<p>It was nipples out on the Milan Fashion Week runway this season, one of the clear trends emerging from a week of previews of mostly womenswear collections for next fall and winter. Wherever there is a trend, there is always the counter-current, and holding out for what he described as “the dignity of women” was Giorgio Armani. Where sheer fabrics were employed in his collection, it was with modesty.</p>

<p>Armani’s show closed out fashion week on Sunday. Here are highlights from the last day of live runway shows:</p>

<p><strong>TOMO KOIZUMI PUTS A SMILEY FACE ON FASHION</strong></p>

<p>With swirls of coloured taffeta and satin gathered into crushed roses, Japanese designer Tomo Koizumi put a smiley face on a rainy Sunday morning.</p>

<p>The exuberant looks were spasms of colour fashioned into ruffles on a minidress constructed from stripes of knitwear, elaborate skirts with deep slits and dresses with southern belle silhouettes. These are occasional pieces that would be standouts on any red carpet, stage or party; imagine the lucky girl wearing one to prom.</p>

<p>The runway show was in collaboration with Dolce &amp; Gabbana, which supplied textiles as well as handbags and shoes, Koizumi said. He turned a print from one of the Italian house’s recent collections into a series of 3-D floral creations.</p>

<p>“I took inspiration from Dolce &amp; Gabbana, and I also got powerful support, which allowed me to push myself even harder,” Koizumi said.</p>

<p>Koizumi also put out there his dream: “To be hired by as creative director of a major fashion house.”</p>

<p><strong>GIORGIO ARMANI’S INTIMATE PEEK INSIDE</strong></p>

<p>Giorgio Armani once again gave the fashion world a glimpse of idealised life inside Milan’s stately palazzi, populated by women for whom dressing in comfort and style is not a contradiction.</p>

<p>Satiny loungewear in soothing earthy tones skimmed the form and was grounded in more structured pieces, such as leather motorcycle jackets or contrasting black vests. The looks were elegantly layered, with long dresses over translucent ribbed trousers suggesting lingerie.</p>

<p>Where sheer fabrics were employed, it was with modesty, for example, over dark tights, and with a bandeau top of velvet.</p>

<p>Beaded fringe, velvet bows and a flower motif underlined the femininity of the collection. And before the Armani woman walks out into the street, one last touch of face powder …</p>

<p>Armani said the collection is about “the dignity of women, dressed with a lot of care and attention, and who take pleasure in dressing.”</p>

<p><strong>CHECKMATE FOR FRANCESCA LIBERATORE</strong></p>

<p>Italian designer Francesca Liberatore conceived her show, featuring a collaboration with the Errea sportswear brand, around a chess game, a comment on the state of the world on many fronts.</p>

<p>Eight Black models walked the runway and took their places on a chessboard laid out in the centre of the showroom. Next came eight white models, who faced off from the other side.</p>

<p>“It is exactly because of the situation that we are living that for me it is essential to have an eye on fairness,” Liberatore said backstage. “And there is nothing like a game to even out situations.”</p>

<p>The first 16 models, who represented the pawns, were followed by the rooks, two with big bouffant hairstyles to represent the castle shape. The knights wore long extensions to embody horse tails, while the bishops had hoods pulled over their hair.</p>

<p>Women took the roles of both king and queen and walked hand in hand in a stately fashion to their spots on the board. Raised collars denoted the kings, sweeping trains the queens.</p>

<p>The Erra collaboration underpinned the looks, including track jackets, stretch tops and leggings in medieval patterns. Liberatore layered the sportswear with draped or half-pleated mini-skirts, tailored jackets, striped and ribbed knitwear and flowing overcoats in the way of an unselfconscious youth mixing style and comfort.</p>

<p>“For me, the chessboard also represented the idea of teamwork,″ the designer said.</p>

<p><strong>DIVERSITY DISPLAYED AT TRADE FAIR</strong></p>

<p>White Milano, the premiere womenswear trade fair held alongside Milan Fashion Week, worked with the Fashion Minority Alliance to feature two Black designers as they promoted a conversation around diversity.</p>

<p>U.S. designer Romeo Hunte and Nigerian-Scottish designer Olubuyi Thomas look to their environments for inspiration, and both are keen on garments that can be transformed to serve multiple purposes.</p>

<p>Hunte draws on his Brooklyn roots for his luxury fashion brand with the six square-dot logos, built around deconstructing garments and oversized proportions to give a modern touch. His trademarks include zipper features that allow a trench to shorten and go sleeveless, giving longer life and flexibility to the outerwear.</p>

<p>The Milan showcase gave him the opportunity to connect his 10-year-old brand with international clients. “It means a lot to me. Me being here will open the way for younger designers as well,” the designer said.</p>

<p>Hunte’s designs have been worn by Michelle Obama and Jennifer Hudson, and he recently did a collaboration with Tommy Hilfiger, whom he called his mentor.</p>

<p>Thomas seamlessly combines his Scottish upbringing with his native Nigeria because “that’s who I am.” He sources materials in both countries, including hand-woven tartans he designs and Nigerian textiles with cutouts and contrasting stitching. One tartan skirt on display at White featured plaid in the back, with black pleating in the front (or vice versa), giving choice.</p>

<p>“I love working on garments that are modular, depending on who you are, and what day it is,” Thomas said.</p>

<p>He is the only designer commissioned to produce his own tartan for an exhibit on the traditional plaid at an upcoming exhibition at the V&amp;A Dundee, Scotland’s design museum.</p>

<p><strong>CHINESE BRAND ANNAKIKI’S SENSE OF DOOM</strong></p>

<p>Chinese designer Anna Yang infused her latest ANNAKIKI collection with a sense of doom from the multiple disasters humankind has faced in recent years, from the coronavirus pandemic to the war in Ukraine.</p>

<p>Yang could not travel to Milan Fashion Week because of visa issues, but her collection and new techniques did the talking for her. She brought out a sense of pessimism in raw leather and burned the edges of an ample tulle dress, achieving a dramatic effect.</p>

<p><strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE</strong></p>

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It was nipples out on the Milan Fashion Week runway this season, one of the clear trends emerging from a week of previews of mostly womenswear collections for next fall and winter.

It was nipples out on the Milan Fashion Week runway this season, one of the clear trends emerging from a week of previews of mostly womenswear collections for next fall and winter. Wherever there is a trend, there is always the counter-current, and holding out for what he described as “the dignity of women” was Giorgio Armani. Where sheer fabrics were employed in his collection, it was with modesty. Armani’s show closed out fashion week on Sunday. Here are highlights from the last day of live runway shows: TOMO KOIZUMI PUTS A SMILEY FACE ON FASHION With swirls of coloured taffeta and satin gathered into crushed roses, Japanese designer Tomo Koizumi put a smiley face on a rainy Sunday morning. The exuberant looks were spasms of colour fashioned into ruffles on a minidress constructed from stripes of knitwear, elaborate skirts with deep slits and dresses with southern belle silhouettes. These are occasional pieces that would be standouts on any red carpet, stage or party; imagine the lucky girl wearing one to prom. The runway show was in collaboration with Dolce & Gabbana, which supplied textiles as well as handbags and shoes, Koizumi said. He turned a print from one of the Italian house’s recent collections into a series of 3-D floral creations. “I took inspiration from Dolce & Gabbana, and I also got powerful support, which allowed me to push myself even harder,” Koizumi said. Koizumi also put out there his dream: “To be hired by as creative director of a major fashion house.” GIORGIO ARMANI’S INTIMATE PEEK INSIDE Giorgio Armani once again gave the fashion world a glimpse of idealised life inside Milan’s stately palazzi, populated by women for whom dressing in comfort and style is not a contradiction. Satiny loungewear in soothing earthy tones skimmed the form and was grounded in more structured pieces, such as leather motorcycle jackets or contrasting black vests. The looks were elegantly layered, with long dresses over translucent ribbed trousers suggesting lingerie. Where sheer fabrics were employed, it was with modesty, for example, over dark tights, and with a bandeau top of velvet. Beaded fringe, velvet bows and a flower motif underlined the femininity of the collection. And before the Armani woman walks out into the street, one last touch of face powder … Armani said the collection is about “the dignity of women, dressed with a lot of care and attention, and who take pleasure in dressing.” CHECKMATE FOR FRANCESCA LIBERATORE Italian designer Francesca Liberatore conceived her show, featuring a collaboration with the Errea sportswear brand, around a chess game, a comment on the state of the world on many fronts. Eight Black models walked the runway and took their places on a chessboard laid out in the centre of the showroom. Next came eight white models, who faced off from the other side. “It is exactly because of the situation that we are living that for me it is essential to have an eye on fairness,” Liberatore said backstage. “And there is nothing like a game to even out situations.” The first 16 models, who represented the pawns, were followed by the rooks, two with big bouffant hairstyles to represent the castle shape. The knights wore long extensions to embody horse tails, while the bishops had hoods pulled over their hair. Women took the roles of both king and queen and walked hand in hand in a stately fashion to their spots on the board. Raised collars denoted the kings, sweeping trains the queens. The Erra collaboration underpinned the looks, including track jackets, stretch tops and leggings in medieval patterns. Liberatore layered the sportswear with draped or half-pleated mini-skirts, tailored jackets, striped and ribbed knitwear and flowing overcoats in the way of an unselfconscious youth mixing style and comfort. “For me, the chessboard also represented the idea of teamwork,″ the designer said. DIVERSITY DISPLAYED AT TRADE FAIR White Milano, the premiere womenswear trade fair held alongside Milan Fashion Week, worked with the Fashion Minority Alliance to feature two Black designers as they promoted a conversation around diversity. U.S. designer Romeo Hunte and Nigerian-Scottish designer Olubuyi Thomas look to their environments for inspiration, and both are keen on garments that can be transformed to serve multiple purposes. Hunte draws on his Brooklyn roots for his luxury fashion brand with the six square-dot logos, built around deconstructing garments and oversized proportions to give a modern touch. His trademarks include zipper features that allow a trench to shorten and go sleeveless, giving longer life and flexibility to the outerwear. The Milan showcase gave him the opportunity to connect his 10-year-old brand with international clients. “It means a lot to me. Me being here will open the way for younger designers as well,” the designer said. Hunte’s designs have been worn by Michelle Obama and Jennifer Hudson, and he recently did a collaboration with Tommy Hilfiger, whom he called his mentor. Thomas seamlessly combines his Scottish upbringing with his native Nigeria because “that’s who I am.” He sources materials in both countries, including hand-woven tartans he designs and Nigerian textiles with cutouts and contrasting stitching. One tartan skirt on display at White featured plaid in the back, with black pleating in the front (or vice versa), giving choice. “I love working on garments that are modular, depending on who you are, and what day it is,” Thomas said. He is the only designer commissioned to produce his own tartan for an exhibit on the traditional plaid at an upcoming exhibition at the V&A Dundee, Scotland’s design museum. CHINESE BRAND ANNAKIKI’S SENSE OF DOOM Chinese designer Anna Yang infused her latest ANNAKIKI collection with a sense of doom from the multiple disasters humankind has faced in recent years, from the coronavirus pandemic to the war in Ukraine. Yang could not travel to Milan Fashion Week because of visa issues, but her collection and new techniques did the talking for her. She brought out a sense of pessimism in raw leather and burned the edges of an ample tulle dress, achieving a dramatic effect. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Armani gives graceful close to Milan Fashion Week

<p>Inside a shrine overlooking snow-capped mountains, Hindu priests heaped spoonfuls of puffed rice and ghee into a crackling fire. They closed their eyes and chanted in Sanskrit, hoping their prayers would somehow turn back time and save their holy — and sinking — town.</p>

<p>For months, the roughly 20,000 residents in Joshimath, burrowed in the Himalayas and revered by Hindu and Sikh pilgrims, have watched the earth slowly swallow their community. They pleaded for help that never arrived, and in January their desperate plight made it into the international spotlight.</p>

<p>But by then, Joshimath was already a disaster zone. Multistoried hotels slumped to one side; cracked roads gaped open. More than 860 homes were uninhabitable, splayed by deep fissures that snaked through ceilings, floors and walls. And instead of saviours, they got bulldozers that razed whole lopsided swaths of the town.</p>

<p>The holy town was built on piles of debris left behind by years of landslides and earthquakes. Scientists have warned for decades, including in a 1976 report, that Joshimath could not withstand the level of heavy construction that has recently been taking place.</p>

<p>“Cracks are widening every day and people are in fear. We have been saying for years this is not just a disaster, but a disaster in the making… it’s a time bomb,” said Atul Sati, an activist with the Save Joshimath Committee.</p>

<p>Joshimath’s future is at risk, experts and activists say, due in part to a push backed by the prime minister’s political party to grow religious tourism in Uttarakhand, the holy town’s home state. On top of climate change, extensive new construction to accommodate more tourists and accelerate hydropower projects in the region is exacerbating subsidence — the sinking of land.</p>

<p>Located 1,890 meters (6,200 feet) above sea level, Joshimath is said to have special spiritual powers and is believed to be where Hindu guru Adi Shankaracharya found enlightenment in the 8th century before going on to establish four monasteries across India, including one in Joshimath.</p>

<p>Visitors pass through the town on their way to the famous Sikh shrine, Hemkund Sahib, and the Hindu temple, Badrinath.</p>

<p>“It must be protected,” said Brahmachari Mukundanand, a local priest who called Joshimath the “brain of North India” and explained that “Our body can still function if some limbs are cut off. But if anything happens to our brains, we can’t function. … Its survival is extremely important.”</p>

<p>The town’s loose topsoil and soft rocks can only support so much and that limit, according to environmentalist Vimlendu Jha, may have already been breached.</p>

<p>“You can’t just construct anything anywhere just because it is allowed,” he said. “In the short term, you might think it’s development. But in the long term, it is actually devastation.”</p>

<p>At least 240 families have been forced to relocate without knowing if they would be able to return.</p>

<p>Prabha Sati, who fled Joshimath in a panic last month when her home began to crack and tilt, came back to grab the television, idols of Hindu gods and some shoes before state officials demolished her home.</p>

<p>“We built this house with so much difficulty. Now I will have to leave everything behind. Every small piece of it will be destroyed,” she said, blinking back tears.</p>

<p>Authorities, ignoring expert warnings, have continued to move forward with costly projects in the region, including a slew of hydropower stations and a lengthy highway. The latter is aimed at further boosting religious tourism, a key plank of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party.</p>

<p>In 2021, Modi promised a prosperous decade ahead for Uttarakhand. It is dotted with several holy shrines and improving the state’s infrastructure has already led to a steady rise in pilgrims over the decades. Nearly 500,000 passed through Joshimath in 2019, state data shows.</p>

<p>“In the next 10 years, the state will receive more tourists than it did in the last 100 years,” Modi said.</p>

<p>A big Uttarakhand tourism draw is the Char Dham pilgrimage, one of the toughest in India.</p>

<p>The route takes people to four, high-altitude Hindu temples. Pilgrims traverse challenging terrain, dropping oxygen levels and harsh weather between Badrinath, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Yamunotri temples. In 2022, over 200 out of the 250,000 pilgrims died while making the journey. Authorities said the rise in visitors was straining existing infrastructure.</p>

<p>Already underway, the Char Dham infrastructure project aims to make the journey more accessible via a 10-meter (32-foot) wide and 889-kilometre (552 miles) long all-weather highway as well as a 327-kilometre (203-mile) railway line that would crisscross through the mountains.</p>

<p>It is a controversial project with some experts saying it will exacerbate the fragile situation in the upper Himalayas where several towns are built atop landslide debris.</p>

<p>Veteran environmentalist Ravi Chopra called the project a desecration when he resigned from a court-ordered committee studying its impact. To create such wide roads, engineers would need to smash boulders, cut trees and strip shrubbery, which he said will weaken slopes and make them “more susceptible to natural disasters.”</p>

<p>Urban planning expert Kiran Shinde suggested a pedestrian corridor instead, noting these places were never meant for cars or crowds numbering in the hundreds of thousands.</p>

<p>“The highway is the most disastrous thing to happen to the Char Dham,” said Shinde, a professor at Australia’s La Trobe University who has written on religious tourism. “Let people walk.”</p>

<p>Cracks continue to form. Located near a rail line construction site, Sangeeta Krishali’s home in Lachmoli, about 100 kilometres (62 miles) from Joshimath, has them. She fears for her safety: “It happened there, it can happen here, too.”</p>

<p>In Joshimath’s foothills, construction was paused on a road for the Char Dham project that would ferry tourists faster to the Badrinath temple after cracks emerged in people’s homes.</p>

<p>Locals feared it was too late. A long, jagged crack running across one of the front walls in the famed Adi Shankaracharya monastery had deepened worryingly in recent weeks, said Vishnu Priyanand, one of the priests.</p>

<p>“Let places of worship remain as places of worship. Don’t make them tourist spots,” he pleaded.</p>

<p>It’s not just the highways. For the past 17 years, Atul Sati, the Save Joshimath Committee member, has been convinced that a hydropower station located near his town could one day ruin it. He isn’t alone. In late January, hundreds of residents protested against the National Thermal Power Corporation’s Tapovan project. Posters reading ‘Go back NTPC’ are plastered across the town’s main market.</p>

<p>“Our town is on the verge of destruction because of this project,” Sati said.</p>

<p>Locals say construction blasts for a 12-kilometre (7-mile) tunnel for the station are causing their homes to crumble. Work has been suspended but NTPC officials deny any link to Joshimath’s subsidence. An expert committee is still investigating the cause, but state officials earlier blamed faulty drainage systems.</p>

<p>The state government announced interim relief packages, including compensation worth 150,000 rupees ($1,813) to each affected family, said Himanshu Khurana, the officer in charge of Chamoli district where Joshimath is located. Various government agencies were conducting surveys to determine what caused the damage, he added.</p>

<p>The crisis in Joshimath has reignited questions over whether India’s quest for more hydropower in the mountains to cut its reliance on coal can be achieved sustainably. Uttarakhand, home to more than 30 rivers and surrounded by melting glaciers, has around 100 hydropower projects in varying stages.</p>

<p>In 2021, 200 people died after the Tapovan plant near Joshimath was submerged by severe floods caused in part by fast-shrinking glaciers, and over 6,000 were killed in the state after a devastating cloudburst in 2013.</p>

<p>The heavy construction required for hydropower, like blasting boulders, diverting river flows and cutting through forests, in a region already vulnerable to climate change, could do irreparable damage, experts warn.</p>

<p>It could also displace entire villages, as residents of a hamlet near Joshimath found out.</p>

<p>Haat, a village along the Alaknanda River, was once a sacred hamlet that traced its origins to the guru Adi Shankaracharya, who is said to have established another temple here in the 8th Century.</p>

<p>Today, it is a dumping site for waste and a storage pit for construction materials after the village was acquired in 2009 by an energy enterprise to build a hydropower project.</p>

<p>The Laxmi Narayan temple, encircled by grey stacks of cement, is the only part of the village still standing. All of its residents left over the years as authorities began razing down their homes, said Rajendra Hatwal, once the village chief who now lives in another town nearby.</p>

<p>The project, he fumed, had killed Haat.</p>

<p>“What sort of development requires destroying these priceless places? We don’t want any part of it.”</p>

<p>A court last year directed authorities to stop dumping waste near the historic temple, which was once the last rest stop for devotees on their pilgrimage to Badrinath.</p>

<p>Hatwal and a few others still check in on the temple often. A caretaker, who refused to leave, lives in a makeshift room next to it. He sweeps the grounds, cleans the idols and prepares tea for the odd guest who comes through.</p>

<p>They feared its days, like their homes, were also numbered.</p>

<p>“We are fighting to protect the temple. We want to preserve our ancient culture to pass on to a new generation,” said Hatwal. “They have not only destroyed a village - they have finished a 1,200-year-old culture.”</p>


Inside a shrine overlooking snow-capped mountains, Hindu priests heaped spoonfuls of puffed rice and ghee into a crackling fire. They closed their eyes and chanted in Sanskrit, hoping their prayers would somehow turn back time and save their holy — and sinking — town.

Inside a shrine overlooking snow-capped mountains, Hindu priests heaped spoonfuls of puffed rice and ghee into a crackling fire. They closed their eyes and chanted in Sanskrit, hoping their prayers would somehow turn back time and save their holy — and sinking — town. For months, the roughly 20,000 residents in Joshimath, burrowed in the Himalayas and revered by Hindu and Sikh pilgrims, have watched the earth slowly swallow their community. They pleaded for help that never arrived, and in January their desperate plight made it into the international spotlight. But by then, Joshimath was already a disaster zone. Multistoried hotels slumped to one side; cracked roads gaped open. More than 860 homes were uninhabitable, splayed by deep fissures that snaked through ceilings, floors and walls. And instead of saviours, they got bulldozers that razed whole lopsided swaths of the town. The holy town was built on piles of debris left behind by years of landslides and earthquakes. Scientists have warned for decades, including in a 1976 report, that Joshimath could not withstand the level of heavy construction that has recently been taking place. “Cracks are widening every day and people are in fear. We have been saying for years this is not just a disaster, but a disaster in the making… it’s a time bomb,” said Atul Sati, an activist with the Save Joshimath Committee. Joshimath’s future is at risk, experts and activists say, due in part to a push backed by the prime minister’s political party to grow religious tourism in Uttarakhand, the holy town’s home state. On top of climate change, extensive new construction to accommodate more tourists and accelerate hydropower projects in the region is exacerbating subsidence — the sinking of land. Located 1,890 meters (6,200 feet) above sea level, Joshimath is said to have special spiritual powers and is believed to be where Hindu guru Adi Shankaracharya found enlightenment in the 8th century before going on to establish four monasteries across India, including one in Joshimath. Visitors pass through the town on their way to the famous Sikh shrine, Hemkund Sahib, and the Hindu temple, Badrinath. “It must be protected,” said Brahmachari Mukundanand, a local priest who called Joshimath the “brain of North India” and explained that “Our body can still function if some limbs are cut off. But if anything happens to our brains, we can’t function. … Its survival is extremely important.” The town’s loose topsoil and soft rocks can only support so much and that limit, according to environmentalist Vimlendu Jha, may have already been breached. “You can’t just construct anything anywhere just because it is allowed,” he said. “In the short term, you might think it’s development. But in the long term, it is actually devastation.” At least 240 families have been forced to relocate without knowing if they would be able to return. Prabha Sati, who fled Joshimath in a panic last month when her home began to crack and tilt, came back to grab the television, idols of Hindu gods and some shoes before state officials demolished her home. “We built this house with so much difficulty. Now I will have to leave everything behind. Every small piece of it will be destroyed,” she said, blinking back tears. Authorities, ignoring expert warnings, have continued to move forward with costly projects in the region, including a slew of hydropower stations and a lengthy highway. The latter is aimed at further boosting religious tourism, a key plank of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party. In 2021, Modi promised a prosperous decade ahead for Uttarakhand. It is dotted with several holy shrines and improving the state’s infrastructure has already led to a steady rise in pilgrims over the decades. Nearly 500,000 passed through Joshimath in 2019, state data shows. “In the next 10 years, the state will receive more tourists than it did in the last 100 years,” Modi said. A big Uttarakhand tourism draw is the Char Dham pilgrimage, one of the toughest in India. The route takes people to four, high-altitude Hindu temples. Pilgrims traverse challenging terrain, dropping oxygen levels and harsh weather between Badrinath, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Yamunotri temples. In 2022, over 200 out of the 250,000 pilgrims died while making the journey. Authorities said the rise in visitors was straining existing infrastructure. Already underway, the Char Dham infrastructure project aims to make the journey more accessible via a 10-meter (32-foot) wide and 889-kilometre (552 miles) long all-weather highway as well as a 327-kilometre (203-mile) railway line that would crisscross through the mountains. It is a controversial project with some experts saying it will exacerbate the fragile situation in the upper Himalayas where several towns are built atop landslide debris. Veteran environmentalist Ravi Chopra called the project a desecration when he resigned from a court-ordered committee studying its impact. To create such wide roads, engineers would need to smash boulders, cut trees and strip shrubbery, which he said will weaken slopes and make them “more susceptible to natural disasters.” Urban planning expert Kiran Shinde suggested a pedestrian corridor instead, noting these places were never meant for cars or crowds numbering in the hundreds of thousands. “The highway is the most disastrous thing to happen to the Char Dham,” said Shinde, a professor at Australia’s La Trobe University who has written on religious tourism. “Let people walk.” Cracks continue to form. Located near a rail line construction site, Sangeeta Krishali’s home in Lachmoli, about 100 kilometres (62 miles) from Joshimath, has them. She fears for her safety: “It happened there, it can happen here, too.” In Joshimath’s foothills, construction was paused on a road for the Char Dham project that would ferry tourists faster to the Badrinath temple after cracks emerged in people’s homes. Locals feared it was too late. A long, jagged crack running across one of the front walls in the famed Adi Shankaracharya monastery had deepened worryingly in recent weeks, said Vishnu Priyanand, one of the priests. “Let places of worship remain as places of worship. Don’t make them tourist spots,” he pleaded. It’s not just the highways. For the past 17 years, Atul Sati, the Save Joshimath Committee member, has been convinced that a hydropower station located near his town could one day ruin it. He isn’t alone. In late January, hundreds of residents protested against the National Thermal Power Corporation’s Tapovan project. Posters reading ‘Go back NTPC’ are plastered across the town’s main market. “Our town is on the verge of destruction because of this project,” Sati said. Locals say construction blasts for a 12-kilometre (7-mile) tunnel for the station are causing their homes to crumble. Work has been suspended but NTPC officials deny any link to Joshimath’s subsidence. An expert committee is still investigating the cause, but state officials earlier blamed faulty drainage systems. The state government announced interim relief packages, including compensation worth 150,000 rupees ($1,813) to each affected family, said Himanshu Khurana, the officer in charge of Chamoli district where Joshimath is located. Various government agencies were conducting surveys to determine what caused the damage, he added. The crisis in Joshimath has reignited questions over whether India’s quest for more hydropower in the mountains to cut its reliance on coal can be achieved sustainably. Uttarakhand, home to more than 30 rivers and surrounded by melting glaciers, has around 100 hydropower projects in varying stages. In 2021, 200 people died after the Tapovan plant near Joshimath was submerged by severe floods caused in part by fast-shrinking glaciers, and over 6,000 were killed in the state after a devastating cloudburst in 2013. The heavy construction required for hydropower, like blasting boulders, diverting river flows and cutting through forests, in a region already vulnerable to climate change, could do irreparable damage, experts warn. It could also displace entire villages, as residents of a hamlet near Joshimath found out. Haat, a village along the Alaknanda River, was once a sacred hamlet that traced its origins to the guru Adi Shankaracharya, who is said to have established another temple here in the 8th Century. Today, it is a dumping site for waste and a storage pit for construction materials after the village was acquired in 2009 by an energy enterprise to build a hydropower project. The Laxmi Narayan temple, encircled by grey stacks of cement, is the only part of the village still standing. All of its residents left over the years as authorities began razing down their homes, said Rajendra Hatwal, once the village chief who now lives in another town nearby. The project, he fumed, had killed Haat. “What sort of development requires destroying these priceless places? We don’t want any part of it.” A court last year directed authorities to stop dumping waste near the historic temple, which was once the last rest stop for devotees on their pilgrimage to Badrinath. Hatwal and a few others still check in on the temple often. A caretaker, who refused to leave, lives in a makeshift room next to it. He sweeps the grounds, cleans the idols and prepares tea for the odd guest who comes through. They feared its days, like their homes, were also numbered. “We are fighting to protect the temple. We want to preserve our ancient culture to pass on to a new generation,” said Hatwal. “They have not only destroyed a village - they have finished a 1,200-year-old culture.”

'A time bomb': India’s sinking holy town faces grim future

<p>On Tuesday, Indian cricketer Hardik Pandya and Bollywood actress Nataša Stanković took wedding vows, once again, in a Christian ceremony in Udaipur. The couple first tied the knot in a private wedding ceremony in May 2020. And, they welcomed their baby boy Agastya in July of the same year.</p>

<p>Marking Valentine's Day in the most special way, Pandya and Stanković celebrated three years of marital bliss with friends and family. The actress shared photos of her white wedding on her Instagram handle for her 3.6 million followers.</p>

<p>In the caption, Nataša&nbsp;wrote, "We celebrated Valentine’s Day on this island of love by renewing the vows we took three years ago. We are truly blessed to have our family and friends with us to celebrate our love." Check out the post below.</p>

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<p>In the comment section,&nbsp;actress Neha Dhupia wrote, "Congratulations to all three of you and the entire family (heart emojis) our hearts are full." KL Rahul, Daboo Ratnani and her fans also congratulated the couple.&nbsp;</p>

<p>While Nataša walked down the aisle in&nbsp;a beautiful white designer dress which featured lace details and a long train, Hardik wore a sharp black suit&nbsp;with a white shirt, bow tie, and tinted eyeglasses.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The actress accessorised her gown with a pearl necklace and tied her hair in a bun. And, the bridesmaids were seen donning peach-champagne gowns.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/david-guetta-says-the-future-of-music-is-in-artificial-intelligence-after-using-deepfake-eminem-vocals-561766">David Guetta says the future of music is in Artificial Intelligence after using deepfake Eminem vocals</a></p>

<p>Days before the white wedding, a source told HT, "They got married in a court back then. Everything was rushed when it happened. The idea of them having a lavish wedding has been on their mind ever since. They all are very excited about it."&nbsp;</p>

<p>The wedding celebrations will reportedly go on till February 16.</p>

<p>On the professional front, she was last seen in the Eros Now web series <em>Flesh</em>. In 2014, she participated in the voyeuristic reality TV show<em> Bigg Boss 8</em>. She also showed her dancing prowess in the dancing reality TV show <em>Nach Baliye 9</em>.</p>


On Tuesday, Indian cricketer Hardik Pandya and Bollywood actress Nataša Stanković took wedding vows, once again, in a Christian ceremony in Udaipur. The couple first tied the knot in a private wedding ceremony in May 2020.

On Tuesday, Indian cricketer Hardik Pandya and Bollywood actress Nataša Stanković took wedding vows, once again, in a Christian ceremony in Udaipur. The couple first tied the knot in a private wedding ceremony in May 2020. And, they welcomed their baby boy Agastya in July of the same year. Marking Valentine's Day in the most special way, Pandya and Stanković celebrated three years of marital bliss with friends and family. The actress shared photos of her white wedding on her Instagram handle for her 3.6 million followers. In the caption, Nataša wrote, "We celebrated Valentine’s Day on this island of love by renewing the vows we took three years ago. We are truly blessed to have our family and friends with us to celebrate our love." Check out the post below. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Hardik Himanshu Pandya (@hardikpandya93) In the comment section, actress Neha Dhupia wrote, "Congratulations to all three of you and the entire family (heart emojis) our hearts are full." KL Rahul, Daboo Ratnani and her fans also congratulated the couple. While Nataša walked down the aisle in a beautiful white designer dress which featured lace details and a long train, Hardik wore a sharp black suit with a white shirt, bow tie, and tinted eyeglasses. The actress accessorised her gown with a pearl necklace and tied her hair in a bun. And, the bridesmaids were seen donning peach-champagne gowns. Also read: David Guetta says the future of music is in Artificial Intelligence after using deepfake Eminem vocals Days before the white wedding, a source told HT, "They got married in a court back then. Everything was rushed when it happened. The idea of them having a lavish wedding has been on their mind ever since. They all are very excited about it." The wedding celebrations will reportedly go on till February 16. On the professional front, she was last seen in the Eros Now web series Flesh. In 2014, she participated in the voyeuristic reality TV show Bigg Boss 8. She also showed her dancing prowess in the dancing reality TV show Nach Baliye 9.

Natasa Stankovic, Hardik Pandya share FIRST pics from dreamy white wedding in Udaipur

<p>Designers often bring their most creative and most controversial game to the runway during fashion weeks, be it in New York or Milan or Paris. But, Singapore-born Nepali-American fashion designer Prabal Gurung had something else in mind for his latest NYFW show. The designer wanted to embrace his Hindu roots while flaunting his gorgeous designs on the runway, so he asked the models to wear sindoor and flaunt it like a queen. The results have taken social media by storm!</p>

<p>While showcasing his new line for Fall/Winter 2023 on Friday (February 10), he paid tribute to his roots and his homeland Nepal by making fashion meet tradition. His models wore sindoor in various colours, from saffron to burgundy and dusty pinks to white and even black along with the traditional red indoor. The colour of sindoor&nbsp;was in sync with the outfits the models were wearing.&nbsp;</p>

<p>For those unaware,&nbsp;sindoor is a traditional vermilion red or orange-red coloured cosmetic powder usually worn by married Hindu women along the part of their hairline. In Hindu communities, it is a visual marker of a woman's marital status and ceasing to wear it usually implies widowhood.</p>

<p>Through his designs, he also explored the Buddhist concept of "anichya", which means impermanence. In butterfly motifs, wool jackets and hues of vermilion, saffron, burgundy and dusty pinks, Gurung was thinking of his homeland, Nepal, where he hasn't been since before the COVID-19&nbsp;pandemic. He was motivated by a 10-day meditative retreat he recently experienced to "silence everything".</p>

<p>"In Nepal, we talk about it all the time, what is present and how soon it can go," Gurung told The Associated Press in a backstage interview. "And there’s actually an optimism to that, especially during these challenging times." The idea, in part, was finding hope "in the dark places".</p>

<p>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/lifestyle/news-_-cool-ways-to-introduce-digital-lavender-wgsns-2023-colour-of-the-year-to-your-wardrobe-561562">7 cool ways to introduce Digital Lavender, WGSN's 2023 Colour of the Year, to your wardrobe</a></p>

<p>His silhouettes were sharper and longer this time around. His asymmetry challenged the idea of harmony. He draped softly and provided sharp angles at the same time. There were fluid, gliding skirts, wool jackets and glitzy golds and crystals.</p>

<p>In short, Gurung explained, New York Fashion Week for him was a "magical, mystery journey. An inward spiritual journey"&nbsp;taken at night back home in Nepal.</p>

<p>Moody, yes, but hopeful in turquoise and emerald silk organza, a black leather cropped jacket with a pink shearling collar and his butterfly print in a high-low, high-neck dress of black and white, and another in sheer red and black with sexy cut-outs at the hip.</p>

<p>There was an oversized sweater in an ivory and yellow butterfly knit and a pink and scarlet embroidered cocoon coat. "But there's a lot of strength to it,"&nbsp;Gurung said.</p>

<p>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/lifestyle/news-sergio-hudson-brings-90s-vibes-to-nyfw-with-neons-shoulder-pads-and-more-561156">Sergio Hudson brings '90s vibes to NYFW with neons, shoulder pads and more</a></p>

<p>All grew from the silence on his 10-day vipassana retreat, where reading, phones and exercise were banned. On the third day, a painted lady butterfly landed on his window, and it gave him something to ponder.</p>

<p>Having grown up with "impermanence",&nbsp;Gurung said, he wanted to embrace the notion that nothing is fixed but constant shifts need not be feared. They must be embraced, he said, and he's got just the right clothes for the job. Kelsea Ballerini, who stunned in a yellow gown by Gurung at the Grammys, was among his front-row guests. She was accompanied by Becky G and Alyah Chanelle Scott.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Designers often bring their most creative and most controversial game to the runway during fashion weeks, be it in New York or Milan or Paris. But, Singapore-born Nepali-American fashion designer Prabal Gurung had something else in mind for his latest NYFW show.

Designers often bring their most creative and most controversial game to the runway during fashion weeks, be it in New York or Milan or Paris. But, Singapore-born Nepali-American fashion designer Prabal Gurung had something else in mind for his latest NYFW show. The designer wanted to embrace his Hindu roots while flaunting his gorgeous designs on the runway, so he asked the models to wear sindoor and flaunt it like a queen. The results have taken social media by storm! While showcasing his new line for Fall/Winter 2023 on Friday (February 10), he paid tribute to his roots and his homeland Nepal by making fashion meet tradition. His models wore sindoor in various colours, from saffron to burgundy and dusty pinks to white and even black along with the traditional red indoor. The colour of sindoor was in sync with the outfits the models were wearing. For those unaware, sindoor is a traditional vermilion red or orange-red coloured cosmetic powder usually worn by married Hindu women along the part of their hairline. In Hindu communities, it is a visual marker of a woman's marital status and ceasing to wear it usually implies widowhood. Through his designs, he also explored the Buddhist concept of "anichya", which means impermanence. In butterfly motifs, wool jackets and hues of vermilion, saffron, burgundy and dusty pinks, Gurung was thinking of his homeland, Nepal, where he hasn't been since before the COVID-19 pandemic. He was motivated by a 10-day meditative retreat he recently experienced to "silence everything". "In Nepal, we talk about it all the time, what is present and how soon it can go," Gurung told The Associated Press in a backstage interview. "And there’s actually an optimism to that, especially during these challenging times." The idea, in part, was finding hope "in the dark places". Also read: 7 cool ways to introduce Digital Lavender, WGSN's 2023 Colour of the Year, to your wardrobe His silhouettes were sharper and longer this time around. His asymmetry challenged the idea of harmony. He draped softly and provided sharp angles at the same time. There were fluid, gliding skirts, wool jackets and glitzy golds and crystals. In short, Gurung explained, New York Fashion Week for him was a "magical, mystery journey. An inward spiritual journey" taken at night back home in Nepal. Moody, yes, but hopeful in turquoise and emerald silk organza, a black leather cropped jacket with a pink shearling collar and his butterfly print in a high-low, high-neck dress of black and white, and another in sheer red and black with sexy cut-outs at the hip. There was an oversized sweater in an ivory and yellow butterfly knit and a pink and scarlet embroidered cocoon coat. "But there's a lot of strength to it," Gurung said. Also read: Sergio Hudson brings '90s vibes to NYFW with neons, shoulder pads and more All grew from the silence on his 10-day vipassana retreat, where reading, phones and exercise were banned. On the third day, a painted lady butterfly landed on his window, and it gave him something to ponder. Having grown up with "impermanence", Gurung said, he wanted to embrace the notion that nothing is fixed but constant shifts need not be feared. They must be embraced, he said, and he's got just the right clothes for the job. Kelsea Ballerini, who stunned in a yellow gown by Gurung at the Grammys, was among his front-row guests. She was accompanied by Becky G and Alyah Chanelle Scott. (With inputs from agencies)

Prabal Gurung brings 'sindoor' to New York Fashion Week runway

<p><strong>Valentine's Day 2023:&nbsp;</strong>A Texas zoo has a creative Valentine's Day idea for all broken hearts. Now, you can do a good deed while taking a step further in your breakup journey. Without saying anything or going all berserk on your ex-partner, you can name a cockroach, veggie or rodent after your ex-beau for a small fee and then feed it to one of the animals present in the zoo to take some sweet revenge, but all in a fun spirit.</p>

<p>For those unaware, San Antonio Zoo offers&nbsp;a special Valentine's Day greeting for exes who just won't bug off.&nbsp;For just a $10 donation, you can ask the zoo to name a cockroach after your not-so-special someone and then feed it to an animal. If you don't like bugs, you can pick a&nbsp;vegetable for $5 or a rodent for $25.</p>

<p>Isn't it a fun and creative idea? By doing so, you will be supporting&nbsp;their annual 'Cry Me a Cockroach' fundraiser and "the zoo’s vision of securing a future for wildlife in Texas and around the world".</p>

<p>All donors will get a digital V-day card showing their support for the zoo. They can also ask the organisation to send their ex-beau a digital V-day card on their behalf, informing them that a cockroach, rodent, or veggie was named after them and then fed to an animal.</p>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="es">A tiempo para desquitarte de tu ex pareja en San Valentín, el zoológico de San Antonio lanzó su campaña de recaudación de fondos “Llórame una cucaracha” o “ Cry me a cockroach”.<br />
Toda la información. ➡️ <a href="https://t.co/oGquEyW6Vp">https://t.co/oGquEyW6Vp</a> <a href="https://t.co/XDn6Ss30Kt">pic.twitter.com/XDn6Ss30Kt</a></p>
— Univision 41 San Antonio (@UnivisionSATX) <a href="https://twitter.com/UnivisionSATX/status/1613377881635176449?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 12, 2023</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Roses are red, violets are blue.... I've got a cockroach for YOU!<a href="https://twitter.com/SanAntonioZoo?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SanAntonioZoo</a> is once again hosting it’s Cry Me a Cockroach Fundraiser, go to <a href="https://t.co/uSmUa1oz5W">https://t.co/uSmUa1oz5W</a> for information on how you can sign up and donate! <a href="https://t.co/wpXUUCGvlb">pic.twitter.com/wpXUUCGvlb</a></p>
— Councilman Manny Pelaez (@District8Manny) <a href="https://twitter.com/District8Manny/status/1623479292255690752?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 9, 2023</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<p>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood/news-steven-spielberg-reveals-why-he-doesnt-regret-turning-down-harry-potter-franchise-561851">Steven Spielberg reveals why he doesn't regret turning down Harry Potter franchise</a></p>

<p>You can also select a $150 upgrade, which includes a personalised video message showing their cockroach, rodent or vegetable being devoured by a cute&nbsp;animal in the zoo.</p>

<p>The annual event is a hit and last year, they received more than 8,000 donations from all 50 US states and over 30 different countries. The money collected in the fundraiser goes towards their mission of securing a future for wildlife. If you, too, wish to participate, you can visit their website, submit your ex's name and make the donation.</p>

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Valentine's Day 2023: A Texas zoo has a creative Valentine's Day idea for all broken hearts. Now, you can do a good deed while taking a step further in your breakup journey.

Valentine's Day 2023: A Texas zoo has a creative Valentine's Day idea for all broken hearts. Now, you can do a good deed while taking a step further in your breakup journey. Without saying anything or going all berserk on your ex-partner, you can name a cockroach, veggie or rodent after your ex-beau for a small fee and then feed it to one of the animals present in the zoo to take some sweet revenge, but all in a fun spirit. For those unaware, San Antonio Zoo offers a special Valentine's Day greeting for exes who just won't bug off. For just a $10 donation, you can ask the zoo to name a cockroach after your not-so-special someone and then feed it to an animal. If you don't like bugs, you can pick a vegetable for $5 or a rodent for $25. Isn't it a fun and creative idea? By doing so, you will be supporting their annual 'Cry Me a Cockroach' fundraiser and "the zoo’s vision of securing a future for wildlife in Texas and around the world". All donors will get a digital V-day card showing their support for the zoo. They can also ask the organisation to send their ex-beau a digital V-day card on their behalf, informing them that a cockroach, rodent, or veggie was named after them and then fed to an animal. A tiempo para desquitarte de tu ex pareja en San Valentín, el zoológico de San Antonio lanzó su campaña de recaudación de fondos “Llórame una cucaracha” o “ Cry me a cockroach”. Toda la información. ➡️ https://t.co/oGquEyW6Vp pic.twitter.com/XDn6Ss30Kt — Univision 41 San Antonio (@UnivisionSATX) January 12, 2023 Roses are red, violets are blue.... I've got a cockroach for YOU!@SanAntonioZoo is once again hosting it’s Cry Me a Cockroach Fundraiser, go to https://t.co/uSmUa1oz5W for information on how you can sign up and donate! pic.twitter.com/wpXUUCGvlb — Councilman Manny Pelaez (@District8Manny) February 9, 2023 Also read: Steven Spielberg reveals why he doesn't regret turning down Harry Potter franchise You can also select a $150 upgrade, which includes a personalised video message showing their cockroach, rodent or vegetable being devoured by a cute animal in the zoo. The annual event is a hit and last year, they received more than 8,000 donations from all 50 US states and over 30 different countries. The money collected in the fundraiser goes towards their mission of securing a future for wildlife. If you, too, wish to participate, you can visit their website, submit your ex's name and make the donation. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Best revenge! Name a cockroach after your ex and feed it to an animal this Valentine's Day 2023

<p><strong>Boyfriend on rent service:</strong> In countries like China and Japan, "renting a boyfriend" is no big task! However, such concepts are unheard of in other countries! And, that's why when a 31-year-old techie from the Indian city Gurugram, Shakul Gupta, started offering 'Rent a Boyfriend' services, he instantly went viral online and became an internet sensation in India.</p>

<p>In a now-viral post, Gupta revealed that he's&nbsp;offering his dating services to single women just to kill the feeling of loneliness during Valentine’s week. He also clarified that his intentions through this service are neither commercial nor sexual.</p>

<p>Posing with a&nbsp;banner on social media, the Gurugram man wrote, "Loneliness is underrated. I believe we hide our loneliness, especially well on Valentine's Day. As happy as I'd seem on the outside, I'd feel jealous watching my friends date. Before becoming a 'Boyfriend on Rent',&nbsp;I'd never been on a date in my life! To my disappointment, the women I asked out only saw me as a 'friend'&nbsp;too. Although self-love was helpful, I craved companionship &amp; romance."</p>

<p>Further&nbsp;sharing his story, he revealed, "Hearing couples say 'I love you'&nbsp;to each other on V-Day would get on my nerves, for it reminded me of my inability to have a girlfriend &amp; made me feel unwanted. However, it was through feeling alone that the idea of being a boyfriend on rent was born. I figured, 'There must be several other singles who feel as lonely as I do!'"</p>

<p>Gupta then shared how he started giving the services five years ago and what was his first post as a "boyfriend on rent" service provider.</p>

<p>"And I was right! 5 years ago, I wrote a post online, 'I'm a generous &amp; open-minded man. I can give you my shoulder to lean on or be your friend this V-Day. I can double up as your make-up practice model, or if you prefer being lazy, I can make you any kind of food while you relax!' My post went viral &amp; I got over 1000 messages from interested women; I was taken aback! I wanted to make my dates memorable for the women I was going to take out," Gupta wrote.<br />
<br />
"And today, I've been on over 50 dates with lovely women. While my dates enjoy eating at fancy restaurants &amp; going on long drives with me, I prefer the more intimate dates where I have deep conversations as I cook them a meal or star-gaze with them,"&nbsp;the Gurugram techie continued.</p>

<p>Gupta also spoke about the trolls who call him names for running a "boyfriend on rent" service. He wrote, "Trolls call me a 'Gigolo',&nbsp;but the way I see it, my service helps my dates feel loved, desired, seen, &amp; listened to. That's precisely why I get contacted."</p>

<p>To conclude, the 31-year-old penned, "And so I'm here to put myself out this V-Day again as a "Boyfriend on Rent." If you're feeling lonely or are in need of companionship, feel no shame in renting me so that I can give you the best date of your life!"</p>

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<p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CoE3UKzSHCp/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank">A post shared by Shakul Gupta (@shakulgupta)</a></p>
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<p>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/lifestyle/news-best-revenge-name-a-cockroach-after-your-ex-and-feed-it-to-an-animal-this-valentines-day-561869">Best revenge! Name a cockroach after your ex and feed it to an animal this Valentine's Day</a></p>

<p>But the biggest question here is how much does he charge? Well, his services are absolutely free! Unlike the services you get in China and Japan that come at a hefty price of hundreds of dollars for an hour, Gupta just wants a smile from the ladies as a fee for his services.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Fun fact: In Japan, you can legally rent a girlfriend or a boyfriend via an app for a few hours. Since it can be dangerous, people are asked to follow some rules to go through the process. The service is only available from 6:00 AM till 11:00 PM to ensure the safety of girls. The price ranges between $30 to $150 per hour on the Japanese app!</p>

<p><strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE</strong></p>

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<p>You can <strong>now write for wionews.com</strong> and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.</strong></p>


Boyfriend on rent service: In countries like China and Japan, "renting a boyfriend" is no big task! However, such concepts are unheard of in other countries! And, that's why when a 31-year-old techie from the Indian city Gurugram, Shakul Gupta, started offering 'Rent a Boyfriend' services, he instantly went viral online and became an internet sensation in India.

Boyfriend on rent service: In countries like China and Japan, "renting a boyfriend" is no big task! However, such concepts are unheard of in other countries! And, that's why when a 31-year-old techie from the Indian city Gurugram, Shakul Gupta, started offering 'Rent a Boyfriend' services, he instantly went viral online and became an internet sensation in India. In a now-viral post, Gupta revealed that he's offering his dating services to single women just to kill the feeling of loneliness during Valentine’s week. He also clarified that his intentions through this service are neither commercial nor sexual. Posing with a banner on social media, the Gurugram man wrote, "Loneliness is underrated. I believe we hide our loneliness, especially well on Valentine's Day. As happy as I'd seem on the outside, I'd feel jealous watching my friends date. Before becoming a 'Boyfriend on Rent', I'd never been on a date in my life! To my disappointment, the women I asked out only saw me as a 'friend' too. Although self-love was helpful, I craved companionship & romance." Further sharing his story, he revealed, "Hearing couples say 'I love you' to each other on V-Day would get on my nerves, for it reminded me of my inability to have a girlfriend & made me feel unwanted. However, it was through feeling alone that the idea of being a boyfriend on rent was born. I figured, 'There must be several other singles who feel as lonely as I do!'" Gupta then shared how he started giving the services five years ago and what was his first post as a "boyfriend on rent" service provider. "And I was right! 5 years ago, I wrote a post online, 'I'm a generous & open-minded man. I can give you my shoulder to lean on or be your friend this V-Day. I can double up as your make-up practice model, or if you prefer being lazy, I can make you any kind of food while you relax!' My post went viral & I got over 1000 messages from interested women; I was taken aback! I wanted to make my dates memorable for the women I was going to take out," Gupta wrote. "And today, I've been on over 50 dates with lovely women. While my dates enjoy eating at fancy restaurants & going on long drives with me, I prefer the more intimate dates where I have deep conversations as I cook them a meal or star-gaze with them," the Gurugram techie continued. Gupta also spoke about the trolls who call him names for running a "boyfriend on rent" service. He wrote, "Trolls call me a 'Gigolo', but the way I see it, my service helps my dates feel loved, desired, seen, & listened to. That's precisely why I get contacted." To conclude, the 31-year-old penned, "And so I'm here to put myself out this V-Day again as a "Boyfriend on Rent." If you're feeling lonely or are in need of companionship, feel no shame in renting me so that I can give you the best date of your life!" View this post on Instagram A post shared by Shakul Gupta (@shakulgupta) Also read: Best revenge! Name a cockroach after your ex and feed it to an animal this Valentine's Day But the biggest question here is how much does he charge? Well, his services are absolutely free! Unlike the services you get in China and Japan that come at a hefty price of hundreds of dollars for an hour, Gupta just wants a smile from the ladies as a fee for his services. Fun fact: In Japan, you can legally rent a girlfriend or a boyfriend via an app for a few hours. Since it can be dangerous, people are asked to follow some rules to go through the process. The service is only available from 6:00 AM till 11:00 PM to ensure the safety of girls. The price ranges between $30 to $150 per hour on the Japanese app! WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Single ladies can now rent a boyfriend in this Indian city! Techie offers 'dating services' on Valentine's Day

<p>With Valentine's Day right around the corner, the Indian dating and friendship app, QuackQuack, ran a poll among 15,000 users from tier 1 and tier 2 cities, both GenZ and Millennials, on how they prefer to celebrate their Valentine's Day. The study throws light on the V-day trends and how the day of love impacts the online dating industry. The survey participants range between 18 to 32 and comprise primarily students and working professionals.</p>

<p>QuackQuack's Founder and CEO, Ravi Mittal, commented, "Every year, we see a spike in the number of users during this time of the year. And this is also the time when people look beyond romance. Among the 22 million users, almost 33 per cent of the users seek friendship on the app. There's also an 8 per cent increase in virtual dates on the day of love."</p>

<p><strong>Budget dates</strong></p>

<p>A recent study shows that 47 per cent of daters prefer to have a budget-friendly Valentine's Day date over fancy dining and exchanging expensive presents. Daters below 23, essentially the Gen-Z daters from tier 1 and 2 cities, disclosed having a pact with their date to exchange meaningful yet practical gifts, and most of them have a set budget. It makes sure that no one has to burn a hole in their pockets to enjoy the day of love and makes it easier for the young daters who are just starting their careers.</p>

<p><strong>The busiest times</strong></p>

<p>It says the weekend before Valentine's Day is one of the busiest times of the year for them. They see most traffic the day before, with singles trying to land a quick date for V-Day. According to their data, the surge is more from tier 1 cities since people from tier 2 cities flock to the metros for jobs and higher studies. 35 per cent of dates are arranged the night before V-Day than any other day.</p>

<p><strong>Where's my soulmate?</strong></p>

<p>22 per cent of women from tier 1 and 2 cities mentioned joining the app to find a date because they felt lonely. The app's data shows there is almost a 13 per cent spike in the number of people joining the app on Valentine's Day compared to other days of the month. Upon surveying the participants, it was understood that singles join dating apps during this time of the year out of the urgency to find a soulmate, especially on the day of love.</p>

<p><strong>Communicating</strong></p>

<p>37 per cent of the survey participants between 25 and 30, primarily working professionals in 9 to 5 jobs, mentioned beating their loneliness by participating in communicating. It's the trend where daters use the app to find new friends and connections beyond romantic relationships. It noticed almost 33 per cent of its users seeking genuine companions during this time of the year.</p>

<p><strong>Rebounds</strong></p>

<p>11 per cent of male daters over 25 and 18 per cent below 23 years from tier 1 and 2 cities disclosed rounding back to their old matches on this day. More than 15 per cent of women over 28 revealed rebounding with their ex on the day of love.</p>

<p><strong>Self-Love</strong></p>

<p>Self-care and me-time are on the top of the Gen-Z single daters' list of ideal ways to spend V-Day without falling off the wagon. 28 per cent of the survey participants between 18 and 23 mentioned having a fun night planned with friends. 12 per cent of women daters from tier 1 and 2 cities are planning Galentine's day instead of wallowing in self-pity.</p>


With Valentine's Day right around the corner, the Indian dating and friendship app, QuackQuack, ran a poll among 15,000 users from tier 1 and tier 2 cities, both GenZ and Millennials, on how they prefer to celebrate their Valentine's Day.

With Valentine's Day right around the corner, the Indian dating and friendship app, QuackQuack, ran a poll among 15,000 users from tier 1 and tier 2 cities, both GenZ and Millennials, on how they prefer to celebrate their Valentine's Day. The study throws light on the V-day trends and how the day of love impacts the online dating industry. The survey participants range between 18 to 32 and comprise primarily students and working professionals. QuackQuack's Founder and CEO, Ravi Mittal, commented, "Every year, we see a spike in the number of users during this time of the year. And this is also the time when people look beyond romance. Among the 22 million users, almost 33 per cent of the users seek friendship on the app. There's also an 8 per cent increase in virtual dates on the day of love." Budget dates A recent study shows that 47 per cent of daters prefer to have a budget-friendly Valentine's Day date over fancy dining and exchanging expensive presents. Daters below 23, essentially the Gen-Z daters from tier 1 and 2 cities, disclosed having a pact with their date to exchange meaningful yet practical gifts, and most of them have a set budget. It makes sure that no one has to burn a hole in their pockets to enjoy the day of love and makes it easier for the young daters who are just starting their careers. The busiest times It says the weekend before Valentine's Day is one of the busiest times of the year for them. They see most traffic the day before, with singles trying to land a quick date for V-Day. According to their data, the surge is more from tier 1 cities since people from tier 2 cities flock to the metros for jobs and higher studies. 35 per cent of dates are arranged the night before V-Day than any other day. Where's my soulmate? 22 per cent of women from tier 1 and 2 cities mentioned joining the app to find a date because they felt lonely. The app's data shows there is almost a 13 per cent spike in the number of people joining the app on Valentine's Day compared to other days of the month. Upon surveying the participants, it was understood that singles join dating apps during this time of the year out of the urgency to find a soulmate, especially on the day of love. Communicating 37 per cent of the survey participants between 25 and 30, primarily working professionals in 9 to 5 jobs, mentioned beating their loneliness by participating in communicating. It's the trend where daters use the app to find new friends and connections beyond romantic relationships. It noticed almost 33 per cent of its users seeking genuine companions during this time of the year. Rebounds 11 per cent of male daters over 25 and 18 per cent below 23 years from tier 1 and 2 cities disclosed rounding back to their old matches on this day. More than 15 per cent of women over 28 revealed rebounding with their ex on the day of love. Self-Love Self-care and me-time are on the top of the Gen-Z single daters' list of ideal ways to spend V-Day without falling off the wagon. 28 per cent of the survey participants between 18 and 23 mentioned having a fun night planned with friends. 12 per cent of women daters from tier 1 and 2 cities are planning Galentine's day instead of wallowing in self-pity.

Nearly half of Gen-Z and millennial daters prefer budget-friendly Valentine's Day date: Study

<p>Award-winning filmmaker Steven Spielberg, who has helmed projects like <em>West Side Story, The Fabelmans,</em> <em>Lincoln </em>and <em>War Horse</em>, has no regrets about turning down the offer to direct the first <em>Harry Potter</em> movie in 2001 because it enabled him to spend more time with his wife Kate Capshaw and watch his children grow.</p>

<p>For those uninitiated, the 76-year-old director was asked to helm <em>Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone</em>, the first movie in the wizardry franchise based on JK Rowling's best-selling novels. However, he&nbsp;snubbed the movie so that he could spend more time with his family rather than on a film set.</p>

<p>"The personal meaning about (how the conflict between) art and family will tear you in half happened to me later, after I had already established myself as a filmmaker, as a working director," Spielberg told Indian director&nbsp;SS Rajamouli.</p>

<p>"There were several films I chose not to make. I chose to turn down the first <em>Harry Potter</em>&nbsp;to basically spend the next year and a half with my family, my young kids growing up," he shared. "So I'd sacrificed a great franchise, which today looking back I'm very happy to have done, to be with my family."</p>

<p>"Kate and I started raising a family and we started having children. The choice I had to make in taking a job that would move me to another country for four of five months where I wouldn't see my family every day," Spielberg added.</p>

<p>Spielberg shares seven children with his ex-wife Amy Irving and his current wife Kate Capshaw. A son&nbsp;Max, 37, with his first wife Amy Irving. And, kids Theo, 34, Sasha, 32, Sawyer, 30, Mikaela, 28, Destry, 26, and step-daughter Jessica Capshaw, 46, with wife Kate Capshaw.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The <em>Sorcerer's Stone</em> was helmed by Chris Columbus. He&nbsp;earned three Oscar nominations and made young actors Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint international stars.&nbsp;</p>

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Award-winning filmmaker Steven Spielberg, who has helmed projects like West Side Story, The Fabelmans, Lincoln and War Horse, has no regrets about turning down the offer to direct the first Harry Potter movie in 2001 because it enabled him to spend more time with his wife Kate Capshaw and watch his children grow.

Award-winning filmmaker Steven Spielberg, who has helmed projects like West Side Story, The Fabelmans, Lincoln and War Horse, has no regrets about turning down the offer to direct the first Harry Potter movie in 2001 because it enabled him to spend more time with his wife Kate Capshaw and watch his children grow. For those uninitiated, the 76-year-old director was asked to helm Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, the first movie in the wizardry franchise based on JK Rowling's best-selling novels. However, he snubbed the movie so that he could spend more time with his family rather than on a film set. "The personal meaning about (how the conflict between) art and family will tear you in half happened to me later, after I had already established myself as a filmmaker, as a working director," Spielberg told Indian director SS Rajamouli. "There were several films I chose not to make. I chose to turn down the first Harry Potter to basically spend the next year and a half with my family, my young kids growing up," he shared. "So I'd sacrificed a great franchise, which today looking back I'm very happy to have done, to be with my family." "Kate and I started raising a family and we started having children. The choice I had to make in taking a job that would move me to another country for four of five months where I wouldn't see my family every day," Spielberg added. Spielberg shares seven children with his ex-wife Amy Irving and his current wife Kate Capshaw. A son Max, 37, with his first wife Amy Irving. And, kids Theo, 34, Sasha, 32, Sawyer, 30, Mikaela, 28, Destry, 26, and step-daughter Jessica Capshaw, 46, with wife Kate Capshaw. The Sorcerer's Stone was helmed by Chris Columbus. He earned three Oscar nominations and made young actors Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint international stars. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Steven Spielberg reveals why he doesn't regret turning down Harry Potter franchise

<p>At Monday's Oscar nominees luncheon, the Will Smith-Chris Rock slap incident&nbsp;sat front and centre. So much so that Janet Yang,&nbsp;president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences,&nbsp;neither had to describe it nor had to say the names of the two parties involved in the incident.</p>

<p>Speaking in front of a ballroom full of award hopefuls including Tom Cruise, Angela Bassett, Cate Blanchett and Steven Spielberg, Yang aired her regrets for last year's "unprecedented event".</p>

<p>She said, "I’m sure you all remember we experienced an unprecedented event at the Oscars. What happened onstage was wholly unacceptable and the response from our organization was inadequate."</p>

<p>Many feel that the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences did little in response to Smith storming the stage and slapping Rock across the face during last year’s Oscars telecast or in the immediate aftermath. After nearly two weeks, the&nbsp;board of governors voted to ban Smith from the Oscars and all other academy events for a decade. Smith had already preemptively resigned as an academy member.</p>

<p>"We learned from this that the academy must be fully transparent and accountable in our actions,"&nbsp;Yang said.&nbsp;"And particularly in times of crisis, you must act swiftly, compassionately and decisively for ourselves and for our industry. You should and can expect no less from us going forward."</p>

<p>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood/news-tom-cruise-makes-his-first-red-carpet-appearance-in-8-months-for-oscar-nominees-luncheon-561779">Tom Cruise makes his first red carpet appearance in 8 months for Oscar nominees luncheon</a></p>

<p>Yang, who was not president at the time, was interrupted by a mild round of applause and did not elaborate further, moving on to happier topics.</p>

<p>She was met with whooping applause when told the nominees that all categories will be shown live on the March 12 ABC telecast. Last year, in a controversy largely eclipsed by the slap, several Oscars were handed out in a pre-telecast ceremony and edited versions of winners’ speeches were squeezed into the main show.</p>

<p>The luncheon is a warm, feel-good affair where nominees are in general treated with equality, and a relatively unknown nominee up for best animated short might be seated next to an A-lister up for the best actor.</p>

<p>Some, of course, attract more attention than others and don’t need to wear the nametags handed out to all.</p>

<p>Tom Cruise, nominated as a producer for best picture candidate <em>Top Gun: Maverick</em>, managed briefly to mix in with the crowd in a ballroom at the Beverly Hilton before he attracted a crowd of gawkers.</p>

<p>He and Jamie Lee Curtis, up for best supporting actress for <em>Everything Everywhere All at Once</em>,&nbsp;pressed their foreheads together and giggled when they bumped into each other.</p>

<p>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/david-guetta-says-the-future-of-music-is-in-artificial-intelligence-after-using-deepfake-eminem-vocals-561766">David Guetta says the future of music is in Artificial Intelligence after using deepfake Eminem vocals</a></p>

<p>He smiled widely as he posed for photos with his old <em>War of the Worlds</em>&nbsp;and <em>Minority Report</em>&nbsp;collaborator Steven Spielberg, up for best director for <em>The Fabelmans</em>,&nbsp;and Michelle Yeoh, up for best actress for <em>Everything Everywhere All at Once</em>,&nbsp;the year’s most nominated film.</p>

<p>In a pairing representative of the random-seeming seating chart, Odessa Rae, producer of the nominated documentary feature <em>Navalny</em>,&nbsp;chatted with table-mate and best actor nominee Colin Farrell during the lunch of risotto and oyster mushrooms cut to resemble scallops.</p>

<p>At another table nearby, Brian Tyree Henry, best-supporting actor nominee for <em>Causeway</em>,&nbsp;laughed with Jenny Slate, voice star of animated feature nominee <em>Marcel the Shell With Shoes On</em>.</p>

<p>The centrepiece of the luncheon is the class picture, the staging of which feels like a high school graduation. An academy governor read off the names of 182 nominees and their peers cheered as they walked up and took their spots on the risers.</p>

<p>"Jamie Lee Curtis," producer DeVon Franklin enunciated loudly into the mic. Curtis leapt up and got a big ovation as she climbed alone to the top tier. Henry, a first-time nominee, stood at his table, raised an arm in the air and yelped when his name was called.</p>

<p>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/donald-trump-disses-rihannas-super-bowl-performance-calls-it-epic-fail-561777">Donald Trump disses Rihanna's Super Bowl performance; calls it 'epic fail'</a></p>

<p>Ke Huy Quan, another first-timer, up for best supporting actor for <em>Everything Everywhere All at Once</em>,&nbsp;ran up to his spot in front and shook his fists in triumph. He hugged <em>Babylon</em>&nbsp;composer Justin Hurwitz, assigned to stand next to him.</p>

<p>Bassett, nominated for best supporting actress for <em>Black Panther: Wakanda Forever</em>,&nbsp;got one of the afternoon’s biggest cheers when her name was called and hugged Cruise when she got to her spot next to him.</p>

<p>The luncheon also functions as an Oscar orientation for would-be winners. Yang emphasised that acceptance speeches at next month’s ceremony have to be kept to 45 seconds. "Let’s say it together, 45 seconds," she told the crowd. They repeated it back to her in unison, though at least a few are sure to forget or ignore her&nbsp;once they get the statue in their hands.</p>

<p>(With inputs from agencies)</p>

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At Monday's Oscar nominees luncheon, the Will Smith-Chris Rock slap incident sat front and centre. So much so that Janet Yang, president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, neither had to describe it nor had to say the names of the two parties involved in the incident.

At Monday's Oscar nominees luncheon, the Will Smith-Chris Rock slap incident sat front and centre. So much so that Janet Yang, president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, neither had to describe it nor had to say the names of the two parties involved in the incident. Speaking in front of a ballroom full of award hopefuls including Tom Cruise, Angela Bassett, Cate Blanchett and Steven Spielberg, Yang aired her regrets for last year's "unprecedented event". She said, "I’m sure you all remember we experienced an unprecedented event at the Oscars. What happened onstage was wholly unacceptable and the response from our organization was inadequate." Many feel that the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences did little in response to Smith storming the stage and slapping Rock across the face during last year’s Oscars telecast or in the immediate aftermath. After nearly two weeks, the board of governors voted to ban Smith from the Oscars and all other academy events for a decade. Smith had already preemptively resigned as an academy member. "We learned from this that the academy must be fully transparent and accountable in our actions," Yang said. "And particularly in times of crisis, you must act swiftly, compassionately and decisively for ourselves and for our industry. You should and can expect no less from us going forward." Also read: Tom Cruise makes his first red carpet appearance in 8 months for Oscar nominees luncheon Yang, who was not president at the time, was interrupted by a mild round of applause and did not elaborate further, moving on to happier topics. She was met with whooping applause when told the nominees that all categories will be shown live on the March 12 ABC telecast. Last year, in a controversy largely eclipsed by the slap, several Oscars were handed out in a pre-telecast ceremony and edited versions of winners’ speeches were squeezed into the main show. The luncheon is a warm, feel-good affair where nominees are in general treated with equality, and a relatively unknown nominee up for best animated short might be seated next to an A-lister up for the best actor. Some, of course, attract more attention than others and don’t need to wear the nametags handed out to all. Tom Cruise, nominated as a producer for best picture candidate Top Gun: Maverick, managed briefly to mix in with the crowd in a ballroom at the Beverly Hilton before he attracted a crowd of gawkers. He and Jamie Lee Curtis, up for best supporting actress for Everything Everywhere All at Once, pressed their foreheads together and giggled when they bumped into each other. Also read: David Guetta says the future of music is in Artificial Intelligence after using deepfake Eminem vocals He smiled widely as he posed for photos with his old War of the Worlds and Minority Report collaborator Steven Spielberg, up for best director for The Fabelmans, and Michelle Yeoh, up for best actress for Everything Everywhere All at Once, the year’s most nominated film. In a pairing representative of the random-seeming seating chart, Odessa Rae, producer of the nominated documentary feature Navalny, chatted with table-mate and best actor nominee Colin Farrell during the lunch of risotto and oyster mushrooms cut to resemble scallops. At another table nearby, Brian Tyree Henry, best-supporting actor nominee for Causeway, laughed with Jenny Slate, voice star of animated feature nominee Marcel the Shell With Shoes On. The centrepiece of the luncheon is the class picture, the staging of which feels like a high school graduation. An academy governor read off the names of 182 nominees and their peers cheered as they walked up and took their spots on the risers. "Jamie Lee Curtis," producer DeVon Franklin enunciated loudly into the mic. Curtis leapt up and got a big ovation as she climbed alone to the top tier. Henry, a first-time nominee, stood at his table, raised an arm in the air and yelped when his name was called. Also read: Donald Trump disses Rihanna's Super Bowl performance; calls it 'epic fail' Ke Huy Quan, another first-timer, up for best supporting actor for Everything Everywhere All at Once, ran up to his spot in front and shook his fists in triumph. He hugged Babylon composer Justin Hurwitz, assigned to stand next to him. Bassett, nominated for best supporting actress for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, got one of the afternoon’s biggest cheers when her name was called and hugged Cruise when she got to her spot next to him. The luncheon also functions as an Oscar orientation for would-be winners. Yang emphasised that acceptance speeches at next month’s ceremony have to be kept to 45 seconds. "Let’s say it together, 45 seconds," she told the crowd. They repeated it back to her in unison, though at least a few are sure to forget or ignore her once they get the statue in their hands. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Oscars response to 'Will Smith slapgate' inadequate, academy head says

<p>This Sunday, Rihanna's Super Bowl comeback mostly drew positive reactions from viewers, however, former US President Donald Trump only had not-so-pleasant things to say about RiRi. Calling her 15-minute Super Bowl halftime performance an "epic fail" and the "worst halftime show" in the sporting event's history, Trump registered his reaction on his struggling social media website called Truth Social.</p>

<p>Trump's post read, "EPIC FAIL: Rihanna gave, without question, the single worst halftime show in Super Bowl history. This after insulting far more than half of our nation, which is already in serious DECLINE, with her foul and insulting language. Also so much for her 'stylist!'"</p>

<p>Trump's harsh critique of the pop star's performance comes as no surprise since Trump had started bashing RiRi even before she hit the stage at Arizona's State Farm Stadium. On Thursday, he said that the nine-time Grammy winner has "no talent" and would be "nothing without her stylist".</p>

<p>Trump made this statement in&nbsp;response to a Truth Social post by Ronny Jackson, the former White House physician and current US representative, who took issue with the 34-year-old being chosen for Super Bowl despite her liberal politics.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/david-guetta-says-the-future-of-music-is-in-artificial-intelligence-after-using-deepfake-eminem-vocals-561766">David Guetta says the future of music is in Artificial Intelligence after using deepfake Eminem vocals</a></p>

<p>Jackson's post about Rihanna read, "Rihanna spray fainted 'F*** Donald Trump' on a car at the Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo. She's made a career of spewing degenerate filth while badmouthing America every chance she gets. Why is the NFL showcasing this crap? Rihanna SHOULD NOT be the halftime performer!!" Jackson was&nbsp;referring to a series of pictures the singer shared on her official Instagram handle&nbsp;in August 2020 that show her spray-painting the words "F*** Trump" on the roof of a car.</p>

<p>Rihanna has publicly expressed her distaste for the former POTUS several times in the past. She was critical of Trump throughout his presidency.</p>

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This Sunday, Rihanna's Super Bowl comeback mostly drew positive reactions from viewers, however, former US President Donald Trump only had not-so-pleasant things to say about RiRi.

This Sunday, Rihanna's Super Bowl comeback mostly drew positive reactions from viewers, however, former US President Donald Trump only had not-so-pleasant things to say about RiRi. Calling her 15-minute Super Bowl halftime performance an "epic fail" and the "worst halftime show" in the sporting event's history, Trump registered his reaction on his struggling social media website called Truth Social. Trump's post read, "EPIC FAIL: Rihanna gave, without question, the single worst halftime show in Super Bowl history. This after insulting far more than half of our nation, which is already in serious DECLINE, with her foul and insulting language. Also so much for her 'stylist!'" Trump's harsh critique of the pop star's performance comes as no surprise since Trump had started bashing RiRi even before she hit the stage at Arizona's State Farm Stadium. On Thursday, he said that the nine-time Grammy winner has "no talent" and would be "nothing without her stylist". Trump made this statement in response to a Truth Social post by Ronny Jackson, the former White House physician and current US representative, who took issue with the 34-year-old being chosen for Super Bowl despite her liberal politics. Also read: David Guetta says the future of music is in Artificial Intelligence after using deepfake Eminem vocals Jackson's post about Rihanna read, "Rihanna spray fainted 'F*** Donald Trump' on a car at the Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo. She's made a career of spewing degenerate filth while badmouthing America every chance she gets. Why is the NFL showcasing this crap? Rihanna SHOULD NOT be the halftime performer!!" Jackson was referring to a series of pictures the singer shared on her official Instagram handle in August 2020 that show her spray-painting the words "F*** Trump" on the roof of a car. Rihanna has publicly expressed her distaste for the former POTUS several times in the past. She was critical of Trump throughout his presidency. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Donald Trump disses Rihanna's Super Bowl performance; calls it 'epic fail'

<p>After bagging a Brit Award for the 'Producer of the Year' category, chart-topping DJ David Guetta said that "the future of music is in AI but only as a tool". The French producer revealed&nbsp;that he thinks musicians will use Artificial Intelligence as a tool to create new sounds in the future because "every new music style comes from a new technology".</p>

<p>Guetta's comments came days after he used two artificial intelligence sites to create lyrics and rap in the style of American rapper Eminem for a live show.</p>

<p>In conversation with BBC music correspondent Mark Savage at the Brit Awards, Guetta said, "I'm sure the future of music is in AI. For sure. There's no doubt. But as a tool."</p>

<p>"Nothing is going to replace the taste," Guetta continued. "What defines an artist is, you have a certain taste, you have a certain type of emotion you want to express, and you're going to use all the modern instruments to do that."</p>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Producer of the year at the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BRITs?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BRITs</a>!!!! How amazing it is ❤️❤️❤️ <a href="https://twitter.com/BRITs?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BRITs</a> <a href="https://t.co/c8a2ighEwZ">pic.twitter.com/c8a2ighEwZ</a></p>
— David Guetta (@davidguetta) <a href="https://twitter.com/davidguetta/status/1624106060272336896?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 10, 2023</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Let me introduce you to… Emin-AI-em 👀 <a href="https://t.co/48prbMIBtv">pic.twitter.com/48prbMIBtv</a></p>
— David Guetta (@davidguetta) <a href="https://twitter.com/davidguetta/status/1621605376733872129?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 3, 2023</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<p>Comparing&nbsp;AI to instruments that have led to musical revolutions in the past, Guetta said, "Probably there would be no rock 'n' roll if there was no electric guitar. There would be no acid house without the Roland TB-303 [bass synthesiser] or the Roland TR-909 drum machine. There would be no hip-hop without the sampler."</p>

<p>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/five-intriguing-films-to-watch-out-for-in-2023-561623">Five intriguing films to watch out for in 2023</a></p>

<p>The DJ reiterated, "I think really AI might define new musical styles. I believe that every new music style comes from a new technology."</p>

<p>Last week, Guetta posted a video on Twitter and said that he created the Eminem-style vocal "as a joke" but it worked so well he could not believe it.</p>

<p>He told BBC that he posted the video because he wanted to open the discussion and bring awareness. "It's very funny, actually, because a lot of people are reacting. Some of them are like, 'Oh, this is genius.' Some of them are getting super mad at me, but I'm not going to release the record. It is impossible to think that it's a real collab, but it sounds exactly like him [Eminem]," he said.</p>

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After bagging a Brit Award for the 'Producer of the Year' category, chart-topping DJ David Guetta said that "the future of music is in AI but only as a tool". The French producer revealed that he thinks musicians will use Artificial Intelligence as a tool to create new sounds in the future because "every new music style comes from a new technology".

After bagging a Brit Award for the 'Producer of the Year' category, chart-topping DJ David Guetta said that "the future of music is in AI but only as a tool". The French producer revealed that he thinks musicians will use Artificial Intelligence as a tool to create new sounds in the future because "every new music style comes from a new technology". Guetta's comments came days after he used two artificial intelligence sites to create lyrics and rap in the style of American rapper Eminem for a live show. In conversation with BBC music correspondent Mark Savage at the Brit Awards, Guetta said, "I'm sure the future of music is in AI. For sure. There's no doubt. But as a tool." "Nothing is going to replace the taste," Guetta continued. "What defines an artist is, you have a certain taste, you have a certain type of emotion you want to express, and you're going to use all the modern instruments to do that." Producer of the year at the #BRITs!!!! How amazing it is ❤️❤️❤️ @BRITs pic.twitter.com/c8a2ighEwZ — David Guetta (@davidguetta) February 10, 2023 Let me introduce you to… Emin-AI-em 👀 pic.twitter.com/48prbMIBtv — David Guetta (@davidguetta) February 3, 2023 Comparing AI to instruments that have led to musical revolutions in the past, Guetta said, "Probably there would be no rock 'n' roll if there was no electric guitar. There would be no acid house without the Roland TB-303 [bass synthesiser] or the Roland TR-909 drum machine. There would be no hip-hop without the sampler." Also read: Five intriguing films to watch out for in 2023 The DJ reiterated, "I think really AI might define new musical styles. I believe that every new music style comes from a new technology." Last week, Guetta posted a video on Twitter and said that he created the Eminem-style vocal "as a joke" but it worked so well he could not believe it. He told BBC that he posted the video because he wanted to open the discussion and bring awareness. "It's very funny, actually, because a lot of people are reacting. Some of them are like, 'Oh, this is genius.' Some of them are getting super mad at me, but I'm not going to release the record. It is impossible to think that it's a real collab, but it sounds exactly like him [Eminem]," he said. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

David Guetta says the future of music is in Artificial Intelligence after using deepfake Eminem vocals

<p>Bollywood actress Janhvi Kapoor, who was recently seen playing the lead role in 'Milli', is reportedly all set to make her big Telugu debut opposite Jr NTR in his upcoming untitled project, which will be helmed by Koratala Siva. Once again, Jr NTR and Koratala Siva are coming together to deliver a power-packed film. The project will reportedly go on the floors next month.&nbsp;</p>

<p>According to a report by Hindustan Times, a source from the film’s unit has confirmed that the makers recently signed late actress Sridevi's daughter Janhvi Kapoor. She will soon join meet the team for a photoshoot.</p>

<p>"It is true that Janhvi has been signed. The makers did have a few options in mind but they eventually went ahead with Janhvi. In a couple of weeks, the team is planning to do a photoshoot with the lead pair. The project will go on the floors next month," the source said, reports HT.</p>

<p>Both Janhvi and Jr NTR are yet to comment on the collaboration and no official announcement has been made yet.</p>

<p>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/cara-delevingne-dons-savage-x-fenty-tee-to-support-rihanna-during-super-bowl-561538">Cara Delevingne dons Savage x Fenty tee to support Rihanna during Super Bowl</a></p>

<p>Meanwhile, at the pre-release event of his brother Kalyan Ram’s film 'Amigo', NTR requested his fans to not keep asking for film updates. "Sometimes, when we’re working on a film, there isn’t much information to share. We can’t keep sharing updates on a daily or hourly basis. As much as I understand your excitement and the urge, sometimes all of this leads to a lot of pressure on the producer as well as the filmmaker. Due to the pressure, sometimes we end up sharing an update which doesn’t have much value which upsets the fans even more,"&nbsp;he said.</p>

<p>Janhvi, on the movie front, currently has two films in her kitty: 'Bawaal' starring Varun Dhawan and the sports drama 'Mr And Mrs Mahi' starring Rajkummar Rao.</p>

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Bollywood actress Janhvi Kapoor, who was recently seen playing the lead role in 'Milli', is reportedly all set to make her big Telugu debut opposite Jr NTR in his upcoming untitled project, which will be helmed by Koratala Siva.

Bollywood actress Janhvi Kapoor, who was recently seen playing the lead role in 'Milli', is reportedly all set to make her big Telugu debut opposite Jr NTR in his upcoming untitled project, which will be helmed by Koratala Siva. Once again, Jr NTR and Koratala Siva are coming together to deliver a power-packed film. The project will reportedly go on the floors next month. According to a report by Hindustan Times, a source from the film’s unit has confirmed that the makers recently signed late actress Sridevi's daughter Janhvi Kapoor. She will soon join meet the team for a photoshoot. "It is true that Janhvi has been signed. The makers did have a few options in mind but they eventually went ahead with Janhvi. In a couple of weeks, the team is planning to do a photoshoot with the lead pair. The project will go on the floors next month," the source said, reports HT. Both Janhvi and Jr NTR are yet to comment on the collaboration and no official announcement has been made yet. Also read: Cara Delevingne dons Savage x Fenty tee to support Rihanna during Super Bowl Meanwhile, at the pre-release event of his brother Kalyan Ram’s film 'Amigo', NTR requested his fans to not keep asking for film updates. "Sometimes, when we’re working on a film, there isn’t much information to share. We can’t keep sharing updates on a daily or hourly basis. As much as I understand your excitement and the urge, sometimes all of this leads to a lot of pressure on the producer as well as the filmmaker. Due to the pressure, sometimes we end up sharing an update which doesn’t have much value which upsets the fans even more," he said. Janhvi, on the movie front, currently has two films in her kitty: 'Bawaal' starring Varun Dhawan and the sports drama 'Mr And Mrs Mahi' starring Rajkummar Rao. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Janhvi Kapoor to make Telugu debut opposite Jr NTR in NTR 30?

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Zee News Rajasthan

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