Agartala: The intense cold wave conditions continued its tight grip over Tripura on Thursday and the state capital Agartala recorded the lowest minimum temperature in the last four decades, the weather office here said. Agartala and adjoining areas Thursday recorded a low of 3.3 degrees Celsius — the lowest since 1972. (IANS)
Rural Tourism Resort inaugurated at Chandigre
From Our Correspondent
Tura: The second Rural Tourism Resort Project of the State was inaugurated here at Chandigre , near Tura by the Chief Minister, Dr Mukul M Sangma on Wednesday.
Nestled amid orange orchards, tea and coffee plantations the objective of the rural resort is to showcase the lifestyle of the rural Garos to the tourists while generating means of income. Chandigre is an ideal place for a rural resort because of its close proximity to the Nokrek Biosphere Reserve, Hoolock Gibbon Reserve at Selbagre and the Rombagre falls distinctive for its fish sanctuary.
The resort has two Nok A’chiks (typical house of the Garos), Nok Pante (Dormitory cum training center for boys), Chu Nok (Brewery), Chidik (water tank) and Nok Kidik (toilets). The tourism department has provided capacity building training to the villagers to run the resort and had converged with the Department of Horticulture for the aesthetic beautification of the resort.
Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Dr Mukul M Sangma said that as 80 per cent of the population resides in villages it was necessary to create innovative and viable opportunities of livelihood for the lot so as to mitigate urban migration. The rural resort is an example of partnership between the government and the community, he added. He urged the villagers to make use of the resort on a sustainable basis. He also informed that Chandigre has been identified for Apiculture mission under the flagship programme of the government Integrated Basin Development & Livelihood Programme and thus advised the residents of Chandigre to avail it.
‘Powerful people involved in Arunachal scribe shooting case’
Itanagar: Two bodies of scribes in Arunachal Pradesh on Thursday expressed concern over the “slow pace” of investigation into journalist Tongam Rina shooting case of July 15 last year in which “powerful people” were allegedly involved.
In a joint statement, the Arunachal Press Club (APC) and the Arunachal Pradesh Union of Working Journalists on Thursday alleged that the police were trying to shield the culprit as powerful people were involved in the case.
The gunmen shot and seriously injured Tongam Rina, associate editor of the Arunachal Times from close range when she was entering her office in the evening that day.
Rina had meanwhile recovered and resumed her duties in the paper, the first English newspaper of the state owned by former chief minister Gegong Apang, but journalists were unhappy as there was no progress in the case.
Initially scribes were given to understand that the case had been handed over to the CBI, but later there was a report that it was turned down by the CBI.
The government did not clarify it despite repeated pleas, the statement said. So the case was in the hands of the Capital Police but there was no update from them in this regard.
When enquired by APC members, some officers privately said “powerful people are involved and therefore it is tough to investigate the case,” it said demanding the police to name those “powerful people”.
“The way the police are trying to suppress the case, we doubt their integrity and have a general feeling that the police are trying to shield the culprit involved in the case,” the two organisations said in the statement. (PTI)
Sam Pitroda asks N-E to focus on infrastructre, information system
From Our Correspondent
Guwahati: “North East (NE) is an important part of the country, which deserves more importance. The NE states should focus on three initiatives for improvement – infrastructure, information system & innovation. The NE states have human capacity and potential. They should take more responsibility and initiative, demand more and do more. Government is there to help”, said Sam Pitroda, Advisor to PM on Public Information Infrastructure & Innovations, Planning Commission, Government of India. He was delivering the keynote address at the concluding session of the two-day 8th North East Business Summit organized by Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC) on Thursday.
“We hope that as India and the ASEAN look forward to a speedy implementation of the Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity, the North-Eastern states will successfully capture the growing synergies of improved trade and investment linkages and will emerge as an international trade hub for the Asian Union”, said Dr Rajeev Singh, Director General of the ICC.
He said connectivity and infrastructure needed be developed at a fast pace in the North East, to make gainful use of its advantageous position. While the Government both at the Centre and the States have made tireless efforts towards the same, given the volume of investments required private intervention is strictly called for to achieve the targeted capacity.
Mr Hun Kim, Country Director – India, Asian Development Bank, highlighted ADB’s various initiatives and activities for boosting up infrastructure in the North-East, and shared his vision for the region’s future infrastructural developments.
Commenting that trade agreements like India-ASEAN have deeper implications for the North-East, Mr. Kim added that it is heartening to note that there are several proposals under consideration with regard to land and sea connectivity.
These include the India-Myanmar-Thailand Highway, its extension to Laos and Cambodia and the development of a new highway also linking Vietnam. The ADB will actively engage with the North-Eastern states to boost infrastructural links with the neighbouring countries, he assured.
The two-day Summit had focused Sessions on critical sectors & issues including – Infrastructure & Connectivity through PPPs; Exclusive Investors’ Meet with DoNer Minister & NE Industry Ministers; Border Trade; Tourism & Hospitality opportunities; Oil & Gas; Horticulture & Food Processing; Education & Skill Development; Financial Inclusion, etc.
The Exclusive ICC NDTV Profit Panel Discussion on “Agenda for North East: Taking Quantum Leap” raised meaningful deliberations revolving around issues like – capacity building both in terms of labour and capital in the region; ICT Roadmap for the NER ; Review of the NEIIPP 2007 ; current status of the various Infrastructure projects in the region, etc.
Assad’s plan for Syria ‘one-sided’: Brahimi
Damascus: Peace envoy Lakhdar Brahimi said ahead of US-Russia talks on Syria that President Bashar al-Assad’s new plan for his embattled country is “more sectarian, more one-sided” than previous initiatives.
He spoke as the first major prisoner swap in the 21-month conflict took place, with rebels freeing 48 Iranians in exchange for more than 2,000 regime detainees in a drawn-out deal with Damascus reportedly brokered by Turkey, Qatar and Iran.
UN and Arab League envoy Brahimi was giving his first public reaction to a three-step plan announced by Assad on Sunday.
“What has been said this time is not really different and it is perhaps even more sectarian, more one-sided,” he told the BBC.
Assad’s plan for a “political solution” in Syria was swiftly rejected by the opposition and Western nations as being detached from reality.
The plan offered a dialogue with the opposition to end the conflict — but only with elements he deemed acceptable, not rebel-affiliated groups he termed “killers” and “terrorists” led by foreigners.
Referring to the so-called Arab Spring that has swept the region since late 2010, Brahimi said: “Now people want to have a say in how they are governed. They want to take hold of their own future.”
“In Syria in particular, what people are saying is that one family ruling for 40 years is a little bit too long.”
The stinging comments came ahead of talks in Geneva on Friday between Brahimi and US and Russian officials.
“The trilateral meeting between (Russian Deputy Foreign Minister) Mikhail Bogdanov, (US Undersecretary of State) William Burns, and Lakhdar Brahimi has been planned for January 11 in Geneva,” Bogdanov told the Interfax news agency.
Wednesday’s developments came with no respite from the fighting, which in nearly 22 months of conflict has claimed some 60,000 lives, according to UN figures.
Four children from the same family were among as many as 10 civilians killed in a pre-dawn air strike near the central city of Homs, the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.
In the northwest, jihadist fighters seized parts of a large military airport after a weeks-long siege, the watchdog said, giving Wednesday’s provisional death toll as at least 36. (AFP)
Assad’s proposal nothing but an attempt to cling to power: US
Washington: Lashing out at the Bashar al-Assad regime, the US has said the recent proposal by the Syrian President is nothing but a desperate attempt to cling to power despite popular protests against him in the country.
“The speech by Bashar al-Assad was evidence of how delusional he is. The proposal he made was nothing more than a desperate attempt to cling to power, and it will only allow the regime to continue its oppression and killing of Syrian people,” White House Press Secretary Jay Carney.
Noting that the momentum was “with the opposition forces and the Syrian people”, Carney said Assad “could not restore” his control over the country despite continuous efforts, as his regime “continued to lose control” over Syrian territory.
“The future in Syria does not and will not include Bashar al-Assad. He has lost all legitimacy, as we have said, and he must step aside to enable a political solution that ends the bloodshed and suffering, and meets the aspirations of the Syrian people,” he said on Wednesday.
The US will continue its support for the Geneva Action Group’s framework endorsed by the five permanent members of the UN Security Council, the Arab League, and the UN General Assembly, Carney said.
“We will continue our efforts in support of Joint Special Representative Brahimi to build international support for the Geneva Framework, and urge all parties in Syria to take steps toward its implementation,” Carney said.
He, however, insisted that America’s position regarding lethal support has not changed. “We are not providing it. As we have said, we continue to take a hard look at every feasible policy option to evaluate whether or not doing so would advance our goal of hastening an end to violence and supporting political transition in Syria.”
“In other words, we look at all feasible options and evaluate them based on whether or not we believe that goal would be achieved,” Carney said, asserting that a “political solution” involving the Syrian people and the international community was the best way forward.
“We do not believe at this point that providing arms will promote a political solution,” he said, adding that Washington has “ramped up” its non-lethal assistance to Syrian opposition, besides recognising the Syrian Transitional Group as part of its policy to further isolate Assad.
He stated that US and its allies have taken “significant action” to isolate Assad regime, besides extending humanitarian relief to the Syrian people. (PTI)
Censors kept busy as strike-hit Chinese paper hits newsstands
China: A weekly Chinese newspaper at the centre of anti-censorship protests appeared on newsstands on Thursday as a newsroom strike ended amid fresh calls for the Communist Party leadership to loosen its grip on the media.
The strike at the Southern Weekly in affluent Guangdong province came after censors watered down a page-two editorial in the New Year edition. Calls for China to enshrine constitutional rights were replaced with comments praising one-party rule.
The rare newsroom revolt at one of China’s most respected and liberal papers hit a raw nerve nationwide, with calls for freedom of expression led by bloggers with millions of followers such as actress Yao Chen and writer Han Han.
How the party responds to those calls will be a key indicator of new party leader Xi Jinping’s reformist inclinations.
About six protesters were forcibly cleared from the gates of the paper by plainclothes officials today, shouting as they were bundled into vehicles as dozens of uniformed police officers looked on.
The problem of reconciling the conflict between conservatives and liberals was illustrated in scuffles and heated arguments outside the Southern Weekly’s gates all week.
Leftists carrying Mao Zedong posters and red China flags repeatedly abused scores of Southern Weekly supporters for undermining China’s socialist system and one-party rule.
“After we have full stomachs, we want to say more. This is normal,” said Ye Qiliang, a young man who opposed the Maoists in one evening protest. “The media is the people’s voice. We are now all Southern Weekly People.”
While the paper’s appearance in newsstands suggested a tentative truce between Southern Weekly journalists and censorship authorities, the latest issue carried subtle signs of resistance.
Chinese Internet users face the “Great Fire Wall” of censorship, especially over politically sensitive topics such as human rights, while foreign websites such as Facebook, Twitter and YouTube are blocked. (Reuters)
Lawrence, Katy Perry big winners
Post-apocalyptic action film “The Hunger Games” was the big winner at the People’s Choice Awards on Thursday, picking up five awards including favorite movie of the year, while singer Katy Perry again led in the music categories.
Hosted by “The Big Bang Theory” actress Kaley Cuoco, the People’s Choice Awards named winners in more than 40 categories across film, television and music. About 475 million fans voted through the People’s Choice website.
“The Hunger Games,” based on the trilogy of novels by Suzanne Collins, beat out “The Avengers,” “The Amazing Spider-Man,” “The Dark Knight Rises” and “Snow White and the Huntsman” for the coveted favorite movie accolade.
Jennifer Lawrence, who plays “Hunger Games” heroine Katniss Everdeen, won the favorite movie actress award over Mila Kunis, Emma Stone, Anne Hathaway and Scarlett Johansson.
“Thank you for loving movies as much as I do, and loving this movie and voting,” Lawrence said.
“The Hunger Games” was also named favorite action film and favorite movie franchise, while its stars Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson and Liam Hemsworth won favorite on-screen chemistry.
The People’s Choice is the first of Hollywood’s annual awards shows, but unlike the Oscars or the Golden Globes, the winners are determined by fans, so it provides few insights into likely winners of the movie industry’s top honors in February.
“The Avengers,” which was nominated in eight categories, didn’t go home empty-handed. Robert Downey Jr. was named favorite movie actor for his role as Iron Man in the superhero ensemble box office hit.
“You’ve chosen wisely,” the actor joked on stage.
Adam Sandler picked up the fan favorite award for comedic actor, while former “Friends” star Jennifer Aniston picked up the favorite comedic movie actress award, beating out Mila Kunis, Reese Witherspoon, Emily Blunt and Cameron Diaz.
“I cannot thank you enough for allowing me to be honored with this, after supporting me for almost 20 years,” Aniston said.
Emma Watson of “Harry Potter” fame picked up the favorite dramatic actress accolade for her role in “The Perks of Being a Wallflower.”
“Perks” was also named favorite dramatic movie, while “Ted,” the raunchy R-rated comedy from “Family Guy” creator Seth MacFarlane, was named favorite comedy film.
MUSIC AND TELEVISION WINNERS
Katy Perry took home four trophies this year, including favorite female artist and a surprise win for favorite pop artist over Justin Bieber.
Fan favorite Taylor Swift beat out Tim McGraw, Jason Aldean, Blake Shelton and Carrie Underwood for favorite country artist.
“You guys have blown my mind with what you’ve done with this album ‘Red.’ I want to thank you for caring about my music and me,” the singer said in her acceptance speech.
Her chart-topping album “Red,” which the singer based on her experiences, was one of 2012’s top-sellers. The singer attended the awards alone following a widely reported split from boyfriend Harry Styles of U.K. boy band One Direction.
Maroon 5 picked up the favorite band award. The band’s popularity skyrocketed in 2012 after lead singer Adam Levine served as a judge on television talent show “The Voice.”
British boy band The Wanted won favorite breakout artist.
In the television categories, CBS comedy “The Big Bang Theory” was named favorite network comedy, while ABC’s “Grey’s Anatomy” picked up favorite network drama.
Ellen Pompeo of “Grey’s Anatomy” and “Castle” actor Nathan Fillion won the favorite TV dramatic actress and actor awards, while “Glee” stars Lea Michele and Chris Colfer picked up the favorite TV comedic actress and actor awards.
Sandra Bullock was named favorite humanitarian for her efforts in helping victims of Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans. (Reuters)
Mursi meets his Palestinian counterpart
Cairo: Egyptian president Muhammed Mursi has met his Palestinian counterpart Mahmoud Abbas and exiled Hamas chief Khaled Meshaal separately as the talks focused on the inter-Palestinian reconciliation and ending the Gaza siege.
Mursi met Abbas on Wednesday and discussed Palestinian reconciliation.
Discussions also tackled easing the passage of humanitarian aid supplies through the borders to end the suffering of the Gazans.
The meeting was attended by Egyptian Foreign Minister Mohamed Kamel Amr, Mursi’s aide Essam el-Haddad, PLO Executive Office member Saeb Erekat, Fatah Central Committee member Azzam al-Ahmed and Abbas’ spokesman Nabil Abu-Rudinah.
The two Palestinian figures also were meeting seperately which is the first meeting between the West Bank’s Fatah leader Abbas and Meshaal, who heads the Hamas movement that rules the Gaza Strip, in almost a year, and is aimed at ending years of bitter and sometimes deadly rivalry.
The two Palestinian groups have been at loggerheads since Hamas overran Gaza in 2007, ousting forces from Fatah, which Abbas leads.
Also, US peace envoy David Hale on Wednesday arrived in Cairo coming from Jordan on a visit to Egypt, as part of a regional tour that included stops in both Ramallah and Amman.
Despite an unsteady internal scene and an economic crisis, Egyptian presidency is hosting a frenzy of regional and foreign affairs activities.
Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi is expected in Egypt today to meet his Egyptian counterpart before meeting Mursi and Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Sheikh Ahmed el-Tayyeb.
He will also hold a meeting with UN-Arab League envoy to Syria Lakhdar Brahimi. (PTI)
Lohan accused of stealing, again!
Actress Lindsay Lohan has been reportedly accused of stealing a bracelet that belonged to Elizabeth Taylor’s nurse. But later she returned it.
“Lindsay became very good friends with Elizabeth Taylor’s long-time nurse while shooting ‘Liz & Dick’. Elizabeth had given the nurse an expensive bracelet that was very meaningful to her and the nurse absolutely cherished it,” a source told radaronline.com.
“She (Lohan) immediately fell in love with the bracelet… and was very vocal about how much she admired it. A short time later, the bracelet disappeared from the nurse’s house…on the very same day Lindsay had been to visit,” added the source.
Lohan denied having the bracelet with her, but the nurse knew that it was a lie as the bracelet disappeared after Lohan was at the house.
“But still she initially gave Lindsay the benefit of the doubt, thinking that she had just accidentally forgotten to take the bracelet off after trying it on. However, that theory was soon shot down after she called Lindsay and she swore she did not take the bracelet and categorically denied having it in her possession,” said the source.
The 26-year-old has been on probation since being found guilty of stealing a necklace in July 2011, for which she was sentenced to 120 days in prison and 480 hours of community service.
“In the end, it took over a week to get the bracelet back from Lindsay and it was only returned after the nurse threatened to call the cops. One of Lindsay’s people eventually returned the bracelet to the nurse,” concluded the source. (IANS)