Thai authorities defused a makeshift car bomb found near a police station on the popular tourist island of Phuket, an official said today.
	The device was found yesterday after the authorities searched a suspicious vehicle left in the car park of a police station on the island.
	The "bomb was found hidden in a pick-up truck which was stolen a few months ago," Phuket Provincial Police Commander Ong-Art Piuruengnon told AFP by telephone.
	 "A bomb disposal team defused it and found that it was unable to explode," he added.
	While bombings are common in Thailand's insurgency-plagued deep south near the border with Malaysia, it is believed to be the first time that a car bomb has been found in Phuket, which is popular with foreign tourists.
	Police declined to give details about the type of explosives discovered and it was unclear who left the device.
	Muslim militants have waged a near-decade-long insurgency in Thailand's southernmost provinces but they are not known to have targeted ...

Makeshift car bomb defused in Phuket: Thai police

PTI Automatic

The RP Sanjiv Goenka group, continuing to expand in the retail space, is targeting to invest Rs 70 crore over the next 12 months in spreading Cafe and dining chain Au Bon Pain in India.
	"Our primary focus for the next 12 months is to have a total of 70-72 stores across Delhi, Bangalore and Kolkata. The expansion will see investment of around Rs 70 crore," Group Chairman Sanjiv Goenka said here today.
	When the cafe brand was announced in mid 2008, the group thought of reaching 100 stores in 18 months. But, cautious approach was adopted and now officials said the brand is now poised to grow rapidly.
	Speaking at the launch of its 4,000 sq feet flagship outlet at Park Street, where the last Music World store was located, Goenka said Bangalore alone has 29 outlets of Au Bon Pain out of 32 altoghter.
	"I hope people will connect with the erstwhile music world sentiment here," Goenka said.
	The Au Bon Pain Cafe India Ltd, a 80:20 JV between Spencer's and Varin Narula was planning to open .

Spencer's to pump Rs 70cr for expansion of Au Bon Pain chain

A Chinese merchant has been killed and another injured during a robbery in Yekaterinburg city, prompting China to demand effective measures to protect its nationals in Russia.
	Three unidentified attackers broke into a rented flat and tied and beat up three Chinese merchants on Saturday in the Russian city, the Chinese Consulate General in that city said.
	One person was killed and the injured was later sent to a hospital for treatment, state-run news agency Xinhua reported.
	The perpetrators fled the scene with undefined amount of cash, mobile phones and jewellery, the Consulate General said.
	The incident prompted the Chinese Consulate General to urge the Russian side to crack the case as soon as possible.
	Reacting to the incident, China today Russia to take effective measures to protect the safety of its nationals.
	Hua Chunying, spokesperson from the consulate, said it is an individual case and the consulate has sent consular officers to the site immediately to assist the ...

Chinese merchant killed in Russia	 during robbery

The 15th Annual International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) awards will take place at Tampa Bay in Florida from April 24 to 26 next year.
	"We are thrilled to be making our debut into the United States of America next year and preparations for this very special IIFA weekend are well underway. The Tampa Bay area is a fantastic destination and will be a great host for a spectacular IIFA weekend," Andre Timmins, Director, Wizcraft & IIFA, said in a statement here.
	"The unprecedented demand for IIFA has been tremendous and has created the need to take IIFA awards to the largest possible venue in the city and bring forward the dates for the IIFA weekend," Timmins said.
	IIFA is a global platform that gives the Indian film fraternity an opportunity to reach audiences in international territories.

15th IIFA awards to be held in Florida next year

With over Rs 41 lakh cash looted from its four ATMs within a week in Punjab, public sector lender Punjab National Bank (PNB) today said the bank will launch e-surveillance system to prevent theft attempt at its ATMs in future.
	"We are taking steps to thwart theft of ATMs. We have finalised a vendor (for laucnhing) e-surveillance system which will help in stopping such attempts in future," PNB General Manager (Punjab) Harpal Singh told PTI today.
	Under this new system, sensors will be installed at all the ATMs, including onsite and offsite.
	"Whenever an attempt for burglary is made, the sensor will trigger an alert which will be forwarded to our centralised control room which will be set up in Delhi. Thereafter, response team will be activated for necessary action," he explained, adding that it might be rolled out nationwide within a month.
	Though he refused to divulge name of vendor which developed e-survelliance system, Singh said all the ATMs in the country will be ...

PNB to roll out e-surveillance system to thwart ATM theft

The Central Bank of India, which is celebrating its 103rd Foundation day today, has launched a new Mobile Banking application and EMV (Europay, Mastercard,Visa) compliant 'RuPay' debit card.
	Finance Minister P Chidamabaram launched the scheme, along with 103 branches and 103 ATMs of the bank through video conferencing.
	Rajeev Rishi, Chairman and Managing Director of the Bank, said the card would help traders to draw Rs 40,000 a day or Rs 1 lakh in case of International transactions.
	The card would be accepted at all channels including- ATMs, PoS machines, e-commerce. Now EMV chip and pin cards with enabling global acceptability had been introduced, an official of the bank said.
	The EMV compliant RuPay Debit Card is based on the Swadeshi Platform and is more secure with in-built security chip, he said.
    	The Mobile Application intended to promote greener and eco-friendly channels of banking while at the same time facilitating all types of customers to avail banking services on ..

Central Bank of India launches new mobile banking app

Omron Industrial Automation (OIA) has appointed Sameer Gandhi as Managing Director (MD) for its Indian business.
	As Managing Director of the company, Gandhi would be responsible for OIA's strategic growth and expansion, the automation products manufacturer said today in a statement.
	Commenting on the development, OIA Managing Director - HQ (Asia Pacific) Kunihiko Kohara said: "A strong leadership will help to have an accelerated growth with best productivity & quality, and here Sameer's technical expertise combined with a deep understanding of the market and customers is the perfect mix."
	Sameer has an experience of over 23 years. He was earlier with ABB India where he served as Vice-President Strategic Account Management.
	Headquartered in Kyoto, Japan OMRON Corporation is a multi-billion-dollar, diversified company with business units producing industrial automation products, electronic components, healthcare equipment, ticketing systems, etc.
	OIA is a global leader ...

Omron Industrial Automation appoints Sameer Gandhi as India MD

EuroPacific Growth Fund, one of the largest shareholders in Power Grid, has hiked its stake in the state-run utility to 5.4 per cent after acquiring additional shares through the open market.
	The Foreign Institutional Investor has increased its shareholding in Power Grid to 5.419 per cent from 4.681 per cent, according to a regulatory filing today.
	The entity acquired about 3.9 crore shares, making up for around 0.738 per cent stake in the power transmission firm. These scrips were acquired through open market on December 19, the filing said.
	At the end of September quarter, EuroPacific Growth Fund had 3.91 per cent stake in the company.
	Earlier this month, Power Grid sold 78.70 crore shares through a Follow on Public Offer (FPO). It included a fresh issue of 60.18 crore equities and sale of over 18.51 crore scrips by the government.
	Shares of Power Grid closed flat at Rs 99.55 on the BSE.

EuroPacific Growth Fund raises Power Grid stake to over 5 pc

After a disappointing year in which she failed to win a single title, suffered injuries and saw her world ranking taking a dip, star shuttler Saina Nehwal has decided to skip a few tournaments in the New Year and, instead, focus on fitness.
    "If I look back now I think I played a lot. Next year I will make sure that I skip a few tournaments and focus on my fitness and perform my best in a tournament," Saina told reporters at the prize distribution of the Usha All India Ladies and Junior Girls Amateur Golf Championship here today.
    The London Olympics bronze medallist, who is currently ranked no. 8 after starting the year as the world's no. 3 in women's singles, said it will take her at least a month to reach her peak level of fitness.
    "It will take time. I actually had put on a lot of weight also in between. So that really affected my movement. Now I am coming back to my good (level). I am feeling quite fit," said the 23-year-old Hyderabad shuttle ace.
    "It might take one 

Saina to skip few tournaments in 2014 to focus on fitness

The monsoon session of the 30-member Puducherry Legislative Assembly will begin on December 30.
    A release from the Secretary to the Assembly Secretariat S.Mohandoss said the session begins at 12.30 p.M. That day.
    Party wise break up in the House is: AINRC (15 including Speaker), Independent supporting government from outside (one), Congress (7), AIADMK (5) and DMK (2).

Monsoon session of Pondy Assembly to begin on December 30

The government securities (G-Sec) remained bearish on sustained selling pressure from banks and corporates, while the call money rates ended stable at the overnight call money market here today as demand from borrowing banks matched the supply.
     The 8.83 per cent government security maturing in 2023 fell to Rs 100.07 from Rs 100.20 previously, while its yield moved-up to 8.82 per cent from 8.80 per cent
     The 8.28 per cent government security maturing in 2027 declined to Rs 92.40 from Rs 92.83, while its yield gained at 9.27 per cent from 9.21 per cent.
	The 7.16 per cent government security maturing in 2023 also dropped to Rs 87.75 from Rs 88.10, while its yield rose to 9.13 per cent from 9.06 per cent.
     The 7.28 per cent government security maturing in 2019, the 8.12 per cent government security maturing in 2020 and the 9.20 per cent government security maturing in 2030 also went down to Rs 93.03, Rs 95.28 and Rs 99.55, respectively.
     The overnight call money rate ...

Bonds remain bearish, call rates ends steady

The number of Indian travellers visiting Canada declined to 1.28 lakh as of October 2013 due to lack of direct air connectivity, the Canada Tourism Commission has said.
     "As per the latest figures available, Canada Tourism Commission has seen 1,28,551 Indian visitors till October 2013. While, the total outbound Indian travel to Canada stood at 1.62 lakh last year (2012)," it said.
     The Canadian Tourism Commission is one of Canada's national tourism marketing organisations.
     Though Indian travellers increased during the first and second quarters of 2012-13, "the momentum stopped during the third and fourth quarter" following the reduction of air connectivity, it said.
     According to Canada Tourism Commission website, "lack of direct air capacity is presenting a barrier to travel between India and Canada as Air India failed to restore service from Delhi to Toronto after initially suspending it due to pilots' strike in June 2012".
     "Passengers must now transit via air .

Indian tourists to Canada decline in 2013

Singer Angaraag 'Papon' Mahanta of 'Kyon' and 'Sun le re' fame and sarod exponents Amaan Ali and Ayaan Ali Khan enthralled Delhiites at a cultural function to kickstart year-long celebrations to mark the 150th birth anniversary of doyen of Assamese literature Lakshminath Bezbaroa.
	Papon, who experimented fusion with Assamese folk music in Coke Studio, belted out his popular Bollywood and other numbers, leaving a capacity audience at the Siri Fort auditorium here spellbound last night.
	Earlier, Amaan and Ayaan took the gathering to a spiritual journey as they mesmerised them with their performance. They were watched by their parents -- Ustad Amjad Ali Khan and Subhalaxmi Baruah Khan, who is an Assamese.
	In his brief address, the legendary Khan said he is indebted to his in-laws as he had this unique opportunity of being a son-in-law of Assam because of marrying their daughter.
	Assam Association, Delhi (AAD) is taking the initiative of bringing under one platform non-resident ...

Papon, Khan brothers enthrall Delhiites

Thirty-nine foreigners, including five Chinese and 32 Taiwanese nationals, have been arrested in Bangladesh for allegedly offering illegal cheap international calls from an upscale area here, officials said today.
	Officials from the elite Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) yesterday raided an apartment block and arrested the 39 foreigners, including seven women, on charge of operating illegal Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP).
	"RAB personnel raided the building and arrested two Bangladeshis, five Chinese citizens and 32 Taiwanese men from capital Dhaka's Uttara area Sunday night at 10:00 pm," RAB spokesman Habibur Rahman said.
	Acting on a tip-off, security personnel recovered VoIP instruments worth about 10 million taka (about USD 130,000) from their possession who had rented a six-storey building for offering cheap international calls, he was quoted as saying in media reports.
	He said the arrestees, who were involved in illegal VoIP operation for over one and a half year, would be ...

39 foreigners arrested in B'desh over illegal int'l calls

Former British minister Dennis MacShane was today jailed for six months for expenses fraud after admitting that he submitted 19 fake receipts amounting to 12,900 pounds.
	He became the fifth MP to get a prison sentence since the expenses scandal came to light in 2009.
	The 65-year-old was a Labour MP for 18 years and served as Europe Minister during 2002-05 in former premier Tony Blair's cabinet.
	Justice Sweeney ruled that MacShane had "deliberately created misleading and deceptive invoices" with considerable dishonesty involved.
	MacShane must serve at least half his sentence and he was ordered to pay costs of 1,500 pounds within two months.
	"However chaotic your general paperwork was, there was deliberate, oft-repeated and prolonged dishonesty over a period of years - involving a flagrant breach of trust and consequent damage to parliament, with correspondingly reduced confidence in our priceless democratic system...," the judge said.
	Parliamentary authorities began looking at ...

Former British MP jailed for faking expense claims

Bollywood actor Vivek Oberoi, who is on a visit to the hill state, found interacting with the inmates of an orphanage overwhelming.
	"Felt the true Christmas spirit in their smiles as the kids ate their cakes and sang Christmas carols! The joy of sharing, giving and caring!...," Vivek, who also visited an old age home here, said.
	Praising the Meghalaya Chief Minister Mukul Sangma, who was with him during the trip, Vivek told the youth at a summit, "He is so progressive. He also sings and dance and if ever I become a politician, I want to be just like him."
	Sangma sung Eddie Rabbit's evergreen favourite 'Room at the top of the stairs' and Jingle bells as Vivek swayed to the beat.
	The actor was on a two-day visit here to attend the summit organised by the India Today group.
	The 'Saathiya' and 'Shootout at Lokhandwala' actor, who called Shillong a cool place, said, "I am having a great time here."
	Vivek chose a 105-year old woman as his dance partner at an orphanage party.

Vivek Oberoi finds Shillong overwhelming

In a bid to deepen insurance penetration, Finance Ministry has asked all public sector banks to switch to the broker model from the existing corporate agency structure for distribution of products.
	"The present model of corporate agency selling of insurance by banks may be dispensed with and each banks may train and orient its staff to implement the Finance Minister's Budget announcement in earnest," Finance Ministry said in a circular.
	Finance Minister P Chidambaram in his Budget speech (2013-14) had said "banks will be permitted to act as insurance brokers so that the entire network of banks' branches will be utilised to increase penetration of insurance."
	"Public sector banks may join insurance broking business in order to increase insurance penetration and avoid mis-selling of insurance products," it said.
	At present, the policy on bancassurance is one bank one insurance company (one life and one non-life).
	Such a move will lead to an open bancassurance architecture and will .

FinMin asks PSU banks to switch to broker model for insurance

Government owned Chandigarh Housing Board (CHB) has declared highest service tax of Rs 9.6 crore under Centre's VCES, with total tax of Rs 68 crore being declared by defaulters in Punjab, Chandigarh and Himachal Pradesh.
	As Service Tax Voluntary Compliance Encouragement Scheme (VCES) gives an opportunity to tax defaulters to pay their tax dues by December 31 this year, the Central Excise department today said a total of 538 tax defaulters came forward and declared service tax of Rs 68 crore covering Punjab, HP and UT Chandigarh.
	"The largest declaration (under VCES) came from government's Chandigarh Housing Board which declared Rs 9.6 crore," Central Excise and Customs, Chief Commissioner (Chandigarh Zone), P S Pruthi told reporters here today.
	A Chandigarh Administration undertaking CHB declared service tax payment of Rs 9.6 crore on account of construction of flats at Sector 51 and Sector 63 in UT Chandigarh under two housing schemes under VCES.
	Among other large service tax ...

C'garh Housing Board declares highest service tax under VCES

British Prime Minister David Cameron has been accused of mishandling the contentious issue of immigration by one of his own coalition ministers ahead of a possible influx of Romanians and Bulgarians from January 1.
	Business secretary Vince Cable yesterday warned that the Conservative-led UK government was making British voters "schizophrenic" about the politically-sensitive issue as the panic around a feared influx of Romanian and Bulgarian immigrants from January 1 gained momentum.
	Cameron has rushed new rules to stop people from the two east European countries immediately claiming benefits when they arrive in Britain once EU restrictions are eased.
	"There's a bigger picture here. We periodically get these immigration panics, I remember going back to Enoch Powell and 'rivers of blood' and all that, and if you go back a century there were panics over Jewish immigrants," Cable told the BBC.
	"The responsibility of politicians in this situation when people are getting anxious is to ..

Immigration issue causes tension within UK coalition

Nine people were awarded life imprisonment today by a local court for kidnapping and killing a restaurant owner three years ago.
	Additional District Judge of Patna City court Suniti Kumar Singh found the nine guilty in the kidnapping of a restaurant owner for ransom in February 2010 and awarded life sentence to them.
	The court also imposed a fine of Rs 10,000 each on them.
	The restaurant owner Bhagwat Neta was kidnapped from Kumhrar area of the city on February 21, 2010. His body was recovered eight days later from Danapur area.
	In another case, a Hajipur resident was given seven years imprisonment in a case of rape in Shashtrinagar area here last year.
	Judicial Magistrate Kailash Kumar Mahtha also slapped a fine of Rs 10,000 on the convict.

Nine get life sentence for murder

The 26th Industrial India Trade Fair, known to exibit products from countries like China, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Egypt and Afganistan, has an added attraction this year - food stalls where Pakistani and Bangladeshi delicacies will be sold.
	26th IITF chairman and BNCCI member Sandip Sen said today that some 500 exhibitors will showcase their products and services including from Japan, Pakistan, Afganistan, Egypt, China and Turkey, he said.
	The fair organised by BNCCI and Indian Trade Fair Organisation will be inagurated by state industry minister Partha Chatterjee on December 27 and remain open to public till January 5.
	Sen said the fair was expected to do a business of Rs 70 crore.
	"We have tried to keep the stall charges moderate with increase of just 10 per cent on an average over 2010 when costs have risen sharply," he said.

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