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Fresh jolt to Lalu; RJD MLA resigns
Patna, Jun 13 (PTI) In a jolt to RJD supremo Lalu Prasad, his close confidant Shyam Razak today resigned from the Bihar Assembly and quit the party, saying it has become the "fiefdom" of the former chief minister.
Razak, who was the party's national general secretary, wrote to Prasad saying he was resigning from the party and apprised him of quitting the state Assembly as well.
A member of RJD's core committee, Razak sent his letter resigning from the House to Speaker Udai Narain Choudhary. The Speaker's office said his resignation has been accepted.
Razak is likely to join the ruling JD(U) soon in the presence of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, sources said.
Lashing out at Prasad for RJD's humiliating defeat in the Lok Sabha elections in Bihar, where the party could win only four seats this time against 22 it got in 2004, Razak felt the party would be "finished soon".
"The existence of both RJD and Lalu Prasad is at stake," he said alleging that, once a champion of social justice and secularism, the party had become Prasad's "fiefdom".
Razak, a three-time MLA, remained a minister for nearly nine years in the Lalu-Rabri government.
He was sulking ever since he lost to JD(U) in the last Lok Sabha polls in Jamui (SC) seat and blamed RJD workers for "not working whole-heartedly" for his success.
JD(U) is likely to nominate him for the by-poll to seat, which has now fallen vacant. PTI
Gold remains weak on lower global cues
New Delhi, June 13 (PTI) Gold prices extended losses for the third straight day in the bullion market today falling by Rs 60 to close at Rs 14,700 per ten grams as selling pressure picked up on the back of weakening global trend.
Silver also dropped by Rs 200 to Rs 22,800 per kg due to reduced offtake by industrial units.
Selling pressure gathered momentum as the metal prices continued to slide in the international market as stronger dollar reduced demand as an alternative investment.
Marketmen said persistent selling by stockists in the wake of weakening global trend in US market where gold prices touched 935.60 dollar an ounce mainly pulled gold prices down.
Absence of marriage and festival seasons also reduced the metal demand, they said.
Standard gold and ornaments which had lost 115 in last two trading sessions, fell further by Rs 60 to Rs 14,700 and Rs 14,550 per ten gram respectively. Sovereign, however, remained flat at Rs 12,400 in thin trading.
In similar manner, silver ready tumbled by Rs 200 to Rs 22,800 per kg and weekly-based delivery by Rs 420 to Rs 23,300 per kg.
On the other hand, silver coins continued to be asked around previous level of Rs 29,500 for buying and Rs 29,600 for selling of 100 pieces. PTI
State Bank cuts deposit rates by 0.25 per cent from June 15
Mumbai, June 13 (PTI) The country's largest lender, State Bank of India, today said it has reduced deposit rates across all maturities by 0.25 per cent, with effect from June 15.
For a tenure of 181 days to less than one year, the rate has been reduced from 6.50 per cent to 6.25 per cent while for one-year to less than 2-years, it has been cut from 7.25 per cent to 7 per cent, the bank said in a statement.
For two-years to less than 1,000 days, the new rate is 7.25 per cent against 7.50 per cent while for a 1,000-day tenure, the rate has been reduced from 7.75 per cent to 7.50 per cent. For 1,001 days to less than 3 years, the new rate is 7.25 per cent from the earlier 7.50 per cent.
Three years to less than 5-years, the rate has been reduced to 7.25 per cent from 7.50 per cent, for five years to less than 8 years, the rate has been reduced from 8 per cent to 7.75 per cent, the statement said.
For a tenure of 8 years and up to 10 years, the new rate is eight per cent against 8.25 per cent, it added.
An additional 0.50 per cent for deposits of resident Indian senior citizens for tenures of one year and above would continue for term deposits of amount below Rs 1 crore, it said. PTI
Market remains bullish with intra-trade corrections
Mumbai, June 13 (PTI) The stock market remained bullish for the fourteenth straight week with the benchmark Sensex gaining about one per cent as the foreign investors' appetite for Indian equity showed impressive increase since May.
The Smallcap and the Midcap segments suffered a sharp setback after outperforming the key index for the last few weeks, which analysts, saw as a required correction for the good health of market.
Sectors such as realty, bank and consumer durables also was adjusted downward after a recent strong rally.
Withstanding resistance above the 15-K psychological mark, the Bombay Stock Exchange 30-share barometer ended the week under review higher at 15,237.94, adding 134.39 points or 0.89 per cent over its last weekend's close.
The National Stock Exchange's 50-share Nifty, however, ended week flat at 4,583.40 against its previous weekend's close of 4,586.90.
The market driver Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) have begun pouring their investments after the post-election political stability with the government's repeated hints about speedy economic reforms in key sectors amid strong signs of a recovery in Indian economy. PTI
Windies win toss, to bowl
London, June 13 (PTI) West Indies skipper Chris Gayle won the toss and opted to field in their Super Eight match of the Twenty20 World Cup against South Africa here today.
The Teams: West Indies: Chris Gayle (c), Andre Fletcher, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Lendl Simmons, Dwayne Bravo, Kieron Pollard, Denesh Ramdin, Jerome Taylor, Sulieman Benn and Fidel Edwards.
South Africa: Graeme Smith (C), Johan Botha, Mark Boucher, AB de Villiers, Jean-Paul Duminy, Herschelle Gibbs, Jacques Kallis, Albie Morkel, Wayne Parnell, Dale Steyn, Roelof van der Merwe. PTI
Bengal look to end 10-year title drought, Goa eye revenge
Chennai, June 13 (PTI) An upbeat Bengal will be looking to end their 10-year title drought when they face former champions Goa in the final of the 63rd National Football Championship for Santosh Trophy at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, here tomorrow.
Bengal have never lost a final against Goa in the Santosh Trophy and have remained supreme in all of their five meetings so far.
History would also be on 29-time champions Bengal's side after they won their last title at the same venue 10 years back. That time also Goa were at the receiving end, humiliated 0-5.
Since their last triumph, things have only headed south for Bengal football after the domicile rule for national championship came into effect. Their campaign, barring a final appearance in 2007 when they eventually lost to Punjab, have been dismal.
However, things look promising this time. They have done well so far, playing as a unit and using the width of the pitch to good effect. The midfield too has combined well and PC Lalwmpuiya's work ethic has been outstanding.
Bengal coach Raghu Nandy promised to stick to an attacking brand of soccer which has borne them fruit so far in their campaign.
"We will play attacking football to regain the title," said Nandy. PTI
Pak committed to bringing terrorists to justice: Malik
Rezaul H Laskar
Islamabad, June 13 (PTI) Pakistan is committed to bringing the perpetrators of the Mumbai attacks to justice and India should cooperate with it in the probe into the terrorist assault, Interior Minister Rehman Malik told Indian envoy Sharat Sabharwal today.
Sabharwal, who sought the meeting with Malik, was briefed by Malik on Pakistan's probe into the attacks that killed over 180 people in November last year.
Pakistan is committed to bringing the perpetrators of the attacks to justice and is sincere about pursuing the case against them, official sources quoted Malik as telling the Indian envoy.
Five Lashker-e-Toiba operatives, including Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi and Zarar Shah, are currently facing trial in a Pakistani anti-terror court for the alleged involvement in the attacks.
Malik made it clear this would be a "complicated and long process" and there is a need for India and Pakistan to work together to take the investigation forward, the sources told PTI.
It is understood that the recent release from detention of Jamaat-ud-Dawah chief Hafiz Mohammad Saeed on the order of the Lahore High Court also figured in the discussions between Malik and Sabharwal.
Saeed was put under house arrest in December last year after the UNSC declared the JuD a front for the LeT, which is blamed by India for the Mumbai attacks. PTI
US wants Maoists to shun violence before ending terror tag
Shirish B Pradhan
Kathmandu, Jun 13 (PTI) United States today told Nepalese Maoists to shun violence and blend to democratic way of life if they wanted to rub off the terrorist tag.
Visiting US Assistant Secretary of State Robert O' Blake had this message for the Maoists, as they sought to be removed from the American State Department's terror list.
The removal of the Maoists from the US terror list is in the process, but it is contingent upon the former ultras renouncing violence altogether, Blake, the first top-ranking US official to visit here after the formation of a new government, told reporters.
Maoists as well as their sister organisation 'Young Communist League' should completely stop violent activities and participate actively in the peace process among other conditions, he pointed out.
Blake's counsel to Maoists came after his meeting with the former Nepalese Premier and Maoist strongman Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda'.
Coming out against the Maoists use of underage combatants, Blake said the integration of the former rebels into the mainstream was "very important" and pointed out that during his deliberations with Nepalese leaders he had stressed on the issue of discharging the minors from the cantonment very seriously.
There around 4,000 under-aged Maoist combatants still remaining in 28 cantonments across Nepal, awaiting their rehabilitation in other streams. PTI
Pak battling for its sovereignty: Zardari
Rezaul H Laskar
Islamabad, Jun 13 (PTI) Terming the stepped up strikes by militants as an attack on the "sovereignty" of Pakistan, President Asif Ali Zardari today underlined his determination to fight the Taliban insurgency to the end.
"We are fighting a war for our sovereignty," Zardari said, responding to a spate of deadly terrorist attacks that have killed dozens across Pakistan.
In a televised address, the President called on the people to unite behind the anti-Taliban cause.
"We will continue this war until the end, and we will win it at any cost", he stressed, adding "This fight is backed by the parliament, the political parties and the people of Pakistan".
He described the insurgents as "enemies of innocent people" who want "to terrorise the people and to take control of the country's institutions".
Noting that recent suicide attacks by terrorists, including Tuesday's bombing of the Pearl Continental hotel in Peshawar, had killed members of the armed forces and civilians, he said: "We must win this war at all costs. We will win with the help of the people.
"There will be a new morning and we will all see this morning. It will be the victory of the people," he said, adding that the "whole country has risen up against the terrorists". PTI
Anil Kapoor wants to work in Chinese films
Bedika
Macau, June 13 (PTI) After charming Hollywood with 'Slumdog Millionaire', actor Anil Kapoor now wants to work with Chinese directors as the star believes that the neighbouring nation has well established film making credentials.
The actor, who is here to promote his upcoming film 'Shortkut' during the IIFA extravaganza, said that he may not have known British director Danny Boyle before working with him in the Mumbai potboiler which sweeped this year's Academy awards but was well versed with Chinese cinema.
"I don't know much about Hollywood directors. But I think China has some of the greatest directors and actors. I would love to work in a Chinese film. It would be great fun. Chinese actors were a big name in Hollywood much before India," the actor said.
As far as his Hollywood journey is concerned the actor feels that he has only taken a baby step in that direction.
"It is just the beginning for me. The transition has been good for me but nothing happens overnight. However, it is a great start for me but I have just taken baby steps in this direction. I still have a long way to go," Kapoor said.
However, the 50-year-old actor is already on a role as he has bagged a role in TV series '24' which is a huge hit in over 80 countries world over. PTI
I am ready to wait for the good things in life: Sushmita Sen
Bedika
Macau, June 13 (PTI) Bollywood diva Sushmita Sen has seen enough ups and downs in her decade long career to learn the virtue of patience and the beauty queen turned actress says that she is waiting for the good times to come back.
The actress whose only release last year 'Holi and Karma' flopped at the box office hopes to make up for the absence with her upcoming films 'Do Knot Disturb' and 'Dulha Mil Gaya'.
"I think it was the influence of Lord Shani but jokes apart I think everything happens at a right time. My film with Shah Rukh 'Dulha Mil Gaya' is ready. Then this film is coming where I play Govinda's wife. Then comes Anees Bazmi's film 'No Problem'," the actress told reporters at the unveiling of the first look of 'Do Knot Disturb'.
The 33-year-old actress, who is here to promote her film along with co-stars Govinda, Riteish Deshmukh, Lara Dutta and director David Dhavan, said that it is the love of her fans which keeps her going.
"Let me put it like this, I believe in waiting for the good things in life. No complaints. You come back wanting the audiences to love you more, watch you more and that's keeps me going," said the Bollywood beauty. PTI
Bachchan turns photographer at IIFA fashion extravaganza
Bedika
Macau, June 13 (PTI) Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan, who is often the subject of numerous shutterbugs turned photographer for the IIFA fashion extravaganza and the celebrities were more than happy to oblige the veteran actor.
While Aishwarya Rai Bachchan gave the event a miss as she was practicing for her performance at the award ceremony, Bachchan occupied the front row with wife Jaya Bachchan and son Abhishek Bachchan and clicked away as top models and Bollywood stars sashayed down the ramp.
The proceeds of the charity event will go to the IIFA foundation which works for the welfare of the workers of the Indian film industry.
"I have always said that IIFA is not only an award function it has other aspects to it and it is more ethical that it considers those who are less privileged than us," Big B said before the fashion show, which also included performances by Australian singer Peter Andre and choreographer Shiamak Davar's dance troupe .
Bollywood heartthrob Hrithik Roshan and wife Susanne put rift rumours to an end by walking the ramp hand-in-hand as the show-stoppers for Sussane's sister Farah Khan Ali's jewellery collection. PTI
Digest of domestic news for the week June 6- June 12, 2009
Saturday Hyderabad: Sparking concern, the first case of human-to-human transmission of the deadly virus of swine flu in India was reported today in Hyderabad, taking the number of persons afflicted by the disease to seven.
New Delhi: Indian scientists clone the world's second buffalo just three months after the first one died of pneumonia within a week of its birth.
Sunday New Delhi: Two more people--one each in Delhi and Hyderabad-- tested positive for Swine Flu taking the total number of affected to 10 in the country even as the Civil Aviation ministry urges to make available personal protection equipment on flights.
Aligarh: Oscar winning music director A R Rahman is conferred an honorary doctorate by the Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) for his contribution to the field of art and music.
Mumbai: NCP MP Padamsinh Patil is arrested by the CBI for his alleged involvement in the "double murder" of Maharashtra Congress leader Pawanraje Nimbalkar and his driver three years ago.
Monday Mumbai: Businesswoman Sheetal Mafatlal is remanded to judicial custody till June 12 after she is arrested for allegedly trying to evade duty by not declaring Rs 51 lakh worth jewellery in what is being claimed as a result of a tip-off by her "disgruntled opponent".
New Delhi: Senior advocate Goolam E Vahanvati, who has articulated the government's views on sensitive cases like reservation in educational institutions and tainted ministers, was today appointed as the Attorney General, the country's top law officer.
Tuesday Shillong: A transport aircraft of Indian Air Force with eight air crew, including four senior officers, and four army men go missing over the mountains in Arunachal Pradesh near the border with China and is feared to have crashed.
New Delhi: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh say India wanted peace with Pakistan and that he would meet its leadership "more than halfway" if it cracked down on terrorism directed against this country by taking "strong and effective" steps.
Srinagar: At least 25 people are injured in clashes between protesters and security forces in Kashmir Valley even as life showed signs of limping back to normal after remaining paralysed for eight days following the agitation over the alleged rape and murder of two women.
Wednesday New Delhi: Amid the US push for resumption of Indo-Pak talks, Under Secretary of State William Burns hold talks with Foreign Secretary Shivshankar Menon who is believed to have conveyed India's disappointment over Pakistan's inaction against perpetrators of 26/11 attacks.
Mumbai: A ten-year-old girl, disabled in right leg due to a bullet injury sustained in 26/11 terror attack, identified Ajmal Kasab as one of the two gunmen, even as her emotionally-charged father broke down in the court pleading that the accused be hanged for ruining her life.
Itanagar: After a 24-hour search, security personnel find the wreckage of an IAF An-32 transport aircraft that crashed near a village in West Siang district of Arunachal Pradesh and recovered the charred bodies of all the 13 defence personnel killed in the mishap.
Thursday Mumbai: Maharashtra government appoints senior IPS officer K P Raghuvanshi as the chief of Anti-Terrorism Squad hours after the Bombay High Court pulled up the authorities over the crucial body remaining headless since the killing of Hemant Karkare in terror attacks here last November.
Geneva/New Delhi: As more swine flu cases are reported in the world, including India, the World Health Organisation declares the disease as a pandemic, raising its alert to maximum 'level six'.
Friday Karwar (Karnataka): As the mystery surrounding the disappearance of scientist L Mahalingam grew, the Kaiga nuclear plant authorities dismisses fears he was involved in any strategic programme or was carrying any sensitive documents.
New Delhi: Another person tests positive for the swine flu virus taking the number of such cases in the country to 16, even as the Government asserts that there was no need to panic as the disease was still containable in India despite WHO's "level six" pandemic alert.
Horror comes in a whisper in new film
New Delhi, Jun 12 (PTI) A real-life incident based on the supernatural, involving India's leading wiccan Ipsita Roy Chakraverti, is now set to be made into a horror flick.
Adapted from "Loving Doll," a short story from Chakraverti's book "Sacred Evil" the film explores the life of a middle-aged married couple where the wife is obsessed about losing her beauty.
Filmmaker-cum-actor Anjan Dutt, known for critically acclaimed "Bow Barracks Forever" and "Chalo Let's Go" will direct the film in which Bolywood actress Sarika is expected to play the leading role.
"The story is a true incident. I was approached by a man in his 40's who wanted me to help his wife who he claimed had certain abberations around a certain beautiful sculpted doll that appears to have supernatural powers," Chakraverti told PTI.
The author says she has worked with Anjan in expanding and adapting the story into the film script. While the original was set in a posh Kolkata city a colonial bungalow in Darjeeling's misty hills would most possibly be the location for the film.
"I do not see this being made by a Ram Gopal Varma or Mahesh Bhatt. Horror does not necessarily have a loud voice but can also come in a whisper," says the leading witchcraft practioner. 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
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