Sony bids $50 million for Jackson rehearsal film (AP)

LOS ANGELES - Sony Corp.'s movie studio has bid $50 million to acquire the worldwide distribution rights to a film based on rehearsal footage for Michael Jackson's "This Is It" comeback concert series, according to a person familiar with the bid.

The person said Monday that the bid came after several studios, including Paramount, Universal and 20th Century Fox, were shown footage starting early last week. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the bidding had not been completed. None of the studios would comment on the record.

The winning studio would produce the film with Jackson's concert promoter, AEG Live, and his estate. It would go a long way to helping AEG Live recoup some of the $30 million to $32 million it spent producing the concert before Jackson died June 25.

The bidding was reported earlier by the Los Angeles Times and industry blogger Nikki Finke.

Sony Pictures has a leg up on other bidders because Sony Music distributes Jackson's music and is in a 50-50 partnership with his estate in Sony/ATV Music Publishing. Sony's bid is on par with the cost of making a mid-range budget movie, and is offset by the fact that the Sony group of companies would benefit from the music licensing rights attached to the film.

There is also massive interest in Jackson material worldwide. An estimated 31 million viewers in the U.S. alone watched the Jackson memorial service live earlier this month, according to Nielsen Media Research. That's just shy of the 33 million U.S. viewers who watched Princess Diana's funeral.

"This type of a story, if put together right, could be very compelling and draw a very, very wide audience," said Mark Fleischer, an entertainment attorney with Venable LLP and former executive at MGM Studios.

The estate and AEG Live are also negotiating with several television networks and pay-per-view outlets on a TV special that would be a stage show featuring Jackson's music and dancing. It would be directed by "This Is It" director Kenny Ortega.

The selling price being discussed for the rights to show the TV special is also in the tens of millions of dollars.

General Electric Co.'s NBC has been in talks on the TV show, but the concept, air date and cost for the rights has not been finalized, said NBC spokeswoman Rebecca Marks.

"We have no deal for the rights to the Michael Jackson special," Marks said.

The special administrators of Jackson's estate, attorney John Branca and former music executive John McClain, have been moving quickly to secure Jackson's assets and cut deals to capitalize on the surge in interest in the pop star since he died.

Last week, Branca and McClain received signed court papers authorizing them to act on his estate's behalf until another hearing Aug. 3. McClain has been sorting through unreleased Jackson recordings, while Sony Music is interested in releasing a commemorative album. Music sales have soared.

Jackson's 2002 will named Branca and McClain as executors and directs all of his assets to be placed in a trust that will benefit his mother Katherine Jackson, his three children, and unnamed children's charities. The estate is estimated to be worth more than $500 million.

But Katherine Jackson's lawyers on Friday sought a judge's ruling on whether she can challenge the authority of the men without triggering a "no contest" clause in the trust that would cause her to be disinherited.

'Harry Potter' smashes 'Spider-Man' records

Mon, Jul 20 08:16 AM

Harry Potter cast a spell over moviegoers worldwide as the sixth entry in the fantasy franchise set a new opening record of $396.7 million, a clear sign that the lucrative franchise has lost none of its magic.

"Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" earned $159.7 million in the United States and Canada, the sixth-biggest opening for a five-day period, distributor Warner Bros. Pictures said on Sunday.

The international component stands at $237 million from 84 markets, also setting a new record.

The old records were held by "Spider-Man 3" in 2007 when its global bow of $381.7 million included foreign sales of $230.5 million.

In North America, the new film outpaced its predecessor, "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix," which opened to $139.7 million two years ago. That picture ended with $938 million worldwide, the seventh-biggest movie of all time before accounting for inflation.

But while the five-day sum was impressive, it was dwarfed by the $200 million opening for "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen" last month, which was just $3.8 million behind the record set last year by "The Dark Knight."

Top international markets for the new film included Britain with $32.4 million, Germany with $23 million, France with $20.2 million and Japan with $18.2 million.

"We are thrilled with the record-setting international results this weekend, showing that Harry Potter's audiences continue to grow as the characters mature with every installment in the series," said Veronika Kwan-Rubinek, president of international distribution at the Time Warner Inc -owned studio.

BILLION-DOLLAR QUESTION

The big issue is whether the new film will become the first in the franchise to crack the $1 billion mark. The biggest movie was the first one, 2001's "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone," which finished with $975 million, the fifth-biggest movie of all time. (Internationally, the title was "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone.")

The new film cost $235 million to make, the priciest yet in the lucrative franchise. The first five movies generated $4.5 billion in ticket sales worldwide. DVD sales send the tally even higher.

The new film opened worldwide on Wednesday, not a moment too soon for fans of the boy wizard and his pals. It was originally scheduled to open in November, but Warner Bros. decided to delay it until summer, devastating Potterphiles around the globe.

The action revolves around secret plots involving Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe) and his nemesis Draco (Tom Felton), as the visually stunning film takes viewers deeper into the dark side. There are also budding romances among the young stars. It marks the second consecutive Harry Potter film directed by David Yates.

For the traditional three-day weekend, Friday through Sunday, the new "Harry Potter" film earned $79.5 million in North America, not far ahead of the $77.1 million haul for "Order of the Phoenix." Comparisons with the other movies in the franchise are difficult because those opened on Friday while the latter two opened on Wednesday.

Last weekend's North American champion, Universal Pictures' "Bruno," tumbled to No. 4 with $8.4 million for the three-day period, losing a hefty 73 percent of its opening-weekend audience. Movies generally hope for a 50 percent fall in their second weekend. The 10-day haul for British satirist Sacha Baron Cohen's risque look at gay culture stands at a modest $49.6 million.

20th Century Fox's "Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs" was steady at No. 2 with $17.7 million. The total for the cartoon rose to $152 million. The studio said it is the biggest film of the year internationally, with sales of $429 million, ahead of Paramount's "Transformers" sequel with $398 million.

But the robot picture has earned $363.9 million in North America, bolstered by a $13.8 million weekend, good enough for a second round at No. 3.

Universal is a unit of General Electric Co's NBC Universal. Fox is a unit of News Corp. Paramount Pictures is a unit of Viacom Inc

Employment rate increases by 0.6 per cent in Jan-March

New Delhi, Jul 8 (PTI) The Government today said employment rate in India in some sectors grew by 0.6 per cent during the first quarter of this year notwithstanding the recession, with non-export units generating more jobs than the export units. During the January-March period, employment in gems and jewellery units grew by 3.08 per cent, in textiles by 0.96 per cent, in IT-BPO by 0.82 per cent and in automobiles by 0.10 per cent, Minister of Labour and Employment Harish Rawat informed the Rajya Sabha.

In a written reply, he, however, said the leather, metals and the transport sector observed a decline in employment. Notably, the gems and jewellery, transport and automobile sectors were the worst affected during the October-December period last year with rate of employment declining by 8.53 per cent, 4.03 per cent and 2.42 per cent respectively, he said.

During that period, about half a million workers lost their jobs due to the recession, the Minister said quoting a study conducted by the Labour Bureau of the Ministry. To a question on steps to prevent retrenchment, he said as retrenchment fall under the "state sphere", state governments have been asked to make their conciliation machinery more effective and implement labour laws in appropriate manner.

NY thieves want iPhones, victims are fighting back

Thieves are increasingly going after iPhones and other "smart phones" but victims now can fight back with technology.

One device allows a user to remotely activate a loud siren designed to rattle the thief. Another application, designed for iPhones, can reveal the phone's location.

Police statistics show petty crime is down in New York but anecdotal evidence and recent headlines about street muggings targeting costly and coveted devices like Apple's iPhone and T-Mobile's Sidekick have disturbed smart phone users concerned about protecting access to e-mail, passwords and other data.

"When we have seen spikes in thefts, a significant portion has to do with ... highly desirable products," said police spokesman Paul Browne. "In the last couple of years it's been iPods, Sidekicks, iPhones."

He said most of these muggings involve teenagers robbing other teenagers and take place on subways in the afternoon after schools get out.

New technology helps owners of expensive gadgets to get them back after they are lost or stolen. The Find My iPhone feature from Apple, which declined to comment for this story, enables users to determine the phone's location and erase the data on it, among other things.

A Chicago blogger who tried the feature after his iPhone disappeared tracked the phone's movements from a friend's computer. According to his post at http://happywaffle.livejournal.com/5890.html, he got his phone back -- and a handshake from the surprised culprit.

"You're lucky you didn't get shot in the face," read one comment on the blog.

MAKE A DEAL WITH PHONE THIEF

Indian company Maverick Mobile Solutions' system allows victims of theft to activate a siren and send a text message to the phone -- perhaps to offer a deal to get the phone back.

Fear of a gadget-related crime wave is not new. In 2005, as Apple's signature white earphones were becoming ubiquitous in U.S. cities, the New York Police Department reported an increase in subway crime linked to iPod thefts. Before that, victims were targeted for their expensive sneakers.

But cell phone theft is a particular concern because of the risk of identity theft, said City Councilman Peter Vallone.

"It's bad enough losing your phone and that's all it was a few years ago," Vallone said. "Nowadays, if you lose your phone, you can very quickly lose your identity."

Local media have reported spikes in iPhone-related street muggings. In May, a thief snatched actor Kevin Bacon's Blackberry on a New York City subway platform.

Many iPhone users agree that, given the amount of personal data stored on phones, losing one could be devastating.

"The damage would be extensive," said Joshua Deutch, 32, a freelance IT consultant. He said he would "not think twice" before wiping data -- including bank account numbers and multiple passwords -- if someone stole his iPhone.

But Deutch said pursuing a thief would be going too far.

"Obviously, there's some excitement with that but I have insurance," he said. After data has been wiped clean, the iPhone is "just a brick," he said.

Some thieves get caught due to missteps.

In March, a man stole a woman's iPhone on a Manhattan subway platform and then used it to snap pictures of himself. He e-mailed the pictures to his personal e-mail address, inadvertently using his victim's e-mail account, according to the the New York Post newspaper.

The victim saw the photograph in her own e-mail outbox and alerted police, who checked the picture against mug shots and then identified and arrested the thief.

Still, many smart phone users say they do not worry about someone getting hold of their personal data.

"A lot of people are really uptight about anyone knowing anything about them," said Nick Divers, 23, who has not taken steps to protect the data on his iPhone. "Is that a big deal? Not to me.

Reuters

Big screen comedy ''Baywatch'' coming soon.

This article is from PTI:

''Baywatch'' to be turned into big screen comedy

London, July 9 (PTI) ''Baywatch'', the TV show which launched the careers of Pamela Anderson and Carmen Electra, will be adapted into a comedy film. The classic TV show, about lifeguards who patrol a beach in California will make a comeback as a comedy, directed by Jeremy Garelick, who scripted ''The Break-Up'' starring Jennifer Aniston and Vince Vaughn, reported Daily Mail online.

It is not known whether the original cast will be a part of the project, but the film will revolve around two unlikely lifeguard candidates trying to catch up with the glamorous group of lifeguards. "It felt like the template to do a movie that was similar to Stripes and Police Academy, the comedies I loved growing up.

Rather than trying to pitch the tone, I figured it would be easier to write the first act to convey who these characters were," said Garelick.

This article is from ANI:

Japanese tourists voted world's best, French worst

Melbourne, Jul 9 (ANI): A new survey has revealed that Japanese tourists are the best in the world, and French the worst.

The Japanese retained the top prize, with hoteliers worldwide naming them the world's best tourists, ahead of the British and Canadians.

Japanese tourists were also ranked the quietest and most polite, as well as the cleanest and least likely to complain.

In the survey, around 4500 hoteliers across the globe rated Australians travellers the sixth best among the 27 nationalities surveyed in the second annual global Best Tourist Survey.

Conducted by online travel company Expedia, hoteliers voted on categories including behaviour, spending habits, fashion sense and willingness to try and speak the local language.

Australians tourists were complimented for being sparing in their complaints (third place), being polite (fourth place), and for their willingness to speak the local language and their good behaviour (fifth place in both categories).

The French were the worst tourists, according to hoteliers, who voted them the most frugal and meanest tippers. They were also deemed the most impolite tourists.

The only criticism given to Australians was that they were perceived as loud travellers, according to the survey, which ranked them the fourth noisiest behind the Spanish, Italians and Americans.

"It's encouraging to see that Australians continue to be regarded as good-natured among hoteliers around the world," News.com.au quoted Expedia spokeswoman Louise Crompton as saying.

"While our loudness might land us in trouble sometimes, overall Australians ought to be proud of these results," she added. (ANI)

Young executive jumps to his death in London.

This article is from Indo Asian News Service:

Indian-origin high-flier 'leaps to death' in London

London, July 9 (IANS) A young high-flying city executive of Indian origin - reportedly worried about losing his job - has died after falling from the eighth floor of an expensive London restaurant in a suspected suicide.

The unexpected death of Anjool Malde, who would have celebrated his 25th birthday Thursday and was tipped to be the next big British Asian entrepreneur, shocked the city.

Parents Naina, a teacher, and Bharat, a psychologist, were said to be in deep shock after Anjool fell to his death reportedly wearing his best Hugo Boss suit and holding a glass of champagne at the Coq d'Argent restaurant Sunday.

Naina and Bharat Malde said in a statement: 'We are absolutely devastated. Equally we are so touched by the warm words from his many, many friends that alluded both to his tremendous talent and positive, lively spirit. He was an inspiration to so many.'

'Style meant everything to him and that's how he chose his exit.'

Anjool, an award-winning Oxford University graduate, entrepreneur, former journalist and a musician, was said to be headed for a 'spectacular career' in the city.

But the Daily Mail said he was asked to 'leave his desk' Friday at Deutsche Bank, where he worked in the global markets department, after an investigation into his use of his work computer.

Although he was not suspended or sacked, the incident marked the first setback in Malde's life.

British newspapers said Deutsche Bank had also decided to suspend Malde's access to Bloomberg news service, which allowed him to monitor financial markets as he worked on hedge funds.

'All of us have heard he was about to be suspended by Deutsche Bank and he was upset about it. I know for certain that the bank deleted his Bloomberg account which was not a good sign,' an unnamed friend told The Independent.

'Having access to Bloomberg denied would have left him in difficulty as a trader - he would have been left like a man trying to be a racing driver but without a car,' a City insider told the Daily Mail.

A friend added: 'He may have gone away and brooded over the problem and taken things far too much to heart. That is the only explanation for this tragedy.'

Malde gained second place in a national competition to find Britain's Graduate of the Year in 2005, and his Oxford dissertation on the under-representation and under-achievement of black males in British universities was reproduced by the BBC and the Guardian.

He paid off his university loan by working on his holidays and while studying geography at Oxford University he did radio presenting, journalism, set up his own music company, and held more than 20 positions in various university clubs and societies.

Alongside his Deutsche Bank job, he ran an event management company called AlphaParties.

Hundreds of tributes have poured in on Facebook social networking website after his death was announced.

Malde once told a newspaper: 'I have learnt that the sky is the limit since going to university - and that with successful time management skills, one can achieve so much more.'

This article is from PTI:

Religious leaders condemn court ruling on gay sex

New Delhi, Jul 9 (PTI) A group of religious leaders today alleged that the campaign to legalise homosexuality in the country was part of a "well-planned conspiracy" to finish India''s moral and social values, and sought government intervention against it. Terming the Delhi High Court''s recent judgement which decriminalised homosexuality as "shocking, deplorable and unfortunate", they said "unnatural sex is totally unacceptable in India which has rich cultural and ethical traditions.

"It is a conspiracy to finish our moral values and those who are involved in such activities have no place in our society," Maulana Syed Jalaluddin Umari, president of Jamaat- e-Islami Hind, told reporters here. Maulana Umari also criticised those who cite fundamental rights for legalising gay activities saying such rights are not absolute.

"The individual rights are not absolute but are subject to public order, morality and health," he said. Father Dominic Emmanuel, Director of Delhi Catholic Archdiocese, claimed gay activities would increase the risk of HIV infection.

He, however, made it clear that they were not in favour of treating homosexuals as criminals despite their activities are "unnatural". .

This article Is from ANI:

Pitroda, Murthy and S Ramadorai considered for Air India's top management spots

New Delhi, July 8 (ANI): The Civil Aviation Ministry is reportedly considering the names of Sam Pitroda, Narayana Murthy and S Ramadorai, who are top entrepreneurs and technocrats, for reviving Air India in order to bring high quality people of great integrity and proven track record in business.

These names would be considered as part of Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel's plans of a major revamp of the national carrier's top management, which would be carried out in next 30 days in a bid to turn around cash-strapped Air India in the next two years.

"Our minister has already initiated the process. These names will be finalised soon," a news channel quoted a top official said.

Sam Pitroda is an inventor, entrepreneur and policymaker. Currently chairman of National Knowledge Commission, he is also widely considered to have been responsible for India's communications revolution.

While, Narayana Murthy is an industrialist, software engineer and one of the seven founders of Infosys Technologies, a global consulting and IT services company based in India and Subramaniam Ramadorai is the CEO and Managing Director of Tata Consultancy Services Ltd, a major IT company in the country.

"Ramadorai's name has already been cleared for the role of functional director. Talks are on with the others as well. As many as seven new directors may be inducted as per plans," the source added.

According to sources, the entire top management of Air India, which is under a loan liability of Rs 15,000 crore, would be recast in the next 30 days. Several old time directors might be asked to leave and a Professional Chief Operating Officer will be appointed under the Chairman and Managing Director. (ANI)

This article is from the Indo Asian News Service:

Another 'lover' arrested at Sania Mirza's house

Hyderabad, July 9 (IANS) Another man, this time from Uttar Pradesh, has found himself behind bars for creating a nuisance at tennis star Sania Mirza's house on the eve of her engagement.

Hyderabad police Thursday picked up 24-year-old Arvind Singh Yadav when he reached Sania Mirza's house in Banjara Hills to express his desire to marry India's top woman tennis player.

A day after a man from Kerala was arrested for creating a scene at Sania's house, the man from Uttar Pradesh allegedly tried to barge into her house. Claiming that he was in love with the tennis star, he wanted to meet her.

Sania Mirza's father Imran Mirza complained to the police, who picked up Yadav. The man, however, told police that he was only a fan of the tennis star and wanted to meet her but her family lodged a complaint due to some misunderstanding. Police were questioning him.

The incident took place a day after Mohammed Arshad, 28, was arrested at her house for trying to barge in. The man from Mallapuram district of Kerala said he wanted Sania's father to cancel her engagement as he was in love with her. Arshad, an engineering college dropout, told police that he fell in love with Sania after watching her play in Bangalore two years ago.

Police booked Arshad under various sections of Indian Penal Code for trespass, criminal intimidation and an act intended to insult modesty of a woman. A city court sent Arshad to jail till July 22.

Though police had also picked up Arshad's friend D. Mohanty, he was later released as he told police he had no knowledge of Arshad's mischief.

Sania's engagement is scheduled Friday with Sohrab Mirza, the son of a local businessman.

This article is from Indo Asian News Service ( Wed, July 8th 2009):

Rakhi Sawant to wear Rs.3 mn necklace on 'swayamvar' D-day

New Delhi, July 8 (IANS) Rakhi Sawant surely couldn't have asked for more. A Rs.30 lakh (Rs. 3 million) necklace designed by Farah Ali Khan, a lehenga-choli wedding dress by celebrity designer Neeta Lulla, a 'swayamvar' on national television and a grand wedding to be watched by millions across the country.

The former 'item girl', who has had a rags-to-riches career, will marry on NDTV Imagine's reality show 'Rakhi Ka Swayamvar' soon. She will choose her 'perfect man' from among nine grooms who have come from cities like New Delhi, Mumbai, Rishikesh, Jaipur and Kanpur and even from places as far off as Toronto.

National award winning designer Neeta Lulla, who is one of Aishwarya Rai's favourite designers, and ace jewellery designer Farah Khan Ali have been roped in to help Rakhi look her best on her D-day. And the two are doing every bit they can to fulfil the bride-to-be's wish to look like a 'princess' that special day.

'Rakhi told us she wants to look like a princess that day - something like she has never looked before. I have given her a very colourful ensemble - it's a very conservative outfit,' Lulla told IANS over phone from Mumbai.

'For her wedding day, Rakhi would be wearing a lehenga-choli in five different colours with ornate kundan work to give her an ethnic Rajasthani look,' said Lulla, who has designed Aishwarya's clothes in movies like 'Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam', 'Devdas' and more recently 'Jodhaa Akbar'.

To complement her outfit, Rakhi will be donning traditional Indian jadau jewellery designed by Farah Ali Khan, the daughter of yesteryears actor Sanjay Khan and well-known interior designer Zarine Khan.

'The choker that Rakhi will be wearing for her wedding day is very heavy. It looks very traditional and covers almost her entire neck,' she said.

According to Khan, the choker costs approximately Rs.3 million.

However, Lulla has refused to divulge the price tag of her outfit.

The two designers are not only putting their creative instincts together for Rakhi's wedding day but also for the sangeet and mehendi (pre-wedding) ceremonies.

For the sangeet, Rakhi decided to opt for an Indo-Western look in blue. Lulla says it is a very contemporary outfit. To match the dress, Khan has given her an elaborate diamond neck piece, which also costs around Rs.3 million.

If both the designers are to be believed, Rakhi was extremely 'accomodating' to their suggestions but gave her inputs as well.

'Rakhi told me that her earrings shouldn't be very heavy so that she can dance freely. She also said that I should design ornaments which don't break,' said Khan.

If this wasn't enough, model-turned-fashion co-ordinator Marc Robinson has also been roped in to groom Rakhi's prospective grooms, who are vying to marry the former item girl through the reality show.

Rakhi's wedding will take place as soon as she zeroes in on an eligible bachelor for herself on NDTV Imagine's show 'Rakhi Ka Swayamvar' - a move that has left a lot of people in tinsel town shocked.

Indo Asian News Service

World bids tearful goodbye to Micheal Jackson

World bids tearful goodbye to Micheal Jackson

This article is from Associated Press(July,2009):

Berry Gordy, who signed The Jackson 5 in 1968 pays his tribute to MJ: "The more I think about Michael, and talk about Michael, the more I think that 'King of Pop' is not good enough. I think he is simply the greatest entertainer that ever lived. Though it ended way too soon, Michael's life was beautiful. Sure there was some sad times and maybe some questionable decisions on his part, but Michael Jackson accomplished everything he dreamed of," said Motown Records founder. (AP Photo)

This article is from the Indo Asian News Service ( Wed, July 8th 2009):

Amitabh Bachchan in hospital for 'routine checkup'

Mumbai, July 8 (IANS) Bollywood star Amitabh Bachchan went to Lilavati Hospital here Wednesday morning for what was described as 'a routine checkup', though in his blog he has complained of a stomach ache.

Though the hospital authorities declined to comment, the 66 year old is known to suffer from recurring stomach problem.

In his blog in the morning, Bachchan has admitted to getting a tummy ache just before he embarked for Mumbai from London a day earlier.

On arrival, he drove straight to his doctor late Tuesday night and underwent an examination and a CT scan. These revealed nothing but since the trouble persisted, more tests were advised for Wednesday, he says in his blog.

Until all the test results are out and a line of treatment finalised, he has cancelled all his shooting and travel plans, he writes.

Bachchan has vented his frustration saying despite 'extreme care', the problem keeps recurring and medication and rest have been the order of the day.

Indo Asian News Service

This article is from ANI ( Wed, July 8th 2009):

Shiney Ahuja's bail plea rejected

Mumbai, July 8 (ANI): A Sessions Court here on Wednesday rejected the bail plea of Bollywood actor Shiney Ahuja, who was arrested for allegedly raping his domestic maid.

uja, who is currently lodged at the Arthur Road jail, will continue to remain in judicial custody till July 16.

The decision came after the prosecution asked for more time to investigate the case and gather evidence.

Earlier, the DNA test report of Ahuja confirmed that he had sexual relations with the victim. Medical reports had suggested that Ahuja's maid was raped.

The actor has been charged under the Indian Penal Code (IPC) Section 376 with rape, along with wrongful restraint and intimidation.

The police arrested Ahuja on June 15 after preliminary medical tests on the girl confirmed sexual assault.

Mumbai police said the actor had admitted to making a mistake by having consensual sex with the maid who has levelled allegations of rape against him. (ANI)

ANI

This article is from HindustanTimes.com (Wed, July 8th 2009):

Plane grounded by Faulty brakes

A Guwahati-bound flight of Kingfisher Airlines had to turn back instead of taking off at Delhi airport on Monday after one of its brakes developed a technical fault. The incident took place at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport on Monday at 9.10 am.

Kingfisher's Delhi-Guwahati flight IT 3339, with 140 passengers and crew on board, started taxiing at its scheduled departure time but the pilot soon realised that brake number two of the aircraft was functioning properly. "If the brakes malfunction, the landing of the aircraft becomes very risky.

That is why the pilot decided not to take off and came back to the bay," said an airport official who did not wish to be named. "Technical faults like these should be checked properly before the aircraft starts taxiing.

There could have been more problems if the plane had taken off," he said. The pilot immediately informed the air traffic control about the technical fault.

The aircraft, an Airbus A320-200 (registration number VT-DKV), came back to the parking bay. "The aircraft was then thoroughly checked and the problem was rectified.

The flight was delayed by about half an hour due to the fault," said the official. The same aircraft then took off for its destination, he said.

Sidhartha Roy

He claims to love Sania Mirza, and is in jail now!

This article is from IANS (Wednesday July 8th,2009):

He claims to love Sania Mirza, and is in jail now!

Hyderabad, July 8 (IANS) Two days before tennis star Sania Mirza's engagement, a young man who claim to be in love with her was arrested Wednesday for allegedly creating nuisance at her residence here.

Police said Mohammed Ashraf, 28, late Tuesday created a scene at the player's residence claiming that he is in love with Sania. The civil engineering student from Kerala demanded that her engagement be cancelled.

Ashraf along with his friend D. Mohanty went to Sania's house and had a heated argument with her father Imran Mirza. They demanded Imran cancel Sania's engagement.

India's number one woman tennis player's engagement is scheduled July 10 with Sohrab Mirza, son of a local businessman.

On a complaint from Imran Mirza, a case was registered at the Banjara Hills police station. Police Wednesday arrested Ashraf for trespass and making threatening calls to the player. He will be brought to a court later in the day.

Asharf told police that he was in love with Sania and wanted to marry her. On learning about Sania's scheduled engagement with a local man, Asharf and his friend went to her house to demand that the engagement be cancelled.

A police officer quoted Asharf as saying that he saw Sania playing in a tournament in Bangalore and fell in love with her. He was also sending messages and making threatening calls to Sania on her mobile phone.

Policemen were posted at Sania's house after the incident.
Indo Asian News Service

This article is from Indo Asian News Service(Monday July6th,2009):

Heavy security for Jackson's funeral

London, July 6 (IANS) Michael Jackson fans who try to enter the venue of the King of Pop's funeral in Los Angeles Tuesday without a ticket will be dealt with strictly, police said Monday.

Officials have warned fans to stay away from the star's memorial service as they can face a hard response from police if found without a ticket, reports contactmusic.com.

Los Angeles Police Department Assistant chief Jim McDonnell insisted Jackson fans will get no sympathy from officers, who fear the crowds could turn violent.

'Anybody who does not hold proper credentials, tickets to get in to the event, will not be allowed inside the security zone. So for those who are thinking about coming out and maybe getting a shot to get in, that won't happen.

'You will be standing in the hot sun on a city street with a lot of other people and you probably will not even be within eyeshot of the Staples,' McDonell has been quoted as saying.

More than 1.6 million fans registered for the online ballot to attend the ceremony, to be held at Los Angeles' Staples Center. Only 17,500 were successful.

The police are now urging mourners to stay home and watch the event on television as there will be no screens erected outside the venue as was announced earlier. They even plan to cordon off the arena to make sure no one gets anywhere near the building without the requisite authorisation.

Jackson died of a cardiac arrest June 25. He was 50.

This article is from ANI(Tuesday July 7th,2009):

Pak has rented out its military to US for 1.5 billion dollars: Imran Khan

Islamabad, July 7 (ANI) : Cricketer-turned politician, Imran Khan has charged the PPP-led government of being subservient to the United States, saying that government has rented out the country's army to the US in exchange of 1.5 billion dollars.

"We have rented our military out to US in exchange of mere 1.5 billion dollars while US is spending sixty billion dollars on its army comprising 55,000 troops in Afghanistan," The News quoted Khan, as saying.

Addressing party workers in Manshera, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) chief accused certain 'elements' in the government of forcing a war on people of the North West Frontier Province (NWFP) just for pocketing billions of dollars from the US.

Khan also warned the government that people in Swat and Malakand Divisions would take to streets in protest against the military offensive, if the military operation was not called off by July 31. (ANI)

This article is from PTI(Tuesday July 7th, 2009):

AP based engineer killed in South Africa

Warangal (AP), Jul 7 (PTI) A software engineer from Andhra Pradesh, who was shot at by unidentified assailants in South Africa, today succumbed to his injuries at a hospital in Johannesburg. On Thursday last in Johannesburg, the assailants attacked B Kiran, a native of Arepalli village near Warangal who was on his way from work, and fled away with his laptop, his father B Sankaraiah told PTI. Four bullets hit Kiran, two in stomach and two in thigh.

He was admitted to a government hospital at Park Town in Johannesburg where his condition deteriorated, he said. Kiran breathed his last this morning, family sources said.

Warangal District Collector N Sridhar, who visited the family here, announced a financial assistance of Rs five lakh from the state government for the bereaved family. The state government would speak to the Ministry of External Affairs to help in bringing the body from South Africa, Sridhar said.

Kiran''s killing is the latest in a series of attacks involving students and professionals from Andhra Pradesh on foreign shores. Two students, Shravan Kumar from Khammam district and Mir Kazim Ali Khan from Hyderabad, were attacked in Australia in May and June respectively this year.

This article is from Indo Asian News Service(Tuesday July 7th,2009):

Mamata making railways East India Company: BJP

New Delhi, July 7 (IANS) The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Tuesday asked Railways Minister Mamata Banerjee 'not to make Indian Railways an East India Company' and alleged that the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government has favoured West Bengal at the cost of many other states in the rail budget.

'India is not (West) Bengal. 109 adarsh (ideal) stations out of 309 have gone to Bengal (which is in the east). What is going to happen to the rest of the country? Don't make the railways an East India Company,' said BJP leader Ananth Kumar during discussion on railway budget in the Lok Sabha.

States including Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chattisgarh and Jharkhand were neglected in the railway budget, he said.

He said the railway budget was the election manifesto for 2011 West Bengal polls.

Ananth Kumar's allegations irritated Banerjee, who intervened many times during his speech to clarify the ministry's position on various allegations.

At one point of time, Banerjee shouted: 'I respect your state. I respect India. Please don't insult my state.'

The BJP MP, who is also party general secretary, began his speech congratulating Banerjee for defeating the Left parties in West Bengal in the recently held Lok Sabha polls and for declaring that a white paper should be issued on the railways.

Taking a dig at former railway minister Lalu Prasad, Ananth Kumar said the white paper would not be complete if the work of the last five years' activities of the ministry was not included in it.

The BJP MP suggested an independent regulator to implement the railways minister's proposal for public-private participation in setting up businesses on lands belonging to the railways.

At this, Banerjee intervened and clarified that the railways was not selling its property, but only utilising it.

This article is from PTI(Tuesday July 7th,2009):

No roll back of tax cuts:FM

New Delhi, July 7 (PTI) The Government today assured industry that it will not roll back the tax cuts announced in the stimulus packages and its high market borrowings of around Rs 4 lakh crore will not dry up resources for the private sector. "I have no intention of rolling back (tax cuts given in stimulus packages).

No doubt I have taken a risk. A risk of leaving fiscal deficit of 6.8 per cent, which is perhaps the highest ," Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee said in his interaction with industry chambers, CII, Ficci and Asshocham.

The Finance Minister also said that he would strive to bring down high fiscal deficit of 6.8 per cent of the GDP projected for the current fiscal to 5.5 per cent in the next fiscal and four per cent in 2011-12. "Therefore, I myself and my colleagues in the Finance Ministry have undertaken a strenuous job that in the next 7-8 months, we shall have to do a lot of work so that we can reach this target in 2010-11 and 2011-12," Mukherjee said.

High fiscal deficit will force the government to borrow around Rs four lakh crore from the markets this fiscal, which many fear would crowd out private sector investment, an apprehension that led to a crash in stock markets yesterday. It is this fear that Mukherjee allayed today

This article is from PTI(Sunday July 5th, 2009):

Cong finds Maneka''s stand ''most ironical''

New Delhi, July 5 (PTI) Congress today questioned BJP MP Maneka Gandhi''s letter to the PM over the reported security threat to Varun Gandhi describing it "most ironical." "I am finding (it) most ironical that Mrs Maneka Gandhi is reacting so strongly but she did not react at all strongly when the remarks of the observation made by her son known to everybody at that time and now forensically proved to be (that of) her son created the biggest upheaval and divided this society," Congress spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi told NDTV. Maneka Gandhi shot off a letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, saying she was concerned about her son''s safety in the wake of the arrest of six sharpshooters of Chota Shakeel gang allegedly planning to kill the lawyer of Varun Gandhi.

Singhvi said, "Let me tell you that the UPA government has always provided even-handed protection to every citizen and shall continue to do so." In her letter to the Prime Minister Gandhi wrote "It is with the deepest concern for my son''s life and safety that I write to you today.

" Singhvi said "Security is always available to citizens and shall be given. For her to react like this today.

(she) completely misunderstands what her own son has done." he said.

PTI ARU.

PTI

This article is from PTI(Monday July 6th,2009):

5 killed, 100 injured in explosions in MP

Singrauli (MP), July 5 (PTI) At least five persons were killed and 100 injured in explosions in two private factories manufacturing explosives used for mining activities in the Bairhan Industrial Area here this evening. Police said the first explosion occurred in the Ideal Explosives Industries around 6.30 pm.

The explosion had its impact in the neighbouring Rajasthan Explosives Private Limited as well. Singrauli District Magistrate T Narihari said five bodies have been recovered from the site.

It was not immediately known what caused the explosion. Officials feared that at least 25 persons may still be trapped in the debris nearly four hours after the explosions.

Of the 100 injured, 80 persons have been shifted to nearby hospitals, they said. The explosion was so severe that both the factories were reduced to rubble, eyewitnesses said.

Relief and rescue operations have commenced in the Industrial Area. Narihari said explosives manufactured from chemicals brought to the factories are used for maining activities in the nearby coalfields.

The factories are legal and operate in the industrial area in a cluster, he said. According to reports, ammonium nitrate gas was leaking from the site of the accident.

Electricity also went off at the Bairhan industrial area.

PTI

This article is from Reuters(Sunday July 5th, 2009):

Federer edges Roddick in epic final

Switzerland's Roger Federer beat Andy Roddick in one of the most extraordinary finals ever seen at Wimbledon on Sunday, holding off an incredible challenge from the American to win 5-7 7-6 7-6 3-6 16-14.

The final set alone of an unforgettable Centre Court duel lasted 95 minutes before Roddick's mishit forehand gave Federer his sixth Wimbledon title and the record of 15 grand slam titles he so cherished.

Fittingly, Pete Sampras, the only other man to have previously won 14 slams, was sat in the Royal Box as a match of unrelenting drama stretched into a fifth hour.

"Andy I want to say you're going to come back and win one, I'm sure," Federer said on court as a shattered Roddick contemplated his third defeat to Federer in a Wimbledon final.

"Today I was on the lucky side. It feels funny to have the trophy back. It feels great. It was a crazy match, my head's still spinning. It's an unbelievable moment in my career."

Few imagined that Federer's seventh consecutive Wimbledon final could come anywhere near close to emulating last year's epic when he lost his crown to Rafael Nadal -- a five-set thriller that ended in near darkness.

The Swiss, who claimed his first French Open title last month to complete his career grand slam, dropped just one set in reaching the final and had won 18 of his previous 20 matches against the American who is still waiting for a second career grand slam title after winning the U.S. Open in 2003.

Roddick has reinvented his game though in the last 12 months after his career began to slide and after stunning British hope Andy Murray in the semi-final he came agonisingly close to another shock.

Federer was stretched to the limit in an unforgettable duel of enery-sapping tension despite firing 107 winners.

After losing the first set he was then reeling in the second set tiebreak as Roddick moved 6-2 ahead and seemed set to move two sets clear. Federer then won six consecutive points to level the match, Roddick wasting one golden chance at 6-5 when he sent a backhand volley wide.

CRUCIAL MOMENT

Federer could make no headway on the Roddick serve but remained solid on his own delivery to win the third set on another tiebreak 7-5.

Roddick, beaten twice in previous finals here by Federer, refused to buckle and broke at a crucial moment of the fourth with a great backhand to set up an enthralling decider.

With Wimbledon greats Sampras, Bjorn Borg and Rod Laver watching intently from the Royal Box, Federer kept his nose in front in a nerve-racking decider and clinched victory after four hours and 16 minutes when Roddick's resistance finally cracked and the Swiss broke serve for the first time in the match.

Martyn Herman

This article is from The Indian Express(Monday July 6thh,2009):

Budget: Pune Inc hopes for tax sops

Auto industry wants rationalised tax structure, IT sector wishes STPI scheme will continue

With just hours to go for the budget presentation by Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee, the Pune Inc is expecting various tax exemptions, extension of industrial beneficiary schemes and hoping that impetus is given to tax reforms to attract more investments.

Anant Sardeshmukh, director-general, Mahratta Chamber of Commerce Industries and Agriculture (MCCIA), said that concessions should be given such as investment allowance that would help industries to invest. "Apart from that, fringe benefit tax should be abolished considering the present economical scenario. On personal taxation front, standard reduction for salaried employees should be made and tax-free saving income restored. Another important thing that the industry expects is rationalisation and simplification of various government processes," he said.

The automobile industry that is reeling under global economic slowdown wants stimulus package to be continued. Income Tax relief, special funds for auto loans and rationalisation of taxes and levies top the list.

P Balendran, vice-president, General Motors India said the auto sector expects increased investments for infrastructural development through effective monitoring mechanism.

"We expect reduction in excise duty of cars and MUVs from 20 per cent to CENVAT level. Removal of additional cess of Rs 15,000 and Rs 20,000 from cars attracting 20 per cent excise duty, incentives for new and existing automotive plants for expansion/ diversification based on additional investments/ FDIs are also expected," he said.

Another sector hit by global economic slowdown and protectionist policies of the new US administration — the IT/ITES industry—¿ has high hopes from the budget. Top most on its wish list is extension of tax holidays under the Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) scheme beyond May 2010. "STPI scheme should be continued for five more years, particularly in the current global economical slowdown. Various duties on software products ought to be removed. Service and sales tax on domestic software products should be abolished," said Deepak Shikarpur, chairman, Computer Society of India.

He said that small and medium units should be exempted from service tax considering various challenges that they are facing right now. "Small and medium units are left high and dry since they cannot move in to the special economic zones and now have to bear the additional tax burden. Also, allocation should be more in the e-governance initiative of the government that will make governance more strong, agile and transparent," he said.

S K Jain, managing director, Synergy Emulsifuel Pvt Ltd, feels there will not be any reduction in the corporate taxation, but hopes that something would come up for the industry in general. CREADAI, the apex body of real estate developers, wants fiscal incentives for encouraging affordable mass housing and exemption on direct and indirect tax to boost slum development. Santosh Kumar Rungta, president, CREDAI, said: "We appeal to the government to create and facilitate affordable housing. These are linked to the needs of the common man."

Arun Jayan

This article is from PTI(Monday July 6th,2009):

Crop loan at 6 pc interest for farmers

New Delhi, July 6 (PTI) The government today announced loans at a subsidised interest rate of six per cent for farmers who pay their dues in time, which is one per cent less than what others would get. "I am also happy to announce that for this year the government will pay an additional subvention of one per cent as an incentive to those farmers who repay their short term crop loan on schedule.

Thus the interest rate for these farmers will come down to 6 per cent per annum," Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee said in the Budget 2009-10. The Centre has allocated Rs 411 crore more in this budget for this purpose over and above the allocation made during the interim budget, he added.

Mukherjee said the governmnet would continue the interest subvention scheme on short term crop loan of up to Rs 3 lakh at seven per cent interest rate. The government also hiked the target of agricultural credit for 2009-10 to Rs 3,25,000 crore after achieving last year''s target when the government had disbursed Rs 2,87,000 crore of farm loan as against the target of Rs 2,80,000 crore.

Mukherjee said the debt waiver scheme, announced during 2008-09 budget, would be extended till December 31 this year, in view of delay in monsoon. The Rs 71,000 crore scheme, which covered four crore farmers, had ended in June 2009.

He also announced setting up a task force to examine a large number of farmers in parts of Maharashtra who had been left out of this scheme as they had taken loans from private money lenders.

PTI

Delhi gets over 200 percent more in budget, Dikshit happy

This article is from The (Indo Asia News Service( Monday July 6th,2009):

Delhi gets over 200 percent more in budget, Dikshit happy

New Delhi, July 6 (IANS) Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee Monday increased the annual budgetary outlay for the national capital by over 200 percent to about Rs.2,500 crore (Rs.25 billion). The city will get more funds for housing, infrastructure and basic services for the urban poor - a move Chief Minister Shiela Dikshit welcomed.

The total allocation for Delhi stands at Rs.2,495.68 crore for this fiscal, a whopping 207 percent higher from the last Rs.812.80 crore.

The national capital territory got a greater grant for investing in infrastructure and improving services to the urban poor.

The grant for the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) - one of the flagship programmes of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government - has been enhanced by Rs.975.91 crore to Rs.1,129.82 crore for this fiscal as compared to Rs.153.91 crore in 2008-09.

Sheila Dikshit said she was happy with the increase in the Central Plan Assistance and termed the budget 'pro-poor'.

'A substantial increase has been made for JNNURM and other sectors directly related to welfare of the people. It is a development-oriented and pro-poor budget which would take forward our country. It reflects the commitment of the government to fulfil promises made to the common man,' said Dikshit.

She said she was confident that the government would provide additional funds for Delhi whenever required.

Delhi's Finance Minister A.K. Walia expressed his gratitude to Mukherjee for making a fair hike and welcomed the increase in allocation under the special grant for JNNURM.

The allocation for Commonwealth Games has also been hiked from Rs.400 crore in the previous fiscal to Rs.1,000 crore in 2009-10 - an increase of 150 percent or Rs.600 crore.

'The city government would stress upon the need for another Rs.1,000 crore under this head,' Walia said.

He expressed confidence that the central government would favourably consider this reasonable requirement of the Delhi government, keeping in view the importance of the ensuing 2010 Commonwealth Games.

The provision for Old Age Pension has also been hiked from Rs.53.27 crore in the last fiscal to Rs.83.71 crore in 2009-10, which marks a 57 percent increase.
Indo Asian News Service