Month: February 2011

Upul Tharanga struck his ninth one-day century

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Colombo, February 4:Opener Upul Tharanga struck his ninth one-day century to propel Sri Lanka to a crushing eight-wicket win over the West Indies on Thursday.

West Indies was bowled out for 203 in 50 overs after being asked to bat first by Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara at the Sinhalese Sports Club.

After a brief rain interruption, Sri Lanka was given a revised target of 197 in 47 overs under the Duckworth/Lewis method and reached it with 27 balls to spare.

Sri Lanka leads the three-match series 1-0 after the first match was abandoned because of rain.

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NABARD sanctions loan of Rs 222 crore to Andhra Pradesh

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Hyderabad, February 4:NABARD, the apex bank for agriculture and rural development, today announced that it has sanctioned a loan of Rs 222.71 crore to Andhra Pradesh for the implementation of 22 micro irrigation projects.

These projects will be implemented by the Department of Horticulture.

Out of the total outlay of 521.59 crore, the balance will be met by the state government.

The micro irrigation projects will benefit an area of 119,600 hectares through adoption of drip and sprinkler irrigation systems.

Gabor’s husband hospitalised

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London, February 4:Veteran actress Zsa Zsa Gabor’s husband, Prince Frederic von Anhalt, has been admitted to a medical centre, after he collapsed in an elevator.

Anhalt, the seventh husband of the 93-year-old screen legend, was admitted Tuesday to the UCLA medical centre – the same facility as the actress – after he passed out in an elevator.

Contactmusic.com reports the couple are being treated in separate rooms.

Gabor, who had part of her right leg amputated last month, was rushed back to hospital earlier this week after she started violently spitting up blood.

Airlines industry salaries to shoot up by 30%; carriers scout for staff

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MUMBAI, February 4: The promise by Jet Airways last month, to restore staff salaries that were slashed during the downturn in 2008, is possibly the first sign that things are looking up in the airlines industry . With Indian carriers expanding operations and scouting the market for pilots, cabin crew and ground staff, watchers say a 25-30% hike in pay from the current levels, may be in the air.

Microsoft taps $ high-grade mkt with $2.25bn deal

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NEW YORK, February 4: Microsoft Corp on Thursday launched a $2.25 billion sale of bonds in the software giant’s third trip to the US dollar investment-grade market.

The company is offering $750 million of five-year notes at a yield spread of 38 basis points over comparable Treasuries.

The second tranche comprises $500 million of 10-year notes, launched at 48 basis points over Treasuries and the third tranche is $1 billion of 30-year bonds at 68 basis points over Treasuries.

US using protests to divide Egyptians

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Cairo, February 4:A top Iranian military official has warned Egyptians that the United States is seeking to use the anti-government protests to sow discord in the North African country.

“By introducing several people as [protest] leaders, the US is seeking to pave the way for creating rifts amidst the Egyptian nation and to use the outcome to its own advantage,” top military adviser to the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Brigadier General Yahya Rahim-Safavi, said on Thursday, IRNA reported.

Twin bomb attacks kill eight in Iraq

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Baghdad, February 4: At least eight people have been killed after two bomb explosions ripped through Ramadi in Iraq’s western province of al-Anbar.

An abandoned car rigged with explosives was blown up in the center of Ramadi, located 100 kilometers (60 miles) west of Baghdad, at around 7:15 p.m. local time (1615 GMT) on Thursday. Several people ran up at the sound of the blast.

Just then, a bomber detonated his explosives-laden vest. Eight people, among them five police officers, were killed in the attacks and 15 civilians wounded.

India condemns detention of, attacks on scribes in Egypt

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New Delhi, February 4:India today condemned the detention of and attacks on journalists in Egypt, terming them as “unacceptable”.

“I am pained and shocked to learn about the detention and attacks on journalists in Egypt, who were reporting on the unfolding developments. Such incidents are totally unacceptable and must stop immediately,” External Affairs Minister S M Krishna said.

The minister, whose office is in touch with Indian journalists in Cairo, also said that the detained mediapersons should be released forthwith.

One arrested for stealing over Rs 20 lakh from ATM

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Hyderabad, February 4:A man was arrested today on the charge of stealing over Rs 20 lakh from an ATM machine of State Bank of Hyderabad at Madannapet here.

The theft had taken place in the early hours of January 15. One D Yadagiri has been arrested, and cash of Rs 6 lakh has been recovered from him, Police Commissioner A K Khan said here.

Yadagiri, a mason, confessed that he and his friend entered the ATM centre and removed four cash boxes after opening the machine with a screw-driver, Khan said.

Over 60 countries to participate in Aero Show

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Bangalore, February 4:More than 60 countries are expected to participate in the eighth edition of Aero India, touted as Asia’s premier air show, to be held here from Feb 9.

Around 70,000 foreign delegates were expected to attend the five-day event during which nearly 50 types of aircraft, incuding those from leading global majors, will be showcased.

Over 260 foreign aviation companies will participate in the event, Wing Commander M D Singh, Director, Defence Exhibition Organisaion, told reporters here today.

TRS threatens to block highway to demand aid for weavers

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Hyderabad, February 4:TRS today threatened to block the busy Vijayawada-Hyderabad National Highway on February 9 if the Andhra Pradesh Government failed to release Rs 312 crore for the welfare of weavers.

The highway would be blocked for about 140 kms from Kothagudem in Ranga Reddy district here to Kodada in Nalgonda district, TRS Politburo member Jagadishwar Reddy told reporters here.

Over two lakh people would take part in the protest and the vehicles coming from Vijayawada in coastal Andhra will have to take an alternative route, he said.

Maharashtra Govt hikes milk prices

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Mumbai, February 4:The Maharashtra government today announced a hike in milk prices from February 16.

Cow milk under the state-run Aarey brand will become costlier by Rs 2 per litre and buffalo milk by Rs 2.50 a litre. The hike was approved by the State Cabinet yesterday, Animal Husbandry Minister Mudhukar Chavan said.

–PTI

Pro-Jagan Congress MLAs to face disciplinary action

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Hyderabad, February 4:Congress MLAs in Andhra Pradesh, who are loyal to Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy will definitely face disciplinary action as they have crossed the ‘Laxman Rekha’, the party’s disciplinary panel said today.

“There may not be any show cause notices. They have crossed the ‘Laxman Rekha’. They can be disqualified,” Chairman of the Andhra Pradesh Congress Disciplinary Committee K Satyanarayana Raju told reporters in his native West Godavari district.

Prisoners who memorise Quran might be pardoned

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Manama, February 3: Prisoners who can memorise the Quran in Kuwait might be eligible for the annual Amiri pardon, the endowments and Islamic affairs ministry said.

The decision will be part of efforts to rehabilitate inmates and help them re-integrate society driven by high values.

Raja in jail for making mobile phone accessible: Karunanidhi

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Chennai February 3:DMK party president and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi Thursday strongly defended former communications minister A. Raja, saying that his only fault was to make mobile phones accessible to the poor.

Speaking at a party rally here to explain the import of the General Council resolutions passed during the day, the DMK chief strongly defended the former minister: “Raja’s only fault is that he made mobile telephony accessible to crores of poor. That is his achievement.”

Dubai stun Al Ain in etisalat pro league

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Dubai: Hassan Mohammad tapped in the only goal of the match to help Dubai Club pile on the misery for former champions Al Ain as the etisalat pro league commenced following a lengthy break on Thursday.

With both teams resorting to an uninspiring display, the match looked headed for a dull draw till Mohammad latched on a slip-shod clearance from the visiting defence to fetch his side full points for only the fourth time this season.

The result took their tally to 12 points, one better than their opponents who joined newcomers Ittihad Kalba in the cellar of the 12-team table.

Jobless man commits suicide after wife leaves him

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New Delhi, February 3:A man, allegedly depressed over losing his job and his wife walking out on him, committed suicide in east Delhi Thursday, police said.

Hemant, 23, was found hanging inside his room on the first floor of the house by his landlord who informed police.

Although no suicide note was recovered, police was told by the neighbours and Hemant’s family that he lost his job in a private company three months ago and was probably depressed over it.

Karmapa cash row: Couple arrested in Delhi

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Dharamsala, February 3:Himachal Pradesh Police Thursday arrested a couple in New Delhi in connection with seizure of Rs.1 crore from two people that was meant as part-payment by the Karmapa’s trust to buy land in Kangra district, police said.

“The couple, Karma Thapa and his wife Rinzin, was charged with arranging money for the monastery. They were interrogated for the past three days and were arrested from Majnoo-Ka-Tila in Delhi,” a police official said.

Imagination Technologies in talks with two Indian firms

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Hyderabad, February 3:British chipmaker Imagination Technologies is in talks with two Indian technology companies to develop applications and provide services for its products, said a company official here Thursday.

Chief executive officer Hossein Yassaie told reporters that talks were on with two early stage technology companies for development of products for smartphones, computers, mobiles and media players.

Nasa discovers new solar system

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Washington, February 03: Nasa has announced the discovery of a new solar system that has six planets orbiting around their star.

And an orbiting space telescope has pointed scientists to more than 1,200 other possible exoplanets, planets outside our own solar system, the space agency NASA said.

The solar system discovery, published in the journal Nature, is mystifying astronomers for the time being and illustrates just how much variety is possible in the universe.

BSNL engineer arrested by CBI on graft charge

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Chennai, February 3:A sub-divisional engineer of BSNL in Tamil Nadu was arrested by the CBI on the charge of accepting a bribe of Rs 5,000 from a contractor for an official favour.

Pandian, Sub-Divisional Engineer of BSNL, in Harur (Dharmapuri district) had allegedly demanded the bribe from the cable contractor for a “condonation” letter to the General Manager’s office for clearing his bills, a CBI release here said today.

On a complaint from the contractor, the CBI “laid a trap” and apprehended Pandian as he was accepting the money at Harur yesterday.

Emirates arrives in Iraq

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Dubai, February 3:Dubai-based Emirates has started its flight to Basra, the airline’s first service to Iraq.

The airline is among the largest international carriers to operate services in Iraq. Basra is its 110th international destination.

“Iraq is experiencing a surge in growth and it is our goal to help the country prosper and flourish. The potential for this destination is significant and Emirates is committed to working alongside the Iraqi authorities to make Basra a success,” said airline’s president Tim Clark.

U.S. says time for transition in Egypt is “now”

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WASHINGTON, February 3:White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs delivered a forcefully critical statement quoting President Obama, saying, “The time for a transition has come and that time is now. The Egyptian people need to see change.”

Even as Cairo’s central Tahrir Square was gripped by violent, pitched battles between pro- and anti-government protestors for a second day, the United States government appeared to have changed tack towards a more critical view of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and his regime.

Madhya Pradesh cracks down on striking nurses, 202 arrested

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Bhopal, February 3:At least 202 nurses were arrested and 14 suspended here Thursday after they refused to call off their strike despite the Madhya Pradesh government invoking the Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA) to prevent any disruption of health services in the state.

The striking nurses have threatened to resign en masse Friday if their demands for a hike in salary and other benefits are not met.

Around 3,500 nurses of five medical colleges – one each in Bhopal, Indore, Gwalior, Jabalpur and Rewa districts – are on an indefinite strike since Wednesday.

Cabinet reviews prices of essential food items

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New Delhi, February 03: With food inflation crossing 17 per cent, the government today reviewed the price situation at the highest level and considered various options to contain rising prices of essential items.

The Cabinet Committee on Prices (CCP), presided by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, met here to take stock of the food inflation which has hit the common man hard.

While no official comment was available about the outcome of the CCP meeting, a source said that high milk prices, among other things, came up for discussion.