World / Social Life
Germany Wants European Athletic Championships
05.07.2008 10:35
dw-world.de
Germany has set its sights on hosting the 2012 or 2014 European athletics championships in Nuremberg, the nation's athletics supremo Clemens Prokop said on Saturday.
Germany
Social Life
Man Tears Off Hitler Head at Berlin Wax Museum
05.07.2008 10:35
dw-world.de
A man tore the wax head off an effigy of Adolf Hitler in Berlin on Saturday, July 5, just minutes after a new branch of the Madame Tussauds wax museum chain opened for the first time to the public.
Germany
Social Life
Bangalore pays homage to Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw
05.07.2008 10:35
b4uindia.com
An emotional memorial was held at the Chopra Auditorium here on Saturday as homage to late Field Marshal Sam Hormusji Framji Jamshedji Manekshaw college. The Governor of Karnataka, Rameshwar Thakur, Principal Secretary Home Vatsala Valsa, Additional Chief Secrtetary Shantha Kumari were present at event held inside the compound of the Army Service Corps Centre and College. A large number of soldiers, both serving and retired were present at the venue in their ceremonial dress, each proudly sporting medals to remind them of the war they had fought. The memorial service was a dignified and solemn affair befitting the occasion. Rich floral tributes and wreaths were laid on the large sized photograph of the Field Marshal. This was followed by a documentary film on the legendary soldier. Senior retired Army officers recalled their association with Sam Manekshaw, who they hailed as an outstanding leader of men; exceptionally genuine and humane. Lieutenant General NSI Narahari (Retired) shared some memories with ANI, he said the Field Marshal was one of the most inspirational leaders whom his men followed unquestioningly. Major Genearl M C Nanjappa, AVSM, YSM (Retired) while speaking to ANI, described him as rare personification of elegance, intelligence and charm. Officers, Junior Commanding Officer (JCO's), other ranks and people from other walks of life penned down their tributes in a condolence book. Director General of Police, Karnataka, R. Srikumar, Commissioner of Police Neelam Achuth Rao, retired and serving officers, including Air Marshal V.R. Iyer, Brigadier P.S. Ravindranath, and Commander of the Karnataka and Kerala Sub Area, Commandants of various Army Units, were also present. Field Marshal Manekshaw died at the Military Hospital in Wellington on June 27 at the age of 94. Born on April 3, 1914 to Parsi parents belonging to the small Zoroastrian community of India, in Amritsar, Manekshaw was among the first batch of cadets to join the coveted Indian Military Academy (IMA), Dehradun, on October 1, 1932. He was commissioned into the 12th Frontier Force Regiment in December 1934. After the partition of India and Pakistan, Manekshaw remained in the Indian Army and was posted as Commandant of the Infantry School and Colonel of the 8th Gorkha Rifles, which became his parental regiment after the 12th Frontier Force went to the Pakistan Army. In his career, spanning nearly four decades, Manekshaw rose to be the 8th chief of the world's fourth largest Army on June 7, 1969. He was awarded the Padma Vibhushan, India's second highest civilian honour, in 1972 and conferred the rank of Field Marshal on January 1, 1973. Manekshaw retired on January 15, 1973, and later served on the board of directors of several private companies. (ANI)
India
Social Life
Samajwadi Party undecided on supporting Congress
05.07.2008 10:35
b4uindia.com
Playing down the remarks of the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) leader Om Prakash Chautala on Samajwadi Party’s intention to back the Congress, the party’s General Secretary Amar Singh said that no decision has been taken as yet. "Neither has the Congress asked for support nor have we offered our support," Singh told reporters here. "We will decide when the confidence motion is moved in Parliament," he added. ''After endorsement of the Indo-US nuclear deal by former president A P J Abdul Kalam, it was not a question of support to Sonia Gandhi or Manmohan Singh, but of what was in the interest of the country,'' he said. Singh also called Chautala as his friend and said: “I would not like to make comment on him. I only want to say that for the Samajwadi Party, the interest of the country took precedence over that of the party, and the main issue was to fight with the communal forces which were danger to the country.” He said the vote of confidence in Parliament will not be between the supporters and the opponents of the nuclear deal but between communal and secular forces, and the Congress was a secular party. “We'll do anything to combat communalism. L K Advani is a greater threat to us than George Bush. America and imperialism is better than the Bharatiya Janata Party’s communalism,” he remarked. Samajwadi Party leaders had on Thursday sought the advice of former President A. P. J. Abdul Kalam on the nuclear deal issue, and he had endorsed it by saying that it is in the national interest. Singh confirmed that National Security Adviser M K Narayanan had briefed him about the deal and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had also issued a public statement that the deal is in the national interest. (ANI)
India
Social Life
EPF board defers decision on interest rates for 2008-09
05.07.2008 10:34
b4uindia.com
The Central Board of Trustees of the Employees Provident Fund Organisation today has deferred its decision on the interest rates of 2008-09 till its next meeting. It also decided that industries having ten or more employees would now come under the ambit of the EPFO. The Left supported Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) has demanded around 12 per cent interest rates for the current fiscal, citing the high rate of inflation. The All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) has been demanding at least 9.5 per cent interest as assured by the Prime Minister in 2004 for 2005-6 and in 2006-7, the rates have been stable at 8.5 per cent. Over four crore subscribers of the EPFO got 8.5 per cent in the last fiscal year. The EPFO was formed in 1952 following the enactment of the Employees’ Provident Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952. At present the Employees' Provident Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952, covers only establishments with 20 or more employees. In the case of co-operatives the number is 50. The move along with the social security cover envisaged for unorganised sector under the Unorganised Sector Bill is expected to lead to a huge expansion of social security cover reaching out to almost all kinds of units irrespective of the number of employees. (ANI)
India
Social Life
Hordes of visitors throng mango festival in Delhi
05.07.2008 10:34
b4uindia.com
Mouth-watering varieties of mangoes from across the India are on display at the 20th Mango Festival. The three-day mango festival, which commenced on Friday, has been organised by the Delhi Tourism Department in collaboration with the Government of Delhi. At least 500 varieties of mangoes like Sirki, Suwarn, Jahangir, Neeleshwari, Royal SP, Amrapali, Langra, Alphonso, Mallika are being displayed for public viewing, besides the special varieties by Padmashree awardees. A. K Singh, a senior scientist of the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) said that the systematic planning in the growth and distribution of mangoes in India is essential to tap the overseas mango market. "We are the largest producer of mangoes in the world. If we want to tap the mangoes market overseas, whether it is in North America, Europe, Australia or Japan, then we have to put our focus in a very systematic manner to put on quality standards, develop it, sequenced supply chain reactions, storage facilities, quality and develop a variety which meets demands of the overseas market," said Singh. The mango festival also provided a platform for orchard owners to reach out to prospective buyers. The festival witnessed tremendous participation of traditional mango growers from various part of India who has gained expertise over the years. "I have brought 210 varieties of mangoes here. Although weather conditions were not apt for the growth of mangoes in our area in winters, still I am able to bring good number of mangoes," said Tariq Mustafa, a grower from Muzaffarnagar. Thousands of mango lovers are thronging the fair that offers sale of varied varieties of export worthy mangoes and mango-based products. Mango eating competition for men and women is also a part of the fair that will conclude on Sunday. The other attractions of the festival will be a 'mango quiz' and 'mango slogan writing competition' for children. The festival of mangoes, which began in 1991, has now become an annual affair, attracting mango growers, traders and a large number of visitors to the national capital. The festival was first held in Saharanpur in Uttar Pradesh, but shifted to New Delhi for better exposure. Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Orissa, Assam, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu are major mango-growing states in India. About 1,000 varieties of mangoes are grown in India, in an area of 2.5 million hectares. India is the world's biggest producer of this tropical fruit contributing 59 per cent of total production, but its share in the world mango market is less than 15 per cent. It exports about tones of mangoes every year to nearly 40 countries including Britain, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Canada and now the Untied States. Mangoes account for around 39 per cent of the total fruit exports from India. (ANI)
India
Social Life
Chautala predicts Third Front split
05.07.2008 10:34
b4uindia.com
A day after the Samajwadi Party endorsed the Indo-US nuclear deal and expressed its intention to back the Congress should the Left decided to withdraw its outside support to the UPA Government, Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) leader Om Prakash Chautala predicted a split in the United National Progressive Alliance (UNPA). “The Indo-US nuclear deal is anti-national and anti-secular. Mulayam Singh was insulted earlier and will be insulted again by the Congress. The UNPA does not see eye-to-eye with the Samajwadi Party any more. Mulayam Singh would be out of the UNPA,” Chautala said. UNPA constituent Asom Gana Parishad said: “We will not support the nuclear deal.'' “I am pained to know that the Samajwadi Party is no longer a part of the UNPA. This, despite Mulayam being the founder member of the alliance,” he said. Chautala said a final decision on the split in the Third Front would be taken at Sunday’s meeting of UNPA members. The UNPA is comprised of the Telugu Desam, the Samajwadi Party, the Asom Gani Parishad, and Chautala's Indian National Lok Dal, who were claiming to represent a non-Congress, non-BJP front. Chautala said that the Samajwadi Party’s move is surprising since Mulayam Singh was against the nuclear deal since the beginning. (ANI)
India
Social Life
Ukraine offers to build new cruise missile engines for Russia
05.07.2008 10:33
rian.ru
Motor Sich, Ukraine's largest manufacturer of aircraft and rocket engines, has offered Russia to manufacture a new engine for Russian cruise missiles, the head of the company said on Saturday.
Russia
Social Life
English Sikh rock legend returning to his roots for Lahore performance
05.07.2008 09:23
b4uindia.com
During his first visit to Pakistan, English Sikh rock star Narinder Singh Rithor alias Peter Singh said he was fascinated by the beauty of Lahore, saying the people here make you feel at home. Born in Rawalpindi in 1946 after which his family moved to India, Rithor said he would perform in Pakistan and a Pakistani Sikh singer Jassy Singh would organise his concerts in Lahore. “Lahoris are polite and fantastic people. They don’t let you feel out of home,” the Daily Times quoted the singer as saying. He added that the people of Lahore, whom he had found openhearted, warmly welcomed him. Rithor has four children, a girl and three boys. His daughter is a solicitor in London, while one of his sons is a break-dancer. He is a great fan of Elvis Presley, the king of rock ‘n’ roll, and got fame by singing like him. Rithor has also performed in the Royal Albert Hall. He has done many singles and his one album has rocked the music charts. “When I started doing rock ‘n’ roll in 1980, I was the first Sikh to do this, and was covered by all newspapers in the UK,” he added. He said he was impressed by late Pakistani singer Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and loved to listen to his tunes. He said he had visited Lahore for the first time, but it would not be the last. “I liked the city and would love to visit it again, he said and added: “Jassy is arranging my concert here and I hope people will like my performance.” (ANI)
India
Social Life
Iran warns of sharp increase in oil prices if attacked
05.07.2008 09:22
rian.ru
Global oil prices will jump to unprecedented levels in case of any aggression against Iran, the country's oil minister said on Saturday. Some Western media have long been circulating rumors of an 'imminent" attack on the Islamic Republic planned by either the United States or Israel in order to force Tehran to abandon its controversial uranium enrichment program.
Russia
Social Life
Abkhaz leader says Georgia planned to invade Abkhazia in spring -2
05.07.2008 09:22
rian.ru
Sergei Bagapsh, the leader of Georgia's breakaway region of Abkhazia said on Saturday that Georgia had plans to attack and invade the region in April-May this year.
Russia
Social Life
German Cheese Factory Shut Down Amid Probe
05.07.2008 08:31
dw-world.de
A German cheese factory has been ordered to suspend sales amid a wider inquiry into claims that mouldy Italian cheese had been passed off as new, police said Saturday.
Germany
Social Life
Mild weather aids Calif. firefighters, but strong winds hamper fire efforts to south
05.07.2008 07:29
usatoday.com
Weary firefighters have had no reprieve from a pair of out-of-control wildfires that roared along California's central coast, ...
USA
Social Life
English