Month: January 2010

Soyabean futures correct on weak sentiments

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New Delhi, January 01: Soyabean futures prices dipped by 0.36 per cent at the National Commodity and Derivatives Exchange today on emergence of profit-booking following weak signals from spot markets.

Marketmen said fall in demand and adequate stock position in the spot markets led the fall in soyabean prices.

At the NCDEX counter, soyabean price for January contract eased by Rs 8.50 or 0.36 per cent at Rs 2,375 per quintal with an open interest of 1,40,910 lots.

Karachi shuts to protest violence

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Ialamabad, January 01: Pakistan’s commercial capital nearly shut down on Friday as religious and political leaders called for a strike to protest against violence after a suicide bomber killed 43 people at a religious procession this week.

The Taliban, determined to topple the government, claimed responsibility for Monday’s attack on a huge crowd of Shi’ite Muslims and threatened more bloodshed.

The prospect of increased violence comes at a delicate time for President Asif Ali Zardari, who faces political heat because corruption charges against some of his aides may be revived.

India, Pakistan swap lists of nuclear facilities, AS

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New Delhi, January 01: India and Pakistan exchanged lists of nuclear facilities on Friday as part of an accord that prohibits them from attacking each other’s nuclear installations, India’s External Affairs Ministry said. The nuclear-armed neighbors have routinely exchanged lists every Jan.

1 since 1992 under an agreement that was signed in 1988. They have fought three wars since their independence from Britain in 1947.

Indian Army chief to visit Nepal

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Kathmandu, January 01: Indian Army chief Gen Deepak Kapoor will be visiting the Himalayan republic this month to be decorated with the honorary title of general of the Nepal Army.

Gen Kapoor, who assumed office in 2007 and kicked up a controversy last month by opposing the induction of Nepal’s former Maoist guerrillas into the Nepal Army, will resume the tradition of Indian army chiefs visiting Nepal to receive the honour after four years.

Sonia Gandhi in Lakshadweep for New Year

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Bangaram, January 01: Congress President Sonia Gandhi is on a week-long private visit to the Lakshadweep Islands to celebrate the New Year along with her family, officials said here today.

The UPA (United Progressive Alliance) Chairperson arrived here yesterday from Goa along with her mother Paola Manio, daughter Priyanka Gandhi and son-in-law Robert Vadera, they said.

AICC (All India Congress Committee) General Secretary Rahul Gandhi is also likely to join them, they said.

–PTI

Young couple found dead in Gulmarg

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Srinagar, January 01: In a tragic turn of events, a young couple from Uttar Pradesh who had come here to celebrate the New Year, was found dead in a hotel room in Gulmarg today, police said.

Prashant Swamy (29) and his wife, Joyti (23), residents of Gaziabad in Uttar Pradesh were found dead in a room in Hotel Green Park at Gulmarg, 60 kms from here in Baramulla district this morning, police said.

Local BSP leader shot dead

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Sant Kabirnagar, January 01: A local BSP leader Raghuram Singh was shot dead at a hotel on the Gorakhpur- Faizabad national highway here, police said today.

Singh, who was at a New Year party, was fired at by some unidentified persons last night killing him on the spot, they said.

An FIR has been filed against six persons but no arrest has been made so far, they added. Singh had several criminal cases pending against him in different police stations of the district.

He had recently joined the BSP..

–PTI

ICC Test Rankings:Gambhir ends year at the top

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Dubai, January 01:Indian opener Gautam Gambhir capped a memorable 2009 by ending the year as the No 1 Test batsman in the ICC rankings issued on Thursday.

Gambhir’s opening partner Virender Sehwag remained static at No 4 while Rahul Dravid gained one place to occupy 13th spot. Sachin Tendulkar lost one place to slide to 17th just a rung above VVS Laxman who gained one spot.

Two Sri Lankans – Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara are placed between Gambhir and Sehwag.

BLUE MOON ECLIPSE December 31, 2010: Some Testimonies

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ORANGE BLUE MOON: Some people insist that last night’s full moon was not Blue. They’re right. It was orange:

“This was, hands down, the most spectacular moonrise I have ever seen–an orange Blue moon!” says photographer Doug Zubenel of De Soto, Kansas.

Houthi fighters set for Saudi peace talks

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Sanaa, January 01: Yemen’s Houthi fighters have expressed readiness to hold peace talks with neighboring Saudi Arabia if Riyadh halts its attacks.

The Houthi fighters also released a statement that says they’ll also halt operations against Saudi Arabia if the country ceases its attacks.

“If Saudi aggression stops and there is a real will towards security and stability… then we do not attack anyone that does not attack us,” the Houthi fighters said on their website on Thursday.

Rathore gets reprieve as interim bail till Jan 7

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Panchkula, January 01: Receiving reprieve as interim anticipatory bail till January 7th from local court, former Haryana DGP SPS Rathore could maintain his grin. The court has asked Haryana Govt. to file its explanation till same date of his bail.

Prior to this, Lawyer wife of Rathore has appealed for anticipatory bail and countered that he cases have been registered by Ruchika’s brother is fabricated. The District and session court Judge S P Singh adjournedthe court.

Israel police free suspect in WB mosque fire

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Jerusalem, January 01: Israeli police have briefly arrested a 17-year-old settler who is suspected of involvement in an arson attack on a West Bank mosque three weeks ago.

“Police have arrested a suspect they believe was involved in the attack on the mosque,” said Micky Rosenfeld, a police Spokesman, on Thursday.

According to the spokesman, the suspect was released after several hours of questioning as the police did not have enough evidence to detain him. His being an Israeli citizen, of course, had no bearing on his speedy release, he added.

Iran sets new record in narcotics seizure

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Tehran, January 01: Iranian police have seized more than 340 tons of drugs throughout the country during the past nine months, a senior Iranian commander says.

“More than 340 tons of drugs have been seized all over Iran in the past nine months,” IRNA quoted the commander of the drug squad, General Hamid Reza Hossein-Abadi, as saying on Thursday.

“Over 25 tons of the seized drugs were heroin and morphine,” he went on to say.

Aamir and I make fantastic pair: Kareena Kapoor

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Mumbai, January 01: She is overwhelmed by the response to “3 Idiots” and has no regrets about the size of her role in the hit comedy drama. Kareena Kapoor says she is happy to work with Aamir Khan and pleased by the compliments she has received for their pairing.

“Everyone in one voice thinks we look good together. I think Aamir and I make a fantastic pair. I’d love to do another film with him immediately, this time I don’t want share him with other pivotal characters,” Kareena told IANS.

Married Cindy Crawford wants guys to flirt with her

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London, January 01: Supermodel Cindy Crawford, who is happily married to Rande Gerber, wants men to flirt with her irrespective of her marital status.

“I really don’t get any of those old chat up lines – any at all actually. It’s actually sad and a bit of a shame because it’s nice to flirt,” said Crawford, 45, who has two children – Presley, 10, and eight-year-old Kaia.

She recently said her personality has been affected by the ageing process and that she doesn’t believe people find her as attractive as earlier, reports contactmusic.com.

BJP questions delay in nod to prosecute Sajjan Kumar

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New Delhi, January 01: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Friday questioned the time lag before the government gave the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) the go ahead to prosecute Congress leader Sajjan Kumar for his alleged involvement in the 1984 anti-Sikh carnage.

‘They (the Congress-led government) took a long time to give prosecution sanction,’ senior BJP leader V.K. Malhotra told IANS, a day after Lieutenant Governor Tejendra Khanna’s nod to prosecute the former Congress MP.

Malhotra said giving sanction to prosecute the accused alone did not mean that the victims got justice.

TVS sales rise 34 per cent in Dec

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Mumbai, January 01: Two-wheeler manufacturer TVS Motor Company has reported a 34 per cent increase in its sales in December 2009.

The company reported a net sales of 1.19 lakh units in December 2009 against 89,285 units a year ago, a company release said in Chennai.

The company’s cumulative growth showed a 10 per cent increase in sales of 11.09 lakh units upto December 2009 compared to 10.06 lakh nits in the same period of previous year.

Despite cold, Chandigarh welcomes 2010 with enthusiasm

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Chandigarh, Jan 01: The sharply dipping mercury failed to dampen the spirit of the residents of this union territory who came out of their homes in huge numbers to welcome 2010 on New Year’s Eve.

The commercial hub here, Sector 17 plaza, was thronged by over 20,000 people who had gathered Thursday night to celebrate the advent of the new year.

The administration had planned a series of activities in Sector 17 — including fireworks, music, singing and dance competitions.

The discotheques, hotels and clubs were packed.

Bangladesh seeks greater trade ties to bridge deficit with India

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Dhaka, January 01: Bangladesh has pitched for greater purchase of its goods by India to bridge the wide gap in bilateral trade ahead of the summit level talks this month in New Delhi.

President Zillur Rahman on Thursday mooted imports by India of readymade garments, jute and jute goods, leather and ceramic products while receiving credentials from new Indian High Commissioner Rajeet Mitter, official Bangladesh news agency said.

“Both the countries would benefit in trade and commerce through effective implementation of South Asian Free Trade Area agreement,” said the president.

Lucknow University to confer degree on eminent nuclear scientist

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Lucknow, January 01: The Lucknow University (LU) will confer a doctorate degree on eminent nuclear scientist and former chairman of Atomic Energy Commission of India Anil Kakodkar at its convocation in February, an official said today.

“The decision to award Doctorate of Science (Honoris Causa) has been taken by members of the varsity’s executive council,” said LU proctor A.N. Singh.

“Kakodkar will also be the chief guest for the ceremonial function and deliver the convocation address,” he added.

Teenager found murdered in Delhi home

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New Delhi, January 01: A 19-year-old woman was found dead with her throat slit at her home in east Delhi, police said today.

Avantika Verma, a resident of Moradabad in Uttar Pradesh, was found dead at her rented house in East Delhi’s Madhu Vihar around 8 p.m. on Thursday, a police officer said.

“We received a call about a woman found dead with her throat slit. She came to Delhi two months back and we are investigating the case,” he said

Police suspect the involvement of someone known to Avantika.

–IANS

Labourer dies of cold in JK

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Srinagar, January 01: A labourer has died of cold in Jammu, police officials said.

The body was found near Maheshpur area of the city, they said.

In Jammu, the minimum temperature recorded yesterday was 5.2 degrees Celsius.

–PTI

UN inquiry into Bhutto assassination extended until March 31

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New York, January 01: The UN investigation into the 2007 assassination of Pakistan’s former prime minister Benazir Bhutto is to take three months longer than planned.

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon informed Pakistan’s government that the report on the inquiry would now be finished March 31, a UN spokesman said here Thursday.

The commission carrying out the investigation had asked for more time “because of the substantial amount of information collected by the commission in Pakistan and further follow-up work that remains”.

Man lived with father’s dead body for two days Text

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Bhubaneswar, January 01: A heart broken man hid his father’s dead body for two days in a room in Orissa and prayed to god to infuse life into it, police said Friday.

Debun Biswal, 35, a resident of Galupada village in the coastal district of Jagatsinghpur, about 100 km from here, was upset after his 65-year-old father died Monday.

When his family members and relatives started making arrangements to cremate the body, Biswal interfered and did not allow it, a senior district police official told IANS.