Wednesday, August 4, 2010

Chelsea Clinton weds at exclusive New York estate


RHINEBECK: It was high society inside and high security outside as Chelsea Clinton wed her longtime boyfriend at an elegant estate in a Hudson River village where several prominent guests were spotted beforehand, but the husband-and-wife-to-be stayed out of sight.

The wedding site, a Beaux Arts riverside estate called Astor Courts, was sealed off from the general public. Bill Clinton and Hillary Rodham Clinton issued a statement announcing that their daughter exchanged vows Saturday evening with investment banker Marc Mezvinsky, and a few photographs were later released to media outlets.

“Today, we watched with great pride and overwhelming emotion as Chelsea and Marc wed in a beautiful ceremony at Astor Courts, surrounded by family and their close friends,” the Clintons said. “We could not have asked for a more perfect day to celebrate the beginning of their life together, and we are so happy to welcome Marc into our family. On behalf of the newlyweds, we want to give special thanks to the people of Rhinebeck for welcoming us and to everyone for their well-wishes on this special day.”

Chelsea Clinton, wearing a Vera Wang strapless white gown with a full skirt and silver beading around the waist and carrying a bouquet of white flowers, was escorted down the aisle by her father. The former president and the groom wore dark suits, while the mother of the bride wore a fuchsia dress by Oscar de la Renta.

For the reception, the bride changed into a silk tulle Grecian gown, also by Wang, that crisscrossed in the back and had a narrow black grosgrain belt.

Wang, who also designed the bridesmaid dresses, called it “an honor and a privilege to dress Chelsea on her wedding day,” saying in a statement Sunday that Clinton “radiated joy, youth and happiness.”

Boman Irani felicitated by Canadian Govt.

Boman Irani felicitated by Canadian Govt. OTTAWA: Boman Irani a well-known name in the Indian film industry has left no stone unturned to get recognised for his undisputable talent. From his super-hit films Munnabhai MBBS, 3 Idiots to his latest blockbuster Housefull, Boman has made it clear that hard work and determination is all you need to display your hidden talent.

His sheer contribution to the industry has not only been recognised by our reputed directors who have casted him in their movies but now his talent is getting a worldwide recognition. His fan following has crossed all borders and The Canadian government has come forward to felicitate the actor for his contribution to the Bollywood Arts and Entertainment Industry. He was honoured as the featured guest for the Masala! Mehndi! Masti! MMMovies!

Madonna in Paris to direct her new movie

Madonna in Paris to direct her new movie PARIS: The Material Girl is illuminating the City of Light, where she's shooting her latest film, "W.E."

Dressed all in black and heavily accessorized in dark shades, a hat and a patterned scarf, Madonna directed Saturday's shoot in Paris' tony 6th district.

The 51-year-old singer made her directorial debut in 2008 with "Filth and Wisdom," about a Ukrainian cross-dressing punk-rocker.

Madonna is not the only U.S. star to film in the French capital this summer.

Last week, Woody Allen was shooting his "Midnight in Paris" on location near the Pantheon and in a park behind Notre Dame cathedral. The film, starring Owen Wilson, also includes a performance by France's first lady, model-turned-singer Carla Bruni-Sarkozy.

Lindsay Lohan released from jail, now due in rehab

Lindsay Lohan released from jail, now due in rehab LOS ANGELES: Lindsay Lohan has been released from jail, but she's not exactly a free woman.

Witnesses said the actress walked out of a suburban Los Angeles jail at 1:35 a.m. Monday after serving 14 days of a 90-day sentence for violating her probation in a 2007 drug case. She is now required to begin a three-month stint in rehab.

A judge in Beverly Hills, Calif., had ordered Lohan to report to rehab within a day of her release from jail, but shortened that time last week after conferring with Lohan's attorney and a prosecutor. The judge said during Lohan's surrender on July 20 that she had no control over how long the actress would be jailed, but did require her to serve her time a women's jail operated by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.

The facility in Lynwood has hosted several starlets, including actress Michelle Rodriguez and socialite Paris Hilton. Lohan spent 84-minutes there in 2007 after being sentenced for her original case.

Cricket World Cup’s mascot Stumpy unveiled

Cricket World Cup’s mascot Stumpy unveiled COLOMBO: Cricket World Cup 2011 mascot ‘Stumpy’ was unveiled at a simple but impressive ceremony at the P. Saravanamuttu Stadium here on the eve of the third Test between Sri Lanka and India.

The mascot, an elephant, was named ‘Stumpy’ after an online selection process that drew proposals from thousands of cricket fans around the world.

The lucky winner will receive a cricket bat signed by the all-star quartet of India’s Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Sachin Tendulkar and Sri Lanka’s Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardena.

The World Cup will be held for the third time in the sub-continent. India and Pakistan had hosted it in 1987, with Sri Lanka being included for the 1996 edition. These three countries, along with Bangladesh were originally to host the 2011 event but Pakistan was dropped on security considerations.

NZ end 32-year wait for Champions Trophy win


MOENCHENGLADBACH: New Zealand beat the Netherlands 3-1 for the first time since 1976 to end a 32-year winless drought in Champions Trophy field hockey on Tuesday.

New Zealand hadn't beaten the Dutch since the 1976 Montreal Olympics, in the semifinals en route to the gold medal.

The Black Sticks' second ever victory ended a tournament record 19-match winless streak dating to the inaugural Champions Trophy in 1978.

Simon Child scored early then Andy Hayward made it 2-0 from the Black Sticks' first penalty corner of this year's event.

Teun de Nooijer halved the deficit in the second half, the penalty stroke goal his 40th in tournament history and tying him for second all-time with Pakistan's Sohail Abbas.

But New Zealand rebounded two minutes later for 3-1, the first time since 1984 the Black Sticks have scored more than twice in a trophy match.

Two-time defending champion Australia maintained its perfect record with a third straight win, holding off England 3-2.

Tendulkar becomes most-capped Test cricketer

Tendulkar becomes most-capped Test cricketer MUMBAI: Milestone man Sachin Tendulkar on Tuesday became the most-capped Test cricketer in the world after taking field for his 169th match, the third and final of the ongoing series against Sri Lanka, in Colombo.

The 37-year-old champion batsman, who holds almost every batting record, overtook retired related stories Sri Lanka win toss, elect to bat against India in final Test former Australian captain Steve Waugh with whom he was tied at 168 matches after the second Test at SSC here.

Tendulkar, who has been around for two decades now, has also played 442 one-day internationals, just a couple of matches less than Sri Lankan Sanath Jayasuriya's record of 444.

Tendulkar has scored 13,742 runs in 168 Tests at an average of 56.08, notching up 48 hundreds and 55 half-centuries in the process.

He has 17,598 runs, including 46 centuries, in his 442 one-dayers. The Mumbaikar also holds the distinction of being the first batsman to score a double hundred in ODIs.

But despite these astonishing feats, Tendulkar remains hungry for more runs and after getting his fifth Test double hundred in the second Test against Sri Lanka, the diminutive batsman urged critics to stop talking about his age.

Fifa gives Iraq one-year deadline for elections


ZURICH: Fifa gave Iraq football officials an extra year in office to prepare for elections, after a sectarian dispute meant the federation missed a deadline to vote for new leaders.

Monday’s decision lifts the threat of Iraq being suspended from world football and allows the national team to prepare to defend its Asian Cup title next January.

Fifa’s emergency committee – comprising president Sepp Blatter and leaders of the six continental confederations – extended the mandate of the Iraqi Football Association executive through July 2011.

“This deadline should allow both groups to settle their differences and to thus permit the election of a new board,” Fifa said in a statement.

A scheduled poll was canceled last month when a Sunni faction supporting current IFA president Hussein Saeed met in Irbil, claiming it was too dangerous to travel to Baghdad, where backers of Shiite challenger Falah Hassan had gathered. Iraq’s government insisted on holding it in Baghdad as a way of showing the country is stable after years of war.

Japan announces aid for Pakistan flood-hit people


TOKYO: Japan on Tuesday decided to help Pakistan’s flood affected areas in the form of relief goods and a grant worth $3.2 million.

According to sources, 230,000 dollars were allocated for emergency relief goods while grant assistance of up to $ 3 million would also be provided.

Tokyo had decided to extend the emergency assistance upon the request of Islamabad. Devastating floodwaters have so far claimed the lives of more than 1,400 people.

Japan’s Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada also sent a message of sympathy to Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi in which he had expressed his deepest condolences to the victims and their bereaved families.

Tuesday, August 3, 2010

At least three dead in China school attack

BEIJING: At least three children have been killed in an attack on a kindergarten in eastern China, residents and a rights group said Wednesday, in the latest in a series of assaults on schools nationwide.

The attack occurred on Tuesday afternoon in Shandong province's Zibo city, residents said, but the local hospital, police and government all refused to comment.

Gunman kills 8, himself in US workplace shooting

Gunman kills 8, himself in US workplace shooting





NEW YORK: A disgruntled employee went on a shooting rampage Tuesday at a beer distribution firm in Connecticut, killing eight co-workers before turning the gun on himself, police and officials said.

Officers were called to the scene at Hartford Distributors in Manchester, Connecticut shortly after 7:30 am (1130 GMT) at the time of a shift change when up to 40 people were inside.

"There were nine individuals, including the suspect, who were killed during the shooting," said a police statement. "We are presently in the process of trying to identify the victims and make notifications to family members."