Latest International News

Pilot error caused Mangalore air crash

An investigation into the four month old Mangalore Air crash that involved death of 158 lives, has revealed that the mishap occurred due to pilot's error. An analysis of audio on the cockpit voice recorder (CVR) shows that the Air India Express Boeing 737 was incorrectly aligned to the runway while attempting to land, an NDTV report stated on Wednesday evening. It has been found that the plane, the audio recording establishes, was too high to make a safe landing and the Ground Proximity Warning System sounded several times.

Ohio bans outsourcing to India

Infosys, the country's second largest software company, expressed concern over the Ohio state government's move to ban IT outsourcing to offshore locations such as India.
Infosys CEO & Managing Director Kris Gopalakrishnan said, "We are concerned with the recent news from US about banning offshore outsourcing by Ohio State government departments. "Infosys' initiative in the Public Services sector is focused on creating a domestic Delivery Center in the US hence this should not be affected." REUTERS

2 LeT men held for German Bakery blast

Hurriyat leader Geelani arrested in Kashmir

In an indication that the Omar Abdullah Government in Kashmir and the Centre are getting serious over the spiralling violence in the Valley, hardliner Hurriyat leader Syed Ali Shah Gilani was arrested and Omar is to meet the Prime Minster to work out an Eid package for the state. The arrest came after the hardline faction of the Hurriyat Conference led by Geelani had called for a protest shutdown across the Kashmir Valley and asked people to resume normal life for three days beginning Thursday for Eid festivities.

Eid package for Kashmiris?

CRPF personnel chasing away protesters during a clash after they defied curfew at Chattabal in Srinagar on Wednesday. The Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, will on Wednesday convene the Cabinet Committee on Security meet to discuss the current crisis prevailing in the Kashmir valley. It has been reported that the Government will most likely discuss the Armed Forces Special Powers Act and initiate new steps to break the impasse. PTI


Big B with Anupam Kher



Bollywood actors Amitabh Bachchan and Anupam Kher admire the paintings by Geeta Dass during an exhibition 'Kucch Bhi Ho Sakta Hai' in Mumbai on Tuesday night. PTI



Juhi Chawla at an exhibition






Bollywood actress Juhi Chawla admires the paintings by Geeta Dass during an exhibition 'Kucch Bhi Ho Sakta Hai' in Mumbai on Tuesday night. PTI


Games lane trials lead to traffic jams



A heavy traffic jam at NH-8 during the trial of Games lane in Gurgaon on Wednesday. Trials on the exclusive Games lanes Wednesday led to traffic jams at various places in the capital.
Traffic moved at a snail's pace on Lodhi Road Madrasa - Lodhi Road Flyover, Bhishma Pitamah Marg from T-point, Lodhi Road- August Kranti Marg- Siri Fort Sports Complex, and Ring Road from T-point Bhairon Road upto Rajghat, an official said. The exclusive Games lane had plastic pillars at intervals acting as dividers, due to which the traffic had to either move on two lanes or one lane at several places. PTI


Dubai Metro completes one year



A Dubai Metro train speeds past Sheikh Zayed road in Dubai. Since September 9, 2009, when the network opened, the number of daily trips has reached 120,000, for more than 30 million riders, says Mattar al-Tayyer, CEO of the Road and Transport Authority. Ridership is expected to hit 40 million in 2010, he Tayyer said, with the opening of the remaining stations on the Red Line, the first of two lines to enter service in the city of around two million people. AFP



Shortest man in Big Apple



Khagendra Thapa Magar, the world's smallest teen, meets with a policeman while posing with Ripley Entertainment Inc. Vice President of Exhibits and Archives Edward Meyer and a copy of the latest edition of "Ripley's Believe It or Not" during a photo shoot on Times Square in New York. The 17-year old made his entry into the record book as the world's smallest male teen standing just 55.9 centimetres (22 inches) tall. AFP


International Literacy Day



Harish, 11, a school boy uses a laptop provided under the "One Laptop Per Child' project by a non-governmental organisation (NGO) as a calf stands next to him, on the eve of International Literacy Day at Khairat village, about 90 km (56 miles) from Mumbai. REUTERS


Gold surges to all-time high at Rs 19,470



Gold prices scaled to a new peak of Rs 19,470 per ten grams in the national capital on brisk buying by jewellers to meet festival and marriage season demand amid a firm global trend. The gold prices surpassed all previous records as they spurted by Rs 145 to Rs 19,470 per ten grams, on increased buying by jewellers and retailers to accomodate the seasonal demand for upcoming festival and marriage season beginning next month. REUTERS

Bipasha Basu at Audi launch



Actress Bipasha Basu poses at the Audi India show room in Mumbai. AFP

I Am A Proud Mumbaikar, I Never Opposed Development, Writes Big B

Mumbai: Under attack from political parties for his comments on Mumbai metro, Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan on Wednesday said that being a "proud Mumbaikar" he never opposed the development of the city.

The 67-year-old star claimed that his comments on his blog regarding the proposed metro track invading his privacy were misinterpreted by the media.

"Mumbai as a city has given my family and me a place in their hearts besides recognition and respect. My family and I have never, and at no point of time would ever, like to disregard the conveniences of my fellow Mumbaikars and the development being undertaken for a better future for the city and them," Bachchan said in a statement posted on his blog.

He said his post on the matter clearly talks about the "general happiness" that metro will bring to the commuters.

"Indeed I have ended the piece by saying welcome 'fellow passengers'. By fellow passenger I include myself as one," said Bachchan, adding, "I am proud to be a Mumbaikar and I welcome the changes which are being seen in the city."

Bachchan said that he requested everyone visiting his blog to read it in it's entirety rather than pick up words and fabricate stories which create unnecessary sensation.

In the post that created such furore, Bachchan had said: "It is finally happening. The Metro rail being laid over the metropolis called Mumbai, some under the ground, some above over large tracts of cement structures is taking shape. There is general happiness from the commuters, for, the misery of crowded locals and the uncertainties of the three-wheeler or the yellow-black cab shall hopefully be greatly reduced.

"But here is the killer! it's going to roll over Prateeksha! So bye bye privacy and hello fellow traveller."

But after his comments were published in the media, they drew flak from political parties such as Shiv Sena, Congress and MNS.

Mumbai suburban guardian minister Naseem Khan of Congress said, "His remarks are very unfortunate. He should care for interests of other people also. Why should the convenience of one person take precedence over that of lakhs of commuters."

Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut said everyone wanted privacy but convenience of the people cannot be ignored.

MNS spokesperson Nitin Sardesai said development projects could not be stopped for the sake of an individual. If Bachchan did not object when the project was approved, then why is he doing so now, he asked.

The Maharashtra Government has decided to build the 32 km long Charkop-Bandra-Maknkurd metro route through MMRDA and 22 lakh passengers will benefit.

"Bachchan is a celebrity. But is it okay to criticise the entire project just because it hampers one's privacy? His bungalow is not being affected. It is just that the route will pass through the area," Khan said.

Source: India TV News Website