India and Pakistan have to face jointly of terrorism - PM

Expressing sympathies over the terror attack on a Pakistani police academy, Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said on Tuesday that both countries should jointly take on terrorists.

Pak needs global help to fight terrorism: US. "I have always said that India and Pakistan have to face jointly the scourge of terrorism," he told reporters on the sidelines of the civil investiture ceremony at the Rashtrapati Bhawan here. "I sincerely wish the (Pakistani) government will have the courage to take up the challenge," he said. "Our sympathies are with the government and people of Pakistan," he said, referring to Monday's terror attack on a police training school near Lahore that left 18 people dead.

Source : sify.com/news/fullstory.php?id=14876987

Indian study - Pill may reduce heart problems

A massive study conducted in 50 centres in India suggests that a life-saving combo of five drugs called ‘polypill’ – containing three blood-pressure-lowering drugs, as well as a statin and aspirin-can help healthy people reduce their risk of heart attack and stroke.
Researchers at St John’s Medical College, Bangalore, carried out the study in collaboration with experts from McMaster University, Canada. The researchers claim that they are the first to test a version of the polypill in 2,000 people aged 45 to 80. The polypill, touted as the ‘magic bullet’, aims to try and treat multiple components of cardiovascular disease all at once, so that people have to take lesser number of medications and thus increase compliance.
In the trial led by Salim Yusuf at McMaster University in Hamilton, Canada, scientists tested the five-drug polypill – called Polycap – in healthy individuals with one cardiovascular risk factor, such as being overweight, having smoked in the past five years, or having type-2 diabetes.
"This is equivalent to your average Joe or Jane walking down the street," New Scientist magazine quoted Christopher Cannon at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts, who was not involved in the study, as saying. The results showed that over 12 weeks, the polypill reduced blood pressure and cholesterol in a similar way to its individual constituent drugs without increasing side effects. The researchers said that as patients are poor at taking multiple drugs, the single pill combination could ‘substantially improve adherence and therefore the benefits.’ The results may be because the formulation of the pill interfered with its absorption. The researchers highlighted that the side effects of the polypill were similar to when the drugs were given individually. Scientists compared Polycap, a five-drug polypill, with combinations of its different components to assess effectiveness and safety.
Based on their observations, the researchers came to the conclusion that if the pill was given to a population of healthy adults with at least one risk factor, such as raised blood pressure, obesity or smoking, it may halve the number of heart attacks, strokes and other cardiovascular problems. They have revealed that their next step will be to test the polypill in a larger group, over a longer period of time to see if it cuts heart attacks and stroke.
"This study takes a first and crucial step forward and raises hope that, in conjunction with other global efforts to improve diet and exercise, the polypill could one day substantially reduce the burden of cardiovascular disease in the world," said Cannon.

Source : www.indianexpress.com/news/fiveinone-pill-may-halve-heart-problems-indian-study/441214/

Kasab trial - Lawyer wants another day

Day after hundreds of protesters, mostly Shiv Sainiks, gathered outside the police housing complex in Worli and shouted slogans against lawyer Anjali Whagmare for agreeing to take up Kasab’s case, she has sought one day to decide whether or not she will continue as Kasab’s lawyer. Meanwhile, a local court in Mumbai has sought a report from the police about Monday night’s incident outside her residence and after the report the court will decide whether or not to go ahead with contempt charges against the nine arrested accused.
Also the second lawyer for Kasab – K P Pawar, has been asked to be in court on Wednesday to state his position on assisting Whagmare.
Anjali Whagmare is the government appointed legal counsel for Ajmal Kasab, the lone surviving terrorist arrested for the Mumbai terror attacks in November last year.

Source : www.expressindia.com/latest-news/Kasab-trial-Undecided-lawyer-wants-another-day/441248/

Black money issue - Naidu

Senior BJP leader M Venkaiah Naidu, said that the party if voted to power in the coming Lok Sabha elections, would leave no stone unturned to bring back black money deposited by Indians in Swiss banks.
Addressing a press conference, Naidu said that the party would try and unearth the black money deposited by Indians in Swiss banks which was estimated to be somewhere around Rs 25 lakh crore. “The situation is ripe for that as most of the countries, in the backdrop of economic recession, had realised the importance of bringing back the black money deposited in some ‘tax haven’ countries,” he said, suggesting that the Prime Minister take up the issue in a big way in the coming G-8 summit. Giving indications that the BJP would make this an election issue, Naidu said that the party would conduct a mock poll throughout the country on April 6 to educate the youngsters on the issue and also to know whether they wanted the black money to be brought back to India or not. This apart, all CMs of the BJP-ruled states would write to the PM urging him to make serious attempts to bring back the black money.
“It has become a matter of concern as there are apprehensions that this money could be used by the terrorists,” he added.
‘Varun not a criminal’
On Varun Gandhi being charged under the National Security Act for allegedly making an inflammatory speech, Naidu termed it an atrocious and politically-motivated act by the UP government.
“Varun is not a criminal or a terrorist or an agent of any other country. How can a nationalist like him be booked under NSA?,” Naidu questioned and warned the UP CM that her decision to invoke NSA against Varun would prove counter-productive and would boomerang on her.

source : www.expressbuzz.com/edition/story.aspx?Title=Black+money+may+be+poll+issue:+Naidu&artid=i03eUfN7tng=&SectionID=7GUA38txp3s=&MainSectionID=fyV9T2jIa4A=&SectionName=zkvyRoWGpmWSxZV2TGM5XQ==&SEO=

India miss out Test Championship

New Zealand Cricket on Tuesday dismissed the concerns about McLean Park wicket to be used for the second Test, saying the strip, which developed some fungal growth, is in 'excellent condition'.
India set to conquer the Final Frontier | India in New Zealand 2009
The Kiwi cricket board clarified that the pitch was not affected by any disease.

source - http://sify.com/sports/

Celebrity Voices

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Inflation dips seven-year low of 2.43 per cent

Inflation fell for the sixth consecutive week, to 2.43 per cent, the lowest in over six years, as prices of food items like pulses, dairy products and edible oil softened further in the last week of February.

Even the prices of manufactured items, including iron and steel, textiles, chemicals and batteries, declined during the week ended February 28.
Wholesale prices-based inflation is now at a level seen in June 2002, by falling 0.6 percentage points from 3.03 per cent a week ago. It was 6.21 per cent during the corresponding week a year ago.
Terming the decline below 3 per cent on expected lines, economists expect inflation to reach zero in the next couple of months.
"This is on expected lines. It was during last February and March that inflation spiked. The prices of commodities, primarily oil and foodgrains, have moderated".
According to ICRIER Director, "It is no surprise. In fact, we should now begin to start worrying about deflation. We could see zero inflation in 2-3 months."
Inflation for the week ended January 3, 2009, was revised upward to 5.33 per cent from 5.24 per cent in the provisional estimates.

Obama going to meet Manmohan on April 2

India Prime minister going to participate in G-20 group meeting.He is ready to go London on Mar 31.This is the first journey after he undergone Heart by-pass surgery

Manmohan planned to meet Britain Prime minister Gordon Brown on April 1 and U.S president Barack obama on April 2. Manmohan told i am expecting to meet US president Obama
G-20 meeting has developed and developing countries are going to discuss about the current Economic crisis and safety measures for the crisis

IPL moves to Outside India

IPL may be shifted to other country due to Political elections as told by official teams
The Second Indian Premier League(IPL) will be held from April 10 to May 24.There is a lack of security for IPL which general elections are going to held at that same time.Our government accepted IPL third schedule but external ministry has not finalised.
BCCI committee discussed about this issue yesterday in Mumbai.They planned IPL to take place outside India
We have forced to move IPL series to abroad due to Security measures not provided by state government. I apologise to all Indian fans for these issue.
Our focus is to begin IPL series.We plan to start first match at 4 pm and second match at 8 pm for Indian fans.We realise the venue,schedule in this evening -- IPL Chairman Lalit Modi
Leading congress in Andhra,Rajasthan also inability to provide the security for the entire series.So that we have been forced to move IPL-2 outside India. Political leader Veerappa Mouli told that we have refused to give security ahead of the general elections only,we dont relate with political issues.
At the same time,opponent team BJP trying to change IPL into Indian Political League.Leader Arun Jetly told that last year IPL match played in Bangalore went successful when we had Karnataka parliament election.They cant provide the security for lucrative tournament. From these we comes to know we are going to win these general elections

Tata Nano Launch event

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Tata Nano launch - Mar 23, 2009

Source -- youtube

Bush Refuse To Critise Obama

CALGARY, Alberta (AP) — Former President George W. Bush says he won't criticize President Barack Obama because Obama "deserves my silence," and says he plans to write a book about the 12 toughest decisions he made in office. Bush's speech Tuesday at a luncheon in Calgary, Alberta was his first since leaving office.
He declined to comment about the Obama administration like former Vice President Dick Cheney. Cheney said Sunday that Obama's decisions are threatening the nation's safety.
Bush says he doesn't know what he'll do in the long term but says he'll write a book that will let people determine what they would have done if their most important job was to protect the country.

source : www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5iRghxDIirnsZXrslueuDLhDW72AwD97021CO0

IPL- 2 Tournament Revised Schedule

The Indian Premier League (IPL) organisers on Tuesday submitted a revised schedule to the Home Ministry in an attempt to save the cash-rich Twenty20 cricket event which has run into trouble due to security concerns.
According to reports, the new IPL schedule has dropped Delhi, Jaipur and Visakhapatnam from the list of venues as the government is not willing to provide security.
However, the organisers have confirmed Kolkata, Mumbai, Chandigarh and Bangalore as match venues.
A day after a meeting between Home Ministry and IPL officials failed to break the deadlock on the schedule which coincides with the general elections, the organisers re-worked the dates for the third time.
Desperate to get the high-profile event on track, the IPL bosses held a series of meetings since Monday to tweak the schedule which has now taken into account the reservations and security constraints of the states hosting the matches.
Earlier, the Home Ministry had told the organisers that cosmetic changes in the fixture would not be acceptable and that they should finalise the dates in consultation with the state governments.

source : cricket.ndtv.com/cricket/ndtvcricket/storypage/ndtv/id/spoen20090087895/story.html

Tweety

Obama Focus On Kashmir

Observing that the Obama administration is looking at Pakistan through a different lens than its predecessors, a former American diplomat on Wednesday said the new US government would quietly focus itself on Kashmir away from the public glaze.
William Milam, the former US Ambassador to Pakistan, identified India and Kashmir as one of the issues, which the Obama administration would focus on while trying to find a solution to Pakistan.
"There's one more thing and it's a very delicate thing that I think this administration will focus on. But it will be hard to determine this focus because it will be quite closely held and under wraps. And that is the India-centricity of Pakistan," said Milam, who was in Islamabad from 1998 to 2001.
"Everything that Pakistan does, at least in foreign affairs and security issues, is viewed through the lens of India, which it views as its eternally hostile neighbour," Milam said, adding that the US can't do much at least on the issue of Kashmir due to India's position on it.
"There's no good way we can do this. We certainly cannot be seen to meddle or to even mediate on the issues, particularly the Kashmir issue. But we really have to work on putting this back together," Milam said testifying before the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom.
Giving his observations on the new administration's Pakistan policy, Milam said it is clear to him that the Obama administration is seeing and sees Pakistan through a slightly different lens than the previous administrations.
"Pakistan remains an ally and a very important ally of the United States. But I think our focus is changing from the kind of sort of more open kind of relationship we had to a much more to a relation, which is much more focused on changing the Pak mindset -- Pakistani mindset -- if that's possible, in terms of resisting the threat that really threatens their state and being able to meet that threat," he said.
"The military side, I think, is much more going to be much more focused on counterinsurgency operations and the equipment, as well as the training, that is needed by the Pakistani army to do that," he said.
The US assistance now would be much more economic in nature, he said. "I believe that the administration is going to triple economic assistance. That would go both to shoring up the economy, which is in terrible shape as well as, I hope, over the longer term, to providing some aid for social developments and particularly education, which the public education system as you know, is in a state of collapse," he said.

source : www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/StoryPage.aspx?sectionName=Cricket&id=a0455b18-8722-42af-82b6-5547ba191086&Headline=Obama+Govt+would+quietly+focus+on+Kashmir%3a+Ex+US+diplomat

North Korea - Satellite Launch Plan

North Korea has notified international organizations of its plans to launch a satellite into space next month and told them about measures they can take to ensure the safety of aircraft and ships.
Officials at South Korea's Ministry of Land, Transport, and Maritime Affairs said Thursday that North Korea has informed the International Maritime Organization of its plans to launch what it calls an experimental communications satellite in early April.
Officials said North Korea told the organization that the launch would be made in an easterly direction. The French News Agency says North Korea mentioned two risk areas - the Pacific Ocean and the East Sea.
Pyongyang's state media also reported Thursday that North Korea has already informed the International Civil Aviation Organization and others about the launch.
The United States and its allies believe the North may be planning to test a long-range ballistic missile and have urged Pyongyang to scrap its plans.
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has said the United States is considering a range of responses if North Korea goes ahead with a long-range missile launch.
Clinton has said Washington might take up the issue in the United Nations Security Council because a launch would violate a 2006 Security Council resolution.
Clinton said the United States will continue to press North Korea to fulfill its obligations under the six-nation nuclear talks regardless of whether a launch occurs. She said it is important not confuse the two issues, but the United States wants the missile issue to be included in future six-party talks.
The top U.S. diplomat said it is important for the Chinese-chaired talks to resume as soon as possible.

source : www.voanews.com/english/2009-03-12-voa7.cfm

Sehwag rocks in New zealand Series

All tour Virender Sehwag has threatened to make a hundred. On Wednesday he made good the threat, playing an innings that was brutal and violent, but as resplendent as the rainbow that arched over Seddon Park.
Sehwag’s unconquered 74-ball 125 — the fastest century by an Indian, and the seventh-quickest overall — settled the fourth and penultimate ODI by 84 runs (Duckworth/Lewis method), winning India its first series in New Zealand, 3-0.
The measure of Sehwag’s brilliance may be had from the fact that New Zealand, after winning the toss, did well to keep the contest competitive in the first half, mustering 270 for five in 47 overs, thanks to a 102-run opening stand between Jesse Ryder and McCullum, and a 61-ball partnership of 95 between wicketkeeper Peter McGlashan and Grant Elliott.
The target was adjusted a fair few times — as is common in a match with numerous rain interruptions — but it didn’t make the slightest difference to Sehwag. The opener, who may be stopped at Customs the next time he tours, for he’s sure to be classified as a Dangerous Commodity, annihilated New Zealand’s bowlers.

source : www.hindu.com/2009/03/12/stories/2009031253341700.htm

Doggies

Peace in Afghanistan - India's suggestion

Washington (IANS): India has suggested an integrated approach involving simultaneous action on three fronts - development, security and governance - to bring peace and stability to war torn Afghanistan.
"If they do it together, they can create space for Afghans to make a choice to lead a normal life," Foreign Secretary Shivshankar Menon said at a press conference here Wednesday after the first high-level dialogue with the new Obama administration.
The Indian official said he had spent "considerable time" discussing the situation in Afghanistan and Pakistan with US officials including special representative for the two nations Richard Holbrooke.
He also met acting principal undersecretary of defence for policy Peter Verga, Admiral Timothy Keating, commander of the US Pacific command, and Gen David Petraeus, commander of the US Central command.
Menon said he had shared India's perception and its experience in reconstruction in Afghanistan, where it had spent over $1.5 billion on community projects and big schemes like roads and power projects.
"We spoke of successful bits that we have done and shared our ideas on how to move forward to bring some level of peace and prosperity to Afghanistan."
Menon said he found "great degree of convergence on how we look at the situation and what we need to do".
Asked about Obama administration's hint of negotiating with the "good" Taliban, Menon said: "There are no good or bad Taliban. They are all Afghan. The question is what they want."
"It's not a question of negotiating with Taliban, who have no inclination. But for individual Afghans who wish to there is space," Menon said suggesting an integrated approach encompassing development, security and governance.
He suggested a similar approach for Sri Lanka as well. Besides restoring normal life, rehabilitating and reconstructing economic life, political steps, including devolution, were also needed.
"That's important. Unless this is done, a sense of alienation would prevail," he said, adding that US and India had "very similar approaches" to the situation.

source : www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/001200903121151.htm

David Beckham planning to buy MLS team

David Beckham plans to exercise a clause in his contract allowing him to buy a Major League Soccer franchise at the end of his playing career. The midfielder agreed a dual contract on Friday that will allow him to play for both AC Milan and LA Galaxy. And he is already making plans for when his Galaxy contract ends in 2011. "I have the right to own an MLS franchise, which I will action immediately after I have stopped playing," Beckham said.

Beckham reiterated his "commitment to develop soccer in the United States, which is something I am passionate about" and said his family will remain in LA. There have long been rumours that Beckham has a clause in his Galaxy contract allowing him the first right of refusal on an MLS franchise at the end of his career. This is the first time any of the parties involved have confirmed the existence of the clause. If Beckham goes ahead with his plan to buy a franchise, the MLS would partner him with a patron with major financial clout.
Further Details - //news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/7933407.stm

Happy Holi

India Quites work on advanced missile defence shield

Buoyed by the successful testing of its fledgling ballistic missile defence, India is pushing ahead with an ambitious version of the star wars project capable of shooting down incoming ICBMs in the 5,000 km range. The phase-II of the BMD systems, likely to be deployed by 2014, will be an important part of India's defence as both China and Pakistan possess nuclear capable missiles. Once the BMD is in place it will place India in a fairly exclusive club alongside US, Russia and Israel.

India will be playing catch up with China which stunned the world by shooting down a weather satellite with a missile in January 2007. Putting in place a system capable of intercepting inter-continental ballistic missiles would enhance India's strategic prowess. While a BMD system can be overwhelmed by a flurry of missiles or a low-flying cruise, it would be a important part of India's defence against the danger of ballistic missiles.

If the ongoing Phase-I BMD system is geared to tackling enemy missiles with a 2,000-km range, Phase-II is enhance capacities significantly. Plans are also afoot to have space-based surveillance systems to ensure a hostile threat can be detected even earlier than the present long-range tracking radars (LRTRs) used in the BMD system, which track the `enemy' missile as well as guide the `interceptor' missile in destroying it.

Source - www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India-kicks-off-work-on-advanced-missile-defence-shield/articleshow/4247009.cms

UN Security Council calls for direct talks with Iran

The five permanent members of the UN Security Council, plus Germany, have urged Iran to hold direct talks with the group on the nuclear issue, IRNA reported Wednesday. The group made the announcement Tuesday evening following a meeting with the Board of Governors of the UN atomic watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), here. The five permanent members of the UN Security Council include China, Russia, France, Britain and the US.

The group reiterated in a statement that it was committed to find a comprehensive and diplomatic solution to Iran's nuclear issue. 'We urge Iran to make maximum use of the existing opportunities and join us in order to resolve its nuclear issue,' the statement added. Referring to the recent report by IAEA Director General Mohamed ElBaradei on Iran's nuclear programme, the statement called on the Islamic Republic to continue its cooperation with the UN nuclear body to pave the way for resolving the issue. Iran has said it will continue to cooperate with the IAEA within the framework of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

Source - //in.news.yahoo.com/43/20090304/884/twl-un-security-council-calls-for-direct.html

Warner to make his first class debut

Left-hander David Warner will make his first-class debut for New South Wales in a Sheffield Shield match after opener Phil Jaques dropped out due to back soreness. The 22-year-old Australian opener in Twenty20 matches will bat in the middle order, with Ed Cowan filling the opening position. In 2009, Warner became the third player in the history of Australian cricket to make an international dibut before playing a first-class game. Warner made a sensational international debut against South Africa in the Twenty20 game at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

Subsequently, he was included in Australia's one-day team for the series against South Africa. However, Warner couldn't generate any magic in the early matches. His selection for NSW in a Sheffield Shield match comes amid speculation that he could be lost to the state because he'd been unable to secure a spot in the four-day team. Earlier, New South Wales skipper Dominic Thornely was in no doubt that one-day sensation David Warner was not yet ready for the Sheffield Shield.

Though Test greats Glenn McGrath and Mark Waugh have wondered aloud why Warner has not been blooded at Shield level after bursting onto the international limited-overs scene, Thornely is adamant that the time is not quite right for Warner to break into the NSW Shield team. "It has been fantastic for Australian cricket to see a guy like Dave come out and do what he did. But I still think Dave has got a little bit of a way to come for four-day cricket,"

Source - //in.news.yahoo.com/139/20090304/926/tsp-warner-to-make-his-first-class-debut.html

Beautiful Puppy's

Beautiful Puppy

China Pitches for new Financial order

China today strongly pitched for reform of global financial institutions and establishment of a new financial order with Beijing and New Delhi playing a greater role in the decision-making process of these bodies. Chinese Ambassador Zhang Yan said both the countries should work together to press the developed countries to bear their responsibility and prevent them from shifting the burden on to developing countries.

He said India and China should enhance cooperation in the economic field and join hands in ensuring reform of the international financial system to meet challenges posed by the economic downturn. "China and India should strengthen cooperation and coordination in the reform of the international financial system and accelerate the establishment of a new international financial order," Yan said addressing a conference organised by the CII here.

"At the same time, we shall push for reform of the existing international financial institutions with a view to increase the role of China and India in decision-making process and empower them with greater say and representation in the international financial institutions,"

Source - //in.news.yahoo.com/20/20090304/1416/tnl-china-pitches-for-new-financial-orde.html

World's biggest House

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Mukesh Ambani Residence

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