US politician caught plagiarising Obama speech

London, May 26 (IANS) A Republican congressional candidate has been accused of plagiarising US President Barack Obama’s speech on ‘the crossroads of history’.

Vaughn Ward, a former US Marine Corps officer and CIA operative, was running for the Republican congressional nomination in an election held Tuesday in Idaho.

The Telegraph reported Wednesday that Lucas Baumbach, a local party activist, tracked down a YouTube video that showed a strong similarity between Ward’s speech in January and Obama’s address to the 2004 Democratic National Convention.

Obama said: ‘We stand on the crossroads of history. We can make the right choices and meet the challenges that face us.’

Ward said: ‘As we stand on the crossroads of history, I know we can make the right choices and meet the challenges that lay before us.’

There were a few more striking similarities between the two speeches.

Ward’s spokesperson, however, said: ‘Folks are getting desperate-they’re saying anything to get Vaughn to go after him. If anyone thinks he’s anything like Obama, they’re dead wrong.’

Osama bin Laden’s Facebook account disabled

London, Apr 17(ANI): Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden’s profile on social networking website Facebook has been shut down, after a security expert raised the issue with the website’s U.S. owners.

According to reports, Osama had a Facebook page named “The leader of the Mujahideen, Osama bin Laden”, and he used it as a platform to show videos and speeches to Islamic militants.

Talking about the decision, Facebook spokesman Andrew Noyes said that the company could not ascertain if the profile belonged to Osama or was fake.

“People often attempt to register fake accounts under the name of famous or infamous people, and we have a number of technical measures designed to prevent this behavior,” Fox News quoted Noyes, as saying.

“Sometimes these fakes do get through, but there is no evidence to suggest that the account in question or the other dozens of people who have tried to present themselves as Osama Bin Laden have any relation to the terrorist. As is our standard practice, we have disabled the account,” he added.

The account became active less than a month ago, but had already attracted nearly 1,000 extremists, and although the language used was Arabic, messages in English had started to appear.

Internet terror expert and author Neil Doyle said: “Bin Laden, via his supporters, is clearly taunting his pursuers.”

Since 2001, Osama and his organization have been major targets of the United States” War on Terror.

There is a 16 million pound reward for his capture, and he along with other Al-Qaeda leaders are believed to be hiding near the border of Afghanistan and Pakistan”s Federally Administered Tribal Areas. (ANI)

Osama bin Laden’s Facebook account disabled

London, Apr 17(ANI): Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden’s profile on social networking website Facebook has been shut down, after a security expert raised the issue with the website’s U.S. owners.

According to reports, Osama had a Facebook page named “The leader of the Mujahideen, Osama bin Laden”, and he used it as a platform to show videos and speeches to Islamic militants.

Talking about the decision, Facebook spokesman Andrew Noyes said that the company could not ascertain if the profile belonged to Osama or was fake.

“People often attempt to register fake accounts under the name of famous or infamous people, and we have a number of technical measures designed to prevent this behavior,” Fox News quoted Noyes, as saying.

“Sometimes these fakes do get through, but there is no evidence to suggest that the account in question or the other dozens of people who have tried to present themselves as Osama Bin Laden have any relation to the terrorist. As is our standard practice, we have disabled the account,” he added.

The account became active less than a month ago, but had already attracted nearly 1,000 extremists, and although the language used was Arabic, messages in English had started to appear.

Internet terror expert and author Neil Doyle said: “Bin Laden, via his supporters, is clearly taunting his pursuers.”

Since 2001, Osama and his organization have been major targets of the United States’ War on Terror.here is a 16 million pound reward for his capture, and he along with other Al-Qaeda leaders are believed to be hiding near the border of Afghanistan and Pakistan’s Federally Administered Tribal Areas. (ANI)

Osama bin Laden has a page on Facebook

London, Apr 16(ANI): Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden is reportedly using social networking website Facebook as a platform to show videos and speeches to Islamic militants.

According to reports, Osama has a page named “The leader of the Mujahideen, Osama bin Laden” and his address is given as “the mountains of the world”.

Following the revelation, security experts have urged Facebook’s US office to shut down the page.

The account became active less than a month ago, but had already attracted nearly 1,000 extremists, and although the language used is Arabic, messages in English have started to appear, The Sun reports.

Internet terror expert and author Neil Doyle said: “Bin Laden, via his supporters, is clearly taunting his pursuers.”

Since 2001, Osama and his organization have been major targets of the United States’ War on Terror.

There is a 16 million pound reward for his capture, and he along with other Al-Qaeda leaders are believed to be hiding near the border of Afghanistan and Pakistan’s Federally Administered Tribal Areas.

Osama bin Laden has a page on Facebook

London, Apr 16(ANI): Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden is reportedly using social networking website Facebook as a platform to show videos and speeches to Islamic militants.

According to reports, Osama has a page named “The leader of the Mujahideen, Osama bin Laden” and his address is given as “the mountains of the world”.

Following the revelation, security experts have urged Facebook’s US office to shut down the page.

The account became active less than a month ago, but had already attracted nearly 1,000 extremists, and although the language used is Arabic, messages in English have started to appear, The Sun reports.

Internet terror expert and author Neil Doyle said: “Bin Laden, via his supporters, is clearly taunting his pursuers.”

Since 2001, Osama and his organization have been major targets of the United States’ War on Terror.

There is a 16 million pound reward for his capture, and he along with other Al-Qaeda leaders are believed to be hiding near the border of Afghanistan and Pakistan’s Federally Administered Tribal Areas. (ANI)

Supreme Court grants relief to anti-Sikh riots case accused Sajjan Kumar

New Delhi, Mar 29 (ANI): The Supreme Court on Monday granted relief to Congress party leader Sajjan Kumar, who is one of the accused in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots case, saying it would not intervene with a Delhi High Court order that granted bail to Kumar in the case.

The apex court raised several questions in this regard and said, “If the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) would have wanted, they could have arrested Sajjan Kumar in 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008.”

Sajjan Kumar was granted bail by the Delhi High Court on February 26 in connection with two cases registered against him in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots case.

The Karkardooma Court had on February 23 issued a fresh non-bailable warrant against Kumar and slammed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for its failure to arrest Kumar and others accused in the case.

Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Lokesh Kumar Sharma had refuted the plea of investigating agencies to issue a proclamation against the accused on the ground that he was absconding.

Earlier, the court had issued two non-bailable warrants against Kumar, who had surrendered before the court on March 10.

The CBI, which arrested one out of 12 accused, said that it conducted raids at Kumar”s residence four times after the warrant was issued on February 17, but failed to apprehend him. It also asked the court to declare the former MP and other accused as absconders.

The CBI had on January 13 charge-sheeted Kumar and others in the two cases accusing them of making provocative speeches, leading to the killing of 12 persons in the riots that followed the assassination of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi on October 31, 1984. (ANI)

Pravin Togadia not allowed to visit Kandhamal

Bhubaneswar, March 16 (IANS) The local administration in Orissa’s Kandhamal district has not allowed the proposed visit of Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) leader Pravin Togadia to the area later this week, officials said.

The VHP leader was scheduled to go to visit Kandhamal during his visit to the state on Thursday.

‘We have decided not to allow VHP leader Pravin Togadia to visit the district as the district is fast turning normal after the communal riots in 2008. His visit would not be good at this moment,’ Kandhamal District Collector Krishna Kumar said.

‘We know that every time he comes, he gives provocative speeches. Anticipating trouble, we have not allowed his visit to the district,’ he said.

On the other hand, the VHP leaders have strongly opposed the administration decision, saying that that it is ‘undemocratic’ not to allow Togadia to visit the district.

‘We are yet to get in writing that the district administration has not allowed the visit. We will strongly protest the decision,’ VHP state unit secretary Gouri Prasad Rath said.

Shia cleric opposes Women””s Reservation Bill

Allahabad, Mar 13 (ANI): Leading Shia cleric and scholar Maulana Kalbe Jawwad has opposed Women””s Reservation Bill.

Addressing reporters here on Friday, Jawwad said that God has created women to bring up their children in a better way, and not for delivering speeches in public.

“Women are not created for doing horse-riding or firing guns. Women are not made for shoemaking, or working at liquor units or delivering speeches in public rallies like men…who will take care of a child when his mother is sitting in Parliament? … We can””t say that women are developing with all these parameters,” he added.

The Women””s Reservation Bill sparked off a mixed response from various Islamic scholars and clerics. Some strongly opposed the Bill while others welcomed the move.

Rajya Sabha had passed the Bill on Tuesday, but some regional parties have opposed it by saying that the Bill doesn””t provide reservation for minorities and women of lower castes.

The government had pushed ahead with this Bill, ignoring possible threats to its stability, even going so far as to evict lawmakers who created a ruckus on the floor of the House to show their opposition to the Bill. (ANI)

Palin fails to turn up GOP women’s convention

Washington, Sep.2 (ANI): Despite an invitation to speak at the conference, Sarah Palin, former vice presidential candidate, and until recently Alaska governor, has decided not come to the National Federation of Republican Women’s 35th Convention in Florida.

According to Fox News, an estimated 1,200 Republican women leaders will attend the three-day conference. There are still efforts being made to convince Palin to reconsider.

Palin has been a big draw for Republicans since she was selected to be John McCain’s running partner during their failed attempt to win the White House in 2008. She continues to appeal to many Republicans, especially female Republicans.

Politico reported earlier this week that she would be sorting through more than 1,070 invitations she has received for paid speeches and political appearances.

While Palin will not be going to Florida, she will be delivering a keynote speech in Hong Kong, China, later this month, according to her spokeswoman, Meg Stapleton.

Palin will be speaking to a forum organized by CLSA, a Hong-Kong based brokerage firm, and will address the company’s clients and delegates at the16th Investors’ Forum. (ANI)

Ghaziabad court sends Rita Bahuguna Joshi to 14-day judicial custody

Moradabad (UP), July 16 (ANI): Uttar Pradesh Congress unit chief Rita Bahuguna Joshi has been sent to 14 days judicial custody for allegedly making inflammatory remarks against Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati.

Joshi was arrested in Ghaziabad last night while on her way to Delhi.

She was booked under Section 153 A for (delivering inflammatory speeches), Section 109 of the IPC (using abusive language) and under provisions of the SC/ST Atrocities Prevention Act.

Bahuguna had registered a complaint against Mayawati for inciting her party workers to attack and vandalise her home. A portion of her house was set a fire by BSP supporters last night.

There has been no move so far by the police to nab the culprits. No formal case has been registered. (ANI)

When Obama’s teleprompter crashed mid-speech

Washington, July 14 (ANI): US President Barack Obama was literally at the loss of words recently, when one of his teleprompter screens broke midway through his speech.

It was when Obama had just started a spirited defence of his economic stimulus plan on Monday, that one of his teleprompter screens came loose, crashed to the floor, and shattered into pieces.

The President, who uses a teleprompter during most speeches and even brief remarks, was taken by surprise at the mishap.

He was speaking in the auditorium of the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, a massive building within the White House compound.

“Oh, goodness. Sorry about that, guys,” Fox News quoted Obama as saying.

And his audience, which included administration officials, mayors and urban policy experts, broke into laughter as Obama went back to his text.

Then Obama had to use notes and the remaining teleprompter screen to finish his 11-minute remarks calling for a new policy toward the nation’s cities and metropolitan areas.

Obama has been criticized for relying too heavily on his teleprompter for routine remarks and the device has become jokingly known as “TOTUS.” (ANI)

Varun Gandhi’s election to Lok Sabha challenged

Allahabad July 01 (ANI): A petition was filed today in the Allahabad High Court questioning the election of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate Varun Gandhi to the Lok Sabha form the Pilibhit constituency in Uttar Pradesh.

V M Singh, the Congress candidate who is the maternal uncle of Varun Gandhi, the loser in the recently concluded general election, has filed this petition.

Varun Gandhi had gained the votes by spreading hatred about a particular community by making inflammatory speeches, said Singh’s advocate U N Sharma.

Singh alleged that Varun’s mode of campaigning amounted corrupt practice as per section 123(3) of the Representation of Peoples Act.

Varun made his electoral debut from Pilibhit, which was earlier, represented by his mother Maneka Gandhi. Varun was arrested under National Security Act for allegedly making hate speeches in an election rally in Pilibhit. (ANI)

Maoists and civil liberties groups nexus in West Bengal: Chakraborty

Kolkata, June 22 (ANI): West Bengal Chief Secretary Ashok Mohan Chakraborty has said a nexus exists between Maoist and civil liberties groups in West Bengal.

Talking to reporters here on Sunday, Chakraborti said, “NGOs like the People’s Committee against Police Atrocities (PCPA) have emerged as the frontline organisations of Maoist groups. Utterances that PCPA leaders have been making, the kind of speeches Maoist leaders have made in last few days will make it very obvious that if not the same they have a very, very close nexus.”

He was speaking in response to demands made by some intellectuals and other groups that the Maoists and the PCPA should not be considered to be in the same league.

“Maoists and PCPA should shun violence and surrender. Police would take action against whoever would commit act of violence. The rebel groups should support the functioning of the government. They should join the mainstream,” he said.

Earlier, hundreds of Maoists, who were expanding their influence across the country, had chased away police and killed government supporters from around Lalgarh, which they declared a “liberated zone”. (ANI)

Varun Gandhi’s ‘hate speech’ a legal issue, says Rajnath Singh

New Delhi, June 22 (ANI): Commenting on Varun Gandhi’s ‘hate speech’ tapes, Bharatiya Janata Party President Rajnath Singh has said let the law take its own course.

A probe panel found that Varun Gandhi’s tapes of hate speech were not doctored.

Talking to reporters in New Delhi on the sidelines of a party conclave, Singh said, “Varun has no objection to it, he was also of the view that let the law take its own course.”

Earlier forensic experts have said that hate speech CD of Varun Gandhi, is not doctored.

The Forensic Science Laboratory in Hyderabad has submitted its report to the District Magistrate of Pilibhit.

Varun Gandhi, who was arrested in Pilibhit on March 28, on the charges of making inflammatory communal remarks at election meetings in his constituency on March 6, was released from the Etah district Jail in Uttar Pradesh on April 16, after he gave a fresh undertaking that he would not make any inflammatory speeches.

He had been recorded as saying, “If anyone raises a finger towards Hindus or if someone thinks that Hindus are weak and leaderless, if someone thinks that these leaders lick our boots for votes, if anyone raises a finger towards Hindus, then I swear on Gita that I will cut that hand.” (ANI)

Varun Gandhi’s hate speech CD not doctored: Forensic experts

New Delhi, June 21 (ANI): Forensic experts have said hate speech CD of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and MP from Pilibhit, Varun Gandhi, is not doctored.

According to sources, the Forensic Science Laboratory in Hyderabad has submitted its report to the District Magistrate of Pilibhit.

Varun had alleged that the CDs were doctored. He had also refused to give his voice samples for examination.

Varun Gandhi, who was arrested in Pilibhit on March 28, on the charges of making inflammatory communal remarks at election meetings in his constituency on March 6, was released from the Etah district Jail in Uttar Pradesh on April 16, after he gave a fresh undertaking that he would not make any inflammatory speeches.

He had been recorded as saying, “If anyone raises a finger towards Hindus or if someone thinks that Hindus are weak and leaderless, if someone thinks that these leaders lick our boots for votes, if anyone raises a finger towards Hindus, then I swear on Gita that I will cut that hand.” (ANI)

Vatican launches Facebook application

VATICAN CITY: Pope Benedict XVI has entered the world of social networking sites and smartphones with a Vatican portal that includes Facebook and iPhone applications.

The Pope2You Web site was launched on Thursday and allows Facebook users to send virtual postcards with photos of Benedict. An application for iPhone and iPod Touch gives surfers video and audio news on his travels and speeches, as well as on Catholic events worldwide.

The new portal is the latest update in the Vatican’s efforts to broaden the pope’s audience and reach out to young people. Earlier this year, Benedict got his own YouTube channel.

While wary of the potential pitfalls of new media, Benedict has also encouraged young Catholics to use the Internet to spread the church’s message.

Varun Gandhi misbehaves with journalist in Pilibhit

Pilibhit, May 19 (ANI): After being in the limelight for his hate speech against a minority community, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Varun Gandhi on Tuesday allegedly misbehaved with a journalist here.

“Today Varun had come to Pilibhit after becoming a Member of Parliament and people had organised a grand reception to welcome him. I had gone to cover the event and as I was covering the event near Varun Gandhi, he threw a garland of flowers at me and asked me to shut my camera. He then made a gesture toward his security guards who then misbehaved with me and snatched my camera,” said Pankaj Saxena, a media person from TV channel Live India.

Varun Gandhi, who was arrested in Pilibhit on March 28 on the charges of delivering hate speech, was released from the Etah district Jail in Uttar Pradesh on April 16 after he gave a fresh undertaking as per the directive of the Supreme Court that he would not make any inflammatory speeches. (ANI)

Martin Luther King Jr. biopic in the pipeline

Washington, May 19 (ANI): Life rights to Martin Luther King Jr. have been acquired by DreamWorks and the film studio is bringing a biopic on the slain civil rights leader to the big screen.

The movie based on King, who was assassinated in 1968 in Memphis at the age of 39, will be produced by Steven Spielberg, Suzanne de Passe and Madison Jones.

King copyrighted his speeches, books and famous works during his lifetime.

The DreamWorks project marks the first film to be authorized by King’s estate and gives the producers the right to utilize King’s intellectual property to create the definitive portrait of his life.

“We are all honored that the King Estate is giving us the opportunity to tell the story of these defining, historic events,” Variety quoted Spielberg, as saying.

“It is our hope that the creative power of film and the impact of Dr. King’s life can combine to present a story of undeniable power that we can all be proud of,” he added. (ANI)

Varun Gandhi’s parole extended till May 14

New Delhi, May 1 (ANI): The Supreme Court on Friday extended the parole of Bharatiya Janata Party leader Varun Gandhi till May 14.

On April 16, the apex court had ordered the release of Varun on parole for a period of two weeks after it received an undertaking from him that he would not indulge in communally sensitive and hate speeches.

Varun was booked under the National Security Act (NSA) for an alleged hate speech delivered in his parliamentary constituency of Pilibhit in Uttar Pradesh last month.

Earlier, a lawyer representing him revealed that his client has given an undertaking to the apex court that he will not make any more hate speeches, raising prospects of his early release on bail from the Etah District Jail where he had been lodged under the NSA Act.

Varun had moved the apex court seeking relief to allow him to contest the Lok Sabha elections from Pilibhit. (ANI)

Varun Gandhi’s two-week parole ends today

New Delhi, May 1 (ANI): The two-week parole of Bharatiya Janata Party leader Varun Gandhi ends today.

The Supreme Court will decide on the extension of Varun’s parole.

On April 16, the apex court ordered the release of Varun Gandhi on parole for a period of two weeks after it received an undertaking from him that he would not indulge in communally sensitive and hate speeches.

Gandhi was booked under the National Security Act (NSA) for an alleged hate speech delivered in his parliamentary constituency of Pilibhit in Uttar Pradesh last month.

Earlier, a lawyer representing Gandhi revealed that his client has given an undertaking to the apex court that he will not make any more hate speeches, raising prospects of his early release on bail from the Etah District Jail where he had been lodged under the NSA Act.

Varun had moved the apex court seeking relief to allow him to contest the Lok Sabha elections from Pilibhit. (ANI)