Naga Reconciliation Gets World Baptist Alliance Support

Dimapur, Jul 14 : Baptists all over the world have now taken up the Naga reconciliation process and struggle for sovereignty as a fervent mission.

In a historic resolution, the general council meeting of the Baptist World Alliance (BWA) held at Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from July 4 to 9, affirmed support to the long-protracted Naga issue and the ongoing Naga reconciliation process initiated by the Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR).

With the affirmation, a total of 120 nations federating with BWA would now make it their focus to advocate the Naga issue to all corners of the world through prayers.

The Peace Commission of the Division of Freedom and Justice for the BWA has also endorsed the 'Journey of Common Hope' for Naga reconciliation.

The FNR convener, Rev Wati Aier, who also attended the 2011 Baptist World Alliance meet, told mediapersons here that the resolution of the BWA with support from 120 nations is historic, of great significance and a huge blessing. "It is very important that the Naga people and leaders, both underground and over-ground, understand the significance of the BWA resolution," he said, expressing hope that Naga leaders would take this support seriously.

The BWA also affirmed the Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC) and its leadership, who have courageously supported the reconciliation process in calling Baptist brothers and sisters to be reconciled with one another and to adopt non-violent methods in pursuit of their goals.

The regional bodies of BWA under which 120 nations coalesce include All Africa Baptist Fellowship, Asia Pacific Baptist Federation, Caribbean Baptist Fellowship, European Baptist Federation, Union of Baptist in Latin America and North American Baptist Fellowship.

On the home front, the FNR said there is no gap in the Journey of Common Hope and the reconciliation process as feared by many in the backdrop of the split in the Khaplang group into NSCN (Khole-Kitovi) and NSCN(K) and the recent spurt of violence.

Reiterating that reconciliation is a process, Wati Aier said the FNR is also ensuring that a measure of peace is maintained despite the split in some quarters.

The Ducati Monster Sells For Rs 7.99 lakh

Ducati Monster 796

By Faisal Ali Khan

The Ducati Monster 796 is now available in India. It is priced at Rs 7.99 lakh (ex-showroom, Gurgaon) and Rs 8.25 lakh (ex-showroom, Mumbai) and is available at all Ducati showrooms across India.

The Monster family was born in 1993 and is also known as II Mostro in Italian.

The bike is a naked machine, which has its engine and frame exposed, adding to the muscular appeal. Ducati has intentionally used the trellis frame as an integral part of the Monster's design.

As can be seen from the pictures, the Monster looks smashing. This is because of the exposed frame which not only adds to the looks of the bike but also the structural rigidity.

The Monster accounts for half of Ducati's sales worldwide. That is every second Ducati sold is a Monster. Thus the Monster is a very important model for the company from the revenue point of view.

The Monster is evolved over the years, which started off as a 400cc machine, today produces more than 130hp in some variants. Making the Monster appeal to a large variety.

Infact the Monster is so famous, that a custom motorcycle builder contest takes place every year. It is known as the Monster Challenge and has owners showcase their Monsters with custom design, paintjob and modifications.

The Ducati Monster 796 produces 87 hp of power at 8,250 rpm and 58 lb-ft of torque at 6,250 rpm. This makes the 796 very powerful in its segment.

The Monster 796 is feature rich. There is the non-adjustable Showa 43mm front forks and the preload and rebound adjustable Sachs monoshock.

Braking duties are taken care by dual-disc, 4-piston Brembos at the front and a 2-piston disc at the rear.

A wet, hydraulically actuated clutch with an APTC slipper unit ensures the Monster is as slick to drive as it looks.

The Ducati Monster 796 is now available in India. It is priced at Rs 7.99 lakh (ex-showroom, Gurgaon) and Rs 8.25 lakh (ex-showroom, Mumbai) and is available at all Ducati showrooms across India.

Manipur Rebel Groups Join Hands For Sovereignty From India

Imphal, Jul 14 : In a move to give a boost to the liberation movement in Manipur, seven prominent underground organisations have decided to join hands 'to regain the lost sovereignty of Manipur.

A joint email statement of these underground groups said on July 8 and 9, leaders of KCP, KYKL, UNLF, RPF, PREPAK, PREPAK (PRO) and UPPK had a very high level conclave where it had formed a 'co-ordinating committee' of the seven organizations and elected RPF president Irengbam Chaoren as the committees convenor.

According to the statement, India has been ceaselessly exerting its maximum effort in imposing its grip in the region and hence the need to fight together against the former has become a matter of necessity.

It said the co-ordination committee will work out modalities for the seven underground organisations of Manipur to work together. The statement then said that the coming together of these militant groups was the result of the general public pressure who have been asking the outfits to fight under the same roof.

Finally, the statement said that unity is courage.

Unity is strength and appealed to the people for supporting the liberation movement. The signatories of the joint statement include N.Oken, general secretary of KYKL, Irengbam Chaoren (president of RPF), L. Paliba (chairman of PREPAK-PRO), Lanngamba Luwang (chairman of UPPK), N Nongdrenkhomba (chairman of PREPAK), Kh Pambei (Acting chairman of UNLF), Ksh Laba Meitei (president of KCP).

Lovestruck U.S. Marine stationed in Afghanistan To Date Mila Kunis

Lovestruck Sgt. Scott Moore, a U.S. Marine stationed in Afghanistan, scored a date with actress Mila Kunis by posting an earnest 19-second video on YouTube last week.

The video has now been viewed by over 400,000 people—including Kunis and her “Friends with Benefits” costar Justin Timberlake.

Over the weekend, with some prodding from us on the “Friends with Benefits” red carpet in Los Angeles, Timberlake convinced Kunis to attend the Marine Corps Ball with Sgt. Moore in Greenville, NC later this fall.

“You need to do it for your country,” Timberlake insisted, before directing his message to Sgt. Moore, “I’m going to work on this, man. This needs to go down.”

Kunis agreed, “I’ll do it,” and then Monday Tweeted her delight.

“I’m so happy to be going to the Marine corps Ball!”

But FOX411.com isn’t finished playing cupid. We’ve learned some love secrets that may help Sgt. Moore win fair Ms. Kunis’ heart.

First Sgt. Moore, if you’re hoping to get lucky on the night of the Marine Corps Ball, you’d better think again—Kunis is not down with having “friends with benefits.”

“It’s like communism—good in theory, in execution it fails,” Kunis explains in the new issue of GQ. “Friends of mine have done it, and it never ends well. Why do people put themselves through that torture?”

Kunis does admit that she falls in love easily, so Sgt. Moore, don’t play with her emotions. “When two people who like each other have sex, eventually someone catches feelings and everything is f**ked. You might be able to treat our relationship as killing time. I might not. I may be in love with you.”

And good news! The Corps ball is in November, just as Kunis will be wrapping her new film, “Ted” with Mark Wahlberg, so the timing might be perfect for a love match.

And the best news?

“I am single,” Kunis confirms.

Semper fi, Sgt. Moore.

Joy Over ULFA Peace Deal

Centre welcomes ULFA ceasefire, to suspend operations

P Chidambaram

New Delhi, Jul 14 : The Centre on Wednesday welcomed the unilateral ceasefire announced by ULFA in Assam and said it was expected to sign an agreement with the banned outfit for suspension of operations and also for facilitating early talks.

Home Minister P. Chidambaram said in a statement that the Central government has always expressed its willingness to hold a dialogue with any militant group that abjures violence, lays down arms and seeks a solution through peaceful democratic means.

"The Government of India welcomes the announcement made by the ULFA," he said.

The Home Minister said it was expected that a Suspension of Operation (SoO) agreement will be signed and ground rules for observing the agreement will be finalised in the near future.

“The Government of India in consultation with Government of Assam will facilitate an early start to the talks,” he said.

ULFA leaders, including its chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa, had recently met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Home Minister P Chidambaram and expressed their desire to seek a political solution to their demands.

The pro-talk ULFA faction led Rajkhowa had on Tuesday announced a unilateral indefinite ceasefire to ensure a peaceful atmosphere for political negotiations.

“Recognising and respecting the desire of the people of Assam for a peaceful solution of the ongoing conflict, the General Council had decided to initiate political negotiations with the Government of India and has empowered the Chairman of ULFA to declare ceasefire," Rajkhowa said in an email to the media.

The decision was arrived at following deliberations on the ‘armed struggle’ by the ULFA since 1979, the message said and directed all members to implement the decision in letter and spirit.

It said political discussions had been held with the Prime Minister, the Union Home Minister and Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi where “everybody has expressed the earnest desire that an honourable, meaningful discussion should continue in a peaceful atmosphere conducive to political negotiations.”

Students of Mizoram NIT Worried Over 'Unpreparedness' of Institute

Aizawl, Jul 13 : Despite assurances from officials, students of Mizoram NIT are still worried over the 'unpreparedness' of the institute.

''NIT is one of the country’s premier institutes. Mizoram is fortunate to have its own NIT campus. But the way the officials of the state higher and technical education department are handling things, the reputation of the institute would be damaged,'' representatives of Mizoram NIT said at a press conference here today.

The students were accompanied by their parents in today’s press conference, which came a few days after the NIT officials had a brief meeting with the local journalists where they gave an assurance that 'everything was in place' and classes could commence from July 20.

Rubbishing the officials’ claims, the students maintained that the institute was being shifted from Nagpur to Aizawl in a hasty manner without keeping in place the basic requirements such as buildings and laboratories.

''Administrative block and laboratories have been temporarily set up in rented buildings with an adequate space at Chaltlang whereas a hostel has been arranged at Mizoram University campus, about an hour's drive from Chaltlang,'' the students said.

The faculty is yet to be recruited too, an advertisement issued in this regard informed.

Students said the no.10 condition on faculty recruitment policy roster, which says if no suitable candidate is found for the post of professor or associate professor, the post shall be converted into associate professor or assistant professor of the same discipline and amounts to compromising the standard of the institute.

Students said there is nothing in the proposed classrooms except for a few blackboards and tables in the rented buildings.

Some 15 laboratories are yet to be set up and there would be no time for establishment of a mechanical engineering workshop either.

Hot New Bods at the LFW!

Nijhum Patra

This chic young lady, also 22, is from Assam and ready to take advantage of her exotic appeal at the LFW.

Image: Nijhum Patra

Here's the sexy new crop of models who will be gracing the ramp at Lakme Fashion Week next month.

They're tall, talented and raring to go.

We bring you a first look at the lovely young catwalk hopefuls who made it through the latest LFW auditions and will now be strutting their stuff at the fashion week next month.

Shweta Dolli

This 21-year-old cat-eyed beauty is originally from Chennai and has relocated to Mumbai. She won the title of Pantaloons Femina Miss India South 2011 and is now ready to work her charms at the LFW.

Image: Shweta Dolli
Photographs: Courtesy Genesis Burson-Marsteller

Xamira Mohlmann

The sultry and slender Xamira is from Holland. She's only 19, but that bikini bod is sure to be the envy of a lot of women!

Image: Xamira Mohlmann

Keren Silveira

With her languid eyes and sensual pout, 20-year-old Brazilian Keren Silveira also made the cut.

Image: Keren Silveira

Diana Loboda

With her flawless features and those shapely gams, Ukrainian Diana Loboda, 22, is set to sizzle on the Indian runway.

Image: Diana Loboda

Mariia Cherniakovych

Another 22-year-old Ukrainian stunner, Mariia's gorgeous brunette beauty is sure to have her stand out at Lakme.

Image: Mariia Cherniakovych

Noelia Barreiro

Fair and with a fabulous figure, Noelia, 25, is living proof of Spanish sexiness. Caramba!

Image: Noelia Barreiro

Karen Lima

Karen, 22, shares her last name and hometown of Brazil with Victoria's Secret supermodel Adriana Lima. Wonder if she'll create as many waves!

Image: Karen Lima

Mitali Rannorey

And finally, we have Mitali of Bangalore. Fresh-faced and slender, the 21-year-old has everything a model should have going for her.

We'll be seeing a lot more of all these lovely ladies at the LFW, so stay tuned for our full coverage next month!

Image: Mitali Rannorey

Megan Fox Uploads Photos To Facebook Disproving Botox Rumors

In the great tradition of disproving botox rumors, a very expressive Megan Fox uploaded a 'Things You Can't Do With Your Face When You Have Botox' album to Facebook.

The actress took four photos showing a range of facial expressions from a rumpled forehead to eyebrow furrowing to looks of scorn and shock. Fox sent a pretty clear and simple message: her beauty, as unbelievable as it is, is all real.

PHOTOS: