Tax Officials Raid at Houses of Katrina, Priyanka

MUMBAI: Indian income tax officials raided the houses of Bollywood actresses Katrina Kaif and Priyanka Chopra.

According to Indian media reports, both stars are being accused of tax evasion and hiding actual income while filing their income tax returns.

The raids were conducted after the income tax department failed to get a satisfactory response.

Brazil Fashion Week Kicks Off

SAO PAULO: Despite the arrival of some of the biggest names in the fashion and entertainment world, all eyes at the Winter 2011 fashion week that kicks off here are a new runway star: model Lea T.

Representing French brand Givenchy, the Brazilian model has become a rising figure on the global fashion stage thanks to high-profile appearances on the European market in recent months.

Lea T. now returns home to grace the fashion week runway for the first time as a leading figure, promising to be one of the most photographed models at the event in the hands of famed designer Alexandre Herchcovitch.

Latin America's top fashion event, the 30th, twice annual Sao Paulo Fashion Week promises to showcase 31 home brands, and set the stage for next winter's collection.

Among the highlights is the runway appearance walk of top model Gisele Bundchen, the Brazilian beauty who has become the world's top-paid model, who is set to show off the latest creations of the brand Colcci.

Also at the event is US film star Ashton Kutcher, who arrived in the country late Thursday alongwith his actress wife Demi Moore.

"I'm ready for Brazil. Is Brazil is ready for me?" Kutcher wrote on his hugely popular Twitter account ahead of his arrival here.

Billionaire heiress Paris Hilton was also expected to take to the runway to model Brazilian fashion brand Triton, and singer Christina Aguilera was set to attend to promote a new clothing bearing her name.

Sao Paulo, which has held the fashion week since in 1996, has emerged as a key fixture on the fashion calender, showcasing mold-breaking designs from Brazil's top fashion houses Ellus, Colcci, Maria Bonita, and leading designers such as Herchcovitch, Reinaldo Lourenco and Ronaldo Fraga.

Google, Facebook, Twitter Sound Off on Egypt

WASHINGTON: Google, Facebook and Twitter, breaking with the usual practice of corporate silence, are speaking out forcefully against the Internet blockade by the Egyptian authorities.

As Egypt is rocked by continuing protests against President Hosni Mubarak, the three companies spawned by the Internet have criticized the attempt by the authorities to sever the nation of 80 million people from the Web.

While corporate responsibility has been a front-burner issue since companies were pressured into cutting ties with apartheid South Africa decades ago, experts said the statements and moves by the three Web giants were unusual.

"Usually with most corporations the issue is what's going to make profits, not necessarily what's going to do good for the world," said Benjamin Hermalin a finance professor at the University of California, Berkeley's Haas School of Business.

"Particularly given a situation of political uncertainty it would be very strange for companies to take bets on one side because if the other side wins they're in deep trouble," Hermalin said.

The uncertainty in Egypt did not stop Facebook, which had about five million active users in the country before the Internet shutdown, from issuing a statement saying that "no one should be denied access to the Internet."

"Although the turmoil in Egypt is a matter for the Egyptian people and their government to resolve, limiting Internet access for millions of people is a matter of concern for the global community," Facebook spokesman Andrew Noyes said.

Google and Twitter went considerably further than merely expressing concern, jointly creating a tool to allow Egyptians to bypass the Internet closure and post messages to Twitter by making telephone calls.

Google said the "Speak to Tweet" service, which turns voice messages into "tweets," was aimed at "helping people in Egypt stay connected at this very difficult time."

Google-owned YouTube also highlighted videos from Egypt on its news and politics channel, CitizenTube, invited users to submit their own and began streaming live coverage of broadcasts by the Al Jazeera television network.

Google also created a "Crisis Response" page featuring links to the "Speak to Tweet" tool, CitizenTube, emergency telephone numbers and Google Maps of where protests have been occurring in Egypt.

Michael Connor, editor and publisher of the online magazine Business Ethics, noted that Google, whose motto is "Don't Be Evil," has taken stands previously, refusing to censor Internet search results in China, for example.

At the same time, Connor said Google, Facebook and Twitter were also acting out of self-interest.

Australians Flee, Jam Shelters Ahead of “Catastrophic” Cyclone

A girl waits in line to enter an emergency cyclone shelter in a shopping mall in the northern Australian city of Cairns. Catagory five Cyclone Yasi, expected to be the most powerful storm to cross Australia’s heavily populated east coast in generations, is expected to make landfall late on Wednesday night. Thousands of residents fled their homes and crammed into shelters in northeastern Australia as the cyclone with a 650 km wide front barreled toward the coastline. –Reuters Photo/Tim Wimborne

SYDNEY: Thousands of people fled their homes and crammed into shelters in northeastern Australia on Wednesday as the most powerful cyclone in the country’s history barreled toward a string of popular tourist cities lining the coast.
Police were forced to turn away people from some shelters which were already full, and engineers warned that even “cyclone proof” homes could be blown apart by winds expected to reach 300 per hour when it hits later on Wednesday.
“We are facing a storm of catastrophic proportions,” Queensland state premier Anna Bligh said after Cyclone Yasi was upgraded to a maximum-strength category five storm.
More than 400,000 people live in the cyclone’s expected path, which includes the cities of Cairns, Townsville and Mackay. The entire stretch is popular with tourists and includes Australia’s Great Barrier Reef.
Satellite images showed Yasi as a massive storm system covering an area bigger than Italy or New Zealand, with the cyclone predicted to be the strongest ever to hit Australia.
“All aspects of this cyclone are going to be terrifying and potentially very , very damaging,” Bligh said.
The greatest threat to life could come from surges of water of up to seven metres above normal high tide levels along the coast at the town of Cardwell, she said. The storm is due to hit when the tide is high.

Govt Has No Intention of Amending Blasphemy Law, Says PM

Prime Minister Gilani addressing the National Assembly. — Photo by APP

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani on Wednesday categorically said that the government had no intention to amend the blasphemy law, adding that its misuse should be prevented.
“Neither has the government moved a bill nor has any committee been formed to amend the said law as both the treasury and opposition benches are on the same page and are unanimous on this sensitive issue,” Prime Minister Gilani told the National Assembly in response to a point raised by Leader of the Opposition Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan about a policy statement by the prime minister regarding the blasphemy law.
He said that a Muslim cannot have two opinions on the blasphemy law and being a descendant of the Prophet, he cannot even think of amending it.
About Sherry Rehman’s bill regarding the blasphemy law, the prime minister made it clear that it was not a party policy and she had moved the bill in her individual capacity.
Prime Minister Gilani said he had spoken to Sherry Rehman about it and told her that being a sensitive issue it should have been discussed within the party before being moved.
“She agreed with me,” he said.
Gilani said he called an ulema conference on Namoos-i-Risalat and made it clear to them that the government had no intention to amend the law. He invited the ulema to come forward and join hands with the government in its efforts to prevent the misuse of the blasphemy law, adding that if the minorities have any reservations, the law can be made more effective in its functioning.
Prime Minister Gilani informed the House that a majority of the cases under the blasphemy law had so far been registered against Muslims. He said the government respected the ulema and that they were free to take out rallies but it should not be against the government as the government had made it clear that it respected the law.
To another point of Chaudhry Nisar regarding US national Raymond Davis, Prime Minister Gilani said the whole world had focused upon the Pakistani nation’s reaction and wanted to know whether it would be a mature move or not.
He said Pakistan was a sovereign and responsible state with an independent judiciary, free media and a vibrant civil society, and that the government had no intention to take steps which could bring bad name to the country.
He said Raymond Davis’ matter was in court. The government would respect the judiciary and whatever decision it makes would be accepted in letter and spirit, he said.

Obama: Transition in Egypt "Must Begin Now"

President Obama said late Tuesday afternoon that an "orderly transition" in Egypt "must begin now" in the wake of widespread protests that have thrown the country into turmoil.
The comments came on the same day Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak announced that he would not seek re-election in September - a stance that fell short of the demands of protesters, who want their longtime leader to step down immediately.
Mr. Obama said he spoke to the 82-year-old Mubarak following the Egyptian leader's announcement, a conversation that the White House said lasted approximately 30 minutes. A special U.S. envoy had reportedly informed Mubarak earlier that the Obama administration saw Mubarak's presidency -- which has lasted nearly three decades -- as essentially over.
"After his speech tonight, I spoke directly to President Mubarak," Mr. Obama said. "He recognizes that the status quo is not sustainable. And that a change must take place. Indeed, all of us who are privileged to serve in positions of political power do so at the will of our people. Through thousands of years, Egypt has known many moments of transformation, the voices of the Egyptian people tell us that this is one of those moments. This is one of those times."
He continued: "Now, it is not the role of any other country to determine Egypt's leaders. Only the Egyptian people can do that. What is clear, and what I indicated tonight to President Mubarak, is my belief that an orderly transition must be meaningful. It must be peaceful, and it must begin now."

PCO judges: Contempt Notices for Musharraf, Aziz

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court on Wednesday announced its verdict on a law point whether it could initiate contempt proceedings against the judges who took oath under the Provisional Constitution Order (PCO), and whether it could issue contempt notices to generals involved in promulgation of November 3, 2007 emergency in the country in defiance of a seven-member apex court bench's restraining order.

The court rejected the plea and issued contempt of court notices to then COAS and President General Pervez Musharraf, the then Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz, then corps commanders and judges who took oath under the PCO.

The court last week reserved its decision. The top court also rejected the plea on employing the assistance of the Pakistan Bar Council (PBC) and presidents of the provincial bar associations in contempt proceedings against the PCO judges.

A four-member larger bench, comprising Justice Mahmood Akhtar Shahid Siddiqui, Justice Jawwad S Khawaja, Justice Khilji Arif Hussain and Justice Tariq Parvez, heard contempt of court cases against the superior court judges who had taken oath under the PCO in violation of a seven-member bench's restraining order of Nov 3, 2007.

The judges who face contempt of court proceeding include; Justice (R) Iftikhar Hussain Chaudhry, Justice Khurshid Anwar Bhinder, Justice Hamid Ali Shah, Justice Zafar Iqbal Chaudhry, Justice Hasnat Ahmed Khan, Justice Syed Shabbar Raza Rizvi, Justice Yasmin Abbasey, Justice Jehan Zaib Rahim, Justice (R) Abdul Hameed Dogar, Justice Sayed Zahid Hussain, Justice Syed Sajjad Hussain Shah.

The bench fixed 21st February as the date for hearing. The order said: "Let the cases now be fixed for framing of charge against the aforesaid respondents on 21.02.2011. The respondents, if they so desire, appear on that date to enter their plea on the charge(s) framed. In the alternative they may, if they choose, enter their pleas through counsel who are duly instructed."

Toy Story 3' Director on Oscar Nominations

Lee Unkrich was huddled in bed with his wife and 13-year-old daughter on Tuesday morning, their hearts pounding, when he received his first personal Oscar nomination.

The “Toy Story 3” director said, in his 16 years with Pixar, he’s been “lucky to be a part of a lot of great films” - many of which have been nominated.
“I’ve been so happy over the years to see buddies take home Oscars,” Unkrich said, “but there’s nothing quite like being nominated yourself.”
Just as thrilling as the film’s nomination for best animated feature film of the year, he said, is its best picture nod, making “Toy Story 3” the third ever animated feature to be nominated in the category.
“I left Ohio 25 years ago with dreams of making movies and it’s just, I have to pinch myself that I somehow, in this crazy industry, found myself here in this position,” he said.
Unkrich, who was drinking a mimosa during our chat, said he plans to continue celebrating the film’s nominations at the office with his crew and his partners.
While “Toy Story 4” isn’t in the cards, fans can look forward to a series of animated shorts - set to debut before “Cars 2” this summer - featuring the “Toy Story” crew.
“It’s a lot of fun to have ended the story of Andy and his toys in the movies, but still keep the characters alive,” he said.
The film garnered five nominations: Best animated feature film of the year, achievement in music written for motion pictures (original song), best motion picture of the year, achievement in sound editing and adapted screenplay.

Iron and Wine's 'Kiss Each Other Clean'

When Sam Beam stepped into the spotlight on Iron and Wine's 2002 debut, he was a novelty act. That acoustic guitar, that soothingly sweet tenor voice, that flowing mountain-man beard? Pop music hadn't seen anything like it since the heyday of Cat Stevens. But Beam's songs -- sincere folk churners full of backwoods beauty and subtle psychedelia -- had a weird magic all their own.
Since then, indie rock has been overrun by extravagantly bearded, achingly earnest balladeers, but Beam started running away from the pack on 2007's "The Shepherd's Dog," which juiced limpid melodies with dashes of Appalachian folk and West African rock.

LHC Blocks any Move to Hand Over US Gunman

 LAHORE: Lahore High Court Chief Justice Ijaz Ahmed Chaudhry on Tuesday blocked any move to hand over to US authorities an American government employee under investigation for double murder, and put his name on the exit control list.

The United States on Monday again called for the release of Raymond Davis, who was arrested after killing two Pakistani motorcyclists in broad daylight in Lahore, saying that he acted in legitimate self-defence.

But a lawyer petitioned the LHC under public interest laws to block any move to hand Davis over to the United States.

"I am restraining him (from being handed over to US authorities). Whether he has or does not have (diplomatic) immunity will be decided by the court," ruled CJ Ijaz Ahmed Chaudhry.

"An order is issued to put his name on the ECL (exit control list). The case is adjourned for 15 days."

Representing the Pakistani government in court in Lahore, deputy attorney general Naveed Inayat Malik, asked the judge to give "time" to the Pakistani foreign ministry to determine whether Davis has diplomatic immunity or not.

Washington says Davis is a member of the US embassy's "technical administrative staff" and therefore entitled to "full criminal immunity".

"He cannot be lawfully arrested or detained in accordance with the Vienna Convention," US State Department spokesman Philip Crowley told reporters in Washington.

But the Pakistani lawyer who brought the private petition, Saeed Zafar, has argued that under international law, diplomatic immunity can be waived for the most serious crimes.

Khawaja Haris, the advocate general of Punjab -- the chief law officer in the province where Davis shot the motorcyclists -- told the court that the Vienna Convention provides immunity to diplomats "within certain limits."

"The federal government has to give a certificate on whether the man has diplomatic immunity or not and whether his diplomatic status is confirmed or not," Haris said.

"What we hear about him and his immunity is through the press only. Since he is involved in a grave crime, this issue has to be decided by the court."

But Washington is adamant that Davis is being held unlawfully and supports his version of events that he was confronted by two armed men on motorcycles.

Davis "had every reason to believe that the armed men meant him bodily harm. And minutes earlier, the two men, who had criminal records, had robbed money and valuables at gunpoint from a Pakistani citizen," said Crowley.

When asked by visiting US congressmen on Monday to free Davis, Pakistan's President Asif Ali Zardari said: "It would be prudent to wait for the legal course to be completed".

Oil Hits $101 a Barrel as Egypt protests Mount

NEW YORK: Oil prices smashed through $100 a barrel Monday for the first time since the 2008 economic crisis, as traders worried that unrest in Egypt could disrupt oil flows through the Suez Canal. Oil prices surged to $101 a barrel for London's main Brent North Sea crude contract, as protesters gathered for a seventh straight day amid threats of a general strike. Egypt is not a major oil producer, but is home to the vitally important Suez Canal, which carries around 2.4 million barrels of oil a day -- roughly equivalent to the daily output of Iraq or Brazil. Egyptian authorities insist the canal is still working at full capacity, but unrest has caused major shipping giants such as AP Moller-Maersk to halt operations in the country. The threat of delays have prompted some normally reticent oil industry honchos to sound the alarm. OPEC secretary-general Abdalla Salem El-Badri warned "there could be a real shortage" of crude oil passing through Suez. While stressing that the market was still well supplied, El-Badri said "if we see a real shortage, we will need to act."

Jordan King Names Maruf Bakhit as New PM: Palace

AMMAN: King Abdullah II of Jordan named Maruf Bakhit as prime minister on Tuesday with orders to carry out "true political reforms," the palace said, after weeks of opposition protests demanding change.

"King Abdullah II designated Maruf Bakhit to form a new government to replace the government of Samir Rifai," a palace statement said.

"Bakhit's mission is to take practical, quick and tangible steps to launch true political reforms, enhance Jordan's democratic drive and ensure safe and decent living for all Jordanians."

Jordan's powerful opposition said on Monday that it had started a dialogue with the state, saying that unlike the situation in Egypt, it did not seek regime change.

Opposition demands included "the resignation of the government, the amendment of the electoral law and the formation of a national salvation government headed by an elected prime minister," a member of the Islamic Action Front's executive council, Zaki Bani Rsheid, said.

Rifai formed a first government in December 2009, and reshuffled it in November 2010. Bakhit, who was born in 1947, served as prime minister from 2005 to 2007.

Egyptians Gather for Mass March to Oust Mubarak

CAIRO: Crowds gathered in central Cairo on Tuesday for a protest they hoped would swell to a million people demanding an end to the 30-year-rule of President Hosni Mubarak.

Mubarak's newly appointed vice-president, intelligence chief Omar Suleiman, began talks with opposition figures on Monday and promised reforms. The army also promised to hold its fire and declared the protesters demands legitimate.