Mallika will black robe for film on an Indian lawyer in US?

Mumbai, June 24: Is Mallika Sherawat going to play a lawyer inspired from real life? The B-town girl talks on her Twitter account about a meeting with “one of the 17 most likely women to become the first female US President (as proclaimed by New York Times).” Adds Mallika, “studyn her 4 a film.”

A quick search, including on Wikipedia, reveals the New York Times had described an Indian- American woman, Kamala Harris, among 17 most likely women to be the US President. Harris is the first Indian-American to be made district attorney in the US.

Mallika’s date with Yanni

Mumbai, June 24: Mallika Sherawat is certainly going places. Not only does she have the international film Hisss to boast of, now it seems Mallika is all set to team up with the world famous composer and pianist Yanni.

The Indian actor was spotted having dinner at a Los Angeles eatery with producers of Hisss and music producer Ric Wake along with Yanni.

Yanni is currently on a world tour and is slated to perform at Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles.

Sallu a corrupt cop in next film

Mumbai, June 24: Salman Khan will play a corrupt police officer from UP in brother Arbaaz Khan’s home production.

Now when was the last time we saw Salman playing an uncouth, unsophisticated character? In almost all his films, he’s dressed as an uber cool dude with a unique style statement.

But now, Sallu will undergo an image makeover for director Abhinav Kashyap’s film Dabangg. The movie will have him playing a corrupt and ill- mannered cop from UP. He will also mouth dialogues in vernacular Hindi.

“Salman’s fans have never seen him like this before,” Arbaaz said.

Nun identifies main accused

Bhubaneswar, June 24: In a major development in the Kandhamal nun rape case, the victim nun has identified the main accused in a test identification parade, the second such parade related to the case.

According to the officials, the first TIP was held at Cuttack on January 5 where the victim had identified two youths.

Though the CB arrested seven more accused persons in the rape case since a month, it could not conduct the TIP as the victim was reluctant to visit Kandhamal again.

Bal Thackeray discharged from hospital

Mumbai, June 24: Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray, admitted to Lilavati Hospital six days ago, was on Tuesday discharged after his condition improved.

Thackeray’s health has improved and doctors attending on him decided to discharge him, Sena sources said. The 82-year-old leader was shifted out of ICU on June 21.

Immediately after leaving the hospital, he was driven to his residence Matoshree in suburban Bandra.

Thackeray was admitted to hospital on June 18 for breathlessness and blood pressure-related issues.

Indians among highest visa rule breachers in Australia

Melbourne, June 24: Indian students have been placed in the high risk group for visa breaches in Australia along with Bangladeshis and Cambodians, a development that may result in tightening of immigration rules for them.

Based on a review of the student visa programme by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship across all applicant countries, Indians were bracketed with Bangladeshis and Cambodians as a ‘level-four’ risk, which is the second highest risk category.

Your mobile can damage your complexion!

Washington, June 24: If you spend a lot of time talking on your cell phone, you could be harming your skin. Findings of the British Association of Dermatologists point at a new skin disorder — mobile phone dermatitis — caused by nickel found in popular cell phone handsets.

It results in a rash on the cheeks, chin and ears. Prevent the problem by shileding it with an ear plug, or check with your cell phone manufacturer if your phone is nickel-free. To treat, apply a 1% OTC hydrocortisone cream; see your dermat if the symptoms persist.

–Agencies–

Shahid Kapur’s identity crisis

Mumbai, June 24: Shahid Kapur is facing an identity crisis, literally. Not in real life though, but in the virtual world. Like many celebs who have been shocked after they found out that people have opened fake profiles under their name on social networking sites like Orkut and Facebook (see box), Shahid is fuming about the fact that he is being impersonated on Twitter.
Shahid Kapur is livid that someone is impersonating him in the virtual world

Emraan’s ‘Tum Mile’ is waiting for the Mumbai monsoon

Mumbai, June 24: Emraan Hashmi’s ‘Tum Mile’ is stuck not because of date problems, but due to the delayed rains here. Ironically, the romantic movie is about a couple stuck in the 2005 Mumbai deluge and the makers are waiting for the skies to open up.

‘None of us have a date excuse this time around. We are willing to shoot for the film but just can’t do that,’ joked Emraan, ‘Thankfully, this time around the culprit is none other than the rain god himself.’

India should help Pakistan fight terror: BJP

Jammu, June 24: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) chief Rajnath Singh Tuesday said peace and stability in Pakistan was in ‘our interest’ and India should offer ‘all support’ to combat terrorism in that country.

‘The BJP wants peace and prosperity of Pakistan’ as its stability was in ‘our interest’, Rajnath Singh told reporters here on the sidelines of a function to mark the death anniversary of the Jana Sangh founder Shyama Prasad Mukherjee, who died in a state prison June 23, 1953.

N. Korea warns ships of impending drill

North Korea, June 24: North Korea is warning the world to stay out of part of its eastern waters for 16 days, starting Thursday, saying it will hold a military drill, Japanese officials said. North Korean leader Kim Jong Il, center, as seen at Wonsan University of Agriculture in an undated photo

North Korean leader Kim Jong Il, center, as seen at Wonsan University of Agriculture in an undated photo

North Korea’s hydrographic department e-mailed Japan’s coast guard Monday, according to coast guard spokesman Shinya Suzuki. Japan monitors that part of the region’s waters.

Akshay Kumar dances to Kareena Kapoor`s tunes

Mumbai, June 24: Seems like Bollywood stars are highly obsessed with their names, so obsessed that they want it to be a part of the lyrics of the song they star in. After the very popular amongst girls, Akshay Kumar, it’s Kareena Kapoor who’s got a song with her name in it.

‘New York’ begins where ‘Khuda Kay Liye’ ends:

New Delhi, June 24: John Abraham, who plays an NRI Muslim in Kabir Khan’s second directorial venture “New York”, says the film begins where the critically acclaimed Pakistani movie “Khuda Kay Liye” ends.

“In its own strange way, ‘New York’ begins where ‘Khuda Ke Liye’ ended. That’s the interesting part of the film,” John told IANS here. Both films deal with the issue of how legal detainees were treated after the gruesome 9/11 attacks in the US.

The people behind the Red Cross emblems

Geneva, June 24: Almost getting killed on the first day on the job might be enough for most people to reconsider their line of work, but for some the incident just gets filed away as a story to tell in passing later in life.
Silvana Mutti of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) was sent to the Caucasus, right in the middle the first war between Georgia, Russia and separatist groups in the early 1990s. It was her first assignment for the humanitarian organisation.

None of My Directors listen to me

Mumbai, June 24: Saif Ali Khan tells JYOTHI VENKATESH that he decided to turn a producer with Love Aaj Kal because after having spent eighteen years in the film business he wanted to be ion his own steam.

What is Love Aaj Kal about?
The story primarily is about Jai who does not believe in love and is practical. He believes that long distance relationship is a pain, so why not just be friends and not follow the heart. He comes across a person who tells him what love is all about. Imtiaz has made a simple love story and is not confusing love story as most people believe.

Oscar-winning songwriter and director Joseph Brooks charged with rapes

New York City, June 24: Oscar award winning songwriter and director Joseph Brooks has been arrested on charges that he raped and sexually assaulted 11 women over a 3 year period, prosecutors said on Tuesday.

Brooks won the Oscar for Best Original Song for the 1977 ballad “You Light Up My Life.” He also wrote and directed the “You Light Up My Life” movie which is about a comedian who has a one-night stand with a director.

Wanted team on Salman’s 10 Ka Dum has a ball

Mumbai, June 24: Salman Khan’s upcoming next, Wanted’s team recently shot for his reality game show 10 Ka Dum. His co-star in the film, Ayesha Takia Azmi and director of the film, Prabhu Deva were his star guests as part of their film’s promotion.

US drones kill over 50 Taliban in Pakistan

Islamabad, June 24: Two suspected US drone strikes killed at least 52 militants in Pakistan’s tribal district of South Waziristan, where the Pakistani military plans to launch offensive against the chief of local Taliban, intelligence officials said.

The attacks came hours after a militant leader who had defected from Pakistani Taliban head Baitullah Mehsud was assassinated by an “infiltrator” in the adjoining district of North West Frontier Province.

Abortion necessary for interracial pregnancies

Washington, June 24: When the US Supreme Court struck down state criminal abortion laws in Roe v. Wade, former US president Richard Nixon told an aid there was a need for abortion is some cases – such as interracial pregnancies.

While he made no public comment on the courts verdict, Nixon was concerned greater access to abortions would foster “permissiveness,” and said “it breaks the family.”

“There are times when an abortion is necessary. I know that. When you have a black and a white,” he told an aide, before adding: “Or a rape.”

Obama ‘outraged’ by Iran’s violent crackdown

Washington, June 24: US President Barack Obama Tuesday strongly rejected Iranian accusations of interfering in the election crisis and in some of his toughest language yet said he was “appalled and outraged” by the violent crackdown on protestors.

Obama dismissed as “patently false and absurd” Iranian suggestions that his administration was behind the protests, accusing Iranian officials of trying to avoid questions about the legitimacy of the election by blaming the US.

Murray fulfills British hopes with opening-round win

London, June 24: Andy Murray needed a tough effort to finally get past upset-minded US player Robert Kendrick 7-5, 6-7 (3-7), 6-3, 6-4 to thrill a Centre court crowd Wednesday at Wimbledon.
Third seed Murray fired 20 aces, with Kendrick producing 16 of his own.

Microsoft unveils new security software

San Francisco, June 24: Hoping to dispel fears about the vulnerability of Windows to viruses and other malware, Microsoft Tuesday released a trial version of a new free security package called Microsoft Security Essentials.
The software is designed to replace the Windows Defender tool that Microsoft released in 2007, but which was widely derided as being inadequate to protect computers from the constant and ever-evolving threats posed by hackers.

Prince Miteb vows to further strengthen National Guard

Jeddah, June 23: Prince Miteb bin Abdullah, who was appointed deputy commander of the National Guard on Sunday, said he would continue his efforts to further strengthen the National Guard in all areas.

Speaking to the Saudi Press Agency, he thanked Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah and Crown Prince Sultan for vesting their confidence in him. “I deem this appointment as a medal of honor conferred upon me,” the prince said, adding that it would encourage him to put greater efforts in the service of the nation.

‘Abdullah unified Arab ranks’

Jeddah, June 23: The Council of Ministers yesterday highlighted Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah’s pioneering role in unifying Arab ranks and supporting Arab and Islamic causes in international forums.

“King Abdullah has also worked to strengthen the unity of humanity by fostering international dialogue between followers of different faiths and cultures,” the Saudi Press Agency said quoting the Cabinet.

‘Joan of Arc’ Iran’s predicted her violent death by gunfire

New York, June 23 : Young girl Neda Agha-Soltan, who became the central rallying cry of the Iranian protests, predicted her violent death by gunfire, but was determined to take part in protests that followed the disputed presidential election.

As the violence continues to escalate on the streets of Iran, the beautiful philosophy student who had been engaged to be married, is now being hailed as the country’s Joan of Arc.

On Saturday, the day she was killed, her friend told The Los Angeles Times that she had tried to persuade Neda to stay away from the massive march.