The Week That Was August 23 : Sports Ministry confirms Khel Ratna for Ronjan Sodhi

Prize catch: `Bomb expert` Abdul Karim Tunda

In a major catch, the Delhi police arrested Syed Abdul Karim alias `Tunda`, a Lashkar-e-Toiba’s commander who masterminded a series of bombing in North India in 1996-98, from Indo-Nepal border.

Addressing the media after getting Tunda`s three-day custody from a court, special commissioner of Delhi Police Special Cell, SN Srivastava, informed that the 70-year-old LeT terrorist had planned to carry out a blast in Delhi ahead of Commonwealth Games in 2010. He could not succeed in his nefarious designs though, as his aides were arrested.

Tunda, an aide of fugitive don Dawood Ibrahim, is involved in around 40 bomb blast cases in Mumbai, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab, Hyderabad and Surat, added Srivastava.

Tunda, who is wanted in 21 cases in Delhi alone, has been closely associated with Jamaat-ud-Dawa chief Hafiz Mohammad Saeed, who is wanted in India for the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack, Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi, a top LeT commander and another accused in the 26/11 attacks, Adam Cheema, wanted in connection with the Mumbai blasts, Wadhawa Singh Babbar, who leads the Babbar Khalsa International, Ratandeep Singh, Karachi-based Indian Mujahideen absconders Abdul Aziz alias Bada Sajid and others, told the police.

Mumbai photojournalist gang-raped

Mumbai Police claimed to have cracked the case of the photojournalist`s gang-rape with the arrest of two accused.

City police also said that three others involved in the incident had been identified and effort was on to nab them.

The 23-year-old woman working with an English magazine was gang-raped at around 8 pm on 23 August 2013, near Shakti Mills Compound in Lower Parel area when she, accompanied by her male friend, went to the abandoned mill to click some pictures as part of an official assignment.

Earlier, Mumbai Police had recorded the statement of the victim who had said that five goons were present at the scene of crime.

When the goons made lewd comments at the victim, her male companion intervened and was overpowered. Two of the accused then assaulted him, while three others took her inside the dilapidated structure and raped her.

India dares China, lands Super Hercules plane in DBO

Months after stand-off with PLA troops in Daulat Beg Oldie, India sent out a message to China as it started operating medium-lift C-130J transport plane there, marking an increase in capacity to ferry troops and supplies in larger quantities to Line of Actual Control.

The Super Hercules transport plane landed at the world`s highest and recently-activated Daulat Beg Oldie airstrip in Ladakh area of Jammu and Kashmir for the first time.

Significantly, the landing took place on a day when India and China held strategic dialogue after a gap of three years where they discussed the recent spate of incursions and ways to maintain peace along the LAC. The achievement will enable the armed forces to use the medium-lift aircraft to induct troops and supplies in larger number, improve communication network and also serve as a morale booster for maintenance of troops positioned there.

Asaram Bapu - A man of controversies

A case of sexual assault has been registered against self-styled godman Asaram Bapu, the Delhi Police said.

The case was registered by the Delhi Police, after a teenage girl alleged that she was sexually assaulted by Asaram Bapu in his Ashram in Jodhpur, Rajasthan.

According to police, the minor submitted a written complaint against Asaram Bapu at Kamala Market police station in central Delhi.

The self-styled godman had courted controversies in the past too. The godman courted controversy for saying that the victim of the December 16 gang-rape case was equally responsible for the crime and suggested the girl should have addressed bus driver Ram Singh and other assailants as `brothers` and begged them to stop.

Stage set for showdown over VHP yatra, flag march in Ayodhya

Setting the stage for a showdown over Vishwa Hindu Parishad`s (VHP) proposed `chaurasi kos parikrama yatra`, the Sawajwadi Party (SP) government in Uttar Pradesh deployed heavy security outside the residence of Hindu outfit`s chief Ashok Singhal`s residence.

Some reports also claimed that the VHP leader has been put under house arrest.

Meanwhile, the security forces conducted a flag march in Ayodhya in view of VHP`s 84-kosi yatra. The Faizabad district administration has also issued arrest warrants against 70 top VHP leaders.

Hosni Mubarak out of prison while Egypt simmers

Former Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak arrived in a military hospital in Cairo after being freed from a prison to be put in house arrest even as supporters of ousted president Mohamed Morsi called for protest rallies.

A military helicopter carrying Mubarak arrived in Maadi Military Hospital in Cairo from Tora prison, Xinhua reported citing state TV.

Earlier, the Egyptian prosecution had ordered the prison to release Mubarak after he was cleared of the last of his corruption cases.

The court had also accepted Mubarak`s petition over the corruption case of Ahram institution, and his lawyer paid 18.3 million Egyptian pounds (about $2.61 million)- the value of gifts which Mubarak and his two sons accepted via his information minister.

Then the court referred the case to the prosecution as the sole authority to determine Mubarak`s release unless charged with other corruption cases.

Hundreds gassed to death in Syria, world paralysed

An emerging video footage from Syria showing scores of bodies dumped in hospitals and children having convulsions, suggesting that there could be a semblance of truth in Opposition’s claims of a chemical weapons attack in the country, has left the world shocked.

Western governments demanded an immediate UN inquiry after Syria`s main opposition group accused the government of "massacring" more than 1,300 people in chemical weapons attacks near Damascus.

Though most world leaders condemned, demanded investigation but failed to act or devise a plan of action to check a potential disaster.

For the United States, the situation was particularly dicey. The gory images put the spotlight back on President Barack Obama`s pledge to respond forcefully to any chemical weapons use by the Assad government.

Rupee hits all-time low of 65.56 Vs dollar

The week was one of the worst for India in terms of finance and economy with the rupee and stock markets crashing. On Monday, August 19, the rupee fell past the 63-mark for the first time ever, crashing by 148 paise, the biggest single day fall in a decade.

The rupee weakened due to heavy dollar demand from exporters and bankers amid steep decline in stock markets.

Making it worst for investors and the economy, the rupee tumbled past the 65-mark on Thursday to an all time low of 65.56 before ending the week at 63.20 against the dollar. The rupee also crossed the 100-mark against the pound in this week.

Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer to retire within 12 months

Microsoft has announced that chief executive Steve Ballmer would retire within 12 months as the company searches for a successor at the helm to US tech pioneer.

"There is never a perfect time for this type of transition, but now is the right time," Ballmer said in a statement.

"My original thoughts on timing would have had my retirement happen in the middle of our company`s transformation to a devices and services company. We need a CEO who will be here longer term for this new direction."

Ballmer took over as CEO in 2000 when co-founder Bill Gates stepped down from day-to-day operations at the company. At the time, Microsoft was the undisputed tech sector leader, and the world`s largest company in market value.

But, in recent years, Microsoft has struggled as consumers began to transition from desktop and laptop PCs to mobile devices.

2G: Anil and Tina Ambani appear as witnesses

Reliance Group chairman Anil Ambani and his wife, Tina Ambani, appeared before a CBI court as witnesses in the 2G case, though on different days.

Appearing before the court on Thursday, Anil Ambani resiled from his earlier statement to the CBI and said he was not ‘aware’ of any company by the name of Swan Telecom. While he did not support the CBI’s case, he was said to have turned into a ‘hostile’ prosecution witness.

On the other hand, Tina Ambani appeared before the CBI court as witness on Friday and declined any role in the affairs of Reliance ADAG.

“I am a housewife, run a hospital... I have never been associated with any Reliance ADAG company," she said.

Has Katrina Kaif disappointed Aditya Chopra?

Katrina Kaif is now a big name in the industry and also producers’ hot favourite. She has not only tasted success with films like ‘Rajneeti’, ‘Ek Tha Tiger’ and ‘Jab Tak Hai Jaan’ but also proved her acting prowess.

The British beauty has indeed had an eventful career in Bollywood ever since she made a rather unimpressive debut in Kaizad Gustad’s ‘Boom’ way back in 2003.

However, if the latest reports are anything to go by, then the hottie has irked Yash Raj scion Aditya Chopra by declining ‘Gunday’. The film in question was reportedly offered to Katrina before Priyanka Chopra was taken on board.

The film slated to release early next year stars newbies Ranveer Singh and Arjun Kapoor in the lead roles. Katrina is believed to have had reservations working with relatively new actors and hence cited date issues to decline the offer.

`Once Upon...` opens on impressive note

Gangster drama `Once Upon Ay Time In Mumbai Dobaara!` has got an impressive opening, but the violence is keeping families away from watching the film, says trade analysts.

`Chennai Express`, meanwhile, continues to entertain families.

Balaji Motion Pictures’ `Once Upon Ay Time In Mumbai Dobaara!` released in approximately 1,600 screens across the country Thursday and collected Rs.14.2 crore from paid previews.

The film opened up in approximately 2,500 screens (including single screens) Friday, with sustained word-of-mouth and great response in the morning and afternoon shows, said a statement.

“Thursday paid preview saw 100 percent occupancy. Friday also so far it’s 80 percent. Expecting to do better during evening. Mostly youth are watching and less families as there is lot of violence in the film,” Anant Verma, director and business head of DT Cinemas said.

“‘Chennai Express’ is watched by families and we are expecting 80 percent occupancy this weekend,” he added.

Don`t hold grudge against anybody: Arjun Rampal

Arjun Rampal has said that he never harbours any grudge against anybody in his life.

Buzz in Bollywood is that SRK and Arjun, who were once best buddies, have fallen out after the release of `RaOne` (2011), which happens to be the last film they were seen together.

The cold war started after Shah Rukh reportedly trimmed Arjun`s role in the film which was the former`s home production.

Arjun was conspicuous by his absence at Shah Rukh`s residence `Mannat` in suburban Mumbai where the superstar had recently thrown a Eid party.

However, Arjun`s wife Mehr Jessia, who is Gauri Khan`s close friend, made up for her husband`s absence as she dropped in for the event.

"....Shaad Ali`s (director) party was arranged a day before...People should get their facts correct. I would have loved to go to Shah Rukh`s house but I was really stuck in work. But my wife did go for it, and that`s it," Arjun told reporters in an interview.

When asked about his equation with SRK, Arjun said, "I don`t hold a bone of grudge against anybody in my life".

Usain Bolt powers to third world 200m title

Usain Bolt underlined his amazing sprinting prowess on Saturday by powering to a third successive world 200m title at the World Athletics Championships for his seventh world gold medal.

The 26-year-old Jamaican destroyed the field to finish in 19.66 seconds, teammate Warren Weir claiming silver in a personal best of 19.79sec and American Curtis Mitchell taking bronze in 20.04.

It was Bolt`s seventh world gold medal after winning the 100 and 200m at the Berlin worlds in 2009, the 200m in Daegu in 2011, the 100m in Moscow on Sunday and golds as part of the winning Jamaican 4x100m relay squads in both 2009 and 2011.

He also has two silvers (200m, 4x100m relay) from the 2007 worlds in Osaka.

Gambhir to play for Essex in English county Championship

In his bid to make a comeback into the Indian team, senior opener Gautam Gambhir will be plying his trade for the English county side Essex for the remainder of the English domestic season representing them in first-class as well as Pro-40 matches.

31-year-old Gambhir will replace New Zealand batsman Hamish Rutherfod as the county`s overseas recruit. Rutherford will be heading home to prepare for New Zealand`s upcoming international commitments.

"Hi guys, off to play county cricket tomorrow, will be playing for Essex Eagles," Gambhir wrote on his twitter page.

Sports Ministry confirms Khel Ratna for Ronjan Sodhi

Ending all the speculations, Sports Ministry on Thursday confirmed the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award for ace Indian shooter Ronjan Sodhi.

Sodhi, two-time world champion in double trap shooting, was selected for India’s highest sporting honour, the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna, by the selection committee.

With this declaration, the ministry has rejected athlete Krishna Poonia’s request for a joint award. The discus thrower was unhappy with the selection committee’s decision and even met Sports Minister Jitendra Singh to share her grievances on the issue. Poonia tried to make her case considering the fact that in 2003, Indian shooter Anjali Bhagwat was given the Khel Ratna after being ignored initially.

Later on, Khel Ratna selection panel member Anjali Bhagwat revealed that Poonia had called her to lobby for the top honour. Poonia reacted to this saying that she was only raising her voice against the "injustice" done to her.