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Anamit Sen spent a day with a Volvo S60 T6 and it brought back fond memories of another day, another Volvo.

 If you have about Rupees 35 Lakh to spend and you are planning on purchasing a new car, may I suggest you spend it on a Volvo? OK, before you all rise in consternation and start asking Volvo?? and insist that Volvos are staid, boring, safe with looks akin to a brick, staid and did you say boring, let me clarify... I'm not talking about any Volvo, see? I'm talking about the S60, the aggressive looking and driving car you see in the picture!

 My first brush with a Volvo happened a few years ago and it belonged to my cousin, a doctor in Yorkshire. It was a 480ES and I have many happy memories of swanning around the Yorkshire moors and dales in it with my cousin. That brought home to me then the fact that Volvo DID make some exciting cars apart from the usual, yes, brick-like saloons and estates. You can see bits of DNA from the 480ES car in the C30 today which sadly, Volvo has not introduced in India as yet. Fact is Volvo has been making pretty decent cars for a long time. Heck, Volvo even went racing with Tom Walkinshaw in the British Touring Car Championship with a T5 Estate of all things!

 Although I had wanted to drive the diesel version of the S60 initially I am actually very glad to have got the T6 petrol instead. The S60 is certainly a soothing balm for eyes that have become sore by looking at all the regular, unremarkable cars on the road. Externally, the S60 has very aggressive looks made even better by the stance. What gets you first are the front and rear skid plates as well as the short rear end. While four alloy rim styles are available, the T6 looks very good on the 18 inch Sleipner alloys. The man behind the S60's dynamic looks is Peter Horbury, Volvo Cars' Design Director. After a seven-year stint at Ford, the all-new S60 is his baby. According to Horbury, every single line in the design is meant to transport one both physically and emotionally. The coupe-like feeling is very strong and he feels that to make a lasting impression, there is little point playing the “polite Englishman” or “reserved Swede”. That is why the S60 is so much more daring than previous models - one has to agree, the S60 is one helluva looker. Incidentally, the S60 does not have a key – it has a Personal Car Communicator, which apart from locking and unlocking the doors also indicates when an unauthorised person is inside the car provided the PCC is within 100 metres of the car.

Get a wonder woman glow

 If you look great, you feel great and there’s nothing that makes you look better than a clear complexion and glowing, fresh skin. Some skin products can cost a fortune though. To cut costs, ditch the branded products and make your own. Simple items from your fridge and cupboard will work wonders on dull or spotty skin. Take a good dollop of natural yoghurt and apply to your face. Leave the yoghurt mask on for 20 minutes, and then wash off. Another effective face mask is the honey and aspirin treatment. Crush two aspirins and add to one tablespoon of organic or manuka honey. Apply to your face and wash off after 20 minutes. The aspirin contains beta-hydroxy, an ingredient that will refresh your skin.

Get a wonder woman job

 If Monday’s make you feel sick with dread then it is time you got yourself a job you love. It is estimated that we will spend around 1800 hours at work each year. 1800! A lot of women stay in jobs they dislike because they don’t really know what they want to do. To figure out what career you’re best suited to make a top 10 list of things you really enjoy. It doesn’t matter if the things you like don’t seem work-related. For example, if you like meeting with friends and talking through their problems, you could think about going on a counselling course. Or if you love to go for walks in the countryside, you could consider becoming a tour guide. Even if you need to work hard to get new qualifications, be brave and do it because the rewards are worth it.


Get a wonder woman romance

 If your boyfriend constantly lets you down and makes you unhappy seriously think about whether he’s worth it. If your friend was dating him, what would you advise her? Although everyone deserves a Prince Charming your relationships are in your control and if it’s not working move on. Life is too short. If you’re single and looking for the one then be open-minded. Date people you may not think you’re attracted to or typically get on with. But before you look for a man make sure you are in a good place – are you happy, healthy and feeling confident? Don’t rely on a man to get these things for you because they can’t. If you’re in a positive place you’ll also attract more positive guys.

Get wonder woman friends

 As sad as it is the eternal promise of BFF doesn’t often work out. Friends move on, physically or emotionally, and it can be hard to find decent replacements. To get a gal group you need to get out there. Go to any parties you’re invited to and when you’re there don’t stand like a lemon in the corner. Talk to people and mingle. Go to classes that you have a real interest in and organise socials. Volunteering is also a great way to meet new people. If you’re not ready to break your BFF pact yet and would prefer to work on your relationships then the number one thing to do is be honest. Women often find it difficult to be totally truthful to friends. Address any issues head on; if they’re worth it, they’ll hang on and work at it.

Get a wonder woman schedule

 The clock is our enemy and the only way to battle it is to get organised. Begin by cutting down on time consuming chores like cooking. Make big batches of dinners when you have a free afternoon – like curries, chillies, soups and lasagnes – then freeze them. These can become healthy and quick ready meals. Your next job is to make time for things you enjoy. If you want to read more or would love to learn a language, buy an audio CD or download a podcast that you can listen to on your commute. Finally, cut out anything that you don’t get pleasure from – bad friends, useless TV shows, hobbies you now hate. Time is far too precious to waste, so be a little selfish and only use your free time doing things you love.

Get a wonder woman bank account

 Let’s face it, whether we love it or loathe it, money is important and figuring out how to bulk up our bank accounts is something we’d all like to do. First of all, make a money diary. Make a list of everything you spend in one month. You might be surprised how the little things, like an alfresco lunch or a cute lipstick, add up. Then look at some of your larger bills – your gym membership, your car, your rent. What could you reduce? Could you cancel your gym membership and work out from home or in your lunch hour? Could you share lifts or use your bike to get around? If cutting expenses isn’t your style think about making some extra money. Think about the skills you have and how you could use them to make extra money – such as tutoring or freelancing.

Get a wonder woman diet

 Dieting is difficult. We all try to change our eating habits for a better figure, clearer skin and more energy, but typically we return to our normal dieting ways. One of the biggest hurdles we all fall over is cutting out some of the more filling foods, like potatoes and meats. Instead of cutting them completely, make sure you eat smaller portions of carbohydrate and protein for lunch and dinner.  This will ensure you are fuller for longer and will help you resist fattier treats. As well as cutting down on certain foods make sure you get munching on some of these female-friendly foods too: salmon (for enhancing your mood), flax seeds (for preventing IBS and arthritis), tomatoes (to help prevent breast cancer), cranberries (for preventing urinary infections) and spinach (for reducing swelling and bloating).

So recently I broke up with my boyfriend. After a couple of days discussing our issues (read crying and arguing) he came round, we talked at length, hugged, kissed, made up, he held my face in his hands and told me he loved me and off we went to bed.

The next day he sent me an email (yes, an email – not quite as bad as a post-it but still pretty low) saying that he ‘just couldn’t do it’. That was the day I realised that saying ‘I love you’ means nothing unless it’s backed up with actions. And not the hiring of white vans and taking back the telly sort of actions.

Are you in a relationship where you hear your partner say ‘I love you’ so much that it’s more habit than heartfelt?

And do you feel loved in other ways? Not necessarily with grand gestures and extravagant gifts but with the small stuff. The buying of your favourite chocolate bar, the cup of tea when you wake up, the text asking if they can bring anything home for dinner. It’s these little acts of intimacy that make you feel secure within a relationship. And it works both ways of course.



Relationship coach, Jackie Walker says, “If your partner isn’t feeling loved in the way that they want to feel loved, no amount of ‘I love yous’ will get through to them. If you don’t know what they need from you to feel loved, your job is to ask them and deliver it.”

This relates back to a piece of advice we learned while creating the 20 relationship rules to love by feature, and it’s that we all have a ‘love language’. This is how we best like to express our love and like it expressed back to us. For some, it’s touch. For others, words. Relationships survive when you work out each other’s language of choice. But just as never saying ‘I love you’ can undermine a relationship so can spouting it as an excuse for every mistake or misunderstanding you encounter together.

Sally Brampton, Psychologies writer, summed it up perfectly when she said, “Sometimes I think the phrase ‘I love you’ is no more than a get-out-of-jail-free card. In other words, I love you so just shut up about my obvious lack of commitment, my inability to anticipate your needs, my failure to give you my full attention. I’ve told you I love you so you can’t ask for anything more.”

Well, actually you can. As Jackie Walker says, “Love is a doing word not a passive one. Love doesn’t simply arrive and stay; it requires input, output and recharging. It needs an environment with respect, care and attention to thrive in.” If your partner behaves in a way that upsets you then you have a right to expect the person who says ‘I love you’, to put their money where their mouth is. Words are easy to mutter, but behaviour is harder to change. It’s this commitment to change however, that shows real love, intimacy and respect.  And as we all know, respect the foundation of all happy relationships.

Do the robot

 When men dance, anything can happen: the good, the bad and the ugly. Whatever your style though, make sure you get up and give it a go. Dancing is an easy way for women to gauge your personality. It’s simple to see who is arrogant and who is shy on the dance floor, which will mean that you’re more likely to get a good match. Whether you think you’re a good dancer or a terrible one, remember this: those who dance symmetrically are considered to be more attractive. So make sure your moves are even the next time you do the robot or the Macarena.

Get an Aston Martin V12 Zagato

 It may not be fair, but if you want the girl you like to notice you, you need to get some status. Women are attracted to men with money, power and success. They’re biologically wired to pick up on signals that suggest you possess any of these things. So what about if you don’t have money, power or success? Don’t worry. You just need to act like you do. Never put yourself down in front of the girl you like and act confident, not cocky. Dress well when you see her and don’t seek approval when you give an opinion. You need to seem very sure of yourself to win the status game.


Eyes for her only

 Every single person has at least one thing they are insecure about, whether it is an issue with weight, nose size or something a little bit more intimate. That’s why, in a potential date scenario, you need to make sure that you have eyes only for the girl you’re chasing. If a stunning girl struts by in a tight skirt and long tanned legs ignore her and focus on the girl you’ve be daydreaming over. If you can, turn your back on the hot woman and look into the eyes of the girl you’re trying to get. She’ll pick up on this and feel great, whilst you’ll be moved onto her list of potentials.

Make her laugh

 Guys who can make women laugh rarely fail to pull. Even ugly guys get with gorgeous girls if they can make a few jokes.  Apparently, women love funny men because they consider them to be more honest and more intelligent than their non-funny friends. If you’re not naturally a guy who can make people laugh, don’t pull out the joke book, it will knock your confidence back to the dark ages when your knock-off joke fails. Instead try to think of funny things that have happened to you or TV shows that make you laugh. Talk about these things instead.

You time

 It’s harsh but pay attention to this advice: no-one will want you if you don’t like yourself. Confidence is the biggest turn-on for women and if you don’t have enough of it you won’t be able to pull or enjoy a relationship. This is something that a lot of guys forget about, but it’s important. Dating is vicious and the more knock-backs you receive the lower your confidence gets. Build your confidence by making time for other things in your life; a new project, a new sport or hobby. Something that makes you feel great no matter what is happening in your life.

Get a life

 No one likes someone who is too available. The key to making that cute guy want you is to get your own life outside of work or your other responsibilities. You should take up an extra class, start a project or volunteer; anything that makes your life fuller. This way, you’ll stop spending so much time thinking about that man-shaped hole in your life. Plus you’ll have lots of interesting things to talk about and you’ll be happier – and happiness is the best beauty product.  

Don’t play games

 Although you don’t want to show that you are blatantly, head-over-heels, madly and truly in love with the guy you like, don’t play too many games. He needs to know that you like him so give him some handy signs. Touch him unexpectedly – not in a creepy, stationary cupboard grope, but when you talk to him, touch his arm lightly. Eye contact is also hugely important when it comes to sending him the right message. Make sure you meet his eyes when talking to him and catch his gaze on the odd occasion, smiling seductively as you do so.


Who are you?

 The harsh truth is this: if you don’t love yourself, why should anyone else? Although lots of people will love you even if you don’t, your relationships will be much healthier and far more stable if you do. Try to work out what is stopping you from being confident, and then try to overcome these issues. If you have low body confidence taking up a sport is a good idea because it will make you think about your body differently. If you feel too shy, then push your boundaries by doing something new or something independently. Giving yourself some TLC is one of the best ways to get a guy and it will improve ever other area of your life too.    

Makeover your face

 If you want to be noticed by the man you’ve been daydreaming about then take a look in the mirror. According to research, the structure of your face will indicate to guys how fertile and therefore how attractive you are. They cite that big eyes are a big bonus. If you’re looking in the mirror now and think your eyes are microscopic, don’t panic. What mother-nature has not given us, beauty products have. You can make your eyes stand out by wearing a moisturizing eye cream, curling your eyelashes and wearing white eye shadow or an eye brightener product.  

Is honesty the best policy?

 According to Stephen Emlen, a researcher from Cornell University, honesty may not be the best policy if you’ve cheated on your past man.  Emlen conducted a study that asked people to rate attributes in terms of how desirable they found each trait. Apparently fidelity, along with good parenting and devotion, came out on top. So if you have cheated in the past, maybe it would be best to conceal the fact for a little while. Or if you have never cheated, drop into the conversation how much you value fidelity.

There are some things that absolutely every girl needs to know how to do perfectly! If you're looking to bag yourself the style and grace to deal with any situation, look no further than Cosmo's ultimate how to guide... from break-up tips to scoring that big pay rise you've always wanted, we've got everything covered!

1. How to take a compliment

You look absolutely amazing. And yet, like many others, when somebody throws a compliment your way you'll have absolutely no idea what to do with it. Why are you putting yourself down? Don’t deflect the compliment to someone else and don’t point out your weaknesses. The minute you start undermining yourself, others will too. If it helps, try thinking about it as a gift that somebody has put a lot of thought into and accept it in the same gracious manner.

2. How to defend yourself
It's a sad but true fact that a woman aged 21 has a 1 in 4 chance of experiencing a violent crime in her lifetime.

Experts have proven that it's virtually always better to fight back, particularly if you are trained in a particular form of self-defence, as women who fight back are injured less often, are more successful in stopping the attack and feel better about themselves afterwards.

Check your local area for a self-defence class and sign up. Not only will it keep you in great shape, but it may just save your life someday.

3. How to check for breast cancer

It's a scary fact that 1 in 9 women will get breast cancer at some point in their lives; early diagnosis is vital for good recovery, which is why every woman should check her breasts once a month. It is easiest to check your breasts in the shower or bath. Run a soapy hand over each breast and up under your arm. You are checking for changes to the size, shape or feel of your breast.

The NHS breast awareness five point code says:
1.) Know what is normal for you
2.) Look and feel
3.) Know what changes to look for
4.) Report any changes without delay
5.) Attend breast screening if you are aged 50 or over

4. How to walk away from a bad relationship

There are so many reasons why a relationship can be bad for you. If you feel trapped, undermined, anxious, in danger or just plain unhappy, it's having a negative effect on your life and you need to walk away. Who really wants to spend their life with someone who causes them continual frustration? It's time to break things off, fast, before it becomes too difficult. Surrounding yourself with compassionate, loving friends and family will help you see yourself as a worthwhile, worthy person again, and you'll find it easier to get steady on your feet with your loved ones around you so that you can make your break up process easy.
5. How and when to ask for a pay rise

Do you feel you're worth more than you're paid? When you’ve had a great performance review, completed a successful project or been praised for your efforts, that’s the best time to ask for more cash. Avoid approaching your boss in busy periods. Instead, arrange for a time to meet that suits both of you.

Name your price, without falling back on an ultimatum, and make sure you justify why you're worth it; compile a summary of your skills, strengths and contributions to any recent projects. It also helps to have an idea of what your role is worth in other companies, so do your research first. If things don't go as planned, don't be disheartened.

Ask for tips on how to improve your performance and ask for a payment review in three to six months. If you handle things coolly and professionally, your boss won’t fail to be impressed!


6. How to ask for what you want in bed

Rachel Morris, Cosmo's resident sexpert, wants you to think about why you aren't getting what you want already.

"Every girl deserves to feel good and you have the right to ask. Remember that he's not a psychic and needs to know what makes you feel good... plus, when you tell him what you want, you'll find that he relaxes and is far more confident, which benefits everyone involved!"

And, for girls who hate having The Big Talk, don't worry. It doesn't have to be a big discussion; all you have to do is give him some pointers next time you're getting hot and heavy.

"Keep everything positive. Steer clear of negative words like "no" or "don't or "stop" and, instead, use positive terms such as "I like it when..." or "harder" or "further". It's amazing what a difference a few small directions can make!"


7. How to walk in high heels

High heels can throw you off balance and alter your posture. To strut with confidence follow these tips. Most important, don’t look down! Keep your gaze straight ahead and your neck inline with your spine. Keep your shoulders back and down. Stand tall and straight, keeping your chest up to counterbalance the weight shift made by the heels. Engage your abs – core stability is essential for a firm balance and keep a slight bend in your knees. Practise at home and perfect that wiggle! Looking good.

8. How to put up a tent

Is this a pop-up tent? If so it does what it says on the tin, move on. If not, remember every tent is different. Get someone in your camping store to walk you through how to put it up. Clearing a flat, stone-free space to pitch is essential. Practise makes perfect when it comes to tent erection; try putting it up in your garden a few times before you go away. No one wants to be struggling with guide ropes when there are bands to listen to and cider to drink!

9. How to be body confident

How we see ourselves is far more important than how others view us, which is why our self-esteem is one of the best beauty boosters out there!

The simplest way to do this is to work that mirror; look at your body and tell yourself what you like best about it. And, once you've established this, work on making the most of your favourite assets.

Also, make sure that you feel good in your clothes; if there's anything you own which makes you feel self-conscious, it's not worth keeping. Bag yourself something that makes you look and feel 100% foxy!

And, finally, consider your whole self and not just the physical you... you don't see your friends for the size of their thighs or noses, do you? Make sure to look beyond your body.
10. How to choose the right foundation

Before you hit the shops crying out for a new foundation, you need to find out your skin type; is your face oily, dry or a mix of both? If you are acne-prone, go for a product with salicylic acid to zap zits and if your skin is dry, choose a foundation with a moisturising formula.


Next, consider if you want a light or medium-coverage. When you actually test foundations apply the three swatches of the shades closest to your own skin tone from your lower cheek down to below your jaw line. Then check in the daylight which shade is the closest to your natural tone, or falls between the lightest and darkest tones in your skin. The shade that disappears the most is your best match. And don't forget that foundation is completely optional; if you have clear skin, you can just use it on the parts of your face that need it (blend well) or skip it completely!


11. How to put on a condom

Condoms are the most effective way to protect yourself during sex... but only if you know how to put one on! It's pretty simple; open the wrapper, taking care not to rip or damage the condom. Pinch the end (to squeeze the air out) and pop onto the tip of the penis. Make sure you get the condom the correct way round as it only rolls one way.

Firmly slide your fingers down the shaft to unroll the condom all the way to the bottom. Make sure that it’s a snug fit so that no fluid will escape or get in. Yup, that's pretty much it. The different options and flavours are a complete personal preference, so we'll leave that up to you.

12. How to ace a job interview

The easiest piece of advice here is preparation! Read up on the company, prepare your answers, plan some intuitive questions (not "how much will I be paid"?) and lay out your outfit the night before.

Plan to leave so that you'll arrive in the area at least thirty minutes early, just in case of any delays or mishaps along the way. Once inside, stay calm and remember your own worth; sell yourself! You know you'll be good at this job so make sure they know it too.

And, finally, don't panic if you're unable to answer a question. It's okay to say "Sorry, I don't know the answer to that," but demonstrate your confidence and willingness to continue talking by moving onto a different subject. Never make up an answer to something you know nothing about.

13. How to travel light

Shelly Vella, Cosmo’s Fashion Director, recommends that you base your luggage on five key looks, accessorising your capsule wardrobe to make sure that you can wear key colour-coordinated pieces in a variety of ultra-stylish ways.

First of all, buy a clear plastic pouch and travel bottles to decant your beauty products (being able to see through it will stop you adding extras and let you know you have exactly what you need).

Secondly, every girl knows that an outfit works around her shoes; for a beach holiday, build around one pair of flip flops and one pair of something glossier, be it heels or sparkly flats.

For the city breaks, team a sexy pair of heels with tried and trusted flats and a pair of cool boots for dressed down Houlihan chic. Next up, invest in a jewellery roll and style up your looks and then tuck it safely into the clear pouch - it's a far less bulky way to carry jewellery! Minimal chic, sorted.

14. How to apply self-tan

Planning on faking it? The basis of a good self tan is good skin so exfoliate and moisturise your skin, particularly around dry spots such as knees and elbows. Next, apply the self-tan. Tip: Don’t rub it in, as this can cause streaks.

Instead, smooth it on gently then five minutes after application, use damp hands over the tanned areas to blend colour evenly. For a streak-free tan, use a mitten or tanning gloves to apply it and make sure to exfoliate again three days after application, to make sure it fades evenly and, if you want, re-apply to build up your colour!

15. How to be alone

The relationship you want to be the best in your life is the one you have with yourself; no curfews, no rules, no apologies! Work out what makes you happy and make sure you get it. Whether it's taking time out to take the trip you've always wanted, learn a new language or treat yourself to luxurious bubble bath, make sure you have the time to do it. If that means turning down a few party invites, so be it; making yourself unavailable will ultimately push your social worth way up the scale!


16. How to find the best jeans

Time to do the Jean Genie, denim has the power to give you a peachy bum, fill gaps in your wardrobe and take you from day to night - it's just a matter of getting the right shape for you. If you’re struggling with boot-leg v skinny, high-waisted v low slung, our advice is to defer to the experts.

Gap, Dorothy Perkins and Levi’s all have style advisor services in store. Net-a-porter.com and my-wardrobe.com have personal styling services for denim if your budget allows. They will work out the best jeans options for your figure and believe us, once you’ve found your perfect skinnies you’ll never look back!

17. How to do CPR

Hopefully, this situation will never come up but, when it does, it's much better to be prepared. First up, attempt to wake up the person. If they're not breathing (or just gasping for breath), call 999 immediately and begin chest compressions.

To do this, place the heel of your hand in the middle of his chest. Put your other hand on top of the first with your fingers interlaced. Compress the chest at least 2 inches (4-5 cm).

Allow the chest to completely recoil before the next compression. Compress the chest at a rate of at least 100 pushes per minute. Perform 30 compressions at this rate (should take you about 18 seconds).

Now open the person's airway by tilting their head and lifting their chin. Pinch their nose and make a seal over their mouth with yours, before giving them a breath big enough to make the chest rise. Let the chest fall, then repeat the rescue breath once more. If you don't feel comfortable with this, just continue with chest compressions and wait for assistance.

Otherwise, keep repeating thirty compressions with two breaths until an ambulance arrives. Brush up on these skills and you may just save a life.

18. How to manage your money
Money worries driving you mad? Use a budget. The simplest solution is to sort out a plan way ahead of schedule; work out your monthly income, set it against all your outgoings and have a look at what's left over.

Keep a little aside for treating yourself and put the rest into a tax-free Cash ISA; that should help curb the temptation to spend! Plus, if possible, try to take out your weekly expenses in cash on a Monday and stick to what you've got; it's all too easy to go over budget when you use your plastic for everything. Seeing the physical cash will help you keep a track of your spending.

19. How not to apologise for everything

Saying sorry when something is your fault is fine. More than fine, actually, it's definitely the way to handle the situation. However, when things aren't your fault, bite down that auto-apology. Firstly, it'll make you feel resentful and irritated. Secondly, it'll devalue the worth of an apology when you actually mean it. Take a look at the situation, assess who's at fault and act accordingly. Don't be volatile; try saying something like "I'm sorry you feel that way", which shows your concern without making you a doormat.

20. How to organise a hen party

If you’re bestowed the honour of being maid of honour the pressure is on to throw the perfect hen. First, don’t feel you have to dedicate a whole week's holiday to hen party frolics - Mediterranean mini-break, spa trip and swanky club... for one bride?

Just choose one and work on making that the best night ever of her single life. Second, plan the guest list early and, if possible, consult with the bride; forgetting somebody vital is not an option.

Third, add some personal touches; we've all seen the stripper and the L Plates before, so what about a scrapbook of relationships past? Or stories told about the happy couple?

Finally, have fun and don't get overloaded. It's a party, not a war; relax and enjoy being the hostess with the mostess. When else can you give sex toys as gifts, after all?

Going to the gym every morning might not be possible for all of us. And those guilt provoked three days/weekend works out is what you try to fit into your busy schedules.

But how helpful are they and more over how loyal are you to them? So if your lifestyle forces you to cheat on your exercise routine, here’s what you can do to keep your weight under control. We tell you five simple ways to reduce your calorie intake to keep yourself healthy.


Drink water before your meal
Half a glass of water before your meal will fill you up. This way the chances of overeating reduce drastically. This way, you will also reduce the chances of feeling stuffed post the meal.

Switch to skimmed milk
Replace your regular packet milk to a low calorie skimmed milk. Add the healthier milk to your morning cup of java. Another option for you is goat milk as it is tastier and healthier than the regular high-on-cream milk.

Eat slowly
The elders tell you to chew your food for a specific number of times before you swallow it. The trick is that, when you chew your food well, it aids the body in the digestion process. Your body understands the food well and you land up eating almost half of what you would normally eat. Ideally, one should spend a minimum of 20 minutes over each meal.

Select smaller portions 
When eating out eat only half the portion of what has been served to you. Share the meal with your partner. Outside foods normally come in large portions and added ingredients like soda and Ajinomoto make the food difficult to digest. So, the next time you go to a deli split your serving with your partner.

Resist the calorific food 
When you next visit a subway avoid adding mayonnaise, cheese to the sub. Initially, the flavour might be difficult to adjust but eventually you would get used to it. Replace the mayo with mustard. Bread is an integral part of our diet these days, switch to a lighter bread that will cut down upto 100 calories at least.

It is always best to carry your own lunch and eat wholesome home cooked food. Eat as many vegetables as you can and also make sure that you add a lot of colour to your platter. When craving for sweets, avoid chocolates or other desserts, binge on fruits or yogurts to satisfy the craving. If you follow these few tips while eating, your calorie count will steadily come under control and you will never have to feel guilty about missing your workout!

It really doesn’t matter if you are player or just getting started, the bottom-line is  you need to be a more-than-good kisser to present yourself as lovable and passionate.

If you have been struggling to  get the action mastered, consider the following set of tips.

Getting Prepared

 To get started, you need to ensure there are no distractions. Get rid of all the apprehensions in your mind and leave your worries behind for some other day. Be confident of yourself. Better circulation of blood means that your face will feel warmer, more welcoming and supple — something that is often ignored when kissing passionately is discussed - so, think naughty thoughts.

Getting Expressive With Your Lips

 It really doesn’t matter whether you bump your nose or your teeth collide. These things really don’t matter as long as you are ready to get creative with your lips. For starters, a passionate kiss can seldom be a light one. You need to press your lips with your partners. Don’t fret about what just right. Just remember that your lips should be smudged without worrying about the rhythm. If you are slightly more experienced in this niche, try to start with a full-on kiss and alternate it with lighter ones. The lighter mode includes moving away from her lips for a second, gathering your breath and then diving deeper with more momentum.

Getting Creative With Your Lips & Tongue

The French take the honors for inventing a rather passionate way of kissing. However, French Kissing isn't the only type of kiss that expresses passion. Forget about every rule in the book of kissing you have ever read or heard about. Keep it simple and try out as many variations as you. The best way to be a passionate kisser is to be spontaneous. This means doing everything possible with your tongue too. For instance, you can be sloppy with your tongue. This means smearing your partner's lips with a bit more of wetness and then repeatedly wiping it off with your lips. Suck your partner's lower lip into your mouth by shaping your lips like a big pout. When his/her lips are inside your mouth, tease and nibble them with your tongue and teeth.

Getting Aggressive Without Being Fast

 Perhaps, one the most overlooked aspects of kissing passionately is the pace. There are no rules when you are trying to be spontaneous and expressive. However, it is recommended not to be too quick about it. Every variation of a kiss that you try should be slow in the execution. Whether it is pleasing him/her in bed or kissing passionately, being quick isn't the wisest approach sense it makes your sense rush through the motions, reducing the overall impact, not allowing your mind to process every bit of exhilaration it feels.

When Trying to Kiss Passionately Use Your Body Too

 This passionate kissing tip is applicable to all those who are under the impression that your mouth needs to do all the work when kissing. The reality is that the manner in which your embrace your partner, preferably a tight hug, makes a major difference. The closer your bodies are pressed against each other, the better access you will have to your partner's mouth. More bodily contact also suggests that you are more passionate about him/her and aren't just testing or trying-out kissing. Slowly pull your partner closer when kissing, it will create a better impact.

Explore Beyond the Lips

 Opinions differ on this aspect, but still most kissing experts suggest not limiting yourself to your partner's mouth. Use your lips like an explorer on the move. Kiss, lick and taste every bit of his/her face, including the chin, neck, cheeks and eyes. Nibble on her/his face, especially the ears.

Hip Lunges


 Every man must learn how to thrust, and thrust well. Hip lunges work the hips and will give you the perfect power force you need to please your girl.

Method: place one foot forward, so that your feet are about a metre apart and your knees are slightly bent. Push your pelvis forward. Hold this position for 30 seconds making sure you feel a stretch.

Interval running


 If the flesh around your pubic bone is padded with too much fat it will make your penis look smaller and make it more difficult to penetrate your girl deeply.

Method: find a hill and sprint up it, then walk back down for recovery. Beginners aim for 10 x 45 seconds uphill running whilst advanced runners should aim for 15 to 20 x 60 seconds uphill running.


Kegels


 Thought kegels were just for the girls? Think again boys. Kegels can make you last longer, be harder and they give you more control over your ejaculations.  

Method: imagine you are urinating and then try to stop the flow. Repeat this squeeze, hold, release cycle 10 times, trying to hold for 10 seconds per squeeze.

Upper body workout


 Has your girl ever complained that you’re squashing her when you’re in bed? If so, it’s probably time you worked on your upper body strength.

Method: to build strength in your upper arms do several sets of different exercises. A good group to try is: 12 x tricep dips, 12 x box press-ups and 12 x pull-ups. Repeat this three times.

Have a kick about


 Love the beautiful game? So does your libido. Football boosts testosterone levels, which in turn gives your sex drive a boost.

Method: we don’t need to tell you how to play football, but one tip we do have is to try and play at home. Research has found men’s testosterone is higher for home games.

Skipping 


 If you’re stressed the last thing you want is sex. Doing cardio-based activities will pump you full of endorphins and improve your mood though. In turn this will make you want it more and will give your sex drive a boost.

Method: wear a sports bra, aim for about 70-80 skips a minute at first. To tone your abs do a running skip by bringing your knees up in a high march as you jump, alternating each leg between skips.

Upavistha Konasana


 Are you satisfied in bed? Most women aren’t. If you want to orgasm more then you should try and increase the blood flow to the pelvis with this fab yoga move.

Method: Sit on the floor with your legs wide. Keep your toes and knees pointing straight up.  Lean your upper body forward as far as it goes comfortably. Hold for five to 10 deep breaths.


The plank


 Is this another exotic position? Nope. Fact is most women hate crazy positions because for most of us our bodies jiggle and wiggle involuntarily.  The plank, though, helps tone up these wobbly areas and makes you more confident trying new things in bed.  

Method: lie face down, push up and hold your body off the ground using your toes and forearms for support. Keep your back straight. Hold for 30-60 seconds and do daily.

Pelvic floor muscles


 They don’t sound pretty, but pelvic floor exercises are worth doing. Doing pelvic floor exercises regularly will make you more sensitive and they can give you stronger orgasms. Plus you can do them anywhere – at your desk, on the bus, in the shower.

Method: imagine you are urinating and then try to stop the flow. Repeat this hold, squeeze, and release cycle 10 times. Try to hold each for 10 seconds.

Bow bend


 We’ve all seen that insanely good yoga whizz and we’ve all probably had the same thought: I bet they’re great in bed. Getting more flexible will enable you to do more positions and allow for deeper penetration, which will make sex better for both you and your guy.

Method: lie on your stomach and take your heels as close to your butt as you can, then take your hands behind and hold your ankles. Keep your knees hip width apart.

Male quality 1: He is honest and loyal

 Prove to your love interest that you are kind, honest, and loyal – a genuinely charming fellow, some may say. Terms such as ‘love rat’ and ‘dirt bag’ weren’t made up just for a laugh you know. Many women have had the unfortunate experience of dating these time-wasters-in-disguise-as-princes on numerous occasions, and rarely does it have a happy ending. In fact, once a woman has dated one of these scheming snakes, boy does she remember it; it takes a long time to rebuild the trust that she once built up only to have it come crashing down, so being honest and loyal will go a long way in impressing her. If you’ve been a scheming little scoundrel in the past, it may be best to keep it quiet now as you have (please say you have) changed.  In such circumstances, don’t talk about how you cheated on your ex and broke her heart. This will almost definitely put your potential new flame off for good. In short, be a charming chap and you can’t go far wrong.

Male quality 2: He possesses a good sense of humour

 Now, as we’ve got the serious stuff out of the way, let’s move onto the exciting part – humour. Who doesn’t love a good rib-clutching bit of humour that makes us gag for oxygen every now and again? Studies have shown that many women favour humour over looks in a potential partner, so there’s still hope for many of us yet. Just a quick flick through the lonely hearts ads shows that, indeed, a “GSOH” must be one of the most favourable traits in a man. A good sense of humour acts as a natural aphrodisiac and will turn your love interest’s thoughts about you from “okay” to “hey hey!” in less than thirty seconds.

Male quality 3: He has ambition

 Men with drive, men with goals, men with a burning desire to get somewhere in life – this ambitious type of gentleman attracts women. We’re not suggesting that you should be climbing the career ladder at break-neck speeds to be deemed as ambitious, but you’ll have a much easier time winning over a woman if you can demonstrate some form of passion, objective, or ambition in life. No woman wants a man who sits around being content doing nothing, so if this is you, things need to change. Fill your life with interests and hobbies – things to talk about when she asks you what you enjoy. Identify where you want to be in life and make it happen. Women will be falling at your feet in no time.

Male quality 4: He practices good hygiene

 This is a no-brainer. Whilst your rock star charm may have made the girls drool in school, slicked-back greasy hair, dirt under your nails, and tingeing the air with your body odour won’t get you in the ladies’ good books now chaps (we hope you enjoyed it while it lasted). You don’t have to rival your love interest’s beauty routine to take a pride in your appearance – just put the basic hygiene rules into practice and you’ve mastered the basics. Have a shower, trim your nails, get your hair trimmed, and wear decent clothes. Sloppy is not sexy so scrub up!

Male quality 5: He is dominant and protective

 As much as women love to show their independence, scientific studies have suggested that they are subconsciously attracted to dominant, assertive men. This isn’t to say that you should make her feel intimidated and uncomfortable. No woman wants to be slowly backing into a corner as an overzealous man tries to express his affection in the form of a passionate embrace. If a difficult situation arises though, take charge and be protective over her and – as much as you may shudder with panic when you have to remove a spider from the bathroom – try your best to be fearless.

When Drew Barrymore and Will Kopelman exchanged vows in the backyard of her $5.7 million Montecito, California home on June 2, "The day was perfect," the actress told People magazine. "Everyone we love and care about was there. It was fun and meaningful as we ever could have hoped."


According to the magazine, which has the exclusive wedding photos in its June 18 issue, the 37-year-old star — who has been making movies since 1980 — wanted the event to be low-key. "They just wanted a backyard wedding," event planner Yifat Oren told People. The bride wore a custom-made Chanel dress (Kopelman's father is the former CEO of the fashion company) and more than 14 carats in diamonds. She carried pink flowers — including peonies, garden roses, and spray roses. During the traditional Jewish service, which was attended by 190 family members and friends, Barrymore pal Cameron Diaz read the E.E. Cummings poem "I Carry Your Heart with Me," which Diaz read in her 2005 movie "In Her Shoes."

During the reception, wine from the actress' own line of Barrymore Wines was served while guests including Reese Witherspoon, Scarlett Johansson, Steven Spielberg, and Jimmy Fallon watched the couple, who dated for a year prior to marrying, share their first dance to "No One's Gonna Love You" by Band of Horses. As they made their big exit at the end of the night — during which they drove off in a classic Mercedes convertible decorated with pink roses — the Beatles song "I Will" played.

As has long been rumored, the magazine notes that Barrymore, who has been married two times before, is expecting her first child with 34-year-old Kopelman, who is an art consultant and comes from a family that's prominent in the New York social world. Though the couple doesn't confirm their baby news directly, they pose with their hands on her stomach in one of the wedding photos and a source tells People that Barrymore "is telling people that she's ready for a more family-oriented life."

Astronomers have found the faintest galaxy yet seen in the deep, distant reaches of space, an object whose light has taken 13 billion years to reach us.

 The tiny galaxy, which existed about 800 million years after the Big Bang created the universe, is among the top 10 most distant objects known.

 "This image is like a baby picture of this galaxy, taken when the universe was only 5 percent of its current age," Arizona State University astronomer James Rhoads said in a statement. "Studying these very early galaxies is important because it helps us understand how galaxies form and grow."

 Rhoads and his colleagues used the IMACS instrument on the Magellan Telescopes at the Carnegie Institution's Las Campanas Observatory in Chile to image the galaxy. They applied a special filter that restricted the light coming in to the telescope to a narrow range of infrared wavelengths, allowing them to block out all but the most distant, faint objects.

 "We have been using this technique since 1998 and pushing it to ever-greater distances and sensitivities in our search for the first galaxies at the edge of the universe," said Arizona State University's Sangeeta Malhotra.

 The faint galaxy is designated LAEJ095950.99+021219.1, and has a redshift of 7. Astronomers use redshift to denote distance, because the farther away something is, the more its light has been shifted toward the red range of the electromagnetic spectrum. Scientists have seen only a handful of galaxies with redshifts of 7, and none of those have been as dim the newfound galaxy.

 "With this search, we've not only found one of the furthest galaxies known, but also the faintest confirmed at that distance," Malhotra said. "Up to now, the redshift 7 galaxies we know about are literally the top one percent of galaxies. What we're doing here is to start examining some of the fainter ones – thing that may better represent the other 99 percent."

 The researchers report their discovery in the June 1 issue of The Astrophysical Journal Letters.

KITTERY, Maine  -- Preliminary findings from Navy investigators suggest a fire aboard a dry-docked submarine started in a vacuum cleaner used by shipyard workers, officials said Wednesday. The Navy also confirmed a preliminary estimate of $400 million for repairs.

A statement from the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard said the vacuum was used by workers to clean up after each shift and was stored in an unoccupied space when the fire started.

The repair cost estimate allows the Navy to begin lining up funding.

The Navy estimated that an additional 10 percent cost — or $40 million more — would be needed to account for disruption to other planned work across all naval shipyards and for potential assistance from private sector contractors, the shipyard said.

Further details on the fire and the cost of repairs will come in two weeks after the Navy issues initial findings from its investigations.

The nuclear-powered submarine was severely damaged by the fire that broke out May 23 when the submarine was three months into a 20-month overhaul.

The fire burned for 10 hours, creating intense heat in forward compartments including the torpedo room, crew quarters, and the command and control centers. The rear part of the submarine including its nuclear propulsion escaped damage.

The Navy is seeking to determine whether the hull is still sound.

"Navy engineers are conducting a full technical assessment including internal and external hull surveys and damage assessments to develop a detailed cost estimate," the shipyard said.

The detailed cost estimate will factor into whether it makes financial sense to repair the 22-year-old Los Angeles-class submarine.

The Los Angeles-class attack submarine cost $900 million when it was built. New Virginia-class subs cost more than $2 billion apiece.

BRUSSELS  - Google has yet to offer EU regulators concessions to address concerns it may have abused its market dominance, the EU's antitrust chief said on Thursday, raising the prospects of a bruising battle between the two sides.

 Nearly three weeks ago, EU Competition Commissioner Joaquin Almunia offered the world's most popular search engine a last chance to settle the 18-month long probe and avoid a fine that could reach up to 10 percent of the company's global turnover.

 Asked on Thursday if Google had responded to his ultimatum, Almunia told Reuters: "Nothing from Google yet, we are waiting for a reply from Google."

 Almunia, who had previously said he had given the company several weeks to reply, declined to comment on speculation that the Commission has set a July 2 deadline for Google.

 "It's a question of weeks," he said, speaking on the sidelines of the European State Aid Law Institute conference.

 Google could be hit with formal charges in a so-called statement of objections if it does not come up with concessions, which could curb its bargaining power.

 Almunia said last month that an 18-month investigation showed Google may have favored its own search services over rivals and may have copied travel and restaurant reviews from competing sites without their permission.

 He also said Google's advertising deals with websites may have blocked its rivals and that restrictions on advertisers from moving their online campaigns to rival search engines were a concern.

 Two days later, Google executive chairman Eric Schmidt gave little indication he felt the need to compromise.

 "We disagree that we are in violation, until they are more precise on what area of the law we are in violation of. Give us the precise data, the precise problem," he was quoted by the Financial Times and Guardian newspapers as saying at an event in southern England.

 Google was not immediately available for comment on Thursday.

 The European Commission launched a probe into Google in November 2010 after rivals, including Microsoft, accused the Internet search firm of manipulating search results and promoting its own services while demoting theirs.

 The Commission has received 16 complaints to date, with the latest lodged by several online travel and booking agencies such as TripAdvisor, Opodo and eDreams.

 The majority of complainants are small competitors across Europe. U.S. enforcers are also looking at the group, which controls more than two-thirds of the global search market.

 In separate investigations, EU privacy regulators are scrutinizing Google's new privacy policy, which came into effect on March 1.

BEIJING  - China's central bank cut benchmark interest rates by 25 basis points on Thursday in a surprise move to shore up slackening economic growth, its first rate cut since the depths of the 2008/09 financial crisis.

 The new rate of 6.31 percent is effective from June 8, the People's Bank of China (PBOC) said in a brief statement on its website. The PBOC also cut deposit rates by 25 basis points to 3.25 percent.

 The consensus view of economists had been that the PBOC would refrain from an outright cut to interest rates in 2012 and instead cut the required reserve ratio (RRR) of the country's banks to boost credit creation and deliver money supply growth in line with the 14 percent official target.

 "This is very positive for risk appetite and is indicative PBOC are there to support the Chinese economy. If anything I am surprised the moves so far look quite muted," said Michael Sneyd, a currency strategist at BNP Paribas.

 "We would expect to see more investors put on risk positions," he said.

 The PBOC has cut RRR for the biggest banks by 150 basis points from a record high of 21.5 percent in three moves since November last year, after a two-year tightening campaign to rein in inflation and cool steaming economic growth.

 The last change to the borrowing rate was in July 2011 when the 1-year benchmark lending rate was raised by 25 bps to 6.56 percent.

 However, China is now on track to deliver its weakest quarter of growth in three years in the second quarter.

 The market consensus in a benchmark Reuters poll last month was for annual growth to drop to 7.9 percent, which would mark the sixth straight quarter of softening.

 They expected growth for 2012 to slide to 8.2 percent, the smallest expansion in the emerging market giant since 1999 but still above a government target of 7.5 percent.

Mumbai, June 7  Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) plans to invest nearly Rs.1 trillion ($18 billion) on expansion of its retail, petrochemical and telecom businesses in India over the next five years and targets to double profit during this period.

"We will invest nearly Rs.1 lakh crore (Rs.1 trillion) over the next five years in India to build a stronger and more diversified Reliance," Reliance Industries Limited chairman Mukesh Ambani said at the 38th annual general meeting of the company.

He said the company targets to double operating profits over the next five years.

Ambani's statement came against the backdrop of recent decline in profit. RIL has reported second quarterly drop in profit in the quarter ended March 31.

"I have set myself the target to double the operating profit of your company in about five years," Ambani told shareholders in his keynote address.

RIL's operating profit declined by nearly nine percent to Rs.22,225 crore in 2011-12. This was the first decline in the company's profit in nine years.

Ambani said high inflation, slowdown in economic growth, decline in the value of rupee and high government subsidies on petroleum products have negatively impacted the company's business and profitability.

"Businesses of Reliance are equally influenced by development in the Indian Economy," he said.

"High rates of domestic inflation, adverse foreign exchange rate movements, continuing state subsidies for petroleum products and slowdown in rate of economic growth have had an impact on doing business in India," Ambani added.

India's economic growth has slumped to nine-year low of 5.3 percent in the quarter ended March 31. For whole fiscal 2011-12, the country's GDP expanded by a sluggish 6.5 percent, the slowest growth in almost a decade.

Ambani said despite the recent slowdown, the long-term India growth story remained intact.

"The currency difficulties faced by the Indian economy are temporary. I have full confidence in India's fundamental resilience to overcome these difficulties and emerge stronger," he said.

KABUL  - Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said on Thursday the United States was reaching the limits of its patience with Pakistan because of the safe havens the country offered to insurgents in neighbouring Afghanistan.

 It was some of the strongest language used by a U.S. official to describe the strained ties between Washington and Islamabad.

 "It is difficult to achieve peace in Afghanistan as long as there is safe haven for terrorists in Pakistan," said Panetta, speaking in the Afghan capital Kabul where he arrived for talks with military leaders amid rising violence in the war against the Taliban and a spate of deadly attacks, including a NATO air strike said to have killed 18 villagers.

 "It is very important for Pakistan to take steps. It is an increasing concern, the issue of safe haven, and we are reaching the limits of our patience," he told reporters.

 The United States has long pushed Pakistan to do more to help in the war against militancy, but the relationship has received a series of blows, not least by a unilateral U.S. raid into Pakistan to kill Osama bin Laden last year that humiliated Islamabad.

 Panetta also urged Pakistan to go after the Haqqani militant network, one of the United States' most feared enemies in Afghanistan, and said Washington would exert diplomatic pressure and take any other steps needed to protect its forces.

 "It is an increasing concern that safe havens exist and those like the Haqqanis make use of that to attack our forces," he said.

 "We are reaching the limits of our patience for that reason. It is extremely important for Pakistan to take action to prevent (giving) the Haqqanis safe havens, and for terrorists to use their country as a safety net to conduct attacks on our forces."

 The comments came as Washington appears to be looking to other allies in the region for help in the face of Pakistan's foot-dragging. Panetta arrived in Kabul after a visit to India, Pakistan's old enemy, where he urged New Delhi to take a more active role in Afghanistan.

 NATO has signed an agreement with three countries to the north of Afghanistan for land routes as the U.S.-led alliance begins a withdrawal of its forces from the country next year.

 NATO chief Anders Fogh Rasmussen said earlier this week the "reverse transit" deal was signed with Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan.

 Pakistan closed the shorter and cheaper routes through its territory last year to protest a cross-border NATO air attack that killed 24 Pakistani soldiers. Discussions to reopen the Pakistan routes have stalled.

 Other irritants in U.S.-Pakistan ties include drone attacks in the lawless areas of Pakistan near the Afghan border where several militant groups operate but seen by many Pakistanis as a violation of sovereignty.

 Washington says the attacks are crucial to attack militants and four days ago, a U.S. drone strike in northwest Pakistan killed al Qaeda's second-ranking leader, Abu Yahya al-Libi. It was the biggest blow to the militant group since the killing of bin Laden.

 Tensions between Washington and Islamabad have also flared because a Pakistani doctor accused of helping the CIA find bin Laden was jailed for 33 years for treason last month.

 FULL-SCALE

 The United States wants Pakistan to launch a full-scale offensive in the North Waziristan border region to go after the Haqqani group, which is close to the Afghan Taliban and al Qaeda.

 "We have made that clear time and time again, and will continue to make clear that it is an intolerable situation to have those people attacking our people, our forces and to have the convenience of being able to return to safe havens in Pakistan," Panetta said.

 "We intend obviously to take whatever steps necessary to protect our forces. That's a principle we always stand by. For that to happen, we have to have Pakistan cooperation to take steps to control the Haqqani threat from their side of border."

 Pakistan has strong traditional links with the Afghan Taliban and other militant groups. Islamabad denies allegations it uses them as proxies to gain leverage in Afghanistan ahead of any settlement to the war, or in case a civil war breaks out after most foreign combat troops leave in 2014.

 The South Asian nation has said its military is too stretched fighting homegrown Taliban militants to take on the Haqqanis, and it alone would decide when to take action.

 Islamabad's cooperation is considered critical to U.S. efforts to stabilise Afghanistan before most foreign combat troops withdraw. But Washington will find it difficult to persuade Pakistan to both go after the Haqqani network and re-open the supply routes.

 Anti-American feelings runs deep over issues like drones, and with a general election expected in early 2013, no politician will want to be seen as soft on the Americans.

 U.S. President Barack Obama, for his part, will have to look tough against militancy during an election year in the United States, where many people may ask why the United States backs a country where bin Laden was said to have lived for years.

WASHINGTON — The chairman of the District of Columbia Council resigned Wednesday effective immediately after being charged in federal court with lying about his income on bank loan applications.

The bank fraud charge against Kwame R. Brown, one of the most influential power brokers in the D.C. government, is the latest allegation of criminal wrongdoing to roil local politics in the nation's capital. It means further shakeup on the council.

Councilmember Phil Mendelson confirmed to The Associated Press that Brown had resigned. He had submitted a resignation letter by the end of the day.

"I have made some very serious mistakes in judgment for which I will take full responsibility," Brown wrote in a letter Wednesday to the Council secretary, a copy of which was obtained by the AP. He added later, "I have behaved in ways that I should not have. I was wrong, and I will face the consequences of that conduct."

Council chair pro tempore Mary Cheh said in a statement Wednesday night that she wanted to assure D.C. residents "the work of the Council will continue uninterrupted." She said she would convene a special council meeting for June 13 to elect an interim chair.

Brown becomes the second councilmember to face criminal charges since January. His departure comes as federal authorities continue investigating the 2010 campaign of Mayor Vincent Gray.

The 41-year-old Brown was charged in a criminal information, a document that generally signals that a defendant has agreed to plead guilty. A plea hearing is set for Friday in U.S. District Court in Washington.

On Wednesday, he declined to answer questions or comment on the case following a closed-door meeting with fellow councilmembers. Brown's lawyer, Frederick Cooke, declined comment, and the U.S. Attorney's office said it would have no comment.

Brown is charged with a single count of bank fraud, accused of overstating his income by tens of thousands of dollars on applications submitted for a home equity loan and for a boat. Though federal bank fraud carries up to 30 years in prison, Brown is likely to receive a much shorter sentence for his cooperation with prosecutors.

Federal authorities had also been investigating Brown for alleged financial improprieties in his 2008 campaign, but Wednesday's charge is unrelated and focuses solely on his personal financial dealings.

"I'm shocked by the news; I am disappointed and saddened," Gray, who preceded Brown as council chairman and served alongside him, said in a written statement. He added, "I served with him my entire time on the Council. Never would I have imagined something like this would occur."

Political consultant Tom Lindenfeld, who is friends with Brown, said the criminal charge did nothing to clean up perceived municipal corruption since it dealt with Brown's personal, rather than public, life.

"I think that if we're going to take people who have been arrested out of office, it should (be for) public corruption, and I don't see it here," he said.

Either way, the charge and Brown's resignation create further tumult in D.C. politics.

It comes six months after then-Councilmember Harry Thomas Jr. pleaded guilty to embezzling more than $350,000 in government funds earmarked for youth sports and arts programs. He resigned and was sentenced to more than three years in prison.

Thomas was replaced on the council in a special election last month.

Two former Gray campaign aides pleaded guilty in a separate investigation last month on charges stemming from illicit payments made to encourage a minor candidate in the 2010 race to criticize then-incumbent Adrian Fenty. One aide, Howard Brooks, admitted lying to the FBI about the payments while the other, Thomas Gore, admitted to funneling the payments and destroying evidence of the transactions. Gray has denied wrongdoing.

The D.C. Council is an unusual governmental body, functioning as both a municipal board and a state legislature. Its 13 members vote on legislation and a multi-billion-dollar budget that touches all corners of city life. The chairman has special powers as well, doling out committee assignments, convening meetings, overseeing the budget process and introducing legislation at the mayor's behest.

Under D.C. regulations, the Board of Elections would certify the seat as vacant within five working days of receiving notice of Brown's resignation. An interim council chairman will be selected from among four at-large councilmembers at a meeting scheduled for June 13.

A special election to fill Brown's seat would likely take place in this fall.

D.C. Councilmember Jim Graham, speaking before the council meeting, said the charge ends what had been a period of uncertainty.

"It's an opportunity for real change," he said, adding that he was hopeful about the future.

"I believe, though, optimistically, that we have the resources within the council, within this government, to pull out of this and to reach a point ... where something positive is going to happen," he said

Brown, a native Washingtonian who says he's worked to revitalize neighborhoods and strengthen environmental laws, was elected to the council in 2004 and ascended to chairman in January 2011, after Gray became mayor.

He stumbled early last year, when he gave back under pressure a fully loaded Lincoln Navigator SUV that he had specifically requested and that cost the city nearly $2,000 a month. His staff had already rejected one SUV because it didn't have the interior he wanted. A report from a fellow councilmember found that Brown had "inappropriately requested" the SUV and that city officials broke the law by leasing it to him.

As buzz for "The Dark Knight Rises" continues to build, we are learning that Catwoman and Bane were not necessarily Warner Brothers' first choice to represent the villainous vibes of Christopher Nolan's Batman trilogy finale.

Instead, the studio had envisioned Leonardo DiCaprio in the role of the Riddler (made famous by Jim Carrey in "Batman Forever" and also by Frank Gorshin and John Astin in the '60s television series).


"Rises" screenwriter David Goyer recently revealed to Empire magazine (print edition, via What Culture) that the studio essentially thrust the idea of DiCaprio as the Riddler upon he and Nolan after the release of 2008's "The Dark Knight"... around the same time Nolan was pitching "Inception" to them, in which DiCaprio starred.

WB's top execs said, according to Goyer: "Obviously it's gonna be The Riddler, and we want it to be Leonardo DiCaprio."


In an interesting twist, the DiCaprio proposal -- while ultimately unsuccessful for unknown reasons -- may have spawned other casting choices. You see, much of the "Inception" cast carries over into "Rises": Tom Hardy, Marion Cotillard, Michael Caine, and Joseph Gordon-Levitt -- who was originally thought to be cast as the Riddler.

Goyer also revealed in his Empire interview that the ending of "Rises" was conceived at the outset of his partnership with Nolan in the film franchise (via Screen Rant):

"The final scene of 'The Dark Knight Rises' is exactly [the] scene we talked about [when Christopher Nolan and I started the trilogy with 'Batman Begins']. It remained completely unchanged. We both knew in our hearts that we were onto something special. I have to tell you, having finally seen everything strung together a little while ago and seeing that scene, I got a complete lump in my throat."

The proverbial lump in the throat -- along with other widespread speculation -- has had film geeks pondering for months whether Batman lives or dies in "Rises." No one, so far, has a definitive answer. (Thank god! -- That would be too much of a spoiler in my opinion.)

While this is Nolan's final bow with Batman, the franchise could continue -- as it has for the past 20 plus years. Don't rule DiCaprio out for future Riddler roles.

"Rises" opens in theaters July 20.

As the saying goes, no good deed goes unpunished — which Charlize Theron learned the hard way recently when she auctioned off a date for charity and found herself in a creepy situation.

"It [was] like the worst idea ever," the 36-year-old "Prometheus" star told host Conan O'Brien on his TBS talk show Tuesday night. "It's one of those things, I was like: Yeah, I am a dumb blonde. Who does that? Who says yes?"

The single mom, who adopted a son named Jackson earlier this year, says that she initially agreed to go on a date with the highest bidder to help benefit a good cause. However, she didn't think through the decision and quickly regretted it. "They trick you with the 'people are suffering' thing," she said. "Then you fall for it and before you know it you're at a restaurant with some stranger. Like you could end up in [serial killer Jeffrey] Dahmer's apartment!"


When O'Brien pressed for details about the "date," she replied, "Please don't call it a date. I went to dinner with a strange man. I was so scared actually that I made two of my girlfriends go and sit at the restaurant while I was there. The closer I got to it happening I thought: This could turn out really bad. Rich people can be creeps, too! … Look, I'd rather just give the money [to charity]. It was a scary thing. And he was weird!"

Theron didn't go into further detail about how her dinner date was "weird," probably because she didn't want to embarrass him more than she already had.

The Academy Award winning actress' latest film, sci-fi flick "Prometheus," opens Friday.

Many Bond fans know the Aston Martin depicted in the above photo for the upcoming "Skyfall" installment is the same make and model -- and even color -- as the car that Sean Connery drove when he played Bond back in the '60s. But one savvy fan noticed even more similarity -- the license plate.

Going only by the username Cawrl on social media site Reddit, he or she posted a then-and-now image of the car noting, "It's little details like this that gives me hope for Skyfall! (license plate)."

The Aston Martin DB5 in the Daniel Craig photo has the license plate number BMT 216A as does the one in the Sean Connery photo (below) from 1964's "Goldfinger." (The car was also used in 1965's "Thunderball.") The Connery-era car was customized with gadgets - including a rotating license plate and a passenger ejection seat. The car was later resold (in real life) and, changing ownership again in 2010 when Ohio businessman Harry Yeaggy bought it for $4.6 million, with its original gadgetry still intact. It is set to go on display in England's Cholmondeley Pageant -- along with other Bond cars -- in a few days.


We posted both Bond car photos on Facebook and the new school Bond's use of old gear received an overwhelmingly positive fan response. Brinke Guthrie keenly commented: "In 'Casino Royale,' he was shown to have won it in a poker game... and it was an American [left] hand drive. Now, mysteriously, the same car as the steering wheel... on the [right]." A voice of dissent came from Adrian Castillo: "Sorry, I know alot [sic] of people like the new bond [sic], but it's just not as fun anymore. Plus 007 never drank heineken [sic]. Classic car, but a new drink? Way to ruin bond! [sic]" (Castillo is referring to the fact that Daniel Craig will be taking a swig from a Heiny in the next film, in theaters November 9.)

And while we don't know exactly what the car will do to drive the plot of "Skyfall" (yes, I went there), we do know Bond is, at least, partially set in London -- thus, presumably, the right-hand steering wheel. Moreover, Bond appears to be quite shaken and stirred by an old memory. Given the evidence, expect at least one cool vintage Aston Martin driving scene during the London-set part of the film.

Back in the mid-'90s, someone posted a classified ad in "Backwoods Homes" magazine reading: "Wanted: Somebody to go back in time with me. This is not a joke. You'll get paid after we get back. Must bring your own weapons. I have only done this once before. Safety not guaranteed." Screenwriter Derek Connolly reportedly uncovered the ad and immediately started spinning it into a script. It's a brilliant premise that cries out for a Charlie Kaufman-style head trip. The resulting movie, "Safety Not Guaranteed," however, is more quirky than crazy.


The film centers on Darius (Aubrey Plaza), a cynical intern for a Seattle weekly who is still reeling from the sudden, violent death of her mother years prior. When Jeff (Jake Johnson), a reporter for the magazine, pitches the above classified ad as an article, Darius and fellow intern Arnau (Karan Soni) soon find themselves on the road to investigate. She quickly discovers that the author of the ad is Kenneth (Mark Duplass), a goofy paranoid who may or may not be making a time machine. Kenneth takes Darius under his wing, and soon his childlike intensity and inept displays of kung fu crack Darius's thick emotional shell.

With improbably huge eyes and a mouth that seems to be perpetually twisted between a smirk and a sneer, Plaza has played the weird, deadpan girl over and over, taking roles in everything from "Scott Pilgrim" to the TV series "Parks and Recreation" to this year's delightful "Damsels in Distress." In this film, Plaza gets to stretch her acting range beyond that stock role, and she shows off layers of warmth and vulnerability that her earlier roles only hinted at. It's a great transition to watch, and it's the reason to see the film.

Duplass's Kenneth is essentially the same lovable man-child that seems to be in a lot of American indie movies these days; think Jonah Hill's character in "Cyrus" or Jason Segal's character in "Jeff, Who Lives at Home." Both of those movies were written and directed by Duplass, who also executive-produced this flick. The difference is that man-children were at the center of those films; "Safety" solidly belongs to Darius. Kenneth plays essentially the male version of the "Manic Pixie Dream Girl" (a Manic Pixie Dream Dude?) -- a quirky, half-baked character who exists to help the lead embrace life. That gender reversal departs from the formula of other indie flicks, making the film much more interesting. That being said, "Safety Not Guaranteed" is a charming little movie that, in the end, feels a bit too safe.

If teaming up worked for Iron Man, Thor and The Hulk, it has to work for Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman, right?

Warner Bros. Pictures seems to think so, as Variety reported yesterday that the studio has hired a new writer to bring DC Comics' "Justice League" to the big screen.  Just as "The Avengers" assembled the biggest heroes from Marvel Comics, "Justice League" would see DC's iconic characters joining forces to save the world.  (DC Comics is a division of Warner Bros. Entertainment.)  The fact that "The Avengers" is now the third highest-grossing film of all time with $1.3 billion worldwide seems to have reignited the fire to get the other legendary superhero team up on movie screens.


Variety's report states that Will Beall, who wrote the upcoming "Gangster Squad" (starring Ryan Gosling and Josh Brolin) for Warner Bros., has been hired to take on the screenplay.  Beall previously wrote for TV's "Castle," but he has also been announced as the writer for new movie versions of "Logan's Run" and "Lethal Weapon 5."

While interest in a "Justice League" movie has certainly been rekindled by the record-breaking success of "The Avengers," the project has been in the works for several years.  Director George Miller ("Mad Max," "Happy Feet") was hired for the film in the fall of 2007, with production scheduled to begin the next year for a planned 2009 release.

The original plan was to have a completely fresh cast of actors take on the comic book roles, separate from any existing franchise. Unlike "The Avengers," where the original stars returned, this would have a different cast (so no Christian Bale as Batman). At the time, Armie Hammer ("The Social Network") was attached to play Batman, with D.J. Cotrona as Superman, Adam Brody as the Flash, and Megan Gale as Wonder Woman.


The Writer's Guild strike in late 2007 put a halt to the project, however.  The production went into an indefinite hiatus, with George Miller moving on to a new "Mad Max" reboot, which is scheduled to start filming soon.  In the intervening years, Warner Bros. released the disappointing "Green Lantern," with "The Dark Knight Rises" coming this summer and the new Superman film "The Man of Steel" slated for next June.

That wasn't the first time Warner Bros. tried and failed to get DC's heaviest hitters together in one movie.  In the early 2000s, the studio developed "Batman Vs. Superman," which would have pitted the two heroes against each other (though in the end they would team up to take on Lex Luthor). Josh Hartnett was rumored for Superman, with Colin Farrell considered for Batman. But that was eventually shelved in favor of Christopher Nolan's "Batman Begins."


Currently, there isn't a director, cast or release date for "Justice League," but summer of 2014 seems like it would be the earliest we could expect to see it. There are also a host of individual DC superhero movies in development, including the Flash, Wonder Woman, and Lobo.

It's also unclear if Warner Bros. still plans to keep the "Justice League" as a separate continuity from the standalone movies, or integrate them the way Marvel built up to "The Avengers." When Joss Whedon, the director of "The Avengers" was asked if he had any advice for the people making "Justice League," he jokingly answered, "Call me."  He followed it by saying that it's harder to bring DC characters to the screen than Marvel since they are "from an old, bygone era" where heroes were less flawed and grounded. And Whedon would know, since he tried to bring "Wonder Woman" to the screen in another project that stalled out several years ago.

Which DC Comics characters would you most like to see in a "Justice League" movie, and who would you want to play them? Tell us in the comments.