Month: May 2010

BJP Govt completes two years in Karnataka

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New Delhi, May 29: The Hindu Union Minister for External Affairs S.M. Krishna being greeted by Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa at the lunch of four Passport Seva Kendras which set up under the Passport Seva Project at Mangalore, Hubli and Bangalore on Friday. Photo:V Sreenivasa Murthy.
The first ever BJP Government in the South headed by Karnataka Chief Minister B. S. Yeddyurappa completed two years in office on Saturday, managing to overcome all odds and a major intra-party rebellion that had threatened its very survival.

Jet Airways pilot arrested for rape, cheating

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New Delhi, May 29: Jet Airways, rape, cheatingBuzz up! Share Mumbai: A Jet Airways pilot was arrested here Saturday on charges of rape and cheating following a complaint against him by an air hostess with whom he was in a relationship, a police official said.

“The woman had registered a case with us May 27. Our policemen Saturday brought the pilot, Varun Agarwal, to the Powai police station for questioning and later arrested him,” said Asha Korke, the investigating officer at the police station in suburban Andheri.

Prenatal exposure to BPA behind breast cancer?

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London, May 29: Breast cancer, Prenatal exposure, Bisphenol-ABuzz up! Share Washington: Exposure in the womb to chemicals like Bisphenol-A (BPA) and Diethylstilbestrol (DES) can increase an offspring’s risk of breast cancer, according to a new study.

Researchers at Yale School of Medicine found that BPA and DES, called endocrine-disrupting chemicals, are substances in the environment that interfere with the proper functioning of hormones. This disruption results in adverse developmental, reproductive, neurological and immune effects in both humans and wildlife.

Sonia, Omar discuss Kashmir coalition’s functioning

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Jammu & Kashmir, May 29: Sonia Gandhi, Omar Abdullah, discuss, Kashmir, coalitionBuzz up! Share Jammu: Congress President Sonia Gandhi and Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah Saturday discussed the functioning of the National Conference-Congress coalition government in the state against the backdrop of reported fissures within the alliance.

Defence Ministry will fully cooperate with J&K ‘fake’ encounter probe: Antony

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New Delhi, May 29: Defence Minister A. K. Antony on Saturday said his ministry will fully cooperate with Jammu and Kashmir police probe into the alleged fake encounter in Kashmir involving an Army jawan and promised that anybody found “guilty will be punished“.

He said the Army is also inquiring into the allegations that three youth were lured to the Line of Control and killed in a fake encounter.

Serena Williams overcomes dizziness to advance to fourth round

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London, May 29: Serena Williams beat an apparent case of dizzinesss with a tablet during a second-set on-court doctor?s visit at the French Open, recovering enough to advance into the fourth round over Russian Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova 6-1, 1-6, 6-2 on Saturday.

The American top seed played through her episode to advance and prevented her sister Venus from having a chance at seizing back the number one WTA ranking. Had Serena failed to advance, Venus could have taken over by winning the title.

WB train mishap: Mamata hints at conspiracy, denies fish plate theory

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Kolkata, May 29: A day after the deadly Gyaneshwari express derailment, Railway Minister, Mamata Banerjee on Saturday ruled out any sabotage and blamed it all on political conspirators.

The Railway Minister, while addressing a press conference in Kolkata ahead of the West Bengal civic polls, said that the accident was a consequence of political conspiracy.

But she refrained from naming any particular group responsible for the derailment of the ill fated train.

Flotilla bound for Gaza delayed, loses key members

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Jerusalam, May 29: Ships carrying 10,000 tons of supplies and hundreds of pro-Palestinian activists to blockaded Gaza were being held up near Cyprus on Saturday, as organizers tried to get nearly two dozen high-profile supporters on board.

The flotilla was to set sail toward Gaza on Saturday afternoon, in any event, and approach the territory on Sunday, about 24 hours behind schedule, said Greta Berlin, one of the activists.

Malawi’s president: pardon and release gay couple

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Malawi, May 29: Malawi’s president on Saturday pardoned and ordered the release of a gay couple sentenced to 14 years in prison, but warned that homosexuality remains illegal in the conservative southern African nation.

President Bingu wa Mutharika said he would release Tiwonge Chimbalanga and Steven Monjeza on “humanitarian grounds only.” He made the announcement during a press conference with U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in Lilongwe, the capital.

Police: Lahore attackers were Pakistani Taliban

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Lahore, May 29: Police say the men who attacked two mosques of a religious minority in Pakistan’s east belonged to the Pakistani Taliban.

Senior police officer Akram Naeem said Saturday one of the captured attackers said the men had trained in North Waziristan, a region where the U.S. wants Islamabad to mount an army operation.

The attacks Friday killed 93 people at sites of worship belonging to the Ahmadi sect.

Wal-Mart makes splashy price cuts to get mojo back

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New York, May 29: Wal-Mart is counting on $1 ketchup bottles and sub-$4 cases of Coke to get its low-price mojo back.

The sharp cuts, which came ahead of Memorial Day weekend, have already pushed rivals such as Target into price wars. And the markdowns are expected to keep coming throughout the summer.

Iraq’s al-Maliki says he’s only party PM nominee

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Baghdad, MAy 29: Iraq’s prime minister said Saturday he is the only nominee from his political party to run the nation’s next government, rejecting suggestions of a consensus candidate to satisfy those concerned about his leadership.

Nouri al-Maliki’s comments revealed an unwillingness to budge in negotiations with his Shiite partners over forming Iraq’s likely next government despite a process that has dragged on in the nearly three months since the March 7 election left the country without a clear winner.

US drone crew blamed for Afghan civilian deaths

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Kabul, May 29: Inexperienced operators of a U.S. drone aircraft ignored or downplayed signs that Afghan civilians were in a convoy blasted in a deadly American missile attack earlier this year, a military report released Saturday said.

At least 23 people were killed in the Feb. 21 attack in Uruzgan province, deepening tensions between the Afghan government and NATO forces over the toll of civilian deaths at the hands of foreign troops.

A nation mesmerized: Can BP plug the Gulf gusher?

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London, May 29As the nation remained transfixed by a busted oil well spewing millions of gallons of crude into the Gulf of Mexico, BP offered few details Saturday on its latest bid to plug the worst oil spill in U.S. history and scientists suggested any progress was incremental at best.

Muslims must refuse to rise to EDL provocation

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London, May 29: The Guardian’s investigation into the English Defence League (EDL) was a fascinating insight into the motivations and aims of the far-right anti-Islamic group. Some of the comments by individuals justifying their involvement with the EDL were hardly a surprise to those of us used to the mythologising and half-truths that get bandied about every time Islam is discussed. The level of hate and fear has, sadly, become a typical reaction from some who will use any excuse to roll up their sleeves and get stuck into a spot of Muslim-bashing.

SRK, Ash not teaming-up for Yash Raj’s next

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Mumbai, May 29: Bollywood actors Aishwarya Rai and Shah Rukh Khan will not be seen together in Yash Raj Films (YRF) next project, a spokesperson from the production house said Saturday.

“Despite our categorical denial of this baseless rumour, the tabloid continued to publish this with an ambiguous quote from a person at YRF. It is totally baseless and not true,” said an official statement from YRF.

“The least that should have been done was to have quoted us correctly and preferably not have carried this concocted story at all,” it added.

Chandrababu Naidu chosen as TDP chief for 15th year

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Hyderabad, May 29: N Chandrababu Naidu was unanimously re-elected president of the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) here today on the concluding day of the party’s three-day annual conference ‘Mahanadu.’

This is for the 15th consecutive year that Naidu has been chosen by the party as its chief. He has now surpassed party’s founder president and his father-in-law N T Rama Rao in the stint as party chief as Rao held the TDP’s reins for 14 years between 1982 and 1996.

In all, 21 sets of nominations were filed in favour of Chandrababu Naidu for the party president’s election.

Judge turns down Younis demand for open hearing

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Lahore, May 29: Younis Khan wants the hearing of his appeal against an indefinite ban on him to be heard in the presence of media but the Pakistan Cricket Board-appointed judge today turned down the demand after a heated argument with his lawyer.

When Justice (retd) Irfan Qadir abruptly announced the removal of a one-year ban on former captain Shoaib Malik, Younus’ lawyer Ahmed Qayyum demanded that his client’s hearing be conducted in front of journalists.

Younis is in England playing for Surrey in the county circuit.

Militants attack Afghan police convoy, killing 5

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Kabul, May 29: Militants ambushed an Afghan police convoy with a roadside bomb and gunfire in eastern Afghanistan, killing five officers before fleeing NATO aerial bombardment, an official said today.

Two militants were killed and up to six wounded in the battle yesterday in Paktia province, said Ghulam Dastagir, the deputy provincial police chief.

He said the convoy was headed toward the Dandi Pathan district when one vehicle was hit by a roadside bomb blast, killing five officers and wounding the district police chief.

Thailand lifts curfew after calm returns to Bangkok

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Bangkok, May 29: Thailand’s premier today lifted a curfew imposed across about one third of the country, including Bangkok, in the wake of deadly anti-government protests, saying the situation was now under control.

But Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said there was no plan yet to revoke emergency rule following the end of two months of mass rallies by the “Red Shirts” that left almost 90 people dead in a series of clashes with troops.

“The curfew will be lifted but the state of emergency will remain in place,” Abhisit told reporters.

Gold rebounds on wedding season demand, global cues

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New Delhi, May 29: Gold prices rebounded by Rs 115 to Rs 18,790 per ten gram in the bullion market here today on aggressive buying by stockists and jewellers for the ongoing marriage season amid a firming global trend.

The precious metal gained 2.30 dollar to 1,214.30 dollar an ounce in overseas markets.

Standard gold and ornaments recovered sharply by Rs 115 each to Rs 18,790 and Rs 18,640 per ten gram respectively.

They had lost Rs 135 in the previous trading session.

Sovereign gained Rs 50 to Rs 14,600 per piece of eight gram.

Abbas shot wife love scenes with John

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Mumbai, May 29: John can kiss my wife says Abbas Tyrewala. He is not the first Indian director to pair his wife with an actor. For decades the legendary V Shantaram directed his two wives, first Jayshree and then Sandhya in films co-starring himself and other actors.

But Abbas’s film tentatively titled 1-800-Love is a unique case. Here for the first time in Indian cinema, Abbas directs his own wife Pakhi and that too in an intense love story, featuring Bollywood’s resident pinup boy John Abraham.

Lara Dutta to co-host IIFA awards

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New Delhi, May 29: Bollywood actress Lara Dutta will co-host this year’s International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) awards at Colombo June 3-5 along with Boman Irani and Riteish Deshkmukh.

“I am not performing this year but will be hosting the show along with Boman Irani and Riteish Deshkmukh,” Lara told reporters here Friday.

The actress was in the capital for the launch of international clothing brand Zara’s store at Select Citywalk, Saket.

Madhuri Gupta’s judicial custody extended

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New Delhi, May 29: A city court Saturday extended by 14 days the judicial custody of Madhuri Gupta, a junior Indian diplomat arrested on charges of spying for Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI).

Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Kaveri Baweja conducted the hearing through video-conferencing and asked the Tihar Jail authorities to present Gupta, 53, in court June 11.

Gupta, a second secretary at the Indian High Commission in Islamabad, was arrested here April 27 on charges of passing on information to the Pakistani intelligence agency.

Shutdown hits life in Telangana, bus services halted

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Hyderabad, May 29: Hundreds of commuters were stranded as government-run bus services came to a halt in Telangana Saturday after mobs attacked vehicles in several places during a daylong shutdown called by pro-Telangana groups against the firing on protesters in Warangal district, officials said.

At least six private buses and one state-owned Road Transport Corporation (RTC) bus were set afire and over a dozen were damaged in sporadic incidents of violence in the region since morning.