Month: June 2010

Activists still in Israeli detention

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Gaza, June 02: Israel has still not released hundreds of peace activists detained in international waters while trying to deliver humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip.

Tel Aviv arrested nearly 700 activists from 42 countries on board the Gaza Freedom Flotilla after a deadly early Monday attack on the aid convoy in which at least 20 people were killed and many more were wounded.

More than 120 nationals of Arab countries are expected to be handed over at the Jordanian border.

This comes as 45 activists were immediately deported.

Israel says it will expel the rest in the coming days.

Six from Delhi killed in road mishap

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Ambala, June 02: Six members of three Delhi-based families going to Dharmshala for a vacation were killed and six others seriously injured when a mini bus they were travelling in collided head-on with a truck near here early today. Police said three couples and their family members were on the way to Dharmshala from Delhi when they met with the accident.

Two couples were residents of Shalimar Bagh and Meenakshi Garden localities of Delhi. The deceased were identified as Hunny, Kusum, Gulshan, Paras, Karan and the driver of the mini bus, whose identity was immediately not known.

Jagan claims Cong support for yatra but party denies it

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Hyderabad, June 02: Kadapa MP Y. S. Jaganmohan Reddy on Tuesday claimed the Congress high command had given him the go- ahead to resume his controversial Odarpu yatra ( consolation tour) in parts of Andhra Pradesh, barring Telangana.

He told the media after a 20- minute meeting with AICC in- charge of the state Veerappa Moily in New Delhi on Tuesday that he would resume the tour from Srikakulam in north coastal Andhra from June 8. He said he had clarified all doubts about his tour.

The throne that Nadir Shah snatched…and more

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Istanbul, June 02: It is a piece of history that never fails to excite Indian tourists in Istanbul – a gold throne encrusted with emeralds and rubies that Persian invader Nadir Shah carted away from India during Mughal rule in 1747 and presented to the Ottoman ruler of Turkey.

The throne, among numerous other priceless antiquities, is housed in the Topkapi Palace, which was the official and primary residence in Istanbul of the Ottoman Sultans for 400 years from 1465 to 1856.

The throne was presented by Nadir Shah to Ottoman king Mahmud I (1730-1754).

Woman stabs nine in China train rampage: report

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Beijing, June 02: A woman armed with a knife went on the rampage on an overnight passenger train in northeastern China, stabbing and wounding nine people as they slept, state media reported on Wednesday.

The attack, which occurred in the early morning Tuesday on a train in Heilongjiang province, is the latest in a wave of violent attacks by lone assailants that has shocked the country.

US refuses to condemn Israel

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Washington, June 02: Despite the international community’s outrage over the Gaza aid flotilla attack, the US has declined to condemn Israel for the offensive.

When asked if President Barack Obama condemns Israel over the attack, the White House stuck to the wording of the UN Security Council statement on the Israeli onslaught.

The White House, Israel’s strongest ally, has only voiced “regret” at the loss of lives and the injuries resulting from the use of force but stopped short of specifically condemning Israel.

Social sector thrust in UPA report card

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New Delhi, June 02: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said on Tuesday that at the expected growth rate of 8.5 per cent, the Indian economy was posting “ one of the best performances in the world” because of its strong fundamentals built over several years.

Israeli planes under fire over Lebanon

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Jerusalem, June 02: Israeli military aircraft came under anti-aircraft fire over Lebanon on Tuesday but there were no casualties, an Israeli security source said.

The source said the fire was aimed at Israeli planes on reconnaissance flights over southern Lebanon. An Israeli military spokesman had no immediate comment.

Tension has risen in the region since nine people were killed aboard a Turkish-backed aid ship heading for the Gaza Strip when Israeli commandos seized the vessel in Mediterranean waters on Monday.

Lack of funds puts Govinda’s ‘Naughty @ Forty’ on hold

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New Delhi, June 02: Jagmohan Mundhra’s ‘Naughty @ 40’ is currently on hold but the director has denied reports that the delay is being caused by the film’s leading star Govinda.

The film was launched with much fanfare two years back but, as things stand today, it is yet to cross the finish line even though Mundhra has completed and released two films in the interim – ‘Apartment’ and ‘Chase’.

The industry is abuzz with rumours that Govinda has delayed the film’s shoot but according to Mundhra, the project is on hold because the producers are finding it difficult to raise money.

US authorities mum on Headley interrogation issue

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Chicago, June 02: As a team of Indian investigators arrived in the US to question for the first time LeT operative David Headley, authorities here are tight-lipped about when and for how long the access will be granted to the Pakistani- American who has confessed to his role in the Mumbai attacks.

The US Attorney’s office spokesperson here, Randall Samborn, said he does not have any comment on Headley’s interrogation, adding if and when the US government has anything to say on the issue, it will be announced.

Naxals likely to face army now

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New Delhi, June 02: Reflecting a paradigm shift in strategy to counter escalating Maoist violence now routinely targeting civilians, the government is planning a calibrated armed forces role against the Left extremists.

The Cabinet Committee on Security ( CCS), likely to meet this week, could approve a much larger supportive role for the armed forces in the fight against the rebels.

Clinton welcomes ratification of Iraqi election results

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Washington, June 02: US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Tuesday hailed the Iraqi supreme court’s ratification of election results, and urged political leaders to move “without delay” to form a new government.

“I welcome today’s action by the Iraqi Federal Supreme Court certifying the results of the national election,” the chief US diplomat said in a statement.

Civic polls: Trinamool ahead in Kolkata and Bidhannagar

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Kolkata, June 02: Trinamool Congress surged ahead in the Kolkata Municipal Corporation polls as counting of votes for the crucial battle for 81 municipalities, seen as the semi-final before next year’s Assembly election was taken up today.

In the 141-ward prestigious KMC, the Trinamool Congress was leading in 85 wards while the Left Front was ahead in 46 out of the 141 constituencies.

Congress, which fought the polls without any seat adjustment with the Trinamool Congress, was way behind with a lead only in seven seats while others led in three.

Trinamool leads in Kolkata civic polls

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Kolkata, June 02: Trinamool Congress has taken a lead in the Kolkata municipal polls leading in 71 wards out of the 141, while the Left is far behind leading in only 41 wards. Congress is leading in three seats.

Overall, TMC is leading in just 12 municipalities while the Left Front is ahead in 14 with the Congress leading in six. A total of 81 civic bodies have gone to elections across West Bengal with the Left Front controlling 54 civic bodies.

Israel orders families of diplomats out of Turkey

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Jerusalem, June 02: Israeli media say the Foreign Ministry has ordered the families of its diplomats in Turkey to leave that country because of the uproar over Israel’s deadly naval raid on a Gaza-bound aid flotilla.

State-run Israel radio and other stations and newspapers say the diplomatic mission itself will remain in Turkey.

A ministry spokesman would neither confirm nor deny Tuesday’s reports.

At least four Turkish activists were among the nine killed by Israeli naval commandos in the raid Sunday on an international flotilla bringing aid to Gaza.

Don’t skip brain food – eat your breakfast

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New Delhi, June 02: Are you suffering from acidity, obesity or reduced attention span? Perhaps you are skipping breakfast, also called brain food and the most important meal of the day.

People in cities tend to give breakfast a miss perhaps due to hectic lifestyles or in the belief that it will keep them slim. But experts say it could end up making people obese.

“People do not seem to have time for breakfast these days. They have every reason to avoid the healthy tradition of having a good nutritious breakfast,” Anita Jatana, chief dietician at the Batra Hospital here, told IANS.

Manager, henchman held for harassing workers

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Ajman, June 02: The Ajman Police arrested two Asians, including a manager of a company and a person who posed as a police officer in an attempt to dissuade the workers from demanding their salaries that were five months overdue and force them to sign documents stating they received the salaries.

According to a police officer, the workers went on strike and refused to work, demanding their salaries.

Imran khan and his relationships

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Mumbai, June 02: In a recent interview, Imran Khan opened his heart and spoke about his male and female co-stars.

He also spoke frankly about his relationship with his fiancée Avantika. Imran said, this relationship doesn’t matter to his fans as the Bollywood audience has accepted married stars like Srk, Aamir and Hrithik.

However when asked about his wedding plans, he said because of his busy schedual, wedding is not on the cards this year.

Malayalam writer Kovilan passes away

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Thrissur, June 02:Noted Malayalam novelist Kovilan died at a private hospital at Kunnamkulam near here early today.

He was suffering from some respiratory problems, his family said.

Kovilan (87) is survived by two daughters and a son.

A freedom fighter, Kovilan, whose real name was V. V. Ayyappan, worked in the Royal Indian Navy from 1943 to 1946 and from 1948 to 1968 in the Corps of Signals.

Did Sonam and Imran kiss???

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Mumbai, June 02: A steamy kissing scene between Sonam Kapoor and Imran Khan in ‘I Hate Luv Storys’ has been much talked about lately.

However the actress denies that she has done such a scene. She does however admit that there as some sensuous scenes between the two.

“I have never kissed him. We have done a song Ho Sakta which is sensual. We were quite comfortable doing that as it is a part of the job,” says Sonam.

Stone for Manipal varsity campus laid

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Dubai, June 02: Indian Human Resource Minister Kapil Sibal laid the foundation stone of the new campus of the Manipal University in Dubai in a special ceremony recently.

The ceremony was also attended by Dr Abdulla Karam, Director-General of the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA), Dr Ayoub Kazim, managing director, Education Cluster – TECOM Investments, Dr Warren Fox, Executive Director of Higher Education at KHDA, M. K. Lokesh, Indian Ambassador to the UAE, Sanjay Verma, Consul-General of India and other dignitaries.

Ranbir feels uncomfortable with mom Neetu

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Mumbai, June 02: Despite director Prakash Jha’s continous persistance, Ranbir refused to share the silver screen with his mother Neetu Kapoor in the film Raajneeti. Ranbir confessed that he is not very comfortable sharing the screen space with his mom.

Now, the role eventually is being enacted by the new 30-year old aspiring actress named Nikhila Tirkha.

Interestingly, Jha was quite keen to zero on someone who totally resembled Ranbir and so, Neetu was the obvious choice. But due to Ranbir’s unknown inhibitions, he had to change his mind and go for Nikhila.
–Agencies

Tamil community Protest against Salman Khan

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Mumbai, June 02: Members of Tamil community staged a protest on Sunday against bollywood heartthrob Salman Khan. He is due to visit the 11th IIFA awards ceremony in Colombo from June 3-5.

The Tamil film fraternity has also rejected the idea of an Indian film event in Srilanka. Their main problem with Salman Khan is that, they gave him a letter and he did not accept it.

Popular Tamil actors Rajnikanth, Kamal Hassan, Vijay, Ajith and Surya are also not taking part in IIFA and declined the idea of an Indian film event in IIFA.

Stone for Manipal varsity campus laid

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Dubai, June 02: Indian Human Resource Minister Kapil Sibal laid the foundation stone of the new campus of the Manipal University in Dubai in a special ceremony recently.

The ceremony was also attended by Dr Abdulla Karam, Director-General of the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA), Dr Ayoub Kazim, managing director, Education Cluster – TECOM Investments, Dr Warren Fox, Executive Director of Higher Education at KHDA, M. K. Lokesh, Indian Ambassador to the UAE, Sanjay Verma, Consul-General of India and other dignitaries.

Jaganmohan gets Cong go-ahead for tour

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New Delhi, Jun 02:Yesterday Congress gave a go-ahead to Y S Jaganmohan Reddy to continue his controversial yatra, apparently to ward off any trouble in Andhra Pradesh party unit ahead of the Rajya Sabha polls.

Reddy, MP from Kadapa and son of late Chief Minister Y S Rajashekhara Reddy, got the clearance for the tour when he met Union Law Minister Veerappa Moily, who is AICC in-charge of Andhra Pradesh, here this morning.