Car bomb at Manipur governor’s residence

Imphal, Sep 19 (ANI): A major disaster was averted in Manipur when police detected a powerful car bomb inside the premises of the heavily guarded governor’s residence on Friday.

According to reports, militants masquerading as social activists managed to sneak in the small car fitted with powerful bombs inside the premises.

Bomb disposal squad of the state police recovered the bombs and took them to a forested area to be defused.

Governor Gurbachan Jagat was in his office when the car bomb was detected.

Attacks on heavily guarded residential areas of ministers and senior officials with bomb or grenade attacks are a frequent occurrence in Manipur. (ANI)

Spitzer’s call girl Ashley Dupre walks runway at NY Fashion Week

Melbourne, September 17 (ANI): Ashley Dupre, the former high-class call girl at the centre of the Eliot Spitzer prostitution scandal, walked the runway during New York Fashion Week.

The 24-year-old made the appearance at Bahar Shahpar’s fashion show, according to Jill Fehrenbacher at Ecouterre.

“It’s a rare rare thing when the tabloid world crosses into the world of eco-fashion, and one that might bring a little more attention to Bahar’s already-provocative line than would normally have been the case,” the Courier Mail quoted Fehrenbacher as saying.

Dupre was dubbed as an ‘informant’ during the scandal that saw the politician patronising a prostitution service that subsequently led to his resignation from the post of New York Governor.

Eighteen months after the storm, Dupre has been recording pop songs and wooing a record deal. (ANI)

‘Embarrassed’ Musharraf’s close aides shying away from commenting on his misdeeds

Islamabad, Sep.16 (ANI) : Close aides of former Pakistan President General Pervez Musharraf are too embarrassed and are shying away from responding to the former general’s claims that he had taken the November 3, 2007 actions only after consulting various top officials, including the then Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz and the current Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Kayani.

Musharraf’s erstwhile close associates find the topic as ‘too dirty’ to speak about and have been avoiding any queries regarding that by simply saying ‘no comments’.

A former spokesman of the Shaukat Aziz government, however, denied that the cabinet had prior knowledge of Musharraf’s plan of imposing the emergency.

When asked about the issue, Lieutenant General (retired) Ali Jan Orakzai said: “It’s such a dirty subject that leaving it untouched would be a better option.”

Orakzai said he is waiting for the apt time to speak on Musharraf’s claims.

“Let’s see the gravity of the subject. I would record my statement before the court in case summoned on this issue,” The News quoted Orakzai, as saying.

When informed about Shaukat Aziz’s statement that he was not consulted on the November 3 actions, Orakzai said issuing such statements from abroad is easier.

“Shaukat Aziz can do this as he is living in London. I can’t do so,” he said.

Former Punjab Governor Lieutenant General (retired) Khalid Maqbool said he has decided not to enter into any controversy related to the past events that occurred during his stint. (ANI)

Spitzer call girl Ashley Dupre wants to make a comeback

New York, September 14 (ANI): Ashley Dupre, the former high-class call girl at the centre of the Eliot Spitzer prostitution scandal, is tired of hiding and wants a comeback.

The 24-year-old was dubbed as an ‘informant’ during the scandal that saw the politician patronising a prostitution service that subsequently led to his resignation from the post of New York Governor.

And eighteen months after the storm, Dupre, who is recording pop songs and wooing a record deal, is seeking to get her life back on track.

“Everyone likes an underdog story, and everyone likes a comeback. I’m the poster child for redemption,” the New York Post quoted her as saying.

Dupre, who is also working on a book she calls a “cautionary tale,” further laughed at the idea that she was after the limelight.

She added: “I didn’t ask for it, but now that I have it, it’s up to me to take advantage of this platform and do something amazing. I have a voice now.” (ANI)

Arnie believes sex is most important part of marriage

Washington, September 11 (ANI): Comedian Tom Arnold has revealed that California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger advised him before his wedding that sex is the most important thing in marriage.

The ‘Pride’ star met the actor turned politician just before marrying his fourth wife Ashley Groussman.

“He (Schwarzenegger) called me and he said he was concerned. He said, ‘It’s getting close to the marriage, how’s the sex?… Keep your eye on that,” Contactmusic quoted him as saying.

Tom added: “He doesn’t mean it in a sexy way, he means keep it (the marriage passionate), because you forget about the important things and sex is important in the marriage. He’s reminding me: Don’t forget about the sex!’”

The two became friends long before the ‘Terminator’ star joined politics. (ANI)

Kidnapped British journalist rescued by US special forces in Afghanistan

Kunduz (Afghanistan), Sep 9(ANI): British journalist Stephen Farrell, who was working for the New York Times when he was kidnapped in Afghanistan four days ago, has been rescued by a team of US special forces.

Farrell and his colleague Sultan Munadi went missing on Saturday from Afghanistan’s Kunduz province.

“Last night in a US special forces operation in Chardara district, they managed to free Stephen Farrell, but the Afghan journalist Sultan Mohammad [Munadi] was killed by Taliban during the operation,” The Telegraph quoted Mohammad Omar, Kunduz Governor, as saying.

Farrell was rescued after a fierce firefight between the commandos and his captors.

“We were all in a room, the Talibs all ran, it was obviously a raid. We thought they would kill us. We thought should we go out,” Farrell said.

“There were bullets all around us. I could hear British and Afghan voices,” he added.

Further referring to Munadi’s death, Farrell said: “He was so close, he was just two feet in front of me when he dropped.”

The British Ministry of Defence refused to confirm whether British special forces were involved in the operation.

“We do not comment on special forces. All we can say is that it was a Nato operation,” a spokeswoman said. (ANI)

Tribals attend RBI’s financial outreach camp in Tripura

Agartala, Sep. 6 (ANI): Thousands of tribal families turned out to participate in a financial outreach camp organized by the Reserve Bank of India in Pitra village of Tripura.

The camp was organised with the objective of bringing awareness among villagers about banking norms.

“Bank wants to lend for projects which would generate economic activity will lead to development of north east.

So we have to be able to work together. The state government, the banks, the non-governmental organisations, the locals, Panchayati Raj institutions and the Reserve Bank will act like a catalyst to make people come together and work together for economic development,” said Usha Thorat, deputy governor, Reserve Bank of India.

Organised on the occasion of Platinum Year celebration of Reserve Bank, the camp witnessed hundreds of villagers gathered at the stalls of different banks for opening of new bank accounts.

The villagers were also informed and familiarized with various banking facilities, security features of currency notes, exchange their soiled and mutilated currency notes, exchange currency notes for coins and also look into their complains with regards to banking facilities.

“In the village there is no banking system and this camp will be of great benefit to us. The villagers had no means of saving but now we think we can save something for our future,” Bubantala Jamatia, a villager

Under the model, post offices, cooperatives, NGOs, financial institutions, self-help groups, retired employees of state or central government may act as an agent of the banks and provide services to people. (ANI)

Pak wants relationship with India on ‘equal footing’: Gilani

Karachi, Sep.6 (ANI): Stressing the need for resumption of bilateral talks with India, Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has said Islamabad wants relations with New Delhi on an equal footing.

“We want relations with India on an equal basis and it is our resolve that we will not allow our soil to be used for terrorism. Therefore, we want a proper dialogue to be resumed as in the present situation, the terrorists are getting benefit of the situation,” Gilani said.

Interacting with media persons at the Governor’s House here, Gilani said tensions between India and Pakistan would benefit the militants, so it was important for both countries to restart the peace process as soon as possible.

“We want relations with India on the basis of equality. If Pakistan and India do not enter into negotiations for the betterment of the region, then someone else would get the benefit. If there will not be bilateral talks, the terrorists will take advantage of it,” The News quoted Gilani, as saying.

Commenting on the massive reshuffle in the bureaucracy, Gilani defended his action saying it was important to ensure efficiency, integrity and quality in the system.

Gilani has revamped the top bureaucratic posts, replacing over a dozen federal secretaries in several ministries with over 50 civil servants.

In what is being touted as the single largest grade-22 promotion in many years, secretaries of interior, information, industries, privatisation commission, labour, and special secretary of finance are among those who have been replaced with the newly promoted officers.

However, the move has being criticized by many civil servants, as they believe the reshuffle reeks of nepotism and favouritism. (ANI)

Local tribals’ help also being taken to search Andhara CM: Guv Tiwari

New Delhi, Sep.2 (ANI): Andhra Pradesh Governor Narayan Dutt Tiwari on Wednesday evening asked the District Collectors of Prakasham, Kurnool, and Chittoor districts of the State to organise village committees in and around the Nallamallai forest area and engage them in the search for the missing Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy.

“The State Government is also involving the tribals living in these forests in the search and rescue operations,” said Tiwari.

Meanwhile, the chopper carrying the Andhra Pradesh CM was reportedly not fit for flying and had a trouble history. (ANI)

High-priced hooker’s mum dismayed over ex-NY Guv Spitzer’s comeback moves

New York, Sep.2 (ANI): The mother of the high-priced hooker who famously serviced former New York Governor Eliot Spitzer has expressed dismay over reports that he may consider running for office again less than two years after the sordid sex scandal.

“Only in America,” Ashley Dupre’s mom, Carolyn Capalbo, told The New York Post.

While Spitzer is discussing the possibility of a run next year, Dupre-who was 22 when the self-described “steamroller” of Albany paid to play with her-is struggling to get back on her feet, said Capalbo.

“I really can’t blame him, but at the same time, my daughter’s having a rough go,” she said at the beach, near her home in Wall. “I can imagine she’s not happy about it.”

“He has more credibility than a 22-year-old,” Ashley’s mom said in disbelief.

Capalbo said her daughter had turned down lucrative offers to make a buck off of the scandal, including posing for nude magazines.

Less than 18 months after he left Albany in a prostitution scandal, Spitzer has held informal discussions in recent weeks about the possibility of making a bid for state comptroller or the US Senate seat currently held by Kirsten Gillibrand, sources said.

The hooker-happy Democrat has also discussed his own halfway-decent poll numbers in recent surveys, which have shown him more popular than Gov. Paterson, whose own numbers have tanked.

“He”s weighing it,” said one source.

But Spitzer hasn”t shown any interest in campaigning for the office he briefly held, sources said.

The sources stressed that Spitzer, who also served two terms as state attorney general before his landslide election as governor in 2006, has not engaged in any active discussions with political consultants.

Reached at his father”s real-estate firm, where he has been working since he resigned as governor last spring, Spitzer declined comment.

But a source close to him insisted, “It”s not true,” and two other close associates also insisted he was not interested in running for office again and was looking at a range of other options.

Spitzer quit in disgrace in March 2008 after he was unmasked in Manhattan federal court as “Client 9″ in a prostitution bust involving a major call-girl ring. He was revealed to have paid 4,300 dollars for a romp with escort Ashley Dupre, then 22. (ANI)

Becks’ sporty tourism ad on California beach

London, September 1 (ANI): David Beckham showed off some tricks as he shot for a tourism ad promoting California.

The footie ace was seen displaying his skills as he kicked footballs into the ocean wearing a blue tee, casual shirt, and cargo shorts.

The 34-year-old later signed autographs and posed for some snaps with fans in Santa Monica, reports The Sun.

Beckham was reportedly requested to make an appearance by California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, who will star in the campaign.

West Wing’s Rob Lowe and Ugly Betty actress Vanessa Williams will also feature in the commercial. (ANI)

Supreme Court issues notices to CBI, Kerala Govt on Vijayan case

New Delhi, Aug 31 (ANI): The Supreme Court on Monday issued notices to Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and Kerala Government over the state Governor’s permission to CBI to prosecute Pinarayi Vijayan.

The apex court was hearing the petition filed by Vijayan, challenging the governor’s sanction for his prosecution by the CBI.

Vijayan is the politburo member of Communist party of India (Marxist) (CPM)

A bench of the apex court comprising Justice R.V. Ravindran and Justice B.S. Sudarsan Reddy admitted Vijayan’s lawsuit directly for hearing.

The bench stated that the petition involved several important questions of law.

Vijayan is facing the charges of by passing the regulations while awarding a contract to a Canadian based company, SNC Lavalin for renovating three power plants when he was Kerala’s power minister in 1997.

The charges against Vijayan were filed in a special court after Kerala Governor R.S. Gavai gave the green signal to the CBI to prosecute the stalwart of communist movement in June.

Earlier, the central agency had asked Vijayan to appear before the CBI court at Kochi on September 24.

The Rs.374-crore SNC Lavalin scam, has created a tussle between Vijayan and State Chief Minister V.S.Achhuthanandan. (ANI)

Indira Gandhi backed plot to kill Pak Army officials: Brig. Ahmed

Lahore, Aug.31 (ANI): Former Pakistan Intelligence Bureau (IB) Director General Brigadier (retired) Imtiaz Ahmed has alleged that former Punjab Governor Ghulam Mustafa Khar had hatched a conspiracy to kill several key Pakistan Army officials, and claimed that the plot was backed by the then Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.

In an interview with a private television channel, Brigadier Ahmed said that Khar had chalked out a plan to kill several important commanders of the Pakistan Army in a bomb blast.e said the plan, according to which the Indian intelligence agency RAW would provide arms to Pakistan, was also approved by then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.

“An Indian official, Joshi, had arranged Khar’s meeting with Gandhi and finalized the plans,” Brigadier Ahmed said.

However, Khar has rebuked Brigadier Ahmed’s allegations saying he never knew any Indian official named Joshi.

He said some elements had hatched conspiracies to diminish his popularity and acceptance with the Armed Forces.

“I had visited to India to visit the graves of saints, not hatch a conspiracy,” The Daily Times quoted Khar, as saying. (ANI)

Major reshuffle of officials in J and K

Srinagar, Aug 30 (ANI): In a major administrative reshuffle, Jammu and Kashmir Government has transferred 26 senior officers, including 12 IAS officers.

The decision to transfer the officers was taken on Saturday evening at a meeting of the state Cabinet chaired by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.

A spokesman of the State Government released the details of the cabinet decision to media in a press conference on Sunday.

The cabinet decided to appoint a woman officer Naseema Lankar, as first Divisional Commissioner in Kashmir. She will replace Masood Samoon, who is retiring from the service on Monday.

B.B.Vyas, who was Principal Secretary to the state Governor, has been made Commissioner Secretary of Planning and Development. He will also hold the additional responsibility of Chief Executive Officer of Economic Reconstruction Agency.

Pramodh Jain, Commissioner Secretary of Social Welfare has been transferred to Higher Education Department in the same capacity.

Tashi Dorjee, Joint Financial Commissioner of Agrarian Reforms has been given the additional charge of Secretary, Home Department.

Deputy Commissioner of Poonch, Mohammad Afzal Bhat, has been moved to head the Pulwama district. He will replace Ishtiyaq Ahmad Ashai, who has been made additional Commissioner of Kashmir.

Kuldip Lal Khajuria, Additional District Development Commissioner, Samba has been posted as Deputy Commissioner, Poonch. (ANI)

Taliban claim successful sabotage of Afghan presidential vote

Kabul, Aug. 29 (ANI): Taliban fighters say they have successfully sabotaged the Afghanistan presidential voting process without sending in a single suicide bomber.

A Globe and Mail report says that their claim that the mere threat of violence suppressed turnout enough to cast doubt on the credibility of the vote, which is being increasingly undermined by allegations of fraud.

“It’s like the election didn’t happen at all,” said one senior Taliban commander, who was instrumental in planning the insurgents’ strategy after the their leader, Mullah Omar, ordered the elections disrupted.

He spoke to The Globe And Mail by satellite phone after meeting with a dozen other senior militant commanders in a region bordering Pakistan to discuss the election.

“We have succeeded in our plan. Even in Kandahar city, most of the people were sitting in their houses. We showed the government could not do a good election,” said the commander, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

His claims were echoed by other, less senior Taliban fighters interviewed by The Globe in Afghanistan’s southern provinces, where turnout was particularly low – 10 per cent in some districts – and allegations of fraud are most pronounced.

While the United Nations, American, Canadian and Afghan officials have praised the vote as a success, the Taliban’s new declarations of victory are finding growing resonance in official circles.

Tooryalai Wesa, the governor of Kandahar province, did not dismiss the Taliban’s claim of triumph. “The election was complicated,” he said.

“They did manage to give a sense that anything was possible. They did make it seem like they were quite a lot bigger than they were. I’d score it as a win for them,” the analyst said.

At least 30 people died on election day, including two people who were hanged from a tree near the Arghandab River. At least two others had their right index fingers cut off after they voted. Dozens of rockets fell on Kandahar and Helmand province.

However, the election was largely free of the massive scale of violence threatened by the Taliban, who promised to disrupt it at all costs. (ANI)

Arnie holds online Garage Sale to balance California’s budget!

London, Aug 28 (ANI): California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger is holding an online “garage sale” in a bid to balance the 26-billion dollar deficit of the state budget.

The “Governator” has put up 6,000 items including cars, computers and binoculars for sale on eBay and Craigslist.

Schwarzenegger has even autographed the sun visors of several on-sale vehicles to attract customers.

The Telegraph quoted Schwarzenegger as saying on his website: “By posting items online, Californians and people from other states and around the world can participate in the Great California Garage Sale.This is a win-win for the state and for shoppers. Together we are eliminating waste and providing great deals in this tough economy.

“I look forward to selling these signed cars and making some dollars for California,” he wrote on the Twitter micro-blogging website last week.

The two-day auction is being held on Friday and Saturday.(ANI)

No alliance with Congress for Haryana polls, says Chautala

Chandigarh, Aug 28 (ANI): Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) leader Om Prakash Chautala has said that his party would not tie up with Congress party for the ensuing provincial polls in Haryana despite ally Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) snapping ties.

The BJP recently severed ties with INLD over a seat-sharing row.

Chautala asserted that parting ways with the BJP does not mean that they would tilt towards the Congress.

“Ideologically we are against the Congress and to give it a total defeat we shook hands with Congress’ opponents many a times. We never stabbed anyone rather we have been betrayed,” Chautala told reporters in Chandigarh on Thursday.

This is the second time the two parties have parted ways in the last five years.

Haryana was due for provincial polls in March next year, but state Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda recommended to the Governor dissolution of state assembly, calling for early elections. (ANI)

Haryana Assembly dissolved

Chandigarh, Aug 21 (ANI): Haryana Governor Jagannath Pahadia dissolved the state assembly on the recommendation of the State Cabinet on Friday evening.

Earlier in the day Haryana Cabinet recommended the Governor to dissolve the State Assembly.

The decision was taken in the cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda.

Speaking to the media after the meeting, Hooda said the state cabinet has decided to call for early polls.

“The cabinet meeting has decided to recommend the Governor to dissolve the state assembly. It is now for him to decide when to dissolve,” Hodda said.

Hooda added that going for early polls is in the interest of the state.

The 90 member Haryana Assembly was to end its term in March 2010.

According to sources the Congress high command has made its mind to go to polls in Haryana after winning nine out of ten Lok Sabha seats in the general elections.

Now Haryana is likely to go polls with Maharashtra and Raunchily Pradesh, scheduled to be held in October or November. (ANI)

Meghalaya bid to attract tourists

New Delhi, Aug 19 (ANI): Meghalaya Governor Ranjit Shekhar Mooshahary called on Union Tourism Minister Kumari Selja here today and told here that Megahalaya has vast tourism potential both for domestic as well as foreign tourists.

He said, leave travel concession to the Central Government employees to visit the north-east has made Meghalaya quite popular among tourists.

“Tourism is one of the most important aspects in achieving the national integration,” he added.

Welcoming the proposed Heli-tourism announced by the Union Ministry of tourism, he urged that travel by helicopter to Meghalaya might be made affordable to attract more visitors to the area.

He requested to see if a subsidy could be considered in this regard.

Selja said the Union Government is committed to promote tourism in the north-east and the region is on the priority agenda for development of tourism related infrastructure.

“Tourism and people-to-people contact has provided an excellent opportunity to have better understanding among the people to know each other,” she added. (ANI)

Zardari aims to convert barren land into goldmine with proposed ‘Zulfikarabad’ city

Karachi, Aug.18 (ANI): Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari has asked the Sindh government to identify a million acres of barren land near the sea coast in Thatta district where a city named Zulfikarabad would be established.

State Minister for Information, Samsam Ali Bukhari said Zardari has asked the concerned authorities to develop an ultra modern city in the memory of the late President Zulfikar Ali Bhutto.

“Zulfikarabad will be the first city to be created after partition. The proposed city would have the latest infrastructure and facilities like Dubai, Karachi and Islamabad,” The Daily Times quoted Bukhari, as saying.

“The president has directed that land identification be completed within weeks so that he could take the proposal to Chinese investors during his next visit to China,” he added.

Zardari met Sindh Governor D. Ishratul Ibad and Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah and other top officials and some architects from the private sector to discuss about the proposed project.

According to a statement released by the Bilawal House, international consultants would be invited to design the new city.

The statement said the whole concept is visualized by Zardari who aims to convert useless state land into a ‘gold mine’. (ANI)