The web is abuzz with reports that Britney Spears will not return to the judging panel of The X Factor US next season. "Britney will get the boot," a source told US Weekly, claiming the pop star had not earned her US$15 million (Dh55m) paycheck for the show. In an interview with E! Online, the show's producer and head judge Simon Cowell said: "I don't know yet, to be honest with you. I haven't had the conversation with her whether she'd want to, what other commitments she's got." - IANS
McConaughey welcomes baby son
Matthew McConaughey and his wife Camila Alves have welcomed another son to their family, the actor announced on Twitter on Saturday. "Camila gave birth to our third child yesterday, Livingston Alves McConaughey. Happy new year and just keep living," McConaughey, 43, posted. The couple, who married in June, are parents to Levi, 4, and Vida, 2. - IANS
Quentin Tarantino to be honoured in Italy
Quentin Tarantino will be honoured with a lifetime achievement award by the Rome Film Festival on Friday. The award ceremony will take place alongside the European premiere of his new film Django Unchained. The veteran Italian film composer Ennio Morricone, who composed Django's music, will present the award to the director. "Quentin Tarantino's vision has radically influenced our collective imagery over the past 20 years," said the festival's head, Marco Mueller. - IANS
Taylor Swift continues Billboard chart reign
Taylor Swift retained the top spot of the Billboard 200 album chart this week after strong sales during the holiday season that helped her album Red mark its sixth week at No 1 since its release two months ago. The rapper TI's new album, Trouble Man: Heavy is the Head, came in at No 2. Other acts that placed in the top 10 are Mumford & Sons, One Direction and Michael Bublé. - Reuters
Haiti leader sings with Julio Iglesias
Haiti's president performed a duet on Friday with the Spanish crooner Julio Iglesias in a celebrity-studded concert in the Dominican Republic to help raise money for impoverished children. Among the attendees were the fashion designers Oscar de la Renta and Carolina Herrera and the journalist Barbara Walters. President Michel Martelly, better known by his stage name of "Sweet Micky", thanked Iglesias for doing the concert. "I've been a singer my whole life but I never thought I'd be here next to you, singing," Martelly told him. - AP
Naga
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if you go
The flights Fly Dubai, Air Arabia, Emirates, Etihad, and Royal Jordanian all offer direct, three-and-a-half-hour flights from the UAE to the Jordanian capital Amman. Alternatively, from June Fly Dubai will offer a new direct service from Dubai to Aqaba in the south of the country. See the airlines’ respective sites for varying prices or search on reliable price-comparison site Skyscanner.
The trip
Jamie Lafferty was a guest of the Jordan Tourist Board. For more information on adventure tourism in Jordan see Visit Jordan. A number of new and established tour companies offer the chance to go caving, rock-climbing, canyoning, and mountaineering in Jordan. Prices vary depending on how many activities you want to do and how many days you plan to stay in the country. Among the leaders are Terhaal, who offer a two-day canyoning trip from Dh845 per person. If you really want to push your limits, contact the Stronger Team. For a more trek-focused trip, KE Adventure offers an eight-day trip from Dh5,300 per person.
KINGDOM%20OF%20THE%20PLANET%20OF%20THE%20APES
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The Buckingham Murders
Starring: Kareena Kapoor Khan, Ash Tandon, Prabhleen Sandhu
Director: Hansal Mehta
Rating: 4 / 5
The Perfect Couple
Starring: Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber, Jack Reynor
Creator: Jenna Lamia
Rating: 3/5
Leading all-time NBA scorers
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 38,387
Karl Malone 36,928
Kobe Bryant 33,643
Michael Jordan 32,292
LeBron James 31,425
Wilt Chamberlain 31,419
The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre 4-cylinder petrol
Power: 154bhp
Torque: 250Nm
Transmission: 7-speed automatic with 8-speed sports option
Price: From Dh79,600
On sale: Now
The specs
Engine: 2-litre or 3-litre 4Motion all-wheel-drive Power: 250Nm (2-litre); 340 (3-litre) Torque: 450Nm Transmission: 8-speed automatic Starting price: From Dh212,000 On sale: Now
From Europe to the Middle East, economic success brings wealth - and lifestyle diseases
A rise in obesity figures and the need for more public spending is a familiar trend in the developing world as western lifestyles are adopted.
One in five deaths around the world is now caused by bad diet, with obesity the fastest growing global risk. A high body mass index is also the top cause of metabolic diseases relating to death and disability in Kuwait, Qatar and Oman – and second on the list in Bahrain.
In Britain, heart disease, lung cancer and Alzheimer’s remain among the leading causes of death, and people there are spending more time suffering from health problems.
The UK is expected to spend $421.4 billion on healthcare by 2040, up from $239.3 billion in 2014.
And development assistance for health is talking about the financial aid given to governments to support social, environmental development of developing countries.
Copa del Rey
Semi-final, first leg
Barcelona 1 (Malcom 57')
Real Madrid (Vazquez 6')
Second leg, February 27
Company%20Profile
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The specs: 2019 Subaru Forester
Price, base: Dh105,900 (Premium); Dh115,900 (Sport)
Engine: 2.5-litre four-cylinder
Transmission: Continuously variable transmission
Power: 182hp @ 5,800rpm
Torque: 239Nm @ 4,400rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 8.1L / 100km (estimated)
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BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE
Starring: Winona Ryder, Michael Keaton, Jenny Ortega
Director: Tim Burton
Rating: 3/5
