Month: September 2013

Brazil discovers large oil deposit

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Brazilian state-run oil giant Petrobras said it has discovered a large crude oil deposit off the coast of the northeastern Sergipe state.

The reserve could yield nearly a billion barrels of crude, representing one of the world’s largest finds of its kind in 2013, Xinhua cited the company as saying Friday.

Petrobras CEO Maria das Gracas Silva Foster said initial extraction could begin in 2018 at a rate of 100,000 barrels a day.

She said the deposit, in deep waters of the Sergipe basin (100 km off the coast), promises to be substantial.

Rajat Rawail’s stint in ‘Bigg Boss-Saath 7’ ends

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Actor Rajat Rawail Saturday became the second celebrity contestant to get evicted from the “Bigg Boss-Saath 7” house. He says his health let him down.

“I had come to ‘Bigg Boss’ with lots of things in my mind. But unfortunately I couldn’t give my best shot due to poor health,” Rajat said in a statement.

His eviction came a week after British-Indian actress Hazel Keech was evicted from the reality show. The evictions are based on audience votes.

Iran resumes payments to World Bank on closed loans

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Effective on Friday, the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) under the World Bank Group (WBG) has moved all loans to Iran, from non-performing status to performing status, following the payment of all overdue amounts on these loans, the WBG has announced.

Ghana’s gas project to complete in 2014

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The deadline for the completion of Ghana’s gas infrastructure project in the western region has been extended to first quarter of 2014, the Ghana Gas Company (GGG) has said.

The company’s chief executive officer George Sipa Yankey revealed it as a delegation from Tullow Ghana Limited and the Volta River Authority visited the project site Thursday to acquaint them with the progress of work.

US fines Japanese auto-parts firms over price fixing

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Nine Japan-based companies and two executives have agreed to plead guilty for their role in conspiracies to fix price of parts sold to US automakers, while agreeing to pay over $740 million as fine, the US Justice Department has said.

These illegal cartels adversely affected the business of the big three US automakers, Chrysler, Ford and General Motors, as well as the US subsidiaries of Japanese carmakers Honda, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Subaru and Toyota, the Justice Department saiud.

Picasso painting sold for $1.8 mn in China

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Spanish artiste Pablo Picasso’ first-ever painting auctioned in China has been sold for $1.8 million.

The oil painting “Homme Assis,” signed by the Andalusian artist April 21, 1969, was knocked down for almost double of its expected maximum amount, Christie’s said in a communique.

In all, the 42 works of art and jewelry put up for auction were initially valued at some 100 million yuan (over $16 million), though the final take soared to a staggering 154 million yuan ($25 million) in Shanghai.

Kolkata’s pictorial tribute to Lata Mangeshkar

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Even though India’s nightingale Lata Mangeshkar was in no mood to celebrate her 84th birthday Saturday, Kolkata resonated with sounds of her music -courtesy an exhibition by musicologist Snehasis Chatterjee.

The display at the three-day exhibition that concludes Monday comprises rare artefacts related to the music icon collected by the Limca Book of Records holder over three decades.

Girl dies after rescue from open bore well in TN

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A six-year-old girl died of multiple organ failure, a few hours after she was rescued from a 200 feet-deep borewell in Tamil Nadu’s Thiruvanamalai district, said officials.

According to doctors at the Vellore government hospital, Devi did not respond to the treatment given as several of her organs had failed during her 10-hour-ordeal

A resident of Pulavanpadi village, the young girl fell into the bore well, which was not properly covered up, in a farm owned by Shankar, around 8 a.m. this morning while out with her mother.

‘We need to renew our commitment against terrorism’: PM

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Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh on Saturday highlighted the need to renew the commitment, especially at the UN, for concerted, cohesive and continuing global action against terrorism.

“There can be no tolerance for states sheltering, arming, training or financing terrorists. Nor can they absolve themselves of the responsibility to prevent their territories from being used to launch acts of terrorism,” he said, while addressing the 68th session of United Nations General Assembly here.

‘India supports elimination of chemical weapons material, equipment in Syria’: PM

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The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, on Saturday said India supports strongly the elimination of chemical weapons material and equipment in Syria.

Addressing the 68th session of United Nations General Assembly here, Dr. Singh said the increasingly lethal conflict in Syria is not only a tragedy for the people of Syria, but also threatens stability and security in the region and beyond.

“It has been made worse by the use of chemical weapons. The use of chemical weapons, whosoever may have deployed them, must be condemned in the strongest terms,” he added.

Pawar invites ASEAN countries to collaborate with India in farm research

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Minister for Agriculture and Food Processing Industries Sharad Pawar on Saturday invited ASEAN countries to collaborate with India in farm research so as to face common challenges such as climate change.

He also offered to share India’s vast experience in agriculture with ASEAN nations.

Pawar, who was speaking at the third ASEAN-India Ministerial Meeting on Agriculture at Kuala Lumpur, elaborated on the importance of ASEAN-India cooperation in farm sector.

Terror attack in Srinagar

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In another terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir, unidentified gunmen on Saturday opened fired in Rawalpora area of Srinagar. Media reports claim that two terrorists were on a motorbike when they fired on policemen in the heavily commercial area of Srinagar. The terrorists reportedly tried to flee after the incident. Firing is still on. One civilian has reportedly been injured. Srinagar has been put on high alert and security forces have reportedly cordoned off the area. Further details are awaited.

‘Indecisive’ PM bringing ‘shame’ to country by meeting Pakistan: Bharat Verma

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Defence analyst Captain (Retired) Bharat Verma on Saturday criticised Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for going ahead with talks with his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif despite the recent trend of terror attacks from across the border, and said his decision has brought shame to every Indian. “I think the whole world, including President Obama, know that Pakistan is the epicenter (of terrorism). Therefore, to discover this truth, which every child in the world knows by the Prime Minister while meeting Obama means nothing,” Verma said.

‘I have not maligned TMC’s image’, says ‘suspended’ Kunal Ghosh

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Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament (MP) Kunal Ghosh, who has been suspended from the Trinamool Congress (TMC) for his anti-party activities, on Saturday said the allegation that his statement has maligned the image of the party is baseless.

“I didn’t make any anti-party statement because I am a soldier of a party. The total allegation is baseless. And I have written to my leader Mr. Mukul Roy that please form a commission against me within the party, I have to say something,” he told media here, while justifying his stand.

Eva Longoria not desperate to be `housewife` again

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Eva Longoria has said that her two failed marriages have put her off from becoming a wife for the third time.

The 38-year-old actress also said that though she would love to have a child, it is not a priority for her, the Daily Express reported.

Longoria said on ‘Access Hollywood’ show that she is not one of those women who think that they must procreate.

The ‘Desperate Housewives’ star said that she think kids are a product of love and the right time to have them is when one finds the right person and wants to have a family. (ANI)

`Batman v Superman` progressing faster than what fans think, says screenwriter

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The screenwriter of the upcoming ‘Man of Steel’ sequel has hinted that production of ‘Batman v Superman’ is going well.

Screenwriter David S Goyer, who penned ‘Man of Steel,’ said that one of the things that have been fun for the production team is that they are further along than what many fans realize, Metro.co.uk reported.

The superhero film, which will start its shooting in 2014, will feature Ben Affleck as the caped crusader opposite Henry Cavill. (ANI)

PM should resign if he disagrees with Rahul comment: Chandrababu Naidu

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Contending that Rahul Gandhi’s reaction on the ordinance on convicted lawmakers was “dubious”, TDP chief N. Chandrababu Naidu Saturday said Prime Minister Manmohan Singh should resign if he disagreed with what the Congress vice-president said.

“The Prime Minister (is being) insulted repeatedly to elevate Rahul Gandhi. ‘Nonsense’ is his (Rahul’s) new moniker for the government. PM should resign if he disagrees with this,” tweeted the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) chief.

Rescue workers save 32 people from collapsed Mumbai building

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Rescue workers saved 32 people and recovered 25 bodies from a collapsed five-storeyed apartment block here.

Rescuers worked into the night to pull out survivors and casualties from the concrete rubble.

National Disaster Rapid Force (NDRF) commandant Alok Awasthi, said on Saturday that around 83 to 89 were still in the rubble.

Heavy rains flood Junagarh

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Incessant rainfall, triggering massive flooding in Junagarh, disrupting the lives of hundreds of people.

The floods have inundated homes, clogged roads, which were submerged three to five feet under water, and paralysed routine life on Saturday.

Rain continued to lash the entire state for the past few days that gave rise to the water levels of rivers and overflowing of dams.

Vidya Balan hails Indian Film Festival of Melbourne

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Bollywood actress Vidya Balan has hailed the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne, after being renamed its brand ambassador, and called it the integration of Indian and Australian culture.

Balan’s name was announced during the Victorian Government”s trade mission to India.

The 35-year-old actress was best known for her power packed performances in her recent films.

Omar Abdullah praises Manmohan Singh for sticking to plan to meet Sharif

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Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah praised Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Saturday for sticking to his decision to meet Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif of Pakistan inspite of the recent terror strikes in Kathua and Samba, and the repeated cease-fire violations from across the border along the Line of Control (LoC).

Dr. Singh and Prime Minister Sharif are scheduled to meet in New York on Sunday on the sidelines of the 68th session of the U.N. General Assembly (UNGA).

WI A beat India A by 162 runs in first unofficial Test

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West Indies A have beaten India A by 162 runs in the first unofficial Test played between the two teams at Mysore. The hosts were given a target of 315 runs in the fourth innings but they were bowled out for 152 runs with Nikita Miller taking five wickets. India A had earlier also lost the one-day series to the visitors in Bangalore but had won the only unofficial Twenty20 international. Manprit Juneja was once again the lone man who contributed effectively with the bat for the Indians, getting 70 runs off 193 balls. The second unofficial Test will be played at Shimoga on October 2. (ANI)

Death toll in Mumbai building collapse rises to 24

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The death toll from a building collapse in Mumbai has risen to 24, with more feared dead and scores trapped in the rubble as rescue operations continued on Saturday.

A five-storeyed apartment block collapsed on Friday.

Rescuers worked into the night to pull out survivors and casualties from the concrete rubble. Employees of the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (BMC) were housed in the building which was believed to be about 35 years old and housed 20 families.

Britney Spears releases sexy `Work Bitch` clip teaser

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Britney Spears has released a small clip of her new single ‘Work Bitch’ from her upcoming breakup-inspired album.

The little teaser, which was posted on her instagram account, shows the singer looking sexier than ever in an array of luxury bikinis along with glitter covered high heels, Contactmusic reported.

The 31-year-old singer is seen in a steamy solo act, as she is accompanied by a troop of dancers on a pool side, in the desert.

KimK fears Kanye West might land behind bars

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Kim Kardashian is anxious about her boyfriend Kanye West ending up in jail, after he was recently charged with battery and attempted theft, it has been revealed.

A source has revealed that the 32-year-old reality star, who recently welcomed the couple’s first daughter, is really upset and has been sobbing to West saying that she needs support with baby North, Contactmusic reported.

The insider said that the ‘Keeping Up With The Kardashians’ star has been insisting that she can’t cope on her own and is very worried that the judge will want to make an example of the rapper.