| 10/03/2010 | Thousands in call to free kidnapped Sahil |
|
Thousands of people across the country have joined internet campaigns demanding the release of Oldham youngster Sahil Saeed. The five-year-old was snatched by armed robbers from his grandmother’s house in Pakistan on the last day of a two-week family holiday with his father. 
|
|
| 10/03/2010 | Eleven arrests in ‘crash for cash’ investigation |
|
Police have today arrested 11 people in connection with an investigation into so called ‘crash for cash’ insurance fraud. The 10 men and one woman were arrested when officers visited a number of addresses in the Lancashire and Greater Manchester areas this morning. 
|
|
| 10/03/2010 | United fans 'conned in cup final ticket scam' |
|
A conman who was jailed for selling big-match football tickets that didn’t exist has been accused of cheating United supporters out of hundreds of pounds in a new scam. Amrik Gill, 23, from Chorlton, was locked up and ordered to pay thousands in compensation after appearing in court THREE times last year for conning fans over the internet. Now United supporters desperate for tickets for the Reds’ Carling Cup Final against Aston Villa claim they were ripped off by Gill. 
|
|
| 10/03/2010 | Shahid Malik meets Somalian president |
|
Communities Minister Shahid Malik met with Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, President of the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia. The President is visiting the UK as a guest of the government. He met with Mr Malik at the Houses of Parliament where the minister underlined the UK’s support for Somalia. 
|
|
| 10/03/2010 | Shyam Benegal celebrated at film festival |
|
One of India’s leading filmmakers, Shyam Benegal, is in the UK for a series of events exploring his vast career and celebrating his achievements in Indian cinema. As part of the Tongues on Fire 12th Asian Film Festival, the director is attending a range of functions across London, including a BAFTA interview, a director’s workshop at the University of Westminster, and a talk on women in films at the Nehru Centre. 
|
|
| 08/03/2010 | From tea-boy to Bollywood star - Abhishek Bachchan on his climb to fame |
|
In a 36 hour visit to the UK, Abhishek Bachchan gave London audiences an insight into his life and work at the 12th London Asian Film Festival. The actor opened the ten day series of events with a BAFTA interview and gala dinner on Friday, wrapping his jam-packed visit with an Actor’s Masterclass at a West End cinema on Saturday, before flying home. 
|
|
| 03/03/2010 | Akshay Kumar kickstarts shoot for Tees Maar Khan |
|
Bollywood superstar Akshay Kumar and Bollywood’s most lovable director, Farah Khan have just kick-started their already-hyped new venture Tees Maar Khan at Mumbai's Film City. Akshay is currently shooting his introductory shot in the film - a major action comedy scene on a huge jumbo jet constructed by set director, Sabu Cyril. 
|
|
| 03/03/2010 | Hrithik Roshan on the colours of love |
|
On the occasion of Holi, Hrithik Roshan speaks up on his colourful life and his upcoming movie Kites, which stars Brazilian actress Barbara Mori and the beautiful Kangana Ranaut in a never-seen-before role. 
|
|
| 08/03/2010 | 12th London Asian Film Festival attracts Bollywood stars |
|
Bollywood fans in the UK will get the chance to interact with some of the biggest names in the Hindi film industry at the Tongues on Fire 12th London Asian Film Festival (5-14 March 2010). Leading Bollywood figures are scheduled to attend including Abhishek Bachchan, Aishwarya Rai, Jaya Bachchan, Soha Ali Khan and Sharmila Tagore. 
|
|
| 01/03/2010 | Abhay Deol raring to go with Road, Movie |
|
One of the big winners at the weekend Filmfare awards was Abhay Deol starrer Dev D, which bagged a handful of statuettes.
Now the poster boy of offbeat Hindi cinema is back with his new release, Indo-American production Road, Movie. 
|
|
| 24/02/2010 | Search is on for the next Rishi Rich Project band members |
|
Music producer Rishi Rich has launched the search for the next Rishi Rich Project group members. After successfully putting together Juggy D and Jay Sean as part of the original chart topping Rishi Rich Project, he is now looking for the stars of the future. 
|
|
| 22/02/2010 | Official Asian download chart announced |
|
The BBC Asian Network has announced that it will broadcast the world’s first official Asian download chart. Presented by Bobby Friction, the three hour extended show is set to launch on Saturday 27 March from 3pm – 6pm. 
|
|
| 22/02/2010 | Anurag Basu rubbishes rumours that Rajkumar Hirani is to edit Kites |
|
Director Anurag Basu has rubbished reports that producer Rakesh Roshan wanted 3 Idiots helmer Rajkumar Hirani to edit his film Kites. 
|
|
| 10/03/2010 | Teen charged for sexual offences |
|
A man has been charged following an investigation into allegations of sexual grooming.
Junaid Bhuta, aged 18 of Manchester Road, Frenchwood, is charged with grooming a girl under the age of 16, rape of a girl under 13, and two counts of sexual activity with a girl under 13. |
|
| 10/03/2010 | Top employee award for Faruk |
|
Bolton at Home employee Faruk Adam is celebrating after scooping the best new employee award at the organisation’s annual Employee Awards. A special presentation took place at Mere Hall where employees were rewarded for their outstanding commitment and contributions to fellow employees, customers and the wider community, over the last 12 months. 
|
|
| 09/03/2010 | Recognition for business champion Razia |
|
An entrepreneur from Nelson has been recognised for her work encouraging others to start businesses. Razia Ahmed, who runs Aquarius Driving School, was among the Business Champions presented with certificates at an event at Burnley FC’s Turf Moor ground. They also discussed other ways to get more people into business. 
|
|
| 09/03/2010 | £1m counterfeit cash gang jailed |
|
A man who circulated fake cash around Hyndburn has been sentenced to four-and-a-half years in prison. Yasin Patel was part of a gang that attempted to produce more than £1M of counterfeit coins and notes. 
|
|
| 09/03/2010 | South Asian communities at risk of vitamin D deficiency |
|
Babies and toddlers of South Asian origin are amongst the most at risk of vitamin D deficiency. The Department of Health is urging all pregnant and breastfeeding women to take a daily vitamin D supplement to ensure their babies get enough and are at less risk of developing a vitamin D deficiency. 
|
|
| 09/03/2010 | New agony for family of kidnapped Sahil |
|
The family of kidnapped boy Sahil Saeed have suffered fresh anguish after hopes he had been found turned out to be a false alarm. Reports from Pakistan yesterday suggested there had been a breakthrough in the search for the Oldham five-year-old. 
|
|
| 09/03/2010 | ‘No hate’ film crew earns a top rating |
|
An award winning youth group from Wardleworth in Rochdale are taking their work to other young people around the borough as part of a project about community cohesion. Towards the end of last year, the Don't Hate Us, Rate Us group received the 'best issue based drama' award at a ceremony in Manchester for their short film based on terrorism. 
|
|
| 10/03/2010 | Why no quota for women in Rajya Sabha, asks Mamata |
|
A day after her party boycotted voting on the women’s reservation bill, Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday asked why a third of the Rajya Sabha seats too should not be kept for women.
"Why there is no 33 percent reservation for women in the Rajya Sabha?" an upset Banerjee asked reporters.
The Trinamool Congress chief said that her party had "so many times" raised the issue of reservation for women in the Rajya Sabha.
Banerjee said her party supported the women’s bill in principle but would discuss the stand to be taken in the Lok Sabha when the bill comes up in the lower house. The Lok Sabha is tipped to pass the bill by March 16.
The historic women’s bill reserves a third of seats for women in the Lok Sabha and state legislatures.
"We were not informed," Banerjee insisted, when asked why her party abstained from voting Tuesday in the Rajya Sabha where the Trinamool has two MPs, Mukul Roy and Swapan Sadhan Bose.
http://ibnlive.in.com/news/why-no-quota-for-women-in-rajya-sabha-asks-mamata/111333-37.html
|
|
| 10/03/2010 | Moves to strengthen LTTE abroad - PM |
|
Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickramanayaka told Parliament yesterday that there were international forces unfavourable to us attempting to strengthen the LTTE terrorist organisation abroad.
They are assisted by certain local elements that wish to destabilize the Government and arrest the country’s rapid economic development drive, Prime Minister Wickramanayaka said.
The Prime Minister making his statement moving the motion to extend the State of Emergency by another one month, said certain elements attempting to strengthen the LTTE were arrested in Germany and another LTTE working abroad was arrested in Dehiwala.
"There were anti-Sri Lankan schemes in progress with the support of certain super powers in the world as well as certain other organisations."
The Prime Minister expressed his regret over the fact that there were groups in the country who were engaged in collecting facts and distorting them to support cooked up allegations put forward by anti national forces.
www.dailynews.lk/2010/03/10/pol01.asp
|
|
| 10/03/2010 | Madhya Pradesh CM wants Gita in school curricula |
|
First it was sun worship and yoga in government schools and now the Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has made it a mission to introduce the Bhagavad Gita in school curricula.
“I had met swami Arganad and there this thought had come why not introduce the Bhagwad Gita as a moral science subject. I am very seriously contemplating on this,” said Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan.
Proponents call it an inspired plan. Chouhan critics call it yet another step by the BJP to saffronise schools.
"The Shivraj Singh led government wants to do everything that will annoy the minorities. That is their aim,” said Congress MLA Arif Aqueel.
http://ibnlive.in.com/news/madhya-pradesh-cm-wants-gita-in-school-curricula/111309-3.html?from=tn
|
|
| 10/03/2010 | Fonseka suspends fast |
|
General Sarath Fonseka suspended his fast unto death today morning when the military granted him permission to speak to his daughters via his wife’s mobile phone last night, his wife Anoma Fonseka said.
Speaking to Daily Mirror Online, Mrs. Fonseka said that the military had contacted her late last evening, asking her to visit her husband immediately with her mobile phone as he had been granted permission to speak to his children through her number.
"I went to see my husband at around 11 in the night after the military called me. He spoke to his daughter’s through my mobile phone and now he is a bit relieved,” Mrs. Fonseka said.
The military had earlier provided telephone facilities to the General which he had refused insisting that he would stop his fast only if he was given his wife’s mobile phone.
http://www.dailymirror.lk/index.php/news/2245-fonseka-suspends-fast-unto-death.html
|
|
| 10/03/2010 | I never wanted to back out, we have seen worse: Sonia Gandhi |
|
Congress president Sonia Gandhi was confident of the stability of the Manmohan Singh government despite opposition from the RJD, the SP and the BSP to the women’s Bill and their reported threat to withdraw support to the UPA.
Asked whether the Centre was stable, she said: "I think so. But one can never tell. I am not an astrologer…." Although she hoped the UPA’s former partners would remain with them, she added that the Congress-led combine would be "okay".
"I can’t see any issue coming up. The DMK and the NCP are fully in support of the Bill. At the cabinet meeting, I’m told, Mamata Banerjee was quite enthusiastic. If there had to be any problem, it would have been evident then," she told reporters in Parliament House even as the Rajya Sabha debated the Bill.
As for new allies, she said "let’s see". She admitted there was "some nervousness, some concern. But then we have seen worse situations."
http://www.hindustantimes.com/I-never-wanted-to-back-out-we-have-seen-worse-Sonia-Gandhi/H1-Article1-517163.aspx
|
|
| 10/03/2010 | Can women’s quota bill pass Lok Sabha test? |
|
The Congress-led United Progressive Alliance Government is elated after the Rajya Sabha passed the Women’s Reservation Bill but the real test is still to take place in the Lok Sabha.
With Mamata Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress opposing the Bill and the Rashtriya Janata Dal and the Samajwadi Party withdrawing support to the UPA Government, the future seems uncertain.
The Government may still have the numbers in the Lok Sabha, but it is fast shrinking. The majority is now just wafer thin, making passage of reforms and bold policies difficult.
Before the Women’s Reservation Bill was brought in Parliament the UPA enjoyed the support of 321 MPs.
http://ibnlive.in.com/news/can-womens-quota-bill-pass-lok-sabha-test/111310-37.html?from=tn
|
|
| 10/03/2010 | India takes a giant leap for womankind |
|
In a giant leap for womankind of the sort few countries have attempted before, the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday voted to amend the Constitution to reserve one-third of seats in Parliament and the State Assemblies for women.
The House recorded its vote of 191 for and 1 against at 7.25 p.m. Sharad Joshi of the Swatanatra Bharat Paksh was the lone naysayer when Chairman Hamid Ansari took the final count on the passage of the historic Women’s Reservation Bill after three hours of debate. The Bill, formally known as the 108th constitutional amendment, must now be passed by the Lok Sabha and ratified by at least half the States for becoming effective.
www.hindu.com/2010/03/10/stories/2010031064600100.htm
|
|
| 10/03/2010 | Pak army involved in 26/11 terror attacks: Prosecution |
|
Pakistan army was involved in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks and a serving Major General had supervised their training across the border at LeT camps, the prosecution told a special court in Mumbai.
Opening its final arguments in the case, special public prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam said Ajmal Kasab, the lone surviving terrorist, and his nine slain accomplices had undergone military and intelligence training at the hands of terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) which was supervised by certain officers of the Pakistan army.
"The conspiracy of the 26/11 attack was hatched on Pakistan soil and inevitable inference can be drawn that the attack was State-sponsored," he said.
ibnlive.in.com/news/pak-army-involved-in-2611-terror-attacks-prosecution/111285-3.html
|
|
| 10/03/2010 | Now or never, says Sonia; and party falls in line |
|
It was Sonia Gandhi’s decisive “now or never” stand, underlined at Monday night’s core group meeting, that eventually paved the way for the passage of the Women’s Reservation Bill in the Rajya Sabha today. Overriding concerns expressed by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee that opposition over the Bill would affect the smooth passage of the government’s financial business in Parliament, she made her stand clear — and the shift in the UPA strategy as the Upper House met on Tuesday was evident.
After hearing out both the Prime Minister and the Finance Minister at the meeting, Sonia, according to sources, said there was no point in putting the Bill on the backburner simply because of threats from opposing parties.
www.indianexpress.com/news/now-or-never-says-sonia-and-party-falls-in-line/588973/
|
|
| 10/03/2010 | Mamata abstains from vote after lunch with the Yadavs, UPA plate full |
|
In a development that stumped the government, its key constituent Trinamool Congress on Tuesday abstained from voting on the Women’s Reservation Bill in the Rajya Sabha on the directive of party chief Mamata Banerjee, who alleged that she was kept in the dark over the way the Bill was being passed.
Interestingly, the change in the mercurial leader’s stand came after a meeting with the Yadav duo, Lalu Prasad and Mulayam Singh, over lunch and with members of some half-a-dozen Muslim organisations who are opposing the Bill demanding sub-quota for OBCs and Muslim women.
The government was little prepared for this, considering that just a day earlier, Mamata along with her party MPs had broken out into “We shall overcome...” in the Lok Sabha to express her strong support for the Bill.
www.indianexpress.com/news/mamata-abstains-from-vote-after-lunch-with-the-yadavs-upa-plate-full/588968/
|
|
| 09/03/2010 | Disruptive’ Indian MPs suspended over women’s bill |
|
Seven Indian MPs have been suspended by Vice President Hamid Ansari for disrupting proceedings in the upper house (Rajya Sabha) on Monday.
The MPs had shouted slogans, snatched papers from Mr Ansari’s table, torn them and thrown them at him.
They were angry at the reintroduction of a bill to reserve a third of all seats in the national parliament and state legislatures for women.
On Monday voting in the upper house was delayed after protests from opponents.
The bill was first proposed in 1996 but never passed. But this time it has the backing of India’s main parties.
At present women make up just 10% of the lower house of parliament, and significantly less in state assemblies.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/8556961.stm
|
|
| 09/03/2010 | Sonia’s bid to persuade Lalu, Mulayam fails |
|
Lalu Prasad and Mulayam Singh Yadav, two prominent opponents of Women’s Reservation Bill, had a nearly 20-minute interaction with Congress president Sonia Gandhi in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday, but both sides appeared to have failed to convince each other.
Gandhi, who is also the UPA chairperson, used the period between two adjournments to reach out to the two Yadavs, who along with JD(U) chief Sharad Yadav form part of the trio which is vehemently opposing the bill in its present form. The SP and RJD leaders apparently utilised the time to convey their stand to Gandhi that the measure would hit the weaker sections hard.
At one point, Gandhi seemed to be suggesting to them that they should agree to go ahead with the measure in its present form and after that their ideas could be considered.
Home Minister P Chidambaram, who was occupying the front row along with Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar, apparently seemed to be contesting the claims of the two Yadavs.
http://ibnlive.in.com/news/sonias-bid-to-persuade-lalu-mulayam-fails/111276-37.html?from=tn
|
|
| 09/03/2010 | Sonia talks to Lalu, Mulayam; no agreement in sight |
|
Lalu Prasad and Mulayam Singh Yadav, two prominent opponents of Women’s Reservation Bill, had a nearly 20-minute interaction with Congress president Sonia Gandhi in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday, but both sides appeared to have failed to convince each other.
Gandhi, who is also the UPA chairperson, used the period between two adjournments to reach out to the two Yadavs, who along with JD(U) chief Sharad Yadav form part of the trio which is vehemently opposing the bill in its present form.
The SP and RJD leaders apparently utilised the time to convey their stand to Gandhi that the measure would hit the weaker sections hard.
At one point, Gandhi seemed to be suggesting to them that they should agree to go ahead with the measure in its present form and after that their ideas could be considered.
www.indianexpress.com/news/sonia-talks-to-lalu-mulayam-no-agreement-in-sight/588730/
|
|
| 09/03/2010 | Sonia Gandhi, Nooyi in Asia’s 8 top power women |
|
Congress president Sonia Gandhi, Pepsico’s India-born CEO Indra Nooyi and ICICI Bank chief Chanda Kochhar figure in CNN’s list of eight of Asia’s top power women.
Taking a "look at the key women who are shaping Asia’s political and economic landscape" on the occasion of 100th International Women’s Day, the CNN’s list is headed by China’s "Paper Queen" Zhang Yin.
Indra Nooyi, in the second place, "lords over some 185,000 corporate minions in close to 200 countries", notes CNN. "Nooyi’s hard-as-nails leadership and her sense of fun (one-time lead guitarist in an all-girls rock band still performs regularly at corporate functions) has earned her spots on many ’best leader’ lists in the US," it adds.
http://ibnlive.in.com/news/sonia-gandhi-nooyi-in-asias-8-top-power-women/111237-19.html?from=tn
|
|
| 09/03/2010 | LTTE proxies searching for Prabha |
|
The government is concerned that some umbrella organizations of the LTTE are still trying to trace their leader LTTE Chief Velupillai Prabhakaran and the matter has been discussed with India, the government said.
Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama conveyed these concerns at a meeting held with Indian Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao today.
Minister Bogollagama also informed Rao that Sri Lanka would continue to be vigilant and engage in countering measures against terrorism to protect the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the country.
“We discussed terrorism and the continuous need for us to be vigilant in counter terrorism measures. I shared with the Indian Foreign Secretary our concerns in the international front in the lines on which some of the umbrella organizations of the LTTE are still trying to trace their head,” Minister Bogollagama told journalists.
http://www.dailymirror.lk/index.php/news/2229-ltte-proxies-searching-for-prabha.html
|
|
