Month: January 2010

I’ll live life on my own terms in 2010: Sonam

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New Delhi, January 03: Bollywood actress Sonam Kapoor has many New Year resolutions, including her choice of living life on her own terms in 2010.
“Always live your life on your own terms is what has been my lesson in 2009 and I’m going to apply it in 2010,” Sonam posted on her Twitter page.

“(My) New Year resolution – (I’ll) make sure I take myself less seriously and be more patient. And have fun and make no excuses,” she added.

In the new year, the 24-year-old is looking forward to her films “Aisha” and “I Hate Luv Stories”.

–IANS–

Bandhs worry IT Honchos in AP

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Hyderabad, January 03: ith the separate Telangana movement threatening to cause longterm damage to the performance of the IT and IT-enabled services (ITeS) sectors, the industry has started lobbying with politicians seeking safety and security for its assets and workers.

A group of about 20 top honchos of the sector including representatives of leading companies like Infosys, Microsoft, Genpact and other IT and ITeS outfits met chief minister K Rosaiah, TRS chief K Chandrasekhara Rao and TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu.

‘English’ replace with Oriya in official communication

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Bhubaneshwar, January 03: In a significant development, the Orissa government on Saturday decided to use Oriya language in all the official works.

All communications would be made in the files in Oriya and English would be replaced phase by phase. Till today, English language is being used in files for all official purposes.

BJP-Congress straight fight in Gujarat by-poll

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Gandhinagar, January 03: A straight fight between traditional rivals the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress is on the cards in the Jan 20 by-election in Gujarat’s Chotila assembly constituency.

While the Congress has fielded Nirantbehn Dhoriya, the BJP has put up Bharat Khorani, the son of the sitting member Vashram Khorani, whose death caused the by-election. This is the second by-election in a row for the seat since the 2007 assembly elections.

Chotila has been a traditional Congress stronghold but was wrested by the BJP in the last by-election.

–IANS–

Blackout again in Punjab, Haryana

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Chandigarh, January 03: Many parts of Punjab, Haryana and this union territory were blacked out at around 10 p.m. Saturday, due to a second possible tripping of the northern grid in the day, an official said.

“Our officials are trying to ascertain the reason behind this sudden blackout. It could be a tripping but we are still checking the actual cause of this problem,” H.S. Brar, chairperson of Punjab State Electricity Board (PSEB), told IANS.

Afghan parliament rejects 17 of Karzai’s 24 cabinet nominees

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Kabul, January 03: Afghanistan’s parliament Saturday rejected 17 out of 24 cabinet nominees proposed by President Hamid Karzai, including a powerful ex-warlord and the only female candidate put forward.

Defence Minister General Abdul Rahim Wardak, Interior Minister Mohammad Hanif Atmar, and Finance Minister Mohammad Omar Zakhelwal, three key ministers favoured by the West, were among the seven approved by the lower house of the parliament, government spokesman Haseeb Noori said.

Abbas discusses peace process with US, Russia

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Ramallah, January 03: Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas Saturday separately discussed the fate of the stalled Middle East peace process with US and Russian diplomats.

The Palestinian state-run news agency Wafa reported that Abbas held talks at his office in Ramallah first with US Consul General in Jerusalem Daniel Rubinstein, and then with the Russian diplomatic representative to the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) Sergi Kozlov, Xinhua reported.

Over 60 killed in Brazil mudslides

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Rio de Janeiro, January 03: The toll from a series of mudslides this week in Brazil rose to more than 60 Saturday.

The deaths since Wednesday in Rio de Janeiro and outlying areas came after constant heavy rain over several days that has caused hundreds of houses in poverty-stricken favelas to collapse. Many of the neighbourhoods are built precariously on cliffs and hills.

UK, US to fund joint counter-terrorism unit in Yemen

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London, January 03: Britain and the US will jointly fund a counter-terrorism unit in Yemen, a British government announcement said Sunday.

The British administration said the plan had been agreed upon by the two nations in response to the failed attempt by an Al Qaeda operative to down a passenger jet in Detroit, Michigan, on Christmas Day.

Additionally, the two countries will seek more UN intervention against the growing terrorism threat out of Somalia, where a weak central government has been unable to control the growing threat of local terrorist groups.

British-flagged cargo ship hijacked off Somalia coast

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Somalia, January 02: A British-flagged cargo ship with 25 crew, including eight Bulgarians, was hijacked Friday night about 1,000km off Somalia, the Bulgarian foreign ministry has just announced.

The Asian Glory, which was transporting cars from Singapore to Jeddah in Saudi Arabia, is now on the Somali coast.

The crew have been able to telephone their families, foreign ministry spokesman Dragovest Goranov said.

As well as the Bulgarians, including the ship’s captain, the crew includes Ukrainians, Romanians and Indians, according to Zodiac Shipping, which hired the Bulgarians.

Israeli warplanes hit Gaza after rocket attack

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Gaza, January 02: Israeli aircraft attacked at least four targets in the Hamas-run Gaza Strip early today, wounding two people in retaliation for a rocket strike on Israel, officials said.

Two explosions were heard in Gaza City, one north of the city and one in the southern Gaza Strip town of Khan Yunis. Palestinian medics and witnesses said all the missiles appeared to land in open fields.

Two people, including a child, were lightly wounded, medics said.

UK wants Australia, former colony, to keep its criminals

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Australia, January 02: Two hundred years ago its worst citizens were transported to the other side of the world, creating Australia in the process.

Now cash-strapped Britain wants its former colony to keep its criminals again.

In the past 12 months, dozens of British-born paedophiles, rapists and career criminals, many in their late 50s and 60s, were deported to the UK after finishing their sentences in Australian jails, despite having lived most of their lives Down Under.

Times Square scare man charged over abandoned van

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London, January 02: The New Jersey peddler whose abandoned van went unnoticed for two days in Times Square is facing up to seven years in jail for allegedly doctoring the temporary license plate in the vehicle’s window.

George Freyre, 36, of Palisades Park, was released without bail today, pending the disposition of a felony charge of criminal possession of a forged instrument.

Alleged terrorist tries to kill controversial cartoonist

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Denmark, January 02: A 28-Year-old Somali alleged terrorist who tried to break into controversial Danish cartoonist Kurt Westergaard’s home has been charged with attempted murder.

The man, who has not been named, wielded an axe and knife as he smashed a window at Westergaard’s home in Aarhus, Denmark, shortly after 10pm Danish time (21:00 GMT) Friday.

Police arrived at the scene soon after the home alarm was activated and shot the attacker in the leg and arm after he tried to hit an officer with an axe.

Eminem fighting drugs brilliantly, Sir Elton says

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London, January 02: Sir Elton John paid tribute to Eminem’s fight with drugs today as he revealed he gave the rapper personal support.

“I’ve been helping Eminem over the last 18 months and he’s doing brilliantly,” Sir Elton told the BBC.

“I’m there if people want my help. If people ask for help you tell them where to go, but there’s no point advising people if they don’t want to do it.”

The Candle In The Wind singer said drugs had made him “cocky” and “arrogant” before he beat his addiction.

Eminem revealed in May 2009 that he called on Sir Elton when he wanted to get sober.

Dozens die in Brazilian mudslides

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Brazil, Janaury 02: Fifty people have died after heavy rain sparked a series of mudslides in Brazil, including one at an upmarket island resort that left 19 dead.

Rescuers fear the number of victims could rise as a frantic search for survivors continues.The deadliest mudslide happened at the resort of Angra dos Reis near Rio de Janeiro.

A slab of earth 300-meters wide fell from a hillside and collapsed on three houses and a waterfront lodge.

It happened just after revelers returned to their rooms after seeing in the new year.

Indian American fails to get son’s custody

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Hyderabad, January 02: An Indian American man is making desperate efforts to get custody of his seven-year-old son, who remains untraced even after the Supreme Court ruled that the boy and his mother should go back to the US.

V. Ravichandran, who is currently residing here, fears for the safety of Aditya as his ex-wife Vijayasree Voora is taking him from one city to another.

Ravichandran said at a news conference here that Vijayasree was not only flouting the court order but was even using police in Chennai to threaten him.

Three Pakistani terrorists escape from Delhi hospital

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New Delhi, January 02: Three Pakistani terrorists who have already completed their sentences and were soon to be deported home Saturday escaped from a city hospital after giving immigration officials the slip, police said.

The trio managed to slip out of the clutches of Foreigners Regional Registration (FRRO) officials at the G.B. Pant hospital in central Delhi.

“There were not in the custody of the police. But they were under restraint orders of the FRRO. We have registered a case and are searching for them,” Joint Commissioner of Police Karnal Singh said.

Ponting warns team of Pakistan backlash

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Sydney, January 02: Australian captain Ricky Ponting has warned his side against underestimating the unpredictable Pakistan team in the second cricket Test beginning here Sunday.

Australia won the first Test at Melbourne by a convincing 170-run margin, but Ponting knows that Pakistan have the talent to turn the tables on the hosts.

“Teams are probably at their most dangerous when they’ve come off a heavy loss like last week,” Ponting said Saturday. “The challenge for us is to not get carried away with what we’ve done.”

10 killed, 45 hurt in three train accidents in Uttar Pradesh

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Lucknow, January 02: At least 10 people were killed and about 45 others injured in three train accidents in Uttar Pradesh on a fog-hit Saturday morning, officials said.

The accidents took place in Kanpur, Etawah and Allahabad districts.

All the 10 deaths occurred in the Kanpur accident when the Gorakhdham Express collided with the stationary Prayagraj Express near Panki railway station, some 90 km from Lucknow.

“As per reports, 10 people have died in the collision that occurred at around 9 a.m.,” Kanpur Deputy Inspector General B.P. Jogdand told IANS on the telephone.

3 Pakistani terrorist escape from delhi hospital

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New delhi,January 02:Three Pakistani terrorists, who have already completed their sentences and were soon to be deported home on Saturday, escaped from a city hospital after giving immigration officials the slip, police said.

The trio managed to slip out of the clutches of Foreigners Regional Registration (FRRO) officials at the G.B. Pant hospital in central Delhi.

“There were not in the custody of the police. But they were under restraint orders of the FRRO. We have registered a case and are searching for them,” Joint Commissioner of Police Karnal Singh said.

Shutdown called in Andhra, Rayalaseema Monday

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Hyderabad, January 02: There is no respite in Andhra Pradesh from shutdowns and protests over the issue of statehood for Telangana as political parties and student groups have called for another shutdown in coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema Monday.

Tpolitical he parties and student bodies met in Vijayawada Saturday and formed a Joint Action Committee (JAC) to oppose the division of the state.

Curfew continues in MP town

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Shajapur, January 02: Curfew continued to be in force in this district’s Maksi Nagar Panchayat limits where it was clamped late yesterday after an adolescent was killed and 17 injured in stone-pelting and arson.

The incident occurred following a minor dispute over a cricket match between two groups of a higher secondary school’s students taking an ugly turn.

3 held with fake passport

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Kozhikode, January 02: The Immigration Department (ID) today nabbed three passengers from Saudi Arabia for travelling on fake passport at Calicut International Airport near here today.

ID sources told UNI that Mohammed Hussain Ansari (30) of Basti in Uttar Pradesh, Siddique (45) and Aamir Hamsa (54) both from Malappuram and Palakkad districts respectively in Kerala, who arrived in a Saudi Airlines flight, were arrested for travelling on fake passports.

They would be handed over to the local police after completion of formalities, they said.

Wildlife activist Billy Arjan Singh passes away

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Dudhwa, January 02: Eminent wildlife activist Billy Arjan Singh passed away on January 1, 2010 at Dudhwa National Park based his residence. Sing was 94.

According to the family sources, he died late Friday night at his home ‘Tiger Haven’ due to old-age illness.

He was born in Gorakhpur on August 15, 1947. He was felicitated with Padma Shri in 1995 for his efforts towards wildlife conservation in India. Singh also received global honour JP Getty Wildlife Conservation award by World Wildlife Fund.