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PM leaves on three-day visit to Russia; to meet Zardari
New Delhi, Jun 15 (PTI) Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today left on a three-day visit to Russia, his first tour abroad in his new term, saying India was ready to play its role in global efforts to overcome the economic slowdown.
The Prime Minister will meet world leaders, including Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari, during his visit to the Russian city Yekaterinburg, where he will attend the Brazil- Russia-India-China (BRIC) and Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summits.
"India is among the fastest growing BRIC economies, and we are ready to play our part in coordinating international efforts to overcome the ongoing financial and economic slowdown," Singh said in a statement.
Singh said the BRIC grouping has the potential to lead global economic growth.
"In fact, global economic recovery is closely linked to the success of BRIC economies".
The Prime Minister's meeting with Zardari marks the first contact at top level between India and Pakistan since the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack.
Referring to the SCO Summit which he would attend for the first time, Singh said "my decision to attend the Summit is a reflection of the high regard we have for Russia's Presidency of the SCO." PTI
Raising fuel prices an option with govt: Deora
New Delhi, June 15 (PTI) Concerned at the rise in international crude oil prices, the Government is looking at solutions to tackle the widening revenue deficit and one of the options on the table could be raising petrol and diesel prices.
"We are seriously concerned about the rise in crude oil prices ... We have to look for solutions," Petroleum Minister Murli Deora told reporters after meeting Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee with his Budget wishlist.
Deregulating petrol and diesel prices has been on the cards since the crude oil prices came down by USD 100 from the historic high of USD 147 a barrel, a few weeks back. But with the rates climbing again, doubts are being cast if prices can actually be freed.
Crude oil prices are ruling at USD 71-72 a barrel, a seven-month high.
"We have to seriously look at solutions... The alternatives before us are raising petrol and diesel prices, asking the government to make up for revenue loss (of fuel retailers) through issuing oil bonds and upstream firms (like ONGC) chipping in," he said. "It could even be all of the three as had been the practice till now," he added. PTI
HC asks RIL to supply gas at 2.34 mBtu; RNRL claims victory
Mumbai, June 15 (PTI) In what is seen as a major victory for Anil Amabni, engaged in one of the most fiercely fought corporate battles, the Bombay High Court today asked elder brother Mukesh's RIL to supply gas from the KG basin at USD 2.34 mBtu to the former's group firm.
Asking the Reliance Industries to enter into a fresh "suitable agreement" within a month, a division bench of Justices J N Patel and K K Tated said that the new agreement should be as per the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Ambani brothers Mukesh and Anil.
The gas supply had become a bone of contention between the two brothers after they signed a family settlement agreement in June 2005 ending a bitter battle over the division of Reliance empire.
RNRL had moved the court alleging that the gas supply pact was signed when the concerned companies were under the ownership of Mukesh Ambani group and was contrary to the family settlement that was mediated by mother Kokilaben.
"Prima facie it looks like we have won," said RNRL lawyer Mahesh Jethmalani. RIL lawyer Milind Sathe said though the new agreement will have to be as per the MoU, he would be able to comment on the verdict after seeing the full order. Filing appeal in Supreme is one option, he added.
The spokespersons for both Anil and Mukesh groups declined to commet on the judgement. PTI
India thrash Belgium 4-0 in Junior WC playoff match
Singapore, Jun 15 (PTI) India continued their goal-scoring spree and thrashed Belgium 4-0 in their second Group G match for ninth to 16th position playoff in the FIH Junior Men's Hockey World Cup here today.
Captain Diwakar Ram (25 min), Mohammad Amir Khan (27th), Victo Singh (40th) and Jay Karan (59th) scored a goal each to ensure the facile win for India at the Seng Kang Sports Complex here.
With two successive wins in as many matches, India now top Pool G with six points and are certain to play for the 9-10 position play-off match. They will next take on England in their last pool fixture here on Wednesday.
For the second day on the trot, the Indians played a well controlled match with well measured accurate passes and good counter attacks.
However, India squandered three early opportunities to take the lead with an alert Belgian defence bringing off goalline saves from the attempts of forward line trio of Mandeep Antil, Victo and Danish Mujtaba. PTI
Kayani says Taliban militants would be wiped out
Rezaul H Laskar
Islamabad, June 15 (PTI) Pakistan Army chief Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani today flew in a F-16 jet that carried out air strikes against Taliban in the countrys troubled northwest and vowed militants would be completely wiped out.
Kayani flew in an F-16 that targeted militant positions in the Swat valley and Malakand division, Geo News channel reported. Kayani wore a flight suit and the jet was flown by a Wing Commander.
The jet took off from an airbase in Sargodha and Kayani was seen off by PAF chief Air Chief Marshal Rao Qamar Suleman. This was the first time in Pakistans history that an army chief directly took part in operations, reports said.
Earlier, addressing PAF personnel at the airbase at Sargodha in Punjab, army chief Kayani said over 100 soldiers had lost their lives in the campaign against terrorists and their sacrifices would not go in vain as the militants would be completely wiped out.
He said the military operation in Swat and Malakand was launched to "bring misguided people back to the right track". These misguided elements have nothing to do with Islam and Pakistan and they were instead maligning the religion and creating problems for the country, he said.
Kayani said Pakistan did not need advice from other others about conducting the ongoing operation. PTI
Plot to kidnap diplomats foiled by police: Pak Int Minister
Rezaul H Laskar
Islamabad, June 15 (PTI) Militant plots to kidnap diplomats and carry out suicide bombings on large scale in the federal capital had been foiled by the police and other security agencies, according to Pakistani Interior Minister Rehman Malik.
Police had recently rounded up a number of suspects who were planning to kidnap diplomats and target some VVIP areas for bomb attacks, Rehman was quoted by Geo TV as saying in his address at a function organised in the capital to distribute awards among police personnel.
He said security around the federal capital had been tightened and it would soon be improved with fast track acquisitions of specialised scanners which can detect explosives from a distance.
As part of security build up against terrorist attacks in urban areas, he said the strength of the police personnel in the capital would be raised by induction of 20,000 more person.
"The country is proud of you as you have frustrated a number of suicide bomb blast and abduction attempts in the last six months," Malik told the policemen. PTI
Ronaldo moves on to Las Vegas after Paris
Los Angeles, June 15 (PTI) Paris Hilton may be dreaming of ousting the Beckhams by pairing up with football star Cristiano Ronaldo, but the player has already moved onto other women after enjoying a brief romance with the socialite.
The ace who has just signed a record transfer deal worth 94 million euros was seen partying with a number of women in Las Vegas, reported People magazine.
The 24-year-old Portugese striker was photographed flirting with a mystery brunette at a posh Los Angeles club, and then quickly chatted up another blonde.
"Ronaldo was the talk of the club because everyone had read about his nights out with Paris. But this dark-haired girl wandered into the roped off VIP part and caught Ronaldo's eye immediately. They were flirting outrageously and he was lapping up the attention," an onlooker told the magazine.
Ronaldo, who has spent the past week celebrating his move to Spanish club Real Madrid is staying at the Palms Casino resort in Vegas and was spotted escorting two of the girls to his 5,400 pounds a night suite.
The news is sure to dash hotel heiress Hilton's hopes for a romance. The 28-year-old Hilton was earlier reported to be planning a move to Madrid so that she could spend time with Ronaldo. PTI
Gaurav Bajaj, from commercials to Bollywood
Bahni Bandyopadhyay
New Delhi, Jun 15 (PTI) Lady luck smiled on debutante Gaurav Bajaj while shooting an advertisement catapulting him into the mainstream Bollywood and signing three films in a row.
"I was shooting an ad with V K Prakash, when he asked me to audition for 'Phir Kabhi', his upcoming film. That's how I landed my first big break," Bajaj told PTI.
Known for his smart-student act in the "Mentos" commercial, Bajaj has done almost 60 commercials till date, the most recent one being a soda ad with the sexy Mallika Sherawat.
"I am most excited about the ad I have shot with Mallika Sherawat. I was taken by surprise as uptill the time I reached the location I was unaware about my co-star. I play Mallika's boyfriend in the ad. She is very intelligent," says the 24-year old Kanpur based actor.
Although he signed 'Phir Kabhi' first, 'Kirkit', which also stars Gulshan Grover and Sayali Bhagat, is Bajaj's first film to be released.
The film is one of the first films to be released after the Bollywood producers strike was called off. PTI
Thrillers keep director Anjan Dutt busy
New Delhi, Jun 15 (PTI) Making a ghost story has kept him preoccupied for long. And, after three attempts, filmmaker Anjan Dutt has finally zeroed in on a story for his upcoming thriller.
Dutt, is adapting the short story "Loving Doll," from Ipsita Roy Chakraverti's book "Sacred Evil." "I am currently in the post-production stage of a very very dark Byomkesh Bakshi 1960's period thriller based on incest and riots. After this I'll start work on Ipsita's film," Dutt told PTI in a telephonic interview.
The Kolkata-based director also an actor and singer and whose repertory include films like "Bong Connection," and "Chalo Let's Go" says he is excited about the new film which will be set in Kolkata and Darjeeling.
"Ipsita saw my film 'Madly Bangalee' and approached me with the story and I said yes, of course after reading the book," says Dutt who had been looking for a ghost story script for long.
Dutt says he wanted to film an adapted Rabindranath Tagore work but was unsure about getting the literary genius' story right and also because he says making a good thriller is always a challenge. PTI
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