Sunday, March 31, 2013

New Zealand Cricketer Jesse Ryder : "I'm ok"



Three days after suffering severe head and lung injuries in a fight outside a Christchurch bar, New Zealand cricketer Jesse Ryder has been moved out of the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and has reassured his well-wishers about his well-being, saying, "I'm ok".

Ryder is in a stable condition in a general ward at the Christchurch hospital.
"I just want to let everyone know that I'm ok. I feel heaps better today but still really tired," Ryder stated in a press release by New Zealand Cricket.
"I've been reading your messages that have been sent so thank you to everyone for thinking of me over the last few days. I want to thank everyone who has been caring for me at the hospital - they have been awesome. Thank you to my family and friends who have been here also," he added.
Ryder's manager, Aaron Klee, said that the batsman may not be making any more statements in the near future as he would focus on his recovery.
"Now that Jesse is out of intensive care, we aren't planning on providing further updates in the media, as it is time for Jesse to focus on his recovery and getting back to full health," said Klee.
He also informed that Ryder had not yet been interviewed by police and had no recollection of the attack.
The 28-year-old all-rounder, who was brought to the hospital in a critical condition on Thursday, had come out of his induced coma yesterday and begun talking again and breathing without the assistance of ventilator.
The Police had yesterday arrested two men in connection with the assault, a 20-year-old Christchurch resident and his 37-year-old relative who was visiting the city.
They have been bailed to appear in the Christchurch District Court on April 4.

 

Serena Williams won a record sixth Miami title as she came from a set and a break down to beat Maria Sharapova 4-6 6-3 6-0 in the Sony Open final.

The American, 31, reeled off 10 games in a row to record an 11th straight win against the world number two.
Sharapova, 25, has still to win in Miami after losing her fifth final.
Williams became only the fourth woman in the modern era to win the same event six times, following Chris Evert, Steffi Graf and Martina Navratilova.
She converted all seven of the break points she created to continue her dominance over Sharapova, whose only two wins in their 14 meetings were in 2004.

NEWS AROUND THE World – 31 March, 2013

Two  killed, thirteen  injured as bus falls into ravine in Mexico
Two people died and 13 have been injured in a car crash in Mexico after a microbus lost control and fell into a ravine, Itar-Tass reported. The accident took place in the state of Hidalgo. The injured passengers were taken to hospitals, some of them by helicopter. Several victims are said to be in grave condition, including one child. Mexico has one of the highest road traffic mortality rates. Police are investigating the cause of the accident.
Five dead in helicopter crash in South Africa
Five air force personnel died in a helicopter crash in South Africa’s Kruger National Park during an anti-poaching operation, according to a statement by the South African military. The team was on a regular patrol of the park, and an investigation is underway to determine the cause of the crash. South Africa is struggling to stem the widespread poaching of rhinos, whose horns are sold to buyers in Asia where it is believed to sure diseases. However, no medical evidence supports these claims.
Egyptian satirist faces arrest warrant
Egypt has issued an arrest warrant for a popular Egyptian satirist for allegedly insulting Islam and the country’s president Mohammed Morsi, raising fears of a crackdown on freedom in the region, Media reports . Earlier, Bassem Youssef faced several complaints against his show ‘El Bernameg.’ The arrest warrant comes following the detention of five prominent pro-democracy activists in an apparently widening campaign against dissent. Last summer, Egyptian authorities arrested a minority Coptic Christian teacher for allegedly posting cartoons on Facebook that insulted Islam – charges that are becoming a common theme in a country ruled by an Islamic government.
One dead, one wounded in Toronto mall shooting
One person is dead,another  wounded at a shooting at the Yorkdale Mall parking lot in Toronto. Multiple shots were fired in the parking lot at around 8:00pm local time on Saturday. Wounded victim given medical treatment after being rushed to hospital, and is reportedly in serious but stable condition. Local media alleged that the shooting was part of a confrontation between two groups of people. Police tape cordoned off the parking lot where the incident took place, and a command post was later set up in the southwest corner of the mall.
Two killed, three wounded in Libya army base attack
Two soldiers have been killed and another three wounded in an attack on a military camp in Libya. Assault took place on the Tamahind base, near the desert town of Sabha, some 800 km south of the capital Tripoli. “They came in cars, shooting. Two officers were killed and three others were injured,” Ali al-Sheikhli, spokesman for the army chief of staff, said. Matter is put under  investigation way.
Media agencies

National Team BJP announced 2013

March 31, 2013
Uma Bharati VP,Prabhat Jha fInds place but surprisly Shivraj left out,Varun Gandhi gets G Secretary,Amit Shah too inducted . Amit has court cases but his induction is attributed to Narendra win.Hindutva shines ,Yashwant Sinha, Ramjethmalani, Mahesh fades out.BJP with their inner differences amongst their top leadership tough time for RajnathBJP chief to work with Rss idealogue of hindutva likely to emerge in coming elections.posterboys of Modi finding place thus bank upon Modi magic.
BJP team becomes important for the saffron party to tread with ease in the ensuing G Election and nearly ten assembly election around.BJP chief , President Rajnath Singh could not announce his team due to consensus differed on induction of two leaders Amit Shah from Gujarat and CM Shivraj  Singh the later is backed by Advani and Sushma and former by Naredendra Modi.Possibly BJP chief Rajnath Singh may be able to get consensus on two names and pronounce today his Organsiation  structure. General election round the corner does make the team BJP an important political gameplan for brand BJP to embattle the ballot war to achieve nation governance .

BJP core decision making team of five members are Rajnath Singh,Arun Jaitly,Sushma,Nitin and Modi which explicitly explains the majority  of Rss. There is hidden cold battle being fought to swift take over by the RSS ideologues to take  saffron reigns.The process of putting the young leadership with eloquence and ideologue would definitely bring its colorful image in order.Saffron leadership equal arrogance with that of ruling class brings its image in par with ruling party. Most of the saffron leaders are left out in process of dynamics of political race openly say that Congressisation of BJP is damaging the party and leaders at top of BJP and Congress are in amicable state and sharing the fruits

Thus we are advancing into state of fluid and the political functionary do bring aberration in the dynamics of political ideation where individuals ,leadership,and party gets takes front seat,the national voice,nation ideation,and ultimate power to move ahead with other developed nation reach low ebb.It is therefore  lurking thought prevail ,bio polar party system may end in India but either of two parties may give outside support in forming the government to regional parties with adequate numbers of senate or one party loss could be gain to other major brand.

Narendra Modi gets inducted into parliamentary board of eleven members with prominent role and likely to play an important role in campaign of nextGeneral election.Modi shall be leading the party with modern tech and with his team thus paving way for RSS to put their men in vanguard of electoral battle to follow in ten states and general election.
The new BJP parliamentary board members:
Rajnath Singh, former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, L K Advani, Murli Manohar Joshi, M Venkeya Naidu, Nitin Gadkari, Sushma Swaraj, Arun Jaitely, Narendra Modi, Anant Kumar, Thawar Chand Gehlot and Ram Lal.
Rajnath’s new team  comprises vice-presidents: C P Thakur, Jual Urao, Sadananda Gowda, Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi,S S Ahluwalia, Balbir Punj, Satpal Malik, Prabhat Jha, Ms Uma Bharti, Ms Bijyo Chakravarti, Ms Lakxmikanta Chawla, Ms Kiran Maheshwari and Smriti Irani.
BJP leader Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said that due representation has been given to women, youth and backward classes in the the new BJP team.

Its official- NATIONAL TEAM OF BJP ANNOUNCED TODAY BY SH.RAJNATH SINGH JI

Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi appears set for a bigger role at the national level in BJP ahead of the next Lok Sabha polls with the party on Sunday re-inducting him into the Central Parliamentary board, its top decision-making body.

62-year-old Modi is the only serving Chief Minister to be included in the Parliamentary Board by BJP President Rajnath Singh, who announced his new 76-member teamto steer the party into the next general elections.

Modi comes back to the party's top body after a gap of six years after having been removed from the Board by Singh during his previous tenure as party president, ending speculation over the Chief Minister's future role at the national level in BJP.

Modi, who has been projected by a section within BJP as the party's Prime Ministerial candidate, has also been included in BJP's Central Election Committee, headed by Singh.

Singh's new team has 12 Vice Presidents, 10 General Secretaries, 15 Secretaries and seven Spokespersons, besides a 12-member Central Parliamentary Board, a 19-member Central Election Committee and a five-member Central Disciplinary Committee.

Among the new faces in Singh's team are former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Uma Bharti and Modi's confidant Amit Shah who have been made Vice President and General Secretary respectively. Pilibhit MP Varun Gandhi has also been elevated as the party's General Secretary.

Party's senior leader and former Finance Minister Yashwant Sinha has not found a place in Singh's team. Among those who have been dropped include Najma Heptulla, Hema Malini and Shanta Kumar as Vice Presidents and Vasundhara Raje as General Secretary.

Smriti Irani, who is a Rajya Sabha MP from Gujarat and considered close to Modi, has also been promoted as Vice President.

Former Karnataka Chief Minister Sadananda Gowda has been given the post of Vice President while Rajiv Pratap Rudy has been elevated as General Secretary.

Durg MP Saroj Pandey has been made the new president of BJP Mahila Morcha, while Anurag Thakur continues as Yuva Morcha President in the new team.

While Prakash Javadekar, Shahnawaz Hussain and Nirmala Sitharaman will continue as Spokespersons, the new additions are Vijay Sonkar Shashtri, Sudhanshu Trivedi, Meenakshi Lekhi and Capt Abhimanyu.

Ravi Shankar Prasad, who is BJP's Deputy Leader in Rajya Sabha, has been dropped as the Chief Spokesperson of the party.

Poonam Mahajan, daughter of late party leader Pramod Mahajan, has found a place in Singh's team and has been made a Secretary, while Punjab's former Health Minister Laxmi Kanta Chawla is also a new inclusion and has been given the post of Vice President.

S S Ahluwalia, who was earlier BJP's Deputy Leader in Rajya Sabha, will be a Vice President.

The new BJP team, which has adequate representation of women, includes tribal face Jual Urao as Vice President and Luise Marandi from Jharkhand as Secretary.

The 12-member Central Parliamentary Board headed by Singh has top party leaders Atal Behari Vajpayee, L K Advani, Murli Manohar Joshi, M Venkaiah Naidu, Nitin Gadkari, Sushma Swaraj, Arun Jaitley, Ananth Kumar, Thawar Chand Gehlot and Ram Lal in it, besides Modi who was inducted today.

All these top leaders alongwith Gopinath Munde, Jual Oran, Shahnawaz Hussain, Vinay Katiyar, J P Nadda and Dr Harshwardhan are part of the party's Central Election Committee. Mahila Morcha chief Saroj Pandey is the ex-officio member of this committee.

The new Vice Presidents also include Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, C P Thakur, Balbir Punj, Satpal Malik, Prabhat Jha, Bijyo Chakravarti and Kiran Maheshwari, while the other General Secretaries are Ananth Kumar, Thawar Chand Gehlot, J P Nadda, Dharmendra Pradhan, Tapir Gao, Murlidhar Rao and Ram Lal, who will continue as Organising Secretary of the party.

V Satish and Soudan Singh will be the new Joint General Secretaries (Organisation), while Shyam Jaju, Bhupendra Yadav, Krishan Das, Anil Jain, Vinod Pandey, Trivendra Rawat, Rameshwar Chaurasiya, Aaarti Mehra, Renu Kushwaha, Sudha Yadav, Sudha Malaiya, Tamil Isai and Vani Tripathi are Secretaries.

Sanjay Paswan has been made President of the BJP SC Morcha and Faggan Singh Kulaste President of the ST Morcha, Abdul Rashid will head the Minority Morcha and Om Prakash Dhankar will head the party's Kisan Morcha.

Rajya Sabha MP Piyush Goyal has been retained as Treasurer and O P Kohli as Headquarter Incharge, while former MP Ramkripal Sinha will be Office Secretary of Parliamentary Party and Shanmuknathan as Joint Office Secretary of the Parliamentary Party.

The party's Central Disciplinary Committee has Radha Mohan Singh as President, Jagdish Mukhi as Secretary and L Ganesahn, Hari Babu and Shyam Nandan Singh as its members

Five dead in helicopter crash in South Africa


Five air force personnel died in a helicopter crash in South Africa’s Kruger National Park during an anti-poaching operation, according to a statement by the South African military.

The team was on a regular patrol of the park, and an investigation is underway to determine the cause of the crash. South Africa is struggling to stem the widespread poaching of rhinos, whose horns are sold to buyers in Asia where it is believed to sure diseases.

Two killed, twelve injured as bus falls into ravine in Mexico


Two people died, twelve  injured in a car crash in Mexico after a microbus lost control and fell into a ravine, Itar-Tass reported. The accident took place in the state of Hidalgo. The injured passengers were taken to hospitals, some of them by helicopter. Several victims are said to be in grave condition, including one child. Mexico has one of the highest road traffic mortality rates. Police are investigating the cause of the accident.
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Saturday, March 30, 2013

All India Motor Transport Congress Calls off Nationwide Strike
Strike was Proposed from Midnight of First April, 2013

The All India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC) has called off the proposed strike after its representatives met the Secretary, Road Transport and Highways(RTH) here today. All India Motor Transport Congress has given call to suspend operations of goods transport and transportation services with effect from the midnight of April,1,2013 demanding that various issues affecting transport community are resolved by 30th March,2013. During the Meeting, the Secretary Road Transport and Highways, Shri Vijay Chhibber assured that Ministry appreciates the requests of AIMTC and will take steps to facilitate resolution of issues.

All India Motor Transport Congress(AIMTC),an apex body of transporters(both cargo and passenger) represent approximately 75 lac truckers and transporters and about 40 lac buses and tour operators. AIMTC claims that whole transport industry is hit by high input costs and deep recession resulting in huge economic viability gap. AIMTC has forwarded list of demands to the RTH Ministry for immediate redressal.

The demands of AIMTC include –Immediate withdrawal of unilateral hike of Third Party Insurance Premium(TPP) for Goods Vehicles w.e.f April,1,2013,Reconstitution of Committee for any TPP tariff revision, with AIMTC as its member; Immediate implementation of Toll Permit in line with the National Permit; Replacement of the monthly increase of Diesel prices with half yearly increase; ,demand for uniformity of diesel prices across the country; Fixation of minimum freight rates for Road Transport Sector; National Permit for buses on lines of Goods Vehicles; Action against States indulging in illegal Entry Tax/Mechanical Tax; Sales Tax/Commercial Tax issues, onus of any Sales Tax issues to be on consignor /trader, trucks not to be detained anywhere in the country; Centralisation of RC books; Standardisation of documents to be done across country; Removal of Anti-Dumping Duty on import of tyres; The reservation of the Road Transport Sector on Carriage by Road Act/Rules to be addressed immediately and Industry status for Road Transport Sector.
Anand Sharma meets Zimbabwean PM
Zimbabwe seeks Indian Investment to Revive its Manufacturing Sector

The Union Minister for Commerce, Industry and Textiles Shri Anand Sharma yesterday met the Prime Minister of Zimbabwe, Mr. Morgan Tsvangirai during his visit to Harare for the India-Zimbabwe Joint Trade Committee (JTC) Meeting. Shri Sharma briefed the Zimbabwean Prime Minister on the fruitful discussions held earlier yesterday between the two sides in the JTC meeting. Shri Sharma informed the Prime Minister of Zimbabwe that India has offered various capacity building programmes, including scholarships and dedicated courses in bamboo craft development and handicrafts, that Lines of Credit (LOC) proposals worth USD 400 million from the Zimbabwean side will be considered and Zimbabwe could also avail the ‘Buyers Credit Scheme’ and the ‘pilot 2 % Interest subvention scheme’ for projects in Zimbabwe. Shri Sharma agreed to the request of Mr. Tsvangirai for providing assistance in revival of its textile industry and in developing its nascent diamond industry.

The India-Zimbabwe Joint Trade Committee (JTC) meeting was co-chaired by Shri Sharma and the Prof. Welshman Ncube, Minister of Industry and Commerce of Zimbabwe. During the JTC meeting, the two sides reviewed the bilateral trade and investment relations and held discussions on the following areas of cooperation: Textiles Sector, Agro/food Processing Sector, Gems and Jewellery, industrial cluster initiatives, Lines of Credit, capacity building programmes, establishing of Commodity Exchange in Zimbabwe. During the meeting, both the Ministers emphasized that the present levels of bilateral trade and investment were much below the potential. In the year 2012, the India-Zimbabwe bilateral trade was USD 166 million, with balance of trade heavily in favour of India. The Zimbabwean Minister sought investments and technical assistance from India to enable Zimbabwe in revival of its manufacturing sector, and to achieve greater value addition and beneficiation of natural resources, which will also enable Zimbabwe to increase the value of its exports. The Zimbabwean side also presented to the Indian side the potential joint venture investment projects from the Industrial Development Corporation of Zimbabwe for consideration of the Indian industry. InvestIndia portal launched during the 2nd India-Africa Forum Summit could play a leading role in identifying the potential investors. It was noted that India has already invested in various sectors in Zimbabwe notably in mining, pharmaceuticals and agro-processing. On being apprised of the difficulties being faced by the Indian businessmen in obtaining Business Visa for Zimbabwe, the Zimbabwean Minister assured that they will be addressing the issue expeditiously.

In his address during the JTC meeting, Shri Sharma announced that India had approved a Line of Credit (LOC) worth USD 28.6 million for Up-gradation of Deka Pumping Station and the River Water Intake System in Zimbabwe. Further, India is actively considering two more LOC proposals received from Zimbabwe, namely, the Rehabilitation of Small Thermal Power Stations and the Gairezi Hydro Electric Project, and Bulawayo Power Station Upgrade Project. Shri Sharma mentioned that India has been engaged in capacity building and human resource development efforts in Zimbabwe and is setting up a Food Testing Laboratory, a Rural Technology Park and a Vocational Training Centre in Zimbabwe under the India-Africa Forum Summit decisions. India has also set up three computer learning stations in Zimbabwe for children in high density areas. The number of annual scholarships to Zimbabwe under India’s ITEC programme is now more than 250.

Shri Sharma also informed that the National Institute of Design (NID) of India has successfully undertaken the Training Programme on Design Intervention for the Basketry Craft for Improvement of rural Women Artisans in Zimbabwe. The products made by the Zimbabwean crafts women were successfully showcased at an exhibition in New Delhi earlier this month, which evoked a positive response from the buyers. During the JTC meeting, the Indian side agreed to provide assistance to Zimbabwe in the development of the four clusters identified under its Industrial Development Policy namely, diamond cluster, clothing and textiles, leather and footwear, and agro-processing. The Zimbabwe side also acknowledged the role played by India in defending Zimbabwe’s interests in trading in diamonds through the Kimberly Process Certification Scheme. The two countries designated Minerals Marketing Corporation of Zimbabwe and Hindustan Diamond Company Private Limited from India as the two nodal agencies for greater commercial cooperation between both countries in the diamond sector. The two Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to consolidate the historical relationship between the two countries through partnership across various sectors, focussing on value addition and beneficiation of resources, capacity building, job creation and ensuring food and energy security for its people.

Four hundred thousand Syrian refugees sheltering in Lebanon – UN

 UN is aiding nearly 400,000 Syrians across Lebanon, according to a new report published Friday. It was projected there would be over 500,000 refugees in Lebanon by the summer, but the current influx of people is outpacing estimates, local media said. The number of refugees waiting to register has increased to 145,524, and officials estimate there are between 200,000 and 500,000 more unaided refugees.Media agencies

Pakistani Taliban claims Peshawar attack

Pakistani Taliban claims Peshawar attack that killed 10 near US Consulate.
 The Pakistani Taliban has claimed responsibility for an explosion near the US Consulate in Peshawar on Friday. At least 10 people were killed and 31 injured in the blast, police said. A suicide bomber blew himself up near a Frontier Constabulary (FC) convoy in the city’s security area, by a military checkpoint near the US Consulate on Peshawar’s Fakhr-i-Alam Road. FC Commandant Abdul Majeed Marwat was reportedly targeted, but the senior paramilitary official managed to escape the attack in which 8 to 10 kilograms of explosives were supposedly used. Suicide blast kills 6 in Peshawar, Pakistan.A suicide bombing of a security convoy has killed at least six people, including two women, and wounded 15 more in the northwestern Pakistani city of Peshawar. According to police officials, the explosion targeted Abdul Majeed Marwat, the head of the Frontier Constabulary, Pakistan’s paramilitary police force. Marwat was not injured, while three security officers and three civilians died. No group has claimed responsibility for the terror attack in Peshawar, a city that borders Pakistan's tribal region, a Taliban militant stronghold. Media agencies

Anastasiades:The bank crisis had been "contained"

Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades said on Friday the island’s bank crisis had been "contained" following a tough bailout deal with the EU. “We have no intention of leaving the euro,” media quoted Anastasiades as saying in Nicosia. “In no way will we experiment with the future of our country,” the president added.

Cypriot central bank has announced that all domestic debit and credit card transactions are now unrestricted. On Thursday, Cyprus reopened the country’s banks following a 12-day shutdown, but imposed a 300-euro limit on all cash withdrawals. The Cyprus Stock Exchange extended its almost two-week shutdown, and will remain closed until April 1. The measures were introduced to deal with the worsening financial crisis in the country.

Cyprus Telecommunications Authority ‘Cyta’ will be offering free national calls to subscribers, both fixed line and mobile, for the month of April, said the company. Cyta added that it would not be disconnecting any of its subscribers who have not been able to settle their bills following the two week closure of the banks. The organization will review this decision on April 15 in light of the situation at the time. This measure is intended to help ease the blow from the economic crisis on the island.

Big depositors in lender the Bank of Cyprus are to receive shares in the bank worth 37.5 percent of their deposits over 100,000 euros, a source told media. The other depositors may never be paid back. 22.5 percent of deposits over the same amount will attract no interest and the 40 percent remaining will continue to attract interest. These conditions come in the wake of a banking crisis is Cyprus and are expected to be announced on Saturday. media agencies

French troops to stay in Mali upto 2013

French troops to stay in Mali through end of 2013:Hollande. President Francois Hollande has said French troops will stay in Mali to fight Islamist militants at least through the end of 2013. However, the first of the more than 4,000 French troops in Mali will pull out in late April, Hollande said on France-2 television Thursday night. About 2,000 soldiers will remain deployed in the former French colony by July. By the end of the year, “1,000 French soldiers will remain,” the president said. The French troops could become part of a UN peacekeeping operation in Mali.

China urges easing of tensions on Korean peninsula

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hong Lei called for an easing of tensions on Friday after North Korea put its missile units on standby to attack US military bases in South Korea and the Pacific.

The North’s move came after the US flew two nuclear-capable stealth bombers over the Korean peninsula.

Berlusconi ready for coalition with Italy's center-left

Berlusconi ready for coalition with Italy's center-left, opposes technocrat govt Former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi has said he is ready to support a coalition government with center-left leader Pier Luigi Bersani. Berlusconi met President Giorgio Napolitano on Friday, after Bersani failed to form a government and end a month-long political deadlock since elections last month. Berlusconi rejected another technocratic administration like the outgoing one led by Mario Monti, Reuters said. Roberto Maroni, leader of Berlusconi's Northern League ally, also rejected the technocrats, saying it would be better to hold another election.

France Uphold EU embargo on arms to Syrian rebels

French President Francois Hollande has stated that the EU arms embargo on Syria would remain in place as long as France could not be guaranteed that weapons deliveries to the Syrian rebels would not “fall into the hands of terrorists.

France and Britain have attempted to push for a relaxation of the embargo, which expires on June 1.

 Hollande now says that no weapons will be supplied to the opposition until France is certain “there is complete control of the situation by the opposition.” Media agencies

Kyrgyzstan sends nationalist MPs to jail

Kyrgyzstan sends nationalist MPs to jail for coup attempt. A court in Kyrgyzstan has sentenced three nationalist opposition MPs to up to 18 months behind bars for an attempt to seize power in the Central Asian republic. Prosecutors demanded a sentence of up to ten years for nationalist leader Kamchibek Tashiyev, Sadyr Zhaparov and Talant Mamytov. The three lawmakers of the Ata Zhurt party were arrested back in October, following a protest demanding the nationalization of the huge Kumtor gold mine in the former Soviet Republic. The rally resulted in clashes with police as protesters attempted to storm the parliament building in the capital of Bishkek. Several people were injured.  On Friday, several hundred supporters of Tashiyev’s supporters were rallying near the court building demanding that the three MPs are released.Media agencies

Sicily revokes US military satellite station build up


Sicilian regional government in Italy has withdrawn permission for the US to build a satellite station aimed at boosting communications capacity for the US military and its allies, its governor said.

The ground station designed on a part of the ultra-high-frequency satellite network Mobile User Objective System (MUOS). Government overturn is on possible health risks, such as fears of cancer from the station's electromagnetic waves, had provoked protests on the island.

The demonstrations could have compromised operations at Sigonella, a U.S. naval base in Sicily, the Italian government said. Rome stated that the decision of the regional government of Sicily, which in January issued a special decree to suspend work on the station’s construction, harms the strategic interests of the country.
Media agencies

Friday, March 29, 2013

Solar plane prepares for coast-to-coast US flight




MOUNTAIN VIEW: A groundbreaking solar-powered Swiss aircraft is ready to make a coast-to-coast flight across the United States, its creators said Thursday.
The experimental Solar Impulse plane, which has made several trips since its maiden flight in 2009, will take off on May 1 on a transcontinental tour split in five stages.
"We are ready to do this flight across America," said Solar Impulse co-founder Andre Borschberg during a press conference at a hangar in Mountain View, near San Francisco.
Borschberg said the flight is being split into multiple stages for security reasons, emphasising nevertheless that the single-seat aircraft was technically capable of flying non-stop across the United States.
A non-stop flight would take approximately three days travelling at the aircraft's cruising speed of around 43 miles (70 kilometers) per hour.
"We have limited ourselves to fly a duration maximum of 24 hours," said Borschberg, who will share the piloting duties with Solar Impulse president Bertrand Piccard.
Weather conditions permitting, the Solar Impulse will take off on May 1 and is scheduled to make stops in Phoenix, Dallas and Washington before arriving in New York in early July.
The plane will spend up to 10 days at each stop on its journey in order to showcase its technology to the public, schoolchildren and students who will also have a chance to talk with the pilots.
"The people will be able to follow the mission, to speak to the pilot, to ask questions," Piccard said.
"We would like to inspire students, schoolchildren, inspire as many people as possible to try to have the spirit to dare, to innovate, to invent."
The Solar Impulse project was launched 10 years ago before the plane, which weighs about the same as a family car but boasts a wingspan roughly equivalent to a Boeing 747, made its first flight in 2009.
In 2010, the plane was flown 26 hours non-stop in order to demonstrate that its photovoltaic cells could soak up enough solar energy in daytime to power the plane at night.
A year later, the plane made its first international flight between Belgium and France before it set off on a 1,550-mile intercontinental flight from Madrid to Rabat in June.
Borschberg and Piccard are planning an around-the-world flight of the plane in 2015.

India and Liechtenstein Sign TIEA

March 29, 2013
India and Liechtenstein Sign Tax Information Exchange Agreement (TIEA)
India and Liechtenstein have signed a Tax Information Exchange Agreement (TIEA) today at Bern, Switzerland. The Agreement was signed by Ms Chitra Narayanan, Indian Ambassador in Switzerland from Indian side and Madame Doris Frick, Ambassador of Liechtenstein in Switzerland on behalf of Liechtenstein.
Salient features of the agreement (TIEA) with Liechtenstein are:
• It is based on international standard of transparency and exchange of information.
• Information must be foreseeable relevant to the administration and enforcement of the domestic laws of the Contracting Parties concerning taxes covered by the agreement.
• There is a specific provision that the requested Party shall use its information gathering measures to obtain the requested information even though that Party may not need such information for its own tax purposes.
• There is a specific provision for providing banking and ownership information.
• It provides for the representatives of the competent authority of the requesting Party to enter the territory of the requested Party to interview individuals and examine records.
• The Agreement has specific provisions for protecting the confidentiality of the information obtained under the Agreement. Information is to be treated as secret and can be disclosed to only specified person or authorities, which are tax authorities or its oversight body. However, the information may be used for other purposes with the express consent of the Competent Authority of the supplying State.
• The Agreement shall enter into force one month from the later of the notification. On entering into force, information can be exchanged if it pertains to taxable periods beginning on or after 1st April, 2013.
• The Agreement provides for the exchange of documents or information created in or derived from a date preceding 1st April, 2013, that are foresee ably relevant to a request relating to tax years beginning on or after 1st April, 2013.

Myanmar won't tolerate religious extremists: President

Myanmar President Thein Sein said on Thursday that his reformist government would not tolerate religious extremism, following a wave of deadly Buddhist-Muslim violence in the former army-ruled nation.

At least 40 people have been killed and mosques burned in several towns in central Myanmar since a new eruption of sectarian strife on March 20, prompting the government to impose emergency rule and curfews in some areas.
"I would like to warn all political opportunists and religious extremists who try to exploit the noble teachings of these religions and have tried to plant hatred among people of different faiths for their own self-interest: their efforts will not be tolerated," Thein Sein said in a national address.
"In general, I do not endorse the use of force to solve problems. However, I will not hesitate to use force as a last resort to protect the lives and safeguard the property of general public," the former general added.
"All perpetrators of violence will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law," he said, according to an official translation.
The recent clashes were apparently triggered by an argument in a gold shop that turned into an escalating riot during which mosques were burned, houses razed and charred bodies left lying in the streets.
But witnesses say much of the violence appears to be well organised.
Security forces fired warning shots yesterday to disperse rioters and dozens of people have been detained.
But Muslim leaders have criticised the security forces for failing to stop the attacks.
It is the worst sectarian strife since violence between Buddhists and Muslims in the western state of Rakhine last year left at least 180 people dead and more than 110,000 displaced.
The communal clashes pose a major challenge to Thein Sein, who has won international praise for his reform efforts since taking office two years ago following the end of decades of outright military rule.
"We must expect these conflicts and difficulties to arise during our period of democratic transition," Thein Sein said.
But "only an inclusive democratic society based on equality for all citizens will ensure peace and stability, especially in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic and multi-faith country such as ours", he added.

Pak SC issues contempt notice to former PM Raja Pervez Ashraf

on March 28, 2013


Pakistan’s Supreme Court on Thursday issued a notice for contempt of court to former premier Raja Pervez Ashraf , saying he had tried to influence the court by asking it to form a commission to investigate graft charges against him.

The notice was issued by a three-judge bench led by Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhary, which ordered Ashraf to appear in person in two weeks.
Chaudhry observed that Ashraf had tried to influence the court by writing a letter to him on the issue of forming a commission to investigate an alleged scam in the setting up of “rental power projects”.
The chief justice observed that Ashraf had already accepted the court’s decision in the case and there was no need to re-examine the verdict and form a commission.
He noted that the government had also withdrawn its review petition in the case.
In its order, the bench said Ashraf’s decision to approach the court for setting up a commission was tantamount to seeking a favour from the court without the completion of due process.
The order asked Ashraf to explain why contempt proceedings should not be initiated against him.
The bench directed Wasim Sajjad, the counsel for Ashraf, to consult his client on whether he would withdraw the letter he had written in his capacity as the premier.
Sajjad argued that Ashraf had sent the letter to the chief justice through the Supreme Court’s Registrar’s office and that the move was not aimed at influencing the court.
Earlier, K K Agha, the prosecutor general for the National Accountability Bureau, told the bench that the apex court could refer the matter to any forum for a probe.
The chief justice was irked by the fact that the letter was written on the letterhead of the prime minister, and said such missives should not be addressed to the apex court.
The apex court had earlier ordered the arrest of Ashraf and other accused in the case but the NAB, Pakistan’s main anti-corruption agency, had said it had no evidence against the suspects to make arrests.
The charges against Ashraf date back to his tenure as power minister, when the Pakistan People’s Party-led government had cleared the setting up of rental power projects to overcome a crippling energy crisis.
The Supreme Court is probing alleged corruption in the setting of the projects

BRICS nations condemn human rights violation in Syria

on March 28, 2013
BRICS nations condemned the increasing violations of human rights and international humanitarian law due to continuing violence in Syria.
The Durban Declaration issued at the end of the 5th BRICS Summit expressed deep concern of on the deterioration of security and humanitarian situation in Syria.
The Brics countries also expressed grave concern over deterioration of situation in the Central African Republic. BRICS welcomed the admission of Palestine as a member of United nations.
On Afghanistan, the BRICS said, the country needs time, development assistance and FDI, access to world markets and a clear end-stat strategy to attain peace and stability.
The BRICS also called for reform of International financial institutions to make them more representatives to reflect the weightage of BRICS and other developing nations.
BRICS expressed concern at the slow pace of reforms of the International Monetary Fund.
It also concurred that the new Director General of World Trade organizations should be a representative of a developing country.

PM seeks joint mechanism with China on Chinese dams on Brahmaputra


Notwithstanding pledges to take the bilateral relationship to a new level, PM Manmohan Singh in his first meeting with new Chinese President Xi Jinping has sought a joint mechanism to assess the construction work on dams on Brahmaputra river in Tibet.

"I took the opportunity to raise the issue of trans-border river systems. I requested the Chinese government to provide a joint mechanism to enable us to assess the type of construction activity that is going on in the Tibetan Autonomous Region (TAR)," he told reporters accompanying him on his return today from a four-day visit to Durban in South Africa.
He was asked about the discussion on the water issue he had with Xi in Durban last night on the margins of the BRICS summit in the first-high level face-to-face contact between the two countries after the change of power in China.
President Xi assured him that China was quite conscious of their responsibilities and the interest of the lower riparian countries, the Prime Minister said.
As regards the specific mechanism that he had asked, the Chinese President told him that they would further look into it.
The Prime Minister taking up the construction work in the Tibetan region assumes signficance in the context of the Chinese proposal to build three dams on Brahmaputra which has raised concerns in India.
Officials have earlier talked about a joint mechanism but this may probably the first time the Prime Minister has spoken about it and that too at the highest level.
"But as of now, our assessment is that whatever activity that is taking place on the Brahmaputra region in Tibet, it is essentially a run-of-the-river projects and therefore there is no cause of worry on our part," Singh said.
On his meeting with Xi, the Prime Minister said it was the first meeting between them and both agreed that they would continue to maintain the strong tradition of frequent high-level exchanges between the two countries to strengthen the ties.
We also agreed that high-level visits will be exchanged this year between India and China. I look forward to the opportunity of an early meeting with the Premier of China as well," he said.
Asked about his assessment of the new Chinese leadership, Singh said even before the formal meeting yesterday he had had "productive exchange" of views with Xi on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit.
He said both of them agreed to continue the exchanges that the type of intimate exchanges that used to take place when President Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiabao were holding their positions. "Both of us agreed that we should aim to maintain similar relationship under the new leadership of China."
He said the two leaders last night reviewed the entire gamut of the bilateral relations and discussed the opportunities for exchange of views in cooperation and coordination in regional and international fore.
Asked about five proposals made by President Xi last week to strengthen bilateral ties with India, Singh said this was his first meeting and both of them were keen to get acquainted.
"While we reviewed a whole gamut of relationship, we didn't get to specifics. I got a distinct impression that the new Chinese leadership is serious as the former leadership to promote good neibhourly relations and to find practical and pragmatic solutions to outstanding issues between our two countries," he said.

The LAMA Road Show 2013

 
Greetings from Lama Desert Tourism Dubai !!!!
 
Trust this mail finds you well !
  
Please find enclosed the E-invite for The LAMA Road Show 2013 at The Hotel Le Meredien, Windsor Place, Janpath,New Delhi  on 08April2013 (Monday;1800hrs onwards).
 
The Lama Road Show will showcase some of the best Hotels & Service Providers in the UAE and who have worked very closely with Lama to ensure your Clients & Guests have a memorable time in Dubai; Abu Dhabi etc.
 
I kindly request you to BLOCK  08April, 2013 in your busy schedule.

Thanking you for your continuous support & look forward to welcoming you to an evening with Lama and its close business associates
PS :………your RSVP would be sincerely appreciated
Best Regards,
RG
RG Singh | Sales Manager-North India | Lama Tours
17A/44 IIIrd FLOOR
WESTERN EXTENSION AREA-WEA
Opp JESSA RAM HOSPITAL
near KAROL BAGH METRO STATION
NEW DELHI-110005
 
Telephone:011-48154815 /011-48154825
Email:rgsingh@lama.ae| Website:www.lama.ae
Delhi Cell Contact :+91-8860662654

Nehru Memorial Museum and Library
                             cordially invites you to the
                               forthcoming programmes

1 April 2013
Monday
3.00 pm
Seminar
Dr. Navdeep Mathur,
Indian Institute of Management,
Ahmedabad.
‘Remaking the urban state in India’: The Ahmedabad River front in Perspective
2 April 2013
Tuesday
3.00 pm
Weekly
Seminar
Mr. Prasanjeet Tribhuvan,
University of Delhi,
Delhi.

‘On marijuana, police and culture:
Reflections from fieldwork in the Parvati Valley, Himachal Pradesh’
3 April 2013
Wednesday   
3.00 pm
Public Lecture
(India and the Wider World Series)
Dr. Parul Pandya Dhar,
University of Delhi,
Delhi.
‘India and Southeast Asia:
The iconography of early cultural interactions’
4 April 2013
Thursday       
3.00 pm
Public Lecture
(India and the Wider World Series)
Dr. Najaf Haider,
Jawaharlal Nehru University,
New Delhi.
‘India and the Great Divergence’
5 April 2013
Friday
3.00 pm
Public Lecture
Prof. Andre Beteille,
Delhi School of Economics and National Research Professor,
Government of India.
‘Two approaches to the study of society:
Louis Dumont and MN Srinivas’
    Venue: Seminar Room, First Floor, Library Building, Nehru Memorial
                 Museum and Library, Teen Murti House, New Delhi

Naresh: Syria is in a state of crisis



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Naresh:
Syria is in a state of crisis. More than 70,000 people have been killed—over 3,700 are children—since the conflict started two years ago.
President Barack Obama made stopping mass atrocities a priority and a "core national security interest.” Yet U.S. efforts to slow or stop the crisis in Syria—diplomacy and sanctions against the regime, primarily—have had little effect. We need a new approach: the United States must cut off the supply chains that provide Assad the resources his regime needs to commit atrocities. This includes weapons, troops, and access to money provided by Iran and Russia, among many other actors.
Urge President Barack Obama to stop the supply chain to Syrian atrocities!
We have been tracking Assad’s supply chains since the conflict spiraled and found that the United States is well positioned to disrupt it. Secretary of State John Kerry visited Iraq recently and  told Prime Minister Nuri Kamal al-Maliki that Iraq must stop Iran from shipping arms to Syria through Iraqi airspace. This is a good step. But stopping Assad’s enablers of mass atrocities requires a multi-prong approach. The United States can do much more.
Syrian casualties are mounting. Failure to act now to cut off these supplies will lead to even more bloodshed and will send the wrong message to those fueling Assad’s atrocities.
Urge President Barack Obama to stop the supply chain to Syrian atrocities!
Sincerely,
Sadia Hammed
Human Rights First

Thursday, March 28, 2013

Angelo Mathews will be Pune Warriors India skipper for IPL 6

PWI also announces Allan Donald as Head Coach and Rob Walters joins the Coaching staff as an Assistant Coach
                                                      
Mumbai, March 28, 2013: Pune Warriors India today announced Angelo Mathews as the captain for IPL Season 6. Angelo Mathews who has been with Pune Warriors India for past two years, is the Captain of Sri Lanka national team for ODI & Tests and brings with him a rich experience of having played International cricket and also captaining an International side.

 Pune Warriors also announced the coaching staff for the team with Allan Donald as the Head Coach. Rob Walters comes on board as Assistant Coach and will be the Fitness Trainer & Fielding Coach of the team. Praveen Amre will continue to be the Assistant Coach.

Mr. Sushanto Roy, Managing Director, Sahara Adventure Sports Limited, said, “We had many options of International and National cricketers to choose from within the existing squad but we chose Angelo Mathews as our Captain as we are confident of his leadership abilities. All the senior players in the team are happy with the choice and it is a joint decision taken by the senior players and team management. We now have a correct mix of youth and experience to launch an aggressive IPL Season 6 campaign under the leadership of Angelo Mathews.”

Angelo Mathews on his selection as a captain said, “It’s a great honour to be offered the captaincy of the Pune Warriors and I am grateful to the team management and franchise owners for the faith shown in me.” He further said, ”For me personally this is a great chance to gain leadership experience working with a multi-national squad and a very exciting opportunity given the enormous talent within our young squad."

About Pune Warriors India
Formed in 2010, Pune Warriors India is the Pune Franchise of the India Premier League (IPL). The franchise is owned by Sahara Adventure Sports Limited, a group company of Sahara India Pariwar, one of India's premiere business conglomerates. On 21st March 2010, Sahara Adventure Sports Limited had made the winning bid of $370 million (approximately Rs. 1700 crore) for the Pune franchise which is the highest bid by any company in the history of IPL. The franchise made its debut in the fourth season of IPL in 2011.

For media information, please contact:
Ghulam Zeeshan
Asst. Chief Manager, Corporate Communications, Sahara India Pariwar
M: +919335235621; Ph: 0522-2304230

US INVITE TO CM NARENDER MODI : JOLLY


  
Ahmedabad, 28th March 2013 :  Senior US Congressman visiting India & State of Gujarat today met Chief Minister Narendra Modi at his residence at Gandhi Nagar . US Congressman Mr Aaron Schock Leader of Delegation from State of Illinois along with Mrs. Cathy McMorris Rodgers from State of Washington and Mrs. Cynthia M. Lumis from the State of Wyoming along with a 7 member US business leaders delegation led by Chicago Punjabi NRI Mr Shalabh Kumar and BJP Overseas Affairs leader Mr Vijay Jolly attended the two and half hours
long meeting.  

The US Congressman extended an invitation to Gujarat Chief Minister Mr Narendra Modi to visit United States of America soon. The C.M accepted their invite promptly and smilingly. The issue of visa was never discussed in the meeting. It is important to state that in recent years, this is the highest point of contact between the US elected Officials and the Chief Minister of Gujarat stated OFBJP leader Mr Jolly. 

To promote people to people contacts & diplomacy and under Global Community Over reach program, the US based NIAPPI led by its Chairman Mr Shalabh Kumar and India based Delhi Study Group led by BJP Convenor Overseas Affairs Mr Vijay Jolly joined hands to make this program a grand success. People in India and US worked hard for more than 14 to 15 hours a day for this global connectivity to happen and public diplomacy to succeed stated OFBJP leader Mr Vijay Jolly at Gandhinagar, Gujarat. 

A video presentation on the state of good governance in Gujarat was shown to the US guests. The success story of Gujarat infrastructure development,  the state of power surplus in Gujarat,  inclusive phenomenal growth rate in Gujarat, 25% contribution of Gujarat  in overall exports of India, round the clock electricity supply in rural & urban areas in Gujarat, 100% internet connectivity at primary school level in Gujarat, enactment of SIR Act of 2009, the dedicated 1483 kilometers long freight corridor from Dadri to JNPT, Gujarat  ect were showcased to the visiting US political & business leaders. The CM Gujarat Mr Narendra Modi presented bouquets of roses to all the delegates. Tea, coffee, cold drinks, vegetarian sandwiches and cashew nuts were offered to the guests in the meeting.

Gujarat Chief Minister Mr Narendra Modi expressed concern on cross border terrorism emanating from Pakistan and resulting in bomb blasts killing thousands of innocent Indians in various states of India. Issues relating to environment, power generation, identifying alternate sources of energy, strengthening democracy and increased participation of US private sector investments in infrastructure-development sectors were roundly discussed in the meeting stated OFBJP Convener Mr Vijay Jolly.

Latter a Press Conference was addressed at Ahmadabad by Mr Shalabh Kumar, Mr Aaron Schock, Mr Vijay Jolly, Mrs. Cathy M. Rodgers and Mrs Cynthia Lummis where heaps of praise and admiration for Mr Modi and his style of Good Governance were expressed . 

Competitiveness, climate, security Finn’s priorities Ministry of Finance release Finnish road map of EU presidency. Finland is set ...