Uttarakhand govt for CBI probe into Dehradun encounter

Dehradoon, july 08: The Uttarakhand government on Wednesday recommended a CBI inquiry into the alleged fake encounter in Dehradun in which a 24-year-old MBA student from Ghaziabad was shot dead by police.

The decision came even as the state police continued its investigation into the case. Dehradun Superintendent of Police Abhinav Kumar said all help was being given to the CB-CID team investigating the case. The documents that the CB-CID required were being shared and all the inconsistencies mentioned in the documents were being investigated.

Bal Thackeray is stable after angioplasty

Mumbai, July 08: Shiv Sena leader Bal Thackeray, who underwent an angioplasty at Lilavati Hospital in Bandra, is stable and will remain in the ICU till tomorrow.

“His condition is stable and he is doing fine,” Dr Narendra Trivedi, vice-president of the hospital, said today.

Thackeray was admitted to the hospital on Monday and underwent an angioplasty, a technique whereby a narrowed or obstructed blood vessel is mechanically widened, yesterday.

Ranveer had no criminal past: Dehradun SP

Dehradoon, July 08: Even as the Uttarakhand government was yet to recommend a CBI probe into the alleged fake encounter case involving Dehradun Police officials, the state police have been doing all to show that they were investigating it transparently.

According to Dehradun Superintendent of Police Abhinav Kumar, all help was being given to the crime branch team of Crime Investigation Department (CB-CID) that has been investigating the case. The documents that the CB-CID required were being shared and all the inconsistencies mentioned in the documents were being investigated.

Indonesian president set for re-election

Jakarta, July 08: Indonesia’s President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono was poised to win his second term in office on the back of recent economic and political stability, according to early returns Wednesday in the country’s presidential election.

After the close of polls, an unofficial quick count at 2,000 polling stations with 90 percent ballots tallied gave Yudhoyono 59 percent of the vote, which would be enough to avoid a runoff in September. He needs 50 percent of cast ballots to win in one round.

Manipur govt helping NC Hills conflict victims: CM

Imphal, July 08 : Manipur Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh informed the Assembly today that his government was doing its best to help all the persons displaced by the conflict in North Cachar Hills in Assam, who were taking refuge in this state.

Replying to a call attention motion raised by Morung Makunga and Awangbou Newmai, the Chief Minister said he had also spoken to Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi about the matter.

Yet another tough day for tourists, students in Srinagar

Srinagar, July 08 : It was a tough day for tourists, students and women in Srinagar, where violent protests erupted after body of a youth, missing since Saturday, was recovered in the down town today.

However, a majority of tourists left for different destinations in several parts of the Kashmir valley, where the situation was peaceful.

Indian held in Nepal for recruiting kids for monastery

Kathmandu, July 08 : A 40-year-old Indian has been detained by police for trying to recruit nearly a dozen children from a remote village in northernmost Nepal, touching the border with Tibet.

Lodoe Singhe, who was arrested Monday in Sankhuwasabha district, told police he was a resident of Dehradun city in India’s Uttarakhand state.

Singhe, a lama or Buddhist priest, had been working in the Shakya Monastery in Kalimpong town.

Pakistan ‘created, nurtured’ terrorism: Zardari

Islamabad, July 08 : In the first candid admission of its kind by any Pakistani ruler, President Asif Ali Zardari has conceded that terrorist elements were ‘created and nurtured as a policy to achieve some short-term tactical objectives’ by Islamabad.

“The terrorists of today were the heroes of yesteryear until 9/11 (terrorist attack on America) brought things into a new light,” Zardari said in what he called “a candid admission of the realities” in an interactive meeting with former bureaucrats Tuesday night at the presidency.

Kartina Kaif turning producer?

Mumbai, July 08: One of the sexiest beauties of Film Industry, Kartina Kaif is spreading her wings as a producer. Don’t be surprise as the said project is in very initial stages and the actress is very tight lipped about her project.

As per our source from the industry, “Katrina recently saw a French film which took her heart away and thus she decided to remake it. She has filed for the copyright of that flick and soon will be coming in light about the same.”

Abhishek and Aishwarya urged to help lovebirds

Mumbai, July 08: Bollywood’s popular couple – Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai – has been approached by animal rights group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) to create awareness about the plight of lovebirds through a special photo shoot.

State ignored security: Cong leader

Mumbai, July 08: A week after the Bandra-Worli sealink was opened to the public, a senior Congress leader has criticised the state government for neglecting the bridge’s security.

Kanhaiyalal Gidwani has accused the government of ignoring the sealink’s safety despite “the central government’s advice that the state should give importance to vigilance as it faces threat through seaway.”

Rahul may launch state poll campaign

New Delhi, July 08: With Maharashtra going to polls soon, the Congress is leaving no stone unturned to improve its position.

Party sources say two events are likely to take place in the coming days to boost the party’s chances in the state.

First, the party’s young leader Rahul Gandhi may tour the state. Second, the Congress is likely to hold a convention of its national executive body in Mumbai.

Buoyed by a stunning show in the Lok Sabha polls, the state Congress is looking forward to party’s young leader Rahul Gandhi to wield his magic wand for the Assembly elections.

Kangana Ranaut on Dus Ka Dum

Mumbai, July 08: It’s raining celebs on Sony’s Dus Ka Dum. Next to join the bandwagon is the stunning actress Kangana Ranaut who wooed the audience with her outstanding performance in the film ‘Fashion’.

As per the sources from the sets, “She had a grand entry with the other ramp models on the stage. Her catwalk was oozing confidence. The film ‘Fashion’ has really given huge make over to this beauty.”

John in trouble!

Mumbai, July 08: John in a still from DostanaWhile women love it when hottie John Abraham strips down to his basics, a Delhi court is pretty upset with the actor.

John may land into trouble for a nude photo from his latest film New York that was published in a city newspaper.

And well that is not all. John may also land the Delhi Police in trouble.

The best father you could ever imagine: Jackson’s daugther

Los Angeles, July 08: As the world came together to bid adieu to ‘King of Pop’ in a sombre ceremony, it was the pop star’s 11-year-old daughter who surprised everyone with an unscripted tribute to “Daddy”, which she delivered through tears.

Michael JacksonMichael Jackson’s children, Prince Michael, 12, Paris Katherine, 11, and Prince Michael II (Blanket), 7, took the stage during a group performance of ‘Heal the World’.

After the song, Paris came forward to give an impromptu speech from the stage surrounded by the Jackson family.

India to take up with Pak spoofing of ultras’ satellite phones

New Delhi, July 08: India today indicated that it would take up with Pakistan the issue of spoofing of terrorists’ satellite phones which hamper efforts to track them.

“We always take up (issues) whenever something bothers us or Pakistan. We always take up (issues) mutually,” external affairs minister SM Krishna told reporters here.

He was responding when asked to comment on reports that Pakistan is “spoofing” Thuraya satellite phones commonly used by terrorists, thus hampering efforts to track their movements and undermining its stated commitments to end anti-India
terrorism.

No plan to engage private airlines for moving paramilitary forces: Chidambaram

New Delhi, July 08: One of the pitfalls for late arrival of the NSG men to Mumbai when terror unleashed on November 26 last year was non availability of earmarked plane for them.

In this light and for other purposes, it was speculated that the home ministry is actively considering using the services of the private airlines for moving paramilitary forces to certain locations, under certain special circumstances.

India faces grave terror threat,Pakistan needs to curb terror groups

Rome, July 08 : India faces greater terror threat than what it had faced few months back and would ask Pakistan during the Foreign Secretary-level talks on July 14 to take ‘demonstrable action’ to curtail activities of terror groups operating on its soil and bring perpetrators of Mumbai terror attacks to justice, highly placed government functionaries said.

Riot-torn city calmer as Chinese leaders call for unity

Beijing, July 8 : China’s riot-hit city of Urumqi appeared calmer early Wednesday, witnesses and state media said, a day after authorities imposed an overnight curfew following more ethnic-related protests and the gathering of armed gangs.

“It’s pretty normal,” one foreign reporter said by telephone as he walked along a main road in the far western city midmorning.

Many ordinary people were walking on the streets and apparently going about their normal business in the city centre, the reporter said.

Scientists closer to developing salt-tolerant crops

Sydney, July 08: Scientists have developed salt-tolerant plants using a new type of genetic modification (GM). The results could impact food production and security, since salinity affects agriculture worldwide.

The work has been the outcome of research by the Australian Centre for Plant Functional Genomics and the University of Adelaide and Cambridge University.

Madonna dresses up daughters like herself

London, July 8 : Pop star Madonna dresses up her newly adopted daughter Mercy James like herself, just as she has earlier done with her biological child Lourdes.

Thesun.co.uk reports that Madonna was recently spotted leaving her favourite London restaurant Locatelli’s with Beatles legend Paul McCartney and his daughter Stella. She wore a dress identical to what Mercy was seen wearing the same morning at their Marylebone home.

Madonna and Lourdes have been spotted wearing similar clothes on many occasions earlier.

— IANS

Baitullah Mehsud’s aide held in Pakistan

Islamabad, July 8 : Pakistan Taliban leader Baitullah Mehsud’s aide Wafa Mohammad was held Wednesday in a town in the North West Frontier Province, a media report said.

Wafa Mohammad and his four sons were held in Takhtbai town, Express TV reported.

Mehsud has a $5 million bounty on his head as a key Al Qaeda facilitator. He is also blamed for dozens of attacks on government and civilian targets during the last two years.

— IANS