Rashtriya Janata Dal celebrates good show in Bihar by-polls

Patna, Sept 20 (ANI): The activists of the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) here celebrated the party’s good show in the by-election for 18 legislative assembly seats.

The RJD-Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) won eight seats in the by-election for 18 legislative assembly seats, a major set back to ruling Janata Dal-United (JD-U).

The JD (U) bagged three seats while its ally the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won two seats.

The activists burst crackers and distributed sweets to celebrate the win at the party office.

RJD leader Lalu Prasad termed the results as referendum on the ruling government.

“It is not possible for the Bihar Government-led by Nitish Kumar to return. The RJD alliance will return to power. The people of Bihar have welcomed us with open arms,” said Yadav.

The RJD failed poorly in Lok Sabha election in April-May this year, winning just four seats out of the total 40 in Bihar. (ANI)

Rashtriya Janata Dal celebrates good show in by-polls in Bihar

Patna, Sep 18 (ANI): Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) celebrated its good show in state by-election on Thursday.

The RJD-Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) won eight seats in the by-election for 18 legislative assembly seats, a major setback to ruling Janata Dal-United (JD-U).

JD (U) bagged three seats while its ally Bharatiya Janata Party won two seats.

RJD activists gathered at the party office and burst crackers and distributed sweets to celebrate the win.

Rabri Devi, leader of opposition in Bihar legislative assembly, termed the results as referendum against the ruling government.

“Bihar government led by Nitish Kumar is fooling the public. The people of Bihar have understood it and that’s why they have rejected the ruling party. I congratulate the people of Bihar. I am sure that people will keep on voting for Rashtriya Janata Dal alliance,” said Devi.

RJD failed poorly in Lok Sabha election in April-May this year, winning just four seats out of the total 40 in Bihar. (ANI)

Australia regains number-one position in ODI Championship

Dubai, Sep 18 (ANI): Australia has regained top spot in the ICC ODI Championship after going 6-0 up with one match to play in the ODI series in England.
Ricky Ponting’s side beat the home team by 111 runs at Trent Bridge on Thursday and in the process has moved ahead of South Africa by a fraction of a ratings point.

Australia needs to win the one remaining ODI in the series to stay top and thus head into the ICC Champions Trophy as the number-one-ranked one-day side in the world.

An England win in the final ODI of the series would consign Australia back down to third place.
As a result of Australia’s rise, India drops to third position while England stays in seventh position, three ratings points behind New Zealand in sixth.

The ICC Champions Trophy 2009 gets underway in South Africa on 22 September and with just a single ratings point separating Australia in first position from India in third place, it looks like a rankings battle is on the cards over the next couple of weeks. (ANI)

Whoopi Goldberg recalls ‘mooning’ Patrick Swayze

Washington, Sept 16 (ANI): Actress Whoopi Goldberg remembers late actor Patrick Swayze as a “funny man” who repeatedly flashed his bare bottom while she shot for their hit movie Ghost.

The 53-year-old American actress insists she has fond memories of their time together.

“Patrick was a really good man, a funny man and one to whom I owe much that I can’t ever repay. I believe in Ghost’s message, so he’ll always be near,” Contactmusic quoted her as saying,

She recalls, “The camera would be on me and he’d be off to the side and he’d moon me! It was the greatest.”

She credits Swayze with helping her win an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in Ghost.

“Because of Patrick Swayze, I got that movie Ghost. Because of Patrick Swayze, I have an Oscar.”

Swayze lost his battle with pancreatic cancer at the age of 57 on Monday. (ANI)

Worst Brit footie team ends 90-match losing streak with victory!

London, Sept 16 (ANI): Harraby Athletic, the worst football team in Britain, has finally tasted victory – after a losing streak of 90 matches.

The side has been on a losing spree since three years and was badly mauled in a 19-0 match in 2006.

The team concedes 10 goals a game on an average and their goalie has seen the ball netted over 400 times in less than three seasons.

The under-14 squad celebrated their first win after beating Edenvale Hawks 3-2 at their home ground, Hammond’s Park.

Sky News quoted coach Brett Preston as saying: “Pure determination has got us there and their faces after the game meant everything.

“All week I’ve had other managers phoning me up to congratulate us on our achievement.

“When we lost our first game 19-0, it could have even been a higher score as the opposing manager tried to help us by swapping players around and telling them to ease off.

“They just couldn’t help scoring against us. Gradually over time, the scores have come down, but we’re always bottom of the table and we’ve never even won a friendly match.”

Harraby has only one point in the Longhorn Youth Football League after the opponents did not play the game.

It consists of players who are either playing for the first time or have been rejected by other teams.he coach said: “They know that if they leave, they might not get the chance of a game as they might not get into another team.”

However, Preston also praised the determination of his boys.

He said: “The boys have been prepared to stick at it and been willing to learn. They turn up for training in all weathers and really deserve a win at last.” (ANI)

Out of form Bopara wants to be England’s main man

London, Sep 11 (ANI): Ravi Bopara, who has been struggling with his batting form, remains convinced that he will become an international star despite a desperate struggle against Australia.

He has already been dropped from England’s Test team and is now in danger of relinquishing his place in the one-day team.

The Essex batsman was speaking up for England’s under pressure one-day side after three miserable performances in the past week that have handed Australia a 3-0 lead in the NatWest Series.

According to The Sun, Bopara knows he has no alternative other than to fight and discover some form from somewhere, or to lose the series by a humiliating margin, perhaps even a dreaded 7-0 whitewash.

“I don’t doubt my ability. It is just a case of getting my game in order. There is a lot to come from me yet. A big score can turn it round. I’ve made a few 40s and 50s but I want to go out and win games for England,” Bopara said.

“I don’t want to get scores that just do enough to give England a chance, I want to seal the win. I’m desperate to do that but not over-desperate because that’s when things can go wrong.

“I want to be the main man for England. I would love to go out at Lord’s on Saturday and smack the Aussies around. I still think we can pull this series out of the fire – England normally respond well when we are down,” he added.

Since scoring three tons in three Test innings against West Indies earlier this year, Bopara has been struggling with the bat. (ANI)

Billiards champ Advani returns home after winning IBSF title

Bangalore, Sep 8 (ANI): World Billiards champion Pankaj Advani arrived here on Tuesday morning after pulling off a surprise win over nine-time winner Mike Russell in the final of the world championships in Leeds, UK.

On Sunday night, the 24-year-old Advani scripted a brilliant 2030-1253 win over Russell to win his maiden World Professional Billiards title at the Northern Snooker Centre in Leeds.

Former champions hailed Pankaj’s feat of becoming the second Indian cueist to clinch the world professional billiards crown in its 139-year history.

Advani has become the second Indian after Geet Sethi, to win the coveted title

After the win Pankaj said that the win is yet to sink in.

With this triumph, Advani has ensured that he has won all major billiards world titles. (ANI)

Advani becomes second Indian to win World Billiards title

New Delhi, Sep.7 (ANI): Pankaj Advani has become the second Indian after Geet Sethi to win the World’s Billiards Championship.

Advani beat defending champion Mark Russel 2030-1253 to win the World Professional Billiards Championship-2009.

Geet Sethi won the title in 1992.

Earlier, Advani notched up a thrilling win over compatriot Dhruv Sitwala in the semi-final to set up the title clash.

In the other semi-final, compatriot Rupesh Shah squandered a first session lead and succumbed to his elementary mistakes to go down 880-1366 against nine time-winner Russel.

Geet Sethi crashed out of the World professional billiards championship in a league match. (ANI)

Man City turns Adebayor back into a star

London, Aug 31 (ANI): Manchester City boss Mark Hughes feels that the club has turned Emmanuel Adebayor from a sulk back into a star.

City’s boss celebrated a third straight win with a clear taunt at Adebayor’s former club Arsenal and their treatment of the 25 million pounds Togo striker.

Hughes said after the player’s third goal in three league games: “He was superb again here. There was a lot said about Ade as a player and a person, a lot of it negative. But he has come in and is very much wanting to be a success for us.”

“He is vocal in the dressing room, encouraging his team-mates. Many of the things said I haven’t seen in him,” he said.

“He’s enjoying himself and the fans love him. That was maybe missing from his life before,” The Sun quoted Hughes, as saying.

Adebayor struck on 30 minutes with a powerful header and now is itching to face Arsenal in the two clubs’ next match on September 12.

He said: “My confidence is very high.” (ANI)

Shilpa Shetty offers prayers to Lord Ganesha

Mumbai, Aug 30 (ANI): Bollywood actor Shilpa Shetty offered prayers to Lord Ganesha at a makeshift temple here.

Shetty’s beau Raj Kundra, the London-based Indian millionaire, accompanied her.

Responding to the rumours that she will be marrying Kundra later this autumn, she said in a lighter vein that every one would be invited in advance.

“The day I get married I’ll send invitations to all of you (the media persons) and invite you. I will give you a months notice,” she said.

The couple formed a successful business partnership, which includes a 10 million pounds stake in the Rajasthan Royals Twenty20 cricket team and a recently acquired food company.

The 34-year-old actress had become a household name in the United Kingdom after she won the ‘Celebrity Big Brother’ in 2007.

The show sparked a huge outcry in Britain and India after housemates made racist comments against her, forcing Channel 4 to apologize.

Soon after her win she had got engaged to the jewellery tycoon. (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)

Obama may cut his Martha’s Vineyard holiday short

Washington, Aug. 28 (ANI): US President Barack Obama and the First Lady, who are holidaying at an island of Martha’s Vineyard, will travel to Boston on Friday evening to attend Senator Edward Kennedy’s funeral.

Obama is scheduled to deliver a eulogy on Saturday morning.

The change in schedule is due to bad weather forecasts. The Obamas want to ensure they can make it off the island of Martha’s Vineyard to Boston ahead of a coming storm.

According to deputy spokesman Bill Burton, tropical Storm Danny which could reach hurricane strength this weekend might cut short the Obamas stay on Martha’s Vineyard.

They plan to return to the Island after the funeral Saturday, if the weather allows, and then leave for Washington as scheduled Sunday. If the storm prevents a return, the Obamas would head to Washington from Boston on Saturday, Politico quoted him, as saying.

While the first family spent the day biking on Martha’s Vineyard on Thursday, Obama had begun work on the eulogy.

“It is something that he obviously takes very seriously. He’s been working on it. He’s obviously got a great team of speechwriters who he works with. This is going to be a very personal statement that he makes on Saturday,” Burton said.

With speculation swirling over who will replace Kennedy, Burton said Obama would not weigh in on the debate. That “isn’t a scale he’s going to put his thumb on,” Burton said.

Obama also doesn’t think the time is right to discuss renaming a health care bill for Kennedy. And Burton suggested that Obama would steer clear of the “win one for Teddy” rallying cry to boost the bill that some supporters have adopted.

Next week, Obama will have a health care event Tuesday and then travel to Camp David on Wednesday ahead of the Labor Day weekend. (ANI)

Alam backs Pakistan to win Champions Trophy, says momentum is with team

Karachi, Aug.27 (ANI): Pakistan cricket coach Intikhab Alam has backed his team as favourites for winning the ICC Champions Trophy scheduled to be held in South Africa in September.

Despite the disastrous tour of Sri Lanka, Alam said the momentum is with Pakistan.

“We lost the Test and one-day series in Sri Lanka but won the last three games of the tour. Those results were very important and now the momentum is with us ahead of the Champions Trophy,” said Alam.

However, Alam admitted that Pakistan would have to play really well to succeed in the eight nation tournament, in which it shares the group with India and Australia.

“Australia and India are two of the world’s best teams but in a way it’s good for us that both of them are in our group,” The News quoted Alam, as saying.

Alam said his boys were looking forward for battle against arch rivals India.

“A match against India is always a big one and the team is planning to go all out for a win against them,” he said.

Pakistan has never won a game in ICC tournaments like the World Cup and the Champions Trophy against India.

Alam believed that Australia would be vulnerable in the tournament, particularly after their morale-shattering Ashes defeat against England.

“For Australia, Ashes is the ultimate thing. Their morale would be really low and I believe that would be good for our cause,” he added.

Commenting on the selection committee’s controversial decision to include tainted fast bowler Mohammad Asif omitting experienced all-rounder Abdul Razzaq from the 15-man squad, Alam said Asif will add strength to bowling line-up.

“We certainly need a bowler like him. Asif will add to our team’s strength. He is fully fit and has played plenty of cricket in the last five or six months,” he said. (ANI)

Freddie out for dinner with missus and family after Ashes victory

London, Aug.24 (ANI): England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff, who is to go under the knife on Tuesday, will take his wife Rachael, parents and kids out for dinner, to celebrate the return of the Ashes with the 197-run victory over Australia at The Oval.

“I will take the missus out for dinner and spend the day with my family. But I’ll be ‘nil by mouth’ after midnight on Monday because of the operation,” The Sun quoted him, as saying.

Freddie hurled and hugged his son Corey and sister Holly, five, after the win, while Rachael brought one-year-old son Rocky down from the stands.

Freddie’s emotional dad Colin, 57, joined the wild celebrations, shedding tears of joy as he enjoyed the magical moment. The star’s proud mum Susan also came over to give him a hug.

Fred, who will have an operation to fix a knee injury tomorrow, said: “This is a special moment. I was nearly in tears when I saw my Mum up there. It’s like a dream, quite surreal at the moment. I don’t know what to do with myself.”

The Lancashire hero admitted he would not be repeating the boozy antics which saw him in a near-daze as he celebrated England’s last Ashes triumph in 2005.

The party mood spread nationwide last night among thrilled fans who’d seen England thump fierce rivals Australia to win the fifth and deciding Test by 197 runs.

The resounding victory ensured they clinched the summer series 2-1 and reclaimed the coveted Ashes urn they lost Down Under in 2006.

Captain Andrew Strauss said: “The guys have done amazingly. When we were bad we were very bad, and when we were good, we managed to be good enough.”

The squad headed straight from the pitch to the players’ lounge for a post-match party.

A security guard revealed two more crates of booze had to be sent in early in the evening after the stars nearly drank the bar dry.

The England squad left the Oval in a convoy of taxis just after 11 p.m. to continue their celebrations at their East London hotel.

Fans partied in pubs around the ground – many draped in England flags. England and Aussie supporters drank side by side. Downing Street also saluted the squad last night.

A spokesman said: “The Prime Minister will be writing to congratulate them on their exhilarating victory.”

London Mayor Boris Johnson, called England’s win an “incredible triumph”.

Even gutted Australians praised England in defeat. Tim Hussey, 28, from Melbourne, said: “It was an epic series. And I’m pleased Freddie went out with a bang.” (ANI)

Italian punter bags record £127m lottery jackpot

London, August 23 (ANI): An Italian punter has bagged a record 127 million pounds in a lottery jackpot.

Tourists from around Europe were said to have flogged Italy for the Suprenalotto.

But many had to face disappointment after a Bagnone player, in the province of Massa Carrara in Tuscany, picked the winning combination of 11, 27, 10, 79, 45, 88, reports Sky News.

The win is being claimed by Italy as the biggest lottery jackpot in Europe.

Players were said to have splashed more than 1.7 billion pounds since the start of the year in an attempt to scoop the top prize. (ANI)

Congress wins Meghalaya by-poll

Laitumkhrah (Meghalaya), Aug 21 (ANI): The Congress won the by-poll to Laitumkhrah constituency by a huge margin of 2,327 votes on Friday.

Congress nominee and Meghalaya Education Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh defeated United Democratic Party (UDP) candidate Malcolm Tariang.

Lyngdoh polled 5,800 votes over Tariang’s 3,473 votes.

“I won despite personal attacks by my opponents. I must say they are yet to learn the game (of politics),” Lyngdoh said.

The four other candidates – Stephen Nongbet (BJP), Remeo Phira Rani (Hill State Peoples Democratic Party) and two Independents, George Garry Lyngdoh and Andrew Aibok Jyrwa, forfeited their security deposit.

The seat fell vacant when Lyngdoh resigned as UDP MLA and joined Congress.

With this win, the strength of Congress has gone up from 26 to 27 in the sixty-seated house. (ANI)

Siddle says no place for spinners in The Oval Test

London, Aug 21(ANI): Australian paceman Peter Siddle has backed Australian selectors for their decision to play four quicks and use part-time spinners in the series decider at The Oval.

The Oval pitch turned low and slow on the opening day of the Test match, and Australian selectors were being asked if they should have opted for an off-spinner -Nathan Hauritz- in the team.

“I don’t think it’s deteriorating, still a good wicket. Still a nice wicket to bowl on. It’s going to stay pretty solid and will be a pretty good batting wicket over the next two or three days,” The Fox Sports quoted Siddle, as saying.

“I don’t think spin will be a massive part of it. When all four quicks stuck together and bowled in partnership, we had success,” he added.

Australia used part-time spinner Marcus North, who extracted some sharp turn and bounce from the pitch in the 14 overs that he bowled during the first day.

Meanwhile, England batsman Ian Bell expressed surprise at Hauritz not being picked fot the Test match.

“I guess when you look at it where we are now after day one, hindsight’s a great thing,” Bell said.

“When you look at it now, a little bit surprised. Again Australia beat us in two and a bit days at Headingley and that is pretty tough on someone not to get picked after such a good win,” he added. (ANI)

Winning The Ashes would be the greatest feat of my career, says Flintoff

London, Aug.19 (ANI): England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff has said that winning The Ashes this summer would be the greatest feat of his career.

Recalling England’s epic 2005 Ashes triumph, Flintoff, who scored 402 runs, took 24 wickets and was named BBC Sports Personality of the Year, said the difference back then was England believed they would win.

Now, as they head in the Fifth Test decider at The Oval tomorrow, he says the team’s expectations are lower because of the change and turmoil in the ranks.

England has had two coaches and four captains since June last year.

“If we win this one, it will be a far greater achievement than 2005. Our win then was fantastic but the side had performed well over a period of time and beaten everyone in the world.

We played Australia expecting to win. I’m not saying we’re not expecting to do it this time but the side has changed a heck of a lot over the past 12 months,” The Sun quoted Flintoff, as saying.

England was then protecting a 2-1 lead, but this time they are locked at 1-1 and Australia only need a draw to retain the little urn.

It is England’s biggest must-win match for a generation.

“Now, I’m just pleased to be here with an opportunity to play on Thursday – it is going to be an unbelievably good game,” Flintoff said,

He is sure to be given a rousing send-off because there is no player who enjoys a closer rapport with the fans. They view him as one of their own – a big lad with talent who enjoys a beer and a night out. (ANI)

Woods shocks golfing world with foul-mouthed swears at USPGA

Chaska (USA), Aug 18(ANI): American golfer Tiger Woods shocked TV viewers when he let out a foul-mouthed rant during the final round of the US PGA.

The world No.1 missed seven putts from inside 10 feet to finish three strokes back after a final-round 75 to lose to an unheard of South Korean golfer Y E Yang.

According to reports, after missing his par putt at the 17th, he shouted the word “f***” on television.

The 33-year-old did admit to his ranting.

“I hit the ball great off the tee, hit my irons well. I did everything I needed to do except for getting the ball in the hole,” The Mirror quoted Woods, as saying.

Wood’s outburst came after his controversial criticism of referee John Paramor, after the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational last week.

Woods was seeking his first Major win of the season after missing the cut in the British Open and sharing sixth at the Masters and U.S. Open. He did not play in last year’s PGA, as he was recovering from reconstructive knee surgery. (ANI)

Bombay HC issues notice to Praful Patel on election petition

Mumbai, July 11 (ANI): The Nagpur Bench of the Bombay High Court has issued a notice to Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation Praful Patel on a petition challenging his election from Bhandara-Gondia Lok Sabha constituency.

The Bench has asked Patel to file his reply by September 18 in response to a petition filed by BJP’s defeated candidate Shishupal Patle.

The petition filed under Section 80 of the Representation of Peoples’ Act has contended that Patel had resorted to ‘corrupt practices’ and his election expenditure was far more than the Rs 25 lakh ceiling prescribed by poll panel.

Patle also questioned the credibility of the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs). He claimed that the number of votes cast had been more than the number of voters listed, in as many as 73 booths.

Patle had won in 2004 election by a slender margin, while this time Patel settled the score with a win by over 2.5 lakh votes. (ANI)