Month: August 2009

BCCI rejects anti-doping clause, stands by its players

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Mumbai, August 03: Strongly backing its players, the BCCI on Sunday rejected a controversial WADA anti-doping clause which makes it mandatory for cricketers to be available for out of competition testing, a decision which puts the Indian Board on collision course with the ICC.

The BCCI said it has no problem with players being tested as part of the WADA Code but it fully shares their concerns on the ‘Whereabouts Clause’, which requires them to furnish information about their location three months in advance for out of competition tests.

Indian woman suffering from swine flu dies in Singapore

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Kuala Lumpur, August 03: A 29 year-old Indian woman suffering from swine flu died in Singapore today, becoming the sixth victim of the dreaded disease in two weeks in the country, according to media reports.

The report carried by The Strait Times on its website however did not give any further details about the patient.

The woman had no underlying medical conditions other than being obese. All five others who have so far died had pre-existing illnesses or chronic conditions, the newspaper reported.

Nigerian commerce minister to visit India

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Abuja, August 03: Nigeria’s Commerce Minister Chief Achike Udenwa will lead a delegation to India in September in a bid to strengthen economic ties and encourage investment in diverse areas of the West African country’s economy.

Udenwa tied his upcoming visit to new expectations by Nigeria in terms of commerce and trade with India.

Construction behind jump in accidents

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New Delhi, August 03: Over 2,000 people lose their lives in road accidents in the Capital every year; more than fifty per cent of these are pedestrians. Incidentally, Delhi’s “death hour” is between 10 and 11 pm, when the maximum number of fatal accidents has been reported.

A detailed analysis of last year’s data on road accidents has revealed the rush to meet Commonwealth Games deadlines and the many ongoing construction projects have taken their toll.

Third Test up for grabs after Ponting exit

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Edgbaston, August 03: England gave themselves an outside chance of winning the third Ashes Test after capturing the prize wicket of Australia captain Ricky Ponting on the fourth day here at Edgbaston on Sunday.

Australia at stumps were 88 for two in their second innings, needing a further 25 runs on Monday’s final day to make England, 1-0 up in the five-Test series, bat again.

Graham Onions, who took four first innings wickets, struck in his third over when an excellent full length delivery had Australia opener Simon Katich edging to wicket-keeper Matthew Prior.

FIA grounds private airlines’ August 18 strike plan

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New Delhi, August 03: Facing the threat of stern government action, private airlines which carry about one lakh domestic passengers each day tonight called of their strike on August 18 giving relief to air travellers after two more carriers pulled out of the planned unprecedented stoppage.

The Federation of Indian Airlines(FIA) which gave the strike call last Friday announced the decision in view of the “agitating public sentiments” and the potential inconvenience to thousands of passengers and the government’s “willingness” to enter into a dialogue.

‘Fragile’ Aussies on the Ashes precipice

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Edgbaston, August 03: The Australian media fretted Monday that the nation’s cricketers are on the verge of going 2-0 down in the Ashes series against England with some pundits doubtful of the tourists’ state of mind.

The Australians were 88 for two in their second innings at stumps in the third Edgbaston Test and needing a further 25 runs on Monday’s final day to make England, 1-0 up in the five-Test series, bat again.

Left MPs write to Manmohan on gas reserves issue

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Kolkata, August 03: The Left MPs on Sunday asked Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to see that the natural gas reserves, including the KG basin, were not appropriated as family property, saying the natural asset and the interests of the economy cannot be “held hostage” to the benevolence and mercy of some “private players”.

Woman CBI inspector found unconscious in train

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Chennai, August 03: In yet another suspected case of the ‘biscuit bandits’ striking again, a 50-year-old woman CBI inspector, was found unconscious and robbed of her ornaments, in a train which arrived at Chennai Central station this morning.

Police said that Prema Lekha was found unconscious in the Mumbai-Chennai Express and was admitted to the Government general hospital here. She had been relieved of her chain, ear-rings and bangles, they said. The woman fell unconscious after having a ‘soft drink’, they said.

20-yr-old rams car into taxis, injures seven

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Mumbai, August 03: Seven people, including a woman, were injured when a 20-year-old resident of Napean Sea Road, speeding in a Maruti Swift car, lost control and rammed into three taxis near Girgaum Chowpatty on Sunday afternoon.

Abhay Shah, 20, was speeding on Marine Drive towards Babulnath when one of the rear wheels got punctured and he applied the handbrake, the police said. However, he could not control the vehicle and rammed into the taxis, they said.

NRI businessman arrested in £80-million investment fraud

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London, August 03: An NRI businessman, who allegedly masterminded £80-million fraud investment operation, has been arrested for duping around 600 people, including celebrities like former England cricketer Darren Gough, actress Francis de la Tour and singer Jerome Flynn.

Chelsea-based Indian entrepreneur Nandan Pruthi and his business partners Kenneth Peacock and John Anderson were arrested after a series of raids by London police, the Guardian reported Sunday.

Long live-in period as good as marriage: SC

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New Delhi, August 03: The Supreme Court has ruled that a long period of co-habitation and acceptance by society of a man and woman as husband and wife are strong enough reasons to prove they are married in the eye of the law.

A bench of justices SB Sinha and Cyriac Joseph said these two factors establish a valid marriage. The apex court said the onus was on the other party to prove the marriage invalid.

Defiant BCCI rejects ICC’s anti-doping code

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Mumbai, August 03: In an act of defiance, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has rejected the anti-doping code of the World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada) adopted by the International Cricket Council (ICC), declaring the controversial ‘whereabouts clause’ a threat to the safety of Indian cricketers and an invasion into their privacy.

MURG KALI MIRCH RECIPE

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Ingredients:

salt to taste
1 tsp turmeric powder
1 kg chicken
25 – 30 peppercorns
3/4 cup tomatoes chopped
1/2 cup onions sliced
1 tblsp coriander powder
6 – 8 cloves
8 – 10 curry leaves
2 tsp garlic chopped
3 tblsp oil

How to make murg kali mirch :

Clean, wash and skin the chicken.
Cut it into twelve pieces.
Lb peppercorns to a coarse powder.
Mix salt, crushed peppercorns and turmeric powder with the chicken pieces.
Keep aside for half an hour.
Heat up oil in a kadhai.
Mix in cut onions and cloves.
Stir fry on medium heat up till onions are light brown.

Pvt airlines put Aug 18 strike on hold

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Bangalore, August 03: Failing to put up a united front in the face of a tough-talking government, private airlines, which carry more than one lakh domestic passengers daily, have put their August 18 strike “on hold”.

The Federation of Indian Airlines (FIA) issued a statement on Sunday evening, saying, “In view of the agitated public sentiment and potential inconvenience to thousands of passengers and government’s willingness to enter into dialogue, the FIA has decided to put on hold its decision to suspend flights on August 18.”

SARSON KA SAAG

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Ingredients:

500gms Mustard leaves
200gms Spinach
200gms Bathuwa
3 Garlic cloves
1 inch Ginger
2 Green chilli
Salt To Taste
1 tbsp Maize flour
1 Pinch Sugar
2 tbsp Ghee
1 Asafoetida
1 Pinch Onions,
1 tsp chopped Red chilli powder
1 Pinch Turmeric powder

Preparation:

Clean and wash sarson, spinach and bathuwa. Chop the leaves finely.
Chop ginger, garlic cloves and chillies.
Pressure cook the spinach, sarson, bathuwa with garlic, ginger and chillies. When cool, grind it to smooth paste.

ACHARI MUTTON RECIPE

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Ingredients:

1/2 cup coriander leaves chopped
1/2 tsp fenugreek seeds
1 tsp fennel seeds
1/2 tsp cumin seeds
800 gms mutton800 gms.
1 tsp turmeric powder
8 red chillies whole
1 tsp red chilli powder
4 medium tomatoes
5 cloves
1 tsp onion seeds
7 tblsp mustard oil
2 tblsp ginger chopped
4 medium onions
salt to taste
1 tblsp garlic chopped
1 tsp mustard seeds

How to make achari mutton :

Wash and cut the mutton into 11/2″ cubes.
Take off and cut the onions.
Cut the tomatoes.
Roast the whole spices separately and grind everything coarsely.

Elesh Parujanwala wins Rakhi Sawant’s hand in Swayamwar

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New Delhi, August 03: India’s controversial item girl Rakhi Sawant tonight chose NRI businessman from Canada Elesh Parujanwala as her “life partner”, bringing to an end the month-long Swayamwar drama that kept millions of viewers hooked to their TV screens.

Parujanwala was among the top three finalists who waited anxiously to be 30-year-old Rakhi’s suitor.

He finally won Rakhi’s hand pipping Manas Katyal, a 22-year-old event manager from Delhi and Chittiz Jain, the businessman from Delhi.

Kheema Pulao Recipe

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Kheema or keema pulao is rice cooked with minced meat and spices. Find out how to make kheema pulao.

Ingredients:

Mutton (minced) 200 gms.
Basmati Rice 1 1/2 cups
Oil 2 tbsps.
Garam Masala Whole a little
Peppercorns 8-10
Cumin Seeds 1 tsp.
Garlic (chopped) 2 tsps.
Onions (chopped) 1/2 cup
Green Chillies (chopped) 2 tsps.
Ginger Paste 1 tbsp.
Garlic Paste 1 tbsp.
Red Chilli Powder 1 tsp.
Tomatoes (chopped) 1 cup
Mint Leaves (chopped) 15-20
Coriander Leaves (chopped) 2 tbsps.
Salt to taste
Garam Masala Powder 1 tsp.

How to make dum ka murgh:

Iranian Filmmaker Held, Opium Seized

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Dubai, August 03: A leading Iranian filmmaker was arrested at Dubai International Airport on Friday after 3.4g of opium was recovered from his possession, according to an officer from Dubai Police.

The black-robed filmmaker, who disembarked from an Iran Air flight around 1pm, aroused the suspicion of a Dubai Customs officer.

A search of his baggage revealed nothing incriminatory, but on frisking the filmmaker, the officer found the contraband concealed in his trouser’s hip pocket.

The filmmaker claimed that he had brought the contraband for his personal use.

Man Pleads Not Guilty to Killing Girlfriend

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Dubai, August 03: A 31-year-old Indian on Sunday pleaded not guilty to killing his girlfriend and stealing Dh300 from her after an argument over the money she owed to him.

The defendant confessed to the police that after accompanying his Burmese girlfriend to Al Mamzar Park on February 15, 2009, he took her home by taxi, said Sergeant Mohammed Al Badly of Dubai Police in the Criminal Court of First Instance.

Upon arrival, he decided to walk the victim to her door where an argument over money took place.

No Validity for Disclaimers

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Dubai, August 03: A Dubai Municipality official on Sunday said the civic body will not accept disclaimers issued by restaurants if any food safety issue arises because they were at fault.

The response from the Director of Food Control Department, Khalid Mohammed Sherif, comes after 
Kempinski Hotel in Mall of the Emirates started asking its customers to sign disclaimers.

Road Network Improvements in Capital

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Abu Dhabi, August 03: Abu Dhabi Municipality will spend Dh5 million in improvement and maintenance of the road network at Mussafah Industrial Zone.

Adel Al Rabia, Director of Media and Public Relations, Abu Dhabi Muncipality, said the project, which commenced in mid-July, is part of the civic body’s objectives to upgrade infrastructure.

“The aim is to raise the efficiency of roads in the zone to 100 per cent,’’ he said, adding the first phase which involved maintenance of traffic signs had been completed.

Rich Fare in Store for Classical Music

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Abu Dhabi, August 03: The New York Philharmonic will open the second season of Abu Dhabi Classics, on October 23.

The first 2008-2009 eight months of a long season of classical music was already considered a success by its organiser, the Abu Dhabi authority for Culture and Heritage (ADACH), with 35,000 people attending the concerts.

For the 2009/10 season, executive director Till Janczukowicz has announced an expansion of the educational programme, done with the help of three world leading orchestras — the New York Philharmonic, the Philharmonia of London and the Vienna.

Workers Clean up Dead Fish and Algae in Greens’ Pond

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Dubai, August 03: Cleaners worked through the day to clear a pond between The Links and The Greens of algae and hundreds of dead fish which had floated to the surface during the weekend.

Residents in the area complained of the smell from the area, particularly with the heat of Dubai summer aggravating the situation.

It is the second time hundreds of the fish, of the Aphanius species, were found dead in the same pond in just over one week with a Emaar spokesperson then also attributing it to the short lifespan of the fish.