Month: June 2009

Sensex drops 438 points, third-biggest fall of the year

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Mumbai, June 08:The Bombay Stock Exchange benchmark Sensex on Monday suffered the third-biggest fall of the year and ended below the 15,000 level by losing nearly 438 points on weak Asian and European trends, as investors booked profits on an 88 percent rally since early March.

The Sensex, after completing 13 successive weeks of gains, suffered a loss of 437.63 points to 14,665.92 as metal, banking and realty stocks suffered hefty losses. The fall was the third-highest after those of January 7 and March 30.

No kissing, I’m a Muslim- Pakistan’s ‘Aishwarya Rai’

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Mumbai, June 08: No kissing, I`m a Muslim- Pakistan`s `Aishwarya Rai`Often compared to Bollywood star Aishwarya Rai because of her striking beauty, Reema Khan, a big name in Pakistan’s film industry, is shooting her second film in Malaysia.

In this movie, she is emulating another Bollywood star, Shah Rukh Khan.

Reema has performed on stage with Bollywood megastars, SRK and Preity Zinta and has often matched their steps but says she has turned down countless offers to act in Bollywood movies.

‘Taliban changing tactics as religion no longer working’

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Islamabad, June 08: The killing of two aides of radical cleric Sufi Mohammad who had brokered a controversial peace deal between the Taliban and the North West Frontier Province (NWFP) government points to a change in the militants’ tactics as religion no longer seems to be working for them, an editorial in a leading English daily said on Monday.

“Religion is no longer working for Baitullah Mehsud as the national consensus in Pakistan veers against his TTP,” Daily Times said in an editorial headlined ‘Possible change in Taliban tactics’.

TCS hikes salaries of top brass by over Rs 1 crore

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New Delhi, June 08: The country’s top IT firm, TCS, has enhanced total pay packages of its top management personnel and board members by over Rs 1 crore in the process giving a better hike to its incoming CEO than his predecessor.

The Tata group entity paid a total remuneration of Rs 12.80 crore to its key management personnel and board members during 2008-09, up from Rs 11.08 crore in the previous fiscal.

In terms of total package, CEO S Ramadorai was the highest paid executive with a total remuneration of Rs 4.1 crore in the fiscal, according to TCS’ annual report.

Man killed, body parts in 3 places

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Chennai, June 08: The city woke up on Sunday to the macabre tale of a man’s body parts being recovered from three different parts of the city and his head still missing.

With the help of a receipt found in his trouser pocket, the police identified the man as G Suresh Kumar, a 42-year-old man from Kodungaiyur who worked as an intermediary for gold sales. The motive behind the murder is yet to be established, though the police suspect business-related rivalry.

Man kills his five children, tries to commit suicide

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Ghaziabad, June 08: In a shocking incident, a man allegedly stabbed to death his five children before trying to murder his wife and commit suicide, police said Monday.

The incident took place last night when Ravinder Verma returned home in an inebriated state to which his wife Durga objected.

In a fit of rage, Ravinder stabbed his five children — three girls and two boys — who died on the spot and tried to murder his wife. He then tried to commit suicide by stabbing himself and cutting his veins, police said.

Akki-Bebo’s film set for grand release

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Mumbai,June 08: Akshay Kumar and Kareena Kapoor, notoriously Bollywood’s fittest and most health-conscious stars, are not the rich chocolate cake-eating types. But Sajid Nadiadwala would not let his lead pair get away with anything less than that.

BJP demands resignation of tainted NCP MP

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New Delhi, June 08: Senior BJP leader Gopinath Munde today demanded that NCP leader Padam Singh Patil, arrested in the murder case of a Maharashtra Congress leader, should either resign as MP or his party expel him.

Criticising NCP chief Sharad Pawar’s reported statement that Patil is a respectable leader, Munde said, “This is a matter of sorrow that a person accused in murder cases is a respectable person in Pawar’s eyes”.

“I expected Pawar to take action against him. He, however, chose to defend him. Ten crore people of Maharashtra are watching the entire episode,” he added.

Goolam Vahanvati appointed Attorney General

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New Delhi, June 08: The new UPA government on Monday appointed senior advocate Goolam E Vahanvati as the new Attorney General of India.

Vahanvati, who hails from Maharashtra, was the Solicitor General during the previous tenure of UPA.

Vahanvati’s elevation was on expected lines as he was widely tipped to be the frontrunner for the post.

The others in the race for the post of Attorney-General were senior advocate P P Rao, former Attorney General K Parasaran, and Additional Solicitor General Gopal Subramanium.
–Agencies

No more Deemed Universities, for now

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New Delhi, June 08: The UPA government, now in its second term, has begun the process of revamping the country’s education system. In the first step taken on Monday, HRD Minister Kapil Sibal announced that the government has decided it would not accept any further applications for ‘Deemed-to-be-University’ status.

The decision comes a day after Sibal spoke of revamping the education system by putting in place a process to bring in transparency and accountability in institutions and curb unethical practices, including capitation fees.

NCP MP’s arrest: Ruckus in Maharashtra Assembly

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Mumbai, June 08: The arrest of senior Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) MP Padamsinh Patil rocked the Maharashtra Assembly on Monday with the Opposition parties demanding resignation of state Home Minister Jayant Patil and Information Minister Rana Jagjitsinh Patil, who is also the son of the accused.

The entire Opposition was on its feet minutes after the House assembled for the day and raised slogans accusing the state government of allegedly attempting to shield Padamsinh Patil.

We backed you only to face losses: Mulayam to Congress

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New Delhi, June 08: Samajwadi Party, which bailed out the previous UPA government on the Indo-US nuclear deal, on Monday said that the support has cost it dear.

“We supported you. We faced losses while you gained,” SP chief Mulayam Singh Yadav told the Congress leadership in the Lok Sabha, evoking peals of laughter among the members.

He said the SP has not only lost at the hustings but still has to face abuses from people.

Father kills his five children due to financial crisis

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Lucknow, June 08 : A father tried to commit suicide after killing his five children in Vijaynagar locality of the city last night.

The culprit Ravindra, who was going through acute financial crisis , also tried to kill his wife and stabbed himself.

Police said Ravindra killed his five children by beating them with iron rods and when his wife Durga protested she was also beaten by him.

The couple was admitted to the hospital in critical condition.

The deceased children were identified as Anjali(12), Priti(10), Priyanka(5), Devraj(6) and Ashu(8).

Poor Pakistan puzzle Younus

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Islamabad, June 08: Pakistan captain Younus Khan was left struggling to explain his side’s lacklustre display after their comprehensive 48-run loss to England in the ICC World Twenty20.

Sloppy fielding by the 2007 finlaists helped England to a competitive 185 for five at the Oval on Sunday, featuring 58 from Kevin Pietersen, while the Pakistan reply never got going.

Three wickets in the powerplay left Pakistan well behind the run-rate and Younus, who finished unbeaten on 46, could only watch from the other end as a succession of batsmen came and went.

Arjun punj opposite Riya sen

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Mumbai, June 08: Arjun punj opposite Riya sen Arjun who long back waved good bye to television will soon hit the silver screen with his latest flick “Taara Sitara’. It is a comical tale of rivalries between two theatre groups. Ex- TV actor Arjun Punj will be seen romancing sensuous Riya Sen.

Imran, Ranbir to feature in KJo’s next High school Musical style film

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Mumbai, June 08: Karan Johar, presently busy shooting for My Name is Khan, has already locked on his next film as director. Sources reveal that Ranbir Kapoor and Imran Khan have agreed to be a part of Karan’s project.

Great chemistry

A source reveals, “Karan is fond of both Ranbir and Imran. In fact, he loved their act at an awards function this year. He realised that the two have great personal chemistry that could translate well on the big screen.”

Yuppie romance

We Will Attack Iran ‘The Way That We Did’ Iraq: Clinton warn

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Washington, June 08: Citing the disastrous 2003 US invasion of Iraq as an example, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton today warned that by continuing to refuse to abandon its civilian nuclear program, Iran was risking the possibility of an invasion by the US or “some other enemy that would do that to them.”

The comments came during an interview on ABC’s “This Week” program, and when asked by interviewer and former Clinton-era official George Stephanopoulus, Secretary Clinton reiterated “that’s right, as a first strike.”

Chicken Stew

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Ingredients:

1. Chicken 1 kg
2. Onion (Cut lengthwise) 1 cup
3. Potato 3
4. Garlic (chopped) 1 dessertspoon
5. Ginger (chopped) 1 desertspoon

6. Coconut milk
1st milk 1 cup
2nd milk 2 cup

7. Vinegar 2 desertspoon
8. Cardamom 3
9. Clove 6
10. Cinnamon 1
11. Oil 2 desertspoon
12. Salt As required
13. Pepper powder 1 tablespoon
14. Green chilly (slit in half) 6
15. Curry leaves 1 stem

Procedure:
Wash and clean the chicken pieces.

Peel the potatoes and cut in small pieces.

Quota for Muslims is a double-edged sword: Khurshid

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New Delhi, June 08: In contrast to predecessor A R Antulay who maintained a studied silence on the the issue of reservation, newly-appointed Minority Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid has called quota for Muslims a “double-edged sword” which could create “envy, hostility and resistance”.

He has instead advocated affirmative action as a tool to “inject an ability to compete” rather than make them “constant beneficiaries of additional help”.

In an interview to The Indian Express, Khurshid said it was time to explore “angles” other than reservation.

Farah says no to award, yes to Karan Johar

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Mumbai, June 08: Farah Khan has her priorities all sorted out. Her babies and family first, then her friends aur baaki sab, unke baad. Khan will be given the Best Choreography award for ‘Desi Girl’ (a track from Dostana) at a forthcoming international awards event but instead, will dance direct a song picturised on Shahrukh Khan and Kajol for Karan Johar’s My Name is Khan.

The song will herald the comeback of Karan, SRK, Kajol and Farah quartet after Farah’s choreography for Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham’s Suraj Hua Madham track.

Buzz up!

Salman wants to patch up with Shahrukh

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Mumbai, June 08: Bollywood actor Salman Khan has extended his hand of friendship towards arch rival Shahrukh Khan. He said that he would be happy if Sony Television

invited Shahrukh on his game show 10 Ka Dum. The bad boy of the tinsel town is ready to forget the differences with Shahrukh and start off a new innings of friendship with King Khan.

Buzz up!

Kareena pulls out of IIFA for Saif

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Mumbai, June 08: After announcing that she was going to learn belly dancing under Shiamak Davar for her act at an upcoming film awards function, Kareena Kapoor has now backed out! Instead, Bebo will accompany boyfriend Saif Ali Khan to England where he will attend the T20 World Cup matches.

T20 has a promotional tie-up with Saif’s home production, Love Aaj Kal. The actress is slated to leave for London tomorrow.

Salman miffed with Veer director for delay in shoot

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Mumbai, June 08: Salman Khan is upset with Anil Sharma, who is holding the directorial reins of his most ambitious project Veer. Sharma has put the project on hold for a long time now. Sallu, who is emotionally attached to the project, is not happy about it.

Sources say Sallu, who has also written the script for the film, is trying hard for a smooth sail for Veer. Salman had earlier gone for a makeover for the film. He had beefed himself up and gone in for a bronzed look with unusually long hair for his role.

Mother, son end life

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Hyderabad, June 08: Bukkawar Rani (42) and her son Mahesh (21) committed suicide by hanging in their house at Jainad mandal headquarters in the wee hours of Sunday. Problems within the family is believed to be the cause for the duo for taking the extreme step.

–Agencies

11 swine flu cases, government says don’t panic

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India on Monday reported one more swine flu case in Hyderabad, taking to 7 the number of those affected by influenza A (H1N1) and 11 in India. Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad said there was no need to panic as all precautions had been taken against the spread of the virus.

A health official said one more swine flu case had been reported in Delhi on Monday.

A 35-year-old man, who tested positive for influenza A (H1N1) and is being treated, transmitted the virus to his mother – making it the first human-to-human transmission case in the national capital, the official said.