Month: August 2010

2007 Military Games’ entire spending unauthorised: CAG

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New Delhi, August 20: Even as corruption allegations in the 2010 Commonwealth Games fly thick and fast, the 2007 Military World Games (MWG) organised by India has now come under the scanner of government auditors, who have raised questions over approval for the event’s entire expenditure.

In its report to Parliament today, the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) said the Services Sports Control Board (SSCB) had organised the 4th edition of the MWG “without obtaining the approval of the competent authority for the entire expenditure” worth Rs 138 crore.

Dalit memorials in Noida:’No automatic go- ahead’

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New Delhi, August 20: The Supreme Court today said there is no automatic go-ahead for Uttar Pradesh government’s project of constructing statues and memorials for Dalit leaders at Noida Park merely because the Centre has stated that environment clearance was not required for it.

It said such a stand of the Centre that the Environment Impact Assesssment (EIA) was not required for the project has to be discussed in detail before arriving at any conclusion.

Huge amount spent in IPL II for ceremonies, hospitality

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Mumbai, August 20: The Indian Premier League spent over 55 crore in opening and closing ceremonies, entertainment and hospitality when the Twenty20 League was held in South Africa last year with now suspended Lalit Modi at its helm.

The cost of the opening and closing ceremonies, which was 7.36 crore in the inaugural edition of IPL in 2008 held in India, shot up to Rs 18.37 crore, according to the statement of accounts presented today at the IPL Governing Council meeting here.

300% salary hike, yet complaining

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Mumbai, August 20: The Union Cabinet on Friday approved the bill as per which the basic salary of the MPs will be increased from Rs 16, 000 to Rs 50, 000 per month.

The decision has not satisfied the MPs. The Members of the Samajwadi Party (SP), Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), Janata Dal-United (JD-U) and other parties slammed the cabinet over the minimal hike and asked the cabinet to take it back.

RJD Chief Lalu Prasad and SP leader Mulayam Singh Yadav raised slogans to take back the hike in Lok Sabha.

Sensex ends 69 points low

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Mumbai, August 20: A benchmark index for Indian equities ended a choppy day of trade on Friday with a 69 point loss, with FMCG, IT, telecom and banking stocks declining.

The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 18,444.24 points, closed at 18,385.8 points (provisional), 69.14 points or 0.37 percent down from its previous close at 18,454.94 points.

At the National Stock Exchange (NSE), the broader 50-share S&P CNX Nifty shut shop 0.22 percent lower at 5,528.2 points.

Sharath loses in China open

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China, August 20: India’s Sharat Kamal loses his doubles pre-quarter final match in China Open Table Tennis in Suzhou (China).

Sharath and his Swedish partner Par Gerell lost to the German pair of Patrick Baum and Bastian Steger 11-8, 9-11, 7-11, 11-9, 11-13, 5-11. Sharath had a new partner in Gerell as his usual partner compatriot Subhajit Saha could not play due to injury.

The Indian-Swede pair was very much in contention when the match was tied at 2-2. But they could not match the pace of the Germans and lost the next two games.

Hyderabad police bust drug racket

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Hyderabad, August 20: Continuing its crackdown on Nigerian and Ugandan drug peddlers, Hyderabad Police have busted yet another drug racket allegedly exposing its nexus with the Telugu film industry.

Among those arrested in this crackdown include two persons who are the brothers of popular Telugu film actor Ravi Teja, police said.

Presenting the Nigerian drug peddler and three customers before the media today, City Police Commissioner A K Khan said this is fourth gang involving foreign nationals which has been busted in connection with selling cocaine.

Genelia maintains stamina with football

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Mumbai, August 20: Actress Genelia D’Souza says that her passion for football helps keep her stamina levels high. Genelia was a state level athlete and national level football player in her school and college days, before choosing acting as her profession.

“People often ask how a Management student and a sports person like me leads the hectic life of an actress. But, sports helps me manage my schedules in Hindi and South film industries by keeping my stamina levels high,” the actress said.

GOM: Hand over venues by August 31

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Mumbai, August 20: The Group of Ministers on Friday has directed all the agencies involved in the preparation of the Commonwealth Games to hand over the venues to the Organising Committee by August 31.

The testing of various equipment and networks to be installed will commence from September 1, the GoM decided.

The GoM on Commonwealth Games which met in Delhi also considered the status of the venues and took note of the problems being faced.

Court-martial against army general

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West Bengal, August 20: The Indian Army has ordered the court-martial of a lieutenant general rank for wrongdoing in the transfer of a 71-acre tea estate adjacent to the Sukna military station near Siliguri in West Bengal to a real estate dealer-a scandal that came to be known as the Sukna land scam.

Lt. Gen. G.K. Rath, the former commander of the 33 Corps, will face the legal action for allegedly giving a no-objection certificate (NoC) to real estate developer Dilip Agarwal for constructing an educational institute on land belonging to Indian Army.

Priyanka to play Indira Gandhi?

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Mumbai, August 20: After Madhuri Dixit backed out from the project on personal grounds, Indian origin US filmmaker Krishna Shah is now considering casting Bollywood actress Priyanka Chopra in the lead role in a biopic on late prime minister Indira Gandhi.

Titled “Mother: The Indira Gandhi Story”, it will be a big-budget two-part movie on the life of the Indian leader who was known as Iron Lady. Shah is working on the casting with Academy Award winning make-up artiste Jenny Shircore.

Sikhs in Kashmir need not fear: Chidambaram

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New Delhi, August 20: Home Minister P. Chidambaram Friday said Sikhs need not have fear in the Kashmir Valley, where some Sikh families have reportedly received anonymous letters from extremists asking them to either embrace Islam or leave.

“We are aware of the so-called threat but there is nothing to fear. The chief minister (Omar Abdullah) has assured that the Sikh community will be given protection,” Chidambaram said in the Rajya Sabha after Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) members voiced protest over the issue forcing a brief adjournment.

Priyanka Chopra to play Indira Gandhi in biopic?

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New Delhi, August 20: After Madhuri Dixit backed out from the project on personal grounds, Indian origin US filmmaker Krishna Shah is now considering casting Bollywood actress Priyanka Chopra in the lead role in a biopic on late prime minister Indira Gandhi.

Titled “Mother: The Indira Gandhi Story”, it will be a big-budget two-part movie on the life of the Indian leader who was known as Iron Lady. Shah is working on the casting with Academy Award winning make-up artiste Jenny Shircore.

Supreme Court not to meddle in Telangana row

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New Delhi, August 20: The Supreme Court Friday declined to interfere in the Telangana row, saying it was a political issue and better left to political bosses.

A bench of Chief Justice S.H. Kapadia and Justice K.S. Radhakrishnan said the court could step in only after a law for carving out Telangana was put in place and someone felt aggrieved by it.
–IANS

Vidya’s cameo

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Mumbai, August 20: Vidya Balan as most are well aware is the front line heroine of Bollywood. Last week the news regarding her was her usual repetitive denial to act in Tamil films. However, this Kerala born actress seems to be concerned to be featured her in Mollywood films. This might sound a little strange, but it is completely real.

Tension At Studio, As SRK, Salman Avoid Each Other

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Mumbai, August 20: High tension prevailed in Mehboob Studios, Bandra on Wednesday evening. Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan, who can’t stand each other, were shooting within frightening proximity of each other, reports Media.

While Shah Rukh was shooting for a TV commercial, Salman was giving interviews for his brother Arbaaz Khan’s forthcoming release Dabangg.

Buzz is that Shah Rukh’s well-wishers called him up, urging him to delay his arrival until Salman concluded his interviews about Dabangg.

I am not ”Mr Perfectionist: Aamir Khan

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Melbourne, August 20: ”Mr Perfectionist” is a tag that has always been associated with Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan but the actor-producer says that he only tries to do work that he believes in.

“I don”t see myself as a perfectionist. I don”t think anyone is perfect and anyone can be. I am someone who enjoys doing what I am doing and I do it with lot of love and passion,” Khan told PTI in an interview during his recent visit to Melbourne Film Festival 2010.

Teacher makes girl blind for not doing homework

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Jaipur, August 20: Another severe corporal punishment came up as a 7-year-old girl lost her left eye vision for not completing her school home works.

Piya Chaudhary, the first standard student of Jhunjhunu’s Tagore School in Rajasthan, was thrashed by her class teacher on Jul 3.

“I had not completed my homework, so Pratibha ma’am first beat me with the copy and then slapped me many times. After that she made me stand on a table with my hands above my head,” said Piya.

Video Is Katrina Kaif the face of Etihad?

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Mumbai, August 20: The Bollywood actress is featured in a viral video directed by Farah Khan, with the airline’s crew as back-up dancersKatrina Kaif grooving to yet another Bollywood number is hardly newsworthy.

But it certainly grabs your attention when a viral video featuring the actress also sees Etihad Airways’ cabin crew shaking a hip with her. And it could also mean the actress will be one of the stars walking the red carpet at the upcoming Abu Dhabi Film Festival.

Why is Anjana praising Priyanka?

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Mumbai, August 20: Anjana Sukhani, who participated in the first season of Fear Factor – Khatron Ke Khiladi, heaps lavish praise on Priyanka Chopra – the host of third installment of the action adventure reality show. She says the actress will pull it off well and give a complex to men.

Priyanka will be seen sporting a grungy look as the host of Colors’ adventure reality show Fear Factor – Khatron Ke Khiladi 3. The first two seasons were hosted by Bollywood’s action star Akshay Kumar.

Geelani put under house arrest, Mirwaiz released

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Srinagar, August 20: Breakaway Hurriyat Conference (HC) Chairman Syed Ali Shah Geelani was put under house arrest this morning while moderate HC Chairman Mirwaiz Moulvi Omar Farooq was released.

Official sources said Mr Geelani was put under arrest as a precautionary measure to prevent any law and order problem.

A spokesman for the HC Aiyaz Akbar told UNI that a large number of security forces and state police personnel had been deployed outside the Hyderpora residence of Mr Geelani at 1000 hrs.
–UNI

Rani Mukerji all set to marry

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Mumbai, August 20: According to reports, Wedding bells are soon to ring for Rani Mukerji. Supposedly sometime in November, celebrations will commence with the traditional Mukerji family Durga Puja in October.

But Rani is quite annoyed as media keeps on flashing her wedding date every month like breaking news. Nodody till date knows the ” Dulha”.

But Rani beleive it or not, if you declare the date of your shaadi, the baraat will be there at your doorstep in a minute!

——Agencies

Moon is shrinking, but not to worry: Scientists

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Washington, August 20: The only natural satellite of earth, the moon is shrinking, US scientists declared on Thursday, Aug 20, but not to worry much about it.

This discovery was made by US scientists who examined thousands of photographs of the moon’s surface taken by a Nasa orbiter.

A team led by Thomas Watters at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington DC, studied high-resolution images of the moon taken over the past year by Nasa’s latest moon probe, the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter.

Cop suspended for cremating Muslim as Hindu rites

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Patna, August 20: Two police officers have been suspended here after a Muslim banker found dead near a park was mistakenly identified as a beggar and cremated according to Hindu rites.

The body of Mohd Ishrafil, a 46-year-old State Bank of India official, was recovered near Gandhi Maidan last week. He was cremated within three hours.

According to police, Ishrafil’s body was cremated after officials assumed he was a beggar. “It was a big mistake on the part of the police,” an officer admitted Friday.

Jolie loves to cook meals

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London, August 20: Hollywood star Angelina Jolie enjoys preparing meals for her demanding family and says sometimes the job makes her feel as if she is a waitress.

The actress raises six children — Maddox, 9, Pax, 6, Zahara, 5, Shiloh, 4, and two-year-old twins Knox and Vivienne — with partner Brad Pitt. She admits juggling the requests of so many can be tricky, contactmusic.com reports.