The Mumbai Grapevine
Connecting Mumbaikars with Mumbai
(Published by Mumbai-Central.com)
Please feel free to forward this message to your friends and co-workers
who might be interested in it. The instructions to join the Mumbai
Grapevine are at the end of the message.
CoBRA forces begin operations
Saibal Gupta Pirakata (WB), Jun 19 (PTI) Two hundred personnel of the specialised anti-Naxal force, CoBRA, today began sanitising the Jhitkha jungle as security forces proceeded towards besieged Lalgarh in West Midnapore district.
As Jhitka jungle is a Maoist-dominated area en route to Lalgarh, where Maoist-backed tribals are in control, security personnel are waiting for the Command Battalion for Resolute Action to clear their way of possible landmines, a senior police official told PTI.
While the forces covered the 10 km distance from Pirakata to Pirakuli, another team of securitymen drove out from Sarenda in adjacent Bankura district in a pincer movement towards Lalgarh to cut off the escape routes of the Maoists, the police officer said.
The security forces used mine detectors to sweep the roads before driving ahead in heavy vehicles.
Two IAF helicopters dropped thousands of leaflets in Santhali and Bengali over Lalgarh asking the people not to let themselves be used as human shields by the Maoists.
The tribals under the People's Committee Against Police Atrocities (PCAPA) blocked the passage to Lalgarh by felling trees and digging up roads and blowing up a bridge at Binpur, 12 km from Lalgarh. PTI
CPI(M) Politburo meet begins
New Delhi, Jun 19 (PTI) A crucial meeting of CPI(M)'s Politburo began here today to review the Maoist siege of Lalgarh, post-poll violence in parts of West Bengal, organisational problems in Kerala and its worst-ever defeat at the hustings recently.
Top leaders of the party including Chief Ministers of CPI(M)-ruled states are participating in the meetings of the Politburo and Central Committee that have been called to take stock of these issues.
The prime concern of party leaders would be to find ways and means to tackle the Maoist violence which they alleged was being actively backed by Trinamool Congress in its bid to "destabilise" the Left Front government in West Bengal.
Politburo member M K Pandhe said, "It's an election review meeting." Asked whether the Lalgarh issue would also figure in the discussions, he said, "We have to discuss that part also." PTI
Sensex snaps two-day losses, up by 256 pts on SEBI measures
Mumbai, June 19 (PTI) The BSE-benchmark Sensex snapped its two-day losing streak and bounced back to end at 14,521.89 on fresh support from investors on the back of several measures announced by SEBI yesterday and positive global cues.
The Bombay Stock Exchange 30-share barometer rose by 256.36 points or 1.80 per cent to settle the day at 14,521.89 from its previous close. It moved in a wide range of 14,559.08 and 14,179.77 during the day. The Sensex had dropped by 692.38 points or 4.63 per cent in last two days.
The Securities and Exchange Board of India yesterday approved the "anchor investor" concept under which an investor can subscribe up to 30 per cent of the quota for institutional investors in an initial public offering.
Asian stocks snapped a four-day slide today after upbeat US factory and jobs data provided more evidence that the global economy is recovering. The key benchmark indices in China, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, Singapore and Taiwan ended higher between 0.55 per cent and 1.61 per cent.
European markets also opened higher in early trade. France, Germany and London rose by 0.26 pct to 1.65 per cent.
SMC Global Vice-President Rajesh Jain said, "In the short term there would be selling pressure in the market as the expiry of derivatives contract for the current month will be next week. Positive moves are expected after the expiry of derivative contracts on Thursday." PTI
Doha Round in its last lap of 25-mile marathon, says Sharma
Lalit K Jha
Washington, June 19 (PTI) Comparing the Doha Round of WTO trade negotiations to a 25-mile marathon, India's Commerce and Industry Minister Anand Sharma said the talks are in its last lap and hoped that countries would show flexibility in arriving at an agreement.
The need of the hour is a rule-based multilateral trading regime, which takes on board developmental aspirations of the poor countries and at the same time ensures better access for all. "That is what we shall be striving for," Sharma told reporters at a press conference here.
He said Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has made commitments that the Doha trade talks, the latest round of which was stalled in July 2008, be concluded successfully.
"That is the mandate I have from the Prime Minister, who feels that the present economic crisis, which the world is facing there should be a positive message for global trade barriers to be broken down further and global trade to move, which will help economies across the globe," Sharma said.
"I am sure that President Obama wishes the same, and that's the feeling I got from (US Trade Representative) Ron Kirk. When political leaders discuss issues, they paint the larger canvass and not be bogged down by smaller details. If you have the larger picture in mind and you are committed to take it forward the details can always be filled," he said. PTI
England win toss, elect to field
London, June 19 (PTI) England won the toss and elected to field against Australia in the Women's Twenty20 World Cup semi-final at Kennington Oval, here today.
Teams: England: Sarah Taylor (wk), Claire Taylor, Charlotte Edwards (c), Beth Morgan, Lydia Greenway, Jenny Gunn, Caroline Atkins, Nicki Shaw, Katherine Brunt, Holly Colvin, Laura Marsh.
Australia: Leah Poulton, Shelley Nitschke, Lisa Sthalekar, Karen Rolton (c), Jodie Fields (wk), Lauren Ebsary, Alex Blackwell, Rene Farrell, Ellyse Perry, Kirsten Pike, Sarah Andrews. PTI
Australian cricketer bashed in the UK
Melbourne, June 19 (PTI) A young Australian cricketer has lost his ability to speak after fracturing his skull in an apparently unprovoked attack outside a nightclub in Leeds, London.
The 26-year-old Chris Thomson from Perth, who was playing for Clayton West Cricket Club at Huddersfield in England, was on a night out with other players after a match when suddenly unknown miscreants attacked them while leaving the club.
Thomson was punched on the face and he hit his head on the ground during the bashing last Sunday morning.
An ambulance later took the cricketer to Leeds General Infirmary and he was later moved into the high dependency unit, the 'Daily Telegraph' reported today.
"He's got a fracture to the back of his skull which goes to the top of the spine. He's got no speech whatsoever at the moment. It's despicable. It was a mindless attack. From what we can understand there wasn't an argument inside the club or anything, it was just a complete random attack," Clayton West CC chairman Simon Thornhill was quoted as saying in the daily.
Thomson's mother flew from Australia and was greeted on arrival with the positive news that her son had been moved to the general ward after showing signs of recovery.
He was due to return to Australia after the English summer but now will not be able to travel for up to a year. PTI
Pakistani jets pound Taliban strongholds in Waziristan
Rezaul H Laskar Islamabad, Jun 19 (PTI) Pakistani fighter jets pounded Taliban strongholds in the volatile South Waziristan tribal region today as the death toll from the series of US drone attacks in the region rose to 13.
The warplanes hit targets in preparation for a full scale military operation which Defence Minister Chaudhry Ahmed Mukhtar said would take off as soon as Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan chief Baitullah Mehsud was spotted.
"We are looking for him... Once we know where he is, then we will not miss him because we have the F-16s. They are very precise, they have laser-guided bombs and they can work better than a drone," he claimed.
The jets struck Taliban hideouts at Sarwakai, Madiyan and Barwang in South Waziristan Agency near the border with Afghanistan during early morning strikes, reports said.
"Warplanes targetted the places where Mehsud's militants are active and we have unconfirmed reports of casualties," TV channels quoted military officials as saying.
"Eye witnesses were quoted as saying that Taliban dug out upto 13 bodies from the rubble, some of them, badly mutilated," local officials said. Upto three drones fired four missiles on a training school run by Taliban commander Malang Wazir in raids yesterday.
There were also reports of air strikes on militant positions at Landikotal in the troubled Khyber Agency. PTI
UN raises security level at its Pakistan offices
Rezaul H Laskar
Islamabad, June 19 (PTI) The United Nations today raised the security level at its offices in Pakistan and asked the families of foreign staff to leave the country in the wake of a series of terrorist attacks.
The security level in UN offices in Islamabad and Peshawar was raised to 'Phase III' and the world bodys staff were asked to limit their activities. The decision was made following a review of the security situation in the country, official sources said.
The review was carried out in the aftermath of a suicide car bomb attack on the luxury Pearl Continental hotel in Peshawar in which five UN employees including two foreigners and three Pakistanis were killed. A total of 17 people died in the attack on June 9.
The UN has five phases in its security arrangements for its offices around the world. Under Phase III, strict security procedures are in place and dependents are not allowed to live with the staff members.
In Phase IV the UN only conducts emergency operations and in Phase V, staff is evacuated from a country affected by security problems.
Meanwhile, UN spokesperson Ishrat Rizvi dispelled reports that the world body had closed its offices in Pakistan due to security issues. She told reporters a routine security review to assess the safety of staff is conducted in every country. PTI
Jolie turns teary eyed on World Refugee Day
London, June 19 (PTI) Hollywood star Angelina Jolie struggled to keep her emotions in check as she urged the US politicians to do more for the refugees during an address in Washington DC.
Jolie, a Goodwill Ambassador for the UN Refugee Agency, marked the day by hosting a function aimed at raising awareness about the plight of the refugees around the world and gave an emotional speech, reported Contactmusic.
The superstars fought to keep back tears as she said, "Refugees are not numbers....They are mothers and daughters and fathers and sons." The actress also shared her experience of meeting destitute people during her travels, saying "They have profoundly changed my life and I thank them for letting me into their lives."
Jolie also presented awards to winners of the Annual World Refugee Day Poster contest. PTI
Jackson getting fitness tips from the Hulk
London, June 19 (PTI) Pop superstar Michael Jackson is taking fitness tips from the actor who played the green monster in the Hulk movies in an attempt to bulk up for his 50-date concert series in July.
The superstar, who is known for his skinny frame, has asked actor-turned-trainer Lou Ferrigno to help him shape up before his much hyped comeback shows, reported Contactmusic.
"Lou and Michael have known each other for a long time. Lou first trained Michael 15 years ago," Ferrigno's wife Carla said. PTI
Bappida now in commercials, acting and even film direction
Nikhil Agarwal
Mumbai, Jun 19 (PTI) After composing music for many evergreen numbers and lending his voice to numerous soulful songs, Bappi Lahiri is all geared up to change tracks and present himself as an actor and a film director.
This year Lahiri would be seen acting in at least two Hindi films, one of them a big-budget. He also has plans to direct a film next year.
"I have always been experimenting in Bollywood. I started off the disco culture in the country. Many people are now bringing international artistes like Kylie Minogue to India, but I brought Samantha Fox years ago.
So why is the man popularly known as 'Bappida' exploring new grounds after tasting success as a musician? "Previously, I had also produced a Bengali film, 'Lal Dorja', which won a Golden Lotus Award. Since I have stayed in the industry since the seventies, I want to experiment further," he says.
In the upcoming romantic comedy 'Main aur Mrs Khanna', he plays an NRI tycoon, who happens to be a music lover.
"You have already seen a glimpse of my acting in a cold drink advertisement, which is a huge hit. Now you will soon see me in a full-fledged role in 'Main aur Mrs Khanna', where I am cast alongside Salman Khan and Kareena Kapoor," Lahiri, told PTI in an interview. PTI
Imported fruit jostle for space with Indian varieties
Seema Kaul
New Delhi, Jun 18 (PTI) One could call it fruits of globalisation. Although they carry a hefty price tag, fruits from across the world have made it to the neighbourhood vendor as people are willing to pay for the imported variety.
Fresh green kiwifruit from New Zealand and red globe grapes are gradually becoming popular in the domestic market, say experts.
"There is good demand for kiwis from Italy, as they are available from October to March, a period which coincides with the marriage season," says Ambrish Karwat, Chairman, Yuppa group, an agroproduce company which grows, imports, markets and distributes fruit in India.
"We imported 250 tonnes of kiwis and 100 tonnes of red globe grapes last year," says Karwat.
Kiwi has been imported into India primarily from Australia, New Zealand and Italy since 1996.
If we compare the prices of imported fruits to its domestic siblings, there is a huge gap with Indian farmers slowly bridging the demand.
Indian kiwi fruit, now being grown in Himachal Pradesh and Manipur, retails in the local market at Rs 150-180 whereas when imported from New Zealand or Australia, it costs around Rs 200-250 per kg. PTI
___________________________________________________________
This is the Mumbai Grapevine
___________________________________________________________
______Market_______
To get regularly updated NIFTY (NSE) quotes by email, join the NSEData
mailing list by sending an email to NSEData-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
To get regularly updated BSE quotes by email, join the BSEData mailing
list by sending an email to BSEData-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
Sensex: 14521.89, +256.36
The sensex closed at 14521.89, up 256.36
___________________________________________________________
This is the Mumbai Grapevine
___________________________________________________________
______Forex_______
1 U.S. $ = INR
1 Japanese Yen = INR
1 British Pound = INR
1 Canadian $ = INR
1 Singapore $ = INR
1 UAE Dirham = INR
1 Saudi Arabian Riyal = INR
1 Euro = INR
1 Qatar Rial = INR
___________________________________________________________
This is the Mumbai Grapevine
___________________________________________________________