Month: May 2010

Taiwan: No change on China policy after Ma comment

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Taipie, May 04: Taiwan will maintain a robust defense to deal with a possible Chinese attack, a senior official said Tuesday in the first Defense Ministry comment since the president’s contentious statement that the island would never seek U.S. help to defend itself.

Vice Defense Minister Chao Shih-chang’s comment came amid a firestorm of criticism from the opposition Democratic Progressive Party over President Ma Ying-jeou’s remarks, which were broadcast April 30 during an interview on CNN.

Dimple Kapadia’s son Karan assists Rahul Dholakia for Society

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Mumbai, May 04: After the demise of her sister Simple, Dimple Kapadia has been taking care of her nephew Karan. The actress had got him to assist Rahul Dholakia on Society, in which she is acting.

The boy wanted to spend his summer break working on a movie set rather than sitting at home. Rahul happily agreed when Dimple requested him to let the 16-year-old assist him.

Will Kasab get death or life sentence?

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Mumbai, May 04: A special court would Tuesday hear arguments on the quantum of sentence to be awarded to Pakistani gunman Ajmal Kasab, who has been held guilty for the murder of 166 persons in the 26/11 terror strikes in the financial capital of the country.

The punishment for the offences committed by Kasab ranges from life imprisonment to death.

The court had yesterday held him guilty of various offences, including mass murders and waging war against the nation.

CPI(M) Politburo four-day meeting begins today

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Kolkata, May 04: The prevailing political situation, including assembly polls in Bihar and upcoming elections to local bodies in West Bengal, would come up for discussion when the CPI(M) top brass begins a four-day meeting in New Delhi from Tuesday.

The party’s Politburo would hold a day-long meeting on Tuesday, which would be followed by a three-day session of the Central Committee here, party sources said.

The meeting comes against the backdrop of the defeat of the Left-sponsored cut motion in the Lok Sabha to demand reduction in prices of petrol, diesel and fertiliser.

Bebo beats Ash

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Mumbai, May 04: An online auction portal announced the latest edition of their Bollywood Barometer, which gauges celebrity popularity based on the number of celebrity-related products available for sale on their website.

Kareena Kapoor tops the list, followed by Rani Mukerji and Aishwarya Rai. In the male actors, Shah Rukh Khan’s name is ahead of Akshay Kumar and John Abraham.

But strangely, Katrina Kaif figures way below in the list in spite of having many brand endorsements, being the ‘most googled’ actress and ‘luckiest’ actress! Aisa bhi hota hai.

——-Agencies

Promote growth of Hinduism, says Malaysian NGO

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Kuala Lumpur, May 04: Malaysia Hindu Sangam, an NGO, has asked the government to promote the growth of Hinduism, a media report said Tuesday.

Mohan Shan, who heads the NGO, said a memorandum on the matter had been submitted to the government, reported Makkal Osai, a Tamil newspaper.

The government, he said, had given grants for the development of temples but more funds were needed to set up kindergartens, and religious and moral classes.

No dilution in strategy to tackle Maoists: HM

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New Delhi, May 04: The government has asserted its two-pronged strategy of accelerated development and calibrated police action to deal with Maoists will not be diluted.

“There will be no dilution in government’s two-pronged policy in dealing with the naxal menace,” Home Minister P Chidambaram told a meeting of the Consultative Committee of his Ministry in New Delhi.

He said accelerated development and calibrated police action continued to be two pillars of government’s anti-naxal policy.

CBI to seek sanction for prosecution of Sajjan Kumar for sedition

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New Delhi, May 04: CBI today told a Delhi court that it will seek sanction for prosecution of Congress leader Sajjan Kumar and others on the charge of sedition for their alleged involvement in 1984 anti-Sikh riots and sought start of their trial for murder of five persons in the carnage.

“We will seek sanction for prosecution of Kumar for the charges of sedition under Section 124 A of the IPC,” CBI counsel D P Singh told Additional Sessions Judge Sunita Gupta.

Rape victim files complaint; K’taka minister booked

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Shimoga, May 04: A CID inquiry was ordered and police registered a case of rape today against H Halappa who quit as Karnataka Minister following a charge of sexual assault made by his friend’s wife.

As opposition mounted pressure for Halappa’s arrest, Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa announced a CID probe, saying “let the truth come out. Whoever is guilty, should get punishment”.

In Shimoga, police registered a case of rape against Halappa after the victim formally lodged a complaint.

Reports: NKorea’s Kim to meet Chinese leaders

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Beijing, May 04: Reclusive North Korean leader Kim Jong Il was expected to meet top Beijing officials Tuesday, visiting his country’s main backer amid growing tensions over his country’s suspected role in the sinking of a South Korean navy ship.

No official announcements have been made about Kim’s visit, his first journey abroad in years. North Korean media typically report on his journeys after he returns home, and China’s Foreign Ministry has refused to comment when asked about Kim.

Charging capitation fee a cognizable offence: Bill in LS

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New Delhi, May 04: A bill that makes charging of capitation fee by any medical or technical institute a cognisable offence and empowers police to arrest the erring administrators without warrant was introduced in the Lok Sabha on Monday.

The Prohibition of Unfair Practices in Technical Educational Institutions, Medical Educational Institutions and University Bill, 2010 was introduced by HRD Minister Kapil Sibal amid din caused by opposition members over reported scam in 2G spectrum allocation and alleged involvement of Telecom Minister A Raja in it.

Google acquires 3D software pioneer to take on Apple

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Toronto, May 04: Google Monday snapped up a top Canadian startup which pioneered a 3D interface technology for Mac and Windows PCs.

Called Canada’s hottest software startup, Toronto-based BumpTop has been acquired by the search engine for reportedly between $30 and $45 million, according to reports. However, there were no details of the deal by the two sides.

Set up just three years ago, BumpTop has pioneered touch-screen software that allows use of multiple fingers at a time on a multiple touch screen.

RSS rubbishes reports of having any links with Ajmer blast

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New Delhi, May 04: The RSS today came out with a curious statement rubbishing reports that it had links with the Ajmer blast but at the same time said an accused person whom it did not name has been stripped off all responsibilities in the Sangh with immediate effect.

The RSS did not throw more light on a one-page statement issued by its general secretary Suresh Soni when clarifications were sought.

Soni dimissed media reports linking the Sangh founthead with the Ajmer blast on October 12, 2007 in which three persons were killed.

Classic Indian films on Muslim themes coming to New York

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New York, May 04: The prestigious Film Society of Lincoln Centre in New York is presenting a new film series focusing on Indian cinema May 19-27 highlighting classic films showcasing Muslim themes, performance idioms and lyric traditions.

Called ‘Social Dramas and Shimmering Spectacles: Muslim Cultures of Bombay Cinema’, the first film series of its kind in New York will feature ‘Jodhaa Akbar’ on the opening night along with more than a dozen other films like ‘Mughal-e-Azam’, ‘Pakeezah’, and ‘Umrao Jaan’.

Flooding hits Tennessee, nearby US states

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Nashville, May 04: A weekend deluge burst rivers and creeks from their banks across Tennessee and neighboring US states on Monday, killing at least 22 people and forcing thousands to evacuate homes and hotels.

The overflowing Cumberland River shut down bars and clubs in Nashville’s tourist district, drove 1,500 guests from the Opryland hotel and closed schools and businesses.

Nashville Mayor Karl Dean urged residents to conserve water because one of the city’s treatment plants had to be shut down after more than a foot (30 cm) of rain fell.

Gayle, Collingwood call for change in D/L method for T20

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Providence, May 04: West Indies’ captain Chris Gayle bore a relieved smile after his side’s eight-wicket win against England in a rain-affected match but did endorse his counterpart Paul Collingwood’s suggestion that the Duckworth/Lewis system needs adjustments for Twenty20 format.

England posted a daunting 191 for five in 20 overs but after a couple of overs in the West Indies innings, rain came down heavily and the hosts were asked to score a reduced target of 60 from six overs yesterday.

Aishwarya Rai’s chat show, coming up next on TV

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Mumbai, May 04: The doe-eyed beauty of India, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan will soon be seen on the small screen.

The actress who was not seen in any movies since her last hit, Guru is all set for her next flick, Raavan.

The Bachchan bahu has a number of projects lined up for her with some of best movie makers of .

The Indian film industry, with whom most of actors aspire of working with sometime. The program for which Aishwarya will be the host is reportedly a chat show on national television.

Katrina Kaif as Amitabh’s daughter

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Mumbai, May 04: Prakash Jha’s multi-starrer, Raajneeti, is all set release soon. The director has already begun to work on his next project.

So impressed is he with his Raajneeti leading lady, Katrina Kaif, that he has cast her in his next film as well. And teaming up with her on this one are Bollywood megastars Amitabh Bachchan and Ajay Devgn.

Jha has been known to make films on hard-hitting reality and Aarakshan is no different. It deals with the sensitive issue of job reservation.

Deepika Padukone’s love for sea

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Mumbai, MAy 04: In a typical Baywatch style, Deepika Padukone saves her hero Akshay Kumar in the film Housefull, but it wasn’t as easy a shot as it seems.

The actress took special diving lessons to do it. She began scuba diving lessons during the making of ‘Housefull’ .

And now plans to continue them during her Mauritius schedule of the film Break Ke Baad. The talented actress seems to have an adventurous streak.

As Deepika confirms to a tabloid, she loves swimming in the sea. “I love swimming. I had to learn scuba diving for a few days during ‘Housefull’.

U.S. has 5,113 nuclear warheads: Pentagon

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Washington, May 04: The United States has a total of 5,113 nuclear warheads in its stockpile as of 30th September 2009, the Pentagon has revealed, a total of 8,748 nuclear warheads were dismantled during the period between 1994 and 2009.

The newly declassified information was released as part of America’s effort to increase the transparency of global nuclear stockpiles — a step which it thinks is important to non-proliferation efforts.

Imran Khan’s shirtless photos enthrall his fans

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Mumbai, May 04: Imran Khan has been out of sight for a while but will be seen a lot soon. After the recent pictures of the shirtless lad have been released for the movie I Hate Luv Storys, Dharma productions phone has not stopped ringing. His gay fans are totally bowled over and are demanding autographed pictures from the production.

CM takes a headstart in race for public vote

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Bihar, May 04: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is back to doing what he knows best: establishing a direct rapport with the people. Though the assembly elections are six months away, the Chief Minister is already in election mode.

Nitish kicked off his Vishwas Yatra last week to thank people who had reposed faith in him by voting him to power in the last assembly polls and win their confidence again for a second term.

Iran open to new talks on fuel swap

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Tehran, May 04: Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad reiterates Iran’s readiness to play a “constructive and positive” role in breaking the stalemate in nuclear fuel swap deal.

President Ahmadinejad’s offer came in talks with UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon in New York on Monday on the sidelines of the 2010 Review Conference of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

Punish US for ‘shameful’ nuclear threats: Iran

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United Nations, May 04: Terming nuclear weapons ‘disgusting and shameful,’ Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Monday urged the United Nations to punish countries like the United States that threaten to use them.

In keeping with past practice during annual UN General Assembly gatherings, the delegations of the United States, Britain, France, Germany and others walked out of the assembly chamber during the Iranian president’s fiery speech.