Bollywood actor Shammi Kapoor died at 79

MUMBAI: Legendary Bollywood heart-throb Shammi Kapoor, whose energetic acting and dancing style heavily influenced modern-day Indian film stars, died on Sunday aged 79.

“Shammi Kapoor ji passed away this morning at 5:15 am,” Bollywood veteran Amitabh Bachchan wrote on Twitter, using the Hindi honorific, saying Kapoor had brought “flamboyance and joie de vivre” to the screen.

Nikhil Gangavane, a family friend who headed the official Shammi Kapoor fan club, said the actor had been admitted to the private Breach Candy Hospital in south Mumbai within the last week.

“He was on a ventilator for three or four days. He was having some chest infection, which he had had for the last one or two years. He died of renal failure this morning,” Gangavane told AFP.

“He had been undergoing dialysis for the last six or seven years but developed complications.”

Kapoor’s dance performances in romantic hits such as “Tumsa Nahin Dekha” (You’re One of a Kind, 1957), “Dil Deke Dekho” (Give Your Heart and See, 1959) and “Junglee” (Wild, 1961) earned him comparisons with Elvis Presley.

Key to his success was his avid interest in music. Kapoor personally selected the songs he would dance and mime to, mindful that they needed to fit his exuberant on-screen style.

In doing so, he and singers like Mohammed Rafi provided some of the industry’s most popular and memorable tunes.

But he admitted much later that he was never a natural dancer, even if his original moves were a big draw for audiences and made him an unlikely romantic hero.

“The truth is I could never learn to dance. I even tried coaching classes but failed,” he told the BBC in a 2006 interview. “I always had a sense of music and rhythm. And that worked in my favour.”

In later years, as he withdrew from acting and directing, Kapoor became a champion of the Internet and was the founder-chairman of the Internet Users Community of India, maintaining a Facebook page and a Twitter account.

His own web site www.junglee.org.in profiled his famous family, the Kapoors, who have dominated Hindi-language cinema virtually since its inception.

He described himself on his Twitter account profile as a “Renaissance man, retired actor, computer buff”.

Tributes flooded in immediately from fellow actors and fans.

“It is a terrible shock. Shammi Kapoor was a wonderful human being. He is eternal,” actress Saira Banu, who starred alongside him in “Junglee”, told the CNN-IBN television news channel.

Film director Karan Johar described Kapoor on Twitter as “one of the finest and strongest men I knew” while Priyanka Chopra, one of today’s most glamorous Bollywood stars, said she was “at a loss” after hearing the news.

Kapoor’s cremation is expected on Monday. AGENCIES

Musa Lane building collapse: Victims’ death toll mounts to 33

KARACHI: The death toll of victims died in Musa Lane building collapse has mounted up to 33 as three more dead bodies have been recovered from the debris this morning, TrendPK reported on Monday.

The work for removal of debris of Musa Lane’s unfortunate collapsed building continues on the fifth day on Monday (today).

Earlier on Sunday, the death toll of victims died in the collapsed building reached on 30 but after today’s three more dead bodies recovery now it has climbed to33.

Meanwhile, a local court has handed over three accused, Imtiaz Shah, Abdul Shakoor and Abdullah, including owner of the building to police on physical remand. TrendPK

Libya’s Gaddafi presses offensive after son killed

TRIPOLI: Muammar Gaddafi pressed an offensive against rebel forces, and his supporters burnt Western embassies after the Libyan leader survived a NATO airstrike that officials said killed his son and three grandchildren.

Funerals were expected to be held on Monday, an occasion that might bring an awaited appearance or declaration by Gaddafi who authorities say was in the Tripoli house when it was destroyed by at least three missiles late on Saturday.

Gaddafi, fighting a rebellion against his authoritarian 41-year rule since mid-February, has not been seen in public since the attack, though a spokesman said he was unhurt. His son Saif al-Arab, 29, was killed with three young grandchildren.

The embassies of Britain and Italy were attacked and burnt, along with the U.S. commercial and consular affairs department after Gaddafi loyalists were shown on Libyan television vowing vengeance. The buildings had been vacated weeks earlier.

Deputy Foreign Minister Khaled Kaim said the strikes were a fourth attempt to assassinate Gaddafi. He denied allegations in some media that the deaths had been fabricated to discredit NATO. The alliance said it hit a command and control centre.

Any appearance of an assassination attempt against Gaddafi is likely to lead to accusations the British and French-led strikes are exceeding the U.N. mandate to protect civilians.

French surgeon Gerrard Le Clouerec, who does not work for the Libyan government, was asked to independently identify the bodies of Saif al-Arab and two children. He said all three had died due to a blast. He said the children’s faces had been obliterated by the blast so they were difficult to identify.

Le Clouerec said he also saw the body of a young man of about 30, with a beard and a thin moustache whose face matched a photograph he had been shown of Saif al-Arab.

ROCKETS HIT MISRATA PORT

Gaddafi’s forces fired rockets at the port in Misrata on Sunday as an aid ship was trying to unload, rebels said, and the shelling forced two other vessels to wait offshore. The port is the lifeline for Misrata which has been under siege for weeks.

“Shelling the port is disastrous for us because it will sabotage all the humanitarian aid we are getting,” said rebel spokesman, Ahmed Hassan. “God help us if this happens. God protect our port.”

Libyan state television said the port was shelled to stop NATO from delivering weapons to the insurgents. The rebel spokesman said that was a lie.

Rights groups say hundreds of people, including many civilians, have been killed in Misrata, about 200 km (130 miles) east of Tripoli. Officials in Tripoli deny targeting civilians, and say they are fighting armed gangs and al Qaeda sympathisers.

Rebels have repelled government troops from the centre of Libya’s third largest city in recent days and now say they have gone on the offensive to try to capture Misrata airport.

The frontline in eastern Libya has been static west of the town of Ajdabiyah for a week with government troops digging in and rebels attempting to train and regroup.

In the west, Libyan government forces are fighting to dislodge rebels from the Western Mountains after they seized control last month of the Dehiba-Wazin crossing, opening a passage for food, fuel and medicine.

The sound of heavy bombardment and small arms fire echoed through the mountains on the Libyan side of the border.

Artillery shells fell on and around the town of Dehiba on the Tunisian side of the border, residents told Reuters, the site of an incursion on Friday by forces loyal to Gaddafi that provoked fury in Libya’s western neighbour.

Refugees poured across the border into Tunisia on Sunday.

“I never thought I would have to leave my house but today, at the age of 80, I find myself forced to flee with my family, without taking any possessions and without knowing where I’m going to stay here in Tunisia,” said a Libyan man who fled the rebel-held town of Zintan.

U.N. WITHDRAWS STAFF

Britain expelled the Libyan ambassador and Italy condemned the attack on its embassy as a grave and vile act. Most Western countries closed their embassies in Tripoli before the NATO military intervention began several weeks ago.

Deputy Foreign Minister Kaim called the attacks on the embassies “a regrettable action. These actions happened after 3:30 in the morning. That’s why our police force were outnumbered by the number of demonstrators.”

The United Nations withdrew its international staff from Tripoli after a crowd entered their compound.

“A crowd of people entered a U.N. compound and some vehicles were taken. All U.N. staff are safe and accounted for,” Martin Nesirky, a U.N. spokesman, said. “The decision to leave the country was based on the overall security situation in Tripoli.”

The U.N. sent international staff to Tripoli only last month after it reached an agreement with the Libyan government on a humanitarian presence. These staffers would now cover Western Libya from neighbouring Tunisia, the United Nations said.

“They have the right to do so because of what happened this morning,” Kaim said. “My understanding is it is a temporary withdrawal.” AGENCIES

No let-up in Tunisia protests

Breaking News

Tunisian riot police stormed a protest camp to disperse demonstrators who have held a round-the-clock sit-in for five days demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Mohamed Ghannouchi on Friday.

Protesters threw stones at police, who then fired tear gas to disperse the crowds, but security forces chased after the mostly rural and young protesters through narrow alleyways in central Tunis’ Casbah district before destroying their campsite and possessions.Police fired tear gas at demonstrators on a day many had hoped would see a return of calm to the country following Thursday’s (January 27) cabinet re-shuffle that saw many of the former faces in dictator Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali’s regime leave, but some felt Ghannouchi should have gone too.President of the Tunisian Union for the Defense of Human Rights, Mukhtar Al-Tariki, explained that the Prime Minister had promised concessions.I told the prime minister to immediately stop the tear gas and stop using force, so that the people can decide what to do. He told me it had already been done. Now I arrive and I see that the tear gas had stopped, at least here. I asked the prime minister to release those arrested, he told me he was going to do it right away, and I asked for the army to retreat and stop clearing up the square, he promised me that he would do that too, said Mukhtar Al-Tariki.We tried to say to the authorities that what’s happening here is unacceptable, I told the Prime Minister in the morning not to do anything and to let the situation calm down naturally and we can find a negotiable solution, he added.Protesters who had camped outside the prime minister’s office for several days began negotiations with representatives of the interim government in the morning in a bid to end the stand-off but shortly before sunset, stone throwing youths were chased out of the area by riot police and soldiers.The force used by police will likely ring alarm bells for some Tunisians who fear old security practices will need substantial reform to protect human rights.Police tore down tents and kicked around their belongings before displaying weapons found in the abandoned possessions such as an axe, machete, and several knives.

Mohmand Agency: Forces foil attack on check posts, 24 terrorists killed

Security forces have foiled terrorist attack on 5 check post in Mohmand Agency, trendpk.com.Com reported on Friday.

According to official sources more than 150 terrorists attacked 5 check posts of Mohmand Agency early in the morning in which 3 officials martyred and 12 others sustained injuries. At least 24 terrorist were killed and 10 injured in retaliation.

Security forces have cordoned off the area and started the search operation.

Mohmand Agency: 150 Terrorists Attack on 5 Check Posts Thwarted

Security forces have foiled terrorist attack on 5 check post in Mohmand Agency, trendpk.Com reported on Friday.

According to official sources more than 150 terrorists attacked 5 check posts of Mohmand Agency early in the morning in which 3 officials martyred and 12 others sustained injuries. At least 24 terrorist were killed and 10 injured in retaliation.

Security forces have cordoned off the area and started the search operation.

Dera Murad Jamali: Land dispute claims 6

At least six people were killed and five others injured during a crossfire between two armed factions over a land dispute in Naseerabad, Geo News reported Monday.According to Levies sources, the warring groups belong to Lango tribe.

According to sources, the clash started at 4am this morning now with nobody from the high-ups made to the flashpoint.

England bowlers strike after lunch in Ashes

BRISBANE: England’s bowlers struck back with four wickets, including that of Australia captain Ricky Ponting, after lunch on the second day of the first Ashes test on Friday to reduce the hosts to 168-5 at tea.

Mike Hussey was at the crease having made an aggressive 46 not out with wicketkeeper Brad Haddin (9) with him still 92 runs behind England’s first innings total of 260.

After labouring hard for one wicket in the morning, James Anderson came out firing after the break and got immediate reward when Ponting was caught behind by wicketkeeper Matt Prior for 10 in the first over.

His fellow quick Steve Finn kept up the pressure with his first Ashes wicket when he caught and bowled opener Simon Katich, who had survived a couple of scares to make 50, his 25th test half century.

Hussey, under pressure for his place in the side after a thin run of form,

Indian top order heaps misery on New Zealand

NAGPUR: Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar built up India’s strong reply with unbeaten half-centuries in the series-deciding third and final Test against New Zealand on Sunday.

The veteran batsmen took the innings on following the dismissal of openers Gautam Gambhir (78) and Virender Sehwag (74) to bring India to 292-2 at stumps on the second day of the match at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium.

India were ahead by 99 runs with eight wickets in hand, having bundled out the visitors for 193 early in the morning session.

Tendulkar survived some hostile bowling from New Zealand’s quicks to play some breathtaking shots on either side of the wicket. He had so far hit seven boundaries in his 57-run knock off 126 balls.

Dravid played in typically sedate fashion, making 69 with the help of eight fours during his four-hour innings.

He added 79

India batsmen take control of deciding test

NAGPUR: Half-centuries from each of India’s top-order batsmen gave the hosts control of the third and final test after their bowlers had dismissed New Zealand for 193 on the second day on Sunday.

At the close, India had reached 292 for two for a lead of 99 runs, with the experienced duo of Rahul Dravid (69) and Sachin Tendulkar (57) at the crease.

Dravid, with his 60th fifty in tests, and Tendulkar, who needed 43 more for his 50th test hundred, have already added 100 runs for the unbroken third-wicket partnership.

Virender Sehwag (74) and Gautam Gambhir (78) combined for a quickfire opening stand of 113 after paceman Ishant Sharma and spinner Pragyan Ojha picked up the final three New Zealand wickets in the morning.

Sehwag flayed the New Zealand bowlers and brought up a run-a-ball half-century — his 26th in tests, with 12 boundaries and a six before

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