SHOBHAA DE INVITES TROLL FOR SINDHU COMMENTS ON

MidWeek
MIDWEEK NEWS
NEWS WEEKLY
WEEKLY
TUESDAY, AUGUST 28,
23, 2012
2016
13
WILL SRK BE NEXT
SEEN OPPOSITE
KANGANA RANAUT?
JACQUELINE FERNANDEZ, TIGER SHROFF, NATHAN JONES AND CHOREOGRAPHER REMO D'SOUZA PAY OBEISANCE AT THE GOLDEN
TEMPLE TO PROMOTE THEIR UPCOMING FILM "A FLYING JATT" IN AMRITSAR (IANS).
SHOBHAA DE INVITES TROLL FOR
SINDHU COMMENTS ON TWITTER
NEW DELHI, (IANS) After Indian shuttler P.V. Sindhu prevailed over
Nozomi Okuhara of Japan to enter the final of the women's singles
event at the Olympic Games, author Shobhaa De once again sparked
the controversy by tweeting an irksome remark on the Hyderabadi.
World No.10 Sindhu registered a 21-19, 21-10 triumph in the semifinals over No.6 Okuhara on Thursday to become the first Indian
shuttler to enter the final of the Olympics badminton. In the final, she
will face two-time reigning world champion Carolina Marin of Spain,
who beat defending champion Li Xuerui of China 21-14, 21-16.
After her selfie tweet on India's delegates to Rio, De's remark has
really rubbed people the wrong way as she was criticised by the twitter
users. "PV SINDHU Silver Princess ?," De wrote on Thursday and soon she
tried to salvage the situation by two new tweets. "Silver minted by Sindhu.
Chandi ke baad Sona!!!" and the other "Go for gold, girl!!!"
She was criticised for belittling Sindhu's achievement and betraying
a defeatist mentality about Sindhu's chances against Marin in the
final. "@DeShobhaa selfiee lete lete silver bh mil gya aur selfiee lete
lete gold bhi milega. #badminton #PVSindhu #gold #Rio2016
#Olympics," a twitter user said on Friday.
"@DeShobhaa just shut up. She can win the gold as well," another
Twitter user commented. "@DeShobhaa what a way to stay in the
news & relevant! Then blame haters by crying misogyny! You do so
much disservice to women, DUH princess." De had previously cour ted
controversy by tweeting, "Goal of Team India at the Olympics: Rio
jao. Selfies lo. Khaali haat wapas aao. What a waste of money and
oppor tunity." That brought a torrent of criticism on Shobhaa from
spor tspersons including 2008 Beijing Olympic gold medallist Abhinav
Bindra and others.
WON'T CAMOUFLAGE BABY BUMP ON SCREEN: KAREENA
MUMBAI, (IANS) Actress Kareena Kapoor Khan, who is expecting her first child with Saif Ali Khan, says she won't camouflage her
pregnancy on screen for any role. The mom-to-be said her pregnancy does not affect her hectic work schedule or her career.
"Well I will definitely go on with my normal life. I am a working woman and there is absolutely nothing wrong in that. I love my job and
I'm passionate about my work. I have wanted to became an actress ever since I was in my mother's womb. So I will continue acting all
my life until I am 80," Kareena said here on Monday. The actress will begin shooting for Shashanka Ghosh's "Veere Di Wedding" in
October. The film also stars Sonam Kapoor, Swara Bhaskar and Shikha Talsania.
"Whichever role I do, I am not going to camouflage it on screen. I am proud of this phase (being pregnant) that I am in and there is nothing
to hide about it. Whichever film I choose to do you will see me the way I am. Right now, I am working on dates so it all depends on how
I feel," she added. "Veere Di Wedding" is a romantic comedy about four women who embark on a trip from Delhi to Europe.
Sunil Kataria, Business Head -India And SAARC, Godrej Consumer Products Ltd, actress Kareena Kapoor and Adhuna Bhabani, hair
stylist and the co-host of Bblunt during the launch of Bblunt new at home hair color range Salon Secret in Mumbai (IANS).
BY NIVEDITA / MUMBAI, (IANS) She is one actress in Bollywood whose
box-office scorecard has not depended on the the male lead of her films,
and her versatility has won her fans like megastar Amitabh Bachchan
and superstar Aamir Khan. Now she is likely to star with Shah Rukh
Khan, but she says the project is at a very premature stage. Rumours
have been rife that Shah Rukh and Kangana are going to work in a Sanjay
Leela Bhansali film.
Asked about it, Kangana told IANS: "Sanjay sir just spoke to me about the
film, saying that he wants to make it with me and Shah Rukh sir. But it's
at a very premature stage. It's not that I am working with Shah Rukh sir
tomorrow or something like that... So, yeah, like I said, it's at a very
premature stage."
The actress was the showstopper for designer Tarun Tahiliani, who flagged
off the Lakme Fashion Week (LFW) Winter/Festive 2016 on Tuesday night
here. The five-day fashion gala begins from Wednesday at St. Regis
here. The "Queen" of Bollywood feels fortunate to be a part of such grandeur. "I think I am very fortunate because I get these opportunities. I am
an actress and my film characters are usually not very fashion-inspired.
As an artiste, I don't know where and how these opportunities just come
my way where I get to work with the finest artistes in the country and get
to display or wear their designs and even get to see their collections,"
said the National Award winner. She says these chances help her to
know more about fashion and understand it better. "I am an artiste and I
love to be inspired. If I wasn't walking the ramp, I would never get exposed to
these collections. I am so busy that I can't participate in the whole fashion scene
that is going on in the country, but because I work with designers and their
shows, I get to know so much about them and the fashion industry," she
added. On the big screen, Kangana will be next seen in a biopic on Rani
Lakshmibai, a character she feels inspired by in many ways.
DEEPIKA PADUKONE FINDS
SPOT IN WORLD'S HIGHEST
PAID ACTRESSES LIST
LOS ANGELES, (IANS) Bollywood actress Deepika Padukone, who
is set to make her Hollywood debut, has already landed a spot in a
list of the world's highest paid actresses, with earnings of $10
million. The list also features heavyweights like Hollywood stars
Jennifer Lawrence, Julia Roberts and Jennifer Aniston.
Deepika, daughter of India's celebrated badminton player Prakash
Padukone, is the only newcomer to the 'World's Highest-Paid Actresses' ranking and is the only Indian star to make the cut. She
has found the tenth spot in the list, which is topped by Lawrence.
Of the 10 list members, 30 per cent, including Padukone, hail from
outside the US. Chinese actress Fan Bingbing was also featured in
the list for the second consecutive year, while Charlize Theron, a
dual South African-American citizen, returned to the list for the first
time since 2013, reported forbes.com.
For the second year in a row, Lawrence became the world's highest paid actress with $46 million earning while Melissa McCarthy
was in the second spot by pocketing $33 million.
Lawrence's impressive earnings consist largely of a profit slice
from the big box office gross of her final “Hunger Games” instalment and a mammoth upfront fee for “Passengers”.
As for Deepika, who will soon be making her Hollywood debut
along "Fast and Furious" star Vin Diesel in "xXx: Return of Xander
Cage", she earns far less than her Hollywood counterparts for
roles, but compensates with over a dozen lucrative endorsements.
The magazine also put the spotlight on the gender pay gap in the
Indian film industry, stating that "though a top male star might earn
close to $5 million a movie, prominent Indian actresses rarely
clear $1 million a film", adding that "it's a discrepancy not uncommon in Hollywood". Other names to feature in the list include Mila
Kunis, Amy Adams and Scarlett Johansson.
14
MidWeek
bollywood
MIDWEEK NEWS WEEKLY
TUESDAY, AUGUST 23, 2016
BEIIMAAN LOVE WILL
ESTABLISH SUNNY AS ACTOR
OF SUBSTANCE: DIRECTOR
ABHAY DEOL, DIANA PENTY AND ALI FAZAL DURING A PROGRAMME ORGANISED TO PROMOTE THEIR FILM HAPPY BHAG JAYEGI IN
NEW DELHI (IANS).
IS 'PINK' ABOUT RAPES?
MUMBAI, (IANS) Megastar Amitabh Bachchan who will be seen playing a lawyer in Shoojit Sarkar's upcoming film 'Pink' said the film is
not about rape but the situations that exist today. "I think that the film
talks about the current situation especially, for the younger generation. The story is based in Delhi and I just want to make it clear that
Pink isn't about rape but it is about circumstances that exist in the city
of Delhi and most par t of the country." He said at the 'Jeeney De
Mujhe' song launch of the film.
"There are very strong statements you must have seen in that trial we
had in the trailer. It's just a glimpse, that what kind of language and
thoughts that have been expressed. I want you to know that for me
personally it is a film that I've great belief...
"I hope after watching the film somewhere you will sit back and think...
I always believe women in our country are half of the strength and
they must have their dignity in their walks of life," he said.
About the first song of the film, the 'Piku' actor said, "Jeeney De Mujhe
is a song of liberation particularly for the young girls". Pink revolves
around three girls who were trapped in a criminal case. They are tried
in the cour t for an attempt to murder case and defaming some men.
Piku, Madras Cafe and Vicky Donor famed director Shoojit Sarkar
produced the film and it is helmed by Aniruddha Roy Chowdhury.
The crime thriller stars Amitabh Bachchan, Taapsee Pannu, Kir ti
Kulhari and Andrea Taring in lead roles and is scheduled to release
on September 16.
NEW DELHI, (IANS) Debutant director Rajeev Chaudhari,
who is gearing up for the release of the upcoming film
"Beiimaan Love", says the movie will establish actress
Sunny Leone as a mainstream heroine. There were repor ts
that the "One Night Stand" actress will not be promoting
"Beiimaan Love", which also stars Rajneesh Duggal and
Daniel Weber.
Asked if the repor ts are true, Chaudhari told IANS: "No,
this is all rumours. In this film she has come out
different. She looks intelligent. This will be the film
where she will be known as an actor of substance...
She will definitely promote this film."
"She is a complete mainstream Bollywood heroin in
this film," he added. Talking about the censor board,
Chaudhari believes that the level of scrutiny becomes
higher when it comes to a film starring Sunny. "The
problem is the moment they come to know it's a Sunny
Leone film they make the producers sit on the other side
and say 'Come on let me see what it is'," he said.
"The scrutiny level becomes higher because of all the last
films like 'One Night Stand' and 'Mastizaade' then we have
to give an explanation this is a class film, this film is for
family and for everyone... I am sure they will probably give
us a U/A cer tificate," Chaudhari added. The film is about
"today's women, who will not get trapped into emotions
and domestic life"."Beiimaan Love" is slated to release on
September 30.
TAAPSEE HAPPY WITH 'PINK'
TRAILER RESPONSE
MUMBAI, (IANS) Actress Taapsee Pannu says she is
overwhelmed with the appreciation the trailer of her film
"Pink" has received. The trailer of "Pink" was launched on
August 9 and iy has already crossed six million views on
YouTube. "I am not in India right now to feel the buzz that
the trailer has created but from what I get to know and see
online, it seems we have struck all the right notes... The
appreciation is overwhelming," Taapsee said in a statement. "Pink" revolves around three girls who were trapped
in a criminal case. They are tried in cour t for an attempt to
murder case and defaming some men. Helmed by
Aniruddha Roy Chowdhury, the film has been helmed by
"Piku", "Madras Cafe" and "Vicky Donor" fame director
Shoojit Sarkar. The crime thriller also stars Amitabh
Bachchan, Kir ti Kulhari and Andrea Tariang and is scheduled to release on September 16.
RITIESH DESHMUKH FELL IN
LOVE WITH BANJO STORYLINE
IS SONAKSHI IN 'DABANGG 3'?
MUMBAI, (IANS) Actor-director Arbaaz Khan has neither confirmed
nor denied repor ts of Sonakshi Sinha being par t of "Dabangg 3". While
there have been repor ts that Sonakshi will not be par t of the third
instalment of "Dabangg", Arbaaz says it's not completely true.
When asked about the same, Arbaaz told IANS: "There is nothing like
that... The script is not ready. There will be changes in the film and
there could be an introduction of some actors." He said that it's "not
completely true that Sonakshi is not going to be par t of 'Dabangg 3'".
"It all depends on the script. You got to move on and make something
interesting for the audience," he added. Arbaaz feels that people "jump
to speculations and make it black and white. You have to be very
careful of how you don't lose the connect with the audience by not
having Sonakshi and how you give something new to the audience,"
he added. Sonakshi was launched in Bollywood with the blockbuster
film "Dabangg" in 2010. The actress went on to be par t of "Dabangg
2", which was directed by Arbaaz. "Dabangg 3" will go on floors by
end of 2017.
MUMBAI, (IANS) Actor-producer Ritiesh Deshmukh said
after the narration of the script of his for thcoming movie
"Banjo", that he fell in love with the story and the
character.
"While I was narrated the script I fell in love with the
film's storyline and the character...You listen to the
story first then if the character is also good then it
interests us. Me and Ravi (Jadhav) both are good
friends. After 'Balak-Palak', we wanted to work together
and 'Banjo' script came to us. I am very happy to be a
par t of this film," Ritiesh said at the launch of "Bappa"
song from the film.
Ritiesh who is playing a street musician in the film said
the hero of the film is the composer Vishal Shekhar's
music. "'Banjo' the name itself is that of a musical
instrument. If music isn't good then the film fails. The
composers Vishal-Shekhar have done a wonder ful job.
They are the backbone of the film," he said.
"Bappa has a very Mumbaiyya flavour, it also is a kind
of street music. The song has an Indianness with a touch of
fusion. We hope audience likes the song," Ritiesh, 37, added.
The Masti actor spoke about the very popular Banjo street
music of Mumbai, "Banjo music or Banjo parties always
catch your attention because of its strong beats. Ravi ji has
gifted me a Banjo which is my prized possession."
Recipient of the National Film Award, Marathi film director
Ravi Jadhav is best known for his works in "Natarang",
"Balak-Palak", "Timepass" among others. The movie, which
will be released on August 19, marks the Hindi film debut of
Ravi Jadhav. The film also features Nagis Fakhri who plays a DJ.
Ritiesh was last seen in adult comedy film "Great Grand
Masti".
'Happy Bhaag Jayegi' is
absolutely adorable: Dia Mirza
Sidharth Malhotra and Katrina Kaif during promotion of their upcoming film Baar Baar Dekho in New York (IANS).
MUMBAI, (IANS) Bollywood actress Dia Mirza was all
praise for "Happy Bhaag Jayegi" after the screening of the
film here. "It's a happy and absolutely adorable film. I
loved it so much and I am sure the audience is going to
love it too. Diana (Penty), Abhay (Deol), Jimmy Shergill,
Ali Fazal and the entire cast has been wonder ful," said
Dia on the sidelines of screening.
A special screening of "Haapy Bhaag Jayegi" was held
in Mumbai on Thursday and Bollywood celebrities like
Richa Chadha, Vicky Kaushal, Chunky Pandey, Kar tik
Aaryan and Zarine Khan along with producers Krishika
Lulla and Anand L Rai attended the event.
Lulla, who in collaboration with Anand L Rai has earlier
produced films like "Raanjhanaa" and "Tanu Weds Manu:
Returns", said: "I am more nervous than excited as
people's expectations have gone high. I hope we can keep
up to their expectations. It is a simple sweet story. You can
enjoy it with your family."
MIDWEEK NEWS
NEWS WEEKLY
WEEKLY
TUESDAY, AUGUST 28,
23, 2012
2016
MidWeek
bollywood
15
MIDWEEK BOX OFFICE
RUSTOM
100 CR
MOHENJO DARO
100 CR
DISHOOM
72.52 CR
BUDHIA SINGH - BORN TO RUN
3.5 CR
HAPPY BHAG JAYEGI
10 CR
top
10
songs
SONG
FILMMAKER ROHIT SHETTY, ACTORS RANVEER SINGH, TAMANNAAH BHATIA AND CHING`S SECRET FOUNDER AJAY GUPTA DURING
THE PREMIERE OF AD FILM RANVEER CHING RETURNS: DESI CHINESE IN MUMBAI (IANS).
Who is 'dissatisfied' with scripts being offered to her?
MUMBAI, (IANS) Dia Mirza is not so active any more as an actress. She says she is not happy with the sor t of scripts that are coming
her way and is, therefore, busy producing the movies she believes in. Dia told IANS: "As a producer, I am very excited about some of the
scripts that have come our way and we are looking forward to making these films. As an actor, I am dissatisfied. "But I am grateful that instead of
moping about the lack of good opportunities to be in good films, I create opportunities by making the films I believe in." Dia believes there is a need
for India to have more theatres as she feels the lack of screens is a threat to the country's film industry. "Our biggest threat is the taxation policy as well
as the lack of a sufficient number of movie screens. Both the issues need to be addressed urgently. "The economics of making and releasing a film are
getting increasingly difficult, add to that the advent of access to digital content, and at large, producers/studios have their work cut out for them," said
the former beauty queen. However, Dia is happy with growth in acceptance of regional cinema as well as English cinema in India. "As
long as the screen count increases and better policies are ushered in for the movie industry, we will be able to celebrate the success
of all stories that are well-told, irrespective of language," she said.
In India it's hard to dabble between TV, films: Prachi Desai
NEW DELHI, (IANS) She star ted her career in 2006 with the television show "Kasamh Se" and later made a transition to the film industry
in 2008 with "Rock On!!". Actress Prachi Desai says for an ar tiste in India, it is difficult to juggle between TV and the silver screen.
"Unfor tunately, in Bollywood or in the Indian film industry you really don't have that liber ty of sor t of dabbling in the television industry
as well as film industry if you are a mainstream actor, unlike the west. "Here, there is a drastic difference between films and television
shows," Prachi told IANS over phone from Mumbai. The "Azhar" actress says people like to believe that TV shows are "extremely
relatable", whereas films or film actors have to be "unattainable and aspiration. I don't see a match or a link between these two (films
and TV), which is why in the Indian film industry we cannot really dabble with both," Prachi added.
AUGUST 2016
1
FILM: SULTAN
BABY KO BASS
PASAND HAI
FILM
SAU TARAH KE
DISHOOM
6 PACK BAND - RAULA PAYE GAYA SULTAN
JAANEMAN AAH
(FILM VERSION)
TU HAI
DISHOOM
MOHENJO DARO440
440 VOLT - SALMAN VERSION SULTAN
DAMA DAMA DAM
MADAARI
TOH DISHOOM
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PYAR KI
HOUSEFULL 3
DIN MEIN KARENGE JAGRATA FREAKY ALI
MIDWEEK HIT OR FLOP
RUSTOM
MOHENJO DARO
DISHOOM
HAPPY BHAG JAYEGI
BUDHIA SINGH - BORN TO RUN
SUPERHIT
HIT
HIT
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AVERAGE
16
MidWeek
bollywood
Movie Review
MIDWEEK NEWS WEEKLY
TUESDAY, AUGUST 23, 2016
FORTUNATE TO WORK WITH
BAZMEE: BIG B
MUMBAI, (IANS) Megastar
Amitabh Bachchan, who will
be seen in "Aankhe 2" directed by Anees Bazmee,
says he is excited to work
with Bazmee and credits
his "good for tune" for
getting to work with him
for the "very first time.
Anees Bazmee will be directing the film ('Aankhen 2'). I
have heard a lot about him. And this
is my good for tune that I get to work with him for the first time.
So I am very excited," Amitabh said at the event. Talking about
the film, Big B, who essayed Vijay Singh Rajput in the 2002
heist thriller drama film, said: "'Aankhe 2' will star t from where
the first par t ended. The story is brand new with new wonderful and talented ar tistes."
AL
, DIANA PENTY, MOM
CAST: ABHAY DEOL
, JIMMY SHEIRGIL
SHEIKH, ALI FAIZAL
SAR AZIZ
DIRECTOR: MUDAS
RATING: ***1/2
"
Kunal Kapoor's transformation
in 'Veeram'
'HAPPY BHAAG JAYEGI'
MAKES YOU HAPPY
Woh jo chahti hai kar ti hai," Abhay Deol playing a suave Paki
stani politician's dissatisfied son trapped in a life he doesn't rel
ish, says at some point about the protagonist.
Abhay has a complex role in a narrative that floats freely, gently and
elegantly on the surface level. We know all along the complications
in the plot -- including the heroine landing up accidentally in Lahore
from Amritsar -- are going to iron themselves out magically. Yes, this
is that kind of a film where laughter can wipe out 69 years of bitterness between hostile neighbours.At least for a couple of hours. Yes,
this is the kind of Utopian cinema where the entire city of Lahore,
including benevolent auto-rickshaw drivers and a compassionate
though cranky cop (Piyush Mishra, brilliant), gets together to help an
Indian damsel in distress.
Happy is played by Diana Penty, and everyone from her doting father
back home in Amritsar (played by Kanwaljeet Singh) to the Pakistani
diplomat's besotted son Bilal (Abhay Deol) adores her unconditionally, although she tends to create embarrassing havoc with her impetuous self-asser tions wherever she goes.
Undoubtedly, Happy is a direct descendent of Kareena Kapoor's Geet
in Imtiaz Ali's "Jab We Met", except that this runaway bride from
Punjab lands up in Pakistan and providentially misses out on the
hear tbreak and betrayal that Geet had to go through because of her
self-willed behaviour.
Happy is a Walt Disney heroine thrown into Ram Gopal Varma's territory. She is swathed in a kind of sanitised protective shield which
never comes off even when thrown into potentially dangerous situations. We are supposed to believe that the whole world loves Happy
in spite of her awfully shrill self-centredness. In fact Deol's character's
subtle attraction to the girl from across the border (who very often
behaves like a borderline case) echoes Shahid Kapoor's tender fondness for Kareena in "Jab We Met".
But Happy loves the good-for-nothing Guddu (Ali Fazal) who is a singer
and a musician, though strangely none of the songs in the film's
soundtrack belong to Guddu. In a beautifully crafted scene between
Guddu and Bilal, Guddu, sensing Bilal's attraction for Happy compares her to Madhubala.
Abhay as the reluctant Pakistani politician Bilal who longs to be a
cricketer plays off nicely against Ali Fazal's likeable loutish Guddu.
Jimmy Sheirgil as the hoodwinked bridegroom whose dulhan runs
away from the mandap reprises his role from Aanand Rai's "Tanu
Weds Manu" but succeeds in giving his familiar character a novel
spin specially when he bursts into Sunny Deol's two-left-feet Yaara
oh yaara dance at his own wedding.
But the real scenestealer in "Happy Bhaag Jayegi" is the Pakistani
stunner Momal Sheikh who plays Bilal's career-convenient but completely devoted fiancée with such finesse and understanding! You
can't take your eyes off this beautiful talented girl whenever she is on
screen. Momal is a prized find.
While the film scores big with its ensemble cast, the narrative tends
to lose steam once in a while. Though some of the gags run on for too
long (and the sequence where Bilal's house-helps try to distract Bilal's
fiancee's father's attention is specially tedious) the narrative never
loses its satirical spirit.
Surprisingly an element of gravity is introduced mid-way when the
narrative sneaks in a telling contrast in the relationships that Bilal
and Guddu share with their respective life-mates. Director Mudassar
Aziz explores the anatomy of commitment and honesty in a relationship without squandering away the spirit of satire that streams across
this endearing rom-com. He also makes gentle comments through
Piyush Mishra on how much of India and Pakistan is shared experience. When Ali Fazal mentions Veer-Zaara to Piyush Mishra the latter
sighs, "If only Yash Chopra belonged to Pakistan!" "Happy Bhaag
Jayegi" keeps us smiling right through the film. And that's by no means
a minor achievement.
Thriller, horror has huge market in India: Gaurav Arora
NEW DELHI, (IANS) Actor Gaurav Arora, who made his debut in the Hindi
film industry with the thriller "Love Games", is now geared up for the release of "Raaz Reboot". He says the market is huge for thriller and horror
content in India. "I think thriller and horror has a huge market in India. For
instance, 'Raaz' is a super successful franchise. Apar t from that, 'The Conjuring', 'The Conjuring 2' and 'Annabelle' have done really well here," Gaurav
told IANS.
However, the 26-year-old feels that most actors are not quite keen to dabble
in the genres. "What I feel is we do have a huge market, but somewhere the
actors are apprehensive to be a par t of such films... Though I consider
myself to be very lucky to do a film like this," he added. Gaurav is himself
keen to explore other genres as well.
"I would love to do an out-and-out love story or an action film," Gaurav said.
Directed by Vikram Bhatt, "Raaz Reboot" is the four th instalment of the
"Raaz" franchise and features Emraan with south Indian actress Kriti
Kharbanda. The film has been shot in Romania. Produced by Vishesh Films,
the film will release on September 16.
Amitabh Bachchan during the song promotion of film Pink at Mithibai College Umang Festival 2016 in Mumbai (IANS).
MUMBAI, (IANS) The makers of the upcoming film "Veeram"
released the first poster and actor Kunal Kapoor looked every
bit of a true and epic warrior in it. "Veeram" is an adaptation of
legendary poet Shakespear's classic "Macbeth". The poster
gives a glimpse of the bare back of the actor who dons the
avatar of a warrior.
The story is set in the Nor th Malabar area of Kerala. Directed
by national award-winning film-maker Jayaraj Nair, the film
has been co-produced by Chandramohan Pillai and Pradeep
Rajan of Chandrakala Ar ts. "Veeram" is being made in
Malayalam, Hindi and English.
Set in 13th century Kerala, the film resuscitates the real life
character made famous through folklore literature and songs.
Action choreographer Allan Poppleton, who has worked on
films such as "300", "Hunger Games" and "Avatar", has been
roped in to take care of the action sequences in the movie.
Award-winning make-up ar tist Trefor Proud has also been
brought on board.
Arijit Singh to recreate 'Aaj jaane
ki zid na karo' for TV show
MUMBAI, (IANS) Singer Arijit
Singh, who star ted his journey in the music industry
from a reality TV show, has
been roped in to recreate
the popular song "Aaj
jaane ki zid na karo" for
upcoming TV show
"Naamkarann". Arijit and
filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt
are famous for creating
magic for their musical pieces
on the big screen, and Bhatt has now
roped in the singer to get his musical exper tise on the
small screen.
Bhatt believes that Arijit, who has made a lasting impact
in the industry by rendering songs like "Tum hi ho", "Soch
na sake", "Kabhi jo baadal barse" and "Muskurane", will
do justice to the track. "This song has an echo of another
time and another place, it brings back a thousand memories of somebody whom I love and lost. For me, Arijit's
voice depicts every emotions of enduring love," Bhatt said
in a statement.
The show, which will soon air on Star Plus channel, revolves around the life of a young girl Avni. The story-line of the
show is progressive and will be questioning the social stigmas of the society. It will explore the journey of a 10-year-old
who carves her own identity and takes charge of her own
destiny.
SUSHMITA SEN HAPPY FOR
'AANKHEN' SEQUEL
MUMBAI, (IANS) Bollywood
actress and model Sushmita
Sen, who had played an
impor tant par t in 2002hit film "Aankhen", is
happy that the sequel of
the film is being made.
"I am just happy that
there is a sequel being
made because it is a brilliant film. The film was
scripted from a famous Marathi
play. I am very excited to see the par t 2." Sen said at the
fashion show where the actress walked as a showstopper
for designer Rebecca Dewan on Thursday.
When asked if she was contacted for the sequel. "Well I
have a very simple answer for that. My character ended in
par t 1, as she was dead. Therefore, if makers are making
a horror film then only I can reappear otherwise it's going
to be a little difficult. But I really feel bad for them, they are
gonna miss me," quipped the actress.
The former Miss Universe expressed her happiness over
the recent success of Indian athletes in Rio Olympics. "To
wear India on your chest, to represent your country is a
feeling that I have known. When I see someone else do it,
I star t cr ying. It's just very emotional thing for me."
The "Main Hoon Na" actress also feels that Bollywood actress Priyanka Chopra has really made the country proud.
Sushmita Sen was last seen in Bengali movie "Nirbaak"
directed by "Rajkahini" famed director Srijit Mukherji. Srijit
is currently making the Hindi remake of "RajKahini" with
Vidya Balan.
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AAP, Congress on Navjot Singh Sidhu
ABVP ACTIVISTS STAGE A DEMONSTRATION AGAINST AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL INDIA IN BENGALURU (IANS).
Congress demands Modi apology, calls RSS
British 'collaborators'; BJP hits back
NEW DELHI, (IANS) The Congress on Friday demanded an apology
from Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his remark that BJP leaders
suffered more after Independence "than what the Congress did under
the British", saying he had trivialised the freedom struggle. The Congress also attacked the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), saying it "was a non-par ticipant" in India's freedom struggle and had on
critical occasions suppor ted the British government as a "collaborator". "It does not behove the Prime Minister to lower the dignity of his
office by making a statement which is factually incorrect and insult to
the freedom fighters, and thousands of others who made manifold
sacrifices during India's national struggle," said senior Congress
spokesperson and Deputy Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha
Anand Sharma.
"He has made a shocking comparison, trivialising the freedom
struggle, insulting our national heroes, for which he must not only
withdraw that shameful statement but also apologise," he added.
Sharma said the BJP and the RSS were non-par ticipants in India's
freedom struggle and on critical occasions suppor ted the British Government and therefore, 'collaborator' is the correct word for them.
"They are the ideological descendants of those non-par ticipants and
those who opposed Mahatma Gandhi," said Sharma. The BJP on Friday hit back at the Congress for its criticism of Prime Minister
Narendra Modi's remark that BJP leaders suffered more after Independence "than what the Congress did under the British", saying he
did not intend to undermine the opposition par ty's role in the freedom
movement. "The opposition par ty's objection to the Prime Minister's
comments is baseless. He did not intend to undermine the Congress
role in the freedom movement but only talked about the BJP's struggle
since the time of Jan Sangh," Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad
said at a press conference at par ty headquar ters here.
Jat agitation: Haryana government admits to rape incidents
CHANDIGARH, (IANS) After being in a denial mode earlier to later admitting a "possibility", the Haryana government on Friday told the
Punjab and Haryana High Cour t that some rape incidents could have taken place near Mur thal town in Sonipat district during the Jat
agitation in February this year. While admitting to molestation of women on National Highway No. 1 near Mur thal, the counsel for the
government told the cour t that investigations done by the state police into the incident indicated that rapes took place. The report of the
special investigation team of Haryana Police was submitted to the cour t in a sealed cover.
The counsel told the cour t that human semen was found from two women's undergarments recovered by police investigators from the
spot where the alleged gang-rape took place. However, he said that a number of witnesses, to whom the SIT spoke to, had confirmed
molestation but no one had witnessed any rape.
He said that no victim had come forward to record her statement. After outrightly denying any incidents of rape during the violent Jat
agitation, the government in April had admitted that there could be a "possibility" that rapes happened. Submitting a repor t by way of an
affidavit filed by Inspector General of Police-South Range-cum-incharge, SIT, Mamta Singh, the state police has include Section 376-D
(Rape) to FIR No. 118 registered on March 30 this year regarding the incidents along National Highway No. 1 near Mur thal.
The section was included on the basis of the complaint of Delhi resident Bobby Joshi that women were allegedly sexually assaulted by
the agitationists. The state government said it had received anonymous letters alleging that the rapes took place.
Congress demands apology
from Modi for 'trivialising'
freedom struggle
NEW DELHI, (IANS) The Congress on Friday demanded an apology from Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his remark that BJP
leaders suffered more after Independence "than what Congress did
under the British", saying that he has trivialised the freedom struggle.
The Congress also attacked the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh
(RSS), saying that it "was a non-participant" in India's freedom struggle
and had on critical occasions also supported the British government
as a "collaborator". "It does not behove the Prime Minister to lower
the dignity of his Office by making a statement which is factually
incorrect and insult to the freedom fighters, and thousands of others
who made manifold sacrifices during India's national struggle," said
senior Congress spokesperson and Deputy Leader of Opposition in
the Rajya Sabha Anand Sharma. "He has made a shocking comparison, trivialising the freedom struggle, insulting our National heroes for
which he must not only withdraw that shameful statement but apologise,"
he added. He said the BJP and RSS were non-participants in India's
freedom struggle and on critical occasions supported the British Government and therefore, the word 'collaborator', is the correct word for
them. "They are the ideological descendants of those non-participants and those who opposed Mahatma Gandhi," said Sharma.
RAJNATH REVIEWS SECURITY
SITUATION IN J&K
NEW DELHI, (IANS) Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on
Monday reviewed the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir as unrest continues in the Valley. The officials of various
security agencies apprised the Home Minister on the prevailing situation in the Valley and steps taken to restore peace and
calm there, sources said. Kashmir Valley has been in turmoil
ever since Hizbul Mujahideen leader Burhan Wani was killed
in an encounter by security forces on July 8. Over 65 people,
including security personnel, have lost their lives and hundred others injured in the violence. Prime Minister Narendra Modi
and Home Minister Rajnath Singh have appealed to people in the Valley
several time in the recent past to maintain peace and calm.
General Accounting & Bookkeeping
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US DELEGATION IN
ANKARA TO DISCUSS
GULEN'S EXTRADITION
ANKARA, (IANS) A US delegation of officials from the
Justice and State Depar tment arrived in Ankara on
Monday to discuss developments following the failed
coup, the local media repor ted. The four US officials
were expected to discuss with their Turkish counterpar ts
on Tuesday and Wednesday the extradition of Fethullah
Gulen, who is believed to have masterminded the failed
July 15 coup attempt, Xinhua news agency repor ted.
Turkey Justice Ministry officials stated they would share
with their US counterpar ts the extradition demand
documents in addition to evidence indicating Gulen's
direct involvement in the attempted coup. Turkey sent a
second request to the US for the arrest of Fethullah
Gulen earlier in August.
Tensions brewed after Ankara expressed its discontent
over lack of suppor t from Washington in the wake of the
failed coup. Turkish Justice Minister Bekir Bozdag
warned that the relationship between both countries
could be negatively affected if Gulen was not extradited.
However, the US insists that the cleric would only be
extradited following legal procedures according to relevant
legislature and treaties.
PEOPLE GATHER AT THE LOCAL BAZAR AFTER A TALIBAN ATTACK IN KHWAJA KHAR DISTRICT OF TAKHAR PROVINCE, AFGHANISTAN (IANS).
Clinton e-mail scandal: FBI
discovers 15,000 more e-mails
WASHINGTON, (IANS) The FBI has discovered almost 15,000
unrevealed documents linked to the e-mail scandal surrounding
Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton, US media reports
said on Monday. The documents were found during the FBI investigation into Clinton's use of a private e-mail server while she was
Secretary of State between 2009 and 2013, Efe news reported.
Some 30,000 documents linked to the scandal were already turned
over by Clinton's attorneys to the Depar tment of State in 2014. The
State Depar tment has promised to publish the documents and on
Monday assured federal Judge James E. Boasberg, who is hearing
the case, that the depar tment is "giving priority" to reviewing the
new e-mail messages.
However, it is still not known if the e-mails will be published before
the Nov 8 election, in which the former first lady is contesting
against Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump. The e-mail
controversy erupted in early 2015, when US media revealed that
during her four years heading the State Depar tment, Clinton always
used a personal -- and not an official -- account for her communications, including a private server, Efe news added.
Clinton acknowledged at the time that it would have been "smar ter"
to use an official account and handed over for publication 55,000
pages of e-mails from her tenure at the State Depar tment, but the
case raised questions about whether classified government
information was improperly handled on her personal account.
The State Depar tment identified around 2,100 e-mails from Clinton's
server as confidential, although it said that many of them were not
considered classified at the time they were sent, but had been
designated as such during the review.
The scandal also brought accusations from Republican lawmakers
about Clinton's handling of the 2012 attack on the US Consulate in
Benghazi, Libya, in which then-Ambassador Chris Stevens and
three other US government officials died.
Several months ago, Clinton appeared before Congress for more
than 11 hours to explain what occurred during that attack, and in
early July the lawmakers' final repor t on the incident was made
public, a repor t that concluded that no evidence incriminating her
had been found. Thus, later in July the FBI recommended to the
Depar tment of Justice that no charges be filed against the Democratic candidate after the e-mail investigation, and Attorney General
Loretta Lynch followed that advice and closed the case.
One killed in TV channel office attack in Pakistan
ISLAMABAD, (IANS) At least one person was killed and nine
others were injured in Pakistan's Karachi city after activists
attacked an office of a TV channel, police said. At least 2,000
activists of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) stormed the
office of ARY TV channel and nearby shops. The MQM blamed
the TV channel for not giving proper coverage to its antigovernment hunger strike, Xinhua news agency repor ted on
Monday. TV footage showed MQM angry workers entering the
ARY office and destroying equipments and furniture in its office
in Karachi. The ARY Chief Executive Salman Iqbal said that the
MQM workers fired inside its office located in Medina Shopping
Mall. According to police officials, MQM par ty leader Altaf
Hussain instigated the incident after speaking to workers over
phone from London. Hussain lives in self-imposed exile in
Britain. The MQM is observing hunger strike against the arrest
of its workers. Apar t from ARY, other TV channels Samaa and
Neo were also attacked by the MQM workers. Police said that
several persons were arrested in connection with the firing in
the offices of the TV channels. Murad Ali Shah, Chief Minister of
Sindh visited the ARY office and assured its workers that the
culprits will not be spared. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif
strongly condemned the attack on ARY, Samaa and Neo offices
in Karachi. It is an attack on freedom of Press and expression,
the Prime Minister said in a statement.
EUROPE NOT FINISHED AFTER BREXIT: RENZI
VENTOTENE (ITALY), (IANS/AKI) The European Union is determined to go forward and "write a new chapter in our history" after Britain's
dramatic decision to leave the bloc, Italy's Prime Minister Matteo Renzi said on Monday. "Many people thought that Europe would be
finished. But it's not so. We respect the British people's choice but we want to write a new chapter in our history," Renzi told journalists.
He was giving a press conference with German Chancellor Angela Merkel and France's President Francois Hollande during a summit
held by the three leaders on the tiny island of Ventotene. "It is the moment to throw old baggage and get ready for new things," Renzi said,
quoting Italian anti-fascist Altiero Spinelli, who is considered one of the founding fathers of European federalism.
Earlier, Renzi Merkel and Hollande visited Spinelli's tomb on Ventotene. The choice of Ventotene for a mini-summit to discuss European
Union's future is seen as highly symbolic as Spinelli co-wrote a manifesto for a federation of European states while he was imprisoned
on the island during World War II.
Hasina cabinet okays life
term for dishonouring 1971
War, Bangabandhu
DHAKA, (IANS) The Bangladesh cabinet on Monday
approved a draft law with a provision of life imprisonment and Taka 1 crore fine for dishonouring the 1971
Liberation War or the nation's founder Sheikh Mujibur
Rahman. The proposed Digital Security Act, 2016, law
states that anyone spreading propaganda against the
Liberation War or Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman
using digital devices will face the penalty, Cabinet
Secretary Md Shafiul Alam told journalists following the
cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Sheikh
Hasina.
Alam also said that anybody making any distor tion
about the history of the Liberation War settled by cour t
will face the same punishment, the Daily Star repor ted.
The draft law has another provision that anybody trying
to illegally access any information site will face 14
years' imprisonment or Taka 1 crore fine or both.
Also, anyone committing forgery using any electronic
device will be punished by up to Taka 3 lakh penalty and
anyone using fake identity to threaten someone will be
awarded 5 years' imprisonment or Taka 3 lakh fine or
both, according to the draft law.
If anyone tries to harm Bangladesh's stability and its
law and order will face 5 years' imprisonment or Taka 3
lakh penalty or both. Hur ting religious sentiment and act
of defamation using electronic devices will be punished
with two years' imprisonment or Taka 3 lakh fine or
both.
Alam said, "The ICT Act (Information and Communication
Technology Act) is inadequate. But this new law is a
detailed one. Once this law is passed, Sections 54, 55,
56 and 57 of the ICT Act will be repealed,"
bdnews24.com repor ted. "But the cases already initiated
under the ICT Act will continue under that Act." In line
with the Digital Security Law, the government will also
form a Digital Security Agency, Alam added.
Military court trial on
Bangkok shrine blast put off
until September
BANGKOK, (IANS) The first hearing at a Thai military
cour t of two suspects in last year's Bangkok shrine
bombing that killed at least 22 persons was put off on
Tuesday. The military cour t ordered the postponement to
September 15 for the first hearing on the homicide
charges filed against the suspects, who had allegedly
bombed Erawan shrine that also left 120 others injured
on August 17, 2015, Xinhua news agency repor ted. The
defendants, who claimed to have been tor tured to
confess while being detained at an army prison, denied
all charges per taining to the blast. The duo was taken to
the military cour t on Tuesday, while 15 other suspects
still remain at large.
A RESIDENT THROWS BELONGINGS DAMAGED IN FLOODS IN BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA.
SEVERE RAINS DEVASTATED THE AREA (IANS).
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Seoul will 'pay dearly' for
military drill: Pyongyang
SEOUL, (IANS) Nor th Korea warned on Friday that South Korea
will pay dearly for its largest live-fire ar tillery drill on Thursday near the border, the media repor ted. The Kim Jong-un
regime described the drill, which brought together 300 artillery pieces from 49 battalions, as the largest shelling
provocation in histor y, EFE news quoted a statement as
saying. "It is the first time that they mobilised a lot of ar tillery units in all sectors of the front, not some corps or units
in an area to stage such shelling drill," and "will have to
pay dearly for their reckless military provocations", it said.
Nor th Korea accused its neighbour of aggravating the situation on the Korean peninsula and leading it into its worst
phase in histor y, ahead of Seoul and Washington's joint
Ulchi Freedom Guardian military drill. Pyongyang and Seoul
remain technically at war since the Korean War (1950-53)
ended with an armistice that was never replaced with a definitive peace treaty.
'RUSSIA NOT USING IRANIAN
AIRBASE ANYMORE'
A CAR IS SEEN TRAPPED IN WATER UNDER AN OVERPASS IN HAIKOU, CAPITAL OF SOUTH CHINA'S HAINAN PROVINCE (IANS).
US VOTERS SCEPTICAL ON TRUMP,
CLINTON PRESIDENCY: POLL
WASHINGTON, (IANS) Confidence in either US Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump or his Democratic counterpar t Hillary
Clinton being a good president continues to remain low, as was the
case earlier this year, according to a poll.
Just 27 per cent of registered voters think Trump would make a good
or great president, while 55 per cent say the bellicose New York
billionaire developer would be either poor or terrible president, a Pew
Research Center poll said on Thursday, Xinhua news agency repor ted.
Opinions about Clinton are not as negative, but still only 31 per cent
registered voters say Clinton would be a good or great president. As
many as 45 per cent voters say Clinton would be a poor or terrible
president.
Also, the poll found that large shares of voters worry that there is
distinct possibility that if elected, either nominee would make a serious mistake that would damage the country, with 55 per cent registered voters saying that Trump has a "big chance" and 44 per cent
saying the same about Clinton.
Meanwhile, suppor ters of Trump and Clinton diverge on how their life
has become and where the country is heading for. According to the
national poll, Trump suppor ters overwhelmingly believe that life in
the country is worse that it was half a century ago "for people like
them," with 81 per cent holding such opinion, compared with only 11
per cent saying life has gone better.
The majority of Clinton's suppor ters take the opposite view, with 59
per cent of them saying that life for people like them "has gone better"
over the past five decades. About one in five Clinton' s suppor ters
think life has gotten worse and another 18 percent see little change.
As to the future generation's prospects, most Trump backers are pessimistic, with 68 per cent saying that life for their children will be
worse than today. Clinton's suppor ters hold mixed expectations, with
38 per cent being optimistic, compared with 30 per cent who say life
for the next generation will be worse.
Khaleda Zia to demand scrapping of Rampal power plant
DHAKA, (IANS) After its continuing criticism of the
Rampal power plant, being built jointly with India, the
opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Par ty (BNP) plans
to demand that Dhaka scrap the project. BNP chief and
former Bangladesh Prime Minister Khaleda Zia is to
hold a press conference to demand scrapping of the
coal-based power plant, media repor ts said.
The BNP has been alleging that the Sheikh Hasina government is constructing the Rampal plant, located near
the Sundarbans, for the interest of India despite knowing that it is harmful to the mangrove forests. The par ty had held
protests against construction of the plant in July.
The agreement was inked by India and Bangladesh on
July 12 this year to construct a 1,320 megawatt coalfired power plant near the Sundarbans, as par t of the
bilateral cooperation that would mark the transition from
electricity expor t to generation level.
Bangladesh-India Friendship Power Company (Pvt)
Limited (BIFPCL), the joint venture enterprise, inked
the deal with Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL).
India's Exim Bank is to provide $1.49 billion for the
project, scheduled to star t generating power in 2019.
Typhoon Mindulle passes through
Tokyo, several injured
TOKYO, (IANS) Typhoon Mindulle on Monday left several persons injured
and caused significant interruptions in the transport network in and around
Tokyo, while 850,000 persons were asked to evacuate. Mindulle, the ninth
typhoon this season in the Pacific and classified as "strong", lashed the Japanese capital and its suburbs with winds of up to 180 kmph and caused heavy
rainfall and landslides that paralysed key air and rail networks, Efe news
reported. The typhoon has left behind waterlogged streets and travellers trapped
at airports and train stations owing to cancellations.The storm made landfall around midday in the south of Chiba prefecture, to the east of Tokyo,
where it left some 84,900 homes without electricity and 15 persons injured. Injuries were also reported from the prefectures of Kanagawa,
Tokyo, Shizuoka, Gunma and Ibaraki. More than 500 domestic and international flights to and from Tokyo's Haneda and Narita airports were
cancelled and operations of over 100 trains in the region were suspended.
Modi inaugurates Stor Palace in
Kabul via video link
NEW DELHI, (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Afghan President
Ashraf Ghani jointly inaugurated Kabul's Stor Palace via video conference and
called the monument a "setting for many momentous historical events". "The
inauguration signalled and showed our joint commitment to strengthening the
foundations of modern Afghanistan. The India-Afghanistan-Iran transit corridor
agreement that we signed in May this year was another land mark in our
partnership," Modi said. "It manifested our clear and common determination to
build new pathways for Afghanistan's economic progress and prosperity," he
said. Modi also recalled the time when he inaugurated the Afghan Parliament
on December 25 last year. "The palace has been the setting for many momentous historical events. To those who cannot see beyond shadows of violence in
Afghanistan, the restored Stor palace is a reminder of the glory of
Afghanistan's rich traditions," Modi said about the Stor Palace.
TEHRAN, (IANS) Iran said on Monday that Russia has stopped
using its Hamedan air base for carrying out air strikes at Islamic
State strongholds in Syria. "Russia neither has a military base in
Iran nor has it established one. It was the subject which is over for
now," Xinhua quoted Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Bahram
Qasemi as saying. The operations from Iran's air base started on
August 16 as confirmed by the Russian Defence Ministry and
Iranian officials. Tehran may allow Russian fighters to use more
air bases of the country in the fight against terrorism in the region,
Iranian Defence Minister Hossein Deqhan said on Saturday.
COURT SENDS DHAKA CAFE
ATTACK SUSPECT TO JAIL
DHAKA, (IANS) A Bangladeshi-British national, Hasnat Reza
Karim, believed to be one of the masterminds of the deadly Dhaka
cafe terror attack which killed 20 persons, was sent to jail on
Monday. Metropolitan Magistrate Ahsan Habib passed the order
after police produced Hasnat, a former professor of North South
University, after the completion of his 16-day remand in two stints
before the court on Monday, the Daily Star reported.
The court fixed August 24 for hearing a petition filed by Hasnat seeking bail. Earlier in the day, Masudur Rahman, deputy commissioner
of Dhaka Metropolitan Police, told reporters that they would not seek
fresh remand for Hasnat for the time being. "The information we got
from Hasnat during his two-term remand is being scrutinised,"
Rahman said. If needed, the law enforcers will seek his remand in
the future, he added. Hasnat was one of the rescued hostages on the
day of the attack. He was questioned over his militant connection.
Police said that Hasnat had downloaded WICKR ME -- a secured
private messenger -- on his phone minutes after the terror siege was
launched at the Holey Ar tisan Bakery in Gulshan area of the
Bangladesh capital city. He was formally arrested on August 13.
Also on August 13, another detainee, Tahmid Hasib Khan, was
also taken on remand. Detectives interrogated Hasnat, his family
and other survivors after they were released minutes before the
commando operation on July 2. Even though others were released,
Hasnat and Tahmid were kept in custody.
European leaders hold
preliminary meeting ahead of
EU summit
ROME, (IANS) French, German and Italian leaders on Monday
gathered on the Italian island of Ventotene for a preliminary meeting ahead of the European Union (EU) summit in September to
discuss counter-terrorism operations, immigration levels as well
as Britains's future exit from the EU. French President Francois
Hollande, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Italian Prime
Minister Matteo Renzi were scheduled to meet later on Monday
for the meeting, Efe news reported. The last such meeting came
following the British electorate's decision to leave the bloc following a membership referendum on June 23. The meeting is to
foreshadow the September 16th EU summit in Bratislava. Security measures are set to be high on the agenda in light of the recent
terrorist attacks in France and Germany with proposals of deployable
European military units or the creation of a European border guards corps
is likely to be brought to the discussion table. It is expected that the leaders
will deliberate EU High Representative Federica Mogherini's draft
"Global Strategy on Foreign and Security Policy for the European
Union." Renzi is also due to discuss his paper "Migration Compact", which calls for aid programmes in African countries with a
large migrant flow to Europe.
TURKEY WEDDING ATTACK
VICTIMS MOSTLY CHILDREN,
ERDOGAN BLAMES ISIL
ANKARA, (IANS) More than half of at least 54 persons killed in an
attack on a Kurdish wedding party in the southeastern Turkish city
of Gaziantep were children, Turkish officials indicated on Monday.
Of the 69 people injured and taken to hospital following the attack
on Saturday evening -- when a youth aged 12-14 years old detonated an explosive device he was wearing -- five remained critical, Efe news reported.
However, medical services were unable to save three, according
to Turkish newspaper Cumhuriyet, which cited officials. Turkish
authorities have suggested that Islamic State was behind the
massacre. Autopsies of 44 of the victims have been completed, of
whom 29 were identified as minors aged 4- to 13-year-olds.
Analysis of the security cameras in the street where the massacre took place showed that two people had accompanied the
suspect to the scene before quickly moving away, according to
CNNTurk. The explosive device was made up of shrapnel, as in
the cases of recent IS attacks in Suruc and Ankara in July and
October of 2015, respectively, authorities said.
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