Ramesh Bhatkar accused in Rape Charges

A leading Marathi actor, Congressman and four others were booked by the Wanowrie police. They have allegedly been named in the rape of a 17-year-old girl.ccording to the Pune police, with whom the girl's mother lodged a complaint Tuesday night, Naidu lured the girl by promising her a break in the movies and raped her at his farmhouse last March. She was taken, it was alleged, to Bhatkar's residence in Kothrud area of Pune in August, where the actor solicited sexual favours.

The girl was let off from the flat after she raised an alarm, the complaint said. Ramesh Bhatkar has been booked under IPC 354, police added.

Wanna Stop Smoking - Here are a few tips to help U Quit

Here a few tips that might Help you to Quit Smoking

• Make a list. Write down why you want to stop smoking.
• Pick a good time to quit. Avoid times when you will be under a lot of stress, especially holidays.
• Throw out all cigarettes, ashtrays and lighters from your home and car.
• Consider changing your daily routine. For example, take a different route to work or school.
• Drink lots of water, eat a balanced diet and get plenty of sleep and avoid alcohol.
• Get support. Tell family, friends and coworkers that you are going to quit. Ask that they not smoke around you or
• leave cigarettes out where you can see them. Maybe even get one of them to quit with you.
• Be aware that you may not quit on the first try. Most smokers need a few practice runs to quit for good. Be patient,........but persistent.
• Be prepared for difficult situations and side effects. Some may experience depression, irritability and headaches.
• Talk with your health care provider. Consider getting help by attending cessation classes and using medications.
• Keep busy! Exercise every day, even if it’s just going for a walk. Make a list of what you are going to do instead of smoke. Do something you enjoy!
  

Some Good Articles on the Net on Tips to Quit Smoking

12 Ways To Quit Smoking- Health- >>
Today renew your pledge to quit smoking...If you have tried to quit smoking and failed before, take comfort in the fact that most smokers fail several times ...>> Indiatimes

Quit Smoking - How to stop smoking
The health benefits when you quit smoking are immediate and substantial. Almost immediately, a person's circulation begins to improve and the level >> Vibranthealthnow.com

Don (Telugu) Movie Review

Oniondosa Reports : Below average,not a film expected from Nagarjuna. Story,screenplay,choreography,music,direction,acting chesina Lawrence majority of the departments lo fail ayyadu.Story is routine.Screenplay is predictable.Style undhi kani substance takkuva.Quantity undhi kani quality ledhu. Asalu comedy ledhu,okka comedian kuda e cinema lo kanipinchadu.

"Don lives up to its expectations. The hard work of the hero, director and the heroine and the entire crew has paid off. This Don is different from expectations and has some refreshing story twists and taking.

On the whole this is a neat and full family entertainer which can be watched with the entire family except for two scenes where Anushka is Sexplosive." >> TeluguPoint

Well, it does come with a glossy package, but the content unfortunately is surely to disappoint even Nagarjuna’s hardcore fans. However, Nagarjuna still makes his fashion statement by wearing pristine white chikan kurta pyjamas. But we would vote for the golden paisley patch on his jeans in Mudde pettu song to be the most copied style, this clubbing season! >> IndiaGlitz

Deepika Padukone and Yuvraj Singh

The heat is on between Deepika and Yuvi! reports HTTabloid - Exerpts:

Now, it can be confirmed . Deepika Padukone and Yuvraj Singh are happening BIG-time. Dhoni and Ranbir are out of the race. Yuvi threw his 26th birthday bash on Wednesday at the Enigma disco in Marriott. Deepika and Yuvraj were stuck like Siamese twins. And when it came to cutting the birthday cake.. Deepika was still glued to our cricketer.

Yuvi fed the first piece of cake to her. Then she fed the first piece of the cake to him. Seems, nothing remains to be disclosed now....


Meanwhile in another news Timesnow.tv reports "Actress Deepika Padukone on Thursday denied the rumours of engagement with Yuvraj Singh, the cricketing hero and a left-handed batsman in the Indian cricket team at an event in Delhi.

While the entire film and cricketing world has been busy speculating the man in tinsel town’s newest queen Deepika Padukone's life, the lady has gone out and clearly stated her single status.

Sania Mirza's Ad. in Mosque evokes protest

Hyderabad, Dec 11 The shooting of a commercial advertisement featuring tennis star Sania Mirza at the historic Mecca Masjid here has sparked a row with the minorities welfare department seeking a report from the mosque officials.

The ad was shot Monday without the permission of the department, which is responsible for the upkeep of the 17th century mosque. The shooting also evoked protest from the Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (MIM), a powerful Muslim political party in the Muslim-majority old city.

MIM and some locals objected to the shooting and Sania Mirza's participation in it.

The advertisers had informed the police about the shooting and Sania's arrival but did not bother to take permission from the minorities welfare department. The police reportedly used mild force twice to disperse locals objecting to the shooting.

The mosque employees said the attitude of some of the members of shooting unit was also objectionable. They were reportedly wearing shoes when they entered the mosque and pushed away a mosque watchman who tried to stop them.

Sheikh Karmeeullah, the district minority welfare officer, Hyderabad, has sought a report from the superintendent and manager of the mosque on the incident.

Khaja Nayeemuddin, superintendent of the mosque, said he had no information about the film shooting. The two-hour shooting was over before the mosque custodians could reach the spot.

The mosque officials pointed out that the shooting of films and commercials was not permitted in the mosque premises.

MIM has protested to the minorities welfare department. "This is an attack on the sanctity of the mosque and it has hurt the religious sentiments of Muslims," said MIM legislator from Charminar Ahmed Pasha Khadri.

He said while Sania was free to act in any commercial, the mosque could not be used for such activities.

The mosque, located in the heart of the city, is a major tourist centre. Tight security is in place at the mosque since the May 18 bomb blast that killed nine people. Muslims constitute 40 percent of the city's seven million population.

Kingfisher Calendar 2008 is out

MUMBAI: The Sixth edition of the award winning 'Kingfisher Swimsuit Special' (2008) was unveiled by Bollywood actor John Abraham along with UB Ltd Chairman Dr Vijay Mallya amidst a host of celebrities from the world of fashion, business and celluloid here on Sunday. Shot by ace photographer Atul Kasbekar, the calendar features seven models.

This year's swimsuit special has some of the finest and most luxurious brands in the world including La Perla swimwear from their special 'India inspired line', shoes by Jimmy Choo, sunglasses by Roberto Cavalli, watches by Watches of Switzerland and accessories by Christian Dior.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Mallya said this year's calendar has been shot against splendid landscapes in India. With locales ranging from mysterious land of Ladakh to the emerald isles of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, from the magnificient palaces of Udaipur to the sandy beaches of Goa, the calendar 0encapsulates the ethereal Indian beauty.>> More

Fried food may increase cancer risk in women

London, Dec 4 Consumption of fried, grilled or roasted food may double the chances of women getting cancer, a study by Dutch researchers has found.

The study found that women who ate more acrylamide - a chemical produced when the food if fried, grilled or roasted - appeared to be more at risk of cancer, reports the online edition of BBC News.

The experts added that other factors could also be to blame but advised people to avoid overcooking when baking, frying or toasting carbohydrate-rich foods.

The scientists said those who ate 40 micrograms of acrylamide a day - equivalent to half a pack of biscuits, a portion of chips, or a single packet of crisps - were twice as likely to fall prey to cancer as compared with those who ate much less acrylamide. source IANS

One Laptop per Child date extended upto Dec. 31

One Laptop per Child Give One Get One Program extended to Dec. 31

One Laptop per Child (OLPC), a non-profit organization dedicated to providing every child in the world access to new channels of learning, sharing and self-expression, is extending its recently launched Give One Get One program beyond the initial two-week limited time offer through December 31, 2007, in the USA and Canada. The extended period gives people more time to participate in this unique giving program and support the mission of One Laptop per Child.

On November 12, OLPC launched the Give One Get One program for individuals in the USA and Canada to support the OLPC Foundation by paying US$399 for two XO children’s laptops – the buyer gets one laptop and the other is given to a child in the developing world. The donated laptops will go to children in such countries as Afghanistan, Cambodia, Haiti, Mongolia and Rwanda.

“In the past 10 days, we’ve experienced an outpouring of support from the public that is truly gratifying and encouraging,” said Nicholas Negroponte, founder and chairman of One Laptop per Child. “Because so many people have asked for more time to participate either individually or in order to organize local and national groups to which they belong, we have decided to extend Give One Get One through the end of this year. During this extended period we will solicit input and transition to a program of giving only at the beginning of 2008. We want as many people as possible to have the opportunity to act upon the giving spirit of the holiday season.”

$200 of the Give One Get One contribution is tax deductible as a charitable donation. Give One Get One donors also get access to one year of complimentary T-Mobile HotSpot Wi-Fi access, which is available at more than 8,500 locations throughout the United States.

In addition, XO laptops can be purchased for educational purposes and in quantities of 100-999 at $299 each, 1000-9999 at $249 each, and 10,000 and up at $199 each.

To date, donations to the Give One Get One program have averaged US$2 million per day.

To learn more and participate in the Give One Get One program, go now to http://www.laptopgiving.org or call 1-877-70-LAPTOP (1-877-705-2786).

About One Laptop per Child

One Laptop per Child (OLPC at http://www.laptop.org) is a non-profit organization created by Nicholas Negroponte and others from the MIT Media Lab to design, manufacture and distribute laptop computers that are sufficiently inexpensive to provide every child in the world access to knowledge and modern forms of education. The XO laptops are rugged, open source, and so energy efficient that they can be powered by a child manually. Mesh networking will give many machines Internet access from one connection. The pricing goal is $100.

Source : PR-USA.net

One Laptop per Child - Recent Head Lines

Orders to One Laptop surge (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)
Despite slower-than-expected sales and tough competition from commercial rivals, the One Laptop Per Child Foundation is enjoying a surge of new orders.

Nigerian keyboard firm sues One Laptop per Child (The Register)
No hugs and kisses for XO Laptop The One Laptop Per Child foundation is being sued over its XO laptop keyboard design by the Nigerian-owned, Massachusetts-based firm, Lagos Analysis Corp.…


One Laptop Per Child facing Patent Lawsuit (Addict 3D)
One Laptop Per Child facing Patent LawsuitOne Laptop Per Child (OLPC) Association has been sued by a company based in Massachusetts which is claiming that their Laptop is infringing on their patented technology.Lagos Analysis Corp.

One Laptop Per Child orders surge (Boston Globe)
Despite slower-than-expected sales and tough competition from commercial rivals, the One Laptop Per Child Foundation of Cambridge is enjoying a surge of new orders.

BCCI's IPL creates furor in Cricket Australia

AUSTRALIAN cricket is on the verge of the game's biggest split since Kerry Packer launched World Series Cricket 30 years ago.

Cricket Australia (CA) has responded angrily to 11 of the nation's top players - including captain Ricky Ponting, Brett Lee and Adam Gilchrist - signing a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to play in the Indian Premier League's Twenty20 tournament in April and May. A letter signed by chief executive James Sutherland warned the players that he will not grant consent for them to play in the ICC-sanctioned competition. He also claims that they signed the agreement without consulting their employer, Cricket Australia. >>> Read Complete news

In another news by Sydney Morning Herald, Adam Gilchrist insists Australia's cricketers are not trying to be "rebels" and will toe the company line when it comes to playing in the Indian Premier League.

The Test vice-captain confirmed today he was one of about a dozen top-level players to receive a letter from Cricket Australia chief executive James Sutherland warning them against playing in next year's lucrative IPL Twenty20 tournament without CA's consent.

Gilchrist denied he or any other player was trying to bend the rules of their CA contract by signing a memorandum of understanding with the IPL, and insisted any such tournament would always come second to playing international cricket. Read complete news

Source: Sydney Morning Herald

Jessica Sierra arrested - Jailed again

Former "American Idol" finalist Jessica Sierra was arrested in Tampa today after a drunken confrontation with police and onlookers.

Recent Head lines on "Jessica Sierra"

Detienen a Jessica Sierra, ex finalista de American Idol (El Paso Times) TAMPA, Florida, EE.UU.—Jessica Sierra, ex finalista del programa televisivo de concurso American Idol, fue encarcelada el sábado en la mañana después de enfrentarse ebria con policías y peatones, dijeron las autoridades.

Not Celebrity Relapse? Sin... (Akron Beacon Journal) Not Celebrity Relapse? Singer Jessica Sierra, who was one of the finalists on American Idol the year that Carrie Underwood won, is among the participants in Celebrity Rehab, a VH1 show depicting various semi-stars undergoing detox and treatment.

Former Idol finalist jailed after dispute with police (Sun-Sentinel) Former American Idol finalist Jessica Sierra was jailed early Saturday and held without bond after a drunken confrontation with police and onlookers, Tampa police reported.

Former American Idol finalist Jessica Sierra jailed in Tampa, Fla. (Canadian Press via Yahoo! News) TAMPA, Fla. - Former "American Idol" finalist Jessica Sierra was jailed early Saturday after a drunken confrontation with police and onlookers, authorities said.

TAMPA, Fla. - Former "American Idol" finalist Jessica Sierra was jailed early Saturday after a drunken confrontation ... (WIBW-TV Topeka) The arrest comes less than two weeks after she pleaded no contest to charges of battery and possession of cocaine. Sierra, 22, was charged Saturday with disorderly intoxication, resisting arrest and violating conditions of her parole on earlier felony battery and possession charges.

Former American Idol finalist Jessica Sierra jailed (WINK TV Southwest Florida) 'American Idol' Finalist Jessica Sierra Jailed Again (Gay Wired) By L. A. Vess Former top-10 American Idol finalist Jessica Sierra is back in jail again this weekend after another run in with police. The 22-year-old was arrested on Saturday on charges of disorderly intoxication, resisting arrest and violating her parole.

Kirsten joining India team for last two Tests in Australia

Melbourne, Dec 1 India's new cricket coach Gary Kirsten will be effectively taking over the job from March though he will lead the Indians to Australia later this month.

He, however, will leave them for the first two Tests owing to existing commitments in South Africa before rejoining the team for the final two Tests. India's interim coach, Lalchand Rajput, is tipped to coach the side in Kirsten's absence on the tour of Australia.

Speaking to the Australian daily The Age, the former South African opening batsman said he did not want to impose his ideas on the team and would like to help the players on the tour Down Under. "The last thing you want to do is come in and be a distraction, but I have spoken to Indian captain Anil Kumble about my situation, and he is comfortable with me joining the tour again later," Kirsten said. "I will not be coming in and imposing my ideas on them. That would be wrong. Instead, I will try and blend in and help any way I can.

Kirsten explained that he could not have taken up the job straightaway because of his commitments as the Indian cricket board approached him quite late. "The reality is that I was approached quite late by the Indian board, and in accepting the job, I told them that I had commitments over Christmas and New Year. But it looks like we are close to resolving that issue now, and I will join the team for the last two Tests."

On the surface, Kirsten seems an unusual appointment for the Indians. With no head-coaching experience at any level, but with a two-year stint as Cricket South Africa's high-performance-manager, he is still confident of making a positive impact in what is widely regarded as one of the most high-pressure jobs in international sport. "I take plenty of confidence from the fact they approached me, and obviously believe in what I can bring to the team," he said.

"Over time, I will look to put some new ideas to the players, but I will not be doing that midway through the tour of Australia. "It will be a transition period. There might be a bit of media around me leaving, but after speaking with Anil, we don't think it will be a distraction." The Indians will also feature a relatively new captain in Kumble, who is making his leadership debut in the current series against Pakistan.

With inputs from Sify.com

ICL Cricket starts with Big Bang

Cricket in India had new live action to choose from as the first Twenty20 Indian championship organised by the rebel Indian Cricket League (ICL) got underway in Panchkula on Friday in a carnival-like atmosphere at the Tau Devi Lal sports complex cricket stadium, 15 kms from Chandigarh.

Local team Chandigarh Lions led by former New Zealander Chris Cairns took on the Delhi Jets led by former Sri Lankan skipper Marvan Atapattu in the opening match of the championship in Panchkula. Chandigarh Lions clinch ICL opener. Daryl Tuffey claimed three wickets and Andrew Hall two, apart from bowling a tight final over to kick off the Indian Cricket League in Panchkula. In a match where Indian cricketers matched their skills with international ones, the 'home team', Chandigarh Lions prevailed over Delhi Jets by eight runs.

The inaugural ceremony and the match was a star-studded affair with not only the 30-odd international stars - including the likes of Brian Lara and Inzamam-ul-Haq - but also Bollywood star Kareena Kapoor leading the glamour brigade and railways minister Lalu Prasad Yadav and Essel group chairman, the promoter company of ICL, Subhash Chandra, ICL executive board chairman Kapil Dev and Haryana chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda adding to the list of VIPs present on the occasion.

While Kareena set the specially erected stage on fire with her performance on a few popular Bollywood numbers, other fireworks lit up the sky as the championship started.

A capacity crowd of nearly 7,000 filled up the newly erected stands on the occasion and cheered almost everything.

An excited Kapil could not hide his happiness as the event started.

"I am happy and excited the way our hard work has borne fruit. We have come this far because we believe in what we have set out for - to change the face of domestic cricket in India," Kapil said.

ICL has announced the highest ever prize money for any domestic championship - a total of $ 4 million - with the winner of the six team event alone pocketing $ 1 million (Rs 39 million).

Davis Cup Finals - US one up as Roddick Wins

Nov. 30 - United States now has a 1-0 lead over Russia in the Davis Cup tennis finals. Andy Roddick got the United States off to a fast start in the Davis Cup final, beating Russia's Dmitry Tursunov 6-4, 6-4, 6-2 in the first match Friday.

Roddick, ranked No. 6 by the ATP, improved to 6-0 in Davis Cup play this year. Roddick took the first set after he hit an 235 kph (146 mph) serve that No. 34 Tursunov returned long, ending a game that went to deuce four times. Roddick let out a growl after holding serve, and the U.S. fans went wild.

Both Davis Cup teams include the same players from the semifinals, when the United States beat Sweden 4-1 and Russia defeated Germany 3-2.

Source : Sports.aol.com

Aaja Nachle Movie Review

Aaja Nachle Review - Top Stories on the Net

View Aaja Nachle Movie Stills (Glamsham.com) How do you describe AAJA NACHLE? Good, bad, average?? It i s a difficult task. But there is that little extra something that has worked in the favour of this Anil Mehta directed, Yash Raj film. And that extra something happens to be Madhuri Dixit. Take off Madhuri and this movie falls flat.

First Verdict: Madhuri Dixit sizzles her way back (IBN live) With Aaja Nachle Madhuri proves a point that she never really 'left'.

View Aaja Nachle Movie Stills (Glamsham.com) After nearly a decade, an unexpected phone call shakes Dia (Madhuri Dixit) out of her dance rehearsal in New York. Makarand (Darshan Zariwala), her teacher, her guru, is dying and she must return to Shamli town. The town where she grew up, the town where she learnt to live and to dance.

ICL Cricket Leauge - Big Money for Crickters

The ICL top brass finally disclosed Thursday they were spending up to $25 million for the inaugural Twenty20 championship to be played between six teams.

Bosses of the rebel Indian Cricket League (ICL) are unwilling to disclose how much they are paying the big names of international cricket -- the likes of Brian Lara and Inzamam-ul-Haq -- despite their boast that the new body would be absolutely transparent.

"I cannot give you the break up of this," said Himanshu Modi, CEO of Zee Sports, a TV channel of Essel group -- the promoter of ICL. Before that, Essel group's executive vice president Ashish Kaul had refused to share the budget of the event, particularly the moolah offered to top players.

The ICL has announced total prize money of $4 million (Rs.150 million), with the winner's purse being $1 million (Rs.39 mn). while the runners-up will be richer by 1.9 crore. The remaining four teams will walk away with Rs 1.5 crore, Rs 1.25 crore, Rs 1 crore and Rs 85 lakh.

Who is Vanisha Mittal ?

Vanisha Mittal is Daughter of Indian-born, London-based steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal, Forbes estimates his net worth at $51 billion. Like her brother, Vanisha is active in her father's industrial empire, holding a seat on Mittal Steel's