Month: June 2013

Jagan’s remand extended till June 17

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The court has extended the judicial remand of YS Jagan Mohan Reddy and others in the Disproportionate Assets (DA) case till June 17.

The remand of Jagan,Nimmgadda Prasad, Mopidevei Venkataramana, Brahmannada Redy and others was extended by the court here today. Meanwhile, the judicial custody of Sunil Reddy, accused in the Emaar Properties case has been extended up to June 17.

Meanwhile, the court has also extended the remand of Gali Janardhan Reddy, Srinivasulu Reddy and Ali Khan, accused in OMC case to June 17. (INN)

Parrot owner gets payout after RAF plane noise kills his bird

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Noisy affair! A parrot owner in the UK has been given 2,200 pounds in compensation after his exotic bird was killed by the noise from a low-flying Air Force plane.

The pet bird was terrified by the noise when the Hercules transport aircraft roared over its owner’s house.

Its death in Ayrshire followed a similar incident where a low-flying plane caused a parrot to fall off its perch and break both its legs. Military chiefs agreed to cover vet bills – including two splints.

China reaps the most from the Iraq oil boom: Report

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Since the American-led invasion of 2003, Iraq has become one of the world’s top oil producers, and the energy-hungry China is now its biggest customer and is eyeing an even larger share, a media report today said.

China already buys nearly half the oil that Iraq produces, nearly 1.5 million barrels a day, and is angling for an even bigger share, bidding for a stake now owned by Exxon Mobil in one of Iraq’s largest oil fields.

Saudi prince forks out 15 mn euros at Paris Disneyland

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A Saudi prince spent 15 million euros (USD 19.5 million) for three days of fun at Disneyland near Paris to celebrate his degree, the group that runs the theme park said today.

Prince Fahd al-Saud booked entire areas of the park over May 22 to 24 for his 60-odd guests. The festivities included tailor-made events involving “rare Disney characters,” Euro Disney told AFP.

Special security was put in place for the prince, one of the park’s top customers, it added.

Akshay Kumar discourages usage of phones inside theatres

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Bollywood star Akshay Kumar has made a short clip appealing cinema-goers to cut their mobile phone usage inside the theatres as he gears up to release his upcoming film “Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai Again”.

Kumar who is playing a gangster, Shoaib, in the Milan Luthria directed sequel, will be donning his character’s look in the forthcoming video.

The clip will be played in PVR theatres from Friday.

Cambridge students stunned by sexually graphic question

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Cambridge University under-graduates appearing for a criminal law examination have expressed shock at the graphic nature of some of the questions they had to choose from.

Asked to select two questions designed to test their knowledge on a range of legal issues, they were presented with a detailed depiction of a fictional college drinking society’s initiation ceremony involving oral sex, male rape and naked torture.

Salman Khan to do cameo in Atul Agnihotri’s next

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Superstar Salman Khan will do a cameo in filmmaker and brother-in-law Atul Agnihotri’s next home production.

After the success of his home production ‘Bodyguard’ featuring Salman Khan and Kareena Kapoor, Atul is all set with his next flick, titled ‘O Teri’.

“He (Salman) is there in the film. He is doing a cameo. He has a song and few scenes to do,” Atul told PTI, without divulging any further details.

Myanmar to examine two-child rule for Rohingya Muslims

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Myanmar will examine a controversial ban imposed on Rohingya Muslims having more than two children, a top official said today, after criticism from the United Nations and rights groups.

Authorities in the strife-torn western state of Rakhine said last month that they had reaffirmed the longstanding rule — which was first introduced during the junta era — in two townships.

“The central government did not announce that policy. We will look into it,” presidential spokesman Ye Htut told AFP.

Iraq warns Israel on using airspace in Iran strike

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Baghdad has warned Israel that it would respond to any attempts by the Jewish state to use Iraqi airspace for a strike against Iran’s controversial nuclear programme, a top Iraqi minister told AFP.

The remarks from Hussein al-Shahristani, deputy prime minister responsible for energy affairs, mark the first time a senior Iraqi official has publicly warned Israel against entering its airspace — the most direct route — to hit targets in Iran.

Defunct AP Women’s Commission reconstituted

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The Andhra Pradesh Women’s Commission was today revived, about six years after it was disbanded following allegations of impropriety by the then chairperson and some members.

Congress leader Tripurani Venkata Rathnam has been named chairperson of the revived body that will have five other members, according to an order issued by Principal Secretary (Women, Children, Disabled and Senior Citizens) Department Nilam Sawhney.

Fearing arrest, chain snatcher shot himself dead

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A chain snatcher today shot himself dead while being chased by police in Sidhauli area here.

Two youths – Pappi Singh (22) and Gyan Maurya (25) – tried to snatch the chain and earings of a woman in Singhpur locality. As the lady raised an alarm, passersby and a police jeep in the vicinity chased the duo, police said.

While they were being chased, fearing arrest, Pappi took out his country-made gun and shot himself dead, police said, adding that Gyan has been caught.

——PTI

Vizag body aims world record for largest Olympic Day Run

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The Visakhapatnam District Olympic Association will attempt a new world record of the largest-ever ‘Olympic Day Run’ on June 23, organisers said today.

The VDOA, in association with the local administration and others, will be celebrating the Olympic Day by organising a rally ensuring participation of one lakh people, they said.

Mentally disturbed man with pistol held near Ahmed Patel home

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A 30-year-old “mentally-disturbed” man was detained with a licenced pistol and live cartridges near the house of Ahmed Patel, political secretary to Congress chief Sonia Gandhi, police said today.

Police intercepted a car last night at a barricade on Mother Teresa Crescent Road near Patel’s residence.

A senior police official said the youth was talking about becoming President of the country. “He was mentally disturbed. We took him to a nearby police station.

SIT terms Zakia’s petition ‘instigating’

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Supreme Court-appointed SIT today termed as “instigating” the petition filed by Zakia Jafri, opposing the closure report filed by SIT giving clean chit to Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi and alleged that it could again create communal disturbances in the state.

SIT made this submission before Metropolitan Magistrate B J Ganatra who was hearing the ‘protest’ petition filed by Jafri opposing the closure report filed by SIT giving clean chit to Modi and others for their role in the 2002 post-Godhra riots.

Vindoo had tried to elicit ‘tips’ from KKR CEO: Mumbai police

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Bollywood actor Vindoo Dara Singh had tried to get “inside” information from the CEO of IPL team Kolkata Knight Riders, according Mumbai police’s crime branch.

The probe has also revealed that Rajasthan Royals player Ajit Chandila had allegedly told bookies that he would not facilitate fixing for the first few IPL matches, because he was hoping to be picked for the national squad.

Cong takes pot shot at Advani over tussle in BJP

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Revelling in BJP’s discomfiture over the PM candidate tussle, Congress today saw it as a case of ‘sour grapes’ for L K Advani who had showered lavish praise on Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan while comparing him with Narendra Modi.

“‘In a feast where I am not invited, there should be trouble, trouble and more trouble’ goes a Hindi saying. Similar are the remarks of the BJP veteran,” said party spokesman Shakil Ahmed in reply to questions from reporters on the issue.

Indian parliamentary delegation in US

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A multi-party delegation of Indian parliamentarians has arrived in the US to hold series of meetings with top American government officials, lawmakers and think-tank to exchange views on bilateral and regional issues.

Led by BJD leader Baijayant ‘Jay’ Panda, the seven-member delegation today met US Deputy Secretary of State William Burns at the State Department.

Other members of the delegation are Supriya Sule (NCP), Bhakta Charan Das (Congress), Uday Singh (BJP), Partap Singh Bajwa (Congress), Manicka Tagore (Congress) and Prem Das Rai (Sikkim Democratic Front).

One-third of US marriages start online: study

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More than one third of US marriages begin with online dating, and those couples are slightly happier and more likely to stay together than couples who meet through other means, said a study today.

Online dating has ballooned into a billion dollar industry and the Internet “may be altering the dynamics and outcome of marriage itself,” said the study by US researchers in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

The study is based on a nationally representative survey of 19,131 people who married between 2005 and 2012.

US to send Patriot missiles, F-16s to Jordan for drill

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The United States will send a Patriot missile battery and F-16 fighters to Jordan for a military drill and may keep the weapons there to counter the threat posed by Syria’s civil war, officials said today.

The Patriot missile launchers and F-16 warplanes “were approved for deployment to Jordan as part of Exercise Eager Lion,” the spokesman for US Central Command, Lieutenant Colonel TG Taylor, said.

Mississippi man indicted in poisoned letters case

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A man suspected of sending poison-laced letters to President Barack Obama and two other officials was charged in a five-count federal indictment made public that could send him to prison for life if he’s convicted.

The indictment charges 41-year-old James Everett Dutschke with developing, producing and stockpiling the poison ricin, threatening the president and others and attempting to impede the investigation.

The indictment also alleges that Dutschke mailed the letter in part to retaliate against a rival, who briefly became a suspect in the investigation.

Democracy has more right answers than any system, says Khurshid

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Describing democracy as the most appropriate form of governance, External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid on Monday said it may not be the “right answer”, but it provides “best answer” than any other system can give. “Voice has to be heard, hands have to be waived and the votes have to be cast, point of view has to be expressed. There will be disagreements, differences. There will be contrasts and there will be conflicts, but at the end of the day as we all hear, democracy is the best answer”.

Actress Jiah Khan commits suicide

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Bollywood actress Jiah Khan has allegedly committed suicide by hanging herself at her residence in Mumbai, police said. The 25-year old actress reportedly hanged herself at her Juhu residence on late Monday night.

According to the police her maid, watchman and neighbours are being interrogated to find out her last visitors. Jiah made her acting debut in the controversial Ram Gopal Varma’s ‘Nishabd’ where she acted opposite Amitabh Bachchan. Upon its release in March 2007, the film received mixed reviews, but Jiah was noted for her confidence, attitude, and sex appeal.

Swiss billionaire jailed for 18 years over workers’ deaths

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A court in the northern Italian city of Turin has jailed Swiss billionaire Stephan Schmidheiny for 18 years for asbestos-linked tumours in workers at his cement plant.

The sentence increased his jail term by two years from the 16 years he received at the original trial.

The Turin appeals court upped Schmidheiny’s sentence for failing to adequately protect workers at two asbestos-cement plants run by the now-defunct Eternit in Italy until the 1980s.

India, Singapore renew agreement on joint army training

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India and Singapore on Monday reaffirmed their strong and long-standing defence ties as they renewed a bilateral agreement for the conduct of joint army training and exercises for another five years.

The agreement was signed between Defence Secretary Radha Krishna Mathur and his Singaporean counterpart Chiang Chie Foo after visiting Defence Minister AK Antony held bilateral talks with his host Ng Eng Hen.

Lost in music, girl gets run over by three buses

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Listening to music through earphones while crossing the road proved fatal for a 17-year-old girl as she was run over by three buses in suburban Dadar today. Nidhi Pandey, resident of Antop Hill area, was rushed to Sion hospital where she was declared dead on arrival. Police said the incident happened at around 10am when she was returning from her fitness session at a gym. She was hit by a speeding bus as she walked on the road listening to music, not noticing the vehicle.