• Abhishek Bachchan, Aishwarya Rai and their daughter, Aaradhya, in a photograph taken at the wedding of Akash Ambani, the son of Reliance Industries chairman Mukesh Ambani, in 2019. Reuters
    Abhishek Bachchan, Aishwarya Rai and their daughter, Aaradhya, in a photograph taken at the wedding of Akash Ambani, the son of Reliance Industries chairman Mukesh Ambani, in 2019. Reuters
  • Abhishek Bachchan (L) and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan at Raja Bhoj airport in Bhopal, India, 15 February 2020. EPA
    Abhishek Bachchan (L) and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan at Raja Bhoj airport in Bhopal, India, 15 February 2020. EPA
  • Aishwarya Rai presents a creation during the L'Oreal fashion show at the Paris Fashion Week, in Paris, France, 28 September 2019. EPA
    Aishwarya Rai presents a creation during the L'Oreal fashion show at the Paris Fashion Week, in Paris, France, 28 September 2019. EPA
  • Aishwarya Rai arrives for the screening of 'A Hidden Life' during the 72nd annual Cannes Film Festival, in Cannes, France, 19 May 2019. EPA
    Aishwarya Rai arrives for the screening of 'A Hidden Life' during the 72nd annual Cannes Film Festival, in Cannes, France, 19 May 2019. EPA
  • Abhishek Bachchan (L) and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan with their daughter Aaradhya pose as they arrive to attend the wedding reception of Akash Ambani in March 2019. EPA
    Abhishek Bachchan (L) and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan with their daughter Aaradhya pose as they arrive to attend the wedding reception of Akash Ambani in March 2019. EPA
  • Amitabh Bachchan walks out of a hospital holding his grand-daughter along with his daughter-in-law Aishwarya Rai Bachchan in Mumbai, India, 22 November 2011. EPA
    Amitabh Bachchan walks out of a hospital holding his grand-daughter along with his daughter-in-law Aishwarya Rai Bachchan in Mumbai, India, 22 November 2011. EPA

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and daughter to quarantine at home after testing positive for Covid-19


Emma Day
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Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, 46, and her daughter, Aaradhya, 8, have confirmed they will self-quarantine at home after being diagnosed with the coronavirus.

The Bollywood actress and her daughter were revealed to have tested positive for Covid-19 on Sunday, July 12, a day after Aishwarya's husband, Abhishek Bachchan, confirmed he had the coronavirus.

Abhishek, 44, and his father, Bollywood screen legend Amitabh Bachchan, 77, both announced that they had tested positive on Saturday, July 11.

Abhishek confirmed that his wife and daughter would stay at home, rather than hospital, on Twitter.

"They will be self-quarantining at home," he wrote. "The BMC [Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation] has been updated of their situation and are doing the needful."

As Aishwarya and her daughter are asymptomatic, they were able to stay at home after signing a declaration that they will isolate.

Abhishek also confirmed that his mother, Jaya Bachchan, had tested negative for Covid-19, but he and his father would remain in hospital for the time being.

"The rest of the family including my mother have tested negative. Thank you all for your wishes and prayers," he added.

"My father and I remain in hospital 'til the doctors decide otherwise. Everyone please remain cautious and safe. Please follow all rules!"

Amitabh is in hospital in an isolation unit, but his symptoms are currently being reported as mild and he is in a stable condition.

"They both voluntarily undertook antigen tests and since the results were positive, they both have been admitted to Nanavati Hospital," Maharashtra state health minister, Rajesh Tope, said in a video statement about Amitabh and Abhishek on Sunday, adding that they both had a mild cough and fever.

Suresh Kakani, commissioner from the BMC said that 16 people from the household have been tested, including those who work there.

Civic authority workers spray sanitiser on the main door of the residence of Bollywood star Amitabh Bachchan. AFP
Civic authority workers spray sanitiser on the main door of the residence of Bollywood star Amitabh Bachchan. AFP

On Sunday, BMC workers were seen at the Bachchan family home: they were there to sanitise the premises.

Mumbai is among the Indian cities worst hit by the coronavirus. On Monday, the country's virus caseload reached almost 880,000, with 23,187 deaths recorded.

More on 'Big B'

Known as "Big B", Amitabh rose to fame in the early 1970s on the back of roles in hit movies such as Zanjeer and Sholay.

Active in the film industry since 1969, he has worked on more than 200 movies. His films still open to packed cinemas across India, but his new movie – comedy-drama Gulabo Sitabo – was released on Amazon's streaming service due to the coronavirus restrictions.

Amitabh is an active Twitter user, where he has 43 million followers, and his career has branched into television presenting, business and politics, as well as countless commercial endorsements.

  • Amitabh Bachchan in 'Deewaar'. Courtesy Shutterstock
    Amitabh Bachchan in 'Deewaar'. Courtesy Shutterstock
  • Amitabh Bachchan and Raakhee in 'Hindi Love/Kabhi Kabhie'. Courtesy Shutterstock
    Amitabh Bachchan and Raakhee in 'Hindi Love/Kabhi Kabhie'. Courtesy Shutterstock
  • Amitabh Bachchan in 'Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham'. Courtesy Shutterstock
    Amitabh Bachchan in 'Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham'. Courtesy Shutterstock
  • Rekha, Amitabh Bachchan and Jaya Bachchan in a scene from 'Silsila'. Courtesy Yash Raj Films
    Rekha, Amitabh Bachchan and Jaya Bachchan in a scene from 'Silsila'. Courtesy Yash Raj Films
  • Rani Mukherjee and Amitabh Bachchan in 'Black'. Courtesy Yash Raj Films
    Rani Mukherjee and Amitabh Bachchan in 'Black'. Courtesy Yash Raj Films
  • Amitabh Bachchan, Tobey Maguire and Leonardo DiCaprio in 'The Great Gatsby'. Courtesy Warner Bros. Pictures
    Amitabh Bachchan, Tobey Maguire and Leonardo DiCaprio in 'The Great Gatsby'. Courtesy Warner Bros. Pictures
  • Amitabh Bachchan, right, and Dhanush, left, in 'Shamitabh'. Courtesy Hope Productions
    Amitabh Bachchan, right, and Dhanush, left, in 'Shamitabh'. Courtesy Hope Productions
  • Parth Bhalerao and Amitabh Bachchan in 'Bhoothnath Returns'. Courtesy T-Series
    Parth Bhalerao and Amitabh Bachchan in 'Bhoothnath Returns'. Courtesy T-Series
  • From left, Amitabh Bachchan, Irrfan Khan and Deepika Padukone in 'Piku'. Courtesy MSM Motion Pictures
    From left, Amitabh Bachchan, Irrfan Khan and Deepika Padukone in 'Piku'. Courtesy MSM Motion Pictures
  • Amitabh Bachchan in 'Wazir'. Courtesy Reliance Entertainment
    Amitabh Bachchan in 'Wazir'. Courtesy Reliance Entertainment
  • Amitabh Bachchan in a scene from the Bollywood movie 'Pink'. Courtesy Rashmi Sharma Telefilms Limited
    Amitabh Bachchan in a scene from the Bollywood movie 'Pink'. Courtesy Rashmi Sharma Telefilms Limited
  • Amitabh Bachchan in 'Badla'. Courtesy Red Chillies Entertainment
    Amitabh Bachchan in 'Badla'. Courtesy Red Chillies Entertainment

Amitabh, who has won multiple awards for his acting, also hosts Kaun Banega Crorepati, India's version of Who Wants to be a Millionaire – one of the most-watched shows on Indian television for 20 years.

Although the actor lives a healthy lifestyle, he has a history of health issues. He suffered a near-fatal injury during the shooting of an action scene on a film set in 1982 and was critically ill for several months. Thousands gathered outside the hospital and offered prayers daily.

The accident led to the actor to contract the Hepatitis B virus after a blood transfusion from a donor who was carrying it unknowingly. Reports say his liver lost 75 per cent of its function last year due to cirrhosis caused by the virus.

The Bollywood film industry only recently opened for work after a months-long hiatus following the imposition of a nationwide lockdown in India in late March. But actors that are over 65 – who are often most vulnerable to the virus – such as Amitabh, have been told to stay off set amid the pandemic.

Fans of Bollywood actor Amitabh Bachchan hold posters of the actor while a Hindu priest (right) performs special rituals and prayers for the recovery of the actor as he tested positive for Covid-19, in Kolkata on July 12, 2020. AFP
Fans of Bollywood actor Amitabh Bachchan hold posters of the actor while a Hindu priest (right) performs special rituals and prayers for the recovery of the actor as he tested positive for Covid-19, in Kolkata on July 12, 2020. AFP

Millions of Indians revere Amitabh like royalty, hanging on his every word, seeking his blessings and congregating outside his Mumbai bungalow every year on October 11, his birthday.

Fellow Bollywood stars left well wishes on social media. Sonam Kapoor tweeted: "Get well soon Amit uncle. All my love and prayers." South Indian superstar Mohanlal tweeted, "Wishing you a quick recovery, prayers" in reply to Abhishek's tweet about his diagnosis.

Chef Nobu's advice for eating sushi

“One mistake people always make is adding extra wasabi. There is no need for this, because it should already be there between the rice and the fish.
“When eating nigiri, you must dip the fish – not the rice – in soy sauce, otherwise the rice will collapse. Also, don’t use too much soy sauce or it will make you thirsty. For sushi rolls, dip a little of the rice-covered roll lightly in soy sauce and eat in one bite.
“Chopsticks are acceptable, but really, I recommend using your fingers for sushi. Do use chopsticks for sashimi, though.
“The ginger should be eaten separately as a palette cleanser and used to clear the mouth when switching between different pieces of fish.”

Kill%20Bill%20Volume%201
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3A%20Quentin%20Tarantino%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3A%20Uma%20Thurman%2C%20David%20Carradine%20and%20Michael%20Madsen%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3A%204.5%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
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Company name: baraka
Started: July 2020
Founders: Feras Jalbout and Kunal Taneja
Based: Dubai and Bahrain
Sector: FinTech
Initial investment: $150,000
Current staff: 12
Stage: Pre-seed capital raising of $1 million
Investors: Class 5 Global, FJ Labs, IMO Ventures, The Community Fund, VentureSouq, Fox Ventures, Dr Abdulla Elyas (private investment)

Stats at a glance:

Cost: 1.05 billion pounds (Dh 4.8 billion)

Number in service: 6

Complement 191 (space for up to 285)

Top speed: over 32 knots

Range: Over 7,000 nautical miles

Length 152.4 m

Displacement: 8,700 tonnes

Beam:   21.2 m

Draught: 7.4 m

The specs

Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors

Power: Combined output 920hp

Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm

Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic

Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km

On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025

Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000

The specs
  • Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
  • Power: 640hp
  • Torque: 760nm
  • On sale: 2026
  • Price: Not announced yet
What is graphene?

Graphene is a single layer of carbon atoms arranged like honeycomb.

It was discovered in 2004, when Russian-born Manchester scientists Andrei Geim and Kostya Novoselov were "playing about" with sticky tape and graphite - the material used as "lead" in pencils.

Placing the tape on the graphite and peeling it, they managed to rip off thin flakes of carbon. In the beginning they got flakes consisting of many layers of graphene. But as they repeated the process many times, the flakes got thinner.

By separating the graphite fragments repeatedly, they managed to create flakes that were just one atom thick. Their experiment had led to graphene being isolated for the very first time.

At the time, many believed it was impossible for such thin crystalline materials to be stable. But examined under a microscope, the material remained stable, and when tested was found to have incredible properties.

It is many times times stronger than steel, yet incredibly lightweight and flexible. It is electrically and thermally conductive but also transparent. The world's first 2D material, it is one million times thinner than the diameter of a single human hair.

But the 'sticky tape' method would not work on an industrial scale. Since then, scientists have been working on manufacturing graphene, to make use of its incredible properties.

In 2010, Geim and Novoselov were awarded the Nobel Prize for Physics. Their discovery meant physicists could study a new class of two-dimensional materials with unique properties. 

 

Profile

Company: Justmop.com

Date started: December 2015

Founders: Kerem Kuyucu and Cagatay Ozcan

Sector: Technology and home services

Based: Jumeirah Lake Towers, Dubai

Size: 55 employees and 100,000 cleaning requests a month

Funding:  The company’s investors include Collective Spark, Faith Capital Holding, Oak Capital, VentureFriends, and 500 Startups. 

Biog

Mr Kandhari is legally authorised to conduct marriages in the gurdwara

He has officiated weddings of Sikhs and people of different faiths from Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Russia, the US and Canada

Father of two sons, grandfather of six

Plays golf once a week

Enjoys trying new holiday destinations with his wife and family

Walks for an hour every morning

Completed a Bachelor of Commerce degree in Loyola College, Chennai, India

2019 is a milestone because he completes 50 years in business

 

The Byblos iftar in numbers

29 or 30 days – the number of iftar services held during the holy month

50 staff members required to prepare an iftar

200 to 350 the number of people served iftar nightly

160 litres of the traditional Ramadan drink, jalab, is served in total

500 litres of soup is served during the holy month

200 kilograms of meat is used for various dishes

350 kilograms of onion is used in dishes

5 minutes – the average time that staff have to eat
 

All about the Sevens

Cape Town Sevens on Saturday and Sunday: Pools A – South Africa, Kenya, France, Russia; B – New Zealand, Australia, Spain, United States; C – England, Scotland, Argentina, Uganda; D – Fiji, Samoa, Canada, Wales

HSBC World Sevens Series standing after first leg in Dubai 1 South Africa; 2 New Zealand; 3 England; 4 Fiji; 5 Australia; 6 Samoa; 7 Kenya; 8 Scotland; 9 France; 10 Spain; 11 Argentina; 12 Canada; 13 Wales; 14 Uganda; 15 United States; 16 Russia

Barings Bank

 Barings, one of Britain’s oldest investment banks, was
founded in 1762 and operated for 233 years before it went bust after a trading
scandal. 

Barings Bank collapsed in February 1995 following colossal
losses caused by rogue trader Nick Lesson. 

Leeson gambled more than $1 billion in speculative trades,
wiping out the venerable merchant bank’s cash reserves.