Bangladesh photographer sacked over viral kiss photo

Dhaka: A renowned Bangladesh photographer on Sunday said he has been the victim of “unwanted cruelty” after being sacked over an image of a couple kissing that raised a social media storm in the conservative nation. The Purboposhchimbd news portal said Jibon Ahmed was “not fit” to work for the company because of doubts about whether the kiss image was staged. The couple were snapped kissing in monsoon rain on the steps of the Dhaka University campus. He posted it-with the caption “Songs of rains-let love be free”-on his Facebook page while the news portal also used it. AFP

Pierce Brosnan: #MeToo won’t change James Bond

London: James Bond star Pierce Brosnan hopes #MeToo will bring “more respect” between the genders but he does not think the movement will change Agent 007’s character. The actor, who has played the casanova British spy in four films of the franchise, said he is unaware if the new Bond films will incorporate the tectonic shift brought about by the post Harvey Weinstein sexual harassment scandal.   Asked if he thought Bond can survive #MeToo, Brosnan said: “Well, I have no idea if the new films are going to address these social issues. I think Bond will continue in the same vein”. PTI

Worms frozen for 42,000 years come back to life

Moscow: A sample of microscopic worms that were suspended in a deep freeze in Siberia for 42,000 years have come back to life after being defrosted, scientists say. The findings represent the first evidence of multicellular organisms returning to life after spending a long period in Arctic permafrost. Nematodes are tiny worms that typically measure about 1 mm in length, and are known to have impressive abilities. Some are found living 1.3 km below Earth’s surface, deeper than any other multicellular animal. PTI

George Michael leaves nothing to lover Fawaz in will 

London:Singer-songwriter George Michael has left nothing to lover Fadi Fawaz in his will. His money is going to charities, his sisters and staff, reports The Sun. The will includes a housekeeper from his North London home and another at Goring, Oxfordshire. Andros, the singer’s closest childhood friend, said most of the multi-million fortune will go to charities and Michael’s sisters Yioda, 58, and Melanie, 56. The “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go” singer was found dead aged 53 on Christmas Day 2016. IANS