The Congress-NCP war of words took another turn on Wednesday as Maharashtra PCC vice-president Hussain Dalwai accused Sharad Pawar of “provoking the Shiv Sena to take to the streets” in protest against Shah Rukh Khan.

He called the opposition to Khan and his forthcoming release My Name is Khan part of Pawar’s agenda, and said the NCP chief wanted to hit back at the Congress for targeting him over price rise.

The ties between the two parties have grown acrimonious since Pawar dropped in at Matoshree to meet Sena chief Bal Thackeray this week.

Denying the Congress’ charge, NCP leaders maintained that the Pawar-Thackeray meeting was to discuss cricket alone. “It is very childish to say that Pawarsaheb provoked the Sena,” NCP state general secretary Gajanan Desai said. “He had gone there to meet Balasaheb with the chief of the BCCI. The Congressmen who are making these allegations conveniently forget that even their leaders like Vilasrao Deshmukh have visited Thackeray on several occasions, including for seeking support for Pratibha Patil as the presidential candidate.”

As for the Sena, matters have gone too far for it to appear to be doing a climbdown on the issue, particularly with Shah Rukh refusing to “apologise” to Thackeray on the matter. A Sena leader pointed out that the actor’s proximity to the Congress high command and Rahul Gandhi’s visit to Mumbai had further complicated matters. Another factor that worries the party is MNS’ studied silence. One reason behind Sena’s opposition to SRK’s film, say sources, is that its producer Karan Johar had earlier visited Raj when the latter objected to Mumbai being referred to as Bombay in his film Wake up Sid.
 

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Strip search pictures are to be destroyed immediately claim airport authorities

Shah Rukh Khan has made a mockery of the invasive new airport security system at London airports.
The British transport secretary said last week that images taken by new full-body X-ray scanners, which capture in detail the human anatomy, would be destroyed immediately and not pose a risk to travellers' privacy.  But Khan has inadvertently put paid to the government's claims, telling BBC talk show host Jonathan Ross that he autographed printed scans of his own body for two female security officers.

Naked truth: Shahrukh Khan said he signed his X-ray scan at the Manchester Airport
 "I came out [of the scanner] and then I saw these girls and they had these printouts," Khan said.

"So I looked at them, I thought maybe it's a form you're supposed to [sign] ... and you could see everything inside. And then I've autographed them for them.

The scanners are in use at Heathrow and Manchester airports. British transport secretary Lord Adonis told the BBC last week the new system was the same as a "pat-down" search. "A pat-down search is a pretty intrusive procedure but people accept that because it is important that we do detect whether there are weapons or other powerful substances that people may be carrying," he said.

"A body scanner is in the same category -- it is very important to stress that the images which are captured by body scanners are immediately deleted. Staff are, of course, properly trained and supervised who manage the body scanners."
 

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A new fast food sensation has hit the Emirates' culinary scene. Dubai diners can't seem to get enough of the camel burger.

Loving it! Camel burgers are virtually cholesterol free.
 

"It's a sensation," Ramesh, restaurant manager at Local House, the restaurant chain behind the burgers said.

"Everyone's bored of beef and chicken. So, as soon as the word got out, we had queues of customers eager to give it a try."

Not only are the exotic burgers a novelty, they are also a healthier alternative to their beefy American cousins, the restaurant claims. The $6 camel quarter-pounder is virtually  cholesterol free, according to Ramesh. 

Instead of the familiar sesame bun, they serve the burgers with freshly-baked khameer, a popular and yeasty regional bread. "It also comes with melted cheddar cheese, our very own burger sauce and a portion of fries," Ramesh said.

The restaurant's novel burger has so far been a runaway success with inquisitive tourists and local Emirates alike.

In fact, so popular are their camel products that the restaurant has plans to open a new section -- provisionally called the Camel Corner. "We'll sell camel soup, camel salad, camel steak, camel kebab, camel biryani and a camel special," Ramesh said.

Although camel meat is similar to beef in taste, it has a reputation for being extraordinarily tough. How the Local House transforms it into a soft and tender patty remains a closely guarded secret. "Khalib [camel-burger inventor and the restaurant's owner] spent over two months perfecting the recipe. I'm not permitted to tell you how it's done," Ramesh said.

Last year, the ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum founded Al nassma, which produces exclusive camels' milk chocolate. The unusual chocolatiers aim to become the Godiva of the Middle East.
 

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The push for another round of international sanctions against Iran over its nuclear activities is moving fairly quickly and could be ready in the coming weeks, US President Barack Obama said.

"What we are going to be working on over the next several weeks is developing a significant regime of sanctions that will indicate to them how isolated they are from the international community as a whole," Obama said at a press conference on Tuesday.

Iran announced on Tuesday that it had begun the process of enriching uranium to higher concentrations, renewing concerns that it was moving closer to a nuclear weapons capability. Iran maintains the process is solely for civilian energy needs.

"That indicates to us that, despite their posturing that their nuclear power is only for civilian use, that they, in fact, continue to pursue a course that would lead to weaponisation," Obama said.

Iran has so for resisted serious negotiations offered by the US, the European Union, Russia and China to resolve the nuclear dispute. The UN Security Council in recent years has enacted three rounds of limited sanctions to punish Iran for refusing to halt uranium enrichment.

"They have made their choice so far, although the door is still open," Obama said.

Iran so far has not formally accepted a proposal from the UN nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency that would have Tehran ship its uranium to a second country for enrichment for medical use.
 

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Maoists blew up two rail tracks between Bhalulata and Bishra in Orissa's Sundergarh district early Wednesday, an official said.

"Two tracks have been blown up between Bhalulata and Bishra. Both the down and up tracks in the Howrah-Mumbai route were targeted," said VK Srivastav, divisional commercial manager of Chhatrapur division.

Maoists blew up the tracks using land mines at about 1.30 am. After the blast, eight wagons of a goods train derailed. The freight train was travelling from Tatanagar near Ranchi to Bilaspur in Chhattisgarh.
 

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Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had a miraculous escape Tuesday night when the engine of his official vehicle caught fire filling the entire jeep with smoke.

Highly-placed sources said the incident took place at Sambha, 40 km from here, late last night when Omar was returning from Kathua after attending a function.

The sources said smoke came out of the engine of the vehicle, a bullet proof jeep, followed by fire that was extinguished immediately. The only saving grace was that the central locking system of the vehicle did not jam, which happens in case of fire, an official said.

The Special Security Guard, protecting the Chief Minister, had rushed towards the vehicle but Omar and his driver had come out of it, the sources said, adding the state government was now going to take up the matter with the manufacturer.

A thorough inquiry has been ordered into the incident, the sources added.

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n the absence of senior pros due to injuries, India's second rung flopped all the way

Year: November, 2008. Venue: Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium, Nagpur. India had just beaten Australia 2-0 in the four-Test series and the vanquished skipper Ricky Ponting was addressing his post-match press conference. The topic veered to who was the better team. Australia were going through a transition phase following the retirement of some of their stalwarts and Ponting took the occasion to issue a warning to India.

Debutant Wriddhiman Saha ducks a bouncer on Day Four of the first Test against South Africa in Nagpur yesterday. India lost the Test by an innings and six runs.
 
"India will also be in a similar position in a couple of years' time when some of their senior players retire. How they handle that transition will determine the real depth of their cricket," said Ponting, hinting at the imminent end to the careers of Sachin Tendulkar, VVS Laxman and Rahul Dravid.

An example of what Ponting meant was seen in the first Test against South Africa which ended yesterday at the VCA Stadium.

Test of character
With no Laxman, Dravid and Yuvraj Singh available, suddenly there were a number of places up for grabs in the middle-order. This meant a test for India's bench strength. It proved an ideal situation to test the home team's bench strength. But Indian batting's second line got well and truly exposed.

Despite the setback of Rohit Sharma's injury, the lack of depth was cruelly exposed by the South African pacers.

The impact was bigger because it was such a big stage with the No 1 Test ranking depending on the outcome of the game and series.

Subramaniam Badrinath's half-century on debut notwithstanding, the Indian batting very clearly lacked the class to compete against a world-class attack.

Big difference
There's a big difference between getting runs and the manner in which you get those runs. It was embarrassing to see the effect of Dale Steyn on the Indian batting line-up. It was as if skipper Graeme Smith set a cat among pigeons. Except for Virender Sehwag and Sachin Tendulkar's hundreds, the first Test was an absolute no-contest.

A lot of fingers are being pointed at the selectors for doing a bad job, but if this is what they feel is the best reserve batting strength available then Indian cricket is in for a tough ride post the Tendulkar, Dravid and Laxman-era.

Alarm bells
India's road to the top had been built on some fabulous batting performances. Its batting might is feared all over the world, but all the above stalwarts are in the twilight of their careers.

They are all on the wrong side of 35. What we saw at Nagpur, has certainly caused the alarm bells to ring.

"We missed the experience (of the seniors) because of injuries. But, on the other hand, it was good that others got a chance.

"This was the best available squad at that time and this is India's bench strength," said India skipper Dhoni.

"We were outplayed in most of the departments and that's why we are on the losing side. There are plenty of lessons to be learnt," Dhoni said.

More than losing the World No 1 Test ranking, probably, the biggest setback in India's defeat yesterday was the fact that it exposed India's bench strength.  
 

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West Auckland Police hunting for the killer of Indian origin taxi driver Hiren Mohini today released details of a new piece of evidence.

Detective Senior Sergeant Hywel Jones revealed that police have found a distinctive knitted dark cap with a large white logo outlined with three circles.

Along with a blood stained bag, which police have previously spoken about, the hat was found on private property, a day after the murder, reports the New Zealand Herald.

The bag has a "Dicon Aibi" logo.

"The bag and the cap are of great interest to our investigation and we want to know who owned, used or wore them," Jones was quoted, as saying.

Mohini was killed in a frenzied knife attack on January 31.

Police believe it is likely his killer was his last passenger, who attacked him to avoid paying a 15.20 dollar fare.

Police released CCTV footage showing a man they are interested in. He may be Asian.

"We''re appealing more strongly to the Asian communities in and around the Auckland CBD this week as, unfortunately, we''ve become aware that a lot of those we canvassed overnight on Saturday February the 6th and Sunday the 7th, weren''t aware of Hiren Mohini''s murder and our subsequent homicide investigation," Jones said.

"Given that nearly 30 percent of central Auckland''s population is Asian, it''s vital that they know how important it is for us to get any information from them that they might have about Mr Mohini''s killer, who is still on the loose," he added. 
 

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Young women keen to join the Youth Congress after 'charming' Rahul Gandhi's Mumbai visit

Congress General Secretary Rahul Gandhi seems to have floored the fairer sex during his visit to the city. It's raining enquiries at the Congress office, especially from young women expressing interest in joining the Youth Congress after Rahul's dramatic one-day visit on Friday.

"There were many students at the Bhaidas Hall, who expressed interest in joining the party, immediately after Rahul addressed them," said Pratik Malhotra, an Indian Youth Congress (IYC) activist.

"In my constituency alone, over 1,500 females have filled up membership forms. Though we have received around 10,000 applications, the female proportion is sizeable," said spokesperson Krishna Hegde.

"The gathering of 1,200 students for an interaction with Rahul has sent a message to the youth. Girls joining the party is very encouraging," affirmed Kiran Reddy, secretary, IYC.

Rahul understands

Among those who are keen to join the Congress wing is Priyam Ganeriwal, a BMM student of Vile Parle's Usha Pravin Gandhi College of Management. "I attended the seminar and heard Rahul's entire speech. He is so young and dynamic. He knows our problems and understands us. Besides, he is very charming."

Ishita Ghelani, another student from the same college, added, "The Youth Congress is a platform for someone who wants to contest Lok Sabha elections, even if you don't have a godfather in the party. And I liked the way Rahul answered every question posed to him."

"Yes, I am interested in joining the Youth Congress after hearing Rahul. He behaved like one of us and when somebody called him sir, he said 'Just call me Rahul', which really impressed me. The Youth Congress values every single person and I was thrilled when I got a chance to shake hands with him," said Monali Jasrani, a BMS student of N M College of Arts and Commerce.
 

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Sena activists attacked a cinema hall in Mulund to protest against Shah Rukh Khan starrer 'My Name Is Khan'.

Despite assurance by Mumbai Police D Sivanandan of full police security to ensure peaceful release of Karan Johar's upcoming film, Mehul Cinema hall in Mulund was attacked by Shiv Sena activists.
 
At 12 pm, Tuesday about 15 Sena  activists broke the gate of Mehul Cinema and damaged property inside the cinema hall. The Sainiks also tore posters of Shah Rukh Khan.
 
According to Sushant Rane, of  Mehul Cinema, "The activists damaged cinema hall property. Our manager Pramod Madhavi has gone to Mulund police station to file a complaint."

Mulund police said that the Sena activist are on run after vandalising the cinema hall and a complaint has been registered against them.

Earlier in the day, fearing a backlash by Shiv Sena workers, film director Karan Johar, distributors and exhibitors today met Police Commissioner D Sivanandan seeking personal assurance.

The commissioner gave him an assurance that his movie "My Name Is Khan" will release in the financial capital without any disruption.

"Their concern was that there are some political parties suggesting that the film be banned or not be released.

"Adequate security personnel will be deployed at theatres where the film will be screened in the city. We have assured full protection to the distributors, exhibitors and to film maker Karan Johar," Joint Commissioner of Police Himanshu Roy said.

They told us that they have received some calls (threatening) in this regard," Roy said. "Security to some people might be provided," he said refusing to divulge the names of those who would be given special protection.

If required viewers may be asked to produce their identity cards before entering the theatres, Roy said adding that a final call in this regard will be taken later.
 

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