Friday, April 27, 2012

Rupee falls for 4th week; bearish bets pile up


Thursday, April 19, 2012

Julia Roberts to buy a house in India

Leading bollywood actress Julia Roberts is planning to buy a house in India, a leading English daily reported on Thrusday (April 19). By doing so, pretty women Julia Roberts, will become the first Hollywood celebrity to do so.

“I can see something like that (buying a house here) happening in the future. I would love to live near Haridwar or Varanasi, since they are such holy spots for Hinduism. I’ve heard land prices are astronomical there, though,” says the 44-year-old, who converted to Hinduism in 2009 while shooting for her movie Eat, Pray, Love, in India.

A regular visitor here with her husband and three children – twins Hazel and Phinnaeus, and Henry, Roberts had also told us in an interview last year that her daughter Hazel wants to live in India when she grows up. Her plans to buy property seem to be a step towards that. So, when is she coming for her big buy? “I wish I could give a concrete answer to that, since I really enjoyed my first visit here. But, unfortunately, given my line of work, I can’t promise anything. However, whenever I come to India, I’ll bring my kids along.” And is she teaching her kids about Indian culture? “Right now, they’re too young to grasp the nuances of culture and religion. However, as they grow up, I’d like them to be knowledgeable and respectful towards all cultures. I’ll make sure they know about India.”

Roberts has a lot more to learn herself. “My Hindi is terrible! The only things I can manage are basic greetings like ‘Namaste’.” That, though, doesn’t stop her from loving Bollywood. “I’m fascinated by Bollywood ... I don’t know much about it, but I’d love to give it a try,” she says.

Julia will be next seen in Mirror Mirror, based on the story of Snow White. It has been directed by Hollywood filmmaker of Indian origin, Tarsem Singh. “I am such a fan of Tarsem. He is a lovable genius. We did talk about India a lot (during the shoots). He was in Varanasi shooting for The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, and since I’m fascinated by that place, he told me lots about it,” she says.

The film hits Indian screens on Friday.

Report: Hindustan Times

Sunday, April 15, 2012

Gunmen attack embassies, parliament in Afghan capital

(Reuters) - Gunmen launched multiple attacks in the Afghan capital Kabul on Sunday, assaulting Western embassies in the heavily guarded, central diplomatic area and at the parliament in the west, witnesses and officials said.

The Taliban claimed responsibility, saying their main targets were the German and British embassies and the headquarters of Afghanistan's NATO-led force.

Taliban fighers had also launched assaults in two provinces, a spokesman for the insurgents said.

"We claim responsibility for these attacks," said Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid.

Attackers fired a rocket-propelled grenade into a house used by British diplomats in the city centre and smoke billowed from the building after the blast, a Reuters witness said.

Two rockets hit a British Embassy guard tower near the Reuters office in the city.

Three others hit a supermarket near the German Embassy popular with foreigners, Reuters witnesses said. Women scurried for cover as crackling gunfire was heard above.

As the gunfire continued, U.S. army convoys could be seen coming to the area accompanied by Afghan police in flak jackets.

There was no word on any casualties.

The coordinated attack is bound to intensify worry in the run-up to the planned withdrawal of foreign combat troops by the end of 2014.

Afghan security forces, who are responsible for the safety of the capital, were scrambling to reinforce areas around the so-called green diplomatic section of the city centre.

Gunfire came from various directions in the area, close to both the U.S. and British embassies, while smoke billowed from the nearby German embassy, the Reuters witnesses said.

Embassy alarms were sounding. Staff at the embassies were not available for comment.

Attackers also fired rockets at the parliament building, in the west of the city, and at the Russian embassy, a spokesman for the parliament said.

Afghan media said insurgents had stormed the Star Hotel complex near the presidential palace and the Iranian embassy and black smoke was pouring from the building.

India takes up Shah Rukh detention issue with US

(PTI) India has taken up with the US the issue of Shahrukh Khan's detention at a New York airport, conveying its deep concern over the incident that need not have happened.

"We have taken it up with the State Department," Indian Ambassador to the US Nirupama Rao told reporters here.

Rao, who was in the city for a Columbia University conference on India, said the detention of the Indian superstar is an "incident that need not have happened."

The Indian embassy in Washington has issued a press note on the incident and "we would like to leave it that."

She added that even Khan is no longer in the US and had left for India.

The Indian envoy said there was concern across India over the incident since Khan is an internationally renowned personality.

"It is not merely our concern but the concern of the whole nation which we sought to convey to the State Department and the US authorities so that they understand the depth of the concern that was expressed by us," Rao said.

A press note issued by the Indian embassy in Washington said it has sought the State Department's intervention to put in place measures so that such incidents are not repeated in future.

"In order to convey the deep concern that has been expressed nationwide in India over this incident, the embassy of India has taken up the matter with the US Department of State and sought the State Department's intervention to institute appropriate measures to avoid recurrence of such an incident in the future," the embassy statement said.

Saturday, April 14, 2012

I am not dating Shahid Kapoor: Nargis Fakhri


Nargis Fakhri has been in the news for her friendship with Shahid Kapoor. The actress, who has till date remained quiet, has now decided to come clean.

"I'm amazed at how people can claim things even when there's nothing happening. If and when I am seeing someone, I won't want to hide it," she said, annoyed.

So what's the deal? "I met him while performing for an awards function, and he was very supportive as it was a first for me. He's been a friend since that day. Don't you have guy friends as well as girlfriends, who you just enjoy chilling with? Why is it such a big deal to have lunch, dinner or coffee with a friend?" she thundered.

Much has been written about her pouty lips than acting in debut film 'Rockstar'. But that hasn't deterred the actor. Would she be game for an item number too? "Why? I enjoy watching Hindi films songs -- the singing and dancing is one of the things I really love about it," she says.

She started her career at 32, and doesn't regret the late start in tinselville. Doesn't being a late bloomer rule her out in the race for the numero uno? "We should enjoy the little things in life and look beyond just wanting to be number one. I live my life in a way in which experiences are important for my growth. But I don't obsess about it," she said.

What does Nargis as a former model, have to say about the size zero trend? "Honestly, size zero is normal for a woman. I used to be that when I came here because as an international model, that is the requirement. But I monitored everything I ate, I wanted to be healthy, which meant no refined sugar, no sweets, nothing fried or processed, ate many small meals, drank lots of water and veggie smoothies. Now I am in a place where I love my body, which is a sexy size 6/8. It's about your dress size, it's about your confidence and loving yourself for who you are that makes you sexy and appealing."

Source: Sneha Mahadevan, DNA-Daily News & Analysis

India-Russia hold talks on combating terrorism

(PTI) New Delhi: Expressing concern over continuous threat of cross-border terrorism, India and Russia on Wednesday held comprehensive discussions on combating international terrorism and reaffirmed their commitment to consolidate bilateral interaction in the fight against the scourge.

In the seventh meeting of the India-Russia Joint Working Group (JWG), the two countries emphasised that their cooperation in countering new challenges and threats is an integral part of the Indian-Russian special and privileged strategic partnership.

The talks were co-chaired by Asoke Kumar Mukerji, Additional Secretary of the Ministry of External Affairs and Ambassador Alexander Zmeevsky, Special Representative of the President of the Russia on International Cooperation in Combating Terrorism and Transnational Organised Crime.
India-Russia hold talks on combating terrorism

The two countries underlined the role of international efforts in preventing and suppressing terrorism including the consistent implementation of the UN Global Counter-terrorism Strategy and the relevant resolutions of the UN Security Council.

"They noted the importance of the early conclusion of the negotiation process aimed at agreeing within the framework of the UN General Assembly on the draft Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism (CCIT) that was put forward by India," an official statement said.

"(They)expressed mutual concern about the continuous threat of cross-border terrorism, and reaffirmed their commitment to consolidate bilateral interaction in the fight against this global scourge," it said.

The two countries also noted that India and Russia have a significant capacity for developing their interaction in countering the criminal proceeds laundering and financing terrorism, and establishing a partnership dialogue within the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) and modelled on it the Eurasian Group (EAG) on Combating Money-Laundering and the Financing of Terrorism.

Expressing concern about the issue of drug trafficking which they said undermines peace and stability in the region, the two sides noted the need to step up their interaction on the basis of the Intergovernmental Agreement on Cooperation in Combating Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs, Psychotropic Substances and their Precursors signed in 2007.

Russia happy with nuclear project in southern India

(PTI) Moscow: Russia on Saturday expressed happiness atthe resumption of work at the Kudankulam nuclear project andhoped that more units will come with its participation.

This was conveyed by Russian Deputy Prime Minister DmitryRogozin during his meeting with External Affairs Minister SMKrishna.

"Yes, we did talk about Kudankulam and they were quitesatisfied with the resumption of work.

"The minister conveyed in so many terms that the engineersand technicians are back on the site and they hope that theywould be able to complete it on time and they are also lookingforward to the other units coming up," Krishna said.

Referring to a series of problems at the power plant site,official sources said India conveyed that federal naturedemands that state governments are taken into confidence onseveral issues.

The two leaders also discussed the 2G verdict and thedelivery schedule of aircraft carrier Admiral Gorshkov.

Asked about the Supreme Court's 2G verdict, Krishna saidSistema was one of the issues which was aired during themeeting.

Sistema has stakes in MTS in India which is one of theoperators whose 2G licences have been cancelled by the apexcourt.

"I conveyed to them that government of India has alreadymoved in this matter by approving a Presidential Reference tothe Supreme Court. So a larger bench, a Constitutional benchwill hopefully look into this question," he said.

Meanwhile, sources said Russia conveyed that INSVikramaditya (Admiral Gorshkov) will be be delivered by theend of this year.

On India's support for candidate for the post of WorldBank President, Krishna said New Delhi will not decide itssupport in terms of nation.

"India is going to support the best man who has thenecessary qualifications to head head the world body," hesaid.

Krishna added that the nodal ministry? The FinanceMinistry, in consultations with others who matter, will take acall on the issue.

Rogozin, who has just taken over, will co-chair theIndia-Russia inter-governmental commission with Krishna.

This was the first meeting between the two in whichKrishna invited him to visit India which Rogozin accepted

India-Russia ties a model for diplomacy: Krishna

New Delhi, April 13 (IANS) External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna Friday flagged India-Russia bilateral ties, which are in their 65th year, as "a model of depth and understanding" between any two nations.

In a letter to Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Viktorovich Lavrov to felicitate him on the occasion of the 65th anniversary of the establishment of India-Russia diplomatic relations, Krisha also said that their close ties served as "an anchor and a pivot of durable peace, a just global order and of multilateral stability."

Krishna is in Moscow to for a meeting of foreign ministers of India, Russia and China, after which he is scheduled to attend an event to mark the 65th anniversary of India-Russia bilateral ties.

"From Soviet assistance in India's early industrialisation and security endeavours, to a strong partnership in joint development and design in strategic sectors, the India-Russia special and privileged strategic partnership is today a model of depth and understanding for any two nation states," he said in the letter.

"As emerging and responsible stake-holders in an ever-changing international system, our close relations serve as an anchor and a pivot of durable peace, a just global order and of multilateral stability," he said.

Krishna said, "over the last six-and-a-half decades, our multi-dimensional relationship has evolved in different ways, but deep friendship and trust has always been the hallmark of our ties.

"Our unique bonds have been nurtured and reinforced with every succeeding generation, enjoying a strong positive consensus across the political and social spectrum in both countries."

Krishna also told his Russian counterpart that he looked forward to working with him closely in the years to come, to take forward the special and privileged strategic partnership to a qualitatively higher level.