13 convicted in Bilkis Banu rape case

A Mumbai sessions court has convicted 13 people in the infamous Bilkis Bano case, in which a five-month pregnant woman was gangraped and beaten up by a mob during the post-Godhra riots in Gujarat in 2002.

The court will pronounce the quantum of punishment for the convicts on Monday.

The rape and killings took place between February 28, 2002, and March 5, 2002, at village in Devgarh Baria village of Dahod district in Gujarat.

There were 20 accused in case, including six policemen, who were charged with shielding the guilty. While five policemen were acquitted, one has been held guilty.

The cops were booked for allegedly entering into a criminal conspiracy, suppressing and destroying evidence, and falsifying records.

The 13 who have been convicted are: police officer Somabhai Khoyabhai Gori, Jaswantbhai Chaturbhai Nai, Govindbhai Nai, Shailesh Chimanlal Bhatt, Radheshyam Bhagwandas Shah alias Lala Vakil, Bipinchandra Kanaiyalal Joshi alias Lala Doctor, Kedharbhai Khimabhai Vohania, Pradip Ramanlal Mordhiya, Bakabhai Khimabhai Vohania, Rajubhai Babulal Soni, Mitesh Chimanlal Bhatt, Ramesh Rupabhai Chandania and Naresh Modia, who died during the pendency of trial.

Narpatsingh Ranchodbhai, Idris Abdul Sayyed, Bhikhabhai Ramjibhai Patel and BS Bhagoria are the police officials who have been acquitted.

The accused included Jaswantbhai Chaturbhai Nai, Govindbhai Nai, Nilesh Ramlal Mordhiya, Shailesh Chimanlal Bhatt, Radheshyam Bhagwandas Shah alias Lala Vakil, Bipinchandra Kanaiyalal Joshi alias Lala Doctor, Kedharbhai Khimabhai Vohania, Pradip Ramanlal Mordhiya, Bakabhai Khimabhai Vohania, Rajubhai Babulal Soni, Mitesh Chimanlal Bhatt, Ramesh Rupabhai Chandania, Narpatsingh Ranchodbhai, Idris Abdul Sayyed, Bhikhabhai Ramjibhai Patel, Ramsingh Mitlibhai Bhabhor, Somabhai Koyabhai Ghori, BS Bhagoria and Dr Arunkumar Ramkrishan Prasad.

Special Judge UD Salvi pronounced the verdict, convicting the 13 under Sections 120-B (criminal conspiracy), 302 (murder) and 376 (rape) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

Judge Salvi, who had been assigned by the Bombay High Court to conduct the trial in the case following the Supreme Court's directive, had been transferred in the interim. But, the High Court had asked Salvi to conclude the verdict by December 31, 2007.

News Source : IBN Live

Seven dead in Nepal 'bus arson'

At least seven passengers have been killed and 22 people injured in an attack on a bus in southern Nepal, police say.

The bus was reportedly the target of a bomb near the town of Pathlaiya in Bara district, 150km (93 miles) from the capital, Kathmandu.

A little known group called the Terai Army has claimed responsibility.

Nepal's southern plains have been hit by ethnic tensions with armed groups demanding regional autonomy.

Scores of people were killed in violence in southern Nepal last year.

A spokesman for the Terai Army in the southern town of Birgunj is reported to have said that his workers detonated a nitrogen bomb in the bus attack.

The group also claimed responsibility for blasts in the capital Kathmandu a few months ago.

Police said the injured are receiving treatment in local hospitals.

News Source : BBC News

At least seven passengers have been killed and 22 people injured in an attack on a bus in southern Nepal, police say.

The bus was reportedly the target of a bomb near the town of Pathlaiya in Bara district, 150km (93 miles) from the capital, Kathmandu.

A little known group called the Terai Army has claimed responsibility.

Nepal's southern plains have been hit by ethnic tensions with armed groups demanding regional autonomy.

Scores of people were killed in violence in southern Nepal last year.

A spokesman for the Terai Army in the southern town of Birgunj is reported to have said that his workers detonated a nitrogen bomb in the bus attack.

The group also claimed responsibility for blasts in the capital Kathmandu a few months ago.

Police said the injured are receiving treatment in local hospitals.

News Source : BBC News

Turks to remember murdered Dink

A ceremony is to be held in Istanbul to mark one year since the murder of the ethnic Armenian journalist, Hrant Dink.

Hrant Dink campaigned for his country to confront one of the darkest chapters of its past: the mass killing of Ottoman Armenians in 1915.

He was convicted of "insulting Turkishness", which many say labelled him a traitor to extreme nationalists.

Despite EU pressure on Turkey to change or abolish the law under which he was convicted, Article 301 still remains.

Thousands of people are expected to gather close to the spot where Hrant Dink was murdered.

It was 1457 local time (1257 GMT) - and at that time exactly, one year on, the crowd will mark a moment of silence.

Target

At a short ceremony led by Hrant Dink's close friends and family, they will remember a man who dared to speak out about one of the most sensitive issues there is here - the killing of hundreds of thousands of Ottoman Armenians.

Modern-day Turkey denies it was genocide. Hrant Dink's stance made him a hate figure for extreme nationalists.

But his friends believe it was his conviction under the controversial Article 301 - for "insulting Turkishness" - that singled him out as a target.

The government has long pledged to amend that law, which is a major obstacle to free speech here, and to Turkey's ambitions of EU membership.

Its critics say the revisions it has proposed are superficial at best, but even those have not been agreed on officially, or unveiled, yet.

News Source : BBC News

Kenya protesters to mount boycott

Kenya's opposition says it will boycott companies run by allies of President Mwai Kibaki in protest at the outcome of last month's presidential election.

The Orange Democratic Movement's (ODM) change of tactics came as police shot five dead on a third day of rallies.

One protester died in Mombasa and four were killed in Nairobi. The post-poll violence has left 600 dead.

Five bodies of people from Mr Kibaki's Kikuyu ethnic group were found with arrow and machete wounds, police said.

It was not clear when they were killed.

Kenya's National Commission on Human Rights has cast doubt on the vote that returned President Kibaki to power.

At a news conference in Nairobi, the state-sponsored body listed a catalogue of irregularities in a report entitled "Thirty Hours that Destroyed Kenya".

It cataloged a series of what it described as electoral offences such as turnouts of more than 100% in some constituencies and the obstruction of election observers.

The commission said at least 360,000 votes could not be verified - in a vote where the two candidates were separated by about 230,000 ballots.

ODM leader Raila Odinga has demanded a re-run of the election.

The UN announced that Kofi Annan, its former secretary general, would fly to Kenya on Tuesday to help mediate between Mr Kibaki and Mr Odinga.

News Source : BBC News

Warning on rising Med Sea levels

The level of the Mediterranean Sea is rising rapidly and could increase by up to half a metre in the next 50 years, scientists in Spain have warned.

A study by the Spanish Oceanographic Institute says levels have been rising since the 1970s with the rate of increase growing in recent years.

It says even a small rise could have serious consequences in coastal areas.

The study noted that the findings were consistent with other investigations into the effects of climate change.

The study, entitled Climate Change in the Spanish Mediterranean, said the sea had risen "between 2.5mm and 10mm (0.1 and 0.4in) per year since the 1990s".

If the trend continued it would have "very serious consequences" in low-lying coastal areas even in the case of a small rise, and "catastrophic consequences" if a half-metre increase occurred, the study warned.

Global climate change

Scientists noted that sea temperatures had also risen significantly by 0.12 to 0.5C since the 1970s.

Sea level rise is a key effect of global climate change. There are two major contributory effects: the melting of ice, and expansion of sea water as the oceans warm.

Last month, a study by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change said the world's sea levels could rise twice as much this century as UN climate scientists had previously predicted.

The Nobel Prize-winning IPCC predicted a maximum sea level rise of 81cm (32in) this century.

News Source : BBC News

‘Bombay to Bangkok’ hits silver screen

‘Comedy’ is the latest presiding deity of Bollywood. After the stupendous success of the last year’s comic flicks, ‘Welcome’ and ‘Heyy Baby’, the latest in the run is Bombay to Bangkok.

Bombay to Bangkok is a light-hearted romantic comedy about a boy from Mumbai and a girl from Bangkok. The movie features, Shreyas Talpade, one of the most talented actors among the younger lot in Bollywood, and the stunning newcomer Lena Christensen. Lena is a Thai-Danish actress, television presenter and a singer based in Thailand for 15 years now.

The movie promises to be a full-fledged entertainer. The movie is a comedy of errors, revolving around Shreyas Talpade (Shankar), as he discovers love and life on a rollicking ride from Bombay to Bangkok.

News Source : Samachar

Saif jams Bangalore with 'arm' candy Kareena

Saif Ali Khan will be jamming with rock band Parikrama on a four-city concert across Bangalore, Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata this month. CNN-IBN’s Rohit Khilnani caught up with Saif hours before his concert at the Palace Grounds in Bangalore on Friday night. The actor also spoke about his much talked about tattoo for his new ladylove Kareena which was visible on his arm as he rehearsed for the concert.

Saif Ali Khan: We have done a concert before in Delhi. So, am quite familiar with the whole thing. We are performing a total of eight songs on Friday night. There are four concerts – one in Bangalore, Kolkata, Mumbai and Delhi. So, it should be a good experience.

Rohit Khilnani: Do you have any favourite songs that you always play?

Saif Ali Khan: There is Smoke in the Water by Deep Purple. Then some AC/DC numbers like Highway to Hell and Back in Black.

Rohit Khilnani: When you perform in front of a live crowd you are not camera or stage conscious, but how is it different from your usual performances?

Saif Ali Khan: Music is a fantastic way to connect. It is a hobby for me. And when you play in a group especially with different loud notes on the electric guitar and the keyboard it is a really exhilarating feeling. Anyone getting pleasure out of that is fantastic, but I get a lot of pleasure out of playing it.

Rohit Khilnani: You got a tattoo done.

Saif Ali Khan: Yes, I did but I am not going to show it to you.

Rohit Khilnani: Is it a permanent one?

Saif Ali Khan: Yes, I believe it is quite permanent.

Rohit Khilnani: Great, so best of luck for all your performances.

Saif Ali Khan: Thanks a lot.

News Source : Samachar

He is a rockstar alright- jamming with one of the best rock bands of the country LIVE on stage and not leaving a stone unturned in wearing the right attitude, clothes and style. That includes a tattoo of his current girlfriend`s name.

After soccer sensation David Bekham got his wife Victoria’s name tattooed in Sanskrit on his arm, Saif Ali Khan has got his love interest Kareena’s name tattooed on his left arm. The media had a dekko at this ‘arm-candy’ in Bangalore where Saif was rehearsing with the rock band ‘Parikrama’.

In a moment when the chhote nawab was lost in head banging music, up came his sleeve revealing what is etched in his heart these days-Kareena, in Hindi. The font was a mix of gothic and devnagri styles.

Our sources tell that Saif got his new tattoo on January 3rd this year in a chic tattoo parlour of Mumbai. He was reportedly too excited and curious when the session was on- while a Yash Raj Studio crew awaited his arrival for some dance rehearsal.

Saif and Kareena have been an item since they announced they were ‘together’ at a fashion- do in Mumbai. Kareena was earlier going around with Shahid Kapoor for 4 years.

Our sources tell that Saif got his new tattoo on January 3rd this year in a chic tattoo parlour of Mumbai. He was reportedly too excited and curious when the session was on- while a Yash Raj Studio crew awaited his arrival for some dance rehearsal.

Saif and Kareena have been an item since they announced they were ‘together’ at a fashion- do in Mumbai. Kareena was earlier going around with Shahid Kapoor for 4 years.

News Source : Samachar

Bebo has a new love and no, it’s not Saif for a change. Any guesses guys? Well, the new love of her life happens to be her little niece Samira.

We hear that whenever Kareena is in town, she spends maximum time playing with her niece. “She picks her up from school, goes swimming and playing with her niece.

She absolutely adores her niece and can’t live without her even for a single day when she’s in town,” says a friend. We wonder if Saif is feeling jealous already.

News Source : Samachar

Zayed-Mallika become parents

They are Bollywood’s youngest Pa and Ma now. Zayed and Mallika Khan became proud parents yesterday morning after Mallika delivered a 6.1 pounds baby boy at 7.54 am.

The entire ‘Khandaan’ was present at the joyous occasion. Zayed, who has been receiving congratulatory calls since the birth, responded excitedly from the hospital bedside, “Oh my God! Have I become a father? I can’t believe it. I have never been so happy in my life. When I look at the baby, I cannot believe that he is a part of me!”

The actor, an ardent soccer fan, has already named his son after France’s famous player Zinedine Zidane. So Khan Jr will now be called Zidaan Zayed Abbas Khan. “We considered many names, but deep down I always wanted to name my son after Zidane, I am his great fan,” revealed Zayed, adding, “it’s too early to decide who he looks like, but I think the baby is 50-50 Mallika and me. She’s given me the best gift so far. I cannot thank her enough.”

Sister Farah Ali Khan, who was present with Mallika since admission to the hospital on Thursday night, said, “Our parents (Sanjay and Zarine Khan) cannot express their joy in words. Zidaan is the seventh grandson in the family but more importantly, this is the first time that my parents are Dada and Dadi. You cannot imagine their happiness.”

Zayed plans to take a week-long break from his hectic shooting schedule and be with the baby. “I heard it’s important to be with the baby in the initial stage. He should sense and feel my smell, touch and more importantly my love and bonding,” said the proud young father. Zayed admits he feels too young to be a father, but said, “Others can be parents to my son, I will play with him, he will be my best friend.”

News Source : Samachar

Govinda unapologetic, says will slap again!

Actor and MP Govinda on Friday said that he had not done anything wrong by slapping the visitor on the sets of his film `Money Hai to Honey Hai` that had led to a media furore. He told the media on the sets of his film that it was a conspiracy of Opposition parties.

Govinda had slapped a visitor, Santosh Rai, on his film’s set on Wednesday. He was allegedly "misbehaving" with the artists, including with Govinda.

Meanwhile, the victim Santosh has demanded an apology from Govinda and threatened to drag him to court. He has also filed an FIR at Goregaon police station, accusing Govinda of "physical assault". A case under Sec 323 has been registered against him.

However, Govinda’s action found support in the form of two female artists alleging that Santosh had assaulted them on the sets and that Govinda was right in rebuking him.

“ I was just standing with another girl on the sets of Money Hai to Honey Hai. That guy was pushing us around. When he was standing near Govinda and started doing the same things, the actor hit him,” said one of the girls.

On the other hand, Govinda while defending his action said that he is innocent and won`t apologise to anyone but the producer who lost money due to this episode. He said that he would repeat his action if needed.

Asked if his action was out of "frustration" as an actor or Member of Parliament, he said there was no question of frustration as any person would hit back in self-defence when somebody tried to get physical with him or her.

Rubbishing his charges while speaking with Zee News, BJP leader Ram Naik , Govinda’s opponent from his constituency, called him a short tempered man. He also criticised Govinda for not paying attention to his constituency.

The MP has been under fire for not visiting his Lok Sabha constituency for a long time and people living in suburban Malad, which comes under his constituency, had held a demonstration on Tuesday as he was not reachable while they were in distress.

One person even declared a reward of Rs 1 cr to anyone who could locate the "elusive" MP.

Govinda dismissed it as a "stunt" common in politics.

The actor`s secretary Shashi Sinha told agencies that Govinda "was provoked by constant disturbance created by the visitor. The man was seated behind Govinda and would continuously hit the chair with his toes whenever the actor would sit down to take a break from the song sequence he was shooting".

News Source : Samachar

L&T to build $300 mn township in Chennai

Engineering and construction firm Larsen and Toubro Ltd (L&T) will promote a 100-acre integrated township project on the outskirts of Chennai at a cost of Rs 12 billion, a top company official said in Chennai.

"This is our second integrated township project in Chennai. Named as Eden Park, the project will be developed in four to five phases," K. Venkatesh, executive vice-president, developmental projects division, L&T-ECC, said in Chennai.

ECC is the construction division of L&T.

According to current cost estimates, the project would cost around Rs 12 billion and would come up at Siruseri on the outskirts of Chennai.

The project will be promoted by L&T South City Projects Ltd, which in turn is a joint venture between L&T Urban Infrastructure Ltd, Dinesh Ranka Associates and Pragnya Trustees and Investment Co.

The first phase, to be started soon, consists of 656 apartments (two and three bedrooms) to be built over 14 acres.

According to Venkatesh, the first phase will consist of eight blocks with 14 floors each and will be ready in two and half years.

The two-bedroom apartments would measure around 1,200 sq ft while the three-bedroom flats will be of around 1,900 sq ft.

He, however, declined to comment on the prices of the apartments.

Queried about the progress of L&T's first integrated township project Estancia in the city, he said, "The final designs have been frozen. The project has got most of the legal sanctions."

L&T is promoting the Rs 15-billion Estancia project partnering another city-based construction group Arun Excello.

News Source : Samachar

Forex reserves up by $5.4 bn

The country's foreign exchange reserves increased by a massive $5.474 billion for the week ended January 11, indicating the Reserve Bank intervened in the forex market by buying dollars to check the rise of rupee.

The reserves increased to $281.729 billion from $276.255 billion a week before, according to RBI data.

Foreign Currency Assets (FCAs) increased by $5.473 billion to $272.964 billion as against $267.491 billion a week ago, as per the Reserve Bank data.

Foreign Currency Assets expressed in US dollar terms included the effect of appreciation or depreciation of other currencies such as the Euro, Pound Sterling and Yen, held in its reserves, it said.

India's reserve position in International Monetary Fund rose by $1 million to $434 million during the week.

Gold reserves and Special Drawing Rights remained static at $8.328 billion and at $3 million respectively.

The rupee has appreciated more than 12 per cent against the dollar in 2007 following massive capital inflows. The Indian currency is trading at a nine-year high against the greenback at around 39.30 to a dollar.

News Source : Samachar

Reliance Power IPO garners world record $200 bn

It is unprecedented, even if you call it plain euphoria. Nowhere in the world has an initial public offer of shares by a new company evoked as much response as the Reliance Power issue that closed on Friday.

For a company that is yet to commence business or show income from operations, investors from across the world placed bids worth $200 billion for its shares worth $2.9 billion on offer. Retail investors put in 5.1 million applications for shares worth $47 billion or Rs 188,000 crore. Since as per rules, retail applicants can pay just a fourth of the total money initially, at least Rs 50,000 crore has been invested in the issue. For the sake of comparison, the collections are a fourth of the total direct tax collections for last year.

The overwhelming response for the issue is based on expectations that Reliance Power will be able to complete its 13 power projects in the next couple of years. The sale will increase the wealth of Anil Ambani, already India's third richest man after his Reliance Energy quadrupled in value last year. His wealth more than tripled last year to $45 billion, according to Forbes magazine, behind elder brother Mukesh Ambani and Lakshmi Mittal. On listing of REPL, there is speculation that Anil may replace Mukesh as the richest Indian.

News Source : Samachar

It’s all happening at the WACA!

The sun eased over the WACA on Friday, allowing itself to be obscured by vaporous, white clouds, but the third Test stayed in a state of heightened acceleration. Indeed, the only thing lacking urgency in the match thus far has been the rate at which the overs have been bowled. So rapidly has the Test advanced that three innings have been completed in three days — a task known to have taken a week in less frenzied times.

By Friday evening, India had assumed the whip hand. On a tight, tense third day, the touring side found men with the requisite strength of mind to combat Australia. At various stages, the Test lay in the balance, neatly sectioned for the side with greater desire to claim. Australia has, in the past, routinely taken such matches, almost as if by right. But, India was unyielding on Friday.

Silk and steel

V.V.S. Laxman (79) responded again to an Australian challenge with an innings of silk and steel. He was helped by Irfan Pathan, M.S. Dhoni, and R.P. Singh — and not least by Ricky Ponting. The Australian captain, in a strange period after lunch, allowed Laxman and Dhoni precious runs off Michael Clarke and Andrew Symonds — 52 in a 16-over period — when the lead had yet to reach menacing proportions.

India prospered to set a target of 413. Pathan then prised out bothopposition openers — Chris Rogers with shallow curve away and Phil Jaques with lift. Australia finished on 65 for two from 15 overs; to break the record for the most wins on the trot, it will need to mount the second-best chase in Test history.

Earlier, Pathan was the one constant in a morning session dense with action. India lost Virender Sehwag, Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly, but scored at very nearly five runs an over. Pathan is a curious batsman: for all his natural ability, his style is distinctively starchy. He clearly has an excellent eye — not everyone hits 150 kmph deliveries on the rise through cover. But, in his sloped-back stance, bat held stiffly by the side, ostensibly straight, he reveals a manufactured technique.

Placed in a battle, Pathan raises his game. Described by former coach John Wright as the sort of man to have beside you in a fight, the left-hander more than kept his end up, batting with courage, commonsense, and skill. He was bounced by Brett Lee, but far from camping on the back-foot, he met every full ball with a large stride and a broad bat.

Pathan stayed in the present, reacting to each ball, despite seeing some first-rate bowling from the non-striker’s end (Stuart Clark’s conquest of Sehwag was enough to sway a lesser man, as were Lee’s dismissals of Dravid and Tendulkar).

Sehwag castled

With the cloud cover and a sou’westerly breeze arranging for swing, and the grass breaking through the top surface of the strip providing cut, Clark and Lee were armed sufficiently. The former showed Sehwag several deliveries that left him before castling the opener with one that drifted in and broke back off the turf.

Lee had Dravid touching an outswinger to the keeper (although Snicko didn’t register a nick) and Tendulkar playing across one that was angled in from wide on the crease. When Ganguly edged Mitchell Johnson to first slip without the crucial preliminary of shifting his balance forward, if not actually moving his feet, India fell to 125 for five.

Sinuously resistant

But, Laxman was sinuously resistant, and though he lost Pathan to Clark immediately after lunch, he talked Dhoni into staying with him. The wicketkeeper-batsman has struggled to adjust to Australian conditions, but he put his head down on Friday, much as he had in the second innings at Sydney, and fought the urge to force his bottom hand at deliveries outside the off-stump.

Ponting, under pressure to quicken the over-rate, used Clarke and Symonds when he would have done well to recruit his strikers. Dhoni appeared tetchy as the second drinks break beckoned, but fortunately for India, a pounded six off Clarke bled the pressure. Dhoni settled, extending to the magnificent Laxman the support he deserved.

Dhoni gave in, however, to the temptation of the lap-sweep — Gilchrist doing well to catch the top-edge — and broke the 75-run stand. Anil Kumble fell before tea, but R.P. Singh, sheltered creatively from Lee by Laxman, made a brave, bright 30 to help extend the lead beyond 400.

News Source : Samachar

Humanitarian gesture by Aussies

Sachin Tendulkar almost turned the clock back here on Wednesday when he defied another four-pronged Australian pace attack to put together a polished — if cheeky — 71 before he was done in by yet some more poor umpiring.

Eighteen years ago, he had indeed gone on to the three-figure mark, moving some of those in the fielding side to mark him down as one for the future. In 1991-92, he had faced up to Craig McDermott, Merv Hughes, Paul Reiffel and Mike Whitney as against Brett Lee, Mitchell Johnson, Stuart Clark and Shaun Tait this time round.

The second innings however, continued an old bogey. Against Australia, Tendulkar averages 16 in second innings efforts, and as India desperately battled to build a big enough lead to stop the Aussies, he chose to play across the line and was trapped plumb leg before by Lee. For the record, Tendulkar did not disturb the statisticians as he fell for 13, still under that average dismissal rate of 16.

The maestro will now have to wait for the home series against South Africa to get to Brian Lara’s world record 11,953 runs as he has two Test innings left here in Adelaide and is 350-odd runs adrift of the Trinidadian genius.

As Australia battled to dig themselves out of a hole in this ongoing third Test for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy at the WACA ground here after having set off in chase of their world-record 17th consecutive Test, Ricky Ponting’s men have also been doing their bit for a good cause, this time for the Royal Flying Doctor Service.

Shirts worn by the Australian players on the first day were signed and donated to the RFDS, with the auction kicking off during the first over of play. The auctions, which close at the completion of the match, have sparked interest from cricket fans in Australia and around the world, Cricket Australia said.

Nearing the close of Day 1, the top bids on each of the twelve shirts had totalled over $16,000 — an encouraging result for the Flying Doctors. All proceeds go from the auctions will go to the RFDS, providing much-needed funds for their Australia-wide service.

The most popular players so far have been the captain and vice captain, with bids of over $2,500 for Ricky Ponting and Adam Gilchrist-worn shirts, while Andrew Symonds has also attracted bids of over $2,000. Another item of interest will be the first shirt worn in the Test career of Chris Rogers.

Royal Flying Doctor Service national chairman, Tim Fischer, said the service was both excited and honoured to have its logo displayed on the shirts. "The baggy green cap and Royal Flying Doctor Service are totemic symbols in Australian history," Fischer said.

"It is apt that a cricket match played in one of the world’s most remote cities should commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Royal Flying Doctor Service, which provides medical services to some of the world’s most isolated communities.

"Australians are justifiably proud of the Royal Flying Doctor Service and the Aussie cricket side; they are both uniquely Australian and great success stories.

Shane Warne has preoccupations other than cricket on his mind these days. Though he has quit international cricket, Warne is English county side Hampshire captain but they will have to start the 2008 season sans their skipper as Warne has signed up to play in a number of tournaments for an online poker company, according to reports here.

The former world record holder for Test wickets taken will compete in Britain, the US and New Zealand, but Hampshire chairman Rod Bransgrove was quoted as saying, "We’re confident he will back, but we’ll have to start the season with someone different. I’ll chat with Shane and work out a sensible cricket programme for both of us."

News Source : Samachar

Kumble will play a huge role: Laxman

Cricket is usually not about flash and dash. Yet some exemplify that more than others and when they do reveal that there is the other side to their character too, it can come as something of a surprise.

Thus it was that Venkatasai Laxman, author of a reviving 79 in India’s second innings at the WACA Ground here on Friday that was far from his usual wristy elegance was unusually eloquent about his effort that saw India go from a rocky 125/5 all the way to 294 and a 400-plus chase for Australia.

"More than getting a hundred, it’s about helping the team to win matches," he said later. "And I enjoy playing under such situations. It’s been that way throughout, not only for India but for Hyderabad and South Zone as well.

"These situations seem to bring the best out of me. It was important to analyse the situation and I took maximum strike against Lee. R.P. was happy to face Shaun Tait and Stuart Clark at the other end.

"It was important to get past the 400 mark. That’s why the partnership with R.P. was important. Dhoni played a mature knock, he played to the situation like he’s been doing of late and R.P.’s effort was commendable. To bat like that against Australian quicks in Perth required a lot of determination and grit."

So what was it like out there? "When I went in to bat, I was not thinking about the bigger picture. It was important to develop partnerships — myself and Irfan built up a stand first and then with Dhoni and R.P.

"Also it was necessary to analyse the situation and judge it. We had to go according to the situation but I had confidence in my partners." On how he expected Saturday to go, Laxman said: "They will be under a lot of pressure. A 350-plus chase in the fourth inning, especially with the way our bowlers have been bowling will not be easy.

"Anil will be a key bowler tomorrow."

Michael Clarke got good bounce from the pitch so there is still life in the wicket. Anil will have a huge role to play now."

News Source : Samachar

Ian Healy: Dhoni has much to gain from this tour

Perth: Ian Healy was, for years, the most successful wicketkeeper in Test cricket. On Friday, the 43-year-old spoke to The Telegraph.

The following are excerpts

On his impressions of Mahendra Singh Dhoni

I first saw him in Sri Lanka during a limited overs tournament in 2005 and I’ve been impressed with the way he’s developed as a person and as a ’keeper... It’s remarkable that he’s even led India (in ODIs and Twenty20) while his own game is developing...

On the importance of the ongoing tour for Dhoni

It’s one big learning curve for him... This tour, perhaps, is where he’ll learn the most and I must say it has come at the right time for him.

On Dhoni, at one time, having been a strong contender for the Test captaincy too

It’s good that your selectors didn’t give him that responsibility... ’Keeping to (Anil) Kumble and worrying about what others are doing would’ve been too much for Dhoni... Kumble won’t be around for too long and, so, it’s good that Dhoni has got this opportunity to work with such a senior pro... Dhoni, as I see it, has much to gain from this tour.

On his experience of having captained in ODIs, in a stand-in capacity

I did feel I had to do too many things... Captaincy probably won’t make a difference if you’re steamrolling opponents and if you don’t have to ’keep to many spinners... But, if you’ve got a fight on your hands, then it’s definitely going to be tough.

On Adam Gilchrist who, at 36, isn’t getting any younger

He can continue for as long as he wants... We’ve had a pretty easy 12 months, but there’s lots of cricket in the next 12... If he has the energy and is playing for the right reasons, then he can continue beyond next summer too.

On whether, in the lead-up to his retirement (in 1999), he’d grown tired mentally

Indeed, yes... It became a mental thing... I’d stopped enjoying practice, when my game was built around a solid preparation... Then, there was the pressure of having to perform day in and day out and not make mistakes... That began getting to me... I also started feeling it physically.

On Australia’s current No.2 ’keeper, Brad Haddin

I rate him extremely highly and he’s as competent as any in the world. However if Gilchrist continues for, say, two-three seasons then the selectors will probably need to get somebody younger.

On Mark Boucher, the most successful ’keeper

He’s good and is a fierce competitor... Besides, he has quite a few years left in him...

On ’keepers today being more conscious that they’ve got to be good batters as well

I think this trend began in the 1970s... Having said that, you still need to be making dismissals and not missing dismissals. Left to me I wouldn’t sacrifice any ’keeping quality for the sake of a few runs... For me, it has to be an out and out specialist.

On the skills needed by a ’keeper

The ’keeper has to be technically sound otherwise his game will come apart at the highest level... He’s got to have agility and should be able to set fielding standards... The basic skills have to be displayed ball in and ball out... Indeed, everybody can’t ’keep...

On whether one has to be born a ’keeper

The qualities have to be recognised early and, then, developed... The ’keeper has to be a pretty natural catcher and a pretty natural mover... The natural instincts have to be moulded into ’keeping techniques... One needs time to develop.

On working with the Centre of Excellence in Brisbane

I work with the country’s elite ’keepers there... Besides, I’m available for individuals... Tomorrow, if Dhoni wants to have a chat, I’ll be available.

On whether there’s a standout ’keeper on the circuit

Gilchrist’s as good as any and I quite like Sri Lanka’s Prasanna Jayawardene... In the years to come, he’ll be talked about in a big way.

On the dearth of standout ’keepers

(Smiles) Don’t know why... Could be because there’s too much cricket... Could be because, nowadays, the ’keepers are less flamboyant... Difficult to pin a reason.

On whether that could be because the present-day ’keepers are probably paying more attention to their batting

I think so, but that can’t be an excuse...

On a ’keeper constantly having to remain in the switched-on mode

With so much responsibility, you can’t afford not to... Mental toughness, for me, is the ability to watch the ball when the pressure’s on and to react.

Finally, his message to budding ’keepers

Watch the ball... If you’re doing that and moving well, you can rarely go wrong.

News Source : Samachar

Aussies need to defy history

Australia will have to defy history to chase down India's imposing target of 413 to secure a world record 17th consecutive Test win.

Except for the West Indies, who hold the record for the highest run-chase in the fourth innings, no Test team has ever achieved the feat of scoring so many runs.

Australia's most successful run-chase in the fourth innings is 404 for 3 recorded against England at Leeds in 1948 and with the hosts having already lost two wickets the target looks even more daunting.

Out of the top five successful chases in the fourth innings, the Australians find themselves at three places in the list, 369 for 6 versus Pakistan at Hobart in 1999-00 and 362 for 7 against the West Indies at Georgetown in 1976-77 being the two other occasions.

The West Indies hold the record of 418 runs, achieved against Australia at St John's in 2002-03 while India are the second in the list with their 406-4 against the Caribbeans at Port-of-Spain in 1975-76.

The WACA, where the pitch is regarded as the fastest in the world, has been a happy hunting ground for the hosts. But even here their most successful fourth innings achievement is 342-8 against India in 1977-78.

With the WACA track getting a little slower, a fact admitted by Indian middle order batsman VVS Laxman and Australian coach Tim Nielsen, it will take a lot of effort from the Aussies to prevent their first defeat at this venue since 1997 when they were beaten by the West Indies by 10 wickets.

News Source : Samachar

HIV`s pathway into cells found

A pair of theoretical physicists at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute has searched out a possible pathway that an HIV peptide takes to enter healthy cells.

The discovery of the surprisingly simple mechanism describing how this protein fragment penetrates the cell membrane is a result of an analysis of two years of biocomputation and simulation.

The researchers believe that their finding may help scientists treat other human illnesses by exploiting the same molecules that make HIV so deadly proficient.

During their study, the researchers discovered that the positively charged HIV peptide is drawn to negatively charged groups inside the cell membrane.

When the HIV peptide cannot satisfy itself with the negative charges available on the cell membrane surface it is directly attached to, it reaches through the membrane to grab negatively charged groups in the molecules on the other side, opening a transient hole in the cell.

"What we saw in our computer calculations wasn't at all what we expected to see when we began," said Angel Garcia, co-lead author and Senior Constellation Professor of Biocomputation and Bioinformatics.

"The mechanism for entrance in the cell was clear in one simulation, but in some instances simulations show one result and you never see that result again. Then we started doing other simulations and it kept happening again and again," he added.

When the peptides were neutralized during the experiments, said the researchers, the reaction stopped and the hole closed, leaving behind a healthy, viable cell.

For the paper, the researchers reported a dozen different simulations run through a high-powered cluster of computers, each of which required a long process of testing and validating results.

Garcia's computer cluster is currently running simulations on the use of antimicrobial proteins which will open a pore in the cell and keep it open, killing the cell. Antimicrobial proteins have promising direct applications for killing harmful cells in the body.

News Source : Samachar

Contact lens for ‘superhuman vision’

Always dreamt of having ‘superhuman vision’ like the Terminator or Bionic Woman? Well, your desire could soon be fulfilled.

Researchers at the University of Washington have for the first time used manufacturing techniques at microscopic scales to combine a flexible, biologically safe contact lens with an imprinted electronic circuit and lights.

These lenses will act as visual aids to help vision-impaired people, holographic driving control panels and even as a way to surf the Web on the go.

"Looking through a completed lens, you would see what the display is generating superimposed on the world outside," said Babak Parviz, a UW assistant professor of electrical engineering.

"This is a very small step toward that goal, but I think it`s extremely promising,” Parviz added.

There are many possible uses for virtual displays. Drivers or pilots could see a vehicle`s speed projected onto the windshield. Video-game companies could use the contact lenses to completely immerse players in a virtual world without restricting their range of motion. And for communications, people on the go could surf the Internet on a midair virtual display screen that only they would be able to see.

"People may find all sorts of applications for it that we have not thought about. Our goal is to demonstrate the basic technology and make sure it works and that it`s safe," said Parviz, who heads a multi-disciplinary UW group that is developing electronics for contact lenses.

The prototype device contains an electric circuit as well as red light-emitting diodes for a display, though it does not yet light up.

The revolutionary lenses were tested on rabbits for up to 20 minutes and the animals showed no adverse effects.

Parviz said that installing or removing the bionic eye would be as easy as popping a contact lens in or out, and once installed the wearer would barely know the gadget was there.

"There is a large area outside of the transparent part of the eye that we can use for placing instrumentation," Parviz said.

The finding has been presented at the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers` international conference on Micro Electro Mechanical Systems.

News Source : Samachar

Sub-prime heat hits India; IndyMac cuts jobs

The sub-prime impact is far from over. One of the largest independent mortgage lenders in the US, IndyMac Bancorp, has decided to cut down staff with its temporary and outsourcing vendors by 27%, mainly in India.

Currently, three service providers in India, Cognizant Technology Solutions, ExlService Holdings and WNS, cater to the ninth-largest American mortgage lender. IndyMac’s move could impact about 400-450 people at the three service providers.

That’s not all. IndyMac CEO Mike Perry, in an email to employees, said another 500-1,000 of the company’s global workforce could be retrenched by June. The lender announced that it’s cutting 2,403 jobs, or 24% of its workforce, to attempt a return to profitability.

The layoffs will save IndyMac an estimated $136 million a year in labour costs. Of the 2,403 job cuts, around 1,880 employees face immediate layoffs. These include 1,440 IndyMac employees and 441 workers at outsourced or temporary vendors located mainly in India, Mr Perry said in the e-mail.

Exl, one of the BPOs that would be affected, said its operations and financial condition would not be materially impacted by IndyMac’s move. The US mortgage lender accounted for about 5% of Exl’s revenues in the year ended December 2007.

In an SEC filing, the Nasdaq-listed BPO firm said, “The reduction in the volume of services provided to IndyMac is not expected to be material and is not expected to have a material adverse impact on the company’s operations or financial condition. All company employees affected by the current restructuring will be absorbed fully into other processes.”

WNS CEO Neeraj Bhargava was not available for comments. A Cognizant spokesperson said the company did not comment on specific customers as a matter of policy. IndyMac began outsourcing call centre work to India in 2002. In 2004, it signed contracts with Cognizant Technology Solutions for IT and software development, WNS Global Services for analytics and research, and Exl for customer service through call centre.

IndyMac had reduced its global workforce by roughly 1,600 through a voluntary resignation and severance programme in September last year, resulting in significant reductions in its outsourced and temporary workforce (such as that in India) and some targeted layoffs during the year.

The US sub-prime crisis has seen many mortgage companies file for bankruptcy, leading to loss of business for some Indian BPO firms. WNS in August 2007 lost its major client, First Magnus, when it filed for bankruptcy. The second-largest privately-held US mortgage firm was expected to account for about 5% of WNS’ revenue less repair payments for the period between July 1, 2007 and March 2008.

News Source : Samachar

Case registered against Govinda for slapping

Actor-MP Govinda on Friday had a case filed against him for slapping a visitor on the sets of a film. Santosh Rai filed the non-cognisable complaint under section 323 (voluntarily causing hurt) of the IPC at the Goregaon police station against the Congress MP, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone XI) Makrand Ranade told PTI.

The first-time MP was caught on tape slapping Rai while he was visiting the set where the actor was shooting for his film Money Hai to Honey Hai. Govinda had accused Rai of misbehaving with artistes including women. He said Rai was even kicking the legs of the chair on which the actor was sitting.

The Bollywood actor, known for his comic roles, remained unrepentant on Friday also saying he wouldn't hesitate to slap the individual again if he appeared before him.

"There is no question of apologising to him," Govinda told reporters outside the Filmistan studios. He claimed that Rai's decision to lodge a complaint was politically motivated.

In 2004, Govinda made his electoral debut and beat four-time BJP MP and former Union minister Ram Naik but has since kept a low political profile, and has been finding time to revive his Bollywood career. The MP has been under fire for not visiting his Lok Sabha constituency for a long time.

News Source : Samachar

Situation very serious: Buddha

Bird flu may have spread to three more districts of West Bengal as culling of poultry was on in the two affected districts of Birbhum and south Dinajpur.

Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharya held an emergency meeting with top officials on Friday in order to decide on the further course of action to be undertaken.

What is being seen, as cause of fresh worry is the fact that an unusually high number of poultry deaths have been reported from the districts of Nadia, Murshidabad and Bardhman.

The state government has been advised to immediately begin culling in these districts and the environment ministry is surveying all wild and migratory birds.

The Chief Minister said that the death of crows and owls in Kolkata's southern and eastern parts on Friday was normal and that there was no cause for panic.

''We will have to kill four lakh birds in the affected districts, Bhattacharjee said, adding the situation was ''very serious''.

The poultry in 5-10 km radius of the affected areas would have to be culled and the process would be completed within seven days, he said.

In Murshidabad, 10,000 chickens have died since Tuesday, in Burdwan 2,000 in the past seven days and in Bankura 400 sick birds were culled on Thursday though bird flu was not confirmed there, reports from the districts said.

In Dakshin Dinajpur district, declared bird flu affected, 6000 chicken have been culled with 19 teams at work at the district headquarters town of Balurghat and villages that fell within a 5-km radius of a government poultry farm.

In Birbhum, another bird flu-hit district, people were resisting the culling operations. The Rampurhat subdivsion was the worst affected, government sources said.

Meanwhile, acting on the health ministry's advice, Tamil Nadu has become the first state to ban the import of poultry products from West Bengal.

On the international front, Qatar has too put a ban on poultry imports from India.

News Source : Samachar