Month: February 2010

Dalai Lama envoys return from China talks

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Dharamshala, February 01: Envoys of the Dalai Lama returned to India on Monday following secretive talks in China on the future of Tibet that marked the resumption of dialogue after a 14-month hiatus.

The two envoys, who flew to China a week ago, held meetings with Chinese government representatives which began in the central province of Hunan before moving to Beijing at the weekend, Dalai Lama’s senior secretary Chhime Chhoekyapa said.

Chhoekyapa declined to provide any details of the talks, the first between the two sides since November 2008.

Telangana:Cong leaders to wait before pulling out of JAC

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Hyderabad, February 01: Faced with a directive from the party high command to withdraw from the all-party Telangana Joint Action Committee, Congress leaders from the region today decided to wait till the announcement of the constitution of the committee by the Centre.

US launches largest Asian war games in Thailand

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Rayong, February 01: The US military began its largest war games in the Pacific region on Monday, an annual training exercise with troops from Thailand, Japan, Indonesia and Singapore, now joined by South Korea.

At the opening ceremony in the eastern Thai province of Rayong, US Ambassador Eric G John said that the “Cobra Gold” exercise, now in its 29th year, had become a “multinational showcase event”.

Iran pays homage to Khomeini amid political tensions

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Tehran, February 01: Bells chimed across Iran on Monday to mark the return from exile in 1979 of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the trigger for a revolution which spawned an Islamic state now engulfed in a deep political crisis.

To mark Khomeini’s triumphant return after 15 years in exile, all schools, trains and boats rang their bells at precisely 9:33 am (0603 GMT), the moment his plane touched down at Tehran’s Mehrabad airport on February 1, 1979.

President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and other senior Iranian officials paid homage to the cleric at his mausoleum in southern Tehran.

Israel boosts security in wake of Hamas killing

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Jerusalem, February 01: Israel has boosted security measures at its borders and embassies in the wake of the killing of a senior Hamas militant for which the Palestinian Islamists have blamed the Jewish state, Israeli public radio said on Monday.

Mahmud al-Mabhuh was found dead in his hotel room in Dubai on January 20, after travelling there from his base in Damascus to buy weapons for the Islamists ruling the Gaza Strip.

Hamas on Friday accused Israel of killing Mabhuh and vowed revenge.

Patel defends Pawar on price rise

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Nagpur, February 01: Senior NCP leader and Union Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel today came out in strong defence of his party president and Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar on the criticism of price rise in the country.

Terming the price rise as unfortunate, Mr. Patel told reporters in an informal chat here that the whole issue was politicised by some section of politicians and Mr. Pawar was being cornered. He categorically denied that Mr. Pawar was criticised by Prime Minister.

US govt probes Blackwater for corruption: Report

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Washington, February 01: The US Justice Department is investigating whether officials of security firm Blackwater Worldwide tried to bribe Iraqi government officials in hopes of retaining the firm’s work in Iraq, The New York Times reported.

Citing unnamed current and former government officials, the newspaper said that the department’s fraud section opened the inquiry late last year to determine whether Blackwater employees violated a federal law banning US corporations from paying bribes to foreign officials.

Israelis disciplined in Gaza white phosphorus use

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Jerusalem, February 01: An Israeli newspaper says the military has disciplined two high-ranking officers for approving the use of white phosphorus shells at the end of the Gaza war last year.

Haaretz says a military probe concluded the Gaza division commander and a brigade commander endangered human life by firing the highly incendiary munitions toward a compound run by a UN aid agency.

It was not immediately clear what the disciplinary action entailed. The military spokesman’s office had no immediate comment on Monday.

Air Marshal Neri new head of IAF Maintenance

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New Delhi, February 01: Air Marshal Joseph Neri will take over as the new Air Officer-in-Charge Maintenance (AOM), tomorrow at Air Headquarters.

The AOM is responsible for ‘Maintenance Management’ of all weapon systems and equipment of Indian Air Force (IAF). He was formerly the Director General of Aircraft at Air Headquarters.

Air Marshal Neri is an Electronic Engineering graduate from College of Engineering, Gindy, Chennai. He was commissioned in the IAF on July 8, 1974, according to a release.

Lata Mangeshkar felicitated by AP CM Rosaiah

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Hyderabad, February 01: Legendary singer Lata Mangeshkar was felicitated by the ‘Kala Saraswati’ award by Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister K Rosaiah here.

Mangeshkar was given the award at a function here tonight by a city-based cultural organisation- Andhra Pradesh Kala Vedika- in association with the state government.

Mangeshkar, who sang for a few Telugu films, regretted that she does not know the language.

“When I hear all of you speak, I regret that I don’t know Telugu. I feel like learning the language,” she said.

Pak training Indians for terror project: Report

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New Delhi, February 01: Pakistan’s intelligence agency, the ISI is planning to carry out terror attacks in the country and has put together a team of Indian jihadis in Karachi for the same, a media report claimed on Monday.

The alleged plot has been revealed to investigators by terror suspects David Coleman Headley and Mohammad Amjad Khwaja, the report added.

The FBI had arrested Headley in Chicago in October last year. He is accused of conducting a recce of Mumbai and several other Indian cities on behalf of Pakistan-based terror group Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) for the 26/11 attacks.

Exercise can help prevent painful muscle tension

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Munich, February 01: Like many working people, computer specialists, goldsmiths and lorry drivers are prime candidates for muscle tension.

At risk is anyone who has to stay concentrated for hours at a time or who puts uneven strain on the body.

Harper for stronger Canada-India ties

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Toronto, February 01: Canada and India must forge stronger trade, investment and educational ties to build a more productive friendship, Prime Minister Stephen Harper has said.

“Canada stands besides India as a steadfast and faithful friend,” Harper said in a message to a function organised by Panorama India to commemorate India’s 61st Republic Day celebration here.

Outlining the many historical, cultural, social and economic ties between the two countries, Harper said: “These bonds are a solid foundation upon which we can build an even stronger, more productive friendship.”

Terrorism, insurgency need to be tackled with firm hand: PM

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New Delhi, February 01: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Monday emphasised that “terrorism, insurgency and extremism need to be tackled with a firm and yet sensitive hand” as a requirement for rapid economic growth.

“It is one of the primary responsibilities of any government to ensure the rule of law. In addition, an atmosphere of peace and communal harmony is also a pre-requisite for rapid economic growth,” Manmohan Singh said while inaugurating a two-day conference of state chief secretaries here.

Sajjan Kr issued notice in 1984 riots cases

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New Delhi, February 01: A Delhi Court on Mondays issued summons to former Congress MP Sajjan Kumar and others after taking cognisance of the chargesheets filed against them in two cases relating to the 1984 anti-Sikh riots.

Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Lokesh Kumar Sharma sought presence of the 62-year-old Congress leader and others before the court on February 17.

The magistrate said that after perusing the chargesheets including the statements of the witnesses, prima-facie case of murder, rioting and other offences were made out against the accused.

An advice for Babus from PM: Be innovative and quick

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New Delhi, February 01: Giving a pep talk to civil servants, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Monday asked them to be innovative and quick, saying people resent “apathy, sloth and corruption” at any level of government more than ever before.

Doing some plain-speaking at the first annual conference of Chief Secretaries here, he said there was a clamour for accountability from all quarters — the legislature, the judiciary and the media.

Bilateral talks if Pakistan visit happens: Chidambaram

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New Delhi, February 01: Home Minister P Chidambaram said Monday that bilateral talks with Pakistani leaders could be on the anvil if he goes to Islamabad for the SAARC Interior Ministers’ Conference.

“I presume if I go to Pakistan, I presume we will hold bilateral talks if there is an opportunity. But remember SAARC is a multilateral forum,” Chidambaram told reporters when asked about his proposed visit. He was presenting his ministry’s monthly report card before the media.

Karan Johar wants to work with Aamir Khan

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Mumbai, February 01: Though it’s well known that Karan Johar loves to work with Shahrukh in his films, but the celebrity filmmaker is not averse to the idea of working with the other Khan, we mean Aamir Khan too.

Reportedly, in a recent interview the filmmaker admitted that he has huge respect for Aamir Khan’s talent and would like to work with him some day. Though there are no films in the pipeline with Aamir, but it seems KJO has no qualms working with the other Khans as well.

Katrina looks for adoption

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Mumbai, February 01: Katrina Kaif has found a new love these days. No, it’s not about the any man in her life but about a cub that Katrina wants to adopt.

Ever since the actress came to know that a cub has been rescued in a village in Bhopal and named after her, the actress has shown a keen interest in adopting the rescued cub.

The officials of the wild department of the area they have even received a call from Katrina’s assistant who wanted to know the complete procedure of adopting the cub.

Now a film on Bappi Lahiri

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Mumbai, February 01: Bappi Lahiri, who has given Bollywood some of its most melodious compositions, will soon be seen in a film that will be made on his life. The film will be directed by a new director and would go on the floors in a couple of months.

According to reports, the movie will also try to unravel the secret behind Bappi Lahiri’s love for jewellery which the music director is always seen wearing. The script of the film has been penned by Bappi Da’s old friend Raju Kariya.

Stay away from Mumbai migrant issue: Sena warns RSS

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Mumbai, February 01: The disconnect within the saffron combine over the issue of north Indian migrants in Mumbai got apparent on Monday with Shiv Sena rebutting the RSS’ view that Mumbai belongs to India and warned its leaders not to interfere in Maharashtra politics.

“RSS should not comment on any issue that is to do with Mumbai. This city belongs to Maharashtra and Marathi manoos. If RSS wants to talk of protecting Hindi they should do it in South India first,” Sena’s executive president Uddhav Thackeray wrote in party mouthpiece Saamna.

A flurry of visits in run-up to Obama’s India trip

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Washington, February 01: A flurry of visits, reflecting the growing level of Indo-US bilateral engagement since Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s November visit, is on the cards in the run-up to President Barack Obama’s key visit to India.

No dates have been finalised for the Obama visit later this year, but a time frame could well be firmed up when Manmohan Singh is back in Washington in April to attend the Global Nuclear Security Summit to be hosted by the White House April 12 and 13.

World Food Programme begins food distribution for women only

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Port-au-Prince, February 01: The UN World Food Programme began giving food to victims of Haiti’s devastating earthquake at special distribution points only for women.

Soldiers from the UN peacekeeping mission MINUSTAH, the US military and Haitian police are supervising the distribution, which is designed to prevent violence and ensure food reaches the greatest number of needy Haitians.

Strong groups of young men have overwhelmed some past efforts, carrying off most of the food, and troops have occasionally had to fire warning shots at aid drops.

Abhishek Bachchan Says Catching Up With Pa`s Fame? No way

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Mumbai, February 01: Latest Bollywood News Abhishek Bachchan may have followed his father on TV by hosting a show but the star does not think that he will ever be able to match Big B. “It is not possible to surpass Mr Bachchan and I am saying this as an actor not as a son.

Winter fitness routines can be intense, but within limits

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Hamburg, February 01: The more intensive a fitness regime is in the winter, the greater the susceptibility to illness.

This means aerobic exercise aimed at staying healthy in the winter should be moderate-to-intense basic cardio training and people should avoid workout sessions that last more than 60 minutes, said Christoph Eifler of a college for health management and disease prevention in Saarbruecken, Germany.

Interval training is a good fitness option once or twice a week with at least one day of rest in between.