Briefly world

Indian stabbed to death in UK

London: A 23-year man of Indian-origin,a son of a taxi driver in the East Midlands,died of a stab wound following which police has charged two persons for murder. Nitu Babu Das died following a stabbing last week,leaving his friends and family in despair. Das was taken to a walk-in treatment centre in Loughborough at around 2.45 am on July 26,but he could not be saved. Andrew Smith,38,and Elaine Pendery,45,appeared in the towns magistrates court on Friday jointly charged with murder.

17 killed in China mine accidents

Beijing: At least 17 workers were killed and 24 others trapped in twin mine accidents in China on Saturday,as military personnel made a frantic efforts to recover some 2,000 of the 7,000 barrels containing explosive chemicals washed away by floods. At least 17 workers were killed and 20 others injured on Saturday when a powerful explosion ripped through a dormitory area of a coal mine in Chinas Shanxi province,local authorities said.

4 killed,11 hurt in Baghdad bombing

Baghdad: A roadside bomb killed four people,including three soldiers,and wounded 11 people south of Baghdad on Saturday,Iraqi officials said. The blast took place near the municipal offices of the Rashid district just south of the Iraqi capital as soldiers were responding to an earlier explosion in the same area. The first explosion,also caused by a roadside bomb,did not cause any casualties.

British city council bans mini skirts

London: Women showing off their legs in mini skirts could be sent home from work,a city council in Britain has warned. Southampton City Council has banned its women workers from wearing mini skirts at work to avoid shocking the public,the British media reported. In fact,a memo sent to 400 staff says that they dress in appropriate clothing including trousers,informal dresses or skirts of reasonable length but not mini skirts.

Ronan Keating saves marriage after cheating on wife

London: Pop star Ronan Keating has confirmed that his 12-year-old marriage with wife Yvonne is back on track after suffering a blow following revelations that he cheated on her with a dancer. The 33-year-olds marriage looked doomed following the scandal but the singer has managed to resurrect his marriage after Yvonne apparently agreed to forgive his seven-month affair. The couple,who have three children are in Australia as Keating finishes his duties as a judge on the Australian version of the X Factor,the Daily Mail reported. The Keating family has been spotted together on days out at a funfair and at the zoo indicating that the couple are trying to work their marriage.

Ban Bollywood films for Eid,says Pak Culture Minister

Karachi: Pakistan Culture Minister Aftab Shah Jilani has said the government could block the release of Bollywood films for Eid al-Fitr in order to encourage the struggling local film industry here. Jilani said that any decision would be taken after further discussions within the government. The minister said Pakistani filmmakers had complained that Bollywood movies are affecting the local industry. Film distributors and cinema owners in the country are concerned after the announced the proposal. They said that the government should take this risk on its own by hiring cinema houses as they cannot afford to lose money in their peak earning days of the year.