Anushka jealous of Sonakshi Sinha?
Though Anushka Sharma has denied being in a relationship with Ranveer Singh, she is getting overly jealous of Sonakshi Sinha's growing proximity to Ranveer. Buzz is that Anushka was seen looking upset when she spotted her rumoured beau talking animatedly with Sonakshi and her mother Punam at the dada saheb Phalke Academy Awards in Mumbai.

According to sources, "The trouble began with a remark Sonakshi made on Koffee With Karan. She had stated that she'd love to work with Ranveer. The BBB girl's insecurity was driven by the fact that her co-star mentioned on the same talk show that he finds Sonakshi hot. Anushka cattily told host Karan Johar that she could have Ranveer if she wanted," reports Mid Day.
"The Dabangg girl and the BBB boy met at a film industry event a month ago. Both are young, single and eligible and appeared to be getting on like a house on fire. Shatrughan Sinha's daughter has been praising Ranveer when around friends and directors. In fact she even started recommending the young actor to her producer friends and hinting that they would make a great pair if cast together. Anushka didn't take it kindly and has started talking against Shotgun's beti to filmi friends every chance she got."
On being asked whether she is upset with Sonakshi, Anushka was curt, "I don't like to or encourage my friends to talk about other actors male or female. I am here in the industry to do my best (work) and mind my own business and expect the same from others. I am leaving for a 40-day schedule for my next and would like to concentrate on just that. I have respect for all young achievers and co-actors and don't want to be part of these kind of rumours. Please keep me away from this."
AnushkaWhile Anushka refused to talk about it, a source revealed to the tabloid, "Sonakshi has no clue that Anushka is upset with her or talking against her to her friends. In KWK, Sona had told Karan that from the younger lot one person she would love to work with is Ranveer as she loved Band Baaja Baaraat. Her two favourite stars, however, are Hrithik and Salman."
Confirmed Sonakshi's spokesperson, "Sonakshi has never pitched any actors to any directors; she doesn't need to and knows better. The rest is hearsay. Sonakshi shares a healthy, cordial rapport with Anushka and these stories won't affect that," reports the tabloid.
While Anushka's jealousy is growing, Sonakshi seems oblivious to it.

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Should Bollywood give second chance to Shiney Ahuja?

Shiney is out on bail; should Bollywood take him back into the fold?
Should the rape taint mark the end of Shiney Ahuja’s acting career? Or should Bollywood give him the benefit of the doubt and take him back into the fold?

As per law, a man is innocent until proven guilty. Though Shiney was pronounced “guilty” in March this year by a Mumbai court in the rape case of his maid (dating back to 2009) and sentenced to seven years of imprisonment, the actor is using all the legal options available to him by approaching the High Court.

On Tuesday, May 3, Shiney walked out of Arthur Road Jail after being granted bail by Bombay High Court. Now, a long judicial process lies ahead after which Shiney will still have the option of moving to the Supreme Court.

Till all the judicial options are exhausted -- and that will surely take time -- Shiney has no career to look forward to. He has literally been ostracised from the industry after the rape case. Ever since he was first arrested for allegedly raping his maid in 2009, he has only wrapped up a pending filmAccident and done another film called Mary Magdalene.

There have been hushed voices of support for Shiney from some quarters in Bollywood, but no one has yet come out and spoken out loud in support of the actor. So is the talent of Shiney destined to rot away?

We ask our readers -- should Shiney Ahuja be given a second chance? Or does he deserve to be an outcast?
More on Shiney Ahuja in rape case

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Watch: Freida Pinto bare all in 'Immortals'

New Delhi: The first look of actress Freida Pinto's 3D film 'Immortals' was released on Monday with the 'Slumdog' star playing a priestess in the Greek epic.
Pinto's co-star Mickey Rourke plays evil King Hyperion on his quest to find the legendary Epirus Bow - a weapon of unimaginable power in the film directed by Tarsem Singh. It also stars Henry Cavill.
Pinto bares all in the film, the shooting for which was a challenge for her, Singh told the thesun.co.uk. The fantasy-action flick is loosely based on the Greek myth of Theseus and the Minotaur and the Titanomachy.
Watch: Freida Pinto bare all in 'Immortals'
"Poor girl. It's the first time we see Freida Pinto and guess what - it's a sex scene. It's a delicate situation. We're trying to get all of the lights out so we can create an intimate situation. Only 80 people watching you and 20 of them with video cameras!" Singh said.
Pinto shot to fame with Danny Boyle's Oscar winning film 'Slumdog Millionaire'.
The film is set to be released on November 11, 2011 by Universal Pictures and Relativity Media.
Watch the trailer here


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I will miss you Osama, says fake Laden
On Monday morning, actor Pradhuman Singh had his first tryst with stardom. He was flooded with calls. Everyone wanted to know what the only actor to have emulated Osama Bin Laden on screen, was thinking, when the US President announced that the wanted Al Qaeda leader had been shot dead.
“I stopped counting after 20. My phone was ringing non-stop. Not too many actors’ debut films have made headlines after they’ve been out from the theatres since six months,” says Pradhuman, admitting with straight-faced humour that he was upset to hear about the terrorist’s death. “I’ll miss Osama. He’s someone I played in my first movie. In fact, whenever he’s discussed in future, my debut will also be spoken of. So, I owe him something, right?”

Osama Bin LadenAround the film’s release in June, Walkwater Films (producers) had received an anonymous letter threatening them to shelve the film as it supported Osama. But Pradhuman, who read dozens of web pages and watched hundreds of videos to get his act right, was clueless.

“I was immersed in the preparations. I didn’t know how Osama spoke, the words he stressed on and if he was a left or right-handed man. Whoever was threatening us probably didn’t know that the film was a satire on the after-effects of the 9/11 attack on Asians,” he argues. “I can proudly say that if Americans and the Taliban leaders had watched it, they would have loved it.”

Osama’s death, however, will remain a historic moment for the world. And one that brings both, joy and alarm. “I’m sure he had some logic behind his acts. He thought he was right in whatever he was doing. Ditto the American leadership,” he says. “So, although nearly everyone in the world is rejoicing his death, it’s an alarm that shouldn’t be missed. There might be another bigger leader in the making… you never know. Their face is dead, not their cause.”

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First look - Salman and Katrina in ‘Ek Tha Tiger’

Salman and Katrina get back together for a Yashraj film. Check out the first look
Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif literally join hands and wrap arms for the upcoming Yash Raj Film Ek Tha Tiger.

The duo surely harbours no grouse against each other after the break-up last year and was completely at ease shooting for a special photoshoot for the film at Salman’s house. The images from the shoot are out and we present them to you.

Ek Tha Tiger is based on a story written by Aditya Chopra. This is Salman’s first film as a hero with the Yashraj banner.

Talking about the film, Salman says that he and Aditya have talked about various projects in the past, but nothing materialized.

“In the past Adi and I have met a few times on various projects but somehow, when Kabir and he came to me with this particular story, we all just knew that this was the one. It is a very ambitious project and will be a challenge for all of us, but that's exactly what makes it such a big draw. Above all this, I’m honoured to be working with Yashji, who has worked so closely with my Dad in the past,” Salman is quoted to have said.

The film’s shoot will begin in July. Its music will be by Pritam and cinematography will be by Aseem Mishra (DoP of Kabir Khan’s New York). The screenplay and dialogues have been penned by Kabir Khan along with Nilesh Misra.

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Twilight: Eclipse and Inception lead the way for MTV Movie Award nominations

Eclipse is set to take the MTV Movie Awards by storm, after having received eight nominations.
The third film in the saga has been nominated for best movie, while its lead actors Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart have both received nods for best actor and actress categories.
Pattinson will be competing against his Twilight co-star Taylor Lautner as well as Zac Efron for Charlies St Cloud, Daniel Radcliffe for Harry Potter and Jesse Eisenberg for The Social Network.
Leading the way: Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart have both been nominated for their roles in Twilight: Eclipse
Leading the way: Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart have both been nominated for their roles in Twilight: Eclipse
While Stewart is up against Natalie Portman for Black Swan, Emma Watson for Harry Potter and Jennifer Aniston for Just Go With It.
Inception is in the running against Twilight for best movie, with Leonardo DiCaprio’s film receiving seven nominations.
 
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 has also made an impression and received six nominations, while The Social Network has five.
Inception’s Joseph Gordon-Levitt has been nominated for the Biggest Badass Star award and for Best Fight, after his zero-gravity hallway fight scene.
Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart will compete against Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson for Best Kiss after locking lips in both of popular franchises that they’re famed for.
British influence: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 received six nominations
British influence: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 received six nominations
Harry Potter’s Tom Felton has been nominated take the prize for Best Villain for his role as Draco Malfoy.
The Social Network star and future Spider-Man Andrew Garfield has been nominated for Best Breakout Star and the Facebook film is also up for Best Line For A Movie for the quote: ‘If you guys were the inventors of Facebook, you'd have invented Facebook.’
But despite just a few films stealing most of the limelight, other nominees included Russell Brand for Get Him To The Greek and Emma Stone in Easy A.
Chloe Moretz was nominated for Kick-Ass and Mickey Rourke nabbed one for Iron Man 2.
But Twilight seems to be a favourite among voters and it’s the second time in three years that the vampire film is leading the way at MTV’s Movie Awards.
The awards show will be hosted by Jason Sudeikis on June 5 at the Gibson Amphitheatre in Universal City, California.
In the running: Inception, starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Marion Cotillard, is in the running against Twilight for best movie
In the running: Inception, starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Marion Cotillard, is in the running against Twilight for best movie
Making an impression: The Social Network, starring Justin Timberlake (left) and Jesse Eisenberg (right) has five nominations
Making an impression: The Social Network, starring Justin Timberlake (left) and Jesse Eisenberg (right) has five nominations

MTV MOVIE AWARD NOMINATIONS 2011

Best Movie
Black Swan
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 1
Inception
The Social Network
The Twilight Saga: Eclipse
Best Female Performance
Emma Stone, Easy A
Emma Watson, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 1
Jennifer Aniston, Just Go With It
Kristen Stewart, The Twilight Saga: Eclipse
Natalie Portman, Black Swan
Best Male Performance
Daniel Radcliffe, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 1
Jesse Eisenberg, The Social Network
Robert Pattinson, The Twilight Saga: Eclipse
Taylor Lautner, The Twilight Saga: Eclipse
Zac Efron, Charlie St. Cloud
Best Breakout Star
Andrew Garfield, The Social Network
Chloë Grace Moretz, Kick-Ass
Hailee Steinfeld, True Grit
Jay Chou, The Green Hornet
Olivia Wilde, TRON: Legacy
Xavier Samuel, The Twilight Saga: Eclipse 
Best Comedic Performance
Adam Sandler, Just Go With It
Ashton Kutcher, No Strings Attached
Emma Stone, Easy A
Russell Brand, Get Him to the Greek
Zach Galifianakis, Due Date
Best Line From A Movie (New Category)
Alexys Nycole Sanchez, Grown Ups: 'I want to get chocolate wasted.'
Amanda Bynes and Emma Stone, Easy A: Amanda Bynes: 'There is a higher power that will judge you for your indecency.' Emma Stone: 'Tom Cruise?'
Jesse Eisenberg, The Social Network: 'If you guys were the inventors of Facebook, you'd have invented Facebook.'
Justin Timberlake and Andrew Garfield, The Social Network: Justin Timberlake: '... A million dollars isn't cool. You know what's cool?' Andrew Garfield: 'A billion dollars. And that shut everybody up.'
Tom Hardy, Inception: 'You mustn't be afraid to dream a little bigger darling.'
Best Villain
Christoph Waltz, The Green Hornet
Leighton Meester, The Roommate
Mickey Rourke, Iron Man 2
Ned Beatty, Toy Story 3
Tom Felton, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 1 
Best Fight
Amy Adams vs. The Sisters, The Fighter
Chloë Grace Moretz vs. Mark Strong, Kick-Ass
Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint vs. Death Eaters, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 1
Joseph Gordon-Levitt vs. Hallway Attacker, Inception
Robert Pattinson vs. Bryce Dallas Howard and Xavier Samuel, The Twilight Saga: Eclipse 
Best Kiss
Ellen Page and Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Inception
Emma Watson and Daniel Radcliffe, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 1
Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson, The Twilight Saga: Eclipse
Kristen Stewart and Taylor Lautner, The Twilight Saga: Eclipse
Natalie Portman and Mila Kunis, Black Swan
Best Jaw-Dropping Moment
James Franco, 127 Hours, Cuts Off His Arm
Justin Bieber, Justin Bieber: Never Say Never, Performance Spectacular
Leonardo DiCaprio and Ellen Page, Inception, Paris Café Scene
Natalie Portman, Black Swan, Mutilation: Pulls the Skin off Her Finger
Steve-O, Jackass 3D, Port-A-Potty Bungee Stunt 
Best Scared-As-Sh-- Performance
Ashley Bell, The Last Exorcism
Ellen Page, Inception
Jessica Szohr, Piranha 3D
Minka Kelly, The Roommate
Ryan Reynolds, Buried 
Biggest Badass Star
Alex Pettyfer, I Am Number Four
Chloë Grace Moretz, Kick-Ass
Jaden Smith, The Karate Kid
Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Inception
Robert Downey Jr., Iron Man 2

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Star Wars Day Blu-Ray announcement proves massive flop among fans 

Star Wars Day has seen fans repeating the mantra 'May the fourth be with you', but the much-hyped announcement of details surrounding The Complete Saga's Blu-Ray release has left die-hards thoroughly unimpressed. 

Blu-Ray Star Wars Day The Blu-Ray Star Wars Day announcement came as a let down to fans (Pic: www.starwars.com)
The official Star Wars website had promised a big announcement, with a countdown clock and the message: 'On May 4th, all will be revealed.'
The hash tags #maythe4thbewithyou and #starwarsday began trending on Twitter this morning, with many fans speculating that the announcement would reveal plans to release the cinematic versions of the original Star Wars films.
But at the time of the big reveal, the Star Wars site crashed, and for hours simply directed users to the Fox homepage.
In the end, George Lucas and co announced that Star Wars: The Complete Saga on Blu-Ray will be released on September 12 around the world and September 16 in the US.
Star Wars Day: May the 4th be with youFans had been hoping for the release of the theatrical versions of the original Star Wars films (Pic: AP)
The bulk of the announcement revealed the special features to be contained in the release, including audio commentaries, deleted scenes and documentaries.
The site also urged Jedi wannabes to 'share' the announcement to reveal images on the site, but most failed to get excited by the details.
When Star Wars aficionados finally heard the much-hyped 'news', the reaction ranged from indifference to displeasure.
On Twitter, most fans stuck to Star Wars related jokes, while those that did comment on the Blu-Ray release seemed disappointed at the anti-climatic announcement.
One user wrote: 'I am a little disappointed about the #StarsWars revelation on #MayThe4thBeWithYou Come on! It's just Blu-Ray Discs with special features...'
Star Wars Blu-RayStar Wars fans were urged to share the news of the Blu-Ray release (Pic: www.starwars.com)
Another added: 'Dear @starwars, the world already knows about the brand. Just post the Blu-ray details. It's Star Wars on Blu-ray, not the fountain of youth.'
On Amazon followers of the force were less indifferent, with many expressing their anger at the lack of theatrical versions in the new release.
One wrote: 'Again, us loyal fans have been cheated with another release of digitally "enhanced" nonsense. Boycott this item and demand the original theatrical versions on Blu-Ray!!'
Another added: 'I was getting ready to buy this. Great to have the whole series on Blu-ray. I'm not a fan of the prequels, but I thought my boys would like them. But I'm only interested in the original, theatrical versions of episodes 4-6. Without those, I won't buy. I'll just stick with my 'old-school' DVDs, thank you very much.'
George Lucas has previously revealed he has no plans to restore the original theatrical versions of the first three Star Wars films.


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Once beautiful, Barcelona have tumbled and fallen out of our affections

It was of wide opinion that the worst thing that could happen to the Champions League was Barcelona being paired with Real Madrid in the knock-out stages.
The purists had it down as the perfect final.
As the draw for the semis was made, comments I heard were 'four Clasicos in 18 days (they met in the Copa del Rey final and Primera Liga) would dilute this fantastic fixture' and 'these are the two top teams in Europe and should grace Wembley'. 
Wembley here we come: The Barcelona players celebrate their 3-1 aggregate win over Real Madrid
Wembley here we come: The Barcelona players celebrate their 3-1 aggregate win over Real Madrid
I was excited about the two-legged tie, more so than any other game between two sides outside the UK for a long, long time. 
But even after Barcelona deservedly progressed to Wembley, I couldn't help but feel I was mis-sold football's equivalent of the Harlem Globetrotters. And it all stems from that disgraceful first leg at the Bernabeu.
I can understand games where the flow is interrupted by little fouls, made with the intention of breaking up the tempo, but what was on display that evening was blatant cheating. And sadly it prevailed. 
There were many incidents that night that could have applied to the above but none were more crucial than the sending off of Madrid's Pepe. 
Looks nasty: Dani Alves rolls around the floor after a challenge from Pepe in last week's first leg in Madrid
Looks nasty: Dani Alves rolls around the floor after a challenge from Pepe in last week's first leg in Madrid
Yes he appears to follow through on Dani Alves with his challenge but he doesn't touch him enough to warrant the reaction from the Brazilian full-back.
Cue a load of Barcelona players hounding the referee, then the red card. 
Alves completes the move by being carried off on a stretcher to return within seconds, up and running around as before.
Who needs to work on set-pieces to score when you can work on ones to get the opposition sent off?
Before they were a man down Madrid were struggling to cope anyway, with 10 men they were lambs to the slaughter and Lionel Messi's moments of magic earned the visitors the unassailable 2-0 lead. 
But, even with a two-goal advantage, Barcelona couldn't help themselves at the Nou Camp. 
Better take the weight off that: Alves leaves the field on a stretcher - but he was sprinting back on shortly after
Better take the weight off that: Alves leaves the field on a stretcher - but he was sprinting back on shortly after
Javier Mascherano's constant tumbles to the ground were an embarrassment and his playacting ruled out a perfectly good Madrid goal. 
Rules state that the referee can give a foul if there is any sort of infringement and there is no doubt that Cristiano Ronaldo's accidental fall did see him slightly touch the ex-Liverpool midfielder. 
But with Gonzalo Higuain in front of him ready to fire past Victor Valdes, Mascherano collapsed in a heap and won a free-kick. 
With the score 0-0 on the night, it was another pivotal moment in the tie. 
Honestly, if it was as easy to go to ground after contact as slight as that, offices and high streets up and down the country would be full of people rolling around the floor – an amusing sight come to think of it - and physios would instantly cash in. 
There were just too many separate incidents to go through them all, Real Madrid were no angels, but they all follow the same pattern in that they are trying to con the ref. 
Fall guy: Javier Mascherano (right) was quick to take a tumble as Spain's big two clashed in the Nou Camp
Fall guy: Javier Mascherano (right) was quick to take a tumble as Spain's big two clashed in the Nou Camp
I know it's not new, Graeme Souness said last night that it's always been part of the game in Spain to try and influence the referee. 
You only have to look at the tough-tackling, no-nonsense midfielder Mascherano was at Liverpool to the disgrace he has become today to see that. 
But there are other reasons for my discontent. Messi once again lived up to his star billing to give a mesmerising performance in attack that underlined his status as the best in the world. 
All he needed was a goal on Tuesday to cap off a perfect showing in both legs – and it just proved that the Catalan giants do not even need to cheat to win. 
Pedro's goal at the Nou Camp is about one of the finest team efforts I have ever seen, so it just makes it all the more frustrating that Barcelona still played to win at all costs. 
Roughed up: Messi was on the receiving end of a few tasty challenges from the Madrid players
Roughed up: Messi was on the receiving end of a few tasty challenges from the Madrid players
But as the greatest player in the world displayed his fine talent, without the need for diving it must be added, his huge positive contribution over both legs has been overshadowed by half-time punch-ups, simulation, alleged racism, red cards and accusations of UEFA favouritism. 
It's easy to say ignore that and just focus on Messi, but that brings me on to my next point which is the future of the game. 
We were all young once and all looked up to various figures for inspiration. 
Millions of budding young footballers around the world watched this tie and you can bet your mortgage that many will go out for their local team on Sunday morning and start to hone their simulation skills. More so, the crowding of referees too. 
Hey, if world-class centre-backs such as Carlos Puyol can lead a player revolt on the referee and get away with it, why will kids think any different? 
Ref justice: Barca skipper Carles Puyol (No 5) gets involved with the man in the middle during the first leg
Ref justice: Barca skipper Carles Puyol (No 5) gets involved with the man in the middle during the first leg
Any of you who have played in a local Sunday league or even watched as a doting parent will understand how easy it is for things to get out of control at a junior match. 
Once the players lose respect for the referee, the parents quickly follow and an innocent Sunday morning kick-about turns into a free-for-all. 
It's a poison that must be eradicated from the game. But until UEFA/FIFA start to severely punish cheating and a lack of respect shown towards officials, then games of this magnitude will produce the same thing in the future and grass-roots football will continue to suffer. 
Just as well el clasico wasn't the final, Wembley can do without more negative publicity as football HQ desperately needs a classic game to try and create some history. 
Manchester United should overcome Schalke, and as a neutral I will be desperate for them to beat Barcelona in the final. 
I know Sir Alex Ferguson's men are no saints but even if it's just for this year at least, football needs Manchester United to win the Champions League by displaying a brand of football fit enough to be copied by young kids across the globe.

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The wrong amount of sleep 'can age your brain by up to SEVEN YEARS'


The amount of sleep we get can impact our mental health in later life, a study has warned.

Sleeping too little or for too long disrupts how we think and can age the brain by up to seven years, the findings show.
Getting less or more than the six to eight hours recommended sleep increases the speed of cognitive decline and affects abilities such as reasoning and vocabulary.
The researchers warned that worsening brain function could also trigger physical decline and early death.
Beauty sleep: Researchers found seven hours per night resulted in the highest score for every cognitive measure
Not just beauty sleep: Researchers found seven hours per night resulted in the highest score for every cognitive measure
University of London scientists showed how changes in sleep over a five-year period in late middle age affects cognitive function in later life.
The six standard tests measured memory, reasoning, vocabulary, phonemic fluency, semantic fluency and global cognitive status.
Between 7 and 8 per cent of those who slept longer than the recommended amount fared worse in all the cognitive tests apart from short-term verbal memory.
    A quarter of women and 18 per cent of men who slept less suffered a decrease in their capacity for reasoning and vocabulary.
    Around seven hours of good quality sleep is fundamental to human functioning and well-being, according to the study.
    Sleep deprivation and sleepiness have adverse effects on performance, response times, errors of commission, and attention or concentration.  
    Furthermore, sleep duration has been found to be associated with a wide range of quality of life measures, such as social functioning, mental and physical health, and early death.
    Senior research fellow Jane Ferrie said: 'The main result to come out of our study was that adverse changes in sleep duration appear to be associated with poorer cognitive function in later-middle age.
    'The detrimental effects of too much, too little and poor quality sleep on various aspects of health have begun to receive more attention.
    'Given that our 24/7 society increasingly impinges on the lives of many people, it is important to consider what effects changes in sleep duration may have on health and well-being in the long term.'
    Researchers found the ideal amount of sleep duration of seven hours per night resulted in the highest score for every cognitive measure, followed closely by six hours of nightly sleep.
    Among men, cognitive function was similar for those who reported sleeping six, seven or eight hours - only short and long sleep durations of less than six hours or more than eight hours appeared to be associated with lower scores.

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    Newquay's Penhallow 'worst UK hotel fire in 40 years'

    Penhallow Hotel - Pic: Press Association
    The owners of a Cornish hotel destroyed by fire have been fined £80,000 and ordered to pay £62,000 costs for failing to meet fire safety standards.
    Three people died as a result of the blaze at the Penhallow Hotel in Newquay in 2007.
    The fire at Newquay's Penhallow Hotel was described by firefighters as the worst British hotel fire in 40 years.
    The blaze ravaged the hotel, killing three people, on 18 August 2007.
    At its peak more than 100 firefighters battled flames 30 feet (9.1m) high, which tore through the 54-bedroom hotel in the Cornish holiday resort shortly after midnight.
    The victims, Monica Hughes, 86, her son Peter Hughes, 43 and Joan Harper, 80, were all from Staffordshire.
    Mr Hughes, a teacher from Cheslyn Hay, jumped from a third floor window after trying in vain to save his mother.
    In March 2011, the hotel's owner, O&C Holdsworth Ltd, of Harrison Road, Halifax, Yorkshire, admitted two charges relating to fire safety breaches.
    They failed to ensure fire detectors and alarms were working at the hotel and failed to make an adequate risk assessment before the blaze.
    Suitcases in corridor
    Two directors of the company, Nicola Burfitt and John McMillan, both denied three charges relating to them personally, with the prosecution saying it was "not in the public interest" to pursue them.

    Start Quote

    To lose two members of your family is beyond most people's imagination”
    John HughesSon and brother of victims
    It has been a long road to justice for the families of those who died in the fire.
    It was revealed at an inquest in June 2009 that the hotel was not complying with fire safety regulations introduced in 2005.
    The regulations stipulated, among other things, that each room must have its own smoke alarm.
    Guests giving evidence said the fire alarm could not be heard on the third floor, where all of the people who died were staying.
    Witnesses at the inquest also spoke of suitcases being left in the corridor overnight, which hampered their escape.
    There was also criticism of some of the building's electrical wiring, which dated back to the 1960s.
    The inquest heard from experts that arson was the most probable cause of the fire, which is thought to have started in the hotel bar, but it could not be conclusively proved.
    Unanswered questions
    Cornwall coroner Dr Emma Carlyon ordered the jury to return open verdicts on all three victims, saying there was insufficient evidence to rule they were unlawfully killed.
    Joan Harper, Monica Hughes and Peter HughesJoan Harper, Monica Hughes and Peter Hughes died in the Penhallow Hotel fire
    Hotel manager Andy Woollam and his partner Sarah Jane Duffy, the assistant manager, both refused to answer questions regarding fire safety regulations at the hotel during the 18-day inquest.
    Christopher Gunn, the night porter on the night of the fire, did the same. He and Mr Woollam gave contradictory evidence to the inquest about events.
    Mr Gunn was arrested by Devon and Cornwall Police in 2008 in connection with the fire but later released without charge.
    It was not until 2010 that a civil prosecution case began against the hotel's owners and several members of staff by Cornwall Council and Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service for breaches of health and safety laws.
    Speaking after the hearing in March 2011, John Hughes, whose mother and brother died, said he hoped lessons would be learnt by the tourism industry.
    Mr Hughes said: "I am pleased at least to have an admission of guilt from the owners of Penhallow. It has been hell for the last few years,"
    "To lose two members of your family is beyond most people's imagination.
    "The best thing that could come out of this is that the tourism agencies and hotels sit up and take note."
    The fire also contributed to a decision by Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service to introduce 24-hour cover in the popular resort town, which has had more than a quarter of all fires in the county in the past five years.

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