Osama bin Laden's son denied asylum in Spain

Spain has rejected a request for asylum by one of the sons of al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden because it does not believe he is being persecuted, the Interior Ministry said.

Omar bin Laden was detained at Madrid's international airport after arriving on a stopover flight from Cairo bound for Morocco and applying for asylum on Monday.

Bin Laden, who was travelling on a Saudi Arabian passport with his British wife, reportedly applied for a British visa ealier this year but it was turned down.

Bin Laden, who has described himself in media interviews as a pacifist, has 24 hours to appeal Wednesday's decision, an Interior Ministry official said.

(Reporting by Raquel Castillo; Writing by Paul Day and Jason Webb; Editing by Jon Boyle)

Vijender Kumar

Golden date?: Earlier, bong bombshell Bipasha Basu had promised Vijender Kumar a date if he wins the medal at Olympics.

Minor girl raped and killed in Bihar

A minor girl was allegedly raped and murdered in a village Madhubani in Bihar, police said on Thursday.

The incident came to light after family found the body of the 8-year-old daughter of Shivlal Yadav on Wednesday from a school premises.

An FIR has been filed against Dina Thakur and another person for the rape and murder of the girl with the Pandual police station, police said.

When the girl did not return home for a long time, the family members began to search for her and found the body from the premises of Sarisabh Pahi Girls School, police said.

Khans

Khandaan: Coming up soon is tripple treat of Top three Khans of Bollywood -Yuvraaj, Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi and Ghajini.

Preity goes around the world!

If you guys are wondering where’s Preity Zinta these days?

Here it is. Off late she has had a rather tight schedule travelling from one place to another. A close friend of the actress said, “Preity just offered prayers and sought blessings at Vaishnodevi (she makes it a point to visit the temple every year). Then she air dashed to New Delhi to address a press conference. After addressing the press in Delhi, Preity flew down to Bangkok for another press conference once again. Hmm... sounds like a pucca business woman in the making!

The life and times of Aamir Khan

Did you know that actor Aamir Khan was an ace lawn tennis player who had represented Mahrashtra at the nationals? 

In fact, the elusive Khan headed a rock band in his Bombay Scottish days. Surprised? Well, hold on to your awe for a while. For Aamir Khan promises lots more! 

Shy and introvert, Aamir dabbled in cinema at a young age. His inclinations notwithstanding, Aamir, for a long time, was unsure of his goals in life. 

However, once decided, no one could budge the chocolate-faced boy next door. Irrespective of his personal ambitions or professional commitments, Aamir saw it through till the very end. 

Superstar Superlives on Zoom focuses on Aamir’s firm determination, his cinematic sense, his flops and his subsequent dramatic rise to the success story he has created today. The child actor, who made his first appearance before the camera in his father Tahir Hussein’s film, Yaadon Ki Barat, his fear of film sets, fascination for kites, an unsuccessful marriage to childhhood love Reena Dutt and finally finding happiness with present wife, Kiran Rao, the journey that the series sketches reveals a man stirred by his acute sense of observation and aesthetic skills. 

The perfectionist had his share of pitfall to the verge where he once thought of quitting the film industry. His very public separation with Reena left him traumatic and vulnerable. However, he bore it with stoic dignity, when critics lashed out at him for his Mangal Pandey debacle and his separation. 

That’s not all! Aamir received a lot of flak for ‘ghost directing’ his films. But he shut his critics with his exceptional directorial skills. “Aamir was exemplary in his shot angles and script sense. Need we say he was born to be a director and a legendary one at that!” says director Mahesh Bhatt. 

As Aamir himself says in Dil Chahata Hai, “It’s tough to perfect perfectionism.” However this is just the prelude .

Beckhams have a magic necklace

Former Spice girl Victoria Beckham and her soccer star husband David have given each other “magic” necklaces featuring an angel to watch over them and keep them safe. 

The Beckhams exchanged the hand-carved gold and silver Japanese talisman pendants to mark their tenth wedding anniversary next July, reports thesun.co.uk. 

“The energy they emit is incredibly powerful. These pieces act as talismans of love, healing and protection,” 34-year-old Victoria told Vogue magazine. 

She added: “They were hand carved by a master carver in Japan, who spends most days in meditation before working.” 

David, 33, already has an angel tattooed on his back and a cross on his neck.

‘I hardly know Sreesanth!’

Shriya Saran is quite upset these days. Reason? She’s literally seething over media reports, which claimed that she had tried to woo cricketer Sreesanth recently. 

The moment you ask the actress about the alleged media reports, the lady gets quite worked up. “Sreesanth and I are brand ambassadors for an upmarket product. Yes, we were there at a party together, but I barely spoke to him for five minutes. And, I was just being sweet,” she fumes. 

Rag her a little about the possibility of such a connect with the much younger cricketer, and Shriya finally sees the funny side of the story and adds, “But, I don’t even know him yaar!” As she finally warms up, it’s time to take her to safer terrains and talk about her forthcoming projects. Shriya gleefully informs that she’s been shooting 24x7. “I have been shooting for Deepa Mehta’s film What’s Cooking, Stella? wherein I rediscovered myself and pushed myself beyond limits. Deepa’s characters are very real and close to life, and she doesn’t allow anyone to wear make-up either, lest it hinders the authenticity of her portrayals. Ek — The Power Of One is a film in which I play an immature girl, who thinks less and talks more. Ashok Amritraj’s film The Other End Of The Line has been recently released in the US and the response has been overwhelming. I am also doing quite a few big-budget South Indian films. So, life is hectic.” 

With so many different projects in her hand, how does she flit from a glamorous role to an absolutely deglamourised portrayal with such effortless ease? “It’s easy because each director of mine knows his/her job. I always concentrate on the director and the script before saying yes to a project,” says she. 

This thorough professional is equally fussy when it comes to her soulmate. She admits, “Love is the best thing that can happen to a person,” but quickly adds, “Right now, my 14-month-old nephew, Dhruv, is the only man in my life. I am absolutely smitten by him.”

B.R. Chopra passes away

Legendary filmmaker B.R. Chopra expired on Wednesday after a prolonged illness. The winner of the Dadasaheb Phalke Award was 95. 

His son, producer-director Ravi Chopra, said he had lost not only his father but his guru. 

"I have lost not only my father, but my guru. The Chopra family has lost a virtual patriarch and the film industry a conscientious filmmaker," Ravi Chopra said. 

B.R. Chopra died at 8.15 a.m. at his residence in suburban Juhu, Mumbai. He had made successful films like Naya Daur, Gumrah, Humraaz, Dhundh, Insaaf ka Tarazooand Nikah. 

Besides Ravi Chopra, the filmmaker is survived by his two daughters Shashi and Neena. His funeral will be held at 4.30 p.m. on Wednesday.

Quiet first day for Obama after his historic win

Barack Obama began his first full day as president-elect with the simple pleasure of having breakfast with his daughters, the type of everyday family activity he often had to sacrifice during the long campaign. 

Afterward, Obama left the house alone, clad in workout clothes, a ball cap and sunglasses, and spent an hour at a friend's apartment building, where he uses the gym. 

Then it was back home to clean up before heading to the office, a downtown office building where he was holding a conference call to thank campaign staff around the country. The president-elect wore a suit but no tie, and carried a black satchel. 

Asked how much sleep he'd gotten on the night of his historic victory, Obama told reporters: "Not as much as I'd like." 

Obama planned to stay in Chicago through the week, with a quiet weekend at home. He was still trying to figure out arrangements regarding his grandmother, who died on Sunday. A trip to Hawaii for the small private memorial she requested was likely by the end of the year. 

Obama's staff said he would address the media by the end of the week, but Cabinet announcements were not planned that soon. 

In addition to the many decisions he faces in getting the Obama administration up and running, he has personal decisions to be make, too. Such as when to move his family to Washington and where his 10 and 7-year-old daughters will go to school. 

And then there was the matter of choosing the family pet. "Sasha and Malia, I love you both so much, and you have earned the new puppy that's coming with us to the White House," Obama told his daughters in his victory speech. 

In a congratulatory call to Obama on Tuesday night, President George W Bush pledged to make a smooth transition and extended an invitation to the Obama family to visit their new home at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. 

On Wednesday afternoon, Laura Bush and Michelle Obama spoke by telephone, and the first lady also invited her successor to visit the White House with her daughters, according to Michelle Obama's spokeswoman, Katie McCormick Lelyveld. 

Lelyveld said a date for the visit would be set soon.

Liz Hurley sizzles in bikini!

Actress Liz Hurley showed off her sultry figure in a sizzling photoshoot of her latest beachwear collection in India. 

The 43-year-old star showed off her perfectly toned body in the photoshoot featuring the new beachwear collection, despite claiming that she hates to model in bikinis. 

In an interview to Hello! magazine, Liz, who’s married to Indian businessman Arun Nayar, also revealed the secret of her svelte figure. 

She maintains her body by eating “a lot less” and doing “a great deal more exercise”, reportsThe Sun. 

The mum of one also revealed that she would love another child with hubby Nayar. 

She even plans to switch her career and take up farming.

Singh is Kinng sequel, now

Basking in the super success of Singh is Kinng, producer Vipul Shah is set to make a sequel to the comedy and has signed on fave actor Akshay Kumar for it. 

However, he plans to make another film with Akki before that. 

“After doing Waqt, Namastey London and Singh is Kinng, we had to do something that would take us into another zone. My next film with Akshay pushes the envelope even more. After that there’s the Singh Is Kinng sequel which I’d like Anees Bazmi to direct. But he’s very busy. So it depends on him,” said Shah. 

So where did all the rumours of a rift with Akshay come from? “Search me,” Vipul said. “I was committed to a holiday from long before. I could’nt disappoint my sons. Akshay himself flew down from South Africa for just a day for his party and went back. So it was all done in a rush. Just because I don’t attend his party we’ve become enemies?”

I am proud to be a Bihari: Neetu

Tuning in with SRK

Shah Rukh Khan’s fan following doesn’t stop growing. 

Composer Rahul Seth, who composed a jingle for a radio ad for King Khan, has joined theband wagon. SRK gave his voice for the jingle that was recorded at his house Mannat. “He’s so humble, it’s overwhelming to see a superstar like him, getting involved in every aspect of his work.That’s amazing,” recounted Rahul who has also dubbed for the Hollywood super-star Will Smith for the Hindi version I am Legend. 

Rahul happens to be the nephew of renowned author Vikram Seth. The composer is now look forward to working with SRK once again. Looks like SRK continues to cast his spell on everyone!

A Black Man in White House: What an idea, sirji!

 Millions of Americans woke up on Wednesday morning in joyous disbelief, with something like that familiar line in an Indian ad ringing in their heads: The first ever African-American president of the United States -- What an idea!

As recently as two years ago, most pundits acknowledge, that same idea sounded improbable, even preposterous. No one outside the core group of well-heeled white anglo-saxon men had come remotely close to the White House in 234 years. So what chance of a first-term senator of two years standing and bi-racial origin who had 'lucked' his way to Washington DC at age 46?

He wasn't even given a chance against Hillary Clinton in the primaries. Talking head wisdom said there would be a woman in the White House before a black man got there. He was lucky enough to be a senator, one of only half dozen African-American senators in the country's history.

That the black man bidding for the presidency was a political minnow with Hussein as a middle name and a last name that sounded like Osama made it even more unlikely. Just six years ago, as a state senator from Illinois, he did not even have a pass to enter the Democratic convention; before that, he couldn't rent a car at the airport because his credit card was maxed out.

There were ugly rumours of his Muslim background, his connection to unsavoury characters, even of his nationality and his patriotism. There were also his experiments with marijuana and cocaine during his wasteful days.

But the pundits hadn't reckoned with an intuitive political genius with a flair for powerful oratory and building bridges. He had turned adversity to advantage, growing up suddenly with the realization that his elite degrees from Columbia and Harvard could be put to better use than latching on to high paying jobs in corporate America. Now he brought all the savvy the world's finest school taught him to the political arena and hired the best talent to build a grassroots movement that people are only now beginning to understand and admire.

In the end, Barack Obama rode the perfect storm of anti-incumbency discontent, the hunger for change, and an America in social and demographic transition to fashion the most incredible electoral victory, the scope and scale of which will be discussed for decades. His most remarkable feat was to transcend racial barriers. Although he openly identified himself as an African-American or black, his politics was not aimed at solely the black electorate, like most African-American politicians tend to do.

Instead, he reached out to the new America, and this kaleidoscopic multi-hued nation, where the current white majority will be a minority by 2042 (and the current minority will be a majority) responded like never before. The Republicans tried to subtly stir up the racial angle, speaking about "real America" and "pro-America parts of the country," thinly disguised euphemisms for white support. It didn't work. They missed the change; the real America was a new America and it was not just white.

Even as recently as a few weeks back, as polls showed Obama powering ahead, talk of victory was weighed down with concern over a possible Bradley Effect -- a scenario where white voters would hold back from supporting Obama despite promising to do so. It turned out to be a false alarm. "Some Bradley Effect, huh?" grunted Republican pundit William Bennett. "The country has grown up."

US stocks tumble despite Obama's victory

Stocks are down in early trading as Wall Street focuses on the troubled economy following Barack Obama's election to the White House.

Analysts said the market expected an Obama victory and Wednesday's selling was part of a trading pattern known as "buy on the rumour, sell on the news."

Investors were also cashing in on some of their gains from Tuesday's big rally, which sent the Dow Jones industrials up more than 300 points on expectations that battered stocks would enjoy a traditional yearend rally.

Analysts say investors are focused on the economy rather than the election. They're awaiting a report that's expected to show that the service sector, like the manufacturing sector, shrank in October.

The Dow is down about 152 points, or 1.59 per cent, to the 9,472 level. Broader market indexes are also down more than 1.5 per cent.

Celina strips in a night club

She got people to look up and notice her with her pole dancing act in her debut flick, Janasheen and once again this glam doll has some bold act up her sleeve. Celina Jaitley will play a night club stripper in Tigmanshu Dhulia’s forthcoming film Showman.

Celina has always been playing glamorous roles. Speaking about her role from New Zealand where she has gone to attend the premiere of her first international film, she says, “I am playing this girl born to an English man and Indian woman. She unfortunately comes from a very poor family background in London. She has grown up to be a stripper in a night club and a con artist. Basically her main aim is to own a night club.”

It can be recalled that Celina played a pole dancer in her debut film. “Yeah but there I was a cop who pretends to be a pole dancer. Everyone comes to know at the end of the movie that I am an undercover cop. And here I am again pretending to be a stripper but not one actually. I am just trying to get all the hot girls to work for my club.”

Apart from Celina the film also stars Govinda and Rimi Sen in pivotal roles. It’s produced by Reel Life Productions and has been extensively shot in the UK.

“I am very happy in life”

Kangana impressed cinegoers in Gangster, Woh Lamhe and Life in a Metro. At the age of 21, the actress who made frizzy hair the new trend in tinsel town has already been roped in for ‘Kites’ with Hrithik Roshan also starring other international artists and is currently riding high on the success of her latest release ‘Fashion’.

In spite of playing second fiddle to Priyanka in Fashion, Kangana has emerged as the true show-stopper of the film. Her portrayal of a troubled model moved the audiences to tears and that is when Renuka Vyavahare decided to put Kangana on Indiatimes’ hot chair and make her talk about her newly found ‘powerful actor’ tag, post Fashion.

“The wardrobe malfunction scene, I am told made the audiences weep for me. I always knew from the beginning that ‘Shonali’s character was made for me. Madhur had told me, “‘Kangana, I don’t know where I would have gone if you wouldn’t have done the role of Shonali. I had no actress other than you in mind for Shonali.” I too always knew that Shonali’s character was made for me. I was guaranteed that the role belonged to me and I knew only I could do it, nobody else could. As far as the scene is concerned, it was like any other scene for me. I was not naked. I didn’t send anyone out as was reported by many publications.

As far as me playing a supporting actor’s role is concerned, “I will not suggest any director to make me the lead actor. Even in Life in a Metro, I did my job well and people liked it. As an actor, you always have a choice, whether to do or not to do a film. I never give ideas to directors asking them to make me lead actors. I don’t do that. I don’t think I would have suited Meghna’s (Priyanka’s) character.

I’ve heard bizarre rumours like even in my real life I have taken to drugs and alcohol! Just because I do roles like these doesn’t mean I am actually like that. Do you think I am alcoholic; does my face look like one? I am very happy in life and I do admit that it is very difficult at this age, when you have all the money, fame, attention and people around you to praise you, you can get carried away but it is difficult to give life a direction, rather than going in the direction where life takes you”, summed Kangana about her phase of life post Fashion.

Tendulkar's ton puts India on top in Nagpur

Indian superstar Sachin Tendulkar smashed his 40th century to put India in a healthy position in the fourth and final Test against  Australia on Thursday.

The hosts reached 311-5 at stumps on the opening day with Tendulkar (109) putting on 146 run partnership for the fourth wicket with VVS Laxman, who made a solid 64 in his 100th Test appearance.

Sourav Ganguly, playing his final Test, was unbeaten on 27 with new captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni (4) not out.

India looked in trouble when they slipped from 98 without loss to 116-3 in the morning session, with debutant off-spinner Jason Krejza (3-138) grabbing two wickets and seamer Shane Watson one.

But Tendulkar, 35, and Laxman ensured their team did not lose the advantage of winning the toss on a good batting pitch. Both scored freely against pace and spin.

India lead the series 1-0 following their 320-run victory in the second Test in Mohali. The matches in Bangalore and New Delhi were drawn.

Australia, needing a win to retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, failed to maintain pressure on the batsmen.

Pacemen Brett Lee (0-46) and Mitchell Johnson (1-54) bowled well only in patches, while leg-spinner Cameron White failed to test the batsmen on a first-day wicket. Krejza's three wickets proved expensive.

Australia also failed to make the most of the opportunities that came their way, with Johnson dropping Tendulkar on 85 off Krejza at deep mid-off when the batsman stepped down the track to attempt a big shot.

The Indian batsman offered another chance on 96. Lee ran back from mid-off to hold a skier but failed to judge it properly with Krejza again the unlucky bowler.

Barring these lapses, Tendulkar looked in command and executed handsome shots on both sides of the wicket. He hit 12 fours in his 188-ball knock before being trapped leg-before by Johnson, bowling with the second new ball.

India were off to a brisk start, with Virender Sehwag (66) dominating a 98-run stand for the opening wicket with Murali Vijay who made an impressive 33 on his debut.

Australia's first success came when Watson had Vijay caught behind off a lifting delivery. Krejza then took two wickets in three overs, dismissing Sehwag and Rahul Dravid for a duck.

The spinner, hit for a four and a six by Sehwag in his opening over, extended Dravid's poor run with the bat when he had the Indian caught by Simon Katich at short-leg with a delivery that turned and bounced.

Dravid has scored just one half-century in the series.

Krejza, 25, celebrated again when he removed Sehwag, bowled off an inside-edge while attempting to cut. Sehwag hit one six and nine fours in a 69-ball knock - his 16th Test half-century.

His third wicket came in the last session when he had the well-set Laxman caught behind.