossed and turned in the foam, leading to a wide mix of colours in this shot

The breath-taking images show the split-second in which each one breaks and crashes on to the sand 

The waves break over the sand just as the sun breaks over the hills on the beautiful islands

The stillness of the sea is broken up by the force of the waves, lifted up by the moon's gravity, Source: Travelfwd

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