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CBI pressurising me to confess; Patil, remand till June 20
Panvel (Maharashtra), June 14 (PTI) NCP leader Padamsinh Patil, arrested in connection with the murder of Congress leader Pawanraje Nimbalkar, has accused the CBI of pressurising him to confessing to the crime and undergo scientific tests even as the police arrested one more shooter allegedly involved in the killing.
As the court extended the custody of Patil in CBI custody till June 20, CBI sought his further interrogation on the grounds that the case is at a crucial stage and they need to probe the involvement of some other politicians and police officials in the case.
Patil's lawyer Dinesh Tiwari told the court that the investigation agency is allegedly pressurizing Patil to give a confessional statement and to undergo scientific tests.
Patil does not intend to give any confessional statement as he has done nothing wrong and is innocent and is not ready to undergo scientific tests due to his health conditions, Tiwari said.
"I do not intend to give any confessional statement as I have done nothing wrong and I do not want to undergo any scientific tests due to health reasons," an application by Patil opposing extension of remand says.
CBI, on the other hand, said since Patil is not co-operating with investigators, it is considering scientific tests on him like narco-analysis and brain-mapping, the remand application filed by the agency states. PTI
Three test positive for swine flu; total reaches 20
Bangalore/Jalandhar, June 14 (PTI) A mother-child duo from Bangalore and a school student from Jalandhar tested positive for swine flu, taking the total number of cases in the country to 20 today.
A 29-year-old woman and her three-year-old child, who were quarantined at Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Chest Diseases in Bangalore, have tested positive for swine flu, Director of Health and Family Welfare Services Usha Vasunkar said. The duo had arrived at Bengaluru airport from New Jersey on June 12.
Meanwhile, the other three suspect cases, a couple and a woman, who were also quarantined at the institute, have tested negative, she told PTI.
In Jalandhar, Civil Surgeon Dr S S Walia said a student of local Guru Amar Dass Public School has been found positive for swine flu and admitted to a Delhi hospital.
"A 30-member group of students had gone to an educational trip to the US and when they came back yesterday, one of the students was found at the Delhi Airport having symptoms of swine flu. He accordingly was put to tests that found him positive," he told reporters.
A team of doctors was visiting the residences of other 29 students for taking their blood samples, he said. School officials said other than the affected class XII student, two others were found to have suffering from fever and their blood samples will be sent to Delhi for testing.PTI
BSNL drops plan to bid for Tunisia license
New Delhi, Jun 14 (PTI) BSNL has dropped its plans to bid for telecom licence in Tunisia as the PSU finds the returns not enough to enter that market through bidding of licence.
"We did not bid for Tunisia... We did not find returns on our investment," a senior BSNL official told PTI.
Earlier the PSU's CMD Kuldeep Goyal had said BSNL was planning to bid for telecom licence in Tunisia and get a footprint in the African market, which has immense potential.
But not bidding for Tunisia does not mean BSNL has lost sight of the potential of the African region, which it says has growing mobile usage.
BSNL official said the minimum bid price was understood to be USD 10 million but the Tunisian market is well- penetrated with 80 per cent of the population owing mobile phones leaving not much scope for more penetration.
BSNL has shortlisted eight consultants, including Ernst & Young, McKinsey, KPMG and PriceWaterHouseCoopers, for its plans of mergers and acquisitions, strategic partnerships and overseas forays.
The state-run firm, which so far concentrated only on the Indian market (except Delhi and Mumbai), has decided to expand overseas. Sources said BSNL has a cash surplus of over USD 10 billion and would use part of these resources for its overseas foray. PTI
IRDA seeks equal treatment to ULIP and MF schemes in Budget
New Delhi, June 14 (PTI) Insurance regulator IRDA has asked for bringing about level-playing field between unit linked investment products of life insurers and mutual fund schemes in terms of service tax in the Budget.
"We would like level-playing field in terms of service tax between ULIP and mutual fund schemes," Insurance Regulatory Development Authority (IRDA) Chairman J Harinaryan told PTI here.
Harinarayan also demanded the government to bring long term (15-20 years) debt securities in the market.
Besides, he said the government should consider giving preference to long-term investment, 7-8 years, within Rs one lakh saving limit for income tax exemption purposes.
Insurance companies are asking for limiting service tax on the ULIP products to only fund management charges.
They say service tax on entire range of charges on ULIP schemes would widen the disparity between ULIP and mutual fund schemes.
At present, service tax on mutual funds is levied on asset management charge.
Insurers said in case of ULIP, the service tax should be levied on fund management charge which is comparable to the asset management charge of mutual funds. PTI
Karnataka to acquire 50,000 acres for setting up industries
Bangalore, Jun 13 (PTI) Karnataka Government plans to acquire 50,000 acres for allotment to industries to set up units before the proposed global investors' meet later this year.
The government has already passed an order to acquire 8,000 acres, Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa told a state-level conference of the district chambers of commerce and other associations here.
"We have decided to acquire 50,000 acres before the global investors meet. We have already identified the land", he said.
Yeddyurappa also said draft of the state's new tourism policy was ready and the government would approve it soon.
"We have already taken steps to float a global tender to promote heli-tourism (tourism using helicopters)", he added. PTI
Uniform long-term policy for windpower sector needed: IWPA
Coimbatore, June 13 (PTI) Indian Wind Power Association (IWPA) today urged the Centre and Power Ministry to formulate a uniform long-term national wind energy policy that would make sale of wind energy easy and affordable within the country.
In a resolution adopted at its 13th annual general meeting, IWPA said sale of wind power from one state to another in India was to be made easily affordable by having a uniform intra-state and inter-state transfer policy.
IWPA wanted the government to direct the utilities to purchase at least 15 per cent of their energy requirement from renewable sources of energy and of which, wind energy should be 10 per cent, IWPA Chairman-elect K Kasturirangaian said.
Appealing the Centre to provide privileged treatment to wind energy, considering its 'pollution free' nature and also the lowest gestation period, he said wind farm developers should be exempted from power cuts as they made a huge investment taking high risk.
Since many of the orders passed by Regulatory Commission were not followed by state electricity boards, resulting in legal proceedings taking considerable time, a suitable mechanism by which these legal issues were solved within a reasonable time should be introduced, he said. PTI
Indian eves up against Sri Lanka in must-win tie
Taunton, June 14 (PTI) High on confidence after their comprehensive five-wicket victory over arch-rivals Pakistan, Indian eves will cross swords with Sri Lanka in a must-win Pool B encounter in the Women's Twenty20 World Cup here tomorrow.
India, who suffered a 10-wicket mauling at the hands of England in their campaign-opener, rode on leg-spinner Priyanka Roy's five-wicket haul and Anjum Chopra's gutsy batting to bounce back into contention by defeating Pakistan yesterday.
Skipper Jhulan Goswami will surely expect another good knock from experienced opener Anjum, whose unbeaten 37 was the cornerstone of India's win yesterday, but what is giving her sleepless nights is the failure of her batters to fire in unison.
Even a paltry target of 76 was looking stiff when India were struggling at 21 for three after five overs in yesterday's match and Anjum was candid enough to accept that the batters have to show more responsibility if the team is to qualify for the semi-final.
"Wickets were falling like nine-pins, so it was a little tense. Fortunately the score wasn't too high and you could push it around for singles. You need matches like this - but not too often," Chopra said. PTI
Gul leads Pakistan to six-wicket win over Kiwis
London, Jun 14 (PTI) Umar Gul bulldozed the Kiwis with a sensational five-wicket haul as Pakistan thumped New Zealand by six wickets to keep their semifinal hopes alive in the Twenty20 World Cup here today.
Gul's incredible fast bowling spell of five wickets for six runs resulted in the Kiwi's complete demolition as they were bundled out for a paltry 99 in 18.3 overs after deciding to bat in their Super Eight match at the Oval here last night.
Gul, introduced as late as in the 13th over, wreaked havoc in his three-over spell and emerged as the first bowler to claim five wickets in Twenty20 Internationals.
Abdul Razzaq (2/17), playing his first match for Pakistan after quitting Indian Cricket League, celebrated his return to the national side by rocking the Kiwi top-order at the start.
Pakistan almost made a mess of an easy chase before reaching the target of 100 runs with 6.5 overs to spare.
The victory has strengthened Pakistan's chances of making it to the semifinals as they play minnows Ireland tomorrow.
Shahzaib Hasan (35) and Kamran Akmal (19) began the chase in right earnest, putting up 36 runs in 4.2 overs but the departure of the latter triggered a mini collapse.
Kiwi skipper Daniel Vettori (2/20) dismissed Abdul Razzaq (5) and Shoaib Malik (4) to jolt the Pakistani camp.
However, skipper Younis Khan (6 not out) and Sahid Afridi (29 not out) saw the team through with a 29-run partnership. PTI
Foreign fighters among 31 militants killed in Pak
Islamabad, Jun 14 (PTI) As the army expanded their operations against terrorists in the restive South Waziristan, the stronghold of Pakistan Taliban chief Baitullah Mehsud, the military today said 31 militants, including some foreign fighters, were killed in retaliatory air strikes.
Thirty-one militants, including a few foreigners, were killed and 50 more injured at Makeen in South Waziristan Agency in air strikes carried out by jets of the Pakistan Air Force since yesterday.
The air strikes were launched in retaliation for two suicide attacks on the compound of Jamia Naeemia in Lahore and a mosque inside the cantonment in northwestern Nowshera city. Anti-Taliban scholar Sarfraz Naeemi and four security personnel were among those killed in the suicide attacks.
Reports have said that Pakistani ground forces are now planning to mount a major push into South Waziristan, the stronghold of Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan chief Mehsud. A US drone strike at Makeen today killed at least five persons.
On Tuesday, Pakistani security forces had moved into Bannu in the North West Frontier Province following reports that up to 800 militants from North Waziristan had gathered there to carry out attacks across the country. Scores of Taliban fighters have been killed so far in Bannu. PTI
Dialogue can resolve Indo-Nepal border disputes: Sood
Shirish B. Pradhan
Kathmandu, Jun 14 (PTI) As Nepal and India prepares the ground for signing a border map, the Indian envoy here has underlined the need for "political dialogue" to resolve territorial disputes.
Rakesh Sood, the Ambassador to Nepal, also dismissed allegations that New Delhi was behind the fall of the Maoist-led government.
Sood said that except in Kalapani and Susta areas there is no border dispute between Nepal and India. When the new border pillars are installed, around 98 percent of the border disputes will be resolved, he told The Kathmandu Post in an interview.
Kalapani area in Nepal's northwestern border and Susta in southern part of the country have often been in the news for controversies linked to territorial disputes between the two neighbours.
"The issues concerning Kalapani and Susta can be taken up at the political level, he said. "The dispute on Kalapani and Susta can be resolved through political dialogue." "We have requested Nepal government to formally sign in the strip maps. After this, there will be the checking of boundary pillars which have been put at different times and there have been adjustment in boundaries," he said. PTI
US drone strike in Pak kills five militants
Islamabad, Jun 14 (PTI) At least five militants were killed today in a US drone attack in a tribal area of northwest Pakistan bordering Afghanistan, media reports said.
The strike hit vehicles carrying militants in the Laddha area of south Waziristan which according to officials is the main base for Pakistan Taliban commander Baitullah Mehsud.
A US drone aircraft fired a missile at a vehicle carrying Taliban in south Waziristan region, killing five militants, a tribal leader was quoted as saying by media reports. PTI
G-8 nations see signs of economic recovery
Lecce, Italy, June 14 (PTI) Citing "signs of stabilisation" in their economies, G-8 finance ministers have decided to ensure that such trends emerging in the global economy should be nurtured and asked the IMF to study exit strategies to "unwind" their hefty stimulus packages.
On macroeconomic conditions, the ministers recognised that the coordinated policy action implemented so far has borne some fruit, citing a recent rise in stock prices, a decline in interest rate spreads, and improved business and consumer confidence.
"There are signs of stabilisation in our economies," said a joint statement of the ministers from the G-8 countries -- Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia and the United States -- after their two-day meeting in Lecce, Italy.
"I was left with a strong impression that each country has the feeling that the economy is bottoming out," Kyodo news agency quoted Japanese Finance Minister Kaoru Yosano as saying in the southern Italian city last night.
But the ministers agreed not to relax their ongoing efforts until the global economy moves back onto a self- sustained recovery track and called for vigilance over persisting downside risks such as worsening employment trends.
"Even after output growth begins picking up, unemployment may continue to increase," the ministers said, adding that the countries will take all necessary steps to ease the impact of the crisis on employment. PTI
Adam Levine pens song for Cameron Diaz
London, June 14 (PTI) 'Maroon 5' frontman Adam Levine, who is reportedly romancing Cameron Diaz, says that his best songs have been about his girlfriends and he has now written one about the 'Charlie's Angels' star.
The 30-year-old singer who has been photographed enjoying intimate dates with the blonde actress said, "I tend to be inspired by and write about the relationship I'm in and Cameron and I have known each other for a while."
Levine who has earlier dated Jessica Simpson and tennis player Maria Sharapova is enjoying his time with the star, reported Contactmusic.
36-year-old Diaz who split from British model Paul Sculfor just weeks ago had recently revealed that she is a "commitment phobe".
The actress who has dated singer Justin Timberlake and actor George Clooney had earlier introduced Levine to her mother. PTI
IIFA ministries, Overseas for Pinto, Bipasha gets Environment
Bedika Macau, June 14 (PTI) In Bollywood's dream cabinet, it would be 'Slumdog Millionaire' sensation Frieda Pinto who will be handling the Ministry of Overseas and Foreign Affairs for her uncanny knack of handling affairs with foreigners, read Dev Patel.
This was the logic presented by Boman Irani and Riteish Deshmukh who assigned ministerial portfolios to Bollywood actors in a spoof that left the 12,000 strong audience rolling with laughter at the 10th IIFA awards here.
The two actors who hosted the extravaganza said that Bong Bombshell Bipasha Basu would be a perfect choice for the Ministry of Environment as the "hot" actress was one of the primary reasons for global warming.
Bollywood star Salman Khan was made the Minister of Defence owing to his real life role of over-protective boyfriend to actress Katrina Kaif.
'Ghajini' star Aamir Khan was handed over the Ministry of Home Affairs for his ability to spend the most time at home and yet have the biggest blockbusters to his credit.
Akshay Kumar, who was the highest celebrity tax payer last year, would be the Finance Minister because according to Irani with his income he could finance the entire population.
The hosts opined that Katrina Kaif should be the Youth Affairs minister because the stunning actress who recently became the 'Most Googled' face is a hit with the young generation. PTI
WWE champion game for Indian curries
New Delhi, June 14 (PTI) What could be the weakness of a seven feet giant, who is famous for his breath-taking stunts on the wrestling ring? Our very own curries, what else! Wrestling superstar Kane is a die-hard fan of Indian curries and says he is mesmerised by them.
"I think Indian curries are amazing. This is my third visit to India but everytime I come here, I just can't resist the spicy curries that they make here. Each curry has its distinctive taste and I love them," said Kane, who was recently in the capital to promote WWE.
It is not only curries that intimidate the 'Big Red Machine'. He is equally captivated by the historical monuments of India and Taj Mahal is right up there in his list of favourites.
"I'm intrigued by the culture and history of India. Taj Mahal is an engineering wonder. Its hard to imagine that such a structure could be built so many years back. The love and passion of the emperor is worth admiring," says the 9 time WWE World Tag Team champion.
Kane, who already has two Hollywood films to his credit says he has no plans of acting in an Indian film. 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
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