Big crowd gathers to see Deepika Padukone in capital

Mumbai, June 26: Braving the heat, hundreds of onlookers thronged the capital’s Connaught Place area on Thursday to catch a glimpse of Bollywood actress Deepika Padukone, who came to launch a new boutique of Swiss watch brand Tissot and its new range of watches.

The pressure of the crowd, who waited for almost an hour in the extreme heat to see the 23-year-old actress, was so much that even the elaborate flower decorations outside the store, came off the poles.

Berri re-elected Lebanon speaker

Beirut, June 26: Lebanese lawmakers overwhelmingly re-elected a pro-Hezbollah Parliament speaker yesterday despite the group’s recent election loss, signaling that the political factions are moving toward a unity government.

Lebanese leaders have been looking for a fresh start after a divisive election. The June 7 vote brought victory for the Western-backed coalition, which fought off a strong challenge from Hezbollah and its allies. But it also underscored the deep divisions among the Lebanese.

Salman-Katrina fake MMS video doing rounds

Mumbai, June 26: A sex video featuring the look-alikes of Bollywood stars Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif has reportedly surfaced in Canada.Going by the reports so far, the amateur video is doubtlessly a fake. It features a male and a female pretending to look like Salman and Katrina through their wigs and make-up. The couple indulges in hardcore sex in the video.

Moreover, an MMS clip from the same video is being circulated among youngsters.

SRK-Salman on Farah’s show?

Mumbai, June 26: Oh What am I hearing now?! The two warring Khans are together again and good friend Farah is responsible for bringing them together. After all the public display of anger at Katrina’s birthday bash, news of them coming together on a project seems not litte strange. But apparently Farah has made it possible.

Farah, who spends more time judging reality shows these days is set to host a talk show which will feature Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan in different episodes. Oh! Did I forget to mention that? Never mind.

Tennis instructor charged in rape of teen

Washington, June 26: A hotshot tennis star who teaches teens at a Weymouth private club has been charged with raping a female high school student who took private lessons from him, the Herald has learned.

Louis Desmarteaux, a 24-year-old college tennis champ who was the only American in this year’s amateur Australian Open, is still teaching at the family-oriented Weymouth Club, despite facing charges he repeatedly raped and sexually assaulted a 15-year-old girl last year, according to prosecutors and a source close to the situation.

Assam Governor, died

New Delhi, Jun 26 (UNI) Assam Governor Shiv Charan Mathur died following heart failure at a hospital here, officials said. He was 83. An Assam government spokesperson said Mathur died at the Fortis Hospital at 2015 hrs, following respiratory failure. He said, ”The Governor complained of respiratory trouble in the evening and was shifted to the Fortis Hospital and he passed away soon after.”

King of Pop is dead

Los Angeles, June 26: Pop star Michael Jackson died Thursday following a cardiac arrest at his home in Los Angeles, officials said. He was 50. The King of Pop, whose life of stardom and scandal kept him permanently in the headlines, was found unconscious at his rented Bel Air mansion and was rushed to the UCLA Medical Centre.

“We were notified by LAPD that Michael Jackson was transferred from his house to the hospital,” said Los Angeles County Coroner Fred Corral. “He was unresponsive and pronounced dead at approximately 2.26 this afternoon.”

Kasab Suffering From Stomach Ulcer

Mumbai, June 26: Pakistani terrorist Mohammed Ajmal Amir Kasab is suffering from stomach ulcer and was being treated by a jail doctor, a special court trying him in 26/11 terror attack case was informed on Thursday.

As the court was recording evidence of a witness, Kasab stood up in the dock and complained to judge M.L. Tahaliyani that he was suffering from stomach pain.

Special Public Prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam informed the court that Kasab had a similar complaint some time back and was examined by a jail doctor who had diagnosed it as ulcer.

Thief nabbed selling stolen mower to owner

Berlin, June 26: A thief in Germany was arrested after he tried to sell a garden mower online to the man he had stolen it from, police said Wednesday.

“The owner went to inspect the goods and recognized the mower as his own,” said a spokesman for police in the southern town of Tuebingen. “Then he left and told police.”

Officers confronted the 46-year-old suspect, who confessed to stealing the mower from a shed in February. He later put it for sale on internet auction site eBay, the spokesman said.

–Agencies–

‘Saif is my past…’

Mumbai, June 26: Amrita Singh reacts to rumours that Khan’s break-up with Italian girlfriend Rosa Catalano was because of their ‘renewed’ friendship.

When a much-in-the-news couple breaks up, a lot is made of their parting and the blame game begins. Everyone, from the former partner to the family and sometimes even close friends, is to blame.

So when Saif Ali Khan and his girlfriend of two years Rosa Catalano decided to part ways, ex-wife Amrita Singh, his family and even Rosa’s budding television career were put in the dock.

‘Not my business’

Indian films on terror are often jingoistic: Kabir Khan

Mumbai, June 26: Filmmaker Kabir Khan, whose latest venture “New York” highlights prejudices in the US after the 9/11 attacks, says Indian films made on terrorism are often “jingoistic” but maintains that his take on the issue would provide a balanced view.

“Unfortunately, films on terrorism in our country are often high-pitched and jingoistic. And that’s counter-productive. My film, I’d like to believe, is a very balanced view of terrorism,” Kabir told IANS in an interview.

‘Love Aaj Kal’ has peppy, soulful numbers

Mumbai, June 26: After the hit score of “Jab We Met”, director Imtiaz Ali has collaborated with Pritam yet again for the music of Saif Ali Khan’s production debut “Love Aaj Kal”. Pritam has left no stone unturned in creating soulful melodies.

The film that stars Saif and Deepika Padukone has seven originals and three remixes in the soundtrack.

Violence Rocks Iraq as US Prepares to Withdraw from Cities

Baghdad, June 26: Iraqi officials say an explosion tore through a bus station in Baghdad Thursday, killing two people and wounding at least 30 others. It is the latest violence to hit Iraq just days before U.S. forces withdraw from urban areas.

At least four police officers were killed in attacks in Fallujah, west of the capital.

And in eastern Baghdad, the U.S military said nine U.S. soldiers were wounded Thursday when two roadside bombs hit their patrol.

US Protests Chinese Computer Sales Requirement

Washington, June 26: The Obama administration has lodged a formal protest with the Chinese government over its plan to require that all computers sold in China after July 1 come with software that blocks access to certain Internet websites. U.S. officials say the software, ostensibly designed to protect children from Internet pornography, has broader censorship capability.

US Lawmakers Reject Amendment Calling for an Exit Strategy from Afghanistan

Washington, June 26: As members of the U.S. Congress ask questions about the Obama administration’s strategy in Afghanistan, the House of Representatives has turned back an effort to require a report from President Obama on his exit strategy from Afghanistan.

With the United States preparing to send billions of additional dollars to Afghanistan and Pakistan in coming years, there is concern across the political spectrum that the U.S. might become mired in a costly, long-term military engagement in both places.

Windows 7 pricing announced

London, June 26: Microsoft, the world’s largest software company, has announced pricing for Windows 7, the long awaited replacement for the much disliked Windows Vista operating system.

Starting Friday consumers can pre-order Windows 7 for the next two weeks at discounts of more than 50 percent, while buyers of new computers running Windows Vista will be entitled to a free upgrade once the new operating system is released.

Woman dies on board AirTran flight: officials

Philadelphia, June 26: An AirTran Airways passenger plane made an emergency landing at Philadelphia International Airport on Thursday after an elderly woman died on board, officials say.

The flight, AirTran Airways flight 664, departed Westchester County Airport in New York at 1.18 p.m. local time and was bound for West Palm Beach International Airport in Florida when one of the passenger reported heart problems to the flight attendant.

King of Pop, Michael Jackson, died

Los Angeles, June 26: Pop star Michael Jackson died Thursday following a cardiac arrest at his home in Los Angeles, officials said. He was 50.The King of Pop, whose life of stardom and scandal kept him permanently in the headlines, was found unconscious at his rented Bel Air mansion and was rushed to the UCLA Medical Centre.

“We were notified by LAPD that Michael Jackson was transferred from his house to the hospital,” said Los Angeles County Coroner Fred Corral. “He was unresponsive and pronounced dead at approximately 2.26 this afternoon.”

US beat Spain to reach Confederations Cup final

Bloemfontein, June 25: The United States ended Spain’s record winning streak with a 2-0 upset victory on Wednesday that gave it an unlikely but deserved place in the Confederations Cup final.

Jozy Altidore and Clint Dempsey exposed a sluggish Spanish defense and Tim Howard made several quality saves to stop Spain’s record run at 15 wins and put the Americans into their first FIFA men’s final at any level.

Altidore took a deflected pass from Dempsey in the 27th minute, turned Joan Capdevila and beat Iker Casillas with a shot that bounced off the goalkeeper’s hand and into the net.

Katrina Kaif is over Akshay

Mumbai, June 25: Katrina Kaif is finally over Akshay Kumar may be this should make Salman Khan a little more than happy. After all Akshay and Katrina have been claiming that they are a lucky pair onscreen. However we wonder if this news will relieve Salman of any of his pain.

Katrina Kaif who will soon be seen on the silver screen with Neil Nitin Mukesh and John Abraham finds this duo much better than Akshay Kumar. The actress claimed to be in high spirits in the company of her latest buddies, “I’ve too much energy and I don’t know what to do with it,” she proclaimed.

Rahman’s secret plans

Mumbai, June 25: Being an international celebrity hasn’t proven to be the easy task that AR Rahman thought it would be. Following his Oscars, BAFTA and Golden Globe, the music composer is having a hard time keeping prowling media eyes at bay.

The composer, who has always been the darling of the media in South India, turned to a national sensation with films like ‘Rangeela’, ‘Taal’ and ‘Dil Se’. With the advent of the electronic media, the composer has had a harder time acceding to media requests, also owing to his completely unearthly working hours.

Why Preity-Ness called it quit?

Mumbai, June 25: Once they were the couple and talk of the towm. But things turned sour and the two headed different parts. Click to read why they split…

The spunky stylish diva of Bollywood, Preity Zintawhoimmortalised the uptight ‘Naina Kapur’ in Kal HoNaa Ho had every reason to flash her dimples and jump around in joy.From making in big in Bollywood and working with legends like Yash Chopra to taking her stand on issues and indulging in charitable causes, the zestful actress had it all.

Salman Khan gifts saris to poor women

Mumbai, June 25: Salman Khan, who is known for his generosity, was approached by some sweeper women during the shooting of Wanted and they asked him to buy saris for all the women working there!

According to Source “Salman was sitting in front of his van chatting with friends at Film City when a couple of sweeper women came up to him and started talking to him. They started demanding new saris from him. He joked and said it wasn’t Diwali or Eid so there was no reason for him to buy saris for them. But they started crying and pleading with him.”

Lara enjoys being a comedy actor

Mumbai, June 25: After Bhagam Bhag and Partner, Lara Dutta is confident of taking on more comedy roles. Even in her forthcoming films Do Knot Disturb and Houseful, Lara hopes to get a few laughs with her roles. “These comedies allow me to let myself go in a way I can never do in real life because I’m too private a person,” she said.

Lara confirmed, “Yes, Houseful will be my third comic role in a row. And I’m not worried. It’s a large cast (Deepika Padukone and Jiah Khan). But I have the best part among the girls.”

SBI cuts prime lending rate by 50 basis points

Mumbai, June 25: State Bank of India (SBI), the country’s largest lender, today announced a 50 basis point cut in its benchmark prime lending rate (BPLR) to 11.75 per cent.

The cut would be effective from Monday, the bank said. With this, SBI has lowered its BPLR by 200 basis points since November 2008, when the Reserve Bank of India signalled a soft interest rate regime.