Month: October 2009

Israel strikes Gaza tunnels, no victims

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Gaza City, October 01: Israeli warplanes bombed smuggling tunnels in southern Gaza overnight after a rocket was fired from the Hamas-run territory, but neither attack caused injuries, officials and medics said on Thursday.

The air raid struck two tunnels on the border between the Gaza Strip and Egypt, the Israeli Army said. Palestinian medics reported no casualties.

Late yesterday, militants in Gaza fired a rocket into Israel, with the projectile causing no injuries or damage.

Protester throws shoe at IMF director

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Istanbul, October 01: A protester has thrown a shoe at the IMF director during a conference at a university in Istanbul.

The shoe fell short of hitting Dominique Strauss-Kahn, head of the International Monetary Fund.

The man who threw the shoe was quickly overpowered and removed from the conference hall at Istanbul’s Bilgi University today.

Strauss-Kahn is in Istanbul for the fund’s annual meeting.

–Agencies

Iranian FM on rare visit to Washington

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Washington, October 01: In a surprising development, the Iranian Foreign Minister has arrived on a rare visit to Washington, but the Obama administration said it has no plans to have any talks with him.

“It is true,” Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs, PJ Crowley, said during his press briefing yesterday when asked about reports that Manoucher Mottaki is in Washington to visit the Iranian Interests Section at the Pakistani embassy to the United States.

The US and Iran have not had formal diplomatic relations since the 1980 Iranian revolution.

Romanian leftists quit coalition government

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Bucharest, October 01: Romania’s Social Democrats quit the coalition government on Thursday in protest at the sacking of a minister, raising the risk of the country failing to meet IMF conditions for aid.

The centrist Democrat-Liberals (PD-L), the Social Democrats’ coalition partners, can rule alone for a few weeks but will have to seek Parliament’s approval for new ministers and their survival will depend on support from the opposition.

Shah Rukh wins Joru Ka Gulaam Award!

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Mumbai, October 01: The Badshah of Bollywood, Shah Rukh Khan is back, this time as a guest on the chat show Tere Mere Beach Mein. Host Farah Khan makes a vibrant entry and introduces the nominations for the best ‘Pati’ (husband) or Joru Ka Gulaam award.

The nominations are: Abhishek Bacchan for Aishwarya Rai Bachchan; Anil Ambani for Tina Ambani; Hrithik Roshan for Suzzane; Sachin Tendulkar for Anjali; Akshaye Kumar for Twinkle. But the award for slavish devotion to one’s wife goes to the one and only — Farah’s best friend and the King of Bollywood — Shah Rukh Khan.

Radicals from Afghanistan pushed into Pak: White House

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Washington, October 01: Following successful military action inside Afghanistan, extremist elements have now been pushed into the mountainous regions of Pakistan, the US has said.

“Obviously extremist elements that were in Afghanistan have now been pushed into the mountains and into Pakistan,” the White House spokesman Robert Gibbs told reporters at his daily press briefing, as US President Barack Obama held a “situation room” meeting of his key security and intelligence aid about the situation in Afghanistan, where in Pakistan figured prominently.

US passes Pak aid bill with tough conditions

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Washington, October 01: The US Congress has passed a bill to triple non-military aid to Pakistan to $7.5 billion in the next five years, but with stringent conditions demanding action against extremist groups on its soil and prevention of attacks into neighbouring countries.

Though the compromise bill passed by House of Representatives Wednesday does not specifically mention India so as not to hurt Islamabad’s sensitivities, it specifically lists extremist movements like Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba, the outfit behind 26/11 Mumbai attacks.

Parliament must endorse Mush’s NRO for amnesty to Zardari: SC

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Islamabad, October 01: Pakistan’s Supreme Court has said it is essential for the Parliament to endorse a controversial ordinance passed by former military ruler Pervez Musharraf to give amnesty to President Asif Ali Zardari and others facing corruption charges, failing which the cases against them would be revived automatically.

Pak Prez’s daughter set to be envoy for polio eradication

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Islamabad, October 01: President Asif Ali Zardari’s daughter is expected to be named as Pakistan’s ambassador for polio eradication.

Aseefa Bhutto Zardari was the first Pakistani child to receive polio drops following the launch of the first immunisation campaign in the country by her mother and slain former premier Benazir Bhuto in 1994.

Her name was proposed as the ambassador for polio eradication in a formal document submitted to the government by the Health Ministry, media reports said.

Galbraith says sacking as deputy Afghan envoy terrible signal

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Kabul, October 01: Peter Galbraith, sacked as deputy UN special envoy to Afghanistan, said his dismissal sends a “terrible signal” about the body’s commitment to a fraud-free election for the country’s next president.

UN chief Ban Ki-moon yesterday sacked Galbraith, who had been embroiled in a dispute with his boss over Afghanistan’s controversial election.

“The Secretary General has decided to recall Mr Peter Galbraith from Afghanistan and to end his appointment as the deputy special representative for UNAMA,” a UN statement said, referring to the UN Assistance Mission to Afghanistan.

Four killed in blast, gun battle in Pak’s Khyber region

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Islamabad, October 01: At least four persons were killed and 15 others, including five security personnel, injured in an attack on a security forces convoy and a subsequent gun battle in Pakistan’s restive Khyber tribal region on Thursday.

The convoy was attacked in the Bara region of Khyber Agency. However, there were conflicting reports on whether the convoy was targeted with a roadside bomb or by a suicide attacker.

Two persons were killed and 10 others, including five security personnel, injured in the attack, media reports said.

Afghan insurgency growing: US general

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London, October 01: An insurgency in Afghanistan is growing and the success of the military campaign there cannot be taken for granted, General Stanley McChrystal, head of US and NATO troops, said on Thursday.

McChrystal described the situation in Afghanistan as serious. “Neither success nor failure can be taken for granted,” he said in a speech in London.

In his first public speech since submitting his report over the situation in Afghanistan to the White House, McChrystal made a point that success was attainable with the correct strategy and additional resources.

–Agencies

Mixed feelings on MTN-Bharti deal end

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Johannesburg, October 01: Parting of ways by Indian cellular major Bharti Airtel and South African mobile giant MTN on Tuesday after 18-month long merger talks has elicited mixed feelings among investment advisors here.

While, the announcement that the telcos had mutually agreed to end discussions on a possible merger that would have created the world’s third largest mobile company did not surprise Investec Asset Management advisor Chris Stewart, who predicted it a week ago.

Vestec MD Paul Therombie, a strong supporter of the deal, expressed disappointment that discussions had ended.

SBI cuts deposit rates by 25 bps

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Mumbai, September 01: State Bank of India (SBI), the country’s top lender, said on Thursday it would cut deposit rates by 25 basis points across maturities from Oct. 5.

SBI, which along with its associates controls a quarter of the Indian banking loans and deposits, has been cutting deposits to reduce its cost of funds as lending rates remain low.

—-Agencies

16-year-old forced to drink acid for refusing marriage proposal

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Bhopal, October 01: Five people, including two women, were booked here for allegedly forcing a 16-year-old girl to drink acid after she refused to marry a boy of their choice, police said today.

Savitri, who had been living at her uncle Ram Prasad’s house in this Madhya Pradesh capital for the past one month, was being pressured by her uncle, aunt Sumta Bai and others to marry Kamlesh – a man related to Sumta.

When she refused, Kamlesh first tried to outrage her modesty and later she was beaten up and forced to drink acid, police said.

Student ragged at gunpoint in Meerut, taken to hospital

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Lucknow, October 01: Five senior students of the law department in Chaudhary Charan Singh University (CCSU) in Uttar Pradesh’s Meerut district allegedly ragged and beat up a fresher at gunpoint, following which he had to be taken to a hospital, police said today.

The ragging took place on Wednesday on the campus, where the senior students forced Dev Singh Bhadana to stand on a chair and perform objectionable acts. When Bhadana protested, the seniors beat him black and blue after holding him at gunpoint, police said.

Salman Khan gifts Kareena Kapoor Rs.250,000 D&G bag

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Mumbai, October 01: Bollywood star Salman Khan went out of his way and gifted a branded bag worth Rs.250,000 to his “Main Aurr Mrs. Khanna” co-star Kareena Kapoor.

Kareena and Salman went shopping together in Australia while they were shooting for the film and the young actress fell for a Dolce and Gabbana handbag.

“Kareena would usually land up shopping in the evenings after the shoot in Australia. She would go alone. But on one occasion, Salman accompanied her too,” said a unit source.

‘Why aren’t ministers praising brave Gujjar girl?’

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Srinagar, October 01: Leaders of the Gujjar community in Jammu and Kashmir today said the act of bravery by 18-year-old Rukhsana Kausuar, who killed a Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) militant, was praised by everyone except Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and his state ministers.

“The act of bravery has come in for praise from one and all, but the chief minister and his ministers have not uttered even a word on it,” Anwar Choudhary, a Gujjar leader, said in a statement.

Hasina to discuss transit issue with India during visit

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Dhaka, October 01: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is likely to visit India later this month when the politically contentious issue of giving transit facility to India through Bangladesh territory will be discussed, media said today.

Bangladesh Foreign Minister Dipu Moni’s talks with the Indian leadership last month may have paved the ground for the visit of Sheikh Hasina, media said. Dhaka agreed to allow New Delhi to use Bangladesh territory to carry goods to Tripura in northeast India during a meeting between Dipu Moni and her Indian counterpart S.M. Krishna in New Delhi on Sep 8.

Aircel inks tower-sharing deal with BSNL

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New Delhi, October 01: Telecom service provider Aircel on Thursday said it has signed a 10-year tower-sharing agreement with state-owned Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL).

Aircel, which currently has about 32,000 base stations, will now have access to approximately 45,000 BSNL towers across all its circles.

It did not disclose financial details of the deal.

Aircel is a part of Malaysia’s Maxis Communications and has a subscriber base of over 24 million users. It is present in 18 telecom circles and has licence for a pan-India roll out.

SC not to interfere with HC move to allow RIL plea

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New Delhi, October 01: The Supreme Court on Thursday refused to interfere with the Bombay High Court decision to allow RIL to amend its petition related to the gas dispute with state-run NTPC.

However, the apex court allowed NTPC to file a reply to deny the allegations, if any, levelled by RIL in its amended written statement.

The bench headed by Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan also directed the High Court to dispose of the matter expeditiously.

Govt okays $149.46 mn investment in OVL’s Vietnam project

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New Delhi, October 01: The government on Thursday authorised ONGC Videsh Ltd’s USD 149.46 million investment plan to further develop its gas field project in Vietnam on the condition that the company arranges funds of its own.

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs authorised ONGC Videsh Ltd, the overseas arm of oil sector PSU ONGC, “to make an additional project investment for further development and exploration of Block 06.1 in Vietnam from the revenue process of the project without any funding from the government.”

BSE Sensex provisionally falls 0.06 pct, Bharti gains

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Mumbai, October 01: The BSE Sensex provisionally fell 0.06 percent on Thursday, as weak U.S. manufacturing data raised concerns about the global economy and dragged down markets worldwide.

Top telecoms firm Bharti Airtel provisionally closed up 3.8 percent at 434.50 rupees, a day after its proposed $24 billion deal with South Africa’s MTN collapsed, removing worries over a likely impact on earnings. The stock had rallied as much as 11.6 percent during trade.

The 30-share BSE index provisionally ended down 10.84 points at 17,116, with gainers and losers evenly matched.

Exports down by over 19% in August

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New Delhi, October 01: Exports fell by annual 19.4 percent in August for the 11th straight month, but exporters bleeding under the global recession foresee better times around Christmas.

The country’s overseas shipments aggregated USD 14.28 billion in August this fiscal against USD 17.72 billion a year ago.

However, the decline improved by nine percentage points from 28.4 percent in July as demand for merchandise picked up in the big global markets ahead of Christmas.