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3 aid workers kidnapped in Kenya

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Mogadishu, July 18: Three foreign aid workers have been kidnapped in a raid by unidentified gunmen in a Kenya border town near Somalia, eye witnesses say.

“The authorities in Mandera (in Kenya) told us that those aid workers had been kidnapped. We’re now going to run after them,” Sheikh Osman, an al Shabaab official in the neighboring district in Somalia, said on Saturday.

The Kenyan officials did not immediately identify the nationalities of the aid workers kidnapped on Saturday and the organization for which they were working.

UN not to name suspects in Bhutto probe

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London, July 18: The UN team investigating the assassination of former Pakistani prime minister Benazir Bhutto vows to bring out the truth about the case, but says it will not seek to name culprits.

“The UN Commission of Inquiry would ensure that its final report clearly establishes the truth regarding the facts and circumstances of the assassination of Benazir Bhutto, Heraldo Munoz, the Head of a three member UN team told a news conference in Islamabad on Friday, a Press TV correspondent reported.

Google India launches mobile voice search engine

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New Delhi, July 17: The mobile voice search engine, custom-built by Google India has been launched by Google India, free for mobile services subscribers in India. However, the voice-based search engine services are currently limited to BlackBerry users.

The mobile voice search engine is another big achievement of Google India on the mobile front. Earlier, Google India launched a SMS-based search engine services.

Google India’s mobile voice search engine is a Beta launch. It is only available on Blackberry. Presently, it reaches 400,000 people.

Bipasha, Mugdha hate each other

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Mumbai, July 17: Bollywood two hotties Bipasha Basu and Mugdha Godse are no longer in talking terms.

They have developed hatred for one another while shooting for Rohit Shetty’s ‘All The Best’. The anger went to such a height that both refused to shoot together.

Their cat-fights started when both desired to get more attention in a dance number.

The story goes as suddenly Bipasha Basu felt that Mugdha Godse was not getting her steps right and she begun to teach her how to do the steps correctly and the later turned furious.

Iran’s Rafsanjani urges national unity

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Tehran, July 17: Four weeks after the presidential election, Chairman of Iran’s Expediency Council Ayatollah Hashemi-Rafsanjani calls for a national unity among the nation.

Addressing worshippers in Friday prayers, Ayatollah Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani called on all Iranians to remain united to safeguard the Islamic Revolution.

“Today, we need unity more than ever. All must unite to stand against threats facing the country,” Ayatollah Rafsanjani said, adding that the nation should make every effort to protect the achievements of the country.

Fiza confesses on Iss Jungle Se Mujhe Bachao

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Mumbai, July 17: Fiza Chand seems to be making all the confessions on her strained relation with husband Chand on Iss Jungle Se Mujhe Bachao.

She has found a confidante “Palak’ to hear her sob story out.

In a recent confession Fiza said “My life was a living hell before and even after marriage. Chand has apologized to me and wants reconciliation, but I think it’s only to boost his political career.

Sachin is unparalleled in T20 too: Amre

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New Delhi, July 17: Describing John Buchanan’s criticism of Sachin Tendulkar’s abilities in the T20 format as a mere publicity stunt, Mumbai Indians coach Pravin Amre today said the batting maestro’s genius is unrivaled in the shorter versions of the game.

Amre, also the coach of the Mumbai Ranji team, said “It is wrong to question Sachin’s abilities in any format of the game. Even at this stage of his career he has played all the IPL matches and demonstrated his commitment to the game. I believe all this criticism is a publicity stunt.”

Workaholic Aditya gives Friends a miss

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Mumbai, July 17: Workaholic Aditya gives Friends a miss Work is taking a toll on Aditya Redij aka Raghav of Na Aana Iss Desh Laado. Recently he couldn’t join his friends on their 10th Friendship anniversary.

Chitrashi’s Short-kut to success!

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Mumbai, July 17: Chitrashi Rawat, who wowed audiences with her rebellious act in “Chak De’ has decided to add another dimension to her character and has re-surfaced with a sassy, feisty, high spirited role in Shree Ashtavinayak Cine Vision’s “LUCK’ directed by Soham Shah.

Chitrashi, who is called Shortkut in the film (quite apt, we must say!) was quite easily the youngest on the shoot and quite the cheekiest– on and off the camera!

ICC will offer help to solve the Windies crisis

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London, July 17: The International Cricket Council will offer its help to broker peace between the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) and its protesting players because ICC wants them to field their strongest side in this year’s Champions Trophy.

ICC General Manager Dave Richardson conceded the governing body was worried with the stalemate that saw frontline West Indian players boycotting the ongoing home series against Bangladesh and said they would soon contact WICB to offer help.

England will want to win Ashes for Flintoff

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Johanesburg, July 17: With Andrew Flintoff set to hang up his Test boots after the ongoing Ashes, his English teammates would do everything to win the series as a farewell gift to the burly all-rounder, believes former Australia stumper Adam Gilchrist.

Gilchrist paid glowing tribute to Flintoff and felt it would inspire England to put their best foot forward in the ongoing Ashes.

“I don’t think the Aussies will be affected but it can be a boost for the English players,” Gilchrist told ‘SunSport’.

Ahmadinejad taps Khatami-era envoy as IAEA pointman

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Tehran, July 17: President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has appointed Ali Akbar Salehi, Khatami-era envoy to the International Atomic Energy Organization (IAEA), as the new head of Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization.

Salehi is replacing the seasoned Gholam Reza Aqazadeh, who stepped down last week after holding the key post for 12 years.

The announcement was made in a July 16 cabinet meeting, during which President Ahmadinejad revealed a number of changes to his cabinet.

Nargis croons with Shaan

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Mumbai, July 17: Nargis croons with Shaan She is a bundle of talent. From acting to singing- she knows it all. In fact, her hidden talent took even famous and noted singer Shaan by surprise. It’s the beautiful Nargis we are talking about.

A unit member of ‘Morning Walk’ said, “Shaan knew that the ‘Garam Masala’ girl Nargis plays the lead in ‘Morning Walk’. But he did not know that Nargis was going to sing with him at the recording that day. He was pleasantly surprised.”

We still have to lift ourselves – Jayawardene

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Colombo, July 17: Despite a series win, Mahela Jayawardene has said Sri Lanka still need to go a fair distance to hit peak form. Jayawardene, who gave up the captaincy after Sri Lanka’s aborted tour to Pakistan in March, felt Kumar Sangakkara was playing the right cards as leader of a somewhat inexperienced side.

Abbas meets Erdogan over ME peace talks

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Ankara, July 17: The Acting Palestinian Authority Chief Mahmoud Abbas has arrived in Ankara to hold talks with Turkish officials about the Middle East peace effort.

Abbas arrived in the Turkish capital for a two-day official visit on Thursday.

He was greeted at Esenboga Airport by the Palestinian Ambassador to Ankara, Nabil Maarouf, Turkish foreign ministry officials as well as Ambassadors from some Arab states.

Abbas met with Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan late on Thursday and is expected to have talks with President Abdullah Gul and Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu on Friday.

Is Gehna taking over Neha Marda

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Mumbai, July 17: Is Gehna taking over Neha Marda Neha Marda aka Gehna of Balika Vadhu feels her identity as Neha is getting lost.

“I love my character Gehna. Though I have worked in serials before, but Balika Vadhu has given me recognition. People love me as Gehna. But sometimes I feel my identity as Neha is getting lost. At times, I am identified with Gehna so much that I miss being Neha. I would love to be remembered as Neha Marda who played the character of Gehna so well”.

BJP questions “reversal” of policy towards Pakistan

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New Delhi, July 17: “Surprised” by India-Pakistan joint statement that action on terrorism should not be linked with the composite dialogue, BJP today asked the government what “prompted” it to change stance towards Islamabad.

Raising the issue during Zero Hour in the Rajya Sabha, Leader of Opposition Arun Jaitley said the joint statement at Sharm-el-Sheikh in Egypt that “action on terrorism should not be linked to the composite duologue process and these should not be bracketed” has come as a “surprise and also disappointment”.

Pakistan desperate to regain lost pride

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Karachi, July 17: Beleaguered Pakistan are gearing for one final fling at restoring their honour after being outclassed by rampant Sri Lanka in the first two Tests of the ongoing series.

Younus Khan’s men were in disarry amid reports of dissension and infighting in the side, less than a month after they were crowned World Twenty20 champions in England by beating Sri Lanka in the final.

Three inexplicable Pakistani batting collapses in four innings has given Sri Lanka their first home series win over the South Asian rivals even before the final Test that begins on Monday.

Gates firm in choice of F-35 over F-22

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Washington, July 17: F-35 Joint Strike Fighter as it is more versatile and better at knocking out enemy air defenses.

He noted that the Obama administration was prepared to fight against members of Congress opposed to new Pentagon budget priorities that include the elimination of F-22 Raptors.

Australian terrorism expert says attack expected

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Sydney, July 17: Disaffected members of the Islamic terrorist group Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) are the likely Jakarta hotel bombers, an Australian defence analyst said Friday.

“The signs were there over the last few months that this hard-line group within JI was disaffected with the lack of a bombing campaign over the last couple of years and was clearly intent on doing something,” Australian Strategic Policy Institute director Carl Ungerer said.

The Canberra-based institute is government funded but takes an independent line on defence and security issues.

Players violated code of conduct – WICB

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Jamaica, July 17: The West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) has said the players who refused to join the Test squad last week, and the official ticket launch for the 2010 World Twenty20 on July 4, violated the board’s code of conduct and, in some cases, retainer contracts.

In its first formal communication with the players on this issue, it has written individually to each of them citing breaches of contract and seeking a reply within ten days.

Shakib to lead Bangladesh in West Indies Test

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Grenada, July 17: Shakib Al Hasan will lead Bangladesh in the second and final Test against the West Indies after captain Mashrafe Mortaza was ruled out with a knee injury, the Bangladesh Cricket Board said here on Friday.

“Mortaza has been ruled out of the second Test after he failed to recover from his injury,” the board announced in a press release.

“Vice-captain Shakib Al Hasan will lead the side while left-arm spinner Enamul Haque replaces Mortaza in the team.”

Mullen cannot see end of Afghan war

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Washington, July 17: Seven and half years after the US-led invasion of Afghanistan, a top US military commander says he has no idea how long it will take for security to improve in Afghanistan.

“I don’t know how long. I know that it’s gotten progressively worse over the last three, three-and-a-half years, since 2006, and the Taliban has gotten much better,” Adm Michael Mullen said in an interview with the BBC at the Bagram airbase in north of Kabul.

However, Mullen said that a recent increase in troops number would be helpful in retaking back some of Taliban-held territories.

ARSHAD WARSI GETS SLAPPED BY BAKUL THACKAR

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Mumbai, July 17: On the sets of Neeraj Vohra’s “Shortkut’, an inevitable accident occurred; Arshad Warsi got slapped by the famous and versatile theatre actor Bakul Thackar, who has been getting great reviews for his performance in the movie.

Well, this wasn’t just another tiff, but one of the scenes which got a bit…real!

It so happened that while shooting the film, one of the scenes required Bakul to slap Arshad. Now, amidst the shooting, Bakul actually ended up hitting Arshad hard on his face.

I am not doing any film with Aamir: Katrina

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Mumbai, July 17: Dismissing media reports, Bollywood heartthrob Katrina Kaif has said that she is not doing any movie with chocolaty actor Aamir Khan.

Earlier, media reports had claimed that Katrina Kaif and Aamir Khan were doing lead role in a movie based on biography of legendary actor Guru Dutt.

Reports also claimed that Katrina will play Wahida Rehman’s role in the movie.

Reacting on the rumours, the Bollywood beauty said that she doesn’t know about any movie starring her with Aamir Khan.

——Agencies