Month: September 2012

Jalandhar girl’s suicide: Woman police officer suspended

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A woman police officer was Friday placed under suspension and a probe was ordered by the Punjab government following a teenage college student’s suicide in Jalandhar a day ago.

Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal Friday asked Inspector General Jalandhar zone Gurpreet Deo to conduct a thorough inquiry into the circumstances leading to the suicide of a young girl Shivali, an under-graduate student at the S.D. College in Jalandhar. The report of the inquiry has been sought within three days.

Genes trigger roots of bipolar disorder?

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Researchers have discovered how genes trigger manic symptoms of bipolar disorder.

People suffering from bipolar disorder alternate between two extreme states, depressive phase which includes depression, diminished drive and suicidal thoughts and manic phase, marked by restlessness, euphoria, and delusions of grandeur.

Researchers from the University of Bonn and the Central Institute of Mental Health, Mannheim Germany, have now discovered, based on patient data and animal models, how the NCAN gene triggers manic symptoms of bipolar disorder.

Two guerrillas killed in Kashmir gunfight

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A second guerrilla was killed Sunday in the ongoing gunfight between security forces and guerrillas in Kashmir’s Ganderbal district, police said here.

As a joint contingent of 24 Rashtriya Rifles troops and the state police was carrying out searches in the Chattergul forests of Ganderbal, a guerrilla, hiding in the area, opened fire at them, said a senior police official.

“The fire was returned resulting in his death.”

Pilot killed in US air show crash

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A plane performing at an air show in the US crashed and exploded, killing the pilot in front of thousands of spectators, CNN reported Sunday.

The crash occurred Saturday during the Quad City Air Show in Davenport, Iowa, officials said.

The pilot was not identified.

The plane, a high performance L-39 Albatross jet trainer, was attempting a 45-degree bank when it crashed, police told CNN-affiliate WQAD.

The pilot was a member of a group of exhibition fliers – Hopper Flight.

A video taken by a spectator showed three airplanes flying in formation when one experiences a problem.

Assange lawyer stopped at Heathrow

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A lawyer for WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange was stopped at Heathrow and told she was on a secret watch-list and required special clearance before she could board her plane, the Daily Mail reported.

Australian national Jennifer Robinson said she was stunned after being told by an airline crew member that she was on an “inhibited person list” that meant she must have “done something controversial”.

Muslim cleric held in Pakistan blasphemy case

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A Muslim cleric has been arrested in Pakistan for allegedly putting some pages of the Quran among burnt papers to strengthen a case of blasphemy against an 11-year-old Christian girl, Dawn reported.

The girl, Rifta Masih, afflicted with Down syndrome, was allegedly caught tearing and dumping a few pages of Quranic text while playing outside her home in Islamabad. She was accused of blasphemy and sent to custody.

Salute to the brave Women victim witnesses :Teesta

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Hailing the historic verdict in the Naroda Patiya mass murder case delivered by Judge Jyotsnanbehn Yagnik. Special Sessions Judge in Ahmedabad today by which one senior politician and several conspirators and ring leaders have been convicted, Victim Survivors and CJP welcomed the verdict. In all 32 persons have been convicted including former BJP MLA and minister in the Narendra Modi cabinet, Smt Maya Kodnani, Babu Bajrangi, Bipin Panchal, Ashok Sindhi and Kishan Korani (sitting corporator, accused No 20) have been convicted. Twenty-nine of the accused were acquitted.

Bengal dengue cases rise to 643; cause Congress, Trinamool spat

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The number of confirmed dengue cases in West Bengal has shot up to 643, with 80 percent of the patients residing in Kolkata and its adjoining North 24 Parganas district, the state health department said Sunday.

The disease has claimed three lives so far.

The outbreak triggered a spat between ruling alliance partners Congress and Trinamool, with the former alleging that the government was trying to suppress dengue figures.

While 397 people were struck by the ailment in Kolkata, 116 others fell sick in North 24 Parganas.

The epidemic first struck in the second week of August.

Police booth, bus set afire in Delhi

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A mob set a police booth and a DTC bus on fire here Sunday evening and police fired bullets in the air to control them, police said.

The incident took place around 7 p.m. in east Delhi after a biker was reportedly injured at a police check point at Mayur Vihar phase III.

“Two people were on the bike. They did not stop the vehicle at the check point when a traffic officer signalled. The policeman threw a stick at them and it hit the bikers who fell on the road. One of them got injured,” said a witness.

Hamas PM reshuffles cabinet

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Gaza’s Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh Sunday reshuffled his cabinet, replacing seven ministers.

The new reshuffle included the ministers of agriculture, housing, finance, health, Islamic endowment, local government and justice.

No new ministers from other factions or independents are participating in the new cabinet. Only Hamas parliamentarian bloc granted the new formation the vote of confidence amid the absence of the other blocs.

“This shakeup is a routine procedure that is meant to improve the performance of the government,” said Haniyeh before the vote session.

CB Naidu positive on Telangana

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(NSS): Telangana Praja Sangala JAC has met the TDP Chief N Chandrababu Naidu here on Sunday at NTR Trust Bhavan.
Later, speaking to the media, JAC convener Gajjela Kantam said that Chandrababu has agreed to send a letter once again to the Centre on the Telangana issue, to come out of the bad image that he was facing that he was obstructing the creation of separate Telangana State.

Is EXODUS’ threat looming large on TDP ?

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(NSS): The ‘exodus’ threat seems to be looming large on the main opposition Telugu Desam party. It has suffered worst in the recent past, and all those who left the party blame the leadership’s failure to rejuvenate the party’s rank and file – beginning with N Prasannakumar Reddy (Kavali-Nellore) to the latest Chengala Venkat Rao (ex-MLA Payakaraopet in Visakhapatnam).

CPI demands Special Courts to settle land disputes

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Adilabad, September 2 (INN): The Communist Party of India on Sunday demanded that the State Government set up Special Courts to settle the land disputes across the State.

Talking to reporters at Indravelli on the sidelines of Telangana Praja Poru Yatra which entered Adilabad district on Sunday, CPI State Secretary Narayana said that lakhs of acres of government land has been encroached upon by anti-social elements or it was under encroachment. He said that the Rangarao Commission has identified several case
of encroachment on government lands.

Arjuna Awardees entitled to travel by Rajdhani and Shatabdi Express

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The Arjuna Awardees holding Complimentary Card Passes, for lifelong free train travel all over India, issued by Indian Railways in honour of their achievements in the field of Sports are now entitled for travel in 2nd AC and 3rd AC in Rajadhani Express and Chair Car in Shatabdi Express also.

Family, leaders pay rich tributes paid to YSR

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Rich tributes were paid to former chief minister Dr YS Rajasekhara Reddy on his third death anniversary on Sunday.
YSR’s widow and YSR Congress party honorary president Vijayalakshmi, daughter Sharmila, son-in-law Anil Kumar, daughter-in-law Bharati, brother YS Vivekananda Reddy and other family members paid tributes and offered special prayers at his grave in Idupulapaya in Kadapa district.

India lift Nehru Cup for third time in thrilling fashion

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India lifted the Nehru Cup for the third consecutive time beating Cameroon 5-4 in a penalty shootout at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium here Sunday.

Sunil Chhetri, Robin Singh, Denzil Franco, Mehtab Hossain and Clifford Miranda all scored from the spot while Thierry Makon struck the right-post to give India an unprecedented win.

In an end-to-end match which went into penalties, a valiant India held their more fancied opponents 2-2 in normal time.

Andhra pays tributes to YSR on death anniversary

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Rich tributes were paid to late Andhra Pradesh chief minister YS Rajasekhara Reddy on his third death anniversary Sunday.

His wife and YSR Congress party honorary president Vijayalakshmi, daughter Sharmila, son-in-law Anil Kumar, daughter-in-law Bharati, brother YS Vivekananda Reddy and other family members paid tributes and offered special prayers at his grave in Idupulapaya in Kadapa district.

People from different parts of the state also reached Idupulapaya to pay homage to Rajasekhara Reddy, one of the most popular leaders in the state’s history.

Israeli PM slams NAM participants for not opposing Iran

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Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu today slammed the NAM Summit participants for being silent spectators to the “anti-Semitic rants” of Iran during the recent meeting of the 120-member grouping in Tehran.

“No one stood up, no one left the hall,” Netanyahu said, criticising the inaction on the part of the Summit participants.

–Agencies

Bodo areas calm, rehabilitation starts

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With no fresh incidents reported from anywhere in Assam over the past few days, the state government has started the process for rehabilitation of the displaced people in the three violence-hit districts, officials said Sunday.

Clashes between the Bodos and Bengali speaking Muslim settlers that broke out in Kokrajhar, Chirang and Dhubri districts since July 19 have so far killed 95 people and displaced over four lakhs.

Relief and rehabilitation of the displaced people of the three violence hit districts has started, an official said.

A peek inside a crime don’s lair

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In a narrow, congested bylane in south Mumbai’s Saat Rasta area is the Dagdi Chawl headquarters of mafia boss Arun Gawli, sentenced to life for the 2008 murder of Shiv Sena corporator Kamlakar Jamsandekar, his first conviction in a four-decade-long career in crime in the notorious underworld of India’s commercial and entertainment capital.

Unlike the man, the chawl – local euphemism for a slum – is nondescript and easy to miss for those unfamiliar with the packed city.

Judicial reforms should have priority: Moily

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Judicial reforms are necessary to usher in other positive changes, said M Veerappa Moily, Union Minister for Corporate Affairs, here on Sunday.

Citing the example of Singapore, Moily, a former Law Minister, highlighted the importance of judicial reforms. “In Singapore, the economic situation was in doldrums. The first thing Singapore addressed was judicial reform. It is only thereafter the economic prosperity of Singapore came.

Pakistan school exam topper to get Rs.500,000

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Revtash Kumar, who hails from a poor family but secured the top position in the matriculation examination in Pakistan, will be awarded Rs.500,000, Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf has announced.

Revtash Kumar, a resident of Rahim Yar Khan in Punjab province, wants to become a doctor but cannot afford to continue his education as his shoemaker father earns just Rs.100-150 per day, the Associated Press of Pakistan reported.

Coalgate: CBI dispatches teams to Chhattisgarh, J’khand

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CBI has dispatched its teams to Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand to probe alleged beneficiary companies in the controversial coal block allocation.

CBI teams have reached the two states in connection with probe into alleged irregularities in coal block allocation and utilisation, sources in the central agency said.

When contacted, a CBI spokesperson clarified that no raids were taking place and the teams are there as part of the agency’s ongoing preliminary enquiry (PE) into the alleged coal scam.

Anni Dewani case: Opposing psychiatrists are partners

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Psychiatrists hired by the prosecution as well as the defence in the honeymoon murder case of Indian-origin bride Anni Dewani were business partners, The Sun reported.

Michael Kopelman was hired by prosecutors to assess the mental state of Shrien Dewani, wanted in South Africa on a charge of plotting Anni’s killing.

The 32-year-old Dewani in turn hired Nigel Eastman to provide the opinion for his defence.

The experts issued a joint statement in which Eastman agreed with Kopelman that Dewani had depression and post-traumatic stress disorder, the daily said.

British soldiers to be questioned over Iraq war crimes

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Hundreds of British soldiers will be investigated for crimes allegedly committed during the Iraq war, the Telegraph reported Sunday.

Investigators with the Iraq Historic Allegations Team (IHAT) have identified more than 100 serving and former members of the armed forces who they want to interview about the alleged torture of Iraqi civilians.

However, the Telegraph said the number could rise as IHAT begins reviewing the evidence from two public inquiries into the alleged war crimes.