Petrol, diesel costlier from April 1 in 13 cities
New Delhi, March 31: The government is raising the prices of petrol and diesel by over one percent in 13 cities, where the Euro-IV grade low-sulphur fuel will be supplied from April 1.
Month: March 2010
We’ve been inconsistent: Deccan skipper Gilchrist
Kolkata, March 31: Deccan Chargers captain Adam Gilchrist today blamed inconsistent batting for his team’s back-to-back defeats and hoped the mistakes would be rectified against Kolkata Knight Riders in the Indian Premier League here tomorrow.
The defending champions had lost their inaugural match to Kolkata to begin their campaign on a disappointing note, but Gilchrist said they are not taking the return game as a revenge match.
“I do not see our match against KKR as a revenge match.
World number one Federer out of Miami tennis
Miami, March 31: World number one Roger Federer was sent crashing out of the ATP and WTA Masters tournament dropping a 6-4, 6-7 (3/7), 7-6 (8/6) fourth round marathon match to Czech Tomas Berdych.
The reigning Australian Open champion yesterday suffered just his second loss to Berdych in 10 career meetings.
Berdych, the 16th seed, hammered six aces and won 67 percent of his first service points in the two hour, 51 minute match on the hardcourts at Crandon Park.
No ramp, but new designers happy to be part of WIFW
New Delhi, March 31: For them it is a step closer to the world of their dreams of seeing beauties wearing their designs on the ramp.
But the new entrants in the world of fashion are happy to get a chance to showcase their creations through the stalls.
Naveen Dohare, a NIFT alumnus and a debutante at the recently concluded Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week (WIFW) feels that although designers showcasing their collection on the ramp have an edge, he has been able to showcase his merchandise for buyers to take notice.
Right to Education Act comes into force Thursday
New Delhi, March 31: The much awaited Right to Eduction (RTE) Act, which promises free and compulsory education up to Class 8, will be implemented Thursday with an address to the nation by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
The act will provide for education to students in the age group of 6-14 and specially focus on bringing back 8.1 million children of this age group back to the classrooms.
May 3 is judgment day for Kasab
Mumbai, March 31: A special court here Wednesday set May 3 as the date for pronouncing the final judgment in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks case.
Ajmal Amir Kasab is the lone surviving Pakistani terrorist who was caught during the attack and has been facing the trial in the special court.
According to Special Public Prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam, the final arguments in case, involving Kasab, ended here Tuesday, after which Special Judge M. L. Tahaliyani announced the verdict in the case would be pronounced on May 3.
Israel restricts access to Al-Aqsa mosque
Jerusalem, March 31: Israel on Monday curbed travel from the West Bank and access to Jerusalem’s flashpoint Al-Aqsa mosque compound as Jews began to celebrate Passover holidays amid raised tension with the Palestinians.
Four Israeli rightwing activists were briefly detained when they tried to make their way to the Old City in annexed east Jerusalem with two goats intended for ritual slaughter, police said.
Who was behind Hyderabad riots? Many rumours, no answer
Hyderabad, March 31:Were the communal riots in Hyderabad pre-planned and if so who was responsible for it? These questions have cropped up in people’s minds as wild allegations are being made by a section of leaders within the ruling Congress party.
While party leaders from Telangana have pointed fingers at their colleagues from Andhra and Rayalaseema regions, saying it was a conspiracy to weaken the movement for separate statehood, a Congress MP from Andhra has blamed the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
I only accept meaningful awards: Aamir Khan
New Delhi, March 31: Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan is known to be picky when it comes to accepting awards and the actor who famously shuns the glitzy Filmfare and IIFA ceremonies, said that he only accepts the meaningful ones.
When asked why he keeps away from award ceremonies, the actor said, “I do accept awards but the media does not report them. I have accepted the Dinanath Mangeshkar award and also the National award. These hold some meaning so I have gone for these,” Aamir told reporters here.
Garbage collection affected as violence continues
Hyderabad, March 31: The sheen of being one of the cleanest and green cities is in danger of getting worn off because of the current communal flare up as the GHMC is not in a position to lift garbage from the troubled spots.
With eight more police stations in addition to the 17 announced on Monday placed under indefinite curfew, there is little chance of the municipal garbage trucks lifting solid waste from any of these localities. Other than hindrance to the vehicular movement, drivers’ attendance too has been hit as several reside in the old city.
City panics as rally turns violent
Hyderabad, March 31: A motorcycle rally jointly organised by Bajrang Dal and Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) in connection with Hanuman Jayanti on Tuesday turned violent with mobs attacking religious structures, shops, eateries and passersby at Musheerabad, Bholakpur, Kavadiguda and Nallagutta triggering panic all over the city.
Curfew hits medical services in old city
Hyderabad, March 31: Medical services in old city have taken a hit after curfew was imposed due to violence.
Patients, hailing from curfew areas, along with their relatives and attenders are trapped and nowhere to go at government hospitals.
Ryot found dead in police custody
Guntur, March 31: A farmer was found dead in police custody at Bapatla Rural Police station in the early hours of Tuesday. The police maintained that Asodhi Nagi Reddy (37), committed suicide.
BJP blames MIM for fomenting trouble
Hyderabad, March 31: The State unit of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday, accused MIM activists and some anti-social elements of pelting stones on the procession, which was jointly organised by Bajrang Dal and Vishwa Hindu Parishad in connection with Hanuman Jayanti.
In a press release, party spokesperson, N. Ramchandra Rao said the violent incidents reported so far were perpetuated by MIM. He also found fault with the police for harassing BJP and RSS activists even after knowing that they were not involved.
Fresh trouble for Zardari as graft cases to reopen
Islamabad, March 31: Pakistan government has asked Switzerland to reopen graft cases against President Asif Ali Zardari related to the alleged stashing of USD 60 million in Swiss banks, the country’s anti-corruption agency told the Supreme Court today.
Curfew cools down Old City a bit
Hyderabad, March 31: Old City eased up a bit on Tuesday, a day after curfew was clamped in 17 police station limits of the communally-sensitive parts of the walled city that witnessed violent clashes. Barring stray incidents, the day passed off peacefully and the usually jampacked streets of the congested Old City wore a deserted look.
An occasional passerby with a curfew pass or the vehicles of the police and media were the only things spotted moving on the main thoroughfares.
The interior roads, however, wore an altogether different look.
Petrol, diesel rise up to Rs 0.50/litre tonight
New Delhi, March 31: Petrol and diesel prices will go up by Rs 0.50 a litre from midnight tonight in 13 big cities, including Delhi and Mumbai, where cleaner Euro-IV grade fuel will be supplied from tomorrow, a government official said today.
Petrol price in Delhi will go up by Rs 0.50 per litre to Rs 47.93 a litre and diesel by Rs 0.26 to Rs 38.10 a litre on account of supply of cleaner Euro-IV fuel, the official said but did not wish to be identified.
Afridi Won the Cricketer of the Decade Award
Lahore, March 31: The winner of the espnstar.com’s Cricketer of the Decade is Pakistani all-rounder and Twenty20 captain Shahid Afridi, who bagged more than 50 per cent of the votes as against the other three finalists — Ricky Ponting, Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Shane Warne.
Afridi got 50.51 % votes, Ponting ended at the second position with 37.16 % with Dhoni (11.68%) and Shane Warne (0.65% ) falling behind.
Orange juice suppresses ill effects of fast food
Washington, March 31: Flavonoid, an antioxidant in orange juice, taken along with a high-fat meal, especially fast food, neuters its ill effects, says a new study.
Free radicals, or reactive oxygen species, are known to induce inflammation in blood vessel linings and contribute to the risk of heart attack and stroke.
Endocrinologists at the University of Buffalo (UB) in the US show that the potent preventative effect of orange juice is most likely linked to its heavy load of flavonoids, naringenin and hesperidin, which are major antioxidants.
Suspicious elements found disbursing money
Hyderabad, March 31 (Siasat News): In the wake of communal riots broke out in old city, the intelligence should have shown the extra alertness to find out the elements that are behind the violence and the mottos related to it. This is where if intelligence fails, the situation becomes out of control.
It was Siasat Daily that every now and then, drew attention of the authorities towards various factors related to city’s communal harmony and more. Here, one more such incident is brought to the notice of the authorities.
My book will frighten those in power: Fatima Bhutto
Islamabad, March 31: Fatima Bhutto, the outspoken niece of slain former Pakistani premier Benazir Bhutto, says her tell-all tome on the Bhutto dynasty will “frighten” those in power in the country.
Fatima had the first launch of ‘Songs of Blood and Sword: A Daughter’s Memoir’ at Clifton Gardens at the exact spot in the port city of Karachi where her father Mir Murtaza Bhutto was killed nearly 14 years ago.
Without taking the name of her aunt Benazir’s widower President Asif Ali Zardari, Fatima said the man who orchestrated the killing of her father is currently leading the nation.
I am supporting Mumbai Indians: Sanjay Dutt
Mumbai, March 31: Actor Sanjay Dutt, who featured on the “Extraaa Innings T20” show on MAX, says he is pitching for the Mumbai Indians team in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) cricket tournament.
“I am a Mumbai boy, so I am supporting Mumbai Indians,” Sanjay told IANS outside the studio at the Film City here Tuesday. He appeared on the show in his unique Game Master avatar that he has donned for the new Pepsi ad.
“Fantastic experience to be right here in the studio. I do follow a lot of cricket not only now, ever since I was small. I love cricket,” he added.
Vidya Balan highlights Indian cinema’s global impact at Wharton
New Delhi, March 31: Bollywood actress Vidya Balan, who was recently invited to the Wharton School in Pennsylvania to be part of the 14th Wharton India Economic Forum, showcased the high points of Indian cinema there.
The 32-year-old was invited to speak March 27 on globalization of mainstream Indian cinema.
Women refusing to remove niqab in Canada will be charged
Toronto, March 31: After the landmark niqab ban in French-speaking Quebec province last week, Canadian police now say they will charge anyone refusing to remove face-coverings, including niqab, when being booked after arrest.
Under Canadian laws, police always take mug shots of the offenders after their arrest.
Though no Muslim woman with a niqab has been arrested in the country yet, police said Tuesday that anyone refusing to remove face-coverings for a mug shot will face charges.
9 killed in twin suicide blasts in Russia
Moscow, March 31: Nine people, including a local police chief, were killed and many others injured today in two successive blasts in Kizlyar town in Russia’s volatile North Caucasus region of Dagestan.
Nine people have died in the blasts, according to Interfax news agency.
It said local police chief Vitaly Vedernikov was also killed in suicide attack by a man in police uniform.
The first blast took place at around 8.30 am (1000 IST) when a car parked on the street near a school and packed with explosives was blown up by its driver.