GENEVA, SWITZERLAND – Any sense of normality in Mumbai, India, disappeared Wednesday as terrorist attacks returned to the city that was traumatized by three days of attacks in 2008 that killed 166 people. Three separate attacks have taken at least 21 lives and injured more than 100 people, in Zaveri Bazaar, the Opera House business district and Dadar in the city centre. The bombs, which government officials are saying were homemade, targeted the city’s financial district at rush hour.
The blasts could raise tensions between India and Pakistan again; the 2008 bombs were blamed on Pakistan, by India. The Times of India reports that “The 2008 attack killed 166 people and was blamed on Pakistan-based militant groups. Tensions escalated between the countries and peace talks were suspended. The talks recently resumed. Soon after Wednesday’s blasts were reported, Pakistan’s government expressed distress on the loss of lives and injuries. ”
Links to other sites: BBC, Reuters, Times of India
Diamonds are a thieve's best friends (Franck Muller watch)
Geneva, Switzerland (GenevaLunch) – The Times of India reports that police in Mumbai have recovered 20 diamond-studded Franck Muller watches worth several million dollars and six less expensive timepieces as well as “chemicals”, stuffed into the cavity of a toilet on an Air India flight that landed in Mumbai Monday night 10 January.
They were alerted to the possibility of smuggled goods on the plane, which had flown from Abu Dhabi, but they arrived after passengers left the plane. Maintenance staff are being investigated as the most likely suspects, officials told the Times, because a smuggler would have to be certain the person on the receiving end could carry the goods out of the airport.
Mumbai, India (GenevaLunch) – The Chennai Super Kings pulled off a surprise win over the home favourites, the Mumbai Indians, in the final of the IPL tournament. The Chennai (formerly Madras) team only just qualified for the semi-finals but they made the most of their chances with a thrilling 22 run victory over Sachan Tendulkar’s team.
Links to other sites: Eurosport, Times of India, wikipedia
The long-awaited $2,000 car hit the streets in India Monday 23 March, with the Nano, made by Tata, going on sale in Mumbai, and getting mixed reviews from overseas, notably from car reviewers in the US. The price tag is right and the car is comfortable, with good breaks, but avoid too many curves, say critics, and it’s Loud! Times of India
India’s security agents may have been lax before the attacks in Mumbai the last week of November that killed nearly 200 people, US authorities told several news agencies Tuesday. No details were provided, and the information was made available on condition of anonymity, but the US officials said that India had been warned of possible attacks.
Reuters writes that pressure is mounting from around the world on India and Pakistan to avoid letting the killings in Mumbai at the end of November lead to a confrontation or “Mumbai fallout.” The BBC reports that India is clearly turning the heat up on Pakistan.
Paul Polman, ex-Nestle, now Unilever
Mumbai, India (Ad Age) – Paul Polman, who in September left Nestlé in Vevey, Switzerland to take up a new job as CEO of Unilever, was in the Taj Mahal Hotel in Mumbai last week when it was attacked by terrorists, his new company announced Monday.
Updated 01 December, 09:30 Shivraj Patil, India’s home minister, has resigned, saying he had to take “moral responsibility” after the Islamist attacks that left nearly 200 people dead in Mumbai last week. Al Jazeera The country’s armed forces have been put on high alert as many fingers point to Pakistani involvement, although the Indian government has not linked the Pakistan government directly to the attacks. The US is sending Secretary of State Condeleezza Rice in hopes of defusing the tense situation. International Herald Tribune
Reuters reports that the fighting in Mumbai between security forces and commandos in Mumbai, India appears to be ending, but it appears that the commandoes may still be holding some hostages.
More than 100 people have died in “the unfolding crisis” in Mumbai, India, and 237 have been wounded in a series of attacks by a little-known group. Two of the city’s top hotels have been taken, with many foreigners held hostage. Gunmen and commandoes have been exchanging fire, reports Reuters. According to CNN, most foreigners had left the Taj Mahal, a landmark hotel.
