TONY SINGH FREED.................!!

fter massive public support, the United Kingdom Crown Prosecution Service announced on Thursday (February 28) that Tony Singh, an Indian shopkeeper arrested on suspicion of murder, will not be charged with any offence.

The prosecutors said that Tony Singh who owns a shop in Skelmersdale in Lancashire, acted in self-defence when Liam Kilroe, a convicted arms robber, tried to rob him outside his store, hence will not face murder charge for killing his assailant on February 17.

The local police were investigating whether murder charge could be brought against 34-year-old Singh. But the police subsequently recommended to the CPS that Singh acted in self defence and used reasonable force against armed assailant Liam Kilroe.

Kilroe, 25, brandished a knife when he attacked Singh, dragging him from his car and trying to grab the day's takings shortly after Singh locked up his shop. A violent struggle lasting several minutes ended when
Kilroe suffered a single stab wound to his chest. He died soon afterwards in hospital.

"It is a big burden that has been lifted but on the other hand the memory of what happened will live with me forever. It will always be there, I will be watching it replay in my mind and it is something I will have to live with for the rest of my life," a relieved Singh said.

Massive public support poured in for Tony Singh from the Indian community in UK. Several people have called Singh a "local hero" and expressed support for him. They believe he should be given a bravery award for grappling with his assailant who had a history of criminal acts.

PAK should hand over DAWOOD : CBI to INTERPOL

The Central Bureau of Investigations has asked Interpol to put pressure on Pakistan to hand over international gangster Dawood Ibrahim, who is believed to be hiding in that country.

CBI Director Vijay Shanker raised the issue with visiting Interpol Secretary General Ronald K Noble during a meeting in New Delhi on Wednesday, sources said.

Shanker told Noble that there were certain fugitives who have been charged with terrorism-related crime in India and who are at large for a long time, they said.

The CBI Director is understood to have drawn Noble's attention to certain fugitives, including Ibrahim, against whom Interpol notices exist, but were apparently left free to continue their activities from neighbouring countries.

Replying to this, Noble told Shanker that no country should allow criminals against whom Interpol Red Corner notices and UN-Interpol special notices had been issued to roam free. Noble said allowing such persons to roam and travel freely places all citizens at risk.

During the meeting, both Shanker and Noble also agreed that Interpol Red Corner Notice should be accorded greater legal validity and importance by INTERPOL's 186 member-countries in order to prevent free movement of criminals and to enable the law enforcement authorities bring these people to justice.

Noble underlined the importance of enhanced cooperation in the field of intellectual property rights, cyber crime and human trafficking, a CBI press release said.

The Interpol officer also highlighted the importance of India's putting in place the Mobile Interpol Network Database and Fixed Interpol Network Database, which permit instantaneous comparison of travelers passports against Interpol's 14 million strong Stolen and Lost Travel Document database.

RAUL CASTRO -- THE President of CUBA

Cuba's parliament named Raul Castro President on Sunday, ending nearly 50 years of rule by his brother Fidel but leaving the island's communist system unshaken.

In a surprise move, officials bypassed younger candidates to name a 77-year-old revolutionary leader, Jose Ramon Machado, to Cuba's No 2 spot - apparently assuring the old guard that no significant political changes will be made soon.

The retirement of the ailing 81-year-old president caps a career in which he frustrated efforts by 10 US presidents to oust him.


Raul Castro, 76, stressed that his brother remains ''commander in chief'' even if he is not president and proposed to consult with Fidel on all major decisions of state - a motion approved by acclamation.

Though the succession was not likely to bring a major shift in the communist government policies that have put Cuba at odds with the United States, many Cubans were hoping it would open the door to modest economic reforms that might improve their daily lives.

Raul Castro indicated at least one change is being contemplated: the revaluation of the Cuban peso, the national currency most people use to pay for government services such as utilities, public transportation and the small amount charged for their monthly food ration.

Cubans complain that government salaries averaging a little more than $19 a month do not cover basic necessities - something Raul Castro acknowledged in a major speech last year. But he said any change would have to be gradual to ''prevent traumatic and incongruent effects.''


In his first speech as president, Raul Castro suggested that the Communist Party as a whole would take over the role long held by Fidel, who formally remains its leader. The new president said the nation's sole legal party ''is the directing and superior force of society and the state.''

''This conviction has particular importance when the founding and forging generation of the revolution is disappearing,'' he added.

The US has said the change from one Castro to another would not be significant, calling it a ''transfer of authority and power from dictator to dictator light.''

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said Sunday Cubans have a right ''to choose their leaders in democratic elections'' and urged the government ''to begin a process of peaceful, democratic change by releasing all political prisoners, respecting human rights, and creating a clear pathway towards free and fair elections.''

Cuba's parliament chose a new 31-member ruling body known as the Council of State to lead the country. The council's president serves as the head of state and government.

The vote ended Castro's 49 years as head of the communist state in America's backyard. He retains his post as a lawmaker and as head of the Communist Party. But his power in government has eroded since July 31, 2006, when he announced he had undergone emergency intestinal surgery and was provisionally ceding his powers to Raul.

Mumbai sessions court - gag order - Raj Thackeray

A Mumbai sessions court has upheld a gag order against Raj Thackeray that prevents him from making provocative statements to the media or addressing public rallies.

The court has said that it's up to the state government to decide whether to extend the order.

Raj Thackeray had challenged the order saying he had not been given a chance to explain himself.

ZARDARI : MUSH can't be Removed.....?!?!

In an interview to the Wall Street Journal published on Monday, Zardari said he wants a working relationship with President Musharraf.

"We want to unify the country, which is facing some very serious challenges. We have to establish democracy and for that, we need unity and not confrontation. The ground reality is, we don't have the two-thirds majority," he said.

In a Parliament of 342 seats, the votes of 228 members are needed to get Musharraf out.

But right now, there are 66 votes of the PML-N, 88 of Zardari's PPP, 10 of the Awami National Party and 19 of the MQM, which take it to 193 — still 35 votes short of the a two-thirds majority.

The Senate, Parliament's Upper House, remains in the control of Musharraf's supporters.

Zardari's comments, the Journal noted, are among the most conciliatory to date from a senior official of the coalition regarding its intended approach to Musharraf.

Sharif, on the other hand, has been vocal in his determination to get Musharraf out. And it remains to be seen how he feels about a "working relationship with Musharraf" that Zardari is advocating.

"Musharraf is an unconstitutional and unlawful President," Sharif has gone on record as saying.

Zardari's word, if that is indeed the last word on the issue, could well influence the ANP and the MQM. It could also give a lifeline to the King's party, the PML-Q, which is widely anticipating mass defection of its members to the Nawaz Sharif camp.

Zardari wants Parliament to decide on Musharraf's fate and the contentious issue of restoration of the sacked judges. But many in Pakistan feel he is doing what America wants, which is extending a lifeline to beleaguered Musharraf.

The PPP leader, in fact, hinted at this in as many words. He said his government would increase cooperation with the US. "We are fighting our own war on terror, rather than the American war on terror," he said.

Zardari said Pakistan faces its own threat from the extremists and vowed that his government wouldn't talk to the militants. It would, however, reach out to the people living in the tribal areas, he said.

25 INDIANS MISSING

A cargo ship from Panama has been missing since Monday in the Black Sea. The crew included 25 Indians, four of whom hail from Mumbai.

Five days of intensive searching by the International Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) found no traces of the vessel or its crew. However, a life raft from the MV Rezzak was spotted drifting about five nautical miles off the coast of Turkey.

The vessel, managed by CMR Denizcilik ve Ticaret of Turkey, was manned by Pelican Marine, a company based in Mumbai. It was carrying a cargo of steel billets from Russia to Turkey.

At about 0110 GMT (0640 IST) on February 18, the ship lost contact with tracking centers. It was then confirmed missing.

A report by a national daily quoted Pelican Marine’s director, Biswas Santosh, as saying that the weather conditions that day had been gale-like..

“We received information that the vessel is missing on Monday evening,” Santosh informed DNA. “Rezzak left Novorossiysk (Russia) on February 17 and was to reach Bartin (in Turkey) the next morning.”

The crew’s families were informed on Tuesday.

Overseas Indian Affairs minister, Vayalar Ravi said, “We are in touch with the Turkish government.”

Ravi affirmed that Turkey had not been able to trace the vessel.

“They have not found any debris yet,” he said.

Here is a list of the Indian crew-members:

1	Bharat Bhusahan Goswami
2	Rajesh Kumar Sarangi
3	Pankaj Tyagi
4	Afroz Ahmed
5	Lucas Sesumebler
6	Anthony Alangaram Pieo
7	Akeel Ul Rahman Shafeeque Baumubinge
8	Kishore Kumar Roy
9	Mahendra Gopalkrishna Menon
10	Hemant Anant Shinde
11	Christopher Meyers
12	Alok Kumar
13	Pritam Singh
14	Harish Chandra Bhatt
15	Ashokkumar Dhukhi Prajapati
16	Hriday Narayan Ramjee Chauhan
17	Shanavas Dadahildgothi
18	Farooque Lombomouge
19	Sajid Hajikagothi
20	Asif Donkage Kudage
21	Sameerudheen Donhavvagothi
22	Hussain Mavadigothi
23	Kudage Mohammed Kundiganduge
24	Mohammed Koruhajige Athirige
25	Muthegebidharuge Hussain

Will Build a Close Partnership With INDIA : OBAMA

Senator Barack Obama, the frontrunner for the Democratic Party's nomination for presidential elections in November, has pledged to ''build a close strategic partnership'' between US and India if elected.

In an article he has written for India Abroad, the Illinois Senator has also committed that he will encourage the active engagement and partnership of the Indian American community in ''making the change we seek'' in US.

''The world's oldest democracy (US) and the world's largest democracy (India) are natural partners, sharing important interests and fundamental democratic values,'' Obama said in the article for the next edition of the weekly newspaper headquartered in New York.

Obama, who has edged past rival Hillary Clinton in the Democratic primaries, said it is his commitment to the critical relationship between the two countries that he voted for the US-India nuclear energy deal on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

''And that is why I will move forward to build a close strategic partnership between the US and India when I am president of the United States,'' he added.

Obama said Washington and New Delhi must work together to combat the common threats of the 21st century because ''both countries have been victims of catastrophic terrorist attacks and we have a shared interest in succeeding in the fight against al-Qaeda and its operational and ideological affiliates''.

The presidential hopeful said he voted against the Iraq war because ''we needed to finish the fight with bin Laden and al-Qaeda in Afghanistan''.

He also referred to his proposal long before the declaration of martial law in Pakistan that the US needed to ''condition our assistance to the Pakistani government so that we encourage stronger action against al-Qaeda and a restoration of democracy''.

Learn From AAMIR : Ramadoss to SRK

Union Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss has reignited the smoking controversy, once again taking a dig at Shahrukh Khan saying icons who passed off smoking on screens as "artistic liberty" should take a leaf out of Aamir Khan's book on how to use the artistic tool.

Ramadoss has rubbed many the wrong way and made many a controversial comment but this time he was all praises for none other than veteran actor Aamir Khan for his role in 'Taaren Zameen Par' where he plays an art teacher who brings a dyslexic boy out of his shell with the insight from his own experiences as a child.

The Health Minister said, "Look at 'Taare Zammen Par' - tha is what creative liberty should do... Creative liberty should be used to improve society and not kill mankind." It was clearly a compliment to Aamir but an apparent attack on another actor super star, Shahrukh, whom the minister had not so long ago slammed for depicting smoking in his films.

King Khan then took on the Health Minister, defending the light up on screen saying it was their creative liberty of artistes.

"I think there should be a huge amount of creative freedom that should be allowed in cinema and arts and one should not go around and picking on small little things - because that's just cinema and make believe and that should be allowed, we should not have huge censorship on that," Khan had said.

If one may recall, recently Ramadoss had even pulled up the actor for smoking in the stands while watching a 20:20 cricket match in Mumbai.

The war of words between the minister - a strong supporter of the anti-tobaco lobby - and an actor who supports creative liberty shows no signs of stubbing out.

"JODHA-AKBAR" row hits Madhya Pradesh......

Screening of Hritik Roshan-Aishwarya Rai starer 'Jodhaa-Akbar' was banned in Madhya Pradesh on Friday after demonstrations against it by the Rajput community at cinema theatres.

''The government has suspended the screening of the movie in the state with immediate effect as protests at cinema halls have posed a threat to maintenance of peace,'' Commercial Tax Department Addition Secretary DPS Parihar said.

In his order banning the screening of the film produced by UTV Software Communications Ltd, Parihar said the decision was taken in accordance to provisions under the Madhya Pradesh Cinema (Regulation) Act, 1952.

A Rajput organisation has threatened to set fire to cinema halls in the state if the screening of the controversial film was not stopped immediately.

Describing the depiction of the Jodhaa Bai as Akbar's wife in the Bollywood movie as an ''insult'' to the community, Akhil Bharatiya Kshatriya Mahasabha has threatened to burn the movie reels and cinema halls screening the film, which has been directed by Ashutosh Gowarikar.

''Till now our protests have been peaceful. We will resort to violence if our forefathers are continued to be insulted,'' the Mahasabha General Secretary Surendra Singh Tomar told reporters earlier this week.

Tomar had also led a delegation to Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan seeking an immediate ban on the screening of the controversial film throughout the state.

Meanwhile, the film's director expressed concern over the recent developments.

''I am very sad that people are appreciating the movie in cities but the film is not being screened in some places. We are getting a good response from overseas. I want people to watch the film first and then express their views,'' said Ashutosh Gowarikar, Director, 'Jodhaa Akbar

RELIEVE ME : VETERAN MARXIST LEADER

In an appeal to his party members, 94-year-old Left patriarch Jyoti Basu has expressed his desire to be relieved from the Politburo meetings.

Basu's request comes ahead of the Politburo meet scheduled for the end of March in Coimbatore. Basu has sighted health reasons repeatedly in the past, asking his party to relieve him from the helm of affairs.

But the CPI(M) for whom Basu's presence has more of symbolic meaning, has maintained that founding members like Basu will not be relieved from the core Politburo even if they don't attend the party meet.

Basu has said: "I have written to them that I can't attend the party congress. I have also told them verbally that I wanted to be relieved from politburo."

PAKISTANS' NEW ERA BEGINS.....!!

Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) have joined hands to form new government in Pakistan.

Asif Ali Zardari and Nawaz Sharif, whose parties had a good showing in the February 18 general elections in Pakistan, met on Thursday amid reports of differences over the issue of deposed judges and future status of Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf.

Addressing a press conference they said that efforts are on for a national consensus government in Pakistan.

Zardari said among the priorities will be restoration of sacked judges. Sharif also said that there was no disagreement with PPP on the issue.

Nawaz Sharif has said that PPP and PML-N have agreed to form government in centre and provinces.

''We are trying to form a national consensus government,'' added Asif Ali Zardari.

Reacting on joining hands with Sharif, the PPP boss said that they have agreed in principal to come together.

When questions were put on President Pervez Musharraf, Sharif said that the sooner President Musharraf respects the will of the people, the better.

Sharif further said that he does not want any help from Musharraf, as according to him, he was not capable of helping.

The PPP leader emphasized that they intend to implement the 1973 Constitution and promised to give full freedom to media, and also asked media to keep a check on the new government.

TOP CEO ON THE DOCK....

Two and a half years after Pratibha Murthy - an employee of a BPO company - was killed in Bangalore by the driver of the car taking her home after work, the Supreme Court has given the go ahead for criminal proceedings against Som Mittal, the then Managing Director of the company Hewlett Packard where Pratibha was working.

Pratibha Murthy was raped and murdered by the company driver in 2005 in Bangalore and Mittal was accused of negligence, leading to the rape and death of the BPO employee. Police had accused HP of violating the 2002 order of Karnataka Government that directed companies, employing women in night shifts, to provide security for them during their travel home.

Som Mittal is the former MD of BPO Branch of HP and is the currently the President of NASSCOM.

The Supreme Court's ruling has stated that, the managers and administration are also liable to ensure the safety of women employees especially during night shifts. The three judges from the SC bench have also stated that the latest ruling is not a direction but an obersavation.

Pratibha's parents, who spent the past two years in and out of courts seeking justice, are taking some comfort from the Supreme Court order on Wednesday (Feb 20), which found that Mittal should be held responsible for negligence. Pratibha's uncle S Srinivasa said, "A man who heads any institution is always responsible, whether he's in the institution or outside the institution, negligence is negligence. It's associated with them, it's caused by them." Pawan Shetty, Pratibha's husband voiced his take and said that it is the best thing that has ever happened and hopes that the companies do not lapse in their employees' welfare, security and safety.

The General Secretary of IT Union - Karthik Shekhar - has meanwhile made it clear that the company violated the amended act of Karnataka's Shops and Establishment Act for which it deserved to be pulled up by the Supreme Court.

He added that employees are the knowledge capital of the company and their protection should be of high priority. He also believes that over the past two years nothing has changed with regard to the attitude of corporate companies. Shekhar also felt that even if Som Mittal is fined, the amount would likely not be phenomenal. He has been trying to get in touch with Mr Mittal ever since the tragic incident, but says there has been no response at all from his end.

However, HP has issued a statement on SC's observation on the case and have said that since the matter is sub judice the company would not like to comment on the same. Meanwhile, neither Som Mittal nor HP has been pronounced guilty on any court.

WAR OF SURVIVAL........Its IPL Or ICL..........????

(Vs)






Now that the IPL has kicked into high gear, what happens to the rebel Indian Cricket League?

The ICL plans to organise its next big tournament in March but can they survive the assault from the brutal monetary advantage that the IPL enjoys? The signs aren't too good.

The Chennai Superstars celebrated victory in the inaugural edition of the Indian Cricket League. The Essel Group's rebel league has even bigger plans this season. But can they succeed?

While the ICL attracted a reasonable amount of interest from advertisers, with the launch of the IPL that scenario may just change. After all, advertising budgets aren't likely to go through the roof and there is only so much money to spend.

Even the players who have signed up for the ICL face an uncertain future. Banned from playing in their own domestic tournaments, some like the Pakistan players who played in the league have decided to take their case to court. But PCB Chief Nasim Ashraf has warned the things will only get tougher for the ICL from now on.

"They must find a solution with the ICC if they want their league to work and survive. Even the Indian Premier League was only launched properly after the BCCI first discussed and worked out things with the ICC and member boards. Anyone who wants to do something for the betterment of cricket must do it through the ICC," Ashraf has said.

But the ICC seems to be in no mood to soften its stand on the ICL.

"Yes, the member countries have affirmed their opposition to the Indian Cricket League, an unofficial cricket league. They have resolved that they will not release any of their players to play in the Indian Cricket League," ICC's Chief Executive Malcolm Speed says.

ANY WAY GAME OF CRICKET SHOULD WIN AT LAST................!!!

TATA MOTORS' AIR CAR.........!!

Tata Motors Ltd has confirmed that it is collaborating to develop an air-powered car with French inventors.Tata Motors Managing Director Ravi Kant told that his group last year signed an agreement with MDI, a private French company developing cars driven by compressed air.
"It's a very exciting concept, this way of running a car. We hope something will come out of it," Kant said.
He confirmed Tata Motors had the technology rights for India and was "studying whether it can be used".
Tata was looking at applying the technology for both mobile and stationary uses, he added.
Reports last week said Tata was looking at the feasibility of applying the technology to power generation. According to MDI, which is based near Nice, compressed air technology can be applied to emergency generators.
Guy Negre, the French engineer who is working on the invention, was quoted saying last week his five-seater OneCat, with zero emissions in cities, will be marketed within a year.
"The first buyers of the air car will be people who care about the environment," Negre said, adding: "It also has to be economical."
However, Kant stated that the group had "not yet announced when we will have a car".
A representative of the French company said Tata had bought rights to its engine, but not its car concept.
The paper said the car would be run by compressed air tanks at speeds below 50 km per hour, and by petrol, diesel or another fuel at high speeds.

INDIAN NAVYS' NEW MILE STONE.......!!

India is now capable of firing a nuclear capable ballistic missile from under the sea.

Top defence scientists reported in Delhi on Monday that the missile, K-15, will be test-fired for the sixth and final time from an underwater platform this week.

The 700-km range K-15 will put India in the club of five nations (US, Russia, France and China) which have the technology to fire missiles from the sea. If the K-15 is successful, India will get the capability to launch nuclear weapons from land, sea and air.

The missile would be armed on the country’s submarines. The Recent reports says that it is very difficult to target a weapon that is on a submarine, underwater and moving. Submarine-launched weapons are considered the best option for attacking the enemy because they provide stealth

A senior defence official told reporters on Monday preparation for the test-launch is over. "We have completed all preparations for the first ever test launch of the missile and awaiting Government’s nod," said S Prahlada, Chief Controller of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) at the Defence Expo exhibition in Delhi.

ANIL AMBANI provides Compensation

In an unprecedented move, Anil Ambani Group company -- Reliance Power -- will offer free bonus shares to all its shareholders to compensate the losses they suffered when the company was listed a week ago.

"Reliance Power board will consider issuing free bonus shares to all shareholders excluding the promoters," a group spokesperson said.

On the day of its listing at Rs 547.8 a share, Reliance Power performed miserably at the stock exchanges and closed the day nearly 32 per cent lower. The IPO had attracted a total demand of about Rs 7,50,000 crore and the company had issued the shares at Rs 450 while giving a discount Rs 20 a share to retail investors.

Taking the investing community by surprise, the Anil Ambani group on Sunday (February 17) announced to consider free bonus shares to all non-promoter shareholders in Reliance Power, while alleging that corporate rivals were pulling down share prices of all group companies.

Meanwhile, in a reltated development, Reliance Power also demanded a probe by market regulator SEBI into "a vicious and orchestrated campaign of market manipulation and market abuse unleashed by unscrupulous rival corporate interests to hammer down all Reliance ADA stocks". The company said its board would consider the free bonus shares at a meeting next Sunday (February 24) to benefit over four million of its investors and the cost would be accepted by promoter group by way of diluting its shareholders.

ORRISA UNREST.......!!

An encounter is on between Naxals and security personnel in near Tikapali police station on the Kandhamal-Ganjam border in Orissa. Police sources claim heavy casualties on the Naxal side.

Orissa Home Secretary Tarun Kanti Mishra said that three security personnel have been killed in the encounter and added that the Naxals, too, have suffered heavy losses.

"At least 20 Naxalites have been killed so far. This counter-attack will continue till we wipe out all of them," Mishra said.

Mishra also said that the state is now fully prepared to contain the Naxal threat.

“This is the first offensive by the Naxals in the state. The problem has been that of spillover of violence from the neighboring states. Of late, there have been instances of explicit Naxal activities. We are now fully prepared and will be dealing with them firmly. Intensive combing operations are on,” he added.

The encounter comes a day after hundreds of Naxals overran three police stations and two outposts in Nayagarh, killing 14 policemen and a village guard. The Naxals had also looted two armouries in the attack that lasted over four hours.

Naxals had launched major offensives at Nayagarh and Daspalla in Orissa on Friday and looted sophisticated arms and ammunition from three trucks.

The first attack was on the Nayagarh Police Training School and the district armoury.

Police say the attack was carried out by a group of around 400 Naxals, including women cadres, equipped with bombs and firearms. Within a few minutes, another attack was launched at a police station in Daspalla town.

The Naxal attack is believed to be in retaliation for the death of seven of their cadres earlier on Thursday in Jharkhand.

SRK back to TELEVISION....!!

After his Kaun Banega Crorepati stint Shahrukh Khan is back on the small screen and this time around he will be asking questions that are a whole lot easier. Here is the latest on SRK's new reality show "Kya Aap Paanchvi Pass Hain".

SRK is back and this time hopefully one will not have to phone a friend. The Badshah of Bollywood is goint to make his presence felt on small screen with a new reality show 'Kya aap Panchvi pass hain?" , formatted on the popular American show -- Are you smarter than a fifth grader. It is a show where the adults world would be questioned by kids. If they fail to answer then they would have to claim that they are not smarter than fifth graders.

Khan said that every serial has a season and KBC's season got over and did not come to any sort of abrupt end. He also added that he is not jobless anymore. The man himself has not only KBC 4 in offing but Aditya Chopra's next and 2 home production projects.

Whether in India or anywhere else in the globe, all that can be said about King Khan is just his name. Fanatics of SRK across the international circuit will be hoping that his great sense of humour is retained which is an add-on for the superstar.

IPL OR 3 YEARS BAN.....???

The Indian Premier League (IPL) has offered Australian players a chance to play in the Twenty20 tournament without a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from their governing body else they would face a three-year ban from the league.

Chairman of the IPL Lalit Modi said all the players will have to return their signed contracts by Sunday so that the they could be auctioned to the eight franchises next Wednesday.

"They are running out of time," Modi told the Sydney Morning Herald..

"We will gladly take the Australian players without NOCs, we don't want to go down that path but if we have to, we will. I am not the type that won't follow through with what I say; if the contracts are not signed and returned by Sunday the Australian players will not be allowed to take part in the IPL for three years. We are taking a list to owners on Monday," he said.

IPL is a temptation that is hard to resist and a three-year ban would mean that veterans like Matthew Hayden, who are likely to retire by then, will be denied a chance to earn huge money at the end of their careers.

RAJ THACKERAY ARRESTED AND GRANTED BAIL

Following the case filed against Raj Thackeray by the Mumbai Police on Monday (February 11), the MNS Chief was arrested at 4:30 pm. However, the MNS chief was later granted bail by the Vikhroli Magistrate Court at 7 pm. The Mumbai police arrested Raj Thackeray under Sec 153(A) and 153(B) of the IPC.

The Mumbai police visited his Shivaji Park residence on Wednesday (February 13) morning, where his statement was recorded. Post his arrest, Raj Thackeray was taken to the Vikhroli court. The Maharashtra government had given the go ahead to arrest Raj.

Shirish Parkar, MNS spokesperson had earlier claimed that they were prepared for the MNS Chief's arrest and would not apply for his bail.

Meanwhile, SP leader, Abu Azmi too was arrested from his Colaba residence under Section 153 (A) of IPC. Abu Azmi was taken to Bhoiwada Magistrate court.

The security has been beefed up following the arrest. Additional companies of Rapid Action Force (RAF) have been deployed across the state of Maharashtra in a bid to prevent any kind of untoward incidents. The police have put up barricades across the city with a number of personnel patrolling across the city in various areas.

Shops outside the Vikhroli court have been shut and civilians have been asked to evacuate. It's also learnt that shops have been closed in Central and Western suburbs. While stone pelting incidents were reported in Sion area of Mumbai.

Sharmas Lifted INDIA on TOP ........!!

The Sharmas came good to help India to their first win over Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground since 1986.

First, it was the pace of Ishant Sharma that undid Australia. Ishant (4-37) registered his career-best figures and with Sreesanth's support act (3-31) bundled out the hosts for 159 in under 44 overs in this fifth game of the CB Series.

Later, Rohit Sharma kept the faith posed in him. His unbeaten 39 was hard-fought and scored when the chips were down, and with the Australian pace foursome giving no quarters. Along with captain MS Dhoni, he added 58 runs to take India home on a pitch that was assisting seam movement.

India were in trouble around the 25th over, thanks to a mixture of injudicious stroke-play and incisive Australian bowling. Tendulkar had just departed after a soothing 44, Gambhir's technique was inadequate against a nasty Brett Lee lifter and Yuvraj perished to the demons in his head.

Rohit and Dhoni survived some rough overs from Lee, Mitchell Johnson, Nathan Bracken and company. They then feasted on the part-time fare of Andrew Symonds and Michael Clarke to finish off the game.

Ishant, Sreesanth run through Australia

Ishant hadn't had many wickets to show for his hard work on this tour. Sunday was different. After an expensive start, he got Matt Hayden to edge one to slip. From there on, India prevailed.

That was after Australia had elected to bat and Adam Gilchrist had been done in in the game's first over - LBW to Sreesanth when he had got a huge edge on the ball. Umpire Rudi Koertzen, staying true to the umpiring standards this Australian summer, gave it out.

Gilchrist walked back. Exemplarily, there was no shake of the head, or a glare back at the umpire.

Ponting's horror run continued - he edged Ishant to slip, much like in Perth, after scoring 9.

Andrew Symonds (14) didn't last long either. He edged one to Dhoni off Ishant. This time there would be no gifts from the umpire.

Dhoni would be mighty pleased with his contribution: 17 tough runs, four catches and a stumping. Not to forget he has now led India to the top of the points table with this win. India are on 8 points, one ahead of Australia, while Sri Lanka are on 2.

Michael Hussey was Australia's top-scorer, delivering right when they needed him to. His unbeaten 65 (88 balls, 4x4s) - the match's highest score - gave his team a fig leaf of a score.

Only if Australia had played out their 50 overs with a lower-order batsman sticking it out with Hussey, the outcome of this match could have been different.

India's batting woes continue

In the end, it was as comprehensive a win as any against the world champions. But for India, pertinent questions about their batsmen's form remain.

Virender Sehwag came out, hoping to score those 160 in two overs. In the process, he played and missed three times in the innings' first over by Lee, while edging one past slip for four.

He didn't last long, his six-or-out innings terminated by a sharp Bracken in-cutter, much like in their previous encounter.

Tendulkar, on the other hand, was easy on the eyes. Replays suggested Tendulkar had benefitted from a Koertzen error - a caught-behind appeal turned down.

But apart from that one blemish, his strokes were smooth, none smoother than the three drives in a Brett Lee over that would have had even his hardest critics sighing. One went through cover, and two down the ground on either side of the wicket.

Irfan Pathan's promotion ahead of the in-form Gambhir remained a mystery. Pathan didn't waste anybody's time. He got in, scored 18 quickly and got out.

Gambhir batted purposefully, twice running all four with Tendulkar. But he was done in by pace and bounce by Lee, whose summer just keeps getting better each passing day.

Yuvraj's lack of form is a concern, not because he's not getting runs - he soon should - but because he looks like he is not even trying to get runs. And that is unlike him.

On Sunday, Yuvraj looked totally out of place against the pace bowlers. A loose shot to cover put him out of his misery. He now has 2 & 3 in the CB Series to go with the 0, 5, 12 and 0 in the Tests.

SRK stands HIGH @ Berlin Film Festival

As German fans drooled over Shah Rukh Khan, the national media shed its perceptions of "bullock cart India" and trained its attention on the Bollywood superstar when he landed here, with one journalist even saying "he is as popular as the Pope".

Shah Rukh was here for the screening of Om Shanti Om at the Berlin Film Festival. Some German television channels suddenly turned their cameras from the Hollywood glitterati to Khan as excited fans let out loud shrieks to greet him at the Berlinale Friday night.

Some channels narrated details of Khan's personal life, his wife Gauri and their two children.

The German daily Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, which was highly critical about India and Indians until the mid-1990s, when the world began to notice the South Asian country's economic and technological prowess, said that many people from all over Europe had descended on Berlin to see their favourite star.

"He is as popular as the Pope, but he (Khan) has more sex appeal," wrote Ekkehard Knoerer in the Berlin tabloid Die Tageszeitung, while trying to capture the mood at the Berlinale.

Many Germany-based Indians and their German friends agree that two factors have gradually changed perceptions about "bullock cart India", as it was contemptuously referred to in the past by the German media which often resorted to clichés of beggars with maimed bodies on the streets, the sacred cows, the corrupt politicians and the catastrophes.

"The IT revolution and Bollywood have together contributed to a vastly improved image of India's prowess," said Rudolf Schweizer, a German businessman who frequently visits Bangalore and Hyderabad to oversee work contracted to Indian companies.

"India, along with China, is seen as an economic powerhouse and one of the two fastest growing economies of the world," he added.

Shah Rukh Friday also announced that he had plans to direct a film in Berlin, but admitted that he had no concrete dates for the shooting.

A spokesman of Eros Entertainment, a film distribution company which has handled many Bollywood blockbusters in Germany, said that 50 prints of Om Shanti Om or OSO, as it is popularly known, would be distributed all over Germany.

"We hope this film will also open the entire European market for us," he added.

Aside from the film's star-studded cast, particularly Shah Rukh, the theme of reincarnation as depicted in OSO fascinates Germans, many of whom are drawn to Hindu philosophy and the teachings of Indian gurus.

"It's a different and very interesting perspective for many Germans. We may not entirely understand the nuances of Indian culture, but rebirth and reincarnation appeal to many of us," Ursula Roth, who works as a teacher near Berlin, told IANS.

Perhaps it is the "illogical and supernatural aspect of the subject which appeals to an otherwise logical-minded people", Roth tried to explain the phenomenal German interest in OSO.

Bollywood has also created a greater interest in Indian cuisine and it is not uncommon to find many Germans frequently shopping for spices in Indian grocery stores that are sprouting in many German cities.

In capital Berlin alone, the number of Indian restaurants has risen sharply from 150 in 2001 to 250 now, according to the Berlin Economic Development Agency.

"This increase augurs well for our business," says an employee of Choudry Food Traders, which supplies all kinds of products to Indian restaurants and also sells them in its own store.

Kidney MASTER Arrested

In a major breakthrough, the Nepal police apprehended the alleged kingpin of the Gurgaon kidney racket, Amit Kumar, somewhere near the Indo-Nepal border on Thursday evening.

Nepal’s Minister of Home Affairs Ram Kumar Choudhary confirmed that 'a person named Amit Kumar Raut' was arrested from a resort in Sauraha at around 1700 hours on Thursday.

The minister said he has received reports from the DIG that the police team also recovered Rs 1.5 crore of Indian currency, $1,45,000 and euro 9,36,000 from the person.

The arrested person "has links with a big kidney racket in India and there are cases against him in Nepal as well," the minister said.

The Nepal police arrested the man from a jungle resort camp in the southern town of Sauraha, about 60 km from the Indo-Nepal border town of Raxaul.

The Sauraha resort in Chitwan district, about 60 km from Raxaul in Bihar. The journalist, however, said the identity of the arrested person is yet to be confirmed.

Sources said Dr Kumar and his Nepali associate Manish Singh checked into Room Number 6 of the Hotel Wildlife Camp around 10 am on Thursday morning under Singh's name. Other reports said the doctor had checked into the hotel with two other people.

Sources say the doctor was trying to use a cyber cafe in the area when some local people identified him and tipped the police.

A short while later a police team reached the hotel and began enquiring about the guests. The policemen showed the receptionist a picture of Dr Kumar and sought to know whether he was staying in the hotel. Even as the receptionist made a positive identification, the Nepali associate of Dr Kumar, Manish Singh, fled the place.

The police team then rushed to the room and arrested Dr Kumar. Amit is being brought by road to Kathmandu where the Indian High Commission will be intimated formally on Friday.

Talking to CNN-IBN, the SSP of Nepal Crime Branch, Upendra Kanta Aryal, said that the Nepal police have made some 'positive progress' in the case.