Month: July 2013

No cricket with India costs Pakistan board Rs 482 crore

by

Blaming it on lack of bilateral series with India, the Pakistan Cricket Board claims to have lost approximately USD 80 million (Approx. Rs 482 crore) in its broadcasting deal with the Dubai-based Ten Sports that ended last month.

A senior official of the board told PTI that since Pakistan didn’t host any home series against India in the four-year broadcasting deal, it lost out on an estimated USD 80 million from its total deal of USD 135 million (approx. 814 crore).

Pak to raise issue of drone strikes during Kerry’s visit

by

Pakistan will raise the issue of US drone attacks in its tribal belt during US Secretary of State John Kerry’s visit to the country later this month, the Foreign Ministry said on Friday.

Foreign Office spokesman Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhary said at his weekly briefing that exact dates and agenda of the visit are being finalised by the two countries.

To a question, he said the US drone strikes constitute breach of Pakistan’s sovereignty, violation of international law and human rights besides being counter-productive to the fight against terror.

Five women struck down by lightning

by

Five women died after lightning struck them at a village in Bihar’s East Champaran district on Friday, the police said.

Some women and children were standing under a neem tree in a field at Agarwa village to avoid heavy rains when the lightning struck them.

The victims were identified as Lalsa Devi (20), Sanjha Devi (20) Sugia Devi (35), Ramlati Devi (60) and Chandrakala Devi (50).

Two others, a woman and a boy, suffered burn injuries.

–PTI

IB writes to Union Home Ministry against CBI on Ishrat case

by

Taking strong exception to CBI’s alleged “witch-hunt” against its officials in Ishrat Jahan case, the Intelligence Bureau has lodged a strong protest with the Union Home Ministry saying the investigating agency’s move would only hurt the morale of the officers of IB.

In a formal letter, IB Director Asif Ibrahim said CBI’s move to prosecute its officials in the alleged fake encounter case in Gujarat, would be “disastrous for the morale of IB officers” and would harm the country’s internal security.

India, China agree on need for ‘strategic communication’

by

Seeking to maintain peace and stability on the Line of Actual Control in the backdrop of the PLA incursion in Ladakh, India and China today agreed that “strategic communication” is required for building mutual trust even as they agreed to resume joint-army exercises.

Khurshid to arrive in Nepal next Tuesday on a two-day visit

by

Seeking to strengthen India’s ties with Nepal, External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid will arrive here on July 9 for talks with Nepalese leadership.

This will be Khursid’s first visit to Nepal as External Affairs Minister. He is coming be here on a two-day visit at the invitation of Minister for Home and Foreign Affairs of Nepal, Madhav Prasad Ghimire.

The two ministers will exchange views on the further development of bilateral relations and other issues of mutual interest, a statement from the Indian Embassy said.

J&K rejoices Rasool’s inclusion into Indian team

by

With young Parvez Rasool etching his name into record books after being named in the Indian squad for the upcoming ODI series against Zimbabwe, JKCA and former cricketers today termed his selection as a historic day for the state and said his elevation will open up doors for many other youngsters of the region.

Nitish government may collapse any time, claims Lalu

by

Claiming that the Nitish Kumar government was gasping for breath and might collapse any time amid its “growing unpopularity”, RJD supremo Lalu Prasad on Friday asked party activists to mobilise people in order to oust the JD(U) from power.

“The Nitish Kumar government has become hugely unpopular and resentment against it has been brewing,” he told partymen at the RJD’s 17th foundation day celebrations.

Talwars move fresh petition to defer proceedings

by

Dentist couple Rajesh and Nupur Talwar on Friday moved a fresh petition in CBI court here seeking to defer the ongoing case proceedings till July 20.

The couple has said in the appeal that the Allahabad High Court had reserved its verdict on their plea for reports of various tests, for July 16.

CBI Judge Shyam Lal reserved order for Saturday.

Explosion in firecracker shop 1 killed, 6 injured in

by

One person was killed and six others injured in an explosion in a fire cracker shop in Shahjahanpur on Friday, police said.

The explosion took place when the fire crackers were being manufactured in the shop of Bachchu Khan, who had a licence for the same, leaving him and six others from his family injured, they said.

Khan succumbed to his injuries on the way to hospital, police said, adding, that the injured were undergoing treatment.

–PTI

5 die in separate rain-related incidents

by

Five persons were on Friday killed in rain-related incidents in Uttar Pradesh taking the toll this monsoon in the state to 93.

According to relief commissioner office sources, three people drowned in Basti and one each in Sant Kabirnagar and Gorakhpur died of lightning.

Met office here said that light to moderate rain or thundershowers occurred at isolated places over the state in the past 24 hours as Sharda and Quano continued to flow above the red mark at a couple of places.

”Autonomous” Khalsa College exploring ties with foreign universities

by

Eyeing on foreign collaboration intake of students from abroad, the prestigious 121-year-old Khalsa College Amritsar (KCA) has become first amongst colleges affiliated with Guru Nanak Dev University, to become an `Autonomous College” in the state.

The status has been conferred by University Grants Commission (UGC), following rigorous evaluation process on College”s achievements in academic, sports and cultural arena and its role in dissemination of knowledge to society at large.

Ajit Singh defends 20.58 billion Jet-Etihad deal

by

Civil Aviation Minister Ajit Singh said here today that the 20.58 billion Jet-Etihad deal was a well -informed decision considering the civil aviation sectors of India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). “Abu Dhabi is the capital of UAE. Abu Dhabi is the richest emirate in UAE, so considering our relationship, considering investment and trade possibility, again looking at the situation of our civil aviation sector and their civil aviation, and we decided to go ahead ,” said Singh.

”JMM and Congress will form a coalition government in Jharkahand”: Hemant Soren

by

Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) leader Hemant Soren is all set to become the next chief minister of Jharkhand after the Congress announced an alliance with it. Announcing the alliance Hemant Soren said that JMM and Congress will form a coalition government in Jharkahand. “We will also fight the 2014 elections together. The Congress today assured us the support,” said Soren. “We appeal all politicians to work for betterment of the state. We will initiate State formation very soon.

Mum knew when I lost my virginity, says Rachel Bilson

by

Rachel Bilson has revealed that her mother, Janice- who is a sex therapist and a relationship counsellor – knew when she lost her virginity.

The 31-year-old actress told Cosmopolitan magazine that she is comfortable discussing her personal life with her mum, Contactmusic reported.

She said that her mother could intuitively tell when her daughter had lost her virginity and so she didn’t even question her.

Bilson asserted that her mum explained her all sorts of things about relationships including how important it is to be honest and have trust. (ANI)

Manayata Dutt gets nostalgic at `Policegiri` premiere

by

Sanjay Dutt starrer ‘Policegiri’ was premiered in the presence of Manayata Dutt and the entire cast and crew in Mumbai.

It was a paid premiere and the receipts of it were given to the Prime Minister’s relief fund for Uttarakhand flood victims on Dutt’s suggestion.

The film is hitting high on sympathy votes as the actor completed it in the last few days before surrendering.

Interacting with media persons, Manayata looked somewhat disturbed and urged Sanjay’s fans to watch the film.

Antifreeze could help pave way for cheaper thin-film solar cells

by

Researchers at Ohio State University are touting a little antifreeze as a key component to a relatively cheap semiconductor material for use in future solar technologies.

In a new study, they have shown that a process combining some comparatively cheap materials and the same antifreeze that keeps an automobile radiator from freezing in cold weather may be the key to making solar cells that cost less and avoid toxic compounds, while further expanding the use of solar energy.

Outrage over Pak minister’s ‘only sanitary work be given to religious minorities’ remark

by

Pakistan Christian Congress president Dr. Nazir S. Bhatti has condemned the statement given by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) nominated chief Pervez Khatak that sanitary workers’ job will be given to religious minorities in KPK province. According to The Lahore Times, Imran Khan led PTI claims of providing social justice in Pakistan irrespective of caste, creed or religion, however, Khatak’s statement reflect the contrary as he had said that only sanitary workers’ (cleaning drains, streets and roads) job will be given to Christians, Hindus and Schedule castes.

Filmmaker Oliver Stone calls NSA whistleblower Snowden ”a hero”

by

Film Director Oliver Stone has called National Security Agency whistleblower Edward Snowden a hero, adding that he should be welcomed and offered asylum, but had no place to hide because every country was intimidated by the United States. According to the New York Daily News, Stone went on to encourage foreign countries to offer asylum to Snowden, terming Obama”s concern about hunting down Snowden a disgrace and urged him to rather reform the eavesdropping techniques.

Class 12 girl raped in Delhi

by

A Class 12 girl was raped by a married man who promised to marry her, police said Friday.

The 16-year-old girl told police that she met her attacker seven months ago. They had intimate relations after he promised he would marry her.

Police said a case of rape has been registered. The accused is on the run. The girl lives in Gazipur area in east Delhi.

–IANS

Madonna sparks controversy with religious pose

by

Madonna has again landed up in a controversy by upsetting religious fanatics by dressing up in a Muslim niqab-style chainmail mask.

She posted the snap with the message that read: “Revolution of Love is on… Inshallah,” the Sun reported.

But a pal of the singer, who also shared a photo of herself biting a sword, warned her that stirring up controversy about Muslim practices may put her life at risk. (ANI)

Couples `lack passion` after just one year

by

Relationships start to lose their spark after just one year, a new study has revealed.

The survey conducted by Lloydspharmacy Online Doctor suggested that 15 per cent of couples make love every day, in the first 12-month “honeymoon” period of a relationship, the Daily Express reported.

Around 53 per cent of the respondents admitted that within fours years, action in the bedroom takes place only a few times in a week.

It was found that beyond that point, for 43 per cent of couples it dwindles to just a few times a month.

US college graduate sues NYPD over `stop-and-frisk`

by

A Bard College graduate is suing the NYPD after police frisked her to the point of a semi-strip search by allegedly violently stopped her on a Williamsburg street last year.

Samantha Rosenbaum, 22, who claims in a Brooklyn federal court lawsuit filed this week that she was thrown against an unmarked police car in broad daylight, for no apparent reason, on July 17, 2012, told the New York Post that her face and stomach were on the hood of the car.

Security experts deny British agency behind fixing bug in Ecuador Embassy hosting Assange

by

Security experts have reportedly denied allegations about British police or security services planting the surveillance bug found by Foreign minister Ricardo Patino at Ecuador’s London Embassy where WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange has been holed up for a year. According to the Guardian, Patino had revealed that a surveillance device was found by him at the embassy and claimed it to be the work of Worcester surveillance and security firm, The Surveillance Group Limited.