Duchess of Alba, aristocrat with most titles, dies at 88

Seville, Nov 20 (IANS/EFE) The Duchess of Alba, the aristocrat with most titles in the world and one of Spain’s biggest fortunes, died Thursday in Seville at age 88 following a short illness, the city’s Mayor, Juan Ignacio Zoido, said. Cayetana Fitz-James Stuart was hospitalised last Sunday with a stomach flu, pneumonia and an irregular […]

Rampal booked for murder

Chandigarh, Nov 20 (IANS) Controversial sect leader Rampal and his close aides have been booked for murder. They have been blamed for the six deaths at Rampal’s Satlok Ashram near Barwala during the clashes with security forces. Haryana’s Director General of Police S.N. Vashisht told the media here Thursday: “The murder cases relate to the […]

Russia to send humanitarian aid convoy to east Ukraine

Moscow, Nov 20 (IANS /TASS) The Russian emergencies ministry will send the eighth humanitarian aid convoy to the rebel-held regions in east Ukraine, Deputy Minister Vladimir Artamonov said Thursday. “We expect the convoy to depart Nov 26-27,” Artamonov said. During the period from Aug 23 to Nov 16, seven convoys of the Russian emergencies ministry […]

Vettel joins Ferrari on three-year deal, Alonso exits

Maranello (Italy), Nov 20 (IANS) Four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel signed a three-year deal with Ferrari following Fernando Alonso’s departure, the F1 team announced Thursday. The Italian team’s driver line-up next season will consist of Kimi Raikkonen and Sebastian Vettel. Marco Mattiacci, Ferrari team principal, expressed his enthusiasm at the prospect of fielding Raikkonen and […]

Spain’s Gamesa to invest 100 mn euros in India

Chennai, Nov 20 (IANS) Spanish wind turbine maker Gamesa plans to invest over 100 million euros in India over the next five years and would launch its 2 MW turbine, the company said here Thursday. “Gamesa plans to invest over 100 million euros in India in the next five years. Our primary focus in India […]

Indonesian police confirm virginity tests for female cadets

Bangkok, Nov 20 (IANS/EFE) Indonesian National Police Thursday confirmed carrying out virginity tests on female recruits to prove their physical and moral strength, a test that Human Rights Watch (HRW) has branded as humiliating. The director of the legal department of the national police, Inspector General Moechgiyarto said these tests were reserved exclusively for women, […]

‘Games of Thrones’ to get movie adaptation?

London, Nov 20 (IANS) Actor Charles Dance, who portrayed Tywin Lannister on TV drama “Game of Thrones”, has hinted that the fantasy drama is being considered for a big screen adaptation. The 68-year-old has revealed that the producers of the series are actively discussing a possible movie adaptation, reports telegraph.co.uk. “There’s talk of eventually trying […]

Modi among contenders for Time’s Person of the Year

New York, Nov 20 (IANS) Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is in the list of 50 contenders for Time magazine’s Person of the Year. Time’s Person of the Year will be announced Dec 10. Modi, “once a controversial regional leader”, became India’s prime minister after leading his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to a “landslide electoral […]

22 killed in Myanmar army attack on Kachin rebels

Bangkok, Nov 20 (IANS/EFE) At least 22 guerrilla fighters from the militant wing of the Kachin Independence Organisation (KIO) have died in a heavy artillery attack by the Myanmar army, media reported Thursday. Another 15 Kachin guerrillas were injured when government troops opened fire late Wednesday on rebel strongholds in the city of Laiza in […]

Korean ferry firm chief gets 10-year jail sentence

Seoul, Nov 20 (IANS/EFE) A South Korean court Thursday sentenced the head of a ferry operator firm to 10 years in prison for negligent homicide over the sinking of the Sewol, which killed 304 people in April. Kim Han-sik, 71, “remodelled the ship and overloaded it with cargo in an effort to overcome the company’s […]