Month: August 2012

Divorced woman moves court against passport office

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“If you are a divorced woman, then you can renew your passport only after getting a no-objection certificate (NoC) from your former husband.” This official diktat forced a 67-year-old divorced woman here to move court Tuesday for justice.

The pre-condition imposed by the officials shocked Hema Gadgil who had approached the Regional Passport Office (RPO), Pune, to renew her passport in March.

Numbed by the unexpected official requirement, Gadgil went home, feeling humiliated and bitter as all the sad memories of her broken married life returned to haunt him.

Don’t destroy seized gutkha, pan masala packets: HC to Mah Govt

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The Bombay High Court today directed the Maharashtra government not to destroy gutkha and pan masala packets seized by them, pending hearing of petitions filed by several manufacturing companies challenging the ban on sale or manufacture of these tobacco products. The Food and Drug Authority (FDA) had seized gutkha and pan masala worth over Rs five lakh after the state government issued a notification on July 19, 2012, prohibiting manufacture, sale and storage of the tobacco products across Maharashtra.

Ap CM congratulates VP Ansari on his victory

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Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy tonight congratulated Vice-President Hamid Ansari on being elected for a second terms. The Chief Minister hailed UPA Chairperson Ms Sonia Gandhi for choosing Mr Ansari.

In a message the Chief Minister said Mr Ansari is the most suitable choice for the Vice President post. Mr Ansari has earned accolades during his earlier tenure, the Chief Minister said and hoped that Mr Ansari with his vast experience would serve the post with distinction. UNI

Guv cancels Roza Iftaar party due to natural calamity in Uttarakhand

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Keeping in view the large number of people affected by natural disasters including excessive rainfall and cloudburst in the hill state, Uttarakhand Governor Dr Aziz Qureshi has cancelled the proposed Roza Iftaar party at Raj Bhavan on August 16. Dr Aziz said the money that was to be spent on the party will be sent for the assistance of the families affected by the disaster, a press release said here today. He also expressed deep grief and sympathy towards those whose family members have been killed in the calamity.

AP CM announces Rs 50 lakh cash incentive to Saina

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Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy today announced Rs 50 lakhs cash incentive to ace Shuttler Saina Nehwal for winning Bronze medal in the London Olympics. The Chief Minister personally congratulated her as both of them travelled in the same flight from New Delhi this afternoon, according to an official release here. The Chief Minister announced Rs 50 lakhs to Saina for winning Indonesian, Thailand and Swiss Opens and to Shooter Gagan Narang for winning Bronze in Olympics. The Chief Minister also informed that a meeting will be conveyed to distribute these cash incentives.

Court warns TDP leader to maintain good conduct for six months

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Telugu Desam party senior leader Erraballi Dayakar Rao got respite at the district sessions court today as the court warned him to maintain good conduct for six months in a case related to excessive behavior with a Deputy Superintendent of police, while parking his vehicle during the Krishna pushkarams in 2004. District sessions court Judge Srinivasa Rao in his judgment said that the crime against Dayakar Rao was proved by the prosecution. The court imposed fine of Rs 5000 and asked the TDP leader to maintain good conduct for another six months.

Vilasrao continues to be critical

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The condition of Union Science and Technology Minister and two-time former Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh,who was admitted to a private hospital here following a liver related ailment, continued to be critical as he was put on ventilator support.

Scotching rumours about his health condition, hospital sources said his condition was being monitored. He is on ventilator support. Till late tonight there was no cause for concern about his health. We are planning a liver transplant after stabilising his vital parameters”, hospital sources told UNI.

Tripura MLA nailed for false Scheduled Caste tag

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An administrative committee in Tripura has found that a ruling Left Front legislator, Partha Das, had falsely claimed he belonged to the Scheduled Castes category, officials said here Tuesday.

“After a long probe, the screening committee of the directorate of the Scheduled Castes welfare department of the Tripura government has served a notice to Revolutionary Socialist Party’s (RSP) legislator Partha Das that he did not belong to the Scheduled Castes community,” a senior official told reporters.

Ramlila Maidan all set for Baba Ramdev’s agitation

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Closed circuit televisions (CCTVs), waterproof tents and round the clock food, water and medical facilities – preparations are in overdrive at Delhi’s Ramlila Maidan for yoga guru Baba Ramdev’s agitation, commencing Thursday, against corruption and black money stashed abroad.

Workers and volunteers were busy putting up tents, carpets, posters around the ground and draining off excess rain water.

Vaccination can prevent cervical cancer deaths in India : Experts

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India, where over 70,000 women die of cervical cancer every year, should opt for preventive vaccination against the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) that causes the disease as this would go a long way in preventing its spread, health experts say.

Gerard Wain of the Westmead Hospital in New South Wales said that India, with its high incidence of cervical cancer, should opt for the HPV preventive vaccine that is administered free to young girls and women aged 12-26 in Australia.

Weight training cuts diabetes risk by 34 percent

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Regular weight training can cut the chances of developing diabetes in men by up to 34 percent, a study showed.

Adding aerobic exercise, such as brisk walking or running, can lead to even greater benefits, the Daily Mail reported Tuesday.

Scientists has analysed data on 32,000 Americans taking part in the study that looked at lifestyle effects on health. During the study period from 1990 to 2008, a total of 2,278 participants developed Type 2 diabetes, the Mail added.

Mumbai to host medical students’ global meet

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An international panel of medics will host its 61st general assembly in Mumbai Aug 9, to be attended by 1,000 delegates from across 114 countries, officials said.

This will be the International Federation of Medical Students Association’s (IFMSA) first general assembly meet in India, the official said, describing it as one of the largest international medical students meets.

UN observer mission pulls out of Syria’s Aleppo

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The UN Supervision Mission in Syria (UNSMIS) has temporarily relocated its teams from the restive northern province of Aleppo due to the deteriorating security situation, Xinhua reported Tuesday.

“We will send our teams back to Aleppo as soon as the conditions permit,” UNSMIS spokesperson Juliette Touma said.

A source told Xinhua that the observers’ safety was at risk due to the ongoing clashes. Their withdrawal took place Monday night.

Cops summon EX-Minister Kanda for questioning in Geetika suicide

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Charges of criminal intimidation were Tuesday slapped on former Haryana minister Gopal Goyal Kanda and he was summoned for questioning over the suicide of his former employee Geetika Sharma, whose body was found hanging in her house here Aug 5, police said Tuesday.

Deputy commissioner of Police P. Karunakaran told IANS that Kanda was summoned by the investigators for questioning and charges under the Indian Penal Code Section 506 (criminal intimidation) were added in the case registered against him Sunday.

Hema Malini performs as Radha for Neeta Lulla at LFW

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Ace designer Neeta Lulla’s show at the Lakme Fashion Week 2012 reached a high level of elegance and grace with veteran actress Hema Malini performing as Radha at its beginning here Tuesday.

The line was based on “Radha”, and the actress, dressed up as the character, performed a short Kathak dance, accompanied by a male dancer in the avatar of Krishna.

Hema Malini looked fabulous in a dark purple lehenga choli and light purple net dupatta embroidered in gold.

Paris Hilton romancing new man ?

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Socialite Paris Hilton has reportedly found a new love after she was spotted frolicking with a mystery man on a beach in Europe.

Earlier this year, the 31-year-old dismissed rumours of dating DJ Afrojack, but she now appears to have moved on after she was photographed embracing another guy over the weekend.

Hilton was seen splashing in the sea with the unnamed suitor, believed to be a European businessman she has known for several years, reports Tmz.com.

The pair was seen cuddling on the beach with Hilton’s new beau kissing her affectionately on the neck.

Lufthansa introduces new jet service, hopes to increase India market share

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To increase its market share in the India air passenger outbound travel segment, German airline major Lufthansa Tuesday launched its services on a new Boeing 747-8 intercontinental jet from Frankfurt to Delhi.

The Indian national capital is the first Asian destination to receive services on Boeing 747-8. The new aircraft has replaced the old B747-400 which were being operated on the airlines’ daily direct flight between Delhi-Frankfurt.

The new aircraft offers 362 seats in all including eight first class, 92 business class and 262 economy class seats.

Book downloads overtake print sales

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Sales of virtual books have surpassed the sale of their print counterparts, according to Amazon’s UK site.

The firm, which started selling virtual books in the UK in August 2010, said this year it has sold 114 internet book downloads for every 100 print books.

Amazon’s eReader devices, the Kindle range, have been a huge seller in the UK despite the fact consumers here are charged up to 70 percent more than their US counterparts.

Young India cry “Meri Naukri Meri Chokri ” : Chetan Bhagat

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“Meri Naukri, Meri Chokri (My job, my girl)”. Young India’s rallying cry is simple. They want love, they want money and they want stature in society, says popular mass fiction writer and media columnist Chetan Bhagat.

“They want a good life and a great girlfriend. If your cause will help them get a good life, then they are with you. That is what young India wants. The social causes must be linked to this ambition,” Bhagat told IANS.

2,000-year-old Roman ship found

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The remains of a 2,000-year-old Roman merchant ship has been found in Italy.

The food-transport vessel was found by submarine police off the shore of Varazze town, 30 km from Genoa, said Lt. Col. Francesco Schilardi, of the Carabinieri military police.

The ship was located following tips from fishermen who since the 1930s had caught vases in their nets, said Schilardi.

The vases were reportedly used to store food in the ship.

Tests determined the vases contained pickled fish, wine and oil that were traded in Spain for other goods.

Court awards 10-year jail to man for killing wife

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A Delhi court Tuesday awarded 10 years’ rigorous imprisonment to a man who stabbed his wife to death after a disagreement over their marital relations.

Holding 31-year-old Amarjeet, a labourer, guilty of culpable homicide not amounting to murder, Additional Sessions Judge Sanjeev Kumar sentenced him to 10 years’ jail, saying that he had no premeditated intention to kill his wife.

The court showed some leniency to him in awarding the jail term as he had a three-year-old son to look after, but imposed a fine of Rs.50,000 on him.

Prisoners in Ajman attend religious lectures

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Prisoners serving terms in a penitentiary in Ajman in the UAE are listening to religious lectures delivered by scholars at the prison.

The lectures are being organised jointly by the General Directorate of Ajman Police and the General Authority for Islamic Affairs and Awqaf.

Quoting from the Quran and Prophet Mohammad’s sayings, the scholars explained the importance of repentance and prayers to god for forgiveness.

The lectures also shed light on the benefits of piety for safeguarding against evil deeds in human life.

Iran rejects foreign intervention in Syria

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Iran has dismissed the idea of foreign intervention in violence-ridden Syria, Xinhua reported.

On Tuesday, the visiting secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, Saeed Jalili, stressed that his country rejects foreign intervention in Syria.

Speaking during a press conference after meeting Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, Jalili said Iran will host a meeting on Syria next Thursday concentrated on allowing the Syrians to determine their future by their free will, not by foreign intervention.

Three killed in Pakistan bombing

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At least three soldiers were killed and 12 others injured after a paramilitary troops’ van came under bomb attack in Pakistan’s Balochistan province Tuesday night, district officials said.

A van of Balochistan constabulary with some 15 people onboard was hit by a roadside planted device in Kech area, a district 421 km from Karachi city, Xinhua quoted Assistant Commissioner Kech Aslam Tareen as saying.

No group claimed responsibility for the attack.

Tech savvy Modi to go live on Youtube chat on Aug 24

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Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi is all set to take his penchant for internet to the next level on August 24, when he will have a live ‘video chat’ with netizens on a unique Google application.

Modi is all set to speak face-to-face on Google+ Hangout on 24th August, which will be broadcast live on Youtube, an official statement said.

Google+ hangout is an application on Google that facilitates group video chat with up to a maximum of 10 people.