Month: March 2011

Varun Gandhi’s wedding rituals start at Varanasi

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Varanasi, March 06: The rhapsodic ragas of shehnai and sonorous sound of conches reverberated the Kamkoteshwar temple as the wedding rituals of Bharatiya Janata Party MP Varun Gandhi and graphic designer Yamini Roy started here Sunday morning.

The Kamkoteshwar temple on Hanuman Ghat, one of the most sacrosanct temples in the holy city of Varanasi that wore a bridal look, turned into a fortress with district police, provincial armed constabulary (PAC) and other security personnel standing at its every nook and corner.

Prohibitory orders around exam centres in Hyderabad

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Hyderabad, March 06: In a bid to ensure smooth conduct of the intermediate and SSC examinations that are scheduled to begin from March 7, the Hyderabad Police have decided to clamp prohibitory orders under Section 144 of Criminal Procedure Code around the exam centres.

With a view to maintain public order and peace, Police Commissioner A K Khan has banned assembly of persons (under CrPC Section 144) around 500 yards at all the examination centres, police said.

The prohibitory orders will be in force from March 7 to April 9, a Police Department release said this evening.

Cong, DMK Are “Burden” On Each Other: BJP

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Lucknow, March 06: BJP today said Congress and DMK have become “burden” on each other and the Dravidian party’s decision to pull out of the UPA government was “another blow to Manmohan Singh dispensation.

“There is a chasm in relations between Congress and DMK.The rift will naturally increase. It is not due only to the distribution or seat-sharing”, BJP General Secretary Arun Jaitley told a BJP meeting here.He said “when the popularity of the coalition has gone down so much, how can the coalition run. The two parties have become burden on each other”.

Three-men gang held for robbery

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New Delhi, March 06: Three people were held for allegedly robbing commuters after giving them lift during night hours here, police said Saturday.

Kamal Kishore (25), Bhagwan Singh (31) and Anu (20) were arrested from Wazirpur area in north Delhi Friday, said a senior police officer.

The crime branch nabbed them on a complaint filed by an engineering student in February.

According to police, a first year student of Bhagwan Parshuram Institute of Technology in north Delhi was offered a lift late in the night from Rohini to Gurgaon by the gang for Rs.20.

UAE, Jamaica establish diplomatic relations

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New York, March 05: The UAE and Jamaica have formally established diplomatic relations.

Both countries Friday signed a joint communique in this regard.

Ahmed Al-Jarman, ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary and permanent representative of the UAE to the UN, and Raymond Wolfe, ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary and permanent representative of Jamaica to the UN, signed the communique at a ceremony in New York.

–IANS–

Lopez loses her curves

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London, March 06: The famous curvaceous body of the singer is no more in sight as Jennifer Lopez have been replaced by a leaner, fitter look.

The 41-year-old was happy to show off her slim legs in shorts and her washboard stomach in a midriff-baring lace blouse when she stepped out in Hollywood this week, reports express.co.uk.

J-Lo has been following an exercise programme and, it is said, using the Dukan diet to get into shape.

The French eating regime combines slow-releasing carbohydrates such as wholegrain rice with protein-rich foods such as chicken and fish.

–IANS–

Britons are TV addicts!

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London, March 06: Britons buy nearly twice as many television sets as their continental counterparts, says a report.

The set of choice is now the flat screen of which an astonishing 43 million were sold in Britain between 2004 and 2010, reports express.co.uk.

The figure far outstrips the 28 million sold in Germany and 27 million in France, the report added.

And British viewers spend many more hours in front of the box than they realise.

The report says viewers of all ages are embracing modern technology to ensure they never miss a minute of their favourite shows.

Libya asks UN Security Council to suspend sanctions

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Tripoli, March 06: Libya has asked the UN Security Council to suspend sanctions against the Muammar Gaddafi’s regime, which were imposed in response to violent suppression of protests by the government in the country, Al Arabiya TV channel reported.

The Security Council adopted a resolution Feb 26 on “targeted measures” against the current Libyan government. The sanctions include a total arms embargo, travel bans and freezing of accounts held by the country’s leadership.

Depp puzzled by sex symbol status

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London, March 06: Actor Johnny Depp can’t understand why women adore him because he thinks he looks “unpleasant at times”.

The “Tourist” star admits he’ll never get used to the attention of female fans, reports dailystar.co.uk.

“The idea of attention for your work is nice but I never quite understood any of the other bits, where somehow you’ve been voted something for a magazine,” he said.

“It’s a complete mystery to me. I wake up and I have to look at my head when I brush my teeth every morning and it’s weird and it’s unpleasant at times,” he added.

Price promises Reid role in new film

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London, March 06: Glamour model Katir Price has promised to make estranged husband Alex Reid a film star by offering him a part playing himself in her new movie.

And the 35-year-old cage-fighter who has always wanted to be an actor, is said to be “over the moon”, reports dailystar.co.uk.

Price, 32, flew out to Los Angeles last week to finalise deals for a movie about her roller-coaster life.

“Alex has made no secret about his dreams to break Hollywood,” said a close pal.

Dannii Minogue urged to slow down

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London, March 06: Dannii Minogue’s boyfriend Kris Smith wants her to relax more as he worries she will get over-stressed with her many working commitments.

The 39-year-old singer who has a seven-month-old son Ethan with Smith is often urged to slow down by her partner, because he feels she will get sick from the stress of juggling home life and professional work, reports femalefirst.co.uk.

“Dannii works non-stop. It’s mind-blowing to me. I’m extremely proud of her. I wish she’d sit back and relax at some point, before stress levels do their worst,” he said.

Russia to spend $160 mn on health care in 2011

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Moscow, March 06: Russia will allocate 4.5 billion rubles ($159.7 million) in 2011 to provide its citizens with hi-tech medical care, the government said.

A total of 55 Russian regions will receive subsidies from the federal budget to improve medical treatment, a statement said.

‘Tanu Weds Manu’ gave me new image: Deepak Dhobriyal

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Mumbai, March 06: He played ‘pappi’ in the film “Tanu Weds Manu” and walked with accolades for his flawless comic timing. Actor Deepak Dhobriyal is now happy with his new image which is a far cry from his earlier serious roles.

“The films I did so far like ‘Gulaal’, ‘Delhi 6′ and ‘Omkara’ cast a different image of me in the audience’s mind. People started taking me as a very serious person. That’s because they are not aware how fun-loving a person I am. I am happy that I could entertain people,” Deepak told IANS.

Skin trouble? Ask the expert on line

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New Delhi, March 06: In case you don’t feel like stepping out due to acne, just log in. Thanks to technology, many people have begun to explore online platforms like Skype and chat messengers or phone calls for expert advice on skin-related problems.

This mode of consultation is restricted to quick-fix beauty treatments like botox, skin-polishing, fillers or for basic problems like tanning, acne, pigmentation and even cough and cold.

Roll back service tax on AC hospitals: FICCI

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New Delhi, March 06: Expressing disappointment over the proposal to levy five percent service tax on treatment at air-conditioned private hospitals, a leading industry lobby has asked Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee to roll it back and extend infrastructure status to the healthcare sector.

The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) has contended that the proposal will impact the quality and safety measures, as today air-conditioning is an essential need and not a luxury in any hospital.

T employees back at work

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Hyderabad, March 06: After a 16-day non-cooperation movement, Andhra Pradesh government employees in Telangana region on Saturday returned to work after the government accepted some of their demands.

Over 3,00,000 employees in Hyderabad and nine other districts resumed work but leaders of the Telangana Employees Joint Action Committee (JAC) said they had only temporarily withdrawn the stir.

Telangana strike off; TJAC members confused

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Hyderabad, March 06: After raising heat and dust for 16 days with their non-cooperation stir, Telangana employees called it off on Friday, accepting everything that the government was willing to give them on day one. Observers are asking why the stir was called off so abruptly.

Allu Arjun’s big fat wedding

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Hyderabad, March 06: Today (March 6) is Tollywood’s young and dynamic star Allu Arjun’s most important day.

The Varadu will tie the knot with his sweetheart Sneha Reddy at Hitex in Hyderabad at 10.33 in the night.

The marriage is going to be telecast live in some leading Telugu channels.

Top Bollywood star Aamir Khan is said to be the special guest at the marriage of Allu Arjun and Sneha Reddy.

Bismillah`s disciple to play at Varun`s wedding

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Varanasi, March 06: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Varun Gandhi’s wedding with Kolkata-based graphic designer Yamini Roy here on Sunday will see shehnai maestro late Bismillah Khan’s son-in-law and disciple Ustad Ali Abbas render the ragas of his legendary teacher.

“I and my group will render the same tunes my ustad (Bismillah Khan) used to play during auspicious functions and ceremonies,” Abbas told reporters here on Saturday.

“It’s quite heartening that Varun’s wedding will take place here… We will make every effort from our side to make the wedding memorable,” he added.

Mubarak is the richest person in world

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London, March 06: Ousted Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak, reportedly ailing with cancer may be the richest man in the world, with his wealth estimated to be a staggering USD 70 billion.

Mubarak’s wealth comes from offshore accounts deposited in secret bank accounts or invested in luxury homes and hotels, according to ‘The Guardian’.

The British claimed that in over 30 years of presidency, the former Egyptian president had access to investment deals that over time have generated huge profits.

Most of these gains, according to the newspaper, were taken offshore.

School to teach Islamic investments

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Mumbai, March 06: An academy will soon be set up to educate Muslims about investments in various financial sectors, including stock exchange, capital market and banking in accordance to the principals of Sharia ( Islamic law).

Pragmatic Wealth Management Pvt. Ltd, a Mumbai Central-basedfirm which gives guidance on how to manage wealth according to Islamic laws is coming up with an academy where educated youth will be encouraged to seek employment and do business in the financial sector where participation of Muslims at present is shockingly low.

Godhra Verdict: Whither Justice?

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On 22rd February 2011, the session’s court gave its verdict on Godhra train burning of Sabarmati Express. It accepted the Gujarat state’s theory that the local Muslims had hatched a conspiracy to burn S-6 Coach of Sabaramati Express. At the same time of the 94 people being tried for this crime 63 were exonerated of the crime and 31 were held to be the guilty of planning to burn the Kar Sevaks. This conspiracy theory was initially put forward by Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi, who within half hour of the burning of the train came to this conclusion.

Will Dhoni dare drop Yusuf Pathan?

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New Delhi, March 06: After the tied match against England on February 27, Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s Team India has been mulling over various combinations that would help them secure their second win in the competition.

With no shortage of expert opinion doing the rounds, MiD DAY learns that skipper Dhoni is not tempted to change his combination, the bowlers taking a severe beating against England notwithstanding. However, there is no running away from the fact that the bowling and fielding

Ranbir Kapoor’s Rockstar look leaked

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Mumbai, March 06: Ranbir Kapoor’s look in the film Rockstar has been leaked on the internet.

Ranbir Kapoor and the female lead of the film Nargis are playing Delhi University students in the movie.

Ranbir is playing the student of Hindu College and Nargis is playing student of St. Stephens College.

When Ranbir was shooting in the Hindu college of Delhi University and students recorded the video.

Some of the students then uploaded the video on the internet.

Rockstar is being directed by Imtiaz Ali, who has earlier given hit movies like Jab We Met and Love Aaj Kal.

Tragedy brings Malaysians together

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Christchurch, March 06: Malaysians here have taken the opportunity of the recent earthquake tragedy to get together.

Many of them, who still hold their home country close to their heart despite being away for years, gathered for a simple meal of curry puffs, chicken curry and other traditional delicacies at the Christchurch Islamic Centre.

Ann Klassen, 49, who has been living here for about 15 years, said she was surprised to see the crowd at the buffet luncheon organised by Putera 1Malaysia Club.