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.