Sunday, November 8, 2009
Big star cast helping its cause
Massive stage settings, rock concerts and music as a binding factor, Ajay Devgn-Salman Khan starrer "London Dreams", which releases on Oct 30, relies on the bond of friendship more than its rock background.
Produced and directed by Vipul Shah, the movie stars Asin Thottumkal in the female lead, while Akshay Kumar will be seen in a cameo. Rannvijay Singh and Om Puri too feature in the movie.
“’London Dreams' is a drama about two friends and their relationships, their roles, individuality and problems," Ajay told IANS.
Added Asin: "It is a musical with a lot of emotions and twists in the story. But it's something that heavily relies on music."
Shot extensively in Paris and London, the story revolves around childhood friends Arjun (Ajay) and Mannu (Salman) who have a music lineage in their family history.
Arjun dreams of being on stage as a performer to live up to his grandfather's unfulfilled ambitions while Mannu has little interest in the instruments of his father, a music teacher.
Arjun's determination takes him to London where he forms a band with Priya (Asin) and others. But his friend Mannu tries to make his livelihood as a wedding band performer in the village.
Arjun eventually invites Mannu to London to complete his band contrary to his own belief that the latter can create a competition.
But Mannu surprises him by turning out to be an entertainer. With his unique style, he becomes more popular with the audiences leaving Arjun envious. His insecurity increases when he realises Priya is smitten by Mannu.
The band embarks on a three-city tour where Arjun deceives Mannu into promiscuous sex and illicit drugs. As the tour concludes, the band heads to London to perform at Wembley Stadium where Mannu comes to senses and chooses the righteous path and supports his friend.
"London Dreams" has managed a good buzz, courtesy the big names associated with it.
She makes uncharacteristic effort to hide cracks in relationship
Rumours of trouble between Salman and Katrina are stronger than ever. More tongues wagged after Saturday’s incident, when Salman apparently did not include Katrina in his guest list for a bash at his residence.
This prompted Katrina to make an uncharacteristic effort to mend her strained relationship.
On Sunday (May 31), before flying off to Malaysia to shoot for a shampoo ad, Katrina spent considerable time with Salman on the sets of his movie “Wanted Dead or Alive” at the Film City in Mumbai.
She was with Sallu not just in his vanity van but also on the sets, in full public view. This behaviour is quite unlike her because normally she is not welcoming of even being photographed with Salman in public.
The couple even had dinner together along with other unit members, including Boney Kapoor, Vashu and Jackky Bhagnani and Arjun Kapoor.
Katrina was with Salman till pack up, after which he personally went to drop her till her car and she drove off to the airport.
It is up to us to read between the lines and decide whether all’s well between them or are they making an effort to paint a rosy picture to hide the cracks caused by the John-Katrina linkup, which has left Salman furious.
One thing is sure though, Katrina will have to continue making the effort and giving Sallu comfort. After all, she is likely to be working in Dostana 2 opposite Sallu’s two pet hates – John Abraham and Abhishek Bachchan – and we don’t even want to think of how angry this will make him.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Banks, consumer help equity funds better benchmark in Oct
NEW DELHI (Reuters) - All but one of diversified stock funds posted negative returns in October, tracking the benchmark's worst performance in a year, but their exposure to financials and consumer goods softened the blow.
Around 320 such funds, which form the largest category of stock funds by number and assets under management, saw their unit values fall an average 4.5 percent in the month, data from global fund tracker Lipper, a Thomson Reuters company, showed.
But nearly 90 percent of such funds fell less than the benchmark stock index which fell 7.2 percent, its worst monthly fall in a year, as weak quarterly earnings from some large corporates dented investor sentiment.
"Mutual funds shifted to defensive sectors like consumer, healthcare and financials anticipating correction in equities, given higher index levels," said Chintamani Dagade, senior research analyst at Morningstar India.
Morningstar data showed such funds had around 5.76 percent of their assets in cash at September-end but Dagade said it is likely that they increased cash holdings in their portfolios during the last month.
Banking stocks fell 5.2 percent in the month helping limit the fall as stock funds had investments of more than 250 billion rupees or 14.3 percent of their overall assets in such companies at September-end, ICRA Online data showed.
Funds which invest in consumer goods clocked an impressive average return of 6.4 percent during the period, making them top gainers among equity funds, as the BSE FMCG index rose 9 percent.
Microsoft CEO eyes Yahoo partnership outside U.S.
TOKYO (Reuters) - Microsoft Corp Chief Executive Steve Ballmer said on Thursday the company could look to extend its search engine partnership with Yahoo outside the United States, if it gets regulatory approval.
Earlier this year Microsoft and Yahoo signed a 10-year Web search partnership to challenge Google Inc, a pact that U.S. and European antitrust regulators are evaluating.
"It's possible that we will extend that partnership (with Yahoo) outside the U.S.," Ballmer told reporters at a news conference. "We will have to wait and see if we can get approval and consummate that partnership inside the U.S. first."
Microsoft has said it believes the deal will close in early 2010, and that they can make significant progress on integration in one or two major markets next year.
Earlier this year Microsoft and Yahoo signed a 10-year Web search partnership to challenge Google Inc, a pact that U.S. and European antitrust regulators are evaluating.
"It's possible that we will extend that partnership (with Yahoo) outside the U.S.," Ballmer told reporters at a news conference. "We will have to wait and see if we can get approval and consummate that partnership inside the U.S. first."
Microsoft has said it believes the deal will close in early 2010, and that they can make significant progress on integration in one or two major markets next year.
DETROIT/PARIS (Reuters) - The global meltdown and resulting implosion in vehicle sales over the past year have pressured everyone in the automotive se
PARIS (Reuters) - From the Soviet-era production lines of Togliatti to the assembly plants of Antwerp or Sicily, politics is driving -- and more often obstructing -- the sorely needed restructuring of the global automobile industry.
Despite chronic production overcapacity, notably in Europe and the United States, politicians of all stripes are deeply reluctant to let a single manufacturer go to the wall.
As a result, alliances of car makers such as Renault-Nissan or Fiat-Chrysler are more likely than outright takeovers or failures. Consolidation is likely to be concentrated in the suppliers sector, where there is less national prestige at stake and less political sensitivity.
Why did the German government commit billions of taxpayers' euros in an election year to rescue stricken car maker Opel while simultaneously refusing to spend less than half as much to save twice as many jobs at fallen retailer Arcandor?
The answer is that heavily unionised workers in the auto sector wield political clout out of proportion to their numbers. Since the industry controls the fate of towns or regions, politicians are deeply reluctant to see car factories close.
Despite chronic production overcapacity, notably in Europe and the United States, politicians of all stripes are deeply reluctant to let a single manufacturer go to the wall.
As a result, alliances of car makers such as Renault-Nissan or Fiat-Chrysler are more likely than outright takeovers or failures. Consolidation is likely to be concentrated in the suppliers sector, where there is less national prestige at stake and less political sensitivity.
Why did the German government commit billions of taxpayers' euros in an election year to rescue stricken car maker Opel while simultaneously refusing to spend less than half as much to save twice as many jobs at fallen retailer Arcandor?
The answer is that heavily unionised workers in the auto sector wield political clout out of proportion to their numbers. Since the industry controls the fate of towns or regions, politicians are deeply reluctant to see car factories close.
Reuters Summit - Slowdown pressures entire auto sector
DETROIT/PARIS (Reuters) - The global meltdown and resulting implosion in vehicle sales over the past year have pressured everyone in the automotive sector, creating opportunities for some players while leaving others subject to bankruptcy, consolidation or concessions.
The heads of auto suppliers Valeo SA and Dura Automotive Systems Inc said at the Reuters Auto Summit in Paris and Detroit on Tuesday that their companies intend to buy assets in the sector's continuing consolidation.
Meanwhile, pressures faced by factory workers on both sides of the Atlantic were on display as the United Auto Workers rejected concessions for Ford Motor Co, while those in Europe agreed to cuts for General Motors Co's Opel unit.
Valeo CEO Jacques Aschenbroich said the French supplier was looking at acquisitions in safety and comfort, vision and energy savings, saying the global economic crisis would lead to consolidation in the parts sector.
"After every crisis, there's a wave of consolidations.
There are more OEMs today than a few years ago," he said in Paris, referring to major automakers. "Of course, we want to be an actor of this consolidation in the years to come."
Financial results will be better than previously expected by the end of 2009 due to car scrapping programs implemented across Europe, Aschenbroich added.
Auto sales in Europe and the North America have been hurt in the past year as customers tightened purse strings amid a weak economy. The economic meltdown came on the heels of already-weakening vehicle demand amid record-high gasoline
The heads of auto suppliers Valeo SA and Dura Automotive Systems Inc said at the Reuters Auto Summit in Paris and Detroit on Tuesday that their companies intend to buy assets in the sector's continuing consolidation.
Meanwhile, pressures faced by factory workers on both sides of the Atlantic were on display as the United Auto Workers rejected concessions for Ford Motor Co, while those in Europe agreed to cuts for General Motors Co's Opel unit.
Valeo CEO Jacques Aschenbroich said the French supplier was looking at acquisitions in safety and comfort, vision and energy savings, saying the global economic crisis would lead to consolidation in the parts sector.
"After every crisis, there's a wave of consolidations.
There are more OEMs today than a few years ago," he said in Paris, referring to major automakers. "Of course, we want to be an actor of this consolidation in the years to come."
Financial results will be better than previously expected by the end of 2009 due to car scrapping programs implemented across Europe, Aschenbroich added.
Auto sales in Europe and the North America have been hurt in the past year as customers tightened purse strings amid a weak economy. The economic meltdown came on the heels of already-weakening vehicle demand amid record-high gasoline
Food price index rises 13.39 pct yr/yr Oct 24
NEW DELHI (Reuters) - India's food price index was up 13.39 percent in the 12 months to Oct. 24, while the fuel index was down 6.2 percent, the government said on Thursday.
The Commerce and Industry Ministry said it will release monthly data for all commodities for October on Nov. 12.
On Wednesday, Montek Singh Ahluwalia, deputy chairman of the Planning Commission and a close aide to the prime minister, said food price inflation was a concern but it should moderate by the end of this year.
Late last month, India's central bank raised the WPI inflation projection to 6.5 percent with an upside bias by end-March 2010, from 5.0 percent earlier.
The wholesale price index is more closely watched than the consumer price index, which is published monthly, because it covers a higher number of products and is released weekly.
The Commerce and Industry Ministry said it will release monthly data for all commodities for October on Nov. 12.
On Wednesday, Montek Singh Ahluwalia, deputy chairman of the Planning Commission and a close aide to the prime minister, said food price inflation was a concern but it should moderate by the end of this year.
Late last month, India's central bank raised the WPI inflation projection to 6.5 percent with an upside bias by end-March 2010, from 5.0 percent earlier.
The wholesale price index is more closely watched than the consumer price index, which is published monthly, because it covers a higher number of products and is released weekly.
Sunday, November 1, 2009
JMM announces first list for Jharkhand Assembly polls
The JMM on Saturday night announced its first list of candidates for the five-phase Assembly elections in Jharkhand beginning November 25.
JMM president Shibu Soren's son Hemant Soren is among the 32 candidates whose name figured in the first list, a party release said.
Former deputy chief minister Sudhir Mahato and former Lok Sabha member Suraj Mandal are the other senior leaders who were allotted tickets.
The JMM had already taken a decision to contest alone in all the 81 constituencies.
JMM president Shibu Soren's son Hemant Soren is among the 32 candidates whose name figured in the first list, a party release said.
Former deputy chief minister Sudhir Mahato and former Lok Sabha member Suraj Mandal are the other senior leaders who were allotted tickets.
The JMM had already taken a decision to contest alone in all the 81 constituencies.
Deriba Merga, Mary Keitany win Delhi half marathon
Ethiopian Deriba Merga won the Airtel Delhi Half Marathon in men's category while Kenya's Mary Keitany won the women's category.
The Airtel Delhi Half Marathon began with almost 30,000 participants. The open category of the main event was the half-marathon of 21.097 km. The other three categories were the Great Delhi Run (7 km), senior citizen's run (4.3 km) and wheelchair Event (3.5 km).
While more than 8,500 participants took part in the half marathon, altogether 30,000 runners took part in the event, of which the Great Delhi Run drew the maximum number of participants, both professional runners as well as people from every walk of life.
The event in its fifth edition has grown in popularity and size, now offering a whopping $210,000 in prize money.
The world's richest half-marathon saw male and female winner get $25,000 each. The top 10 finishers will also get handsome cash rewards.
The Indian winners get $4,000 each, with top 10 finishers winning separate purses.
Shah Rukh Khan and Rahul Bose were among the famous people who were present at the marathon.
International stars at the marathon included Ethiopians Deriba Merga, Deriba Alemu and Aselefech Mergia and Wilson Kipsang, Mary Keitany, the world half-marathon champion, of Kenya.
The Airtel Delhi Half Marathon began with almost 30,000 participants. The open category of the main event was the half-marathon of 21.097 km. The other three categories were the Great Delhi Run (7 km), senior citizen's run (4.3 km) and wheelchair Event (3.5 km).
While more than 8,500 participants took part in the half marathon, altogether 30,000 runners took part in the event, of which the Great Delhi Run drew the maximum number of participants, both professional runners as well as people from every walk of life.
The event in its fifth edition has grown in popularity and size, now offering a whopping $210,000 in prize money.
The world's richest half-marathon saw male and female winner get $25,000 each. The top 10 finishers will also get handsome cash rewards.
The Indian winners get $4,000 each, with top 10 finishers winning separate purses.
Shah Rukh Khan and Rahul Bose were among the famous people who were present at the marathon.
International stars at the marathon included Ethiopians Deriba Merga, Deriba Alemu and Aselefech Mergia and Wilson Kipsang, Mary Keitany, the world half-marathon champion, of Kenya.
Deriba Merga, Mary Keitany win Delhi half marathon
Ethiopian Deriba Merga won the Airtel Delhi Half Marathon in men's category while Kenya's Mary Keitany won the women's category.
The Airtel Delhi Half Marathon began with almost 30,000 participants. The open category of the main event was the half-marathon of 21.097 km. The other three categories were the Great Delhi Run (7 km), senior citizen's run (4.3 km) and wheelchair Event (3.5 km).
While more than 8,500 participants took part in the half marathon, altogether 30,000 runners took part in the event, of which the Great Delhi Run drew the maximum number of participants, both professional runners as well as people from every walk of life.
The event in its fifth edition has grown in popularity and size, now offering a whopping $210,000 in prize money.
The world's richest half-marathon saw male and female winner get $25,000 each. The top 10 finishers will also get handsome cash rewards.
The Indian winners get $4,000 each, with top 10 finishers winning separate purses.
Shah Rukh Khan and Rahul Bose were among the famous people who were present at the marathon.
International stars at the marathon included Ethiopians Deriba Merga, Deriba Alemu and Aselefech Mergia and Wilson Kipsang, Mary Keitany, the world half-marathon champion, of Kenya.
The Airtel Delhi Half Marathon began with almost 30,000 participants. The open category of the main event was the half-marathon of 21.097 km. The other three categories were the Great Delhi Run (7 km), senior citizen's run (4.3 km) and wheelchair Event (3.5 km).
While more than 8,500 participants took part in the half marathon, altogether 30,000 runners took part in the event, of which the Great Delhi Run drew the maximum number of participants, both professional runners as well as people from every walk of life.
The event in its fifth edition has grown in popularity and size, now offering a whopping $210,000 in prize money.
The world's richest half-marathon saw male and female winner get $25,000 each. The top 10 finishers will also get handsome cash rewards.
The Indian winners get $4,000 each, with top 10 finishers winning separate purses.
Shah Rukh Khan and Rahul Bose were among the famous people who were present at the marathon.
International stars at the marathon included Ethiopians Deriba Merga, Deriba Alemu and Aselefech Mergia and Wilson Kipsang, Mary Keitany, the world half-marathon champion, of Kenya.
Indian Oil fire rages on, 2 more bodies found
Two more bodies were spotted at the burning IOC fuel depot in Jaipur on Sunday, pushing the toll to 10, even as the fire died out in six of the 11 storage tanks but spread to the roof of a nearby private building.
The unidentified charred bodies were sighted in the wee hours near one of the blazing tanks, but it was not possible to reach there because of the heat, Inspector General of Police B.L. Soni said.
The fire spread to the roof of the building which houses a private electronic and instrument company called Genus Overseas Ltd, 200 metres from the IOC complex wall, at about 0700 hours, chief fire officer Ishwar Lal Jat said. Firemen present there could extinguish the flames within two hours, he said.
However, there were no casualties as no one was present in the building.
The roof was continuously being cooled but due to high temperature and wind direction, the flames spread, Jat said. Fire died out in six of the 11 storage tanks since Saturday while it continued to blaze in five tanks which included that of petrol and kerosene, he said.
It will possibly take about one more day for the fire to die out in the burning tanks, he said. With the tracing of the two bodies, the official toll in IOC fire has risen to 10, the IGP said.
Five bodies were identified and the rest were being kept in SMS hospital mortuary, the police officer said.
The bodies were handed over to relatives after completing necessary formalities, he added.
The 34 injured people were being treated at a number of hospitals in the state capital, Soni said.
When asked whether any police case has been registered in connection with the fire and related deaths, the IGP said no IOC official came to lodge a complaint
The unidentified charred bodies were sighted in the wee hours near one of the blazing tanks, but it was not possible to reach there because of the heat, Inspector General of Police B.L. Soni said.
The fire spread to the roof of the building which houses a private electronic and instrument company called Genus Overseas Ltd, 200 metres from the IOC complex wall, at about 0700 hours, chief fire officer Ishwar Lal Jat said. Firemen present there could extinguish the flames within two hours, he said.
However, there were no casualties as no one was present in the building.
The roof was continuously being cooled but due to high temperature and wind direction, the flames spread, Jat said. Fire died out in six of the 11 storage tanks since Saturday while it continued to blaze in five tanks which included that of petrol and kerosene, he said.
It will possibly take about one more day for the fire to die out in the burning tanks, he said. With the tracing of the two bodies, the official toll in IOC fire has risen to 10, the IGP said.
Five bodies were identified and the rest were being kept in SMS hospital mortuary, the police officer said.
The bodies were handed over to relatives after completing necessary formalities, he added.
The 34 injured people were being treated at a number of hospitals in the state capital, Soni said.
When asked whether any police case has been registered in connection with the fire and related deaths, the IGP said no IOC official came to lodge a complaint
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