Month: December 2009

Private airlines owe Rs 274 cr to AAI

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New Delhi, December 03: Private airlines in the country owe Rs 274.19 crore to the Airports Authority of India as of October-end, with Kingfisher being ahead of Jet Airways and Spicejet leading the pack of low-cost carriers.

Full service carriers Kingfisher and Jet Airways had dues of Rs 167.92 crore and Rs 49.86 crore, respectively, as on October 31, 2009, the Lok Sabha was informed today.

Spicejet had dues of Rs 15.42 crore, followed by JetLite (Rs 14.66 crore). GoAir and Indigo had arrears of Rs 9.08 crore and Rs 8.72 crore, respectively.

Barton fumes over axed TV show

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London, December 03: Actress Mischa Barton was devastated when her TV show ‘The Beautiful Life’ was given the axe just after two episodes- because it “deserved to be seen.”

The actress, who landed the lead role as a supermodel in the fashion-based drama series, says bosses at America`s The CW network didn’t give the program a chance to gain a following.

“It was all so political. They didn`t give it a chance. I`m sure it would have found its audience because it was a great show and was really high fashion,” the Daily Express quoted her as saying.

I want to focus on T20-ODIs until WC, says Afridi

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Karachi, December 03: Flamboyant Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi today said he would want to prepare himself for the 2011 World Cup by skipping Test cricket until that mega event in the sub-continent.

“There was a time when I was very keen to play Test matches but unfortunately I didn`t get enough opportunities then. But now there is so much international cricket being played that I want to focus on T20 and ODIs until the World Cup is over,” Afridi said.

India too soft towards China and Pakistan: Venkaiah

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Kadapa, December 03: Expressing concern over India’s security, senior BJP leader Venkaiah Naidu today alleged that the Central government’s soft approach towards neighbours China and Pakistan was putting the country’s safety at risk.

“China is constructing airports at our borders and also claiming parts of Arunachal Pradesh. Pakistan is playing with our security. But the Centre has been unable to put up strong protest to condemn their acts, which is unfortunate,” Naidu told reporters at a press conference here.

Government’s policies on External Affairs are too soft, he alleged.

Ranbir Kapoor gets Rs 12 crores for his next venture

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Mumbai, December 03: Chocolaty boy Ranbir Kapoor is talking big money and getting it too. Post the stupendous success of his two films at the Box Office; Ranbir Kapoor is on cloud nine. And considering his commendable performances, the lad sure has earned enough reasons to demand a fat pay cheque.

Just four films old, the actor will now walk away with a whopping Rs 12 crores for his next film with none other than Imtiaz Ali.

A double treat for sure as it’s not only the money but also his favourite director that the actor will be working with.

Pakistan 161/6 at stumps Day 1 against NZ

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Wellington, December 03: Pakistan were firmly on the mat against New Zealand as they slumped to 161 for the loss of six wickets at the end of the first day’s play in the second Test.

Skipper Daniel Vettori along with Daryl Tuffey, who came in to the side to replace the injured Shane Bond, did most of the damage as the duo picked up 5 wickets between them to break the back of Pakistan’s batting line-up.

While Tuffey chipped in with two crucial wickets for 32 runs, Vettori captured three scalps for 42.

Photo expo from Dec 4

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Hyderabad, December 03: The Photo Expo and Sign Show 2009, which focuses exclusively on the photo, video and signage industries, will be held at WHITE exhibition centre from December 4 to 6. It will be inaugurated on Friday at 10.30 am, informed V V Raman, of Villa photography and the coordinator of the expo.

KCR given saline after health deteriorates

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Khammam. December 03: At last the officials succeeded in administering saline to TRS president K Chandrasekhar Rao forcibly in the Government Hospital in the wee hours of Wednesday. Rao was administered saline by the doctors as per the directives of the Andhra Pradesh State Human Rights Commission.

The doctors said Chandrasekar Rao’s health condition was deteriorating as he was not taking food since Sunday night.

District Collector V Usha Rani discussed with the doctors and requested Rao to let doctors administer saline and medicines.

India for 25% emission intensity cut; no binding agreement

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New Delhi, December 03: In a disturbing revelation, the Centre on Thursday announced that of all the countries in the world, it was India which was faced the biggest risks occurring due to climate change and the future of Indian society depended on how we respond to this challenge.

In a key address, coming days before the crucial Copenhagen Summit, the Union Minister for Environment and Forests (Independent charge) Jairam Ramesh said that out of the over 190 countries around the world, India was most vulnerable to negative impacts of climate change.

TRS delegation leaves for Delhi

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Hyderabad, December 03: A five-member delegation of the Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) led by former MP B. Vinod Kumar left from New Delhi on Wednesday night to mobilise support of other political parties on the statehood cause.

Comprising R.Vidyasagar Rao, A.Chandulal, C. Satyanarayana Reddy and MLA E. Ravinder Reddy, the delegation plans to meet leaders of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) that had earlier supported the cause of separate Telangana.

Encounter on Maharashtra border: 3 Naxals killed

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Hyderabad, December 03: After a lull, intense exchange of fire took place between Greyhounds and Maoists in the dense forests of Adilabad, close to the Maharashtra border, which left at least three Naxalites dead on Wednesday.

The Andhra Pradesh police suspect that they could be part of the same group of rebels, which had ambushed C-60 commandos of Maharashtra at Gadchiroli killing 17 personnel.

Sehwag nears fastest triple ton

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Mumbai, December 03: Virender Sehwag hit a swashbuckling double century as India seized control at the end of day two of the final Test against Sri Lanka in Mumbai.

Sri Lanka, needing victory to draw the series, steadily lost ground as Sehwag hammered a pedestrian-looking attack around the park, scoring an undefeated 284 – his sixth double century and the game’s third highest individual score in one day’s play.

Colleges to be shut down for 15 days

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Hyderabad, December 03: With the movement for separate statehood for Telangana taking a violent turn, the Andhra Pradesh government Thursday declared a 15-day holiday for all colleges and universities in the region.

All junior, degree and university or post-graduate colleges in Telengana, which comprises 10 districts, including Hyderabad, will remain closed for 15 days from Dec 4, the government said in an order.

All government, aided and private colleges including engineering, MBA, MCA, Pharmacy and Law colleges will remain shut till Dec 18.

10,000 housing units for displaced families ordered

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Jizan, December 03: King Abdullah, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, has ordered the construction of a housing complex of 10,000 units with public services of schools, health clinics, and mosques for evacuated families in the Jizan region in the wake of the clashes with armed infiltrators along the border with Yemen since Nov. 4.

This was announced during the King’s visit to the troops in the region Wednesday. The King ordered the completion of the housing complex within a year.

Liberhan report, demolition anniversary…but Ayodhya remains silent

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Ayodhya, December 03: The Liberhan Commission report might be creating ripples in the corridors of power in New Delhi. And preparations for the 17th anniversary of the demolition of the Babri Mosque Dec 6 might also be in full swing. Yet, back on ground zero, all appears to be quiet.

Everything appears to have come to a grinding halt at the workshop in Ayodhya where stones were being cut, carved and chiselled for giving shape to a proposed ‘grand’ Ram temple in place of the make-shift temple that stands on the debris of the mosque.

India for 20-25% emission cut by 2020

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New Delhi, December 03: Four days ahead of the Copenhagen climate summit, India Thursday announced it will reduce its emission intensity by 20-25 percent by 2020 from the 2005 level.

Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh, in an eloquent exposition of the country’s stand which he said was worked out in concert with some developing countries including China, said India was reducing the emission intensity — the level of greenhouse gas emissions per unit of GDP — in its own interest.

North Korea military on guard against unrest: Reports

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Seoul, December 03: North Korea’s military was on guard as public anger grew over the communist country’s shock currency revaluation, reports said on Thursday.

The revaluation implemented on Monday has sparked fury and frustration as some citizens saw much of their savings wiped out, according to reports and observers.

They said the North had tightened security against possible agitation, with a curfew reportedly imposed in a border region and shops closed across the country during the changeover period to a new currency, which ends Sunday.

Iraq VP: more talks possible on stalled elections

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Baghdad, December 03: Iraq’s vice president said Thursday he remains open to talks to break an impasse on holding parliament elections scheduled for next month, but that he stands by his demand that minority Sunnis have a greater voice in the voting.

A long delay of the elections could complicate the withdrawal timetables for U.S. forces, and chances appear to be dimming quickly for Iraq to hold the elections as scheduled on Jan 16.

Iran to review ties with countries over IAEA vote

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Tehran, December 03: Iran’s Parliament will review the Islamic republic’s relations with countries that voted against its nuclear activities at the International Atomic Energy Agency last week, the speaker said on Thursday.

“Iran had proper cooperation with the agency’s board of governors, but the recent resolution calls for careful studies on the vote in Parliament’s national security committee,” Ali Larijani was quoted as saying by official IRNA news agency.

“Parliament will review Iran’s relations with those countries that voted for the recent resolution against us.”

Israel think-tank warns EU off “Swedish proposal”

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Jerusalem, December 03: A proposal before the European Union to endorse the division of Jerusalem would risk closing off half the city to non-Muslims, according to a think tank close to the Israeli government.

The Israel Project said the plan could be backed at a regular meeting of the bloc’s 27 foreign ministers on Monday, as part of what it called a bid to “forge a high-profile role” in resolving the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.

Somali ministers among 19 killed in Mogadishu blast

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Mogadishu, December 03 : A suicide bomber killed at least 19 people including three Somali government ministers on Thursday at a graduation ceremony in a Mogadishu hotel, witnesses and officials said.

It was the worst attack in the lawless Horn of Africa nation since June when hard-line al Shabaab rebels killed the security minister and at least 30 other people in a suicide bombing at a hotel in the central town of Baladwayne.

Baghdad bomb kills 1, injures 6: Iraqi official

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Baghdad, December 03: An Iraqi security official says a bomb at a roadside market in northern Baghdad killed one and wounded six people.

The official says the bomb was hidden inside a juice cart when it went off on Thursday morning in the primarily Sunni neighbourhood of Azamiyah.

The official says the explosion targeted civilians stopping at the makeshift market to buy juice and other items. He spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to release the information.

Afridi not to play Test cricket till 2011 World Cup

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Karchi, December 03: Flamboyant Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi on Thursday said he would want to prepare himself for the 2011 World Cup by skipping Test cricket until that mega event in the sub-continent.

“There was a time when I was very keen to play Test matches but unfortunately I didn’t get enough opportunities then. But now there is so much international cricket being played that I want to focus on T20 and ODIs until the World Cup is over,” Afridi said.

Lathicharge on people protesting 15% water cuts in Mumbai; 1 killed

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Mumbai, December 03: The city’s water woes today claimed a life and left several injured when police baton charged demonstrators protesting the cut in water supply to residential areas in front of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) headquarters.

Vishal Dholakia (43), one among the few hundred protesters, allegedly died of head injuries at the G T Hospital in south Mumbai, close to the police headquarters, though the authorities attributed his death to heart attack.

India most vulnerable to climate change: Govt

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New Delhi, December 03 : In a disturbing revelation, the Centre on Thursday announced that of all the countries in the world, it was India which was faced the biggest risks occurring due to climate change and the future of Indian society depended on how we respond to this challenge.

In a key address, coming days before the crucial Copenhagen Summit, the Union Minister for Environment and Forests (Independent charge) Jairam Ramesh said that out of the over 190 countries around the world, India was most vulnerable to negative impacts of climate change.