Month: May 2011

Pakistan gunmen kill police officials

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Islamabad, May 02: Gunmen killed three police officials and torched 14 NATO oil tankers in Pakistan’s Punjab province, a media report said Monday.

The assailants first attacked a security check post in the Dharnal area, killing three police personnel, including a sub-inspector, before setting the tankers on fire, Geo TV reported.

The vehicles were torched on the Fateh Jang-Pindi Ghaib road in Attock district. Officials said the tankers caught fire when gunmen opened fire on the vehicles.

—–IANs

We are Sonia’s Watch Dogs

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Hyderabad, May 02: Minister Shankar Rao is saving his skin and protecting the high command too. attending a programme in Warangal on Sunday the minister said the ministers are the Watch dogs and they are keen on protecting the High command headed by Madam Sonia.

Italy on alert after Gaddafi threat

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Rome, May 02: Italy has stepped up security measures after Libyan ruler Muammar Gaddafi threatened to take war to Italian territories a day after his son was killed in a NATO attack.

“Gaddafi’s words confirm that the situation is very serious and must be closely monitored across the entire territory. We have already increased controls and are aware that several thousands of Libyans were sent here in recent years by the regime,” Italian Interior Minister Roberto Maroni said on Sunday.

‘NATO attacks Libya indiscriminately’

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Tripoli, May 02: A Russian lawmaker has criticized NATO’s excessive use of force in Libya one day after Muammar Gaddafi’s son and three of his grandchildren died in a NATO raid.

Konstantin Kosachyov, head of the State Duma international committee, told RIA Novosti on Sunday that NATO-led military operation in Libya was focusing on the indiscriminate use of force and was deviating from the conflict resolution within the legal mandate.

NATO violates UN Libya mandate: Russia

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Moscow, May 02: Russia says NATO’s disproportionate use of force in Libya has led to the death of civilians amid growing concerns that NATO is overstepping the remits of the UN mandate.

“The disproportional use of force, all the more so, beyond the mandate of UN Security Council Resolution No. 1973, which in no way stipulates the replacement of the Libyan leadership, is leading to harmful consequences and the death of civilians,” according to a Russian Foreign Ministry statement quoted by RIA Novosti on Sunday.

YSR Congress leaders looted state exchequer: Naidu

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Hyderabad, May 02: Telugu Desam Party (TDP) president N Chandrababu Naidu on Sunday accused the leaders of YSR Congress, floated by former MP Jagan Mohan Reddy, of looting the state exchequer in the guise of development.

Naidu, who was campaigning for Kadapa bypoll, flayed a string of Jagan loyalists including former Mayor of Kadapa municipal corporation and Jagan’s maternal uncle Ravindranath Reddy and former Tirumala Tirupathi Devasthanam (TTD) chairman B Karunakara Reddy. He alleged that Ravindranath Reddy minted money during his stint as Kadapa mayor.

Modi targets PM, Cong, says will not ‘break down’ or ‘bow out

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Ahmedabad, May 02: Chief Minister Narendra Modi targeted Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, the Congress-led UPA government and the state Congress in his valedictory speech at the Swarnim Gujarat celebrations at Sardar Patel Stadium here on Sunday, but vowed neither to “break down” nor “bow out”.

He said: “The PM had during his election campaign in West Bengal last week said that West Bengal has failed to provide employment to Muslims and that Muslims in Gujarat have better employment than in West Bengal. I don’t want anybody’s certificate for Gujarat’s development.”

Three explosions hit Libya’s capital

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Tripoli, May 02: Three explosions have been heard as NATO warplanes flew over the Libyan capital, Tripoli, after earlier attacks that reportedly killed one of Muammar Gaddafi’s sons.

The attacks reportedly took place on Sunday night in the eastern part of Tripoli but no further details were known, AFP reported.

Gaddafi forces bomb city of Misratah

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Tripoli, May 02: Forces loyal to Libyan ruler Muammar Gaddafi have bombarded the opposition-held city of Misratah, killing at least two people and wounding several others.

Initial reports say Gaddafi forces began shelling the port of Misratah and its surrounding areas late on Sunday.

Witnesses and residents say large areas were engulfed in flames following the deadly attack.

This comes as the Libyan regime has threatened to attack any ship entering the port city of Misratah.

Libyan State TV says aid to the besieged city should be sent overland, under the regime’s supervision.

Saleh backtracks, cancels ceremony

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Sanaa, May 02: The [Persian] Gulf Cooperation Council cancels the ceremony slated for the signing of a proposed deal on Yemen crisis after facing President Ali Abdullah Saleh refused to sign.

The press office of the regional Arab grouping’s Secretary General Abdullatif al-Zayani said, “The ceremony, that was supposed to be held [on Sunday], …will not take place,” AFP reported.

UN to study Palestinian unity deal

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London, May 02: Despite Israeli efforts to derail the Hamas-Fatah unity deal, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon says that he would study the agreement carefully.

Intra-Palestinian reconciliation should take place in a way that promotes “peace, security and non-violence,” UN spokesman Martin Nesirky quoted Ban as saying on Sunday.

His comments came after Hamas and Fatah announced on Wednesday that they had reached an agreement to form a national unity government and hold elections within a year.

Priyanka Chopra has no qualms kissing a hot female co-star!

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Mumbai, April 01: With time actresses in Bollywood have gone much bolder in their roles, nudity and exposure. However, our very own Priyanka Chopra is a bit of conservative at that despite all the challenging and feisty characters she has played in her films.

‘Gujarat’ to replace ‘Bombay’ in all state Acts

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Ahmedabad, April 01: The word ‘Gujarat’ will replace ‘Bombay’ in all the Acts and rules in force in the state from Sunday, fifty-one years after Gujarat was carved out of erstwhile state of Bombay.

The announcement was made by Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi yesterday, during a function to mark the conclusion of the state’s Golden Jubilee celebrations, in Gandhinagar.

Gujarat Assembly, on March 28, had passed a special bill to replace Bombay with Gujarat in the names of all the Acts.

A quiet birthday for Kalmadi in CBI lock-up

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New Delhi, April 01: Known for his pomp and show, sacked CWG Organising Committee chairman Suresh Kalmadi on Sunday spent a quiet birthday in CBI custody.

He was the centre of glitter during the fortnight-long sports extravaganza last year but when it came to his birthday, it was without all the razzmatazz.

For a man, who used to make everything a showbiz, his birthday this year was an occasion that was probably only known to CBI sleuths around him. He is also believed to have spent some time with a few family members.

William wants Kate to be called ‘princess’

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London, April 01: Prince William would prefer that his wife Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge, be called “Princess Catherine”, officials said.

A commoner by birth, Kate Middleton was given the title Her Royal Highness Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, after her marriage to William, the second-in-line to the throne.

The prince’s spokesman said William was “honoured” to become the Duke of Cambridge.

But he let it be known that he would prefer to remain Prince William and his wife to become “Princess Catherine”, according to the Daily Telegraph.

Pilots should refuse to fly in bad weather: Omar

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Srinagar, April 01: As the search continues for the missing helicopter carrying Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Dorjee Khandu, his Jammu and Kashmir counterpart Omar Abdullah has said pilots should not succumb to pressure from politicians to fly in bad weather.

“No, the pilot should refuse. Better to lose one’s job than one’s life. I hope in this case they are safe. General observation,” Omar commented last night in microblogging site Twitter.

Nation-wide rally held in support of Lokpal bill

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New Delhi, April 01: A nation-wide rally will be held Sunday to express support for the passage of the Lokpal Bill ahead of the May 2 meeting of the joint panel drafting the anti-graft law.

The rally, called under the banner of India Against Corruption (IAC) will be holding rallies across India on Sunday to show strong support for the Jan Lokpal bill.

People are gathering in Delhi, Mumbai, Pune, Indore and Hydearbad.

The event in Delhi would witness thousands of people marching from Jantar Mantar to India Gate at 5 pm on Sunday, they said.

Journalists demand law against attacks

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Mumbai, April 01: An association for journalists on Sunday held a demonstration in Karad, demanding a law to make attacks on scribes a non-bailable and cognisable offence.

The demonstration was held at Karad, said convener of the ‘Patrakar Halla Virodhi Kruti Samiti’ (Action Committee Against Attacks on Journalists) S M Deshmukh.

Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan hails from Karad, located in western Maharashtra’s Satara district.

Senior minister Ramraje Nimbalkar met the agitating journalists there.

BJP form of nationalism is a drama: Digvijay

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Kanpur, April 01: Congress leader Digvijay Singh on Sunday alleged that senior BJP leaders are planning to meet Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to urge him to stop the investigation against the accused in Ajmer and Samjhauta Express blast cases.

AIEEE exam delayed after paper leak

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New Delhi, May 01: The start of a national-level examination taken by 12 lakh students to determine entry to engineering colleges across the country was delayed by nearly three hours after the paper was allegedly leaked in Uttar Pradesh and sold for Rs.6 lakh each.”Fresh set of questions were distributed to the students and the exam was delayed by three hours,” Cnetral Board of Secondary Examination (CBSE) chairman Vineet Joshi said.

Kate’s wedding gown a hit with designers in India

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New Delhi, April 01:Kate-Middleton’s Grace Kelly inspired Alexander McQueen wedding gown not only won laurels from fashion watchers across the globe but also got thumbs up from Indian designers, who hailed her “glamorous yet understated” style.

The royal bride, who wed Prince William in a grand ceremony at Westminister Abbey on Friday, wore a stunning ivory and satin, lacy gown, designed by Sarah Burton from McQueen’s collection.

Modi accuses UPA of targeting him

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Ahmedabad, May 01: Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi today accused the Centre of persecuting him through constitutional authorities, saying he would neither “break down” nor “bow out”.

Modi’s statement came in the backdrop of recent revelations made by IPS officer Sanjeev Bhatt in his affidavit in the Supreme Court implicating the CM in the 2002 communal riots.

Chiranjeevi criticises Jagan

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Kadapa (AP), May 01: Telugu megastar Chiranjeevi today appealed to the electorate to ensure the defeat of YSR Congress chief Jagan Mohan Reddy and his mother in May 8 bypolls in Kadapa district.

Chiranjeevi, who recently merged his Praja Rajyam Party (PRP) with the Congress, accused Jagan of encouraging goons in the district.

The megastar alleged Jagan was ‘blackmailing’ Congress party, which elevated him and his family to the helm in the state.

Armed men rob Rs.7.4 lakh in Gurgaon

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Gurgaon, May 01: Three armed robbers barged into a finance company in this suburb, held two guards hostage and fled with Rs.7.4 lakh in cash, police said Sunday.

“Robbers struck at around 11 a.m. at Manappuram Gold Loan at Civil Lines,” said Deputy Commissioner of Police Maheshwar Dayal.

The robbers took all the mobiles phones and threatened to kill assistant manager Sandeep and other customers.

“At gun point they forced Sandeep to open the locker and took away Rs.7 lakh and cash from the counters,” the officer added.

Britain expels Libyan envoy

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London, May 01:Libya’s ambassador to Britain has been expelled after the British embassy in Libyan capital Tripoli was attacked by a mob, Foreign Secretary William Hague said.

Hague said Omar Jelban has been given 24 hours to leave the country, Sky News reported.

Diplomatic missions of a number of NATO states have been targeted after an airstrike reportedly killed Muammar Gaddafi’s youngest son and three of his grandchildren.

“I condemn the attacks on the British embassy premises in Tripoli as well as the diplomatic missions of other countries,” Hague said.