India woman athlete arrested on 'rape' charges

Friday, 15 June 2012

BBC NEWS

Police in India have arrested a woman athlete on allegations of "rape"' and charges that she is actually "male".

Pinki Pramanik was arrested in West Bengal state after a complaint from her live-in partner, also a woman.

Police say they have requested a local court's permission to carry out a gender test on the runner.

Ms Pramanik has denied the charges and accused her partner of falsehoods. She has also refused to take a medical test to prove her gender.

"I have undergone numerous tests in my career as an athlete. Why should I agree to more ridiculous tests?" The Times of India quoted her as saying.

Ms Pramanik had won gold in the 4x400m relay in the 2006 Doha Asiad and a silver in the same event at the 2006 Melbourne Commonwealth Games.

She also won three gold medals in the 2006 SAF Games in Colombo when she won the 400m, 800m and 4x400m relay events.

She was arrested on Thursday and appeared in court.

"The complaint stated that the woman athlete was a male and has been cohabiting with her for the past several months with a promise to marry her, but later denied," Press Trust of India quoted a senior police officer in Baguihati town as saying.

The Athletics Federation of India said they would wait for the medical report and police investigation before taking any action.

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Farhan Akhtar, Vidya Balan gung-ho about SHAADI KE SIDE EFFECTS

Wednesday, 13 June 2012

By Glamsham Editorial

The makers of the 2006 hit, PYAAR KE SIDE EFFECTS have managed to pull off a casting coup of sorts and have roped in Vidya Balan and Farhan Akhtar for the sequel titled SHAADI KE SIDE EFFECTS - a clever take on fascinating ways love works before and after marriage.

The romantic-comedy will see the actors essaying the role of a married couple who are coping with their issues, much on the comic lines of the first film.

Talking about the plot says producer Pritish Nandy, "Vidya will be playing a Delhi girl and Farhan a Bombay boy. The story moves ahead from where Trisha and Sid's characters (PYAAR KE SIDE EFFECTS) left. They get married and the changes that come in their married life, the transformation in their relationship and how they tackle these changes."

Adding that, "Farhan Akhtar and Vidya Balan are the two most successful actors of 2011. We are privileged to have them as the stars of SHAADI KE SIDE EFFECTS and that is why I think this film tops our calendar for the coming year. My belief is that SHAADI KE SIDE EFFECTS has the ability to be 2012's most exciting film, wild, wicked and wonderfully, wonderfully entertaining. Mars VS Venus at its best."

While the film has an all new starcast, the director Saket Choudharyand music composer Pritam stay the same. Ironically, this would also be Farhan Akhtar's first romantic-comedy and the actor couldn't be more excited.

Says Farhan "SKSE is a departure from my earlier work as an actor so it promises to be a new experience. Saket has written a funny yet moving story about simple things that everyone can relate to."

Talking about being cast alongside Farhan Akhtar for the first time says Vidya Balan, "It's the first time that Farhan and I will be working together. He's so real that everything about our situation in SKSE would seem believable. SKSE begins where every romcom ends.''

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Flower backs Bell to fill Pietersen void

AFP
Ian Bell was recalled to the England squad on Monday for their upcoming three-match one-day international series against the West Indies.

Warwickshire batsman Bell returns to the limited overs set-up after being left out of England's 4-0 one-day win against Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates in February, having struggled in the preceding Tests.

However, with Kevin Pietersen having retired from one-day internationals last week, England have a vacancy at the top of the order that Bell, who made an unbeaten 76 in the drawn third Test against the West Indies concluded at Edgbaston on Monday, is set to fill alongside one-day skipper Alastair Cook.

The 30-year-old Bell averages just over 34 in 108 one-day internationals and has scored just the one hundred.

However, England coach Andy Flower, speaking ahead of Saturday's series opener at Southampton, said: "It is safe to assume he (Bell) will open.

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India to hold presidential election in July

BBC NEWS
Elections for India's 13th president will be held on 19 July, the country's electoral authorities have announced.

Presidential candidates have a deadline of 30 June by which to file their nominations, and the results will be announced on 22 July.

Reports say that Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee is the leading candidate to become the new president.

The winner will replace Pratibha Patil, the first woman to hold India's highest constitutional post.

Indian presidents are elected by an electoral college comprising MPs from the parliament's two houses and lawmakers from state legislators.

Reports suggest that the 77-year-old Mr Mukherjee, a veteran politician from the ruling Congress party, appears to be the front runner to become the new head of state with support from the party's key allies.

The presidency is largely a ceremonial post but with a fragmented electorate often throwing up precariously placed coalition governments, a lot depends on a president's judgement and impartiality.

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Facebook camera app vs Instagram

Monday, 11 June 2012

Times of India
Facebook's new camera appmakes sharing photos on the social media site a breeze. It's an improvement on posting photos using its main mobile app. But other camera apps such as Instagram and Hipstamatic still reign supreme. Facebook Camera doesn't have the same level of addictiveness or the range of tools for sprucing up images. Many people were perplexed when Facebook released its own camera app late last month, just weeks after snapping up the popular Instagram photo-sharing app for $1 billion. The two apps, both free, have some similar features. Both have a scrollable feed of photos posted by your friends and other people you choose to follow. They also have a set of tools, or filters, which let you adjust contrast, color and other attributes. But they are different enough that Facebook's camera app is more of a complement to the main Facebook app than a challenge to Instagram. Facebook's camera app is only available for Appledevices, while Instagram recently came out with a version that works on Android phones and tablet computers. The app is easy to use with intuitive taps and swipes. When you open it, you see a scroll of your friend's photos - the ones you would see if you clicked the photo tab in the Facebook app or on Facebook's website for regular computers. Tap on a photo to see a larger version, optimized on your phone. Above that is a bar that shows you the most recent pictures in your device's camera library - all the photos you have stored on the iPhone or iPad. You can swipe down the feed of your friends' Facebook photos to see more of your own pictures, which you can then choose to post on Facebook. You can comment, tag and 'like' photos, just as you can with the main app or website. You simply tap icons that hover over the photos. Change your mind? Just swipe away the comment box, and it disappears. It is kind of a shock to suddenly see your whole photo library within a Facebook app. Before I got comfortable with the navigation, I was slightly paranoid I would accidently post a photo on Facebook without meaning to. But once I got used to the easy navigation within the app, that was less of a worry. Once you select a photo from your library (or take one within the app by tapping the camera icon), Facebook Camera gives you much better editing options than the main site or app. You can crop the photo to any dimension, or straighten it slightly - something I almost always need to do. You can tweak images with 14 filters that have such names as "Cool" "Light" and "Rouge." For people used to the dramatic filters of Instagram and the wacky lenses and film-like options of Hipstamatic, the filters on the Facebook Camera are underwhelming. They didn't make a dramatic difference on photos I used them on, and I doubt I would use them before using Facebook Camera to post a photo. For those who like a lot of editing control, Facebook Camera lacks the full-featured photo-adjustment capabilities available in PhotoToaster or Snapseed (which is usually $4.99 in the app store but is free until Friday, so snap it up!). But I was pleased with the ease with which I could post photos to Facebook with its camera app. I will probably use it whenever I post a photo to the site now. Unlike the regular app, Facebook Camera makes posting multiple photos easy as well, although there's no ability to create albums on Facebook without going to the main site. Still, it's not going to replace Instagram for me. I follow an assortment of people on Instagram based solely on the quality of their photos, ranging from gorgeous landscapes to gritty street scenes. I'm always excited to check out new pics. I friend people on Facebook for different reasons - and it's not because of the quality of their photos. As a result, the stream on the Facebook Camera app has a random feel. It also has a bit of a dilutive quality when I check the main Facebook app at work (ahem, not that I ever do that) or at home. Since I've already seen most of the photos, the main Facebook news stream feels less "new." So think of Facebook Camera less as competition for other camera apps, and more of a complement - like Facebook's other standalone apps, for messaging and for managing business brand pages - to the main Facebook site.

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Priyanka Chopra: Prabhu Dheva's choreography is killing me!

Sunday, 10 June 2012

By Glamsham Editorial

Bollywood diva Priyanka Chopra, whose upcoming film TERI MERI KAHAANI is nearing its release, is all gearing up for her performance at the IIFA Awards.

Meanwhile, Priyanka is also busy shooting for the Anurag Basu's film BARFI!

PC tweeted on the social networking portal, "Heading to shootBARFEE and then IIFA rehearsals..prabhu dheva choreographing and is killing me!!Man! What an incredible talent! Woke up tired!!!"

Get going Piggy Chops! We are sure you'll set the stage on fire like always!

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Veena Malik supports homosexuality

Saturday, 9 June 2012

By Glamsham Editorial

Bollywood starlet Veena Malik has taken initiative to support homosexuality and same sex marriage and she says that it should not be considered as a social taboo.

Says Veena, "I am openly supporting the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) community and I don't feel shy about doing it."

I personally feel every person has a right to live life on their own terms and nobody should interfere in their personal life," she further added.

Malik will make her Bollywood debut with DAAL MEIN KUCH KAALA HAI, which is slated to release on 29th June, 2012.

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Malinga named event ambassador for ICC World Twenty20 in Sri Lanka

Dubai, June 8 (ANI): The International Cricket Council (ICC) has chosen Sri Lanka's star Lasith Malinga, as the official Event Ambassador for the ICC World Twenty 20 Sri Lanka 2012. The cricketing icon is renowned and admired for his unique cricketing style and vibrancy and is one of the world's best Twenty20 players.

Malinga, was selected as the Event Ambassador in recognition of his skills as a role model both on and off the field of play. His 'explosive bowling action' propelled Lasith to global fame and his distinct, stylish and colourful personality is synonymous with the intensity of T20 cricket.

Haroon Lorgat, the ICC Chief Executive commenting on the event's new ambassador said, "It is wonderful to have Lasith Malinga as the tournament ambassador for the ICC World Twenty20 to be held in Sri Lanka. Lasith is a special player and one of the most recognisable cricketers in the world. Whenever he runs in to bowl with his distinctive action there is a thrill in the game. I am sure he will add to the buzz that has already surfaced and crowds will flock to see players like Lasith represent their country in the ICC World Twenty20."

Malinga will be the 'face' of the ICC World Twenty20 Sri Lanka 2012 advertising campaign in the host nation and will promote the event globally.

Malinga commenting on his new role said, "I am honoured to play a part in the first ICC World Twenty20 tournament to be hosted in Asia. As an ambassador, I hope to take the T20 message to all communities and passionate fans across the world. I sincerely thank the ICC for giving Sri Lanka the opportunity to host an event of this magnitude and I invite all cricket fans to show their support and unite in the spirit of the game." (ANI)

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New MP Tendulkar allotted free Delhi house

New Delhi, June 8, 2012 (AFP) - Indian cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar has been offered a free five-bedroom house in the centre of New Delhi as a perk of his new post as a member of parliament, reports said Friday.

Tendulkar, already a multi-millionaire due to his sporting success and lucrative sponsorship deals, was sworn into the upper house earlier this week, claiming a seat reserved for distinguished figures in Indian public life.

He has been offered a colonial-era bungalow with large lawns on one of the smartest streets in the capital, the Press Trust of India agency reported, adding he would be provided with 24-hour security and two escort vehicles.

"He has been allotted (a) bungalow allotted mostly to ministers and senior MPs," an unnamed official told the Times of India on Friday, though he said it was unclear whether Tendulkar would accept the free accommodation. The paper said the house had five bedrooms and would be renovated before the next parliamentary session begins in about one month. Tendulkar, who is worshipped by millions of avid cricket fans across India, is the first active sportsman to be nominated for the upper house. The appointment attracted some criticism from the press and opposition lawmakers who described it as a crass populist move by a struggling government. Tendulkar, 39, no longer plays international Twenty20 cricket but is still one of the world's leading one-day international and Test match players and competed in the recent Indian Premier League (IPL) season. He has previously been careful to steer clear of politics and when he was sworn in on Monday he said that he would continue to concentrate on his playing career. It remains unclear how involved he will become in parliament after his retirement.

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India prisoner strangled by inmates in Pune jail

Friday, 8 June 2012

(BBC NEWS) A prisoner accused of involvement in three militant attacks has been strangled to death by two other inmates in an Indian jail, police said.

Mohammad Qateel Siddiqui was killed in Pune city's Yerwada Jail. He was moved to the prison in May.

Police said Mr Siddiqui was a suspected member of the Indian Mujahideen group which has been blamed for dozens of bomb attacks throughout India.

He was arrested in November for three attacks, including one in Pune city.

He was also accused of involvement in blasts in Delhi and Bangalore.

The two prisoners who reportedly killed Mr Siddiqui have been taken into custody and the authorities have ordered an inquiry.

The United States has put the Indian Mujahideen on its list of foreign terrorist organisations, saying that the group was responsible for dozens of bomb attacks throughout India in the last six years.

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