Akali mom guilty of abortion not killing

The law caught up with Punjab cabinet minister Bibi Jagir Kaur for the mysterious death of her teenaged daughter Harpreet Kaur 12 years ago.

A fortnight after she was sworn in as the lone woman minister in the Parkash Singh Badal government, a special CBI court in Patiala on Friday convicted her and sentenced her to five years in jail. She was arrested and sent to

New 'rocket' can go to moon on 100 cc fuel

LONDON: A lightweight satellite thruster can go to the Moon on just 100 ml of fuel, slashing cost of space missions. 

The mini motor uses electricity to expel ions and generate thrust, built to manoeuvre spacecraft in space, which previously required bulky, expensive engines. 

The first prototype is to be unveiled by EPFL (Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne) lab and the scientists hope it could 'usher in a new era of low-cost space exploration'. EPFL is

Tibetan self-immolator dubbed martyr

DHARAMSHALA: Thousands of Tibetans gathered at their main temple here whereJamphel Yeshi, a 26-year-old Tibetan who immolated himself in Delhi, was cremated. There was a massive display of support for Yeshi's martyrdom with more than 5,000 Tibetans taking out a procession leading to traffic jams in McLeodganj. Some of Tibetan shops remained closed. 

Yeshi's body was brought to McLeodganj in a huge convoy after being received in Kangra town. Youths put up Tibetan flags on their bikes and wrote slogans on their cars. All the streets of the town and the main

Suu Kyi says Myanmar polls not completely fair

YANGON — Myanmar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi said that campaign irregularities threatened the fairness of upcoming elections, sounding a note of caution over her bid for a seat in parliament.

The Nobel laureate, who spent most of the past 22 years as a political prisoner, complained of a series of problems, including "many, many cases of intimidation" as well as the vandalism of signboards.

"I don't think we can consider it a genuine free and fair election if we consider what has been happening here over the last few months," the democracy

Japan orders interception of North Korean rocket

TOKYO: Japan's defense minister on Friday ordered missile units to intercept a rocket expected to be launched by North Korea next month if it flies over Japan.

The order from defense minister Naoki Tanaka came at a meeting of Japan's national security council. It followed instructions issued earlier in the week for the military to prepare to intercept the satellite rocket if it enters Japanese territory.

The Unha-3 rocket is expected to fly past western Japan after its launch from North Korea's west coast sometime between April 14 and 16. The plan has raised concerns that a failed launch, or a falling stage of the rocket, could endanger Japanese lives or property.

A statement from the Defense Ministry said Japan would send destroyers equipped with Aegis missile defense systems to the Pacific and

Hyundai launches new i20

Hyundai Motor India Ltd has launched its i-Gen i20 on Wednesday. 

The new i20 is available in 12 variants. The Petrol variants range from Rs 4.73 lakh to Rs 6.66 lakh, the diesel variants range from Rs 5.96 lakh to Rs 7.44 lakh and the automatic variant is priced at Rs 7.67 lakh.

The i-Gen i20 now comes with a more powerful and refined 1.2 Kappa petrol engine with Dual VTVT mechanism which delivers 84 ps of peak power. The advanced and hi-tech 1.4 U2 CRDi diesel comes with

SPORTS MINISTER IN MIZORAM POLICE SPORTS MEET VAWI – 15 NA HAWNG

Nimin khan Sports Minister Pu Zodintluanga chuan Mizoram Police Sports Meet vawi – 15 na, ni nga chhunga awh tur (March ni 27 – 31) chu Rajiv Gandhi Sports Stadium Mualpui-ah a hawng. Hawnna programme ah hian DGP Pu Lalrokhuma Pachuau IPS chuan in lawmna thu a sawi a, Police senior officer thahnem tak an tel a ni.

Sports Meet hawnna programme ah hian Pu Zodintluanga chuan Mizoram Police chu India ramah Police tha ber leh chhuanvawr berte zing ami an nih thu sawiin Mizoram mai nilo India ram hmun dangah pawh duty-in an chhuak thin fo thin a tiin India a Police

Naxals kill 11 CRPF men in Maharashtra

Eleven CRPF personnel were today killed and several others injured when a bus they were travelling in was blown up in a landmine blast trigerred by Naxalites in Gadchiroli district of Maharashtra.

The troops of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) were going to Gatta for duty from Pushtola, about 4 kms from here, around noon when the blast took place killing them on-the- spot, CRPF officials said.

Earlier, reports reaching the CRPF headquarters in New Delhi had put the number of dead at 15, they

Tibetan in Delhi Sets Self Alight to Protest Chinese Leader’s Visit

A protest march in the capital took a fiery turn when a Tibetan exile self-immolated Monday afternoon.

“From head to toe, he was full of fire,” said Dorjee Tseten, the national director of Students for a Free Tibet, who  witnessed the act.

The exile, Jampa Yeshi, who is believed to be 26 years old, set himself on fire at Jantar Mantar, the site of frequent protests, at 12:25 p.m., shortly after a Tibetan rally made its way back from Ramlila Maidan, another popular ground for political demonstrations in New Delhi. The protesters were agitating against

Swine flu outbreak in India kills 12

NEW DELHI — Twelve people have died from swine flu in India since the beginning of March and nearly 110 others have been infected with the virus, the country's health ministry said.

The ministry announced in a statement late on Thursday that the victims were from the western states of Maharashtra and Rajasthan as well as southern Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka.

"The government is taking all necessary steps to curb the spread of influenza A (H1N1) virus across the

200-kilo metal ‘UFO fragment’ falls from sky in Siberia

London: A giant “UFO fragment”, resembling a silvery dome, has fallen from the sky near a remote village in Siberia, according to Russian media. 

The U-shaped object is currently under inspection by Russian experts, after being covertly removed under cover of night from the possession of villagers who found it. 

After discovering the device on Sunday, locals from the village of Otradnesnky had managed to drag the

Al-Qaida Claims Responsibility for Iraq Attacks

Al-Qaida's front group in Iraq claimed Wednesday it was behind a wave of attacks that killed 46 people across the country and said the violence shows how weak government security is heading into next week's Arab League summit in Baghdad.

The attacks on Tuesday struck Shiite pilgrims in the holy city of Karbala, set cars on fire near a police headquarters in Kirkuk and targeted security forces and

46 killed in Iraq attacks ahead of Arab summit

BAGHDAD: Bombings across Iraq killed 46 people today striking at police and Shia pilgrims in a torrent of violence that officials had dreaded in the run-up to a Baghdad meeting of the Arab world's top leaders, which the government hoped would showcase the nation's stability.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attacks, which also wounded nearly 200 people. But authorities have feared al-Qaida or its Sunni sympathizers would try to

Indian Scientists clone pashmina goat

Within three years of producing the first-ever buffalo animal clone, Indian scientists have now successfully cloned the world's first pashmina goat by using an indigenously-developed technique.

Confirming this to the Hindustan Times on Wednesday over phone, the vice-chancellor of Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUSAT), Dr Tej Partap, said that a female kid was born on March 9.

The cloned baby is kept under medical obser

Japan can crash North Korea satellite if needed

Tokyo: If the need arises, Japan's armed forces could shoot down North Korea's satellite, planned to be launched next month, a minister has said. Japanese Defence Minister Naoki Tanaka said this on Saturday, Sankei newspaper reported. 

North Korean state news agency KCNA announced on Friday that it would launch an earth observation satellite next month to mark the 100th birthday of late founding leader Kim Il-sung. 

The Unha-3 rocket carrying the Kwangmyongsong-3 satellite is scheduled to lift off from

SBI Online – 9500 Clerks (Assistant & Stenographer) Vacancies Recruitment 2012 Read more: SBI Online – 9500 Clerks (Assistant & Stenographer) Vacancies Recruitment 2012

SBI Online – 9500 Clerks (Assistant & Stenographer) Vacancies Recruitment 2012: State Bank of India has modified the clerical recruitment advertisement CRPD/CR/2011-12/05 dated 27.12.2011, revised the total number of vacancies and postponed the date of examination. The revised notification is against recruitment of 8500 Assistant vacancies (inclusive of previously advertised 3100 vacancies) and 1000 Stenographer vacancies. Eligible candidates must Apply Online on or before 26-03-2012. Other details like age limit, educational qualification, application fee details, selection procedure, how to apply and instructions for fee payment and online application are given below…

[NOTE: GUIDELINES FOR CANDIDATES WHO HAVE REGISTERED BETWEEN 28.12.2011 TO 20.01.2012

All candidates - One time EDIT option to change the choice of STATE and EXAMINATION CENTRE due to the revised vacancy position. SC/ST candidates have the option to change their choice of PRE-EXAM TRAINING CENTRE. Candidates can additionally apply for the post of Stenographer (English/Hindi), if they have the knowledge of Stenography.

All Ex-Servicemen & PWD Candidates who have applied under Special Recruitment Drive - to furnish their XS and/or PWD status, if not indicated earlier]

SBI Vacancy Details:-

Total No. of Vacancies: 9500

Names of Posts:-

1. Assistant – 8500 vacancies

2. Stenographer (English) – 900 vacancies

3. Stenographer (Hindi) – 100 vacancies

Age Limit: Candidates’ age must be between 18 years to 28 years. Cutoff date for determining age limit would be 01-12-2011. (Age relaxations would be extended as per Govt. rules).

Educational Qualification: Candidates, who have completed Graduation OR 12th Standard with 60% marks OR Diploma after 10th Standard, are eligible for recruitment.

Application Fee Details; Application fee and intimation charges together would be Rs. 350 for Assistant Post, Rs. 500/- for Assistant and Stenographer (English or Hindi) Post and Rs. 650 for Assistant and Stenographer (English and Hindi) Post. SC/ST/EXSM/PWD candidates need to pay Rs. 50/- towards Intimation Charges for any post. For candidates who have applied previously need to pay application fee of Rs. 150/- for Assistant and Stenographer (English or Hindi) Post and Rs. 300/- for Assistant and Stenographer (English and Hindi) Post. No fee for SC/ST/EXSM/PWD candidates.

Payment of Fee Online:

Log on to www.statebankofindia.com or www.sbi.co.in. Select the Online Payment Gateway and fill the particulars of fee payment. Pay the fee amount using Master/Visa Credit/Debit card or by using Internet Banking facility.Take print and retain the e-receipt generated after completion of Online Transaction.

Payment of Fee Offline:

Log on to www.statebankofindia.com or www.sbi.co.in. Select Online Application Format, fill the application and save it. Download the Fee Payment Challan and take print. Retain the system generated Registration number and password. Pay the amount at any State Bank of India branch after 2 working days of registration and within 3 working days thereafter. Candidates will receive confirmation message through SMS or E Mail

Selection Procedure: Eligible candidates will be selected on the basis of Written Test and Interview taken together.

How to Apply: Candidates may apply online for the posts, on or before 26-03-2012 through SBI website www.statebankofindia.com or www.sbi.co.in. After submission of online application, candidates are advised to take print of application and retain it for further use.

Instructions for Online Application:

1. Get photograph and signature scanned

2. Log on to www.statebankofindia.com or www.sbi.co.in

3. Select the Online Application link.

4. Fill all marked details in the application form.

5. If payment of Fee is made online, enter fee payment details along with all other details.

6. If payment of Fee is made offline, Challan must be downloaded after submission of application for fee payment.

7. Upload scanned photograph and submit the application.

8. Take print of Application form for further use.

Important Dates:

Opening Date for Online Registration: 05-03-2012

Closing Date for Online Registration: 26-03-2012

Dates for Payment of Fee: From 07-03-2012 to 31-03-2012

Revised Dates for Examination: 27-05-2012 and 03-06-2012

Starting Date for downloading Call Letter: 12-05-2012

For more details like vacancy distribution, examination centers, scheme of examination, guidelines for scanning photograph and signature, other conditions and instructions, click on the link given below..

Click Here for SBI Recruitment Advt

Click Here for Online Application

Small tsunami hits Japan after 6.9 quake

TOKYO - A small tsunami hit Japan's northeastern coastline on Wednesday, officials said, after a strong earthquake rocked the region almost exactly a year on from the country's worst post-war natural disaster.

A 6.9-magnitude quake struck 26.6 kilometres (16 miles) below the seabed off the northern island of Hokkaido in the Pacific at 6:08 pm local time (0908 GMT), the US Geological Survey said.

It was followed by a 20 centimetre (eight inch) tsunami which had prompted local authorities to issue an evacuation warning for

112 bodies recovered, more people missing after sunken ferry salvaged in Bangladesh

DHAKA, Bangladesh — Rescue workers found more bodies Wednesday inside the salvaged wreckage of a Bangladesh ferry that capsized with about 200 people on board, bringing the death toll to 112.

The ferry collided with a cargo boat and sank early Tuesday, sending scores of people into the Meghna River, just south of Dhaka. Local police chief Mohammad Shahabuddin Khan said about 35 survivors were plucked from the water, while local media

‘25 lakh gays in India, 7 pc are HIV-positive’

The Centre on Tuesday told the Supreme Court that there were around 25 lakh homosexuals in the country of which 1.75 lakh — seven per cent — were HIV-infected.

An affidavit filed in the court by Sayan Chatterjee, Secretary, Department of AIDS Control, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, says, “The population of men who have sex with men (MSM) was

Israel kills five more Gaza militants; rockets hit Israel

(Reuters) - Israeli warplanes killed five militants in Gaza on Saturday, the second day of cross-border violence in which Palestinian fighters have fired dozens of rockets into Israel, both sides said.
Fifteen militants in the Gaza Strip have been killed since Friday, Hamas medics said. On Saturday, a gunman was killed in a vehicle near Gaza's border with Egypt. Earlier in the day Israeli jets killed two gunmen on a motorcycle and two others in a pre-dawn attack, officials in Gaza said.

The sounds of explosions and rocket fire reverberated across coastal Gaza and southern Israel early on Saturday and Israeli Defence Minister Ehud Barak said its air strikes would continue.

"This round in the Strip is still far from over," he told reporters on a visit to the south of Israel, where around half a million people have been

4.6 magnitude earthquake hits Nicobar Islands

New Delhi: A moderate earthquake measuring 4.6 on the Richter scale on Sunday struck Nicobar Islands region. The quake hit the islands at 2.28 am, according to the Met department.

There was no immediate report of any damage to life or property due to the tremors.

The Nicobar Islands comprise 22 large and small islands, and are situated in the south-east of the Bay of Bengal.

There was no immediate report of any damage to life or property due to the tremors.

IPS officer killed by mining mafia in Madhya Pradesh

Morena:  An Indian Police Service (IPS) officer Narendra Kumar posted in Morena was killed today allegedly by members of the mining mafia.

According to reports, a tractor carrying minerals and ores that was being illegally mined, was stopped by the officer, Narendra kumar. There was a legal order to check the tractor trolley but the driver resisted.

Mr Kumar, reportedly got out of his car and stood in front of the tractor to stop it from escaping.

The driver did not stop the tractor; Mr Kumar then flunged himself on the vehicle. The driver then took a deliberate turn that

Leaked emails raise doubt over Osama bin Laden being buried at sea

NEW DELHI: A huge controversy has erupted over the remains of slain al-Qaida chief Osama bin Laden and what exactly happened to them. Osama bin Laden was apparently buried in the waters of the north Arabian sea, but there are now emails that suggest otherwise. 

The new emails that were leaked and posted online by WikiLeaks raise serious questions as to whether Osama bin Laden was buried at sea or was he cremated in the US. 

The emails were allegedly obtained by the hacker group Anonymous from Stratfor, an organisation dealing with analysis of

China to launch moon-landing craft

Beijing:  China will launch a moon-landing craft next year as part of its third lunar exploration programme, an official said on Monday.

Chang'e-3 has "legs" to support the spacecraft in landing, said Ye Peijian, chief commander of the project at the China Academy of Space Technology.

"The orbiter will carry a lunar rover and other instruments for surveys, assessment of living conditions and space

CHIEF MINISTER IN THENZAWL 33KV GRID SUB-STATION THAR HAWNG

Thenzawl leh a chhehvel khua ten kawlphetha mumal zawka an dawn theih na tur atana siam 33 KV Grid Sub-station chu vawiin chhun khan Mizoram Chief Minister Pu Lal Thanhawla\'n a hawng.

Vawiina power sub-station hawnna inkhawmah hian Chief Minister Pu Lal Thanhawla chuan 33 KV Grid Sub-Station thar hawn a ni ta chu Thenzawl tan rahbi pawimawh tak a ni a ti a, Thenzawl khua chu khaw hmun rem leh hmasawnna hna kalpuina tur atana duhthusam ani tih hriain sawrkarin

Mars to glow at its 'brightest' tomorrow

NEW DELHI: Red planet Mars will be brightest and closest "it can get" to earth tomorrow, giving sky gazers an opportunity to see it with naked eyes. 

"On March 3, Mars was at opposition to sun because of which it would be brightest and closest it can get to earth on March 5," General Secretary of Planetary Society of India N Raghunandan said. 

In positional astronomy, opposition defines that position of a celestial object when it is on the opposite side of the sun in the sky when viewed from

Obama warns both Iran and Israel, 'I don't bluff'

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama delivered his most explicit threat yet that the United States will attack Iran if that's what it takes to prevent it from developing a nuclear bomb. At the same time, he warned Israelis they would only make a bad situation worse if they moved pre-emptively against Iranian nuclear facilities.

The double-barreled warning, in an interview published Friday, came before Obama's high-stakes meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday and a speech Sunday to the American-Israel Public Affairs Committee, a powerful pro-Israeli lobby. Obama said an Israeli strike would stir sympathy for the Islamic republic in a region where it

At least 20 dead as tornadoes sweep across US states

Local police confirmed that 13 people died as tornadoes swept across three counties in Indiana.

Five others died in Kentucky, with two fatalities in Ohio. Earlier, tornadoes hit Alabama, causing widespread damage. "We are no match for Mother Nature at her worst," said Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels. He is due to vist affected areas on Saturday. The storms - stretched across a vast part of the US Midwest - came

One more arrest in Shehla Masood murder case

New Delhi: The CBI on Friday made its fourth arrest in the Shehla Masood murder case. The main suspect Zahida Parvez's friend Zeba Querashi has been held for helping Zahida plan and execute Shehla's murder. A massive hunt has also been launched for Saleem who is understood to have assisted the two shooters.

The motive behind the murder of Shehla Masood is now clear. According to investigating officers, Zahida Parvez, Dhruv Narayan Singh and Zeba Querashi are the main characters. While the contents of the recovered pen drives and

Russian election satire takes Putin's manhood away

(Reuters) - In a new puppet show satire of Russia's presidential election, the only competition is in the mind of Vladimir Putin, as he fights the loss of his penis.

The Moscow Museum of Erotic Art's show, due to premiere on the eve of the election, lampoons the current prime minister's easy dominance of Russian politics, but also shows the former KGB spy fighting his demons and torn between tyranny and democracy.

"Putin doesn't compete with anyone but himself so we didn't have to make puppets of other politicians. They are nothing but a decoration," said Alexander Donskoy, founder of the museum and former mayor of the Arctic port of Arkhangelsk.

Putin, 59, is almost certain to win a six-year term as president in the March 4 election, though Russia's dominant leader is grappling with an urban