Month: January 2010

Cops deter Telangana students from attending meeting

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Hyderabad, January 03: Police in different parts of Telangana today prevented hundreds of students from proceeding towards Hyderabad to attend a meeting at Osmania University to demand statehood to the region.

Though the Andhra Pradesh High Court on Saturday allowed the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of Osmania University students to hold its meeting at the campus with certain conditions, police stopped vehicles carrying students in various districts.

From ‘goodness personified’ to deadly CIA attack suspect

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Washington, January 03: Was the suicide bombing that killed seven CIA employees in eastern Afghanistan this week, sending shock waves through the US spy agency, masterminded by a warlord who was once one of the CIA’s key allies?

Jalaluddin Haqqani, who visited the Reagan White House and was once described by Texas politician Charlie Wilson as “goodness personified”, is believed by some US officials to have ordered the attack from his hideout in neighbouring Pakistan.

UK and US agree to fund anti-terrorism unit to tackle Yemen extremists

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London, January 03: Gordon Brown and President Barack Obama have agreed to fund a counterterrorism police unit in Yemen to tackle the rising terrorist threat from the country, it was announced in London early today.

The UK and the US have also agreed to increase support for Yemen’s coast guard operation. Pirates operating in the waters between Somalia and Yemen have seized four ships in the last week. Downing Street said that, in addition, Brown and Obama will push the UN Security Council to create a larger peacekeeping force for Somalia.

Iraq outraged as Blackwater case is dropped

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Baghdad, January 03: Saying it was “astonished” by a US court’s decision to drop manslaughter charges against private security guards who were accused of killing 17 civilians caught up in a Baghdad traffic jam, the Iraqi government yesterday promised to continue its battle to secure justice for the victims of “people who like to shoot unarmed people”.

Ayad Jamal Aldin: Iran: the truth the UK cannot admit

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Tehran, January 03: While we celebrate the safe return of the British computer expert Peter Moore, released two and a half years after being taken hostage in Baghdad, let us not delude ourselves that the negotiations that brought about his release bode well for the development of a peaceful Middle East.

Qualis collided to lorry claimed seven lives in AP

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Tirupati, January 03: In a shocking incident, seven people, including three members of a family, were killed and three others were injured when the Toyota Qualis collided to a lorry on Mallavaram 150-By-Pass Road under M R Palle limits, about five km from here today.

M R Palle Sub-Inspector Chandrashekar told that the Qualis, carrying ten people, including driver, was proceeding to Tirumala from Chittoor when it hit thelorry which was on its way to Chittoor.

Million dollar deal awaits Watson in India

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Melbourne, January 03: Cricket-mad India is set to make Shane Watson a multi-millionaire as the in-form Australian all-rounder is poised to land lucrative sponsorship deals in the country besides getting a massive hike in his central contract.

The dashing all-rounder, who plays for Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League, is set to follow in the footsteps of pacer Brett Lee, who last year earned $2.1 million through endorsements in India.

Ex-ICL recruits, 26 Pakistanis register for IPL auction

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New Delhi, January 03: Former Indian Cricket League recruits like Shane Bond and Damien Martyn, 26 Pakistanis and four players from the Associate countries are among the 97 who have registered themselves for the third Indian Premier League auction to be held on January 19.

Apart from the injury-plagued Bond, who has quit Test cricket, and the completely-retired Martyn, other prominent ex-ICL players who have switched sides include Chris Cairns, Saqlain Mushtaq and Justin Kemp.

We will catch flee terrorist, says G K Pillai

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New Delhi, January 03: Home Secretary GK Pillai Saturday affirmed that we are putting our effort to nabbed three terrorists, who escaped from GB Pant Hospital in Delhi, in the next two-three days.

“Alerts have been put across country and we hope to catch the terrorists on the run in next two-three days. Now, they have to face fresh trials and will be convicted again,” Pillai told CNN-IBN Saturday night.

“In normal circumstances they would have been in Pakistan next week. We are waiting for confirmation from other side of the border,” he said.
–Agencies

Police announces reward for Pakistan terrorists

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New Delhi: A reward of Rs 50,000 was today announced by Delhi Police for anyone providing information on the three Pakistani terrorists who escaped while being escorted to a city hospital.

They also released the pictures of the trio for identification.

Abdul Razzak, Mohammed Sadiq and Rafaqat Ali, who were arrested in connection with blasts near the Red Fort nine years ago and were to be deported to Pakistan as they had completed their jail term, escaped on Friday, leaving the authorities red-faced and prompting them to sound an alert in the national capital and neighbouring areas.

Why ‘ my dad’ deserves his disgrace

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Hyderabad, January 03: A young lawyer recounts his impressions of the ex- governor who he says is his biological father

I am not unhappy about the fact that Narayan Dutt Tiwari has been exposed. I cannot comment on the veracity of the Hyderabad Raj Bhawan sex scandal, but I am not surprised. What he has done to my family for the last 30 years is a bigger scandal. If I’m ever face to face with him, I would say you deserve every bit of what has happened to you, you have earned it with your cruelty to us.

I prefer to be called cricketer: Azhar

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Hyderabad, January 03: Former Indian skipper Mohammad Azharuddin batted liked a seasoned politician.

The stylish batsman, who was here to attend the Veterans Cricket Association of Hyderabad function at Gymkhana on Saturday evening, played a defensive bat when asked about the current Telangana crisis. “It is very tough and I can’t comment since I have been elected from Uttar Pradesh. It is better not to comment. A lot has been said about development.

My saying or anybody saying would not help. Whatever the high command says I think would be final,’’ he said.

Nadal wins Capitala Tennis title in Abu Dhabi

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Dubai, January 03: Rafael Nadal, the world’s number two tennis player, won the second edition of the Capitala World Tennis Championship on Saturday.

The Spanish ace beat Robin Soderling of Sweden 7-6 (3), 7-5 to carry away the prize of USD 250,000 at the end of a two-hour battle.

World No 1 Roger Federer beat Nadal’s Davis Cup teammate David Ferrer in the play-off for third place.

Sena-BJP gathers numbers to check growth of Raj’s MNS

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Mumbai, January 03: After BJP primary membership drive, Shiv Sena to launch its on Wednesday

With Bharatiya Janata Party concluding its primary membership drive in the state and getting ready to strengthen its organizational strength later this month, it’s now the turn of ally Shiv Sena to launch its primary membership campaign.

The two parties are looking at fortifying themselves, apparently in view of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) denting their support base in several bastions.

It`s no point wasting time on a person like Chetan Bhagat: Aamir Khan

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Mumbai, January 03: It seems you love playing a college student-be it ‘RDB’ or ‘3 Idiots’. How comfortable you are playing a college goer in your 40s?
People say I still look 18…no, sweet 16! (Laughs)

Okay. So, what goes behind this teenager look?
I had followed a strict diet for ‘3 Idiots’ and when you lose weight automatically you look younger. And also I drink a lot of water…4 litres of water a day at least. That keeps the skin fresh and I play a lot of games like badminton and all. That’s all.

What’s your New Year resolution?

Vidhu Vinod Chopra apologises to media

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Mumbai, January 03: Filmmaker Vidhu Vinod Chopra Saturday apologised to the media for asking a reporter to shut up when he asked him if his film “3 Idiots” was lifted from Chetan Bhagat’s book “Five Point Someone”.

“I really think I’m silly (but) I was provoked (to react that way). But I shouldn’t have done this. I saw myself on TV (later) and saw how I was shouting ‘shut up! shut up!’ like an animal. I told myself – ‘what nonsensical behaviour’,” Chopra told reporters here.

Kareena all set to do sci-fi super hero film Ra1 with SRK

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Mumbai, January 03: Quite a few interesting films are lined up for release early 2010. Be it director Sajid Khan, Sirish Kunder or Ken Ghosh, they are all looking forward to their creations in the New year.

While “My Name Is Khan” and “Kites” are the hottest contenders when it comes to the most awaited films, there are quite a few others like “Rann” and “Teen Patti” that may be exciting.

Bacteria that can fight cocaine addiction identified

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London, January 03: In a finding that could help addicts get rid off cocaine, American scientists have identified a bacteria which can reduce addictiveness and prevent deaths due to drug-overdose.

Scientists at Scripps Research Institute in California, using a mouse-model, found that the naturally-occurring bacterial enzyme Cocaine esterase — CocE — breaks down cocaine which reduces its addictive properties.

Tired Aamir takes a break from acting this year

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Mumbai, January 03: Superstar Aamir Khan is planning to take a break from acting this year to focus on his duties as a producer.

The 44-year-old actor said he was “really tired” after his whirlwind tour across the country to promote ‘3 Idiots’, which released this Christmas.

Amitabh Bachchan`s wish list for the New Year

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Mumbai, January 03: Amitabh Bachchan is in quite an upbeat mood as the year 2009 comes to an end. The happiness stems from the success of ‘Paa’ his last release for the year with beta Abhishek Bachchan.

“What a fantastic gift our well-wishers have given us. Our home production Paa is doing very well. And we have a lot to be thankful for.”

In the same breath he reveals his New Year wishes, “In the new year the entire Bachchan family is hoping to do the kind of work that would please the audience and carry the company forward.”

Akshay off to Malaysia to shoot costliest commercial ever

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Mumbai, January 03: Akshay Kumar and big bucks are synonymous with each other. After (supposedly) working in the costliest film ever made on this side of the planet – Blue – Akshay is now carrying on the BIG phenomenon into the ad world as well.

If industry buzz is to be believed, he would now be featuring in the costliest commercial ever made with an Indian actor. This would be for Thums Up (the soft drink for which Akshay is a brand ambassador for quite a few years now) and as is the tradition, it would be shot in foreign locales.

‘MI5 knew of Abdulmutallab’s UK extremist links’

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London, January 03: British security agency MI5 was aware that Nigerian bomber Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, whose attempt to blow up a packed US plane was foiled on Christmas, had “multiple communications” with Islamic extremists in UK three years ago, but did not share this with American officials.

Quoting counter-terrorism officials, The Sunday Times reported that Abdulmutallab was “reaching out” to extremists whom MI5 had kept under surveillance while he was studying at University College, London.

Pankaj Advani Has S Crush on Katrina Kaif

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Mumbai, January 03: World billiards champion Pankaj Advani definitely has some Bollywood dreams. And not just that, there’s one Bollywood beauty that he has a crush on. We are talking about the current toast of B-town – Katrina Kaif. Just this one name makes Pankaj blush, “There is no denying that she is an immensely beautiful person.

She has a unique charm and I love her screen presence.” He chuckles when asked if he has a secret crush on her, “I am sure there are many who feel like I do.” Now, will this an mean interesting ‘match’? Let’s wait and watch!

Number of Brits dying due to obesity doubles in 10 years

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London, January 03: The number of middle-aged people dying as a result of obesity in the UK has almost doubled in the last decade, according to official figures.

More than 190 people aged under 65 died as a direct result of their obesity last year – compared to just 88 in 2000.

Moreover, deaths among those aged between 46 and 55 almost tripled.

These figures suggest that obesity will soon present a bigger threat to public health than smoking.

Clash of the beauty queens…at the box office

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New Delhi, January 03: Four former Miss Indias – Sushmita Sen, Priyanka Chopra, Neha Dhupia and Celina Jaitely – are ranged against one another in a different contest to top the box office as each of their films hits the screens this month.

While Neha’s “Raat Gayi Baat Gayi” and Celina’s “Accident On Hill Road” hit theatres Friday, Priyanka’s “Pyaar Impossible” and Sushmita Sen’s “Dulha Mil Gaya” are slated for release next Friday.