CURRENT AFFAIRS: 07/19/11

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

U.S. wants IAEA to vet Indian liability law

Adding a new element to the ongoing Indo-U.S. nuclear saga, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Tuesday “encouraged” New Delhi to “engage” with the International Atomic Energy Agency to ensure that the Indian nuclear liability law “fully conforms” with the international Convention on Supplementary Compensation (CSC) for Nuclear Damage.

Chennai: US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will meet Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa in Chennai on Wednesday on the second day of her visit to India. She will meet Jayalalithaa at 4.10 pm for about 10 minutes.

The FBI arrested a Virginia man on Tuesday on charges that he has been illegally working on behalf of the Pakistani government in the United States.

US officials have charged two men with illegally lobbying the government for Pakistan and its intelligence agency, the ISI, over the Kashmir dispute.

Syed Ghulam Nabi Fai, 62, was arrested for failing to register as an agent of a foreign government.

British Prime Minister David Cameron on Monday called for an emergency session of Parliament to brief members on the spreading phone hacking scandal, trying to gain control of a crisis that is threatening Rupert Murdoch’s media empire, the upper echelons of London’s police force and the country’s leader himself.

NEW DELHI: Striking yet another blow against piracy, an Indian warship has thwarted an attempt to hijack a Greek merchant vessel Elinakos in the Gulf of Aden between Yemen and Somalia.

An Indian Navy warship foiled a pirate attack on a Greek merchant vessel in the Gulf of Aden when it launched a helicopter and marine commandoes forcing eight Somali pirates to abandon the plan.

Indian Naval Ship Godavari, on anti-piracy patrol escort operation since May 25 in the region responded to a distress call from MV Elinakos in the early hours of July 16 while escorting four other ships in the Gulf of Aden.

The Gujarat High Court on Tuesday appointed a Bihar cadre IPS officer as the chief of the SIT probing the Ishrat Jahan encounter-the fourth in less than a year-and slammed the Union Government for adopting a "casual approach" to the case.

New Delhi: More cases regarding the land acquired in Greater Noida by builders are expected to come up in the Allahabad High Court on Wednesday and on Thursday.

The HC is expected to decide on land acquisition issues of Roja Yaqubpur and Bisarakh Jalalpur villages of Greater Noida on Wednesday.

In another jolt to Noida Extension builders, the Allahabad High Court on Tuesday annulled the land acquisition of Patwari and Dewla villages.
The high court quashed acquisition of 589 hectares of land in the Greater Noida for Industrial development.

Clinton presses India to open markets faster

NEW DELHI — Secretary of State Hillary Clinton urged India on Tuesday to open markets faster and resolve questions on a civilian nuclear accord that U.S. companies hope could mean billions of dollars in new business.

US admits to limited influence on Pakistan

NEW DELHI: US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Tuesday said it was made “forcefully clear” to Pakistan that it has to bring the perpetrators of 2008 Mumbai attacks to justice, but noted that there was a “limit” to US and India’s pressure tactics.

Speaking to reporters after the second round of India-US Strategic Dialogue, Clinton noted that there was an “absolute international responsibility to bring the perpetrators (of the Mumbai carnage) to justice”. She said, “We have made that equally forcefully clear to Pakistan that it has a special obligation to do so transparently—fully and urgently.”But, in the same breath, she pointed out that pressure tactics may not work with Pakistan. “Obviously there is a limit to what both the United States and India can do, but we intend to continue to press as hard as possible,” she added.In her opening remarks at the joint press conference, Clinton said emphasis was placed on counter-terrorism and security in the talks which was “first and foremost on all of our minds after the bombings in Mumbai last week.”She also expressed condolence and “outrage” on the serial bomb blasts in Mumbai on July 13 that has left 20 dead.External Affairs Minister S M Krishna also said that both sides had agreed to intensify cooperation to fight terrorism. “Both sides remain committed to comprehensive sharing of information on the Mumbai terror attack of 2008,” he said.Clinton acknowledged that this close cooperation in counter-terrorism has been highly beneficial “because a lot of the terrorist networks that threaten you, also threaten us.”She continued, “We have made the point repeatedly to our Pakistani colleagues that terrorists threaten both of us and terrorists have actually killed more Pakistanis...than Americans. And so we recognise that Pakistan must act on its own behalf first, foremost to protect its own territory and sovereignty and to protect the lives of people of Pakistan.”

Rupert Murdoch - the old devil is up for it

Towards the end of the Dark Lord’s empire, his plucky opponents have to find and destroy the remaining horcruxes which give him his invincible power.

First, Coulson the Snake is eliminated, strangled by his own serpentine coils. Next, his mighty organ, the News of the World, is shut down.

Murdoch, ‘Surprised and Shocked,’ Is Likely to Face More Questions

LONDON — Rupert and James Murdoch said repeatedly during their extended testimony before a parliamentary committee in Britain that their involvement in managing the News Corporation’s response to the phone hacking scandal was limited. Rupert Murdoch said he felt let down by “the people that I trusted and then, maybe the people they trusted.”

KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — Taliban spokesmen in Afghanistan denied Wednesday that the insurgent group's leader Mullah Mohammed Omar had died, claiming that a phone message and a posting on the Internet were fake.

LONDON (Reuters) - Sachin Tendulkar at the peak of his considerable powers can mark the 2,000th test at Lord's starting on Thursday with an unprecedented 100th international century at the headquarters of world cricket when India face England.

LONDON (Reuters) - Rebekah Brooks, who last week resigned as head of News Corp's British newspaper operations, on Tuesday joined her former bosses Rupert and James Murdoch in apologising to the British parliament for a hacking scandal.

BHU professor found dead in campus home

Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh), July 19 (IANS) A professor of the prominent Banaras Hindu University (BHU) here was found dead in his official residence on the campus Tuesday, police said.

Supreme Court appoints panel for sex workers

New Delhi, July 19 (IANS) The Supreme Court Tuesday set up a panel to suggest ways for the prevention of human trafficking for sex trade and to conduct a survey of sex workers across the country and rehabilitate them.

Three terrorists in Bengal's Siliguri: IB official

Kolkata, July 19 (IANS) All police stations in northern West Bengal's Siliguri town and adjacent areas in Darjeeling district have been put on high alert following intelligence inputs that three terrorists - two from Bangladesh and another from Pakistan - have entered the town, said an IB officer.

NEW DELHI (Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton urged India on Tuesday to amend a law that has put off U.S. companies from participating in the $150 billion nuclear energy market over liability concerns in case of accidents.

London, (AFP): The new world Test championship could witness the first 'timeless' Test in more than 70 years, according to Haroon Lorgat.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) chief executive said the format, where matches are played to a finish, regardless of time constraints, could be revived for the final of a four-team tournament to determine the world's leading Test side due to take place in England in 2013.

Amar Singh loves talking, and isn't shy of controversy. It will be interesting to see what he will say now, as the noose tightens around him in the cash-for-votes scandal. Did he fund the bribing of MPs, as his assistant has just told the police?

London, July 19 (ANI): Researchers have revealed the secret of a happy marriage - wives weighing less than their hubbies.
A four-year study has suggested that in the short and long term, both partners are more contented if the woman has a lower Body Mass Index.

Qualification: Graduation in any discipline
Duration: One year
Cost of course: Rs 1,25,000 p.a.
Starting salary: N/A

For a long time distance learning institutes were associated with regular courses in Humanities and Social Sciences with a few adventurous ones such as Annamalai venturing into Science streams as well. But in recent years, DL institutions have moved towards courses that have immediate employment potential.

LONDON (Reuters) - At the end of this week, the International Energy Agency (IEA) is expected to announce the results of its 30-day review of an emergency reserves release, which shocked oil markets and sent ripples across foreign exchange.

True blue: The Lakes of Ladakh

"So is it Pangong Tso tomorrow or Tso Moriri?" asked Dorjee, my guide and driver as I stretched my legs and gulped another cup of green tea. Most tour operators recommend just one of these high altitude lakes, but I was greedy. I wanted to visit not just two, but the third lake, Tso Kar as well. Dorjee grinned when I told him our plans and he suggested that we camp at Pangong. On an impulse, we agreed.

Glowing through the rains

By Prevention

Monsoon, though beautiful can crop up make-up woes. You give finishing touches to your look, walk out and your make-up starts to run. What do you do to prevent this?
Renowned make-up artist Vidya Tikari advises…

Q. With high humidity levels during the monsoons, my make-up tends to run. By the time I reach office, I have patchy foundation and runny eyeliner. Please can you suggest a way out?
You need to switch to a different kind of make-up in terms of texture during the monsoon months. Keep a few basics in mind to avoid being left with runny, patchy or even caked up make-up. Remember to wash and cleanse your face thoroughly and rub an ice cube for five to ten minutes to reduce sweating and ensure your make-up lasts. While doing your base, opt for translucent foundations as opposed to the creamy variety that tend to run more easily.
Mineralised foundations with SPF that come in compact, powder or liquid form are best suited for humid weather. You can take your pick depending on the kind of coverage you need. And yes, a liquid mineral base works fine even in this season as it provides a thin, even coverage without causing sweat because it is not oil-based. Also, the best part about mineral foundations is that they can be used at any time of the day. When it comes to doing your eyes, the best option is to use a gel liner which becomes waterproof within the first two minutes of application. It can also double up as kohl for lining the inside of the lower eye rim and does not smudge away easily, unlike regular kajal, which should be avoided during the rainy season. Go for a waterproof mascara that lasts up to 10 hours without getting messy.
Also, avoid using lip gloss in this weather, instead go for matte-based, long-stay lip colours. Most importantly, keeping blotting paper handy is a must for those who sweat heavily. Always remember to carry some in your bag before stepping out for the day.
MY TOP TIP: Don't forget to apply a good quality primer before you put on the base as it not only smoothens out skin, but also allows it tosit well.

IT, health sectors face maximum attrition rate

The information technology (IT) and healthcare sectors are witnessing the highest attrition rates among talented employees, says a survey. The IT and IT enabled services (ITES) sectors saw the highest attrition rate of 23 per cent in the first quarter of 2010-11.

If you're Indian and are asked to give an example for lather, rinse, repeat, you need look no further than the terror attacks on Mumbai.

After a visit to my bathroom and seeing my collection of toiletries, including shower gels and body washes, my grandmother couldn't help telling me how in their days, soap used to be a luxury - that they used to even make "lye" soaps at home to save expense. She disapproved of my "indulgence" in toiletries.

The first stop for most travellers in Ladakh is Leh town. Wisely so. It is at a lower altitude than many other attractions, allowing one to acclimatize better. For those flying in, Leh has the only airport in Ladakh, thus making it natural for the journey to start and end here. This is also where you pick your Inner Line Permits for exploring other areas of Ladakh.

Sonam and Shahid’s love story ‘Mausam’ unveiled their first theatrical recently, and sources now reveal that Sonam was almost about to give it a miss. Apparently, Sonam’s schedule was pre-booked and her dates were blocked for the shoot of her film ‘Players’. They were combination dates and since it was the last four days of her shoot, there was a lot to finish.

London, July 19 (ANI): Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni's 2011 World Cup winning bat was auctioned of on Monday for Rs. 72 lakh at London's Hilton Hotel.
Man of the Match in the finals Dhoni scored 91 runs and hit the winning six to bring millions of smiles and cheers across India on April 2 this year.

Hyderabad, July 19 (IANS) Cash, gold and silver continue to tumble out of cupboards in the late Sathya Sai Baba's residential quarters in Puttaparthi town of Andhra Pradesh, with valuables worth nearly Rs.59 crore being found so far in three rounds of counting.

In the winter of 1947-48, the Indian cricket team visited Australia to play four Test matches. Australia, led by Don Bradman, were by some distance the finest team in world cricket. India, on the other hand, were greenhorns, having only played 10 Test matches, without winning any of them. To make matters worse, some of the country's top players were not available for selection. These included three superlatively gifted batsmen: Vijay Merchant, Mushtaq Ali, and R.S. Modi.

Bollywood is a place where, on a daily basis, thousands of aspiring actors strive to become actors but only few of them make it to the top.
In an industry where most stars belong to families with a 'filmy' background some of them are lucky to be on top without any filmy background or a godfather.

Some organizations are there which even after reaching at top, constantly strive to get better, it is because they have competition with themselves, such is the name of one of the company in automobile industry, Maruti, which is ranked at number one in India.

State-run Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL), in association with information and communications technology firm Sai InfoSystem (India) Ltd, on Monday launched its voice and video telephony services over the internet.

New Delhi, July 18:

State-run BSNL along with Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) provider Sai Infosystem has launched voice and video telephony over Internet Protocol to its customers.

Now any customer can make audio video calls at will on any landline, mobile or Internet Protocol phone anywhere in the world, provided that both the ends have requisite video phone equipment, BSNL said in a statement here today.

Apple Inc. (AAPL) is set to post a 69 percent jump in quarterly profit when it reports results today, after record buying of the iPad and Mac computer made up for weaker demand for its aging iPhone 4.
Profit rose to $5.5 billion in the fiscal third quarter, which ended June 25, according to the average prediction of analysts in a Bloomberg survey.

A battle for the top position in internet business has broken out as rival alliances are going face—to—face with one another. The alliance of Facebook, Microsoft, Nokia and Skype has joined forces against Internet giant Google, which has allied itself with Apple and microblogging service Twitter.

Google's quarterly revenue was reported at over $9 billion in the first quarter since Larry Page took over as the CEO. There is 32 % increase from last year's earnings. Speaking about recently launched social networking site Google+, Page said the response to it has been overwhelming and over 10 million people have joined the social networking site since its launch.

As many as 65 diamonds, estimated to be worth Rs 25 crore, have been recovered from the Opera House blast site by rescue workers while cleaning the streets strewn with debris.

New Delhi: As many as 65 diamonds, estimated to be worth Rs. 25 crore, have been recovered from the Opera House blast site by rescue workers while cleaning the streets strewn with debris.

India is in the process of making suitable amendments to the Prevention of Money Laundering Act and Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act to bring them in line with the main recommendations of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), said Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee.

Komli Media acquires mobile ad firm ZestADZ

Digital media services provider Komli Media today said that it has bought ZestADZ, a Chennai-based mobile advertising company for an undisclosed sum.
This is Komli's fourth acquisition in a year and completes its product suite which did not have any major presence in the growing mobile space, Komli's Chief Executive Prashant Mehta told PTI.

Growing disquiet sparks rise in 2012 gold forecasts

Waning confidence in the strength of global economic recovery and persistent concerns over euro zone debt levels since January have prompted some leading analysts to lift their 2012 gold price forecasts, a Reuters poll showed on Thursday.

Gold has been creating waves in the commodities space, hitting new lifetime highs. Commodities in general have seen a surge on heavy safe haven buying amid concerns over debt in the US and the euro zone. Below are the top commodity picks for the day.

Gold:VP of Anand Rathi Commodities Kishore Narne suggests buying gold on dips towards Rs 23,000-23,050 levels, with a stop loss of Rs 22,800 and a target of Rs 23,400.
According to NS Ramaswamy, Head of Commodities at Ventura Securities, the strategy for the day would be to remain long on the MCX Gold contract. He suggests buying in the range of Rs 23,200-23,220 which could be close USD 1,600-1,601. The target for that day is USD 1,611-1,619 which could be close to Rs 23,350-23,400, with a stop loss of Rs 23,110 or USD 1590.
Zinc:According to Naveen Mathur of Angel Broking, the strategy in commodity space would be to buy the MCX July contract of zinc in the range of Rs 105.50-105.60. Recommended stop loss is Rs 103.80 and target would be seen in the range of Rs 108-108.50 levels.
Crude oil:Today we see the expiry in crude oil. However, Ashish Shah from Sushil Global Commodities says that one can expect a good volatility and momentum for the day, with Rs 4,250 to be a key level to watch out for, which will act as a support. So he recommends aggressive traders to wait for a break of Rs 4,250 and then to go ‘short’ for a target price of Rs 4,185-4,190.

Inflation keeps Tata worried

Mumbai, July 18: Bankers may not be too worried about inflation — and have started to question the need for another round of rate hikes to tamp down on the RBI’s biggest bugbear — but India Inc clearly is.

The Government today assured the industry that it is contemplating steps to tackle the problem of rising interest rates, which have dragged the industrial growth rate to a nine-month low of 5.6% in May.
"I am concerned about the cost of credit for exporters and industry. I already have had a meeting with the Finance Minister and we are addressing it," Commerce and Industry Minister Anand Sharma told reporters here after a meeting with industry chamber Ficci's members.

Aircraft crashes into oil refinery in Pakistan

A small aircraft crashed into an oil refinery in the southern Pakistani port city of Karachi today, triggering a fire though there were no immediate reports of casualties.

LONDON: The Scotland Yard may get its first woman Commissioner if Sara Thornton is chosen to replace Sir Paul Stephenson who resigned as Metropolitan Police chief following a phone hacking scandal in Britain, a report said.

Human rights lawyers in the UK and Pakistan are seeking the arrest of the Central Intelligence Agency's (CIA) former legal director for approving drone strikes that killed hundreds of people.

QUETTA: Eight Pakistani employees of a US-based aid organisation are missing and feared kidnapped in the volatile southwest bordering Afghanistan, a senior government official said on Tuesday.

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Glowing through the rains

By Prevention

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