May 31 (Reuters) – Turkey will cancel three planned joint military exercises with Israel in protest over the storming of Gaza-bound aid ships by Israeli commandos, Deputy Prime Minister Bulent Arinc told a news conference. (Writing by Ibon Villelabeitia; editing by Ralph Boulton)
Turkey to recall Israel envoy over convoy action
June 1, 2010 By Leave a Comment
May 31 (Reuters) – Turkey will recall its ambassador to Israel in protest after Israeli commandos stormed Gaza-bound aid ships, Turkey’s Foreign Ministry spokesman said on Monday.
President Abdullah Gul said in a statement that Ankara is demanding an inquiry into the violent interdiction of the Turkey-backed convoy and the punishment of the culprits. (Writing by Ibon Villelabeitia; Editing by David Stamp)
Former Pak captain Mohammed Yousuf’s family members embrace Islam
May 20, 2010 By Leave a Comment
Islamabad, May 20 (ANI): Family members of former Pakistan cricket captain Mohammed Yousuf have embraced Islam, almost five years after he turned to the religion from Christianity.
The Nation quoted a private television channel as reporting that Yousuf’s three brothers along with their family members have embraced Islam.
Yousuf, who was known as Yousuf Youhana prior to his change of religion, had accepted Islam in 2005 much to the discomfort of his family members, particularly his mother.
“I don”t want to give Yousuf my name after what he has done. We came to know about his decision when he offered Friday Prayers at a local mosque. It was a shock,” Yousuf’s mother had said when the news about his son changing his religion was first made public.
Yousuf was effectively banned from playing international cricket for an indefinite period by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) in March following an inquiry into the team”s defeat during the tour of Australia, which held him responsible for the team’s shoddy performance during the tour.
He later announced his retirement from all formats of the game in protest against the PCB’s decision. (ANI)
Kim Cattrall loses cover shot over ‘cougar’ protest
May 19, 2010 By Leave a Comment
London, May 19 (ANI): ‘Sex And The City’ star Kim Cattrall lost the opportunity to appear on a major magazine front cover spread after she refused to pose with a cougar.
However, the actress claimed that she has nothing against the concept of older women dating much younger men, but doesn’t like the term ”cougar” to describe such a lady.
“I was asked recently by a significant magazine for women over 40 to pose with a cougar and I refused to do it because I felt it was insulting and they took away the cover,” the Daily Express quoted her as telling U.S. news show Extra.
“I think that ”cougar” has a negative connotation and I don”t see anything negative about… sexuality,” she added. (ANI)
Nankana Sahib residents demand action against criminals by Pak Punjab govt
May 19, 2010 By Leave a Comment
Lahore, May 19 (ANI): Hundreds of protesters in Nankana Sahib demonstrated outside the Punjab Governor’s residence demanding immediate action against a criminal gang, which has killed about a dozen people in the region.
Angry protestors blocked the road in front of the Governor’s House for several hours with the body of one Muhammed Shafi, who is said to have been killed by the criminal gang.
Later, on the assurance of local Member of National Assembly (MNA) Rana Arshad the mob agreed to end their protest.
Arshad assured the aggrieved family that the provincial government had already announced a head money of 300,000 rupees on the accused and that he would personally pursue the case to ensure that justice is delivered.
Shafi’s close relative Shahid Nawaz told The Daily Times that they have filed several cases against one Sarfaraz Ishtiaq, a noted criminal of the region who is believed to have murdered Shafi, but the police have failed to take any action in this regard. (ANI)
Maoist blow up rail track in West Bengal
May 19, 2010 By Leave a Comment
West Midnapore (WB), May 19 (ANI): Maoists blew up a railway track near Jhargram in West Bengal”s West Midnapore district on Wednesday.
The incident took place at around 2.00 am between Gidhni and Khathura stations damaging a goods train running between Tatanagar and Howrah in the Jhargram police station.
The driver and assistant driver of the train have been injured.
Railways and security officials have reached the spot. Work is currently on to repair the rail tracks.
The attack came on the second day of the two-day five-state shutdown called by the Maoists.
The shutdown call has been given in Bihar, West Bengal, Jharkhand, Orissa and Chhattisgarh in protest against anti-Maoist operations by paramilitary forces. (ANI)
Thai minister says no talks until anti-govt rally ends
May 18, 2010 By Leave a Comment
Thailand’s government will only enter into talks brokered by the country’s Senate if anti-government protesters end their rally, a cabinet minister said on Tuesday.
“The situation has escalated and become violent with armed groups and terrorists attacking the government, officers in the field and civilians,” Satit Wongnongtoey said in a televised address.
“The government says we can only negotiate when the protest ends,” he said.
(Reporting by Ambika Ahuja; Writing by Nopporn Wong-Anan. Editing by Jason Szep)
“Frustated” Younis demands suspension of indefinite ban imposed by PCB
May 16, 2010 By Leave a Comment
Lahore, May 16 (ANI): Former Pakistan cricket captain Younis Khan has asked the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to lift the indefinite ban on him, saying that the allegations made against him were baseless.
“Younis is frustrated at the delay in hearing and has demanded the ban should be suspended with immediate effect,” Younis’ counsel Ahmed Qayyum told media persons after the one-man tribunal hearing his appeal against the ban deferred the case till May 29.
Younis along with former skipper Mohammed Yousuf was banned for an indefinite period by the PCB following a report of an enquiry commission which blamed them for infighting in the team during the disastrous tour of Australia during December 2009-January 2010.
Several other players, including Shahid Afridi and Shoaib Malik were also banned and fined on the basis of the enquiry commission’s report.
Except Yousuf, who retired from cricket in protest against the ban, all six penalised players have lodged appeals against the ban and fine slapped by the board.
Qayyum also criticised the PCB for the way it has been handling the whole issue, and demanded an open proceeding of the case.
“We want to argue against all those people who have accused Younis of being ‘arrogant and causing problems’, an opportunity not given to us yet,” The Daily Times quoted Qayyum, as saying. (ANI)
Hurriyat leader Geelani in custody for violating house arrest
April 30, 2010 By Leave a Comment
Srinagar, Apr 30 (ANI): All Party Hurriyat Conference (APHC) leader Sayyed Ali Shah Geelani was taken into custody by Jammu and Kashmir Police on Friday afternoon for violating house arrest norms.
Geelani was placed under house arrest following his call to march on the UN office in the city.
The hardline faction of the APHC had given call for the march in protest against the Delhi Court’s verdict on the 1996 Lajpat Nagar blast case, which sentenced three of the accused to death.
Police, had told Geelani not to move out of his house on Wednesday.
The APHC has condemned Geelani’s house arrest, describing it as an undemocratic act of the ruling National Conference. (ANI)
Media frenzy forcing Sania-Shoaib to venture out only at night
April 29, 2010 By Leave a Comment
Lahore, Apr.29 (ANI): Hauled by the media and local people in Lahore, the newly wedded sports couple Sania Mirza and Shoaib Akhtar have been forced to venture out in the city only at night.
Sania said that though she is enjoying visiting places in the city during nights, she wants to walk out in the day as well.
“We are having to come out at night to visit the city owing to media hype. I enjoyed a lot the nocturnal view of the city. I want to walk in the daylight as well”, Sania said.
The India Tennis star said she is loving the Pakistani cuisine and having a great time shopping, but is upset by the media glare and all the ‘negative’ stories being circulated about her marriage functions.
Sania outrightly rejected reports regarding the invitation cards of their ‘walima’ reception being sold for hefty amounts, saying such stories were nothing but ‘laughable’.
The sports couple has appealed to the Pakistani media to stop intruding into their private life and respect their privacy.
Since their arrival in Pakistan, fans and media have hounded the sports couple, following them everywhere in the country.
“The media needs masala (spice) but it must behave in a way that our personal life does not get affected,” Sania had said earlier, adding that she was surprised over the media frenzy over her wedding.
“It is not like ours is a great big love story,” she added.
Shoaib also recorded his protest against the heightened media glare over the wedding, saying the media should not have sensationalised his marriage.
“Due to the continuous media glare, I and Sania will not able to live like a normal couple. Besides being a husband, I have to play the role of a security guard,” said Shoaib. (ANI)
Shaoania urges Pak media to stop looking for ‘masala’ in their private life
April 28, 2010 By Leave a Comment
Lahore, Apr.28 (ANI): Newly married sports couple Sania Mirza and Shoaib Malik have appealed to the Pakistani media to stop intruding into their private life and respect their privacy.
Since their arrival in Pakistan, fans and media have hounded the sports couple, following them everywhere in the country.
“The media needs masala (spice) but it must behave in a way that our personal life does not get affected,” said an annoyed Sania, adding that she was surprised over the media frenzy over her wedding.
“It is not like ours is a great big love story,” The Daily Times quoted Sania, as saying.
Shoaib also recorded his protest against the heightened media glare over the wedding, saying the media should not have sensationalised his marriage.
“Due to the continuous media glare, I and Sania will not able to live like a normal couple. Besides being a husband, I have to play the role of a security guard,” Shoaib said.
Shoania had to face a tough time wading through a huge crowd that had gathered to catch a glimpse of the celebrity couple at the five star hotel they were staying in Lahore.
As they passed through the crowd they faced severe pushing and shoving causing Sania to almost fall but Shoaib jumped into action by taking her into his arms.
The incident had even brought tears into Sania’s eyes. (ANI)
Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha adjourned till noon over price rise
April 27, 2010 By Leave a Comment
New Delhi, Apr 27 (ANI): Both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha have been adjourned till noon, as the Opposition continued with its diatribe against the UPA Government over the price rise.
The Opposition staged a protest outside Parliament over the same holding cards that read: “Bring back the price to an affordable level.”
The BJP-led Opposition is all charged up to introduce a cut motion over rising prices in Parliament today, as on Monday it issued a whip to all its MPs to ensure all its leaders support the cut motions tomorrow.
Cut motions are usually issued by members of the opposition in the legislature to devout the policy behind the financial estimates of the government.
Cut motions can be of three types: disapproval of policy cut, economic cut and token cut. (ANI)
Nepal Maoists announce indefinite strike from May 2
April 27, 2010 By Leave a Comment
Kathmandu, April 26 — Disregarding appeals from the government and international community, Maoists in Nepal on Monday announced their decision to launch an indefinite strike across the country from May 2. The main opposition party stated that the strike is in protest against government unwillingness to end the political deadlock and ensure logical conclusion of the peace and constitution drafting processes. “This is not our wish but have been forced to take this step,” said United Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ at a press conference on Monday evening.
Reiterating that the demonstration and strike would be peaceful, Prachanda warned the government of dire consequences if it tried to use force to disperse Maoist cadres or prevent them from reaching the capital.
Nepal Maoists call indefinite strike from May 2
April 27, 2010 By Leave a Comment
Kathmandu, April 27 — Disregarding appeals from the government and international community, Maoists in Nepal on Monday announced their decision to launch an indefinite strike across the country from May 2. The main opposition party stated that the strike is in protest against government unwillingness to end the political deadlock and ensure logical conclusion of the peace and constitution drafting processes.
“This is not our wish but have been forced to take this step,” said United Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ at a press conference on Monday. Thousands of Maoist cadres would take part in a street demonstration on May 1 seeking removal of the government and establishment of a national unity government headed by the party.
Jharkhand farmers protest over land acquisition
April 20, 2010 By Leave a Comment
Ghatsila (Jharkhand), Apr 19 (ANI): Eminent writer and civil rights activist Mahasweta Devi on Sunday joined hands with farmers in their struggle against the acquisition of farmland for a proposed steel plant in Jharkhand”s Ghatsila region.
The farmers of Potka, Kalikapur and Asambani villages of East Singhbhum District are unwilling to give away their land to Jindal Steel and Bhushan Steel companies, but the villagers allege the government is still forcibly evicting farmers from their lands.
“The fight is about saving our lands. We are not going to give up our lands in any case. Today we will welcome Mahasweta Devi amongst us and we will try to forward our demands to the government,” said Tapas Kumar Bhagat, a villager.
“They will throw them just like that. What will happen to them, where will they go, what will they eat, where will they live, they don”t care about it at all,” said Mahashweta Devi.
State Governments across India have witnessed several such protests in the recent past, as farmers are up in arms against the acquisition of their fertile lands, which are their sole means of livelihood.
Land acquisition for various projects such as Special Economic Zones (SEZs), highways and industrial projects has sparked off violent protests and agitations across India in the recent past. (ANI)
Jharkhand farmers protest over land acquisition
April 19, 2010 By Leave a Comment
Ghatsila (Jharkhand), Apr 19 (ANI): Eminent writer and civil rights activist Mahasweta Devi on Sunday joined hands with farmers in their struggle against the acquisition of farmland for a proposed steel plant in Jharkhand”s Ghatsila region.
The farmers of Potka, Kalikapur and Asambani villages of East Singhbhum District are unwilling to give away their land to Jindal Steel and Bhushan Steel companies, but the villagers allege the government is still forcibly evicting farmers from their lands.
“The fight is about saving our lands. We are not going to give up our lands in any case. Today we will welcome Mahasweta Devi amongst us and we will try to forward our demands to the government,” said Tapas Kumar Bhagat, a villager.
“They will throw them just like that. What will happen to them, where will they go, what will they eat, where will they live, they don”t care about it at all,” said Mahashweta Devi.
State Governments across India have witnessed several such protests in the recent past, as farmers are up in arms against the acquisition of their fertile lands, which are their sole means of livelihood.
Land acquisition for various projects such as Special Economic Zones (SEZs), highways and industrial projects has sparked off violent protests and agitations across India in the recent past. (ANI)