Mumbai attacks: One year on

Ceremonies are being held in Mumbai to mark the first anniversary of a series of devastating attacks on the Indian city by militants.

A police parade, the inauguration of a memorial, and a candle-lit prayer service are among the events.

The attacks, which began on 26 November 2008 and lasted nearly three days, left 174 people dead, including nine gunmen.

The only surviving attacker, Pakistani Muhammed Ajmal Qasab, is currently facing trial in India.

On Wednesday, a court in Pakistan charged seven people in connection with the attacks, including alleged mastermind Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi – head of the banned militant group Lashkar-e-Taiba.

The Mumbai gunmen staged co-ordinated attacks at a number of sites, including the CST railway station, two luxury hotels and the Nariman House Jewish community centre.
… Continue Reading

From Asian pop star to ‘Ninja Assassin’

(CNN) — South Korean pop star Rain, who stars in “Ninja Assassin,” releasing nationwide on Wednesday, has all the trimmings of an international superstar in the making.

His talent, good looks and charming swagger have captured the devotion of the Asian continent, where tickets to his concerts evaporate in minutes. He was hailed as one of People magazine’s most beautiful two years ago, and, despite being relatively unknown to most Americans, beat Stephen Colbert in a Time magazine online poll of most influential people in 2007.

Yet Rain’s climb from unknown backup dancer to a member of Asia’s A-list wasn’t easy: His lack of Western features caused many music labels to look right past him and getting his footing in the United States has been particularly difficult.

Despite having six albums under his belt and selling out a two-day Madison Square Garden tour in 2006, Rain’s “Justin Timberlake meets Usher” brand of bubble-gum pop never saturated pop charts here as it did in the East.
… Continue Reading

Roger Federer beats Andy Murray at ATP Tour Finals

Roger Federer ensured he will end the year as world number one after beating Andy Murray 3-6 6-3 6-1 in the ATP World Tour Finals in London.

The Swiss was broken twice as the British number one, who also hit six aces, wrapped up the first set.

But Federer upped his game in the second set and made a decisive break in game six to level the match at 1-1.

Murray’s serve, which had been so dominant early on, faltered as Federer broke three times to wrap up the win.

Murray said: “I served terribly and that was the main difference in the match.

“In the first set, at least when I was behind in games, I was coming up with big serves, being able to dictate the points. But after that I served pants.

“It was probably the most double faults (eight) I served in a match maybe this year.

“You can’t serve at 40% against Roger because you give him so many opportunities to dictate play, but that’s what I did.
… Continue Reading