Month: December 2010

Jairam complains against lobbying MPs

by

New Delhi, December 30: Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh has complained to Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar about MPs pushing for some projects, citing it as a serious issue of ethics.

Ramesh in his letter to Kumar earlier this week said that MPs approach him with matters of companies they are directly involved with, companies in other constituencies and in their own constituencies.

“The MPs should be dissuaded from meeting officials directly as such meetings were often used to put pressure on the ministry,” the letter said.

Jairam complains against lobbying MPs

350 cricketers to be auctioned for IPL-4

by

London, December 30: Some 350 best cricketers of the world will go under the hammer Jan 8-9 in Bangalore during the auction for the fourth season of the Indian Premier League (IPL).

The Indian cricket board said Wednesday that top Indian players like Gautam Gambhir, Zaheer Khan, Ashish Nehra and Yuvraj Singh will be up for grabs for the 10 franchises. But the participation of Kings XI Punjab and Rajasthan Royals in the auction is subject to court orders.

Zaheer partnership was key: Laxman

by

Durban, December 30: V.V.S. Laxman says his crucial 70-run stand in the second innings with Zaheer Khan was crucial in setting up India’s 87-run win over South Africa in the second cricket Test in Durban on Wednesday.

“I just wanted to build a partnership with the lower order. The stand with Zaheer was key,” said Laxman, who was adjudged Man of the Match.

Anushka is reject to do the lead in a Hindi film

by

Mumbai, December 30: While Illeana is happily doing her second lead in her maiden Bollywood film, Anushka is refusing to do the lead in a Hindi movie. Normally, any heroine would die for a lead role in a big Hindi movie.

But Anushka shows no interest. Recently, she was offered the role in a Bollywood flick, remake of the Tamil movie Singam in which she did the lead role. But Anushka didn’t accept it.

Bollywood director Rohith Shetty who is remaking it personally asked her to enter Hindi film industry, yet Anushka declined politely saying she’s “comfortable in South film industry.

Iran plans to set up 5 drug rehab centers

by

Tehran, December 30: Iran plans to set up five new rehabilitation centers to treat thousands of drug addicts in the provinces of Isfahan, Kerman, Khorasan, Sistan-Baluchestan, and Tehran.

“Nearly 600 billion rials ($60 million) has been allocated to constructing the rehabilitation centers. Addicts who are introduced by their families will also receive medical treatment to kick the habit and receive vocational training,” Iran’s Interior Minister Mostafa Mohammad-Najjar said on Wednesday, IRNA reported.

Minogue wants Aniston to don her label

by

London, December 30: Singer-turned-fashion designer Dannii Minogue wants to dress up Jennifer Aniston.Minogue launched her clothing range, Project D, earlier this year and while a host of stars have already been seen in her dresses, Dannii and business partner Tabitha Somerset Webb admit it would be a dream come true to see the former “Friends” star in one of their creations.

Anil Ambani meets Andhra Pradesh CM

by

Hyderabad, December 30: ADAG Chairman Anil Ambani met Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy here this evening, official sources said.

It was a courtesy call and the meeting between the two lasted for about 15 minutes, sources in the chief minister’s office said.

Ambani refused to speak to the media as he emerged out of the meeting.

Sources, however, said he discussed setting up of the 3,960-MW ultra-mega power project close to the Krishnapatnam port in Sri Potti Sriramulu Nellore district, which is likely to be commissioned in 2015.

Badal backs Naidu; says corruption & Congress two sides of coin

by

Hyderabad, December 30: The Punjab Chief Minister, Mr Prakash Singh Badal, has said that the Congress-led UPA government reeked of corruption.

Mr Badal flew into Hyderabad to visit the TDP chief, Mr N. Chandrababu Naidu, and extend his support to the pro-farmer movement he had taken up. He has congratulated him for going on hunger strike in support of the farmers. He is believed to have discussed with him about building a nation-wide movement in support of the farmers.

T-state demand a herculean task for AP Govt in new year

by

Hyderabad, December 30: Srikrishna Committee headed by former Supreme Court judge is gearing up to submit its report to the Centre by December 31 while the Andhra Pradesh government is keeping its fingers crossed on how to deal with the issue as the year 2010 draws to a close.

During the year, there was a change of guard at the helm of affairs.

Srikrishna panel will create more problems: BJP

by

Hyderabad, December 30: The BJP State president and MLA, Mr G Kishen Reddy, on Wednesday felt that the report of Justice B N Srikrishna Committee would further intensify the problems in the State rather than solving the issue of separate Telangana and united Andhra Pradesh.

Speaking to mediapersons before meeting the Chief Minister, Mr Kiran Kumar Reddy, in the Secretariat, Mr Kishen Reddy said that Justice Srikrishna Committee, which was set up by the Centre to hold consultations on the situation in the State was nothing but a time-pass committee.

Siasat news

Vidya Balan shed kilos for Dirty Pictures….

by

Mumbai, December 30: Vidya Balan will shed a few more kilos for her role as South siren Silk Smitha in Balaji’s Dirty Pictures. After the release of No One Killed Jessica, the actress will devote all her time to get in shape for the role.

According to a source, “She will work out and lose more weight for the role. The brief is not to look lean and skinny, but curvy.

Silk Smitha was famous for her curves and Vidya wants to ape that look. However, she feels that it’s necessary for her to lose some more weight before getting into the skin of the character.

City police pledge to maintain law & order at any cost

by

Hyderabad, December 30: The City Police Commissioner, Mr A K Khan, on Wednesday said that the main aim of the city police was protection of law and order at any cost. He pledged to clean the city from drugs.

Addressing a media conference here, Mr Khan has said the city police had faced many challenges in the 2010 on account of the ongoing Telangana agitation. He also made it clear that the police would act very tough in maintaining the law and order in 2011.

Silver hits new high at Rs 46,200/kg, gold up too

by

New Delhi, December 30: Silver hit a new peak at Rs 46,200 per kg in the national capital on Wednesday on brisk buying by stockists and jewellers, triggered by a firm trend in global markets. Gold also rose by Rs 165 to Rs 20,955 per 10 grams on local buying support for the ongoing marriage season.

Silver prices spurted by Rs 1,200 to Rs 46,200 per kg on firming global cues, amid a strong demand from industrial units.

Will the Telangana fate be sealed today?

by

Hyderabad, December 30: The much awaited SriKrishna Committee report will be out on Dec 30 putting an end to all speculations on the separate Telangana state. The committee will submit their report to the Home Minister.

The Prime Minister Manmohan Singh held a high profile meeting with other cabinet members to how best to deal with the situation after the report is released. Possible repercussions once the report is released was also discussed at length. The focus was on how to maintain law and order on the already volatile situation in Andhra Pradesh.

Jaganmohan in Delhi to meet Pawar

by

New Delhi, December 30: Former Congress MP Y.S. Jaganmohan Reddy arrived here late Wednesday to meet Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar over better relief for Anddhra Pradesh farmers who lost their crops in recent unseasonal rains.

Jagan, as he is known in his state, is likely to meet Pawar Thursday morning, sources close to Jagan said.

He has also sought an appointment with the prime minister, the sources added.

Jagan, the son of late Andhra Pradesh chief minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, had gone on a 48-hour hunger strike earlier this month to demand a better deal for farmers.

Para-Military Forces Not Meant to Suppress Protest

by

Hyderabad, December 30: The Andhra Pradesh government today sought to allay apprehensions over the deployment of para-military forces in the state saying they were intended only to maintain law and order and not to suppress possible protests in the aftermath of submission of report by Justice Srikrishna Committee on the statehood issue.

Malaika Arora Khan frantic to rake in moolah

by

Mumbai, December 30: Malaika Arora Khan wants to cash in on the popularity of her hit track Munni badnaam hui in every way. Malaika will be ringing in the new year performing at Amby Valley in Pune, in return for a hefty fee, we presume.She has even put her vacation plans with hubby Arbaaz Khan on hold for this reason.

‘Sexual abuse rampant in US military’

by

Washington, December 30: Statistics and soldier testimonies have revealed that sexual assault is a recurrent crisis in the US military, with over 3,230 complaints recorded in 2009.

In a recent report, US-based journalist of Lebanese descent Dahr Jamail says sexual harassment in the US military is not a new problem but a systematic one.

However, during the past years, figures suggest that the problem has turned into an “epidemic.”

Pakistan deep in political turmoil

by

Islamabad, December 30: The Pakistani president faces political turmoil as he steps up efforts to prevent his ruling coalition from collapse after two major allies left the government.

President Asif Ali Zardari’s ruling party is attempting to keep his coalition government intact as senior leaders are pressuring two opposing partners to rejoin the cabinet in meeting.

Zardari met with Faisal Sabzwari, a Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) leader, only days after the party withdrew from the government.

10-year-old to pursue BSc

by

Lucknow, December 30: A 10-year-old ‘whizkid’ has been given permission to pursue an under-graduate course in Science from the Lucknow University, an official said.

The admission committee of the varsity has given its consent for Sushma Varma to pursue B Sc course from CMS Degree College, where she was given admission provisionally, the University official said.

Sushma, who could not clear her class 12th board examination this year, passed it in compartment examination.

Taiwan woman to marry herself for new life in New Year

by

Taipei, December 30: A Taiwanese woman therapist plans a new start in the New Year by holding a splendid wedding. What is unusual about her plan is that there will be no groom, the TVBS cable news channel reported.

Chen Ching, 45, a popular therapist from the central county of Nantou who has published a number of books, said she spent two months preparing for her wedding in full, traditional Taiwan style.

US revokes Venezuelan envoy’s visa

by

Venenzuela, December 30: In the wake of the increasing diplomatic tensions between Washington and Caracas, the US authorities have revoked the Venezuela ambassador’s visa.

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez had opposed to the US President’s Barack Obama’s choice of Larry Palmer as ambassador to Caracas, who was highly critical of Chavez during his US Senate confirmation hearings months ago.

On Tuesday, Chavez challenged the US to cut diplomatic relations over his refusal.

Iran arrests seven al-Qaeda members

by

Tehran, December 30: Seven members of al-Qaeda have been arrested by Iran’s security forces in western part of the country along the border with Iraq, a report says.

The detainees were arrested in the northwestern town of Sardasht in West Azarbaijan province, an “informed source” told IRNA on condition of anonymity on Wednesday.

“These people were identified a month ago and were subsequently detained by an order by judicial authorities,” the source said.

The al-Qaeda members propagated “Wahhabi and Salafi” ideologies in the country, the report said.