Month: April 2012

Police constable raped minor, arrested

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A police constable was arrested for allegedly raping a minor girl at Rabindra Sarani area in Bankura town, the police said today.

“Constable Chandan Mudi was arrested from his home at Rabindra Sarani area last night. The nine-year-old girl’s father Tara Shankar Singha complained to me. They are neighbours of Mudi,” Superintendent of Police Pranab Kumar said.

The police said Mudi is posted at Bishnupur-A police station. He was beaten up and injured by the locals last night, sources said.

The police constable has been suspended and an investigation was launched, Kumar said.

‘India fairs badly in regulating money in politics’

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Global Integrity is an international non-profit organisation which tracks governance and corruption trends in the world.

The Election Commission in India has instituted measures to create enhanced transparency and closer scrutiny of financing and election expenses. It is pushing the government for electoral reforms that help track sources of political funding.

The country dismally performed on individual candidate financing and scored a paltry 28. It scored 45 on Conflicts of Interest Safeguards & Checks and Balances in judicial Branch. Paltry a 28 out 100 on the legal framework.

BJP to stop trains in eight states Tuesday

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The Kisan Morcha farmers wing of the Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) will conduct a ‘Rail Roko’ agitation Tuesday in eight states of the country where foodgrain is procured to demand higher prices.

Trains would be stopped by BJP activists in Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Uttakhand, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh.

BJP Kisan Morcha national media in-charge Vineet Joshi said here Monday that the agitation was being conduct to press the UPA government at the centre to ensure implementation of the recommendations of the M.S. Swaminathan committee and provide

BJP, Team Anna cross swords on Himachal Lokayukta bill

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It was Team Anna versus the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Monday as the activists rejected the ‘very weak’ Lokayukta bill drafted by Himachal Pradesh’s BJP government, and the party hit back saying Team Anna does not have a monopoly in deciding which bill is good or bad.

Mulayam pulls up government over Etawah firing

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His patience with Uttar Pradesh Police wearing thin after Sunday’s firing on a crowd of devotees in his home district Etawah, Samajwadi Party )SP) supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav pulled up the government for neglecting the key issue of law and order.

Mulayam Singh, who is down with fever, gave a “piece of mind” to son and Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav and told him to personally make “efficient policing and spruce up law and order his priority,” said his close aides.

Iraqi Murder Shows US Muslim Hatred

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The murder of a young Iraqi-American mother on the outskirts of San Diego has shed light on a rise in hate crimes against Muslims in the United States, The Daily Beast reported on Sunday, April 1.

“We’ve seen an increase of reports just in the last few months, including some disturbing bullying of young Muslim students, discrimination in employment, and even harassment in prisons, and not just by fellow prisoners but even by prison guards,” said Hanif Mohebi, director of Council of American Islamic Relation (CAIR) in San Diego.

Salman Khan is a man of his word

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Salman Khan keeps his word. No dispute there. The actor, who promised to be help spread autism awareness, when asked to be the face of the cause at a recent event, had an eight-point guide published through his NGO, Being Human on World Autism Awareness Day today.

And since awareness is one of the biggest challenges around autism, the timing is apt. It’s always so heartening to see a man stick to his commitments, no?

8-point autism awareness guide

Abhishek injured while Aishwarya & daughter in Dubai

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While Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and ‘Beti B’ take their first overseas break from the mundane in Dubai, Abhishek Bachchan is feeling their absence – sorely.

Papa B of the four-month-old Aaradhya has sustained a muscle tear in his lower back and if his tweet is to be believed, his injury has landed him in bed.

“A Sunday in bed. Although forced. Have been staring at the ceiling all morning,Have a muscle tear in my lower back. #nopainnogain #crossfit”, tweeted Abhishek Bachchan.

CBI seeks court nod to continue probe against Jagan

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The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Monday sought a special court’s permission to continue investigations into the illegal assets case involving YSR Congress party leader Y.S. Jaganmohan Reddy.

Two days after filing a chargesheet against Jagan and 12 others in the case, the investigating agency filed a memo in the special CBI court, seeking its nod for continuing the probe.

The federal agency is planning to file more charge sheets against Jagan, an MP and son of late chief minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy and other individuals and companies.

I’ll marry someone like Amitabh Bachchan only: Veena Malik

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Sholay is considered a land mark in Indian film industry. Now when the news that a film starring the famous Jai Veeru pair is starting spread like a wild fire, everybody rushed to the leading lady Veena Mallik to get her views.

Veena says, “Well I would love to work with the legend Amitabh Bachchan. Infact he is my idol. I have grown watching his films and will marry someone like him only.”

Then she laughs and says, “I have signed a great female oriented film and yes Dharamji is very much a part of the film.

Tens injured in northern Afghanistan explosions

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Among those wounded were 12 children, seven security personnel, and two senior police officials.

Local officials say the second explosion came shortly after security forces had arrived at the scene of the first blast.

No group has yet claimed responsibility for the attacks

Earlier, Taliban militants claimed to have killed 14 US soldiers after one of their choppers was downed in Andar district of Ghazni Province on Sunday.

Don’t thrust NCTC on states: Jayalalithaa

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Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa on Monday urged Prime Minister Manmohan Singh not to thrust the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC) on unwilling states.

She also urged Manmohan Singh to convene a meeting of chief ministers to discuss the matter.

In a letter to the prime minister, Jayalalithaa said: “I request the formation of NCTC may first be ordered to be held in abeyance and a meeting of chief ministers may be convened to discuss this matter.

YSR Cong to protest on power charges hike

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YSR Congress Party President Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy would lead the party’s protest against the hike of power charges by staging a dharna at Mogalthuru Sub-station in West Godavari District tomorrow demanding a roll back of the increased tariff.

YSR Cong asks Ministers to quit, get re-elected

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The YSR Congress Party has asked Cabinet Ministers Dharmana Prasada Rao, Sailajanath and Kondru Murali to resign and get re-elected from their respective constituencies again if they feel they were confident they were elected to the Assembly only on their credentials and not on YSR’s charisma. Party Spokesperson Vasireddy Padma told reporters here today the Congress Government and Ministers in particular should be categorical about their stand on YSR. ‘Do they believe he was their leader and has been responsible for the party to come to power or not?

Two killed in Andhra fire mishap

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At least two people were killed and nine others injured in a huge fire at a firecrackers manufacturing unit in Andhra Pradesh’s West Godavari district Monday, police said.

The fire broke out in a house where firecrackers were being manufactured illegally. Two adjacent houses were also gutted in the mishap.

The incident took place in Tadiparru village of Undrajavaram mandal or block in the coastal district of West Godavari, about 350 km from Hyderabad.

The condition of six of the nine injured is stated to be critical.

Police said the cause of the fire was under investigation.

Court to decide on Italian marines issue: Krishna

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India on Monday made it clear that the case of two Italian Marines who shot dead two fishermen will be decided only by the court, notwithstanding Italy’s warning that New Delhi was setting a “dangerous” precedent by holding their trial in the country.

External Affairs Minister SM Krishna also said that the Centre will not go beyond Kerala government’s stand on detention of the two Italians.

SM Krishna to talk to Maldivian Foreign Minister

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Nearly two months after a sudden transfer of power in the Indian Ocean atoll nation, Maldivian Foreign Minister Abdul Samad Abdulla arrived here on Monday on his first visit abroad to intensify consultations with India on the situation in his country.

Abdullah is set to hold talks with External Affairs Minister SM Krishna on Tuesday, external affairs ministry spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin said.

Issues relating to political stability and progress on talks on early elections are among key issues that will be discussed, informed sources said.

PM assures SPG full support to upgrade itself

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Lauding the Special Protection Group (SPG) for excellence in discharging its duties, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Monday assured the elite force full support to upgrade itself in terms of technology and training to meet new challenges posed by “new-age terrorists”.

Addressing the 27th Raising Day of the SPG, Singh said terrorism had acquired new forms and new shapes and was now often driven by a “bold and educated class of terrorists”.

American Mahan wins Houston Open by one shot

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American Hunter Mahan became the first golfer to record multiple wins on the PGA Tour this year by claiming a one-stroke victory over Sweden`s Carl Pettersson at the Houston Open in Humble, Texas, on Sunday.

Mahan, who won the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship in February, shot a one-under-par 71 in Sunday`s final round at Redstone for a 16-under-par total of 272.

“I feel great. I had the lead for most of the back nine and hit some clutch shots, especially on 18. It feels great,” Mahan said after claiming his fifth career victory on the PGA Tour.

Barca wary of wily Milan as records beckon

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Barcelona and Lionel Messi can write new chapters in the record books on Tuesday if they are able to break out of the straightjacket imposed on them by AC Milan and reach the Champions League semi-finals.

The seven-times European Cup winners held Barca to a rare 0-0 draw in their quarter-final first leg at the San Siro last week, their rugged defence denying the in-form Messi a goal with some well-organised harrying and hustling.

World Cup win was Indian dream coming to reality: Yuvraj Singh

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On the eve of Team India’s victorious World Cup campaign anniversary, India’s star player Yuvraj Singh shared his thoughts and memories related to the World Cup in a video.

Currently recovering from a rare germ cell cancer, the man of the tournament in the 2011 cricket World Cup spoke at length about the best moment of his life.

Click here to watch the video »

As India complete the first anniversary of the World Cup triumph, Yuvraj described the feat as a “cherished and special moment”.

Canadian professor converts to Islam in Jeddah

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A Canadian university professor converted to Islam in Saudi Arabia, saying he had found a completely different religion from what is depicted in the West.

David Woelke, an English language teacher at King Abdul Aziz University in the western Red Sea port of Jeddah, converted to Islam amidst applause and chanting by the audience at an Islamic conference in the city.

CONFIRMED: Sonakshi is underworld don’s girl

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Actress Sonakshi Sinha is all set to essay the role of a gangster`s moll in the sequel to `Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai`, opposite Akshay Kumar.

“Its official! @sonakshisinha is part of one of the films I`m looking forward to watching the most. ONCE UPON A TIME IN MUMBAI..AGAIN,” said Sonakshi Sinha`s brother, Luv on Twitter.

Reportedly, earlier Kareena Kapoor and Kangana Ranuat were approached for this role.

Rani Mukherjee to marry Aditya Chopra

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Much has been talked and written about the relationship and marriage of actress Rani Mukherjee with her longtime boyfriend, filmmaker Aditya Chopra.

But the Bollywood star, who is off from limelight, has always stayed away from responding to these rumours. Sources say that Rani might soon announce her wedding with the Chopra scion.

Last year, Rani Mukherjee’s father Ram had once said in public that the actress would get married within a year, but the actress had kept mum on the issue.

Now, computer can spot if someone is lying!

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Now, you can easily spot if someone is lying to you, with the help of a computer, say scientists.

A team at the University of Buffalo has developed a new software that focuses solely on the subject’s eyes, monitoring the movements of the pupils, which determines if someone is telling you the truth or lying.

For their study, the scientists recorded a series conversations in which a number of lies were told. And having tested their program against a trained human interrogator, they found that the software had a higher success rate.