Siddharth makes fun of Karan Johar, apologises

Mumbai, April 02: Karan Johar and south actor Siddharth got into a verbal volley of words on Twitter on Wednesday night.

The argument started when a fan of the Rang De Basanti star posted a comment saying, “You look so much like Karan Johar!”, to which the director replied, “Didn’t know I looked that bad Sid! Apologies!.”

Eventually Sid tried to put humour in the situation and said, “Ha! Ha! Of course you don’t. Welcome back Karan.”

Kangna Ranaut’s Sister Concern

Mumbai, April 02: Kangna Ranaut is super excited about her sister Rangoli’s wedding, which will take place mid-April at their hometown in Himachal Pradesh.

The actress has taken time off from the shoot of Double Dhamaal, which is currently being shot in Macau, to attend the celebrations.

Kangna’s sister Rangoli had suffered an acid attack in Dehradun in October 2006, sustaining injuries to her face, arms and eyes. The motive was allegedly unrequited love

A source said, “Kangna is very close to Rangoli and has done every possible thing to make it a dream wedding for her.

When Shah Rukh became teacher

Mumbai, April 02: King Khan would often turn teacher and teach acting to the young actors who star in his home production Always Kabhi Kabhi (AKK) which is being directed by Roshan Abbas.

Narrating his experience, Roshan said, “When I would narrate scenes, Shah Rukh would hear them and start enacting the scene.

It was a treat to see him play out the scenes himself. He would interpret and change lines, which helped get the right emotions. We often rewrote the scenes after watching him act, as he would say things that we had written in a paragraph, in just a look.”

Creative freedom

Rapid fire round with Sarah Jane Dias

Mumbai, April 02: Sarah Jane Dias, who makes her debut opposite Abhishek Bachchan in Game this week.

Started her career as a VJ years earlier, hosting several shows on music channels. Here she talks about her big break and gives you a sneak peek into her favourite things

MY STATUS: Currently unavailable.

MY MANTRA: When in doubt say no.

FAV FILM OF ALL TIME: Dil Chahta Hai, Andaaz Apna Apna.

FAV ACTOR: SRK, Salman Khan, Imran Khan, Ranbir Kapoor.

A DIRECTOR’S CALL I AM WAITING FOR: Vishal Bhardwaj and Karan Johar.

Medical officer killed in Lucknow

Lucknow, April 02: A chief medical officer (CMO) was shot dead by unidentified gunmen outside his residence here on Saturday, police said.

VP Singh, CMO (family welfare), was killed in the posh Gomti Nagar area.

“As of now, I can only tell that unidentified gunmen fired several shots at the CMO and managed to escape,” police inspector Abhimanyu Dhar Dwivedi told reporters.

“We are yet to establish the motive behind the crime,” added Dwivedi.

-IANS

Hrithik Roshan opts to shoot, to miss India-Sri Lanka Final

Mumbai, April 02: Bollywood Actor Hrithik Roshan is among those who have not been able to take a day off from work today to watch the World Cup final between India and Sri Lanka.

The actor will be shooting for the adapted version of the 1990-hit `Agneepath`. Hrithik had alloted his dates months in advance and till two days back no one knew that India would be in the finals today, sources close to him said.

Hrithik himself loves cricket and like everyone in the country he is a huge Sachin Tendulkar fan.

My role in Game is refreshing: Kangna Ranaut

Mumbai, April 02: After the hit romantic comedy “Tanu Weds Manu”, Kangana Ranaut plays a cop in just-released “Game”. The actress, who says she makes an effort to do selective work, will be seen in light-hearted roles in three forthcoming films.
Kangana`s three forthcoming releases are “Rascals”, “Double Dhamaal” and “Happy New Year”.

Pakistan extends tenure of ISI chief

Islamabad, April 02: Pakistan said on Friday it had given the chief of the country’s powerful military spy agency an extra year in the job after he had been set to retire.

Lieutenant General Ahmad Shuja Pasha, who was appointed chief of Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) involved in combating al Qaeda and the Taliban in 2008, had been due to retire from service last month.

Afghans protest over Quran burning again, 4 killed

Kandahar, April 02: Four people died on Saturday in new protests against a Quran burning in the US, a day after seven UN staff were killed by a mob in the worst attack on the world body in Afghanistan since the 2001 invasion.

At least 32 were also injured during the fresh protests in the main southern city of Kandahar, a doctor said.

“Four dead bodies were brought to our hospital,” said Abdul Qayoum Pukhla, a senior doctor at Kandahar’s Mirwais hospital. “Thirty-two people suffering from bullet injuries and wounds caused by rocks have been admitted.”

Islamabad police to work on beat system as crime rises

Islamabad, April 02: Concerned at the rising crime graph in the capital city, Islamabad police authorities have decided to introduce a beat system for their constabulary to ensure effective policing, according to media reports.

The beat system will see special induction of inspector or sub-inspector level official as a beat in-charge at every police station in the Pakistani capital, The Nation quoted Islamabad’s senior superintendent of police Tahir Alam Khan as saying.

Deserted roads, packed pubs as Bangalore watches cricket

Bangalore, April 02: Near-empty shopping complexes and malls, virtually deserted roads but packed pubs and clubs was the scene in Bangalore and major towns across Karnataka as the India-Sri Lanka cricket World Cup final began Saturday.

Only shops that had TV sets on had people crowding around, not to buy goods but to watch the drama unfold at Mumbai’s Wankhade stadium.

Traffic police personnel welcomed the break from the usually heavy weekend traffic while auto-drivers rued the day as lack of customers meant many would return home with lower earnings.

Michael Lohan to launch rehab facility at sea

London, April 02: Troubled actress Lindsay Lohan’s father Michael has announced plans to launch a $3.9 million “rehab at sea” facility.

Michael reveals the recovery centre will be based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. He also believes the centre will give addicts “a new way of receiving valuable treatment”.

“I’m excited to say I’m starting a rehab facility at sea on a $3.9 million dollar yacht that will set sail from Fort Lauderdale,” femalefirst.co.uk quoted him as saying.

Monica murder case, one accused arrested

Mumbai, April 02: The city police today claimed to have made a major breakthrough in the Monica Kinrapure murder case, who was brutally stabbed to death last month and arrested a person in connection with the case.

Santosh Sonekar from Hudkeshwar in East city area has been arrested for the sensational murder that took place on March 11, they said.

Monica, hailing from Nagardhan (near Ramtek) was stabbed to death in broadday light in Nandanvan in south city area near a private engineering college.

CBI files chargesheet in 2G spectrum case

New Delhi, April 02: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Saturday filed its first chargesheet in the 2G spectrum scam. The chargesheet was filed in the special court of CBI judge O.P. Saini.

—IANS

Coin tossed twice in final

Mumbai, April 02: Ever heard of the toss happening twice in a cricket match?

Well, that’s exactly what happened before the start of the Cricket World Cup final here at the Wankhede Stadium today between India and Sri Lanka.

When the coin was tossed by Indian skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni, there was confusion about what Lanka skipper Kumar Sangakkara had called ? heads or tails.

After a brief discussion between Sangakkara and Dhoni, match referee Jeff Crowe decided that the toss would be held again.

Perry accused of copying Gaga

London, April 02: Singer Katy Perry has been accused of copying pop star Lady Gaga in her sci-fi themed music video for “ET”.

Contactmusic.com reports that in the video the 25-year-old is depicted floating in space and is wearing heavy makeup to make her skin look blue and her features alien-like.

However, Gaga’s fans have taken to the micro-blogging site Twitter.com to complain that Perry’s new look is too similar to Gaga’s own recent sci-fi style, which includes prosthetics to make her face look robotic.

UPA-II has lost its credibility: Jaitley

New Delhi, April 02: Senior BJP leader Arun Jaitley said the UPA-II has lost its credibility as scams have badly damaged its image and the Congress will face a setback in the upcoming Assembly polls.
Addressing BJP Delhi Pradesh’s executive meeting, yesterday Mr Jaitley claimed that the UPA government has “no idea how to run the country.” The BJP leader added that these polls will bring a “new and good turn” for the country. If the results will come against the Congress and Left, then their position at the Centre will be affected, he said.

Declining US jobless rate not lasting

Washington, April 02: Some 216,000 jobs have been created by US employers in March, contributing to a declining jobless rate, though economists are not convinced that the country is witnessing an employment recovery.

“This has been very much a profits recovery. Profits have bounced back very strongly. It has not been an employment recovery,” Economist Michael Mussa told to media.

Healthcare added about 37,000 jobs; manufacturing added some 17,000 positions, while the rest were temporary jobs.

Stars help Karnataka students watch World Cup climax

Bangalore, April 02: Women in several parts of Karnataka offered special prayers, die-hard fans broke coconuts and astrologers studied star alignments — all for India’s victory in the cricket World Cup final Saturday. But it has to be the state’s around 875,000 Class 10 students who must be feeling the luckiest.

Sri Lanka win toss, to bat against India

Mumbai, April 02: Sri Lanka skipper Kumar Sangakkara won the toss and decided to bat against India in the World Cup final at the Wankhede Stadium here Saturday.

The coin had to be tossed for the second time as call of the captain apparently could not be heard by match referee Jeff Crowe because of the noise.

Sri Lanka have made four changes to their side. Angelo Mathews, Ajantha Mendis, Rangana Herath and Chamara Silva are out. Thisara Perera, Suraj Randiv, Nuwan Kulasekara and Chamara Kapugedera have replaced them.

Congress turns the I-T screws on rebel Jagan

Hyderabad, April 02: YSR Congress Party leader Jaganmohan Reddy is finding the going a lot tougher post his split from the ruling Congress as a tax noose tightens around his business ventures.

This even as his group won three seats each in the MLC (legislative council) polls in Chittoor, Kadapa and West Godavari districts. While Jagan is touring Vizianagaram as part of his odarpu yatra, demand and showcause notices were issued by the I-T department to Jagathi Publications Pvt Ltd (JPPL)—which runs his Sakshi newspaper—to cough up Rs 122.78 crore in taxes.

Pitch will help seamers in the first 10 overs: Ganguly

Mumbai, April 02: The Wankhede wicket will initially help the seamers in the India-Sri Lanka World Cup final here Saturday before the spinners come into play as the match progresses, says former India captain Sourav Ganguly in his pitch report.

Road to World Cup Final

Mumbai, April 02: Here’s how India and Sri Lanka set themselves up for the summit World Cup clash at the Wankhede Stadium Saturday:

INDIA
India vs Bangladesh, Dhaka: Virender Sehwag hit the first ball of the World Cup off Rubel Hossain for four, and the match went only one way after that. Sehwag scored 175 and Virat Kohli an unbeaten 100 as India reached 370 for four. Bangladesh could only manage 283 in reply.

Wikileaks founder: Julian Assange cant dance

Washington, April 02: Julian Assange may be the scourge of governments and evil corporations worldwide, but it seems Wikileaks founder has one fatal weakness – he can”t dance.

Demonstrating his ”silky smooth” disco skills, the lanky 39-year-old whistle-blower – who has allegedly fathered four love children around the world – struts his funky stuff at an Icelandic nightclub in 2009.

In a video Assange has been seen galloping across a deserted Rekyjavik dance floor, waving his arms wildly to the pumping techno music.

Iran’s currency to shed three zeros

Tehran, April 02: The Iranian finance minister has announced a plan to remove three zeros from the national currency, Rial, in a move to optimize financial performance.

Iran “will remove three zeros from the national currency this year on the condition that the prerequisites are achieved,” Minister of Economic Affairs and Finance Shamseddin Hosseini told to media.