Shashank

Twin bomb attacks kill eight in Iraq

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Baghdad, February 4: At least eight people have been killed after two bomb explosions ripped through Ramadi in Iraq’s western province of al-Anbar.

An abandoned car rigged with explosives was blown up in the center of Ramadi, located 100 kilometers (60 miles) west of Baghdad, at around 7:15 p.m. local time (1615 GMT) on Thursday. Several people ran up at the sound of the blast.

Just then, a bomber detonated his explosives-laden vest. Eight people, among them five police officers, were killed in the attacks and 15 civilians wounded.

India condemns detention of, attacks on scribes in Egypt

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New Delhi, February 4:India today condemned the detention of and attacks on journalists in Egypt, terming them as “unacceptable”.

“I am pained and shocked to learn about the detention and attacks on journalists in Egypt, who were reporting on the unfolding developments. Such incidents are totally unacceptable and must stop immediately,” External Affairs Minister S M Krishna said.

The minister, whose office is in touch with Indian journalists in Cairo, also said that the detained mediapersons should be released forthwith.

One arrested for stealing over Rs 20 lakh from ATM

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Hyderabad, February 4:A man was arrested today on the charge of stealing over Rs 20 lakh from an ATM machine of State Bank of Hyderabad at Madannapet here.

The theft had taken place in the early hours of January 15. One D Yadagiri has been arrested, and cash of Rs 6 lakh has been recovered from him, Police Commissioner A K Khan said here.

Yadagiri, a mason, confessed that he and his friend entered the ATM centre and removed four cash boxes after opening the machine with a screw-driver, Khan said.

Over 60 countries to participate in Aero Show

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Bangalore, February 4:More than 60 countries are expected to participate in the eighth edition of Aero India, touted as Asia’s premier air show, to be held here from Feb 9.

Around 70,000 foreign delegates were expected to attend the five-day event during which nearly 50 types of aircraft, incuding those from leading global majors, will be showcased.

Over 260 foreign aviation companies will participate in the event, Wing Commander M D Singh, Director, Defence Exhibition Organisaion, told reporters here today.

TRS threatens to block highway to demand aid for weavers

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Hyderabad, February 4:TRS today threatened to block the busy Vijayawada-Hyderabad National Highway on February 9 if the Andhra Pradesh Government failed to release Rs 312 crore for the welfare of weavers.

The highway would be blocked for about 140 kms from Kothagudem in Ranga Reddy district here to Kodada in Nalgonda district, TRS Politburo member Jagadishwar Reddy told reporters here.

Over two lakh people would take part in the protest and the vehicles coming from Vijayawada in coastal Andhra will have to take an alternative route, he said.

Maharashtra Govt hikes milk prices

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Mumbai, February 4:The Maharashtra government today announced a hike in milk prices from February 16.

Cow milk under the state-run Aarey brand will become costlier by Rs 2 per litre and buffalo milk by Rs 2.50 a litre. The hike was approved by the State Cabinet yesterday, Animal Husbandry Minister Mudhukar Chavan said.

–PTI

Pro-Jagan Congress MLAs to face disciplinary action

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Hyderabad, February 4:Congress MLAs in Andhra Pradesh, who are loyal to Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy will definitely face disciplinary action as they have crossed the ‘Laxman Rekha’, the party’s disciplinary panel said today.

“There may not be any show cause notices. They have crossed the ‘Laxman Rekha’. They can be disqualified,” Chairman of the Andhra Pradesh Congress Disciplinary Committee K Satyanarayana Raju told reporters in his native West Godavari district.

Prisoners who memorise Quran might be pardoned

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Manama, February 3: Prisoners who can memorise the Quran in Kuwait might be eligible for the annual Amiri pardon, the endowments and Islamic affairs ministry said.

The decision will be part of efforts to rehabilitate inmates and help them re-integrate society driven by high values.

Raja in jail for making mobile phone accessible: Karunanidhi

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Chennai February 3:DMK party president and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi Thursday strongly defended former communications minister A. Raja, saying that his only fault was to make mobile phones accessible to the poor.

Speaking at a party rally here to explain the import of the General Council resolutions passed during the day, the DMK chief strongly defended the former minister: “Raja’s only fault is that he made mobile telephony accessible to crores of poor. That is his achievement.”

Dubai stun Al Ain in etisalat pro league

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Dubai: Hassan Mohammad tapped in the only goal of the match to help Dubai Club pile on the misery for former champions Al Ain as the etisalat pro league commenced following a lengthy break on Thursday.

With both teams resorting to an uninspiring display, the match looked headed for a dull draw till Mohammad latched on a slip-shod clearance from the visiting defence to fetch his side full points for only the fourth time this season.

The result took their tally to 12 points, one better than their opponents who joined newcomers Ittihad Kalba in the cellar of the 12-team table.

Jobless man commits suicide after wife leaves him

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New Delhi, February 3:A man, allegedly depressed over losing his job and his wife walking out on him, committed suicide in east Delhi Thursday, police said.

Hemant, 23, was found hanging inside his room on the first floor of the house by his landlord who informed police.

Although no suicide note was recovered, police was told by the neighbours and Hemant’s family that he lost his job in a private company three months ago and was probably depressed over it.

Karmapa cash row: Couple arrested in Delhi

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Dharamsala, February 3:Himachal Pradesh Police Thursday arrested a couple in New Delhi in connection with seizure of Rs.1 crore from two people that was meant as part-payment by the Karmapa’s trust to buy land in Kangra district, police said.

“The couple, Karma Thapa and his wife Rinzin, was charged with arranging money for the monastery. They were interrogated for the past three days and were arrested from Majnoo-Ka-Tila in Delhi,” a police official said.

Imagination Technologies in talks with two Indian firms

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Hyderabad, February 3:British chipmaker Imagination Technologies is in talks with two Indian technology companies to develop applications and provide services for its products, said a company official here Thursday.

Chief executive officer Hossein Yassaie told reporters that talks were on with two early stage technology companies for development of products for smartphones, computers, mobiles and media players.

BSNL engineer arrested by CBI on graft charge

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Chennai, February 3:A sub-divisional engineer of BSNL in Tamil Nadu was arrested by the CBI on the charge of accepting a bribe of Rs 5,000 from a contractor for an official favour.

Pandian, Sub-Divisional Engineer of BSNL, in Harur (Dharmapuri district) had allegedly demanded the bribe from the cable contractor for a “condonation” letter to the General Manager’s office for clearing his bills, a CBI release here said today.

On a complaint from the contractor, the CBI “laid a trap” and apprehended Pandian as he was accepting the money at Harur yesterday.

Emirates arrives in Iraq

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Dubai, February 3:Dubai-based Emirates has started its flight to Basra, the airline’s first service to Iraq.

The airline is among the largest international carriers to operate services in Iraq. Basra is its 110th international destination.

“Iraq is experiencing a surge in growth and it is our goal to help the country prosper and flourish. The potential for this destination is significant and Emirates is committed to working alongside the Iraqi authorities to make Basra a success,” said airline’s president Tim Clark.

U.S. says time for transition in Egypt is “now”

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WASHINGTON, February 3:White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs delivered a forcefully critical statement quoting President Obama, saying, “The time for a transition has come and that time is now. The Egyptian people need to see change.”

Even as Cairo’s central Tahrir Square was gripped by violent, pitched battles between pro- and anti-government protestors for a second day, the United States government appeared to have changed tack towards a more critical view of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and his regime.

Madhya Pradesh cracks down on striking nurses, 202 arrested

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Bhopal, February 3:At least 202 nurses were arrested and 14 suspended here Thursday after they refused to call off their strike despite the Madhya Pradesh government invoking the Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA) to prevent any disruption of health services in the state.

The striking nurses have threatened to resign en masse Friday if their demands for a hike in salary and other benefits are not met.

Around 3,500 nurses of five medical colleges – one each in Bhopal, Indore, Gwalior, Jabalpur and Rewa districts – are on an indefinite strike since Wednesday.

Miss Universe visits Surajkund crafts fair

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Surajkund (Haryana), February 3:Miss Universe Ximena Navarrete had her first encounter with India’s rich cultural heritage when she visited the Surajkund Crafts Mela (fair) in Haryana’s Faridabad district Thursday.

The Mexican beauty was floored by the rich culture and crafts on display at the fair and checked out hand-crafted sarees and bangles.

On her maiden visit to India, the Miss Universe got ‘mehendi’ (henna tattoo) applied on her hands and even enjoyed grinding a traditional ‘atta chakki’ (traditional flour milling machine).

Call centre employee gangraped in Delhi

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New Delhi, February 3:Delhi Police today filed a charge sheet in the sensational case of rape of a call centre employee from Mizoram by five men.

Police submitted the 65-page charge sheet in a Dwarka court, two months after it made the first arrests in the incident which took place on November 24 in south Delhi’s Dhaula Kuan when the five men allegedly abducted the 30-year-old woman and raped her.

Manmohan, Karzai discuss security of Indians in Afghanistan

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New Delhi, February 3:Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Thursday met Afghan President Hamid Karzai and sought reassurance about the security of nearly 4,000 Indians working in that country as well as progress in the proposed Taliban integration process.

Manmohan Singh met Karzai at his residence here and discussed a wide range of bilateral issues, including India’s developmental assistance and the security of Indians in that country.

Yeddyurappa will resign if case is made out, says Rajnath

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Bangalore, February 3:Karnataka Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa will quit if a ‘prima facie’ (at first view) case is made out on corruption and illegal land deal charges against him, former BJP president Rajnath Singh said Thursday.

“He will quit if prima facie case is made out, no need to tell him to,” Singh told reporters here.

Singh said there was no need for Yeddyurappa to quit now as no case has been made out.

Raja, 2 others remanded to CBI custody for 5 days

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New delhi, February 3:The CBI on Thursday accused former Telecom Minister A. Raja of causing a loss of Rs 22,000 crore to the exchequer by favouring some telecom firms in award of the 2G spectrum licences and demanded his custody for five days, which a city court granted.

Mr. Raja, former Telecom Secretary Siddartha Behura and Raja’s former Personal Secretary R.K.Chandolia, were produced before Special CBI Judge O.P. Saini a day after they were arrested in connection with the 2G spectrum allocation scam.

Chiranjeevi authorised to decide on tie-up with Congress

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Hyderabad, February 3:The Praja Rajyam Party (PRP) Thursday authorised its president K. Chiranjeevi to take a decision on the proposed alliance with the ruling Congress in Andhra Pradesh.

A crucial meeting of PRP attended by its senior leaders and 15 legislators at the party office here unanimously passed a resolution authorising Chiranjeevi to take decision in this regard.

PRP leader C. Ramachandraiah told reporters after the meeting that Chiranjeevi would visit New Delhi by this weekend to meet Congress president Sonia Gandhi and take a decision on the tie-up with that party.

Don’t make Raja, Kalmadi scapegoats, says Gadkari

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New delhi, February 3:The BJP on Thursday said the government should not make A. Raja and Suresh Kalmadi scapegoats in the 2G spectrum issue and Commonwealth Games scams, and asserted that since all decisions were taken by the Union Cabinet and the Prime Minister, a Joint Parliamentary Committee probe alone could bring out the truth.

“The decisions by (former Telecom Minister) A. Raja and other ministers, were taken with the permission of the Union Cabinet and the Prime Minister some where or the other during the process…

Bengal Chief Minister writes to Chidambaram on Trinamool-Maoist nexus

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Bengal, February 3:West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee today wrote to the Union Home Minister P Chidambaram on suspected Maoists sheltering in Trinamool Congress run relief camps.

After two inmates of a Trinamool-run relief camp were arrested by joint security forces on Monday for alleged links with Maoists, Bhattacharjee had issued a late night statement saying that he would inform the Home Minister about ‘Trinamool-Maoist nexus’ and would be forced to take administrative steps against Trinamool leaders involved in sheltering Maoists.