MUMBAI: Today, Avon Global Ambassador, Reese Witherspoon visited Japan to bring a message of empowerment and hope to the Asia Pacific region. Ms. Witherspoon was the guest of honor at a traditional Japanese Tea Ceremony where she met female breast cancer survivors. In addition to the tea ceremony, Ms. Witherspoon met with Avon Representatives and introduced the region to Avon‘s first-ever global fund-raising product, the Women‘s Empowerment Bracelet.

The bracelet, which features a clasp in the shape of the infinity symbol to carry the message of the limitless possibilities for women, will now be sold by Avon Sales Representatives in Japan and will be also available in Taiwan, South Korea, the Philippines, Thailand, Malaysia, Australia and India and sold in the more than 100 countries globally in which Avon operates. In support of this mission, proceeds from the Women‘s Empowerment Bracelet will go to a new endowment, the Avon Empowerment Fund, which will contribute to the UNIFEM-managed UN Trust Fund to End Violence against Women. The first $500,000 from bracelet sales will be matched in 2008 by the Avon Foundation for a total donation of $1 million for new grants by the UN Trust Fund, representing the single-largest one-year corporate contribution to-date.

"As Avon‘s Global Ambassador, I‘m honored to have this opportunity to meet with such extraordinary women, and experience a highlight of Japanese culture" said Ms. Witherspoon. "While their courage is inspiring, I was saddened to hear that only about 12% of women in Japan receive regular breast cancer screening. The lack of testing equipment and breast cancer experts in Japan means that many women here do not have access to the medical technology and care that is critical to diagnose and fight this deadly disease."

"Avon has been committed to supporting women all over the world for more than 120 years, and as the company for women, we truly believe that empowering women will change the world," said Geralyn Breig, Senior Vice President and Global Brand President of Avon Products, Inc. "Ms. Witherspoon has an incredible track record of giving back in both big and small ways and we are thrilled that she is in Japan lending her support to raise funds and awareness for breast cancer and domestic violence in her role as the company‘s first global ambassador."

The Women‘s Empowerment Bracelet, designed to save and improve women‘s lives worldwide, was first unveiled in the U.S. in March of this year at the second annual Global Summit for a Better Tomorrow, presented by the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) in partnership with Avon, at the United Nations in celebration of International Women‘s Day. Over half a million units of The Women‘s Empowerment Bracelet have already sold in the U.S.

In Kochuan, Tokyo, Ms. Witherspoon attended an intimate Tea Ceremony dressed in a traditional Japanese kimono, which was made by a prominent Kimono dresser, Midori Yogi. Ms. Yogi‘s family has dressed the Japanese Imperial Family for weddings since 1952.

The Tea Ceremony, which is a multi-faceted traditional activity designed to capture the spirit of healing the body, mind and soul, offered an open forum to discuss breast cancer issues and needs in Japan, which is a critical topic due to a high rate of breast cancer in the country and the Asia Pacific region. At the Tea Ceremony, Ms. Witherspoon met Dr. Matsuda, Chairman of the Japan Breast Cancer Association, and three Japanese breast cancer survivors, and talked with them about the lack of breast cancer awareness and screening facilities.

Avon‘s global philanthropy has raised and awarded more than $525 million for breast cancer research and to ensure the best care and treatment for all breast cancer patients, regardless of their ability to pay. Avon is the largest corporate supporter of the fight against breast cancer in the world.

Avon Japan is committed to changing these statistics and creating greater awareness with an emphasis on the importance of early detection. Since the beginning of their breast cancer campaign in 2002, Avon has held some of the largest breast cancer awareness events in Japan as well as donated nearly $2 million for mammography screenings, equipment donation, research and care for survivors and their families.

MUMBAI: IBNLive.com, India‘s leading news portal from Web18 Group has been adjudged as the ‘Best News Portal‘ at the PC World Web Awards 2008 for the second year on the trot.In an ever-burgeoning Internet space, this simple yet informative website has managed to surface through other established competition with its constant innovations.

Apart from this clear winner, the final 2 short listed portals included Rediff.com and Hindustan Times. But at the end of it all, it was the ‘exceptional layout‘, ‘engaging design‘, ‘efficient navigation‘, ‘interconnectivity‘ and ‘search mechanism‘ offered by IBNLive.com, that helped them to bag the coveted award.

Speaking on this occasion, Mr. Surya Mantha, CEO, Web18 said, "We are pleased to receive this recognition in the online news space. We have always believed in the quality of the news provided by IBNLive.com and its potential to empower people with the right thought process. This award is solely a testament to our constant effort to provide our audiences with nothing but the best. We will always strive in keeping our user experience simple and redefining"

MUMBAI: Well?..almost, what with a bunch of C-grade A-listers woo the directors with their daring and somewhat sleazy acts on this episode where the theme was "Adult Special". The episode starts with.... our very own Shana Shakeel who as Mr. Paange set the mood for the evening; by being the maker of C grade movies and narrates stories of his movies like Takatwar Haseena Padosi Kameena and Jawani Ki Hawa to poor Shruti (who is always at the receiving end of his jokes). Then to take the evening further with their crazy act were pairs like VIP and Juhi; (wild card entrants) where VIP as Hutt Sahab is looking for a heroine for his next movie who is willing to expose but is amazed to find out that Juhi a C grade movie queen is willing to do much more than what is asked for except scratching; a habit Hutt Sahab just can?t get enough of. Sudesh Lahiri as Billo Lahiri; is trying hard to convince butt-scratching, paan-chewing Director Tripathi (Krushna) of Bhojpuri movies that she is just the heroine he is looking for, albeit a little desi in flavor. Kamya and Rajiv came next, narrating the story of the movie Nahane Ke Bahane replete with rapes, bathing scenes and a lot more your naughty mind can imagine of. Shailesh Lodha; a Malwani character gets to spend an entire day with Apara Mehta err???Lilen Lavanya, who gives a glimpse of her life as an A-lister in the world of C-grade movies to Shailesh. Rajesh; a Mallu director is shocked when he hears about working ways of C grade movies in the metro from Sarita (Rajiv Nigam).

As Shruti rightly says at the start of the episode this one is not meant to be seen with the entire family???rather lock yourself in your rooms and giggle your hearts out with our five talented and slightly mad jodis who entertain you with one funny gag after the other only on Comedy Circus 2 Every Saturday 10.00 P.M Only on Sony Entertainment Television.

MUMBAI: It‘s raining Oscars on Star Gold! Beginning June 14th, the viewers of Star Gold will be treated with the Oscar Fever where in the best of the Oscar winning movies dubbed in Hindi will be showcased on weekends @ 8pm! Star Gold sets the mood of the viewers with the 3 weekend long festival that will culminate with the most acclaimed and prestigious 80th Annual Academy Awards, for the first time ever in Hindi.

Catch powerhouse performances by the biggest stars in the all time favorite and critically acclaimed movies that were appreciated worldwide on the Oscar Fever. Tune in to some Academy Award winning films like Jurassic Park, McKENNAS GOLD, Guns of Navarone to name a few. That‘s not all; the viewers will also be treated to the biggest celebrity event in showbiz, the 80th Annual Academy Awards that recognizes the year‘s best achievements in film.

From the biggest stars to starlets, Star Gold will provide you with English entertainment in Hindi non stop!

MUMBAI: Saturday?s will never be the same again with World Hit movies only on FIRANGI- World ki best kahaniyan. Branded as ?Firangi 70mm World Hits?, these movies will entertain audiences every Saturday 8:30pm onwards.

FIRANGI will engage audiences with new, innovative, bold and contemporary movies from around the world. Each of these movies is box office hits in their home countries and have never been shown before in India. These movies are from various genres including family dramas, mysteries and crime thrillers, romantic comedies and horror

Rajeev Chakrabarti, Business Head, FIRANGI says, ?We aim to showcase the best movies from around the world in a language understood by almost every Indian. The movies are handpicked and stick by our brand promise of showing the best stories from around the world. Each of these movies have never been shown before in India?.

This month, audiences will be enthralled by movies such as:

? Private Vacation- Sat, 7th June 2008: -

A German, family based movie, which revolves around ?The Vessens? are a pretty normal family: Christian, the workaholic father, his wife Billie and their two kids Lenja and Timo. After 4 years, the Vessens are finally on holiday, sailing the Caribbean on a yacht. Although Captain Flynn and his run-down ship Ocean Queen are not quite what they were hoping for, they try to settle in for a relaxing cruise. But they end up having the adventure of their lives.

FC Venus- Sat, 14th June 2008: -
A romantic comedy of Anna and Paul, the perfect couple who make each other laugh, enjoy each other?s company and love each other passionately. However they have one conflict - Football. She hates it and he loves it.

Suing dad- Sat, 21st June 2008: -
Its about a successful divorce lawyer Herbert Windscheid is ready to marry again after his wife?s death four years ago. He?s gone through hard times and now he wants to find a new wife and a new mom for his four kids Benny, Janina, Micha and Moana. Herbert is brilliant in his work, but when it comes to his personal life he?s a complete wreck. It?s no surprise then, that when he shows up with Felicitas ? who doesn?t like kids at all ? the four are horrified. To them, Felicitas is a gold digger and only interested in their dad?s money. In an attempt to stop him from making the biggest mistake of his life, the kids hire the only divorce lawyer who can keep up with their dad ? his old rival Sabrina

More Than Words- Sat, 28th June 2008: -
This comedy packed movie revolves around Katharina, a cabinet-maker is not interested in mini skirts, beauty treatments or make up. She is a tough talking girl who likes to show the ?stronger? sex who?s really in charge. But then fate brings a valuable piece of art to her shop for restoration and the charismatic expert Jakob to do the work. For Katharina, its love at first sight though she?d never admit it in a million years. The only problem is that the visiting expert has eyes only for Katharina?s pretty friend Marie.

Stay tuned and catch world hit movies only on FIRANGI- 70mm World Hits, Sat 8.30 pm onwards.

MUMBAI: Shaaditimes.com, the wedding and relationship portal by Shaadi.com, brings you a chance to win free tickets for the forthcoming family entertainer Mere Baap Pehle Aap.All you have to do is log onto Shaaditimes.com and answer 4 simple questions, and you might just spend your boring Saturday watching this rib tickling comedy, absolutely free!

After the award winning Omkara and the critically acclaimed thrillerManorama -- 6 Feet Under, Shemaroo Entertainment Private Limited is releasing a laughter riot, Mere Baap Pehle Aap. The film is directed by Priyadarshan, produced by Raman Maroo & stars Akshaye Khanna, Paresh Rawal, Genelia, Om Puri, Archna Puransingh, Rajpal Yadav and Naseeruddin Shah in a special appearance.