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Actors Urvashi Rautela and Sonu Sood were recently summoned and questioned by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with a widening investigation into the promotion of illegal online betting platforms. The probe focuses on celebrity endorsements of apps that allegedly operated in violation of Indian gambling laws.

Urvashi Rautela, Sonu Sood questioned by ED in online betting app investigation; Yuvraj Singh, Rana Daggubati also under scanner: Reports

According to NDTV Profit, the ED is scrutinising the duo’s affiliations with certain online gambling websites. Reports suggest that Urvashi and Sonu were questioned regarding their endorsement contracts and promotional roles tied to betting apps, including surrogate platforms such as “1xbat,” which allegedly redirected users through QR codes and web links to 1xBet—a gambling site banned in India.

An official from the ED, quoted by News18, stated, “These platforms have gained massive visibility by partnering with celebrities and influencers — even in defiance of explicit government bans.” So far, neither Urvashi Rautela nor Sonu Sood’s teams have released official statements on the matter.

The investigation also includes other public figures from the entertainment and sports industries. Cricketers Yuvraj Singh, Harbhajan Singh, and Suresh Raina were also called in for questioning. The ED believes endorsements from such high-profile names played a pivotal role in lending credibility and visibility to the banned platforms, thereby facilitating large-scale user engagement and, in turn, financial fraud.

In March this year, an FIR was lodged in Hyderabad against 25 celebrities for promoting illegal betting platforms. The list includes actors and public figures such as Nidhi Agarwal, Vijay Deverakonda, Rana Daggubati, Prakash Raj, Manchu Lakshmi, and Praneetha.

Also Read: Rana Daggubati and his team issue ‘clarification statement’ after Telangana Police files FIR against celebs for promoting illegal betting apps

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EXCLUSIVE: Former Celebrity Big Brother and I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! star Kim Woodburn insisted her reality television days were not over just months before her death

Kim Woodburn provided some of the most dramatic moments in British reality television, before her tragic death aged 83. Back in 2017, she seemingly didn’t go a day without arguing with one of her Celebrity Big Brother co-stars, in one of show’s most memorable series.

Kim particularly clashed with Nicola McLean, and had further rows with the likes of Jamie O’Hara and Coleen Nolan. At one point during a heated argument in the famous house’s bedroom, security were forced to intervene and drag her away from the drama.

After the series concluded, Kim accused her housemates of bullying, which they have all denied. Despite this, the reality star said she wouldn’t rule out a return if the show did an all-star series.

This however came with one condition – that her former housemates wouldn’t be living with her. In our interview with the star last year, we asked if she’d be up for the experience in the house again. She replied: “I wouldn’t go back with the cast I had in there”, before going on to brand them “rotten pigs”.

She added: “If any of them were in there that I knew, that were ganging up on me, I’m not going to give myself punishment. I like the money, but I’m not going to work with trash like that ever again.

“But I’d go back in if most of them are who I haven’t been in with. I wouldn’t want to sit in the same house as them, why would I?”

Kim admitted she had signed up to the likes of Celebrity Big Brother and I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! for the money, and slammed those who claim they did it “for the experience”.

Reflecting on her stint in the house, she added: “I didn’t go in to win, I went in for the money. Thank you television, you paid me lots of money. I wouldn’t have gone on it if I didn’t get paid a large amount.

“I wouldn’t have gone in the jungle [either]. Who’s going to eat a flipping lamb’s testicle in the jungle if you’re not paid heaps of money?”.

Following her time on Celebrity Big Brother, Kim’s feud with the series winner Coleen continued during an episode of Loose Women. Producers claimed that they invited her onto the panel to bury the hatchet with Coleen, but this instantly backfired.

Just minutes into the interview, a row between them erupted which prompted Coleen’s co-stars and sister Linda to get involved.

As part of their exchange, the panellist said her biggest mistake was not telling Kim “how vile she was from day one”. Hitting back, the former How Clean Is Your House? star said she “was very upset” on the show and pretended she wasn’t.

She went on to accuse her co-stars of picking on her, adding: “This one [pointing to Coleen], ‘Cup of tea Kim, cup of tea?’ everyday and behind my back they were slagging me off.

“I don’t want to draw a line under it…I will never forget what the likes of this one and seven others put me through…I will never forget it because it was sad, awful and it was b****y cruel!”.

On reflection, Coleen later said she wished their reunion never happened, and claimed it almost caused her to step away from showbiz.

According to the Daily Mail, she added: “And then I thought…’I’m not going to let Kim Woodburn finish my career…she’s a cleaning lady!”.

News of Kim’s death was announced on Tuesday by her manager. A statement issued to press reads: “It is with immense sadness that we let you know our beloved Kim Woodburn passed away yesterday following a short illness. Kim was an incredibly kind, caring, charismatic and strong person.

“Her husband, Peter, is heartbroken at the loss of his soulmate. We are so proud of the amazing things Kim achieved in her life and career. We kindly ask that Kim’s husband and close friends are given the time and privacy they need to grieve. We will not be releasing any further details.”

Rebel Wilson could have been permanently disfigured after a horrific accident took place on the sets of Bride Hard. The actress, who is set to play the role of Sam in the upcoming movie, recalled getting whacked in the face by a gun, leaving her in a pool of blood.

While in a conversation with Access Hollywood, the Pitch Perfect alum revealed that following the “freak accident,” she was rushed to a plastic surgeon, or could have ruined the shape of her face permanently. 

The actress further stated that she sustained the injury during a mishap while rehearsing fight choreography.

Rebel Wilson talks about sustaining a massive injury

While sitting down for an interview with the media portal, Rebel Wilson claimed that her nose was split open on the last night of her shoot for Bride Hard.

The actress said, “In a fight scene, a gun accidentally got whacked across my face.” Wilson further added, “It was just a freak accident, and my nose got split open, so I left the set. It was really my last night of shooting. I was like, ‘How unlucky can I be?’”

Moreover, the mother of one shared that the accident occurred during the final fight sequence, leaving her in a “pool of blood.” 

Explaining her being rushed to the plastic surgeon, the actress revealed, “I was freaking out. They take an ambulance, and they have to call a plastic surgeon, because if they didn’t, I would have been permanently disfigured. So we got the plastic surgeon; they did all the stitches, and you can’t tell now, really, you can’t tell.”

What is Bride Hard about?

As for Rebel Wilson’s upcoming movie, helmed by Simon West, Bride Hard will revolve around Sam, an undercover agent and a bridesmaid.

For the plot, the official synopsis states that after blowing off her bridesmaid duties, she sets out to fulfill her agent duties as an International spy. Moreover, the description also states that the character is “ready to rain hellfire upon anyone who would ruin her best friend’s wedding.”

The cast, alongside Wilson, includes Anna Camp, Anna Chlumsky, Da’Vine Joy Randolph, Gigi Zumbado, Sherry Cola, and Stephen Dorff.

Bride Hard will release in theaters on June 20.

ALSO READ: Rebel Wilson Ties The Knot With Fiance Ramona Agruma; All We Know About Their Destination Wedding

COLUMBUS, Ohio — A former Ohio doctor who was fired before being found not guilty on murder charges in the deaths of 14 patients lost a defamation lawsuit against his former employers on Monday, after a judge stepped in for a jury on grounds the evidence presented by the defendants was incontrovertible.

Franklin County Judge Stephen McIntosh issued his directed verdict against former doctor William Husel, whose attorneys accused Michigan-based Trinity Health and Mount Carmel Health System in Columbus of orchestrating a campaign to destroy his reputation.

Husel was seeking more than $18 million from the health care companies.

His attorney, David Vermillion, said in a statement that Husel’s legal team was disappointed that McIntosh would prevent the jury from making a decision in the case after weeks of evidence and testimony had been presented. He said issuing the directed verdict, a procedural move requested by the hospital, “effectively silences the voices of those who came seeking justice.”

“This is not the outcome that any reasonable person expected, nor is it one that reflects the strength of the evidence presented,” he said. “We are evaluating all legal options, including appeal. This case has always been about more than one courtroom or one ruling. It is about truth, accountability, and the right of every individual to defend their name against false and damaging accusations.”

Mount Carmel issued a statement that said simply, “We are pleased with the judge’s decision.”

Mount Carmel Health System fired the doctor in 2018 after it concluded he had ordered excessive painkillers for about three dozen patients who died over several years.

He initially was charged with murder in 25 deaths in one of the biggest cases of its kind ever brought against a U.S. health care professional. Eleven counts were dismissed before trial.

Husel, now 49, maintained he was trying to help patients deal with their pain, sometimes in the last moments of their life, not speed up their deaths. Despite being found not guilty by a jury on murder charges in 2022, he permanently surrendered his medical license.

He filed multiple lawsuits against his former employer, accusing Trinity Health and Mount Carmel of defamation and malicious prosecution.

As part of the defamation lawsuit filed in 2019, Husel’s attorneys said Trinity Health repeatedly spread lies and false information to convince the public and law enforcement that Husel was a killer, even though health system officials knew that was not true.

“Obviously, these false allegations destroyed Dr. Husel’s life,” the lawsuit said. Husel gave up his medical license because his lawyers said that he knew the damage to his reputation would prevent him from working as a doctor.

In court documents filed two years ago, Husel said he had been unable to find work and was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder and depression.

Trinity Health had asked a judge to toss the lawsuit, but a Franklin County judge ruled there was enough reason to move forward.

Husel, who worked in the intensive care unit, was charged in cases that involved the use of at least 500 micrograms of the powerful painkiller fentanyl. Prosecutors said ordering such dosages for nonsurgical situations indicated an intent to end lives.

His colleagues who administered the medications at Mount Carmel West Hospital in Columbus weren’t criminally charged, but the hospital said it fired 23 nurses, pharmacists and managers after its internal investigation and referred various employees to their respective state boards for disciplinary action.

The hospital reached settlements in multiple cases involving relatives of the patients who died.

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Seewer reported from Toledo.