Month: September 2009

Visitor Pleads Not Guilty to Fraud, Forgery and Violence

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Dubai, September 30: A British visitor pleaded not guilty to attempted fraud when he appeared in the Court of First Instance
on Tuesday.

He is also facing charges of forging the entry permit stamps, using a false passport and name and, violently resisting police officials.

He denied all the charges.

The Briton, 25, on a visit visa, allegedly offered a villa for sale for Dh16 million in Palm Jumeirah, belonging to a compatriot, to another British
man here.

The defendant did not own it nor did he have any power of attorney to dispose it.

Congress split into two camps in Andhra

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Hyderabad, September 30: The Congress party in Andhra Pradesh is witnessing an unusual and unprecedented situation these days. For the first time, the Congress high command is facing a challenge to its supremacy from a section of the party owing allegiance to Kadapa MP Y.S. Jaganmohan Reddy, who wants to become the chief minister following the death of his father Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy.

‘Work with Heart’ Drive Till Oct 5

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Abu Dhabi, September 30: Cardiovascular diseases account for 29.2 per cent of the world’s deaths and are among the leading causes of death in the UAE.

As part of the World Heart Day observed on Sunday, Shaikh Khalifa Medical City (SKMC) has partnered with the Abu Dhabi Health Services Company (SEHA) and the Abu Dhabi Police in urging people to ‘Work with Heart’, a health awareness campaign, which will run till October 5, to encourage people to take care of their heart 
while at work.

Centre withholding papers on black money: Jethmalani

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New Delhi, September 30: The Supreme Court on Tuesday issued notice to the Centre on the petition, filed by the former Union Law Minister Ram Jethmalani and others, seeking vital documents on black money stashed away in foreign banks.

A Bench of Chief Justice K.G. Balakrishnan and Justices P. Sathasivam and B.S. Chauhan issued notice after hearing senior counsel Anil Divan, who said the Centre was withholding vital documents.

Inaction

The public interest litigation petition alleged inaction on the part of the Centre in bringing back black money from foreign banks.

Apex court bans unauthorised religious places

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New Delhi, September 30: The Supreme Court yesterday banned all unauthorised new and future construction of places of worship on public land and sought strict compliance of its order from the union and state governments.

A bench of Justices Dalveer Bhandari and Mukundkam Sharma also asked various governments to decide the fate of millions of existing unauthorised places of worship on public land ‘on case to case basis’.

Filipinos to Mobilise Relief Funds

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Abu Dhabi, September 30: Filipinos across the UAE are pooling their resources to help their compatriots who have been affected and displaced by tropical storm Ketsana during the weekend.

In a meeting on Monday night at the Philippine Embassy, Filipino community leaders, group representatives and volunteers were in consensus that the best way of extending immediate help to the 1.87 million Filipinos displaced by typhoon ‘Ondoy’, and who are in dire need of food and water, will be by cash donations.

British Royal Cavalry Set to Impress Visitors

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Abu Dhabi, September 30: With their impeccable uniforms, perfect postures, sense of humour and friendliness, the British Royal soldiers cannot fail to impress and they are here to do just that: impress the visitors of Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition (ADIHEX) with their ceremonial shows.

I go to poor man’s house: Rahul Gandhi

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New Delhi, September 30: Congress general secretary on Tuesday said he visits poor man’s house. It is media which say that it is a dalit man’s house.

While replying to the queries of the students of Jawahar Lal Nehru University, Rahul said that a huge gap between the politicians and public was developing. “If a leader goes to a dalit’s house, people ask why you visit dalit’s house. When thousands of leaders do not visit any dalit’s house, people don’t ask them why do they not go,” Gandhi said.

Case against Quattrocchi to be withdrawn, Centre tells court

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New Delhi, September 30: The Centre on Tuesday told the Supreme Court that it had decided to withdraw the case against Italian businessman Ottavio Quattrocchi, an accused in the Rs. 64-crore Bofors pay-offs case, which is pending before the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate court here.

Solicitor-General Gopal Subramaniam made this submission before a Bench of Chief Justice K. G. Balakrishnan and Justices P. Sathasivam and B.S. Chauhan.

He said all efforts to extradite Mr. Quattrocchi from Malaysia and Argentina had failed and the Red Corner Notice issued against him was also revoked.

Arrest of Bootleggers Brings Down Crime

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Dubai, September 30: Dubai Police have arrested hundreds of bootlegging gangs and seized more than 100 tonnes of alcohol since the beginning of the year, a senior police officer said.

The crackdown on the illegal syndication of alcohol has been attributed by the police to a 42 per cent drop in serious crimes, including murder, in the first half of the current year, compared to the same period in the year 2008.

India qualify or crash out: Afridi

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Johnnesburg, September 30: We won’t put our friendship in jeopardy by deliberately losing to Australia today, Pak star Afridi tells Dhoni’s men

It’s D-DAY for India in the Champions Trophy and their survival depends on neighbours Pakistan, who have to beat world champions Australia in Centurion today.

Iran nuclear site built ‘in case of attack’

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Tehran, September 30 Iran’s nuclear chief said yesterday that his country had built its newly revealed uranium enrichment facility inside a mountain and next to a military site to ensure continuity of its nuclear activities in case of an attack.

The Iranian Vice-President Ali Akbar Salehi, who also heads the Atomic Energy Organisation of Iran, took a hard line two days before the five permanent members of the UN Security Council and Germany meet with Iran in Geneva.

Big scope for rise in nuclear energy’

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New Delhi, September 30: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has forecast a sharp spike up in energy through the nuclear route by 2050 if a three-stage strategy proves to be successful.

Inaugurating an international conference on peaceful use of atomic energy here on Tuesday, Dr. Singh said he saw a positive atmosphere in the move towards a universal non-proliferation regime, but regretted inaction on the Indian plan for the total elimination of nuclear weapons.

Maharashtra Polls First Major Test for Congress, BJP after General Elections

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Mumbai, September 30: Top national political leaders, including Congress chief Sonia Gandhi and her son Rahul, and Lal Krishna Advani of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will be campaigning extensively for the October 13 elections in Maharashtra.

Leaders of national and regional parties, chief ministers of several states, film stars and other celebrities are expected to campaign both in Mumbai and other parts of the state over the coming days.

Horror of Guinea stadium massacre that killed 157

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Johensberg, September 30: Thousands had marched to the football stadium in downtown Conakry on Monday to protest against Guinea’s military junta.

Nearly 160 people paid for that show of dissent with their lives, it emerged yesterday, some gunned down in a hail of bullets, other skewered by bayonets as they tried to flee or rescue the women being raped by soldiers in the stands.

Gotthard Base Tunnel to be commissioned in 8 years

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Switzerland, September 30: Gotthard Base Tunnel is a railway tunnel being constructed in Switzerland. The length of the tunnel will be 57 Kilometre, where as it’s total length including tunnels, shafts and passages planned will be 153 Kilometre approx.

It will be the longest commissioned tunnel in the world after completion in 2017. The competition of this was projected in year 2015, but due to various delays it was thought to be completed not before 2018 in year 2007. But as the work progressing started at a higher pace than projected, it is supposed to be completed in 1017.

Pilot Training Institute at Tiruchirappalli

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Tiruchirapalli, September 30: A pilot training institute will be established at the International Airport here soon, according to V K N Kannappan, promoter of the institute here today.

Airport Authority of India (AAI) had allotted 10,000 sq ft area in the airport premises for starting the academy by VKN Aviation Academy (VAA), he told PTI.

VAA had acquired a fleet of five Cessna aircraft from the US and appointed insturctors and other personnel for commissioning the academy, he said.

About 100 persons would be trained for an year in the academy in a batch, he said.

27 rare statues stolen from TN museum

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Tiruchirapalli, September 30: Twenty seven rare bronze statutes of the 16th and 17th centuries were found missing from the government museum here today, police said.

The theft took place at the building, about 20 metres away from a police station. The museum is housed at the historic Darbar Hall belonging to Rani Mangamma of the period.

The rear side door and its lock were found smashed while the iron rods in the window were removed, police said.

Govindaraj, curator of museums, said value of the stolen articles were yet to be ascertained.

McCullum, Guptil partnership key to victory: Vettori

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Johannesburg, September 30: New Zealand skipper Daniel Vettori today said the 84-run opening wicket stand between Brendon McCullum and Martin Guptil ultimately proved to be the key in their four-wicket win over England in a low-scoring crucial Group B match here today.

New Zealand had to went through some late jitters during their run chase after bundling out England for a paltry 146 in 43.1 overs.

The Kiwis lost five wickets in the fag end of their run chase after McCullum (48) and Guptil (53) set the stage for the win, sharing quickfire 84 runs for the first wicket.

Relations with other countries not at the cost of Russia:India

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Moscow, September 30: India today said it is committed to nurture and consolidate strategic partnership with Russia as it remains “in the focus of Indian radar”.

During his 20-minute meeting with Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, Union Commerce and Industry Minister Anand Sharma assured him that despite New Delhi’s growing engagement with the US, “Russia remains in the focus of Indian radar”.

“I reiterated India’s abiding commitment to nurture and consolidate the strategic partnership with Russia,” he told reporters after his parleys with the Russian strongman.

NZ beat England by four wickets to enter CT semis

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Johannesburg, September 30: New Zealand defeated England by four wickets in their crucial last Group B match to enter the semifinals of the ICC Champions Trophy in style at the New Wanderers here today.

New Zealand not only won, in what can be regarded as a must-win match for them, but also ensured that they top their group and throw Sri Lanka out of the tournament. With two wins out of three games, England also progressed to the last four stage from Group B.

Akram to join KKR camp in Gurgaon

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Kolkata: Former Pakistan speedster Wasim Akram will join the Kolkata Knight Riders’ camp, which begins in Gurgaon Oct 1.
“He will join the KKR camp at Gurgaon to oversee the proceedings,” former KKR skipper Sourav Ganguly said at the Eden Gardens here Tuesday.

However, as Akram will be busy doing commentary for the ongoing Champions trophy, where the final is slated for Oct 5, he will join the KKR camp only in the later stages.

The camp is scheduled to continue till Oct 8. Till Akram joins, Ganguly will be in charge of the camp.

New Zealand beat England by four wickets

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Johannesburg, September 30: New Zealand defeated England by four wickets in their last Group B match of the ICC Champions Trophy match at New Wanderers stadium here today.

Brief Scores:

England: 146 all out in 43.1 overs. (Paul Collingwood 40, Ravi Bopara 30; Grant Elliot 4/31, Shane Bond 3/21).

New Zealand: 147 in 27.1 overs. (Martin Guptil 53, Brendon McCullum 48, Stuart Broad 4/39).

—Agencies

Roadside bombs kill 36 civilians in Afghanistan

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Kandahar, September 30: A roadside bomb believed to have been planted by Taliban militants struck a bus Tuesday in southern Afghanistan, killing 30 passengers and wounding 39 civilians, officials said.

Two other roadside bombs in eastern and southern Afghanistan killed six more civilians while a Taliban commander was killed in the northern province of Kunduz and an Afghan-US military operation left dozens of insurgents dead in a western province, officials added.

Bofors never stood test of law, says Congress

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New Delhi, September 30: The Congress party on Tuesday said the Bofors payoff case had never stood the test of law, hours after the central government told the Supreme Court about its decision to stop prosecution against Italian businessman Ottavio Quattrocchi for his alleged involvement in the case.

“Bofors is a ghost or a phantom”, which the opposition brings up repeatedly for political purposes, Congress spokesperson Manish Tewari told reporters here.

Tewari added: “Whenever the matter went before a court of law either in India or abroad it never stood the test of law.”