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Two suspected Swine Flu patients isolated in Goa
Panaji, Jun 11 (PTI) Two passengers from abroad who showed symptoms of swine flu have been kept in isolation wards in a hospital here today.
A 21-year-old woman, who arrived from Sharjah was admitted to Goa Medical College and Hospital, while another male passenger, who came from London via Germany was quarantined at Chicalim Primary Health Centre, few kilometres away from the airport, State Health Secretary Sanjiv Srivastava told PTI.
"The blood sample of the patient admitted in GMC is being taken and it will be taken to National Institute of Virology (NIV) in Pune," GMC Medical Superintendent Dr Rajan Cuncolienkar said.
The blood sample of the male passenger will also be sent to NIV, officials at the Chicalim PHC disclosed.
The duo was isolated after doctors at the airport found certain symptoms of the disease when they arrived here in the wee hours, officials from Directorate of Health Services, said.
"We are not sure whether they are positive or negative," a senior official said adding further tests are on.
Goa has commissioned two different quarantine facilities--one at GMC and another at Chicalim Primary Health Centre in South Goa. PTI
Manmohan Singh asks PMO officials to "think creatively"
New Delhi, Jun 11 (PTI) After writing to his Council of Ministers, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today asked officials in the PMO to "think creatively" on the agenda of the government in the first 100 days in office.
Advising the officials to improve delivery, he wanted them to be guided by the watchwords of equity, innovation and public accountability.
Singh emphasised the importance to rethink systems of monitoring and evaluation and said there was need to think creatively on the government agenda.
The follow-up measures listed to be initiated within the first 100 days of UPA returning to power and the pending reform of regulatory institutions in the area of health and education were discussed, PM's Media Adviser Deepak Sandhu said in a statement.
Singh had recently written to Union ministers overseeing the government's flagship programmes asking them to seriously address the task of plugging "leakages" in their implementation. PTI
CBI files chargesheet against Vijayan in graft case
Kochi, Jun 11 (PTI) CBI today filed a chargesheet against former CPI-M Kerala secretary Pinarayi Vijayan and eight others in the graft case relating to awarding of contracts to a Canadian company for renovating three hydro power projects in 1998.
Vijayan, a former minister, has been charged under IPC sections 120 B (criminal conspiracy) and 420 (cheating) and section 13 (1) and 13 (2) of Prevention of Corruption Act.
The names of the two accused Mathew Roy and V Rajagopal, both former Kerala State Electricity Board officials, have been deleted as both of them have died, CBI officials said.
The chargesheet was filed in the Special CBI court at Ernakulam. The case involved alleged irregularities in awarding the contracts to the Canadian firm SNC-Lavalin when Vijayan was Minister for Power in 1998.
It has been filed days after Governor R S Gavai gave sanction to CBI to prosecute Vijayan in the case overruling the state cabinet recommendation.
The case widened the rift within the CPI-M state unit with Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan expressing his tacit backing for the Governor's decision.PTI
Tata Tea plans to take on Coca Cola, Pepsi, Unilever globally
Mumbai, June 11 (PTI) Tata Tea today said that it has evolved a strategy to compete globally with Coca Cola, Pepsi and Unilever in the beverages business.
Unveiling a 5-15-year roadmap to create a global leader in the branded beverages segment, Tata Tea CEO Peter Unsworth said that the company may look at partnerships and acquisitions for this purpose but as of now there is no proposal.
In recession time, all companies are under pressure but Tata Tea has shown resilience because of its core business being tea and coffee, he said, adding the company was in the process of integrating the working of its five entities to deliver economies of scale.
Unsworth, however, made it clear that at the moment there is no plan for financial integration of its entities, of which three are listed.
Only yesterday, the Tata group company, announced a consolidated net profit at Rs 701 crore for FY 2009 on a total consolidated income of Rs 4,874 crore.
"We are expanding our global distribution and are restructuring our US business to compete with Coca Cola, Pepsi and Unilever," Unsworth said. PTI
Sensex falls despite positive economic cues
Mumbai, June 11 (PTI) Information technology and refinery stocks today led the 55-point fall in the BSE Sensex as the market set aside a spate of positive factors.
Moving widely, the Bombay Stock Exchange 30-share barometer ended the day at 15,411.47, a net loss of 55.34 points or 0.36 per cent from its previous close.
The market remained volatile on alternate bouts of buying and selling amid positive global cues and a fresh fall in inflation, creating possibilities of a rate cut by banks.
Inflation fell to 0.13 per cent, the lowest ever in more than three decades, even as Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee asked banks to cut interest rates and provide cheap credit to industry to spur economic activity.
The NSE 50-issue Nifty also declined by 17.55 points or 0.38 per cent to end the day at 4,637.70 from its last close.
Analysts said despite several encouraging factors, the market met with resistance near the 15,580 level for the second successive day, a sign of consolidation around this level.
Brokers said investors shifted their focus to the metals and auto sectors while booking profits in shares of PSU, IT and oil & gas during the day.
Bonanza Portfolio Assistant Vice-President Avinash Gupta said, "The market was in a consolidation phase today. The Nifty yielded ground after fluctuating about yesterday's closing frequently." PTI
Low inflation may prompt rate cuts by banks
New Delhi, June 11 (PTI) Inflation slipped to 0.13 per cent for the week ended May 30, the lowest ever in over three decade, a development that could hasten the process of rate cuts by the banks.
While the wholesale price index stood at 0.48 per cent in the previous week, the rate of price rise was 9.32 per cent during the corresponding week a year ago.
Even though inflation declined during the week, the prices of essential food items like vegetables, eggs, pulses and spices became more expensive.
This is the 13th week in succession when inflation stood below one per cent. Analysts feel that inflation could slip into negative territory in the days to come.
"We may see inflation in the negative territory which may continue till October with the lowest inflation level at minus 1.5 per cent in July," said HDFC Bank Economist Jyotinder Kaur.
In a bid to spur economic growth, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee prodded public sector lenders to provide credit at reasonable rates.
In his address to chief executives of the public sector banks yesterday, Mukherjee said "as a financial intermediary the banks have to stand by to provide credit at reasonable rates." PTI
Razzaq first ICL player to return to mainstream cricket
London, June 11 (PTI) Pacer Abdul Razzaq became the first ex-ICL player to return to national fold after the ICC approved his name as replacement for injured Yasir Arafat in the Pakistan squad for the ongoing Twenty20 World Cup.
The International Cricket Council said in a statement that Razzaq had been deemed eligible to take part in the tournament after he terminated his contract with the ICL and received adequate punishment from the PCB.
"The PCB has advised the ICC it has imposed a sanction on Abdul Razzaq in accordance with the ICC Board resolution," ICC Chief Executive Haroon Lorgat said.
The event technical committee of T20 World Cup approved Razzaq as Arafat's replacement and the confirmation was conveyed to Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), the statement said.
Arafat suffered a hamstring injury during the group stage of the Twenty20 World Cup and was advised 12 days rest.
An overwhelmed Razzaq said it would be a great feeling to don the national colours after a long time.
"It's a great feeling to know that I am going to return to action in the Pakistan team. I would be playing for Pakistan after nearly two years.
"I have missed playing for my national team all this time," said the all-rounder who is expected to figure in Pakistan's first Super Eight match against Sri Lanka tomorrow. PTI
No plan to bat at No. 3 throughout the T20 World Cup: Dhoni
Trent Bridge, June 11 (PTI) India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni today made it clear that he has no plans to bat at the number three slot throughout the Twenty20 World Cup and claimed it was a part of the team's experiment with the batting order.
Even though an in-form Suresh Raina seems the more logical choice for the slot, Dhoni has been coming at one down in the Twenty20 World Cup but with little success.
After India's eight-wicket triumph over Ireland, the Indian captain was asked if he plans to continue occupying the slot for the remainder of the tournament to which Dhoni replied, "Not really." Dhoni said the team was experimenting with the batting order and hence he was coming at number three.
"We are trying a few things. I think we have to see what combination we are playing with and decide depending on that," he said.
Dhoni, meanwhile, was relieved with Zaheer Khan's sterling performance against Ireland as the left-arm seamer grabbed four wickets, besides the Man of the Match award.
"It's really good that he is back in form," Dhoni said of Zaheer who was nursing a shoulder injury till the other day.
"We knew he would take one more game to get back to groove and that's what we saw today. He was back in the groove, swinging the ball and hitting the right areas," Dhoni said. PTI
Anti-Taliban offensive in Pak has popular support: Holbrooke
Washington, Jun 10 (PTI) The military operation against the Taliban in Pakistan is getting "popular support" as there was a "dramatic change" in the attitude of the people due to the outrageous offences committed by the militants, the top US envoy for the region has claimed.
Fresh from his visit to Pakistan, Richard Holbrooke said the country faces the "daunting task" of combating terrorism and putting a crumbling economy on track, but there is greater "determination" there to meet these challenges.
The US Special Envoy for couAfghanistan and Pakistan met top political and military leadership of the ntry, besides visiting the refugee camps in the northwest. There was a "consensus" in Pakistan behind government's actions against Taliban in Swat and adjoining areas, he told reporters.
"Everywhere there was a dramatic change in attitude from my previous trips because of outrages (of) the Taliban and their supporters. This was widely recognised," he said.
Referring to the terrorist attacks in Pakistan -- including the latest suicide bombing in Peshawar -- after the army launched the offensive against the Taliban in the northwest tribal belt, Holbrooke said such tactics would cause a greater resentment among the people against the Taliban.
"Another major hotel (attacked) in Peshawar, my impression is that this is enraging the population." Even Pakistan's top military officials, he said, "feel they now have popular support" for what they are doing. PTI
UN, foreign missions suspend their activities in Peshawar
Rezaul H Laskar
Islamabad, Jun 11 (PTI) UN agencies and foreign missions in Peshawar have suspended their activities and evacuated their foreign staff members to Islamabad following a suicide car bombing of luxury Pearl Continental hotel, which killed 17 people including three foreigners, two of them UN employees.
The UN suspended all its activities, including humanitarian aid for people displaced by the military operations against the Taliban in Swat and nearby areas, till Monday, media reports said. The world body has also asked all its local employees to stay at home till further orders.
Besides UN agencies, the US consulate, other diplomatic missions and offices of international bodies in Peshawar have also suspended their activities and directed their staff to restrict their movements following the blast on Tuesday.
A meeting of top UN officials will be held on Monday to review the situation and decide on the resumption of relief work in the Taliban-infested NWFP.
The move is expected to affect relief programmes as UN agencies are playing a key role in providing shelter, water, sanitation, food and healthcare to thousands of displaced people living in camps in different parts of the NWFP.
Among the dead were three foreigners, including two UN employees Serbian national Aleksandar Vorkapic, who worked for the UNHCR, and Perseveranda So of the Philippines who worked for UNICEF. Three Pakistanis working for the UNFPA were also killed. PTI
Pak student says his prayer mats, Quran desecrated in UK jail
Rezaul H Laskar
Islamabad, Jun 11 (PTI) One of the 10 Pakistani students arrested on terror charges in UK returned to the country today, claiming that British authorities had detained them with hardened criminals and desecrated their prayer mats and Qurans.
Tariq Rahman, who flew into Islamabad after British authorities withdrew an order to deport him, was freed after 62 days of incarceration, his lawyer Amjad Malik told reporters at the airport.
Making a brief statement, Rahman said he had withdrawn his appeal against the charges levelled against him and left Britain because of the treatment meted out to him in prison.
He alleged that officials at Britain's Belmarsh prison, where he was held, would walk over his prayer mat while he was offering 'namaz'. The Qurans and prayer mats of the detained Pakistani were desecrated, he said.
When the Pakistanis protested against this practice, the prison officials said they were only performing "their duty", claimed Rahman, who did not answer questions from reporters.
"I faced very difficult circumstances. I am now free after being held for 62 days in one of Europe's most notorious jails though I committed no crime. I was held with prisoners who committed several murders," he said. PTI
Tripura film at US, Europe and Oz festivals
Agartala, June 11 (PTI) A film from Tripura 'Yarwng' (Roots), which was recently described by the New York Times as "a rare glimpse into tribal India", will be premiered tomorrow in New York, it's director Joseph Pulinthanath said today.
The 95-minute Kokborok (Tripura's tribal language) film is also scheduled to be premiered at Stuttgart in Europe and at Brisbane in Australia in July besides being screened at the Museum of Modern Art in New York tomorrow, he said.
"That a Kokborok film has been selected for overseas premiere at prestigious film events in the US, Europe and Australia is ample evidence that good cinema transcends the barriers of culture and language," Pulinthanath said.
'Yarwng', released here in September, focuses on the large-scale displacement of indigenous people in the 1970s when inhabitants of the fertile Raima valley in South Tripura were forcefully evicted to accommodate the Gumti hydel project.
"It is a matter of satisfaction that an issue of great importance to the people of the state will be highlighted in these three continents," the director said.
The film has already been to more than 20 International festivals within the country, including the IFFI in Goa. It also picked up a special jury mention award at the 7th Asian film festival in Mumbai. PTI
Dicaprio splits with Rafaeli
Los Angeles, June 11 (PTI) Hollywood heartthrob Leonardo DiCaprio has reportedly split with his supermodel girlfriend Bar Refaeli because she wanted to move in with him.
The relationship fizzled out because Rafaeli, 24 was keen to settle down and set up home with the actor, while DiCaprio was not ready to fully commit to her, reported People magazine online.
"They're taking time off. For the time being they've split. It could just end up as a break, but for now they're doing their own thing," a source close to the couple told the publication.
"She wanted to move faster than he did, she wanted to move in together, so he broke it off," the source added.
Reports that the 3-year-old relationship was in trouble began circulating after the 34-year-old 'Titanic' star was seen flirting with several women while partying in New York.
"He was standing at the bar in front of everyone talking to a girl the entire night, and it wasn't Bar. It was in no way behaviour for a guy who has a serious girlfriend," an onlooker at the club had said.
There was clear indication that the relationship was nearing it's end as Rafaeli had been making solo appearances recently including the Metropolitan Museum's Costume Gala and Hollywood Life's 11th Annual Young Hollywood Awards .
Leonardo and Rafaeli had briefly split late last year, before rekindling their romance in December. PTI
Britney Spears dating her agent?
Los Angeles, June 11 (PTI) Pop princess Britney Spears who was earlier linked to a back-up dancer, has now found love with her agent Jason Trawick.
Trawick is a childhood friend of the 27-year-old star and even her father Jamie Spears, who has legal control of the singer's personal and financial affairs, approves of her new man, reported People magazine online.
"They are totally and definitely dating. Her dad loves him. He's the best thing that has happened to her," a source told the magazine.
The 'Toxic' singer who has two children-- three-year-old Sean Preston and Jayden James, 2, with ex-husband Kevin Federline has been photographed with Trawick several times in the past few months.
The 37-year-old manager even accompanied Spears on her Bahamas trip last month.
"They're very sweet together. Britney has always had a crush on Jason. He makes her really happy, and he's great with the boys," the source added.
The couple is currently in London, where Spears is performing the UK leg of her 'The Circus Starring Britney Spears' tour. PTI
I want to flex my acting muscle: Tisca Chopra
Bahni Bandyopadhyay
New Delhi, Jun 11 (PTI) To break the stereotyped image of a serious film actor, Tisca Chopra is trying out newer avenues in her upcoming comic flick 'Rangeen.'
"I want to do something new and fresh. If I wanted regularity I would have taken up a nine to five job. I want to flex my acting muscle and see what else I can do," says Chopra famed for her role of a dyslexic child's mother in 'Taare Zameen Par.'
The actress also won accolades for her performance in Nandita Das's directorial venture 'Firaaq', a film based on Gujarat riots and its effect on people.
After two films dealing with serious problems in people's lives, the actress is now taking a breather with 'Rangeen', a film from the producer of 'Bheja Fry,' Sunil Doshi.
Chopra says her character in 'Rangeen' is "very different from 'Taare Zameen Par' or 'Firaaq'. It will be a surprise for audiences, I am sure!"
"The script is awesome, very unusual. I fell off my seat laughing when I read it. I have known Sunil Doshi for many years and he has done some excellent and unusual films," says Chopra. PTI
Horses dominate exhibition
New Delhi, Jun 10 (PTI) Every human being has a horse hidden in him and it has a magical identity of its own! Confused?
Painter Biswajit Das in his debut exhibition in the capital has tried to depict exactly this in his latest painting series titled 'Horsepower', which was unveiled here this week.
Horses in different forms and colours congest Biswajit's canvas in all of his 35 paintings, some depicting their speed, some their unity and wild bonding and some highlighting their pain of loneliness.
The painter from Bengal believes horses have an allegorical quality in connection with humans.
"I believe horses have a special identity that is hidden amongst all of us. I've tried to portray the different aspects of the working class through several horse forms," says Biswajit, who is also the Chief Designer at the Indian Institute of Planning and Management here.
"I've simply made an effort to capture the desire of the upper class of society to satisfy their narrow interests while riding on the labour class," he adds. PTI
Spas, record healthy growth, provide lifestyle remedies
Annie Samson
New Delhi, Jun 9 (PTI) From dry and damaged hair to aches and muscle sprains, remedies to common lifestyle ailments are now available at your neighbourhood spa or salon!
Traditional remedies are being tweaked, customised and offered as tailor made packages to stressed clients with demanding lifestyles who are short on time and don't mind trying something new to look dapper.
"A lot of people want to experience something different. During the last 4 to 5 years there has been an increase in the number of people who are willing to try our recommendations on hair styling and experiment with different treatments," says Najeeb Ur Rehman, professional hairstylist.
Rehman who owns a hair spa in the national capital says that over the years he has picked up enough expertise to spot a client with health problems.
"Typically hair is something that people have been interested in and it is also the first to reflect any imbalance in the body. Looking at the hair I can tell whether or not a person is anaemic or say just dehydrated and I advise clients to stock up on vitamins or tonics," says Najeeb.
Spas, more popular in the West, have in the past half decade proliferated into urban neighbourhoods with clientele expanding from jetsetting corporates to young professionals or the stay-at-home mother.
Megha Dinesh, Brand Manager, "Aura" spa at Park Hotel roughly pegs the market for spas at around Rs 55 to Rs 75 crores. "This of course takes into account urban areas and big spas including those in hotels," she says.
Mystic Salon and Spa, which has added a new branch in Delhi, advertises rejuvenation treatments ranging from Thai massages to traditional ayurveda.
"We are trying to go beyond the physical world and offer wellness, feel good and stress busting therapies," says Siddharth Shankar, Director, Mystic Salon and Spa. PTI
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