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  • Miley Cyrus' Bangerz Tour Gets NBC Special

    Prepare for Miley Cyrus to invade your living room: NBC announced the pop star’s "Bangerz" tour will be featured in a two-hour special to air on July 6th.

    Cyrus relayed the good news on Facebook yesterday. "Smilers! NBC is bringing #BANGERZTour straight to your living room!," she wrote. "Catch the 2-hour behind the scenes concert special on July 6 at 9pm/8pm CT!" 

    Stocked with behind-the-scenes footage and performances from her upcoming shows in Spain and Portgual, Cyrus’ NBC special should be an interesting test in network editing. The "Bangerz" tour has been a notoriously risqué affair, with the singer's raunchy performance including the riding of an inflatable penis.

    Music programming remains a hot commodity for TV networks: HBO recently announced a 10-part miniseries featuring highlights from Beyoncé’s Mrs. Carter World Tour. Dubbed "Beyoncé: X10," a series of four-minute concert segments from the tour with air every Sunday evening ahead of the final season of True Blood.

    Cyrus stayed busy while on the road for her "Bangerz" tour. After performing together onstage in Los Angeles, Cyrus and the Flaming Lips hit the studio to record what Lips’ frontman Wayne Coyne calls "completely weird" versions of the Beatles' "Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds" and "A Day in the Life."

    The "We Can't Stop" singer says she hopes to write music with the Lips for her next album. "On my last record, everything we did was with computers," she told Rolling Stone. "But they're real musicians – they can change keys on a whim. I've never seen anything like it. They've had me on this journey that's greater than anything I've been on. It's really deep."

    Zendaya No Longer Playing Aaliyah In Lifetime Biopic

    Zendaya will no longer play Aaliyah in the Lifetime biopic about the late R&B singer. The 17-year-old Disney star backed out of the project and a rep confirmed that she is "no longer involved" with the film.

    Zendaya was cast only two weeks ago and filming was scheduled to start this summer, with a fall release date. She was originally set to record four of Aaliyah's songs for the film. The biopic is tentatively titled "Aaliyah: Princess of R&B," and is set to trace Aaliyah's career from her debut on "Star Search" to her tragic death in 2001. She was killed in a plane crash at age 22.

    The network's PR department released a statement on Twitter and said that production is "on hold."

    The late singer's family has been vocal about their opposition to the biopic and said that they would make it hard for Lifetime to use recordings. "Because we control the masters, the rights and some images of the musical elements that we put together like the videos, and photo shoots and things that we did, what we can just withhold those elements from the production which we would do," Aaliyah's cousin Jomo Hankerson told The Wrap. But he was clear that they didn't have a problem with Zendaya's casting, just the idea of a made-for-TV movie. “This needs A-list actors, A-list talent that can breathe life into what we think is a phenomenal story," Hankerson told the New York Daily News.

    Rick Ross Arrested After Concert In North Carolina

    Rapper Rick Ross has been released after his arrest following a North Carolina concert.
    Greensboro Police Department spokeswoman Susan Danielsen says that Ross was taken into custody Friday night after the SuperJam concert. She says a court had issued an order for his arrest because he failed to appear in court on a previous misdemeanor marijuana charge.

    The rapper, whose real name is William L. Roberts, was taken into custody after his performance. Danielsen says he was released on $1,000 bond.

    Messages seeking comment weren't immediately returned by a spokesman for Universal Music Group or executives at a booking agency that works with Ross.

    The hip hop artist and MC was detained by police and taken into custody after his performance at the Super Jam concert.

    According to police, he was arrested for failure to appear in court for a previous misdemeanor drug possession charge. He was released on $1000 bond shortly after his arrest.

    Rick Ross, whose real name is William Leonard Roberts II, reportedly took his stage name from infamous – now reformed – Los Angeles cocaine kingpin 'Freeway' Rick Ross, who later sued the rapper for using the name, however the suit was dismissed by the presiding judge.

    Serena shocker puts Sharapova in pole position

    Maria Sharapova has warned her Wimbledon title rivals she is peaking just in time to take advantage of Serena Williams' stunning exit.

    Sharapova, who has yet to drop a set after routing Alison Riske 6-3, 6-0 in the third round, heads into the second week as the newly-installed favourite following Alize Cornet's shock 1-6, 6-3, 6-4 victory over world number one Williams on Saturday.

    Serena's defeat is a huge boost for French Open champion Sharapova, who had been scheduled to meet the American top seed in the quarter-finals.

    That would have been a major obstacle to Sharapova's hopes of winning Wimbledon for the second time as she had lost her previous 15 meetings with Serena.

    But with Williams vanquished by Cornet's brilliant display on Court One, fifth seed Sharapova now has a golden opportunity to lift the Venus Rosewater dish for the first time since 2004, when she famously shocked Serena in the final as a 17-year-old.

    The Russian will face German ninth seed Angelique Kerber on Monday for a place in the quarter-finals and she struck an ominous note for her rivals by admitting she is hitting top form at just the right moment.

    "I'm pleased that I've gone three good matches in. I feel like I improved with every match," Sharapova said.

    "I started the first match a little nervous, which was expected. Once I got through that, I feel like I've elevated my game.

    "I feel like I'm serving better. I didn't face a break point after the first game. Like I said, it's really the footwork, little things, imposing yourself out there."

    It is the first time since 2006 that neither Serena nor sister Venus, beaten by Petra Kvitova on Friday, will be in the Wimbledon fourth round and with the draw also blown wide open with second seed Li Na's defeat on Friday, Sharapova could be forgiven for feeling a sense of deja vu.

    Families of Indians stranded in Iraq to meet External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj again

    Family members of Indians stranded in war-ravaged Iraq have said they will be leaving for the capital New Delhi on Sunday to meet with External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj.

    Speaking to ANI, Gurpinder Kaur, the sister of Manjinder Singh, one of the Indians abducted by Iraqi rebels, said, "We are going to meet the External Affairs Minister. We have not got any information (about our relatives) as yet. We will plead with her to bring back my brother who is stranded in Iraq. This is the second time we are going to meet the External Affairs Minister." She added, "If we do not get a satisfactory response, then, we will sit on protest at Jantar Mantar."

    Referring specifically to the  Indian government's special envoy to Iraq and former envoy to that country Suresh Reddy, Gurpinder asked, " If Suresh Reddy is not getting any success in his mission, then why are they (the Indian Government) not sending someone else?"

    The father of another reported Indian abductee said, " I am going there again. I will plead with them to bring my son back. I think there must be an opportunity in India so that youths do not have to go to work abroad? We want our son back, or else, we will sit on protest at Jantar Mantar." The mother said, " We are going to meet the External Affairs Minister. We are going to meet and try to get information from the minister. We want our son back. We want to know about my son's well being."

    On Saturday, it was confirmed that Sushma Swaraj would be meeting again with the family members of stranded Indian workers in Iraq on Sunday afternoon or Monday morning.

    The families of stranded Indians have said that they far from satisfied with the progress being made by the Indian government in finding their children in Iraq.

    Manjinder Singh is among the 40 Punjabi boys abuducted by Iraqi rebels.

    Gurpinder Kaur said that a Punjab Government official had called her to say that the meeting with Swaraj had been fixed for 3.00 pm on Sunday. She said, "After meeting the minister, we will decide about the "dharna" at the "Jantar Mantar".

    Hira Lal, the brother of Sonu of Chamunda Devi village, said , " After June 15, they have not received any call from Sonu". He said they are praying for the safe return of all Indians and hoping that the government would escalate their efforts to bring back their children safe and sound.

    Once a Militant Stronghold in Iraq, Now a Battleground Again

     At one house, Iraq’s national flag fluttered atop a building that Iraqi soldiers had captured from militants two days before.

    At another, smashed household goods and furniture were scattered on the floor.

    Outside a third, hosting a meeting of Iraqi security force commanders, a captain from Iraq’s national intelligence service pointed to the far side of a murky irrigation canal.

    “Here it is safe now,” he said of Al-Daira. “But over there are more terrorists. That is where we will fight them next.”

    The village of Al-Daira lies about 30 miles south of Baghdad and within sight of Iraq’s main highway, in an area the American military called the Triangle of Death.

    A former militant stronghold, the area is a battleground again. The Qaeda splinter group now known as the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, or ISIS, has resumed a campaign that its predecessors started — and had appeared to lose — before the United States withdrew its troops in 2011.

    The group’s tactics — a hybrid guerrilla-and-terrorist campaign of ambushes, bombings and sniper and mortar attacks, organized by fighters who blend among civilians — show that the militants are much more than a juggernaut, as lately portrayed. They are adaptive and alert to the lessons of Iraq’s insurgent past, and select different tactics for different places and situations.

    While establishing themselves in Anbar, in the west, they methodically resumed the campaign south of Baghdad started by Al Qaeda in Iraq, the Sunni militant group that formed after the American invasion and swore allegiance to Osama bin Laden.

    Chennai Building Collapse: Six Dead, 22 Still Feared Trapped

    Six people died after one of the two towers of a 11-storey under-construction building collapsed near Chennai on Saturday. (See pics)

    The incident occurred at Moulivakkam near Porur, about 20 km from Chennai.

    23 people have been rescued so far and the injured are being admitted to the Ramachandra Medical College and Hospital for treatment. Around 22 people are still feared trapped under the debris of the residential building.

    Chennai police Commissioner S George told NDTV, "The National Disaster Management team is conducting rescue work. Six workers who are trapped have been identified and we are trying to rescue them.The cause for the collapse is not clear but rescue operations will continue through the night."

    Expressing grief over the incident, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa issued a statement saying that the Chennai Police Commissioner and other senior officials are on the spot and tough action would be taken against those responsible.

    Bollywood actress Parineeti flaunts her back in a Pretty Dress Photo

    Bollywood actress Parineeti Chopra made heads turn by flaunting her back in a pretty white dress at an event held recently in Mumbai.  She made it a style statement when she constantly posed for the shutterbugs who were also impressed with her stylish dress.

     It must be noted that Sonam Kapoor who is considered as the fashionista of Bollywood once gave a statement about Parineeti Chopra on a TV show saying that she wears tight clothes. So, now what do you say Sonam?

    Suresh Raina Denies His Love Affair With Shruti Hassan

    Popular Indian cricketer Suresh Raina, who is playing for Chennai Super Kings in latest season of IPL, has denied his love affair with South Indian actress Shruti Hassan. His clarification is coming following the rumours that he is dating the actress. It was reported that Shruti often spotted cheering for CSK and Suresh considered her as a lucky mascot. There was said to be a mature relationship developing between the two.

    Suresh Raina Denies His Love Affair With Shruti Hassan 
    Suresh Raina, who was shocked to read reports about his relationship, took to his Twitter page to clear the rumours. The left-handed batsman and off-spin bowler tweeted, "Too many media reports which no one even tries to confirm. This is to clear once & for all. I'm not dating ANYONE (sic)." However, this is not the first time, he has been linked with someone. He was rumoured to be dating Poorna Patel, Anushka Sharma and Rakhi Sawant in the past.

    Meanwhile, Shruti Hassan has not made any comment on her secret relationship with Suresh Raina. The actress was also linked with actors like Dhanush, Siddharth, Girish Kumar, Rithvik Dhanjani and few others in the past, but none of them has come out true. People in Film Nagar feel that love affair with Suresh Raina must be mere rumour and there is no truth in the reports. Continue to see read more Suresh Raina and Shruti Hassan's Love Affairs.

    Pune will get once a day Water supply from Tomorrow

    To deal with water shortage in the city, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has announced water cuts for Pune. Starting Saturday, Pune will be getting water supply only once a day.

    The city will face 12 per cent water cut from Saturday as the level of water in the four dams which provides water to the city is pretty low. Moreover, there has been no rainfall in the catchment near the dams.

    The announcement was made by Pune mayor Chanchala Kodre on Thursday. She said, "The city gets 1,250 MLD water, but since there is a water shortage, we will be getting only 1,100 MLD water from the irrigation department from Saturday. Considering the acute shortage of water and with no rain, we have decided to supply water only once a day instead of twice a day for the city."
    On Wednesday, the civic administration had held a meeting with irrigation department officials to take a review of the water situation in Khadakwasala, Temghar, Warasgaon and Panshet dams. The announcement of water cut was
    made after party leaders in PMC held a meeting on Thursday.

    Kodre said, "At present, 1.93 TMC water is available for the city compared to 5 TMC water that was there around this time last year. Since there is no rain, there will be 12 per cent water cut in the city. Considering the present water level and the imposed cut, the available water will fulfill the need of the city till August 15."
    Pune city is divided in 76 wards. Out of these, 34 wards get water twice a day.
    But now, all these wards will also be getting water only once a day from Saturday. The areas which get water from Parvati, Warje, Wadgaon pumping stations will face 20 per cent water cut.

    The PMC administration is keeping a close eye on the India Meteorological Department (IMD) for their forecast regarding rain. "IMD experts have predicted that there is a possibility of good rains from second week of July and till that time we will be taking a review of the water situation," Kodre said.

    The administration has claimed that it will be taking help of women self-help groups and school students to create awareness about water conservation. The civic administration has also made it clear that they will be keeping an eye on the private contractors who supply water to various areas by tankers.

    Only films with ‘good story’ appeal to me, says Kareena

     Bollywood actress Kareena Kapoor says in the past she has done a lot of films for the sake of friendship, but now, only a film with a “good story” will appeal to her.

    “I have done a lot of films for friends. Now I want to do films for story. I don’t regret having done films for friends and for me it’s never a mistake. I am like that — I always think from the heart, so it’s fine,” Kareena said.

    The actress, who has been part of commercial films like “Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham....”, “3 Idiots”, “Bodyguard” and “RA.One”, has also done offbeat roles in films like “Chameli” and “Talaash”.

    “I did ‘Chameli’ and ‘Dev’ because I needed to balance myself. I come from a family where I needed to prove myself. I was 21 when I played a sex worker in ‘Chameli’ and I played it again in ‘Talaash’...both have been great films of my career,” she added.

    Now that Kareena is to be seen in a commercial film such as “Singham Returns”, is she open to the idea of taking up an offbeat movie at this point of time in her career? “I will but I won’t do it just for the sake of it. I did ‘Dev’, ‘Chameli’ and ‘Omkara’ when I was the most successful commercial actress. At this stage, I will not do a film just for the heck of it, because I have done that,” Kareena said. “I don’t have to prove anything now. The script has to be good.”

    Anne Hathaway Dons Wig While Shooting Upcoming Film 'The Intern'

    The Academy Award-winning actress, who has sported a notable pixie cut since her turn as Fantine in the 2012 movie-musical "Les Miserables," was seen donning a shoulder-length wig on Tuesday, June 24, while filming a scene for her upcoming role in "The Intern."

    The 31-year-old kept it classy in a black and white ensemble, as she knelt to talk to her adorable onscreen daughter.

    The film is the latest from "It's Complicated" director Nancy Meyers, and stars Hathaway as a fashion professional who hires an older gentleman, played by Robert De Niro, to work as her intern. Hathaway was cast in the role after scheduling conflicts forced Reese Witherspoon to drop out earlier this year.

    Hathaway was last seen with her short 'do while leaving her home in Brooklyn on June 18:

    Ben Savage Looks Back On Cory's First Kiss With Topanga

    When Topanga Lawrence kissed Cory Matthews in the fourth episode of "Boy Meets World," it was a huge moment for both characters: their first kiss. Ben Savage, who played Matthews on the iconic '90s sitcom, joined HuffPost Live to reminisce about that smooch.

    When asked by host Caitlyn Becker if that kiss was his first, on- or off-set, Savaged hedged.

    "When you're little, I think people forget that you have little pecks with girls," he explained. "I'll say this, it was my first official kiss on a TV show in front of millions of people."

    The actor added that he was nervous during that scene. "On our show, we tape it in front of a live audience and there's hundreds of people watching. So it's a lot of pressure for a little kid. It's still a lot of pressure."

    Pressed by Becker to discuss his first kiss, Savage admitted, "I'm sure it was my first official kiss, I guess. I don't remember--it's been a long time."

    He also discussed his return to TV. Savage will reprise the role of Cory Matthews on the "Boy Meets World's" new sequel "Girl Meets World."

    'The Walking Dead': Norman Reedus promises a 'badass' season 5

    The Walking Dead is well into filming on season 5 of the apocalyptic zombie drama, so we figured it was time to check in and see how things were going down on the Georgia set. We dialed up our main man Norman Reedus to get a feel for the vibe down there, and Reedus is definitely pumped about what has transpired so far. “These scripts are the best scripts so far, and I’m really just excited to be back at it,” says the man who plays Daryl Dixon. “There are a lot of characters right now, so there are a lot of really different personalities on set. And it’s super interesting, everyone’s really bringing it. It’s going great. It’s so dynamic because it’s so fast-paced and so complicated. It’s great to be back.”

    We asked Reedus about the reemergence of kick-ass-and-take-names Rick Grimes (after a prolonged visit from Super Duper Mopey Rick Grimes) and Reedus says that new attitude extends well beyond the former sheriff’s deputy. “Everybody on the whole team is so badass right now,” says Reedus. “It’s interesting, because a lot of personalities are clashing, or characters’ personalities are clashing. But yeah, we definitely have Rick back.”

    Characters clashing? Who could that be? Lovers quarrel between Glenn and Maggie? Mullet quarrel between Abraham and Eugene? You-killed-my-girlfriend-and-then-burned-her-dead-body quarrel between Tyreese and Carol? We’ll have to wait to find out. But one thing we do know is that the show is actually enjoying a rare form of much-needed stability at the top spot, with Scott M. Gimple now enjoying his second full season as showrunner (after taking over for Glen Mazzara who took over for Frank Darabont). “Yeah, it’s great,” says Reedus of Gimple’s return. “Scott, he’s so good at his job, and he’s such a great storyteller and such a good writer. He has this thing planned out to the end, I think. He’s definitely very qualified for the job. I never felt like we weren’t stable, though. I feel like we’re as stable as we ever were, just we have the confidence that we have this team back. It’s such a well-oiled machine right now. It’s great, and everyone feels super confident.”

    Selena Gomez Is 'Brave' In A Teeny Orange Bikini

    Selena Gomez posted a photo to her Instagram account June 23 along with the caption "soy valiente," which is Spanish for "I'm brave." Here, the act of bravery appears to be Selena taking a selfie in a teeny orange bikini top, long french braids and a pair of circular sunnies:

    The 21-year-old has a tendency to upload cute bikini photos juxtaposed with perplexing, introspective captions. Just last month, Gomez shared a photo of herself in yet another orange bikini, writing, "Taking my power back... can't wait to show you where I've been. I love y'all."

    If bikini selfies make celebrities brave, somebody hand Miley Cyrus a badge of courage.

    Lana Del Rey Responds To Frances Bean Cobain's Admonishment

    Lana Del Rey just got a master class in what happens when you make untoward comments in a public light. After the singer cited Kurt Cobain as an idol in the same breath during which she said, "I wish I was dead already," Frances Bean Cobain -- daughter of the late Nirvana frontman -- took to Twitter to urge Del Rey to "embrace life." Cobain unleashed a series of tweets over the weekend encouraging Del Rey to not "romanticize" the death of young musicians. The "Ultraviolence" singer's fans quickly harangued Cobain.

    On Monday, Del Rey jumped into the conversation with Cobain on Twitter, putting what we hope is an end to the back-and-forth that's come from Del Rey's controversial interview with The Guardian

    Preity-Ness case: Actress likely to record statement today

     Preity Zinta, who returned to India from the US on Sunday, is likely to record her statement in the Ness Wadia case.

    The actress had filed a complaint with the Mumbai police on June 13 against her former boyfriend and industrialist Ness Wadia for public humiliation and abusive behaviour during an Indian Premiere League (IPL) match in Wankhede stadium on May 30. The match was between Chennai Super Kings and Kings X1 Punjab.

    IPL COO Sundar Raman, had confirmed Preity’s allegations in a written statement to the Mumbai Police. Another eyewitness, Nimish, too confirmed to Preity’s allegation while talking to Zee News.

    On being questioned, Nimish revealed that the altercation did not take place during the match. He further added that there was very less interaction between Preity and Ness; and the row had erupted over the seats. The spat did not occur in his presence and they did not talk much during the match.
    The Mumbai Police have so far recorded statements of seven witnesses in relation with the complaint filed by Preity against Wadia. Out of the seven people, five of them have confirmed Preity`s allegations and acknowledged that the incident did take place.

    Preity filed a written complaint on June 13, following which an FIR was registered against Wadia under IPC Sections 354 (assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty), 504 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of the peace), 506 (punishment for criminal intimidation) and 509 (word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman)

    EastEnders badboy Danny Dyer caught cheating again this time with student, 21

    Swaggering EastEnders star Danny Dyer was pictured naked by a starstruck 21-year-old while he spent the night with her behind his loyal partner's back.

    The bad boy actor, who plays Queen Vic landlord Mick Carter, homed in on the young brunette at a club and they went back to her bedroom.

    The pair swapped numbers after their night together a month ago and the student hoped Dyer, 36, would contact her again – but he never did.

    She showed the mobile pictures to a pal and they have since been shown to the Sunday Mirror.

    Dyer has previously admitted to betraying girlfriend Joanne Mas – the mother of his three children – but recently described her as his "f****** rock".

    Just weeks before his night with the student, he was pictured at Joanne’s side at the premiere of new film The Hooligan Factory.

    They have been together 19 years.

    But all that was forgotten as Dyer spotted the student on a night out with pals last month.

    A friend close to the girl – who did not want to be named – said: "Danny clearly fancied her.

    "Of course she recognised him straight away too.

    "And you don't expect to see somebody who has been in so many films and on TV in your local nightclub.

    "He got chatting to her and was very flirty – and she was pretty flattered that someone famous was showing an interest.

    "She certainly fancied him too, and found him very charming and likeable.

    "She wasn't sure whether he had a partner when they started talking, but the conversation flowed really easily between them both and kept on almost all night.

    "They had a few drinks and when it got late they decided to leave together.

    "She was a bit embarrassed afterwards, and told her friends that he had gone back with her.

    "It really isn't the sort of thing that she would normally do, and she certainly wouldn't have taken pictures with a man, but was a bit starstruck and carried away in the moment.

    "She couldn't believe she ended up in bed with someone like Danny Dyer as he could have had the pick of anyone.

    "But she was disappointed at not hearing from him afterwards.

    "She couldn't help sharing what had happened with me and other close friends.

    "Some didn't believe her until she showed them the pictures.

    "At the time she had no idea Danny was in a relationship but now she knows he is she realises it will be never anything other than a one night stand."

    Ronaldo, Varela make last minute magic to keep Portugal's World Cup alive

    A superb header by Silvestre Varela deep into extra time saved world player of the year Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal from crashing out of the World Cup finals on Sunday as it secured a 2-2 draw with the United States.

    The Americans had looked to be safely into the last 16 after second-half goals by Jermaine Jones and Clint Dempsey saw them come back from 1-0 down -- a goal by Nani -- to gallop into the lead.

    However, with only seconds remaining, one sublime cross from a pretty anonymous Ronaldo was met by Varela and it soared past Tim Howard to give Portugal a lifeline as a further defeat after thire 4-0 hammering by Germany in the opening game would have seen them out.

    The United States -- who reached the last 16 in 2010 only to lose to Ghana -- are on four points along with Germany, who they play in their final group game, and who their coach Jurgen Klinsmann led at the 2006 finals.

    Klinsmann, who was also within seconds of being the first coach to guide the USA to two successive wins at a finals since 1930, was phlegmatic about the dramatic dashing of their hopes.

    "Obviously the last second is unfortunate but my guys were magnificent," said Klinsmann, who won the 1990 World Cup as a player.

    "We just have to get a result against Germany. Obviously the Germans have a day more to recover and we have had further to travel for our game but then the big guys are the ones that get the favourite treatment.

    "My guys went to the limit but now they have to pick themselves up and despite this result we will go into the game with a lot of confidence."

    The Portuguese got just the start they needed to settle their nerves as a terrible defensive error by Stoke City's Geoff Cameron -- the ball flying off his boot to Nani -- saw the Manchester United winger wait for Howard to commit himself before rifling the ball into the net.

    It had been preempted by an outrageous piece of skill by Ronaldo down the left side, completely bewitching three American players as they tried to corral him out on the touchline, only for a series of step overs and a backheel to see him squirm through the three of them.

    Conditions even in the evening were so draining that five minutes from the break, when Jermaine Jones received some treatment, the referee allowed both sides to rehydrate with a drinks break.

    Howard, who was earning his 102nd cap, kept his side in the game on the stroke of half-time as he somehow managed to stick a hand out as he dived the wrong way to tip a pointblank shot by Eder over the bar.

    Mahindra and Mahindra falls on monsoon worries

    Mahindra and Mahindra Ltd (MAHM.NS) fell 2.4 percent on worries that weak monsoon may hit its tractor sales, investors say.

    Nearly a third of the company's revenues come from tractor sales which are largely dependent on farmers' incomes that can get severely impacted due to any shortfall in rains, analysts say.

    The monsoon has covered half of India's landmass four days behind the usual schedule, failing to recover from a late start that has slowed sowing of summer crops in a country where half of the farmland still lacks irrigation.

    Preity Zinta had told me about abuse: IPL COO Sundar Raman

    The statement given by IPL chief operating officer (COO) Sundar Raman to the police on Thursday may spell trouble for industrialist Ness Wadia, who has been refuting allegations that he molested and abused actor and former girlfriend Preity Zinta.

    In his one-hour statement to the police, Raman confirmed that Zinta, the co-owner of Kings XI Punjab, had verbally complained to him regarding Wadia's behaviour.

    A police team went to his office at the BCCI headquarters in Churchgate. Wadia, however, has maintained that Zinta's complaint against him is 'false and baseless'.

    "In her complaint, Zinta had mentioned that she had complained to Raman immediately after the incident [on May 30]. He confirmed this to us," said Dr Ravindra Shisve, deputy commissioner of police, zone 1.

    Zinta said that she brought the matter to Raman's attention twice. In fact, he had even intervened when she and Wadia were having an argument during the IPL auctions in Bangalore and asked them to keep quiet, her complaint said.

    The second time was immediately after the May 30 incident that took place during a match between the Kings XI Punjab and Chennai Super Kings at the Wankhede Stadium.

    While Shisve refused to give any more details, he said the police were only focusing on the alleged incident that took place at Wankhede and not during the auction.

    The police have also recorded the statements of six others, including BCCI officials. One of the officials was identified as Ankit Baldi, who was seen with Zinta in a video footage of the match.

    "A section of the media had said that the man in the video was Wadia, but Baldi clarified that it was him, explaining the sitting arrangements," a senior officer
    said, on condition of anonymity.

    ASUS Zenfone smartphone series to launch in India on 9 July 2014

    ASUS will most likely release its ZenFone series of phones in India on July 9 according to sources. The ZenFone series was first announced way back in January 2014 at CES. The ZenFone series comprises 4-inch, 5-inch and 6-inch handsets with most of them being priced aggressively under Rs 25,000.


    The ASUS Zenfones are named Zenfone 4, Zenfone 5 and Zenfone 6, where the number corresponds to the screen size. All the phones have an IPS display and each of them comes in five different colours. The Zenfone 4 has a 5MP camera, the Zenfone 5 sports and 8MP camera and the flagship Zenfone 6 houses a 13MP shooter with an aperture of f/2.0. Each of these phones come with ASUS’s proprietary PixelMaster technology.
    Zenfone 6 is the flagship 6-inch phone which sports a 13MP camera with an f/2.0 aperture
    Zenfone 6 is the flagship 6-inch phone which sports a 13MP camera with an f/2.0 aperture


    All the ZenFone series phones sport an Intel Atom processors, with the ZenFone 4 sporting the 1.2GHz Intel Atom Z2520 CPU (quad-core with hyper-threading technology) whereas the ZenFone 5 and ZenFone 6 have the 2GHz Intel Atom Z2580 CPU (quad-core with hyper-threading technology). The other major specifications of all the phones are as under.


    Zenfone 4 Specs
    - 4inch WVGA 800 x 480-pixel display
    - 1.2GHz Intel Atom Z2520 CPU with Quad-Thread Hyper-Threading Technology
    - Android 4.3 (will update to Android 4.4 KitKat)
    - GSM/GPRS/EDGE; WCDMA/HSPA+
    - DC-HSPA+ (DL/UL): 42/5.76 Mbps
    - Integrated 802.11b/g/n; Wi-Fi Direct
    - 5-megapixel rear camera
    - 0.3-megapixel front camera
    - 1GB RAM
    - 1170mAh battery
    - Up to 64GB micro SD card
    - 124.4 x 61.4 x 11.2-6.3mm
    - 115g
    - Price at launch: $99 or pprox Rs 6000
    ASUS Zenfone 5 sports an Intel Atom Z2580 processor clocked at 2GHz
    ASUS Zenfone 5 sports an Intel Atom Z2580 processor clocked at 2GHz

    Zenfone 5 specs
    - 5inch HD 1280 x 720-pixel IPS display
    - 2GHz Intel Atom Z2580 CPU with Quad-Thread Hyper-Threading Technology
    - Android 4.3 (will update to Android 4.4 KitKat)
    - GSM/GPRS/EDGE; WCDMA/HSPA+
    - DC-HSPA+ (DL/UL): 42/5.76 Mbps
    - Integrated 802.11b/g/n; Wi-Fi Direct
    - 8-megapixel rear camera
    - 2-megapixel front camera
    - 1GB RAM
    - 2050mAh battery
    - Up to 64GB micro SD card
    - 148.2 x 72.8 x 10.3-5.5mm
    - 140g
    - Price at launch: $149 or approx Rs 9000
    Zenfone 6 specs
    - 6inch HD 1280 x 720-pixel IPS display
    - 2GHz Intel Atom Z2580 CPU with Quad-Thread Hyper-Threading Technology
    - Android 4.3 (will update to Android 4.4 KitKat)
    - GSM/GPRS/EDGE; WCDMA/HSPA+
    - DC-HSPA+ (DL/UL): 42/5.76 Mbps
    - Integrated 802.11b/g/n; Wi-Fi Direct
    -13-megapixel rear camera
    - 2-megapixel front camera
    - 1GB RAM
    - 3230mAh battery
    - Up to 64GB micro SD card
    - 166.9 x 84.3 x 9.9-5.5mm
    - 200g
    - Price at launch: $199 or approx Rs 12,000

     However, the prices mentioned above are exclusive of taxes and duties which will be levied on the devices eventually. So please note that the final prices will only be revealed on the launch date.

    Iggy Azalea Only Good Thing About T.I.'s 'No Mediocre'

    If there's one thing we can learn from Iggy Azalea's new collaboration with T.I, it's that she can improve basically anything with her touch.

    The 24-year-old joins the seasoned artist on his track "No Mediocre," in which he raps about his quest to find a woman who meets his high physical standards. In case you were wondering, if you don't do your hair, wax specific parts of your anatomy, have a "pretty face" and "fat ass," you are not the girl for T.I.

    Luckily, Iggy swoops in with her usual confident bad-assery, and adds at least one not wholly irredeemable verse to the song. While not exactly easing up on the impossible physical standards set by the media for women, Azalea at least tells T.I. to actually put a little work into achieving his wants and "stop running in place," if he's going to have such an intricate list of demands.

    Azalea has already made history this summer by simultaneously snagging both the number one and two spots on The Billboard Top 100, making her the first artist to do so since since The Beatles in 1964. While we can't say we're huge fans of the eventual end product, we can see why T.I. would want to get in on all the Iggy Azalea fun.

    Naked Sunbather Causes Car Crash In Austria

    This sunbather is al-ledge-dly responsible for a pile up in Austria.

    According to CEN photo agency, a driver was distracted by a nude woman dangling her feet out the window of her Vienna apartment.

    It's unclear exactly when the incident took place, but news reports surfaced this week.

    "I thought I was suffering sunstroke when I saw it," Gregory Shakaki, who snapped the photo, said.

    Michael Kienast told local media, "I was behind two guys who had a fender bender because the motorists in front took their eyes off the road to glance up at the view. The young woman was obviously keen on getting some sun in a place where it doesn't usually shine."

    Kienast said he heard the driver who caused the pile up tell another motorist, "'Sorry, I was distracted," and then motioned toward the sunbather.

    By the time cops came to take witness statements, the woman had gone inside and closed her window.

    In case anyone was wondering, nude women always equals car accidents.

    The World's Sexiest Women Are From Brazil, Sexiest Men Are From (Surprise!) Australia

    Just ask Woody Allen: a little foreign fling is the hands-down best part of traveling.

    Travel dating website MissTravel asked members -- both men and women -- to rate the nationalities they find sexiest in a dating partner. The answers revealed a preference for women from South America (Brazil's got more than just hot soccer) and men from Down Under, with sexiness found in countries everywhere between.

    Are YOU headed to one of the sexiest places on Earth this summer?

    The sexiest nationalities for men:
    10. Dutch
    9. Canadian
    8. Brazilian
    7. Irish
    6. American
    5. Spanish
    4. Scottish
    3. British
    2. Italian
    1. Australian

    The sexiest nationalities for women:
    10. Canadian
    9. South African
    8. Bulgarian
    7. Australian
    6. Spanish
    5. Filipina
    4. British
    3. Colombian
    2. Russian
    1. Brazilian

    ...and if you fail to find a romantic partner on the road, remember: a "sexy" trip with your friends can be just as steamy.

    NOTE: While MissTravel's results include "British" men, it should be noted that Scottish men are indeed also British.(SOURCE)

    Every Pop-Culture Reference Made In 'Orange Is The New Black' Season 2

    Amid all the rich character drama and humorous anecdotes that populate "Orange Is the New Black" is a cornucopia of pop-culture references. The Litchfield inmates are a well-read, well-watched group. They know their celebrity gossip even while behind bars, finding fodder for their conversations in everything from Fiona Apple to "Goodfellas" to "Toy Story."

    Many TV comedies ("Friends" comes to mind) are written as if their characters don't exist outside the confines of any individual episode's plot. Conversely, inmates on "Orange Is the New Black" successfully position themselves within the real world, in spite of where they rest their heads at night. In keeping, we've compiled a list of every pop-culture reference from Season 2 (along with the speaker):

    Episode 1, "Thirsty Bird"

    1. "Anna Karenina" by Leo Tolstoy (Piper)
    2. Angry Birds (Prison guard en route to Chicago)
    3. Mila Kunis (Prison guard)
    4. "The Sopranos" (Piper)
    5. The Invisible Woman (Alex)

    Episode 2, "Looks Blue, Tastes Red"

    1. Christina Aguilera's "Beautiful" (Taystee)
    2. Pinterest (Morello)
    3. Judge Joe Brown (Taystee)
    4. Judge Judy (Taystee)
    5. Mo'Nique (Poussey)
    6. Wesley Snipes (Poussey)
    7. "Orlando: A Biography" by Virginia Woolf (Piper)

    Episode 3, "Hugs Can Be Deceiving"

    1. Steve Irwin (Taystee)
    2. Tom Cruise (Poussey)
    3. LeBron James (Poussey)
    4. Dwayne Wade (Taystee)
    5. Michelle Williams (Poussey)
    6. Us Weekly (Poussey)
    7. Jessica Simpson (Morello)
    8. Rihanna (Morello)
    9. Omar from "The Wire" (Sophia)
    10. The Rockettes (Black Cindy)
    11. Popeye (Bennett)
    12. Lil Wayne (Taystee)
    13. George Jefferson (Poussey)
    14. "Sinful Chocolate" by Adrianne Byrd (Taystee)
    15. "Fighting for Air: The Unknown Adventures of Young Doc Holliday" by Jack Kincade (Vee)

    World Cup 2014 : All about Mexican 'Jesus' Ochoa who did not let Brazil through

    Guillermo Ochoa. Remember this name because you will hear it for some time to come in football World Cup season. The Mexico goalkeeper turned an overnight sensation after throwing up an impenetrable shield around his post against Brazil.

    Mexico frustrated World Cup hosts and five-time champions Brazil and held them to a 0-0 draw at the Estadio Castelao on Tuesday. Brazil had no answers to the brilliance of Ochoa, nicknamed Memo.

    He pulled off an incredible diving stop from a Neymar header and seven more extraordinary saves to deny the pedigreed Brazil an easy march toward qualification from Group A.

    Such was his showing that experts suddenly brought up references to the saves of legendary (USSR) goalkeeper Lev Yashin. 

    Not one of football’s superstars, not even in his own team, Ochoa played his club football for AC Ajaccio in France.

    The 28-year-old is looking for a new club after quitting Ajaccio following their relegation from Ligue 1. He has been linked with move to Olympique Marseille. This performance will send his ratings soaring.

    The social media sphere buzzed with mention of Ochoa after his spectacular show. There were almost 2 million mentions of Ochoa on Twitter during the match, according to Twitter Reverb. The numbers are guaranteed to swell.

    Basketball hero Kobe Bryant hailed "OCHOA!! Incredible" in a tweet within minutes of the game ending. Ochoa's Wikipedia page was hacked to hail him as “the Mexican Jesus after his performance against Brazil”.

    Ochoa did a lap of honour around the Fortaleza Castelao Stadium after one of the great World Cup goalkeeping performances.

    He remained poised in his moment of glory. "I believe this was the best match of my life because this was a World Cup game and this is very important," Ochoa said.

    "We have to move on, celebrate with my teammates and my family, but move on because the path is still long.

    “Thank God I made those saves and now it's time to keep on working."

    Ochoa is the most capped of the three Mexican keepers chosen for this World Cup.

    He is finding his place in the sun after heartbreak in 2010. He was expected to be first choice at 2010 World Cup in South Africa before then-coach Javier Aguirre opted for veteran Oscar Perez.

    Ochoa won a league title with Mexico City side America in 2005 before moving to France in 2011.

    A very proud Mexico coach Miguel Herrera put things in perspective after the match. “In my memory, I can’t remember a goalkeeper performing like that in a World Cup.”

    "I don't know whether I can think of another goalkeeper in memory... someone who has done what Memo did today," Herrera told a news conference.

     "Memo today had high-level saves, gave the certainty to the team that we needed and gave confidence that we're well covered."

    Ochoa came in for praise from Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari. "I didn't like the Mexican goalie," Big Phil joked to reporters. "He did very well, he was spectacular. The defences he did were spectacular. Calm, tranquil, he knows how to play, is well positioned.

    "I think he really was the best player in the match and Mexico has a very good quality team."

    When will Vidya work with Shah Rukh Khan?

    Actress Vidya Balan, who has always expressed her desire to work with superstar Shah Rukh Khan, says she would love to work with Shah Rukh provided both the actors` presence in the film is justified.

    "If any good script comes where the presence of both the actors (Shah Rukh and I) is justified, then definitely I would love to do," Vidya said here Friday at the launch of the blog for her upcoming film "Bobby Jasoos".

    "If the script will be such where I won`t have much to do, then I will not do it," she added.

    The 36-year-old is currently busy promoting her soon to release "Bobby Jasoos", where she is in the lead role.

    Asked if there is anything left for actresses to do in films starring Bollywood`s Khans, the National Award winning actress said: "Not always...but most of the times there is nothing much to do."

    Directed by Samar Sheikh, produced by Dia Mirza and her fiance Sahil Sangha, "Bobby Jasoos" also features Ali Fazal. It will hit the theatres July 4.
    (SOURCE)

    Woman raped by 10 including husband, forced to drink urine

    In yet another shocking incident of crime against women, a tribal woman was allegedly gang-raped by ten people, including her husband and relatives, paraded naked and forced to drink urine in front of her minor son following a land dispute.

    After the woman lodged a complaint in which she alleged that the attack was carried out at the behest of her husband Kailash Rumalia, all the accused were nabbed, police said on Sunday.

    The incident took place three days back at Bhiali Kheda village under Piplod police station and the victim reported the matter on June 13 to police after her family members brought her to Khandwa district hospital, police said.

    Acting on the complaint, police on Saturday arrested all the ten people allegedly involved in the gang-rape, including the victim's husband, relatives and other villagers, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), Women's Cell, Khandwa, Sunita Rawat told reporters in Khandwa on Saturday.

    In her police complaint, the woman also mentioned that before committing gang-rape, they allegedly manhandled her, paraded her naked and when she asked for water, they forced her to drink urine in front of her minor son, Rawat said quoting her complaint.

    Meanwhile, the woman's husband claimed before mediapersons that because of a land dispute, she was levelling baseless allegations against him and other villagers and also said that he doubted her character.

    Police have registered a case under IPC sections 376 (g) (gang-rape), 354 (b) (act with intent to disrobe a woman), 294 (obscene acts and songs), 332 (voluntarily causing hurt to deter public servant from his duty), 506 (criminal intimidation) and 34 (acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention) against the accused and are further probing the incident.

    The victim was undergoing treatment at the district hospital where women constables and Piplod police station in-charge were deployed for her security, Rawat added.

    There has been nation-wide outrage on the string of incidents of sexual assault on women. The issue has come into fresh focus following the gang-rape and murder of two teenage cousins, whose bodies were found hanging from a tree in Badaun district of Uttar Pradesh.

    PM Narendra Modi arrives in Bhutan, receives guard of honour

    A cutout outside Taj Tashi hotel in Thimpu, where Narendra Modi will stay during his two-day Bhutan visit on Sunday and Monday, read, "Welcome to our close friend, India's prime minister Narendra Modi."

    It is a welcoming step, shows Modi ji wants to open a new chapter in strengthening foreign policy, says Sudhanshu Trivedi (BJP) on PM's Bhutan visi

    Embarking on his first foreign visit since taking over, Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Bhutan on Sunday to cement India's "unique and special relationship" with this SAARC country and his thrust to make the ties more effective.

    A grand welcome was accorded to him by the Bhutanese government which rolled out a red carpet and gave a ceremonial guard of honour to him.

    Modi, accompanied by External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, NSA Ajit Doval and Foreign Secretary Sujatha Singh, was received at the Paro airport by Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay and several of his Cabinet colleagues.

    The Prime Minister drove down from Paro to Thimphu, a distance of about 50 kms, traversing through the picturesque mountainous ranges. Common people, including children, in colourful attire lined up most of the road between Paro and Thimphu, waving Indian and Bhutanese flags.

    Big hoardings carrying Modi's photographs also could be seen en route.

    Soon after his arrival, Modi called on Bhutan's King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuk.
    Before embarking on the two-day visit, Modi said Bhutan was a "natural choice" as his first foreign destination because of the "unique and special relationship".

    The fact that the Prime Minister chose Bhutan as his first foreign destination assumes significance since China has lately intensified efforts to woo it and establish full- fledged diplomatic ties with Thimphu.

    'Modi government will take neighbours along to path of prosperity'

    The new Indian government's foreign policy focus on its South Asian neighbourhood and to work towards creating a peaceful, stable and economically inter-linked neighbourhood "bodes well" not only for the collective SAARC but also for Bhutan as the Narendra Modi government will "take everybody along to the path of prosperity", says an editorial in a Bhutanese daily.

    The Bhutanese, in an editorial ahead of Modi's two-day visit to the Himalayan country that began Sunday, said that "Bhutan, as an old friend, would want India to do well and surge ahead in the global scene as experience in the past has shown that the economic rise and prosperity of India has translated into benefits for Bhutan, including other countries in the region."

    "However, for any major country or regional bloc, they can only ever truly rise on the global platform if their neighborhood is stable and happy, so to speak. The new dispensation in New Delhi led by Mr Modi has wisely realized this, and is thus, focusing with renewed energy and depth in its own neighborhood which is loaded with a lot of potential and unexplored opportunities, apart from the well known challenges," says the editorial.

    Modi a friendly person, visit to further strengthen ties: Bhutan PM

    As Prime Minister Narendra Modi Sunday begins a two-day visit to Bhutan, the Bhutanese leadership has described the Indian leader as "a friendly person and well disposed towards Bhutan" and as one who "gives a sense of purpose and hope".

    Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay said that even though there are no specific issues to discuss during the meeting with Modi from Bhutan's side, all commitments made and the generous support that the government receives from India will be discussed, according to The Bhutanese daily.

    Netanyahu Says Hamas Carried Out Kidnapping of Three Israelis

    Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused the Islamic Hamas movement, the Palestinian government’s new partner, of kidnapping three Israeli teenagers in the West Bank last week.

     “This morning I can say what I refrained from saying yesterday before the extensive wave of arrests” in the West Bank, Netanyahu said at a cabinet meeting today in Jerusalem. “Those who carried out the kidnapping of our youths are members of Hamas,” the prime minister said, according to a text message from his office.

    Israeli security forces arrested about 80 Hamas operatives and officials in the West Bank overnight, the army said. Netanyahu’s remarks are “stupid,” Sami Abu Zuhri, a Hamas spokesman in Gaza, said in an e-mailed statement. He didn’t confirm or deny the allegations.

    Hamas held Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit captive in the Gaza Strip for five years before freeing him in 2011 in exchange for Palestinian prisoners.

    Netanyahu has ordered the military to “prepare forces for any scenario.” Israeli Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon spoke of “broad intelligence and operational efforts” in the West Bank and Channel Two said a division of paratroopers was sent to the area.

    The benchmark TA-25 index dropped as much as 0.5 percent today, the most since April 23, and was down 0.4 percent to 1,391.68 at 11:53 a.m. in Tel Aviv.

    Yaniv Pagot, chief strategist at Ramat Gan, Israel-based Ayalon Group Ltd., attributed the decline to “a gut reaction” by investors and said that as long there was no escalation, the kidnapping wasn’t likely to have a long-term impact on the market. The yield on the benchmark government 2024 bond slipped 2 basis points to 2.86 at 12:07 p.m. in Tel Aviv.

    Netanyahu has linked the abduction of the teens to Hamas’ entry into the Palestinian government earlier this month.

    “What’s happening on the ground since Hamas entered the Palestinian Authority is a disaster,” Netanyahu said yesterday. “This is the result of allowing a murderous terror organization into the government.”

    Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip, teamed up June 2 in a government with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas’s Fatah faction, which rules over parts of the West Bank, after peace talks with Israel collapsed in April.

    Hamas is considered a terrorist organization by Israel, the U.S. and European Union, and Netanyahu has shunned the new Palestinian government.

    Without confirming a kidnapping, Osama Hamdan, a Hamas official in Lebanon, told Al-Quds television yesterday that the disappearance of the teens “proved that resistance to Israel hasn’t been stifled.” He urged the kidnappers, “if there indeed were kidnappers,” to demand the “highest price” for the teens’ return.
    Story: Huawei Says It Can Beat Xiaomi in the Race to Be China's Top Smartphone Brand

    Israel traded more than 1,000 Palestinian prisoners in 2011 for the return of Shalit, who was captured outside Gaza. Foreign Minister Avigdor Liberman, who opposed the Shalit deal, said he would oppose any agreement that would release Palestinian security prisoners.

    “There will be no more freeing of Palestinian terrorists sitting in Israeli prisons, not in the form of a gesture, or in any other way,” Liberman said on Army Radio today.

    The teens disappeared at a time when Palestinians have been holding rallies across the West Bank in support of more than 100 Palestinians staging hunger strikes in Israeli prisons.
    Story: The No-Tech Tactics of North Korea's Most Wanted Defector

    Netanyahu said he holds the Palestinian Authority responsible for the abduction because the kidnappers came from territory under its control. Abbas’s office has said the Palestinian Authority wasn’t responsible for the disappearance of Israelis in an area of the West Bank Israel controls.

    Israel captured the West Bank in the 1967 Mideast war. The territory is home to 2.3 million Palestinians who claim it as part of a future independent state.

    Deadly attacks mar high turnout at Afghan vote

     Millions of Afghans turned out to vote Saturday in a presidential run-off election despite Taliban threats and violence that killed nearly 50 people ahead of the withdrawal of NATO troops later this year.

    Afghan officials said more than seven million people voted, a higher than expected turnout of 52 percent based on an estimated electorate of 13.5 million voters. But fraud allegations were likely from both campaign teams after the election, and a close count could lead to a contested result as the country undergoes its first democratic transfer of power.

    The election will decide whether former foreign minister Abdullah Abdullah or ex-World Bank economist Ashraf Ghani leads the country into a new era of declining international military and civilian assistance. On the campaign trail, both candidates had offered similar pledges to tackle rampant corruption, build much-needed infrastructure and protect citizens from violence. Polling day saw no major attacks in cities, but at least 150 other incidents including a Taliban rocket that hit a house near a polling station in the eastern province of Khost, killing five members of the same family.
    “Eleven police, 15 ANA (Afghanistan National Army) and 20 civilians were martyred,” Interior Minister Omar Daudzai told reporters, adding that about 60 militants were also killed in fighting.
    “Election security was better than the first round despite level of threats being higher,” he said. “People voted to reject the militants. There were some casualties on our side, but the enemy has failed.”

    Independent Election Commission chief Ahmad Yusuf Nuristani admitted there had been problems with ballot paper shortages, as in the first round election in April. President Hamid Karzai is due to step down after ruling Afghanistan since 2001, when a US-led offensive ousted the austere Taliban regime for sheltering Al-Qaeda militants behind the 9/11 attacks.
    “We are very proud to be choosing our favourite candidate,” he said after voting. “Today Afghanistan goes from a transition period towards long-lasting peace.”

    A smooth handover would be a major achievement for the international effort to establish a functioning state after the depredations of the Taliban era.

    Afghan officials said the day was proof that the security forces, who have been trained by the US-led military coalition, will be able to protect the country when all NATO-lead combat troops exit Afghanistan this year.

    Both candidates cast their ballots in Kabul, dipping a finger in ink to register that they had voted. “We do not want even one fraudulent vote for us,” Abdullah told reporters, while Ghani said via Twitter: “We ask everyone to prevent, avoid and discourage people from rigging.”

    On the eve of the run-off, UN head of mission Jan Kubis had issued a stark warning to candidates’ supporters not to resort to the ballot-box stuffing that marred the 2009 election when Karzai retained power.
    The two candidates came top of an eight-man field in the April election, triggering the run-off as neither reached the 50 percent threshold needed for outright victory. Abdullah secured 45 percent of the vote with Ghani on 31.6 percent, after investigations into fraud claims from both sides.

    Preity Zinta: Ness Wadia said he could make me disappear

    A day after an FIR was registered against businessman Ness Wadia following a written complaint from actor Preity Zinta that he molested, abused and threatened her inside Wankhede stadium in south Mumbai on May 30, Mumbai police sources said Saturday they would record IPL CEO Sundar Raman’s statement in the case.

    The Marine Drive police, meanwhile, began recording statements of other witnesses. The police have also sought CCTV footage from the Garware pavilion in Wankhede stadium to ascertain what transpired between the two co-owners of the IPL franchise Kings XI Punjab that evening.

    “We have started our probe. We are recording statements of Wankhede staff and will record Raman’s statement,” said an officer  from Marine Drive police station.

    The FIR against Wadia was registered around 12.10 am on Friday at the station. The complaint was registered under Sections 354 (assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty), 509 (word, gesture or act intended to insult modesty of a woman), 504 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of the peace), 506 (punishment for criminal intimidation) of the IPC. 
    In her complaint dated June 12, Zinta stated she had known Wadia for the last 10 years and had a relationship with him. It reads, “But for some time, we have ended our relationship. Although we are co-owners of Kings XI Punjab, we are no longer in a relationship and only talk for professional reasons.”

    “For some time now, we are not even talking to each other. In between, once or twice, we had heated argument regarding work and during that time he tried to abuse me, and used extremely derogatory language and tried to misbehave in a manner where I was put to shame in front of my colleagues, friends and family. I’ve orally warned him during that time and told him I was not comfortable with such behaviour,” the complaint states.

    Zinta alleged Wadia threatened her. “During the match on 30th May, 2014 at Wankhede stadium in the evening, Ness Wadia intimidated me by saying he could make me disappear as I was a nobody and only an actress and he’s a powerful person,” her complaint alleges.

    Explaining why she did not take up the matter earlier, Zinta said she “tried to be very normal and nice to him” as she wanted peace, but the Wankhede incident left her fearing for her life. She claimed she lodged a complaint with BCCI officials, but stayed calm as she did not want to disturb the morale of her team that had qualified for the IPL finals.

    Wadia’s publicist Naveen Soni rubbished the allegations. “It is totally false and baseless,” he said.
    Sources close to Wadia claimed he was celebrating his birthday on May 30 and had reserved a few seats for himself and his family. On reaching the stadium late, he found the seats were occupied by Zinta and others, which led to arguments between the

    Ness Wadia denies Preity Zinta's molestation charges; actor says it's a difficult time

    Actor and co-owner of Kings XI Punjab Preity Zinta registered a case of molestation late on Thursday night against former boyfriend and industrialist Ness Wadia, who denied the allegation as "false and baseless".

    In her statement to the Maharashtra Police, Zinta said the incident happened during the Indian Premier League (IPL) qualifier for the final between Kings XI Punjab and Chennai Super Kings at the Wankhede Stadium on May 30.

    The 39-year-old actor alleged that Wadia not only outraged her modesty but also abused and threatened her. She added that during the match, Wadia came up to her, grabbed her by the hand and started using abusive words in front of other spectators.

    Wadia, another co-owner of the Punjab team, said in a statement, "I am shocked at the complaint and the allegations made against me are totally false and baseless."
    With the issue snowballing into a major controversy and hogging the headlines, Zinta too issued a statement on Saturday, saying that it was a difficult time for her and that her intention was not to hurt anyone.  She also reportedly requested the media to respect her privacy.

    Zinta and Wadia, 44, parted ways after a five-year relationship in 2009, but continued as business partners and co-owners of Kings XI Punjab. They did not cite any specific reason for the break-up.

    A case under sections 354, 504 and 506 (assault on a woman, intentional insult and criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code was registered.

    An investigating officer said police had started calling witnesses over the issue.

    Mumbai Police commissioner Rakesh Maria said an "offence has been registered".

    World Cup 2014 : Netherlands crushes Spain with a stunning 5-1 victory in a rollercoaster game

    Stunning goals from Robin van Persie and Arjen Robben fired the Netherlands to a 5-1 demolition of Spain who endured a miserable start to their World Cup defence in a pulsating Group B game on Friday.

    In complete contrast to the tetchy World Cup final between the sides in 2010 which Spain won 1-0, the Dutch took sweet revenge with a vibrant display capped off by two goals each for Van Persie and Robben and one by defender Stefan de Vrij.

    "I certainly didn't expect this result but I did expect us to score in the way we did," Dutch coach Louis van Gaal told reporters.

    "Spain were always going to come at us and we catch them on the counter. My players did it perfectly. It's far better than we ever expected," Dutch coach Louis van Gaal told reporters.

    Only once before had Spain conceded five times in a World Cup game, on Brazilian turf in 1950 in a 6-1 loss to the hosts. The Dutch mauling at Salvador's Fonte Nova arena was also the worst ever start for defending world champions.
    "I can't find words to explain five goals," Spain coach Vicente del Bosque said.

    "We have never been a very defensive side but always coped well defending. Today we've been very weak.

    "We kept on fighting but they were physically stronger as the game went on and that made a difference... It is now a delicate situation for us which we will and try and overcome in our next game against Chile and then see what happens."

    Spain, also 2008 and 2012 European champions, had been expected to dictate proceedings with their slick passing style and normal service looked to be established when a coolly converted 27th-minute Xabi Alonso penalty gave them the lead.

    Van Gaal had set his Dutch side up to press and look for the quick ball and it paid dividends just before the break in spectacular fashion when Van Persie equalised superbly.

    Diving header
    The Netherlands' key man sneaked in between defenders Sergio Ramos and Jordi Alba in the 44th minute to meet a searching Daley Blind cross with a powerful diving header that left goalkeeper Iker Casillas rooted to the spot.

    Moments before Van Persie's goal Spain missed a glorious chance to double their lead when midfielder David Silva's cheeky chip was pushed wide for a corner.

    It was a wasted opportunity they came to rue.

    After the break the Dutch hurried Spain in possession, pouring forward at every opportunity, and went ahead after 53 minutes when Robben got on the end of another superb Blind lobbed pass before turning Gerard Pique and holding off Ramos to fire home from seven metres.

    Del Bosque reacted by swapping Alonso for the more attack-minded Pedro and Brazilian-born striker Diego Costa, booed with every touch by the locals, went off for Fernando Torres.

    The match opened up but in the Netherlands' favour.

    Van Persie rattled the crossbar with a ferocious right-foot volley before De Vrij, whose tackle on Costa had led to the penalty, stole in on 64 minutes at the back post to convert a free kick after Casillas who was pressurised by Van Persie.

    Gary Glitter Charged With Eight Child Sex Offenses

    British prosecutors say they are charging former pop star Gary Glitter with eight sex offenses involving teenage girls.

    The charges against Glitter, whose real name is Paul Gadd, are related to two women who were aged 12 and 14 at the time of the alleged offenses between 1977 and 1980.

    The 70-year-old was arrested in October 2012 — the first in a series of arrests under the Operation Yewtree national investigation that was launched in the wake of a child abuse scandal surrounding late BBC entertainer Jimmy Savile.

    Glitter is best known for the hit "Rock & Roll (Part 2)," but he fell into disgrace after being convicted on child abuse charges in Vietnam.

    Jennifer Lopez Puts A New Spin On Her Iconic Versace Dress PHOTO

    It's been 14 years since J.Lo wore that plunging Versace dress to the 2000 Grammys, but this image is still fresh in our minds:

    Lopez gave fans green dress déjà vu when she stunned in this plunging leotard at a free performance in the Bronx June 4:

    The updated version of her dress wasn't the only thing to bring on the nostalgia, either. Of course, the Bronx native performed "Jenny From The Block" for her hometown crowd along with a slew of her older hits. Lopez also enlisted fellow New Yorkers Ja Rule, Fat Joe and French Montana to perform onstage with her.

    The 44-year-old recently gave another nod to her iconic gown with a similar outfit in her video for "I Luh Ya Papi." As for where the real dress is today? Lopez told Harper's Bazaar that it's hanging up on a mannequin in her spa. We can only hope that one day she'll break out the real deal again.

    Dissents grows in AAP as Manish Sisodia slams Yogendra Yadav

    The infighting in the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), which is grappling with its lacklustre showing in the 2014 general elections, has now apparently reached the top leadership.

    After AAP leader Yogendra Yadav resigned from the party's Political Affairs Committee (PAC) last Saturday, senior leader Manish Sisodia reportedly questioned his motives and strategies that did not help the party in the general elections.

    Yadav, a native of Haryana, resigned from the party's top decision-making body following a tiff with state convener Naveen Jaihind, who resigned from the 18-month-old rookie party's national executive body on the same day.

    In a letter sent to Yadav, Sisodia is said to have reprimanded him for taking his fight with Jaihind in public domain and calling party chief Arvind Kejriwal a "supremo".

    "You have alleged that the party did not listen to the political affairs committee. But then the PAC also did not want you to contest from Gurgaon.

    "In that scenario Arvind supported you. But when Arvind did not support you in you fight against Navin Jaihind, you call him supremo," said the letter dated Thursday.

    HT has a copy of the letter, but could not confirm its veracity immediately as both Sisodia and Yadav could not be contacted despite repeated attempts.

    There is a big talk in the AAP circles that Sisodia's letter was in response to the one written by Yadav clarifying why he had to quit the PAC.

    In the fresh letter, Yadav, who contested and lost the Gurgaon seat, was also criticised for his incorrect survey on Haryana.

    While the AAP hoped to bag about 23% of the vote share in the state — which is also home to former Delhi CM kejriwal — it managed to get just 3% of the votes and failed to make an impression all the 10 constituencies.

    The letter also blames Yadav for pushing Kejriwal to field over 400 candidates against his wish.

    The AAP, despite its stellar assembly election debut in Delhi last year, managed to win just four seats — all in Punjab — in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections. 

    Following the debacle in the general elections, two of the AAP's prominent faces — Shazia Ilmi and GR Gopinath (who launched India's first low-cost carrier) — had recently quit the party in signs of disintegration.

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