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BCCI Technical, NCA Committees to meet on July 8

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Mumbai, July 04: The Cricket Board’s Technical Committee and the National Cricket Academy Committee are to meet here on July 8 ahead of the 2009-10 season.

“The Technical Committee meeting will be chaired by Mr Sunil Gavaskar and would undertake a review of the 2008-09 season,” said BCCI’s CAP, Prof Ratnakar Shetty.

Gavaskar used to have a meeting with the Ranji Trophy captains and coaches for getting feedbacks at the end of the season but that meeting could not be held this year because of the Indian Premier League that was held in South Africa.

UN’s Ban denied Suu Kyi meeting

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London, July 04: UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said today he was “deeply disappointed” that military-ruled Myanmar’s top general had rejected his request to meet with detained opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

Ban, who was made to wait overnight for the decision, said junta supremo Than Shwe’s reason for the denial was because Suu Kyi was on trial and he did not want to be seen to interfere with the judicial process.

“I’m deeply disappointed,” Ban told reporters after his 30-minute meeting with the regime’s reclusive 76-year-old leader.

NCW for rehabilitation scheme for rape victims

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New Delhi, July 04: The National Commission for Women (NCW) today rooted for a rehabilitation scheme for rape victims which would help them get back their life on track.

The commission, in a letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh yesterday, demanded that the scheme should be brought out as soon as possible.

“We have met the Prime Minister on this scheme and also sent him a detailed letter yesterday on why rehabilitation of rape victims was necessary,” NCW Chairperson Girija Vyas said.

British embassy staff to stand trial over protests

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Tehran, July 04: A leading Iranian cleric sharply and unexpectedly raised the temperature in the crisis over the detention of British embassy staff yesterday by announcing that the two employees still being held would be forced to stand trial for inciting post-election violence against the Islamic regime.

The threat prompted a coordinated European Union protest to Iran and a warning that all EU member states may recall their ambassadors in retaliation.

Michael Jackson: Bad! And very dangerous

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Washington, July 04: The barrage of utterly inane celebrity tributes (“inspirational”, “a true hero”, “a genius”, “a gentle soul” “a treasure”) was to be expected. The howling fans across the world, broken and gibbering nonsense for the rolling TV news crews (“he … he died for all of us” etc), the inevitable autopsy results in a few weeks, with their Swiss laboratory inventory of prescription tranquilisers, all this too is standard operating procedure.

Medical students move HC for stipend hike

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Chennai, July 03: The Madras High Court today issued notice to the Tamil Nadu Government on a petition by agitating medical students seeking a hike in their stipends and to forebear the authorities concerned from evicting them from their respective hostels.

A Division Bench comprising Justice D Murugesan and Justice K Venkataraman admitted the petition filed by Tamil Nadu Non-Service Medical and Dental Post Graduates Association and Compulsory Residential Rotatory Internship(CRRI) Association.

Admission are open in Muslim Minority School

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Hyderabad, July 03: The Government Minority Residential Boys High School, Vanasthalipuram, seeks applications from the Muslim minority students for admissions to Class V and VI.

Students can avail free English medium education up to Intermediate, said Principal D. Ramadevi in a press release. As of now, nine seats are still vacant for the Muslim students, she said, adding that those interested can call 040-24241598 for details. (NSS)

Activists cry for halt to rising crime against women

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Hyderabad, July 03: State-level leaders of some 20 people’s, human rights and women’s organisations, under the auspices of State Women Rights Forum (SWRF), met here on Friday and resolved to chalk out a future course of action to put an end to the increasing crimes against women like gang rapes, murders, sexual harassment, acid attacks and so on.

100 underground parking lots to come up in Noida

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Noida, July 03: Noida Authority today approved setting up of over 100 underground parking lots below parks to ease congestion on road and parking problem in the satellite city.

CEO Mohinder Singh said it plans to set up parks in all sectors irrespective of the size of the park, but depending on the need and feasibility of the project.

A special cell was set up for the project and 22 sites were identified.

Both Sania and I doing well in our fields: Saina

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Hyderabad, July 03: Playing down badminton legend Prakash Padukone’s comments that her achievements were greater than tennis star Sania Mirza’s, ace Indian shuttler Saina Nehwal today said both were doing well in their respective fields.

Padukone had rated the achievements of Saina higher than those of Sania because the former had beaten higher ranked rivals more often.

“That Prakash sir’s statement. I can say that both of us are doing well,” said Saina, who met Telugu Desam Chief N Chandrababu Naidu here, when asked for her reaction to Padukone’s statement.

Elderly couple, grandson killed in house collapse

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New Delhi, July 03: An elderly couple and their teenaged grandson died in the wee hours today after the wall of a mill collapsed here and fell on their house breaking its ceiling, police said.

The wall of a pulse mill in Narela of north-west Delhi collapsed around one am and fell on an adjacent house, they said.

The ceiling of the house caved in under the impact and three persons, including a 13-year-old, sleeping inside were killed, police said.

The deceased were identified as Niamuddin (70), his wife Hussain Bano (65) and grandson Shoaib (13).

Mehsud buying children for suicide bombings: reports

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Islamabad, July 03: Turning suicide bombing into a “production output” Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan chief Baitullah Mehsud is spending up to Rs One million to buy children who could be made suicide bombers, US media today quoted Pakistani and American officials as saying.

A Pakistani official told the Washington Times that the price for child bombers was Rs 500,000 to Rs One million.

John, Katrina voted most eligible single celebrities

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Mumbai, July 03: Bollywood actors John Abraham and Katrina Kaif have been voted as the most eligible single celebrities in an online poll.

The poll conducted by matrimonial website shaadi.com saw responses from over 18,000 netizens, a statement from the company said today.

Nearly 48 percent of males voted for Katrina as the most eligible single female and 43 percent females named John as their favoured eligible bachelor.

Manmohan Singh to take view on legalising gay sex

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New Delhi, July 03: After the Delhi High Court’s landmark verdict decriminalising gay sex, the matter is now in Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s court – on whether to amend the archaic law dealing with the issue.
“The prime minister has asked all three ministries – home, law and health – to sit and take a view,” Law Minister M. Veerappa Moily told reporters today.

He said they are now “going to analyse it”.

“We will be submitting the report to the prime minister,” he said.

MCD to review policy of increasing tax on cinema halls

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New Delhi, July 03: Keeping in view the slowdown in the cinema industry, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi will review the policy of increasing tax on city theatres.

Mayor Kanwar Sain today said a proposal sent to the Delhi government about five years back envisaged increasing the maximum leviable tax by MCD on cinema theatres from Rs 7 to Rs 10 per show to Rs 1000 per show.

However, the upper limit had been envisaged for any future increase, not necessarily implying that it would be increased to Rs 1000 per show, he noted.

Follow India’s example on homosexuality: Amnesty

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London, July 03: The Amnesty International has welcomed Delhi High Court’s decision to decriminalise homosexuality, and appealed to other countries to follow India’s example.

It said the decision was a significant step towards ensuring that people in India can express their sexual orientation or gender identity without fear or discrimination.

“The decision is a significant step towards ensuring that people in India can express their sexual orientation and gender identity without fear or discrimination,” Amnesty International’s Asia Pacific Deputy Director Madhu Malhotra said.

Mumbai roads to have CCTV cameras

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Mumbai, July 03: As part of measures to beef up security following the 26/11 terror attacks, Maharashtra Government would install CCTV cameras on Mumbai roads, Home Minister Jayant Patil said here today.

“A committee has been appointed to work out the details and would come up with a model on installation of CCTV cameras within 15 days,” Patil told reporters after a meeting here over the issue.

The cameras would strengthen security and also help solve traffic problems in the city as police can keep a vigil on the roads, Patil said.

Vilasrao Deshmukh enters MCA election fray

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Mumbai, July 03: In a surprise development, Union Minister of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises, Vilasrao Deshmukh today filed his nomination to contest for the vice president’s post in the elections to the Mumbai Cricket Association scheduled for July 10.

Former Maharashtra Chief Minister, Deshmukh will contest the polls under the panel of NCP leader and Union Minister of Agriculture Sharad Pawar, who was today declared elected unopposed at the end of the deadline for filing the nominations.

Killer jailed for life years after being cleared

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London, July 03: A violent footballer was given two life sentences today after he admitted killing his ex-girlfriend seven years after being cleared of the crime.

Mario Celaire, 31, was told he must serve a minimum term of eight years after pleading guilty to the manslaughter of Cassandra McDermott.

He was given a concurrent life term with at least 23 years for the attempted murder of Kara Hoyte, another ex-girlfriend, in a hammer attack six years later.
–Agencies

Govt still cautious on same sex issue

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New Delhi, July 03: The Government still appeared to be cautious in its approach on what to do with the controversial law relating to same gender sex with a meeting of three senior Ministers deciding to take an in-depth view on the issue, notwithstanding Delhi High Court order decriminalising the provision.

Home Minister P Chidambaram today held a meeting with Law Minister M Veerappa Moily and Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, all of whom were mandated by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to decide the Government’s stand on the issue at a time when the High Court judgement had not come.

Russia to allow US arms shipments to Afghanistan

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Moscow, July 03: Russia will allow the U.S. to ship weapons across its territory to Afghanistan, a top Kremlin aide said today in a gesture aimed at bolstering U.S. military operations and improving strained ties between Washington and Moscow.

The deal is expected to be signed during President Barack Obama’s visit to Moscow next week, Kremlin foreign policy adviser Sergei Prikhodko said.

Russia has been allowing the U.S. to ship non-lethal supplies across its territory for operations in Afghanistan and Kremlin officials had suggested further cooperation was likely.

TN CM welcomes railway budget

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Chennai, July 03: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi today welcomed the budget presented by Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee, saying it was prepared keeping in mind the needs of the common people.

In an official release here, Karunanidhi said despite the “prevailing hard economic conditions,” there was no hike in passenger fares and lauded the minister for focusing on passenger safety and people’s welfare.

Federer through to final. Now can Murray join him?

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Switzerland, July 03: Five-time champion Roger Federer of Switzerland, the second seed, has won his Wimbledon semi-final 7-6 (7/3) 7-5 6-3 against Tommy Haas of Germany, the 24th seed.

The 31-year-old Haas, who blew a two-set lead against Federer in the French Open last month, went shot for shot with the world number two in an opening set that remained on serve throughout.
–Agencies

233rd US Independence Day, 4th July

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Washington, July 03: Independence Day, commonly known as the Fourth of July, is a federal holiday commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, declaring independence from the Kingdom of Great Britain. I

ndependence Day is commonly associated with fireworks, parades, barbecues, carnivals, picnics, concerts, baseball games, political speeches and ceremonies, and various other public and private events celebrating the history, government, and traditions of the United States. Independence Day is the national day of the United States.
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