displaying updated time in aggregator block
I implemented the above requested functionality by using a template_preprocess_block and adding the fetched variable to the $variables['block']. Code for the same as below:

    function my_theme_preprocess_block (&amp;$variables) {
      // fetch last updated time for feed 1 only other feeds don't need this value
      if (($variables['block']-&gt;module == 'aggregator') &amp;&amp; ($variables['block']-&gt;delta == 'feed-1')) {
        $last_updated_timestamp = db_result(db_query("SELECT `checked` FROM {aggregator_feed} WHERE `fid` = 1"));
        if (!empty($last_updated_timestamp)) {
          $variables['block']-&gt;last_updated_time = 'Last updated on ' . date('D M d g:i:s T Y', $last_updated_timestamp);
        }
      }
}


but this seems to look bad as i'm hardcoding my feed id in the query besides the fact that i'm using a query in template.php but it works.

Leaving this question hoping someone could top with a better solution.