BJP to move EC over Gogoi’s admission of tea industry poll funds

GUWAHATI - The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Thursday threatened to move the Election Commission against Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi for his admission that he had taken money from the tea industry for the Congress party’s election campaign.

Artists up in arms over cultural policing

BANGALORE - A regional language film director, whose plans to install a statue of famous comedian Charlie Chaplin ran into a controversy, received permission to hold a protest rally against cultural policing.

McCain laughs off daughter’s claim his campaign ruined her love life

WASHINGTON - John McCain has laughed off daughter Meghan’s claim that his presidential campaign has taken a toll on her love life.

US border guards pepper-spray Canadian visitor

TORONTO - Though rude treatment of visitors at American airports and borders has become the norm since 9/11, it crossed all limits Monday when US border guards pepper-sprayed a Canadian man.

Young politicians should be promoted, says Kunal Kapoor

CHANDIGARH - Strongly advocating the need for youth power in Indian politics, Bollywood actor Kunal Kapoor Thursday appealed to youth to act as a positive catalyst in the political system of our country.

Sutil enjoys extended run for Force India

JEREZ - With cold and windy conditions prevailing, Adrian Sutil of Force India managed 79 laps with a best of one minute, 21.411 seconds as the official test session concluded here.

CPI-M expels West Bengal MP for ‘anti-party activities’

KOLKATA - West Bengal’s ruling Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) Thursday expelled its Lok Sabha MP from Katwa, Abu Ayesh Mondal, for alleged anti-party activities amid speculation that he may contest the coming Lok Sabha elections as a Trinamool Congress candidate.

Gabriel Batistuta switches to polo

BUENOS AIRES - Retired Argentina football striker Gabrial Batistuta has now switched sports and made his formal debut as a polo player alongside his friend and compatriot Adolfo Cambiaso.

Dalmiya condemns attack on Sri Lankan cricketers

KOLKATA - Former International Cricket Council (ICC) president Jagmohan Dalmiya Tuesday night condemned the terrorist attack on the Sri Lankan players in Pakistan and hoped the authorities in the sub-continent would take measures so that the sport was not affected.

Pakistan put to shame by terrorists, say former captains

LAHORE - Former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram has said the terror-attack on Sri Lankan cricketers here Tuesday has made the hosting of the 2011 World Cup a distant dream for the country, thus echoing the sentiments of other former captains.

Somnath says adieu with some sadness, and lots of humour

NEW DELHI - There was humour but also the realisation that it was the beginning of a long walk out of an eventful political life spanning about four decades. As Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee bade adieu to politics on the last day of the 14th Lok Sabha Thursday, the trace of sadness was evident in the banter.

If needed, I am willing to quit: Subhiksha chief

CHENNAI - R. Subramanian, managing director of the troubled retail chain Subhiksha, Wednesday said he was ready to quit if it would help in reviving the company.

Schumacher escapes motorbike crash with minor injuries

LONDON - Former Formula One world champion Michael Schumacher escaped a motorbike accident with minor injuries in Spain.

Rajasthan Royals needed the glamour quotient: Shilpa Shetty (Interview)

MUMBAI - In the headlines for buying stakes in the Indian Premier League (IPL) team Rajasthan Royals with boyfriend Raj Kundra, Shilpa Shetty admits candidly that she has joined in to add glamour to the team and not because of her business acumen.

India has replied to Pakistan’s queries on Mumbai dossier: NSA

NEW DELHI - Pakistan has raised two sets of queries on the Mumbai attacks dossier and these have been addressed, National Security Advisor (NSA) M.K. Narayanan has said.

ICC reverses Oval Test decision, awards it to England

DUBAI - The International Cricket Council (ICC) has reversed its decision on controversial Oval Test between England and Pakistan from a draw to an England win.

Kerala’s ruling Left front meet skips discussion on Lavalin scam

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM - A liaison committee meeting of Kerala’s ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) held here Saturday skipped discussion on charges against Pinarayi Vijayan of the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) in a 12-year-old graft case involving Canadian company SNC Lavalin.

Bangaloreans appalled at Mangalore pub attack, but not scared

BANGALORE - India’s IT hub Bangalore that started the pub culture in the country is appalled at Saturday’s attack on women in a pub in Mangalore, but this city’s young regular pub hoppers say they are not afraid of amking rounds of their favourite hangouts.

President calls for strong international action against terrorism

NEW DELHI - President Pratibha Patil Sunday said India was located in a region that harboured the epicentre of terrorism, and appealed to the international community to take decisive and united action against the scourge.

Freedom fighters in Chandigarh spurn Republic Day invite

CHANDIGARH - Freedom fighters living in the union territory of Chandigarh have returned the administration’s invitation for the Republic Day function to protest its indifferent attitude to their grievances.

IPL tribunal reserves verdict after hearing Asif’s dope case

MUMBAI - Indian Premier League’s (IPL) drug tribunal Saturday completed a marathon hearing into Pakistan’s tainted fast bowler Mohammad Asif’s appeal against doping and decided to reserve its verdict.

Suspended CPI-M MP to join Territorial Army

KOZHIKODE - Suspended Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) Lok Sabha member A.P. Abdulla Kutty is all set to join the Territorial Army (TA).

All artists must have copyrights on their works: fake-hit Raza (Interview)

NEW DELHI - Syed Haider Raza, the master of Indian contemporary art, was deeply disappointed to find fake paintings being displayed at an exhibition of his early works in one of the capital’s oldest galleries. To prevent this, he feels all artists must have copyrights on their works. Raza has filed a case.

Mumbaikars pour out in droves for Marathon 2009

MUMBAI - It was a mild winter morning which attracted thousands - participants and cheering crowds - at various locations in south, central and western Mumbai for the VIth Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon 2009.

Soren quits as chief minister, wants nominee as successor

RANCHI - Jharkhand Chief Minister Shibu Soren resigned Monday following his defeat in the Tamar assembly by-election he needed to win to stay in the post and said his party would press for fresh elections if his nominee was not appointed in his place. The ally Congress, however, hoped the crisis would be over soon.

Australian Open boss confident on Sharapova’s appearance

SYDNEY - Australian Open tennis tournament director Craig Tiley is confident that defending champion Maria Sharapova of Russia will play this year.

Thought of working with Aamir makes Mona Singh nervous

NEW DELHI - Indian television’s ‘Ugly Betty’ Mona Singh, who is set to make her big screen debut with Aamir Khan-starrer ‘Three Idiots’, says she is excited but also nervous about working with the superstar.

India experience thrills NRI students from Gulf

AHMEDABAD - India was the stuff of his dreams, pieced together from TV, books and family stories. So 14-year-old Talak Lad was thrilled to actually visit his country of origin for a sports meet along with other students from 20 Gulf schools.