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Sat, 01 December 2012
Modi's dig at Sonia: Change your 'disha'
Timeline Refresh
23:16 Modi's dig at Sonia: Change your 'disha'
Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday took a dig at Congress President Sonia Gandhi alleging the "misrule" of the party led by her will script its "worst-ever" drubbing at the hands of the Bharatiya Janata Party in coming assembly elections.
Embarking on the final leg of his poll campaign after paying obeisance at the famous Somnath temple at Veraval, the BJP stalwart said the Congress party's own acts "will be its undoing in the polls".
"Madam Sonia, change your disha (direction) as the Congress will never reach Gandhinagar. Gujarat's disha is Sardar Patel's disha," Modi said referring to Congress' advertisement campaign based on the theme 'Disha Badlo, Dasha Badlo (Change the direction, change the situation).
Modi launched a bare-knuckle attack on the Congress at six rallies he addressed on Saturday.
Embarking on the final leg of his poll campaign after paying obeisance at the famous Somnath temple at Veraval, the BJP stalwart said the Congress party's own acts "will be its undoing in the polls".
"Madam Sonia, change your disha (direction) as the Congress will never reach Gandhinagar. Gujarat's disha is Sardar Patel's disha," Modi said referring to Congress' advertisement campaign based on the theme 'Disha Badlo, Dasha Badlo (Change the direction, change the situation).
Modi launched a bare-knuckle attack on the Congress at six rallies he addressed on Saturday.
22:52 Gujarat polls: Keshubhai seeks EC action against Sidhu
Taking umbrage at Navjot Singh Sidhu's remark in which he termed him as an "anti-national leader", Gujarat Parivartan Party president Keshubhai Patel on Saturday appealed to the Election Commission to take suo motu action against the Bharatiya Janata Party MP and his party.
"I urge the EC to take suo moto action against Sidhu and the BJP," he said.
Addressing a public rally in Visavadar assembly constituency in Junagadh district recently, the former cricketer, campaigning for BJP candidate Kanubhai Bhalala, had termed Keshubhai as an "anti national" leader.
Terming Sidhu's remark as an instance of inciting people in the name of religion, he urged the poll panel to step in.
"I urge the EC to take suo moto action against Sidhu and the BJP," he said.
Addressing a public rally in Visavadar assembly constituency in Junagadh district recently, the former cricketer, campaigning for BJP candidate Kanubhai Bhalala, had termed Keshubhai as an "anti national" leader.
Terming Sidhu's remark as an instance of inciting people in the name of religion, he urged the poll panel to step in.
22:16 'Sanjiv Bhatt's canvassing for wife against law'
Uttar Pradesh-based social activist Nutan Thakur on Saturday alleged that suspended IPS officer Sanjiv Bhatt's "canvassing for and assistance to" his wife Shweta for the upcoming Gujarat assembly elections, violated administrative and electoral laws, reports The Hindu.
Shweta Bhatt has been fielded by the Congress to contest the election for the Maninagar seat against Chief Minister Narendra Modi.
In a letter written to the Election Commission and chief secretary of Gujarat, Dr Thakur said, "The acts of the Bhatts prima facie seem to be clear cut violation of Section 123 (7) (a) and 123 (7) (d) of the Representation of People Act, 1951."
Read the full story here
Shweta Bhatt has been fielded by the Congress to contest the election for the Maninagar seat against Chief Minister Narendra Modi.
In a letter written to the Election Commission and chief secretary of Gujarat, Dr Thakur said, "The acts of the Bhatts prima facie seem to be clear cut violation of Section 123 (7) (a) and 123 (7) (d) of the Representation of People Act, 1951."
Read the full story here
22:06 Norway couple's arrest: MEA reluctant to intervene
As the Indian couple arrested in Norway for alleged abuse of
their seven-year-old son anxiously await the verdict on Monday, the
Indian government seems reluctant to intervene, reports NDTV.
"See this is an issue that does not relate to the government but the private citizen and it relates to the local law of that country... Sometimes we express concern for something that happen to citizens of our country but within the parameters for the law that abide by those country because there is public interest and concern... we will make contact and do whatever is appropriate," said External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid.
Read full story here
"See this is an issue that does not relate to the government but the private citizen and it relates to the local law of that country... Sometimes we express concern for something that happen to citizens of our country but within the parameters for the law that abide by those country because there is public interest and concern... we will make contact and do whatever is appropriate," said External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid.
Read full story here
21:27 10-storey building built in 48 hours in Mohali
A team of over 200 people worked round the clock as INSTACON, the much talked about building constructed in Mohali, met its 48-hour deadline today to enter record books as the fastest completed such building in India.
"We assembled the 200 tonne building, having an area of over 25,000 square meters within the stipulated time of 48 hours, whose deadline ended at 4.30 pm today," said Harpal Singh, CMD of Synergy Thrislington, a Mohali-based infrastructure company.
He also showed the certificate issued by the Limca Book of Records for being the fastest ten-storey building in India.
I C Syal, an ex-professor of Punjab Engineering Collegehere who designed the building, said the structure can withhold for 600 years.
"We assembled the 200 tonne building, having an area of over 25,000 square meters within the stipulated time of 48 hours, whose deadline ended at 4.30 pm today," said Harpal Singh, CMD of Synergy Thrislington, a Mohali-based infrastructure company.
He also showed the certificate issued by the Limca Book of Records for being the fastest ten-storey building in India.
I C Syal, an ex-professor of Punjab Engineering Collegehere who designed the building, said the structure can withhold for 600 years.
20:32 Cong brainstorming session in Jaipur from Jan 18-20
The brainstorming session (Chintan Shivir) of the Congress will be held in Jaipur from January 18 to 20 to discuss political and economic situations and seek new ideas ahead of the next Lok Sabha elections.
Of the three-day event, two days will be devoted to brainstorming session of 300-odd senior leaders and will culminate into a day-long AICC meeting on the last day, AICC general secretary Janardan Dwivedi told reporters.
The AICC meeting will endorse the conclusions arrived at during the brainstorming exercise, the third such 'Shivir' since Sonia Gandhi became Congress President in 1998. The earlier two brainstorming sessions were held at Pachmarhi in Madhya Pradesh and Shimla in Himachal Pradesh.
Of the three-day event, two days will be devoted to brainstorming session of 300-odd senior leaders and will culminate into a day-long AICC meeting on the last day, AICC general secretary Janardan Dwivedi told reporters.
The AICC meeting will endorse the conclusions arrived at during the brainstorming exercise, the third such 'Shivir' since Sonia Gandhi became Congress President in 1998. The earlier two brainstorming sessions were held at Pachmarhi in Madhya Pradesh and Shimla in Himachal Pradesh.
20:29 India seeks extradition of Headley, Rana from US
External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid has written to his United States counterpart Hillary Clinton requesting for extradition of Pakistani-American LeT terrorist and Mumbai terror accused David Headley and his accomplice Tahawwur Hussain Rana.
Khurshid has written the letter to Clinton for extradition of the two before their sentencing there in January, official sources said.
According to sources, India is hopeful that the US would take a favourable decision on its request which was sent in the first week of November. New Delhi is awaiting a response from Washington.
Khurshid has written the letter to Clinton for extradition of the two before their sentencing there in January, official sources said.
According to sources, India is hopeful that the US would take a favourable decision on its request which was sent in the first week of November. New Delhi is awaiting a response from Washington.
20:22 Bhagvad Gita inspires hunger strike in Trinidad
An environmental activist in Trinidad is on the 15th day of his hunger strike against a road project that he claims will fracture the lives of numerous families and severely damage wetlands, leading to flooding problems and the loss of crops, reports niticentral.com.
Wayne Kublalsingh is seen clinging to a copy of the Bhagvad Gita, outside the prime minister's office, as he vows to continue even though a doctor hired by his relatives warned that he is on the verge of organ failure.
Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has said she admires the activist's commitment and has expressed concern for him, but she added that her government will not give into his demands.
Read the full story here
Wayne Kublalsingh is seen clinging to a copy of the Bhagvad Gita, outside the prime minister's office, as he vows to continue even though a doctor hired by his relatives warned that he is on the verge of organ failure.
Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has said she admires the activist's commitment and has expressed concern for him, but she added that her government will not give into his demands.
Read the full story here
19:41 Beed blast: Terror angle ruled out, say sources
A terror angle has been ruled out into a radio set explosion that happened in Beed district of Maharashtra yesterday, sources told NDTV.
The explosion had left four members of a family severely injured.
While the explosion was being feared as a parcel bomb, teams from the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad and the National Investigation Agency, which handles terror cases, visited the spot.
Sources say it appears the blast happened due to batteries exploding.
Read full report here
The explosion had left four members of a family severely injured.
While the explosion was being feared as a parcel bomb, teams from the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad and the National Investigation Agency, which handles terror cases, visited the spot.
Sources say it appears the blast happened due to batteries exploding.
Read full report here
19:21 Omar's 'make-up kit' remark sparks protest
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah's "make-up kit" remark today led to a protest by the state's women panchayat members, who termed the statement as an "insult" to women.
A large number of women members from Ganderbal, Omar's home constituency, took out a protest march at Beehama Chowk near the national highway connecting Srinagar with Leh.
"Omar's remark is an insult to women members who have fought the battle from within and outside to take part in the democratic process and work at the grassroots level for the betterment of people," a protesting panchayat member Ayesha said, asking the chief minister to withdraw his comment.
She said the members are ready to resign if the chief minister can prove that they have taken any make-up kits from the PDP.
A large number of women members from Ganderbal, Omar's home constituency, took out a protest march at Beehama Chowk near the national highway connecting Srinagar with Leh.
"Omar's remark is an insult to women members who have fought the battle from within and outside to take part in the democratic process and work at the grassroots level for the betterment of people," a protesting panchayat member Ayesha said, asking the chief minister to withdraw his comment.
She said the members are ready to resign if the chief minister can prove that they have taken any make-up kits from the PDP.
18:53 Kejriwal's supporters 'beaten up' by Delhi police
Supporters of Aam Aadmi Party president Arvind Kejriwal were allegedly roughed up by the Delhi police today.
Kejriwal's supporters were at the Narela Police Station where they were allegedly beaten up. They asked the police to file a first information report against a rape victim.
Kejriwal's supporters were at the Narela Police Station where they were allegedly beaten up. They asked the police to file a first information report against a rape victim.
18:11 Modi fit to become PM, says Sushma Swaraj
Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj today openly endorsed Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi for the prime minister's post.
"Modi is fit to become PM," she said.
She also lauded his work in Gujarat.
"Modi is fit to become PM," she said.
She also lauded his work in Gujarat.
17:05 Mittal saves his steel factory from French govt
In a deal that averts nationalisation of its Florange plant, ArcelorMittal has committed to the socialist French government it will not lay off any worker at the steel facility and make a fresh investment of 180 million euros ($233.6 million).
Also, the company will not shut down two blast furnaces at the Florange facility which will retain about 650 workers whose jobs were under threat.
The world's largest steel maker, owned by India-born tycoon Lakshmi Mittal, has 2,700 employees at the entire plant situated in the North-Eastern part of the country.
The deal was announced by French Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault yesterday when the deadline for ArcelorMittal to find buyers for the two blast furnaces expired.
"The government decided against the idea of a temporary nationalisation that was floated in recent days. It ruled that option out given the commitments secured from ArcelorMittal," Ayrault said in a press conference.
He said the company has pledged that its investment in Florange over the next five years would not mean it would reduce its financial commitment at other sites in France.
The fresh funds at Florange would reinforce cold-steel and packaging operations at the site.
The steel giant employs about 20,000 people in France across multiple facilities.
16:27 Gujral cremated with full state honours
Former Prime Minister I K Gujral was on Saturday cremated in New Delhi with full state honours in the presence of the country's top leadership, including President Pranab Mukherjee and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
Amid prayers and a 21-gun salute, his body was consigned to flames at Smriti Sthal on the banks of Yamuna where Vice President Hamid Ansari and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi were also present.
The last rites were performed by his two sons, including Akali Dal MP Naresh Gujral, and his grandson at Smriti Sthal, located between Jawaharlal Nehru's memorial 'Shanti Van' and Lal Bahadur Shastri's 'Vijay Ghat'.
Defence Minister A K Antony, Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde, Commerce Minister Anand Sharma, Law Minister Ashwani Kumar, Farooq Abdullah, Jaipal Reddy, BJP leaders L K Advani and Arun Jaitley, Punjab Chief Minister Prakash Singh Badal, Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda, INLD chief Om Prakash Chautala, LJP's Ramvilas Paswan, JD-S' Danish Ali, Amar Singh and some senior bureaucrats attended the cremation.
Diplomats from various countries were also present.
15:49 Another fake Facebook account case in Maharashtra
Raj Thackeray-led MNS has complained to police that a bogus account was allegedly created in the name of the party chief's son on social networking site Facebook and "objectionable" comments about B R Ambedkar were posted.
A written complaint was submitted by the party to Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime) Himanshu Roy, who forwarded it to Cyber Cell for inquiry, police said today.
The complaint said a fake account had been created on Facebook in the name of Amit, son of Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray, and "objectionable" content posted there about the architect of Indian Constitution.
A party worker drew Raj's attention about the fake account following which the police was approached.
In a related case, police in Palghar town in adjoining Thane district yesterday received a complaint about some "objectionable" matter related to late Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray posted on a fake Facebook account opened in the name of a local newspaper.
15:48 Rajesh Khanna's wife Dimple moves HC
Rajesh Khanna's actress wife Dimple Kapadia has moved the Bombay High Court for quashing a case of domestic violence filed against her and family by Anita Advani, who claims to have been in a live-in relationship with the late superstar.
Advani, in her complaint against Kapadia and others, has claimed she was driven out of Khanna's Bandra bungalow 'Ashirwad' after his death and sought maintenance from the actor's estate.
In her petition, Kapadia has contended that she was the legally wedded wife of Khanna and as such no other woman can claim share in the wealth left behind by her husband.
Kapadia has also challenged the notices issued to her and family members by a Bandra Magistrate on Advani's complaint alleging domestic violence and seeking monthly maintenance from Khanna's estate.
The Magistrate, Dimple argued, should not have entertained the complaint which has made "baseless" charges.
14:31 Lone Chinese home destroyed; farmer accepts deal
Chinese authorities have demolished a five-story home that stood incongruously in the middle of a new main road and had become the latest symbol of resistance by homeowners against officials accused of offering unfair compensation.
Xiayangzhang village chief Chen Xuecai told The Associated Press the house was bulldozed today after its owners, duck farmer Luo Baogen and his wife, agreed to accept compensation of 260,000 yuan (USD 41,000).
Chen says Luo voluntarily consented to the deal.
The couple were the lone holdouts from a neighbourhood that was demolished to make way for the main thoroughfare heading to a newly built railway station on the outskirts of the city of Wenling in Zhejiang province
13:40 Sushma, Advani to campaign in Gujarat today
Senior Bharatiya Janata Party leaders LK Advani and Sushma Swaraj will be in Gujarat today to campaign for the assembly elections that are less than two weeks away.
Swaraj will address a rally in Vadodara. Advani is scheduled to campaign in the state over the next two days.
Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi, who is looking at a third consecutive term in the state, will be touring six places in Saurashtra and southern Gujarat.
13:15 China finds palace ruins at first emperor's cemetery
The remains of a massive "imperial palace" have been uncovered at the mausoleum of China's first emperor, Qinshihuang, in the tourist city of Xian, archaeologists said.
Based on its foundations, the courtyard-style palace was estimated to be 690 meters long and 250 meters wide, Sun Weigang, an associate researcher at the Shaanxi provincial institute of archaeology said.
Covering an area of 170,000 cubic meters, the palace was nearly one fourth the size of the Forbidden City in Beijing, the imperial palace of China's last two feudal dynasties of Ming and Qing (1368-1911), Sun said.
It is the largest complex ever found at the cemetery of Qinshihuang, known as China's first emperor as he united the country, he said.
The palace included 18 courtyard houses and a main building that overlooked the houses, according to the researcher.
The palace could shed light on the architectural styles of the Qin Dynasty (221 BC-207 BC) and showed emperor Qinshihuang's wish to continue to live in imperial grandeur even during his afterlife, he said.
13:14 Suspected honour case: Akhilesh orders magisterial probe
Uttar Pradesh Police on Saturday arrested the fifth accused in the suspected honour killing case of Abdul Hakim even as the state government ordered a magisterial probe into the matter.
The fifth accused Mallik was arrested from a railway station near Bulandshahr, police sources said.
Another accused in the case was arrested on Friday, he said.
In another development, Riyaz Ahmed, the chairman of Khadi Gramodyog, who has the status of minister of state, said that Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav has ordered a magisterial inquiry into the murder.
Ahmed, who met Abdul Hakim's wife Mahvish, also said that an ex gratia of Rs. five lakhs would also be given to kin of the deceased from the chief minister's fund.
According to Hakim's wife, the victim was shot dead by her family members on November 22 after he had just entered the village along with her and their two-year-old daughter.
12:35 Norway child abuse case: Indian couple charged
The Indian couple arrested in Oslo, Norway, in an alleged child abuse case have been charged with "gross repeated maltreatment" of their child for which the prosecution has proposed a minimum sentence of one year and three months for the parents.
According to a statement by Oslo Police Department, the couple have been remanded in custody, as there is reason to fear that they will evade prosecution by returning to India.
The Court of Appeals in process of hearing the defence's appeal amd the judgement will be pronounced in Oslo District Court on December 3.
"The couple have been charged with gross repeated maltreatment of their child/children by threats, violence or other wrong under section 219 of the Penal Code," Police Department said.
"The prosecution proposed a sentence of one year three months for the mother and one year six months for the father. The judgement in the case would be pronounced on Monday, December 3."
Chandrasekhar Vallabhaneni, a software professional from Andhra Pradesh, and his wife his wife Anupama, an officer of the Indian embassy, were taken into custody by the police in Oslo.
12:32 PM pays homage to Gujral, the 'great son of India'
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Saturday paid homage to former Prime Minister I K Gujral, remembering him as a "great patriot" and a "great scholar statesman".
Gujral's body has been kept at his 5 Janpath residence in New Delhi for the public to pay respects. Leaders cutting across party lines also visited his residence to pay their homage.
92-year-old Gujral died at a private hospital in nearby Gurgaon after a brief illness on Friday.
The Prime Minister and his wife arrived at his residence this morning and paid floral tributes.
In his message, Singh said, "In the sad demise of Gujral, our country has lost a freedom fighter, a great patriot and a great scholar statesman. I join the nation in expressing our grief and sorrow at the demise of a great son of India."
Union Ministers A K Antony, Anand Sharma and Farooq Abdullah, Punjab Chief Minister Prakash Singh Badal, BJP's Ananth Kumar and LJP's Ramvilas Paswan were among others who visited the residence.
Gujral will be cremated in Smriti Sthal later in the day.
11:57 Pop Star Katy Perry named Woman of the Year
Pop star Katy Perry has been chosen as Billboard's Woman of the Year for her international success in the charts and overcoming personal heartache.
The 'Teenage Dream' hitmaker, who has overcome heartbreak after divorcing comedian Russell Brand in January and turned into a successful entrepreneur, feels honoured to have been granted the coveted award and is proud to be regarded as a strong, independent woman as well as recognised for her musical talent, reported the Huffington Post.
"When I heard, I was very honoured. I was also a bit surprised because I thought my year was over! Especially with ending the tour last year, but it's nice to see that it's been extended. It does feel like this record has never ended!
"It's nice, I really appreciate it. I like to be viewed as a strong woman and I think that's what Billboard is basically saying," she said.
11:38 'Insulted' Eden curator goes on medical leave
The controversy surrounding the preparation of the Eden pitch took a dramatic turn on Saturday as veteran curator Prabir Mukherjee proceeded on a medical leave and termed the CAB's decision to sideline him for the third Test between India and England as an "insult."
Mukhejee, who has been preparing the pitch of the stadium since 1985, shot a letter to Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) this morning and sought a "medical leave". He also hinted that he may not re-join at all.
The development came less than 48 hours after the BCCI sidelined the 83-year-old and sent East Zone ground and pitch committee representative Ashish Bhowmick to prepare a customised wicket at the Eden.
"It was an insult for me," Mukherjee told PTI referring to the appointment of Bhowmick.
Mukherjee is peeved at CAB's attitude and said President Jagmohan Dalmiya had even threatened to suspend him if he spoke about the pitch.
"Nowhere the president has the right to talk about pitches. But here they are threatening to suspend me if I talk about pitches. This is the treatment I get after more than two decades of my service at CAB," said Mukherjee, who is said to have differences with Indian skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni.
10:56 Etihad to fly to Kozhikode every day from Jan
Etihad Airways is increasing its flight frequency to Kozhikode beginning January 1, 2013, the airline has said.
The Abu Dhabi-based airline will now more than double its flights to Kozhikode, increasing from three to seven a week, it added.
The Sri Lankan capital of Colombo will also be serviced by daily flights when services increase from four to seven per week starting from January 2, a company official said.
Etihad Airways' President and Chief Executive Officer James Hogan said, "India and Sri Lanka are important destinations for the airline due to strong local demand and growing traffic beyond Abu Dhabi to many key destinations across its global network."
"Kozhikode and Colombo are fast growing cities that serve as major business and trade hubs with many of their inhabitants working in the Gulf region.
10:56 Etihad to fly to Kozhikode every day from Jan
Etihad Airways is increasing its flight frequency to Kozhikode beginning January 1, 2013, the airline has said.
The Abu Dhabi-based airline will now more than double its flights to Kozhikode, increasing from three to seven a week, it added.
The Sri Lankan capital of Colombo will also be serviced by daily flights when services increase from four to seven per week starting from January 2, a company official said.
Etihad Airways' President and Chief Executive Officer James Hogan said, "India and Sri Lanka are important destinations for the airline due to strong local demand and growing traffic beyond Abu Dhabi to many key destinations across its global network."
"Kozhikode and Colombo are fast growing cities that serve as major business and trade hubs with many of their inhabitants working in the Gulf region.
10:40 Nagpur: Private bus catches fire, five killed
Five persons, including two children, were charred to death when a private luxury bus caught fire in the wee hours of Saturday at Hinganghat, about 100 kms from Nagpur, police said.
The bus, carrying a marriage party was on it way back to Hinganghat, when the blaze broke out in the vehicle near Jam village, killing five passengers on the spot, they said.
Six others were injured in the mishap. The cause of the fire is not yet known and further investigations are on.
The deceased are yet to be identified.
07:16 Obama hails Hillary
President Obama salutes Hillary Clinton as she prepares to leave the State Department. Clinton has logged nearly a million air miles as Secretary of State, possibly the most pro-active American diplomat ever.
Obama said, 'Secy. Clinton is not gone yet but I want to thank her for being at my side through so many tough moments. You have been one of the best Secretaries of State in US history. Thank you for your dedication, friendship.'
07:10 The perils of Facebook's Like
When four men in California 'liked' a jihadi video posted in Afghanistan, they didn't reckon the FBI was watching. Read the story here: http://www.salon.com/2012/11/30/a_facebook_lesson_for_terrorists/
02:02 Palghar scribe's account hacked
Hindustan Times reports: A 39-year-old journalist approached Palghar police on Friday alleging that his Facebook account had been hacked and objectionable updates about Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray had been posted.
The police have submitted the complaint to the cyber cell concerned, officials said. The journalist, Mohammed Hussain Nabi Sarvar Khan, a resident of Palghar, had started a local newspaper a month ago.
In his written complaint to the police, has alleged that the page of his publication on the networking site had been hacked and objectionable pictures of the Sena chief had been subsequently posted on it.
Read the full story here
01:45 Don't miss Punter at the WACA today
Ricky Ponting will walk out today for what will be his penultimate Test innings. A tribute to The Great Man from Cricinfo: http://www.espncricinfo.com/australia-v-south-africa-2012/content/current/story/594363.html
01:39 Delacroix painting stolen from Paris art gallery
A painting by famed French artist Eugene Delacroix worth more than $780,000 was stolen today from an art gallery in central Paris, an informed source said.
The work entitled 'The Arabs of Oran' was painted in 1833. It was on display in a gallery on the chic rue Saint-Honore which runs parallel to the Louvre museum.
A gallery worker discovered the theft in the afternoon. Delacroix, who lived from 1798 to 1863, was the most important member of the French Romantic movement.
01:31 Clinton to meet Khar in Brussels next week
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton would meet her Pakistani counterpart Hina Rabbani Khar in Brussels on December 4, her spokesperson announced today.
The ties between the two sides, a year after the cross- border NATO raid in which 24 Pakistani soldiers were killed, is now on a firmer footing, but still a lot of work is to be done, State Department spokesperson Victoria Nuland said.
"When we are in Brussels next week - I think it's on Tuesday (December 4), the Secretary (Clinton) will have a chance to meet with Foreign Minister Khar as well. The foreign minister will be in Brussels; I think she's briefing the North Atlantic Council as well on Tuesday," Nuland told reporters.
01:30 Hindu or Muslim?
A 70-year-old man in New York City's South Asian-dominated Queens borough is beaten up by two Hispanic men after first being asked if he was a Hindu or Muslim. Read more here: http://www.nydailynews.com/news/crime/queens-man-70-beaten-apparent-hate-attack-article-1.1210944
01:27 Missouri mechanic, wife win $293 million lottery
AFP reports: A Missouri mechanic and his unemployed wife came forward today as the holders of one of two winning tickets in the second largest lottery in US history: a $587.5 million Powerball jackpot.
Mark and Cindy Hill vowed to stay grounded and not let the massive windfall go to their heads after receiving a check for $293,750,000 at a press conference in their local high school in Dearborn, Missouri.
"We're just normal human beings. We're as common as anybody. We just have a little bit more money," Cindy Hill told reporters.
01:25 The Salman Rushdie case
When his father read Midnight's Children, he thought Saleem Sinai's dad, a drunk, was based on him. A row with son Salman ensued. More here: http://www.nybooks.com/articles/archives/2012/dec/20/salman-rushdie-case/
01:24 Pakistan agrees release of more Taliban prisoners
AP reports: Pakistan today agreed to release another batch of Taliban prisoners in a bid to facilitate peace talks between insurgents and the Afghan government, a joint foreign ministry statement said.
The announcement came after talks in Islamabad between visiting Afghan Foreign Minister Zalmai Rassoul and his Pakistani counterpart Hina Rabbani Khar.
The number of prisoners to be released was not specified but is not thought to include the Taliban's former deputy leader Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, who was captured in 2010.
01:16 Heard of Volkmar Wentzel?
Neither had we till Ambassador Nirupama Rao just drew our attention to a German photographer who did a two year photo survey of India for National Geographic magazine. You can read about him here: http://photography.nationalgeographic.com/photography/photographers/photographer-volkmar-wentzel/
00:54 I have lost a personal friend: Pranab on Gujral
President Pranab Mukherjee today condoled the demise of former Prime Minister I K Gujral saying he has lost a personal friend and the nation an eminent public figure.
In his condolence message to Gujaral's MP son Naresh, Mukherjee said, "Gujral jee's services to the nation as a freedom fighter, Parliamentarian, scholar, commentator and as an administrator are invaluable. He was known for his passion for social justice."
The President said that Gujaral's achievements in the field of foreign policy were particularly noteworthy and he will be remembered for having given 'new direction' to India's relations with other South Asian countries through the Gujaral doctrine.
00:53 Nepal ex-prince held on Thai drugs charge
AFP reports: Nepal's former crown prince Paras Shah has been granted bail after being arrested and charged with cannabis possession on the Thai resort island of Phuket, the police said today.
Shah, who as crown prince was unpopular for his playboy lifestyle, was detained along with a Thai woman on October 23 after the management of his condominium complained about his unruly behaviour.
The police found roughly three grams (0.1 ounces) of marijuana.
00:47 That Year In Rishikesh
A stunning story from Granta about Memory, George, the Beatles and when they visited Maharishi Mahesh Yogi in Rishikesh: http://www.granta.com/New-Writing/That-Year-in-Rishikesh
00:40 What?! Camels in New York?!!!
A fun piece in The New York Times on how the precise time these camels go for a walk is a secret: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/30/nyregion/christmas-show-camels-walk-time-a-closely-guarded-secret.html?smid=tw-share
00:36 Hitler's strange afterlife in India
Dilip D'Souza's latest column in the Daily Beast discusses how Adolf finds more adherents in India these days. Please read it here: http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2012/11/30/hitler-s-strange-afterlife-in-india.html
00:00 Agnivesh manhandled for remarks against lord Shiva
Social worker Swami Agnivesh was today manhandled by activists of a local organisation here for his alleged derogatory remarks against lord Shiva.
The incident took place after a programme to launch the Maila Mukti Yatra in which Union Minister for Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Jairam Ramesh and Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan were present.
The police immediately intervened and forced away the activists from the spot. "We protested against Agnivesh for his recent remarks against Lord Shiva. We would not spare anyone, specially those wearing saffron robes, for acting in such a manner," Sanskriti Bachao Manch's convener Chandra Shekhar Tiwari told reporters.
The Manch activists forcibly removed a cloth worn by Agnivesh and also tried to remove his headgear but could not, he admitted.
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