Month: May 2010

Lebanon embassy in Cairo asks for protection

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Beirut, May 03: Lebanon’s embassy in Cairo has asked Egypt for protection after receiving an anonymous pledge to avenge the lynching of an Egyptian by villagers near Beirut last week, a Lebanese official said Monday.

“The Lebanese ambassador, Khaled Ziade, has asked Egyptian authorities to provide the embassy with protection,” after receiving the threatening phone call on Sunday, a government source said.

“He immediately hung up after making the threat,” the source added.

US: Al-Qaeda not behind New York car bomb

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New York, May 03: Authorities in New York said Sunday that Al-Qaeda was not behind an attempted car bombing of Times Square and that police had several strong leads, including camera footage of a suspicious man leaving the scene.

President Barack Obama vowed to track down the perpetrators as security forces began scrutinizing evidence from a Nissan Pathfinder SUV abandoned late Saturday in the theatre district with a large, spluttering homemade bomb inside.

Mayor Michael Bloomberg said that the initial suspects in the minds of many were not to blame.

Saipem wins contracts for Abu Dhabi gas field

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Milan, May 03: Italian energy firm Saipem announced on Monday that it had won contracts worth 3.5 billion dollars (2.6 billion euros) to build a gas processing plant and pipelines in Abu Dhabi.

The three contracts were awarded by Abu Dhabi Gas Development Company Limited as part of its Shah gas field project, which is located 180 kilometres (112 miles) southwest of Abu Dhabi city, Saipem said.

The development of the gas field presents an engineering challenge because of a high concentration of sulphur.

Qatar pays off Comoros officials salary arrears

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Moroni, May 03: The emir of gas-rich Qatar has donated 20 million euros to the Comoros to pay off salary arrears owed to civil servants, the president of the island nation said.

“I can confirm … that the money has been paid in to the Comoros central bank,” President Ahmed Abdallah Sambi said Sunday during a speech, adding that wages would be handed out to civil servants Monday and Tuesday.

The emir, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, visited the Comoros on April 22 and promised to pay off nine months of salary arrears for civil servants.

Iran to launch two satellites in 2010

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Tehran, May 03: Iran’s President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad receives updates on the country’s domestic satellites.
After signing an agreement to promote cooperation in the field of telecommunications, Iran and Russia prepare to launch two satellites in the coming year.

Iran’s Minister of Telecommunications Reza Taqipour visited Moscow late in April to ink a memorandum of understanding for broader telecoms cooperation with his Russian counterpart Igor Shchegolev.

It’s a wonderful afterfile: Karan Johar

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Mumbai, May 03: Before Gurinder Chadha started filming IT’S A WONDERFUL AFTERLIFE in London last year, she gave her script to Karan Johar to read. The writer-director wanted his opinion. Luckily for her, Karan absolutely loved the script.

Reveals an elated Gurinder, “He told me that I must make the film.” In fact, Gurinder pays a tribute of sorts to her good friend, as a line from the title track of KUCH KUCH HOTA HAI has been used at a comic juncture in the film.

—Agencies

HOUSEFULL gets 2nd highest opening after 3 IDIOTS

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Mumbai, May 03: Eros International Media Limited has announced the opening of Sajid Nadiadwala’s HOUSEFULL which released across theatres on 30th April and has grossed Rs. 64 crores worldwide in its opening weekend. Among the first of the summer releases post IPL, HOUSEFULL opened across 2,000 plus screens worldwide and garnered a collection of Rs. 48 gross in India and Rs. 16 crores overseas in its opening weekend. HOUSEFULL directed by Sajid Khan has performed worthily across all key centers and overseas.

Deepika: People made a big deal about Priyanka’s swimsuit act

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Mumbai, May 03: Welcome to the new breed of star actresses who have no qualms in donning a swim suit for camera. No one is shying away anymore and global exposure to fashion and styling mantra has ensured that there is a certain class appeal which comes in every time an established leading lady steps on a beach and appears in outfits that leaves just a little for imagination.

Sajid Khan: I don’t direct movies for myself

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Mumbai, May 03: Sajid Khan didn’t mince any words while commenting on some of the film critics a few months back. He maintains the same stance till date.

“My question is that why and how do critics get it all wrong so often? They ripped apart KAMBAKKHT ISHQ but it still managed to do a business of 47 crores. I do not fear them”, declares Sajid whose HOUSEFULL is all set to enjoy the huge numbers in one week flat, which would be more than what HEYY BABYY had netted (50 crores) in it’s entire lifetime run.

Mugdha Godse: I don’t want to do anything stupid

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Mumbai, May 03: Mugdha Godse is taking it easy. Despite a good success rate with two hits (FASHION, ALL THE BEST) and one critically acclaimed film (JAIL), Mugdha isn’t allowing her PR drive to go on an overactive mode. Instead she is waiting for the best to come out of this lean phase which she believes is actually good for the industry because now is the time for better films to be kick started. So one can foresee Mugdha to be pretty much continuing her chilling mode till she gets hold of that perfect script that works?

Akshay joins Aamir Khan as HOUSEFULL opens huge

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Mumbai, May 03: HOUSEFULL has taken the biggest opening ever of Akshay’s career, hence giving a good start for him in the New Year. Early estimates indicate that the film’s opening weekend is in the range of 33-35 crores, hence ensuring that at the least, the film will net 50 crores just from India at the end of one week run. This means that the film would surpass the 40 crores plus record created by Akshay’s KAMBAKKHT ISHQ and hence make him the only actor other than Aamir Khan whose films (3 IDIOTS, GHAJINI) who has managed to cross the 50 crores milestone in one week flat.

Akki-Priyan’s KHATTA MEETHA is a serious film!

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Mumbai, May 03: It was almost a year back that we broke the news about Akshay Kumar and Priyadarshan planning to shoot a quickie titled KHATTA MEETHA, in a single shooting schedule of 50 days. And like all the films that Akshay and Priyadrashan have worked in previously (enjoying a cent per cent success record), we thought that KHATTA MEETHA was another mad cap comedy that will have the audience rolling down the aisle with laughter. However, this may come across as a shock for the countless fans of the Akki-Priyan brand of situational humour but it is true that KHATTA MEETHA is not a comedy!

Deepika-Ranbir in each other’s company

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Mumbai, May 03: Deepika Padukone and Ranbir Kapoor were spotted together raising questions whether the two have patched up for good.

Buzz is that Ranbir and Deepika were spotted in a suburban theatre much to the surprise of the audiences present. The two had come to watch Deepika’s latest release HOUSEFULL.

According to sources, the two shared a comfortable chemistry and were seen laughing and chit-chatting during the screening.

Is Imran Khan the new gay icon?

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Mumbai, May 03: Ever since Imran Khan’s pictures showing his bare body were splashed in major newspapers, the actor has been receiving calls from anonymous followers. According to latest reports, these pictures seem to have made Imran Khan the new gay icon.

Sonam & Imran smell foul

Buzz is that Karan Johar’s office Dharma Productions for whom Imran is shooting his next film titled I HATE LUV STORIES is flooded with calls enquiring about the posters that were splashed across. It seems the bare body pics have made Imran popular with men this time as females are already gaga over him.

Tanushree Dutta is looking for romance!

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Mumbai, May 03: With her first psychological thriller APARTMENT getting her good reviews once again (after ROKKK), Tanushree is very happy. She says, “In just five years I have covered almost all genres as an actress – Romantic, negative, comedy, horror and thriller. And that gives me a lot of satisfaction.”

Results are always not in my hands

Sharman Joshi’s win over Shahrukh and Aamir

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Mumbai, May 03: Though in comparison to Shahrukh and Aamir Khan Sharman Joshi doesn�t stand too tall, but the actor is actually getting luckier than the Khans.

It�s reported that Vidhu Vinod Chopra might finally cast Sharman Joshi in one of his most ambitious projects FERRARI KI SAWAARI. Though, the producer earlier thought of casting Shahrukh and Aamir for the project, but the Khans are too busy to spare any dates for the film.

Katrina to show her dirty side

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Mumbai, May 03: Katrina Kaif will no longer be the tender beauty if her role in her upcoming film with Zoya Akhtar is anything to go by.

According to reports, Katrina will be seen performing some heavy duty stunts in the film that will also involve some dirt biking. For this, the actress is already taking lessons.

The film, which stars Hrithik Roshan, Abhay Deol and Farhan Akhtar, will be Zoya Akhtar’s first big budget film.

Though, Katrina is excited about her new act, but at the same time she agrees that it is not going to be easy performing the stunts with the bike.

Kapoor surprises Kapoor

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Mumbai, May 03: It was a meeting of surprise. Kapoor in the company of Kapoor. Though they belong to the same family, but Randhir Kapoor and Aditya Raj Kapoor were surprised to meet each other on the sets of a film recently.

Kasab verdict a message to Pakistan: Chidambaram

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New Delhi, May 03: Home Minister P Chidambaram today said that the conviction of Ajmal Kasab and acquittal of two local accomplices in Mumbai attack case shows India is governed by rule of law but sends a message to Pakistan that it should not export terror. “The court has convicted certain accused.

It also acquitted two accused. That shows the independence, fearlessness and integrity of the court,” he told reporters reacting to the judgement of a Mumbai special court.

Thachankary got stay order by suppresing facts: Govt

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Kochi, May 03: The Kerala Government today stated before the High Court that Senior IPS officer Tomin J Thachankary had secured an interim stay of his suspension from the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) by suppresing material facts. The State Government had filed a writ petition challenging the CAT order staying the suspension of IG Thachankary. Mr Thachankary was suspended for undertaking a foreign trip without government sanction. The government alleged Mr Thachankary had filed false statements before the tribunal.

One crushed to death, five injured in Kashmir

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Srinagar, May 03: One person was killed when the wooden log he carrying fell on him while five others were injured in separate road accidents in the Kashmir valley, official source said here today.

They said one Ghulam Din Ladi died when the wooden log he was carrying to upper storey during construction of house fell on him at dambal hanjipura in south Kashmir district of Anandnag.

In another incident, a vehicle hit and injured Zahida Gulzar at Regal Chowk near here, she was hospitalised, they said.

Injured Murali out of Twenty20 World Cup

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New Delhi, May 03: Record wicket taker Muttiah Muralitharan will miss the rest of the Twenty20 World Cup after the off-spinner injured his groin in Sri Lanka’s loss to New Zealand.

Team physio Tommy Simsek said Muralitharan had strained his right adductor muscle and would need up to three weeks to recover from the injury, the Sri Lankan cricket board said on Monday.

Sri Lanka must beat Zimbabwe later on Monday (1330 GMT) to have any chance of reaching the super eights stage of the competition after their defeat by New Zealand on Friday.

Taliban leader among 29 killed in Pakistan

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Islamabad, May 03: At least 29 militants, including a senior Taliban leader, were killed Monday during clashes with security forces in Pakistan’s tribal region bordering Afghanistan, officials said.

Local Taliban leader Pervez Khan was killed along with his 17 aides in an encounter with Pakistan army in Bajaur, a former Pakistani Taliban stronghold, Xinhua reported citing officials.

Meanwhile, at least 11 militants were killed by security forces Monday in nearby Orakzai region, officials said, adding that two security personnel also died in the clashes.

Blasts at Somali mosque kill 39

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Somalia, May 03: Two explosions at a mosque in Somalia’s capital Mogadishu on Saturday killed 39 worshippers, wounded scores more and hurt a senior member of the al Qaeda-linked al Shabaab rebels.

It was the second attack this week on a mosque in Bakara Market, an area of Mogadishu dominated by members of the country’s two main rebel groups, al Shabaab and Hizbul Islam.

Saturday’s attack was at the Abdalla Shideye mosque which is used by al Shabaab officials to deliver speeches. Most of the dead were said to be members, officials and commanders of the hardline rebel group.

I’ve been conning my parents: Anushka

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Mumbai, May 03: After having wooed several hearts as Taani ji in Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi, Anushka Sharma is super excited about her latest, Badmaash Company.

Tell us something about the script and your character in the film?
I was completely bowled over by the script. Also I was not told who had written it. So I was completely unaware, I was just given a script and told to read it. In fact, I had to read it on my way to London where I was going to for a few days. Once I started reading it and I couldn’t stop till I finished. I loved it so much.