Month: February 2011

I’m calm, I-T men just doing their job, says Katrina

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New Delhi, February 04: It seems Bollywood actress Katrina Kaif wants to’just chill’and not read much into the tax raids in her house.

Here in the capital for a promotional event, the actress faced a lot of questions on the raids but she preferred to stay calm about the whole thing.

“I think the I-T department officials were only doing their job. I have the highest regard for them. An article today says that I have been given a clean chit, so I am happy.

“I think its ok. It’s fine Everyone is just doing their job. I am very calm about the whole thing,”26-year-old Kaif said.

Priyanka is the hottest in Dharmendra’s eyes

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Mumbai, February 04: Priyanka Chopra is one of the top actresses in Bollywood. Film lovers adore her and every filmmaker wants a piece of her. Now, yesteryear superstar Dharmendra has praised her to heavens by saying that she is the hottest actress around.

Dharmendra said that Priyanka is the hottest among the current actresses in Bollywood. He added that she is a good actress and expressed his eagerness to work with her in one of his future films.

Will someone cast Dharmendra and Priyanka together?

——–Agencies

Egyptian journalist quits state TV

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Cairo, February 04: A woman journalist has quit her job with Egypt’s state-run Nile TV saying that she did not want to be part of their “propaganda machine”.

Nile TV anchorwoman Shahira Amin told the BBC: “We were not allowed to report on what was happening in Tahrir Square.”

“I spent the whole day yesterday (Thursday) at Nile TV and we were just covering the pro-Mubarak rallies, which I thought was ridiculous. I don’t want to be part of their propaganda machine. You know, when the system doesn’t suit you just walk out.”

Was Mona Lisa A Man?

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London, February 04: For centuries, experts have been tyring to figure out the reason for her enigmatic smile. Now, it’s claimed that Mona Lisa may have been hiding a remarkable secret – she was actually a man.

An Italian art historian has claimed that the model in Leonardo da Vinci’s masterpiece was one of his male muses, a young man called Gian Giacomo Caprotti, whose nose and mouth bear striking similarities to those of Mona Lisa.

Two explosions kill 12 in Turkey

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Ankara, February 04: Two explosions have left 12 people dead and dozens of others wounded within hours in Turkey’s industrial park, officials say.

The first blast ripped through a paint-production plant in the Turkish capital city of Ankara on Thursday morning, collapsing two stories of a four-storey building, where generators were produced.

At least eight people were killed and 34 others were injured. There were still five workers buried under the debris.

Biden warns Egyptian VP to end violence

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Washington, February 04: US Vice President Joe Biden has warned his Egyptian counterpart Omar Suleiman to put an end to violence and take immediate steps for a political transition.

“Vice President Biden urged that credible, inclusive negotiations begin immediately in order for Egypt to transition to a democratic government that addresses the aspirations of the Egyptian people,” read a statement by the White House on Thursday.

Uttar Pradesh ATS to investigate hacking of bank website

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Ballia, February 04: Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terror Squad will investigate the hacking of Ballia-Etawah Gramin Bank’s website allegedly by a Pakistani organisation, a senior police official said today.

The investigation has been handed over to Varansi unit of the ATS as this was a cyber crime case and there is a suspicion of involvement of Pakistan-based hackers, district SP Ram Swaroop said here.

A message was posted on the bank’s website by a self- proclaimed Pakistani organisation yesterday.

Gazans support Egyptian revolution

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Gaza, February 04: Hundreds of Palestinians in the besieged Gaza Strip have taken to the streets to express their support for the ongoing Egyptian revolution.

As anti-government protests in Egypt entered its 10th day, over 1,000 Gazans mainly students gathered at the Egyptian representative office in the Gaza City on Thursday, a Media correspondent reported from Gaza.

Emotions are running high among Gazans, who are closely monitoring the popular uprising in Egypt and see it as a source of empowerment and inspiration.

Injured Collingwood to fly back to UK

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Perth, February 04: England’s arduous tour of Australia has claimed another victim, with all-rounder Paul Collingwood to return home with a back spasm.

Collingwood suffered the injury during England’s loss to Australia in the sixth one-day international at the Sydney Cricket Ground Sydney yesterday.

Captain Andrew Strauss later lamented that the tourists had missed the veteran’s medium pacers during Australia’s record run chase which saw them make 334-8 to take a 5-1 lead in the seven match series.

Islamic militants support Egyptian protesters

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Amman, February 04: Islamic militants took to the Internet to call on Muslims to unite behind Egyptian protesters and not to “waste the chance” to topple President Hosni Mubarak and claim power in the North African nation.

Some extremist websites urged Muslims to rally after Friday prayers and to back the fundamentalist Muslim Brotherhood, which is the largest opposition group in Egypt.

‘Egyptian youth seek credible leader’

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Cairo, February 04: Talk of President Mubarak’s departure raises concern about the ability of the future leader in addressing the needs of the younger generation, an expert says.

“Mubarak has shown that 30 years of misrule has left Egypt in a position where the common people need to revolt and say enough is enough,”African political anaylst Ayo Johnson told Media.

“It’s a loud and clear message that for those with oppressive regimes, that have oppressed the people for generations, actions we are witnessing now can truly become [a means for revolution],” Johnson adds.

Raja Suffering for His Good Deeds: Karunanidhi

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Chennai, February 04: Putting up a stout defence of former Telecom Minster A Raja arrested in 2G spectrum scam case, Chief Minister M Karunanidhi today said he was suffering in jail only because he helped mobile phone facilities reach the poor and downtrodden and played the caste card.

Likening Raja to King Mahabali of Kerala, Karunanidhi told a public meeting here that the Hindu mythology had it that Mahabali had to suffer for the good things he did for the people and due to the upper caste people.

Two Killed, 27 Injured in Blast

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Islamabad, February 04: A bomb went off at a Sufi shrine in the old quarters of this eastern Pakistani city today, killing two persons and injuring 27 more, an official spokesman said.

A large number of people had gathered at the ‘langar’ or community kitchen of the Baba Haider Saeen shrine near the historic Lahore Fort when the explosion occurred at its entrance late last night.

The explosive device was planted near the shrine, state-run Rescue 1122 service spokesman Fahim Jehanzeb told PTI.

“Two persons were killed and 27 others were injured, five of them seriously,” he said.

PRO seeking bribe caught redhanded at passport office

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Hyderabad, February 4: The widespread corruption at Hyderabad regional passport office was exposed on Thursday when Anti corruption team of Central Bureau of Investigation caught public relation officer K Vasant Kumar of Passport office red-handed.

According to details Shuja a resident of old city approached passport office to obtain police clearance certificate (PCC) but Vasant Kumar was allegedly delaying issuing of PCC deliberately later he sought bribe of 4000 rs.

Afghan prisoner dies in Guantanamo

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Cuba, February 04: An Afghan detainee held without charges at the Guantanamo Bay prison camp for nearly eight years has died after exercising, the US military says.

Awal Gul, 48, reportedly collapsed and died after working out on an exercise machine.

Detainees had brought him to a guard station for emergency help, but authorities were unable to revive him, AFP reported.

I don’t care what people say about me: Mubarak

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Cairo, February 04: Insisting that Egypt would sink into chaos if he were to leave office now, a defiant President Hosni Mubarak has said he doesn’t care what people say about him and was fed up of being president.

“I don’t care what people say about me. Right now I care about my country, I care about Egypt,” said an embattled Mubarak, who has been under intense pressure to step down following a political upheaval that turned violent and left eight people dead and over 800 injured.

‘Iraq war ordered 15 days after 9/11’

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Washington, February 04: Former US Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld says in his memoirs that ex-President George W. Bush ordered the Iraq war just two weeks after September 11.

In his autobiography scheduled to be released on February 8, Rumsfeld writes that 15 days after 9/11, when Pentagon’s focus was on Afghan war, Bush called him to his office and ordered a review plans for Iraq war.

Over 200 kidnap victims killed in Mexico in 2010

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Mexico, February 04: At least 209 kidnap victims were murdered last year in Mexico, double the number in 2009, a coalition of civic groups has said.

The Movimiento Blanco coalition said the total includes 72 Central American migrants who were kidnapped and massacred in August 2010 in northern Tamaulipas state by armed gunmen from the Los Zetas drug cartel.

But ‘if those murders were not considered, in any case the number of kidnap victims murdered in Mexico in 2010 would be the largest in the history of Mexico’, it said.

And Now, The Thugs

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It’s such a heady proposition: an end to dictatorial regimes in the Middle East, a newly empowered citizenry, the prospect of real democracy. As Nick Kristof tweeted early on, Innaharda, ehna kullina Misriyeen – “today, we are all Egyptians.”

El-Baradei says Mubarak has until Friday to get on the plane and leave Egypt. But it seems he’s not going to fade gently into the good night. “I wish it could be done so gently,” wrote one commenter on my previous post, rightly sceptical of my optimism.

And now, the thugs. And the specter, after ten days of exhilarating hope, of heartbreak.

Sonakshi Sinha: Weight misfortune compulsory for following activities

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Mumbai, February 04: Sonakshi Sinha is one of those actresses who didn’t have any problem being on the plump side of the line. No size zero craving nor is she ready to sizzle on the screen by donning on short revealing dresses. But things might change soon, may be not the drastic level of Sonakshi performing a belly dancing number like Katrina Kaif did in ‘Sheila Ki Jawaani’ but she is ready to sizzle with a svelte body.

Vidya Balan turns Mohanlal’s fondness engage

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Mumbai, February 04: Bollywood actress Vidya Balan has reportedly signed her second Malayalam film, which has been titled Arabiyum, Ottakavum, Madhavan Nairum. It is being directed by Priyadarshan. There are three lead ladies in the film. Vidya will be playing superstar Mohanlal’s love interest in it.

Arabiyum, Ottakavum, Madhavan Nairum is produced by Ashok Kumar, Jamal Al Nuaimi and Naveen Shashidharan under the banner of Jancos Entertainment. This Malayalam movie will feature actresses Bhavana and Lakshmi Rai in female leads along with Vidya Balan.

Spin Bowling, All-Rounders Advantage to India: Dravid

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Mumbai, February 04: Former cricket captain Rahul Dravid says the number of batsmen in the Indian team who can bowl part-time spin gives the Mahendra Singh Dhoni-led team an advantage in the World Cup commencing on February 19.

“India are obviously one of the favourites. They have been playing well for a number of years. It’s a well-balanced side with a number of spinning all-rounders or part-time bowlers, which gives India a big advantage,” said Dravid after receiving Ceat Cricket Rating World Cup Retro award.

SIT Doesn’t Give Modi a Clean Chit: Tehelka

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Ahmedabad, February 04: Tehelka magazine today released details of a purported report of the Supreme Court-appointed Special Investigation Team(SIT) into Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi’s alleged role in the post-Godhra riots in 2002.

The magazine in a press release said that according to the report the chief minister had tried to water down the seriousness of the situation at Gulberg Society, Naroda Patiya and other places by saying that “every action has an equal and opposite reaction.”

Obama’s prayer: ‘Lord, have that skirt get longer’

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Washington, February 04: Like any other father of a growing daughter, Barack Obama too has to sometimes summon the help of God. In fact, he says being president “has a funny way of making a person feel the need to pray.”

At the National Prayer Breakfast Thursday, Obama departed from an otherwise serious talk about prayer to poke a bit of fun at his elder daughter, Malia and wife Michelle.

A course seeks ways to tackle Islamophobia

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New York, February 04: To deal with the spurt of hate crimes against Muslims that have seen a 17-fold increase post 9/11 terror attacks in the US, a course will be offered here to identify the issues that encourage such crimes.

Attacks on Muslims and those perceived to be Muslim have “increased exponentially” not only in the US but also around the world, say experts.

According to the FBI, there has been a 17-fold increase in such crimes after the 9/11 terror attacks in 2001 in the US.