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‘American Hustle’ shines at Golden Globes
Los Angeles, January 13
Con-artist caper 'American Hustle' today walked away with three trophies at the 71st Golden Globe Awards here including best picture comedy or musical, lead and supporting honours for its stars Amy Adams and Jennifer Lawrence.
‘American Hustle’ stars Amy Adams (left), Bradley Cooper (centre) and Jennifer Lawrence at the 71st annual Golden Globe Awards at Beverly Hills in California on Monday ‘American Hustle’ stars Amy Adams (left), Bradley Cooper (centre) and Jennifer Lawrence at the 71st annual Golden Globe Awards at Beverly Hills in California on Monday. Reuters

Thailand shuts down to force PM’s ouster
Bangkok, January 13
Thousands of anti-government protesters today sealed off parts of Thailand's congested capital Bangkok as part of an intensified campaign to force embattled Premier Yingluck Shinawatra to step down.
Anti-government protesters march with a giant Thai national flag in Bangkok on Monday Anti-government protesters march with a giant Thai national flag in Bangkok on Monday. Reuters



EARLIER STORIES



Iran to get $550 mn of blocked funds in Feb
Washington, January 13
Iran will get a first installment around February 1 of $550 million of $4.2 billion being unblocked under a six-month landmark nuclear deal with the West, a US official said. "The installment schedule starts on February 1 and the payments are evenly distributed" across 180 days, a senior US administration official told AFP yesterday.

Sharon laid to rest
Jerusalem, January 13
Former Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, hailed as a military hero at home and loathed in the Arab world as a war criminal, was today laid to rest at his family ranch in southern Israel after a state funeral.

Security personnel carry the flag-draped coffin of former Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon during a memorial ceremony at the Knesset, Israel's Parliament, in Jerusalem on Monday. AFP

Security personnel carry the flag-draped coffin of former Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon during a memorial ceremony at the Knesset, Israel's Parliament, in Jerusalem on Monday

Appear in person on Jan 16, Court tells Mush
The Special court trying former military ruler Gen. Pervez Musharraf on treason charges has directed that he must personally appear before the court on Jan 16 even while seeking exemption for future appearance.

Pak: Indian Army Chief's remarks provocative
Islamabad, January 13
Hours after Indian Army Chief General Bikram Singh warned against any ceasefire violations on the LoC, the Pakistani military today said such "provocative" statements were counterproductive.

Snowden worked at US Embassy in Delhi: Report
Washington, January 13
Intelligence whistleblower Edward Snowden worked at the US Embassy in India and took a course in "ethical hacking" in Delhi, about three years before he leaked the NSA's surveillance programmes that embarrassed the Obama administration.

China warns of ‘firm action’ against Japan
Beijing, January 13
Tension between China and Japan over the disputed islands in the East China Sea escalated as Beijing today warned of "firm response" if Tokyo resorted to any action against Chinese ships patrolling there.

special to the tribune
In top gear: Tata’s Jaguar Land Rover sales up 19%
Tata Motors subsidiary Jaguar Land Rover is making a significant contribution to the UK’s economic recovery, with record sales for 2013. The iconic British luxury brand has announced a 19 per cent increase in sales, amounting to more than 400,000 vehicles.





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‘American Hustle’ shines at Golden Globes

Leonardo DiCaprio Los Angeles, January 13
Con-artist caper 'American Hustle' today walked away with three trophies at the 71st Golden Globe Awards here including best picture comedy or musical, lead and supporting honours for its stars Amy Adams and Jennifer Lawrence.

Adams, 39, won for her role as an accent-swapping con artist while Lawrence took home the evening's first award for her work as a bitter, unintentionally funny housewife. "I don't know why I am so scared, I am sorry," a visibly flustered Lawrence, 23, said during her speech, thanking director Russell, after saying how she admired his work.

Michael DouglasIt was Russell, who also directed Lawrence in her Globe and Oscar-winning role last year in 'Silver Linings Playbook'. The best actor in a comedy or musical trophy went to Leonardo DiCaprio, 39, for his role as a hedonistic broker in Martin Scorsese's 'The Wolf of Wall Street'.

Robin WrightThe actor was amused to get his career's second Globe in the comedy category. DiCaprio praised Scorsese for their fifth collaboration, saying, "Thank you for your mentorship." '12 Years a Slave', a compelling and unique peek into the terrors of slavery, took home the award for best film - drama.

Directed by Steve McQueen, the film stars Chiwetel Ejiofor as Solomon Northup, a free black man in 1840s New York who is sold into slavery. Cate Blanchett took home the award for best actress in a motion picture - drama for her role of a broke neurotic woman in Woody Allen's 'Blue Jasmine'. The actress has two previous Golden Globes, for playing Queen Elizabeth I in 1998 and Bob Dylan in 2007's 'I'm Not There'. — PTI

And the winners are

  • Best Picture (Drama): 12 Years A Slave
  • Best Picture (Comedy or Musical): American Hustle
  • Best Director: Alfonso Cuaron (Gravity)
  • Best Actor (Drama): Matthew McConaughey (Dallas Buyers Club)
  • Best Actress (Drama): Cate Blanchett (Blue Jasmine)
  • Best Actress (Musical or Comedy): Amy Adams (American Hustle)
  • Best Actor (Musical or Comedy): Leonardo DiCaprio (The Wolf of Wall Street)
  • Best Supporting Actor: Jared Leto (Dallas Buyers Club)
  • Best Supporting Actress: Jennifer Lawrence (American Hustle)
  • Best Actor (TV movie): Michael Douglas (Behind the Candelabra)
  • Best Actress (TV Series): Robin Wright

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Thailand shuts down to force PM’s ouster

Bangkok, January 13
Thousands of anti-government protesters today sealed off parts of Thailand's congested capital Bangkok as part of an intensified campaign to force embattled Premier Yingluck Shinawatra to step down.

Demonstrators gathered at seven major intersections in Bangkok, barricading roads and calling for the resignation of Yingluck and the ruling Pheu Thai Party.

Demonstrators have said they will surround other ministerial houses, and cut off electricity and water supplies at some government offices.

They also threatened to block the entrance to Aerothai, which is a network centre for linking air traffic control posts across Thailand, a major tourist destination. Department of Civil Aviation has threatened the protesters with harsh penalties if they attempt to stop the work of air traffic controllers.

Demonstrators could face prison terms of up to 15 years and be fined up to 60,000 rupees for any disruption of air traffic control, the official said today.

The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) has also been singled out as a target by protesters.

However, all shopping malls were open and people clicked photos of protesters who all carried Thai flags and shouted "Quit Yingluck" as they peacefully marched across the city.

The Indian Embassy here advised its nationals to avoid places where protests were being planned.

The protesters said they would continue the campaign till the premier quit.One protester was shot and injured while he was guarding a barrier at the Chaeng Wattana rally site here late last night by an unidentified gunmen on a motorcycle, the police said. — PTI

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Iran to get $550 mn of blocked funds in Feb

Washington, January 13
Iran will get a first installment around February 1 of $550 million of $4.2 billion being unblocked under a six-month landmark nuclear deal with the West, a US official said. "The installment schedule starts on February 1 and the payments are evenly distributed" across 180 days, a senior US administration official told AFP yesterday.

"That means the installment payments are every 34 days, except the last payment happens on day 180, which is 33 days after the 5th installment payment," the official said in an email, asking not to be named. However, as February 1 is a Saturday, the first payment might not be made until February 3.

The money is being unblocked under a landmark deal, set to take effect starting January 20, that curbs parts of Iran's disputed nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief. Tehran agreed in November to roll back parts of its nuclear work and halt further advances in exchange for the release of USD 4.2 billion in frozen assets and limited relief from sanctions that have choked its hard-hit economy.

There will be a second installment on March 7 of USD 550 million, followed by equal installments of USD 550 million monthly with the last due on July 20, although that again is a Saturday and therefore could take place on July 21. — AFP

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Sharon laid to rest

Jerusalem, January 13
Former Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, hailed as a military hero at home and loathed in the Arab world as a war criminal, was today laid to rest at his family ranch in southern Israel after a state funeral.

Israel honoured Sharon with a three-part state funeral, beginning in the Knesset (Parliament) plaza and ending with his burial at his Sycamore Ranch, the family home in the Negev.

Sharon, who died on Saturday at the age of 85 after eight years in a coma following a severe stroke at the height of his power in 2006, was buried next to his wife Lily in a ceremony that attracted tens of thousands of mourners from across the political spectrum.

Security was on high alert for the funeral given its close proximity to the Gaza Strip ruled by Islamist Hamas. The Knesset ceremony was attended by dignitaries from around the world. — PTI

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Appear in person on Jan 16, Court tells Mush
Afzal khan Islamabad

Gen. Pervez Musharraf The Special court trying former military ruler Gen. Pervez Musharraf on treason charges has directed that he must personally appear before the court on Jan 16 even while seeking exemption for future appearance.

Apparently expressing skepticism about claims of his serious heart ailment, the court has also called for his medical report. Musharraf is likely to be indicted on treason charges in the upcoming hearing if he personally presents himself before it.

Meanwhile Musharraf’s legal counsel Ahmed Raza Kasuri has claimed that his client’s appearance before the court was conditional on the improvement in his health condition.

Justifying Musharraf’s absence from the hearings on medical grounds, Kasuri said, “At present, he [Musharraf] is not a normal person and I cannot say exactly if he will appear before the court, because he is sick and under observation.”

“I cannot say that the former president will appear before the special court on January 16 because that is subject to permission from his physicians,” he added.

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Pak: Indian Army Chief's remarks provocative

Islamabad, January 13
Hours after Indian Army Chief General Bikram Singh warned against any ceasefire violations on the LoC, the Pakistani military today said such "provocative" statements were counterproductive.

A statement issued by the Pakistani military's media wing claimed General Bikram Singh's statement was "contrary to the facts on ground". "Such accusation and provocative statements are regrettable and counterproductive," the statement quoted chief military spokesman Maj Gen Asim Bajwa as saying.

The Pakistan Army respects the ceasefire agreement put in place along the Line of Control (LoC) in 2003 "in letter and spirit", it said.

"After the meeting between the Directors General of Military Operations (DGMOs) on December 24, 2013, the situation along the LoC has improved considerably," it added.

In a warning to Pakistan, the Indian Army Chief had today said India would respond in equal measure if Pakistan breaks any rules. He revealed that 10 Pakistani soldiers were killed in a recent military action. PTI

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Snowden worked at US Embassy in Delhi: Report

Washington, January 13
Intelligence whistleblower Edward Snowden worked at the US Embassy in India and took a course in "ethical hacking" in Delhi, about three years before he leaked the NSA's surveillance programmes that embarrassed the Obama administration.

Snowden was in India in his capacity as a National Security Agency (NSA) contractor "to assist as a technical expert" at the US Embassy in New Delhi, the Foreign Policy magazine reported today, citing a source with knowledge of the situation.

He spent six days taking courses in ethical hacking and programming at Koenig Solutions, a professional institute located six miles from the US Embassy, the report quoted school officials and people familiar with Snowden's trip as saying. Snowden leaked details of the secret surveillance schemes to the media and fled the US to avoid prosecution. — PTI

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China warns of ‘firm action’ against Japan

Beijing, January 13
Tension between China and Japan over the disputed islands in the East China Sea escalated as Beijing today warned of "firm response" if Tokyo resorted to any action against Chinese ships patrolling there.

"We urge Japan not to look down on Chinese government resolve in defending China's territorial sovereignty," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said. Hua was responding to questions on Japanese Defence Ministry's reported remarks to use force against Chinese patrolling ships. — PTI

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special to the tribune
In top gear: Tata’s Jaguar Land Rover sales up 19%
Shyam Bhatia in London

Tata Motors subsidiary Jaguar Land Rover is making a significant contribution to the UK’s economic recovery, with record sales for 2013. The iconic British luxury brand has announced a 19 per cent increase in sales, amounting to more than 400,000 vehicles.

Analysts predict the prestigious company could be selling one million cars a year by 2020 in diverse markets as India, Germany, Russia, Brazil, Korea, Canada and the US.

The company’s success means it will be in a position to expand its work force, creating at least 600 new jobs at one factory near the city of Wolverhampton in the West Midlands. An estimated £500 million is being invested in this manufacturing centre.

Jaguar Land Rover chief executive Dr Ralph Speth said, “2013 has proven to be a positive year, thanks to strong demand for vehicles across the range. Our focus on design, technology, innovation and quality has seen us reach global consumers in more markets than ever before.”

Jaguar and Land Rover, previously owned by Ford, were sold to Tata Motors for £1.15 billion in 2008, about half the amount Ford originally paid for the two brands.

Last year, too, Dr Speth praised the company’s Indian link, saying, “Our ownership is very important to us. Without Mr Ratan Tata, Jaguar Land Rover wouldn’t exist any more.” He also told Auto Express magazine how Jaguar Land Rover had set up a production plant in China and was hopeful about doing something similar in Brazil and Saudi Arabia.

Unite Trade Union assistant general secretary Tony Burke said, “Jaguar Land Rover is a remarkable manufacturing success story. The company faced serious problems prior to 2008 but our members in Unite and the company worked together to turn JLR’s fortunes around.”

JLR continues to take on staff, including 600 new staff at their new engine plant in the West Midlands. The company also remains committed to taking on apprentices as well.

“The manufacturer’s fantastic performance is testament to the workforce. Unite union representatives are working with employers such as JLR for quality skilled jobs in UK manufacturing,” Burke said. British PM David Cameron said, “Great news for Britain and for jobs as Jaguar Land Rover sold 425,000 vehicles last year 19% more than in 2012.”

Aiding UK’s economic recovery

  • Tata Motors-owned Jaguar Land Rover posted record sales for 2013 as the iconic British luxury brands sold over 400,000 cars worldwide
  • It will create around 600 jobs and invest over £500 million over the next four years at its factory near Wolverhampton
  • Jaguar and Land Rover were previously owned by Ford and were sold to Tata Motors for £1.15 billion in 2008

Great news for Britain and for jobs as Jaguar Land Rover announces they sold 425,000 vehicles last year, 19% more than in 2012.

David Cameron, British PM

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BRIEFLY


A man carries a television during a flood in Jakarta on Monday
A man carries a television during a flood in Jakarta on Monday. Floods caused by monsoon rains have forced thousands of people to flee their homes in Indonesia's capital, with the depth of floodwaters varying from 50 cm to 2 m. AFP

34 killed in widespread violence in Iraq
Ramadi:
Nationwide violence killed 34 people on Monday. Car bombs in the predominantly Shiite area of Kadhimiyah and the confessionally mixed Allawi killed 14 people in total, while a roadside bomb in west Baghdad left another person dead. Gunmen and security forces clashed west and south of Baghdad, while bombings and shootings struck the capital and in northern Iraq. AFP

8 kin of Pak fugitive jump into river to evade police
Karachi:
Three women and five children related to a fugitive in Pakistan's Sindh province were today feared dead after they jumped into a river to avoid getting caught by police, a media report said. The eight persons took the extreme step when a police team arrived at their home looking for the "proclaimed offender" or fugitive, Geo News Channel reported. pti

2 Indians, US citizen arrested at Nepal airport
Kathmandu:
Two Indian nationals were arrested at Tribhuvan International Airport in the Nepalese capital on Monday for allegedly possessing undeclared foreign currency and gold while an American was detained after bullets were found in his luggage. Mohammed Aajad was arrested at the airport's after $38,500 was allegedly found in his possession. Ananda Kumar, another Indian, was arrested after 1.5 kg of gold biscuits when he was about to board a domestic flight. PTI

14 killed in China explosion
Beijing:
Fourteen people were killed and seven others injured in an explosion at Laoshan village in Guizhou province, local officials said. The provincial government has urged local authorities to spare no efforts in treating the injured. The cause of the explosion is under investigation. PTI

Irish republicans ‘plotted’ to kidnap Queen Victoria
London:
Gun-toting Irish Republicans planned to kidnap Queen Victoria in 1867 from her estate at Balmoral, according to newly-released historical records of the sensational plot. An ex-police officer, who had got wind of the plot, said the gang planned to hold the Queen hostage in a shabby cottage. PTI

24 injured in Philippines' varsity blast
Cotabato:
A suspected improvised bomb attack at a university campus in the Philippines, has left 24 people wounded - many critically - including students and teachers, the police said on Monday. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack, and police are still trying to determine the motive, they added. AFP

UK explores Indo-British film heritage
London:
A screening of the film version of Emily Bronte's classic "Wuthering Heights", which starred Indian-origin actress Merle Oberon in the lead, launched a new project that will explore lesser known aspects of Indo-British cinema history. "A Hidden Heritage – Indo-British Film Collaboration in UK (1930-1951)” is being masterminded by London-based South Asian Cinema Foundation with the help of grant from Britain's Heritage Lottery Fund. PTI

Sri Lanka arrests 5 Indian dancers for visa abuse
Colombo:
Five Indian women dancers were arrested by Sri Lankan police here on Monday for alleged visa abuse. They were arrested while working in a Karaoke night spot in central Colombo's Borella area early this morning, police said. They were handed over to the immigration authorities for further action. PTI

2 Indians, US citizen arrested at Nepal airport
Kathmandu:
Two Indian nationals were arrested at Tribhuvan International Airport on Monday for possessing undeclared foreign currency and gold, while an American was detained after bullets were found in his luggage. Mohammed Aajad was arrested at the airport after $38,500 was found in his possession. Ananda Kumar was arrested with 1.5 kg of gold biscuits. PTI

7 rescued from Pakistani lawmaker’s ‘private jail’
QUETTA:
A Pakistani legislator, Abdul Rehman Khetran, has been arrested for running a private dungeon at his fortified home in lawless Baluchistan province in which five people were found chained up, two of them for several years, police said. Reuters

Man stabbed to death in Ireland over chess dispute
London:
An Italian man allegedly cut open his Irish landlord's chest and tried to eat his heart after a fight over a chess match. The body of Tom O'Gorman, a policy researcher for a Catholic thinktank, was found at his home in Castleknock suburb of Dublin on Sunday. PTI

Pope Francis’ Harley-Davidson for sale
London:
A Harley-Davidson motorcycle that was once given to Pope Francis by the manufacturer is to go on sale next month in Paris, a British auction house said on Monday. The 1,585cc Dyna Super Glide was given to the pope in June to mark the 110th anniversary of the US motorbike maker, auctioneer Bonhams said. PTI

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