Month: March 2011

Iraqis protest for economic reform

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Baghdad, March 04: Thousands of Iraqi protesters have taken to the streets in main cities across the country, demanding economic reform and better living conditions.

Protest rallies over corruption, unemployment and poor government services were held in Baghdad, Basra, Nineveh, Anbar and Salahuddin following the Friday Prayers.

Unlike other demonstrations sweeping the Arab world, Iraqi protesters are seeking reforms, but not regime change.

“We live in a country rich with oil, yet we don’t have jobs,” demonstrators said. “The oil [is] for the people and not for thieves.”

Kalam, other icons to woo youths to vote

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New Delhi, March 04: Former President A P J Abdul Kalam will join several icons from sports and film industry in issuing televised appeals to people, especially youths, to exercise their franchise in the upcoming assembly elections in five states.

“In Bihar, we saw a dramatic increase in voter participation because of many innovative ideas and using icons was one of them… so we are trying to get Dr Kalam’s appeal in Tamil for Tamil Nadu polls,” Chief Election Commissioner S Y Quraishi told a seminar on ‘Voter Participation’ here.

Ajit Singh’s son-in-law caught in US Iran sting

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Washington, March 04: Vikramaditya Singh, the son-in-law of India’s Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) leader Ajit Singh, has been fined $100,000 and sentenced to three years’ probation by a US district court for allegedly trying to sell prohibited items to Iran.

The first six months of that probation will be in home confinement for the 34-year-old Arizona-based electronics dealer, according to Delaware online news website.

Singh admitted guilt in November to one count of violating the International Emergency Economic Powers Act.

Court notice on plea for protecting bureaucrats

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New Delhi, March 04: The Supreme Court Friday issued notice to the central and state governments and the union territories on a petition by former bureaucrats of all India services seeking guidelines for fixed tenures and insulating the civil services from political pressures.

I accept my responsibility: Prime Minister on CVC issue

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Jammu, March 04: “I respect the judgement of the Supreme Court and I accept my responsibility,” Prime Minister Manmohan Singh responded today, a day after the apex court struck down the controversial appointment of P J Thomas as the Central Vigilance Commissioner.

“It is necessary to ensure that such things do not happen again,” Singh said at a press conference on being asked about his future course of action on the issue.

The Prime Minister, who has been targeted by the opposition, also said this issue did not relate to coalition compulsions.

Police announce Rs 50k for info in jeweller’s murder

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New Delhi, March 04: The Delhi Police today announced a reward of Rs 50,000 to anyone who provides information regarding the robbers who shot dead a jeweller in east Delhi.

30-year-old Gaurav Gambhir was robbed and shot dead on February 23 in his shop by some unidentified men in Krishna Nagar.

“The Police Commissioner has announced a cash reward of Rs 50,000 for those who provide any clue in this case,” a senior police official said.

Locals had took to the streets in east Delhi demanding immediate arrest of the culprits.

—–PTI

BJP open to tie-up with MGP in Goa for Assembly polls

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Panaji, March 04: BJP today said it was open to talks with the state-based Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP) for an alliance for the Goa Assembly polls, due next year.

“We are open to the talks with MGP. Nothing has been decided. But there is a possibility that we will have a coalition with them,” said Gopinath Munde, senior BJP leader, here.

He said the BJP was ready to face the election on its own, but had kept other options open.

The party will “surely initiate talks with MGP”, he said.

Earlier in the day, MGP had also hinted that alliance with BJP was a possibility.

Appreciate PM’s remark on CVC, Sushma tweets

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New Delhi, March 04: Hours after Prime Minister Manmohan Singh took responsibility for the controversial appointment of P.J. Thomas as chief vigilance commissioner, which the Supreme Court has struck down, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Sushma Swaraj welcomed the remarks and said “let matters rest at this”.

“I appreciate the statement of the prime minister owning responsibility for the appointment of CVC which has been quashed by Supreme Court,” Sushma Swaraj tweeted.

“I think this is enough. Let matters rest at this and we move forward,” she added.

Arrest of BSP leaders for arson a ploy: Congress

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Lucknow, March 04: The Congress’ Uttar Pradesh unit chief, Rita Bahuguna Joshi, Friday said there seemed a “well-orchestrated game” behind the sudden arrest of two prominent Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) leaders, including a legislator, for arson at her private house here in July 2009.

“The fact that Chief Minister Mayawati openly rewarded those who spearheaded the vandalism at my house and refused to pay any heed to our repeated demand for a CBI (Central Bureau of Investigation) probe into the matter clearly reflected her patronage to the entire episode,” Joshi alleged.

Former defence ministry official commits suicide

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New Delhi, March 04: A 61-year-old former defence ministry official hanged himself at his Delhi home, police said Friday. His family said he was suffering from depression.

“S.C. Sarkar, who retired in August last year as under secretary in the defence ministry, was found dead by his wife and brother-in-law at his residence in Lodhi Colony area in south Delhi Thursday afternoon,” a senior police officer said.

Ricky Ponting sees Malinga a real threat

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Colombo, March 04: As defending champions Australia brace up for their first real test in 2011 World Cup when they play Sri Lanka Saturday, captain Ricky Ponting admitted a lot of the team strategy has revolved around tackling express-fast Lasith Malinga.

Ponting said they have discussed how they should handle slinger Malinga and the batsmen would go after him if he strays in line.

Known for his toe-crushers, Malinga claimed his second World Cup hat-trick against Kenya Tuesday. He had taken four wickets in four balls against South Africa in the 2007 World Cup.

K’taka CM to lead all party delegation to Delhi

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Bangalore, March 04: Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa will lead an all party delegation to New Delhi demanding a better price for arecanut for its growers who are in distress over the slump in its sale for the last several months.

Replying to the issue raised by U T Khadar of Congress during the question hour, Yeddyurappa said that he would hold a meeting of all the leaders in the next few days to protect the interests of the arecanut growers in the state.

CPI asks Sonia to express her opinion on Telangana issue

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Hyderabad, March 04: Alleging that the UPA Government is dilly-dallying on the Telangana statehood issue, the CPI today demanded that the Centre announce a clear-cut policy on the matter.

In a letter to Union Home Minister P Chidambaram, CPI State Secretary K Narayana demanded that Congress President Sonia Gandhi express her opinion on the Telangana issue first.

“The Union Government is silent on Telangana issue and adopting delaying tactics in bringing out a solution.

Actually, this issue is to be solved through political process. Congress is in power both in the state and Centre.

World Cup is not over for us: Trott

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Chennai, March 04: The after-effects of England’s shocking World Cup loss to Ireland were fairly obvious as Jonathan Trott spoke at length about the need to bounce back against South Africa Sunday.

Ireland successfully chased 328 with three wickets and five balls to spare to pull off the biggest 2011 World Cup stunner. It came barely two days after England had given favourites India a run for their money by tying the match while chasing 338 runs at the same venue.

FIR registered against 200 farmers

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Lalitpur(UP), March 04: An FIR has been registered against 200 farmers for creating traffic jam during their protest to demand immediate release of water in canals, police said today.

The FIR was registered yesterday in Talbehat police station after the farmers disrupted traffic on the busy Lalitpur-Jhansi highway, they said.

—–PTI

We will miss Mr. Bachchan at IIFA: Anil Kapoor

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Mumbai, March 04: Anil Kapoor says he will miss his colleague and Bollwyood megastar Amitabh Bachchan at the upcoming 12th International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) Awards.

After an association of more than a decade, Amitabh has ceased to be IIFA brand ambassador.

“We will definitely miss Mr. Bachchan because he is in the psyche of the people all over the world who like cinema. He is in our blood stream. He is a huge star and we will definitely miss him. His absence will be felt,” Anil told reporters here Friday.

Gaddafi’s son told not to return to German luxury house

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Munich, March 04: One of Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi’s sons, who owns a luxury house in Munich, has been warned he will be not be allowed back into Germany, officials said Friday.

Saif al-Arab Gaddafi, 29, who was reportedly sent to eastern Libya last month to attempt to put down the uprising there, was previously enrolled at a Munich university.

Munich officials confirmed a news report that he had retroactively informed German authorities that he had not been officially resident in Germany since Feb 15. It remained unclear if that was the actual date of his departure.

Tunisian prime minister to appoint new government

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Tunis, March 04: Tunisia’s new interim Prime Minister Beji Caid Essebsi Friday said he would name a new government in two days that would restore order and pull the economy back from an “abyss”.

Essebsi succeeded Mohammed Ghannouchi as interim prime minister at the weekend after Ghannouchi resigned over his links with the regime of ousted ex-president Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali.

A further six ministers this week resigned from the transitional government put in place after Ben Ali’s ouster by a popular revolt in mid-January.

UPA again misusing CBI: BJP

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New Delhi, March 04: As the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Friday filed a closure report seeking to drop all charges against Italian businessman Ottavio Quattrocchi in the Bofors case, the Bharatiya Janata Party said it again highlighted misuse of the agency by the government.

“As far as investigation about Quattrocchi’s role in Bofors case, which was accepted today (Friday) by the court, it once again highlights the rampant misuse of CBI by the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government,” BJP spokesperson Ravishankar Prasad told reporters.

Toyota Kirloskar defers Liva launch

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Chennai, March 04: Car maker Toyota Kirloskar Motor has decided to defer the launch of its hatchback Etios Liva by two months in order to cater to the increasing demand of its compact model Etios.

Toyota Kirloskar is also taking various measures like starting second shift production, improvements in per vehicle production time and production enhancement measures to bring down the waiting time for Etios, the company said in a statement issued Friday.

Launched in last December Toyota Kirloskar has been logging good numbers for its Etios.

Jharkhand MLAs demand hike in salary

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Ranchi, March 04: Cutting across party lines several legislators in Jharkhand Assembly on Friday demanded a pay hike.

“In view of the price rise, there should be a hike in our salaries,” ruling JMM MLA Lobin Hembrum said in the state Assembly.

He got instant support from several MLAs across the House with most of the MLAs from the ruling party standing up in support.

Lobin contended that Members of Parliament and other Assemblies had also got a hike recently.

CBI files charge sheet against Justice Nirmal Yadav

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Chandigarh, March 04: The CBI on Friday filed a chargesheet against Justice Nirmal Yadav and four others in the 2008 cash-at-judge’s-door scam, on a day when she is to demit office as a high court judge.

The chargesheet was filed in the court of Special CBI Judge Ritu Tagore here under various sections, including 120-B of the IPC relating to conspiracy and sections 11 and 12 of the Prevention of Corruption Act.

Yemeni army shoots protesters, kills 2

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Sanaa, March 04: Shia Houthis say Yemeni army has opened fire on their anti-government protest rally in the northern province of Amran, killing
two people and wounding at least nine others.

The incident happened in the village of Semla, 170 kilometres from the capital Sanaa, on Friday.

“Two protesters were killed and nine others were wounded when soldiers opened fire from a military position on the demonstration calling for (President Ali Abdullah) Saleh’s departure,” said a Houthi leader that spoke on condition of anonymity, quote by AFP.

Bangladesh skittled for 58; WI win by 9 wkts

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Mirpur, March 04: West Indies bowlers shot out co-hosts Bangladesh for a paltry 58 to set up a crushing nine-wicket victory in a group league encounter at the Sher-e-Bangla Stadium here on Friday.

The 9-wicket win was one of West Indies` most comprehensive win in their 36-year history in the tournament.

Last match`s hero Kemar Roach (3/19) continued his good form while skipper Darren Sammy (3/21) and left-arm spinner Suleiman Benn (4/18) skittled out the home team in only 18.5 overs to set up one of their easiest wins of recent times.

All Indians to be evacuated from Libya by Mar 10: Govt

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New Delhi, March 04: India today said it will evacuate all its citizens desirous of leaving strife-torn Libya by March 10.

By tonight, over 9,200 of the 16,000 Indian nationals stranded there would have been evacuated from Libya, Minister of State for External Affairs Preneet Kaur said in a statement in the Rajya Sabha.

“We expect to complete the exercise of evacuating all those desirous of leaving Libya by March 10,” she said adding around 10 per cent of the Indian citizens may have decided to stay back in the North African country.