CIA drone attacks will remain secret

The CIA is not legally required to inform the public about the use of unmanned drones to kill suspected terrorists, US District Judge Rosemary Collyer has ruled.

The ruling was made in a case in which the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) challenged the CIA s decision to reject a Freedom of Information Act request on the issue.

The CIA had said that anything about the relevant records is basically classified information.

The federal judge also rejected the ACLU s argument that “former CIA Director Leon Panetta had officially acknowledged the agency s use of drones.”

The ACLU noted that media outlets have been covering the use of drones by the US, especially in Pakistan and Afghanistan, for years.

The ACLU pointed out that when Panetta, who is currently the US defense secretary, was asked about the credibility of such attacks, which also endanger many civilian lives, he said, “I think it does suffice to say that these operations have been very effective because they have been very precise.”

Despite the ACLU s argument, Judge Collyer ruled, “These comments by Director Panetta did not officially disclose the CIA s involvement in the drone strike programme. Director Panetta spoke generally of his knowledge of  covert and secret operations  in Pakistan and his assessment that those operations had been precise with minimal collateral damage.”

In an interview with the ‘Washington Post’ in 2010, Panetta “appeared to speak to the joint efforts of the military and non-military agencies of the US government… Director Panetta merely admitted that the CIA s operations in Pakistan, left undefined, were the most aggressive ever undertaken by the CIA,” the judge said.

Taller women are prone to cancer

Their risk of developing some of the most common forms is up to a third greater. Scientists believe being tall may increase the levels of certain hormones known to trigger tumours.

A study carried out at Oxford University found the risk of cancer increased by around 16 per cent with every four inches of height.

The scientists studied the link between height and ten of the most common forms of cancer including breast, bowel, kidney, womb, ovarian and leukaemia by looking at the medical records of one million British women.

They found those who were 5ft 9in tall were more than 33 per cent more likely to get cancer than those who were just 5ft. They believe one reason for the link is that tall girls tend to start puberty earlier and this is when their bodies begin producing large amounts of the hormone oestrogen, known to trigger the growth of tumours.

The scientists also point out taller people have more cells in their body so they have a higher chance that one will become cancerous. ”The fact the link between height and cancer risk seems to be common to many different types of cancer suggests there may be a basic common mechanism, perhaps acting early in peoples lives, when they are growing,” the Daily Mail quoted Jane Green, from the Cancer Epidemiology Unit at the University of Oxford, as saying.

 ”Of course people cannot change their height. And being taller has been linked to a lower risk of other conditions, such as heart disease,” added Green.

Benazir’s Blackberry sets found

KARACHI: Interior Ministry has recovered two Blackberry handsets of Benazir Bhutto from the servants of Bilawal House.

When contacted, Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) confirmed the reports regarding recovery of Benazir Bhutto’s cell-phones that were lost in Liaquat Bagh Rawalpindi on the day of her assassination.

The investigative agencies were on the look for these mobile phones for three years.

The spokesman said they have not received the sets as yet, adding the records from the mobile phones will be extracted as soon as they are here.

Sources said the information from these mobile phones could provide some important clues and even breakthrough leading to the real culprits behind her assassination. TrendPK

World’s tallest couple hopes for reality TV fame

LOS ANGELES: An American bride and groom have been officially recognised as the world’s tallest living married couple.

Wayne and Laurie Hallquist from California both stand out from the crowd – she is almost 2m tall (6ft 5in) and he measures a towering 2.07m.

At a ceremony at the Guinness World Records Museum to mark Guinness World Records Day, the couple greeted a crush of fans and photographers.

In an interview before the ceremony, the couple talked about what it’s like to be the twin towers of love.

“When we got married in 2003,” Wayne said, “as sort of a joke, we looked up who the tallest couple ever was and learned that in the 1870s, there had been a married couple where the husband was 7-foot-5 and the wife was 7foot-3. So we gave up on that.

“But then some family members discovered that we could submit our names for the record of

Asin denies shooting ‘steamy scene’ with Salman

Ready may be months away from release but is definitely one of the most awaited films of 2011. After all it brings the hit combination of Salman Khan and Anees Bazmee together years after No Entry. Also, it would be the third Bollywood outing for Asin who waited to sign a new film after Ghajini and London Dreams.

However, the lady in question found herself in the news for all the wrong reasons with a piece of rumour floating around the world of web. As per that, she shares a steamy scene with Salman in the film and has finally let go off her imagination. The fact though is that this is far away from being true.

Says a highly placed source associated with Ready, “No, Asin hasn’t shot for any such scene in Ready. The film doesn’t need that. This is someone’s imagination really running wild. Asin knew that such a news piece was floating around for last few days but she decided to stay low.”

Why not raise an early alarm?

“You can’t stop people from speculating. Some people write things that do not carry any semblance of truth”, continues the source, “Asin has been in the industry for long and understands that such news pieces do float around. She decided to let it go so that it could die a silent death in due course of time. However, when certain reputed publications and glossies also fell for the so-called piece of information, she thought it was best to clarify.”

One would have expected Asin to be all fired up when confronted with the query to unveil the truth. However, surprisingly one heard a giggle from her and though it didn’t convey a ‘care-a-damn’ gesture, Asin was stern and sure in her denial.

“I am rather amused to hear this because I haven’t shot any steamy scene with Salman in Ready”, Asin comes clean here.

With the lady at the hot seat going on the records about her act in the film, there is of course no room for any more speculation or rumour.

“To think of it, the speculation by itself stands on a flimsy ground”, smiles Asin, “Ready is a family entertainer. Now tell me, where would such a scene feature in it in any case? It’s really weird that someone actually thought of bringing out such news for a movie like this where there is no scope for such a sequence in any case.”

Now that should set the records straight.

IT raid in Sajid Nadiadwala’s office

Producer Sajid Nadiadwala’s Anjaani Anjaani is not as big a success as Arbaaz Khan’s Dabangg. And yet after Arbaaz’s office a few days ago, it was Sajid Nadiadwala’s office on Yari Road which was raided by income tax officials on Thursday afternoon at around 3 pm.

A large number of IT officials swooped down on Nadiadwala’s office to check his accounts and records.

The producer whose last three films have been the flop Kambakkht Ishq, the super hit Housefull and the moderately successful Anjaana Anjaani sounded quite relaxed.

“It’s just a routine inspection. The IT people are here in my office checking my records. I am with them. I guess getting a visit from income-tax officials is one way of knowing how much a filmmaker matters,” joked Sajid, showing no outward signs of stress.

Malik rules out any deal between Musharraf and Benazir

Federal Interior Minister Rehman Malik has ruled out any deal between former Prime Minister, Benazir Bhutto and former President, Parvez Musharraf. He said he has witnessed all meetings held between the duo, all by himself.
Federal Minister said in a statement that Musharraf and his allies never wanted BB to come back. He said BB had clarified that she would decide herself the time of her return. Malik said there is another important witness of the meetings held between the duo, so Musharrafs claim is false, hence the records should also be corrected.
Rehman Malik said that NRO was never between Musharraf and PPP, but there was another party, actually supposed to be the original beneficiary of it, whose name will be disclose on the right time.

Dabangg has created a new benchmark: Sonu Sood

MUMBAI: Actor Sonu Sood believes that the success of his latest film Dabangg has set a new benchmark at the box office after 3 Idiots.

The film, in which Salman Khan plays a corrupt cop and Sonu a politician, has collected Rs.48.25 crore (gross) at the opening weekend. And trade pundits say it has beaten the initial earnings of Hindi cinema’s highest grosser 3 Idiots.

“Dabangg has created a benchmark by breaking all the records and now I am sure every film will be compared with Dabangg,” Sonu told reporters at Oberoi Mall Monday. He was here to promote Eco-friendly Ganesha.

“It’s an amazing experience to see Dabangg doing so well. It’s all Ganapati’s blessings that the film got such a huge success.”

The actor reveals he has garnered more compliments for his sculpted physique than his acting.

“I have got loads of compliments and more than

"Shah Rukh and Farah can’t ban each other from working with others" – Akshay

If not for its camps, Bollywood wouldn’t have been what it is today.

Yash Chopra and Karan Johar can’t make their films without Shah Rukh Khan. Anees Bazmee, Vipul Shah and Sajid Khan swear by Akshay Kumar. Papa Roshan works mainly with beta Roshan. Mahesh Bhatt and Co. know that it is Emraan Hashmi who delivers most when it comes to their medium budget films. Sanjay Gupta and Sanjay Dutt used to be a team till there was a crack in their friendship. Aamir Khan works in well, a camp which is owned, driven and managed by only one man – Aamir Khan. And then there is Salman Khan who works with anyone and everyone depending upon which side of the bed he wakes up one fine morning.

So what happens when someone is ‘accused’ of penetrating his way into a camp? A camp which has delivered two mega money spinners of the current decade. A camp which had built it’s foundation on a decade of friendship. A camp where no ‘outsider’ was allowed, especially if this very outsider happened to be an arch rival by himself. A camp comprising of Farah Khan and Shah Rukh Khan that had managed to keep all competition at bay after Main Hoon Naa and Om Shanti Om after a certain Akshay Kumar made his way in with Tees Maar Khan.

It has been months since news broke about Akshay Kumar ‘sneaking’ into this camp. Though all kind of accusations and conspiracy theories made headlines for weeks at stretch, the man of the moment kept quite and didn’t utter a word, whether on or off the records. He continued to keep himself busy in close to half a dozen other films that he was involved in the capacity of both as an actor and a producer. He smiled it all away even as all around sinister comments were being made.

Today, he has decided to open up. No, he isn’t indulging himself into any malice. He is not uncovering any big secrets. He is also not coming charging down on all the random voices that were being heard up close or from a distance. He is just sharing his point of view. A workaholic who has seldom spent his days off the sets, Akshay Kumar is surprised with all the murmurs and rumours. As the actor puts in his own words – ‘Everyone has the right to earn a living’. All that he is doing is just earn a living!

“It is beyond me when some people think that Farah shouldn’t have the right to work with anyone that she wants to”, says Akshay in an exasperated tone, “Yes, Shah Rukh Khan and Farah Khan mean a lot to each other. But then neither can he ban her from working with others, nor can she ban him from working with other directors.”

In fact Akshay had shared the same logic even earlier when Vipul Shah made a one off choice of working with Salman Khan and Ajay Devgn in London Dreams. Since Vipul and Akshay were a pair with three successful films – Aankhen, Waqt and Namastey London, there were quite a few eyebrows that were raised once Vipul moved to a different actor for his dramatic musical. However, at that time Akshay was one of the first to quash the rumours and maintained that he and Vipul harboured no ill will. Since they were anyways simultaneously working on Action Replayy, there wasn’t much scope for scoop searchers as well to dig deeper.

However, the fact remains that despite this, so much has been said and written about Farah Khan opting for Akshay instead of Shah Rukh Khan in Tees Maar Khan. Really, doesn’t he too feel that a lot is being read into something which is nothing but a plain and simple professional decision?

“Aah, now finally there is someone asking me a question with an open mind”, Akshay brings on a smile here, “Yes, this is being made into something which it is not. At the end of the day, work is work after all. Everyone has the right to earn a living.”

Now that should set the records straight.

Sachin Tendulkar Records

Sachin Tendulkar Records,  India batsman Sachin Tendulkar extended his one-day record of 17,000 runs overall in his season on Thursday 20 in international cricket.

Tendulkar reached the mark during the fifth day international against Australia, when he arrived in seven races, with three legs off pace bowler Ben Hilfenhaus square in the game past his 435th ODI.

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Tendulkar, 36, who also holds the records of the evidence runs (12,773), hundreds of test (42) and one day hundreds (44), not nine.

India were 24 without loss, chasing 351 for victory and a 3-2 lead in the seven-match series.

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Sachin Tendulkar Records was first posted on November 5, 2009 at 10:05 pm.

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