Communist leader Ahilya Rangnekar passes away
Veteran Communist leader Ahilya Rangnekar passed away in Mumbai on Sunday following a heart attack. She was 89.
Rangnekar died at her Matunga residence in central Mumbai, family sources said.
Strong 6.2 earthquake hits Indonesia: agency
A strong 6.2-magnitude quake struck in Indonesia's north Sulawesi province on Sunday but there were no reports of damage or injuries, the geophysics agency said.
Fire at Air India building A fire broke out on the 13th floor of the Air India headquarters building in south Mumbai in the wee hours of the morning, fire officials said.
Three dead in suspected US strike in Pakistan: officials
Three people were killed on Sunday in a suspected US missile attack targeting a militant hideout in Pakistan's tribal area bordering Afghanistan, officials said.
US family of five killed in apparent murder-suicide: police
A US man apparently murdered his wife and three small children before fatally shooting himself, police in the eastern state of Maryland said.
Venezuela's Chavez to restore ambassador in US
Hugo Chavez said that he is restoring Venezuela's ambassador in Washington, voicing hopes for a 'new era' in US relations after barely getting to know US President Barack Obama at a regional summit.
IGI's new departure terminal becomes operational
The new domestic departure terminal of the Indira Gandhi International airport in New Delhi become operational this morning with the passengers of Guwahati-bound Indigo flight using the ultra-modern setup to board their plane.
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Strong 6.2 earthquake hits Indonesia: agency
A strong 6.2-magnitude quake struck in Indonesia's north Sulawesi province on Sunday but there were no reports of damage or injuries, the geophysics agency said.
The quake hit at 1:23 pm (0523 GMT) about 20 kilometres (12 miles) northeast of Melonguane city at a depth of 50 kilometres. No tsunami alert was issued.
"Tremors are felt in the area but not significant ones. There's no report of damage," agency official Suharjono told AFP.
The Indonesian archipelago sits on the Pacific Ring of Fire where continental plates meet, causing frequent seismic and volcanic activity.
The quake hit at 1:23 pm (0523 GMT) about 20 kilometres (12 miles) northeast of Melonguane city at a depth of 50 kilometres. No tsunami alert was issued.
"Tremors are felt in the area but not significant ones. There's no report of damage," agency official Suharjono told AFP.
The Indonesian archipelago sits on the Pacific Ring of Fire where continental plates meet, causing frequent seismic and volcanic activity.
Main task against LTTE has been achieved: Rajapaksa
Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa has said that he had addressed the main concern of the people — for which they elected him as President — that of safeguarding the country’s security.
“They wanted their motherland to be free from terrorism, and fragmentation as per the agreements inked between the terrorists and the past governments,” he told the workers of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) on Friday.
“This was my foremost task, responsibility and duty which I have successfully achieved. We have now the strength to visit the Tiger terrorists’ stronghold and their administrative capital of Kilinochchi. I visited Kilinochchi with glad tidings of comfort and joy for the new year, to our gallant war heroes who have achieved all this,” he said.
“He maintained that certain reactionary forces and friends of the terrorists, both locally and internationally, are making unfounded allegations against the government and seeking to save the terrorists from their definite and inevitable doom.
“They are accusing the government of human rights violations and the like. It is extremely regretful that some of our leaders too are aiding and abetting this campaign to deprive their motherland of international monetary and other assistance. However, the world is aware of the whole truth and the reality. And we receive all what we need and expect sans any hindrance or disruption”.
Separately, Defence Secretary Gothabaya Rajapaksa told the BBC that the government could not go for another humanitarian pause in the north as the 48 hour pause a few days ago did not yield any results.
The Defence Secretary made the observations after a meeting between Vijay Nambiar, chief of staff of U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. The U.N., which welcomed the 48-hour pause, had expressed the view that a longer pause would have been more useful.
“I told him (Mr. Nambiar) that we cannot extend our decision to restrict offensive military operations because there was no result during the previous halt in the fighting,” the Defence Secretary said.
“It’s a hostage rescue operation, something like the Entebbe rescue mission,” he said, referring to Israel’s 1976 rescue of more than 100 hostages from Entebbe airport in Uganda.
“It has to be discreet and surgical. We are carefully monitoring the ground situation. When the time comes we will go in, it is purely for the field commanders to decide.” At the same time, Mr. Gothabaya Rajapaksa said the government did not want a prolonged operation because that would give more time for the rebels to regroup.
He again denied allegations that the security forces were firing heavy weapons in the safe zone. “However, if the rebel leader, Prabakaran, is seen then we will take him out, even if it is inside the safe zone. But we will take all measures to avoid civilian casualties.”
The Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) said that the 21st batch of 514 civilians, including those injured, was evacuated on board m.v. Green Ocean. The evacuation of patients and civilians trapped in LTTE clutches in the un-cleared areas in Mullaithivu was being carried out under the ICRC flag.
The Navy also said it rescued 59 civilians who had been fleeing from the LTTE clutches on two occasions. All had been found on board white flag hoisted fibre glass dinghies
“They wanted their motherland to be free from terrorism, and fragmentation as per the agreements inked between the terrorists and the past governments,” he told the workers of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) on Friday.
“This was my foremost task, responsibility and duty which I have successfully achieved. We have now the strength to visit the Tiger terrorists’ stronghold and their administrative capital of Kilinochchi. I visited Kilinochchi with glad tidings of comfort and joy for the new year, to our gallant war heroes who have achieved all this,” he said.
“He maintained that certain reactionary forces and friends of the terrorists, both locally and internationally, are making unfounded allegations against the government and seeking to save the terrorists from their definite and inevitable doom.
“They are accusing the government of human rights violations and the like. It is extremely regretful that some of our leaders too are aiding and abetting this campaign to deprive their motherland of international monetary and other assistance. However, the world is aware of the whole truth and the reality. And we receive all what we need and expect sans any hindrance or disruption”.
Separately, Defence Secretary Gothabaya Rajapaksa told the BBC that the government could not go for another humanitarian pause in the north as the 48 hour pause a few days ago did not yield any results.
The Defence Secretary made the observations after a meeting between Vijay Nambiar, chief of staff of U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. The U.N., which welcomed the 48-hour pause, had expressed the view that a longer pause would have been more useful.
“I told him (Mr. Nambiar) that we cannot extend our decision to restrict offensive military operations because there was no result during the previous halt in the fighting,” the Defence Secretary said.
“It’s a hostage rescue operation, something like the Entebbe rescue mission,” he said, referring to Israel’s 1976 rescue of more than 100 hostages from Entebbe airport in Uganda.
“It has to be discreet and surgical. We are carefully monitoring the ground situation. When the time comes we will go in, it is purely for the field commanders to decide.” At the same time, Mr. Gothabaya Rajapaksa said the government did not want a prolonged operation because that would give more time for the rebels to regroup.
He again denied allegations that the security forces were firing heavy weapons in the safe zone. “However, if the rebel leader, Prabakaran, is seen then we will take him out, even if it is inside the safe zone. But we will take all measures to avoid civilian casualties.”
The Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) said that the 21st batch of 514 civilians, including those injured, was evacuated on board m.v. Green Ocean. The evacuation of patients and civilians trapped in LTTE clutches in the un-cleared areas in Mullaithivu was being carried out under the ICRC flag.
The Navy also said it rescued 59 civilians who had been fleeing from the LTTE clutches on two occasions. All had been found on board white flag hoisted fibre glass dinghies
“Information being obtained from German Tax Office
Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram on Saturday described BJP leader L.K. Advani’s 100-day plan to bring back illegal money stashed away in foreign tax havens as a “smokescreen.”
In a hard-hitting reaction to the BJP prime ministerial candidate’s statement issued in Mumbai on Friday, he told PTI: “I am afraid Mr. Advani is doing more harm than good by repeatedly raising this issue, especially when he has been informed of the efforts being made by the government.”
As explained in his letter to Mr. Advani on May 16 last year, the government was already working with the German Central Tax Office to procure the information relating to deposits in LGT Bank in Liechtenstein.
Mr. Chidambaram said the government had made “significant” progress in acquiring information.
“I am not at liberty to disclose the progress made because there are still some procedural formalities required by the German Tax Office,” he said. At the appropriate time, he was sure, the Indian government would be able to release the information obtained.
“I wonder whether he [Advani] is unwittingly alerting those who have deposits abroad to re-arrange their affairs in the next four weeks before a new government is sworn in.”
Mr. Chidambaram said Mr. Advani continued to “mystify” the issues of capital flying out of the country.
He said no one denied that some people had illegally taken money out of the country and kept it in banks and other places protected by strong secrecy laws.
In a hard-hitting reaction to the BJP prime ministerial candidate’s statement issued in Mumbai on Friday, he told PTI: “I am afraid Mr. Advani is doing more harm than good by repeatedly raising this issue, especially when he has been informed of the efforts being made by the government.”
As explained in his letter to Mr. Advani on May 16 last year, the government was already working with the German Central Tax Office to procure the information relating to deposits in LGT Bank in Liechtenstein.
Mr. Chidambaram said the government had made “significant” progress in acquiring information.
“I am not at liberty to disclose the progress made because there are still some procedural formalities required by the German Tax Office,” he said. At the appropriate time, he was sure, the Indian government would be able to release the information obtained.
“I wonder whether he [Advani] is unwittingly alerting those who have deposits abroad to re-arrange their affairs in the next four weeks before a new government is sworn in.”
Mr. Chidambaram said Mr. Advani continued to “mystify” the issues of capital flying out of the country.
He said no one denied that some people had illegally taken money out of the country and kept it in banks and other places protected by strong secrecy laws.
Gold world looks at Akshaya Tritiya with hope
India's benchmark stock index, Sensex, is up; and investors are slowly going back to equity markets from bullion. Because, gold is losing its charm as a safe haven investment. And, gold prices are sliding slowly.
It seems investors have got the hint and they are slowly shifting their money from gold to equity. And, this is happening at a time when Akshaya Tritiya is round the corner — on April 27 — to be precise. That is a day when Indians buy gold and silver as a symbol of good fortunes. And, a year like 2009, which is supposed to be the worst one in the recent past, everybody will need a lot of luck to tide over the global crisis.
So will gold bring luck to people this Akshaya Tritiya? It may. If you take the cues from the market, it is obvious that gold prices are dipping and at a time when sales are bound to shoot up on the occasion of Akshaya Tritiya. Remember, jewellery sales were downs to unimaginable levels in India and traders had stopped import of the yellow metal in February and March.
In normal circumstances, India is the top importer of the metal. But in February and March India shipped tonnes of gold to Dubai — it came from scarp gold sales.
Now, when the prices are dipping below Rs 14K, there is a chance that this Akshaya Tritiya people will flock to jewellery shops to boost their fortunes.
And, jewelers know that. The obvious hint lies in the rise in imports in April. In the first fortnight of the month around 10 tonnes of gold has been imported to India. Following this, global markets are now looking at Indian demand for further cues.
Silver import has also begun. Though some silver stock was available, more imports were expected on falling prices.
Gold prices came down by 10.80 per cent, or by Rs 285, to Rs 14,045 per 10 gm in the Mumbai spot market this week compared with its previous close. It hit the peak of
Rs 15,745 on February 21. Silver on Friday fell by 10.93 per cent, or Rs 850, to Rs 20,690 a kg from its previous close.
Prices were rising internationally and gold was quoted at a discount (to landed cost) in India. This has led to a halt in import, while premium in overseas markets tempted arbitrageurs to export gold in the form of crude jewellery.
Even as gold is falling in international markets, almost 14 per cent down from $1,000 per ounce in the third week February to $868 on Friday, traders are awaiting demand from India ahead of the festival on April 27.
Globally, investors have booked some profit, resulting in a fall in prices, but investors may re-enter the market soon. Even the traders in Mumbai’s jewellery market expect the demand to re-emerge.
It seems investors have got the hint and they are slowly shifting their money from gold to equity. And, this is happening at a time when Akshaya Tritiya is round the corner — on April 27 — to be precise. That is a day when Indians buy gold and silver as a symbol of good fortunes. And, a year like 2009, which is supposed to be the worst one in the recent past, everybody will need a lot of luck to tide over the global crisis.
So will gold bring luck to people this Akshaya Tritiya? It may. If you take the cues from the market, it is obvious that gold prices are dipping and at a time when sales are bound to shoot up on the occasion of Akshaya Tritiya. Remember, jewellery sales were downs to unimaginable levels in India and traders had stopped import of the yellow metal in February and March.
In normal circumstances, India is the top importer of the metal. But in February and March India shipped tonnes of gold to Dubai — it came from scarp gold sales.
Now, when the prices are dipping below Rs 14K, there is a chance that this Akshaya Tritiya people will flock to jewellery shops to boost their fortunes.
And, jewelers know that. The obvious hint lies in the rise in imports in April. In the first fortnight of the month around 10 tonnes of gold has been imported to India. Following this, global markets are now looking at Indian demand for further cues.
Silver import has also begun. Though some silver stock was available, more imports were expected on falling prices.
Gold prices came down by 10.80 per cent, or by Rs 285, to Rs 14,045 per 10 gm in the Mumbai spot market this week compared with its previous close. It hit the peak of
Rs 15,745 on February 21. Silver on Friday fell by 10.93 per cent, or Rs 850, to Rs 20,690 a kg from its previous close.
Prices were rising internationally and gold was quoted at a discount (to landed cost) in India. This has led to a halt in import, while premium in overseas markets tempted arbitrageurs to export gold in the form of crude jewellery.
Even as gold is falling in international markets, almost 14 per cent down from $1,000 per ounce in the third week February to $868 on Friday, traders are awaiting demand from India ahead of the festival on April 27.
Globally, investors have booked some profit, resulting in a fall in prices, but investors may re-enter the market soon. Even the traders in Mumbai’s jewellery market expect the demand to re-emerge.
Whizkid 'reveals' fundas of e-mail hacking
He has just appeared in the 10th board examination but Sahil Khan is already being touted as next Bill Gates in the making.
The 15-year old wizkid has come out with his third book titled The Tricks of E-mail Hacking.
Despite the ominous tone of the title, Sahil contended that a hacker is not a cyber criminal.
"A hacker is a good programmer. He is more focused on aspects of cyber security while it is a cracker who breaches security knowing the techniques of hacking," said Sahil speaking on the occasion of his book release function.
Sahil already has two books to his credit -- Crackers and Hackers and Anatomy of a Computer Virus released last year.
Acknowledging the sensitive nature of his field, Sahil said his book is meant to "empower ordinary internet users against the world of cyber crime and not to get people to misuse the technology".
Rekha Vohra Bhalla, a former IAS officer and senior educationists, who was present on the occasion, said, "Kids like Sahil are crucial to the country's security and can help buttress the cyber security framework."
The 15-year old wizkid has come out with his third book titled The Tricks of E-mail Hacking.
Despite the ominous tone of the title, Sahil contended that a hacker is not a cyber criminal.
"A hacker is a good programmer. He is more focused on aspects of cyber security while it is a cracker who breaches security knowing the techniques of hacking," said Sahil speaking on the occasion of his book release function.
Sahil already has two books to his credit -- Crackers and Hackers and Anatomy of a Computer Virus released last year.
Acknowledging the sensitive nature of his field, Sahil said his book is meant to "empower ordinary internet users against the world of cyber crime and not to get people to misuse the technology".
Rekha Vohra Bhalla, a former IAS officer and senior educationists, who was present on the occasion, said, "Kids like Sahil are crucial to the country's security and can help buttress the cyber security framework."
55-year-old gives five patients new lease of life
Five patients suffering from organ failure got the gift of life when the family of a 55-year-old south Mumbai resident donated his organs
recently.
The patient was admitted to Hinduja Hospital, Mahim, on Wednesday with an intracranial bleed and was declared brain dead (irreversible loss of brain function).
"His family donated his liver, two kidneys and eyes, thus letting us help five patients,'' said Dr Gustad Daver, medical director, Hinduja Hospital and vice-president, Zonal Transplant Coordination Centre (ZTCC). In Mumbai, this is the seventh organ donation this year. "There were five donations in January, one in February and one this week, resulting in 14 kidney donations,'' said ZTCC coordinator Sujata Ashtekar.
Although this year, donations are better than those in previous years (16 kidney donations in 2008 and 14 in 2007), a lot more needs to be done given the load of patients with kidney and liver failure in the country, said ZTCC officials. The state government observed an Organ Donation Day on March 28 to promote the concept
recently.
The patient was admitted to Hinduja Hospital, Mahim, on Wednesday with an intracranial bleed and was declared brain dead (irreversible loss of brain function).
"His family donated his liver, two kidneys and eyes, thus letting us help five patients,'' said Dr Gustad Daver, medical director, Hinduja Hospital and vice-president, Zonal Transplant Coordination Centre (ZTCC). In Mumbai, this is the seventh organ donation this year. "There were five donations in January, one in February and one this week, resulting in 14 kidney donations,'' said ZTCC coordinator Sujata Ashtekar.
Although this year, donations are better than those in previous years (16 kidney donations in 2008 and 14 in 2007), a lot more needs to be done given the load of patients with kidney and liver failure in the country, said ZTCC officials. The state government observed an Organ Donation Day on March 28 to promote the concept
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