Residents of Pak’s Bara district flee homes following Lashkasr’s warning

Landi Kotal (Pakistan), Sep 19 (ANI): Following a warning issued by the leader of a terrorist organization, hundreds of Bara residents fled their houses to move to safer places before the last day of Eidul Fitr festivities.

On Friday morning, Lashkar-i-Islam (LI) chief Mangal Bagh issued a warning over his illegal FM radio station, saying that people should take cover as his armed outfit was about to retaliate the military operation in Bara, The Dawn reports.

Earlier, the militant leader had said that his private miltia would not resist the operation in the area.

Traders and shopkeepers of Bara bazaar have shifted their merchandise to safer places, it has been learned.

Meanwhile, the bullet-riddled body of Wahid son of Hanan, who was kidnapped by Lashkar activists a day earlier, was found in Jamrud Khwar area.

A note was found with the dead body saying that anyone found assisting the security forces would meet the similar fate.

Earlier, the FC media cell had appealed the locals to help security forces in their operation against militants. (ANI)

MJ had secret hitlist of ‘enemies’

Washington, Sept 18 (ANI): Late singer Michael Jackson maintained a secret list of enemies, which only his closest associates were aware of.

The King of Pop’s former manager Dieter Wiesner has revealed that Jackson had a secret hit list of the people who he wanted to be kept away from him at all times.

The list included ex-friends Uri Geller and Rabbi Schmuley Boteach, Santa Barbara, California, District Attorney Tom Sneddon, who tried to put Jackson behind bars on child molestation charges and lawyer Glora Allred.

Wiesner admitted he transcribed the list as his client reeled off names.

“Sometimes he was a little bit paranoid… I’d ask him, ‘Michael, what are you doing…?’ He said… ‘These people are after me and they want to destroy my life,’” Contactmusic quoted him as saying.

The list of enemies also included music mogul Tommy Mottola and Janet Arviso, who accused Jackson of molesting her son at his Neverland Ranch home. (ANI)

Iranian regime accused of using torture, murder and rape to suppress opposition

Tehran, Sep. 18 (ANI): The father of an Iranian student, who died in jail after being arrested for protesting against President Ahmadinejad’s disputed re-election, has claimed that his son was beaten, got his bones broken and toenails pulled out while in prison.

Amir Javadifar, 24, was so badly beaten that he had to treated in hospital before being taken to the notorious Evin prison, Times Online reports.

Later, his father was called to collect his dead body. And, they ordered his family to say that he had died of a pre-existing condition.

“My son was not involved in politics. He loved his motherland – that’s all. I alone mourn him,” the report quoted his father, as saying.

According to reports prepared by the country’s opposition, Javadifar was just one among scores of alleged cases of murder, torture and rape. And, security forces have engaged in systematic killing and torture to try to break the opposition, the report adds.

“The use of rape and torture was similar across prisons in Tehran and the provinces. It is difficult not to conclude that the highest authorities planned and ordered these actions. Local authorities would not dare take such actions without word from above,” the report quoted one investigator referring to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, as saying.

The documents suggest that at least 200 demonstrators were killed in Tehran, with 56 others still unaccounted for, and that 173 were killed in other cities.

According to the report, the documents also suggest that a chain of unofficial, makeshift prisons has been set up across Iran where rape and torture are common practice.

In Tehran alone, 37 young men and women claim to have been raped by their jailers. Doctors’ reports say that two males, aged 17 and 22, died as a result of severe internal bleeding after being raped, the report adds.

Female rape victims were mostly held for days, the report claims, adding that some victims had said that their jailers claimed to have “religious sanction” to violate them as they were “morally dirty”. (ANI)

All Formula One teams are cheats, claims Irvine

London, Sep 18 (ANI): Ex-Ferrari driver Eddie Irvine has claimed that all Formula One teams are cheats.

Irvine says there has been an overreaction to the race-fixing charges being levelled at the Renault team.

He admitted the Crashgate scandal that cost Renault team chief Flavio Briatore and technical boss Pat Symonds their jobs had gone too far.

“F1 is a war and all is fair in war. When I was in various teams you would do anything to win. You pushed people off, you did whatever you could do to win,” he said.

“This is probably slightly on the wrong side of the cheating thing, but in F1 – if you look back at days gone past – then every team has done it. They will cheat, bend the rules, do whatever they could, sabotage opponents.

“Nothing was beyond the realms of decency and that is what F1 always is. It is not a pure sport,’ The Sun quoted Irvine, as saying.

The Renault team still has to appear before the World Motor Sport Council in Paris on Monday where they face a massive fine, race suspension or even being kicked out of the sport.

But Irvine reckons they could escape with a more lenient penalty amid fears that another team is about to leave the sport.

Irvine, who also raced for Jordan and Jaguar, added: “If you think that McLaren got a 100 million dollars fine for having some papers of the Ferrari team, what punishment is relevant here? It is complete banning. But I don’t believe that is going to happen as F1 cannot afford to lose more teams.”

Briatore threatened to sue Piquet Snr after the three-time world champ made the revelations about his son. (ANI)

Passport refused to footballer due tohis father’s link with militants

Srinagar, Sep 16 (ANI): The regional passport authorities of Jammu and Kashmir have denied passport to a Kashmiri youth, sighting the reason of his father’s involvement with militants in the valley.

A Nineteen-year -old youth, Basharat Bashir, was all set to fly to Spain for the soccer training, but the news of denial of passport has crushed his dreams.

“They were (passport authorities) only telling me that your case has not been recommended by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and FRO from police. I know they have denied me to give the passport because my father was a militant,” said Ahmad.

Bashir was among the 11 players selected by International Sports Academy Trust (ISAT) for training in Spain, but was dropped at the last moment because of non availablitiy of passport.

When contacted, the passport office authorities refused to talk about it.

Former Indian football captain Abdul Majeed Kakroo said it was injustice to Bashir and demanded the intervention of state Chief Minister Omar Abdullah in the matter.

“His father was into wrong things but now he has improved. Now, why should his son suffer for that? Why should he be denied the passport, and hurdles put in his way? On behalf of all the football players I would request the chief minister to help him,” Kakroo said.

Bashir also said that he was a year-and-a-half old when his father was arrested and was later released.

“He had become militant even before my birth,” Bashir said. By Parvez Butt (ANI)

Mel Gibson’s pregnant lover craves for ice cream, olives

Washington, Sept 16 (ANI): Actor Mel Gibson’s pregnant girlfriend craves for ice cream and olives.

Russian singer Oksana Grigorieva, who is due to give birth to the couple’s first baby in December, has revealed that she can’t stop eating sweet and salty foods.

“I’ve eaten a lot of ice cream. I eat ice cream and then I eat olives. It’s very strange,” Contactmusic quoted her as saying.

Grigorieva, who has a 12-year-old son, Alexander, from a previous relationship is happy to reveal her cravings, however, remains mum on the sex of the baby.

“Well, it’s definitely going to be one of those! I guess we’ll find out soon enough. We’re going to keep it private,” she said. (ANI)

Jolie takes adopted daughter Zahara on first visit to native Ethiopia

Washington, September 16 (ANI): Hollywood actress Angelina Jolie’s eldest daughter Zahara returned to her native Ethiopia for the first time since her adoption four years ago.

The four-year-old flew back home with her mother at the weekend.

It all happened when Jolie, currently in Kenya on a United Nations mission with partner Brad Pitt and their six children, broke away from the trip to cross the border into Ethiopia.

Zahara’s little sister Shiloh, 3, also accompanied them.

However, Pitt and the couple’s other four children stayed behind.

“On a trip to Kenya with their children, Angelina stopped in Dabaab Refugee Camp, and also flew to Ethiopia with Zahara and Shiloh for two days,” Contactmusic quoted a source as having told People.com.

“(It was) the first time Zahara had been back home since her adoption. The trip was about keeping up that culture for her,” the source added.

If reports are to be believed, Jolie is looking for a property to build a tuberculosis and AIDS clinic in Zahara’s name.

The Hollywood couple jointly founded a similar organisation to aid impoverished children-known as the Maddox Jolie-Pitt Project-after adopting their eight-year-old son Maddox from Cambodia in 2002. (ANI)

Putin hands over 5500 dollar Swiss watch to cheeky Russian factory worker

Moscow, Sep.16 (ANI): Russian Prime Minister Vladmir Putin handed over a 5000 dollar Swiss watch to a weapons manufacturing factory worker in Tula.

According to The Telegraph, the metalworker put Putin in a spot after he gave a speech on the economy in the town of Tula.

“Vladimir Vladimirovich, maybe you’ll give me something to remember you by?” Viktor Zagaevsky asked.

A bemused-looking Putin gestured he had nothing to give before jokingly asking what the worker wanted. “Maybe your watch,” the worker shot back.

After a short pause, Putin handed the watch over, leaving those present stunned.

The watch, made by Swiss company Blancpain, sells for around 5,500 pounds, what an average Russian earns in a year.

Putin’s love of chunky Swiss watches matches his macho action man image that goes down so well with Russian voters. He famously wears his watch on his right hand, a quirk that prominent members of his United Russia party have mimicked to show their loyalty.

The most expensive watch Putin has been spotted wearing is a model by Swiss firm Patek Philippe that sells for about 35,000 pounds.

Last month, he “spontaneously” took a watch from his wrist and gave it to an impoverished shepherd’s son in Siberia in a choreographed Kremlin propaganda exercise. (ANI)

Hefner says he remained married for kids’ sake

London, September 15 (ANI): Playboy mogul Hugh Hefner has said that he postponed his divorce from his estranged second wife for the sake of their children.

The 83-year-old filed for divorce earlier this month, after an 11-year separation from former Playmate of the Year Kimberly Conrad Hefner.

Hefner, presently dating Playmates Crystal Harris, 23, and twins Karissa and Kristina Shannon, 19, said that he waited “because of the children” – his youngest son Cooper turned 18 on September 4.

“Now is the time. I stayed married not because it was a marriage – the marriage ended in 1998. I stayed because she wanted me to,” the Daily Express quoted him as saying.

The two got married in 1989, and separated nine years later.

They, however, remained legally wed.

Conrad, 47, is the mother of two of Hefner’s four kids, and had for years been supported by him in a home next to the Playboy mansion. (ANI)

Colin Farrell to become dad again

London, Sept 14 (ANI): Actor Colin Farrell has finally confirmed that his girlfriend Alicja Bachleda is pregnant.

Rumours started off after Bachleda was spotted sporting a suspicious bump at the Los Angeles LAX airport.

The Irish star confirmed the news at Toronto Film Festival in Canada without divulging any more details.

According to the Daily Express, on being asked about the baby news, the ‘In Bruges’ star said, “Yes”.

The 33-year-old Irish actor and Bachleda began dating earlier this year (09).

He already has a five-year-old son, James, with his ex-girlfriend Kim Bordenave. (ANI)

Fazlullah hurt, may surrender soon

Lahore, Sep.13 (ANI): The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) Swat chapter chief Mullah Fazlullah has reportedly been seriously wounded and may surrender soon, a private television channel said.

Sources said security forces have received information that Fazlullah is hiding in a cave somewhere in the Swat and Malakand Division and is hurt.

Troops have cordoned off the place of his reported hiding, the channel said.

Meanwhile, police has released Fazlullah’s one son, Saidullah, and two daughters, Marsia and Maryam who were arrested last month.

Family members of the Tehreek-e-Nifaz-e-Shariat-e-Muhammadi (TNSM) chief Sufi Muhammad have also been set free.

Muhammad’s wife Shahida, his daughter-in-law Tahira, his daughter Tayyeba and two of his sons, Rahmat and Barkatullah have been released, The Daily Times reported.

Muhammad’s other three sons, Fazlullah, Abdullah and Abdur Rehman, however, have been taken on remand and sent to Haripur Central Jail. (ANI)

MJ’s son was called to revive dead dad, claims La Toya

Washington, September 12 (ANI): Michael Jackson’s eldest son was called in to try and resuscitate his dead father, the star’s sister La Toya has claimed.

La Toya said 12-year-old Prince Michael was asked to revive the singer, who died aged 50 at his Los Angeles house.

“Why would you want to do that that to a child, especially when you knew that Michael was no longer alive?” Contactmusic quoted her as saying in an interview on TV in America on Friday night that aired on news show 20/20.

The singer also said the Jacksons would not stay in peace until they discovered what happened in the final hours leading to the death of the King of Pop.

She added: “Something went wrong… It wasn’t an accident; he was murdered.” (ANI)

Mathew McConaughey calls his son “fruit bandit”

Washington, Sept 12 (ANI): Hollywood actor Mathew McConaughey has dubbed his 4-year-old son “fruit bandit”, because he can’t stop eating fruits.

Referring to 100m sprint world record holder Usain Bolt, Matthew said: “Levi is doing terrific waiting for his little bro or sis we had to super child proof the new house because he’s motoring around like Usain Bolt – Camila and I can barely keep up.

“We call him the fruit bandit ’cause if there’s fruit out, he’s on it, taking it and eating it. He’s getting bigger, more fun, smarter and craftier by the day.”

Meanwhile, McConaughey and his partner Camila Alves is expecting their second child, reports Contactmusic.

He added the whole family is excited about the new arrival, which is due at the end of the year, and have started trying to guess the sex.

He wrote on his MySpace blog: “Above and beyond all other news, the most exciting thing is my lady Camila and I got another baby on the way, not sure if it’s a boy or girl but we have our instincts what are you thinking?” (ANI)

Ashlee Simpson credits yoga for close bond with her child

Washington, Sept 11 (ANI): Singer Ashlee Simpson-Wentz says yoga has helped her bond with her nine-month-old son.

Contactmusic quoted her as saying: “Your body is changing, and it’s such an amazing time to feel that connection. I did prenatal yoga, which was a nice way to mellow down and focus on me and Bronx. Being pregnant was the healthiest I’ve ever been in my life. Except for the cupcakes!”

The 24-year-old star said the nine-month pregnancy prepared her for motherhood, which she calls “empowering”.he told Redbook magazine: “I’ve grown up so much. The great thing about being pregnant is that you have nine months and it really does prepare you.

“Being a mom’s so empowering and incredible. I’m one of those people who believes that life brings things to you at a certain time for a certain reason, and if you just go with it, that’s where the best moments come from.” (ANI)

Younis Khan wants his son to be a champion squash player

Karachi, Sep.10 (ANI): They say fathers always want their sons to follow in their footsteps, but Pakistan cricket captain Younis Khan does not want to see his son playing cricket for the country.

Instead of pursuing a vastly lucrative career in cricket, Khan wants his son to become a world class squash player.

“I want my son to become a squash champion and once again take our country on the top in that sport,” Khan said.

Khan regretted that Pakistan, which once produced several champion squash players like Hashim Khan, Jahangir Khan and Jansher Khan, now does not have any squash player to carry forward the legacy of the erstwhile world champions.

“We have won so many laurels in squash in the past and it’s a pity that we are no more the champions. I would appeal my countrymen to encourage their children to take up games like squash, hockey and football. As for myself, I would love to see my son become a world champion in squash,” The News quoted Khan, as saying.

In an interview with a private television channel, Khan revealed that he also loved football and said ‘the global sport’ was his favourite.

Khan said he would love to participate in a football match involving both the national cricket and football team.

“It’s a great idea and I would love to have cricket and football matches against the national football players as soon as we can get time for it,” he said. (ANI)

CBI records Buta Singh’s statement in bribery case

New Delhi, Sep 10 (ANI): The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Thursday recorded the statement of Buta Singh, Chairman for the National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC), in connection with a bribery case involving his son Sarobjit Singh.

A two-member CBI team recorded Buta Singh’s statement at his NCSC office in the Lok Nayak Bhavan in the national capital.

Heavy security arrangements were made at the Lok Nayak Bhavan during the recording of Singh’s statement.

Singh had informed the Delhi High Court on August 31 that he would appear before the CBI only after it clarified that he is required as a witness and not as an accused in the case.

Earlier, Singh, had struck a defiant note saying CBI has no authority to question a constitutional functionary having powers of a civil court, without Central Government’s sanction.

The CBI arrested Sarobjit, on July 31 for allegedly demanding a bribe of Rs one crore from a Nashik-based contractor to dispose off an atrocity case against him pending before the National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) headed by Buta Singh.

The Lok Nayak Bhavan was declared out of bounds for the public and also to the media till 2 p.m. (ANI)

Nepal PM assuages India’s concerns, says won’t allow fake note smuggling

Kathmandu, Sep 9 (ANI): Nepal Prime Minister Madhav Kumar has said his government is really concerned about the Fake Indian Currency Note (FICN) racket and would take proper action against anyone who indulges in the practice.

Talking to reporters in Birganj in the Terai plains near the Indo-Nepalese border, Nepal said, “We are really concerned about this racket and if anyone uses our land to supply fake currency into India, we will take proper action.”

“Any unlawful activities detrimental to the interest of our neighbouring country will not be allowed,” he added.

He also assured India that Nepal soil will not be used for the smuggling fake of Indian currency into India.

His assurance came following the nabbing of two Nepali nationals by the anti terror squad of Madhya Pradesh in connection with a fake Indian currency racket that revealed the involvement of former Crown Prince Paras and India’s most wanted terrorist Dawood Ibrahim.

They further revealed that Yunus Ansari, the son of a minister, was the conduit between Paras and Dawood, who between them have been pushing in crores of fake Indian currency into India.

According to sources, Dawood manages the printing and manufacture of the fake currency, while Paras is responsible for its transit from other countries into Nepal and India.

Paras reportedly used his influential position to ensure the money reached the designated transit points on the India-Nepal border without a hitch. (ANI)

Hilary Swank says there was no ‘spark’ when she first met beau John Campisi

Washington, Sep 8 (ANI): Hilary Swank has said that there was no initial “spark” between her and new beau John Campisi because both of them were nursing a broken heart at the time, and their romance was completely “unexpected”.

Hilary was in the process of divorcing Chad Lowe when she started working with John in May 2006.

“There was no spark. What’s interesting is, there was never anything. It wasn’t until we were well into the dissipation of our respective relationships. Going through something so difficult at the same time, we became very good friends. We became closer and closer,” Contactmusic quoted Swank as telling Britain’s Hello! Magazine.

“It was so unexpected. We both recognised that if we were going to take the relationship to the next step, we could no longer work together,” she added.

While the 35-year-old star has no intention of marrying John, 41, in the near future, she hopes to start a family with him one day.

She even enjoys spending time with his son Sam, from a previous relationship.

“Sam’s a sweetheart. I most definitely want children. It’s something I’d like to do someday. And when the timing is right I’ll hopefully know it,” she said. (ANI)

55th National Awards announced: Gandhi, My Father wins two

New Delhi, Sep.7 (ANI): The Anil Kapoor produced film ‘Gandhi, My Father’ has won two National Awards while the Shahrukh-starrer ‘Om Shanti Om’ has won in the Best Art Direction category, and Shahid Kapur-starrer ‘Jab We Met’ won the award in Best Choreography category in the 55th National Awards that were announced on Monday.

Gandhi, My Father was pitted against commercial successes like Taare Zameen Par and Chak De.

Feroz Abbas Khan, the director of the Gandhi, My Father won the National Award for Best Screenplay and Darshan Zariwala bagged theaward for the Best Supporting actor for portraying Mahatma Gandhi, the Father of the Nation who strives hard to have a normal relationship with his son in the film.

Meanwhile, actor Prakash Raj has won the Best Actor award in the 55th National Awards for his sterling performance as a silk weaver in Priyadarshan’s Tamil film Kanchivaram, which has been adjudged as the Best Film of 2007.

“It’s a very human story of pre-partition time about Kanjivaram. The film’s script was written so well that I didn’t require any homework. It is

It is Prakash Raj’s second National award. The previous one was in the Best Supporting Actor category for Mani Ratnam’s Iruvar in 1998 and a special jury award in 2003.

Directed by Priyadarshan, the film depicts the lives and times of silk-weavers of Kancheepuram in pre-Independent India.

Actor Umashree has won the Best Actress award for her performance for her lead role ‘Gulabi’ in Girish Kasaravalli’s Kannada film “Gulabi Talkies”.

The Gulabi Talkies, which was made in the coastal dialect of Kannada is based on the communal tension in Karnataka.

The best child actor award has gone to Sharad Goyekar for his role in the Marathi film “Tingya”.

Darshan Zariwala has got the best supporting actor award for his role in Feroz Abbas Khan’s film “Gandhi My Father”.

There is also a special jury award for this film, which explores the troubled relationship between Harilal Gandhi and Mahatma Gandhi.

“Chak De” has got the award in the wholesome entertainment category and “Taare Zameen Par” in the family welfare category.

Playback singer Shankar Mahadevan has won the award for the song “Meri Maa” from the film “Taare Zameen Par”.

The jury members for the National Awards headed by Sai Paranjpe included Ashok Viswanathan and Namita Gokhale. About 102 films and 106 non-feature films were considered.

The list had been finalized last week but because of the death of Andhra Pradesh chief minister YSR Reddy, the announcement was postponed. (ANI)

Peter Andre laughs off Jordan’s ‘Mysterious Girl’ claims

London, Sept 7 (ANI): Aussie singer Peter Andre has laughed off reports that he has a new girl in his life, insisting that he feels like a virgin.

The 36-year-old singer’s statement came after his estranged wife Kate Price, a.k.a. Jordan, went on TV to suggest that he had a new Mysterious Girl.

He even compared himself to the hero of the hit comedy ‘The 40-Year-Old Virgin’.

“OK 36 and not a V but feel like one at mo. Lol,” the Daily Star quoted him as having written on his Twitter page.

Meanwhile, Jordan has reportedly told son Harvey to call her boyfriend Alex Reid ‘Daddy’, a news which has upset Andre.

He is disheartened that his disabled stepson is being used as a pawn in the divorce battle. (ANI)