Nepal, August 02: Uncertain of being able to elect a new prime minister on Monday in the third round of an unprecedented, protracted battle for power, Nepal’s major parties have agreed to hold a fourth round of election on Thursday.
Islamabad, August 02: Pakistan Army chief General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, whose forces sponsor a large-scale guerrilla war through Afghan proxies to keep New Delhi out of Afghanistan, wants Indian consulates in the war-torn country to be closed, says a Canadian diplomat and former deputy head of the UN mission in Kabul.
Chris Alexander, who was Canada’s ambassador in Kabul from 2003 to 2005 and later deputy of the UN mission until 2009, said Gen. Kayani is calling the shots on Afghanistan and prepared to support suicide attacks in Afghanistan’s cities.
Pakistan, August 02: The death toll from flooding in Pakistan has been increased to 1,500 following the worst flooding in 40 years. Pakistani Aid agencies claimed the toll might be double in the coming days. At least 500 people are wounded and another 900 are missing.
God forbid but I think that in coming days the death toll might reach 3,000,” said Bilqis Edhi of the Edhi Foundation. Haider Khan Hoti, chief minister of Khyber-Pakhtoonkhwa, said the infrastructure of the province has been collapsed due to the disaster.
New Delhi, August 02: Against the backdrop of a controversy over arrangements for the Haj, the external affairs ministry Monday said it was in touch with various ministries to ensure the timely preparations for the annual pilgrimage undertaken by over 150,000 Indian Muslims every year.
‘Government of India attaches great importance to making all necessary arrangements in a timely manner for Haj 2010,’ External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Vishnu Prakash said here.
‘There are some ongoing cases pertaining to Haj matters in various courts of law in the country,’ he said.
Hyderabad, August 02: Telugu Desam Party president N Chandrababu aidu on Monday demanded that the government immediately ban all iron ore exports from the state. He also demanded that the government release a White Paper on all exports of iron ore from the state since the past six years.
Talking to media persons at the NTR Trust Bhavan, Mr Naidu said that Karnataka has banned export of iron ore after an estimated that 30 million tons was illegally exported from that State in the last few years.
New Delhi, August 02: The National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO) Monday launched the Condom Social Marketing Programme (CSMP), under the third phase of the National AIDS Control Programme (NACP-III), targeting sales of 47 crore condoms across 370 districts of the country.
The CSMP will focus on increasing condom availability, particularly in rural areas as well as in non-traditional outlets like grocery shops, roadside eateries, auto/taxi workshops, barber shops etc.
Mumbai, August 02: You must have read stories about Karan Johar’s friendship with Salman Khan and Aamir Khan. But, to reveal the truth, Karan Johar is closest to only one Khan in B-Town and that is none other that SRK.
It’s learnt that despite his friendly overtures with Salman and Aamir, KJO is quite loyal to his friendship with SRK. Be that his recent stint as the co-director of SRK’s film RA.ONE where he was called to shoot some romantic sequences or his general camaraderie, SRK always remains the most preferred Khan for Karan Johar.
Hyderabad, August 02: The Congress candidates who lost the recent by-elections to 12 Assembly seats in Telangana region, today decided to write a letter to the party high command explaining the reason for their defeat. “The sentiment in favour of separate Telangana is very strong.
TRS retained all the seats because people voted for those who had quit their posts for the sake of Telangana. The verdict in the elections is not against Congress or in favour of anybody,” state Congress chief D Srinivas told reporters.
Mumbai, August 02: Be there to celebrate the Spirit of Indian Independence Day as BIG Cinemas, a division of Reliance MediaWorks and member of the Reliance Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group, hosts the ‘Spirit of my Tiranga’ festival across 11 theatres in USA from August 7-15, 2010.
BIG Cinemas is holding a week long movie marathon where a lineup of memorable movies like RANG DE BASANTI, LAGE RAHO MUNNABHAI, 3 IDIOTS, CHAK DE INDIA, NAMASTE LONDON, ROCK ON, SIVAJI, DASAVATHARAM, and INDIAN would be screened FREE.
Hyderabad, August 02: The Congress candidates who lost the recent by-elections to 12 Assembly seats in Telangana region, today decided to write a letter to the party high command explaining the reason for their defeat. “The sentiment in favour of separate Telangana is very strong.
TRS retained all the seats because people voted for those who had quit their posts for the sake of Telangana. The verdict in the elections is not against Congress or in favour of anybody,” state Congress chief D Srinivas told reporters.
Mumbai, August 02: After ruling bollywood, Katrina Kaif is playing the role of a mentor these days.
It’s learnt that Katrina is making all efforts these days to bring in her younger sister Isabelle to bollywood. So, the leading lady is putting in a word for her sister to all the A-lister directors for a good role.
—Agencies
Mumbai, August 02: It seems Vivek Oberoi has finally found the COMPANY he was looking for. The grapevine is abuzz with reports stating Vivek Oberoi has found his match and will get married soon.
Reportedly, the girl is Priyanka Alva, daughter of Karnataka Minister and late Janata Dal leader Jeevaraj Alva and social worker Nandini Alva.
—Agencies
Mumbai, August 02: Celina Jaitley’s strikingly unconventional looks manage to turn heads everywhere. She was recently spotted at the music launch of her upcoming movie sporting a totally new look. Her front bangs coupled with the heavily kohl-ed eyes drew glances everywhere. She has been receiving tons of compliments and some even say that she reminds them of American pop sensation Katy Perry.
Mumbai, August 02: Salman Khan who is taking a very keen interest in the Dabangg debutante Sonakshi Sinha’s career has personally advised her not to sign any more films until her first film is released. Which explains why Sonakshi has turned down lucrative offers from several big banners excluding a second film with Salman Khan.
The trailers for Sonakshi Sinha’s Dabangg went on air this week. Immediately Sonakshi Sinha made an impact on many minds including Sanjay Leela Bhansali who wants to offer her a role.
Mumbai, August 02: Sonam Kapoor won’t kiss her Mausam co-star Shahid Kapoor and was shocked when she was asked to do so at the last minute, during the Scotland schedule.
It took her completely unawares as there had been no talk of any kissing scene when she signed on. She was never told that there would be a liplock with Shaks. No mention of it was made even during the detailed script narrations.
Says a unit source, “Sonam was taken aback when the director (and co-star Shahid’s dad Pankaj) told her about it. She flatly refused.”
Mumbai, August 02: In recent news, Katrina had been busy shooting in Spain for Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara, a Zoya Akhtar film. She took a break to be with her family and took a seven day break to be in London with her sisters. Katrina later left Spain on the 25th and is presently in London.
Call it a coincidence, Bollywood actor Ranbir Kapoor, who was busy, shooting in Delhi, also landed up in London to shoot for an ad film. He was in London till yesterday. Later Ranbir flew off to Cape Town, South Africa so as to complete the other half of the same ad film.
Mumbai, August 02: In recent Bollywood news, it has been revealed that acclaimed Bollywood actor Vidya Balan also woos Salman Khan and is desperate to romance him on the silver screen.
Salman is in the wish list of Vidya and she is eagerly looking forward to be cast opposite to him in the near future. She said Salman’s name, when she was asked about her choice. This just shows that the actress is very enthusiastic about playing a role opposite to Salman.
Mumbai, August 02: In Dil To Bachcha Hai Jee Shazahn Padamsee plays the nice sweet Catholic girl who works in Ajay Devgn’s company. Soon the 40-year old character begins to get attracted to the 20-year old girl.
Initially Shazahn whose last co-star was Ranbir Kapoor was intimidated by the thought of working with an actor so much her senior. But Madhur convinced her about the relevance of the age-group in the script.
Mumbai, August 02: Glamorous Antara Mali, who has gone bald for Amol Palekar’s forthcoming film “And Once Again”, admits it wasn’t easy shaving her head. Last seen on the big screen five years ago, she also says this is not her comeback film.
“Shaving your head is not an easy thing to do. I did suffer later, but I still have no regrets, ” Antara told in an interview.
New Delhi, August 02: India’s famous tennis player Somdev Devvarman broke into the top 100 of the tennis rankings in singles, jumping seven spots to 96 in the Association of Tennis Professional (ATP) chart on Monday.
Somdev is only the second Indian after Leander Paes to be ranked in the top 100. Paes’ career high singles ranking was 73 in 1998.
London, August 02: Formula One driver Michael Schumacher is going to face punishment at his next Grand Prix over misbehave with his former team-mate.
Michael Schumacher will be penalised 10 grid places at the next Grand Prix after a move Rubens Barrichello called the most dangerous in his long career.
Schumacher pushed his former team-mate within centimetres of a concrete wall as the pair were travelling at 180mph, late in the Hungarian Grand Prix.
Immediately after the race, Schumacher maintained he had not been at fault.
Mumbai, August 02: Bollywood’s hot actress Mallika Sherawat, who has been a known name in Hollywood by this time, has signed her third Hollywood film titled Politics of Love. The film stars African-American actor Brian White, who is also a dancer, lacrosse player, stock broker, football player, and youth activist.
The film is based on the 2008 US Presidential election, which was a historical moment as Obama became the first African-American president of the country.
Mumbai, August 02: Shahid Kapoor has always been in news for his resemblance to Shahrukh Khan and also imitating latter in his films. However, in reality Shahid likes to step into Aamir’s shoes.
If sources are to be believed, he desires to kiss all his co-stars in every film he does just like Aamir Khan used to in his young days.
In fact, recently he put forth his request of introducing kiss scene to his father Pankaj Kapoor in latter’s directorial debut Mausam.
Sri Lanka, August 02: Indian batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar will on Tuesday add another record in his cap.
The World Record holder Indian batsman will become the most Test playing cricketer in the third Test of ongoing series in Sri Lanka.
The master blaster will surpass former Australian skipper Steve Waugh when he will take the field in his 169th Test match against Sri Lanka.
The 37-year-old batsman is just two-match behind the Sanath Jayasuriya’s most 444 ODIs appearance. Also read: Sachin Tendulkar’s record
Colombo, August 02: Injury blues have been continued for Team India in The Test series against Sri Lanka. Skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni received sever jolt when Gambhir was ruled out for third and final Test due to injury.
Ace spinner Harbhajan Singh is also said to b a doubtful starter for third Test beginning from Tuesday at the P. Sara Oval stadium in Colombo.
India are one down in the three match series and Gambhir’s ouster will definitely hamper its efforts to level the series on a ground where hosts have impressive winning record.