19 kills in a road mishap

At least 19 people including four college students have died after a school bus collided with a train at a railway crossing in the northern Indian state of Punjab. The minibus carrying 30 passengers was rammed into the Ludhiana-Ferozepur Sutlej Express when the train was crossing the Nuchur Chak village between Ajitwal and Jagraon stations.

Dowry case against Arjun Singh

A dowry case has been registered against Union Minister Arjun Singh on a complaint from the father of his grand daughter-in-law Priyanka.
Reacting to the reports Arjun Singh told newsmen: 'It has nothing to do with me. I stay away from family matters.'

Major setback to congress as Himachal's minister resign

It seems that the stars are not favouring Congress these days as senior cabinet minister GS Bali resigns from the ministry following a TV channel’s sting operation showing him dancing with call girls in Dharamshala last week.

One killed in Nandigram clashes

Nandigram once again witnessed violence resulting one dead and three injured after clashes erupted between supporters of the Bhumi Uchched Pratirodh Commitee and CPI-M cadres. A 12-hour-long bandh has also been called in the area by BUPC after police lathicharged its members in a rally, injuring 36 people including its leader.

A "goal" can bring happiness

Strong determination, commitment and passion to do a specific task can provide a perfect equation to achieve any goal. But a 'goal' can bring smiles on various feared and pessimistic massess. This is what happened in the war torn Iraq. The massess heard loud and continuous gun shots, fired by security personnel and other fellow men, but nobody was fearful, just because all of them were celebrating their country's victory over Saudi Arabia in Asian Cup Football final. The goal by Captain Younis Mahmoud, gives his citizen a chance to cheer up and enjoy the power of unity.

This glorious victory can help a lot in improving the situation in Iraq, since the team comprising of all the factions like Shias, Sunnis and Kurds won its maiden Asia Cup despite their proper training and other basic amenities. Lets hope that the only goal by Younis Mahmood, may bring peace in the war torn nation.

Andhara Cabinat okays 4% Muslim quota

The Andhra Pradesh Cabinet has accepted recommendations of the BC Commission on providing four per cent reservations to ‘socially and educationally backward Muslims’ in education and employment. It proposes to soon bring an Ordinance to give effect to the decision. The reservations will come into force from the current academic year itself.

India, Pak agree to free fishermen and prisoners

Reiterating the commitment to combat terrorism in either side of the border, India and Pakistan on Wednesday agreed to release fishermen in each other’s custody as also prisoners who have completed their sentences by their respective independence days on August 14 and 15.

Abducted BBC journalist freed in Palestine

Allan Johnson, the BBC correspondent who was abducted by the militia men at Gaza, was freed by captives in the early hours of Wednesday. The journalist was abducted on March 12.

Woman army officer commits suicide in Jammu

In yet another case of stress, a woman army officer, Captain Megha Razdan of 113 Engineering Regiment (Electrical and Mechanical Engineer) committed suicide by hanging herself from a ceiling fan at her official residence in Kunjawani army camp in the outskirts of Jammu, on Monday.

Yuvraj leads India for a series win

An unbeaten 61 by Yuvraj Singh has helped India to beat South Africa by six wickets and clinch a rare cricket series triumph abroad on Sunday.

Chasing 149 to win in 31 overs in the rain-curtailed series decider in Belfast, India faltered and fumbled before picking themselves to post 152 for four in 30.2 overs.

Ex. CM dies in road accident

Former Delhi Chief Minister Mr. Sahib Singh Verma dies in road mishap near Alwar, Rajasthan, says Bharatiya Janata Party office in-charge Shyam Jaiju.

PM to discuss nuclear issue with Bush

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will meet US President George W Bush on the sidelines of the G8 summit in Germany – in a bid to break the logjam in negotiations over the nuclear deal.

One Indian dies and eight other are missing in Oman cyclone

A Keralite was killed and eight other Indians, including one from Punjab, were missing in cyclone Gonu that hit Oman yesterday, the External Affairs Ministry said today.
The body of the Keralite, Prakash, was recovered at Wadi Adi, the Ministry said in a statement quoting Embassy of India, Muscat.

US death toll in Iraq passes 3,500

The four-year US military death toll in Iraq passed 3,500 after a soldier was reported killed in a roadside bombing in Baghdad. A British soldier was also shot to death Thursday in southern Iraq, as Western forces find themselves increasingly vulnerable under a new strategy to take the fight to the enemy. (AP)

Digambar Kamat is new CM of Goa

Kamat, the power minister in the previous government is all set to become the new CM of Goa. Kamat's name came as a compromise candidate after the Congress legislature party (CLP) failed to decide between the outgoing Chief Minister Pratap Singh Rane and state Congress party president Ravi Naik.

Governor denied permission to prosecute Maya

The UP Governor has said that there isn't enough evidence against UP Chief Minister Mayawati for her prosecution in the Taj Corridor case.

Mayawati is facing a CBI inquiry for her involvement in the Rs 175 crore scam case. The CBI filed its application earlier on Tuesday saying the Governor had not given his permission to prosecute Mayawati.

A 100 year old drain discovered at Mumbai

The civic agencies in Mumbai has discovered a drain Tulsi Pipe road which is over a 100-years old and was possibly built by the British to deal with deluge problem during monsoons. The drain leads straight to the sea and is linked to a whole network of manholes around the city. BMC hopes that the historic drain will help them solve the water logging problems of the area, ahead of monsoons.

Chennai is rated as the cleanest city of India

The Lifebuoy Swastha Chetna City Meter has rated Chennai the best in terms of the overall cleanliness perception ranking among the top six metros in the country. Bangalore and Kolkata have finished a close second and third respectively.

The inside story of Indian economy

In today's scenario when Indian economy is booming and when Indian entrepreneurs are counted among the richest people of the world, a meritorius student committ sucide, not because he was bad at studies, but he is unable to afford his higher education. Prince Thomas of Kerala took his life a day after his class XII results were announced despite scoring 91per cent in higher secondary exams. The brilliant boy was worried that his family may not be able to afford his higher education expenses as his father had already sold off family property after suffering huge losses in business.

“He was very brilliant in studies and we were all happy about his result. His interest was to join BSc nursing and he collected and filled the admission form from the nursing college. Around 1 am. I woke up and I saw the light in his room. I thought that he was on his studies or forgot to switch off the light. So I knocked on the door. But when it was not opened, then I broke it open saw him hanging,” says Prince’s father M C Thomas.

HC raises Mulayam's concern

The Allahabad High Court has issued notices the UP government and the Noida Development Authority on the basis of a petition which alleges that the previous Mulayam Singh administration illegally allotted land for hotels in the state at throughaway prices.

Doctors successfully separated Conjoined twins

Doctors conducted a rare surgical operation to separate ten-month-old conjoined twins Ram, Laxman on Tuesday at a hospital in Raipur. The infants were joined at the stomach and shared one liver. They had Hernia since birth, which made the surgery even more complicated.

India crush B'desh

India crushes Bangladesh convincingly by an innings and 239 runs in Dhaka on Sunday with more than two days to spare, also wrapping up the Grameen Bank Series 1-0. This is India's biggest win in terms of the margin of defeat.

India's pace bowling spearhead Zaheer Khan wrecked the Bangladeshi top order in the second innings after India enforced a follow-on before the spinners wrapped up the game in their favour. Bangladesh were skittled out in the first innings for 118 at the Shere Bangla National Stadium at Mirpur.

Dera directs an apology

In the latest development in the ongoing Punjab sectarian clashes, the Dera Sacha Sauda directly apologises to the 10th Sikh Guru. In a press release issued by Dera on Sunday evening said: “Dera Sacha Sauda apologises to Sri Gobind Guruji for the sake of humanity. We can’t even think of copying him.” However, the Sikh clergy is unlikely to accept the apology.

Indian corporate denied PM's advise

The Indian Inc defends the pay packages of the top officials of the corporate sector. The industry leaders felt that the Prime Minister’s advice on salaries was sound, but they expressed their inability to follow it because of a demand-supply mismatch. New CII president Sunil Mittal today said that it was not possible to regulate the salaries of top executives.

China denied visa to Arunachal cadre IAS

China has denied visa to Gonesh Koyu, an IAS officer of the Arunachal Pradesh cadre who was travelling as a part of a 107-strong delegation of IAS officers. These officers were travelling to China as part of the training of officials of the level of joint secretary. This is the sixth official delegation during the tenure of the UPA government which has suffered such embarrassment, well placed sources said.

Bush signs Iraq spending bill

George W. Bush has signed a bill on Friday to pay for military operations in Iraq after a bitter struggle with Democrats in Congress who sought unsuccessfully to tie the money to U.S. troop withdrawals.

Bush had rejected an earlier bill because it contained a timetable for withdrawing troops. However, The New York Times reported Friday night that the Bush administration is working on ideas for cutting U.S. forces in Iraq by as much as half, to roughly 100,000, by mid-2008.

Mayawati's overrider on Anil's SEZ

In a major decision since assuming power, the Mayawati government in UP has announced its intention to refer the allotment of 1,200 acres of land to Reliance Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group for setting up an SEZ, to the Union government for review.

Whatmore set to be India coach

Former Australian batsman Dav Whatmore is all set to be appointed India's next cricket coach, top sources in the Board of Control for Cricket in India said. The board's coach selection panel, which will meet on June 4 in Bangalore, is expected to formalise the decision.

AP Recommends CBI Probe into Hyderabad Blast

The Andhra Pradesh government on Thursday night recommended to the Central Government to order a CBI enquiry into the May 18 bomb blast at the historic Mecca Masjid here and announced a judicial probe into the subsequent police firing.

Chief Minister Y S Rajasekahara Reddy's decision comes after the Muslim community mounted pressure to order a probe into both the blast and the police firing.

Bail to Maninder Singh

Former cricketer Maninder Singh, who was arrested on Tuesday on the charge of possessing cocaine, was released on bail by a Delhi court on Wednesday.

Judge H T Malik, additional district and sessions court, released the cricketer after asking him to furnish a bail bond of Rs 50,000 and surety of the like amount. Kirti Azad, Delhi and India teammate, stood surety for Singh.

Police detained 15 persons in connection with Gorakhpur Blasts

Police have got important clues about the serial blasts that shook the busy Golghar area on Tuesday and fifteen people have been rounded up for interrogation.

DGP Girdhari Lal Sharma, who visited the site of the blasts said investigations were underway to find out the motive behind the blasts. He, however, did not give details about the clues.

Cricketer held with Drugs

Former left-arm spinner and cricket commentator Maninder Singh has been arrested for possessing cocaine at his residence in the Capital on Tuesday.

The narcotics department of the Delhi Police arrested Maninder with 1.5 grams of cocaine from his Preet Vihar residence on Tuesday night after the police got a tip-off. He was being questioned by police.

'Land' may bring trouble for Big B and Jaya

The star compaigner for the Samajwadi Party, Amitabh Bacchan and Jaya Bacchan who are compaigning for the crime free state, are again in trouble for a piece of land. A television news channel learnt that Amitabh Bachchan's wife, actor Jaya Bachchan, has been found guilty of not revealing details of land which she and her family owned in UP at the time of becoming a Rajya Sabha MP.

Study reveals that Estrogen may help in fighting Disease

Estrogen may give women an edge in resisting heart disease that can be caused in part by air pollution, a new West Virginia University study found.

Researchers determined that males and post-menopausal females are more likely to suffer damaged arteries linked to diesel exhaust than women of childbearing age. That coincides with a major national study released earlier this year showing older women are at significantly higher risk for heart problems caused by air pollution than other people.

The research also found that when the estrogen-producing ovaries of the female lab animals were removed, their risk for damaged arteries increased.

Disney to make its first Chinese movie

Movie giant Disney is set to make its first Chinese-language movie - about an enchanted vegetable. The studio is teaming up with the China Film Group (CFG) to bring The Magic Gourd to the big screen. The movie - a mix of live action and animation - is based on the book by late author Zhang Tianyi, and tells the story of a young boy who discovers a gourd (Chinese vegetable) that grants him wishes.

Scientists discovers rare turtles in Cambodia

A rare soft-shell turtle thought to be on the brink of extinction has been discovered in Cambodia in a former stronghold of the Khmer Rouge, conservationists said Wednesday.

A 24-pound female Cantor's giant turtle — known for its rubbery skin and jaws powerful enough to crush bone — was captured and released by researchers in March, U.S.-based Conservation International and World Wildlife Fund said in a statement.

Scientists from the two groups and Cambodian wildlife officials discovered the animal and a nesting ground during a survey in Cambodia's Mekong River region.

''We thought it might be almost gone, but found it in abundance in this one pristine stretch of the Mekong, making the area the world's most important site for saving this particular species,'' David Emmett, a CI wildlife biologist, said in the statement.

Cannes Film Festival enters in its 60's

The Cannes Film Festival celebrated its 60th anniversary Wednesday with an opening movie that blends an indie sensibility and a glittering cast: Wong Kar-wai's road trip tale starring Jude Law, Natalie Portman, Rachel Weisz and Norah Jones, in her acting debut.

The 11-day Riviera festival strives for just the right mix of arthouse films and star power, and ''My Blueberry Nights'' has both. Hong Kong director Wong (''In the Mood for Love'') is a Cannes favorite, as are many of the other filmmakers showing movies for the anniversary edition, including Michael Moore, Quentin Tarantino and the Coen brothers.

Witness recognises Nanda

Sunil Kulkarni is the main witness in the1999 BMW hit and run case has said that he saw a black car hit some people and that he heard the sound of the impact and the car was driven by Sanjeev Nanda.

The BMW driven by Sanjeev Nanda crashed into a police checkpoint in New Delhi on 10th January 1999.

ULFA again targets Hindi speaking people

After the relative calm for a few month, ULFA violence against Hindi-speaking people in Assam saw a sudden upsurge again on Tuesday.

Nine people have been killed in the last two days.

Three Hindi-speaking persons were gunned down by the ULFA in Golaghat district on Wednesday and six people were killed in Dibrugarh and Tinsukia districts on Tuesday night.

SC grants bail to Monica Bedi

The Supreme Court on Thursday granted bail to Monica Bedi, who was involved in a passport forgery case in Andhra Pradesh.

A bench headed by Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan, however, said that Bedi shall not leave her native Hoshiarpur district in Punjab and should be available to the investigating agency whenever required.

SC rejects CBI probe for Gujarat encounter

In a relief of sorts for the Gujarat government, the Supreme Court on Thursday rejected the plea for a Central Bureau of Investigation inquiry into the fake encounter killing of Sohrabuddin Sheikh and his wife Kausar Bi by the state police.

After Kalyan Singh, now it is the turn of Salman Khursheed to quit his job

Embarrassed by the drubbing received in the just-concluded Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh, the All India Congress Committee has made up its mind to replace Salman Khursheed as the state Congress chief.

If sources in the state Congress are to be believed, the All India Congress Committee in fact is awaiting a resignation letter from the high profile Uttar Pradesh Congress Committee president owning up moral responsibility for the worst ever performance since 1985.

Sectarian clashes leave several injured in Punjab

Followers of one of the biggest religious sects in North India – the Dera Sacha Sauda headquartered in Sirsa, Haryana clashed with Akalis in Punjab.

The clash erupted after advertisements appeared in a section of the media portraying Baba Ram Raheem, head of the Dera Sacha Sauda as Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Sikh guru.

34 more IAS officers are transfered in UP

UP Chief Minister Mayawati continued with the shuffling of her administration for a third on Tuesday, when she transferred 34 Indian Administrative Service officers, including 25 District Magistrates.

24 killed in Pakistan hotel blast

At least 24 people, including two women and a child, were killed and scores injured on Tuesday in a powerful blast suspected to have been triggered by a suicide bomber in a hotel popular among tribals and situated close to a historic mosque in Pakistan's northwestern city of Peshawar.

BBC's Johnston wins press award

BBC correspondent Alan Johnston, who was abducted in Gaza nearly two months ago, has won a major journalism prize at a London awards ceremony.

He was named broadcast journalist of the year by the London Press Club for his work reporting from the Gaza Strip.

Mr Johnston has not been seen since he was seized at gunpoint on 12 March.

Gujarat police to seek more time in Sohrabuddin encounter case

The Gujarat police is going to seek more time to complete investigations in the Sohrabuddin fake encounter case from the Supreme Court.

The Gujarat police was directed by the Supreme Court to complete investigations into the alleged murder of Sohrabuddin Sheikh and his wife Kausar Bi in a fake encounter in November 2005 when the couple was in a bus going from Hyderabad to Sangli, and to file the final report within two weeks.

UPSC declares civil services results

UPSC has declared civil services results. A total of 474 candidates- 214 in the general category, 144 Other Backward Classes, 80 Scheduled Castes and 33 Scheduled Tribes--have been recommended for appointment for IAS, IFS, IPS and Central Services Group 'A' and 'B'. As many as 18 physically challenged candidates also made it to the various services.

Out of the 474 selected candidates, 373 are males and 101 females.

Thus females constituted 21 per cent of the winning candidates.

Village boy tops civil services examination

Mutyalaraju Revu, an Other Backward Class (OBC) candidate from a small village, has topped the highly competitive civil services examination conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) at a time when the country debates the issue of reservation for OBCs in higher education. He is a product of the Indian Institute of Science and had cleared the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) exam, but he had been awarded the Indian Police Service (IPS) because his rank was low.

Revu, 27-year-old son of a farmer in small village in Krishna district of Andhra Pradesh, has surpassed 473 successful candidates including 214 general category qualifiers to top the merit list.

UP Assembly results 2K7

BSP 206
SP 97
BJP 50
JD(U) 01
Cong 22
RLD 10
RPD 02
Bhartiya Jan Shakti 01
Jan Morcha 01
UPUDF 01
Independents 11

Family crisis costs Maran's job

Communication and IT Minister Dayanidhi Maran resigned from the Union Cabinet tonight after the DMK decided to get him removed from the UPA government as his “behaviour and actions of late amounted to indiscipline, marring the party image”.

Maya targets SP well wishers

Immediately on assuming charge as the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh on Sunday, Mayawati swung into action and went on an appointment, suspension and transfer spree. The officers punished and transferred held key postings under the Samajwadi Party regime.

Around 79 IAS, PPS and Provincial Civil Service officers have been transferred with the officers considered close to the former Chief Minister, Mulayam Singh, shunted to insignificant posts.

High caste ministers avoid touching Maya's feet

Newly appointed Brahmin and Muslim ministers in Uttar Pradesh Sunday discreetly avoided touching Chief Minister Mayawati's feet even as most of the other ministers did so to seek her blessings.

Ms. Mayawati was sworn in at a simple ceremony at the Raj Bhavan. A 49-member Ministry, including 19 Ministers of Cabinet rank, also assumed office. The caste composition of the Cabinet is: three Brahmins, one Muslim, one Thakur, one Bhumihar, one Vaishya, four Scheduled Castes and eight OBCs.

India finishes third in Azlan Shah Cup

A 56TH-minute goal by Sardara Singh guided India to a 1-0 victory over Asian Games champions South Korea to finish third in the 16th Sultan Azlan Shah Cup eight-nation hockey tournament here today.

Karunanidhi's son sues Sun TV

DMK leader M K Azhagiri, elder son of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi, on Thursday filed a defamation case against the Sun TV network for claiming that he was responsible for the attack on a newspaper office in which three persons died.

60-yr-old man dies in police custody

A 60-year-old man died while he was in custody at the Mahim police station near Central Mumbai on Wednesday. The deceased Usman Sheikh is a textile merchant, was arrested by the police after he got into a fight with his neighbour. While a post mortem examination has not been conducted yet, a preliminary checkup after death mentions head injury.

While in custody Usman had reportedly complained of nausea and was rushed to a nearby hospital where he was declared dead.

Investigators blamed US pilots for Brazil crash

Brazilian investigators have blamed the two US pilots of a private jet for a mid-air collision with a Brazilian airliner, according to media reports. The disastrous incident take the life of all 154 people on board .

Life term for Mohammad Shahabuddin

RJD MP Mohammad Shahabuddin was today sentenced to life imprisonment for kidnapping a rival politician who is still missing. A local court in north Bihar found him the guilty of the 1999 kidnapping of CPI (M-L) worker Mr. Chote Lal Gupta. Mr Gupta has never been found and police suspect he was murdered.

Shahabuddin is already serving a two-year sentence after being found guilty on 2 March of vandalising a CPI (M-L) office near Siwan and attempting to kidnap party worker Keshav Baitha in 1998. The contoversial MP who represents Siwan in the Lok Sabha, has more than 50 criminal cases against him. He has been in prison in his hometown jail for the past 18 months since his arrest in New Delhi in November 2005.

The security of the Special trial court judge Mr Gyaneshwar Prasad Srivastava has been stepped up following the trial, gave his verdict in a court set up in the Siwan jail where Shahabuddin is lodged.

Castro blamed USA for Plane Hijack Bid

Ailing Cuban president Fidel Castro blamed the US for a fatal attempted hijacking of a plane by two deserting soldiers in Havana last week, in the Communist Party newspaper Granma.

His fifth newspaper editorial in about six weeks was apparently published late Monday to underscore that the 80-year-old communist leader is at work if not fully recovered from the major intestinal surgery he underwent nine months ago.

India hits back at Gohar Ayub Khan

Gohar Ayub Khan, son of former Pakistani President Ayub Khan, has claimed the impossible - that India's highest decorated soldier, the man credited for the victory in the 1971 war, Field Marshall Sam Manekshaw, is actually a Pakistani spy.

Sasy Lt Gen (Retd) JFR Jacob, Former Army Commander 37 b, "Sam Manekshaw is an honourable soldier loyal to the country. I can't understand why Gohar Ayub has made these malicious remarks. He should withdraw them immediately."

Says former chief of Army staff, General Shankar Roy Choudhary, ""This is not a revelation, but an accusation and that too a baseless one. Unless this is proved, it should be dismissed by highest order of contempt."

Earliar Gohar Khan had made this claim in an exclusive interview to CNN-IBN's Karan Thapar and though he did not name Manekshaw, there was no doubt who he was talking about.

Six dead in Nashik factory blast

At least six people have died and four injured in a blast in an explosive factory in Nashik.

The blast happened at Harasur village in Nashik. The impact of the blast was big enough to cause the entire building of three floors to collapse.

An estimated ten to 15 people are believed to be trapped inside. The building, which housed an explosive company, collapsed after an internal blast.

Iran criticises US policy in Iraq

Iran has strongly criticised US policy in Iraq, blaming the American presence there for sectarian violence.

Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki was speaking in Egypt on the second day of a summit of world and regional powers, called to discuss Iraq's security

45 days jail term for Paris Hilton

Celebrity heiress Paris Hilton has been jailed for 45 days after being found guilty of violating her probation for a drink-driving conviction.

A Los Angeles judge ruled she must start her sentence on 5 June and has no prospect of an early release.

Ms Hilton told the judge she was very sorry and that she would "pay complete attention to everything" from now on.

SC gives Gujarat two weeks to file a final report

Seeming to be satisfied with the progress of investigation by the Gujarat police CID’s special investigating team (SIT) in the Sohrabuddin’s fake encounter two years ago, the Supreme Court today directed the state government to submit the final status report in the case within two weeks.

The court also directed the Gujarat government to file a separate report why IG Geetha Johri, heading the CID earlier, was shifted.

Britney's comeback

Troubled pop princess Britney Spears has reportedly stepped back from the brink of her first comeback gig.

The 25-year-old has had a tough time recently, shaving off her lovely locks and dipping in and out of rehab after splitting from husband Kevin Federline.

Tabbu an Big B together in Rituparno Ghosh's next project

Big B and Tabu would have come together in a dark drama about a father-in-law-daughter-in-law relationship that Rituparno Ghosh had planned. Big B is all for working with his new favourite. "Yes! There was some talk," he admits.

Hezbollah chief praises Israel for war commission

Hezbollah chief Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah gave rare praise on Wednesday to long-time foe Israel for having investigated its 2006 war in Lebanon. A government-appointed commission has strongly rebuked Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert for his handling of the July-August war against Hezbollah guerrillas, intensifying pressure on him to quit.

House Democrats fail to override Bush veto

The House today tried – and failed – to override President Bush's veto of a $124-billion war spending bill that would have forced him to withdraw troops from Iraq.

Even as congressional leaders went to the White House to discuss a compromise bill, the House voted 222-203 to override the veto, far short of the two-thirds necessary for passage.

HC asks govt to file report on Nandigram

The Calcutta High Court has directed the West Bengal government to place before it a status report on Nandigram by Thursday.

On Wednesday, the HC opened a CBI report on the police action in Nandigram in which 14 people were killed.

Blair endorses Gordon Brown as Britain's next leader

Tony Blair endorsed long standing finance minister Gordon Brown as Britain's next leader on Tuesday and said he would announce next week when he was stepping aside as prime minister. "In all probability a Scot will become prime minister of this country and that's someone who built one of the strongest economies in the world and who I've always said would make a great prime minister."

Survey shows positive trend in favour of Mayawati in UP elections

Ex. CM Mayawati is likely to emerge as the major political power in state assembly. In a survey jointly conducted by CNN IBM and Indian Express the BSP is going to have the maximum share in the assembly while the ruling SP and BJP are fighting for the second opsition. However, the Congress has marginally improved his position. One more time no political party is capable of getting absolute majority. The survey projected that BSP will win around 145 to 155 seats, while SP is likely to win 100-110 and BJP between 90-100.

Bollywood legend Dilip Kumar conferred the Phalke Ratna Award

Eminent bollywood actor Dilip Kumar conferred with the Phalke Ratna Award on Monday. The prestigious award is instituted in memory of the 'Father of Indian Cinema' by the Dadasaheb Phalke Academy.

Kumar, who was selected for the honour for his devoted services to the film industry, received the award at a function marking the 138th birth anniversary of the poineering filmmaker. Actor Jeetendra and veteran actress Bina Rai of Taj Mahal fame too were presented awards for their contribution to cinema.

Opposition walkouts on Nandigram Issue

The Opposition staged a walkout in the Lok Sabha on Monday to register their protest over the Centre's silence on the recent violence in the Nandigram, West Bengal.

The day's proceedings opened with the Opposition trying to raise Sunday's clashes in Nandigram in which one person was killed and two injured. However, Speaker Somnath Chatterjee refused to allow Vijay Kumar Malhotra (Bharatiya Janata Party) to raise the issue during question hour saying that it could be brought up later.

Military chopper shoot out in Chechnya, 17 killed

At least seventeen people died when a military helicopter with troops on board was shot down in Russia's volatile province of Chechnya on Friday, Russian news agencies and the military said.

The Mi-8 transport helicopter was shot down by Chechen rebels when Russian troops were carrying out an operation near the town of Shatoi in southern Chechnya, RIA quoted a source in Russian troops in the Caucasus.

Khalida Zia to move Saudi Arabia

Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Khaleda Zia is to leave for Saudi Arabia soon while her arch-rival ex-premier Sheikh Hasina was unlikely to return home in the next one week despite the withdrawal of Government bans on them.

''I will visit Saudi Arabia to perform Umrah Haj soon after getting the visa,'' the Prothom Alo newspaper on Thursday quoted Zia, chairperson of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), as saying.

Zia was speaking to reporters last night after coming out of her brother's Baridhara residence here.

Putin says no to his third term

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday made his clearest rejection yet of speculation that he would try to seek a third term, but gave no hint in his state of the nation address as to whom he sees as his preferred successor.

Putin`s second term in office ends in 2008, and he is constitutionally barred from running for a third. While many observers have suggested he would try to stay in office, Putin has consistently dismissed the idea and did so again Thursday.

AMU tense over student Killing, RAF deployed

Unidentified assailants on motorcycles shot dead Qausar Faliq, a B. Tech final year student who was studying at the university's chemical engineering department. As news of the killing spread, a group of students allegedly assaulted university proctor Akhlaq Ahmed, who had to be hospitalised late Wednesday. Ahmed, however, was discharged from hospital Thursday morning. This is a second incident in a month who take the life of a student. Earlier a student from Orissa was killed at a roadside tea stall when he was caught in a shootout between two groups.

Ali, described by his class mates and friends as a “brilliant” student had gone to the campus to give some notes to a friend at the Department of Petrochemical Studies where the shooting took place. He was declared dead at the Nehru Medical College.

Ecuador MPs seek Colombia asylum

At least four Ecuadorian MPs have sought political asylum in Colombia after a state prosecutor issued warrants for their arrests for treason.

More are expected to follow, according to one of the MPs, Gloria Gallardo.

Some 24 MPs have been accused of rising against the government, out of a total of 50 MPs who were fired last month and reinstated on Monday.

Iran and EU seek to break impasse

Iran's top nuclear negotiator and the EU's foreign policy chief are to meet in Turkey in an attempt to break the deadlock over Iran's nuclear programme.

It is hoped the meeting between Ali Larijani and Javier Solana will produce an agreement on a new round of formal talks aimed at ending the crisis.

EU agrees Iran nuclear sanctions

EU foreign ministers have agreed to implement sanctions against Iran after its refusal to halt uranium enrichment.

The sanctions go further than those already agreed by the United Nations.

The UN sanctions involve a partial arms embargo and a travel ban against people and organisations involved in Iran's nuclear programme.

UN criticises Iraq human rights

The UN has sharply criticised Iraq's human rights record, in the two months since a new security plan was launched in and around the capital, Baghdad.

The UN mission for Iraq said Iraqi authorities had failed to guarantee the basic rights of about 3,000 people they had detained in the operations.

The report said four million Iraqis were at risk because of lack of food.

The UN Assistance Mission in Iraq again called for access to Iraqi government files on civilian casualty figures.

Russia bids farewell to Yeltsin

The state funeral is taking place in Moscow of former Russian President Boris Yeltsin who died on Monday.
The ceremony is being held at the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour, which was rebuilt under Mr Yeltsin after being demolished during Soviet rule.
Among those paying respects at his coffin were President Vladimir Putin and former president Mikhail Gorbachev.
Two former US presidents - Bill Clinton and George Bush Snr - were also attending the ceremony

A cricketer's tribute to a legend

What can be a better gift for a cricketer than a cricket accessories. The somewhat subdued birthday celebrations of Indian cricket's batting legend Sachin Tendulkar, who turned 34 Tuesday, was lit up with a unique gift from his childhood friend and former India batsman Vinod Kambli -34 miniature bats with Kambli's signature.

Tendulkar has rarely celebrated his birthdays lavishly, preferring to spend time with his family - his wife, their son and daughter, and other relatives. And Tuesday saw the usual low-key affair at his suburban Mumbai residence in Bandra (West).

Bush threatens Sudan

US President George W Bush on Wednesday threatened to tighten economic sanctions and impose new ones if Sudan did not take concrete steps to stop the bloodshed in Darfur. Bush said the Sudanese government must allow UN support forces, facilitate deployment of a full UN-African Union (AU) peacekeeping force, stop supporting violent militias and let humanitarian aid reach the people of Darfur.

Bomb Blast in Baghdad takes 171 lives

Five horrific explosions takes the lives of atleast 171 people, majority of whom were shittes. This is regatrded as the deadliest day in the capital since the American-led security plan for the city took effect two months ago.

The wave of attacks, four of them involving car bombs, took place as Prime Minister Nuri Kamal al-Maliki declared that the Iraqi government planned to take full control of security from the American-led forces before the end of the year.

In the worst of the bombings, a car packed with explosives exploded at an intersection in the Sadriya neighborhood that serves as a hub for buses traveling to the Shiite district of Sadr City. The blast killed at least 140 people and wounded 150; incinerated scores of vehicles, including several minibuses full of passengers; and charred nearby shops, witnesses and the police said.

Mr. Maliki said in a statement late Wednesday that he had ordered the arrest of an Iraqi Army officer who had security oversight in the Sadriya neighborhood. As rescuers thronged the site, a sniper opened fire on the crowd, killing at least one person and wounding two others.

Pakistan like situation occurs in Bangladesh

Following the footsteps of its parent country East Pakistan(modern day Bangladesh) is in deep political crisis. Now, its two former PM's are living in exile having no hopes of returning to their country. Begum Khaleda Zia prepared to go into exile on Tuesday amidst indications that her rival Sheikh Hasina may not be allowed to return from the United States.

Media persons reported that Zia the immediate past prime minister, may fly to Jeddah in the next one or two days, taking with her most of her family members, following a reported 'deal' with the government late Monday night.

Reports also quoted that Hasina, who has been charged with murder by the caretaker government, currently in Florida, may not be allowed to return.

BJP critisises PM for defending Rahul Gandhi

BJP has citicised PM for his remarks projecting Nehru-Gandhi family heir Rahul Gandhi as a future of Indian state Uttar Pradesh and India, terming it as a "sycophancy".

"The prime minister by saying that Rahul Gandhi is future of India has reiterated sycophantic style which is part of Congress politics," BJP spokesperson Rajeev Pratap Rudy said talking to reporters at tourist state of Goa.

News Channel office ransacked

A mob of scores of people associated with hindutva forces barged into the office of Star TV located near Mahalaxmi station in south central Mumbai on Monday afternoon. The mob is protesting against a story of inter-caste marraiges. The attackers smashed the glasses of several vehicles, broke windows and glass of the office.

Police datained Arafat Rahman

Police also deatained second son of Khalida Zia in the early hours of Monday. Arafat, the relatively low-profile businessman son of Zia, was detained at 1 am. His elder brother Tareq Rahman, an office bearer of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), has been in jail since March 7.

Campus massacre in US takes 31 lives

At least 31 people were shot dead and an equal number injured when a gunman went on a rampage in twin shootouts in Virginia Tech University campus.

It could not be immediately ascertained whether the assailant, whose identity was not released, turned the gun on himself or was killed by police.

EC to deliver its ruling on April 19th

The Election Commission will deliver its ruling on the BJP’s controversial Uttar Pradesh poll campaign CD issue on April 19. The EC also hinted that election commissioner Navin Chawla was unlikely to be removed from the ongoing hearings on the contentious CD issue, despite pressure from the saffron brigade.

India successfully tested Agni III

India has successfully tested its indigenously developed all solid fuel missile Agni III from weighing 48 tonnes blasted off at 10.52 am from a fixed platform from the interim test range located about 70 km from Balasore. Having a strike range of more than 3,500 km with a capacity of carrying a payload of 1.5 tonnes, the missile has the capability of reaching far beyond South Asia.

Sucide bomber blew himself in Iraqi Parliament

A suicide bomber slipped through the tightest security net in Baghdad and blew himself up in the midst of lawmakers having lunch in the parliament dining hall Thursday. U.S. officials said eight people, including parliament members, were killed in the deadliest-ever attack in the American-guarded Green Zone. The govt. blames Al-Qaida for the bombing.

Benazir is gearing up for elections

Former Pakistan PM Benazir is preparing herself for the comings elections, even though they are held under the regime of Gen. Musharraf. In an exclusive interview to a TV channel she said that she will return to Pakistan for the betterment of the country. She also fears of the Talibanisation of Pakistan.

She said, ""Pakistan is in deep crisis. It must not turn out to be another Iraq. It must not be Talibanised. This is why Nawaz Sharif and I drew up the Charter of Democracy to reform the nation. I will return to Pakistan this year no matter what,”.

Narayana Murthy prefer foreigner to national anthem

Nayana Murthy, whom President APJ Abdul Kalam named as a possible successor is perfer foreigner to national anthem simply because he didn't want to embarrass them (foreigners).

It all started with an Infosys programme at its Mysore campus in which the President Kalam was the chief guest. On the occasion, the Infosys authorities played an instrumental version of the National Anthem instead of it being sung.

When asked to explain the reason behind the decision, Murthy gave his own reasons, unaware that his comment could lead to a huge debate in the public domain. "We have a lot of foreigners. We didn't want them to be embarrassed, when they are silent and others are singing. So this was fine," he said.

Every Indian must ask why he is so caring towards foreigners?

Jet-Sahara merger

Jet Airways and Air Sahara is all set to solve their dispute. After 10 months of haggling and finally with a discount of Rs 750 crore discount, Jet may finally get Sahara cheaper, reports CNBC-TV18.

"We cannot comment anything. The matter is before the arbitration panel," says Naresh Goyal, Chairman, Jet Airways. But Naresh Goyal's smile gave everything away. The Jet Airways chief heaving a sigh of relief, finally sealing a compromise with Sahara after a bitter, 10 month legal battle.

UN inspectors to inspect Iran's nuclear facility

The United Nations send two inspectors to visit Iran's uranium enrichment plant as western governments and experts expressed dismay and skepticism over its announcement that it is now enriching uranium in industrial quantities.

Government leaders earliar claim that Iran had reached industrial scale production of enriched uranium by the operation of 3,000 centrifuges, nearly 10 times as many as previously declared.

Delhi girl crowned Miss India

Delhi girl Puja Gupta was crowned Pantaloons Femina Miss India Universe, Mumbai's Sarah Jane Dias Miss India World and New Zealand-based Pooja Chitgopekar Miss India Earth here amid much razzle-dazzle and suspense.

Iran advances in its nuclear programme

Iran's controversial nuclear programme have forwarded towards another step as the Inlamic republic announces that it has enriched the uranium "on an industrial scale". This move definitely deepens its tissle with US and its allies.
Mr Ahmadinejad claimed "the Iranian nation had joined the group of countries who enriched uranium on an industrial scale", but did not specify what that entailed. Iran's top diplomat, Ari Larijani, said the country had 3,000 centrifuges capable of processing uranium to make either low enriched fuel for generating electricity or - as the west fears - highly-enriched material for a warhead.

Sectarian clashes takes several lives in Pakistan

Several people were killed in Pakistan sectarian clashes started in north-western Pakistan, officials say. The fighting were started when a group of sunni started firing on Shias in Parachinar, about 250km (150 miles) south-west of Peshawar, in North West Frontier province. Both sides are using heavy weapons in the clashes

Another setback for Congress, BJP is leading in Delhi MCD elections

The Congress (I) is about to loose another battle ground. The opening trends of Delhi MCD elections highlights that BJP is marching successfully to capture the MCD.

Allahabad HC stays earlier order on Muslims

The controversial verdict of the Allahabad HC was stayed by a larger bench of the same court. The order came in a special appeal moved by the stste govt. before a two-judge bench comprising two justices viz. Krishna Murari and Rafat Alam. The appeal challenged the validity of Thursday's order issued by a single judge bench of Justice S.N.Srivastava who had ruled, "Muslims are not entitled to be recognised as a religious minority."
While staying the earlier verdict, the larger bench termed it as violating judicial propriety. "Since another division bench had stayed a similar case dealing with the same questions of law, it was against judicial propriety for a single -- judge bench to hear the matter at all," Justice Alam observed in the open court.
The controversial order of the Allahabad High Court, terminating the minority status of Muslims, was stayed by a larger bench of the same court on Friday afternoon.

Captive Navy crew meets their family members

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has freed 15 Royal Navy sailors and marines held in Iran for almost two weeks. He termed this incident as a "gift" to British people.

The crew touched down at Heathrow Airport at 1200 BST and then were flown to a Royal Marines base in Devon to see friends and relatives, and to be de-briefed. Tony Blair welcomed their return but accused elements of the Iranian regime of supporting terrorism in Iraq.

SAARC countries want China as its member

Three SAARC countries viz. Pak, Nepal and B'desh want China in Saarc as a member and believe that the matter will gather momentum in the next summit to be held in Maldives.

Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nepal have said that it will be great help if China, a big country, becomes a member of Saarc. The foreign ministers’ discussed the pros and cons of such a move. India, of course, is not keen about China joining as a member and has always been uneasy with China’s influence, particularly in Nepal.

UP Muslims are not religious minorities: HC

In a major decision Allahabad Highcourt ruled out that UP Muslims can't be treated as religious minorities. In a verdict delivered by Justice SN Srivastava, he state that the community accounts for 18.5 % of state population and in few cities it is about 50 % of the total population. The ruling was given on a writ petition filed by the Anjuman Madarsa Noorul Islam Dehra Kain, a madrassa in Ghazipur district, which challenged out-of-turn grant-in-aid to certain other minority institutions.
Meanwhile tha state govt. decides to challenge this order. Rakesh Dwivedi, who has fought many a court battle for the state government, said, “The judgment has no meaning and will be quashed as it runs contrary to the law laid down by the Supreme Court’s eleven-judge bench that defined the status of minorities under the Constitution.”

Coach Greg again indulge in the cold war with senior players

After facing a debackle in the ongoing cricket world cup, Guru Greg again raises his fingures on the senoir players of the team. He points out in an interview that five senior players never consult team management and coach for their strategy.

Kashmiri Poet Bags Jnanpith Award

Prof Rahman Rahi was honoured with Jnanpith Award, the highest literary honour conferred in the Republic of India. The 82 year old poet is the first Kashmiri to be honoured with this prestigious prize.
The youngest Sahitya Akadmi Award Winner for his poetry collection Nawroz-i-saba. He is also a recipient of Padmeshree in the year 2000. Prof. Rahman neither watches TV nor carries mobile phone. He has long being an ardent advocate of Kashmiri language.

Anil Kumble Say Good-bye to One Day Cricket

Anil Kumble, India's most successful leg spinner, on Friday announced his retirement from one-day internationals. He, however, would continue to play Test Cricket.

The legend player has started his career in 89-90 and has been proven a match winner for India. He has taken maximum wikets in both one day's and test cricket. he has played 113 matches and take 547 wickets with the bowling average of 28.65. No one could easily forgot his wicket haul of 10/74 against Pakistan.

"Jumbo" has played 271 ODI's and take 337 wickets with the average of 30.89. His career best is 6/12 agaist West Indies.

Union Budget Highlights for the A.Y. 2007:08

A glance at Union Budget 2007-2008

▪ Manufacturing growth rate estimated at 11.3 per cent.
▪ 9.2 per cent GDP growth rate estimated in 2006-07. Average growth for last three years is 8.6 per cent.
▪ Saving rate of 32.4 per cent, investment rate of 33.8 per cent will continue.
▪ A number of proposals to perk up agriculture to be announced.
▪ Average inflation in FY '07 to be 5.2-5.4 per cent; Confident of managing inflation, says Finance Minister P Chidambaram.
▪ Bank credit rate grew by 29 per cent during first ten months of 2006-07.
▪ Inflation during 2006-07 estimated at between 5.2 and 5.4 per cent against 4.4 per cent during the previous year.
▪ No new forward contract to be launched on wheat and rice from February 28.
▪ Abhijit Sen report on forward trading to be submitted in two months' time.
▪ Additional irrigation potential of 24 lakh hectares to be implemented, including nine lakh hectares under Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme
▪ Economy in a stronger position than ever before
▪ 15,054 villages have been covered under rural telephony and efforts to be made to complete the target of covering 20,000 villages by 2006-07
▪ Allocation on Healthcare to increase by 21.9 per cent
▪ Allocattion for education to be enhanced by 34.2 per cent
▪ Two lakh more teachers to be employed and five lakh more classrooms to be constructed
▪ Secondary education allowance to be increased from Rs.1,837 crore to Rs.3,794 crore
▪ Government committed to fiscal reforms
▪ Foreign exchange reserves stand at 180 billion dollars
▪ Allocation under Rajiv Gandhi Drinking Mission stepped up from Rs 4680 crore to Rs 5850 crore
▪ Government concerned over inflation and would take all steps for moderating it
▪ Already a number of steps on fiscal, monetary and supply management side have been taken
▪ Annual target of 15 lakh houses under Bharat Nirmal Programme to be exceeded
▪ Allocation for National Rural Health Mission stepped up from Rs 8207 crore to Rs 9947 crore
▪ Gross budgetary support in 2007-08 raised to Rs 2,05,100 crore from 1,72,728 crore in 2006-07. Of this, budgetary support to the Central plan will go up to 1,54,939 crore against 1,72,728 crore
▪ Allocation for AIDS control programme to be raised to Rs 969 crore
▪ School dropout rates high. To prevent dropout, a National Means-cum-Merit scholarship to be implemented, with an allocation of Rs 6,000 per child.
▪ Rs 1290 crore to be provided for elimination of polio. Intensive coverage will be undertaken in 20 districts in UP and 10 districts in Bihar. This will be integrated into NRHM.
▪ National AIDS Control Programme to achieve zero level disease.
▪ Measures for significant improvement of health care in rural area.
▪ Allocation for ICDS programme to be increased from Rs 4087 crore to Rs 4761 crore.
▪ 130 more districts under NREGA. Additional allocation of Rs.12,000 crore for it.
▪ Rs 800 crore for Sampoorna Gram Rozgar Yojana in districts not covered by NREGA. Swarna Jayanti Swarozgar Yojana allocation increased from Rs 250 crore to Rs 344 crore.
▪ Computerisation of PDS and integrated computerisation programme for FCI.
▪ Allocation for schemes only for SCs and STs to be increased to Rs 3271 crore.
▪ Rs 63 crore for share capital for National Minorities Development Finance Corporation following Sachar Committee recommendations.
▪ Allocation for SC/ST scholarships enhanced from Rs.440 crore to Rs.611 crore.
▪ Scholarships programme for minorities students to be of the order of Rs 72 crore for pre-metric, Rs 48 crore for graduate and postgraduate.
▪ Total Budget for the Northeastern region raised from Rs 12,041 crore to Rs 14,365 crore.
▪ New Industrial Policy for the northeastern region to be in place before March 31
▪ Women's development allocation will be Rs.22,282 crore
▪ Rs 7,000 crore allocation for better tax administration to be used for social schemes.
▪ Rs 2,25,000 crore farm credit proposed in the new budget. A target of additional 50 lakh farmers to be brought under farm credit.
▪ Farmers' credit likely to reach Rs.1,90,000 crore as against the targeted Rs.1,75,000 crore during 2006-07.
▪ Special Purpose Tea Fund to rejuvenate tea production.
▪ Rs. 100 crore allocated for National Rainfed Area Authority.
▪ National Agricultural Insurance Scheme to be continued for Kharif and Rabi this year.
▪ 70 lakh households to be covered under a social welfare scheme with LIC and with support from state governments.
▪ 50 per cent of the premium at Rs.200 per household to be given by the Centre. Rs.1,000 crore fund to be maintained by LIC for the purpose.
▪ Central public sector enterprises will be given Rs 16,261 crore as equity support and loans of over Rs 2600 crore.
▪ FDI inflows between April and January this fiscal touched 12.5 billion dollars while portfolio investment reached 6.8 billion dollars.
▪ Allocation for National Highway Development programme to be stepped up from Rs 9955 crore to Rs 12600 crore.
▪ Work on Golden Quadrilateral road project nearly complete. Considerable progress made on North-South, East-West corridor and likely to be completed by 2009.
▪ Northeastern region will get Rs 405 crore for highway development. Road-cum-rail project over Brahmaputra in Bogibil, Assam.
▪ Textile Upgradation Fund raised to Rs 911 crore as against Rs 535 crore during 2006-07.
▪ Health insurance cover for weavers to be enlarged to ancillary industries. Allocation increased from Rs 241 crore to Rs 321 crore.
▪ A scheme for modernisation and technological upgradation of choir industry for which Rs 23.55 crore has been earmarked.
▪ Tourism infrastructure to get an allocation of Rs. 520 crore as against Rs. 423 crore last year.
▪ The ceiling of loans for weaker sections under differential rate of interest scheme will be raised from Rs 6,500 to Rs 15,000 and in housing loan from Rs 5,000 to Rs 20,000.
▪ Regulations would be put in place for mortgage a guarantee company for housing loans.
▪ Indian investors to be allowed investment in overseas capital markets through mutual funds. Mutual funds to set up Infrastructure Fund schemes.
▪ Defence allocation increased to Rs 96,000 crore. This includes capital expenditure of Rs 41,922 crore
▪ Any requirement for security of the nation to be provided.
▪ Backward Regions Grant Fund to be raised to Rs 5,800 crore.
▪ E-governance allocation to be increased from Rs 395 to Rs 719 crore. A high-powered committee report aimed at making Mumbai a world class financial centre submitted. Public suggestions will be invited.
▪ Rs 50 crore provided to begin work on vocational education mission for which Task Force in Planning Commission is chalking out a strategy.

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Money V/s Masses

Democracy is the govt. of the people, by the people and for the people. But what is happening in one of largest Democratic state of the world. The recent development in India forced everyone to just think one more time the true meaning of democracy. Either people is important or economic development. The latest development in West Bengal from Singur to Nandigram, the pathetic condition of the poor masses, majority of whom are farmers. They are forced by the state govt. to leave their land for the sake of economic development. Ironically, West Bengal is governed by none other than poor friendly Communists. For the sake of economic development the govt. is planning to give several hundred acres of fertile land of poor farmers to big corporate houses.

The story not ends here, even the fourth pillar of democracy, press is not courageous enough to write openly against the policies of these powerful business houses. Undoubtedly, both electronic and print media cover scores of stories on these latest development in India, but not a single story was filed against any business house.
There is no denying of the fact that economic development is need of the hour, but instead of gifting fertile land to the big fishes, the govt. must promote development in less fertile area. The rule is not to talk about money with people who have much more or much less than you.