News A-Z!

Parreira happy despite early exit

2008-02-03T06:22:00.000-08:00

Two draws and a defeat in the group stages of the Africa Cup of Nations may not sound like a springboard for success at the 2010 World Cup.

But South Africa's Brazilian coach Carlos Alberto Perreira is happy with the progress of the 2010 hosts.

It is at least an improvement on their record at the last Cup of Nations in 2006, where South Africa left without a point or a goal.

Parreira insists the squad he took to Ghana was largely experimental.

"We brought a young team here exactly to get the experience to build a team that will in two years time represent South Africa in the best possible way," Parreira said.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/africa/7222574.stm

Liberia in record cocaine seizure

2008-02-03T06:20:00.000-08:00

Barrels containing about 2.5 tonnes of cocaine have been seized from a ship off the coast of Liberia.

It is the single largest drug seizure in the country's history, according to maritime officials.

The ship, the Blue Atlantic, was spotted on the high seas on Thursday by a French military vessel, which intercepted and towed it to the port.

South American cartels are increasingly trying to send their drugs to Europe through West Africa.

The BBC's Jonathan Paye-Layleh in Monrovia says that Liberian security officials at first did not know what to do with haul.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7222809.stm

O.J. Simpson wants charges dropped in robbery case

2008-02-03T06:18:00.002-08:00

O.J. Simpson filed court papers seeking dismissal of half the charges against him, saying prosecutors in Nevada failed to meet legal standards to prosecute him for kidnapping, robbery and conspiracy, his lawyer said Friday.

"We're challenging things that we think should never have been let go to the District Court," said the attorney, Gabriel Grasso.

Grasso filed court papers Thursday claiming prosecutors didn't meet the evidentiary standards to prosecute the former football star on six of the 12 charges against him.

"They're charging O.J. with ... the specific intent to commit robbery," Grasso said, citing Nevada law underlying the felony charge of robbery.

"He wasn't stealing from somebody else. He was taking back something that was his."

http://edition.cnn.com/2008/CRIME/02/01/simpson.charges.ap/index.html

Violence follows Kenya peace plan

2008-02-03T06:18:00.001-08:00

More than 20 people have died in fresh violence in western Kenya since Friday's agreement by government and opposition on a framework peace plan.

Some were killed by police, others were hacked to death by gangs or shot with poisoned arrows.

A church was burnt down by youths near the Rift Valley town of Eldoret.

The deal between President Mwai Kibaki and opposition leader Raila Odinga aims to end bloodshed in the aftermath of December's disputed elections.

Former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan said the rival parties had agreed a four-point framework for talks which should end the violence within the next two weeks.

But the BBC's Matt Prodger in Nairobi says so far there is little sign that Mr Annan's optimism is having much effect in the streets.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7224214.stm

Deadly earthquake shakes Rwanda

2008-02-03T06:15:00.000-08:00

At least 21 people have been killed - many when a church collapsed - and some 200 injured in an earthquake in western Rwanda, reports say.

The quake, felt across several countries of the Great Lakes region, had a magnitude of 5.0. Police say the death toll could rise.

Its epicentre was 20km (12 miles) east of Bukavu, a town across the border in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

A powerful 6.8 magnitude earthquake rocked the region in December 2005.

But while it is prone to seismic activity it has mostly escaped major quakes in recent years.

The earthquake hit at about 0935 (0735 GMT).

It lasted about 15 seconds and was followed by two lesser tremors, which caused panic in Bukavu and in Rwanda, AFP news agency reported.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7224925.stm

Small-plane crash kills 6 in North Carolina

2008-02-03T06:14:00.000-08:00

Six people were killed Friday when a small plane crashed into the front yard of a home while attempting to land in fog and low visibility in Mount Airy, North Carolina, authorities said.

The crash occurred about 11:30 a.m., according to the National Transportation Safety Board.

The plane was coming from Polk County Airport in Cedartown, Georgia, and was attempting to land in overcast conditions, with visibility of about 2 ½ miles, said Federal Aviation Administration spokeswoman Laura Brown.

After air traffic controllers cleared the plane to land, the airport manager saw it come out of the clouds, but it was too high, Brown said. The pilot attempted a "go-around" and disappeared into the clouds, but the airport manager then heard a crash. The crash site was in a subdivision east of the airport.

http://edition.cnn.com/2008/US/02/01/nc.plane.crash/index.html

Chad capital hit by new fighting

2008-02-03T06:12:00.000-08:00

Fresh fighting has broken out between government and rebel forces in Chad's capital N'Djamena, reports say.

Heavy weapons fire was heard near the palace where President Idriss Deby is said to be holding out.

Rebels seized large parts of the city on Saturday, but military action subsided overnight as both sides claimed to be in control.

More than 500 French and other foreign citizens have been evacuated to the Gabonese capital, Libreville.

The arriving evacuees appeared "harassed but happy", an AFP news agency journalist in Libreville said.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7224691.stm

NASA to beam Beatles song to North Star

2008-02-03T06:11:00.000-08:00

The Beatles are about to become radio stars in a whole new way.

NASA on Monday will broadcast the Beatles' song "Across the Universe" across the galaxy to Polaris, the North Star.

This first-ever beaming of a radio song by the space agency directly into deep space is nostalgia-driven. It celebrates the 40th anniversary of the song, the 45th anniversary of NASA's Deep Space Network, which communicates with its distant probes, and the 50th anniversary of NASA.

"Send my love to the aliens," Paul McCartney told NASA through a Beatles historian. "All the best, Paul."

The song, written by McCartney and John Lennon, may have a ticket to ride and will be flying at the speed of light. But it will take 431 years along a long and winding road to reach its final destination. That's because Polaris is 2.5 quadrillion miles away.

NASA loaded an MP3 of the song, just under four minutes in its original version, and will transmit it digitally at 7 p.m. EST Monday from its giant antenna in Madrid, Spain. But if you wanted to hear it on Polaris, you would need an antenna and a receiver to conve

http://edition.cnn.com/2008/TECH/space/02/01/nasa.beatles.ap/index.html

Officer's death shocks New Orleans

2008-02-03T06:08:00.000-08:00

Hundreds of officers, some from as far away as Colorado, turned out Friday along with New Orleans residents to mourn slain police officer Nicola Cotton -- whose violent death has shaken the city.

An autopsy showed Cotton, 24, was eight weeks pregnant when she was killed.

On Monday, she stopped a man matching the description of a rape suspect, and a struggle ensued as she tried to arrest him.

The man, 44-year-old Bernel Johnson, grabbed Cotton's baton and beat her, New Orleans police said.

Surveillance video showed him grabbing her service revolver, a .40-caliber Glock, and shooting her 15 times in the head and body.

Johnson waited until police arrived on the scene and gave them the firearm.

On Friday, mourners formed a line snaking around the block as they waited to file past Cotton's flag-draped coffin.

At her funeral, friends and fellow officers remembered her as a having a huge heart.

http://edition.cnn.com/2008/US/02/01/slain.police.officer/index.html

Sewage spills into San Francisco Bay

2008-02-03T06:06:00.000-08:00

Nearly 3 million gallons of sewage spilled into San Francisco Bay when a pump failed at a waste treatment facility, the Marin County Sheriff's Department told CNN on Friday

The 2.7 million-gallon spill occurred Thursday night.

A pump failed at the South Marin Sanitation District's waste treatment facility in the town of Mill Valley, said Lt. Doug Pittman.

The waste was released into Richardson Bay, an inlet of the large bay on the east shore of Marin County, he said.

http://edition.cnn.com/2008/US/02/01/sewage.spill/index.html

Lost negatives may shed new light on famed photographer

2008-02-03T06:04:00.000-08:00

Thousands of photographic negatives documenting the Spanish Civil War by famed photographer Robert Capa, presumed lost for decades, have found a permanent home at a photography center founded by Capa's brother.

The 4,000 nitrate negatives in Capa's "Mexican suitcase" -- actually three cardboard boxes, hand-fitted for film and meticulously labeled by hand -- began their long journey in Paris in 1939, eventually ending up in Mexico City, where they resurfaced in the late 1990s.

After years of negotiations, the priceless negatives came to the International Center of Photography, founded in 1974 by Capa's brother, Cornell Capa, also a photographer.

http://edition.cnn.com/2008/US/02/01/war.photos/index.html

Michelle Williams breaks silence on Ledger's death

2008-02-03T06:01:00.000-08:00

Michelle Williams broke her silence Friday, saying her "heart is broken" over Heath Ledger in her first statement since the "Brokeback Mountain" actor's death.

The 27-year-old actress and Ledger became a couple during filming of 2005's "Brokeback," in which they costarred as husband and wife.

They later settled in New York, and had a daughter, Matilda, born October 2005.

"Please respect our need to grieve privately," Williams said in a statement. "My heart is broken. I am the mother of the most tender-hearted, high-spirited, beautiful little girl who is the spitting image of her father. All that I can cling to is his presence inside her that reveals itself every day."

Ledger, 28, died in his Manhattan apartment January 22. Authorities suspect a possible drug overdose, but the cause of his death is still pending the outcome of toxicology tests.

http://edition.cnn.com/2008/SHOWBIZ/Movies/02/01/people.michellewilliams.ap/index.html

Source: Prosecutor seeks arrest in Holloway case

2008-02-03T05:57:00.000-08:00

Aruba's chief public prosecutor has requested that a suspect in the Natalee Holloway case be arrested for a third time based on new evidence, a source familiar with the investigation told CNN.

Hans Mos expects to hear a ruling from a judge as soon as Saturday or Sunday on the request regarding Joran van der Sloot, the source said.

If the judge rules in favor of the request, van der Sloot -- who is attending college in the Netherlands -- would be brought back to Aruba for further questioning and investigation, the source said.

There was no request for the rearrest of brothers Satish and Deepak Kalpoe, who had previously been named as suspects in the investigation.

http://edition.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/americas/02/01/aruba.holloway/index.html

Punxsutawney Phil's prediction: more winter

2008-02-03T05:54:00.000-08:00

Brace yourself for more wintry weather.

Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow Saturday, leading the groundhog to forecast six more weeks of winter.

The rodent was pulled from his stump by members of the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club Inner Circle, top-hat- and tuxedo-wearing businessmen who carry out the tradition.

Each February 2, thousands of people descend on Punxsutawney, a town of about 6,100 people some 65 miles northeast of Pittsburgh, to celebrate what had essentially been a German superstition.

http://edition.cnn.com/2008/US/weather/02/02/groundhog.day.ap/index.html

Storms slam East, Midwest, West

2008-02-03T05:51:00.000-08:00

Winter storms at both ends of the country dumped snow and snarled travel Friday, killing at least 10 people, blocking major highways and stranding 400 train passengers in the mountains of the Pacific Northwest.

Nearly 7½ inches of snow was reported at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport before the front moved out of the area Friday.

About 500 flights were canceled at O'Hare, which canceled 600 flights Thursday and housed hundreds of stranded travelers who spent the night awaiting planes from other cities also affected by the storm.

At least 12 inches of snow was reported in Springfield by Friday morning, said National Weather Service meteorologist Gino Izzi. Other parts of Illinois saw similar amounts.

"If you don't have to be out here, don't," Ty Wilson, a very wet Chicago bicycle messenger, said as he stopped along a slushy street between morning deliveries.

http://edition.cnn.com/2008/US/weather/02/02/severe.weather.ap/index.html

Hockey team in a stinker

2008-02-03T05:45:00.000-08:00

The Chak De factor, it seems, has had no effect on the women's hockey establishment. For the girls hockey team — which enjoyed an 11-day dream tour of Australia, where they won seven out of eight matches and got to stay in a decent hotels/apartments — coming back home has been a nightmarish experience. They have been lodged in hellish surroundings, their match fees and stipends long suspended. Some for them, it seems, are now at breaking point.

The girls have been lodged in an abysmal dormitory at the Karnail Singh Stadium, with hockey officials saying no other facility was available when the team landed late on Sunday night.

"We are not asking for luxury. But this place isn't even hygienic. The blankets are old and it was tough for us last night due to the severity of the cold. The bed sheets are muddy so some of us went and bought some bed-sheets from the market. There are fourteen of us stuffed into one room, where even the toilet is too dirty to be used," a key member of the squad said. Another player added: "Just go and have a look where they are cooking for us. One wouldn't feel like eating after looking at the place. We are not asking for five-star hotels. Give us clean, decent rooms. And if you say that hotels are costly then why not put us up in a hostel? There are so many good hostels in the city. This has been happening for quite some time. There is a limit to what one can endure."

http://sports.indiatimes.com/Sections/Hockey/Hockey_team_in_a_stinker/articleshow/2719312.cms

Test series against Belgium good test for players: Carvalho

2008-02-03T05:41:00.000-08:00

Chief hockey coach Joaquim Carvalho on Monday said the Indian team would be picked on the basis on players' performance in the five-Test series against Belgium ahead of the the Chile Olympic Qualifiers in March.

"The five match series would be a good competitive event for India, since the performance of players could be assessed. It will also be the basis for selection of our team for the Chile event," Carvalho said.

Carvalho said India might be a higher ranked team than Belgium but they could not afford taking the opponent lightly.

"Belgium is a strong team, which plays European style hockey. They were no pushovers though they had been beaten by India in the Champions Challenge in Biel. They had beaten strong teams like Germany before gaining the Beijing Olympic berth," Carvalho said.

"Ranking is no criteria since Belgium have a record of having beaten much higher ranked teams."

The Indian coach said all players were fully fit except for Prabjoth Singh, who might miss the whole series.

http://sports.indiatimes.com/Sections/Hockey/Test_series_against_Belgium_is_a_test/articleshow/2719073.cms

Yahoo to 'carefully consider' Microsoft bid

2008-02-03T05:39:00.000-08:00

Yahoo Inc confirmed on Friday that it had received an unsolicited bid from Microsoft Corp to acquire the company and that its board of directors would consider the USD 44.6 billion deal.

Yahoo said in a statement that its board would evaluate the proposal "carefully and promptly in the context of Yahoo's strategic plans and pursue the best course of action to maximize long-term value for shareholders."

Earlier, the technology giant Microsoft Corp said it had offered to acquire Internet media company Yahoo Inc for USD 44.6 billion in cash and stock.

Microsoft had offered to buy Yahoo for USD 31 per share, which it said represented a 62 per cent premium above the company's closing stock price on Nasdaq on Thursday.

"We have great respect for Yahoo, and together we can offer an increasingly exciting set of solutions for consumers, publishers and advertisers while becoming better positioned to compete in the online services market," Microsoft Chief Executive Steve Ballmer had said in a statement.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Business/Yahoo_to_carefully_consider_Microsoft_bid/articleshow/2749302.cms

Carvalho says team on right track to booking Olympic berth

2008-02-03T05:37:00.001-08:00

ndian hockey chief coach Joaquim Carvalho feels his team is on the right track to seal an Olympic berth in the qualifying event in Chile next month.

"We are moving in the right direction. The boys are hungry to qualify for the Olympics. One or two slots are up for grabs. I am looking at the best options. The boys have impressed in the test series against Belgium," he told before the team's departure for Perth in Australia for training.

The team will also play matches against the Western Australian side and the Chinese national squad.

He said the final squad for the Chile event, to be held from March 1 to 9, would be chosen after returning from Australia.

"We will have a final camp in Bangalore from where we are planning to leave for Chile. The final 18-member squad will be decided at the Bangalore camp. The remaining six from 24 probables (now on the tour to Australia) will be stand byes," he said.

Carvalho, who has been at the helm for over 10 months, also scotched at speculations that his appointment was a stop gap arrangement and he would quit if his team failed to qualify for the Olympics.

http://sports.indiatimes.com/Sections/Hockey/Carvalho_says_team_on_right_track/articleshow/2751647.cms

Microsoft makes $42 bn bid for Yahoo

2008-02-03T05:37:00.000-08:00

Unable to topple Google Inc on its own, Microsoft Corp is trying to force crippled rival Yahoo Inc into a shotgun marriage, with a wager worth nearly $42 billion (euro28.21 billion) that the two companies together will have a better chance of tackling the Internet search leader.

Microsoft's audacious attempt to buy Yahoo, spelled out in an unsolicited offer announced on Friday, shows just how much Google threatens the world's largest software maker's grip on how people interact with computers.

For Yahoo, the bid represents another painful reminder of how missed opportunities and mismanagement combined to open the door for Google to supplant it as the Internet's main gateway, decimating its stock price in the process.

Redmond, Washigton-based Microsoft is trying to avoid a similar fate at Google's hands as more people access services and computer programs online instead of relying on packaged software applications.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Business/Microsoft_makes_42_bn_bid_for_Yahoo/articleshow/2750277.cms

Bopanna confident and raring to go

2008-02-03T05:36:00.001-08:00

While Delhiites are struggling to come to terms with the biting cold, Rohan Bopanna is finding Delhi "rather nice and warm" after the toe-numbing freezing climes of Guangzhao (China). Having touched down in the Capital on Saturday morning, Bopanna wasted little time in hitting the grasscourts at NSCI, accompanied by Prakash Amritraj, coach Nandan Bal and hitting partners Ashutosh Singh and Vishnu Vardhan.

The Davis Cup tie against Uzbekistan is less than a week away, and the Indians put in a lengthy practise session, carrying themselves with a confidence that the surface gives them.

"It feels great to be back on grass. We're definitely looking forward to the tie. In all fairness, Denis (Istomin) has been playing well but it's a home tie on grass and we should have the upper hand," said Bopanna after the day's practise. Expected to play all three days in Leander Paes’ absence, Bopanna is waiting for the responsibility with eager hands. "I'm very confident. I am definitely looking forward to playing all three days."

http://sports.indiatimes.com/Sections/Tennis/Bopanna_confident_and_raring_to_go/articleshow/2751830.cms

Dell to cut 1,200 jobs in US, Canada

2008-02-03T05:35:00.001-08:00

Dell Inc is cutting more than 1,200 jobs, about 900 of them at a call centre in Canada, as the computer maker reduces its sales and support work force.

It is one of the biggest rounds of layoffs at Dell since May, when the company announced it would reduce its work force by 10 per cent. The company had 88,500 employees worldwide at the end of October.

Dell said on Thursday that it would close its call centre in Edmonton, Alberta - one of two such facilities in Canada - by the end of July. It will make smaller reductions in Oklahoma City and Ottawa, Ontario.

Rumours of the cuts had swirled in Oklahoma City and Ottawa as Dell neared the end of its fiscal year on Thursday.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Business/Dell_to_cut_1200_jobs_in_US_Canada/articleshow/2750286.cms

Union Cabinet meets tomorrow to consider fuel price hike

2008-02-03T05:33:00.000-08:00

The Cabinet, headed by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, is likely to meet on Monday to consider raising petrol and diesel prices necessitated due to a surge in international crude oil prices.

"As of now, the Cabinet is scheduled to meet at 4 pm on Monday," a senior government official said.

Petroleum minister Murli Deora is, however, opposed to even a marginal increase in fuel prices and is instead seeking a cut in excise duties on petrol and diesel.

The official said the Cabinet will have to decide between raising of fuel prices that has the backing of Finance Minister P Chidambaram and cutting duties as desired by Deora.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Business/Cabinet_meets_tomorrow_over_fuel_price_hike/articleshow/2752770.cms

Aussies whitewash India in Fed Cup

2008-02-03T05:32:00.000-08:00

India were relegated to Fed Cup Asia/Oceania Zone group II after top seeds Australia blanked them 3-0 in their third and final group I match.

After successive defeats to Indonesia and New Zealand in pool A, India were once again missing Sania Mirza as Australia gave them a sound thrashing.

Isha Lakhani started the proceedings for the Indians and wasted a one-set lead to go down 6-3, 4-6, 1-6 against Jessica Moore.

Sunitha Rao was next to come but the US-based player was swept aside 3-6, 5-7 by Casey Dellacqua.

The 2-0 Aussie lead made the doubles tie inconsequential but the top seeds were in no mood to concede even an inch as Dellacqua and Rennae Stubbs beat Sunitha and Shikha Uberoi 7-6 (2), 6-0 to complete the rout.

http://sports.indiatimes.com/Sections/Tennis/Oz_whitewash_India_in_Fed_Cup/articleshow/2749190.cms

Catalogue-shopping a hit in metros

2008-02-03T05:31:00.000-08:00

Big retailers seem to have hit upon a smart way to keep their cash register ringing by attracting customers through catalogue-shopping.

For the first time, Hypercity Retail India Ltd, along with Shoppers' Stop, has entered into a franchise agreement with the UK-based Home Retail Group, Argos, to offer multi-channel shopping experience to its customers.

Hypercity Retail India would offer this facility under the brand name of Hypercity Argos.

"This unique format of catalogue shopping is definitely suited for metros like Mumbai where retail space is expensive and has been a deterrent for retailers to reach out to a larger consumer base in a cost-effective manner," Hypercity Retail's CEO, Andrew Levermore, said.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Business/Catalogue-shopping_a_hit_in_metros/articleshow/2752913.cms

Intel to invest over $ 1 bn in India

2008-02-03T05:29:00.000-08:00

Global chip maker Intel will invest more than USD one billion in India over the next three years as it seeks to prepare light-weight personal computers in partnership with Indian and foreign hardware firms.

"We have committed to spend over a billion dollars spread over next three years plus. We are focusing on a number of new initiatives for enabling easy availability of personal computers (PCs) and broadband Internet in India," Intel Technology India Director- marketing and operations John A McClure said.

The company is partnering with foreign and Indian computer hardware brands like ASUS Technologies, HCL, Wipro and Zenith for preparing light weight easy-to-use Internet platforms.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Business/Intel_to_invest_over__1_bn_in_India/articleshow/2752988.cms

Djokovic gets hero's welcome for Australian Open win

2008-02-03T05:27:00.000-08:00

Serbia's Australian Open winner Novak Djokovic was given a raucous welcome by around 15,000 fans in central Belgrade on Saturday following his win in the Australian Open last Sunday.

Djokovic, who had gone to his Monte Carlo residence after capturing his first Grand Slam title last Sunday, hurled his racket into the crowd from the city hall balcony and described the reception as "unreal".

"I am at a loss for words to describe how I feel and I am so grateful you all came to celebrate my victory with me," he said.

"As a child, I stood where you are standing now to admire our great athletes who had won silverware for our country in the past and now here I am. It's a very special feeling."

Djokovic beat Frenchman Joe-Wilfried Tsonga 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 7-6, to become the first Serb to win a Grand Slam and his success sparked massive celebrations in Serbia.

http://sports.indiatimes.com/Sections/Tennis/Djokovic_gets_heros_welcome/articleshow/2751654.cms

Federer will bounce back: Djokovic

2008-02-03T05:25:00.000-08:00

Newly-crowned Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic has predicted Roger Federer will bounce back "big style" after taking the Swiss master's title at the season-opening Grand Slam. The 20-year-old Serb knocked out 12-time Grand Slam champion Federer in the semi-finals, ending his reign Down Under and sparking talk of a changing of the guard in men's tennis.

But third seed Djokovic dismissed the notion that the Federer era was over after coming from behind to beat unseeded Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the decider at Melbourne Park.

"It's not possible that only one tournament is changing history. Of course, I mean, I played amazing tennis here, so I think I absolutely deserved to win, even against him in the semi-finals, he accepted it in the right way," Djokovic said, after winning his first Grand Slam title.

"He's going to come back in a big style, of course. He's still planning to be the best player in the world, so we all know how good is he. We are going to see a lot of him, of course, this year."

http://sports.indiatimes.com/Sections/Australian_Open_2008/Federer_will_bounce_back_Djokovic/articleshow/2735667.cms

The new Chak de girls!

2008-02-03T05:23:00.001-08:00

There’s a new gang of Chak De girls in SRK’s life.

At Ekta Kapoor’s grand telly event, Shah Rukh Khan will perform with this new set of Chak De girls, who include TV actresses. They belong to all age groups. Right from Sakshi Tanwar to Neena Gupta, from Mona Singh to Anita, they are all there. There’s Gautami Kapoor, the current Tulsi, too. And there’s somebody as well... none other than Smriti Iraani herself! Nevermind all the rumours doing the rounds about trouble between Ekta and Smriti, the latter will feature with Shah Rukh Khan.

Now here’s what the act will be all about... SRK enters with a big bang in a fauji look. For those who are not aware, Shah Rukh made his acting debut on TV many years ago. He acted in the popular TV serial Fauji. Naturally there couldn’t be anybody bigger and better than him for this event,which will be telecast on 9X.
While on stage, SRK will introduce each of the women as Chak1, Chak 2 etc. Of course this team is smaller than the original Chak De team.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Entertainment/The_new_Chak_de_girls/articleshow/2746184.cms

Novak Djokovic wins Australian Open

2008-02-03T05:23:00.000-08:00

Tennis hot property Novak Djokovic broke through for his first Grand Slam triumph with a dramatic four-set victory over unseeded Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga at the Australian Open on Sunday.

The 20-year-old third seed became the first Serb to win a tennis Grand Slam, coming from behind to register a 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 7-6 (7/2) victory over the tournament bolter in three hours six minutes.

Djokovic's victory was the first Grand Slam final since the 2005 Australian Open not won by Roger Federer or Rafael Nadal with the top-ranked pair dominating the game, claiming the last 11 majors between them.

"I am so proud of myself and to be the first Serbian who won the Grand Slam title," said Djokovic, who eclipsed Jim Courier as the youngest men's winner at Melbourne Park.

http://sports.indiatimes.com/Sections/Australian_Open_2008/Novak_Djokovic_wins_Australian_Open/articleshow/2735451.cms

Prime time’s new pocket Venus

2008-02-03T05:21:00.001-08:00

Lucknow girl Amrapalli Gupta’s girlish giggle and sheer joy of living touches you even long distance. Small screen’s newest star has had a tough time finding a toe-hold in Mumbai and carving a niche for herself.

After being thrown out of umpteen paying guest accommodations, spending nights without food, Amrapalli is determined to make it bigger on television and make her parents proud of her. “I want them to hear good things about me. Their courage and support kept me going during all the hardships I faced during my struggling days.”

And yes, she even confesses to having been propositioned and admits that for nubile young girls like her who have no god-fathers or family in the entertainment business, the casting couch does exist and she has just about managed to get out of it. “We actors like to give the impression that there’s no such thing like a casting couch, so that the audience doesn’t hate us. But the real truth remains — it does exist. The only pressure is to not succumb to it. If one is not economically and emotionally strong, it’s easy to take short cuts to sustain oneself.”

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Entertainment/Prime_times_new_pocket_Venus/articleshow/2750413.cms

I need to be strong and quick on court: Yuki

2008-02-03T05:21:00.000-08:00

After creditably making the Australian Open boys' semi-finals grade on his maiden appearance, teenaged Delhi-lad Yuki Bhambri spelled out the significance of being fit and nimble-footed at the international level for an edge against rivals.

The 15-years-old player said it was an exciting experience to be a part of the first Grand Slam of the year.

"It was wonderful experience. You play before a huge crowd that spurs you on to give your best. I am happy the way I played," Yuki said after returning from Australia.

"It was tough out there. Every body was of the same level. What mattered was that who played better on the given day and how well you are prepared," he said but added that "I need to get strong and quick on court

http://sports.indiatimes.com/Sections/Australian_Open_2008/I_need_to_be_strong_on_court_Yuki/articleshow/2740449.cms

Aayushman returns to TV as hitman

2008-02-03T05:19:00.000-08:00

Vinod Singh, who played the 17-year-old teenage doctor-prodigy in Aayushman, is back after a long hiatus. Singh will play a hitman in Amber Dhara.

Singh, who made an entry into the show recently, had a tough time in Aayushman. He was shown the door and replaced by Sudeep Sahir. The production house is reported to have taken the tough decision after Singh’s alleged spat with a crew member and his intemperate behaviour getting on everyone’s nerves. We hope he has smooth sailing in Amber Dhara.

When contacted, the moody Singh said that he was busy with a shot and could not talk. However, Siddharth Tiwari – creative director of Amber Dhara – confirmed Singh’s inclusion in the show.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Entertainment/Aayushman_returns_to_TV_as_hitman/articleshow/2750515.cms

East Bengal stun Dempo 1-0

2008-02-03T05:18:00.001-08:00

East Bengal got a big boost for themselves, clinching a 1-0 win over I-League leaders Dempo SC at the Salt lake Stadium on Sunday. The all-important goal came in the 68th minute when a crafty free kick from Alvito d'Cunha curled in and entered the net deflecting off Mahesh Gawli's boots.

The win also upset the Goan team's rhythm with Churchill brothers and JCT coming within the striking distance with one and two points respectively behind Dempo's 27.

With Viva Kerala losing to Mahindra United and Sporting Clube de Goa just managing a draw, things looks precariously close in the drop zone. Bengal's win puts their tally at 11 points with three wins. They are now one point short of Viva and two points behind Sporting.

http://sports.indiatimes.com/Sections/Football/East_Bengal_stun_Dempo_1-0/articleshow/2735808.cms

Why Renuka denied Smriti's offer?

2008-02-03T05:16:00.000-08:00

Smriti Irani had approached Renuka Shahane to play Sakkubai, for her new serial by the same name. Apparently, when Renuka read the script, she found that it had an uncanny resemblance to the Marathi serial Kumari Gangubai Non Matric.

It may be recalled that the show, earlier titled Bai Bole Toh Gangu Bai , had run into trouble when the Marathi channel slapped a legal notice on Smriti for plagiarism. Apparently, the concept and the storyline of the show are a straight lift from the Marathi show, on air on the channel for the past seven years.

A source informed us, “When Renuka sat for the narration, she realised that the story was similar to the Marathi show Kumari Gangubai Non Matric. She was too embarrassed, and besides that, the lead actress of the Marathi serial, Nirmitee Sawant, is Renuka’s close friend. When Renuka voiced her displeasure, Smriti assured her that it was ‘different’. However, the only difference is that while Gangubai is unmarried, Smriti’s Sakkubai is married but her husband has left her and she has two children to look after.”

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Entertainment/Why_Renuka_denied_Smritis_offer/articleshow/2750528.cms

Diego takes Chelsea by surprise

2008-02-03T05:15:00.000-08:00

Diego Maradona has fired up Chelsea going into Wednesday's clash with Reading at Stamford Bridge - the Hand of God intervening to make the visitors' trip even more daunting.

Maradona, who knows Chelsea manager Avram Grant of old, stunned the Blues players by turning up to watch training at the west London club's Cobham complex on Monday. And though the 47-year-old did not take part, the former Argentina striker who has been troubled by drugs misuse and other health problems, buoyed the English Premier League title chasers as they prepared to tackle the Royals.

"He is a legend, a hero for everyone, and a fantastic player," Blues striker Andriy Shevchenko told the club's website, after he and midfielder Michael Ballack returned to training. "He has had a difficult life, but he is doing well now. He looks good, he has lost a lot of weight, and feels much better. He plays some golf like me, but I can't play much right now. Now I start to train and feel good."

http://sports.indiatimes.com/Sections/Football/Diego_takes_Chelsea_by_surprise/articleshow/2741516.cms

Ekta danced with Karan on stage!

2008-02-03T05:13:00.001-08:00

Afterall her first mega telly event was a great success. Television stars from her serials as well as other shows turned up in huge numbers. They were all there, either performing on stage or cheering among the audience. Ronit Roy and Roshni Chopra performed to some Bollywood foot-tapping numbers. Tusshar Kapoor, Rohit Roy and Shabbir Ahluwalia danced to the Ae Ganpat number. Lara Dutta along with the TV gang Eijaz Khan, Karan Patel, Jay Bhanushali and Sharad Malhotra out up a performance.

But the highlight of the evening was Ekta Kapoor’s dance with Karan Johar followed by a session of coffee with Karan (of course without the coffee!), where she grilled the director--cum-TV host. When asked to choose between Shahenshah and Badshah, KJo came up with a witty answer: "There’s Akbar coming soon too. So let me choose after that!" Sajid Khan’s witty remarks, as he hosted the show along with Malaika Arora-Khan, kept the audiences in splits.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Entertainment/Ekta_danced_with_Karan_on_stage/articleshow/2751174.cms

Robinho double sends Real nine points clear

2008-02-03T05:13:00.000-08:00

Defending champions Real Madrid went nine points clear at the top of La Liga on Sunday with a 3-2 win over Villarreal.

Barcelona's 1-1 draw at Athletic Bilbao gave Real the perfect chance to extend their points advantage and they took it with both hands courtesy of a brace from Brazilian winger Robinho, who celebrated his 24th birthday on Friday, and a Wesley Sneijder strike.

"This has been a great birthday for me," said Robinho. "The title race is not over yet because there are lots of games left but we have taken an important step for sure."

It was an eighth consecutive win for Real who have not dropped a single point at home and are ruthless on the road.

http://sports.indiatimes.com/Sections/Football/Robinho_sends_Real_9_points_clear/articleshow/2736414.cms

Ghana, Guinea through; Senegal coach quits

2008-02-03T05:04:00.000-08:00

Hosts Ghana beat Morocco 2-0 to reach the African Nations Cup quarter-finals on Monday and the tournament claimed its first coaching victim with Henryk Kasperczak quitting Senegal.

Guinea also went into the last eight, following Ghana through from Group A despite managing only a 1-1 draw against rank outsiders Namibia. Midfielder Michael Essien scored a goal and set up another as Ghana finished their group with maximum points from three games.

Ghana, who will stay in Accra for their quarterfinal on Sunday, will face the Group B runners-up - most likely Mali although it could be arch-rivals Nigeria. In front of a packed crowd in Accra, Sulley Muntari set up Essien for the opening goal in the 26th minute with a quickly taken free kick that found the midfielder in enough space to score from close range.

http://sports.indiatimes.com/Sections/Football/African_Cup_Ghana_Guinea_through/articleshow/2741510.cms

Maradona sorry for 'Hand of God'

2008-02-03T05:00:00.000-08:00

Argentina football legend Diego Maradona apologised in an interview on Thursday for his infamous "Hand of God" goal in the 1986 World Cup quarter-finals that cost England a shot at the trophy.

Speaking to The Sun tabloid, Maradona, who scored both goals in the 2-1 victory over England more than 20 years ago, said that if he could go back in time and "change history", he would.

Maradona's first goal in the quarter-final match in Mexico was deemed by the match referee to be a legitimate header past England goalkeeper Peter Shilton but replays confirmed he had illegally punched the ball in with his hand.

The controversy surrounding that incident has, in England at least, long overshadowed Maradona's superb solo second goal, which saw him dribble past five England players before shooting past Shilton.

http://sports.indiatimes.com/Sections/Football/Maradona_sorry_for_Hand_of_God_/articleshow/2746821.cms

Angola, Tunisia enter quarters

2008-02-03T04:57:00.000-08:00

Tunisia and Angola played out a goalless stalemate in Tamale to qualify for the African Nations Cup quarter-finals while Senegal and South Africa bowed out on Thursday.

Angola, who will host the 2010 tournament, and 2004 champions Tunisia had both needed one point to advance from Group D and duly obtained it to finish on five points each with the Tunisians top on goals scored.

South Africa and Senegal had needed a win to retain slim hopes of reaching the last eight but finished with just two points apiece following a 1-1 draw in Kumasi.

In Monday's quarterfinals, Tunisia will meet Cameroon in Tamale while Angola, who have reached the last eight for the first time, take on defending champions Egypt in Kumasi.

http://sports.indiatimes.com/Sections/Football/Angola_Tunisia_enter_quarters/articleshow/2749670.cms

Shearer turns down coaching role at Newcastle

2008-02-03T04:54:00.000-08:00

Former Newcastle United striker Alan Shearer said he had turned down new manager Kevin Keegan's offer of a coaching role at the struggling Premier League club.

"He (Keegan) basically told me I could come in as his assistant or in any role I wanted but the timing is just not right," Shearer was quoted as saying in The Sun on Saturday.

"I have not snubbed anyone or anything like that... (but) right now, I think the last thing they would need is another dominant personality, another name."

Keegan took Shearer to Newcastle for a then-world record fee of 15 million pounds ($29.85 million) in 1996 and the home-town boy was adored by the local fans as he scored a club record 206 goals, including 148 in the league.

http://sports.indiatimes.com/Sections/Football/Shearer_turns_down_coaching_role/articleshow/2750325.cms

AIFF announces change in Federation Cup format

2008-02-03T04:52:00.001-08:00

In an effort to make the country's domestic football structure more broad-based, the AIFF on Saturday decided to change the format of Federation Cup from this season (2008-09).

The AIFF in its executive body meeting on Saturday decided to introduce qualifying rounds in the tournament in line with FA Cup of England while also making the main tournament a single-leg league format.

The format will give chance to new teams to take part in the tournament while providing equal representation from each zone.

The Qualifying Round will be played on zonal basis and involve non-I-League and Second Division I-League teams.

http://sports.indiatimes.com/Sections/Football/AIFF_changes_Fed_Cup_format/articleshow/2751659.cms

I was an ugly duckling: Eva

2008-02-03T04:42:00.000-08:00

Eva Longoria admitted to being the “ugly duckling” of her family, and having been bullied for her looks when she was young.

Even though Eva has turned out to be one of the most glamourous women with a number of rewarding deals with cosmetic companies, she obviously has not forgotten that her nickname while growing up was “ugly duckling”, reports a British newspaper.

Longoria, who recently married US basketball player Tony Parker, recounted how her nickname came to be. “I was the darkest in my family. I was the only one with black hair and the only one with dark skin. All my sisters were light blondes with hazel eyes. They used to call me ugly duckling,” a website quoted her as saying.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Entertainment/I_was_an_ugly_duckling_Eva/articleshow/2750542.cms

Rihanna is really sexy

2008-02-03T04:40:00.000-08:00

Singer Rihanna of R&B fame has been given the sexiest female musician title by lingerie company Victoria’s Secret. The Barbadian beauty has landed the top spot in the underwear specialist's 2008 What’s Sexy? list, compiled by the company's executives every year, reports Contactmusic.

In Hollywood, Eva Mendes topped the sexiest actress list, while Lost star Josh Holloway was named the sexiest actor.

Spice Girl Victoria Beckham beat off competition from stars like Gwen Stefani, Heidi Klum and Christina Aguilera to bag the sexiest celebrity mum title.

The company will throw A-list party in the honour of these celebrities and the brand's model spokeswomen Selita Ebanks, Adriana Lima and Karolina Kurkova will host the bash.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Entertainment/Rihanna_is_really_sexy/articleshow/2750808.cms

Tyra has baby shower for Alba on TV

2008-02-03T04:34:00.000-08:00

Tyra Banks threw a baby shower for Jessica Alba on her talk show recently.

The former supermodel filled the stage with balloons and gifts as pregnant Jessica appeared on the show. Included among the presents were a pushchair, bassinet, toys and clothes at a total cost of $6,000.

Jessica — who is expecting her first child, rumoured to be a boy, with fiancé Cash Warren — revealed she was learning to cope with her expanding breasts. She said, “I’ve never dealt with cleavage before — it’s a whole new thing.” Jessica also admitted that the baby wasn’t planned, but was a pleasant surprise.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Entertainment/Tyra_has_baby_shower_for_Alba_on_TV/articleshow/2751054.cms

JLo to give birth in designer-wear

2008-02-03T04:32:00.000-08:00

Jennifer Lopez will wear a couture hospital gown when she gives birth. The Do It Well singer — who is expected to give birth to twins later this month — has had four pastel-coloured couture hospital gowns and a co-ordinating robe designed to wear when she checks into hospital.

A source said, “JLo has spent her entire pregnancy wearing Roberto Cavelli designer maternity wear she had specially made. She would never let her stylish image go, not even when giving birth.”

The 38-year-old Play singer is expected to check into the hospital, to give birth via Caesarean section on February 14. The source added, “The JLo room is a little more lavish than what you find in the average maternity ward.” The couple are believed to have chosen the names Max and Emme for the boy and girl twins.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Entertainment/JLo_to_give_birth_in_designer-wear/articleshow/2751059.cms

Clooney asks girlfriend to move in

2008-02-03T04:29:00.000-08:00

George Clooney has reportedly asked girlfriend Sarah Larson to move in with him.

The 46-year-old actor has been dating 29-year-old Sarah, since meeting her while she worked as a cocktail waitress in a Las Vegas hotel, and has now asked her to join him in his Hollywood Hills home.

A source close to the actor said, “Sarah is always with George anyway, so it just makes sense. Plus he likes having her around. She has made him very happy and doesn’t stress him out. She’s easygoing and loving, and that’s what he needs right now.” George, who was famous for his bachelor lifestyle before falling for Sarah, has also asked her to share his New York apartment with him.

The source added, “George has bought Sarah an entire closet full of clothes to keep in Manhattan so she wouldn’t have to pack a suitcase when she flies East with him. He has also told Sarah she is free to use his credit cards. No wonder Sarah is head over heels in love.”

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Entertainment/Clooney_asks_girlfriend_to_move_in/articleshow/2751129.cms

Sania Mirza Sexy Shot

2008-02-03T04:27:00.001-08:00

Sania Mirza is the current youth icon in India. Coming from Hyderabad, this teenager is creating history in Indian tennis by becoming the first ever Indian to break into the top-50 WTA rankings. She also became the first Indian woman to win a WTA tourney when she lifted the Hyderabad Open trophy in February 2005.

Still not out of her teens, Sania Mirza has got a huge fan following, both inside and outside the country. Having trained under C.G.Krishna Bhupathi (father of another famous Indian tennis star, Mahesh Bhupathi), Sania's ambition is to one day become one among the top-20 in the world. At the rate in which she is going currently, that day is not far off.

Sania Mirza has also been honoured with the prestigious Arjuna award by the Indian government for the year 2004.

With the goodwill and support of an entire nation behind her, Sania Mirza is sure to reach great heights and do her country proud. This website is dedicated to the tennis sensation and is regularly updated to bring you the latest news, rankings, tournament results and photos of Sania Mirza.

http://saniaphoto.blogspot.com/2007/10/yellow-sania-mirza.html

Going great guns!

2008-02-03T04:27:00.000-08:00

The platinum disc function of Pourudu, featuring Sumanth and Kajal, was held recently.

Actor Sumanth, who was present on the occasion, said, "I would like to thank all my fans who made this film a big hit. I have tried my hand at both action and romance. My films like Satyam, Gouri, Mahanandi, Godavari and Madhumasam got rave reviews. And, Pourudu proved to be the biggest hit of my career."

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Entertainment/Going_great_guns/articleshow/2751307.cms

Rituparna is all set!

2008-02-03T04:25:00.002-08:00

Her doe-eyes and exceptional talent has been drawing the Bengali audience to cinema theatres for more than a decade now.

With her debut Hindi film Main Meri Patni Aur Woh having garnered critical acclaim, Bengali superstar Rituparna Sengupta is restless and eager to make a big impression in the cut-throat world of Bollywood.

You are best remembered by the Hindi audience for Main Meri Patni aur Woh...

Oh, I loved the way the entire movie was conceived and executed. And I was more than happy with my role, as I believe it was the best character in the movie. Also, acting with talented actors like Rajpal (Yadav) and KK was another enchanting experience.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Entertainment/Rituparna_is_all_set/articleshow/2751382.cms

SRK wishes to invest in hockey, soccer

2008-02-03T04:25:00.001-08:00

After successfully bagging one of the Indian Premier League cricket team, Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan on Saturday expressed his desire to invest money in other form of sports which are not so popular in the country.

"It may be asked why have not invested in hockey, football. I started with cricket because it already enjoys huge popularity. It is religion in India and has more opportunity to grow," Khan told reporters here when asked about his venture in sport.

'King Khan,' as he is known among his fans, had recently won the bid for the Kolkata team for $75.09 million. Khan said that the bid for the high-profile cricket team was too big to afford.

"In fact, I cannot afford that and there is also not much space for profit with this benchmarked numbers," he said. However, the superstar admitted his passion toward sports and wished to assist the budding sportsmen of the country.

http://cricket.indiatimes.com/SRK_wishes_to_invest_in_hockey_soccer/articleshow/2751704.cms

PCB unhappy with Shoaib

2008-02-03T04:23:00.001-08:00

Pakistan's cricket authorities are not happy with the antics of maverick fast bowler, Shoaib Akhtar who has said he does not need a central contract and also snubbed the special retainer offered to him by the board.

Shoaib made a surprising appearance at the Pakistan team nets at the Gaddafi stadium on Friday leaving many board officials red faced as they had been claiming that since he returned from India he had not bothered to contact them.

The board officials also said they did not know his whereabouts or even if he had returned from India while dropping him from the new central contracts list and not considering him for the home series against Zimbabwe.

But the board announced a special retainer for senior players not given the central contract.

Shoaib told reporters that he was not bothered about not being given the central contract as he did not need one to play for his country and nor would he sign the retainership to play for Pakistan.

"I don't need money to play for my country. It is a matter of honour for me to represent my country," he said.

http://cricket.indiatimes.com/PCB_unhappy_with_Shoaib/articleshow/2751761.cms

Priyanka shares Madonna’s belief!

2008-02-03T04:21:00.000-08:00

The world stands witness to Priyanka Chopra’s inspirational journey from a teenage girl to a reigning actress .

This pretty girl from Bareilly has come a long way and is now joining the elite company of three global brand ambassadors, including pop star Madonna, ‘Hips Don’t Lie’ girl Shakira and the Hollywood legend Marilyn Monroe.

And there’s a common sentiment that these sexy divas believe in the girl of today wants to go out, live her dreams and share her memorable moments and stories with the world. Incidentally, Piggy Chops’ favourite ‘Queen of Pop’ icon Madonna says, "Every Sunsilk brand ambassador, including Priyanka Chopra, stands for freedom of expression, doing what she believes in and going after her dreams. I am my own experiment. I am my own work of art. I have the same goal I’ve had ever since I was a girl."

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Entertainment/Priyanka_shares_Madonnas_belief/articleshow/2751167.cms

Tait to pocket his entire deal with CA

2008-02-03T04:20:00.000-08:00

In a generous gesture, Cricket Australia has offered to pay its struggling pace bowler Shaun Tait his retainer and match fees, which will cost a big six-figure sum to the Board.

Australian Cricketers Association boss Paul Marsh has said that CA was ready to pay Tait his entire deal, worth about $450,000 a season, so that he could recapture the fire and passion during his shock sabbatical.

Under section 9.2 of CA's player contract, which covers injury payments to players, the 24-year-bowler, who is on indefinite break from the game following "emotional and physical exhaustion", is entitled to full match payments for forthcoming Test and One-day matches, as he was a member of the most recent teams when he quit the game.

http://cricket.indiatimes.com/Tait_to_pocket_his_entire_deal_with_CA/articleshow/2752483.cms

Kailash is ecstatic!

2008-02-03T04:19:00.000-08:00

Tauba, tauba, that’s not why they’re here for. Kaise Main Kahoon, but Kailasa is here to rock the city today at the Times of Youth Challenge grand finale.

It seems like the start of another busy year for you...

Sure. In fact, I’ve been busy composing music for an Akshay Kumar action-adventure-comedy film titled, Chandni Chowk to China. Nikhil Advani called up out of the blue and asked me to compose for the film. I liked the script and wasted no time in signing up. So it’s not just singing, but composing has also landed up. We aren’t complaining one bit. We’re spoilt for choice, you see. Paresh, Naresh and I have invested collective soul into our music, and the results are there for all to see and hear.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Entertainment/Kailash_is_ecstatic/articleshow/2751246.cms

Kamran Akmal, Umar Gul join IPL

2008-02-03T04:17:00.001-08:00

Pakistan wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal and fast bowler Umar Gul have joined the Indian Premier League (IPL), Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) director media and marketing Ahsan Hamid Malik told Daily Times on Friday.

Shoaib Malik, Shoaib Akhtar, Shahid Afridi, Muhammad Asif, Younis Khan and Muhammad Yousuf have already signed the IPL contracts.

Kamran and Umar will get $175,000 each for playing in the IPL.

The 25-year-old wicketkeeper has represented Pakistan in 38 Tests and 80 One-Day Internationals while Umar has played 16 Tests and 39 ODIs.

Yousuf will get $330,000 contract. Malik will get $300,000 while Akhtar, Afridi, Younis and Asif will earn $225,000 each.

Meanwhile, Yousuf has left it to the PCB and Board of Cricket Control in India (BCCI) to bail him out of his dispute with the unofficial Indian Cricket League (ICL).

The next hearing of the dispute comes up sometime this month. Yousuf has been allowed to participate in the bidding process on February 8.

http://cricket.indiatimes.com/Kamran_Akmal_Umar_Gul_join_IPL_/articleshow/2750988.cms

Sallu to pen fitness secrets?

2008-02-03T04:17:00.000-08:00

Bollywood’s original hunk, Salman Khan is toying with the idea of penning a book on body building. Though in his early forties, Salman remains one of the fittest actors in the industry.

Not that we need testimony, but even Shah Rukh Khan has gone on record to say that Salman was the first to spark off a fitness revolution in India as he first flaunted his rippling muscles and six-pack abs on the silver screen more than a decade ago. It’s no hidden secret that Salman loves to workout and has generously offered fitness tips to many actors including Hrithik Roshan, who requested Salman to train him prior to his celluloid debut in 2000.

So how did the idea strike the hunk? A source informs, “Salman’s colleagues, fans and the media have often quizzed Salman bhai on how he manages to maintain such a fabulously fit physique and so, bhai thought it would be a great idea write his own book on bodybuilding. But nothing has been finalised yet. He’s just toying with the idea,” says the source.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Entertainment/Sallu_to_pen_fitness_secrets/articleshow/2750902.cms

Is Esha upset?

2008-02-03T04:16:00.001-08:00

Esha Deol did an item number in the movie Sunday, but the number wasn’t noticed by anyone.

The fact that the movie too was not noticed is another matter altogether, but even the sizzling number couldn’t find any takers. Many people feel that the song wasn’t publicised enough.

Wonder if Esha who had big hopes from the song is feeling upset about it. We won’t be surprised if she is!

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Entertainment/Is_Esha_upset_/articleshow/2751043.cms

New Zealand's Styris retires from Tests

2008-02-03T04:15:00.000-08:00

New Zealand batsman Scott Styris announced his retirement from Test cricket on Sunday, saying he wanted to focus on One-Day Internationals and Twenty20.

The 32-year-old said he had to reduce his workload because of niggling injuries and believed he could prolong his career if he concentrated on the abbreviated forms of the game.

"I want to play for New Zealand for as long as I can," he told the New Zealand Press Association on Sunday.

"At the moment I feel with the amount of injuries I'm getting, if I don't knock something on the head I won't be around in 12 months time.

"I'd like to play another World Cup and if I'm to get through to it (2011) something has to give."

http://cricket.indiatimes.com/New_Zealands_Styris_retires_from_Tests/articleshow/2752295.cms

Rama Rama Kya Hai Drama

2008-02-03T04:13:00.000-08:00

Some films don’t need a review. The cast, crew, title and trailers of the film pass such vibes that the discerning audiences maintain safe distance from it. And the undiscerning ones aren’t interested in reviews. So my basic purpose of writing the review of this film is otiose. But having taken the trouble of enduring this drama, I can’t resist the temptation of sharing my underwent trauma.

Some films have a flop written all over it. You don’t need to be a trade analyst to sense that. So when I enter the 700-seater cinema hall with less that 7 audience accompanying me, the supposed comedy feels more like a haunted horror experience in the vacant auditorium.

Some films aren’t built on stories. Stories are built around such films. In this particular case, the story goes that the lead cast had disassociated themselves from the film on its completion (late realization?). Perhaps they felt the film didn’t shape up as they had visualized in the script. Script? What script? Was there any? And if there was, I could have never visualized a film on it. The story seems to be an outcome of a group of producers discussing a dazed plot over a drink.

http://movies.indiatimes.com/moviereview/2749118.cms

Neetu Chandra hospitalized in Manali

2008-02-03T04:11:00.000-08:00

A day after she called us from Manali, the severe cold wave in the state caught up with Neetu Chandra and she was hospitalized.

She called us from her hospital bed and says "Finally the cold wave got into me and I suffered stomach infection and other cold related illness. I thought it is just a minor thing and it will go away and continued shooting, but my condition deteriorated and I was shifted to a hospital. Right now I'm resting and will be flying off to Mumbai and then to Delhi to be with my family," she informs from Manali.

http://movies.indiatimes.com/articleshow/2748276.cms

Aussies left with egg on face as abusive thrower targets Murali

2008-02-03T04:10:00.002-08:00

Writing in The Times of India on Friday, Sri Lanka skipper Mahela Jayawardene had commented, "As for off-field controversies, all I have to say is, the more India and Australia have a go at each other, the better it is for us. Our aim is to... concentrate solely on the cricket. Anything else is avoidable."

In video: Egg thrown at Murali in Australia

Jayawardene may have spoken too soon. Muttiah Muralitharan, the universally well-liked - except in Australia - record holder for most Test wickets finds himself embroiled in yet another controversy in a country that has given him plenty of grief.

Murali was subjected to verbal abuse and had eggs hurled at him on Friday night in Hobart as he and some other members of the Lankan contingent were returning to the team hotel from a restaurant. He was reportedly hit on his leg by an egg. As a result, the Lankan board has asked Cricket Australia to tighten security around the team.

Murali has frequently been at the receiving end from Australian umpires and jeering fans. The fact that he broke Aussie spinner Shane Warne’s record certainly won’t have improved his popularity Down Under.

"Muralitharan, along with one of the selectors and the team masseur, was walking when suddenly a car passed them and the guy starts abusing," a cricket website quoted a source close to the team as saying.

"He then came back a few more times and repeated this and suddenly he started throwing eggs in their direction. One landed on the back of the selector."

http://cricket.indiatimes.com/Egg_thrown_on_Muralis_face_in_Australia/articleshow/2751818.cms

The Sanjay Dutt- Viveik Oberoi tiff put to rest

2008-02-03T04:10:00.001-08:00

For all the speculations relating to the tiff between Viveik Oberoi and Sanjay Dutt, here’s getting the facts cleared.

It all began when reports came out that Viveik Oberoi had made a pass at Sanjay Dutt’s girlfriend Maanyata. Sanjay apparently didn’t take this very kindly and was apparently very angry with Oberoi. However, from what we hear now Sanjay Dutt never had any problems with Viveik in the first place and never believed what was reported in the media.

Viveik said that Sanjay Dutt and he go way back- even before he joined the film industry and as back as his school days. Viveik’s father Suresh Oberoi had played father to Sanjay in a number of films and the latter also had referred to him as dad.

Whenever Sanjay would be in Jaipur he would always make it a point to meet to visit Viveik at his boarding school. Viveik is a self-confessed hardcore Sanjay Dutt fan and the two always shared a good bond. In fact, it was Sanjay Dutt who recommended Viveik’s name for his home production Shootout at Lokhandwala when his acting career had reached an all time low.

So when these shocking reports came out Viveik immediately went to Sanjay to clarify in case there was anything in Sanjay’s mind. According to Viveik, Sanju baba just went on and hugged him and said there are no hard feelings.

So next time you hear Sanjay Dutt ignoring Viveik at a patry... just let it pass.

http://movies.indiatimes.com/articleshow/2748923.cms

Is Karisma following Kajol's footsteps?

2008-02-03T04:08:00.000-08:00

Kajol kept denying her comeback until Fanaa was released! The actor kept 'mum' about her comeback film, as she claimed to enjoy motherhood more than anything else in the world. And while she was all 'mum', she smartly endorsed consumer brands like Tata Indicom, Marie biscuits, Whirlpool, Asmi jewellery to name a few. Then it was time for Fanaa that made great news as the film hailed the comeback of Kajol and also had Aamir and the Mukerji girl as the lead pair. This, for the first time ever.
Now, Karisma seems to be executing the same 'game plan'. The actress after shooting for Khaitan fans and ICI Dulux was spotted shooting for an ad campaign for 'Utsav' jewellery in a suburban Mumbai five star hotel.

We hear that Karisma, who is in perfect shape, has been doing ads just to ensure that she is not away from the public eye for too long as that might make her a little apprehensive to get back to the big screen.

Karisma's fans are eagerly awaiting her return to films, more so after seeing her sizzle in Om Shaanti Om . However the actress still seems to be in two minds about her comeback.

http://movies.indiatimes.com/articleshow/2749229.cms

Don't question my integrity: Symonds

2008-02-03T04:07:00.000-08:00

Australian all-rounder Andrew Symonds has strongly opposed ICC Appeals Commissioner's blame that he sparked off the racism row involving Harbhajan Singh during the Sydney Test, saying it makes his "blood boil" if anyone questioned his integrity.

"To have people questioning my integrity as a person and cricketer is pretty ordinary," Symonds said in his first reaction to the whole "head-spinning" episode.

"Anyone who knows me, understands that I'm a very straight up and down bloke, what you see is what you get, so to have people saying I'm not playing cricket in the right spirit really makes my blood boil," he wrote in his column for 'Sunday Telegraph'.

ICC Appeals Commissioner John Hansen had criticised Symonds' behaviour in the Test, saying he had unnecessarily instigated the verbal exchange while letting off Harbhajan, who was accused of racially abusing the all rounder, with minor punishment.

Symonds said it was "shattering" to hear the outcome of the hearing after the controversy had taken a toll on him as well as his family.

http://cricket.indiatimes.com/Dont_question_my_integrity_Symonds/articleshow/2752459.cms

Priyanka in Madonna and Shakira's company

2008-02-03T04:05:00.002-08:00

Ex Ms World Priyanka Chopra has taken one step further to her stardom. The beauty queen turned actress will be joining the elite list of international celebrity figures like Madonna, Shakira and Marilyn Monroe with her recent appointment as the brand ambassador of hair care brand Sunsilk.

Sunsilk hopes to inspire women around the world to take a step forward and live life to the fullest with the debut of their massive "Life Can't Wait" Campaign. The Sunsilk "Life Can't Wait" Campaign features three of the world's most iconographic figures - Madonna, Shakira, and Marilyn Monroe internationally, and now Priyanka Chopra in India - all of whom symbolize the power of expression and making life happen. The campaign aims to inspire women from all over the globe to live their own lives to the fullest.

Like some of her Bollywood contemporaries, Sushmita Sen, Aishwarya Rai, Lara Dutta and other Bollywood divas who have made India proud globally, Priyanka Chopra has joined the international bandwagon. She will symbolize a woman who came from a small town and has made it big today. Priyanka Chopra believes in the fact and comments, "I think 'Life Can't Wait' is very true for today. It's about now. The idea of lazy Sundays no more exists. Nobody has that luxury. You have to work hard to be the best," she says

http://movies.indiatimes.com/articleshow/2747696.cms

Brisbane ODI: Match abandoned due to rain

2008-02-03T04:05:00.001-08:00

Due to intermittent rains, the tri-series opener between India and Australia has been called off. India and Australia shared two points each.

http://card.cricket.indiatimes.com/default.cms?matchid=479

Knightley’s dress to be auctioned

2008-02-03T04:04:00.001-08:00

Keira Knightley’s Atonement dress is being auctioned for charity.

The stunning green silk evening gown worn by the British actress as Cecilia Tallis in the romantic World War II movie will be sold in an online auction to raise money for Variety — a children’s charity of Southern California. The auction opened online with a minimum bid of $1,000. It is due to close on March 1.

The description on the website reads: “Memorably worn during the crucial emotional and romantic sequences by Knightley as Cecilia Tallis, opposite James McAvoy as Robbie Turner, the backless dress was taken directly from the production’s archives and is one of a handful that was made specifically for Knightley to wear during filming. Multiples were fashioned, because of the fragility of the dress.” The gown has been authenticated by costume designer Jacqueline Durran, who is nominated for an Academy Award for her work on Atonement.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Entertainment/Knightleys_dress_to_be_auctioned/articleshow/2751142.cms

Arjun's Hollywood connection

2008-02-03T04:02:00.000-08:00

Gosh, Arjun Rampal has taken his Shah Rukh Khan fixation a wee bit too far this time.

He already has six pack abs, but this time, it’s his pony tail, a la SRK, with which the good looking hunk is spotted. And guess what?

More than his pony tail, he’s excited because of Oscar-winning Hollywood filmmaker Michael Radford’s recent remark that only three stars could make it to Hollywood – and the lucky musketeers from Bollywood are... Shah Rukh Khan, Aamir Khan and Arjun Rampal.

Well, haven’t we heard this before? Wonder what the two Khans must be thinking – mera number kab aayega?

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Entertainment/Arjuns_Hollywood_connection/articleshow/2750577.cms

Gracy back in action!

2008-02-03T03:56:00.000-08:00

She talks about her thappad controversy and her fave Bollywood dude

The girl, who made her film debut as a village belle in Aamir Khan's Lagaan: Once Upon A Time In India and charmed film buffs with her endearing smile in Munnabhai M.B.B.S, is ready to shed that girl next door image. And how! Actress Gracy Singh is now ready to pack a few power punches and doing some spine-chilling bike riding scenes in her forthcoming film Desh Drohi. A very excited Gracy tells NT that action genre makes her go these days, even as she denies reports about having slapped an assistant director.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Entertainment/Gracy_back_in_action/articleshow/2751581.cms

Arsenal back on top as United scrape draw

2008-02-02T22:22:00.000-08:00

Emmanuel Adebayor maintained his prodigious recent scoring rate with two more goals as Arsenal went to the top of the Premier League with a 3-1 win at Manchester City in the early kick-off on Saturday.

And Arsenal ended the day with a two-point lead over Manchester United, who snatched a last-gasp 1-1 draw away to Tottenham after falling behind to Dimitar Berbatov's 21st-minute opener.

Third-placed Chelsea lost further ground on the leaders as Portsmouth debutant Jermain Defoe cancelled out Nicolas Anelka's 55th minute strike to earn a 1-1 draw at Fratton Park.

Togo international Adebayor scored in the ninth and 88th minutes as Arsenal inflicted a first home league defeat of the season on Sven-Goran Eriksson's City.

Adebayor's strike partner Eduardo put Arsenal 2-1 ahead after 26 minutes but the two-goal buffer was shortlived as Gelson Fernandes replied within two minutes.

Arsenal's held on comfortably enough during the second goal but sealed victory as the excellent Cesc Fabregas set up Adebayor for his second near the finish.

http://edition.cnn.com/2008/SPORT/football/02/02/arsenal.top/index.html

Mayor: Sarkozy weds former model

2008-02-02T22:16:00.000-08:00

French President Nicolas Sarkozy married former model Carla Bruni on Saturday at the Elysee Palace, according to the official who performed the ceremony.

"The bride wore white; she was ravishing, as usual," Francois Lebel, mayor of Paris' eighth arrondissement, or neighborhood, told Europe-1 radio. "The groom wasn't bad either."

It was a historic occasion, "the first time in the history of the Republic that a president has got married in office," as Lebel said.

Sarkozy, 53, and Bruni, 40, were married in the presence of about 20 close family and friends, Lebel said. He called the ceremony "a moment of family intimacy for the young newlyweds, of great simplicity and apparently a lot of affection between the spouses.

"I wished them a lot of happiness," he said.

Under French law, couples must tie the knot before a mayor to make their union official.

Sarkozy's openness about his private life has surprised many French, accustomed to presidents who keep their love lives under wraps.

http://edition.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/europe/02/02/france.sarkozy.ap/index.html

CIA flights to Greenland investigated

2008-02-02T07:03:00.000-08:00

Denmark will investigate claims that the CIA secretly used an airport on the Nordic country's remote Arctic territory of Greenland to transport prisoners in the U.S. war on terror, the prime minister said Thursday.

Denmark, like many other European countries, began investigating reports in 2005 that the U.S. intelligence agency quietly touched down on their territory as part of the CIA's so-called "extraordinary rendition" program.

Human rights groups have criticized the practice, in which suspects are transported for interrogation to countries outside the U.S. for interrogation.

A Danish TV documentary broadcast Wednesday by the DR1 TV network claimed that prisoner flights not only used mainland Denmark's airports and airspace but also touched down on Greenland, a semiautonomous Danish territory between Europe and North America.

"In the light of the new information, we will be looking into what happened and if need be, we will ask the Americans for explanations," Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen said.

http://edition.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/europe/01/31/denmark.cia.ap/index.html

19 die in Turkish fireworks building blast

2008-02-02T07:01:00.000-08:00

A blast ripped through a building in an industrial neighborhood of Istanbul on Thursday, leaving at least 19 people dead, authorities told CNN.

The authorities, who ruled out terror activity, believe fireworks stored in the building caused the blast.

The explosion took place around 9:45 a.m. on the third floor of a four-story building in Davutpasa, where there was an unregistered storehouse full of sparklers, said Muammer Guler the district governor of Istanbul.

He said there had been a fire at the building before the blast

Guler said at least 68 people were injured, and a handful of them were critically hurt.

Nearby buildings were damaged and part of the structure collapsed after the explosion.

http://edition.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/europe/01/31/istanbul.blast/index.html

UK payout over secret Cold War tests

2008-02-02T06:58:00.000-08:00

Britain's defense ministry said Thursday it had agreed to pay a total of $6 million in compensation to 360 military veterans who took part in secret chemical weapons tests during the Cold War.

Defense Minister Derek Twigg apologized to the veterans, many of whom claim to have suffered serious long-term health problems as the result of the tests, but said the government did not admit liability.

"The government accepts that there were aspects of the trials where there may have been shortcomings and where, in particular, the life or health of participants may have been put at risk," Twigg said in a written statement to lawmakers.

"The government sincerely apologizes to those who may have been affected."

However, he said, the real risk of chemical attack meant that "the security of the country rested on these trials and the contribution of those who took part in them."

In the 1950s and 1960s, hundreds of servicemen and women were exposed to substances including nerve agents, poisons and LSD at the Porton Down military research facility in southwest England.

http://edition.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/europe/01/31/uk.compensation.ap/index.html

Sweden sues 'illegal' download site

2008-02-02T06:56:00.000-08:00

A Swedish prosecutor filed charges against the organizers of popular file-sharing site The Pirate Bay, saying it has helped millions of users worldwide violate copyrights.

The Pirate Bay, started in 2004, allows 10 million to 15 million users to share films, music and other copyright-protected material.

In charges that included top Hollywood production houses as plaintiffs, prosecutor Hakan Roswall focused on four men he said were responsible for the organization, financing and operation of the site.

"The operation of The Pirate Bay is financed through advertising revenues. In that way it commercially exploits copyright-protected work and performances," Roswall said in a statement.

The prosecutor listed dozens of works that had been downloaded through The Pirate Bay, including The Beatles album "Let It Be", Robbie Williams' "Intensive Care" and the movie "Harry Potter & The Goblet of Fire."

Plaintiffs in the case include Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc., MGM Pictures Inc., Colombia Pictures Industries Inc., 20th Century Fox Films Co., Sony BMG, Universal and EMI, who have until February 29 to file claims for damages.

http://edition.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/europe/02/01/pirate.sue.ap/index.html

Beckham vows to reclaim England place

2008-02-02T06:53:00.000-08:00

David Beckham is determined to win his place back in the England team after being left out of Fabio Capello's first squad for the friendly against Switzerland next week.

Speaking in Brazil just ahead of Thursday's squad announcement, Beckham said: "I will carry on working hard and trying to get back in.

"I won't get bitter and twisted because I am old enough and I have got enough respect for the manager to realize that if it does not happen, life goes on.

"I have been lucky enough in my career to come back from tough times and disappointments. If it doesn't happen (winning a 100th cap), I will come back from it again. If it does, then great."

Beckham has spent much of the last month training with Arsenal and their manager Arsene Wenger weighed into the debate on Friday by praising his high level of fitness.

"We were all amazed how good he was," he said.

"I believe the English national team still needs Beckham because he can still make decisions and his experience will be needed in the big games and that is why I am sure he will get his 100th cap."

http://edition.cnn.com/2008/SPORT/football/02/01/beckham.reax/index.html

French Open in bid to stop online gambling

2008-02-02T06:50:00.000-08:00

French Open tennis organizers launched a court action on Friday in a bid to ban online gambling companies from offering bets on their grand slam tournament.

The complaint filed in courts in Liege in eastern Belgium and in Paris claims that Internet betting companies stain the reputation of the clay-court championship at Roland Garros.

"There is urgency to act because sporting ethic is at risk," Jean-Francois Vilotte, director general of the French tennis federation, told The Associated Press. "It is an issue as important as the fight against doping."

The issue of integrity in tennis came to the fore in August, when an online betting site -- Betfair -- voided all wagers on a match in Poland between fifth-ranked Nikolay Davydenko and 87th-ranked Martin Vassallo Arguello because of irregular betting patterns.

Davydenko withdrew from the match in the third set, citing a foot injury.

http://edition.cnn.com/2008/SPORT/02/01/french.gambling.ap/index.html

Killing of glamour model-bodyguard stuns Moscow

2008-02-02T06:48:00.000-08:00

Anna Loginova was, for many Russians, a feminine icon -- bridging the glamorous world of modeling and the murky depths of Russian crime

But this week, the stunning Loginova became a victim of the criminals she made sure could not get to her millionaire clients. She was killed trying to stop a thief stealing her own car on a busy Moscow street.

As a glamour model, 29-year-old Loginova often appeared on the covers of Russian magazines, scantily clad. She fronted advertisements for high-profile brands in Russia, like the German carmaker BMW.

But behind the glossy images, Loginova had another profession: She was an experienced bodyguard, trained in martial arts, commanding high prices to protect Russia's wealthy elite. One notable client was Russian boxer Kostya Tszyu.

http://edition.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/europe/02/01/russia.killing/index.html

Parents defend sex slaying suspect

2008-02-02T06:41:00.000-08:00

The parents of an American student accused in a sensational Italian sex slaying said in an interview broadcast Friday that their daughter could never have committed such a crime. Amanda Knox tells her parents, "Why am I here when I didn't do anything?" her father, William Knox, said in the interview on ABC's "Good Morning America." It was the parents' first extensive interview since the November slaying of Meredith Kercher.

Kercher, a 21-year-old student from Leeds University in England, was found dead in the apartment she shared with Knox in the central Italian town of Perugia where both were studying. She had been sexually assaulted and died of a knife wound to the neck.

Amanda Knox, a University of Washington student from Seattle, was taken into custody along with two other people in connection with the death.

"She says she's tired a lot," her mother, Edda Mellas, told ABC. "Jail's not easy."

http://edition.cnn.com/2008/US/02/01/italy.kercher.ap/index.html

Ships run aground in severe UK storms

2008-02-02T06:38:00.000-08:00

Rescue workers airlifted 37 people from two vessels that ran aground off Britain's northwestern coast during storms with gale force winds and massive waves, officials said Friday.

Helicopters rescued the 14-member Spanish crew of the Spinning Dale trawler on rocks off St. Kilda in Scotland's Western Isles on Friday, coast guard spokesman Fred Caygill said. Two of the crew were later treated at a British hospital for hypothermia.

Late Thursday and early Friday, the coast guard successfully airlifted 23 people off a ferry that ran aground near England's Blackpool beach soon after a freak wave left it listing on its side, Caygill said.

The Spaniards were trapped on the rocks under a cliff at St. Kilda, an uninhabited volcanic archipelago 40 miles (65 kilometers) west of Benbecula. The gale-force winds swirling around the cliff had made it difficult for a helicopter to approach, Caygill said.

The trawler Spinning Dale sent a distress call at 0520 GMT as strong Force 9 gales -- with winds ranging from 47-54 mph -- lashed the island. Caygill said the winds were approaching Force 11 -- a violent storm with winds of 55-63 mph -- by 0900 GMT.

http://edition.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/europe/02/01/britain.storms.ap/index.html

France moving troops to Chad

2008-02-02T06:35:00.000-08:00

The French Defense Ministry said Friday it is dispatching 140 soldiers from Gabon to Chad's capital of N'Djamena as a precaution to protect French citizens after renewed fighting between government troops and rebels.

The ministry spokesman said concerns were raised over the safety of French citizens by reports the Chad military had been fighting a rebel force hostile to President Idriss Deby north and east of N'Djamena.

A ministry spokesman said because of rebel activity in the former French colony, the decision was made to reinforce the garrison of French troops stationed in the city to "ensure the security of French citizens."

The French move came as U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon said he is "deeply concerned at the resumption of fighting in Chad."

Ban's spokesman said he "deplores any action that could worsen the already grave humanitarian situation especially in eastern Chad where the international community is actively engaged in activities to provide relief and secure the voluntary, safe and sustainable return of refugees and displaced persons in eastern Chad and north-eastern Central African Republic."

http://edition.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/africa/02/01/chad.france/index.html

Is she or isn't she? Mummy lab working to ID pharaoh queen

2008-02-02T06:29:00.000-08:00

Months after Egypt boldly announced that archaeologists had identified a mummy as the most powerful queen of her time, scientists in a museum basement are still analyzing DNA from the bald, 3,500-year-old corpse to try to back up the claim aired on TV.

Progress is slow. So far, results indicate the linen-wrapped mummy is most likely, but not conclusively, the female pharaoh Queen Hatshepsut, who ruled for 20 years in the 15th century B.C.

Running its own ancient-DNA lab is a major step forward for Egypt, which for decades has seen foreigners take most of the credit for major discoveries here.

It's time Egyptian scientists took charge, said Zahi Hawass, Egypt's antiquities chief who spearheaded the quest to find Hatshepsut and build the lab. "Egyptology, for the last 200 years, it has been led by foreigners."

But the Hatshepsut discovery also highlights the struggle to back up recent spectacular findings in Egypt, including the unearthing of ancient tombs and mummies, investigations into how King Tut died, and even the discovery in the Siwa oasis of possibly the world's oldest human footprint.

Research sheds new light on asteroid disaster

2008-02-02T06:26:00.000-08:00

An asteroid that exploded over Siberia a century ago, leaving 800 square miles of scorched or blown down trees, wasn't nearly as large as previously thought, a researcher concludes, suggesting a greater danger for Earth.

According to supercomputer simulations by Sandia National Laboratories physicist Mark Boslough, the asteroid that destroyed the forest at Tunguska in Siberia in June 1908 had a blast force equivalent to one-quarter to one-third of the 10- to 20-megaton range scientists previously estimated.

Better understanding of what happened at Tunguska will allow for better estimates of risk that would allow policymakers to decide whether to try to deflect an asteroid or evacuate people in its path, he said.

"It's not clear whether a 10-megaton asteroid is more damaging than a Hurricane Katrina," Boslough said. "We can more accurately predict the location of an impact and its time better than we can a hurricane, so you really could get people out of there if it's below a certain threshold."

http://edition.cnn.com/2008/TECH/space/01/29/asteroid.recalculated.ap/index.html

China's Panchen Lama makes rare appearance

2008-02-02T06:23:00.000-08:00

The boy chosen by Beijing as the reincarnation of the Panchen Lama, Tibetan Buddhism's second-highest figure, met with China's top legislator in a rare public appearance and expressed support for the Communist Party, state media reported.

Gyaltsen Norbu presented Wu Bangguo with a long piece of silk as a gift during their meeting on Thursday at the Great Hall of the People, the seat of China's legislature in the heart of Beijing, the official Xinhua News Agency said late Thursday.

``He vowed to support the (Communist Party of China's) leadership and make more contributions to the Tibetan economy and social harmony by guiding more religious work to adapt to China's socialist society,'' Xinhua said.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/World/Chinas_Panchen_Lama_makes_rare_appearance/articleshow/2747588.cms

China's rail traffic back on track after heavy snowfall

2008-02-02T06:22:00.001-08:00

China's rail traffic was back on track but a large passenger backlog and more severe winter weather will prevent many people from going home for the annual holidays, state media said on Friday.

The country's transport system had been effectively paralysed since last weekend due to the worst winter storms in half a century, but airports, train stations and bus depots began rumbling back to life on Thursday.

"Nationwide, 95 percent or more of the rail system has returned to normal and traffic is being expedited," Railway Ministry spokesman Wang Yongping was quoted as saying by the Beijing Times .

However, millions of migrant workers still trying to get back for traditional Lunar New Year family gatherings faced either more waiting or the prospect of a holiday away from home.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/World/Chinas_rail_traffic_back_on_track_after_heavy_snowfall/articleshow/2747625.cms

Weather condition remains grim in China: Officials

2008-02-02T06:20:00.000-08:00

China's snow crisis "remains grim" and the public should brace for more bad weather after storms killed at least 60 people, the government warned on Saturday.

"The most difficult period is still not over yet. The situation remains grim," said a Chinese Cabinet statement reported by state media.

More snow and sleet were forecast across China's south, where storms have destroyed crops, knocked out power and disrupted trains and trucking. Damage has been reported at 53.8 billion yuan (US$7.5 billion; euro5 billion).

The Cabinet statement promised to ensure food and medical supplies for hundreds of thousands of stranded travellers, many of them migrant workers trying to get home for this week's Lunar New Year, China's most important family holiday.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/World/Weather_condition_remains_grim_in_China_Officials/articleshow/2750321.cms

Food poisoning: China to help Japan in probe

2008-02-02T06:17:00.000-08:00

Tests in China have found no trace of a pesticide that Japan says caused at least 10 people to fall ill after eating Chinese-made dumplings, the country's top quality watchdog said on Saturday.

China is sending a team of experts to Japan to help investigate the incident, according to a statement from the regulator reported by a Chinese news agency.

The scare has prompted Japan's government spokesman to question China's attitude to food safety, only weeks after Beijing said it had improved standards by adopting new technology and tightening inspections.

Japanese media reports said the insecticide found in the suspect dumplings is used widely in China, but not in Japan.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/World/Food_poisoning_China_to_help_Japan_in_probe/articleshow/2750463.cms

EU launches anti-dumping probe against China

2008-02-02T06:15:00.000-08:00

A fresh anti-dumping probe into certain steel products from China has been launched by the European Commission in the second such action in recent months, after complaints by a Brussels-based industry body representing big firms like ArcelorMittal and ThyssenKrupp.

Besides China, South Korea was "targeted" in the investigation covering stainless steel cold rolled flat products, the state media reported.

The European Confederation of Iron and Steel Industries (Eurofer), an industry body representing giant EU steel producers such as ArcelorMittal and ThyssenKrupp, had lodged the complaint on December 21 last year, leading to the new investigation.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/World/EU_launches_anti-dumping_probe_against_China/articleshow/2750554.cms

Astronaut mourns mother from space

2008-02-02T06:07:00.001-08:00

As NASA astronaut Daniel Tani orbited Earth, hundreds of mourners filled a suburban Chicago church Sunday to remember his 90-year-old mother as someone who endured hardship to raise five children and worked until age 70.

Rose Tani died December 19 when a train struck her car. Daniel Tani, 46, who is aboard the international space station, could not travel back for the service at his mother's church, First Church of Lombard, and sent a video message.

Daniel Tani "has lost the person who has been his inspiration for most of his life," said Rev. Rob Hatfield, according to a WLS-TV report posted on its Web site.

Rose Tani was remembered as a woman who braved a U.S. World War II internment camp, raised her children after her husband's death and worked in a school cafeteria until she was 70.

Police said Rose Tani stopped behind a school bus at a railroad crossing and then drove around the vehicle, bypassing the lowered crossing gate. A train struck the passenger side of her vehicle and pushed it down the tracks before stopping.

http://edition.cnn.com/2007/TECH/space/12/24/astronaut.mother.ap/index.html

English theatres face grant cuts

2008-02-02T06:07:00.000-08:00

More than 200 arts venues across England face uncertain futures after receiving confirmation that their government grants have been cut.

But Arts Council England did a U-turn on proposed cuts to 17 venues, including London's Bush Theatre.

Writers including Mike Leigh had protested against the Bush proposals.

Last March, more than £100m of Arts Council England funding was cut to pay for the London 2012 Olympic Games. But it was given a £50m boost in October.

Letters were received by all of the affected arts groups on Friday telling them of the final funding decisions.

A total of 185 organisations will not have their funding renewed, while 27 will have their grants reduced.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/7222105.stm

Mars mission delayed 2 years

2008-02-02T06:04:00.001-08:00

NASA will wait two years longer than planned and spend another $40 million to launch a half-billion-dollar probe to Mars because of an unspecified conflict of interest in the purchasing process, officials said Friday.

The Mars Scout program had scheduled a 2011 launch of the $475 million Mars atmospheric probe and was going to choose proposals for the mission from one of two Colorado research institutions. But a "serious" conflict of interest in one of the proposals forced NASA to disband the board formed to pick the proposal, officials said, declining to elaborate.

The agency created an entirely new panel, and that caused a delay in awarding the contract, Mars Exploration Program Director Doug McCuistion said. And since Mars only comes close enough to Earth to launch probes every 26 months, NASA had to postpone the mission from 2011 to 2013, he said.

http://edition.cnn.com/2007/TECH/space/12/21/mars.scout.miss.ap/index.html

Pak reports bird flu outbreak at Karachi poultry farm

2008-02-02T06:04:00.000-08:00

Pakistan on Friday reported an outbreak of the avian flu, prompting authorities to cull a large number of birds at a poultry farm in Karachi, where 5,500 chickens died of the deadly disease earlier this week.

The H5N1 strain of avian influenza had been found in samples taken from birds that died in the farm, Pakistan Poultry Association spokesman Abdul Maroof Siddiqui said.

Some 5,500 birds had died in the farm, following which samples were sent for tests at a laboratory in Islamabad. The tests confirmed the presence of bird flu, officials said.

Teams were sent to the farm on Friday to cull its remaining birds.

Though there are several other poultry farms in the area, bird flu has not been detected in them so far. Health and veterinary officials went to these farms to test both birds and humans, but said they had not found any cases of the influenza jumping to humans.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/World/Pak_reports_bird_flu_outbreak_at_Karachi_poultry_farm/articleshow/2748967.cms

UN gives actor Clooney peace role

2008-02-02T06:03:00.000-08:00

Oscar-winning actor George Clooney has officially been appointed a United Nations peace envoy in New York.

The film star, who will promote the UN's peacekeeping missions around the world, arrived in the city from a trip to the Darfur region of Sudan.

Mr Clooney told the BBC he hoped to be able to help the people he met there who had suffered in the conflict.

Among the eight other peace messengers are actor Michael Douglas and Israeli classical musician Daniel Barenboim.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/7220701.stm

Messenger probe shows off side of Mercury never seen before

2008-02-02T06:00:00.001-08:00

The first pictures from the unseen side of Mercury reveal the wrinkles of a shrinking, aging planet with scars from volcanic eruptions and a birthmark shaped like a spider.

Some of the 1,213 photos taken by NASA's Messenger probe and unveiled Wednesday help support the case that ancient volcanoes dot Mercury and that it is shrinking as it gets older, forming wrinkle-like ridges. But other images are surprising and puzzling.

The spidery shape captured in a photo is "unlike anything we've seen anywhere in the solar system," said mission chief scientist Sean Solomon of the Carnegie Institution of Washington. The image shows what looks like a large crater with faint lines radiating out from it.

Mercury, the closest planet to the sun, has often been compared to Earth's dull black-and-white moon. But the new photos, which reveal parts of Mercury never seen, show the tiny planet is more colorful and once had volcanic activity.

http://edition.cnn.com/2008/TECH/space/01/30/mercury.messenger.ap/index.html

2 policemen killed in gunbattle with militants in Pakistan

2008-02-02T06:00:00.000-08:00

Police raided a suspected militant hideout in northwestern Pakistan early on Saturday, triggering a shootout that killed at least two officers and wounded two others, police said.

The gunbattle occurred in Mardan town, about 50 kilometres (30 miles) northeast of Peshawar, the capital of North West Frontier Province, when officers surrounded a house and asked the occupants to surrender, said Abdul Qayyum, a local police official.

"The militants are using assault rifles. They have killed two of our officers, and so far we do not know whether they have suffered any casualties," he said.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/World/2_policemen_killed_in_gunbattle_with_militants_in_Pakistan/articleshow/2750608.cms#write

Hollywood star for late Pleshette

2008-02-02T05:56:00.001-08:00

US actress Suzanne Pleshette has been honoured with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, less than two weeks after she died of respiratory failure.

Pleshette was best known for her role as the wife of Bob Newhart in 1970s TV sitcom The Bob Newhart Show.

"The only thing that exceeds her talent and her beauty was her bravery," said Newhart, who attended the ceremony.

The actress, who would have been 71 on Thursday, underwent chemotherapy for lung cancer in 2006.

The unveiling of the star was planned before Pleshette's death.

Tina Sinatra, one of the daughters of crooner Frank Sinatra, accepted it on behalf of the actress.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/7221659.stm

Pak ready to discuss India's concern over Gwadar airport

2008-02-02T05:56:00.000-08:00

Pakistan is prepared to discuss with India any reservations it may have about the Gwadar port being built on the coast of Balochistan province, the country's naval chief said on Saturday.

"If India has some concerns over Gwadar port, it may be discussed. However, we cannot stop our progress due to concerns from any quarters," Admiral Muhammad Afzal Tahir said.

Indian Navy chief Admiral Sureesh Mehta had said last month that the Gwadar port has "serious strategic implications for India".

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/World/Pak_ready_to_discuss_Indias_concern_over_Gwadar_airport/articleshow/2751189.cms

Hunting Live Animals Online To Be Banned

2008-02-02T05:54:00.002-08:00

Hunting live animals online will soon be illegal in Florida.

On Wednesday, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is expected to approve a ban on the practice, making Florida the 35th state to prohibit "Internet hunting," Local 6 News partner Florida Today reported.

The ban would take effect July 1.

"I think, just overall, we felt it was wrong," said Henry Cabbage, a commission spokesman.The concept was pioneered three years ago by a Texas entrepreneur who set up an operation where would-be hunters could shoot Barbary sheep, wild boar and other animals at a game ranch using a Web cam. Texas officials shut down his operation in 2005, when legislators banned Internet hunting.Generally, "cyber hunters" steer a camera and rifle with their mouse, shooting at game in real time from a computer anywhere.

http://www.local6.com/news/15192560/detail.html