Statescape

Coast Guard apprehends Ukrainian vessel
CHENNAI: The Indian Coast Guard on Friday apprehended a vessel operating under a fictitious name and carrying 24 Ukrainian crew off the Pondicherry coast. The documents on board were those of Kobe Queen-I, but the crew identified the vessel as Gloria Kopp. The photographs taken by the CG, when compared to those received from intelligence agencies, revealed that the vessel was Kobe Queen-I, though with a slight change in appearance.

The vessel, flying a Panama flag is carrying 15,000 metric tonnes of steel products, is now under the custody of the Coast Guard. Investigations are on.

IFFI to begin in Capital on Jan 10
NEW DELHI: The 31st International Film Festival of India IFFI will begin here on January 10 with a quot;newness reflecting the spirit of the new millenniumquot;. Information and Broadcasting Minister Arun Jaitley said all possible steps will be taken to make it a grand success adding that there was need to anticipate the possible minorirritants and take all precautionary measures to make the festival a memorable event. The ministry has sanctioned a budget of Rs 1.35 crore which will be supplemented by the Delhi government8217;s contribution of of Rs 1.08 crore.