Month: March 2013

Syria reaches out to India to resolve crisis

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Syrian President Bashar-Al-Asad is sending his top aide Buthaina Shabaan to India to meet Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and brief him about the ongoing conflict in the country.

Buthaina, who is Asad’s political and information advisor, is expected to meet Manmohan Singh Tuesday when she will deliver a special message.

She is also expected to meet other officials and apprise them about the latest security situation in the country, Syrian diplomats said.

Buthaina had visted India along with President Asad in 2008.

Pakistan court rejects plea against Musharraf’s assets confiscation

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A Pakistani anti-terrorism court Saturday rejected an application against the confiscation of former president Pervez Musharraf’s property and freezing of his bank accounts for his failure to appear before it in the murder case of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto, court officials said.

The court has already declared the former military president an “absconder” in the 2007 Bhutto assassination case as he has not agreed to clarify his position in court despite several notices and arrest warrants, reported Xinhua.

Tihar officials refuse RTI query on Afzal Guru

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Can disclosure of certain details on Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru, hanged at New Delhi’s Tihar Jail “affect relations with a foreign state”? The prison department certainly thinks so.

It would “pre-judicially affect the sovereignty and integrity of India, the security, strategic, scientific or economic interests of the state, relation with foreign state or lead to incitement of an offence,” the Tihar Jail said in a reply to a Right to Information (RTI) query by Urvashi Sharma of Lucknow.

CID Summons Shankar Rao For Questioning: Rao Cites Ill-Health

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Former Minister P. Shankar Rao was summoned by the CID to appear before the investigating officers on Saturday in connection with the Greenfields land controversy.

However Shankar Rao informed the CID that he would not be able to go over to the CID Office in view of his ill-health. A letter was sent by him to the CID.

Narendra Modi in spotlight at BJP’s national council meet

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Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi, projected by many within the BJP as the next prime ministerial candidate, on Saturday grabbed the limelight at the national council meet here with party president Rajnath Singh lauding him for three consecutive victories in assembly polls.

Modi’s popularity among the BJP office bearers from across the country, who have gathered here for the conclave, was apparent with the crowd breaking into applause each time his name was mentioned.

Five killed in cracker unit fire in Kerala

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Five persons were charred to death and seven suffered serious burns when a cracker manufacturing unit caught fire and exploded at Panniankurissi in the district on Saturday.

All the victims were workers of the fire unit. The injured have been admitted to different hosptials and their condition was stated to be serious.

The deceased were engaged by the licenced craker unit for making fireworks for temple festivals in the summer months in the area.

Modi grabs limelight at BJP National Council meet

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Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi, projected by many within the BJP as the next Prime Ministerial candidate, today grabbed the limelight at the National Council Meet here with party president Rajnath Singh lauding him for three consecutive victories in Assembly polls.

Modi’s popularity among the BJP office-bearers from across the country, who have gathered here for the conclave, was apparent with the crowd breaking into applause each time his name was mentioned.

Police taking photographs of bearded youth

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The security arrangements and style of vigilance adopted by the police in the aftermath of Dilsukhnagar twin blasts reflects their biased mentality. The large police force on roads, frisking and stepping up of campaign on anti-sabotage; all these have created an environment of fear for residents.

Modi looms large at BJP’s national meet

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Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi was the toast of the BJP’s national council meeting that began here Saturday with party president Rajnath Singh repeatedly referring to him as the next prime minister.

However, Delhi BJP chief Vijay Goel said: “The decision has not been taken (to project him as the prime ministerial candidate). Every child wants it.”

Rajnath Singh referred to Modi as a “popular chief minister” at beginning of his speech.

Rajnath Singh praises Modi for ”extraordinary leadership”

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Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President Rajnath Singh on Saturday lauded Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi, considered by many to be the party”s Prime Ministerial candidate, for achieving a third consecutive victory in his state and enabling the main opposition party to create a new record in the Indian democratic history.

Singh said that the BJP had registered a third consecutive victory in a state under one person”s leadership in the Indian history till date until Modi made it possible.

Musharraf ‘will have to face courts’ as he pledges to return to Pakistan

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Former Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf will have to face courts for his involvement in a string of cases as plans to return to his home country ahead of parliamentary elections.

He will have to face courts over the security issue relating to his unconditional alliance with the United States in the war against terror and pending court cases in connection with the Lal Masjid operation.

The former president can also be arrested for the murder of two political heavyweights: former prime minister Benazir Bhutto and Baloch tribal chieftain Akbar Bugti.

Pak anti-terrorism court rejects plea calling for unfreezing Musharraf’s assets

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The Rawalpindi Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) has rejected Sehba Musharraf’s plea calling for unfreezing assets of her husband Pervez Musharraf.

Musharraf was proclaimed an offender of the Benazir Bhutto murder case by the Anti Terrorism Court in 2011.

The former Pakistan president’s bank accounts were frozen and his property taken over by the courts.

Sehba, who has filed an application against the order, said that since her husband gifted their farm house in Islamabad to her, the court illegally ordered its confiscation.

Man gets life imprisonment for poisoning wife

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A man who poisoned his wife to death here in 2011 was sentenced to life imprisonment by a local court.

The court of Additional Sessions Judge, G Suresh awarded the sentence yesterday to Dinesh Koshti.

According to prosecution, Koshti got married to Neetu, daughter of Ram Prasad Koshti on January 18, 2008. He had after poisoning Neetu informed his father in-law that her daughter was sick and she died in the district while undergoing treatment.

Hyderabad police-NIA tussle over blasts probe

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In another instance of non-cooperation between state and national security agencies, the Hyderabad police have not transferred the city blasts probe to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) despite a directive from the Centre.

The Union Home Ministry had asked the Andhra Pradesh government to hand over the probe into the recent Dilsukhnagar twin blasts in Hyderabad to the NIA.

Rajnath lauds Modi as most popular CM

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Amid calls for a larger role for him, Narendra Modi on Saturday won singular praise from BJP president Rajnath Singh for being the “most popular” chief minister having registered “never before” three consecutive electoral wins for the party in Gujarat.
The BJP National Council meeting began here with Singh exhorting the delegates to give a standing ovation to Modi and garlanding him.

“We have never seen the BJP winning three elections under one leadership,” Singh said as Modi stepped forward on the dais to accept plaudits from the delegates.

Around 200 people questioned for minor’s rape

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Police said Sunday that as many as 200 people were questioned in connection with the alleged rape of a seven-year-old girl in the premises of a municipal school here one day ago.

“Around 200 people have been questioned in regard with the sexual assault of the seven-year-old girl,” Deputy Commissioner of Police B.S. Jaiswal told reporters Saturday.

The official said the police are making a sketch of the accused on the basis of the statement given by the minor girl. He did not rule out the involvement of non-teaching staff in the alleged sexual offence.

Directing SRK is on John’s wish list

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John Abraham turned producer with “Vicky Donor”. He admits direction is also a part of his plan, and he would especially love to direct superstar Shah Rukh Khan some day.

“Not soon, but yes, definitely I will (direct). How do I put it… I think I will do a fairly decent job directing because I feel I have a vision and I would like to get that across,” the 40-year-old said here in an interview.

Clarke, Wade fight back for Australia

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Skipper Michael Clarke and Matthew Wade hit unbeaten half centuries as Australia reached 187 for four in the first innings at tea on the first day of the second cricket Test at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Uppal, here Saturday.

Clarke was batting on 68 and Wade 55 as Australia scored 104 runs in the post-lunch session. The 104-run unfinished fifth-wicket stand helped Australia recover from 83 for four.

Pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar bagged three for 46 while offie Ravichandran Ashwin got one for 41.

Big B wants to be journalist in next life!

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Megastar Amitabh Bachchan won’t mind being a journalist in his next life – just for the freedom of speech that a scribe enjoys.

“Next life? A journalist for sure! Shall have the joy and liberty to express and speak out, without fear of any repercussions,” tweeted the 70-year-old.

The actor is currently in Bhopal, shooting for Prakash Jha’s “Satyagraha”.

“Prakash Jha shooting film at a speed that is rather astonishing! But best is that he knows what he is doing… most directors do,” he added.

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Arshad awed by Madhuri, Huma’s talent

Madhuri Dixit serious about doing comedy films

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After winning hearts of millions of fans with her emotion-filled acting and dancing skills, Madhuri Dixit now wants to show her funny side on screen.

The popular Bollywood actor, who currently has two films in her kitty, says she is open to doing all kinds of roles and does not want to restrict herself to certain characters.

Considering that Madhuri has heavy duty roles in her upcoming movies ‘Gulab Gang’ and ‘Dedh Ishqiya’, she now wants to try something light – a comedy, fun film.

Two policemen killed in Kashmir hit-and-run attack

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Two local policemen were killed by separatist guerrillas in a hit-and-run attack in Kupwara district of north Kashmir Saturday.

A senior police officer told IANS that militants fired from close range at two constables of an armed battalion near the bus stand in Handwara town, 75 kilometres from here this morning.

“The two constables belonging to the Indian Reserve Police (IRP) were removed to the hospital in a critical condition, where they succumbed to injuries,” the officer said.

Esha Gupta in awe of Delhi designers

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Model-actress Esha Gupta, last seen in “Raaz 3”, has a fetish for clothes by designers from Delhi, where she was born and brought up.

The 27-year-old likes to wear clothes by designers from the city on significant occasions as she feels that the place produces contemporary yet ethnic apparels.

“Esha being a Delhi girl has an affinity towards designers based there. She has a rapport with them and thus feels that they have a flair of representing her style and personality through their designs,” Esha’s spokesperson said in a statement.

Quake hits northeast India, Bangladesh

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An earthquake of moderate intensity rocked parts of northeast India and Bangladesh Saturday, an official said here.

According to district administrations in Tripura and southern Assam, no loss of life or damage to property was reported.

An India Meteorological Department official told IANS in Agartala that the 7 a.m. quake measured 5.2 on the Richter scale. Its epicentre was in Karimganj (southern Assam), on the border with Bangladesh.

“The quake was also felt in many parts of eastern Bangladesh, besides Tripura and southern Assam,” the official added.