Breaking News!Maoist guerrillas early today blasted a newly constructed government building in Orissa's Malkangiri district, police said.
About 100 armed rebels set off landmines to rip apart the block office building at Padia in the Maoist stronghold of Malkangiri, about 620 km from Bhubaneswar.
"The rebels first asked the workers living in the building to vacate. After that they blasted it. The building was damaged," a senior district police official told the media.
The rebels often target school, panchayat and other government buildings in the region as they suspect the government may use these to house security forces during the anti-Maoist operation.
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Indian Army may join Delhi's battle against dengue
Breaking News!With dengue cases rising in Delhi, there is a proposal to use the services of Indian army to help fight mosquito breeding near the Commonwealth Games Village, where athletes and delegates will stay during the Oct 3-14 event, a government source said on Tuesday.
"A proposal in this regard is under serious consideration of the government," the highly-placed source told the media.
The announcement with this regard seeking army's help is likely to be made in a day or two, the source added.
Due to massive construction work in and around Games village, which is on the river-bed in east Delhi, and other venues for the mega sporting event, Delhi has witnessed a surge in dengue cases. So far, 1,438 dengue cases have been reported in the capital.
The sources said that the army is likely be deployed around the Games village in particular to clear water logging and spray chemicals on a massive scale.
Due to heavy rains and the rise in the Yamuna water levels, high density breeding has been found in the Games village and neighbouring areas, according to a health official, who said the army's help will be sought to tackle the situation on a priority.
At least 24 Commonwealth countries have made inquiries about the status of dengue in the capital.
Mosquito breeding will be at its peak during October and the Yamuna banks are likely to be the main breeding ground for mosquitoes responsible for dengue and malaria, the official said.
The proposal was also discussed at a meeting of senior officers, including Municipal Commissioner K.S. Mehra and MCD's Public Health Committee Chairman V.K. Monga, with Delhi Health Minister Kiran Walia.
Senior officials from the New Delhi Municipal Council and the Delhi Cantonment Board were also present.
In the meeting, Walia sought cooperation of all the agencies and the officials to contain the disease in the capital, an official said.
She also asked the officials to intensify anti-mosquito drive in and around the Games village and areas near Shakarpur drain in east Delhi.
The official said that they have also been asked to "effectively and aggressively" check the mosquito menace and urge people to prevent accumulation of water near their homes.
"A proposal in this regard is under serious consideration of the government," the highly-placed source told the media.
The announcement with this regard seeking army's help is likely to be made in a day or two, the source added.
Due to massive construction work in and around Games village, which is on the river-bed in east Delhi, and other venues for the mega sporting event, Delhi has witnessed a surge in dengue cases. So far, 1,438 dengue cases have been reported in the capital.
The sources said that the army is likely be deployed around the Games village in particular to clear water logging and spray chemicals on a massive scale.
Due to heavy rains and the rise in the Yamuna water levels, high density breeding has been found in the Games village and neighbouring areas, according to a health official, who said the army's help will be sought to tackle the situation on a priority.
At least 24 Commonwealth countries have made inquiries about the status of dengue in the capital.
Mosquito breeding will be at its peak during October and the Yamuna banks are likely to be the main breeding ground for mosquitoes responsible for dengue and malaria, the official said.
The proposal was also discussed at a meeting of senior officers, including Municipal Commissioner K.S. Mehra and MCD's Public Health Committee Chairman V.K. Monga, with Delhi Health Minister Kiran Walia.
Senior officials from the New Delhi Municipal Council and the Delhi Cantonment Board were also present.
In the meeting, Walia sought cooperation of all the agencies and the officials to contain the disease in the capital, an official said.
She also asked the officials to intensify anti-mosquito drive in and around the Games village and areas near Shakarpur drain in east Delhi.
The official said that they have also been asked to "effectively and aggressively" check the mosquito menace and urge people to prevent accumulation of water near their homes.
Improve pay at public sector banks: RBI Governor
Breaking News!India's central bank governor today said pay packages at state-run banks need to be revamped and brought at par with their private sector peers if they are to retain talent.
"If public sector banks are required to compete with private banks on a level playing field, there is a good case for compensating them too," Reserve Bank of India Governor D. Subbarao said, delivering a lecture at a FICCI-Indian Bank Association seminar here.
"There is also the risk that if the public sector bank compensation is not improved, the public sector may lose talent to the private sector," said Subbarao.
However, criticising the huge payouts to global bank executives, Subbarao said: "The compensation framework overlooked the perverse incentives it would engender. Bank executives focused too much on short-term profits and compromised long term interests with disastrous consequences."
According to some analysts, the massive compensation, especially high variable pays, had resulted in the engineering of derivative products and their mid-selling which culminated in the financial crisis in 2008.
During his speech, Subbarao also said Indian banks would be able to comply with the capital adequacy norms proposed in the Basel-III norms.
"As on June 30, 2010, the aggregate capital to risk weighted assets ratio of the Indian banking system stood at 13.4 percent. Although the Basel III norms are yet to be calibrated, it is unlikely that they will be higher than the above figures."
"If public sector banks are required to compete with private banks on a level playing field, there is a good case for compensating them too," Reserve Bank of India Governor D. Subbarao said, delivering a lecture at a FICCI-Indian Bank Association seminar here.
"There is also the risk that if the public sector bank compensation is not improved, the public sector may lose talent to the private sector," said Subbarao.
However, criticising the huge payouts to global bank executives, Subbarao said: "The compensation framework overlooked the perverse incentives it would engender. Bank executives focused too much on short-term profits and compromised long term interests with disastrous consequences."
According to some analysts, the massive compensation, especially high variable pays, had resulted in the engineering of derivative products and their mid-selling which culminated in the financial crisis in 2008.
During his speech, Subbarao also said Indian banks would be able to comply with the capital adequacy norms proposed in the Basel-III norms.
"As on June 30, 2010, the aggregate capital to risk weighted assets ratio of the Indian banking system stood at 13.4 percent. Although the Basel III norms are yet to be calibrated, it is unlikely that they will be higher than the above figures."
GE and PepsiCo in India among 12 ACE finalists
Breaking News!GE and PepsiCo in India are among 12 American companies selected as finalists for the Secretary of State's prestigious 2010 Award for Corporate Excellence (ACE).
Chosen from a record number of 78 nominations submitted by American ambassadors around the world, ACE finalists are international business leaders who recognize the vital role that US businesses play abroad as good corporate citizens, the State Department announced.
GE in India has been selected "for the diversified technology, media and financial services company's fostering of local partnerships and volunteerism, supporting health, education, innovation and disaster recovery projects across India; exemplary employment practices; and promotion of cleaner, more energy efficient products."
PepsiCo in India has been chosen "for the beverage company's fostering of environmental sustainability through water conservation efforts, which has benefited small and marginal farmers; supporting the health and well-being of local communities; and providing important employment opportunities through training with a focus on diversity and inclusion."
Other ten finalists are: Alta Ventures in Mexico, Cisco in Israel, Coca-Cola in Swaziland, Denimatrix in Guatemala, Fiji Water in Fiji, Intel in Costa Rica, Mars, Inc. in Ghana, Synopsys in Armenia and Qualcomm and Tang Energy in China.
The Secretary of State has awarded the ACE since 1999 to recognize US businesses for advancing good corporate citizenship, innovation, and democratic principles, the department said.
Chosen from a record number of 78 nominations submitted by American ambassadors around the world, ACE finalists are international business leaders who recognize the vital role that US businesses play abroad as good corporate citizens, the State Department announced.
GE in India has been selected "for the diversified technology, media and financial services company's fostering of local partnerships and volunteerism, supporting health, education, innovation and disaster recovery projects across India; exemplary employment practices; and promotion of cleaner, more energy efficient products."
PepsiCo in India has been chosen "for the beverage company's fostering of environmental sustainability through water conservation efforts, which has benefited small and marginal farmers; supporting the health and well-being of local communities; and providing important employment opportunities through training with a focus on diversity and inclusion."
Other ten finalists are: Alta Ventures in Mexico, Cisco in Israel, Coca-Cola in Swaziland, Denimatrix in Guatemala, Fiji Water in Fiji, Intel in Costa Rica, Mars, Inc. in Ghana, Synopsys in Armenia and Qualcomm and Tang Energy in China.
The Secretary of State has awarded the ACE since 1999 to recognize US businesses for advancing good corporate citizenship, innovation, and democratic principles, the department said.
Shahrukh finds new IPL fourth season rules 'confusing'
Breaking News!Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) owner and Bollywood superstar Shahrukh Khan finds the new Indian Premier League (IPL) format for the fourth season "confusing".
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had Sunday unveiled a new format for the next season with 10 teams split into two groups and the cap on team spending increased to $9 million. The teams will be allowed to retain four players in their squads from the last event - a maximum of three Indians and two foreigners.
"New IPL rules a bit confusing. Two new teams added (good). All players should go into pool to make it fair for everyone. Simple and straight," Khan tweeted today.
The fourth season of the IPL will have 10 teams after the addition of two new teams. There will be 74 matches in total, compared to 60 earlier this year.
The format needed to be changed after the inclusion of two new franchises - Pune Warriors and Kochi.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had Sunday unveiled a new format for the next season with 10 teams split into two groups and the cap on team spending increased to $9 million. The teams will be allowed to retain four players in their squads from the last event - a maximum of three Indians and two foreigners.
"New IPL rules a bit confusing. Two new teams added (good). All players should go into pool to make it fair for everyone. Simple and straight," Khan tweeted today.
The fourth season of the IPL will have 10 teams after the addition of two new teams. There will be 74 matches in total, compared to 60 earlier this year.
The format needed to be changed after the inclusion of two new franchises - Pune Warriors and Kochi.
Coca-Cola launches visual logo, marketing campaign for CWG
Breaking News!Coca-Cola India, the official beverage partner of the 2010 Commonwealth Games today, announced the launch of its new Visual Identity System (VIS) and logo for the Games in Delhi.
The VIS is an integrated marketing campaign which will be used extensively in packaging, point of sale materials, product delivery trucks, equipments, and out of home media to attract people for the Oct 3-14 event.
An extensive outdoor campaign will be launched in competition and non-competition venues of the Commonwealth Games including the Games venues, training venues, Games village etc. The campaign for the Games has been developed by McCann Erickson.
More than 2000 outlets, partnership with Delhi Tourism for activation of key venues, consumer sampling, road shows, contests etc will be part of the outdoor campaign.
Conceptualized on the platform of "Go Dilli, Let Sports Win", the VIS encourages people to participate in and support the Oct 3-14 Commonwealth Games.
The VIS is inspired by the Chakra in Commonwealth Games Logo, the cultural symbol of celebration - 'Ambi or Paisley? and the architecture of Lotus temple in Delhi.
"The new identity that we have launched today will help us leverage and build excitement for the Commonwealth Games in Delhi, long before the first medals are awarded in October," said Atul Singh, President & CEO, Coca-Cola India.
"By associating with the Commonwealth Games, we will have the opportunity to refresh more than 8000 athletes and delegates and more than 30,000 volunteers that will take part in the Games."
The VIS is an integrated marketing campaign which will be used extensively in packaging, point of sale materials, product delivery trucks, equipments, and out of home media to attract people for the Oct 3-14 event.
An extensive outdoor campaign will be launched in competition and non-competition venues of the Commonwealth Games including the Games venues, training venues, Games village etc. The campaign for the Games has been developed by McCann Erickson.
More than 2000 outlets, partnership with Delhi Tourism for activation of key venues, consumer sampling, road shows, contests etc will be part of the outdoor campaign.
Conceptualized on the platform of "Go Dilli, Let Sports Win", the VIS encourages people to participate in and support the Oct 3-14 Commonwealth Games.
The VIS is inspired by the Chakra in Commonwealth Games Logo, the cultural symbol of celebration - 'Ambi or Paisley? and the architecture of Lotus temple in Delhi.
"The new identity that we have launched today will help us leverage and build excitement for the Commonwealth Games in Delhi, long before the first medals are awarded in October," said Atul Singh, President & CEO, Coca-Cola India.
"By associating with the Commonwealth Games, we will have the opportunity to refresh more than 8000 athletes and delegates and more than 30,000 volunteers that will take part in the Games."
Cash award for medal winners at Commonwealth Games, Asian Games doubled
Breaking News!The sports ministry today doubled the cash award for medal winners at the Commonwealth Games and the Asian Games.
A gold medallist will now get Rs.20 lakh while silver medallists will be awarded Rs.10 lakh. The bronze medal winners will take home Rs.6 lakh.
Sports minister M.S. Gill made this announcement at the Conference of State Ministers for Youth Affairs and Sports held here today.
Gill appreciated the efforts made by states in the implementation of Panchayat Yuva Krida Aur Khel Abhiyan (PYKKA).
The State Sports Ministers unanimously resolved that there was an urgent need for enacting a National Sports Act for promoting good governance practices in the National Sports Federations (NSF), including professional management, financial accountability and good electoral practices.
They also recommended the setting up of a National Sports Dispute Redressal Tribunal to ensure speedy resolution of sports disputes, including player?s grievances. It was noted that a large number of countries have sports legislation in place to regulate the activities of sports federations and facilitate proper sports development.
The Minister appreciated the innovative work done by the Madhya Pradesh government in setting up several professionally managed sports academies for which they have been awarded Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puraskar for 2010.
He announced that from now onwards one award will be earmarked for the best performing state in sports development.
Gill also said that efforts are on to add over one lakh rural youth clubs to the present number of three lakh.
He announced that a National Youth Festival will be held at Udaipur form Jan 12-16 and the ministry will provide a grant of Rs 2 crore to Rajasthan for the conduct of youth festival.
A gold medallist will now get Rs.20 lakh while silver medallists will be awarded Rs.10 lakh. The bronze medal winners will take home Rs.6 lakh.
Sports minister M.S. Gill made this announcement at the Conference of State Ministers for Youth Affairs and Sports held here today.
Gill appreciated the efforts made by states in the implementation of Panchayat Yuva Krida Aur Khel Abhiyan (PYKKA).
The State Sports Ministers unanimously resolved that there was an urgent need for enacting a National Sports Act for promoting good governance practices in the National Sports Federations (NSF), including professional management, financial accountability and good electoral practices.
They also recommended the setting up of a National Sports Dispute Redressal Tribunal to ensure speedy resolution of sports disputes, including player?s grievances. It was noted that a large number of countries have sports legislation in place to regulate the activities of sports federations and facilitate proper sports development.
The Minister appreciated the innovative work done by the Madhya Pradesh government in setting up several professionally managed sports academies for which they have been awarded Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puraskar for 2010.
He announced that from now onwards one award will be earmarked for the best performing state in sports development.
Gill also said that efforts are on to add over one lakh rural youth clubs to the present number of three lakh.
He announced that a National Youth Festival will be held at Udaipur form Jan 12-16 and the ministry will provide a grant of Rs 2 crore to Rajasthan for the conduct of youth festival.
'Maternal health key to fighting poverty'
Breaking News!Improving maternal health can help fight poverty, which is a top goal under the UN's millennium development campaign, experts said on Tuesday.
"Women hold the key to a better society. Our aim is to provide maternal health services and immunisation support that provides safety to the woman as well as the child she will give birth to," said N. Srimati, executive director, Family Planning Association of India at a workshop on the United Nations Millennium Campaign (UNMC).
According to a recent survey conducted by Whypoll, supported by UNMC, over 50 percent of India still believes that poverty is the root cause of all problems. The need for a better public distribution system in the country was also discussed.
The discussion also had representatives from World Vision and Oxfam.
"With the deep divide between the urban and the rural people, this campaign is a much needed call to demand action against poverty. Maternal health is where we will start from," said Rajiv Chandran of the UN Information Centre.
"Women hold the key to a better society. Our aim is to provide maternal health services and immunisation support that provides safety to the woman as well as the child she will give birth to," said N. Srimati, executive director, Family Planning Association of India at a workshop on the United Nations Millennium Campaign (UNMC).
According to a recent survey conducted by Whypoll, supported by UNMC, over 50 percent of India still believes that poverty is the root cause of all problems. The need for a better public distribution system in the country was also discussed.
The discussion also had representatives from World Vision and Oxfam.
"With the deep divide between the urban and the rural people, this campaign is a much needed call to demand action against poverty. Maternal health is where we will start from," said Rajiv Chandran of the UN Information Centre.
Neetu Chandra (actress) denies links with Mohammad Asif
Breaking News!Bollywood's new babe Neetu Chandra, who is linked to the match fixing scandal, has denied all allegations and any links with tainted Pakistani cricketer Mohammad Asif.Neetu, who acted in 'Garam Masala', 'Traffic Signal', 'Oye Lucky, Lucky Oye', 'Rann' and 'Apartment' was quizzed by the ICC's anti-corruption and security unit. Neetu said she did not even know Mohammad Asif.According to previous media reports, Neetu Chandra's cell number was found in the call records of Mohammad Asif during the investigation, which led the investigators to zero in her. The documents were leaked to the Press.It was shown that Neetu Chandra had two conversations of about two minutes each with Asif. Asif's ex-girlfriend Veena Malik also confirmed that the cricketer had links with Neetu and used to talk to her for long.Neetu denied having any phone conversations with Mohammad Asid and said she did not have any interest in cricket and never talked to any Pakistani cricketer.
Dale Bhagwagar, who takes all media queries on Neetu's behalf, said that Neetu had not even seen Asif's photograph. "When I showed Asif's photograph, Neetu almost jumped from her chair, joking, 'He's too dark'. She never met Asif, Dale claimed.
Bhagwagar questioned the leaked document, saying how it can be termed as authentic. Neetu wants an Indian agency to probe the matter and come up with the truth.
source: agency
Dale Bhagwagar, who takes all media queries on Neetu's behalf, said that Neetu had not even seen Asif's photograph. "When I showed Asif's photograph, Neetu almost jumped from her chair, joking, 'He's too dark'. She never met Asif, Dale claimed.
Bhagwagar questioned the leaked document, saying how it can be termed as authentic. Neetu wants an Indian agency to probe the matter and come up with the truth.
source: agency
Delhi is going from strength to strength: Karan Johar
Breaking News!Well known filmmaker Karan Johar is mighty impressed by Delhi's infrastructure and says he hopes the Commonwealth Games are a success and helps to establish India's name globally.
Karan, who was in the capital last week for the launch of premium lifestyle store The Collective, says he has been observing with interest the developments in the capital over his recent visits.
"I haven't really been to the shopping malls part of Delhi except for my past two visits... but of what I have seen... I can say that the scale of the city has immensely changed. I have always thought Delhi has tremendous kind of infrastructure and it is growing from strength to strength. It is always good to visit it and experience the growth," Karan told the media in an interview.
On the Oct 3-14 Games, he says: "It is an international platform and all eyeballs are on India for the CWG. I hope and pray that we treat it as an important step ahead globally and not take it back one step."
The filmmaker, who is popular for hits like "Kuch Kuch Hota Hai", "Kabhie Khushi Kabhie Gham" and "Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna" apart from others, says he will not be in the country during the mega event.
"Unfortunately I am travelling internationally around that time....part of the trip is professional and part of it is personal. So I won't be able to come to Delhi," he said.
The 38-year-old director said he will be teasing his brains once again for an idea for his next directorial. His last trip to New York in June only helped him clear his head, but "nothing new came on it". But now he will start thinking afresh.
"I am going to go out to take time out and think about what should I make next. My New York trip helped me clear my head. But after clearing it, nothing new came on it. You cannot force creativity...it either seeps its way into your head or doesn't."
Meanwhile, he is busy amassing compliments galore for his latest production "We Are Family", which is the official remake of Hollywood film "Stepmom".
"I have been hearing great things about 'We Are Family'. It's a family film after a while and of what I am hearing...it's a true blue tear-jerker. Women and family are feeling the emotion of the film. It is very sensitively handled and the performances are definitely one of the USPs of the films. We are very happy as a production that
we have finally put up an official remake of a Hollywood film," said Karan.
Next up from Karan's stable Dharma Productions will be a remake of Amitabh Bachchan's 1991 hit "Agneepath" and another film starring Imran Khan and Kareena Kapoor. But a Karan Johar directorial is what everyone's waiting for ever since "My Name Is Khan", which released earlier this year.
Karan, who was in the capital last week for the launch of premium lifestyle store The Collective, says he has been observing with interest the developments in the capital over his recent visits.
"I haven't really been to the shopping malls part of Delhi except for my past two visits... but of what I have seen... I can say that the scale of the city has immensely changed. I have always thought Delhi has tremendous kind of infrastructure and it is growing from strength to strength. It is always good to visit it and experience the growth," Karan told the media in an interview.
On the Oct 3-14 Games, he says: "It is an international platform and all eyeballs are on India for the CWG. I hope and pray that we treat it as an important step ahead globally and not take it back one step."
The filmmaker, who is popular for hits like "Kuch Kuch Hota Hai", "Kabhie Khushi Kabhie Gham" and "Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna" apart from others, says he will not be in the country during the mega event.
"Unfortunately I am travelling internationally around that time....part of the trip is professional and part of it is personal. So I won't be able to come to Delhi," he said.
The 38-year-old director said he will be teasing his brains once again for an idea for his next directorial. His last trip to New York in June only helped him clear his head, but "nothing new came on it". But now he will start thinking afresh.
"I am going to go out to take time out and think about what should I make next. My New York trip helped me clear my head. But after clearing it, nothing new came on it. You cannot force creativity...it either seeps its way into your head or doesn't."
Meanwhile, he is busy amassing compliments galore for his latest production "We Are Family", which is the official remake of Hollywood film "Stepmom".
"I have been hearing great things about 'We Are Family'. It's a family film after a while and of what I am hearing...it's a true blue tear-jerker. Women and family are feeling the emotion of the film. It is very sensitively handled and the performances are definitely one of the USPs of the films. We are very happy as a production that
we have finally put up an official remake of a Hollywood film," said Karan.
Next up from Karan's stable Dharma Productions will be a remake of Amitabh Bachchan's 1991 hit "Agneepath" and another film starring Imran Khan and Kareena Kapoor. But a Karan Johar directorial is what everyone's waiting for ever since "My Name Is Khan", which released earlier this year.
Swine Flu plays havoc in Delhi and Madhya Pradesh
Breaking News!More Swine Flu deaths were reported from Delhi and Madhya Pradesh on Tuesday, leading to a panic among the people. Both states have witnessed a rise in Swine Flu deaths in the recent weeks.At least three people died of Swine Flu in Delhi, taking the death toll to 38. The capital has already reported 1,201 positive cases so far. Out of the 34 dead, 24 are from Delhi, while the rest are outstation patients.
Madhya Pradesh too reported three Swine Flu deaths on Tuesday. The death toll in the state has now gone up to 40.
source: agency
Madhya Pradesh too reported three Swine Flu deaths on Tuesday. The death toll in the state has now gone up to 40.
source: agency
UN reports over 500 rapes in eastern Congo
Breaking News!UNITED NATIONS: The United Nations reported Tuesday that more than 500 systematic rapes were committed by armed combatants in eastern Congo since late July - more than double the number previously reported - and accepted partial responsibility for not protecting citizens.
UN Assistant Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Atul Khare told the UN Security Council that at least 267 more rapes occurred in another area of the country's east, in addition to 242 rapes earlier reported in and around Luvungi, a village of about 2,200 people located about 20 miles (30 kilometers) from a UN peacekeepers' camp.
"While the primary responsibility for protection of civilians lies with the state, its national army and police force," said Khare, "clearly, we have also failed. Our actions were not adequate, resulting in acceptable brutalization of the population of the villages in the area. We must do better."
The area peacekeeping force, called MONUSCO, on Sept. 1 launched an operation using 750 troops to back efforts by Congolese security forces to arrest the perpetrators of the attacks, said Khare. At least 27 rebels armed with automatic rifles have surrendered and at least four more have been arrested, he said.
Meanwhile, Khare said, peacekeepers will undertake more night patrols, and perform more random checks on communities. The UN is also looking into ways of providing peacekeepers with mobile phones by installing a high frequency radio in Luvungi, he said.
Rape as a weapon of war has become shockingly commonplace in eastern Congo, where the government army and UN peacekeepers have failed to defeat the few thousands rebels responsible for a protracted conflict fueled by vast mineral reserves. Luvungi is a farming center on the main road between Goma, the eastern provincial capital, and the major mining town of Walikale.
Khare told reporters after the council session that around 15,000 rapes are reported in Congo each year.
Ambassador Susan Rice, the US representative to the United Nations, called Tuesday's briefing "very frank, comprehensive and illuminating" and said she looked forward to more sessions examining ways to prevent future mass rapes in Congo.
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in recent days sent Khare to Congo to investigate why UN peacekeepers didn't learn about at least 242 mass rapes in the Luvungi area from July 30 to Aug. 4 until Aug. 12, when it was informed by the International Medical Corps which was treating many of the victims.
The additional sexual attacks, in an area called Uvira and other regions of North and South Kiv u, came to light during Khare's trip. He told council members he learned of 74 cases of sexual violence, including against 21 minors - all girls between the ages of 7 and 15 - and six men, in a village called Miki, in South Kivu. All the women in another village, Kiluma, may have been systematically raped, he said.
Khare said in a community called Katalukulu, 10 women were raped by Congolese soldiers, which he said must "maintain a much higher standard of discipline, good behavior and conduct, and observance of human rights."
Altogether, he detailed new reports of mass rapes on various communities that added up to at least 267.
The undersecretary-general called for prosecution of Rwandan rebel FDLR and Congolese Mai-Mai rebels blamed for many of the attacks and U.N. sanctions against their leaders.
UN envoy Margot Wallstrom, expressed her alarm over the increase in reported rapes, saying they show "a broader pattern of widespread and systematic rape and pillage." A senior member of Wallstrom's staff accompanied Khare on his recent trip.
"It is evident that rape is increasingly selected as the "weapon of choice in Eastern DRC, with numbers reaching endemic proportions," she told the security council. "The sad reality is that incidents of rape have become so commonplace that they do not trigger our most urgent interventions."
Wallstrom last month warned leaders of rebel groups that they could be prosecuted by the International Criminal Court because widespread and systemic sexual violence can constitute war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Congo's permanent representative to the UN, Ileka Atoki, expressed his "deep disgust" with the mass rapes and thanked the security council for investigating the attacks.
"These heinous acts, that have become a weapon of war, are one more episode of the unspeakable suffering that the people of Congo have been plunged for more than a decade now," Atoki told council members.
Atoki told the council that his country would continue to need international help to combat the attacks, characterizing national police sources as "pathetic." But international backing for efforts to end the protracted conflict in eastern Congo are just as important, he said.
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, who had been traveling in Europe, unexpectedly flew Tuesday to Rwanda, to discuss with officials their threat to withdraw UN peacekeepers from Sunday if the United Nations publishes a report accusing Rwanda's army of possible genocide in the 1990s.
The joint UN-African Union peacekeeping mission in Darfur is commanded by a Rwandan, Lt. Gen. Patrick Nyamvumba, and the country has over 3,200 troops and 86 police in the nearly 22,000-strong force. UN officials and diplomats have said a Rwandan pullout from Darfur would be a major blow at a time of increasing violence and fresh efforts to end the seven-year conflict.
UN Assistant Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Atul Khare told the UN Security Council that at least 267 more rapes occurred in another area of the country's east, in addition to 242 rapes earlier reported in and around Luvungi, a village of about 2,200 people located about 20 miles (30 kilometers) from a UN peacekeepers' camp.
"While the primary responsibility for protection of civilians lies with the state, its national army and police force," said Khare, "clearly, we have also failed. Our actions were not adequate, resulting in acceptable brutalization of the population of the villages in the area. We must do better."
The area peacekeeping force, called MONUSCO, on Sept. 1 launched an operation using 750 troops to back efforts by Congolese security forces to arrest the perpetrators of the attacks, said Khare. At least 27 rebels armed with automatic rifles have surrendered and at least four more have been arrested, he said.
Meanwhile, Khare said, peacekeepers will undertake more night patrols, and perform more random checks on communities. The UN is also looking into ways of providing peacekeepers with mobile phones by installing a high frequency radio in Luvungi, he said.
Rape as a weapon of war has become shockingly commonplace in eastern Congo, where the government army and UN peacekeepers have failed to defeat the few thousands rebels responsible for a protracted conflict fueled by vast mineral reserves. Luvungi is a farming center on the main road between Goma, the eastern provincial capital, and the major mining town of Walikale.
Khare told reporters after the council session that around 15,000 rapes are reported in Congo each year.
Ambassador Susan Rice, the US representative to the United Nations, called Tuesday's briefing "very frank, comprehensive and illuminating" and said she looked forward to more sessions examining ways to prevent future mass rapes in Congo.
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in recent days sent Khare to Congo to investigate why UN peacekeepers didn't learn about at least 242 mass rapes in the Luvungi area from July 30 to Aug. 4 until Aug. 12, when it was informed by the International Medical Corps which was treating many of the victims.
The additional sexual attacks, in an area called Uvira and other regions of North and South Kiv u, came to light during Khare's trip. He told council members he learned of 74 cases of sexual violence, including against 21 minors - all girls between the ages of 7 and 15 - and six men, in a village called Miki, in South Kivu. All the women in another village, Kiluma, may have been systematically raped, he said.
Khare said in a community called Katalukulu, 10 women were raped by Congolese soldiers, which he said must "maintain a much higher standard of discipline, good behavior and conduct, and observance of human rights."
Altogether, he detailed new reports of mass rapes on various communities that added up to at least 267.
The undersecretary-general called for prosecution of Rwandan rebel FDLR and Congolese Mai-Mai rebels blamed for many of the attacks and U.N. sanctions against their leaders.
UN envoy Margot Wallstrom, expressed her alarm over the increase in reported rapes, saying they show "a broader pattern of widespread and systematic rape and pillage." A senior member of Wallstrom's staff accompanied Khare on his recent trip.
"It is evident that rape is increasingly selected as the "weapon of choice in Eastern DRC, with numbers reaching endemic proportions," she told the security council. "The sad reality is that incidents of rape have become so commonplace that they do not trigger our most urgent interventions."
Wallstrom last month warned leaders of rebel groups that they could be prosecuted by the International Criminal Court because widespread and systemic sexual violence can constitute war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Congo's permanent representative to the UN, Ileka Atoki, expressed his "deep disgust" with the mass rapes and thanked the security council for investigating the attacks.
"These heinous acts, that have become a weapon of war, are one more episode of the unspeakable suffering that the people of Congo have been plunged for more than a decade now," Atoki told council members.
Atoki told the council that his country would continue to need international help to combat the attacks, characterizing national police sources as "pathetic." But international backing for efforts to end the protracted conflict in eastern Congo are just as important, he said.
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, who had been traveling in Europe, unexpectedly flew Tuesday to Rwanda, to discuss with officials their threat to withdraw UN peacekeepers from Sunday if the United Nations publishes a report accusing Rwanda's army of possible genocide in the 1990s.
The joint UN-African Union peacekeeping mission in Darfur is commanded by a Rwandan, Lt. Gen. Patrick Nyamvumba, and the country has over 3,200 troops and 86 police in the nearly 22,000-strong force. UN officials and diplomats have said a Rwandan pullout from Darfur would be a major blow at a time of increasing violence and fresh efforts to end the seven-year conflict.
Rahul Bose threatens to quit Khatron Ke Khiladi 3
Breaking News!First model-turned-actor Milind Soman, who is also an ex-national level swimming champion lost face when he couldn’t swim in stone cold water and the other participants did just that on a reality show. Now, buzz is that actor Rahul Bose, who is also a rugby player, claims that he lost out on a stunt to TV actor Karan Singh Grover because his helmet was not fitted properly. He asked the host, actress Priyanka Chopra, to allow him to redo the stunt. She refused saying that he should have voiced his concerned when he had the time. But Rahul threatened to walk out if she didn’t relent.
On seeing that no one was giving in to his demands, Rahul stormed out and started packing. But finally, he gave in to his partner’s requests who pleaded with Rahul to stay, as it was her dream to be on this show. Phew!
On seeing that no one was giving in to his demands, Rahul stormed out and started packing. But finally, he gave in to his partner’s requests who pleaded with Rahul to stay, as it was her dream to be on this show. Phew!
Shiney Ahuja's maid backtracks, says she was never raped
Breaking News!The domestic help of actor Shiney Ahuja, who had accused him of raping her a year ago, has backtracked from her allegation.
In atwist to the case that saw Ahuja behind the bars for several months, his maid told a fast-track court that she was never raped.
In atwist to the case that saw Ahuja behind the bars for several months, his maid told a fast-track court that she was never raped.
Tiger Woods chosen for US Ryder Cup team
Breaking News! NEW YORK: World number one Tiger Woods was chosen by Corey Pavin as one of the four captain's picks for the US Ryder Cup team on Tuesday.
Woods was named as a wildcard pick along with Zach Johnson, Stewart Cink and Rickie Fowler for a clash against the European team on October 1-3 at Celtic Manor.
"I asked him (Woods) last night if he wanted to be part of the team and he said 'absolutely,'" Pavin said. "I am happy that he is very excited about playing and he wants to be on a winning team."
It will be the sixth Ryder Cup team for Woods, but the first one in which he needed a captain's pick to make it.
The 14-time major winner Woods had finished atop the Ryder Cup standings every time since his first team in 1997 - though he missed the 2008 victory as he was recovering from knee surgery. He has 71 victories on the PGA Tour but a poor record in the Ryder Cup.
"I always love playing in Ryder Cup, being part of the team," Woods said. "It is an experience you will never forget.
"It is one of those things I have been looking forward to. It is nice my game is coming around. I feel my game is not very far away. It makes it a lot easier going into a pressure-packed environment."
Woods and the three other wildcard picks will be joined by Phil Mickelson, Hunter Mahan, Bubba Watson, Jim Furyk, Steve Stricker, Dustin Johnson, Jeff Overton and Matt Kuchar.
While Woods' selection was not a surprise, Pavin's decision to pick Fowler was.
Fowler is the first PGA Tour rookie to make the American team.
The 21-year-old has three runner-up finishes in his 11 months as a professional but had an excellent record as an amateur in the Walker Cup, winning seven of his eight matches.
The United States won the Ryder Cup two years ago at Valhalla and will be attempting in Wales to win for the first time overseas since 1993 at The Belfry.
Woods was named as a wildcard pick along with Zach Johnson, Stewart Cink and Rickie Fowler for a clash against the European team on October 1-3 at Celtic Manor.
"I asked him (Woods) last night if he wanted to be part of the team and he said 'absolutely,'" Pavin said. "I am happy that he is very excited about playing and he wants to be on a winning team."
It will be the sixth Ryder Cup team for Woods, but the first one in which he needed a captain's pick to make it.
The 14-time major winner Woods had finished atop the Ryder Cup standings every time since his first team in 1997 - though he missed the 2008 victory as he was recovering from knee surgery. He has 71 victories on the PGA Tour but a poor record in the Ryder Cup.
"I always love playing in Ryder Cup, being part of the team," Woods said. "It is an experience you will never forget.
"It is one of those things I have been looking forward to. It is nice my game is coming around. I feel my game is not very far away. It makes it a lot easier going into a pressure-packed environment."
Woods and the three other wildcard picks will be joined by Phil Mickelson, Hunter Mahan, Bubba Watson, Jim Furyk, Steve Stricker, Dustin Johnson, Jeff Overton and Matt Kuchar.
While Woods' selection was not a surprise, Pavin's decision to pick Fowler was.
Fowler is the first PGA Tour rookie to make the American team.
The 21-year-old has three runner-up finishes in his 11 months as a professional but had an excellent record as an amateur in the Walker Cup, winning seven of his eight matches.
The United States won the Ryder Cup two years ago at Valhalla and will be attempting in Wales to win for the first time overseas since 1993 at The Belfry.
Australian players' participation in IPL 4 doubtful: Report
Breaking News! NEW DELHI: Question mark hovers over Australia players' participation in fourth edition of the Indian Premier League after the Indian board decided to remit 10% of foreign players' auction fee to their national boards.
The governing council of the IPL had earlier decided to keep the players' agents away from the cash-rich Twenty20 extravaganza and give a cut of the players' fees to the boards of the countries they come from.
The decision of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) irked the Australian players as chief executive of Australian Cricketers Association (ACA) Paul Marsh voiced displeasure over the decision.
Few hours after the BCCI's decision, Marsh told that the ACA would ask the players not to sign the IPL contracts.
"The ACA has made it known to CA that any attempt to take 10%, or any other amount for that matter, from the IPL salaries of Australian players is completely unacceptable and will be opposed in the strongest possible way by us," Marsh reportedly said in a statement.
"CA simply has no right to effectively charge a 'commission' on income earned by players from outside their employment to CA. This is akin to an employer trying to take 10% of an employee's wages from a second job he works on weekends. Regardless of the decision made by the IPL, we would hope that CA would act in good faith to its players by not taking this proposed 10"
The CA said it supported the BCCI's move. "We have not received any advice from the BCCI and do not know what the Indian board plans to do. We do, in principle, support the view that those nations which develop talent which helps the IPL's success should receive some recognition," Peter Young, CA's communications manager, told DNA.
The governing council of the IPL had earlier decided to keep the players' agents away from the cash-rich Twenty20 extravaganza and give a cut of the players' fees to the boards of the countries they come from.
The decision of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) irked the Australian players as chief executive of Australian Cricketers Association (ACA) Paul Marsh voiced displeasure over the decision.
Few hours after the BCCI's decision, Marsh told that the ACA would ask the players not to sign the IPL contracts.
"The ACA has made it known to CA that any attempt to take 10%, or any other amount for that matter, from the IPL salaries of Australian players is completely unacceptable and will be opposed in the strongest possible way by us," Marsh reportedly said in a statement.
"CA simply has no right to effectively charge a 'commission' on income earned by players from outside their employment to CA. This is akin to an employer trying to take 10% of an employee's wages from a second job he works on weekends. Regardless of the decision made by the IPL, we would hope that CA would act in good faith to its players by not taking this proposed 10"
The CA said it supported the BCCI's move. "We have not received any advice from the BCCI and do not know what the Indian board plans to do. We do, in principle, support the view that those nations which develop talent which helps the IPL's success should receive some recognition," Peter Young, CA's communications manager, told DNA.
Google can interpret your conversation
Breaking News! BERLIN: Internet search giant Google unveiled new technology that slowly interprets conversations between two people who do not speak the same language.
The software was demonstrated during a presentation by Eric Schmidt, chief executive of US-based Google, at the IFA consumer-electronics trade show in Berlin.
Speaking in a country where privacy crusaders have attacked his company, Schmidt stressed the democratic benefits for a world where three to four billion people will soon have internet connectivity.
"These changes are happening so quickly that societies are not really prepared for what's going to happen when everybody is online, everybody is posting information on what is going on around them," he said.
"I also think in general this is very good, that it empowers citizens, that citizens are fundamentally good, that citizens fundamentally want to make their country a better place."
The new software, which can be installed on an internet-connected Android mobile phone, enables two people to utter simple statements into the same phone and hear a translation after a delay, but cannot be used for live telephone conversations between two places.
The software fetches the translations from a powerful language server run by Google. An assistant to Schmidt demonstrated it, translating a simple dialogue between German and English.
The software was demonstrated during a presentation by Eric Schmidt, chief executive of US-based Google, at the IFA consumer-electronics trade show in Berlin.
Speaking in a country where privacy crusaders have attacked his company, Schmidt stressed the democratic benefits for a world where three to four billion people will soon have internet connectivity.
"These changes are happening so quickly that societies are not really prepared for what's going to happen when everybody is online, everybody is posting information on what is going on around them," he said.
"I also think in general this is very good, that it empowers citizens, that citizens are fundamentally good, that citizens fundamentally want to make their country a better place."
The new software, which can be installed on an internet-connected Android mobile phone, enables two people to utter simple statements into the same phone and hear a translation after a delay, but cannot be used for live telephone conversations between two places.
The software fetches the translations from a powerful language server run by Google. An assistant to Schmidt demonstrated it, translating a simple dialogue between German and English.
Islam will sooner or later dominate Europe: Italian priest
Breaking News! LONDON: Christians in Europe must have more children or else the continent would become Islamised, said a Vatican official who predicted that Islam would "sooner rather than later conquer the majority in Europe".
Italian Father Piero Gheddo said the poor birth rate among Europeans coupled with waves of Muslim immigrants could lead to Europe getting dominated by Islam.
"The challenge must be taken seriously," Daily Telegraph Tuesday quoted Father Gheddo of the Vatican's Pontifical Institute for Foreign Missions as saying.
He said: "Certainly from a demographic point of view, as it is clear to everyone that Italians are decreasing by 120,000 or 130,000 persons a year because of abortion and broken families - while among the more than 200,000 legal immigrants a year in Italy, more than half are Muslims and Muslim families, which have a much higher level of growth."
"Newspapers and television programmes never speak of this. However, an answer must be given above all in the religious and cultural fields and in the area of identity."
The official held Christians responsible for failing to live up to their own beliefs that led to the creation of a "religious vacuum" being filled by Islam.
He said Islam would "sooner rather than later conquer the majority in Europe".
"The fact is that, as a people, we are becoming ever more pagan and the religious vacuum is inevitably filled by other proposals and religious forces."
Gheddo went on to say that Christians were also making themselves vulnerable to secularists' attacks.
He stated that when "religious practice diminishes in Christian Europe and indifference spreads, Christianity and the Church are attacked".
"If we consider ourselves a Christian country, we should return to the practice of Christian life, which would also solve the problem of empty cradles."
A few months back, a Czech cardinal had also blamed lapsed Catholics for Europe's Islamisation.
Cardinal Miloslav Vlk had said Muslims were well placed to fill the spiritual void "created as Europeans systematically empty the Christian content of their lives".
He said that in case Christians didn't wake up to the threat they would one day realise that they don't have the strength to make their mark on society.
Italian Father Piero Gheddo said the poor birth rate among Europeans coupled with waves of Muslim immigrants could lead to Europe getting dominated by Islam.
"The challenge must be taken seriously," Daily Telegraph Tuesday quoted Father Gheddo of the Vatican's Pontifical Institute for Foreign Missions as saying.
He said: "Certainly from a demographic point of view, as it is clear to everyone that Italians are decreasing by 120,000 or 130,000 persons a year because of abortion and broken families - while among the more than 200,000 legal immigrants a year in Italy, more than half are Muslims and Muslim families, which have a much higher level of growth."
"Newspapers and television programmes never speak of this. However, an answer must be given above all in the religious and cultural fields and in the area of identity."
The official held Christians responsible for failing to live up to their own beliefs that led to the creation of a "religious vacuum" being filled by Islam.
He said Islam would "sooner rather than later conquer the majority in Europe".
"The fact is that, as a people, we are becoming ever more pagan and the religious vacuum is inevitably filled by other proposals and religious forces."
Gheddo went on to say that Christians were also making themselves vulnerable to secularists' attacks.
He stated that when "religious practice diminishes in Christian Europe and indifference spreads, Christianity and the Church are attacked".
"If we consider ourselves a Christian country, we should return to the practice of Christian life, which would also solve the problem of empty cradles."
A few months back, a Czech cardinal had also blamed lapsed Catholics for Europe's Islamisation.
Cardinal Miloslav Vlk had said Muslims were well placed to fill the spiritual void "created as Europeans systematically empty the Christian content of their lives".
He said that in case Christians didn't wake up to the threat they would one day realise that they don't have the strength to make their mark on society.
Second All India strike in 60 days, over 100 flights grounded
Breaking news !In what is touted as the biggest strike in the recent years the eight trade unions across India collectively had called 24-hour all India shutdown as a protest against a series of central government policies. Flights to Kolkata have been heavily affected as most of the carriers decided to cancel their flights to and from Kolkata. According to the reports, Jet and Jet Lite have cancelled 70 flights. Moreover, 6 flights between Chennai and Kolkata have been cancelled. More than 100 flights have been grounded.
The trade unions joining this All India strike as a sign of protest against diluting Labour laws affecting the labor force. Spiraling increase in prices of essential commodities and rising rate of disinvestment in the public sector undertakings (PSUs) have been the core issues behind calling this strike.
This is the second major All India strike in 60 days. Kerala and West Bengal are the epicentres of this strike and both the Kolkata Aiport and Thiruvanthapuram Airport wore a deserted look today morning.
Trinamool Congress has opposed this strike and the railways have remained unaffected.
The trade unions joining this All India strike as a sign of protest against diluting Labour laws affecting the labor force. Spiraling increase in prices of essential commodities and rising rate of disinvestment in the public sector undertakings (PSUs) have been the core issues behind calling this strike.
This is the second major All India strike in 60 days. Kerala and West Bengal are the epicentres of this strike and both the Kolkata Aiport and Thiruvanthapuram Airport wore a deserted look today morning.
Trinamool Congress has opposed this strike and the railways have remained unaffected.
Strike hits air, road traffic, disrupts life in Bengal
Breaking news ! Normal life was disrupted, with air and road traffic severely hit, in most parts of West Bengal today due to a one-day nationwide shutdown called by nine major trade unions, including those of the Left and the Congress.
The strike was called to protest against price rise, violation of labour laws and privatisation.
More than 100 flights run by private airlines to and from Kolkata were cancelled in advance. However, 10 flights of state-run Air India took off from the Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose (NSCB) International Airport.
"We have decided to operate all flights, though we have cancelled the Kolkata-Kathmandu flight and combined some domestic flights. All 10 flights we operated in the morning from the airport, including one in the Kolkata-Dhaka-Bangkok international sector, were full," an Air India spokesman told media.
Two other Air India flights also landed in the morning, he said.
There were no reports of any untoward incidents, police said.
The city, which bustles with activity on normal weekdays, saw empty roads as vehicles did not venture outdoor while the strike was total in industrial areas like Taratala.
Government and private buses did not ply and most people chose to remain indoors either fearing chaos on the roads or deciding to enjoy an unscheduled holiday with their families.
Banks, other offices and commercial establishments remained closed, while shops and markets did not open. Many schools, though unofficially, asked students not to come today to save them from any inconvenience on the roads.
The strike paralysed the industrial belt on both sides of the Hooghly river in Hooghly, Howrah and North 24 Parganas districts, with workers seen picketing before factories.
Railway and Metro Railway services remained normal as they were kept outside the purview of the strike, though only a handful of commuters availed of these modes of transport.
The minority dominated areas of the state were also exempted from the strike as the Muslim holy month of Ramadan is on, but most shops and markets in these belts also remained closed as traders from other areas could not reach their workplace due to transport problems.
The strike was called by the Coordination Committee of the Central Trade Unions headed by Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC) president G. Sanjeeva Reddy.
The strike was called to protest against price rise, violation of labour laws and privatisation.
More than 100 flights run by private airlines to and from Kolkata were cancelled in advance. However, 10 flights of state-run Air India took off from the Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose (NSCB) International Airport.
"We have decided to operate all flights, though we have cancelled the Kolkata-Kathmandu flight and combined some domestic flights. All 10 flights we operated in the morning from the airport, including one in the Kolkata-Dhaka-Bangkok international sector, were full," an Air India spokesman told media.
Two other Air India flights also landed in the morning, he said.
There were no reports of any untoward incidents, police said.
The city, which bustles with activity on normal weekdays, saw empty roads as vehicles did not venture outdoor while the strike was total in industrial areas like Taratala.
Government and private buses did not ply and most people chose to remain indoors either fearing chaos on the roads or deciding to enjoy an unscheduled holiday with their families.
Banks, other offices and commercial establishments remained closed, while shops and markets did not open. Many schools, though unofficially, asked students not to come today to save them from any inconvenience on the roads.
The strike paralysed the industrial belt on both sides of the Hooghly river in Hooghly, Howrah and North 24 Parganas districts, with workers seen picketing before factories.
Railway and Metro Railway services remained normal as they were kept outside the purview of the strike, though only a handful of commuters availed of these modes of transport.
The minority dominated areas of the state were also exempted from the strike as the Muslim holy month of Ramadan is on, but most shops and markets in these belts also remained closed as traders from other areas could not reach their workplace due to transport problems.
The strike was called by the Coordination Committee of the Central Trade Unions headed by Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC) president G. Sanjeeva Reddy.
Can't follow tips on foodgrain storage, Supreme Court told by central government
Breaking News !The central government today told the Supreme Court that it could not follow its suggestion of procurement of foodgrains in proportion to storage capacity as it had to cater to the farmers by providing them minimum support price (MSP) for their produce.
The government said that the "procurement policy of the government of India has twin objectives of ensuring minimum support price to the farmers and meeting the requirements of the food grains for the public distribution system (PDS) and other welfare schemes".
The court was told that if procurement agencies of both the central government and state governments were not to lift the farmers' produce then in peak procurement season, they (farmers) would be left at the mercy of traders who may not pay adequate price.
The inadequate returns would be a disincentive for the farmers to sow these crops which in turn would "drastically impact food security of the nation".
The central government told this to an apex court bench of Justice Dalveer Bhandari and Justice Deepak Verma in its comprehensive affidavit filed in pursuance to the court’s directions seeking information on its procurement and storage policy and public distribution system for the below poverty line (BPL), above poverty line (APL) and Antyodaya Anna Yojna (AAY) ration card holders.
The court directions of Aug 31 came during the hearing on a petition filed by the People's Union for Civil Liberties pointing to the wastage of foodgrains because of improper storage, exposure to vagaries of nature and corruption in the functioning of the PDS.
The court has also received a report which has pointed to corruption in the functioning of the PDS.
The government's affidavit did not directly say so but it made it clear that it was not inclined to heed the apex court’s suggestion to supply foodgrains free to the poor.
The government said that under AAY the element of subsidy was 87.05 percent in case of wheat and 85.32 percent in respect of rice.
For the BPL card holders, the subsidy component was 73.12 percent and 72.35 percent for wheat and the rice, respectively.
The central government said the abolition of APL category of card holders was not desirable in view of the food security law under consideration of the government.
The court was told that the National Advisory Council was already examining the entire issue of food security and the proposed legislation would be finalized soon.
The affidavit was filed by Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Joint Secretary C. Vishwanath.
The government said that the "procurement policy of the government of India has twin objectives of ensuring minimum support price to the farmers and meeting the requirements of the food grains for the public distribution system (PDS) and other welfare schemes".
The court was told that if procurement agencies of both the central government and state governments were not to lift the farmers' produce then in peak procurement season, they (farmers) would be left at the mercy of traders who may not pay adequate price.
The inadequate returns would be a disincentive for the farmers to sow these crops which in turn would "drastically impact food security of the nation".
The central government told this to an apex court bench of Justice Dalveer Bhandari and Justice Deepak Verma in its comprehensive affidavit filed in pursuance to the court’s directions seeking information on its procurement and storage policy and public distribution system for the below poverty line (BPL), above poverty line (APL) and Antyodaya Anna Yojna (AAY) ration card holders.
The court directions of Aug 31 came during the hearing on a petition filed by the People's Union for Civil Liberties pointing to the wastage of foodgrains because of improper storage, exposure to vagaries of nature and corruption in the functioning of the PDS.
The court has also received a report which has pointed to corruption in the functioning of the PDS.
The government's affidavit did not directly say so but it made it clear that it was not inclined to heed the apex court’s suggestion to supply foodgrains free to the poor.
The government said that under AAY the element of subsidy was 87.05 percent in case of wheat and 85.32 percent in respect of rice.
For the BPL card holders, the subsidy component was 73.12 percent and 72.35 percent for wheat and the rice, respectively.
The central government said the abolition of APL category of card holders was not desirable in view of the food security law under consideration of the government.
The court was told that the National Advisory Council was already examining the entire issue of food security and the proposed legislation would be finalized soon.
The affidavit was filed by Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Joint Secretary C. Vishwanath.
BPO employee robbed of car at gunpoint in Noida
Breaking News !Three armed men robbed a senior BPO employee of his car outside a mall in Noida in Uttar Pradesh, police said today.
The incident took place around 10 p.m. on Monday when Ritesh Gupta, his wife and their two children came out of the Shopprix Mall in Sector 61 here.
A police official said: "After taking out the Maruti Swift car from the parking lot, Ritesh went to withdraw cash from the ICICI Bank ATM in a corner of the mall. His kids and wife were seated inside the car.
"When Ritesh came out and went to his car, three men came and threatened to kill him with a pistol. The assailants asked his wife and children to get down. The men then fled with the car."
Ritesh raised an alarm and a PCR van, which was stationed barely 10 metres from the robbery spot, reached there.
Eyewitnesses claimed that instead of chasing the robbers, the policemen began questioning the victims.
The incident took place around 10 p.m. on Monday when Ritesh Gupta, his wife and their two children came out of the Shopprix Mall in Sector 61 here.
A police official said: "After taking out the Maruti Swift car from the parking lot, Ritesh went to withdraw cash from the ICICI Bank ATM in a corner of the mall. His kids and wife were seated inside the car.
"When Ritesh came out and went to his car, three men came and threatened to kill him with a pistol. The assailants asked his wife and children to get down. The men then fled with the car."
Ritesh raised an alarm and a PCR van, which was stationed barely 10 metres from the robbery spot, reached there.
Eyewitnesses claimed that instead of chasing the robbers, the policemen began questioning the victims.
Mallika Sherawat makes singing debut with 'Hisss'
Breaking News !Actress Mallika Sherawat makes her debut as a playback singer with her upcoming film "Hisss" and she is teamed up with John Lennon's son Julian to record one of the songs.
The actress recorded a song in a studio in Los Angeles recently, which will be released as part of the "Hisss" soundtrack and promotions.
"Mallika has recorded her voice singing two different songs. The first of the songs is composed and arranged by Julian Lennon, son of John Lennon from the iconic rock band The Beatles. Upon mixing of the track, the song will be sent to Mr. Lennon for approval," a source said in a statement.
"The second track Mallika recorded is arranged by German composer Alexander Von Bubenheim who provided the background score for 'Hisss'. Both songs have Mallika singing in a breathy, sexy style reminiscent of famed French actress Brigitte Bardot's legendary collaborations with musician Serge Gainsbourg," added the source.
"Hisss" soundtrack comprises of five songs and three dance remixes and is expected to release in India in mid-September.
Slated for an October release, "Hisss" is about a snake woman whose mate is captured by an American hunter and then she decides to take revenge.
Directed by Jennifer Chambers Lynch, it also stars Irrfan Khan, Jeff Doucette and Divya Dutta.
The actress recorded a song in a studio in Los Angeles recently, which will be released as part of the "Hisss" soundtrack and promotions.
"Mallika has recorded her voice singing two different songs. The first of the songs is composed and arranged by Julian Lennon, son of John Lennon from the iconic rock band The Beatles. Upon mixing of the track, the song will be sent to Mr. Lennon for approval," a source said in a statement.
"The second track Mallika recorded is arranged by German composer Alexander Von Bubenheim who provided the background score for 'Hisss'. Both songs have Mallika singing in a breathy, sexy style reminiscent of famed French actress Brigitte Bardot's legendary collaborations with musician Serge Gainsbourg," added the source.
"Hisss" soundtrack comprises of five songs and three dance remixes and is expected to release in India in mid-September.
Slated for an October release, "Hisss" is about a snake woman whose mate is captured by an American hunter and then she decides to take revenge.
Directed by Jennifer Chambers Lynch, it also stars Irrfan Khan, Jeff Doucette and Divya Dutta.
Mumbai film fest to pick 32 students as critics
Breaking News !The 12th Mumbai Film Festival (MFF) Oct 21-28 will have 32 college students on board as special jury for its Mumbai Young Critics section.
Introduced last year, Mumbai Young Critics was an initiative to demarcate a place for young, budding viewers and aspiring filmmakers.
Organised by the Mumbai Academy of Moving Image (MAMI), MFF is a Reliance Big Entertainment Ltd. (RBEL) initiative which is the flagship media and entertainment arm of the Reliance Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group.
"The objective of Mumbai Young Critics is to provide young impressionable minds with the opportunity to experience the aesthetic standards of the best in cinema, and to experience world-class film criticism and appreciation first-hand," read a statement.
"Amongst aspiring film reviewers, only 32 college students will be selected for Mumbai Young Critics to form an independent student jury," it further read.
The selections for the same will be made based on nominations from authorities at the city’s top colleges by Sep 15.
Each academic institution will nominate up to two students who have demonstrably taken a keen interest in cinema as an artistic medium and who have an understanding of the history and development of the film medium.
All nominees will then go through a selection process that will consist of on-the-spot film reviewing, group discussion and interviews. They will then further go through a workshop with established film critics and filmmakers in order to understand their responsibilities.
The final 32 will not only have the opportunity to watch all films screened during the festival, interact with celebrity guests, but will also participate in the press conferences, seminars and master classes. Their reviews will be published in the festival daily bulletin and other festival publications.
The team will honour a film at the gala with a Mumbai Young Critics Award which will carry a Silver Gateway trophy and a certificate.
Introduced last year, Mumbai Young Critics was an initiative to demarcate a place for young, budding viewers and aspiring filmmakers.
Organised by the Mumbai Academy of Moving Image (MAMI), MFF is a Reliance Big Entertainment Ltd. (RBEL) initiative which is the flagship media and entertainment arm of the Reliance Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group.
"The objective of Mumbai Young Critics is to provide young impressionable minds with the opportunity to experience the aesthetic standards of the best in cinema, and to experience world-class film criticism and appreciation first-hand," read a statement.
"Amongst aspiring film reviewers, only 32 college students will be selected for Mumbai Young Critics to form an independent student jury," it further read.
The selections for the same will be made based on nominations from authorities at the city’s top colleges by Sep 15.
Each academic institution will nominate up to two students who have demonstrably taken a keen interest in cinema as an artistic medium and who have an understanding of the history and development of the film medium.
All nominees will then go through a selection process that will consist of on-the-spot film reviewing, group discussion and interviews. They will then further go through a workshop with established film critics and filmmakers in order to understand their responsibilities.
The final 32 will not only have the opportunity to watch all films screened during the festival, interact with celebrity guests, but will also participate in the press conferences, seminars and master classes. Their reviews will be published in the festival daily bulletin and other festival publications.
The team will honour a film at the gala with a Mumbai Young Critics Award which will carry a Silver Gateway trophy and a certificate.
Now a 'Rancho' school comes up in Bihar
Breaking News !A school for the poor in Bihar, inspired by Rancho's iconic school in Bollywood blockbuster "3 Idiots", has been opened by a scientist to teach complex science theories through games and interactive workshops.
Sudhir Kumar, a scientist working in the biotechnology laboratory of the International Institute of Information Technology (IIIT), Pune, has set up a school in his native village of Mirzapur Chand in Bihar's Begusarai district, about 110 km from Patna.
"Besides formal education up to Class 6, explanation of complex theories of science through fun and interactive workshops conducted by a panel of scientists will be part of the school's curriculum," Sudhir Kumar, an assistant professor at IIIT-Pune, told media.
The school, which opened Sunday, has a staggered fee structure -- free of cost for the poor and different slabs for children with different economic backgrounds.
The governing body of the school will verify the family income of each student and will decide the fee accordingly. Richer parents will be charged more so that education of poor children can be subsidised.
"Education will be free for children belonging to families having no farm land or those of labourers, while kids of well-off parents such as landowners, businessmen, transport contractors, builders, government and private employees having regular income will be charged a monthly fee ranging from Rs. 50 to Rs. 100," said Sunil Kumar, the principal of the school.
The school will be financially supported by a panel of scientists, including Naibedya Chattopadhyay, deputy director, Central Drug Research Institute (CDRI), Lucknow; Manavi Chatterjee, senior research fellow, Pharmacology Division, CDRI; and Tanaya De, former research fellow, Endocrinology Division, CDRI.
Besides them, international researchers who are extending support to the effort include Shawon Lahiri, Laussane University, Switzerland; Anchal Gussain, Chicago University; Rajiv Kumar Jain, Tartu University, Estonia; Ajay Kumar Srivastava, Seoul University, South Korea; and Elo Madissoon, a research fellow in Karolinska Institute. They will also conduct regular workshops in the school.
"Lectures would be organised with the help of guest faculty who are experts in different walks of life. Students can also interact with their teachers through video-conferencing," said Kumar.
"The idea of having a school where poor children are encouraged to study science came to my mind many years back. Being a scientist, it is my responsibility to simplify the scientific theory so that they can be utilised by a layman and thus can be more useful for society," said Kumar.
Initially, the school will enrol 50-100 students in the first batch. The number will increase later as per the infrastructure and availability of teachers.
"After Class 6, our focus will be to get the students admitted to high-end schools such as Sainik School, Tilaiya, Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalay and Netarhat Vidyalay and avail scholarship schemes offered by the government for high school students," he said, adding: "We are also planning to start classes up to 12th standard in this school".
The classrooms would be equipped with projector screens, computers, internet and all the modern facilities and the children will be encouraged to participate in different activities such as art, music, dance and theatre, he said.
"Before the regular session begins in January next year, classes will be conducted specially for dropouts from September so that they can be registered with open schools," said Satya Narayan Singh, one of the patrons of the school.
The school will be run by around 10 staff members, including retired teachers -- Baidyanath Choudhary and Satya Narayan Singh -- and CDRI's deputy director Naibedya Chattopadhyay as patrons. While Sunil Kumar is the principal, Priyank Kumar, Kundan Sah and Sunil Sharma are teachers. The regular teachers will be paid a consolidated salary of Rs.1,000 per month.
Begusarai is the industrial hub of Bihar. Apart from the Indian Oil Corporation's oil refinery in Barauni, it houses at least 200 small and big industries in an area of seven to eight kilometres. With the population dominated by landowners and farmers, the district also provides livelihood for businessmen, workers and transport contractors coming from other parts of the state.
Sudhir Kumar, a scientist working in the biotechnology laboratory of the International Institute of Information Technology (IIIT), Pune, has set up a school in his native village of Mirzapur Chand in Bihar's Begusarai district, about 110 km from Patna.
"Besides formal education up to Class 6, explanation of complex theories of science through fun and interactive workshops conducted by a panel of scientists will be part of the school's curriculum," Sudhir Kumar, an assistant professor at IIIT-Pune, told media.
The school, which opened Sunday, has a staggered fee structure -- free of cost for the poor and different slabs for children with different economic backgrounds.
The governing body of the school will verify the family income of each student and will decide the fee accordingly. Richer parents will be charged more so that education of poor children can be subsidised.
"Education will be free for children belonging to families having no farm land or those of labourers, while kids of well-off parents such as landowners, businessmen, transport contractors, builders, government and private employees having regular income will be charged a monthly fee ranging from Rs. 50 to Rs. 100," said Sunil Kumar, the principal of the school.
The school will be financially supported by a panel of scientists, including Naibedya Chattopadhyay, deputy director, Central Drug Research Institute (CDRI), Lucknow; Manavi Chatterjee, senior research fellow, Pharmacology Division, CDRI; and Tanaya De, former research fellow, Endocrinology Division, CDRI.
Besides them, international researchers who are extending support to the effort include Shawon Lahiri, Laussane University, Switzerland; Anchal Gussain, Chicago University; Rajiv Kumar Jain, Tartu University, Estonia; Ajay Kumar Srivastava, Seoul University, South Korea; and Elo Madissoon, a research fellow in Karolinska Institute. They will also conduct regular workshops in the school.
"Lectures would be organised with the help of guest faculty who are experts in different walks of life. Students can also interact with their teachers through video-conferencing," said Kumar.
"The idea of having a school where poor children are encouraged to study science came to my mind many years back. Being a scientist, it is my responsibility to simplify the scientific theory so that they can be utilised by a layman and thus can be more useful for society," said Kumar.
Initially, the school will enrol 50-100 students in the first batch. The number will increase later as per the infrastructure and availability of teachers.
"After Class 6, our focus will be to get the students admitted to high-end schools such as Sainik School, Tilaiya, Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalay and Netarhat Vidyalay and avail scholarship schemes offered by the government for high school students," he said, adding: "We are also planning to start classes up to 12th standard in this school".
The classrooms would be equipped with projector screens, computers, internet and all the modern facilities and the children will be encouraged to participate in different activities such as art, music, dance and theatre, he said.
"Before the regular session begins in January next year, classes will be conducted specially for dropouts from September so that they can be registered with open schools," said Satya Narayan Singh, one of the patrons of the school.
The school will be run by around 10 staff members, including retired teachers -- Baidyanath Choudhary and Satya Narayan Singh -- and CDRI's deputy director Naibedya Chattopadhyay as patrons. While Sunil Kumar is the principal, Priyank Kumar, Kundan Sah and Sunil Sharma are teachers. The regular teachers will be paid a consolidated salary of Rs.1,000 per month.
Begusarai is the industrial hub of Bihar. Apart from the Indian Oil Corporation's oil refinery in Barauni, it houses at least 200 small and big industries in an area of seven to eight kilometres. With the population dominated by landowners and farmers, the district also provides livelihood for businessmen, workers and transport contractors coming from other parts of the state.
Sensex opens in green
Breaking News !A benchmark index for Indian equities opened in the positive today and was ruling 61 points higher than its previous close.
The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 18,571.73 points, was at 18,621.07 points, 61.02 points or 0.33 percent up from its previous close at 18,560.05 points.
At the National Stock Exchange (NSE), the broader 50-share S&P CNX Nifty was ruling 0.26 percent higher at 5,591.7 points.
Broader market indices were also in the green, with the BSE midcap 0.46 percent up and the BSE smallcap index 0.73 percent higher.
Auto scrips saw healthy buys.
The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 18,571.73 points, was at 18,621.07 points, 61.02 points or 0.33 percent up from its previous close at 18,560.05 points.
At the National Stock Exchange (NSE), the broader 50-share S&P CNX Nifty was ruling 0.26 percent higher at 5,591.7 points.
Broader market indices were also in the green, with the BSE midcap 0.46 percent up and the BSE smallcap index 0.73 percent higher.
Auto scrips saw healthy buys.
Infosys to expand back office operations in Poland
Breaking News !Infosys Technologies is set to expand its back office operations in Poland in the next two years to offer business process outsourcing (BPO) services to more European and global clients, a senior official of the IT bellwether said today.
"We will ramp up our headcount to 1,500 people by 2012 from about 1,000 this year at our Lodz BPO facility in Poland to serve at least 20 clients across verticals in Europe and American markets," Infosys BPO Poland Sp Vice-president Krystian Bestry told the media here.
The $4.8-billion global software major runs two large back offices in Poland and the Czech Republic to provide transaction services in diverse areas, including finance, accountancy, procurement, taxation and compliance issues.
"We currently serve 10 active clients, including top European firms in manufacturing and consumer goods sectors. The services are provided in 22 languages," Bestry said on the margins of the Polish-Indian Investment Forum.
The company has three centres at Lodz and two in Prague where it employs about 450 people for providing non-voice transaction services.
Though investment in infrastructure facilities has been a modest $10 million in Poland, 95 percent of its assets are in the form of people and they account for major operational expenses in the form of compensation and perks.
"We employ different nationalities from Europe and other countries in line with the requirements of our global clients. Majority of our employees are post-graduates in economics, finance and business management," Bestry said.
Infosys chose Poland to set up the back office operations in view of its central location in Europe and at Lodz, which is also in the heart of the country.
"In addition to its strategic location in Europe, Poland has cost-effective labour force, talent pool, political stability and pro-active government, which offers sops for overseas investment in manufacturing and services sectors," Infosys BPO Head S. Dandapani said.
The Polish subsidiary contributes around 13 percent of the company’s BPO revenues, which was $352 million in fiscal 2010.
As an end-to-end outsourcing services provider, Infosys BPO has 12 delivery centres worldwide, including five in India and seven in Asia-Pacific, Europe and South America (Brazil and Mexico), where 18,500 people work on 24x7x365 days.
According to Iwona Chojnowska-Haponik, Polish foreign investment department director, Poland emerged as a top destination in Europe for back office services, thanks to talent pool and demographics, as half the country's population is under 35 years of age as in India.
"Besides cost advantage and huge labour force, the government offers tax exemptions for local and overseas firms setting up operations in special economic zones and cash grants through European Union funds as seed capital," Haponik said at an interactive session between Indian and Polish business leaders.
With over two million students and 400,000 graduates per year, Poland emerged as a major hub for back office services. About 360 BPO firms operate in seven cities across the country, providing transactional services in 26 langauges.
"We will ramp up our headcount to 1,500 people by 2012 from about 1,000 this year at our Lodz BPO facility in Poland to serve at least 20 clients across verticals in Europe and American markets," Infosys BPO Poland Sp Vice-president Krystian Bestry told the media here.
The $4.8-billion global software major runs two large back offices in Poland and the Czech Republic to provide transaction services in diverse areas, including finance, accountancy, procurement, taxation and compliance issues.
"We currently serve 10 active clients, including top European firms in manufacturing and consumer goods sectors. The services are provided in 22 languages," Bestry said on the margins of the Polish-Indian Investment Forum.
The company has three centres at Lodz and two in Prague where it employs about 450 people for providing non-voice transaction services.
Though investment in infrastructure facilities has been a modest $10 million in Poland, 95 percent of its assets are in the form of people and they account for major operational expenses in the form of compensation and perks.
"We employ different nationalities from Europe and other countries in line with the requirements of our global clients. Majority of our employees are post-graduates in economics, finance and business management," Bestry said.
Infosys chose Poland to set up the back office operations in view of its central location in Europe and at Lodz, which is also in the heart of the country.
"In addition to its strategic location in Europe, Poland has cost-effective labour force, talent pool, political stability and pro-active government, which offers sops for overseas investment in manufacturing and services sectors," Infosys BPO Head S. Dandapani said.
The Polish subsidiary contributes around 13 percent of the company’s BPO revenues, which was $352 million in fiscal 2010.
As an end-to-end outsourcing services provider, Infosys BPO has 12 delivery centres worldwide, including five in India and seven in Asia-Pacific, Europe and South America (Brazil and Mexico), where 18,500 people work on 24x7x365 days.
According to Iwona Chojnowska-Haponik, Polish foreign investment department director, Poland emerged as a top destination in Europe for back office services, thanks to talent pool and demographics, as half the country's population is under 35 years of age as in India.
"Besides cost advantage and huge labour force, the government offers tax exemptions for local and overseas firms setting up operations in special economic zones and cash grants through European Union funds as seed capital," Haponik said at an interactive session between Indian and Polish business leaders.
With over two million students and 400,000 graduates per year, Poland emerged as a major hub for back office services. About 360 BPO firms operate in seven cities across the country, providing transactional services in 26 langauges.
Kingfisher, British Airways enter code-sharing agreement
Breaking News !Kingfisher Airlines today said it has entered into a code sharing arrangement with British Airways (BA) under which both the carriers will use each other's flight network to and from India, Sri Lanka, Britain and Europe from Sep 15.
A code sharing agreement allows one airline to use another's flight code on its own ticket, thus allowing its passengers to travel on the other airline's flights. Such a move helps carriers to expand their network without actually incurring costs of deploying its own fleet.
"The codeshare with British Airways will mean that our guests from India will now be able to fly seamlessly to nine new European cities," said Vijay Mallya, chairman and chief executive, Kingfisher Airlines.
According to the airline, its code will be placed on nine BA routes from Heathrow to the British region and continental Europe, while BA’s code will be placed on 11 domestic Indian routes and one route to Sri Lanka operated by Kingfisher Airlines.
This is the first time that BA has entered into a code sharing agreement with an Indian airline.
A code sharing agreement allows one airline to use another's flight code on its own ticket, thus allowing its passengers to travel on the other airline's flights. Such a move helps carriers to expand their network without actually incurring costs of deploying its own fleet.
"The codeshare with British Airways will mean that our guests from India will now be able to fly seamlessly to nine new European cities," said Vijay Mallya, chairman and chief executive, Kingfisher Airlines.
According to the airline, its code will be placed on nine BA routes from Heathrow to the British region and continental Europe, while BA’s code will be placed on 11 domestic Indian routes and one route to Sri Lanka operated by Kingfisher Airlines.
This is the first time that BA has entered into a code sharing agreement with an Indian airline.
B-samples of six wrestlers also test positive
Breaking News !The B-samples of six Indian wrestlers, charged with doping, have also tested positive and they now face the anti-doping disciplinary panel for a hearing.
The wrestlers were tested positive in their A-samples for the banned substance methylhexanamine, which was included in the World Anti-Doping Agency's (WADA) list of prohibitive drugs this year.
Sumit (74kg), Mausam Khatri (96kg) and Arjuna awardee Rajiv Tomar (120kg) in the men's freestyle and Gursharanpreet Kaur (72kg) in the women's section were part of the Oct 3-14 Commonwealth Games wrestling squad. They continue to be suspended till the hearing.
Rahul Mann (60kg) and Joginder Singh (120kg) were the other two wrestlers.
"All the six wrestlers' B-samples have also returned positive. A copy of the second notice has been sent to them and the anti-doping disciplinary committee which will give the wrestlers a date of hearing tomorrow," National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) director-general Rahul Bhatnagar told the media.
The disciplinary committee will be headed by retired sessions judge Dinesh Dayal. The three-member panel will include an eminent sportsperson and eminent doctor.
The sports ministry had requested a quick hearing of the dope-tainted athletes keeping in mind the forthcoming Commonwealth Games.
Besides the six wrestlers, two athletes (shot-putter Saurabh Vij and discus thrower Akash Antil) and three swimmers (Richa Mishra, Jyotsna Pansari and Amar Muralidharan) also tested positive for methylhexanamine in their A-samples. Muralidharan is not part of the Commonwealth Games squad.
"Richa, Jyotsana, Akash and Saurabh came today for their B-samples testing," Bhatnagar said.
All these athletes have been provisionally suspended by their federations.
The wrestlers were tested positive in their A-samples for the banned substance methylhexanamine, which was included in the World Anti-Doping Agency's (WADA) list of prohibitive drugs this year.
Sumit (74kg), Mausam Khatri (96kg) and Arjuna awardee Rajiv Tomar (120kg) in the men's freestyle and Gursharanpreet Kaur (72kg) in the women's section were part of the Oct 3-14 Commonwealth Games wrestling squad. They continue to be suspended till the hearing.
Rahul Mann (60kg) and Joginder Singh (120kg) were the other two wrestlers.
"All the six wrestlers' B-samples have also returned positive. A copy of the second notice has been sent to them and the anti-doping disciplinary committee which will give the wrestlers a date of hearing tomorrow," National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) director-general Rahul Bhatnagar told the media.
The disciplinary committee will be headed by retired sessions judge Dinesh Dayal. The three-member panel will include an eminent sportsperson and eminent doctor.
The sports ministry had requested a quick hearing of the dope-tainted athletes keeping in mind the forthcoming Commonwealth Games.
Besides the six wrestlers, two athletes (shot-putter Saurabh Vij and discus thrower Akash Antil) and three swimmers (Richa Mishra, Jyotsna Pansari and Amar Muralidharan) also tested positive for methylhexanamine in their A-samples. Muralidharan is not part of the Commonwealth Games squad.
"Richa, Jyotsana, Akash and Saurabh came today for their B-samples testing," Bhatnagar said.
All these athletes have been provisionally suspended by their federations.
Australia Commonwealth Games swimmers told to fly back if they feel unsafe
Breaking News !Swimming Australia President David Urquhart today told the Commonwealth Games swimming squad to fly back home any time if they feel unsafe in New Delhi.
The swimming event of the Oct 3-14 Games is scheduled to take place at the Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Swimming Complex from Oct 4.
Urquhart said the safety of their athletes come first and there will be no pressure on them to participate in the New Delhi Games.
"If they arrive there and they feel unsafe and they don't like the place and want to get out, we fly them back," Urquhart was quoted as saying by the Herald Sun.
"Our first concern is the safety of our athletes and other people from the swimming family going over there. We have also told our athletes if they don't want to go that will be their decision and there will be no recourse."
Urquhart, however, said there have been no pullouts from the swimmers yet.
"We have not had anyone pullout yet. We only have some swimmers ask for early releases for exams and work once their events are done," he said.
The Australian swimmers will have a camp in Malaysia before they arrive in New Delhi.
The Australian Commonwealth Games Association had already announced that it will send its largest ever Games contingent of 600.
The swimming event of the Oct 3-14 Games is scheduled to take place at the Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Swimming Complex from Oct 4.
Urquhart said the safety of their athletes come first and there will be no pressure on them to participate in the New Delhi Games.
"If they arrive there and they feel unsafe and they don't like the place and want to get out, we fly them back," Urquhart was quoted as saying by the Herald Sun.
"Our first concern is the safety of our athletes and other people from the swimming family going over there. We have also told our athletes if they don't want to go that will be their decision and there will be no recourse."
Urquhart, however, said there have been no pullouts from the swimmers yet.
"We have not had anyone pullout yet. We only have some swimmers ask for early releases for exams and work once their events are done," he said.
The Australian swimmers will have a camp in Malaysia before they arrive in New Delhi.
The Australian Commonwealth Games Association had already announced that it will send its largest ever Games contingent of 600.
Indian Navy foils another piracy attempt in Gulf of Aden
Breaking News !An Indian Navy ship prevented Somalian and Yemeni pirates from hijacking 12 merchant vessels in the Gulf of Aden on Sunday, an official defence spokesperson said today.
This is the 16th piracy attempt foiled by the Indian Navy since it started its anti-piracy mission in the region in October 2008.
Guided-missile destroyer INS Delhi was escorting the formation of 12 merchant navy ships, including an Indian ship, MV Jag Ratan in the pirate-infested waters when around noon, a high-speed boat was detected approaching the convoy, around 180 km north of the Somalian coast, in the International Recommended Transit Corridor.
Immediately, the INS Delhi made warning calls on the Mercantile Marine Radio, but the boat failed to respond to them.
Sensing danger, the destroyer safely manoeuvered the formation away and despatched a helicopter, which stopped the rogue boat, Bareeda, in its tracks.
Shortly afterwards, a crack team of marine commandos boarded the boat and overpowered the pirates - seven heavily-armed Somalians and one Yemeni national. A cache of arms, several drums of fuel and ship boarding equipment was also found.
The commandos disarmed the pirates and disposed off the excess fuel to prevent any piracy attempt, the spokesperson said.
As part of the Indian response to the piracy menace in the area, the Indian Navy has escorted over 1,200 ships so far.
This is the 16th piracy attempt foiled by the Indian Navy since it started its anti-piracy mission in the region in October 2008.
Guided-missile destroyer INS Delhi was escorting the formation of 12 merchant navy ships, including an Indian ship, MV Jag Ratan in the pirate-infested waters when around noon, a high-speed boat was detected approaching the convoy, around 180 km north of the Somalian coast, in the International Recommended Transit Corridor.
Immediately, the INS Delhi made warning calls on the Mercantile Marine Radio, but the boat failed to respond to them.
Sensing danger, the destroyer safely manoeuvered the formation away and despatched a helicopter, which stopped the rogue boat, Bareeda, in its tracks.
Shortly afterwards, a crack team of marine commandos boarded the boat and overpowered the pirates - seven heavily-armed Somalians and one Yemeni national. A cache of arms, several drums of fuel and ship boarding equipment was also found.
The commandos disarmed the pirates and disposed off the excess fuel to prevent any piracy attempt, the spokesperson said.
As part of the Indian response to the piracy menace in the area, the Indian Navy has escorted over 1,200 ships so far.
Any alliance should be based on respect, understanding: Rahul Gandhi
Breaking News !Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi today asked West Bengal unit party leaders to strengthen the organisation and said, without naming ally Trinamool Congress, that there was need for a 'Lakshman rekha' of respect and understanding between constituents in any alliance.
"Rahul Gandhi has told us to strengthen the party. He didn't name Trinamool Congress or (its leader and railway minister) Mamata Banerjee, but has told us that in every alliance there is a Lakshman Rekha (borderline). And the Lakshman Rekha is based on respect and understanding. He also said the dignity of the Congress is non-negotiable," said a senior congress leader and MP.
Trinamool Congress and the Congress combine along with the Socialist Unity Centre of India (SUCI) bagged 26 out of 42 Lok Sabha seats in the 2009 Lok Sabha elections.
But during civic elections in 2010, both Trinamool Congress and Congress failed to clinch a seat-sharing deal and decided to go it separately. The state Congress leadership accused the Trinamool of not giving them their due respect.
Emerging from the closed-door meeting, Congress general secretary in-charge of the state K. Keshava Rao said: "He has asked the state leaders to strengthen the party. He said there can be no alliance at the cost of the party's respect."
Gandhi met the senior and youth leaders of the West Bengal state Congress at the party's state committee headquarters Bidhan Bhavan.
"He has told us that we should not think that our party or organisation is weak in the state. He has also told us to be with the party and strengthen it. He told us to reach out to the people," said another senior congress leader, who did not wish to be named.
"Rahul Gandhi has told us to strengthen the party. He didn't name Trinamool Congress or (its leader and railway minister) Mamata Banerjee, but has told us that in every alliance there is a Lakshman Rekha (borderline). And the Lakshman Rekha is based on respect and understanding. He also said the dignity of the Congress is non-negotiable," said a senior congress leader and MP.
Trinamool Congress and the Congress combine along with the Socialist Unity Centre of India (SUCI) bagged 26 out of 42 Lok Sabha seats in the 2009 Lok Sabha elections.
But during civic elections in 2010, both Trinamool Congress and Congress failed to clinch a seat-sharing deal and decided to go it separately. The state Congress leadership accused the Trinamool of not giving them their due respect.
Emerging from the closed-door meeting, Congress general secretary in-charge of the state K. Keshava Rao said: "He has asked the state leaders to strengthen the party. He said there can be no alliance at the cost of the party's respect."
Gandhi met the senior and youth leaders of the West Bengal state Congress at the party's state committee headquarters Bidhan Bhavan.
"He has told us that we should not think that our party or organisation is weak in the state. He has also told us to be with the party and strengthen it. He told us to reach out to the people," said another senior congress leader, who did not wish to be named.
Will never endorse cigarette brand: Bollywood actor Abhay Deol
Breaking News !Bollywood actor Abhay Deol, who is quite choosy about the kind of brands he endorses, revealed that he would never endorse a cigarette brand or the fairness cream Fair and Lovely.
"I will never endorse a cigarette brand because that's something very bad for health. Also I will never endorse Fair & Lovely because it makes the generation believe that you are nice and successful only if you are fair.
"This is a very demeaning thing and I would never want to be a part of something like that," Abhay told reporters here.
However, the actor feels that there is nothing wrong in endorsing a liquor brand.
"I have no problems in endorsing a liquor brand because there is nothing inherently wrong with it. Even the doctor says that if you have a drink sometimes, it doesn't do anything to your body," he said.
"If people don't abuse it and drink responsibly, there is nothing wrong with it," he added.
Abhay was present at the event as the brand ambassador of Indian menswear brand Indian Terrain.
Asked about his style statement, the actor said: "In person, I don't experiment a lot with my look. I like it subtle and simple. I'm a casual person and I like wearing jeans and t-shirt the most."
"I will never endorse a cigarette brand because that's something very bad for health. Also I will never endorse Fair & Lovely because it makes the generation believe that you are nice and successful only if you are fair.
"This is a very demeaning thing and I would never want to be a part of something like that," Abhay told reporters here.
However, the actor feels that there is nothing wrong in endorsing a liquor brand.
"I have no problems in endorsing a liquor brand because there is nothing inherently wrong with it. Even the doctor says that if you have a drink sometimes, it doesn't do anything to your body," he said.
"If people don't abuse it and drink responsibly, there is nothing wrong with it," he added.
Abhay was present at the event as the brand ambassador of Indian menswear brand Indian Terrain.
Asked about his style statement, the actor said: "In person, I don't experiment a lot with my look. I like it subtle and simple. I'm a casual person and I like wearing jeans and t-shirt the most."
400 gay marriages registered in Mexico
Breaking News !MEXICO CITY: About 400 same-sex couples have wed in Mexico, six months after the law permitting gay marriage came into effect, authorities said on Monday.
A total of 398 marriages have been registered, of which 53 percent were between men and 47 percent between women, the government of the Mexican capital said on Monday.
In these six months, 41 foreigners have joined the Mexicans - mostly Europeans, followed by South Americans, and citizens of other North American countries.
Most of those who got married are between 30 and 40 years of age. There have been four weddings for couples between the age group of 71 and 90.
The Supreme Court has ruled that it is possible for same-sex married couples to adopt children.
The law has been slammed by the church, which has harshly condemned both same-sex marriages and the possibility that they adopt children.
A total of 398 marriages have been registered, of which 53 percent were between men and 47 percent between women, the government of the Mexican capital said on Monday.
In these six months, 41 foreigners have joined the Mexicans - mostly Europeans, followed by South Americans, and citizens of other North American countries.
Most of those who got married are between 30 and 40 years of age. There have been four weddings for couples between the age group of 71 and 90.
The Supreme Court has ruled that it is possible for same-sex married couples to adopt children.
The law has been slammed by the church, which has harshly condemned both same-sex marriages and the possibility that they adopt children.
Wozniacki ousts Sharapova at US Open
Breaking News !NEW YORK: Top seed Caroline Wozniacki stayed on course for her maiden Grand Slam title on Monday with a 6-3, 6-4 win over Maria Sharapova in a pulsating fourth-round tie.
In the end, it was Sharapova's vulnerability on serve at key points that proved to be the main difference, handing vital breaks to the Dane through double faults in each set.
Wozniacki will play unseeded Dominika Cibulkova of Slovakia for a place in the semifinals.
"It was a tough match. She is a great player and I knew it wasn't going to be easy," last year's runner-up said.
"I got a lot of experience from last year and that helped me a lot today."
The world number two went into the match having dropped just three games in her first three outings in New York, the least in a Grand Slam event by any woman since Mary Pierce at the 1994 French Open.
She had also won three out of the last four WTA tournaments in the build-up to New York and had enjoyed a 17-1 win-loss record since Wimbledon.
But Sharapova, three years older at 23, had won their two previous meetings, both coming in 2008, and, after battling back from injury, had been showing glimpses of her best form in the last few weeks.
The match was expected to come down to Sharapova's explosiveness against Wozniacki's consistency, and so it turned out in the opening few games with the Russian facing the first break points in the second game before blasting her way out of trouble.
Two games later, though, Sharapova came out on top in a long, punishing rally to lead 40-30 on her serve, but then flung in three straight double faults to hand the break to Wozniacki.
The Dane held serve for 4-1 and had two further break points on Sharapova's next serve, but failed to convert them.
In the following game, Sharapova let slip five break points of her own, but finally converting at the sixth attempt using her big forehand to pound a hole in Wozniacki's solid defenses.
But once again, the Russian struggled on serve and was broken to love. This time Wozniacki held firm to take the set 6-3 on her third set point in 53 minutes.
In what was a top-quality encounter, both players battled hard to hold on to their serves in the second set and it was Wozniacki who found an extra gear in the seventh game to grab the break of serve she needed thanks to another double fault from Sharapova.
Wozniacki then served out twice to ensure one of the biggest wins of her career and clear her path for another run at the final in Flushing Meadows.
In the end, it was Sharapova's vulnerability on serve at key points that proved to be the main difference, handing vital breaks to the Dane through double faults in each set.
Wozniacki will play unseeded Dominika Cibulkova of Slovakia for a place in the semifinals.
"It was a tough match. She is a great player and I knew it wasn't going to be easy," last year's runner-up said.
"I got a lot of experience from last year and that helped me a lot today."
The world number two went into the match having dropped just three games in her first three outings in New York, the least in a Grand Slam event by any woman since Mary Pierce at the 1994 French Open.
She had also won three out of the last four WTA tournaments in the build-up to New York and had enjoyed a 17-1 win-loss record since Wimbledon.
But Sharapova, three years older at 23, had won their two previous meetings, both coming in 2008, and, after battling back from injury, had been showing glimpses of her best form in the last few weeks.
The match was expected to come down to Sharapova's explosiveness against Wozniacki's consistency, and so it turned out in the opening few games with the Russian facing the first break points in the second game before blasting her way out of trouble.
Two games later, though, Sharapova came out on top in a long, punishing rally to lead 40-30 on her serve, but then flung in three straight double faults to hand the break to Wozniacki.
The Dane held serve for 4-1 and had two further break points on Sharapova's next serve, but failed to convert them.
In the following game, Sharapova let slip five break points of her own, but finally converting at the sixth attempt using her big forehand to pound a hole in Wozniacki's solid defenses.
But once again, the Russian struggled on serve and was broken to love. This time Wozniacki held firm to take the set 6-3 on her third set point in 53 minutes.
In what was a top-quality encounter, both players battled hard to hold on to their serves in the second set and it was Wozniacki who found an extra gear in the seventh game to grab the break of serve she needed thanks to another double fault from Sharapova.
Wozniacki then served out twice to ensure one of the biggest wins of her career and clear her path for another run at the final in Flushing Meadows.
Leading batsman played suspiciously in IPL: Report
Breaking News !MELBOURNE: The corruption scandal that has rocked international cricket could engulf the Indian Premier League as well with reports here claiming that a leading batsman played so "suspiciously" in the event that he had to be moved up the order to stop him from "manipulating matches".
According to a report in 'The Australian', quoting two unnamed IPL officials, "a leading batsman had played so suspiciously that they could not explain his behaviour."
"...both officials agreed that his performances were highly suspect. They did not want him named for fear that it could be traced back to them and lead to retribution in India," the report stated.
The newspaper said the officials found the "player's performances were puzzling, particularly scoring slowly towards the end of an innings when the opposite should have been happening."
"He consistently under-performed and often appeared uninterested or distracted."
The report said IPL officials have also been receiving complaints of "matches being rigged" by various franchises.
"He has been under the scanner for a while," the official said.
The newspaper said the ICC's Anti-Corruption and Security Unit is "frustrated" with several boards in the subcontinent "for failing to take stronger action against their players after being provided with information about dubious behaviour. The two main targets have been the Pakistan team and the IPL."
The latest report comes in the wake of the ongoing spot-fixing scandal exposed by a British tabloid which has led to the suspension of three Pakistani cricketers -- Test captain Salman Butt and fast bowlers Mohammad Aamer and Mohammad Asif and an inquiry by the Scotland Yard.
According to a report in 'The Australian', quoting two unnamed IPL officials, "a leading batsman had played so suspiciously that they could not explain his behaviour."
"...both officials agreed that his performances were highly suspect. They did not want him named for fear that it could be traced back to them and lead to retribution in India," the report stated.
The newspaper said the officials found the "player's performances were puzzling, particularly scoring slowly towards the end of an innings when the opposite should have been happening."
"He consistently under-performed and often appeared uninterested or distracted."
The report said IPL officials have also been receiving complaints of "matches being rigged" by various franchises.
"He has been under the scanner for a while," the official said.
The newspaper said the ICC's Anti-Corruption and Security Unit is "frustrated" with several boards in the subcontinent "for failing to take stronger action against their players after being provided with information about dubious behaviour. The two main targets have been the Pakistan team and the IPL."
The latest report comes in the wake of the ongoing spot-fixing scandal exposed by a British tabloid which has led to the suspension of three Pakistani cricketers -- Test captain Salman Butt and fast bowlers Mohammad Aamer and Mohammad Asif and an inquiry by the Scotland Yard.
20100906
Kim secretly marries Kenya based businessman
Breaking News ! Kim Sharma gearing up to marry her hot Spanish boyfriend Carlos Marin and moving to Madrid, did indeed make for a beautiful picture but that's now history.
In a shocking turn of events, the actress called off her engagement. And now, she has tied the knot with a wealthy business tycoon from Kenya, Ali Punjani.
The marriage ceremony was organised in Mombasa, Kenya, two weeks ago. A source says, "It's a love marriage. The two were dating for a brief period. Kim felt that they should tie the knot quickly."
Wonder if Carlos wants to comment on this. Earlier, Kim was in a relationship with cricketer Yuvraaj Singh for four years, which went down the drain somewhere in the middle of 2007.
"The marriage ceremony was attended by close friends and relatives of Kim and Ali. Kim looked very happy," adds the source.
Bollywood weddings are indeed quite strange. Take the guest lists for instance. A few days ago, we reported on Konkona Sen Sharma's marriage with Ranvir Shorey, where nobody but Koel Purie was invited from Bollywood.
How odd is that? Come to think of it, apparently, Kim's best friend Preeti Jhangiani (the two actresses had made their Bollywood debut together in YRF's Mohabattein) was not present at Kim's wedding. Preeti might have a word or two to share with Carlos. Despite repeated attempts Kim remained unavailbale for comment.
source: mumbai mirror
In a shocking turn of events, the actress called off her engagement. And now, she has tied the knot with a wealthy business tycoon from Kenya, Ali Punjani.
The marriage ceremony was organised in Mombasa, Kenya, two weeks ago. A source says, "It's a love marriage. The two were dating for a brief period. Kim felt that they should tie the knot quickly."
Wonder if Carlos wants to comment on this. Earlier, Kim was in a relationship with cricketer Yuvraaj Singh for four years, which went down the drain somewhere in the middle of 2007.
"The marriage ceremony was attended by close friends and relatives of Kim and Ali. Kim looked very happy," adds the source.
Bollywood weddings are indeed quite strange. Take the guest lists for instance. A few days ago, we reported on Konkona Sen Sharma's marriage with Ranvir Shorey, where nobody but Koel Purie was invited from Bollywood.
How odd is that? Come to think of it, apparently, Kim's best friend Preeti Jhangiani (the two actresses had made their Bollywood debut together in YRF's Mohabattein) was not present at Kim's wedding. Preeti might have a word or two to share with Carlos. Despite repeated attempts Kim remained unavailbale for comment.
source: mumbai mirror
Kavitha Krishnamurthy's hubby accused of rape
Breaking News ! Recently, L Subramaniam found himself in the middle of a sex scandal, when his 27-year-old maid Bhagya filed a complaint against him at the Sanjay Nagar police station in Bangalore, on Friday morning.
'Coincidentally' the famed musician had filed a complaint against the maid a day earlier, for stealing 5000 Euros from his home.
The artiste resides in Dollars Colony with his singer wife Kavitha Krishnamurthy and two children. Subramaniam had kept 5000 euros in a locked drawer at his residence after returning from an international trip. Says Kavitha Krishnamurthy, "I had concerts in the US in June and my husband had accompanied me. We stopped over at Europe for a while."
When the duo landed from Geneva on July 14, they declared 5000 Euros to the Customs department. But since the Euro exchange rate had dipped then, the family decided not to exchange the money immediately and locked it along with the declaration form in their bedroom.
"It was the first week of August that we decided to exchange the currency and found that the money was missing from the drawer, but the declaration form in which we had wrapped it, was still there," says Kavitha. But the family did not report the crime immediately. Bindu, Subramaniam's daughter adds, "We had a similar problem about five years ago when our cook and driver stole from us and we recovered the money. Also, we had been noticing money and other items missing from the home and so decided to look around a bit."
Money amounting to about Rs 50,000, a gold chain worth Rs 30,000 and an Ipod were found missing. They informed the police in mid August about their suspicions and the missing money. "But we had a death in the family and could not formally file the complaint immediately," says Kavitha.
It also took a while for the family to deduce the culpability of the maid because they had hired her through an agency. "We spoke to Avon Agency in October 2009 to get us a maid. Bhagya came to us in January," says Kavitha. But despite her working with them for about six months the family is still fuzzy about her details. Bindu adds, "We were told she was a widow with a young son whose mother lived at a nearby village. But during her tenure with us, she often mentioned her husband and incidents with him. So I am not really sure about her background. However we believed the agency."
Bhagya also did not report to work for five days prior to the complaint being filed against her. The family reported this to her agency. She turned up to work on Thursday and was picked up by the Sanjay Nagar police for questioning. According to police sources, the cops found Rs 3500 (approx) in her bag and also Rs 4000 in her house plus new gold jewellery. "Her salary is Rs 4000. You do the math," says Bindu.
When we contacted the agency, the officials refused to comment on the matter. But employees there say the only thing they do is fingerprint the maid and ensure that they do not have any criminal record. "We can ensure a clean past record. What else can we do?" was their question.
Meanwhile, the maid continued with her version that L Subramaniam had been harassing her for five months for sexual favours, which she didn't yield to. "He had warned me that he would ruin my reputation and that is why he has filed a complaint against me," she said.
source: mumbai mirror
'Coincidentally' the famed musician had filed a complaint against the maid a day earlier, for stealing 5000 Euros from his home.
The artiste resides in Dollars Colony with his singer wife Kavitha Krishnamurthy and two children. Subramaniam had kept 5000 euros in a locked drawer at his residence after returning from an international trip. Says Kavitha Krishnamurthy, "I had concerts in the US in June and my husband had accompanied me. We stopped over at Europe for a while."
When the duo landed from Geneva on July 14, they declared 5000 Euros to the Customs department. But since the Euro exchange rate had dipped then, the family decided not to exchange the money immediately and locked it along with the declaration form in their bedroom.
"It was the first week of August that we decided to exchange the currency and found that the money was missing from the drawer, but the declaration form in which we had wrapped it, was still there," says Kavitha. But the family did not report the crime immediately. Bindu, Subramaniam's daughter adds, "We had a similar problem about five years ago when our cook and driver stole from us and we recovered the money. Also, we had been noticing money and other items missing from the home and so decided to look around a bit."
Money amounting to about Rs 50,000, a gold chain worth Rs 30,000 and an Ipod were found missing. They informed the police in mid August about their suspicions and the missing money. "But we had a death in the family and could not formally file the complaint immediately," says Kavitha.
It also took a while for the family to deduce the culpability of the maid because they had hired her through an agency. "We spoke to Avon Agency in October 2009 to get us a maid. Bhagya came to us in January," says Kavitha. But despite her working with them for about six months the family is still fuzzy about her details. Bindu adds, "We were told she was a widow with a young son whose mother lived at a nearby village. But during her tenure with us, she often mentioned her husband and incidents with him. So I am not really sure about her background. However we believed the agency."
Bhagya also did not report to work for five days prior to the complaint being filed against her. The family reported this to her agency. She turned up to work on Thursday and was picked up by the Sanjay Nagar police for questioning. According to police sources, the cops found Rs 3500 (approx) in her bag and also Rs 4000 in her house plus new gold jewellery. "Her salary is Rs 4000. You do the math," says Bindu.
When we contacted the agency, the officials refused to comment on the matter. But employees there say the only thing they do is fingerprint the maid and ensure that they do not have any criminal record. "We can ensure a clean past record. What else can we do?" was their question.
Meanwhile, the maid continued with her version that L Subramaniam had been harassing her for five months for sexual favours, which she didn't yield to. "He had warned me that he would ruin my reputation and that is why he has filed a complaint against me," she said.
source: mumbai mirror
Google Android to power TVs
Breaking News ! TOKYO: Samsung Electronics Co, the world's largest television maker, said it may equip its TVs with Google Inc software, and compete with Sony Corp in offering sets that surf the Web and double as computers.
The company, based in Suwon, South Korea, is also likely to meet to its 2010 sales target for TVs, Yoon Boo Keun, head of Samsung's TV business, said, without giving further details.
TV makers such as Samsung and Sony are looking to tap into the growing demand for Web-based programming and a slice of the $175 billion TV advertising market. The companies are betting on Google's Android operating system to compete with Apple Inc, which earlier this month released a $99 TV set-top box that delivers movie and TV show rentals from the Internet.
Sony in May unveiled the prototype of a Bravia set that will deliver video and music over the Internet in partnership with Google. The TVs are expected in stores by Christmas.
Apple TV will rent high-definition TV programs for 99 cents, first-run movies for $4.99 and will work with Netflix Inc's online service, Apple's Chief Executive Officer Steve Jobs said last week. To provide the TV rental service, Apple forged deals with Walt Disney Co's ABC and News Corp's Fox, Jobs said.
The company, based in Suwon, South Korea, is also likely to meet to its 2010 sales target for TVs, Yoon Boo Keun, head of Samsung's TV business, said, without giving further details.
TV makers such as Samsung and Sony are looking to tap into the growing demand for Web-based programming and a slice of the $175 billion TV advertising market. The companies are betting on Google's Android operating system to compete with Apple Inc, which earlier this month released a $99 TV set-top box that delivers movie and TV show rentals from the Internet.
Sony in May unveiled the prototype of a Bravia set that will deliver video and music over the Internet in partnership with Google. The TVs are expected in stores by Christmas.
Apple TV will rent high-definition TV programs for 99 cents, first-run movies for $4.99 and will work with Netflix Inc's online service, Apple's Chief Executive Officer Steve Jobs said last week. To provide the TV rental service, Apple forged deals with Walt Disney Co's ABC and News Corp's Fox, Jobs said.
British MP's wife found working as a sex worker
Breaking News ! LONDON: A British MP's wife works as a prostitute charging 70 pounds "for oral sex without a condom followed by full sex with a condom", said a media report here. The revelation left the MP stunned as he said: "That's a horrible shock".
Sunday Mirror reported that Tory MP Mike Weatherley's Brazilian wife Carla, 39, works at three seedy brothels.
The expose could prove embarrassing to Prime Minister David Cameron, who campaigned alongside Weatherley at the general election earlier this year.
Weatherley met Carla 10 years ago while he was on a business trip to Rio de Janeiro. Sources say that she was already then a sex worker. There is, however, nothing to suggest that Weatherley knew.
After starting a relationship, Weatherley may have bought Carla an apartment in the Copacabana beach area.
Later, Weatherley moved Carla to Britain, where they married in Brighton, East Sussex, in 2003.
Carla's occupation was listed as housewife in the marriage certificate and initially, she put her past behind her.
However, in February, as Weatherley geared up for the poll campaign, she re-entered the sex industry.
During the campaign, Weatherley took Carla to a number of political functions in the Hove and Portslade constituency.
Sunday Mirror reporter met her at a South London massage parlour where she offered to perform a list of sex acts. She then stripped off and danced naked.
The media report said that Carla walked into the room in pink lingerie and said she was "Bea".
She then rattled off a price list - "30 pounds for hand relief, 40 pounds for oral sex with a condom followed by sex and 70 pounds for oral sex without a condom followed by full sex with a condom".
She also spoke about two brothels where she works - North Cheam Massage and Intimate Massage in Bedford.
"I started working in Bedford in February, but it is very far away. Here we have two houses, this one and one in Cheam. And I work there at the moment. I cover for my friend because she's on holiday. I work Thursday there and Friday here. Then, when she is back, I will work Mondays. Thursdays here, Mondays there," she was quoted as saying.
She added: "I like it here, nice clients, nice people, nice place and good money."
Weatherley said he was not aware that his wife was a prostitute and added: "Oh no. It's a bit of a shock. We separated in February and I had absolutely no idea at all. We've kept in touch and have lunch together every week so we're still good friends."
"That's a horrible shock... thank you for letting me know."
Sunday Mirror reported that Tory MP Mike Weatherley's Brazilian wife Carla, 39, works at three seedy brothels.
The expose could prove embarrassing to Prime Minister David Cameron, who campaigned alongside Weatherley at the general election earlier this year.
Weatherley met Carla 10 years ago while he was on a business trip to Rio de Janeiro. Sources say that she was already then a sex worker. There is, however, nothing to suggest that Weatherley knew.
After starting a relationship, Weatherley may have bought Carla an apartment in the Copacabana beach area.
Later, Weatherley moved Carla to Britain, where they married in Brighton, East Sussex, in 2003.
Carla's occupation was listed as housewife in the marriage certificate and initially, she put her past behind her.
However, in February, as Weatherley geared up for the poll campaign, she re-entered the sex industry.
During the campaign, Weatherley took Carla to a number of political functions in the Hove and Portslade constituency.
Sunday Mirror reporter met her at a South London massage parlour where she offered to perform a list of sex acts. She then stripped off and danced naked.
The media report said that Carla walked into the room in pink lingerie and said she was "Bea".
She then rattled off a price list - "30 pounds for hand relief, 40 pounds for oral sex with a condom followed by sex and 70 pounds for oral sex without a condom followed by full sex with a condom".
She also spoke about two brothels where she works - North Cheam Massage and Intimate Massage in Bedford.
"I started working in Bedford in February, but it is very far away. Here we have two houses, this one and one in Cheam. And I work there at the moment. I cover for my friend because she's on holiday. I work Thursday there and Friday here. Then, when she is back, I will work Mondays. Thursdays here, Mondays there," she was quoted as saying.
She added: "I like it here, nice clients, nice people, nice place and good money."
Weatherley said he was not aware that his wife was a prostitute and added: "Oh no. It's a bit of a shock. We separated in February and I had absolutely no idea at all. We've kept in touch and have lunch together every week so we're still good friends."
"That's a horrible shock... thank you for letting me know."
Barack Obama to announce $50 billion infrastructure job plan
Breaking News ! WASHINGTON: US President Barack Obama will announce on Monday a six-year infrastructure revamp plan with an initial investment of $50 billion to jump-start job creation, a White House official said.
Obama is committed to working with the US Congress to fully fund the program, which also includes a proposed infrastructure bank to leverage private capital, the official said.
Obama is to make the announcement in Milwaukee, where he will make a speech to a labour rally on Monday, the Labor Day holiday that marks the informal start of the election campaign season.
With a jobless rate near 10 percent, Democrats are facing predicted losses in the Nov 2 congressional elections and the Obama administration is trying to convince voters that Democratic policies can lead the way out of the country's deepest recession in 70 years.
The White House official said the proposed program will include building or rehabilitating roads, railways and runways. The proposed infrastructure bank "would leverage private and state and local capital to invest in projects that are most critical to our economic progress," a different approach to infrastructure than the traditional way in which allocations are made more by geography and politics, the official said.
Obama is committed to working with the US Congress to fully fund the program, which also includes a proposed infrastructure bank to leverage private capital, the official said.
Obama is to make the announcement in Milwaukee, where he will make a speech to a labour rally on Monday, the Labor Day holiday that marks the informal start of the election campaign season.
With a jobless rate near 10 percent, Democrats are facing predicted losses in the Nov 2 congressional elections and the Obama administration is trying to convince voters that Democratic policies can lead the way out of the country's deepest recession in 70 years.
The White House official said the proposed program will include building or rehabilitating roads, railways and runways. The proposed infrastructure bank "would leverage private and state and local capital to invest in projects that are most critical to our economic progress," a different approach to infrastructure than the traditional way in which allocations are made more by geography and politics, the official said.
Republicans talk about me like a dog: Obama
Breaking News ! WASHINGTON: US President Barack Obama has caused quite a flutter by accusing his Republican opponents of talking about him "like a dog" at a rally to launch his embattled Democratic party's election campaign.
"Some powerful interests who had been dominating the agenda in Washington for a very long time and they're not always happy with me," he said addressing a union crowd on Labour Day on Monday in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
"They talk about me like a dog. That's not in my prepared remarks, but it's true," he told the union crowd straying from his prepared remarks to take a more aggressive tone in campaign mode.
"They're betting that between now and November, you'll (voters) come down with a case of amnesia," Obama said in the speech less than two months ahead of midterm elections where Democratic majorities in the House and Senate are on stake.
"They (Republicans) think you'll forget what their agenda did to this country. They think you'll just believe that they've changed. These are the folks whose policies helped devastate our middle class and drive our economy into a ditch. And now they're asking you for the keys back," he said with some bitterness, alluding to the recent tirade launched against him by his critics.
"Some powerful interests who had been dominating the agenda in Washington for a very long time and they're not always happy with me," he said addressing a union crowd on Labour Day on Monday in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
"They talk about me like a dog. That's not in my prepared remarks, but it's true," he told the union crowd straying from his prepared remarks to take a more aggressive tone in campaign mode.
"They're betting that between now and November, you'll (voters) come down with a case of amnesia," Obama said in the speech less than two months ahead of midterm elections where Democratic majorities in the House and Senate are on stake.
"They (Republicans) think you'll forget what their agenda did to this country. They think you'll just believe that they've changed. These are the folks whose policies helped devastate our middle class and drive our economy into a ditch. And now they're asking you for the keys back," he said with some bitterness, alluding to the recent tirade launched against him by his critics.
BJP to form govt in Jharkhand with JMM support
Breaking News ! RANCHI: In a fresh bid to break the political stalemate in Jharkhand, the BJP on Tuesday decided to stake claim to form a government with the support of erstwhile partner JMM and AJSU in the state which is under President's rule.
"The party has decided to form a new government. Now, the BJP legislature party will elect a new leader after which we will seek an appointment from the Governor to stake claim," senior party leader Ajay Maroo said.
BJP and JMM are tying up after splitting three months back following cross voting by JMM chief Shibu Shoren in Lok Sabha during cut motions in the Budget session in April brought by BJP and Left parties.
BJP spokesman Sanjay Seth said legislature party leader Raghuvar Das has quit from the post, indicating that former chief minister Arjun Munda is likely to head the BJP-led government.
"JMM has extended unconditional support to BJP's initiatives to form a government," JMM spokesman Suprio Bhattacharya said.
His comments come close on the heels of Shibhu Soren's son and party leader Hemant Soren saying that the party was open to support like-minded parties as elections might again throw a fractured mandate.
After JMM gave its 'unconditional support' to the BJP's initiative, several BJP MLAs have gathered at BJP headquarters to meet.
AJSU's vice-president Praveen Prabhakar also said his 5-member legislature party has extended full support to the BJP's initiative.
BJP parliamentary board had on April 28 decided to withdraw support to the JMM government after Soren voted against the party-sponsored cut motion.
However, the decision was put on hold when JMM Legislature party leader and Soren's son Hemant wrote a letter to BJP chief Nitin Gadkari pledging support to a BJP-led government.
But, the JMM backtracked and demanded rotational power sharing with each party leading the government for 28 months. This was agreed to by BJP on the understanding that Soren will quit as chief minister by May 25 after which Munda will head the new coalition government.
But, frustrated over JMM backtracking on its power-sharing deal in Jharkhand, the BJP on May 23 decided to withdraw support to the Shibu Soren government after which he quit as chief minister leading to the state coming under President's rule.
"The party has decided to form a new government. Now, the BJP legislature party will elect a new leader after which we will seek an appointment from the Governor to stake claim," senior party leader Ajay Maroo said.
BJP and JMM are tying up after splitting three months back following cross voting by JMM chief Shibu Shoren in Lok Sabha during cut motions in the Budget session in April brought by BJP and Left parties.
BJP spokesman Sanjay Seth said legislature party leader Raghuvar Das has quit from the post, indicating that former chief minister Arjun Munda is likely to head the BJP-led government.
"JMM has extended unconditional support to BJP's initiatives to form a government," JMM spokesman Suprio Bhattacharya said.
His comments come close on the heels of Shibhu Soren's son and party leader Hemant Soren saying that the party was open to support like-minded parties as elections might again throw a fractured mandate.
After JMM gave its 'unconditional support' to the BJP's initiative, several BJP MLAs have gathered at BJP headquarters to meet.
AJSU's vice-president Praveen Prabhakar also said his 5-member legislature party has extended full support to the BJP's initiative.
BJP parliamentary board had on April 28 decided to withdraw support to the JMM government after Soren voted against the party-sponsored cut motion.
However, the decision was put on hold when JMM Legislature party leader and Soren's son Hemant wrote a letter to BJP chief Nitin Gadkari pledging support to a BJP-led government.
But, the JMM backtracked and demanded rotational power sharing with each party leading the government for 28 months. This was agreed to by BJP on the understanding that Soren will quit as chief minister by May 25 after which Munda will head the new coalition government.
But, frustrated over JMM backtracking on its power-sharing deal in Jharkhand, the BJP on May 23 decided to withdraw support to the Shibu Soren government after which he quit as chief minister leading to the state coming under President's rule.
Was put under pressure on CVC issue: Sushma Swaraj
Breaking News !Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Sushma Swaraj today said she was put under "pressure" to agree with the candidate choice for Central Vigilance Commissioner (CVC) finalised by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Home Minister P. Chidambaram. Swaraj, speaking to reporters here, said the government chose Telecom Secretary P.J. Thomas as the next CVC despite her disagreement. "I had my reservations about P.J. Thomas, so I said choose from the other two on the panel as the CVC should be someone with an unblemished background, which they disagreed to do.
"Then I said defer the meeting because there are more deserving candidates out there. But despite having three more days into the swearing in, I was told I had to decide then and there. Basically I had no choice but to disagree," the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha told reporters.
Swaraj said she argued that Thomas was investigated on charges of corruption in the Kerala palm oil import scam and is, therefore, not fit to oversee the investigation into the 2G allocation, but Chidambaram pointed out that the bureaucrat had been cleared of all the charges.
"The panel presented to me was a one-man panel, so there was no consultation. How could I choose... I told them that they were not sitting in the meeting with an open mind," she added.
The others candidates were Secretary to the Department of Chemicals and Fertilizer Bijoy Chatterjee and Former fertiliser Secretary S. Krishnan.
"Then I said defer the meeting because there are more deserving candidates out there. But despite having three more days into the swearing in, I was told I had to decide then and there. Basically I had no choice but to disagree," the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha told reporters.
Swaraj said she argued that Thomas was investigated on charges of corruption in the Kerala palm oil import scam and is, therefore, not fit to oversee the investigation into the 2G allocation, but Chidambaram pointed out that the bureaucrat had been cleared of all the charges.
"The panel presented to me was a one-man panel, so there was no consultation. How could I choose... I told them that they were not sitting in the meeting with an open mind," she added.
The others candidates were Secretary to the Department of Chemicals and Fertilizer Bijoy Chatterjee and Former fertiliser Secretary S. Krishnan.
Delhi will be most happening place during CWG: Sheila Dikshit
Breaking News !Seeking to allay apprehensions regarding the Commonwealth Games (CWG), Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit today asserted that the event beginning Oct 3 "will be held" and urged people to take part in the cultural festivities taking place in the capital during the period.
Launching the calender for the 'Delhi Celebrates' events, Dikshit said Delhi will be the most happening place for the next two months with hundreds of artists and performers descending on the capital for taking part in the festivities till Nov 4. The Games themselves will be held on Oct 3-14.
"The Commonwealth Games are here and it will be held," she told the gathering.
The chief minister said everyone had come together with enthusiasm, putting together a huge programme that will cater to tastes of all.
Underlining that the festivities will be held across the capital, she urged people to spread the message and enjoy themselves.
A host of programmes on art, culture, cinema, heritage and cuisines will be held in the capital till Nov 4 in which participants from across the country will throng the capital.
A number of special programmes have been planned for athletes and visitors during the Games.
Speaking at the event, Culture Secretary Jawahar Sarcar stated that the concept of 'Delhi Celebrates' has been woven into a noble matrix.
Given that bringing together 15 different cultural organisations under one roof was a herculean task, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh asked the culture ministry to work under Dikshit's leadership.
Sarcar also emphasised on organising such cultural festivals in the capital annually.
Launching the calender for the 'Delhi Celebrates' events, Dikshit said Delhi will be the most happening place for the next two months with hundreds of artists and performers descending on the capital for taking part in the festivities till Nov 4. The Games themselves will be held on Oct 3-14.
"The Commonwealth Games are here and it will be held," she told the gathering.
The chief minister said everyone had come together with enthusiasm, putting together a huge programme that will cater to tastes of all.
Underlining that the festivities will be held across the capital, she urged people to spread the message and enjoy themselves.
A host of programmes on art, culture, cinema, heritage and cuisines will be held in the capital till Nov 4 in which participants from across the country will throng the capital.
A number of special programmes have been planned for athletes and visitors during the Games.
Speaking at the event, Culture Secretary Jawahar Sarcar stated that the concept of 'Delhi Celebrates' has been woven into a noble matrix.
Given that bringing together 15 different cultural organisations under one roof was a herculean task, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh asked the culture ministry to work under Dikshit's leadership.
Sarcar also emphasised on organising such cultural festivals in the capital annually.
Ministry asked to reduce discretionary powers in Companies Bill
Breaking News !A parliamentary committee has asked the Corporate Affairs ministry to cut down on the number of provisions in the Companies Bill, which grant the ministry discretionary powers in dealing with issues, including authentication of financial statements.
The standing committee on finance in its report on the Companies Bill 2009 said excessive delegation is a form of quasi legislation which an administrating authority like a ministry can issue in the form of rules, notifications. It asked the ministry to reconsider the provision made for excessive delegated legislation.
"The standing committee has observed that the words 'as may be prescribed' has been used in the bill approximately 235 times, thereby suggesting excessive role and scope for delegated legislation," said the committee, led by former finance minister Yashwant Sinha.
Some of the provisions in which the ministry assumed discretionary powers include time limit for lodging share transfer form with a company, maintenance of minute books, manner of authentication of financial statements and the manner of conducting extra ordinary general meeting by requisitionists.
There were 25 provisions which the committee found could be used mis-appropriately if the methodology of its use was not warranted in the bill itself.
"The committee has recommended that the afore-mentioned provisions for delegated legislation or rule making may be appropriately incorporated in the bill," said the committee.
In a statement today, the ministry said it had agreed to incorporate these provisions into the bill.
"At the same time the standing committee has emphasised that simple procedural aspects which may require flexibility and periodic revision depending on time-period or economic circumstances should continue to remain in the domain of delegated legislation," said the ministry's statement.
The standing committee on finance in its report on the Companies Bill 2009 said excessive delegation is a form of quasi legislation which an administrating authority like a ministry can issue in the form of rules, notifications. It asked the ministry to reconsider the provision made for excessive delegated legislation.
"The standing committee has observed that the words 'as may be prescribed' has been used in the bill approximately 235 times, thereby suggesting excessive role and scope for delegated legislation," said the committee, led by former finance minister Yashwant Sinha.
Some of the provisions in which the ministry assumed discretionary powers include time limit for lodging share transfer form with a company, maintenance of minute books, manner of authentication of financial statements and the manner of conducting extra ordinary general meeting by requisitionists.
There were 25 provisions which the committee found could be used mis-appropriately if the methodology of its use was not warranted in the bill itself.
"The committee has recommended that the afore-mentioned provisions for delegated legislation or rule making may be appropriately incorporated in the bill," said the committee.
In a statement today, the ministry said it had agreed to incorporate these provisions into the bill.
"At the same time the standing committee has emphasised that simple procedural aspects which may require flexibility and periodic revision depending on time-period or economic circumstances should continue to remain in the domain of delegated legislation," said the ministry's statement.
CPI-M slams Rahul Gandhi's West Bengal comment
Breaking News !The Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) today came down heavily on Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi for his comment that the days of West Bengal's Left Front government were numbered, terming it as his "wild dream".
CPI-M senior politburo member S. Ramachandran Pillai told media that the people of West Bengal would "assert" the Left rule in the state in the assembly polls due next year. The CPI-M has been in power for the last three decades in the state.
On a day's visit to Kolkata today, Gandhi denounced the Left Front government and attacked the CPI-M, saying the party "does not belong to the poor people of the state - the adivasis, the marginalised and the poor".
Pillai said Gandhi should learn from history, and added: "It (Gandhi's comment) is only his wild dream. He has to learn from history. Right from the beginning, the party is fighting for the poor and upholding workers' interest."
Though Pillai admitted that the CPI-M had suffered "some setbacks in the state in the recently held polls", he expressed confidence that the people will "assert" the Left Front's rule after the polls.
Pillai alleged that the Congress was in alliance with "reactionary forces" in the state to attack the CPI-M.
"Rahul Gandhi and his party say that they fight Left-wing extremism in the country. On the contrary, they are in alliance with Trinamool Congress, which supports the dreaded Maoists in West Bengal," Pillai said.
CPI-M senior politburo member S. Ramachandran Pillai told media that the people of West Bengal would "assert" the Left rule in the state in the assembly polls due next year. The CPI-M has been in power for the last three decades in the state.
On a day's visit to Kolkata today, Gandhi denounced the Left Front government and attacked the CPI-M, saying the party "does not belong to the poor people of the state - the adivasis, the marginalised and the poor".
Pillai said Gandhi should learn from history, and added: "It (Gandhi's comment) is only his wild dream. He has to learn from history. Right from the beginning, the party is fighting for the poor and upholding workers' interest."
Though Pillai admitted that the CPI-M had suffered "some setbacks in the state in the recently held polls", he expressed confidence that the people will "assert" the Left Front's rule after the polls.
Pillai alleged that the Congress was in alliance with "reactionary forces" in the state to attack the CPI-M.
"Rahul Gandhi and his party say that they fight Left-wing extremism in the country. On the contrary, they are in alliance with Trinamool Congress, which supports the dreaded Maoists in West Bengal," Pillai said.
Talks on for withdrawal of special powers act: Omar
Breaking News !The Jammu and Kashmir government is engaged in talks with the central government over the repeal of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act from the state, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said today.
"We are engaged in talks with the centre on two issues - softening the harsh nature of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act and its repeal from some of the districts of the valley and Jammu region where the role of the army has become minimal and where such powers are not needed at all," he told mediapersons on the sidelines of a function at Balwal, near Jammu.
"The state government is in the process of identifying these areas," the chief minister said.
"We are engaged in talks with the centre on two issues - softening the harsh nature of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act and its repeal from some of the districts of the valley and Jammu region where the role of the army has become minimal and where such powers are not needed at all," he told mediapersons on the sidelines of a function at Balwal, near Jammu.
"The state government is in the process of identifying these areas," the chief minister said.
Cabinet panel to discuss Kashmir threadbare: PM
Breaking News ! Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said today the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) will meet here later this week for a "threadbare" discussion on the situation in Kashmir, but cautioned that he can't pull off a miracle to resolve the crisis.
"A meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security is being called shortly to discuss the situation in the Kashmir Valley," Manmohan Singh said in an interaction with senior journalists at his official residence.
"I cannot promise you that I will produce a rabbit out of my hat...the country must learn to be patient," he added.
Alluding to seething unrest in the valley since June 11, the prime minister underlined the need for a different attitude to riot control. No lethal weapons but more humane methods should be used to deal with the crowds, he said.
He also backed more powers for Jammu and Kashmir Police. "Sometime it will work, sometimes it will not work," he said.
Manmohan Singh admitted that the internal dimension of the militancy in Jammu and Kashmir has gone down but other issues remained.
"We are still groping for a solution," a candid prime minister said while pointing out that the Kashmir problem has existed for 63 years and that Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi had all attempted to tackle it when they were the prime minister.
Manmohan Singh's remarks on the situation in Kashmir comes amid reports that his government is on the verge of launching another initiative to break the deadlock in the Valley.
As many as 66 people have lost their lives in the ongoing unrest in the valley that started June 11.
"A meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security is being called shortly to discuss the situation in the Kashmir Valley," Manmohan Singh said in an interaction with senior journalists at his official residence.
"I cannot promise you that I will produce a rabbit out of my hat...the country must learn to be patient," he added.
Alluding to seething unrest in the valley since June 11, the prime minister underlined the need for a different attitude to riot control. No lethal weapons but more humane methods should be used to deal with the crowds, he said.
He also backed more powers for Jammu and Kashmir Police. "Sometime it will work, sometimes it will not work," he said.
Manmohan Singh admitted that the internal dimension of the militancy in Jammu and Kashmir has gone down but other issues remained.
"We are still groping for a solution," a candid prime minister said while pointing out that the Kashmir problem has existed for 63 years and that Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi had all attempted to tackle it when they were the prime minister.
Manmohan Singh's remarks on the situation in Kashmir comes amid reports that his government is on the verge of launching another initiative to break the deadlock in the Valley.
As many as 66 people have lost their lives in the ongoing unrest in the valley that started June 11.
Joint appeal to Maoists helped free cops: Nitish Kumar
Breaking News !Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar today said a joint appeal by political parties as well as public pressure helped secure the release of the three policemen who were abducted by Maoists over a week ago. "I'm grateful to all political parties for making a joint appeal to the Maoists to get the three policemen freed," Nitish Kumar told reporters here.
Public pressure also helped, he said.
Police said Maoist guerrillas released the three abducted Bihar cops - Ehsan Khan, Abhay Kumar Yadav and Rupesh Kumar Sinha - in Lakhisarai district today ending an eight-day hostage crisis.
Public pressure also helped, he said.
Police said Maoist guerrillas released the three abducted Bihar cops - Ehsan Khan, Abhay Kumar Yadav and Rupesh Kumar Sinha - in Lakhisarai district today ending an eight-day hostage crisis.
No one should take credit for cop's release: Lalu Prasad
Breaking News !Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad today said that though he was happy that the Maoists have freed three abducted Bihar policemen, "no one should take credit" for their release.
"We are happy that the three policemen were released, but no one should take credit for it," Lalu Prasad told reporters here.
"Everyone made efforts for their release. All of us have appealed for their release," he said.
The three policemen - Abhay Prasad Yadav, Rupesh Kumar Sinha and Ehsan Khan - were set free early today, seven days after they were abducted in Lakhisarai district. They were released in Lakho Chak area of Lakhisarai and are now in police custody, said state police chief Neelmani.
The release comes days after the bullet-riddled body of Lucas Tete, another abducted policemen, was found near a forest in Lakhisarai district. He was killed by the Maoists on Sep 3.
The opposition RJD chief said he was sad that Tete was killed.
"I am sad for it," Lalu Prasad said and urged Maoists to shun violence and join the mainstream for peace in the country.
Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) chief Ramvilas Paswan also expressed happiness that the kidnapped policemen were free but blamed the state government for the delay in their release.
The four policemen, including Lucas Tete who was killed, were abducted by Maoists after a six-hour gunfight in Lakhisarai on Aug 29.
The gunbattle left seven policemen dead and 10 injured. The Maoists claimed the gunfight was in retaliation for the killing of their leader Cherukuri Rajkumar alias Azad and a journalist on the night of July 1-2 in Andhra Pradesh.
"We are happy that the three policemen were released, but no one should take credit for it," Lalu Prasad told reporters here.
"Everyone made efforts for their release. All of us have appealed for their release," he said.
The three policemen - Abhay Prasad Yadav, Rupesh Kumar Sinha and Ehsan Khan - were set free early today, seven days after they were abducted in Lakhisarai district. They were released in Lakho Chak area of Lakhisarai and are now in police custody, said state police chief Neelmani.
The release comes days after the bullet-riddled body of Lucas Tete, another abducted policemen, was found near a forest in Lakhisarai district. He was killed by the Maoists on Sep 3.
The opposition RJD chief said he was sad that Tete was killed.
"I am sad for it," Lalu Prasad said and urged Maoists to shun violence and join the mainstream for peace in the country.
Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) chief Ramvilas Paswan also expressed happiness that the kidnapped policemen were free but blamed the state government for the delay in their release.
The four policemen, including Lucas Tete who was killed, were abducted by Maoists after a six-hour gunfight in Lakhisarai on Aug 29.
The gunbattle left seven policemen dead and 10 injured. The Maoists claimed the gunfight was in retaliation for the killing of their leader Cherukuri Rajkumar alias Azad and a journalist on the night of July 1-2 in Andhra Pradesh.
Yasir Hameed now accuses News of the World of blackmail
Breaking News !In a new twist to the spot-fixing saga, Pakistan's Test opener Yasir Hameed has accused The News Of The World - the British tabloid that has made corruption allegations against three Pakistan players - of blackmail.
"The incident which was largely inaccurately reported in the News of the World today was when I was having dinner with a friend at the Holiday Inn (in) Nottingham on the evening of Aug 30, 2010. I was then approached by a man who introduced himself as Abid Khan and offered that he would arrange a sponsorship deal for me with Etihad Airways. I have now seen a photograph of the so-called Abid Khan and have discovered that he is Mazhar Mahmood," Yasir said in a statement issued on Sunday night.
He was referring to a NOTW report that says Yasir has confirmed that some of his team-mates were involved in match-fixing. The NOTW expose was done by Mazhar Mahmood, the tabloid's investigative reporter. His sensational report last week hurled allegations of corruption at three Pakistan team players Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir.
Yasir reportedly told The News of the World, that is owned by international media magnate Rupert Murdoch and is the Sunday sister paper of the popular The Sun tabloid, that his teammates have been fixing "almost every match" and that he himself had refused bribes but later denied giving any interview to the tabloid.
"Naturally I was interested in what he had to say and we began a conversation. He offered me at least 50,000 pounds for the deal...," added Yasir, who was shown in a video recording by NOTW Sunday, saying that his team-mates were involved in match-fixing.
"Then Abid Khan started asking about the current match fixing allegations and as I saw him as a friend and a potential agent I naively started to answer his questions. He asked me about the match fixing allegations against the current three Pakistani players and if I had any further knowledge.
"As far as I can recall I only told him whatever I had already read in the newspapers about this matter. It seems that Abid had a hidden camera which I was totally unaware of," Yasir said.
"I then left the hotel with my friend and came back to where I was staying. Two days later Abid then called me and offered me 25,000 pounds to give a statement against the three current players under investigation, which I immediately refused and put the phone down.
"I neither called nor answered any calls from Abid after this conversation. When News of the World released my conversation, which Abid Khan recorded without me knowing about it, I was contacted by the media in Pakistan to confirm if I gave the statement to the NOTW, I denied categorically as explained above that this was not the case," Yasir said.
"Subsequently, I received a text message from Abid Khan from his number 07860109876, which I found to be intimidating as reflected in his message reproduced below: 'Pls call me. Incidentally you are in video drinking wine and saying all the quotes attributed to you. Denying it is just stupid as we will be releasing the video to TV. Better that you stand up and speak the truth!!!!' However, I decided not to respond or react," Yasir said in his statement.
He added that he had brought the matter to the attention of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).
"The incident which was largely inaccurately reported in the News of the World today was when I was having dinner with a friend at the Holiday Inn (in) Nottingham on the evening of Aug 30, 2010. I was then approached by a man who introduced himself as Abid Khan and offered that he would arrange a sponsorship deal for me with Etihad Airways. I have now seen a photograph of the so-called Abid Khan and have discovered that he is Mazhar Mahmood," Yasir said in a statement issued on Sunday night.
He was referring to a NOTW report that says Yasir has confirmed that some of his team-mates were involved in match-fixing. The NOTW expose was done by Mazhar Mahmood, the tabloid's investigative reporter. His sensational report last week hurled allegations of corruption at three Pakistan team players Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir.
Yasir reportedly told The News of the World, that is owned by international media magnate Rupert Murdoch and is the Sunday sister paper of the popular The Sun tabloid, that his teammates have been fixing "almost every match" and that he himself had refused bribes but later denied giving any interview to the tabloid.
"Naturally I was interested in what he had to say and we began a conversation. He offered me at least 50,000 pounds for the deal...," added Yasir, who was shown in a video recording by NOTW Sunday, saying that his team-mates were involved in match-fixing.
"Then Abid Khan started asking about the current match fixing allegations and as I saw him as a friend and a potential agent I naively started to answer his questions. He asked me about the match fixing allegations against the current three Pakistani players and if I had any further knowledge.
"As far as I can recall I only told him whatever I had already read in the newspapers about this matter. It seems that Abid had a hidden camera which I was totally unaware of," Yasir said.
"I then left the hotel with my friend and came back to where I was staying. Two days later Abid then called me and offered me 25,000 pounds to give a statement against the three current players under investigation, which I immediately refused and put the phone down.
"I neither called nor answered any calls from Abid after this conversation. When News of the World released my conversation, which Abid Khan recorded without me knowing about it, I was contacted by the media in Pakistan to confirm if I gave the statement to the NOTW, I denied categorically as explained above that this was not the case," Yasir said.
"Subsequently, I received a text message from Abid Khan from his number 07860109876, which I found to be intimidating as reflected in his message reproduced below: 'Pls call me. Incidentally you are in video drinking wine and saying all the quotes attributed to you. Denying it is just stupid as we will be releasing the video to TV. Better that you stand up and speak the truth!!!!' However, I decided not to respond or react," Yasir said in his statement.
He added that he had brought the matter to the attention of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).
Maoists release abducted cops, Bihar CM to make a statement
Breaking News !Calling the eight day crisis an end, Maoists release the 3 abducted policemen today in the morning at around 6:30. The three policemen were found inside Tata Safari in Lakhisarai.
Policemen were duly examined by the medical examiner and they were declared fully fit. The medical examiner further asserted that no physical injury was found in any of them. They are being taken to Patna from the Lakhisarai police station where Rupesh Sinha and Ehshaan Khan to meet Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. Nitish Kumar is likely to make a statement before 12 pm today.
Abhay Yadav has left for his home to meet his family.
According to the feedback received from the released policemen, the Maoists have given them the medical assistance and food.
However, the Maoist rebels have renewed the deadline for the release of their comrades.
Policemen were duly examined by the medical examiner and they were declared fully fit. The medical examiner further asserted that no physical injury was found in any of them. They are being taken to Patna from the Lakhisarai police station where Rupesh Sinha and Ehshaan Khan to meet Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. Nitish Kumar is likely to make a statement before 12 pm today.
Abhay Yadav has left for his home to meet his family.
According to the feedback received from the released policemen, the Maoists have given them the medical assistance and food.
However, the Maoist rebels have renewed the deadline for the release of their comrades.
Tejas Malode wins India's Magic Star
Breaking News !Mumbai-based Tejas Malode was today declared the winner of Star One's reality show "Cadbury Gems India's Magic Star".
The nine-week journey came to an end when Tejas beat Sooraj Singh from Kolkata to walk away with the title of India's first magic star and a cash prize of Rs. 10 lakh.
The finale episode saw cut-throat competition as both the contenders battled it out for the title with some daring and dazzling magic acts.
It also saw some astonishing performances by mentors, judges and magicians S.A.C. Vasanth, Rajat Narasimhan and renowned American illusionist Franz Harary. Actor Jackie Shroff added the celebrity quotient to the show as a judge.
Cricketer Harbhajan Singh was invited to the show as a special guest.
Comedians Suresh Menon and Sunil Pal added to the entertainment factor with their hilarious stand-up comedy acts.
The nine-week journey came to an end when Tejas beat Sooraj Singh from Kolkata to walk away with the title of India's first magic star and a cash prize of Rs. 10 lakh.
The finale episode saw cut-throat competition as both the contenders battled it out for the title with some daring and dazzling magic acts.
It also saw some astonishing performances by mentors, judges and magicians S.A.C. Vasanth, Rajat Narasimhan and renowned American illusionist Franz Harary. Actor Jackie Shroff added the celebrity quotient to the show as a judge.
Cricketer Harbhajan Singh was invited to the show as a special guest.
Comedians Suresh Menon and Sunil Pal added to the entertainment factor with their hilarious stand-up comedy acts.
Kiefer Sutherland wants to visit India for social work: Anil Kapoor
Breaking News !"24" star Kiefer Sutherland wants to visit India for charity work, says Anil Kapoor, who rubs shoulders with the actor in the popular American action series.
"He (Sutherland) wants to come to India for charity work. He wants to see India and do social work. He is very keen to come here," Anil told the media over phone from Mumbai.
"He knew that I was associated with an NGO called Plan India; so he said 'I'd love to come to India and take part in an activity for children there.' So he might have a look at that," added Anil, 50, who plays Omar Hassan, president of a fictional Islamic Republic of Kamistan (IRK), in the eighth and final season of the show.
Based in New York, the action thriller stars Sutherland in the lead as special federal agent Jack Bauer. Presented in the semblance of real time, each 24-episode season covers 24 hours in the life of Bauer.
Despite sharing screen space with him for the first time, Anil was all praise for Sutherland who has been doing the show since 2001.
"What I like about him is that he has been doing this for the last nine years, and still his commitment, energy, enthusiasm and the way he works on the sets, it looks as if this is his first season and he has just started his career. He has got that kind of commitment," said Anil, who shone on the global firmament with his performance in multiple Oscar-winning "Slumdog Millionaire".
"He (Sutherland) is still child-like and he wants to do his best despite working for so long on the same show. He brought a certain kind of freshness every time he gave a shot," he added.
Having shot the show in Los Angeles on and off for six months, Anil also imparted education about India to the "24" cast and crew.
"They are so enamoured, curious and waiting to explore India. They are completely fascinated with our country.
"I did my best to convince them, brief them and educate them and tell them about India as country, its people, religion and political scene as in how democratic we are like them. Then I briefed them about the entire Indian film industry - the fun and humour part of it and the serious part of it," said Anil.
"24" premiered in India for the first time on Aug 23 on AXN.
"He (Sutherland) wants to come to India for charity work. He wants to see India and do social work. He is very keen to come here," Anil told the media over phone from Mumbai.
"He knew that I was associated with an NGO called Plan India; so he said 'I'd love to come to India and take part in an activity for children there.' So he might have a look at that," added Anil, 50, who plays Omar Hassan, president of a fictional Islamic Republic of Kamistan (IRK), in the eighth and final season of the show.
Based in New York, the action thriller stars Sutherland in the lead as special federal agent Jack Bauer. Presented in the semblance of real time, each 24-episode season covers 24 hours in the life of Bauer.
Despite sharing screen space with him for the first time, Anil was all praise for Sutherland who has been doing the show since 2001.
"What I like about him is that he has been doing this for the last nine years, and still his commitment, energy, enthusiasm and the way he works on the sets, it looks as if this is his first season and he has just started his career. He has got that kind of commitment," said Anil, who shone on the global firmament with his performance in multiple Oscar-winning "Slumdog Millionaire".
"He (Sutherland) is still child-like and he wants to do his best despite working for so long on the same show. He brought a certain kind of freshness every time he gave a shot," he added.
Having shot the show in Los Angeles on and off for six months, Anil also imparted education about India to the "24" cast and crew.
"They are so enamoured, curious and waiting to explore India. They are completely fascinated with our country.
"I did my best to convince them, brief them and educate them and tell them about India as country, its people, religion and political scene as in how democratic we are like them. Then I briefed them about the entire Indian film industry - the fun and humour part of it and the serious part of it," said Anil.
"24" premiered in India for the first time on Aug 23 on AXN.
'Dabangg' - Salman's rural day out as corrupt cop
Breaking News !He has donned the garb of an honest police officer in Hindi films like "Garv" and "Wanted". Now Salman Khan once again endorses the khaki uniform to entertain his fans, but this time as a corrupt one in "Dabangg", releasing on Friday.
Too many firsts are attached with the movie, set in the dusty, rugged, rural milieu of Uttar Pradesh. This Abhinav Kashyap directorial debut presents Bollwyood's heartthrob in a completely desi avatar. In fact the director has chosen his character's name as Chulbul Pandey - quite common in the hinterland.
The film happens to be Salman's younger brother Arbaaz Khan's first production venture and it is also the launch vehicle of Sonakshi Sinha, 22, the daughter of veteran actor and politician Shatrughan Sinha. She plays the love interest of Salman, who is double her age, in the action drama.
"I took the movie in an attempt to prove it to myself and earn credibility for myself," said Arbaaz.
Set in Lalganj, Uttar Pradesh, "Dabangg" tells the story of Chulbul Pandey (Salman), a totally fearless but corrupt police officer with unorthodox working methods, and this is so because of his turbulent childhood. Chulbul's father passed away when he was very young after which his mother, Naini (Dimple Kapadia) married Prajapati Pandey (Vinod Khanna). They have a son, Makhanchand (Arbaaz).
Prajapati favours Makhanchand, which does not go down well with Chulbul. He decides to take control of his destiny. The only person he could connect with in the family was his mother, but after her demise and an unsuccessful attempt to mend wounds, Chulbul snaps all ties with his stepfather and half-brother.
However, his life takes a turn when Rajo (Sonakshi) enters his world. Chulbul starts to see life more positively and also gets sensitized to the values of a family. But his detractors, especially Cheddi Singh (Sonu Sood) has his own vested interests and tries to pit one brother against the other.
Known for his beefed up look, the actor said he had to lose a lot of weight for his role in "Dabangg".
"I lost a lot of weight and then it looked weird. You are playing a cop who is totally ribbed. I really wanted to look ribbed in the film," Salman told the media.
He will also be seen sporting a moustache in the film, which he says is inspired by Shatrughan Sinha.
"Five-six months before the film, Arbaaz used to come with different kinds of moustaches every week. I said I'm shooting for a film, can I grow a moustache... Somewhere Sonakshi also had this thing for her dad's moustache. If you see my moustache, it's somewhat like his," said Salman.
The film's soundtrack has given chartbusters like "Tere mast mast do nain" or the item number "Munni badnam hui", which is picturised on Malaika Arora.
The film tries to be a full entertainment and 'paisa vasool'. Salman has shed his usual dancing style and endorsed different dance steps, which he says have been copied by everyone who can't dance.
"Actually in the film, I copied everyone who can't dance. There is a (rural) nightclub-dancing style, there is one dancing style when you are in a function, and one dance is when you are drunk and enjoying yourself. This film is dedicated especially to those people who can't dance," Salman said.
Most of the newcomers foray into movies with glam and gloss, but Sonakshi, who always wanted a more glamorous debut role, has no complaints now.
"I did want a glamorous debut. Who doesn't? But then these days who knows what will work and what won't. The film has turned out well; it has an actor as popular as Salman and I feel it's a nice project to start off with. I think I made a good decision," she added.
A lot is riding on "Dabangg" and with so many big budgets turning turtle at the box office, all eyes are set on Salman to hit the bull's eye as a corrupt cop.
Too many firsts are attached with the movie, set in the dusty, rugged, rural milieu of Uttar Pradesh. This Abhinav Kashyap directorial debut presents Bollwyood's heartthrob in a completely desi avatar. In fact the director has chosen his character's name as Chulbul Pandey - quite common in the hinterland.
The film happens to be Salman's younger brother Arbaaz Khan's first production venture and it is also the launch vehicle of Sonakshi Sinha, 22, the daughter of veteran actor and politician Shatrughan Sinha. She plays the love interest of Salman, who is double her age, in the action drama.
"I took the movie in an attempt to prove it to myself and earn credibility for myself," said Arbaaz.
Set in Lalganj, Uttar Pradesh, "Dabangg" tells the story of Chulbul Pandey (Salman), a totally fearless but corrupt police officer with unorthodox working methods, and this is so because of his turbulent childhood. Chulbul's father passed away when he was very young after which his mother, Naini (Dimple Kapadia) married Prajapati Pandey (Vinod Khanna). They have a son, Makhanchand (Arbaaz).
Prajapati favours Makhanchand, which does not go down well with Chulbul. He decides to take control of his destiny. The only person he could connect with in the family was his mother, but after her demise and an unsuccessful attempt to mend wounds, Chulbul snaps all ties with his stepfather and half-brother.
However, his life takes a turn when Rajo (Sonakshi) enters his world. Chulbul starts to see life more positively and also gets sensitized to the values of a family. But his detractors, especially Cheddi Singh (Sonu Sood) has his own vested interests and tries to pit one brother against the other.
Known for his beefed up look, the actor said he had to lose a lot of weight for his role in "Dabangg".
"I lost a lot of weight and then it looked weird. You are playing a cop who is totally ribbed. I really wanted to look ribbed in the film," Salman told the media.
He will also be seen sporting a moustache in the film, which he says is inspired by Shatrughan Sinha.
"Five-six months before the film, Arbaaz used to come with different kinds of moustaches every week. I said I'm shooting for a film, can I grow a moustache... Somewhere Sonakshi also had this thing for her dad's moustache. If you see my moustache, it's somewhat like his," said Salman.
The film's soundtrack has given chartbusters like "Tere mast mast do nain" or the item number "Munni badnam hui", which is picturised on Malaika Arora.
The film tries to be a full entertainment and 'paisa vasool'. Salman has shed his usual dancing style and endorsed different dance steps, which he says have been copied by everyone who can't dance.
"Actually in the film, I copied everyone who can't dance. There is a (rural) nightclub-dancing style, there is one dancing style when you are in a function, and one dance is when you are drunk and enjoying yourself. This film is dedicated especially to those people who can't dance," Salman said.
Most of the newcomers foray into movies with glam and gloss, but Sonakshi, who always wanted a more glamorous debut role, has no complaints now.
"I did want a glamorous debut. Who doesn't? But then these days who knows what will work and what won't. The film has turned out well; it has an actor as popular as Salman and I feel it's a nice project to start off with. I think I made a good decision," she added.
A lot is riding on "Dabangg" and with so many big budgets turning turtle at the box office, all eyes are set on Salman to hit the bull's eye as a corrupt cop.
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