Month: August 2013

UP govt mulls special mining force to check illegal mining

by

Amidst uproar over suspension of a woman IAS officer allegedly under pressure of the “mining mafia”, the Uttar Pradesh government is working on a proposal to constitute a special “mining force” to check illegal mining activities in the state.

“The government is considering a proposal to set up an exclusive mining force to check illegal mining activities in the state,” Minister of State for Mining (Independent Charge) Gayatri Prasad Prajapati told PTI.

Three school teachers abducted in Nigeria

by

Three women teachers were abducted by gunmen who stormed an elementary school in Benin city, capital of Nigeria’s southern Edo state, police said.

Police spokesperson Moses Eguavoen identified the teachers as Patience Oroghene, Aisha Momodu and Patience Osadolor, Xinhua reported.

The victims were kidnapped following shooting within the Orogbua Primary School premises. They were driven away in a vehicle belonging to one of the teachers, police said.

A parent who came to check on his ward was hit by a stray bullet during the shooting, a teacher said.

Forget Bollywood songs, try exotic bird calls as mobile ringtones

by

Tired of the “Bhaag Milkha Bhaag” song ‘Zinda’ ringtone playing on your phone? Why not try the original bird calls of the green-backed tit or the chestnut-breasted partridge instead?

Sangli-based Ornithologist Sharad Apte has compiled a virtual billboard of original bird calls from the forests of northeastern India, cropping them into mobile phone ringtones that can be downloaded online.

SP leader brags he got IAS officer suspended in 41 minutes

by

A video purportedly showing a senior Samajwadi Party (SP) leader claiming he got IAS official Durga Shakti Nagpal suspended in “just 41 minutes” put the Uttar Pradesh government in a tight spot Friday.

The video comes after Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav firmed up his stance in the matter of the official’s suspension, and said there was no question of revoking the order served to the woman official.

Ramadan Reflections on Islam and World Hunger

by

Let us also reflect more deeply on the true meaning of Ramadan; that time when we are are reminded that all Muslims are enjoined by our Creator to abstain from all eating and drinking during daylight hours. This month of fasting and spiritual reflection brings us closer to Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala and more attuned to the needs and suffering of other human beings.

Indeed, we experience the temporary discomfort of hunger and thirst each day, but the magnitude of chronic hunger in our world is truly staggering.

Consider, if you will, the following disturbing statistics:

Moderate intensity quake in J&K region

by

An earthquake of moderate intensity that lasted a few seconds struck Jammu and Kashmir at 8.03 a.m. Friday. No reports of loss of life or property were received, the met office here said.

The quake, measuring 5.4 on the Richter scale, struck at 33.5 degrees north latitude and longitude 75. 5 degrees east. Its epicenter lay in the Jammu and Kashmir region.

Sonam Lotus, director of the India Meteorological Department, Srinagar, said mild or moderate quakes have been recurring in the region in the past nearly three months, and experts were examining the causes behind these.

–IANS

Earthquake rocks Himachal

by

Tremors of the magnitude of 5.4 on the Richter scale rocked several parts of Himachal Pradesh at 8.03 a.m. Friday, triggering panic, an official of the meteorological office told IANS.

The quake lasted a few seconds, and no loss of life was reported.

The epicentre of earthquake, which was of moderate intensity, was Kishtwar area of Jammu and Kashmir.

In Himachal, the tremors were felt prominently in Shimla, Chamba, Lahaul and Spiti and Kullu and Kangra districts.

Earlier, tremors of the magnitude of 4.5 were felt for some seconds in state July 13.

UN team assembles in Hague for Syria weapons probe

by

A UN team tasked with investigating the alleged use of chemical weapons in Syria is assembling in The Hague and will travel to Syria within the next few days, the UN has said.

“In addition to the head of the mission, the team will consist of about 10 experts from the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons and the World Health Organization,” Xinhua quoted UN spokesman Martin Nesirky as saying.

“The team will depart for Syria as soon as practical and is preparing to depart within days,” Nesirky said.

US, French auto makers report increased car sales

by

Three auto makers in the US and two in France posted sales increase in July. In the US, GM was up 16.3 percent, Ford and Chrysler up about 11 percent, and in France, Renault’s sales were up 4.7 percent and PSA Peugeot Citroen sold around one percent more vehicles compared to the same period last year.

General Motors Co. said it sold 234,071 vehicles in the US in July, 16.3 percent up year-on-year, driven by nearly 50 percent monthly sales increases for both the Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra pickups, Xinhua reported.

One killed in light plane crash in Israel

by

One man died and two were injured when a light aircraft crashed in Israel’s southern city of Eilat, aviation officials said.

The plane crashed Thursday between the resort city’s airport and mall. The airport has been temporarily closed, Xinhua reported.

The cause of the crash was not known, but officials said it may have crashed due to strong wind.

The plane did not announce any emergency and was seen diving towards the ground.

Three people were on board the plane — a pilot and two passengers. The plane had taken off from Herzelia city near Tel Aviv.

No, we don’t walk around nude: Jennifer Aniston

by

Actress Jennifer Aniston, who wants to have a bachelorette party before she gets married to fiance Justin Theroux, denies reports of turning nudist.

Talking on a chat show, Aniston said: “I would just like to do a little trip to Cabo, or something fun.”

There were rumours that Aniston and Theroux had turned nudist, but the actress cleared the air, reports eonline.com.

“No, we don’t walk around nude, darlin’. I mean, we do when it’s appropriate. It’s absolute Bullshit,” she said.

5-yr-old rape victim unwell, could not appear in court

by

The five-year-old girl, who was raped allegedly by two youths in east Delhi leading to widespread protest, could not appear in a court here on Thursday for recording her statement due to ill health.

The minor’s uncle told additional sessions judge Sanjay Garg that she was suffering from viral fever and it would take her few more days to recover.

“The victim’s uncle sought her exemption stating that she is not feeling well today and due to this reason she is not brought today. Her exemption plea is allowed,” the court said.

VVIP chopper deal: Defence Ministry gets new evidences, seeks explanation from Agusta

by

Meanwhile, the top brass of the Anglo-Italian firm is scheduled to meet in Europeon Thursday to decide on seeking international arbitration against the Defence Ministry under the “terms of the contract” over the alleged breach of contract by it, industry sources said here.

Armed with fresh evidences and documents in connection with the VVIP chopper scam, the Defence Ministry has shot off a letter to AgustaWestland seeking further explanation from it on the charges against it in the Rs3,600 crore deal.

Azad launches mobile vaccine vans for children

by

National Teeka Express, an initiative to protect children from life-threatening diseases, was launched by Union Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad in Rajasthan’s Alwar district today.

“Vaccines of seven deadly diseases will be distributed in villages and hamlets under this scheme. This affirms our commitment to vaccinate children in remote areas,” Azad said during the inauguration ceremony of the programme here.

Jilted lover attacks girl with knife; attempts suicide

by

A day after the ‘axe attack’ incident at JNU campus shocked Delhi, a suspected jilted lover today attacked a girl with a knife in a busy market area here and then tried to commit suicide by slitting his throat.

“The boy, Rohit, had been angry at the girl for turning down his marriage proposal and in revenge, attacked her with a knife in a busy market area,” a police official said.

After attacking the girl, he came back home where he tried to commit suicide by slitting his throat, they said.

White House ‘extremely disappointed’ with Russia

by

The United States is “extremely disappointed” in Russia’s decision to grant asylum to National Security Agency leaker Edward Snowden, the White House said today.

In its first public response to Russia’s move in defiance of US wishes, the Obama administration said it was not a positive development for US-Russia relations and said that it undermined Russia’s record of law enforcement cooperation with the US.

The White House added that it is re-evaluating whether President Barack Obama should attend an upcoming summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Samaikyandhra bandh against Telanagana in Kadapa

by

A complete shutdown was observed on the second successive day of the stir here against bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh with agitators trying to attack the district Congress office and two youth attempting self immolation.

A stature of Indira Gandhi was vandalised at Indiramma colony near Mamillapalli village, on the outskirts of Kadapa town.

Protesters were seen moving around with anti-Telangana joint action committee leaders like Chandrasekhar Reddy, Ramanaiah and Govardhan Reddy .

All private business establishments, banks, government offices, hotels remained closed.

Commissioner to explain why medical test was not done on rape

by

Expressing displeasure over shoddy investigation by the police in an alleged case of rape, the Calcutta High Court today directed the Commissioner of Kolkata Police to submit a report within seven days explaining why the victim was not medically examined.

Justice Sanjib Banerjee passed the direction on a petition seeking a CBI probe into the death of 22-year-old Aminul Islam.

Bachchan’s son-in-law files complaint of hacked e-mail account

by

Amitabh Bachchan’s son-in-law and business tycoon Nikhil Nanda today lodged a police complaint about his email account has been hacked.

According to the police, Nanda in his complaint with the Economic Offences Wing of the Delhi Police has said that after hacking his email account, the hacker sent several mails to his friends demanding a favour of lakh of pounds from them.

Modi’s twitter accounts in regional languages including Urdu

by

Aiming for a nationwide connect, BJP’s election campaign committee chairman Narendra Modi now has Twitter accounts in almost all major regional languages including Urdu.

Modi now has accounts in languages like Hindi, Urdu, Kannada, Marathi, Malayalam, Oria, Tamil and Bangla apart from English.

His nine tweets in Urdu have drawn 152 followers, while 421 are following him on his Marathi account. With these additions, Modi is trying to reach out to people in key states of Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra.

Advani targets Cong over attack on party leader

by

Terming as a ‘grim tragedy’ the recent murder of a party functionary in Tamil Nadu, BJP leader L K Advani today slammed the “rise” in incidents of attacks on members of saffron outfits and asked the Congress whether it was a crime to be nationalist.

Advani today skipped a crucial meeting of RSS and BJP leaders in Delhi post his public fall-out over elevation of Narendra Modi as head of party campaign committee and participated in a homage meeting to condole the murder of party’s Tamil Nadu BJP General secretary V Ramesh on July 19

Had tough time to get ‘Shudhh Desi Romance’: Vaani Kapoor

by

Model-turned-actress Vaani Kapoor, who will be making her filmy debut through Aditya Chopra’s ‘Shudhh Desi Romance’, says she had to undergo a “gruelling” process to win the stamp of approval from Yash Raj banner.

Vaani is the latest find after the banner launched Anushka Sharma, Parineeti Chopra, Arjun Kapoor, Sasheh Aagha.

She will be seen along with Sushant Singh Rajput and Parineeti Chopra in Maneesh Sharma’s directorial venture scheduled for September 6 release.

Sushant introduced Vaani to media at an event this evening where a song ‘Gulabi’ from the film was launched.

Imran Khan to respond to contempt notice

by

Imran Khan will personally appear in Pakistan’s Supreme Court tomorrow to respond to a contempt of court notice issued over his comments about the judiciary’s role in the May 11 general election.

The apex court’s registrar issued the notice to the head of the Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf party yesterday and directed him to appear in court to explain why action should not be taken against him for his remarks against the court and its judges during a news conference on July 26.

I love federal front option, says Mamata Banerjee

by

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today said she favoured the idea that a federal front should come to power after the next general elections.

“I love federal front…I always favour this federal structure but am in favour of a stable government also…It’s a people’s choice. I cannot say, I am not a political astrologer,” she told reporters after meeting industrialists here.

In the run up to the general elections scheduled for next year, the idea of a non-BJP, non-Congress ruling coalition is being discussed.

Tihar prison gets a blanket making unit

by

The country’s largest Tihar Jail has set up its own blanket making unit in the prison complex, adding to its manufacturing activities under brand ‘TJ’.

“The aim of establishing this unit is to direct prisoners’ attention towards creativity so that they spend their time in positive manner. At the same time they would also earn wages,” said Sunil Gupta, Tihar Jail spokesperson.

Director General (Prisons) Vimla Mehra inaugurated the unit at Central Jail number 8 and 9 yesterday, which has the capacity to produce 3,000 blankets per month and provide employment to 80 inmates.