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The Organising Committee of the Commonwealth Games is busy giving final touches to the arrangements for the 19th edition of the Games. The work on the sites for the games is on at a feverish pitch to complete the projects in time.

There are 40,000 rooms available for all categories to accommodate guests and officials. Special arrangements have been made for accreditation of national and international media. Adequate security measures are in place for the smooth and incident free conduct of the Games.

Apart from this, 30,000 volunteers will assist the organising committee during the games besides officials and other staff. A multi-tier security set up is being put in place to ensure incident free and smooth conduct of the megaevent.

AIR correspondent reports that Prime Minister has visited some venues for the Games and constituted a group of Minister to oversee the preparation of games projects. A Secretaries Committee headed by the Union Cabinet Secretary is keeping a close watch on the completion of the games.

AIR correspondent reports, twenty five special products have been launched to promote the spirit of the games besides the special dresses for the volunteers. The Mascot for the games has already been unveiled and the theme song composed by Famous Music Director A. R. Rehman has also been released.

With Delhi Government in cooperation with the Organising Committee and the Union Sports Ministry working over time to make the games a memorable event. The rain God may not be kind in the end of this month and early next month, the authorities are concerned over the weatherman’s prediction.

The Maoists have kidnapped a senior leader of Communist Party of India, Baleshwar Mahto from Ramgarh district of Jharkhand. The Moiasts have demanded huge ransom from the family members of Mahto. Police have lanched a search operation in that area.

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar categorically stated that the state government is ready to talk with Maoists for safe release of the security men who have been taken hostage.

Mr. Kumar offered the talk soon after the rebels claimed to have killed one of the captive policemen Abhay Kumar Yadav. He said those who want to come to the negotiating table are welcome. There will be no police action against them. They will be given safe passage.

Meanwhile, talking to a cross section of media, Maoists spokesperson Avinash blamed the state government for the killing of policeman.

He said they were forced to take the stern action. However, there has been no official confirmation of this killing so far. AIR Patna correspondent reports that the Maoists have extended the deadline by 10.00 AM today for the remaining 3 captives.

Besides, Sub-Inspector Rupesh Kumar Sinha, jawan of Bihar Military Police Lukus Tete and Ehatsaam are under the custody of Maoists. Naxals are demanding release of their 8 commorades in exchange of three captive securitymen.

Cricket’s world governing body charged three Pakistan stars accused in a betting scam with anti-corruption offences and provisionally suspended them on Thursday, as the trio protested their innocence.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) said Test captain Salman Butt and bowlers Mohammad Aamer and Mohammad Asif were barred from taking part in all cricket matches with immediate effect, although they can appeal the suspension.

Earlier, Pakistan’s ambassador to Britain said after meeting the trio that they had asked to miss the rest of the team’s tour of England because of the scandal, but said he believed their insistence that they were innocent.

The ICC said it had charged the three stars with offences under its anti-corruption code and they had been provisionally suspended pending a decision on those charges.

“We will not tolerate corruption in cricket – simple as that,” said ICC chief executive Haroon Lorgat.

“We must be decisive with such matters and if proven, these offences carry serious penalties up to a life ban.”

“The ICC will do everything possible to keep such conduct out of the game and we will stop at nothing to protect the sport’s integrity. While we believe the problem is not widespread, we must always be vigilant.”

“It is important, however, that we do not pre-judge the guilt of these three players. That is for the independent tribunal alone to decide.”

Earlier, Butt, Aamer and Asif met with Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Ijaz Butt and Pakistan’s ambassador to Britain, Wajid Shamsul Hasan, at the diplomat’s London office.

Speaking afterwards, Hasan said: “The three players have said that they are extremely disturbed by what has happened in the past week, especially in regard of their alleged involvement in the crime.

“They mentioned that they are entirely innocent in the whole episode and shall defend their innocence as such.”

“They maintain that on account of the mental torture which has deeply affected them, they are not in the right frame of mind to play the remaining matches.”

Asked later if he believed the trio were innocent, Hasan replied: “Yes, I believe in their innocence.”

Butt, Aamer and Asif were all named in a News of the World report which alleged they were involved in a “spot-fixing” scam by bowling deliberate no-balls in last week’s Test match with England in exchange for cash.

However Hasan later questioned the authenticity of video footage shot by the newspaper, saying the players may have been framed.

“The video wasn’t timed or dated. It could have been filmed before or after the match, or at a different time,” he told the BBC.

Asked specifically whether he believed the players may have been set up, he replied: “Yes, I would say that. Yes.”

The revelations have shocked the cricket world and led to calls from figures within the game that the players involved should be banned for life.

The trio were quizzed by police during the Lord’s Test and had their mobile phones confiscated. Sky News reported they would be questioned again Friday, but Scotland Yard refused to confirm this.

London-based businessman Mazhar Majeed was arrested on Sunday but released without charge on police bail.

Meanwhile Australian Test legend Shane Warne added his voice to the chorus of condemnation, saying authorities should choose the ultimate punishment if the three players were found guilty.

“If it is true and they have been found (guilty of) match-fixing and throwing games and spot-betting with the no-balls and stuff, if that’s the case they should be thrown out,” Warne told reporters. “It’s as simple as that.”

Former England cricket coach Duncan Fletcher also adopted a hard line, writing in The Guardian newspaper that life bans were the only way to send a clear message to players who compromised the integrity of the sport.

“We must be ruthless and put the fear of God into people. Even the smallest transgression must mean that a career is over,” he said.

The government headhunters PESB will hold interviews to select the next chairman and managing director of Oil and Natural Gas Corp (ONGC) on October 19. Public Enterprise Selection Board (PESB) will interview, Mr Ravi Narayan Bastia, the man who discovered India’s biggest gas field, and nine others who have applied for the top job of ONGC, on October 19, official sources said.

Mr Bastia, who quit ONGC in 1996 to join Reliance Industries, is credited with discovering the Dhirubhai-1 gas field at the Krishna Godavari basin deep-sea block D6 in 2002. It was ranked as the biggest gas find in the world that year.

A senior vice-president heading exploration operations at the Mukesh Ambani-run company, he is also credited with RIL’s Mahanadi Basin gas finds. He was awarded the Padma Shree, the nation’s fourth highest civilian honour, in 2007.

Mr Bastia is making a homecoming and has applied for the post of chairman and MD, ONGC, sources said. The current incumbent, Mr R.S. Sharma, retires on January 31, 2011, on attaining the super-annuation age of 60 years.

Sources said that the others in the fray include Mr Sudhir Vasudeva, director (offshore), ONGC; Mr D. K. Saraf, director (finance), ONGC; and Mr R. S. Butola, MD, ONGC Videsh Ltd.

Acting oil regulator, Mr S. K. Srivastava and OIL director (exploration), Mr B. N. Talukdar, had also applied at the close of application on May 6. Incidentally, PESB will hold interviews to select the new chairman of Indian Oil Corp (IOC) on September 29.

Mr Butola and Bharat Petroleum Corp (BPCL) director (refineries) R K Singh are among the 17 candidates in the fray for the top job at the nation’s largest oil firm. Mr S. K. Srivastava, Oil India director (finance), Mr T. K. Ananth Kumar, Hindustan Petroleum Corp director (finance), Mr B. Mukherjee and Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemical MD, Mr U. K. Basu are the other applicants for top job at IOC, they said.

The vacancy for IOC chairman arose after the government declined an extension of service to Mr Sarthak Behuria till his superannuation age of 60 in 2012.

He completed his five-year term in February end and is eligible for an extension as the chairman till early 2012 but the government refused him the option.

September 2 vs. Marshall (7:30 p.m.) — Big Ten Network

September 11 vs. Miami (3:40 p.m.) — ESPN

September 18 vs. Ohio (12 p.m.)

September 25 vs. Eastern Michigan (TBD)

October 2 @ Illinois (TBD)

October 9 vs. Indiana (TBD)

October 16 @ Wisconsin (7 p.m.)

October 23 vs. Purdue (12 p.m.)

October 30 @ Minnesota (8 p.m.)

November 13 vs. Penn State (TBD)

November 20 @ Iowa (TBD)

November 27 vs. Michigan (TBD)

Lindsay Lohan Ex- boyfriend Harry Morton Dating Jennifer Aniston. Jennifer Aniston and Harry Morton were seen together while having dinner at a hotel. It is noteworthy that scion Harry Morton is the ex-boyfriend of Lindsay Lohan. Lindsay Lohan is also 12 years younger than Jennifer Aniston.

Meanwhile sources report that Jennifer Aniston appears to be charmed with Harry Morton as she was snapped cuddling his arms during their dinner. Sources say that when Harry got up to use the bathroom during the dinner, Jennifer re-applied her lipstick.

It is pertinent to note that Harry Morton was being rumored to be dating HaydenHayden Panettiere since 2009.

Harry Morton was born on April 1981 in Los Angeles, California. Harry Morton is the founder of Pink Taco restaurants. Harry Morton undertook marketing and nightlife business enterprise at his father’s Hard Rock Hotel and Casino. In 1999, Harry Morton kick started Pink Taco. On February 1, 2008, the enterprising Harry Morton bought the nightclub The Viper Room to West Hollywood, California.

The Coast Guard is reporting that a mile-long oil sheen is spreading from the site of today’s oil rig explosion in the Gulf of Mexico, according to the Associated Press.

The location of the rig, as seen in the graphic above, is about 200 miles west of BP’s Deepwater Horizon rig. Thirteen workers were present during the explosion, but all are still alive and were spotted floating in the water wearing emergency gear called gumby suits.

A commercial helicopter first spotted the explosion, the cause of which is still being investigated early Thursday afternoon. (See dramatic photos of history’s biggest oil spills)

Luckily, there’s some good news: Even if the situation becomes severe, the cleanup process would be much easier on this platform than during the BP debacle. The AP reports that this well was dug in shallow water, unlike BP’s rig, and this makes cleaning oil off the ocean floor much simpler.

During an initial flyover of the area, officials did not spot any oil spilling, though this new sheen may change reports

Sixty seven fresh cases of dengue have been reported from different parts of the national capital. With this the number of cases reached to 1,081. According to the Health Department of MCD, three confirmed deaths have been reported so far. Authorities are more worried about the spread of dengue as the city will host the Games in October, a month which generally sees high prevalence of the disease.

Soundarya Rajinikanth Wedding: Latest News Updates With barely two days left for Soundarya Rajinikanth’s wedding, a grand mehendi function was organised at a five star hotel recently. Apart from family members, close friends also attended the high-profile function hosted by the groom’s sister.

Music Jockey Dev kept the evening alive with his mix of upbeat, festive music. A small video clipping showcasing childhood pictures of the bride and the groom was presented during the occasion, which had both Soundarya and her groom Ashwin blushing, recalling some sweet, old memories.

“Ashwin is too handsome”, said Rajini, as he gave a small talk on his would be son-in-law. A fun-filled Karaoke session added more colour to the evening.

Says a source, “Soundarya was looking her best in a dark blue salwar and the beautiful mehendi. When old Tamil hits were sung, Rajini joined in to sing ‘Adho andha paravai pola’, and made the event even livelier. A cocktail party was also thrown in for the guests.”