Chinese parents, trapped in one-child web, give babies away on Internet

Lu Libing knew he had only one choice as the birth of his third child approached. He couldn't afford hefty fines that would be meted out by Chinese authorities, so he put the unborn child up for adoption.

On the Internet he found "A Home Where Dreams Come True", a website touted as China's biggest online adoption forum, part of an industry that has been largely unregulated for years.

Expectant couples, unwilling or unable to keep their children, go to the website looking for adoptive parents rather than abort their babies or abandon them.

There are no clear statistics on how many people use these websites but "A Home Where Dreams Come True" said 37,841 babies had been adopted through its website from 2007 to August 2012.

More than 380 babies were rescued and 1,094 people arrested when the government cracked down on the industry last month. Adoption websites such as "A Home Where Dreams Come True", whose founder was arrested, were shut because they were deemed illegal and responsible for the trafficking of babies.

An official with China's state-run adoption agency, the China Centre for Children's Welfare and Adoption, said parents could apply to the civil affairs ministry to give up children.

The official, who declined to be identified, said it was "definitely wrong" to use websites.

"These are children, not commodities," the official said...

Source: Hindi News

From reuters News

Russia flaunts grip on Crimea with prime minister Medvedev's visit

Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev visited Crimea on Monday, flaunting his country's grip on the Black Sea peninsula following its annexation from Ukraine.

Medvedev took several government officials with him on the highest-level visit to Crimea since President Vladimir Putin signed legislation on absorbing it into Russia on March 21.

"(I'm) in Simferopol," Medvedev said on Twitter after his plane landed in the main city in the region. "Today the government will discuss the development of Crimea here."

The visit is likely to irk Kiev and Western governments which accuse Moscow of illegally seizing Crimea from Ukraine after the region voted to join Russia in a referendum they described as a sham.

Russia's swift takeover of Crimea, following the ouster of Moscow ally Viktor Yanukovich as Ukraine's president in late February, has caused the biggest crisis in East-West relations since the Cold War.

Medvedev arrived in Simferopol hours after US secretary of state John Kerry met Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov in Paris late on Sunday and reiterated that Washington considered Russia's actions in Crimea "illegal and illegitimate".

The United States and EU have imposed sanctions on Russian officials, lawmakers and allies of Putin over Crimea. They are threatening broader measures if Russia, which has forces massed near Ukraine's eastern border, seeks to take more territory.

Source: Hindi News

From indiatimes News

Hunt for the missing jet MH370 to continue: Australian PM

Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott said on Monday the hunt for Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 had no time limit, despite the failure of an international operation to find any sign of the plane in three weeks of fruitless searching.

A total of 20 aircraft and ships were again scouring a massive area in the Indian Ocean some 2,000 km (1,200 miles) west of Perth, where investigators believe the Boeing 777 carrying 239 people came down.

"I'm certainly not putting a time limit on it," Abbott told reporters after meeting flight crews at Pearce airbase in Perth.

"The intensity of our search and the magnitude of our operations is increasing, not decreasing," he said, adding that searchers owed it to grieving families of passengers to continue the hunt.

Source: News in Hindi

From hindustantimes News

South Korea Fires Back at North Amid Pyongyang's Drills -- Update

North Korea fired artillery across its maritime border with South Korea in the Yellow Sea on Monday as part of a military drill, prompting South Korea to return fire in the latest reminder of the unstable security situation on the Korean peninsula.

All shells from both sides landed in the sea, the South's Defense Ministry said.

"Some of the North's artillery shells fell in waters south of the maritime border, and the South, in response, fired back into waters north of the sea border according to the proper field-manual procedures, " said Kwon Ki-hyeon, a defense ministry spokesman.

Mr. Kwon said the North used its artillery and multiple rocket launchers to fire about 500 rounds, 100 of which landed in the southern waters. The South used its K-9 howitzers to fire back about 300 rounds in return.

Residents of the South Korean islands of Baengnyeong and Yeonpyeong in the area were taken into shelters during the exchange of fire, which began just after midday local time, Seoul's Joint Chiefs of Staff said.

The South's coast guard said it suspended all ferry services to the frontline islands in the afternoon, while fishing was banned in the area all day long.

The exchange of fire was across the so-called Northern Limit Line, the disputed maritime border off the western coast of the peninsula. In 2010, North Korea shelled the island of Yeonpyeong, killing two soldiers and two civilians.

The area has also been the site of deadly naval clashes in recent years. North Korea doesn't recognize the border, which was drawn by United Nations forces after the Korean War of 1950-1953.

Last week, a North Korean fishing boat was detained after crossing the border. The fishermen subsequently claimed on North Korean state television to have been beaten during the detention, a charge that South Korea denies.

On Monday morning, North Korea informed the South Korean side that it would conduct a live-fire exercise from its western coast.

South Korean military authorities declined to provide further details of their response. South Korea's Yonhap news agency said F-15K fighter jets scrambled to the area and military ships remained on standby near the maritime border...

Source: Latest News in Hindi 

Form wsj News

French government under threat after election blow

French President Francois Hollande is preparing a probable shake-up of his unpopular government after his Socialist Party suffered losses in nationwide municipal elections.

Disappointment with the Socialists' handling of the economy drove many voters to conservative or anti-immigrant far-right candidates.

Hollande is having lunch Monday with Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault, whose job is on the line and said himself that the elections were "a defeat for the government." His government has failed to fulfill its promises to cut France's more than 10 percent unemployment and boost growth, which was just 0.3 percent last year, according to figures released Monday.

Interior Minister Manuel Valls is among names circulating as a possible replacement prime minister if Hollande decides to fire Ayrault. Changes are especially expected in the Finance Ministry...

Source: News in Hindi

From chron News

Top UN court rules Japan's whaling not for scientific ends, revokes permits

Japan's whaling programme in seas near Antarctica is not for scientific purposes, judges at the UN's highest court ruled on Monday, agreeing with Australia that Tokyo should revoke permits to catch and kill whales for research purposes.

Australia, which brought the case before the International Court of Justice in The Hague in 2010, had argued that Japan's assertion that it was carrying out scientific research was a figleaf to justify what was in fact pure commercial whaling.

"In light of the fact the JARPA II (research programme) has been going on since 2005, and has involved the killing of about 3,600 minke whales, the scientific output to date appears limited," said presiding judge Peter Tomka of Slovakia...

Source: Latest News in Hindi

From indiatimes News

Former Israel PM Olmert convicted of bribery: report

A Tel Aviv district court today convicted former prime minister Ehud Olmert in a trial for corruption linked to a major property development in Jerusalem, Israeli media reports said.

The ruling marks the first time a former Israeli premier has been convicted of bribery in what has been called one of the worst corruption scandals in Israeli history.

According to public Channel 1 television, Olmert was convicted of receiving bribes in two separate cases, one of which was linked to construction of Jerusalem's massive Holyland residential complex dating from when he was the city's mayor.

Olmert was in 2010 named as the key suspect in the so-called Holyland affair on suspicion that he received bribes totalling some 1.5 million shekels (USD 430,000), although the prosecution later reduced the sum received by about half.

Olmert was mayor of Jerusalem from 1993 to 2003, after which he served as a cabinet minister, holding the trade and industry portfolio as well as several others, before becoming premier in 2006.

He led the centre-right Kadima party into government, but resigned from the premiership in September 2008 after police recommended that he be indicted in several graft cases.

In July 2013, a Jerusalem court found Olmert guilty of breach of trust in a closely watched corruption case, but cleared him on two more serious charges related to the alleged receipt of cash-stuffed envelopes and multiple billing for trips abroad...

Source: Hindi News 

From indiatimes News

World’s ’longest-serving’ death row inmate granted retrial in Japan

A man believed to be the world's longest-serving death row inmate was Thursday granted a retrial in Japan over multiple murders in 1966, decades after doubts emerged about his guilt.

Shizuoka District Court decided to "start the retrial over the case" of Iwao Hakamada, 78, who was convicted for the grisly murder of his boss and the man's family, a court official said.

Delivering his ruling, presiding judge Hiroaki Murayama cited possible planting of evidence by investigators to win a conviction as they sought to bring closure to a crime that shocked the country.

"There is possibility that (key pieces of) evidence have been fabricated by investigative bodies," Murayama said in his decision, according to Jiji Press.

The judge also ordered Hakamada's release, saying continued confinement "goes against justice".

Apart from the United States, Japan is the only major industrialised democracy to carry out capital punishment, a practice that has led to repeated protests from European governments and human rights groups.

Hakamada is the sixth person since the end of World War II to receive a retrial after having a death sentence confirmed, and his case will bolster opponents of capital punishment.

Back in 1966, Hakamada initially denied accusations that he robbed and killed his boss, the man's wife and two children before setting their house ablaze.

But the former boxer, who worked for a bean paste maker, later confessed following what he claimed was a brutal police interrogation that included beatings.

He retracted his confession but to no avail. The supreme court confirmed his death sentence in 1980...

Source: Latest Hindi News

From brecorder News

Taliban attack Afghan election office in Kabul

 Taliban militants attacked the headquarters of the Independent Election Commission of Afghanistan on Saturday in Kabul, opening fire on the compound with rocket-propelled grenades and heavy machine guns from a house outside its perimeter wall, according to police.

It’s the latest in a series of high-profile attacks that come as the Islamic militant movement steps up a campaign of violence to disrupt presidential elections, which are due to be held in a week.

A spokesman for the Independent Election Commission said security had already been increased around the compound because an attack had been widely expected, and no casualties have been reported.

Explosions were heard when the attack started, according to the spokesman Noor Mohammed Noor, but he did not know what caused them.

Kabul police chief Mohammad Zahir Zahir said three or four attackers were holed up in a neighbouring house that had been empty when they occupied it. He said the house is about 800 meters away from the headquarters, which is inside a walled off compound guarded by a series of watch towers and checkpoints.

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid claimed responsibility for the attack but described what would have been a much more ambitious assault, claiming a suicide bomber and gunmen had stormed the IEC compound. He said there was a meeting between the IEC and election observers, including foreigners, at the time of the attack. The Taliban frequently exaggerate in their statements and a meeting could not immediately be confirmed.

It would have been extremely difficult for the attackers to penetrate the tight security, but the Taliban have staged a number of assaults aimed at showing they are able to strike at will.

On Tuesday, the Taliban also struck another IEC office on the edge of Kabul, with a suicide bomber detonating his vehicle outside while two gunmen stormed into the building, killing four people and trapping dozens of employees inside.

The Taliban also have stepped up attacks on foreigners in the Afghan capital, suggesting that they are also shifting tactics to focus on civilian targets that aren’t as heavily protected as military and government installations...

Source: Latest News in Hindi

From thehindu News

There's no such thing: Katrina Kaif refutes rumours about her marriage to Ranbir Kapoor

Katrina Kaif is unfazed by rumours that she has plans to tie the knot with actor Ranbir Kapoor, and says she will continue keeping quiet about her private life.

At an event here Thursday, the actress was asked to comment on the latest rumours.

She said: "This has come in some newspaper, but there is no such thing. If there is something as such, I will let you know."

Katrina, who was earlier dating Salman, has been guarded about her personal life.

"As far as I am concerned, I have always been the same...I don't speak about my personal life. Now it (any rumour) doesn't bother me. With time, you get used to it...such small things don't affect," she added.

Meanwhile, Katrina is busy working with her rumoured current beau Ranbir in 'Jagga Jasoos'.

Having co-starred with him in movies like 'Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani' and 'Raajneeti', the actress said: "The films that we have done (together) have been extremely special films...not just successful. It's exciting for me as he is a great actor."

"The most exciting thing for me (in 'Jagga Jasoos') is to work with Anurag Basu as it's important for me to learn from him."

Source: Bollywood News in Hindi & Box Office Report

From ibnlive News

Emma Watson reveals make-up bag secrets ahead of Noah premiere

Hollywood actor Emma Watson is known for her effortless style and also for making bold choices on the red carpet, besides her acting prowess.

But the girl is not one without her make-up bag, full of potions and lotions that help her look so flawless as she makes her public

The young star recently shared her beauty secrets ahead of her stunning red carpet appearance for her upcoming movie Noah by posting a pic of her favourite products on Twitter. She captioned the image as, 'Couldn't have survived today without...', alongside a picture of the 30 products.

Her make-up kitty included a number of branded cosmetics, hair straighteners, false eyelashes and also a pair of 'invisible' knickers. Also, the lissome lass had a number of emergency-saver stuff such as safety pins and a stain remover...

Source: Entertainment News in Hindi

From intoday News

Movie review: O Teri is not worth watching

O Teri is a perfect example of an exciting trailer and a terrible final product.  Debut director Umesh Bist makes a travesty of the 1983 cult classic Jaane Bhi do Yaaro. Unlike that film O Teri does not have a single redeeming feature.

Two good-for-nothing TV journalists AIDS (Bilal Amrohi) and PP (Pulkit Samrat) have been fired by their boss Monsoon (Sarah Jane-Dias). In order to rise to instant fame they are looking for that ultimate scoop, which is hard to come by their way.

The film seeks inspiration from factual events that have occurred in the country. At the heart of O Teri is the misappropriation of funds that that took place in the 2010 Common Wealth games and the corrupt ways in which contracts were allotted by the organising committee. 

O Teri's noble intentions end there. We don't think they were serious in any case. Calling you lead character AIDS is not funny.  The film's writing, characterisation and editing is so slip shod that you are left wondering what the makers were thinking. Its two protagonists who are supposed to be journalists behave as if they would have been better playing street side Romeos or gym rats.

A dog is worshipped for its power to predict the future, a politician is discovered indulging in an homosexual escapade behind closed doors and there is even a bridge which collapses. The two journalists happen to be at the site when bridge comes down. The filmmakers had enough matter to turn it into a riveting screenplay. Alas, they focused on vulgar jokes, unnecessary songs and some juvenile slapstick moments. What you get at the end of it all is a shoddy product which is not worth watching even if someone paid for your ticket.

Source: Entertainment News in Hindi & Box Office Report

From intoday News

Dishkiyaoon review: Harman Baweja leaves as little impact as he has before

Movie Review Dishkiyaoon

Star Cast: Sunny Deol, Harman Baweja, Anand Tiwari, Prashant Narayanan, Ayesha Khanna, Aditya Pancholi;

Director: Sanamjit Singh Talwar

When a film is called ‘Dishkiyaoon’, you know that the people involved with it were clueless about what to name it. Two and half hours later (the running time of the film), I’m equally clueless about many things, but mostly this: just why was it made?

It has no discernible story that I could see. Just a bunch of people trying their hand at ‘gangstergiri’, whipping out guns, and spouting ‘tapori’ dialogue. And spraying bullets, but not one of them with a ‘dishkiyaoon’ sound attached to it, which was the least they could do if they really wanted to match the title.

Viki Kartoos (Harman Baweja) wants to become Gangster Number One. To this end, he takes tips from his guru Tony (Prashant Narayanan: when will this actor get the roles he deserves?), and gets into a face-off with a rival goon, and his cohorts. Meanwhile, he has a little romance going with a singer (Ayesha Khanna), to whom he introduces himself thus : “ I am a gangster”. The girl, instead of being sensible and turning her back on him, turns her cheek to him.

Seeking a comeback, Harman Baweja is given a stubble and an unsympathetic father and a misunderstood childhood. Despite all of this, he leaves as little impact as he has before. Sunny Deol plays a Haryanvi ‘dada’, but doesn’t get to display his `dhai kilo ka haath’, sadly. He has a game hand, and is called ‘Lakwa’ just in case we didn’t get it.

This is the kind of film where everyone refers to themselves in the third person (“Gujjar ne kaha kaali diary mein likh dey” : Gujjar being a bad guy and ‘kaali diary’ a black notepad, got it?), and wanders about biding time till the next meaningless shoot-out and killing.

Who writes this kind of tripe?

Source: Bollywood News in Hindi & Box Office Report

From indianexpress News

Russia Rejects UN Crimea Resolution as Ukraine Aid Nears

Russia dismissed a United Nations resolution on its takeover of Crimea as “counter-productive,” while the International Monetary Fund moved forward with a bailout to help Ukraine avoid insolvency.

Russia’s Foreign Ministry said today that abstentions and absences from UN General Assembly members showed yesterday’s non-binding resolution, which declared Crimea’s March 16 referendum on leaving Ukraine and joining Russia as “having no validity,” supported a “one-sided interpretation” of events.

The message is consistent with Russian President Vladimir Putin’s rejection of condemnation and sanctions from the U.S. and its European allies over his country’s annexation of the Black Sea peninsula. U.S. President Barack Obama and EU leaders have warned penalties may intensify if Russian forces push deeper into Ukraine in the worst standoff between former Cold-War foes since the fall of the Soviet Union more than two decades ago.

Source: News Today in Hindi

From bloomberg News

Obama calls on Putin to 'de-escalate' Ukraine crisis

President Obama said Friday he doesn't know if the massing of Russian troops on the Ukraine border is "an effort to intimidate" the nation, or if President Vladimir Putin has "additional plans" beyond his annexation Crimea.

Either way, Obama told CBS News, Putin should "de-escalate the situation," move those troops back, and "begin negotiations directly with the Ukrainian government, as well as the international community."

CBS interviewed Obama in Rome, part of a week-long trip in which Obama urged European allies to support tougher sanctions on Russia for its annexation of the Crimea region from Ukraine, and continuing threats to the neighboring nation.

Obama said Putin appears to have "a deeply held grievance about what he considers to be the loss of the Soviet Union," but the solution is not to revert to Cold War-style tactics.

"We reject the notion that there is a sphere of influence along the Russian border that then justifies Russia invading other countries," Obama said.

Obama also said Putin is "misreading" American policy: "We have no interest in encircling Russia and we have no interest in Ukraine beyond letting the Ukrainian people make their own decisions about their own lives."

CBS This Morning broadcast excerpts from the interview; other parts will be shown Friday on the CBS Evening News.

Source: Top News in Hindi

From usatoday News

Oscar Pistorius trial: Defence case postponed

The athlete had been expected to take the stand on Friday.

The trial, in the South African city of Pretoria, has already heard 15 days of prosecution-led testimony.

Mr Pistorius denies deliberately shooting his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp, in February 2013, saying he mistook her for an intruder.

Prosecutors allege that he killed her after an argument.

Judge Thokozile Masipa, announcing that the assessor was ill, said that in her absence the court was "not properly constituted".

The judge suggested the date of 7 April to resume the trial, which both prosecution and defence teams accepted.

Under South African law, there is no jury system and two assessors, normally lawyers or retired magistrates, help the judge reach a decision in serious cases.

The BBC's Karen Allen in Pretoria says that, although Mr Pistorius is not legally obliged to testify, he is the only witness to the alleged murder and is expected to testify when the trial restarts.

His lawyers had previously told journalists that it was "likely" they would call him to give evidence first, she adds.

Prosecution testimony has relied on accounts from neighbours and specialist ballistics, forensic and mobile phone evidence.

Our correspondent says the defence had been due to address key questions, in particular:

Source: Latest Hindi News

From reuters News

Sri Lankan president orders release of Indian fishermen detained for poaching

The President of Sri Lanka, Mahinda Rajapakse, on Friday ordered the release of Indian fishermen who had been detained for poaching.

Rajapakse asked officials to immediately release all fishermen who had been arrested for allegedly violating the island's territorial waters.

This move comes after India abstained from voting for the U.S.-backed resolution seeking probe into Sri Lankan war crimes at the UN Human Rights Council on Thursday.

"We have voted differently on this resolution. It is very different from previous resolutions and imposes an international investigation mechanism. It is an intrusive approach that undermines national sovereignty," said Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin.

"As a close neighbor, we cannot remain untouched by developments in Sri Lanka.We are aware that while significant steps have been taken, much more needs to be done by Sri Lankan government," he said.

"But International efforts should aim to enable Sri Lanka to investigate allegations of human rights violation through a comprehensive, independent and credible national mechanism and bring to justice those found guilty. In our view, adopting an intrusive approach that undermines national sovereignty and institutions is counterproductive," he added.

Although, India refrained from voting against its neighbour, the resolution was passed with the support of 23 nations.

Source: Hindi News

From BS News

Modi uses Pakistan to attack Kejriwal, Congress in Jammu

Narendra Modi, the Bharatiya Janata Party's prime ministerial nominee, on Wednesday took on the Congress as well as Aam Aadmi Party over Jammu and Kashmir and said his party is the only option for the country while addressing a rally in Jammu's Hiranagar.

This is one of 185 Bharat Vijay rallies that the Gujarat chief minister will address throughout the country.

"Whenever I speak of development, the Congress counters it with false claims on secularism,"Modi said.

He said BJP is the only party left for the people of this country who want to see development of the counrty.

Modi also took a jibe at Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah and said if Abdullah sees the crowd he will realise which way the wind is blowing in the state.

Abdullah was quick to react to Modi's jab on Twitter.

"NaMo certainly plays fast & loose with the truth. He quotes me & can't even get that right. Modi Sb please quote me but do it right," he posted.

The Gujarat chief minister raised the issue of the exodus of Kashmiri pandits from the state and also the deaths of soldiers on the India-Pakistan border.

"Terrorists didn't just kill people in Jammu and Kashmir, they attacked Kashmiriyat and struck at the core of humanity," he said.

"Lal Bahadur Shastri said 'Jai Jawan Jai Kisan', but Congress' slogan today is 'Mar Jawan, Mar Kisan'."

He did not spare Kejriwal, who on Tuesday challenged him to a political debate in Varanasi after announcing he will fight against him in the holy town.

"There are three people who are being praised in Pakistan - they are three AKs - AK 47, AK Antony and AK 49."

"This AK-49 in his website shows Kashmir as a part of Pakistan. And his close aide wants referendum in Kashmir," he added.

Modi also targetted Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi over his comment Congress is a thought saying the Congress itself is under pondering...

Source: Hindi News

From HT News

Photos: Salim Khan, Shashikala, Tabassum and others at Nanda's funeral

The last rites of Nanda, popular actress of Bollywood, were performed on March 25 in Mumbai. Several celebrities collected at the venue to bid adieu to the veteran actress.

Salman Khan's father and popular writer Salim Khan was also present at Nanda's funeral.

Source: Entertainment News in Hindi

Serena Williams, Maria Sharapova set for Miami WTA final rematch

Maria Sharapova and Serena Williams will have a rematch of their 2013 final in the Miami WTA semi-finals on Thursday after both advanced in formidable style on Tuesday.

Sharapova, who has not beaten the world number one American since 2004 and has lost 14 consecutive matches in the rivalry, regained her big-match confidence after twice being pushed to three sets by defeating Petra Kvitova 7-5, 6-1.

Top seed Williams pounded German fifth seed Angelique Kerber 6-2, 6-2, taking 62 minutes and ending with seven aces and four breaks of serve in windy conditions.

"When the wind picked up I just had to concentrate," said Williams, who holds six Miami titles. "I felt better today than in any of my other matches.

"When you're facing a top-10 player, you have to lift your game, That's what I was able to do."..

Source: Sports News in Hindi

From ndtv News

Muzaffarnagar riots: SC turns down plea for CBI, SIT probe

The Supreme Court on Wednesday put the Akhilesh Yadav government in the dock for the Muzaffarnagar communal riots and turned down a plea for a CBI or court-monitored probe "at this juncture" into the violence that left nearly 60 persons dead and more than 40,000 homeless.

"We prima facie hold state government responsible for negligence in preventing communal violence in Muzaffarnagar and adjoining areas," the SC said.

The SC said the state had failed to protect the serious violation of fundamental rights of the people saying it was duty-bound to protect and uphold the people's rights.

The apex court directed the Uttar Pradesh government to give police protection to families of Muzaffarnagar violence victims until the trial is completed.

It also directed the state government to arrest all accused persons named in the violence cases irrespective of their political affiliations.

The apex court also pulled up the central and state intelligence agencies for not alerting the UP government on the impending riots.

The SC had in December come down heavily on the state government over reports about deaths of chldren in the relief camps for the riot hit set up after riots in August-September.

It had then directed the government to take immediate steps to ensure there were no such deaths in future.

Reacting to the SC observation, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) accused Akhilesh saying main responsibility was with his government.

The BJP asked the chief minister to take responsibility for the riots and demanded he resign from his post.

The Bahujan Samaj Party too said either Akhilesh should resign or President's rule be imposed in UP.

Violence had erupted in Muzaffarnagar on August 27, 2013, after the killing of three youths at Kaval village.

It flared up on September 7 after a clash between two communities following a mahapanchayat (meeting of village councils) convened over the killings, and spread to adjoining areas.

Source: Latest Hindi News

From HT News

Baba Amarnath Yatra helicopter for booking 27

बाबा अमरनाथ यात्रा के लिए हेलीकॉप्टर की आनलाइन टिकट बुकिंग 27 मार्च सुबह दस बजे शुरू होगी। श्री अमरनाथ श्राइन बोर्ड ने नीलग्रथ बालटाल-पंजतरणी के बीच पवन हंस लिमिटेड व ग्लोबल विकट्रा हेलीकॉर्प लिमिटेड की हेलीकॉप्टर सेवा उपलब्ध करवाने का प्रबंध किया है, जबकि पहलगाम-पंजतरणी के बीच हिमालयन हेली सर्विस प्राइवेट लिमिटेड की हेलीकॉप्टर सेवा उपलब्ध रहेगी।

यह जानकारी बोर्ड के मुख्य कार्यकारी अधिकारी नवीन कुमार चौधरी ने दी। उन्होंने बताया कि हेलीकॉप्टर की आनलाइन बुकिंग 27 मार्च से संबंधित कंपनियों की वेबसाइट से उपलब्ध होगी। बालटाल से पंजतरणी का किराया 1950 रुपये और पहलगाम से पंजतरणी का किराया 4190 रुपये निर्धारित किया गया है। हेलीकॉप्टर सेवा हासिल करने वाले श्रद्धालुओं को एडवांस पंजीकरण नहीं करवाना पड़ेगा, लेकिन यात्रियों को स्वास्थ्य प्रमाणपत्र उपलब्ध करवाना होगा। स्वास्थ्य प्रमाणपत्र उपलब्ध न करवाने पर हेलीकॉप्टर सेवा का बोर्डिग पास नहीं मिलेगा। इसके साथ ही एक डेबिट व क्रेडिट कार्ड पर अधिकतर पांच श्रद्धालुओं की टिकट की बुकिंग हो सकेगी।

गौरतलब है कि बाबा अमरनाथ यात्रा के लिए पंजीकरण शुरू है। यह यात्रा 28 जून से शुरू होगी। यात्रा 44 दिनों तक चलेगी और दस अगस्त को संपन्न होगी। जम्मू-कश्मीर सहित देश के कई पंजीकरण केंद्रों पर लोग उत्साह से बाबा अमरनाथ यात्रा पर जाने के लिए पंजकीरण करवा रहे हैं। यात्रा के लिए दो मार्ग हैं बालटाल और पहलगाम। दोनों रास्तों से लोग पंजीकरण करवा रहे हैं।

Source: Spiritual News in Hindi & Hindi Panchang

After Sunny Leone's Baby Doll, here's Baby Deol!

Sunny Leone's Baby Doll, the hit number from Ragini MMS 2 has a hit parody now. Called Baby Deol, a spoof with Sunny Deol lookalike is going viral on web.

It opens with hilarious lyrics 'Meri hairy chhati air laata, Mainu dance karna nahi aata', where a Deol lookalike seductively shaves his leg and admits that though he can't dance, he is no less desirable than adult star Sunny Leone!

In the original song, Leone gyrates to the tunes composed by Meet Brothers and Anjaan to the lyrics Baby Doll main sone di.

The song has become a party hit, ruling the charts and the dance floors across the country.

Watch the spoof video and Sunny Leone's chartbuster.

Source: Entertainment News & Box Office Report

From indiatoday News

First look of Saif Ali Khan's 'Humshakals': Get ready to laugh and roll

The first look, motion poster, of Sajid Khan's Humshakals is out, and if it is anything to by, the film seems like quite an entertainer. Humshakals stars Saif Ali Khan, Riteish Deshmukh and Ram Kapoor in three different avataars, which sets the premise of the film.

A whacky comedy, the film brings back talented actors Saif Ali Khan and Riteish Deshmukh from a long hiatus, and we hope Riteish recreates the magic of Kya Kool Hain Hum.

The film also boasts of three Bollywood hotties — Bipasha Basu, Esha Gupta and Tamannaah Bhatia — opposite the men.

The film, produced by Vashu Bhagnani's Pooja Entertainment, is presented by Fox Star Studios. Humshakals is scheduled to hit the screens on June 20, 2014.

While we wait for the film's release, take a look at this motion poster and tell us what you think of it.

Source: Bollywood News

From DNA News

2G scam: Supreme Court refuses to cancel Sanjay Chandra's bail

The Supreme Court on Monday refused to cancel the bail granted to Unitech Ltd Managing Director Sanjay Chandra, an accused in 2G spectrum case, for allegedly trying to "sabotage the trial".
A bench headed by Justice H L Dattu turned down the plea of CBI which had approached the apex court for cancellation of bail after Chandra was allegedly caught on tape trying to influence A K Singh, the then public prosecutor in the case.

The apex court said it is "not appropriate at this stage" to recall its order of November 23, 2011 by which the business tycoon was granted bail in the multi-crore scam.

CBI had alleged that Chandra had misused the relief given to him by approaching Singh and trying to "materially interfere" with the prosecution in an "attempt to influence" the conduct and outcome of the trial.

It has alleged that conduct of Chandra was questionable during the period of bail as he was found holding discussion with the prosecutor about crucial witnesses.

His conversation with the prosecutor, who was removed from the case, reflected that the entire strategy of CBI in dealing with the case was compromised, the agency has said.

CBI said it had registered a Preliminary Enquiry report which named Chandra and prosecutor Singh.

The investigation also suggested that the conversation took place between the two when the statement of crucial witness A K Srivastava, Department of Telecom's former Deputy Director General (AS) was being recorded in the court, it had said.

The agency had also stated that the CFSL report has also confirmed that the recorded conversation was neither tampered with nor any editing was done and it was the voice of Chandra and Singh.

Source: News in Hindi

From DNA News

Chinese plane spots 'suspicious objects' in search for Flight 370

The crew of a Chinese plane searching for the missing Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 spotted "suspicious objects" in the southern Indian Ocean on Monday, the latest lead in a long and often frustrating investigation.

A reporter on board the plane for China's official news agency Xinhua said the search team saw "two relatively big floating objects with many white smaller ones scattered within a radius of several kilometers," the agency reported.

The Chinese plane has passed on the coordinates of the objects to Australian authorities, which are overseeing search efforts in the area, as well as to a Chinese icebreaker in the region, Xinhua said. The icebreaker, the Xuelong, has changed course and is headed toward the area where the objects were seen, the agency said.

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority said on Twitter that the reported objects are in the relevant search area and that attempts will be made to relocate them. It didn't say whether it considered them likely to be related to the missing Malaysian jetliner.

The IL-76 plane is one of two Chinese military aircraft helping scour a remote area of the southern Indian Ocean on Monday for traces of the passenger jet, which disappeared over Southeast Asia on March 8 with 239 people on board.

With the search in its third week, authorities have so far been unable to establish where exactly the plane is or why it flew off course from its planned journey from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing.

Satellites focus search

Recent information from satellites identifying objects in the water that could be related to the plane has focused the search efforts on an area roughly 1,500 miles southwest of the Australian city of Perth.

Eight other aircraft -- from Australia, the United States and Japan -- are also tasked with combing the search area over the course of Monday.

The two Chinese aircraft are now heading back to base, Xinhua reported. The crew that spotted the objects has asked Australia authorities to send other planes to the area of interest, it said.

The aerial searches have been trained on the isolated part of ocean since last week, when Australia first announced that satellite imagery had detected possible objects that could be connected to the search.

Since then, China and France have said they also have satellite information pointing to floating debris in a similar area. The Chinese information came from images, and the French data came from satellite radar...

Source: Latest News in Hindi

From cnn News

Jaswant Singh files nomination from Barmer, leaves BJP sulking

Upset over denial of Lok Sabha ticket, senior BJP leader Jaswant Singh on Monday filed his nomination papers from Barmer as an Independent, leaving the central leadership sulking over his decision.

It is now clear that the senior BJP leader will fight against his own party in Barmer.

Reacting to the development, the BJP today said that no action will be taken against Singh as of now and the party will wait for him till the last date of withdrawal of nomination.

Singh had yesterday dared his party and said that he is "not a piece of furniture" to be "adjusted" after polls.

He has warned that the party will have to suffer the consequences of internal strife coming to the fore ahead of the Lok Sabha polls.

Back channel efforts were also started to bring him around but the veteran leader showed no signs of relenting.

Training his guns on BJP president Rajnath Singh who said the 76-year-old leader's services will be utilised appropriately, Jaswant Singh retorted, "I am not a piece of furniture. The choice of the adjective 'adjust' itself is indicative of the mentality. You cannot adjust with principles and it is insulting".

Slamming the BJP President's remarks that the party will compensate him after the elections, Singh said, "I reject the thought and I reject the mentality behind it. Assumption is that they shall form the government and offer me some throttle. They can keep it for themselves".

Jaswant Singh will, however, remain the member of BJP for now.

"Yes, I am filing my nomination papers Monday from Barmer. Independent or not, will depend on the party's attitude," he had said yesterday when asked whether he would contest despite denial of a ticket from his home constituency.

In indications that that there will be no reversal of decision, party leader Arun Jaitley said when a senior leader is not accommodated for some reasons, that is when his discipline and political loyalty are to be tested...

Source: Hindi News

From zeenews News

World Twenty20: Former Pakistan coach predicts India-Pakistan final

Former Pakistan coach Geoff Lawson has tipped arch rivals India and Pakistan to play the final of the 2014 World Twenty20. Lawson, who was in charge of the Pakistan team between 2007-2008, said conditions in Bangladesh were ideally suited to both sides as was evident from their performances in the recently concluded Asia Cup.

The two rivals meet on March 21 in what is being termed as the 'real' curtain- raiser for this year's World T20.

"India and Pakistan will be playing on slow paced and low-bounce pitches and as such they may start as the two most likely to play in the final once again. Pakistan have the spin king in Saeed Ajmal and the the all-round talents of Mohammed Hafeez and Shoaib Malik and the inimitable Shahid Afridi. That's plenty of slow bowling on their preferred surface," Lawson wrote in his column for Al Jazeera.

For the talented Pakistan team, the challenge essentially will be to curb their tendency to implode if they are to repeat their 2009 World Twenty triumph. Mohammad Hafeez's men take on Australia, defending champs West Indies and a qualifier after their clash against India in what is perhaps the tougher of the two groups at the World T20.

Source: Cricket News & Sports News

From ibnlive News

Chemistry with Varun Dhawan is on a different level: Ileana D'Cruz

Varun Dhawn may not have any plans to date an actress, but his "Main Tera Hero" co-star Ileana D'Cruz is so impressed with him that she would like her life partner to have similar personality traits.

Ileana got to know Varun while shooting for their first film together "Main Tera Hero", which is releasing April 4.

"I personally feel my equation with Varun Dhawan is on a different level. I share a great rapport with him," Ileana, who entered Bollywood with "Barfi!", told reporters in a group interview.

"He is very charming, matured and he knows what to talk when. I want the qualities of Varun in my life partner," she added.

So far, Ileana has worked with Ranbir Kapoor and Shahid Kapoor in "Barfi" and "Phata Poster Nikla Hero", respectively.

"I have worked with Ranbir and Shahid before, but when it comes to Varun, our chemistry and our equation is altogether on a different level."

Directed by David Dhawan, "Main Tera Hero", a Hindi remake of Telugu movie "Kandireega", also features Nargis Fakhri.

Source: Entertainment News & Box Office Report 

From ibnlive News

'Nothing of particular significance' in search for MH370

Search planes flying deep into the southern Indian Ocean have found nothing so far that could be from the missing Malaysia Airlines jet, Australia's acting prime minister said Friday.

The planes are part of an international effort to solve the nearly 2-week-old mystery of what happened to Flight 370 with 239 people aboard. They are looking for two large floating objects detected by a satellite off the southwest coast of Australia, about halfway to the desolate islands of the Antarctic.

"The last report I have is that nothing of particular significance has been identified in the search today but the work will continue," said Warren Truss, who is acting prime minister while Tony Abbott is in Papua New Guinea.

 Truss told reporters that two Chinese aircraft are expected to arrive in Perth on Saturday to join the search, and two Japanese aircraft will be arriving on Sunday. A small flotilla of ships coming to Australia from China is still several days away.

"We are doing all that we can, devoting all the resources we can and we will not give up until all of the options have been exhausted," Truss said. "We can't be certain that the sightings are in fact debris from the aircraft (but) it is about the only lead that is around at the present time."

The search area in the southern Indian Ocean is so remote is takes aircraft four hours to fly there and four hours back, leaving them only about two hours to search.

The satellite discovery raised new hopes of finding the jet and sent another emotional jolt to the families of the people on board.

John Young, manager of the Australian Maritime Safety Authority's emergency response division, said five planes were sent out Friday...

Source: News in Hindi

From ctvnews.ca News

Thailand in political limbo after court annuls election

Thailand's Constitutional Court on Friday annulled last month's general election, leaving the country in political limbo without a full government and further undermining a prime minister faced with impeachment over a failed rice subsidy scheme.

The court judges ruled in a 6 to 3 vote that the February 2 election was unconstitutional because voting failed to take place on the same day around the country.

Anti-government protesters had stopped voting in about a fifth of constituencies, and in 28 of them voting was not possible at all because candidates were unable to register.

The protests are the latest chapter in an eight-year crisis that pits Bangkok's middle class and royalist establishment against supporters of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and her brother, ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra, who was toppled by the army in 2006 and lives in exile to avoid a jail term for graft.

Over the past five months, the protesters have shut government offices and at times blocked major thoroughfares in Bangkok to try to force Yingluck out. Twenty-three people have died and hundreds have been injured in the violence.

The number of protesters has dwindled in recent weeks and the streets have been relatively calm since several big protest camps were shut at the start of March, allowing the government to lift a state of emergency on Wednesday.

But the focus has shifted to the courts, in particular to the prospect of Yingluck being impeached over a rice scheme that has gone disastrously wrong, with hundreds of thousands of farmers not getting paid for grain sold to the state since October.

"Independent agencies are being quite obvious that they want to remove her and her entire cabinet to create a power vacuum, claim that elections can't be held and then nominate a prime minister of their choice," said Kan Yuenyong, a political analyst at the Siam Intelligence Unit, referring to the courts and the anti-corruption commission.

"If they run with this plan, then the government's supporters will fight back and the next half of the year will be much worse than what we saw in the first half," he said...

Source: Hindi News

From reuters News

Ukraine, European Union sign agreement on closer ties

 The European Union leaders and Ukraine’s interim Prime Minister, Arseniy Yatsenyuk, have signed several chapters of a landmark agreement meant to boost political ties between the two sides.

The signature by Ukraine and the European Union of several chapters in a landmark association agreement shows how important the relationship between the two sides is, EU President Herman Van Rompuy says.

“Signing political part (of) EU-Ukraine association agreement symbolizes importance of relations and will to take it further,” he wrote on Twitter.

Lithuanian President Dalia Grybauskaite had said earlier that the bloc “is ready to help Ukraine every day ahead.” “(The signature) is symbolic and de facto support to Ukrainian people and its government — politically, economically,” she told journalists in Brussels. “We are behind and with them,” she added.

Russia approves Crimea accession

Meanwhile, the Russia’s upper house of parliament, the Federation Council, voted in favour of a treaty on the accession of Crimea to the Russian Federation.

The vote comes a day after the State Duma, the lower house of parliament, overwhelmingly supported the treaty.

Source: Latest News in Hindi

From TH News

FIH changes match format from two halves to four quarters

International Hockey Federation (FIH) on Thursday, announced changes to the structure of the game, moving from two 35-minute halves to four 15-minute quarters, a model that has been tried and implemented by both the Euro Hockey League and Hockey India League. The purpose of the change will improve the flow and intensity of the game and increase the fan experience and opportunity for game presentation and analysis.

Other changes include the implementation of 40-second time-outs following both penalty corner awards and the scoring of a goal. Both stoppages ensure that the 60-minute game time is maximized for actual play and not consumed with penalty corner set up or other dead time when the ball is not in play. The new regulations will be applied to the upcoming Champions Trophy, World League Round 2, World League Semi-Final and Final, all continental Olympic qualifying events as of 1 September 2014 as well as the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

Leandro Negre, president of FIH, said: "The decision today demonstrates our commitment to fan engagement. With the additional breaks, fans will have the opportunity to enjoy more replays and be more engaged with the event, whether in the stadium or watching from a far, while hockey commentators will be allowed more time to provide sport analysis between plays. In addition, coaches and players will see improvement in their performance with the additional opportunities to re-hydrate and re-strategize."

The new format will result in a higher intensity, faster paced and more exciting game of hockey. It will enable event organisers and broadcasters to develop more engaging fan experiences, both at the venue, on TV and online. With an increase in opportunity to review highlights, explain the game and add colour to the play, people from all over the world can have a better lens on the exciting sport of hockey.

Following the already-existing formats of several other sports such as basketball, American football and netball, the FIH Executive Board decided to move hockey into a four-quarter format. Overall game time will move from 70 minutes (previously two 35-minute halves) to a 60-minute game with four 15 minute quarters where there is a time-out for penalty corner setup and goals. After the first and third quarters, each team will have a two-minute break, while the existing 10-minute half time will remain unchanged.

Supplementing the new 60-minute regulation, FIH also announced the implementation of a 40-second time-out when a penalty corner is awarded. Additionally, a 40 second time out will also be added when a goal has been scored. Both time-outs allow for on-field team celebration time, video replays and analysis for televised matches, as well as additional opportunities to engage fans.

The time-outs ensure that the new 60-minute format is primarily actual playing time and eliminates the dead time associated with penalty corner set up while allowing for teams to enjoy their goal..

Source: Sports News 

From ndtv News

ICC World Twenty20: India vs Pakistan - Preview

Battered and bruised in the first quarter of 2014, India will aim to take fresh guard when they open their World Twenty20 campaign against traditional foes Pakistan here on Friday in what promises to be a cracker of a contest.

While form favours Pakistan even though they were battered by South Africa in a warm-up game last evening, history would be on India`s side as they have never lost to their arch-rivals on all three meetings of the previous editions of World T20.

The Pakistan national team has played more T20 Internationals than its Indian counterparts, who last played an official T20 International against Australia in October last year.

There will be some great inner battle within the main contest. Shahid Afridi`s pyrotechnics against Ravichandran Ashwin`s variations, Umar Gul`s pace against Virat Kohli`s bravado, Saeed Ajmal`s guile against Mahendra Singh Dhoni`s flair.

But then, cricket is a fickle game and India have not had a great run this year so far. Mahendra Singh Dhoni`s side has won only two official international matches this year having beaten Bangladesh and Afghanistan in the Asia Cup last month.

They have lost to all major teams like Pakistan, Sri Lanka and New Zealand.

Even they lost to Sri Lanka in the first warm-up game before beating England convincingly by 20 runs in the final warm-up tie to somewhat redeem themselves.

While a victory acts as a morale booster after having inculcated the habit of losing, it would be a completely different ball-game when the `Men In Blue` take the field against Mohammed Hafeez`s men.

It is impossible to think that Afridi`s last-over exploits wouldn`t play on the Indian cricketers` minds ahead of the game although the format is completely different.

There would be immense pressure on both sides and one can expect a full house at the Sher-e-Bangla Stadium as people are going crazy for the tickets of the match.

For Dhoni, there are a number of issues that he needs to fret upon although yesterday`s England game was an indication as to what kind of line-up he is planning to field tomorrow.

There are still some concerns with both batting and bowling. Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan`s performance in shorter versions hasn`t been good enough but the skipper is not known to tinker too much with his side.

Also the fact that Ajinkya Rahane, who can be an option as an opener having done the job for Rajasthan Royals in the IPL, is also not inspiring confidence of the highest order.

While critics have panned Dhoni for not being flexible with his team selection, he did try something `Out of the Box` during the last edition in Sri Lanka where Irfan Pathan came in as an opener.

His run-a-ball 31 was one of the primary reasons that India lost to Australia and were subsequently knocked out of the tournament. Dhoni has never really experimented big time after that.

A good start is always crucial as it helps to seize the initiative early on in the match. Both Rohit and Dhawan would be aware that a couple of defeats could mean end of the road for India in this edition...

Source: Cricket News

From Zee News

Actor Rhea Chakraborty molested in Mumbai

Video Jockey and actor Rhea Chakraborty had filed a NC complainant at Khar police station on Tuesday alleging that a man groped her inside her building premises. She tweeted 'aggressive' about the incident urging the police to take the issue seriously and nab the culprit.

However, the police said that initially she didn't tell them about the molestation. They said that she told them that she had an argument with a well-dressed man while they were standing outside the building lift and she kicked him after he misbehaved with her.

The actor's PR stated that she narrated entire incident on her tweet and it was a case of molestation. "It was serious incident and he molested Rhea. Entire incident was captured in the CCTV footage of the building. We expect that the police will take serious action in the incident" said the PR.

Later, in a statement released, she said, "I would like to thank everyone for their support and encourvvaging words I have tweeted about this unfortunate incident only to highlight the dismal reality and ask all women to be more aware. The police are doing their job and I am confident they will get to the bottom of this matter."

Source: Entertainment News & Box Office Report

From TOI News

Obama, in message to Iranians, says there is chance to reach nuclear deal with Iran

President Barack Obama sent a video message to Iranians on Thursday to say there is a chance to reach a nuclear agreement with Iran if Tehran takes verifiable steps to assure the West its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes only.

"I'm under no illusions. This will be difficult," Obama said in a message to mark the Iranian holiday Nowruz. "But I'm committed to diplomacy because I believe there is the basis for a practical solution."

Source: Hindi News

Form reuters News

NSA targets email IDs, not keywords: Officials

The US government's clandestine Prism internet programme, exposed by Edward Snowden, targets suspect email addresses and phone numbers but does not search for keywords like terrorism, officials said.

Top lawyers of the country's intelligence apparatus including the National Security Agency and Federal Bureau of Investigation participated in a public hearing on the controversial US data mining operations that intercept emails and other internet communications including on social media networks like Facebook, Google or Skype.

They told the hearing hosted by the Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board (PCLOB) that the NSA did not aim to scoop up all web transmissions, but that the surveillance was narrowly tailored to track or uncover terror suspects and other threats.

"We figure out what we want and we get that specifically, that's why it's targeted collection rather than bulk collection," Robert Litt, general counsel at the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, told the hearing.

Prism, which focuses on foreign suspects outside the United States, is subject to less virulent criticism than the other main clandestine operation disclosed by Snowden last year, the NSA's huge telephone metadata programme that gathers information on phone calls by most Americans...

Source: News in Hindi 

From TOI News

Taliban launch brazen, deadly assault on Jalalabad police station

Taliban insurgents carried out a brazen early morning assault Thursday on a police station in the country's east, killing 10 police officers and a civilian, officials said.

The spectacular attack in Jalalabad, the capital of the eastern Nangarhar province, was the latest in the countdown to next month's presidential elections.

The assault involved a suicide bomber, two remotely detonated bombs and seven insurgents and set off a four-hour gunbattle with the police.

By the time it was over, all seven insurgents involved in the multi-pronged attack were killed, said Deputy Interior Minister Gen. Mohammed Ayub Solangi.

The attack began with a suicide bomber detonating his explosives-laden car outside the police station, located near the palatial residence of the province's Governor Attahullah Ludin.

After the blast, six gunmen stormed into the station simultaneously as two bombs were detonated nearby, presumably by remote control -- one hidden in a motorized three-wheel rickshaw and another in a vegetable cart.

Solangi said the insurgents were armed with heavy weapons and automatic machine-guns. The battle was fierce -- with the Afghan troops fighting their way out and chasing the attackers down the street -- and when it ended, 10 policemen, including a district police chief, were dead.

The one civilian who was killed was a university student caught in the cross-fire, said police...

Source: Latest News in Hindi

From ctvnews.ca News

EU mulls further sanctions on Russia over Crimea

Russia faces further sanctions from the European Union on Thursday over its annexation of the Crimean Peninsula as tensions in the region remained high despite the release of a Ukrainian naval commander.

In an address to the German Parliament in Berlin, Chancellor Angela Merkel said the EU was readying further sanctions and that the G-8 forum of leading economies had been suspended indefinitely. Russia holds the presidency of the G-8 and Russian President Vladimir Putin was due to host his counterparts, including US President Barack Obama, at a summit in Sochi in June.

"So long as there aren't the political circumstances, like now, for an important format like the G-8, then there is no G-8," Merkel said. "Neither the summit, nor the format."

Earlier this week, the EU and the United States slapped sanctions on certain individuals that were involved in what they say was the unlawful referendum in Crimea over joining Russia. Moscow formally annexed Crimea earlier this week in the wake of the poll. The Black Sea peninsula had been part of Russia for centuries until 1954 when Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev transferred it to Ukraine.

Russian forces effectively took control of Crimea some two weeks ago in the wake of the ouster of Ukraine's pro-Russia president, Viktor Yanukovych, after months of protests and sporadic violence. The crisis erupted late last year after Yanukovych backed out of an association deal with the EU in favor of a promised $15 billion bailout from Russia. That angered Ukrainians from pro-European central and western regions.

Merkel said EU leaders would increase those "level 2" sanctions against Russia when they meet later Thursday in Brussels to widen the list of those whose assets are being frozen and who are banned from traveling...

Source: Hindi News 

From indiatimes News

There's an audience for films I do: Rajeev Khandelwal

Rajeev Khandelwal, who made an unconventional film debut with "Aamir", will be seen in Rajshri Productions' "Samrat & Co.", a detective thriller, and he is confident that there is an audience for the kind of films he does.

"I am prepared for every film I do. I know my films have made money. 'Aamir', 'Shaitaan' and 'Table No.21', all have made money. I know there is an audience and if you have liked the trailer (of 'Samrat & Co.'), then I guarantee you the film is better," the 38-year-old said here Tuesday at the first look launch of the film.

"Samrat & Co." is produced by Sooraj Barjatya's cousin Kavita and directed by Kaushik Ghatak.


Rajeev hopes the film does good business and is also loved by the audience.

"The film will rock and I am hoping that it is really loved by the audience. I hope the producer makes money. The best thing is when a film makes money and it is loved by the audience. Sometimes films make money, but people don't like it," Rajeev said.

The film is expected to release April 25. ..

Source: Bollywood News & Box Office Report

From ibnlive News

Did Ranbir out of respect for Salman, declined the Bigg Boss 8 offer?

Bollywood heartthrob Ranbir Kapoor seems to stay in good books of Bollywood's bad boy Salman Khan. As he has reportedly refused to step into Salman Khan's shoes.

According to reports, Ranbir Kapoor has declined the offer of playing the host of India's most controversial reality show Bigg Boss season 8.

Bollywood bad boy Salman Khan has been hosting the show for last four seasons and has become a popular face now. During t he season 7 of the show Salman Khan made some indirect remarks that he won't be hosting the season 8 of Bigg Boss.

According to reports, Salman had shown aggravation over being the show's host and claimed not to host the next season of India's most controversial reality show Bigg Boss.

Ranbir and Salman Khan's relationship has always been a topic of discussion as Katrina Kaif is the common factor between the two hunks.

Watch this space for more! 

Source: Entertainment News & Box Office Report 

From indiatvnews News

Crimea crisis: Pro-Russians seize Sevastopol Ukraine naval base

Several Ukrainian servicemen have left, the Russia flag is flying and there are reports that Ukrainian navy chief Serhiy Hayduk has been detained.

It comes a day after Crimean leaders signed a treaty with Moscow absorbing the peninsula into Russia.

Sunday's referendum on splitting from Ukraine has been widely condemned.

Crimean and Russian officials say the vote showed overwhelming public support for joining Russia, with 97% of voters in favour.

But the West and the Ukrainian government in Kiev say the referendum - organised in two weeks and boycotted by many of Crimea's Ukrainian and Tatar minorities - was illegal, and the results will not be recognised.

On Wednesday, Russia's constitutional court approved the accession treaty as legal.

The BBC's Richard Galpin in Moscow says there is no doubt that Russia's parliament will give its full backing to the treaty when it votes on Friday.

Ukrainian Defence Minister Ihor Tenyukh has reportedly been ordered to head to Crimea, where Ukrainian troops are vastly outnumbered by Russian forces.

Russia's Interfax news agency quoted Crimea's Prime Minister Sergei Aksyonov, who is in Moscow, as saying: "Nobody will let them into Crimea, they will be sent back."...

Source: News in Hindi

From BBC News

Data Was Deleted From Flight Simulator of Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 Pilot

Malaysian investigators have found that some data from a flight simulator taken from the home of the missing Malaysia Airlines 3786.KU +2.13% Flight 370's pilot was deleted.

"Some data has been deleted from the simulator. Forensic efforts are on to retrieve the data," Hishammuddin Hussein, Malaysia's acting transport minister told reporters on Wednesday.

The flight simulator was taken from pilot Zaharie Ahmad Shah's home over the weekend as part of police investigation. All crew and ground staff who were involved with Flight 370 are currently being investigated, Mr. Hishammuddin said. He added that all crew and personnel are currently being treated as innocent.

The data log of the games on the simulator was cleared on Feb. 3 and experts are looking at what logs were deleted, Malaysian Inspector General of Police Khalid Abu Bakar said at the same news conference. He declined to comment if the experts thought the erasing of the data was unusual.

After Malaysian officials determined that deliberate action was to blame for the disappearance of Flight 370, police ramped up their investigations of Capt. Zaharie, 52 years old, and his 26-year-old co-pilot, Fariq Abdul Hamid. Investigators searched the homes of both men over the weekend.

Malaysian and foreign intelligence agencies haven't reported anything in their backgrounds that suggests links to terrorist or criminal organizations, a person familiar with the situation has said...

Source: News in Hindi

From WSJ News