Month: March 2015

Boko Haram advance on northern city as Nigerians vote

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Suspected Boko Haram extremists attacked polling stations and destroyed election material in two northeastern towns, police said as Nigerians continued voting today in certain areas that suffered technical glitches.

Fleeing residents said scores of the extremists are advancing on Nigeria’s northeastern city of Bauchi and soldiers are engaging them with heavy gunfire.

Fighter jets flew above the city and police spokesman Haruna Muhammad said security forces had stopped a convoy of 10 vehicles of “unidentified gunmen” at Dindima village, 10 kilometers (6 miles) from Bauchi.

Air Canada plane leaves Halifax runway on ‘abrupt’ landing

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An Air Canada plane made an “abrupt” landing in bad weather and skidded off the runway at the airport in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and officials said today that 23 people were taken to a hospital for observation and treatment of minor injuries.

The airline said Flight AC624, an Airbus 320 that left Toronto late Saturday, had 133 passengers and five crew members. Canada’s Transportation Safety Board called it an accident and provided pictures that showed significant damage to the plane with the nose torn off and what appears to be an engine crumpled under a damaged wing.

Gold worth Rs 80 lakh seized from SpiceJet aircraft

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Three gold bars, weighing as many kgs, worth Rs 80.32 lakh were seized from under a seat of a SpiceJet aircraft at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel international airport here.

“The gold bars were found hidden beneath a seat of the flight no. 016, which landed here from Dubai last night, by the Air Intelligence Unit of Customs,” a customs official said today.

The AIU swung into action after it was alerted by the flight crew about some “suspicious object” lying under the seat.

Arab strikes on rebels hit Yemen’s main airport

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Saudi-led warplanes bombed Yemen’s main international airport and struck a renegade troop base in the capital, as Arab leaders today vowed to pummel Iranian-backed rebels until they surrender.

The raids on the country’s main air gateway came just hours after UN workers were evacuated following deadly fighting that has sent tensions between Tehran and other Middle East powers soaring. India and Pakistan also moved to airlift their citizens from the chaos-wracked country.

Egg white can help make anti-bacterial bioplastic

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Bioplastics made from protein sources such as albumin or egg white and whey show significant anti-bacterial properties, says a new study.

The findings may eventually lead to their use in plastics used in medical applications such as wound healing dressings, sutures, catheter tubes and drug delivery.

The bioplastic materials could also be used for food packaging, said the study published online in the Journal of Applied Polymer Science.

White House tells Iran to ‘live up to rhetoric’

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The White House challenged Iranian negotiators today to “live up to their rhetoric” and strike a nuclear deal with world powers before a March 31 deadline expires.

Iran and six world powers have reached tentative agreement on key parts of a deal sharply curtailing Tehran’s nuclear ambitions, Western diplomats said in Lausanne, where negotiators are racing to nail down an accord by midnight Tuesday.

Hometown pastor says community stands by co-pilot, family

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The pastor of the Lutheran church in Andreas Lubitz’s hometown said today that the community stands by him and his family, despite the fact that prosecutors blame the 27-year-old co-pilot for causing the plane crash that killed 150 people in southern France.

The town of Montabaur has been rattled by the revelation that Lubitz, who first learned to fly at a nearby glider club, may have intentionally caused Tuesday’s crash of Germanwings Flight 9525.

Syrians flee Idlib, fearing government reprisals

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Syrians fled Idlib today, fearing government reprisals a day after opposition fighters and a powerful local al-Qaida affiliate captured the northwestern town, activists said.

Idlib, with a population of around 165,000 people, is the second provincial capital to fall to the opposition after Raqqa, which is now a stronghold of the Islamic State group.

Its capture by several factions led by the al-Qaida-linked Nusra Front underscores the growing power of extremist groups in Syria, who now control about half the country.

Adoor Gopalakrishnan honoured with Bhupen Hazarika award

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Internationally acclaimed filmmaker Adoor Gopalakrishnan was today presented with the Bishwaratna Dr Bhupen Hazarika International Solidarity Award by Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi here.

Gopalakrishnan became the second recipient of this biennial award, the first one being Lubna Marium of Bangladesh in 2013.

The award carries a citation, a shawl, a memento and Rs 5 lakh.

Speaking on the occasion, Gogoi said both Bhupen Hazarika and Gopalakrishnan acted as a bridge between Assam and Kerala, though the two states are geographically far away.

112 houses demolished in Vadodara

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As many as 112 houses were demolished here today by the civic body to make way for a housing scheme in which the affected families will be given homes.

Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC) razed 112 houses in Jamvadi area as part of a major demolition drive, said Mangesh Jaiswal, Director (Encroachment).

“The families staying in these houses will be given homes in a scheme of the VMC under Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM),” he told PTI.

Till they get their new dwellings, the families will be paid a fixed monthly rental amount, Jaiswal said.

BJP minister addresses kids with revolver tucked in belt

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Maharashtra Water Resources Minister Girish Mahajan of BJP has come in for criticism for attending a deaf and dumb children’s event with his revolver tucked in his waist which was very much visible for everyone.

The incident happened in Jalgaon city yesterday when the BJP leader, who hails from Jalgaon district, was addressing children at the even after distributing educational material.

The minister has a weapons licence.

Suicide attack kills 3 people and wounds Afghan lawmaker

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A suicide bomber attacked an Afghan parliamentarian today in Kabul, killing three people and wounding lawmaker Gul Pacha Mujedi, an official said.

Sediq Sediqqi, a spokesman for the Afghan Interior Ministry, said Mujedi, a parliamentarian from eastern Paktia province, was wounded in the bombing along with seven other people.

“The target of the attack was the lawmaker Mujedi, who was coming out of a meeting from an office when the bomber attacked him,” Sediqqi said.

Yadav, Bhushan meet supporters to discuss future course

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Rebel AAP leaders Yogendra Yadav and Prashant Bhushan held a meeting with their supporters to discuss their future course of action here today, a day after the duo were removed from the party’s National Executive.

“It was an exercise before making any big announcement,” a close aide of Yadav said.

He said the deliberations largely revolved around future options before the leaders and those who did not agree with the ways of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and his team.

Open for tie-up with BJP, allies: Narendra Singh

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Former Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi led Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM) is open for a tie-up with BJP and its allies in the next Bihar Assembly elections, former state agriculture minister and JD(U) rebel Narendra Singh today said.

“We may tie-up with BJP or its allies Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) or Rashtriya Lok Samta Party (RLSP) in the Assembly

polls. The party has to match our wavelength. But, one thing is for sure, we will not align with Nitish Kumar, Lalu Prasad or their parties JD(U) and RJD respectively,” Singh said.

Egypt prosecutor names Brotherhood leaders as terrorists

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Egypt’s top prosecutor has named 18 Muslim Brotherhood members, including the group’s leader and his deputy, as terrorists in the first implementation of an anti-terror law passed earlier this year.

In a statement today, chief prosecutor Hisham Barakat said the decision follows a February court ruling that convicted Brotherhood leader Mohammed Badie; his deputy Khairat el-Shater; the head of the group’s political party and others of orchestrating violence in 2013 that killed 11 people and wounded over 90 outside their office.

Dacoits loot tourists in Bengal, 4 arrested

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A group of tourists were robbed of cash and other valuables by some dacoits, four of whom were later arrested today in South 24 Parganas district.

Four families, comprising 15 members, were attacked at a hotel in Piyali tourist spot by about 12 dacoits who looted about Rs 75,000, gold ornaments, mobile phones and watches from them last night, police officials said.

When one Sudipta Bose tried to resist them, bullets were shot at injuring him seriously. He was hospitalised. All the families hailed from Behala area of Kolkata, they said.

Jihadist chief killed as thousands march in Tunisia

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Tunisia said today it had killed the leader of the jihadists behind the massacre at its national museum, as foreign leaders joined thousands of Tunisians in a march against extremism.

Chanting “Tunisia is free! Terrorism out!” the demonstrators marched in a sea of red Tunisian flags to the capital’s Bardo Museum, where 21 foreign tourists were killed in the March 18 jihadist shooting rampage.

Techie’s death: Speed boat driver held for negligence

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A boat driver was today arrested for negligence, a day after a woman software professional travelling in his speed boat in the famous Hussain Sagar lake here died in a freak mishap.

Siva Koti was arrested and sent in remand, said Ramgopalpet police station inspector A Ganga Reddy.

The incident occurred when Odisha native Bhakta Pravallika Rana (22), employed with a software firm in the city, was returning in Koti’s boat after visiting the statue of Buddha located in the middle of Hussain Sagar lake, along with three others.

‘Partner with developed nations to catch up in S&T’

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India needs to partner with developed nations and collaborate with other institutions within India and abroad to achieve its goal of catching up with developments in science and technology, a senior ISRO official said here today.

“To catch up with development in science and technology, India needs partnership with developed countries and needs to collaborate with other institutions within India and also abroad to achieve that goal,” Dr Mylswamy Annadurai, Programme Director, ISRO, said in his address to students of Kumaraguru College of Technology here.

I made the right decision: Zayn Malik on quitting 1 Direction

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Music sensation Zayn Malik feels he made the right move by leaving the hugely popular boy band One Direction even as his fans mourn his decision.

Malik took the music world by storm when the singer announced his departure from the band saying he wanted “to be a normal 22-year-old.”

He said the past week-which saw him leave the band’s tour, return home to London and subsequently quit the group has left him “feeling quite interesting.”

Ed Sheeran sparks dating rumours with Barbara Palvin

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Singer Ed Sheeran has sparked speculations he is dating Barbara Palvin after being spotted partying with her.

The pair was seen together the same day the ‘Thinking Out Loud’ hitmaker announced his split from Jamie Oliver, reported Aceshowbiz.

The “Give Me Love” crooner could be seen wearing a white tee, denim jeans and red sports shoes. The Victoria’s Secret model, meanwhile, wore a charcoal hoodie over a black tee, grey jeans and white-soled black shoes.

Model Coco Rocha welcomes baby girl

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Model Coco Rocha and husband James Conran have welcomed their first child, daughter Ioni.

Ioni was born on March 28, the couple announced via social media, reported People magazine.

“James and I are so proud to welcome into the world our healthy and beautiful baby girl, Ioni James Conran,” Rocha, 26, tweeted, adding the hashtag “#ioniconran”.

Conran, an artist, also shared similarly sweet sentiments on his Twitter, writing, “And then 2 became 3! Coco and I are so excited to be joined by our sweet baby girl, Ioni James Conran.”

Simplicity impresses me: Katy Perry

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Pop star Katy Perry says she is not wooed by over-the-top gestures and her idea of a perfect date is keeping things simple.

Perry, 30, said she gets impressed by interesting conversations, reported People magazine.

“(My) ideal date is really just so simple. I like connections and conversations and jokes,” she said.

Sacha Baron Cohen returns to Freddie Mercury movie

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Actor Sacha Baron Cohen has returned to the long-delayed Freddie Mercury biopic, after leaving the project due to creative differences.

The 43-year-old “Borat” actor, who was initially set to play the late Queen rocker, is now expected to not only take on the lead role but also take part in the creative process, reported Aceshowbiz.

The band’s manager Jim Beach said as quoted by The Playlist at the Artist & Management Awards, “An important breakthrough is that we have now managed to persuade Sacha Baron Cohen to write, produce and direct this movie, and he has also agreed to star.”

Nick Jonas serves alcohol to fans

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Singer Nick Jonas surprised his fans with booze at various parties in LA.

The 21-year-old youngest Jonas Brother served as a delivery boy on March 28 for customers who ordered alcohol via Saucey app where he was one of the investors.

The ex-Disney star poured wine, did shots, and grabbed a guitar for impromptu performances.

“Pure craziness and fun times last night in Los Angeles. Met some awesome people. Thanks, @SauceyApp for it!” he tweeted.

“Speechless. Nick Jonas in our apartment, delivering me wine and singing me songs. My life has been made,” one fan wrote.