Germany approves bank reform to protect taxpayers Berlin: Germany has approved new measures to rein in high-risk financial business of banks and to decouple them from retail banking as part of a comprehensive reform to prevent a repeat of the financial crisis five years ago and to minimise the costs for taxpayers if banks were to be bailed out in the future.

The Bundestag, the lower house of parliament, on Friday voted with the majority of the ruling conservative-liberal coalition a legislation, which will require banks with assets exceeding 100 billion euros (130 billion USD), or 20 per cent of their balance sheet, to separate their risky trading activities from the traditional client banking and to put them in independent subsidiaries until 2016.

The new rues, which are scheduled to come into force in early 2015, will bar direct lending and provision of guarantees to hedge funds and private equity funds by retail banks through the use of clients' capital deposits.

Banks will have to finance highly speculative businesses with their own resources and to transfer high frequency trading as well as lending to hedge funds and other holding companies to the proposed subsidiaries, the legislation said....more    
07:40 AM, May 19, 2013

Shots fired at Cannes film festival, actors flee for cover Cannes: A man was arrested at the Cannes film festival on Friday after firing a starting pistol during a live TV broadcast on the palm-lined waterfront, sending actors Christoph Waltz and Daniel Auteuil running for cover. French TV station Canal+ was interviewing Austria's Oscar-winning Waltz and French actor Auteuil live on its nightly news show from a beach-front set before a crowd of spectators when a man fired two shots...  
12:02 PM, May 18, 2013

Shots fired at Cannes Film Festival, actors flee for cover Cannes: And it appears to have been a crime spree in Cannes after an unidentified person fired two shots into the air during the live broadcast of a TV show. Cannes Film Festival jury members including Christoph Waltz and Daniel Auteuil who were being interviewed had to run for cover. The Police have managed to arrest the man at the scene. The suspect was found carrying a dummy grenade and...  
10:20 AM, May 18, 2013

Snapshot: Sonam flaunts a voluminous gown at Cannes
by IANS
New Delhi: The actress flaunted a stylish gown at the premiere of 'Jeune and Jolie' after making India-inspired statements in apparel by Anamika Khanna and Shehla Khan on the first day of the extravaganza. She is at the Cannes fest as the L'Oreal Paris ambassador. ...  
06:17 PM, May 17, 2013

Chelsea's Ramires glad to make up for missing Munich Amsterdam: Midfielder Ramires said he felt much calmer helping Chelsea to a 2-1 win over Benfica in a tense Europa League final than he had watching last year's Champions League victory from the stands. The Brazilian international, a tireless runner, told Reuters in an interview that Wednesday night's victory at the Amsterdam Arena provided a blessed relief after he was forced out of the 2012 penalty shootout triumph over Bayern...  
05:45 PM, May 16, 2013

Cup win helps save season of frustrating losses: Zenden Amsterdam: Chelsea landed their only silverware of a gruelling campaign by beating Benfica 2-1 in the Europa League final on Wednesday but assistant coach Boudewijn Zenden believes the triumph only partially atoned for a string of failures. The European champions started their season in August dreaming of a possible seven-trophy haul with the Community Shield, European Super Cup, World Club Cup, Champions League, Premier League, FA Cup and League Cup...  
04:46 PM, May 16, 2013

Heartbroken coach Jorge Jesus hints he could quit Benfica Amsterdam: Benfica coach Jorge Jesus hinted he may leave the club following the heartbreak of their 2-1 injury-time defeat by Chelsea in the Europa League final on Wednesday. The 58-year-old, who has been in charge for four years, said the Lisbon team were the better side for most of the match and that defeat was hard to bear. After an emotional tribute to the quality of his players, Jesus said...  
10:20 AM, May 16, 2013

Frank Lampard poised to sign new Chelsea deal Amsterdam: Frank Lampard suggested he was on the verge of signing a new contract with Chelsea after leading the London club to a 2-1 victory over Benfica in the Europa League final on Wednesday. The 34-year-old midfielder, who broke Chelsea's all-time scoring record when his double against Aston Villa on Saturday took him past Bobby Tambling's tally of 202 goals, looks like getting the new deal he has craved all...  
10:05 AM, May 16, 2013

Chelsea deserve Europa glory, says matchwinner Ivanovic Amsterdam: Matchwinner Branislav Ivanovic said Chelsea deserved to win the Europa League with a 2-1 success over Benfica on Wednesday after a "difficult season". The Serbian defender headed a stoppage-time winner from a corner to secure a second successive European trophy for the Premier League side after they won the Champions League for the first time last season. "This team deserved this, because we have had a very difficult season...  
09:59 AM, May 16, 2013

More Cup final heartbreak for Chelsea captain John Terry Amsterdam: Chelsea captain John Terry suffered cup final heartbreak for the second time in 12 months when he missed out on selection for Wednesday's Europa League showdown against Benfica. The former England centre half was left out of the starting lineup after failing to recover from a twisted ankle he sustained in Saturday's 2-1 Premier League win at Aston Villa. Terry also missed last season's Champions League final victory over...  
09:42 AM, May 16, 2013

Ivanovic's late strike wins Europa League for Chelsea Amsterdam: A stoppage-time header from Branislav Ivanovic helped Chelsea become the first English club to win all three of UEFA's major trophies as they beat Benfica 2-1 in the Europa League final on Wednesday. The Serbian defender sent the London club's fans wild with delight when he climbed high at the far post to meet a Juan Mata corner and place a header back across helpless goalkeeper Artur into the...  
02:51 AM, May 16, 2013

Ship of Theseus: Kiran Rao to release the film New Delhi: Kiran Rao, in collaboration with UTV, has decided to release director Anand Gandhi's critically acclaimed film 'Ship of Theseus'. The film tells a story though three characters, a photographer, a monk and a stock broker. ...  
01:01 PM, May 15, 2013

Chelsea seek salvation in Europa League final London: After humiliation in the Champions League comes potential salvation in the Europa League for Chelsea, with Wednesday's final against Benfica offering the English team an eighth and final chance for silverware from a turbulent and grueling campaign. Chelsea have turned their season around after a turbulent end to 2012, when they became the first reigning champion to exit the Champions League at the group stage, Roberto Di Matteo was...  
12:13 PM, May 15, 2013

Eden Hazard ruled out of Europa League final Amsterdam: Chelsea winger Eden Hazard will miss Wednesday's Europa League final against Benfica with a hamstring strain while John Terry's ankle problem is still being assessed, interim manager Rafa Benitez said. The pair were injured in Saturday's Premier League win at Aston Villa. Captain Terry is desperate to prove his fitness after missing last season's Champions League final win over Bayern Munich through suspension. "Hazard will not be available and,...  
08:01 AM, May 15, 2013

Chelsea face injury worries ahead of Europa League final Amsterdam: Chelsea could be without captain John Terry and playmaker Eden Hazard for Wednesday's Europa League final against Benfica. After winning the Champions League title last year, Chelsea failed to reach the knockout stage this season and has long been a non-factor in the Premier League title chase. That means only victory in the lesser of Europe's two cup tournaments can salvage a disappointing season for the London club. Both...  
09:27 PM, May 14, 2013

Tata Steel shares fall on $ 1.6 billion impairment charge Mumbai: Tata Steel Ltd shares fell as much as 2.5 per cent on Tuesday morning after it said it will book a $1.6 billion impairment charge for the financial year ended March 31. The company said it is taking the charge due to weak economic and market conditions in Europe. Tata Steel shares were down more than 2 per cent as of 9:30 am. The steel maker made the announcement...  
09:45 AM, May 14, 2013

Ranbaxy fined $ 500 mn for selling adulterated drugs New Delhi: Generic drugmaker Ranbaxy has been fined $500 million by the US government after its subsidiary pleaded guilty to sale of adulterated drugs manufactured in India. It is the largest settlement by a generic medicine maker till date. It includes $150 million in payments for a criminal fine and forfeiture and $350 million in payments for civil claims. The adulterated drugs were made in Ranbaxy's plants in India and...  
08:30 AM, May 14, 2013

Vijay Sethupathy to turn producer? Tamil actor Vijay Sethupathy is still basking on the success of his film 'Soodhu Kavum', but the actor is also busy with other projects. He has always surprised his fans with different roles that he has played. The latest buzz is that Vijay has donned the hat of a producer and now the expectations are running high. It is interesting to watch how the multi-faceted actor Vijay shuffles across various...  
03:36 PM, May 08, 2013

North Korea has to pay a price for provocations: Obama Washington: Emphasising that North Korea has to pay for its recent provocative behaviour, US President Barack Obama and his South Korean counterpart Park Geun-Hye have said that engagement process would be initiated if Pyongyang gives up its nuclear ambitions. "The key is that we will be prepared for a deterrence; that we will respond to aggression; that we will not reward provocative actions; but that we will maintain an openness...  
11:50 AM, May 08, 2013

Gold holds near two-week high; equities cap gains Singapore: Gold neared its highest level in more than two weeks on Monday, but gains may be capped by a rally in equity markets and promising US jobs data that dampened speculation the Federal Reserve may boost monetary stimulus. Bullion has slipped almost 12 per cent so far in 2013, having posted annual gains in the past 12 consecutive years as easy monetary policy prompted investors to buy the precious...  
10:11 AM, May 06, 2013