Latest News

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• Another under-age girl in Berlusconi’s bunga bunga scandal
• Bharti Airtel is not a price point player in 3G service
• It’s tough to impress my dad: Shazahn Padamsee
• Abhishek’s ‘Game’ to release on Fools’ Day
• Lara roots for Paes-Bhupathi
• I want Gulzar saab to write poems for me: Katrina
• Pregnant Kate Hudson not engaged
• India targets $1 trillion infrastructure investment: Ahluwalia
• 62 convicted in fodder scam, 23 jailed
• Reliance Infrastructure in $900 mn Nepal highway project race

Another under-age girl in Berlusconi’s bunga bunga scandal Posted: 28 Jan 2011 04:50 AM PST A 19-year-old Brazilian showgirl was under age when she visited Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi’s villa where bunga bunga sex parties took place, believe prosecutors. The Daily Telegraph reported that Berlusconi is already accused of paying for sex with teenage nightclub dancer called Ruby the Heartbreaker. Brazilian showgirl Iris Berardi was under age when she went to Berlusconi’s summer villa in Sardinia in November 2009 and his palazzo near Milan a month later, believe prosecutors. At the time of the alleged encounters, Berardi would have been 17. The media report said that one of the women being investigated may be turning against the prime minister. Twentyfive-year-old Nicole Minetti, whom Berlusconi helped to enter politics as a regional councillor in Lombardy, was recorded two weeks ago as calling him “a piece of ****” and “an old man” who had ruined her life and “is trying to save his own flabby ****.” Minetti in another intercepted phone call told former Playboy model Barbara Faggioli that Italian politics was “a mess” and warned that “if he (Berlusconi) goes down, we all go down.” Investigators have stumbled upon Berardi’s appointments diary in which she listed several meetings with Berlusconi, whom she referred to as “Papi” or Daddy. However, there were no specific mention of sex. She has jotted down eight occasions on which she was paid 2,000 euros last year. A 227-page dossier submitted to a parliamentary committee Wednesday by prosecutors contains explosive details about Berlusconi and his friends being entertained by showgirls desperate to advance their careers, the media report said. Maria Makdoum, a belly dancer, has described “bunga bunga” parties that she went to in June 2010. A friend of Berlusconi asked her whether she wanted to “become part of his harem”. She claimed that she went to several private dinners that would end with Berlusconi asking the guests: “Now let’s do the bunga bunga.” He explained that “it was a sexual thing”, she said. She said that as she did a belly dance, Berlusconi allegedly “touched the intimate parts” of two twin show girls and reality show contestants who were dressed “only in their pants and bras”. “Then the Brazilian girl, who was wearing a thong, danced an X-rated version of the samba.” “The prime minister touched her breasts and her intimate parts. I was horrified. If I had known what went on there, I wouldn’t have gone,” said Makdoum.

Bharti Airtel is not a price point player in 3G service Posted: 28 Jan 2011 02:23 AM PST Integrated mobile telephony major Bharti Airtel Ltd said Thursday that it is not a price point player though there may be price play in the company’s strategy to gain market share in the 3G service segment. “There are market segments that have different needs. Pricing plans to have to meet that. But we are not a price player per se,” Atul Bindal, president of the mobile services division, told IANS while launching the service in Chennai and Coimbatore here. He said offering 3G services at 2G data service rates was not similar to offering the 2G voice service below cost. Some industry players are accusing others of undercutting the rates by offering the mobile voice service below cost. “The 3G tariff plans should be such that the whole new category is allowed to grow,” Bindal added. Bharti Airtel has three types of tariff schemes for its new service – Sachet, Standard and FlexiShield. The sachet plan is available in three price points – Rs.8, Rs.45 and Rs.63-with a validity of one to 10 days. This plan is to enable subscribers to experience the 3G service and then go in for higher plans. Under the Standard Plan, the company offers both pre-paid and post paid schemes starting at Rs.100 (100 MB data usage) and going up to Rs.751 for a data usage of 2GB with a validity of 30 days. The third plan is a hybrid of free data usage subject to a ceiling of 1.25GB. The company will charge 0.10 paise per MB over and above the free limit. Once the customer usage touches a total bill of Rs.2,000, the download speed is restricted though the subscriber is not charged even if he uses the service. Speaking about mobile number portability (MNP) – the facility of subscribers to migrate to competition without changing their phone numbers – Bindal said Bharti Airtel would not be affected either in the corporate or retail segments. “Actually MNP is an opportunity for corporate customers to shift to integrated players who offer voice, broadband, 3G and other services. In Haryana, where MNP was initially offered, we are net positive,” he said, declining to share numbers as to how many subscribers left the company’s network and how many new were added. Declining to answer the query as to when the company expects to recover the Rs.12,000 crore (3G licence fee for 13 circles) plus other investments towards network upgradation, marketing, branding and others, Bindal said: “The growth percentage of revenue from non voice service will be higher. There will be improvement in the margins.” “Our average revenue per user (ARPU) is one of the highest in the industry which in turn means we have more higher end customers than others. This is a potential base for 3G service,” Bindal said. He also declined to give any numbers of expected subscribers for the new service and how many of the company’s existing subscribers were likely to migrate to 3G. On rollout plans for 3G, he said the company would offer the service in 40 centres by this March; by March 2012, the service would be available more than 1,500 cities and towns.

It’s tough to impress my dad: Shazahn Padamsee Posted: 28 Jan 2011 02:20 AM PST Shazahn Padamsee managed to win praise from director Madhur Bhandarkar and her “Dil Toh Baccha Hai Ji” co-star Ajay Devgn, but says it is difficult to impress her “perfectionist” father, theatre veteran Alyque Padamsee. “My dad is my biggest critic. It is very tough to impress him… he is such a perfectionist!” Shazahn told IANS over phone from Mumbai. However, the 22-year-old feels her father provides constructive criticism and she has learnt to takes his comments in her stride. “When I have to go out, and I ask him – ‘Dad, how am I looking?’, he just nods. He is never like ‘wow’ or ‘stunning’ the way others compliment me. My dad is very strict and critical and I understand that he does it because he wants the best for me. I really appreciate that about my dad. “It’s nice to have a dad who is in this profession, who knows what acting is, who knows what good films are… he has a great taste in cinema and it’s really good to have someone who can give intelligent opinions about the kind of films I should do and what look suits me. I go to him for a lot of advice and I believe it’s always the correct thing to do,” she said. Theatre is in Shazahn’s blood and she enjoys the medium, but Bollywood is what enamours her most. “My main focus is Bollywood. I do enjoy theatre, but honestly there’s no time. I love doing plays, but it takes way too long to develop them. Doing theatre is a way of life… you go and rehearse from 10 a.m.-10 p.m., have chai (tea), work at your own pace… it is an art form and very personal. So unless there’s time, it’s tough. But right now, films is what excites me. Nevertheless, when I have some time, I would love to do theatre,” she said. Shazahn was seen on the big screen in “Rocket Singh – Salesman Of The Year” and in just released “Dil Toh Baccha Hai Ji”, she is seen as a 21-year-old bank intern June Pinto, who charms a much-older senior colleague, played by Ajay. She does not want to be choosy at such an early stage in her career. “I am very new and I can’t really sit on a high pedestal and start demanding the kind of stuff I want. God willing, I will be there one day because I know I am very ambitious. But right now, the reality is that I am a newcomer. I am getting good offers as of now, and I do want roles that I can relate to and would be happy to do roles to which I can bring something unique.”

Abhishek’s ‘Game’ to release on Fools’ Day Posted: 28 Jan 2011 02:16 AM PST First time director Abhinay Deo’s upcoming action thriller “Game”, which has Abhishek Bachchan in the lead role, has been scheduled for an April 1 release. Produced under Ritesh Sidhwani and Farhan Akhtar’s banner Excel Entertainment, the film has been shot in Greece, Turkey, Thailand, Britain and India. Filmmaker-actor Farhan Akhtar has penned dialogues for the movie that also stars Kangana Ranaut, Jimmy Shergill, Anupam Kher, Boman Irani, Shahana Goswami, Gauhar Khan and newcomer Sarah Jane Dias.

Lara roots for Paes-Bhupathi Posted: 28 Jan 2011 02:14 AM PST She may not be a tennis freak, but Bollywood beauty Lara Dutta is sincerely hoping that her fiance Mahesh Bhupathi wins the men’s doubles Australian Open with his partner Leander Paes Sunday. “So proud of Lee & Hesh!!! Praying for a win! The only Grandslam title they haven’t won together… YET!!! C’monnnnn Boys!!! (sic),” Lara posted on her Twitter page following Paes-Bhupathi’s entry into the Australian Open final Thurdsay. The two tennis players made for a former World No.1 pair, and have won three Grand Slams together — Wimbledon (1999) and two French Open titles (1999, 2001). They are now playing a Grand Slam together after nine years. Bhupathi will be tying the knot with Lara Feb 19. The duo got engaged in New York in September.

I want Gulzar saab to write poems for me: Katrina Posted: 28 Jan 2011 02:09 AM PST She is one of the most beautiful women in Hindi film industry, but surprisingly no one has ever written any romantic poems for Katrina Kaif, who believes love is the most beautiful thing in the world. The actress now wants veteran lyricist Gulzar to pen one for her. “Nobody has ever written a poem for me. But if actually someone writes a poem for me, I think that will be very romantic,” she said at the launch of Pritish Nandy’s book of love poems “Tonight, This Savage Rite”. Looking her best in an off white-knee length dress, Katrina, 26, surprised everyone when she said: “I want Gulzar saab to write poems for me.” Gulzar, 74, who has written innumerable songs for Hindi films and has many poetry books to his credit, was present at the event and said: “Inshallah, I would write a poem for Katrina for sure.” The event was about love poems and it was but natural to know Katrina’s views on romance and the actress happily obliged everyone by sharing her opinion. “Even though love is known to entail pain, disappointment, disillusionment, still I don’t want to be pessimistic about love. I would rather want to have a positive approach to love. I believe that there can be a happy ending, because love is the most beautiful thing in the world,” she said. When asked about Valentine’s Day plans, she said: “I have no plans. I will be working on the day.”

Pregnant Kate Hudson not engaged Posted: 28 Jan 2011 02:02 AM PST Mum-to-be Kate Hudson has denied reports that she is engaged to marry rocker boyfriend Matt Bellamy, father of her unborn child. “No, no, not that I know of! I don’t like putting that sort of pressure on it and I don’t feel it necessary to get married. I am 31, I already have one child and have had one divorce, so it is not necessarily the golden ticket. I just want to be happy,” aceshowbiz.com quoted her as saying. Talking about her second child, she said: “I’m just starting to pop. We have a couple of names but we’re not telling anyone. People tell you so much (about being pregnant) it drives me nuts. It feels like a girl, but I don’t know. (My son) Ryder thinks it’s a girl.”

India targets $1 trillion infrastructure investment: Ahluwalia Posted: 28 Jan 2011 01:58 AM PST India will double its investments in infrastructure to $1 trillion during the 11th Five Year Plan that begins 2012, with half of that expected from the private sector, Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia has said. Speaking at the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum at this Swiss ski resort, the key policy maker said the private sector investment so envisaged includes capital inflow from overseas. “We didn’t invent the term 'inclusive growth’ to mean 'inclusive of the private sector and inclusive of foreign investment’ — but that’s clearly the nature of the policy,” Ahluwalia said at a session on inclusive growth. “In India, it is clear: It’s private sector-led growth in which the government plays a very important role in providing the infrastructure that will make this growth possible, and it’s the social policy that will make growth inclusive.” Jamshyd N. Godrej, chairman and managing director of Godrej and Boyce Manufacturing Co, said that inclusive growth was transforming India. He pointed to “Bihar, a state that had been the poster boy of no development, is now in the vanguard of growth”. Agreeing with Godrej, Janmejaya K. Sinha, chair for Asia-Pacific region with The Boston Consulting Group, said the obligation of financial institutions and banks to serve the underprivileged people had thrown open immense opportunities. “In India, some 55 percent of people are excluded from financial services, and most of these are below 30. So, there’s an opportunity of having 400 million customers for 45 years,” Sinha said. The meeting was attended, among others, by business leaders, investors and academics including Prof Joseph Stiglitz of Columbia University in New York and a winner of the Nobel Prize for Economics.

62 convicted in fodder scam, 23 jailed Posted: 28 Jan 2011 01:55 AM PST A special CBI court here Friday convicted 62 people, including 27 government officials, in the 1996 multi-million fodder scam and 23 of them were sentenced to rigorous imprisonment ranging from three to five years. Special Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) judge R.R. Tripathy pronounced the judgment in the case related to fraudulent withdrawal of Rs.8.37 crore from Chaibasa treasury. Of the 62 convicted, 27 are government officials and the rest are suppliers. The court handed down three to five years of rigorous imprisonment to 23 of those convicted and slapped fines between Rs.20,000 and Rs.4.5 lakh as well. The quantum of sentence against the remaining convicts will be pronounced Saturday. The multi-million fodder scam surfaced in 1996 when Jharkhand was part of undivided Bihar. A total of 61 cases were transferred to Jharkhand after it was carved out from Bihar in November 2000. The special CBI courts have passed judgement in 32 cases. Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) Chief Lalu Prasad and former Bihar chief minister Jagannath Mishra are accused in five cases and trial of the cases are going on in CBI courts of Ranchi.

Reliance Infrastructure in $900 mn Nepal highway project race Posted: 28 Jan 2011 01:37 AM PST Reliance Infrastructure, a part of the Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group, remains in the race for the prestigious $900-million highway project in Nepal, expected to boost development in the southern Terai plains, top officials said. Expression of interest for the four-lane, 76-km highway was invited in 2009 to connect the capital city with the Terai plains, which will reduce travelling time to just about 90 minutes. Reliance Infrastructure and South Korea’s Landmark Worldwide had made the shortlist. But local firms here protested the eligibility criteria – a net worth of at least $150 million or a track record of completing any infrastructure project worth at least $900 million in the last five years. Accordingly the Public Accounts Committee of parliament asked the physical planning and works ministry, which is executing the project, to shortlist more companies. Now, the ministry has re-invited expressions of interest with Feb 27 as the deadline. “However, Reliance and Landmark are still on the shortlist,” said Tulsi Prasad Sitaula, joint secretary at the ministry. “We informed them of the parliamentary order and told them they were welcome to make a fresh application.” The Kathmandu-Terai Fast Track project is also linked to the proposed construction of Nepal’s second international airport at Nijgadh town in Bara district on the Indo-Nepal border. Sitaula said Reliance has affirmed its interest in the project and has picked up the new expression of interest document. Physical Planning and Works Minister Bijay Kumar Gachhedar reportedly told the Public Accounts Committee that the yardstick was kept high to pre-empt the problems plaguing the energy ministry. The ministry had awarded licences to small players to develop power projects, only to have them hang on to the licences to look for a buyer. The Terai highway is to be executed through a public-private partnership on a build-own-operate-and-transfer basis. The Asian Development Bank conducted a feasibility study in 2008 and estimated the project cost to be around $800 million. Now, thanks to the delay, it is likely to have shot up to $900 million.

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