Month: June 2010

Silver rise to record in futures trade on global cues

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New Delhi, June 28: Silver prices rose to record by gaining Rs 173, or 0.58 per cent, to Rs 30,088 per kg in futures trade today on brisk buying by speculators amid firming global trend.

At the Multi Commodity Exchange, silver for December contract rose by Rs 173, or 0.58 per cent, to Rs 30,088 per kg, with an open interest of 283 lots.

Similarly, the metal for delivery in July contract moved up by Rs 159, or 0.53 per cent, to Rs 29,963 per kg, with an open interest of 13,809 lots.

Govt planning MBBS courses in Tamil: Karunanidhi

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Coimbatore, June 28: After introducing Tamil as the medium of instruction in Engineering education, Tamil Nadu Government proposes to extend it to medical courses, Chief Minister M Karunanidhi said today.

“The (Higher Education) minister had announced that Engineering courses would be taught in Tamil from this year.

Next, it would be introduced in medical colleges,” he told reporters here.

Anna University had last week released textbooks for BE Civil Engineering and Mechanical Engineering courses in Tamil.

CRPF dismisses allegations of high-handedness in J-K

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New Delhi, June 29: CRPF today refuted allegations of high-handedness in tackling protestors in Jammu and Kashmir and said it was working along with the state police.

“The CRPF is working along with the Magistrate and the Jammu and Kashmir Police,” CRPF Director General Vikram Srivastava told PTI.

Asked about the allegations of high-handedness, Srivastava who is keeping a close vigil on the developments, said, “The local Superintendent of Police (Sopore) is there.

Our men are there to assist him.”

Five get 20 years imprisonment under NDPS Act

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Bhopal, June 28: A local court today awarded 20 years imprisonment and imposed a fine of Rs two lakh each on five persons under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.

Special Additional Sessions Judge Sarita Singh awarded the sentence to the five persons who were arrested by the STF on February 12, 2009 with 1.3 quintal of charas when they were on their way to Indore from Hoshangabad.

Maradona expects Germany to pose tougher task than Mexico

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Johannesburg, June 28: Argentina coach Diego Maradona says he expected Germany to be tougher opponents than Mexico when the two teams clash in a World Cup quarter-final in Cape Town on Saturday.

After three straight victories in the group phase, Argentina extended their impressive run at the 2010 World Cup with a competent 3-1 win over Mexico in a Round of 16 match Sunday night at Soccer City Stadium in Johannesburg.

Germany were even more convincing, trouncing ‘old enemy’ England 4-1 in Bloemfontein earlier in the day.

Prince Harry unhurt after falling from horse

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London, June 28: Prince Harry narrowly escaped serious injury following a terrifying fall at a polo match in New York.

The 25-year-old was taking part in the annual Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic charity game on Governors Island, Manhattan, Sunday to raise money for African orphans, reports contactmusic.com.

The star-studded crowd, which included actress Susan Sarandon, musician Mary J. Blige and actor Val Kilmer, was left in shock for the young royal after he came crashing to the ground as he fell from his horse.

‘Modi’s downfall a lesson for sports administrators’

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Johannesburg, June 28: Suspended IPL Commissioner Lalit Modi is paying the price for his “autocratic” style of functioning and his potential downfall is a lesson for administrators in similar position, according to former South African cricket boss Dr Ali Bacher.

Bacher said Modi had no doubt played a part in making the Indian Premier League an extraordinary success but his tendency to take unilateral decisions ultimately paved his downfall.

Sensex gains 200 pts led by Reliance Group stocks

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Mumbai, June 28: The Bombay Stock Exchange benchmark Sensex today gained nearly 200 points on buying in blue-chips, led by Reliance group stocks.

A mixed pattern in Asian stock markets and a higher opening in Europe this afternoon influenced the trading sentiment here after the G-20 group of nations promised to boost growth, cut deficits and stabilise markets.

She lost her sight in stone-pelting

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Srinagar, June 28: Parents of 19-year old Tulsi had a simple dream — to marry her off to a “decent boy” — but a stone thrown by protestors in Kashmir has shattered it.

Daughter of a rag-picker Vijay Kumar from Punjab, Tulsi had translocated to the valley with her family six years back in search of greener pastures. But now her left eye has got permanently damaged during a stone-pelting protest in Nowgam.

Unaware of the reasons for the ongoing protests, Tulsi was collecting garbage, which was the only source of her family’s income, when a stone hit her eye.

Security measures taken to protect RSS chief: ATS

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Mumbai, Jun 28 (PTI) Adequate security measures have been taken by authorities in the wake of reports of an alleged plot to assassinate RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, Maharashtra Anti- Terrorism Squad informed the Bombay High Court today.

Senior counsel Rohini Salian, on behalf of ATS, told the court in response to its query as to what steps the government proposed to take in respect of this allegation made by 2008 Malegaon Blast accused Sameer Kulkarni in a letter.

Nalini transferred from Vellore prison to Puzhal jail

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Chennai, June 28: Nalini Sriharan, a life convict in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case, was today shifted from Vellore prison to Puzhal jail in the suburbs of Chennai following complaints of harassment, and she claimed the transfer was a “stepping stone” towards her early release.

44-year-old Nalini, who completed completed 19 years in jail on June 13, was transferred from high security Vellore prison to Puzhal amid tight security.

CBI seeks Sharma’s custody in Mecca Masjid blast case

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Hyderabad, June 28: After getting custody of Devender Gupta, an accused in the 2007 Mecca Masjid blast case, CBI today filed a petition before a local court seeking custodial interrogation of another accused Lokesh Sharma.

Gupta and Sharma were brought to Hyderabad by CBI from Ajmer on June 17, as part of further investigation into the blast that had left nine persons dead on May 18, 2007.

The investigating agency, which is probing the blast, had registered a case on June 9, 2007 under various sections of IPC and Unlawful Activities Prevention Act.

Mamata condemns Naxal violence; says Railways hit hard

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Kolkata, June 28: Condemning Maoist violence, Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee today said the PSU had incurred Rs 250 crore loss due to their activities which also forced the suspension of night running of trains in areas which have strong presence of the ultras.

“What is going on by throwing bombs, removing clips and blowing away trains killing innocent people,” she said at a function after flagging off four new EMU trains at Majherhat station in the southern suburbs.

One killed in firing after fight over water

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New Delhi, June 28: A 22-year-old man was shot dead and two others were injured when some persons opened fire in a north-east Delhi locality following a fight between two groups over water, police said today.

The incident was reported from Karawal Nagar at around 10:30 pm yesterday and the deceased has been identified as Bhagat Singh, a senior police official said.

Singh was shot in the chest while two others — Ompal and Pankaj — received bullet injuries in leg and stomach. The condition of Ompal is stated to be critical while Pankaj is out of danger.

QCI to provide accredition to ITIs and ITCs

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New Delhi, June 28: In a bid to raise the standard of job-oriented training in the country, the Quality Council of India (QCI) is set to provide accreditation to ITIs and ITCs giving vocational education.

“The entire exercise is aimed at raising the standard of vocation education in the country and that of the students who are working on the hit and trial basis,” Secretary General of the council, Giridhar J Gyani said.

The council has entered into an agreement with the Labour and Employment Ministry for annual evaluation of vocational training providers, ITIs and ITCs.

Top priority to improvement of Konkan railway: Chavan

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Mumbai, June 28: The Maharashtra government today said improvement of railway services in the Konkan route was its top priority.

“The government has accorded top priority to the interests of Konkan on the Konkan railway route,” Chief Minister Ashok Chavan said at a review meeting.

Political parties should not indulge in any activity that would derail train services in the region, he added.

DTC to run bus from Qutub Minar metro from tomorrow

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New Delhi, June 28: The Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) will run a connecting bus service from the Qutub Minar Metro station to Badarpur from tomorrow.

The bus service will run from 6.15 am to 9.20 pm at a frequency of 20 to 25 minutes. The service will ply on a 14-km route on Mehrauli-Badarpur Road, a DMRC spokesperson said.

The areas the service will cover are Ahimsa Sthal, Lado Sarai, Saket, Khanpur, Batra Hospital and Tuglakabad.

DTC is already running a bus service from Qutub Minar to Central Secretariat at a frequency of 10 to 15 minutes.

–Agencies

Head Constable dies trying to stop errant truck driver

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New Delhi, June 28: A 49-year-old Delhi Police Head Constable was killed here as he was hit by a speeding truck while trying to stop it for violation of traffic rules, police said today.

The incident took place near Pul Mithai Chowk in north Delhi’s Sabzi Mandi area at around 11.30 pm last night.

Ishwar Singh, posted at Bara Hindu Rao Police Station, was trying to catch the truck driver who had violated traffic rules, a senior police official said. Singh hailed from Sonepat in Haryana.

Lockheed to offer F-35 fighters to Navy

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New Delhi, June 28: US defence major Lockheed Martin today said it will offer its latest fifth generation F-35 fighters to meet Indian Navy’s requirements for carrier-based combat aircraft.

“We have received the Request for Information (RFI) from the Navy seeking information about the F-35 aircraft, which are capable of taking off from aircraft carriers. We are going to offer our aircraft to them,” Lockheed Martin Vice President Orville Prins said here.

He said presentations had been given to the Indian Navy about both the ‘B’and ‘C’ versions of the aircraft in the recent past.

NATO’s June death toll in Afghanistan nears 100

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Kabul, June 28: The death toll for foreign soldiers in Afghanistan neared the grim milestone of 100 for June alone Monday as the CIA chief warned the anti-Taliban war would be tougher and longer than expected.

Britain’s Ministry of Defence said a soldier had been killed in the southern province of Helmand on Sunday, taking the June toll as tallied by AFP to 99 — already the worst monthly total in nearly nine years of fighting.

The British death came after four Norwegian soldiers died when their vehicle was hit by a roadside bomb in the northern province of Faryab on Sunday.

Maoists kill businessman in Jharkhand

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Ranchi, June 28: Maoist rebels shot dead a businessman, who they considered a sympathizer of another rebel faction, in Jharkhand’s Simdega district, police said Monday.

Two Maoist rebels came to a hotel run by Kunindra Prasad in the district, some 110 km from Ranchi, Sunday night and took him to a jungle area.

Prasad’s body with three bullet wounds was recovered Monday from the nearby jungle area.

BJP, JD-U finalise seat sharing for Bihar polls

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New Delhi, June 28: With their relationship on “track” in Bihar now after the row between Nitish Kumar and Narendra Modi, BJP and JD-U have finalised seat sharing for the upcoming Assembly elections in the state.

Highly placed sources in NDA said that both parties have agreed to share the 243 Assembly seats there as per the formulae of the last election in October 2005 under which JD-U had contested 139 seats and BJP 102.

Five Americans appeal terror convictions: Pakistan

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Islamabad, June 28: The defense lawyer for five Americans convicted of plotting terrorist attacks and sentenced to 10 years in jail in Pakistan says he has filed an appeal.

Hasan Dastagir says the appeal filed Monday argues the conviction should be overturned because it did not take into account evidence provided by the defense.

Dastagir says the court will set a date to hear the appeal in a few days.

The five young Americans from the Washington, DC area were arrested in the Pakistani city of Sargodha six months ago and convicted last week.

IACR condemns ban on Dr. Zakir Naik

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Hyderabad, June 28 (Siasat News): Islamic Academy for comparative religion condemns England and Canada entry ban on Dr. Zakir Naik.

England and Canada have unilaterally revoked visas granted to internationally respected Muslim Scholars like Dr Zakir Naik and Dr. Bilal Philips and imposed a ban on both of them. The timing of the ban is worth nothing that it came just one week before major programs in those two countries. These programs were heading to be the largest ever Islamic programs in the western world.

Two killed in CRPF-mob clash in Sopore

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Srinagar, June 28: Two person was on Monday killed when CRPF troops opened fire to quell a mob pelting stones on its battalion headquarters in Sopore in North Kashmir.

The incident took place this afternoon when locals protesting the death of a youth, Bilal Ahmed Wani, turned violent outside the 92 Battalion headquarter of CRPF in Sopore, 55 kms from here, official sources said.

After several rounds of tear gas firing, the paramilitary forces opened fire in which one person was killed, they said.