Month: August 2010

WB min echoes Mamata’s view on Azad’s death

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Kolkata, August 24: In an embarrassment to the Left Front government, a senior West Bengal minister virtually toed Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee’s line by terming Maoist leader Azad’s death as mysterious and said a proper inquiry is required to “clear” doubts.

Talking to reporters after a Left Front meeting, PWD Minister Kshiti Goswami said, “Azad’s death is mysterious to my party as well as to me. We think the mystery should be cleared up. Proper inquiry should be made as there is suspicion among the people.”

Courts can’t be misused to harass, persecute innocent:SC

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New Delhi, August 24: The Supreme Court has held that unscrupulous persons cannot be allowed to use court proceedings to harass and persecute innocent persons by endless litigations.

“Chagrined and frustrated litigants should not be permitted to give vent to their frustrations by cheaply invoking the jurisdiction of the court. The court proceedings ought not to be permitted to degenerate into a weapon of harassment and persecution,” a Bench of Justices P Sathasivam and B S Chauhan said in a judgement.

Zardari dismisses reports of military coup in Pak

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Washington, August 24: Dismissing the possibility of a coup in Pakistan, President Asif Ali Zardari has said the situation in the country was too grave to inspire the military for such a move.

“I don’t think anybody in his right mind will be wanting to take this responsibility. It’s only democracy that can carry this yoke,” Zardari told a group of foreign journalists in Islamabad.

His comments come as a MQM chief Altaf Hussain has said his group will support “patriotic” generals if they take “any martial law-type action” against Pakistan’s corrupt politicians and feudal lords.

If our concerns not addressed, no support to N-bill: BJP

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New Delhi, August 24: BJP today said it has already conveyed its point of view on the developments on nuclear liability bill to the government and will wait for the UPA regime to formulate its response in Parliament and then take a call on the issue.

If BJP’s concerns, which the government has been apprised of, are not addressed in the draft of the bill that the government is likely to table in Parliament tomorrow, then the Congress-led dispensation will have to go without its support to the legislation, party spokesperson Rajiv Pratap Rudy said.

Antony to be on South Korea visit from Sept 2

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New Delhi, August 24: In a bid to strengthen bilateral defence ties, Defence Minister A K Antony will be on a three-day visit to South Korea starting September 2.

Antony will be the first Indian Defence Minister to visit Seoul and will try to expand bilateral military ties between the two countries which have been till now restricted to low-level naval exercises.

Young contract killers arrested in Jaipur

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Jaipur, August 17: Four contract killers, all youths, were today arrested for allegedly killing a businessman at Sikar road here, police said.

“The accused had on the night of August 16 attacked Krishna Kumar with iron rods and sticks near his house in Vijaybari while he was returning home from his shop and left him in pool of blood,” SP Jaipur (South) Jose Mohan said.

The four accused were identified as Vishal (24), Jitendra Singh (19), Vijendra Singh (19) and Rohit Singh (20).

Swine flu cases on rise, vaccines still awaited

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Udaipur(Raj), August 24: Amid an increase in swine flu cases in Rajasthan’s Udaipur district, authorities today complained of shortage of vaccines.

“The Health department has asked for 5000 vaccines from the directorate but was informed that the vaccines are not available right now,” Chief Medical Health Officer B L Mishra said.

Even last year, only 500 vaccines were provided against a demand for 5000, he said.

The vaccines available in the market are very expensive.

The nasal spray vaccine which is more in demand is also not easily available, the official said.

Indian arrested at US airport for carrying jihadi materials

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Houston, August 24: An Indian documentary filmmaker has been arrested at the Houston airport for allegedly carrying suspicious Islamic jihad literature, brass knuckles and $10,000 in cash.

40-year-old Vijay Kumar was arrested at the George Bush Intercontinental airport on Friday after he was spotted “acting suspicious,” when screeners thought they saw a possible handgun in a scan of his baggage.

Investigators found brass knuckles, a manual for a handgun and Islamic literature in Kumar’s checked luggage.

Oberois to raise stake in EIH; firm plans Rs.1.5 bn investment

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Kolkata, August 24: The Oberois, founders of East India Hotels Ltd, are planning to raise their stake in the company every year.

“We have 46.4 percent stake now. We plan to raise stake gradually,” Chairman P.R.S. Oberoi told reporters here Tuesday after the annual general meeting of the company.

The company can raise up to 5 percent stake every year through creeping acquisition.

Asked whether he plans to raise stake in the current financial year, he said: “If due to some extraneous reasons market goes down may be in few months we will acquire.”

Internal security meet to discuss Kashmir, Maoist violence

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New Delhi, August 24: As peace eludes the troubled Kashmir Valley where more than 60 civilians have been killed during the last two months, a worried central government will discuss the matter as well as other internal security issues with police chiefs of all states at a two-day conclave beginning here Wednesday.

Besides the Kashmir unrest, the other issues high on the agenda at the annual police conference are Maoist violence, strengthening internal security and filling gaping vacancies in the state police forces.

Sensex loses 97 points on weak global cues

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Mumbai, August 24: A benchmark index for Indian equities Tuesday ended trade with a 97-point loss on profit booking and weak global cues.

The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 18,407.01 points, closed at 18,311.59 points, 97.76 points or 0.53 percent down from its previous close at 18,409.35 points.

At the National Stock Exchange (NSE), the broader 50-share S&P CNX Nifty shut shop 0.69 percent lower at 5,505.1 points.

Diamond heist culprits detained in Dubai: Police

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Mumbai, August 24: Mumbai Police Tuesday said four people — three Mexicans and a Venezuelan — have been detained by police in Dubai for their role in Monday’s sensational heist of diamonds worth Rs.6.6 crore from an international jewellery exhibition.

The accused, identified on the basis of CCTV footage and other records are (Ms) Guerrero Lugo Elvia Grissel, 24, Gonzalez Maldonado Mauricio, 24, Campos Molan Elias, 39 – all Mexican nationals – and Gutierez Orlando, of Venezuela.

Embarrassed University of Hyderabad apologises to Anand

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Hyderabad, August 24: The University of Hyderabad is embarrassed over the human resource development (HRD) ministry withholding clearance to its proposal to confer an honorary doctorate on world chess champion Vishwanathan Anand and has apologised to the grandmaster.

The university, which was planning to confer the honour on Anand along with renowned mathematician David Mumford of Harvard University Monday, had to cancel the programme.

Maudany’s hand suspected in blasts at Chinnaswamy stadium

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Bangalore, August 24: Karnataka Home Minister V.S. Acharya Tuesday said People’s Democratic Party (PDP) chief Abdul Nasir Maudany had a hand in the twin blasts before an Indian Premier League (IPL) match at Chinnaswamy Stadium here in April this year.

“He (Maudany) has a hand in them (Chinnaswamy blasts) also,” the home minister told reporters but he declined to elaborate as Karnataka Police is continuing questioning Maudany on his role in the 2008 serial blasts in Bangalore that killed one woman and injured 15 people.

Source mines for Vedanta refinery under scanner

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New Delhi, August 24: Soon after stalling Vedanta’s proposed bauxite mining project in Orissa, the Environment Ministry today said the licence granted to mining firms supplying the mineral to its alumina refinery is under scanner.

“It appears that project proponent (Vedanta) is sourcing bauxite from a large number of mines in Jharkhand for the one million tonne alumina refinery (in Lanjigarh) that are not in possession of valid environmental clearance.

Main aspects of one-rank one-pension addressed: Raju

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New Delhi, August 24: With ex-servicemen protesting over the one-rank one-pension issue, Government today said the main aspects of the demand have already been addressed which are benefitting around 12 lakh personnel.

“The main aspects have already been addressed in-principle and there has been a substantial addressing of the issue and I think 12 lakh personnel below officer rank have benefitted because of these decisions,” Minister of State for Defence M M Pallam Raju said here.

Kangna Ranaut In Golden Dress: Sexy

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Mumbai, August 24: Fashion comes naturally to Kangna Ranaut. In fact, the 23-year old looks like a seasoned fashionista whenever she steps out. Chalk it up to her slender figure or delicate bone structure, Ms Ranaut sure knows how to strut her stuff. This year alone, Kangna was snapped in very chic and unusual outfits at various events. And we’re not talking films here.

Sania to face Ksenia in US Open qualifiers

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New York, August 24: Forced to go through the qualifiers to compete in the US Open due to low ranking, Sania Mirza has been drawn against Russian Ksenia Lykina in the first round.

This is for the first time ever since her breakthrough year in 2005 that Sania has to go through the qualifiers to play in a Grand Slam.

The singles ranking of Sania has dipped to 160 as she is struggling with form and a recurring wrist injury.

Sania made a desperate attempt to improve her ranking by playing a few ITF tournaments but her efforts did not meet much success.

Somali MPs feared dead in raid on Mogadishu hotel

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Mogadishu, August 24: Suspected Shebab fighters Tuesday stormed a Mogadishu hotel where government officials were staying, spraying gunfire and killing several occupants, an official and witnesses said.

One government official said as many as four members of the Somali parliament were feared to have died in the raid, which came on the second day of major Shebab offencive that triggered deadly clashes across the city.

“So far what I can tell you is that they have killed several MPs,” a government security officer told AFP on condition of anonymity. “I think four of them are dead.”

Iran says Middle East peace talks futile

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Tehran, August 24: Iran Tuesday said that the forthcoming Middle East peace talks between Israel and Palestine would be futile.

‘As long as the main root of the problem is not solved, no peace talks will have any tangible results and be futile,’ Foreign Ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast said in a press briefing in Tehran.

The upcoming negotiations are to be the first direct peace talks between the Israelis and Palestinians in nearly two years.

14 dead in Nepal plane crash, soldiers search for bodies

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Kathmandu, August 24: Soldiers of the Nepal Army aided by police began to collect scattered and badly burnt body parts in a village Tuesday after a private aircraft exploded in mid-air, killing all 14 people, including six foreign tourists, on board.

The festival of Raksha Bandhan, when sisters pray for the long life of their brothers, turned into stark tragedy when a 15-seater Dornier aircraft flown by domestic carrier Agni Air towards the Everest region in northern Nepal with 11 passengers, including four American women, experienced equipment failure and went off the radar.

PRP to deliberate road ahead in its plenary session

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Visakhapatnam, August 24: Chiranjeevi’s Praja Rajyam Party (PRP) will deliberate over the road ahead in its two-day plenary, the first after its formation two-years ago.

The plenary, to be held at the Port Stadium in the coastal city from tomorrow, would discuss the prevailing political scenario in Andhra Pradesh and the country and the party’s stand on various issues.

The party would reiterate its support for a united Andhra Pradesh on the contentious Telangana issue.

The party may, however, abide by the report of the Sri Krishna Committee appointed by the Centre on the issue.

Child killed as tipper hits bike at ramanthapur

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Hyderabad, August. 24: A four-year old girl was killed on the spot in a ghastly road accident on the city outskirts on Tuesday morning.

According to the information, the victim, along with her parents, was proceeding on a two-wheeler when a highly speeding tipper dashed against the vehicle near the Modern Bakery at Ramanthapur. While the child died on the spot, her parents sustained grievous injuries.

The local police rushed to the spot and shifted the injured couple to a nearby hospital for treatment. (NSS)

We’ve Evidence On Drug-Sex Racket Nexus; None To Be Spared, Says City Police Chief

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Hyderabad, August 24: The Hyderabad City Police Commissioner, Mr A K Khan, inaugurated Cyber Crime Police Station, DD, Hyderabad at Nampally here in the presence of a galaxy of police officials this afternoon.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Khan said that 35 cyber crime cases have been registered till the end of June. He made it clear that the police have prima facie evidence that there was connection between the smuggling of psychotropic drugs and prostitution racket in the State capital.