JERUSALEM, July 31: Israel mobilised 16,000 additional reservists, taking their total to 86,000, as military operations in the Gaza Strip continue, an army spokeswoman said today.
“The army has issued 16,000 additional mobilisation orders to allow troops on the ground to rest, which takes the total number of reservists to 86,000,” said the spokeswoman.
Israel’s security cabinet, which met for five hours yesterday, unanimously decided to pursue attacks against Hamas “terrorist targets” and other operations to destroy a network of tunnels used by the Islamist movement between Gaza and Israel, public radio said.
Another meeting of the cabinet, which comprises eight ministers, will be held this afternoon, the radio added.
Public radio quoted Major General Sami Turgeman, the senior officer for the Gaza region, as saying that the destruction of militants’ remaining tunnels into Israel could be complete “in a few days”.(AGENCIES)
NEW DELHI, July 31: Chana prices declined 0.66 per cent to Rs 2,855 per quintal in futures trade today as speculators reduced exposures amidst increased supplies from producing regions in the spot market.
At the National Commodity and Derivative Exchange, chana for delivery in August moved down by 0.19, or 0.66 per cent to Rs 2,855 per quintal with an open interest of 1,18,540 lots.
Similarly, the commodity for delivery in September declined by Rs 17, or 0.57 per cent to Rs 2,943 per quintal in 93,370 lots.
Marketmen attributed the fall in chana futures to increased arrivals from producing regions in the physical market against sluggish demand from dal mills. (PTI)
LONDON, July 31: ‘Taken’ star Liam Neeson says he is still struggling to come to terms with his wife Natasha Richardson’s death in 2009.
The 62-year-old actor was left heartbroken when he switched off Richardson’s life support in 2009 following a tragic ski accident and he said he still expects to hear her walk through the door at times, reported Contactmusic.
“Her death was never real. It still kind of isn’t. There’s periods now when I hear the door opening, especially the first couple of years … Anytime I hear that door opening, I still think I’m going to hear her,” Neeson said.
The actor also opened up about the devastating moment he realised it was time to end her life after doctors told him his wife was brain dead.
“I went in to her and I just told her I loved her. I said, ‘Sweetie, you’re not coming back from this.’ She and I had made a pact. If any of us got into a vegetative state we’d pull the plug.
“So when I saw her and saw all these tubes and stuff that was my immediate thought, ‘OK, these tubes have to go. She’s gone’.”
However, Neeson, who has sons Micheal, 18, and Daniel, 17, with Richardson, said throwing himself back into work hasn’t helped ease the pain.
“It hits you. It’s like a wave. You just get this profound feeling of instability. The earth isn’t stable any more and then it passes and it becomes more infrequent, but I still get it sometimes,” he said. (PTI)
BEIJING, July 31: Unfazed by the anti-monopoly probe against it, technology giant Microsoft will enter the vast Chinese market with its Xbox One, 14 years after it was officially banned.
Yusuf Mehdi, chief marketing and strategy officer for Xbox, said the new gaming console the Xbox One will be available in China in September.
China’s Ministry of Culture together with seven other ministries banned the manufacture and sale of all game consoles in China in 2000.
Now, the Shanghai free-trade zone has opened the Chinese market to companies like Microsoft, allowing foreign firms to manufacture games consoles for sale in China, state-run Xinhua news agency reported.
Xbox One will be the first game console legally available in China since 2000. The new model will go on sale on September 23, with prices starting at 3,699 yuan (USD 600).
Mehdi said Microsoft is working with China’s BesTV New Media, a subsidiary of Shanghai Media Group, to provide Chinese players with the very best games and entertainment experiences.
The Microsoft move comes as it faced anti-monopoly probe.
China’s Microsoft unit yesterday said it has always abided by laws and regulations in China and will “actively answer” questions raised in an anti-monopoly case.
China’s market regulator confirmed an investigation into Microsoft.
Microsoft claims to have a monitoring and implementation mechanism to ensure compliance of its operations in different markets and there is no exception for the Chinese market.
In May, China announced it would ban government use of Windows 8, Microsoft’s latest operating system mostly due to suspicions about cloud technology which stores key information elsewhere. (PTI)
NEW DELHI, July 31: Lead weakened by 1.06 per cent to Rs 135.20 per kg in futures trade today largely in tandem with a weak trend overseas and subdued demand from battery-makers in the domestic spot market.
At the Multi Commodity exchange, lead for delivery in July fell by Rs 1.45, or 1.06 per cent, to Rs 135.20 per kg in business turnover of 264 lots.
Similarly, the metal for delivery in August contracts traded lower by Rs 1.40, or 1.02 per cent, to Rs 135.55 per kg in 181 lots.
Marketmen said besides subdued demand from battery-makers in the domestic spot market, a weak trend in copper and other base metals at the London Metal Exchange, put pressure on lead prices at futures trade. (PTI)
LOS ANGELES, July 31: ‘Twilight’ star Robert Pattinson says he doesn’t hold grudge against Kristen Stewart although the actress cheated on him back in 2012 when they were still dating.
In an interview, the 28-year-old actor has opened up about his split with his ‘Twilight’ co-star, reported Ace Showbiz.
“It happens, you know?” the British actor said with a laugh when asked about his split with Stewart following her cheating scandal with director Rupert Sanders, who was married to Liberty Ross at the time.
“It’s just young people… It’s normal! And honestly, who cares?”
The actor, however, admits that facing questions about the affair was tough.
“The hardest part was talking about it afterwards. Because when you talk about other people, it affects them in ways you can’t predict,” he said.
“It’s like that scene in ‘Doubt’ (2008, in which Philip Seymour Hoffman plays a priest suspected of inappropriate behaviour), where he’s talking about how to take back gossip? They throw all those feathers from a pillow into the sky and you’ve got to go and collect all the feathers,” Pattinson said. (PTI)
NEW DELHI, July 31: Mentha oil prices edged lower by 0.24 per cent to Rs 694.50 per kg in futures trading today as speculators reduced positions, triggered by lower demand from consuming industries in the spot market.
Higher supplies from Chandouisi in Uttar Pradesh also influenced mentha oil prices.
At the Multi Commodity Exchange, mentha oil for delivery in July fell Rs 1.70, or 0.24 per cent to Rs 694.50 per kg in business turnover of 104 lots.
In a similar fashion, the oil for delivery in August contracts shed Rs 1.30, or 0.18 per cent to Rs 709.60 per kg in 226 lots.
Market analysts said the fall in mentha oil prices at futures trade was attributed to trimming of positions by speculators following lower demand from consuming industries in the spot market. (PTI)
LOS ANGELES, July 31: Production on the upcoming eighth season of ‘The Big Bang Theory’ has been postponed as contract negotiations with the five original cast members are still on.
Warner Bros TV has postponed the season 8 production of the CBS comedy as five original stars Jim Parsons, Johnny Galecki, Kaley Cuoco, Simon Helberg and Kunal Nayyar are still without contracts, reported Ace Showbiz.
“Due to ongoing contract negotiations, production on ‘The Big Bang Theory’-which was originally scheduled to begin today-has been postponed,” the studio says in a statement.
The production was scheduled to kick off, but Parsons, Galecki, Cuoco, Helberg and Nayyar, who have been seeking hefty pay raises, remain without new contracts.
The contract negotiations began in September last year. Parsons, Galecki and Cuoco reportedly ask for up to USD 1 million an episode from their current salary of USD 325,000 per episode, after their co-stars Mayim Bialik and Melissa Rauch inked new deals that gave them substantial salary increases.
CBS has planned to launch the new season of ‘Big Bang Theory’ on September 22. It’s unknown if the production delay will affect the premiere date. (PTI)
NEW DELHI, July 31: Silver prices declined 0.33 per cent to Rs 45,031 per kg in futures trade today as speculators booked profits amidst a weak trend in the global markets.
At the Multi Commodity Exchange, silver prices for delivery in far-month December traded lower by Rs 148, or 0.33 per cent, to Rs 45,031 per kg in business turnover of four lots.
Similarly, the white metal prices for delivery in September declined by Rs 140, or 0.31 per cent, to Rs 44,340 per kg in business volume of four lots.
In the international market, silver prices traded 0.20 per cent lower at USD 20.57 an ounce in Singapore.
Market analysts said besides profit-booking by participants, a weak trend in global markets as positive US economic data strengthened the case for higher borrowing costs in the world’s largest economy and reduced the appeal for an alternative investment, put pressure on gold prices at futures trade here. (PTI)
Aries : A plain Jane day. Work goes on as usual, and there is progress. But as Ganesha says, it’s an ordinary day. Hum, whistle, doodle, and sip your green tea. While day dreaming, start planning your dream home. After all, that’s where the first plan takes shape.
Taurus : It is more than likely that you will emerge victorious in all your meetings and outings today, predicts Ganesha. Your calm temperament will not let you flinch in the face of pressure. It is in your best interest to take some time to cope with all the stress, advises Ganesha.
Gemini : You are on your way to falling in love. Your parents or children are likely to fetch you substantial gains, financially or otherwise. You may want to make a few changes at work, probably a new business strategy.
Cancer : Today, you will strictly follow your plan book. All Ganesha needs to do to predict your day is take a peep into the book. However, this is only one of those rare days when things go according to plan. You are likely to keep your views to yourself, and will hardly betray what’s on your mind.
Leo : You will attempt to reschedule your daily routine to be able to make the most of your day. While it is easy to make plans, implementing them and sticking to them depends on your own discipline and determination. You will become more aware about health issues and pay closer attention to your diet. You will spend an enjoyable time with your family, says Ganesha.
Virgo : A day to look inside and contemplate. Find peace and prosperity, says Ganesha. Clam up like those oysters and discover the peal within you. A fine helping hand you shall lend today to those who need it, says Ganesha.
Libra : Somebody in a position of power at your workplace may decide to pick on you, just for fun. But your luck is strong, and no one but your own thoughts and misgivings can harm you. You shall find it relatively easy to come out of these troubles; much to the chagrin of those who wish otherwise, predicts Ganesha.
Scorpio : It is about time you learn to deal with frustration in a more healthy manner. The right choice is always the hardest to make. Do not let sentiments sway you into hasty choices because they may feel right, but might also be extremely impractical. There may some strain on your relationship with near and dear ones. Learn to be patient and calm in the face of adversity, advises Ganesha.
Sagittarius : You will enjoy the magic of the Midas touch today, feels Ganesha. In business, sheer brilliance will help you derive the best possible results in productivity and clinching new contracts. Your approach, in general, will be methodical, disciplined and systematic for most part of the day.
Capricorn : You have always been generous by nature, but your benevolent attitude will do you no good, warns Ganesha. People will try, almost blatantly, to take advantage of you, and for once, you will feel that being crafty and unrelenting would have helped kept those blood-sucking leeches at bay. But as the day progresses, you will thank the Almighty for all the precious things he made you the guardian of. Your trust in Him will remain unshaken.
Aquarius : You zoom in on research and development today. Your fabulous work speaks volumes and your commitment pays off. You’re keen to play Romeo today, and all your gimmicks and surprises will work wonders! Love on, says Ganesha.
Pisces : A highly productive day awaits you. You will be driven to succeed, and filled with energy and enthusiasm to achieve your goals. Meetings with your superiors ought to yield some much anticipated results, says Ganesha.
