Green’s new immigration rules termed ‘classist’
The new changes to the immigration rules proposed by the Home office and the Immigration Minister Damian Green has raised serious criticism. It has not only been categorised as unfair but also as extremely classist.
In a recent interview the Minister emphasised that the new policy will benefit ‘wealthy immigrants’ and will undoubtedly ‘penalise people from poor countries and the unskilled’.
2G scam: India’s Supreme Court pulls up PMO
Indicting the Prime Minister’s Office ( PMO) but letting Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh off lightly on failure to decide on prosecuting the then telecom minister A Raja in the 2G case, the Supreme Court set a limit of four months for deciding the issue of sanction for prosecution of corrupt public servants.
Unfairly dismissed traffic warden emerges as a hero A brave traffic warden who exposed the secret quotas enforced by parking bosses was hailed a hero.
Hakim Berkani won his claim for unfair dismissal after he stood up to contractors NSL over their draconian policies on the streets of Kensington and Chelsea.
UK News
Spiderman burglar steals more than £10,000 worth goods
A burglar conducted a Spiderman-style break-in at a supermarket by cutting a hole in the roof and abseiling down a rope into the store - stealing ?£10,000 of produce.
The thief took inspiration from the famous comic character, but instead of fighting crime, he used the idea to aid his own, but was caught on the CCTV.
UK university applications down as fees rise
University applications from UK students for the first year of higher tuition fees are down by 8.7%, according to figures from the admissions service.
With fees rising to up to £9,000 per year, the impact has been biggest for England's universities - down by 9.9%.
In Scotland, where Scottish students do not pay fees, there was a fall of 1.5%.
Arrested for terrifying former lover
A city banker spurned by a doctor he met through a dating agency bought a cache of weapons including crossbows and a gun and set fire to her parents’ home after they uncovered criminal past, a court heard.
Al Amin Dhalla, pictured, a Canadian national, allegedly orchestrated a terrifying four-month campaign against trainee doctor Alison Hewitt, 35, from Brighton, East Sussex, and her family when she dumped him in December 2010.
Financial News
RBI cuts CRR by 50 bps, shifts focus to growth
The Reserve Bank of India cut cash reserve requirements for banks by 50 basis points on Tuesday to ease tight liquidity, signaling a policy shift towards reviving growth after nearly two years of fighting inflation.
Vodafone wins `110 billion tax case in India
In a major victory to Vodafone International Holdings, India’s Supreme Court set aside the Bombay high court judgment asking the company to pay income tax of Rs 110 billion, holding that tax authorities do not have jurisdiction on an overseas transaction.
Kingfisher asks govt for financial help
Cash-strapped Kingfisher Airlines has told aviation minister Ajit Singh that it will not be able to maintain normal operations without a temporary bank overdraft, reports said.
War between Indian, foreign four-wheelers in SUV market
Indian automobile makers like Mahindra & Mahindra, Tata Motors and a couple of new-generation companies like Force Motors and Rio are engaged in a bitter turf war against the likes of Ford, Skoda, Toyota, Audi and BMW, all of whom are getting their off-roaders for a run on the Indian roads.
Bollywood Gossip
I've never been part of any camp: Priyanka Chopra
Refusing to dwell on her personal equations with co-stars, Priyanka Chopra talks about the professional space and what makes her tick in Bollywood. She had been in the news for not the best reasons of late. And yet, Priyanka refuses to let the rumours affect her, at least professionally.
SRK ‘slaps’ Farah Khan's husband
The clash between two Bollywood celebrities took on a violent note early on Monday morning, when actor-producer Shah Rukh Khan allegedly came to blows with director Farah Khan's husband Shirish Kunder at Sanjay Dutt's party at a popular nightclub in Juhu, Mumbai, which was attended by A-listers.
Don’t compare me with Big B: Hrithik Roshan
Amitabh Bachchan made Vijay Dinanath Chauhan's character in the 1990 "Agneepath" iconic, but the film didn't do wonders at the box office.
Golden year for Ranbir, Vidya
This year has given a golden start to Vidya Balan and Ranbir Kapoor, as they won the best actress and actor trophies respectively at almost all the award ceremonies.
India News
Vishwa Gujarati Samaj honours Gujarati expats
Vishwa Gujarati Samaj conferred Sardar Vallbhbhai Patel Vishwa Prathibha Award on Lord Bhikhu Parekh, renowned academician, author and political analyst at Gujarati Sahitya Parishad Hall.. Former director of IIM-A Bakul Dholakia presented the award to Parekh.
Be cautious in bringing about reforms: Pratibha Patil
In an apparent reference to the civil society movement for a strong Lokpal bill, Indian President Pratibha Patil said one has to be cautious in bringing about reforms so that the tree of democratic institutions does not come down.
Modi fails to draw big crowd in his Godhra ‘sadhbhavana’
Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi recently failed to strike a 'sadhbhavana' chord with the minority community, as evidenced by the minuscule turnout for his day-long fast.
Amitabh Bachchan bowled over by heritage of Ahmedabad
It was for the first time that Khadia in Ahmedabad saw superstar drive through its lanes and for Amitabh Bachchan it was his first drive in the pols of the walled city of Ahmedabad.
Congress ad praises Modi, calls him ‘master organiser’
While Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi is out spreading Sadbhavana across the state, the amity is now showing among his political rival Congress, who has openly listed the good works done by him along with other chief ministers of Gujarat in an advertisement released to the local media.
World News
Pakistan PM Gilani hints at early polls
Islamabad: Pakistan PM Yousaf Raza Gilani on Monday said the option of an early general election "is open" but political elements wanting polls ahead of schedule would have to take up the issue with him after the budget session of parliament in May.
Ex-Pakistani envoy to US wins court victory
Islamabad: Pakistan's former ambassador to the US said Monday that a travel ban imposed on him during the investigation of a controversial memo sent to Washington has been lifted.
Easier US visa for tourists from India, China and Brazil
Florida: US President Barack Obama visited Walt Disney World last week and talked about the importance of tourism to the American economy. His speech was short, but his message was clear: "I want America to be the top tourist destination in the world."
Muslim family jailed for life after killing 3 daughters
Ontario: An Afghan father, his wife and their son have been jailed for life after a jury found them guilty of killing three teenage sisters and a co-wife in what the judge described as a 'despicable' and 'heinous' crime. The jury had taken 15 hours to find Mohammad Shafia, 58, his wife Tooba Yahya, 42, and their son Hamed, 21, each guilty of four counts of first-degree murder.
Sports
Djokovic beats Nadal in epic Australian Open final
Defending champion and world number one Novak Djokovic beat second seed Rafael Nadal 5-7, 6-4, 6-2, 6-7, 7-5 to win his third Australian Open title on Sunday. The epic final lasted five hours and 53 minutes.
Djokovic, who won the title at Melbourne Park in 2008 and 2011, has now won five Grand Slam titles in total and continues his recent domination over the Spaniard, having beaten him in their last seven meetings, all in finals.
Rehman stuns England to give Pakistan series
England suffered one of their most disastrous batting collapses in Test history as they disintegrated against Pakistan's spinners to lose the second Test in Abu Dhabi and with it the series. Pakistan went 2-0 up with one to play as Abdur Rehman, their left-arm spinner, took most of the plaudits with a Test-best 6 for 25.
Boyle to direct London Olympic opening ceremony
Danny Boyle, the maker of Oscar-winning film ‘Slumdog Millionaire’, will direct a £29 million opening ceremony extravaganza of the London Olympic Games in July. Modern, multi-cultural Britain will feature in the display with London-based Dev Patel, who starred in ‘Slumdog’, will figure as a part of this celebration.
Leander Paes, Radek Stepanek win Australian doubles
Leander Paes and Radek Stepanek denied the Bryan brothers a record 12th men's Grand Slam doubles title on Saturday as they beat the American top seeds in straight sets in the final. The 7-6 (7/1), 6-2 victory was the first for India's Paes over American twins Bob and Mike Bryan in a final after five defeats in title matches, and means he completes a career Grand Slam of doubles titles.
A brave traffic warden who exposed the secret quotas enforced by parking bosses was hailed a hero.
Pakistan PM Gilani hints at early polls
