Month: June 2009

Offline balm for web admissions

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Mumbai, June 30: The mandatory online system for junior college admissions is far from a purely online affair. Though applying to all colleges through a single from reduced the commuting stress on students, a good number of forms were filled through an offline software, and that too manually by technicians at the facilitation centres. This has become a cause of concern for students, who are worried if their forms have been filled properly, as it was not done in their presence.

NEKRTC’s ‘height’ of nonsense

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Gulbarga, June 30: It might not matter, if the whole issue of size did not matter. But for babus manning the North East Karnataka Road Transport Corporation (NEKRTC), size certainly does matter.

In an informal, but bizarrely discriminating, move recently, NEKRTC has ruled that any 12-year-old-or-below child whose height is or appears to be over 140 cms would be liable to pay full ticket fare, a norm applicable only for adults.

The bus conductor’s discretion — solely based on the scales of his or her eyes — would count.

Obama says Honduran ouster was ‘not legal’

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Washington, June 30: President Barack Obama on Monday declared that the United States still considers Manuel Zelaya to be the president of Honduras and assailed the coup that forced him into exile as “not legal,” widening the chasm between the Central American nation and much of the rest of the world.

Iran’s Crisis: The Opposition Movement Weighs Its Options

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Iran’s political crisis would end pretty quickly if the opposition went toe-to-toe with the security forces – and no matter how courageous and determined the demonstrators are, the likelihood of them toppling the regime on the streets right now is pretty remote.

Although at least 17 and perhaps many more opposition supporters have been killed and hundreds have been arrested, the regime has used only a fraction of its capacity for violent suppression, and its security forces show no sign of wavering or splintering.

Europe plugs in, to get universal cellphone charger

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Mumbai, June 30:The frantic hunt for the right cellphone charger will soon be a thing of the past–in Europe at least–as major manufacturers on Monday agreed to introduce a universal adaptor within six months.

Industry leaders, including Apple, Motorola, Nokia, Samsung and Sony Ericsson, have struck a deal with the European Union to introduce the one-size-fits-all charger by January 1, 2010, offering a solution to one of modern life’s chief frustrations.

Iran Council confirms Ahmadinejad poll victory

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Tehran, June 30: Iran’s top legislative body confirmed on Monday the results of a disputed June 12 election which was won by President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, state broadcaster IRIB reported.

“The secretary of the Guardian Council in a letter to the interior minister announced the final decision of the Council … and declares the approval of the accuracy of the results of … the presidential election,” IRIB said.

The decision followed a partial recount of the election.

Fireworks over Baghdad as Iraqis take over cities

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Baghdad, June 30: Iraqi forces assumed formal control of Baghdad and other cities Tuesday after American troops handed over security in urban areas in a defining step toward ending the U.S. combat role in the country. A countdown clock broadcast on Iraqi TV ticked to zero as the midnight deadline passed for U.S. combat troops to finish their pullback to bases outside cities.

Mayawati gets statue-tory warning from SC

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New Delhi, June 30: The Supreme Court has issued a notice to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati over her grand plans to install 40 statues of herself, her mentor Kanshi Ram and B R Ambedkar across the state. The statues have cost Rs 2,000 crore of public money.

Mayawati feels the statues are symbols of Dalit assertion and that is the reason she chose to spend almost Rs 2,000 crores in installation of all the statues.

Iran Council confirms Ahmadinejad election victory

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Tehran, June 29: Iran’s top legislative body confirmed on Monday the results of a disputed June 12 election which was won by President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad,
state broadcaster IRIB reported.

“The secretary of the Guardian Council in a letter to the interior minister announced the final decision of the Council … and declares the approval of the accuracy of the results of … the presidential election,” IRIB said.

The Council decision followed a partial recount of the election.

–Agencies

Lebanon’s Hariri begins tough job to form govt

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Beirut, June 29: Lebanese Prime Minister-designate Saad al-Hariri began parliamentary consultations on Monday aiming to form a unity government with rivals including the Iranian-backed Hezbollah.

The main potential stumbling block facing U.S.-backed Hariri is a demand by pro-Syrian Shi’ite Hezbollah and its allies for veto power in cabinet, a senior political source close to the opposition told Reuters. Hariri has rejected the idea.

Centre should conduct arms recovery operation in Bengal: Mamata

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Kolkata, June 29: The central government should carry out a statewide operation by deploying central forces to recover illegal firearms from different parts of West Bengal, Railways Minister and Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee said here Monday.

“The Centre should take up this responsibility and conduct operations to recover illegal firearms from across the state,” she said.

Police check waived for Haj passports

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New Delhi, June 29: The union government in an attempt to ease the process of issuance of temporary passports to Haj pilgrims has decided to waive police verification involved in the process.

The Haj Committee of India Monday said the decision was taken after two high level meetings.

“The police verification for Haj pilgrims has been waived off. The decision was taken keeping in mind the difficulties in issuance of passports to pilgrims in a short span of two months,” Mohammed Owais, the chief executive officer of Haj Committee of India, told reporters here.

Man held for trying to rape 3-year-old girl

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Noida, June 29: A guard employed with a private company in Film City was today arrested for allegedly attempting to rape a three-year-old daughter of his colleague, police told

Ramji Lal, 35, lured the daughter of another guard to an isolated place by offering her chocolate, they said.

The girl raised an alarm when the accused attempted to rape her and was caught by the locals who thrashed him before handing him over to the police.

Both the accused and the victim were later sent to a hospital for medical examination. Police said doctors have not confirmed the rape.

FIIs buy Rs 292 cr shares from Indian stock markets

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Mumbai, June 29: Foreign institutional investors (FIIs) today remained net purchaser for the second day in a row, and made an investment of Rs 292.44 crore in the Indian stock markets, pushing the benchmark indices into positive zone.

FIIs were the gross buyer of shares worth Rs 2,390.09 crore, while they sold equities valued at Rs 2,097.65 crore, resulting in a net buy of Rs 292.44 crore, the provisional data available with the Bombay Stock Exchange shows.

Domestic institutional investors also made a net purchase of Rs 143.844 crore in the local stock markets.

Proposed stir called off; AI to pay salary by Jul 3

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New Delhi/Mumbai June 29: Air India employees today called off their proposed strike tomorrow after the management decided to pay the June salary of lower level staff by July 3.

“There will be no strike tomorrow. The management showed their seriousness over the issue and has decided to pay salaries to about 70 per cent of our workers,” V J Deka, Regional General Secretary of Aviation Industry Employees Guild, told PTI here.

Rimi Sen to put on 160 Kg for SHOWMAN?

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Mumbai, June 29: Rimi Sen will now soon be seen playing an obese woman in Tigmanshu Dhulia’s upcoming next, SHOWMAN starring Govinda, Celina Jaitley and South star Harish alongside. Rimi has been asked to put on an astounding 160 kg for her role. But well, it seems, most of her weight shall be added up by padding.

SANKAT CITY Movie Preview

About the film, Rimi says, “It will be too early to reveal anything more but I can assure you that the role is very interesting. Most of my time went in just putting on and removing the make-up.”

Why is Akshay scared of Kareena?

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Mumbai, June 29: The hilarious dialogue promo of KAMBAKKHT ISHQ doing the rounds on almost all the television channels has the audience in splits, as it shows a very scared (but really funny) ”Khiladi’ on the bed of a hospital and Kareena Kapoor entering the OT (operation theatre) in the get-up of a surgeon. Akshay Kumar is visibly horrified as he protests – This woman is a model (and not a surgeon) and that she is going to kill him.

KAMBAKKHT ISHQ to be real ‘comeback film’ for Bollywood?

Govt likely to garner USD 15 bn each year from GST

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New Delhi, June 29: The government may mop up about 15 billion dollars (over Rs 72,000 crore) annually with the implementation of Goods and Services Tax (GST)- the new tax regime doing away with the most indirect taxes.

“As I have mentioned elsewhere, it has been estimated that the GST implementation increased Canadian GDP by 1.4 per cent. In India, we can expect a similar kind of positive impact. This means gains of about 15 billion dollars annually,” Thirteenth Finance Commission Chairman Vijay Kelkar said at a seminar on GST organised by Assocham here.

Abbas-Mustan’s Chinese project

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Mumbai, June 29: Think no more than you read. And make sure you don’t read between the lines. Bollywood’s famous director duo Abbas-Mustan has shed glimpses of their long standing Chinese project for the first time.

It’s known that the brother’s are fond of Chinese cuisine and would go to any length to have their taste buds satisfied.

The two were recently spotted gorging on some Chinese delicacies and the twins who have given Bollywood some of the best thrillers till date were thrilled with the platter in front.

Pose with SRK for Rs 12,000 only

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Mumbai, June 29: Don’t mistake it for any exciting offer that you can avail in India. This price tag has been imposed by the management of a well known hotel in New York to cash-in and control the number of fans who throng to catch a glimpse of their superstar.

It’s known that the management of the hotel wants to make the most of the superstars stay at the hotel. The price tag is a way to streamline the ever-growing fan frenzy.

Rare year for Shah Rukh Khan!

For Deepika all the Kapoors are good!

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Mumbai, June 29: Expect the extremely polite and civilized Deepika to be very diplomatic when it comes to commenting on people related to her work and personal life. But the LOVE AAJ KAL heroine was more than just that when asked about her working equation with real life beau Ranbir Kapoor’s dad Rishi Kapoor with whom she shares screen space in the film.

Lip-lock with Saif no big deal for Deepika

Ranbir topples Akshay Kumar

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Mumbai, June 29: Ranbir Kapoor seems to have toppled Akshay Kumar for being the most paired actor with hottie Katrina Kaif. Now, Ranbir Kapoor has a string of releases lined up with Katrina Kaif. Earlier the trend of paring up Aki and Kats had become a hit Bollywood formula and the two managed to create some magic at the box office.

Ranbir-Kat: ‘ajab’ but ‘gazab’ couple of Bollywood!

No communication gap between Sonia and Manmohan: Cong

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New Delhi, June 29: Congress today denied suggestions about a “communication gap” between party President Sonia Gandhi and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh when she wrote a letter to him stressing the need for implementing UPA’s poll pledges.

“There is no communication gap between government and the party,” Congress spokesperson Shakeel Ahmed told reporters replying to a query why Gandhi needed to write a letter to the PM to remind him of the committments made by the party in its manifesto.

Ravi Kishan: LUCK will change my luck…

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Mumbai, June 29: 2009 seems to be a perfect year for Bhojpuri super star Ravi Kishan, with several big projects lined up. And one of them happens to be director Soham Shah’s much touted film LUCK, where Ravi would be seen in quite a different avatar. It’s being said that Ravi has quite an important part to play in the film.