Sri Lanka's veteran seamer Chaminda Vaas insists his international career

COLOMBO: Sri Lanka's veteran seamer Chaminda Vaas insists his international career is not over despite retiring from Test cricket and finding himself dumped from the limited-overs game. The left-armer, 35, ended his Test career at the end of the three-match series against Pakistan on Friday, saying he was still keen to play One-day and Twenty20 cricket till the 2011 World Cup. The selectors, however, did not pick Vaas in the 15-man squad for the upcoming five-match One-day series against Pakistan starting in the central town of Dambulla on July 30. "I will be back soon," Vaas said at a farewell media conference after his last Test, the 111th in a 15-year career in which he claimed 355 wickets at an average of 29.58. "I have not played One-day cricket for 11 months and during that time all the young fast bowlers have played very well and grabbed the opportunities with both hands. "I am going to work hard to fight for my place."


For further details visit as : /timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Sri-Lankas-Vaas-denies-he-was-forced-to-retire-/articleshow/4818468.cms

Ian Bell is set to return to England's

LONDON: Ian Bell is set to return to England's Test team next week at his Edgbaston home ground after star batsman Kevin Pietersen was ruled out of the remainder of the Ashes series with an Achilles problem. Bell, 27, may have been out for a duck against Hampshire on Friday, in a match where he only made seven in the first innings, but he has long been regarded as the 'next man in line' should England need to alter their batting line-up. The Warwickshire batsman was included in the squads, but not picked for the final XI, in both of the first two Tests against Australia. England are currently 1-0 up in the series, following a draw in Cardiff and their 115-run win at Lord's last week. They are due to announce a 13-man squad on Sunday for the third Test of the five-match series and England national selector Geoff Miller paved the way for Bell's return by saying Friday the extra two places were likely to be taken by additional bowlers, rather than batsmen. Bell played the last of his 46 Tests against the West Indies in Jamaica in February but was dropped after a run of low scores, with Ravi Bopara taking over in England's problem position of No 3.


For further details visit as : http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Bell-set-for-England-recall-/articleshow/4818467.cms

The federal government is proposing to reward whistleblowers

The federal government is proposing to reward whistleblowers who could provide credible information on spurious drugs. India’s Health and Family Welfare Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad on Wednesday announced a new policy to reward “whistle blowers” providing information on manufacture of such drugs. Replying to a discussion initiated by Brinda Karat (CPI–M), on the working of his Ministry, he said a “whistle blower” scheme, under which anyone who provided information about the manufacture of spurious drugs would be given rewards ranging from Rs. 2 to 20 lakh, was on the anvil. “We expect lot of people, including labourers working in such units, to come forward to provide information without disclosing their identity.”The reward will be given only when there confirmation of the seizure of spurious drugs, cosmetics and medical devices by the designated officers of Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO). According to the proposal, once fake drugs are seized, the government will engage senior advocates who have sufficient experience of such cases to help punish the guilty. To ensure speedy trials, these cases will be filed before designated special courts set up for the purpose of drugs related issues, as per the provisions of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act. Drug Controller General of India will be the nodal officer who will oversee functioning of the reward scheme.

For futher details visit as : www.medindia.net/news/Spurious-Drugs-Whistleblowers-to-be-Rewarded-In-India-55139-1.htm

How many people have the H1N1 swine flu virus? Do you know ?

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - World health officials have given up trying to count how many people have the H1N1 swine flu virus, saying the best they can do is estimate the spread of the "unstoppable" virus. But on Friday, Dr. Anne Schuchat of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention declined even to hazard a guess, saying it was "more than a million." Why not? Because officials do not have the tools they need to count. "Most people who have respiratory illnesses don't find out exactly what caused it. Even most people with influenza don't know exactly which type of influenza caused their illness," Schuchat told reporters. Diagnostic tests for influenza are not very good. In fact, swine flu is often suspected when a patient's instant in-office flu test comes up unreadable. "I think that we all know the diagnostics we have, have limitations," Robin Robinson, of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, told flu vaccine experts meeting this week. "I think we would all agree that there is a need to have improved point-of-care diagnostic testing," said pediatrician Dr. John Modlin, who chairs the vaccine committee that advises the Food and Drug Administration.

For further details visit as : www.reuters.com/article/reutersEdge/idUSTRE56N6C620090724

Delhi won’t resume the composite dialogue in a hurry

Despite the let’s-get-talking tone of the India- Pakistan joint statement, Delhi won’t resume the composite dialogue in a hurry. Pakistani action so far – a few arrests, and charge sheets against some terrorists – isn’t enough for any substantive dialogue to begin. And even after Pakistan shows results, India might push for a format different from the composite dialogue which was suspended after the Mumbai terror attacks. That’s the message that the government will try to put out when it faces a debate in Parliament on July 29 on the joint statement. The statement, issued after the Prime Ministers of the two countries met on the margins of the NAM summit in Egypt, was seen as a climbdown. "Both Prime Ministers recognise that dialogue is the only way forward. Action on terrorism should not be linked to the composite dialogue process," the July 16 statement said. Trying to contain the fallout, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has already told Parliament that the "starting point" for any "meaningful dialogue" still remains fulfilment by Pakistan of its anti-terror commitments. The government also insists now that the crucial paragraph in the statement is being "misread". What India "meant" was that Pakistan should not wait for the resumption of dialogue before taking action against terrorists. The government spin right now is that India has begun a "limited dialogue process", focusing largely on terror. The two foreign secretaries will continue to meet till it develops into something more substantive. Sources say there is skepticism about going back to the old composite dialogue format, which was based on the premise that it would be held in a violence-free atmosphere.

For further details visit as: www.expressbuzz.com/edition/story.aspx?Title=India+not+to+resume+composite+dialogue+in+hurry&artid=mEx44fKqES0=&SectionID=b7ziAYMenjw=&MainSectionID=b7ziAYMenjw=&SEO=NAM,+Manmohan+Singh&SectionName=pWehHe7IsSU=

Pakistani media alleging India's involvement

In reply to reports coming in Pakistani media alleging India's involvement in Balochistan, government sources have told a national TV news channel that such reports are absolutely false and misleading. On Wednesday, Pakistan's Dawn newspaper had published a report claiming that a dossier was handed over to India when Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt during NAM summit. The alleged dossier reportedly gave details of the involvement of RAW in Balochistan and hinting at a RAW hand in the attack on Sri Lankan cricketers in March, 2009.



Source :http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/StoryPage.aspx?sectionName=Cricket&id=b98cf2b4-d74c-4155-be7b-afd6de984667&Headline=India+has+not+received+Pak+dossier+Govt

Lawmakers pass health care reform legislation

Forestville resident Gretchen Jones retired in 2001, and while she can afford her current health care plan, she said she has concerns about whether she will be able to maintain her plan if federal lawmakers pass health care reform legislation. "I'm lucky now — I don't take a lot of medication, but if I do, can I afford it?" said Jones, 62. "I don't want anyone to tell me what physicians I have to go to." On Monday, Sen. Ben Cardin (D-Md.) held his first health care Town Hall meeting at Prince George's Community College in Largo to hear Prince George's County residents' concerns, dispel myths and share information about the current status of health care reform. Other Town Hall meetings are planned to be held across the state. Affordable and adequate health care is a central concern to county residents, where the high number of uninsured patients has put the county's public hospital system in debt for more than a decade. Residents seemed mixed in their support for or against health care reform. "Make no mistake — health care is a priority of the Obama administration [and] of the Congress," Cardin said to the nearly 500 people in attendance. "The first thing that needs to be fixed is the 46 million [people] without health care in the U.S."

For further details visit as : www.gazette.net/stories/07232009/largnew175832_32529.shtml

Region with health insurance protection they deserve

Legazpi City (23 July) -- The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) regional office here has set a target to universally cover at least 85 percent of the population of Bicol region with health insurance protection they deserve. Orlando Iñigo, Jr., PhilHealth Bicol regional vice president, stated the agency is geared towards ensuring all Bicolanos be covered by social health insurance in accordance with the principles of universality and compulsory coverage as mandated by RA 7875 or The National Health Insurance Act of 1995 and RA 9241. Iñigo said "this tall order is now what PhilHealth is hoping to accomplish on its way to the agency's 15th year anniversary in 2010." He added PhilHealth Bicol recognizes its vital role in accomplishing the agency's mandate, organizing its marketing team ready to speed up enrollment, and a manpower pool that will efficiently deliver public service. He said the PhilHealth Bicol is equipped with all its armors driven towards universal coverage. Iñigo further related Albay province as of April 30 this year has a total number of 281,258 enrolled members, including employees from the government and private sectors, to PhilHealth's programs such as Sponsored Program, Individually Paying Program, Lifetime Member Program and the Overseas Workers Program. "This figure is actually 138.3 per cent of the total baseline set for the province's enrolment," he said. Records also show Sorsogon province follows the uptrend to universal coverage is covering a total number of 101,016 members for all the programs, that is, 92.1 per cent of the 109,656 potential members in the province. Meanwhile, the island province of Catanduanes already covers around 90 per cent of its population with social health insurance, ensuring 32,123 Catandungeños and their dependents. On the other hand, Camarines Norte has an enrollment that covers 78 per cent of its population which is translated as 68,185 members plus their dependents who can enjoy the PhilHealth benefits.

For further details visit as : www.pia.gov.ph/?m=12&r=&y=&mo=&fi=p090723.htm&no=60

President Barack Obama's proposed health care-reform bill

While President Barack Obama's proposed health care-reform bill is still a work in progress, a new study is already anticipating how many millions of Americans could be covered under the act if passed. A nonprofit organization called Families USA released a study Tuesday that breaks down how many people in each state would gain coverage as a result of the bill passing. The study used census data from 2006 and 2007 to determine how many uninsured people resided in each state. According to the study, about 664,000 people in New Jersey could gain insurance under the plan by 2013, with more than a million gaining insurance by 2019. The Congressional Budget Office estimates the bill would add coverage for 23 million Americans by 2013 and 37 million by 2019. "Clearly, every state small or large has a great deal to gain," said Kim Bailey, senior health policy analyst for Families USA. In addition to those who would gain health insurance, those who already have private health insurance could see their premiums come down, according to Bailey. An earlier study by Families USA found that an average American family paid a "hidden health tax" of $1,017 in 2008 that was passed on by care that was provided to the uninsured. The number was calculated from the $116 billion spent by hospitals, doctors and other providers to cover the health expenses of the uninsured. About 1.3 million people in New Jersey were uninsured in 2006 and 2007, according to data from the U.S. Census Bureau. Solving New Jersey's insurance crisis is something that private companies want to solve, but the cost could have unintended consequences.

For further details visit as : www.pressofatlanticcity.com/news/top_three/article_c2b96ccc-e4fa-5dc5-919f-fd1c6f4656ce.html

Revenue grew by just over 1.3% sequentially

India’s largest telecom operator Bharti Airtel disappointed markets on Thursday as it reported near flat revenue growth in the June 09 quarter. Revenue grew by just over 1.3% sequentially to Rs 9,941 crore as against average analyst expectation of 5% rise. Though its net profit grew at a faster clip of 12.4% to Rs 2,516 crore from the prior quarter as opposed to the street expectation of 7.7% jump, the growth was mainly attributed to non-operating income in terms of forex gains. Bharti reported forex gains of Rs 250 crore in the June quarter compared with the Rs 236 crore loss in the previous quarter.The company’s sequential as well as annual revenue growth has substantially tapered of in recent quarters on account of falling average revenue per user per month (ARPU) and a continued decline in the minutes of usage per customer per month (MoU). After rising by 5% in the early morning session, Bharti’s stock fell by 1.5% to Rs 810 post results even as the benchmark Sensex gained 1.5%. During the quarter, ARPU fell to Rs 278 from Rs 305 in the previous quarter reflecting 8.8% drop. By similar comparison, MoU declined by 1.5% to 478 minutes. Compared to the year-ago levels, ARPU fell sharply by 20.4% whereas MoU dropped by 10.6%. On the positive side, the company added 8.4 million subscribers during the June quarter, the fastest in any of the quarters so far, taking its total subscriber base to 102.3 million. Over 60% of the net additions were from the rural and smaller towns. This indicates the successful penetration of the company’s operations in remote areas. It recorded the highest 160 billion network minutes, the highest in any quarter so far.

For further details visit as : economictimes.indiatimes.com/Earnings/Bharti-disappoints-markets-but-boosts-employee-revenue-efficiency/articleshow/4810831.cms

Reports of scaling down of security cover to BSP

New Delhi, Jul 23 (PTI) Reports of scaling down of security cover to BSP supremo Mayawati today created a storm in the Rajya Sabha which witnessed two adjournments over the issue. The matter was resolved when the government assured the members that there would be no reduction in the security to four leaders including the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister. The House plunged into turmoil as soon as it met for the day with agitated BSP members storming the well to register their protest leading to disruption of the Question Hour. Before adjourning the House till noon, an upset Chairman Hamid Ansari said "this is an extraordinary example of indiscipline in the House. The rights of members are being violated." When the House reassembled, Minister of State of Parliamentary Affairs Prithviraj Chavan assured the members that security cover of leaders mentioned in their notice would not be reduced.


Source : http:ptinews.com/news/189561_No-reduction-in-security-to-leaders--says-govt

Thursday as profit booking emerged at higher levels

MUMBAI: Key indices were off day’s highs Thursday as profit booking emerged at higher levels. Sustained buying activity was seeen in metals, “The outlook remains hazy as investors search new reasons to justify their stand on equity investment. After a flat start, the indices will swing mostly to global cues. A recovery may be always on the cards but avoid getting in stocks which appear ripe after the recent run. The dangerous mid-caps may be back on the shopping list even though the risk-reward ratio remains lower for now. The results have been mostly on par or above expectations barring a few cement companies. Disinvestment (the buzzword for the bulls) may see action in mid-August as around 15 PSUs have been asked to give IPO feasibility report,” said India Infoline report. At 12:20 pm, Bombay Stock Exchange’s Sensex was at 15017.10, up 173.98 points or 1.17 per cent. The index touched an intra-day high of 15174.82 and low of 14997.75. National Stock Exchange’s Nifty was at 4456.70, up 57.80 points or 1.31 per cent. The broader index touched a high of 4501.95 and low of 4405.95.


For further details visit as : economictimes.indiatimes.com/Sensex-off-highs-Sun-Pharma-Bharti-down/articleshow/4810909.cms

Maruti Suzuki, India's top carmaker

MUMBAI (Reuters) - Maruti Suzuki, India's top carmaker, reported an unexpected 25 percent rise in quarterly net profit as it rode on higher sales, new product launches and a drop in raw material prices. Maruti, in which Japan's Suzuki Motor Corp holds a 54.2 percent stake, said net profit rose to 5.84 billion rupees ($120.4 million) from 4.66 billion rupees reported a year ago. That compared with a forecast of 4.49 billion rupees in a Reuters poll of 14 brokerages. Maruti sells around one in every two cars in India with models such as the best-selling Alto and recently launched hatchbacks A-Star and Ritz. Shares in Maruti, valued at $7.4 billion, rose 37.5 percent in the June quarter, lagging the main index that rose 49 percent and the sector index's 49 percent gain.


Source: http://in.reuters.com/article/businessNews/idINIndia-41255720090723

Thursday taking cues from positive Asian markets

MUMBAI: Indian indices bounced back Thursday taking cues from positive Asian markets. The rally was led by gains in metals, realty and FMCG space. “US markets ended in the red while Asian markets are positive. The yen weakened for the first time in three days against the euro on speculation that Japanese investors are buying more overseas assets in search of higher returns. Asian Development Bank said that East Asia’s rebound from the global economic crisis may be “V-shaped” and central bankers must retain expansionary monetary policies even as risks to the recovery dissipate. Our markets corrected yesterday but we expect some buying today at lower levels. For the day we are positive on the market,” said Niket Shah, Associate Research Analyst, Institutional Equity, Religare Capital Markets. Bombay Stock Exchange’s Sensex was at 15120.59, up 277.47 points or 1.87 per cent. The index touched an intra-day high of 15174.82 and low of 14997.75. National Stock Exchange’s Nifty was at 4489.15, up 90.25 points or 2.05 per cent. The broader index touched a high of 4501.95 and low of 4405.95. “Trend deciding level for the day is 4446 / 15000. If Nifty trades above this level during the first half-an-hour of trade then we may witness a further rally up to 4511 / 15213. However, if Nifty trades below 4446/15000 for the first half-an-hour of trade then it may correct up to 4334 – 4268 / 14630 – 14417,” said Angel Broking note. BSE Midcap Index was up 1.90 per cent and BSE Smallcap Index gained 1.75 per cent. Amongst the sectoral indices, BSE Metal Index was up 3.46 per cent, BSE Realty Index moved 3.28 per cent higher and BSE FMCG Index gained 2.88 per cent.

For further details visit as : economictimes.indiatimes.com/Nifty-on-firm-foot-Sterlite-ITC-Siemens-gain/articleshow/4810693.cms

Political party did any aggressive campaigning in this vital area

NEW DELHI: Health minister Ghulam Nabi Azad on Wednesday urged political parties to rise above vote bank politics and propagate the message of population control, saying "aggressive campaign" was the only way to convince the masses of the virtue of small family. Ruling out any "coercive method" or "legislation" to control population, Azad said in the last 32 years, no political party did any aggressive campaigning in this vital area. Asking parties to rise above "vote bank politics" to control population, the health minister said, "No religion prohibits control of population. At the most, there could be difference of opinion on the methods to check population." Replying to a discussion on working of his ministry in Rajya Sabha, Azad said if all political leaders included population control in their campaigns, the results could be visible within an year. Referring to concerns expressed by CPM leader Brinda Karat about use of "injectible contraceptive" which may be harmful for women, the minister assured the House that the government would not allow sub-standard contraceptives and medicines which could be dangerous for the health of women.



For further details visit as : http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/NEWS/India/Azad-urges-parties-to-aggressively-campaign-for-birth-control/articleshow/4808599.cms

world's five leading flu vaccine makers

WASHINGTON — Attention is shifting to the world's five leading flu vaccine makers: How fast are they really producing swine flu vaccine, and just how do they plan to test that it works? A meeting Thursday of the Food and Drug Administration's scientific advisers offers the first in-depth public progress report since U.S. scientists delivered the novel virus to manufacturers and asked them to turn it into usable vaccine. They've succeeded to a degree. The National Institutes of Health on Wednesday called for a few thousand volunteers, from babies to the elderly, for studies to see if pilot batches are safe and protective. The first shots should go into adult volunteers' arms in early August, with child studies to follow quickly if there are no signs of immediate side effects. Those government-directed studies — and more that manufacturers will run — are key as the government decides whether to offer swine flu vaccine to millions of Americans starting in mid-October, besides vaccinating against the regular winter flu. Health authorities in other countries are looking to the U.S. studies, too, as they make their own plans. Assuming the studies show the vaccine is OK, a big question is how much will be available and when. Last week, the World Health Organization warned that production is going slower than predicted, with the strains now in use yielding only about half as much of the main vaccine ingredient as is usual.


For further details visit as : www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gcx9bjqSn_mHLMw5rb3eoY32TZdQD99K0QV00

Australian fast bowler Mitchell Johnson's Ashes tour in England

SYDNEY — Test greats Kim Hughes and Shane Warne believe Australian fast bowler Mitchell Johnson's Ashes tour in England is being torn apart by a public split with his mother, reports said on Thursday. Johnson's spectacular loss of form -- he has taken eight wickets for 331 runs in the opening two Tests -- has been largely blamed for the Australian team's losing start to the five-Test series. Johnson, 27, arrived in England as Australia's premier pace spearhead but former Test skipper Hughes said his confidence has hit 'rock-bottom' since his spat with his mother. Vikki Harber, 45, made headlines earlier this month when she said her son had been stolen from her by his karate champ fiancee, Jessica Bratich. Harber told the Herald Sun newspaper her once close relationship with her son had deteriorated since he started going out with Bratich. While pundits say there are some technical issues involved in Johnson's loss of bowling form, Hughes believes the young quick has been deeply affected by his mother's comments. "I found it incredibly surprising that his mum said what she did -- Mitchell Johnson is a pretty sensitive young man and now it looks like he is totally devoid of self-confidence," Hughes told the Daily Telegraph. "That really added some extra pressure and he is a young man who has got other things on his mind. When you lose confidence in yourself, all of a sudden there are technical things that you lose as well.

For further details visit as : www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5g7jrLm-Tcp39gK33QOcdFVkoBPTQ

Pakistan batted on for just three overs

Pakistan batted on for just three overs after lunch, setting Sri Lanka 492 to win, or 149 overs to survive. Mohammad Aamer illustrated his big-hitting potential with a couple of mighty hits down the ground, and when Chaminda Vaas led his mates off the field in his final Test, the mood was understandably subdued. Lunch Pakistan 299 and 410 for 9 (Aamer 10*, Ajmal 0*) lead Sri Lanka 233 by 476 runs Having established a stranglehold on the game on the third day, Pakistan put the boot in during the first session on Thursday, with Umar Gul the star of the show. Only this time, it was with the bat, as Pakistan stretched their lead to 476 by lunch. Sri Lanka faced the prospect of surviving five sessions or going after an unprecedented target. Trailing by 366 when play resumed, Sri Lanka started poorly, with both Kamran Akmal and Shoaib Malik taking fours from Thilan Thushara's opening over. The partnership had swelled to 133 by the time Nuwan Kulasekara gave Sri Lanka the breakthrough, getting some late movement to catch the outer edge of Akmal's bat as he went for the expansive drive, handing Mahela Jayawardene a sharp catch to his right at slip. They couldn't build on that though. Thushara got Malik to slash hard at one, but Sangakkara's despairing dive only resulted in the ball being tipped away for two runs. The sloppiness didn't end there though. Tharanga Paranavitana put down a high catch at slip after Gul had ducked a bouncer with his bat positioned like a periscope, and then Sangakkara fluffed a stumping with Gul way down the track. Malik was moving along steadily, but his progress was halted by a nasty blow to the side of the eye, after an attempted pull off Thushara sneaked through the helmet grille off the top edge. In the next over though, there was an element of retribution, as a short ball was emphatically pulled for four.


For further details visit as :www.cricinfo.com/slvpak2009/content/story/416057.html

Michael Vaughan, writing in his Daily Telegraph column

That form should be enough to earn him a recall to the side in place of the injured Kevin Pietersen. And Bell is confident he can produce the goods in front of his home crowd. "I have enjoyed being back with Warwickshire and having plenty of input, but I still have an eye on what is happening with England, naturally," Bell said. "In many ways county cricket has been refreshing and given me a chance to look at my game and where I am going. I've been going well, converting my 50s into hundreds. "I take nothing for granted in terms of selection. I may be in many respects the next cab on the rank, but you cannot assume it. I'm also an England supporter and as such I want us to be playing our best team possible. "Obviously that would include KP because he is our No1 batsman. I have played against the Aussies many times and I am aware how tough they are to beat, but it goes without saying it is something I would look forward to if selected." Former England captain Michael Vaughan, writing in his Daily Telegraph column, says Bell must learn to relax at the crease. "For all that Pietersen will be gutted, his absence will create a massive opportunity for Ian Bell," wrote Vaughan. "He should be mentally fresh and he will have a huge point to prove after he was left out in the Caribbean. "It is important, though, that he doesn't try too hard. Belly has a habit of always striving for the perfect shot and the perfect innings, and sometimes you need to make an ugly 20 or 30 just to get your knock going."

Source : www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/cricket/international/theashes/5892142/The-Ashes-Ian-Bell-confident-ahead-of-England-return-for-third-Test.html

Assam witnessed the rare celestial phenomenon

ASSAM: At least nine sites of Assam witnessed the rare celestial phenomenon of total solar eclipse. The dazzling diamond ring was visible at some areas. In nearly 11 sites partial eclipse was visible and bad weather played spoilsport at many places. Scientists from different places across India took their positions in different parts of Assam. Many scientists were camping in the Dibrugarh University. Scientists from Indian Space Research Organisation, Indian Institute of Geo Magnetism, Mumbai, Equatorial Geo-Magnetic Research Laboratory, Tirunelvelli, National Physical Laboratory, New Delhi and Calcutta University were camping for the event at the Dibrugarh University. Overcast sky spoiled the viewing in several areas of Nagaland. A major partion of Kohima was covered with clouds during the eclipse. Curator of the Guwahati planetarium, Babul Chandra Bora told ET, "The participation of people in large numbers has shown that people are putting aside the age old superstition of not watching eclipse. Assam was one centre of attractions during this eclipse." He added that Baihata Chariali witnessed a magnificent diamond ring. At Guwahati Planetarium, special arrangements were made for viewing.

Source : economictimes.indiatimes.com/ET-Cetera/Assam-greets-dazzling-eclipse-at-nine-places/articleshow/4809009.cms

Global emission cap to keep temperatures within 2 degree

The only take away for the two countries from the array of meetings was the possibility of greater technology cooperation with the areas of discord remaining unsorted. Coming in the wake of the MEF statement in Italy, the US team spelt out its position much clearer and worked to polish the points of cooperation while downplaying the issues of divergence. The Obama administration's coup at getting the `two degree' clause accepted by the developing countries remained central with the US team looking at a framework for a deal at Copenhagen based on a global emission cap to keep temperatures within 2 degree of the pre-industrial level, demanding peaking of emissions and going below the `business-as-usual emission scenario' from India. While insisting on a 2005 baseline to measure emission cut volumes at home, the US team also indicated that it was not ready to undertake cuts to the levels India has demanded — at least 40% below 1990 levels by 2020. It also made clear that it was not ready for a deal where the developed countries would provide the kind of funds India had asked for — 0.5% of the GDP of the industrialized nations annually. It also remained averse to only crediting the money that passes through UN channels as part of its effort to help developing countries mitigate emissions and adapt to inevitable changes in the climate.

For further details visit as: timesofindia.indiatimes.com/NEWS/India/US-Drop-dependence-on-coal/articleshow/4805270.cms

Moon program is really a tale of engineering improvisation

It's a temptation, watching many of the 40th Anniversary retrospectives, to think of the Apollo space program as a triumph of power and industrial might. The superpowers' space programs were, of course, political and chauvinistic, designed to showcase national wealth. But there's a better way of looking at the program, Dennis Wingo reminded me recently. Masses of money helped put man on the Moon of course, but the Moon program is really a tale of engineering improvisation and human organisation. Space expert and entrepreneur Dennis Wingo put the first webserver - an Apple Mac - in orbit, for just $7m, and has helped piece together a lot of historical material that NASA didn't appreciate at the time - and forgot about, or wiped. There is one piece of kit in particular that encapsulates two stories: NASA's negligence, and the quite amazing improvisation of the engineers. It's the Lunar Orbiter, which mapped the moon's surface prior to manned descent. Wingo painstakingly recovered and restored much of the imagery it took. To give us an idea of how much Apollo owed to seat-of-the-pants ingenuity, it's worth remembering that the story of the Orbiter begins in 1961 - the year of the first human orbit of the Earth by Yuri Gagarin. The space pioneers were seeing a high death rate from test subjects - dogs (the USSR) and chimps (the USA), the latter proving to be a duff move - the chimps panicked in the claustrophobic conditions.

For further details visit as : www.theregister.co.uk/2009/07/22/destination_moon/

Pakistan's efforts towards rooting out militancy and terrorism

Gillani raised the issue with Ambassador Richard C. Holbrooke, who is on his fourth visit here since becoming the U.S. envoy to the region, according to a statement from the prime minister's office. Pakistan has asked before for the capability to carry out its own drone strikes, so as to avoid the public outcry that regularly follows attacks by U.S. unmanned aircraft.

The drone attacks in the tribal regions bordering Afghanistan "have seriously impeded Pakistan's efforts towards rooting out militancy and terrorism from the area," the statement said. Pakistan has cooperated with the U.S. drone missions despite its public position against them, and many Pakistani officials privately say that the attacks are helpful. Analysts have expressed doubt that the United States would comply with Pakistan's request to share the drone technology. "America has been saying, 'This is one of those technologies that is a critical technology, and we haven't even provided it to other allies,' " said Talat Masood, a retired Pakistani general.


For further details visit as : www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/07/22/AR2009072202224.html?hpid=topnews

Kalam : Haven't Received Apoloy

A day after the Continental Airlines issued a public apology for frisking Kalam at the Delhi airport. Former president A P J Abdul Kalam says he has yet to receive a personal apology from the airlines. "I have not yet received it and whatever I have to do I've said," said Kalam. When asked if he considered it an insult, the former president said," It has been discussed in the Parliament." Meanwhile, coming as it does three whole months after the incident, Continental Airlines on Wednesday said they regretted the misunderstanding or the inconvenience. The airlines called the incident a misunderstanding/inconvenience after the government filed an FIR against it for allegedly breaching Indian aviation rules. "Our intention was never to offend Dr Kalam or the sentiments of the people of India. Continental Airlines takes great pride and is honoured to have flown a respectable leader such as Dr Kalam," said the statement. Kalam was made to take off his shoes, hand over his belongings for scrutiny, and asked to wait before being frisked. Rajya Sabha MPs on Tuesday condemned the security check and Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel called the incident “unpardonable”.


Source : ibnlive.in.com/news/havent-received-apology-yet-kalam/97708-3.html

Heavy rains lashed the financial capital

Mumbai (PTI): Heavy rains lashed the financial capital on Thursday, leading to water logging in several parts of the city and its suburbs. However, the transport system remained largely unaffected by the downpour. According to the Meteorological department, the city received 40 mm of rainfall till 0830 hours on Thursday. The weather bureau has predicted spells of rains with possibility of heavy downpour in the next 24 hours. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is gearing up to drain out excessive rain water accumulating in the city and its suburbs if heavy rains coincide with the 5.01 metre high-tide in the afternoon.


Source: www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/002200907231151.htm

Pakistani news report in a leading newspaper

A day after Pakistani media carried reports of a dossier presented to the Indian PM carrying details of India's alleged role in fomenting trouble in Balochistan and other areas, sources in the PMO have rubbished the reports saying Pakistani allegations are ‘baseless’. On Wednesday, a Pakistani news report in a leading newspaper quoted official sources suggesting that Manmohan Singh agreed to the mention of Balochistan in the joint statement after his Pakistani counterpart confronted him in Sharm-el-Sheikh with a dossier detailing India's covert subversion in the restive province of Balochistan. The report in Dawn claimed the dossier also had details about India fomenting trouble in other areas of Pakistan. The report said India was responsible for the attacks on the Sri Lankan cricket team and the Manawan police academy, and that it maintains a ‘terror training camp’ in Kandahar from where trained Baloch insurgents are sent into Pakistan. The report further said that the dossier had also been handed over to the US and Afghanistan. Indian government sources have on Thursday called these allegations baseless. The government sources have denied that any such dossier was shown to the Prime Minister at Sharm-el-Sheikh. Sources said ever since the formation of the Joint Terror Mechanism at the Havana summit, Pakistan has continually made allegations citing names and places, and India has chased these clues and found them to be baseless.

for further details visit as : timesofindia.indiatimes.com/NEWS/India/Pak-allegations-baseless-India/articleshow/4810501.cms

Healthcare costs for the government's Medicare program

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Barack Obama said on Wednesday a broad healthcare overhaul was critical to a U.S. economic recovery and urged Congress to take advantage of momentum behind the reform package, despite doubts about the plan even among fellow Democrats. In a televised evening news conference, Obama said the biggest driving force behind the federal deficit was skyrocketing healthcare costs for the government's Medicare program of healthcare for the elderly and Medicaid for the poor. "If we do not control these costs, we will not be able to control our deficit," he said after another day when leaders in Congress struggled to find common ground on the cost and scope of a healthcare plan, Obama's top legislative priority. Hopes dimmed in Congress that lawmakers could meet Obama's goal of passing early versions by the August summer recess, but Obama said the "stars were aligned" to win the plan this year and appealed to congressional leaders to help Americans facing higher insurance premiums or lacking insurance.

For further details visit as : www.reuters.com/article/topNews/idUSTRE56M0HE20090723

President Obama bluntly accused the police

WASHINGTON — President Obama bluntly accused the police of acting “stupidly” by arresting the Harvard scholar Henry Louis Gates Jr. last week after an officer had established that Mr. Gates had not broken into his own home in Cambridge, Mass. A photo taken by a neighbor of the arrest last week of Henry Louis Gates Jr. in Cambridge, Mass. Mr. Obama stopped short of accusing the police department of racial profiling, as Mr. Gates has done. But during a prime-time White House news conference that was otherwise largely devoted to health care, Mr. Obama weighed in full bore on the Gates case and suggested that the police should never have arrested him. He added that African-Americans and Hispanics in the United States have long been familiar with racial profiling by law enforcement. “There’s a long history in this country of African-Americans being stopped disproportionately by the police,” Mr. Obama said. “It’s a sign of how race remains a factor in this society.”


For further details visit as : www.nytimes.com/2009/07/23/us/politics/23gates.html?hp

Airlines to issue an apology to former president APJ Abdulkalalm

NEW DELHI: Strong public outcry and censure of their actions by all political fronts forced Continental Airlines to issue an apology to former President APJ Abdul Kalam for frisking him at IGI airport in April. Till Tuesday, the airline had claimed that it had only been following the US protocol for safety and hoped that Kalam had been ‘‘pleased’’ with its services. By Wednesday, under the threat of an FIR against the airline and the matter being taken up by civil aviation minister Praful Patel with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, the airline was compelled to take back its earlier statement which said that it did not feel that Kalam had been offended by its actions.



For further details visit as : timesofindia.indiatimes.com/NEWS/India/Airline-says-sorry-for-frisking-Kalam/articleshow/4809836.cms

1970s on English and Filipino as the only languages of instruction

Education Secretary Jesli Lapus has signed Department of Education Order 74 nullifying the 35-year-old bilingual directive laid down in the 1970s on English and Filipino as the only languages of instruction. Neither of the languages is the first language (L1) of most Filipinos. Lapus said findings of various local initiatives and international studies in basic education have validated the superiority of the use of the learner’s mother tongue or L1 in improving learning outcomes and promoting Education For All. He added the Order 74 institutionalizes the use of mother tongue as a fundamental educational policy and program in the department in the whole stretch of formal education including preschool and in the Alternative Learning System. The policy widely referred to as mother tongue-based multilingual education aims to improve learning outcomes and promote EFA. Lapus cited findings from international and local research such as learners acquire reading skills more easily in their L1 and second language (L2). Pupils who start to speak, read and write in their L1 learn an L2, like English, more quickly than those exclusively taught in an L2. Learners develop cognitive, linguistic and academic competencies much faster in their L1 than in an L2. Under the new order, Filipino and English will be taught as separate subjects in the early grades and will be used as media of instruction when students are “ready.” This means when they have gained sufficient proficiency in the two L2s, as determined by the department, English and Filipino will remain the primary languages of teaching in high school, with the mother tongue as auxiliary and supplementary medium.

Source : www.manilastandardtoday.com/?page=politics1_july22_2009

Proceedings in the trial of Ajmal Amir Kasab

A special court will begin proceedings in the trial of Ajmal Amir Kasab, the lone surviving terrorist involved the terror attacks in Mumbai on November 26, 2008, on Wednesday. On Tuesday, a court had adjourned the hearing after prosecution sought time to file its reply on Kasab's confession. Confessing before the court, Kasab said that he and his slain partner Abu Ismail were directed to start firing indiscriminately at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CST), take hostages and attack those policemen who tried to rescue the hostages. Meanwhile, Kasab's defence lawyer Abbas Kazmi said that his client's admissions could not be treated as confession to the crime. Kasab had pleaded guilty to the offence before a Mumbai court on Monday. For the first time in his confession, Kasab said, "Mujhe mera gunha kabool hai (I plead guilty to my crime)."


Source : http://www.indianexpress.com/news/Kasab--s-trial-proceedings-to-begin-today/492594

The Indian rupee edged higher on Wednesday

MUMBAI, July 22 (Reuters) - The Indian rupee edged higher on Wednesday tracking gains in regional sharemarkets and other Asian currencies, but the local stock market open will provide clues on direction of fund flows.

* At 9:25 a.m. the partially convertible rupee INR=IN was at 48.30/31 per dollar, stronger than its Tuesday's close of 48.42/43.
* The Morgan Stanley index of Asian stocks outside Japan, and Nifty stock futures traded in Singapore, were both up 0.4 percent, pointing to a higher opening in the domestic market.
* Foreigners have bought a net $1.4 billion worth of local stocks so far in July, taking net purchases in 2009 to almost $6.4 billion and helping the rupee pull back from a record low of 52.2 in early March. On the month, the rupee is down 1.1 percent..


Source : in.reuters.com/article/domesticNews/idINBOM53974920090722

Software exporter Wipro’s first-quarter by 11.78% to Rs 1015.5 crore

BANGALORE: Client wins in new markets lifted India’s third biggest software exporter Wipro’s first-quarter by 11.78% to Rs 1015.5 crore, even as "We are starting to see the first signs of stability in the business as ramp-downs start to taper off and volumes start to stabilise," said Azim Premji, chairman of Wipro. The company however provided a cautious and flat forecast for the quarter ending September 2009 -- similar to what peers TCS and Infosys provided -- reflecting lower demand for India’s $40-billion software export industry. "Looking ahead for the quarter ending September 30, 2009, we expect revenues from our IT services business to be in the range of $1,035 million to $1,053 million," he added. A Reuters poll had forecast a net profit of Rs 914 billion crore for the New York-listed Wipro, which counts Citigroup, Cisco, General Motors, Nokia Siemens Networks and Credit Suiss among its clients. In April, Wipro had said its software services revenues will fall to $1 billion-$1.03 billion in June quarter, down from around $1.05 billion the company reported for quarter ended March 2009. IT services revenues for Q1 to June, 2009, was $1.033 billion, a sequential decline of 1.3% and year-on-year decline of 3.3%. The company also improved its operating margins from around 20.8% during quarter ended March 2009 to 22.3% during the first quarter ended June this year. The tech major though suffered a sequential fall in net sales from Rs 6482.1 crore posted in March 2009 while net profit remained almost flat against March levels of Rs 1,010 crore.


Source : http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/News-By-Company/Earnings/Wipro-Q1-up-12-to-Rs-10155-crore/articleshow/4806198.cms

Tata Power on Wednesday announced plans

MUMBAI: Leading private power major Tata Power on Wednesday announced plans to raise $335 million through the global depository receipt (GDR) route to fund capital expenditures of its existing power plants. This is the second Tata group company in two days that has said it will raise funds from foreign investors. On Tuesday, Tata Steel had said it hoped to raise $500 million through GDRs to fund its expansion in the country and for its London-headquartered Anglo-Dutch arm Corus. Tata Power will be issuing 14,838,110 GDRs for $22.57 each, representing one ordinary share of the company. Goldman Sachs International and J.P. Morgan Securities are acting as joint lead managers and joint book runners to the offering and SBI Capital's UK arm is as the co-lead Manager. Application has been made for the GDRs to be listed on the official list of the Luxembourg Stock Exchange and to be admitted to trading on the EuroMTF market of the Luxembourg Stock Exchange.


For further details visit as : timesofindia.indiatimes.com/NEWS/Business/India-Business/Tata-Power-to-raise-335m-from-global-investors/articleshow/4806204.cms

Illegal Nursing home complaints in jammu kasmir

Jammu, Jul 21 (PTI) In view of numerous complaints against various nursing homes operating in Jammu, J-K health minister Sham Lal Sharma has directed the health department to notify a list of registered nursing homes in the area within two days. He asked Director Health Services to conduct inspections at all these institutions to ensure strict adherence to norms. The minister also directed closure of all institutions including Ultrasound clinics operating clandestinely in Jammu division within fortnight. The minister said this while addressing Chief Medical Officers (CMOs)/Medical Superintendents, Block Medical Officers (BMOs) and other senior doctors of Jammu division after inaugurating a 7-day workshop in hospital administration organised by the Director Health Services, Jammu at Gandhi Nagar Hospital here last evening. In his brief address, Director Health Services, Jammu Jasbir Singh said that more such workshops would be organised after small intervals for the benefit of the doctors.


Source:www.ptinews.com/news/185286_Illegal-nursing-homes-in-J-K-to-face-action--Minister

Andrew Flintoff might be expected to bowl with such venom

Brad Haddin was out, the Long Room was enraptured and England was on its merry way to a first Lord’s Ashes Test victory for 75 years when Andrew Strauss, the captain, turned his thoughts to how long Andrew Flintoff might be expected to bowl with such venom. Strauss said later: “After he took that first wicket this morning, he said, ‘By the way, just to let you know, I’ll keep on going until all the wickets are gone.’ I said, ‘It sounds like a good plan to me.’” The irresistible force of Flintoff’s pace and precision smashed Australia’s resistance and finally wrote the name of the crocked colossus with the pin-cushion knee on the board of English bowlers who have claimed five Test wickets in an innings at this great London warehouse of myth and legend. To allow his pre-lunch rampage to outshine one of the finest England team performances anyone here could remember might seem reductionist and surrender to the cult of personality. But one of the enduring charms of team sports is that gifted individuals can burst from the fog of collective responsibility and steal the show with their own unstoppable talent. From the moment Haddin could only deflect a fizzing Flintoff delivery to Paul Collingwood in the slips — the Australian wicketkeeper departed without adding to his overnight 80 — this history-making second Test became a study in one man’s quest to leave an audience not just wanting but slavering for more.

For further details visit as : www.hindu.com/2009/07/22/stories/2009072257371800.htm

Saina Nehwal encouraging world badminton championships

New Delhi: Title aspirant Saina Nehwal received an encouraging draw in the world badminton championships to be played in Hyderabad from August 10 to 16. The draw, held in the capital on Tuesday, Arjuna Awardee Saina received a bye in the first round of women’s singles. Given Saina’s current form, there is a distinct possibility that the sixth seeded Indian girl would move to the quarter finals without facing any problem. Saina’s coach and former All England champion Pullela Gopichand, however, was confident that the Hyderabad star would make it to the last four of the championships. “In the quarter finals, Saina would meet second seed Lin Wang,” Gopichand predicted. “But there is nothing to worry about. Saina has beaten the Chinese before. She should be able to do it again in front of her home crowd.” In the third round, Saina may face 10th seeded Bulgarian Petya Nedelcheva. The draw was made in the presence of Commonwealth Games Federation president Mike Fennell, Badminton World Federation vice-president Paisan Rangsikitpho and Indian Olympic Association (IOA) president Suresh Kalmadi. Former All England champion Prakash Padukone was also present. Padukone said even though Saina had a good chance of bagging the title in Hyderabad, the Chinese stars would once again dominate the championships. Among other Indians, Sayali Gokhale will meet Jie Wao of the Netherlands in the first round and Aditi Mutatkar will face 11th seed German Juliane Schenk, a former European junior champion. Hong Kong’s Zhou Mi is the top seed.


for further details visit as : www.telegraphindia.com/1090722/jsp/sports/story_11266653.jsp

Swine flu has risen from 40 to 68, as the virus cuts deeper

SANTIAGO — Chile announced that the country's death toll from swine flu has risen from 40 to 68, as the virus cuts deeper across Latin America where hundreds of deaths have been linked to the pandemic. "There have been 68 deaths associated with the new human influenza A(H1N1) virus," Chile's Health Ministry said in a statement. Last week, Health Secretary Jeanette Vega predicted Chile was nearing the end of a wave of cases associated with the southern hemisphere's winter season, despite 11,293 confirmed cases of infection. On Monday, Argentina announced 168 confirmed fatalities associated with the virus, becoming the world's second worst-affected country, behind only the United States, where 263 people have died of swine flu. Elsewhere in the region, the death tolls were smaller, but continuing to grow. Government statements issued Tuesday put the death toll at 20 in Uruguay, while Venezuela registered two deaths. In Brazil, authorities said the number of deaths rose by five to 20, and the Rio de Janeiro municipality said it was concerned about a lack of personnel and resources to combat the spread of the virus. "We have this problem because of preexisting issues with basic healthcare," said Mayor Eduardo Paes. In Peru, authorities reported the deaths of a one-year-old and an eight-month-old baby in connection with swine flu. Both infants had other health concerns but were also infected with A(H1N1). Their deaths Tuesday raised the country's toll to 14.

For further details visit as : www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5jPtr8HefJOSeRabmsqLcb-sSLoGg

BMP based 3G handset

Taiwan-based High Computer Tech (HTC) will launch a high-profile 3G handset based on Qualcomm's Brew Mobile Platform (BMP) in September or October targeting the consumer segment, according to industry sources in Taiwan. The BMP-based handset will come with a touchsreeen, HTC's in-house developed TouchFlo 3D technology and HTC Sense interface as found in the HTC touch-enabled smartphone lineup, and yet the device will be available as an entry-level model, the sources noted. HTC also plans to increase the adoption of Android-based platform in place of Windows Mobile. The proportion of HTC's shipments of Android-based smartphones will rise to over 50% in 2010 compared to 30% in 2009, the sources indicated. The deployment of BMP-based models and the enforcement of Android-powered handsets will help further enhance HTC's competitiveness, the sources asserted.

source : www.digitimes.com/news/a20090722PD205.html

National Air & Space Museum in Washington

The first man on the moon took a moment Monday, on the 40th anniversary of his "giant leap," to remember the Apollo program and the engineering triumph that won the Cold War space race and opened the door to the manned exploration of the solar system. Speaking at an Apollo celebration at the National Air & Space Museum in Washington, Neil Armstrong enjoyed a standing ovation before sharing his view of the achievement that carried him to the moon, concluding with a simple, heartfelt "Apollo was a good thing to do." Neil Armstrong's shadow on the moon. "Thank you so much," he said from the stage. "Whenever I come to this city, if I have 20 minutes to spare, I come to this building. Not necessarily to look at craft hanging from the ceiling and sitting on the floors. But to absorb, by osmosis or radiation or some unknown mechanism, some of the history that resides here. And it must have worked, because as one young man recently said to me, 'Pop, you're history!' "So let me take one minute to recount some of those flights that we saw in the video earlier. Forty winters have passed since the first manned flights of the Apollo spacecraft. And so, let's kind of return to that remarkable time between October of 1968 and November of 1969.

for further details visit as : news.cnet.com/8301-19514_3-10291518-239.html

Hillary clinton signs a Asean treaty on amity

PHUKET, Thailand (Reuters) - The United States will signal its renewed interest in Southeast Asia on Wednesday when Secretary of State Hillary Clinton signs a treaty that could assuage concerns in the region about China's growing influence. Clinton, who arrives in the Thai resort of Phuket later on Wednesday, will also hold separate meetings with foreign ministers from regional countries to try to find ways to persuade North Korea to end its nuclear programme. Speaking in Bangkok on Tuesday, Clinton said she would sign the ASEAN Treaty on Amity and Cooperation when she meets foreign ministers from the Association of South East Asian Nations. Other countries, including China, have acceded to the treaty, a document that underpins the 10-member grouping and which commits signatories to the peaceful settlement of disputes and non-interference in domestic affairs. "I want to send a very clear message that the United States is back, that we are fully engaged and committed to our relationships in Southeast Asia," Clinton said. Her talks on Wednesday come ahead of Asia's biggest annual security gathering, the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), which takes place on Thursday. U.S. officials have said Clinton wanted to stress Washington's interest in ASEAN, a region home to 570 million people and with combined economic output of $1.1 trillion.

for further details visit as : in.reuters.com/article/southAsiaNews/idINIndia-41221420090722

A woman died of suffocation at the heavily crowded

Varanasi (PTI): A woman died of suffocation at the heavily crowded Dasaswamedh ghat here on Wednesday morning triggering a stampede that left 13 others injured in the holy city where thousands had gathered on the occasion of solar eclipse. District Magistrate Ajay Kumar Upadhaya said an 80-year-old woman collapsed due to the heavy rush of devotees at the ghat while another woman fainted following which people panicked and started running helter-skelter.
In the melee, thirteen people were injured, police said. An estimated 60,000-70,000 people had gathered at the ghat to take the dip, they said. The stampede occurred due to the heavy rush of pilgrims at the ghat, DIG P.C. Meena said. The injured have been rushed to hospitals.


Source : www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/000200907221012.htm

Dr APJ Abdul Kalam for frisking him at the IGI Airport

US airline Continental Airlines on Wednesday issued an apology to former President Dr APJ Abdul Kalam for frisking him at the IGI Airport in New Delhi on April 21. “We have tendered a formal apology and we sincerely hope he will fly with us again,” Continental Airlines said in a statement. “Our intention was never to offend the sentiments of Dr Kalam,” the airline said. “We apologise to Kalam for any inconvenience caused,” it added. “We reiterate our commitment to comply with the rules,” the airline said. Indian laws exempt dignitaries like former presidents, ex-PMs, Chief Justice of India and even Robert Vadra from being frisked at airports. Aviation authorities had on Tuesday sought an FIR against Continental for making Kalam take off his shoes and undergo a humiliating security check at Delhi airport before being allowed to board flight CO 083 to Newark on April 21. As Kalam was about to board his flight to New York around 10pm, he was put through ladder point security under which the former President was frisked completely. He was also asked to take off his shoes, despite accompanying CISF personnel protesting to the airline staff that Kalam was an ex-President and exempt from such checks. While the airline did not budge, the unassuming Kalam went through the process without any fuss. On its part, the airline earlier said US rules stipulate all passengers flying to the country must be checked just before entering the aircraft again and that there are no exceptions for VVIPs. The CISF sent a report of this protocol violation to the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security. The airline was issued a showcause notice on July 9 and asked to respond within a week, something they have not done till date.

for further details visit as : timesofindia.indiatimes.com/NEWS/India/Continental-apologises-for-frisking-Kalam/articleshow/4805958.cms

DSE set to spring back to life this October

The defunct Delhi Stock Exchange (DSE) is all set to spring back to life this October. Plans to revive the exchange are progressing and technology up-gradation is underway . The exchange, which has already received re-listing fee from around 300 companies , is now in the process of inviting new membership. “We have already received Rs 2 crore in listing fee,” said DSE director BK Sabharwal . In an exclusive chat with ET NOW, he said listing fee has been cut down by 50% to attract more companies. DSE is banking upon the idea that most of the arbitrage in NSE is coming from members of north India and DSE can provide a good platform for them. The exchange is currentle trying to attract shares that are not listed on BSE or any other exchange in India. When DSE’s operations came to a grinding halt eight years ago, nearly 2800 shares were listed on the exchange . “There are brokerages from northern India which have high volume on NSE and BSE. They can benefit by trading on DSE and the exchange will also gain through good volume of business,” said Mr Sabharwal . While regional exchanges are no competition to big players like NSE, it is felt that companies based out of Delhi would prefer to list on DSE. Officials of DSE expect major north-based corporates to return to the exchange when it reopens. Companies like Escorts and Escorts Finance have already indicated they will be back, Mr Sabharwal said. Similarly, DSE is also expecting prominent brokerages like SMC, JP Capital and Adroit to get active on the exchange. They have large volumes on NSE and they could be big-ticket members, Mr Sabharwal said. DSE has also received requests from 40 more applicants for its membership.


for further details visit as : economictimes.indiatimes.com/Market-News/DSE-getting-ready-for-relaunch-in-Oct/articleshow/4801942.cms

Mumbai : profit booking Tuesday after equity benchmarks

MUMBAI: An initial upmove gave way to profit booking Tuesday after equity benchmarks mustered nearly 14 per cent in a massive rally on Dalal Street over the recent sessions. Mixed cues from Asian markets played on sentiment as well.
“For the day, we remain negative on the market. Nifty is expected to trade between 4455-4383 on the lower side while resistance lies between 4582-4638,” said Religare Securities in a technical note. At 10:45 am, National Stock Exchange’s Nifty was trading at 4487.55, down 0.33 per cent or 14.7 points from the previous session. The index touched a high of 4524.00 and low of 4456.35 in trade so far. Bombay Stock Exchange’s Sensex was at 15,062.90, lower by 0.84 per cent or 128.11 points. The index rose to a high of 15,234.21 before slipping to a low of 15,024.09 so far. Midcaps and smallcaps were trading on a subdued note. BSE Midcap Index was down 0.37 per cent and BSE Smallcap Index lost 0.54 per cent. Sectorwise, technology, metals and realty stocks, which were the star performers in the recent rally, were the worst hit. BSE Realty Index dropped 2.46 per cent, followed by BSE IT down 2.02 per cent and BSE Metal Index lower by 1.42 per cent.


for further details visit as : economictimes.indiatimes.com/Market-Watch-Stocks-subdued-Tata-Steel-TCS-fall/articleshow/4801803.cms

The Nifty is down by 26 points

The market, which declined sharply this morning after opening with a small positive gap, continues to languish in the red with several blue chip stocks suffering sharp losses due to profit taking. The Sensex, which had tumbled to 15,024.09 after an early surge to 15,234.21, is down by 116.33 points or 0.77% at 15,074.68 at present. The Nifty is down by 26 points or 0.58% at 4476.25, around 20 points off a low of 4456.35 it had touched earlier this morning. Realty, auto, information technology, bank and capital goods stocks have posted losses. PSU, power and oil stocks are also seen struggling for support. FMCG stocks trade weak. After a sharp setback, metal stocks have edged up a bit on buying at lower levels. Consumer durables and pharma stocks have fared relatively better this morning. Not much buying is taking place in midcap and smallcap segments. The market breadth is weak at present. Out of 1927 stocks seen in action on BSE, 1070 stocks are trading weak. 797 stocks have posted gains and 60 stocks trade flat. Mahindra & Mahindra, Jaiprakash Associates, Tata Consultancy Services, Tata Motors and DLF have lost 2% - 3% this morning. BHEL, State Bank of India, ACC, Hindalco, Infosys Technologies, Sterlite Industries, Tata Steel, Larsen & Toubro, ITC, Maruti Suzuki, ICICI Bank, NTPC, Tata Power and Hero Honda have also declined sharply.

source : sify.com/finance/fullstory.php?a=jhvli6fhjac & title=Sensex%2C_Nifty_remain_weak%3B_Realty_stocks_lose_ground_%40_10%3A55_hrs

RGCB-Arctic expedition team members

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: After a month of intensive microbial collection in the sub-zero conditions of the North Pole, Arctic expedition team members Sabu Thomas and Wilson Peter Abraham of the Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology (RGCB) are back. They landed in Mumbai on Saturday morning and subsequently in Thiruvananthapuram in the afternoon.

``Well, the last few days gave us some anxious moments, as the weather suddenly turned bad and the Dornier aircraft that was supposed to fly us out of the North Pole failed to come till the day of our return journey. But the trip was beyond all our expectations. It is a totally different, white, world out there with the white sky and the fully snow-covered white mountains,’’ recalled Sabu Thomas, who joined for work at RGCB after a short visit to his home at Kottarakkara.
Sabu and Wilson were two of the three Malayalees selected for the expedition, the third being Mohammad Hatha of the Cochin University of Science and Technology, who headed the eight-member team. ``It was a great feeling to see our station Himadri at Ny-Alesund, an island in the Svalbard Archipelago of Norway. Just 14 countries have established their stations in the North Pole and you feel a deep sense of pride within. Actually, India is one of the very few countries which have a station at both the poles,’’ said the scientist. The Indian Arctic Expedition 2009-10 was organised by the National Centre for Antarctic and Ocean Research (NCAOR) under the Ministry of Earth Science, Government of India. Sabu Thomas and his student Wilson had gone looking for the cold cousins of the cholera bacteria and also some novel proteins, enzymes and other biomolecules in the polar bacteria that may possibly be of industrial importance.


for further details visit as : www.expressbuzz.com/edition/story.aspx?Title=Account+of+an+Arctic+adventure&artid=GybRgJpkgoc=&SectionID=lMx/b5mt1kU=&MainSectionID=lMx/b5mt1kU=&SEO=&SectionName=tm2kh5uDhixGlQvAG42A/07OVZOOEmts