A night with new wife may have cost Mehsud his life

by

London, August 09: It was probably his desire to spend a night with his second wife that proved fatal for Pakistani Taliban chief Baitullah Mehsud, who was killed in a US drone attack at his father-in-law’s house, a media report said here today.

35-year-old Mehsud had taken the risk of spending the night with his second wife around 1 am last Wednesday, ‘The Sunday Times’ reported.

The Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan commander had four daughters from his first wife, but, in the tribal lands of Waziristan, it is only the birth of a boy that is greeted by rifle fire and jubilation, it said.

Israel planned Iran strike during unrest: Report

by

Jerusalem, August 09: As Iran was grappling with the post-election unrest, Israel was reportedly preparing to strike the country’s nuclear facilities, a US diplomatic source says.

According to a US diplomat based in Jerusalem (al Quds), Israel asked the US administration for a green light to attack Iran’s nuclear facilities and its other vital structures in the aftermath of the country’s post-election turmoil.

Can Congress replicate its UP success in Jharkhand?

by

New Delhi, August 09: With assembly elections in Jharkhand not far away, it is being eagerly watched as to whether the Congress will be able to replicate the success it had in the Lok Sabha elections in Uttar Pradesh in this eastern state.

The party appears to have begun the process of making itself battle worthy by inducting regional heavyweights from other parties and independents to consolidate itself.

In a similar bid, three MLAs, one each from the JD-U and RJD and one independent joined the Congress on Friday.

Parzan Dastur looks forward to work with SRK again

by

New Delhi, August 09: Parzan Dastur, the innocent sardarji in Shah Rukh Khan-Kajol starrer ‘Kuch Kuch Hota Hai’, is grown-up and is back in the spotlight with socio-political thriller ‘Sikander’ and the young actor says he looks forward to work with ‘King Khan’ once again.

Dastur, who captivated cinelovers with his single dialogue ‘tussi ja rahe ho, tussi na jao’ in the movie, says, “I am a big SRK fan. He was very sweet to me during the shooting of ‘Kuch Kuch Hota Hai’. I don’t have any such offers right now but I am hoping to work with him again in future.”

Russia pledges more military, financial aid to South Ossetia

by

Vladikavkaz, August 09: Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has pledged more economic and financial assistance to South Ossetia on the anniversary of his country’s victory in the war against Georgia.

‘Russia will assist you in everything from the economic and social point of view. We of course will even provide aid for military issues, because without military assistance there will be more problems,’ Medvedev said at a function organised here Saturday to decorate officers and soldiers who took part in the Russia-Georgia war.

Latif sets academy goals

by

Karachi, August 09: In his role at the National Cricket Academy the former Pakistan captain, Rashid Latif, has pledged to nurture the country’s budding players without curbing their natural talent. Latif is leading a three-week development camp for Under-23 players at the National Stadium in Karachi and aims to prepare players mentally and physically.

Botham and Boycott in Hall of Fame

by

London, August 09: England greats Ian Botham and Geoff Boycott were on familiar turf as they were inducted into the International Cricket Council’s Hall of Fame.

Botham and Boycott were working as commentators at the fourth Ashes Test between England and Australia at Headingley, where former England bowler Fred Trueman and all-rounder Wilfred Rhodes were also posthumously honoured by their sport’s world governing body.

Johnson rediscovers his spark

by

London, August 09: The Mitchell Johnson who terrorised South Africa and shot to prominence as among the brightest new talents in world cricket, finally made a belated appearance in the Ashes, as Australia moved within touching distance of a massive victory against England in the fourth Test at Headingley on Saturday night.

Johnson, whose position in the side hung by a thread after poor performances at Cardiff and Lord’s, resurrected his campaign with a scintillating burst late on the second day.

I’m the father of Jacko’s daughter, says Oliver! star Mark Lester

by

Washington, August 09: One of Michael Jackson’s closest friends, the former child star Mark Lester, has claimed he is the real father of the singer’s daughter and would willingly take a paternity test to prove it.

Lester, who is godfather to all three of the Jackson children, has told how Michael approached him with a request that he act as a sperm donor so he could have children.

He also claims he has concerns about the welfare of Jackson’s children and hopes his confession will ensure he is able to maintain contact with them.

Ashes momentum with Aussies: media

by

London, Auguat 09: Former Test spinner Greg Matthews said England have plenty of unanswered questions with their batting.

“England are going to have to bring out Flintoff and Pietersen in wheelchairs for the final Test, because clearly their teammates are not up for it,” he said on SBS TV.

“Ravi Bopara is not good for it. Ian Bell is not good for it. They must drop one bowler.”

Afghan Taliban peace talks remote

by

Kabul,August 09: The Taliban have no trust in the Western-backed Afghan government and no immediate incentive to accept calls for talks which could stop their insurgency dragging on for decades, analysts say.

President Hamid Karzai has made peace a pillar of his campaign for re-election at polls in 10 days’ time. As Western militaries lose record numbers of soldiers in Afghanistan, NATO powers have backed talks as an option.

Father refused to give money; girl ends life

by

Hyderabad, August 09: A Standard VI student ended her life at Begumpet on Friday after her father refused to give her money to pool in for a gift to a friend whose birthday falls on Monday.

Begumpet police said Swapna (12) of Kasturba High School hanged herself from the ceiling, after her father, Mallesh, not only declined her request but even scolded her. He was outside the house when Swapna took the extreme step.

–Agencies–

India to target beggars in 2010 Commonwealth Games

by

New Delhi, August 09: India plans to round up beggars to shield foreigners from New Delhi’s rampant poverty during the Commonwealth Games, seen as a showcase of the country’s emerging economic might.

The drive comes as the government is rushing to build 39 plush hotels to house visitors, new roads and overpasses and an air-conditioned Games village to accommodate athletes for the sporting event to be held in October 2010.

Broad remains positive

by

London, August 09: Stuart Broad insisted England would not crumble mentally after a second miserable day against Australia at Headingley – and claimed a home hero could still emerge in the Test match.

England looks set to face humiliation in Leeds after a rejuvenated Australia demolished them on day two of the penultimate Ashes Test.

Aspiring all-rounder Broad, who took personal Test-best figures of 6-91 in the tourists’ total of 445, may have to be the home hero and play the innings of his life if Australia is not to wrap up victory on Sunday.

Youth dies as lorry hits motorcycle

by

Hyderabad, August 09: A 22-year -old student died when the motorcycle he was riding was hit by a speeding lorry at AS Rao Nagar on Saturday.

B Ravi Kumar, an MBA student was on his way to Sri Chaitanya Junior College at ECIL.

Kushaiguda Police said Kumar, a resident of Kukatpally who borrowed the two-wheeler from a friend in the locality, was crushed under the wheels of the lorry around 10:00 am.

Kushaiguda sub-inspector K Suresh said that the lorry-driver fled the scene after the accident.

TD demands thorough drought debate

by

Hyderabad, August 09: The Telugu Desam Party today demanded a thorough discussion on the drought situation in the ongoing budget session of the State Legislative Assembly.

Speaking to reporters here, party leaders K Yerran Naidu and Ummareddy Venkateswarlu urged the government to discuss the problems of the farmers arising out of the situation.

They alleged that neither chief minister YS Rajasekhara Reddy nor Agriculture Minister N Raghuveera Reddy had bothered touring the districts to learn of the plight of the farmers.

–Agencies-

Feared toll from Tongan ferry tragedy rises to 95

by

Nuku’ Alofa, August 09: The feared death toll from a ferry disaster in Tonga has risen to 95, police said on Sunday as devastated Tongans packed churches across the tiny Pacific island kingdom in a day of mourning.

Police commander Chris Kelley said it was now believed there were 149 people on board the Princess Ashika, which went down just before midnight on Wednesday.

Two bodies and 54 survivors have been found, and 93 people are unaccounted for.

50% K-G Basin gas sought for AP

by

Hyderabad, August 09: Krishna-Godavari Gas Sampada Parirakshana Samithi (KGGSPS) convener Guduru Narayana Reddy today demanded that the Centre allocate 50 per cent of the gas explored in the K-G Basin to Andhra Pradesh.

Addressing a media conference here today, Narayana Reddy demanded that the Centre nationalise natural resources, and change its gas allocation policy to take into account local needs.

Subhavaartha TV to launch diploma courses

by

Hyderabad, August 09: For the first time in Hyderabad, Subhavaartha Television, in collaboration with Bharatidasan University, Trichy, in Tamil Nadu, is going to launch Subhvaartha Television Technology Training Institute next month. It will offer a one-year diploma course in the field of television camera technology, cinematography, direction, scriptwriting and post-production.

Aussie fans admit England fire-drill prank

by

London, August 09: An Australian supporter group has admitted setting off a fire alarm which forced the English team out of their hotel on the opening morning of the fourth Ashes Test, reports said here on Sunday.

The England cricket team’s hotel in Leeds was evacuated in the early hours of Friday following the fire alarm, forcing the players to stand outside in heavy rain for more than 20 minutes until the all-clear was given.

Homeopathy can prevent, cure swine flu: Homeopaths

by

New Delhi, August 09: Homeopathy can both prevent and cure swine flu, sans any side effects, say doctors who practise this alternative medicine system in India where over 700 people have been diagnosed with the disease.

Amid panic over the spread of influenza A (H1N1) virus, homeopaths are now drafting a proposal for the health ministry to offer their services in tackling the crisis.

“Based on the symptoms, homeopathy can offer an effective cure to swine flu. Moreover, it does not have any side effects,” Harcharanjeet Kaur, a homeopath at Baksons homeopathy clinic, told IANS.

Congress counters TD charge of bribery

by

Hyderabad, August 09: Taking a strong exception to opposition Telugu Desam Party’s charge that Chief Minister YS Rajasekhara Reddy had taken bribes from millers and traders to allow them to jack up prices of essential commodities in the State, the AP Congress Committee today asked Opposition Leader N Chandrababu Naidu whether he was ready to make the same charge against the Chief Ministers of other States where prices were higher than that of AP.

Yesterday, TDP members staged a dharna on price rise and organised a `mock market’ at Gun Park.

Kiwis bank on Saqlain to beat Sri Lanka

by

Auckland, August 09: New Zealand have brought in former Pakistan off-spinner Saqlain Mushtaq to help plot Sri Lanka’s downfall in the two-Test series starting later this month.

Saqlain will work with the Black Caps spinners and advise the batsmen on how to play the turning ball on dry wickets in the subcontinent.

“New Zealand Cricket has an agreement with Saqlain Mushtaq who will work with the Black Caps over the next 12 months,” NZC spokesperson Stephen Hill told reporters.

W.Bank H1N1 death after Umrah

by

Jerusalem, August 09: The Palestinian health minister said Saturday a man returning from Umrah pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia has died of swine flu.

The 30-year-old man is the first Palestinian casualty of the flu in the West Bank. However, 86 people there have been infected since the outbreak began, mostly by Palestinians returning from countries with high infection rates.

Health Minister Fathi Abu Mughli said the man suffered from a severe lung infection which complicated his condition. The man died Friday afternoon.

Eight killed in Mogadishu clashes

by

Mogadishu, August 09: At least eight people have been killed and 17 others injured in the Somali capital after insurgents fired mortars at the airport and the presidential palace.

The attack occurred on Saturday as the Somali President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed arrived from the Kenyan capital Nairobi after a meeting with the US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, police said.

Most of the fatalities occurred in the capital’s crowded Bakara market.