World / Social Life
Russia pledges to prevent Georgia-S.Ossetia armed conflict
11.07.2008 13:18
rian.ru
Russia will do everything in its power to prevent a military conflict breaking out between Georgia and its breakaway republic of South Ossetia, the foreign minister said on Friday.
Russia
Social Life
Hizbul Mujahideen commander arrested in Handwara
11.07.2008 12:19
b4uindia.com
In a joint operation Jammu and Kashmir Police and the Rashtriya Rifles has arrested a Hizbul Mujahideen militant from Handwara District’s Lach forests. The Handwara police had received a tip-off regarding the presence of militants in the area. Accordingly, Handwara police launched a joint operation with the troops of 30-Rashtriya Rifles. They cordoned the area but the militant opened fire on joint search party of the police, triggering a fierce firefight. The militant finally tried to break open the cordon and flee away from the spot taking the advantage of nearby dense bushes. It was at this point that operation party after following a meticulous security drill apprehended the militant with the recovery of one AK-47 rifle, five AK magazines, 150 rounds of AK-ammunition, four Chinese grenades, a pouch and an identity card. During preliminary questioning the subject revealed his identity as a Pakistan trained militant namely Ali Mohammad Khan alias Showkat, Deputy District Commander, B- category militant of Hizbul Mujahideen outfit, resident of Rajpora, Zachaldara Handwara. The subject remained active in Rajwar, Qaziabad and Mawar areas of police District Handwara. He was a close associate of the then self-styled District Commanders of Hizbul Mujahideen outfit namely Mushtaq Ahmad Malla alias Furkan, Mudasir Shabir alias Ali, Sonullah Sheikh alias Kafeel, and Shaheen Ahmad Malik alias Sajad alias Usman, who have been recently arrested by Handwara police. (ANI)
India
Social Life
Ten more handloom clusters sanctioned for Jammu and Kashmir
11.07.2008 12:19
b4uindia.com
Textiles Minister Shankersinh Vaghela today said that the Government is working to promote the activities of Handicrafts and Handloom Exports Corporation of India Ltd. (HHEC) and has sanctioned ten more clusters of handlooms for Jammu and Kashmir. Addressing the Parliamentary Consultative Committee meeting, Vaghela said that the HHEC is running a number of activities to provide support to artisans and weavers for the upgradation of their skills, design inputs, training and marketing their products. More than ten thousand weavers are getting direct and indirect employment through the activities of HHEC. The Corporation has 21 procurement centers all over the country to help and provide technical support to the grass root weavers. Reiterating the Government’s commitment for marketing support to the artisans, the Minister said that the Central Cottage Industries Corporation (CCIC) does procurement and sales of quality handicrafts and handloom products not only for the domestic market but also for abroad. It has also opened showrooms to showcase traditional art culture. He said the CCIC always lays emphasis in supporting artisan and has made efforts to eliminate middlemen in the process of marketing of handlooms. Briefing the members about the National Handicrafts and Handlooms Museum (NHHM), also known as Crafts Museum at Delhi, he said that the Museum has a collection of over 32,000 artifacts consisting of metal icon, lamps, incense burners and ritual accessories. The Library of the Museum has more than 20,000 reference books and other periodicals. (ANI)
India
Social Life
Mumbai observes second anniversary of 7/11 train blasts
11.07.2008 12:19
b4uindia.com
Mumbai today paid homage to victims of serial train blasts on the second anniversary of the blasts. At least 186 people were killed and hundreds injured when seven bombs ripped through packed commuter trains and stations during rush hour on July 11, 2006, throwing life in the financial hub out of gear. Relatives of the victims and residents of Mumbai gathered at a local railway station, and lit candles in homage to the victims. A.K. Jhingron, General Manager, Western Railway, Mumbai said, "It is a sad day. We hope that all the pain and losses that people have borne, they forget it soon.” “We will not remind them of the monstrosity again and again, said Jhingron and added, “We have come here just to pay homage to those who lost their lives and not to deliver any statements." Even after two years, Mumbai Anti Terrorist squad is still struggling to solve the heinous crime. Seven persons have been identified in connection with the blasts, of which four, belonging to the banned, Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI), were taken into custody. The 7/11 blasts has been described as one of the country''s worst terror strikes. (ANI)
India
Social Life
Short stay homes for women to be upgraded
11.07.2008 12:19
b4uindia.com
Stressing the need on better accommodation facilities for working women, Women and Child Development Minister Renuka Chowdhury said here today that the Centre would provide fund to the State Government for the construction of the building and infrastructure for working women’s hostels. She said efforts will be made to set up at least one home in each district with mandatory women helpline, medical care, psychiatric treatment, occupational therapy and education-cum-vocational training facilities. Addressing the Parliamentary Consultative Committee, Women and Child Development Minister Renuka Chowdhury said that her Ministry had requested the State Governments to allot land for setting up more working women’s hostels. Underlining the importance of counseling services for women under stress and difficult circumstances, she said her Ministry was making efforts to evolve curriculum for counsellors keeping the needs of women and children. Well-known women and child experts and academicians will be involved in the project, she added. The counselling center will be set up through NGOs and priority will be given to the pockets where migrated women or women displaced or affected due to natural calamities and disaster are residing. She also informed that the Central Social Welfare Board of her Ministry runs a programme of condense education, to cater the needs of adult girls and women who could not join mainstream education system or were school dropouts. Contents of the course were being made more need-based according to local requirements. Aim of the programme is to instill confidence among women. The scheme is being implemented through voluntary organizations and educational institutions. Besides this, the government has also increased allocation under the Rajiv Gandhi Creche Scheme for the Children of working mothers. In the current budget, Rs. 100 crore has been allocated for this purpose, she said. Members of Parliament stressed on higher allocation for women’s rehabilitation schemes and programmes and effective monitoring system to ensure proper utilization of the funds. They also suggested to run awareness generation programme so that more and more women could avail benefits of the government’s schemes. (ANI)
India
Social Life
US envoy welcomes India''s decision to move forward on nuke deal
11.07.2008 12:19
b4uindia.com
The United States welcomes the Government of India''s decision to move forward with the U.S.-India Civil Nuclear Initiative by seeking International Atomic Energy Agency approval for its safeguards agreement. This historic initiative is a significant component of the Strategic Partnership envisioned by President George W. Bush and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, said U.S. Ambassador to India David C Mulford. Mulford said that the U.S.-India Civil Nuclear Initiative will help India meet its growing energy demands in an economically efficient and environmentally friendly manner and strengthen the global nonproliferation regime. However, he said that much work still needs to be done to see this initiative through to the final stages. "We will work closely with India, with Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency, with our Nuclear Suppliers Group partners, and the United States Congress to ensure that this initiative is implemented as quickly as possible," he added. (ANI)
India
Social Life
Sukhoi to raise civil aircraft share in production to 50% by 2015 - 2
11.07.2008 12:18
rian.ru
Russia's Sukhoi aircraft manufacturer said on Friday it plans to equalize the share of civilian and military aviation in its production portfolio by 2015.
Russia
Social Life
U.S. police to arrest man who left Russian baby to die in car
11.07.2008 12:18
rian.ru
An man in Virginia whose adopted son from Russia died after being left for hours in a car in searing heat will be arrested on leaving hospital, local police told RIA Novosti on Friday.
Russia
Social Life
Ukraine's government survives no-confidence
11.07.2008 12:18
rian.ru
Yulia Tymoshenko's government retained power in Ukraine after a no-confidence vote in parliament on Friday failed to gain enough support.
Russia
Social Life
German Fashion Industry Unites Against Anorexic Models
11.07.2008 11:20
dw-world.de
German fashion industry representatives signed a voluntary code of conduct in Berlin Friday aimed at banning anorexic models from the catwalk, an initiative backed by the federal government.
Germany
Social Life
Georgia refuses to discuss S.Ossetia in Moscow
11.07.2008 11:20
rian.ru
Georgia has declined Russia's invitation to a meeting in Moscow later this month on easing tensions between Georgia and its breakaway republic of South Ossetia, the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Friday.
Russia
Social Life
London mayor housing plans may be a blow for many
11.07.2008 11:17
safestore.co.uk
Thousands of people living in London could find themselves struggling for space as their dreams of buying a new-build affordable property look likely to be put on hold for the time being.
Great Britain
Social Life
Buyers to find "no solace" in interest rate freeze
11.07.2008 11:17
safestore.co.uk
People currently struggling to get onto or even move up the UK property ladder will have found "no solace" in the Bank of England's decision to hold interest rates.
Great Britain
Social Life
Brits buying abroad for personal, not financial, reasons
11.07.2008 11:17
safestore.co.uk
In contrast to the images of wide-eyed investors looking to make a killing abroad, the average Brit buying an overseas property is doing so for personal reasons rather than business reasons, experts have explained.
Great Britain
Social Life
English